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Beyoncé makes history (again) with 11 nominations for 2025 Grammy Awards

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Beyoncé makes history (again) with 11 nominations for 2025 Grammy Awards

When Beyoncé took the prize for best dance/electronic album at the Grammy Awards last year with “Renaissance,” the pop superstar became the winningest artist in the nearly seven-decade history of music’s most prestigious awards show.

Now she’s history’s most-nominated act as well.

As announced Friday morning by the Recording Academy, Beyoncé leads nominations for the 67th Grammys with 11 nods, including in top categories such as album of the year (for her sprawling roots-music excursion “Cowboy Carter”) and record and song of the year (for her chart-topping “Texas Hold ’Em”). The 11 new nominations bring her career total to 99 and leave Beyoncé’s husband — rapper Jay-Z, with whom she’d been tied at 88 — as the person with the second-most nominations. (Beyoncé has won 32 Grammys.)

Among her other nods for work from “Cowboy Carter” are country solo performance (“16 Carriages”), Americana performance (“Ya Ya”) and melodic rap performance (“Spaghettii”) — one indication of the stylistic breadth of an artist whose nominations with “Renaissance” came largely in the dance and R&B genres.

Beyoncé is just one of several established Grammy favorites competing for top prizes at next year’s edition of the annual ceremony, which will take place Feb. 2 at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

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Taylor Swift, whose album of the year win with “Midnights” at February’s show made her the first artist to take the Grammys’ flagship prize four times, is up for album again with “The Tortured Poets Department” and for record and song of the year with “Fortnight,” her moody electro-pop duet with Post Malone. Billie Eilish also scored a nod for the album award with “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” making her the first artist to be nominated for the Grammys’ equivalent of best picture with her first three LPs; she’s up for record and song of the year too with her single “Birds of a Feather.”

But in a year long on fresh talent, Grammy voters also showered nominations on several of the upstart pop acts who’ve dominated concert stages, streaming platforms and social-media feeds in 2024. Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter will vie for album, record and song of the year and best new artist in each woman’s first trip to the Grammys — Roan with her album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” and her single “Good Luck, Babe!” and Carpenter with her album “Short n’ Sweet” and her single “Espresso” for the record prize and “Please Please Please” for the song prize. (Record of the year goes to performers and producers, while song of the year recognizes songwriters.)

Charli XCX, the pop singer and songwriter from England with a long history of underground acclaim, has seven nominations — including album of the year and record of the year — with her “Brat” LP and “360” single, which elevated her to a new level of mainstream renown. Eilish also earned seven nods overall, as did Malone and Kendrick Lamar, the Compton-born rapper whose Drake diss track “Not Like Us” is up for record and song of the year; other acts with multiple nominations include Roan, Carpenter and Swift, each of whom got six.

In an interview, Recording Academy Chief Executive Harvey Mason Jr. said the nominations reflect the group’s effort to modernize and diversify its electorate after years in which the academy was criticized for overvaluing the work of older white men.

“It feels very representative of what’s going on in music,” said Mason, who pointed out that two-thirds of the academy’s more than 13,000 voting members had joined the organization since 2019.

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Yet as always with the Grammys, the major categories include some unexpected choices — albeit ones that tie into a long Grammys tradition. André 3000’s “New Blue Sun,” a trippy jazz LP by the Outkast rapper-turned-flautist, is nominated for album of the year, as is “Djesse Vol. 4” by Jacob Collier, the quirky English multi-instrumentalist recently seen playing piano behind Joni Mitchell during her latest comeback concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. Both call to mind left-field album of the year wins by Jon Batiste in 2022 and Herbie Hancock in 2008 with jazz-oriented LPs whose commercial success was dwarfed by that of their competitors.

“I think voters respect the excellence and the musicianship and the craftsmanship that go into those records,” Mason said of the nods for Collier and André 3000. (On Spotify, the most-played track on “New Blue Sun” has 10 million streams, whereas Carpenter’s “Espresso” has 1.5 billion.) “You’re not excluded from consideration because you’re popular. But you’re also not excluded if you’re an artist that’s working in a genre other than one of the most popular genres. I’m gratified that there’s room for all different forms of music-making and creativity.”

Another surprising choice, perhaps, in record of the year: “Now and Then,” a let’s-call-it-new single by the Beatles constructed from archival material using machine-learning software developed by the filmmaker Peter Jackson for his 2021 docuseries “Get Back.” (The Beatles’ last Grammy moment came in 2014, when the band won the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.)

