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29 Aug 2023

YouTube’s Lyor Cohen Promotes Healthcare Equity at City of Hope’s ‘Closing the Care Gap’ Event

City of Hope held its third annual Closing the Care Gap event Monday evening (Aug. 28) in association with its Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) fundraising group. Focusing on the progress that’s being made while overcoming the challenges that still exist in bringing quality health care to underserved communities, the event was hosted by YouTube and Google global head of music Lyor Cohen and Epic Records chairperson/CEO Sylvia Rhone. Cohen is also MFEI’s 2023 Spirit of Life honoree. He’ll accept the award at City of Hope’s annual gala on Oct. 18.

Held at the Los Angeles home of real estate agent and TV personality Josh Flagg, Closing the Care Gap began with a welcome from Evan Lamberg, president of North America for Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). Among the healthcare experts, entertainment industry professionals and prominent music industry executives on hand were City of Hope’s Dr. John D. Carpenter and Kristin Bertell, 300 Entertainment CEO Kevin Liles, UMPG CEO Jody Gerson, CAA head of music and past Spirit of Life honoree Rob Light, former BET CEO Debra Lee, Republic Records executive vp Danielle Price Sanders, 50/50 Music Group Management CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers and songwriter Justin Tranter. 

Kristin Bertell, Willie

Kristin Bertell, Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Jonathan Azu, Sylvia Rhone, Lyor Cohen, Danielle Price Sanderson, John D. Carpten, Gail Mitchell and Evan Lamberg attend City of Hope’s 3rd Annual Closing the Care Gap Event on August 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Lester Cohen/Getty Images for City of Hope

In addressing the audience, Cohen said, “The more you give, the more you receive. And today we are all in the business of giving — of our time, our influence, our connections and experiences. It’s our responsibility to do the work to close the care gap. We need to provide access to early detection with routine screenings and better treatment and, of course, resources and education that help increase health equity.” 

Rhone, MFEI’s 2019 Spirit of Life honoree, introduced Cohen to the audience. “I’m grateful to have the privilege to help solve these challenges with our industry and give everyone fighting cancer the hope they deserve,” she said.

According to statistics shared by City of Hope, only 20% of cancer patients in the United States are treated at National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers like City of Hope. In the meantime, 
economically disadvantaged and racially diverse communities face systemic barriers that limit their ability to find and sustain specialized, lifesaving care.

Dr. John Carpten, director of City of Hope’s National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and director of the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope as well as the organization’s chief scientific officer and the Irell & Manella Cancer Center Director’s Distinguished Chair, further amplified the equity issue. “Too many people needlessly suffer due to lack of access to the latest medical innovations and systemic barriers that prevent them from getting the best cancer care,” he said. “At City of Hope, we are working to carry out solutions that increase the likelihood that every person living with cancer — regardless of race or region — can get the best care.”

Jacqueline Saturn, Sylvia Rhone, Dina LaPolt, Jody Gerson, City of Hope's 3rd Annual Closing the Care Gap Event

Jacqueline Saturn, Sylvia Rhone, Dina LaPolt and Jody Gerson attend City of Hope’s 3rd Annual Closing the Care Gap Event on August 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Lester Cohen/Getty Images for City of Hope

Culture Collective CEO and MFEI board member Jonathan Azu added a personal note by sharing his journey after being diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 44. Growing up in a family of medical professionals, he had access to resources and health care that many don’t.

“My outcome is going to be a lot better because of the prostate cancer screening and active surveillance I was able to receive,” Azu said. “There’s nothing I’m more passionate about than breaking the barriers that prevent those who look like me from getting access to screenings and treatment that could save their lives.”

Bertell, City of Hope’s chief philanthropy officer, closed the evening by noting, “You are part of the movement. Your philanthropic partnership supports us in removing obstacles to care for everyone. We cannot cure cancer if we don’t cure it for all.”

Closing the Care Gap is part of a year-long fundraising initiative by City of Hope that will conclude with MFEI’s Spirit of Life Gala honoring Cohen. The gala will celebrate 50 years of philanthropic partnership with MFEI on Oct. 18 at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.

