ReportWire

Tag: mary j blige

  • UPDATE: Misa Hylton Reportedly Speaks Out After Judge Dismissed Her $5M Lawsuit Against Mary J. Blige

    [ad_1]

    Misa Hylton has reportedly spoken out and shared a statement after a judge dismissed her $5 million lawsuit against Mary J. Blige.

    RELATED: Hol’ Up! Misa Hylton Reportedly Files $5M Lawsuit Against Mary J. Blige

    Judge Dismisses Misa Hylton’s $5M Lawsuit Against Mary J. Blige

    According to TMZ, on Tuesday, January 6, New York judge Phaedra F. Perry-Bond granted Mary J. Blige and her lawyers, Lisa Moore and Andrew Pequignot, a motion to dismiss Misa Hylton’s lawsuit. This, reportedly without prejudice. Per Illinois Legal Aid, this means that the lawsuit can be re-filed by Hylton again, as long as it’s within the statute of limitations.

    TMZ asserts, however, that it appears unlikely that Hylton will pursue legal action again, as she has recently appeared inactive in the case. This, reportedly after Blige labeled the suit as “frivolous.”

    “The court in no way condones parties filing lawsuits claiming millions in damages based on inflammatory accusations, only to have those very same parties abandon their allegations when faced with a motion to dismiss and sanctions. Plaintiffs and their counsel shall consider this a warning to refrain from engaging in similar patterns of behavior in the future. This written warning may serve as weighty evidence on a future application for sanctions if plaintiffs and/or their counsel continue to engage in similar bad faith litigation tactics,” the judge reportedly asserted, alongside a warning for Hylton.

    Social Media Reacts As Misa Hylton Reportedly Speaks Out

    Social media users shared their thoughts on the dismissal of Misa Hylton’s lawsuit against Mary J. Blige in TSR’s comment section. This, while also weighing in on their apparently tarnished friendship.

    Instagram user @notoriousss.m wrote, Sue your baby daddy , not Mary”

    While Instagram user @chellyvswett added,She lost a good friend doing this im sure”

    Instagram user @taymonayyy wrote, Years of friendship down the drain 😩”

    While Instagram user @blissful.lala added, Don’t need no hateration holleration in this dancery smh”

    Instagram user @ariyona_ wrote,welp, there’s no going back now. years of sisterhood gone”

    While Instagram user @greenivy_carter added,They were sisters 😢 smh Misa!”

    Instagram user @musically.matte wrote, NO MORE DRAMA IN HER LIFE!!!!”

    While Instagram user @tra__82 added, It be ya own people smh”

    Instagram user @maejorjermaine wrote, Not Yall Actin Like Yall Know What Happened”

    While Instagram user @__hot.__.girl__ added, They need to work that out man , be fr!”

    Meanwhile, late Tuesday evening, Loren LoRosa took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share that she reportedly received a statement from Hylton about the dismissed suit:

    “Over the years, there have been people very close to me who have hurt me deeply, and I chose not to pursue them even when I could have, and maybe should have. That reflection led me to ask myself why I would choose a different path for someone I once called my sister. Through this experience, I learned that mixing family, friendship, and business is not always wise, and that even in painful moments there are meaningful lessons to be learned. While I don’t agree with everything that was done, I chose peace. This entire ordeal has taken a significant toll on my mental health and has caused me to reflect deeply on life, memories, relationships, and their true purpose and meaning. I pray for healing for all of us.”

    More On The $5M Lawsuit Against Mary J. Blige

    As The Shade Room previously reported, in April 2025, AllHipHop published an exclusive report, asserting that Hylton accused Blige and her management company, Beautiful Life Productions, of “sabotaging” her relationship with rapper Vado. Specifically, Hylton alleged that Blige was preventing the release of Vado’s album in order to pressure him into cutting ties with Hylton and her management company, M.I.S.A. Management.

    Furthermore, the suit alleged that Vado was signed with Hylton’s company months before signing with Blige’s. Additionally, it asserted that Vado completed an album in July 2024. But it was shelved by Blige “as long as he stayed with M.I.S.A.” Ultimately, the suit requested $5 million in damages for “breach of contract, emotional distress, and interference with business relationships.”

    In the days that followed, Hylton continued sparking reactions with a cryptic social media post, per The Shade Room.

    This, as her lawyer, Nicholas Ramcharitar, shared a statement with AllHipHop.

    “… These women were closer than biological sisters. Misa did everything to keep this private—calls, texts, even letters to Mary’s legal team. But after months of silence and missed obligations, we had no choice but to file. This lawsuit wasn’t Plan A — it was Plan Z,” Ramcharitar said. “Unless we hear from Mary’s camp, we’ll move forward with the request for judicial intervention… But again, we’d rather avoid that. We’re still saying: let’s sit down, break bread, talk like family…”

    By July, Blige reportedly requested the suit be tossed. Additionally, she alleged Vado personally wanted out of his deal with Hylton, but teamed up with her for an apparent shakedown and payout.

    RELATED: Over It! Mary J. Blige Demands Misa Hylton’s $5M Lawsuit Be Tossed As Receipts Surface (UPDATE)

    What Do You Think Roomies?

    [ad_2]

    Jadriena Solomon

    Source link

  • 20 Celebrities Who Chose Sobriety: Stories Of Strength, Change & Redemption

    [ad_1]

    Source: Warner Bros. TV / Getty

    Drugs, alcohol, and fame have long been intertwined in Hollywood’s industry. The constant pressure to perform, maintain a public image, and navigate global scrutiny often drives stars toward self-destructive habits, which are often disguised as a form of relief. For decades, the entertainment industry has glamorized excess, but the reality behind the scenes is far more sobering. It’s a reality that sometimes includes addiction, public breakdowns, and tragic losses. From music icons to movie legends, sober celebrities have found themselves at the crossroads between fame and freedom, choosing recovery as their greatest comeback.

    RELATED: Offset Opens Up About Dirty Doggin’ During Cardi B Marriage, Somberly Says He Regrets Continuous Creepin’—‘I Was Being Selfish’

    The industry’s culture of indulgence can lead to dark spirals, mental health struggles, ruined relationships, and even death. It doesn’t always have to end that way, though. Countless stars have fought their way back from addiction, redefining themselves through sobriety. They’ve proven that strength and vulnerability can coexist, and that healing isn’t weakness, but rather a form of power.

    Recently, Offset and Allen Iverson have become the latest public figures to open up about their journey to sobriety. Offset revealed that he’s been four years clean from codeine, saying his son inspired him to quit after realizing drugs weren’t necessary for creativity. Meanwhile, NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson announced he’s been six months sober from alcohol, calling it one of the best decisions of his life. Both men’s stories show how breaking free from destructive habits can spark a new era of clarity, health, and purpose.

    Their stories mirror a growing wave of celebrities who are redefining what strength looks like. Sobriety isn’t just about quitting; it’s about reclaiming control, mental clarity, and emotional stability. From those who hit rock bottom to those who simply wanted better for themselves, their decisions to change prove that redemption is always possible, regardless of fame or fortune. They also further emphasize that recovery and self-control can coexist with success. Check out a list of 20 sober celebrities whose journeys reflect the courage it takes to walk away from addiction, temptation, and old habits in pursuit of peace and purpose. Congrats to all of these people for making a tough but essential decision for the greater good.

    1. Robert Downey Jr.

    Featured Session "The Future of World-Building at Disney"

    Source:Getty

    Once one of Hollywood’s most infamous addicts, Downey Jr. spent years battling heroin and cocaine before finding recovery in 2003. Through therapy, meditation, and family support, he rebuilt his career and life…ultimately becoming Iron Man and one of cinema’s greatest comeback stories. 

    2. Offset

    "The Jennifer Hudson Show" Season 4

    Source:Getty

    The Migos rapper opened up about being fur years sober from codeine, saying he quit after realizing how it affected his family and creativity. He credits fatherhood and self-discipline for helping him stay focused and grounded. 

    3. Steve-O

    Standup Comedy At The Ice House Comedy Club

    Source:Getty

    Known for his chaotic Jackass stunts, Steve-O’s partying spiraled into heavy drug use and near death experiences. After an intervention from friends in 2008, he entered rehab and has been sober ever since, now using his platform to help others in recovery. 

    4. Lena Waithe

    Off-White New York Fashion Week RTW Spring 2025 - Front Row

    Source:Getty

    The Emmy-winning writer and producer decided to give up alcohol to prioritize her mental clarity and creative flow. She’s spoken about how sobriety has sharpened her focus and deepened her storytelling. 

    5. Mary J. Blige

    Simkhai SS26 Party

    Source:Getty

    The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul endured years of alcohol and cocaine abuse while hiding behind fame and success. Over a decade sober, she credits faith, therapy, and music for her healing, calling recovery her “greatest victory.”

    6. Eminem

    Barack-Obama-Rallies-Voters-in-Detroit

    Source:Getty

    The rap legend nearly died in 2007 after a methadone overdoes during his battle with prescription pill addiction. Now more than 15 years sober, he says his kids and music gave him purpose to fight for life again. 

    7. Macklemore

    5th Lollapalooza Paris Festival - Day Two

    Source:Getty

    The Grammy-winning rapper has long been open about his struggles with alcohol and relapse. He continues to live sober and uses music to inspire others to stay strong through addiction recovery. 

    8. Samuel L. Jackson

    The 78th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals

    Source:Getty

    Before becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, Jackson fought heroin and cocaine addiction in the 1980s. Now more than 30 years sober, he credits his wife and family for helping him stay grounded. 

    9. Demi Lovato

    FASHION-FRANCE-WOMEN-BOF500-GALA

    Source:Getty

    The pop star’s battles with addiction, overdose, and recovery have been public and painful. Lovato has since found a balanced path, embracing therapy, music, and faith as key parts of their sobriety and mental health journey. 

    10. Anthony Anderson

    Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - October 08, 2025

    Source:Getty

    The Black-ish star quit drinking to improve his health and manage diabetes. He says sobriety has given him renewed energy and helped him live more intentionally. 

    11. Allen Iverson

    Allen Iverson's 50th Birthday Dinner Celebration Presented By Crown Royal

    Source:Getty

    Once known for his hard-living lifestyle, the NBA Hall of Famer revealed he’s now six months sober from alcohol. Iverson says the change has brought him peace and a clearer sense of direction. 

    12. Russell Brand

    Russel Brand appears at court in London on rape and assault charges

    Source:Getty

    The British comedian spent years addicted to heroin and alcohol before entering rehab in 2002. More than 20 years sober now, Brand advocates for recovery, mindfulness, and purpose through his books and podcasts. 

    13. Fantasia Barrino

    5th Annual Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards at The Beverly Hilton

    Source:Getty

    The American Idol winner once leaned on alcohol to cope with pain and pressure after early fame. Today she’s years sober, crediting prayer, family, and self-love for helping her heal. 

    14. Brad Pitt

    "F1: The Movie" European Premiere - Arrivals

    Source:Getty

    After his public divorce from Angelina Jolie, Pitt sought help for his heavy drinking and depression. Since getting sober, he’s spoken about the power of therapy and emotional honesty in his recovery. 

    15. Chris Rock

    "Invasive Species" Opening Night

    Source:Getty

    The comedian revealed he quit drinking and started therapy to manage depression and trauma. He says sobriety has brought him calm, focus, and a deeper sense of personal peace. 

    16. Doja Cat

    US-ENTERTAINMENT-FASHION-METGALA-CELEBRITY-MUSEUM-RED CARPET

    Source:Getty

    In 2024, Doja Cat shared that she quit drinking after realizing alcohol made her feel “out of control.” She says sobriety has sharpened her creativity and made her feel more in tune with herself. 

    17. Ben Affleck

    "The Accountant 2" Premiere

    Source:Getty

    Affleck’s long struggle with alcoholism has led to multiple stints in rehab and public relapses. Now asober and self-aware, he continues to focus on family, acting, and long-term recovery.

    18. Doechii

    Roskilde Festival 2025

    Source:Getty

    The rising rapper revealed she was constantly drinking and partying early in her career until she lost sight of herself. After quitting alcohol, she says her creativity and confidence returned stronger than ever. 

    19. Naomi Capmbell

    Celebrities Highlight Audemars Piguet 150th Anniversary Celebration Party In Hong Kong

    Source:Getty

    The supermodel faced addiction struggles in the early 2000s, entering rehab for cocaine and alcohol abuse. Now sober and focused on health, she’s become an advocate for wellness and emotional recovery. 

    20. Charlie Sheen

    Netflix's Canelo vs Crawford - Fight Night

    Source:Getty

    Once known for his wild partying and public meltdowns, Sheen’s addictions to drugs and alcohol nearly destroyed his career and family life. He’s now been sober since 2017, crediting fatherhood and self-reflection for helping him find peace and stability.

    [ad_2]

    Davonta Herring

    Source link

  • What’s The 411? Ellie The Elephant Puts Thigh-High Boots On The Ground For An Epic Mary J. Blige Tribute

    [ad_1]

    The WNBA‘s New York Liberty game against the Washington Mystics on September 9 had more than basketball on the schedule. During halftime, the New York Liberty’s mascot, Ellie the Elephant, paid tribute to the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, with a performance that had the Barclays Center crowd in a frenzy. The tribute was a perfect cultural homage that perfectly captures Mary’s impact.

    Source: Steph Chambers/Gilbert Flores

    The beloved mascot rolled onto the court in full Blige-inspired fashion. Ellie’s costume included knee-high boots, a cheetah-print outfit, and a platinum blonde wig—all classic nods to the legendary R&B singer’s signature looks over the years. The performance was a standout moment, backed by a squad of dancers, with Ellie delivering choreography to a medley of Blige tracks, including “Be Happy” and “Just Fine.” Fans quickly noticed the mascot’s repeated take on the famous “Mary Strut,” a signature move Blige has made a concert staple.

    According to Complex, the reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Cheers filled the arena, and clips of the performance quickly went viral online, with MadameNoire posting footage from courtside. The comment section was filled with fans praising Ellie’s moves and calling for the mascot to be protected at all costs.

    “Ellie better be the highest paid mascot,” one fan wrote. Another user noted, “The bob is sending me.” A third added, “Carrying the entire franchise on her back. GO ELLIE.” The energy online matched the crowd inside the arena, treating the halftime show as a perfect crossover moment between sports and music.

