Eva Longoria is taking the national stage once again…
The 45-year-old Mexican American actress, former Desperate Housewives star and activist has been added to the lineup of speakers for this week’s Democratic National Convention.
Longoria, who also appeared at the 2012 DNC and later served on the Presidential Inaugural Committee, will appear on Monday. Ross will speak on Tuesday, Washington on Wednesday and Louis-Dreyfus on Thursday.
Monday’s lineup includes Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The convention will run from 9:00 – 11:00 pm ET each night.
The convention also will feature performances from Leon Bridges, The Chicks, Common, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Billy Porter, Maggie Rogers, Prince Royce and Stephen Stills.
In addition to the lineup of speakers, Democrats plan to feature testimonials from everyday Americans who will appear from locations across the country.
Convention organizers also announced that the keynote address, traditionally delivered by one up-and-coming party figure, will instead feature 17 different speakers.
The Venezuelan Latin pop and reggaeton duo have joined voices with John Legend to bring a little latin flavor to his latest single “Bigger Love.”
The Latin remix of the feel-good pop track that celebrates love and resilience was released on Friday, July 24.
“I always envisioned ‘Bigger Love’ as an international song, bringing musical styles and cultures together to celebrate love and our human connection. I’m so happy I could collaborate with Mau y Ricky to create this Latin remix. I hope all of our fans around the world will enjoy dancing to it,” says Legend.
It’s Mau y Ricky’s first English-language collaboration.
“I don’t know if we’re the best for the job but we for sure will be the quickest and the most efficient and the most hungry and excited for it,” Mau tells Billboard. “We’re just so grateful because to be honest, John is one of the artist that we admire the most so this is crazy and we still can’t believe it.”
The making of the remix took no more than a month. And after Legend – who has collaborated with other Latin artists like Juanes and Flor de Toloache– heard what Mau y Ricky had done with the song, he said: “The only feedback I gave them was that I wanted more. They were being a little too shy at first. We asked them to give us more, we want to hear your voice with mine so that there’s a real collaboration and interaction.”
Luis Fonsi is hittin’ the high seas… and high notes…
The 42-year-old Puerto Rican Latin Grammy winner has lent his voice to a new version of “Baby Shark,” presented by Universal Music Latin Entertainment and children’s content producer Pinkfong.
Officially released this week, the new version of “Baby Shark” is accompanied by a colorful animated video that shows Fonsi diving into the ocean and hanging out with his friendly shark buddies.
Fonsi’s children Mikaela and Rocco also make their singing debut on the track.
“This was a very special collaboration for my kids and I and we hope this new version of ‘Baby Shark’ brings joy and entertains kids and families around the world as much as we enjoyed making it,” said Fonsi in an official statement.
“Baby Shark,” released in 2016, became a viral hit in 2018 and was covered by many K-Pop stars in addition to James Corden and John Legend.
The song debuted at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 list dated January 12, 2019.
Produced by Joel Iglesias, Mini Star, and Pinkfong, the Fonsi-assisted “Baby Shark” is a glimpse of the upcoming Mini Stars Vol. 1 EP by Universal Music Latin Entertainment, where artists like Sebastián Yatra, Nacho, Greeicy,Guaynaa and Joey Montana, to name a few, reimagine children’s classics in Spanish and English.
The 28-year-old Puerto Rican reggaetonand Latin trap singer is among the 2,321 people who’ve been invited to join the Recording Academy.
This year’s “freshman class,” as the academy calls it, is 48% female (compared to 49% in last year’s freshman class invites), 21% African American/African descent (compared to 26%), 8% Hispanic (compared to 7%), 3% Asian American/Pacific Islander/Asian (same as last year) and 51% people who are age 39 or younger (same as last year).
Some of those invited didn’t disclose their demographic details. On gender, 3% did not disclose. On ethnicity, 13% didn’t disclose. On age, a whopping 25% didn’t disclose.
Women account for 26% of the academy’s overall membership, not just the freshman class (same as last year). People from traditionally-underrepresented communities account for 25%, up a point from last year’s 24%. People who are age 39 or younger account for 25%, down from 29% last year.
According to the academy, 79% of this year’s freshman class is being invited as potential voting members, the other 21% as (non-voting) professional members.
Laura Segura, the executive director of MusiCares, said last year that it’ll become harder and harder for the Recording
Academy to find qualified new members to invite unless the music industry extends more opportunities to women and people of color.