29 Aug 2023

Travis Scott Announces Utopia – Circus Maximus Tour: See Dates

Travis Scott is taking his Billboard 200 No. 1 album Utopia around North America this fall and winter for the Utopia – Circus Maximus Tour, Live Nation announced Tuesday (Aug. 29).

The 28-date jaunt begins at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center on Oct. 11 and travels throughout major U.S. cities including Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and New York City before wrapping Dec. 29 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. The Utopia – Circus Maximus Tour will also include Scott’s largest headlining show to date at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on Nov. 5.

Despite Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s statement earlier this month about Scott returning to his hometown as part of his upcoming tour, the Utopia – Circus Maximus Tour currently does not have any dates listed for Houston. Houston Police Department Union president Douglas Griffith said in his own statement that Oct. 19 and Nov. 20 “were the dates in which were proposed for the return.” If Scott were to return to Houston for a performance, it would mark his first since the Astroworld Festival tragedy in November 2021, when 10 people died and hundreds were injured during a deadly crowd crush. On the day of Utopia‘s release, on July 28, HPD released a nearly 1,300-page report detailing the investigation into the tragedy. The report arrives just a month after a Houston grand jury declined to file criminal charges against Scott and other Astroworld organizers over the deadly incident. Since the Nov. 5, 2021, event, thousands of alleged victims have filed more than 400 civil lawsuits against Scott, Live Nation and others involved with the festival.

Tickets will go on sale Thursday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m. local time at travisscott.com. Live Nation reported that $2 from every ticket sold will go to the rapper’s Cactus Jack Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift Houston youth through toy drives, scholarship programs to HBCU college students, and fulfilling expenses for education and creative endeavors.

Scott’s latest album, Utopia, has spent the last four weeks at the top of the Billboard 200, making it his third No. 1 on the chart and first solo album since 2018’s Astroworld. It’s also the first rap album to spend its first four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in five years, since Drake’s Scorpion.

The “Meltdown” MC performed the album for the first time in Italy on Aug. 7, alongside special guest Kanye West, in front of 60,000 people at Rome’s Circus Maximus. The concert occurred after his canceled live set at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, which was originally slated for July 28. CNN reported that 60 people were injured at Scott’s Italy concert.

See the dates below.

Oct. 11 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
Oct. 13 – Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena
Oct. 17 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
Oct. 20 – Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center
Oct. 22 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Oct. 25 – Phoenix, AZ @ Footprint Center
Oct. 29 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena
Oct. 31 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena
Nov. 5 – Los Angeles, CA @ SoFi Stadium
Nov. 8 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
Nov. 10 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
Nov. 12 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center
Nov. 15 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Delta Center
Nov. 18 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
Nov. 21 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center
Nov. 25 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
Nov. 27 – Miami, FL @ Kaseya Center
Dec. 4 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
Dec. 6 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
Dec. 8 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
Dec. 10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
Dec. 12 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
Dec 15 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
Dec. 18 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
Dec. 21 – New York City, NY @ Madison Square Garden
Dec. 23 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
Dec. 26 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
Dec. 29 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena

29 Aug 2023

Dave Bautista Channels His Inner Lui Kang In New Mortal Kombat 1 “It’s In Your Blood” Launch Spot

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Dave Bautista Stars In Remix of Classic Mortal Kombat Ad

Source: Warner Bros. Games/ NetherRealm Studios / Mortal Kombat 1 / Dave Bautista

Mortal Kombat 1 will serve as a reboot for the fighting game franchise, so it makes sense that the 1993 classic ad that loudly announced the game was coming to home consoles also gets a remix.

Tuesday, NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Games dropped the “It’s In Your Blood” trailer starring WWE Hall-of-Famer and Hollywood star and producer Dave Bautista.

The new launch spot directed by Tom Kuntz with cinematography by Academy Award nominee Matthew Libatique (A Star Is Born) pays homage to the iconic 1993 “Mortal Monday” commercial spot that became a cultural moment.

In the “It’s In Your Blood” spot, Bautista takes on the role of amassing people from all walks of life, awakening their inner power, and unleashing the fight within.

