Music
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Beyoncé is adding another ivy to her life. Next year, Yale University will offer a collegiate course studying the multi-hyphenate superstar’s career as it relates to a greater history of Black excellence in art, spanning her 2013 solo debut to 2024’s Cowboy Carter.
Registered as “Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition History, Culture, Theory & Politics through Music,” the spring 2025 class will be taught by Professor Daphne Brooks. As reported by the Yale Daily News Friday (Nov. 8), it’ll focus on the “sonic, fashion and visual media” evolution of Bey — who is mom to eldest daughter Blue Ivy (along with twins Rumi and Sir) and founder of Ivy Park — over the past decade. According to Yale’s course description, “In short, this is a class that traces the relationship between Beyonce’s artistic genius and Black intellectual practice.”
“[Beyoncé] is just so ripe for teaching at this moment in time,” Brooks told the student publication. “The number of breakthroughs and innovations she’s executed and the way she’s interwoven history and politics and really granular engagements with Black cultural life into her performance aesthetics and her utilization of her voice as a portal to think about history and politics — there’s just no one like her.”
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Through examining the 32-time Grammy winner’s career, students will also gain insight into “Black history, intellectual thought and performance” at large, with Bey serving as a jumping-off point for wider discussions on icons such as Josephine Baker, Diana Ross, Betty Davis and Grace Jones. Brooks previously incorporated Beyoncé into her “Black Women in Popular Music Culture” curriculum when the professor was teaching at Princeton, which inspired her to devote an entire class to the star as past students showed “so much energy” around Bey in particular.
The Yale offering is just the latest Beyoncé course to be unveiled at a prestigious university in recent years, part of a broader trend of colleges all over the world dedicating classes to modern artists. A notable uptick in Bey-related studies happened in 2016, around when she released her critically acclaimed album Lemonade; since then, Arizona State, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Texas at San Antonio, the University of Michigan and more institutions have all enshrined Queen Bey in academia in some way or another.
News about the latest Beyoncé class arrived on the same day as the 2025 Grammy nominations, which saw the Destiny’s Child alum earn more nods than any other artist. Among her 11 nominations are song and record of the year for Billboard Hot 100-topper “Texas Hold ‘Em” and album of the year for Cowboy Carter.
There doesn’t appear to be a YSL family reunion on the horizon following Young Thug’s release from jail. Thugger seemingly sniped at Gunna in a tweet on Saturday (Nov. 9) before deleting the evidence from X, but the damage was done as the message spread like wildfire on social media.
“Gunna stop acting like we friends on the internet, I don’t know you my guy,” he cryptically penned. Minutes later, the tweet was gone, but not before it was captured:
There’s been plenty of speculation from fans regarding the status of Thug and Gunna’s relationship. While Gunna is still signed to YSL Records, he’s largely avoided speaking out about how things are between him and Thugger. “It’s the same,” Gunna vaguely told XXL earlier this year. “It’s love, always. Our relationship is our relationship.”
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Gunna and Thug were both arrested as part of the sprawling 56-count indictment in May 2022 for the YSL RICO case. Gunna and his attorney Steve Sadow reached an Alford plea to secure his release in December 2022, while Thug remained behind bars until reaching his own plea deal Oct. 31.
Sadow downplayed snitching rumors that came with Gunna’s Alford plea deal. “Gunna did not snitch to get out of jail,” Sadow said on social media at the time. “He has said nothing and is not cooperating. His plea statement cannot be used in court against any other defendant. So please stop spreading lies.”
Thugger was released from jail on Halloween after reaching a plea. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker gave him a sentence of 15 years probation, which allowed Thug to walk free following the hearing.
Gunna’s brother DP hopped into The Shade Room‘s comment section of a post about Thug’s tweet, where it seems there’s no love lost between the two artists. “Trust and believe the feeling is mutual,” he wrote.
Thug hasn’t clarified the deleted tweet, but his first music move looks to be uniting with Lil Baby, who has been outspoken in distancing himself from Gunna since his former frequent collaborator’s release.
“Wham let’s drop one on these rats peter,” Thug tweeted. Billboards with the phrase “Whatever Wham Says Goes” have also popped up across Los Angeles.
