Latest news with #freeconcert
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Some lawmakers trying to get Kehlani's Central Park SummerStage concert reinstated
A group of New York City Councilmembers are fighting a decision to cancel a free Kehlani concert in Central Park. The lawmakers argue City Hall is trying to hamper free speech. The Adams administration, however, is holding firm. The concert was part of the city's SummerStage concert series, which brings free concerts to New Yorkers in parks across the city. The R&B singer was supposed to headline a Pride Month benefit show in Central Park. "This is clear retaliation for political dissent," City Councilmber Tiffany Cabán said. Cabán has co-signed a letter with 12 others urging the City Parks Foundation, the nonprofit which hosts the series, to "reverse the cancellation." The concert was dropped after First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro wrote the City Parks Foundation expressing concern about security around the show. "We have zero tolerance for antisemitism and zero tolerance for creating security concerns and the use of public facilities," Mastro told CBS News New York's Marcia Kramer. Mastro pointed to the the decision by Cornell University last month to drop the singer from their lineup for what they called "antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments." Her music video "Next 2 U," opens with the phrase "long live the intifada" and features dancers waving Palestinian flags. Intifada, an Arabic word for "uprising" or "resistance," is seen by some as a call for violence against Jews. "For the millionth time, that I am not antisemitic nor anti-Jew," Kehlani said in a video, also posted on Instagram. "I am anti-genocide. I am anti-the actions of the Israeli government. I am anti-an extermination of an entire people. I am anti-the bombing of innocent children, men, women — that's what I'm anti." Cabán argues the cancelation is an example of broader threats to free speech, but critics say taxpayer money should not fund the controversial artist. "If the concert were to be reinstated, it would send a message to New Yorkers that their concerns and the fact that their identities have been attacked by this artist are being ignored," American Jewish Committee New York director Josh Kramer said. "It is a very scary and dangerous thing to allow and have a mayor and his administration use their power to threaten an organization out of existence simply because they disagree with the views of an artist," Cabán said.
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Lady Gaga's Singles Rise To New Peaks Following Her Historic Concert
Lady Gaga made history in Rio with the most-attended free concert by a woman, which sparked a major ... More Spotify surge as several of her hits reached new peaks. US pop star Lady Gaga performs during her concert at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 3, 2025. (Photo by Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP) (Photo by PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images On May 3, Lady Gaga made history . The superstar singer-songwriter and actress performed at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro at a special event she titled Mayhem on the Beach. The show was staged to build anticipation for her upcoming Mayhem Ball concert trek, which will see her touring the world later this year in support of her latest album, Mayhem . The free concert shattered records, giving Gaga the distinction of hosting the most-attended free show by any female performer in history. A reported 2.1 million people turned out, breaking the previous record. That showing had been set by Madonna one year earlier – almost exactly to the day – when 1.6 million fans gathered at the same location during a stop on her Celebration Tour. The excitement surrounding Gaga's Brazilian performance — both from fans in the country and others around the globe who watched clips and scrolled through photos on social media — helped propel several of her biggest hits to new heights on Spotify. On Sunday (May 4), the day after the concert, Gaga occupied seven spots on the platform's daily ranking of the most-played tunes globally. Four of those tunes reached new, never-before-seen peaks thanks to the show – an impressive feat considering how successful they had already become throughout their lifespans. The highest riser was "Poker Face," Gaga's second breakout smash. That tune surged more than 20 positions to settle at No. 37, once again ranking as one of the biggest hits in the world. Two other tracks that are more than a decade old — "Judas" and "Bad Romance" — also soared to new summits, climbing dozens of spots to reach Nos. 57 and 68, respectively. "Just Dance," the single that launched Gaga into a household name more than 15 years ago, also enjoyed a major leap. The collaboration with Colby O'Donis – who was the bigger star when it was new – improved by more than two dozen spaces to land at No. 86, a new peak. Several other Gaga tracks appeared on Spotify's daily global tally at the same time that those classics hit new high points. She and Bruno Mars continued to lead with "Die With a Smile," which has now spent nearly 200 days as the most-streamed tune around the world. Her current single, "Abracadabra," taken from Mayhem , returned to the top 10 as it bolted to No. 9. Closer to the bottom of the list, her Oscar-winning duet with Bradley Cooper, "Shallow," reentered at No. 157.
