Music – Page 2831 – 105.7 WDNY

Cardi B joins YouTube’s billion views club with “Bodak Yellow”

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Cardi B‘s breakthrough debut single, “Bodak Yellow,” earned a major new accolade this week by being inducted into YouTube’s elusive one billion views club.

The song’s music video, which Cardi previously revealed was filmed on a tight $15,000 budget, crossed the billion-view threshold over the weekend after premiering a little over four years ago.

“Fifteen thousand dollars, A billion views later !!!!! Wow that’s crazy !,” Cardi shared Monday. “Super dope. Thank you all for all the support through out the years….. Back to the lab. Love & appreciate y’all .”

This isn’t the first time the Grammy winner made money moves past the one billion mark. Her previous collaborations with Maroon 5, as well as Bad Bunny and J Balvin, for “Girls Like You” and “I Like It,” respectively, also amassed over a billion views. However, this is Cardi’s first solo effort to join the exclusive club. It also officially makes Cardi the first female rapper to send multiple videos past the billion-views mark.

Also, according to Chart Data, “Bodak Yellow” obtained a billion views faster than any other song made by a female rap artist.

The song’s enjoyed an impressive run since being unleashed in 2017, when it became the first single by a female rapper to top the Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks. The song’s success helped Cardi’s debut album, Invasion of Privacy, gain critical acclaim and chart on the Billboard 200 chart for three years.

Her follow-up album is rumored to drop later this year, but neither a name nor release date has yet been announced.

Duran Duran turned down the chance to work with Michael Jackson in the ’80s

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

In the ’80s, when Michael Jackson was the biggest star on the planet, any other star would’ve jumped at the chance to work with him, right? Well, not so much.

Appearing on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen Monday night, Duran Duran was asked by Cohen if they were friendly with the King of Pop in the ’80s, when Thriller was all the range and they were topping the charts with “The Reflex.”

Keyboardist Nick Rhodes revealed that around that time, he’d returned home from a tour and received a call from someone saying they were Michael Jackson. He initially thought it was one of their crew members pranking him, but he finally realized that yes, it was THE Michael Jackson.

“He was keen to make a record, and I go the next day to everyone…’Hey, Michael Jackson called last night, do you fancy maybe doing a song with him or something?'” Nick recalled. “And they all went, ‘Nah!’

The band also insinuated that Princess Diana had a crush on bass player John Taylor, and said they wouldn’t mind making a biopic about themselves like Bohemian Rhapsody or Rocketman, with singer Simon LeBon adding, “Can we have a young Brad Pitt play me?”

Duran Duran, who are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their self-titled first album, will release their latest project, Future Past, on October 22.

Carly Pearce’s new album, ‘Written in Stone,’ features collaborations with Patty Loveless, Ashley McBryde

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Carly Pearce‘s story of 29 continues with her upcoming album, Written in Stone.

Carly is expanding upon the personal album she released in February, which processes her divorce from Michael Ray and the passing of her producer, busbee, with Written in Stone. It features eight new songs, alongside the original seven on 29.

The project features collaborations with Patty Loveless on “Dear Miss Loretta” and Ashley McBryde on “Never Wanted to Be That Girl,” alongside other new tracks “Diamondback,” “What He Didn’t Do,” “Easy Going,” “Your Drinkin,’ My Problem,” “All the Whiskey in the World,” and “Mean It This Time.”

Coinciding with the album news, the Kentucky native released “Dear Miss Loretta,” a country ode to Loretta Lynn with strong supporting vocals from Patty, in which Carly shares how she connects to the legend’s pain-soaked songs.

“So much has happened to me in the last year. The more my life unraveled, the more the songs lifted me up,” Carly describes. “As the smoke cleared, and some unbelievable things started happening, I was writing even more truth and getting lifted up even higher — and I realized, as much as 29 captured a moment, I wasn’t done with the story.”

News of Written in Stone arrives on September 17, hours before the “I Hope You’re Happy Now” singer is to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

Get Vaxxed: Paul McCartney encourages fans to get the COVID-19 vaccine

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Sir Paul McCartney is hoping to encourage more of his fans to get the COVID-19 vaccine if they haven’t already done so.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, the 79-year-old music legend shared a photo of him getting the jab and captioned his post in all capital letters, “BE COOL. GET VAX’D.”

Sir Paul opted to wear navy blue beanie, navy sweater and a matching face mask for his appointment.

The former Beatles member shared his latest PSA as COVID-19 infections caused by the highly transmissible Delta variant continue to rise worldwide.