    Though a relatively new figure in the WNBA, Ellie the Elephant has quickly become a fixture for Liberty fans since her debut in 2021. According to the team, Ellie was designed to embody traits tied to both elephants and the franchise itself, including “strength, wisdom, determination, loyalty, and resilience.” In practice, Ellie has lived up to her reputation, becoming a crowd favorite who balances playful antics with performances that connect to New York culture.

    Mary J. Blige also caught wind of the viral performance, and when she ran into the mascot during New York Fashion Week, she showed nothing but love. She even complimented the jacket Ellie was wearing, further cementing her admiration.

    [ad_2]

    Kerbi Lynn

    Source link

  • His Daddy’s Son: Tariq Goes Full St. Patrick In Explosive Trailer For The Fourth & Final Season Of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’

    His Daddy’s Son: Tariq Goes Full St. Patrick In Explosive Trailer For The Fourth & Final Season Of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’

    [ad_1]

    Are you ready to say goodbye to Power Book II: Ghost?

    Source: STARZ

    Our God nephew Tariq St. Patrick finally embraces his destiny in the explosive trailer for the fourth and final season of Power Book II: Ghost that promises to be “explosive, with high-adrenaline twists and turns as everyone is on the hunt for revenge,” per the press release.

    Check it out below:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUmTlGMt4SI

    As previously reported, Michael Ealy joins the cast as “Detective Don Carter” who hates Tariq and everything he stands for (similar to Kendrick’s disdain for Drake) based on what we see in the trailer.

    Power Book II: Ghost Season 4 asset

    Source: Starz

    We’ll also meet Monet Tejada’s cousin “Janet Stewart” played by Girlfriends alum Golden Brooks.

    Power Book II: Ghost Season 4 asset

    Source: Starz

    “So excited to finally be able to announce that I will be recurring on the beloved @ghoststarz,” wrote Brooks on an Instagram post confirming her role on the series.

    “what an honor to get to play with such a phenomenal cast! And to join the @starz family is such a blessing!!

    Meet Janet Stewart soon! 🥃
    June 7th season premier see you there!”

    With the stakes higher than ever before, we’re excited to see Tariq go full Ghost in the final season of arguably the best Power spin-off.

    Fans of the show can expect to see Mary J. Blige return as “Monet Tejada” along with Cliff “Method Man” Smith as “Davis MacLean,” Gianni Paolo as “Brayden Weston,” Woody McClain as “Cane Tejada,” Lovell Adams-Gray as “Dru Tejada,” LaToya Tonodeo as “Diana Tejada,” Alix Lapri as “Effie Morales,” Larenz Tate as “Rashad Tate,” Caroline Chikezie as “Noma,” and Lightskinkeisha as “Brushaundria Carmichael.”

    Additional recurring cast members include Talia Robinson as “Elle”–the lead singer of a popular Hip-Hop group at Stansfield, Sydney Winbush as Noma’s daughter “Anya Covington” who is unaware of her mother’s profession, Aaron Dean Eisenberg as “Detective Nico Calder” and Allison Luff as “Detective Felicia Lewis”–two officers on Detective Carter’s Drug Task Force, and Stephanie Sheperd as “Perla Tanaka”–a law associate tasked with defending her boss Davis McClean against multiple charges.

    Part one of the final Power Book II: Ghost season debuts on Friday, June 7, with part two premiering a few months later on Friday, September 6 at midnight on the STARZ app.

    Do you think Ghost will finally emerge from the shadows this season (if he’s even still alive)? Which characters are you rooting against this season? Tell us down below and peep some fan reactions to the epic trailer on the flip.

    [ad_2]

    Alex Ford

    Source link

  • Mary J. Blige found her strength and now wants to help other women find their own

    Mary J. Blige found her strength and now wants to help other women find their own

    [ad_1]

    (CNN) — Mary J. Blige just might be the most famous native of Yonkers, New York, and yet she’s not forgotten her roots there.

    The newly announced Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is giving back to the community that helped launch her start.

    Blige’s “Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit” is partnering with Pepsi to launch a fund with $100,000 available as grants to local organizations whose work elevates and educates underserved women in Yonkers.

    [ad_2]

    Lisa Respers France and CNN

    Source link

  • Introducing Miami’s Hottest DJ: Amal Nemer

    Introducing Miami’s Hottest DJ: Amal Nemer

    [ad_1]

    Whether she’s remixing classic club hits like Mary J. Blidge’s “Family Affair” or creating fresh beats of her own, fans can’t help but dance to Amal Nemer’s music. Delving into her music career only three years ago, Amal Nemer quickly became highly sought after thanks to her natural ability to create house music that is entirely refreshing and her own.


    Miami is no stranger to house music…Home of mega events like Miami Music Week and Ultra, where the best-of-the-best flock to perform on one of the biggest stages of their career. The city buzzes with electronic music weekend after weekend, so the crowds aren’t impressed by just any performer. Amal Nemer is different.

    She can seamlessly make any type of house music- from Afro house to melodic house to techno – Amal leaves people wondering if she really can do it all. Previously a computer hacker in another life, Amal Nemer’s technological prowess helps her make flawless beats. Winning over the hearts of Miami may have looked easy for her, but she’s gaining recognition all over the world for her music.

    With new single, “Yo Tengo Los Poderes”, Amal Nemer is gearing up for a new era of dominance. The single leans heavily into the drum and bass factor that’s popular amongst house icons like John Summit, but has Amal’s flare and personality that makes it an absolute hit. You can listen to “Yo Tengo Los Poderes” here:

    Her latest single, “Get In” has every bit the energy and excitement as her classic work. It goes beyond the usual house song, and it’s hot from the very start. With a slew of singles and a new album potentially on the horizon, Amal Nemer is definitely one to watch moving forward.

    I got the opportunity to speak with Amal about her new era. Check it out below!

    PD: Your recent single, “Yo Tengo Los Poderes”, is the start of a new era for you. What inspired this new era and what can fans expect?

    AN: The song is about no matter if I’m in love or not, I still have the power, and this was inspired by a past relationship I had. I think fans can expect me to continue to pull inspiration from moments in my life.

    PD: Since moving to Miami in 2020, have you learned anything about the music industry or your style that surprised you?

    AN: I learned everything about the industry from Miami and the people I’ve met and connected with, this city gave me everything I stand on today as I discovered this amazing world of beautiful music and people who love to dance.

    PD: What’s your advice for someone looking to break into the dance community and create music like you do?

    AN: To go out party first and take in all the different experiences of this scene, you need to become a true fan to be able to succeed, at the end of the day if you can’t enjoy this culture, then what’s the point?

    PD: You didn’t always want to make music as a career. What got you into the scene and who has influenced your sound the most?

    AN: It started with me just playing music that I liked for friends at our house parties off my phone, and then a friend told me I should try DJing. When I touched the mixer for the first time, I couldn’t think of doing anything else, I was in love and i’ve been obsessed ever since.

    A bunch of artists across many genres initially inspired me from Chus+Ceballos, The Martinez Brothers, Solomun, Karol G, Dua Lipa, and the list goes on. I love to pull inspiration from a variety of genres.

    C/O Listen Up Biz

    PD: If you could pick three words to describe your music, what would they be?

    AN: Authentic, Powerful, Addictive

    PD: What’s inspiring you while writing and creating music right now?

    AN: It comes to me randomly, i could be training, out at a party, with friends or family. Once an idea comes to me, I write a few notes on my phone then all I can think about is getting back home to work on it.