Gracie Abrams has notched her first ever No. 1 song in the U.K. with “That’s So True” topping the Official Singles Chart.
The U.S. singer-songwriter has had a breakout year following the release of her sophomore album, The Secret Of Us, as well as an opening slot on Taylor Swift’s massive Eras Tour. The Secret Of Us debuted at No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart back in June and at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
“That’s So True”, which recently peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, faced a stiff challenge from Gigi Perez’s “Sailor Song,” which held the top spot prior to this week’s battle. The Official Charts Company says that fewer than 1,200 chart units across downloads, streaming and physicals came between the pair. Another Abrams single, “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” is currently placed at No. 4.
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Chappell Roan secured her second top five hit with “Hot To Go!” which rises to No. 5. The Missouri-born musician, who Billboard reported recently split from her management company, previously peaked at No. 2 on the Official Singles Chart with “Good Luck, Babe!” back in August.
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Elsewhere there’s success for KSI and Trippie Redd as their collaboration “Thick Of It” reaches a new height of No. 6, while Sabrina Carpenter follows at No. 7 with “Bed Chem,” while her previous chart-topper “Taste” lands at No. 9.
Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower” rises seven from its previous position to No. 11, its highest position yet. The Weekend and Anitta’s “São Paulo” lands at No. 22, the latter’s first top 40 entry in the U.K.
Following his maiden U.K. No. 1 Album with Chromakopia, Tyler, The Creator secures his eighth top 40 hit with Lola Young-featuring “Like Him” landing at No. 33.
See the full Official Singles Chart here.
The Latin Grammys festivities officially kicked off with The Latin Recording Academy’s Special Awards gala held Sunday (Nov. 10) at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, Fla.
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Hosted by Gloria Estefan, the intimate ceremony gathered industry leaders and artists celebrating this year’s Trustees and Lifetime Achievement honorees. The former award is voted on by The Latin Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees and merited to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than in performance, to music during their careers. The latter is presented to performers who have made unprecedented contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music.
Trustees honorees were prolific hitmakers Ángel “Cucco” Peña and Chucho Rincón; while Albita, Alejandro Lerner, Draco Rosa, Lolita Flores, Los Ángeles Azules and Lulu Santos were honored with this year’s Lifetime Achievement titles. Other artists present at the coveted Special Awards gala included Carlos Vives, Maria Becerra, and Edgar Barrera.
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See some of the evening’s memorable highlights below:
Gloria Estefan speaks onstage during the Special Awards Presentation during the 25th Latin GRAMMY Awards on November 10, 2024 in Miami, Florida.
John Parra/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy
Ángel “Cucco” Peña
Reflecting on his more than 60-year career, the Puerto Rican composer and artist talked about the impact of music in his life and the desire to continue in the industry. “Music has been universal, connecting me with different generations and cultures,” he said during his speech. “This award is a reflection of the collective efforts of those who have believed in me. It motivates me to continue creating music. My passion for art never fades. I hope to continue contributing to Latin music and inspiring the new generation.”
Chucho Rincón
Credited for discovering Joan Sebastian and helming some of Vicente Fernandez’s biggest hits, Rincón, 87, highlighted how a career in music “changes lives, creates magic, and has made me feel loved and special,” he stated. Notably, he shared an anecdote about working with the late Mexican icon José Alfredo Jiménez. “You were the start of my career when I was 20. You gave me access to the industry. Being able to sing with you was my first path. With you, I met our country and the roots of our music. You showed me the concept of loyalty and bohemianism. I am your only living musician… a witness of your greatness,” he said.
Albita
Cuban singer-songwriter Albita dedicated her award to Emilio Estefan Jr. for opening her the doors in the music industry; her loved ones in heaven and on earth; her entire work team; as well as her fans for “dancing, getting married, and getting drunk with my music.” During her speech, she honored her native Cuba, saying: “My beautiful island, my sad island — and with all the faith that one day I can say, it’s my free island.” She also thanked herself for never quitting, for falling and always getting up.