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“To me, this is a cool example of how AI can function in our current environment,” said Mason, who took pains to clarify that a new academy rule allowing AI-assisted music to be submitted for Grammys consideration stipulates that the use of AI must enhance rather than replace the work of humans. In this case, he said, AI was “really like an editing tool” that enabled the Beatles to isolate a John Lennon vocal recording from the late ’70s “that was previously maybe unusable.”

In the best new artist category, Carpenter and Roan will vie against Khruangbin, a Texas psych-rock trio that’s been releasing albums since 2015, along with Benson Boone, Doechii, Raye, Teddy Swims and the ascendant country singer Shaboozey, who’s also up for song of the year with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which just logged its 16th week atop Billboard’s Hot 100. The remaining song of the year nominee is “Die With a Smile,” the Top 40 radio smash performed by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.

Recordings eligible for the 67th Grammys had to be released between Sept. 16, 2023, and Aug. 30, 2024; more than 20,000 recordings were submitted, the academy said. The full ballot runs to 94 categories, including audio book, narration and storytelling recording, in which Barbra Streisand will go against George Clinton for possibly the first time in Grammys history.

Morgan Wallen, the hugely popular country singer blanked at the Grammys for several years following TMZ’s posting of a video in which he drunkenly used the N-word, received his first nominations — for country song and country duo/group performance — with “I Had Some Help,” his chart-topping duet with Post Malone. For country album, Malone’s “F-1 Trillion” is nominated along with “Cowboy Carter,” Kacey Musgraves’ “Deeper Well,” Chris Stapleton’s “Higher” and Lainey Wilson’s “Whirlwind.”

Beyoncé — who received no nominations for this month’s Country Music Assn. Awards, raising questions about Nashville’s inclusivity — picked up Grammy nods in country duo/group performance with “II Most Wanted,” a duet with Miley Cyrus, and country song with “Texas Hold ’Em.” Yet her nomination for album of the year with “Cowboy Carter” marks her fifth time in a category she’s never won. At February’s ceremony, Jay-Z publicly admonished the academy for bestowing dozens of Grammys on his wife while withholding the highest-profile award.

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“Think about: The most Grammys — never won album of the year,” he said. “That doesn’t work.”

In the rap album category, the nominees are J. Cole’s “Might Delete Later,” the duo of Common and Pete Rock’s “The Auditorium, Vol. 1,” Doechii’s “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” Eminem’s “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)” and “We Don’t Trust You” by the duo of Future and Metro Boomin. LPs nominated for rock album are the Black Crowes’ “Happiness Bastards,” Fontaines D.C.’s “Romance,” Green Day’s “Saviors,” Idles’ “Tangk,” Pearl Jam’s “Dark Matter,” the Rolling Stones’ “Hackney Diamonds” and Jack White’s “No Name.”

Looking ahead to next year’s show — the first of two remaining in the academy’s half-century-long deal with CBS before the Grammys move to Disney’s ABC network in 2027 — Mason laughed when asked if the Beatles’ nomination might induce Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to perform together on the telecast.

“That would be amazing,” he said.

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The son of jazz drummer Harvey Mason and a longtime musician himself, the CEO said he hadn’t yet turned his thoughts to how the Grammys ceremony might pay tribute to Quincy Jones, the 28-time Grammy-winning producer who died this week at age 91 — and whom Mason recalled watching in the studio as a kid when his dad brought him along to recording sessions.

“He was one of my biggest inspirations,” Mason said. “Anything I’m doing, I’m doing because I saw Quincy do it. So if it’s up to me, I’m gonna take like 45 minutes in the show, because he was that important.”

Movie Reviews

‘Michael’ Review: A Perfect Puzzle With Major Missing Pieces

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‘Michael’ Review: A Perfect Puzzle With Major Missing Pieces
Lionsgate

SPOILER NOTICE:

The following movie review does not contains direct spoilers for the film Michael, however general information in regards to the plot, characters, key climax points, biographical information and themes explored in the film will be heavily discussed. Please read at your own discretion, or after seeing the film in theaters.

There have been, so far, four films that aim to depict some portion of the beautifully tragic life of late pop music pioneer Michael Jackson, otherwise known to the world as The King Of Pop.

