Page 6272 – 105.7 WDNY

Keke Palmer does Angela Bassett impression directly in front of her

December 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

It’s one thing to do an impersonation of an actor, but another to do it with them in your presence. Clips of Keke Palmer imitating Angela Bassett in The Jacksons: An American Dream caught the attention of the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star — and Keke was asked to perform right in front of Bassett herself.

“I’ve seen you online imitating me. You do a great job,” Bassett told Palmer, who explained that she often did the impersonation for Queen Latifah during their time on the set of 2012’s Joyful Noise. “I used to only do it for her. I just recently started doing it online and everything,” she continued.

“OK, Keke — we’re here together. You’re finally here; I don’t have to watch you online,” Bassett responded. “I can actually see it right here before me.”

“Don’t be shy. You’re not shy at all,” she said, encouraging Palmer, who then mustered up the courage to flaunt her skills. Bassett even joined in and did the reading with Palmer.

The moment between Palmer and Bassett took place thanks to Vanity Fair, which reunited the actresses 16 years after they played daughter and mother in the 2006 movie Akeelah and the Bee.

It follows Bassett’s appearance in the Black Panther sequel and precedes Palmer’s appearance as guest host of this weekend’s SNL episode.

Report: Celine Dion preparing to reschedule her Las Vegas residency

December 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Is Celine Dion returning to Las Vegas? A new report claims the Canadian hitmaker is eyeballing a May start date for the residency she was forced to postpone in 2021.

Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the Theatre at Resorts World is preparing to welcome Celine onto its stage this spring, claiming they are holding their calendar that month.

Nothing has been set in stone at this moment. Celine has yet to confirm or deny the reports.

Celine called off her previous Resorts World residency in November 2021 due to “severe and persistent muscle spasms.” She later announced in a video statement that she had to postpone her 2022 European tour until 2023.

The rescheduled dates will run between February and April of next year. Celine will then take a brief respite before resuming the trek in August and performing through October. Fans believed she intended to hold her rescheduled Vegas residency between May and July.

It should be noted Celine will make her acting debut in May, co-starring in Love Again alongside Priyanka Chopra and Sam Hueghan.

At this moment, there’s been no official statement regarding the potential residency.

Drake pushes back Apollo Theater concert again, this time due to production issues

December 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Drake‘s upcoming shows at New York City’s Apollo Theater have been postponed for a second time. According to a statement obtained by Complex, the recent delay has everything to do with production issues.

“These upcoming shows for SiriusXM are so incredibly special for us. If you are going to play the world famous Apollo Theater, it has to be a world class production,” reads the statement from Drake, SiriusXM and Sound 42. “We as a team have been working around the clock not just putting together a concert but an experience our fans deserve. With that said, we are up against some production delays that are just out of our control.”

Drake’s show was originally planned for November, but changes were made as it coincided with the funeral of friend and one-third of Migos, Takeoff; the concert was moved to December and a second date was added.

“After many difficult meetings and conversations” regarding the recent production delays, Drake and his team have decided to reschedule for January 21-22.

“The Apollo has been so incredibly gracious throughout this process and we look forward to bringing a legendary show to this legendary stage,” they said.

Takeoff murder suspect charged following fatal shooting of Migos rapper

December 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(HOUSTON) — A suspect has been arrested and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Migos rapper Takeoff, Houston police said Friday.

Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, was arrested Thursday evening in Houston and “charged with the murder of Takeoff,” Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said during a press briefing.

Takeoff, whose real name is Kirshnik Khari Ball, was shot and killed outside the 810 Billiards & Bowling in downtown Houston around 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 1 following a private event, police said. He was 28.

A 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman also suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting, police said.

Police said at the time that an argument between some of the party guests “led to multiple unknown males firing pistols at each other.”

There was a “lucrative dice game” during the event, followed by an argument outside the venue, Houston Police Sgt. Michael Burrow said during the briefing.

“I can tell you Takeoff was not involved in playing the dice game, he was not involved in the argument that happened outside, he was not armed,” Burrow said. “He was an innocent bystander.”

Investigators were able to determine that Clark was the alleged shooter of Takeoff through shooting reconstruction and ballistics evidence, Burrow said. Police have also obtained cellphone and surveillance footage that has “surfaced over time,” he said.

Police have urged the public to come forward with tips in the days and weeks since.

Around 30 people were at the scene went the shooting happened, and police are still looking to speak with those who were there, Burrow said.

“Literally every one of those people left the scene without leaving a statement,” Burrow said. “It’s important that those people come forward.”

