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Lizzo Performs Live Debut of ‘IRL' With SZA in Paris: ‘Thanks for Letting Me Throw It Byke on Ur Stage'

Lizzo Performs Live Debut of ‘IRL' With SZA in Paris: ‘Thanks for Letting Me Throw It Byke on Ur Stage'

Yahoo5 days ago
SZA brought out Lizzo to perform 'IRL' IRL during the second Paris stop of the former's Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar Wednesday night (July 16).
'BAD B—H… in REAL LIFEEEE @sza !!!!! Thanks for letting me throw it byke on ur stage #stadiumstatus,' Lizzo captioned an Instagram clip of their performance.
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It's not the first time SZA surprised stadium audiences with a Lizzo appearance during this tour. On the first of three L.A. stops, she brought out her 'best friend' 'for energy and positivity' as the two performed their remix of Lizzo's 'Special' from her 2022 Grammy-nominated album of the same name.
'IRL' was featured on Lizzo's recent rap mixtape MY FACE HURTS FROM SMILING, which she dropped on June 27 via Nice Life and Atlantic Records.
During Lizzo's interview with Billboard about her latest project, she gushed about how the 'Nobody Gets Me' singer does get her. 'She's one of the only people that I can text at 3 in the morning when I'm crashing out. She'll just get this one dark-ass text and she's like, 'Oh my gosh. Are you OK?'' said Lizzo. 'But I really appreciate her, because she understands — and I think it's really hard for you to have someone in your life who actually f–ks with you and who's known you for a long time who also understand the world that you're in. I think that's what I cherish the most about her. She gets me.'
Watch a clip of Lizzo and SZA's first live performance of 'IRL' below.
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Riders Studios Tattoos Ignites a Renaissance for Middle Eastern Tattoo Art
Riders Studios Tattoos Ignites a Renaissance for Middle Eastern Tattoo Art

Time Business News

time7 minutes ago

  • Time Business News

Riders Studios Tattoos Ignites a Renaissance for Middle Eastern Tattoo Art

CAIRO/AMMAN — In a region where traditional norms long kept tattoos in the shadows, Riders Studios Tattoos has orchestrated an artistic and business revolution that's putting Arab tattoo artistry center stage. Founded by entrepreneur and artist TattooTwon in Cairo back in 2009, Riders Studios didn't just open its doors it broke down barriers. Walk into either their Cairo or Amman tattoo studio today, and you'll find much more than customers getting fresh ink. You'll see young artists at work, global music playing, and conversations in multiple languages about design, self-expression, and creativity. It feels cosmopolitan, more Brooklyn or Berlin than what many expect in the heart of Egypt or Jordan. The art coming out of Riders Studios hasn't gone unnoticed. The team has clinched awards at major international conventions and cultivated an Instagram following that's soared to over 152,000, with posts sometimes reaching eight-figure view counts. Recent analytics show the studio's website topped 14,000 active users in a single week, with engagement up over 50%. These aren't just vanity metrics they reflect deep trust and interest among people across the Middle East and worldwide who are hungry for high-caliber, safe, and original tattoo experiences. 'Tattooing was once a taboo in this part of the world,' says a frequent client from Alexandria. 'But Riders Studios made it professional, cool, even respectable. Now my friends and I see it as art, not something to hide.' TattooTwon himself is a testament to changing times. A fixture at global tattoo conventions and a pioneer as the first Arab artist to join the acclaimed Sullen Art Collective, he's become both a sought-after celebrity artist and a mentor. His blend of meticulous craft and focus on artist development means up-and-coming talent now see a path to success at home rather than feeling pressured to leave for Europe or the U.S. Industry observers say Riders Studios' influence is broader than simple numbers or awards. Across Egypt and Jordan, new studios are adopting their rigorous hygiene protocols and creative standards, a ripple effect that's upgraded the perception and quality of tattooing industry-wide. Riders Studios also regularly hosts workshops, public art events, and collaborations with international brands, making them a hub for creative culture, not just tattooing. But perhaps the biggest sign of change is found in the personal stories shared by clients. 'My tattoo isn't just a decoration. It's a marker of my journey, getting tattoos in Jordan is something that wouldn't have been accepted here only a few years ago,' says a young client in Amman. 'Riders Studios made that possible.' As tattooing continues to gain popular acceptance in the Middle East, analysts agree the Riders Studios model offers a blueprint for how local brands can set international standards while keeping authenticity at the core. The result? Not just a shop or a chain, but a cultural movement one that's giving voice and visibility to a new generation of Arab artists and entrepreneurs. Picture this: you're running the only professional tattoo studio in Jordan and Egypt. Business is good, clients are happy, and there's basically no competition. Sounds like the perfect setup, right? Well, that's exactly where TattooTwon found himself back in 2009 when he opened Riders Studios the only pro tattoo studio in Egypt and Jordan. But here's the thing about being first to market it's just the beginning of the story, not the end. Let's paint the picture of what Cairo's tattoo scene looked like fifteen years ago. Professional studios with international safety standards? Basically non-existent. Quality artists using proper equipment? Good luck finding them. TattooTwon wasn't just opening a business he was pioneering an entire industry in the Middle East. For those early years, Riders Studios had what every entrepreneur dreams of: a clear competitive advantage. If you wanted professional tattoo work done safely, they were pretty much your only option. But TattooTwon faced a challenge that many successful first-movers encounter: how do you stay hungry when you're already winning? This is where a lot of businesses stumble. When you're the clear market leader, it's tempting to cruise on autopilot. Why fix what isn't broken? Why invest in improvements when customers are already choosing you? TattooTwon could have easily fallen into this trap. He had steady business, loyal clients, and minimal competition. But instead of getting comfortable, he did something smart he started preparing for the competition he knew would eventually come. What happened next is a masterclass in strategic thinking. Instead of just maintaining their position, Riders Studios began building something bigger. They weren't just trying to stay ahead of competitors who didn't exist yet they were creating a standard so high that future competitors would struggle to match it. Safety became their signature. While other places were still figuring out basic hygiene protocols, Riders Studios invested in hospital-grade sterilization equipment, single-use needles, and premium imported inks. This wasn't about meeting industry standards it was about setting them. Creativity became their calling card. Instead of churning out the same popular designs, they started offering custom artwork, bringing in guest artists from around the world, and pushing creative boundaries. This kept both their artists and clients engaged and excited. Experience became their differentiator. Every consultation was treated like a collaboration. 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By focusing on continuous improvement rather than just protecting their position, they built something that could thrive in any competitive environment. They understood that being first means nothing if you're not committed to being better every day. Whether you're familiar with their work or just discovering the Middle Eastern tattoo scene, Riders Studios represents proof that sustainable success comes not from being first, but from never stopping the work of being better. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

