Tag Archives: bowery-ballroom

Kush Chronic-les: Is “Stoner” Solange’s Summer Slacking Off A Sign She’s Been Smoking Too Much Sticky Icky?

This is totally ridiculous but we’re just gonna roll with it because we find it hilarious. Solange’s mere mention of mary jane in the days before releasing a statement that she’d be canceling European tour dates for the good of her mental and physical health has some folks wondering if she’s got a drug “problem.” Via RadarOnline reports : Solange claims the stress of moving from Los Angeles to Brooklyn caused her to skip out on the dates in nine European cities, but RadarOnline.com has learned that her fondness for kush raised eyebrows in the days before her announcement. Solange gave a shout-out to the stoners in the audience during her performance at the Pitchfork Music Festival on Saturday, July 20, according to multiple eyewitness reports, telling the crowd: “I smell a little bit of h3rb out there. If you have any, now is the perfect time to light it!” Eyewitness @RumanaHussain tweeted, “#Solange urging the kids to smoke h3rb …What is she? The anti-@Beyonce? Ganja fierce?” Solange reportedly made a similar statement at her show in NYC’s Bowery Ballroom in December of last year. Indeed, Solange has made no secret of her marijuana use in the past. In 2008, she released an ode to Mary Jane called Champagne Chronic Nightcap. When asked whether the descriptions of lighting up in the song were true-to-life, she told a reporter, “I am unapologetic. I don’t write about things unless they’re true!” By the next year, she was concerned her drug use was taking a toll on her mind. “I don’t even smoke tweeds that often but I’m finding that I can’t remember things,” she tweeted on Sept. 1, 2009. “Gotta be something else.” In 2010, she admitted to smoking “a joint or two” while recording. And by 2011, she was even less ashamed of her habit, posting on Twitter in October desperately looking for a dealer. “Is tweeds taboo in NYC?” she asked her followers. “Like, why can’t I ever find any?” There is no indication that Solange’s drug use is tied to her mysterious month-long break. She insists she will be focusing on mommy time with her son, Daniel Julez. We can’t believe the hoopla over a little bit of tweeds-smoking!!! Live your life Solo — don’t let them sweat you over the BS. And pass the dutchie pon the left hand side — aight? Continue reading

Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard Expecting Second Child

Couple have been together since 2002 and have a 5-year-old daughter together. By Jocelyn Vena Maggie Gyllenhaal Photo: Getty Images Actors Maggie Gyllenhaal and hubby Peter Sarsgaard are expanding their family. The couple is expecting their second child together next spring. A rep for Gyllenhaal has confirmed to Usmagazine.com that the couple’s daughter, 5-year-old Ramona, will soon have a baby brother or sister to keep her company. A source said that the actress will “be laying low for a little bit now.” In a previous interview with the magazine, Gyllenhaal admitted it’s not always easy to balance being an actress and being a mom. “I had been so focused on Ramona — and she’s been everything to me — but I’m also an actress. It’s not possible to do it perfectly,” she said. “Being a mom is so present in my mind and my work. It’s the most important thing about me, but next I’d like to play someone who’s not a mother.” Life & Style reported that the couple told friends and family about the pregnancy over the Thanksgiving holiday. Gyllenhaal first had people wondering if she was expecting when she arrived at the Rome Film Festival sporting what appeared to be a baby bump in late October. “Over Thanksgiving weekend, Maggie was telling friends that she’s six months pregnant,” a friend of the actress said. “Her bump is so big!” The friend added, “She’s thrilled to be pregnant! She and Peter have wanted another child for a while. They’re very happy that they’ll have another baby in the house soon.” The couple, together since 2002, tied the knot in 2009 in Italy. As for uncle Jake Gyllenhaal , the friend tells Life & Style that he’s really excited to be an uncle again. “Jake is so happy that she’s pregnant again because he loves kids. Maggie’s said that he’s the best uncle and has done a lot of sweet things for her first child.”

Original post:
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard Expecting Second Child

