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MICHAEL JACKSON, the “King of Pop”, may not be alive but his music continues to live on.
The legendary music maker, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, recently made history as the first artiste from 20th Century Studios to have five music videos surpassing one billion views each on YouTube.
Jackson’s hit singles “Billie Jean” has 1,7 billion views, “They Don’t Care About Us” and “Beat It” have 1,1 billion views each while “Thriller” and “Smooth Criminal” have 1 billion views each.
To commemorate fans’ love for the iconic singer, toy figurine brand Funko has released a new collectable inspired by Jackson’s “Off the Wall” album.
There is also an exclusive “Billie Jean”-inspired collectable and a “Smooth Criminal” figurine available on Amazon.
As Jackson continues to break records, his status as a music legend only grows stronger, proving that the King of Pop’s reign is far from over.
Meanwhile, rapper Drake has been announced the most streamed artiste in United States history by Chart Data. — Wires
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Chris Brown, Drake sued for copyright infringement
As Mzansi fans eagerly anticipate Chris Brown’s upcoming performance, the R&B star finds himself embroiled in a new legal battle.
Despite their immense wealth and fame, A-list celebrities are not immune to legal troubles. In the latest drama, Chris Brown and Drake are facing a copyright infringement lawsuit over their 2019 hit “No Guidance”.
Just two years after a previous lawsuit regarding the song was dismissed, artistes Tykeiya Dore and Marc Stephens have filed a new suit against Brown, Drake and several other songwriters and music publishers.
They claim “No Guidance” infringes on their 2016 song “I Got It”.
The lawsuit seeks at least US$5 million in damages and also targets YouTube, Alphabet and Google for alleged defamation related to a YouTube takedown notice dispute.
The plaintiffs argue that “No Guidance” adopts a key lyric and chord progression from “I Got It”. They claim the defendants intentionally masked their use of “I Got It” by naming their track “No Guidance”, a title that does not appear in the chorus. — Wires
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King Monada surprises fans
South African musician King Monada surprised fans on November 1 by releasing a new album without any prior promotion.
In a traditional music industry, artistes typically build anticipation for album releases through extensive marketing campaigns. However, Monada broke this mould, opting for a more spontaneous approach.
He casually announced the album while showcasing his new car.
Fans were impressed by his confidence in his music and their unwavering support.
Titled “I Know What I’m Doing”, the album features up-and-coming Limpopo artistes Tribby Wadi Bhoza and Karishma The Vocalist.
By releasing the album a month before December, Monada has effectively kicked off the festive season, providing fans with new music to enjoy throughout the holiday period. — Wires
‘Game of Thrones’ movie in the works?
Warner Bros is reportedly developing a new “Game of Thrones” film, marking the franchise’s first venture into the cinematic realm.
While the project is still in its early stages, with no confirmed cast or director, it signals an exciting expansion of George R.R. Martin’s beloved fantasy universe.
The original TV series, which ran for eight seasons from 2011 to 2019, became a global phenomenon. It followed the intricate power struggles of noble families vying for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
The show, created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, was adapted from Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novel series.
It starred a talented ensemble cast, including Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage and Kit Harington.
Interestingly, Benioff and Weiss initially envisioned concluding the series with a trilogy of films. However, HBO opted for a traditional television series format.
In recent years, HBO has expanded the “Game of Thrones” universe with the prequel series “House of the Dragon”. Additionally, the network has plans for another prequel series, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”.
George R.R. Martin has acknowledged that recent leadership changes at Warner Bros Discovery have impacted the development of various “Game of Thrones” projects.
Meanwhile, the hype around “Unstoppable”, which stars Jennifer (JLo) Lopez and was produced by her ex-husband Ben Affleck, has intensified with the release of the trailer.
It dropped on October 30, amid continued speculation regarding the Hollywood superstar couple’s high-profile divorce.
According to documents, the “Jenny From the Block” singer filed the legal documents on August 20 at the L.A. County Superior Court, without an attorney.
The date of separation is listed as April 26, 2024, but the day JLo filed for divorce coincides with the second anniversary of their second ceremony in Georgia, which followed their initial wedding service in Las Vegas two months prior. — Wires
Online Reporter