The Weeknd Says New Album Is His ‘Best-Sounding’
The Weeknd graces the cover of VMAN’s Fall/Winter 2016 issue.
Highlighted by red and purple hues on one cover and blurred by smoke in another, Abel opens up about his much-anticipated follow-up to 2015’s Grammy Award winning sophomore album, Beauty Behind the Madness, which is expected to be released next year.
“I’ve been very intrigued by the film Amadeus,” said The Weeknd. “I’ll touch on my relationship with religion a little bit and how it ties into my crazy and materialistic life. I’ll touch base on some recent experiences and past experiences that didn’t make the last album.
“I wrote some of these songs while recording Beauty Behind the Madness,” he added. “It’s like a fictional book inspired by true events.”
The photographs in VMAN were shot by Inez & Vinoodh. Meanwhile, Mel Ottenberg styled the shoot, which features smoke, motion, and a contemplative Weeknd.
See some highlights from the interview below.
On his next album: “There are new inspirations on this album. The production feels aggressive but still sexy. The Smiths, Bad Brains, Talking Heads, Prince, and DeBarge play roles. We wrote it all in Los Angeles. I think it’ll be the best-sounding album I’ve ever done. It’s hard to label the sound because, when I first came out, nobody would label it R&B. I just want to keep pushing the envelope without it feeling forced.”
On Ethiopia’s influence: “You hear it mostly in my voice. I’ve been told my singing isn’t conventional. Ethiopian music was the music I grew up on, artists like Tilahun Gessesse, Aster Aweke, and Mahmoud Ahmed. These are my subconscious inspirations. ‘The Hills’ was the first time you actually heard the Ethiopian language in my music. It will definitely be key on this next record.”
On fame: “Being anonymous had its perks, but it feels great to be recognized for all of the work we’ve put out.”
On Beyoncé’s “6 Inch”: “It feels great seeing the character of a powerful woman be sexy, yet take matters into her own hands and not feel so helpless.”
On Beauty Behind the Madness: “Even though I’ve been putting out bodies of work for years, Beauty Behind the Madness felt like the beginning. My purpose is to make exciting music, and I feel like I’ll be doing that for the rest of my life, so there’s no pressure. Nothing is stopping me from doing what I love to do.”
On Black Lives Matter: “I promised myself that I would never tweet or talk about politics and focus on the music, but I was just so bewildered that we lost more of our people to these senseless police shootings. It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that there are people who can’t or won’t see what Black Lives Matter is trying to accomplish. I wish I could make music about politics. I feel like it’s such an art and a talent that I admire tremendously, but when I step into the studio I step out of the real world, and it’s therapeutic. It’s an escape, but recently it’s been very hard to ignore, and it’s also been very distracting. Maybe you’ll hear it in my voice, but it is not my forté.”
Read the full story HERE
#RHoA: NeNe Leakes Financial Troubles Worsen, Reality Star Tax Debt Rises to $900k
Lordt! reality star NeNe Leakes’ financial troubles continue to worsen. The Real Housewives of Atlanta star is now being accused of refusing to pay up on $86k in state taxes — this is after it was uncovered that the IRS is on the hunt for her assets due to a $830k unpaid tax bill.
The State of California filed a tax lien against NeNe – real name Linnethia Monique Leakes – on June 2nd. The official document states the RHOA star owes them a total of $86,624 in taxes, which was filed to begin the process of collecting on the debt. This could include the State of California seizing her assets and property to collect on their money.
One month later, the IRS filed a Federal Tax lien against NeNe in Georgia. It accused her of refusing to cough up on $830k she owed for 2014. The lien is active and has yet to be paid off despite the reality star
2014 was a big money-making year for the BRAVO star, where she appeared on the 18th season of Dancing with the Stars (where she placed 7th), announced the launch of The Nene Leakes Collection on HSN and in November of that year, she made her debut on Broadway in ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’.
The reality star made headlines earlier this year, when it was reported that she would not be appearing on the upcoming 9th season of Real Housewives of Atlanta.
NeNe was an original cast member and starred on the reality show for 7 seasons. She was featured as a “friend” of the housewives last season but reportedly did not reach a deal with the network or producers to come back for Season 9.
Empire Season 3 Spoilers: Taraji P. Henson Confirms Cookie’s Death?
There will be one character who will die in Empire Season 3, which will premiere on Fox on Sept. 21. Taraji P. Henson, who plays Cookie Lyon, recently confirmed this.
