News

Mississippi-based teacher Jamal Roberts beat John Foster and Breanna Nix to win the American Idol title in the Season 23 finale held on May 18. Roberts won the hearts of the judges and fellow contestants with a soulful rendition of Anthony Hamilton’s Her Heart. The winner’s title was awarded to a Black man for the second time in history after Ruben Studdard.

Roberts won the competition after securing 26 million votes in the finale. The three judges of the competition, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood, were first impressed by the singer’s version of Rick James’ Mary Jane. Here are a few things that you might not know about the new American Idol.

7. Jamal Roberts is not planning to leave teaching Jamal Roberts during his appearance on American Idol Season 23 | Credits: ABC

As fans know by now, the latest winner of American Idol is a physical education teacher from Meridian,...

American Idolseason 23 has come to an end, and one of the Top 3 finalists--Jamal Roberts, John Foster, or Breanna Nix--was crowned the champion. American Idol season 23 welcomed season 4 winner Carrie Underwood as a new judge on the panel alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Together, they discovered Jamal, a 27-year-old physical education teacher from Meridian, Mississippi; John, an 18-year-old college student from Addis, Louisiana; and Breanna, a 25-year-old stay-at-home mom from Denton, Texas, and now one of them is the next American Idol.

Jamal Roberts won American Idol season 23, while John Foster was the runner-up, and Breanna Nix placed third.

Jamal won American Idol season 23, while John was the runner-up, and Breanna placed third. During the first round of the finale, the Top 3 finalists competed with two songs each, including Jamal's "First Time" by Teeks and "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" by The Temptations, John's "Courtesy of the Red,...

It's Hollywood Week on American Idol — and the Season 23 contestants have one shot to prove they have potential to be a global superstar.

Judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan arrived at the Orpheum Theatre — the same venue Carrie began her journey to superstardom in 20 years ago — to make the biggest cut in Idol history. By the end of the night, just 62 of the 144 golden ticket holders were still in the competition.

"I have been there on that stage singing for my survival on this show," Carrie told the hopefuls. "I am living proof that, if everything goes well, your lives will change forever." The two-hour episode aired Monday, March 31 (8 p.m. Et/Pt) with Ryan Seacrest hosting.

To set the bar for tonight's performances, Platinum Ticket winners Filo, Kolbi Jordan, and Canaan James Hill sang "Get Ready" by The Temptations. This trio had already secured their safety in...

“Can’t we just keep them all?” Carrie Underwood asked during Monday’s American Idol, which marked her first time suffering through Hollywood Week from the other side of the judges’ table.

And her stress was completely understandable. Having to narrow 144 singers down to 62 would have anyone crying out for Jesus to take the wheel — not to mention the added pressure that came up with the return of the Idol “Arena,” a musical lion’s den in which each contestant performed at random while surrounded by their entire competition.

More from TVLineRyan Guzman Wants Eddie's 9-1-1 Mustache Back - Together,...

Season 12 of “The Masked Singer” continued Wednesday night on Fox with “Quarter Finals.” Following the studio audience vote that sent Goo and Strawberry Shortcake into a fierce Smackdown, Strawberry Shortcake emerged victorious leaving Goo to be unmasked. The slimy singer became the 11th eliminated singer of the season, and was revealed to be Los Angeles Rams defensive end Kobie Turner. Watch our video interview above.

“I had so much fun,” he tells Gold Derby. “Being able to be up under the Goo mask was such a great time. To be able to be my silly self, break out all the dance moves, and just be able to carry around that heavy costume. When it came to the singing part, it definitely presented some challenges breath-wise, but to be able to lunk around in that big costume was so much fun.”

See ‘The Masked Singer’s’ Bronson Arroyo on Sherlock Hound...

Warning! This Article Contains Major Spoilers About The Masked Singer Season 12!The Masked Singer season 12 contestant Goo was one of the 15 mystery celebrity singers competing for the Golden Mask trophy, and, during the quarterfinals, he was unmasked and revealed to be NFL player, Kobie Turner. The Masked Singer season 12 welcomed back host Nick Cannon, along with panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora. For the first time ever, they were joined by Masked Ambassadors, who are alums from the show with special connections to the newest contestants.

The Masked Singer season 12 began with Group A, which included Leaf Sheep (John Elway), Showbird (Yvette Nicole Brown), Woodpecker (Marsai Martin), Ship (Paula Cole), and the Buffalos, the quarterfinalists. Goo was saved by the Ding Dong Keep It On Bell, after competing against his fellow Group B contestants, including fellow quarterfinalist Wasp, Dust Bunny (Andy Richter), Chess Piece (Laverne Cox...

