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Issa Rae and will.i.am are among the bold names set to share their expertise and insights at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

HarbourView Equity Partners, an investment firm focused on opportunities in the music, sports, media and entertainment sectors, is convening them and other creators and entrepreneurs for a three-day program of curated conversations running June 17-19, that it says will focus on “business, culture, and connection.”

Music star will.i.am is the founder and CEO of Fyi.AI, the company behind the Fyi app, which describes itself as “the first productivity tool designed to serve creatives first. He will appear in the “Shifter(s) Series” event, produced by Winston Baker and The Shift Studios.

Actress, writer, and producer Rae is attending as co-founder of ColorCreative, the management and production company she co-founded with Deniese Davis and Talitha Watkins. ColorCreative’s mission is “to empower...

Sean Penn and Ann Lee, co-founders of Core, and John Legend will be honored at the second annual Social Impact Summit in partnership with the Social Impact Fund, set for on July 24.

The event, co-hosted by the Social Impact Fund and The Hollywood Reporter, aims to inspire accessible and impactful philanthropy by breaking down barriers to meaningful change.

This half-day summit will bring together more than 500 culture makers, production companies, talent agencies and notable figures from the entertainment and creative industries and beyond. The program will explore the dynamic evolution of philanthropy, emerging trends with charitable giving and navigating challenges to make impact possible.

Penn and Lee will be honored for their work with Core, or Community Organized Relief Effort, as Philanthropic Organization of the Year. Lee serves as CEO of the global humanitarian response organization, which is dedicated to empowering underserved communities in and beyond crisis. The organization’s...

Shakira was scheduled to take the stage at Boston’s Fenway Park today as part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour. Leading up to the show, she shared Instagram Story posts expressing her excitement and teasing appearances from Will.i.am and Wyclef Jean. But hours before doors opened for the show, Live Nation announced that the event had been canceled. The Jason Aldean and Brooks & Dunn concert scheduled at the same venue on May 30 has also been canceled.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Shakira and Jason Aldean and Brooks & Dunn...

John Legend says it is “sad, sometimes shocking” to look now at his former collaborator Kanye West, who played an instrumental role in Legend’s musical breakthrough 20 years ago.

The pair worked together on Legend’s breakthrough album Get Lifted, with West handling the executive production as well as co-producing the album alongside Dave Tozer, will.i.am and Devo Springsteen. Legend was signed to West’s Good Music label, and the latter also appeared on the album, which went on to sell three million copies, win three Grammy Awards and make Legend’s name as an artist.

West was already a star himself with his hit album The College Dropout. 20 years later, Legend has described West during that fertile creative period as “passionate, gifted and had big dreams for himself and the people around him.”

Legend told The Times of London: “He had so much optimism, so much creativity. It does feel sad,...

It was November 2023 when Lady Gaga and Will.i.am were spotted mysteriously leaving a restaurant with giant folders in their hands. A PopCrave tweet reported the occasion to be a “four-hour dinner,” and the pair of musicians were photographed leaving separately. At the time, fans — hungry for new music from Gaga — speculated that maybe something was in the works.

In a new interview with Rolling Stone about the album, Gaga finally addressed the encounter with her Black Eyed Peas friend.

“We were just hanging out!” Gaga says coyly.

What were in those folders?...

The Rookiestar Eric Winter breaks down the gritty details surrounding a fan-favorite couple's heartbreaking split.

Speaking to TV Insider, Winter discussed the season defining breakup between his character, Sergeant Tim Bradford, and Melissa O'Neil's Officer Lucy Chen. "They never broke up because they stopped loving each other. They broke up because Tim didn’t feel he was good enough for her," Winter explained. "And I think that’s what the fans have to understand."

Related'i Don't Know if They'll Want Me': Former Doctor Who Showrunner Talks Possible Return

A fan-favorite Doctor Who writer and showrunner opens up about the possibility of returning to take over the series once again.

"As a little time has passed, the wound is still there, but it’s healing. There’s a scab for Lucy. She’s trying to make amends with the situation the best she can," Winter added. "Tim and Lucy find...

Black Eyed Peas have canceled their upcoming residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino’s Ph Live in Las Vegas. The band, whose concerts were set to kick off on Feb. 15, offered a vague explanation, citing “current circumstances” as the reason.

