Power 97.5 LA

Kendrick Lamar continues to dominate the music industry, setting a new milestone in streaming history. The Grammy-winning rapper has officially surpassed Drake in monthly Spotify listeners, solidifying his reign in hip-hop.
Kendrick Lamar Breaks Streaming Record Following his electrifying Super Bowl halftime performance, Kendrick Lamar now boasts 88.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify. This achievement makes him the most-streamed hip-hop artist on the platform. His rival, Drake, currently has 75.3 million listeners, trailing significantly behind.
Although Kendrick is leading in the rap genre, he still has a long way to go before claiming the top spot overall. Bruno Mars holds the No. 1 position with an astonishing 151 million monthly listeners, while The Weeknd follows in second place with 124.5 million.




Super Bowl and Grammy Success Drive Streams



Kendrick Lamar's streaming numbers have soared since his Super Bowl halftime performance and recent Grammy wins. According to reports, his hit diss track "Not Like Us" experienced a 430% surge in streams following the show. Other popular songs like "HUMBLE," "DNA," "Man at the Garden," and "All the Stars" saw a 200% increase in plays.
Apple Music also saw Kendrick dominating its charts. The morning after his performance, Kendrick held the entire top five spots on Apple Music's trending charts. His album GNX even reclaimed the No. 1 position, proving his influence in the industry.




Billboard 200 Impact and Album Sales Growth



Kendrick Lamar's success doesn't stop at streaming. His latest album, GNX, is expected to top the Billboard 200 once again, with projections estimating an additional 230,000 equivalent album units sold this week. This marks another victory for the Compton rapper as he continues to push boundaries in the industry.




Kendrick vs. Drake: A Battle Beyond Music



Kendrick Lamar and Drake have been engaged in one of the most talked-about rap feuds in recent history. Beyond critical acclaim, Kendrick has also outperformed Drake in revenue generated from their diss tracks.
According to Billboard, their rap battle has generated a staggering $15.4 million in streaming, digital sales, and publishing revenue. Kendrick accounted for nearly 87% of this, bringing in over $13.4 million with his diss tracks. "Not Like Us" alone generated approximately $7.6 million, while "Like That," his collaboration with Future and Metro Boomin, pulled in $4.6 million. Other diss tracks, including "Meet the Grahams" and "Euphoria," collectively made over $1.2 million.




What's Next for Kendrick Lamar?



With his continued success, Kendrick Lamar proves he is a force to be reckoned with. Whether through record-breaking streaming numbers, award wins, or financial dominance in rap battles, his influence remains unmatched.
For more insights into the latest hip-hop trends, visit Billboard or check out Apple Music for Kendrick's latest tracks.






The post Kendrick Lamar Sets New Spotify Record, Surpassing Drake in Monthly Listeners appeared first on The Heart of Music.

via: https://power975la.com/2025/02/kendrick-lamar-sets-new-spotify-record-surpassing-drake-in-monthly-listeners

Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, is standing up for his wife after her dance moves at the Super Bowl sparked mixed reactions. The tennis icon made a surprise appearance during Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance, adding even more excitement to the record-breaking show.
Serena Williams' Super Bowl Moment During Kendrick Lamar's performance of "Not Like Us," a song widely seen as a diss toward Drake, Serena took the stage and Crip Walked-a move that quickly went viral. The moment carried extra weight since Serena and Drake were rumored to have dated in 2011. Fans speculated that her appearance was another playful jab at the rapper.
Not everyone supported Serena's dance choice, with some critics voicing their opinions online. However, her husband, Alexis Ohanian, was quick to respond.




Alexis Ohanian Fires Back at Critics



In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ohanian reminded fans that this was not Serena's first time facing backlash for Crip Walking. "Some of y'all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows... This is bigger than the music," he wrote.
Serena also addressed the moment on Instagram, joking, "Man, I did not Crip Walk like that at Wimbledon. I woulda been FINEDDDD! It was all love." She shared how excited she was to be part of the show, revealing that Kendrick's team specifically invited her after remembering her iconic dance at the Olympics, where she celebrated winning a gold medal.




