Markus Andrews

More stories

  • 200 Shares99 Views

    in Music

    'American Idol' Finale: Jordin Sparks and Past Winners Help Lionel Richie Remake 'We Are the World'

    WENN

    Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Phillip Phillips, Scotty McCreery and Laine Hardy are also joined in the performance by other alumni including Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler and Lauren Alaina.
    May 18, 2020
    AceShowbiz – “American Idol” has crowned its Season 18 winner, but the finale offered more than that. One of the highlights from the Sunday night, May 17 show was the return of past winners, including Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino, to help judge Lionel Richie in performing a remake of “We Are the World”.
    Joining the foursome to deliver a beautiful rendition of the song Ritchie co-wrote in 1985 with Michael Jackson were Season 10, 11 and 17 winners, Scotty McCreery, Phillip Phillips and Laine Hardy respectively. Other “Idol” alumni, including Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Lauren Alaina, Gabby Barrett and Alejandro Aranda, also took part.
    [embedded content]
    “We Are the World” were originally produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian. Made as a charity single to benefit starvation relief efforts in Africa, it was performed by USA for Africa, a supergroup which included the likes of Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Ray Charles and Tina Turner.
    The unifying anthem got remade by Richie and Wyclef Jean in 2010 as a response to devastating earthquake in Haiti. This version featured Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg and Toni Braxton among others.
    Back in March 2020, Richie offered his thought on remaking the song for the ongoing coronavirus pandemic 35 years after its first release. “Two weeks ago, we said we didn’t want to do too much [about the song] because this is not the time to sell an anniversary. But the message is so clear,” he said referring to a line in the chorus, “There’s a choice we’re making, we’re saving our own lives.”
    “That line came about as Michael and I were sitting there talking. We said, you can either say, ‘I’m saving my life’ or ‘We’re saving our lives,’ ” the 70-year-old explained in an interview with PEOPLE. ” ‘We Are the World’ is a statement we wanted to make. What do we do to save our own?” He added that every time he tried to write a different song, he wrote “those same words.”
    The season 18 finale was filled with individual performances from the Top 5, Dillon James, Jonny West, Arthur Gunn, Francisco Martin and Justin Sam, as well as performances from Richie’s fellow judges, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan. Other performers for the finale included Lauren Daigle and Cynthia Erivo.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Jessica Alba Video Documents Her Attempts to Cut and Style Daughters’ Hair During Quarantine

    Related Posts More

  • 113 Shares109 Views

    in Music

    Ludacris Slammed for Name-Dropping R. Kelly on New Song

    Instagram

    In addition to that, Luda put a Bill Cosby reference on his and Lil Wayne’s upcoming song ‘Silence of the Lambs’, which he previews during a song battle on ‘Verzuz’ with Nelly.
    May 18, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Ludacris had a song battle with Nelly in the Saturday, May 17 episode of Timbaland and Swizz Beatz’s “Verzuz”. In the episode, Luda decided to treat fans to a snippet of his new song featuring Lil Wayne, only to get backlash.
    He previewed the song, which was titled “Silence of the Lambs”, three times in a row. It made fans easy enough to catch the R. Kelly and Bill Cosby references in the lyrics.
    Produced by Timbaland, the song opens with a mention of Bill as the lyrics read, “The world screwed if n****s pouring drinks like Bill Huxtable.” As if that wasn’t enought, Luda later rapped, “I love R. Kelly but around my daughters, I’m not comfortable.”

    It didn’t take long before people on the Internet were coming after Luda for his questionable sentiment about Kelly. “Ludacris really thought it was appropriate to tell us he loves R.Kelly in 2020 and told us three times. I’m still in shock,” someone tweeted.
    “I still can’t believe Ludacris played a new song with that R Kelly line THREE TIMES. Never let that man on live again,” another user wrote. “I’m still mad Ludacris previewed that Wayne song and dropped Cosby and R Kelly lines to start off the song. And ran it back like 5 times,” another person stated.
    Someone else added, “Nelly won tonight off the strength of Ludacris shouting out out R. Kelly not once, not twice, but three times in a 10 minute window. I don’t make the rules.”
    “Ludacris said ‘I love R. Kelly but around my daughters I’m not comfortable.’ Ehm I think you might want to REWRITE THAT LINE yunno,” a fan suggested. “Ludacris giving us bill cosby, r. kelly and roseanne bars in 2020 along with a chance the rapper feature. who asked for this? more importantly,” one other said, referring to Luda’s lyrics in which he shaded Roseanne Barr by declaring that racists were still drinking “from Roseanne’s bar.”

