Miranda Lambert, Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj submit letter to AI developers to honor artists' rights
Stevie Wonder, Miranda Lambert, Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, Peter Frampton, Katy Perry, Smokey Robinson and J Balvin are just some of the over 200 names featured on a new open letter submitted by the Artist Rights Alliance non-profit, calling on artificial intelligence tech companies, developers, platforms, digital music services and platforms to stop using AI โto infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists."
What to stream this week: Drake, 'Fair Play,' Assassinโs Creed Mirage and William Friedkin last film
This weekโs new entertainment releases include an album by Drake and another by Reba McEntire playing acoustic covers, the corporate thriller โFair Playโ starring Phoebe Dynevor from โBridgerton,โ and โJane the Virginโ scene-stealer Jaime Camil hosts a new game show on CBS called โLoterรญa Loca.โ.
Delfonics lead singer William 'Poogie' Hart dead at 77
William โPoogieโ Hart, a founder of the Grammy-winning trio the Delfonics who helped write and sang a soft lead tenor on such classic โSound of Philadelphiaโ ballads as โLa-La (Means I Love You)โ and โDidnโt I (Blow Your Mind This Time),โ has died at age 77.
DA: 6ix9ineโs bodyguards broke manโs phone after wild chase
Prosecutors say bodyguards for troubled rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine turned New York City into the Wild West last summer, piling into SUVs and chasing a man for 20 blocks with lights flashing after he attempted to record cellphone video of the recording star.
Lawsuit filed over hit-and-run death of Nicki Minajโs father
FILE - In this Monday, May 6, 2019, file photo, Nicki Minaj attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York. Minajs mother has filed a $150 million lawsuit against the man who is accused of killing the rapper's father in a hit-and-run crash in February 2021. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)MINEOLA, N.Y. โ Rapper Nicki Minajโs mother, Carol Maraj, has filed a $150 million lawsuit against the man who is accused of killing Minajโs father in a hit-and-run crash last month, an attorney for Maraj said. AdโHe was not only irresponsible and negligent, but more concerned about running away and hiding than seeking help,โ Benjamin Crump, one of the attorneys representing Carol Maraj, said in an Instagram post Friday. Nicki Minaj, who was born Onika Tanya Maraj, has not made any public statement on her father's death.
Still divisive, Dr. Luke resurges at Grammys โ as Tyson Trax
Dr. Luke appeared as Tyson Trax on the Grammy ballot for Doja Cat's Say So," which he produced and co-wrote. But not all of the academy members may have been aware they were voting for Dr. Luke when they completed their ballots this year. AdโI didnโt know that Tyson Trax was Dr. Luke. AdTogether, Martin and Dr. Luke crafted hits for Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Pink and Kesha, who he signed in 2005. Eventually Dr. Luke stepped into the forefront, helming successes for Miley Cyrus, Pitbull, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, logging 17 No.
Man arrested in hit-and-run death of Nicki Minajโs father
The 64-year-old father of rapper Nicki Minaj has died after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in New York, police said. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, FIle)MINEOLA, N.Y. โ A 70-year-old man arrested Wednesday in the hit-and-run death of rapper Nicki Minajโs father stopped briefly to ask the injured man if he was OK but didn't call for help, police said. Charles Polevich faces charges of leaving the scene of an incident and tampering with physical evidence in connection with the death last week of 64-year-old Robert Maraj on New York's Long Island. In interviews, she said Robert Maraj suffered from drug addiction and was abusive toward her mother, once setting fire to their house with her inside. Robert Maraj called his daughter's claims โexaggerated.โ
Police say Nicki Minaj's father killed by hit-and-run driver
FILE - Nicki Minaj attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York, in this Monday, May 6, 2019, file photo. The 64-year-old father of rapper Nicki Minaj has died after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in New York, police said. Maraj was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)MINEOA, N.Y. โ The 64-year-old father of rapper Nicki Minaj has died after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in New York, police said. Minaj, 38, was born Onika Tanya Maraj in Trinidad and was raised in the New York City borough of Queens.
