Posted on

NBA YoungBoy dethrones Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy” to take the No. 1 spot on Billboard 200

shutterstock_1307027755

NBA YoungBoy’s fourth album “Sincerely, Kentrell” has knocked Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy” out of the top spot to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200. YoungBoy also has the dubious honor of becoming the third rapper in hip-hop history to top the charts while in jail, joining the likes of Lil Wayne and Tupac Shakur.

Lil Nas X’s debut album MONTERO secured the #3 spot on the U.S. albums chart, with Kanye West’s Donda in the #4 position in its fifth week on the charts, and Olivia Rodrigo’s debut SOUR rounding out the top 5.

Posted on

Ed Sheeran joins Season 21 of “The Voice” as mega mentor

shutterstock_1035592669

Ed Sheeran is joining The Voice for Season 21, serving as a ‘mega mentor’ on the NBC singing reality competition.  The Voice’s tweeted the news, along with the caption: “Drum roll please… 🥁 Introducing this season’s #VoiceKnockouts Mega Mentor: @edsheeran! 🤩❤

The 30-year-old Sheeran will mentor the remaining contestants during the ‘Knockout Rounds,’ which pair contestants against a teammate, with each contestant able to choose their own song to perform individually while their direct competitor watches and waits. The Knockout Rounds begin Oct. 25.

Sheeran will use his experience to mentor contestants with their vocal and technical choices and tailor their song choice to their strengths. Coaches Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, John Legend and Blake Shelton will choose the winner from their team to advance to the Live Playoffs.

The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC.

Editorial credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Take your first look at Andrew Garfield as ‘Rent’ creator Jonathan Larson in the trailer for the film ‘Tick, Tick… BOOM!’

shutterstock_1054797422

Netflix has released thee first trailer for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s upcoming feature film Tick, Tick…Boom! featuring Andrew Garfield as ‘Rent’ creator Jonathan Larson. The film also stars Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús, Joshua Henry, Judith Light and Bradley Whitford.

Tick, Tick… Boom! is based on Larson’s autobiographical musical of the same name. The original Tick, Tick… Boom! musical featured music, lyrics and a book by Larson, who died at age 35 in 1996. An official description reads: “the film follows Jon (Garfield), a young theater composer, as he navigates love, friendship and the pressures of life as an artist in New York City in 1990. With the clock ticking, Jon is at a crossroads and faces the question everyone must reckon with: What are we meant to do with the time we have?” 

Tick, Tick… Boom! is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s feature-length directorial debut; it will debut in select theaters on Nov. 12, and begin streaming on Netflix on Nov. 19. You can view the trailer – here.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Netflix & Howard University establish $5.4M Chadwick Boseman scholarship

shutterstock_1357711745

Netflix and Howard University are honoring Chadwick Boseman’s memory; Boseman passed away in August 2020 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the streaming service and Boseman’s alma mater is establishing a $5.4 million scholarship in his name. The Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship will provide four years of tuition at Howard’s College of Fine Arts, which was renamed after the actor back in May. Netflix is the first donor for the scholarship, which will begin this year with one award for each class year. In subsequent years it will be awarded to one incoming freshman per year. The scholarship will consider student’s who embody that late actor’s values described as his drive for excellence, leadership, respect, empathy and passion.

Howard president Wayne A.I. Frederick said in a statement: “This scholarship embodies Chadwick’s love for Howard, his passion for storytelling and his willingness to support future generations of Howard students. I am thankful for the continuous support and partnership of Chadwick’s wife, Mrs. Simone Ledward-Boseman, and to Netflix for this important gift.”

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

New Kids on the Block to launch ‘Mixtape’ tour in 2022 featuring Salt-N-Pepa, Rick Astley and En Vogue

shutterstock_675774811

New Kids on the Block shared news that they are hitting the road in 2022 for the ‘Mixtape’ tour across North American, featuring Salt-N-Pepa, Rick Astley and En Vogue. The group tweeted: “Getting that confetti ready because we’re coming to a stage near you in 2022!!”

New Kids on the Block consists of Donne Wahlberg, brothers Jonathan Knight and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre and Danny Wood.  Wahlberg said in a statement: “We had a blast out on the first Mixtape tour in 2019, and can’t wait to take it to another level with our fans on the MixTape Tour 2022. Just like a mixtape, these shows are going to take audiences through all the emotions. To be able to have Salt-N-Pepa come back and now also have the iconic and legendary Rick Astley and En Vogue join the tour… we could not be more excited. Let’s GO!

