BET Awards bring star power as Doechii, Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey shine in 25th anniversary show
After being named best female hip-hop artist — her first-ever BET Award — Doechii acknowledged her fellow nominees, then shifted the spotlight to the issues unfolding outside the venue.
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'There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order,' said Doechii, who
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'Trump is using military forces to stop a protest,' she said. 'I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?'
Doechii's words drew applause from the audience at the Peacock Theater, where the awards aired live.
'People are being swept up and torn from their families,' she continued. 'I feel like it's my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people. … We all deserve to live in hope and not fear. I hope we stand together.'
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Ultimate Icon Award honorees
Jamie Foxx accepts the ultimate icon award.
Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Foxx, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin received the Ultimate Icon Award. They were selected due to their impact on entertainment as well as their community impact and advocacy.
Foxx was the first to receive his award. He was visibly moved during a heartfelt moment at the awards, being brought to tears while accepting his trophy after surviving a life-threatening health scare in recent years.
The Oscar and Grammy winner reflected on watching the in memoriam tribute from his seat.
'When I saw the memoriam, I was like, 'Man, that could've been me,'' said Foxx, who was hospitalized in 2023 after suffering a stroke. In an interview with The Associated Press, he recalled the severity of the moment: 'The thing was almost a wrap. Every prayer counted.'
Foxx was presented the award by music legend Stevie Wonder, adding even more weight to the emotional moment. As he stood on stage, his voice cracked with gratitude.
'I don't know why I went through what I went through. But I know my second chance — I won't turn it down,' Foxx said, as his two daughters and sister wiped away tears from the audience. 'I have so much love to give. Just give me one more crack at this. Whatever reason you put this on me, I promise I'll do right. … You can't go through something like that and not testify.'
Carey said this was her first time collecting a trophy at the BET Awards. The singer said she became emotional after Busta Rhymes introduced her.
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'It took me a while, but I finally realized that life is far too short to live for anyone else's approval, which is something I always did,' said Carey, a five-time Grammy winner. 'I decided to own who I am.'
Dr. Dre presented the award to Snoop, who walked onstage with his wife Shante Taylor. In his speech, he paid homage to Carey, Franklin and Foxx before thanking the many others who helped him throughout his life.
'Hip-hop gave me a voice. It gave me a purpose,' he said. 'It gave me a way out and a way into homes, hearts, cultures and countries I'd never thought I would even touch. Being an icon isn't about fame. It's about legacy. It's about what you build, what you leave behind and who you lift up along the way.'
Franklin expressed gratitude for the honor, admitting he's far from the perfect Christian, husband, father or artist. He joked, 'I can't even sing.'
'Which makes this award so amazing, because what I do really don't make sense,' he said. 'If you're listening to this, that's when you know it's God.'
The show's host pokes fun at honorees
Host Kevin Hart speaks during the BET Awards.
Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Hart kicked off the awards with a flurry of jokes, poking fun at everything from celebrity names to slippery afterparties.
'There won't be any afterparties tonight. Things could get slippery,' he quipped, referencing baby oil that's been frequently mentioned in the criminal case against Diddy.
Hart set the tone for a night full of humor and on a night honoring the awards show's 25th anniversary.
The comedian also joked about the pronunciation of GloRilla and Snoop's real names, drawing laughs from the crowd before turning sincere.
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Hart paid tribute to Foxx and teased gospel star Franklin.
'When you get your award tonight, don't come up here front twerking,' Hart said, as the crowd erupted in laughter.
The jab was a nod to Franklin's viral moment when he playfully twerked on gospel legend Jacky Clark Chisholm during a live performance.
'Don't come up here poppin',' Hart added, as cameras caught Franklin bowing his head and chuckling. 'Don't try to blame it on the Lord. The Lord didn't ask for that. Put it away, Kirk.'
Who won album of the year?
Kendrick Lamar accepts the award for album of the year for "GNX" during the BET Awards.
Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Kendrick Lamar took home album for his critically acclaimed project 'GNX.'
Lamar made waves with his Grammy triumph, winning song and record of the year for 'Not Like Us.' He followed up with a groundbreaking halftime show, becoming the first solo hip-hop performer to headline the coveted slot. The rap megastar is currently on the Grand National Tour with SZA.
