Markus Andrews

More stories

  • 113 Shares189 Views

    in Music

    Grammy Boss Defends Eddie Van Halen Tribute Following Backlash

    WENN

    The executive producer of the Grammy Awards has responded to the criticisms regarding the ‘In Memoriam’ segment that honored the late Van Halen rock star.

    Mar 21, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Grammy Awards executive producer Ben Winston has defended the show’s Eddie Van Halen In Memoriam tribute, revealing he wanted it to be bigger but the late guitar great’s family nixed the idea.

    Fans and Eddie’s son Wolfgang were upset by the Van Halen star’s 15-second slot at music’s big night on Sunday (14Mar21), and some devotees took to social media this week to hammer the Recording Academy bosses for failing to show due respect to a rock legend.

    Wolfgang Van Halen revealed in a social media post that he was approached by producers to perform his father’s signature guitar instrumental “Eruption” during the Grammys broadcast, but declined. He also took aim at the show’s power players, adding, “What hurt the most was that he wasn’t even mentioned when they talked about artists we lost in the beginning of the show.”

      See also…

    But Winston tells Variety he did what he could to facilitate a more comprehensive tribute.

    “We had a call with Wolfgang before the show, and I asked him if he’d be willing to come on and play,” Ben says. “He felt he didn’t really want to do that, and I offered up eight or nine guitarists who maybe could. But instead, he felt like we should play a video of Eddie himself, because nobody could play like him, so that’s what we did.”

    “I would have loved for it to be longer than it was, but Eddie was the only person in the whole In Memoriam (segment) to play their own music, with no other faces being seen. I felt that was an appropriate tribute to him, but if Wolfgang didn’t, I’m sorry about that… It’s such a horrific thing to lose a parent. We did the best that we felt we could.”

    You can share this post!

    Next article

    Carole Baskin Blames ‘Mob Mentality’ for Abuse She Receives After ‘Tiger King’

    Related Posts More

  • 163 Shares139 Views

    in Music

    Stevie Nicks Turns Down Nathan Apodaca's Offer to Turn 'Dreams' Video Into NFT

    Instagram

    The TikTok star, who became a viral sensation after filming himself skateboarding while miming along to the Fleetwood Mac song, is also said to feel slighted by the rocker’s lack of acknowledgment.

    Mar 20, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Stevie Nicks has reportedly blocked TikTok star Nathan Apodaca’s bid to turn his “Dreams” skateboarding video into a money-spinning investment.

    The Fleetwood Mac fan’s video of himself gliding down a street while miming along to Stevie’s hit and drinking cranberry juice became one of last year’s (2020) biggest viral hits, garnering 12 million views, while giving the band’s 1977 song a new lease of life, but Nicks wants nothing to do with plans to turn the concept into a digital asset.

    Apodaca is trying to sell the full video as a non-fungible token (NFT), with a starting bid of $500,000 (£360,400), but he can’t offer up the music without Stevie’s permission. Many artists, musicians and influencers have had their NFTs turned into collector’s items.

      See also…

    The rock veteran has reportedly shot down the idea of sharing a digital fortune with the property developer. Apodaca’s representative told TMZ on Friday, March 19 that their team had offered Nicks 50 percent of the sale, but she had turned it down.

    The rep also told the outlet that his client feels slighted as Nicks never even acknowledged him after he gave “Dreams” and Fleetwood Mac a big boost among younger music fans thanks to his skateboarding video.

    Apodaca is planning to move forward with the sale of his clip without the music, as the rights could not be secured.

    Nicks has yet to comment. She, however, revealed in mid-October 2020 that “Dreams” was recorded in just 20 minutes. She additionally shared that she wrote it in funk legend Sly Stone’s secret recording space in San Francisco, California.

    You can share this post!

    Next article

    Taylor Swift Hails Beyonce ‘Queen of Grace’ for Celebrating Her Grammy Win With Flowers Gift

    Related Posts More

  • 163 Shares159 Views

    in Music

    Justin Bieber Announces 'Justice' Initiative Supporting Social Good to Mark New Album Release

    Instagram

    The ‘Never Say Never’ hitmaker uses his platform for good cause as he announces his support for organizations fighting for justice to celebrate his new studio installment.

