Month: September 2017

ABC/Randy HolmesThere’s love galore for singer SZA.  

Following the June arrival of her smash hit debut album CTRL — which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 chart — her single, “Love Galore,” featuring Travis Scott, is now officially certified platinum.  

SZA announced the news Wednesday on Instagram, writing, “PAHA! I GOTTA LIL PLATINUM THINGY W MY FUGGIN NAME ON THAT SIIIDE ! DIS S*** CRAZY!”

She continues, “…really don’t have jack to say but thank u so much to every single person who ran that s*** back to scream at the n**** they didn’t have. Thank you all for listening to my thoughts at all.”  

In other news, the “Drew Barrymore” artist also stars in pop-rock band Maroon 5′s music video for their collaborative track, “What Lovers Do.”  

The visual shows the group and SZA riding on Jet Skis among CGI dolphins and running after each other in icy waters before Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine turns into a real-life version of King Kong. 

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ABC/Randy HolmesEarlier in the week, T-Boz spoke out on social media about the recent shooting death of her cousin, Eddie Russell Jr., whom she believes was shot 18 times by cops who, she claims, knew he was mentally ill. 

Now, the TLC singer tells TMZ that Russell’s mother, Anita Johnson, plans to sue the Peoria police department in Illinois.  

In a video on the website, T-Boz says, “It’s unjust. The crime doesn’t fit the punishment.”

She continues: “The fact that people can actually murder people and still breathe and walk out with the cops and this child had a non-violent record, never hurt anyone ever in his life. He was mentally ill. The police aren’t equipped to deal with mentally ill patients.”  

T-Boz also says there are conflicting accounts about the incident. “The fact that it’s just so many different stories and lies, and then you won’t even speak,” she says.

“Somebody’s life was taken. But 18 times? It wasn’t a standoff. He didn’t come out shooting.”

As previously reported, Russell Jr. was in an armed robbery that took place at Peoria, IL’s First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust on September 20.  

He was shot later that day by police.  

Police Chief Jerry Mitchell stated police only fired five or six shots at Russell Jr., whom he claims “advanced aggressively” toward them.  

However, the Peoria Journal Star reports that 18 to 20 gunshot wounds were found in Russell Jr.’s body, per an autopsy report.  

The investigation is currently being handled by the Illinois State Police. 

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ABC RadioElijah Blake‘s music video for his single “Technicolor” features the artist impressively recreating choreography from a number of iconic clips, including Janet Jackson‘s “Rhythm Nation,” Michael Jackson‘s “The Way You Make Me Feel,” MC Hammer‘s “You Can’t Touch This”  and New Edition‘s “If It Isn’t Love.”

Blake tells Billboard that he wanted to “bring back that ‘feel good’ vibe from the 80’s” and pay respect to “the legends that had the biggest influence” on his career.

“Even though I’m a ’90s baby, these videos and legends are who inspired me to even want to do music,” he adds.  

Elijah was so adamant on executing the “Technicolor” video without a hitch that he even called on Beyoncé‘s choreographer Chris Grant to help him with the dance moves. 

“The art of dance bringing a major component in videos is almost like a lost art, sadly,” says Elijah.  

“I don’t know if it’s because everyone is too cool to dance, or if it’s just too expensive, but I really wanted to tap into that magic and reintroduce it to my generation and this culture.”   

“Technicolor” is taken from Elijah’s album Audiology, which is out now. 

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ABC/Image Group LAVariety magazine’s 500 Most Influential Leaders in Entertainment list has arrived and a number of highly influential musical artists have made the cut.

One of them, named as “one of the most potent powerhouses in the music industry,” is Beyoncé, along with hubby JAY-Z, whom Variety names as “one of the most influential rappers of his generation.”

OVO Sound co-founder Drake is also on the list, thanks to his “metoric rise” from child actor on Canadian hit series Degrassi: The Next Generation to superstar rapper.  

His lucrative business deals with the likes of Nike and Sprite are noted.

Singer, actress and Fenty Beauty mogul Rihanna, G.O.O.D. Music CEO Kanye West and rapper and Flavor Unit Entertainment Co-CEO Queen Latifah are all featured among the best and brightest in entertainment, according to the publication.  

To read more on all of the honorees and their many career achievements, visit variety.com/variety-500. 

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ABC/Eddy ChenWGN’s Underground, co-executive produced by John Legend, was cancelled only after two seasons.  

Now, the singer has taken to social media to fight for the series’ future.  

The Grammy and Oscar-winner tweeted a impassioned letter with the hashtag #SaveUnderground in an attempt to find a new network home for the TV show.  

He writes, “In its first two seasons, Undergroundwas undeniably a hit series, setting ratings records for WGN America, receiving rave reviews and sparking conversation in the media.”

John adds, “It was screened at the White House and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. It was acknowledged by the NAACP, NABJ, and many other highly respected institutions, and generated widespread engagement on social media as a trending topic during every new episode.” 

In his message, the “All of Me” singer also takes a dig at Sinclair Communications, which bought WGN America.  

He accuses the media conglomerate of pursuing “a strategy of buying up local networks and moving their news coverage to fit their far-right agenda.”  

