Latest news with #MotownRecords
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael' gets April 2026 release date: Here's what we know
After years of speculation and multiple delays, the Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' is finally on its way to cinemas, and fans around the world couldn't be more excited. With an all-star cast and a powerhouse creative team, the film promises to offer a deeply personal and dramatic retelling of the King of Pop's extraordinary life and legacy. Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' is finally set to hit cinemas worldwide on 24 April 2026, moving from its previously planned October release date, as reported by Variety. All-star team behind the scenes Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, 'Michael' will see Jaafar Jackson, the late singer's nephew, step into the shoes of the King of Pop. The film is being produced by Graham King , who won an Oscar for 'The Departed'. What the film promises According to the official synopsis, 'Michael' will take audiences through the iconic artist's rise to global fame, offering 'an intimate look at the life and enduring legacy of one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known.' An impressive cast line-up The biopic brings together a stellar ensemble to portray the people who shaped Michael Jackson's life and career. Colman Domingo and Nia Long will play his parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, while Miles Teller takes on the role of John Branca, Jackson's longtime attorney and advisor. Larenz Tate steps into the shoes of Berry Gordy, the legendary founder of Motown Records. Laura Harrier plays music executive Suzanne de Passe, and Kat Graham will appear as Diana Ross. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo The cast also includes Jessica Sula as Michael's sister La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as soul icon Gladys Knight, Kevin Shinick as TV host Dick Clark, KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, Jackson's trusted security chief, and Kendrick Sampson as music producer Quincy Jones, who met Michael when he was just 12. With its new April 2026 release, 'Michael' promises to be an emotional, powerful tribute to a pop icon who changed the face of music forever.
Black America Web
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Kem Leaves Motown Records, Returns To Independent Roots
Source: Erika Goldring / Getty Detroit R&B icon Kem has officially parted ways with Motown Records after a 23-year partnership, marking a significant shift in his career. The artist, known for his smooth sound and soulful hits, is returning to his independent roots by reviving his Kemistry Records label. 'Over the last three to five years, I've done a lot of internal soul-searching,' Kem told the Detroit Free Press. Reflecting on his life, career, and the evolving music industry, he decided it was time for a change. 'The Motown I signed to and the Motown that exists now are not the same. That's not a negative thing. But the industry has changed, and maybe I should change too.' Kem's departure leaves Motown Records without a signature Detroit artist for the first time in its 66-year history. The decision comes amid significant changes at the label, including the 2022 resignation of CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam. Kem described his choice as 'instinctive,' following years of reflection that began during the pandemic. Kemistry Records, which originally launched his career with the self-funded debut album Kemistry , will now serve as the platform for his future projects. The artist plans to own his master recordings and release music on his terms. 'There are so many places for music to live today,' he said. 'There's no reason not to saturate the airwaves, be it streaming or radio, with what I consider to be great music.' His first release under the revived label will be the single 'Give My Love,' described as having a 'Sade-esque vibe.' The track is set to drop in the coming weeks, coinciding with a two-night performance at Detroit's Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre. Kem expressed gratitude for his time at Motown, which provided creative freedom and resources. However, he's excited to embrace the flexibility and equity of independent artistry. 'This is an opportunity for me to put out music, to control my content, to move more freely and have more equity in myself,' he said. 'Let me bring all of this home.' SEE ALSO Kem Leaves Motown Records, Returns To Independent Roots was originally published on
Black America Web
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Bark & The Bite: Leon Thomas Announces ‘Mutts Don't Heel' World Tour
Source: Courtesy / Raymond Alva Yesterday (June 10th), Grammy-Award winning artist Leon Thomas kicked off his week by announcing his MUTTS DON'T HEEL World Tour, produced by Live Nation. The tour is in support of HEEL , the deluxe edition of his critically acclaimed sophomore album MUTT , out now via EZMNY/Motown Records. The North American leg kicks off October 30th in Dallas, TX, with stops in Austin, Nashville, Atlanta, Brooklyn, Toronto, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Rising R&B standout Ambré will join as support across the U.S. and Canada. Tickets will be available starting with an artist presale beginning Wednesday, June 11th. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, June 13th at 10am local time at In 2026, the tour heads abroad with a run of European dates including London's Eventim Apollo, Paris' Élysée Montmartre, Berlin's Huxleys Neue Welt, and Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre. From there, Leon brings the show to Australia with performances in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. Source: Courtesy / Live Nation Leon recently released MUTT Deluxe: HEEL , a natural continuation of the original, digging deeper into his sonic universe and fetching a bold blend of psychedelic R&B, rock textures, soul, and boundary-pushing production. New collaborations with Kehlani, Big Sean, and Halle elevate the project's emotional and musical scope, as Leon hones his reflections on singlehood, connection, and self-exposure. With tightly crafted compositions and distinct creative clarity, Thomas delivers a fearless extension of his signature sound–unleashing bite where MUTT once explored duality. HEEL doesn't just follow; it bares its teeth. Listen HERE. Leon is currently the digital cover star of GAFFER Magazine and performed 'NOT FAIR' on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 3rd. Last night, he won Best New Artist and tore down the stage at the 2025 BET Awards. Leon Thomas continues to redefine modern R&B, becoming an emblem of the genre and shaping its cultural landscape. The certified platinum MUTT has garnered widespread critical acclaim, named the #1 R&B Album of 2024 by Billboard and VIBE. It has also earned spots on several other Best of 2024 lists, further solidifying its status as one of the year's standout releases. From a viral Tiny Desk to BET nods and Hot 100 climbs, Thomas has spent the last year rewriting R&B's rulebook. With MUTT Deluxe: HEEL , Leon pushes his momentum further–fiercer, bolder, and taking his vision even further. Check out the tour's itinerary above. Congrats to Leon Thomas and the run he's currently on! SEE ALSO Bark & The Bite: Leon Thomas Announces 'Mutts Don't Heel' World Tour was originally published on
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leon Thomas Breaks Down ‘Mutt' Deluxe Album: ‘Funk Can Find Its Way Back Into Popular Culture Right Now'
Leon Thomas' breakthrough hit 'Mutt' hits a new peak of No. 15 on this week's Billboard Hot 100 – over nine months since Grammy-winning multihyphenate first unleashed the hazy, bass-driven tune. As he approaches the second summer of the Mutt album cycle at a new career peak, Thomas has meticulously readied a 10-song deluxe edition of his acclaimed record. Out on May 30 via EZMNY/Motown Records and subtitled Heel, the deluxe edition of Mutt will include collaborations with several hip-hop and R&B heavyweights, including Big Sean, Kehlani and Chris Brown – the latter of whom appeared on March's 'Mutt' remix. Last month (April 18), Halle Bailey lent Thomas an assist on 'Rather Be Alone,' a psychedelic rock-tinged soul ballad that served as the first taste of Heel. Featuring reimagined versions of select Mutt deep cuts ('Yes It Is' and 'Vibes Don't Lie' both get updates), Heel also revives songs from studio sessions dating back to Electric Dusk, Thomas' 2023 debut studio album ('Party Favors,' which now includes a Big Sean guest verse). More from Billboard Disturbed's David Draiman Is Down With the Slickness After Totally Surprising His Girlfriend With On-Stage Proposal Morgan Wallen Finally Addressed His Hasty 'SNL' Exit: 'I'd Been There All Week' Pearl Jam Release Compilation Inspired by HBO's 'The Last of Us' Inspired by the juxtaposition of his current career momentum and the space needed to truly experience life — as well as by Michael McDonald's insights from 2024's Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary — Heel finds Thomas stepping into his healing era, to better understand his emotional state in the original world of Mutt. 'I think music should reflect life,' he explains to Billboard. 'Personally, I'm in a place of being really single right now. I was emotionally in that place while making ['Rather Be Alone'], I wasn't really in a party mood, yet. Summer's on the way, but I had a little bit of emotional spring cleaning to do first.' The announcement of Mutt Deluxe: Heal comes the same week that Thomas earned his first two career BET Awards nominations, as he will vie in the best new artist and best male R&B/pop artist categories at the June 9 ceremony. With viral NPR Tiny Desk and Late Show performances and a headlining tour already under his belt, Leon Thomas' Mutt era is only picking up steam as its one-year anniversary draws nearer. In a revelatory conversation with Billboard, Leon Thomas breaks down several new Heel tracks, details funk icon George Clinton essentially knighting him during Coachella and explains why Halle clearly 'graduated from the Beyoncé school of vocal production.' When did you know that you wanted to turn into a deluxe album? While I was on my headlining tour for Mutt, I started talking to my manager about everything that's going on with the Grammys [eligibility cycle], not being able to be nominated [last year] because of the timeline. We were trying to figure out healthy ways to breathe life back into [the record]. We ended up discussing different features, and by the end of that conversation, we were like, 'Well, it sounds like it's deluxe season.' I was really inspired by [SZA's] Lana and how she gave us a whole new energy. I even saw