Serena's History with Kendrick Lamar and Drake



Serena has previously referenced her connection to Kendrick Lamar in subtle ways. While hosting the 2024 ESPY Awards, she made a joke about his ongoing feud with Drake, saying: "If I've learned anything this year, it's that none of us- not even me- should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar."
The joke landed well with the audience, and Kendrick even Crip Walked to "Not Like Us" as the crowd cheered. Serena followed up with another playful dig, saying: "He will make your hometown not like you. The next time Drake sits courtside at a Raptors game, they're gonna Forrest Gump him. Seats taken!"




Drake's History with Serena and Ohanian



Drake and Serena's rumored relationship has been the subject of speculation for years. Kendrick even referenced it in "Not Like Us" with the lyrics: "From Alondra down to Central, n-gga better not speak on Serena."
Drake also took shots at Serena's husband, Alexis Ohanian, in his 2022 song "Middle of the Ocean" from the Her Loss album, rapping: "Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie." Ohanian later clapped back on social media, saying, "The reason I stay winning is because I'm relentless about being the best at whatever I do-including being the best groupie for my wife & daughter."




A Moment to Remember



Serena Williams' Super Bowl cameo wasn't just about dance moves-it was a moment of culture, history, and playful jabs. As always, she handled the attention with confidence, showing why she remains one of the most influential athletes of all time.






The post Serena Williams' Husband Defends Her Super Bowl Cameo Amid Kendrick Lamar Performance appeared first on The Heart of Music.

via: https://power975la.com/2025/02/serena-williams-husband-defends-her-super-bowl-cameo-amid-kendrick-lamar-performance

Doechii's career is skyrocketing after her big night at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Her incredible win and unforgettable performance have pushed her album and single to new heights on the Billboard charts.
On February 2, Doechii made history by winning Best Rap Album for ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL. She became only the third female artist to achieve this honor, following Lauryn Hill (1997, as part of the Fugees) and Cardi B (2019). She also wowed the audience with a high-energy performance of "Catfish" and "Denial Is A River," proving her talent as a performer.
Doechii's Album and Single Soar on the Charts In the first full week after the Grammys, ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL climbed to No. 14 on the Billboard 200, selling 31,000 copies. This marks her first top 20 album, and her sales more than doubled compared to the previous week.
Her single, "Denial Is A River," also saw a major boost. It reached No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her highest-charting song to date.




New Music Inspired by Kanye West



Doechii didn't waste any time celebrating her Grammy success. Just hours after her win, she released a brand-new song, "Nosebleeds," which pays tribute to Kanye West's famous 2005 Grammys speech. The song references the moment Kanye won Best Rap Album for The College Dropout and said, "Everybody wanted to know what I would do if I didn't win... I guess we'll never know."
In "Nosebleeds", Doechii puts her own twist on it, rapping: "Errbody wanted to know what Doechii would do if she didn't win / I guess we'll never-". The track's bold lyrics and dynamic beat have fans buzzing.




A Viral Music Video for 'Denial Is A River'



Doechii's creative storytelling doesn't stop with music. Her new music video for "Denial Is A River" has captivated fans. Before its release, she teased the video with 90s sitcom-style clips under the title Denial Is A River Show. Many fans speculated she might be launching a web series, but it was actually a clever promotional campaign.
The final video is a star-studded house party, featuring appearances from Zack Fox, Earl Sweatshirt, Teezo Touchdown, DJ Miss Milan, ScHoolboy Q, SiR, Baby Tate, Rickey Thompson, and H Wood. Doechii delivers powerful verses about her journey, and the video ends with a dramatic explosion-leaving fans eager for what's next.




What's Next for Doechii?



With her latest achievements, Doechii has solidified her place in the rap industry. Her music continues to break barriers, and fans are excited for what's ahead.
To keep up with the latest music trends, check out Billboard's Chart Rankings and follow Doechii's official website for upcoming releases.
Want to learn more about how artists rise in the industry? Check out our guide on music marketing strategies.






