Latest news with #Grammy
Time Out
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The F1 of sailing competitions is cruising over to Governors Island next week
Strap in, NYC. The world's fastest sailboats are skimming into town for a waterfront spectacle like no other. SailGP, the globe-hopping, wind-powered championship often dubbed 'Formula 1 on water,' drops anchor at Governors Island next weekend, June 7 and 8, for the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, a two-day summer launch party disguised as a sailing race. Twelve national teams will face off in a blur of spray and speed aboard identical F50 foiling catamarans—sleek, high-tech vessels that fly across the water at over 60mph (that's faster than the wind, if you're keeping score). Unlike traditional regattas, SailGP brings the action right up to shore, with grandstand seating giving fans front-row views just yards from the course. But this isn't just for sailing purists: it's a cultural event, a tech showcase and a summer social scene all in one. 'The Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix is more than just a race—it's a celebration of speed, innovation and the vibrant energy of summer in the city,' said SailGP's chief marketing officer Leah Davis. Translation? It will be a very cool weekend, on and off the water. Grammy and Tony Award-winner Patina Miller will perform the national anthem on Saturday to kick things off. Throughout the weekend, expect a lineup of DJ sets, live brass bands, break dancers and hype hosts revving up the crowd. Fans will wave flags for their favorite national teams, pose with oversized SailGP letters and even meet some of the sport's top athletes between races. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SailGP (@sailgp) Those curious about what it feels like to actually pilot a catamaran can try the SailGP simulator, a wildly popular immersive setup complete with real steering wheels, replicated racecourses and live leaderboard tracking. VR stations and the SailGP mobile app take it up a notch, letting fans use their phones (or their heads) to get stats, see race overlays in real time and basically feel like they're in the cockpit. And in classic NYC fashion, celebs are already circling. The newly announced owners of Team Red Bull Italy include actress Anne Hathaway and her husband Adam Shulman, alongside jewelry scion Evan Yurman, Muse Capital partner Assia Grazioli Venier and Italian entrepreneur Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo (a.k.a. Mr. Jessica Chastain). Sailing legend and Red Bull Italy CEO Jimmy Spithill—the star of the upcoming Paramount+ docuseries Uncharted: SailGP —will be racing for glory, fame and a share of the $12.8 million prize purse.
Fashion United
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion United
Prada amplifies cultural capital with 'The Sound of Prada' in Berlin
In a fusion of fashion, music, and urban culture, Prada deepened its cultural investment with the latest instalment of The Sound of Prada —a branded experience rooted in global creativity—staged in Berlin this week. Anchored by the Prada Eyewear division, the event reaffirms the Italian luxury house's ongoing ambition to remain not just a purveyor of style but a cultivator of cultural influence. Held at the Kranzler Eck, a storied café overlooking Berlin's Kurfürstendamm—long a meeting ground for intellectuals, creatives, and tastemakers—the event reflected Prada's calculated alignment with cities that embody artistic disruption. Berlin, with its post-reunification reputation as a capital of electronic music and counterculture, proved a fitting host for this latest iteration. Headlining the evening was American singer, actor, and producer Janelle Monáe, performing under her DJ alter ego, DJ Johnny Jane. Monáe, a decorated performer with eight Grammy nominations and a history of fusing afrofuturism with political commentary, brought star power and subversive edge to the evening. Her Wondaland Arts Society, which has cultivated talents like Jidenna and St. Beauty, reflects the kind of curatorial authority Prada seeks to associate with. Supporting acts included Christian AB—known for genre-bending electronica—and Channel Tres, whose signature blend of house, G-funk, and techno echoes Berlin's own music scene, which remains a significant export for Germany, accounting for over €1 billion in cultural value according to the German Music Council. Prada's 'Sound of' series launched in Paris in 2019 and has since moved through key cultural capitals including London (2021), Cannes (2022), and Seoul (2024). Each edition combines live music with fashion presentations and location-specific installations. In Berlin, guests experienced a site-specific environment dedicated to the Prada Symbole eyewear collection, a core category for the brand's licensing and accessories business. The strategy behind The Sound of Prada is