The most obvious get for this year’s Oscars telecast producer, Will Packer, was Beyonce. Nominated for the first time for co-writing “Be Alive” from “King Richard,” an appearance by the 28-time Grammy winner would at least increase the Academy Award’s ratings by a 10th of a point. And, surprise, it’s likely happening.

READ MORE: “Power of the Dog” leads with 12 Oscar nominations [Complete List]

Multiple reports say that Beyonce is interested in either pre-taping a performance of the song at the Compton tennis courts where “King Richard’s” real-life subjects, Venus and Serena Williams, trained or a live version at the Dolby Theater.

Continue reading Surprise: Academy Wants Beyonce To Perform At The Oscars at The Playlist.

Recently, the CEO of Netflix threw a bit of shade at Disney+ for only offering event-style content instead of a consistent stream of originals, as seen with the recent release of “Hamilton.” Well, regardless of the strategy, it seems to be working, as the Mouse House’s streaming service is gaining subscribers at a very fast rate. And with the release of the next “event” film, “Black is King,” it’s likely that Disney+ will dominate the conversation yet again this month.

Continue reading ‘Black Is King’ Trailer: Beyoncé’s Musical Reimagining Of ‘The Lion King’ Premieres Later This Month at The Playlist.

The idea that Beyoncé would do a “visual album” is nothing new. Previously, the singer released her album “Lemonade” initially as a visual album on HBO. That 65-minute film ended up winning awards and gaining new fans for the musical artist. And now, a half-decade later, Beyoncé has another visual album in the works, titled “Black is King,” and it will be released on *checks notes*…Disney+?

Continue reading ‘Black Is King’ Trailer: Beyoncé’s New Visual Album Inspired By ‘The Lion King’ Arrives On Disney+ In July at The Playlist.

On a day when Netflix made history with the most Oscar nominations for any studio (24) and landed not one, but two Animated Feature nominations, it was who made the cut and who didn’t that dominated the social media-fueled headlines.  A South Korean drama on the verge of winning Best Picture?  Your Super Bowl halftime performer missing the cut? Perhaps one of the greatest entertainers of all-time being overlooked in Original Song?

Continue reading Oscars 2020 Nominations Snubs and Surprises: JLo, Beyonce & ‘Frozen II’ at The Playlist.

No matter what happens on Oscars nomination morning, history will be made. At least, it should be. At a minimum, Netflix should beat out Sony Pictures for more nominations than any other studio. That will be a landmark moment for the streaming service. “Parasite” will be the first South Korean film nominated for not only International Film, but Best Picture. And the ninth film from Quentin Tarantino, “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood,” will become his fourth Best Picture nominee.

Continue reading Oscars Nominations Predictions 2020: ‘Parasite,’ ‘Joker,’ Beyonce at The Playlist.

Some of the biggest music stars in history are in contention for the 2020 Original Song Oscar after the Academy of Motion Pictures announced the shortlist today.  Songwriters Beyonce (“Spirit” from “The Lion King”), Thom Yorke (“Daily Battles” from “Motherless Brooklyn”), Pharrell Williams (“Letter To My Godfather” from “The Black Godfather”) and Elton John (“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from “Rocketman”) are all in contention as well as “Frozen II’s” Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez (“Into the Unknown”).

Continue reading Beyonce, Thom Yorke & ‘Frozen II’ Make Oscar’s 2020 Original Song Shortlist at The Playlist.

The Recording Academy announed the 2020 Grammy Nominations on Wednesday morning and history was made. Lizzo led all nominees with eight, but both she Billie Eilish landed nods in the top four categories: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Best New Artist. They become the first two artists to ever pull that unique feat off.

READ MORE: Beyonce’s “Homecoming” chronicles her iconic Coachella performance [Review]

Eilish and Lil Nas X earned six nominations overall.

Continue reading Lizzo, Lil Nas X & Billie Eilish Lead 2020 Grammy Nominations at The Playlist.

Beyonce Knowles had an unexpected surprise for her fans on Tuesday night, a new single from “The Lion King.” Or, maybe considering how often she releases content without warning it should have been expected?  Whatever the case, “Spirit” was released on major streaming platforms for and for download following the star-studded world premiere of Jon Favreau’s new CG version of “The Lion King” in Hollywood.

READ MORE: Not even Jon Favreau knows if his “Lion King” movie is animated or live action

It was also revealed that the Grammy-winning artist is curating and producing an album of music inspired by the film titled “The Lion King: The Gift” which will be released on July 19.

Continue reading Did Beyonce Bestow ‘The Lion King’ At Least One Oscar Nod With The New Track ‘Spirit’? at The Playlist.

In a world where hundreds of films get theatrical release a year, and hundreds more hit streaming and VOD, it really does feel like all film industry news and rumors revolve around which Disney film is about to hit theaters. Whether it’s from Marvel Studios, Pixar, Disney, or Star Wars, there seems to be at least one huge film coming from the Mouse House on a bi-weekly basis.

Continue reading Hear Donald Glover & Beyoncé Sing ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight?’ In New Ad For ‘The Lion King’ at The Playlist.

Decades from now people will insist they were there. They’ll say they were standing on that desert field at Coachella on April 14, 2018, when Beyonce Knowles delivered a performance for the ages. It will be the Woodstock or Live Aid of its time.  If you weren’t there you’ll insist to your grandchildren or nephews or nieces you were.  That’s because it was a show that went beyond the lofty expectations her fans, critics or the larger entertainment audience who had trekked out from Los Angeles (including many of her peers) had.