Who were the show's performers?
Mariah Carey performs during the BET Awards.
Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Amerie, Jim Jones and Teyana Taylor were some of the performers who hit the stage. Other performers included Babyface, Ludacris, Tank, Jennifer Hudson, Teddy Riley, T-Pain, Doug E. Fresh, Craig Robinson, Playboi Carti and singer Leon Thomas.
Were there any tributes?
The BET Awards offered tributes to former popular hosts and performances, including the network's once-flagship program '106 & Park. '
The weekday show launched in 2000 and lasted for more than a decade. It thrived with a video countdown, interviews and performances.
The show reunited past hosts A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J. The tribute will feature performers such as Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I. and Mr. 106 & Park.
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27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Inside Nike's all-women half-marathon in L.A.: the good, the bad and the surprising
After running — or more like barely surviving — my first half-marathon about a decade ago in Las Vegas, I had no desire to participate in a long-distance run ever again. That was until I learned that Nike was hosting the Nike After Dark tour, a women's race series designed to celebrate women and encourage them to get into the sport. The L.A. half-marathon — the tour's only stop in the U.S. — was slated to include a concert with Grammy-winning rapper Doechii at the end of the 13.1 mile race. Given that Nike has built a reputation for curating cool, culture-forward experiences, I figured this would be the perfect way for me to get out of my years-long retirement from running. Plus, several of my friends were participating so it was bound to be a good time. Advertisement Read more: 18 inspiring L.A. run clubs to kickstart your running era After training for several weeks at parks and tracks around L.A., I hit the pavement alongside nearly 15,000 participants — 43% of whom were first-time half-marathoners — on Saturday evening at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The event sparked a lot of online chatter — not all positive — with some runners calling the race disorganized and a marketing event catered to influencers. As for me, I experienced several highs during the energetic event, but also some moments of frustration and confusion. Here's how the night went down, from the starting line (and the journey in getting there) to the high-octane concert finale. Pre-race: Getting to the starting line was a marathon in itself Knowing that thousands of people were expected to participate in the event, I opted to get to the SoFi Stadium about an hour and a half early to avoid traffic. In hindsight, I should've arrived even earlier. Several streets were blocked off due to the race, but once I found the parking lot, it was easy for me to find a spot — much easier than it was at the recent Kendrick Lamar and SZA concert a few weeks prior. (While registration for the race started at $150, parking was thankfully free for those who secured a spot ahead of time.) After experiencing long lines and a delayed start time, runners gather in their assigned corrals to prepare for the 13.1-mile race. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) I followed a herd of people toward the entrance where we went through a security checkpoint, then a bag check line, which took about 30 minutes to get through. Afterward, I rushed outside to find my friends and waited in yet another line — this time for the porta-potties — which took about 40 minutes. The starting line, at last By this time, there were only about 10 minutes until race time and I still needed to stretch, so my group ran over to the starting corrals. The race was initially scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., but an emcee announced that it was being pushed back to 6:45 p.m. This made me nervous because the concert was set for 9:30 p.m., so this meant that I'd have less than three hours to finish if I wanted to catch the show. Advertisement In the weeks leading up to the marathon, some participants took to social media to voice their concerns about Nike changing its course time from four hours — as it stated on the registration form — to three hours. In one Threads post, a runner said: "If the whole purpose of this event was to reclaim running by giving women a space to feel safe running at night, then why wouldn't you be inclusive to runners of all paces?" In response to the feedback, Nike ultimately set the course time to three hours and 17 minutes, allowing for an average mile of 15 minutes per mile, according to a Nike spokesperson. The brand added a shorter course option, which was nine miles, so participants could still cross the finish line, receive a medal (a silver necklace with a giant Nike swoosh) and enjoy the concert. Despite the confusion, people were amped. "I'm at this phase in my life where I really want to prove to myself that I can do hard things," said Ayanna Fox, 29, of Chino Hills, on why she wanted to participate. Misty Garcia, 17, a Venice High School student, said: 'I felt like this race in particular was so interesting because it was going to be mostly women and it's about women empowerment, so I love it.' Advertisement As Charli xcx's "360" played over the speakers, Nike trainers along with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and Olympic hurdler Anna Cockrell, hyped up the crowd as each corral took off. This was the point when my nerves started to kick in because I was eager to get started. About 7:05 p.m., a burst of smoke popped. I was finally off and running. Host Elisa Hernandez, from left, Diljeet Taylor, Anna Cockrell and Jordan Chiles at the Nike After Dark Tour in L.A. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Miles 1-7: The excitement of activations, DJs and cheering fans The first seven miles were the most exhilarating for me. I felt strong and confident about my pace. And for my legs, this stretch was smooth sailing. Hundreds of people were cheering from the sidelines and holding up signs with statements like "You run better than our government," "Hot girls run half marathons" and "Hurry up so we can drink." Drivers along the freeway were honking for us. DJs played upbeat house and hip-hop music. USC's band performed. Between the six- and seven-mile marker, we ran through a tunnel that was filled with flashing red lights and bubble machines. The energy was electric. Supporters cheer and hold signs as runners embark on the Nike After Dark half marathon in L.A. Several brands including Flamingo, Honey Stinger (which gave out free energy gels and snacks) and Beats by Dre had activations along the course. There was even a recovery station with couches, restroom trailers and snacks. Advertisement Read more: I walked 27.4 miles across L.A. in one day on Washington Boulevard. Here's what it taught me Miles 8-10: The pain sets in Just before Mile 8, my headphones died and that's when the hills started to get to me. I felt like I was running up and down a sharp roller coaster. Without music, I was forced to talk myself through the final stretch. But it was in these trenches that I noticed several sweet moments of community care: a volunteer passing out Bengay cream, a group of friends holding up a woman as she limped, runners shouting out their home countries and waving their flags in the wake of the ICE raids that were happening in our city at this very moment. It was a beautiful reminder of how much better we are as people when we support one another. Supporters record and cheer as runners embark on the Nike women's half-marathon at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Around Mile 10, I spotted Chris Bennett, Nike's running global head coach, giving out high-fives and encouraging people to push forward. (He even ran with the last bunch of runners and helped them across the finish line.) (Clockwise from the top left) 1. Taylor Contarino waits in her assigned corral before the Nike After Dark half-marathon. 2. People gather in their assigned corrals. 3. Cassandra Grossman ties her shoes in her assigned corral before the Nike After Dark half-marathon. 4. Runners start the Nike After Dark half-marathon at SoFi Stadium. 5. A large group of runners move through the first turn for the Nike After Dark half-marathon. The final mile — or was it? As I neared the end, I felt bamboozled because there were at least two massive archways that looked like the finish line, but actually weren't. I still had a ways to go. I could've cried tears of joy when I finally reached the end. I clocked in at three hours and three minutes, which I was pleased with because my only goals were to finish, have fun and make it to the concert. The winner was Sofia Camacho, a drag artist and Nike run coach based in New York, who clocked in at one hour, 15 minutes and 25 seconds. Hundreds of supporters line the course as runners embark on the Nike After Dark Tour in Los Angeles. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) After grabbing my medal, I walked as fast as my sore limbs would allow back inside the stadium. The trek felt tortuous because we had to climb up multiple sets of stairs, then journey down a walkway that was roughly 10 levels that felt never-ending until we reached the bottom where the stage was. Some people gave up on watching the show simply because they didn't have the energy to make it down. The grand finale: Doechii brings the energy By the time I got there, I was disappointed to see that Doechii was already on her final two songs of her 30-minute set, but the energy was so high that I quickly forgot and just enjoyed the moment while I could. The show ended just before 10:40 p.m. while some folks were still running including one of my friends who missed the show and wasn't able to get a pair of Barbie pink Nike slides and socks they were passing out. The night ends and yet the trek continues After the show, we were instructed to exit the stadium — thankfully there was an escalator — but I still had to muster up the energy to go back to the entrance at the other side of the stadium so I could retrieve my belongings from the bag check area. My legs were finished by the time I got to my car. Advertisement Aside from some logistical issues and long wait times, I enjoyed participating in the Nike After Dark Tour. The course was challenging but doable, and running alongside thousands of women and allies of various ages and backgrounds at night felt empowering. Runners received a ton of freebies, particularly at the bib pickup at the Grove, which included a dri-fit T-shirt and makeup from Milk. As someone who typically avoids cardio in my workout sessions, this race has inspired me to continue hitting the pavement and exploring this beautiful city on foot. And who knows, I just might sign up for another race. Runners take off for the women's half-marathon, which started at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Sign up for The Wild newsletter to get weekly insider tips on the best of our beaches, trails, parks, deserts, forests and mountains. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