“To our dearest Peabodies,” the group wrote in an Instagram Story. “It is with a heavy heart that, in light of current circumstances, our Las Vegas shows will not be moving forward as planned. Ticket providers will issue full refunds automatically. Stay tuned for updates on future performances by following...

Where is the love? The Black Eyed Peas aren’t gonna get it started in Las Vegas next month.

The group has canceled its 15-show residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino’s Ph Live that was set to launch February 15. The reason? “Current circumstances.”

“To our dearest Peabodies,” the trio of will.i.am, Apl.de.Ap and Taboo wrote Sunday on Instagram. “It is with a heavy heart that, in light of current circumstances, our Las Vegas shows will not be moving forward as planned. Ticket providers will issue full refunds automatically. Stay tuned for updates on future performances by following us — we can’t wait to see you again.”

Called Black Eyed Peas: 3008 The Las Vegas Experience, the residency at the 7,000-seat hall was slated to run in three five-show segments through May: February 15-16 ,19 and 21-22; March 21-22, 26 and 28-29 and May 24-25, 28 and 30-31.

“Our first...

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Of all the new products and innovations unveiled at CES 2025, one of the buzziest — and indeed, loudest — launches came from will.i.am, who partnered with electronics giant LG on a new line of speakers and earbuds.

Dubbed the “xboom by will.i.am” collection, the new drop was introduced at LG’s official press conference at CES, which was followed by a party at Fontainebleau Las Vegas’ Liv Nightclub,...

As Southern California attempts to recover from last week’s wildfires, the Annenberg Foundation and I Am Angel are hosting a virtual benefit.

Will.i.am, DJ Derrick ‘D-Nice’ Jones, DJ Hed, Etienne Maurice and other special guests will appear in the ‘L.A. Check In’, streaming live on Instagram and YouTube on Thursday at 6pm from Fyi Studios.

Fashioned after Jones’ Covid-era ‘Club Quarantine‘, the benefit aims to provide inspiration and support for people devastated by wildfires while spotlighting the organizations that are on the front lines helping.

Meanwhile, stars like Paris Hilton, Milo Ventimiglia, Adam Brody, Leighton Meester and Billy Crystal have lost their homes in the wildfires, which broke out in the Pacific Palisades, Eaton Canyon, Malibu, the Hollywood Hills and other areas around Los Angeles County amid a “life-threatening and destructive” windstorm that picked up last week.

As of Wednesday, at least 25 people have died in the Southern California wildfires.

Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from The Rookie season 7, episode 2, "The Watcher."

The Rookie season 7 got off to a semi-decent start during its premiere, but luckily its second episode shows improvement, suggesting it will only get better as time passes. Alexi Hawley's police procedural drama has come a long way since its first season. Whereas Nathan Fillion's John Nolan was one of the first-year police officers at the show's beginning, he is now one of the training officers teaching new rookies. However, even as a To, Nolan is still very much learning.

The Rookie follows John Nolan, a small-town man who embarks on a new career as an LAPD officer after a life-changing event. As the force's oldest rookie, Nolan faces skepticism from superiors who view his pursuit as a midlife crisis.

Release Date October 16, 2018Rating TV-14Genres Drama, Comedy, CrimeNetwork ABCCast Melissa O'Neil, Brennan Keel Cook,...

Palisades Charter High School, which boasts a lineup of A-List alumni and has been the locale of several TV and film projects, has been significantly damaged by the Palisades Fire that sprung up Jan. 7 and has ballooned to over 23,000 acres since.

In a statement posted by the school to Facebook, many places on the sprawling campus were not visibly damaged by the blaze, including most classroom buildings and gyms, as well as the baseball field, stadium, aquatic center and lush quad. However, a “significant portion,” estimated at 40% has been either “damaged or destroyed.”

The famed campus has been home to such sets as 1976’s Stephen King adaptation Carrie, with Sissy Spacek, as well as the Lindsay Lohan body-swap comedy Freaky Friday, which filmed all of its classroom scenes at the school. More recently, MTV’s Teen Wolf, the 2010s supernatural YA series starring Dylan O’Brien and Tyler Posey, shot its...

