Before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces the official nominees for the 2024 Academy Awards on January 23, they’ve already lifted the lid on the nominations’ shortlist.

Dominated by ‘Barbie‘ (the year’s biggest box office blockbuster), three songs from the movie’s star-studded soundtrack made the shortlist cut while two from ‘The Color Purple’ and ‘Flora and Son‘ respectively are mentioned.

Reportedly, 94 songs were eligible but only 15 landed on the coveted list. See them inside.

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Alicia Keys breathes new life into her ‘Color Purple’ soundtrack single ‘Lifeline‘ by unveiling its official music video.

Produced by Marshmello and Tricky Stewart, the touching tune – released ahead of the clip on November 27 – serves as a standout track on the movie’s star-studded companion album which also features contributions from Fantasia, Mary J. Blige, Usher, H.E.R., Megan Thee Stallion, Keyshia Cole, and many more.

 “I can be your lifeline/ Stay with you ‘til the sunrise/ When you’re low/ It don’t mean you’re alone/ I’ll be by your side/ Oh, I can be the reason/ That you don’t feel your demons/ When you’re low/ It don’t mean you’re alone/ I’ll be by your side,” Keys croons in the stunning clip.

Tapping legendary director Diane Martel to helm the new visual (who is also responsible for videos for some of Alicia’s biggest hits like ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ and ‘Like You’ll Never See Me Again’), hop inside to see ‘Lifeline’ in full.

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As Megan Thee Stallion fans (affectionately called #Hotties) wait with bated breath for official news about her yet-titled third studio album, she continues to tide over with standalone or specialty singles until the new project is done baking.

After making headlines over the last two months with songs ‘Cobra,’ ‘Alpha,’ and ‘Not My Fault’ (as we reported here), the GRAMMY winner has finally seen her viral tune ‘P***y Don’t Lie’ lifted to streaming services.

“You got one dude, smart and funny (Smart and funny) / Makin’ you laugh, dude sweet as honey (Yeah) / But if he’s so brainy, tell me why can’t he (Huh?) / Figure out a way to put a thrill in your panties? (Yeah),” she relays on the Relaye-produced track.

Fans of Netflix’s longest-running original animated series ‘Big Mouth’ first became acquainted with the racy cut (once referred to as ‘Laws of Attraction’) when Meg was introduced as the ‘Hormone Monstress’ in season 7.

Now, after ample demand, the song can be found aboard Apple Music and Spotify.

Stream it inside.

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Central Cee blazes back onto the scene with ‘Entrapreneur‘ – his first solo release of 2023.

Closing out the year with a bang, the British-bred rapper continues to blaze a trail following the global success of Dave collaboration ‘Sprinter’ and the joint EP it resides on, ‘Split Decision.’

On his latest offering, the MC delivers a lyrical look back on his meteoric ascend, his chaotic new life, and more over the last two years.

Watch the video for ‘Entrapreneur’ below…

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Vin Diesel is being accused of sexual battery by a former assistant.

Full story below…

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Taraji P. Henson has been trending in earnest after a teary breakdown during an interview promoting ‘The Color Purple.’

As reported, the 2024 Emmy nominee was quizzed on previous comments made about possibly quitting acting and didn’t hold back in articulating the reason why: pay inequality as a Black actress.

The candidness of her response and the emotion that powered it ignited an outpouring of support.

It also placed a spotlight on Henson’s other interviews on the promo trail – including an insightful sitdown with SAG. 

During said special, the 53-year-old was equally as honest about her sentiments regarding Black talent often being shortchanged when it comes to negotiations and pay packets. And in a revelation that surprised many, she said she “almost walked away from The Color Purple” seemingly for this reason.

Henson didn’t expand on the point nor was she probed about it. However, that didn’t stop many online from probing the topic – with a select few directing questions and raised eyebrows at billionaire Oprah Winfrey, who is on board as a producer of the film and has been one of the central engines pushing the revival of the beloved tale.

Quick to quell such discourse, Henson has issued an impassioned thanks to Winfrey, who she says has been the definition of support behind the scenes.

Full story below…

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Gabrielle Union has joined the chorus of folk voicing support for Taraji P. Henson.

As reported, the Golden Globe winner broke down in tears during an interview on ‘The Color Purple’ press run.

Asked about murmurs of her mulling an exit from acting, Henson waxed candid about what she says is an unfair pay gap as a Black actress with decades of success under her belt.

Now, Union has joined the likes of Keke Palmer in weighing in.

Find out what she had to say below…

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Cop a gander at Beyonce!

Queen Bey has shared stunning new snaps of herself scorching in all-black.

The shoot-worthy pics land on the heels of the diva’s box office success with her hit movie, ‘Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce’ – which topped the US tally with historic numbers.

In other news, today (December 21) also marks the release of the docu-concert in additional international regions – including Brazil, where a number of major celebratory activations are taking place.

In the here and now, peep more of Honey Bey below…

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R&B icons Boyz II Men are heading to the UK.

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After seven years of dating, Mariah Carey and her partner Bryan Tanaka have reportedly split.

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Nicki Minaj continues to pound the pavement in support of her fifth studio album ‘Pink Friday 2.’

Released December 8, the project later made history when it soared to #1 on the Billboard 200 with the biggest first-week sales for a female Hip-Hop album this decade.

With hopes of securing the throne for a second run, the Rap Queen’s promotional promenade has taken her to the TV circuit.

Having already sent her faithful fans (affectionately called #Barbz) into a frenzy with a visit to ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen‘ on December 14, she later turned heads on ‘Kelly & Mark’ (December 19) as well as ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ (December 20).

See highlights from the latter stops inside.

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Pop monarch Cher had nothing but royal praises for Kelly Clarkson after the ‘American Idol’ alum took to her eponymous daytime talk show to deliver a rocking cover of ‘DJ Play a Christmas Song‘ – the lead single from the former’s history-making holiday album ‘Christmas.’

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