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20 Aug 2023

Fans Choose Anitta’s ‘Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music

Anitta‘s Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story tops this week’s new music poll.

Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Aug. 18) on Billboard, choosing the carioca funk trilogy as their favorite new music release of the past week.

Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story brought in more than half of the vote, coming in at 53%. It beat out new music from Hozier, Addison Rae, Quavo and more.

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On the three-track collection, released by Republic Records/Universal Music Latin Entertainment, the Brazilian superstar goes back to her foundations with “Funk Rave,” plus two fresh new songs, “Casi Casi” and “Used to Be.” It Anitta’s first project to be released by Republic since signing with the label in April.

Trailing behind Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story on the poll is Hozier’s Unreal Unearth and Addison Rae’s AR EP, both with 10% of the vote.

See the final results of this week’s poll below.

20 Aug 2023

Concerts and Events Canceled Due to Tropical Storm Hilary

Concerts and other events in Southern California have been canceled due to Tropical Storm Hilary, which weakened from a hurricane before it made landfall Sunday (Aug. 20).

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Below, find all the concerts that have been canceled or rescheduled due to the impact of Hilary. The list will be updated with any additional announcements of cancelations and postponements.

My Morning Jacket and Fleet Foxes

My Morning Jacket and Fleet Foxes’ Aug. 20 concert “has been postponed due to the weather emergency caused by Hurricane Hilary,” the Hollywood Bowl announced. The show has been rescheduled for Aug. 28. “Your tickets — including parking, shuttle, and park and ride tickets — are valid for the new date with no action needed on your part. For other ticket options, including exchange, account credit, donation, or refund, please contact Audience Services at information@laphil.org. Please stay safe and take all necessary precautions,” the update said.

Michael Franti and Spearhead

Michael Franti and Spearhead’s Sunday concert at the Greek Theatre has been postponed until Sept. 15 “due to the weather emergency,” the venue said. Previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date.

Chicago

Chicago’s Sunday concert at Costa Mesa’s Pacific Amphitheatre has been rescheduled for Sept. 5. Original tickets will be honored on the new date, or refunds will be available via point of purchase.

Interstellar Music Festival

The Interstellar music festival canceled shows scheduled for this weekend at the Los Angeles Waterfront in San Pedro. “We are deeply sorry to share that the cosmic forces haven’t aligned in our favor for Interstellar this weekend,” festival organizers wrote in an update on the fest’s website. “In light of the approaching Hurricane Hilary, local authorities have made the tough call that the weather conditions pose a significant risk to our festival grounds.”

Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Sunday Sessions

The music event, scheduled for Sunday, was canceled “due to the predicted high winds and heavy rain stemming from Hurricane Hilary,” an update read. “While we’ll miss gathering with you all, we’re excited to announce that we’re working on something special to keep our community spirit alive!” Virtual offerings from Rich Medina, DJ Roxcizzle, Lacey IQ and Utopia will stream at twitch.tv/grandpark_la from 3-8 p.m. local time.

Young the Giant

San Diego State University postponed Sunday’s concert, which has been rescheduled for Sept. 5 at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU. Tickets are valid for the new date, or refunds will be issued.

KCRW’s Summer Nights

KCRW’s Summer Nights concert on Sunday, set to take place at the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, was postponed. The show will now be on Sept. 10.

Judy Collins and Sophie B. Hawkins

Judy Collins and Sophie B. Hawkins were scheduled to perform Sunday at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai. The concert will still go on, but it has been relocated to the indoor Oxnard Performing Arts Center in Oxnard.

Additional Events Affected by Hilary

The Hollywood Reporter reports other events in the Los Angeles area were also canceled, including Sunday’s Dodgers game against the Miami Marlins (which was pushed to Saturday afternoon) and the L.A. Galaxy’s match against Real Salt Lake (rescheduled for Oct. 14).

The HollyShorts Film Festival, which has been going on since Aug. 10, called off its finale for Sunday. A rep for the festival said a paired-down version of the awards was instead set for midnight Saturday, according to THR.

Disneyland Resort’s theme parks will close early on Sunday due to the storm, with a 9 p.m. PT closing scheduled for Disney California Adventure Park and a 10 p.m. PT closing for Disneyland Park.

20 Aug 2023

Kelly Clarkson Duets With Daughter, Dances With Son at Las Vegas Residency Show

Kelly Clarkson was joined by two very special guests during her Las Vegas residency show over the weekend.

