Mariah Carey Among 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Nominees

Mariah Carey has made a rockin’ list…

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation has revealed the nominees for the 2024 induction, with the 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning singer making the list.

Mariah CareyReferred to as the “Songbird Supreme” by Guinness World Records, she’s regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of music. She’s noted for her songwriting, five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style and signature use of the whistle register.

Carey is one of the best-selling music artists, with over 220 million records sold worldwide. She’s an inductee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress and the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

She holds the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles by a solo artist (19), a female songwriter (18), and a female producer (15), spending a record 93 weeks atop the chart.

To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.

Ten out of 15 of the 2024 nominees are on the ballot for the first time, including Carey, Cher, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinéad O’Connor, Ozzy Osbourne and Sade.

The rest are Mary J. Blige, Dave Matthews Band, Eric B. & Rakim, Jane’s Addiction (including guitarist Dave Navarro) and A Tribe Called Quest.

“This remarkable list of nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates,” said John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “Continuing in the true spirit of Rock & Roll, these artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”

The 2024 ceremony will once again stream live on Disney+ with a special airing on ABC at a later date and available on Hulu the next day. The 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony streamed live on Disney+ for the first time ever; the special on ABC reached over 13 million viewers across linear and streaming, and ABC’s New Year’s Day telecast was the No. 1 entertainment choice among Adults 18-49.

Nominee ballots will be sent to an international voting body of more than 1,000 artists, historians and members of the music industry. An artist’s musical impact and influence on other artists, length and depth of career and body of work as well as innovation and superiority in style and technique are taken into consideration.

Inductees will be announced in late April. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Ceremony will take place in Cleveland this fall.

Manuel Turizo to Perform During 91st Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center

Manuel Turizo is helping celebrate another holiday in the United States…

Following his debut appearance at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the 23-year-old Colombian singer will helping light the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City.

Manuel TurizoThe popular Manhattan landmark will be hosting its 91st annual lighting ceremony on Wednesday, November 29 at 8:00 pm ET. The 2023 Christmas tree lighting ceremony is bound to get you in the holiday spirit with the help of a slew of guests and musical performances.

This year, Kelly Clarkson will be hosting the tree lighting ceremony and performing on the show that will feature appearances from Today’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin.

In addition to Turizo, you can also expect musical performances from Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, Cher, David Foster, Liz Gillies, Darlene Love, Seth MacFarlane, Barry Manilow, Katharine McPhee, Keke Palmer, Carly Pearce, Radio City Rockettes and more.

The ceremony will air on NBC and Peacock.

Arturo Luís Soria Earns Obie Award for Performance in “Ni Mi Madre”

Arturo Luís Soria has landed the mother of all honors…

The Brazilian, Ecuadorian and Dominican American actor is among the recipients of the 66th Obie Awards, which honor Off and Off-Off Broadway productions.

Arturo Luís SoriaSoria will be recognized for his performance in Ni Mi Madre, which he performed at the downtown theatre company Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.

Soria stars in his solo show about the stormy relationship between a Brazilian woman and her queer son. Steeped in the tradition of Umbanda ritual, and featuring the music of Gloria Estefan, Cher and Maria BethâniaNi Mi Madre examines themes of family, citizenship and identity as a queer Latino.

The play, which began as an improvisational one act, was developed into a full-length presentation through the partnership of Rattlestick Directing Fellow Danilo Gambini.

Presented by the American Theatre Wing, the Obies will be handed out Monday evening in a ceremony at Manhattan’s Terminal 5 venue. Sustained and Lifetime Achievement winners will accept their awards during the ceremony, while remarks of all other winners will premiere on the American Theatre Wing’s YouTube channel.

