Month: February 2024

Categories
Pop Daypop

Usher joined by Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Ludacris and more at Super Bowl LVIII halftime show

Usher and Alicia Keys at the Hammerstein Ballroom on September 30^ 2010 in New York City.

Usher was joined by a star-studded array of special guests for his performance at the Super Bowl Halftime show, taking the stage at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday alongside Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R., will.i.am, Ludacris and Lil Jon.

Usher performed some of his biggest hits, including ‘Caught Up,’ U Got It Bad,’ ‘Superstar’, ‘My Boo,’ ‘OMG,’ ‘Confessions,’ and of course the grand finale, ‘Yeah!’

Take a look at the finale of Usher’s halftime show courtesy of the NFL’s X post: here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Usher joined by Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Ludacris and more at Super Bowl LVIII halftime show

Usher and Alicia Keys at the Hammerstein Ballroom on September 30^ 2010 in New York City.

Usher was joined by a star-studded array of special guests for his performance at the Super Bowl Halftime show, taking the stage at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday alongside Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R., will.i.am, Ludacris and Lil Jon.

Usher performed some of his biggest hits, including ‘Caught Up,’ U Got It Bad,’ ‘Superstar’, ‘My Boo,’ ‘OMG,’ ‘Confessions,’ and of course the grand finale, ‘Yeah!’

Take a look at the finale of Usher’s halftime show courtesy of the NFL’s X post: here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Kyle Lowry agrees to buyout with Charlotte Hornets, signing deal for $2.8M with 76ers

Kyle Lowry during group A basketball match between Team USA and Australia of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games; RIO DE JANEIRO^ BRAZIL - AUGUST 10^ 2016

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, veteran guard Kyle Lowry has reached an agreement with the Charlotte Hornets on a contract buyout, and will sign a deal worth $2.8 million with the Philadelphia 76ers upon hitting free agency. Lowry’s agents confirmed the news with a “Coming Home” montage and the caption: “@Klow7’s announcement that he’s signing with the @sixers! 🔔🔴🔵”   Lowry was born and raised in North Philadelphia and attended the nearby Villanova University to play college basketball.

Lowry had joined the Hornets via the Terry Rozier trade with the Miami Heat, but had not played a game for them. While with the Heat, Lowry started 35 out of 37 games and as averaging fewer than 30 minutes per game for the first time since the 2008-09 season.  He holds a .582 true shooting rate, but his assist rate is down from two years ago (32.3% to 19.6%) and his usage rate is a career-low 13.4%.

Lowry, 37, will be reunited with head coach Nick Nurse on the Sixers, with whom he won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.  The 18 year veteran is likely to serve primarily as a backup point guard behind All-Star Tyrese Maxey.   The Sixers currently sit fifth in the East with a record of 31-21.

Editorial credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Beyoncé announces new country-themed album ‘Act II: Renaissance’ during Super Bowl

Beyonce arrives to the 2013 Grammy Awards on February 10^ 2013 in Hollywood^ CA

Beyoncé surprised fans when she announced new country-themed music during Super Bowl LVIII.  The 42-year-old superstar posted a video via Instagram on Sunday, February 11, and announced that her next release, titled ‘Act II: Renaissance’ will drop on March 29. ‘Act I: Renaissance’ was released in July 2022.

In the country-style video announcement on Instagram begins with a car driving to Texas’ rural countryside, as a group of men gather and seemingly look at the sky. The car drives off as Beyoncé sings, “This ain’t Texas. Ain’t no hold ‘em. So lay our cards down, down, down, down.”

Shortly thereafter, the singer posted another clip to Instagram announcing that two new tracks, “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM and 16 CARRIAGES out now.’  Both tracks are available to stream on TIDAL and YouTube.

