Entertainment
NFL Players Follow Musical Passion To Create Songs Featured On Madden 24 Video Game
SANTA MONICA, Calif. Terron Armstead, a Miami Dolphins tackle, set aside his musical ambitions when he was chosen into the NFL over a decade ago.
Many other professional football players followed suit. However, three industry titans — the NFL, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, and Electronic Arts Sports — have joined forces to enable players to fulfill their musical ambitions.
The result is an extended play project called “Crowd Control,” which will be released on Tuesday. The six tracks were also featured in Madden NFL 24, published last month. It’s the first time music composed by NFL players has appeared in the 35-year-old video game franchise.
“I only knew the stigma of ‘ shut up and play’ and ‘do your day job,'” Armstead, a four-time Pro Bowler, explained. “I took a break from music in the early years of my career.” It was a void because music was a means for me to express myself. It has been fantastic for us that they have created this possibility. This has pushed and encouraged men to be themselves.”
On “Crowd Control,” Armstead is one of five active players, including New York Giants tight end Darren Waller, San Francisco out Ray-Ray McCloud, free agency linebacker Melvin Ingram, and Carolina Panthers receiver D.J. Chark Jr.
“People can’t put us in a box,” Waller, whose great-grandfather was jazz icon Thomas “Fats” Waller, remarked. The Pro Bowler has already published four hip-hop albums, showcasing his rapper, producer, and writer abilities.
Terron Armstead, a Miami Dolphins tackle, set aside his musical ambitions when he was chosen into the NFL over a decade ago.
“Hopefully, this opens up a lot of lanes for many guys who want to pursue their passion,” he added. “This could be a good opportunity.” It could start a fire that has not yet been sparked.
The rap recordings were produced at Interscope Records’ vast offices in Santa Monica, California, among hip-hop artists such as Rob49, Jay Rock, That Mexican OT, and Lebra Jolie. Derrick Milano, a Grammy winner who has collaborated with superstars such as Justin Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, and Nicki Minaj, executive produced the project.
“These dudes can rap,” said Bas, a Grammy-nominated rapper who assisted the players during their recording sessions. “It’s very unjust to label somebody. People look at large NFL players and say, ‘Do your one job, tackle somebody or run that route.’ However, being creative is an important element of living a healthy life. I understand these guys have busy schedules with OTAs and camp. They are not on vacation, thus they must put in the effort. They’re working hard to improve their craft. It’s inspiring to witness.”
Many songs on “Crowd Control” were conceived during a songwriting session this summer at Interscope, when NFL players collaborated with producers and musicians.
“It’s a nurturing space,” said David Nieman, Interscope’s senior vice president of sports and gaming, who collaborated with E.A. Sports to curate the Madden NFL 22 soundtrack, the game’s first-ever album release. “When you hear about an athlete wanting to enter the music industry, there isn’t a guard up.” Our artists are not taking to the field. We’re bringing them into our sphere, showing them what we do well, and attempting to provide them with some tools.”
The initiative came to fruition after an NFL Career Tour stop was held at Interscope’s headquarters earlier this year. The day-long workshop included music industry professionals, interactive listening sessions, and roughly 20 players interested in the music business – from marketing to producing to signing talent.
The result is an extended play project called “Crowd Control,” which will be released on Tuesday. The six tracks were also featured in Madden NFL 24.
“It’s really important that these guys have a chance to gain exposure to different industries and explore their gifts and talents that could go beyond the field while they’re playing,” said Ashley Smith, the NFL’s player development manager. She directs league programs and initiatives that provide resources to current and former players while also assisting them in preparing for life after football.
Smith, whose brother Trey Smith is a Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, is familiar with athletes’ post-career struggles.
“When we speak with former players, who we call NFL legends,” she says, “they often talk about the difficulty of the transition.” “Regardless, even if a guy comes prepared for that, it’s still a bit of a loss of identity.” Our role is to assist them. Whether you’re retiring from the league or in your 30s, there’s still time to grow and discover who you are as a football player and a man and businessman.”
Smith expressed optimism about expanding into other industries, such as technology and fashion.
“We want the guys to feel like the league cares,” she explained. “We want to do everything we can to ensure they are educated, prepared, and given the necessary tools.” We want them to form relationships that will help them advance in their careers and their lives.”
