Jay-Z's Rare Paris Performance to Celebrate Art Icons Basquiat and Warhol

Rap mogul Jay-Z will return to the stage this week for a rare live performance. On Tuesday, his label, Roc Nation, announced that he would perform at the Louis Vuitton Foundation's Auditorium in Paris on Friday to celebrate the cultural impact of two of the most influential artists of the 20th century: Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol.

Basquiat was an American artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent who rose to fame in the 1980s as a neo-expressionist painter and graffiti artist. His works are known for their intense colors, bold brushstrokes and incorporation of symbols and text.

🇬🇧🎤JAY-Z - Celebration concert

To coincide with the #BasquiatWarhol exhibition at the Fondation, JAY-Z will give a concert to pay tribute to Warhol and Basquiat, on Friday 14 April 2023 at 9pm, in the Fondation’s Auditorium.

🎫Tickets on sale : https://t.co/Icp8NcO0zn pic.twitter.com/3p2gPwxjF2

— Roc Nation (@RocNation) April 12, 2023

Warhol, on the other hand, was an American artist, filmmaker and pioneer of the Pop Art movement, best known for his vividly colored silkscreen prints of celebrities, everyday objects and iconic American symbols such as the Campbell's soup can.

The "Basquiat x Warhol. Painting Four Hands" exhibition, which the concert will coincide with, features the two artists' 160 canvas collaborations, showcasing the distinctive styles of both artists and highlighting the artistic dialogue between them.

The event, dubbed the "JAY-Z Celebration Concert," is sponsored by Tiffany & Co. and marks a rare occurrence for Jay-Z, who hasn't been on an official tour since his $44-billion grossing 4:44 Tour in 2017. He was last seen on stage rapping his "God Did" verse at the 2023 Grammy Awards, something he said he did out of respect for hip-hop culture.

"I thought about it, I was in my head, and I just broke down and said, 'You know, it's a four-minute verse.' Again, for the culture, for hip-hop, we gotta do that," he told TIDAL.

Jay-Z's love for Basquiat and Warhol has been evident in his music for decades. In his 2008 song "Ain't I," he rapped, "I got Warhols on my hall's walls, I got Basquiats in the lobby of my spot/I'm so sophisticatedly hood, S. Carter cashmere premium goods." In his 2011 song "Illest Motherf*cker Alive," he rapped, "Basquiat, Warhols serving as my muses/My house like a museum, so I see 'em when I'm peeing, usually, you have this much taste, you European."

Beyoncé wearing the iconic Tiffany Stone alongside Jay Z & a never-before-seen painting by Basquiat. Jean-Michel Basquiat was regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He dies at 27 of an overdose. Jeffery Wright portrays him in “Basquiat.” pic.twitter.com/pj4US32zqV

— Loni Love (@LoniLove) August 23, 2021

It's worth noting that the concert will also be supported by Tiffany & Co., with which both Jay-Z and his wife Beyoncé have brand deals. Although Basquiat's estate has spoken out against his work being featured in Jay-Z and Beyoncé's Tiffany & Co campaign, Jay-Z emphasizes that he is solely a fan of the artist.

Rihanna Overtakes Katy Perry as Most Followed Woman on Twitter With 108 million Followers

YouTube Screengrab

Rihanna has added yet another accolade to her already impressive résumé, becoming the most followed woman on Twitter, according to the social media analytics tracking platform Social Blade.

With a massive 108,276,354 followers (at the time this story was published), she now sits in fourth place on the platform's global leaderboard, just behind former US President Barack Obama and Justin Bieber. At the top of the list is Elon Musk, who took over ownership of the social media platform in October 2022.

This milestone marks a significant achievement for the multi-talented artist, who has found success in music, fashion, and cosmetics. Rihanna's Twitter feat came just after her recent Super Bowl halftime performance, where she announced her second pregnancy while singing a medley of her hits.

Following the Super Bowl performance, her music saw a massive surge in sales and streams, with her digital album sales jumping by 301%. Among all her songs, "Pour It Up" saw the biggest boost, with a 1,387% increase in digital song sales and a 470% increase in on-demand audio streams.