Billy Joel shocks NYC pedicab driver, passengers playing his iconic song
Billy Joel shocks NYC pedicab driver, passengers playing his iconic song

New York Post

time36 minutes ago

  • New York Post

Billy Joel shocks NYC pedicab driver, passengers playing his iconic song

He's got a way about him! Billy Joel surprised a pedicab driver and his passengers who were cruising down the streets of the Big Apple on Monday afternoon. The five-time Grammy Award winner shared the sweet street-side moment he rolled up on the bicycle transportation service, shocking the driver who was blasting Joel's 1976 hit 'New York State of Mind.' Advertisement 5 Billy Joel greets fans from inside an SUV on the streets of NYC in a video posted to Instagram on July 21, 2025. @billyjoel/Instagram The driver wasn't immediately aware he was in the presence of the 76-year-old, telling him 'Next time,' before recognizing the 'Piano Man,' according to the clip posted on Joel's Instagram. 'We're in a New York State of Mind…always,' Joel captioned the post. Advertisement 'Oh, Nice. You see, we are playing you,' the unidentified driver says, reaching his hand out to greet Joel. 'Can I take a picture with you, please?' he asked. The camera turned quickly to Joel as he smiled at the two rear-seated passengers, who were both equally surprised by the singer's appearance. 5 The pedicab driver looks over at Billy Joel's car before recognizing the singer. @billyjoel/Instagram Advertisement A second clip, reshared by Joel, captured the exchange from the outside as the pedicab driver and the two passengers got off the ride and walked up to the black SUV to take selfies with the singer as his song's ending blasted out of the speakers. 'How are you feeling?' one of the passengers asked Joel, referring to his recent brain disorder diagnosis. Joel revealed in May that he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus and was forced to cancel his entire slate of shows scheduled for 2025. 5 The pedicab driver reaches out to Joel after recognizing the celebrity inside the car. @billyjoel/Instagram Advertisement The 'Uptown Girl' vocalist shared he is doing well amid his health scare. 'I know a lot of people are worried about me and my health, but I'm okay,' Joel told People in an interview published on July 21. 'What I have is something very few people know about, including me, no matter how much you try to research it.' 'I'm doing my best to work with it and to recover from it,' he said. 5 The pedicab passengers are surprised by Joel's appearance on the street. @billyjoel/Instagram 5 Billy Joel performs at the 66th GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2024. Getty Images for The Recording Academy Hydrocephalus occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain, disrupting cognitive functioning. Joel revealed in May that live performances led to 'problems with hearing, vision, and balance.' Doctors advised him to stop performing while he underwent treatment for the treatable disorder. Advertisement Joel described feeling like he was always on a boat. 'It was scary, but I'm okay,' he told the outlet. 'I just wanted to let people know, don't worry about me being deathly ill or anything.' Joel is currently undergoing 'specific physical therapy' and will be kept off stage during his recovery period, his team said after his diagnosis.

Snoop Dogg joins Zac Brown Band on stage in surprise LA appearance
Snoop Dogg joins Zac Brown Band on stage in surprise LA appearance

USA Today

time7 hours ago

  • USA Today

Snoop Dogg joins Zac Brown Band on stage in surprise LA appearance

Country music fans got a taste, and smell, of hip-hop at the Zac Brown Band's Los Angeles show on July 21. During a small set at Hollywood's Desert 5 Spot lounge, Snoop Dogg made a surprise appearance on stage, staying true to his public persona by wearing sunglasses and smoking a blunt. Video shared on social media shows the rap legend jamming alongside the Atlanta-based group before pulling out a golden microphone. Alongside Zac Brown, Snoop performed their new collaborative track 'Let It Run' less than a week after its release. Several dancers wearing cowboy hats accompanied the artists with synchronized choreography. One audience member posted the surprise duet on her Instagram Story with a caption reading 'Collab of the century.' Snoop later joined the group backstage to take photos that he shared on Instagram. Surprise performance to be part of music video The live duet may have been a fun surprise for those at the Desert 5 Spot lounge, but fans elsewhere will get to experience the moment themselves later. The band told audience members that they were filming a music video, according to Complex, presumably for the song 'Let It Run.' The track dropped on July 18 as part of the group's upcoming 'Love & Fear' album, which is set to be released on Dec. 5. To celebrate the new record, the group has announced a brief stint of shows at the Las Vegas Sphere. 'It's my masterpiece so far. This show is the story of my life that I have never shared, a journey through my imagination, music and stories that have defined who I am. All of this brought to life in the incredible immersive environment of Sphere,' Brown wrote on Instagram. 'It will be a unique experience where you can really feel every note, every word, right there with us.' General tickets for the four concert dates will go on sale July 25 at 10 a.m. PT. A presale for the band's Premium Zamily members opened on July 21.

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