Mariah Carey, Neptunes, Lennox in Songwriters Hall of Fame
After a glittering career stuffed with No. 1 hits — not to mention a two-year pandemic delay — Mariah Carey was finally inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday, but not before challenging her new fellow members to do better by women.
City seeks festival's return, Pharrell cites 'toxic energy'
Virginia Beach leaders want Pharrell Williams to reconsider bringing the Something in the Water festival back next year, but the musician responded that he wishes the city had taken a more proactive stance after a police officer fatally shot his cousin.
State police to probe deadly Virginia Beach police shooting
Aubrey "Japharii" Jones, left, walks on the sidewalk on Atlantic Ave. Saturday March 27, 2021 in Virginia Beach, Va.. Overnight shootings near the Atlantic oceanfront in Virginia Beach left two people dead and eight wounded in a scene described by authorities on Saturday as very chaotic. Williams, who is also a Virginia Beach native, declined to comment further through a representative. “We need far better accountability and transparency, and the families of those killed by police, in Virginia Beach and across this country, deserve answers,” Jones said Sunday. Lynch's shooting was one of three separate shooting incidents that police said occurred within minutes of each other along Virginia Beach's oceanfront. Also killed in a separate shooting nearby that night was Deshayla E. Harris, 28, of Norfolk.
Ariana Grande joining 'The Voice' for season 21 as a coach
FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2018 file photo, Ariana Grande attends the 13th annual Billboard Women in Music event in New York. NBC said Tuesday that Grande will join the Emmy-winning series "The Voice" for its fall 2021 cycle. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – “The Voice" is switching their positions for Ariana Grande: the pop star is taking her seat in the coach's chair later this year. NBC said Tuesday that Grande will join the Emmy-winning series for its fall 2021 cycle. The 20th season of “The Voice" is currently on air and features those three singers along with Nick Jonas.
Iran cracks down on contentious pop music video with arrests
This photo provided by AZ Films shows California based Iranian pop singer Sasy with American adult film actress Alexis Texas in the music video for "Tehran Tokyo." Iranian authorities have arrested multiple music producers connected to the California-based Iranian pop singer, his management company and Iranian media said Thursday, March 11, in Tehrans latest effort to halt what it deems decadent Western behavior. The arrests come as Iranian social media has been awash with criticism of popular underground Iranian singer, “Sasy,” or Sasan Heidari Yafteh's, new music video. Rafahi said the gambling accusations stemmed from a misunderstanding, given that a poker website helped sponsor the music video. __Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran contributed to this report.
New this week: Sia, Clarice Starling and Kristen Wiig
Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. One nominee, “Judas and the Black Messiah," arrives on HBO Max (as well as in theaters) on Friday. Ad— Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo's last writing partnership turned out pretty well. Ad— AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— Sia’s Golden Globe-nominated directorial debut, “Music,” will be accompanied with a 14-track album. Ad— “Silence of the Lambs” is three decades in the rearview mirror, but only a year has passed as CBS’ “Clarice” picks up the story of FBI Agent Clarice Starling.
A look at artists who've objected to Trump using their songs
FILE - Pharrell Williams attends the world premiere of "The Black Godfather," in Los Angeles on June 3, 2019. Dozens of artists have objected to Donald Trump using their music in his two presidential campaigns. Williams sent a cease-and-desist letter after his song Happy" was played at a Trump rally in 2018. He was especially angered that the event was hours after a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)
A look at artists who've objected to Trump using their songs
Dozens of artists have objected to Donald Trump using their music in his two presidential campaigns. Williams sent a cease-and-desist letter after his song Happy" was played at a Trump rally in 2018. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)From classic American rockers to British artists to the estates of late legends, here's a look at some of the musicians who have objected to Donald Trump using their songs at campaign events. JOHN FOGERTY, PHIL COLLINS, BRUCE SPRINGSTEENSome classic rockers say not only do they oppose Trump using their music, the choice of songs is ironic or downright wrong. Eddy Grant sued Trump in September over the use of his 1980s hit “Electric Avenue” in a Trump campaign animated video that mocked his opponent Joe Biden.
