Latest news with #Timbaland
Calgary Herald
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
'Doesn't seem right': Skateboarders feel blindsided by temporary closure of city's biggest skatepark
Article content Members of Calgary's skateboard community say they're frustrated by the temporary closure of a main section of Canada's largest outdoor skatepark, in order to prepare for an upcoming music festival. Article content Local skaters expressed outrage in an online message board Friday, after the yellow zone of the Cowboys Park skatepark was barricaded for crews to set up for next month's Cowboys Music Festival. Article content The yellow zone is the largest section of the 75,000-square-foot skatepark. Article content Article content The Cowboys Music Festival, which takes place during the Calgary Stampede, will be held July 3 to 13 at the park just west of the downtown core. The 11-day festival will feature Macklemore, T-Pain, Kim Petras, Timbaland, and other headline acts, drawing an estimated attendance of 100,000. Article content A petition urging festival organizers to reconsider their use of the space and 'free' the skatepark — which many local users still refer to as 'Millz' — had garnered more than 1,800 e-signatures as of Saturday morning. Article content 'People are upset, understandably,' said skateboarder Evan Podilek, an employee of Ninetimes Skate Shop on 12th Street S.W., just a few kilometres from Cowboys Park. Article content 'We have a limited stretch of weather to skate outside.' Article content Another employee of the shop, Jasper Westbury argued skateboarders weren't consulted ahead of time, only hearing about the closure 'through the grapevine.' Article content Article content 'I think our big thing is, Stampede gets what Stampede wants,' he said. Article content 'It would have been sick if the city and Cowboys thought about everybody that is a stakeholder.' Article content At the skatepark on Friday afternoon, a small number of skateboarders and BMX riders were limited to using either the blue zone, which is designed for beginners, or the more advanced red zone, which features bowls and ramps catering to users of a high skill level. Article content Kincaid Chan said he skates at the park a few times a week and that he signed the e-petition. Article content 'It doesn't seem right,' he said of the closure. 'From what I've read … apparently they weren't supposed to touch the skatepark. That seems to have been contravened.'
The South African
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Timbaland sparks debate as he signs an AI artist to his label
Grammy-award-winning American producer Timbaland has caused a stir with his decision to sign an AI artist to his record label. The artist is called TaTa, and this move has been met with vast opposition. The growing rise of AI will see most vocations and industries either succumb to this development or learn to use it somehow. Timbaland describes TaTa as 'a living, learning, autonomous music artist built with AI. He stressed that TaTa is more than just an avatar or animated character. He's even pioneering a genre around his new artist, something he calls A-pop, along with a new company to manage his artificially created exploits. He probably will not refrain from collaborating with human beings. He has quite a roster of talents that he has helped shape. People like Missy Elliot, Aaliyah, Justin Timberlake, and Keri Hilson. He unearthed a lot of those talents himself. The idea with the AI artist TaTa will be to blend human creativity with digital advancements. Timbaland has aligned himself with an AI music company called Suno, an entity that has endured quite a bit of turmoil as a result of copyright infringement and concerns. The quirky producer who helped pioneer R&B and hip hop from Virginia remains focused on this endeavour, bearing fruit. South Africans also owe him a lot as his famous stem, which he allowed to be used for free, is what built our nation's second anthem, Sister Bethina. The industry, however, is not enjoying this idea. Famed American producer and long-time collaborator of Jay-Z, Young Guru, has perhaps been the loudest voice against this. He submitted that AI compromises the authenticity and human-generated passion that good music relies on. 