“For this OBIES, the judges reviewed over 400 productions over the last three seasons including digital and audio works made during the pandemic,” said Heather Hitchens, President & CEO, in a statement. “We look forward to finally gathering in person to celebrate the artistic excellence and resilience of the amazing artists and theatre companies that make up the Off- and Off-Off- Broadway community.­­”

Here is the complete list of Obies winners:

BEST NEW AMERICAN PLAY

  • Sanaz Toossi, English (Atlantic Theater Company, Roundabout Theatre Company)

PLAYWRITING

  • Martyna Majok, Sanctuary City (New York Theater Workshop)

DIRECTION

  • Taylor Reynolds, Man Cave (Page 73) and Tambo & Bones (Playwrights Horizons)
  • Awoye Timpo, Wedding Band (TFNA) and her work as founder of Classix
  • Matt Ray (Music Direction and Composition) The Hang (HERE)

SUSTAINED ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING

  • Saheem Ali, Nollywood Dreams (MCC); Merry Wives (The Public); Romeo y Julieta (The Public); and Fat Ham (The Public | National Black Theater – NBT)
  • David Brimmer, Wolf Play (SoHo Repertory)

PERFORMANCE

  • Stephanie Berry and Lizan Mitchell, On Sugarland (NYTW)
  • Brittany Bradford, Wedding Band (Theatre For a New Audience)
  • Kara Young, Twelfth Night (Classical Theatre of Harlem)
  • Arturo Luís Soria, Ni Mi Madre (Rattlestick)

SUSTAINED ACHIEVEMENT IN PERFORMANCE

  • Billy Eugene Jones for On Sugarland (NYTW) and Fat Ham (The Public)
  • Andrea Patterson, for Cullud Wattah (Public Theater); Confederates (Signature); and Seize the King (The Classical Theatre of Harlem)

DESIGN

  • Reza Behjat (Lighting Design), for English (Atlantic Theater Company, Roundabout Theatre Company) and Wish You Were Here (Playwrights Horizons)

SUSTAINED ACHIEVEMENT IN DESIGN

  • Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew (Lighting Design) for Cullud Wattah (The Public), Oratorio for Living Things (Ars Nova), The Nosebleed (Lincoln Center Theater), Golden Shield (MTC), Snow in Midsummer (CSC), Fairycakes (Greenwich House), and What You Are Now (EST)
  • Nikiya Mathis (Hair and Wig Design) for Nollywood Dreams (MTC)
  • Machine Dazzle (Set and Costume Designer)

SPECIAL CITATIONS

  • Heather Christian (Composer, Vocal Arrangements, Orchestration); Ben Moss (Music Director, Orchestration); Nick Kourtides (Sound Design); and the musical team of Oratorio For Living Things (Ars Nova)
  • Creative Team and Ensemble of Fat Ham (The Public) James Ijames (Playwright), Saheem Ali (Director); Maruti Evans (Set Design); Dominique Fawn Hill (Costume Design); Stacey Derosier (Lighting Designer); Mikaal Sulaiman (Sound Design); Darrell Grand Moultrie (Choreographer); Earon Chew Nealey (Hair and Wig Design); Skylar Fox (Illusions Design); Nikki Crawford, Chris Herbie Holland, Billy Eugene Jones, Adrianna Mitchell, Calvin Leon Smith, Marcel Spears, and Benja Kay Thomas (ensemble)
  • Creative Team and Ensemble of English (The Atlantic Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company) Knud Adams (Directing), Marsha Ginsberg (Set Design), Enver Chakartash (Costume Design), Reza Behjat (Lighting Design), Sinan Refik Zafar (Sound Design) Tala Ashe, Ava Lalezarzadeh, Pooya Mohseni, Marjan Neshat, and Hadi Tabbal (Ensemble)
  • Aya Ogawa for the Creation, Writing, and Direction of The Nosebleed (Lincoln Center Theater | Japan Society)
  • Qween Jean (Costume Designer) for Corsicana (Playwrights Horizons), Soft (MCC), Wedding Band (TFNA), Black No More (The New Group), The Fever (Audible | The New Group), What To Send Up When it Goes Down (Playwrights Horizons), and Semblance (NYTW)
  • Digital+Virtual+Hybrid Production: Michael Breslin, Patrick Foley, Ariel Sibert, Cat Rodríguez and Rory Pelsue (Creators, Writers, Director) in collaboration with David Bengali (Video Designer) Circle Jerk (Fake Friends and Jeremy O. Harris)
  • Laurie Woolery (Director) and Shaina Taub (Music and Lyrics) for their collaboration in the adaptation of As You Like It (The Public)
  • Alex Edelman (Creator and Performer), Just For Us (Mike Birbiglia | Greenwich House Theater)
  • Digital+Virtual+Hybrid Production: Modesto Flako Jimenez (Creator and Writer) Taxilandia (Oye Group | NYTW | Bushwick Starr | The Tank)
  • Digital+Virtual+Hybrid Production: Sarah Gancher (Writer), Jared Mezzocchi and Elizabeth Williamson (Directors) Russian Troll Farm (The Civilians, Theater Works Hartford, and TheatreSquared)
  • Richard Nelson (Playwright), for the completion and producing of The Rhinebeck Panorama

