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Hype Malaysia
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Get Ready For 'Jameson Distilled Sounds' At Zhongshan Building On 17th May. It's Gonna Be Next-Level!
The world's most iconic Irish whiskey, Jameson – is bringing the next chapter of its global 'Jameson Distilled Sounds' tour to The Zhongshan Building, and it's about to get loud. This special edition celebrates the launch of a brand-new, limited-edition bottle designed in collaboration with none other than Jameson's global Music Distiller, the ever-groovy, multi-Grammy-winning Anderson .Paak. Happening on Saturday, 17th May 2025 from 6pm 'til late, the night is shaping up to be a full-blown sonic playground. With 18 artists on deck, a stacked lineup, and non-stop vibes, this city takeover is a love letter to Southeast Asia's sound – and the communities behind it. More than just a vibe, 'Jameson Distilled Sound' is a global music initiative and local event series on a mission to unite a worldwide music family across genres, borders, and subcultures – from KL's indie backstreets to Cork's pub sessions. Kicking off in 2024 with the ever-groovy Anderson .Paak, the programme uplifts rising talents with space to collaborate, grow, and get heard. Now, it's Malaysia's turn to shine – with singer-songwriter Claudia Tan becoming the first local artist mentored by .Paak himself, proof of Jameson's real-deal commitment to Southeast Asian sounds. This Zhongshan edition will be a genre-blending ride through indie, electronic, funk, soul, and deep house across multiple spaces. The Courtyard, better known for sourdough than subwoofers, will host ambient electronica from Thailand's NOTEP, Talitha Tan's smooth R&B pop, Saint Kylo's funky grooves, plus sets from Su San, Daaliah, X.U., and Kent Lee on the handpan. A sonic feast, served smooth – just like the whiskey. Catch golden hour turn into full-blown rave as No One, Sheryn, Raven, Diorck, and B from Manipulated Mood Group light up the Kantata rooftop with high-energy DJ sets made for skyline views and serious bass drops. Then, KL alt-scene legends Chaseylain and Ribut 1059 of Twilight Actiongirl (TAG) close the night with a nostalgic-meets-now B2B set. While you're there, swing by Poppy Records in the Annexe – grab a Limited Edition Jameson x Anderson .Paak bottle and get a vinyl of your choice, free. Over at Triptyk, things get smooth and sultry. Mixologists Angel Ji and Steve Foo shake up Jameson-infused cocktails with a musical twist, soundtracked by Viene's deep club vibes and Vanns Ngo's pulsing house grooves. And just when you think it's winding down – a surprise tech-house Hijack Session keeps the beats going strong. Don't party on an empty stomach – Triptyk's serving bites that hit as hard as the bass. Enjoy yakitori skewers by Pixies & Vespers (a match made in heaven with a Jameson Ginger Ale & Lime), fiery tacos from Calle Taco, and late-night comfort eats from Kantata to keep your energy high and your feet moving. This is an open-invite night. Register for free entry on the Jameson website or find out more at @jamesonmalaysia. Arrive early to be the first 200 guests through the door and receive a complimentary Jameson Ginger Ale & Lime to start the night off smooth.