Quick Links A Life and Death Decision and a Moment’s Hesitation in 'The Rookie' The New Recruits in 'The Rookie' Season 7 and a Nuclear Decision

Season 7 of The Rookie premiered on ABC. After a Season 6 finale that found the station in a mess of corruption and a covert mission that ended in gunfire, consequences and uneasy decisions are the name of the day. New rookies are put under pressure as a nuclear weapon threatens to upend everything. And John’s response in the aftermath of his shooting may prove fatal.

In the Season 7 premiere of The Rookie, John (Nathan Fillion) assures everyone that he is okay. His shooting while trying to capture Monica Stevens has left little in the way of physical damage. However, it becomes clear early on that John is still dealing with some lingering issues. A new set of rookies prove to be problematic.

The Palisades Fire has engulfed Palisades Charter High School, a school that has long been a popular location for Hollywood productions.

NBC Los Angeles reported on Tuesday night that the fire spread through several structures at the Pchs campus, and had all but destroyed the adjacent Theater Palisades.

Earlier in the day, Pchs posted a note on its website that the school was closed due to the Palisades Fire.

As the fires continued to rage, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, and nearly 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate.

Pchs is a popular location for Hollywood productions. The school has featured prominently in films, most notably Brian De Palma’s 1976 horror classic Carrie, where it was dubbed Bates High School in the movie. The school also featured heavily in Danny Steinmann’s 1984 teen vigilante movie Savage Streets, the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday, the Teen Wolf TV series,...

Though she currently serves as the vice president of the United States of America, Kamala Harris found her fame boosting to extraordinary heights after she was endorsed by Joe Biden to be the next major candidate for president in the now-over presidential elections 2024 from the Democratic Party. That said, she received backing from major artists as well.

Kamala Harris. | Credits: The United States Senate – Office of Senator Kamala Harris/Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons.

One of these artists included the 49-year-old American musician Will.i.am aka William James Adams Jr., among multiple others. Especially in light of the 60th quadrennial U.S. presidential elections, the widely acclaimed frontman of the musical group Black Eyed Peas released the perfect rap song Yes She Can, which had him standing in support of and endorsing Harris.

Released a few days prior to the elections being held, the song’s melodies coupled with its outstanding lyrics...

Lady Gaga fans who were wondering what song she would pull out for Kamala Harris’ final rally in Philadelphia Monday night got a song arguably even more glorious than “Edge of Glory” — Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” — to preface the candidate’s speech. But she didn’t let down those who wanted to hear her own inspirational anthem, returning after Harris’ climactic speech to indeed belt out “Edge of Glory” as the clock struck 12 and election day officially arrived.

“For more than half of this country’s life, women didn’t have a voice,” Gaga said in introducing “God Bless America” while sitting at the piano. The singer spoke of women during that time who “raised children. We held our families together. We supported men as they made the decisions. But tomorrow, women will be a part of making this decision. Today I am holding in my heart all the tough,...

Updated, with Trump remarks: Kamala Harris predicted victory in Tuesday’s presidential election, but told a celebrity-filled, final 2024 campaign rally in Philadelphia this evening that “this could be one of the closest races in history.”

“Every single vote matters,” Harris said, reflecting the sense of cautious optimism of her campaign.

Speaking from the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Harris noted that the location was a “tribute to those who start as the underdog and climb to victory.”

Lady Gaga at Kamala Harris’ final 2024 rally

An estimated 30,000 were at the rally, which featured a performance by Ricky Martin, among others, as well as a brief appearance by Lady Gaga, who sang God Bless America, and later, The Edge of Glory.

“Tomorrow, women will be a part of making this decision,” Gaga said. “Today, I am holding in my heart all the tough, tenacious women who made me who I am.

The stars are doing one final push for Kamala Harris.

Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, DJ Cassidy, Fat Joe, Ricky Martin and The Roots are among an A-list lineup for Harris’ Philadelphia concert and rally set for Monday night, the eve of 2024 Election Day.

Freeway, Just Blaze, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jazmine Sullivan and Adam Blackstone have also been tapped to mobilize voters for a final get-out-the-vote event, which will kick of 5 p.m. local time and go until 9 p.m. DJ Jazzy Jeff, Fat Joe and Winfrey are speakers.

The Philadelphia event will take place at the bottom of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s steps along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. For weeks in the lead-up, the campaign had been promoting a get-out-the-vote rally and concert with a “surprise musical guest” to be scheduled for the last week before the election.

