Month: November 2022

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Pop Daypop

Elton John and Britney Spears release acoustic version of ‘Hold Me Closer’

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Elton John and Britney Spears have released the acoustic version of their hit duet, “Hold Me Closer,” along with a video for the new version of their song.

The music video for ‘Hold Me Closer (Acoustic)’ features Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Chen ice skating to a routine he choreographed himself.  In 2019, Chen first incorporated John’s songs into his free skate program after his choreographer saw the motion-picture “Rocketman.” Chen, a lifelong fan of Elton John, decided to use his Elton John-inspired program for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where he won the Gold Medal for his performance. Following his Olympic victory, Chen and fellow ice-skating colleagues attended one of John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour performances in Charlotte, North Carolina where Elton surprised him with a surprise congratulatory shout-out from the stage.

Said Chen: “Elton John’s music means something to anybody who’s ever listened to it. ‘Rocket Man’ has always intrigued me — it’s otherworldly, but it’s just as much about our lives on Earth, love and loneliness, dreams and disappointments. In a way, ‘Rocket Man’ captures what my own journey has felt like — and getting to skate to it at the Olympics was one of the most special moments of my life. I couldn’t believe it when I heard Elton thought of me for this video. Elton and Britney created something really beautiful with this version of ‘Hold Me Closer’ — and I’m so honored to be a part of it.”

Take a look at the video for the acoustic version of “Hold Me Closer” – here.

Editorial credit: anyamuse / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

P!NK to drop new album “Trustfall” in February

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P!NK has announced her highly-anticipated ninth studio album, Trustfall, will be released on February 17th via RCA Records. Target will offer an exclusive hot pink vinyl edition. A Zine-Pak CD and bundles are available via Pink’s online store. To pre-order, head here.

Trustful will be P!NK’s first studio album since 2019’s Hurts 2B Human. The singer shared the first single off the album earlier this month with the release of “Never Gonna Not Dance Again,” produced by Grammy-winning hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback, who also co-wrote the song with P!NK. The music video for the track was co-directed by P!NK, with Nick Florez & RJ Durell.

The announcement of Trustfall comes shortly after the news of P!NK’s return to touring with the Summer Carnival 2023 Tour. The North American leg kicks-off in Toronto on July 24th and will see P!NK performing at stadiums across North America, joined by Brandi Carlile and Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo on select dates, with Grouplove and KidCutUp supporting on all dates.

Editorial credit: yakub88 / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

2022 American Music Awards: See the full list of winners

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The 50th American Music Awards took place on Sunday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by Wayne Brady and airing on ABC.

Taylor Swift ruled the evening, sweeping all six categories for which she was nominated, including artist of the year, the night’s top honor. Swift is now the most decorated artist in AMAs history, with 40 career wins. BTS also broke records, winning in favorite pop duo or group for the fourth time, making them the most awarded group in the history of the category. Elton John took home his first AMA win since 1988 for best collaboration with Dua Lipa, becoming the longest-recognized artist in the awards show’s history. (John was first nominated for an AMA in 1974.)

Bad Bunny won for Best Male Latin Artist and his Un Verano Sin Ti was named Best Latin Album, while Anitta won for Best Female Latin Artist. Beyonce was awarded Best R&B Artist with her album Renaissance winning for Best R&B Album; and the Best Male R&B Artist statuette went to Chris Brown. Kendrick Lamar scored the Best Male Hip-Hop Artist award, with his Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers LP named Best Hip-Hop Album; Nicki Minaj won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. Morgan Wallen earned the Best Male Country Artist award, and his single “Wasted on You” winning for Best Country Song.

Lionel Richie, a 17-time AMA winner, was honored with the Icon Award for his career contributions to the music industry, with Charlie Puth, Stevie Wonder and Ari Lennox performing a tribute to Richie.

For the full list of winners, head here.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

2022 American Music Awards: See the full list of winners

shutterstock_1272953776

The 50th American Music Awards took place on Sunday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by Wayne Brady and airing on ABC.