The music legend previously expressed to British publication The Sun that he was eager to be vaccinated, as it will allow him to perform before a live audience in the near future.

“The vaccine will get us out of this,” Paul said at the time. “I think we’ll come through it, I know we’ll come through, and it’s great news about the vaccine. I’ll have it as soon as I’m allowed.”

The British government reports that, as of Monday, nearly 90 percent of its adult population has obtained at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 72 percent of eligible adults are fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 has killed over 153,000 people in the U.K., according to government figures, and has infected nearly six million British citizens.

BE COOL. GET VAX’D – Paul pic.twitter.com/33PtIyub5X

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 2, 2021

Tito Jackson explains the hold up on a hologram Michael Jackson for a Jackson 5 reunion tour

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Ahead of the release of his second blues-inspired solo album, Under Your Spell, Tito Jackson is setting the record straight about the status of The Jacksons. Contrary to the rumors, Tito says he and his brothers Jackie, Jermaine and Marlon are still together and touring, but just not necessarily in the U.S.

“We have always been together and we work tremendously,” he tells ABC Audio. “I would say 90 percent of our work comes in other countries. So we’re always in Europe or Brazil or Asia or somewhere in Russia doing shows.”

In fact, Jackson says The Jackson 5, which included himself, Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon and Michael, would still be touring together today — if Michael was still alive.

“Sad thing for us all is that when Michael was going to do the O2 [arena shows], we had planned to do another tour of the complete members,” Jackson says. “And that never came to fruition… But, we will always sing together as long as we can, as long as the brothers are healthy enough to do so.”

While MJ’s planned 2009 concert residency at London’s O2 Arena, and a subsequent Jackson family tour never took place because of Michael’s untimely death, Tito says other options to reunite The Jackson 5 are being discussed.

Tito says the idea of incorporating an MJ hologram into a Jackson 5 reunion tour has “been discussed a few times, [but]…to have it done [takes] a tremendous knowledge, work in technology, what have you.”

Jackson adds, “And it’s not a cheap process. It’s getting cheaper and cheaper as time goes along. But to have a hologram Jacksons show live…would be the next thing.”

Under Your Spell arrives this Friday, August 6, on the usual platforms.

New York celebrates Tony Bennett’s 95th birthday

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images 8th Annual Exploring The Arts Gala

It’s Tony Bennett’s 95th birthday today, and he’ll be celebrating with all of New York.

New York State has officially proclaimed today Tony Bennett Day, with Governor Andrew Cuomo saying in part, “Music and the arts have long been an essential piece of the fabric of New York, and you would be hard-pressed to find someone who has made more of a contribution in this space than Tony Bennett.”

Sony Music Entertainment has also bestowed Tony with a bench in Central Park engraved with his name. It’s located at the east side of Center Drive when entering the Park at Central Park South and 6th Avenue.

“It is an honor to dedicate this bench to Tony in his beloved Central Park, where he has experienced so much joy and inspiration across the years,” Richard Story, President of Sony Music Entertainment’s Commercial Music Group, says in a statement.

And finally, Tony will be celebrating his birthday by taking the stage and doing what he does best. Tonight marks the opening night of One Last Time: An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga at Radio City Music Hall. The second night of the sold-out two-night engagement takes place August 5. It will be Tony’s last live concert appearance in New York City.

Earlier this year, Tony’s family revealed that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.

Katy, Lionel and Luke returning for 20th season of ‘American Idol’

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan will be back behind the judges’ table when American Idol returns on ABC in the spring of 2022. It’ll be the show’s fifth season on ABC, but its 20th season overall. Host Ryan Seacrest is also on board for this historic season.

American Idol‘s executive producer and showrunner Megan Wolflick said in a statement, “The chemistry and passion Katy, Luke, Lionel and Ryan bring is second to none. We couldn’t be more ecstatic that they are returning for this iconic 20th season in search of the freshest new talent that this nation has to offer.”

Auditions for the new season start this Friday, August 6 with the return of the virtual nationwide “Idol Across America” search, which will take place in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The most recent American Idol champ, Chayce Beckham, auditioned via “Idol Across America.”

