D’Angelo, Grammy-winning R&B singer who became an icon with ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel),’ dies

D’Angelo, the Grammy-winning R&B singer recognized by his raspy yet smooth voice and for garnering mainstream attention with the shirtless “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” music video, has died. He was 51. The singer's family says in a statement that D'Angelo died Tuesday after a long bout with cancer. His family called him a “shining star of our family and has dimmed his light for us in this life.” D’Angelo's music blended hip-hop grit, emphatic soul and gospel-rooted emotion into a sound that helped spearhead the neo-soul movement of the 1990s. Jamie Foxx was among the stars mourning his loss Tuesday.

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A team of artisans brings Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ to life

NEW YORK (AP) — In “Frankenstein,” metaphors are hard to resist. Moviemaking, itself, is a Frankenstein art. Each element of production — the costumes, the set design, the lighting, the music — is brought together like appendages stitched into one body. Guillermo del Toro’s new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic novel, in particular, is a feast of filmmaking arts. Del Toro called on many of his most frequent collaborators to bring his long-held vision of “Frankenstein” to life. Netflix releases “Frankenstein” in theatres on Friday, and on its streaming platform on November 7th.

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Angel Reese to be first pro athlete to walk in Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Here's how to watch

NEW YORK (AP) — Angel Reese is taking her game from the court to the catwalk and making history along the way. The Chicago Sky forward is expected to become the first professional athlete ever to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Wednesday. She will join the brand’s high-profile “Wings Reveal” lineup in New York. Reese, 22, will don the signature angel wings that have defined the show for decades. She is a former L-S-U national champion and N-C-double-A Tournament most outstanding player. Reese has become one of the most visible figures in women’s sports, bridging the gap between sports, fashion, and pop culture.

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D’Angelo’s career-spanning playlist: Hits and hidden gems

LOS ANGELES (AP) — D’Angelo has blurred the lines between sacred and sensual, defining modern R&B with his unique voice and musicianship. This playlist reflects his career, from the smooth grooves of “Brown Sugar” to the urgency of “Black Messiah.” It highlights both his celebrated hits and lesser-known gems, capturing his evolution as an artist. Songs like “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” showcase his raw vocal power, while collaborations with artists like Lauryn Hill and Q-Tip reveal his versatility. D’Angelo’s music blends soul, hip-hop, and spirituality, making him a timeless figure in the music world.

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Movie Review: Guillermo del Toro builds a handsome, grand ‘Frankenstein’ that is all his own

Guillermo del Toro puts his spin on “Frankenstein” in a new film coming to theatres on Friday. The epic stars Oscar Isaac as the mad scientist and Jacob Elordi as his monstrous creation, whom he comes to hate. Instead of a by-the-letter adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel, this is an interpretation by a filmmaker who has always had a soft spot for the monster. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that everything about “Frankenstein” is larger than life, from the runtime to the emotions on display. “Frankenstein” is rated R.

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Oprah Winfrey picks Megha Majumdar's 'A Guardian and a Thief' for book club

NEW YORK (AP) — Megha Majumdar's novel “A Guardian and a Thief” is now Oprah Winfrey's book club pick. The book is already a finalist for the National Book Award and Kirkus Prize. Set in the near future, it explores themes of drought, flooding, crime and food shortages. The story contrasts a family trying to emigrate from India to the U.S. with a thief who has stolen their papers. This is Majumdar's first novel since her acclaimed debut, “A Burning,” in 2020. Winfrey praised the book for its captivating storytelling. Her conversation with Majumdar is available on Winfrey's YouTube channel.

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News organizations, including Hegseth's former employer Fox, reject new Pentagon reporting rules

Fox News, the former employer of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has joined a near-unanimous outpouring of news organizations rejecting new rules for journalists based in the Pentagon. Fox signed on to a statement with A-B-C, C-B-S, N-B-C and C-N-N saying they would not agree to Hegseth’s new rules. It said “the policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections.” So far, only the conservative One America News Network has said its reporters would follow the new regulations. Hegseth has said that outlets that don’t agree to the new rules by the end of Tuesday, which restrict reporting on news not specifically approved by his team, will be evicted from the Pentagon on Wednesday.

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Jamie Foxx, Maxwell, Jill Scott, Flea, Doja Cat, and more react to the death of D'Angelo

Celebrities have begun paying tribute to R&B and neo-soul icon D’Angelo. His death at age 51 was announced on Tuesday. He died after a prolonged battle with cancer, according to a statement from the family. Among those paying tribute include the actor Jamie Foxx, the co-founder and bassist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea, and Grammy-Award winning R&B singers Maxwell and Jill Scott. D’Angelo was celebrated for and recognized by his raspy yet smooth voice and for attracting mainstream attention with the shirtless “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” music video.

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Taylor Swift's ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ makes history by selling 4 million copies in first week

NEW YORK (AP) — That’s show business for you! Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” has officially sold 4.002 million equivalent album units in its first week in the United States. That is the biggest first week in modern music history. That’s according to Luminate, the industry data and analytics company that began tracking sales in 1991. Swift broke the record set by Adele’s “25,” which sold 3.378 million copies in its first week in 2015 in the U-S. The news arrived following the announcement of two forthcoming Disney Plus projects. Swift will premiere a six-episode, behind-the-scenes docuseries of her landmark Eras Tour. There will also be an updated concert film.

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From Grammy winner to children's author: Laufey's new book is 'Mei Mei The Bunny'

NEW YORK (AP) — Laufey, the Grammy-winning artist, is creating a children's story inspired by her mascot-alias, Mei Mei The Bunny. Penguin Workshop announced Tuesday that Laufey's picture book, “Mei Mei The Bunny,” will be published on April 21. Illustrated by Lauren O'Hara, the book tells of Mei Mei's determination to become a professional musician even as she encounters some initial struggles. Laufey, known for her blend of pop, classical, and jazz, expressed excitement about sharing Mei Mei's story. She hopes it inspires readers of all ages. Laufey's 2023 album, “Bewitched,” won a Grammy for best traditional pop vocal album.

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