42 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Inside Nike's all-women half-marathon in L.A.: the good, the bad and the surprising
After running — or more like barely surviving — my first half-marathon about a decade ago in Las Vegas, I had no desire to participate in a long-distance run ever again. That was until I learned that Nike was hosting the Nike After Dark tour, a women's race series designed to celebrate women and encourage them to get into the sport. The L.A. half-marathon — the tour's only stop in the U.S. — was slated to include a concert with Grammy-winning rapper Doechii at the end of the 13.1 mile race. Given that Nike has built a reputation for curating cool, culture-forward experiences, I figured this would be the perfect way for me to get out of my years-long retirement from running. Plus, several of my friends were participating so it was bound to be a good time. After training for several weeks at parks and tracks around L.A., I hit the pavement alongside nearly 15,000 participants — 43% of whom were first-time half-marathoners — on Saturday evening at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The event sparked a lot of online chatter — not all positive — with some runners calling the race disorganized and a marketing event catered to influencers. As for me, I experienced several highs during the energetic event, but also some moments of frustration and confusion. Here's how the night went down, from the starting line (and the journey in getting there) to the high-octane concert finale. Knowing that thousands of people were expected to participate in the event, I opted to get to the SoFi Stadium about an hour and a half early to avoid traffic. In hindsight, I should've arrived even earlier. Several streets were blocked off due to the race, but once I found the parking lot, it was easy for me to find a spot — much easier than it was at the recent Kendrick Lamar and SZA concert a few weeks prior. (While registration for the race started at $150, parking was thankfully free for those who secured a spot ahead of time.) I followed a herd of people toward the entrance where we went through a security checkpoint, then a bag check line, which took about 30 minutes to get through. Afterward, I rushed outside to find my friends and waited in yet another line — this time for the porta-potties — which took about 40 minutes. By this time, there were only about 10 minutes until race time and I still needed to stretch, so my group ran over to the starting corrals. The race was initially scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., but an emcee announced that it was being pushed back to 6:45 p.m. This made me nervous because the concert was set for 9:30 p.m., so this meant that I'd have less than three hours to finish if I wanted to catch the show. In the weeks leading up to the marathon, some participants took to social media to voice their concerns about Nike changing its course time from four hours — as it stated on the registration form — to three hours. In one Threads post, a runner said: 'If the whole purpose of this event was to reclaim running by giving women a space to feel safe running at night, then why wouldn't you be inclusive to runners of all paces?' In response to the feedback, Nike ultimately set the course time to three hours and 17 minutes, allowing for an average mile of 15 minutes per mile, according to a Nike spokesperson. The brand added a shorter course option, which was nine miles, so participants could still cross the finish line, receive a medal (a silver necklace with a giant Nike swoosh) and enjoy the concert. Despite the confusion, people were amped. 'I'm at this phase in my life where I really want to prove to myself that I can do hard things,' said Ayanna Fox, 29, of Chino Hills, on why she wanted to participate. Misty Garcia, 17, a Venice High School student, said: 'I felt like this race in particular was so interesting because it was going to be mostly women and it's about women empowerment, so I love it.' As Charli xcx's '360' played over the speakers, Nike trainers along with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and Olympic hurdler Anna Cockrell, hyped up the crowd as each corral took off. This was the point when my nerves started to kick in because I was eager to get started. About 7:05 p.m., a burst of smoke popped. I was finally off and running. The first seven miles were the most exhilarating for me. I felt strong and confident about my pace. And for my legs, this stretch was smooth sailing. Hundreds of people were cheering from the sidelines and holding up signs with statements like 'You run better than our government,' 'Hot girls run half marathons' and 'Hurry up so we can drink.' Drivers along the freeway were honking for us. DJs played upbeat house and hip-hop music. USC's band performed. Between the