Beyonce

Beyoncé’s Upcoming Dubai Show Reportedly Paid Her $24 Million

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Beyonce
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While the Beyhive is still aching for the visuals for Beyoncé‘s seventh studio album, Renaissance, as well as a possible tour date, it appears she is ready to kick off the next portion of the Renaissance era.

According to TMZ, the “Break My Soul” hitmaker is set to perform an hour-long show in Dubai this upcoming weekend. Though the show may be brief, Beyoncé will reportedly be cashing in on $24 million for her performance.

The performance will reportedly take place at Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal resort. Yesterday (January 18), fans in Dubai claimed to have heard Beyoncé rehearsing for the upcoming show.

According to the fans, Bey may be performing “Crazy In Love” and “Naughty Girl” from her 2003 album, Dangerously In Love, “Halo” from her 2008 album, I Am…Sasha Fierce, “Drunk In Love” from her 2013 self-titled album, and “Spirit” from the 2019 adaptation of Disney’s The Lion King.

The event is reportedly invite-only. It appears British rapper Bree Runway was invited to attend the upcoming concert. She shared an Instagram story with a video clip of the resort, captioned with “soooooo excited to indulge in this beautiful place and experience queen Beyoncé.”

At the time of writing, Beyoncé has not yet spoken directly about the event.

Beyoncé Got Paid $24M For Private Concert In Dubai: Report

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Beyoncé reportedly got a hefty cheque for her upcoming performance in Dubai this weekend.

Per TMZ, Queen Bey’s scheduled to touch the stage in Dubai for her first concert since the release of Renaissance. However, it cost a pretty penny to host her in the United Arab Emirates city. The tabloid publication claims that organizers paid Beyoncé $24M for her upcoming private show.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Beyoncé accepts the Best R&B Performance award for ‘Black Parade’ onstage during the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Los Angeles Convention Center on March 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Though it is invite-only, a few lucky fans caught a glimpse of Beyoncé in action during her sound check. Footage emerged online of Beyoncé performing a slew of hit records, like “Naughty Girl,” “Halo,” “Spirit” and “Freedom. Additionally, she rehearsed two of her biggest hits with Jay-Z, “Drunk In Love” and “Crazy In Love.” Perhaps, this indicates that Hov might pull up.

Beyoncé’s performance at the Atlantis The Royal resort during the grand opening is expected to draw in some significant A-Listers. The resort consists of 231 luxury apartments, 693 hotel rooms, and 102 suites.

The upcoming performance marks Beyoncé’s first concert in roughly five years. On top of that, it’s rumored that the Dubai show serves as a launching pad for the highly anticipated Renaissance tour. Beyoncé hasn’t confirmed dates for the tour but tickets will undoubtedly be costly.

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 16: Beyonce attends the Shawn Carter Foundation Gala at the Seminole Ballroom in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on November 16, 2019 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Shawn Carter Foundation)

In October, Bey confirmed that she’ll embark on a tour in support of her latest album. Attendees at the 2022 Wearable Art Gala bid five to six figures for tour packages including tickets to the show, travel accommodations, and a meet-and-greet.

We’ll keep you posted on any more news surrounding Beyoncé’s forthcoming tour.

[Via]

[WATCH] Stephen A. Smith Apologizes to Rihanna Over ‘She Ain’t Beyoncé’ Statement

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Stephen A. Smith Apologizes to Rihanna Over 'She Ain’t Beyoncé' Statement

Rihanna’s Navy is all over Stephen A. Smith after he stated, “She ain’t Beyoncé” when talking about his excitement for Rihanna’s upcoming Super Bowl performance.

Stephen A. was a guest on Sherri Sheppard’s The Sherri Show. While Stephen A. is looking forward to Rih’s perforamnce, he made it clear that he didn’t think she could touch Beyoncé.

“I don’t wanna say I’m not excited,” Stephen A. said. “She’s fantastic. That’s not where I’m going with this. Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a lot of things. She’s spectacular, actually. And congratulations on new-momma-hood. There’s one thing she’s not. She ain’t Beyoncé.”

With the clip going viral, Stephen A. Smith hit Instagram to offer an apology.

“I just got out of First Take and I saw some headline that’s circulating all over the place about my quote that Rihanna ain’t Beyoncé. See, I’m gonna own it. I know what y’all tryna do but I’m gon’ own it because I get paid to speak for a living so I need to be more careful.

I want Rihanna to know — you’re a superstar. You’re sensational. You’re spectacular. You’re no joke. And you are a worthy person to be doing the Super Bowl halftime show. Having said all of that, I was answering a question from Sherri Shepherd, who took over the Wendy Williams Show, and now got her own thing going, and I’m very proud of her. And she asked me with a bunch of sisters in the audience what she asked me.

Now I’m a Beyoncé fan. I think that Beyoncé is not only a phenomenal performer, thee phenomenal performer. And the only reason any kind of comparison came into play is because Beyoncé performed at halftime at the Super Bowl not just by herself but one separate Super Bowl performance with Bruno Mars and Coldplay. And I thought those were two of the greatest shows that I’ve ever seen.”

