Delfonics lead singer William 'Poogie' Hart dead at 77
William “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.
New this week: 'Interceptor,' Post Malone and 'Fire Island'
This week’s new entertainment releases include albums from Post Malone and Drive-By Truckers, “Fast & Furious” alum Elsa Pataky leading her own action picture with “Interceptor,” and the modern romantic comedy “Fire Island,” set in the iconic LGBTQ vacation spot.
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First steps made in Congress to honor pop superstar Prince
Minnesota’s Congressional delegation on Monday is introducing a resolution to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to pop superstar Prince, citing his “indelible mark on Minnesota and American culture,” The Associated Press has learned.
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US court sides with photographer in fight over Warhol art
FILE - In this 1976 file photo, pop artist Andy Warhol smiles in New York. A federal appeals court sided with a photographer Friday, March 26, 2021, in her copyright dispute over how a foundation has marketed a series of Andy Warhol works of art based on her pictures of Prince. In a statement, Goldsmith said she was grateful to the outcome in the 4-year-old fight initiated by a lawsuit from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. “Over fifty years of established art history and popular consensus confirms that Andy Warhol is one of the most transformative artists of the 20th Century,” Nikas said in a statement. Ad“We feel compelled to clarify that it is entirely irrelevant to this analysis that “each Prince Series work is immediately recognizable as a ‘Warhol,’” the appeals court said.
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Prince's ashes to be displayed marking 5th year of his death
FILE - Amplifiers and a drum kit are on display at Prince's Paisley Park on Nov. 2, 2016, in Chanhassen, Minn. Paisley Park officials are marking the fifth anniversary of Prince's death by offering fans free admission to pay their respects in the suburban Minnesota compound, where his ashes will be on display in the atrium. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen, File)MINNEAPOLIS – Paisley Park officials are marking the fifth anniversary of Prince's death by offering fans free admission to pay their respects at the suburban Minnesota compound, where his ashes will be on display in the atrium. A custom-made ceramic urn shaped like Paisley Park with Prince's symbol on top was originally placed in the middle of the atrium when the legend's 65,000-square-foot studio in Chanhassen first opened as a museum in October 2016. At the request of Prince's family, the ashes were moved to a less prominent spot in the atrium and eventually removed entirely from public view, disappointing his legions of fans. Ad“We celebrate his life and legacy every day at Paisley Park, a place that Prince wanted to share with the world,” Paisley Park Executive Director Alan Seiffert said in a statement.
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Still divisive, Dr. Luke resurges at Grammys — 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. Ad“I didn’t 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.
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Rock hall plans October induction before live audience
Blige made this years list of nominees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame said Tuesday that it plans to have a live induction of its 36th class on Oct. 30 in Cleveland — before an actual audience! “We are optimistic and hopeful for the ceremony,” said Greg Harris, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. It will be the sixth time the induction ceremony will be held in Cleveland, home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. AdHarris said a fall induction ceremony, moved from the spring last year because of COVID, will become permanent.
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Milan designers hit reset button during digital fashion week
MILAN – Fashion is off the hamster wheel, taking a deep breath that is allowing some freshness to seep into the once relentless cycle. “It is so weird thinking about fashion, and the kind of hamster wheel of fashion, and how we never had a break and always complained about it,’’ Marc Jacobs said during a Milan Fashion Week video chat with Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons post-digital show. Milan Fashion Week of mostly womenswear previews for next fall and winter wrapped a nearly all-digital edition on Monday. Only one designer — Daniel Del Core, marking his brand's debut — held a live runway show for a small number of guests. Milan designer Francesca Liberatore had planned an extravagant show in a Milan theater with holographic effects, but decided against it in solidarity with theater creatives who can't occupy that space.
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IRS says executors undervalued Prince's estate by 50%
The IRS determined that Prince’s estate is worth $163.2 million, overshadowing the $82.3 million valuation submitted by Comerica Bank & Trust, the estate’s administrator. Documents show the IRS believes that Prince's estate owes another $32.4 million in federal taxes, roughly doubling the tax bill based on Comerica’s valuation, the Star Tribune reported. The IRS also has ordered a $6.4 million “accuracy-related penalty” on Prince’s estate, citing a “substantial” undervaluation of assets, documents show. Comerica sued the IRS this summer in U.S. Tax Court in Washington, D.C., saying the agency’s calculations are riddled with errors. A trial could dramatically lengthen the settlement of Prince’s estate and generate more legal fees at the expense of Prince’s heirs, Patrick said.
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Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2020
The world also said goodbye to U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement who died in July. Other former political figures who died this year include Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, New York Mayor David Dinkins, Arizona Gov. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2020 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___David Stern, 77. The guitarist who supplied the scratching, seething sound that fueled the highly influential British punk band Gang of Four. He fused African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music.