'Human expression can never be reduced to this,' Young Guru said in a social media post. Rapper Joyner Lucas also voiced his concerns, along with rapper Uncle Murda, and even British DJ Shy FX views this approach as flawed. The enterprising maestro is still determined to make this work. 'I'm not just producing tracks anymore. I'm producing systems, stories, and stars from scratch,' he explained in an interview. He is of the firm belief that AI will change the way music is made for the better. Streamlining the process and making things easier and quicker for producers and musicians. The music industry might be on the precipice of dramatic change. One need only observe the impact of social media has on the way music is released and engaged with. Timbaland is gearing up to relase TaTa's debut single in the months to come. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Black America Web
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Timbaland Announces Work With AI Artist, Sparking Criticism
Source: Prince Williams / Getty Veteran producer and artist Timbaland is now working with artificial intelligence, announcing that he'll also be working with a new AI artist as part of a venture with an AI company. But the news has caused some backlash. Timbaland has launched Stage Zero, an AI-focused entertainment company, which he claims has signed the first-ever AI artist named TaTa. 'I'm not just producing tracks anymore. I'm producing systems, stories, and stars from scratch,' Timbaland said in an interview with Billboard. '[TaTa] is not an avatar. She is not a character. TaTa is a living, learning, autonomous music artist built with AI. TaTa is the start of something bigger. She's the first artist of a new generation. A-Pop is the next cultural evolution, and TaTa is its first icon.' He and Stage Zero released an image of 'TaTa,' depicted as a young, pink-haired woman. The venture is what the artist hopes will be a new genre of music called 'A-pop,' reflecting his work with Suno, a company that has reportedly used millions of copyrighted songs to train its AI engine. In an interview with Rolling Stone , he's reportedly created 50,000 songs from working with Suno, saying: 'The technology of today is perfect for what this is. What used to take me three months only takes me two days. In the beginning, it was like a toy. It was like going to a toy store. You gotta go through gluttony, because you can't believe that it's here.' The Grammy-winning producer's stance has earned him some backlash from fans and others in the music industry, notably from producer Young Guru who blasted him on his Instagram page. 'I'm going to say it again,' Young Guru wrote. 'I swear I love you bro but this ain't it. Do you not realize what is going on in the world. Your voice is powerful and way too important to do anything like this. I have students who worship you. They are going to say 'if Tim can do it, then it is ok for me to do it.' These are the times, right here, that history is defined .. Human expression can never be reduced to this!!! This is way bigger than music!!! I say this all in love.' SEE ALSO Timbaland Announces Work With AI Artist, Sparking Criticism was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cardi B Named ‘Voice Of The Culture' At 2025 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards
Ahead of the 2025 BET Awards, the unsung heroes of Hip-Hop and R&B — a.k.a. songwriters and producers— were honored at this year's ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards. Held at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons on Sunday (June 8), the hitmakers gathered to celebrate various achievements. The Voice of the Culture Award is presented to Cardi B, set aside for those who've had a massive influence on music and culture. Past recipients of the award include Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, D-Nice and T.I. When the Bronx-bred emcee took the stage, she was overjoyed and gracious. 'My voice has always been a reflection of what I live and what I'm living, which I feel is a true reflection of the people, the culture, my friends, my family, and the environment that I grew up in,' gushed the Grammy-winning rapper. 'I like to put that in my music— my joys, my pains, my drama, everything.' She continued, 'I hate the idea that if you don't write every line on your own, it makes what you have to say not real. Music is a collaboration, it has always been. The biggest hits [and] the greatest records come from teamwork. They come from sharing experiences, energy, pain and joy. It's not about ego, it's about impact. I write, I co-write, I rewrite. I speak to what's true to me. My pen, my mind and my feelings are in every verse and in every hook. I respect every writer who brings their magic to the table. This award is not just for me, it's for the culture.' Cardi's hit, 'Enough (Miami)' also snagged an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award. The rapper made history back in 2020 as the first woman to receive the esteemed ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year Award for two consecutive years. Kendrick Lamar and Mustard's 'Not Like Us' was named ASCAP R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Song of the Year while songwriter OZ was given the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year honor, for contributing to hits like Drake and J. Cole's 'First Person Shooter,' Jack Harlow's 'Lovin On Me,' and Travis Scott's 'I Know?' Cece Winans' 'That's My King,' was named ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Gospel Song of the Year, and Sony Music Publishing took home the coveted honor of ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Publisher of the Year. See full list of winners below. VOICE OF THE CULTURE AWARD: Cardi B SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Ozan 'OZ' Yildirim R&B, HIP-HOP AND RAP SONG OF THE YEAR: 'Not Like Us' Writer: Dijon 'Mustard' McFarlane Publishers: Pay DJ Mustard, Sony Music Publishing GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR: 'That's My King' Writers: Taylor Agan, Kellie Besch Publisher: Essential Music Publishing LLC, Bridge Worship, CURB|Word Music Publishing, Kellie Besch Music, Taylor Agan Publishing PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR: Sony Music Publishing MOST PERFORMED R&B/HIP-HOP AND RAP SONGS: 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' Writers: Shaboozey, Sean Cook, J-Kwon, Joe Capo Kent, Mark 'Tarboy' Williams Publishers: Sony Music Publishing, Essancy Music, LLC, Seeker Music, Hood Hop Music, Kreshendo, Range Music Partners, Tarpo Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music 'Agora Hills' Writer: Jean-Baptiste Kouame Publishers: Kobalt Music Publishing, Lord Pharaoh JB Music 'BAND4BAND' Writers: Central Cee, geenaro, Dominique 'Lil Baby' Jones, Ghana Beats Publishers: Quality Control QC Pro, Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Wolf Pack Global Music Publishing 'CARNIVAL' Writers: Playboi Carti, Dimitri 'Rich The Kid' Roger Publishers: Cash Carti Music, Concord Music Publishing, RichTheKid Publishing, Sony Music Publishing, These Are Songs Of Pulse 'Enough (Miami)' Writers: Cardi B, Javaan 'Spades Saratoga' Anderson, Joshua 'OG' Parker, James 'DJ Swanqo' Steed, Terence 'Romano' Williams Publishers: Concord Music Publishing, Eeeooowww Music, Feels Like Summer Ent, Galixee Management LLC, Giant Tac Publishing, Mogul Mentality Publishing, OG Parker Productions, Sony Music Publishing, Tee Romano Music, These Are Songs Of Pulse, Warner Chappell Music 'Everybody' Writers: Jesper Mortensen, Lil Uzi Vert Publishers: Perfect Luv Publishings, Sony Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music 'Fe!N' Writer: Playboi Carti Publishers: Cash Carti Music, Sony Music PublishingFirst Person Shooter Writers:Anderson 'Vinylz' Hernandez, Matthew 'Boi-1Da' Samuels, Ozan 'OZ' YildirimPublishers:1Damentional Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing, Sony Music Publishing, Virgoat, Warner Chappell Music 'Ftcu' Writer: Waka Publisher: Warner Chappell Music 'Get In With Me' Writer: Donte 'DXNTEMADEIT' Ononiewu Publisher: Sony Music Publishing 'Get It Sexyy' Writers: Jamaal 'SVPA' Parker, Sexyy Red Publishers: BigSexyyPublishing, Sony Music Publishing, Gulf Shore Worldwide Publishing, Sony Music Publishing, Payday Publishing, Warner Chappell Music 'I Know ?' Writers: Buddy Ross, Ozan 'OZ' Yildirim Publishers: Heavy Duty Music, Kobalt Music Publishing 'IDGAF' Writers: Benjamin 'BNYX®' Saint Fort, John Taylor, Norma Winstone Publisher: Sony Music Publishing 'IDGAF' Writers: Darrel 'Chopsquad DJ' Jackson, Terry 'Tee Grizzley' Wallace Publishers: Bangerz Music Group LLC, Presciption Songs, It's Only About Music LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing, Prescription Songs 'Kehlani' Writers: Ali 'Prodbyli' Abouzeid, Roark Bailey, Boobie, Summer Walker Publishers: Artist Publishing Group, Eucalipto Music, Foundation Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing, LVRN Publishing, Sundaemorning, Warner Chappell Music 'Like That' Writer: MC Ren 'Lose Control' Writer: Joshua 'Ammo' Coleman Publishers: Each Note Counts, Kobalt Music Publishing, Prescription Songs 'Lovin On Me' Writers: Nik D, Nickie Jon Pabón, Ozan 'OZ' Yildirim Publishers: Kobalt Music Publishing, Roc Nation Music, Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group 'Made For Me' Writers: Muni Long, Jermaine Dupri Publishers: 2316Music, Sony Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music 'Million Dollar Baby' Writers: Mannyvelli, Terrance 'Sparkheem' Davis, Gidi, Tommy Richman, Jonah Roy Publishers: EVERYTHINGISPUNK, Iso Global, Kobalt Music Publishing, Mannyvelli, Sony Music Publishing 'Mmhmm' Writers: Charles Forsberg, William B Shelby, Stephen Shockley, Leon F. Sylvers III Publishers: Artist Publishing Group, BMG, Kobalt Music Publishing, Mammyth Audio LLC, Reservoir 'Never Lose Me' Writers: 42 Dugg, Hitoshi Kirigaya Publishers: Sony Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music 'prove it' Writers: 21 Savage, Tauren 'KNGS' Stovall, Keith Thomas, Summer Walker Publishers: LVRN Publishing, SMCK Media Group, Slaughter Gang, Small Piece Publishing, Warner Chappell Music 'Redrum' Writer: 21 Savage Publishers: Slaughter Gang, Warner Chappell Music 'Residuals' Writers: Jeremiah 'Jerry' Green, Darius Logan, Dominique Logan, Dewain Whitmore, Jr. Publishers: 8Sixteen Music, Emiyah Janay Music Publishing, Jeremiah Green Music, Kobalt Music Publishing, Seven Peaks Music, Sky Walker, Songtrust 'Saturn' Writers: Cian Ducrot, Jared Solomon, Scott Zhang Publishers: Solomon Gouda, Sony Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music 'Sensational' Writer: Olalekan 'Lojay' Osifeso Publisher: Sony Music Publishing 'Shake Dat Ass (Twerk Song)' Writers: HardKnock Publishers: Lassila Publishing, Lush Music 'Soak City (Do It)' Writers: Donovan 'Donez' Edwards, 310babii, Raymond 'Kreepteam' Oviedo Publishers: 310Babii Publishing, BeatStars Publishing, EMPIRE SF, Sony Music Publishing 'Surround Sound' Writer: 21 Savage Publishers: Slaughter Gang, Warner Chappell Music 'Texas Hold 'Em' Writers: Brian 'Killah B' Bates, Lowell, Megan Bülow, Nathan Ferraro, Beyoncé, Raphael Saadiq Publishers: Artist Publishing Group, Arts & Crafts Music, Kobalt Music Publishing, Oakland 13 Music, Sony Music Publishing, THEILLESTMUSICGROUP, Ugmoe Music, Universal Music Publishing Group 'TGIF' Writers: Lucas Alegria, Dillon Brophy, Jess Jackson, Ronnie 'Lil Ronnie' Jackson, Mario 'Yo Gotti' Mims, Jorge 'Ace' Taveras Publishers: Dillon Brophy Publishing, Einnor Music Publishing, Gotti World Publishing, Jess Jackson Publishing, JKSN PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music 'Timeless' Writers: Playboi Carti, Lawson, Tariq 