Pharrell Williams quits Grand Prix gig 15 minutes early due to crowd throwing wristbands

OHMYGOSSIP — Pharrell Williams ended his set at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 15 minutes early due to dangerous crowd activity.
The ‘Happy’ hitmaker tried to inform the 30,000 gig-goers at Saturday’s (09.03.24) concert that throwing their light-up wristbands towards the stage, where he was flanked by dancers, was not safe, but they wouldn’t listen to him – so he walked away.
He told the audience at Saudi Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: “This is the liveliest city right now on the planet but we have also got to be the safest.
“I know you guys are excited and I know you are wanting to throw your wrist gadgets and lights and all that, but you can’t as the girls are dancing. And me? I love women, how about you?
We must protect our women so if you want to throw them lights you have to throw them the other way, not at the stage. Who understands what I’m saying?”
Pharrell later instructed: “Let’s take those stupid wristbands and throw them in the air right now when I count to three. And now we are done.”
However, they didn’t listen, with the star declaring before leaving the stage: “OK, I am going to let you all finish.”
The likes of Harry Styles, Pink and Taylor Swift and Drake have been pelted by items in recent years.
Poor Bebe Rexha was left with a black eye after being hit in the face by a phone which was thrown at her by someone in the crowd at a show in New York.
Pink, meanwhile, had someone throw their mother’s ashes in bag at her during her BST Hyde Park concert in London.
The incidents led to Adele reminding gig-goers of concert “etiquette”.
The award-winning star jokingly dared her fans to throw an object at her during her ‘Weekends with Adele’ Las Vegas residency at Caesar’s Palace Hotel.
She told the crowd: “Have you noticed how people are, like, forgetting show etiquette at the moment, throwing (things) onstage? Have you seen it?
“I dare you, dare you to throw something at me.
“Stop throwing things at the artist!”

Source: IconInsider.com

Noughties pop star Anastacia would ‘consider’ entering Eurovision Song Contest

OHMYGOSSIP — Anastacia would “consider” entering the ‘Eurovision Song Contest’.
The ‘Left Outside Alone’ hitmaker’s latest album, ‘Our Songs’, which is a collection of German hits recorded in English, has just been a hit in the country, and the 55-year-old pop star says she would be tempted to enter the world’s biggest song contest and follow in the footsteps of the likes of ABBA, Celine Dion and the late Olivia Newton-John.
She told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column of the unique record: “The project was not my first choice when presented to me. I was like, ‘Thanks, but no thanks’.
“At the very beginning I was so scared, I thought I’d really made a mistake.
“But sometimes it’s these projects that really challenge you, and now I really love this album.
“In Germany the record has gone gold. I haven’t been gold in years. But I don’t need singles, I’m lucky.
“I have a catalogue that has been gold and platinum throughout its life so I’ve been able to do new songs and enjoy them through different tours but I don’t need it to work and live.”
Asked if she would do ‘Eurovision’, she replied: “I would consider it. I never discount putting out a great song – and I know I can sing.”
Years and Year star Olly Alexander, 33, is representing the UK this year with his song ‘Dizzy’.
The singer and actor penned the track with seminal electronic producer Danny L Harle, and Olly told how the tune, which he will perform at the 68th ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ in Malmo, Sweden, in May, is about “feeling such an intense swell of emotion” for someone special.
He said: “I wrote the song last summer with Danny L Harle, we started off with the word ‘Dizzy’ because it just popped into my head and I liked it.
“I was thinking about fun things that could make you dizzy and I remember saying “dizzy from your kisses” so the song is about feeling such an intense swell of emotion for someone they totally turn your world upside down and inside out.”
Last year, Sweden won again with ‘Tattoo’ by Loreen.

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RAYE reportedly offered ‘big slot’ at Glastonbury

