DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Beyoncé makes history with ‘Cowboy Carter’ hitting No. 1
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Beyoncé may have proclaimed that her latest project “ain’t a country album,” but someone forgot to tell the charts that. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart with her “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” according to Billboard. The accomplishment comes at a time where there has been debate over the fact that Beyoncé herself is not a country music artist. If the argument is made that Bey lacks the country music pedigree, how about two of the genre’s biggest stars? lang have also found acceptance in the country music space.

Persons: CNN —, Cowboy Carter, ”, Beyoncé, Bey, Mathew Knowles, Tina Knowles, Keith Urban, Shania Twain Getty, That’s, Shania Twain, Twain, Carter, “, Queen Bey Organizations: CNN, Billboard, Country Music Association, Urban Locations: Texas, Houston , Texas, American, Alabama, Mama , Louisiana, Gadsden , Alabama, Galveston , Texas, Louisiana, Australia, Canada

☆ J. Cole says he already regrets Kendrick Lamar diss track
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —J. Cole said he already regrets releasing a Kendrick Lamar diss track in the midst of his ongoing beef with his fellow musician. “It’s one part of that sh*t that makes me feel like, man that’s the lamest sh*t I did in my f**king life, right?”J. Cole performs on stage during Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration in December 2023. Prince Williams/WireImage/Getty ImagesHe added: “I damn near had a relapse … I ain’t gonna lie to y’all. The two have worked together before as, along with Drake, they have emerged as among the most influential hip-hop artists of their generation. All three have won multiple Grammy Awards, while Lamar received the 2018 Pulitzer Prize, making him the first non-classical or jazz musician to win it.

Persons: CNN — J, Cole, Kendrick Lamar, ”, “, J, Lil, Prince Williams, Lamar, Drake, ” Lamar, Rosenberg Organizations: CNN, ”, Lamar, Metro

☆ Opinion | ‘Little Women’ and the Art of Breaking Grammatical Rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( John Mcwhorter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A few weeks ago I wrote on the grand old rule about not ending sentences with prepositions, which is, quite simply, a long-lived hoax we’d best relegate to history. In that light, I’d like to dismantle the powerful but hopeless idea that language is something to be judged rather than observed. It can be hard to process, within the bounds of our lifetimes, the randomness of our take on what “proper” language is. I’m thinking of this now as I finally read “Little Women,” which everybody but me seems to have read and which seems to generate another movie version every 10 minutes. Meg to Laurie at a ball says, “Take care my skirt don’t trip you up.”

Persons: Jo, Amy, prim, “, Meg, Laurie, ” Locations: England

☆ Photographer Nona Faustine’s series “White Shoes” reveals New York’s role in the transatlantic slave trade
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Briana Ellis-Gibbs | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

She began the body of work from which “White Shoes” is drawn during graduate studies at the International Center of Photography (ICP) program at Bard College. Nona Faustine/Courtesy Brooklyn MuseumFor centuries, New York City played a significant role in the enslavement of Black people. By 1730, forty-two percent of White households in the city enslaved Black people — the second-largest percentage of household slave ownership, after Charleston, South Carolina, in the United States. A tiara is balanced on her head, representing Western royalty and the dehumanizing ways White people treated enslaved Black women. Faustine's "White Shoes" exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum opens with her 2012 shot "Venus of Vlacke Bos," (far left).

Persons: Nona Faustine, Faustine, ” Faustine, ”, Jacob Morris, Baring, “, Vlacke Bos, Mason, Dixon, Isabelle, Saartjie, Sarah ” Baartman, it’s, Catherine Morris, Carla Forbes, Morris, I’m, Faustine —, Truth’s Organizations: CNN, Brooklyn Museum, International Center of Photography, Bard College, New York City, , New York City, Harlem Historical Society, Brooklyn —, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Museum’s, Brooklyn Borough Hall Locations: New York City, Brooklyn, York, Manhattan, New York, New Amsterdam, , New York, Harlem, Wall, Lower Manhattan, White, Charleston , South Carolina, United States, Dutch, Flatbush, Lefferts House, Prospect Park , Brooklyn, African, Europe, Chinatown, Bronx, Staten Island

