Loading...
Browsing Tag

George Michael

P!nk and Logic Gave the Most Impactful Speeches at the MTV VMAs WATCH!

As usual during Awards shows, artists use their time and platform to espouse messages to their audience. Last night’s MTV VMAs is no stranger to being used as a conduit to deliver news.

Last night, P!nk and hip hop artist Logic, in our opinion delivered the two of the most impactful remarks.

P!nk while accepting the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award spoke of her 5-year old daughter who needed a self-esteem boost recently.

“If I may tell you a quick story,” Pink began her acceptance speech relaying a recent exchange with her daughter.

“‘Momma, I’m the ugliest girl I know,'” Pink said her daughter told her one day. “I said, huh? She was like, ‘I look like a boy with long hair.’ My brain went to, oh my God you’re six, where is this coming from?” Pink said.

“I didn’t say anything. Instead I went home and made a PowerPoint presentation for her. In that presentation were androgynous rockstars and artists that live their truth and are probably made fun of everyday of their life and carry on and wave their flag and inspire the rest of us,” she said before naming famous androgynous musicians like Annie Lennox, Prince, George Michael, Elton John, and Michael Jackson. 

She then ended her tale with a powerful statement. “We don’t change—we take the gravel in the shell and make a pearl,” she said. “We help other people to change to see more kinds of beauty. Thank you for being your true selves and lighting the way for us,” she wrapped up before giving props to other celebs in the audience.

“You my darling girl are beautiful and I love you,” she said to her daughter, who was in the crowd.

This speech also explains why she and her family were dressed in oversized pin stripe suits, a hat tip to androgyny.  Kudos to her for being so present and responsive.

 

Also, new artist Logic sang his hit song “1-800-273-8255“, which is the national Suicide Prevention Hotline number, and was joined on stage towards the end by a few dozen people of all races, persuasion, and background who have attempted suicide in the past.

The front of their shirts had the number and the back read, “you are not alone.” It was powerful because you could see yourself represented among those people and that sends a powerful message that suicide impacts everyone.

We also found Logic’s plea for acceptance and tolerance much needed, especially in today’s heated political climate.

“I just want to take a moment right now and thank you all so much for giving me a platform to talk about something that mainstream media doesn’t want to talk about,” he said. “Mental health, anxiety, suicide, depression and so much more that I talk about on this album. From racism, discrimination, sexism, domestic violence, sexual assault and so much more.”

The hip hop artist called his fans to take action on achieving equality.

“I don’t give a (expletive) if you’re black, white or any color in between. I don’t care if you’re Christian, you’re Muslim, you’re gay, you’re straight — I’m gonna fight for your equality because I believe that we are all born equal, but we are not treated equal and that is why we must fight. We must fight for the equality of every man, woman and child regardless of race, religion, color, creed and sexual orientation.”

Watch both below:

14 Gifs That Perfectly Showcase Beyonce’s Grammy Homage to Motherhood

bey-grammy-gifs

By now, most who are in tune with pop culture happenings know that  Beyonce gave a captivating bumpilicious performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards that took place at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California last night, February 12th.

Fresh off of the platinum-selling artist’s announcement that she and her husband Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter are expecting twins, the 22-time Grammy-award winning pop star didn’t back down from her commitment to perform LIVE at the show.

16730635_10154026879421353_8387409924919686188_n

It was glorious and showcased a marvelous celebration of the human body in pregnant form by a woman who was the most nominated for the night (9) though took home just two awards for Best Music Video and Best Urban Contemporary Album.

As could be expected, with her being that heavily pregnant and high-risk and all, she took it slow and opted to sing two ballads from her latest album, “Lemonade”: Love Drought” and “Sandcastles.

