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.
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.
Doctor to be sentenced for selling Matthew Perry ketamine before 'Friends' star's overdose death
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A doctor who pleaded guilty to selling ketamine to Matthew Perry before the actor's overdose death is set to be sentenced on Wednesday. Dr. Salvador Plasencia admitted to illegally selling ketamine to Perry, knowing he was a struggling addict. Prosecutors are asking for a three-year prison sentence. Perry's family may make statements in court. Plasencia has surrendered his medical license and pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution. His lawyers say he deserves no prison time, only probation. Other defendants in the case will be sentenced in the coming months. Perry died at age 54 in 2023.
Trump will play a starring role heading into a big weekend at the Kennedy Center
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center, known for theater and opera, becomes the sports world's focus on Friday. The World Cup matchups and locations for next year are announced there. By Sunday, it returns to its traditional role, hosting the annual awards program for top U.S. artists. President Donald Trump plays a starring role in both events. Trump worked with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to move the World Cup draw to the Kennedy Center. Infantino may recognize Trump with a new peace prize. Trump also plans to host the Kennedy Center Honors.
Chanel's new showman stages an ode to NYC with star-packed runway show on a real subway platform
NEW YORK (AP) — Designer Matthieu Blazy has taken Chanel's fashions underground, with a runway show on a New York City subway platform. Just weeks after his splashy Paris debut with the label, Blazy staged his first Métier’s d’Art collection in a decommissioned part of the Bowery station. The annual show celebrates the craftsmanship of Chanel's artisan partners. Celeb guests including A$AP Rocky, Ayo Edebiri, Tilda Swinton, Kristen Stewart, Jon Bon Jovi and Jessie Buckley attended the event, Chanel's first New York show since 2018. Blazy drew inspiration from everyday subway commuters, creating a mashup of styles from the 1920s to the 2020s.
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New Zealand man accused of eating Faberge pendant inspired by Bond movie as police wait for evidence
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Police in New Zealand are monitoring a man accused of swallowing a $19,000 pendant with the intention of smuggling it out of a jewelry store. The 32-year-old allegedly ate the Faberge octopus pendant at Partridge Jewelers in Auckland on Nov. 28. Authorities said Wednesday that evidence of the theft has not yet emerged. The man was arrested inside the store minutes after the reported theft. He has appeared in court but has not entered a plea. The pendant was inspired by the 1983 James Bond film “Octopussy” with a plot involving jewel smuggling and a fake Fabergé egg. The piece in Auckland has is encrusted with 183 diamonds and two sapphires.
Movie Review: Holiday movies, and moms, deserve better than ‘Oh. What. Fun.’
Michelle Pfeiffer plays a mom on the edge at Christmas time in the new movie “Oh. What. Fun.” The movie brings together a large ensemble cast including Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Dominic Sessa, Jason Schwartzman, Denis Leary, Danielle Brooks and Eva Longoria and references holiday classics like “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that if the intention was to make a holiday movie about and for the overworked and underappreciated suburban moms, this one misses the mark. Rated PG-13, “Oh. What. Fun” is streaming on Prime Video Wednesday.
10 notable books of 2025: A posthumous memoir about Epstein, 'Hunger Games' and reliving 2024
NEW YORK (AP) — The publishing world's notable releases this year included a new “Hunger Games” novel and a book by Thomas Pynchon. Suzanne Collins' prequel “Sunrise on the Reaping” sold over 4 million copies despite her limited promotion. Mel Robbins' self-help book, “The Let Them Theory,” topped bestseller lists, while David Szalay's “Flesh” won the Booker Prize. Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir, “Nobody's Girl,” made headlines for its revelations. Rick Atkinson's “The Fate of the Day” received acclaim for its history of the Revolutionary War. Books on the 2024 election, including Kamala Harris' “107 Days,” also captured readers' attention.
Apple Replay is here. What's the No. 1 song on Apple Music’s 2025 songs chart?
NEW YORK (AP) — Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” has topped Apple Music’s global song chart in 2025. The giant music streamer released year-end lists Tuesday and provided listeners with data on their own most listened-to tunes. “APT.” is both artists’ first No. 1 on the year-end global songs chart. They’re followed by Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” in second. Mars makes another appearance, in third, for his collaboration with Lady Gaga, “Die With A Smile.” Also available Tuesday is Replay. That is Apple’s alternative to Spotify’s Wrapped playlist. It allows Apple Music subscribers to engage with their favorite music on the streaming service this year.
Can AI ever be funny? Some comedians embrace AI tools but they're still running the show
Comedians like Jon Lajoie and King Willonius are embracing artificial intelligence tools to help them create humor. They just don't think AI is inherently funny. The rise of generative AI has stoked division and posed challenges to a number of creative industries, including comedy. But those who've been willing to experiment with AI-assisted humor find its mostly helpful as a tool that can animate or visualize their own ideas, not make people laugh on its own.
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