Latest news with #HeyYa!
West Australian
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
Spotify AI tool Seat Belters promotes driver safety with playlist hack, based on fresh research
You're driving down the freeway and a car screams past with frenetic music blasting from the windows. There's every chance those blaring beats are directly linked with the driver's reckless behaviour. We know music can have a powerful effect on our emotions, and it turns out it has a major impact on how safely we drive, too, with studies showing songs with a beat-per-minute count of more than 120 to be the worst culprits. These up-tempo tracks have been proven to negatively affect reaction times and overall awareness, producing more erratic driving patterns and riskier on-road attitudes. New research from Allianz Australia reveals one in three (32 per cent) Aussie drivers believes music affects their driving, with a third of those (33 per cent) reporting decreased concentration when listening to high-bpm music on the road. But if you think this category of music is reserved for heavy metal or bass-rich techno, think again. Your favourite song may well be within the BPM danger zone. Taylor Swift's pop banger Shake It Off and OutKast's Hey Ya! both come in at 160bpm, while Beat It by Michael Jackson (138), I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor (132) and Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC (173) are all well over what is considered safe for on-road listening. At exactly 120bpm, Lady Gaga's Poker Face, Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk, Adele's Rolling In The Deep and ABBA's Dancing Queen are also just out of bounds. According to Allianz's data, more than half (52 per cent) of Aussie drivers sing along to music while in their car and 44 per cent will crank up the volume when their favourite song comes on, potentially creating dangerous conditions without us even realising. Road safety expert Andry Rakotonirainy has investigated the connection between auditory inputs, like music, and cognitive performance while driving and was fascinated by the findings. 'The emerging data from Allianz Australia is particularly interesting to me, as it shows how music tempo can influence concentration, reaction time and even speeding, highlighting the need for me to explore this further, especially as in-car entertainment becomes more pervasive and immersive,' Dr Rakotonirainy says. 'When we think about running, we often choose fast-tempo music to push our pace. The same concept applies to driving, as higher bpm tracks can subconsciously encourage faster speeds and reduce concentration. 'It's not surprising that the tempo of the music we listen to can influence how we behave behind the wheel.' Yet clearly it's hard to pick a harmonic hazard if earlier examples are anything to go by. Dr Rakotonirainy says there are some genres that are more likely to have a lower bpm, in the 'ideal' range of 60-80, including classical, ambient, acoustic and jazz. 'These types of genres generally have slower tempos and fewer sudden changes, which could help maintain a steady pace and reduce the likelihood of risky driving behaviours, such as speeding or reduced reaction times,' he explains. Some popular songs that fall into the 60-80bpm category are The Beatles' Let It Be (72), Etta James' At Last (87), Billie Eilish's Ocean Eyes (73), Sam Smith's Stay With Me (84) and TLC's Waterfalls (89). However, we don't have to manually look up the bpm of our favourite songs to make sure they are suitable for driving. Bolstered by the research, Allianz has partnered with Spotify to create a new in-app tool, Seat Belters, which generates personalised playlists that sit within the 60-80bpm range while considering users' music interests. Utilising Spotify's steaming intelligence to promote a more focused state for those behind the wheel is a crucial innovation, Dr Rakotonirainy says. 'Tech platforms like Spotify have enormous reach and can personalise content in real time,' he says. 'By embedding safety-focused experiences like Allianz Seat Belters into everyday music listening and making the experience available to all Spotify users, Allianz is helping to encourage safer driving behaviours at scale.' He adds, 'If Australians could take a moment to consider the music they are listening to before getting behind the wheel, it could have a positive impact on their behaviour.' As for whether there is a genre of music that can turn us into better drivers, there isn't yet conclusive research. 'Driving behaviour is closely linked to psychological states such as mood and arousal,' Dr Rakotonirainy says. 'Music has the potential to positively influence mood and enhance the driving experience. However, from a research perspective, isolating the effect of specific types of music on driving performance is methodologically complex, due to individual variability in music preferences, baseline mood and driving context.' While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, Seat Belters aims to strike a balance — especially when 58 per cent of Aussie drivers say they 'always' listen to music while on the road and 13 million people around the country are active Spotify users every month. 'The in-app experience is a great chance for music lovers to combine safety and entertainment in a fun, relatable and accessible way,' Dr Rakotonirainy says. As artificial intelligence infiltrates our daily life at an exponential rate, Dr Rakotonirainy is continuing to investigate the intersection between technology and driver safety. 'While many people are familiar with automated or driverless cars, technologies heavily reliant on AI, its potential goes well beyond automation — it will improve safety,' he says. 'AI can also enable real-time monitoring of driving conditions, detect distraction or drowsiness, assess cognitive load, and even adapt in-car environments or vehicle speed accordingly. 'Beyond music, AI could also enhance route planning and deliver smarter in-vehicle alerts, creating a more responsive and human-centred driving experience.' + To create your own personalised Seat Belters playlist, visit + Allianz's research was conducted in April 2025 and sampled more than 1000 Australians aged 18 and above who hold valid driver's licences and listen to music while driving.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carson Daly Reveals a Major 'Plot Twist' for 'The Voice' Live Shows: 'How Did You Keep This Secret?'