WIRED
02-05-2025
- Business
- WIRED
Welcome to Sam Altman's Orb Store
May 2, 2025 1:52 PM World opened the doors to its new San Francisco storefront with eight brand-new orbs ready for eyeballs to scan. The Orb on display during World's store opening in San Francisco, CA, on May 1st, 2025. Photograph: Darrell Jackson Just across from Union Square in the heart of San Francisco, you can find a room full of orbs. The startup World (formerly Worldcoin) just announced its US expansion, with minimalist storefronts devoted to its flagship, eye-scanning orb now open in six cities. The company's aim is to better identify humans in an age of advanced AI, where artificial trickery is becoming increasingly difficult to detect. Now, with an orb, you scan your eyeball, store that data on the blockchain, and confirm your 'humanity' to make purchases, play video games, or (coming soon) sign up for dating apps. Photograph: Darrell Jackson Photograph: Darrell Jackson The sleek San Francisco venue featured more PR staffers than actual customers on May 1, since orb-scanning is strictly appointment only. To be clear, you can't buy the orbs at the store, which exists to give users access to World's eye-scanning technology (and show off gadgets like the upcoming Orb Mini, an iPhone-size device set to release next year). The centerpiece of the store was a plywood structure with eight orbs ready for customer use. Some of the people who'd booked early appointments encountered glitches when trying to scan their eyeballs, which seemed to perplex the contracted workers. After squeezing past dozens of reporters and staff, I chatted with one well-dressed woman who was standing in front of an orb ready to get her eye scanned. She'd heard about the company through her husband, she said, and was in the middle of downloading her biometric data onto her phone. Photograph: Darrell Jackson Photograph: Darrell Jackson The vibe at the store was similar to what I'd experienced at the launch party the night before, which had all the trappings of a highbrow tech event with the energy only a tech hype cycle can produce. At the party, Anderson .Paak performed a few unreleased tracks for attendees. A similar plywood fixture sat in the middle of the room, which was filled with bright lights, while the rest of the event center was cast in a dim blue. Most party-goers were snapping selfies with the orbs—the most Instagrammable objects in the room. Back at the storefront, attendees clad in fitted blazers paired with spotless sneakers sipped cortados doled out by a friendly barista. 'You get mixed emotions,' says Kim Scott, who works for a recruiting agency that helps staff World. She'd scanned her eye at the party the night before. Scott said she was 'ambivalent' about partaking in the orb experience, but after successfully unlocking her iPhone using (she says) the Face ID feature on a wedding picture in her home, she felt compelled to find a more secure solution. (Though, Face ID does have strong safeguards against this exact type of hack). Photograph: Darrell Jackson Photograph: Darrell Jackson The San Francisco storefront launch was mostly staffed by techies and engineer-types (as well as one physicist!) who were hesitant to talk to a reporter. If you were looking to speak with someone not from a tech or science background, World's storefront on opening day was not the place for you. Though there was one passerby on their way to RSA, a cybersecurity conference taking place in the city this week, who stopped to ask the doormen a few questions before moving along. He told me he'd never upload his information to the orb. 'It's this cool concept, but I'm not sure how secure it is,' he said. 'I don't want to share…my biometric information just to get a QR code,' he added. 'I mean, my QR code is right here, right,' gesturing to his face. 'And I can use it anytime.' World's global launch has faced regulatory scrutiny for that exact reason. It was temporarily banned in a number of countries, including Kenya, Portugal, and Spain, and ordered to stop operations in Hong Kong and Brazil. One senior Hong Kong official said the project 'involves serious risks to personal data privacy.' South Korea fined World nearly $1 million for 'alleged violations in collecting and transferring personal data.' At a press conference after the launch party, my colleague asked a panel of executives about the ban in Brazil. They responded that it was a 'self pause' because the company wasn't allowed to offer its standard crypto incentive for sign up. Photgraph: Darrell Jackson At the storefront event, a man waiting outside told me he'd booked an appointment for 11:30, but noted he was an hour early, and wasn't allowed to come inside yet. He was visiting from Poland, and said his boss had attended the party the night before and was 'super hyped' about the orb concept. 'I don't know if it's gonna be like a worldwide revolution, but I just want to be on the wave,' he said. 'My only hesitation is that they are super huge,' he added. 'I'm pretty afraid that they can actually do some stuff that we will not know about. That can be a little bit shady, but all in all, like most of the businesses and most of the activities that we participate in have some kind of shadier sides.' Trevor Traina speaks during the World Space Flagship Location Opening on May 01, 2025, in San Francisco, California. Photograph: Darrell Jackson Back inside the store, World's chief business officer Trevor Traina began a press conference. He called World 'the brainchild of [OpenAI CEO] Sam Altman and [World CEO] Alex Blania' and waxed poetic about expanding to the United States and his former role as a US diplomat. 'From this same incredible brain, the brain of Sam Altman, after bringing in the era of artificial intelligence, came the intuition that in this new era, we as human beings will need to know what is real and what is not, that we may actually have to prove our humanness,' Traina said. After fielding media questions about data privacy and technical glitches (which Traina dubbed orb's "stage fright"), I asked why the company's services weren't available in New York, which my colleagues and I had noticed in the fine print of their launch announcement. "We launched last night," he claimed. World's communications team later corrected him: While New Yorkers can download the app, they can't actually use it there yet.
Gulf News
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
BTS took a break and still stayed unstoppable: Chapter 2 solo success stories that became a love letter to ARMY
June 2022, BTS Festa. You just had to be there. The BTS Live that is often considered the real 'horror film' by ARMYs—was filled with bittersweet and tearful confessions, mixed with the band's taste of fun and hilarity. Yet the essence was: They were going to take a break as a band. They were tired, fearful of being mechanical and losing the meaning of what it meant to be BTS, as an overwrought RM said. Instantly, social media broke apart—the band was breaking up. They were on indefinite hiatus. We won't ever see all seven of them on stage. It's all over, and fans penned emotional letters, thanking them for everything. The members were stunned. This wasn't what they expected. So, individually, they penned letters comforting ARMY—they weren't breaking up. They were just on a break. For a while. And they would continue to deliver RUN BTS episodes, as part of their variety show projects. And, there would be solo projects. Some fans were sceptical. Solo eras? Would that even work? After all, it's BTS—yes everyone know they were established artists who had also pursued individual projects, but a solo era for each? Not sure. Well, BTS set that thought straight with their 'Chapter 2', where each member continued paving the way for the band. J-Hope The solo era kicked off with J-Hope 's Jack in The Box, where he was determined to burn down the 'old' polished image of himself as his song Arson showed—and prove the different facets of himself. But that was just the beginning—from 2022, and even while he was in mandatory enlistment—his awards just kept stacking up. Achievements: Jack in the Box debuted at No. 17 in July 2022. Re-entered at No. 6 in August 2023 with the HOPE Edition, marking his first solo top 10 entry. Hope on the Street Vol.1 debuted at No. 5 in April 2024, setting a new personal best. First South Korean artist to headline Chicago's Lollapalooza in 2022. Embarked on his first solo tour, Hope on the Stage, in 2025, with performances across major cities including Seoul, Brooklyn, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Antonio. RM From releasing the thoughtful album Indigo, 'the last archive of his twenties' to the emotional unravelling in Right Place, Wrong Person, and everything in between, the leader of the band kept himself busy. He released a distinct range of songs too, some like Smoke Sprite, and the sassy Never Play. 1. Indigo (Released: December 2, 2022) RM's debut solo studio album featured collaborations with Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Tablo, and more. The album debuted at No. 15 and later peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, making RM the first Korean soloist to achieve a Top 3 spot on the chart. Indigo became the longest-charting album by a Korean soloist on the Billboard 200, with seven non-consecutive weeks. The title track, 'Wild Flower''featuring Youjeen, debuted at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking RM's first solo entry on the chart. 2. Right Place, Wrong Person (Released: 2024) RM's second solo album leaned into experimental and genre-blending soundscapes, drawing from funk, alt-rock, and avant-garde influences. The album includes collaborations with international artists such as Little Simz and Moses Sumney. Critics praised the album's philosophical themes and boundary-pushing sound. Chart achievements Following its vinyl release, Indigo re-entered the Billboard 200 at No. 53, and topped the Vinyl Albums chart at No. 2—the highest for any Korean soloist. Indigo debuted at No. 45 on the UK's Official Albums Chart, making RM the third Korean soloist to do so after PSY and Agust D (SUGA). Collaborations and notable Projects In September 2024, RM collaborated with Megan Thee Stallion on the single 'Neva Play,' their second joint effort after the 2021 Butter remix. He released the documentary RM: Right People, Wrong Place in late 2024, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process for his second solo album, as well as personal reflections during BTS's group hiatus. Jin He might have been the first to leave for military service, but even in the short span of time since he returned in 2024—the vocalist has already made up for the last two years, with variety shows, fashion