a resurgence of 'Snooze' right after that drop, on the production and songwriting side, which was really good. It all made sense. I started digging back in at the top of the year. I went out to the same Atlanta studio that OutKast used to do a lot of records in and linked with ['Mutt' co-writers] Robert Gueringer and David Phelps. We set up hella instruments, wrote a bunch of songs, and none of them made it to the deluxe. But it was a good bonding experience. We were all really excited about the success of 'Mutt' and where things were headed. Did any songs from the original sessions make it to the deluxe? Yeah, there was actually a song I wrote the same day I wrote the first track for Electric Dusk, actually. It was a song I always loved called 'Party Favors.' I played it for my boy, Big Sean, and he loved it, so I had him hop on that. There were a couple of old gems like that. Big Sean is on two deluxe tracks. What is it about your relationship with him that makes y'all such fruitful collaborators? I always do that with artists, if I'm trying to collaborate with them — because sometimes, artists send me just one joint, and I may or may not be into it, even if I'm down to work with the artist. I try to give every artist an opportunity to shoot different things. You never know what they'll end up getting attached to. [Sean] ended up writing [verses] to both ['Party Favors' and 'Vibes Don't Lie'], and then he was like, 'Well, if you don't put ['Party Favors'] on the deluxe, I'm gonna drop it tomorrow.' I was like, 'Well, no, sir!' [Laughs.] That's how it is dealing with rappers, man. They're just like, 'Let's drop tomorrow!' And I'm like, 'Let me get a marketing budget first, my boy!' How do you go about maintaining the integrity of the original record while giving audiences something new and fresh? I think it's a matter of not adding any extra overproduction to anything, and really staying true to my creative process. I'm known to overthink — in class, I would get a 92% on a test and could have had a 100%, but you could see me erase the right answer because I was overthinking. In music, I put myself in a position to literally just go with my first mind. 'Safe Place' was a first take, 'I Used To' was a first take with few edits, 'Mutt' was a first take, and I just punched in certain things. I wasn't overthinking on this record. Even with the way we added features… I didn't want to have them do a bunch of takes or versions. Just give me your first mind. What was the 'Rather Be Alone' studio session like? D. Phelps was in the studio with us, and I actually stole him from Halle's session – I'm real selfish with my guy! [Laughs.] We had no plans of doing a record that day. So, Halle pulls up to the studio, telling everybody to put the blunts out, and we started listening to records. We weren't frustrated around that time, but we were definitely at a creative wall. I was like, 'Okay, we got a label that wants us to do features, but I'm kinda anti-social, so who do I lock in with without it being awkward?' Then, I had a little light bulb moment, and asked Halle to hop on the song. She really liked the song, but I had to kinda pressure her to get in the booth. She got in there, felt comfortable, wrote her verse very quickly, and really did her thing. You can hear that she came from the Beyoncé school of vocal production in the way she attacks things and enunciates and emotes. That put me in a great headspace as a producer as well. When it comes to bringing in new voices, like Halle and Kehlani, how do you ensure that the chemistry feels natural and not forced? Me and Kehlani have been writing together for years. For Ariana [Grande's] Yours Truly album, we had Kehlani do the demos for some of the songs Ariana ended up cutting. Because we were so tight, we would write all the time. She's my real friend. Writing with her isn't even a session, it's just talking. She told me she was really feeling [Mutt] and wanted to make something for her own record. I wasn't even sure if 'Dirt on My Shoes' would be for my deluxe; I was just writing from the standpoint of either of us singing it. It was a very open-ended session. My boy, Khris Riddick-Tynes, also added some things to make it fit the sonic space of the Mutt album. Me and Kehlani are always gonna be super tight and supportive of one another. Did you pull from your whirlwind past six months while writing these deluxe tracks? Or did you have to put yourself back in the mental space of the original sessions? It's funny, life is moving really fast, but I haven't been living a lot of life. It's been very: wake up, get to work, go to sleep, repeat. I'm not really pulling from too much emotionally. If anything, the absence of real emotional growth has been something that I can pull from. Also, the longing for something real – not that I haven't had it, but I'm trying to figure out how to take care of it in the midst of a very busy schedule. I'm looking forward to looking back at these records because it's a time stamp of my mental space. Would you say this deluxe is a general expansion of the world of , a specific extension of the story the original tracklist tells, or something else entirely? I almost feel like Heel is a bit of a meditation. I'm looking back at a lot of things and seeing where I was in my life during the Mutt era. It was pretty chaotic. The title of the deluxe has multiple meanings. From the 'heel' command of learning to follow to healing in real life – that's why a lot of the records aren't bop-y, straight Power 106 vibes. Right now, I'm in a space of healing and learning… how to be a good boy. [Laughs.] 