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    ‘American Idol’ Finale: Jordin Sparks and Past Winners Help Lionel Richie Remake ‘We Are the World’

    Related Posts More

  • 188 Shares99 Views

    in Music

    Ashanti Left Stunned by Fat Joe's 'What's Luv?' Revelation: It Almost Went to Jennifer Lopez

    WENN

    During an Instagram Live chat with the ‘Only U’ singer, the ‘Make It Rain’ rapper confesses that record boss Irv Gotti and frequent collaborator Ja Rule wanted the Latin singer.
    May 18, 2020
    AceShowbiz – R&B star Ashanti was almost replaced on Fat Joe’s 2001 hit “What’s Luv?” by Jennifer Lopez, according to the rapper himself.
    The hip-hop heavyweight shared the news in an Instagram Live chat with Ashanti on Friday, May 15, revealing her Murder Inc Records boss Irv Gotti and frequent collaborator Ja Rule had initially pitched him the idea of having J.Lo record over the “Baby” singer’s demo vocals.
    Recalling how the track came about, Fat Joe said, “Irv and Ja had called me, and they woke me up (at) like three in the morning, and they say, ‘Yo, come down (to the studio), we made a song for you’.”
    “I go to the studio, it was like four in the morning. They played What’s Luv? and you on it. And they was telling me, ‘Yo, this is for you and J.Lo. We want the Latinos on this (sic)’.”
    Clearly stunned by the revelation, Ashanti was featured mouthing, “What?”.
    “That’s a fact,” the MC confirmed, as she remarked, “Yo, I never knew that.”
    Fat Joe ended up fighting to keep Ashanti on the tune, which became a massive hit and earned the pair a Grammy Award nomination.
    He added, “I was like, ‘Yo, J.Lo? She (Ashanti) sound amazing on here.’ I was like, ‘Nah, we leaving her there (sic).'”
    [embedded content]
    “D**n,” commented a shocked Ashanti.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    A Woman and 5-Year-Old Boy Drown at Ex-Dodger Carl Crawford’s Home

    Related Posts More

  • 75 Shares189 Views

    in Music

    Artist of the Week: Ariana Grande

    The ‘Thank You, Next’ singer gives people a reason to smile with her new single while raising money for good cause and racing to the top spot on Billboard Hot 100.
    May 18, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Coronavirus pandemic has forced millions of people around the globe to stay at home in a bid to prevent further spread of the killer disease. With remarkable talent and plenty of time in her hands, Ariana Grande managed to keep her creative juices flowing.
    Collaborating with Justin Bieber who’s under the same management, the petite singer crafted a love ballad that many people could relate to during the lockdown. Called “Stuck With U”, it’s about a couple who lock themselves indoors to get to know each other better.
    The music video is full of laughs and smiles with cameo appearances by the likes of Kendall Jenner, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Demi Lovato, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Ariana used the video to introduce her new boyfriend Dalton Gomez while Justin appeared with his wife Hailey Baldwin.
    The song is expected to have an uplifting impact amidst the doom and gloom of the global health crisis, but it’s deeper than that. All proceeds from the single are donated to fund scholarships of children of frontline workers whose lives have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    The song received positive response from fans. It climbed high to the fourth spot in the U.K. singles chart, becoming this week’s highest new entry across the pond. Stateside, the song is ranked first in Billboard poll of favorite new music with 75 percent of the vote, leaving its rivals by the likes of Kehlani and Chris Brown in the dust.
    Meanwhile, competition is fierce on Billboard Hot 100. Doja Cat’s “Say So” remix featuring Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” remix featuring Beyonce Knowles, Tekashi 6ix9ine’s new single “Gooba”, and The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” are all in a neck-and-neck race to No. 1. Ariana and Justin join the rally and are expected to explode on the chart.
    Their charity single is predicted to debut so high that it has already gotten their rival Tekashi69 shaken. He’s so anxious that he accused Billboard of playing favorites and fixing the rankings. According to emails received by the rapper on Thursday, May 14, “Stuck With U” climbed up to No. 5 before jumping to No. 1 after gaining 60,000 units in mere hours.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Hope Solo’s Dog Dies After Left in Critical Condition Following ‘Heinous’ Shooting

    Related Posts More

  • 188 Shares129 Views

    in Music

    Aloe Blacc and The National Frontman to Raise Awareness for Youth Homelessness With Virtual Concert

    WENN

    ‘The Man’ singer and Matt Berninger will headline the ‘Safe and Sound’ event which will also feature Grouplove, Young the Giant, Phantom Planet and Cold War Kids’ Nathan Willett.
    May 18, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Singer Aloe Blacc and The National frontman Matt Berninger are set to headline a virtual concert to raise awareness about youth homelessness.
    The “Safe and Sound” event will also feature Nathan Willett of Cold War Kids, as well as fellow rockers Grouplove, Young the Giant, and Phantom Planet, among others, and is aimed at boosting donations to Los Angeles’ Safe Place for Youth (SPY) organisation, through which officials work to provide immediate and lasting solutions for those without permanent housing.
    Hosted by rapper/actor Lil Dicky, aka Dave Burd, the gig will take place at 5pm PST on Tuesday, May 19 and will be free to watch, although fans have to register (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/safe-and-sound-safe-place-for-youth-virtual-benefit-concert-tickets-104348485128) to receive access to the show.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Sarah Hyland Makes City Hall Wedding Joke When Celebrating Wells Adams’ 36th Birthday

    Related Posts More

  • 163 Shares169 Views

    in Music

    Britney Spears Thanks Loyal Fans on 20th Anniversary of 'Oops!…I Did It Again'