Bautista takes cues from Lui Kang in Mortal Kombat 1, who is now the Fire God and protector of Earth Realm. Following the events of Mortal Kombat, 11 has created a new timeline and must gather warriors to protect the new world he has built in his vision.

Dave Bautista Reflects On Classic Mortal Monday Commercial

“I vividly remember the original Mortal Monday commercial, especially the iconic scream,” said Bautista. “That’s what started my journey as a fan of Mortal Kombat, which continues to this day 30 years later. I’m very thrilled and honored to be a part of the game’s legacy.”

“The original Mortal Monday commercial earmarked the beginning of our journey into making games for home gaming systems,” said Ed Boon, Chief Creative Officer, NetherRealm Studios and Co-Creator of Mortal Kombat. “It’s amazing to pay homage to such a memorable moment in Mortal Kombat history as we get ready to launch our newest game, Mortal Kombat 1.”

Mortal Kombat 1 launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam & Epic Games Store) on Sept. 19.

You can peep the “It’s In Our Blood Trailer” below.



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Photo: Warner Bros. Games/ NetherRealm Studios / Mortal Kombat 1

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29 Aug 2023

Róisín Murphy Apologizes for ‘Hurtful’ Gender Affirming Care Comments

Róisín Murphy is speaking out following a viral Facebook comment circulating social media in which the Irish singer appears to criticize puberty blockers for what she called “little mixed up kids,” launching backlash from trans rights and gender affirming care supporters.

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The singer took to Twitter on Tuesday (Aug. 29) to share a lengthy statement, noting that she’s been “thrown into a very public discourse in an arena I’m uncomfortable in and deeply unsuitable for.” She added that she’s had a Facebook account for years, and commented on a post bringing up “a specific issue that was only broadly related to the original post. It was something that had been on my mind. I knew my friends were informed about the topic. I should’ve known too that I was stepping out of line.”

She continued: “I’ve spent my whole life celebrating diversity and different views, but I never patronise or cynically aim my music directly at the pockets of any demographic. The music I make is the core of everything I do and it’s ever-evolving, freewheeling and unpredictable. For those of you that are leaving me, or have already left, I understand, I really do, but please know I have loved every one of you. I have always been so proud of my audience and understood the privilege of performing for you, all through the years.”

Murphy went on to apologize to her fanbase, a large portion of which are part of the queer community. “I am so sorry my comments have been directly hurtful to many of you,” she wrote. “You must have felt a huge shock, blindsided by this so abruptly. I understand fixed views are not helpful but I really hope people can understand my concern was out of love for all of us.”

Dr. Joshua D. Safer, MD, executive director of the Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, previously told Billboard that when medical intervention becomes necessary for a trans person, there are a number of different procedures minors can undergo. Those who have yet to start puberty may begin their transition process using puberty blockers — medication meant to “pause puberty” for up to a year to prevent permanent physical change.

When it comes to gender diverse people, puberty blockers can simply buy time before the patient decides how they want to proceed with their transition — as blockers are reversible. “If puberty were not paused, irreversible physical characteristics from the natural puberty would occur and require more involved treatment later like surgery,” Dr. Safer explains.

See Murphy’s full statement below.

29 Aug 2023

Doja Cat Ready to Paint the Town ‘Scarlet’ With Next Album: See Cover & Release Date

The next Doja Cat era is upon us: The rapper/singer announced Tuesday (Aug. 29) that her fourth studio album, Scarlet, will arrive on Sept. 22.

Doja shared the news on Instagram, where she also unveiled the project’s cover art featuring an appropriately crimson spider. “SCARLET 9.22,” the caption reads, alongside a spider emoji.

Fans have already heard two songs from the album: lead single “Attention,” which was released in June and has so far peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as “Paint the Town Red,” which reached the Hot 100 top five this week thanks to viral activity on TikTok fueling a rise in streaming and sales. “Red” also moves 5-1 to top this week’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Ahead of its top five ascent this week, “Paint the Town Red” started at No. 15 on the Hot 100 — the highest unaccompanied debut of Doja’s career so far.

