SESAME STREET

Cookie Monster Shouts Out SZA, Invites Her Back To “Sesame Street”

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SZA has yet more love for her recent Sesame Street appearance, with longtime resident Cookie Monster eagerly inviting the singer to return. “Me loved having you on our Street, @SZA! Let me know which type of cookies are your favorite for next time. 🍪,” Cookie Monster’s official Twitter account wrote. SZA has yet to provide CM with her preferred cookie. However, Sesame Street recently re-earned the ire of several Republican lawmakers. The GOP, which has long hated the publicly funded show, took issue with the show promoting a “stand up to racism” campaign. In the past, Republican lawmakers have gone as far as to try and defund PBS to prevent the continued production of Sesame Street.

Appearing on the long-running PBS has long been a dream of SZA’s. After appearing on the show, she shared an old Instagram Live clip of her asking her fans how to land an appearance on the show. Furthermore, SZA is not the first musician that Cookie Monster has shown love to. Last year, Lizzo appeared on the show and performed a mini-concert on a cookie flute.

Read More: SZA Wins “Best International Artist” At The BRIT Awards

Is SZA Coming To Fortnite?

However, SZA might not be done with pop culture appearances. Earlier this week, footage of SZA receiving a body scan against a blue screen emerged amid rumors that the singer is set to become a new Fortnite skin. No formal announcement has been made but fans seem pretty hyped by the opportunity to play as SZA in-game. Will you be buying the SZA skin if it becomes official? Let us know in the comments.

The Epic Games title has grown at an unprecedented rate. Fans can already buy skins based on Marshmello, Major Lazer, Travis Scott, Ariana Grande, J Balvin, Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, The Kid LAROI, Eminem, The Weeknd, and Lady Gaga. Athletes such as Neymar, LeBron James, and Chloe Kim have also been added to the game. Furthermore, fans of content creators such as Ninja and MrBeast also have access to skins for those individuals.

Read More: Eminem Fortnite Skin Used To Recreate Iconic Rap Battle From 8 Mile: Watch

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R&B Singers Who Have Appeared On “Sesame Street”

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Sesame Street is an iconic kids’ show, and over the years, many R&B singers have made guest appearances. The educational series premiered decades ago, in 1969, and has since become a staple of children’s TV. Presently, with 53 seasons and counting, it is one of the longest-running shows in the world. SZA recently revealed that she has been on the set of Sesame Street and will be appearing on-screen with the muppets. While it is unknown when her episode will air, fans are definitely waiting in anticipation. Here are seven other R&B singers who have appeared on Sesame Street over the years.

Patti LaBelle

Without a doubt, Patti LaBelle is one of the greatest R&B singers to ever perform on Sesame Street. The powerhouse vocalist and Godmother of Soul has had multiple guest appearances on the show. In 1984, she made her debut appearance when she performed “Oh, How I Miss My X” on episode 2168 of the show. Subsequently, she appeared again in 1986, twice in 1990, and a handful of other times. However, arguably her most beloved showing was in 1999 when she performed “The Alphabet Song” with the muppets. With her unmistakable voice and dynamic performance style, LaBelle transformed the familiar tune into a soulful anthem.

Stevie Wonder 

Another legendary guest on Sesame Street, Stevie Wonder, is an inspiration to R&B singers everywhere. He made a guest appearance on episode 514, which aired on April 13, 1973. While it’s been over five decades since, Stevie’s appearance on the show is still etched in the memories of fans young and old. In the episode, he sings “123 Sesame Street,” teaches Grover how to sing, and performs his hit song, “Superstition.” Altogether, it was a delectable treat to experience the singer’s unparalleled talent on Sesame Street.

Jamie Foxx

Soon after winning his Academy Award for Best Actor in 2005, Jamie Foxx shared a screen with Elmo and the muppets. He is among a crop of super-talented R&B singers who have appeared on Sesame Street. However, he is also a very accomplished actor as well. His first appearance was in episode 4111, in which he sang the alphabet. Subsequently, he also appeared in the Sesame Street holiday special, Elmo’s Christmas Countdown. It aired on December 23, 2007, and Foxx performed a “Nutcracker” medley, which he wrote specifically for the special. 

Jill Scott

Three-time Grammy Award winner Jill Scott is a highly celebrated figure in R&B. She appeared on the children’s TV show in 2002, specifically in the first episode of season 33. Like the aforementioned R&B singers who appeared on Sesame Street, Jill Scott also gave a very memorable performance. While her time on the episode is relatively short, it is one of its highlights. Scott, joined by a chorus of muppets, beautifully sings “We Are All Earthlings.” Scott’s soulful rendition of the song resonated with viewers of all ages and continues to do so.