During an interview with Extra on the Empire Season 3 set in Chicago, Henson was asked how everyone found about a character’s demise. She said, “They send us the script and then everybody’s calling each other like, ‘What? What? What?’ And then you have to wait till September 21.”
Henson did not reveal the character who will not make it alive to Empire Season 4. Dodging the question, she talked about Terrence Howard, who plays Lucious Lyon on the Fox musical drama series created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. Howard and wife Mira Pak recently gave birth to their second child Hero Howard. Their first child Qrin Love Howard was born on May 7, 2015.
Henson confirmed that her Empire co-star is doing great. She also commented that she does not know where he finds the energy that he has as he goes home every weekend to see his two sons.
New Music: Alicia Keys – ‘Back to Life’
Alicia Keys is taking no days off. In between her new role on “The Voice” and prepping her sixth album for release this fall, the R&B songstress unleashes “Back to Life,” a new song from Disney’s upcoming film Queen of Katwe.
Over inspirational strings, the “Girl on Fire” belts out a moving ode to resilience. “I’m just trying to hold onto a dream,” she sings. “Out here lost and nothing’s what it seems / I’m just trying to find where I belong / This must be the dark before the dawn.”
Queen of Katwe, the story of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi, stars David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o, and Madina Nalwanga, and arrives in theaters Sept. 23.
Listen to “Back to Life” HERE
New Hip Hop; New Music: DeJ Loaf – ‘Snakes’
DeJ Loaf celebrates Labor Day weekend by liberating more music. Fresh off her remix to Erykah Badu’s “Phone Down,” the Detroit rapper calls out the “Snakes” on her latest jam, produced by YOG$.
“The closest ones ain’t who they say / Envy, jealousy, hate / Gotta get them out the way before it’s too late,” warns DeJ, while spitting raps about her mama, money (“I dun made money, but I never let the money make me”), and fashion (“I wear nothing basic”).
DeJ has been in the studio working on her debut album. According to the SoundCloud description, the project is “coming soon.”
While we wait, hear “Snakes” HERE
50 Cent Goes After Vivica Fox to Promote Power
Rapper 50 Cent and actress Vivica Fox have been at odds even since their nasty break-up way back in 2003. 50 used their age-old beef to promote his TV series Power...
Vivica, however, remained unbothered
Werk Viv...UNBOTHERED!
Renee Zellweger Premieres 'Bridget Jones's Baby' in Paris with Patrick Dempsey & Colin Firth
Renee Zellweger is all smiles while being sandwiched in between her leading men at the premiere of Bridget Jones’s Baby on Tuesday (September 6) at Le Grand Rex in Paris, France.
The Oscar-winning actress was joined at the event by co-stars Patrick Dempsey and Colin Firth.
The reviews for Bridget Jones’s Baby have been coming in and so far after the ten reviews tabulated by Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a perfect score of 100%!
FYI: Renee is wearing a Carolina Herrera Resort dress and Christian Louboutin shoes.
TENS OR CHOPS! Zoe Saldana Wearing Rodarte Fall 2016 Embellished Black Leather and Lace Midi Dress For Star Trek Beyond Mexico Premiere
Ladies Ladies Ladies (and a few gentlemen). In the world of FASHION they must be fierce as at times. Let's love it or LEAVE IT! It's the battle of fashion. We want you to decide. Now GO!
Is Miss Alicia Keys Causing Problems on The Voice?
For the past few months singer/songwriter Alicia Keys has been on a no make-up campaign to bring awareness to the impossible beauty standards imposed on women.
Is Alicia's fresh face publicity stunt causing havoc on The Voice..?
A source in production for the NBC singing competition show told RadarOnline that Keys’ au natural look is far from easygoing since she demands perfection in the editing room.
"Alicia is annoying everyone with her whole makeup thing because it really has an impact on the entire production,” the insider said. “She looks washed out and the camera and lighting operators need to adjust everything just for her."
The source added that "Alicia is acting like she is a special judge and that everyone needs to cater to her and it is just not tolerable.”
Laverne Cox Transforms Into Beyonce & Tina Turner For Cosmopolitan
“Orange is the New Black” actress Laverne Cox is flexing her modelling skills as she transforms into her personal superheroines for Cosmopolitan magazine.
The upcoming "Rocky Horror Picture Show" star pays tribute to a few female icons, including Beyonce, Tina Turner and model Tracey Africa.
The EMMY nominee, who will present at this year’s awards, says Mrs. Carter inspires her to keep on going even when she doesn’t feel like it.