Amid the investigation into the shooting, a man was recently charged with two counts of felon in possession of a weapon for allegedly having a gun at the time Takeoff was fatally shot, ABC Houston station KTRK reported.

Takeoff was part of the Grammy-nominated hip-hop trio Migos, which formed in 2008 in suburban Atlanta and gained mainstream recognition and rose to stardom in 2013 with their song “Versace.” His uncle Quavo, who was present when the shooting took place but unharmed, and his cousin Offset were also part of the trio.

ABC News’ Deena Zaru contributed to this report.

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

Kim Petras hopes success of “Unholy” paves the way for more trans artists

December 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Kim Petras is still reeling after her and Sam Smith‘s “Unholy” topped the Billboard charts and earned a Grammy nod.

“There was a lot of crying,” Petras told Variety of how they reacted to the good news. The singer, who is a trans woman, explained why the song’s success was vindicating to her.

Prior to partnering with Sam, Petras recalled, “Executives would say, ‘You make gay club music, you’re niche and we don’t know how to market you.'” After collaborating with the British superstar, Petras admitted she didn’t expect how the public’s reaction would change her life.

“I’ve been doing this for years, and I’ve never had that kind of mass appeal,” she said. “Sam really believed in the song from the start and fought for it.”

“Unholy” immediately resonated with listeners, and Petras is still digesting the warm reception. “It was my first Hot 100 entry and it went to No. 1, which is crazy. It really made me proud of all the work that it took to get to that point and all the years performing at clubs and hustling,” she expressed.

There was another positive development to come from the song’s success, which she said is, “It proved to a lot of people that if you make good music, it doesn’t matter what your gender identity is.”

“I hope that I’m opening the doors for new artists,” she continued, adding transgender artist Sophie inspired her. Sophie, an experimental pop artist, passed away in 2021 from an accidental fall.

“I feel like I’m carrying the torch for everyone that came before me,” Petreas said of where she sees herself now in the music industry. She added that “it feels really beautiful and amazing that I get to do that.”

Kelsea Ballerini updates fans on mental health, music + more in a social media Q&A

December 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Kelsea Ballerini checked in with fans this week, answering questions about her dog Dibs, her upcoming tour with Kenny Chesney and more in an Instagram Stories Q&A.

It’s been a year of highs and lows for Kelsea, who released her Subject to Change album and filed for divorce from fellow country artist Morgan Evans in 2022, so one fan simply asked how she’s been doing.

“Thanks for askin,” Kelsea wrote back over a clip of herself enjoying a hot beverage on a balcony.

“I’m feeling very, very human,” she continued. “There’s been really hard days, there’s been days of uninhibited joy. I’m just welcoming it all. I’m proud of the music I’m making. I’m proud of the true connection to myself and lil close circle, and I’m proud of the openness I feel to life and whatever it has in store.”

In another slide, the singer said that she doesn’t see a deluxe version of Subject to Change coming out in the future, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have new music up her sleeve.

“I’m so proud of STC just as it is, but I am working on something,” she teased, sharing a screenshot of a Notes file that shows an audio recording labeled “penthouse RUFF.”

Kelsea recently wrapped her Heartfirst Tour, but it seems she might not be done with the trek yet. When asked if there could be a part two of the tour, the singer simply responded, “Yes.”

Additionally, when a fan asked if Kelsea had any plans to tour in Europe, she replied, “I will say it has been way too long…”

Kelsea also shared a snapshot of herself and her soon-to-be tour boss. Kenny Chesney’s 2023 tour dates featuring Kelsea as an opener are on sale now.

David Byrne raising funds for his nonprofit magazine with holiday song “The Fat Man’s Comin'”

December 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Former Talking Heads mastermind David Byrne has a new Christmas song out, and if you purchase it, you’ll be giving him a nice holiday gift.

Byrne is releasing the track “The Fat Man’s Comin'” exclusively through Bandcamp. The song, which is about Santa Claus, dates back to 2013, but was never released. It also comes with a video comprised of the hand-drawn storyboards Byrne created for a more elaborate video that was never produced. The song is available as a pay-what-you-can download, with a minimum contribution of one dollar.

All proceeds from the song will go to Reasons To Be Cheerful, the nonprofit online magazine founded by Byrne in 2019. The magazine focuses on positive stories detailing “proven, evidence-based responses to the world’s most pressing problems.” For example, one recent story is about a supermarket in the United Kingdom that’s offering interest-free microloans to help shoppers buy groceries.

In a statement announcing the song, Byrne says that “The Fat Man’s Comin'” dates back to when he was collaborating with rocker St. Vincent aka Annie Clarke a few years ago. “It wasn’t right for Annie and me – the story of a fat man in rather odd attire who breaks into people’s homes and leaves mysterious packages,” he notes, adding that he wanted it to sound “sort of old-school creepy.”