Alejandro Lerner
Carlos Vives had the honor to present the award to Argentinean singer-songwriter, Alejandro Lerner, who has worked with music giants such as Celine Dion, Luis Miguel, and Santana. Deeply moved by the presentation, Lerner thanked those who forged his path in music, including the late Armando Manzanero as well as Claudia Brant and Luis Enrique, who were in the audience. Topping off his speech, Lerner crooned the room with a powerful a cappella performance of 1983’s “Todo A Pulmón.” “I composed this song when I couldn’t even buy my own place,” he said. “It represents effort and being honest with our heart and language.”
Draco Rosa accepts an award onstage during the Special Awards Presentation during the 25th Latin GRAMMY Awards on November 10, 2024 in Miami, Florida.
Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy
Draco Rosa
Ahead of Draco Rosa receiving his award, his longtime colleague and friend Desmond Child got on stage to share a nostalgic audio of the day they created Ricky Martin’s “Living La Vida Loca.” A cancer survivor, Draco’s heartfelt speech included anecdotes of his beginnings in Menudo but mainly about having another chance at life. “I’m grateful for waking up today. I’m on the winning side of life,” he expressed. “This award is beautiful, being alive… so many times I asked God for one more album. Music has been my travel companion, a friend, and I owe a lot to my colleagues, to my fans, and my father’s passion for good salsa and classical music. Everything has shaped my musical career. Music is felt in the soul beyond. Thank you for making my music part of your journey. Here is a man with a joy for living.”
Los Ángeles Azules
With their cumbia sonidera revolutionizing the music industry since the ‘80s, Los Ángeles Azules reminisced about the days we would travel up to 48 hours by car to do shows in various towns in Mexico. “It was important for us to be with our people,” they said during their speech. The Mexican group has had 32 different vocalists and collaborated with artists such as Natalia Lafourcade, Maria Becerra, and Belinda. “We are renovating songs, making music, and we’re thankful to the academy for recognizing the 44 years of Los Ángeles Azules,” they added.
Lolita Flores
Spanish singer and actress Lolita Flores — sister of Rosario Flores — admitted that altough she captivated with her music, worked with big artists, and filled stadiums, she felt really small. She explained that she made the decision to retire from music because many doors were closed for her, and instead, she created a fruitful career in theater, where she was able to grow. “Even if I stopped singing, I still have music inside me,” she elaborated. “This Grammy gave me back the desire to keep singing. Get ready, I don’t need a record label, I’m going to produce it myself, and I want to record with all of you here. Rosario, I have a Grammy!”
Lulu Santos
“It’s a huge honor to be part of the community and one of the honorees,” Santos, a Brazilian LGBTQ singer, said during his speech. The artist and guitarist born Luiz Maurício Pragana dos Santos is the founder of progressive rock band Vímana, and has carved a path in Brazilian music for the past five decades. To wrap the night, Santos made a clever joke after the fire alarm went off at the venue earlier in the event. “The alarm went off because when all of these great honorees come together in one room, fire comes out,” he said.
The Special Awards Presentation during the 25th Latin GRAMMY Awards on November 10, 2024 in Miami, Florida.
John Parra/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy
The Cure have landed their first No. 1 on the U.K. Albums Chart since 1992 with their new album Songs of a Lost World. The band’s 14th studio album was their first LP in over 16 years following 2008’s 4:13 Dream, and their first to land at No. 1 in the U.K. since 1992’s Wish, […]
This week, Flatland Cavalry highlights its catalog of hits and fan favorites, along with new music, on their new project, Flatland Forever, while other issuing new music include Texas native Braxton Keith and Americana-leaning artist Cameron Whitcomb.
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Check out all of these and more in Billboard’s roundup of the best country songs of the week below.
Flatland Cavalry, “Chasing a Feeling”
Flatland Cavalry looks back over the past decade, a stellar catalog of songs and several fan favorites from six previous albums on the new 25-song project Flatland Forever, but the band also has some top-notch new material tucked into the album. One of the standouts on Flatland Cavalry’s new project is this tender, languid ballad, accented with piano and fiddle, which captures the heady feeling of music and applause that draws musicians to the spotlight — making the song an apropos to conclude the album.