John Legend

John Legend’s first guest appearance on Sesame Street was in the premiere episode of season 37. On episode 4109, which aired on August 14, 2006, he sang “It Feels Good When You Sing a Song” with Hoots the Owl. Subsequently, he made another guest appearance on episode 4130, one of the later episodes of season 37. In that episode, he performed “Hello Little One.” Later, in February 2018, the singer returned to Sesame Street on episode 4814, where he performed “Come Together” with the muppets. Soon after, Legend achieved an EGOT, becoming one of the most accomplished R&B singers to ever appear on Sesame Street. 

Destiny’s Child 

Regarded as one of the greatest girl groups of all time, Destiny’s Child’s appearance on Sesame Street was an iconic event. The Grammy-winning trio featured in episode 3984, performing “A New Way to Walk” with Grover, Elmo, and Zoe. It’s a fun rendition with a dance routine that encourages viewers to get up and move. Accordingly, the group’s infectious enthusiasm and catchy lyrics made the song an instant hit among fans.

India.Arie

Another icon among R&B singers, India.Arie, appeared on Sesame Street way back in 2005. The four-time Grammy winner was featured on episode 4100 of the children’s show, which aired on June 20, 2005. While it remains India.Arie’s sole appearance on the Sesame Street show to date is very memorable. The singer, backed up by Elmo, gave a soulful and lush performance of “The Alphabet Song.” India.Arie also has a short appearance in the Sesame Street direct-to-video release, Happy Healthy Monsters. In the home video, the singer performs “Jumping J.”

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SZA Finally Fulfilled Her Lifelong Wish Of Visiting ‘Sesame Street,’ Now Fans Are Ready To Unlock Their Inner Child

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SZA Billboard Power 100 Event 2024
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With only two studio albums under her belt, SZA has quickly become a legend within R&B music. As the public patiently awaits her Lana project, SOS continues to dominate the charts in record-breaking fashion. But to the “Saturn” singer, chart placement, touring numbers, and multiple Grammy Awards are nothing compared to her latest accomplishment.

Yesterday (March 1), she took to X (formerly Twitter) to tease her forthcoming appearance on Sesame Street, fulfilling one of her lifetime wishes. The photo featured several residents of the beloved block. “God’s timing,” she wrote. “Follow your dreams and say them out loud. Never give up. Anything is possible. I believe in you. 🫶🏾🥹💛”

To add to the already adorable moment, SZA snagged a selfie video with everyone’s favorite monster, Elmo, during her giddy trip. In the clip, the two gush about the great day they had with one another.

Following the news, fans chimed in online, letting SZA know they are ready to unlock their inner child when the episode airs.

“SZA on ‘Sesame Street’ is bound to bring some joy and excitement,” wrote one user.

“Looks like SZA’s bringing some serious street cred to Sesame Street! Can’t wait to see who she’s jamming with on the block, 🎶🪆” added another.

“This is such a wholesome photo,” penned another.

It is unclear when the episode will air, but as it approaches, SZA or Sesame Street is sure to make a formal announcement.

SZA Visits Sesame Street, Shares Clip With Elmo & Old Tweet About Wanting To Join

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SZA fulfilled one of her long-sought-after dreams as a musician and celebrity: having the honor of gracing the Sesame Street community. Moreover, she recently shared some clips and pictures on social media of her time at the kids’ television program. Not only that, but the TDE superstar also shared an old tweet of hers from 2017 on Instagram, in which she asks her followers how to get on the enduring classic show. As such, she now joins a long list of A-listers who’ve joined Elmo and the gang on the show, a crew that Lizzo also joined. She played a cookie flute on the series back in February of 2023.

In fact, this is kind of a notable addition to the Sesame Street canon because SZA and Lizzo are actually very good friends. Furthermore, it’s nice that they can bond over not just being two incredibly talented musicians and businesswomen, but also over their experience on the program. While anyone reading this probably isn’t in the demographic of Oscar the Grouch fans, it’s always nice to see these kinds of crossovers. After all, it at least gives folks hope that their kids can still be hip and learn a lot on this show.

Read More: SZA Net Worth 2024: Updated Wealth Of The Hitmaker

SZA Shares Old Tweet After Joining Sesame Street

However, this is far from the only thing that SZA had to celebrate and promote this week. She, along with the likes of Vince Staples and James Blake, will headline Jack Harlow’s Gazebo Music Festival in Louisville, Kentucky’s Waterfront Park for Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-26). Given all of the St. Louis native’s great performances in the past couple of years, this should be fantastic business as usual. It’s actually a really solid lineup, so if you want to see her and a slew of versatile and talented artists, give it a look.