endorsements, variety shows and collaborations. Achievements The Astronaut (October 28, 2022) Jin's solo debut single, co-written with Coldplay, sold over 1 million copies within 16 days, setting a record for the fastest-selling Korean solo album at the time. Happy (November 15, 2024) Jin's debut solo album, featuring six tracks including 'Running Wild' and I'll Be There, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, making BTS the first K-pop group with all members achieving solo Top 10 albums. The album sold over 953,000 units in its first week in South Korea, becoming the country's best-selling solo album of 2024. Echo (Scheduled for May 2025) Jin's second solo album, Echo, is set to release in May 2025. Notable performances and appearances Olympic torchbearer (July 14, 2024): Jin carried the Olympic Flame through the Louvre Pyramid in Paris as part of the 2024 Summer Olympics torch relay, symbolizing peace and harmony. Solo Concert Tour – RunSeokjin Ep. Tour (June–August 2025): Jin's first solo world tour, supporting his albums Happy and Echo, includes performances across North America, Asia, and Europe. Media and Brand Engagements Variety Shows: Jin launched his own web variety show, Run Jin, and appeared in other programs like The Half-Star Hotel in Lost Island and I Love Everyone's Zoo. Brand Ambassadorships: He became the global ambassador for several brands, including Fred, Gucci, Laneige, and Alo Yoga, highlighting his influence in fashion and lifestyle sectors. Suga We might not have heard from him since 2023—but Suga, the rapper of the band, has managed to continue creating discussion and buzz even in his absence. Achievements D-DAY (April 21, 2023) Suga released his first official solo studio album under his alter ego Agust D. D-DAY debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200, tying with Jimin's FACE as the highest-charting album by a South Korean soloist at the time. The album re-entered the Billboard 200 following the release of its vinyl edition, marking a sixth week on the chart. Solo world tour Suga became the first BTS member to hold a solo world tour. The tour visited cities in the US, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan. It grossed over $57.2 million from 28 sold-out shows. He broke records at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, earning over $3 million per night—one of the highest grosses for a Korean soloist. Awards and recognition Golden Disc Awards 2023: Won Digital Bonsang for "That That" with PSY. MAMA Awards 2023: Won Best Rap & Hip Hop Performance for "People Pt. 2" with IU. Brand endorsements Valentino: Appointed global ambassador and face of the Maison Valentino Essentials campaign in January 2023. NBA: Named an ambassador in April 2023, with appearances at official events and cross-promotional content. Jimin Inspired by his hyungs raw and vulnerable style of music, Jimin decided to take a different route for himself in terms of music, and that, set new records too. FACE (March 2023) Jimin's debut solo album, FACE, featured the hit single Like Crazy, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making him the first South Korean solo artist to achieve this feat. Like Crazy became the fastest song by a K-pop male soloist to surpass 200 million streams on Spotify. MUSE (2024) His second solo album, MUSE, included the single "Who," which broke BTS's "Dynamite" record as the longest-charting K-pop song in Billboard Hot 100 history. Who also became the longest-running No. 1 by a K-pop soloist on the Billboard Global 200 chart and surpassed 900 million streams on Spotify within 106 days of release. Awards and recognitions Jimin earned multiple No. 1 positions on Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart in 2023, with Like Crazy and other tracks. As of early 2025, Jimin has accumulated an estimated total of over 115 awards in his solo career. V BTS' V, while keeping up with his music and releasing a woozy album, also became an important fashion symbol. Layover (September 8, 2023) V's debut solo album, Layover, showcased a blend of pop, R&B, and jazz, receiving critical acclaim for its sophisticated sound. The album sold over 1.67 million copies on its opening day, setting a new record for the highest first-day sales by any solo K-pop artist in Hanteo Chart history. It debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200, with 100,000 equivalent album