Taylor Swift ruled the evening, sweeping all six categories for which she was nominated, including artist of the year, the night’s top honor. Swift is now the most decorated artist in AMAs history, with 40 career wins. BTS also broke records, winning in favorite pop duo or group for the fourth time, making them the most awarded group in the history of the category. Elton John took home his first AMA win since 1988 for best collaboration with Dua Lipa, becoming the longest-recognized artist in the awards show’s history. (John was first nominated for an AMA in 1974.)

Bad Bunny won for Best Male Latin Artist and his Un Verano Sin Ti was named Best Latin Album, while Anitta won for Best Female Latin Artist. Beyonce was awarded Best R&B Artist with her album Renaissance winning for Best R&B Album; and the Best Male R&B Artist statuette went to Chris Brown. Kendrick Lamar scored the Best Male Hip-Hop Artist award, with his Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers LP named Best Hip-Hop Album; Nicki Minaj won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. Morgan Wallen earned the Best Male Country Artist award, and his single “Wasted on You” winning for Best Country Song.

Lionel Richie, a 17-time AMA winner, was honored with the Icon Award for his career contributions to the music industry, with Charlie Puth, Stevie Wonder and Ari Lennox performing a tribute to Richie.

For the full list of winners, head here.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

5 migrants dead, 5 missing after boat capsizes off coast of Florida

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The U.S. Coast Guard Southeast said in a statement that five migrants have died and another five are missing after a homemade boat capsized off the coast of Florida.

The group of migrants was traveling in the homemade boat when it capsized 50 miles off the coast of Little Torch Key, Florida, authorities said. Some of the rescued migrants wore life jackets, which the Coast Guard said saved their lives with winds at 30 miles per hour on Saturday, and the seas were 6 to 8 feet in the swell. Nine people were rescued, while four died almost immediately upon capsizing and one died after the incident.

The Coast Guard did not identify the country of origin for the migrants but did tag the U.S. Embassy in Cuba Twitter account in tweets about the incident. The Coast Guard said: “For individuals residing in the US seeking information on a family member possibly intercepted by the Coast Guard, please contact your local government representative.”

The Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has repeatedly warned migrants not to make the journey from the central triangle countries, because it is incredibly dangerous and could result in death.

Editorial credit: Rob Wilson / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Suspect in custody after mass shooting at LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs kills 5

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A 22-year-old man is in police custody after at least five people died and another 25 were injured in a shooting at a LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colo., just before midnight on Sunday.  The mass shooting occurred at Club Q, until recently the only LGBTQ+ nightclub in the city comprised of 484,000 residents.  Colorado Springs Police Lt. Pamela Castro said at a news conference that the suspect, 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, was taken into custody at 12:02 a.m. just minutes after the shooting. He is being treated for injuries at a local hospital.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said that the suspect began shooting upon entering the club, and two “heroic” people fought with him and were able to stop him from killing and hurting others before officers arrived. “We owe them a great debt,” said Vasquez. At least two firearms were found at the scene, with an unspecified long rifle in the shooting. “The motive of the crime is part of the investigation and whether this was a hate crime is a part of that investigation,” Vasquez added.

Club Q said in a statement posted on Facebook: “Club Q is devastated by the senseless attack on our community. Our prayers and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends. We thank the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack.”

Gov. Jared Polis, the first openly gay governor in the U.S., tweeted : “This is horrific, sickening, devastating.  My heart breaks for the family and friends of those lost, injured, and traumatized in this horrific shooting. I have spoken with Mayor Suthers and made it clear that every state resource is available to local law enforcement in Colorado Springs. We are eternally grateful for the brave individuals who blocked the gunman likely saving lives in the process and for the first responders who responded swiftly to this horrific shooting. Colorado stands with our LGTBQ community and everyone impacted by this tragedy as we mourn.”

Editorial credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

L.A. Rams’ Matthew Stafford enters concussion protocol after hit vs. Saints

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L.A. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has entered concussion protocol once again, after a two-man sack in the third quarter off the Rams game vs. the Saints. Signal-caller Bryce Perkins entered the contest in his place. The move comes two weeks after Stafford suffered a concussion against the Buccaneers in Week 9, and he missed the team’s Week 10 matchup against the Cardinals. Stafford had just cleared protocols 2 days ago to play again this Sunday.

