BREAKING NEWS
Pete Davidson admits he was high on ketamine during Aretha Franklin’s 2018 funeral in Detroit
Read full article: Pete Davidson admits he was high on ketamine during Aretha Franklin’s 2018 funeral in DetroitPete Davidson made some pretty wild admissions during his new Netflix comedy special that was recently released.
Expensive court fight over Aretha Franklin's will provides cautionary tale
Read full article: Expensive court fight over Aretha Franklin's will provides cautionary taleThe long, expensive court fight over the will of soul singer Aretha Franklin provides a cautionary tale for people who want to make sure their wishes are carried out after their death.
Bill Lee, jazz musician who worked with Bob Dylan and on son Spike Lee's early movies, dies at 94
Read full article: Bill Lee, jazz musician who worked with Bob Dylan and on son Spike Lee's early movies, dies at 94Bill Lee, a well-regarded jazz musician who accompanied such artists as Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel and Harry Belafonte and scored four of his son Spike’s early films, has died.
Clinton initiative's NYC return includes Andres, Queen Rania
Read full article: Clinton initiative's NYC return includes Andres, Queen RaniaWorld Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres, Jordan’s Queen Rania, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda will help relaunch the Clinton Global Initiative in September.
Delfonics lead singer William 'Poogie' Hart dead at 77
Read full article: Delfonics lead singer William 'Poogie' Hart dead at 77William “Poogie” Hart, a founder of the Grammy-winning trio the Delfonics who helped write and sang a soft lead tenor on such classic “Sound of Philadelphia” ballads as “La-La (Means I Love You)” and “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” has died at age 77.
Generations sing to Joni Mitchell in pre-Grammys tribute
Read full article: Generations sing to Joni Mitchell in pre-Grammys tributeGenerations of artists paid tribute to the five-decade career of Joni Mitchell, who was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year at a gala two days before the Grammys.
Khan, Lauper, Beck to play MusiCares Joni Mitchell tribute
Read full article: Khan, Lauper, Beck to play MusiCares Joni Mitchell tributeChaka Khan, Cyndi Lauper and Beck will be among those performing in tribute to Joni Mitchell when she’s honored as the 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy.
‘Dune’ director out, KStew in and more Oscars surprises
Read full article: ‘Dune’ director out, KStew in and more Oscars surprisesThe 94th Oscar nominations were full of surprises in both satisfying and disappointing ways, but when there are only five nominees in most categories, it’s almost guaranteed that a few favorites will miss the cut.
Tom Ford wraps NY Fashion Week with a show of disco glam
Read full article: Tom Ford wraps NY Fashion Week with a show of disco glamThe Champagne was cold and the front row star studded Sunday night as Tom Ford closed New York Fashion Week at Lincoln Center with a spring-summer collection of sporty glam.
Streets renamed for Isley Brothers in 2 New Jersey towns
Read full article: Streets renamed for Isley Brothers in 2 New Jersey townsTwo New Jersey towns have renamed streets in honor of the Isley Brothers, the legendary R&B group that behind songs including “Shout,” “Twist and Shout” and “It's Your Thing.”.
Amazon to buy MGM, studio behind James Bond and 'Shark Tank'
Read full article: Amazon to buy MGM, studio behind James Bond and 'Shark Tank'Online shopping giant Amazon is buying MGM, the movie and TV studio behind James Bond, “Legally Blonde” and “Shark Tank,” with the hopes of filling its video streaming service with more stuff to watch.
Erivo on near-EGOT status: 'I’m just going to keep working'
Read full article: Erivo on near-EGOT status: 'I’m just going to keep working'FILE - Actress Cynthia Erivo poses for a portrait during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Sept. 10, 2019. Erivo portrays Aretha Franklin in the National Geographic miniseries Genius: Aretha. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – “The Color Purple” turned into Grammy, Tony and Emmy gold for Cynthia Erivo. The performer’s brilliant performance in the Broadway revival won her the 2016 Tony for best actress in a musical. “I guess I didn’t expect to be this close this soon,” Erivo told The Associated Press of her almost-EGOT status.
Former Trump casino where stars played goes out with a bang
Read full article: Former Trump casino where stars played goes out with a bangThe former Trump Plaza casino was imploded after falling into such disrepair that chunks of the building began peeling off and crashing to the ground. “I got chills,” Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small said. AdOpened in 1984, when Trump was a real estate developer in his pre-politics days, Trump Plaza was for a time the most successful casino in Atlantic City. AdBut things began to sour for Trump Plaza when Donald Trump opened the nearby Trump Taj Mahal in 1990, with crushing debt loads that led the company to pour most of its resources — and cash — into the shiny new hotel and casino. Trump Plaza was the last of four Atlantic City casinos to close in 2014, victims of an oversaturated casino market both in the New Jersey city and in the larger northeast.
Goade becomes first Native American to win Caldecott Medal
Read full article: Goade becomes first Native American to win Caldecott Medal(Random House Books for Young Readers/Roaring Brook Press/Nancy Paulsen Books via AP)NEW YORK – Illustrator Michaela Goade became the first Native American to win the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal for best children's picture story, cited for “We Are Water Protectors," a celebration of nature and condemnation of the “black snake” Dakota Access Pipeline. "I am really honored and proud," the 30-year-old Goade told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. The Newbery medal was established in 1922, the Caldecott in 1937. Goade, whose other books include “Encounter,” is the first Native American to win in either category. The Stonewall Book Award for best LGBT literature was given to Archaa Shrivastav for “We Are Little Feminists: Families."