Most followed female artists on Twitter:

#1. Rihanna — 108.2M🔺
#2. Katy Perry — 108.2M🔻
#3. Taylor Swift — 92.5M
#4. Lady Gaga — 84.6M
#5. Selena Gomez — 67M
#6. Britney Spears — 55.8M
#7. Shakira — 53.9M
#8. Demi Lovato — 53.6M pic.twitter.com/zHR5fNmwu2

— Noah ⁶𓅓 (@RIHINDUSTRY) April 9, 2023

Rihanna's cosmetics and lingerie brands, Fenty Beauty and Savage x Fenty, respectively, also experienced a significant surge in attention after her Super Bowl performance. Fenty Beauty alone earned $5.6 million in earned media within the first 12 hours following the game.

diamonds by rihanna - super bowl edition pic.twitter.com/yU1JSn6sUJ

— songs that changed history (@iconiksongs) April 4, 2023

Her powerful appearance at the Oscars, which took place exactly one month after her Super Bowl showstopper, may have also contributed to this increase. At the Oscars, she performed her ballad "Lift Me Up" from the nominated movie "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," paying tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. This performance earned her the first Oscar nomination of her career and marked the release of her first new solo track in six years.

Watch @Rihanna’s full performance of “Lift Me Up” at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/dl9jRmtreG

— RihannaDaily.com (@RihannaDaily) March 13, 2023

In an interview with British Vogue, Rihanna revealed her plans to release a new album, her first since 2016, adding to her already impressive track record. With all of these accomplishments under her belt, it's no surprise that her fans are flocking to Twitter to see what she has in store for them next.

Doja Cat's New Album to Showcase Rap Skills

Georgebre, via Wikimedia Commons

Grammy-nominated artist Doja Cat is set to release her fourth studio album, which she recently confirmed will focus on her rapping skills instead of her usual pop sound. 

Tentatively titled "Hellmouth," the 27-year-old artist took to Twitter over the weekend to announce that the album will be "rap only" and will not feature any pop elements.

"Pop isn't exciting to me anymore. I don't want to make it," she tweeted.

In response to a tweet from a naysayer who questioned her rap skills, Doja Cat confidently declared, "I'm definitely a rapper." She also expressed her desire to show her critics that she can write more than "mid" and "corny" verses with her new album.

i also agree with everyone who said the majority of my rap verses are mid and corny. I know they are. I wasnt trying to prove anything I just enjoy making music but I'm getting tired of hearing yall say that i can't so I will.

— Hellmouth (@DojaCat) April 8, 2023

"I wasn't trying to prove anything. I just enjoy making music," she tweeted. "But I'm getting tired of hearing y'all say that I can't [rap] so I will."

Later, she shared a screenshot of the audio files and three tracks from the album titled "Wet Vagina," "Agora Hills," and "Balut." When a fan asked if those were actual songs on the album, she simply replied with "Yes."

✍️✍️ pic.twitter.com/sjwi2FhBbP

— Hellmouth (@DojaCat) April 8, 2023

In other tweets responding to fans' speculations, Doja Cat continued to give away hints of what to expect from the album. In a separate tweet, she wrote that there will be a lot of cuss words. She also confirmed that the album has "10 tracks total +5 extras."

This shift towards rap marks a significant departure from Doja Cat's previous pop-leaning releases, such as her chart-topping hits "Say So," "Juicy" and "Streets."

Doja Cat, whose real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamin, gained popularity in 2018 with her viral hit "Mooo!" and has since been making waves in the music industry. She received three Grammy Award nominations in 2021, including Best New Artist and Record of the Year for "Say So."

Watch: Da Brat and Wife Judy Return to TV Screens in Third Season of "Brat Loves Judy" Reality Show

Courtesy We tv

Da Brat, the legendary Chicago rapper born as Shawntae Harris, has made history twice.

First, in 1994, she became the first solo female rapper to go platinum with her debut album "Funkdafied."

Over two decades later, she made history again by publicly coming out as a lesbian, defying the norms of an industry known for misogyny and a lack of tolerance for alternate lifestyles.

"I've always felt like being private is the better way to go because then you don't have so many people in your business," Brat told Variety at the time. "I was fine staying quiet, but my partner is a social media mogul — that's how she became who she is. And when you get with somebody, you have to meet in the middle. So to me, the middle was just letting everybody know: 'Hey, she's the one.'"

Brat's partner is none other than Jesseca "Judy" Dupart, a social media star and entrepreneur. The two tied the knot in 2022 and will continue to share their personal lives with fans on the upcoming third season of "Brat Loves Judy."

