Kelman Duran’s music has always been as mesmerizing as it is thoughtful. His electronic abstractions tend to be amoebic and malleable, blending into dembow, reggaeton, and Caribbean riddims that are often atmospheric and moody, saddled with emotion. It’s a sound that’s flourished in underground spaces across the globe and attracted fans in pretty much every corner of the world. But he’s not sure when it drew in Beyoncé . A couple of years ago, the Dominican producer and multidisciplinary artist got an email from one of the megastar’s A&R reps, asking if he had anything he wanted to share for Parkwood Entertainment, the management, production, and entertainment company Beyonce ́ founded. “I didn’t know what Parkwood was, and then I saw it was Beyoncé’s company. I had a feeling it was for The Lion King ,” Duran tells Rolling Stone , speaking on a Zoom call from Barcelona recently. He wasn’t sure if the music he had at the time fit what they were looking for. “Me being … [Read more...] about Kelman Duran Didn’t Expect To Be Part of Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’
Beyonce
Beyoncé Enlists Will.i.am, Honey Dijon for New ‘Break My Soul’ Remix EP
Beyoncé tapped Will.i.am , Honey Dijon , and more to remix her Renaissance single “Break My Soul” for a new EP. Beyoncé dropped the the four remixes digitally Tuesday night, Aug. 2. Along with Will.i.am and Honey Dijon, there are contributions from Chicago house great Terry Hunter and the multitalented DJ/producer/percussionist/singer Nita Aviance. On Twitter , Nita celebrated the new remix, writing, “anyone comin @ Beyonce for this moment not bein bout real house music, CATCH, they got ya girl involved! this one is for the queens, dancefloor divas & all the late-night revelers. see u at the club.” Honey Dijon — who also helped produce two Renaissance tracks, “Cozy” and “Alien Superstar” — previously spoke about getting to work with Beyoncé on her new album, writing, “Your elegance, beauty, talent, work ethic, and vision is truly inspirational. To share my Chicago house music roots and black queer and trans culture with you and the world is profound and … [Read more...] about Beyoncé Enlists Will.i.am, Honey Dijon for New ‘Break My Soul’ Remix EP
In Beyonce’s ‘Renaissance,’ Freedom Is in the Flesh
With her new album Renaissance , Beyoncé flung open the doors to a nightclub of her own making, a place where anyone can be the hottest person in the galaxy. Released last Friday, the album traverses eras of dance music to conjure the superhuman confidence and deeply human connection of a night out. The thematic triumph of the auteur’s seventh album is this union of the extraordinary and the earthly across it, a duality that lives on the dancefloors Renaissance was inspired by—and in all of us. You can hear it in the way God is someone you can meet on “Cuff It” and is someone you are on “Cozy.” It’s in the way Beyoncé simultaneously establishes her dominance and your uniqueness on “Alien Superstar.” Renaissance channels the energy and the conceit of the club into a demonstration of self-love. Beyoncé is at her most braggadocious here; she’s never sounded more like her own stan. “I’m one of one. I’m Number One. I’m the only one,” she quips on “Alien Superstar.” “You know … [Read more...] about In Beyonce’s ‘Renaissance,’ Freedom Is in the Flesh
Beyonce’s Dad Ordered to Pay Child Support
Beyonce 's father, Mathew Knowles , has just been ordered to support baby Nixon , at least temporarily ... TMZ has learned. An L.A. judge just ordered Knowles to pay $8,200 a month in child support, retroactive to February 1. Knowles must also pay 100% of uninsured medical costs. Alexsandra Wright claims she had an 18-month relationship with Knowles and he's the baby daddy of Nixon -- born February 4. Wright's lawyer, Neal Hersh , went to court today asking for support and the judge granted it. But Knowles will take a DNA test March 1 ... and the long-term support issues hinge on the outcome. It's interesting -- Knowles has not flat out denied he's the daddy. And in fact, he gave Alexsandra $10,000 in January to cover uninsured medical costs and baby stuff. UPDATE : The Judge ordered Knowles to pay Wright $20,750 for the month of January. More Mathew Knowles … [Read more...] about Beyonce’s Dad Ordered to Pay Child Support
Hackers Expose Jay-Z, Beyonce’s Financial Info
Add hackers to the list of Jay-Z ‘s 99 problems: the rapper, along with wife Beyoncé , was one of a bevy of stars whose financial records have been exposed and posted online. Britney Spears , Vice President Joe Biden , former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , Ashton Kutcher, Kim Kardashian , Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, and former presidential candidate Sarah Palin are among those who have been targeted by the website, which has an Internet suffix assigned to Russia. Some of the information posted includes Social Security numbers, which makes identity theft easily available for potential defrauders. The New Political Prisoners: Leakers, Hackers and Activists FBI Director Robert Mueller is also thought to have been targeted. According to the BBC , Los Angeles police are investigating how a police chief’s information ended up online, and they’ll investigate any postings regarding celebrities living in Los Angeles. The hackers’ website doesn’t attribute its … [Read more...] about Hackers Expose Jay-Z, Beyonce’s Financial Info