The 41-year-old pop star and television personality welcomed her son, Remington Alexander, 7, and daughter River Rose, 9, to the stage at Planet Hollywood’s Bakkt Theater on Friday night (Aug. 18).

During the Chemistry show, Clarkson performed a duet of 2015’s “Heartbeat Song” with River Rose and cut a rug alongside Remy as she belted out 2017’s “Whole Lotta Woman.” Watch the heart-warming cameos in fan-captured videos here and here.

Leading up to Friday’s concert, the American Idol alum shared an adorable of her smiling children on social media.

“Both of my kiddos backstage getting ready to join me on stage in Vegas nothing will ever be as cool and amazing as these two little humans that will always have my whole heart,” Clarkson captioned the sweet snapshot on Instagram.

Before their big onstage entrance, The Kelly Clarkson Show host told the crowd that her children asked if they could “dance or sing something” with their mother at her residency show, which launched on July 28. She then revealed that River Rose wanted to sing “Heartbeat Song” — which peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2015 — because it held a special place in her heart.

“She’s been jamming to this song since she was a baby,” Clarkson said. “She loves this song so much, so she was like, ‘Can I sing this song?’” After the lively duet, the proud mother excitedly congratulated her daughter. “You look gorgeous! You did amazing. I love you,” she said.

Earlier in the week, Clarkson announced a deluxe version of her 10th studio album, Chemistry, which is scheduled for release on Sept. 22 through Atlantic. The 22-song set will feature eight new songs and remixes, including the ballad “You Don’t Make Me Cry” featuring River Rose. Chemistry peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in July.

Clarkson shares Remy and River Rose with her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, a music manager, whom she divorced in 2020. The couple was married for about seven years and had also been raising Blackstock’s two children from a previous marriage, daughter Savannah, and son Seth.

See Clarkson’s post on Instagram below.

20 Aug 2023

Burna Boy Leads in 2023 Headies Awards Nominations: Full List (Exclusive)

Burna Boy is the top nominee for the 2023 Headies Awards, which celebrates Pan-African and Afrobeats talent. Burna Boy received 10 nominations, including African artiste of the year, best Afrobeats album, best male artiste and song of the year. 

Asake received eight nods. Rema, who collaborated on the global smash “Calm Down” with Selena Gomez, receive five nods, as did Omah Lay, Victony, Simi, Kizz Daniel and Pheelz each received five nods. Oxlade tallied four nods, while Ruger had three.

Drake, Future, Gomez, Don Toliver and Ed Sheeran are vying for international artist of the year at the show, which will be held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta on Sept. 3. The show will be streamed live on YouTube (U.S.) and HipTV (Africa) Network.

Sean “Love” Combs is slated to receive an International Artiste Recognition award. Youssou N’dour will receive a Hall of Fame award.

Bayanni, Khaid, Guchi, Bloody Civilian, Odumodublvck and Eltee Skhillz are competing for rookie of the year. The winner will receive not only glory, but also also a solar-powered, two-bedroom, fully furnished house.

This is the 16th edition of the Headies Awards. In the past year, three major, all-genre music awards shows have introduced Afrobeats or African music categories. The American Music Awards were the first major music awards show to add such a category. They added favorite Afrobeats artist at the show that aired Nov. 20, 2022. Wizkid was the inaugural winner, beating Burna Boy, CKay, Fireboy DML and Tems.

The MTV Video Music Awards added a new category this year — best Afrobeats. The front-runner is Rema & Gomez’s “Calm Down,” which is nominated in two other categories, best song and best collaboration.

The Grammys added a similar category, best African music performance, this year (for the awards that will be presented on Feb. 4, 2024). Grammy nominations will be announced on Nov. 10.

The Headies Awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, were established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.

This will mark the show’s second year at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. It was held in Lagos or Nigeria every year from 2006 to 2021 (except 2017 and 2020, when there was no ceremony).

“We are so excited that The Headies will return to American soil once again,” Ayo Animashaun, CEO and founder of the Headies Awards, said in a statement. “We know that Afrobeats connects people all around the globe, and this year’s event exemplifies and celebrates the power of our culture. The Headies will be an evening not only of dynamic talent, but also memorable moments that will resonate with audiences worldwide.”

The eligibility period is January 2022 to March 2023.

For more details on the 16th Annual Headies Awards, visit theheadies.com.