Scarlet will follow Doja Cat’s blockbuster 2021 album Planet Her, which launched five top 20 Hot 100 hits: “Kiss Me More” featuring SZA (No. 3 peak); “You Right” with The Weeknd (No. 11); “Need to Know” (No. 8); “Woman” (No. 7); and “Get Into It (Yuh)” (No. 20).

Doja is expected to release “Demons” — a third song from Scarlet — on Friday. She’s shared a series of eerie visual teasers from a likely music video for the song this week on her socials.

See the Scarlet album cover below:

29 Aug 2023

Sinead O’Connor’s Family Thank Fans for ‘Outpouring of Love’ Following Singer’s Funeral Service

Sinead O’Connor was laid to rest in her home country of Ireland on August 8, and on Tuesday (Aug. 29), the late “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer’s family shared a note of acknowledgement in The Irish Times‘ Family Notices section, thanking fans and everyone who was involved in the funeral service.

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“The children of Sinéad together with Sinéad’s extended family wish to thank the countless kind people who sympathised and offered condolences on Sinéad’s recent passing. Their helpful support for the family is much appreciated,” the note begins, adding that Irish President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina were in attendance at the funeral service. According to the note, the musicians that performed at the service included Pauline Scanlon, Éamonn De Barra and Donogh Hennessy, as well as graveside music by Síle Denvir, Nicola Joyce, Noriana Kennedy, Éilis Kennedy and Damien Dempsey.

“Our thanks to the media personnel in general at home and abroad who celebrated Sinéad in song and story while showing respect for the privacy requested by the family,” the note concluded. “We ask that this privacy continue to be respected. Finally, we wish to thank Sinéad’s fans and admirers for the wonderful funeral procession they gave her past her old home in Bray and for the national and international outpouring of love and affection for Sinéad from the time of her passing. The prayers and thanks of the extended O’Connor family are with you all.”

O’Connor died in July at age 56. In a statement from the London Metropolitan Police — which did not refer to O’Connor by name, as is official policy, but which was confirmed by British press reports to be in reference to the singer — officials said a woman [O’Connor] was found unresponsive at her South London home on Wednesday morning and pronounced dead at the scene. The Police noted that the deceased’s next of kin had been notified of her death and that it is not being treated as suspicious; a coroner’s inquest is to follow.

The late star is survived by three children; her 17-year-old son, Shane, died by suicide in January 2022.

29 Aug 2023

Sexxy Red Takes UCLA Students To “Pound Town” During Performance At Frat Party

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Spotify x Ice Spice Afterparty

Source: David M. Benett / Getty / Sexxy Red

Love or hate her, Sexxy Red is officially a fixture in the Hip-Hop world, and she is getting a lot of love. Case in point, she recently was invited to perform at a UCLA frat party.

Per XXL, Sexxy Red took a bunch of college students to “Pound Town” last week during a frat party put on by singer-songwriter Nick Nayersina at the Lambda Chi Alpha house on the college’s campus.

Video clips of the bash show the St. Louis artist performing her viral hit “Pound Town” for the UCLA students while making sure to get their hormones raging by twerking and even getting up close and personal with the college kids and throwing ass for those lucky enough to be in the front row.

In an Instagram post sharing a video montage of the night, Nayersina wrote in the caption, “We shut it down.”

Sexxy Red has been making her rounds across the country, linking up with your favorite artists like Tyler, the Creator, adding a verse to that annoying DaBaby song, “SHAKE SUMN,” and crossing paths with fellow St. Louis Native, professional NBA hooper, and Boston Celtics All-Star, Jayson Tatum.

Right now, it’s Sexxy Red’s world.

The rapper will embark on her first-ever headlining 20-city Hood Hottest Princess Tour that kicks off October 16 at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston.

She is “perfecting her stage presence” by opening up for Drake and 21 Savage on the It’s All A Blur tour.

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Photo: David M. Benett / Getty

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29 Aug 2023

HYBE x Geffen Records Announce Contestants for Forthcoming Global Girl Group | Billboard News

Class is finally in session for ‘The Debut: Dream Academy.’ HYBE and Geffen Records revealed Monday evening (Aug. 28) the 20 talented contestants from around the world who will be competing for a spot in the first-ever HYBE x Geffen Records global girl group.

