Voletta Wallace, Notorious B.I.G.'s mother and keeper of his legacy, dies at 78
NEW YORK (AP) -- Voletta Wallace, the dedicated mother of the late great rapper The Notorious B.I.G., has died at age 78. The Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac confirms her death to The Associated Press and says Wallace died at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, on Friday after a stint on hospice care. She died of natural causes. Wallace was a dedicated keeper of the legacy of her son, born Christopher Wallace. The Notorious B.I.G., one of the rap's music greatest performers, was shot to death at age 24 in Los Angeles in 1997. The case remains unsolved. His 1994 debut album, "Ready to Die," has sold over 6 million units as of 2018 and included the hits "Big Poppa" and "Juicy."
The Oscars are more international than ever. So why is the international film category broken?
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Oscars are more international than ever. This year's lead nominee, "Emilia Pérez," is the most nominated non-English language film ever. To diversify its membership, the academy has in recent years invited hundreds of overseas voters, tipping the Oscar scales. And yet the Academy Awards' marquee category for international cinema, best international film, has been continually criticized as unjust, outdated and subject to political interference. Unlike other categories at the Academy Awards, the nominee selection for the best international film category is outsourced. Individual countries make their submission, one movie per country. For years, critics have called on the academy to change the system.
Jerry 'Ice Man' Butler, soul singer whose hits included 'Only the Strong Survive,' dies at 85
NEW YORK (AP) -- Jerry Butler, a premier soul singer whose rich, steady baritone graced such hits as "For Your Precious Love," "Only the Strong Survive" and "Make It Easy On Yourself," has died at age 85. Butler's niece, Yolanda Goff, told the Chicago Sun-Times that Butler died Thursday at his home in Chicago. A key voice for soul music made in Chicago and Philadelphia, he was a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a three-time Grammy Award nominee. Butler was also an inspired songwriter who collaborated with Otis Redding on "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff on "Only the Strong Survive,"
Music Review: Tate McRae's 'So Close to What' entices with post-Britney Spears, dirty, breathy pop
Is Tate McRae the new princess of dirty, breathy pop? The 21-year-old has released her third studio album, "So Close to What." The generous 15-track record offers an array of serviceably sexy pop songs that harken back to the early 2000s but mostly skew modern, The Associated Press' Cristina Jaleru writes in her review. But without a massive hit, Jaleru says McRae has not yet taken the crown of pop princess from Britney Spears. There are seductive standouts: "Sports car," "Purple lace bra" and the brassy "It's ok I'm ok."
Amazon MGM takes creative reins of James Bond, ending an era of family control of 007
NEW YORK (AP) -- In a James Bond shakeup that stirred the film industry, MGM Amazon announced that the studio has taken the creative reins of the 007 franchise after decades of family control. Longtime Bond custodians Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said Thursday they would be stepping back. Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli formed a new joint venture in which they will all co-own James Bond intellectual property rights. But Amazon MGM will have creative control. Financial terms weren't disclosed. The deal is expected to close sometime this year. Bond had been a family business since Albert "Cubby" Broccoli secured the rights to adaptations of Ian Fleming's novels and put out 1962's "Dr. No."
French street artist Shuck One pays tribute to Black history at Pompidou Center in Paris
PARIS (AP) -- French street artist Shuck One is honoring Black figures who shaped France's recent history on the mainland and overseas in an art installation. The artwork is being produced for an exhibition starting next month at the Pompidou Center in Paris. Shuck One is a Black graffiti and visual artist native of the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe which is a French overseas department. He is participating in the exhibition named "Black Paris" that retraces the presence and influence of Black artists in France from the 1950s to 2000. Shuck One is one of five artists chosen to provide contemporary insights. The exhibition runs from March 19-June 30.
Frankétienne, considered one of Haiti's most important and prolific writers, dies at 88
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Frankétienne, a renowned writer, painter, actor and musician known as the "father of Haitian letters" has died. He was 88. Born Jean-Pierre Basilic Dantor Franck Étienne d'Argent, he was raised in the Bel-Air slum in Haiti's capital and became what many consider Haiti's most important writer. Frankétienne also served as Haiti's culture minister in the late 1980s and was awarded France's Order of Arts and Letters. Haiti's government said in a statement that he died Thursday following an unspecified illness. Thousands mourned his loss.
Lady Gaga to perform a free concert on Rio's Copacabana beach in May
SAO PAULO (AP) -- Lady Gaga has confirmed that she will perform a free concert on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach on May 3. The singer said on social media Friday that she has been "dying to come perform for you for years" and "was heartbroken" when she had to cancel a 2017 performance at Rock in Rio for medical reasons. At the time, she apologized and said she needed to focus on her health. Gaga's concert on the beach follows Madonna's free performance there in May. The "Queen of Pop" drew an estimated 1.6 million people to Copacabana Beach, one of the world's most famous shorelines.
One-armed basketball player makes women's Division III history with basket
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) -- Being cut cut from her high school basketball team was painful for Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel, but she refused to let that rejection, or being born with one arm, stop her from pursuing her basketball dreams. The 22-year-old Lesley University player has made NCAA history as the first Division III women's basketball player with one arm to score in collegiate games. Inspired by LeBron James as a child, Sinaman-Daniel emailed hundreds of college coaches seeking a chance to play. Lesley University coach Martin Rather says she is now the team's hardest-working player. Since her historic first basket, Sinaman-Daniel has scored again and helped lead her team to its best season in 14 years.
Stax Music Academy's teen students mark 25th anniversary, Black History Month with concert
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- The Stax Music Academy in Memphis is marking its 25th anniversary with Black History Month-themed concerts on March 28. The after-school program teaches young musicians how to sing, dance and play instruments. More than 4,000 students have graduated since it started in the Soulsville neighborhood where Stax Records produced soul and R&B hits in the 1960s and 1970s. Every high school senior has been accepted to a college or university since 2008. Students take pride in continuing the legacy of the influential record company where Otis Redding cut "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay," Sam and Dave worked on "Soul Man," and The Staple Singers made "Respect Yourself."