“It’s time to get ready to vote — I’ll see you guys in Pennsylvania,...

Will.i.am has released a new single, “Yes She Can,” to show his support for Kamala Harris.

The Black Eyed Peas frontman shared the short acoustic song alongside a music video that includes footage of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and protestors standing up for Roe v. Wade. It also depicts citizens casting their votes.

“Mama, what’s wrong with America?/ Why can’t we get along in America?/ Something’s going on in America/ People entertained by the predator,” the rapper intones as the song opens. “We all immigrants different characters/ But together,...

More than 15 years after his pro-Obama anthem ‘Yes We Can’, Will.i.am has updated the track in support of Kamala Harris.

On Sunday, the 7x Grammy winner officially endorsed the vice president and Democratic nominee with the music video for his new single ‘Yes She Can‘, encouraging fans to get to the polls on Election Day.

“Witness the power of community and unity as we come together with ‘Yes She Can’,” the artist wrote with the video. “This is a heartfelt anthem celebrating Kamala Harris and the power of every people… With Election Day just around the corner, I wanted to score the movement, and create a call to action, and a promise of what we can achieve together.”

The video features footage of Jan. 6 Capitol riots and protests of the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, along with a line of people in voting booths.

“Mama, what’s wrong with America?...

NBA All-Star Anthony Davis has set an executive team for his new project Jakm3n Productions. Davis will continue to serve as the company’s CEO while producer Arik Burks will be COO and Keith Chamberlain, who manages logistics at the Los Angeles Lakers, will be Cao. The production company said its goal was to “create a platform for change by embracing diversity, championing meaningful stories, and giving back to the community, making a positive impact both on and off the screen.”

“We have an incredible team at Jakm3n,” said Davis. “Arik and Keith bring a wealth of experience and a shared passion for our mission. Together, we’re building a company that values creativity, authenticity, and social responsibility.”

Most recently, Jakm3n has co-financed and produced with Toonz Media Group the new animated film “Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk,” directed by Tara Whitaker and John D. Eraklis. The film reads “Different...

NBA All-Star Anthony Davis’ Jakm3n Productions has named its executive team, with Arik Burks and Keith Chamberlain boarding as COO and Cao respectively.

Jakm3n Productions is a multifaceted production company that finances, produces and develops projects across several mediums. Davis is a 9x NBA All-Star, who began his basketball career with the New Orleans Pelicans and currently plays on the Los Angeles Lakers. He is CEO of Jakm3n.

Jakm3n has come on to co-finance and co-produce, alongside Toonz Media Group, the animated feature Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk from directors Tara Whitaker and John D. Eraklis and written/created by Ciaran Crampton. Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk follows the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery, as he learns that being different isn’t a weakness, but a superpower. With the help of his loyal, oddball animal friends, Pierre finds the courage to speak up, break tradition, and change his world for the better.

Fox News is planning a barrage of high tech features for its election night coverage, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

With tens of millions of people tuning in for election coverage on Nov. 5, every network is pulling out all the stops when it comes to technology, and figuring out creative ways to display data, close races, and other returns on election day.

Fox News, which is the most-watched cable news channel in the country by a wide margin, is no exception. Its election coverage will be led by anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum in New York, who will hold fort in Studio M, Fox’s massive studio set within its headquarters.

Among the enhancements is an even more tech-infused “Bill”-board, the interactive segment with Bill Hemmer digging into exit polls and voting results. By now every cable news channel has an anchor or correspondent with a touchscreen of...

On Saturday night The Voice UK enters the Callbacks round. In this episode, the teams of Tom Jones, Will.i.am, LeAnn Rimes, and Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones face the challenging task of narrowing down their acts. Joining the coaches are guest mentors Hannah Waddingham, Perrie Edwards, and Griff, who lend their expertise to help select […]

The Voice UK: The Blind Auditions 7 / The Callbacks...

October is Adhd Awareness Month, a time to celebrate neurodiversity, remove stigmas, and share success stories. Adhd Wise Squirrels, a popular podcast dedicated to late-diagnosed adults with Adhd, is celebrating with over 50,000 downloads and counting. Since its launch, the acclaimed podcast has been a valuable resource for adults with Adhd, offering insights, support, and community.