Tetris Kelly
The world’s next biggest girl group is on the way and Billboard has all the details.

Tetris Kelly
Super labels Geffen and HYBE have teamed up to bring you a global group of epic proportions. HYBE’s Bang Si-hyuk and Geffen CEO John Janick kicked off the announcement of their joint venture. And yesterday I hosted a panel discussion with the team behind ‘The Debut: Dream Academy,’ a training and development program looking to form a girl group comprised of young women from around the world.

Tom March
There’s going to be fans right from the beginning in multiple countries all around the world helping us pick the artists to form the group.

Tetris Kelly
The event introduced us to the 20 young women from around the world competing for a spot in the girl group being formed at the end of the program. Starting on September 1, you’ll see the women from Korea, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, the US and so many more countries show their skills on YouTube.

Tetris Kelly
Over the span of 12 weeks, we’ll see the girls go through the audition process and fans will be able to vote via TikTok and Weverse who they want to ultimately end up in the group. The results of the audition process will be announced live on November 17. Not only that, they’re capturing the entire process to air in a docuseries on Netflix next year. Who is your initial bias? Let us know in the comments. You can see more details on ‘The Debut: Dream Academy’ and the full list of contestants on Billboard.com.

29 Aug 2023

Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert & More Late-Night Hosts Team Up for Spotify Podcast Benefiting Striking Writers

As the Hollywood strikes continue, five of the most popular late-night talk show hosts had an idea to meet up every week to discuss the complexities behind the ongoing discussions and protests.

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As a result, Spotify revealed on Tuesday (Aug. 29) that it is teaming up with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver for a new limited-series podcast, called Strike Force Five. The series, which will run for at least 12 episodes, will launch Aug. 30 and feature the hosts’ insights, opinions and, of course, humor to the show as they navigate the Hollywood strikes. The series will be hosted on Spotify’s Megaphone, with Spotify as the exclusive sales partner.

All proceeds the hosts earn from Strike Force Five will go toward out-of-work staff of the hosts’ respective shows as the strike continues, including The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night With Seth Meyers, and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver. 

The ongoing Writers Guild of America strike has been affecting TV series, late night talk shows and awards shows since May 1, after negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to produce a new deal. “While company profits have remained high and spending on content has grown, writers are falling behind,” the WGA said in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “The companies have used the transition to streaming to cut writer pay and separate writing from production, worsening working conditions for series writers at all levels. On TV staffs, more writers are working at minimum regardless of experience, often for fewer weeks, or in mini-rooms, while showrunners are left without a writing staff to complete the season. And while series budgets have soared over the past decade, median writer-producer pay has fallen.”

Listen to the Strike Force Five introduction trailer below.

29 Aug 2023

Chrissy Teigen Officially Declares Herself a BLACKPINK Fan: ‘Phew I GET IT’

Once you go Blink, you never go back — and Chrissy Teigen is the latest proof.

On Monday, the Cravings founder took to Instagram to share her BLACKPINK concert experience and give an update on her fan status after attending the show.

“Finally saw @blackpinkofficial and phew I GET IT. That is A SHOW. What’s the best fan page for me to follow, I need to learn everything there is to know in very little time,” the model captioned a video from her night out with husband John Legend, their daughter Luna and a close friend.

Several moments in the video included a look at Teigen’s sparkly black outfit, her daughter Luna’s friendship bracelet, a sweet photo with Legend taking their seats and scenes from BLACKPINK’s show, including the girls’ background dancers expertly hitting choreography in unison.

The concert was a part of BLACKPINK’s set of four Born Pink Encore Tour performances, which saw members Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé play four extra dates at East Rutherford, New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium (Aug. 12), Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium (Aug. 18), San Francisco’s Oracle Park (Aug. 22) and Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium (Aug. 26).

The model is not the first celebrity to to hit up the Born Pink Encore Tour: NFL legend Tom Brady hit up BLACKPINK’s concert at MetLife stadium with his two daughters, and took photos with Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé backstage joking that he got a “new gig in retirement” on Instagram.

See Teigen’s post about attending the BLACKPINK concert below.