This season will focus on the highs and lows of their first year of marriage, including Judy's pregnancy. However, the road to expanding their empire has been far from easy.

The couple has faced unexpected obstacles on their IVF journey, including health issues. As they navigate the complexities of blended family dynamics, Judy's son moving in adds another layer of drama to their relationship, highlighting their contrasting parenting styles and backgrounds.

Despite these hurdles, Brat and Judy have also collaborated on a new hair care product line called "Kaleidoscope X Brat," marking their first official joint venture.

Will the couple overcome the family drama and maintain their flourishing careers while merging their empires? Fans can tune in to WE tv on April 27 (9 pm ET), with episodes airing on ALLBLK the following Monday.

Watch the network's recently released supertease of the upcoming season below for a sneak peek of the action:

From Apple Bottoms to Moonshine Bottles: Nelly's Latest Business Venture

Photo Courtesy: MoShine

Multi-Grammy Award-winning artist Nelly announced on Thursday his latest venture: MoShine, a new moonshine brand that fuses the "southern swagger" of hip-hop with the heartland hustle of country music.

Developed in collaboration with Piedmont Distillers, MoShine is a triple-distilled, corn-based moonshine available in peach and passion fruit flavors.

The company claims that it is smooth enough to be sipped neat or mixed with various beverages, including lemon-lime soda, sweet tea, lemonade, and energy drinks.

The brand's name is inspired by Nelly's hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, where hip-hop and country music intersect.

"When I say 'country grammar,' I'm not just talking about my music. I'm taking a country tradition and mixing it up for everyone to enjoy," Nelly said in a statement.

Nelly is no stranger to entrepreneurship, having launched his successful Apple Bottoms clothing line and energy drink, Pimp Juice. He has also acted in films such as "Reach Me" and "The Longest Yard."

Despite his success in various industries, Nelly has stayed true to his musical roots. He has released numerous hit albums, including "Country Grammar" and "Nellyville," and collaborated with artists from different genres.

In recent years, he has focused on his country music career, achieving a No. 7 spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart with his EP "Heartland" and releasing the hit single "The Fix."

Nelly introduced MoShine at the WSWA Access Live event, the leading spirits industry gathering, where he performed some of his biggest chart-topping hits. The brand is currently available online at DrinkMoShine.com.

Fans Divided Over Lizzo and Jack Black's Guest Roles on 'The Mandalorian'

Screengrab YouTube

The recent surprise appearance of Grammy-winning artist Lizzo on the hit Disney+ Star Wars spin-off
series, "The Mandalorian," has sparked controversy among fans of the show.

Mandalorian Spoilers
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Lizzo just knighted Baby yoda aka grogu. What is happening in Star Wars #TheMandalorian #StarWars pic.twitter.com/FWnEsqgTyH

— Atom (@theatomreview) April 5, 2023

In "Chapter 22: Guns for Hire," written by Jon Favreau and directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, Lizzo portrays The Duchess, a leader of the distant planet Plazir-15, whom Pedro Pascal's Mandalorian encounters while searching for the former crew of Bo-Katan, played by Katee Sackhoff. Jack Black also appears in the episode as Captain Bombardier, while Christopher Lloyd plays the planet's security chief, Commissioner Helgait.

While some fans were thrilled to see the talented trio on their favorite show, others took to social media to express their disappointment and frustration.

Disney put Jack Black and Lizzo in an episode of "The Mandalorian" to kill Star Wars entirely https://t.co/elahJidraz

— Not the Bee (@Not_the_Bee) April 5, 2023

"Disney put Jack Black and Lizzo in an episode of 'The Mandalorian' to kill Star Wars entirely," wrote one Twitter user.

Another fan expressed similar sentiments, saying, "I actually like Jack Black and Lizzo as performers, but I can't imagine this being any good. It's like how I love chocolate cake, and I love onion rings, but I don't want onion rings on my cake."

I actually like Jack Black and Lizzo as performers, but I can't imagine this being any good. It's like how I love chocolate cake, and I love onion rings, but I don't want onion rings on my cake.

— Lankychris (@Lankychris) April 5, 2023

Despite the negative reaction from some viewers, Lizzo's performance was praised by others.

