Music

Documentaries about Britney Spears and Janet Jackson are vying for the best broadcast network or cable docuseries at the upcoming Hollywood Critic Association’s TV Awards, reports Billboard. The New York Times Presents: Controlling Britney Spears and Lifetime’s Janet Jackson have both been nominated. We’ll find out who wins on August 13.

Nick Jonas said of his newborn daughter, Malti, “It is certainly life changing!” He told Entertainment Tonight his little girl “is amazing” and brings him “a lot of joy.” He notes of her health, “All is good.”

Dua Lipa might have gone too far with her “wedding season” look, and her fans are kindly asking her to put her lace and sequin dress back into the closet. She debuted the dress on Wednesday, but fans aren’t loving it.  One commenter said of the Grammy winner’s unique dress, “That’s cringe and low self-esteem.” 

Ariana Grande has been turned into a cartoon character: Her life story is featured in the latest issue of the Fame comic book series from Tidal Wave Comics. She’s not the only celebrity who’s gotten the Fame treatment. Past editions were made for Lil Nas X, Selena Gomez, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and more.

Speaking of Lady Gaga, she shouted out Harry Styles by soundtracking her latest TikTok to his song “Music for a Sushi Restaurant.” Gaga shared a video of her at-home and going-out looks, joking in the caption, “Choose your player.” Instead, fans are demanding she jumps into the studio with Harry for a collab.

Charlie Puth announced when we’ll be able to hear his new album Charlie — spoiler: it’s October 7 — but he also revealed what the actual CD will look like. It’s black with white lettering to match the album cover. Charlie revealed on TikTok that his followers “are the reason why this album exists.”

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An Atlanta Judge did not grant bond for rapper Gunna on Thursday, marking the second time the rapper’s request for release has been denied, according to ABC affiliate WSB. The decision came down during a virtual court appearance in relation to the sweeping gang indictment that named more than 25 people, including fellow Atlanta rapper Young Thug. 

On May 23, Gunna, born Sergio Kitchens, was denied bond after prosecutor Don Geary argued that Gunna is one of the main people in the alleged Young Slime Life gang, also the name of the Young Thug-founded record label. The judge denied bond and sided with the prosecution, expressing concern over the safety of witnesses.

Last month, Gunna posted an open letter from behind bars proclaiming his innocence. 

“2022 has been one of the best years of my life, despite this difficult situation,” the note starts. 

“For now, I don’t have my freedom. But I am innocent. I am being falsely accused and will never stop fighting to clear my name!”

Gunna also seemingly called out the way his music is being used against him in the case, writing, “As a Black Man in America, it seems as though my art is only acceptable when I’m a source of entertainment for the masses. My art is not allowed to stand alone as entertainment, I’m not allowed that freedom as a Black Man in America.”

Gunna has a scheduled trial date for January 9, 2023, and will remain behind bars until then.

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New York rapper Joey Bada$$ released his latest single, “Survivor’s Guilt,” in honor of the life and musical legacy of the late Brooklyn rapper Capital Steez. To commemorate his close friend’s birthday, Joey dropped the record on what would have been Steez’s 29th birthday Thursday. 

Steez, born Courtney “Jamal” Dewar Jr., died by suicide when he was 19, according to Complex. On the new track, the 27-year-old emcee opens up about the impact of his friend’s death and describes feeling at fault for the untimely passing. 

“Steezy told me get ’em so I got em. Now my n***a gone, he will never be forgotten / Ever since he left I’ve just been struggling without him,” he raps. “Yeah, we had some problems, but what brothers don’t? Sure. Then I caught a little wave and headed back to shore / And that’s when he started drowning. And he had no one around him so partially I feel it’s my fault.”

Speaking of the emotional track, Joey says, “This song is by far the most heartfelt song I’ve ever made and it felt incredibly therapeutic finally being able to put my thoughts and sentiments into words.”

“Survivor’s Guilt” arrives 10 years after his 1999 mixtape and ahead of his forthcoming album, 2000, which is expected July 22. Joey celebrates the milestone project with his 1999-2000 North American tour with help from New York artist Capella Grey.  

If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1- 800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

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Sam Hunt took fans into his home life with the minute-long family video he posted to social media this week. The clip includes lots of shots of the singer’s extended family and even a few glimpses of his infant daughter, Lucy.

Lucy makes her appearance a little over halfway through the clip, with a shot of an older child cradling her on the couch. “Do you like holding the fish or the baby better?” Sam asks from behind the camera. “The baby,” the little girl replies.

In a second shot, another child is holding baby Lucy, who wears a light-colored onesie, blanket and matching bow for the occasion.

It’s adorable, kid-filled chaos for the country star and his family and marks the first time fans have seen Lucy since she was born a few weeks ago. Sam and his wife, Hannah Lee Fowler, have been relatively private about the new addition to their family on social media, but Sam announced the birth of his baby girl at a show in early June.