    PD: What’s next for you this year?

    AN: My true goal is to make sure everything I work on is slightly better than the last, so I continue to learn and push myself. I hope when people hear my music or see me play live, it brings smiles to their faces.

    [ad_2]

    Jai Phillips

    Source link

  • ‘Rob Peace’ Review: Chiwetel Ejiofor Crafts a Conventional but Stirring True Story of Talent, Struggle and Tragedy

    ‘Rob Peace’ Review: Chiwetel Ejiofor Crafts a Conventional but Stirring True Story of Talent, Struggle and Tragedy

    [ad_1]

    In his feature directorial debut, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Chiwetel Ejiofor crafted a humanizing portrait of a gifted Malawian boy who saves his village from famine by building a DIY windmill. That film — based on the true story of inventor William Kamkwamna — leaned into the conventions of inspirational movies to shape a narrative steeped in good-natured earnestness. But it also teased a portrayal of the complicated relationships between fathers and sons. 

    Ejiofor revisits this theme more forcefully in his latest directorial effort, Rob Peace, about a young man torn between the promise of his future and the responsibilities of his past. Adapted from Jeff Hobbs’ 2014 book The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace, the film offers a sweeping and empathetic depiction of its central character. Through Peace’s story, Ejiofor explores the violent impact of the carceral state and the fraught interdependence of a father and his son. While largely predictable in its approach, Ejiofor’s film still evokes a genuine emotional response thanks to strong performances from its cast, especially lead Jay Will. 

    Rob Peace

    The Bottom Line

    Evokes genuine emotions despite a traditional framework.

    Venue: Sundance Film Festival (Premieres)
    Cast: Jay Will, Mary J. Blige, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Camila Cabello, Michael Kelly, Mare Winningham
    Director-screenwriter: Chiwetel Ejiofor

    1 hour 59 minutes

    The film opens in 1987 in Orange, New Jersey, where seven-year-old Robert DeShaun Peace (Jelani Dacres) eagerly awaits his father’s arrival. When the man everyone calls Skeet (played by Ejiofor) pulls up in his car, Rob leaps from the front steps and into his arms. There is mutual admiration between these two, and Ejiofor, who wrote the screenplay, underscores that with key moments of bonding. Rob looks up to his father, and Skeet sees his son as the future of their neighborhood.

    The beginning of Rob Peace also establishes the loyalty Rob feels to his hometown. Ksenia Sereda’s intimate shots of men gathering on a stoop while listening to the radio and passing around beers paint a picture of a vibrant community. This perspective is critical to understanding the tension Rob carries for the rest of his life. 

    After Skeet is convicted of a double homicide, Rob’s mother, Jackie (Mary J. Blige), doubles down on saving her son. She doesn’t want Rob to end up like his father or any of the other men in Orange. The film jumps seven years to 1994. Rob (now played by Chance K. Smith) is a student at St. Benedict’s Prep School in Newark, where he excels in his classes and plays water polo. Outside of school, the gifted student reviews the details of his father’s case. Rob knows that Skeet is innocent, and he’s determined to prove it.

    Two narratives unfold in Rob Peace: the story of Rob moving through increasingly elite spaces without losing his sense of self and the one of the same young man trying to save his father. As Rob (now played by Jay Will) moves from Orange to New Haven, where he matriculates at Yale University, Skeet never leaves his mind. He calls his father, visits him in prison and continues working to prove his innocence.

    Will deftly balances his character’s charismatic exterior with his more wounded interior. He especially plays well against Ejiofor; some of the best scenes are the increasingly charged interactions between Rob and his father. Ejiofor’s performance highlights the toll the carceral system takes on a person; Will’s offers insight into the emotional fallout of having an incarcerated loved one. 

    As Skeet becomes more desperate for his freedom, he makes demands on his son to act more quickly. Rob begins to wonder about the truth of his father’s testimony, and Will grounds his character’s growing doubt in an authentic ambivalence. It would have benefited the film to make space for more of the character’s interiority, especially as the pressure to help Skeet mounts. 

    At Yale, Rob thrives academically and socially, drawing the attention of a professor (Mare Winningham) and the admiration of his peers. It’s at Yale that Rob meets his biographer, Hobbs (Benjamin Papac), and his eventual girlfriend, Naya (Camila Cabello). But being at the school doesn’t magically solve our protagonist’s problems. Rob still needs money to pay Skeet’s legal fees. With this, Rob Peace offers an under-explored portrait of the tension faced by Black working-class students in elite institutions. Rob is surrounded by students who don’t know his dad is in prison and don’t understand the loyalty he feels to his community. 

    The decision to sell weed on campus is a practical one. Unable to help Skeet with his campus jobs, Rob decides to dip his toe in this more lucrative operation. His friends warn against it: Rich white students might be able to deal on campus without fear of consequence, but Rob is poor and Black. The rules are different. Yet without many options, the young Orange native feels he must risk it. 

    Rob Peace moves briskly. Time jumps keep the narrative moving, with Ejiofor often opting for montages backed by poignant music (by Jeff Russo) instead of letting moments play out. These shortcuts make sense for a film trying to cover so much ground, but occasionally undercut some of the more emotionally potent scenes. They especially compress the latter half of Rob’s life, leaving us with a flattened sense of the character’s motivations as he finds himself in more financial trouble. 

    Still, with Rob Peace, Ejiofor has found a subject whose life story reflects some of the most unjust realities of the United States. Throughout the film, people in Rob’s life comment on his preternatural intellect and charisma. They express excitement about his future — all visions that require him to leave East Orange. But Rob didn’t see anything wrong with his community. He had no desire to leave, and part of the tragedy of Rob Peace is that few people seemed to wonder why.

    Full credits

    Venue: Sundance Film Festival (Premieres)
    Production companies: Republic Pictures, Hill District Media, Los Angeles Media Fund, Participant, Sugar Peace Productions, 25 Stories
    Cast: Jay Will, Mary J. Blige, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Camila Cabello, Michael Kelly, Mare Winningham
    Director-screenwriter: Chiwetel Ejiofor
    Producers: Antoine Fuqua, Rebecca Hobbs, Jeffrey Soros, Simon Horsman, Andrea Calderwood, Kat Samick, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet
    Executive producers: Mary J. Blige, Jamin O’Brien, Morgan Earnest, Luke Rodgers, Jeff Skoll, Robert Kessel, Bruce Evans, Faye Stapleton, Ali Jayazeri, David Gendron
    Director of photography: Ksenia Sereda
    Production designer: Dina Goldman-Kunin
    Costume designer: Deirdra Elizabeth Govan
    Editor: Masahiro Hirakubo
    Music: Jeff Russo
    Casting director: Alexa L. Fogel, CSA
    Sales: Republic Pictures

    1 hour 59 minutes

    [ad_2]

    Lovia Gyarkye

    Source link

  • Mary J, Method Man make ‘Power’ moves on hit Starz series

    Mary J, Method Man make ‘Power’ moves on hit Starz series

    [ad_1]

    LOS ANGELES (AP) — While filming “Power Book II: Ghost,” Clifford “Method Man” Smith sometimes camped out in Mary J. Blige’s dedicated break area during their downtime to briefly warm up near her heater on a chilly New York set.

    Unlike most, Smith can randomly crash Blige’s space simply because of their decadeslong friendship. The music icons’ strong bond helped both during the filming of the Starz hit spinoff series, where both have integral roles.

    “Some of my favorite days on set is when me and Mary get to work together,” said Smith. Smith and Blige won a Grammy in 1995 for the classic single “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By,” which served as a remix for the Wu-Tang Clan rapper’s “All I Need” from his debut solo album “Tical.”

    Over the years, both have hit the stage together several times, including their recent performance in 2022 at Blige’s Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit in Atlanta.

    Blige and Smith tried to make their set experience enjoyable and supportive — especially before filming their serious scenes.

    “We leaned on each other a lot,” said Blige, who portrays the character of Monet Stewart Tejada — a leader of her family’s illegal drug organization on the show, which airs Fridays on Starz. Smith plays the role of the slick-talking defense attorney Davis Maclean.

    “This was a chance to work with my friend,” she continued. “We joke, we laugh and just have a good time on set as friends. It’s always beautiful seeing Meth.”

    Smith said he and Blige mesh well together professionally. Last year, both won NAACP Image awards for their acting roles on “Power Book II.”

    “People like seeing us together. We’re like peanut butter and jelly,” Smith said. “We can’t be Batman and Robin, because then somebody’s got to be the sidekick. Mary ain’t no sidekick, and I definitely ain’t no damn sidekick.”

    “She’s so spot on. When it comes to improv, she’s on it. To have my first Grammy win with her … epic,” he added. “But to win my first acting award with her was even bigger, in my opinion.”

    Blige, a nine-time Grammy winner, said working with Smith over the years has been an “amazing” experience. The singer, known as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” said the transition into their roles on “Power Book” was seamless after years of focusing on improving their acting craft.

    “We’ve been doing this for a longtime,” said Blige, who received an Oscar nomination in 2018 for her supporting role in the Netflix film “Mudbound.” She’s starred in a number of other projects, including “The Umbrella Academy,” “Body Cam” and “Respect.”

    For once in Smith’s acting career, he’s starting to see more people recognize him for his role in “Power Book II” than his rap persona.

    “If you look at the tweets maybe two or three years ago, they were calling me ‘Method Man.’ He’s so cringe. They were saying ‘Why is Method Man playing a lawyer?’” said Smith, who got his acting start in the mid-’90s. He’s starred in films like “Belly,” “How High,” “The Cobbler” and “Trainwreck.” He’s also appeared on some popular television shows such as “The Wire,” “Luke Cage” and “Godfather of Harlem.”

    “There are some people that still can’t peel away the layers of Method Man in order to see the character. It’s so rewarding to have people calling you ‘Davis’ in the street and people referring you to cases — real cases — to get some of their favorite rappers out of jail,” he said. “There are some fans who are keeping me in the ‘Method Man’ box, so I’m going to kick my way out.”

    Blige said their previous acting endeavors helped prepare them for “Power.”

    “We transitioned slowly, slowly, slowly into acting, but never leaving music behind,” Blige said. “We’re going where we fit in. We fit in with this ‘Power’ universe.”

    Season 3 of “Power Book” is almost halfway done: Blige’s Monet has sought revenge after the death of her son, and is willing to pay a hefty price to avenge her firstborn and keep the rest of her children — and the business — in line. She works closely with Smith’s character to solve her son’s murder while keeping the authorities off her trail.

    “She’s super ruthless but more so strategizing her next move to build an empire to get out of the game,” Blige said about her character. “She’s in a vulnerable state. She can’t help but to cry or just lay around the around the house. She doesn’t like being weak. She doesn’t like people seeing her like that. So, everybody is getting cursed out or killed.”

    Smith applauded Blige for taking on the role as Monet. He also said he’s proud of those from the hip-hop community who, like him and Blige, have made their way into TV and film.

    “I love working with her,” he said of Blige. “There isn’t many that can hang with that queen. But it’s good to see people like you on screen. And I don’t mean Black people. I mean people from your background. There’s a reason why Larry the Cable Guy was one of the biggest comedians in the world. There were a lot of people out there just like him.”

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Mary J. Blige Looks Back at Her Most Iconic Roles

    Mary J. Blige Looks Back at Her Most Iconic Roles

    [ad_1]

    Welcome to Look Back At It, a monthly column where some of the most iconic Black actresses in Hollywood reminisce and reflect on the roles that made them stars. For this month’s installment, Mary J. Blige breaks down her career—from Mudbound and How to Get Away With Murder to her current Starz series, Power Book II: Ghost.


    In 2018, the musician and actress Mary J. Blige became the first Black woman to be nominated in multiple categories in the same year at the Academy Awards. She earned two nominations for her work in Dee Rees’s Mudbound—one for Best Original Song and the other for Best Supporting Actress. “Those were complete surprises,” says Blige as she reflects on the moment. “I wasn’t even confident about my acting [at that time], but that let me know, ‘You can act.’”

    Throughout her career, Blige has honed her skill while playing an array of iconic women like Dr. Betty Shabazz in Betty & Coretta and Dinah Washington in Respect. She’s also guest-starred on the popular television shows Black-ish, Empire, and How to Get Away With Murder. Now, she’s Monet Tejada, the fierce matriarch at the heart of Power Book II: Ghost.

    “One thing that threads through all of my characters is that they’re all no-nonsense,” she says. “They’re all strong women. I have to play characters like that to be able to pull from a real place. Can I play a weak woman? Probably. But right now, this is what it is.”

    Now, she’s setting her sights behind the camera. Her production company, Blue Butterfly, already has two movies with Lifetime, and she says there’s more to come. “Maybe I’ll direct one day, but I don’t know if I have the patience to deal with people,” Blige adds with a laugh.

    Below, Blige takes us through her most iconic roles to share the deep friendships she’s made on set, the joys of acting with people she admires, and the ways she’s evolved onscreen.

    Tanya in I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009)

    This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself – trailer

    Watch on

    This is an image

    “This was the first time that I officially met Taraji [P. Henson]. We acted together and then became friends. I Can Do Bad All By Myself reminds me of her and our friendship.”

    Watch Now on Prime Video

    Dr. Betty Shabazz in Betty & Coretta (2013)

    This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Betty & Coretta: An Extended Preview | Lifetime

    Watch on

    This is an image

    “I got to work with one of the most amazing actresses in the business and an amazing woman. I felt so proud and grateful to stand beside Angela Bassett while working on Betty & Coretta. She’s one of the best. I mean, she’s right there with Meryl Streep for me. I watched Angela transform her face and everything on this film. It was the most unbelievable thing to watch. I still go to her for inspiration.”

    Watch Now on Prime Video

    Angel in Black Nativity (2013)

    This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    BLACK NATIVITY Official HD Trailer

    Watch on

    This is an image

    “Oh my God. I was not happy with this. Moving on.”

    Watch Now on Prime Video

    Evillene in The Wiz Live! (2015)

    This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Take a First Look at The Wiz Live!

    Watch on

    This is an image

    “I had a ball playing that evil witch. We had a good time.”

    Watch Now on Apple TV

    Rolanda in How to Get Away With Murder (2016)

    This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Annalise Goes to the Hair Salon – How To Get Away With Murder

    Watch on

    This is an image

    “It was an honor to do Viola Davis’s hair in How To Get Away With Murder, which was one of the biggest shows at the time. Being her hairstylist was crazy, but also amazing.”