“We will face challenges with future new member classes if not enough women and people of color are being hired, mentored and have access to opportunities to lead and excel,” she said.
The Academy also created a 90-minute video, “Your Academy: Welcoming the 2020 New Member Class,” in which both current members, like John Legend and Yolanda Adams, and 2020 invitees, including Ozuna, discuss membership.
The discussion, held on Zoom on June 24, was moderated by Justin Joseph, Grammy.com editor-in-chief. The roundtable debuted today on GRAMMY.com.
In order to participate in the process for the upcoming Grammy Awards, prospective new members have to accept their invitations by September 15.
The 63rd Grammy Awards are scheduled to take place on January 31, 2021, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
More information on the Recording Academy’s membership process and requirements can be found here. Full details surrounding the new class can be found here.
Christina Aguilerais returning for more Disney family fun…
The 39-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer has been added to the roster of performers for this weekend’s The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II, the ABC special airing on Mother’s Day.
Aguilera, who was a member of The Mickey Mouse Club, appeared on the first edition of the Disney family singalong last month. She performed “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King.
In addition to Aguilera, other new additions include
Katy Perry, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, the Muppets, Tituss Burgess, Sabrina Carpenter, Lang Langand pros from Dancing with the Stars.
The special will air on Sunday, May 10, at 7:00 pm EDT.
Here’s the lineup for The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II,for which the Muppets will do a curtain-raiser and Burgess will provide a vocal warmup:
“A Whole New World” – Idina Menzel and Ben Platt “Almost There” – Chloe x Halle and Anika Noni Rose “Baby Mine” – Katy Perry “Beauty and the Beast” – John Legend and Jennifer Hudson “Hakuna Matata” – Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner feat. Donald Glover and Walter Russell III “Part of Your World” – Halsey “Poor Unfortunate Souls” – Rebel Wilson “Remember Me” – Miguel feat. Christina Aguilera “Step in Time” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” – Derek Hough, Julianne Hough and Hayley Erbert “Try Everything” – Shakira “When I Am Older” – Josh Gad “You’ll Be in My Heart” – Disney on Broadway stars Merle Dandridge, Heather Headley, Adam Jacobs, Caissie Levy, Kara Lindsay, Kevin Massey and Josh Strickland “Your Mother and Mine” – Sabrina Carpenter feat. Lang Lang “Zero to Hero” – Keke Palmer feat. “Dancing with the Stars” Pros Lindsay Arnold, Alan Bersten, Witney Carson, Val Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Sasha Farber and Emma Slater
The all-female Latin Grammy-winning mariachi group, which is known for infusing the classic ranchero sound with bursts of hip-hop, soul, jazz and salsa, has joined voices with John Legend on the new single “Quisiera.”
“I am a huge fan of his voice and songwriting, and he’s a very sweet guy,” says member Shae Fiol about Legend’s participation on the song. “It totally blew my mind when we got the news he was down to sing, in Spanish! His voice is iconic. You always know it’s him from the first note he sings.”
“Quisiera” appears on Flor de Toloache’s latest album Indestructible, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album.
Netflix has released the first look at its 10-episode hip-hop competition series Rhythm + Flow starring the 26-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar.
Picked up straight-to-series in November, the show — hosted by Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and Tip “T.I.” Harris — will air over three weeks.
The first batch of four episodes will launch Wednesdays, October 9 and feature the audition process. Week two, launching October 16, will consist of episodes five through seven and cover cyphers, rap battles and music videos. The series will conclude Wednesday, October 23 with episodes eight through 10 and cover samples, collaborations and the finale.
Rhythm + Flow is the streaming giant’s first music competition series and features industry legends in a multiple-city (covering L.A., New York, Atlanta and Chicago) search for undiscovered artists. John Legend, Ty Stikloriusand Mike Jackson’s Get Lifted, Gaspin and his Gaspin Media, Jesse Collinsand his Jesse Collins Entertainment exec produce alongside Nikki Boella, Jeff Pollack, Cardi B., Chance the Rapper and Harris.
The weekly rollout is the first for a Netflix original series outside of talk shows like Patriot Act.
Sources say Netflix hopes releasing the episodes timed to each phase of the competition will help build momentum among viewers.
Of course the knock on Netflix among many in the creative community has been that the streamer’s all-at-once binge model of releasing episodes limits the amount of time programming remains a topic of conversation. It’s unclear if the weekly strategy implemented for Rhythm + Flow is the beginning of a shift in that model as Netflix begins to lose some of its top licensed programming like Friends and The Officeand looks to keep buzzy offerings (like say Stranger Thingsor The Crown) in the conversation for longer periods of time.