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

  • Ping Chong (Director, Choreographer, Video + Installation Artist, and Founder of Ping Chong and Company)
  • Anne Bogart (Director and co-Founder of SITI Company)
  • Ralph Lee and Casey Compton (Artistic and Managing Director, Mettawee River Theatre Company)

THEATRE COMPANIES

  • The Sol Project
  • Theatre in Quarantine
  • See Lighting Foundation
  • Anticapitalism for Artists

ROSS WETZSTEON AWARD

  • The Classical Theatre of Harlem

MICHAEL FEINGOLD AWARD

  • Maestra Music

Kali Uchis Featured in Pirelli’s Official 2022 Calendar

Kali Uchis is officially a calendar girl…

Pirelli’s annual calendar for 2022 has arrived, backed by a star-studded cast of 10 stars, including the 27-year-old Colombian American Grammy-winning singer, photographed by musician Bryan Adams.

Pirelli, Kali UchisIn addition to Uchis, this year’s photo shoot — which follows an “On the Road” theme pitched by Adams himself — features Cher, Iggy Pop, Jennifer Hudson, Rita Ora, Normani, Grimes, St. Vincent, Bohan Phoenix and Saweetie posing for portraits at Los Angeles’ iconic Palace Theatre and the Chateau Marmont, as well as Italy’s Capri at the La Scalinatella Hotel.

 

Pirelli, Kali UchisContinuing the trade magazine’s more subtle image (the calendar was once known for its racy imagery prior to the 2010s), this year’s stars went for glamour, each in their own unique way.

Pirelli, Kali UchisSpeaking about the inspiration for this year’s theme, Adams told Pirelli, “It wasn’t too difficult, if I’m honest, because on the road is what I’ve been doing for the last 45 years. When I proposed it, I almost thought maybe this had been done before because it’s such an obvious thing, and I thought the symbiotic relationship would be good, the idea of musicians who travel and a company that makes tyres. It makes sense to me. I thought they might have thought it was a bit too much on the nose, but in the end they loved it.”

Swizz Beatz to Face Off Against Timbaland in Verzuz Battle This Memorial Day Weekend

Swizz Beatz is preparing for a showdown…

This Memorial Day weekend, the 42-year-old half Puerto Rican recording artist, music producer and entrepreneur and his Verzuz co-creator Timbaland  will show off their producing skills as they face off in a battle once again for their hit web series.

Swizz Beatz

The pair first dueled onstage in 2018 at the Hot 97 Summer Jam in East Rutherford, N.J., as part of a producer clash battle — long before Verzuz premiered virtually in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a post shared on the official Verzuz Instagram on Tuesday (May 25), the showdown was announced. “Did y’all guess who the rematch was going to be!? @THEREALSWIZZZ vs @TIMBALAND THIS SUNDAY ‼️ LIVE from @LIVMIAMI  Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend with our new #VERZUZLive .”

