ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 14

People & Places

Music

Music world split Singer Dr. Luke rises again as ‘Tyson Trax’ By Mesfi n Fekadu ith dark clouds looming behind him, con- Wtroversial music producer and hitmaker Dr. Luke rose to the top of the Billboard charts last year with Doja Cat’s ubiquitous funk-pop jam “Say So,” along with Saweetie’s anthemic bop “Tap In” and Juice WRLD’s Top 5 pop smash “Wishing Well.” It marked a creative resurgence for the pop prince, who remains embroiled in a lawsuit with Kesha. His chart domination was followed by his fi rst Grammy nomination in seven years - cementing his comeback. That has the music world is split - some believe the art and the person should be separated, while others have blasted the Recording Academy for re- warding the hitmaker with a nomination for one of its top prizes. But not all of the academy members may have been aware they were voting for Dr. Luke when they completed their bal- Dr Luke lots this year. That’s because he used a moniker - Tyson Trax - for Doja Cat’s “Say So,” which he produced and co-wrote. The hit tune is competing for record of the year, where Dr. Luke is in contention as the song’s producer. “It’s diffi cult to say whether or not Grammy voters are aware that ‘Tyson Trax’ is used as a pseudonym,” Harvey Mason Jr., the academy’s interim president and CEO, said in a statement to The Associated Press. “While it’s true that the ‘Tyson Trax’ producer credit would be visible on the ballot entry, I would imagine This image provided by Harpo Productions shows Prince Harry, (from left), and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in conversation with Oprah Winfrey. ‘Oprah with that a lot of voters were making their selection with Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special’ airs March 7. (AP) Doja Cat in mind, thinking primarily about the artistic merits of her performance.” Doja Cat, who released her debut EP on Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe label in 2014 before Kesha’s lawsuit, is Royals also nominated for best new artist and best pop solo performance at the March 14 Grammys. Dr. Luke pro- duced multiple songs on her sophomore album “Hot Pink.” Those include the double-platinum success “Juicy” and the Gucci Mane-assisted hit “Like That,” UK waits for Harry, Meghan’s take on royal split which reached No. 3 on the R&B charts last year. For those songs, he’s credited as Tyson Trax. Record ‘To talk without royals’ input liberating’ “I didn’t know that Tyson Trax was Dr. Luke. I could have looked it up, but I didn’t, and I didn’t LOS ANGELES, March 6, (AP): who might otherwise have supported McCain, a conservative columnist and care. It’s a name and I’m voting on the artistic merit Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex has them will fi nd this just a little bit dis- daughter of the late US Sen. John Mc- of the record, so it didn’t matter,” said Susan Rogers, described to Oprah Winfrey how “lib- tasteful, that they’re drawing all this Cain. a professor at Berklee College of Music and Prince’s erating” it was to have a conversation attention to themselves … just at this “I think we can’t ignore the elephant former staff engineer who is a Grammy voter. - let alone a sit-down interview - with time when Prince Philip appears to be of the room that there’s probably a “Your judgment should be based upon who did the the television host without royal mind- quite seriously ill.” racial angle to this,’’ McCain said. best, most creative, most artistic work during the year; ers. Though it is the choice of CBS when “There’s a lot of racism directed at this what work is going to advance the state of the indus- “CBS This Morning” aired a clip on to air its pre-recorded interview, crit- woman, in a lot of different ways she try. That’s the only thing that we’re voting on,” she Friday of Winfrey speaking to Meghan ics are already lining up to deride it as threatens a lot of people in the patriar- said. “Anytime we bring anything else into that mix Doja Cat accepts the award for favor- about a conversation they had before a brand-building exercise by the pair, chy. ... It just looks like they are bully- - how we feel about someone personally, whether we ite female soul/R&B artist at the Amer- the actor’s wedding to Prince Harry in who left Britain saying they wanted ing her in the press.’’ like them or dislike them, know them or don’t know ican Music Awards in Los Angeles on May 2018. to live a normal life but have been ac- It was all supposed to be so differ- them - we’re being unfair to all the others.” Nov 22, 2020. Dr. Luke, the contro- The clip opens with Winfrey de- cused of continuing to use their royal ent. Dr. Luke, 47, has also used the Tyson Trax pseu- versial music producer and hitmaker scribing how she asked for an inter- status to open doors and make money. At the time Harry started dating donym for his contribution to Toronto rapper-singer rose to the top of the Billboard charts view and Meghan recounting how The sit-down with America’s queen Meghan, the British public seemed Benny Mayne’s “Hokey Pokey.” He’s been referred with Doja Cat’s ubiquitous funk-pop there were others in the room and she of celebrity interviews is a chance for smitten with the beautiful young wom- to as MADE IN CHINA for his work with pop sing- jam ‘Say So.’ (AP) wasn’t even supposed to be speaking the couple to explain what led them to an who starred for seven seasons on er Kim Petras. His producer credit on Lil Wayne’s with Winfrey. quit royal life, citing what they said the US television drama “Suits.” When “Shimmy” from his 2020 album “Funeral”? Loctor “As an adult who lived a really in- were the unbearable intrusions and they married in 2018, newspapers were Duke. dependent life to then go into this con- racist attitudes of the British media. fi lled with optimistic stories about how Evan Minsker, news editor for the music publica- Variety struct that is um.. different than I think A book about their departure, “Find- the energetic couple would help make tion Pitchfork, admitted that some of his colleagues what people imagine it to be, it’s really ing Freedom,” also alleges that senior the monarchy relevant for a new, mul- didn’t recognize Dr. Luke was Tyson Trax: “It’s their liberating to be able to have the right royals had little respect for Meghan, a ticultural Britain. job to be plugged in (and) they didn’t know Dr. Luke NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans and the privilege in some ways to be biracial former actor, and that courtiers But less than two years later they de- was Tyson Trax.” Museum of Art has announced a major able to say yes,” Meghan tells Win- treated her badly. camped to North America. After a brief “I think there probably are a lot of cases of (Dr. gift to its photography department — the frey. stay in Canada, the couple settled in third such announcement this month. Winfrey’s interview with Meghan Fears Meghan’s home state of California, buy- Luke) sneaking under the radar, people not connect- Collectors Cherye R. and James F. ing what his other pseudonyms are with who he is,” and Harry is set to air Sunday night in Pre-released clips have already ing a house in the exclusive Santa Bar- Pierce have given the museum more shown Harry talking about his fears Minsker said. than 260 important photographs, a news the United States on CBS and will air bara County enclave of Montecito that “Regardless of who he is and what his various release said. in Britain on Monday evening. that history would repeat itself after reportedly cost more than $14 million. names are, clearly there is some kind of proven re- They include a print of Robert Capa’s Despite stepping back from royal his mother, Princess Diana, died in a Among their neighbors: Oprah Winfrey. sult in what Dr. Luke and Doja Cat did together,” he “The Falling Soldier,” taken in 1936 duties a year ago and moving to Cali- car crash while pursued by paparazzi. Then came deals with Netfl ix and continued. “I think while maybe some people didn’t during the Spanish Civil War, and the fornia, there still intense interest in the In another clip from the interview, Spotifi y, reportedly worth millions. know, I wouldn’t be surprised if some people did and 1932 photograph titled “Behind the Gare couple and their relationship with the Winfrey asks Meghan how she feels The commercial deals and headline- just don’t really have a hard time falling asleep at St. Lazare,” which many consider Henri royal family. about the palace “hearing you speak grabbing amounts are uncomfortable night after putting his name through.” Cartier-Bresson’s best work. Another When Meghan was asked what was your truth today?” for the royal family, which has devoted Dr. Luke was last in Grammy contention in 2014 print of that Cartier-Bresson photograph right about doing the interview now, “I don’t know how they could ex- itself to public service as a justifi cation when he competed for non-classical producer and re- sold at a London auction in 2017 for she said it was because of the couple’s pect that, after all of this time, we for its wealth and privilege. The queen, cord of the year for his work on Katy Perry’s “Roar.” £131,000 (about $170,300), according to newfound freedom. would still just be silent if there was among the richest people in Britain, He emerged as the protege of pop music maestro Max the Phillips Auctioneers website. “That we’re on the other side of a lot an active role that the fi rm is playing in has spent her life supporting charities, Martin, who produced 23 No. 1 hits throughout his Others range from vintage prints by of, a lot of life experience that’s hap- perpetuating falsehoods about us,” the cutting ribbons at hospitals and trave- career, working with everyone from pop idols such Ansel Adams to contemporary work pened,” Meghan said. And also that duchess replies. ling the world to represent her country. as Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and N’Sync to by William Eggleston. There also we have the ability to make our own “The fi rm” is a nickname for the are platinum prints by contemporary royal family, sometimes used with af- Family contemporary stars like Adele, Taylor Swift and The photographer Lois Conner by Frederick choices in a way that I couldn’t have Weeknd. Evans, who was born in 1853 and retired said yes to you then. That wasn’t my fection and sometimes with a note of “The main thing that the royal family in 1915 because platinum cost so much, choice to make.” criticism. is so good at is serving the nation, serv- Crafted Ahead of the broadcast, rela- ing the nation and the Commonwealth, and by Mexican photographer Manuel Chance Together, Martin and Dr. Luke crafted hits for Alvarez-Bravo, from whom the Pierces tions with the palace are increasingly basically serving us rather than serving Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Pink and Kesha, who he commissioned work. The timing couldn’t be worse for strained. First there was Queen Eliza- themselves,’’ royal historian Hugo Vick- signed in 2005. Eventually Dr. Luke stepped into the “Cherye and Jim were pioneers in the Harry and Meghan. beth II’s decision to strip Harry and ers told ITV News. “And I’m sorry, if forefront, helming successes for Miley Cyrus, Pitbull, collecting of photography” said Susan The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Meghan of the handful of royal patron- you’re sitting in an $11 million mansion Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, logging 17 No. 1 hits. Taylor, the museum’s director. “Their will fi nally get the chance to tell the ages they had retained in the one-year in California and making fantastic deals, Dr. Luke has gotten a taste