units earned in its first week, making V one of the highest-charting Korean solo artists in Billboard chart history. Layover became the first Korean solo album to chart for eight non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200, breaking the previous record held by RM's Indigo'. The pre-release track "Love Me Again" surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify within 30 days of its release, tying as the fastest solo song by a South Korean soloist to reach this milestone. Fri(end)s (March 15, 2024) V released the digital single "Fri(end)s," an English-language pop soul R&B track, accompanied by a short film ahead of the music video release. "Winter Ahead" with Park Hyo Shin In December 2024, V collaborated with Park Hyo Shin on the single Winter Ahead, which debuted at No. 99 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking his fifth solo entry onto the chart. Awards and recognitions At the 2024 Korea Grand Music Awards, V received the Trend of the Year – K-pop Solo award, making him the only BTS member to win at the event that year. He won the Best Music – Fall award at The Fact Music Awards in 2023 for "Slow Dancing" and the "Best Music – Spring" award in 2024 for "Fri(end)s." V's Layover won Favorite Debut Album at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Jungkook Last, but definitely not the least, the youngest member carved his own path and released albums, collaborations, all of which, broke different records. Left and Right (2022): Chart performance: The song achieved significant commercial success, peaking at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charting in multiple countries, including South Korea, the United States, and several European markets. Billboard Global 200: The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart, becoming one of the most popular K-pop songs of 2022. Award Recognition: It earned a nomination at the 2 022 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) for "Best Collaboration" and was well-received by fans and critics alike for its catchy melody and memorable collaboration. Golden, 2023 Seven (feat. Latto) (2023): Jungkook's debut solo single topped the Billboard Hot 100, making him the second BTS member to achieve this feat. It also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and remained there for seven consecutive weeks. Golden(2023): His debut solo album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making Jungkook the first BTS member to lead the chart with a solo project. Awards and recognitions
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Neon Carnival Announces 2025 Lineup Featuring Anderson .Paak, Charly Jordan and Chase B
Neon Carnival is set to return for its 14th year on Saturday at the Desert International Horse Park in Indio, Calif. Known as one of the most exclusive after-hours events in the desert, this invite-only celebration continues to attract A-list celebrities and festivalgoers with its immersive neon-lit atmosphere, music and entertainment. This year, Grammy-winning artist Anderson .Paak will headline the event as his DJ persona, DJ Pee .Wee, spinning an all-vinyl set. Social media phenom Charly Jordan will kick off the night with her signature style behind the decks. Closing out the evening will be Chase B & Friends with a special DJ set. More from WWD EXCLUSIVE: Revolve Festival Returns April 12 in Larger Venue Hyperpop Princess Rebecca Black Reclaims the Spotlight With 'Salvation' Sabrina Carpenter's Victoria Secret Outfits for 'Short 'n Sweet' Tour Performances Founded by nightlife visionary Brent Bolthouse and produced by Jeffrey Best of Best Events, Neon Carnival has become a staple of desert nightlife. Bolthouse expressed his excitement for this year's event, saying, 'I can't believe we are in our 14th year in the desert. I'm thrilled to be partnering up with our wonderful sponsors to create another night of fun experiences at Neon Carnival. We're excited to be bringing back our friend Anderson .Paak for an incredible performance and are planning a few more surprises throughout the night.' As usual, Neon Carnival will feature classic carnival games, amusement park rides — including its signature illuminated Ferris wheel — and premium drink offerings from sponsors such as Patrón El Alto Tequila. Patrón returns as the official tequila sponsor and will debut its first Neon Carnival cocktail, the Patrón