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IOL News
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Unmasking the 'Hitmakers': the unsung heroes of your favourite pop songs
"Hitmakers" shines a spotlight on the talented individuals behind some of the world's biggest songs. Image: Instagram. Songwriters, who are often overlooked and underappreciated, are the true heroes of the pop music industry. Thanks to Netflix's new reality show, "Hitmakers", viewers get an inside look at the creatives behind some of the biggest songs on the planet. The series opens with a catchy phrase that perfectly encapsulates its premise: "You may not know us, but you definitely know our song." The show is produced by Done and Done Productions, the same company that gave us "Selling Sunset" and "The Hills". The aim is to shine a light on these talented individuals by showcasing their mastery in crafting songs for some of the biggest names in music, including John Legend, Usher, Shaboozey and Lisa from Blackpink. The show offers plenty of creative chaos, emotional stakes and personal breakthroughs from the featured songwriters, which include Jenna Andrews, who wrote on BTS's "Butter", Tommy Brown, who wrote on Arianna Grande's "Thank U, Next" and Trey Campbell, who has worked with Legend on "U Move, I Move". Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Other notable contributors include Ferras Alqaisi, who wrote for Dua Lipa, Sevyn Streeter, who has worked with Chris Brown, Bernard Harvey, who wrote on Justin Bieber's "Forever" and Nova Wav, who have written songs like Beyonce's "Cuff It". The songwriters are transported to luxurious locations like the Bahamas, Nashville and Cabo, where they engage in an intense songwriting camp, sipping champagne and enjoying gourmet meals as they attempt to craft the next big hit. As the show kicks off, viewers are quickly introduced to each songwriter's unique strengths and creativity. One would think that these masterminds would be rolling in money; however, off the bat, viewers quickly learn about the financial struggles many songwriters face when Campbell confesses that he still drives for Uber, despite being a Grammy-nominated writer. Although this theme is introduced, it fades into the background as the series progresses. During each writing session, songwriters engage briefly with the featured artists to gain insights into their visions for the new tracks. Then, divided into groups and with only six hours on the clock, these creative minds must come out with songs that can potentially scale the Billboard charts. While the show captures the essence of these high-pressure creative sessions, it leaves viewers wanting a more in-depth understanding of how these hits evolve from concept to completed work. At the end of each episode, the teams showcase their songs to the entire group at a listening party. Each team plays their song for the group and at the end of the season artists pick, chose and refuse which songs they will lend their voice to. Image: Instagram. While "Hitmakers" has the potential to deliver a gripping exploration of the music-making process, it often prioritises style over substance. The unique stories and struggles of songwriters deserve more attention. However, the series still manages to celebrate the artistry behind the scenes of pop hits, providing a visually engaging experience for viewers. Other interesting music shows to stream: "Beyoncé Bowl" The iconic Beyoncé takes the field for a special hometown halftime show on NFL Christmas Gameday from Houston, Texas. It features songs from her most recent album, "Cowboy Carter" with guest appearances from Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Shaboozey, and Post Malone. "Building The Band" This reality competition combines elements of dating shows with singing competitions. Contestants must select bandmates without seeing each other first, relying solely on musical compatibility before meeting face-to-face. The show features guest judges and mentors, including Kelly Rowland and the late Liam Payne of One Direction. "Rhythm + Flow" This reality series features up-and-coming hip hop singers vying for a chance at stardom. Chance the Rapper, T.I. and Cardi B are looking for new talent from their hometowns of Chicago, Atlanta and New York. Thirty selected contestants go on to compete in several elimination rounds, and the ultimate winner will win $250k and the opportunity to perform at Spotify's RapCaviar Live event. "Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE" The unscripted series features young women from around the world training and competing for a chance to form part of an international all-girl K-pop-styled group. It's a compelling portrayal of the journey to global stardom, including insight into the unique training and development program from HYBE and Geffen Records. "The Greatest Night in Pop" Directed by Bao Nguyen, the documentary is about the creation of the renowned pop song "We Are the World" and its recording in 1985. The film features new interviews with various people involved in the song, including Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis, Dionne Warwick and Cyndi Lauper.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NBC Pushes ‘The Hunting Party' to Midseason, As It Sets Fall Premiere Dates for NBA, ‘One Chicago' Wednesdays and ‘Law & Order' Thursdays