Who’s performing tonight on “The Masked Singer” Season 12? It’s the Quarter-Finals, which means the four remaining contestants — Buffalos, Goo, Wasp, and Strawberry Shortcake — will face off on the big stage for a spot in the Semi-Finals. Do you think any of these celebrities has what it takes to join the “Masked Singer” winners list? Sound off down in the comments section.

“Quarter Finals: Merging of the Masks” airs Wednesday night on Fox at 8/7c. Panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora are back alongside perennial host Nick Cannon.

The three singers who receive enough votes from the studio audience and the panelists will advance to next week’s Semi-Finals. Buffalos represent Group A, Goo and Wasp represent Group B, and Strawberry Shortcake represents Group C. These four quarter-finalists outlasted 11 others and still remain in the running to win the Golden Mask for Season 12.

See...

The stars are doing one final push for Kamala Harris.

Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, DJ Cassidy, Fat Joe, Ricky Martin and The Roots are among an A-list lineup for Harris’ Philadelphia concert and rally set for Monday night, the eve of 2024 Election Day.

Freeway, Just Blaze, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jazmine Sullivan and Adam Blackstone have also been tapped to mobilize voters for a final get-out-the-vote event, which will kick of 5 p.m. local time and go until 9 p.m. DJ Jazzy Jeff, Fat Joe and Winfrey are speakers.

The Philadelphia event will take place at the bottom of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s steps along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. For weeks in the lead-up, the campaign had been promoting a get-out-the-vote rally and concert with a “surprise musical guest” to be scheduled for the last week before the election.

“It’s time to get ready to vote — I’ll see you guys in Pennsylvania,...

Usher paid tribute to the male role models in his life at the 2024 Black Music Action Coalition (Bmac) Gala, which took place Thursday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

“As a kid, I was given this very odd, awkward name — because I never met another Usher — so it was a bit complicated, but the most unfortunate reality is that I was gifted this name by a man who never showed up, who was never there to help me give meaning, give understanding, give some reference to what this name means, where it came from, and what it could potentially be,” said Usher who received the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award as he teased a few dance moves along to Bobby Brown’s “Don’t Be Cruel,” as it played in the background.

The award was presented to Usher by Brown, one of several figures the singer acknowledged as being...

Killer Mike has announced his new album, Songs for Sinners & Saints, out this Friday, August 2nd. In advance, the rapper has shared his new “From the Block” performance of its first single “Humble Me.” Watch it below.

Mike’s gospel group The Mighty Midnight Revival has co-billing on Songs for Sinners & Saints, which is presented as an epilogue to the Grammy-winning Michael, one of the best albums of 2023. The 10-track project also features contributions from Offset, Key Glock, Project Pat, and more. See the artwork and full tracklist below.

Get Killer Mike Tickets Here

“I had a year to live with Michael and I realized I had more I wanted to do with this sound before moving on,” Mike explained in a statement. “For me this is a testimonial. When I was growing up an important part of church service was people having the opportunity to stand up and give public testimony on their trials,...

When Killer Mike released his sixth studio album Michael last June, it marked his first solo studio album in more than a decade. Earlier this year, the record was awarded Best Rap Album at the 2024 Grammy Awards. The accolade would have been the perfect closing page for this chapter of the rapper’s career, but he isn’t ready to move on just yet. On Friday, Killer Mike will release Songs for Sinners & Saints.

Billed under Michael & the Mighty Midnight Revival — his gospel group — the 10-track project bids farewell to...

Vice President Kamala Harris danced on stage with Kirk Franklin during a performance of Smile, as the White House held its second annual Juneteenth Concert.

The lineup included Gladys Knight, Patina Miller, Trombone Shorty, Doug E. Fresh, Raheem DeVaughn, Anthony Hamilton, Brittney Spencer, Patti Labelle and Charlie Wilson. Roy Wood Jr. emceed.

“The White House lawn has never seen anything like this before,” President Joe Biden told the attendees.

Biden talked of the nation’s “North Star,” or goal of equality, but added, “Let’s be clear: There are old ghosts in new garments trying to take us back.”

“They are taking away your freedoms making it harder for Black people to vote, or have your vote counted; closing doors of opportunity, attacking the values of diversity, equity and inclusion; if you can believe it, banning books about Black experiences, trying to erase and rewrite history.”

Kirk Franklin brings Vice...

“Unexpected,” a documentary short about Black women living with HIV in the South, will premiere on Hulu on Dec. 1, which is also World AIDS Day.

Produced by “Abbott Elementary” Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph and directed by Zeberiah Newman, “Unexpected” follows activists Ciarra Ci Ci Covin and Masonia Traylor as they create an underground network to help and support women with HIV in the rural South.