McCloud described the program as a “significant step” in the right direction. He stated that the recording sessions gave him more confidence.
“A lot of times, athletes get a certain type of stereotype,” said McCloud, who has run his Legend Tribe production company since he was 17. “We have to stick to a specific narrative. We need a second passion in case football ends one day. We want to pursue our goals. My earliest dream of playing in the NFL has come true. However, doing other things that you enjoy and fill your spirit produces a different type of pleasure.”
SOURCE – (AP)
(VOR News) – The “Merc with a Mouth” will return to the big screen in Deadpool & Wolverine this weekend, and his contribution to Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe extends beyond his R rating.
“Deadpool & Wolverine,” the third standalone feature film featuring Ryan Reynolds as the regenerative reprobate, is expected to gross between $160 million and $180 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office.
The movie has already surpassed the greatest number of ticket pre-sales in 2024, according to data provided by Fandango. It is anticipated that it will break numerous records during its opening weekend.
Most noteworthy among these accomplishments is the most successful premiere for an R-rated film in history, as well as the largest domestic opening of 2024.
Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” has achieved the highest opening of the year with a total of $154.2 million, as per the data provided by Comscore.
Additionally, the first “Deadpool” film has achieved the highest début for any R-rated feature film with a total of $132.4 million.
Mike Bowers, the president and CEO of Harkins Theatres, a theatre corporation located in Arizona, stated, “I am confident that this will be the largest R-rated film to ever be released if it is released.” Furthermore, it is already one of the most successful presale films in the annals of our company.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” was initially rated R because of its trailer.
It is also the 34th Deadpool & Wolverine film to be released under the Marvel Cinematic Universe banner. The two Deadpool films that preceded it, both of which were rated R, were produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox.
The reintroduction of the X-Men and Fantastic Four into the broader Marvel catalogue was the consequence of Disney’s acquisition of the corporation in 2019.
Similar to other Marvel Cinematic Universe films, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is benefiting from the enthusiasm of its audience.
Audiences are anxious to view the film during its opening weekend in order to prevent spoilers. Disney has maintained the confidentiality of the majority of the film’s content, and only a limited number of press screenings have been conducted prior to the film’s release.
Bowers anticipates that individuals will continue to return for additional viewings in the weeks following the film’s premiere.
He made the observation that “this is a film that there is so much happening, so many jokes and funny sequences that no one is going to be able to eat just one, you know, they’re going to be back.”
Ellis Jacob, the president and chief executive officer of Cineplex, the largest cinema theatre operator in Canada, echoed Bower’s viewpoint. Jacob asserted that “Deadpool & Wolverine” is replete with Easter eggs and that viewers will revisit the film to attempt to locate them all.
Furthermore, he stated that a substantial number of moviegoers are purchasing tickets for premium screenings, such as IMAX, Dolby, and ScreenX, which are more expensive.
Additionally, Marvel has collaborated with movie theatres to grant licenses for items such as collector popcorn tubs and drink containers, which the theatre operators anticipate will be in high demand.
Historically, concessions have been the most profitable revenue source for movie theatres, and the presence of limited-edition products can result in even greater sales of food and beverages.
” Deadpool & Wolverine” is an essential Marvel release.
Shawn Robbins, Deadpool & Wolverine the inventor and owner of Box Office Theory, announced that Disney had “slowed down the pace” and had scheduled fewer films in the series that has dominated the global box office for over a decade. Box Office Theory is also associated with Robbins.
He stated that Disney is making an effort to correct the course after a series of theatrical errors and poor box office performance, as well as a flood of streaming content that overwhelmed even the most devoted fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Robbins pointed out that “in the end, despite the fact that this is a Marvel movie, it may be viewed equally as a midsummer action comedy that stars personalities and brands that are loved by both die-hard fans and casual viewers.”
The fact that Reynolds and Jackman have both made a name for themselves in Deadpool & Wolverine popular culture and have maintained a cordial relationship through interviews and social media makes them an ideal pairing.
Likewise, there is genuine curiosity regarding the first R-rated film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and whether it will retain the qualities that made the first two Deadpool films and [Jackman’s 2017 Wolverine film] Logan so successful.
