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Visual podcast series, hosted by Angie Martinez, will delve into The Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Life After Death’

April 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

As hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, Warner Music Group’s creative content division WMX has announced Iconic Records, a brand-new visual podcast series that will highlight iconic albums in pop culture. First on the list is The Notorious B.I.G.’s posthumous album Life After Death, which host Angie Martinez will delve into for the series’ debut season.

She’ll speak to the likes of Lil Cease, Fat Joe, Pusha T, Rick Ross, Too $hort and some surprise guests about making the album, its legacy and Big’s overall impact on hip-hop, with some exclusive stories shared along the way.

“Biggie was, and still is, one of the most important artists of our lifetime and Life After Death is a masterpiece!” Martinez said in a statement. “To collaborate with WMX on this series has been an incredible experience. It’s especially meaningful as we also pay homage to 50 years of hip-hop and how it’s changed the course of history.”

Martinez and Kevin Hofman executive-produced Iconic Records: Life After Death, while Bonsu Thompson and the estate of Christopher Wallace co-directed the eight-episode series.

Life After Death will premiere April 29 at 8 p.m. ET on WMX’s new hip-hop channel on The Roku Channel, and will also be available to watch on Big’s YouTube Channel. Those who prefer an audio experience can stream on major podcast platforms starting May 1.

Three times is a trend: Hear “Praising You,” Rita Ora’s reworking of Fatboy Slim’s 1999 hit

April 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Someone once said, “Once is a fluke. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is a trend.” Well, meet the trend-making new single from Rita Ora.

“Praising You,” Rita’s new single, is from her upcoming third album You & I, due July 14. As the title suggests, the song is a reworking of “Praise You,” the 1999 hit by U.K. musician Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim. He’s credited on the track and has given Rita the thumbs-up for the redo.

“To not only get Norman’s stamp of approval, but to actually collaborate with him and pay homage to such a massive song from my childhood was truly a surreal experience,” Rita says.

“I think this record means something different for everyone, but from my perspective, it’s about praising your loved ones and really celebrating those relationships,” she adds, noting that she’s “honored” to get to “re-introduce” the song “to a whole new generation.”

The video for the track, directed by Rita’s husband Taika Waititi, features a cameo from Cook and pays homage to the song’s original Spike Jonze-directed, award-winning video. You can watch it now on Facebook and Instagram today and on all platforms starting April 28.

As for why “Praising You” is trend-making, well, it’s the third reworking of a globally popular dance track from the ’90s to arrive in the past year. The trend started in 2022 year with David Guetta and Bebe Rexha‘s “I’m Good (Blue)” — a reworking of “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” by Eiffel 65. The second instance was “Baby Don’t Hurt Me,” a reworking of the 1993 Haddaway hit “What Is Love” by Guetta with Anne-Marie and Coi Leray.

Maybe Moby should be waiting for a call?

Missy Elliott to be honored at 2023 Black Music Honors

April 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Missy Elliott is one of the honorees at this year’s Black Music Honors. She’ll be recognized for her contributions to both African American culture and music alongside fellow guests of honor SWV, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Jeffrey Osborne and The Hawkins Family.

“Black music is the heartbeat of our culture, and the honorees for this year’s Black Music Honors represent the soul of American music,” founder and executive producer Don Jackson said in a statement, per Billboard. “We pay homage to the musical innovators who have paved the way for future generations. Our tribute performances not only celebrate the honorees of yesterday, but also showcase the influence and impact of their iconic sounds and styles on today’s artists with a beautiful symbiosis of past and present.”

The 2023 Black Music Honors, hosted by Letoya Luckett and DeRay Davis, will take place May 19 at Atlanta’s Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. It will air June 3 on the Stellar Network and from June 10-July 2 in national broadcast syndication. The show will also air June 19 on Bounce TV.