☆ Beyoncé is opening the door for these Black country artists
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Beyoncé has some people excited about country music. But they aren’t the only ones whose careers could benefit from Queen Bey’s entrance into country music. Andrew Nelles /The Tennessean/USA Today NetworkRVSHVD (pronounced Ra-shad) is another Georgia native who is making his way in the country music industry. Apple TV+Ashlie Amber may not have won a TV competition meant to open doors for underrepresented country artists, but she’s definitely winning fans. Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesTwins Derek Campbell and Brandon Campbell are fighting for inclusivity in country music in more ways than one.

Persons: CNN — Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé, can’t, Dolly Parton’s, Jolene, ”, Tanner Adell, Willie Jones, Tiera Kennedy, Linda Martell, Reyna Roberts, Brittney Spencer, Derek White, Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain, Twain, “, ” Twain, ” Kylan Boykin, we’re, Nytere Boykin, Carter ”, ” Nytere Boykin, RVSHVD RVSHVD, Andrew Nelles, Clint Rashad Johnson, Keith Urban’s, — Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Angel Rewis, Johnson, She’s, Amber Ashlie Amber, Amber, she’s, Reese Witherspoon, Kacey Musgraves, Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton, Orville Peck, ” Micaela Kleinsmith, ” Amber, “ Beyoncé, Derek Campbell, Brandon Campbell, Jason Kempin, we’ve, ” Derek Campbell, WSMV4, Hart, Trea Swindle, Danica Hart, Devynn Hart, Chapel Hart, Evan Agostini, “ Jolene, –, Danica, Trea, America’s, ” Parton, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, The Recording, CMT, USA, Billboard, Florida Georgia Line, Apple, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Winery, Getty, inclusivity, ”, Rolling Stone, Chapel, Channel, Nashville Locations: Atlanta, Nashville, Georgia, Florida, Nashville , Tennessee, Kentucky, Winery Nashville, Versailles , Kentucky, America, Austin , Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana

☆ Beyoncé references a Marvel supervillain on ‘Cowboy Carter’ and other lyrics
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —In case you’ve somehow missed the biggest news in music this week, Beyoncé released her latest album on Friday, and “Act II: Cowboy Carter” goes out of its way to point out that music genres are overly confining labels. The 27-track compendium contains country music, to be sure, but also folk, gospel, rap, pop and even some Italian opera – and it celebrates Bey’s desire to span beyond any labels or limits. (She even spelled it out in a rare caption on her Instagram ahead of the album drop, writing that “Carter” “ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”) The resulting collection is musically rich, lyrically creative and distinctly Beyoncé. Throughout, Beyoncé acknowledges the influence of artists who have come before her, and subverts concepts of country music by connecting past to present.

Persons: you’ve, Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter ”, “ Carter, Linda Martell, ”, ” Thanos, Josh Brolin, Shaboozey, Nancy Sinatra’s, Queen Bey, Jay, Z’s, she’s, ’, Chuck Berry, Willie Nelson ”, Tanner Adell, Reyna Roberts, Tiera Kennedy, Brittney Spencer, Willie Jones, Cowboy Carter Organizations: CNN, Black, Marvel Studios, The Beach Boys, Block Party Locations: “, Louisiana

☆ Beyoncé’s ‘The Linda Martell Show’ single is named for a trailblazer you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“Rhythm and blues and country music are the most parallel types of music,” Singleton has been quoted as saying. “Country music tells a story,” Martell told Rolling Stone. And while Martell recalls receiving two standing ovations that night, the road to country music success was far from smooth. A place in historyMartell’s story may have languished in history were it not for both her country music family and her biological one. “Minority, women and marginalized artists deserve to play on a level playing field in the country music industry,” Thompson told The Tennessean last year.

Persons: CNN — Beyoncé’s, Cowboy Carter ”, Linda Martell, ”, Beyoncé, “, Martell, Thelma Bynem, “ You’d, William “ Duke ” Rayner, Shelby Singleton Jr, ” Singleton, Singleton, ” Martell, Rolling, Jeannie C, Riley, BlackHistoryMonth Martell, Mickey Guyton, Rolling Stone, ” Guyton, “ I’ve, I’ve, …, Marquia Thompson, ” Thompson, ” Beyoncé Organizations: CNN, Rolling Stone, Grand Ole Opry, SSS, Records, Country Blues, Tennessean Locations: Texas, South Carolina, Harper, Singleton

☆ Beyoncé drops ‘Cowboy Carter’ and hold on to your horses, because it’s an introspective, rollicking good time
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Houston native Beyoncé dropped her eagerly awaited album “Act II: Cowboy Carter” Thursday night, and it will definitely take some time to digest. We now know they include Post Malone, Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Bey’s six-year-old daughter Rumi Carter. And while she previously declared “This ain’t a Country album. “The Linda Martell Show” is an interlude where Martell introduces the song “Ya Ya,” which she says “stretches across a range of genres and that’s what makes it a unique listening experience. I think she’s recorded ‘Jolene’ and I think it’s probably gonna be on her country album, which I’m very excited about,” Parton said at the time.

Persons: Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter, Post Malone, Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Rumi Carter, Rumi, ” Nelson, ”, Bey, Willie Jones, Billy Ray Cyrus –, Parton, “ Levii’s, Queen Bey, Linda Martell, Martell, –, ’ ”, Nancy Sinatra, Shaboozey, Dolly, ” Parton, Becky, “ Jolene, Jolene ’, Tanner Adell, Reyna Roberts, Tiera Kennedy, Brittney Spencer Organizations: CNN, Post, “ KNTRY, Grand Ole Opry, Knoxville News Locations: Texas

☆ Trump-backed GOP leaders call for embrace of early and mail-in voting even as former president continues to cast doubt
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Daniel Strauss | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

That’s very much a state-by-state process.”“Republicans will have to develop that if they decide they want to push mail voting and early voting or both. Republicans’ uneven approach to early voting reached an apex during the pandemic when Trump would regularly cast doubt on the safety and security of voting by mail or voting early. “Vote early. Vote early. But the danger for Republicans is that disillusionment with mail-in voting or voting early, fueled in large part by Trump, might be too deeply baked into party sentiment.

Persons: Donald Trump, “ We’ll, ”, Lara Trump, we’re, ” Lara Trump, Michael Whatley, ” Whatley, –, Barry Burden, ” Burden, “, Glenn Youngkin, I’m, ” Youngkin, Ronna McDaniel, Tennessee Sen, Bill Hagerty, Byron Donalds, Trump, ” Trump, don’t, “ there’s, you’ve, Schouten, Kate Sullivan Organizations: CNN, Top Republican, GOP, Republican National Committee, Fox News, RNC, Trump, Republican, Party, Elections Research, University of Wisconsin -, MIT, Science, Britain’s, Virginia Gov, Virginia, ‘ Bank, House Republican, Tennessee, Florida Rep, Bank, Republicans, Pew Research Locations: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Iowa, Nevada , Arizona, Wisconsin

☆ These are the concert residencies that helped define the Las Vegas strip
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Las Vegas is a city brightly lit by it’s rich history, extravagant hotels, luxurious dining experiences, perpetually rolling dice and, of course, one-of-a-kind musical residencies. Here’s a look at some of the most influential musical residencies that have helped define Las Vegas as the entertainment capital of the world. Usher previously performed his “Usher: The Las Vegas Residency” through 2021 at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Known as Mr. Las Vegas, the performer has become such a local icon that streets are named after him. Marco Piraccini/Mondadori/Getty ImagesThere was a time where Las Vegas residencies were considered something best suited for artists of yesteryear.

Persons: Mariah Carey, Adele, Garth Brooks, Lionel Richie, Usher Usher, Aaron J, Thornton, WireImage, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba, Zendaya, Usher, Wayne Newton Wayne Newton, Ethan Miller, Wayne Newton, Newton, Wayne, Elvis Presley Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley, –, Long, Celine Dion Celine Dion, Tomasz Rossa, Celine Dion, Love, Dion, Diana Ross Diana Ross, Matt Sayles, Invision, Diana Ross, Ross, Ross ’, “, Elton John Elton John, Mick Hutson, Redferns, Elton John, he’s, Rocketman, Britney Spears Britney Spears, Marco Piraccini, Britney Spears, Spears, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Bono, Adam Clayton, Bram van den Berg, Kevin Mazur Organizations: CNN, Sin, Vegas, Las, Colosseum, Billboard, Tropicana, Getty, Flamingo, Intercontinental, Westgate Las, “, Venetian, Caesars, Yamaha, Planet Hollywood, Forbes Locations: Sin City, Vegas, Nevada, Las Vegas

☆ Some people are genetically predisposed to gain weight. These 5 tips can help
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Andrea Kane | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

We delve into a wide range of topics, including the science behind new weight loss drugs, weight gain around menopause, and the evolutionary reasons behind why losing weight is so hard. Yeo truth No. 1: Losing weight ‘ain’t supposed to be easy’Losing weight goes against our self-preservation mechanisms. “I think we do have to fix our food environment; I think some people need to eat less food. But I think we need to love our food.”We hope these five tips help you think about food (and eating) in a more productive and less toxic way.

Persons: Sanjay Gupta, ” Giles Yeo, ” Yeo, Yeo, — Yeo, —, ”, “, Gene, it’s, “ Don’t, ’, Sanjay Gupta’s, Lindy West Organizations: CNN, American Medical Association, US Centers for Disease Control, University of Cambridge, Genetics, Obesity

☆ Beyoncé’s upcoming album is ‘Cowboy Carter’ and Dolly Parton believes she has covered ‘Jolene’ for it
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

On Tuesday, Beyoncé announced via her site and social media that her forthcoming album is “Act II: Cowboy Carter” and set to arrive March 29. In a recent interview with Knox News, Dolly Parton was asked about speculation Beyoncé has recorded one of Parton’s hits for her new album. I think she’s recorded ‘Jolene’ and I think it’s probably gonna be on her country album, which I’m very excited about that,” Parton said. After Beyoncé’s new single “Texas Hold ‘Em” hit the top of the country chart, Parton posted a statement on social media. “I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album,” Parton wrote in her statement.

Persons: Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter ”, Dolly Parton, Jolene ’, ” Parton, Queen Bey, “, ”, ” It’s, Parton Organizations: CNN, Knox News Locations: Texas

She decided to try a book she had heard about often, bell hooks’ “All About Love: New Visions." Tiffany Stewart, a writer and producer in Los Angeles, first read “All About Love” two years ago with her reading group and reread it recently. “For bell, the love she talks about is a love for justice. 'All About Love' is a love letter to justice." She responded to hooks' insistence that love was more a verb than a noun, an act of will as opposed to an abstract ideal.

Persons: Emma Goodwin, “, ”, Goodwin, Brianna Pippen, Tiffany Stewart, “ We've, William Morrow, Morrow, Rachel Kahan, George Floyd, Kahan, Gloria Jean Watkins, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Intersectionality, Shadee Malaklou, Stewart, ” Stewart, ” Doris Cooper, Cooper, Simon, Simon & Schuster, Lily Edelman, Edelman, Gold, love's, ” Edelman Organizations: —, William Morrow and Company, New York Times, Berea College, Simon & Locations: Philadelphia, Washington, D.C, Los Angeles, Berea , Kentucky, Greenwich, Monterey , California

☆ Costco sold out of $2,000 gold bars. Now, it’s selling silver coins
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Costco recently started selling silver coins for the first time, finance chief Richard Galanti told CNN. Costco is trying to replicate its recent success with gold bars. It began selling $2,000 gold bars online in September and sold more than $100 million worth of the bars last quarter. After all, not many people are actually stashing away gold bars in their homes. We constantly buy that stuff and intentionally run out of it from time to time.”Costco is also selling precious metals as they become more valuable.

Persons: Richard Galanti, King Charles III, “, ”, Galanti Organizations: New, New York CNN, Costco, CNN, Federal Reserve, Treasury Locations: New York

☆ Opinion | Black English Doesn’t Have to Be Just for Black People
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( John Mcwhorter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

He’s 28, he’s white and he can be hard to listen to. And that’s because he’s always dipping into Black English. In a routine about friction with his stepfather, for instance: “You gon’ keep me in dis room wit’ dis movie? All summer, baby — ah’m good!”Then, following a few sentences in mainstream English: “I finally had leverage for wuhnce. I was like, ‘You kin either beat me, or — you ain’t gon do both, OK?’,” adding an expletive.

Persons: Matt, “, Dave Chappelle Organizations: wuhnce Locations: North Lewisburg , Ohio, North Lewisburg

☆ Jordan Spieth’s disqualification reignites ‘dumbest rule in all of sports’ debate
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Under Rule 3.3b (3) of the USGA Rules of Golf, the world No. “Rules are rules,” he added in his post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Spieth’s fellow pro Michael S. Kim labeled the rule “stupid,” even with “many safeguards,” while PGA Tour caddie Kip Henley lamented “another benchmark in the dumbest rule in all of sports.”“Seriously, why even have scorecards on the PGA Tour?” Henley asked in another post. USGA rules do not disqualify players for returning a score higher than their actual score, only those returned that are lower. The PGA Tour, in accordance with USGA guidelines, follows a multi-step process to check the scorecards of fields peaking at 156-strong.

Persons: Jordan Spieth, Spieth, –, Hideki Matsuyama, Michael S, Kim, Kip Henley, “, ” Henley, ”, Eddie Pepperell, Dylan Wu, Wu, Jared C, Tilton, Roberto De Vicenzo, Tommy Aaron, Vicenzo, Bob Goalby, Wyndham Clark, Carlota Ciganda, Rory McIlroy’s, we’re, ’, ” McIlroy, Ryan Kang, Xander Schauffele, ” “ Jordan, …, ” Schauffele, It’s, Scottie Scheffler, – caddie, ” Scheffler, Ronald Martinez, Luke Kerr, Dineen, Kerr, Joel Beall, ain’t, “ Spieth, “ It’s, ” Beall Organizations: CNN, Riviera Country Club, USGA, Twitter, ”, Tour, Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Evian, CNN Sport, ” CNN, PGA, NBC Sports, “, PGA Tour Locations: American, California, –, Hoylake, England

☆ Trump’s new Supreme Court gambit doesn’t even try to hide that it’s a delaying tactic
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Donald Trump’s filing to the Supreme Court over his claim for sweeping presidential immunity begins with a quote from Yogi Berra. The coming days could decide when the first Trump trial takes placeThe text of Trump’s filing to the court at times feels somewhat frivolous. Trump’s legal team has a good reason to try to run out the clock. But it is not certain that the Supreme Court, which last week heard oral arguments on another Trump case — over his expulsion from Colorado’s ballot — will even agree to take his latest request. As with Smith’s Washington case, Trump’s team is seeking to delay the trial currently scheduled for May.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Yogi Berra, Jack Smith, Trump, Ty Cobb, CNN’s Erin Burnett, “, ”, Joe Biden, he’s, Elie Honig, Donald Trump, Jack Smith’s, Honig, Norm Eisen, ” Eisen, Smith, Ankush, CNN’s Wolf, Smith’s, Stormy Daniels, —, Fani Willis, Willis, – Organizations: New York Yankees, White, NBC News, Trump, Biden, CNN, Justice Department, Trump Organization Locations: White, Florida, Smith’s Washington, Manhattan, Georgia, New York

☆ Usher, Alicia Keys and Beyoncé made Super Bowl a night to remember for Dolce & Gabbana
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It was Dolce & Gabbana. Beyoncé pictured wearing a Dolce & Gabbana mini dress at Wynn Las Vegas before ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl. Comprising an organza cape and catsuit covered in — you guessed it — Swarovski crystals, her stunning red ensemble was one of the evening’s best looks. But then it was back to Usher, who appeared at Keys’ piano in a crystal-embroidered custom D&G vest. “Jermaine Dupri was actually the first person who introduced me to Dolce & Gabbana,” Usher told Vogue magazine in a behind-the-scenes video of his final wardrobe fitting.

Persons: Travis Kelce’s, Taylor, Stefano Gabbana, Gaga, baring, Beyoncé, Bey, Usher, Michael Jackson, Kevin Mazur, Alicia Keys, Keys, Virgil Abloh’s, “ Jermaine Dupri, ” Usher, ” Organizations: CNN, Kansas City Chiefs, Hollywood, Kanye, Gabbana, Wynn Las, Sunday's, Wynn, Verizon, Vogue Locations: Italian, Wynn Las Vegas

☆ Boeing Disaster Proves Americans Businesses Greedy Mentality Is Broken
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Linette Lopez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

They expose decades of American corporate philosophy gone awry. A good American company isn’t just a vehicle for financial returns; it is first and foremost an employer, a contributor to economic and/or technological innovation, and a source of US power. But it’s clear that what Boeing — and the entire American corporate body politic — needs is nothing short of a philosophical counterrevolution. Over these three decades of plenty for Boeing’s shareholders, the company’s staff was asked to penny-pinch. Boeing’s stock cratered, and France’s Airbus , a rival once colloquially known as “Scare Bus,” started to eat the American company’s lunch .

Persons: it’s, could’ve, William Lazonick, “, It’s, won’t, William McGee, T.A, Wilson, Frank Shrontz, Max, Peter Robison, —, ”, Dave Calhoun, we’ve, Scott Kirby, hasn’t, “ We’re, Lazonick, wasn’t, Milton Friedman, Michael Jensen, Jensen, nary, Jack Welch, Welch, Wall, ” Lazonick, We’ve, Mary Barra, ” McGee Organizations: Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Investments, University of Massachusetts, ”, NASA, Airbus, Alaska Airlines Max, Wall, United Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration, CNBC, Washington, University of Chicago, Electric, Wall Street, GE, Dow Jones, Securities and Exchange Commission, Reality Labs, Deutsche Bank, Business, General Motors, United Auto Workers, Companies, GM, & $ Locations: Washington, America

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé is back with two new country tracks — “Texas Hold 'Em” and “16 Carriages.”After a Verizon commercial starring Beyoncé aired during the Super Bowl ended with the superstar saying “They ready, drop the new music,” the question became — was she serious? Later, a cryptic Instagram video with country iconography appeared on her page, teasing “act ii” on March 29. (Beyoncé’s 2022 album “Renaissance” is frequently referred to as “Act I: Renaissance.”)At the end of the clip, a plucky acoustic guitar riff plays, and Bey’s unmistakable voice kicks in. She sings, “This ain’t Texas / Ain’t no hold ’em / So lay your cards down down down,” in a Southern twang. Under the “music” tab, two titles were listed — “Texas Hold 'Em” and “16 Carriages,” which later appeared as full songs on Tidal, YouTube and Spotify.

Persons: Beyoncé, “, —, ”, Tony, Toni, Raphael Saadiq, Tony Hale, Barbie, Hale, Bey, ” Beyoncé, husband Jay Organizations: ANGELES, Verizon, YouTube, Spotify, “ Locations: Texas, Southern, United States

☆ Usher Brings Precise Details to Pop’s Biggest Stage: The Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Jon Caramanica | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A few minutes into Usher’s dynamic and sly Super Bowl LVIII halftime show performance Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas came a moment of uncommon, almost startling calm. Alicia Keys had just appeared, in a sequined red jumpsuit and matching encrusted gown, and rather gratuitously flubbed the opening note of her hit piano ballad “If I Ain’t Got You.”She recovered, and as she approached the end of the chorus, you could hear Usher singing in quiet harmony as the camera panned back, settling on the two of them at opposite ends of Keys’s piano. Usher picked up the final line of the chorus — alone, smooth and confident, almost whispered — before Keys returned to share the last note.

