Ghost has premiered a new episode in the band’s ongoing series of skits detailing the characters and lore created by frontman Tobias Forge. The latest installment, which is streaming now on YouTube, picks up where the last one left off, with the Clergy leaders telling Cardinal Copia — Forge’s alter-ego for the Prequelle album cycle — that he needs to get on TV to raise Ghost’s profile.
Cut to the Cardinal setting up a video camera and delivering his not-so-accurate readings of iconic lines from films including Star Wars, Jaws and The Matrix. After he’s done, he sends his tape out to Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels.
In between trying to get on SNL, Ghost will be launching a U.S. tour in support of their latest album, Impera, which features the singles “Hunter’s Moon” and “Call Me Little Sunshine.” The outing kicks off August 26 in San Diego, and also includes Mastodon and Spiritbox on the bill.
(NOTE LANGUAGE) Ma$e, introduced to the world via Bad Boy Entertainment, has announced a potential deal with the label’s former rival. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, he revealed he’s signing with Death Row Records, recently acquired by Snoop Dogg.
“I’m on Crenshaw — just passed Pico, just passed Slauson — and I’m out here to meet with Snoop so I can do another joint venture with Death Row Records,” he said in the clip.
“I’ll be officially the first one signed to Bad Boy and Death Row. And we gon’ get the 2Pac thing rekindled. Let’s see where we go with that.”
Ma$e rapped and danced his way to the top while rocking shiny colored suits with Diddy and letting the world know about Bad Boy. He released all three of his albums under the label but believes he never got his just due.
“I felt like I did more than I got credit for, more than I got paid for,” Ma$e said in his appearance on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast. “I never got paid what I was worth and I never got the respect I was worth. So the disdain is like, ‘You’re tryna keep me here, n****?’ I’m not here. All my peers is up here. All my peers are bosses.”
If the news is true, Ma$e wouldn’t be the first artist signed to two labels at once. The deal, however, would mark a notable moment for those familiar with the history between the record companies. Bad Boy and Death Row were embroiled in tension during the East Coast and West Coast rivalry in the ’90s and following the murders of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur.
Lady Gaga has found her next acting role — this time in the upcoming Joker 2. She confirmed her casting on Thursday, hinting she’ll be playing the villainous Harley Quinn.
“Joker: Folie à Deux,” Gaga announced on Instagram — the film’s title — and shared a brief teaser of the upcoming thriller set to debut in theaters in 2024.
The video, set to a red backdrop, features Gaga’s all black silhouette — except for a little red heart on her right eye — dancing to Fred Astaire‘s “Cheek to Cheek.” The heart’s placement is in the same spot as Margot Robbie‘s interpretation of Harley Quinn, which appeared in several films, including 2021’s The Suicide Squad.
The snippet also sees the return of Joaquin Phoenix‘s Joker — a role that landed him an Oscar — also appearing as a silhouette.
His shadow is posed like a marionette smoking a cigarette while Gaga, who is dressed in a long dress with puffy sleeves, strikes a menacing pose. The two shadows then join together in a dance, with the Joker’s markings around his eyes and Harley’s heart on her cheek highlighted in red.
The Grammy winner was first rumored to star as Harley Quinn of the upcoming Joker sequel earlier this summer, following reports the franchise will flirt with more musical elements. While this teaser seemingly confirms the rumors, she has yet to explicitly name the character she’s playing in the upcoming movie.
The upcoming sequel will be directed by Todd Phillips, who previously produced A Star Is Born, the 2018 remake that starred Joker producer Bradley Cooper and Gaga.
Joker: Folie à Deux laughs its way into theaters on October 4, 2024.
The first Joker movie grossed over $1 billion worldwide and picked up a pair of Oscars, including Phoenix’s Best Actor win.
(NEW YORK) — The species scientists know least about are at an even higher risk of extinction because researchers are unable to tailor conservation efforts to their needs, according to researchers.
More than 4,300 species whose extinction risk cannot be assessed due to a lack of ecological data are likely at risk of extinction, according to study published in Communications Biology on Thursday.
Among the more than 26,000 species that have been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), nearly 7,700 have been declared data deficient, meaning there is not enough data to make any sort of declaration on their extinction risk, Jan Borgelt, an ecologist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and author of the study, told ABC News.
