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Bob Marley’s 77th birthday celebrated with series of special events this week

February 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

This Sunday, February 6, marks what would’ve been Bob Marley‘s 77th birthday, and to commemorate the milestone the late reggae legend’s family is curating a series of special in-person, virtual and charitable events that will take place in the coming days.

Marley’s 77th Earthstrong ROOTS festivities include a newly curated exhibit at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, Jamaica, dubbed The 7 Roots of Bob Marley’s Livity, which will feature artwork by young, up-and-coming artists. Submissions will be accepted until Friday, February 4.

Also on February 4, The Marley Brothers, a group featuring Bob’s sons Ziggy, Stephen, Damian, Julian and Ky-Mani Marley, will release a new cover of their dad’s song “Cornerstone,” a day before the siblings perform a headlining set at the CaliVibes Festival in Long Beach, California.

The 77th Earthstrong ROOTS festivities will wrap up on Bob’s birthday this Sunday with a limited-capacity concert celebration at Tuff Gong International studio in Kingston, Jamaica that will be streamed live on Marley’s official YouTube channel and the Tuff Gong Television YouTube channel. Also that day, a performance by Stephen Marley from his Lion’s Den Studio in Miami will premiere at Bob’s YouTube channel.

For more information about Bob’s 77th birthday festivities, visit Tuff Gong International’s official Facebook page.

Gwyneth Paltrow takes a bite of that candle in Uber Eats Super Bowl ad

February 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NOTE CONTENT) With the Super Bowl less than two weeks away, advertisers have been teasing their pricey ads that will air during the Big Game, and Gwyneth Paltrow is in the mix with a commercial for Uber Eats.

The short is, literally, in questionable taste: Paltrow pokes fun at herself by taking a bite of that candle she sells as part of her Goop lifestyle brand — you know, the one that’s supposed to smell like the Oscar winner’s most intimate place.

In the spot, a teaser of which just dropped, Paltrow contemplates the taste of the allegedly vaginal votive, and muses, “This candle tastes funny. Not bad, but funny.”

The ad is one of a series that shows people they can use Uber Eats to have other things delivered than just stuff to eat.

Another commercial has Two Broke Girls and Legally Blonde star Jennifer Coolidge biting into lipstick that an Uber Eats driver just dropped off. “Tastes like purple!” she declares, before chomping into the bristles of a make-up brush and exclaiming, “I love this!”

Kelly Clarkson remakes Dolly Parton’s classic “9 to 5” — with Dolly herself

February 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Kelly Clarkson has a musical surprise for fans: She’s recorded a new version of Dolly Parton‘s classic “9 to 5” with newly minted Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee Dolly herself.

The song features in a new documentary called Still Working 9 to 5, which examines the landmark 1980 comedy and the impact it had on the women’s movement at that time, as well as how its message still continues to resonate today as women continue to fight for equality in the work place.

The doc features the stars of the original film — Dolly, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman — plus Rita Moreno from the spinoff TV series 9 to 5, as well as Allison Janney, appeared in the Broadway musical based on the film. There are also interviews with activists and individuals associated with the women’s movement, both in the past and today.

The documentary’s closing song is the new version of the original “9 to 5” theme song, produced by country music super-producer and songwriter Shane McAnally. Audiences will get to hear it for the first time when the movie has its premiere at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, on March 13. There will also be screenings March 14 and March 18.

ABC Audio has confirmed that the song, which was recorded at the end of 2021, will be commercially released in the middle of 2022.

Keke Palmer, John Legend, Kirk Franklin, Meagan Good, President Biden and more celebrate Black History Month

February 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

AT&T is celebrating Black history through its Dream in Black initiative’s signature program, Black Future Makers, honoring John Legend, Kirk Franklin, Meagan Good and others who are shaping culture, advocating for equity, and creating pathways for the next generation of Black achievers.

The Black Future Makers Contest is offering a chance to win $10,000. For a chance to win, consumers can post a video or photo on social media highlighting how they are a black future maker, accompanied by @ATT, #DreamInBlack and #ATTContest.

In other news, McDonald’s has partnered with Keke Palmer to launch its Future 22 campaign recognizing 22 young, gifted and Black leaders whose passion and talent are creating meaningful change in communities across the country. The Emmy and NAACP Image Award winner is narrating Future 22 TV and radio spots.