The live shows will kick off on Monday, May 12 The stakes are higher than ever before on The Voice. At the end of the Monday, May 5 episode of The Voice, host Carson Daly delivered jaw-dropping news to this year's coaches: Kelsea Ballerini, Adam Levine, Michael Bublé and John Legend. "Coaches, lend me your ears. I come with great news," Daly, 51, said as the coaches waited with bated breath. "We've always intended to keep the best artists on this show for the longest amount of time," the host said, before revealing the big news: "We're going to allow each of you to bring back one more artist for the Top 8 live shows." ADVERTISEMENT He added, "The super-save is on." Related: The Voice Contestant Wows Coaches with a Jazzy Cover of Outkast's 'Hey Ya!' - Watch! All in complete shock, Legend, 46, shared, "Have you realize the stress you unnecessarily put on us? They didn't tell me I was going to be able to pick three all along." "How did you keep this secret?" said Bublé, 49, before Ballerini, 31, added: "I'm overstimulated." Then, Daly instructed the coaches to deliver the good news to their contestants. "We love a good plot twist," said the "Blindsided" singer. Tyler Golden/NBC via Getty Kelsea Ballerini, Michael Bublé, Adam Levine and John Legend on 'The Voice'. Then, Bublé — who chose his two live show contestants on Monday — was filmed walking to a dressing room to deliver the news. Meanwhile, Levine, 46 said it was "pretty awesome that we get to do this" before he was shown FaceTiming an anonymous contestant. ADVERTISEMENT "I'm really happy to tell you that you're coming back," the Maroon 5 frontman said to his phone, where the excited contestant was blurred out. Related: Adam Levine and Kelsea Ballerini 'Instantly' Became Friends on The Voice. Why She Reminds Him of Blake Shelton (Exclusive) Then, a message appeared on the screen reading "Meet our super save artists in next week's lives." On Monday night, Bublé chose Adam David and Jadyn Cree to move on to the live shows. Meanwhile, Legend chose RENZO and Bryson Battle. Last week, Ballerini chose Iris Herrera and Alanna Lynise, while Levine chose Lucia Flores-Wiseman and Kolby Cordell. On Tuesday, May 6, NBC will air a one-hour recap episode of Monday night's part two of the playoffs. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Savannah hip hop artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Antwan Patton, one half of the hip hop duo Outkast, has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The announcement was made April 27th by the Rock Hall. Patton, professionally known as 'Big Boi,' and André Benjamin, professionally knows as André 3000, join fellow inductees Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden and The White Stripes. Patton was born in Savannah and spent the first half of his childhood there. He attended Herschel V. Jenkins High School before moving to Atlanta, where he met Benjamin. They formed Outkast in 1992 and signed with the regionally based record label LaFace Records. Outkast released six studio albums and won six Grammy Awards. To be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, artists' first albums must have been released 25 years earlier and they must be considered musical influences on other artists. The length and depth of their career and their body of work is taken into consideration. And they must have a musical style that's considered innovative with a superior style and technique. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's website describes Outkast as a musical act that 'redefined hip-hop with their genre-blending sound and relentless innovation, proving the 'Dirty South' could compete with rap music's long-standing East and West Coast scenes. Outkast's distinctive sound – a blend of funk, soul, and jazz with introspective storytelling – helped them become one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful hip-hop groups of all-time. With massive tracks like 'Hey Ya!,' Outkast challenged every norm, defied every genre, and pushed every boundary.' The Rock Hall goes on to say, 'The legacy of Outkast is vividly apparent in all pockets of contemporary hitmakers – the introspection of Kendrick Lamar, the afro-futurism of Janelle Monáe, the individuality of Tyler, the Creator – and an entire generation of ATL protégés including T.I., Ludacris, Future, and Migos.' The 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is set for Saturday, November 8 in Los Angeles. It will air live on Disney+. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Washington Post
