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“[A] work of art”: Here’s what fans are saying about Pusha T’s chart-topping album, ‘It’s Almost Dry’

May 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NOTE LANGUAGE) It’s been a little over a week since Pusha T dropped his fourth studio album, It’s Almost Dry, and the rapper continues to make headlines with the critically acclaimed project.

Produced by Pharrell Williams and Kanye West, It’s Almost Dry debuts at number one on the Billboard 200 chart today, marking the New York rapper’s first-ever album to land in the top spot.

In response to the popular collection, which boasts features from both Williams and Ye as well as Jay-Z, Lil Uzi Vert and Kid Cudi, fans on social media are praising the 12-track collection, following Charlamagne tha God calling it Pusha’s “best body of work yet.”

One fan tweeted, “.@PUSHA_T u really did it. It’s everything I had hoped for and more. My GOAT,” while another commended the rapper by saying, “PUSHA_T what a work of art man! Great job!”

Another fan pointed out Pusha’s longevity in hip hop, saying, “After a 20+ year career, @PUSHA_T has scored his first #1 album and that speaks to one thing and one thing only…longevity, consistency, and growth.”

Speaking of the album’s production values, one fan wrote, “#ItsAlmostDryhonestly sounds like a non-verbal debate between Kanye West and Pharrell Williams as to who is Pusha T’s best producer. The result? Great f****** music.”

“The Pusha T album is as good as advertised. Laser focused. Zero wasted bars. New flows. Exquisite production,” Chicago blogger Andrew Barber said.

Upon the news of his Billboard 200 number-one debut, Pusha congratulated himself on Twitter, saying, “We all can’t be number 1 at the same time, this week it’s mine…Thank you to all.”

Pusha also recently announced the It’s Almost Dry tour, set to kick off May 29, in Seattle, Washington.

Miranda Lambert still writes sad songs, despite her “Hallmark movie” marriage: “You don’t have to be tortured”

May 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Miranda Lambert’s written her fair share of breakup songs — from the trigger-happy “Kerosene” to the heartbroken “Tinman” — and there’s plenty of lonely, love-gone-wrong material on her new album, Palomino, too.

The difference? This time around, Miranda’s not living what she writes. In 2019, the singer tied the knot with her famously dreamy — and frequently shirtless — former NYPD officer boyfriend, Brendan McLoughlin. Now, the two enjoy a relationship that the singer says is every bit the fairy tale it seems.

“It’s like some kind of Hallmark movie or something,” Miranda admits in the latest installment of CBS Sunday Morning.

“This redneck from Texas meets this, like, beautiful NYPD officer on the street in New York. But it actually happened that way,” she continues.

But as her personal happiness blossomed, Miranda never worried that her art might suffer.

“Sometimes artists live in darkness, and use it for their art, or whatever…but you know, you don’t have to be tortured to be good. You can write a sad song and not have to live every sad song you ever write,” Miranda points out.

“It’s an impossible way to live,” she adds.

Palomino came out on Friday.

PSY explains how BTS is achieving his “unfulfilled dreams”

May 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

PSY is proud of BTS‘ success and said their songs are doing what he had originally wished for his 2012 hit, “Gangnam Style.”

NME reports the rapper spoke at a recent press conference promoting his new track “That That,” which features BTS’ Suga, and said the septet achieved the “unfulfilled dreams” he had for his breakthrough track. Looking back at his sudden rise to fame nearly a decade ago, PSY explained, “It was so exhausting at the time of its success [because] the song got popular so it wasn’t a ‘healthy hit.'”

“There are cases where the song increases in popularity and cases when the [artist] increases in popularity, and longevity is that much longer in the latter,” he noted, saying his song’s popularity overshadowed him.

“There were even people who thought my name was ‘Gangnam Style,'” added PSY of when the viral hit broke into Western radio. “Some people overseas who would say ‘Hi, Gangnam Style.'”

The rapper noted BTS and K-pop sensations BLACKPINK are experiencing the “opposite” of what he had. He said both groups have achieved “permanence and persistence.”

PSY noted that he helped pave the way for more Korean acts to follow because, “The wall of American radio is very high because the songs are in a foreign language… Our biggest weapon is YouTube.”

