Janet Jackson's 2023 'Together Again' Tour Captured in Upcoming Documentary

Janet Jackson's self-titled documentary, released in 2022, garnered 21 million viewers and became the highest-rated documentary of the year on cable television. Now, Lifetime and A&E have approved a follow-up to the story called "Janet Jackson: Family First."

The upcoming documentary will follow Janet Jackson on her 2023 "Together Again" tour and her collaboration with brother Randy Jackson to reunite the family band 40 years after its last performance.

“I was touched by the love and support from the wonderful fans who enjoyed the documentary last year," Janet, who served as executive producer for the project along with Randy, said in a statement. "I am excited to continue to share my story and welcome fans into my life and the 'Together Again' tour. Thank you for your never-ending support, and I hope you enjoy the next chapter."

Randy added, "In this next chapter in the documentary, Janet and I are thrilled to welcome viewers on the road with us as we embark on the 'Together Again' tour, celebrating the milestone of 50 years of Janet's career with fans across the country. We look forward to the continued partnership with Lifetime and A&E and to sharing our family with viewers."

According to a press release from the networks, the project — directed by Ben Hirsch and produced by Workerbee — will provide an exclusive, intimate, and honest look into the life, family, and legendary artistry of the five-time Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, producer, author, actor, philanthropist, and global icon, whose record sales have exceeded 180 million copies worldwide.

Apart from following the "Together Again" tour, "Janet Jackson: Family First" will also celebrate the 25th and 30th anniversaries of two of Jackson's critically acclaimed albums, "The Velvet Rope" and "Janet," respectively.

"Janet Jackson: Family First" is currently in production and will be broadcast simultaneously on Lifetime and A&E. The release date will be announced soon.

From 'Sticky Icky' to Caffeine Kick: Snoop Dogg Launches Premium Coffee Brand

Courtesy Photo 

Snoop Dogg, the undisputed king of all things weed, threw the world a curveball with the announcement of his latest business venture on Tuesday.

The rap icon, who has built an empire around his love for the "sticky icky," has now turned his attention to a new type of buzz: caffeine.

That's right, folks, Snoop has traded in his joint for a cup of joe and launched his very own premium lifestyle coffee brand called INDOxyz.

While some may be shocked at this unexpected turn, Snoop's love for coffee has apparently been brewing for a long time.

"My relationship with coffee goes way back. During the many long nights in the studio making hit after hit, coffee provided the fuel that kept us going," he said in a statement.

"Today marks the launch of a new company I created along with my partner Michael, who introduced me to the best-tasting Indonesian coffee. Indo is going to change the industry, I can promise you that."

The coffee is a joint venture between Snoop and INDOxyz co-founder Michael Riady, an Indonesian entrepreneur. A chance meeting between the duo during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the birth of the product, which the company says was motivated by their shared passion for fueling the people and ideas that move the culture forward, by creating a brand inspired by the creative risk-takers and innovators of the world.

"I want to make coffee fun and cool, and having Snoop as a partner gives us that edge. Beyond being a fan of his music, I've long admired Snoop for his hard work and business acumen," Riady said.

The coffee is sourced directly from Riady's homeland and grown by collective farmers on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali and Sulawesi. The green coffee beans are intentionally selected before being shipped to Los Angeles, where they are prepared by a master roaster in-house, then brewed and packaged into the brand's exclusive line of cold brew and whole bean coffee.

INDOxyz will launch with an exclusive and limited rollout starting in Snoop's home state of California, followed by Las Vegas, and then a national retail expansion. The cold brew beverage will retail starting at $5.99, and the whole bean will cost $17.99.

All products will be available at the online store www.indo.xyz, BevMo, GoPuff, Resorts World Casinos in Las Vegas, and will be rolled out in the upcoming months at the following retailers: Erewhon, Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons, Safeway, Sprouts, and Amazon.

Deadly Stampede Breaks Out at GloRilla Concert

Rochester Mayor Malik Evan called the incident a "tragedy of epic proportions." 

One woman is dead and two others are in critical condition after tragedy struck the Main Street Armory in Rochester, New York on Sunday night, as a stampede broke out during a concert featuring popular hip-hop artists GloRilla and Finesse2tymes.

