If you’ll forgive (yet) another gross oversimplification of the way things are, the job of every songwriter is to create an alternative world for their audience to visit. This is what people need music for. They can visit it wholeheartedly, as an escape, while shutting their eyes to...

Rapper’s first performance on show featured medley of hits including ‘Empire State of Mind.’By Jayson Rodriguez Photo: NBC During her appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” 88-year-old host Betty White referenced her age often, both as a nod to her spunky...