Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Grammys 2017: Daft Punk & The Weeknd, Dave Grohl, Alicia Keys to Perform

Can you feeling it coming? The Weeknd and Daft Punk lead a stellar lineup of performers added to the Grammy Awards 2017, a bill which now also features a collaboration of R&B star Alicia Keys with newcomer Maren Morris.

The Recording Academy also announced singer-rapper-musician Anderson .Paak will join hip-hop veterans A Tribe Called Quest and rock legend Dave Grohl on stage at this year’s ceremony, which takes place Feb. 12 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The latest wave of performers represents a whole lot of precious metal. Forget silverware, think platinum records and Grammys gold. Grohl, the Foo Fighters frontman and a Hall of Famer with Nirvana, has collected 15 Grammys across his career. Keys also has 15 Grammys. Daft Punk and the Weeknd, who teamed up on “I Feel It Coming” and the title track from the Canadian artist’s latest album Starboy, have eight Grammys between them (six for Daft Punk, two for The Weeknd).

They’ll join previously announced performers Adele, John Legend, Metallica, Carrie Underwood, Bruno Mars and Keith Urban on music’s biggest night.

The Late Late Show leader James Corden will host the 59th annual Grammy Awards, which is produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy and will be beamed live on the CBS Television Network.

The field this year is led by Beyoncé with nine nominations, while Drake, Rihanna and Kanye West are next up with eight nods each.

Justin Bieber, Drake & Kanye West Are NOT Going To The Grammys

(TMZ) -- Kanye West, Justin Bieber and other big stars are going to be MIA from the Grammys, and we know why.

It started with Frank Ocean, who many think had the best album of the year, but didn't even bother submitting it for Grammy consideration. Ocean says he thinks the Grammys are a dinosaur that doesn't represent young, black artists.

TMZ was told Justin Bieber, who's nominated for 4 Grammys, plans to be somewhere other than the Grammys a week from Sunday. As for why, TMZ was told he just doesn't think the Grammys are relevant or representative, especially when it comes to young singers.

Drake has 8 nominations but TMZ told he also doesn't plan to be there for the same reason as Justin.

As for Kanye, who's got 8 noms, one source said, "Let's put it this way. He's received 21 Grammys, but when he was head-to-head against a white singer, he never won."

TMZ's sources say it's not like the Oscars ... there's no real anger, it's just that a lot of younger singers think the Grammys are out of touch and arguably irrelevant.

They could all change their minds and show up, but TMZ was told as of now the plan is to take a raincheck.

Trump's Immigration Ban Hasn't Impacted Grammy Awards Presenters & Performers... Yet

President Donald Trump's controversial travel ban has already had a huge impact, including widespread condemnation from the leaders of foreign powers (including Iran, Iraq, Britain, France, Canada and Australia among others), massive protests at the nation's airports and, in a surprise move Monday night (Jan. 30), the firing of his acting attorney general Sally Yates.

It has also caused a sense of panic among some artists and musicians who are unclear about their ability to travel in the wake of the confusing, reportedly rushed roll-out of the measure, which blocks any refugees from entering the country for 120 days (including those from war-ravaged Syria, who are indefinitely barred) and a 90-day ban on immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

With the Feb. 12 Grammy Awards less than two weeks away, Billboard reached out on Monday night to see if Trump's actions will have any impact on the show. "Fortunately, at this time, it appears that no current-year nominees stand to be directly affected by the recent policy change," a spokesperson for the show told Billboard via email. At press time it was unclear if any of the expected performers, presenters or attendees were from the affected countries. (Billboard will update this story in the lead-up to the broadcast.)

Syrian Musician in Limbo After Trump's Immigration Order
The executive action has created chaos in the lives of a number of immigrants who are in the country legally, including Syrian musician Kinan Azmeh, who legally immigrated to the U.S. 16 years ago thanks to his "extraordinary" abilities. Azmeh, who flew to China three weeks ago to perform with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, told Billboard on Sunday (Jan. 29) that he was unsure if he would be allowed to return home.

The ban has already had an impact on the upcoming 89th annual Academy Awards (FEb. 26), with acclaimed Iranian director Asghar Farhadi -- whose film The Salesman was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film -- saying the uncertainty around his ability to travel to the U.S. was "in no way acceptable" and that he wouldn't attend even if an exception was made. The ban is also affecting the Syrian humanitarian workers who are the subjects of the Oscar-nominated documentary short The White Helmets, who will not be able to attend due to the ban.

Grammys 2017: Daft Punk & The Weeknd, Dave Grohl, Alicia Keys to Perform
The 59th annual Grammy Awards will be hosted by The Late Late Show host James Corden, who aired a moving commentary on the travel ban on his show Monday night. Given Corden's proclivity for commenting on Trump -- as well as the numerous protests against the president's immigration action at Sunday night's SAG Awards -- it seems likely that the British comedian will weigh in on the controversy.