    Watch Now on Netflix

    Florence in Mudbound (2017)

    This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Mudbound | Official Teaser [HD] | Netflix

    Watch on

    This is an image

    “Wow, what a historical moment. This was amazing on every level. I was completely caught off guard and surprised by how much the critics and the audience loved this film. And the Oscar nominations were a big surprise. Mudbound was challenging because I was going through so much in my life and was so insecure. And for the film, I had to peel back the things that were making me feel secure. You couldn’t wear weaves and you couldn’t wear lashes and you couldn’t wear nails. You had to have on old-timey clothes. I had be that person. That was a challenge because it kind of hurt my feelings a little bit, but it also gave me confidence in just looking like that. That’s who I am.”

    Watch Now on Netflix

    Cha-Cha in The Umbrella Academy (2019)

    This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    The Umbrella Academy | Official Trailer | Netflix

    Watch on

    This is an image

    “I had a blast. The word fun comes to mind when I think about The Umbrella Academy. We lived in Canada for five months and I met some great people. And, of course, I learned how to shoot guns and do martial arts.”

    Watch Now on Netflix

    Dinah Washington in Respect (2021)

    This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    RESPECT | Official Trailer | MGM Studios

    Watch on

    This is an image

    “It was nice to work alongside Jennifer Hudson and be that character. Flipping the table over was just so therapeutic.”

    Watch Now on Prime Video

    Watch Now on Paramount+

    Monet in Power Book II: Ghost (2020-present)

    This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Power Book II: Ghost | Official Trailer | Season 3

    Watch on

    This is an image

    “Now, I’m comfortable with just falling into [acting]. Monet has given me so much confidence and she’s one of my favorite roles that I’ve played. For this character, I have to visit dark places in my real life. I have to go back to those places and grab that stuff to get those emotions to Monet. But this show is so much fun. The cast is amazing. The writing is amazing. It’s a blessing. I’m just so grateful to Courtney [A. Kemp, the show’s creator] and 50 [Cent, the show’s producer].”

    Watch Now on Starz

    Headshot of Juliana Ukiomogbe

    Juliana Ukiomogbe is the Assistant Editor at ELLE. Her work has previously appeared in Interview, i-D, Teen Vogue, Nylon, and more.  

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Celebrity birthdays for the week of Jan. 8-14

    Celebrity birthdays for the week of Jan. 8-14

    [ad_1]

    Celebrity birthdays for the week of Jan. 8-14:

    Jan. 8: Former “Sunday Morning” host Charles Osgood is 90. Singer Shirley Bassey is 86. Game show host Bob Eubanks (“The Newlywed Game”) is 85. Country-gospel singer Cristy Lane is 83. Singer Anthony Gourdine of Little Anthony and the Imperials is 82. Singer Juanita Cowart Motley of The Marvelettes is 79. Actor Kathleen Noone (“Knots Landing”) is 78. Guitarist Robby Krieger of The Doors is 77. Actor Harriet Sansom Harris (“Desperate Housewives”) is 68. Actor Ron Cephas Jones (“This is Us”) is 66. Actor Michelle Forbes (“True Blood,” ″Star Trek: The Next Generation”) is 58. Actor Maria Pitillo (“Providence”) is 57. Bassist Jeff Abercrombie of Fuel is 54. Singer Sean Paul is 50. Singer-actor Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley is 47. Actor Amber Benson (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer”) is 46. Actor-director Sarah Polley is 44. Actor Gaby Hoffman (“Sleepless in Seattle,” ″Field of Dreams”) is 41. Guitarist Disashi Lumumbo-Kasongo of Gym Class Heroes is 40. Actor-singer Cynthia Erivo is 36.

    Jan. 9: Actor K Callan (“Lois and Clark”) is 87. Singer Joan Baez is 82. Guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin is 79. Actor John Doman (“Gotham”) is 78. Singer-actor Buster Poindexter (David Johansen) is 73. Singer Crystal Gayle is 72. Actor J.K. Simmons (TV’s “The Closer,” ″Spider-Man” movies) is 68. Actor Imelda Staunton (“Harry Potter” movies, “Vera Drake”) is 67. Guitarist Eric Erlandson (Hole) is 60. Actor Joely Richardson is 58. Guitarist Carl Bell of Fuel is 56. Actor David Costabile (“Billions,” ″Breaking Bad”) is 56. Singer Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth is 56. Singer Dave Matthews of The Dave Matthews Band is 56. Actor Joey Lauren Adams (“Chasing Amy,” ″Big Daddy”) is 55. Actor Deon Cole (“black-ish”) is 52. Actor Angela Bettis (“Carrie,” ″Girl, Interrupted”) is 50. Actor Omari Hardwick (“Power”) is 49. Singer A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys is 45. Guitarist Drew Brown of OneRepublic is 39. Singer Paolo Nutini is 36. Actor Nina Dobrev (“The Vampire Diaries”) is 34. Actor Kerris Dorsey (“Ray Donovan,” ″Brothers and Sisters”) is 25. Actor Tyree Brown (“Parenthood”) is 19.

    Jan. 10: Actor William Sanderson (“Deadwood,” ″Newhart”) is 79. Singer Rod Stewart is 78. Singer-keyboardist Donald Fagen of Steely Dan is 75. Singer Pat Benatar is 70. Guitarist Michael Schenker (Scorpions) is 68. Singer Shawn Colvin is 67. Singer-guitarist Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets is 64. Actor Evan Handler (“Sex and the City”) is 62. Singer Brad Roberts of Crash Test Dummies is 59. Actor Trini Alvarado is 56. Singer Brent Smith of Shinedown is 45. Rapper Chris Smith of Kris Kross is 44.

    Jan. 11: Actor Mitchell Ryan (“Dharma and Greg”) is 89. Director Joel Zwick (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) is 81. Musician Robert Earl Keen is 67. Actor Phyllis Logan (“Downton Abbey”) is 67. Guitarist Vicki Peterson of The Bangles is 65. Actor Kim Coles (“Living Single”) is 61. Former child actor Dawn Lyn (“My Three Sons”) is 60. Guitarist Tom Dumont of No Doubt is 55. Director Malcolm D. Lee (“Soul Men,” “The Best Man”) is 53. Singer Mary J. Blige is 52. Musician Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers is 52. Actor Amanda Peet is 51. Actor Rockmond Dunbar (“Heartland,” “Soul Food”) is 50. Actor Aja Naomi King (“How To Get Away With Murder”) is 38. Reality star Jason Wahler (“Laguna Beach,” ″The Hills”) is 36. Singer Cody Simpson is 26.

    Jan. 12: Country singer William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys is 84. Actor Anthony Andrews is 75. Country singer Ricky Van Shelton is 71. Radio and TV personality Howard Stern is 69. Director John Lasseter (“Toy Story,” “Cars”) is 66. News correspondent Christiane Amanpour is 65. Actor Oliver Platt is 63. Singer-director Rob Zombie is 58. Actor Olivier Martinez (“Unfaithful,” “Blood and Chocolate”) is 57. Rapper TBird of B-Rock and the Bizz is 56. Model Vendela is 56. Actor Farrah Forke (“Wings”) is 55. Actor Rachael Harris (“Lucifer”) is 55. Singer Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine is 53. Rapper Raekwon of Wu-Tang Clan is 53. Actor Zabryna Guevara (“Emergence”) is 51. Singer Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay is 50. Bassist Matt Wong of Reel Big Fish is 50. Singer Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice) of the Spice Girls is 49. Contemporary Christian singer Jeremy Camp is 45. Actor Cynthia Addai-Robinson (“The Rings of Power,” “Arrow”) is 38. Singer Amerie is 43. Actor Issa Rae (“Insecure”) is 38. Singer Zayn (One Direction) is 30. Singer Ella Henderson is 27.

