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Entertainment Daypop

Rihanna to headline Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show

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Apple Music, the NFL and Roc Nation announced that Rihanna will headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show at Super Bowl LVII, on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Last week it was announced that Apple Music as the new partner for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, replacing Pepsi which had been featured for the past decade. This marks the first year of a partnership between Apple Music, the NFL and Roc Nation. Over the coming months, fans can expect to see exclusive details and sneak peeks leading up to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show by following Apple Music on social media.

Rihanna teased the news on social media, tweeting a picture of what appeared to be her tattooed hand holding an NFL-branded football, with no other caption.

The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show telecast will be produced by DPS with Roc Nation and Jesse Collins serving as executive producers. Shawn “Jay-Z’ Carter said in a statement: “Rihanna is a generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn. A person born on the small island of Barbados who became one of the most prominent artists ever. Self-made in business and entertainment.”

NFL Head of Music Seth Dudowsky shared: “We are thrilled to welcome Rihanna to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show stage. Rihanna is a once in a generation artist who has been a cultural force throughout her career. We look forward to collaborating with Rihanna, Roc Nation and Apple Music to bring fans another historic Halftime Show performance.”

Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats added: “Rihanna is an incredible recording artist who is a favorite for many millions of Apple Music customers around the world. We’re excited to partner with Rihanna, Roc Nation and the NFL to bring music and sports fans a momentous show — what an incredible artist for the inaugural Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.”

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

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Rock Daypop

Red Hot Chili Peppers release Eddie Van Halen tribute song “Eddie”

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The Red Hot Chili Peppers are honoring the late Eddie Van Halen with a tribute song to the late Van Halen guitarist, titled “Eddie.”

RHCP singer Anthony Kiedis wrote in an Instagram message: “Sometimes we don’t realize how deeply affected and connected we are to artists until the day they die. Eddie Van Halen was a one of a kind. The day after his death Flea came into rehearsal with an emotional bassline. John, Chad and I started playing along and pretty soon with all our hearts, a song in his honor effortlessly unfolded. It felt good to be sad and care so much about a person who had given so much to our lives. In the end, our song asks that you not remember Eddie for dying but for living his wildest dream.” Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang Van Halen, replied to the emotional post with a trio of heart emoji.

The tribute to the rock icon, who died in Oct. 2020, is the second track from the band’s upcoming Return of the Dream Canteen album (due out Oct. 14), following the single, “Tippa My Tongue.”

Watch the “Eddie” visualizer – here.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Ghost share the live video for ‘Mary On A Cross’

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Ghost have released the official live video for their surprise viral hit, ‘Mary On A Cross.”  The performance footage was filmed on September 6 at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida during the summer 2022 leg of the band’s “Imperatour.”

In a message shared alongside the video, the band wrote, “We wish to inform you that all good things must come to an end. Although the US Imperatour will wrap this weekend we wanted to leave you with this token of our appreciation for your continued support. Watch ‘Mary on a Cross – Live from Tampa 2022.’”

The band recently landed their first-ever song on Billboard’s Hot 100 Songs chart with “Mary on a Cross,” which entered at No.90. Originally released in 2019 as a B-side, “Mary On A Cross” has been experiencing a resurgence after going viral on TikTok.  The track appeared in a clip on the platform that featured an edit of scenes from ‘Stranger Things’ centered around characters Will Byers (played by Noah Schnapp) and Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), which has since been viewed millions of times on TikTok and inspired many other creators to soundtrack their TikTok’s with the song.  To celebrate the success of the “Mary On A Cross”, Ghost released a “slowed + reverb” version of the song. The “slowed + reverb” version is also now available for creators to use on TikTok.

Take a look at the live video clip for “Mary On A Cross” – here.

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Categories
Pop Daypop

President Biden surprises Elton John with National Humanities Medal

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Sir Elton John and husband David Furnish were hosted by President Joe Biden and the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden as part of A Night When Hope and History Rhyme event, organized in collaboration with The History Channel and A+E Networks. President Biden surprised John by presenting him with a National Humanities Medal following a performance at the White House.

John performed several of his hits including “Tiny Dancer,” “Rocketman,” and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” on the White House South Lawn, before the President and First Lady surprised him by presenting him with the National Humanities Medal. John was given the medal for his singing and songwriting career, and also for his contributions to charities and humanitarian causes such as HIV/AIDS. The Elton John AIDS Foundation was launched in 1992 and has since raised over $450 million and funded programs across four continents.

John covered his face in disbelief when the medal was presented to him, saying: “I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted and humbled and honored by this incredible award from the United States of America  I will treasure this so much.” John was at the White House as part of an event to honor “everyday history-makers in the audience,” according to the White House. There were also teachers, military families and LBGT+ advocates in the audience. and among those in attendance were former first lady Laura Bush, tennis champion Billie Jean King, British Ambassador to the United States Karen Elizabeth Pierce, and John’s husband, David Furnish.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

President Biden surprises Elton John with National Humanities Medal

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Sir Elton John and husband David Furnish were hosted by President Joe Biden and the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden as part of A Night When Hope and History Rhyme event, organized in collaboration with The History Channel and A+E Networks. President Biden surprised John by presenting him with a National Humanities Medal following a performance at the White House.

John performed several of his hits including “Tiny Dancer,” “Rocketman,” and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” on the White House South Lawn, before the President and First Lady surprised him by presenting him with the National Humanities Medal. John was given the medal for his singing and songwriting career, and also for his contributions to charities and humanitarian causes such as HIV/AIDS. The Elton John AIDS Foundation was launched in 1992 and has since raised over $450 million and funded programs across four continents.

