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Ice Cube mourns the loss of ‘Friday’ co-star Anthony Johnson; BET sets return date for ‘Twenties’

September 20, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Scott Kowalchyk/CBS ©2017CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Ice Cube is one of the many fans mourning the loss of Friday star Anthony “AJ” Johnson. The comedian and actor died on Monday at the age of 55, a rep confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. A cause of death has not been reported.

“Sad to wake up to the news about AJ Johnson passing away,” Cube tweeted. “Naturally funny dude who was straight outta Compton at the same time. Sorry I couldn’t bring your character Ezal back to the big screen in Last Friday…”

Best known for his breakout role of Ezal in the 1995 comedy Friday, Johnson first emerged on the scene as E.Z.E. in the 1990 Kid’n Play film House Party. He returned for the third installment, House Party 3 in 1994, and also made a mark in other films and TV shows including B.A.P.S., Menace II Society, Lethal Weapon 3, The Players Club, I Got the Hook Up, The Jamie Foxx Show, and Martin. Johnson is survived by his wife, Lexis, and his three children.

In other in news, ICYMI, BET has announced a season two return date for Twenties: Wednesday, October 13 at 10 p.m ET. According to the show’s creator, Lena Waithe, season two will include a Twenties After-Show hosted by media personality B. Scott. As previously reported, Twenties follows Hattie, a “queer black girl” who dreams of becoming a major screenwriter. She’s joined by her heterosexual best friends, Nia and Marie, who are also trying to succeed in their careers as they navigate life. Twenties stars Jonica “JoJo” T. Gibbs, Gabrielle Graham and Christina Elmore, among others.

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Hear four more tracks from the upcoming Super Deluxe version of The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’

September 20, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Ahead of the October 15 release of the Special Edition packages of The Beatles‘ Let It Be, four more tracks have been released digitally for your streaming pleasure.

They include “Get Back (Take 8),” “One After 909 (Take 3),” the “1970 Glyn Johns mix” of George Harrison’s “I Me Mine,” and the “2021 Mix” of “Across the Universe.”

Each track is taken from a different CD from the five-CD/Blu-ray Super Deluxe edition of the album. “Across the Universe” is from the new stereo mix of the original album; “One After 909” is from the CD called Get Back — Apple Sessions; “Get Back” is from the CD called Get Back — Rehearsals and Apple Jam; and “I Me Mine” is from the CD titled Let It Be EP.

These four tracks follow the three that dropped when the project was first announced in August: “Let It Be (2021 Stereo Mix),” “Don’t Let Me Down (first rooftop performance),’ and “For You Blue (Get Back LP Mix)”.

As previously reported, the new three-part documentary The Beatles: Get Back, created by director Peter Jackson from unseen footage shot during the Let It Be sessions, will premiere on Disney+ on November 25, 26 and 27.

Metallica announces surprise Chicago show

September 20, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Following last week’s surprise San Francisco concert, Metallica has announced another intimate, last-minute show.

Tonight, the metal legends will play the 1,100-capacity Metro club in Chicago. Tickets will cost just $20 and will only be available in-person at the venue. Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required.

You can start lining up at the Metro to buy tickets at 6 p.m. local time.

Last week’s S.F. show marked Metallica’s first full, live and in-person concert in 738 days. Following the Chicago stop, the band will hit this weekend’s Louder than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky, during which they’ll perform two distinct headlining sets.

The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” jumps back to number one on ‘Billboard’ Hot 100

September 20, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber couldn’t “Stay” out of the number-one spot for long.

Their hit collab bounced back to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week, up from number six. It marks the song’s fifth week at number one.

“Stay” also hit number one on the Radio Songs Chart, making it the most-heard song on U.S. radio.

Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy” drops to number two on the Hot 100, while Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” rises to number three. Rounding out the top five are Drake’s “Knife Talk,” featuring 21 Savage and Project Pat, and Walker Hayes’ viral hit, “Fancy Like.”

Emmys snag best ratings since 2018

September 20, 2021 by WDNY Radio

While other awards shows have been tanking in the ratings of late, it seems people were ready to see their first Zoom-free Emmys in a year.

Sunday night’s awards show managed to snag a viewership of 7.4 million, but when streaming viewership is tallied, Variety reports that number could rise to 7.9 million. The broadcast also dominated social media, though some of that was with the trending topic #EmmysSoWhite, reflecting outrage about the lack of Black and non-white winners.

Last year’s 72nd Annual Emmy Awards was the worst-performing in the telecast’s history, with around 6.36 million viewers; The 2019 host-free ceremony managed to do better than that on Fox, but barely. 2018’s ceremony on NBC remains the highwater mark in recent history, with a viewership of around 10.8 million.

Dustin Lynch, Lainey Wilson & more join lineup for Tracy Lawrence’s turkey fry and benefit concert

September 20, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Dustin Lynch, Lainey Wilson and Michael Ray are all giving back to a Nashville homeless shelter.