“They’ve bought Tribune Media, the parent company of WGN America, and immediately turned away from high-quality original dramas such as Underground and Outsiders in favor of cheaper unscripted entertainment,” he writes.  

John adds, “We know there is still an appetite for high-quality scripted dramas on network and cable TV and streaming services. We also know that, in this particular moment in history, there is an urgent need to tell the powerful story of the Underground Railroad.”  

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#SaveUnderground pic.twitter.com/iC17JnL6rW

— John Legend (@johnlegend) September 27, 2017

eOne MusicSinger and Bobbi Kristina star Demetria McKinney‘s music video for her song “Happy” shows the artist glowing with strength while singing the empowering track.

Demetria also sings about the things that make her happy in a relationship, like late-night walks instead of material possessions.  

The track is available instantly upon pre-order of Demetria’s debut album, Officially Yours, which drops everywhere October 6.  

The entertainer is also gearing up for the Sunday, October 8 premiere of TV One’s biopic, Bobbi Kristina.  

She plays late legend Whitney Houston in the TV One movie about Whitney and Bobby Brown’s late only child, Bobbi Kristina Brown. 

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Kevin Mazur/WireImageLady Gaga got some comfort from Beyonce this week as she deals severe physical pain.

Gaga revealed in two Instagram posts that Queen Bey gifted her an Ivy Park sweatshirt and flowers.

In the first post, she shows off the sweatshirt, writing, “Not having a good pain day. Thank you honey B for sending me this comfy sweatshirt. Keeps me warm outside in a hammock so I can be w the trees, and the sky, and the sun and take deep breaths. Feel so lucky to have so much love.”

In the next post, Gaga thanks Beyonce for the bouquet of red roses. “Miss you. This was so kind,” she writes. “If I hadn’t seen your videos on TV at grandmas house after I got dropped from def jam records, I would have given up. You inspire us all. The dream you embody kept me going.”

The two previously duetted on Gaga’s track, “Telephone.”

Gaga was forced to postpone the European leg of her tour due to her chronic pain. She recently revealed she suffers from fibromyalgia.

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Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Clara Lionel FoundationIt wasn’t long ago that Beyoncé and JAY-Z purchased a dream home in California.  

Now, the power couple has reportedly expanded their real estate portfolio by snapping up a sprawling estate in New York’s Hamptons.  

The price tag? A mere $26 million.  

TMZ reports that Bey and Jay purchased a seven-bedroom, seven-and-a-half bathroom home in the posh neighborhood of East Hampton, NY.  

Bey and Jay’s 12,000-square-foot home is outfitted with Italian marble sculpted bathrooms, an 18th-century carved stone fireplace and a pool.  

Guests can also make themselves at home in an 1,800-square-foot cottage on the grounds.  

As previously reported, the duo bought a Bel Air mansion for $88 million in August. Before that extravagant purchase, they were renting a $400,00-a-month estate in Malibu for the summer.

It looks as though Bey, Jay now have more than enough room for themselves, their five-year-old daughter Blue Ivy and their newborn twins Rumi and Sir. 

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ABC RadioMarvin Sapp has no intention of alienating any fans with “Listen,” his collaboration with R. Kelly.

The Grammy-nominated gospel artist tells ABC Radio that despite the recent allegations that Kelly is running a “sex cult,” his album was “finished before all of this stuff came out.” Sapp adds that he relied on his faith to decide whether or not to keep the song on his new album, Close. 

He says, “I don’t know if the allegations are true or not true. My record company, my attorneys, we talked about pulling the song off the record. I literally prayed about it and I said, ‘Naw. We’re not gonna pull the song off the record because the song’s message is what’s most important.'”  

Marvin continues, “The first set of lyrics in the song is, ‘You tried your way/It didn’t work/You put Him second/And put you first.’ And I started listening to the song and I said, ‘You know what? God tries to speak to us through our circumstances and through our situations if we just pay attention and listen.'”

“And I’ve always been a strong believer, based upon my study of scripture, that the message is always bigger than the messenger,” he adds.

The recording artist and pastor adds, “It would be hypocritical of me to remove a song that had such a very strong message. Because the individual that wrote it is flawed. I didn’t do anything. I’m not being accused of anything. “

“Truth or not truth, it is not my position to condemn,” he continues. “It’s my position to pray for. So, that’s why I left the song on the record.”

“Listen” is one of ten songs on Marvin Sapp’s forthcoming album Close, which arrives everywhere this Friday, September 29.

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ABC/Eddy ChenJohn Legend is an advocate for social justice, so it’s no surprise that he’s been tapped to headline this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Concert.

The Oscar and Grammy-winning star will perform at the annual event in Oslo, Norway on December 11, in honor of whoever wins the Nobel Peace Prize this year.  John previously performed at the event in 2006.

In a statement, John says, “Our capacity to transcend borders — to work together to overcome hate with love, to eradicate violence and, instead, pursue justice — is what moves us closer to a peaceful future.”

He adds, “As an artist, an activist and a father, I am honored and humbled to take part in this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Concert as we use our voices to advocate for peace in the face of global adversity.”

Additional performers will be announced in the near future.

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