Elton John testifies before Senate about AIDS relief: “We need to keep our foot on the accelerator”

April 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Elton John testified remotely before the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday morning, urging the committee to continue to fund the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

The plan, known as PEPFAR, was founded in 2003 by President George W. Bush. The Hill reports that in his testimony, Elton credited it with saving some 25 million lives and urged Congress to extend and fund the program for the next five years.

“I am boundlessly grateful for the bipartisan cooperation that has been the hallmark of PEPFAR for two decades now,” he told lawmakers, noting that the plan has been “enthusiastically supported by four presidents and 10 Congresses, and consistently championed by the generosity of the American people.”

“The PEPFAR platform has not only transformed HIV into a chronic disease for tens of millions, it has been leveraged to fight [COVID-19] and made countries far better prepared for whatever viral nightmare comes next,” Elton noted. “But we are not done yet.”

He continued, “We need to keep our foot on the accelerator,” adding, “By extending PEPFAR for another five years and fully funding it, together, we can continue the march toward ending AIDS for everyone everywhere and leave no one behind.”

The committee’s chairman, Bob Menéndez (D-N.J.) praised Elton as someone who “use[s] their fame in a way that saves the lives of others.”

Scorcese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ reportedly clocking in at nearly 3 and a half hours

April 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

When you have Oscar winners Robert De Niro, Leonardo Dicaprio, and Brendan Fraser in your movie, you arguably might want them on screen for as long as possible — and that’s what Martin Scorsese apparently got with his newest picture.

Based on a bestselling book, the Academy Award-winning directing legend’s latest film is reportedly clocking in at 3 hours and 26 minutes long.

The Apple Studios production is actually three minutes shorter than Scorsese’s The Irishman, which also starred De Niro, but that film was made primarily to stream on Netflix.

Quoting Comscore data, The Hollywood Reporter notes that Flower Moon, the runtime of which includes credits, is one of the longest theatrical movies on record in modern times.

Theater chains may gripe at longer runtimes, because they can screen a long movie fewer times a day compared to a 90-minute rom-com, which means fewer tickets and fewer buckets of popcorn. But some of the highest grossing movies of all time were long ones: Avengers: Endgame, #2 of all time, was three hours and two minutes; #3, James Cameron‘s Avatar: The Way of Water ran three hours and 12 minutes; and #4, also a Cameron film, Titanic, clocked in at 3:14.

By comparison, Cameron’s original Avatar, the highest grossing movie of all time, ran a relatively sprightly 2 hours and 41 minutes long.

Based on David Grann‘s bestselling book of the same name, Killers of the Flower Moon is set in 1920s Oklahoma and depicts the serial murder of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation, a murder spree known locally as the Reign of Terror.

The movie debuts in limited release from Paramount Pictures on October 6; wide release comes October 20. It comes to Apple TV+ after it goes wide.

Lainey Wilson’s sending “Smell Like Smoke” to the Emmys

April 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Lainey Wilson‘s sending her boot-stomping song, “Smell Like Smoke,” to the Emmys for consideration in the outstanding music and lyrics category.

The track, which Lainey penned with Derek George, Lynn Hutton and Monty Criswell, was featured in the season five premiere of Paramount+’s Yellowstone, where Lainey made her acting debut as a local musician named Abby.

“Derek came up with the signature guitar lick at the beginning of the song and tracked the original demo, while Monty and I fiddled around with lyrics and Lynn steered the melodies,” Lainey tells Variety. “It was a little rough around the edges, but with good energy, which we thought was perfect for Yellowstone.”

“We thought a song about owning tough times in a proud, matter-of-fact, light-hearted way would tie in well with the way the show makes the down-and-dirty look sexy and fun,” she adds.

“Smell Like Smoke” is featured on Lainey’s third studio album, Bell Bottom Country. The 16-song collection also includes her latest chart-topper, “Heart Like a Truck.”

Gorillaz shares live video for “Feel Good Inc.” Coachella performance with De La Soul

April 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Gorillaz has premiered the live video capturing the band’s rendition of “Feel Good Inc.” at Coachella last Friday.