Beatz, né Kasseem Dean, 42, commented the post, “Let’s go then .” Timbaland, born Timothy Mosley, 49, wrote, “Alrite [sic] now .”

With Timbaland’s extensive history of producing megahits for fan-favorites including JAY-Z, Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott, Kanye West, Aaliyah, Cher and Madonna, Beatz — who has produced for Eve, Diddy, Lil’ Wayne, The Weeknd, Drake, the late DMX, among many more — is in for a tough rematch.

Since its inception, Verzuz has featured friendly competitions between Monica and Brandy, Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, Alicia Keys and John Legend, and the late DMX, who faced off against Snoop Dogg in July. DMX, né Earl Simmons, died on April 9.

Tune in on Sunday (May 30) at 8 p.m. ET to catch the Verzuz battle between Timbaland and Swizz Beatz, streaming on Instagram Live via the VerzuzTV account or Triller. It will also air on TV via FITE.

https://twitter.com/verzuzonline/status/1397184322537345026

Becky G Joins United Nations Human Rights “We All Rise” Campaign on International Women’s Day

Becky G is commemorating International Women’s Day in a big way…

The 24-year-old Mexican American bilingual rapper/singer has joined the United Nations Human Rights on International Women’s Day (March 8) for the “We All Rise” campaign for gender equality during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Becky G

Becky G appears in the campaign alongside Celine Dion, Cher, Cyndi Lauper and many most stars.

The artists — joined by activist/tennis legend Billie Jean King, TV personality Padma Lakshmi, actors Renée Elise Goldsberry and Terry Crews, WNBA champ Sue Bird and singer/songwriter Amanda Shires — have partnered with the UN to select the 2021 We All Rise female empowerment anthem “Together We Are Stronger.”

The soaring song features KT Tunstall, Lolo, Devyn Lorea and Nikki Vianna, and was written by written by Morgan Dorr, Greg Hansen and Lorea, with production by the Highland Park Collective.

We All Rise aims to reach more than 150 million with its first effort, described in a release as a “celebrity-driven social media campaign promoting gender equality as a fundamental human right essential to achieving a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.” The coalition of celebrities and advocates participating in the effort also includes LeAnn Rimes, Dionne Warwick, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Liv Warfield, Blair Underwood, Gloria Estefan, Naomi Campbell, Bridget Moynihan, and Debbie Allen.

“Gender equality is one of the fundamental values of the United Nations and lies at the very heart of human rights,” said Veronica Birga, chief of the Women’s Rights and Gender Section of United Nations Human Rights in a statement. “That is why we are the global partner of WE ALL RISE, an exciting new initiative committed to promoting, protecting, and advancing the human rights of all women and girls around the world. Because gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, it is essential to achieving a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.”

The effort is one of many across the music world on Monday to celebrate International Women’s Day, including a playlist curated by BLACKPINK‘s Rosé and a remake of “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan and Idina Menzel, among other efforts.

“Gender equality and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women are fundamental human rights and core values of the United Nations,” added Trish Golden, president of We All Rise. “Together with our Global Partner, United Nations Human Rights, We All Rise is dedicated to promoting gender equality around the world and the human rights of women and girls, in all their diversity. When we support women’s rights, We All Rise together.”

The video for the inspiring “Together We Are Stronger” features images of women from around the world marching for equality and securing a future for girls and young women where they can achieve their goals.

Bad Bunny to Make Debut Performance at This Year’s Billboard Music Awards

Bad Bunny is heading to the BBMAs

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton star is set to perform at this year’s Billboard Music Awards, which will take place on October 14.

Bad-Bunny

Bad Bunny joins Alicia Keys, Luke Combs and Post Malone.

It’ll be Bad Bunny’s first performance at the BBMAs.

Garth Brooks will also be taking the stage as this year’s ICON Award recipient, following in the footsteps of previous awardees Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Cher, Celine Dion and more.

More performers will be announced as the awards show’s big day draws closer.

