Music
Adam Levine Mistakenly Slams MTV in Defense of Childish Gambino. Feeling like a twit-wit, Adam Levine? The Maroon 5 frontman's longstanding contempt for the MTV VMAs reached a new level Friday night when he came out swinging in defense of Childish Gambino's "This Is America" video. "This year, Childish Gambino released one of the most impactful, thought provoking and intelligent videos ever made. I'm sure he doesn't' care that he wasn't nominated for a VMA because he's cool as f--k and everything. But I care. Because I'm NOT that cool," the "Girls Like You" singer vented. "And I still want MTV to mean something again. But it won't. Ever. K bye." Levine later deleted his open letter on Instagram and Twitter after being informed that not only was Childish Gambino nominated, but he was actually nominated in seven categories: Video of the Year, Video With a Message, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Choreography and Best Editing. With his tail between his legs, Levine told his Twitter followers, "S--t. I don't usually put my foot in my mouth. But this time, I did. 'This is America' actually WAS nominated for 7 VMAs. How I didn't get the right info is beyond me. I stand corrected." Halfheartedly, he said, "I'm sorry MTV. Still hate you though. But mostly, I'm sorry." Unable to shake off his mistake, Levine recorded a video on Instagram Saturday night. "All right, I f--ked up. So, here's what happened: Yesterday I was running around like a maniac, trying to leave town, packing, going a mile a minute, and I guess it had come up that at the VMAs, 'Girls Like You' -- which is our song -- isn't up for a VMA. Big shocker. It doesn't surprise me. They always blow us off. And then, of course, I'm like, 'Well, Childish Gambino made the best video of the year. I bet you he's not nominated.' I guess, for some reason, I Googled something and looked like...oof. Look, I f--ked up. There's no way around it. But, basically, he was nominated -- like, seven times over -- and I look like a moron," the singer said." But, I'm just going to come out here and say, 'I f--ked up. My bad.' Sorry, MTV. You did good. Now, make sure he wins." The singer first came down hard on the annual award ceremony in August 2011, tweeting, "The VMA's. One day a year when MTV pretends to still care about music. I'm drawing a line in the sand. F--k you VMA's." Levine last appeared at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2014 (with Behati Prinsloo), where he performed "Maps" and "One More Night" with his bandmates -- for the first and last time on MTV. Before he attended the event, he explained to USA Today, "For many years, we felt like the uninvited dinner guests, but after much persistence and perhaps a little too much mouthing off, they seemed to have changed their minds. So, thank you, MTV." Levine watched last year's VMAs from home, tweeting, "It's always exciting to see how utterly horrible the VMAs will be. They really delivered so far this year. #HOLYF--K." He went on to complain that Julia Michaels had been "cut off," while Lorde got "to NOT sing her whole song." Lorde, who was sick with flu at the time, gave a silent performance of "Homemade Dynamite." Maroon 5 has been nominated for six MTV VMAs since 2004, winning just once for "This Love." The band is nominated in one category this year: Best Visual Effects. Maroon 5's Wait" will compete against Avicii and Rita Ora's "Lonely Together," Eminem and Beyonce's "Walk on Water," Ariana Grande's "No Tears Left to Cry," Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "All the Stars" and Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do." Cardi B leads this year, receiving 10 nominations. Grande, Logic (with Ryan Tedder) and Shawn Mendes are scheduled to perform this year at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The show will be broadcast live on Aug. 20 at 9 p.m. ET. (Eonline)