Rapper Nicki Minaj posts first photos of newborn son and he is absolutely adorable
Rapper Nicki Minaj broke the internet Sunday after sharing pictures of her newborn son on social media for the first time. The 38-year-old first-time mother had fans swooning over the adorable baby, who she affectionately referred to as โPapa Bear,โ as she posted the photos with a heartfelt caption. RELATED: Rapper Nicki Minaj gives birth to first child with husbandโ#PapaBear thank you so very much for choosing me to be your mama,โ the rapper said. Of course, fans reacted to the little cutieโs photos with happiness and excitement. pic.twitter.com/NnL53NtyJh โ Kgomotso ๐ฆ (@kaylenciaga) January 2, 2021When @NICKIMINAJ said she wanted a cute little fat baby and she got one ๐ฅบ๐ pic.twitter.com/cJKPfhK1Cp โ Member of the kingdom ๐ฆ (@hokeeeh) January 2, 2021.
Ladies' night at Latin Grammys: Lafourcade, Rosalรญa win big
(AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)NEW YORK โ A year after Rosalรญa made history by becoming the first solo female performer in 13 years to win the top prize at the Latin Grammys, Natalia Lafourcade followed in her footsteps with a big win at the 2020 show. The Mexican singer won album of the year โ a category dominated by male acts โ on Thursday night with โUn Canto Por Mรฉxico, Vol. Lafourcade didn't attend the Latin Grammys, which aired live on Univision and featured a number of performances, most of them pre-taped due to the coronavirus pandemic. Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda kicked off the Latin Grammys with a strong message about Latin music. Speaking in Spanish and English, he said Latin music โunites all of us and makes us human.โโThis is our night,โ he added.
J Balvin, Bad Bunny set for big night at Latin Grammys
This combination photo shows Natalia Lafourcade, left, and Rosalia. A year after Rosalia made history by becoming the first solo female performer in 13 years to win the top prize at the Latin Grammys, Natalia Lafourcade followed in her footsteps with a big win at the 2020 show, taking home the album of the year honor on Nov. 19, 2020, for "Un Canto Por Mxico, Vol.
Ladies' night at Latin Grammys: Lafourcade, Rosalรญa win big
Lafourcade won three awards, tying Rosalia and Carlos Vives for most wins. The Mexican singer won album of the year โ a category dominated by male acts โ on Thursday night with โUn Canto Por Mรฉxico, Vol. Lafourcade won three awards at the show, tying Rosalรญa and Carlos Vives for most wins. Lafourcade didn't attend the Latin Grammys, which aired live on Univision and featured a number of performances, most of them pre-taped due to the coronavirus pandemic. Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda kicked off the Latin Grammys with a strong message about Latin music.
BTS, Lady Gaga win top awards at MTV Europe Music Awards
FILE - Korean pop band BTS attends the 2019 Variety's Hitmakers Brunch in West Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2019. The South Korean boy band BTS HAS won a leading four awards including best song for Dynamite and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 while Lady Gaga took home the best artist prize. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
BTS, Lady Gaga win top awards at MTV Europe Music Awards
The South Korean boy band BTS HAS won a leading four awards including best song for Dynamite and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 while Lady Gaga took home the best artist prize. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)The South Korean pop group BTS won a leading four awards including best song for โDynamiteโ and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday night, while Lady Gaga took the best artist prize. Coldplay won best rock, Haley Williams got best alternative and Little Mix was named best pop. And the best Latin award went to Karol G, who also won best collaboration for โTusaโ featuring Nicki Minaj. David Guetta, who won best electronic, also performed at the show from a stage in Budapest.
Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine's kidnapper is sentenced to 24 years
NEW YORK โ A man convicted in the kidnapping of rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine was sentenced to 24 years in prison Wednesday by a judge who cited his leadership role in a gang active nationwide. During a two-hour proceeding, the judge repeatedly cited the July 2018 kidnapping of Tekashi 6ix9ine and Ellisonโs slashing of another manโs face that left him permanently disfigured. After his own arrest, Tekashi 6ix9ine โ whose legal name is Daniel Hernandez โ pleaded guilty and became a cooperator. He described the kidnapping, saying Ellison and another man forced him into a stolen car at gunpoint. In 2018, Tekashi 6ix9ine had a multiplatinum hit song, โFefe,โ with Nicki Minaj, which peaked at No.
Drake bests Aretha Franklin, Wonder to set Billboard record
1 hit on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, Drake has bested a record previously held by icons Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Drake's โLaugh Now Cry Later," featuring rapper Lil Durk, reached the No. Wonder and Franklin, who died in 2018, each have had 20 songs top the chart. 1 hits on the R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, 12 include him in the leading role, including โGodโs Plan,โ โIn My Feelings,โ โHotline Bling,โ โHold On, Weโre Going Homeโ and โBest I Ever Had,โ his first major hit released in 2009. Earlier this year, 34-year-old Drake made Billboard chart history when he set a new record for most songs on the Hot 100 chart โ Billboard's main songs chart that includes all music genres.