OHMYGOSSIP — RAYE has reportedly been offered “a big slot” at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.
After headline talks with Stevie Wonder, 73, allegedly ended, co-organiser Emily Eavis is said to be keen to get the record-breaking BRIT Award-winning star, 26 – who scooped six prizes at this month’s bash – to play the biggest slot “possible” when the iconic music event returns June 26 to June 30.
A source told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: “Emily is a huge fan of Raye.
“She loves her story of grafting for years and taking on the music industry and record labels and winning.
“It was a no-brainer to have her back at the farm but after her six BRITs last month Emily now wants to give her as big a slot as possible.”
Before ‘Superstition’ hitmaker Stevie – who headlined in 2010 – was rumoured to be in talks, Madonna, 65, Coldplay and Dua Lipa, 28, were the names attached to headlining this year’s festival, but talks with the ‘Material Girl’ hitmaker allegedly broke down after organisers Michael and Emily Eavis refused to pay the huge fee to bring her ‘Celebration’ live show to Glasto.
A source previously told the Mail on Sunday: “To be honest it’s been a real blow not being able to nail down a deal with Madonna.
“Emily was so keen to have her play the legend slot. After she saw Madonna’s tour in London in October she raved about her on Instagram, something she rarely does without Glastonbury in mind.
“But everyone knows that after last year, and the criticism over the gender balance, we’ve got to have big name females heading the line-up. Dua Lipa is a real catch. Now we need another.
“There is still some hope it an be resurrected but it’s pretty unlikely. There are money issues at the root of this, it’s a real shame.”
Coldplay have previously headlined the festival in 2002, 2005, 2011, and 2016, while it would be Dua’s first appearance as a headline act.
Emily previously hinted Madonna could be set to top the bill.
Speaking to Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw on their podcast ‘Sidetracked with Annie and Nick’, she shared: “I thought it was kind of taking shape, and then last week I just got a call, and this is what happens if you wait a little longer, because quite often we’ll be booked up from July. But this year we’re holding out for a little bit longer.
“And then last week I got a call from [a representative of] a really big American artist saying, ‘This person’s around next year’, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is incredible. Thank God we held the slot.'”
The timing of the call coincided with Emily seeing Madonna at The O2 in London, but she insisted people shouldn’t read too much into her posting online about the gig.
She said: “It was incredible. I just was blown away by it to be honest.
“I walked away and I was like, ‘I’ve got to post about this’. I’ve posted about going to lots of gigs before, but I didn’t expect it to be quite such big news.
“Everybody knows that I’ve always wanted Madonna to play Glastonbury.
“It’s not a big news story.”

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Dolly Parton lets slip Beyonce recorded Jolene cover

OHMYGOSSIP — Dolly Parton has revealed Beyoncé has recorded a cover of ‘Jolene’.
The 78-year-old country music icon has let slip that the 42-year-old megastar might be releasing a version of her 1974 classic – if it makes the final cut of her upcoming country LP ‘Renaissance Act II’.
Speaking to Knox News, she said of the rumours that they have recorded a duet for the album: “Well, I think she has! I think she’s recorded ‘Jolene’ and I think it’s probably gonna be on her country album, which I’m very excited about that.
“I love her!
“She’s a beautiful girl and a great singer.”
And it turns out the ‘9 to 5’ hitmaker has wanted the former Destiny’s Child star to cover the song for years.
She said: “We’ve kind of sent messages back and forth through the years. And she and her mother were like fans, and I was always touched that they were fans, and I always thought she was great.”
So far, Beyoncé has released the hit singles, ‘Texas Hold ’Em’ and ’16 Carriages’, from the project.
The ‘Crazy in Love’ hitmaker became the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ after it debuted at No.1 on the US chart, and ’16 Carriages’ has also racked up some impressive streams.
‘Renaissance Act II’ is the second part of her planned ‘Renaissance’ trilogy – following the 2022 dance record ‘Renaissance’ – and will land on March 29.
There has been a big debate surrounding her foray into country, but the Queen of Country herself spoke out to defend the star.
Dolly shared on social media: “I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album.
“So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single. Can’t wait to hear the full album!”

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Andrea and Matteo Bocelli share new version of Time To Say Goodbye after rousing Oscars performance

OHMYGOSSIP — Andrea Bocelli and his son, Matteo, have released a new version of ‘Time To Say Goodbye’ produced and arranged by Hans Zimmer.
In celebration of the the Italian tenor’s 30th anniversary, the father and son duo performed the rousing rendition at the Academy Awards at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre on Sunday (10.03.24), during the In Memoriam segment honouring the likes of late ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry, ‘Harry Potter’ legend Michael Gambon, and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ star Richard Lewis.
Andrea, 65, said: “It is the song of my life, it is the melody that represents me in the eyes of the world: reinventing it, thanks to the collaboration with Hans Zimmer, and singing it together with my son Matteo, represents an exciting challenge. It will be a new debut (and it is part of a larger upcoming project), and I am happy that it will take place on the same Oscar stage that already hosted me in ’99 together with my friend Céline Dion.”
Matteo, 26, commented: “‘Time to Say Goodbye’ is more than a song to me, it’s my family’s national anthem, it’s the soundtrack to hundreds of memories. Singing it with my father in a new orchestration is a great honour, and to sing it on the Oscars stage is simply a dream come true!”
Zimmer, 66, added: “It was an honour and a thrilling challenge to find a new musical perspective on a masterpiece; and to provide a cinematic landscape to two of the greatest voices in the world.”
The remake of the classic is part of an upcoming project for his 30th anniversary.
The Italian version (‘Con te partirò’) and the English duet with Sarah Brightman catapulted the Italian tenor to stardom in the 1990s.
Andrea has previously teamed up with his son on the festive LP ‘A Family Christmas’, and their popular duet ‘Fall On Me’.

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All By Myself singer Eric Carmen dies aged 74

OHMYGOSSIP — Eric Carmen has died aged 74.
The ‘All By Myself’ singer – who first rose to fame as a member of the Raspberries before finding success as a solo artist – died in his sleep over the weekend.
In a statement on her husband’s website, his wife Amy said: “It is with tremendous sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Eric Carmen.
“Our sweet, loving and talented Eric passed away in his sleep, over the weekend.
“It brought him great joy to know, that for decades, his music touched so many and will be
his lasting legacy.
“Please respect the family’s privacy as we
mourn our enormous loss.”
Carmen’s widow concluded her statement with a line from his 1977 song ‘Love Is All That Matters’, which featured on his album ‘Boats Against The Current’.
She added: “Love Is All That Matters… Faithful and Forever.”
Raspberries found success with their debut self titled album back in 1972, with single ‘Go All The Way’ climbing up the charts.
The song was later banned by the BBC over its sexually suggestive lyrics, although it later found renewed popularity on the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ soundtrack.
The band split in 1975, and Carmen embarked on a solo career.
His most memorable hit is ‘All By Myself’, which Celine Dion later covered with huge success, while the song also featured in the opening scene of 2001 romantic comedy classic ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’.
He also had hits with the likes of ‘Almost Paradise’, which was on the ‘Footloose’ soundtrack, and ‘Hungry Eyes’ from 1987’s ‘Dirty Dancing’.
Leading tributes to Carmen on X (formerly Twitter), KISS legend Paul Stanley wrote: “Awful News. Eric Carmen has died. Although known to many for writing radio hits like ‘All By Myself’ and others, Eric was a true rocker at heart.
“His voice had elements of McCartney and Steve Marriott. The Raspberries did shows with us. A killer band live and I loved their records.”

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Sting forms trio for Sting 3.0 Tour of North America

OHMYGOSSIP — Sting has formed a trio for his upcoming ‘Sting 3.0’ tour of North America.
The former Police frontman will hit the road for an intimate run with drummer Chris Maas, who was the touring drummer for Mumford and Sons, and his longtime collaborator and touring guitarist Dominic Miller.
The run, which kicks off with two consecutive nights at The Fillmore in Detroit, Michigan, on September 17, will see the trio perform Sting’s biggest hits and play multiple nights at some venues.
Members of Sting’s Fan Club will have the opportunity to access a special pre-sale by visiting sting.com, starting Monday, March 11. Additional presales including Citi and American Express will run throughout the week. The general on sale will begin Friday, March 15 at 10am local time on sting.com.
Meanwhile, Billy Joel recently revealed that his dream supergroup would include Sting, Don Henley, and “maybe” John Mayer.
The ‘Piano Man’ named the ‘Shape of My Heart’ hitmaker, the Eagles rocker, and the ‘Half of My Heart’ star as the musicians he’d recruit to form the ultimate all-star ensemble.
Howard Stern asked him: “Wouldn’t it have been great if George Harrison and Tom Petty had asked you to be in The Travelling Wilburys?”
The Travelling Wilburys, the legendary roots rock supergroup, comprised Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, and the late George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty.
However, Joel suggested: “Me, Don Henley and Sting. And maybe John Mayer on guitar.”
Asked why he never got around to forming the group, he replied: “Well, everybody’s busy.”
Stern then said Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney would make a good member.
However, Joel insisted: “He was in the super-est group of all-time. I don’t have the nerve to do that.”
But he did say his bandmate, Sir Ringo Starr, would be cool as the drummer.
Sting has been opening for the ‘Uptown Girl’ hitmaker at select shows of his North American tour.

