Entertainment
James Earl Jones, voice of Mufasa in ‘Lion King,’ dies at 93
James Earl Jones, a versatile and award-winning American stage and screen actor who used his booming deep voice to bring the iconic “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader to life, has died, his representatives said Monday. He was 93 years old.
From the works of Shakespeare and August Wilson, to his indelible voiceovers in the blockbuster space saga and as Mufasa in the Disney classic “The Lion King,” Jones earned fans with his ability to play both the everyman and the other He won three Tony awards including a lifetime award, two Emmys and a Grammy, as well as an honorary Oscar, also for lifetime achievement.
In 1971, he became only the second Black man nominated for an Academy Award for best actor, after Sidney Poitier.
All of these accolades were hard-won, as Jones, who was born in segregated Mississippi on January 17, 1931, had to overcome a childhood stutter that often led him to barely speak at all.
“Stuttering is painful. In Sunday school, I’d try to read my lessons and the children behind me were falling on the floor with laughter,” Jones told the Daily Mail in 2010.
Reciting his own poetry, at the prodding of an English teacher, helped him to gain control of his voice, which would later be used to strike fear among millions in “Star Wars” as Darth Vader.
Jones did not physically portray the character — David Prowse wore Vader’s black cape and imposing face mask, while Jones offered the voice, oozing the evil power of the Dark Side.
“I am your father,” Vader tells Luke Skywalker, portrayed by Mark Hamill, in a pivotal fight scene in “The Empire Strikes Back” — a twist etched in cinema history.
“He created, with very little dialogue, one of the greatest villains that ever lived,” “Star Wars” creator George Lucas said in 2015 at a ceremony honoring Jones in New York.
▪︎AFP
Entertainment
Regina Daniels Declares Family Crisis, Calls Ned Nwoko Ex-Husband, Vows to Fight for Her Children [VIDEO]
Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has finally explained the crisis rocking her marriage with Senator Ned Nwoko.
In a lengthy video she posted on her official Instagram page, the actress confirmed that her family is currently in a turmoil.
Daniels, who referred to Ned as her ex-husband, also vowed to fight for her children, stating that she is capable of training them even without Ned’s support.
She said, “My family is actually in turmoil, it’s crazy but we will definitely come out of it. What gave me the courage to do this video is seeing how my family and everyone is fighting for me. My brother, mum and my sisters, everybody is fighting.
“My brother started a petition and in hours, there were a lot of people signing the petition.
“I’m going to fight for my children Ned, I tried to be calm, I tried to let go but I will fight and take them. I will train them with or without your support. You know that my ex-husband”.
Entertainment
Why I don’t make political music – Angelique Kidjo
Renowned Beninese singer and Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo has cautioned musicians against using their art to glorify politicians or political parties.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Female Poets Society podcast, Kidjo explained that she deliberately avoids making music for politicians because political power is temporary. She warned that artists who tie their relevance to political figures risk fading away once those in power leave office.
“My father always used to say to us, especially to me as a singer, do not write music for any political party because they come and they go, and once they’re gone, you go with it,” she recalled.
Kidjo urged her fellow artists to remain independent and use their music to represent the people, not political interests.
“Write your music with your opinions, be free writing your music. Don’t be sold to somebody because therefore, you don’t become the voice of the people anymore, you become the voice of the power. And when that power shifts, you’re off the window,” she said.
The celebrated singer emphasized that musicians should use their platforms to speak truth to power and reflect the struggles and hopes of ordinary people.
Entertainment
Why I almost quit music after Mo’Hits ended -Don Jazzy
In an interview with ‘Rolling Stone’, Don Jazzy disclosed that the abrupt dissolution of Mo’Hits, triggered by irreconcilable differences between him and D’banj, left him convinced his career was over.
Producer and music executive Michael Collins Ajereh popularly known as Don Jazzy has revealed why he nearly abandoned the music industry and relocated abroad following the 2012 collapse of Mo’Hits Records, the label he co-founded with singer D’banj.
In an interview with ‘Rolling Stone’, Don Jazzy disclosed that the abrupt dissolution of Mo’Hits, triggered by irreconcilable differences between him and D’banj, left him convinced his career was over.
“When Mo’Hits ended, I thought that was it. I almost packed up to move abroad. But friends encouraged me to stay and start again, and Mavin Records was born. Since then, I’ve learned not to let anything break me”, he said.
The split marked the end of one of Afrobeats’ most successful partnerships, which had produced hits like “Tongolo,” “Why Me,” and “Fall in Love.”
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