'Mutt' is right outside the Hot 100's top 10 (No. 15). Did you expect to be here in April 2025 when you dropped this song in August 2024? I don't want to sound cocky or anything, but like when I made the record, it was the first time I've ever been like, 'I'm making a single today.' I didn't let anyone talk me out of rolling with it as the first single. And there was a moment where everybody thought I should lead with 'Far Fetched,' and I was like, 'I love Ty, I love the song, but I really feel like we should lead with 'Mutt.'' There was this feeling I had about it. Did I think we would still be seeing it on the charts right now? N—a, to be real, no, I didn't know that! We were pretty hyped when it got to 15 million streams; we were like 'Oh s–t, we're not failures.' I was at Coachella, and when I finished performing, my homie told me that Tyla was singing my song word for word. I know what we have is definitely contagious and good for the culture. I'm glad that people are supporting that because it doesn't always happen. Tell me more about your Coachella experience this year. It was awesome. My big bro, Ty Dolla $ign, brought me out there to perform on his stage. He's a gracious artist who's always chosen to support me and put me on a pedestal. Shoutout to Muni Long, who also gave me an opportunity to share her stage. She had no incentive to do that, outside of just really enjoying the music and being an awesome human. On Sunday, I performed with George Clinton, and it was this whole moment… It's 4/20, and I get a knock on my trailer and it's Ty. He's like, 'George wants to talk with you.' We get into the trailer, and it's literally a cloud of weed smoke, fam. Mind you, I don't really smoke weed like that no more! So, I'm just in there, hotboxed to hell as George Clinton does this whole speech. He's like, 'I've got a present for you, man. You the kid with the dog song, right? Yeah, I like that joint. I made you this hat.' And it's an all-white hat with rhinestones, a dog face on it and a fox tail at the end of it. I'm like, 'Wow, this is really elaborate and amazing.' He said, 'Before I come out and perform 'Atomic Dog,' I'm going to give you the crown.' My parents were in a wedding band playing 'Atomic Dog,' so I know it. I'm really tapped in! That was an amazing moment for me, because I feel that funk can find its way back into popular culture right now. 'Mutt' isn't a super-Ohio-Players, funk-driven record, but it's got those notes with the Bootsy Collins bass and real live drums. I really respect George Clinton, and I'm thankful that he even thought of me in this way. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Perth Now
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Michael Jackson biopic facing yet another delay
The Michael Jackson biopic is facing another delay. Jaafar Jackson is set to star as the singer in the movie, but Lionsgate have now confirmed the film will not be released as originally scheduled in 2025. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, it is now expected to premiere after April 1, 2026, according to Variety. The update was shared by Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer during the company's Q4 2025 earnings call. He said in a statement: 'In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we're excited about the three-and-a-half hours of amazing footage from producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, and we will be announcing a definitive release strategy and timing in the next few weeks. 'I would note that it is likely we will move 'Michael' out of the fiscal year which will impact fiscal '26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal 2027 slate.' The biopic stars 27-year-old Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the late singer, and marks his first major acting role. While 'Michael' had been a centrepiece of Lionsgate's 2023 CinemaCon presentation, no footage was shown at this year's event. The film's initial release was planned for 3 October 2025. But Variety last month reported the project may be split into two parts, contributing to the postponement. Filming for 'Michael' wrapped principal photography in May 2024, but the script, written by John Logan, is currently undergoing revisions ahead of planned reshoots. The production carries a reported budget of around $155 million. In addition to Jaafar, the cast features 54-year-old Colman Domingo and 53-year-old Nia Long as Michael Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller, 37, plays John Branca, the artist's longtime attorney and advisor. And Larenz Tate, 48, will appear as Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, while 34-year-old Laura Harrier plays Suzanne de Passe, a pioneering female music executive. Kat Graham, 35, portrays Diana Ross. The ensemble cast also includes 28-year-old Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as Gladys Knight, 54-year-old Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark, KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, and 36-year-old Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones. Michael and Quincy Jones famously collaborated on the albums Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987.)
