Monday, March 28, 2022

R&B Singer Keith Martin Found Dead in Philippines

Credit Instagram: @keithmartinmusic

R&B singer Keith Martin, best known for his 2004 hit ballad "Because of You," was found dead at the age of 55 in his condominium in the Philippines on Friday.

According to reporting from The Manila Times, building workers found Martin’s body after being alerted by his neighbors of a foul smell coming from the unit at about 7:15 a.m. local time.

The Quezon City Police Department told the paper the property reported the incident to authorities, and his body was discovered inside on the bed.

The case has been turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit for investigation. A cause of death has yet to be revealed.

The Washington, D.C. native rose to prominence in the late 1990s. His 1995 album “It's Long Overdue” peaked at No. 82 on the Billboard R&B, but the lead single “Never Find Someone Like You” — which was included on the platinum-selling “Bad Boys” soundtrack — reached No. 43 on the R&B Singles chart.

Martin moved to Manila in 2004, leveraging his continued popularity in Asia into a career as an in-house producer for EMI Philippines. He worked to develop Asian artists and was a frequent collaborator with local acts.

No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Will Smith Wins First Oscar After Slapping Chris Rock

A screengrab of the slap from the Oscars' live broadcast.

Diddy Says Beef Between the Duo Has Already Been Squashed

What did the five fingers say to the face?

Comedian Chris Rock, 57, found out that times may have changed, but the answer to the old punchline remains the same.

While performing a comedy bit during the Oscars Sunday night, the Grammy winner made a joke about actress Jada Pinkett Smith, which did not go over well with her Oscar-nominated husband Will.

Seconds later, the 53-year-old rapper-turned-actor charged the stage and delivered a stinging rebuke — in the form of a pimp-slap during the live broadcast.

Following the altercation, clearly stunned, Rock said, “Will Smith just smacked the s—t out of me."

Smith, who had returned to his seat, yelled at Rock to"Keep my wife's name out your f—ing mouth!
Celebrities in the audience as well as those following along at home seemed not to know how to react at first, but the dawning realization that the slap was real and not a bit between the two usually amicable celebrities set in fast. 
So, what got the artist formerly known as The Fresh Prince all riled up?

Until Smith makes his thoughts known on the subject, one can only speculate. The incident, however, did take place moments after Rock joked about his wife looking like “G.I. Jane.” 

“Jada, I love ya. GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,” Rock said. The joke was an obvious one but probably one best left out of the routine, considering that Pinkett Smith has spoken openly about having alopecia (a hair-loss condition) and the physical and mental stress it has caused in her life.


Regardless of why it happened, it seems that the two have managed to squash the beef. Rock refused to file a police report with the Los Angeles Police Department. Shortly after the dustup, Smith won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Venus and Serena Williams’ father in “King Richard," and Sean “Diddy” Combs confirmed to Page Six  Sunday night at the Vanity Fair Oscar party that the duo had already made amends.

“That’s not a problem. That’s over. I can confirm that,” Diddy, 52, said.

"It’s all love,” he added. “They’re brothers.”
Smith, who apologized to everyone except Rock, in his speech following his first-ever Oscar win, definitely seemed to be over it. He celebrated the night away, dancing and singing along to some of his biggest hits as a musician. 

No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Artist's Estate Announces an Immersive Prince Experience Debuting in June

CREDIT: WARNER BROS. RECORDS

Prince's death in 2016 was a blow to music lovers across the globe, but his purple reign continues.

Thanks to one of pop's most memorable music catalogs and his estate's determination to keep the artist relevant, the Prince brand is thriving.

Recently valued at $156 million, The Prince Estate's latest venture to keep the Purple One's legacy alive is an ambitious one.

It has partnered with entertainment and brand experience company Superfly for a one-of-a-kind immersive experience that will honor the legacy and artistry of Prince.

The collaboration with the company, best known for co-founding Bonnaroo and co-producing the Outside Lands festival, is set to launch in Chicago in June.

Superfly's co-founder, Kerry Black, said in a release announcing the project that its goal is to "reimagine how fans interact with their favorite artists and music.”

“There are few ways to encounter music in a physical space outside of concerts," Black said. "This project will change that, pioneering a new approach to experiences while respecting the creative vision of the artist.”

Details were sparse at the time of the announcement, but in addition to offering more than 10 multidimensional spaces that take visitors through the icon’s life — showcasing his musical eras and creative evolution and highlighting his influential sound —Black told Rolling Stone that fans will be able to interact with the Purple Rain album cover as well as the studio where Prince created much of his music.

"You’re going to be able to step into a Purple Rain album cover,” he said, "where you can get your photo up on the motorcycle. But we’re also doing a full buildout of the entire street scene, right? So there’s going to be the First Avenue club and a bunch of the stores.”

Black added, “We’re doing a partial replica of Studio A, which was his studio where he created all his music from about 1990 on, and in there, people are going to be able to go and sort of play producer and mix stems from ‘Let’s Go Crazy.'” The exhibit will also display a mix of Prince’s original wardrobe and instruments alongside replicas as well as photographs.

The experience will run through Oct. 9 in Chicago. Time-stamped tickets, starting at $39.50, go on sale at 10 a.m. March 31, at PrinceTheExperience.com.
No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Slider[Style1]

Trending