Beyonce Sings National Anthem LIVE — Suck It, Haters!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beyonce was on a mission today to PROVE she can sing the national anthem like a pro – belting out a LIVE version of "The Star-Spangled Banner” moments ago on TV … without the help of a backing track ... and she KILLED IT. Beyonce was at the news conference for her upcoming Super Bowl halftime show when she launched into the impromptu performance -- and when she finished the song, she simply said, “Any questions?” During the conference, Bey was asked about the lip-syncing situation at the Presidential Inauguration last week, and she admitted she used a backing track -- claiming, "I am a perfectionist ... I did not have time to rehearse with the orchestra [at the Inauguration]. It was a live television show and a very important moment for me." Beyonce added, "Due to the weather, due to the delay, due to no proper sound check, I did not feel comfortable taking the risk … so I decided to sing along with my pre-recorded track, which is very common in the music industry. … [Read more...] about Beyonce Sings National Anthem LIVE — Suck It, Haters!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NFL Defends Beyonce — She’s NOT a Pain in the Ass!
Beyonce Knowles is a frickin' saint ... and NOT the demanding, complaining Super Bowl Halftime diva that she's been made out to be in recent reports ... this according to the NFL. Beyonce has been under fire after reports surfaced saying she's been "difficult" towards the people putting together her Super Bowl Halftime performance ... making ridiculous requests including a demand that Blue Ivy's backstage nursery be kept at EXACTLY 26 degrees celsius. But Brian McCarthy, the NFL's Vice President of Communications, tells TMZ ... the reports are "pure pulp fiction" ... noting that Beyonce has been nothing short of a pleasure. "Beyonce and her team have been great to work with throughout this process," McCarthy says ... adding, "We have enjoyed her creativity, vision and spirit in putting on a great show that is truly a Super Bowl performance." … [Read more...] about NFL Defends Beyonce — She’s NOT a Pain in the Ass!
Steven Tyler — Beyonce Deserves a HOT PASS for Fake National Anthem
Beyonce could've done a sock puppet lip-sync of the " Star Spangled Banner " -- as far as Steven Tyler 's concerned -- as long as her smoking bod was in plain view at the Inauguration. Steven was outside the Viper Room, and when we asked about B's lip-syncing debacle he said ... "Beyonce's so hot she can do anything. Let's just get real." Aerosmith 's frontman didn't seem the least bit bent about the controversy, and even belted out ... "Whatever gets you through the night" ... LIVE, mind you. So, has Steven ever, y'know -- faked it? Check the clip and get the answer straight from those famous lips. … [Read more...] about Steven Tyler — Beyonce Deserves a HOT PASS for Fake National Anthem
Beyonce — I Don’t Fake It … When It Comes To Crawfish
You're Beyonce and you just faked your way through " The Star-Spangled Banner " in front of millions of people -- including the President -- what's your next move???? CHOWING DOWN ON CRAWFISH AND SWEET POTATO PIE!!!! After Bey "performed" at the Inauguration Monday, she and Jay-Z jetted down to New Orleans -- and the first thing they did that night ... was hit up the famous Mother's Restaurant. We're told B and J noshed on some serious comfort food ... crawfish etouffee, potato salad, double grits, french fries, catfish, and calamari ... PLUS sweet potato pie and bread pudding for dessert. Based on the menu, the meal set 'em back under $100 ... but we're told the two were "very sweet" and tipped "extremely well." So at least their $$$ was real. … [Read more...] about Beyonce — I Don’t Fake It … When It Comes To Crawfish
Beyonce on Lip Sync Scandal … ‘Can I Live?’
Beyonce is finally breaking her silence on the crazy lip-syncing controversy that broke earlier this week ... kind of ... by posting a picture of herself online with the message "Can I live?" Beyonce -- who has yet to address the allegations she faked her way through the National Anthem on Inauguration day -- posted the cryptic snapshot on Instagram Saturday night. Bey is seen wearing a sweatshirt -- while practicing for her upcoming Super Bowl gig -- which poses the question "Can I Live?" ... the title of a song by her husband, Jay-Z. It's clear from the pic ... either Beyonce is telling the world to back the heck off ... or she's just a totally supportive wife. So we gotta ask ... … [Read more...] about Beyonce on Lip Sync Scandal … ‘Can I Live?’