In the wake of the tragedy, Grammy-nominated rapper GloRilla, who performed at the concert, expressed her condolences on Twitter. "I'm just now hearing about what happened wtf," she wrote. "Praying everybody is ok."

I’m just now hearing about what happened wtf 😢😢😢praying everybody is ok 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

— GloRilla 🦍 (@GloTheofficial) March 6, 2023

According to Rochester police, the crowd surge occurred as concertgoers were leaving the venue after the show and was sparked by false rumors of a shooting.

At a press conference on Monday, Rochester Police Chief David Smith revealed that the injuries sustained by the victims were not caused by gunfire or other weapons, but rather by the chaos of the stampede itself.

"Preliminary reports from people at the scene indicate that these injuries were caused from people being trampled," said Police Chief David Smith, adding that they have not found any evidence of gunshots or stabbings at the scene.

#viralvdoz#WATCH: 1 dead, 9 hurt in stampede at GloRilla concert in New York#NewYork #stampede #GloRillaconcert #US pic.twitter.com/B3mdBwlj2U

— ViralVdoz (@viralvdoz) March 6, 2023

In addition to the three injured women found by the officers when they entered the building, seven other victims were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

Rochester Mayor Malik Evan called the incident a "tragedy of epic proportions." He pledged to hold those responsible accountable and urged anyone with information or footage of the event to come forward.

"We are nowhere near completing this investigation," he said.

Watch the entire press conference below:

 

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Michael B. Jordan Celebrates Double Triumph with 'Creed III' Release and Walk of Fame Honor

Michael B. Jordan achieved a major milestone in his career on Wednesday (March 1), as he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The timing couldn't have been better as the event took place just two days before tonight's release of "Creed III," a film where the actor not only reprises his role as heavyweight boxing champion Adonis Creed but also makes his directorial debut.

The event was held in front of the Funko Hollywood toy store at 6201 Hollywood Blvd and was attended by his co-star in the film, Jonathan Majors, and Ryan Coogler, who directed the first "Creed" film and received a "story by" credit for "Creed III."

During the ceremony, Jordan expressed his gratitude for the honor and acknowledged the significance of the moment.

"To be amongst artists who received this honor previously — Sidney Poitier, Cicely Tyson, Sam Cooke... I know it's not a small achievement," he said. "And it's not lost on me how special this moment is and what this represents to our community."

"So, from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you," he added.

Majors compared Jordan's career to the 12 labors of Hercules while describing his time on set with his co-star.

"When it's hot, we're tired, his empathetic agility is being pushed to its Nth degree," Majors said. "He's gotta deal with my crazy ass, everybody pulling on him, and I'm giving him hell in [the ring], but he's dealing with it with a mythic effort, with god-like integrity."

At Michael B. Jordan's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, Jonathan Majors calls Jordan "Michael B. Handsome" and says that "Creed I" inspired him to get an Equinox membership. https://t.co/79wWzRmXHd pic.twitter.com/i2US6JgLN4

— Variety (@Variety) March 1, 2023

Majors added, "Today, brother, you go from man to god. You sit among Olympians."

Born in Santa Ana, California, on Feb. 9th, 1987, Jordan made his acting debut in a 1999 episode of "The Sopranos" and went on to star in various television shows such as "The Wire," "Friday Night Lights" and "All My Children."

His big break came with his portrayal of Oscar Grant in the 2013 biographical drama "Fruitvale Station," which was directed by Coogler. He also starred in blockbuster films like "Black Panther" and "Just Mercy."

Coogler, who has collaborated with Jordan on several films, added that he knew he was watching "something special" when seeing Jordan and late "Black Panther" actor Chadwick Boseman battle on set.

Ryan Coogler gives a speech at Michael B. Jordan's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony: "I love you, bro. Proud of you, man." https://t.co/JPXJaScKpm pic.twitter.com/qjRSY4NV8Z

— Variety (@Variety) March 1, 2023

"I felt like I was looking at, like, Denzel [Washington] and Will [Smith] or Wesley [Snipes] in their prime and in the same movie in a way that we never got to see them," he said. "I felt like the luckiest director on the planet every day on that set."

