SAWEETIE

The Cardinal Divas, a majorette dance team at the University of Southern California — Los Angeles, has encountered backlash on social media for bringing a traditionally Black style of dance that is associated with HBCUs to a predominantly white institution.

West coast rapper, Saweetie, recently appeared on REVOLT’s “Caresha Please!

This week’s new entertainment releases include fresh music from John Legend and Kane Brown, Samantha Morton stars as the 16th-century queen Catherine de Medici in an edgy Starz series and a race between two upcoming “Pinocchio” films begins with Robert Zemeckis’ adaptation.

Grammy-nominated rapper Saweetie strutted onto the pitcher's mound to deliver the ceremonial first pitch of a Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Chicago Cubs in honor of Filipino Heritage Night. Getting into pitching position while balancing on her Christian Louboutin heels, she tossed the ball straight into the glove of superstar right fielder Mookie Betts. “It meant [Filipino pride] not only for just Filipinos but especially Bay Area Filipinos,” Saweetie told Vibe.

Cubs Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Thursday, July 7, 2022, in Los Angeles. Gonsolin is the first Dodgers pitcher to start a season 11-0 since Alex Wood in 2017. Rookie Seiya Suzuki hit a flare to right that Betts chased mightily, but it dropped for an RBI double that left the Cubs trailing 5-3. The right-hander struck out four and walked none. Dodgers: RHP Blake Treinen (right shoulder) will continue throwing off a mound while expanding his full complement of pitches.

Tony Gonsolin pitched seven strong innings for his 11th victory in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Doja Cat could make the BET Awards her world later this month.

Norman Powell scored 24 points after being out two months, Paul George added 19 points in three quarters to go over 15,000 in his career, and the Los Angeles Clippers edged the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns 113-109.

Hailey and Justin Bieber shared a kiss in style on the red carpet at the 2022 Grammy Awards

Bright pink and all-over metallics were the fashion stories of the Grammys red carpet.

Recording Academy Honors Presented By The Black Music Collective - Show John Legend accepts the Global Impact Award at the Recording Academy Honors Presented By The Black Music Collective on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at Resorts World Las Vegas. Legend explained how Black music has set trends for listeners across the globe, speaking at the academy’s Black Music Collective event in Las Vegas, where he was given the Global Impact Award for his personal and professional achievements in the music industry. "I'm proud to celebrate and honor and cultivate our music," Legend said at the event held the night before the Grammy Awards. “Black music is and has been the rhythm, the root, the inspiration, the innovation behind so much of the world’s popular music. Like Legend, the event was filled with empowering messages that touched on the importance of recognizing Black music creators.

While John Legend was being honored for his musical achievements, the Grammy singer used the Recording Academy stage to pay homage to a Black music culture that shaped himself and the world.

When faced with too many choices, what's a Grammy voter to do.

H.

The Los Angeles Clippers completed a four-game season sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers with a 132-111 victory.

Olivia Rodrigo praised prior female songwriters and music artists for giving her strength while accepting Billboard’s 2022 Woman of the Year honor.

Olivia Rodrigo has been named Woman of the Year by Billboard, landing her in the same company as Taylor Swift, Cardi B and Billie Eilish.

Justin Bieber had a peachy 2021, and he leads the iHeartRadio Music Award field with nine nominations.

Anupam Tripathi said his grandfather sometimes read his palm and told him he’d be rich one day.

Saweetie Portrait Session Rapper Saweetie poses for a portrait at Nightingale Plaza in Los Angeles on Dec. 2, 2021. Saweetie was named one of AP's breakthrough entertainers of the year. Her grandfather, Willie Harper, played for the San Francisco 49ers and her father played football in college. "I played football, track and volleyball," Saweetie told The Associated Press, which has named her one of its Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021. It sets the tone for your career.”___For more on AP's 2021 class of Breakthrough Entertainers, please visit: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-breakthrough-entertainersCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Bay Area-rapper Saweetie wants to win a Grammy for the West Coast.