Rapper Nicki Minaj gives birth to first child with husband
Congratulations are in order for rapper Nicki Minaj after giving birth to her first child with her husband, Kenneth Petty. The rapperโs mother, Carol Maraj, confirmed the news on her Instagram, saying โThank you Lord for blessing my daughter @nickiminaj with a beautiful bundle of joy! They are a reward from Him.โThe childโs name has yet to be revealed or when she actually gave birth but media reports suggest Minaj, 37, gave birth in Los Angeles on Wednesday. In July, the rapper confirmed her pregnancy on Instagram, posting photos of herself with a baby bump. Musically, Minaj has also had a winning year, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart twice.
Reggaeton redemption: Balvin, Bunny top Latin Grammy nods
J Balvin performs during the Coca-Cola Flow Reggaeton festival in Mexico City on Nov. 23, 2019, from left, Ozuna performs at the Latin American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Oct. 17, 2019 and Bad Bunny performs a medley at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in Las Vegas on April 25, 2019. Balvin scored a whopping 13 nominations at the 2020 Latin Grammys, including two nominations for album of the year and two for record of the year. The Latin Academy announced Tuesday that Bad Bunny and Ozuna are behind Balvin with nine and eight nominations, respectively.
Reggaeton redemption: Balvin, Bunny top Latin Grammy nods
Balvin scored a whopping 13 nominations at the 2020 Latin Grammys, including two nominations for album of the year and two for record of the year. The Latin Academy announced Tuesday that Bad Bunny and Ozuna are behind Balvin with nine and eight nominations, respectively. (AP Photo)NEW YORK โ At last yearโs Latin Grammy Awards, popular reggaeton and Latin trap musicians such as J Balvin, Bad Bunny and Ozuna were dismissed in the showโs top categories. The Latin Academy announced Tuesday that Bad Bunny and Ozuna are behind Balvin with nine and eight nominations, respectively. Ozuna and Bad Bunny will also compete with themselves in several categories.
End of the runway? Fashion world mulls post-COVID future
Fashion designer Gareth Pugh poses for a photograph in front of his creations, exhibited ahead of his London Fashion Week show in London, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. This is no typical year, though, and London Fashion Week is decidedly less glamorous. โThis is not a full-blown fashion week - itโs not mass audiences. Itโs very much happening in private and the scales have tipped in favor of digital,โ said Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, which organizes London Fashion Week. Even before the virus outbreak, brands had been experimenting with technology to get to broader audiences by streaming shows online.
โOverflowing with excitementโ: Social media erupts after Nicki Minaj announces pregnancy
Rapper Nicki Minaj announced Monday she and her husband Kenneth Petty are expecting. She then posted two more pictures of her and her baby bump with the most recent caption saying, โLove. Overflowing with excitement & gratitude. pic.twitter.com/TdTl34EfEr โ Agron (@Agronveliu97) July 20, 2020Nicki laughing at the fact we didnโt see her baby bump in the trollz video๐ญ #NickiMinaj pic.twitter.com/UVMeLJ4yP1 โ nickis biological son. Overflowing with excitement & gratitude.
Nicki Minaj announces she's pregnant with 1st child
NEW YORK โ Nicki Minaj has a new release coming soon: her first child. The rapper took to Instagram on Monday to announce she is pregnant, posting photos of herself with a baby bump. Musically, Minaj has also had a winning year, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart twice. Her remix of Doja Cat's โSay So" helped Minaj achieve her first-ever No. 1 on the Hot 100, despite releasing multiple hits throughout her career.
Megan Thee Stallion says she was shot, expects to recover
FILE - In this Aug. 26, 2019 file photo, Megan Thee Stallion arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, N.J.. The rapper says she was shot multiple times, but expects to fully recover. The 25-year-old said in an Instagram post Wednesday that she had gunshot wounds from a crime committed against her Sunday with the intent to harm her and feels lucky to be alive. She did not say who shot her or why, and Los Angeles police had no immediate comment. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
Megan Thee Stallion says she was shot, expects to recover
FILE - In this Aug. 26, 2019 file photo, Megan Thee Stallion arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, N.J.. The rapper says she was shot multiple times, but expects to fully recover. The 25-year-old said in an Instagram post Wednesday that she had gunshot wounds from a crime committed against her Sunday with the intent to harm her and feels lucky to be alive. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)LOS ANGELES โ Rapper Megan Thee Stallion said Wednesday that she was shot multiple times on Sunday, but expects to fully recover. He had no comment on Pete's Instagram post, but said it has been pointed out to the detectives in the case, who are looking into it.