Hollywood on the Potomac: A-list turns out for Biden-Harris
Read full article: Hollywood on the Potomac: A-list turns out for Biden-HarrisA full-throated, supremely confident Lady Gaga belted out the national anthem at President Joe Biden's inauguration in a very Gaga way — with flamboyance, fashion and passion. While stars mostly eschewed Trump's inauguration four years ago, the A-list was back for Biden. Brooks was careful to call his decision to perform on Wednesday non-political, and in the spirit of unity. He had performed during the inaugural celebration for Obama in 2009, but turned down a chance to perform for Trump in 2017, citing a scheduling conflict. Alone with his guitar, The Boss sang his “Land of Hope and Dreams” in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for US
Read full article: Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for USHe added that Biden in many ways is ”the perfect president for the moment, because he is not hyperbolic, he’s not a bomb thrower, he’s surrounded himself with policy wonks who already have all these plans. I think what we are going to hear him talk about is ‘Here’s where we are, here’s what we have to get done.' I think that’s going to go a long way just to making people feel better." His speechwriting team is led by longtime Biden collaborator Vinay Reddy. “There really is no parallel to what Biden faces.”___Associated Press writer Alexandra Jaffe contributed reporting.
Women's Hall of Fame honors Aretha Franklin, Morrison, Lacks
Read full article: Women's Hall of Fame honors Aretha Franklin, Morrison, LacksThe National Women's Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 in Seneca Falls, the site of the first women’s rights convention. She won 18 Grammy awards and, in 1987, became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was 75 years old when she became the first Black woman to set foot on the North Pole, and stood on the South Pole five years later. Born during the Civil War, Terrell was a dedicated suffragist whose civil rights activism continued up until her death in 1954 at the age of 90. Terrell was the first Black woman in the United States appointed to the school board of a major city, the District of Columbia.
High court to decide whether Nazi art case stays in US court
Read full article: High court to decide whether Nazi art case stays in US court“He was very, very proud to have acquired the Guelph Treasure, and then was forced to sell it to the Nazis,” she told him. It's a pursuit that has now landed him at the Supreme Court, in a case to be argued Monday. Germany and the foundation asked the trial-level court to dismiss the suit, but the court declined. “Our view is that Germany is the proper jurisdiction for a case which involves a sale of a collection of medieval German art by German art dealers to a German state,” Parzinger said. The suit's claim that the Guelph Treasure was sold under Nazi pressure was also diligently investigated in Germany, he said.
Dems nominate Pelosi as speaker again to lead into Biden era
Read full article: Dems nominate Pelosi as speaker again to lead into Biden eraAgainst that backdrop, many House Democrats have for years impatiently insisted it's time for fresh leadership. To become speaker again, Pelosi will need more votes than House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who’s likely to garner nearly unanimous GOP support. Though she's likely to succeed, it won’t be simple because when Pelosi was elected speaker in January 2019, 15 Democrats opposed her. Pelosi came to Congress in 1987 and has led House Democrats, both as the minority and majority party, ever since 2003. Pelosi has won wide acclaim among Democrats as a leading Trump foe in battles over impeachment, immigration and health care.
Drake bests Aretha Franklin, Wonder to set Billboard record
Read full article: Drake bests Aretha Franklin, Wonder to set Billboard record1 hit on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, Drake has bested a record previously held by icons Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Drake's “Laugh Now Cry Later," featuring rapper Lil Durk, reached the No. Wonder and Franklin, who died in 2018, each have had 20 songs top the chart. 1 hits on the R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, 12 include him in the leading role, including “God’s Plan,” “In My Feelings,” “Hotline Bling,” “Hold On, We’re Going Home” and “Best I Ever Had,” his first major hit released in 2009. Earlier this year, 34-year-old Drake made Billboard chart history when he set a new record for most songs on the Hot 100 chart — Billboard's main songs chart that includes all music genres.
New this week: 'Cuties,' 'Unpregnant' and fresh 'Jeopardy!'
Read full article: New this week: 'Cuties,' 'Unpregnant' and fresh 'Jeopardy!'Heres a collection curated by The Associated Press entertainment journalists of whats arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. The film from director Mamouna Doucour is a thoughtful and poignant coming-of-age drama about Amy, an 11-year-old Senegalese immigrant living in Paris. Dont judge Cuties by its cover and give it a chance when it starts streaming Wednesday. Answer: Jeopardy! The quiz show with Alex Trebek at the helm of a COVID-19-conscious season hits screens Monday. Celebrity guest hosts are all the rage these days on late night TV but a documentary airing Thursday sheds light on one who really made history.
From police chief to VP? Inside Val Demings' unlikely path
Read full article: From police chief to VP? Inside Val Demings' unlikely pathFILE - In this Dec. 11, 2019, file photo, Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., gives her opening statement during a House Judiciary Committee markup of the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington. Demings is among the women Joe Biden is considering for his vice presidential running mate. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
7 concert films you should watch if you’re really missing live music
Read full article: 7 concert films you should watch if you’re really missing live musicSome experts believe it could be more than a year until live concerts return to our daily lives, which is heartbreaking for people who love seeing live music. So until then, the next best thing to do is watch a concert movie from one of your favorite artists. Look no further than Beyoncé's “Homecoming,” her live concert that was filmed in 2018 when she headlined Coachella, the Southern California music festival. From the costumes, dancing and marching band music arrangements, Beyoncé transformed Coachella into “Beychella,” and we’re lucky enough that the entire show is documented. Not only is Timberlake’s music incredible catchy, but the production value that went into this show, especially the choreography, makes it worth visiting.