Persons: Alicia Keys, Usher, Keys Locations: Las Vegas

☆ Halftime show: Usher sings ‘Yeah’ as Super Bowl fans dance and skate to his hits
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Usher promised a celebration for his Super Bowl halftime show and he did not fumble. The Grammy-winning artist kicked off a 13-minute mashup of his hits with “Caught Up” and a performance that was a nod to his Las Vegas residency. I’m celebrating the inspirations. “I’m celebrating the dance. The star had a months long highly acclaimed residency in Las Vegas.

Persons: CNN — Usher, “, Usher, ”, Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Steph Chambers, I’ll, I’ve, “ I’m, ” Usher, we’re, CNN’s Marianne Garvey Organizations: CNN, Super Bowl, Las, Super Locations: Las Vegas, Atlanta

☆ Henry Olonga: Exiled for standing up to a ‘vicious dictator,’ former cricketer finds solace in singing career
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Henry Olonga was at the peak of his career as a professional cricketer when he took a stance that would ultimately force him to leave Zimbabwe. Alexander Joe/AFP via Getty ImagesThese days, Olonga is more concerned with pursuing his career as a singer. The emotions, though, are still raw: after the World Cup protest, Olonga explains how he was “vilified” as a “rebel” and “controversial figure” in Zimbabwe. Flower (left) and Olonga were both exiled from Zimbabwe following their Cricket World Cup protest. “Now, I’m creating new memories in a new sphere and a new world, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it … I’ve found peace here.”

Persons: Henry Olonga, Robert Mugabe’s, Olonga, ” Olonga, Zimbabwe’s, Andy Flower, ”, Mugabe, “, I’m, “ It’s, Alexander Joe, David Coltart –, I’d, Max Nash, –, Flower, ” Mugabe, Howard Burditt, – Olonga, didn’t, he’s, I’ve Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, Namibia, Getty, Voice Australia, India, Cricket World, Reuters, England, Zimbabwe Locations: Zimbabwe, England, Adelaide, Australia, AFP, …, Africa, Rhodesia, Pakistan, India, South Africa, London, Australian

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — “Beer For My Horses” singer-songwriter Toby Keith has died. “The money to be made was unbelievable,” Keith told The Associated Press in 1996. “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” his breakout hit, was played 3 million times on radio stations, making it the most played country song of the 1990s. “They were trying to get me to compromise, and I was living a miserable existence,” Keith told the AP. “I always felt like that the songwriting was the most important part of this whole industry,” Keith told the crowd of fellow singers and writers.

Persons: NORMAN, Okla, Toby Keith, Keith, “, ”, Beer, Willie Nelson, ” Keith, I’ve, I’m, ” ‘, Harold Shedd, Shedd, “ Should’ve, Shania Twain, That’s, “ I’ve, Bobby Braddock, “ They’re, He’s, George W, Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, We’ll, Singer, Steve Earle, Natalie Maines, Maines, Saddam Hussein, FUTK, Ethan Hawke, Kris Kristofferson, Hawke, Vince Gill, Scott Borchetta, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Josh Thompson, Clay Walker, Phil Vassar Organizations: Associated Press, Oklahoma City Drillers, United States Football League, Mercury Records, Alabama, AP, DreamWorks Records, Academy of Country, “ Billboard, Arts, “, Universal Music Group, DreamWorks, Universal, Songwriters Hall of Fame, BMI Locations: Oklahoma, Texas, Nashville, Mercury, Oklahoma City

☆ Jay-Z calls out the Recording Academy in Grammys speech
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Jay-Z used his speech at the Grammy Awards to get some things off his chest. “And then they went to a hotel and watched the Grammys,” Jay-Z said. “I’m just saying, we love y’all, we love ya’ll, we love y’all and we want y’all to get it right,” Jay-Z said. “I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than anyone, and never won album of the year,” he said of Beyoncé. Think about that, most Grammys, never won album of the year, that doesn’t work.”Bey became the most awarded artist in Grammys history, with a record 32 wins, at last year’s ceremony.

Persons: CNN — Jay, Z, Blue Ivy, Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff, ” Jay, “, DMX, “ I’m, Beyoncé, ”, ” Bey, ” Beyoncé, ” “ Organizations: CNN, Dre

Search resuls for: "Ain’t"

25 mentions found