Monday, 30 January 2017

John Legend Slam Donald Trump at PGA Awards: 'America Has To Be Better Than That'

The Producers Guild of America held its annual awards ceremony Saturday night in Los Angeles following a day that saw protests at airports across the country in response to president Donald Trump's recent restrictions on immigration.
The news of the #MuslimBan resistance resulted in a number of honorees and notables at the evening's PGA Awards to offer their sentiments on the issue.
In kicking off the evening, PGA president Lori McCreary said, "For now, more than ever, we have the need, the ability, to create content that expresses our true values.
John Legend addressed Trump while onstage "Los Angeles is the home of so many immigrants, so many creative people, so many dreamers. Our America is big, it is free, and it is open to dreamers of all races, all countries, all religions. Our vision of America is directly antithetical to that of President Trump. I want to specifically tonight reject his vision and affirm that America has to be better than that."
"Now more than ever we need to remember the words on the Statue of Liberty," McCreary said in reference to the inscription on the sculpture that reads, in part: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
Presenting their father Tom Rothman with the Milestone Award, Elizabeth and Nora Rothman also subtly protested Trump as they took to the stage sporting pink "pussy hats," receiving a standing ovation for their fashion statement.
READ MORE
Google, Apple, Netflix, More Tech Companies Protest Trump's Immigration Order
While presenting the Stanley Kramer award which honors the film that helps raise public awareness of important social issues to Loving, Thandie Newton said, "We may lose the small battles but we will win the big war." Colin Firth, who was one of the film's producers, accepted the award saying, "This is for Richard & Mildred Loving, the ACLU and for everyone whose families are being separated by the discrimination of others."
The air in the room appeared to shift as Celebrity Apprentice producer Mark Burnett accepted the award for outstanding producer of competition television. Soft boos and murmurs in the audience could be heard.
20th Century Women producer Megan Ellison, upon receiving the Visionary award, told the crowd, "The scariest thing we can do now, or ever, is to shut up."

Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Calls Trump's Immigration Order 'An Assault on Civil Liberties'

Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong has joined the rising chorus or people protesting President Donald Trump's executive action on immigration, calling the "extreme vetting" order part of an "all out assault on civil liberties." In a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday (Jan. 29), Armstrong railed against the series of executive actions Trump has taken, saying they make him feel like the nation is under assault.

"I feel like I'm in a state of shock," wrote Armstrong. "The executive orders Trump is signing feels like a vendetta.. Trump is not only taking out his revenge on the people who protested him, but also the average American that just didn't vote for him." Armstrong's reaction came as a rising tide of outrage spread across the nation following Trump's signing of an executive order on immigration on Friday that effectively banned people from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the U.S. for the next three months. Due to the hasty nature of the action a number of people with valid green cards were also caught in limbo at airports.

Armstrong's post came amid a flood of pushback protests online and on the ground at airports around the nation, with musicians, actors, activists and civil liberties experts decrying the action as un-American and potentially illegal. Over the weekend there were harsh anti-Trump posts from Queens of the Stone Age singer Josh Homme, as well as comments from Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus, Chuck D, Josh Groban, Nancy Sinatra and a number of winners and attendees at Sunday night's (Jan. 29) SAG Awards. On Saturday (Jan. 28), a federal judge in New York temporarily blocked part of Trump's order, ruling that authorities couldn't remove individuals from the seven affected countries who had already arrived at U.S. airports after the order had been issued.

"These reckless decisions on healthcare, muslim-americans, immigration, environmental protection, freedom of speech, freedom of press, women's right to choose what to do with their bodies, suggesting sending in the feds to Chicago .. are signs of a man that is trying to redefine what it is that keeps our common union as Americans," Armstrong continued. "This is not just his 'conservative agenda.' It's an all out assault on our civil liberties. His intention is to divide us as Americans. Maybe we don't agree on all of these issues.. But can't we see eye to eye on some?"

Though Armstrong said his group's latest album, Revolution Radio, was not intended as another concept album-style screed against the politics of division, the band has nonetheless made their view crystal clear over the past few months. In November they added the chant "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA" during an appearance at the American Music Awards and the video for their latest single, "Troubled Times," is a clear call-to-action against the Celebrity Apprentice host turned commander in chief.

"Isn't this about freedom and unity?" Armstrong asked, pleading for compassion and respect. "I don't think this president has a grasp on the concept of the American dream."

Trump's action has also drawn protest from a number of major tech companies, including Google, Apple and Netflix, whose leaders had strong reactions over the weekend to the order that bars entry for anyone from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, ostensibly to prevent extremists from carrying out attacks on U.S. soil. It also was rejected by a number of leaders across the globe, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK PM Theresa May and several high-ranking members of Trump's Republican party, including Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham.

As the Huffington Post reported this weekend, there have been no terror attacks on U.S soil since 1975 by immigrants from the seven nations included in Trump's action. In fact, according to a recently released report, Muslim Americans with family backgrounds tied to those nations have also resulted in zero American deaths over the past 15 years. Several reports have also noted that none of the 19 plane hijackers who took part in the 9/11 attacks were from those nations.
See what he twitted:

i feel like I'm in a state of shock.. The executive orders Trump is signing feels like a vendetta.. Trump is not only taking out his revenge on the people who protested him, but also the average American that just didn't vote for him. These reckless decisions on healthcare, muslim-americans, immigration, environmental protection, freedom of speech, freedom of press, women's right to choose what to do with their bodies, suggesting sending in the feds to Chicago .. are signs of a man that is trying to redefine what it is that keeps our common union as Americans.. This is not just his "conservative agenda." It's an all out assault on our civil liberties. His intention is to divide us as Americans. Maybe we don't agree on all of these issues.. But can't we see eye to eye on some? I have conservative/republican friends and family.. I understand their point of view even if I don't agree with it. It's their right. It's their beliefs. However the progressive side is just as "American" as the other side. At what point do we all come together as "Americans". Isn't this about freedom and unity? I don't think this president has a grasp on the concept of the American dream.. the dream that we come from different backgrounds to come together. Please respect each other. Please show compassion. Please don't allow this madman to take out his revenge.... on US respect BJ.

