Dirt Digs In: Meridith Baer

India.Arie has clarified her reasons for leaving Spotify, after she became one of many artists to boycott the service in recent weeks.When she first pulled her music from the service earlier this month, Arie cited their exclusive hosting of Joe Rogan’s podcast and his “language around race” as the reason she left Spotify.“Neil Young opened a door that I must walkthrough,” she wrote on Instagram, explaining how was following on from Neil Young’s exit from Spotify due to Rogan spreading “misinformation” about COVID-19 on his podcast.“I believe in freedom of speech. However, I find Joe Rogan problematic for reasons other than his COVID interviews,” she said at the time.Now, in a new interview with Trevor Noah on The Daily Show, Arie has discussed how Spotify’s royalties scheme and business practices also influenced her decision.Asked if Rogan was her enemy by Noah, Arie said: “My conversation has been about Spotify and its treatment of artists.“I have to say that asking for my music to be pulled from Spotify in protest doesn’t actually serve me,” she added, “but I did it in protest just because I felt like my dignity was being … I felt like I was being disrespected.”Discussing royalty payments artists get from Spotify, Arie explained: “What happens is, they say, ‘Well, this is just how it is; this is just what you get paid.

Snoop Dogg wants to turn legendary hip-hop record label Death Row Records, which he recently acquired, into “an NFT label”.The rapper revealed his plans to move further into the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) via a Clubhouse chatroom on Monday (February 14), which was later recorded and uploaded onto YouTube. During the session, Snoop said that Death Row “will be putting our artists through the metaverse and through a whole other chain of music”.He continued: “Just like how we broke the industry when we was the first independent to be major, I want to be the first major in the metaverse so Death Row will be an NFT label”.Snoop was named the official owner of Death Row Records earlier this month.

Taeyeon has revealed that the team she had worked with for her latest studio album was not in favor of making ‘INVU’ the title track.During a recently press conference for the release of ‘INVU’, the Girls’ Generation leader spoke about the record’s recording process and delved into how the song ‘INVU’ eventually became the title track, despite pushback from her team.“The moment I heard the demo track of ‘INVU’, I immediately thought ‘This is the one’,” Taeyeon recalled. “[But] to be very honest, the team that was working on the album with me wasn’t in favor of choosing this as a title track,”“It was a tricky situation because everybody was saying ‘No’ and I was the only one who was saying ‘Yes!’,” she added.

Neck Deep have reacted to BLACKPINK Rosé’s cover of their 2015 song ‘December’.Earlier this month, the vocalist released her live studio version of the song in commemoration of her 25th birthday. For her rendition, she was accompanied by The Black Label producer LØREN on guitar.A day after Rosé’s rendition of ‘December’ was posted, the pop-punk band took to Twitter to express their appriciation for the cover.

Millie Mackintosh has given a glimpse inside her 'big girl's room' for her eldest daughter Sienna at her new gorgeous London home.The 32 year old, who recently shared a look inside the bedroom for her three month old daughter Aurelia, has now posted a tour of the chic pink space for her two year old. Millie, who shares daughters Aurelia and Sienna with husband Hugo, 35, described how she wanted 'something whimsical and feminine' for the space and enlisted the help of London-based children's interior designer Joanna Landais who has also designed for Binky Felstead.

Prince Harry should not get the blame for bringing "heartache and burden" to the Queen, but says that she is "funding" Prince Andrew's pay off.This comes after it was revealed yesterday that Prince Andrew had settled his civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre out of court.The Loose Women star sent her opinionated tweet in view of her 517,000 followers.She penned: "Prince Harry constantly gets blamed for bringing heartache & burden to the Queen in her final years."Let’s just remember that the Queen is funding this pay off from Andrew her favourite son."Many social media users took to the comments to address the situation and Denise's claims.DavinaMcFaul said: "No amount of money would have been good enough for me.

A council tax rise will be announced in Dumfries and Galloway next week – after it was confirmed that the authority is facing a budget shortfall of more than £5million.

A Lockerbie man has raised enough money to buy two new defibrillators for the community.

A knack for delving into the past to uncover answers has become a “labour of love” for retired New Abbey clinical psychologist, Alverie Weighill.

After spending Valentine's Day and Super Bowl Sunday together, it was back to business on Tuesday for Hailey and Justin Bieber.The supermodel, 25, was seen heading to her usual Pilates class while the musician, 27, made his way to a recording studio.Hailey was dressed in a sweatshirt and leggings while Justin an orange beanie and grey hoodie. Respective schedules: Hailey and Justin Bieber stepped out separately in Los Angeles on TuesdayHailey pulled her long brunette hair into a high ponytail as she prepared to hit the fitness class.She shielded her eyes in a pair of black wayfarer sunglasses and wore small hoops in her ears.

She replaced Elisabeth Moss to star as the infamous ax killer Candy Montgomery in the Hulu miniseries Candy.And Jessica Biel was seen for the first time on the set of her true crime show on Tuesday in Decatur, Georgia.The 39-year-old actress made herself the spitting image of the admitted killer by adopting her distinctive large square-frame glasses and short hairdo. Picture perfect: Jessica Biel, 39, was pictured for the first time as the admitted ax killer Candy Montgomery on the set of her Hulu crime series Candy on Tuesday in Decatur, GeorgiaJessica was costumed in a blue dress with stockings and modest black heels for the outdoor scene.Her short brunette hair was feathered, and she stayed warm on the chilly day with a thick black down coat.

