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The Year in Music 2021: It’s all Gucci for Lady Gaga

December 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Whether it’s showing her American patriotism by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” or tapping into her Italian ancestry for a movie role, Lady Gaga showed all sides of herself this year. She continued to seamlessly balance her music and acting careers, and has the awards buzz to prove it.

Here’s a roundup of Gaga’s most notable 2021 moments:

— She kicked off 2021 with a powerful performance of the national anthem at President Joe Biden’s inauguration .

— In February, while she was away filming House of Gucci in Italy, her dog walker was shot and her two French bulldogs were stolen in a brazen dog-napping in LA. The dog walker thankfully recovered, and Gaga’s dogs were found and returned safe. 

— Gaga and Ariana Grande won the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Grammy in March for their number-one duet, “Rain on Me.” 

— Gaga’s Born This Way album turned 10 in May. In celebration of the milestone, she released a special Born This Way The Tenth Anniversary Album, featuring the album’s 14 original songs and six reimagined versions of tracks by LGBTQIA+ artists and allies. 

— Gaga released her second duets album with Tony Bennett, Love for Sale, in October. The record, which is Bennett’s final studio recording, features the 95-year-old crooner and Gaga singing songs penned by the iconic composer Cole Porter. The duo also performed two shows at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Love for Sale went on to earn six Grammy nods. 

— House of Gucci, Gaga’s acting follow-up to her Oscar-nominated role in 2018’s A Star Is Born, was released in November. She plays Patrizia Reggiani, the woman who was famously convicted of arranging the murder of her ex-husband, Italian fashion heir Maurizio Gucci. The role is already garnering awards buzz, with Gaga snagging the New York Film Critics Circle honor for Best Actress.

The Year in Music 2021: Elton John is still standing — and charting

December 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

In 2021, all those collaborations that Elton John had been doing for the past year or so really paid off, as he returned to the charts for the first time in decades.

In August, Elton teamed up with his new BFF Dua Lipa, who he became friendly with in 2020, to release “Cold Heart.” The mashup of four Elton songs — “Sacrifice,” “Rocket Man,” “Kiss the Bride” and “Where’s the Shoorah?” — was created by Australian dance act Pnau, with whom the music legend had previously collaborated.

–“Cold Heart” proved to be an unexpected smash, returning Elton to the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 for the firs time since 1999. It also officially gave him a 50-year span of singles on the top 40: the longest for any artist in Billboard history.

–“Cold Heart” was an even bigger hit in the U.K. When it hit the top 10, it made Elton the only act in the history of the singles chart in that country to score a top-10 hit in six different decades. Then in October, “Cold Heart” topped the U.K. chart, becoming Elton’s first number-one in his home country in 16 years.

–“Cold Heart” also became Elton’s first-ever number one on Billboard‘s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, and his first Australian number-one since 1997, making him, at 74, the oldest person ever to top the Australian chart.

–The number-one success of “Cold Heart” in the U.K. was helped along by Elton’s pal Ed Sheeran. After his song “Shivers” had been number one for four weeks, Ed actively encouraged his fans to stop streaming his song and stream Elton’s instead, writing, “Who doesn’t wanna be knocked off [the top] by Elton anyway?”

–After the release of “Cold Heart,” Elton surprised fans by announcing The Lockdown Sessions, an album featuring Elton duetting with everyone from Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X and Nicki Minaj, to Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder and Pearl Jam‘s Eddie Vedder.

–Released in October, The Lockdown Sessions became Elton’s first top-10 album since 2016 in the U.S., and his first number-one album in the U.K. since 2012.

–In November, Prince Charles presented Elton with the Order of the Companions of Honour, which was first established in 1917 to reward “outstanding achievement.”

–In December, Elton and Ed teamed up for the festive holiday song “Merry Christmas,” which debuted at number one on the U.K. chart. The duo then partnered with the British duo LadBaby to create a parody of their song called “Sausage Rolls for Everyone,” a charity single which raised money for British food banks. The parody went on to become the U.K.’s much-coveted Christmas number one for 2021. It gave Elton his third U.K. number one of 2021.

–The one negative thing that happened to Elton in 2021 was that he had to push back his European tour dates because he had to have a hip operation. But his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour is one of the most anticipated of 2022.

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Cardi B drops new Reebok ‘Let Me Be…In My World Nighttime’ collection

December 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Cardi B is inviting her fans to bring in the New Year while wearing her Reebok metallic apparel and sneaker collection.

Following her ‘Let Me Be… In My World’ line, which was released in August, the Invasion of Privacy rapper dropped her second Reebok collection, ‘Let Me Be…In My World Nighttime,’ on Wednesday.

Inspired by by the nightlife of Cardi’s New York City hometown, the new collection features a metallic leather sneaker, crops, tights, cargo pants, and a plush fleece robe with Cardi’s signature logo embroidered on the chest.