You’ve got The Jacksons: An American Dream, the near-perfect 1992 ABC miniseries that gave MJ, his brothers and verbally abusive father Joe Jackson equal screen time in order to make for a proper origin story. Then there’s Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story, an abysmal 2004 VH1 TV movie that acts as a spiritual sequel yet truly should’ve never been made. Almost a decade ago we got Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland, the 2017 Lifetime Network attempt to cover his final years of life, told from the perspective of two bodyguards employed by him for merely two-and-a-half years.

Today (April 24), the world finally gets to see Michael. The 2026 true-to-form biopic boasts the biggest budget compared to the previous three projects, distribution handled by the renowned Lionsgate Films, a director’s chair occupied by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Brooklyn’s Finest) and MJ’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, starring in the titular role alongside a glowing supporting cast that includes Colman Domingo (Rustin), Nia Long (Love Jones), Miles Teller (Divergent) and Larenz Tate (Menace II Society) just to name a few. Not to mention, it’s got full backing from The Jacksons family and 100% musical clearance to assure his biggest hits are heard on the big screen.

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With all that said, you might be expecting a masterpiece that borrows the best aspects from the original and rights the wrongs of the last two. Unfortunately, that’s not the case when it comes to Michael. Thankfully though, there’s so much more to love about this film in addition to a very strong potential for more.

Yes folks, we may very well be getting the first-ever sequel to a biopic sometime in the near future.

RELATED: You, Me & Tuscany Review – Sappy, Sweet, C+ Rom-Com

Before we get ahead of ourselves by discussing a potential sequel, let’s first start off with what you get out of Michael. The film covers Joe’s formation of The Jackson 5 in 1966 and ends with MJ’s iconic 1988 Wembley Stadium stop on the Bad Tour. The filler in-between covers their Chitlin’ Circuit days, the Motown era, run-ins with Gladys Knight and The Pips, finding his voice with Off The Wall, the epic creation of Thriller, the Motown 25 NBC special and the infamous Pepsi burning incident. Each of these scenes are done with great detail and a passion from all involved to get it as close to the real-life moments. However, what’s missing stands out like a sore thumb.

Both Rebbie and Janet are nowhere to be found — they each requested their likeness not be depicted — and neither is MJ’s longtime muse, Diana Ross. It was reported that actress Kat Graham was actually casted in the part, only to later have her scenes cut completely due to legalities. Off The Wall also gets painted as his solo debut of sorts, completely ignoring the four successful solo albums that preceded it when he was just a preteen. Also, while it’s perfectly clear who the movie is about based on the title, it does feel a bit off to see the closest people in his life demoted to barely-speaking supporting characters, save for Domingo’s powerful portrayal as mean ol’ Joe, Long as the ever-caring Mrs. Katherine and longtime bodyguard Bill Bray played by KeiLyn Durrel Jones.

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On the positive side, Michael ultimately does more good than confusion. Jaafar is simply captivating when it comes to embodying his late superstar uncle, nailing everything from those easily-recognizable voice inflections to the classic dance moves. The film ends in 1988, right before MJ invests in Neverland Ranch, so don’t expect the heavy topic of his acquitted child sexual abuse allegations from 1993 and 2003 to be brought up either — well, yet anyway.

If in fact a “Jackson” sequel is in the works, we can only hope his full story is told with care, respect and most importantly the truth. Other important aspects we’d hope to see be depicted include an honest look at his vitiligo journey, the toll he suffered mentally as a result of the trials, the marriage, the kids, the dichotomy of balancing unprecedented riches against a substantial amount of debt and, yes, the prescription drug abuse that ultimately ended his life.

Overall, for everything Michael lacks there is something just as good to love about the film, and the potential for a sequel gives us hope that the best is still yet to come.

Watch the trailer for Michael below, and see for yourselves how The King Of Pop’s story began as his latest biopic hits theaters starting today:

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Stagecoach 2026: How to watch Friday’s livestream with Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman

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Stagecoach 2026: How to watch Friday’s livestream with Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman

Choosin’ to stay home instead of trekking out to Indio for this weekend’s Stagecoach festival? Don’t worry, you’ll be able to listen to all the country music your heart desires. You can get your country heartbreak on with Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman and Cody Johnson, and then rock out with Counting Crows. If you prefer EDM, you can catch Diplo and Dillstradamus (Dillon Francis and Flosstradamus) as Friday’s closing acts.

The festival will be livestreamed on Amazon Music, Amazon Prime Video and Twitch beginning at 3 p.m. On Sirius XM’s The Highway (channel 56), you can listen to exclusive interviews and live performances along with a special edition of the Music Row Happy Hour. The station Y’Allternative will also be covering the festival on Friday evening.