“This is my most popular podcast since my first podcast, Two Boobs and a Baby, back in 2005.” Says host Dave Delaney. He jokes, “Had I been diagnosed and treated for my Adhd back then, I would have stuck with one podcast and would now be found kicking back on a mountaintop with Joe Rogan, Marc Maron, and Tim Ferriss. But that’s okay because Adhd Wise Squirrels is the most important show I’ve created in nearly twenty years of podcasting.”

Adhd Wise Squirrels' mission is to remove stigmas and provide resources for late-diagnosed adults with Adhd.

The Voice UK continues its search for the nation’s top vocal talent with the fifth round of blind auditions. On Saturday, 28 September 2024, at 8:30 pm, join host Emma Willis as she presents another episode of the singing competition. The coaches, Tom Jones, Will.i.am, LeAnn Rimes, and Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, will be […]

The Voice UK: The Blind Auditions 5...

Runway, the generative AI company that recently inked a first-of-its-kind deal with Lionsgate, will dole out grants of up to $1 million to filmmakers working on AI-powered projects.

Runway is launching The Hundred Film Fund, an initiative to help produce and fund as many as 100 short films and feature-length movies that use generative AI technology to tell their stories.

The funding grants will range from $5,000 to $1 million and decisions on applications will typically be made within 14 days of submission, according to Runway. The company also is offering up to $2 million in credits to use Runway’s gen-ai system. Interested filmmakers can submit applications at this link.

To evaluate pitches for the fund, Runway has assembled an advisory panel of tech and entertainment leaders. Initial advisors are: Jane Rosenthal, film producer and co-founder of Tribeca Festival; Richard Kerris, VP, Gm of media and entertainment, Nvidia (which is an investor in Runway); artist,...

The Voice UK continues its search for the nation’s top vocal talent with the fourth round of blind auditions. On Saturday, 21 September 2024, at 8:30 pm, join host Emma Willis as she presents another exciting episode of the singing competition. The coaches, including Tom Jones, Will.i.am, LeAnn Rimes, and the duo of Tom Fletcher […]

The Voice UK: The Blind Auditions 4...

The Rookie has tons of fun-filled cold opens. The show prides itself on adding a bit of fun to the seriousness of cop shows. Even cops are people, and life is full of surprises and twists. Following the life of John Nolan, a middle-aged construction worker turned officer, The Rookie explores what it's like to be a new officer on duty at the Los Angeles Police Department, but not without adding a special spin.

While a few episodes have made an exception by picking up the story from previous episodes, most cold opens in the show incorporate hilarious incidents and clever twists that are meant to put a smile on viewers' faces. In fact, some of these cold opens are frequently visited by The Rookie fans. From the most famous garage band song in "Daddy Cop" to the one where Nolan and Harper get glitter bombed at a gender reveal party,...

The Voice UK returns with its energetic third round of blind auditions, as the coaches continue their quest to discover the nation’s top vocal talent. In this episode, airing on ITV1 on Saturday, 14 September 2024, at 8:30 pm, Emma Willis takes centre stage as our host, while Will.i.am, Tom Jones, LeAnn Rimes, and the […]

The Voice UK: The Blind Auditions 3...

Sérgio Mendes, the Brazilian bossa nova legend who became a Grammy-winning international star with his band Brasil ’66, has died at the age of 83.

The musician’s family confirmed he died September 5 in a statement they shared with Rolling Stone on Friday, adding that Mendes “passed away peacefully” in Los Angeles surrounded by his family.

“Mendes last performed in November 2023 to sold out and wildly enthusiastic houses in Paris, London and Barcelona. For the last several months, his health had been challenged by the effects of long-term Covid,” the family’s statement said.

On a new episode of “will.i.a.m Presents the Fyi Show” on The 10s Spot (Ch. 11), will.i.am revealed that his recent experience studying at Harvard Business School was not his first time on the Ivy League campus.

The Fyi ShowExplore the intersection of pop & techListen on the App

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When a fellow Harvard student invited him to party in the dorms, will.i.am said he told him, “No, no, bro. I’m studying in the dorm. And what you call partying is not my kind of party because I party for a living. And so I need to study so I can change the next version of how I’m gonna be living.”

He shared that he’s only performed at a few clubs during his time at Harvard — “and Harvard clubs are different from my touring clubs,” he added — which reminded him of...

