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Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey to host ‘A Motown Christmas’ special honoring the label’s legacy
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) — Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey — bridging Motown's old and new school — are lending their voices during a holiday special to honor the groundbreaking record label that changed music forever.
Robinson and…
The Associated Press names its Breakthrough Entertainers of 2024
If there was one thing that united us during a polarized 2024, it was likely the solar eclipse, a reminder of the awesome forces in our galaxy as one star disappeared, albeit briefly. Throughout the year, luckily, we saw the birth of more…
AP Breakthrough Entertainer: GloRilla, once a choir girl, is one of hip-hop’s most promising voices
LOS ANGELES (AP) — GloRilla has gone from choir girl to husky-voiced rap queen, climbing the hip-hop ranks so high that she’s earned a trip to the White House.
The Memphis-born performer has become one of industry’s most promising voices…
Still rockin’: As a singer turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday staple
Brenda Lee's memories of recording “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” are a little hazy now. But that's to be expected, since she was 13-years-old when it was made in 1958 and this month is celebrating her 80th birthday. The song has lived…
Music Review: The National bring a burst of energy to their brooding music on live album, ‘Rome’
The National brings an abundance of energy for a brooding, middle-aged indie rock band, as evidenced on their new live album, “Rome.”
The 21-track, two-LP album — recorded in concert at the Parco della Musica auditorium in Italy's capital…
Specially minted Paul McCartney UK coins to go on sale as part of legends collection
LONDON (AP) — Beatles legend Paul McCartney is being honored in a specially minted British coin collection.
The Royal Mint, which has struck the coins of monarchs from Alfred the Great in the ninth century through to King Charles III,…
Music Review: CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry makes feminist pop on debut solo album, ‘Vicious Creature’
NEW YORK (AP) — Lauren Mayberry, frontwoman of the Scottish synth-pop band CHVRCHES, liberates herself from preconceptions on a punchy debut solo album, “Vicious Creature.”
Mayberry’s striking voice has been central to CHVRCHES'…
AP’s top songs of 2024: ‘Texas Hold ‘Em,’ ‘Not Like Us,’ ‘Igual Que Un Ángel’ and more
Associated Press Music Writer Maria Sherman has chosen 10 of the best songs of 2024. They're not in any particular order but they include Shaboozey's “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Kendrick Lamar's “Not Like Us,” Future, Metro Boomin and Lamar's…
AP’s top albums of 2024: Beyoncé, Charli XCX, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Mk.gee and more
NEW YORK (AP) — Ten of the top albums of the year, as chosen by Associated Press Music Writer Maria Sherman.
“Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé
She rode in on a white horse, in patriotic chaps and wielding an American flag. She declared, this “ain’t…
Music Review: Blackpink K-pop star Rosé’s debut solo album ‘Rosie’ is heartfelt, but slightly sleepy
Rosé, the nightingale of the massively popular Korean girl group Blackpink, has flown the nest and launched her first solo album “Rosie.” She’s the first of the awesome foursome to release a full-length solo record, and in English at that.…
Venezuelan pop band that embraced Maduro’s opponent cancels tour after his criticism of its lyrics
MIAMI (AP) — One of Venezuela's most popular bands canceled its homecoming tour after President Nicolas Maduro criticized the group for what he said were sexist lyrics — a lashing out that many said was an attack by the leftist leader over…
The end of an Eras tour approaches, marking a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans
The global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to an end after the popstar performed more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years. Since launching the tour in 2023, Swift has shattered sales and…
No pressure: Singer Lucinda Williams records album of Beatles songs at famed Abbey Road
Lucinda Williams isn't easily intimidated, but it would be hard for any musician not to shudder at the task before her.
The mission? Record an album of Beatles songs — only one of the best-known catalogs in popular music — in the same…
2024 in pop culture: In a bruising year, we sought out fantasy, escapism — and cute little animals
Did you have a “Brat summer” this year? Were you “demure,” and were you “mindful”? Did you enter a celebrity look-alike contest? All these were pop culture trends that emerged in 2024. But most of all, it seemed the theme was escapism.…
Kendrick Lamar tops Apple Music’s 2024 song chart and women make history
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” topped Apple Music’s global song chart in 2024 as the giant music streamer released year-end lists Tuesday and provided listeners with data on their own most listened-to tunes. “Not Like Us” is Lamar’s…