The Oscar-qualifying film, which premiered at the 2023 Essence Film Festival, won an Award of Excellence at both The Accolade Global Film Competition and The Impact Docs Awards, and was a Silver Winner at the Telly Awards. It has also screened at the Scad Savannah Film Festival, DC Black Film Festival, Black Women Film Network, Detroit Black Film Festival, The Women’s Film Festival and Cleveland Film Festival.

Ralph’s nonprofit, The Diva Foundation, acquired the film.

At the same time, this year’s “Divas Simply Singing!

Legendary singer-songwriter Bettye Lavette announced her upcoming new album, titled Lavette!, and released its lead single, “Plan B,” on Wednesday. The icon also shared dates for a U.S. summer tour, starting with Seattle, Washington on June 20.

Lavette! is produced by Steve Jordan for his label with Meegan Voss, Jay-Vee Records. Jordan also drums on the album and brought together a host of musicians for the project, featuring Pino Palladino on bass, Larry Campbell and Chris Bruce on guitars, and Leon Pendarvis on keyboard. “When I prepare a band for her,...

Before Ed Sheeran became the superstar he is today, the young musician leaned on the kindness of movie star Jamie Foxx for a little help and support.

Foxx spoke with Et's Nischelle Turner while promoting his new action caper, Baby Driver -- along with co-stars Ansel Elgort and Jon Hamm -- and the actor opened up about art and burgeoning artists, revealing, "I had Ed Sheeran sleep on my couch for six weeks."

"Before he made it, he came to my crib," Foxx recalled. "So did Anthony Hamilton, Nick Cannon, all these [people]. You gotta press anybody that's got that artistic feel, that touch, you've got to lift them up."

Watch: Jamie Foxx Reveals Oprah Winfrey Staged an Intervention During His Hard Partying Days Before His Oscar Win

One young artist that Foxx also helped was 23-year-old Elgort, who had nothing but praise regarding his time on set with the Oscar winner.

"He really...

Season 24 of Dancing With the Stars is shaping up to be one of the bests!

The celebrities and their pro partners took it to the next level on Monday night, wowing us with creative choreography, new tricks and a few steamy moments, as well.

From Normani Kordei and Val Chmerkovskiy's emotional contemporary routine to Rashad Jennings' powerful trio dance with Emma Slater and Witney Carson, Et's breaking down all the best moments from week 8 of the dance competition show!

Watch: 'DWTS' Names Semi-Finalists After Quarterfinal Elimination Sends Home a Fan Favorite

Partner Dances

Rashad Jennings & Emma Slater – Jive, "Shake a Tail Feather" by Blues Brothers

Dance highlight: The jive is all about being slick and quick, and that's exactly what #TeamShadSquad did! From the sparkly costumes to the energetic choreography, this piece was a great way to kick off the night! Our favorite moments occurred at the 0:41 mark, where they incorporated...

Is Normani Kordei the one to beat on Dancing With the Stars? The Fifth Harmony member received a perfect 40 for her dance to "Freedom" by Anthony Hamilton and Elayna Boynton and a 39 for the second to "Feeling Alive" by Earl St. Clair with Val Chmerkovskiy and guest Alan Bernsten. But the singer is getting attention for taking on something else: cyber bullying. "I think for a long time I kind of steered away from myself and I didn't necessarily recognize who I was at one point just because I was very sad. It even affected those around me that genuinely do love me…it was just a really devastating time for me. I think that through this piece, it spoke volumes," Kordei told E! News' Sibley...

Normani Kordei got personal about her painful past as a victim of cyberbullying and hate speech before her emotional, powerful performance on Monday's Dancing With the Stars.

"The piece is so symbolic of times I felt helpless and desperate," Kordei shared in a pre-taped package. "I got bullied, terribly, on social media. I did an interview and it got taken out of context completely… people were calling me the N-word, it was really ugly."

"Every time I went online it was, 'How much we hate you. How talentless you are,'" Kordei recounted in a solo interview. "They actually made images of me being whipped, beaten, hung… I shouldn't want to change the color of my skin or the texture of my hair or the fact that I'm a woman. I felt really alone and just like everybody hated me."

Watch: Normani Kordei Opens Up About Fifth Harmony Joining Her Onstage for 'DWTS' Performance

As she rehearsed...

Only five couples are left on season 24 of Dancing With the Stars!

In week eight of the dance competition show, the celebrity contestants will be dancing two full routines -- one with their pro partner, and another with their pro partner And a member from the troupe. At the end of Monday night's show, one pair will be eliminated, and the remaining four will continue on to the highly anticipated semi-finals.

Now, Et's breaking down everything you need to know before the stars strut their stuff in the ballroom!