Here is the full list of nominations for the 2023 Headies Awards.

International Artiste Recognition

Sean “Love” Combs

­Hall of Fame

Youssou N’dour

Special Recognition

Sound Sultan

International Artist of the Year

Drake

Future

Selena Gomez

Don Toliver

Ed Sheeran

Album of the Year

Love, Damini – Burna Boy

Mr Money With the Vibe – Asake

Rave And Roses – Rema

Boy Alone – Omah Lay

Outlaw – Victony

Timeless – Davido

Song of the Year

“Calm Down” – Rema

“Last Last” – Burna Boy

“Ku Lo Sa” – Oxlade

“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno

“Finesse” – Pheelz Ft. Bnxn

“Sungba Remix” – Asake Ft. Burna Boy

Best Female Artiste

Tems

Simi

Ayra Starr

Tiwa Savage

Best Male Artiste

Asake

Rema

Kizz Daniel

Ruger

Omah Lay

Burna Boy

Rookie of the Year

Bayanni

Khaid

Guchi

Bloody Civilian

Odumodublvck

Eltee Skhillz

Best Recording of the Year

“Alone” – Burna Boy

“Soweto” – Victony & Tempoe

“I’m A Mess” – Omah Lay

“Ku Lo Sa” – Oxlade

“Stand Strong” – Davido Ft. Sunday Service Choir

“No Woman, No Cry” – Tems

Producer of the Year

Magicsticks – “Sungba Remix” (Asake)

P.Prime, Tmxo & Pheelz – “Electricty” (Pheelz Ft Davido)

Andre Vibez & London – “Calm Down” (Rema)

Tempoe – “Soweto” (Victony & Tempoe)

Kel-P – “Kpe Paso” (Wande Coal & Olamide)

Rexxie – “Abracadabra” (Rexxie, Naira Marley, Skiibii & Wizkid)

Songwriter of the Year

Simi Kosoko, Godsfavour Chidozie, Kosoko Adekunle, Marcel Akunwata – “Loyal” (Simi)

Stanley Didia, Adebajo Adebanjo – “I’m A Mess” (Omah Lay)

Tems, Ludwig Goransson, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Ryan Coogler – “Lift Me Up” (Rihanna)

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Austin Jnr Iornongu Iwar, Peace Oredope, Ludwig Goransson – “Alone” (Burna Boy)

Daniel Benson “In My Mind” (Bnxn)

Fuayefika Maxwell – Earth Song (Wizard Chan)

Best R&B Single

“For My Hand” – Burna Boy Ft. Ed Sheeran

“Mmadu” – Ckay

“Just 4 U” – Dami Oniru

“Red Wine” – Preye

“Hard To Find” – Chike – Ft. Flavour

“Loyal” – Simi Ft. Fave

Best Rap Single

“Hustle” – Reminisce

“Big Energy” – Ladipoe

“Back In Uni” – Blaqbonez

“Bando Diaries” – Psychoyp

“Declan Rice” – Odumodublvck

“My Bro” – Jeriq Ft. Phyno

Best Alternative Song

“Earth Song” – Wizard Chan

“Final Champion” – Cruel Santino

“The Traveller” – Basketmouth Ft The Cavemen

“In A Loop” – Boj Ft Moliy & Mellissa

“Game Changer” (Dike) – Flavour

“Tinko Tinko” – Obongjayar

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

Niniola – “Memories”

Simi –  “Loyal”

Waje – “In Between“

Liya – “Adua Remix”

Preye – “Red Wine”

Dami Oniru – “Just 4 U”

Best Vocal Performance (Male)

Oxlade – “Ku Lo Sa”

Ric Hassani – “My Only Baby”

Magixx – “Love Don’t Cost A Dime”

Chike – “Spell Remix”

Praiz – “Reckless”

Wande Coal – “Kpe Paso”

Best Music Video

Blaqbonez & Perliks – “Back In Uni” (Blaqbonez)

Tg Omori – “Pbuy” (Asake)

Director Pink– “Spell Remix” (Chike & Oxlade)

Tg Omori – “Bandana” (Fireboy & Asake)

Director K – “Common Person” (Burna Boy)

Director K – “Calm Down” (Rema)

Best Collaboration

Asake Ft. Burna Boy – “Sungba Remix”

Bnxn Ft. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – “Gwagwalada”

Pheelz Ft. Bnxn – “Finesse”

Spyro Ft. Tiwa Savage – “Who’s Your Guy Remix”

Pheelz Ft. Davido – “Electricity”

Wande Coal Ft. Olamide – “Kpe Paso”

Best Street-Hop Artiste

Rexxie Ft. Naira Marley & Skiibii – “Abracadabra”

Seyi Vibez – “Chance (Na Ham)”

Asake – “Joha”

Zlatan Ft. Young Jonn – “Astalavista”

Poco Lee & Hotkid – “Otilo”

Mohbad – “Peace”

Afrobeats Single of the Year

“Last Last” – Burna Boy

“Rush” – Ayra Starr

“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno

“Finesse” – Pheelz Ft Bnxn

“Who’s Your Guy?” – Spyro

“Asiwaju” – Ruger

Headies’ Viewers’ Choice

Ruger – “Asiwaju”

Victony & Tempoe – “Soweto”

Fireboy Dml & Asake – “Bandana”

Ayra Star – “Rush”

Asake – “Terminator”

Mavins – “Overloading (Overdose)”

Crayon – “Ijo (Laba Laba)”

Oxlade – “Ku Lo Sa”

Kizz Daniel & Tekno – “Buga”

Pheelz & Davido – “Electricity”

Best West African Artiste of the Year

­Gyakie (Ghana)

Black Sherif (Ghana)

The Therapist (Liberia)

Camidoh (Ghana)

Best East African Artiste of the Year

Zuchu

Diamond Platinumz

Rayvanny

Eddy Kenzo

Hewan Gebreworld

Best North African Artiste of the Year

Marwa Loud – Morocco

Wegz – Egypt

El Grande Toto – Morocco

Soolking – Algeria

Best Southern African Artiste of the Year

Aka (South Africa)

Nasty C – South Africa

Costa Titch – South Africa

Uncle Waffles – South Africa

Focalistic – South Africa

Dj Tarico – Mozambique

Best Central African Artiste of the Year

Fally Ipupa – Democratic Republic of Congo

Gaz Mawete – Democratic Republic of Congo

Matias Damasio – Angola

Emma’a – Gabon

Libianca – Cameroon

Best R&B Album

Home – Johnny Drille

The Brother’s Keeper – Chike

Reckless – Praiz

Waje 2.0 – Waje

Matter of Time – Dami Oniru

To Be Honest (Tbh) – Simi

Best Alternative Album

Horoscopes – Basketmouth

Gbagada Express – Boj

Some Nights I Dream of Doors – Obongjayar

Subaru Boys: Final Heaven – Cruel Santino

Heart of the Heavenly Undeniable – Somadina

Native World – Native Sound System

Best Rap Album

Fly Talk Only – Payper Corleone

Palmwine Music Vol 3 – Show Dem Camp

Young Preacher – Blaqbonez

Ypszn3 – Psychoyp

Teslim: The Energy Still Lives in Me – Vector

Billion Dollar Dream – Jeriq

Next Rated

Young Jonn

Seyi Vibez

Asake

Victony

Spyro

African Artiste of the Year

Rema (Nigeria)

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Marwa Loud (Morocco)

Black Sherif (Ghana)

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Lyricist on the Roll

Ladipoe – “Clowns”

Vector – “Clowns”

Payper Corleone – “Fly Talk Only”

Alpha Ojini – “Vigilante Bop”

A-Q – “Family First”

Tec (Sdc) – “Live Life”

Best Inspirational Single

“Stand Strong” – Davido Ft Sunday Service Choir

“Jireh (My Provider)” – Limoblaze, Lecrae & Happi Music

“This Year” – Victor Thompson & Ehis ‘D’ Greatest

“Eze Ebube” – Neon Adejo

“Tobechukwu” – Nathaniel Bassey And Mercy Chinwo

“I Get Backing” – Victoria Orenze

Digital Artiste of the Year

Burna Boy

Ayra Starr

Rema

Omah Lay

Kizz Daniel

Asake

20 Aug 2023

Travis Scott’s ‘Utopia’ Notches Third Straight Week Atop Billboard 200

Travis Scott’s Utopia scores a third total and consecutive week atop the Billboard 200 albums chart (dated Aug. 26), as the album earned 185,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Aug. 18 (up 26%), according to Luminate. With three total weeks at No. 1 (the set debuted atop the tally), Utopia has the most weeks at No. 1 for a rap album in nearly two years, since Drake’s Certified Lover Boy spent five nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 (Sept. 18-Nov. 6, 2021, charts). Plus, Scott ties his longest Billboard 200 reign, among his three No. 1s; Astroworld led for three weeks in 2018.  

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Also in the top 10 of the Billboard 200, Karol G logs her second top five-charting set of 2023 (and of her career), as Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season) launches at No. 3. The new effort follows the similarly titled Mañana Será Bonito, which debuted at No. 1 on the March 11-dated list. (Though they have nearly the same title, the albums’ tracklists are different.)

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. The new Aug. 26, 2023-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on Aug. 22. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

Of Utopia’s 185,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Aug. 17, album sales comprise 99,000 (up 169%), SEA units comprise 86,000 (down 22%, equaling 124.13 million on-demand official streams of the streaming set’s 19 songs) and TEA units comprise a negligible sum (down 38%).

Utopia’s album sales grew in the set’s third week thanks in part to a promotional offer in Scott’s official webstore, which discounted the Utopia vinyl LP from $50 to only $5 for a limited time. Of Utopia’s 99,000 sales for the week, vinyl accounted for 93,000. That sum marks Utopia’s best week on vinyl yet, the seventh-largest sales week on vinyl for any album since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991, and the biggest week for an R&B/hip-hop or rap album on vinyl in that same period.

Morgan Wallen’s chart-topping One Thing at a Time is a non-mover at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, with 94,000 equivalent album units earned (up 2%).

Karol G collects her second top five-charting album of 2023, as Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season) debuts at No. 3 with 67,000 equivalent album units earned. Of that sum, SEA units comprise 49,000 (equaling 68.26 million on-demand official streams of the streaming set’s 10 tracks), album sales comprise 17,000 (it was available as a digital download album, CD and vinyl LP) and TEA units comprise 1,000.

The Barbie soundtrack dips 3-4 on the Billboard 200 with 65,000 equivalent album units earned (down 12%).

Taylor Swift’s former No. 1 Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) falls 4-5 with 61,000 equivalent album units earned (up 1%). It’s the first of four Swift albums in the top 10. It’s joined by former leaders Midnights (5-6 with 58,000; up 3%), Lover (6-7 with 54,000; up 6%) and 1989 (13-9 with 45,000; up 13%). The lattermost album, which debuted at No. 1 in 2014, returns to the top 10 for the first time since early 2016. It surges up the list thanks to publicity and consumption generated by Swift’s announcement on Aug. 9 that 1989 would be her next re-recorded album, and that it will be released on Oct. 27. Swift holds four albums in the top 10 for a fourth time, having become the first living artist to achieve the feat in nearly 60 years last month.

Rounding out the top 10 of the new Billboard 200, Peso Pluma’s Génesis is stationary at No. 8 (46,000 units; down 1%), while Wallen’s chart-topping Dangerous: The Double Album sits still at No. 10 (nearly 44,000 units; up 2%).

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

20 Aug 2023

Bronco Brings Grupero Glory to UBS Arena in New York City: 5 Best Moments

Legendary Mexican band Bronco made a stop in New York’s UBS Arena on Saturday (Aug. 19) to deliver their signature grupera swagger with a heady repertoire that spanned decades.

With a storied career that has garnered them an ardent international following, their concert was an electrifying spectacle that blended nostalgia with contemporary energy, a todo color.

Indeed, as part of their U.S. 2023 tour, dubbed ¡En Vivo y A Todo Color!, the Nuevo León quintet delivered all-time genre favorites like “Adoro,” “Que No Quede Huella” and the accordion-led ballad “Nunca Voy a Olvidarte,” famously covered by Cristian Castro. The iconic regional Mexican music band also showcased their heart-rending ballads, energetic cumbia, and, of course, their synth-driven grupera classics.

Composed of frontman José Guadalupe “Lupe” Esparza, who also plays the bass, guitarist José Adán Esparza, drummer Javier Cantú, bassist René Guadalupe Esparza, and keyboardist/accordionist Arsenio Guajardo, the electrifying troupe rocked the stage for nearly two hours. 

Neon lights bathed the UBS Arena in a kaleidoscope of colors, while fans from diverse Latin backgrounds and generations came together to show off their swaggering Norteño gear, with plenty of them equipped with their cowboy hats and boots to celebrate the enduring legacy of Bronco.  

Here are the five best moments from Bronco’s ¡En Vivo y A Todo Color! performance in NYC.

20 Aug 2023

Jack Antonoff & Margaret Qualley Marry in Star-Studded Ceremony Attended by Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey & More

Congratulations are in order for Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley, who married over the weekend in New Jersey.

The music producer and Bleachers frontman, 39, exchanged vows with the Maid actress, 28, on Saturday (Aug. 19) in a star-studded ceremony attended by celebrities including Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Channing Tatum, Zoë Kravitz, Cara Delevingne and the bride’s mother, Andie MacDowell, People reports.

The happy couple, who got engaged in May 2022, said “I do” at Parker’s Garage in Long Beach Island, N.J., according to TMZ. Antonoff was spotted in a slick black-and-white suit while his lovely bride donned a beautiful white gown.

Antonoff’s longtime friend and music collaborator Swift was front-and-center at the wedding, sporting a gorgeous light blue lace dress. The pop superstar also attended the couple’s rehearsal dinner Friday at Beach Haven’s Black Whale Bar & Fish House, where spectators gathered in the streets to catch a glimpse of the “Cruel Summer” singer.

Antonoff and Qualley have been romantically linked since being spotted locking lips in New York in August 2021. Their first public appearance together arrived during the 2022 Critics Choice Awards.

Both stars have remained quiet about their engagement, but the actress wore an engagement ring at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2022, where she was attending the premiere of Stars of Noon. She also subtly confirmed the upcoming nuptials in a since-deleted Instagram post featuring her engagement ring with a caption that read, “Oh I love him.”

20 Aug 2023

Sha’Carri Richardson Posts Fastest Time In 100m Heat At 2023 World Athletics Championships

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Athletics World Championship

Sha’Carri Richardson was once considered the most electrifying track and field athlete on the planet but suffered the brunt of criticism for testing positive for marijuana back in 2021. Since winning the 2023 U.S. Track and Field Championships in the 100ms, Sha’Carri Richardson showed and proved at the 2023 World Athletic Championships in Budapest that she’s back to reclaim that lost momentum.

Starring in her first World Championships meet, Sha’Carri Richardson, 23, joined defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Marie-Josée Ta Lou in advancing in their 100-meter heats on Sunday (August 20). With today’s race, Richardson posted the day’s fastest time of 10.92 seconds, celebrating early before crossing the line in her usual confident fashion. Fraser-Pryce, who some in the sports world consider Richardson’s rival, ran 11.01 in her heat.

In a clip that is starting to go viral, Richardson spoke briefly after her heat and it’s clear that the abrupt fashion that many turned on her after the marijuana violation still rests with her. Richardson was brilliantly candid when asked if she thinks she’s living up to the world’s expectations.

“The world…I’m not worried about the world anymore,” Richardson said, still processing the win and attempting her cool down. “I’ve seen the world be my friend, I’ve seen the world turn one. But at the end of the day, I’ve always been with me. God has always been with me. It’s my time, it’s always been my time.”

Richardson’s next race will be Monday and looks to be the marquee match of the World Championships and a preview of the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

[h/t Olympics.com]

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Photo: Getty

20 Aug 2023

Sage Steele, Officially Exits ESPN Following Lawsuit Settlement

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ESPY Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 13 July 2016

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Controversial sportscaster, Sage Steele, is officially a free agent after settling her lawsuit with ESPN after being suspended by the network for her public comments previously made on an outside podcast about getting vaccinated, how women dress, and former President Barack Obama’s lineage.

Taking to social media, Steele, who joined ESPN in 2007, announced that she recently settled a lawsuit with her employer after she was suspended in 2021 for the problematic comments.

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“Having successfully settled my case with ESPN/Disney, I have decided to leave so I can exercise my first amendment rights more freely,” Steele said. “I am grateful for so many wonderful experiences over the past 16 years and am excited for my next chapter!”

As noted previously reported, in a 2022 lawsuit, Steele charged the companies had breached her contract and violated her free-speech rights; alleging that Disney and ESPN retaliated against her for the comments she made during the podcast, hosted by Jay Cutler, taking away high-profile assignments.

An ESPN spokesperson confirmed her departure in a statement to CNN, noting that the decision to depart was mutual.

“ESPN and Sage Steele have mutually agreed to part ways. We thank her for her many contributions over the years,” the network said.