More Snaps From Solana’s Visit

Meanwhile, the “Saturn” songwriter probably has a lot more in store for fans this year. With the Lana deluxe of SOS still on the cards, we might just get another huge record to carry us through the year. Will we get that Bert and Ernie feature? Time will tell. For more news and the latest updates on SZA, keep checking in with HNHH.

Read More: SZA, Isaiah Rashad, And More React To ScHoolboy Q Playing His New Album For Jay-Z

The post SZA Visits Sesame Street, Shares Clip With Elmo & Old Tweet About Wanting To Join appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

T-Pain Is Ready To Square Up Against ‘Sesame Street’ Assailant Larry David And Defend Elmo’s Honor

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Larry David Elmo Today
Today

Elmo, most people would contest, is among the more agreeable beings in entertainment history. For decades, the Sesame Street star has taught children about sharing, spelling, and other important things kids should know about as they grow up, all in a fun and upbeat demeanor. Basically, you don’t really hear about Elmo having enemies.

In a surprising (but also somewhat not surprising) turn of events, though, Elmo was recently attacked on live television by Larry David. Elmo and David were both appearing on Today yesterday (February 1), and during Elmo’s segment, David came out of nowhere, grabbed Elmo’s face, and started shaking it violently. Well, Elmo has found himself an ally in T-Pain.

First, here’s a video of the incident, as well as a fantastically executed artistic rendering for good measure.

T-Pain saw that and couldn’t believe what he was watching, tweeting, “I know I didn’t just see my mans @elmo assaulted on live TV.” He didn’t stop there, as he shared the tweet on his Instagram Story (as People notes) and added, “@Elmo say the word.” The apparent implication there is that should Elmo ask, T-Pain would eagerly square up and throw hands at the Curb Your Enthusiasm star.

David addressed the Elmo incident on Late Night With Seth Meyers, and he seemed far from remorseful. He explained that he was getting annoyed by Elmo talking about mental health and concluded, “And you know what? I would do it again!”

Even ‘Sesame Street’ Is Getting In On The Hip-Hop 50 Celebrations With B-Boy Grover, MC Elmo, And More

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The 50th birthday of hip-hop is bringing out all kinds of celebrations, from the Yankee Stadium takeover in New York to a slew of “Hip-Hop 50”-related editorials from just about every publication that covers the genre (including Uproxx: Check us out here). Even the long-running children’s program Sesame Street paid homage with a tweet nodding to hip-hop’s global impact and artwork depicting the various characters engaging in activities like breakdancing, DJing, and rapping.

“Sesame Street celebrates 50 years of Hip-Hop,” it reads. “From music to dance and beyond, its culture and influence spans generations and crosses the globe. Join us in celebrating and honoring the originators, artists, and contributions of Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop Hooray!” In the foreground, a pair of fuzzy hands (likely belonging to Telly The Two-Headed Monster) scratches records, while B-boy Grover and MC Elmo entertain their friends Abby Cadabby, Bert, Cookie Monster, and new Muppet, Gabrielle.

The artwork is done by alt comics artist Ed Piskor, who is best-known for the Eisner Award-winning graphic novel series, Hip Hop Family Tree, which recounts the history of hip-hop through vibrant illustrations of pioneers like DJ Kool Herc, Fab Five Freddy, Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Will Smith, and more. His expertise definitely lends authenticity to Sesame’s celebration of hip-hop, but the show has long had its “street” cred certified, with appearances from a slew of stars such as Anderson .Paak, Chance The Rapper, Common, Ice Cube, LL Cool J, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Warren G, and more.

Three years ago, Black Thought joined Jimmy Fallon to salute Sesame Street on its 50th anniversary (check out the video above), so it’s cool to see the show return the favor.

Lizzo Played A Cookie Flute On “Sesame Street”

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Families have known Sesame Street for their star-studded guest list for decades. The show’s 53-year run has been strong since 1969 and its guest list only continues to impressively grow. Most recently, Lizzo made a cameo on the famous children’s show. Everyone is saying her appearance may be taking the (cookie) cake of 2023’s guests. In a segment that Sesame Street posted on Twitter, Elmo and Lizzo admire a flute made entirely out of chocolate chip cookies. This is, of course, a nod to Lizzo’s ability to play the flute and the show’s affinity for cookies (i.e. Cookie Monster).