NBC is bringing 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' back to the network this fall, pushing 'The Hunting Party' to midseason. That's among the scheduling tweaks revealed by the network as it unveils premiere dates for its full fall lineup. NBC previously unveiled its fall 2025 schedule back in May, but the 'L&O:OG' and 'Hunting Party' switcheroo are among several notable changes. The second season of 'The Hunting Party' was originally scheduled to air following new episodes of 'Law & Order' and 'Law & Order: SVU' on Thursday nights. Instead, the sophomore season will now be held until after January. More from Variety Native American Community Center Comedy Pilot Not Moving Forward at NBC 'The Voice' Renewed for Season 29 With Format Revamp; Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Adam Levine Returning NBC Orders Cheerleading Comedy 'Stumble' to Series In its place, NBC will air a three-hour 'Law & Order' block on Thursdays beginning Sept. 25. Following 'Law & Order' and 'SVU,' the fifth season of 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' will be re-aired on the broadcaster at 10 p.m. ET. Season 5 of the show originally debuted on Peacock in April after airing its first four seasons on NBC. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, there is a chance 'The Hunting Party' will begin airing in February 2026 to take advantage of promotion around NBC's packed sports schedule that month. That includes the Super Bowl, the NBA All-Star game, and Olympics coverage. 'The Hunting Party' is also relocating from Canada to shoot in New York for its second season. In keeping with the Dick Wolf of it all, NBC's 'One Chicago' lineup returns on Wednesday, Oct. 1 led off by 'Chicago Med' at 8 p.m., followed by 'Chicago Fire' and 'Chicago PD.' One other change affects NBC's comedy lineup. Although the network originally left open time slots after returning comedies 'St. Denis Medical' and 'Happy's Place' on Mondays and Fridays respectively, both shows will now air back to back new episodes beginning on Monday, Nov. 3 and Friday, Nov. 7. NBC has two new comedies — cheerleading show 'Stumble' and 'The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins' starring Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe — still waiting in the wings. The shows could still potentially air following 'St. Denis Medical' or 'Happy's Place' come fall, but no plans are locked at the time of this publishing. Looking elsewhere on the schedule, the NBA will make its highly-anticipated return to NBC officially on Oct. 21. The network will kick off coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET with the pregame show, followed by a double header starting at 7:30 p.m. The teams participating in those games will be announced shortly. The medical drama 'Brilliant Minds' will return for its second season on Monday, Sept. 22 at 10 p.m. following a the season premiere episode of 'The Voice.' The new unscripted series 'On Brand with Jimmy Fallon' will launch on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 10 p.m. NBC will air two episodes of the marketing competition series per week, with an episode also airing on Fridays starting Oct 3. The 51st season of 'Saturday Night Live' begins on Oct. 4. As previously announced, NBC will air a two-hour 'Wicked' special on Thursday, Nov. 6 starting at 8 p.m., two weeks ahead of the launch of the film 'Wicked: For Good.' See the full premiere date schedule below. NBC Fall Premiere Dates (all times are ET) THURSDAY, SEPT. 47-8:20 p.m. – Football Night in America8:20-11:30 p.m. – NFL Kickoff Game (Dallas at Philadelphia) SUNDAY, SEPT. 77-8:20 p.m. – Football Night in America8:20-11:30 p.m. – Sunday Night Football (Baltimore at Buffalo) MONDAY, SEPT. 228-10 p.m. – The Voice (Monday)10-11 p.m. – Brilliant Minds TUESDAY, SEPT. 238-9 p.m. – The Voice9-11 p.m. – America's Got Talent WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 248-9 p.m. – America's Got Talent special9-11 p.m. – America's Got Talent season finale THURSDAY, SEPT. 258-9 p.m. – Law & Order9-10 p.m. – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit10-11 p.m. – Law & Order: Organized Crime FRIDAY, SEPT. 269-11 p.m. – Dateline NBC TUESDAY, SEPT. 3010-11 p.m. – On Brand with Jimmy Fallon (Tuesday premiere) WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18-9 p.m. – Chicago Med9-10 p.m. – Chicago Fire10-11 p.m. – Chicago P.D. FRIDAY, OCT. 38-9 p.m. – On Brand with Jimmy Fallon (Friday premiere) SATURDAY, OCT. 411:30 p.m.