The post Doechii Reaches New Billboard Heights After Her Grammy Win and Performance appeared first on The Heart of Music.

via: https://power975la.com/2025/02/doechii-reaches-new-billboard-heights-after-her-grammy-win-and-performance

SZA has just added 28 new Gold and Platinum plaques to her collection. The RIAA honored her on February 8, just a day before she planned to release fresh music. These certifications cover her entire career, from her 2017 album CTRL to her 2022 hit SOS.
Major Album Milestones SZA's CTRL reached an impressive five times Platinum status, meaning it sold 5 million units in the U.S. Meanwhile, SOS, which was already triple Platinum in 2023, surged to six times Platinum. These achievements solidify her place among today's top R&B artists.




Hit Singles Earn Platinum Recognition



Several of SZA's most popular songs also received new RIAA certifications. Among them:

Kendrick Lamar made history as the first solo rapper to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. Performing at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9, he delivered an electrifying 15-minute set. However, it wasn't just his music that had people talking-he also took several jabs at his longtime rival, Drake.
Kendrick Calls Out Drake in Performance During the show, Kendrick hinted at his feud with Drake multiple times. At one point, he teased the audience by saying, "I want to perform their favorite song... but you know they love to sue." This was a clear reference to Drake's lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick's diss track, Not Like Us.
When it came time to perform Not Like Us, Kendrick modified the lyrics slightly but made sure his message was loud and clear. He self-censored the line about Drake but looked directly into the camera and smirked. The crowd joined in enthusiastically, making the moment even more powerful.




Serena Williams Joins the Stage



One of the biggest surprises of the night was the appearance of tennis legend Serena Williams. As a Compton native and former girlfriend of Drake, her presence was seen as another subtle dig. She even Crip Walked on an elevated stage as Kendrick transitioned into his closing track, TV Off.
Along with Williams, SZA also joined Kendrick for performances of All the Stars and Luther. Hollywood icon Samuel L. Jackson added to the spectacle, narrating the performance while dressed as Uncle Sam. DJ Mustard also made a guest appearance during the final moments of the show.




A Hidden Message?



At the end of the performance, the stadium crowd lit up with the words "Game Over." Many believe this was Kendrick's final statement in his battle against Drake, continuing the video game theme of the night. Fans also speculated about his chain, which featured a lowercase "a" pendant. Some thought it referenced the "A minor" line from Not Like Us, while others believe it symbolized his creative company, pgLang.




Super Bowl Audience Reacts



With over 120 million viewers tuning in, the halftime show became one of the most talked-about moments of the night. While the Kansas City Chiefs suffered a shocking 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Kendrick's performance stole the spotlight.
As for Drake, he is currently on tour in Australia and has yet to respond to Kendrick's performance. Given their history, fans are eagerly waiting to see if he will fire back.
This Super Bowl halftime show will be remembered not just for its high-energy performance, but for the ongoing rap battle that played out on one of the biggest stages in the world.






The post Kendrick Lamar Takes Shots at Drake in Historic Super Bowl Halftime Performance appeared first on The Heart of Music.

via: https://power975la.com/2025/02/kendrick-lamar-takes-shots-at-drake-in-historic-super-bowl-halftime-performance

Power 97.5 LA – The Heart of Music

Los Angeles is a city that never stops moving, and neither does its music. At Power 97.5 LA, we keep the rhythm alive, delivering the hottest beats, exclusive interviews, and unforgettable events that shape the culture. Whether you're a lover of classic R&B, hip-hop anthems, or today’s chart-topping hits, we are the station that keeps your soul in sync with the sound of the city.

More Than Just a Radio Station

Power 97.5 LA isn’t just about playing music—it’s about creating an experience. We bring you exclusive content with celebrity guests, trending entertainment news, and live broadcasts that put you right in the middle of the action. Our programming is curated for real music lovers who appreciate the artistry, history, and passion behind every track.

Andrea’s Morning Show at the Glass Table

Wake up and tune in to Andrea’s Morning Show at the Glass Table from 9-11 AM, where bold conversations meet entertainment and pop culture. From dating dilemmas to celebrity gossip, Andrea keeps it real, fresh, and unfiltered—just the way LA likes it.

Events That Keep You Connected

Power 97.5 LA is more than just a voice on the airwaves—we bring the party to life! Our 2025 event lineup is packed with high-energy experiences, including: