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Associated Press
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Burna Boy's 'No Sign of Weakness' fulfills his rock star dreams
NEW YORK (AP) — While classmates dreamed of becoming teachers, doctors and professional athletes, Burna Boy was clear on his future aspirations. 'They would hand out the papers and the question would be, 'What you wanna be?' … I'd write 'rock star,'' said the Afrobeats giant. 'One of my teachers asked me, 'What do rock stars do?' I didn't really know what to say.' These days, the Grammy winner's music talks for him. Fresh off becoming the first African artist to sell out Paris' iconic Stade de France in April, Burna Boy has been on an incredible run, and hopes it continues with his new album out Friday. ''No Sign of Weakness' is really like a celebration of the fact that that I'm still here throughout all these years and all the trials and tribulations,' explained the Nigerian artist. 'I decided to intentionally make sure everyone on this project could comfortably and genuinely say they're a rock star.' Following 2023's Grammy-nominated 'I Told Them…,' this project includes blockbuster features, like legendary Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, country hitmaker Shaboozey and hip-hop heavyweight Travis Scott. Writing on all 16 tracks, Burna relied on his standard successful creation process: record constantly, choose some songs from his vault that fit his decided theme, and then craft the project around them. He's already dropped 'Bundle by Bundle,' 'Update,' which features an interpolation of Soul II Soul's classic 'Back To Life,' 'Sweet Love' and 'TaTaTa' featuring Scott. Music from Africa has exploded globally in recent years. Regions in Africa and the Middle East reached double-digit gains in music revenue last year, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. In 2023, the group reported that sub-Saharan Africa was the fastest-growing music industry, with artists like Burna, Davido and Wizkid leading the way, along with Tyla, who's spread South Africa's Amapino sound. 'I feel blessed. I also feel great responsibility … I'm blamed for everything, most especially, things I couldn't possibly be responsible for,' said Burna, alluding to demands in Nigeria. 'I don't vote, and I've never done it. But now, it's to the point where even that: if I don't vote, because I don't say I'll vote for this person or vote for that person, it's a problem.' But that weight of responsibility isn't felt on his eighth studio album. 'Dem Dey,' a tongue-in-cheek bop referencing his gossipy social media scandal with a Nigerian influencer which amused fans, is sure to crowd dance floors, while he and Jagger formed a dynamic duo on the Afrobeat-rock hybrid 'Empty Chairs.' 'That's how I see the future of our music … music that's supposed to last, music that you can perform forever,' said Burna, who collaborated with the 81-year-old by trading ideas through WhatsApp after being connected by supermodel Naomi Campbell. 'That's where I want to be when I'm that age.' For his country-infused 'Change Your Mind' with Shaboozey, the pair plead for second chances after souring relationships. 'Here's an Igbo boy from the eastern part of Nigeria who comes to America as a young guy,' said Burna of the 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' singer. 'He's flourishing in the country world. If I'm not proud of that, then I don't think I can be proud of anything in life.' The Afrobeats superstar, currently featured on the soundtrack for the blockbuster 'F1" movie starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, hopes the genre continues to thrive and not become a fad. But while the female artists are united, the top men have experienced friction in the past. 'We need to figure how to make our diversities into an advantage instead of a disadvantage, and that goes across — not just for Nigeria,' said Burna, whose grandfather managed Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti. 'It goes for everything Black and African, because the only thing we always lack is strong organization.' While some artists have expressed ideas on unification, Burna Boy is cautious. 'When we're talking about uniting ... We're talking about people who actually can help matters,' he said. 'I don't want to discuss with people that it's just going to end up a discussion, and there's not going to be any action.' For the moment, he's pressing forward. The 'Last Last' artist launched his world tour this week with North American dates beginning in November. It features a circular stage, providing fans an equally enjoyable musical experience — although he's certain he'll enjoy it more. 'This is going to sound selfish as hell — but I definitely have more fun than everybody … when I die, I want to go to a stage in Heaven,' said Burna. 'Every time I watch myself perform, I see a big smile on my face that I never see anywhere else.' ___ Follow Associated Press entertainment journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton at @GaryGHamilton on all his social media platforms.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch Miley Cyrus and Beyoncé Perform ‘II Most Wanted' for the First Time