emblematic of a wider shift in luxury branding—from passive product promotion to immersive storytelling that situates the brand at the centre of a cultural ecosystem. By choosing artist-driven cities and spotlighting musical innovation, Prada is creating experiential touchpoints that go beyond fashion weeks and traditional campaign formats. The guest list reinforced Prada's positioning at the intersection of pop culture and luxury, including actors Kit Connor, Ncuti Gatwa, and Clemens Schick, as well as brand ambassadors Troye Sivan and Benedetta Porcaroli. This talent curation complements the brand's global marketing strategy, which has increasingly leaned on rising Gen Z and millennial figures with high digital resonance. With eyewear now accounting for a growing share of luxury accessory sales—Euromonitor estimates the global luxury eyewear market at over 16 billion dollars—Prada's investment in lifestyle-led promotion via its Symbole collection exemplifies the potential of experiential marketing not only to sell product but to reinforce cultural relevance. Prada Eyewear Credits: Courtesy Prada
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
A-list Hollywood couple considering relocating to London because they prefer ‘colder climate' to balmy Los Angeles
JOHN LEGEND and his wife Chrissy Teigen are practically US royalty. He is a Grammy-winning singer and she's a hilarious TV star, model and author. 4 4 But now the A-list couple are considering packing in their life Stateside after falling in love with Blighty. John explained in an exclusive chat with Bizarre's Howell: 'We love it here. Chrissy loves it and the kids love it. 'We spent our last Christmas here and two or three Christmases ago we were here as well. 'We like to be in a colder place. We don't like to be in Los Angeles for Christmas. 'It's too warm and sunny and we both grew up in a colder weather environment so it doesn't feel like Christmas if it's warm.' Asked if that meant they would consider relocating here, he added: 'Yes, we would. I mean, especially now. 'We always talk about the possibility of moving to New York or London. 'Those are two cities that we would definitely consider living in. We love walking cities. 'There's something very appealing about both of them and Chrissy and I feel like we thrive in those kinds of environments, so it's something to consider for sure.' The All Of Me singer is such a fan of the UK that he chose it as the place to kick off his Get Lifted — 20th Anniversary Tour. AMERICAN music icon John Legend was left red-faced after reportedly playing to an 'empty' arena He wowed the crowds during the opening night in Glasgow on Tuesday, where he wore a striking white suit. Last night John performed in Manchester, ahead of Birmingham this evening and London's O2 Arena on Sunday. The tour celebrates his 2004 debut album, which featured the massive hit Ordinary People. John said: 'It's fun to reminisce about this time. I tell a few stories in the show. We like to be in a colder place. We don't like to be in Los Angeles for Christmas John 'My last tour was like a solo show where I literally told stories the whole time. So this is a lot less of that and it's the full band and a lot more music. 'A lot more music' 'When I think about Get Lifted, I associate a lot of that early promo and those early shows with London and with the UK. 'I just remember playing the Jazz Cafe and those early gigs, and Ordinary People especially took off here. 'It's perfect that we start the tour here.' John is now somehow juggling a six-month tour with work on his 11th studio album. He said: 'The way I'm approaching the next album is, how do I make that one the best one I've ever done? 'How do I collaborate with people who are going to make me better and bring out something special in me? 4 'That's what I'm going to focus on and the awards will take care of themselves. 'We've written a lot prior to this tour. Most of it's written.' One thing you can't expect from John and Chrissy is a reality show, as he revealed they have turned down offers. 'Yeah, we've been approached,' he said. You know, she's very entertaining and I'm like her straight man. 'Every comic needs a straight man. 'I feel like we share plenty on social media and we like being in control of what we share. So anything we would do on the unscripted side, it would have to be with us having control over what we share. Bedroom encounters 'Shows are built around people arguing with each other. We're just not interested in that version.' The couple now have four kids. But asked if they would like more, John said hastily: 'No. That was a quick answer. I'm all done.' There's no doubt his soulful, sexy music has helped make plenty of other babies though. Asked whether fans tell him about bedroom encounters with his tunes as the soundtrack, he said: 'Oh, so many awkward conversations. 'We hear about that. We hear about people getting married which is not as awkward. 'But either way, it just lets you know that you make music that is part of people's lives.' 4