New Kids on the Block will kick off the “Mixtape” tour May 10 in Cincinnati, Ohio, before wrapping up on  July 23 in Washington, D.C.  Tickets for the tour go on sale via Ticketmaster on Friday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. Official fan club presale tickets go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Halsey’s film ‘If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power’ coming to HBO Max

shutterstock_1334997794

Halsey’s accompanying film for her latest album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, will premiere on HBO Max on October 7th. The movie, which shares the same name as the record, was previously shown in IMAX theaters around the world in August, taking in nearly $1M at the box office.

The film, is written by Halsey and directed by Colin Tilley – who also directed Halsey’s video for “I Am Not A Woman, I’m A God” as well as videos for SZA, Justin Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, and more.

The film is set to the music from the album, which was produced by Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. You can watch the trailer for the film – here.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

90-year-old William Shatner will launch into space with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin on Oct. 12

shutterstock_460938829

Jeff Bezos’ space travel company, Blue Origin, announced that “Star Trek” actor William Shatner will blast off from West Texas on Oct. 12. The 90-year-old Shatner tweeted: “Yes, it’s true; I’m going to be a ‘rocket man! It’s never too late to experience new things.” He added: “I’ve heard about space for a long time now. I’m taking the opportunity to see it for myself. What a miracle.”

Bezos, the founder of Amazon, invited Shatner to fly as its guest. At 90-years-old, Shatner will become the oldest person to go to space. He’ll join three others — two of them paying customers — aboard a Blue Origin capsule. The flight will last just 10 minutes and reach no higher than about 66 miles (106 kilometers). The capsule will parachute back to the desert floor, not far from where it took off.

This will be Blue Origin’s second launch of a crew. Bezos was on the debut flight July 20, taking along his brother, an 18-year-old from the Netherlands and 82-year-old aviation pioneer Wally Funk — the youngest and oldest at the time to fly in space.

Shatner played the role of the USS Enterprise’s commander Captain Kirk for three seasons on Star Trek, from 1966 to 1969. He also portrayed Kirk in seven movies. He’s currently the host and executive producer of a History Channel show, “The UnXplained.”

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Natalie Morales leaves NBC News after 22 years to join ‘The Talk’ as new co-host

shutterstock_1080641579

Natalie Morales is officially joining CBS’ daytime show “The Talk,” after announcing last week she was leaving NBC News after 22 years with the network. Morales will join the “The Talk” alongside hosts Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Jerry O’Connell and Sheryl Underwood. The addition of Morales follows several recent departures, including Sharon Osbourne and Elaine Welteroth.

The 49-year-old Morales, the West coast anchor of “Today” and “Dateline NBC” correspondent, said in a note to colleagues last week that she would be leaving the network in order to “pursue a new adventure.” She joined “Today” in 2006 and became the morning show’s news anchor five years later, replacing Ann Curry, who had been named to replace Meredith Vieira as a main anchor. Morales went on to anchor “Access Hollywood” and became West coast anchor for “Today.”

Morales said in a statement: “It’s an extraordinary opportunity to be joining this team at ‘The Talk.’ I love the new energy and direction and couldn’t be more excited to join Sheryl, Amanda, Jerry and Akbar. I’m looking forward to many good times while talking about the days’ topics, and I can’t wait to get going.”

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Selena Gomez collaborates with Coldplay on the single “Let Somebody Go”

shutterstock_2037158651

Selena Gomez has collaborated with Coldplay on the track “Let Somebody Go,” in advance of the release of Coldplay’s ninth album, Music Of The Spheres, out Oct. 15.  Coldplay’s Chris Martin wrote the ballad with Gomez in mind, and the two recorded the track in April of 2021.

Both Coldplay and Gomez have confirmed their collaboration on ‘Let Somebody Go’. Gomez shared a brief snippet of her feature on the track on social media, and Coldplay also posted on Twitter with the caption: “Let Somebody Go – Coldplay X Selena Gomez // From #MusicOfTheSpheres, the new album, October 15th // https://coldplay.lnk.to/MOTS // @selenagomez 🌠💕”

You can pre-order Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres at your streaming service of choice.

Editorial credit: Ga Fullner / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Adele announces new song ‘Easy On Me’ will drop October 15th

shutterstock_127907288

Adele is finally back with new music, announcing that she will release the song “Easy on Me” on October 15 – her first single in five years. The 33-year-old singer shared a teaser on social media, where a black and white video clip shows Adele taking a drive as sheets of music fly out the windows of her car

Adele has recently been teasing her fourth studio album, changing her profile picture on social media to the same color as billboards featuring the number “30” across the world. Adele’s previous albums were titled 19, 21 and 25 after significant years in her life. Her most recent album, 25, was released in November 2015; her last two albums — 25 and 21  — both won album of the year at the Grammys; in total, Adele has won 15 Grammys, starting back in 2009 for best new artist.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com