Drake's Star-Studded "In My Feelings" Video Is the Ultimate #InMyFeelingsChallenge. Drake dropped the music video for his hit "In My Feelings" on Thursday, and it features a lot of celebrity cameos. The 8-minute film takes place in New Orleans and starts with Drake visiting the home of his love interest Keke, who is played by La La Anthony. He throws rocks at her window to get her attention and begins to profess his love for her. However, all of the noise stirs Keke's mother, who is played by Phylicia Rashad, and she kicks him off of her lawn. As the video continues, Drake raps his track throughout the streets of NOLA and watches people dance to the song. One of these dancers is Shiggy, the internet star who was the first to #DoTheShiggy dance and took the #InMyFeelingsChallenge viral. Near the end of the video, Drake wakes up from a nap and realizes the entire thing was just a dream. As he starts to recount the dream, Shiggy -- this time playing a production assistant -- reappears and tells Drake he's needed on set. Drake then asks Shiggy if he dances before eventually kicking him out of his trailer. The last part of the video features a montage of #InMyFeelingsChallenge clips -- including those done by DJ Khaled, Odell Beckham Jr, Ciara, Russell Wilson, Will Smith, Ryan Seacrest, Queer Eye's Fab 5 and more. "In My Feelings" is from Drake's new album Scorpion. The rapper dropped the fifth studio album in late June. (Eonline)
Pink Fires Back After Being Accused of Canceling a Concert to Relax on the Beach. Pink is shutting down rumors she canceled her recent Sydney concert to relax on a beach. The singer took to Instagram on Thursday to set the record straight about a paparazzi pic that showed her lounging in the sand with daughter Willow nearby. The photo's caption read "Pink's Sydney concert cancelled as she chills in Bryon Beach." "I don't need to clear this up, but out of respect for my fans I will attempt it," the "What About Us" singer wrote. "I scheduled this tour meticulously, trying to do what was best for my children, while also putting on the best and most physically demanding and beautiful show of my life. This break in Byron has been scheduled since 2017, as a way to get outside the hotel and the winter and have some time with my children." Pink went on to explain she's "already been sick twice" during her Beautiful Trauma Tour and that her kids have, as well. While she was able to "push through" these first few times, she needed to postpone her recent show to rest. "This time, what these parasite paparazzi don't show you, is two doctor visits in Byron on two consecutive days, antibiotics, steroids, Vick's, nose spray, throat spray, more steroids, NyQuil, a screaming baby in the middle of the night, every night, while mama gives him warm baths and tells her daughter everything is fine," she wrote. The artist went on to defend her dedication to her fans. "You can think whatever you want, it's your right, but I have never taken advantage of any one in my entire life," she wrote. "I have never f--ked off while disrespecting hard working people who spend money to come see me play. I have never phoned in a single tour, I have an impeccable record for not cancelling. I mother with everything I have whilst handling all the rest. The snark in this is unbelievable and makes me long for a nicer world. I'm doing the absolute best I can, and you can believe it or not." She also claimed there was a lot happening in this photo that the paparazzi didn't capture. "What they don't show you in this picture is me drinking water and lying down while my friends try to entertain my 7-year old who is asking me why these creepy men are surrounding us and pacing back and forth and taking pictures of her every move," she wrote. Despite feeling under the weather, Pink assured her fans she would "see everyone tomorrow whether I'm better or not." She also promised her postponed show would be rescheduled. "As I said, I'm sorry to the real fans who this situation has affected," she wrote. "Onwards and upwards." (Eonline)
Queens Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj shut down fans who tried to pit them against each other. They're not here for it. Just when we thought this summer couldn't get any hotter, the Gods of pop announced they'll be blessing us with not one, but two new albums from two of our favourite divas, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj. We are not worthy. The Side To Side singer announced that she will be releasing her new album Sweetener on August 17th, and it looks like she's in good company as fellow pop diva, Nicki Minaj, has revealed that she'll be releasing her new album, Queen, on August 17th as well. They say great minds do think alike but for some of Ariana's fans, this might be a little too close for comfort. Nicki Minaj was originally due to release her album on August 10th but has announced that she has to push the album release date back to the 17th due to a sample waiting to be released for use on the album. Sounds fair enough to us, but not everyone is convinced. Taking to social media, some fans have even accused Nicki of intentionally releasing her latest album on the same date as Ariana's in