-1 a.m. (8:30-10 p.m. PT) – Saturday Night Live TUESDAY, OCT. 216:30-7:30 p.m. – NBA Pre-Game Show7:30-11 p.m. – NBA on NBC (Teams to be determined) MONDAY, NOV. 38-8:30 p.m. – St. Denis Medical8:30-9 p.m. – St. Denis Medical FRIDAY, NOV. 78-8:30 p.m. – Happy's Place8:30-9 p.m. – Happy's Place Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Voice' Renewed for Season 29 With Format Revamp; Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Adam Levine Returning
'The Voice' is officially set to return for Season 29 at NBC with a format revamp and the coaching lineup set. Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine will all return as coaches for Season 29, which will air in spring 2026. Clarkson will film 'The Voice' and 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' concurrently. More from Variety NBC Orders Cheerleading Comedy 'Stumble' to Series 'Wicked' Special to Feature Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Singing Live, NBC Sets November Date Ahead of 'Wicked: For Good' Kelly Clarkson Postpones Opening of Las Vegas Residency Hours Before Show NBC is calling Season 29 'The Voice: Battle of Champions,' named due to the fact the coaching panel is comprised entirely of 'Voice' winners. Coaches will enter the competition with 10 artists per team. The new season will feature four rounds, each featuring a 'Voice' first. Those are: –Blinds: Coaches compete against each other in the 'Triple Turn Competition' (vying for the most three-chair turns) with the winner gaining a special advantage in the next round. –Battles: The coach with the most three-chair turns automatically earns a 'Super Steal' for the Battles. This can only be used once and trumps any other coach's attempt to steal, guaranteeing a win. –Knockouts: Each coach brings back two fan-favorite artists from their teams in previous seasons to compete in an 'In-Season All-Star Competition.' All-stars represent their former coaches as they battle in head-to-head sing-offs. The coach with the most sing-off wins is guaranteed a second finalist in the finale. For this special episode, coaches call upon original 'Voice' coach CeeLo Green to sit in on the competition and determine the winner of each All-Star Showdown. –Semi-Final and Finale Week: Kicks off with a Top 9 Semi-final and culminates in the Top 4 Finale. For the first time in show history, a new voting block comprised of super fans and past 'Voice' artists will have the opportunity to get in on the fun firsthand, experiencing the competition as part of the in-studio audience voting for their favorites in real time during the semi-finals and finale. Season 28 of 'The Voice' is slated to debut this fall. Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg, Niall Horan, and Reba McEntire will serve as the coaches. 'The Voice' is a presentation of MGM Television, Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon, and ITV Studios The Voice USA, Inc. The series was created by John de Mol, who serves as an executive producer along with Mark Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Amanda Zucker, Kyra Thompson, Adam H. Sher and Barry Poznick. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
Economic Times
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
BLACKPINK's Lisa flaunts her brand-new luxury car, proving she is made of 'Money'. Know its jaw-dropping price
Synopsis Lisa from BLACKPINK recently shared stylish photos on Instagram, posing with a luxurious Ferrari worth approximately $220,000. Currently, she is on the 'DEADLINE' world tour with her bandmates, performing in 16 cities. After a Los Angeles performance, she posted a candid photo enjoying ramen and also appeared on Netflix's Hitmakers, challenging producers to create her next dance anthem. Lisa Showcases Glamour, Global Fame, and a Personal Touch in a Whirlwind Week K-pop superstar Lisa, a member of the internationally renowned girl group BLACKPINK, recently gave fans a vibrant snapshot of her stylish life. On July 22, the singer shared a carousel of eye-catching photos through her personal Instagram handle, adding a playful caption that encouraged viewers to 'keep scrolling.' The pictures featured her confidently posing along a picturesque, palm-lined avenue beside a luxurious sports in a crisp white crop top, fitted denim jeans, and a sleek black LA Dodgers cap, Lisa struck the perfect balance between relaxed streetwear and high-fashion flair. One of the