Associated Press music writers Chris Talbott and Mesfin Fekadu pick their top five songs of the year.
Chris Talbott's picks (twitter.com/Chris_Talbott):
1. Drake, "Started from the...
Jay Z easily led Grammy Award nominations announced Friday with nine, but left-of-center rappers Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Kendrick Lamar were among a...
Miley Cyrus, left, and a dancer perform at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) by Toby SterlingAssociated Press Writer AMSTERDAM (AP) — She couldn't resist. Singer Miley Cyrus smoked a joint on stage and twerked with a dwarf during the MTV EMAs on Sunday. The 20-year old pop star also took home the Best Video award for her hit song "Wrecking Ball" during a show with a strong lineup of other performers including Eminem and Katy Perry. Cyrus opened the space-themed show singing the song "We Can't Stop," while wearing a silver spandex suit and gyrating her buttocks in the move known as twerking in the general direction of her smaller female dance partner.
This 2013 file publicity photo released by FOX shows American Idol XIII judges, from left, Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. One thing about season 13 of "American Idol" is that unlike last season, the judges seem to be getting along. (AP Photo/FOX, Michael Becker) by Marina HutchinsonAssociated Press Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Well, one thing about season 13 of "American Idol" is that unlike last season, the judges seem to be getting along. At an audition stop in Atlanta last week, Jennifer Lopez said she's excited for people to see how funny Harry Connick Jr. is and how much he knows about music.
This file photo shows singer-actress Nona Gaye by Anthony McCartneyAP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two of Marvin Gaye's children sued Robin Thicke and his collaborators on the hit song "Blurred Lines" on Wednesday, accusing them of copyright infringement and alleging music company EMI failed to protect their father's legacy. Nona Marvisa Gaye and Frankie Christian Gaye's suit is the latest salvo in a dispute over Thicke's hit and whether it copies elements of Gaye's song "Got to Give It Up." Their lawsuit seeks to block Thicke and collaborators Pharrell and T.I. from using elements of their father's music in "Blurred Lines" or other songs.
Newcomers Ben Haggerty, better known by his stage name Macklemore, left, and his producer Ryan Lewis will battle heavyweights Justin Timberlake and Taylor Swift for the top prize at the 2013 American Music Awards. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Invision/AP, File) NEW YORK (AP) — Newcomers Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are the top contenders at the 2013 American Music Awards. The rap duo is up for six awards, including artist, new artist and single of the year for "Thrift Shop."
In this Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013 file photo, Miley Cyrus performs at IHeartRadio Music Festival, day 2, in Las Vegas, NV. Cyrus’s wild child antics, from being nude in the music video for her first No. 1 hit, “Wrecking Ball,” to her nipple tape at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, have made headlines. (Photo by Al Powers/Powers Imagery/Invision /AP, File) NEW YORK (AP) — While Miley Cyrus has a batch of critics, there is a group rallying behind her and praising her as a vital talent: rappers. Pharrell produced several songs on Cyrus' new album. She has been featured on the latest albums from Snoop Lion and will.i.am. Big Sean requested her as the star of his "Fire" music video. And to top it off, Kanye West invited her to appear on the remix to "Black Skinhead," his anti-racism rant from his eerie and dark "Yeezus" album.