JUSTIN BIEBER SUITS UP FOR CELEBRITY ICE HOCKEY GAME AND ALSO JUSTIN BIEBER SIBLINGS PHOTOS WILL HELP YOU SURVIVE HIS INSTAGRAM BREAK.

Justin Bieber traded the stage for the ice on Saturday (January 28) at NHL's All-Star Celebrity Shootout at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

"This is one of the highlights of my life. For real," Biebs said about the experience. He's a longtime fan of the sport and joins games whenever he can. Now, where can fans buy this spectacular jersey?

Biebs went all out on the ice, where he reportedly scored one goal to make up for two lost penalty shots. He even got smashed into the glass a bit, courtesy of professional ice hockey player Chris Pronger. Oof.

On the bright side, it's clear Bieber has the skating skills to make a “Purpose on ice” show happen in the future.

As The Guardian pointed out, the next time Bieber returns to the Staples Center, he'll likely be attending the Grammys. He's nominated for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, AND Best Pop Vocal Album. Phew. Hopefully he scores big that night, too.

And also This one looks more like a school photo. Hats off to whatever lucky classmates have this gem in their kindergarten yearbooks. (Were those a thing?

The duo have had an iffy relationship over the years — Jeremy was in jail when Justin was born — but appear to be on good terms now. Last year, the Purpose singer went to his dad's engagement party. Jeremy also frequently shares photos of his son looking ripped, for whatever that's worth.

"Built like  We can't all have the body of a 22-year-old, I suppose.

Justin is also close to his half-siblings, Jeremy's kids Jaxon and Jazmyn. In fact, Jaxon was his oh-so-precious date to the Grammys last year.

D'aww! Clearly he takes after his big bro.

Sunday, 29 January 2017

9 Great Pop Songs From January You Might've Missed

Despite only being a month into the new year, it's been a busy enough time in the pop world. So far, we've already had three different songs hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 -- a first in the chart's history for the month of January.

With such a flurry of activity in top 40's top tier, however, you might've missed some of the equally exciting pop music bubbling below the mainstream's surface. Four weeks into 2017, here are 10 songs that demonstrate what a great year for pop this is already shaping up to be.

1.Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, "So Close"

Former frontman of alt outfits Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin, Andrew McMahon has been creeping closer and closer to straightforward pop for some time now. He finally grabs it with both hands on "So Close," a sparkling synth thumper with a falsetto'd chorus euphoric enough to get Passion Pit watching their backs.

2.Grace Mitchell, "Kids (Ain't All Right)"

Grace Mitchell broke onto the scene a few years ago with a couple of turbo-charged alt-pop blasts of boundless energy and creativity. That still doesn't make the landing of "Kids (Ain't All Right)" any less stunning, though -- the still-teenage Portland, Oregon-based talent screws down her beats and grunges up her hooks without sacrificing a step of pep, ending up sounding something like Elle King produced by Trent Reznor.

You won't hear a song this month approaching the sublime melancholy of emerging indie-folk artist Phoebe Bridgers' "Smoke Signals," whose dolorous guitars and weeping strings would have been brutal enough without Bridgers' own references to the deaths of Lemmy and Bowie. Low blow, but can't say the song doesn't earn it.

3.Mozart's Sister, "Moment 2 Moment"

Montreal native (and Grimes buddy) Calia Thompson-Hannant -- aka Mozart's Sister -- makes off-kilter dance-pop for fans of experimental pop who'd rather not go full PC Music. "Moment 2 Moment" is a gratifyingly pinballing and unpredictable production that never risks being alienating; Thompson-Hannant even assuring: "But if you freak out we don't have to stay together/ Just say that you like me."

4.Vanbot, "Collide - Krasnoyarsk"

Swedish light-and-darkwaver Vanbot's upcoming album Siberia will likely go down as the year's finest LP to be recorded entirely on a train, and advance single "Collide - Krasnoyarsk" carries the sense of forward momentum, majesty and just-outside-your-window longing you'd expect from such an ambitiously in-transit recording. Couple of the sound effects, too.

5.Jens Lekman, "What's That Perfume That You Wear?"

Sharply observed indie pop with melodicism dripping from every measure has been Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman's M.O. for most of the century. This sensory-memory anthem drags him from Northern Europe to the beaches of Ibiza, with a steel drum disco groove that borders on the Balaeric and proves Lekman even more irresistible in warm weather.

6.Yasutaka Nakata feat. Charli XCX & Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, "Crazy Crazy"

Charli XCX will not stop until she's adopted the pop style of every major nation at least once, and she can cross Japan off her list with the addictive "Crazy Crazy," a moon-bounce of a collaboration with electro-pop producer Yasutaka Nakata and J-pop star Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. Can't wait till she gets to Greece.

7.Tei Shi, "Keep Running"

Argentina-via-Brooklyn singer-songwriter Tei Shi continues her run as one of the more reliable purveyors of alluring, mysterious pop with latest single "Keep Running," a throbbing slow burner of desire and tired desperation.  Watch the Billboard-premiered, karaoke-featuring video for the hypnotic track here.

