GARY GERARD HAMILTON

AP Entertainment journalist

Hamilton is an entertainment journalist primarily covering music, film and TV for both video and text.

BeatKing, a Houston rapper known for viral TikTok song ‘Then Leave,’ dies at 39

The manager of the Texas rapper BeatKing says the Houston club music hitmaker has died at the age of 39.

There’s more to Tinashe’s new album, ‘Quantum Baby,’ than being ‘Nasty’

Tinashe is releasing her seventh studio album, “Quantum Baby,” on Friday. The album is fueled by her hit song “Nasty” which reached No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received various forms of shoutouts from icons like Beyoncé and Janet Jackson, as well Christina Aguilera, Anitta and more.

Marsha Ambrosius’ new ‘CASABLANCO’ album is just what Dr. Dre ordered

Marsha Ambrosius was done with the demands required of a successful R&B star, including touring and music industry politics.

Michael Rainey Jr. isn’t afraid of the future as ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ ends

Michael Rainey Jr.’s reign as a rising drug kingpin on “Power Book II: Ghost” is coming to an end. The fourth and final season of the popular Starz show premieres Friday.

Rapsody’s brave new album, ‘Please Don’t Cry,’ displays strength through vulnerability

If truth has the power to set one free, then Rapsody’s new album, “Please Don’t Cry,” has removed her from emotional imprisonment and gifted her immeasurable liberation.

Beyoncé is bringing her fans of color to country music. Will they be welcomed in?

Tayhlor Coleman grew up with a love for country music. She says she’d always hoped that Beyoncé, who grew up in the same area of Houston as she did, would one day make a country album.

Giancarlo Esposito always had leading man credentials. ‘Parish’ just makes it official

Giancarlo Esposito has been known to steal scenes and help create memorable TV moments mainly as a supporting actor.

Tyla, South Africa’s amapiano angel, manifests stardom in debut album

Tyla, who won the inaugural Grammy for African music performance last month, has released her self-titled debut album.

Flo Milli’s new album proves the ‘Never Lose Me’ rising artist’s dreams of greatness are coming true

Rising rap star Flo Milli released her latest album earlier this month. led by the melodic “Never Lose Me” which currently sits at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs chart.

From ‘The Bodyguard’ to ‘Barbie’: Is the movie soundtrack back and bigger than ever?

The music of “Barbie” has become its own blockbuster, earning three Grammys, one Golden Globe, and two Oscar nominations in the original song category — more than any other film this year.

How NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts became a pop culture phenomenon

Legendary Southern rapper Juvenile says he had been unaware of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series when a social media post suggested that he do a performance, setting off a frenzy.

Eddie Murphy wants ‘Candy Cane Lane’ to put you in the Christmas spirit for years to come

Eddie Murphy fondly remembers watching classic Christmas movies as a child with his family during the holidays.

R&B singer Kiana Ledé is taking back control of her music and her life

R&B singer Kiana Ledé is launching the international leg of her “Grudges” tour Tuesday in Auckland, New Zealand, and will include stops in Paris, London and Berlin.

‘The Family Chantel’ star Pedro Jimeno breaks his silence on divorce and the show’s ending

“The Family Chantel” star Pedro Jimeno, who is recently divorced from Chantel Everett, says the “damage is done” and “it’s not going to be any reconciliation in the future.”

Concert Review: Lauryn Hill’s 25th ‘Miseducation’ celebration passes with a grade curve

Lauryn Hill kicked off her “Miseducation’’ tour to a hometown crowd. The “Ms. Lauryn Hill & Fugees: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour opened Tuesday night in Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center, located about 20 minutes away from her hometown of East Orange.

Jada Pinkett Smith says revealing separation from Will Smith is a ‘weight off my shoulders’

Jada Pinkett Smith is feeling free these days. She’s no longer hiding that she has been separated from megastar husband Will Smith for seven years.

Maxwell is readying an album with teenage-era songs but first ‘NIGHT’ must fall

R&B icon Maxwell says he’s preparing a future album that will include teenage songs before his professional music career began, as well as songs he loved that weren’t included on early albums.

Tony! Toni! Toné! say reuniting after 25 years ‘Feels Good’ — and they’re working on something new

The three original members of the legendary R&B band Tony! Toni! Toné! have reunited after more than 25 years apart, and are in the midst of their Raphael Saddiq Revisits Tony!

Alok is among the most famous DJs in the world, and he wants to make it a better place

Alok is one of the biggest DJs on the planet, but at just 32 years old, he’s learned that fortune and fame don’t equal happiness.

Teddy Swims’ debut album is powered by toxic relationships and heartbreak

Teddy Swims, the eclectic soulful singer who gained popularity with his YouTube covers, says his debut album is “absolutely” a heartbreak album.

2 Chainz says joint-Lil Wayne album is done, talks new ‘Amazon Music Live’ season

Grammy-winning rapper 2 Chainz says his official studio album with Lil Wayne, expectedly titled “COLLEGROVE 2,” will be out before 2023 is over.

Jason Mraz is feeling free and curious — in music and in love

Two-time Grammy winner Jason Mraz released his latest album “Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride” in June, a pop record that’s a turn from his balladeering, acoustic persona.

From Killer Mike to Fat Joe, hip-hop stars talk about how first rap song resonated with them

Remember the first rap song you heard? Some of your favorite rappers and DJs do.

Queen Latifah, Chuck D and more rap legends on ‘Rapper’s Delight’ and their early hip-hop influences

Remember the first rap song you heard? Some of your favorite rappers and DJs do. While hip-hop celebrates 50 years of life, The Associated Press asked some of the genre’s most popular artists to recall their first rap song experience and how the moment resonated with them.

Drake: new ‘For All the Dogs’ album may drop in ‘a couple of weeks’

Drake says his new album, “For All the Dogs,” may drop in “a couple of weeks.” His announcement came during a tour stop at the sold-out Barclays Center Thursday night in Brooklyn, New York.

Rita Ora bets on herself with ‘You & I,’ her ‘personal letter’ to fans

It’s hard to imagine a global pop star losing confidence, but that was Rita Ora. However, the multi-hyphenated entertainer partly credits her husband, filmmaker Taika Waititi, with regaining her musical mojo and is back with a new album, “You & I.”

Big Pokey, of Houston’s legendary Screwed Up Click, dies after collapsing at Juneteenth show

Big Pokey, a Houston rapper known for regional hits such as “Ball ‘N Parlay,” “Who Dat Talking Down,” died after performing a show in Texas over the weekend. He was 48.

‘Abbott Elementary’ star Chris Perfetti feels at home with ‘King James’

Chris Perfetti says the theater is “home” for him, so it’s no surprise he’s been in his element for “King James,” the Manhattan Theater Club production that closes Sunday.

Erykah Badu basks in her new era of reinvention and expansion

New York (AP) — Erykah Badu has unintentionally occupied the role of culture shifter and influencer for 20 plus years, well before it became a trendy, social media descriptor.

‘The Ride’ docuseries takes peaks and valleys of professional bull riding by the horns

NEW YORK (AP) — If at first you’re thrown from the bull, try, try again — at least that’s part of what the new docuseries “The Ride” highlights.