Steve Cropper, guitarist and member of Stax Records' Booker T and the M.G.'s, has died at age 84
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Steve Cropper, who co-wrote classic songs, including “(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay” and “In the Midnight Hour,” during his years playing guitar at the legendary Stax Records in Memphis, has died. He was 84. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as a member of Booker T. and the M.G.'s, the house band for the Stax/Volt labels. In 2007, Cropper won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the group. He also became known to younger fans as member of the group backing Blues Brothers John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
A string of awards makes it clear: 'One Battle After Another' is the Oscar front-runner
NEW YORK (AP) — If there were any doubt, the first few days of Hollywood’s year-end awards has already made it abundantly clear. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” is the Oscar front-runner. On Monday, “One Battle After Another” won best film at the 35th Gotham Awards. On Tuesday, it was named best film by the New York Film Critics Circle. On Wednesday, it swept the National Board of Review Awards, winning best film, best director for Anderson and acting awards for Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro and newcomer Chase Infiniti. Expect to hear this pun a lot: one award after another.
Spotify Wrapped 2025 is here and Bad Bunny has dethroned Taylor Swift as most-streamed artist
NEW YORK (AP) — Spotify Wrapped is here. And Bad Bunny is the platform's most-streamed artist for 2025. That means he has ended Taylor Swift's two-year reign in the top spot. His album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” was the most streamed album globally. Spotify unveiled its annual overview of individual listening trends as well as trends from around the world on Wednesday. Users can now access their top artists, songs, genres, albums and podcasts, as well as uncover which artists had the biggest year on the platform. There are a few new features on Spotify Wrapped this year. For example, the “Top Albums” feature has returned.
AP’s top albums of 2025: Bad Bunny, Rosalía, Hayley Williams, Dijon, Addison Rae and more
NEW YORK (AP) — The Associated Press has announced its top 10 albums of the year, showcasing a diverse range of artists. Hayley Williams shines with “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party,” a bold solo project. Addison Rae surprises with her inventive pop debut, “Addison.” Rosalía's “Lux” offers an avant-garde musical journey. Bad Bunny's “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” celebrates Puerto Rican culture. Dijon captivates with the dreamy “Baby.” Wednesday's “Bleeds” sharpens their indie rock skills. Turnstile's “Never Enough” blends punk with new sounds. Clipse returns with “Let God Sort Em Out,” featuring Pharrell. Tyler Childers' “Snipe Hunter” defies country norms, and Sudan Archives' “The BPM” delivers a unique club-pop-soul experience.
AP's top songs of 2025: 'Lo que le pasó a Hawaii,' 'Abracadabra' and more
NEW YORK (AP) — The Associated Press has selected the 10 best songs of the year, showcasing a diverse range of artists and genres. Bad Bunny's “Lo que le pasó a Hawaii” stands out as a powerful anthem for Puerto Rico's cultural autonomy. Lady Gaga's “Abracadabra” marks a triumphant return to her electro-pop roots. Chappell Roan's “The Subway” showcases her versatility with dream-pop influences. Wednesday's “Elderberry Wine” offers a poetic take on classic country. Other notable tracks include dexter in the newsagent's “Special,” Feeble Little Horse's “This is Real,” and Kehlani's heartfelt “Folded.”
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Doctor who sold ketamine to 'Friends' star Matthew Perry gets 2 1/2 years in prison
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A doctor who sold ketamine to ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry before his overdose death has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. A federal judge in Los Angeles handed down the prison sentence plus two years of probation to 44-year-old Dr. Salvador Plasencia on Wednesday. Plasencia admitted to illegally selling ketamine to Perry, knowing he was a struggling addict. Plasencia has surrendered his medical license and pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution. Prosecutors said the ketamine that killed Perry was not provided by Plasencia, but his actions contributed to Perry’s harm.
The PlayStation turns 30: Looking back at the console that gave us Lara Croft and 'The Last of Us'
NEW YORK (AP) — Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show earlier this year featured a stage design resembling a giant PlayStation controller. This nod to Sony's console, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, highlights its cultural impact. From Hollywood films to music videos, PlayStation has transcended gaming. Sony's strategy involved targeting teens and young adults, making gaming cool and accessible. The PlayStation 2 became the bestselling console, while the PS4 stabilized the brand after a PS3 stumble. PlayStation's influence now extends to movies, TV shows, fashion, and even tattoos, reflecting its deep connection with fans.
‘Peter Hujar’s Day,’ ‘Train Dreams,’ and ‘Sorry, Baby’ lead Spirit Award nominations
Ira Sachs’ film “Peter Hujar’s Day” leads the Film Independent Spirit Award nominations with five nods, including best feature and director. The organization announced nominees for the 41st edition of the show on Wednesday. Films like Clint Bentley’s “Train Dreams” and Eva Victor’s “Sorry, Baby” followed with four nominations each. The awards, which switched to gender-neutral acting categories in 2022, also honor television shows with nominees like “Adolescence” and “Forever.” The Spirit Awards limit eligibility to productions with budgets of $30 million or less. The show will be held Feb. 15 at the Hollywood Palladium.
It's time to unpack Spotify Wrapped. Here's how the music streamer compiled your 2025 recap
NEW YORK (AP) — The end of 2025 is almost upon us. And it’s time to unpack Spotify Wrapped. On Wednesday, the music streaming giant delivered its annual recap — giving its hundreds of millions of users worldwide a look at the top songs, artists, podcasts and other audio they listened to over the past year. Spotify isn’t the only platform to roll out a yearly glimpse of data collected from consumers’ online lives. But since its launch about a decade ago, Wrapped has become one of the most anticipated. And Spotify is billing the 2025 edition to be the biggest yet, with a host of new features it hopes may also address some disappointments users had last year.
Lauren Graham and Amy Sherman-Palladino to release 'Gilmore Girls' book in 2027
NEW YORK (AP) — “Gilmore Girls” creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and star Lauren Graham have teamed up for a new book about the beloved series. Celadon Books announced Wednesday that the book is set for release in the fall of 2027. The work promises sharp wit, personal reflections and never-before-shared stories from the dramedy set in Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Graham played single mother Lorelai Gilmore, with Alexis Bledel as her daughter Rory. Graham expressed excitement about collaborating with Sherman-Palladino. Sherman-Palladino, who returned for a 2016 revival, says she would jump at any chance to work with Graham.
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