Braxton Keith, “Fall This Way”
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Newly signed to Warner Music Nashville, Texas native Keith showcases his soothing drawl on his moody, sultry come-on. Written by Dan Alley, Davis Corley and Mark Addison, this track positions Keith as a devotedly country artist with the talent to join the ranks of today’s surge of neo-traditionalist hitmakers. Keith’s upcoming EP Blue, will release Dec. 6.
Cameron Whitcomb, “Medusa”
The Atlantic Records-signed Whitcomb has a sterling new release with this churning, acoustic-driven song about someone who finally sees through through the beguiling emotional flames of a manipulative relationship. Led by Whitcomb’s angsty voice, this song builds into a roaring, mid-tempo jam that holds the listener to the final notes.
Halle Kearns, “Love You Back”
This polished pop-country track finds Kearns teaming with her husband Kelly Roberson on this slice of post-heartbreak nostalgia, as they sing of reminiscing on a past love, hopeful for reconciliation and a chance to relive a relationship’s best moments. Their voices pair splendidly, giving the song a laid-back, wistful vibe. Earlier this year, Kearns released the EP Quarter Life Crisis, while her new song offers a glimpse of new music on the horizon.
Crowe Boys, “Let Me Feel Alone”
Brothers Ocie Crowe and Wes Crowe sparked a resonant song earlier this year with “Where Did I Go Wrong.” Signed to UMG Nashville, they follow with “Let Me Feel Alone,” a solo write from Ocie.“You were a liar, you were my lover, you were my sin,” Ocie sings, his full-bodied voice full of rancor and bite. A promising release that highlights their top-shelf musicianship and myriad influences.
Earlier this month, Liv Morgan and Cody Rhodes became the first WWE superstars crowned Crown Jewel champions after participating in a grueling “Champion vs. Champion” match in Saudi Arabia. Morgan, currently the WWE’s Raw women’s champion, narrowly escaped in a neck-to-neck skirmish with the company’s irresistible force, Smackdown’s women’s title holder, Nia Jax.
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Morgan, a Jersey-bred superstar, isn’t the same blonde bombshell whose pitbull grit made her a beloved favorite amongst fans. This iteration of Morgan is way more tenacious, bold, and, in some cases, sinister, plowing through her competitors with reckless abandon. Morgan’s callous disregard and unbending will have made her a leading face for a company looking to have a splashy impact with Netflix in 2025.
“I’d love to cement my legacy in WWE. However, I decide to do that,” says Morgan. “I didn’t come from a wrestling family; I’m not a Division One athlete, and I came from nothing and fought for every opportunity I’ve been given. To carve my own legacy and create my own path in WWE when it’s all said and done, I would love that.”
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Billboard spoke with Morgan about paying homage to Britney Spears’s “Oops, I Did It Again” with her bodysuit at King and Queen of the Ring, wanting Sabrina Carpenter to perform her theme song at WrestleMania, and doubling down on her challenge to fight Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion at SummerSlam at MetLife. Check out the full interview below.
Which moment was more special for you: winning your first singles title or being the inaugural women’s Crown Jewel champ?
Man, that’s a hard one because they both mean so much to me on different levels. You never forget your first championship win and me growing up a lifelong WWE fan to finally win my first title in such a big way, winning Money in the Bank and cashing in to defeat Ronda Rousey, it was the epitome of my dream coming true. It was so overwhelming that it didn’t feel real, but being the inaugural, first and only Women’s Crown Jewel champion, that is so much bigger than me. We made history in Saudi Arabia. Every time we go there, there’s so much more progression each and every time. Nia Jax and I made history competing in the first-ever Women’s Crown Jewel championship match and I made history becoming the first and only Crown’s Jewel championship winner. They both are completely different, but so equally important to me.
Like you, Cody was named the inaugural champion, but on the men’s side. What was the conversation like after you two were crowned winners?
I think we both were happy, proud and honored that it was us. He was just like, “How heavy is that thing,” because the title is so big, beautiful and embellished [laughs]. It’s like my size, essentially. It’s so heavy, but so cool.
You’re a Jersey girl through and through who worked at Hooters. What elements of that 20-year-old Liv Morgan still runs in your veins your today while being WWE women’s world champion?