The surprise album announcement came after Beyoncé starred in a commercial for Verizon, in which she (with the help of Tony Hale) tried to break the internet through a series of promotional stunts. The ad ended with Beyoncé exclaiming, “Drop the new music!” with no further information revealed at the time.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Beyoncé announces new country-themed album ‘Act II: Renaissance’ during Super Bowl

Beyonce arrives to the 2013 Grammy Awards on February 10^ 2013 in Hollywood^ CA

Beyoncé surprised fans when she announced new country-themed music during Super Bowl LVIII.  The 42-year-old superstar posted a video via Instagram on Sunday, February 11, and announced that her next release, titled ‘Act II: Renaissance’ will drop on March 29. ‘Act I: Renaissance’ was released in July 2022.

In the country-style video announcement on Instagram begins with a car driving to Texas’ rural countryside, as a group of men gather and seemingly look at the sky. The car drives off as Beyoncé sings, “This ain’t Texas. Ain’t no hold ‘em. So lay our cards down, down, down, down.”

Shortly thereafter, the singer posted another clip to Instagram announcing that two new tracks, “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM and 16 CARRIAGES out now.’  Both tracks are available to stream on TIDAL and YouTube.

The surprise album announcement came after Beyoncé starred in a commercial for Verizon, in which she (with the help of Tony Hale) tried to break the internet through a series of promotional stunts. The ad ended with Beyoncé exclaiming, “Drop the new music!” with no further information revealed at the time.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Indiana Pacers trade Buddy Hield to Philadelphia 76ers in three-player deal

Philadelphia 76rs flag waving on a clear day. American professional basketball team^ Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference

With Joel Embiid out for at least a month following meniscus surgery, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Philadelphia 76ers have acquired Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers, posting on X: “the Indiana Pacers are trading Buddy Hield to the 76ers for Marcus Morris, Furkan Korkmaz and three second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.”  The Sixers will send Marcus Morris, who has been with Philly for just this season, and Furkan Korkmaz, who was drafted by the Sixers in 2016, to the Pacers. They are also sending three second-round picks and $1.5 million in cash.

Hield, 31, entered the league as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He previously played for the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings. He also was traded in 2017 and 2022. Hield averaged 12 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game through 52 appearances this season for the Pacers. The eight-year veteran averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game through his first 600 appearances in the NBA. He is set to become a free agent this off-season.

The 34-year-old Morris, a 13-year veteran, averaged 6.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game through 37 appearances this season for the 76ers. The veteran forward averaged 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds through his first 820 career appearances, previously playing for the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers. He will become a free agent this off-season.

The 26-year-old Korkmaz averaged 2.5 points per game through 35 appearances this season for the 76ers. He averaged 6.8 points per game through his first seven seasons in the league. He will also hit free agency later this year.

Editorial credit: rarrarorro / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Oklahoma City Thunder acquire Gordon Hayward from Hornets for Tre Mann, Davis Bertan

Logo of the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team

According to The Athletics Shams Charania, the Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired veteran All-Star forward Gordon Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets, in exchange for Tre Mann, Davis Bertans, Vasilije Micic and draft compensation. Hayward is making $31.5 million this season and is set to hit free agency this summer.

The 33-year-old Hayward, who spent time with the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz, has spent the past three-plus seasons with Charlotte team that hasn’t reached the playoffs. However he has been plagued with injuries, and hasn’t played since Dec. 26 due to a left calf issue. Hayward has played 52 or fewer games in each of the past five seasons, including 25 games this season.

In 25 games, Hayward’s averaging 14.5 points on 48.6% shooting, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He’s shot 36.1% from 3 on 2.4 attempts, with nearly all of his 3-pointers resulting in assists (95.5%). Meanwhile, Mann’s been averaging 8.5 points on 39.7% shooting, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in three seasons.

Editorial credit: Semper Fidelis / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Miles Teller to portray Michael Jackson’s attorney in new biopic ‘Michael’

Miles Teller at the 72nd Festival de Cannes; CANNES^ FRANCE. May 18^ 2019:

Lionsgate and Universal Pictures announced in a press release that actor Miles Teller has joined the cast of the Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ in the role of John Branca, Jackson’s high-powered attorney. ‘Michael’ is directed by Antoine Fuqua from a screenplay by John Logan, with production currently underway. Branca also serves as a producer on the film, alongside John McClain as co-executors of Jackson’s estate. Teller’s Branca is described as “the unyielding attorney who shepherded Michael Jackson’s career as he transitioned from a singing sensation in a boy band to the world-renowned King of Pop.”

