Latest news with #MotownRecords
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leon Thomas Breaks Down ‘Mutt' Deluxe Album: ‘Funk Can Find Its Way Back Into Popular Culture Right Now'
Leon Thomas' breakthrough hit 'Mutt' hits a new peak of No. 15 on this week's Billboard Hot 100 – over nine months since Grammy-winning multihyphenate first unleashed the hazy, bass-driven tune. As he approaches the second summer of the Mutt album cycle at a new career peak, Thomas has meticulously readied a 10-song deluxe edition of his acclaimed record. Out on May 30 via EZMNY/Motown Records and subtitled Heel, the deluxe edition of Mutt will include collaborations with several hip-hop and R&B heavyweights, including Big Sean, Kehlani and Chris Brown – the latter of whom appeared on March's 'Mutt' remix. Last month (April 18), Halle Bailey lent Thomas an assist on 'Rather Be Alone,' a psychedelic rock-tinged soul ballad that served as the first taste of Heel. Featuring reimagined versions of select Mutt deep cuts ('Yes It Is' and 'Vibes Don't Lie' both get updates), Heel also revives songs from studio sessions dating back to Electric Dusk, Thomas' 2023 debut studio album ('Party Favors,' which now includes a Big Sean guest verse). More from Billboard Disturbed's David Draiman Is Down With the Slickness After Totally Surprising His Girlfriend With On-Stage Proposal Morgan Wallen Finally Addressed His Hasty 'SNL' Exit: 'I'd Been There All Week' Pearl Jam Release Compilation Inspired by HBO's 'The Last of Us' Inspired by the juxtaposition of his current career momentum and the space needed to truly experience life — as well as by Michael McDonald's insights from 2024's Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary — Heel finds Thomas stepping into his healing era, to better understand his emotional state in the original world of Mutt. 'I think music should reflect life,' he explains to Billboard. 'Personally, I'm in a place of being really single right now. I was emotionally in that place while making ['Rather Be Alone'], I wasn't really in a party mood, yet. Summer's on the way, but I had a little bit of emotional spring cleaning to do first.' The announcement of Mutt Deluxe: Heal comes the same week that Thomas earned his first two career BET Awards nominations, as he will vie in the best new artist and best male R&B/pop artist categories at the June 9 ceremony. With viral NPR Tiny Desk and Late Show performances and a headlining tour already under his belt, Leon Thomas' Mutt era is only picking up steam as its one-year anniversary draws nearer. In a revelatory conversation with Billboard, Leon Thomas breaks down several new Heel tracks, details funk icon George Clinton essentially knighting him during Coachella and explains why Halle clearly 'graduated from the Beyoncé school of vocal production.' When did you know that you wanted to turn into a deluxe album? While I was on my headlining tour for Mutt, I started talking to my manager about everything that's going on with the Grammys [eligibility cycle], not being able to be nominated [last year] because of the timeline. We were trying to figure out healthy ways to breathe life back into [the record]. We ended up discussing different features, and by the end of that conversation, we were like, 'Well, it sounds like it's deluxe season.' I was really inspired by [SZA's] Lana and how she gave us a whole new energy. I even saw a resurgence of 'Snooze' right after that drop, on the production and songwriting side, which was really good. It all made sense. I started digging back in at the top of the year. I went out to the same Atlanta studio that OutKast used to do a lot of records in and linked with ['Mutt' co-writers] Robert Gueringer and David Phelps. We set up hella instruments, wrote a bunch of songs, and none of them made it to the deluxe. But it was a good bonding experience. We were all really excited about the success of 'Mutt' and where things were headed. Did any songs from the original sessions make it to the deluxe? Yeah, there was actually a song I wrote the same day I wrote the first track for Electric Dusk, actually. It was a song I always loved called 'Party Favors.' I played it for my boy, Big Sean, and he loved it, so I had him hop on that. There were a couple of old gems like that. Big Sean is on two deluxe tracks. What is it about your relationship with him that makes y'all such fruitful collaborators? I always do that with artists, if I'm trying to collaborate with them — because sometimes, artists send me just one joint, and I may or may not be into it, even if I'm down to work with the artist. I try to give every artist an opportunity to shoot different things. You never know what they'll end up getting attached to. [Sean] ended up writing [verses] to both ['Party Favors' and 'Vibes Don't Lie'], and then he was like, 'Well, if you don't put ['Party Favors'] on the deluxe, I'm gonna drop it tomorrow.' I was like, 'Well, no, sir!' [Laughs.] That's how it is dealing with rappers, man. They're just like, 'Let's drop tomorrow!' And I'm like, 'Let me get a marketing budget first, my boy!' How do you go about maintaining the integrity of the original record while giving audiences something new and fresh? I think it's a matter of not adding any extra overproduction to anything, and really staying true to my creative process. I'm known to overthink — in class, I would get a 92% on a test and could have had a 100%, but you could see me erase the right answer because I was overthinking. In music, I put myself in a position to literally just go with my first mind. 'Safe Place' was a first take, 'I Used To' was a first take with few edits, 'Mutt' was a first take, and I just punched in certain things. I wasn't overthinking on this record. Even with the way we added features… I didn't want to have them do a bunch of takes or versions. Just give me your first mind. What was the 'Rather Be Alone' studio session like? D. Phelps was in the studio with us, and I actually stole him from Halle's session – I'm real selfish with my guy! [Laughs.] We had no plans of doing a record that day. So, Halle pulls up to the studio, telling everybody to put the blunts out, and we started listening to records. We weren't frustrated around that time, but we were definitely at a creative wall. I was like, 'Okay, we got a label that wants us to do features, but I'm kinda anti-social, so who do I lock in with without it being awkward?' Then, I had a little light bulb moment, and asked Halle to hop on the song. She really liked the song, but I had to kinda pressure her to get in the booth. She got in there, felt comfortable, wrote her verse very quickly, and really did her thing. You can hear that she came from the Beyoncé school of vocal production in the way she attacks things and enunciates and emotes. That put me in a great headspace as a producer as well. When it comes to bringing in new voices, like Halle and Kehlani, how do you ensure that the chemistry feels natural and not forced? Me and Kehlani have been writing together for years. For Ariana [Grande's] Yours Truly album, we had Kehlani do the demos for some of the songs Ariana ended up cutting. Because we were so tight, we would write all the time. She's my real friend. Writing with her isn't even a session, it's just talking. She told me she was really feeling [Mutt] and wanted to make something for her own record. I wasn't even sure if 'Dirt on My Shoes' would be for my deluxe; I was just writing from the standpoint of either of us singing it. It was a very open-ended session. My boy, Khris Riddick-Tynes, also added some things to make it fit the sonic space of the Mutt album. Me and Kehlani are always gonna be super tight and supportive of one another. Did you pull from your whirlwind past six months while writing these deluxe tracks? Or did you have to put yourself back in the mental space of the original sessions? It's funny, life is moving really fast, but I haven't been living a lot of life. It's been very: wake up, get to work, go to sleep, repeat. I'm not really pulling from too much emotionally. If anything, the absence of real emotional growth has been something that I can pull from. Also, the longing for something real – not that I haven't had it, but I'm trying to figure out how to take care of it in the midst of a very busy schedule. I'm looking forward to looking back at these records because it's a time stamp of my mental space. Would you say this deluxe is a general expansion of the world of , a specific extension of the story the original tracklist tells, or something else entirely? I almost feel like Heel is a bit of a meditation. I'm looking back at a lot of things and seeing where I was in my life during the Mutt era. It was pretty chaotic. The title of the deluxe has multiple meanings. From the 'heel' command of learning to follow to healing in real life – that's why a lot of the records aren't bop-y, straight Power 106 vibes. Right now, I'm in a space of healing and learning… how to be a good boy. [Laughs.] 'Mutt' is right outside the Hot 100's top 10 (No. 15). Did you expect to be here in April 2025 when you dropped this song in August 2024? I don't want to sound cocky or anything, but like when I made the record, it was the first time I've ever been like, 'I'm making a single today.' I didn't let anyone talk me out of rolling with it as the first single. And there was a moment where everybody thought I should lead with 'Far Fetched,' and I was like, 'I love Ty, I love the song, but I really feel like we should lead with 'Mutt.'' There was this feeling I had about it. Did I think we would still be seeing it on the charts right now? N—a, to be real, no, I didn't know that! We were pretty hyped when it got to 15 million streams; we were like 'Oh s–t, we're not failures.' I was at Coachella, and when I finished performing, my homie told me that Tyla was singing my song word for word. I know what we have is definitely contagious and good for the culture. I'm glad that people are supporting that because it doesn't always happen. Tell me more about your Coachella experience this year. It was awesome. My big bro, Ty Dolla $ign, brought me out there to perform on his stage. He's a gracious artist who's always chosen to support me and put me on a pedestal. Shoutout to Muni Long, who also gave me an opportunity to share her stage. She had no incentive to do that, outside of just really enjoying the music and being an awesome human. On Sunday, I performed with George Clinton, and it was this whole moment… It's 4/20, and I get a knock on my trailer and it's Ty. He's like, 'George wants to talk with you.' We get into the trailer, and it's literally a cloud of weed smoke, fam. Mind you, I don't really smoke weed like that no more! So, I'm just in there, hotboxed to hell as George Clinton does this whole speech. He's like, 'I've got a present for you, man. You the kid with the dog song, right? Yeah, I like that joint. I made you this hat.' And it's an all-white hat with rhinestones, a dog face on it and a fox tail at the end of it. I'm like, 'Wow, this is really elaborate and amazing.' He said, 'Before I come out and perform 'Atomic Dog,' I'm going to give you the crown.' My parents were in a wedding band playing 'Atomic Dog,' so I know it. I'm really tapped in! That was an amazing moment for me, because I feel that funk can find its way back into popular culture right now. 'Mutt' isn't a super-Ohio-Players, funk-driven record, but it's got those notes with the Bootsy Collins bass and real live drums. I really respect George Clinton, and I'm thankful that he even thought of me in this way. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Perth Now