Stafford took a hard hit from linebacker Demario Davis and defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon with 9:38 remaining on third and eighth.  The QB entered the Rams’ medical tent and went into the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Before exiting Sunday’s game, Stafford was 11-for-18 with 159 passing yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-yard connection with Tutu Atwell.

Editorial credit: Phil Stafford / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Falcons’ Cordarrelle Patterson sets record for kick return touchdowns

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Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson made history on Sunday with his ninth career kickoff return for a touchdown, the most in NFL history. Patterson entered Sunday’s game against the Bears with eight kickoff return scores, tied with Joshua Cribbs and Leon Washington for the record.  Late in the second quarter, the 10-year veteran received the ball three yards deep in his own end zone, eventually moving past Chicago kicker Cairo Santos to take the return home.

While Patterson is the all-time leader in kickoff return touchdowns, the league’s record for combined return scores till belongs to Bears great Devin Hester, who returned a total of 20 kickoffs and punts for touchdowns during his time in the NFL.

Patterson also holds the NFL record for the longest play in league history (109 yards), has earned four first-team All-Pro honors. and made three All-Pro second teams (in addition to making the NFL 2010’s All-Decade Team).

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Categories
Country Daypop

Lauren Alaina announces engagement to boyfriend Cameron Arnold

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Lauren Alaina announced that she and boyfriend Cameron Arnold are engaged. Alaina wrote via Instagram on Sunday, November 20:  “BRIDE be dang’d, y’all. My best friend, @arnold.cam, asked me to marry him, and I announced it at my favorite place in the world, @opry.  I didn’t know happiness and excitement like this existed. I can’t wait to be Mrs. Cameron Scott Arnold.”

The 28-year-old Alaina debuted her romance with Arnold in August 2021, and the happy couple celebrated their engagement news during her concert at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Saturday, November 19.  During her performance, Alaina flashed her engagement ring and said: “I didn’t think this year could get any better, and yesterday, I got asked into another family. After he proposed to me, I said, ‘You have to come out on this stage at the Grand Ole Opry!’ Make some noise for my future husband, everybody!”  Arnold then joined Alaina on the stage before she resumed performing, adding, “He did not want to do that… He likes to be in the shadows, and he was like, ‘You’re not making me come out there,’ and I said, ‘You are not, not getting a picture in the circle.’ So, we negotiated, and he came out for the picture.”

Alaina was previously engaged to high school boyfriend Alex Hopkins in July 2018. but the former couple broke up in January 2019. Shortly after, Alaina dated comedian John Crist, before they split in September 2019.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Granger Smith releases new album “Moonrise” from upcoming film debut

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Granger Smith has just released his latest album Moonrise and announced his acting debut as the star of the upcoming film Moonrise, available on December 15th. Produced by Granger with John Marlin, every song on the new album will also be featured in the film.

In the movie, Smith portrays Will Brown – a country music artist with three kids who has lost his wife in a tragic accident and must seek redemption with his music and his family. Smith felt connected to the character after reading the script and upon learning there wasn’t any music for the film, Granger became the movie’s musical supervisor and wrote all the songs for the movie.  Said Smith:“I definitely didn’t expect to record an album this year (or at least in this way)!  Last holiday season when I accepted the lead role in the movie, I spoke with the director about a song mentioned prominently in the script called ‘Forever Forward’ among others. I said, ‘Can you send me this song, so I can learn it?’ and she replied, ‘Oh, we don’t have that yet, but we’ll find it!’ So, I decided the easiest thing to do would be to write the songs to fill in the gaps for the film. Before long, I had 12 brand new songs and a complete album. This was so different than any other process of music making that I’ve been involved in with, and I LOVED every minute of it.”

You can stream the album “Moonrise” –here.
Smith also premiered the official music video for the song “In This House” from his new album and upcoming film.  Take a look at the video on YouTube – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com