While the world continues to wait for Tinashe's long-overdue album Joyride, we could do a whole lot worse for a time-killer than "Quit You," an '80s throwback confection

8.Lost Kings feat. Tinashe, "Quit You"

While the world continues to wait for Tinashe's long-overdue album Joyride, we could do a whole lot worse for a time-killer than "Quit You," an '80s throwback confection so effervescent (and with a such a knockout chorus) it's a marvel Carly Rae Jepsen didn't get to it first. Tinashe talks about being addicted to Coldplay's "Fix You" on the refrain, but L.A. duo Lost Kings' irrepressible bop is catchy enough to dislodge that over-dramatic anthem from her head real quick.

9.José James, "Closer"

Another "Closer," really? C'mon, just one more. It doesn't sound like the other ones, we promise...

Rihanna Calls President Trump 'An Immoral Pig' Over Immigration Order

As reactions to President Donald Trump's executive order to ban citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the United States continue to pour in, Rihanna joins a growing list of celebrities to condemn the U.S. leader's controversial act.

The order denies entry into the country to people from the seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days.

READ MORE
deadmau5 Blasts President Trump's Immigration Ban: 'Guess You Better Send Melania Back Too'
"Disgusted! The news is devastating! America is being ruined right before our eyes! What an immoral pig you have to be to implement such BS!!" Rihanna wrote on Twitter Saturday night (Jan. 28). At press time, her tweet has received more than 30,000 retweets and has been favorited by nearly 50,000 users on the social media platform.

Rihanna recently joined the Women's March in New York City and was caught dabbing in front of Trump Tower in a protestor's video.

Jan. 28 marks the one-year anniversary -- or "#ANTiversary," as she tweeted -- of the release of Rihanna's Anti album...

Taylor Swift Calls Zayn 'Really Special' in 'I Don't Wanna Live Forever' Behind-the-Scenes Video..

Taylor Swift is singing Zayn Malik's praises over their new hit "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" with a behind-the-scenes video she shared on Friday (Jan. 27).

"I've known Zayn for a really long time," Swift says in the Instagram clip that was filmed while shooting the "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" music video that was released at midnight EST. "I think his voice is one of those that is really rare and I think he's really special and wonderful and it's really, really amazing to get to work together."

"I Don't Wanna Live Forever," which will appear on the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack, currently sits at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 (dated Feb. 4), two spots shy of its peak when it debuted at No. 6 on the chart dated Dec. 31.

READ MORE
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"It's amazing when you get to work with people who you hang out with because the question of 'Will we get along?' is already answered. 'Yeah, we'll get along. It's Zayn. We hang out, like, it's fine,'" continued Swift, who is close friends with Malik's girlfriend Gigi Hadid and used to date the former One Direction singer's once bandmate Harry Styles. "He's also incredibly talented and I feel really lucky to get to do this song that I'm really proud of with him and with [director Grant Singer] and everybody involved. It's been amazing."

Malik added, "We finally got to have our first glass of Jameson together. It was very good."

Cheers!

Saturday, 28 January 2017

Drake Dropped “More Life” today On Saturday Jan 28 To Feature The Weeknd & Popcaan....

The Canadian rapper, who is set to kick off his The Boy Meets World Tour tonight, surprised fans with an appearance on a podcast called ‘Cal Cast’.

The in-depth interview, hosted by Drizzy’s mentor John ‘Coach Cal’ Calipari, featured some new information about his upcoming ‘More Life’ playlist.

“It’s something I’m doing in conjunction with Apple,” said Drake.

“Usually, in between albums, artists would do a mixtape but I’m doing a playlist with Apple. It’s sort of the same concept.

“It’s not an album but it is a body of work I’m creating, just to bridge the gap between my major releases, to keep people excited, give people new music, let people know I’m still hungry.”

According to Drake, making ‘More Life’ has led him to re-evaluate his musical goals.

“In working on that, I had to ask myself the other day, ‘Why are you doing, not only this project, but why are you still doing music? What are you still doing it for?’ This was my conclusion,” he said.

“I’m doing it to be remembered as a forward thinker. I want to be remembered, much like those people we just discussed [Aaliyah and Bob Marley] as an emotion-evoking artist.

“I want to say things I want people to remember me by. That conversation with self set me on a new path musically and I’m excited to move forward.”

The project was originally set for release on December 18 but was delayed to Janaury and now we’re learning that it could be here as early as Saturday. A highly placed source inside the OVO camp told Dancehall HipHop that Drake is dropping the project on his mother’s birthday, January 28.

“Here is the thing, Drizzy never do anything by coincidence, everything is always carefully planned out tomorrow is More Life no doubt,” sources told us exclusively. “It’s also a special day for the camp because it’s the God’s mom birthday so expect big things.”

Our sources didn’t want to divulge too much details about the album, but we’re told that dancehall star Popcaan and The Weeknd will be featured on the playlist which will be roughly 20 tracks. “There are surprises like you can expect something from Unruly and something from Weeknd that will be a true gem,” our source revealed on Friday. We didn’t get any confirmation on whether or not Jennifer Lopez will be on the project, despite her confirmation last week that she is working with Drake on new music.

The 6 God has been working on More Life since around October last year and during his recent interview on Cal Cast, he revealed that it’s a collaborative effort with Apple Music and will be released as a playlist. He also hinted that he will be dropping a regular album after “More Life” which he classified as an in between album project to please his fans.

“It’s something I’m doing in conjunction with Apple,” Drizzy said. “Usually, in between albums, artists would do a mixtape but I’m doing a playlist with Apple. It’s sort of the same concept. It’s not an album but it is a body of work I’m creating, just to bridge the gap between my major releases, to keep people excited, give people new music, let people know I’m still hungry.”

