Latest news with #MaxiPriest
BBC News
20-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
'Rain won't stop us' as Derby Caribbean Carnival turns 50
Derby Caribbean Carnival brought the bright atmosphere of the sunny West Indies to the damp East Midlands on grey skies and drizzle, the city's black community delivered a procession of handmade costumes and choreographed dance from the Silk Mill to Osmaston Park.A programme of events for its 50th anniversary ended with a performance by Maxi Queen Azaliah Kydd said: "We're not in the Caribbean, we're in Derby, this is the closest we can get to our roots. The rain won't stop us!" The 31-year-old was crowned Derby Carnival Queen, and took part in the procession in a bright multi-coloured floral outfit. She said: "I wouldn't say it's heavy but it's a little uncomfortable - but no pain no gain!"The atmosphere is amazing. If you like music, you like food, you like the vibes, you need to come. I cannot wait for the jerk chicken."There's troupes from different cities coming together, and yes even though it is a competition we're here to celebrate our culture and each other, have fun and let our hair down - although the weather's pants. Azaleah added that while Derby is not as big as Notting Hill, the community and the costumes make it a great said: "We do have a big black community here, people have come together and we're just going to smash it."Troupes taking part in the event had travelled from across the region including Nottingham, Leicester and Baptiste, 65, from Northampton, took part in a huge phoenix outfit. He said: "It's a bit heavy but once you get moving your body will counterbalance the whole thing."This is my first time here - what I'm seeing is lots of colours, lots of people who are braving the weather, saying damn the consequences let's do it, let's show Derby what we can do!"This year's 50th Derby Caribbean Carnival takes place from 12:00 to 21:00 BST on Sunday at Osmaston procession is due to arrive at the park at about 14:30, said organisers, where there would be entertainment including Caribbean food stalls, arts and craft stalls, a beer tent, sound systems and music.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Burton Joyce teen with hearing loss, aged 15, to record abroad
A 15-year-old boy with special educational needs - including hearing loss - will fly to the United States after winning an international music from Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire, will see a concert in New Jersey by reggae vocalist Maxi Priest, then record music with the artist at a studio in his hearing loss, ADHD, and autism, the teenager said he has "been around music [his] whole life"."I think I've been able to power through it, without it affecting me too much, because I've been in that positive mindset of 'you know what, I can do anything if I put my mind to it'," he said. The contest involved submitting a short "jingle" script which promoted healthy living. His mum, Sarah, said she knew Freddie would require "special needs" because of complications during and after birth, including single umbilical artery she said that it did not worry her."The irony is that I'm actually an audiologist, so I'm working with people with hearing loss all the time. So for me, it didn't really faze me," Sarah said."He's always been more determined than ever to prove that just because he has these special needs and has to wear hearing aids, it won't stand in the way of him achieving."Sarah added that the opportunity to fly to the United States was "exceptionally exciting". 'He's come far' Beyond the international competition win, Freddie has also started his own music and drama school to support other people with special educational said there are two students so far, who are being taught through Zoom, but he has aspirations to hire spaces to hold physical sessions."It doesn't cost anything to believe in someone, but it makes the biggest difference," he added: "When you're given the news at your 20-week scan, you know, of what [complications] could be ahead, and I look now at my 15-year-old and see what he's achieved."I can't honestly believe how far he's come, and how much he supports others. I'm incredible proud."The family will fly out to America on 29 May, ahead of the concert.
USA Today
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning singer of '70s hit 'Killing Me Softly,' dies at 88
Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning singer of '70s hit 'Killing Me Softly,' dies at 88 Between her smoky voice and cooing ballads, Roberta Flack distinguished herself as a soulful standout. The singer died Monday, surrounded by her family. She was 88. A statement from her representative noted that Flack "died peacefully, surrounded by her family." Flack, a staple on the R&B and adult contemporary charts throughout the '70s and '80s, announced in November 2022 that she suffered from ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which prevented her from singing and made even speaking difficult. In a career lauded with four Grammy Awards – as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 – Flack is regarded for a singing style polished in Washington D.C. nightclubs in the 1960s and piano skills honed from childhood. Flack achieved a three-year stretch of hits in the 1970s with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (1972), "Killing Me Softly with His Song" (1973) and "Feel Like Makin' Love" (1974). In the 1980s, she charted again with "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love," her lush duet with Peabo Bryson. She returned to radio heights in 1991 with Maxi Priest on the woozily seductive, "Set the Night to Music." Her debut album, 1969's "First Take," is regarded as a classic, landing at No. 451 on Rolling Stone magazine's 2020 list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. But it took three years for the record to break, which happened after "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was used in a love scene in the Clint Eastwood movie, "Play Misty for Me." Flack's music was introduced to a new generation when the Lauryn Hill-fronted Fugees tapped "Killing Me Softly with His Song" for a chugging hip-hop remake in 1996. The song, which earned Flack Grammys in 1974 for record of the year and best female pop vocal performance, also landed the Fugees a Grammy in 1997 for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocal. Flack was born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, in 1937, but grew up in Arlington, Virginia, where she played piano and sang in the choir at Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Her classical piano skills were so adept that she received a full music scholarship to Howard University in Washington, D.C., where, at 15, she became one of the youngest students to ever enroll there. "I was a person who loved to do things. If I was given an assignment it wasn't beyond me to do the whole book. The more I accomplished, the more people applauded," she told South Florida's the Sun-Sentinel in 1993. After graduating from Howard at 19, Flack realigned her musical talents to teaching music and English. While days were spent instructing junior high school students in the Washington area, Flack's nights coalesced around her budding music career. She turned professional after being hired as a regular performer at Mr. Henry's Restaurant on Capitol Hill. After famed jazz singer Les McCann noticed her singing and playing jazz in a Washington nightclub, he brought her to the attention of Atlantic Records, where she released 13 albums between 1969 and 1994. A documentary about the singer, "Roberta," was released in 2022, which also explored her lifelong commitment to civil rights.