an attempt to steal her spotlight and prevent her from reaching that coveted No 1 spot on the Billboard Charts. "nicki sweetie..... what tf are you doing? why didn't you just release the collaboration as a single later after you released the album. why would you intentionally release it the same day as ariana?", tweeted one fan. Do we have another Kanye West and 50 Cent situation on our hands? Sorry, drama lovers, you're going to have to put away the popcorn because the two divas are keeping their sparring gloves firmly locked away. While fans might be throwing shade, best friends Ariana and Nicki are laughing off the suggestion that we could have a pop war on our hands. Ariana was quick to respond to one fan, instantly shutting down any hints at a feud between her and Nicki. "Jesus is this what's going on today? Imma just stop logging in at all lmfao. That's my f/*cking sister. She's clearing a sample. Buy and stream Queen & Sweetener Aug 17 bye. These numbers don't mean as much to the artist as they do to y'all. Just want y'all to listen to the project," she wrote. If there's one thing Sex And The City taught us, it's that female friends make you a hell of a lot more powerful Ariana and Nicki are two queens who are happy to polish each other's crown and in a world where women are too often pitted against each other, we love seeing this pair of empowered women supporting and uplifting each other. (British Glamour)
Leon Bridges Goes Way 'Beyond' Expectations With Stirring 'Tonight Show' Performance. Texas-born singer, Leon Bridges stepped onto the Tonight Show stage for a slow and stirring rendition of his track, "Beyond," on Thursday night (Aug. 2). The crooner, clad in a blinding white shirt with black sleeves and a black knit woolen cap, serenaded the crowd with his latest emotive single, an ode to finding the one, "Beyond." Bridges held down the mic with a classic-sounding, soulful vocal run, while the band -- bathed in deep blue ambient lights -- held down a sparse, but groovy backbeat. After a slow build, the performance peaked with Bridges belting out the final verse, "O me o my I can't explain/ She might just be my everything," summing up the song's message in one emotional couplet. "Beyond" is Bridges' most recent single, off of his second album, Good Thing, which dropped in May. (Hollywood Reporter)
Kanye West Congratulates Apple For Hitting One Trillion Valuation: 'Thank You For Being So Great8/3/2018 by A day after Apple became the first publicly traded company to hit $1 trillion valuation, Kanye West shared how much Steve Jobs and his team have meant to him. West, who has frequently compared himself to the late Apple CEO (as well as Picasso and Walt Disney), posted a series of effusive tweets congratulating Apple on the world-beating feat. "Steve Jobs you are one of my biggest inspirations and your story spirit and drive helps to push me everyday congratulations on Apple hitting a trillion dollars." West went on to heap more praise on the company, adding, "You guys are so important and what you do is so special and inspiring to our planet Thank you for being so great." The milestone for Apple marks the triumph of stylish technology that has redefined what we expect from our gadgets ever since two mavericks named Steve started the company 42 years ago. The peak reached Thursday seemed unimaginable in 1997 when Apple teetered on the edge of bankruptcy, with its stock trading for less than $1. To survive, Apple brought back its once-exiled co-founder Jobs as interim CEO and turned to its archrival Microsoft for a $150 million cash infusion to help pay its bills. Jobs eventually introduced popular products such as the iPod and iPhone that subsequently drove Apple's rise. The stock has been surging this week as anticipation mounts for the next generation of iPhone, expected to be released in September. Apple shares rose 2.7 percent to an all-time high of $207.05 around midday on Thursday (Aug. 2). They're up 22 percent so far this year. (Hollywood Reporter)