Drake is currently in Europe for his “Boy Meets World” tour which gets underway at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam tomorrow. Last night, the 6 God posted a photo on Instagram of himself wearing a sweater with an image of his “More Life” album cover on the back. He also posted a photo of Popcaan rocking some OVO gears.

Drake’s Amsterdam Fling Gets Exposed!

So a few days ago, rumors hit that Drake may be creeping around on Jennifer Lopez with a porn star out in Amsterdam.

I still maintain that I believe that the 6 God and J-Lo’s relationship is a fake publicity stunt that they are going to be able to milk later, but whatever.

Anyway back to the jump off in Amsterdam. The woman Drake was believed to be dining with was porn star Rosee Divine.

Apparently the woman who was dining with the 6 God at a Japanese restaurant in Amsterdam, @Sophieknowsbetter, has now spoken out.

The woman says she isn’t a porn star, and that it’s unfortunate that she is getting labeled on social media as such. She posted a comment that said,

“I know I mean eventually they’ll see that they can’t find one porno video of because I am not a pornstar but hey… the internet stays undefeated.”

Another woman replied saying,

“@Sophieknowsbetter Everyong in Paris knows you sell your pussy to rappers and other rich men in w. Europe. And you are basically a madam for high class escorts. Stop denying your life in the industry. We Europeans all know why you’re around Drake and his crew.”

Wow that escalated quickly! The thing with social media is sometimes you don’t know who is lying and who is being hateful. There is a lot of behind the scenes truth usually being exposed though.

Lol @Sophieknowsbetter says she has to get these bills paid. LOL Do you girl. Drake sure has an interesting type!

David Bowie, Rihanna, Little Mix Score Nominations for 2017 Brit Awards

With three nominations each, Little Mix, Rihanna and Skepta are the frontrunners leading up to the 2017 Brit Awards, while the late British legend David Bowie and Canadian rapper Drake are in the chasing pack of artists with two nods apiece.

Nominations for this year's awards were announced at a ceremony Saturday night (Jan. 14) and for the first time were broadcast in a primetime slot on free-to-air TV station ITV.

Little Mix, the pop act whose fourth album Glory Days is the current No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart (and has held top spot for five weeks), is up British group and their hit "Shoutout To My Ex" is in the hunt for British single and British video.

READ MORE
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Rihanna’s hattrick of nominations includes a chance in the categories for British single and British video for her collaboration with Calvin Harris, “This Is What You Came For,” and the Barbadian singing star features in a loaded category for international female solo artist along with Sia, Christine and the Queens and the Knowles sisters, Beyoncé and Solange.

Skepta’s 2016 Mercury Music Prize album Konnichiwa is in the running for the prestigious Brits Album of the Year honor, though it faces stiff competition from David Bowie's Mercury-nominated final album Blackstar, The 1975's I Like It When You Sleep…, , Kano's Made in the Manor and Michael Kiwanuka's Love & Hate.

The grime artist (real name Joseph Adenuga) is also mentioned for British breakthrough artist and he makes the shortlist for British male solo artist alongside Craig David, David Bowie, Kano and Michael Kiwanuka.

READ MORE
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There’s a posthumous nod for Canadian songsmith Leonard Cohen (best international male artist) and British superstar singer Adele is nominated for a solitary trophy, for British artist video of the year for "(Send My Love (To Your New Lover).”

Rag 'N' Bone Man performed at the weekend’s nominations ceremony and was later presented with the Brits Critics' Choice Award, one of two awards announced in advance of the gala. The other, the Brits Icon Award, belongs to Robbie Williams.

READ MORE
Brit Awards Announce Voting Panel Shake-Up After #BritsSoWhite Controversy
The BRITs, the U.K. recording industry’s flagship awards ceremony, will be held Feb. 22 at London's O2 Arena. Little Mix, The 1975 and Emeli Sande head the first batch of performers confirmed for the big night.

Organizers shook-up its voting panel for next month’s gala after the 2016 show was overshadowed by controversy over the lack of black nominees.

When a string of artists criticized the BRITs for failing to represent the diversity of the British music scene and the issue began trending on social media, the BPI conducted a review of its voting panel and subsequently invited 700 new members from across the U.K. industry to help pick the nominees and award winners.

Fans have until this Friday to have their say on the two public-voted categories, British artist and video of the year.
Canadian crooner Michael Buble was previously announced as host, but his participation is unclear after his son was diagnosed with cancer last year, prompting Buble to cancel all immediate music biz engagements.

Visit the Brit Awards Website for more information.

Nominations for 2017 Brit Awards

British Male Solo Artist
Craig David
David Bowie
Kano
Michael Kiwanuka
Skepta

British Female Solo Artist
Anohni
Ellie Goulding
Emeli Sandé
Lianne La Havas
Nao

British Group
The 1975
Bastille
Biffy Clyro
Little Mix
Radiohead

British Breakthrough Act
Anne-Marie
Blossoms
Rag’n’Bone Man
Skepta
Stormzy

British Single
Alan Walker – Faded
Calum Scott – Dancing On My Own
Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna – This Is What You Came For
Clean Bandit feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie – Rockabye
Coldplay – Hymn For The Weekend
James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go
Jonas Blue feat. Dakota – Fast Car
Little Mix – Shout Out To My Ex
Tinie Temp

Thursday, 26 January 2017

The Grammys Stop Fighting the Future With 2017 Nominees

Justin Bieber arrives at The 58th Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
The nominations for the 59 Annual Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday (Dec. 6), and as the experts predicted (and as the show's producers no doubt prayed for), it's a battle of the biggest. The list of the most nominated artists doubles as the list of the artists who have dominated conversation for the last 12 months: Beyonce, Drake, Rihanna, Kanye West, and even Chance the Rapper. Despite Taylor Swift essentially taking the year off — nope, no nominations for Nils Sjoberg either — and Frank Ocean declining the pleasure of being nominated, the star power on display in this year's Grammy crop is blinding.