The performance featured a surprise appearance by the hip hop group De La Soul, who guests on the original studio version. Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer and Vincent “Maseo” Mason took the stage alongside Damon Albarn and company to pay tribute to late De La Soul member David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, who passed away earlier this year.

Trugoy’s memorable verse on “Feel Good Inc.” was performed by Posdnuos during the Coachella rendition.

You can watch the live “Feel Good Inc.” video streaming now on YouTube.

Gorillaz will perform at Coachella again this Friday.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

‘Mrs. Davis’ stars Betty Gilpin and Jake McDorman debate the benefits of AI

April 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

The new series Mrs. Davis stars Betty Gilpin as Sister Simone, a nun on a mission to destroy an AI, the aforementioned Mrs. Davis, who seems to have control over most people on Earth. The series mixes drama, comedy and even some absurdity, as it explores the role AI and technology play in our lives today, which Gilpin realizes is a very timely subject.

Gilpin tells ABC Audio, “I think the show and Simone are asking the same question we are right now which is, is this thing our savior or our downfall? Is this gonna fix everything or is it going to be the end of humanity?”

And Gilpin isn’t so sure AI is the savior some people make it out to be, noting, “I do think that there is a connection to the inexplicable that we are kind of gambling with if we’re so addicted to having all the answers in our pocket.” She adds, “and I think that our show is pretty honest about the benefits and the possible curse.”

Co-star Jake McDorman, who plays Wyatt, Sister Simone’s ex-boyfriend and leader of The Resistance, understands a lot of people worry about AI taking over and replacing people in jobs, but notes the show also looks at bigger implications of too much technology.

“What would it do to faith? How many other things would kind of vanish and evaporate if it was demystified?” he asks, adding, “[It’s] an interesting conversation to have and our show kind of has those conversations.”

Mrs. Davis premieres Thursday, April 20 on Peacock.

After Kelly Clarkson reveals daughter was “bullied” due to dyslexia, Henry Winkler gives her a pep talk

April 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Beloved actor Henry Winkler is dyslexic, and when he appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show on Tuesday, he had a special message for Kelly’s daughter River, who has the same learning disorder.

Speaking with Winkler, who’s written many children’s books, Kelly mentioned that River, 8, is dyslexic. She said to Winkler, “You have told me that you’re dyslexic as well and I find that amazing to tell my daughter that you’ve written, like, 40 books, and you’re dyslexic, ’cause she was getting bullied at school for not being able to read like other kids.”

And Kelly added that when River learned how many other famous folks are also dyslexic — like Zachary Levi and Anthony Mackie, just to name a few — “It really empowered her that y’all are so open about it.”

Winkler then turned to the camera and addressed Kelly’s daughter directly: “River, how you learn has nothing to do with how brilliant you are!”

Kelly immediately teared up as the audience applauded.

Yet another Winkler book, his memoir, Henry Winkler: The Fonz and Beyond, will be out this fall.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has daddy issues in the new trailer to Netflix’s action-comedy series ‘FUBAR’

April 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in action in the full trailer to his upcoming Netflix action-comedy series FUBAR.

His character, a retired CIA agent, is dragged back into service to extract an important asset, only to find out it’s his daughter, played by Top Gun: Maverick‘s Monica Barbaro.

Safe to say, it’s a shock for the overprotective dad, who’d still like to think his little girl is still, well, a little girl. “Alcohol, cigarettes, and garish lipstick!” he frets, until he realizes the vibrating item he’s just picked up is only made to look like a tube of lipstick.

“Kill me now!” his daughter exclaims.

Comedienne and actress Fortune Feimster is also game as a wise-cracking sidekick, much like Tom Arnold was for Schwarzenegger in True Lies, and Ah-nuld’s Terminator: Dark Fate co-star Gabriel Luna also stars.

Netflix teases, “A CIA Operative on the verge of retirement discovers a family secret. Forced to go back into the field for one last job, the series tackles universal family dynamics set against a global backdrop of spies, action and humor.”

The show debuts May 25.

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