Category: Urban AC

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JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars lead 60th Annual Grammy nominations

Courtesy of the Recording AcademyJAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars have reason to celebrate this morning.  They’re all among the leading nominees for the 60th annual Grammy Awards, announced this morning on CBS This Morning with help from singer Andra Day. JAY-Z leads with eight nominations, including Album of the Year for 4:44 and Record …

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ABC’s “American Idol” to premiere on March 11

ABC/FremantleMedia/19 EntertainmentAmerican Idol finally has a premiere date. ABC’s reboot of the iconic singing competition will premiere Sunday, March 11 at 8 p.m. ET.  Auditions for the show began in August, covering 23 cities from Portland, OR to Orlando, FL, encompassing on-site tryouts, online submissions and live-streaming auditions. No word on how many nights per …

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Rock and roll pioneer Fats Domino, dead at 89

Clive Limpkin/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesFats Domino, whose piano-driven R&B hits more than 60 years ago helped define rock and roll, has died in New Orleans.  He was 89. Domino died Wednesday morning, surrounded by family and friends, according to his daughter. Born Antoine Domino, Jr. in New Orleans, he was nicknamed “Fats” early on in …

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Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Drake, Chainsmokers, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd lead 2017 American Music Awards nominees

Dick Clark ProductionsBruno Mars has a lot to like this morning.  The “That’s What I Like” singer’s earned a leading eight American Music Awards nominations, including Artist of the Year, Favorite Male Pop/Rock and Soul R&B Artist and more.  It’s all on the strength of his 24K Magic album, which also earned nods for favorite …

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Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan confirmed as new “American Idol” judges

ABCAfter weeks — nay, months — of speculation, it’s finally official: Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan will be joining Katy Perry at the judges’ table on ABC’s reboot of American Idol. Lionel’s name had been in the mix almost from the very beginning, while Luke’s name has been thrown around for the past couple of …

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“American Idol” who? Fox to launch new singing competition, “The Four”

Frank Micelotta/FOXFox clearly isn’t taking its loss of American Idol to ABC lying down: the network is launching a brand-new singing competition. The show, called The Four, starts with four finalists who’ve been chosen by the show’s yet-to-be-named panel of music industry experts.  Each singer will then defend his or her spot by trying to …

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Ryan Seacrest officially signs on as host of ABC's “American Idol” reboot

Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and TV DistributionSeacrest…in!  Kelly Ripa made the news official Thursday morning on Live with Kelly and Ryan: Ryan Seacrest is the new host of ABC’s reboot of American Idol. “I’m happy to confirm, I can confirm with absolute confirmation, that Ryan Seacrest is returning for the host of American Idol!” said Kelly.  …

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“American Idol” to hire back Rickey Minor as musical director?

Courtesy ABCABC appears to be trying to get the band back together — literally — for its American Idol reboot. Sources tell Variety that the ABC is hiring back longtime American Idol music director Rickey Minor for the show’s return next year.  Minor, a bandleader, producer and musician, has worked with Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Christina …

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“American Idol” nationwide auditions scheduled for August & September

ABC/FremantleMedia/19 EntertainmentABC’s reboot of American Idol is set to premiere next year, but auditions start this summer. Thursday, August 17 is when the search for the next crop of contestants will begin.  The auditions will be held via East and West American Idol bus tours, which will begin in Orlando, Florida and Portland, Oregon, and …

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The Grammy Awards will return to New York for their 60th anniversary

Courtesy The Recording AcademyIn 2018, the Grammy Awards will be held in New York City for the first time in 15 years. Normally, the awards show is held in L.A., but since this is the Grammys’ 60th Anniversary, something special was called for.  The show will be broadcast live on both coasts from New York’s …

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