READ MORE
Here Is the Complete List of Nominees for the 2017 Grammys
Of course, the evening's true heavyweight showdowns will come between perhaps the two most unanimously venerated figures in contemporary music, Beyonce and Adele. Long thought to be the evening's likely frontrunners, the two planetary pop talents will indeed be squaring off in four separate categories, including the marquee three: Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Though smart money will never go against an artist who laps a depressed sales landscape by going diamond in a single year, early indicators seem positive for Beyonce, not just in the number of her nominations (9 to Adele's 5), but in their variety — The Queen is recognized not only in Pop and R&B, but in Rock as well, suggesting her support is well-balanced among the voter pool's many factions. (Of course, no matter who wins between the two superstars, CBS triumphs for the ensuing drama — as does Columbia Records, home to both artists.)

Speaking of rock, though, Beyonce's Jack White-assisted undercover deployment into Best Rock Performance underlines the music's own relative absence in the major categories. Excepting the presence of Twenty One Pilots as Song of the Year nominees — double agents to some degree themselves, with their "Stressed Out" also nominated for Best Pop/Duo Group Performance — rock is shut out of the Big Four this year, with potential Grammy favorites like Radiohead, Coldplay and the late David Bowie either consigned to their home genre or not recognized at all.

Instead, the Grammys have recognized with their nominees this year what the rest of the music-listening world has long accepted: that both its commercial and critical center lies with pop, hip-hop and R&B. Tellingly, the four albums with the four biggest first-week sales of the voting period are all up for Album of the Year: Adele's 25, Beyonce's Lemonade, Drake's Views and Justin Bieber's Purpose. That last artist would have seemed about as unimaginable an Album of the Year hopeful as Cannibal Corpse just a couple of years ago, but Purpose being acknowledged for the evening's most prestigious honor serves as validation not only for Bieber — the final disavowing of his supposed bubblegum disposability — but for Top 40 entire. It's proof that pop no longer needs to dress up as rock to be invited to the party; having Skrillex and Diplo as your +2 is good enough.

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Grammy Predictions 2017: Who Will Score the Major Nominations?
Whatever room remains for guitar-based music at the Grammys, this year's nominations would indicate that future real estate may be occupied less by rock than by country. Nashville-based singer/songwriter Maren Morris was an expected contender for Best New Artist, but she's also joined in that category by fellow CMA Awards performer Kelsea Ballerini. And if there is a Beck-type artist poised to play spoiler this year, it's veteran Kentucky song-slinger Sturgill Simpson, whose acclaimed major-label debut A Sailor's Guide to Earth is the outlier fifth nominee in Album of the Year, and who may end up rallying what's left of the "How can they be real artists if they don't write all their own songs?" crowd..?

Adele Wraps Up Tour by Thanking Fans and Crew With Adorable Instagram Post..

Adele performs live on stage during a concert at Mercedes-Benz Arena on May 07, 2016 in Berlin, Germany.
After ten months on the road, Adele wrapped up her world tour by thanking her fans and crew in an adorable Instagram post. The singer shared a picture today (Nov. 22) of a homemade banner from 4-year-old son Angelo that reads “Mummy you did it!!!”

“I just finished my 107 shows in 10 months. 100% live every night. I bloody smashed it, even if I do say so myself,” wrote Adele in the caption.

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Adele's 'Send My Love' Tops Adult Contemporary Chart
In a video posted by TMZ, Adele commented that she was off to have another baby at the end of her show in Phoenix on Nov. 21.

Arthur's "Say You Won't Let Go" jumps 50-37 & Adele's "Water Under the Bridge" lifts 44-38. Plus, Zayn & Taylor Swift zoom.

As previously reported, Migos' "Bad and Boujee," featuring Lil Uzi Vert, rises 2-1 to crown the Billboard Hot 100 (dated Jan. 21), boosted by viral online buzz playing off the song's lyrics. Lil Uzi Vert concurrently notches his second top 40 Hot 100 hit, as "You Was Right" rises 42-40 in its 26th week on the chart.

Who else makes noteworthy moves on the Hot 100?

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Migos' 'Bad and Boujee,' Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, Tops Hot 100.

Zayn / Taylor Swift, "I Don't Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker)"
After debuting at No. 6 three weeks earlier (on the Dec. 31-dated Hot 100), the collab reaches its highest rank since, vaulting 22-14. Sparked by interest in the Jan. 2 arrival of the Fifty Shades Darker extended trailer, the track roars 22-5 on the Digital Song Sales chart, up by 20 percent to 63,000 downloads sold in the week ending Jan. 5, according to Nielsen Music (also good for the Hot 100's top Digital Gainer sales award).

Additionally, "Forever" flies 20-16 on Radio Songs (58 million in airplay audience, up 18 percent) and 30-19 on Streaming Songs (8.5 million U.S. streams, up 14 percent).

