Rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, shows up for Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial but can't get in

NEW YORK (AP) — Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, says he came to the New York sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs to support him but couldn't enter the packed courtroom. Dressed in white, Ye arrived at Manhattan federal court before noon Friday. He responded “yes” when asked if he was there to support Combs, but he didn't respond when asked if he might testify for the defense. He watched the trial briefly on a video monitor in an overflow courtroom before leaving. The 55-year-old Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges alleging that he used his fame, fortune and violence to commit crimes.

Mike Love celebrates Brian Wilson and George Clinton shines at 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame

NEW YORK (AP) — The Beach Boys’ Mike Love has been inducted into the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame. It was just one day after it was announced that his inimitable bandmate Brian Wilson had died. The gala was held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City Thursday night. Inductees included George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and Tony Macaulay. The 2025 class brings an eclectic mix of funk, rock, R&B, country and beyond. Last year’s inductees included Steely Dan, R.E.M., Timbaland, Hillary Lindsey and Dean Pitchford.

Music Review: Dierks Bentley's 'Broken Branches' offers safe, familiar, cold beer country

Nashville hitmaker Dierks Bentley has delivered his 11th studio album, “Broken Branches.” It leans into some well-tread country rock territory, writes The Associated Press' Ron Harris in his review. He says it's the kind of country radio-friendly filler that invariably involves broken hearts, trucks and a cold beer. Harris says Bentley knows what he is doing across the album's 11-tracks but that there is not much mystery to its musical roadmap. But therein lies Bentley's calling card: Dependable songs with few rough edges.

Mike Love and John Stamos pay tribute to Beach Boys' Brian Wilson

NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Love is looking back fondly on Brian Wilson, his cousin and Beach Boys collaborator who died Wednesday at 82. He tells The Associated Press that Wilson's death is a “tough one” but that he had a great time “cocreating with him." Love spoke Thursday ahead of being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which welcomed Wilson in 2000. He will be introduced by actor and musician John Stamos, who has collaborated with the Beach Boys in recent years and has a special tribute to Wilson planned for Friday at the Beach Boys’ next performance. Stamos tells the AP that “without the Beach Boys, life would be a mistake.”

Slick Rick returns after 26 years with 'Victory' album and proves hip-hop storytelling still reigns

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hip-hop legend Slick Rick is proving his creative spark is far from fading. The English-born rapper — known for his signature eye patch and masterful storytelling — returned to the booth for his first new project in nearly three decades. He’s reminding the world of his timeless rap prowess on his visual album, “Victory,” released Friday. It marks Slick Rick’s first album since 1999’s “The Art of Storytelling.” This new project is largely self-produced, with the rapper handling 95% of the production and sharing executive producer duties with Emmy-nominated actor and occasional rapper-DJ Idris Elba, who appears on the album alongside Nas, Giggs and Estelle.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to spotlight Venice's artisanal heritage during upcoming nuptials

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have invited celebrity friends like fellow space traveler Katy Perry, Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger and Ivanka Trump for their Venice nuptials later this month, but the couple hopes to put a spotlight on Venice’s own traditions during the celebrations. They are sourcing some 80 percent of their wedding provisions from Venetian vendors. The wedding will take place over three days in late June, with details being kept strictly private. Two historic Venetian companies will add artisanal touches to the celebration: Rosa Salva, the city’s oldest pastry maker that has been crafting donut-shaped fishermen’s biscuits since 1876, and Laguna B, a design studio known for its distinctive handblown Murano glass prized by fashion and design clients.

White shirts. Black ties. Bald caps. Pitbull’s fans party like clones worldwide

LONDON (AP) — Thousands and thousands of Pitbull fans dressed up for his London shows this week wearing bald caps, a white shirt, black tie and drawn-on facial hair, before swarming to the city’s O2 Arena. It’s not a new phenomenon, as the music star says he first noticed people dressed up as him at shows around 2021. But Pitbull says that U.K. fans took it to the next level. At his latest London concerts, fans stand out if they aren’t cosplaying as the hairless wonder. Pitbull says he’s touched to know that people are feeling good and having a great time dressed up as him.

Met Opera attendance dropped in spring as tourism fell, coinciding with immigration crackdown

NEW YORK (AP) — Metropolitan Opera season attendance dropped slightly following the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown that coincided with a decrease in tourists to New York. The Met sold 72% of capacity, matching 2023-24 and down from its 75% projection. Met general manager Peter Gelb says "I attribute the fact that we didn’t achieve our sales goals to a significant drop in tourism.” New York City Tourism & Conventions last month reduced its 2025 international visitor projection by 17%, the Met said. International buyers accounted for 11% of sales, down from the Met’s projection of 16% and from about 20% before the coronavirus pandemic.

The home of one of the largest catalogs of Black history turns 100 in New York

NEW YORK (AP) — The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the largest repositories of Black history in the country. The center hopes to spread awareness of that fact Saturday as it celebrates its centennial at two marquee annual events. The Black Comic Book Festival and the Schomburg Literary Festival on Saturday will feature readings, discussions, workshops, cosplay and a vendor marketplace. The center's leaders have curated over 100 objects for an exhibition that tells the story of the center's people and the place that shaped it. Celebration of the center’s centennial is expected to continue for a full year.

Ananda Lewis, former MTV and BET host who publicly shared breast cancer journey, dies

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ananda Lewis, the former MTV and BET host who became a beloved television personality in the 1990s with her warmth and authenticity, has died. She was 52. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, confirmed Lewis’ death in a Facebook post Wednesday. Lewis had been battling breast cancer. Lewis made a name for herself as a host on BET’s “Teen Summit." After a few seasons, Lewis took her talents over to MTV in 1997. She was a host and veejay on “MTV Live.” “Hot Zone” and “Total Request Live,” a daily top 10 video countdown show. Lewis was open about her cancer journey since she publicly shared her diagnosis in 2020.