    Instagram

    The ‘Toxic’ hitmaker celebrates the 20th anniversary of her hit studio album and calls herself ‘one lucky girl’ for having so many loyal fans around the world.
    May 18, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Britney Spears took to social media to mark 20 years since the release of her second album “Oops!…I Did It Again” on Saturday, May 16, 2020.
    The album held a 15-year-record for the biggest U.S. sales week ever for a female artist and sold over 1,319,000 copies in the first week alone. The only album to beat the figure since is Adele’s 2015 album “25”.
    Taking to Instagram, Britney posted a video of its title track along with various promotional interviews she did when releasing the album.
    “Thank you to whoever made this ….. I just nearly dropped my phone I wasn’t expecting it,” she wrote in a caption, suggesting the clips were put together by a fan. “20 years since the Oops! album … the anticipation and the butterflies I felt before it came out were crazy … all of my expectations were exceeded!!!!”
    The “Stronger” hitmaker added, “And it’s all thanks to you folks …. thank you for sticking with me and growing with me … I am one Lucky girl. God Bless and thank you all !!!!!! PS you see even 20 years ago I still liked to twirl!!!!”

    In March, the singer also marked the anniversary of the record’s title track, gushing, “Oops!….how did 20 years go by so fast?!??! I can’t believe it.”
    “I remember that red suit was so freaking hot …but the dance was fun and it made the shoot fly by !!!!!”

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Travis Scott and LeBron James Design Class of 2020 T-shirt for Charity

    Related Posts More

  • 100 Shares99 Views

    in Music

    Keith Urban Serenades Medical Workers in Drive-By Concert

    Instagram

    The Australian country music singer performs his songs for first responders at a drive-by movie theater where concertgoers are isolated in their own vehicle.
    May 17, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Keith Urban took the stage at the Stardust Drive-In Movie Theater outside of Nashville, Tennessee to perform a special set for first responders amid the Covid-19 crisis.
    The music star performed the first-of-its-kind show for frontline workers tackling the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S., and told the crowd as he hit the stage, “To all of you guys here tonight, for everything that you’ve done, and continue to do, to all of your families, we say thank you – this concert is for all of you.”
    The private, unannounced show, which lasted over an hour, was set up exclusively for more than 200 doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, and staff from Vanderbilt Health, part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which has 140 locations throughout Tennessee and surrounding States.

    Over 100 workers, each isolated in their own vehicle showed up, honking their horns and flashing their lights throughout the performance.
    “I did this to say thanks to the healthcare workers who are putting their lives on the line for us every day,” said Urban, according to a press release. “And performing in this environment, with everyone in their cars at a safe distance from one another, seems like an amazing opportunity for everybody to just let go and have fun… and I’m a musician, I HAVE TO PLAY!”

    Urban, alongside Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Evans, is billed to appear on the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, in the latest of the iconic venue’s virtual shows.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Alicia Keys Revisits Difficult Childhood as She Shares Emotional ‘Divorce Letter’ to Her Father

    Related Posts More

  • 113 Shares119 Views

    in Music

    John Legend Returns to Stage With Reality Concert Series

    WENN

    The ‘All of Me’ singer will be performing on stage in a specially-designed studio that allows viewers to feel like they are attending the concert in the same room.
    May 17, 2020
    AceShowbiz – John Legend is heading back to work to deliver a special immersive virtual reality performance in an empty Los Angeles studio.
    The “All of Me” hitmaker has been putting on mini-gigs and shooting episodes of U.S. talent competition “The Voice”, on which he serves as a judge, from his home while in coronavirus isolation, but on Saturday, May 16, 2020, he will headline the new Live from LA concert series.
    Using modern technology, Legend will hit the stage in a specially-designed studio for the show, which will enable viewers to virtually attend the event, making them feel like they are in the same room without ever stepping outside.
    The free show, staged in collaboration with bosses at virtual reality music platform MelodyVR, will kick off at 6 P.M. PST via the company’s app.
    “Come and join me for a very special performance live from MelodyVR’s studio on Saturday, May 16,” Legend shares in a statement. “While we can’t be together in person right now, I’m excited to share this moment with my fans.”
    Anthony Matchett, CEO of MelodyVR, adds, “MelodyVR was founded with the vision of providing fans with a new and exciting way of experiencing the live music they love, regardless of their location, age or financial means.”
    “The current absence of concerts and festivals is extremely damaging to both artists and to the music industry, and as a company that’s dedicated to virtual events and immersive content, we wanted to utilize our unique technology to create a solution.”
    “Our new studio facility in LA provides a safe, innovative, creative space for artists wishing to reach their fans digitally while they are unable to perform publicly. I’m thrilled to be working with our partners throughout the industry, including artists, managers, record labels and promoters to bring this series of exclusive performances to fans.”
    Rapper Machine Gun Kelly, singer Katelyn Tarver, and rockers The Score will also be taking part in the MelodyVR concert series over the next few days, with the gigs doubling as fundraisers to boost donations to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Alicia Keys Revisits Difficult Childhood as She Shares Emotional ‘Divorce Letter’ to Her Father

    Related Posts More