The three stars are set to perform 16th Annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert, hosted yearly by Tracy Lawrence in support of Nashville Rescue Mission, which provides programs and services to people experiencing homelessness.

The event will take place November 23 in the parking lot of Nashville Rescue Mission, beginning with the signature turkey fry, followed by the benefit concert at SkyDeck at Assembly Hall in downtown Nashville. Additional artists will be announced.

Tickets go on sale September 24, with all of the proceeds benefiting Nashville Rescue Mission.

Biz Markie remembered in hometown with a street named in his honor

September 20, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The late Biz Markie is being honored with a street in his hometown near New York City.

“In honor of the contributions Biz has achieved as an actor, beatboxer, DJ and philanthropist, his hometown of Patchogue, Long Island will honor him with the renaming of South Street to Biz Markie Way!” his widow, Tara Davis, announced on Instagram.

The ceremony will take on Saturday, September 25 at 2 p.m. behind the 6th District Court. 150 West Main Street, Patchogue, NY. The public is invited.

Sunday night, Emmys host Cedric the Entertainer opened the show with a tribute to Markie by performing his classic, “Just a Friend,” with LL Cool J and dozens of members of the audience, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Anthony Anderson, Billy Porter, and Tom Hanks‘ wife, actress Rita Wilson.

“R.I.P. to the one and only Biz Markie,” Cedric said as he concluded the rousing performance, which brought the entire crowd to its feet.

“Thank You to @cedtheentertainer @llcoolj @cbstv and the @televisionacad for the Beautiful Tribute to TV and my husband Biz Markie and keeping his memory alive. The family loved it,” Davis commented.

Biz Markie passed away on July 16 of complications from Type Two diabetes. He was 57 years old.

LL, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Ice T, Montell Jordan, Reverend Al Sharpton and many others attended Biz’s funeral on August 2.

AJR adds extra dates to 2022 OK ORCHESTRA tour

September 20, 2021 by WDNY Radio

AJR‘s OK ORCHESTRA tour is expanding.

The “Bang!” outfit has added eight dates to run’s 2022 U.S. leg, set to kick off in April. New stops include Atlanta, Cleveland, San Diego, Las Vegas and even Honolulu.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 24, at 10 a.m. local time. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit AJRBrothers.com.

Meanwhile, AJR’s current 2021 tour continues Thursday in Albany, New York. It’ll run through an October 1 date in Jacksonville, Florida.

AJR released OK ORCHESTRA, their fourth studio album, in March. They just premiered a new single called “Record Player” with indie pop group Daisy the Great in August.

Bullet for My Valentine delays upcoming self-titled album to November

September 20, 2021 by WDNY Radio

You’ll have to wait a few extra weeks to hear Bullet for My Valentine‘s next album.

The self-titled effort was originally supposed to drop October 22, but has now been delayed to November 5 due to “COVID-related manufacturing delays.”

“It’s important for us that you all be given the opportunity to experience this album at the same time,” Bullet says. “So as disappointing as it is to have to wait a little longer, we promise you it will be worth it.”

In the meantime, the Welsh metallers promise that they’ll be unveiling “exciting news” later this week.

Bullet for My Valentine, the follow-up to 2018’s Gravity, is the group’s seventh studio album. It includes the previously released songs “Knives,” “Shatter” and “Parasite.”

Search continues for missing 6-year-old Isabella Kalua

September 20, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(HAWAII) — It’s been more than a week since the disappearance of 6-year-old Isabella Kalua in Waimanalo, Hawaii. The search for Isabella continues, as Honolulu police and volunteers spread across the city to find the missing child.

Isabella was last seen asleep in her room at her Puha Street address on Sunday, Sept. 12 around 9 p.m., local time, according to the Honolulu Police Department.

Her adoptive family has not participated in search crews, but their attorney told KITV that they have spoken and are cooperating with police. Since they have received death threats regarding the child’s disappearance they have not gone out to search, the attorney said.

KITV reports that HPD has acquired several items that may be linked to Isabella, including a photo album and toys found in a garbage bag, but they have yet to confirm its connection to the case.

Police are also working with the FBI to investigate her disappearance.

“We have conducted numerous interviews; however, there are still individuals, to include acquaintances and family members, who have yet to come forward to be interviewed,” HPD said in a statement to KITV.

Honolulu Police say it won’t rule out foul play.

“I don’t want to think the worst-case scenario,” Alena Kaeo, Kalua’s biological aunt told ABC-affiliate KITV. “But it is always is a possibility. Again, I’m trying to keep my faith as strong as possible and I pray — I pray hard that she is safe. I don’t want to think the worst but it is a possibility.”

Isabella is described by authorities as being a brown-eyed, brown-haired, white, and mixed-race girl. Police said Isabella was likely wearing a black hoodie, black leggings, colorful socks, and Nike slides when she went missing.

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