standout moments from the set shows her leaning casually over the wheel of a convertible, her effortless smile exuding charm and charisma. The entire photo series looked straight out of a glossy editorial shoot. According to The Korea Times, the vehicle in the post was a Ferrari, with an estimated price tag of nearly 300 million won (approximately USD 220,000). Which translates to Rs 1.8 crore. The choice of car and backdrop added to the visual allure, enhancing Lisa's image as both a global fashion icon and a trendsetting Lisa is traveling the globe with her BLACKPINK bandmates as part of their massive 'DEADLINE' world tour. This extensive musical journey includes 31 scheduled performances in 16 different cities. The tour began in Goyang, South Korea, and has already thrilled fans in major U.S. cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. Forthcoming stops include cultural hotspots such as Toronto, New York, Milan, Paris, London, Barcelona, Bangkok, Jakarta, and after their Los Angeles performance at SoFi Stadium, Lisa shared a quieter, more personal post on July 23. In a candid backstage photo, she is seen winding down with a comforting bowl of Samyang's popular Buldak Carbonara ramen—an instant noodle dish that has gone viral across TikTok. Wrapped in a cozy hoodie and surrounded by bottled drinks in her dressing room, this glimpse into her downtime quickly captured fans' whirlwind week didn't stop there. She appeared via a pre-recorded video on Netflix's new reality music series Hitmakers, launching a creative challenge for a dozen top producers and songwriters. Her brief directed them to craft her next infectious dance anthem—something lively, rhythmic, and laced with a touch of rap. The series, featuring stars like John Legend and Shaboozey, aims to generate the next global hit, with Lisa's request already setting social media buzzing.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kelly Clarkson Debuts a Choppy Bob as She Returns to 'The Voice' with a New Look
Clarkson previously stepped away from the show in 2023 Kelly Clarkson is back on The Voice — and she's got a new look! Clarkson, 43, sported a new side-parted wispy bob haircut in a promo video shared on Instagram for the upcoming season 29 of the show on Wednesday, July 23. "This time, we've got some tricks up our sleeve. Y'all get ready," Clarkson says in the clip while wearing a bold red lip paired with a black and white menswear-inspired outfit. The musician's new hairstyle marks a departure from her usual long blonde tresses, which she was seen sporting most recently as a few days ago when she performed in Las Vegas during her residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The "Stronger" singer is back to coaching on the upcoming season 29 of NBC's The Voice — dubbed The Voice: Battle of Champions and set to air in spring 2026 — after previously stepping away to move her hit talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show to New York City. Clarkson, who last coached on season 23, will film the upcoming season of The Voice concurrently with her show. John Legend and Adam Levine will also return to coaching on the show in the upcoming season. The series will include a revamped format — now, coaches will enter the competition with 10 artists per team — and it will feature four rounds, each featuring a Voice first, per a press release. In the Blinds, coaches will compete in the Triple Turn Competition with the winner "gaining a special advantage in the next round." In the Battles, the coach with the most three-chair turns automatically earns a Super Steal, which can only be used once and trumps any other coach's attempt to steal. In the Knockouts, each coach will bring back two fan-favorite artists from their teams in previous seasons to compete in an "in-season all-star competition." "All-stars represent their former coaches as they battle in head-to-head sing-offs. The coach with the most sing-off wins is guaranteed a second finalist in the finale," the press release continues. "For this special episode, coaches call upon original Voice coach CeeLo Green to sit in on the competition and determine the winner of each All-Star Showdown." Meanwhile, the semi-final will kick off with the Top 9 and only four contestants will make it to the finale. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "For the first time in show history, a new voting block comprised of super fans and past Voice artists will have the opportunity to get in on the fun firsthand, experiencing the competition as part of the in-studio audience voting for their favorites in real time during the semi-finals and finale," the release added. New episodes of The Voice will air on NBC in spring 2026. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
