ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

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Music

Old vs new school The best rap album debate at Grammys LOS ANGELES, March 8, (AP): Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby have blazed the Billboard charts, but Grammy voters gave the young hip-hop stars the cold shoulder in the best rap album category, instead, surprisingly nominating the genre’s more matured voices like Nas and Jay Elec- tronica. Some were baffl ed by the academy’s decision to push through some lesser-known projects in the cat- egory instead of the popular chart-topping albums that have dominated streaming services with record num- bers. Several hip-hop artists weighed in and called out the Grammys, including Drake, Killer Mike and 50 Cent, who said the awards show is “out of touch.” In addition to Nas’ “King’s Disease” and Jay Electronica’s “A Written Testimony,” this year’s best rap album nominees include Freddie Gibbs & the Alchemist’s “Alfredo,” “The Allegory” by Royce da 5’9” and D Smoke’s “Black Hab- its.” The rappers are 35-and- up with Nas — who has never Lil Baby won a Grammy — being the oldest at 47. Each of the nominated albums were reviewed as solid pieces of work, but some rap enthusiasts saw a clear divide between the seasoned rappers and the new generation of twentysomething hip-hop performers — sometimes referred to as “mumble rappers” who focus more on quick word play with heavy bass melodies instead of lyricism. “First thing that came to my mind was rigged,” said Twysted Genius, who produced four songs on Lil This image provided by Harpo Productions shows Prince Harry, (left), and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, speaking about expecting their second child during an Baby’s sophomore album “My Turn,” including the interview with Oprah Winfrey. ‘Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special’ aired March 7 as a two-hour exclusive primetime special on the CBS platinum-selling singles “Sum 2 Prove” and “Emo- Television Network. (AP) tionally Scarred.” Billboard named “My Turn” the second-most suc- cessful album of 2020, besting projects by pop stars like Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and The Weeknd, and Royals easily out-selling the nominees for best rap album. Roddy Ricch’s “Please Excuse Me for Being Anti- social” ranked third on Billboard’s list and has won honors at the American Music Awards, BET Awards Race, title, anguish: Meghan, Harry explain royal rift and Apple Music Awards. Twysted Genius, 28, declined to offer names but the producer said he’d never heard of some of the rap album nominees. He struggled to understand why ‘I just didn’t want to be alive anymore’ hit singles like Roddy Ricch’s “The Box,” DaBaby’s “Rockstar” and Pop Smoke’s “Dior” were good LOS ANGELES, March 8, (AP): In a enough to receive nominations for best rap song or wide-ranging interview aired Sunday, best rap performance, but not their albums. Harry and Meghan described painful Queen stresses ‘importance’ of Process palace discussions about the color of their son’s skin, losing royal protec- “It kind of blew me,” Twysted Genius said. “I’ve tion and the intense pressures that led seen how big Lil Baby has become in the world. I, at the Duchess of Sussex to contemplate friends, family during pandemic least, knew that he would be up for a Grammy for best suicide. album. It’s just mind-blowing.” LONDON, March 8, (AP): Queen friends, family, colleagues, and The interview with Oprah Win- Elizabeth II highlighted the im- counterparts,” she said. Online The producer’s thoughts come a year after former frey was the couple’s fi rst since they Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan claimed portance of staying in touch with communication “transcends bound- stepped down from royal duties and friends and families during the aries or division, helping any sense that the awards are rigged and fi lled with confl icts of the two-hour special included numer- interests in the nomination process. She was ousted coronavirus pandemic in a mes- of distance to disappear.” In this photo made available Sunday ous revelations likely to reverberate on sage broadcast on Sunday. The queen also paid tribute to after reporting sexual harassment and pay disparities. March 7, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II both sides of the Atlantic. Despite the criticism, Royce da 5’9” believes the Britain’s monarch also touched the front-line workers helping in the poses for a photo while signing her Harry told Winfrey that he felt trapped on the role of technology in keeping fight against COVID-19 in Com- Grammys are heading in the right direction under the annual Commonwealth Day Message by royal life and was surprised that he people connected amid the global monwealth nations. leadership of Harvey Mason jr., the academy’s interim inside St George’s Hall at Windsor was cut off fi nancially and lost his se- pandemic, in her royal address be- Her message of unity stood in president and CEO. Last year, the producer-songwrit- Castle, England, Friday March 5. (AP) curity last year. He also said he felt his fore Commonwealth Day on Mon- contrast to the turmoil in the royal er took on the role with aspirations to diversify the family did not support Meghan, who ac- day. family before the interview, which academy’s staff, membership and outreach to the mu- knowledged her naivete about royal life She made no mention of Oprah promises to provide an unprec- sic community. before marrying Harry, as she endured Winfrey’s interview with Prince Har- edented glimpse into the