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Nothing compares: Sinead O'Connor memoir coming out in June
NEW YORK – Sinead O'Connor hasn't released any albums in the past few years, but she has been getting some writing done. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media announced Monday that the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter's memoir, “Rememberings,” will come out June 1. I had great fun writing it over the past few years,” O’Connor said in a statement. O'Connor, who turns 54 this week, is also known for the albums “The Lion and the Cobra” and “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got." This fall, she released a cover of the late Mahalia Jackson's “Trouble of the World.”
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J Balvin, Bad Bunny set for big night at Latin Grammys
This combination photo shows Natalia Lafourcade, left, and Rosalia. A year after Rosalia made history by becoming the first solo female performer in 13 years to win the top prize at the Latin Grammys, Natalia Lafourcade followed in her footsteps with a big win at the 2020 show, taking home the album of the year honor on Nov. 19, 2020, for "Un Canto Por Mxico, Vol.
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Ladies' night at Latin Grammys: Lafourcade, Rosalía win big
(AP Photo)NEW YORK – A year after Rosalía made history by becoming the first solo female performer in 13 years to win the top prize at the Latin Grammys, Natalia Lafourcade followed in her footsteps with a big win at the 2020 show. The Mexican singer won album of the year — a category dominated by male acts — on Thursday night with “Un Canto Por México, Vol. Lafourcade didn't attend the Latin Grammys, which aired live on Univision and featured a number of performances, most of them pre-taped due to the coronavirus pandemic. Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda kicked off the Latin Grammys with a strong message about Latin music. Speaking in Spanish and English, he said Latin music “unites all of us and makes us human.”“This is our night,” he added.
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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)
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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.
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'Brian's Song,' 'Roots,' 'Purple Rain' writer dies at 83
LOS ANGELES – William Blinn, a screenwriter for the landmark TV projects “Brian’s Song” and “Roots” and the Prince film “Purple Rain,” has died. Blinn died Thursday of natural causes at an assisted living community in Burbank, California, his daughter, Anneliese Johnson, said Saturday. He won Emmy and Peabody honors for the 1971 TV movie “Brian's Song," which dramatized the friendship of Chicago Bears players Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. Last month, Hall of Fame running back Sayers died at age 77. Blinn and Albert Magnoli wrote 1984′s “Purple Rain,” which Magnoli directed.
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Chadwick Boseman, who embodied Black icons, dies of cancer
FILE - In this March 4, 2018 file photo, Chadwick Boseman arrives at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, has died of cancer. When the former playwright suited up as Black Panther, he brought cool intellectual gravitas to the Marvel superhero whose Wakanda forever! salute reverberated worldwide. You dont have the same exact experience as a Black actor as you do as a white actor. Before an auditorium full of actors, Chadwick Boseman stepped to the microphone.
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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.
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New this week: 'Stateless,' 'Palm Springs,' The Dalai Lama
(Netflix via AP)Heres a collection curated by The Associated Press entertainment journalists of whats arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Its directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, who also helmed Love & Basketball and the criminally underseen Beyond the Lights (currently available on Kanopy). Palm Springs: If a rom-com is more your speed, theres also Palm Springs, on Hulu Friday, starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti as wedding guests who find themselves caught in a time-loop. AP Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSICThe Dalai Lama: To commemorate his 85th birthday on Monday, the Dalai Lama is releasing his first-ever album. Viewers seeking to stir their hearts and minds should consider Netflixs Stateless, set in an immigration detention center in the Australian desert.
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Charlize Theron hopes daughters are represented in Hollywood
FILE - This Feb. 9, 2020 file photo shows actress Charlize Theron at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. Theron stars and produces the Netflix action thriller "The Old Guard," streaming on July 10. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK Charlize Theron says shes making choices as a producer and actor to ensure her two small, beautiful African American daughters will feel represented on-screen. Im in therapy over it, Theron said in an interview promoting her action thriller The Old Guard, which hits Netflix July 10. Theron says shes been watching recent protests around racial injustice in the U.S. through the lens of her home countrys history. She hopes the current movement leads to lasting change, particularly in promoting diversity within Hollywood.
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Custom guitar from Prince's 1980s prime sells for $563,500
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. A custom guitar played by Prince at the height of his stardom in the 1980s and 1990s has sold for a staggering $563,500 at auction. Prince played the blindingly blue guitar with the artist's love symbol on its neck beginning on the 1984 Purple Rain Tour, on the classic albums Lovesexy and Sign O' The Times. He used it into the early 1990s. A similar Prince guitar sold for $700,000 in 2016. An ivory gown worn by Madonna in her 1990 Vogue video sold for $179,200. Items still to be sold Saturday included Paul McCartney's handwritten lyrics to the Beatles song Maxwell's Silver Hammer.
