Month: January 2024

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Pop Daypop

Justin Timberlake drops ‘Everything I Thought It Was’ album trailer

Justin Timberlake at Rock in Rio 2017 in Rio de Janeiro^ Brazil.

During his free concert in his hometown of Memphis, Justin Timberlake debuted his new song “Selfish”, the first new solo material since 2018’s Man of the Woods.  To pre-save ‘Selfish,’ head here.

Timberlake later dropped a trailer for his sixth album, with the project’s official title:  ‘Everything I Thought It Was.’

The album trailer, narrated by Benicio Del Toro, shows a model car driving toward a desert gas station. “What do we have here?” Del Toro says as the video begins. “Ooh, that’s a nice car! Wait, it’s a model. Did that say JT? OK, that sunset is definitely not real. Oh, there’s Justin! Why won’t he turn around? What the f— is he staring at?”. The trailer ends with yellow words against a black screen that read: “Justin Timberlake Presents: Everything I Thought It Was.”

Take a look at the album trailer – here.

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Pop Daypop

Take a listen to Reneé Rapp’s ‘World Burn’ from Mean Girls soundtrack

Renee Rapp attends Day 365 Live! with Dylan Mulvaney at Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center in New York on March 13^ 2023

The latest single from the new Mean Girls movie musical, “World Burn,” features Reneé Rapp, 23, singing alongside the cast of the film. Rapp originally performed World Burn during her stage debut as Regina George in the 2018 Broadway show.

The soundtrack to Mean Girls features songs from the movie’s stars, including Rapp as Regina George, Angourie Rice as Cady Heron, and Auli’i Cravalho as Janis ‘Imi’ike. The soundtrack also features “Not My Fault” by Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion.

Take a listen to ‘World Burn’ – here.

Reneé Rapp releases ‘World Burn’ from ‘Mean Girls’

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Dow Jones closes above 38,000 for the first time ever

The New York Stock Exchange located in downtown Manhattan.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 38,000 for the first time ever on Monday, setting a record high. The S&P 500 also reached a record high, closing at about 4,850, while the Nasdaq hit 15,360 by the end of trading on Monday.

The recent surge is driven in large part by optimism about the prospects for a “soft landing,” in which inflation comes down to normal levels while the economy avoids a recession, with investor enthusiasm about AI also helping to drive returns. The recent market rally is also said to be in part the result of expectations among some investors of interest rate cuts at the Federal Reserve, anticipated as soon as March. Interest rate cuts would lower borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, potentially triggering a burst of economic activity through greater household spending and company investment. The Fed, however, risks a rebound of inflation if it cuts interest rates too quickly, since stronger consumer demand could lead to an acceleration of price increases.

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said early last week the central bank expects to cut rates this year, but that it won’t be “rushed” to make the decision soon.

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Categories
News Daypop

Supreme Court allows border patrol to remove razor wire Texas placed at border

cascade of United States Supreme Court^ Washington DC

On Monday, the Supreme Court voted to allow Border Patrol agents to remove razor wire Texas installed on the U.S.-Mexico border as part of an effort by the state to prevent illegal border crossings. The narrowly-divided High Court voted 5-4 to grant an emergency request filed by the Biden administration, which had argued that Texas was preventing agents from carrying out their duties. The Biden administration said the wire prevented agents from reaching migrants who have already crossed over the border into the U.S. The Court’s order noted that four conservative members of the nine-justice court would have rejected the government’s request – Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott installed the razor wire near the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass as part of an operation to address illegal immigration. Texas later sued after Border Patrol agents cut through some of the razor wire, claiming the agents had trespassed and damaged state property. Abbott’s immigration enforcement plan, dubbed Operation Lone Star, included busing thousands of migrants to Democratic-led cities and arresting migrants on trespassing charges. The state previously placed buoys in the Rio Grande to prevent crossings, and in response the Biden administration sued. A federal judge ruled for the Biden administration, but the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last month reversed that decision, saying agents could not cut or move the wire unless there was a medical emergency. The barrier currently remains in place while litigation continues.

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg shares metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis

Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg in the Arizona Fall League game with the Scottsdale Scorpions on November 20^ 2008 in Mesa^ Arizona

Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg announced on Instagram that he has been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer.

Sandberg, who played 15 seasons for the Chicago Cubs, wrote on Monday: “To my Chicago Cubs, National Baseball Hall of Fame, extended Baseball Family, the city of Chicago, and all my loyal fans, I want to share some personal news. Last week, I learned that I have been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. I have begun treatment, and I am surrounded by my loving wife Margaret, our incredibly supportive family, the best medical care team, and our dear friends. We will continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for me and my family.”

The Cubs said in a statement: “We cannot imagine how incredibly tough it is right now for Ryne and his family, but we do know Ryne is one tough competitor and a winner. We are rallying around his family with locked arms as they begin their journey to conquer this battle with cancer.”

The 64-year-old Sandberg was a 10-time All-Star during his 15 seasons for the Cubs from 1982 to 1997, with a total of 282 home runs and 344 stolen bases. He later served as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 2013 to ’15, going 119-159, and has been a fixture for the Cubs at spring training and Wrigley Field, providing guidance for young infielders while being an ambassador for the team. He has appeared as a pregame and postgame analyst in various mediums as well.

Sandberg was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. He won the National League MVP in 1984, the same year the Cubs won a division title. Sandberg also led the league in triples and runs scored that season while hitting .314 with 19 home runs, and also won nine consecutive Gold Glove awards.

