Latest news with #Babyface
The Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald
US star Leon Thomas joins Hey Neighbour fest line-up
Another US star has been added to the line-up for this year's Hey Neighbour festival. The second instalment of the festival, at the end of August at Legends Adventure Farm in Pretoria, is expected to be a two-day event this time and the organisers are pulling out all the stops to make it a high-impact event. Leon Thomas is the latest artist to join the line-up. He is an American actor, singer, songwriter and record producer who has appeared in Broadway productions including The Lion King and Caroline , or Change. Beyond acting, he's collaborated with numerous major artists and has writing and production credits on multiple Grammy-nominated projects including his work with Babyface and Toni Braxton on the album Love, Marriage & Divorce . Last month, Doja Cat was announced as the headline act of the festival, making it the singer's first performance in South Africa. 'We are beyond excited to welcome Doja Cat to the Hey Neighbour festival stage,' said Glen Netshipise, CEO for the event. 'Her energy, creativity and ability to connect with audiences on a global scale make her the perfect artist to kick off what will be an epic festival line-up. This is just the beginning — we have more incredible acts to reveal soon.'
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
US star Leon Thomas joins Hey Neighbour fest line-up
Another US star has been added to the line-up for this year's Hey Neighbour festival. The second instalment of the festival, at the end of August at Legends Adventure Farm in Pretoria, is expected to be a two-day event this time and the organisers are pulling out all the stops to make it a high-impact event. Leon Thomas is the latest artist to join the line-up. He is an American actor, singer, songwriter and record producer who has appeared in Broadway productions including The Lion King and Caroline, or Change. Beyond acting, he's collaborated with numerous major artists and has writing and production credits on multiple Grammy-nominated projects including his work with Babyface and Toni Braxton on the album Love, Marriage & Divorce. Last month, Doja Cat was announced as the headline act of the festival, making it the singer's first performance in South Africa. 'We are beyond excited to welcome Doja Cat to the Hey Neighbour festival stage,' said Glen Netshipise, CEO for the event. 'Her energy, creativity and ability to connect with audiences on a global scale make her the perfect artist to kick off what will be an epic festival line-up. This is just the beginning — we have more incredible acts to reveal soon.'
IOL News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
'Hey Neighbour'! Leon Thomas is coming to rock the festival stage
Grammy Award-winning artist, Leon Thomas, will be performing at the second 'Hey Neighbour' music festival alongside Doja Cat. Image: Supplied. The "Hey Neighbour" music festival is gearing up for a spectacular comeback on August 30 and 31. Earlier this year, festival organisers announced that award-winning artist Doja Cat will be shutting down the neighbourhood, and now, they have added US singer-songwriter Leon Thomas to the spectacular line-up. This will be Doja Cat's first time performing in South Africa, and word on the social media streets suggests that she's coming because her biological actor father, Dumisani Dlamini, is from the country. Renowned for her genre-defying sound, chart-topping hits and captivating stage presence, Doja Cat has taken the music world by storm with smash hits like "Say So", "Kiss Me More", "Paint the Town Red", and "Woman". During an interview with Apple Music's Ebro Darden back in 2024, the superstar said: "I still haven't been (to South Africa). I rely on my career to just throw me out to places. I don't find pockets of time in my life. I can fly, but I don't like flying, especially long flights like that." Meanwhile, Thomas, who is no stranger to the entertainment industry, is set to perform on the festival's second day. Having graced Broadway stages from a young age, Thomas captivated audiences in productions like "The Lion King" and "Caroline, or Change". However, his breakthrough came when he starred as André Harris in Nickelodeon's hit TV show "Victorious", alongside Victoria Justice and Ariana Grande. Beyond this, Thomas has collaborated with numerous major artists and has writing and production credits on multiple Grammy-nominated projects. He's popular for songs like "Yes It Is", "Rather Be Alone" and "Vibes Don't Lie", among others. His work with Babyface and Toni Braxton on the album "Love, Marriage & Divorce" has earned him his first Grammy Award. In 2023, the festival mesmerised over 60 000 music lovers with an extraordinary line-up that featured both local and international stars, including the likes of Tyla, Kendrick Lamar, Zakes Bantwini, Swedish House Mafia, Khalid, and H.E.R. This year, organisers have promised an even bigger and bolder festival. "To spice it up even more, we've taken all the magic of the 2023 fest and combined the previously announced three-day fest into two high-impact, high-energy-filled days of music, culture, and, of course, connection. "Ideally, we, your neighbours, are encouraging you to groove harder, sing louder and create the best, most authentic memories possible," read a statement from the festival. Festival-goers can brace themselves for even more excitement when the local line-up and perhaps a sprinkle of even more international star power is announced in June.