As previously reported, in 2021, Steele made a number of controversial comments on a podcast. While talking about ESPN’s company vaccine mandate, Steele said she respects an individual’s decision to get the Covid-19 vaccine “but to mandate it is sick, and it’s scary to me.”

In addition to questioning mandates, she also questioned former President, Barack Obama’s, decision to identify as Black on the national census, saying:

“I’m like, ‘Well, congratulations to the president.’ That’s his thing. I think that’s fascinating considering his Black dad was nowhere to be found, but his White mom and grandma raised him, but hey, you do you. I’m going to do me.”

Steele also trended heavily that year, for the comments she made regarding female sports reporters and sexual harassment, saying that women need to “be responsible” and it “isn’t just on players and athletes and coaches to act a certain way, saying:

“I’ve had talks with young women … they’re like, ‘Oh, would you look at my tape?’ and I’ve said listen, I would love to. But the way you present yourself is not something I want to be associated with. So when you dress like that, I’m not saying you deserve the gross comments, but you know what you’re doing when you’re putting that outfit on, too.”

As noted by CNN, in response, Steele apologized saying her comments “created controversy” and that “we are in the midst of an extremely challenging time that impacts all of us, and it’s more critical than ever that we communicate constructively and thoughtfully.”

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20 Aug 2023

Oliver Anthony Brings ‘Rich Men’ Hit to Weekend North Carolina Show

Over the past couple of weeks, singer-songwriter Oliver Anthony Music (real name: Chris Lunsford) has seen his name recognition surge as his song “Rich Men North of Richmond,” which criticizes various issues including greedy politicians, high taxes, low pay, and issues surrounding the welfare system. A performance video, posted by radiowv on Aug. 7, has earned over 25 million views, while the song itself has topped the iTunes country chart and the Spotify Top 50-USA chart and seems to be a contender for the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart when it arrives on Monday (Aug. 21).

Anthony brought his live show to fans in North Carolina over the weekend. On Saturday (Aug. 19), he spearheaded a free show at Eagle Creek Golf Club and Grill in Moyock, N.C., a tight-knit community just south of Norfolk, Va., with a population of just over 5,000 people (as of the 2020 census).

Attendees began showing up to the venue around 11 a.m., as lawn chairs and blankets proliferated across the grounds, and people packed in close to the stage, standing shoulder to shoulder prior to the singer-songwriter’s afternoon set. Some members of security estimated the day’s attendance roughly between 6,000 and 8,000 attendees.

Prior to his set, a drone could be seen flying over the crowd, while camera operators filmed crowd footage, noting it was intended to be used for an upcoming music video. A merch stand featured T-shirts emblazoned with Anthony’s name, with some of the shirts also bearing crosses or scriptures. A few lawn signs emblazoned with “Oliver Anthony 2024” were scattered across the lawn, while some children were sporting “Oliver Anthony for President” shirts.

The “Rich Men From North of Richmond” hitmaker took the stage, which was decorated with American flags, and began his afternoon set in a unique fashion; not with crashing cymbals or jangly guitar rhythms, but with prayer. The crowd stayed quiet as Anthony followed by reading a biblical scripture.

He began his set with “I Want to Go Home,” before offering up “Ain’t Gotta Dollar,” “’90 Some Chevy,” “I Gotta Get Sober” later performing his main draw, “Rich Men From North of Richmond.” No pyrotechnics, no flashy stage lights, no choreography; Anthony primarily stayed close to the microphone, playing a set heavy on mid-tempo songs. Though he noted at one point that his grizzled voice was a bit tired, he sounded strong as he rolled through a slate of songs he’s released over the past year or so.

Though some conservative-leaning media personalities were among the many sharing the song, initially helping it to gain traction, the artist himself made no political statement during the show, keeping his music front and center. He kept his comments to the crowd brief, primarily thanking them for their support of his music. At one point, the crowd began chanting “USA! USA!” and at another moment, a crowd member attempted to begin a “Let’s Go Brandon” anti-president Biden chant that quickly fizzled, even drawing criticism from some attendees seated farther from the stage. Other attendees held up American flags during the performance.

Though Jamey Johnson previously showed up as a surprise guest during one of Anthony’s previous shows; the Moyock show had no special guests, but the artist did reprise a performance of Johnson’s “In Color,” welcoming one of the day’s opening acts to the stage.

Here, we look at five standouts from the day: