Nas has a surprise Christmas gift for his fans, a new album dropping Thursday evening at midnight.
The “Street Dreams” rapper revealed Thursday afternoon that he’s releasing a new album titled Magic featuring a collabo with A$AP Rocky and DJ Premier. After Nas executive-produced his two previous albums, King’s Disease and King’s Disease II, with Hit-Boy, the duo is working together again.
“3rd time in MAGIC,” Nas commented on Instagram as he posted a promo video that’s accompanied by Stevie Wonder‘s song “If It’s Magic,” from Wonder’s iconic 1976 Songs in the Key of Life album.
This year, Nas won his first Grammy, a Best Rap Album award for King’s Disease, after 13 previous nominations. The Belly star may win two years in a row, as King’s Disease II also has received a Best Rap Album nod. In addition, the 48-year-old rapper is up for Best Rap Song for “Bath Salts” with Jay-Z, from the late DMX‘s posthumous album, Exodus.
If you’ve been feeling the pain of being separated from your friends during the pandemic, Kate Winslet is right there with you.
In a new interview with The Guardian, the actress says she recently reunited with her Titanic and Revolutionary Road co-star Leonardo DiCaprio for the first time in three years — and it was an emotional moment for the two old pals.
“I couldn’t stop crying,” she says. “I’ve known him for half my life!”
The Mare of Easttown star adds that because Leo’s been in New York and she’s been in London, they hadn’t had a chance to get together and catch up.
“We haven’t been able to leave our countries,” she says. “Like so many friendships globally, we’ve missed each other because of COVID. He’s my friend, my really close friend. We’re bonded for life.”
After Common recently explained that he broke up with Tiffany Haddish because of their busy schedules, the Night School star is now responding to his comments.
“I miss him from time to time,” Tiffany admitted, adding, “But that’s with, I think, any intimate relationship that you might have, you miss them.”
In other news, Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson are feeling sentimental as the end of ABC’s black-ish approaches.
Ross posted an Instagram video of them watching their audition for the series, and Anderson began to fight back tears. He said, “Now I’m getting emotional. We always talk about never being afraid to fall, and I’ve always said if we are afraid to fall, we’ll never take that leap.” He added, “I will take this leap with you anywhere, anyplace, anytime.”
Ross captioned the post, “What a delight it’s been to leap, stretch and grow with you these past 8 years, @anthonyanderson. The rapport we have as Mr & Mrs. Johnson was apparent from the start. Most importantly, we’ve never let each other fall. You are the absolute best TV husband a gal could ever ask for.” The farewell season of black-ish premieres Tuesday, January 4 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Finally, Tyrese Gibson and Courtney B. Vance will be among the honorees at the 30th anniversary Bounce Trumpet Awards. Tyrese will receive the Luminary Award, and Vance will be presented with the Excellence in Entertainment Award. The event will air on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 17 at 8 p.m. on the Bounce network.
While individual streaming sites, like Spotify and Pandora, released their year-end lists about the artists who enjoyed the most attention this year on their platforms, it begs to question: who were the most-streamed artists across all platforms?
Varietyreports the honor goes to Olivia Rodrigo, BTS and Doja Cat, according to new data from the Digital Media Association. DMS compiled data from Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify and YouTube Music to compile its list of the most listened-to songs and artists.
Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” collab with SZA was the top song on Amazon Music, with Walker Hayes‘ “Fancy Like” in second, followed by Drake‘s “Way 2 Sexy” collab with Future and Young Thug. On Apple Music, BTS’ “Dynamite” blew up, while Olivia’s “drivers license” parked itself in second place. Ariana Grande claimed third on the list with her hit, “positions.”
Meanwhile, Cardi B‘s “Up” anthem eclipsed the competition on Pandora, but Silk Sonic‘s “Leave the Door Open” and Adele‘s “Easy On Me” nip at her heels in second and third places, respectively.
Olivia ruled Spotify’s top songs and albums chart, while Latin artist Bad Bunny was the service’s top artist.
And, lastly, YouTube music says this year’s top music video is Pooh Sheisty‘s “Back in Blood” with Lil Durk. In second is The Weeknd‘s “Save Your Tears,” while Lil Nas X claims third place with “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name.)”
DIMA CEO Garrett Levin said streaming took off during the pandemic because artists harnessed the services to “connect with fans.” He adds that, while many familiar names jumped to the top of numerous lists, 2021 really was the year for Latin music as music lovers were introduced to that burgeoning genre of music.
A fourth person has accused Chris Noth of sexual misconduct.
Singer-songwriter Lisa Gentile went public with her allegations during a Thursday press conference with her lawyer, Gloria Allred. She says she was “sexually victimized” by the Sex and the City actor in 2002.
According to Gentile, Noth forcibly kissed her and touched her breasts, then later threatened to “blacklist” her from the business if she ever told anyone.
“I believe we should have our day in court to hold Mr. Noth accountable for what he did,” Gentile said, referencing the three other women who have come forward.
Noth denied the previous allegations but has yet to comment on Gentile’s claims. Since the allegations emerged, Noth has been dropped by his talent agency and was fired from his CBS show, The Equalizer.
Olympic gold medalist Tom Daley can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with his husband, screenwriter DustinLanceBlack, and their three-year-old son, Robert. Tom tells ABC Audio that his toddler is now “fully into Christmas” — so much so that red and green are his favorite colors.
“We have to have red and green things, because as soon as Christmas is over, he said, ‘When is it Christmas again? How many more sleeps till Christmas?'” the diver shared. “And he says that right after his birthday every year. And his birthday’s the end of June!”
That said, Tom doesn’t feel Robert sets an impossible standard for him or Lance to reach on the big day, adding that he simply enjoys having “everybody around” and “the decorations.” Tom says he uses Pinterest to give him inspiration for “Christmas decorations and for craft ideas” to entertain his son, like making cards.
As for this year’s plans, the athlete is heading home for the holidays to Plymouth, England, where he grew up. “Lance has never spent Christmas in Plymouth,” he revealed. “So, it’s going to be fun.”
“Usually we always host it. So it will be weird to not host Christmas and it’ll be a little bit like taking a back seat,” Tom added, but notes that he thinks it’s going to be “nice to have a bit of a more relaxed Christmas.”
But while he’s been relieved of cooking and cleaning duties, the Olympian said he still has to take care of his son’s Elf on a Shelf.
Tom, who made headlines during the Tokyo Olympics for knitting in between events, admits he uses his knitting skills to create outfits for the Elf. “It’s got clothes and occasionally ends up taking over papa’s knitting in the morning,” says Tom. “We’ve caught him a couple of times knitting at the table!”
Latto cried tears of joy Tuesday after receiving two Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous-style gifts for her 23rd birthday.
The “Big Energy” rapper was in disbelief as she unwrapped a Richard Mille watch at an Atlanta nightclub, and then walked outside for a fireworks display, which illuminated her brand-new Lamborghini.
Born Alyssa Stephens, this year Latto was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the BET Awards. Last week, her Win Some Give Some Foundation hosted the first “Latto 4 the Ladies & Babies Christmas party” at the Virginia Grey Recreation Center in the A-T-L. Families received a variety of presents, including gift cards and toys.
“Monster Energy Outbreak Tour has backed a lot of big artists at the beginning stages of their careers, so I’m super excited to work together,” Latto said in a statement. “It’s been a tough year for a lot of people, so I’m looking forward to letting loose and having some fun.”
Latto will perform 24 shows before the tour wraps April 23 in Atlanta. Tour cities include Memphis, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and more.
Revered journalist and author Joan Didion died Thursday at her home in New York City due to complications from Parkinson’s disease, her longtime publisher confirmed to ABC News.
She was 87 years old.
Didion was known as one of most incisive writers of her time, penning screenplays, novels and works of nonfiction, including two books about her own personal losses: The Year of Magical Thinking and Blue Nights.
