Entertainment
Information about Missy Elliott’s first tour with Busta Rhymes, Ciara and Timbaland
Over the past few years, Elliott – a future-seeking artist – has been recognized for her talents as a musician, producer, songwriter and more.
LOS ANGELES (AP) – In a 24,000-square-foot studio near downtown Los Angeles, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and Ciara are preparing to shoot a video announcing a tour nobody expected.
This summer, the trio — along with legendary producer Timbaland — will hit the road for Elliott’s first headlining tour, appropriately titled “Out of This World – The Missy Elliott Experience.”
“Listen, I didn’t realize I’d never had my own tour,” says a smiling Elliott, holding his little Yorkie named Fendi, wearing Gucci. “The last real tour I was on – for the next few days – was with Beyoncé and Alicia (Keys).”
It was in 2004.
Call it late, however the timing is ideal. Over the past few years, Elliott – a future-seeking artist – has been recognized for her talents as a musician, producer, songwriter and more.
In 2019, she became the first female rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award on the MTV Video Music Awards. In 2021, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2022, her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia, named a boulevard after her. Last yr, she became the first hip-hop artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Having won these accolades, I feel like I’ve finally made it,” Elliott says. “It’s an amazing feeling. I feel so blessed.”
“Right now we’re seeing the rest of the world catch up,” says Mona Scott-Young, Elliott’s longtime manager and co-producer of the tour. “She was always ahead.”
In his green room, Busta Rhymes tells the AP that in his many years of friendship and collaboration with Elliott, no outing has been a subject of conversation. (He is the introductory and closing voice of her canonical 1997 debut album “Supa Dupa Fly.” They have long been inseparable.)
“She doesn’t really tour or perform often. I just kind of understood my sister – this unspoken thing,” he says. “You knew that if she decided to do this, to go to a place where she was ready to tour, that… it would be crazy because there’s one thing Missy has never done – have fun with her production. It was evident in everything she did, from shows to movies.”
He continued: “Missy will turn down $10 million to be on the show. … This way, she has complete control over her destiny and without compromise, which is what made her incredibly great. You can’t do anything but love her for it. She is a true artist in the purest form of the word.”
And make no mistake, this will not be a nostalgia trip.
“We are in the best spaces of our lives, individually and collectively, we are in the most experienced spaces of our lives,” Rhymes says. “We are no longer Daniel-san. Now we are all Mr. Miyagi. You know what I’m saying? We are all at a level of excellence in what we have done and built together as a collective family for 30 years.”
Elliott shared this sentiment.
“The lineup seems unique,” says Elliott. “It’s family. It’s not connected.”
On set, the trio is styled by longtime collaborator June Ambrose in all-black outfits, as if the Avengers were impeccably dressed and comprised of R&B and hip-hop legends. They take photos in groups and individually.
After a solo photo shoot, Ciara starts crying.
“When I was a little girl, a little artist would come along and you would ask me, ‘Who inspires you?’ I would inspire a combination of people: Michael Jackson and Prince, and I would say Missy Elliott. She is one of the best artists of all time,” she said.
“She means a lot to me as an artist, but also as a person, as a sister. She is always the person I can call to reveal the truth, and she has to keep it with me. She is someone I can call and cry to if I need to.
But ask her if there will be any collaborations on stage, Elliott wrote and starred in Ciara’s big hit “1, 2 Step”; Ciara stars in Elliott’s “Lose Control,” she laughs. “Missy is very specific. I don’t want to spoil any surprises,” he says. “I think people will be on their feet from start to finish. Each of us has many energetic records.”
“Someone’s going to die!” Rhymes are joking.
“And come back to life,” Ciara chimes in.
“Let’s not think positively,” Rhymes laughs. “Someone will die and come back to life.”
Later, Elliott gives a hint at what fans can expect from the series. “It’s an experience, not just seeing an artist on stage,” he says. “I want people to be transported to those moments, to those (music) videos, I want you to relive it on stage. It’s definitely a lot of good, good stuff. Expensive things!”
“Out of This World – The Missy Elliott Experience” will begin on July 4 on the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia and conclude on August 22 in Rosemont, Illinois on the Allstate Arena.
It’s going to hit Seattle; Oakland, California; Los Angeles; Las Vegas; Denver; Austin, Texas; Houston; Fort Worth, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Sunrise in Florida; Atlanta; Baltimore; Hampton, Virginia; Philadelphia; Washington; Newark, New Jersey; Boston; Brooklyn, New York; Detroit; Montreal and Toronto.
The tour is produced by Young’s Monami Entertainment and Live Nation. Pre-sale starts tomorrow, and general ticket sales will happen on Friday.
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Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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