Griff has opened for some of the biggest names in pop, and now she’s set to hit the road with her debut album.
British singer-songwriter Griffith’s career has been undeniably dizzying. Less than two years after releasing her first single, she won the Brit Award for Rising Star. She’s since opened for Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Taylor Swift. In between those gigs, intimate solo shows and single and EP releases, she was working on what would become her debut album, “Vertigo.” The 23-year-old, whose full name is Sarah Faith Griffiths, told The Associated Press that the steps a new artist typically takes were upside down for her. On her new album, she tracks the dizzying emotions that have haunted her journey. “Vertigo” is out now.
Son of Asia’s richest man plans most lavish wedding of the year
MUMBAI, India (AP) — Global celebrities, businessmen and politicians are arriving in India’s financial capital for the wedding of the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, the world’s ninth-richest man. Ambani married his longtime girlfriend Radhika Merchant in what many are calling the wedding of the year. The Mumbai celebrations are the culmination of months of wedding events that also featured pop stars Rihanna and Justin Bieber. The wedding guest list includes former British prime ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, the Kardashians, Adele, Lana Del Rey, Drake and David Beckham. Ambani is Asia’s richest man with a net worth of $116 billion.
LL Cool J re-learned how to rap with his first album in 11 years, “The Force.” Here’s how:
NEW YORK (AP) — Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor and writer LL Cool J will release his first new album in 11 years, “The FORCE,” on Sept. 6, marking the fourth decade of his hip-hop career. He told The Associated Press that while he’d always tinkered in the studio, his pursuits have become more serious in the past two years. A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dogg appeared to him in a dream, which led to LL Cool J asking Dogg’s bandmate, Q-Tip, to produce the album. The album is out Sept. 16. He says the album is meant to show people that rap veterans can still contribute and influence modern hip-hop.
These Picassos sparked a gender war at an Australian gallery — and now the curator claims he painted them
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — An Australian museum curator has revealed that he is the artist of three paintings he exhibited as works by Pablo Picasso that sparked a sex discrimination lawsuit because only female gallery patrons were allowed to view them. The paintings are part of an exhibition called “Ladies Lounge” at Tasmania’s Old and New Art Museum, and curator Kirsha Kaechele said this week that she came forward after the Picasso Administration contacted her about the works. The paintings have been on display at the museum for more than three years.
Angry birds battle drones that monitor sharks and swimmers in distress on New York beaches
NEW YORK (AP) — A new initiative to use surveillance drones to monitor swimmers and sharks on New York City beaches is drawing backlash from shorebirds. City officials say that since the initiative began in May, the drones have been repeatedly attacked by the birds, forcing pilots to repeatedly land their drones. The city is now avoiding known nesting sites, but the attacks haven’t stopped. Wildlife experts warn that the drones could cause a stress response in the birds, leading them to abandon their nests. The attacks are primarily committed by American oystercatchers. The beaches are also home to American plovers, a federally endangered species.
Turkey’s booming TV drama industry captures hearts and minds around the world, boosting tourism
ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey has emerged as a major exporter of TV dramas, boosting the country’s international image and drawing millions of viewers and tourists to the historical and cultural sites that serve as the backdrop for many of the shows. Its success has propelled a burgeoning, multi-billion-dollar industry that experts say significantly boosts Turkey’s soft power on a global scale. Global demand for Turkish drama series grew 184% between 2020 and 2023, according to a leading analytics firm. Markets include the United States, Canada, Greece, India and Pakistan. Hayley Uganadi, founder of a fan platform called “Dizilah,” said the appeal of the shows lies in the themes that focus on family, friendship and love.
Serena Williams to host ESPY Awards ceremony celebrating landmark year for women in sports
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Led by host Serena Williams, the ESPYS celebrated a landmark year in women’s sports Thursday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with award winners including Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Kaitlyn Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins. ABC’s three-hour show was delayed due to a late start to President Joe Biden’s nationally televised news conference. Host Serena Williams told jokes during her monologue and then performed a song. The show suffered technical difficulties in the final minutes that resulted in Williams’ goodnight speech and the credits cutting off during the live broadcast in the Eastern and Central time zones. ABC said it would fix the issue for delayed viewing in the West via pre-recorded broadcasts.
‘The Shining’ and ‘Nashville’ star Shelley Duvall dies at 75
Shelley Duvall, the spunky Texas-born movie star, has died at age 75. Her wide eyes and affable presence made her a staple in Robert Altman’s films and her co-star in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining.” Duvall died in her sleep Thursday at her home in Blanco, Texas, according to her longtime partner Dan Gilroy. Friend and publicist Gary Springer said the cause was complications from diabetes. Duvall attended junior college in Texas, but Altman’s crew ran into her at a Houston party in 1970 while preparing to shoot “Brewster McCloud.” She went on to become Altman’s protégé.
On stage, one of Japan’s leading Kabuki actors changes roles in an instant. Behind the scenes, it’s been decades in the making.
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s kabuki theater’s biggest star, Ichikawa Danjuro, is a master of role-switching onstage. In his latest production, he plays 13 roles, including a princess, a sushi chef and a fox. He limps off the stage as a frail old man, then dashes back on again a moment later as a fierce warrior. He engages in a few sword fights, suffers multiple tragic deaths and flies through the air on wires. But offstage, he wonders if it’s time to change the kabuki star’s rigid roles. Danjuro has made efforts to modernize kabuki in “Hoshiai Jusandan,” which runs through July 24 at Tokyo’s Kabukiza Theater, cutting long scenes and modernizing some lines.
Second endangered pangolin born in less than two years at Prague Zoo
PRAGUE (AP) — A second Chinese pangolin has been born at the Prague Zoo in less than two years, and she’s thriving against expectations, surprising park officials. The critically endangered mammal, a female, was born July 1 and is the second Chinese pangolin born in captivity in Europe, following her sister, Corn, in February last year. Pangolins are difficult to breed in captivity, and Prague is the second European zoo to house them. The pangolin’s arrival comes after Prague decided to end a sister-city agreement with Beijing and signed a similar pact with Taiwan’s capital in 2020. The pact sparked tensions with China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory.