Miley Cyrus joined Beyoncé onstage at the Stade de France in Paris on Thursday night for the live premiere of 'II Most Wanted.' The two friends, both dressed in shimmering gold outfits, held hands as they belted the duet to throngs of screaming fans. Though this marks the first guest on the Cowboy Carter tour, the appearance wasn't entirely a surprise — Cyrus, who was in France for Spotify's Billions Club Live — had been seen at soundcheck before the show. The duet originally appeared on Cowboy Carter, and this performance was the first time Beyoncé had performed it on the tour, which launched in Los Angeles in April and is set to run through July 26. More from Rolling Stone Beyoncé Thanks Paul McCartney for 'Writing One of the Best Songs Ever Made' La-Di-Da-Di! Eighties Hip-Hop Great Slick Rick Is Back With 'Victory' Miley Cyrus on How She Fixed Her 'Messy' Family Relationships After 'Dark' Decade 'To be beside such a humble, gracious, legendary DIVA was a dream come true,' Cyrus shared on X after the performance. 'Thank you for the opportunity to perform in Paris together & sing our song about friendship. To have learned from you & loved you my whole life, & then be standing together in matching gold looks is more than I could've imagined. As the finale to this trip supporting Something Beautiful, to close on something as beautiful as a stadium full of people singing '2 Most Wanted' with us was the ultimate firework.' She added, 'Thank you B. I'll be your shotgun rider for life. Big gratitude to the Cowboy Carter tour crew, you all were incredible for making this happen. Forever and always.' The track, co-written by the two artists, ended up on Beyoncé's country album after the 'Crazy in Love' singer hit Cyrus up to see if she might want to contribute. 'I wrote that song, like, two and a half years ago,' Cyrus told W magazine last year. 'My mom would always go, 'I love that song so much.' So when Beyoncé reached out to me about music, I thought of it right away because it really encompasses our relationship. I told her, 'We don't have to get country; we are country. We've been country.' I said, 'You know, between you being from Texas and me being from Tennessee, so much of us is going to be in this song.' Getting to write a song, not just sing, for Beyoncé was a dream come true.'' Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
RNZ News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Toulouse edge out Bordeaux to secure third-straight Top 14 crown
Toulouse's French fullback Thomas Ramos celebrates with the Bouclier de Brennus trophy after winning the French Top 14 rugby union final match between Toulouse and Bordeaux at Stade de France on June 28, 2025 Photo: MARTIN BUREAU Toulouse claimed their third consecutive Top 14 title and a record-extending 24th French rugby championship by beating Bordeaux Begles 39-33 after extra time in a dramatic final. Thomas Ramos kicked two penalties in the last five minutes for Toulouse after Bordeaux's Maxime Lucu had converted a penalty on the hooter to take the game into extra time at 33-33. A try from Anthony Jelonch and a brace from Jack Willis put champions Toulouse in control of the match but Damian Penaud, Matthieu Jalibert and Guido Petti also crossed the tryline to keep Bordeaux in touch. Petti and Pierre Bochaton were shown yellow cards and Toulouse, missing talisman Antoine Dupont, won their 11th consecutive final, a year after routing Bordeaux Begles 59-3 in the title match. "Emotions are unbelievable. The scenario is crazy", Jelonch said on France TV. "We were exhausted after 80 minutes, we played 100. When you see all the players' emotions, this one is the most beautiful of all." Bordeaux's Jalibert said he was proud of his side. "We were strong but the coin didn't fall on our side", the fly-half said on France TV. "I think we can keep our heads up. I'm proud of the team because after last year's disappointment, we wanted to come back here." After Toulouse and Bordeaux traded penalties, the holders capitalised on Petti's yellow card to score the opening try when Jelonch found a gap in the defence. Bordeaux responded quickly, however, when Penaud latched on to Maxime Lucu's kick to touch down. Willis restored Toulouse's lead with a powerful finish from a driving maul just before halftime and the English flanker crossed for a second try after Jalibert had dotted down under the posts for Bordeaux. Lock Petti kept the game alive when he went over from a wide position for Bordeaux before Lucu sent the game into extra time. France internationals Romain Ntamack and Louis Bielle-Biarrey did not reappear after halftime, the former due to a shoulder injury while the latter was playing his first match after suffering a concussion. - Reuters
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Beyonce embodies country chic as she arrives at Louis Vuitton foundation in Paris in a tailored white suit with shoulder pads and a cowboy hat