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Prince and the Revolution concert from 1985 to stream on YouTube all weekend
Well, in this case, party like it’s 1985, but regardless, you’ll be dancing to some classic Prince hits, thanks to his official YouTube channel. A live concert of Prince and his legendary band, The Revolution -- in Syracuse, New York in 1985 toward the end of their “Purple Rain” tour -- will be available to stream on YouTube all weekend beginning Friday, May 14 and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. Viewers can donate money while watching the stream, and Google will match it. The concert was originally released as a VHS back in the day, so Prince fans who have been there from the very beginning might have seen this show. It should be a treat for newer Prince fans who never got to see the man himself in action, especially at the height of his career, when “Purple Rain” was first released.
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Billie Eilish, a voice of the youth, tops the Grammy Awards
Gary Clark Jr. poses in the press room with the awards for best rock song, best rock performance and best contemporary blues album for "This Land", at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. The 18-year-old made history at the Grammy Awards Sunday. also won best pop vocal album. Her brother Finneas O'Connell also won awards for engineering and producing the album. Tyler, the Creator said later that the rap album Grammy was a backhanded compliment.
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Lizzo named The Associated Press' Entertainer of the Year
FILE - This Nov. 24, 2019 file photo shows Lizzo performing "Jerome" at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Lizzo has been named Entertainer of the Year by The Associated Press. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, FIle)NEW YORK, NY – Breakthrough singer-rapper Lizzo has been named Entertainer of the Year by The Associated Press. She performed with Prince on his 2014 “Plectrumelectrum” album, released two years before his death. Lizzo was also named Entertainer of the Year by Time magazine.
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AP’s top albums of 2019: Ari Lennox, Summer Walker, Anitta
(Republic Records via AP)NEW YORK, NY – The top 10 albums of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu:1. A nomination — or eight — isn’t necessary for any real music fan to realize how outstanding, soulful and poignant Lennox’s debut album is. Lennox’s “Shea Butter Baby” is the best album of the year, no matter if awards shows think differently, including you, the Soul Train Music Awards. Summer Walker, “Over It”: Summer Walker’s debut album is perfect, as she spits matter-of-fact lyrics over some beats that borrow from classic ‘90s R&B hits including Usher, Destiny’s Child and 702. But even when she’s not sampling a song, Walker can hold her own, delivering a flawless album that’s easy to obsess over.
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Rosalía marks historic night for women at Latin Grammys
1” won album of the year at the Latin Grammys in 2006. He helped the former Fifth Harmony member, who didn’t attend the show, win her first pair of Latin Grammys before she’s even won a Grammy Award. Like Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee earned a nomination in one of the urban categories: best urban fusion/performance. “Thank you so much.”The Latin Grammys kicked off its 20th anniversary show with a festive performance highlighting various sounds from the genre as 20 artists united onstage to honor Latin music. Other performers included Luis Fonsi, Ozuna and Residente, who extended his record as the most decorated artist in the history of the Latin Grammys to 25 wins.

What we learned from Prince's memoir
Three years on and, with the help of Prince's chosen collaborator Dan Piepenbring, "The Beautiful Ones" has been completed and was released on Tuesday by Cornerstone. Detailing how he carefully curated material for the book, Piepenbring told The Guardian: "The sheer quantity of paper was surprising. From Piepenbring's humorous anecdotes to Prince's own moments of self-reflection, here are a few revelations to come from "The Beautiful Ones." Prince's writing style was uniqueOne of the most revealing features of the book is the reproduction of some of his personal letters and musings. Piepenbring writes that Prince told him: "All artists should own their masters... especially black artists."

Prince estate releases unheard track
(CNN) - The Prince estate decided to bless fans with unreleased music in honor of the 40th anniversary of the singer's self-titled second album. The recording was created in the winter of 1978-79 around the time Prince was preparing to make his solo debut at the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis, according to the singer's website. The fully produced studio recording for "I Feel For You" was on the album "Prince," which was released October 19, 1979, the singer's website said. Chaka Khan's version won two Grammys, including Best R&B song that honored Prince as a songwriter. The release of the new acoustic version of the record comes three years after Prince's death in April 2016 from an accidental overdose of the opioid fentanyl.

Prince's estate objects to Trump campaign using 'Purple Rain' at rally
MINNEAPOLIS - President Donald Trump's musical selection during a rally in Minneapolis didn't sit well with Prince's estate Thursday night. "Purple Rain" was played during the rally in the music legend's hometown and the estate was quick to respond with a tweet. "The Prince Estate will never give permission to President Trump to use Prince's songs." This isn't the first time the estate has asked the Trump campaign to stop playing Prince's music. In the same tweet, the estate embedded a letter dated "October 15, 2018," showing the Trump campaign agreed to stop using Prince's music.
Taylor Swift isn't alone in label battle
CNN image(CNN) - Taylor Swift may feel that she's been burned, but she's far from the only one. From 2006's self-titled debut to 2017's "Reputation," Swift was with country-pop record company Big Machine Label Group. And every time you stream or download a track, it's the holder of the master rights -- often the label -- that gets paid first. Swift could reclaim her music rights, but it would take decadesAnd though it might feel like Swift and her old music are never, ever getting back together, she has longer-term options. The-CNN-Wire & 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company.