Jordan also reflected on the rare opportunity the ceremony provided him to pause and appreciate the moment. "I very rarely stop and smell the roses and take in moments. I'm always moving on to the next thing," he said. "For the first time in a really long time, I'm taking this moment in."

Jordan's star is the 2,751st since the Walk of Fame's completion in 1961.

Wayne Shorter, Legendary Jazz Composer and Saxophonist, Dead at 89

Tom Beetz, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jazz icon Wayne Shorter, a renowned saxophonist and composer with a career spanning more than 50 years, has died at age 89.

A publicist at Blue Note Records, Cem Kurosman, confirmed his passing on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Shorter, a 12-time Grammy Award winner, was born on August 25, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey. He gained recognition as a composer and saxophonist while performing with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers after studying music at New York University in the mid-1950s. 

Wayne Shorter; On the meaning, of the Word, *JAZZ*
"Lets jump into the Unknown🎶...
i dare you"🎉
🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/HFWZHSWTn7

— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 2, 2023

In the mid-1960s, he joined the Miles Davis Quintet, playing alongside renowned musicians such as pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams.

Wayne Shorter
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers
Miles Davis's Second Great Quintet
Weather Report
Genius

August 25, 1933- March 2, 2023

RIPpic.twitter.com/LUCGGJG6EH

— John Nichols (@NicholsUprising) March 2, 2023

Throughout his storied career, Shorter's music evolved from hard bop to experimental jazz and rock-influenced jazz. His innovative sound inspired countless musicians and continues to influence jazz today. 

RIP jazz giant Wayne Shorter.

Miles Davis once advised him not to wear his heart on his sleeve: “Don’t give too much away.”

Instead he put it all in his music.

Here is Shorter talking about playing on Steely Dan’s epic “Aja.” pic.twitter.com/P5d3lUsGX4

— Expanding Dan, a Steely Dan newsletter (@ExpandingDan) March 2, 2023

Shorter even contributed saxophone solos to two soft rock hits, Steely Dan's "Aja" and Don Henley's "The End of the Innocence," which reached the US Top 10. He also played on the Rolling Stones' 1997 album "Bridges to Babylon."

Shorter received numerous accolades for his contributions to the music world, including the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship, the Kennedy Center Honors and the Jazz Foundation of America Lifetime Achievement Award.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Davis' Second Great Quintet in 2006.

It has been a deeply sad morning to learn that my brother and fellow explorer of the Inner and Outer Universe @Wayne_Shorter has left town. The Maestro was a visionary, a great composer, and a friend with whom I shared a love for the Eternal Now.
Barche Lamsel pic.twitter.com/cjxB6OSnJR

— Charles Lloyd (@CharlesLloydSax) March 2, 2023

The news of Shorter's death has elicited an outpouring of grief and tributes from musicians and fans alike, who celebrated his immense talent and lasting impact on jazz music.

Fellow saxophone great and composer Charles Lloyd best summed up the general mood while expressing his condolences on Twitter.

"It has been a deeply sad morning to learn that my brother and fellow explorer of the Inner and Outer Universe @Wayne_Shorte has left town," Lloyd wrote. "The Maestro was a visionary, a great composer, and a friend with whom I shared a love for the Eternal Now."

Tim Story's 'The Blackening' Delivers Chilling Twist on Juneteenth Horror

Director Tim Story is putting a horrific twist on Juneteenth celebrations with his new film "The Blackening," set to hit theaters on June 16, 2022.

The horror title, directed by Story who is known for his work on "Ride Along," "Think Like A Man" and "Barbershop," centers around a group of Black friends who reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway, only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer.

According to an official synopsis, "The Blackening" poses the sardonic question: If the entire cast of a horror movie is Black, who dies first?

The film stars Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah and Yvonne Orji.

A press release notes that the film promises to subvert genre tropes and will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. The idea for the film came from a 2018 3Peat comedy sketch about the horror movie trope of Black characters being the first to die.

"I was a producer on it at first, and they delivered this script that was funny as… I won't cuss, but it was incredibly funny," Story told Shadow And Act. "Seeing the short and then seeing what they did with the script, I knew it would be something."

