Latest news with #JazzyJeff
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Capital Summertime Ball 2025 UPDATES: Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff join Wembley Stadium line-up as ticket prices revealed
ROYAL APPOINTMENT Capital Summertime Ball 2025 UPDATES: Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff join Wembley Stadium line-up as ticket prices revealed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CAPITAL's Summertime Ball returns to Wembley Stadium on June 15 with tickets costing up to £420, according to social media reports. The line-up for the event is currently being announced live on air on Capital. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up One fan on X posted a screenshot of the tickets, which shows they start from £86.74 for a standing spot on the pitch. This morning, Rita Ora, Fresh Prince Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff were the latest acts to be announced, joining Mariah Carey, Busted Vs McFly, Dasha, Jessie J and rising star Benson Boone who have already been confirmed for the show. Will Smith's appearance comes three years after he was slammed for not apologizing to Chris Rock at the Oscars in March 2022 minutes after slapping him. Since then, the Men in Black star has ben staging a carefully choreographed comeback, which included an appearance at the Coachella festival in the US last year. Capital listeners who are logged into the Global Player app had exclusive pre-sale access to tickets from 9am this morning, with tickets going on general sale tomorrow at 9am. You can follow our live blog, below, for all the latest updates ...
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Will Smith is hoping for a comeback with new music, tour: ‘An album won't erase the slap,' expert says
Three years after his infamous slap,' Will Smith is hoping all is forgiven. The actor and rapper will drop his first album in 20 years, Based on a True Story, on March 28. Similar to a TV show, it will roll out in seasons, with the first one titled Rave in the Wasteland (R.I.T.W.), which he's described as a journey of healing, fun and celebration. The 14 tracks aren't called songs. Instead, they're 'episodes' and are a mix of previously released singles ('Beautiful Scars,' 'First Love') and new tracks and include collaborations with DJ Jazzy Jeff, his son Jaden Smith, Teyana Taylor and others. It's probably no accident that the overall vibe — the music (presented with a TV theme), the presence of Jazzy Jeff and the Philadelphia Phillies jacket he's wearing on the album cover — is old-school Smith. After his Oscars meltdown in 2022, when he hit Chris Rock in front of 16.6 million viewers, it seems he's leaning into nostalgia to take people back to a simpler time — his early roots in the entertainment industry, when he shot to stardom on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. That is, before he became a major box office star, his marriage was tabloid fodder (the 'entanglement') and the slap. The rollout of Based on a True Story, which will include his first headlining tour in Europe, features many Fresh Prince references. Most notably, he's remade several classic show moments with co-star Tatyana Ali, including a famous dance scene. The cast has stayed friendly and Alfonso Ribeiro remains one of his pals, but promoting a 2025 album with nods to 1995 is a deliberate strategy: Smith is trying to take us back in time. That takes us to his use of social media, which he has leaned on heavily since the slap scandal to reconnect with fans and emphasize his playful side. In recent weeks, the 56-year-old, who has 78.8 million followers on TikTok and 69.6 million on Instagram, teamed up with content creators like Jordan Howlett and 'Lethal Shooter' Chris Matthews and buzzy celebrities like recent Grammy winner Doechii and soccer star Christian Pulisic to create viral moments and perhaps expand his audience (they're all much younger than Smith). He's done less traditional press. Think again if you think Smith is just improvising what he shares on social media — that he's just rolling around Hollywood with an iPhone and selfie stick. In fact, his social media campaign is highly orchestrated; a behind-the-scenes video Ali shared of the making of their 15-second video showed a room full of people participating in the shoot. Hey, it's better than having to talk about the slap over and over on the talk show circuit. But will it win back the fans that Smith — who was once a truly likable star and box office gold — may have alienated? 'The nostalgia campaign screams 'I peaked decades ago,'' Eric Schiffer, a PR expert and chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, told Yahoo Entertainment. 'Fresh Prince is iconic, but leaning on it now feels like Will saying, 'Remember when I was likable?'' Yes, Smith is allowed to move on professionally from the Oscars scandal. He's accepted his punishment and (sort of) apologized. But what is he supposed to do — hide in his $42 million Calabasas, Calif., mansion and practice his signature laugh all day? 'If he wanted redemption, he should've dropped a sincere apology, not a playlist,' Schiffer said. 'An album won't erase the slap — it's like trying to patch a trainwreck with Scotch tape.' Schiffer thinks the public sees through 'TikTok stunts,' saying, 'Virality doesn't equal redemption.' He thinks Smith is 'acting like a TikTok dad who doesn't know when to log off,' which comes off a bit 'out-of-touch.' That said, 'Will's goodwill isn't gone,' said Schiffer. 