Dionne Warwick Discusses Creating 'Everlasting' Music During Five-Decade Career. In a discussion with Larry King after a screening of "Dionne Warwick: Then Came You" on Wednesday night (Aug. 1), the Grammy winner also announced that she is recording a new album. Dionne Warwick: Then Came You producer TJ Lubinsky grew up on the songs of Warwick. Not only does he and the "Walk on By" singer share a home state (New Jersey), but Warwick recorded her first background session with Lubinsky's grandfather -- Herman Lubinsky, founder of Savoy Records -- in the 1940s. And so, when Lubinsky found the opportunity to produce a special for his PBS series My Music on the singer, he jumped at it. "You know how you hear a voice in your head? Hearing Dionne's music is like hearing a voice," he told The Hollywood Reporter at the Paley Center for Media on Wednesday night (Aug. 1). He added, "And I wanted to share that kind of love and respect with her, because she deserves it, and I don't think she's been as recognized for what she means to the human condition." Lubinsky, 46, said that he felt he could shine a light on Warwick's unique place in American culture. "So many Motown artists were influenced by [Warwick] and what she brought us," he told THR. "But the thing is, we don't think of her as a woman, we think of her as a person. We don't think of her as an African-American performer, we think of her as a performer. We just respect her as a person." The special showcases the five-time Grammy winner's five-decade career, from her first meeting with songwriters Hal David and Burt Bacharach to becoming a U.S. ambassador of health for her support of AIDS awareness. It features some of her most popular hits, as well as interviews with those close to Warwick, including Barry Manilow, Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson. Warwick, who also announced that she is recording and releasing a new album, hadn't seen the special prior to the screening. She watched her career before her eyes along with the rest of the audience. "I feel like I've truly been blessed," the 77-year-old artist told THR before the screening and talk with Larry King. "I've been fortunate enough to have people who have been loyal over the years to me and have enjoyed the music I've given them, as I have. I always say things happen the way they're supposed to happen, and here I am." Since the special ends with an emotional rendition of "That's What Friends Are For," featuring Gladys Knight, Elton John and Stevie Wonder, King's first question to Warwick during his post-screening conversation was: "How can you sing when you're crying?" "That was a benefit for AIDS that we did at the Kennedy Center in Washington, and all my friends showed up," she explained, adding that she became so emotional because "I knew Gladys and Stevie were going to be a part of the show, and I was hoping Elton would be part of it, but he was also doing a benefit that afternoon in London at Wembley Stadium. When they start singing the song, they each would walk out with me and all of a sudden Elton came on stage. I was blown away." Warwick -- who began singing at her grandfather's church as a child -- also reminisced on the origins of her chart-toppers, how she truly feels about "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" (which King loves, but she does not) and how she created a fresh style of music with David and Bacharach. "We weren't doing the normal music that was being done during our era," she said. "It was so out-of-the-box, so to speak. We created our own little niche of music." "How would you describe it?" King prompted. "Everlasting," Warwick responded. (Billboard)
Mac Miller's 'Swimming' Is Here: Stream It Now. The Mac is back! Two years on from his last album The Divine Feminine, Mac Miller has released Swimming in full. Miller's 13-track set includes the previously-released songs "What's the Use?," "Small Worlds" and "Self-Care" and its available across all digital service providers. The Pittsburgh MC will support his new LP with a tour which kicks off next month with Thundercat and rapper J.I.D. (Billboard)
Travis Scott had nothing to do with editing a famous transgender model off his latest album cover, because the artwork he received is exactly what he released ... so say sources close to the rapper. We're told the final version of Travis' "Astroworld" album cover was exactly what he got from artist David LaChapelle ... and it did not include the shot of trans model Amanda Lepore in the area to the left of Scott's mouth. Translation: the accusations of transphobia against Travis are inaccurate, because he didn't even know about the version that included Lepore. As we reported ... Amanda wasn't mad about not making the final cut of the album artwork, and joked she was simply too good looking for it and upstaged everyone else. What's interesting -- LaChapelle echoed what Lepore said and insisted her omission had "nothing to do with hating" ... but failed to explain why the edit happened. Now that Scott's denying he had anything to do with it ... LaChapelle might have some more explaining to do. We reached out to him multiple times ... so far, no word back. (TMZ)