Breakthrough Entertainers This combination photo shows the eight AP breakthrough entertainers of the year, from left, Damson Idris, Anupam Tripathi, Rachel Zegler, Rauw Alejandro, Adrienne Warren, Saweetie, Simu Liu, and Sydney Sweeney. (AP Photo) (Uncredited)If 2020 was a pandemic-induced pause, 2021 was when things started up again, albeit slowly and timidly. But that doesn't describe this year's eight Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year: They seized their masks — and the moment. They are Damson Idris, Simu Liu, Rachel Zegler, Rauw Alejandro, Adrienne Warren, Saweetie, Anupam Tripathi and Sydney Sweeney. ___For more on AP's 2021 class of Breakthrough Entertainers, please visit: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-breakthrough-entertainersCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

If 2020 was a pandemic-induced pause, 2021 was when things started up again, albeit slowly and timidly.

Bryan Adams has tested positive for COVID upon arrival at Milan’s Malpensa Airport.

The 2021 MTV European Music Awards show has been held in Hungary's capital of Budapest where some performers expressed their support and solidarity to the country's embattled LGBTQ community.

Investors want to see how McDonald's is weathering issues hitting the restaurant industry, like labor challenges, higher food costs and the delta variant.

Justin Bieber leads this year’s list of nominees at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, followed closely by Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish, BTS, Doja Cat, Drake, Giveon, Lil Nas X and first-time nominee Olivia Rodrigo.

Cardi B’s “WAP” had new meaning at the BET Awards: winning and pregnant.

This week’s new entertainment releases includes Conan O’Brien closing out his TBS late-night show and the new soccer documentary “LFG,” a revealing look at the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s battle for equal pay.

Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby are the prom queen and king of the 2021 BET Awards.

The Asian American community is banding together in a star-studded TV special to show unity amid ongoing violent, racist incidents throughout the U.S.

Saweetie, an American rapper of Chinese, Filipino and Black descent, has recently spoken out about the rising hate crimes against Asian Americans across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Using your platform: In an interview with TMZ Live on Monday for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Saweetie talked about the role of social media in bringing awareness to anti-Asian violence. Close to home: Saweetie offered her thoughts on the growing violence, such as the recent attack on an elderly Asian woman in New York City which she says "could have been my grandmother."

TV-AAPI Special Jhené Aiko poses for a portrait in Los Angeles on Dec. 7, 2020, left, and Saweetie attends the Brandon Maxwell fashion show during Fashion Week in New York on Feb. 8, 2020. Platinum-selling performers of part-Asian descent, including R&B singer Aiko and rapper Saweetie, will perform at a TV special produced by The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), the newly formed organization launched to improve AAPI advocacy. (Photos by Chris Pizzello, left, and Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Uncredited)NEW YORK — (AP) — Platinum-selling performers of part-Asian descent, including R&B singer Jhené Aiko and rapper Saweetie, will perform on a TV special produced by The Asian American Foundation, the newly formed organization launched to improve AAPI advocacy. Actor Ken Jeong will host the special, which will include appearances by Daniel Dae Kim and Lisa Ling and “will feature testimonials from leading Asian American public figures, as well as individuals working to enact change on the ground,” organizers said. The TV special coincides with TAAF’s See Us Unite campaign, which launched Thursday and is designed to expand support for the AAPI community.

Platinum-selling performers of part-Asian descent, including R&B singer Jhené Aiko and rapper Saweetie, will perform on a TV special produced by The Asian American Foundation, the newly formed organization launched to improve AAPI advocacy.

This combination photo shows poster art for the film "Godzilla vs Kong," premiering on HBO Max on March 31, left, "Concrete Cowboy," premiering April 2 on Netflix and "Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia," premiering April 3 on Lifetime. (HBO Max/Netflix/Lifetime via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. MOVIES— Two of cinema’s most famous giants are headed for an old-fashioned big budget clash in “Godzilla vs. Kong,” available on HBO Max for 31 days starting Friday. After a pandemic-induced blockbuster drought, Henry told the AP that the film will be a welcome change of pace. Ad— Legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson gets overdue biopic attention in a Lifetime film debuting Saturday.