Jack Black and Lizzo are instantly my favorite Star Wars couple. #TheMandalorian pic.twitter.com/kUk59geBYf

— Gianni Raisins (@BGaytion) April 5, 2023

"Jack Black and Lizzo are instantly my favorite Star Wars couple!" raved Twitter user @BGaytion.

The surprise cameos add Lizzo, Black, and Lloyd to an impressive list of celebrities who have made appearances on the series, including Jason Sudeikis, Taika Waititi, Timothy Olyphant, John Leguizamo, Adam Pally, Horatio Sanz, and W. Earl Brown, Olyphant's Deadwood co-star.

New Docuseries 'Family Legacy' on Paramount+ Promises Intimate Look at Offspring of Notorious B.I.G., Diddy, and Brandy

Courtesy Paramount+

The offspring of iconic artists are set to take the spotlight in the upcoming reality show "Family Legacy," scheduled to premiere on Paramount+.

The show was announced by the network today and aims to "relive some of entertainment's most iconic moments and provide viewers with an intimate look at their favorite artists," according to a statement from Paramount+.

Quincy Brown, son of R&B singer Al B. Sure! and stepson of Sean "Diddy" Combs, serves as the show's narrator, promising an intimate glimpse into the next generation of musicians. The recently unveiled trailer for "Family Legacy" provides a tantalizing sneak peek into the lives and careers of these famous musicians' offspring.

C.J. Wallace, son of the late Notorious B.I.G., pays heartfelt homage to his father as "the greatest rapper of all time." Melissa Etheridge's daughter, Bailey Cypheridge, proudly embraces her identity as the "OG lesbian baby," while Briahna Fatone, daughter of *NSYNC's Joey Fatone, shares a special bond with her father.

The docuseries also features Andrew Hagar, son of Van Halen's Sammy Hagar, Baylee Littrell, son of Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell, Nathan Morris II, son of Boyz II Men's Nathan Morris and Draven Bennington, son of Linkin Park's Chester Bennington, among others.

Christian "King" Combs and Justin Combs, both sons of Sean "Diddy" Combs, also make an appearance, along with Sy'Rai Smith, daughter of Brandy, and Tron Austin, son of TLC's Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas.

"Family Legacy" is set to premiere on April 25 on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada.

Watch the official trailer below:

Kem's Memoir 'Share My Life' Reveals Journey of Love, Faith and Redemption

Photo Credit: Keith Majors

Grammy-nominated R&B artist Kem will release his memoir, "Share My Life: A Journey of Love, Faith and Redemption," on Tuesday. The book takes readers on an intimate journey through Kem's life, from a difficult childhood to homelessness and his rise to international stardom.

Kem is renowned for his polished and smooth style, earning four Grammy nominations and releasing numerous hit albums and singles, including "Love Calls," "I Can't Stop Loving You," "Why Would You Stay," and "Nobody." The memoir shares its title with one of Kem's No. 1 hit singles and is published by Simon and Schuster. Kirkus Reviews praised the book as a "forthright chronicle of hard-won success."

In his memoir, Kem bravely delves into the emotional struggles he faced on his journey to success. Growing up with an alcoholic mother and a distant father, Kem battled with feelings of abandonment, turning to drugs and alcohol to cope. After finding himself homeless and in drug rehab centers, he discovered his passion for music, composing songs that would eventually appear on his debut album, "Kemistry." This seminal work catapulted him into the ranks of Motown's legendary icons.

"I think it's my responsibility to share my life — the good times and the bad — so that I can encourage and inspire others," Kem said about his motivation for publishing the book. The memoir was co-written with music biographer David Ritz, known for his biographies of music greats such as Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Willie Nelson.

Photo Credit: Keith Majors

To coincide with the book's launch, Kem's label home of twenty years, Motown Records, will release his live album "Anniversary" on April 7th. The album features hit singles from Kem's entire career and was recorded at The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit during the fall of 2022.

"Celebrating the 20th anniversary of my signing to the Motown label is exceptionally significant for me," Kem said. "Having the last two decades of my career culminate in a live album recorded in Detroit, in the city and with the people who first heard 'Love Calls' and helped put me on the map, is epic."

Kem is currently embarking on a co-headlining national arena tour with Ledisi called the Soul II Soul Tour. The tour kicks off on Friday and features Musiq Soulchild as a special guest. Fans can purchase tickets online at musicbykem.com.