It's Impossible to Deny Drake and Nicki Minaj's Chemistry in The Flirty New Video. Get a room, you two! As Nicki Minaj puts the finishing touches on her upcoming album, Queen, the rapper spent the afternoon with longtime confidant and frequent collaborator Drake. The reunion, which Minaj documented on Instagram, spurred some commenters to say what's been on fans' minds for quite some time. As one user put it, "Get married already!" Drizzy has rapped about making a Mrs. out of Nicki previously, but for now it appears the pair is loving every moment of their friendship. In the video, Drake shouts out her hit collab with rapper 6ix9ine, whispering in Minaj's ear, "What's that song called again? 'Fefe?'" His comment sends Nicki into a fit of laughter as the "Chun-Li" MC puts her hand over her mouth and says, "Wow!" So what brought Champagne Papi and Nicki the Ninja back together again? Fans have theorized that Drake joined her in the recording studio for a last-minute addition to Queen. (Which if that's the case, Aug. 17 really needs to come sooner.) Over the past year, the artists worked to mend the strains put on their friendship by Nicki's ex, Meek Mill, who feuded with the Scorpion performer throughout their relationship. In a recent interview with Beats 1 Radio, Nicki said she and Drake are like an "old married couple." She revealed they've had "a lot" of falling outs over the years. but added, "Then every time we make back up, we're like, 'I love you!' It's so stupid. Drake has given me some of the best advice of my career... Even when there were things happening, even when I couldn't speak to him, I think he felt the love I will always have for him." So have the stars finally aligned for Nicki and Drake to move out of the friend zone? Both are reportedly single, so only time will tell! (Eonline)
Drake's Star-Studded "In My Feelings" Video Is the Ultimate #InMyFeelingsChallenge. Drake dropped the music video for his hit "In My Feelings" on Thursday, and it features a lot of celebrity cameos. The 8-minute film takes place in New Orleans and starts with Drake visiting the home of his love interest Keke, who is played by La La Anthony. He throws rocks at her window to get her attention and begins to profess his love for her. However, all of the noise stirs Keke's mother, who is played by Phylicia Rashad, and she kicks him off of her lawn. As the video continues, Drake raps his track throughout the streets of NOLA and watches people dance to the song. One of these dancers is Shiggy, the internet star who was the first to #DoTheShiggy dance and took the #InMyFeelingsChallenge viral. Near the end of the video, Drake wakes up from a nap and realizes the entire thing was just a dream. As he starts to recount the dream, Shiggy -- this time playing a production assistant -- reappears and tells Drake he's needed on set. Drake then asks Shiggy if he dances before eventually kicking him out of his trailer. The last part of the video features a montage of #InMyFeelingsChallenge clips -- including those done by DJ Khaled, Odell Beckham Jr, Ciara, Russell Wilson, Will Smith, Ryan Seacrest, Queer Eye's Fab 5 and more. "In My Feelings" is from Drake's new album Scorpion. The rapper dropped the fifth studio album in late June. (Eonline)
Pink Fires Back After Being Accused of Canceling a Concert to Relax on the Beach. Pink is shutting down rumors she canceled her recent Sydney concert to relax on a beach. The singer took to Instagram on Thursday to set the record straight about a paparazzi pic that showed her lounging in the sand with daughter Willow nearby. The photo's caption read "Pink's Sydney concert cancelled as she chills in Bryon Beach." "I don't need to clear this up, but out of respect for my fans I will attempt it," the "What About Us" singer wrote. "I scheduled this tour meticulously, trying to do what was best for my children, while also putting on the best and most physically demanding and beautiful show of my life. This break in Byron has been scheduled since 2017, as a way to get outside the hotel and the winter and have some time with my children." Pink went on to explain she's "already been sick twice" during her Beautiful Trauma Tour and that her kids have, as well. While she was able to "push through" these first few times, she needed to postpone her recent show to rest. "This time, what these parasite paparazzi don't show you, is two doctor visits in Byron on two consecutive