The ‘Sting 3.0’ tour dates are:
Tue. Sept. 17 Detroit, MI Fillmore Detroit
Wed. Sept. 18 Detroit, MI Fillmore Detroit
Fri. Sept. 20 Toronto, ON Massey Hall
Sat. Sept. 21 Toronto, ON Massey Hall
Mon. Sept. 30 Philadelphia, PA The Met
Tue. Oct. 01 Philadelphia, PA The Met
Fri. Oct. 04 Boston, MA MGM Music Hall @ Fenway Park
Mon. Oct. 07 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount
Wed. Oct. 09 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount
Thu. Oct. 10 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount
Sat. Oct. 12 Port Chester, NY The Capitol Theatre
Tue. Oct. 15 Washington, DC MGM National Harbor
Sun. Oct. 20 Miami, FL Fillmore Miami Beach
Tue. Oct. 22 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (CEPAC)
Mon. Oct. 28 Chicago, IL Auditorium Theatre
Tue. Oct. 29 Chicago, IL Auditorium Theatre
Wed. Nov. 06 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
Thu. Nov. 07 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
Tue. Nov. 12 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
Wed. Nov. 13 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern

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Taylor Swift to preview four acoustic songs this week

OHMYGOSSIP — Taylor Swift is previewing her four acoustic songs featured on the Disney+ version of her ‘Eras Tour’ documentary this week.
‘Taylor Swift The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)’ will arrive on the streaming platform on March 15, and in the run up to its release, ‘Good Morning America’ will share previews of the tracks as part of ‘Taylor Week’.
Taylor shared in a clip posted on the ABC show’s social media pages: “Tune in every day this week to get an exclusive look into the acoustic songs from the Eras Tour, my version.”
The concert film about her record-breaking sold-out world tour – which grossed $260 million worldwide at the box office – includes ‘cardigan’ and the four acoustic songs.
Disney CEO Bob Iger said: “‘The Eras Tour’ has been a true phenomenon that has and continues to thrill fans around the world, and we are very excited to bring this electrifying concert to audiences wherever they are, exclusively on Disney+.”
The new material comes after Taylor recently hit back at those who criticise her for releasing “so many albums”.
The 34-year-old pop megastar announced her 11th studio album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’, whilst accepting the Album of the Year prize for ‘Midnights’ at the Grammy Awards last month, and she told those people to “leave me alone” and let her do what she “loves”.
Speaking to her fans at one of her Tokyo Dome shows in Japan, she said: “I’ve been working on it for about two years.
“I kept working on it throughout the US tour and when it was perfect – in my opinion when it’s good enough for you – I finished it and I am so, so excited that soon you’ll get to hear it. Soon we’ll get to experience that together.
She added: “I’m over the moon about the fact that you guys’ care about my music, it still blows my mind. Everyone’s like, ‘Why do you make so many albums?’ I’m like, ‘Man, because I love it. I love it so much.’ I’m having fun, leave me alone.”
The ‘Anti-Hero’ hitmaker shared the 17-song track-list for the upcoming record with an image of herself alongside writing that said: “I love you, it’s ruining my life.
“From the desk of Taylor Swift.”
The album, which drops on April 19, features two collaborations with Post Malone and Florence and the Machine.

Source: IconInsider.com

This Rihanna tune was penned in just 10 minutes…

OHMYGOSSIP — Rihanna’s ‘California King Bed’ was penned in just 10 minutes.
Co-writer Muni Long (Priscilla Renea Hamilton) has revealed the tune from the Barbadian superstar’s fifth studio album, 2010’s ‘Loud’, which was written and produced by Andrew Harr and Jermaine Jackson, of the American production duo the Runners, along with herself, Alex Delicata and Rihanna, came together quickly in between the former’s online furniture shopping spree.
The ‘Hrs and Hrs’ hitmaker told Complex: “They had the chords and everything. I listened, I went back into the room, and they gave me the file.
“At the time I was planning to move to L.A. I was actually online looking for furniture when Maine comes in the room, and he’s like, ‘What you got?’ I didn’t have anything, because I had been messing around, and I looked at my computer.”
She continued: “I said, ‘California King Bed,’ and he said, ‘OK,’ and then he left. So I was like, ‘Oh, now I gotta write that.’
“I wrote the song in like 10 minutes. I was like, ‘Turn it up, let me get this done real quick,’ so I could go back to looking for my furniture.
The song was originally intended for Kelly Clarkson.
She added: “I was super excited.
“She was on tour at the time, but she cut the song, and the rest is history. You wouldn’t think that she would do something like that.”
Muni continued working with Rihanna.
She added: “After that, I did work with her in the studio many times, but that was my first entry point into my journey with Rihanna.”
The ‘Kiss It Better’ singer has been keeping fans waiting for her long-awaited ninth studio album, a follow-up to 2016’s ‘Anti’.

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She’s the One hitmaker Karl Wallinger dead at 66

OHMYGOSSIP — The Waterboys and World Party star Karl Wallinger has died aged 66.
The Welsh musician – who was born Karl Edmond De Vere Wallinger – passed away on Sunday (10.03.24), according to a statement from his team.
No cause of death was given.
In 2001, he suffered a brain aneurysm, which put his career on hold, however, he later returned to leading pop project World Party and continued to tour until 2015.
World Party’s 1997 classic ‘She’s the One’, which was later covered by Robbie Williams in 1999 and reached number one in the UK Singles Chart, won an Ivor Novello Award.
As well as fronting World Party, Wallinger is best known for his mid-1980s tenure with British-Irish folk rock band The Waterboys, whose biggest hit was ‘The Whole of the Moon’.
He joined the group 1983 and left after two years, but during the brief stint, he made vital contributions to ‘A Pagan Place’ and ‘This Is the Sea’, with his keyboards and synths evolving their sound.
Wallinger also famously worked on Sinead O’Connor’s 1987 debut album, ‘The Lion and the Cobra’, and the late ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ hitmaker returned the favour by providing the backing vocals on his first two World Party albums.
Tributes have flooded in for the songwriter and record producer.
Curt Smith from Tears For Fears wrote on X: “Very sad news, I was a big fan of Karl’s.”
Singer Chesney Hawkes wrote: “We lost one of the all time greats today. Karl Wallinger was a beautiful soul and a genius songwriter. Rest in peace old friend, I hope you find the rainbow…Now stop what you’re doing and go listen to #Worldparty.”
Wallinger leaves behind his wife Suzie Zamit, son Louis, daughter Nancy and two grandchildren.
His family have encouraged fans to share their messages and memories of the musician on social media.

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Nile Rodgers to receive 2024 Polar Music Prize

OHMYGOSSIP — Nile Rodgers and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen have been chosen as the recipients of the 2024 Polar Music Prize.
The Chic legend and the renowned Finnish conductor will receive Prize money of one million Swedish Kroner (around £75,000 and $94,000) when they are made laureates at a ceremony on May 21 in Stockholm, Sweden at the Grand Hotel.
Nile – whose producing and writer credits include hits for David Bowie, Madonna, Sister Sledge, and Duran Duran to Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, and more recently, Beyonce – said: “This is a tremendous honour for me, I’ve had a love affair with the people of Sweden for as long as I can remember and your early acknowledgement of the art of people of colour from Eric Dolphy to Jimi Hendrix is very important to me. It’s particularly meaningful as so many of my favourite songwriters from Bjorn and Benny, Max Martin and my dear friend the late Tim “Avicii” Bergling have changed music all over the world. I’m so looking forward to coming to Stockholm to receive this amazing award.”
Esa-Pekka Salonen is director of the San Francisco Symphony and conductor laureate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philharmonic Orchestra in London and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Marie Ledin, managing director of the Polar Music Prize, commented: “In Nile Rodgers, we honour a ground-breaking pioneer whose legacy spans his work as co-founder of CHIC and as record producer and creator behind so much of the world’s greatest music. Nile’s impact in pop culture is incomparable and his timeless songs will continue to delight, uplift and inspire for many years to come.
“Esa-Pekka Salonen is an innovator. His artistic curiosity, creativity and forward-thinking approach to composing and conducting paves the way in classical music. He is a master of tone, perfectly balancing sound and emotion to produce and lead music that deeply moves the listener.
“We are delighted to welcome both Nile Rodgers and Esa-Pekka Salonen as the 2024 Polar Music Prize Laureates. They are truly two icons of contemporary and classical music.”
Previous recipients of the Polar Music Prize include, Sir Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Sting and Joni Mitchell, and Iggy Pop.
The Swedish award – which is known as the Nobel Prize of Music – was founded in 1989 by Stig Anderson, best known as the manager of Swedish pop icons ABBA.
Beatles legend McCartney received the first award in 1992.
The prize is given to a contemporary musician and one classical musician.

