Fixing the Grammys’ Album of the Year Atrocities
NxWorries Announce Their Long-awaited Second Album, Why Lawd?
The forthcoming release comes eight years after their debut album, Yes Lawd!. Accompanying the announcement is the new single, "86Sentra", which follows last year's singles, singles, "Daydreaming" and "Where I Go" featuring H.E.R..
.Paak and Knxwledge first met on Twitter back in 2014. The producer sent a beat and a day later, .Paak responded with "Suede", the hit single that would help launch his career. Since then, Paak has risen up through his solo career and Silk Sonic, the collaborative project with Bruno Mars, whilst Knxwledge has cemented his legacy as one of the best beatmakers around, a Grammy Award-winner called on by Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt and others.
Why Lawd?, out 7 June via Stones Throw Records.
Bruno Mars In Singapore: What To Expect From His National Stadium Concerts
SINGAPORE – American pop star Bruno Mars is the latest marquee music act to headline multiple sold-out concerts at the National Stadium on April 3, 5 and 6, his biggest shows in Singapore.
The 55,000-capacity National Stadium also hosted other sold-out powerhouses such as British rock band Coldplay in January, English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran in February and American pop star Taylor Swift in March.
Mars, 38, a multi-award-winning artiste, played his first show in Singapore at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in 2014 and two nights at the same venue in 2018.
Judging from his recent shows in Tokyo and Macau, as well as his Las Vegas residency, fans can expect the Singapore concerts to feature plenty of songs from his third and most recent album, 24K Magic (2016).
He is also likely to include a medley of his collaborations with other artistes, including Silk Sonic, a duo comprising Mars and fellow American singer Anderson .Paak. Their debut single Leave The Door Open (2021) won four Grammys in 2022, including for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Mars is expected to perform with his backing band The Hooligans, who will bust out synchronised dance moves, on a big stage with kaleidoscopic lighting and gigantic LED panels showing flashy animation and close-ups of the performers.
Set list specials 1. 24K MagicMars usually opens his concert with this title track from his last album. An uplifting jam celebrating glamour and the party lifestyle, this amalgam of funk, R&B, disco and hip-hop sees him singing along with members of The Hooligans.
24K Magic won Record of the Year at the 2018 Grammy Awards and went to No. 1 in countries such as France, New Zealand and Argentina.
The audience often shouts "woo hoo" when Mars and the band point at them midway through the song.
2. Uptown FunkMars sings the main vocals on this major hit for British record producer Mark Ronson, released in 2014. A funky banger that incorporates disco, pop and soul, this infectious tune is the duo's biggest hit to date, going to No. 1 in 19 countries.
It scooped several major awards, including British Single of the Year at the 2015 Brit Awards and Record of the Year at the 2016 Grammy Awards.
Uptown Funk has been used in advertisements for beauty giant L'Oreal, peanut butter brand Skippy and carmaker Cadillac.
Mars closes most of his shows with this track, and will start by encouraging fans to slide from side to side and clap along to the rhythm.
3. Just The Way You AreMars' feel-good debut solo single from 2010 is one of his most recognisable tunes.
While he had scored hits as a guest artiste for other musicians, the lead single from his first album Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010) cemented his position as a solo star in his own right.
A critical and commercial hit, this sunshine-y ode to love hit the top of the charts in the United States, Britain and Australia.
Just The Way You Are earned him his first Grammy win, for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, in 2011. It was also the world's best-selling digital single that same year.
Mars is likely to perform this closer to the end of the show.
4. Locked Out Of HeavenThe lead single from his sophomore album Unorthodox Jukebox (2012) saw Mars widening his musical palette, incorporating a reggae rock sound more rigorous than his previous smooth tunes.
It topped the charts in countries such as the US and Canada, and went on to be covered by British band Bastille and singer Leona Lewis. Mars has said the sensual lyrics were inspired by Hollywood actress Halle Berry.
At his Tokyo concerts in January, a confetti shower rained down on the crowd near the stage towards the end of the song.
5. FinesseA song that harks back to the new jack swing genre popular in the mid-1980s, Finesse is typically the second song in Mars' set. Like the show opener, it is also a single from the album 24K Magic.
A remix of Finesse features verses from American rapper Cardi B, but Mars usually sings the album edition live without her vocals.
A Top 10 hit around the world, the song also picked up various accolades, including Favorite Song Soul/R&B at the 2018 American Music Awards and Video of the Year at the 2018 Soul Train Music Awards.
Did you know?Mars was part of songwriting and music-producing team The Smeezingtons, which also comprised Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine. The tracks they had worked on for other musicians included:
MGM Denies Claims Bruno Mars Has Debt With Casino: 'Any Speculation Otherwise Is Completely False'
MGM Resorts came to Bruno Mars' defense on Monday after rumors circulated about the Grammy winner's debt with the casino.
In the last week, a report from NewsNation made claims that Mars had racked up over $50 million in gambling debt at MGM. They cited an anonymous source close to the situation that said Mars allegedly made $90 million a year through his residencies at MGM but was using a large chunk of that profit to pay off his gambling debt. "[He will] only make $1.5 million per night after taxes," the report claimed. ("MGM) basically own him," they added.
A spokesperson for MGM Resorts International tells Variety that these allegations are "completely false" as Mars has "no debt with MGM."
"We're proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world's most thrilling and dynamic performers," they wrote in a statement. "From his shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM to the new Pinky Ring lounge at Bellagio, Bruno's brand of entertainment attracts visitors from around the globe. MGM and Bruno's partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect. Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM. Together, we are excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences for our guests."
Representatives for Mars declined Variety's request for comment and redirected the inquiry to MGM's previous statement.
Mars has been performing for Las Vegas residencies since 2016 and has a multi-year partnership with MGM Resorts. In addition, Mars and the casino recently partnered to launch the Pinky Ring cocktail bar and entertainment lounge inside the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. The venue features live performances, all curated by Mars.
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