Business Wire
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® Expands Lineup: Babyface, Jill Scott & Friends, Patti LaBelle, Jazmine Sullivan, Master P's Final Show, Plus Quincy Jones Tribute & Superlounge Returns
NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, ESSENCE Communications, the esteemed publisher of ESSENCE Magazine —America's leading lifestyle publication dedicated to Black women since 1970, proudly announces the second wave of performers for the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® Evening Concert Series. This year's festival is a love letter to the ones who know the deep cuts, vocal runs, and the magic of a perfectly curated set. It's for the fans who grew up on the Superdome stage and discovered their future favorites in the Superlounge. As ESSENCE Magazine celebrates 55 years of storytelling, spirit, and truth, every detail in this year's festival continues to affirm that we are, indeed, Made Like This. Adds even more star power to an already stacked celebration of music's most profound icons, legends, and rising stars with a few surprises only found in person. Share The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® Evening Concert Series adds even more star power to an already stacked celebration of music's most profound icons, legends, and rising stars with a few surprises only found in person. Newly announced additions to the lineup includes Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Babyface, along with a curated Jill Scott and Friends set featuring three generations of Philly soul royalty: the Godmother, powerhouse vocalist Patti LaBelle, Grammy Award-winning R&B icon Jazmine Sullivan, and Jill herself – all together for one unforgettable night in New Orleans. They join previously announced headliners including genre-defining R&B quartet Boyz II Men, chart-topping global sensation Davido, New Orleans' very own cultural architect Master P, andR&B icon Maxwell. In true ESSENCE fashion, this year's celebration wouldn't be complete without space to honor the legends who laid the foundation for the sound of future generations. In an intentionally curated set, Songwriters Hall of Famer Jermaine Dupri will pay homage to the incomparable music titan Quincy Jones: a creative force whose fingerprints are etched into nearly every corner of modern music, from jazz and funk to hip-hop, soul, and pop. The ' ESSENCE Flowers' tribute, a QUINCY JONES JOINT, will bring together artists whose own work reflects the reach of his legacy. This genre-spanning performance features artists whose collaborations and creative choices reflect Quincy's far-reaching influence. R&B icon Tyrese, who appeared on a modern rendition of 'Secret Garden', and R&B trailblazer Al B. Sure!, who was mentored by the music titan in the early stages of his career and featured on the original, a slow jam classic produced by Quincy himself. Chart-topping crooner Robin Thicke, who worked with Jones on a reimagined version of 'P.Y.T.', nods to Quincy's genre-blending brilliance. Platinum-selling trio SWV, not only collaborated with Quincy directly on the smooth, groove-heavy track 'Slows Jams', but famously flipped one of his most iconic productions in their signature hit "Right Here (Human Nature Remix)'. R&B group Xscape, whose harmonies carry echoes of Jones' influence on vocal arrangement, also sampled Quincy's work on their track 'Keep On, Keepin' On'. West Coast rap icons The Pharcyde and Queensbridge legends Mobb Deep, also sampled Quincy's catalog, proving his influence reached well beyond jazz, R&B, and pop, embedding itself into the DNA of hip-hop across generations and regions. While the ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® will honor legends from around the world, one of the most influential chapters in our story began in our forever home. This year, Master P returns to the stage for his final performance. A defining moment for the New Orleans mogul, whose influence turned No Limit Records into a cultural force by rewriting the rules of ownership in hip-hop. He will be joined by the No Limit Soldiers, including Mia X, the first lady of No Limit Records and his brother Silkk the Shocker, whose signature flow helped to define the label's sound. Also joining the set are Grammy Award-winning group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, whose melodic rapid-fire delivery paralleled No Limit's boundary-pushing energy with R&B mainstays Dru Hill, whose gospel-rooted vocals brought edge to R&B, and chart-topping singer-songwriter Keri Hilson, whose career reflects the label's spirit of self-made, Southern-rooted spirit. Every moment will be a dedication to our artistry and culture. After a highly anticipated return, the iconic Superlounge experience is back. Reimagined, reenergized, and ready to remind fans why some of the Festival's most unforgettable moments have happened on its most intimate stage. Rounding out this year's multigenerational, genre-spanning lineup are Grammy Award-winning visionary Erykah Badu, melodic singer and songwriter Ari Lennox, rising R&B trio Psiryn, Afrobeats sensation MOLIY, and hip-hop's ultimate showman Doug E. Fresh. The original human beatbox will lead a special on-stage tribute honoring ESSENCE Magazine's 55th anniversary, blending freestyle and his signature energy to honor the songs defining the culture. Additional performers include reggae legend Buju Banton, Grammy Award-nominated superstar GloRilla, the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Isley Brothers, lyrical legend Nas, soulful standout Summer Walker, beloved R&B singer and songwriter Donell Jones, and multifaceted hitmaker Muni Long. The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® is presented by Coca-Cola® with major partners AT&T, L'Oréal Groupe, and Target as the official retail partner. Attendees can secure their spot at daytime experiences directly on the E360 app, with access to special offers, personalized itineraries, and real-time updates on everything happening throughout Festival weekend. Weekend packages for the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® evening concert series are available now. Book the flight. Text the group chat. Meet us in New Orleans! Join the conversation on social at @ESSENCEFest on X, Facebook, and Instagram — and subscribe to ESSENCE Magazine and newsletter to stay connected all year long. ABOUT SUNDIAL MEDIA GROUP Sundial Media Group, LLC (SMG), a division of the Sundial Group of Companies, is a vertically integrated media, entertainment and experiential company focused on empowering the voices and communities leading culture in the new general market. Brands in this ecosystem include ESSENCE Ventures (ESSENCE including Girls United; AFROPUNK; Beautycon™ including Naturally Curly; ESSENCE Studios; ESSENCE Festival of Culture™; and SOKO MRKT™), Refinery29, Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF), including Academy For Advancing Excellence, and New Voices Fund.
Indianapolis Star
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Babyface celebrates Black style at 2025 Met Gala. Who did he wear?
Music icon Babyface was in the house for fashion's biggest night. The singer-songwriter-producer walked the blue carpet of the Met Gala on May 5 in custom LaQuan Smith. Kenny Edmonds was among the stars wearing works by Black designers for the event that spotlighted Black style and tailoring. The annual gala is a fundraiser for the museum's Costume Institute. The 2025 gala theme, based on the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" spring exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, explored Black style and the history of dandyism. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. The co-chairs were Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. LeBron James was an honorary chair but was absent. Attendees included Rihanna, André 3000, Simone Biles, Diana Ross, Jeff Goldblum, Dapper Dan, Doechii, Ayo Edebiri, Nicole Kidman, Janelle Monáe and Usher. Indianapolis native Edmonds showed off his black and white ensemble on social media. 'I loved supporting such an amazing theme this year! Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,' he said while thanking the designer.