Watch: Val Chmerkovskiy and Normani Kordei Talk Perfect 'DWTS' Score Despite Her Injury

Who's on top of the leaderboard?

1. Normani Kordei & Val Chmerkovskiy: 40/40 (received immunity from Dance-Off)

2. Tie! Rashad Jennings & Emma Slater, Simone Biles & Sasha Farber: 37/40 (+2 points for Dance-Off)

Who's in danger of elimination?

While receiving the top scores from the judges doesn't necessarily save them from elimination, we have a feeling all three couples on top...

Come with us on a trip down memory lane, around November 9th, 2011 to be precise, with ‪‎Tfgp Episode 11: A Retrospective.

Warning: Explicit Content!

What's in Your System:

Skyrim League of Legends

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Revelation Online

Assassins Creed: Brotherhood

Halo: Anniversary Edition

iOS games Muffin Knight, and Blood and Glory

Pokemon Black

You Don't Know Jack

Tribes: Ascend Beta

Super Mario: 3D Land

Sonic Generations

Uncharted 3

inFAMOUS 2

Saints Row 3

Fusion Sentient

Orbital

Blitz Golf 2

Artist Spotlight 1: The Lemmings

Song: You're the One That I Want (Used by permission during the original airing of The Fathergamer Podcast, Episode 11, in November 2011)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Lemmings-10679553585/

MySpace: https://myspace.com/thelemmingssa

Artist Spotlight 2: Anthony Hamilton

Song: Woo (Used by permission during the original airing of The Fathergamer Podcast, Episode 11, in November 2011)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnthonyHamiltonMusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hamiltonanthony

Artist Website: http://www.

A young President Barack Obama battles racial profiling in the gripping first trailer for upcoming Netflix biopic Barry. The scene begins in 1981, when Obama is a junior at Columbia University. He gets targeted by a police officer on the streets of New York City. "You got some ID?" the cop asks, prompting the college student to stand up for himself: "I don't see you IDing them," he responds. "So what's so special about me, huh?"

The clip, set to Anthony Hamilton's surging "Soul's On Fire," portrays Obama as a frustrated student,...

Who would’ve thought that Chance The Rapper and Kit Kat would drop the hottest track of 2016? Okay, maybe it’s not that good, but Chance’s new commercial for Kit Kat where he remixes the classic jingle is still pretty darn charming to say the least.

In the thirty second clip, the rapper is seen in a convenience store celebrating Halloween in a bear costume, when a Kit Kat bar with his face on the wrapper sings him the well-known catchy tune. Get it? Rapper? Wrapper? Yeah, it’s weird, but then again, what would you expect when you hear that Chance The Rapper and Kit Kat collaborated?

According to Billboard, the commercial marks the first time in 20 years where the jingle’s lyrics have been featured in an ad campaign, and Chance is the first celebrity to revamp the song in general. This wouldn’t be the first...

Chance the Rapper unveiled a lush reworking of "Blessings (Reprise)" on The Tonight Show Monday with the help of Ty Dolla $ign, D.R.A.M., Anthony Hamilton and Raury.

The Chicago Mc's four guests provided a gorgeous mix of background vocals, while Ty and Raury contributed bass and guitar to the Coloring Book track. Chance cut through the ethereal gospel vibe with verve: "I speak to God in public/ He keep my rhymes in couplets/ He think the new ish jam, I think we mutual fans."

As "Blessings (Reprise...

Ray J and Princess Love have found their fairytale ending. The couple, whose dramatic relationship has been featured on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, exchanged vows Friday evening in front of 150 of their closest family and friends at the Vibiana in Los Angeles, a rep for the singer confirms exclusively to People. "I just want her to have the time of her life and remember it as the best day in the world," Ray J told People ahead of the wedding. "Even when I wasn't with her, I told my friends 'She the one, she the one.' It...

Ray J and Princess Love have found their fairytale ending. The couple, whose dramatic relationship has been featured on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, exchanged vows Friday evening in front of 150 of their closest family and friends at the Vibiana in Los Angeles, a rep for the singer confirms exclusively to People. "I just want her to have the time of her life and remember it as the best day in the world," Ray J told People ahead of the wedding. "Even when I wasn't with her, I told my friends 'She the one, she the one.' It...

Ray J and Princess Love didn't have to look far to land a Grammy winner to sing at their wedding ... cause it runs in the family. We're told big sis Brandy will sing Etta James' "At Last" for the couple's first dance. Check out the vid ... she's practiced before and nailed it. There's more ... we're told Grammy winner Anthony Hamilton will serenade Princess Love with "The Point of It All" as she walks down the aisle.