Frank Ocean Charms New York Audience

Odd Future crooner wins over Bowery Ballroom with soulful covers and originals, including new songs ‘Super Rich Kids’ and ‘Disillusioned.’ By Rob Markman Frank Ocean Photo: MTV News Be it for a crowd of one or 100, you get the feeling that Frank Ocean would be just as charmingly awkward when performing tracks from his breakthrough digital album Nostalgia, Ultra . On Monday evening, the Odd Future singer/songwriter performed his second in as many days, making up for the scheduled November 6 concert that was cancelled , citing illness. There was no opening act or host for the evening, just Ocean, who stormed the Bowery Ballroom stage at exactly 9:30 p.m. wearing a black jacket, white button-down shirt and a red bandana tied around his forehead. “You think I’d leave your side baby/ You know me better than that,” he sang, starting out his set with a soulful rendition of Sade’s “By Your Side.” As the 23-year-old New Orleans export serenaded the crowd, the screen behind him played clips of old Western films and changed themes with each song: sometimes playing scenes from “Boyz n the Hood,” other times playing animated “Dragon Ball Z” clips. After the opening number, Frank addressed the crowd, professed his love for NYC and revealed to fans that he first fell in love, then ultimately got his heart broken, in Southern California. The charming anecdote set up “Thinking About Forever,” a hopelessly romantic slow jam about recapturing lost love. Ocean isn’t the type of singer who rips off his shirt, nor does he show any signs of being a dancer — two qualities typically associated with modern-day crooners. Frank, however, remains relatable on a level most artists are not, which makes him able, in between each song, to simply chat and laugh with the audience, and though he seemed uneasy at times, it was enough to keep his adoring fans engaged. The female portion of the crowd squealed when he eased into “Dust,” and when Ocean belted out the opening line from “Swim Good” — “That’s a pretty big trunk on my Lincoln Town Car” — most of the crowd shot their hands into the air, swaying them side to side. Though his diehards know him for so much more, the OFWGKTA breakout is most popular for his contributions to Jay-Z and Kanye West’s inescapable Watch the Throne LP, so of course, he performed his portions of “No Church in the Wild” and “Made in America.” His catalog isn’t deep, but for an hour, Ocean kept fans entertained by running through fan favorites and even giving a taste of his next album, singing two new songs: “Super Rich Kids” and the bouncy and bassy “Disillusioned.” The show’s only downfall was that for much of the show, Ocean simply stood center stage, but boy did he sound great. He switched things up on “American Wedding,” his heartbreaking flip of the Eagles’ classic “Hotel California.” For the track’s iconic guitar solo, Ocean turned his back to the crowd, faced the screen, picked up a video-game guitar controller and played out the song’s closing notes on “Guitar Hero.” The crowd — mixed with industry mainstays, star-gazing girls, frat boys and even a few celebs (Mos Def was in attendance) — ate it up. After his version of Coldplay’s “Strawberry Swing,” Ocean said goodnight and left the stage. The crowd stood, demanding an encore, and were granted their wish when Ocean remerged onstage sitting by a piano. He closed with “I Miss You,” a song he wrote for Beyonc

On The Come Up: Theophilus London Gettin’ Ready To Drop His Album ‘Timez Are Weird These Days’

Sometimes being weird is not a bad thing… this is one of those times. We got our hands on Theophilus London’s new album ‘Timez Are Weird These Days’ which drops next Tuesday and it’s still in rotation at the Bossip offices. We honestly didn’t expect to like it so much — probably because Solange has been jocking dude so hard — but we liked it anyway. With the project due to drop next week Thuffleopilus (that’s the nickname we gave him) has released a new single “I Stand Alone” — which we’ll share with you today. Check it out below: What do you think? This song is already getting a lil shine in the HBO trailer for Season 2 of “How To Make It In America.” We’re also posting a couple of his older videos: Do you likey? Upcoming Theophilus London Shows: July 17th – Chicago, IL: Double Door July 18th – Los Angeles, CA: The Troubadour (Sold Out) July 21st – New York, NY: Bowery Ballroom (Sold Out) July 23rd – Brooklyn, NY: Weeksville Heritage Center Sept 16th – Austin, TX: Austin City Limits You can pre-order the album HERE Here’s some other places you can check him out: http://theophiluslondon.net http://twitter.com/theophilusl http://timezareweird.tumblr.com Photo Credit: Jonathan Mannion

View original post here:
On The Come Up: Theophilus London Gettin’ Ready To Drop His Album ‘Timez Are Weird These Days’

Lauryn Hill Announces 17 Tour Dates

Outing kicks off Monday in New York. By James Dinh Lauryn Hill Photo: Bennett Raglin/WireImage After a string of festival appearances, Lauryn Hill has announced that she’ll embark on an intimate North American tour starting next week. The 17-date outing, which begins at New York City’s Highline Ballroom on Monday, will venture throughout the East Coast and Canada before wrapping up in New Jersey in February. In a statement, Hill said she “may never play venues of this size again.” According to a press release , the rapper/singer will be accompanied by a live band and will perform a set list of the many hits from her celebrated 1998 solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. For those fans who are hoping to hear something new from Hill, they can expect to see some of her biggest hits “reworked yet faithful to the rigor, soulfulness and power of the original music.” Initial news of the reclusive singer hitting the road for a series of East Coast shows broke a few weeks ago. When MTV News caught up with the iconic artist in August, she kept mum on when the hungry public could expect a new album, saying, “We’re getting closer. That’s all I can say.” While the singer takes her time with new music, she revealed that she enjoys the versatility of today’s artists. “I have respect for what people do,” Hill said. “I also like to hear the eclectics, I like to hear the mixture. There’s a lot of different creative energies out there right now. I respect the different sounds that I’m hearing. It’s been such a long time since I’ve gotten my voice and my ideas [out]. In terms of collaborations, that’s not even something I’ve been thinking about per se. I’m happy that people are still making music. That we still have a platform with which to make music. It’s gonna be interesting to see what the future holds.” Lauryn Hill’s tour dates, according to a press release:

