New York, United States | AFP | Retro R&B star Bruno Mars was the surprise big winner Sunday at the Grammy Awards, with a clean sweep of the top awards including Album, Record and Song of the Year, and six overall. “24K Magic” — the Hawaii-born artist’s third studio album, …
Read More »Music industry hails Jay-Z before Grammys
New York, United States | AFP | Jay-Z, who once boycotted the Grammys as biased against hip-hop, was hailed Saturday by the music industry’s power brokers ahead of the latest awards where he leads nominations. The rapper who rose from a broken home to become a hip-hop multimillionaire was contrite …
Read More »#MeToo movement ‘long overdue’ says Nigerian author Adichie
Paris, France | AFP | The great global reckoning with sexual harassment is “long overdue”, says acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, but the feminist figurehead in Africa hopes it is not “a passing fad”. As the global #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct continues in the wake of the disgraced …
Read More »Elton John announces final tour
New York, United States | AFP | Pop legend Elton John on Wednesday announced a final tour, saying he intends to stop traveling to spend more time with his family. The 70-year-old British entertainer, revealing his plans at a gala New York event, said he planned to “go out with a …
Read More »Elton John to ‘go out with a bang’ on final tour
New York, United States | AFP | Elton John announced Wednesday that he is retiring from touring, with the consummate showman saying he wants to devote himself to his children — but after a final, massive swing around the world. The 70-year-old British entertainer, revealing his plans at a gala …
Read More »Ugandans excited as Daniel Kaluuya receives first Oscars nomination
A first for ‘Ugandan’ Kuluuya, ‘The Shape of Water’ scores big with 13 Oscar nominations Best actor: Timothee Chalamet, “Call Me by Your Name” Daniel Day-Lewis, “Phantom Thread” Daniel Kaluuya, “Get Out” Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour” Denzel Washington, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Fantasy …
Read More »RIP: Hugh Masekela 1939-2018
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela who died on Tuesday aged 78 has triggered an outpouring of tributes to his music, his long career and his anti-apartheid activism. “After a protracted and courageous battle with prostate cancer, he passed peacefully in Johannesburg,” Masekela’s family …
Read More »‘Transformers’ leads Razzie pack for Hollywood’s worst in 2017
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | “Transformers: The Last Knight” led the pack with nine nominations Monday for the Razzies, Hollywood’s anti-awards celebrating the worst films of 2017. The fifth installment of the Transformers franchise was tapped in the categories of worst picture; worst remake, rip-off or sequel; worst screenplay …
Read More »Hollywood set for Oscar noms in the year of #MeToo
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | All eyes will be on Hollywood Tuesday as the Oscars nominees are unveiled, with “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” ahead by a nose in an awards season overshadowed by the industry’s war on sleaze. In a departure from previous years, there are very few …
Read More »‘Jumanji’ leads box office pack over US holiday weekend
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Sony’s family film “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” had a lock on the top spot at the North American box office this holiday weekend, for the second straight week. “Jumanji,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, funnymen Jack Black and Kevin Hart, netted $35.2 million …
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