Stephen A. offers a bit more but closes the video with, “Rihanna, go do your thing. I apologize for creating whatever brouhaha comes of this. I gotta be more careful where people twist it and turn it into something it ain’t. My bad on that.”

You can hear it all from Stephen A. below.

The post [WATCH] Stephen A. Smith Apologizes to Rihanna Over ‘She Ain’t Beyoncé’ Statement appeared first on The Source.

Beyoncé Was Seemingly Overheard At The Sound Check For Her Upcoming Dubai Concert

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beyonce on the run II tour 2018
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It doesn’t take much for Beyoncé to dominate headlines, but her powerful influence truly outdid itself today, January 18. First, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith dragged Beyoncé’s name into his take on Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII halftime show scheduled for February 12. The First Take host told Sherri Shepherd that Rihanna “ain’t Beyoncé” and then apologized hours later.

Beyoncé does have something in common with Rihanna right now, though: They’re each preparing for a massive show.

According to TMZ, Beyoncé is preparing to perform an invite-only concert at the Atlantis The Royal resort in Dubai this weekend for a reported $24 million. Fan accounts are circulating clips of her sound check:

Per TMZ, Beyoncé’s Dubai set “is said to be the launching pad for her upcoming Renaissance Tour.”

Renaissance, her first original solo album since 2016’s Lemonade, arrived last July. As a result, Beyoncé leads all nominees at next month’s 2023 Grammys. Anticipation for a possible Renaissance Tour was sparked at WACO Theater’s Wearable Art Gala in October:

Though a tour hasn’t been officially announced, The Sun reported last month that Beyoncé is planning to ban alcohol and drug use for the duration of the tour.

“Bey knows the new performances will require intense choreography and precision, so everyone has to be clean and sober,” an unnamed source told the UK tabloid. “There won’t be any crazy partying on the road either.”

The source added, “She is also carrying out #MeToo checks with the dancers, band and crew with hopes doing so will make the tour a safe and friendly work environment. As touring can be mentally grueling, her new team will also have access to mental health support while on the road.”

Take that all for what you will.

Fans React To Stephen Smith’s Comparison Between Beyonce’s 2016 Super Bowl To Rihanna’s Yet To Happen 2023 Performance

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Stephen Smith

ESPN’s Stephen Smith apologized after his interview on the Sherri Show with Sherri Shepherd where he said, “although Rihanna is great,” he didn’t think she could match Beyoncé’s 2016 Super Bowl show. Stephen A. Smith apologized to Rihanna after the backlash of comparing her to Beyoncé as Riri gears up to perform at this year’s […]

The post Fans React To Stephen Smith’s Comparison Between Beyonce’s 2016 Super Bowl To Rihanna’s Yet To Happen 2023 Performance appeared first on SOHH.com.

Stephen A. Smith Apologized For Comparing Rihanna To Beyoncé: ‘Gotta Be More Careful’

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Stephen A. Smith might be a loudmouth with occasionally boneheaded opinions but he’s no fool. Just hours after risking the ire of two of music’s biggest fan bases, he’s already walking back his comments negatively comparing Rihanna to Beyoncé. In a video posted on his Twitter account, Stephen A. apologized to Rihanna and admitted that “I need to be more careful” in the future.

“I’m gonna own it,” he said, before tossing a little shade at the outlets that highlighted his faux pas. “I know what y’all trying to do. But I’m gonna own it because I get paid to speak for a living so I need to be more careful.” He then turned his attention to clearing the air with Rihanna, saying, “I want Rihanna to know: You’re a superstar. You’re sensational. You’re spectacular. You’re no joke, and you’re a worthy person to be doing the Super Bowl Halftime Show.”

He also elaborated on what he meant by “she ain’t Beyoncé.” “I’m a Beyoncé fan,” he explained. “I think Beyoncé is not only a phenomenal performer; she’s thee phenomenal performer. The only reason any kind of comparison came into play is because Beyoncé performed at the Super Bowl… and I thought those were two of the greatest shows I’ve ever seen. Anybody has to measure up to that.”

He also pointed out that he compared last year’s Dr. Dre performance with Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige to Beyoncé’s before going full Stephen A. and asserting that even a Michael Jackson reprise would have to measure up to her and… well. It’s Stephen A. Smith. You couldn’t have been expecting a totally contrite response.

Smith made sure to show love to both Bey and Rih before saying he wished no disrespect to either, encouraging Rihanna to “do your thing.”

Stephen A. Smith Is Now Bringing His Trash Takes To The Music World, Apparently

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ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is well-known for his controversial sports opinions — you could say he’s made his career on them. But perhaps out of habit, he just made a comparison that’ll have a whole new group of fans fighting mad at him.

The outspoken First Take host appeared on the daytime talk show Sherri, where he was asked about Rihanna’s upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show — it’s technically in his wheelhouse and gives the audience some common footing with him, so not a bad question, all told.