Ed Sheeran and Bill Withers joined Stephen Colbert on The Late Show to promote an upcoming Carnegie Hall tribute and charity concert in Withers' honor that will benefit the Stuttering Association for the Young — something both musicians suffered from as children.

Sheeran did most of the talking, admitting he still stutters occasionally and noting the impediment arose after doctors forgot to apply an anesthetic while removing a birthmark around his eye. On top of that, Sheeran said he used to wear massive National Health Service-issued eyeglasses and has no eardrum in one ear.

Complete list of winners and nominees of the 2014 Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles at the Staples Center on Sunday February 8. Winners will be updated as they're announced during the telecast and pre-telecast. Record Of The Year “Fancy,” Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli Xcx “Chandelier,” Sia **Winner** “Stay With Me (Darkchild Version),” Sam Smith “Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift “All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor Album Of The Year **Winner** “Morning Phase,” Beck “Beyoncé,” Beyoncé “X,” Ed Sheeran “In The Lonely Hour,” Sam Smith “Girl,” Pharrell Williams Song Of The Year “All About That Bass,” Kevin Kadish & Meghan Trainor, songwriters (Meghan Trainor) “Chandelier,” Sia Furler & Jesse Shatkin, songwriters (Sia) “Shake It Off,” Max Martin, Shellback & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift) **Winner** “Stay With Me (Darkchild Version),” James Napier, William Phillips & Sam Smith, songwriters (Sam Smith) “Take Me To Church,” Andrew Hozier-Byrne, songwriter (Hozier) Best New Artist Iggy Azalea Bastille Brandy Clark...

She can turn the world on with her smile. But the comparisons between Empire‘s Cookie Lyon and The Mary Tyler Moore Show‘s Mary Richards end right there.

Ok, so minus the recently completed 17-year prison sentence, Taraji P. Henson’s glorious alter-ego is a real go-getter with a penchant for multitasking, dropping quotable zingers and overcoming whatever obstacles the universe throws in her path.

RelatedTVLine Items: Girl Meets World Meets Angela, JHud Visits Empire and More

But this week’s episode, “Dangerous Bonds,” reminds us there’s a big difference between Mary cracking up during a clown’s...

Below is a list of the nominees and nominations for the 57th annual Grammy Awards, to be held Feb. 8, 2015 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The main show will be broadcast on CBS 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Est/Pst and present 10-13 awards from major categories. The Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony (previously dubbed the Pre-Telecast Ceremony) will take place in the Nokia Centre from 12:30-3:30 Pst and will be live-streamed via Grammy.com. Beyonce and Sam Smith lead overall nominations, with six a piece; each have an Album of the Year nod. Album Of The Year Sam Smith, "In the Lonely Hour" Beyonce, "Beyonce" Beck, "Morning Phase" Ed Sheeran, "x" Pharrell Williams, "Girl" Record Of The Year Iggy Azalea, "Fancy" featuring Charli Xcx Sia, "Chandelier" Sam Smith, "Stay With Me" Taylor Swift, "Shake It Off" Meghan Trainor, "All About That Bass" Song of the Year Sia,...

Ufc

There wasn’t much to look forward to at Ufc 177, and that was before it lost its main event.

Originally, Renan Barao was expected to get an immediate title rematch against T.J. Dillashaw, after Dillashaw shocked the Mma world in May, upsetting Barao and taking his belt. However, while cutting weight, Barao fell ill, passed out, hit his head in the bath tub, and had to be rushed to hospital. In an interview at the Ufc 177 prelims with Joe Rogan, Barao stated he cuts about 10 kilograms of weight going into the weigh-ins, an awful lot of weight in a short time, though he blamed standing up too fast on the black-out.

With the Barao fight lost, Joe Soto, who has never fought in the Ufc but was a champion in Bellator, steps up on almost zero notice to fight Dillashaw for the belt. He was originally scheduled on the preliminary card.

The second of what you might consider a split double header (Ufc Fight Night: Te Huna vs. Marquardt started at 2:30Am Est, which the San Antonio event ratchets up the action starting at 7:30Pm Est), Ufc Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens, technically Fight Night 44, holds promise of giving us the next contender in the featherweight division, as Cub Swanson (favoured) is likely a shoo-in should he win, while Jeremy Stephens has stated that the Ufc told him he would get a title shot with a victory.

In semi-confirming the news, however, Dana White used the word “probably” – a favourite caveat of his in case a more promising title contender comes along.

Also on the card, Ultimate Fighter 17 winner Kelvin Gastelum looks to continue his solid streak in the Ufc, while the last man to beat Cro Cop, Oleksiy Oliynyk, makes his Ufc debut at age 37. The heavyweight takes on Anthony Hamilton,...

