Katy Perry is no stranger to dominating Pop charts over her lengthy career with top-selling hits like ‘Firework,’ ‘Roar,’ and ‘Dark Horse,’ but earlier this year the diva saddled up to trot into unfamiliar terrain: Country.
Teaming with the ‘Prince of Country Music’ Thomas Rhett for his sixth studio album, the April 1-released ‘Where We Started,‘ Perry lent her unmistakable vocals to the LP’s title track – helping to push it to top 40 status on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart (#33 peak as of time reported).
In an effort to hoist it to even higher heights on the tally, the unexpected duo imparted a behind the scenes look at the tune’s touching accompanying music video.
Taylor Swift‘s latest album, ‘Midnights,‘ is currently dominating the Billboard 200 in nearly unprecedented fashion.
Opening to gargantuan sales of over 1.5 million first week, the project broke several all-time records on its path to the top of the chart including making her the first act to see five different albums sell over 1 million copies in one week, best one-week vinyl sales of the Luminate era (575,000), making her the first female artist to have 11 albums debut at #1, and so much more (as we reported here).
The slayage is by no means limited to the Billboard 200, however. Look inside to see how Swift is being penciled in Hot 100 history books for the tunes that line her latest LP.
Nicki Minaj‘s massive hit, ‘Super Freaky Girl,’ may have set several records when it blasted to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 upon its debut over the summer, but now the GRAMMY nominee is mirroring those wins at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) thanks to the tune’s ongoing success.
‘Pieces of Me’ singer Ledisi is looking to get a piece of the annual holiday film rush action by introducing her own into the mix.
After garnering critical acclaim for previous movies roles in ‘Selma,’ ‘Remember Me: the Mahalia Jackson Story,’ ‘Twice Bitten,’ and more, the GRAMMY winner is now leading a cast of familiar faces aboard Hallmark’s ‘All Saints Christmas.’
Gone are the days when the Madams of Maryland squabbled over etiquette. Because in the show’s seventh season, the drama escalates to new levels.
‘Potomac’ staples Gizelle Bryant, Karen Huger, Candiace Dillard, Ashley Darby, Robyn Dixon, Wendy Osefo, and Mia Thornton are all back in the mix and stirring up must-see TV.
With the twists and turns already underway, check out a preview of episode 5 of season 7 below…
Mark those calendars because the ‘Married To Medicine’ season 9 reunion is heading to screens.
Dr. Jackie, Dr. Heavenly, Dr. Simone, Dr. Contessa Metcalfe,Toya Bush-Harris, and Anila Sajja are will hash out the various happenings that occurred over the course of season 9.
Viewers have seen the group navigate dramas ranging from fractured friendships to dramatic developments in their personal and professional lives.
With the fireworks already flying, check out a preview of part 3 (finale) of the ‘Married To Medicine’ season 9 reunion…
It’s become custom for each Halloween to bring with it millions of streams, spins, and celebration of Michael Jackson‘s ‘Thriller.’
This year, though, we’re spotlighting the criminally underrated ‘Ghosts’ – which is this week’s From The Vault pick.
Directed by Stan Winston and written by Stephen King and Mick Garris, the whimsical clip is based on a story helmed by Jackson, Garris, and King.
Released in 1996, it tells the tale of an eccentric man with supernatural powers who is forced out of a small town by its judgmental mayor. Suffice it to say, it’s clear Jackson was leaning all the way into the parallels with the happenings in his own life.
Ever the creative, he seized the visual – both its narrative and explosive performance elements – to drive his message home and make clear who the real adversaries were. Flexing his acting skills, MJ played five (yes, five) roles in the short film – including that of the villainous major.
Uniquely, ‘Ghosts’ – which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival – fused music from 1995’s ‘HIStory’ and ‘Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix’ – the latter of which arrived in 1997. The songs featured are ‘2 Bad,’ ‘Is It Scary’ and ‘Ghosts.’
‘Ghosts’ nor the music it served as the vehicle for were a hit. Quite the contrary.
Critics sadly lambasted the visual (which, in its original form, ran for 38 minutes and held the record for the longest music video until 2013) for being too on the nose as an allegory for Jackson’s struggles. Unsurprisingly, at a time when the fate of most music was in the hands of said critics, the songs included didn’t pop either and are considered “rare gems” in contemporary discourse about Jackson’s latter-day discography.
*********
Almost three decades on from its release, we have a renewed sense of appreciation for ‘Ghosts.’
Sure, it’s story is a lil’ on the literal side and, when viewed through today’s lens, is almost cartoon-esque.
However, we applaud MJ for consistently pushing the envelope visually and himself as a performer. Nearing 40 at the time and boasting both a catalog and videography like no other, it’s arguable that the King of Pop had nothing left to prove at that point. Yet, as is trademark with the greats, the appetite to up the ante and redefine what greatness both looks like and means was way too appealing of a concept to the megastar.
With ‘Ghosts,’ Jackson delivered one of the finest visual offerings of his later career and some of the best music video choreography of his entire career. An eternal salute.
Kanye West is only hours removed from the apology he issued to the family of George Floyd and the Black community at large for claiming the unarmed Black man died from drug use rather than the knee of the policeman convicted of killing him.
However, the rapper has sparked fresh controversy by taking aim at Roxie Washington – the mother of Floyd’s daughter.
As reported, Washington filed a $250 Million lawsuit against the MC on behalf of the youngster. The sum is being sought for the harassment, misappropriation, defamation, and infliction of emotional distress it’s claimed West’s words caused.
Taking to Instagram moments ago, the embattled star let loose his feelings on the matter.
Halloween Weekend 2022 is seeing a who’s who of Hollywood show up and show out with stunning transformations.
Embracing the festivities in earnest, a host of familiar faces ironically were unrecognizable as they morphed into others – both real and fantastical.
Halle Bailey, Kim Kardashian, Lala Anthony, Skai Jackson, Tyga, and Kerry Washington are just a few of the latest names to showcase their Halloween 2022 get-ups.
