NEWS
Universal Music Group Launches Def Jam Africa
Source: Def Jam Africa / Def Jam Africa Artists. Top row L-R / Larry Gaaga,, Boity, Tshego / Middle Row L-R. Nadia Nakai, Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C / Bottom Row L-R. Ricky Tyler, Vector, Tellaman Def Jam is one of Hip-Hop’s most iconic and storied record labels with over 35 years in the game. Today (May 26), the Universal Music Group announced the launch of Def Jam Africa. The new label is being touted as “representing the best hip-hop, Afrobeats and trap talent in Africa” and will followed the “blueprint” set forth by Def Jam, founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin in the latter’s NYU dorm back in 1984. Although based in Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria, Def Jam Africa is tasked with locking down talent across the whole continent. The label ...
Ayesha Curry Shows Off Weight Loss In Viral Bikini Photo, Fans Call Foul
Source: Donell Woodson / Getty Chef, entrepreneur, wife, and mom Ayesha Curry took some time out during quarantine to shed a few pounds, but not everyone is happy about how she chose to show it off. On Sunday (May 24), Ayesha Curry took to Instagram to show off a smoking new body that left a few fans sweating. In a picture taken by her NBA superstar husband, Stephen Curry, Ayesha posted a picture of herself in a form-fitting bikini with the caption, “Took me long enough.” While initial reactions to her amazing new look were congratulatory, it didn’t take long for a few fans to dig up an old tweet where Ayesha Curry was calling out women for “barely wearing clothes.” Citing hypocrisy, the fans claim that Mrs. Curry’s stance was driven by her insecurities about her weight before accusing her...
Spinnin’ Records Shares Playlist of Over 50 Songs in 360° Reality Audio
Spinnin’ Records has introduced a potentially game-changing way to listen to playlists. The famed Dutch dance imprint recently shared a playlist of over 50 songs in 360° Reality Audio, a groundbreaking, immersive music experience that uses Sony’s spatial audio technology. The technology allows individual sounds like piano, guitar, and even ancillary noise coming from a live audience to be placed in a 360° spherical sound field, amplifying it for listeners who want to submerge themselves in music in a more engaging way. Spinnin’ has implemented 360° Reality Audio in its new playlist, which features tracks from Curbi, Quintino, Lucas & Steve, Sam Feldt, and many more from the label’s illustrious roster. To celebrate the project, reps from Spinnin...
Promoters Aren’t Expecting Large Concerts to Return Until Summer 2021
In what should come as a surprise to almost no one, live music promoters are ready to throw in the towel for 2020 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. A New York Times article published on Sunday (May 24) spoke with a number of prominent executives, all who are pointing to next summer as the time when they can realistically expect the concert business to get back on track. Despite local governments allowing steady reopening and for some concerts to take place, the executives appear to be realistic about the situation. “While we think that phenomenal strides are being made in both cases, given the lead time involved in planning major concert tours, and the uncertainties that exist today, we don’t expect a large volume of major tours in the fall,” Live Nation president Joe Berchtold said...
Knicks Legend Patrick Ewing Out Of The Hospital, Recovering From The Rona At Home
Source: Mitchell Layton / Getty When NBA great and Knicks legend Patrick Ewing announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 last week the NBA world was shocked and saddened as they poured out their support for the legendary center on social media. Luckily for the Big Apple big man, he’s been able to fend off that notorious 2nd week crash and has been released from the hospital and make his way home for quarantine. In a twitter post from Patrick Ewing Jr. yesterday, the namesake of the 57-year-old NBA Hall of Famer thanked the hospital staff for the care they provided his father. and announced that the Knicks great is now recovering in the comfort of his own home. “My father is now home and getting better. We’ll continue to watch his symptoms and follow the CDC guidelines. I hope ever...
Doja Cat Continues Apology Tour, Takes To Instagram Live To Debunk Claims With Bullet Points
Source: Getty Images / Getty Doja Cat has addressed the chatter surrounding her participation in chat rooms where racists rattle off slurs and the revelation she flipped one of those slurs into a song. Taking to Instagram Live, the “Say So” star shared a series of bullet points to counteract the criticism. “Like any business, like any conglomerate, there would be many people trying to protect what’s going on,” Doja Cat opened with during the Instagram Live session on Memorial Day. “And that’s exactly what we were trying to do. So, I’m just gonna, one, debunk everything. I have bullet points.” Doja then launches into debunking claims of her exhibiting signs of self-hate. As Doja shared over the weekend in a written statement, she identifies as a Black woman but does seem to admit that it wa...