Here are updated set times for the Stagecoach livestream Friday performances (times presented are PDT):

Channel 1

3:05 p.m. Noah Rinker; 3:25 p.m.; Adrien Nunez; 4 p.m. Ole 60; 4:25 p.m. Avery Anna; 5 p.m. Chase Rice; 5:55 p.m. Nate Smith; 6:50 p.m. Ella Langeley; 7:50 p.m. Bailey Zimmerman; 8:55 p.m. the Red Clay Strays; 10 p.m. Cody Johnson; 11:30 p.m. Diplo

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Channel 2

3:05 p.m. Neon Union; 3:25 p.m. Larkin Poe; 4 p.m. Marcus King Band; 4:50 p.m. Lyle Lovett; 5:35 p.m. BigXthaPlug; 6:30 p.m. Noah Cyrus; 7 p.m. Wynonna Judd; 8 p.m. Counting Crows; 8:50 p.m. Sam Barber; 10 p.m. Dan + Shay; 10:45 p.m. Diplo featuring Juicy J; 11:05 p.m. Rebecca Black; 11:45 p.m. Dillstradamus

Sirius XM Music Row Happy Hour

1 p.m. Avery Anna; 2 p.m. Nate Smith; 2:30 p.m. Josh Ross; 3 p.m. Cody Johnson; 3:30 p.m. Gabriella Rose; 5:15 p.m. Nate Smith; 7:50 p.m. Bailey Zimmerman; 9:30 p.m. Cody Johnson; 11 p.m. Diplo

Sirius XM Y’Allternative

5 p.m. Ole 60; 6 p.m. Larkin Poe; 7 p.m. Marcus King Band; 8 p.m. Sam Barber

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Movie Review: The Mortuary Assistant – HorrorFuel.com: Reviews, Ratings and Where to Watch the Best Horror Movies & TV Shows

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Movie Review: The Mortuary Assistant – HorrorFuel.com: Reviews, Ratings and Where to Watch the Best Horror Movies & TV Shows

Forget the “video game movie” curse; The Mortuary Assistant is a bone-chilling triumph that stands entirely on its own two feet. Starring Willa Holland (Arrow) as Rebecca Owens, the film follows a newly certified mortician whose “overtime shift” quickly devolves into a grueling battle for her soul.

What Makes It Work

The film expertly balances the stomach-churning procedural work of embalming with a spiraling demonic nightmare. Alongside a mysterious mentor played by Paul Sparks (Boardwalk Empire), Rebecca is forced to confront both ancient evils and her own buried traumas. And boy, does she have a lot of them.

Thanks to a full-scale, practical River Fields Mortuary set, the film drips with realism, like you can almost smell the rot and bloat of the bodies through the screen.

The skin effects are hauntingly accurate. The way the flesh moves during surgical scenes is so visceral. I’ve seen a lot of flesh wounds in horror films and in real life, and the bodies, skin, and organs. The Mortuary Assistant (especially in the opening scene) looks so real that I skipped supper after watching it. And that’s saying something. Your girl likes to eat.

Co-written by the game’s creator, Brian Clarke, the movie dives deeper into the demonic mythology. Whether you’ve seen every ending or don’t know a scalpel from a trocar, the story is perfectly self-contained. If you’ve never played the game, or played it a hundred times, the film works equally well, which is hard to do when it comes to game adaptations.

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Nailed It

This film does a lot of things right, but the isolation of the night shift is suffocating. Between the darkness of the hallways and the “residents” that refuse to stay still, the film delivers a relentlessly immersive experience. And thankfully, although this movie is filled with dark rooms and shadows, it’s easy to see every little thing. Don’t you hate it when a movie is so dark that you can’t see what’s happening? It’s one of my pet peeves.

The oh-so-awesome Jeremiah Kipp directs the film and has made something absolutely nightmare-inducing. Kipp recently joined us for an interview, took us inside the film, discussed its details and the game’s lore, and so much more. I urge you to check out our interview. He’s awesome!

The Verdict

This isn’t just a cash-grab; it’s a high-effort adaptation that respects the source material while elevating the horror genre. With incredible special effects and a powerhouse cast, it’s the kind of movie that will make you rethink working late ever again. Dropping on Friday the 13th, this is a must-watch for horror fans. It’s grisly, intelligent, and genuinely terrifying.

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