    Mar 20, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Justin Bieber has teamed up with bosses at digital marketing platform Propeller to raise awareness and generate support for organisations fighting for justice.

    The new initiative has been launched to coincide with the release of Bieber’s new album, “Justice”, on Friday (19Mar21).

    Announcing the partnership with Propeller on Twitter on Thursday, Justin wrote, “In honour of #Justice I’m supporting organisations that embody what justice looks like in action.”

    The charities who will directly benefit from the campaign include Alexandria House, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Baby2Baby, Equal Justice Initiative, and the Poor People’s Campaign.

      See also…

    Fans donating money to the cause can win tickets to shows on Justin’s 2022 tour, an Epiphone Hummingbird Artist guitar signed by the pop star, and a shopping spree from Justin’s online store.

    Unfortunately for the singer, he’s currently embroiled in a legal dispute with dance duo Justice, who have accused Bieber of stealing their logo.

    The dance troupe fired a cease-and-desist letter. They told Justin in their letter, “Your use of the Mark is illegal. You have not received permission from Justice to utilize the Mark. Moreover, Bieber’s work is in no way affiliated with, supported by, or sponsored by Justice.”

    “Such use of the Mark is not only illegal, but likely to deceive and confuse consumers.”

    “Not only was Bieber’s team actually aware of Justice’s use of the Mark, they sought to use the same artist to essentially duplicate it for the Album. This is textbook bad faith and willful infringement. Through your illegal co-opting of the Mark, you are now subject to immediate legal action and damages including, but not limited to, punitive and injustice relief.”

    You can share this post!

    Next article

    John Travolta and Nicolas Cage Interested in ‘Face/Off’ Sequel

    Related Posts More

  • 200 Shares99 Views

    in Music

    Justin Bieber Defended by Martin Luther King's Daughter Over Use of MLK's Speeches on New Album

    Instagram

    Bernice King is grateful to the ‘What Do You Mean?’ hitmaker for supporting global movement for justice by featuring the civil rights icon’s speeches on his new album.

    Mar 20, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Martin Luther King’s daughter has defended Justin Bieber for using snippets from her father’s speeches on his new album cover, revealing the pop star asked for permission to feature the civil rights icon.

    Bieber came under fire early on Thursday night (18Mar21) as his latest record, “Justice”, dropped, with critics calling the star “tone deaf” for mixing pop songs with King’s words.

    In fact, the very first voice listeners heard on the album was one of King’s speeches, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” at the beginning of the track “2 Much”.

    There’s also a nearly two-minute MLK Interlude track in the middle of the record, which leads into a song called “Die for You”.

      See also…

    Bernice King has offered no commentary on how Bieber used her dad’s speeches on the album, but she has confirmed he did ask the MLK Estate for clearance.

    She tweets, “Thank you, @justinbieber, for your support, in honor of #Justice, of @TheKingCenter’s work and of our #BeLove campaign, which is a part of our global movement for justice.”

    Bieber is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with dance duo Justice, who have accused Bieber of stealing their logo for the cover art of “Justice”.

    The dance troupe fired a cease-and-desist letter. They told Justin in their letter, “Your use of the Mark is illegal. You have not received permission from Justice to utilize the Mark. Moreover, Bieber’s work is in no way affiliated with, supported by, or sponsored by Justice.”

    “Such use of the Mark is not only illegal, but likely to deceive and confuse consumers.”

    You can share this post!

    Next article

    Lo Bosworth Explains Why It Took Her Long Time to Go Public With Her Brain Injury

    Related Posts More

  • 138 Shares169 Views

    in Music

    Kenny Wayne Shepherd's Music Award Nomination Rescinded Over Confederate Flag Imagery

    Instagram

    The Blues Foundation has decided to call off his Best Blues/Rock Artist nomination after he allegedly displayed Confederate flag imagery on his car and guitars.