SOURCE: CNBC
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Turner Sports hopes to continue its long-standing relationship with the NBA.
On Monday, Warner Bros. Discovery informed the league that it will match Amazon Prime Video’s $1.8 billion annual bid. Turner has had an NBA package since 1984, and games have been broadcast on TNT since the network started in 1988.
“We studied the offers and accepted one of them. This will allow fans to continue to experience our unequaled coverage, including the greatest live game productions in the business and our legendary studio shows and talent, as we build on our proven 40-year commitment for many more years,” WBD stated. “We submitted our matching paperwork to the league today.” We are looking forward to the NBA completing our new contract.”
Warner Bros. Discovery Informs NBA It Will Match Amazon Prime Video’s Offer To Carry Games
The NBA Board of Governors approved the league’s 11-year media rights deals with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday at its meeting in Las Vegas. WBD received all three contracts on Wednesday, beginning the five-day clock for deciding whether to match.
The new deals, for $76 billion, will begin with the 2025-26 season and entail a game being shown or streamed nationally every night during the second half of the season.
The Prime Video package would have offered games on Thursday night after it finished carrying NFL games. The other nights were Friday and Saturday.
TNT would air games on Thursday, with the other nights being streamed on Max.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav warned at an RBC Investor Conference in November 2022 that Turner and WBD “don’t have to have the NBA.”
Warner Bros. Discovery and the league could not negotiate an agreement during their exclusive bargaining period, which ended in April. Zaslav and TNT Sports Chairman/CEO Luis Silberwasser have recently announced that they intend to match one of the agreements.
“During our four-decade collaboration with the NBA, we have consistently provided exceptional coverage for basketball fans. WBD stated that they behaved in good faith to offer strong proposals that were fair to both parties throughout exclusive and non-exclusive negotiations to maintain their long-standing collaboration. “Regrettably, the league notified us of its intention to accept other offers for the games in our current rights package, leaving us to proceed under the matching rights provision, which is an integral part of our current agreement and the rights we have paid for under it.”
NBC and WBD would alternate broadcasting one of the conference finals series. ESPN and ABC will continue to broadcast the league’s top package and will host conference finals and the NBA Finals each year.
According to people familiar with the negotiations, Amazon’s offer contained a mechanism for paying many years in advance into an escrow account, which many thought would be difficult to match. However, WBD has informed the league that it has the financial resources to do so.
“The Ringer’s” Bill Simmons originally mentioned the Amazon provision on “The Town” podcast.
People talked to the AP anonymously because they were not at liberty to discuss such serious topics.
Warner Bros. Discovery Informs NBA It Will Match Amazon Prime Video’s Offer To Carry Games
WBD pays $1.4 billion per season under the existing nine-year contract, which expires after next season.
WBD is making a large financial investment, but it is necessary. Without the NBA, it would have struggled to charge its present subscriber fees to cable and satellite companies.
Retaining the NBA would also ensure that the popular “Inside the NBA” show will continue. Charles Barkley was dismissive of WBD’s negotiation position and did not believe it would match. Barkley revealed at the end of this season that he planned to retire following the next season.
SOURCE – (AP)
Celebrity
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
BERLIN — An American man who made threats against Taylor Swift on social media was seized before her first concert in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and will be held in custody until her gigs there end, authorities said Thursday.
swift | AP news Image
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
According to police, the accused stalker, a 34-year-old whose name has not been disclosed, had a ticket to Taylor’s concert at Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins-Arena on Wednesday. They stated that he was detained at event admission checks because an early assessment could not completely rule out a risk.
According to police, the man threatened Taylor and her partner on social media. They say he was detained after receiving tips from the event’s organizers.
The American superstar will perform in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as part of her Eras tour. According to authorities, a local court has ordered that the suspected stalker be detained until Saturday.
They went on to say that Swift and the audience were always safe. The event drew approximately 60,000 people on Wednesday evening and went off without incident.
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
Before the concerts, Gelsenkirchen temporarily renamed the town “Swiftkirchen” and honored the singer on a “Walk of Fame” dedicated to local luminaries.
Taylor has plans to perform in two more German cities after Gelsenkirchen: Hamburg and Munich.
SOURCE | AP
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