“Nighttime in my hometown of New York is such a beautiful, magical experience, and I’m happy to see this magic come to life with my latest Reebok collection,” the Grammy winner said in a statement. “These pieces are easy to wear from the street to the club while still letting you feel comfortable, confident and unique. I promise you’ll be feeling like the best version of yourself when you have these pieces on!”

The 29-year-old entertainer posted several photos with her sneakers and clothing on Instagram. The full collection is now available on Cardi’s Reebok website.

The launch of the ‘Let Me Be… In My World’ line follows Cardi’s recent announcement of her initial project as Playboy’s first Creative Director in Residence. She introduced the Playboy Centerfold website, described as “a platform for creative freedom, artistic expression, & sex positivity. The home for the world’s top creators to interact with their fans.”

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Walker Hayes will keep “riding that roller coaster” in 2022, with “big tours” and a new album in the works

December 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

As he heads towards the finish line of a banner year, Walker Hayes says that 2022 is looking up.

“Next year, we’ve got a lot in store,” the singer says. A viral hitmaker who cruised into the country mainstream with the success of his massive 2021 hit, “Fancy Like,” he’s now got plans to keep the momentum going in just about every way.

“We’re going on tour, and we’re taking MacKenzie Porter. She’s incredible. I’m jacked about bringing her,” Walker continues. “And we got an album coming out. Honestly, can’t pick a favorite song. It’s just whichever one I listened to last, and that’s good for an artist. That’s a great feeling.”

That new project is Country Stuff the Album, a 13-song collection that’ll flesh out his 2021 EP of the same title. When the full-length version comes out in January, it’ll arrive to a fan base that’s grown exponentially over the past year.

Walker — who spent years enjoying moderate country success before finding his breakout hit with “Fancy Like” — will continue to soak up every moment of stardom once the new year hits.

“Yeah, maybe [I’ll] be out on some big tours this summer,” he hints. “Just feeding off ‘Fancy Like,’ you know? Riding that roller coaster, and [my next single] ‘AA’ following in its shoes. Let’s go. Come on. It’s gonna be a great year.”

Before he gets to 2022, though, Walker’s closing this year out with a bang. He’s headed to LA to perform on ABC’s annual special, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest, which airs on December 31 beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

An old adversary returns on season four of ‘Cobra Kai’

December 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

An old adversary is slithering his way back to the All-Valley Karate Championship in season 4 of Netflix’s Cobra Kai, the wildly popular continuation of the Karate Kid films.

Terry Silver, played by Thomas Ian Griffith, has returned to the franchise after he was last seen tormenting Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso in 1989’s The Karate Kid Part III. Griffith tells ABC Audio it was the story that convinced him to come back.

“You know I had been working as a writer and I wasn’t sure about going back into the whole acting thing to begin with,” Griffith says. “And then once I heard this incredible path they had mapped out from the backstory in Vietnam through what he’s been up to for the last 30 years and how that manifests itself in the show today I’m going ‘oh man, this is like gold!’

This season, Daniel and longtime frenemy Johnny Lawrence, played by William Zabka, forge an uneasy alliance between their dojos. Macchio says it required some changes on Daniel’s part.

“He lets go of some of his grip on the you know, Miyagi teachings,” Macchio says. “The more he sees Johnny and his daughter Samantha and how they’re interacting/reacting to this is where he loosens that grip and says maybe it’s time to find your own way.”

Cobra Kai has already been greenlit for a season five. So does the cast ever think about the endgame?

“The endgame is, it just keeps getting bigger,” Zabka says. “As far as characters go, hopefully there’s some resolve. I’d like Johnny to find some peace in his life and some love. You know, he was a good kid, he just had a bad teacher!”

Cobra Kai season four debuts Friday on Netflix.

Report: Dr. Dre agrees to pay $100 million in divorce settlement

December 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Report: Dr. Dre agrees to pay 0 million in divorce settlement

Dr. Dre has reportedly agreed to pay his ex-wife, Nicole Young, $100 million in their divorce settlement.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, whose net worth is estimated at $820 million, will keep his seven properties: a Malibu home, two homes in Calabasas, and four properties in the Los Angeles area, including a $100 million Brentwood estate, according to TMZ. Dre also maintains ownership of his Apple stocks, six vehicles, the rights to his master recordings, and his various partnerships, including Beats By Dre.

Nicole will get four vehicles, her jewelry, as well as money she has in her bank accounts. She is required to pay her own legal fees, which have been estimated to be millions of dollars.

Earlier this month, Dre posed for an Instagram photo with a string of balloons that read “divorced AF,” suggesting that the divorce had been finalized.

