Celebrity Coverage
Meet Aya Nakamura, the French Superstar Who Took a Stand Against Racism and Performed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony – Essence
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 6: Aya Nakamura attends the 2024 MET Gala Celebrating “Sleeping Beauty: Fashion Awakening” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
The world took notice of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this afternoon as French pop star Aya Nakamura paraded across a bridge over the Seine. Dressed in a gold metallic feathered mini dress and a daring blonde bust, the singer sang her hit “Pookie” accompanied by a live band conducted by France’s Republican Guard.
Yet this triumphant moment is one which many French people never desired to see.
Aya Nakamura is currently the best-selling French artist in the world. The pop singer, best known for her billion-stream hit, 2019 album Nakamura and chart-topping singles “Dżaja“Girls“And”Pookie,” is the hottest French singer since Edith Piaf, in accordance with . As such, it was only natural that she can be a part of the international celebrations held in the nation’s capital, which were decidedly celebrating French history and culture, including performances by a few of the country’s biggest stars.
However, when a recent Sprint program on French news reported that President Emmanuel Macron himself had invited Nakamura to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the pop star was immediately met with racist backlash and xenophobic verbal attacks from residents, journalists and politicians.
Though born in Mali, the singer was raised on the outskirts of Paris, sings mainly in French (though she also includes Arabic, English and some West African languages) and has enjoyed five years of A-level music fame in the country. However, skeptics argued that her African heritage, and frankly, her black identity, should disqualify her from representing her country on the world stage at a prestigious event reminiscent of this.
“The French do not want to be represented in the eyes of the world by a singer whose style is inspired by the barrio and Africa,” argued French politician and far-right extremist Marion Marechal-Le Pen in an interview with The Telegraph. Performance on Europe 1 Radio in March. Many shared her views, accusing Nakamura of not being a “true Frenchwoman” as a consequence of her African heritage and accusing her of not being “elegant” enough to represent France.
Signs harassing the singer loomed over the Seine during construction work ahead of the Olympic Games, reminding it that “this is Paris, not a market in Bamako.”
Thankfully, with the support of the president, the Olympic committee, in addition to quite a few journalists, fans and the music community, Nakamura remained undeterred, responding to the banners and reminding everyone that irrespective of what anyone needed to say, she was still the best artist in the country.
“You can be racist but not deaf,” she said. published on X March 10. “It hurts you! I’m the number one topic of debate… but what do I really owe you? Nothing.”
Celebrity Coverage
Sony Music has settled a lawsuit regarding the Whitney Houston biography
Sony Music has reached a settlement with the producers of the biopic.
The lawsuit, filed in February, alleged that 4 production firms – Anthem Films, NYBO Productions and Black Label Media – didn’t pay for licenses to 24 of Houston’s songs.
The request seen by Reuters shows that Sony Music has agreed to this to reject case last month. The parties informed the court that that they had agreed to the settlement but requested an extension to finalize the details.
The lawsuit claimed that the labels signed a sync licensing agreement that allowed them to make use of audio recordings of nearly 30 Houston classics, including “How Will I Know,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Will Always Love You” and her 1991 version “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Sony Music claims that under the agreement, royalties were to be paid in July 2023, but as of August 2023, it has still not received payment. Sony Music claims that Anthem was awaiting a tax break from the state of Massachusetts. According to the plaintiff, payment was never made.
“As a result of Anthem’s failure to pay fees to SME, it is clear that no license or authorization existed to use the SME recordings used in the film,” the lawsuit states.
Sony Music claimed that the film’s producers, Anthem Films, entered into a licensing agreement with the record label on December 5, 2022, two weeks before the film’s release.
“Unlike other types of films, musical biopics by their nature require the use of a musician’s music because it is almost impossible to explain the significance of a musician’s creative genius or his unique style and talent without using that musician’s music,” the record company’s lawyers wrote.
The original lawsuit sought damages of not less than $3.6 million. Details of the settlement aren’t yet known.
Celebrity Coverage
Shaboozey on her YSL – Essence fragrance partnership
Courtesy of YSL
Masculinity just got a brand new scent – and that is what it smells like Shaboozey. Starring Lil Nas XPeso Pluma, Vinnie Hacker and The Kid LAROI in the newest Yves Saint Laurent fragrance project “Bar song (tipsy)” artist is the newest to define the meaning of “modern masculine” beauty.
“The collaboration with YSL Beauty is truly exciting because the company has always been at the forefront of culture, redefining what it means to be bold and timeless,” Shaboozey tells ESSENCE. The musician’s true self-expression, showcased within the brand’s digital design “Born MYSLF, No Matter What”, represents the message behind their latest men’s fragrance MYSLF Perfume.
“I liked how we explored the concept that being strong doesn’t have to mean fitting into a box,” he says, topping off the country music genre with bleached-tipped wicks. “It’s about owning who you are, being real, and YSL Beauty gave me the space to show that.”
Known for his 18-week #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (one week away from breaking Lil Nas the important thing to Shaboozey’s success is easy: balance.
From gym workouts to meditation sessions and knowing when to walk away, “for me, self-care was about finding balance,” she says, which is a chord that also strikes in the brand new fragrance. Vanilla bourbon in a YSL bottle, the extreme masculine aroma hits each floral and oud notes, providing sensuality and strength in equal measure. “She has that presence and stays with you, which is exactly what I need when I’m on the move.”
The global men’s grooming market is anticipated to be price $115 billion by 2028 (up 77 percent year-on-year) the boys’s cosmetics boom represents a obligatory shift not only from two-in-one shampoos and overpowering fragrances, but in addition within the definition of masculinity as an entire. According to Shaboozey, YSL’s latest fragrance is ahead of the curve. “YSL Beauty has a track record of pushing boundaries while staying classic, and that’s a vibe I’ve always admired.”
Celebrity Coverage
Kelis published her first children’s book, “The Seven Wonders of Africa”, inspired by her travels
Getty
Kelis is a lady of many talents, and her latest featured work is as a children’s book writer. The singer announced on Instagram that she has written a brand new book titled, which follows the adventures of foremost character Abel Sabbath Brown across the continent. The singer also announced in the identical breath that she had began a brand new company.
“I’m so happy to finally show you something I’ve been working on. I WROTE MY FIRST CHILDREN’S BOOK!!! I started a company called MAKE IT BROWN,” she wrote within the caption on Instagram under a video during which she discusses the brand new book.
“We only aim to offer characters and stories about places and adventures that our youngsters can see themselves in. It’s all about love and representation. The inspiration to write down this story was my trip to Africa this yr,” she continued within the caption.
Over the past yr, Kelis has been giving us the travel content we didn’t know we wanted, documenting her travels across Africa. Artist Milkshake has traveled to places similar to Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar and Rwanda, immersing herself in local communities and agriculture.
The 45-year-old artist further wrote: “I traveled with my family and we were so grateful to see all the sweetness this continent has to supply. From the people to the bottom, it was just amazing. And I desired to share this with all of you and your families. I actually love us, so from the underside of my heart to you! Welcome into your heart THE SEVEN WONDERS OF AFRICA AND THE SABBATH BROWN. ❤️ #book #kids #To read #children’s book #Africa #eastafrica #to learn“
The latest writer also announced in a separate post that the children’s book is now available on her website in paper, digital and audio versions.
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