Entertainment
Secretary Of State Antony Blinken Performs Muddy Waters’ ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ To Kick Off Global Music Diplomacy Initiative
Secretary of State Tony Blinken kicked off a new state department global music diplomacy initiative by showing off his own skills as a singer-guitarist.
After delivering remarks at a State Department event, Blinken said that it would not be complete “without a little bit of blues,” before playing and singing the Muddy Waters classic “Hoochie Coochie Man.”
The State Department on the diplomacy initiative, which is designed to highlight music as a diplomatic tool in foreign policy, includes the Recording Academy as a partner. An American music mentorship program will bring international music industry professionals for mentorship and other opportunities. The first will be held in fall 2024.
Also announced was the Fulbright-Kennedy Center Visiting Scholar Award in Arts in Science, focusing on the intersection of arts and science. The competition will be announced in fall 2023, and the Kennedy Center will host the first scholar in 2024-25.
The State Department also will incorporate music into English-language learning overseas, and the diplomacy initiative will include oversees programming with arts envoys, including Herbie Hancock and the Dee Dee Bridgewater ensemble performing in Jordan in October. The tour then will go to Saudi Arabia for a first-of-its-kind program in that country. Ten American bands will travel to 30 countries starting in October, and the AMA Academy Cleveland will host young musicians from Ukraine in November.
Blinken and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. also announced a Peace Through Music Award, with Quincy Jones as the inaugural recipient.
Mason said that the initiative will “promote peace and cross-cultural understanding through music while continuing our mission to lift up music people around the globe.” Also part of the initiative is YouTube and Google. In a statement, its global head of music Lyor Cohen said that the initiative “creates a new avenue for us” to raise artists’ voices “and drive global music diplomacy forward; breaking down cultural barriers and fostering peace through music.”
BBC
Entertainment
Tiwa Savage: “Usher is so lovely”
Tiwa Savage is widely known for her genre-blending sound and magnetic stage presence.
Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has disclosed that American R&B star, Usher Raymond is a lovely personality.
Savage recently made this known during a chat with Rebecca Judd on Apple Music 1 during an intimate and entertaining session.
The self-acclaimed Africa’s number one bad girl reflected on her journey as one of Africa’s most influential music exports while opening up on being brought out by Usher as a surprise guest during his sold-out O2 Arena shows in London.
The ‘Somebody’s Son’ singer said, “That was the second time, the first was at Global Citizen in Ghana,” she shared.
“This one was extra special. I was so nervous, but Usher is just so lovely and professional.
”Tiwa Savage is widely known for her genre-blending sound and magnetic stage presence.
American singer R. Kelly is currently serving a 30-year jail sentence in North Carolina for sex trafficking and racketeering.
According to report, Kelly, 58, was recently rushed to the hospital from prison after what his lawyer described as a near-deadly overdose.
His legal team has now filed an emergency request asking the court to release him temporarily from custody, saying his life is in danger.
Kelly, collapsed in his solitary confinement cell on June 13, just three days after being isolated.
His lawyer, Beau Brindley, claimed that the singer was given a dangerously high dose of medication on June 12, while still in solitary confinement.
The next day, he reportedly fainted and was taken to Duke University Hospital, where doctors said the medication could have killed him.
Entertainment
Multichoice: BBNaija Season 9 Reunion Starts June 23
The programme would be aired on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family, as well as on DStv and GOtv platforms.
The organiser of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality TV show, Multichoice, has announced June 23, 2025, for the premiere of the season 9 edition reunion show titled ‘No Loose Guard’.
According to Multichoice, the reunion will bring new energy, drama, and excitement, as the 2024 housemates return with heightened emotions.
“Old beef, new energy, new drama. Your favourites are coming in hot. #BBNaijaReunion starts on June 23 at 10:00 p.m. Set your alarms,” the organiser said.
The programme would be aired on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family, as well as on DStv and GOtv platforms.
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