John covered his face in disbelief when the medal was presented to him, saying: “I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted and humbled and honored by this incredible award from the United States of America  I will treasure this so much.” John was at the White House as part of an event to honor “everyday history-makers in the audience,” according to the White House. There were also teachers, military families and LBGT+ advocates in the audience. and among those in attendance were former first lady Laura Bush, tennis champion Billie Jean King, British Ambassador to the United States Karen Elizabeth Pierce, and John’s husband, David Furnish.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

House Democrats pass police reform package involving changes to policing and public safety

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On Thursday, House Democrats passed a package of new police reform bills that would fund recruitment and training for police departments across the country, including new language for police accountability. Early in the day a procedural vote on the bills narrowly passed 216-215 when a group of progressive Democrats objected to providing more funding to police departments. It now heads to the Senate.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., said: “The Invest to Protect Act will ensure that local police departments across our country have what they need to recruit and retain the finest officers, to provide necessary training, and to invest in providing mental health resources for our officers.” 

California Democratic Rep. Katie Porter sponsored one f the bills, which would create a grant program for departments to hire and dispatch mental professionals instead of law enforcement officers when incidents involve behavioral health needs. Another bill provides funding to police departments with fewer than 200 officers and also allows the funding to be used for data collection about police and community safety.

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News Daypop

Boeing to pay $200 million to settle SEC charges over 737 Max

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The Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday that it charged the aircraft maker Boeing and former CEO Dennis Muilenburg with making significant misleading public statements about the plane and an automated flight-control system that was implicated in the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

Boeing Co. will pay $200 million to settle charges that the company and its former CEO misled investors about the safety of its 737 Max after two of the airliners crashed, killing 346 people. While neither Boeing nor Muilenburg admitted wrongdoing, they offered to settle and pay penalties, including $1 million to be paid by Muilenburg, who was ousted in December 2019, nine months after the second crash.

The SEC said Boeing and Muilenburg knew that the flight system, known as MCAS, posed a safety issue but promised the public that the plane was safe. The SEC said they also falsely claimed that there had been no gaps in the process of certifying the plane in the first place.

Boeing said it has made “broad and deep changes across our company in response to those accidents” to improve safety and quality: “Today’s settlement is part of the company’s broader effort to responsibly resolve outstanding legal matters related to the 737 Max accidents in a manner that serves the best interests of our shareholders, employees and other stakeholders.”

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Boston Celtics suspend head coach Ime Udoka for 2022-23 season due to inappropriate relationship with staff member

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The Boston Celtics announced Thursday night that they have suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the upcoming 2022-23 season, citing violations of team policies in its announcement. Sources told Andrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that the suspension is related to Udoka’s role in an intimate relationship with a female member of the franchise’s staff, which is considered a violation of the Celtics’ guidelines. The suspension is effective immediately, with a decision about Udoka’s future with the organization to be determined at a later date.  Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will take over as interim head coach

Udoka said in a statement: “I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down. I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”

The 45-year-old  Udoka previously served as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs (2012-19), Philadelphia 76ers (2019-20) and Nets (2020-21) following a seven-year playing career in the NBA. Udoka was hired to be the Celtics’ head coach in June 2021, replacing Brad Stevens after he went on to become Boston’s president of basketball operations.  In his first season in Boston, Udoka led the team to 51 wins – going 26-6 in the final 32 games – and their first NBA Finals appearance since the 2010 season. The Celtics lost the title series to the Golden State Warriors in six games.

Udoka is engaged to actress Nia Long, and the couple share one child together.

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Shakur Stevenson stripped of super featherweight belts after missing weight for Robson Conceição match

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Shakur Stevenson will be stripped of his WBO and WBC featherweight titles after failing to make weight ahead of his matchup with Robson Conceição on Friday. The undefeated Stevenson (18-0) is facing a fine from the New Jersey State Athletic Commission, and potentially some of the $3 million fight purse he’s set to earn. Stevenson, 25, said Thursday on Twitter that he’s no longer capable of hitting 130 pounds: “I gave it my all. I’ve been professional my whole career and made weight, but my body just can’t make 130 anymore. My health has to come first. I’m moving up to 135 in my next fight.”

Conceição will still be eligible to claim both titles with a win. Friday’s event is taking place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and per ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, “Top Rank is attempting to find a solution so Stevenson and Conceição can still fight in the ESPN main event.” The 33-year-old Conceição (17-1) will have his second title shot on Friday. In Sept. 2021 he lost by decision to Oscar Valdez, who had tested positive for a banned substance in the lead-up to the fight but was still allowed to participate.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Carly Pearce and more named 2022 CMT Artists of the Year Honorees

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Luke Combs, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, and Walker Hayes will be recognized as the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year during a 90-minute special airing on CMT on Friday, October 14. Kane Brown and Luke Combs will each be honored for the third time (2019, 2021 & 2022), while Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, and Walker Hayes will be recognized for the first time.

CMT revealed the news, saying in a press release: “These five ‘Artists of the Year’ collectively dominated the last 12 months in country music, leading across all CMT platforms, scoring chart-topping albums and singles, and performing music that entertains and inspires millions of fans.”

CMT senior vice president of production, music & events Margaret Comeaux in a statement:
“We are honored to recognize the astounding achievements of this illustrious group of artists over the past year. Carly, Cody, Kane, Luke, and Walker all represent the vibrant future of the country music format, as they defy convention and blaze new trails, breaking industry records and genre barriers. We can’t wait to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments alongside their fellow artists and friends.”

The 2022 CMT Artists of the Year will premiere on Friday, October 14 at 9/8c.

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