Fifteen men. Fifteen layered “rocker” outfits from H&M. Fifteen obligations to make preteen girls clap, whinny, and vote. Who will win? Who will whinny?

I did a couple of times. Not raucously, but overall, the first showcase of American Idol‘s male contestant crop was much better than the distaff half’s debut on Tuesday night. Some areas of improvement over the ladies: less screaming; more looking-like-they-belong-on-a-stage; handsomeness; guitar antics; palpable sensuality; faces for gay men to enjoy. Maybe we didn’t get a tender, tearful moment in the vein of M.K. Nobilette‘s whispery triumph on Tuesday, but I think we clearly saw five dudes fulla feelings emerge as frontrunners. Which is convenient, considering only five are guaranteed to proceed.

I know this isn’t news to readers of TheBacklot, but it must be stated: Adam Lambert, who again appeared as a guest mentor alongside the world...

Did you like Sam as much as we did? Watch his performance, then drop a comment with Your top ‘Idol’ pick from Rush Week!

This season’s top 15 guys went head to head (voice to voice?) on the Feb. 19 episode of American Idol, and while there were quite a few stand-out performers, one contestant stood head and shoulders above the rest: Sarasota, Fla., resident Sam Woolf! Excuse me while I totally fan-girl over him.

Not only was Sam’s version of David Gray‘s “Babylon” a breezy romp of plucky perfection, but the charming brunette had the entire audience eating out of the palm of his hand. I hate to be ‘that guy,’ but Sam totally fits the mold of past winners like Phillip Phillips and David Cook – and by that, I mean he’s a handsome white guy with a guitar. He’s pretty much a shoe-in to make...

American Idol returned on Wednesday with the all-male portion of Rush Week, where the top 10 guys performed before a live audience in the hopes of cracking into the final group of singers.

'American Idol' Recap

As with the girls, the 15 male semi-finalists waited nervously to see if their names were called by Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez or Harry Connick Jr. to hit the stage and sing for America’s votes. Idol alums Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry were back mentoring in the workshop, as was veteran judge Randy Jackson.

Caleb Johnson, the 70s Meat Loaf lookalike, was the first name called. Singing “Stay with Me” by The Faces. Johnson carried the song by the British rock band admirably, while working the stage like a pro. Perhaps his biggest fan at the judges table, Urban, said the performance was “killer.”

Next up, was the soulful Cj Harris. Harris took on Ray Lamontagne song “Shelter,...

The "American Idol" Season 13 live shows have started and, well, the Top 10 girls gave us some serious pause about the talent this season. We know these girls can sing -- we've seen it in audition and Hollywood Week clips. But you wouldn't know it by Tuesday's (Feb. 18) performances.

Thankfully (spoiler alert) the boys do a better job.

1. Caleb Johnson, "Stay With Me," Rod Stewart

Well, this is already 1000 percent better than the women were. Great song choice, solid use of the whole stage and he sounds good. It's not the most vocally demanding song ever, but you also gotta build on this show. It's a marathon, not a sprint, so he can work his way up to the bigger stuff. Plus, Caleb really nailed the ending. Terrific.

2. C.J. Harris, "Shelter," Ray Lamontagne

Interesting song choice. We're enjoying this immensely but is it too obscure for the voting "Idol" viewers? If...

It was an incredible night at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards with amazing performances from Beyonce Knowles and Jay-z, along with Katy Perry and Lorde, just to name a few.

Hosted by the uber-talented LL Cool J, there were a plethora of winners this evening (January 26) including Macklemore and Ryan Lewis taking home the trophy for Best New Artist.

Daft Punk scored the biggest prize of the night with Album of the Year for Random Access Memories. In addition, the French electronic duo won Record of the Year with "Get Lucky" featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, along with Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Dance/Electronica Album.

Another memorable moment went to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis when Madonna and Queen Latifah joined them on stage for "Same Love," during which 34 couples tied the knot!

Check out the full list of 56th Annual Grammy Award winners below!

Record of...

Which music stars went home with awards at the 2014 Grammy Awards? Find out with this full winners list.

Winners in each category are bolded.

Record of the Year

"Get Lucky" -- Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers

"Radioactive" -- Imagine Dragons

"Royals" -- Lorde

"Locked Out of Heaven" -- Bruno Mars

"Blurred Lines" -- Robin Thick feat. T.I. and Pharrell

Album of the year

"The Blessed Unrest" -- Sara Bareilles

"Random Access Memories" -- Daft Punk

"Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" -- Kendrick Lamar

"The Heist" -- Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

"Red" -- Taylor Swift

Song of the year

"Just Give Me a Reason" -- Jeff Bhasker, Pink and Nate Ruess (Pink feat. Nate Ruess)

"Locked Out of Heaven" -- Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine and Bruno Mars (Bruno Mars)

"Roar" -- Lukasz Gottwald, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Katy Perry and Henry Walter (Katy Perry)

"Royals...