James Arthur, "Say You Won't Let Go"
The U.K. singer-songwriter reaches the Hot 100's top 40 in his first visit to the chart, as his breakthrough ballad rises 50-37. It re-enters Digital Song Sales at No. 24 (29,000 sold, up 13 percent) and Streaming Songs at No. 31 (6.9 million, up 18 percent) following his stops on CBS' The Late Late Show With James Corden (Jan. 3), marking Arthur's first U.S. TV performance, and NBC's Today (Jan. 5).

Radio is also discovering the intimate track, as it bullets at No. 28 on Adult Pop Songs (up 18 percent in plays).

Adele, "Water Under the Bridge"
"Water" likewise flows into the Hot 100's top 40, rising 44-38. The fourth single from 25 follows lead smash "Hello" (10 weeks at No. 1), "When We Were Young" (No. 14) and "(Send My Love) To Your New Lover" (No. 8). Adele adds her 10th top 40 Hot 100 hit, dating to her first, "Chasing Pavements" (No. 21, 2009).

"Water" bullets at No. 18 on Radio Songs with an 8 percent gain to 55 million in audience.

In its 59th week on the Billboard 200, 25 ranks at No. 20 with 20,000 equivalent album units. It has sold 9.2 million copies in the U.S. to date.....

Tuesday, 24 January 2017

The latest movies of 2017 you don't want to miss..

These are the latest movies of 2017:

1. Fifty shades darker:
When a wounded Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) tries to entice a cautious Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) back into his life, she demands a new arrangement before she will give him another chance. As the two begin to build trust and find stability, shadowy figures from Christian's past start to circle them, determined to destroy their hopes for a future together.

Release date: February 10, 2017 (USA)
Director: James Foley
Film series: Fifty Shades
Music composed by: Danny Elfman
Featured songs: Crazy in Love, I Don't Wanna Live Forever.

2.Star wars episode viii:
The further adventures of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Rey (Daisy Ridley).

Release date: December 15, 2017 (USA)
Director: Rian Johnson
Screenplay: Rian Johnson
Music composed by: John Williams
Film series: Star Wars

3.Spider man-home coming:
Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker (Tom Holland) returns home to live with his Aunt May. Under the watchful eye of mentor Tony Stark, Parker starts to embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man. He also tries to return to his normal daily routine -- distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood superhero. Peter must soon put his powers to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.

Release date: July 7, 2017 (USA)
Directors: Jon Watts, Enrique Segoviano
Film series: Spider-Man film series
Music composed by: Michael Giacchino
Production companies: Marvel Studios, Columbia Pictures

4.Guardian of the galaxy:
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team Guardians of the Galaxy, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Release date: May 5, 2017 (USA)
Director: James Gunn
Film series: Guardians of the Galaxy series
Music composed by: Tyler Bates
Screenplay: James Gunn.

5. Beauty and the best:
Belle (Emma Watson), a bright, beautiful and independent young woman, is taken prisoner by a beast (Dan Stevens) in its castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle's enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the beast's hideous exterior, allowing her to recognize the kind heart and soul of the true prince that hides on the inside.

Release date: March 17, 2017 (USA)
Director: Bill Condon
Music composed by: Alan Menken
Costume design: Jacqueline Durran
Screenplay: Stephen Chbosky, Evan Spiliotopoulos.

6.Wonder woman:
After leaving her all-female island, Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) discovers her full powers and true destiny while fighting alongside soldiers during World War I.

Release date: June 2, 2017 (USA)
Director: Patty Jenkins
Music composed by: Rupert Gregson-Williams
Screenplay: Geoff Johns
Production companies: DC Entertainment Inc, Atlas Entertainment, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Cruel and Unusual Films.

7.Rings:
A young woman becomes worried about her boyfriend when he explores a dark subculture surrounding a mysterious videotape said to kill the watcher seven days after he has viewed it. She sacrifices herself to save her boyfriend and in doing so makes a horrifying discovery: there is a movie within the movie that no one has ever seen before.

Release date: February 3, 2017 (USA)
Director: F. Javier Gutiérrez
Film series: Ring
Music composed by: Matthew Margeson
Producers: Laurie MacDonald, Walter Parkes.

7.The Lego Batman movie:
There are big changes brewing in Gotham, but if Batman (Will Arnett) wants to save the city from the Joker's hostile takeover, he may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

Release date: February 10, 2017 (USA)
Director: Chris McKay
Music composed by: Lorne Balfe
Distributed by: Warner Bros.
Producers: Dan Lin, Roy Lee.

8.Justice league:
Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), the Flash (Ezra Miller), Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) unite to battle the evil Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds).

Release date: November 17, 2017 (USA)
Director: Zack Snyder
Film series: Justice League Film Series
Music composed by: Junkie XL
Producers: Deborah Snyder, Charles Roven..

7.Priates of the caribbean:"Dead man tells no tales"
Thrust into an all-new adventure, a down-on-his-luck Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost pirates led by his old nemesis, the terrifying Capt. Salazar, escape from the Devil's Triangle, determined to kill every pirate at sea inc… More

Release date: May 26, 2017 (USA)
Directors: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg
Budget: 320 million USD
Music composed by: Geoff Zanelli
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer.

8.War for the planet of apes:
Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless colonel (Woody Harrelson). After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both of their species and the future of the planet.