Sam’s marriage went through a tumultuous time leading up to the birth of his daughter: Hannah Lee filed for divorce back in February, citing “inappropriate marital conduct” and “adultery.” Just weeks before Lucy’s birth, the couple seemed to reconcile, and Hannah called off divorce proceedings.

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Imagine Dragons is bringing the “Thunder” to the RIAA record books.

The band’s 2017 hit has gone Diamond in recognition of 10 million units certified. “Thunder” joins “Radioactive,” “Believer” and “Demons” as the fourth ID single to achieve that feat, making Imagine Dragons the first band with four Diamond-certified singles.

“Thunder” is included on Imagine Dragons’ 2017 album, Evolve. Its video has over 1 billion views on YouTube.

Imagine Dragons has already been having a big week with the release of the new album Mercury — Acts 1 & 2 last Friday. The double record combines last September’s Mercury — Act 1 with 18 more new songs, including the single “Bones.”

Following their current run through Europe, Imagine Dragons will return to the U.S. for a headlining tour beginning in August.

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Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles are doing very well back home in Merrie Olde England.

Ed’s album = (Equals) is the biggest-selling album of the year so far in the U.K., while Harry’s single “As It Was” is the year’s biggest-selling single, according to Britain’s Official Charts Company.

Equals has sold 256,000 units so far this year; since its release in October, it’s sold 689,000 copies in total. It’s also the most downloaded and streamed album of the year. Harry’s album Harry’s House is the second biggest album of 2022 in the U.K., with sales of 244,000, which means it could end up passing Ed in the near future. Olivia Rodrigo‘s album SOUR is #3, and Adele‘s 30 is #4.

On the singles side, Harry’s monster hit “As It Was” is the year’s top-selling single, having racked up sales of more than 855,000 units while spending 10 weeks at #1 on the British charts.

But in a mirror image of the album chart, Ed’s at #2 with “Peru,” his single with Afrobeats singer Fireboy DML. Ed also has the #4 and #6 biggest-selling songs of the year with “Bad Habits” and “Shivers,” respectively. Encanto‘s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is #3.

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Jenifer Lewis, Black cinema’s favorite auntie — or mom, depending on the role — will soon be getting her flowers from Hollywood as the 65-year-old actress is set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

The dedication ceremony of the 2,726th star will take place Friday, July 15, at 11:30 a.m. PT, with special guest speakers Debbie Allen and Marc Shaiman. The ceremony will be streamed live on Walkoffame.com.

“Jenifer Lewis is considered a national treasure and a force to be reckoned with,” Ana Martinez, Hollywood Walk of Fame producer, said. “She is one of those performers who always keeps the audience on their toes! I placed Jenifer’s star next to one of her all-time favorite actresses, the legendary Katharine Hepburn. Those ladies are two peas in a pod, as both delved in human rights activities and are known to be as feisty as all get out!”

Over the course of her decades-long entertainment career, Lewis has appeared and starred in more than 400 episodic television shows, 68 movies, 40 animations and four Broadway shows. Some of her most notable credits includes The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, A Different World, Girlfriends, Think Like a Man, The Cookout, Baggage Claim and Five.

Lewis has been recognized for her philanthropic and charitable contributions, including most recently by The International Press Academy in April. She received the 2022 Honorary Satellite Award for her work with The Human Rights Campaign, The Los Angeles LGBT Center, The Coalition for At-Risk Youth, The Urban League and others.

Following her bestselling 2017 memoir, The Mother of Black Hollywood, Lewis’ follow up book, Walking in My Joy: In These Streets, is set for release on August 30. 

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Harry Styles, Adele, Goo Goo Dolls, Gavin Degraw and Sara Bareilles are now the proud owners of more RIAA-certified Gold and Platinum hits.

The agency noted that only three albums and 13 singles released this year have achieved Gold and Platinum status — and among the handful of acts is Harry’s “As It Was. In a press release, RIAA dubbed it the top digital single of 2022 after selling over two million copies, thus earning double Platinum status. It also should be noted that his 2019 hit “Lights Up” is also two times Platinum now.

Two Adele songs from her 30 album obtained multi-Platinum status with “Oh My God” selling a million copies, while “Easy On Me” went three-times Platinum.

Goo Goo Dolls are celebrating 10 of their songs earning Gold and Platinum status in this latest roundup. Four songs of theirs — “Here Is Gone,” “Come To Me,” “Sympathy” and “Let Love In” — are Gold, with sales of over half a million copies. “Iris” remains their best-selling single, now certified for sales of seven million copies, while their 1998 album, Dizzy Up The Girl, is now five-times Platinum.

The group’s single “Name” sold over two million copies, while “Better Days,” “Black Balloon” and “Slide” have all achieved Platinum status.

Meanwhile, Gavin DeGraw’s 2011 hit “Not Over You” is now certified four-times Platinum.

And just in time for the 15th anniversary of her debut album Little Voice, which is officially twice Platinum, Sara found out her breakout hit “Love Song” has been certified six-times Platinum, while her single “Gravity” is double Platinum.

RIAA awards are determined based on a song or album’s sales as well as the amount of on-demand streams in the U.S.

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