Odd List Ivan Radford 7 Jan 2014 - 06:37

Last year may only be a memory, but its film themes linger in the mind. Here's Ivan's pick of 2013's best soundtracks...

Just a quick scan down the list below reveals an extraordinary breadth of genres and subject matters, from imposing, expensive science fiction films to quiet, intimate stories about men at sea on boats or outlaws breaking out of prison to be with their wives. Disparate though the films are, they're all linked by at least one common motif: their music is utterly brilliant.

So with 2014 already well underway, and an entire new wave of films with great music in them beckoning, join us as we look back to the movies of last year, their finest soundtracks, and the must-listen pieces of music you can dig out on each one.

1. Gravity (Steven Price)

Must-listen track: Don't Let Go

When does sound...

R&B singer Anthony Hamilton was popped for a Dwi early Sunday morning, TMZ has learned. Cops pulled Anthony over around 2:30 am in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina for speeding -- but then suspected he was under the influence and arrested him on charges of driving while impaired. He was released from jail later Sunday morning. Anthony is famous for his 2003 hit "Comin from Where I'm From". Recently he wrote the song "Freedom" for "Django Unchained.

Close Enough

Hayley Atwell ("Captain America") will portray female war photographer Gerda Toro in Paul Andrew Williams' "Close Enough" at Steel Mill Pictures. Shooting begins in June.

The story is set during the time she and fellow anti-fascist war photographer Robert Capa (Tom Hiddleston) spent in Paris in the mid-1930s and leads to a dramatic conclusion during the Spanish Civil War. [Source: Screen Daily]

Best Man Holiday

Singers Anthony Hamilton and Marsha Ambrosius have been added to the cast of Malcolm D. Lee's "The Best Man Holiday", the sequel to his 1999 hit "The Best Man".

Lee confirmed the news in a recent tweet. Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Monica Calhoun, Melissa De Sousa and Regina Hall also star. [Source: Blackfilm]

X-Men: Days of Future Past

"The Following" star Adan Canto has joined the cast of Bryan Singer's "X-Men: Days of Future Past".

Canto confirmed...

I said it once and I'll say it again: The Best Man Holiday has an awesome cast. Incredible work today for an incredible sequence! @TayeDiggs @NiaLong @justsanaa @Morris_Chestnut @HaroldPerrineau @Real_Terrence_H @monicacalhoun1 plus @HamiltonAnthony the the lovely @MarshaAmbrosius perform a classic song . What a day! Goodnight! Lots of Tweeter news-breaks today it seems. I think this is the 5th I've posted. The above is from writer/director Malcolm D. Lee, which I shouldn't need to interpret.  He posted it late last week actually, although it was just brought to my attention today.  I wonder what classic song Anthony Hamilton & Marsha Ambrosius perform, and what exactly...

TV One will premiere the 21st Annual Trumpet Awards, hosted by TV and Radio One personality Rickey Smiley and actress Essence Atkins on Easter Sunday, March 31, 8Pm/Et. TV One To Premiere Trumpet Awards Honoring African American Achievement Easter Sunday, March 31 At 8 Pm Et --21st annual awards show hosted by Rickey Smiley and Essence Atkins, with honorees including Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Debra Martin-Chase, Alonzo and Tracy Mourning, Edward Welburn Jr., Mayor Kasim Reed and Michael McMillan – --Musical performances include Fantasia, Anthony Hamilton, Luke James, Avant, Tamela Mann, Linda Herring, Jennifer Herring,...

Feature Ivan Radford 21 Feb 2013 - 07:47

Quentin Tarantino's use of pre-recorded songs comes under the spotlight in Ivan's latest Music in Film...

“I don’t normally use original score. I don’t trust any composer to do it.”

­

That’s Quentin Tarantino in a nutshell: his love of music rivals his love of film. A new Tarantino album is now an event in itself, so it’s hard not to devote an entire column to the director with Django Unchained in cinemas.

Eclectic is the word most used to describe Tarantino’s soundtracks, which hop around his record collection like an excited teenager who just snuck into his parent’s bedroom. Django is no exception, but marks the largest amount of original music in any of his films to date.

Just how big a deal is that?

The director’s use of music has changed over the years. Back...

The 55th Annual Grammy Awards took place on Sunday and the Robert Glasper Experiment nabbed the award for Best R&B Album. The albums up for the award were Robert Glasper Experiment's "Black Radio," Anthony Hamilton's "Back to Love," R. Kelly's "Write Me Back," Tamia's "Beautiful Surprise," and Tyrese's "Open Invitation."