I think all the best parts of that Liv Morgan remain — that passion, that drive, that want, that fire, that love for this business. I feel like I’ve been fortunate that all those elements have never wavered from me once. I’ve always just wanted to see how great I can be in WWE and to give myself that opportunity. To be putting in the work the last decade of my life and to kind of be at the pinnacle of WWE right now as the face of the women’s division and as your women’s world champion and first and only women’s Crown Jewel champion, it feels incredible. I just really hope that I do it justice at the end of the day.
I was talking to my boys.
What they say?
They were talking a little bit of s–t.
I love that, I love that! Tell me what they said please, please.
You’re doing your thing, but you’re claiming you retired Becky Lynch…
I did! Did I not?! Have you seen Becky Lynch since I made her lose the title and gave her a rematch the next night and made her lose again. Have you seen her since then?
They said, you claim you took out Rhea Ripley and beat Nia…
I took out Rhea three times and I did beat Nia, otherwise, how would I have this? [Shows off Crown Jewel championship ring]. So all of their qualms with me are really untrue. They’re untrue. They’re embellished and false. Pshhh.
They said, “we want a clean win.” How do respond to the critics about that?
I don’t care. I don’t care and why would I? I’m sitting here your women’s world champion and your first and only women’s crown jewel champion. You wanna talk to me about a clean win? [Laughs] I will do whatever it takes to get whatever I want however I want to do it. My gosh.
You took your past injury in stride and labeled it a blessing in disguise. What makes this version of Liv Morgan the best iteration of your character?
Because this is the most confident, most sure of herself Liv Morgan that’s ever existed. That just grows inside of me every single day. You can just imagine how insufferable I’m going to be and just keep on getting. I think that’s just the difference. I’m the most confident that I’ve ever been in my entire career, as a woman, and in general, respectfully and humbly.
How does that confidence transfer outside of the ring and into your day-to-day?
I don’t know. I always feel like in my day-to-day, I’ve always been the same person — not that there’s been no growth — but my human [side] has always been the same since I started. My confidence in the ring and my success in the ring hasn’t really dictated or changed how I feel and view myself or the world outside of the ring, but it’s just made me a maniac at work.
There’s obviously been a ton of new viewers checking out WWE, especially women like Vanessa Hudgens — who you had a moment with at Mania — Cardi B, Sexxy Red, Megan Thee Stallion. How does it feel seeing the female celebrities come in droves to support?
Who doesn’t love WWE, especially when we move to Netflix in the new year? What?! And I’m gonna be champion, transitioning into that. I’m going to spearhead this division into Netflix in the new year, so watch us.
I interviewed you last year in Puerto Rico and you said you would love to go against Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B in a tag-team match with Raquel. Cardi might potentially be at SummerSlam later this year and it’s in Jersey. Something has to happen, right?
Can you imagine? Well, Raquel and I are going to beat Jade and Bianca for those tag-team titles. So we’ll head to WrestleMania and I’ll be your women’s world champion, your women’s Crown Jewel champion and half of your women’s tag team champions. That offer still stands for them if they want a shot at our newly-crowned championships. I loved to beat them in my hometown.
You’ve had numerous tag partners before. What is it about Raquel that brings the best out of you?
Raquel is the most trustworthy. Raquel has never stabbed me in the back. Raquel is stronger than me. Raquel is bigger than me. Raquel is more powerful than me. Raquel can offer things that I cannot and vice versa. I think she’s my greatest tag-team partner of all-time. We’ve had the most success as tag-team partners. We are two-time women’s tag-team champions. We’re gonna soon be the third and she’s such a star. I’m so happy that she has my back [laughs].
What makes you a better partner for Dominik Mysterio than Rhea Ripley?
How much time do you have? One, Dominik is a man. He doesn’t need me to tell him what to do or to approve his decisions. Dominik is allowed to do whatever he wants. Two, I accept Dominick exactly the way he is. I never try to change him and alter him in any way. He’s absolutely perfect. Three, I give that man tendies [chicken tenders] every single day with ranch, PS5, flat screen TV, a custom-pair of Daddy Dom [sneakers], helped him beat his deadbeat dad [Rey Mysterio] twice. We’re the most iconic, hottest, talked-about couple in WWE history.
