lifestyle MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016

Music & Movies Beyonce celebrates black women in intricate album-film

op superstar Beyonce on Saturday released a musically Making most with ‘lemons’ “Formation,” whose video takes the mantle of the Black Lives diverse new album in the form of a film as she paid a The subject matter immediately triggered a fury of specu- Matter movement. “Formation”-which appears only in the Pbold tribute to the perseverance of African American lation on social media that “Lemonade” was an artistic closing credits of the “Lemonade” film-shows Beyonce’s women. “Lemonade” was advertised only as a special on cable announcement of separation from her real-life husband, rap increasingly diverse musical instincts with the song driven network HBO but, in a move anticipated by her passionate fan mogul Jay-Z. But toward the end of the film, Beyonce heads by New Orleans-style bounce hip-hop. Beyonce wrote two base, she dropped an album by the same name in the middle into a chapter entitled “Forgiveness” as she is seen embracing songs on “Lemonade” with Diplo, the Los Angeles electronic of the broadcast. a sullen Jay-Z, whose best-known songs before his 2008 mar- producer who has crafted Justin Bieber’s new sound, and The “visual-album” marks the second straight work in riage included “Big Pimpin’.” In further evidence that they are even fuses in touches of country, as well as New Orleans jazz, which the 34-year-old pop queen has experimented with still together, Beyonce released the album of “Lemonade” on “Daddy Lessons.” merging formats-which could also include social media, exclusively on the Tidal streaming service led by Jay-Z. The pop star also tapped The Weeknd and Father John where “Lemonade” quickly became a top trending topic. The Beyonce, who appears alongside African American women Misty, sensations in R&B and indie rock respectively, and film, crafted through the album’s songs and verse from the throughout the film, draws the theme of “Lemonade” early on adapts a chorus from punk revivalists the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Yet Somali-British poet Warsan Shire against a Southern Gothic with a snippet from late civil rights leader Malcolm X, who she also returns to the big-hearted ballads for which she is backdrop, follows Beyonce’s emotional journey as she tack- says: “The most disrespected person in America is the black renowned on “Sandcastles,” written with the Chicago poet les infidelity but also the larger experience of African woman.” But their pain, in “Lemonade,” is not just about infi- Malik Yusef. “Lemonade” is Beyonce’s first full-length album American women. delity. In one of its film’s most powerful moments, the camera since her self-titled release in late 2013. The “Beyonce” album Beyonce’s sixth studio album brings in a range of musical turns without comment to the mothers of three young African also incorporated a strong visual component, with short films all-stars, with “Don’t Hurt Yourself” co-written by members of American men-Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Trayvon to accompany the music. But the theme of the 2013 album Led Zeppelin and the most anthem-like track, “Freedom,” fea- Martin-whose deaths have triggered nationwide outrage, as was far different, as it dealt with passion and monogamy, with turing acclaimed rapper Kendrick Lamar.The movie opens the women lovingly clutch their son’s pictures. Beyonce rein- the song “Drunk In Love” an ode to marital bliss sung in duet with accusations of betrayal as Beyonce struts across New forces the maternal theme with a snippet from her own late with Jay-Z. — AFP Orleans, smashing up cars as she rages against the sexual grandmother, Agnez Dereon, who says: “I had my ups and transgressions of her partner. “You ain’t married to no aver- downs but I always find the inner strength to pull myself up.” “I age bitch, boy,” she proclaims on “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” per- was served lemons, but I made lemonade,” she says. formed with garage rocker Jack White. “This is your final This file photo shows Beyonce warning / You know I give you life,” Beyonce sings, warning Branching out musically performing during Super Bowl 50 that if her husband’s infidelity does not end, “you’re gonna Beyonce-who became a superstar on innocuous songs between the Carolina Panthers and the lose your wife.” such as “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”-startled many listen- Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium in ers in February when she put out the first “Lemonade” single, Santa Clara, California. — AFP

A message left by a fan to music legend Prince is seen at the First Avenue ‘Goodnight Sweet Prince’ read the display screens in Target Field in Minneapolis area mourns the death of musician Prince. Fans of Prince pose club where he started his music career in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minneapolis, Minn following the announcement of Prince’s death. for photos amid a sea of purple balloons prior to a memorial service at the Paisley Park compound of the music legend. — AP/AFP photos Prince cremated, with resting place secret oved ones cremated pop icon Prince on Saturday with Cause of death mysterious world and beyond. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary his final resting place to remain a secret, two days after The cause of Prince’s death remains a mystery. The Clinton on Friday came out to “Let’s Go Crazy” on a campaign Lhis sudden death stunned the music world. The 57- spokeswoman, in line with statements from authorities, said stop in Pennsylvania, calling Prince “extraordinary” and an year-old “Purple Rain” creator, one of the most acclaimed and that at least four weeks would be needed for results of the “American original.” unique artists of his generation, will eventually be honored autopsy conducted before the cremation. Prince had been US President Barack Obama, who invited Prince to play at with a concert, his spokeswoman said. The spokeswoman, hospitalized a week earlier complaining of flu-like symptoms the White House last year, earlier hailed him as “one of the Anna Meacham, said that Prince was cremated on Saturday after his plane made an emergency landing on his way back most gifted and prolific musicians of our time.” Prince and that his ashes’ “final storage will remain private.” from Atlanta where he performed what would be his final became the sudden star of the second weekend of “Prince was celebrated by a small group of his most full-fledged concerts. Authorities plan in the coming days to Coachella, the premier music festival which takes place in the beloved: family, friends and his musicians, in a private, beau- search Paisley Park-Prince’s sprawling headquarters that was California desert. LCD Soundsystem, the influential New York tiful ceremony to say a loving goodbye,” she said in a state- home to a state-of-the-art studio and vaults of vast unre- electronic band that reunited for Coachella, performed a cov- ment, with a faint echo of the opening lines to “Let’s Go leased work. er of Prince’s early funk hit “Controversy” during the group’s Crazy.” “An announcement will be made at a future date for a But Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson told reporters Friday headlining set late Friday. musical celebration.” that the move was routine, with no indication of suicide or The English pop singer Ellie Goulding sang “When Doves The pop legend, renowned for his stamina and prolific foul play. The celebrity news site TMZ has reported that Cry” at Coachella while Mavis Staples, the 76-year-old R&B musical output, died suddenly Thursday at his Paisley Park Prince’s earlier hospitalization may have been triggered by great once signed to Prince’s label, broke down with emotion estate near his birthplace of Minneapolis. While the place of an overdose of an opioid-based painkiller. Prince was leg- before offering a rendition of “Purple Rain.” Saturday Night the cremation was unclear, the private service appeared to endary for his marathon performances, which would often Live, the weekly comedy show, planned a special “Goodnight take place at Paisley Park which was full of commotion on last until dawn, but had hip surgery several years ago and Sweet Prince” episode featuring some of its frequent skits Saturday, with an AFP photographer counting around a suffered epilepsy as a child. about the entertainer as well as his performances. Prince dozen cars parked inside its gates in the suburb of himself was no stranger to tribute songs. Videos posted by Chanhassen. Two staff members came out with a large vase Tributes pour in fans revealed that at his final show in Atlanta he performed of flowers in Prince’s signature purple, some of which they Prince, despite his personal eccentricities, was widely “Heroes” by David Bowie, another music legend who died pulled out to give to fans who applauded in gratitude. hailed as one of the greatest musicians of his generation, cre- several months earlier. — AFP Maurice Phillips, Prince’s brother-in-law who is married to his ating a unique brand of danceable funk and mastering the Artist Rock Martinez continues work on a mural he is sister Tyka, also took the time to come out to chat and take guitar so extensively that he could play it behind his back or painting of musician Prince in Minneapolis, Saturday. pictures with the fans. blindfolded. Tributes have come from throughout the music

This undated photo Artist says Prince illustrations released by Yamaha Entertainment Group shows a custom-made purple piano the com- are now ‘tribute’ to icon pany manufactured for Rhode Island artist who illustrated Prince her favorite illustrations is a play on Norman musician Prince. — AP every day for a year says the project will now Rockwell’s famous self-portrait. Major says Prince Aserve as a tribute to the music icon. Rebekah always resonated with her because his music Major told The Associated Press on Saturday she “brings everyone together.” Prince was found dead began “365 Days of Prince” in March of last year to Thursday at his suburban Minneapolis compound at improve as an artist. age 57. — AP Major says she drew the pop music superstar in “every ridiculous way” she could think of once a day. She was inspired by moments within the last year of the musician’s life, current events and more. One of Prince’s custom-made purple piano was to go on tour with him ays before his death, Prince tweeted a photo of a “The color purple was specifically chosen by him to custom-made purple piano intended to be a cen- match an item in his house, which was actually made of Dterpiece of his scheduled tour. The piano, which several different colors of purple that made one specific was delivered to Prince’s home at Paisley Park in color of purple,” Gero said. The company searched every- Minnesota a few weeks ago, was a rush job that had to where for the exact shade, ultimately painting it with be completed in about three months, said Chris Gero, paint used for cars. Gero said he was surprised to see that vice president of Yamaha Entertainment Group, based in Prince tweeted a picture of the piano and then over the Franklin, Tennessee. “We were on the top end of the idea, weekend unveiled it to an audience at a show at his com- but it accelerated so fast,” Gero said Friday, revealing the pound. “It was really the last big performance he had behind-the-scenes work that went into its manufacture. done publicly in which he unveiled it and he was very The acoustics of the piano were fine-tuned to Prince’s proud of it,” Gero said. specifications. The artist, 57, who was found dead in his He said the value of the piano now is unknown espe- suburban Minneapolis home Thursday, had intended it cially because now that Prince has died, but he hopes it for his Prince, Piano and a Microphone tour. “So the piano will end up in a place where fans can enjoy it. “It’s very is an acoustical piano, but it also has a tone generation oddly attached, and sadly attached, to his final days,” system internally that can go out to a secondary audio Gero said. “It changes obviously the visual component of source that all the sounds internally are highly modified its value. We don’t want to think in those terms. just for him,” Gero said. “They are EQed (equalized) a cer- Obviously people will think in those terms. We would like tain way. There were certain sounds that were made just it to find a safe home in a very prominent place that hon- These images provided by Rebekah Major show Major’s illustrations of Prince. — AP photos specifically for him.” Prince also wanted the manufacturer ors him.”— AP to match the color to a couch in his home.