Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple

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Fiona Apple Pledges Two Years Of "Criminal" Royalties To Immigrant Resource Fund

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"After months and months of reading the news about how my country is treating refugees, I've become gutted with frustration trying to figure out the best way to help…These people are being prosecuted as criminals just for asking for asylum," she wrote
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jul 2, 2019 - 5:19 pm

This past Sunday, Fiona Apple shared her commitment to donate the next two years of TV and film placement earnings from "Criminal" to the While They Wait fund, a new immigrant rights initiative.

In a letter shared via her Tumblr fan page, the activist/singer-songwriter explained that the GRAMMY-winning 1996 hit song is her "most requested" for TV/film, and she generally shares its earnings with friends and family. After witnessing the continued news of the inhumane treatment of migrants at U.S. borders, she wanted this income to support refugees.

"After months and months of reading the news about how my country is treating refugees, I've become gutted with frustration trying to figure out the best way to help," Apple wrote.

She continued: "[While They Wait] seems to me that the best way I can help detainees is to contribute to payment of their legal fees. What they need is representation and guidance because these people are being prosecuted as criminals just for asking for asylum."

In the post, she encouraged other songwriters to also donate earnings from a song to the org, and for everyone interested to check out their work:

"I want to ask other songwriters to donate just ONE TIME, the money they get for the usage of one of their songs to this organization or one of their choosing. I could write a song about this and maybe I will but for now, I will use "CRIMINAL" to help the WRONGLY criminalized get justice. I encourage anyone who wants to join with me to get involved—watch the short film on their site."

While They Wait was launched in January in response by three social justice non-profits; ACLU SoCal, RAICES Texas and Brooklyn Defender Services. According to their website, with data from USCIS, there are currently 311,000 immigrants living seeking asylum. The video Apple references, shared above, tells the heartbreaking story of Honduran asylum-seeker Nilda, one of BDS's clients, and features a song by benny blanco, Calvin Harris and Miguel.

For more information on how to get involved, visit the fund's website.

Elton John Is Celebrated With France's Highest Civilian Honor

 

Elton John & French President Emmanuel Macron

Elton John & Emmanuel Macron

Photo: LEWIS JOLY/AFP/Getty Images

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Elton John Is Celebrated With France's Highest Civilian Honor

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"Like music, the fight against AIDS has been my passion for many, many years," the GRAMMY-winning pop icon said during the ceremony in Paris on Friday
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jun 24, 2019 - 1:05 pm

There are plenty of reasons to describe GRAMMY winner Sir Elton John as legendary: his timeless music, avant-garde fashion, LGBTQ+ advocacy and all-around philanthropic efforts. On June 21, French President Emmanuel Macron recognized the decades of greatness and service of John, as he presented him with the country's highest civilian honor, the Légion d'Honneur.

Macron presented John with the prestigious award at a private ceremony held at the Élysée Palace in Paris, calling him "an icon that knew how to set an example," the Associated Press reports. It took place, fittingly, during the annual "Fete de la Musique," which began in France in 1982 and is now celebrated worldwide as Make Music Day. "To receive this decoration the day of the Fete de la Musique makes it even more special," John said.

Related: Elton John Discography: Icon Reflects On His Personal Favorite Albums

The pop music great established The Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992 to help fund HIV/AIDS research and prevention around the world, which, according to its website, had raised over $400 million by its 25th anniversary. For more information on how to get involved with The Elton John AIDS Foundation, visit its website.

"Like music, the fight against AIDS has been my passion for many, many years," John said during his speech on Friday. "Like music this fight reminds me every day of the extraordinary power of the human spirit. And that things that bind us are stronger than those that divide us. It is this magical human spirit I will carry with me as a proud member of the Legion d'Honneur."

Macron used the moment to make a call to action to world leaders (and their constituents, to push them to do so) to give more money to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, ahead of a leadership summit to take place in Lyon, France in October. According to the AP, "he said that 27 million people have been treated and saved through the Global Fund that raised about 13 billion euros in 2016."

John echoed Macron's request to support the Global Fund, adding, "Success is essential. It is of great importance to me."

The night before the ceremony, John performed in Paris, as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. You can catch his magic live as he continues the tour. Additionally, Rocketman, the biopic depicting the star's glittering rise to fame, starring Taron Egerton, is in theaters now.

Giles Martin On 'Rocketman,' Elton John, Reinventing "Tiny Dancer" & More

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

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Ariana Grande Donates Proceeds From Atlanta Show To Planned Parenthood

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"Ariana Grande's generous donation comes at a critical time—in Georgia and across the country, anti-women's health politicians are trying to ban all safe, legal abortion," Dr. Leana Wen, President of Planned Parenthood, said in a statement
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jun 12, 2019 - 11:56 am

Today, Planned Parenthood confirmed that GRAMMY winner Ariana Grande has donated the proceeds from her June 8 concert in Atlanta, around $250,000, to the reproductive health non-profit. The contribution follows several Southern states, including Georgia, passing restrictive anti-abortion bills in May.

"Ariana Grande's generous donation comes at a critical time—in Georgia and across the country, anti-women's health politicians are trying to ban all safe, legal abortion," Dr. Leana Wen, President of Planned Parenthood, said in a statement to People, who broke the news. 