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Michael Jackson biopic facing yet another delay
The Michael Jackson biopic is facing another delay. Jaafar Jackson is set to star as the singer in the movie, but Lionsgate have now confirmed the film will not be released as originally scheduled in 2025. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, it is now expected to premiere after April 1, 2026, according to Variety. The update was shared by Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer during the company's Q4 2025 earnings call. He said in a statement: 'In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we're excited about the three-and-a-half hours of amazing footage from producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, and we will be announcing a definitive release strategy and timing in the next few weeks. 'I would note that it is likely we will move 'Michael' out of the fiscal year which will impact fiscal '26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal 2027 slate.' The biopic stars 27-year-old Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the late singer, and marks his first major acting role. While 'Michael' had been a centrepiece of Lionsgate's 2023 CinemaCon presentation, no footage was shown at this year's event. The film's initial release was planned for 3 October 2025. But Variety last month reported the project may be split into two parts, contributing to the postponement. Filming for 'Michael' wrapped principal photography in May 2024, but the script, written by John Logan, is currently undergoing revisions ahead of planned reshoots. The production carries a reported budget of around $155 million. In addition to Jaafar, the cast features 54-year-old Colman Domingo and 53-year-old Nia Long as Michael Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller, 37, plays John Branca, the artist's longtime attorney and advisor. And Larenz Tate, 48, will appear as Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, while 34-year-old Laura Harrier plays Suzanne de Passe, a pioneering female music executive. Kat Graham, 35, portrays Diana Ross. The ensemble cast also includes 28-year-old Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as Gladys Knight, 54-year-old Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark, KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, and 36-year-old Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones. Michael and Quincy Jones famously collaborated on the albums Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987.)
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Smokey Robinson sues ex housekeepers for £370 million over sexual assault claims
In their counter-filing, the Robinsons allege that the women made false claims of sexual misconduct as part of a scheme to extort money from the couple. Motown icon Smokey Robinson has filed a £370 million defamation lawsuit against four former housekeepers who accused him of sexual assault. The singer has called their claims 'extortionate' and 'fabricated.' The civil suit, filed on Wednesday in a California court by the 85-year-old singer and his wife Frances Robinson, names four anonymous women identified only as Jane Doe 1 through 4. In their filing, the Robinsons allege that the women made false claims of sexual misconduct as part of a scheme to extort money from the couple. The countersuit follows a May 6 complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, in which the four women accused Robinson of pressuring them into sex over a period dating back to 2006. Their 27-page lawsuit, which remains sealed under pseudonyms, alleges that they refrained from speaking out earlier due to fears of losing their jobs, a backlash, embarrassment, and concerns over immigration status. In response, Robinson's legal team not only filed the defamation countersuit but also submitted a motion to dismiss the original claims. His attorneys argue that the plaintiffs should not be allowed to remain anonymous, citing a lack of legal grounds to withhold their identities. 'The Robinsons did not abuse, harm, or take advantage of plaintiffs; they treated plaintiffs with the utmost kindness and generosity,' the couple's lawsuit states. The couple further claim that the women were not merely staff members but were included in family trips and holiday celebrations, painting a picture of a long-standing and seemingly personal relationship. 'They fabricated their allegations and filed a legally and factually deficient complaint to harass and extort a beloved and respected public figure,' the lawsuit alleges. The women's original civil case seeks at least £38 million in damages for each count, of which they are women are of Hispanic descent, and the claims include multiple alleged incidents of sexual misconduct over nearly two decades. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has launched a criminal investigation into the allegations. The Tears of a Clown hitmaker, through his attorney, has denied all claims and said he welcomed the inquiry. 'Exposure to the truth is a powerful thing,' he said. Robinson's attorney said the criminal complaint and civil suit are financially motivated. 'They are after his money,' the lawyer said, reiterating that the singer has done nothing wrong. Robinson is one of the most celebrated artists in American music history. A founding member of Motown Records, he was responsible for some of the label's biggest early hits, including 'My Girl' for The Temptations and 'My Guy' for Mary Wells. As both a solo artist and songwriter, he has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is credited with writing or co-writing more than 4,000 songs.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson's Sexual Assault Controversy Heats Up With Criminal Investigation
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." 1940–present Motown legend Smokey Robinson is being criminally investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department following allegations of rape and sexual assault from his former employees. The sheriff's department confirmed that the investigation is in its early stages on May 15 but provided no further details. The probe follows a lawsuit brought by four of Robinson's former housekeepers earlier this month. Accusing the musician of being a 'serial and sick rapist,' the lawsuit alleges that the 85-year-old assaulted the unnamed woman on dozens of occasions between 2007 and 2024 while they were employed to clean his three residences in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Ventura County, California. The suit also claims Robinson and his wife, Frances, failed to pay the woman minimum wage or overtime. They are seeking $50 million in damages. Robinson's attorney, Chris Frost, denied the allegations against him and objected to the criminal investigation. 'We feel confident that a determination will be made that Mr. Robinson did nothing wrong, and that this is a desperate attempt to prejudice public opinion and make even more of a media circus than the Plaintiffs were previously able to create,' Frost said in a statement. Smokey Robinson is a Grammy-winning singer and producer who founded the R&B group The Miracles before embarking on a successful solo career. Known as the 'King of Motown,' the Detroit native is second to only Berry Gordy in the founding of Motown. A prolific songwriter, Robinson is credited with 4,000 songs and 37 Top 40 hits, including 'Tears of a Clown,' 'Tracks of My Tears,' and 'Love Machine.' Robinson also served as vice president of Motown Records, writing and producing hits for groups such as The Temptations and Mary Wells. FULL NAME: William Robinson February 19, 1940BIRTHPLACE: Detroit, MichiganSPOUSES: Claudette Rogers Robinson (1959–1986) and Frances Robinson (2002–present)CHILDREN: Berry, Tamla, and TreyASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Pisces Smokey Robinson was born William Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, in Detroit. Growing up in a rough neighborhood, Robinson started out singing in local groups. His early exposure to music was quite varied. 'I grew up in a home where I had a great dose of music,' he told Rolling Stone. 'There was a lot of classical, like Beethoven and Chopin, but I also heard everything from gospel to jazz to blues.' In the early 1950s, Robinson formed the Matadors, which later became the world-famous group The Miracles. A chance meeting with record producer Berry Gordy Jr. led to a contract with Motown Records as well as an important working relationship. With Robinson as their lead singer, The Miracles scored their first big hit with 1960's 'Shop Around' and developed quite a following with their energetic R&B sound. The group has numerous hits, such as 1962's 'You Really Got a Hold on Me'—later covered by The Beatles—and 1967's 'I Second That Emotion.' Their 1965 album Going To A Go-Go included the popular tracks 'Ooo Baby Baby' and 'The Tracks of My Tears,' which was added to the National Recording Registry in 2007. More than just a frontman, Robinson composed for and produced the group. He worked behind the scenes for other Motown artists, too. Among the songs Robinson penned for Mary Wells was 'My Guy,' a 1964 release that became her only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Its follow-up in The Temptations' 'My Girl,' which Robinson cowrote for the group, was another chart-topper. Robinson also contributed to Marvin Gaye's sound, and the two were close friends up until Gaye's tragic death. Altogether, the 'King of Motown' was instrumental to the success of Motown Records and helped advance the popularity of soul music. Robinson went solo in 1972, creating a more mellow sound for himself. Often associated with romantic soul music, he released such successful albums as A Quiet Storm (1974) and Touch the Sky (1983). The mid-1980s were a difficult time for him as he battled a drug addiction. Robinson openly discussed his cocaine problem as well as many other personal topics in his 1989 autobiography, Smokey: Inside My Life. He has credited his recovery from substance abuse to his religious faith. After two previous nominations, Robinson went on to win his first and only Grammy Award in 1987 when his song 'Just To See Her' was named