Travis Kelce brings back music festival in Kansas City with Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Diplo as headliners
Travis Kelce is keeping himself busy: On the heels of winning his third Super Bowl, earning a Webby nomination for his podcasting endeavors and garnering headlines for his relationship with Taylor Swift, the superstar tight end will continue living his best life with his second annual music festival next month.
New this week: 'Bridgerton,' 'Atlanta' return, Maren Morris
This weekโs new entertainment releases include new music from Maren Morris and Machine Gun Kelly, Donald Gloverโs โAtlantaโ returns Thursday on FX for its long-awaited third season and โBridgertonโ arrives on Friday for season two.
Still divisive, Dr. Luke resurges at Grammys โ as Tyson Trax
Dr. Luke appeared as Tyson Trax on the Grammy ballot for Doja Cat's Say So," which he produced and co-wrote. But not all of the academy members may have been aware they were voting for Dr. Luke when they completed their ballots this year. AdโI didnโt know that Tyson Trax was Dr. Luke. AdTogether, Martin and Dr. Luke crafted hits for Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Pink and Kesha, who he signed in 2005. Eventually Dr. Luke stepped into the forefront, helming successes for Miley Cyrus, Pitbull, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, logging 17 No.
PJ Morton 1st artist in residence at Dillard University
Morton is the first artist in residence at a historically Black private university in New Orleans. Dillard University announced that Morton will teach master classes in songwriting, music publishing, studio production and talent management during the 2021-22 academic year. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)NEW ORLEANS โ Grammy-winning musician PJ Morton is the first artist in residence at Dillard University, a historically Black private university in New Orleans. โIโm so excited to be partnering with Dillard University. His most recent project, โGospel According to PJ,โ is a Grammy nominee for this yearโs best gospel album.
O'Neal hosting SHAQ Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)Fans looking for pregame entertainment before the Super Bowl will have another option this year. Shaquille O'Neal will be holding the virtual SHAQ Bowl on Feb. 7. It's one of the few events taking place in Tampa, Florida, since many parties that traditionally take place during Super Bowl week have been canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The SHAQ Bowl takes the place of Shaq's Fun House, which had been held the past two years in Atlanta and Miami. The SHAQ Bowl also has its own halftime show with Migos and DJ Diesel performing.
4 Florida cases on Trump clemency list as he ends presidency
The โTunnel Visionโ rapper is serving a three-year prison sentence for falsifying documents used to purchase weapons at a Miami gun store. Eye doctor Salomon Melgen, convicted in 2017 of bilking Medicare out of $73 million, was granted a commutation. The 66-year-old Melgen, formerly a prominent Democratic donor and friend of New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, was serving a 17-year prison sentence in a Miami prison. Eye doctor Salomon Melgen, convicted in 2017 of bilking Medicare out of $73 million, was granted a commutation. The 66-year-old Melgen, formerly a prominent Democratic donor and friend of New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, was serving a 17-year prison sentence in a Miami prison.
Lil Wayne, Kodak Black get clemency; Joe Exotic does not
President Donald Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 140 people in a last-minute clemency flurry after midnight on Wednesday, a list that included rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black. โ Rapper Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was given a full pardon. In the pardon, Lil Wayne was praised for his โcommitment to a variety of charities, including donations to research hospitals and a host of foodbanks.โ Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders backed the pardon. Lil Wayne is one of the seminal figures in rap in the last two decades, selling more than 20 million albums in the U.S. since releasing his debut in 1999. Supporters included Gucci Mane, Lil Pump, Lil Yachty, and athletes Lamar Jackson and Jack Brewer.
Rapper Lil Wayne pleads guilty to federal weapons charge
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. โ Rapper Lil Wayne pleaded guilty Friday to a federal charge that he possessed a weapon despite being a convicted felon following a 2019 search of a private plane in the Miami area. โYour honor, I plead guilty to the charge,โ Carter told the judge. A search warrant said Carter told investigators the gun was a Fatherโs Day gift. He has decided not to pursue a motion to suppress,โ Srebnick said. As Lil Wayne, Carter has sold over 120 million records, won five Grammys and numerous other music awards.
And the Grammy nomination goes to ... Megan? Harry? Weeknd?
Others who may earn nominations include Lewis Capaldi, Summer Walker, Morgan Wallen, Doja Cat, BLACKPINK, Ingrid Andress, Snoh Aalegra, Skip Marley, Mickey Guyton and CNCO. Ricch should also earn nominations for his guest appearance on DaBabyโs international hit โRock Star,โ helping him become the showโs overall top nominee. ________FOLKS LOVE FOLKLORETaylor Swiftโs last two albums, โLoverโ and โreputation,โ didnโt earn nominations for album of the year. The seven-member groupโs hit โDynamiteโ could snag a nomination for best pop duo/group performance, and their latest album could compete for best global music album. 3 on pop charts, should earn a nomination for best country performance and best country song.
Rapper Lil Wayne charged with federal gun offense in Florida
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. โ Rapper Lil Wayne was charged Tuesday in Florida with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a federal offense that carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Documents filed in Miami federal court say the rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., had a gun and ammunition on Dec. 23 of last year despite knowing he had the previous felony on his record. Authorities said the 38-year-old rapper acknowledged owning the gold-plated handgun after his luggage was searched upon arriving in Miami on a private plane. An initial court date on the weapons charge is set for Dec. 11 in Miami federal court. As Lil Wayne, Carter has sold over 120 million records, has won five Grammys and numerous other music awards.
President Trump meets with rap star Lil Wayne in Florida
DORAL, Fla. โ President Donald Trump met Thursday with rap star Lil Wayne at his resort in Doral, Florida. The artist posted a tweet praising the president for his efforts at โcriminal justice reformโ and other efforts to bolster the African American community. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany says White House officials have been speaking to Lil Wayneโs team for some time, and it culminated with Thursdayโs meeting when the president campaigned in Florida. She said, โI think youโre seeing a lot of supporters come off the sidelines and want to joint president in a second term.โWhile Joe Biden is expected to win the vast majority of Black voters in next weekโs election, Trump has courted them and hopes to shave into Democrats' historic advantage in the community. The meeting with Lil Wayne comes after the White House publicized Trump holding sit-downs with other prominent black artists 50 Cent and Ice Cube.
Apple Music launching shows with Snoop Dogg, Shania Twain
NEW YORK Apple Music is launching several new radio shows hosted by A-list musical acts, including Snoop Dogg, Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood. The streaming service announced that it will debut two new radio stations Tuesday: Apple Music Hits, focused on popular songs of the 80s, 90s and 2000s, as well as Apple Music Country, dedicated to the country music genre. Both channels will have daily on-air hosts but will also include several shows hosted by well-known musicians. Apple Music Hits will include shows hosted by Snoop Dogg, Twain, Alanis Morissette, Backstreet Boys, Meghan Trainor, Ciara, blink-182s Mark Hoppus and Huey Lewis. Apple Music also announced Tuesday that its popular Beats 1 radio station featuring shows hosted by Billie Eilish, Elton John and Lil Wayne will be renamed to Apple Music 1.
Dr. Luke rebounds, thanks to Saweetie, Doja Cat, Juice WRLD
Hes returned to the charts in 2020, working on songs for rising and established rap stars, including Lil Wayne, Juice WRLD, Saweetie and Doja Cat. Dr. Luke marked a major comeback this year with the success of the Billboard Hot 100 No. Label representatives for Saweetie, Juice WRLD, Lil Wayne and Cat didnt immediately reply to emails seeking comment. Months later, Kesha accused him of sexual assault during their yearslong partnership (Dr. Luke has vigorously denied the allegations.) Outside of rap in 2020, Dr. Luke has produced music for pop singer Kim Petras, using the pseudonym MADE IN CHINA.
