Pop Music

ABC News reports: Irene Cara, the Oscar-winning singer of the title tracks to “Fame” and “Flashdance,” has died at age 63, her publicist announced late Friday. Cara died in her Florida home of an undisclosed cause. Cara was trained in music, dance and acting as a child and appeared on stage and on television, including appearances on PBS and on …

The Wrap reports: Tom Petty’s estate intends to take legal action against Kari Lake after the defeated Arizona gubernatorial candidate posted a video that uses the late musician’s song “I Won’t Back Down” without permission. “The Tom Petty estate and our partners were shocked to find out that Tom’s song ‘I Won’t Back Down’ was stolen and used without permission …

The Washington Post reports: The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has denied Carey’s applications to trademark “Queen of Christmas.” Earlier this month, the agency also rejected the singer’s applications for “Princess Christmas” and “QOC.” Last year, the pop star had signaled she wanted to splash such phrases onto a wide range of items, from skin care products to dog leashes …

Fortune reports: Jeff Bezos named Dolly Parton the latest recipient of his Courage and Civility award, handing the music legend $100 million to direct to any charities she chooses. “She gives with her heart. What she’s done for kids, and literacy, and so many other things, is just incredible,” Bezos, 58, said in a video posted on social media. “I’ve …

TMZ reports: Aaron Carter has died. The singer-turned-rapper and actor was found dead Saturday at his house in Lancaster, CA. Multiple sources tell us Aaron’s body was found in his bathtub. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they received a 911 call at 11 AM Saturday that a male had drowned in the tub. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ homicide detectives …

Gothamist reports: Sean “Diddy” Combs is jumping into New York’s cannabis industry with a $185 million deal — a strong foothold that would also create the largest Black-owned cannabis company in the U.S. Combs is planning to purchase marijuana production facilities and retail shops in multiple states, including New York, from cannabis giants Cresco and Columbia Care, according to an …

NBC News reports: Ye, the artist previously known as Kanye West, paid a settlement to a former employee who alleged that the rapper and designer had used antisemitic language in the workplace, according to documents reviewed by NBC News. Additionally, six people who have worked with Ye or witnessed him in professional settings over the past five years told NBC …

Nashville’s ABC affiliate reports: Jerry Lee Lewis, the last surviving member of the Million-Dollar Quartet at Sun Studio, has passed away at the age of 87, his publicist confirmed Friday. For decades, Jerry Lee Lewis was known to fans simply as The Killer for his songs and the way he rattled the ivory. His music would take him from his …

ABC News reports: As the corporate backlash against Kanye West mounts, Gap has announced it is pulling the rapper’s Yeezy Gap line of merchandise from its stores and has shut down YeezyGap.com. Additionally, Foot Locker is pulling Yeezy products from its shelves. “Our former partner’s recent remarks and behavior further underscore why we are taking immediate steps to remove Yeezy …

Forbes reports: Adidas gets an estimated 4% to 8% of its sales from Yeezy products, according to investment bank Cowen. For Ye, it was an even bigger deal, accounting for $1.5 billion of his net worth. The $1.5 billion value of the Adidas deal was calculated off of a multiple of annual earnings. Based on interviews with industry experts, Forbes …

Bloomberg News reports: Adidas AG is ending its partnership with Ye following a rash of offensive behavior from the rapper and designer that turned a once-thriving shoe brand into a lightning rod for criticism. The German sports company said it is cutting ties with Ye, formerly Kanye West, with immediate effect and will take a €250 million ($246.5 million) hit …

Variety reports: Kanye West is no longer a client at CAA, Variety has confirmed. In addition, a completed documentary about West will be shelved in light of his recent antisemitic comments, MRC studio executives Modi Wiczyk, Asif Satchu and Scott Tenley announced in a memo on Monday. They wrote, “Kanye is a producer and sampler of music. Last week he …

The Jerusalem Post reports: American rapper Kanye West threatened Jewish people about a supposed conflict with him over a Jewish agenda and said that he couldn’t be antisemitic because black people are Jews also, in a now-removed tweet on Sunday morning. “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 [sic] on Jewish people,” …

The Daily Beast reports: Kanye West’s tumultuous week began with backlash over a “White Lives Matter” shirt and culminated with Instagram restricting his account after he made anti-Semitic posts. West posted a screenshot of his text conversation with Sean “Diddy” Combs, where he insinuated Combs was being controlled by Jewish people. The American Jewish Committee, an anti-hate group, called out …

Deadline reports: Liverpool has been selected as host city for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, the wildly popular music competition that will be entering its 67th year. The city of the Beatles won out Friday over Glasgow, the fellow finalist from a shortlist of UK cities that included Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield. The news comes after the UK …

Reuters reports: German sporting goods maker Adidas on Thursday said it has put under review its business partnership with rapper and fashion designer Kanye West. “After repeated efforts to privately resolve the situation, we have taken the decision to place the partnership under review. We will continue to co-manage the current product during this period,” the company said. CNBC, which …

The Associated Press reports: Loretta Lynn, the Kentucky coal miner’s daughter whose frank songs about life and love as a woman in Appalachia pulled her out of poverty and made her a pillar of country music, has died. She was 90. In a statement provided to The Associated Press, Lynn’s family said she died Tuesday at her home in Hurricane …

ABC News reports: Los Angeles rapper Coolio, who rose to the national spotlight in the 1990s with his Grammy-winning hit “Gangsta’s Paradise,” died on Wednesday, his longtime manager Jarez Posey confirmed to ABC News. He was 59. Coolio, whose legal name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr., was found unresponsive Wednesday afternoon while visiting a friend’s house, and emergency personnel were …

CNN reports: President Joe Biden on Friday presented Sir Elton John with the National Humanities Medal, surprising the music icon following a performance on the South Lawn of the White House. “I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted,” a visibly moved John said, thanking the President and saying that he will “treasure” the honor. Biden said that he and first lady …

The Chicago Tribune reports: A federal jury in Chicago on Wednesday convicted disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly on child pornography charges for making videotapes of himself sexually abusing his then-14-year-old goddaughter decades ago. During the five-week trial, the jury was shown clips from three separate videos allegedly depicting Kelly abusing Jane, including the same tape from his Cook County trial …