Justin Timberlake released his new single, “Suit and Tie,” late Sunday night. It features rapper Jay-Z.
The upbeat jam is the 31-year-old’s first musical offering since 2006’s critically acclaimed “FutureSex/LoveSounds.” His third solo album, “The 20/20 Experience,” will be out later this year.
In a letter posted on his website, Timberlake said he began recording music in June. He wrote that the “inspiration for this really came out of the blue.”
The buzz around the pop star’s return to music kicked off Friday when he posted a video on his website that showed him walking into a studio, putting on headphones and saying: “I’m ready.”
Documentaries get directors nods
The AIDS chronicle “How to Survive a Plague” and the military rape study “The Invisible War” are among nominees for the documentary prize at the Directors Guild of America Awards.
The contenders announced Monday all are first-time nominees for the guild honor, including “How to Survive a Plague” director David France and “Invisible War” filmmaker Kirby Dick.
The other nominees are Malik Bendjelloul’s “Searching for Sugar Man,” a portrait of 1970s singer-songwriter Rodriguez; Lauren Greenfield’s “The Queen of Versailles,” the story of a wealthy family’s downturn amid the recession; and Alison Klayman’s “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry,” an examination of the dissident Chinese artist.
Golden Globes rises in ratings
The Nielsen Co. says Sunday’s Golden Globes awards ceremony got a nice ratings bump over last year.
With Tina Fey and Amy Poehler handling host duties, the NBC telecast was seen by 19.7 million viewers. That’s an audience growth of 2.8 million viewers (or 17 percent) over last year’s show, which was hosted by Ricky Gervais.
It was the top-rated Globes in six years, according to national figures released Monday.
NBC said the telecast is currently the season’s most-watched awards program, topping the CMA Awards, Emmy Awards, American Music Awards and People’s Choice Awards.
Fans can vote for new country faves
A long list of country’s hottest newcomers will compete to become the Academy of Country Music’s new artist of the year – and fans can help sort it all out.
The academy announced nominees in the new female vocalist, new male vocalist and new vocal duo or group categories Monday. The winners will be up for new artist of the year during the April 7 awards show, aired live on CBS.
Jana Kramer, Kacey Musgraves and Sunny Sweeney are up for new female vocalist, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert and Hunter Hayes will compete for new male artist and Florida Georgia Line, Love and Theft and Thompson Square are nominated in duo/group.
Fans can vote at music network GAC’s website starting Monday.
