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
Author Archives: Marcus Cook
Harvard museum to dust off curiosities long kept in storage
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — As one of the world’s oldest museums dedicated to anthropology turns 150, it’s undergoing some big changes to showcase its significant role in developing the discipline. Leaders of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University hinted this month at changes to come when they trotted out — for … Continue reading
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
Rapper Fetty Wap brings $165K to court, pays $360 fine
CEDAR GROVE, N.J. (AP) — Fetty Wap (WAHP’) says he brought about $165,000 in cash to a New Jersey municipal building where he admitted to charges including driving with tinted windows and a suspended license. The 25-year-old rapper, whose name is Willie Maxwell II, was ordered to pay $360 in fines. The Paterson native appeared … Continue reading
‘Hamilton’ creator Lin-Manuel Miranda urges people to vote
NEW YORK (AP) — Not going to vote this election? Lin-Manuel Miranda says “No” to this. The creator of the Broadway musical, “Hamilton” wants people to get out and vote, and for good reason. “I think a lot of people fought and died for the right to vote, and so I think our country is … Continue reading
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
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) â 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
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
Kid Cudi checks into rehab for depression, suicidal urges
(AP) -Kid Cudi says he has checked himself into rehab for “depression and suicidal urges.” The 32-year-old rappermade the announcement on his Facebook page Tuesday, one day after he says he checked in, and signed the post by his real name, Scott Mescudi. Mescudi describes himself in the note as “a damaged human swimming in … Continue reading
Batman, ‘Battlezone’ and brainteasers lead Sony VR lineup
(AP) – Sony’s new virtual-reality system, PlayStation VR, is more focused on games than its competitors. The company says there will be 30 titles at launch and 50 by year’s end â impressive for a new technology. Here are six notable games: â “Batman: Arkham VR” (Warner Bros.) is the marquee title in the … Continue reading
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
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
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
Rap artist Max B has 75-year prison sentence cut to 20
HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP) — A New York rap artist sentenced to 75 years in prison after a deadly robbery at a New Jersey hotel had his sentence cut by at least 55 years on Friday. Max B, whose real name is Charly Wingate, was re-sentenced by Bergen County Judge James Guida to 20 years after … Continue reading
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