Beyonce embodied country chic as she arrived at the Louis Vuitton foundation in Paris on Tuesday. The global superstar, 43, arrived in the French capital last week for her Cowboy Carter tour as she took to the stage at Stade de France. And on Tuesday, she was seen ducking out of a black van as she headed into the designer-fronted art museum. Beyonce stepped out of the car looking chic in a white tailored blazer featuring shoulder pads as she waved to fans. She paired the blazer with wide-leg trousers and matching stilettos, accessorising with a mustard yellow braided clutch as well as a white cowboy hat in a nod to her tour. It comes after she surprised her fans when she started smoking during her Cowboy Carter concert tour stop in the French capital. On Sunday, the superstar pulled out a cigarette mid-performance and started pretending to puff on the prop during her show. As seen in fan-taken footage at previous shows, she takes 'smoking hot' literally during the gig and goes onstage to theatrically light a piano on fire. With a stadium full of her cheering fans, Beyonce stepped out in a glamorous outfit with a fur vest with an incredibly long train trailing behind her as she strutted around onstage. She wore a sparkly, silver bustier paired with high-waisted, cheeky microshorts and over-the-knee cowboy boots. As like her previous shows, the singer-songwriter made her concert in the City of Lights a family affair as she performed with her eldest daughter Blue Ivy. Beyonce's mom Tina Knowles was also reportedly in attendance alongside eight-year-old daughter Rumi Carter but her twin brother Sir Carter did not make an appearance. The Texas Hold 'Em hitmaker pulled out all the stops for her third and final show in Paris as she brought out her husband Jay-Z for a surprise performance. For the first time in seven years, the rapper joined her onstage to close out the show. Fan footage circulating online, including a clip by Cardi B, who was in the audience, showed Beyoncé stepping aside during Crazy in Love as Jay made a sudden appearance on stage to rap his verse. In addition, Jay also joined his wife for a version of 2013's Drunk in Love, remixed with Partition, and his own N***** in Paris, which was originally a collaboration with Kanye West. However, the rappers are currently feuding, following Kanye's shocking tweets attacking Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and their young children. Seemingly as a a result, Jay Z took a subtle swipe at the controversial rapper as he switched up the lyrics on the track. During the song, he rapped: 'Gold bottles, scold models, Spillin' Ace on my sick J's. (Ball so hard) B***h, behave. Just might let you meet Bey' - using his wife's name instead of Ye's. Fans were quick to notice the change, taking to X/Twitter to share: 'JAYZ changing the lyrics to 'i just might let u meet bey''; 'After the way Kanye talked about his kids .jay is done with ye for good'; 'Don't blame it. Talk about my damn kids you dead to me. Forever!'; 'You see he's over Kanye & his mess he changed the lyrics'. In March, it was claimed Beyoncé and Jay-Z were considering taking legal action against Kanye after his disturbing social media post about their twins Rumi and Sir. After the rapper used highly offensive language to question the mental capacities of their seven-year-olds, a source told Page Six that the couple are 'discussing how they want to handle this situation, whether that be privately and/or in a legal matter.' The insider also stressed that the superstar and Roc Nation founder 'will absolutely not stand for' how Kane 'has spoken about their children.' They are said to have found the language he used 'vulgar and offensive' and do not currently have 'plans on publicly addressing Kanye's X posts about their children.' Although Kanye has removed the post, he clarified that he didn't taken it down to be 'a good person.'
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sportsworld The Warm Up Track 2025: Hamish Kerr – How to win a jump-off for Olympic gold
New Zealand's Hamish Kerr had a golden 2024. He was one of a handful of athletes who won the World Indoors in March, and then followed it up with an Olympic title at the Games in Paris. But Hamish almost missed that final. He was facing elimination in the qualifying round at the Stade de France. After two failures at 2.20 metres, he tells us he thought about retiring if he failed again and crashed out of the Olympics. Hamish explains how, after going to that 'dark place', he knew he had the mental strength to win gold in the final. At the previous Olympics in Tokyo, Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi had elected to share the High Jump gold medal and not to enter a jump-off to determine the winner. Hamish describes how early on in his final he began to wonder whether he'd have to make the same decision. As it turned out, he and Shelby McEwen did finish the competition with identical records and couldn't be separated. So why did they choose to jump-off for gold? It's the High Jump's equivalent of a penalty shoot-out in football, and both men had already been out there competing for several hours. Why did Hamish believe he'd cope with that situation better? We find out why food was on his mind as he stood waiting to take the jump that could win him the Olympic title. Hamish also describes the moment during that attempt when he knew he would clear the bar and claim the gold. As for the celebrations afterwards, when he ran into the middle of the infield to bow to the capacity crowd, how much thought had gone into that? After all, the women's Javelin final had been taking place, making that potentially a pretty dangerous place to be! Hamish also talks about his rise through the sport; from winning Commonwealth gold, to the World Indoor title and then the Olympic Games. He takes us inside his mindset, and explains how and why 'old Hamish' needed to change in order to be challenging for those medals. Photo: Hamish Kerr of Team New Zealand celebrates winning the men's high jump at the Stade de France during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. (Credit: Sportsfile via Getty Images)