couple’s “They are doing a good job,” said Royce da 5’9”, Variety tabloid attacks and false stories. ry and his wife, Meghan - the Duke departure from royal duties and the who is nominated for his fi rst Grammy in a decade. Meghan, who is biracial, described and Duchess of Sussex - which is strains it has put them under. “(Harvey is) a good addition to the Grammys. I think that when she was fi rst pregnant with set to air Sunday evening in the Harry and Meghan departed just adding more Black people to the board in different FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla: Carla Wal- son Archie, there were “concerns and US, and on Monday in the UK. royal life a year ago over what they states would really help. I think that’s key.” lenda, a member of “The Flying Wallen- “The testing times experienced described as the intrusions and conversations about how dark his skin by so many have led to a deeper racist attitudes of the British media Royce da 5’9” said he believes the best rap album das” high-wire act and the last surviving might be when he’s born.” The state- nominees perfectly refl ects the genre, though he added child of the famed troupe’s founder, has appreciation of the mutual support toward the duchess, who is biracial. ment led Winfrey to incredulously ask and spiritual sustenance we enjoy It’s unclear what public reaction, that Lil Baby and Roddy Ricch’s albums should com- died at the age of 85. “What?” pete for the Grammys’ top prize — album of the year Her son, Rick Wallenda, said on by being connected to others,” the if any, the queen and other royal — instead of best rap album. social media she died Saturday in Sara- Struggled queen said in her audio message. family members will have to the sota, Florida, of natural causes. She was People have become used to interview. The UK’s Sunday Times “I think if they break it down like that, that would While Winfrey sat in silence, “connecting and communicating newspaper, citing an anonymous be great,” the 43-year-old said. “Everybody in the rap the daughter of Karl Wallenda, who had Meghan said she struggled to under- founded the troupe in Germany before by our innovative technology” that source, reported that the queen album category, I (support) them.” stand why there were concerns within allows them to “stay in touch with wouldn’t watch it. D Smoke — who has been lauded for his Kend- moving to the United States in 1928 to great acclaim. She was the aunt of aerial- the royal family about her son’s skin rick Lamar-like rap style — believes the rap album color. She said it was hard for her to nominations opens a “conversation of what our cul- ist Nik Wallenda. Carla Wallenda was born on Feb 13, “compartmentalize” those conversa- Winfrey at various points in the in- frey, Harry said he wouldn’t have left ture needs and wants.” The rapper said the mature 1936, and appeared in a newsreel in 1939 tions. terview ran through headlines about royal life if not for his wife. He said voices in the category speak to a broader audience on as she learned how to walk the wire, with Meghan, the actor formerly known Meghan and at one point asked about the their relationship revealed the stric- a “deeper level,” but he adds that the younger genera- her father and mother, Mati, looking on. as Meghan Markle who starred in the mental health impact. Meghan respond- tures of royal life. tion of rappers need to be heard as well to push the But she said her fi rst time on the wire TV drama “Suits,” said she grew con- ed that she experienced suicidal thoughts “I wouldn’t have been able to, be- genre forward. was much earlier. cerned about her son not having a royal and had sought help through the palace’s cause I myself was trapped,” Harry Nominated “Actually, they carried me across the title because it meant he wouldn’t be human resources department, but was said. “I didn’t see a way out. wire when I was 6 weeks old,” she said provided security. told there was nothing they could do. “I was trapped, but I didn’t know I “I’m sure their bank accounts are telling another in a 2017 interview with a Sarasota TV Meghan said processing everything was trapped,” Harry said, before add- story,” continued D Smoke, who is also nominated for station. “My father rode the bicycle and during her pregnancy was “very hard.” Ashamed ing, “My father and my brother, they best new artist along with Megan Thee Stallion and my mother sat on his shoulders, holding More than the “prince” title, she felt “I was really ashamed to say it at are trapped.” Chika. “I don’t knock them, I just know the quality of me and introducing me to the public.” the most troubled over her son’s safety the time and a shame to have to admit Harry acknowledged that he does music and the people nominated are different — I’m She spent her younger years traveling and protection. it to Harry, especially because I know not have a close relationship presently not saying better or worse.” the country as her father’s troupe per- “He needs to be safe,” a teary-eyed how much loss he suffered,” she said. with his brother William, who is heir Freddie Gibbs thinks there should be no reason formed in the Ringling Bros circus. She Meghan recalled. “We’re not saying “But I knew that if I didn’t say it that to the throne after their father, Prince to complain. The rapper said he’s waited to become had a brother, Mario, and a sister, Jenny I would do it. And I just didn’t, I just Charles. — all performed in the act. don’t make him a prince or princess, Grammy-nominated after years of believing he was whatever it’s going to be. But if you’re didn’t want to be alive anymore.” Harry