Producer Graham King said:“Miles is a compelling screen presence, whom I’ve admired since watching him in Whiplash. He’s the perfect actor to capture John’s enigmatic persona. From our earliest development conversations, it was clear the emotional connection that John still has to Michael. He graciously allowed us to use him as a character in the film and I’m thrilled that it’s Miles who will portray a relationship that extended over 3 decades, through Michael’s greatest triumphs and most difficult days.”  Fuqua added in a statement: “Miles’ finely tuned skills as an actor are up to the challenge of playing a man who is being examined for the pivotal role he played in Michael Jackson’s life. He is the perfect actor to disappear into the role of John Branca.”

‘Michael’ stars Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who will be introduced to audiences in the starring role of the musical icon, with 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi portraying the younger Jackson. Colman Domingo and Nia Long will portray Michael’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson.

An official filml synopsis says that ‘Michael’ will give “a riveting and honest portrayal” of Michael Jackson, who died at age 50 in 2009. The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, captured by his iconic performances.”  ‘Michael’ will be released in theaters on April 18, 2025.

Editorial credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign drop new video for ‘Talking/Once Again’ featuring North West

Kanye West attend the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater.

Kanye West has dropped he first release from his project with Ty Dolla $ign titled ‘Talking/Once Again’, along with a video that features Ye’s eldest daughter, 10-year-old North West.  Ye posted to Instagram: “TALKING / ONCE AGAIN. Directed by D’INNOCENZO BROTHERS cinematography BY MATTEO COCCO”.

‘Talking/Once Again’ was produced by Ye and British singer-producer James Blake. with the video directed by the D’Innocenzo Brothers, and photographed by Matteo Cocco.  The visual opens with North lip-syncing while various hands of unseen people brush and braid her hair. Ye then appears on screen with the young girl on his shoulders. North’s verse is followed by vocals from Ty Dolla $ign, whose daughter Jailynn Crystal also appears in the clip alongside her dad.

The track and video for “Talking/Once Again,” marks the first release from ¥$, Ye and Ty Dolla $ign’s collaborative project, Vultures, scheduled to drop on Friday.

Take a look at the video for ‘Talking/Once Again’ – here.

Editorial credit: Press Line Photos / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)’ debuting on Disney+ with additional songs

Concert film Taylor Swift : The Eras Tour ; Display at the theater October 22^ 2023

Disney announced on X that the ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ concert film will be available for streaming next month on Disney+. In a statement, Disney CEO Bob Iger said: “The Eras Tour has been a true phenomenon that has and continues to thrill fans around the world, and we are very excited to bring this electrifying concert to audiences wherever they are, exclusively through Disney+.”

Swift also posted the news on Instagram: “This week is truly the best kind of chaos. I’m thrilled to let you know I’ve found a streaming home for The Eras Tour Concert Film, and that home will be @disneyplus. For the first time we’ll be showing the entire concert (including “cardigan”, plus 4 additional songs from the acoustic section!!) and I’m calling it, huge shock, “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)”. Available starting March 15 which is actually very 🔜😆🫶”

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) will stream starting March 15. The film will include all songs from the three Los Angeles tour dates during which it was filmed at SoFi Stadium, and will include the song “cardigan,” as well as four additional acoustic surprise songs from the tour: “I Can See You,” “Maroon,” “You Are in Love” and “Death by a Thousand Cuts.” The film was one of the biggest box office sensations of 2023 and stands as the top-grossing concert documentary movie of all time, grossing $180.8 million domestically and $80.9 million overseas for a total of $261.1 million against a mere $15 million budget.

Editorial credit: Sarunyu L / Shutterstock.com