The 2020 Billboard Music Awards will air on October 14 at 8:00 pm ET, live from Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre on NBC, with Kelly Clarkson returning for her third year as the evening’s host.

The 2020 Billboard Music Awards are produced by dick clark productions, which is owned by MRC Entertainment, the parent company of Billboard.

Selena Gomez Encourages People to Register to Vote on ‘Register a Friend Day’

Selena Gomez is encouraging people to register to vote…

The 28-year-old Mexican American singer/actress took to social media over the weekend to remind Americans to make sure they’re registered to vote for the November 3 election, which is less than 100 days away.

Selena Gomez

Gomez shared information about how to register to vote as part of Register a Friend Day. Other celebrities who took part in the initiative included Ariana Grande, Lin-Manuel Miranda, former President Barack Obamaand former First Lady Michelle Obama,LL Cool Jand Cher.

President Donald Trump has continued to spread false theories about voting by mail – even though he’s done so himself – leading election experts to worry that a nation gripped by the coronavirus pandemic could face a chaotic election that may put even more Americans’ health at risk with a push for in-person voting in the midst of both a health and financial crisis.

Currently, presumptive Democratic candidate Joe Biden has a commanding 50-36 lead over Trump, whose mishandled response to COVID-19 has put the U.S. atop the list of countries with the most cases and deaths.

Click here for more information on how to register to vote.

Christina Aguilera Marks 10th Anniversary of “Bionic” with “Little Dreamer” Streaming Release

Christina Aguilera’s celebrating an anniversary with a dream treat…

It’s been 10 years since the 39-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer released her sixth studio album Bionic,and to mark the occasion, Aguilera’s made bonus track “Little Dreamer” available on streaming platforms for the first time.

Christina Aguilera

On the mid-tempo electro-pop ballad, which was previously available only as a bonus track on iTunes,  the pop star bids farewell to her titular dreamer over a skittering beat filled with beeps, glitches and trills. 

“So long, my little dreamer, I will miss your face/ We’ll always stay connected through time and space/ The journey that we shared, but now have to leave/ Will live inside of us for eternity,” she declares on the track’s churning chorus.

Released on June 4, 2010, Bionic occupies a unique space within Aguilera’s oeuvre. Featuring brashly sexual lead single “Not Myself Tonight” as well as the raunchy Nicki Minaj-assisted banger “Woohoo” and the soaring, oft-overlooked ballad “You Lost Me,” the album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 — Aguilera’s lowest entry on the chart in her career at the time.

Bionic was met with mixed reviews and underwhelming sales, particularly compared to the smash successes of 2006’s Back to Basics, 2002’s Stripped and Aguilera’s 1999 self-titled debut. But, while it was quickly overshadowed by the singer’s starring turn alongside Cher in Burlesque just five short months later, Bionichas become known as something of a cult favorite LP among her most passionate fan base in the decade since its release, complete with regular calls of #JusticeForBionic on social media.

Andy Garcia Makes Billboard Chart Debut with His Cover of ABBA’s “Fernando” with Cher

It’s a musical first for Andy Garcia

The 62-year-old Cuban actor is making his Billboard music chart as his cover of ABBA’s “Fernando” with music icon Cher debuts at No. 22 on the Adult Contemporary songs chart dated July 7.

Andy Garcia

The track appears on the Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again film soundtrack, due July 14 via Decca Records.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again premieres in movie theaters on July 20 and is the sequel to the 2008 film Mamma Mia! Both movies were inspired by ABBA’s catalog of music, and the first film adapted the long-running stage musical of the same name.

Garcia and Cher are both new additions to theMamma Mia!cast. Cher plays Ruby Sheridan, the mother of Donna (Meryl Streep), while Garcia plays Fernando in the romantic comedy musical.


ABBA’s original version of “Fernando” is one of the quartet’s two AC leaders, having spent two weeks at No. 1 in 1976. The act led again with “The Winner Takes It All” in 1981.