In the segment, Lizzo plays the cookie flute as beautifully as one can expect Lizzo to play any kind of flute. Soon after Lizzo plays and Elmo celebrates her magnificence, Cookie Monster enters the frame. Obviously, this is not surprising because of the monster’s affinity for his namesake. No one is surprised by the existence of the cookie flute in Sesame Street (this is Sesame Street, after all). He devours the cookie flute, and something wild happens– even as far as Sesame Street goes. Watch below:

“Sesame Street” Starring Lizzo

Does this have the potential to give kids unrealistic expectations about how wonderful or delicious instruments can be? Absolutely. However, it is safe to assume that no matter what, eating a flute will not likely result in your body itself becoming a flute. Even if the flute is blessed by Lizzo, the likelihood is slim. However, if Cookie Monster can do something, anyone can do something. If nothing else, the segment will encourage cookie-loving kids to set their musical instrument achievement goals high.

Lizzo’s cameo on the iconic children’s show, Sesame Street, only tops off her fantastic start to 2023. Recently, she received the Grammy award for Record of the Year for her song About Damn Time. She was the first black woman to receive the award since Whitney Houston won it for I Will Always Love You in 1994. That was 19 years ago. Additionally, she’ll be taking the world by storm with 40 tour dates across the world in 2023 and 2024. Also, Lizzo’s size-inclusive clothing line “Yitty” is a hit that provides shape wear, and style for sizes 6XL-XS. Lizzo’s cookie flute is only the beginning for her.

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Lizzo Told Elmo She Has Played ‘Many Instruments,’ But ‘Sesame Street’ Has A Flute Unlike Any Others

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Lizzo Sesame Street 2023
YouTube

Lizzo is ‘100% that b*tch,” and as such, the Grammy Award winner has no difficulty in commanding attention in any room she steps into or stage she performs on. Whether she’s twerking online in a Grinch custom or floating down the red carpet in a breathtaking floral arrangement, the “Special” singer is just that.

The songwriter has had many first over the last year or so, which include purchasing a home and playing former President James Madison’s preserved crystal flute (which pissed Conservatives off). However, there are still so many things the recording artist hasn’t done. Well, making friends with Sesame Street‘s beloved monster, Elmo, isn’t one of them.

The Emmy Award winner met up with Elmo to set Sesame Street history. In the exchange, Elmo shares that Sesame Street has its own very special instrument that he’ll love for Lizzo to play. What is the instrument? A cookie flute. Of course, Lizzo obliges, and the two have a fun dance party. Afterward, Cookie Monster arrives to throw a wrench into the plans.

Watch the full clip above.

While on set, Lizzo was sure to give Elmo a very special gift, balsamic vinegar, for providing her with this adorable opportunity. The gift exchange was also uploaded onto Twitter for everyone to see and Elmo, graciously quote-tweeted the video to thank the singer for the gift reworking a few of the lines from her song, “About Damn Time.”

Although, the gift may seem odd. It is actually quite thoughtful and is a direct callback to Elmo’s viral appearance on The Tonight Show hosted by Jimmy Fallon back in 2015. During a cooking segment, Elmo’s pronunciation of the word “balsamic” was all the rage on TikTok’s trending sound options last year.

Lizzo is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Family Files $25 Million Lawsuit Against Sesame Street Theme Park For Discrimination

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sesame place racism

Earlier this month, a video of a Sesame Place employee went viral as the employee, dressed as the character Rosita, gave members of the parade audience high fives and ignored two Black girls and walked away. This prompted other people to come forward and share videos of alleged discrimination they faced at Sesame Place.

Now, a Baltimore family is suing Sesame Place for $25 million over claims of racial discrimination.

The family is accusing four employees dressed as Sesame Street characters of ignoring Quinton Burns, his daughter Kennedi Burns, and other Black guests at a meet and greet that took place on June 18. The lawsuit states that “SeaWorld’s performers readily engaged with numerous similarly situated white customers.”

“Kennedi was forced to experience racism at the age of five; this is unacceptable and we will not stand by and let this continue,” said the family’s attorney, Malcolm Ruff, at an news conference in Philadelphia.

The family is looking for $25 million in damages from SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment – which owns Sesame Place. The lawsuit is said to be on behalf of all Black people that have visited the park since July 27, 2018, and suffered discrimination and racism from employees.

As for the family who posted the original video of the racism taking place at the Sesame Place theme park, they too are suing the park for discrimination. After the video went viral, the park commented saying that the employee did not snub the two Black children, but was saying no to other parents that wanted their child to take a picture with the character. However, another video surfaced, showing that there were no other parents around the two kids, and that the employee then hugged two white children that were standing next to the Black kids.

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