EXCLUSIVE : ABC ’s Queens continues to assemble a killer lead cast. In her return to the network, Cinderella star Brandy has signed on as a co-lead opposite Eve and Naturi Naughton in the hourlong pilot from Zahir McGhee, Sabrina Wind and ABC Signature. In Queens , written by McGhee, four estranged and out-of-touch women in their 40s — three of them played by Brandy, Naughton and Eve — reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches – their ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world. Actress and Grammy-winning musician Brandy will play Naomi. Twenty years ago, Naomi was better known as Xplicit Lyrics — the highly skilled musical engine of the Nasty Bitches. A true artist with boundless musical talent — Naomi was certain she’d go on to mainstream success after the group’s demise. She hasn’t, singing and playing her guitar in crappy dive bars where all people want is her old persona. When the group gets back … [Read more...] about Brandy To Star In ABC’s Hip-Hop Drama Pilot ‘Queens’
Freshman sitcom about a young pop star crossword
RS Charts: Cardi B’s ‘Up’ Rebounds to Number One
Cardi B ’s “Up” climbed back to Number One on the Rolling Stone Top 100 Songs chart , picking up 17.9 million streams during the week of February 26th through March 4th. “Up” debuted in the top spot last month, before being replaced by Lil Tjay and 6lack ’s “Calling My Phone” and then Olivia Rodrigo ’s irrepressible “Drivers License.” Cardi B’s single rebounded to Number One this week, pushing “Drivers License” to Number Two (17.1 million streams). Meanwhile, “Calling My Phone” stayed at Number Three (18.7 million streams). A trio of viral singles continued to surge on the RS 100. Kali Uchis ’ “Telepatía” vaulted from Number 21 to Number Seven, picking up 12.1 million streams. Masked Wolf’s “Astronaut in the Ocean” climbed from Number 35 to Number 17 (8.2 million streams). And Giveon’s “Heartbreak Anniversary” jumped from Number 29 to Number 21 (9 million streams). The R&B singer is capitalizing on his recent success by releasing an expanded version of … [Read more...] about RS Charts: Cardi B’s ‘Up’ Rebounds to Number One
Juilliard Must Modernize, or It Will Disappear
“Who the hell is Bruce Springsteen?” I thought. Dashing out the stage door of a late-night Broadway show to beat the blundering crowds back in 2019, violin case in hand, I stepped onto the uptown C train for a swift escape out of midtown Manhattan. As I scrolled mindlessly through email, a message caught my attention: My colleague was requesting musicians to record with Bruce Springsteen — later to be disclosed as a live album recording of Western Stars . Not recognizing the all-American legend and turned off by the Jersey shoot location, I asked my spouse if I should waste my time with this gig. Shocked, my husband immediately went into a diatribe on the greatness of “The Boss.” I was shaken at the almost-missed opportunity. I’d been a musician for decades, graduated Juilliard in 2013, and studied works like Paganini’s technically demanding 24 Caprices and Bach Chaconne. But I’d really never heard of Springsteen. Related Stories Metallica on What They Have in Common … [Read more...] about Juilliard Must Modernize, or It Will Disappear
Quality Control Music’s ‘Control the Streets Vol. 2’ Could’ve Used a Little More Quality Control
What’s the point of a label compilation? Ideally, it’s a showcase that communicates depth and shines a light on the lesser-known artists on a roster by placing them on the same stage as the label’s stars. Control the Streets Vol. 2 , the new compilation from Atlanta trap incubator Quality Control Music, features DAYYTONA FOX, YRN Murk, Migo Domingo, and the rest of QC’s dozen-odd prospects, but makes the listener wade to the second half of the 36-song compilation to hear any of them. Vol. 2 ultimately sags under the weight of its excessive length and uninspired performances from Migos and Lil Yachty, the QC lynchpins who carried the weight of the label’s first, much stronger Control the Streets installment in 2017. Related Reviews Meghan Markle's Suicidal Thoughts While Pregnant Shed Light on Silent Public Health Crisis 'Spoken Dialogue': Yola and PJ Morton Related Reviews R.E.M.'s 15 Greatest Music Videos Chasteness, Soda Pop, and … [Read more...] about Quality Control Music’s ‘Control the Streets Vol. 2’ Could’ve Used a Little More Quality Control