disputed rumors that he inten- overlooked as an artist who made waves in the under- She began appearing in the family’s show in 1947, but not on the high wire at saying the title is going to affect their Harry, too, said there are lasting im- tionally blindsided his grandmother, ground scene. fi rst, according to her biography on the protection, we haven’t created this pacts about Meghan’s treatment and Queen Elizabeth II, with his decision “We can all complain about not getting recognition, family’s website. In 1951, her father told monster machine around us in terms of his relationship with his family. to split. He suspects the rumors came but we all live blessed lives doing something that we her she could join the high-wire act if she click bait and tabloid fodder. You’ve “There is a lot to work through from the institution. love to do,” said Gibbs, 38. “It’s not too much to really could do a headstand on top of the fam- allowed that to happen, which means there,” Harry said about his relation- “I’ve never blindsided my grand- complain about. When you’re making music on this ily’s seven-person pyramid. She was able our son needs to be safe.” ship with his father. “I feel really let mother,” he said. “I have too much level, you’re rich. So, whatever.” to join the high-wire act later that year. The interview was broadcast in the down. He’s been through something respect for her.” He added: “I’ve never been nominated for (any- Carla Wallenda left the family act in United States a full day before it will similar. He knows what pain feels like. Meghan, too, was complimentary thing), but I’ve never complained about it either. 1961 to form her own troupe. The next air in Britain. The revelations aren’t And Archie is his grandson. I will al- toward the queen, despite saying at When it’s your time — it’s your time.” The Grammys season, two of the Wallendas were killed over: Winfrey teased unaired bits of ways love him, but there is a lot of hurt one point she realized some in the pal- will air from Los Angeles on March 14. in an accident while performing the pyra- the interview would be shown Monday that has happened.” ace were willing to lie to “protect other mid. Her brother was paralyzed. (AP) morning on CBS. Harry said the royal family cut him members of the family.” Also: ❑ ❑ ❑ In a rare positive moment in the in- off fi nancially at the start of 2020 after “The queen has always been won- Taylor Swift Cardi B Bil- NEW YORK: , BTS, and SEATTLE: MacKenzie Scott, philanthro- terview, Harry and Meghan revealed announcing plans to step back from derful to me,” Meghan said. lie Eilish are set to perform at next week’s Grammy pist, author and former wife of Amazon their second would be a girl. The in- his roles. But he was able to afford Sunday’s interview special opened Awards. founder Jeff Bezos, has married a Seattle terview opened with Winfrey gushing security for his family because of the with Meghan describing how naive she The Recording Academy announced Sunday that science teacher who expressed gratitude over Meghan’s pregnancy and lament- money his mother, Princess Diana, left was about the ground rules of royal life Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Post Malone, Megan Thee “for the exceptional privilege it will be to ing that COVID-19 protocols kept behind. before she married her husband, Harry, Stallion and Dua Lipa will also hit the stage at the partner in giving away assets with the po- them from hugging. In response to a question from Win- nearly three years ago. March 14 event. The show will air live from the Staples tential to do so much good when shared.” Center in Los Angeles on CBS and Paramount+. Dan Jewett, who made the announce- The Grammys were originally supposed to take ment in a letter to the website of the place on Jan 31 but were delayed because of the coro- nonprofi t organization the Giving Pledge navirus pandemic. The academy said in a statement on Saturday, said he never imagined he would be in a position to talk about joining her in a commitment to pass on billion in 2020 by asking community that “artists will be coming together, while still safely an enormous fi nancial wealth to serve leaders to help identify 512 organizations apart, to play music for each other as a community and giving away signifi cant wealth during his lifetime in order to make a difference in others,” Jewett wrote. for seven- and eight-fi gure gifts, includ- celebrate the music that unites us all.” After donating $1.68 billion to 116 ing food banks, human-service organiza- Trevor Noah is hosting the show for the fi rst time. other people’s lives. Jewett has been a teacher for decades nonprofi ts, universities, community tions, and racial-justice charities. Other performers include Chris Martin, John May- development groups and legal organiza- She was listed as No. 2 among the 50 er, Doja Cat, Maren Morris, DaBaby, HAIM, Lil and most recently taught chemistry at the private Lakeside School, where Scott’s tions last July, Scott asked a team of Americans who gave the most to charity Baby, Brandi Carlile, Roddy Ricch, Brittany How- children attended. advisers to help her “accelerate” her last year, according to the Chronicle of ard, Miranda Lambert, Mickey Guyton and Black “And now, in a stroke of happy coin- 2020 giving with immediate help to those Philanthropy’s annual rankings. Pumas. cidence, I am married to one of the most fi nancially gutted by the pandemic. Bezos topped the list by donating $10 bil- generous and kind people I know — and Scott went on to donate a total of $5.7 Scott Wallenda lion to launch the Bezos Earth Fund. (AP)