Headliner Margarita, served in glow-in-the-dark collector cups. VIP guests will enjoy new miniature bottles of Patrón El Alto for table service. Patrón enthusiasts can also purchase limited-edition festival gift sets online. For more information about Neon Carnival 2025, visit View Gallery Launch Gallery: Neon Carnival Through the Years: Coachella Weekend's Celebrity-loved Party [PHOTOS] Best of WWD Elizabeth Taylor's Diamond and Gold Star of David Pendant Sells for $35,750 From Julien's Auctions What Is Vogue World? Details on the Upcoming Hollywood Edition of the Event, Tickets, Featured Artists and More Donatella Versace With Celebrity Friends Through the Years: Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Dua Lipa and More [PHOTOS]
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A Look at the Best Coachella Weekend Shindigs
Even if you're not heavily into music, you probably know there's a festival happening in Indio this weekend— and there's a lot more, too. While party promoters, sponsors and producers are quick to remind us that they are not affiliated with the Coachella Arts and Music Festival in any official capacity, the surplus of soirees in the desert are aimed at attracting the youthful demographic and celebrities all in the area for the fest. Many parties offer their own live music alongside DJs that capture the musical spirit, trendy fashion-filled vibes and hedonistic hijinks of festival season. Read on for our look to the best bashes happening during Coachella weekend— and prepare to hit up all your connected pals to score an invite! .Framework in the Desert — April 11-13Chris Lake and deadmau5 are set to join Mau P and Alesso (BODY HI) for this dance-driven DJ fest. The fourth edition of the popular afterparty also offers special guests Francis Mercier and Layton Giordani, as well as Max Styler, Interplanetary Criminal, Hills, Erez, and Miluhska. The music and movement takes place Friday-Sunday, near festival grounds. Nightlife legend Brent Bolthouse and Jeffrey Best's invite-only after-hours event has become the best known of the weekend scene for good reason. It's like an exclusive rave meets amusement park meets VIP nightclub outside. Patron El Alto is sponsoring this one and DJs set to spin include Charly Jordan, Chase B & Friends and DJ Pee .Wee aka Anderson .Paak rocking an all-vinyl set. Bolthouse says he's excited to bring back Paak and touts 'a few more surprises throughout the night.' View the to see embedded media. Last year's hot 'festival fits' were all about cowboy chic, but for 2025, who knows? Whatever the hot looks of the moment are, you'll see 'em at this Desert Mirage mashup. Line-up hasn't been announced yet but if past performers (21 Savage, Ice Spice, Snoop Dogg, Travis Scott, Post Malone) are any indication, this afternoon soiree is a can't miss. Returning to the desert for its fourth year on Friday from 1-6 p.m, Kendall Jenner's tequila brand celebrates the weekend at this exclusive party presented by L.A.'s The Group. Other brands will be on hand (lots of Kenny's sister's stuff) such as Kylie's Sprinter Vodka Soda and Kourtney's Lemme wellness. Rhode (Hailey Bieber's line), Celsius Live Fit, Quay, Liquid I.V., and more will be there too, and the desert will be blessed with more DJ Pee .Wee (Anderson .Paak) doing a special set. Check 818's Instagram for your chance to attend. Ulta Beauty presents the return of the enduringly hip mag's rager, featuring a performance by Dove Cameron and DJ Set by James Hype. This year's theme: an oceanic deep dive inviting guests to "plunge into the depths of self-discovery and ignite vibrant worlds waiting to be uncovered." Kiss-n-Grind and SeeYouSoon come together for this musical interlude from 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. spotlighting the sounds of deep house, soul classics and new grooves. Expect good vibes and lots of booty shaking. The invite only series at the Zenyara Estate returns with a packed 2025 lineup. Bob Moses, Vintage Culture, Mau P, WhoMadeWho and Anyma (who just finished a run at the Las Vegas Sphere) perform. Musick at Ace Hotel — April 12 The Ace Hotel always has a heightened social scene during Coachella so we'd hit it regardless, but this Billboard and Reggie Watts hosted event looks promising. Free and open to the public in partnership with Amazon, it should be all about the DJ selections courtesy Watts and Neil Frances.