    Jan. 13: Actor Frances Sternhagen is 93. Actor Charlie Brill is 85. Actor Billy Gray (“Father Knows Best”) is 85. Actor Richard Moll (“Night Court”) is 80. Guitarist Trevor Rabin of Yes is 69. Drummer Fred White of Earth, Wind and Fire is 68. Actor Kevin Anderson (“Nothing Sacred”) is 63. Actor Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep,” ″Seinfeld”) is 62. Singer Graham “Suggs” McPherson of Madness is 62. Country singer Trace Adkins is 61. Actor Penelope Ann Miller is 59. Actor Patrick Dempsey is 57. Actor Suzanne Cryer (“Silicon Valley,” ″Two Guys and a Girl”) is 56. Actor Traci Bingham (“Baywatch”) is 55. Actor Keith Coogan (“Adventures in Babysitting”) is 53. Writer-Producer Shonda Rhimes (“Scandal,” ″Grey’s Anatomy,” ″Private Practice ”) is 53. Actor Nicole Eggert (“Baywatch,” ″Charles in Charge”) is 51. Actor Ross McCall (“White Collar,” “Band of Brothers”) is 47. Actor Michael Pena (“American Hustle”) is 47. Actor Orlando Bloom is 46. “Good Morning America” meteorologist Ginger Zee is 42. Actor Beau Mirchoff (“Good Trouble,” “Desperate Housewives”) is 34. Actor Liam Hemsworth (“The Hunger Games”) is 33.

    Jan. 14: Actor Faye Dunaway is 82. Actor Holland Taylor (“Two and a Half Men,” ″The Practice”) is 80. Singer-producer T-Bone Burnett is 75. Actor Carl Weathers is 75. Singer Geoff Tate (Queensryche) is 64. Director Steven Soderbergh (“Erin Brockovich,” “Ocean’s Eleven”) is 60. TV anchor Shepard Smith is 59. Actor-producer Dan Schneider (“Head of the Class”) is 59. Rapper Slick Rick is 58. Actor Emily Watson (“Breaking the Waves”) is 56. Actor-comedian Tom Rhodes (“Mr. Rhodes”) is 56. Guitarist Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society) is 56. Rapper-actor LL Cool J is 55. Actor Jason Bateman is 54. Musician Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and of Nirvana is 54. Actor Kevin Durand (“Lost,” ″Fruitvale Station”) is 49. Actor Jordan Ladd (“Death Proof”) is 48. Actor Emayatzy Corinealdi (“Middle of Nowhere”) is 43. Singer-guitarist Caleb Followill of Kings of Leon is 41. Actor Zach Gilford (“The Family,” ″Friday Night Lights”) is 41. Guitarist Joe Guese of The Click Five is 41. Actor Jake Choi (“Single Parents”) is 38. Singer-actor Grant Gustin (“The Flash”) is 33. Bluegrass musician Molly Tuttle is 30.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Duran Duran stumbles, Dolly Parton rolls into Rock Hall

    Duran Duran stumbles, Dolly Parton rolls into Rock Hall

    [ad_1]

    LOS ANGELES — Lionel Richie soared. Pat Benatar roared. Duran Duran stumbled but stayed sophisticated. Eminem was Eminem.

    The four acts found very different ways to celebrate on Saturday night, but all can now forever say they’re Rock & Roll Hall of Famers. So are Carly Simon, Eurythmics, Harry Belafonte, Judas Priest and Dolly Parton, who gave the honor an enthusiastic embrace after temporarily turning it down.

    The first act inducted at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles after a memorable speech from a shaven-headed Robert Downey Jr., Duran Duran took the stage and launched into their 1981 breakthrough hit “Girls on Film.”

    The shrieking crowd was there for it, but the music wasn’t. The band was all but inaudible other than singer Simon Le Bon, whose vocals were essentially acapella.

    It was a fun if inauspicious beginning to a mostly slick and often triumphant show.

    “The wonderful spontaneous world of rock ‘n’ roll!” the 64-year-old Le Bon shouted as the band stopped for a do-over.

    They kicked back in at full volume, playing a set that included “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Ordinary World,” quickly snapping back into what Downey called their essential quality: “CSF — cool, sophisticated fun.”

    Lionel Richie brought both chill and warmth to the room hours later, opening his set with a spare rendition of his ballad “Hello” that seemed to make him nearly break down from the weight of the moment.

    “His songs are the soundtrack of my life, your life, everyone’s life,” Lenny Kravitz said in inducting Richie.

    After “Hello,” Richie breezed into his 1977 hit with the Commodores, “Easy.” The vibe went from smooth to triumphant when Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl made a surprise appearance to play a guitar solo and swap vocals with Richie. That led into a singalong, celebratory rendition of 1983’s “All Night Long” that brought the night’s biggest reaction.

    In his acceptance speech, Richie lashed out at those during his career who accused him of straying too far from his Black roots.

    “Rock & Roll is not a color,” he said. “It is a feeling. It is a vibe. And if we let that vibe come through, this room will grow and grow and grow.”

    Eurythmics took the stage next with a soulful, danceable rendition of 1986’s “Missionary Man.”

    “Well I was born an original sinner, I was born from original sin,” singer Annie Lennox belted, bringing the audience clapping and to its feet four hours into the show. It was followed by a rousing rendition of their best-known hit, “Sweet Dreams.”

    Moments later her musical partner, Dave Stewart, called Lennox “one of the greatest performers, singers and songwriters of all time.”

    “Thank you, Dave, for this great adventure,” a tearful Lennox said.

    As he has been throughout his career, Eminem was the outlier. He was the only hip-hop artist among the inductees, the only one whose heyday came after the 1980s, and he brought an edge to the evening that was otherwise missing outside of the heavy metal stylings of Judas Priest.

    He also took the guest star game to another level. After opening briefly with 1999’s “My Name Is,” he brought on Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler to sing the chorus of “Dream On” for 2003’s “Sing for the Moment,” which samples the Aerosmith classic. Then he brought on Ed Sheeran to sing his part on the 2017 Eminem jam “River” as rain fell on the stage.

    “I’m probably not supposed to actually be here tonight for a couple of reasons,” Eminem, wearing a black hoodie, said as he accepted the honor. “One, I know, is that I’m a rapper and this is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”

    He’s only the 10th hip-hop artist among well over 300 members of the Hall of Fame.

    He was inducted by his producer and mentor Dr. Dre, whom he credited with saving his life.

    But hitmakers of the 1980s defined the night.

    “Pat always reached into the deepest part of herself and came roaring out of the speakers,” Sheryl Crowe said in her speech inducting Benatar.

    Benatar, inducted along with her longtime musical partner and husband Neil Giraldo, took the stage with him and displayed that power moments later.

    “We are young!” the 69-year-old sang, her long, gray hair flowing as she soared through a version of 1983’s “Love is a Battlefield.”