'BL$$D' Sharrieff Publishers: Blessed By BL$$D Publishing, Honua Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing, Lawst Music 'Type Shit' Writer: Playboi Carti Publishers: Cash Carti Music, Sony Music Publishing 'Wanna Be' Writers: Ace Charisma, Ronnie 'Lil Ronnie' Jackson, Lil Wil, Mario 'Yo Gotti' Mims, Chadron Moore, Elimu Tabasuri, Jorge 'Ace' Taveras Publishers: Einnor Music Publishing, Sony Music Publishing, It's A Big E Beat, It's Only About Music LLC, Regina's Son Music, Turn That Heat Up, Payday Publishing, VI Rudebwoy Publishing 'Whatever She Wants' Writer: Wyman Boyd Publisher: In Roberto's Name Music 'Worth It' Writers: Javaan 'Spades Saratoga' Anderson, U-Roy, Kiari 'Offset' Cephus, Everett 'Heavy Mellow' Romano, Cory Rose Publishers: Doorway Studios, Feels Like Summer Ent, JPL QC Music, Reservoir, Warner Chappell Music, YRN Piped Up Ent 'Yeah Glo!' Writers: Ronnie 'Lil Ronnie' Jackson, Morris 'Moe' Jones, Timothy 'B100' McKibbins, Stephen 'Steve-T' Towns Publishers: B100Publishing, Butter In The Field Music, Einnor Music Publishing, Musiq Committee, Sony Music Publishing 'You Broke My Heart' Writers: Anderson 'Vinylz' Hernandez, Alexander Morand Publishers: Virgoat, Warner Chappell Music MOST PERFORMED GOSPEL SONGS: 'Able' Writer: Marvin L Winans Publisher: Marvin L Winans Music 'God Be Praised' Writer: Warryn 'Baby Dubb' Campbell Publisher: Sony Music Publishing 'God Is' Writer: Warryn 'Baby Dubb' Campbell Publishers: Anthem Music Publishing II, Sony Music Publishing 'I See Good' Writer: Anthony Brown Publishers: Key Of A Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music 'I Will Wait' Writers: Kayton Bassier, David 'Ali' Parrilla Publishers: DRUMMERSINCE1978, KAYTONIC 'In The Room' Writer: Tasha Cobbs Leonard Publishers: Capitol CMG Genesis, Meadowgreen Music Company, Tasha Cobbs Music Group 'Look At God' Writers: Isaiah 'Pyro' Campbell, Christopher 'Xavier Wright' Gales, Munson W. Steed Publishers: Missing Link Music, O Wow Entertainment, Skye Unlimited, Xavier Write's Publishing 'Only One Night Tho' Writer: Tye Tribbett Publishers: Greater Anointing Stuff Music, Kobalt Music Publishing 'Speak Your Name' Writer: Anthony Brown Publishers: Key Of A Music Publishing, Tyscot Music, Warner Chappell Music More from SiR Claims Drake, Kendrick Lamar Beef Resulted In Toronto Concert Cancellation Offset Reacts After Son And Cardi B's New Man, Stefon Diggs, Get Matching Braids Cardi B Shares More Murderous Thoughts About Her Estranged Husband Offset
Express Tribune
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Timbaland launches AI-generated artist TaTa under new company Stage Zero
Grammy-winning producer Timbaland has announced the launch of a new AI-driven entertainment company, Stage Zero, and introduced its first AI-generated artist, TaTa. The artist, depicted as a pink-haired virtual performer, will represent what Timbaland describes as a new genre: 'A-pop, artificial pop.' Photo: Rolling Stone Stage Zero co-founder Rocky Mudaliar told Rolling Stone that TaTa marks an early step in redefining pop music through AI. Timbaland, who now serves as creative director at Suno—an AI music tool—said he became interested in the technology after uploading his unfinished demos and being captivated by the AI-generated voice responses. 'It came to a point where I'm like, 'Yo, this voice, it's amazing.'' While humans will remain part of the creative process behind TaTa's music, reactions have been divided. The music industry is still grappling with how AI fits into copyright law, with Suno already facing legal action from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for allegedly using copyrighted material to train its AI models. There is no confirmed release date for TaTa's first single, but Stage Zero plans to make her as lifelike as possible with an active online presence. Mudaliar believes public scepticism will wane over time, saying '[AI is] not going anywhere,' and comparing its rise to the acceptance of social media influencers.