I remember you once told me Dom is a talented freestyler. Would love for us to premiere the Rhea Ripley diss track if you guys have one coming.
Dominik will spit bars and he won’t even know that he’s doing it. I’m like, “That’s something. You just said something. [Laughs.]
You helped Dom beat Rey twice and Finn Balor and JD get the tag-titles. How have you made Judgment Day better and how has the group made you better?
It’s definitely equal and a give-and-take. As great as I’ve made them, is as great as they’ve made me. I have helped them solidify tag-team gold. We are going to solidify Daddy Dom a world championship. Raquel and I are going to solidify the tag-team championships. Carlito, we’re gonna solidify something for him, too. Whatever Carlito want.
It’s definitely equal and a give-and-take. As great as I’ve made them, is as great as they’ve made me. I have helped them solidify tag-team gold. We are going to solidify Daddy Dom a world championship. Raquel and I are going to solidify the tag-team championships. Carlito, we’re gonna solidify something for him, too. Whatever Carlito wants, we’re gonna solidify for him. As for me, they’ve made me the most powerful woman in WWE. I’m literally untouchable right now. No one can touch me. No one can do what I’ve done because I’ve made history and I have the most dominant group behind me.
You said in a past interview that your Mount Rushmore is you, Chyna, Trish Stratus and left the fourth spot vacant. It’s only right that we complete it here.
I said Liv, Chyna, Trish and Liv [laughs]. You know what, I’m gonna put Naty [Natalya]. I’ve thought about it since then and reflected. I think that Naty has a spot on my wrestling women’s Mount Rushmore.
Why?
Naty is such a martyr in this women’s division. She’s the past, the present and the future. She’s been with WWE for almost 18 years. Do you know how incredible that is and what an incredible career that is? I think she’s the most decorated woman in WWE history. I think she has the most wins, the most matches for any woman in WWE and she gets better as she goes along.
She trains at The Dungeon with [her husband] TJ weekly, curating and securing the next generation of superstars. She’s been a part of so many firsts and so many historic moments. Like I said, she gets better over time and I think there’s something to say for that. We all should aspire to have a career like Natalya. She’s the best in the locker room and I just love her. I’m grateful for her. She’s the goat.
I thought it was cool how you paid homage to Britney Spears’ “Oops!…I Did It Again” with the bodysuit at King and Queen of the Ring. How did that come together?
I’ll pull inspo from anything. I’m kind of not even looking half the time, it’s just something that I’ll see and I like and it’ll spark something in me. As we’re preparing for our events in Saudi Arabia, the dress code is a little different. Obviously, we want to respect and honor what is required. So we’ll find out that we’ll be in neck-to-toe bodysuits. I’m like, “How do I make this cool? How do I make this my own?”
This is nothing I’ve worn in the ring nor thought about wearing in the ring. Literally, a second later, Britney popped in my head of her in the music video with the red jumpsuit. I was like, “Oh, I’m doing Britney.” Just right there I knew I had my awesome gear designer Aslan draw out some sketches, had my gear maker whip it up and that was it. I actually did Britney twice: I did Britney my first time and I did a Britney remix the second time. I couldn’t do Britney a third time this trip, so I switched it up and paid homage to the most dominant group in WWE, The Judgment Day.
If you can pick an artist to remix your theme song for WrestleMania, which artist would you choose?
You know what? Daddy Dom really likes Sabrina Carpenter, so I think that I would love Sabrina Carpenter to put her own spin on my theme song. Maybe add some lyrics to it and I would love to do that for Daddy Dom. I think Sabrina would have so much fun stepping foot into WWE and experiencing the WWE universe, especially at WrestleMania, the biggest show of the year. Are you kidding?
I hope you guys have had a date night to see Sabrina in concert. I heard the show is pretty awesome.
We haven’t! We’ve been so busy jet-setting across the globe, putting on amazing shows, that we haven’t really had the time yet, but it’s on my radar.
Lastly, what’s left on your bucket list outside of the ring?
I wanna foster animals. I wanna partner up with an animal shelter and maybe foster animals and find them their little forever homes. We were just in Saudi Arabia and I kind of half-adopted a kitty named Saudi that I had Daddy Dom babysit while I was gone. All the girls and I took shifts watching this amazing cat. So I would love to do something with animals. I’d love to keep Rhea Ripley out of my way for the rest of my career and I think I’d be happy with that.
