Spotlight

Published April 16, 2022

The Weeknd might drop his last name!

The Weeknd teased his fans that he’s got new names on his mind, sharing on social media that he might drop his last name like Kanye West did and simply go by Abel.

The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, teased on Twitter that he might “pull a YE” and legally drop his last name to only go by ‘Abel’.

He wrote, “maybe pull a YE and just legally change my name to Abel. No last name. Like Madonna or Cher or Prince. I don’t know it seems like a lot.”

For context, “pulling a Ye” refers to Kanye West’s name change. In October 2021, a judge approved Kanye West’s request to alter his legal name from Kanye Omari West to simply Ye.

Harry Styles releases first single off upcoming album

Harry Styles released the first single and music video from his upcoming third studio album, Harry’s House. The music video for “As It Was” features Styles, clad in a glittery red jumpsuit, on a rotating platform.

Styles announced the single a few days after he confirmed that his third album, Harry’s House, was on its way. The album, scheduled to drop May 20, will have 13 tracks, more than either of his previous two full-length projects. It is Styles’ first album in more than two years. The singer last released the album Fine Line in December 2019.

Before Harry’s House arrives, Styles will be performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival alongside fellow headliners Kanye West and Billie Eilish.

Michael Jackson musical to launch national tour in 2023

The new, splashy Broadway musical about Michael Jackson is going to moonwalk across America next year.

“MJ,” packed with dozens of songas by the King of Pop and others, plans to hit 17 major cities over two years starting in 2023. It kicks off in Chicago at the James M. Nederlander Theatre on July 15, 2023.

“We are thrilled by the Broadway response to ‘MJ,’ and that we are already deep in preparations to bring this exhilarating show to Chicago and across the United States,” said producer Lia Vollack in a statement.

The musical has most of Jackson’s and the Jackson 5’s big hits, including “ABC,” “Black or White,” “Blame it on the Boogie,” “Bad,” “Billie Jean,” “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “I’ll Be There.” The framing technique for the bio is a fictional MTV film crew that has gotten access to capture Jackson’s 1992 “Dangerous” tour prep.

Jackson melts back in time to explain his career and approach, showing a perfectionist edge. It is the work of playwright Lynn Nottage and director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon.

The musical has been approved by the Michael Jackson estate; Jackson died in 2009.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 16th, 2022

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