Calculations based on previously published data on the geographical areas the species live in, as well as factors known to affect biodiversity — such as climate change, land use by humans and threats posed by invasive species — were used to predict extinction risk for data deficient species, according to the study.
The researchers found that about 56% of data deficient species are likely threatened with extinction compared with 28% of species that have been assessed for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
This becomes a problem for those making conservation plans, Borgelt said.
“So in most cases, actually, these data deficiencies are just ignored in a lot of analysis simply because we don’t know how threatened they are, if they’re threatened at all,” he said.
Extinction risks for data deficient species varied between groups and geographic areas. About 85% of amphibians, 40% of ray-finned fish, 61% of mammals, 59% of reptiles and 62% of insects are likely at risk of extinction, the study said.
For land-dwelling species that are data deficient, risk of extinction is prevalent among those that occupy smaller geographical areas within regions such as central Africa, southern Asia and Madagascar, the researchers found.
Maintaining the earth’s biodiversity is critical because all life depends on the proper functioning of ecosystems — such as clean water and carbon sequestration to help mitigate climate change, Borgelt said.
“Ultimately, functioning ecosystems depend on the species that live in those ecosystems,” he said. “And once we lose species, we sort of distract these ecological networks.”
The findings highlight potential biases in current conservation priorities as well as the importance of conservation for many data deficient species that are likely threatened by extinction, the paper concluded.
These assessments are “the very foundation of all conservation-related actions,” Borgelt said.
Naomi Judd’s family members are headed to court in order to stop the details of her death investigation records from being made public.
Legal records obtained by ABC reveal that Larry Strickland — Naomi’s widower and the sole executor of her will — as well as her daughter and The Judds bandmate, Wynonna, are suing Williamson County Sheriff Dusty Rhoades to keep the records pertaining to her death investigation sealed.
Naomi died by suicide on April 30 at the age of 76. She used a firearm to end her life, a detail that her daughter Ashley Judd subsequently shared during an emotional Good Morning America interview.
After her death, per standard procedure, the sheriff’s office conducted an investigation, which involved creating records that include “photographs, video recordings, audio recordings and written reports,” according to the filing.
The family is seeking to prevent the release of those records to the public, as they contain “Mrs. Judd depicted in a graphic manner” and their release would cause “irreparable harm in the form of emotional distress, pain and mental anguish.”
The filing also expresses concern that media outlets “have or have planned to file records” to make the information contained in the death investigation public. Plaintiffs say the release of this information would go against their right to “legitimate privacy” as the surviving family members of the country star.
If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or by visiting 988lifeline.org. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Newly restored versions of two official Rolling Stones promotional videos for the band’s classic 1968 hit “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” have debuted at the ABKCO label’s YouTube channel.
The videos, which were directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, were shot on the same day in the spring of ’68 at Olympic Studios in London and feature two versions of the song. Both clips have been restored in the high-res 4K format.
One of the videos features The Stones’ classic early lineup — Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman — wearing face makeup and performing as a recording of the single version of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” plays, with Jagger also singing live along with the track.
The other video features the band performing without makeup along with a completely different recording of the tune.
Lindsay-Hogg, who also directed the famed concert film The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus and The Beatles‘ Let It Be documentary, recalls that he shot the video featuring the band without makeup first, and he then got the idea to have the members add some color to their faces while watching Jones put on some makeup during a break in the filming.
“When I edited them and played them back, they loved the videos,” Lindsey-Hogg notes. “I’d hate to think they didn’t, because then I went on to do their videos for 15 years.”
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” topped the U.K. singles chart in June 1968 and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Lady A’s Request Line Tour, originally scheduled to begin on August 13, is being postponed to 2023.
“Being on the road with our fans is our greatest joy, so it was a hard but important decision to make,” the country trio said in a statement posted to their social channels on Thursday.
The postponement is due to the group’s decision to support bandmate Charles Kelley during an important life change.
“We’re proud to say that Charles has embarked on a journey to sobriety,” the statement continues. “So, right now in order to be the healthiest, strongest and most creative band we can be, Lady A will take the time with the support of our families and team of professionals to walk through this together.”