Kanye West Performs Rousing ‘Lost In The World’ At Thanksgiving Day Parade

Despite appearing to be lip-synching, rapper delivers spirited performance at annual Macy’s event. By Alvin Blanco Kanye West (file) Photo: Ben Hider/Getty Images The Kanye West promo march continues, so naturally the Chicago rapper took his show to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Amidst marching bands and balloon versions of Kermit the Frog, SpongeBob SquarePants and Spider-Man, Yeezy performed a rousing though shortened rendition of “Lost in the World” from his just-released fifth album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. As more than two million people lined the parade route and millions more watched from home, West performed in front of Macy’s flagship location near Manhattan’s Herald Square on 34th Street at around 11:20 a.m. West kicked his verse from “Lost in the World” along with its chorus atop the Big Apple float, which was adorned with a giant apple and a New York taxicab coming out of a tunnel below it. Wearing a long fur vest, leather pants and a gold V-neck shirt, West delivered a spirited performance despite the fact that he appeared to be lip-synching. Interestingly, Matt Lauer was one of the NBC broadcast’s hosts of the parade. Lauer interviewed West during his infamous appearance on the “Today” show that led the rapper to cancel a scheduled performance on the program. West also compared Lauer to a child abuser during a speech at his not-so-secret show at New York’s Bowery Ballroom on Tuesday night. Nevertheless, it was Lauer who introduced West. Other performers at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade included the casts of the Broadway musicals “Memphis” and “Elf,” Jimmy Fallon with the Roots, folk singer Arlo Guthrie and Keri Hilson, who performed on the My Princess Academy float. Related Artists Kanye West

Read the original post:
Kanye West Performs Rousing ‘Lost In The World’ At Thanksgiving Day Parade

Kanye West Gives Defiant Speech About Media During NYC Show

After performance celebrating the release of his new album, ‘Ye turns defiant. By James Dinh Kanye West performs at his secret show at Bowery Ballroom on Tuesday Photo: Erez Avissar Judging by the critical response to his new album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West’s love/hate relationship with the media has had little impact on how they view his music. But while concluding his secret New York concert on Tuesday night, the hip-hop heavyweight turned attention away from his performance for a defiant speech about his public image. After the encore of his Bowery Ballroom set, West took time to reflect on the recent era in his life. “As you know, it’s been an extremely hard year for me,” he said. “But getting back to music, G.O.O.D. Fridays, and the album … I never thought I’d say this, I wanna thank the

Ryan Leslie Croons, Raps And Romances New York

Singer/songwriter delivers passionate set at Bowery Ballroom. By Jayson Rodriguez Ryan Leslie Photo: Andy Sheppard/ Getty Images NEW YORK — Ryan Leslie declared his independence in a big way Tuesday night, when the singer/songwriter performed to a packed house at Manhattan’s Bowery Ballroom on the first of a two-night residency. Leslie recently parted ways with his label, Universal Motown, after releasing his self-titled debut and last year’s Transition. But as he sets out on his own, this performance proved a worthy showcase for the talented star’s range of skill, as a singer, producer and composer. “This here is about one of my favorite holidays,” he said, moving behind the keyboard to deliver a pleasing talk-box-aided vocal homage to Zapp and Roger’s “I Want to Be Your Man” before segueing into “Valentine.” “I don’t have to say that you’re beautiful,” Leslie sang in a falsetto tone. “You’ve got plenty of other guys to say those words for you/ And I don’t got to say that you run the show/ All it takes is a word, I lose control for you. “I know you’re not my girlfriend, but/ I swear that I love you,” he sang, opening up on the chorus. Decked out in dark shades, black leather gloves and a matching vest with a denim shirt underneath, Leslie was anything but the R&B lothario. His set was more aggressive and impassioned than in the past, and he opened up the show with a rap to a rock-leaning production. But Leslie, who led a five-piece band with three background singers, still knows that his crooning is why the people came. “Addiction” and “Diamond Girl” were among the more rousing numbers of the night. The synthesized chords to “Addiction” pounded throughout the venue. “You’ve got fashion and style/ I’m loving your smile and/ the way you get down,” he sang. “I can’t see no one else/ It’s you by yourself/ in spite of the crowd.” In addition to songs from both of his albums, Leslie played a few unreleased gems and a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “You and I.” “Here we are, on Earth together/ It’s you and I,” he sang, using hushed tones for the Motown classic. “God had made us fall in love, it’s true/ I’ve really found someone like you.” What do you think Ryan Leslie’s next career move should be? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists Ryan Leslie

Read the original here:
Ryan Leslie Croons, Raps And Romances New York