LeAnn Rimes joined the cast of The Voice in two different countries. While Rimes struggled in her first stint in Australia, she seems to have found her groove in the UK version of the show. This was proven when she jumped up and ran onto the stage to perform with one of the contestants.

However, one of the best moments was when the contestant poked some fun at Rimes, causing all the coaches to start laughing. Here is what happened on The Voice.

The Voice Singer Shades LeAnn Rimes

The Voice UK just premiered its new season this past week. Three are four coaches for the new season. Will.i.am returns as the one coach who has been there since the show’s inception in 2012. Tom Jones is also back. He has been in every season except the fifth.

LeAnn Rimes on The Voice | YouTube

There are also two new judges...

The Voice UK returns for a new season, with host Emma Willis and coaches Tom Jones and Will.i.am, joined by American singer-songwriter LeAnn Rimes and McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, who will be sharing a double chair. The season premiere, airing on ITV1 on Saturday, 31 August 2024, at 8:00 Pm, kicks off with […]

The Voice UK: Season 2024, Episode 1...

On Saturday 31 August 2024, ITV broadcasts The Voice UK!

Season 13 Episode 1 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “The Voice UK” promises to be an exciting event for fans of the show. Emma Willis is back as the host, bringing her charm and energy to the stage. The reality talent show continues to showcase unsigned singers who are hoping to make their dreams come true. Contestants will compete for a recording contract, a significant cash prize, and a trip to Universal Resort in Orlando.

This season introduces a fresh coaching line-up that is sure to draw attention. Will.i.am and Sir Tom Jones return, bringing their experience and unique styles to the competition. Joining them are the talented LeAnn Rimes, known for her powerful voice and impressive career. In a first for “The Voice UK,” Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones from the band McFly will share a double chair, adding a fun twist to the coaching dynamic.

Lit agent Claire Lundberg came to the defense of the U.S. studios during a debate on the books-to-tv business here in Edinburgh this morning.

Lundberg, CEO and founder of Paris-based Ctl Scouting, said, “American studios get dinged for buying a lot and not making a whole lot,” but that this didn’t always reflect the reality.

Writers or preferred producers being unavailable, or debates with the work’s author are among the issues that can slow down development after an option, she said, adding: “It’s like pushing jello up a hill.”

Talking on a panel about literary IP here at the Edinburgh TV Festival this morning, Lundberg said that between “40-50%” of everything on television is adapted from existing IP, even with prices rising massively over recent years.

Hilary Strong, CEO of International Literary Properties, concurred, saying: “In a difficult market, having titles and authors does help to elevate a pitch.

On Tuesday The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon welcomes actor Adam Sandler, musician will.i.am, author Liz Moore, and comedian Julian McCullough to the show. Adam Sandler, known for his comedic roles, joins the show to discuss his upcoming Netflix projects. will.i.am is a musician, best known as a member of the Black Eyed Peas. U […]

The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon: Adam Sandler, will.i.am...

Tyler, The Creator isn’t one to hold his tongue — and he spoke his truth during an appearance on Mavericks with Maverick Carter. A trailer of the interview, featuring Tyler’s thoughts on meme rappers, went viral yesterday. But the full interview with Carter dropped today, and some of Tyler’s ire also went toward invasive fans. During the 26-minute conversation, Tyler slammed the “weirdo” fans who “sometimes” make him exhausted from the music-making process.

“These niggas get on my fuckin’ nerves, bro,” he laughingly tells Carter. “The internet’s crazy,...

It’s a gathering that will bring together CEOs and CMOs, owners of NFTs and MBAs, trading card and pin collectors and a healthy dose of social media creators, podcasters and influencers. VeeCon, which runs Aug. 9-11 in downtown Los Angeles, is at its core an expression of the multitudes contained by serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk.

“We want to be the coolest business conference,” Vaynerchuk told Variety. The event will highlight Vaynerchuk’s various businesses with a strong emphasis on his budding kids brand VeeFriends. It also hopes to buck the downtrend in the world of Web3, NFTs and disruptive digital technologies by growing the VeeFriends characters and storytelling eco-system through digital and video content.

“The world underestimates the sheer power and attention that sits on social media,” Vaynerchuk says. “A lot of people wish it wasn’t that way.”