    Inductees absent from the ceremony included Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor, who is four years into a fight with advanced prostate cancer, the 95-year-old Belafonte and Simon, who lost sisters Joanna Simon and Lucy Simon, both also singers, to cancer on back-to-back days.

    Carly Simon was a first-time nominee this year more than 25 years after becoming eligible. Olivia Rodrigo, 60 years Simon’s junior and by far the youngest performer of the night, then took the stage to sing Simon’s signature song, “You’re So Vain.”

    Janet Jackson appeared in a black suit with a massive pile of hair atop her head, remaking the cover of her breakthrough album “Control,” as she inducted the two men who made that and many other records with her, writer-producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

    When the nominees were announced in May, Parton “respectfully” declined, saying it didn’t seem suitable for her to take a spot as a country-to-the-core artist. She was convinced otherwise, and ended up the headliner Saturday night.

    “I’m a rock star now!” she shouted as she accepted the honor. “This is a very, very, very special night.”

    Parton said she would have to retroactively earn her spot.

    She disappeared and emerged moments later decked out in black leather with an electric guitar and broke into a song she wrote just for the occasion.

    “I‘ve been rockin’ rockin’ rockin’ rockin’ since the day I was born,” she sang, “and I’ll be rockin’ to the day I’m gone.”

    She closed the night leading an all-star jam of her fellow inductees on her country classic “Jolene.” Le Bon, Benatar and even Judas Priest singer Rob Halford took a verse.

    “We got a star-studded stage up here,” Parton said. “I feel like a hillbilly in the city.”

    ———

    Follow AP Entertainment Writer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Babyface doesn’t rest on his laurels with ‘Girls Night Out’

    Babyface doesn’t rest on his laurels with ‘Girls Night Out’

    [ad_1]

    New York — Art can be inspired by even the most mundane experiences, and for iconic singer-songwriter Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, the idea for his latest creation, “Girls Night Out,” was sparked while running an errand at the drugstore.

    “I went to Walgreens and as I was in there, this younger girl says, ‘Are you Babyface?” recalled the 11-time Grammy winner. She went on to tell him, “I didn’t listen to you before, but I watched Verzuz and I really liked a lot of the things. And so, I’m a fan now.’”

    That 2020 Verzuz event with New Jack Swing pioneer Teddy Riley — with much of the country in pandemic lockdown — introduced him to a younger generation of R&B lovers not familiar with his legendary catalog. The interest from younger fans spurred him to begin conceptualizing what would become “Girls Night Out,” released last week. It’s his first project since 2015’s “Return of the Tender Lover.”

    “I kind of had slowed down in … putting things out,” revealed the crooner. “I wasn’t feeling inspired.”

    The 13-track album features collaborations with some of R&B’s hottest female talent, including Ella Mai, Kehlani and Ari Lennox, as well as rising stars like Muni Long and Queen Naija. Face weaves his musical expertise into today’s sonic climate, far from his hit songs that now play on late-night Quiet Storm formats — and that’s not a bad thing.

    The structure of “Girls Night Out” is reminiscent of the “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack, widely regarded as one of the most popular film compilations of all-time. That 1995 soundtrack was written and produced entirely by Babyface, as he crafted songs for superstars like Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Toni Braxton and Aretha Franklin. But this time around, “Girls Night Out” was intentionally collaborative.

    “On ‘Exhale,’ I just wrote all the music and said, ‘Here, you sing this,’” explained the 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee. “I love co-writing because there’s so much to learn from it. We get stuck in our ways as a writer or even just what you’re used to: the age difference, the words that I’m not used to saying…I didn’t want to do an album that sounded like yesterday. I wanted one to sound fresh and sound like today.”

    “Girls Night Out” began to take form after working with Ella Mai on “Keeps on Fallin’,” a flip of Tevin Campbell’s beloved “Can We Talk” record written by Face. “Keeps on Fallin’” hit No. 2 on Billboard’s adult R&B airplay chart.

    “Once we finished that, we felt like, ‘All right, I think we might have something special here,’” said Babyface, who has writing credits on every song and production credits on all but one.

    Standout tracks include “The Recipe” with “Muni Long which features a sample of Babyface’s 1989 classic, “Soon as I Get Home,” as well as “Whatever” with Tink which samples his hit “Whip Appeal.” There’s also “Liquor,” in which Ari Lennox sultrily sings of desiring her man in his authentic, raw form: “No rocks, no blend, straight up, just you/…I need one hundred from my man, he can’t be eighty proof.”

    “They’re far more invested in their voice in terms of what they say and how they say it, and even in the writing aspect of it…that wasn’t so much of the late ’80s and ‘90s. All the artists weren’t necessarily into that,” said Babyface of this new generation of female talent. “They got to make sure it’s an honest thing from them.”

    Possessing a credit list far too lengthy to print, Babyface began making his mark in music in the late ’80s before finding massive success in the ’90s through early 2000s writing and producing for megastars like Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Madonna, Boyz II Men, Usher, Celine Dion and frequent musical collaborator Toni Braxton, who refers to herself as Babyface’s “muse.” He also built a very successful solo career with major hits like, “And Our Feelings,” “Never Keeping Secrets,” “When Can I See You” and “Every Time I Close My Eyes.”

    While his legendary status has long been solidified during his three-decade career, the “What If” artist hesitates to accept the acknowledgement. Fortunately, his music made the case long ago.

    “I’ve always looked at myself as a producer and songwriter first — not necessarily as a celebrity or a singer,” explained Babyface. “It’s not to downplay what I’ve done, but I just know that the things that I have done at this particular point, I’m very happy and I’m very blessed to have done it.…if I get labeled ‘G.O.A.T.’ or legend in the process, well, that’s wonderful but that’s not why I do it. I do it because I love doing this job.”

    ——

    Gary Gerard Hamilton is an entertainment journalist for The Associated Press. His favorite Babyface songs are “What If” and “Reason for Breathing.” He loves the Babyface-written “Sittin’ Up in My Room” by Brandy and prefers “I’m Ready” by Tevin Campbell over “Can We Talk.” Follow Gary at: @GaryGHamilton on all his social media platforms.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Soul Train Awards 2022: Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige lead nominations | CNN

    Soul Train Awards 2022: Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige lead nominations | CNN

    [ad_1]



    CNN
     — 

    BET announced the host, nominees and premiere date of this year’s “Soul Train Awards” on Thursday.

    Actor, comedian and writer Deon Cole will host the awards show which will be filmed November 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “Hosting the ‘Soul Train Awards’ is a dream come true. I grew up watching Soul Train and ‘til this day, I’ve never met a Soul Train Line I didn’t bless with my skilled two step,” Cole said in a statement. “It is truly a privilege to be given this opportunity to celebrate Don Cornelius’ legacy, all of the amazing Black talent that illuminated our screens on the iconic TV show, and my favorite genres of music: Soul, R&B and Hip Hop.”

    Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige lead this year’s nominations with seven nods each.

    Ari Lennox garnered the second most nominations with six. Lizzo and Chris Brown are tied at five each, followed by Burna Boy, Muni Long and Steve Lacy with four.

    Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, PJ Morton and Tems each garnered three nominations.

    The “Soul Train Awards” 2022 will premiere Sunday, November 27 at 8 pm ET/PT on BET and BET Her.

    [ad_2]

    Source link