Continue reading Beyonce’s ‘Homecoming’ Chronicles Her Spectacular Coachella Performance [Review] at The Playlist.

The live-action remakes of classic Disney films have been controversial. Thus far, we have seen remakes of “Alice in Wonderland,” “Cinderella,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “The Jungle Book,” while upcoming releases include modernized, live-action versions of “Dumbo,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King,” which is one of the most beloved Disney films of all time.

Continue reading Lion King Trailer: The Circle Of Life Is Revisited In Jon Favreau’s Magical “Live-Action” Reimagining at The Playlist.

The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards lacked a significant amount of modern-day star power on hand, but that didn’t stop Video Vanguard recipient Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande (perhaps the only must-see) from putting on a show.  This year’s event was hosted by Tiffany Haddish and featured a cold “opening” from Cardi B who disappointed many by not performing (quite a misdirect by MTV’s promo department).

Continue reading Questionable Choices As Camila Cabello Wins Video Of The Year At 2018 MTV VMAs at The Playlist.

The nominees were announced for the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards this morning and unlike previous years, they barely disappointed.  Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars (with Cardi B), The Carters (aka Beyonce and Jay-Z), Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) and Drake are all facing off in the prestigious Video of the Year category alone.  Baring conflicting touring schedules that means there should be a ton of major star power at the ceremony held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City next month.

Continue reading Childish Gambino, The Carters and Cardi B Lead Competitive 2018 MTV Video Music Awards Nominations at The Playlist.

Watch: 7-Minute Video Essay Explores The Film Influences Behind Beyonce's 'Lemonade'

Continue reading Watch: 7-Minute Video Essay Explores The Film Influences Behind Beyonce’s ‘Lemonade’ at The Playlist.

Watch: Beyoncé Goes Terrence Malick In Trailer For 'Lemonade'

Continue reading Watch: Beyoncé Goes Terrence Malick In Trailer For ‘Lemonade’ at The Playlist.

Continue reading Clint Eastwood & Beyoncé Team For ‘A Star Is Born’ at The Playlist.

But even though we may not like it, the show still has a huge legion of fans and with “Sex And The City 2” set to hit theaters next month, details on the accompanying soundtrack have arrived.

Continue reading ‘Sex And The City 2’ Soundtrack Features Alicia Keys, Dido, Erykah Badu & The Sex And The City Men’s Choir (Seriously) at The Playlist.

Directed by concert documentary veteran Danny Clinch, the film captures the rapper’s September 11, 2009 Madison Square Garden benefit concert for Answer The Call.

Continue reading Jay-Z Concert Documentary ‘NY-Z’ Gets A Trailer, Will Debut Online March 22 at The Playlist.

The project has been in development at Warner Brothers for a while with the “dream” pairing of Beyonce and Will Smith previously falling through. The likes of Robert Downey Jr., Jon Hamm, Rihanna and Alicia Keys have also been linked to the project but Crowe and Beyonce are now evidently in line to lead the story of an aging, alcoholic musician on the downfall who begins a professional and personal relationship with an up and coming younger female star.

Continue reading Russell Crowe And Beyonce To Lead Nick Cassavetes’ ‘A Star is Born’ Remake? at The Playlist.

Continue reading ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ & ‘Up’ Top The Soundtrack Categories For the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards at The Playlist.

The familiar story about wide-eyed girl dreaming of stardom who finds a helping hand from a washed out, alcoholic older leading man was first made as a drama by William Wellman in 1937 but truly became legendary when it became a musical in 1954 starring Judy Garland and directed by George Cukor.

Continue reading Nick Cassavetes To Remake ‘A Star Is Born’ (Again)? at The Playlist.

Highlights include Bruce Springsteen eponymous cut from “The Wrestler,” Peter Gabriel’s “Down To The Earth for “Wall-E,” Zooey Deschanel and her Von Iva comrades (under the name Munchausen By Proxy) surprisingly having two songs eligible, Norah Jones’ “The Story,” from the otherwise unremarkable, “My Blueberry Nights,” Jon Brion’s “Little Person” for “Synecdoche, New York” and eligibility nods to Regina Spektor, Jenny Lewis, actor Jason Segel and M.I.A.

Continue reading Academy Unveils List Of 49 Songs Eligible For Best Original Song; List Includes Bruce Springsteen, Peter Garbriel, Jon Brion, Zooey Deschanel; More… at The Playlist.

“Cadillac Records” reviews aren’t supposed to hit until the week of release (next week), but Variety has already posted theirs, penned by John Anderson.

Continue reading Embargo Busting? Variety’s ‘Cadillac Records’ Review Hits Early at The Playlist.

Sorta, there’s more. Apparently, there’s also going to be deluxe double-disc edition offered with new artwork (pictured) that features more songs, plus an appearance by Q-Tip, Buddy Guy and the film’s score composer, Terrence Blanchard (Spike Lee’s constant music man).

Continue reading ‘Cadillac Records’ Soundtrack To Be Offered In Double-Disc Edition Featuring More Songs, Q-Tip And Buddy Guy at The Playlist.

“Cadillac Records,” chronicles the rise and fall of Chicago 1950’s R&B record label (Chess Records) is now set for a December 5 release and could be this year’s “Dreamgirls” if it’s lucky. Either way, they’ll be a ton of classic songs in the film.

Continue reading ‘Cadillac Records’ Coming Out December 5, Soundtrack Featuring Beyonce, Mos Def, Nas, Jeffrey Wright & Solange Hits December 2 at The Playlist.