16640767_10154026879291353_1956208442425020505_n

During the performance, the “Love on Top” singer was draped in gold, flowy yellow fabric, regal chains, an ornate crown and draped with colorful maidens in waiting all outfitted in light slip dresses, tribal neck corsets and goddess braids.  She moved slowly and methodically, sounded breathy at times, probably from the pressure of carrying around two human beings while bringing down the house; and the event featured her mom Tina Knowles and daughter Blue Ivy.

mother-deity

The imagery was reflective of Hindu, African, Orisha and deities and figures, which carried its own controversy and elicited the usual outcry from Christians and the anti-Illuminati crowd.

Though slow and melodious, it was still an impactful performance which really paid homage to motherhood, the birthing process and femininity. The most drama came when the chair at the end of the runway she sat in made a dangerous pivot off the edge. It was enough to have anyone who has ever been pregnant or cared for a pregnant person sit at the edge of her/his own seat, hoping for the best.

16508600_10154026879151353_3166289345508992902_n

Many agreed, she put a lot of trust in that chair and after a couple of sound snafus last night with Adele’s George Michael tribute and the Lady Gaga and Metallica set, I’m not sure I’d be that certain that a snafu wouldn’t go down.

But alas, when you have a squad this wide and deep who has your back, also known as the Beygency, then what can go wrong, right? These gifs from Vulture‘s gif bible provide an excellent showcase capture of the magnificence of the performance.

via GIPHY
 There were clear elements of the mutli-armed Hindu goddesses a plenty in case one needed reminder of why she is called Queen.

via GIPHY

When you are radiant and ethereal and know it…

via GIPHY

 Rising from ashes like a Phoenix…

via GIPHY

 But still full of enough swagger to work a runway while balancing the weight on ample birthing hips….

via GIPHY

 And with the ground littered with rose petals and flowers to catch your fall just in case…

via GIPHY

which won’t be needed when your throne awaits…

via GIPHY

 And as the herstory continues…

via GIPHY

Your ghost baby hologram throws everyone for a loop…

via GIPHY

Yeah…all that!

via GIPHY
Gracious and full of gratitude and humility…

via GIPHY

via GIPHY
 

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

Ex Spice Girl Geri Halliwell Names New Son After Late Friend George Michael

geri and christian horner

Former Spice Girl Geri Horner (nee Haliwell) welcomed her first son this past Saturday, January 21, US Weekly reports, and the baby is named after the singer’s close friend the Late George Michael, who passed away on Christmas 2016.

This is her first child with her husband, Formula 1 race driver Christian Horner.

“Geri gave birth to a baby boy at weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces,” the rep tells Us, adding that he made his debut at 8:40 a.m. “Both mother and baby are doing well.” According to the rep, the little bundle of joy’s name is Montague George Hector Horner.

A source told the Daily Mirror: “Geri wanted George to be a part of Monty’s life, so she felt it only fitting that her newborn have a middle name after the star.”

The 44-year-old singer shared a tender black-and-white photo of her son’s tiny feet on Instagram with the caption, “Montague George Hector Horner arrived this morning, a beautiful little brother for Bluebell and Olivia #amazing-day #grateful #monty ??.”

Halliwell is already mother of daughter Bluebell Madonna, 10, with her ex, screenwriter Sacha Gervasi. Montague is her first child with husband Christian Horner, whom she married in May 2015. Horner is also father of daughter Olivia, 2.

 

Tribute: My Fave George Michael Songs and Videos and Why I love Them

3000_george_michael_04_1024x768

Today, I, like many around the world, am saddened by the news of the passing of singer/songwriter George Michael on Christmas, December 25th. I was a huge fan of this late 80s/90s pop star especially in my teens and early adulthood. The Greek-Brit, full name Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, was extremely attractive, had a seductive dance and a voice that was big, unique and carried every melodic hit that he performed.

I agree with those who say that the overwhelming memory of his legacy will surely be the musical genius that encompassed both his time in UK pop duo Wham! and as one of the great solo artists of all time. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, eight Billboard #1 hits, and a bevy of awards

His look back then was a five o’clock shadow, leather jacket, rugged denims and guitar with one dangling earrings with dark shades. Very sexy!