“Gangnam Style” has been viewed nearly 4.5 billion times since it was uploaded in July 2012. PSY’s follow-up single, “Gentleman,” has been viewed over 1.4 billion times.

“I feel very proud that I had a role in being that trigger,” PSY added. “BTS have thanked me for that part several times, so I’m proud of it.” PSY also noted, “I think they’re giving [Korea] a lot of proud moments.”

PSY released his new studio album, PSY 9th, on Friday.

Watch Lauren Spencer-Smith’s new video for “Flowers”

May 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Lauren Spencer-Smith is out with the video for “Flowers,” her follow-up single to “Fingers Crossed.”

In the video, Lauren narrates the song while we see a young women in a split screen that shows her in an unhappy relationship with one guy, and a happy relationship with another one. In the final line, Lauren delivers the song’s big takeaway: “If there’s anything I’ve learned it’s you should watch yourself/ If it’s hurting you, then leave and go and get some help.”

The song is based on Lauren’s personal experience, and she says in a statement, “When I’m writing I always think about what’s going on in the world. How are people feeling? What are they going to relate to? I want to listen to a song and know what it’s about, that’s why I write with details about my life but always think, how will my fans relate? I want it to feel universal.”

The Canadian singer/songwriter, who’s currently working on her debut project, will perform and present at the Juno Awards — the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys — scheduled for May 15 in Toronto.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

Melissa Etheridge to kick off solo residency in New York City

May 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Melissa Etheridge is bringing a special live experience to New York City in the coming weeks.

She’ll present what she’s calling a “solo residency,” Melissa Etheridge: One Woman Band, to City Winery New York on May 31, June 2 and June 3. The shows will feature Melissa giving an up-close and personal look on how she wrote her songs, playing each component in real time.

The set list will include Melissa playing her hits, fan favorites, and songs from her most recent album, One Way Out. According to her website, she also plans to perform this “residency” show at City Winery Boston from June 5 to June 9. Tickets are on sale now.

As previously reported, Melissa is also hosting a destination festival in Mexico called Etheridge Island over Labor Day Weekend.

Ex-Blue Öyster Cult member Joe Bouchard releases new song, “My Way Is the Highway”; solo album due in June

May 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Former Blue Öyster Cult bassist Joe Bouchard has released a new single titled “My Way Is the Highway” that’s an advance track from his forthcoming solo album, American Rocker.

The song is available now as a digital download and via streaming services, while a companion music video has premiered on the Deko Entertainment label’s official YouTube channel.

“The song ‘My Way Is the Highway’ is a dream of tour destinations while cruising down the coast as the sun sinks into the Pacific Ocean,” Joe explains. “It is powered by the drums of Mickey Curry, and cementing the groove is brother Albert on his iconic cowbell — the original ‘more-cowbell man’! This song makes you want to put the pedal to the metal while you dance to the rocking music of the 70s.”

Curry is best known as Bryan Adams‘ longtime drummer, and he’s also worked with many other famous artists, including Daryl Hall, Cher, Tina Turner, Alice Cooper and The Cult. Albert Bouchard was Blue Öyster Cult’s original drummer, and he and Joe have collaborated on many projects together, including their band Blue Coupe with original Alice Cooper bassist Dennis Dunaway.

American Rocker is an 11-track collection that will be released on June 3. CD copies of the album can be pre-ordered now at Merchbucket.com. Also available are special bundles pairing the CD with a t-shirt and an autographed booklet.

Joe’s upcoming concert schedule includes a July 16 show with Blue Coupe in Sacketts Harbor, New York, and a U.K. tour in August with Albert performing as The Bouchard Brothers.

Here’s American Rocker‘s full track list:

“My Way Is the Highway”
“In the Golden Age”
“Deadly Kisses”
“Love Out of Thin Air”
“Off Season Hotel”
“Hounds of Hell”
“Conspiracy”
“Rocket to Fame”
“The Devil’s in the Details”
“Katherine”
“Hey There Suzi Dear”

Lionel Richie coming home to Alabama to headline The World Games 2022

May 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

As one of the most famous musicians to hail from Alabama, it’s only fitting that Lionel Richie return to his home state for a very special performance in July.

The Tuskegee, Alabama native will headline the closing ceremony of The World Games 2022, which will be held July 17 at Protective Stadium. It’ll mark the first time Lionel’s performed in Alabama in more than 20 years.