Release date: July 14, 2017 (USA)
Director: Matt Reeves
Film series: Planet of the Apes reboot series
Music composed by: Michael Giacchino
Production company: Chernin Entertainment

9.Thor: Ragnarok
Imprisoned on the other side of the universe, the mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself in a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), his former ally and fellow Avenger. Thor's quest for survival leads him in a race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela (Cate Blanchett) from destroying his home world and the Asgardian civilization.

Release date: November 3, 2017 (USA)
Director: Taika Waititi
Music composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
Film series: Thor
Screenplay: Christopher Yost, Craig Kyle

10.Alien covenant:
Bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, members (Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup) of the colony ship Covenant discover what they think to be an uncharted paradise. While there, they meet David (Michael Fassbender), the synthetic survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition. The mysterious world soon turns dark and dangerous when a hostile alien life-form forces the crew into a deadly fight for survival.

Release date: May 19, 2017 (USA)
Director: Ridley Scott
Film series: Alien
Music composed by: Jed Kurzel
Cinematography: Dariusz Wolski.

11:Cars 3:
Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) enlists his new friend as a technician to help him compete against a new generation of racers.

Release date: June 16, 2017 (USA)
Director: Brian Fee
Music composed by: Randy Newman
Film series: Cars
Production companies: Pixar, Walt Disney.

12.Transfomers:"The last Knight"
Having left Earth in search of the Creators, Optimus Prime returns. Two worlds collide but only one will survive.

Release date: June 23, 2017 (USA)
Director: Michael Bay
Budget: 260 million USD
Screenplay: Ken Nolan
Production companies: Paramount Pictures, Hasbro Studios, Di Bonaventura Pictures.

Sunday, 22 January 2017

Ed sheeran-shape of you...

Ed Sheeran is back. The British singer, who hasn’t put out a record since 2015’s “Photograph,” returns with two new singles for his fans”Shape of You,” the multi-talented crooner finds himself falling in love with the curves of a particular woman, singing over “Castle on the Hill” is a more reflective fast-paced record, that eventually builds up to a powerful and melodic hook by the 25-year-old. Since New Year’s Day, the Grammy Award winner has been teasing fans with snippets of both songs on his social media accounts, there’s currently no confirmation if they will appear on Ed Sheeran’s new album rumored to be called Divide

Saturday, 21 January 2017

Musicians React to President Trump's Inaugural Speech

As the newly sworn-in President Donald J. Trump came to the podium and made his Inaugural address, people nationwide -- as well as worldwide -- took notice, as well as to social media to react.

Among this collective -- comprised of both American citizens and those abroad -- celebrities and musicians alike joined the masses in sharing their responses to Trump’s first speech as president.

Matty Healy of The 1975

Top 50 Richest musician


TOP LISTS 

Masters of their domain, these individual are musically inclined. Whether they are playing live in concert or on the soundtrack of your favorite film, our favorite songs would not be possible without them. If they are writing lyrics or playing an instrument they receive money or their talents regardless. Take a look at our list and see how many of them strike a chord within you.

RankNameNet WorthAgeCountry

1. Paul McCartney$1.24 B74United Kingdom

 2.Andrew Lloyd Webber$1.2 B68United Kingdom

 3.Herb Alpert$850 M81United States

 4.Sean Combs – Diddy$750 M47United States

5. Dr. Dre$700 M51United States

6. Madonna$560 M58United States

7. Jay Z$550 M47United States

8. Emilio Estefan$500 M63United States

 9.Elton John$480 M69United Kingdom

10. Coldplay$475 M—United Kingdom

11. Jimmy Buffett$430 M70United States

12. Mick Jagger$360 M73United Kingdom

13. Ringo Starr$350 M76United Kingdom

 14.Master P$350 M49United States

 15.Bruce Springsteen$345 M67United States

 16.Keith Richards$340 M73United Kingdom

 17.Neil Sedaka$300 M77United States

18. L.A. Reid$300 M60United States

 19.Jon Bon Jovi$300 M54United States

 20.Gene Simmons$300 M67United States

 21.Sting$300 M65United Kingdom

 22.Lady Gaga$280 M30United States

 23.Dhani Harrison$275 M38United Kingdom

 24.Roger Waters$270 M73United Kingdom

 25.Phil Collins$260 M65United Kingdom

 26.Tim Rice$250 M72United Kingdom

 27.Eric Clapton$250 M71United Kingdom

28. Rod Stewart$235 M72United Kingdom

 29.David Bowie$230 M70United Kingdom

 30.Ozzy Osbourne$220 M68United Kingdom

 31.Eminem$210 M44United States

 32.Sean Lennon$200 M41United States

 33.Don Henley$200 M69United States

34. Lars Ulrich$200 M53

 35.Usher$180 M38United States

 36.Billy Joel$180 M67United States

37. Brian May$175 M69United Kingdom

 38.George Michael$175 M53United Kingdom

 39.Jimmy Page$170 M73United Kingdom

 40.Roger Taylor$170 M67United Kingdom

 41.Robert Plant$170 M68United Kingdom

 42. 50 Cent$155 M41United States

43. Burt Bacharach$150 M88United States

 44. Birdman$150 M47United States

 45. David Gilmour$140 M70United Kingdom

 46. Tony Iommi$140 M68United Kingdom

 47. Paul Stanley$125 M65United States

 48.John Deacon$115 M65United Kingdom

 49. Flea$115 M54United States#50

 50.Tony Bennett$110M