Byrne concludes that supporting another year of Reasons To Be Cheerful is “a good reason to resurrect this song,” adding, “Enjoy and thanks for listening/watching.”

New Music Friday: Metro Boomin, A$AP Rocky, Latto, Coi Leray and more

December 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(Note Language) It’s Friday, so you know the drill. Here’s the latest iteration of New Music Friday.

Metro Boomin, Heroes & Villains — Released under Boominati Worldwide/Republic Records, the album boasts features from John Legend, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Young Thug, A$AP Rocky, Gunna, the late Takeoff and more. The video for his “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” collab with Futureand Chris Brown is out now.

A$AP Rocky, “Sh***in’ Me” — The Krash-produced track marks a collaboration between the rapper, EA and Criterion Games, as it’s featured on the video game Need for Speed™ Unbound. The accompanying music video drops Monday.

Latto ft. Glorilla & Gangsta Boo, “FTCU(F*** The Club Up)” — Billboard‘s top new artist of 2022 has tapped two fellow female rappers to join her for a night out in the club. The video captures the antics that ensue after GloRilla convinces Latto to get out of the house.

Coi Leray, “Players” — After teasing the song on social media, Coi’s “Players” is officially out for fans to hear. In the track, which features a sample of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s 1982 hit “The Message,” she lets it be known that “girls is players, too.”

Snakehips, BIA & Lucky Daye, “Solitude” — Snakehips teamed up with Lucky Daye and BIA for the single that’s featured on the electronic music duo’s upcoming debut album, never worry. “I hope anyone who listens to the song can find someone that can break their solitude,” BIA says.

Nick Offerman on attending “Heroic 101 masterclass” in the new ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies

December 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NOTE LANGUAGE) Nick Offerman tells ABC Audio he’s in a very “fun” place in his career. The Pam & Tommy star is not only able to work with his — and his fan-favorite Parks and Rec character Ron Swanson’s — favorite whiskey brand Lagavulin, but he’s also recently logged time on set of some huge projects.

Offerman will be seen next year in a “wonderful” supporting role as Bill in HBO’s post-apocalyptic video game adaptation The Last of Us, as well as in the next Mission: Impossible movies, opposite Tom Cruise.

“I feel like a sort of special agent,” he says of his “really fun” career direction as of late. “You know…I’m not the main requirement. They’ve got those people covered. But then they’re like, ‘Oh, we need someone who can, you know, giggle and also use a socket wrench. Oh, see if Offerman’s available.'”

When asked about what he’ll be doing in the next installments of the blockbuster spy series starring and produced by Tom Cruise, Offerman immediately deadpans, “I kill him, I kill his character.”

He adds with a laugh, “…I think the next most action thing I did [previously] was I was the bad guy in Miss Congeniality 2 many years ago, and Sandra Bullock beat the s*** out of me…”

Offerman called the process of making Mission: Impossible 7 and 8 “fascinating” and “intense,” explaining writer-director Christopher McQuarrie told him, “‘The way we make these movies is we jump out of a plane, and then we start sewing a parachute as we fall and hope that it will land on our feet.'”

He added, “…Watching them do what they do was like really like a master class…I kept saying, I feel like I’m in a class called ‘Heroic 101.'”

New Music Friday: Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, Noah Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Oliver Tree, Troye Sivan and more

December 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

It’s Friday! Let’s see who’s out with new tunes…

Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande released a live rendition of their “Santa, Can’t You Hear Me?” duet, which they performed during last year’s Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around holiday spectacular, celebrating her When Christmas Comes Around album.

Noah Cyrus released the deluxe version of The Hardest Part, which contains the new balad “Set for Life.” The album also includes an alternate take on her songs “Burned LA Down” and “Noah (Stand Still),” which features her father Billy Ray Cyrus.

Selena Gomez released the music video for her new song “My Mind & Me,” which features scenes of her new Apple TV+ documentary of the same name in addition to new clips, including one of her recording the song in the studio.

Oliver Tree teamed with techno producer Nyctonian for a glow stick-waving remix of “Miss You.”

Troye Sivan released the sensual track “You Know What I Need” with PNAU. The duo also released the trippy music video which features Troye transforming into different creatures and shapes in a dream-like world. Troye said in a statement, “I’m so happy this song is coming out just before the Australian summer – it sounds like a beach festival to me, and I am stoked to have it out!”

Akon released his TT Freak mixtape and the music video for its title track.

+ More