days, antibiotics, steroids, Vick's, nose spray, throat spray, more steroids, NyQuil, a screaming baby in the middle of the night, every night, while mama gives him warm baths and tells her daughter everything is fine," she wrote. The artist went on to defend her dedication to her fans. "You can think whatever you want, it's your right, but I have never taken advantage of any one in my entire life," she wrote. "I have never f--ked off while disrespecting hard working people who spend money to come see me play. I have never phoned in a single tour, I have an impeccable record for not cancelling. I mother with everything I have whilst handling all the rest. The snark in this is unbelievable and makes me long for a nicer world. I'm doing the absolute best I can, and you can believe it or not." She also claimed there was a lot happening in this photo that the paparazzi didn't capture. "What they don't show you in this picture is me drinking water and lying down while my friends try to entertain my 7-year old who is asking me why these creepy men are surrounding us and pacing back and forth and taking pictures of her every move," she wrote. Despite feeling under the weather, Pink assured her fans she would "see everyone tomorrow whether I'm better or not." She also promised her postponed show would be rescheduled. "As I said, I'm sorry to the real fans who this situation has affected," she wrote. "Onwards and upwards." (Eonline)
Queens Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj shut down fans who tried to pit them against each other. They're not here for it. Just when we thought this summer couldn't get any hotter, the Gods of pop announced they'll be blessing us with not one, but two new albums from two of our favourite divas, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj. We are not worthy. The Side To Side singer announced that she will be releasing her new album Sweetener on August 17th, and it looks like she's in good company as fellow pop diva, Nicki Minaj, has revealed that she'll be releasing her new album, Queen, on August 17th as well. They say great minds do think alike but for some of Ariana's fans, this might be a little too close for comfort. Nicki Minaj was originally due to release her album on August 10th but has announced that she has to push the album release date back to the 17th due to a sample waiting to be released for use on the album. Sounds fair enough to us, but not everyone is convinced. Taking to social media, some fans have even accused Nicki of intentionally releasing her latest album on the same date as Ariana's in an attempt to steal her spotlight and prevent her from reaching that coveted No 1 spot on the Billboard Charts. "nicki sweetie..... what tf are you doing? why didn't you just release the collaboration as a single later after you released the album. why would you intentionally release it the same day as ariana?", tweeted one fan. Do we have another Kanye West and 50 Cent situation on our hands? Sorry, drama lovers, you're going to have to put away the popcorn because the two divas are keeping their sparring gloves firmly locked away. While fans might be throwing shade, best friends Ariana and Nicki are laughing off the suggestion that we could have a pop war on our hands. Ariana was quick to respond to one fan, instantly shutting down any hints at a feud between her and Nicki. "Jesus is this what's going on today? Imma just stop logging in at all lmfao. That's my f/*cking sister. She's clearing a sample. Buy and stream Queen & Sweetener Aug 17 bye. These numbers don't mean as much to the artist as they do to y'all. Just want y'all to listen to the project," she wrote. If there's one thing Sex And The City taught us, it's that female friends make you a hell of a lot more powerful Ariana and Nicki are two queens who are happy to polish each other's crown and in a world where women are too often pitted against each other, we love seeing this pair of empowered women supporting and uplifting each other. (British Glamour)
Leon Bridges Goes Way 'Beyond' Expectations With Stirring 'Tonight Show' Performance. Texas-born singer, Leon Bridges stepped onto the Tonight Show stage for a slow and stirring rendition of his track, "Beyond," on Thursday night (Aug. 2). The crooner, clad in a blinding white shirt with black sleeves and a black knit woolen cap, serenaded the crowd with his latest emotive single, an ode to finding the one, "Beyond." Bridges held down the mic with a classic-sounding, soulful vocal run, while the band -- bathed in deep blue ambient lights -- held down a sparse, but groovy backbeat. After a slow build, the performance peaked with Bridges belting out the final verse, "O me o my I can't explain/ She might just be my everything," summing up the song's message in one emotional couplet. "Beyond" is Bridges' most recent single, off of his second album, Good Thing, which dropped in May. (Hollywood Reporter)