Winnipeg Free Press
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Leon Thomas is ‘ready for the moment' with new album ‘MUTT Deluxe: HEEL'
NEW YORK (AP) — Leon Thomas is such a believer of speaking dreams into existence that the artist-producer has been patiently awaiting — yet expecting — his current moment of musical appreciation. 'I feel like this is like a 20-year-long, overnight success, and I'm really enjoying just the process. I feel ready for the moment,' said the alternative R&B artist, who's releasing his 'MUTT Deluxe: HEEL' album on Friday. 'Not to get too spiritual, but I feel like the steps I'm on are ordered, and it's just my time to show the world what I can do.' After winning a Grammy last year as co-producer on SZA's song 'Snooze,' Thomas is now experiencing his own solo success. The single 'MUTT,' from his 2024 critically acclaimed sophomore album of the same name, reached No. 1 on multiple Billboard charts, including Hot R&B Songs, Adult R&B airplay and R&B Streaming Songs. It also peaked at No. 13 on Billboard's Hot 100, boosted by a recent Chris Brown-remix that will appear on the deluxe. Once known for his role on the Nickelodeon series 'Victorious' of the 2010s, the R&B-rock-funk artist recruited heavyweight features for 'HEEL,' including Big Sean, Kehlani and Halle Bailey. Nine new songs were added, both originals and remixes. 'It's God's plan … Coming from the world of acting, I'd had my fair share of fame and taste of what the high life felt like. But starting off with my debut album, really having to grind and play really small rooms and build from scratch was such a humbling experience,' said Thomas of 'Electric Dusk' which dropped in 2023. 'That really built me, and I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.' The 31-year-old, who's produced songs for Drake, Kanye West, Toni Braxton and Babyface, spoke with The Associated Press about stepping into the spotlight, vulnerability and being protective of Ariana Grande. The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity. AP: How have you managed the transition from in-demand producer to solo artist? THOMAS: I prayed on this. I did the internal work to be ready for what comes with the spotlight. And, I don't know, I'm just taking it one step at a time. I learned a lot from working behind the scenes, though. I was able to watch everybody's climb to the top … and it was good to be a fly on the wall to a lot of my friends' greatness before I had an opportunity to climb the mountain myself. AP: How did your 'Rather Be Alone' collaboration with Halle Bailey come together? THOMAS: It was very organic … I played her the record and she really resonated with it, and I feel like you should write your life, and you should find ways to use your experience as the paint on the canvas. And I think both of us were going through pretty crazy breakups. So, I think it was important to lead with that song because it's like the truest record right now on the project. AP: It seems like this era of R&B doesn't embrace vulnerability like in earlier decades. Why where you both so transparent? THOMAS: It's a generation of filters. But I think some of the craziest and most viral moments are without any of the bells and whistles. And that's the whole Catch-22. It's like there's lots of technological advancements, but I think things that are real, that really like celebrate the human experience, will always be celebrated. AP: How were you able to successfully break out of the Nickelodeon box and transition into music? THOMAS: It's really hard being a Black male coming from the Nickelodeon-Viacom space because this is epic branding all over the world. I mean, this is like 80 countries … that are kind of fed that image of you. So, I think for me, the biggest thing was really taking the time to study acting. Even when I stepped over into music, it's not like I just jumped into it because I had some fans who grew up watching me. I decided to study under the legendary Babyface, started working with Ty Dolla $ign, Boi-1da, Drake — I was around some epic legends in the field, and I feel like the best teacher is experience. AP: Do you ever reminisce with Adriana Grande about your time as 'Victorious' castmates? THOMAS: We finished our last two years of high school together in a small classroom with one teacher and spent many … weekends hanging out and watching movies and kicking it. That's really my friend, and I'm so proud of her. … There's so much growth that happened, and I am very protective over her and she's the same about me. And it's just good to have real friends in this (industry) — it can be kind of tricky. ___ Follow Associated Press entertainment journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton at @GaryGHamilton on all his social media platforms.