 

 

 

I played this song to death in college my first year. It’s so jazzy and melodic. Love!

One of my fave albums of his was his second studio album “Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1” (volume 2 was never released) which was very controversial and almost didn’t get put out by Sony Music.

I love that it was full of ballads and showcased his lyrics and voice moreso than the upbeat dance songs on Faith.  It sold 8M copies but was considered a flop for such a big artist given that “Faith” had sold 25M copies. But it was a hit in the UK where it won Best British Album that year in their version of the Grammy‘s, the BRIT Awards.

 “Praying for Time” was an ode to times we live in where there is copious and overindulgence and greed abound with a message of warning to mankind. It is one of my favorite tunes from this album. Love this song.  Given ongoing battles with his record label at the time, Sony, he refused to appear in the videos for the songs on this album so the video is just lyrics on a black screen which is actually ahead of its time, given that lyrical videos are such a big trend nowadays.

“At some point in your career, the situation between yourself and the camera reverses. For a certain number of years, you court it and you need it, but ultimately, it needs you more and it’s a bit like a relationship. The minute that happens, it turns you off … and it does feel like it is taking something from you.”  he told the Los Angeles Times in 1990 about deciding not to do photo shoots or music videos any longer. “I would like to never step in front of a camera again.”

I think Freedom 90!  is one of the sexiest videos of all times and it featured super models at the time in a video directed by the same person who directed Madonna‘s “Express Yourself” video, David Fincher.  It included Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Tatjana Patitz and was inspired by Peter Lindbergh‘s now-iconic portrait of the five models for the January 1990 cover of the British edition of Vogue. Instead of playing someone’s girlfriend, as is common for models in music videos, they each lip synced the song. Brilliant!

More models werking the catwalk can be seen in the video for “Too Funky“.

This remake of Stevie Wonder‘s song is prolific given Wonder sang it recently in tribute to Michael Jackson and it could aptly apply to George Michael today.

His career started off as part of the two member pop music band, Wham! The preeminent 1980s big band sound was loud and apparent in this song and it peaked in the era of music television when MTV just launched. The video for it surely sold the song even more than the appeal it already had as a really awesome song:

 This song, “I’m Your Man” also takes me back to a carefree and less stressful time of my life, my late teen years.

 Another great hit from Wham!

My son loves “Last Christmas” and it has played almost twice an hour this past month on our local radio station that plays Christmas songs from Thanksgiving to Christmas non-stop. Even my 11-year old was shocked and upset to know one of the guys who sings a fave song has passed.




The biggest song from this album was “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go 

As a solo artist, George Michael performed some awesome duos like this one with Aretha Franklin, another fave of mine:

With Elton John, this song just makes me feel good every time I listen to it

And Queen (at a tribute concert for the late great Freddie Mercury)

And finally with the late great Whitney Houston, “If I told you that” 

Thanks for the music, George Michael.  You will be missed but your legacy will live on!

Batman138 Bro138 Dolar138 Gas138 Gudang138 Hoki99 Ligaciputra Panen77 Zeus138 Kilat77 Planet88 Gaspol168 Sikat88 Rupiah138 Garuda138 Gacor77 Roma77 Sensa138 Panen138 Slot138 Gaco88 Elanggame Candy99 Cair77 Max7 Best188 Space77 Sky77 Luxury777 Maxwin138 Bosswin168 Cocol88 Slot5000 Babe138 Luxury138 Jet77 Bonanza138 Bos88 Aquaslot Taktik88 Lord88 Indobet Slot69 Paus138 Tiktok88 Panengg Bingo4d Stars77 77dragon Warung168 Receh88 Online138 Tambang88 Asia77 Klik4d Bdslot88 Gajah138 Bigwin138 Markas138 Yuk69 Emas168 Key4d Harta138  Gopek178 Imbaslot Imbajp Deluna4d Luxury333 Pentaslot Luxury111 Cair77 Gboslot Pandora188 Olxtoto Slotvip Eslot Kuy138 Imbagacor Bimabet