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Detroit Lions reach deal with veteran TE Zach Ertz

Eagles tight end Zach Ertz is cheered by fans during the Super Bowl parade Feb. 8^ 2018^ in front of thousands of fans in downtown Philadelphia.

The Detroit Lions have signed veteran tight end Zach Ertz to their practice squad.

The addition of Ertz comes just after Lions tight end Brock Wright suffered a forearm injury in Detroit’s 31-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coach Dan Campbell said it didn’t “look good” for Wright’s availability for the NFC Championship Game on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, and Ertz could be elevated to the active roster when the Lions face the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.

The 33-year-old Ertz spent the first half of the season with the Arizona Cardinals, and totaled 27 catches for 187 yards and a score through seven games. He landed on injured reserve in October because of a quad injury and was released in November. Former teammate J.J. Watt wrote on social media that Ertz requested to be released so he could sign with a contender and “make a run at his 2nd Super Bowl ring.”

Ertz appeared in seven playoff games while with the Philadelphia Eagles and another with the Cardinals. He totaled 36 catches for 381 yards and two scores in those appearances. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ertz has 709 catches for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns in 11 seasons.

The Lions will take on the 49ers at 6:30 p.m. EST Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Dolly Parton celebrates birthday with ‘Rockstar Deluxe’ featuring nine additional tracks

Dolly Parton at the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards Arrivals at the Four Seasons Hotel on April 3^ 2016 in Las Vegas^ NV

Dolly Parton celebrating her birthday 78th birthday on January 19th, and surprised fans with a deluxe version of her Rockstar album, dubbed Rockstar Deluxe . Parton shared on her socials: “It’s my birthday so I’m going to give you a present! I’m releasing four never-released songs for my birthday, to go with the Rockstar album, and a few others that you may have heard before that were not on the album. I hope you enjoy them, and I hope you all have a happy birthday for me! LOL.”

Rockstar Deluxe features nine additional tracks, five of which were retailer exclusives and four that have never been released before. The new tracks include covers of Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Eddie Money’s “Two Tickets to Paradise,” Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Billy Joel‘s “The Entertainer” and Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” There’s also a new version of Dolly’s classic hit, “Jolene,” featuring Måneskin; as well as the track “Mama Never Said”, and a live version of her original tune “Rockin’ It”; and her version of “Stay Out Of My Bedroom” (which she recorded with Sylvester Stallone for their 1984 movie, Rhinestone.)

Dolly Parton’s Rockstar (Deluxe) is available via digital outlets – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Grand Ole Opry apologizes after Elle King performance at Dolly Parton tribute

Elle King at VH1 Trailblazer Honors at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on February 20^ 2019 in Los Angeles^ CA

The Grand Ole Opry has apologized following a performance by singer Elle King at their Dolly Parton tribute concert that has received major backlash. Fans complained about King’s “drunk and profane” performance Friday at the Opry’s Dolly Parton birthday tribute. Parton, who did not attend the tribute, celebrated her 78th birthday Friday.

After the Opry had originally posted on Friday that singer Lauren Alaina had dropped out of the tribute, a fan named Judas responded, “I wish she would’ve been there because Elle King ruined the night with her horrible, drunk and profane performance. Dolly Parton would’ve been mortified. For our first time at The Opry, it was a shame we all had to witness that.”  Subsequently, the Opry apologized Saturday, writing, “Hi Judas, we deeply regret and apologize for the language that was used during last night’s second Opry performance.”

Footage from the show on social media shows King forgetting the lyrics to Parton’s “Marry Me” and cursing onstage. The singer also mocked the audience, saying, “Y’all bought tickets for this [expletive]? You ain’t getting your money back,” and she later said, “Hi, my name is Elle King. I’m [expletive] hammered.”

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Naomi Watts joins cast of the drama ‘Emmanuelle’

Naomi Watts at New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala at David Koch Theater in New York on October 5^ 2023

Variety has confirmed that Naomi Watts has joined the cast of Audrey Diwan‘s highly-anticipated erotic drama, “Emmanuelle.”  The film is inspired by Emmanuelle Arsan’s novel and is based on a script co-developed by Diwan and Rebecca Zlotowski (“Other People’s Children”). The book centers on a woman and the series of erotic fantasies that she entertains. It was previously made into a 1974 film of the same name, directed by Just Jaeckin and starring Sylvia Kristel, which became a cult hit.

Watts revealed the news after posting a (now-deleted) Instagram Story with “Emmanuelle” co-star Noemie Merlant. Merlant plays the titular role in “Emmanuelle”, with the rest of the cast comprised of Will Sharpe (“The White Lotus”), Jamie Campbell Bower (“Stranger Things”), Chacha Huang (“Money Heist”) and Anthony Wong (“Infernal Affairs”).

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Janet Jackson announces summer tour dates feature special guest Nelly

Janet Jackson at the 2018 Billboards Music Awards at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas^ Nevada USA on May 20th 2018

Janet Jackson has announced her 2024 “Together Again” concert tour, featuring special guest Nelly. Nearly one year after announcing her return to the road with her ninth concert tour, Jackson will now embark on a 35-date run across the United States beginning on June 4 in California’s Acrisure Arena, making stops in Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Cleveland, Brooklyn and New Jersey before wrapping-up on July 30 in Arizona’s Footprint Center.

The “Together Again” tour was launched in celebration of Jackson’s 50th anniversary in music, and it honors the milestones for three of her most critically acclaimed albums: 25 years of “The Velvet Rope,” 30 years of “janet,” and 35 years of “Rhythm Nation.”

Tickets for the ‘Together Again’ tour are available now via LiveNation.com.

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