The Robert Glasper Experiment was also up for Best R&B Performance for "Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.)," while Anthony Hamilton was up for Best R&B Song for "Pray for Me," and Tamia was up for Best R&B Song for "Beautiful Surprise."

The Grammys have introduced a new category this year, Best Urban Contemporary Album. The inaugural nominees were Chris Brown's "Fortune," Miguel's "Kaleidoscope Dream," and Frank Ocean's "Channel Orange."

At last year's 54th Annual Grammy Awards, Chris Brown's "F.A.M.E." beat out El DeBarge's "Second Change," R. Kelly's "Love Letter,...

New York -- Salaam Remi has been producing music for more than 20 years, but he says he's not mad that he's just earning the top producer nomination at the Grammy Awards.

Remi, best known for producing for Amy Winehouse, Nas and the Fugees, is nominated for non-classical producer of the year at Sunday's ceremony.

"If I never produce another record again – this is, `Ok, you've made it that far up the mountain, cool. Now you can really focus on other parts of your life,'" he said in a recent interview.

His musical resume heading to the Grammy voting period included Nas' critically acclaimed "Life is Good" album and Alicia Keys' R&B hit "Girl on Fire." He's also worked on latest albums from Miguel, Usher, Anthony Hamilton and Tamia.

Remi was named executive vice president of A&R and production at Sony Music Entertainment late last year. He...

Our two music awards editors -- Darrin Dortch and David Schnelwar -- agree on the winner of Best R&B Album at this Sunday's Grammys. -Insertgroups:12- “Black Radio” - Robert Glasper Experiment “Back To Love” - Anthony Hamilton “Write Me Back” - R. Kelly -- Darrin, David “Beautiful Surprise” - Tamia “Open Invitation” - Tyrese Darrin's analysis This is a weak category. R. Kelly is the biggest name here so he’s the frontrunner. But watch out for perennial nominee Anthony Hamilton. -Addprediction:76:152:Click to predict R&B Album Grammy:addprediction- David's analysis None of the nominees for Best R&B Album are nominated for Album of the Year. The biggest name artist usually wins in this category. R. Kelly is a three time Grammy winner but has not won a Grammy since his 1997 hit song “I Believe I Can Fly.” -Break- ...

New York — Adele dominated last year's Grammy Awards, but this year there isn't a clear winner in sight.

That's because a slew of acts are up for top prizes, from fun. to Frank Ocean to Mumford & Sons. Those performers are nominated for six trophies, as are Kanye West, Jay-z and Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.

We here at The Associated Press let you know who to put money on when the awards show airs live Sunday from the Staples Center in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. Est on CBS. Now if only we could agree.

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Album Of The Year: "El Camino," The Black Keys; "Some Nights," fun.; "Babel," Mumford & Sons; "channel Orange," Frank Ocean; "Blunderbuss," Jack White.

Fekadu: I want to say that because there are four rock-based acts nominated here, they'll split the vote, leaving R&B singer Frank Ocean with album of the year. His album should win,...

Our two music awards editors -- David Schnelwar and Darrin Dortch -- agree on the winner of Best R&B Song at this Sunday's Grammys. -Insertgroups:12- “Adorn” - Miguel -- David, Darrin “Beautiful Surprise” - Tamia “Heart Attack” - Trey Songz “Pray For Me” - Anthony Hamilton “Refill” - Elle Varner David's analysis With Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You” snubbed for Best R&B Song, Miguel’s “Adorn” is the frontrunner to win because of his Song of the Year nomination. -Addprediction:76:151:Click to predict R&B Song Grammy:addprediction- Darrin's analysis With Frank Ocean snubbed here, Song of the Year nominee “Adorn” is a lock for the win. Related Links: Who Will Win ... Country Solo Performance Country Duo/Pop Performance Country Song Pop Solo Performance Pop Duo/Group Performance R&B&nbsp...

Atlanta -- When Anthony Hamilton released his fifth album in December 2011, it didn't receive the same amount of attention his previous efforts did.

So he was extremely surprised when he got a call from his manager telling him that he'd been nominated for two Grammy Awards, including best R&B album for "Back to Love."

Hamilton was holding his 6-month-old son and watching television with his wife when he got the news.

"My music didn't have much of a buzz, so I was amazed about what I heard," he said in a recent interview. "It's great to know that my music is still being recognized. It shows that all the hard work is paying off."

Hamilton sings gospel-tinged songs about heartache and the joys of life, and is known for his soulfully gritty music.

He earned mainstream success with his platinum-selling album, 2003's "Comin' From Where I'm From." He has...