the Best R&B Vocal Performance. This was followed by Double Good Everything (1991) and the Grammy-nominated Intimate (1999). He took his work in a new direction in 2004, releasing a collection of music that reflected his spiritual beliefs entitled Food for the 2006, Robinson was selected to be a Kennedy Center Honoree for his contributions to the arts and American culture and received an honorary degree from Howard University. That year, he also put out a new album, Timeless Love, which offered Robinson's take on several classic songs, such as Cole Porter's 'Night and Day' and the Gershwin brothers' 'Our Love Is Here to Stay.' Timeless Love garnered a Grammy nod for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, marking Robinson's sixth career nomination. The dedicated entertainer continues to record new music and maintain a busy tour schedule. In 2009, he released the studio album Time Flies When You're Having Fun. Three years later, Robinson gave an impressive performance on the television competition Dancing with the Stars. Also in 2012, The Miracles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Additional albums from the legendary singer include Smokey & Friends (2014), a collection of duets, and Gasms (2023), his first album in nearly a decade. In February 2025, Robinson embarked on his Legacy Tour. Two months later, he put out an album of covers titled What The World Needs Now. Robinson has also served as a public speaker over the years. Exploring new business opportunities, he formed a food company called Smokey Robinson Foods, which includes a line of ready-to-eat meals. In May 2025, the singer was sued by four former housekeepers, who accused him of raping and sexual assaulting them over the course of nearly two decades. Robinson has denied any wrongdoing. Later that month, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced that Robinson was under criminal investigation in connection with the allegations. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! 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Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson denies claims of sexual assault, attorney says
An attorney for Smokey Robinson on Wednesday called accusations of sexual assault against the Motown legend false and said that the 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me' singer will respond in the coming days. Four former housekeepers of Robinson's in a lawsuit filed Tuesday accused him of sexually assaulting them, which was alleged to have gone on for years. The lawsuit seeks no less than $50 million in damages. Robinson's attorney, Christopher Frost, in a statement late Wednesday called the lawsuit "simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon." "Through this process we have seen the bizarre theatrics of yesterday's news conference, as the plaintiffs' attorneys outlined vile, false allegations against Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, trying to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create," Frost said in the statement. Frost also said that "in time Mr. Robinson will respond in his own words." The lawsuit filed against Robinson in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleged that the assaults largely occurred at Robinson's home in Chatsworth, a Los Angeles neighborhood in the far northwestern section of the city. The women who sued are identified in the lawsuit as Jane Does 1-4. Three of them appeared Tuesday at a news conference in Los Angeles wearing masks, and a fourth appeared virtually. One of their attorneys, John Harris, said at that event that the women 'were Hispanic women employed as housekeepers earning below minimum wage." "As low-wage workers in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options to protect themselves," Harris said. The suit alleges that Robinson assaulted one woman at least 23 times from May 2014 to February 2020, often in places in his home without security cameras. The suit alleges that he assaulted another former employee at least 20 times during the 12 years she worked for him, beginning in 2012. According to the suit, Robinson would force her into his bedroom and perform a 'ritual' of leaving his bathroom naked or nearly naked. According to the suit, Robinson would then place a towel on his bed so the linens would not be soiled 'for what was about to occur.' The suit says he subjected two other plaintiffs to the same behavior. One of the former housekeepers worked for Robinson for 13 months, during which, she alleges, he assaulted her at least seven times. All of the plaintiffs accused Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, who is also named as a defendant, of perpetuating a hostile work environment by screaming at them and using ethnically pejorative language. Robinson was a pioneer for Motown Records, founding the vocal group the Miracles in the 1950s and later releasing albums as a solo artist and working as a record executive for the label. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Frost, Robinson's lawyer, said they will seek to have the lawsuit dismissed. He also criticized the lawyers for the women over the press conference, saying that they "have reached beyond the bounds of liberties that even lawyers are typically allowed in this context." "We will have more to say on this matter, as we fiercely defend our clients against these false allegations and work to protect their good names," Frost said. This article was originally published on