    Mar 20, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Blues Music Award nomination has been rescinded over the singer’s use of Confederate flag imagery.

    In a statement, The Blues Foundation revealed they’d decided to rescind his nomination for Best Blues/Rock Artist due to the images which appeared on Shepherd’s The Dukes of Hazzard ‘General Lee’ car replica and on “guitars and elsewhere.”

    Apologising in a statement to Rolling Stone, Shepherd said he had made the decision to cover the images on his car some time ago.

      See also…

    “We have been told this decision has been made because in recent days, concerns have been raised regarding one of the cars in my muscle car collection,” he said. “The car was built 17 years ago as a replica and homage to the iconic car in the television series, The Dukes of Hazzard. That CBS show was one of the highest-rated and most popular programs of its era and like millions of others, I watched it every week.”

    “In the show, one of the central ‘characters’ was a muscle car which displayed a confederate flag on its roof. Years ago I put that car in permanent storage and some time ago, I made the decision to permanently cover the flag on my car because it was completely against my values and offensive to the African American community which created the music I love so much and I apologise to anyone that I have unintentionally hurt because of it.”

    He concluded, “I want to make something very clear and unequivocal; I condemn and stand in complete opposition to all forms of racism and oppression and always have.”

    As well as Shepherd’s nomination being rescinded, the Blues Foundation has asked his father Ken Shepherd to step down as a member of their Board of Directors. Ken Shepherd has yet to comment on the controversy.

    You can share this post!

    Next article

    Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin Temporarily Rehome Their Cats More

  • 125 Shares99 Views

    in Music

    Kanye West and Drake's Albums Mysteriously Removed on Apple Music

    WENN/Avalon/Tony Forte

    According to numerous reports, some of Kanye’s discography, ‘College Dropout’, ‘808s and Heartbreak’ and ‘Cruel Summer’, was nowhere to be found on the streaming service.

    Mar 19, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Kanye West sparked chatter on social media, but that’s not only due to reports that he becomes the richest black man in the United States. The “Gold Digger” rapper found his name trending on Twitter on Thursday, March 18 after fans noticed that most of his songs were missing from Apple Music’s streaming service.

    According to numerous reports, some of his discography was nowhere to be found on the site. Among those which were mysteriously removed were “College Dropout”, “808s & Heartbreak” and “Cruel Summer”.

    “According to Apple Music, Kanye West only has 6 albums. College Dropout, Graduation, 808s & Heartbreak, and TLOP were just a figment of our imagination,” one person tweeted. However, people who previously downloaded those album can still access them.

      See also…

    Kanye wasn’t the only artist which albums were removed from the streaming service by Apple. Some of Drake’s notable albums were missing. It appeared that the Canadian star’s account has been restored.

    “Where are my favorite drake albums on Apple Music? They were there yesterday,” a fan wrote on Twitter. “Why drake removing albums from Apple Music,” someone else added.

    That aside, Kanye West was recently named as the richest black man in the U.S. after Bloomberg reported his net worth is $6.6 billion. In the report cited from UBS Group AG, the outlet noted that his Yeezy brand was valued between $3.2 billion and $4.7 billion. Additionally, it claimed that Yeezy’s new partnership with Gap, which is set to hit stores in the summer, “could be worth as much as $970 million of that total.”

    However, the claims were quickly refuted by Forbes. On Thursday, the leading business magazine reported the 49-year-old MC’s net worth are “based on the magical thinking around sales that don’t yet exist.” The outlet added, “This is why he’s currently worth less than one-third of that.”

    You can share this post!

    Next article

    Professor Green Introduces Newborn Baby Boy

    Related Posts More

  • 113 Shares199 Views

    in Music

    Justin Bieber Goes Retro in Music Video for 'Peaches'

    [embedded content]

    It has been widely speculated that Justin writes the lyrics of the romantic tune, which also features Daniel Caesar and Giveon, for his model wife Hailey Baldwin.