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
In the nation's ‘loneliest city,' a sing-along brings strangers together
Dozens of people crammed into the living room, crowded on couches and chairs for a gathering unlike many in D.C. There would be no talk of politics, day jobs or even pets. There would be little talk at all. These strangers had come together for a sing-along. Leader Josh Korr started things off with the classics: 'Stand by Me,' 'Jolene,' and a kazoo-heavy rendition of 'Take on Me.' Then, he decided to try something new — a medley of mid-aughts club hits. 'This takes inspiration from my college a cappella,' he said before launching into a detailed explanation of how the transition from OutKast's 'Hey Ya!' to 'I Gotta Feeling' by the Black Eyed Peas would work. A few nervous peels of laughter rang out. 'It's gonna be great and not a disaster,' Korr, 45, assured the group. Soon, this ragtag choir was belting out, 'Tonight's gonna be a good night.' By the time they finished the final 'yeah, yeah, yeah' from Usher, smiles filled the room. In a place labeled the 'loneliest city in America,' Korr's sing-alongs have been regularly drawing people together. The city earned that title because nearly half of all residents live alone. About a third of adults in D.C. have also reported feeling anxious or depressed, emotions that for some have been heightened by President Donald Trump's string of firings and funding threats. (One sign of the times: Local dentists report an influx of teeth grinding since the inauguration.) For many residents, the sing-alongs have become a balm — an opportunity to connect, unwind and get a little silly. 'There is something beautiful and communal about singing with other people,' Korr said. 'This group of people who are all letting their emotions emerge and mix with yours … it is magical.' Researchers back that up, finding that group singing can help us make friends and leave us happier. Kevin Cole has attended nearly every sing-along, accompanying the music on flute. He's attracted, he said, to the pleasures of communal performance: 'I don't like to solo. I like performing with other people.' Korr grew up attending folk sing-alongs with his parents. In 2012, he started bringing friends together to improvise. By 2020, he was inviting strangers to join his D.C. Sing-Along events. The group went on hiatus due to covid, but started back up in earnest in 2023. The gatherings initially drew 10 to 20 attendees. Now, 50 people regularly show up and his mailing list includes more than 450 names. There are no prerequisites for joining one of the meetups, listed on D.C. Sing-Along's website. The sing-alongs are held at rotating locations in the District and Takoma Park. On that recent Saturday, each attendee was given a kazoo and a handmade songbook that lists Disney songs alongside Robyn's 'Dancing on My Own' and 'Wonderwall' by Oasis. For each gathering, Korr curates a set list from the songbook. He also serves as the guitar accompanist and emcee, amping up the crowd. 'That invisible structure is key to turning this from an informal loosey-goosey jam where things fizzle out to an actual event,' he said. On Saturday, Korr asked how everyone was doing and said he knows many Washingtonians feel stressed and worried right now. He didn't push when no one replied. 'It feels,' he told the crowd, 'like you just want to sing.' In the past, he's woven in a few songs that meet the moment, such as 'Bad Moon Rising' or 'Eye of the Tiger.' This time, he offered up 'This Land Is Your Land,' by Woody Guthrie. After about an hour, Korr opened the floor to requests. Nikki Goldstone suggested Billy Joel's 'Piano Man.' She'd been practicing the song's harmonica solo for weeks and wanted to try it out for the crowd on this, her birthday weekend. Goldstone moved to D.C. a few years ago and tried out a few groups before becoming a regular at this one. 'I like that it doesn't feel like people are performing,' she said afterward. 'It feels like we're all singing together.'