“Joan was a brilliant observer and listener, a wise and subtle teller of truths about our present and future. She was fierce and fearless in her reporting. Her writing is timeless and powerful, and her prose has influenced millions,” her editor, Shelley Wanger, said in a statement.
Wanger added, “We will mourn her death but celebrate her life, knowing that her work will inspire generations of readers and writers to come.”
Born in Sacramento, Didion was a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and went on to live in New York City, where she launched her career as a journalist. Her first book, Run River, was published in 1963; other novels included A Book of Common Prayer, Democracy and The Last Thing He Wanted.
The next year, Didion married fellow writer John Gregory Dunne, who became her longtime collaborator. Together, they worked on screenplays for The Panic in Needle Park, Play It As It Lays — based on her novel of the same name — and A Star Is Born, among others. In 1967, they adopted their daughter, Quintana Roo.
Didion was also known for being a prolific essayist who published several works of nonfiction, including Slouching Towards Bethlehem and The White Album, among many others. However, it was her memoir about Dunne’s death, The Year of Magical Thinking, that earned her the National Book Award for Fiction in 2005.
After Quintana Roo died of acute pancreatitis, Didion wrote a companion book, Blue Nights, which was published in 2011. Her latest book, Let Me Tell You What I Mean, came out just this year.
Didion was a 2013 recipient of the National Medal of Arts and Humanities.
Former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter has been found guilty of first-degree and second-degree manslaughter in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Daunte Wright.
Judge Regina Chu read the verdict in court Thursday afternoon. Potter had pleaded not guilty.
The maximum sentence for first-degree manslaughter is 15 years and a $30,000 fine, and for second-degree manslaughter, it’s 10 years and a $20,000 fine.
In a statement, the Wright family’s legal team said the family is “relieved.” They called for reform and change in America’s policing systems.
“From the unnecessary and overreaching tragic traffic stop to the shooting that took his life, that day will remain a traumatic one for this family and yet another example for America of why we desperately need change in policing, training and protocols,” the statement read. “If we are ever going to restore the confidence of Black and marginalized Americans in law enforcement, we need to have accountability and a commitment to listening and to creating meaningful change.”
Potter, alongside other Brooklyn Center officers, pulled Wright over in April 2021 for having expired registration tags and an air freshener hanging from his rear view mirror. When officers discovered he had an outstanding warrant for a gross misdemeanor weapons charge, they tried to arrest him, according to police testimony at the trial.
He resisted and was attempting to re-enter his vehicle when Potter shot him. He then drove away, crashing shortly after, police testified.
Potter’s defense team has maintained that Wright’s death was an accident throughout the trial. They said Potter mistakenly grabbed her gun instead of her stun gun, but that she was within her rights to use deadly force because Wright may have hurt another officer.
Prosecutors said the 26-year veteran should not have reached for her stun gun in the first place. They assert that she was reckless and negligent in her actions.
Potter testified in her own defense, sobbing on the witness stand as she recalled the events of the April 11 shooting.
“I’m sorry,” Potter said. “I didn’t want to hurt anybody.”
Jason Aldean’s used to performing in sold-out stadiums, but he recently got a front-row seat at an intimate house show for a very special up-and-coming artist: His two-year-old daughter, Navy.
The singer’s wife, Brittany, posted the adorable video clip to social media this week, showing Navy treating her off-camera parents to her own spirited rendition of “Jingle Bells.” Both Jason and Brittany show their appreciation with cheers and applause at the end of the performance.
Navy is the couple’s youngest child, along with older brother Memphis. Jason also has two teenaged daughters from a previous marriage.
The younger kids have made appearances on tour with Jason recently — and four-year-old Memphishas even come out onstage to say hi to the crowd — but Jason recently joked that Navy’s still pretty “oblivious” to what her famous dad does for a living.
Still, when she posted the video, Brittany noted the family resemblance, writing “Sings like her daddy” in the caption of the post.