Queens Get The Money: Naomi Osaka Is Now The Highest-Paid Female Athlete Ever
Source: Tim Clayton – Corbis / Getty Serena Williams is once again passing the torch to the new generation. Her heir apparent is now the premier earner on the tennis court. As spotted on The Grio, Naomi Osaka is reportedly flourishing financially. According to Forbes the right-handed player grossed $37.4 million dollars in 2019. The estimation puts her almost two million dollars ahead of Serena Williams. If the American business magazine’s numbers are correct this would make her the the highest-paid female athlete in the world and in history. Their calculations are attributed to several different factors. The biggest pipeline comes from her actual physical performance with prize money. She also has a lucrative sponsorship portfolio. Nike, Yonex Racquets, Nissin Foods, Shisheido, ...
Eminem Tweets Out His Phone Number, Encourages “Stan”‘s To Text Him
Source: DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 06: Special guest Eminem performs during the Big Sean concert in his hometown of Detroit at Joe Louis Arena on November 6, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images) Uploaded By Godspeed After a career of being notoriously anti-social, it looks like Eminem‘s ready to embrace his fans and “Stans” on a more personal level… kinda. Yesterday Slim Shady took to Twitter to shock has fans by posting his “personal” phone number after referencing his classic cut “Stan” on his tweet. Jotting down “Dear Stan, I meant to write you sooner, but I just been busy” text me, ill hit you back.” Then he put down the digits which he could allegedly be reached at. But of course, that’s not his personal math. The number provided is a product of Community which ...
German Venue Holds First Social Distancing Club Event
A Münster-based venue, Coconut Beach in Germany, has held what is believed to be the first socially-distanced event at a club. Promoter TakaTuka threw the event which hosted just 100 attendees at the open-air club. Patrons were each positioned in personal sections which were each distanced several feet apart. Gerd Janson, who performed at the the socially-distanced event, took solace in the thought that this was a first step towards a return to normal. In a statement provided to Resident Advisor, the DJ commented, “It felt like a reinsurance that it [the event] can go on in some way, shape or form until things can get back to normal.” Coconut Beach normally has a capacity of 2,000, meaning the 100 person cap marks a 95% attendance reduction compared to the club’...
Rosalía Teases Her New Track ‘TKN’ With Travis Scott Is on Its Way
A second Rosalía and Travis Scott collaboration seems to be on its way, according to the Spanish singer-songwriter’s social media post shared Monday (May 25) with the caption “It’s coming TKN.” While not many details about the song have been revealed — such as when it will be released or what it will sound like — in a previous interview with Apple Music, the “Con Altura” singer said that she initially planned to release a “super aggressive” club song with the rapper, but “didn’t feel like it was right to release, and I didn’t feel like it was connected with what was going on in the world at that moment.” “TKN” follows Rosalía’s feature on Scott’s “Highest in the Room̶...
Here’s How to Watch Nicky Jam’s Billboard Live At-Home Performance
With many people continuing to shelter in place during the global coronavirus pandemic, Nicky Jam will provide some entertainment as one of this week’s Billboard Live At-Home guests. The Puerto Rican reggaeton star will go live at 1 p.m. EST from his own home on Thursday (May 28) via Billboard’s Facebook page to connect with fans during these challenging times. Jam is the latest guest to perform aspart of the Billboard Live At-Home series since its launch in late March. Previous Latin performers include Manuel Turizo, Feid, Natanael Cano, and Ximena Sariñana, to name a few. Each performer chooses a nonprofit partner to support with their live stream. Some of the non-profits have included My Friend’s Place, American Red Cross, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Meals on...
How to Cook Pasta, Wash a Dog & More: 8 Things We Learned About Justin & Hailey Bieber From Their Facebook Show
It’s been an eye-opening month for Beliebers who have been watching Justin Bieber and wife Hailey Bieber dive into their love story during their fly-on-the-wall Facebook series The Biebers on Watch. Hunkered down during the COVID-19 lockdown at their Toronto mansion, the couple has gone fishing, applied each other’s skin and makeup regimens, and practiced for a future child by bathing their dog. What did we learn from the series? Here are eight important takeaways: He Didn’t Know How to Cook Pasta The superstar needed a lesson in boiling pasta water in order to make his favorite carb-heavy dish featuring sausage, tomato sauce and a healthy dose of heavy cream. “So the water is getting to a boil. Once that’s, like, fully going — partying — then...