“I am thrilled to work with McDonald’s to honor these heroic young people who are doing extraordinary things in their communities,” Palmer says in a statement. “They are standing on the shoulders of the giants who stood before them to chart dynamic, new paths and I am excited to let the world know about them and their causes.”

Finally, President Joe Biden kicked off the annual celebration of Black history on Monday by signing a Statement of Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2022.

“As we celebrate National Black History Month, let us all recommit ourselves to reach for that founding promise. Let us continue to fight for the equity, opportunity, and dignity to which every Black American is due in equal measure,” the President writes. “Let us carry forward the work to build an America that is, in the beautiful words of the poet Amanda Gorman, ‘Bruised, but whole — benevolent, but bold, fierce, and free.'”

Britney Spears shouts out attorney Mathew Rosengart: “This man has turned my life around”

February 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Britney Spears is looking forward to living her life post-conservatorship, and she has one person to thank for making it happen — her attorney, Mathew Rosengart.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the “Toxic” singer shared a couple of sweet photos of the two smiling and wearing the color pink while standing arm in arm. Britney explained in the caption that the photo was taken at a recent lunch meeting and, based on her tone, they had a very productive time.

“This man has turned my life around…So many exciting projects ahead !!!! We accidentally matched for lunch !!!!,” she wrote. “Thank you for being so kind and respectful to me always.”

The Grammy winner included six red rose emojis in the caption and added, “Pssss Mathew Rosengart…I simply adore you !!!!”

While Britney’s 13-year conservatorship was terminated in November, her legal woes against her former conservators continue. Among them is fighting against father Jamie Spears‘ and mother Lynne Spears‘ separate requests to pay their attorney fees. A hearing is set for March 16 concerning the latter request.

The next major hearing is set for July 27.

In addition, Rosengart is working on summoning Jamie Spears for a deposition following a recent New York Times report that he bugged Britney’s room and conducted other illegal surveillance. The attorney also made it clear that he wants to question Mr. Spears about potential mismanagement of the conservatorship, especially on its finances following allegations that the patriarch abused it for personal gain.

In January, Rosengart alleged via court documents that Mr. Spears took $36 million out of his daughter’s estate during the course of the conservatorship — paying himself “at least $6 million,” while the remaining $30 million was “petitioned for fees to be paid to dozens of different law firms.”

Missy Elliott makes hip hop history with 6th RIAA Platinum album; releases vinyl version of 2005’s ‘The Cookbook’

February 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Missy Elliott is celebrating another milestone in her trailblazing career as she just became the first female rapper in history with six RIAA-Certified platinum solo albums.

“This is a HUGE MILESTONE! No matter how long it took to get here I am here & I AM HUMBLY GRATEFUL,” the four-time Grammy winner tweeted. “To all my SISTERS in HIP HOP yall keep doing yall thang & SHINING.”

To commemorate the RIAA Platinum certification of her sixth and most recent album, The Cookbook from 2005, Missy had a special announcement.

“AS A THANK YOU TO MY FANS I AM RELEASING A LIMITED NUMBER OF THE COOKBOOK AS ORIGINAL VINYL DOUBLE LPs TODAY VIA THE ATLANTIC RECORDS WEB STORE.”

The Cookbook debuted at the top of Billboard’s Top Rap Albums and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts in July 2005. It included the RIAA double-Platinum hit “Lose Control,” featuring Ciara and Fatman Scoop, which won a Grammy for Best Short-Form Music Video.

In 2019, the iconic rapper made history as the first female rapper ever to receive the MTV VMA Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. That same year, Missy also became the first female hip hop artist and third-ever rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In November 2021, the 50-year-old artist/composer/producer was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Just Like You: Three Days Grace ties Shinedown for ‘Billboard’ chart record

February 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Three Days Grace and Shinedown are once again tied for a Billboard chart record.

The Canadian rockers’ new single, “So Called Life,” is the band’s 16th number-one hit on the Mainstream Rock Airplay ranking. That matches the record for most leaders on the chart since it first launched in 1981, which was set by Shinedown in August 2020 with “Atlas Falls.”

For the chart nerds out there, Three Days Grace and Shinedown’s battle for Mainstream Rock Airplay dominance has been one for the ages. TDG first set the record for most number-ones in 2018 with the song “Infra-Red,” giving them a total of 14 chart-toppers, breaking a mark long held by Van Halen. At the time, Shinedown was in third place with 12 number-ones.