    Mar 19, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Justin Bieber has unveiled the music video for his single “Peaches”, much to fans’ excitement. Released on Thursday evening, March 18, the new visuals sees the pop singer mixing retro ’90s vibes with modern color pallettes while singing the song alongside collaborators Giveon and Daniel Caesar.

    The video opens with Justin cruising around in a car alongside Giveon and Daniel. The “Sorry” hitmaker can be seen hanging in and on top of the car while singing, “There’s nothing like your touch/ It’s the way you lift me up/ And I’ll be right here with you ’til the end.”

    In the chorus, Justin croons, “I got my peaches out in Georgia (Oh, yeah, s**t)/ I get my weed from California (That’s that s**t)/ I took my chick up to the North, yeah (Bada** b***h)/ I get my light right from the source, yeah (Yeah, that’s it).”

      See also…

    It has been widely speculated that Justin wrote the lyrics of the romantic tune for his model wife Hailey Baldwin. “Peaches”, meanwhile, is off Justin’s long-awaited album “Justice” that also contains megahit singles “Holy” featuring Chance the Rapper and “Lonely” featuring Benny Blanco.

    Prior to this, Justin shared why he chose the word justice for his new album. “In a time when there’s so much wrong with this broken planet we all crave healing and justice for humanity. In creating this album my goal is to make music that will provide comfort, to make songs that people can relate to and connect to so they feel less alone,” he shared on social media back in February.

    “Suffering, injustice and pain can leave people feeling helpless. Music is a great way of reminding each other that we aren’t alone. Music can be a way to relate to one another and connect with one another,” he continued.

    The Canadian rapper also added that he “cannot simply solve injustice by making music but I do know that if we all do our part by using our gifts to serve this planet and each other that we are that much closer to being united.”

    You can share this post!

    Next article

    Report: ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Finds Valkyrie’s Love Interest in ‘Game of Thrones’ Alum

    Related Posts More

  • 188 Shares169 Views

    in Music

    Snoop Dogg Debuts 'CEO' Music Video to Celebrate the Launch His Own Brand of Gin

    [embedded content]

    In the music video, the ‘Young, Wild and Free’ rapper brags about his success as he dances next to a giant billboard for his new flavored gin brand, INDOGGO.

    Mar 19, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Snoop Dogg is celebrating his new business venture with a new music debut. Having launched his own brand of gin called INDOGGO, the “Young, Wild and Free” rapper treated his fans to the release of his new single “CEO” in addition to its music video.

    The 49-year-old MC dropped the new promo on Thursday, March 18. In the visual, he bragged about his successes and longevity in the music industry as he dances next to a giant billboard for his new flavored gin brand.

    Speaking up about his new track and gin launch, Snoop told Rolling Stone, “I’ve been a boss and entrepreneur in this game for decades and I keep on building my empire.” He added, “My new single, ‘C.E.O.’ talks about the work and hustle I put in to be the boss. With moves like launching my own liquor brand, INDOGGO, and with weed brands, shows and more, I stay on my grind.”

      See also…

    “I have done deals before with other companies and I was grateful to work with those companies, but I needed to create something that represented me,” he continued. “[INDOGGO is] something that I like to drink and that I felt like everyone would like.”

    The “Gin & Juice” hitmaker went on to note that lifestyle expert Martha Stewart has praised his new gin. “I knew that we had created a great tasting, smooth gin, but to get the stamp of approval from my friend Martha Stewart – I knew we had a winner,” he boasted.

    Revealing that INDOGGO had been in the works for more than two years before its launch, Snoop explained, “We took our time to make sure the liquid, the taste and packaging was perfect.” On the reason why he decided with a strawberry flavor, he said, “[it] was just the right amount of sweet without being too sweet – and it goes well with my bubblegum weed.”

    “People always say, ‘I hate gin, I don’t drink gin’ [and] they think gin is old and nasty, so that’s why we created a remix on gin – strawberry infused,” he further elaborated. “It’s different from anything in the market and it’s for everyone; you can do shots or make upscale cocktails.”

    You can share this post!

    Next article

    Tiffany Haddish Likes Tweets About Nicki Minaj Being Disrespectful

    Related Posts More