Kanye West Congratulates Apple For Hitting One Trillion Valuation: 'Thank You For Being So Great8/3/2018 by A day after Apple became the first publicly traded company to hit $1 trillion valuation, Kanye West shared how much Steve Jobs and his team have meant to him. West, who has frequently compared himself to the late Apple CEO (as well as Picasso and Walt Disney), posted a series of effusive tweets congratulating Apple on the world-beating feat. "Steve Jobs you are one of my biggest inspirations and your story spirit and drive helps to push me everyday congratulations on Apple hitting a trillion dollars." West went on to heap more praise on the company, adding, "You guys are so important and what you do is so special and inspiring to our planet Thank you for being so great." The milestone for Apple marks the triumph of stylish technology that has redefined what we expect from our gadgets ever since two mavericks named Steve started the company 42 years ago. The peak reached Thursday seemed unimaginable in 1997 when Apple teetered on the edge of bankruptcy, with its stock trading for less than $1. To survive, Apple brought back its once-exiled co-founder Jobs as interim CEO and turned to its archrival Microsoft for a $150 million cash infusion to help pay its bills. Jobs eventually introduced popular products such as the iPod and iPhone that subsequently drove Apple's rise. The stock has been surging this week as anticipation mounts for the next generation of iPhone, expected to be released in September. Apple shares rose 2.7 percent to an all-time high of $207.05 around midday on Thursday (Aug. 2). They're up 22 percent so far this year. (Hollywood Reporter)
Dionne Warwick Discusses Creating 'Everlasting' Music During Five-Decade Career. In a discussion with Larry King after a screening of "Dionne Warwick: Then Came You" on Wednesday night (Aug. 1), the Grammy winner also announced that she is recording a new album. Dionne Warwick: Then Came You producer TJ Lubinsky grew up on the songs of Warwick. Not only does he and the "Walk on By" singer share a home state (New Jersey), but Warwick recorded her first background session with Lubinsky's grandfather -- Herman Lubinsky, founder of Savoy Records -- in the 1940s. And so, when Lubinsky found the opportunity to produce a special for his PBS series My Music on the singer, he jumped at it. "You know how you hear a voice in your head? Hearing Dionne's music is like hearing a voice," he told The Hollywood Reporter at the Paley Center for Media on Wednesday night (Aug. 1). He added, "And I wanted to share that kind of love and respect with her, because she deserves it, and I don't think she's been as recognized for what she means to the human condition." Lubinsky, 46, said that he felt he could shine a light on Warwick's unique place in American culture. "So many Motown artists were influenced by [Warwick] and what she brought us," he told THR. "But the thing is, we don't think of her as a woman, we think of her as a person. We don't think of her as an African-American performer, we think of her as a performer. We just respect her as a person." The special showcases the five-time Grammy winner's five-decade career, from her first meeting with songwriters Hal David and Burt Bacharach to becoming a U.S. ambassador of health for her support of AIDS awareness. It features some of her most popular hits, as well as interviews with those close to Warwick, including Barry Manilow, Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson. Warwick, who also announced that she is recording and releasing a new album, hadn't seen the special prior to the screening. She watched her career before her eyes along with the rest of the audience. "I feel like I've truly been blessed," the 77-year-old artist told THR before the screening and talk with Larry King. "I've been fortunate enough to have people who have been loyal over the years to me and have enjoyed the music I've given them, as I have. I always say things happen the way they're supposed to happen, and here I am." Since the special ends with an emotional rendition of "That's What Friends Are For," featuring Gladys Knight, Elton John and Stevie