Original Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno’s cause of death has been revealed. According to a an official statement on the vocalist’s Facebook Page, the results of Di’Anno’s autopsy revealed that the 66-year-old died as a result of a tear in the sac around his heart. “We have received permission from Paul’s family to bring you […]
Jimmy Carter is likely headed for the Grammy history books. The former president’s audiobook Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration, is nominated for best audio book, narration and storytelling recording. If it wins on Feb. 2, Carter, 100, will become the oldest Grammy winner in history. That distinction is currently held by blues pianist Pinetop Perkins, who was 97 in 2011 when he won best traditional blues album for Joined at the Hip.
Perkins is followed by legendary singer Tony Bennett, who was 95 in 2022 when he won best traditional pop vocal album for Love for Sale, his second collab with Lady Gaga; George Burns, who was also 95 when he won in 1991 for spoken word or non-musical recording album for Gracie: A Love Story, a tribute to his late wife and comedy partner Gracie Allen; and Carter, who was a whippersnapper of 94 in 2019 when he won best spoken word album for Faith: A Journey for All.
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If Carter wins, this would be his fourth Grammy, which is more than any other president. He previously won in 2007 for Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis; in 2016 for A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety, and in 2019 for Faith – A Journey for All. Two other former U.S. presidents, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, have each won two Grammys.
Four of this year’s five nominees in the audiobook category are over 75. Funk legend George Clinton, nominated for …And Your Ass Will Follow, is 83; Barbra Streisand, nominated for My Name Is Barbra, is 82; Dolly Parton, nominated for Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, is 78. The relative youngster in the nominations is Guy Oldfield, who produced All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words. He’s 55. (The two living former Beatles — Paul McCartney, 82, and Ringo Starr, 84 — are not nominees.)
Carter has had the longest life of any U.S. president. That title was formerly held by George H.W. Bush, who was 94 when he died in 2018. Carter has also had the longest post-presidential retirement of any U.S. president (nearly 44 years). That distinction was formerly held by Herbert Hoover, whose retirement lasted more than 31 years. Both Carter and Hoover were one-term presidents, who were unseated by Ronald Reagan and Franklin D. Roosevelt, respectively. Their long retirements provided some consolation for their landslide losses.
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars have a lot to smile about following the unveiling of the 2025 Grammy nominations Friday (Nov. 8), which saw the duo earn two major nods for their chart-topping collaboration “Die With a Smile.”
And on Sunday (Nov. 10), both pop stars reacted to the news with a passionate thank-you note to fans who supported the track. “I’m so grateful for these 2 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS! 😭” Gaga wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of herself and Mars enjoying glasses of champagne.
“Because of our amazing fans we are so blessed to be nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo recording for Die With A Smile!!” the Joker: Folie à Deux actress continued. “@recordingacademy We love y’all! 😭Monsters and Hooligans did that! 🥂”
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In the comments, Mars added, “(Monsters 🤝 Hooligans) Thank you! We love you!”
Nominations for next year’s Grammy awards arrived about three months ahead of the Feb. 2 ceremony. Gaga and the Silk Sonic star share the song of the year category with Shaboozey, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé, while 2025’s best pop duo/group performance is split among “Die With a Smile” and “Us” by Gracie Abrams and Swift, “Levii’s Jeans” by Bey and Post Malone, “Guess” by Charli XCX and Eilish, and “The Boy Is Mine” by Ariana Grande, Brandy and Monica.
Gaga and Mars spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Die With a Smile” this year. Complete with a retro Nashville-themed music video, the track served as a standalone collaboration ahead of Gaga’s Joker 2 companion album, Harlequin, and upcoming seventh studio album. It also preceded Mars’ “APT.” duet with ROSÉ of BLACKPINK, which recently debuted atop the Global 200.
“This was a pure, organic thing that both these artists who respect each other so much wanted to do together,” songwriter Andrew Watt, who worked on “Die With a Smile” with the two superstars, told Billboard earlier this year. “This was about the love of making great music.”