Dr. Luke appeared as Tyson Trax on the Grammy ballot for Doja Cat's Say So," which he produced and co-wrote. But not all of the academy members may have been aware they were voting for Dr. Luke when they completed their ballots this year. Ad“I didn’t know that Tyson Trax was Dr. Luke. AdTogether, Martin and Dr. Luke crafted hits for Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Pink and Kesha, who he signed in 2005. Eventually Dr. Luke stepped into the forefront, helming successes for Miley Cyrus, Pitbull, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, logging 17 No.

This combination photo shows, from left, Carmelo Anthony, Nick Cannon, David Alan Grier, John Ridley and Danny Glover who will be featured on "Soul of a Nation," an ABC newsmagazine focused on Black life in America. (AP Photo)NEW YORK – ABC News says that next month it will begin airing “Soul of a Nation,” which the network believes is the first prime-time broadcast newsmagazine focused on Black life in America. The network has committed to six episodes that will air on consecutive Tuesday nights. It illustrates the opportunity to both speak to a Black audience and educate others about what is going on in the community. ___This story has been corrected to show that the name of the series creator is Marie Nelson, not Marie Roberts.

FILE - In this May 14, 2019 file photo, Ryan Seacrest attends the Walt Disney Television 2019 upfront in New York. This week, he will return to New York's Times Square to host Dick Clark New Years Rockin Eve. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – Ryan Seacrest will have a special pair of guests alongside the music stars at this year's New Year's Eve celebration on ABC — the president-elect and the future first lady. President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden are scheduled to give “their last interview of the year” in New York’s Times Square on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021.”The Bidens will "share an inspiring message as we come together to close out 2020 and look ahead with hope to 2021,” according to a statement by the producers. “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021" will run until 2 a.m. Eastern on Jan. 1.

And it earned him his first Grammy nomination in six years. 3 spot on the pop charts — is up for best rap song and best rap performance. And Anderson .Paak's “Lockdown," about police brutality and racial injustice, is up for best melodic rap performance and best music video. JAY-Z, THE SONGWRITERS, SHINESHappy wife, happy life: Jay-Z has lent his songwriting hand to his wife Beyoncé and he's earned Grammy nominations for it. PAUL McCARTNEY, THE ART DIRECTORPaul McCartney scored his 79th Grammy nominations this year — as an art director.

Others who may earn nominations include Lewis Capaldi, Summer Walker, Morgan Wallen, Doja Cat, BLACKPINK, Ingrid Andress, Snoh Aalegra, Skip Marley, Mickey Guyton and CNCO. Ricch should also earn nominations for his guest appearance on DaBaby’s international hit “Rock Star,” helping him become the show’s overall top nominee. ________FOLKS LOVE FOLKLORETaylor Swift’s last two albums, “Lover” and “reputation,” didn’t earn nominations for album of the year. The seven-member group’s hit “Dynamite” could snag a nomination for best pop duo/group performance, and their latest album could compete for best global music album. 3 on pop charts, should earn a nomination for best country performance and best country song.

Hes returned to the charts in 2020, working on songs for rising and established rap stars, including Lil Wayne, Juice WRLD, Saweetie and Doja Cat. Dr. Luke marked a major comeback this year with the success of the Billboard Hot 100 No. Label representatives for Saweetie, Juice WRLD, Lil Wayne and Cat didnt immediately reply to emails seeking comment. Months later, Kesha accused him of sexual assault during their yearslong partnership (Dr. Luke has vigorously denied the allegations.) Outside of rap in 2020, Dr. Luke has produced music for pop singer Kim Petras, using the pseudonym MADE IN CHINA.