They added, “It’s early on this road, but we are determined to do what will best set us up for many more years together. We’re grateful for your patience.”
The group also told fans that more information regarding ticketing details for the new Request Line tour dates will become available in the days ahead.
It’s been 15 years since the Jonas Brothers released “S.O.S.” and Nick Jonas saluted the standout track by revealing a few of its secrets.
Taking to TikTok, the “Jealous” singer shared a one-minute video with some “fun facts… you may not know” about the song.
Fact #1, according to Nick: “I wrote the song when I was 13 in a hotel room in New York City.”
The singer said the first draft sounded very different than the final product. The original, he explained, used palm muted strumming for its guitars. After recreating what that sounded like, Nick explained why that changed.
“It wasn’t until we got into the studio with John Fields, our producer, that we were thinking, ‘It needs to be more memorable right off the top.’ So, that guitar line was born,” he revealed.
Secret #2 was about the song’s title! Nick revealed “S.O.S.” was originally going to be called “A Call I’ll Never Get.” So, what made the JoBros change it?
Said Nick, “When it came time to make the track list for the album, everyone kept calling it ‘S.O.S.’ So, we went with that.”
The Grammy winner also saluted the song for being their first to top the iTunes chart. Overall, despite the track now being 15 years old, Nick grinned, “To this day, [it’s] one of my favorite songs to play live.”
“Happy 15th birthday, ‘S.O.S.,'” Nick sweetly noted and extended the sentiment to his fans, who “sang your emo little hearts out then, and now, to every word.”
Nick captioned the birthday tribute, “Time flies when you’re having fun.”
(NOTE LANGUAGE)Kendrick Lamar took some time from The Big Steppers Tour to reflect on the ways rap has positively affected his life. In a post on his Instagram Story, he credited the music for his self-growth, referring to it as a necessity in his lifelong journey.
“rap has truly helped my expansion of self. beyond the perception of who I believed to be. on jojo. music is air to a young n**** at this point. mr morale. the catalyst of my self expression,” Kendrick penned.
He also noted it took him “twenty years” to make “Mother I Sober,” a track off his Mr. Morales & The Big Steppers album, which sees him tackle his childhood trauma, battles with lust and other demons.
Kendrick’s rap career has afforded him the opportunity to meet his fans and travel around the world. He appreciates the experiences, some of which he says will forever be ingrained in his memory.
“ill never forget the process of falling in love with imperfection. the piano. my fans. the stories of reconciliation i hear from penitentiaries to small villages,” Kendrick wrote. “Some words will find you today. Some will find you in 10. find your children type shit. sitting in the corner like an old book.”
“im forever underground. infratrating [sic] the mainstream a la carte,” he continued. “these cities still beautiful to watch. on jojo. ily.”
Kendrick’s U.S. tour ends September 15 in LA; the European leg picks up the following month. Visuals of his shows can be found on his Instagram, where he uploaded 50 photos before sharing his reflective post.
WNBA star Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia for over five months, was found guilty on drug charges in a Moscow-area court Thursday. She was then sentenced to nine years in prison.
The judge found that Griner had criminal intent, and said she is guilty of smuggling and storing illegal drugs.
Griner, a 31-year-old Houston native who plays professional basketball for the Phoenix Mercury, was detained on Feb. 17 at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Khimki as she returned to Russia to play during the WNBA’s offseason. She was accused of having vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in the country.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist, who appeared in court Thursday for the final hearing in her trial, was facing up to 10 years in prison, although 9 1/2 years is the maximum sentence with time served. Griner has a right to appeal.
Griner shared an emotional statement in court ahead of the verdict on Thursday morning. She apologized to her loved ones for the hurt that her detention has caused, and said that her parents instilled hard work in her and this value is what brought her to Russia.
The Phoenix Mercury star held up a photo of her Russian teammates on Thursday and said that she made “an honest mistake” by packing the vape cartridges in her bag.
The prosecutor argued that Griner’s guilt has been proven and also asked that Griner pay a $16,500 fine, which is about 1 million Russian roubles.
Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges in court last month, saying that the vape cartridges containing hashish oil were in her luggage mistakenly and that she had no “intention” of breaking Russian law.
Her legal team told ABC News in a statement last month that her guilty plea was recommended by her Russian attorneys.