"Beyoncé represents excellence,” says Laverne. “Her work ethic is like nobody else I've ever seen. There were so many moments when I was shooting Rocky Horror, and I'd be exhausted. My body would be hurting, and I'd be like, 'Beyoncé. Beyoncé does this.' You have to just put in the work."
WWBD is also our…Laverne then transform into Rock 'N Roll legend Tina Turner where she opens up about Tina being an inspiration to black women everywhere.
"The pain, pleasure, and agony of all she's been through is in her voice, Laverne says. “Her story is the story of so many black women who've endured abuse and come out the other side in such a brilliant, beautiful way."
Nailed it!
The actress then transforms into trailblazing trans model Tracey Africa, who is the first African-American trans model.
"She was a black trans woman who modeled in the '70s,” she says. “And had cosmetics deals and a hair contract with Clairol — it was a big deal. People think, 'Oh, this trans revolution is just starting,' but we've been around for a very long time. It's important to know that there's been a path blazed for me."
"Rocky Horror Picture Show" premieres October 20th on FOX
Channing Tatum Previews Magic Mike Live On Ellen
Ellen DeGeneres kicked off Season 14 of her long-running talk show with style. The 58-year-old host corralled Olympian Simone Biles, Oprah Winfrey and Channing Tatum for opening day. As if the latter wasn’t enough hotness to go around. Channing brought his sexy stable of boys along with him.
Tatum, along with the Magic Mike film franchise choreographer Alison Faulk, are bringing the hit film to Sin City. They will recreate the mythical Club Domina inside the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. The show promises to feature “sexy and daring themed dance and strip routines punctuated by one of a kind acts from a wildly diverse cast of performers.”
If the actual show is half as sizzling as the preview on Ellen, consider my ticket to Las Vegas booked.
Enough foreplay. Let the good times begin. Watch Channing’s boys entertain the crowd below.
WATCH: The ‘Magic Mike Live’ Dancers Perform On Ellen
For more info, head over to magicmikelivelasvegas.com.
Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston have reportedly split after summer romance
Well, that was over Hiddleswiftly. Pop star Taylor Swift and her actor boyfriend Tom Hiddleston have called it quits after a three month romance, according to People. No word on if they're ever, ever getting back together.
The affectionately dubbed "Hiddleswift" seemed inseparable when they began dating in June but, in fact, everything has changed.
The split was reportedly "amicable." Public fascination with the couple may have contributed to the breakup, according to Us Weekly.
The couple's romance was initially confirmed after British tabloid The Sun published photographs of Swift, 26 and Hiddleston, 35, looking like a couple from a Nicholas Sparks film while walking along the beach on June 14 in Westerly, Rhode Island -- just two weeks after the singer and musician Calvin Harris parted ways.
Shortly after, Harris called out Swift on Twitter after she claimed she was the sole writer of his hit single, "This Is What You Came For."
Related Link: Taylor Swift's secret songwriting makes everybody watch Calvin Harris' Twitter feed
"I figure if you're happy in your new relationship you should focus on that instead of trying to tear your ex bf down for something to do," Harris wrote on Twitter, referring to Swift's relationship with Hiddleston.
Swift and Hiddleston outings over the summer were highly publicized. In June, Swift met Hiddleston's parents in the U.K. after Hiddleston met Swift's family in Nashville. The two took part in a big bash in Rhode Island in July where Hiddleston wore a much lambasted "I [heart] T.S." tank top.
Some critics of the couple questioned whether they were in it for the publicity.
"The truth is that Taylor Swift and I are together, and we're very happy," Hiddleston told The Hollywood Reporter in July. "That's the truth. It's not a publicity stunt."
Despite their steadfast position of authenticity, Swift and Hiddleston's breakup did not seem unexpected to many on social media Tuesday.
"Now there's the surprise of the century," tweeted Kia Makarechi, a story editor at Vanity Fair.
Others suggested titles for a possible new album Swift could write about the "Avengers" actor -- as the singer/song writer has been known to tap into her life experiences for lyrical inspiration.
"Taylor Swift announces forthcoming album, 'Thor Loser,'" tweeted Sam Adams, a writer for Slate.
#EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Randle!!
Folks Meet Randle!! You can see more when you GO HERE FOR THE PICS! And remember it’s NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
You’re Welcome
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘Mmmm Bacon’
Hey weird lady, perhaps you & Babe would be more comfortable not inside a damn store and so close to the butcher. Just saying.
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
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