Wonder, King's first question to Warwick during his post-screening conversation was: "How can you sing when you're crying?" "That was a benefit for AIDS that we did at the Kennedy Center in Washington, and all my friends showed up," she explained, adding that she became so emotional because "I knew Gladys and Stevie were going to be a part of the show, and I was hoping Elton would be part of it, but he was also doing a benefit that afternoon in London at Wembley Stadium. When they start singing the song, they each would walk out with me and all of a sudden Elton came on stage. I was blown away." Warwick -- who began singing at her grandfather's church as a child -- also reminisced on the origins of her chart-toppers, how she truly feels about "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" (which King loves, but she does not) and how she created a fresh style of music with David and Bacharach. "We weren't doing the normal music that was being done during our era," she said. "It was so out-of-the-box, so to speak. We created our own little niche of music." "How would you describe it?" King prompted. "Everlasting," Warwick responded. (Billboard)
Mac Miller's 'Swimming' Is Here: Stream It Now. The Mac is back! Two years on from his last album The Divine Feminine, Mac Miller has released Swimming in full. Miller's 13-track set includes the previously-released songs "What's the Use?," "Small Worlds" and "Self-Care" and its available across all digital service providers. The Pittsburgh MC will support his new LP with a tour which kicks off next month with Thundercat and rapper J.I.D. (Billboard)
Travis Scott had nothing to do with editing a famous transgender model off his latest album cover, because the artwork he received is exactly what he released ... so say sources close to the rapper. We're told the final version of Travis' "Astroworld" album cover was exactly what he got from artist David LaChapelle ... and it did not include the shot of trans model Amanda Lepore in the area to the left of Scott's mouth. Translation: the accusations of transphobia against Travis are inaccurate, because he didn't even know about the version that included Lepore. As we reported ... Amanda wasn't mad about not making the final cut of the album artwork, and joked she was simply too good looking for it and upstaged everyone else. What's interesting -- LaChapelle echoed what Lepore said and insisted her omission had "nothing to do with hating" ... but failed to explain why the edit happened. Now that Scott's denying he had anything to do with it ... LaChapelle might have some more explaining to do. We reached out to him multiple times ... so far, no word back. (TMZ)
It's Impossible to Deny Drake and Nicki Minaj's Chemistry in The Flirty New Video. Get a room, you two! As Nicki Minaj puts the finishing touches on her upcoming album, Queen, the rapper spent the afternoon with longtime confidant and frequent collaborator Drake. The reunion, which Minaj documented on Instagram, spurred some commenters to say what's been on fans' minds for quite some time. As one user put it, "Get married already!" Drizzy has rapped about making a Mrs. out of Nicki previously, but for now it appears the pair is loving every moment of their friendship. In the video, Drake shouts out her hit collab with rapper 6ix9ine, whispering in Minaj's ear, "What's that song called again? 'Fefe?'" His comment sends Nicki into a fit of laughter as the "Chun-Li" MC puts her hand over her mouth and says, "Wow!" So what brought Champagne Papi and Nicki the Ninja back together again? Fans have theorized that Drake joined her in the recording studio for a last-minute addition to Queen. (Which if that's the case, Aug. 17 really needs to come sooner.) Over the past year, the artists worked to mend the strains put on their friendship by Nicki's ex, Meek Mill, who feuded with the Scorpion performer throughout their relationship. In a recent interview with Beats 1 Radio, Nicki said she and Drake are like an "old married couple." She revealed they've had "a lot" of falling outs over the years. but added, "Then every time we make back up, we're like, 'I love you!' It's so stupid. Drake has given me some of the best advice of my career... Even when there were things happening, even when I couldn't speak to him, I think he felt the love I will always have for him." So have the stars finally aligned for Nicki and Drake to move out of the friend zone? Both are reportedly single, so only time will tell! (Eonline)
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