Wen, who is a medical doctor and the former Baltimore City Health Commissioner, spoke to the critical timing of Grande's donation, at a time when lawmakers are rolling back years of women's rights legislation:

"This is not what the American people want, nor is it something they'll stand for. Thanks to inspiring support like hers, Planned Parenthood can continue to fight back—in the courts, in Congress, in state houses, and in the streets—against these dangerous attacks on people's health and lives. We are so grateful to Ariana for her longstanding commitment to supporting women's rights and standing with Planned Parenthood to defend access to reproductive health care. We won't stop fighting—no matter what."

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As People and other outlets point out, the donation follows the singer's response to hate speech made outside of the Atlanta concert. Ari fans tweeted a video of a protester outside of the venue making homophobic, sexist and racist comments over a P.A. system to the young women. Grande commented on the post, writing: "man... saddened but not surprised by this one bit. I'm so sorry any of my fans had to encounter this. we will do our best to ensure this doesn't happen again. proud of u all for not fighting / engaging violently. never worth it. wishing him peace & a healed heart cause girl yikes."

The Atlanta show was one of the stops on the pop star's Sweetener World Tour, which continues across North America until mid-July, after which she'll headline Lollapalooza on Aug. 4, then take the tour across the pond to London on Aug. 17 for its European leg.

Travis Scott Will Donate Alabama Festival Merch Profits To Planned Parenthood

Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens

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Sufjan Stevens Releases New Music For Pride Month: Listen

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The GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the project, which includes a limited-edition vinyl offering, to two organizations supporting LGBTQ youth
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
May 29, 2019 - 1:46 pm

GRAMMY nominee Sufjan Stevens released two new songs today via Asthmatic Kitty, "Love Yourself" and "With My Whole Heart," in honor of Pride Month (which begins June 1). A portion of the proceeds from the project, which features a special vinyl and T-shirt designed by Stevens, will go to two organizations supporting LGBTQ youth.

Asthmatic Kitty, the indie label co-founded by Stevens in his home state of Michigan back in 1999, explains the backstory behind the two new songs, the first of which began over 20 years ago:

"'Love Yourself' is based on a sketch Sufjan wrote 20 years ago. The original 4-track demo he recorded in 1996 is included [on the EP] as well as a short instrumental reprise. 'With My Whole Heart' is a completely new song that Sufjan wrote as a personal challenge to 'write an upbeat and sincere love song without conflict, anxiety, or self-deprecation.'"

The EP is available digitally now (listen to the two full songs below), with the limited-edition vinyl available for pre-order now, with a June 28 release date. The record is limited to 5,000 copies in the U.S and 1,500 in Europe and features a pretty rainbow-font cover designed by Stevens himself. An 800-run T-shirt, also designed by Stevens, features his name in the same rainbow font, and is the first product offered on his new merch platform, Sufjamz.

More information on the project, including where you can buy and stream, is available here.

The two non-profits Stevens will be donating a portion of proceeds to are the Ali Forney Center in Harlem, N.Y. and the Ruth Ellis Center in Detroit, Mich. Both organizations, located in his current hometown of N.Y.C. and birthplace of Detroit, directly support young LGBTQ youth and young adults with both short- and long-term support, including for those who are homeless.

Meet The First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: Sufjan Stevens & Making "Mystery Of Love"

Chance the Rapper & Ed Sheeran

Chance the Rapper & Ed Sheeran

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images

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Ed Sheeran Reveals Plans To Release New Collaboration Album

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The singer-songwriter's follow-up to 2017's GRAMMY-winning '÷' drops July 12, with a Chance the Rapper-supported single coming tonight
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
May 23, 2019 - 2:50 pm

Today, Ed Sheeran revealed that his highly anticipated fourth studio album is on the way, due out July 12. No.6 Collaborations Project follows 2017's GRAMMY-winning ÷, and brings in featured artists on all 15 tracks.

The British crooner's latest track, "I Don't Care," a stay-at-home anthem and reunion with fellow GRAMMY-winning pop star Justin Bieber, will be included on the LP. The second single, "Cross Me," will be released at midnight tonight. The forthcoming song will see Sheeran teaming up with GRAMMY-winner Chance the Rapper and rising Philly rapper PnB Rock.

"Before I was signed in 2011, I made an EP called No.5 Collaborations Project. Since then, I've always wanted to do another, so I started No.6 on my laptop when I was on tour last year. I'm a huge fan of all the artists I've collaborated with and it’s been a lot of fun to make," Sheeran explained in a press release.

Related: Ed Sheeran, Mariah Carey & More Broke Big Music Records In 2018

His No.5 Collaborations Project featured a handful of U.K. grime artists, including Ghetts, P Money and Devlin.

The singer-songwriter teased other artists on the new LP, sharing a "censored" tracklist on his Instagram album reveal post, as well as a follow-up post chatting with Charlamagne tha God, but with all the details bleeped out.

If the absurdly fun Emil Nava-directed music video for "I Don't Care" is any indication of what we can expect on No.6, it's safe to say it's going to be a good romp.

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