San Francisco Chronicle
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Leon Thomas is ‘ready for the moment' with new album 'MUTT Deluxe: HEEL'
NEW YORK (AP) — Leon Thomas is such a believer of speaking dreams into existence that the artist-producer has been patiently awaiting — yet expecting — his current moment of musical appreciation. 'I feel like this is like a 20-year-long, overnight success, and I'm really enjoying just the process. I feel ready for the moment,' said the alternative R&B artist, who's releasing his 'MUTT Deluxe: HEEL' album on Friday. 'Not to get too spiritual, but I feel like the steps I'm on are ordered, and it's just my time to show the world what I can do.' After winning a Grammy last year as co-producer on SZA's song 'Snooze,'' Thomas is now experiencing his own solo success. The single 'MUTT,' from his 2024 critically acclaimed sophomore album of the same name, reached No. 1 on multiple Billboard charts, including Hot R&B Songs, Adult R&B airplay and R&B Streaming Songs. It also peaked at No. 13 on Billboard's Hot 100, boosted by a recent Chris Brown-remix that will appear on the deluxe. Once known for his role on the Nickelodeon series 'Victorious' of the 2010s, the R&B-rock-funk artist recruited heavyweight features for 'HEEL,' including Big Sean, Kehlani and Halle Bailey. Nine new songs were added, both originals and remixes. 'It's God's plan ... Coming from the world of acting, I'd had my fair share of fame and taste of what the high life felt like. But starting off with my debut album, really having to grind and play really small rooms and build from scratch was such a humbling experience,' said Thomas of 'Electric Dusk' which dropped in 2023. 'That really built me, and I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.' The 31-year-old, who's produced songs for Drake, Kanye West, Toni Braxton and Babyface, spoke with The Associated Press about stepping into the spotlight, vulnerability and being protective of Ariana Grande. The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity. I learned a lot from working behind the scenes, though. I was able to watch everybody's climb to the top … and it was good to be a fly on the wall to a lot of my friends' greatness before I had an opportunity to climb the mountain myself. AP: How did your 'Rather Be Alone' collaboration with Halle Bailey come together? THOMAS: It was very organic … I played her the record and she really resonated with it, and I feel like you should write your life, and you should find ways to use your experience as the paint on the canvas. And I think both of us were going through pretty crazy breakups. So, I think it was important to lead with that song because it's like the truest record right now on the project. AP: It seems like this era of R&B doesn't embrace vulnerability like in earlier decades. Why where you both so transparent? THOMAS: It's a generation of filters. But I think some of the craziest and most viral moments are without any of the bells and whistles. And that's the whole Catch-22. It's like there's lots of technological advancements, but I think things that are real, that really like celebrate the human experience, will always be celebrated. AP: How were you able to successfully break out of the Nickelodeon box and transition into music? THOMAS: It's really hard being a Black male coming from the Nickelodeon-Viacom space because this is epic branding all over the world. I mean, this is like 80 countries … that are kind of fed that image of you. So, I think for me, the biggest thing was really taking the time to study acting. Even when I stepped over into music, it's not like I just jumped into it because I had some fans who grew up watching me. I decided to study under the legendary Babyface, started working with Ty Dolla $ign, Boi-1da, Drake — I was around some epic legends in the field, and I feel like the best teacher is experience. AP: Do you ever reminisce with Adriana Grande about your time as 'Victorious' castmates? THOMAS: We finished our last two years of high school together in a small classroom with one teacher and spent many ... weekends hanging out and watching movies and kicking it. That's really my friend, and I'm so proud of her. … There's so much growth that happened, and I am very protective over her and she's the same about me. And it's just good to have real friends in this (industry) — it can be kind of tricky. ___
