DRAKE RELEASES NEW MUSIC TO HONOR TORONTO RAPTORS’ NBA TITLE WIN

UNDATED (AP) _ Now that the Toronto Raptors have released themselves from the Drake curse, Drake is releasing two new songs in their honour. The Canadian-born rapper went on Instagram shortly after his Raptors won the NBA title last night to show off some new album art featuring what players call the “Larry O.B.” _ but is known officially as the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. Drake is a superfan of the Raptors and serves as the team’s global ambassador. But until last night’s big win, he’d been scorned and mocked by critics who note his teams haven’t done well when it came to winning important games. Canadian Press reports Drake was in Toronto's Jurassic Park _ the fan zone outside the team's downtown arena _ to watch a live feed of Game 6 from Oakland with his friends last night. He was joined by Toronto Mayor John Tory and a crowd of thousands.

TAYLOR SWIFT RELEASES NEW SONG, TARGETING HOMOPHOBES

NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift is out with a new song. And instead of attacking an ex-boyfriend or a rival, it has a new target: homophobia. The new single is titled “You Need to Calm Down.” And in it, the pop star calls out those who attack the LGBTQ community. Part of the song includes the lyric “And control your urges to scream about all the people you hate / 'Cause shade never made anybody less gay." In another line she sings, “You need to just stop, like can you just not step on his gown?" The song is the second single from the album “Lover,” to be released Aug. 23.

MISSY ELLIOTT BECOMES FIRST FEMALE RAPPER INDUCTED INTO SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME

NEW YORK (AP) — Former first lady Michelle Obama was among those paying tribute to Missy Elliott as she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She wasn’t there in person, but Obama praised Elliott in a video aired during the induction ceremony in New York last night. In her remarks, Obama thanked Elliott for her “trailblazing ways” _ and praised her “for being an advocate for so many people out there, especially young girls who are still figuring out how to make their voices heard.” Queen Latifah inducted Elliott, who broke down in tears at the end of her acceptance speech. Missy Elliott is the first female rapper _ and third rapper overall _ to enter the Songwriters Hall. The other two are Jay-Z and Jermaine Dupri (doo-PREE’). Elliott has put hit songs on loads of female artists and groups, including Aaliyah, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Monica, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Ariana Grande, Destiny's Child, Fantasia, Jazmine Sullivan, SWV, Total, 702, Mya, Tweet and others.

MTV MOVIE & TV AWARDS ARE TOMORROW NIGHT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Zachary Levi says he’s already nervous about hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards tomorrow night in Santa Monica, California. And he says he expects the anxiety will only get worse as the show nears. He says since this is the biggest thing he has ever hosted, the nerves are “starting to build a little.” Levi says he expects to overcome the angst by bringing out what he calls the “best version” of himself. The top nominees this year include Avengers: Endgame," ''Game of Thrones" and "RBG." Levi himself is up for two awards _ best hero and best comedic performance _ both for his work in “Shazam!”

CUBA GOODING JR. PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO GROPING CHARGE

NEW YORK (AP) — Cuba Gooding Jr.’s next court appearance in the groping case against him is June 26. And when the case resumes, both the prosecution and defence will be leaning heavily on security videotape taken at a New York City nightclub that catches parts of the encounter between the Oscar-winning actor and his accuser. Both sides say the tape proves their side of the story; prosecutors say it shows the groping incident while the defence suggests the video shows nothing inappropriate. As he left court yesterday, Gooding wished former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz a speedy recovery from the gunshot wound he suffered Sunday in the Dominican Republic, telling reporters “Get well, Big Papi.”

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069968-a-209:04-(Mark Heller, attorney for Cuba Gooding, Jr.)-"a false claim"-Cuba Gooding Jr. surrenders while denying allegations (13 Jun 2019)

¤¤CUT ´069968 (06/13/19)££ 209:04 "a false claim"

069967-a-176:64-(Mark Heller, attorney for actor Cuba Gooding, Jr.)-"following him around"-Cuba Gooding Jr. surrenders while denying allegations (13 Jun 2019)

¤¤CUT ´069967 (06/13/19)££ 176:64 "following him around"

069966-a-122:88-(Mark Heller, attorney for actor Cuba Gooding, Jr.)-"certainly be dismissed"-Cuba Gooding Jr. surrenders while denying allegations (13 Jun 2019)

¤¤CUT ´069966 (06/13/19)££ 122:88 "certainly be dismissed"

“MY LITTLE PONY” GETS SAME-SEX COUPLE

NEW YORK (AP) — “My Little Pony” is the latest in a series of kid-themed productions aimed at getting kids to accept same-sex relationships. In the episode due to be aired in the U.S. tomorrow, the Discovery Family cartoon series is introducing a lesbian couple. Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lifty are the couple that cares for Scootaloo. The “My Little Pony” episode comes about a month after the PBS animated series “Arthur” aired a show in which the title character attends the wedding of his gay teacher, Mr. Ratburn.

K-POP MUSIC AGENCY FOUNDER STEPS DOWN AMID SCANDAL

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — There’s a hint of scandal in the K-Pop world. The founder of one of the most successful K-Pop music agencies is stepping down _ amid claims he tried to cover up alleged drug use by one of the company's artists. The official said online that he is dealing with “malicious gossip” _ and would step aside to protect the reputation of the company’s artist. Recently singer B.I. left the boy band iKON after a news report said he tried to score drugs from another artist. B.I. said on Instagram he once considered purchasing drugs, but denies taking them.

TRUMP: MELANIA THE NEW JACKIE O

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new statement from President Donald Trump is sure to raise eyebrows _ especially for those still enamoured of the Camelot era ushered by President John F. Kennedy. Speaking on “Fox & Friends,” Trump says his wife Melanie is a first lady in the mode of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. He suggests the new paint job he is proposing for Air Force One was developed with input from his wife. He says the current colour scheme “was Jackie O and that’s good, but we have our own Jackie O today, it’s called Melania.” The new incarnation of the presidential aircraft is due to be rolled out in 2024.

by Oscar Wells Gabriel II

Follow Oscar Wells Gabriel II on Twitter at https://twitter.com/OWGabriel2

News from © The Associated Press, 2019