Ed Sheeran, on guitar, gets musical with a New York jury
British singer Ed Sheeran sang a few lyrics from one of his songs and played a few chords on a guitar for a New York jury, hoping to hit the right notes with a jury deciding whether the song violates the copyrights of Marvin Gaye's soul classic “Let's Get It On.”.
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.
Music stars slam UK's 'shameful' failure on EU touring rules
FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020 file photo, Elton John performs "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" nominated for the award for best original song from "Rocketman" at the Oscars, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Dozens of U.K. music stars including Elton John, Ed Sheeran and conductor Simon Rattle on Wednesday Jan. 20, 2021, say musicians have been shamefully failed by the British government, which has left them facing post-Brexit restrictions on touring in the European Union. Britain and the EU disagree about who is to blame for the omission, each accusing the other of rejecting a deal for touring artists. The new rules mean U.K. performers have to comply with differing rules in the 27 EU nations, negotiating visas for musicians and permits for their equipment. Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage acknowledged the situation was “incredibly disappointing,” but said “the door is open” to talks with the EU on a deal for musicians.
Billboard: Interscope Geffen A&M named No. 1 label of 2020
Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA), the home to Eilish, Lady Gaga and Lamar, has been named the No. (AP Photo)NEW YORK – Interscope Geffen A&M — the home to Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga — has been named the No. Billboard announced Thursday that the label, which is also known as IGA, tops its year-end chart for the first time since 2013. IGA is also the top Billboard 200 label with 68 albums released during the tracking period, 25 of which hit the Top 10. Warner Music Group’s Atlantic Records was 2019’s top Billboard 200 label.
In Peru's Cuzco, pandemic devastates tourism and economy
Cuzco, the historic capital of the Inca empire near Machu Picchu lives almost entirely from international tourism and is suffering the worst crisis in its recent history. But the arrival of the novel coronavirus in March and travel restrictions turned Cuzco, which received more than 1.8 million international visits annually, into a near ghost town. Fredy Deza, Cusco’s regional director of tourism, said there are 8,000 tour guides in the region who do not have access to these benefits. At the moment, 129 Cuzco guides and artisans have received grants of $830 for guides and $415 for artisans, according to official data. Tourism entrepreneurs in Cuzco believe things could normalize in 2022, but expect that in 2021 they will barely reach 30% of what they earned in 2019.
New this week: Alicia Keys, 'Filthy Rich' and the Emmys
This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA Records via AP)
New this week: Alicia Keys, 'Filthy Rich' and the Emmys
This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA Records via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. It lands on HBO and HBO Max on Saturday at 8 p.m.— AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— Piano-playing pop star Alicia Keys is putting out her seventh album on Friday. — Kim Cattrall is at the center of Fox’s “Filthy Rich,” a prime-time soap opera loaded with money and betrayal that debuts 9 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 21.
Ed Sheeran and wife Cherry announce birth of daughter Lyra
LONDON Ed Sheeran and his wife, Cherry, have announced the birth of their daughter, Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran. The singer-songwriter said in an Instagram post that the couples beautiful and healthy daughter was born last week. Sheeran, 29, and long-time girlfriend Cherry Seaborn married last year. Sheeran and Seaborn, 28, met at primary school in eastern England and announced their engagement in 2018. At the end of 2019, Sheeran announced he was taking a break from work and social media after two years of touring in support of his best-selling album Divide.
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.
Eilish leads iHeartRadio Music Awards with 7 nominations
LOS ANGELES, CA – Billie Eilish came away with the most nominations for the upcoming iHeartRadio Music Awards. iHeartMedia announced Wednesday that Eilish received seven nominations. The singer will compete for female artist of the year and song of the year with “bad guy.” Lil Nas X and Lizzo are each nominated six times. Eilish will face off against Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Halsey and Ariana Grande for female artist of the year. For the men’s top artist award, Ed Sheeran, Khalid, Luke Combs, Post Malone and Mendes will vie for the honor.
Drake is Spotify’s most-streamed artist of the decade
NEW YORK, NY – Drake is the king of streaming: the rapper has been named Spotify’s most-streamed artist of the decade. Ed Sheeran came in second, while Post Malone, Ariana Grande and Eminem round out the Top 5. For 2019, Post Malone is the top-streamed artist globally. Eilish’s debut album — “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” — is the year’s most-streamed album, while Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s “Senorita” tops the list of the most-streamed songs. “The Joe Budden Podcast with Rory & Mal” is the year’s most-streamed podcast on Spotify.
Ed Sheeran, Prince Harry unite in video for World Mental Health Day
Prince Harry and Ed Sheeran teamed up in a video to raise awareness about World Mental Health Day. (CNN) - Prince Harry and Ed Sheeran have teamed up in a video to raise awareness for World Mental Health Day -- with a light-hearted jibe at their own plight as Britain's most famous redheads. "Umm slightly awkward," Prince Harry responds, noting that he had invited the singer to his house to discuss World Mental Health Day. Prince William and Prince Harry are heard in the first half of the ad. World Mental Health Day is marked annually on Oct. 10, and the World Federation for Mental Health chose suicide prevention as the main focus for this year's event.
Ed Sheeran plans on taking a break
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images(CNN) - Ed Sheeran has been touring since 2017 and is reportedly planning on taking an extended break. "There is something very bittersweet about it," Sheeran was quoted as saying. He also noted that he'd played all around the world to massive crowds during the tour. All these amazing venues, America, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, South America it's been a wild one," Sheeran said. And while he has more than earned a break, Sheeran thanked his supporters and told concertgoers it wasn't easy.
Ed Sheeran confirms he's married to Cherry Seaborn
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesEd Sheeran has revealed that he's a married man. The British singer-songwriter confirmed he wed his childhood friend, Cherry Seaborn, in an interview with iHeartRadio's Charlamagne Tha God about his new collaboration album. Sheeran said the two had tied the knot while discussing the lyrics of his new song with Eminem and 50 Cent, "Remember My Name," in which he calls Seaborn his "wife." Sheeran said he had written those lyrics before he and Seaborn made their marriage official. "It was actually before me and Cherry got married, and I knew that we'd be married by the point that the song came out," Sheeran said.