of his former life on top prescient decision to collect and their story behind their departure from royal trial period following their departure that is trading in on your royal heritage. of the charts, with every major label - including Sony dedication to the medium will have a duties directly to the public on Sunday, last year. The couple responded with a And it’s all wrong, frankly.” Music, Warner Music Group and Universal Music profound impact on the museum’s ability when their two-hour interview with terse statement promising to live a life Others are concerned that the inter- Group - launching a hit with him last year. In addition to share a fuller history of photography Oprah Winfrey is broadcast. of service - a move many in the UK view will include damaging revela- to his work with Doja Cat, Juice WRLD, Saweetie with our public.” But back home in Britain, events saw as disrespectful to the queen, as tions about the royal family. and Lil Wayne, he also produced “Blind” for rapper The couple has promised another 300 have conspired to overshadow the tale she usually has the fi nal word. Then The royals rarely grant interviews, DaBaby and co-wrote “Broken Glass” for hit DJ- works in the future, the museum said. of a prince and his American bride. On on Wednesday, the palace said it was and when they do the questions are producer Kygo. This year he produced another hit for The museum cannot release the amount of individual gifts of money, but top of the pandemic and record eco- launching a human resources investi- usually narrowly focused on specifi c Saweetie with “Best Friend,” which is currently No. gifts made and pledged over the last few nomic slump, Prince Philip, Harry’s gation after a newspaper reported that issues. For instance, Harry and his 10 on the rap charts. years will bring the department’s endow- 99-year-old grandfather is now recov- a former aide had accused Meghan of brother, William, have tried to remove “I think (the Grammys) set themselves up a little bit ments to $2.5 million by 2023, museum ering from a heart procedure. bullying staff in 2018. the stigma from mental health prob- to fail because instead of having this big celebratory spokeswoman Margaux Krane said in CBS announced the program Feb One of the authors of “Finding Free- lems by talking about their own strug- moment, there were a lot of questions all of a sudden. an email. (AP) 15. The next day, Philip was admitted dom,’’ Omid Scobie, compared the gles after the death of their mother. ‘How come you got Dr. Luke in (one of) the big four ❑ ❑ ❑ to hospital. recent commentary about Harry and More free-ranging interviews have (categories)?’ That’s pretty surprising,” Pitchfork’s “Harry and Meghan are hugely Meghan in the British media to the Sa- often gone badly. Interviews with Minsker said. “I can see why this is the moment for SALEM, Mass: A second panel from popular,’’ Pauline Maclaran, a profes- lem Witch Trials, while noting Ameri- Prince Charles and Princess Diana, (‘Say So’) and I also was surprised to see that it would American artist Jacob Lawrence’s sor of marketing and author of “Royal cans have had more sympathy them. Harry and William’s parents, around be nominated in such a way that (Dr. Luke) would get sweeping series “Struggle: From the Fever: The British Monarchy in Con- His tweet linked to a discussion on the the time of their divorce led to em- an award at this stage in his life.” History of the American People” that sumer Culture,” told The Associated US television program “The View,’’ barrassing revelations about infidel- Kesha, 34, has accused Dr. Luke of sexual assault has been hidden from public view for decades has been located, the Peabody Press. “But I think that some people including comments from Meghan ity. during their yearslong partnership, allegations he Essex Museum in Massachusetts has vigorously denies. The court case continues, despite announced. a New York judge dismissing Kesha’s sexual abuse- Offi cially entitled “Immigrants admit- related claims in 2016 on procedural grounds; no rul- ted from all countries: 1820 to 1840 - ing was made on whether the allegations were true. 115,773,” the painting known as panel 28 The painting will now join nearly 30 that was rediscovered in a different home Kesha lost another round when a judge said she made had not been seen in public since 1960 of the Black artist’s other works painted in October. The owner, who wants to a defamatory statement about Dr. Luke in a 2016 text and was known only through a black- in the 1950s for the last two stops of a remain anonymous, inherited the panel message telling Lady Gaga the producer had also and-white reproduction. national tour in Seattle and Washington, 28 from family, who — like the fi gures raped Perry. “We are thrilled to share news of DC, museum offi cials said. The 30-piece depicted — were immigrants. Kesha’s lawyers are appealing the ruling, which this important discovery, especially at series remains incomplete, as the wherea- The egg tempera on hardboard piece didn’t resolve other aspects of his defamation and a time when Americans are actively bouts of three panels remain a mystery, in vivid reds and yellows depicts two breach-of-contract suit, including the crucial question engaged with democracy,” Lydia Gor- the museum said. women in shawls clutching babies, one of whether Kesha’s rape allegation is true. The judge don, the museum’s associate curator The 12-inch-by-16-inch (30.5-centim- of them nursing, as well as a man wear- said that’s for a jury to decide at trial. (AP) said in a statement. The Salem-based eter-by-40.5-centimeter) panel was found ing a wide-brimmed hat and holding a Peabody Essex Museum organized the in a New York City apartment, like fl ower pot containing a single red rose, exhibit. another painting in the series, panel 16, Lawrence Krane America’s national fl ower. (AP)