Entertainment
Frankie Beverly kept the culture happy until the very end — Andscape
The drums start rolling. The rhythm begins. Frankie Beverly’s voice screams a well-known, elongated “whoa.” Then, for a split second, all the pieces falls silent until an electrical guitar begins playing over the speakers. In the right crowd, those first few seconds of “Before I Let Go” create a proverbial tsunami, with waves of friends, family, and even strangers vibrating together. Like lots of Beverly’s works with Maze, the song has turn out to be the soundtrack to family celebrations for generations.
On Tuesday, the man behind those sounds died at age 77. Beverly’s profession spanned a long time as he built a brand in R&B and funk that was unique to him and his band. It all revolved around a private connection to the black community. Beverly and Maze have toured relentlessly since their early days, first opening for Marvin Gaye in 1971.
Beverly, whose full name is Howard Stanley Beverly, loved touring a lot that he didn’t retire from performing until this yr. The band released its last studio album in 1993. How many musicians can hit the road and play to sold-out audiences 30 years after their last album? As the drummer of the cover band Maze once said, “Maze is like the urban Grateful Dead.” Like the late Jerry Garcia’s band, Maze’s music represented a life-style. Their melodies and the man behind them became greater than just music.
Beverly never really broke through to mainstream white listeners. Despite the undeniable fact that they played his shows, hearing “Happy Feelin’s” or “Joy and Pain” on a white radio station was just as rare. Former Capitol Records vice chairman Larkin Arnold attributes this to racism. “I had a lot of arguments with my pop promotion department because they would never put that album on white FM stations,” Arnold said. “When I first saw Maze, the audience was all white. I know if white people were exposed to Maze, they would have liked it, but at the time, the idea was, ‘Well, white people really don’t want to hear black music.’” Arnold tried, unsuccessfully, to persuade his colleagues that Beverly’s band was greater than just “black” music.
Nine gold albums is nothing to sneeze at, nevertheless it’s nowhere near the level Beverly deserves. Or, perhaps more importantly, what you may consider to have achieved, given the universality of his music. Perhaps the music never gained mainstream attention because the band’s record labels, Capitol Records and Warner Bros., didn’t market it properly. Or perhaps it was because Beverly stuck to his vision and made his music without compromising on radio play or awards. “I just refuse to compromise on the music, and therefore I’m going to have a problem with radio.” – Beverly he said in 1985. “You start changing your music and it will end up hurting you.”
Like the Grateful Dead, the Philadelphia artist stuck to what worked for the individuals who paid to see him and his band perform. Even as the genre gave technique to Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, and later Jodeci and Mary J. Blige, Beverly stuck to his principles. In an ever-changing world, his music remained constant.
“The love that people give us is amazing” Beverly he saiddescribing his group’s continued success. “I don’t care about the Grammys. It’s about the award, not the accolade.” While some fans gasp when their favorite artists don’t get the props they feel they deserve from awards shows or the industry, the lack of trophies on his mantel never bothered Beverly. He made music to unite people and encourage them with love, kindness and joy. “I look out at the audience and see so many generations coming together, and that excites me.” Beverly he said. He reveled in performing in front of an audience, irrespective of how many individuals showed up. His dedication to pure performance began at the age of 16. Beverly held on to that core belief throughout his profession. “It’s just something special. It’s probably the most powerful art form, music, and it’s all live.” – Beverly he told NPR in 2005. “You know, you say, ‘Hey,’ they say, ‘Hey.’ You say, ‘Ho,’ and it just comes back to you. It’s — it’s just nothing like that, man.”
For Beverly, the guy Gaye discovered who grew up fearing Sam Cooke, his music has at all times been about people. When the podcast host Questlove from The Roots I interviewed him In February, Beverly paid tribute to the fans who gave his soul songs a deeper meaning. He dismissed the praise from Questlove and his co-hosts. He at all times thought of how the music affected the fans, not what the fans could do for him. That’s how “Before I Let Go,” a song released in 1981 about heartbreak, was transformed right into a fast-paced anthem that is still played at barbecues, street parties, weddings and anywhere black people gather to have a good time.
When Beyoncé covered “Before I Let Go” on her live album in 2019, Beverly said how excited he was that somebody of her caliber had done a version of her. “She’s done so much. It’s one of the highlights of my life.”
It’s typical of a person who at all times had us in mind with every lyric he wrote and each move he made on stage. Throughout his 60-year profession, he put his music and his fans first. That’s why Frankie Beverly and Maze have lasted six a long time and can last for an additional six.
We won’t ever leave you.
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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