Blake Lively was a major head turner as she attended theMichael Kors runway show during New York Fashion Week on Tuesday night.The 34-year-old actress gave a peek at her enviably toned midsection in a stylish light blue coord complete with a matching coat.She was joined at the star-studded show, held at Terminal 5, by the likes of Olivia Culpo, Lori Harvey, Brooke Shields and more. Star-studded: Blake Lively, Olivia Culpo and Lori Harvey were major head turners as they arrived to the Michael Kors runway show during New York Fashion Week on Tuesday nightLively's runway-ready getup consisted of a busty crop top and a high-waisted pencil skirt.The Age Of Adaline star had her coat draped over her shoulders as she posed for shutterbugs outside the venue with one hand on her hip.

Drake honored his son Adonis in a new snap on his Instagram story, which featured his only child in a unique way.The 35-year-old Canadian rapper (real nameAubrey Drake Graham) took to his Instagram story on Tuesday.The photo showed that he always keeps his son close, showcasing a miniscule photo of his four-year-old son on a tiny earpiece. Earpiece:The photo showed that he always keeps his son close, showcasing a miniscule photo of his four-year-old son on a tiny earpieceAdonis was born to French model and painter Sophie Brussaux on October 11, 2017, with the rapper confirming he was the father on his 2018 album Scorpion.His photo comes just weeks after the rapper was seen with his son at a Toronto Raptors game in his hometown, as they battled the Chicago Bulls.

Following his hit soft reboot/sequel of Scream, Jack Quaid is going to work for director Christopher Nolan in his new film Oppenheimer.The 29-year-old son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan has signed on to join Nolan's biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer, known as the 'father of the atomic bomb.'He joins a cast that includes Cillian Murphy as the title character, with Emily Blunt,Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Josh Hartnett.

Blake Lively and her sister Robyn Lively made a rare public outing together on Tuesday at the Michael Kors fashion show during New York Fashion Week.The 34-year-old actress and her 50-year-old actress sister were a dynamic duo in stylish outfits for the star-studded event held at Terminal 5.Blake showed her flat abs in a baby blue bralette that she wore along with a matching jacket and skirt. Stylish sisters:Blake Lively and her sister Robyn Lively made a rare public outing together on Tuesday at the Michael Kors fashion show during New York Fashion WeekShe completed her ensemble with matching heels.Blake had her long blonde hair down in soft curls and added a pop of color with bright red lipstick.

Shanna Moakler has stopped following her boyfriend Matthew Rondeau on Instagram following her recent elimination from Celebrity Big Brother.The 46-year-old model left the CBS show on Monday and it was noticed on Tuesday that she was no longer following Matthew, 29, on the social media site, according to an article by Us Weekly.Her move followed claims that Matthew was having misgivings about his plans to pop the question to Shanna after watching her compete on Celebrity Big Brother. Trouble in paradise:Shanna Moakler has stopped following her boyfriend Matthew Rondeau on Instagram following her recent elimination from Celebrity Big BrotherHe was allegedly unhappy with the double entendres she exchanged with Lamar Odom, insiders told TMZ.The conjecture came just days after Matt was spotted shopping at a Tiffany's in Thousand Oaks, California outside Los Angeles.

Bolton Council face an ‘incredibly difficult’ challenge over the next two months to distribute a one-off £150 government payment to more than 30,000 households who do not pay their council tax by direct debit.

Judi Love has opened up about her horror at the story involving West Ham player Kurt Zouma kicking his cat in a video uploaded to social media, calling for us all to be more aware of cruelty towards animals. Writing in her weekly column for OK!, the Loose Women star said: "Animal cruelty has been on the rise throughout the pandemic but animals have feelings and emotions, too. We need to ensure that all animals and humans are safe." See what else she had to say below...

Gemma Collins has revealed she's had to have a nurse come to her home and administer an IV drip after struggling to recover from coronavirus. Former The Only Way Is Essex star Gemma, 41, opened up to fans on her Instagram stories as she filmed herself having a vitamin C drip put in and explained she's been feeling "exhausted" lately. As Gemma filmed herself with the cannula in her arm, which was being fixed on by her nurse, she explained to her followers: "So guys, today I am poorly.

The Official Charts Company is launching its latest chart review of the year, this time taking a look back at the hits of 2021.

BBC Breakfast descended into chaos on Wednesday morning (February 16) as one star's phone went off right in the middle of an interview.Hosts Jon Kay and Nina Warhurst were once again replacing regular Monday-Wednesday presenters Dan Walker and Sally Nugent, and chatting to UK citizen Stuart McKenzie - who had lived in the Ukraine for 28 years - via video link.Also joining them in the studio was Petro Rewko, a member of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.But things in the studio soon went belly-up.Jon asked Stuart: "So Stuart, we'll start with you. Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be in the Ukraine?"He replied: "I came to Ukraine in 1994 for business opportunities..."As Stuart began talking Jon and Sally through his background, his phone began to ring off-screen - but, like a true professional, he ignored the call and carried on talking.However, the incessant noise was clearly affecting Jon Kay, who soon suspended the interview entirely to turn to Petro.He quipped: "We'll come back to you in a minute.