Beyoncs message, epic performances stand out at BET Awards
In this video grab issued Sunday, June 28, 2020, by BET, Beyonce accepts the humanitarian award during the BET Awards. The singer dedicated her award to the Black Lives Matter movement, and encouraged activists to continue to push forward. DaBaby rapped a verse from the Black Lives Matter remix of his hit song Rockstar with Roddy Ricch at the awards. While holding a baseball bat, DaBaby then stood on a stage behind a group of people who had their fists raised high while others held Black Lives Matter signs. During the performance, video clips were shown of the national protests over the deaths of unarmed Black people including Floyd, Arbery and Taylor.
BET Awards highlight Black voices as artists went political
The BET Awards served as an extension of the voices of Black people protesting in the streets about the inequalities Black people face daily, as artists used their performances to highlight the Black Lives Matter movement, civil rights and the lives of those lost because of police officers, including George Floyd. The BET Awards kicked off with Black artists rapping and singing anthems about the Black experience and fighting for equal rights. Nipseyโs family, we love you.โThe BET Awards, one of the first awards shows to air virtually, featured performances that were sharp with artsy stage production, giving extra life to the songs being performed. โI used to watch the BET Awards all the time thinking, โOne day thatโs going to be me going up there accepting my awardโ โ and now it is.โThough the BET Awards are technically about handing out trophies, the awards were an afterthought. Beyoncรฉ won the BET HER award for โBrown Skin Girl,โ shared with daughter Blue Ivy Carter as well as Wizkid and Saint JHN.
New this week: 'Clemency,' BET Awards, HAIM, 'Doctor Sleep'
(Neon via AP)Hereโs a collection curated by The Associated Pressโ entertainment journalists of whatโs arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Written and directed by Chinonye Chukwu, โClemencyโ was well-reviewed but got unjustly overshadowed by some of the higher profile awards contenders when it was released in December. โDoctor Sleep: The Directorโs Cutโ: This Danny Torrance-focused sequel to โThe Shiningโ was a little divisive upon release, which wasnโt all that surprising. โ Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSICGrey Daze: Fans of the late Grammy-winning screeching rock singer Chester Bennington will get a chance to hear him one more time. HAIM: Itโs been three years since sister trio HAIM have released a new album.
Music fest, barbecue contest in Memphis are rescheduled
MEMPHIS, Tenn. โ Tourism officials in Memphis, Tennessee, say the Beale Street Music Festival and the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest have been rescheduled for the fall after they were postponed by the new coronavirus outbreak. Memphis in May officials said in a statement Saturday that the barbecue cooking competition has been reset for Sept. 30 through Oct. 3. The music festival will now be held Oct. 16 through Oct. 18. They attract music fans and barbecue cooking teams from around the world. The Memphis tourist attraction is centered on the life and career of the late rock n' roll icon.
Lil Wayne won't be showing up to his St. Louis concert
ST. LOUIS, Missouri (CNN) - If Lil Wayne misses one more show, he'll have himself a 3 Peat. Police said that Lil Wayne and his entourage were in the hotel lobby "being argumentative" when officers arrived, according to KMOV. Officers reportedly mediated the dispute and Lil Wayne and his crew eventually left the hotel. Fans are in an uproar and are wondering whether Lil Wayne has got money for them. Just weeks later, Lil Wayne unexpectedly pulled out of a scheduled show in Tampa, Florida, leaving fans clamoring for a refund.
Lil Wayne backs out of his Florida show
(CNN) - Lil Wayne caused an uproar among fans on Friday when he unexpectedly pulled out of a scheduled show with Blink-182. "We've travelled all the way from the UK to see you in Tampa tonight and just found out you've dropped out," said Sean Ferguson. Earlier this month, Lil Wayne ended a show in Bristow, Virginia, after about 20 minutes on stage, leading fans to believe he might quit the North American tour. Lil Wayne later clarified on Twitter that he was not quitting the tour. An unlikely pair, Blink-182 and Lil Wayne announced in May they would be co-headlining a tour, with Welsh punk band Neck Deep as an opener.