'It's buried in deep earth under skepticism. Public grace is earned through sustained humility and effort.' Schiffer thinks Smith 'should focus on being a better person instead of tricking people into liking him again. He needs to focus on vulnerability — show growth and humanity beyond the slap. Engage in philanthropy that resonates with his values. Stay away from flashy PR stunts — they feel insincere.' He suggests, 'Stop trying so hard' and 'avoid [using] nostalgia as a crutch.' Smith told Billboard in January that he envisions Based on a True Story as three albums that will be released throughout 2025 — which shows he's confident that people will buy his music. The first, R.I.T.W., is 'about the idea of learning to dance in your darkest moment' with tracks he 'wrote directly after the Oscars.' Part two, tentatively titled The Gift of Madness, is expected in June and the final one is set for release at the end of the year. He told Billboard that he's starting his tour outside the U.S. as a way to get in shape. "My dream is to work my way into a stadium tour. I'll probably do arenas this year and next year to see [if] can I build a big enough, exciting enough show to require a stadium run.' It's a big undertaking for someone who has never headlined a tour. He's been honing his craft though, including doing performances in U.S. venues in recent months. Smith may have laid low after the Oscars debacle, but he's been inching back into the spotlight for some time. In February, he presented at the Grammy Awards and he performed at the BET Awards in June 2024. He's also released two high-profile film projects — 2022's Emancipation and 2024's Bad Boys 2: Ride or Die, which was a huge box office success — and did press for both. But the biggest way he's kept connected with his fans has been through social media — and it's worked. He is one of TikTok's most-followed stars (up over 4 million since January). We'll soon see if those followers become streamers of this album.
CBS News
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
DJ Jazzy Jeff produced Philadelphia's "Sonic ID" for 2026 FIFA World Cup
As anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Philadelphia is gearing up to take center stage as one of the tournament's 16 host cities. The city is ready to embrace the global spotlight, and on Thursday, Philadelphia Soccer 2026 dropped its official "FIFA World Cup 26 Host City Sonic ID" — an audio brand capturing the very essence of the City of Brotherly Love. Produced by none other than DJ Jazzy Jeff, a two-time Grammy-winning producer from West Philadelphia, the "Sonic ID" is more than just music; it's a reflection of the rhythm, culture and passion that define Philadelphia. "I cut my teeth in a place that expects excellence. They want you to give your heart," DJ Jazzy Jeff said. DJ Jazzy Jeff has been a driving force in shaping the sound of Philadelphia for over four decades. From his early days in West Philly to becoming a global music icon, his unique blend of beats and rhythms has captured the spirit of the city. Now, he's taking that sound to a worldwide audience, representing Philadelphia in one of the biggest sporting events on Earth. "I've done a lot of international traveling, and it wasn't until I left the United States to understand that the world game is soccer," DJ Jazzy Jeff said. The "Sonic ID" was created to give a musical preview of the "sounds of the city" that visitors and fans can expect during the tournament. As part of the World Cup festivities, the audio branding will be featured in stadiums, during broadcasts, at FIFA Fan Festivals and across digital platforms to create a deep connection between the game and the unique culture of Philadelphia. "I knew I had to incorporate pretty much some history," DJ Jazzy Jeff said. "Some of the Gamble and Huff and the Philly International Sound. Some of the sound of the Neo Soul Movement from the late 90s, and not only did I want it to sound good, I want it to feel good." As the world prepares for this historic event, Meg Cain, host city executive for Philadelphia, highlighted the role of music in uniting people across cultures. The "Sonic ID" is one of 16 distinct sounds representing the host cities, each crafted to showcase the unique cultural identity of its location. "He's a legendary DJ, he's a two-time Grammy winner. He's from West Philadelphia. He's one of us," Cain said. The power of music to bring people together is at the heart of this World Cup experience, Cain said. The "Sonic IDs" will play a crucial role in amplifying the excitement, creating an unforgettable soundtrack for fans in the stadiums, watching at home or celebrating at the FIFA Fan Festivals. "This time, with all of the different host cities across three countries, 16 different host cities, we wanted each city to have its own special sound," Cain said. Philadelphia will host six matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including a knockout Round of 16 match on July 4, which coincides with the United States' 250th birthday celebration. The tournament promises to bring a wave of excitement, and Philadelphia will play a central role in this historic moment. In addition to the matches, the city will also host the FIFA Fan Festival, a vibrant celebration of soccer culture at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park. This festival will be a hub of activity, offering soccer fans of all ages a chance to immerse themselves in the excitement of the World Cup.
