A viral majorette dance team blazes new trail amid backlash
The Cardinal Divas, a majorette dance team at the University of Southern California โ Los Angeles, has encountered backlash on social media for bringing a traditionally Black style of dance that is associated with HBCUs to a predominantly white institution.
news.yahoo.comNew this week: John Legend, 'Serpent Queen' and 'Pinocchio'
This weekโs new entertainment releases include fresh music from John Legend and Kane Brown, Samantha Morton stars as the 16th-century queen Catherine de Medici in an edgy Starz series and a race between two upcoming โPinocchioโ films begins with Robert Zemeckisโ adaptation.
Saweetie honors Filipino heritage with Dodgersโ game first pitch
Grammy-nominated rapper Saweetie strutted onto the pitcher's mound to deliver the ceremonial first pitch of a Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Chicago Cubs in honor of Filipino Heritage Night. Getting into pitching position while balancing on her Christian Louboutin heels, she tossed the ball straight into the glove of superstar right fielder Mookie Betts. โIt meant [Filipino pride] not only for just Filipinos but especially Bay Area Filipinos,โ Saweetie told Vibe.
news.yahoo.comSaweetie Says Education is Important to โUnlearn Hateโ Against Asian Americans
Saweetie, an American rapper of Chinese, Filipino and Black descent, has recently spoken out about the rising hate crimes against Asian Americans across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Using your platform: In an interview with TMZ Live on Monday for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Saweetie talked about the role of social media in bringing awareness to anti-Asian violence. Close to home: Saweetie offered her thoughts on the growing violence, such as the recent attack on an elderly Asian woman in New York Cityย which she says "could have been my grandmother."
news.yahoo.comJhenรฉ Aiko, Saweetie to perform on AAPI advocacy TV special
Platinum-selling performers of part-Asian descent, including R&B singer Jhenรฉ Aiko and rapper Saweetie, will perform on a TV special produced by The Asian American Foundation, the newly formed organization launched to improve AAPI advocacy.
New this week: Godzilla vs Kong, 'Concrete Cowboy' & Mahalia
This combination photo shows poster art for the film "Godzilla vs Kong," premiering on HBO Max on March 31, left, "Concrete Cowboy," premiering April 2 on Netflix and "Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia," premiering April 3 on Lifetime. (HBO Max/Netflix/Lifetime via AP)Hereโs a collection curated by The Associated Pressโ entertainment journalists of whatโs arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. MOVIESโ Two of cinemaโs most famous giants are headed for an old-fashioned big budget clash in โGodzilla vs. Kong,โ available on HBO Max for 31 days starting Friday. After a pandemic-induced blockbuster drought, Henry told the AP that the film will be a welcome change of pace. Adโ Legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson gets overdue biopic attention in a Lifetime film debuting Saturday.
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.
ABC News to air newsmagazine on the Black experience
This combination photo shows, from left, Carmelo Anthony, Nick Cannon, David Alan Grier, John Ridley and Danny Glover who will be featured on "Soul of a Nation," an ABC newsmagazine focused on Black life in America. (AP Photo)NEW YORK โ ABC News says that next month it will begin airing โSoul of a Nation,โ which the network believes is the first prime-time broadcast newsmagazine focused on Black life in America. The network has committed to six episodes that will air on consecutive Tuesday nights. It illustrates the opportunity to both speak to a Black audience and educate others about what is going on in the community. ___This story has been corrected to show that the name of the series creator is Marie Nelson, not Marie Roberts.
Joe and Jill Biden to appear on 'New Yearโs Rockinโ Eve'
FILE - In this May 14, 2019 file photo, Ryan Seacrest attends the Walt Disney Television 2019 upfront in New York. Most folks have slowed down in the past nine months but Seacrest says he's been juggling more than normal during the pandemic. This week, he will return to New York's Times Square to host Dick Clark New Years Rockin Eve. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK โ Ryan Seacrest will have a special pair of guests alongside the music stars at this year's New Year's Eve celebration on ABC โ the president-elect and the future first lady. โDick Clarkโs New Yearโs Rockinโ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021" will run until 2 a.m. Eastern on Jan. 1.
12 Grammy facts: BTS and Dr. Luke in, The Weeknd out
And it earned him his first Grammy nomination in six years. 3 spot on the pop charts โ is up for best rap song and best rap performance. And Anderson .Paak's โLockdown," about police brutality and racial injustice, is up for best melodic rap performance and best music video. JAY-Z, THE SONGWRITERS, SHINESHappy wife, happy life: Jay-Z has lent his songwriting hand to his wife Beyoncรฉ and he's earned Grammy nominations for it. PAUL McCARTNEY, THE ART DIRECTORPaul McCartney scored his 79th Grammy nominations this year โ as an art director.
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.
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.