Glamorous Miami club caught in power struggle over the virus
LIV owner David Grutman poses for a photograph at the nightclub, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, in Miami Beach, Fla. LIV, one of Miami's most glamorous, star-studded nightclubs sits empty and quiet these days, a casualty of both the coronavirus outbreak and a power struggle between state and local government over how to contain the scourge. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Glamorous Miami club caught in power struggle over the virus
The parties at the club are so legendary they have inspired lyrics from Drake, Kanye West and Rick Ross. Today, LIV sits quiet and empty — a casualty not just of the coronavirus outbreak but of a power struggle between state and local government over how to contain the scourge. “I cried real tears,” the 46-year-old Grutman said of his last visit to the shuttered club and nightlife's seemingly bygone era. Grutman has fielded countless calls from DJs begging to be the first when the club reopens. Others have asked to host Zoom parties from LIV, but Grutman just isn't into it.
Jay-Z, Pharrell to release new song about Black ambition
NEW YORK Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams have teamed up to release a new song about Black ambition titled Entrepreneur." Black Twitter, whats that? When Jack gets paid, do you? raps Jay-Z, referring to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. For every one Gucci, support two FUBUs.On the track, Williams sings: In this position with no choice/The system imprison young Black boys/Distract with white noise." Williams told TIME the song is about how tough it is to be an entrepreneur in our country to begin with."
Pharrell, Beastie Boys, RZA, halftime show score Emmy nods
Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show Starring Jennifer Lopez And Shakira picked up four nominations, including outstanding variety special (live). It was not clear if Lopez and Shakira were specifically nominated, though past halftime singers, including Beyonc, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, have earned Emmy nominations as performers. For their work on Watchmen, they scored a second Emmy nomination for outstanding music composition for a limited series, movie or special. They earned nominations as producers for outstanding documentary or nonfiction special and as writers for outstanding writing for a nonfiction program. Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington, who composed music for the Michelle Obama documentary Becoming, picked up a nomination for outstanding music composition for a documentary series of special.
Jay-Z, other celebs ask feds to probe student's 2010 killing
Hess shot Henry as Henry drove through a parking lot, away from a disturbance that spilled out of a bar in October 2010 in Mount Pleasant, a New York City suburb. Hess has said Henry was trying to run him down and that he fired through the windshield to stop the driver. The Henrys have said Hess jumped front of the car, got onto the hood and shot their son for no good reason. Henry's father said new information that has come out since the criminal case was closed warrants a reexamination of his son's death. As human beings we should all want a standard of justice that is fair and right, Danroy Henry Sr. told The Boston Globe.
Global Citizen Festival announces iconic lineup
The headliners for this year's Global Citizen Festival, which will be held Sept. 28 in Central Park, pack a big punch. Queen, still riding its "Bohemian Rhapsody" publicity bump, will perform, with Adam Lambert on vocals. and Carole King will also headline the event, which highlights Global Citizen's mission of ending poverty. "Where you live shouldn't determine whether you live," Pharrell tweeted on Tuesday, talking about his partnership with the Global Citizen cause. "Global citizens" earn their way into the audience by taking actions like signing petitions, tweeting about issues or calling their senators.
Meghan Markle Admits 'They Don't Make It Easy' After Pharrell Praises Her and Prince
Meghan Markle had a revealing exchange with Pharrell Williams at The Lion King premiere in London, England, on Sunday. Meghan warmly replies, "Thank you, they don't make it easy." Meanwhile, ET also spoke to Pharrell at the premiere, and he explained why The Lion King is so special to him. Watch the video below for more on Meghan and Harry attending the premiere, including the moment the two met Beyonce and JAY-Z. RELATED CONTENT:Watch Billy Eichner Nervously Prepare to Meet Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at 'Lion King' PremiereIdris Elba Says Beyonce Was on Meghan Markle's Wedding Playlist (Exclusive)How Beyonce Broke Royal Protocol With Meghan Markle at 'Lion King' Premiere
Pharrell Williams offers internships to 114 Harlem high school grads
(CNN) - The promise Pharrell Williams made to a group of more than 100 graduating high school seniors in Harlem has changed Brionna Pope's life as she heads to college. All 114 graduates have been accepted to college, Harlem Children's Zone CEO Anne Williams-Isom said. Pope, with a phone in hand recording Williams' speech, couldn't believe it at first. "I currently have a struggling single mother who is trying to pay for my student loans for Syracuse." Recent Federal Reserve data shows Americans owe $1.5 trillion in student loans -- and African-American students are more likely to take out federal student loans, according to the Center for American Progress.