Vaynerchuk’s VaynerWatt arm has teamed with “CocoMelon” producer Moonbug Entertainment...

The 2011 animated film which received an Oscar nomination at the 2012 Academy Awards is climbing up the charts of one of the world's most popular streaming services. Rio, which was written by Carlos Saldanha, Earl Richey Jones, Todd Jones, Don Rhymer, Joshua Sternin, Jennifer Ventimilia, and Sam Harper, is sitting firmly as the eighth-most popular movie streaming on Max. In addition to serving as a scribe, Saldanha also directed the film, which features an immensely stacked ensemble of Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, George Lopez, and Jamie Foxx. Rio follows two animals, Blu (Eisenberg) and Jewel (Hathaway) on a trip to Rio de Janeiro. Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes, Leslie Mann, and Will.i.am also star in Rio, which writer/director Saldanha also makes a small cameo.

La Seine Musicale in Paris was Usher’s musical home for nearly two weeks in 2023 as the musician completed a headlining residency in the City of Love. The career-spanning performance was captured for the concert film Usher: Rendezvous in Paris, set to be released in theaters internationally beginning Sept. 12.

The official trailer for the film is set to the sound of “Omg,” his chart-topping 2010 collabroation with Will.i.am. “City of Lights, I came here to find something drifting on a river I cannot control,” Usher says in the preview. The minute-long...

Will.I.am will be joined by a range of speakers including The Sidemen manager Jordan Schwarzenberger at the new “future-gazing” Frontiers strand of the Edinburgh TV Festival, Variety can confirm.

Also speaking are HaZ Dulull, Yammy, ShxtsNGigs, Ben Zand, Fitwaffle, Ash Holme, Elz the Witch, Wimbledom digital products lead Chris Clements and Cowshed Collective’s head of creative strategy Danny Lorimer.

The Frontiers strand, which is supported by Screen Scotland, aims to look at the future of the television industry as well as take inspiration from related industries including digital, games and brands.

Sessions will include panels such as “The Rise of the Telly-Verse: Where TV Meets Gaming,” “Digital Born, Bred and Booming” and “Back to the Future” Turning Old IP Into Digital Hits.”

Will.I.am will speak on AI and the future of creativity.

The lineup was selected by an advisory team made up of Channel 4 senior digital commissioning editor Laura Marks,...

Will.i.am created the i.am.home Fund to help prevent struggling families in the United States from losing their homes. He also created the i.am scholarship Fund to bring educational opportunities to young people in need of financial assistance.

Will.i.am teamed up with Rem’s Michael Stipe for a charity single to continue aid for Hurricane Katrina victims; proceeds benefit Mercy Corps. The CD, In the Sun, is available for purchase on iTunes.

In 2012, he donated £500,000 to The Prince's Trust, and has earmarked his salary from the UK’s “The Voice” to go to the organization.

Charities & foundations supported

will.i.am has supported the following charities:

Adobe FoundationApl.de.ap Foundation InternationalBoys & Girls Clubs of AmericaCity of HopeCommon Ground FoundationDeclare YourselfGRAMMY FoundationGreen For Alli.am.angel foundationi.am.home Fundi.am scholarship FundLeague of Conservation VotersMASSIVEGOODMercy CorpsMusic RisingPrince's TrustRed CrossRETHINK FabricsRobin HoodShriners Hospitals for ChildrenThe Black Eyed Peas Foundation Read more about will.

Prolific British scribe James Graham will ask “why television has a problem with the working classes” in the Edinburgh TV Festival MacTaggart lecture this year.

Graham, whose credits include Sherwood, Dear England, Brexit: The Uncivil War and Quiz, will deliver the 49th address in two months time, an agenda-setting speech that has been helmed down the years by the likes of Michaela Coel, Kevin Spacey and three Murdochs.

The British playwright and screenwriter will “explore why television has a problem with the working classes and how drama can shape the political agenda,” posing questions over how the push for greater representation can more confidently include social class and regionality.

Across a 20-year career, Graham’s oeuvre has repeatedly addressed these topics and recent works include a theater version of Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff and political thriller series The Way with Michael Sheen and Adam Curtis. He has...

Will.i.am, The Handmaid’s Tale producer Warren Littlefield and Clarkson’s Farm EP Andy Wilman will speak at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival.