Young filed for divorce in July 2020 after 24 years of marriage, and the former couple has been involved in bitter divorce proceedings over the past year. As previously reported, Young had papers served to the six-time Grammy winner at a cemetery in Los Angeles, where he was burying his grandmother.

Dre and Nicole share a son, Truice, 24, and a daughter, Truly, 20.

On December 15, The Chronic rapper released six songs, his first new music in six years, for the Grand Theft Auto video game, GTA Online: The Contract. The tracks feature Eminem, Snoop Dogg with Anderson .Paak, Ty Dolla $ign with Nipsey Hussle, plus Paak and Rick Ross, as well as two solo songs.

In January, the former N.W.A. member will begin rehearsals with Eminem, Snoop, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige for their halftime performance at Super Bowl LVI, February 13 in Inglewood, CA.

Even after getting tons of Christmas presents, Maren Morris’ son’s favorite toy is a dog crate

December 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Maren Morris just celebrated her second Christmas with her son, Hayes, who’s old enough to enjoy gifts this year — but not necessarily the gifts his mom thought he’d like.

“Went to Texas for Christmas and my son got so many gifts I thought he’d love,” she wrote on Twitter this week. “[H]is preference?” Climbing in and out of a dog crate for 2 hours. I give up.”

The singer didn’t share any photos or video of Hayes enjoying his “toy.” Since early on in his life, she’s put a pretty strict limit on photos she posts of her son, after facing negativity from mommy-shamers who picked out criticisms of her parenting style whenever she shared snapshots of her family life.

But Maren does share little snippets of life with Hayes now and again: Back in October, the singer’s Twitter followers got to see a glimpse of Hayes yelling “moo” at a procession of horses.

“ATTN: My son thinks horses say ‘moo’ and it’s here to brighten up your doom scrolling,” the singer wrote in the caption of the post.

In recent weeks, Maren also teased exciting musical news on the horizon, hinting that she’s got big plans for new releases in 2022. She’s also nominated at January’s Grammy Awards ceremony, thanks to “Chasing After You,” her duet with her singer-songwriter husband, Ryan Hurd.

Went to Texas for Christmas and my son got so many gifts I thought he’d love… his preference?

Climbing in and out of a dog crate for 2 hours. I give up.

— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) December 29, 2021

Phish announces NYE livestream show in place of postponed NYC dates

December 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Phish has announced a New Year’s Eve livestream concert to make up for the band’s postponed New Year’s run at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, which was pushed back due to surging COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant.

The virtual event, which will consist of three full sets, will premiere December 31 at 8:30 p.m. ET. You can watch for free via the Phish YouTube channel or on LivePhish.com.

The show will be part of Phish’s ongoing Dinner and a Movie streaming series, which also provides unique food recipes for those watching. The NYE’s meal will be lemon-themed, and includes recipes for a whole roasted chicken with lemon, a vegetarian lemon pasta, and lemon bars for dessert.

The Dinner and a Movie series has also been raising money for various non-profit organizations amid the pandemic through the band’s WaterWheel Foundation.

For more info, visit Phish.com.

Phish’s MSG shows had originally been scheduled for December 29 through January 1. They’ll now take place April 20-23, 2022.

The Spirit of Arcade: Watch teaser for new Rush pinball machine

December 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Rush is set to be immortalized as a pinball machine.

A silver ball game dedicated to the Canadian prog legends is about to be released. Manufacturer Stern Pinball will debut the Rush machine during a virtual event at the 2022 Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show, taking place January 5-8, after which it’ll be coming to an arcade near you.

You can watch a teaser video for the Rush pinball machine, which promises that it’ll be “traveling soon,” now on YouTube.

Stern has also created machines inspired by bands including Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Aerosmith, AC/DC and KISS. To find a Stern pinball game in your area, visit SternPinball.com.

In addition to your local arcade, you can also hear Rush’s music live on tour next year, albeit played by Primus. The “My Name Is Mud” outfit will be launching a 2022 leg of their A Tribute to Kings tour in April, during which they perform Rush’s 1977 album A Farewell to Kings in its entirety.

‘Killing Eve’ releases teaser for fourth and final season

December 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Killing Eve is gearing up for its fourth and final season.

A new teaser was released Tuesday, giving a glimpse into the complex relationship between Jodie Comer’s trained assassin, Villanelle, and Sandra Oh’s British intelligence agent, Eve Polastri.

A voiceover from Fiona Shaw’s Carolyn Martens hints we’re probably in for a dark ride. “People like us aren’t made for happy lives or happy endings,” she says.

The clip ends with Eve riding a mobility scooter and coming up alongside Villanelle. “Want a ride?” she asks. It then cuts to Villanelle riding on the same scooter — alone.

Season four of Killing Eve debuts Sunday, February 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BBC America. Episodes will also air on AMC beginning Monday, February 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT and will stream a week early on AMC+, starting Sunday, February 20.

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