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Philadelphia rapper Cool C was scheduled to be executed today, Jan. 8, but a judge in Pennsylvania decided to grant the artist a stay of execution. This is the second stay Christopher Roney has received after being convicted of killing a female police officer in 1996. His first stay was granted in 2006, Philly station NBC 10 reports.According to the court case, Roney, along with Steady B — real name Warren McGlone — and Mark Canty, robbed a PNC bank in the late 1990s. Officer Lauretha Vaird entered the bank during the robbery and was shot to death. Despite witness reports and surveillance tapes, Roney has maintained his innocence, claiming to have been eating with his mother at the time of the murder.Vaird was the first female officer murdered on duty in Philly.McGlone was sentenced to life in prison for murder in the second degree. He and Canty both fingered Roney as the trigger man in the 1996 ordeal.Roney gained notoriety in the late 1980s as part of the Hilltop Hustlers, which scored an underground hit with "Juice Crew Dis." He released two solo albums, "I Gotta Habit" in 1989 and "Life in the Ghetto" in 1990. Roney linked up with McGlone and Ultimate Eaze in 1991 to form C.E.B. Their only album, "Countin' Endless Bank," produced one charted single with "Get the Point." He also gained praise with "Glamorous Life." -
Kevin Jonas Explains Jonas Brothers Break Up After Being Booted From 'Celebrity Apprentice': "The Friction Was Too Much" [WATCH]
The Jonas Brothers broke up unexpectedly in 2013 right before the release of a new album and the beginning of a world tour. Each brother went his separate way with Kevin Jonas eventually putting out a food app (Yood) and signing on to Celebrity Apprentice, from which he was just booted. -
John Travolta Signs On to Play Robert Shapiro in 'American Crime Story: People Vs. O.J.'
Ryan Murphy continues to piece together what will likely turn into his next hit show. "American Crime Story: People Vs. O.J." is scheduled to begin filming in Los Angeles within the next few months, and it is lining up quite an interesting list of names to portray key players in one of the most well-known trials in recent American history. We have already told you about David Schwimmer, Sarah Paulsen and Cuba Gooding Jr. being signed to the project, and it has now been confirmed that John Travolta has been cast as Robert Shapiro.According to a report by Deadline, "Travolta also will serve as a producer on the miniseries, which takes a look at the O.J. Simpson trial told from the perspective of the lawyers that explores the chaotic behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court, and how a combination of prosecution confidence, defense wiliness and the LAPD's history with the city's African-American community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt."This marks Travolta's first TV series role since the 1975-79 comedy "Welcome Back, Kotter." He joins David Schwimmer, who plays another Simpson attorney, his confidant Robert Kardashian; Cuba Gooding Jr, who portrays Simpson; and Sarah Paulson, who plays prosecutor Marcia Clark." -
Sia Apologizes for "Elastic Heart" Music Video: Did Not Intend to Imply Romance Between Maddie Zeigler & Shia LaBeouf
Sia is getting a little bit of flack for her new music video, "Elastic Heart." The emotional clip, which stars 12-year-old Maddie Zeigler and 28-year-old Shia LaBeouf has triggered comments regarding pedophilia and inappropriate content. And now, the "Chandelier" singer has apologized to those who may have been disturbed by the clip, claiming that she only meant to make an emotional people of art. -
Lindsey Stirling to Perform at Sundance's ASCAP Music Café: Other Performers Include Scott Weiland, Andrew Dost of fun. and Jamestown Revival
The 17th annual Sundance ASCAP Music Café has announced its lineup for the 2014 Film Festival with violinist Lindsey Stirling set as one of the performers. Other acts announced by the organization include Scott Weiland, Andrew Dost of fun. and Jamestown Revival. -
Action Bronson Shares New Song 'Actin Crazy,' Details New Album 'Mr. Wonderful' [LISTEN]
Queens rapper Action Bronson has shared a new track titled "Actin Crazy" from his upcoming album "Mr. Wonderful," which you can check out below — you can check out the insane yet incredible cover art above. The track, produced by 40 and Omen, is a refreshing change of pace from the typical trap beats you hear in modern hip-hop, with a woozy, constantly swelling sound reminiscent of something that MF Doom or Madlib would have done on "Madvillainy" — in simpler terms, it is great.Though Bronson shared the tracklist for "Mr. Wonderful" late last month, "Pitchfork" reports that he has revealed the featured artists on the album, which include Chance the Rapper, Meyhem Lauren, Big Body Bes, Party Supplies and Chauncey Sherod. In addition, Mark Ronson, The Alchemist and Noah "40" Shebib are among those contributing production.You can check out Action Bronson's "Actin Crazy" here: -
Coachella Sells Out General Admission Passes in 39 Minutes, Breaking Own Record for Absurd Ticket Moving Time
Yesterday we reported on the theoretical "battle" between Coachella and Governors Ball—the two festivals announced their respective lineups less than a day apart from each other—in terms of lineups but it's clear which still has the most fan appeal. Coachella put tickets up for sale the same day as its lineup announcement and both weekends for the event sold out within 40 minutes, setting a record for the event that typically unloads all of its passes in stupid amounts of time anyhow. -
ICYMI: 'Whiplash' Teaches About Pushing Prodigies, Piano Quartet Plays for Kids, Five Ballerinas Reflect on Dance Changes, Art to Encourage Vaccinations, Syfy Star Chooses Acting Over Dancing
Be it classical music, jazz, theater and dance or even art, film or literature, news still gets packed fresh and tight here at "Classicalite." -
Winter JazzFest Kicks Off At (Le) Poisson Rouge with Blue Note Now!, Kris Davis's Infrasound, Vijay Iyer and More to Follow
The 2015 Winter JazzFest in New York City has been a staple of the musical underbelly of the city for years. From Jan. 8-10, thus, the NYC Winter JazzFest takes over our favorite downtown dwellings like (Le) Poisson Rouge, SubCulture and more. -
Harry Connick Jr. Talks 'American Idol' Season 14 Talent, Randy Jackson's Departure from Show
The 14th season of "American Idol" kicked off last night, Jan. 7, with the judges searching for singing talent in Keith Urban's favorite town: Nashville. The show will also roll through the Bronx in honor of Jennifer Lopez as well as Harry Connick Jr.'s New Orleans. The latter spoke to "The Hollywood Reporter" recently about the new season's talent and the departure of the show's last original judge, Randy Jackson."We are trying to find someone who can sell records and become a big superstar," Connick said. "Given the talent we've seen, that isn't going to be an issue. We are going to be OK."Last night's highlights included Riley Bria on an Urban tune, Cameron Bedell sharing some soul on a Ray LaMontangne track and Michael Simeon taking on Sam Smith's hit "Stay With Me." But Connick assured fans there were plenty of other yes votes from the Nashville session, which continues tonight on Fox."We had a ridiculous amount of talent through the door," he said. "At one point, there were 10 unanimous yeses. That has never happened before. It was really encouraging."Connick also talked about the departure of OG judge Jackson, who moved into a mentor role last season and announced his departure from the show in November. Connick now sits in Jackson's old seat. -
Led Zeppelin To Reissue 'Physical Graffiti' On Its 40th Anniversary Next Month
Led Zeppelin are continuing their reissue campaign with the remastered version of their 1975 classic Physical Graffiti, which will be released on Feb. 24, the 40th anniversary of the album's original release date. According to Rolling Stone, the reissue was remastered by guitarist Jimmy Page (who also served as producer on every Led Zeppelin album) and will be released in a number of different formats, including a standard double CD edition, a triple CD edition with a "companion audio" bonus disc, a double LP edition, a deluxe vinyl edition, and a digital download. However, diehard fans will be most interested in the super deluxe boxset, which includes the deluxe CDs, vinyl, digital downloads, and a 96-page book of rare and unreleased photos and memorabilia. -
Chuck D Once Again Discusses Feud With Peter Rosenberg of Hot 97
Recently, Chuck D has been in the spotlight once again discussing a Twitter-fueled conversation from six months ago where the rapper vocalized his dissatisfaction with Hot 97 and Peter Rosenberg, siting a distaste from an experience in 2008 at the station's annual Summer Jam event.
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