But his “first take” made an age-old comparison that isn’t likely to endear him to the daytime talk crowd, or to fans of the two artists he contrasted. “I don’t wanna say I’m not excited,” he said. “She’s fantastic. That’s not where I’m going with this. Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a lot of things. She’s spectacular, actually. And congratulations on new-momma-hood. There’s one thing she’s not. She ain’t Beyoncé.”

The two singers have been pitted against each other for years but doing so has become something of a sore spot. Unfortunately, Smith’s entire job more or less consists of comparing athletes to each other, so when he was potentially out of his depth (name one Rihanna song, album, or feature without Google, Stephen!) he fell back on what he knows.

Although, in his mind, he apparently had a good reason for doing so. “The only reason I brought up Beyoncé is because Beyoncé recently performed at the Super Bowl, with and without Bruno Mars and Coldplay,” he explained. “Rihanna’s music is fantastic. She’s great. She’s a sister. I love her dearly. I listen to her music. I’m gonna support her until the cows come home. I’m just telling you: for me, there’s Beyoncé and there’s everybody else. Just like there was Michael Jackson and there’s everybody else.”

Hey look, whatever floats your boat. But a word of advice for Smith: Kobe fans may drive to featureless California towns to fight you, but the Navy (and the Hive) never forgets. Turn off your notifications now.

Stephen A. Smith Talks Halftime Show: Rihanna “Ain’t Beyoncé”

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The Navy is fired up this morning after hearing what Stephen A. Smith had to say about Rihanna. We’re less than one month away from Super Bowl LVII, which will also host a performance by the icon. People have speculated what the Fenty billionaire will bring to the stage, and Smith weighed in during a recent interview. His comments quickly spread like wildfire.

While on Sherri, Smith was asked if he was excited about the halftime show. “I don’t want to say I’m not excited,” said Smith. “She’s fantastic. That’s not where I’m going with this.”

Read More: Jay-Z Will Help Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

“Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a lot of things,” Smith continued as he referenced Rihanna. “She’s spectacular, actually. And congratulations on new mamahood.” The audience was co-signing the compliments before Smith shook things up.

“There’s one thing she’s not: she ain’t Beyoncé,” the commentator added to an audibly shocked crowd. Sherri Shepherd jumped in to praise Rihanna’s talents.

“The only reason I brought up Beyoncé is because Beyoncé recently performed at the Super Bowl,” he replied. “And without Bruno Mars and Coldplay.”

SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 09: In this image released on November 9, Rihanna attends Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video at Allied Studios on November 08, 2022 in Simi Valley, California; and broadcast on November 9, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video)
Read More: Rihanna Drops Super Bowl Halftime Show Trailer

As the audience’s reaction almost overpowered the conversation, Shepherd also said this was Rihanna’s time, not Bey’s.

“Rihanna’s coming back, she’s got that extra oomph of motherhood. I like Rihanna!” said the talk show host.

Smith was unmoved. “I like television, I like a lotta talent out there. There’s some spectacular females in television, I just wanna say that. Everybody ain’t Sherri. That’s not throwing shade on them! That’s appreciating their greatness but understanding there’s levels.”

NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 03: Singer Beyonce performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Read More: Rihanna Shows Off Super Bowl Halftime Show Merch As Her Return To The Stage Nears

“Rihanna’s music is fantastic. She’s great, she’s a sister. I love her dearly, I listen to her music. I’m gonna support her ’til the cows come home! I’m just telling you, for me, there’s Beyoncé, there’s everybody else.”

He also mentioned Michael Jackson’s status, suggesting everyone else falls under the late icon.

This hot take certainly set off social media, so check out the clip above and a few reactions below.

Blxst Offers His Own Sensual Remix Of Beyoncé’s ‘Cuff It’

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Beyoncé‘s recent album Reinassance resonated with quite a few folks. One of them was Blxst. The 30-year-old rapper just dropped his own version of Queen Bey’s disco-inspired hit, “Cuff It.” The remix of the track, entitled “Cuff It / Wetter,” was posted to Blxst’s official YouTube page on Saturday, January 14. The soulful tune spans about a minute and a half and is the perfect blend of Bey and the singer.

“I feel like fallin’ in love / I’m in the mood to f*ck something up,” the duo sings. “I need some drink in my cup, hey / I’m in the mood to f*ck something up.”

Blxst, whose real name is Matthew Dean Burdette, released his debut album Before You Go this past April. The project featured artists like Arin Ray, Rick Ross, Zacari, and Grandmaster Vic. The singer also served as a producer on a couple of tracks for the album, which spans 13 songs.

Recently, the California singer and rapper teamed up with another Cali native, Larry June, for a track entitled “Keep Calling.” He also worked with Babyface Ray and Nija on “Spend It.”

While it’s unclear what Blxst has planned for 2023, fans are patiently awaiting his next project.

Check out Blxst’s “Cuff It / Wetter” video above.