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Jason Derulo wants ‘legendary status’ after Las Vegas shows

OHMYGOSSIP — Jason Derulo hopes to gain “legendary status” with his Las Vegas residency.
The ‘Talk Dirty’ hitmaker will play 10 dates at The Venetian hotel in Sin City from 17 May and he’s promised the shows will be “theatrical and very personal”, with a team of dancers and “the best band” behind him.
He told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: “In America this is where you get legendary status. It is the most beautiful venue. I shot the ‘Spicy Margarita’ video there.
“I’m so looking forward to it. I’m a musical theatre kid so it’ll be theatrical and very personal.
“I have the best band and the best dancers on the planet.
“They’ll be there with me.”
The 34-year-old singer has turned his fortunes around in recent years after leaving his record label Warner in early 2020 because he felt overlooked, but it wasn’t plain sailing as the offers he expected to come flooding in initially failed to materialise.
He said: “It was a tough situation.
“Every year there were brand new staff and they go about ­finding new artists and I’m there going, ‘Hi, it’s me’. Like, I’m ­keeping the lights on here.
“I got out of that deal and I thought I’d have my pick of what label they wanted me to go to.
But all I could hear were crickets. I couldn’t believe it.
“I sold 250million records, I was like, ‘What is going on right now?’
“Then yeah, everything happens for a reason.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jason’s song ‘Savage Love’ went viral and it hit number one when he released it as an independent artist, prompting record labels to reach out and he signed with Atlantic Records the following year.
He released his album, ‘Nu King’, last month and he explained the epic 27-song tracklisting is an indicator of his strong work ethic.
He said: “The 27 songs is a big cut from what it was before, but ‘Nu King’ has songs like ‘Swalla’ and ‘Take You Dancing’, which didn’t have a home.
“I was born with a crazy work ethic.
“Like when I was trying to play basketball and I didn’t make my team.
“I put all the work into that and never left home without a basketball.
“I went on to become one of their star players and we were the 14th team in the country. It’s all about the work ethic.”

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The Libertines: ‘We’re not doing this for the money!’

OHMYGOSSIP — The Libertines haven’t reunited “for the money”.
The rock band – which consists of Pete Doherty, Carl Barât, John Hassall and Gary Powell – were initially active from 1997 until 2004 and again from 2014 but have insisted that their latest single ‘Oh S***’ is not about financial gain and more about “believing” in themselves.
Pete told the Daily Star’s Wired column: “Now we all have families and the group is scattered between three different damn countries. If we didn’t believe in our songs, we couldn’t do it. We’re not doing this for the money. If we didn’t believe in ourselves and our songs, all of this wouldn’t be viable.”
The ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ hitmakers will be back on the road this year with the ‘Albionay Tour’ in support of their new studio album ‘All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade’ – which is due for release on 5 April – and Carl insisted that their latest batch of singles “deserve” to played live.
He said: “These songs deserve to be toured.”
Pete agreed: “Yeah. The songs are the centre of everything.”
The co-frontman added that when he gets together with the band and they find the right song, things are “perfect” between them and he can “relax” as he admitted he is at the core of their material.
He said: “But when I’m with the guys and we’re together and the songs come to us and they’re perfect, I’m able to live in the moment and relax. Ultimately, it’s me who’s in these songs. The darkest things we could say or do end up in the songs anyway. Which, when you think about it, may have been a deliberate coping tactic.”

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Morgan Wallen final headliner set for BST Hyde Park 2024