six- and seven-mile marker, we ran through a tunnel that was filled with flashing red lights and bubble machines. The energy was electric. Several brands including Flamingo, Honey Stinger (which gave out free energy gels and snacks) and Beats by Dre had activations along the course. There was even a recovery station with couches, restroom trailers and snacks. Just before Mile 8, my headphones died and that's when the hills started to get to me. I felt like I was running up and down a sharp roller coaster. Without music, I was forced to talk myself through the final stretch. But it was in these trenches that I noticed several sweet moments of community care: a volunteer passing out Bengay cream, a group of friends holding up a woman as she limped, runners shouting out their home countries and waving their flags in the wake of the ICE raids that were happening in our city at this very moment. It was a beautiful reminder of how much better we are as people when we support one another. Around Mile 10, I spotted Chris Bennett, Nike's running global head coach, giving out high-fives and encouraging people to push forward. (He even ran with the last bunch of runners and helped them across the finish line.) As I neared the end, I felt bamboozled because there were at least two massive archways that looked like the finish line, but actually weren't. I still had a ways to go. I could've cried tears of joy when I finally reached the end. I clocked in at three hours and three minutes, which I was pleased with because my only goals were to finish, have fun and make it to the concert. The winner was Sofia Camacho, a drag artist and Nike run coach based in New York, who clocked in at one hour, 15 minutes and 25 seconds. After grabbing my medal, I walked as fast as my sore limbs would allow back inside the stadium. The trek felt tortuous because we had to climb up multiple sets of stairs, then journey down a walkway that was roughly 10 levels that felt never-ending until we reached the bottom where the stage was. Some people gave up on watching the show simply because they didn't have the energy to make it down. By the time I got there, I was disappointed to see that Doechii was already on her final two songs of her 30-minute set, but the energy was so high that I quickly forgot and just enjoyed the moment while I could. The show ended just before 10:40 p.m. while some folks were still running including one of my friends who missed the show and wasn't able to get a pair of Barbie pink Nike slides and socks they were passing out. After the show, we were instructed to exit the stadium — thankfully there was an escalator — but I still had to muster up the energy to go back to the entrance at the other side of the stadium so I could retrieve my belongings from the bag check area. My legs were finished by the time I got to my car. Aside from some logistical issues and long wait times, I enjoyed participating in the Nike After Dark Tour. The course was challenging but doable, and running alongside thousands of women and allies of various ages and backgrounds at night felt empowering. Runners received a ton of freebies, particularly at the bib pickup at the Grove, which included a dri-fit T-shirt and makeup from Milk. As someone who typically avoids cardio in my workout sessions, this race has inspired me to continue hitting the pavement and exploring this beautiful city on foot. And who knows, I just might sign up for another race.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sting says governments have neglected the North East for decades
Sting is in a reflective mood. The Grammy-Award-winning singer-songwriter grew up in Wallsend, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and tells me he is "very proud" of his Tyneside roots. But the musician is less complimentary about the way the North East of England has been, as he puts it, "wilfully neglected by successive governments for decades". As he announces a significant donation to an arts institution in Gateshead, he also told the BBC: "The statistics for child poverty in the area are discouraging". It's clear from our communication that Sting wants to give back to the place and the culture that made him. The former Police frontman is donating an undisclosed amount to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, sometimes described as the Tate Modern of the North East of England. It's nearly 50 years since The Police released their debut album featuring tracks such as Roxanne and Can't Stand Losing You. Those decades have brought him everything a boy who dreamed of musical success could have wished for; he's sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, as The Police frontman and bassist, and later as a solo artist. In 2022, he also made a reported $300m (£222m), selling his back catalogue to Universal Music Group. The years haven't been as kind to the region where he was raised and where a third of babies, children and young people grow up in poverty, according to recent data from the End Child Poverty Coalition. When Sting was born Gordon Sumner in 1951, the son of a milkman and a hairdresser, the North East still had a proud tradition of shipbuilding. He's previously said that his earliest memory was "a massive ship at the end of my street, towering over the houses and blotting out the sun". But after the decline of that industry, Sting - the yellow and black sweater he wore while performing in a jazz band as a teenager earned him the nickname and it stuck - tells me, despite "all the empty promises of 'levelling up'", for years governments have disregarded the North East, "ignoring its significant historical contribution to national life, both industrial and cultural". In response to Sting's criticisms, a government spokesman said it would "fix the crisis we have inherited". It's investing £140m in the seven most deprived towns in the North East, including Washington and Jarrow, as part of a wider £1.5bn investment across the country and told the BBC it is "taking decisive action to tackle the scourge of child poverty". He remembers a childhood rich in culture, despite his humble beginnings. "We didn't have any books in the house", he tells me by email, but "I was fortunate in the 60s to have had access to Wallsend library". He also recalls access to drama at the People's Theatre in Jesmond, one of the oldest non-professional theatre companies in the UK, visits to the Laing Art Gallery and also making his professional debut as a musician in the orchestra pit at The University Theatre. "All of these institutions gave me a sense of the world beyond the shipyard where I was raised." The River Tyne's most famous shipyard, Swan Hunter in Wallsend, shut in 1993. Sting describes the now disappeared shipyard to me as "a real and symbolic victim of Government neglect if not betrayal". He tells me "I had to leave the area to 'make it'" - he moved to London in 1977 and soon after formed The Police with guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland - but his ties to the North East still apparently run deep. As a young Wallsend local, he tells me his love of music was fostered when he saw the virtuoso Spanish classical guitarist Andrés Segovia perform with the chamber orchestra that was then still called the Northern Sinfonia, at Newcastle's City Hall aged 14. A year later, in 1967, his mind was blown when Jimi Hendrix played the legendary (and long-gone) gig venue Club a'Gogo. The American guitar prodigy had been brought to the UK by the Newcastle-born bass player of The Animals, Chas Chandler. Fifteen-year old grammar school boy Sumner couldn't believe what he was seeing, later describing how he "lay in my bed that night with my ears ringing and my world view significantly altered". In 2023, North Tyneside Council honoured the cultural impact of his work and his connection to the region, granting him the Freedom of the Borough. At 73, he appears to be thinking deeply about the importance of cultural experiences for children growing up in the North East now. He says he has a debt to the region that he needs to pay back, telling me that art involves "the nourishing of creative sparks that can lie dormant in even the poorest households if not encouraged by exposure to human potential". Which brings him to the Baltic, which, like museums and art institutions across the UK, is facing challenging financial times in an era of diminishing public investment. It opened in 2002 in a converted flour mill, a key part of the regeneration of the Gateshead quayside on the south bank of the River Tyne. The Baltic showcases some of the world's best contemporary art - Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley were amongst the first to exhibit there - and also takes an innovative approach to enticing people into the artspace. There's a café called The Front Room, with free tea, coffee and biscuits sponsored by a local company and breakfast clubs for hungry children in the school holidays. Sewing circles, book clubs, parent toddler groups and others use the space free of charge. In the past, local pit villages and council estates have been leafleted to advertise the Baltic as a centre for everyone. More than 300,000 children and young people take part in Baltic activities and programmes every year. Sting's donation kickstarts its plans to fundraise for a £10m Endowment Fund of private investment to safeguard free entry to the centre and ensure its community work can thrive into the future. "The creative arts are of vital importance to the wellbeing of the community as a whole," he tells me and the Baltic "should be a beacon of hope for regeneration". He's currently on a world tour with his trio Sting 3.0. Amongst a packed schedule across the US, Asia and Europe, with summer dates in the UK including headlining at the Isle of Wight Festival and Latitude, he'll be heading to Tyneside for one night in October for a gala performance at the Baltic to help raise more funds, with tickets at £10,000 a table. He's been musing on his roots for some time. His concept album turned musical, The Last Ship, was inspired by the Tyneside shipyards of his childhood. It wasn't entirely well-received critically - or at the box office - when it premiered in the US in 2014. But it's since toured the UK, including to Newcastle, and Sting will perform in it again early next year in Paris. He wants to sing more widely about the innovative spirit he sees in the North East, telling me: "Geordies are not strangers to innovation, the steam turbine and the locomotive were developed on Tyneside. Britain's success was largely built on these inventions." Sting: AI-written songs don't impress me at all Sting picks up hometown honour after 13-year wait
