Selena Gomez Curates Special “Cooking Together” Playlist for Spotify

Selena Gomez is hoping to answer your wildest streams…

The 27-year-old Mexican American singer/actress is among the artists forming part of Spotify’s new suite of celebrity-curated playlists in their “Listening Together” collection under the titles Together and ICYMI.

Selena Gomez

The playlists and podcasts are intended to “bring a sense of connection and comfort to listeners when they need it most,” according to a statement from Spotify. 

The playlists feature lists pulled together by Gomez (Cooking Together), Dolly Parton (At Home Together), Normani (Working Out Together), Lil Yachty(Gaming Together) and Kiana Ledé(Meditating Together).

The playlists and podcasts from celebs, artists, podcasters and influencers will refresh weekly, allowing them to “share in users’ favorite at-home interests, past times and passions… based on the most popular home-based activities like cooking, cleaning, workouts & wellness, gaming and more.”

Gomez’s Cooking Together roster features several of her own songs (“Boyfriend,” “Vulnerable,” “Rare” and “Ring“), as well as songs by Fleetwood Mac (“Gypsy“), Kacey Musgraves (“Lonely Weekend“), Saint Jhn (“God Bless the Internet“), Parton (“He’s Alive“), Surfaces (“Sunday Best“) and Harry Styles(“Adore You“) and Kid CudiTaylor SwiftLauryn Hill,Amy WinehouseRoddy RicchClairo and The Weeknd.

Parton will help kick off the At Homeplaylist this week, which includes her own “Shine,” as well as tracks from Brandi Carlile (“Carried Me With You“), Avicii (“Wake Me Up“), Maggie Rogers, (“Light On“), Journey, (Don’t Stop Believin’“), Demi Lovato (“Skyscraper“), Lauren Diagle, (“You Say“) and Ashley McBryde (“Hang in There Girl“), as well as songs by Celine DionThe TemptationsKelsea BalleriniDermot Kennedyand Avril Lavigne.

Yachty’s Gaming Together pulls together seven songs from Solange, as well as a number of songs from Pink Floyd, and Lake Street Drive (“Mistakes“), Unknown Mortal Orchestra (“Hunnybee“), The Art of Noise (“Moments in Love“), Gorillaz (“Dare“), the La’sAriel PinkCautous Clay and Felix Da Housecat.

Normani’s gonna make you sweat with Working Out Together, featuring hits from Diplo (“New Shapes“), Mark Ronson (“Why Hide“), Kendrick Lamar (“Love.”), Snoh Aalegra (“Here Now“), Drake (“Signs“), Calum Scott (“Dancing on My Own“), as well as Crowded HouseCharlotte Day WilsonJess GlynneHushedRihannaBonga and Trevor Hall.

The ICYMI playlists include DJ sets from D-Nice‘s “Club Quarantine” and songs played during the super-popular “Verzuz” DJ battles.

Bruno Mars to Headline This Year’s Essence Festival of Culture

Bruno Mars is sharing his essence in a big way…

The 34-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has been named one of the main stage headliners for the Essence Festival of Culture.

Bruno Mars

Mars will co-headline the event with Janet Jacksonas Essence celebrates its 50th anniversary. 

Mars’ appearance will be his first time performing at the festival — and his only 2020 U.S. festival performance.

Essence Festival of Culture will expand for the first time from three to five days (July 1-5) in New Orleans, marking one day for each decade. This year’s theme is “Own Our Power.”

Jackson will be making her third appearance at the festival. Her appearance will take place during her newly announced Black Diamond World Tour, titled after her upcoming 12th studio album.

In addition to Jackson and Mars, the festival’s three-night concert series will include the following lineups at the Louisiana Superdome:

Main stage: Ari Lennox, Janelle MonaePatti LaBelleRaphael Saadiq (performing songs across his entire career from Tony! Toni! Tone! through his solo albums, including Jimmy Lee), Estelle Presents Reggae & Afrobeats Link Up featuring Afro BChronnixElephant ManKraniumMax GlazerMaxi PriestShenseeaand more, Summer Walker,  Swizz BeatzPresents In the Zone featuring guest artists. 

Hosted by Loni Love with music by D-Nice, the main stage lineup will salute music icons each night, including a special anniversary celebration on July 4. 

Superlounges: Casmé, D SmokeDemi GraceDoug E. Fresh Presents The Real Hip-Hop and R&B Party, Elah HaleGoldlinkJac RossJamesdavisJidennaJune’s DiaryKiana LedeKitty CashLeikeli47MasegoMr EaziOswin BenjaminRapsodySaweetieSiRSminoStokleyTamiaTank and the BangasTeaMarrrThe New Respects and Umi.

 “This is a milestone year for Essence and our community as we celebrate 50 years of creating opportunities for our culture to shine and the role of black women in making it possible for us to do what no other brand has done,” said Michelle Ebanks, CEO of Essence Communications, Inc.“To be able to say that at 50 years, we are black-owned, diversified across media, technology, commerce and live events, and impacting our culture in new and even deeper ways than ever before is a blessing – and one that comes with a tremendous responsibility to our community to continue to evolve, innovate and transform. That remains our focus and commitment as we work to ensure that we are here serving black women deeply and advancing black culture, economic ownership and inclusion globally for the next 50 years.”

Regarding Mars and Jackson, Ebanks added, “These two powerhouses, along with our robust slate of programming, performances and tributes, will continue our legacy of cultural excellence and dynamic, only-at-Essence experiences that excite, elevate and inspire.”

For more information, visit Essence.com/festival.