The NAACP Image Awards were doled out over the weekend, with the 33-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer taking home a prize.
The Grammy-winning artist was named Outstanding Male Artist. Mars beat out Childish Gambino, John Legend, MAJOR and Raheem DeVaughn for the award.
It’s Mars’ second consecutive win in the category. In addition to Outstanding Male Artist, he won the Outstanding Song, Traditional and Outstanding Music Videofor “That’s What I Like” last year.
The ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatrein Hollywood, with Black-ish actor Anthony Andersonhosting the live broadcast on TV One.
This is the 50th year the Image Awards have been held.
Here’s a look at this year’s winners:
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Taraji P. Henson – Empire (FOX)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series Anthony Anderson – Black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Omari Hardwick – Power (Starz)
Outstanding Album Ella Mai – Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Actress: Motion Picture Amandla Stenberg – The Hate U Give (20th Century Fox)
Outstanding Motion Picture Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Entertainer of the Year Beyoncé
Winners announced at non-televised awards dinner:
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Marcus Scribner, Black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Marsai Martin, Black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jesse Williams, Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Lynn Whitfield, Greenleaf (OWN)
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy or Drama Series Kerry Washington – How to Get Away with Murder – “Lahey v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” (ABC)
Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special The Bobby Brown Story (BET)
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special Michael B. Jordan, Fahrenheit 451 (HBO)
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special Regina King, Seven Seconds (Netflix) Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special) Oprah Winfrey Presents: Becoming Michelle Obama (OWN)
Outstanding Talk Series The Real (Syndicated)
Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series) Iyanla: Fix My Life (OWN)
Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special) Black Girls Rock! (BET)
Outstanding Children’s Program Doc McStuffins (Disney Junior)
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series Marsai Martin – Black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield Norris, Willow Smith – Red Table Talk(Facebook Watch)
Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble Steve Harvey – Family Feud (Syndication)
Outstanding New Artist Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Male Artist Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)
Outstanding Female Artist H.E.R. (RCA Records)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration All The Stars – Black Panther – Kendrick Lamar, SZA (Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Jazz Album The Story of Jaz – Jazmin Ghent feat. Jeff Lorber, James P. Lloyd, Kim Scott, Philippe Saisse (Jazmin Ghent Music)
Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary) Unstoppable – Koryn Hawthorne (RCA Inspirational)
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album This Is America – Childish Gambino (RCA Records)
Outstanding Song – Traditional Long As I Live – Toni Braxton (Def Jam Recordings)
Outstanding Song – Contemporary Boo’d Up – Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Black Panther The Album Music From and Inspired By – Kendrick Lamar, SZA feat. 2Chainz, ScHoolboy Q, Saudi, Khalid, Swae Lee, Vince Staples, Yugen Blakrok, SOB x RBE, Jorja Smith, Anderson .Paak, Ab Soul, Reason, Zacari, Babes Wudumo, Sjava, Travis Scott (Interscope Records)
Literary Work – Fiction An American Marriage – Tayari Jones (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill)
Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics – Donna Brazile (Author), Yolanda Caraway (Author), Leah Daughtry (Author), Minyon Moore (Author), Veronica Chambers (With), (St. Martin’s Press)
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author Us Against The World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage, and Family – David Mann (Author), Tamela Mann (Author), Shaun Saunders (With), (W Publishing)
Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography Becoming – Michelle Obama (Crown)
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life – Daymond John (Author), Daniel Paisner(With), (Currency)A A
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart – Alice Walker (Author) (37 Ink/Atria Books)
Outstanding Literary Work – Children Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race – Margot Lee Shetterly (Author), Laura Freeman (Illustrator), (Harper)
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens Harbor Me – Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy M. Paulsen)
Outstanding Documentary (Television) Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland (HBO)
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Trevor Noah , Steve Budow , David Kibuuka , Zhubin Parang , Dan Amira , Lauren Sarver Means , Mr. Daniel Radosh , David Angelo , Devin Trey Delliquanti , Zachary DiLanzo – The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – 23087
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television) J. David Shanks – Seven Seconds: Matters of Life and Death (Netflix)
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film) Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series Donald Glover – Atlanta – “FUBU” (FX Networks)
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series Deborah Ann Chow – Better Call Saul – “Something Stupid” (AMC)
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television) Tracy Heather Strain – Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart (PBS)
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Film) Ryan Coogler – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film) Samuel L. Jackson – Incredibles 2 (Disney and Pixar Animation Studios)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Michael B. Jordan – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Danai Gurira – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture If Beale Street Could Talk (Annapurna Pictures)
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Esperanza Spalding is having herself a merry holiday season…
The 34-year-old part-Latina jazz bassist and singer’s Christmas collaboration with John Legend, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” has jingled its way to the top of Billboard‘s Adult Contemporary chart dated December 8.
Spalding and Legend’s track soars from No. 6 to No. 1.
The ballad becomes the 22nd AC holiday leader on the ranking since 2000, around the time that a majority of stations in the format began playing seasonal songs heavily, or 24/7, between Thanksgivingand Christmas each year.
The composition is also just the second two-time AC holiday No. 1, as Josh Groban‘s take on the standard led in 2016.
Two interpretations of “This Christmas” have topped the tally.
Here’s a recap of all the holiday songs that have dashed to the top of the AC chart since 2000:
Title, Artist, Chart Date Reached No. 1, Weeks at No. 1 “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” John Legend feat. Esperanza Spalding, Dec. 8, 2018, one (to date) “Santa’s Coming for Us,” Sia, Dec. 23, 2017, three “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” Brett Eldredge feat. Meghan Trainor, Jan. 7, 2017, one “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Josh Groban, Dec. 24, 2016, one “This Christmas,” Train, Dec. 17, 2016, two “This Christmas,” Seal, Jan. 2, 2016, one “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” Idina Menzel duet with Michael Buble, Dec. 20, 2014, three “Underneath the Tree,” Kelly Clarkson, Dec. 2, 2013, four “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” Rod Stewart, Dec. 8, 2012, five “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Michael Buble, Dec. 10, 2011, five “Oh Santa!,” Mariah Carey, Dec. 18, 2010, four “A Baby Changes Everything,” Faith Hill, Dec. 20, 2008, three “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” Josh Groban, Dec. 22, 2007, three “Frosty the Snowman,” Kimberley Locke, Dec. 15, 2007, one “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” Daryl Hall John Oates, Dec. 30, 2006, two “Jingle Bells,” Kimberley Locke, Dec. 23, 2006, one “Up on the Housetop,” Kimberley Locke, Dec. 17, 2005, four “Believe,” Josh Groban, Dec. 11, 2004, five “Sending You a Little Christmas,” Jim Brickman with Kristy Starling, Jan. 3, 2004, one “O Holy Night,” Josh Groban, Dec. 28, 2002, two “Simple Things,” Jim Brickman feat. Rebecca Lynn Howard, Jan. 5, 2002, one “The Christmas Shoes,” NewSong, Jan. 6, 2001, one
Spalding reigns in her first visit to the chart. Meanwhile, the collab is one of 15 holiday songs on the 30-position chart.
Legend lands his second AC No. 1, after “All of Me” spent 10 weeks on top in 2014.
Kirstin Maldonado is ready to light up the Christmas holidays…
The 26-year-old half-Mexican and part-Spanish American singer/songwriter and her Pentatonix group mates have been added to the star-studded lineup for NBC’s 86th annual Christmas in Rockefeller Centertree lighting, which will take place on November 28.
In addition to Pentatonix, the a cappella group that has found great success with their holiday music, this year’s performers include Diana Ross, Tony Bennett& Diana Krall, Brett Eldredge, Darci Lynne Farmer, John Legend, Martina McBride and Kellie Pickler, with more to be announced.
Howie Mandelwill also make a special guest appearance, and NBC’s Today anchors Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Craig Melvin are hosting the anticipated holiday event.
NBC first televised the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting in 1951 on The Kate Smith Show, 20 years after it initially found itself a home on the plaza.
This year’s holiday tree is a 72-foot tall, 45-foot wide Norway Spruce that weighs over 12 tons and is around 75 years old. It will be wrapped in approximately five miles of wire containing over 50,000 multi-colored LEDs and topped with a 900-pound star covered in 3 million Swarovski crystals.
The tree lighting will be broadcast live on NBC November 28 at 8:00 pm ET. Select NBC stations will feature an additional special live hour of the broadcast hosted by Mario Lopez and WNBC’s Stefan Holt and Natalie Pasquarella at 7:00 pm ET.
