Broadway concert for Hillary Clinton draws huge stars
Arts/Entertainment / Celebrities / Music / Theater & Dance

Broadway concert for Hillary Clinton draws huge stars

NEW YORK (AP) — Stars of Hollywood and Broadway — including Julia Roberts, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Hugh Jackman, Emily Blunt, Neil Patrick Harris and Helen Mirren — put on a splashy fundraiser for Hillary Clinton. The Democratic candidate could only address the group via a video message Monday evening. But daughter … Continue reading

Drake shatters American Music Awards nominations record
Arts/Entertainment / Celebrities / Music

Drake shatters American Music Awards nominations record

NEW YORK (AP) — Drake earned a record-breaking 13 American Music Awards nominations on Monday thanks to his latest album, “Views,” shattering Michael’s Jackson’s mark of 11 nominations in a single year from 1984 when the King of Pop had “Thriller.” Rihanna got seven nominations and Adele and Justin Bieber tied with five each. Beyonce … Continue reading

Ice Cube creates original song for ‘Mafia III’ video game
Arts/Entertainment / Celebrities / Games / Music

Ice Cube creates original song for ‘Mafia III’ video game

ATLANTA (AP) — Ice Cube’s music is going straight onto a video game. Cube and producer DJ Shadow created the original song “Nobody Wants to Die” for 2K’s “Mafia III” launch trailer, which premieres Thursday. The crime video game focuses on character Lincoln Clay’s revenge against the Italian mafia in 1968 in the city of … Continue reading

Bruce Springsteen talks depression, family and new memo
Arts/Entertainment / Books / Celebrities / Music

Bruce Springsteen talks depression, family and new memo

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bruce Springsteen credits his music with helping him navigate depression and says playing marathon shows until he was exhausted helped chase away the blues. The legendary rock star spoke to a sold-out crowd in San Francisco on Wednesday night in a one-hour, 20-minute on-stage interview as part of a nationwide tour … Continue reading

Paisley Park given 3-day temporary permit amid zoning snag
Arts/Entertainment / Celebrities / Music

Paisley Park given 3-day temporary permit amid zoning snag

CHANHASSEN, Minn. (AP) — Prince’s suburban Minneapolis estate and studio complex, Paisley Park, will open to the public after all this week, but only under a temporary permit while officials work out concerns about public safety and traffic. Under the permit, the Paisley Park museum will be open for tours Thursday — the originally announced … Continue reading

With new album ‘Harder II Love,’ Usher gets harder to love
Arts/Entertainment / Celebrities / Music

With new album ‘Harder II Love,’ Usher gets harder to love

  (AP) Usher, “Harder II Love” (RCA Records) If music stops panning out for him, Usher has bright prospects in fortune telling; by naming his eighth studio album “Hard II Love,” he knew exactly what the future held. Or he recognized the slight masochism of a passion project that disregarded the need for commercial viability. … Continue reading

Obama honors Mel Brooks, others in arts and humanities
Art / Arts/Entertainment / Celebrities

Obama honors Mel Brooks, others in arts and humanities

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Thursday paid tribute to comedian Mel Brooks, chef Jose Andres, NPR interviewer Terry Gross and others at a White House ceremony celebrating “creators who give every piece of themselves to their craft.” The three were among two dozen artists, writers, playwrights and performers awarded the 2015 National Medals … Continue reading

Robert Caro to receive honorary National Book Award medal
Arts/Entertainment / Books

Robert Caro to receive honorary National Book Award medal

NEW YORK (AP) — Robert Caro is this year’s winner of a National Book Award medal for lifetime achievement, given for “Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.” The 80-year-old historian, known for his epic, acclaimed biographies of former President Lyndon Johnson and municipal builder Robert Moses, was praised Wednesday by the National Book Foundation for his … Continue reading

Snoop Dogg honored in politically charged BET Hip-Hop Awards
Arts/Entertainment / Celebrities / Music

Snoop Dogg honored in politically charged BET Hip-Hop Awards

ATLANTA (AP) — Snoop Dogg said he initially felt misunderstood at the beginning of his rap career that ended up turning into a legendary one while accepting his “I Am Hip Hop” honor during a politically-charged BET Hip-Hop Awards show near Atlanta. Rapper Kendrick Lamar surprised attendees Saturday evening by introducing and handing Snoop the … Continue reading