Shinedown then went on a chart-conquering tear, notching three straight number-ones between 2018 and 2020 with “GET UP,” “MONSTERS” and “ATTENTION ATTENTION” to tie Three Days Grace’s record, which had grown to 15 with “Right Left Wrong.” Brent Smith and company then took sole possession of the record with “Atlas Falls.”

As Billboard notes, Shinedown is already on the way to retaking the record with “Planet Zero,” the lead single and title track off the band’s upcoming album. The single debuts on Mainstream Rock Airplay this week at number 20.

“So Called Life,” meanwhile, is the lead single off Three Days Grace’s next album, Explosions, due out May 6.

Take a deep dive into the rise and demise of Las Vegas legends Siegfried & Roy with ‘Wild Things’ podcast

February 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Today, a new episode of Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy dropped on Apple Podcasts. The series takes a deep dive into the titular tiger handlers, and what happened before and after a 2003 performance in which a 400-pound white tiger mauled and nearly killed Roy Horn.

The attack ended the pair’s reign as the kings of Las Vegas, but as the podcast shows, the investigation into the incident was possibly even more bizarre than the mishap — with theories ranging from a tragic accident to attempted murder.

“I think they were the most hyperbolic magicians in history, right? I mean, magic and illusions are all predicated on spectacle, but the two of them took it to another level,” Wild Things‘ executive producer Steven Leckart tells ABC Audio. “To look at just their personas, the way that they dress, the music, the scale of the show, we’ve never really seen anything like that, and I’d argue we’ll never see anything like it again.”

With interviews from those who worked with the pair, and those who investigated the incident, the podcasters sought to “weave between not just the tragedy, but also just their rise and how meteoric it was,” Leckart says. “That was the goal of the series, to kind of intercut between the two and not just reduce them to a tragedy.”

A new episode of At Will Media’s Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy drops every Wednesday until its finale, February 23. “It’s about to get more wild,” Leckart teases. “Every week is going to get crazier and crazier…the deeper you go in the story and the closer you look at everything, it just became crazier and weirder and wilder and shocking, so tune in.”

CNN president Jeff Zucker resigns, says he failed to disclose consensual relationship with colleague

February 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — CNN president Jeff Zucker announced Wednesday that he’s resigning for not disclosing a consensual relationship with a colleague.

Zucker said in a note to employees, “As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo’s tenure at CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years. I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong.”

The colleague, who is not leaving the company, said in a statement, “Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years. Recently, our relationship changed during COVID. I regret that we didn’t disclose it at the right time. I’m incredibly proud of my time at CNN and look forward to continuing the great work we do everyday.”

WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar said in a companywide memo that he accepted Zucker’s resignation and that he’ll announce an interim leadership plan soon.

“We thank Jeff for his contributions over the past 9 years,” Kilar said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Charlie Puth credits TikTok for reinventing his sound

February 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Charlie Puth is out with a new single, “Light Switch,” and the singer credits TikTok for inspiring his new music.

Charlie told E! News he first downloaded the popular video sharing app because he wanted to “educate people on how I make music… [and] inspire people musically.” He added, “The whole point in my downloading TikTok originally wasn’t to make a career advancement.”

But that’s exactly what happened, Charlie admitted. TikTok inspired him to become more vulnerable and open with his thoughts and emotions, which bled into his songs. “It’s scary for people to know more about me than I know about me,” he noted. “But that’s probably why the music is resonating more than ever before… I’m just oversharing life experiences and putting melody sprinkles on top of that.”

That also led him to work on his eponymous new album, the followup to 2018’s Voicenotes. “I’m proud of myself that I opened up… I love oversharing and I’m going to continue to do it. I can’t really see putting out music a different way,” he said of his journey. “‘I’m calling [my new album] Charlie for that reason.”

It is unknown when Charlie will release his third studio album, but he told E! he’s intending for it to drop in the middle of the year. He also joked that he might give acting a go following his debut on a Frito-Lay Super Bowl commercial as a beatboxing fox.

“Clearly I’m such a great actor now,” the 30-year-old quipped. But, if given the option to dust off his acting chops, Charlie says he’d love to make a cameo in pal Jacob Elordi’s Euphoria. “I love how dark it is,” he gushed. “It’s so twisted in the most grandiose kind of way. It takes pride in being twisted.”

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