Police: Pop Smoke's social media led killers to LA home
This aerial photo taken from video provided by Fox11 News KTTV-TV shows the Hollywood Hills home, center, where Pop Smoke, 20, was shot and killed early Feb. 19, 2020, in Los Angeles. Authorities say three men and two juveniles have been arrested in connection with the home-invasion death of the rising rapper. (Fox11 News KTTV-TV via AP)
Sia Calls Herself a Buffoon After Mixing Up Nicki Minaj and Cardi B Caused #SiaIsOverParty to Trend
I love @iamcardib and although this isn't a collaboration, I would love to COLLAB with her any day! sia (@Sia) June 12, 2020According to People, Sia then appeared to mistakenly think her tweets had caused a feud between Minaj and Cardi B, who have a history of tension. Sia wrote in a since-deleted tweet, "Hey @cardib @NICKIMINAJ you aren't thinking about a feud right now are you? After deleting the tweet, Sia then wrote, "I totally misunderstood a tweet earlier that has resulted in me making a buffoon out of myself. sia (@Sia) June 13, 2020Neither Minaj nor Cardi B have publicly responded to Sia on social media.
Nicki Minaj Describes Her Marriage to Husband Kenneth Petty as 'Refreshing and Calming'
Nicki Minaj is enjoying married life. The "Super Bass" rapper got candid about her relationship with her husband, Kenneth Petty, during Friday's episode of Lil Wayne's Apple Music series, Young Money Radio with Lil Wayne. "I didnt think it would be as refreshing and calming as it is," the "Barbie Tingz" rapper continued. Minaj tied the knot with Petty last October after more than a year together. RELATED CONTENT:Nicki Minaj, Tyler Perry & More React to George Floyd's DeathWhy Nicki Minaj Fans Are Convinced She's PregnantWendy Williams Slams Nicki Minaj's Husband Kenneth Petty: 'You Shouldve Never Married Him'
Judge: Kesha made a false claim about producer Dr. Luke
Kesha made a false claim that Dr. Luke raped Katy Perry when there's no evidence whatsoever that he did, a judge ruled this week while sending a long-running clash between Kesha and her former mentor toward trial. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK, N.Y. โ Pop singer Kesha made a false claim that Dr. Luke raped Katy Perry when there's โno evidence whatsoeverโ that he did, a judge ruled this week while sending a long-running clash between Kesha and her former mentor toward trial. โThere is no evidence whatsoever that Gottwald raped Katy Perry,โ Manhattan judge Jennifer Schecter wrote in Thursday's decision, calling Kesha's remark a false statement that meets legal standards for being defamatory. The finding is helpful to Dr. Luke. Dr. Luke has produced some of the biggest pop hits of the 2000s, working with stars including Perry, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson and Nicki Minaj.
Nicki Minaj's brother sentenced to 25 years to life
MINEOLA, N.Y. โ The brother of rapper Nicki Minaj was sentenced Monday to 25 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl at his Long Island home. A judge convicted Jelani Maraj of predatory sexual assault and child endangerment in November 2017. The victim testified during the trial that Maraj repeatedly raped her in 2015 while her mother was at work. The girlโs younger brother also testified at the trial that he witnessed one assault. One of his attorneys said he suffered from health issues including hypertension, gout and anemia and requested the minimum sentence of 10 years to life.
Breakthrough Entertainer: Megan Thee Stallion feels grateful
This Nov. 20, 2019 photo shows Megan Thee Stallion posing for a portrait in New York. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP)NEW YORK, NY โ Megan Thee Stallion's schedule has become so frenetic that she can spend days, or even longer, away from home, in a different city every night. โEvery day, they tell me, โMegan youโre doing a good job,โโ the 24-year-old said, referring to her team. Some may consider her omission from the recent slate of Grammy nominees another disappointment, but Megan brushes it off. ``I don't think you should have it in your mind when youโre in a studio like, โI'm going to write these bars because I'm going to win these Grammys.โ No!