The closing ceremony will also feature other Alabama musicians, such as the country group Alabama, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Motown legend Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas, rapper Yung Bleu, and American Idol alums Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks and Bo Bice.

Funk legend Bootsy Collins will be the emcee for both the opening and closing ceremonies of The World Games, an international event featuring sports that aren’t part of the Olympic Games, like kickboxing, pool, squash and tug of war. Performers at the opening ceremonies include Sheila E., Tony! Toni! Tone!, Yolanda Adams and Nelly.

Met Gala flashback: a few memorable looks from Black celebs on the famous carpet

May 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Met Gala Monday has officially commenced!

The 2022 event takes place at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art tonight, with a livestream of the bash kicking off at 6 p.m. ET. In honor of the famous and exclusive “fashion’s biggest night out,” here’s a list of some of the iconic looks of Black celebrities who have graced the carpet in years past.

— In 2015, for the show’s theme of “China: Through the Looking Glass”, Beyoncé wore a sheer, long-sleeve Haute Couture Givenchy dress that was adorned with colorful gemstones. No stranger to rocking Givenchy on carpets, the star also wore the French luxury brand at the 2012, 2014 and 2016 Met balls.

— Rihanna also turned heads at the 2015 show, wearing a one-of-a-kind yellow, fur-trimmed embroidered cape with matching headdress, made by Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei. Speaking about the extensively long train, Rihanna told Vanity Fair, “I can’t really walk in it without any help — but it’s so worth it.”

— Cardi B stole the show at the 2018 Met Gala, when the very pregnant rapper walked the carpet for the first time alongside fashion mogul Jeremy Scott, who designed her bejeweled, scoop-neck gown that was paired with a long, fluffy cream-colored train. The following year, she stunned the crowd in her massive red Thom Browne dress and all of its 30,000 feathers, according to Vogue.

— As no stranger to neck-breaking carpet looks, Billy Porter showed up to the 2019 gala in a custom “Sun God” ensemble by The Blonds, which included a bejeweled catsuit and 10-foot wings, according to People.

— In 2018, Zendaya dressed up as Joan of Arc with her custom metallic Versace gown and matching armored neck piece.

Some of the stars expected to attend the 2022 gala include Amanda Gorman, Megan Thee Stallion, Chloe and Halle and more.

“Defying Gravity”: Maren Morris wants to audition for ‘Wicked’

May 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Is Maren Morris auditioning for Wicked?

In a Sunday tweet, the country star reveals that she has her sights set on the bright lights of Broadway. “Gonna send an audition tape in for Wicked on Broadway. What the hell. Let’s see what happens,” Maren declares, alongside a green heart and witch emoji.

The multi-faceted singer goes on to cite her credentials, including hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!, performing with Dolly Parton at the Newport Folk Festival, flying with the US Air Force’s Thunderbirds, and even getting her bangs cut, as examples of other dreams that have come true.

“I’m into taking things head on, fail or succeed. Might as well cut the s*** on being coy. Chase your weird dreams down,” she says.

When pressed on which lead character she’d rather play, Glinda or Elphaba, “The Middle” hitmaker says she identifies “heavily” as Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. “Good god her songs are high,” Maren adds.

The singer’s announcement sent fans into a frenzy, with many of them creating memes that impose her face onto the green-skinned Elphaba.

Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel originated the roles of Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, when Wicked debuted on Broadway in 2003. It’s now being adapted into a film starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, set for release in 2024.

Tory Lanez briefly detained at Las Vegas airport for marijuana possession

May 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

In the latest of legal woes for Tory Lanez, the rapper was briefly detained at a Las Vegas airport on Sunday for traveling with a “large” amount of marijuana, according to police.

Authorities told ABC News that Las Vegas officers responded to a security checkpoint after TSA found the marijuana, which was then impounded before Lanez was released.

Earlier this month Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, was arrested temporarily following the judge’s verdict that the rapper violated a pre-trial protective orders that should have prevented him from contacting, speaking to or harassing Megan Thee Stallion, the victim of a 2020 shooting incident in which Lanez is named the shooter.

On October 8, 2020, Peterson was charged with one count of assault and one count of carrying a concealed, loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle. The trial date for the ongoing case is set for September 14 of this year.

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