OHMYGOSSIP — Morgan Wallen is the final headliner for American Express presents BST Hyde Park.
The chart-topping country star is returning to the British capital to top the bill on Thursday 4 July, with further acts for his date still set to be announced.
Morgan, 30, said: “Last fall was my first time in the UK and man, I loved it. I saw so much while I was there, and the people were incredible. To play where legendary artists like Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones have played is a huge honour for me and my band, and we can’t wait to be back.”
The multi-award-winning star – who starred on ‘The Voice (America)’ in 2014, before having mainstream success – has a slew of hits to his name, including ‘7 Summers’, ‘Last Night’, ‘Thinkin’ Bout Me’, ‘Sand In My Boots’, and ‘Thought You Should Know’.
Tickets go on sale Wednesday 13 March, 10am GMT available at www.bst-hydepark.com.
Those wanting to attend SZA’s BST show can bag tickets when they go on sale today (08.03.24) at 10am.
The ‘Kill Bill’ hitmaker will top the bill at the summer concert series on Saturday, June 29.
Among the special guests joining the Grammy winner are Sampha and Snoh Aalegra, with the full line-up to be confirmed in due course.
Meanwhile, Stevie Nicks was also confirmed to headline BST on July 12.
The Fleetwood Mac legend said: “Anything that draws me back to London – and therefore to England – fills my heart with joy.
“And to be able to visit and make music… is always a dream come true…”
Kings Of Leon, Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Shania Twain, Kylie Minogue, and Stray Kids are also set to headline their own dates.

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Gossip star Beth Ditto’s goal was simply not to work in fast food, not fame

OHMYGOSSIP — Beth Ditto “never wanted to be famous”.
The Gossip bandleader has admitted her only aim in life was to not work at a fast-food joint.
And when the ‘Standing In The Way Of Control’ hitmakers were catapulted into the spotlight, she struggled with the pressures of the music industry, including the exhausting touring cycle and having to make music that wasn’t authentic to her just to be popular.
In an interview with the BBC, she said: “I didn’t have a goal to sell a tonne of records.
“We never wanted to be famous. The only goal was to not work a fast-food job.”
The intensity led to relationships breaking down and they had to take a break.
She said: “Eventually, you just need a break, but in the music industry you’re not allowed to have that.
“So you end up making things you don’t like. You become a product.”
Gossip’s last record was 2012’s ‘A Joyful Noise’, and after the band split in 2016, Nathan moved back to his and Beth’s hometown in Arkansas.
During that time, he became a born-again Christian, Beth divorced her childhood friend and wife of five years Kristin Ogata and her dad died.
In 2019, the band reunited for a 10th anniversary tour of their Rick Rubin-produced record ‘Music For Men’, and Beth started to make a solo record in the producer’s home studio in Kauai.
The 43-year-old singer and her bandmates Nathan Howdeshell and Hannah Billie have gone 12 years without releasing a record, but are back with a new album, ‘Real Power’, out on March 22.

Source: IconInsider.com

Girls Aloud share three previously unreleased songs featuring unheard Sarah Harding vocals

OHMYGOSSIP — Girls Aloud have shared three previously unreleased songs featuring the late Sarah Harding.
To mark its 20th anniversary this year, the ‘Love Machine’ hitmakers have reissued their acclaimed 2004 album ‘What Will The Neighbours Say?’.
And they’ve included the unheard tracks ‘Disco Bunny’, Baby ‘When You Go’ and their cover of Chris Isaak’s 1991 classic ‘Wicked Game’.
The latter was set to be released as a single in 2005, but ‘Long Hot Summer’ took its place.
Original producer Xenomania’s Brian Higgins also contributed some new production work.
Their second album featured hit singles like ‘Jump’, ‘Love Machine’ and ‘I’ll Stand By You’.
Also included are B-sides like ‘History’ and ‘Androgynous Girls’, as well as rare TV performance edits of the band’s big hits, a “sparking selection” of remixes, and their covers from the era including Blondie’s ‘Hanging On The Telephone’ and Chaka Khan classic ‘I’m Every Woman’.
The band – made up of Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle, and Nicola Roberts – will also be heading on the road in May and June this year to celebrate their anniversary.
Cheryl revealed the group had been discussing reunion plans but put the idea on ice when Sarah Harding – who died in September 2021 – was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The group plan to use the tour to “celebrate” their late friend.
Cheryl added: “But now, I think there is an energy that does makes it feel right. It’s the right time to celebrate Sarah, it’s the right time to celebrate the band and the right time to celebrate the fact we can still do this 21 years later. That’s a big honour in lots of ways.”
Meanwhile, the girls have just been confirmed as headliners for Brighton and Hove Pride.
The FABULOSO two-day community fundraiser event at Preston Park, Brighton, East Sussex, takes place on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August, with the ‘Sound of the Underground’ hitmakers topping the bill on the first day and the ‘Grace Kelly’ hitmaker the second.

Source: IconInsider.com