Story added, "I'm at the point to where if I read a script that makes me laugh out loud and I have the chance to get behind the camera and shoot it. I'm going to do it."

The film was written by Tracy Oliver, known for her work on "Girls Trip" and "Harlem," and Dewayne Perkins, who has written for "The Amber Ruffin Show" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."

Check out the newly released trailer for "The Blackening" below:

Hip-Hop Icons Wu-Tang Clan and Nas Unite for Worldwide Tour

Courtesy Live Nation 

The saga continues.

Hip-hop legends Wu-Tang Clan and Nas are teaming up once again for a sequel to their "NY State of Mind Tour" from last year.

On Monday, Wu-Tang shared the news on the group's official Instagram.

"The Saga Continues Worldwide! The #NewYorkStateofMindTour is back — coming to a stage near you," the group wrote alongside artwork featuring the upcoming dates.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wu Tang Clan (@wutangclan)

The 32-date sequel will kick off in Auckland, New Zealand on May 9 and make its way to Australia, Europe, and the UK before reaching North America on September 20 in Nashville.

Both Wu-Tang Clan and Nas began their careers with genre-defining albums in the 1990s. Wu-Tang Clan's "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" dropped in November 1993, while Nas' "Illmatic" hit the airwaves six months later.

The tour follows Wu-Tang Clan's historic debut album being added to the Library of Congress' National Registry in 2022. Nas' most recent album, "King's Disease III," was also released in the same year.

This time the tour, which ironically skipped New York, will include a stop in Brooklyn along with cities including Toronto, Chicago, DC, and Seattle before concluding on October 22 in Highland, California.

Tickets for the North American and European dates will be available for purchase on March 3 at 9 a.m. local time through Ticketmaster, while a Live Nation pre-sale will begin on March 2 (use code CHORUS). Alternatively, tickets can be purchased through Stubhub. The general on-sale for Australia and New Zealand tickets will begin on March 6 at noon local time through Vivagogo.

View the complete schedule for the "NY State of Mind Tour" below:

NY State of Mind Tour Schedule

Date	City	Venue
May 9	Auckland, NZ	Spark Arena
May 12	Brisbane, AU	Brisbane Entertainment Centre
May 13	Sydney, AU	Qudos Bank Arena
May 14	Melbourne, AU	Rod Laver Arena
June 2	Stockholm, SE	Avicii Arena
June 3	Copenhagen, DK	Royal Arena
June 5	Berlin, DE	Parkbuhne Wuhlheide
June 6	Amsterdam, NL	Ziggo Dome
June 7	Paris, FR	Accor Arena
June 9	Dublin, IE	3Arena
June 12	Glasgow, UK	OVO Hydro
June 13	London, UK	The O2
Sept 20	Nashville, TN	Bridgestone Arena
Sept 22	Hollywood, FL	Hard Rock Live
Sept 23	Jacksonville, FL	Daily’s Place
Sept 24	Tampa, FL	Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Sept 26	Washington, DC	Capital One Arena
Sept 27	Brooklyn, NY	Barclays Center

Watch: Ab-Soul Releases Raw and Vulnerable Tiny Desk Performance on Birthday

On Thursday, to mark his 36th birthday, Ab-Soul released a Tiny Desk concert, which he called his "second second chance."

The performance is a must-watch for all hip-hop fans. Backed by a hand-picked group of musicians he dubbed the "Soulersystem," Ab-Soul delivered a raw and rousing performance.

Ab-Soul's career is a prime example of how rap has grown over the past 50 years. For his Tiny Desk set, he hand-picked a live band and gave a display of raw honesty and next-level lyricism. https://t.co/p73zxwu2aj

— NPR Music (@nprmusic) February 23, 2023

The Carson, California native's music is defined by vulnerability, pathos, and hope, all of which were on full display in his first-ever appearance on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series.

Surrounded by childhood pictures, some of which graphically detailed his fight with the rare disorder Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which ravaged his skin and left him legally blind, the artist, born Herbert Stevens IV, powered through tracks from his critically-acclaimed new album "HERBERT."

He also paired never-before-heard rhymes with instrumentals from 2012's "Control System" between sets.

Watch the full performance below: