Kendrick Lamar has another trophy to add to his collection.
The 30-year-old rapper accepted his Pulitzer Prize May 30 for his 2017 album “DAMN” at Columbia University.
“It’s an honor,” Lamar said while accepting his award. “Been writing my whole life, so to get this type of recognition is beautiful.”
With the recognition, which also comes with a $15,000 cash prize, Lamar became the first nonclassical or jazz musician to win a Pulitzer for music.
The award committee called “DAMN,” which was released last April and won a Grammy for best rap album in January, “virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.”
Lamar hasn’t spoken much about his award, but a backdrop on stage during his current tour declares him “Pulitzer Kenny” in stark black handwriting font on a white background.
Matt LeBlanc to leave ‘Top Gear’ after next season
The BBC says former “Friends” star Matt LeBlanc will leave the popular British auto show “Top Gear” after the upcoming season.
In a statement, LeBlanc said the program was “great fun,” but the time and travel commitment “takes me away from my family and friends more than I’m comfortable with.”
LeBlanc’s fourth and final season as host is due for broadcast later this year.
A mix of humor, stunts and automotive advice, “Top Gear” became a global hit under longtime presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
They left in 2015 after Clarkson was fired for punching a producer and now host Amazon’s rival show, “The Grand Tour.”
LeBlanc joined in 2016 as co-host with British presenter Chris Evans, who left after one season of lackluster ratings and lukewarm reviews.
Serena Williams launches fashion collection of her own
Serena Williams has launched a fashion collection soon after participating in her first major tennis tournament in 16 months, dressed in a black “warrior princess” catsuit, no less.
But don’t look for her French Open outfit among the athleisure, office and evening clothes on her new namesake website , the only place her duds are available.
Following collaborations with HSN and Nike, Williams’ “Serena” line includes an “S” motif and comfortable price points.
The letter adorns bralettes and high briefs, along with a T-shirt with the name of her childhood home, Compton.
She says she hopes to inspire women to own their own “s” words, like strong, sexy, sophisticated, sassy, smart, silly and spontaneous.
Prices range from $40 for the logo T-shirt to $215 for a gold and black anorak jacket.
BTS first K-pop band to top Billboard album charts
K-pop has finally hit the top.
The South Korean boy band BTS is now the first K-pop group to reach No. 1 on the Billboard top 200.
“Love Yourself: Tear,” had 135,000 sales in the United States its first week, as tallied by Nielsen Music. According to Billboard, “Love Yourself: Tear” is also the first primarily foreign language album to top the charts since Il Divo’s “Ancora” in 2006.
The seven-member group, also known as the Bangtan Boys, has a devoted core of fans known as “the army” and its appeal has been likened to Beatlemania in the 1960s. BTS is at the heart of a global trend known as “Hallyu,” or “Korean Wave.” Their albums include “Dark & Wild” and “2 Kool 4 Skool.”
This is only the second top 10 appearance for a K-pop group on the Billboard chart. In 2017, another BTS album, “Love Yourself: Her,” debuted and peaked at No. 7.
The New York Daily News contributed to this report.
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