Visit AmericanIdol.com/auditions to find out how to sign up. Here are the dates; you can audition on any date, regardless of where you live:

Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Aug. 6)
Connecticut, New Jersey, New York (Aug. 8)
Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Aug. 11)
Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Aug. 13)
Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (Aug. 16)
Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee (Aug. 18)
Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada (Aug. 21)
Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming (Aug. 23)
Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Aug. 25)
Open Call: Nationwide (Aug. 27)
Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah (Aug. 31)
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont (Sept. 2)
Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. (Sept. 8)
Open Call: The South (Sept. 10)
Open Call: East Coast (Sept. 13)
Open Call: West Coast (Sept. 16)
Open Call: Nationwide (Sept. 21)

The Weeknd taps the Olympics to announce new single “Take My Breath,” due out August 6

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Christopher Polk/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

After sharing a cryptic two-minute teaser the other day about an upcoming single, The Weeknd confirmed on Monday that his next music era is finally here.

Taking to Instagram, the “Blinding Lights” singer announced fans will hear his brand new song “Take My Breath” this Friday, August 6.

The Weeknd tapped the Tokyo Olympics to share the track and release info in an official promo, which focused on the U.S. Women’s Track & Field team through the eyes of runners Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad, Gabby Thomas and Athing Mu.

The promo features joyous moments the four celebrated at the finish line in past races before revealing the song’s title and teasing the next crop of Olympic track and field events that Team USA is primed to dominate.

The Weeknd, also feeling the gold medal vibes, captioned his comeback, “8.6.21 new single [gold medal emoji].”

No word yet on when that new album is supposed to come out, but fans are buzzing that an announcement is on the horizon.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Weeknd (@theweeknd)

Jennifer Hudson recalls final phone call with Aretha Franklin

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Jennifer Hudson stars as the legendary Aretha Franklin in the upcoming biopic Aretha, out August 13. Unfortunately, the iconic soul singer died in 2018, but Hudson still remembers the last conversation she had with her.

“I definitely remember our last call,” Hudson told E!’s Daily Pop. “I miss hearing from her.”

“The last thing we spoke about was what she’d been eating and I was telling her about my son cooking. And he’s like, ‘Mother, is that Aretha Franklin on the phone?!’ I was so glad he was there to share that moment,” she expressed.

Hudson also recalled being hand-picked by the “Natural Woman” songstress for the leading role in Aretha, which she says gave her the “encouragement to get through it.”

“But it’s still adds pressure because you don’t want to let her down. It’s personal to me, for that reason,” she explained. “One minute it’s like, ‘oh my gosh, I’m so excited,’ and the next second it’s a bunch of anxiety.”

On Monday, the Oscar winner shared a throwback photo of herself visiting Franklin’s childhood home with some of the singer’s family members, Diamond Franklin, Victorie Franklin, Tonja Franklin, Edward Franklin, Kecalf Franklin, Jordan Franklin and Grace Franklin.

“I enjoyed all of Detroit but my favorite moment was sitting on Aretha’s childhood porch with her beautiful family,” she wrote alongside a picture of the group. “As we reflected on the Queen, we listened to her grandbaby sing “Ain’t No Way” with her beautiful voice. The world needs to hear more from the Franklin family. I will never forget this sweet moment together!”

That time Glass Animals’ Dave Bayley accidentally ate St. Vincent’s dinner on tour

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

As touring begins to open up again, bands are remembering what they missed about being back on the road. For Glass Animals frontman Dave Bayley, though, there’s one tour memory he’d prefer to forget.

Speaking with ABC Audio, Bayley recalls when he accidentally ate Annie Clark‘s dinner while Glass Animals was opening for St. Vincent in 2014.

“Oh my god, I remember that!” exclaims drummer Joe Seaward. “You were in so much trouble!”

“I was really hungry!” Bayley laughs. “It was really delicious, I remember you telling me how much you’d enjoyed it,” Seaward adds.

As Bayley explains, the whole thing was just a simple mistake. He’d seen the food sitting out with no one around to claim it, and figured it had been marked for the trash.

“I assumed someone had left it, or…I don’t know what I thought! ” Bayley says.

“You were hungry, Dave, you weren’t thinking,” Seaward consoles, to which Bayley admits, “When I’m hungry I can’t think.”

“Then I was there stuffing it into my face,” Bayley recalls. “And St. Vincent’s tour manager came around the corner and just looked…I’ve never seen anyone go more pasty so quickly in my life. He looked absolutely destroyed.”

If Bayley’s is looking to make it up to Clark, both Glass Animals and St. Vincent are playing the Life Is Beautiful festival in Las Vegas next month.

Meanwhile, Glass Animals will launch a headlining tour in support of their new album Dreamland August 30 in Lewiston, New York.

+ More