Grammy-winning music artist and The Voice coach Will.i.am will be a headline speaker in a new Frontiers strand that will bring together the traditional TV sector with leaders from others, such as podcasting, tech and digital.

He will be in conversation with Dr Alex Connock, the TV-producer, Oxford University lecturer and AI expert. Will.i.am is the founder and CEO of Fyi, a Web 3.0 AI platform aimed at harnessing the technology for creative production. The pair will discuss the future of creativity and what role AI will play in content creation, distribution and audience engagement.

Littlefield, the former network chief who oversaw the creation of NBC’s ‘Must See TV’ era, will discuss his career on both sides of the commissioning line. After overseeing...

“For me, that song, when I listened to it, it was so inspiring and it was so cool and it was so good,” Enrique Iglesias told will.i.am about the Black Eyed Peas’ 2003 debut single, “Where Is the Love?”

A guest on “will.i.am Presents the Fyi Show” recorded live at the SiriusXM Miami Studios, Enrique said he still gets goosebumps thinking about that song and how he knew it was the “tipping point” for the group’s career similar to Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance.”

“I remember being at Interscope [Records] and begging to work with you in the studio,” Enrique added.

Enrique also talked about how he spent over a year writing his 2001 hit song “Hero,” but the label wanted a more uptempo lead single for the album — an experience will.i.am could relate to.

“I’ve been scarred, as far as like, you think, ‘This is it.

New transmedia company Iconic Arts launched Tuesday with $3.1 million in financing at a $20 million pre-seed valuation. The entertainment studio boasts support from screenwriter Eric Roth, Grammy winning artist Will.i.am and exec vets of Disney, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Jp Morgan.

Iconic Arts, which has opened offices in both Los Angeles and Tokyo, is founded by Steven Haddadian, Alec Roth, Matthew Medney, Mo Yazdani and Jack Sheehan.

Per Iconic Arts, “For the last year, the team has been developing an original slate of IP by using a unique workflow which combines talented creators with emerging technologies such as a set of proprietary AI-powered tools that help lower cost of development by up to 90%, while derisking negative audience sentiment. For example, one tool enables creators to materialize worlds for Ugc platforms such as Fortnite, Roblox or any multiplayer native environment with no code, while maintaining their art direction. These Ugc platforms serve...

Grammy Award-winning artist and Futurist will.i.am appeared on Roxanne Shante’s “Have A Nice Day” show on LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells Radio, revealing that Roxanne is one of his heroes. Listen to “Have A Nice Day” on the SiriusXM app and car radios on channel 43 with a subscription and free trial.

“This is surreal to me because I wanted to rap because of you and Biz,” will.i.am told Roxanne. “This is emotional for me right now, because you kept me safe when I was in the projects.”

“I appreciate that,” a humble Roxanne responded. “I love being your big sister, and keeping everyone safe. I love that I can take people back to a point in their childhoods when they can remember when it was like this and you did it like this, but I am also thankful that y’all are doing it like this!

Jarret Myer, Rich Antoniello and will.i.am have formed Uproxx Studios, after acquiring Uproxx, HipHopDX, Dime Magazine and other media assets from Warner Music Group.

The studio will also have the exclusive license to represent Warner Music Group’s YouTube inventory of stars for all media sales in the United States. Myer, co-founder of Uproxx Media, will serve as incoming CEO of the studio, while will.i.am will serve as chief visionary officer.

“We’re doubling down on growth,” Myer said. “Expect significant investments in our brands, team, and the experiences we offer – both creators and audiences alike.”

In his position, the company said will.i.am will bring “his star power, Futurism and tech expertise.” The company will also partner with software company Fyi to use AI technology and Fyi radio. Fyi’s AI-powered platform will have its own vertical within Uproxx Studios.

“Innovation is in our DNA,” will.

Just last year, many experts believed an AI model capable of generating complete, high-fidelity songs from text prompts wouldn’t arrive anytime soon, but now, an arms race is on between competing music-making models that do just that. Suno‘s v3 model, released to the public just weeks ago, was a remarkable breakthrough, particularly in realistic, human-sounding vocals — and today, a formidable new competitor arrives via the just-launched startup Udio. The two companies’ output seems closely comparable, though some early users have suggested that on average, Udio’s output may sound crisper than Suno’s,...