Athletes around the world have massive fan bases. Similar to the players, there are several beloved sports team mascots with followings of their own. The New York Liberty’s Ellie The Elephant has become the WNBA’s latest breakout star.
It was clear Ellie received the silver dress code notice, as the sassy elephant was rolled onto center court dressed in a mockup of Beyoncé’s tour look. With her own Renaissance World Tour dancers, Ellie slayed the mashup of “Move” featuring Grace Jones and Nina Sky’s “Move Ya Body” with hints of “Formation.”
Users online raved about the Halftime performance. Many even joked that a floral arrangement from Beyoncé would arrive at the arena soon. Ellie welcomed the idea, writing, “If this happened, tears just might fall .”
— Ellie The Elephant (@BigEllieLiberty) June 23, 2024
Ellie’s Beyhive-certified tribute stated well before see hit the Barclays Center’s floor. In a clip shared to Ellie’s official X (formerly Twitter) profile she is seen Sasha Fiercly stomping across the Snipes pre-game carpet in another Beyoncé-inspired outfit with a hand fan made up of the Renaissance cover art.
Grace Jones is a name synonymous with avant-garde artistry and fierce individuality. She has carved a unique niche in the entertainment industry. With a net worth of $7 million as of 2024, according to CelebrityNetWorth, Jones’s fortune is a testament to her enduring influence and versatility. From her beginnings in Jamaica to her rise as an international icon, Jones’s career spans music, fashion, and film, making her a multifaceted force in pop culture.
Born on May 19, 1948, in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Grace Jones moved to Syracuse, New York, at a young age. Her early life was marked by strict religious upbringing, which starkly contrasted with the bold and rebellious persona she would later adopt. This dichotomy played a significant role in shaping her artistic identity, which defied conventional norms and expectations.
The Musical Pioneer
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – SEPTEMBER 13: Grace Jones performs on Day 1 of. ON Blackheath at Blackheath Common on September 13, 2014, also in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
Grace Jones’s journey into the world of music began in the 1970s. She quickly became a prominent figure in the New York City disco scene. Her distinctive voice, combined with a striking visual presence, set her apart from her contemporaries. Albums like Nightclubbing and Warm Leatherette showcased her ability to blend genres, merging reggae, punk, and new wave into a sound that was uniquely her own. Her hit songs, including “Pull Up to the Bumper” and “Slave to the Rhythm,” became anthems of the era, cementing her status as a musical innovator.
Jones’s music career contributed significantly to her net worth and established her as a trendsetter. Her collaborations with renowned producers like Chris Blackwell and Sly & Robbie resulted in critically acclaimed works that continue influencing artists across genres. Her fearless approach to music and performance art remains a benchmark for creativity and originality.
Fashion Icon & Muse
Jamaican-born singer and model Grace Jones poses with a lion at the. Area nightclub, New York, New York, March 1, 1984. (Photo by Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images)
Beyond her musical achievements, Grace Jones is celebrated for her groundbreaking work in fashion. Her androgynous look and towering presence made her a muse for designers like Jean-Paul Goude and Thierry Mugler. Jones’s appearances on the covers of Vogue and Elle magazines, coupled with her iconic modeling work, redefined beauty standards and pushed the boundaries of fashion.
Jones’s influence extended to her on-stage personas, where she often combined elaborate costumes with theatrical performances. Her ability to seamlessly merge fashion with her music and film work highlighted her versatility and reinforced her status as a cultural icon. This aspect of her career also contributed to her financial success, as her unique image made her a sought-after figure in the fashion industry.
Acting Career & Cultural Impact
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 12: Grace Jones attends a signing of her new autobiography. “I’ll Never Write My Memoirs” at Waterstones, Piccadilly on November 12, 2015, also in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Grace Jones’s foray into acting further diversified her career and income sources. She starred in several notable films, including Conan the Destroyer and the James Bond film A View to a Kill. Her performances were characterized by the same boldness and intensity that defined her music and fashion work. They also earned her a reputation as a formidable actress.
Jones’s impact on popular culture is profound, influencing generations of artists, musicians, and fashion designers. Her fearless approach to self-expression and her ability to transcend traditional gender roles have made her a symbol of empowerment and individuality. Despite the ups and downs of her career, her net worth of $7 million reflects a legacy built on talent, innovation, and resilience.
On Wednesday, June 7, Monáe shared the full double disc tracklist and the album’s featured artists on Instagram and Twitter. Appearing on the album are Grace Jones, Doechii, CKay, Seun Kuti And Egypt 80, Sister Nancy, Amaarae, and actress Nia Long.
Their Instagram video showed behind-the-scenes footage from making the album alongside the caption, “#TheAgeOfPleasure TRACKLiSTING AND FEATURES! 2 more days to go [red heart emoji, flame emoji] This project wouldn’t be the same without each of you. I wish everyone could have been a spider on the speaker while we had the most fun making thingsssss. Legendary times were had.”
The Age Of Pleasure arrives at midnight, June 9. (It’s probably safe to assume a 6/9 release date was chosen purposefully.) Monáe announced their supporting North American The Age Of Pleasure Tourlast week, which will begin on August 30 in Seattle, Washington and eventually conclude on October 28 at Inglewood, California’s YouTube Theater.
Check out the full The Age Of Pleasure tracklist below.
1. “Float” Feat. Seun Kuti And Egypt 80
2. “Champagne Shit”
3. “Black Sugar Beach”
4. “Phenomenal” Feat. Doechii
5. “Haute”
6. “Ooh La La” Feat. Grace Jones
7. “Lipstick Lover”
8. “The Rush” Feat. Amaarae and Nia Long
9. “The French 75” Feat. Sister Nancy
10. “Water Slide”
11. “Know Better” Feat. CKay
12. “Paid In Pleasure”
13. “Only Have Eyes 42”
14. “A Dry Red”
The Age Of Pleasure is out 6/9 via Wondaland Arts Society/Atlantic Records. Find more information here.
Janelle Monáe is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
We are now just days away from The Age Of Pleasure, the much-hyped new album from Janelle Monáe. That drops at midnight, and now, we finally know what the tracklist looks like. Monáe runs the show here, but along the way, she gets help via features from Grace Jones, Doechii, CKay, Seun Kuti And Egypt 80, Sister Nancy, Amaarae, and even actress Nia Long.
Monáe previously said of the album, “All the songs were written from such an honest space. Look, it never stops. Even with this album, this project. I’m just like, ‘You know what? It takes work.’ I have to learn things all over again. I have to practice. I have to… and thank God I love the songs. Yeah. So it’s always a fun thing to do to. It’s like starting on a blank canvas. So I hope that people feel that when they listen to the music, that they feel that when they come and counter with me when I’m around, I definitely have had an opportunity to evolve and grow and to tap into the things that bring me pleasure, the things that perhaps I should rethink and rework. Sometimes it really is just saying, ‘You know what? Let’s get back to the basics and also let’s honor the present.’”
Check out the The Age Of Pleasure tracklist below.
1. “Float” Feat. Seun Kuti And Egypt 80
2. “Champagne Shit”
3. “Black Sugar Beach”
4. “Phenomenal” Feat. Doechii
5. “Haute”
6. “Ooh La La” Feat. Grace Jones
7. “Lipstick Lover”
8. “The Rush” Feat. Amaarae and Nia Long
9. “The French 75” Feat. Sister Nancy
10. “Water Slide”
11. “Know Better” Feat. CKay
12. “Paid In Pleasure”
13. “Only Have Eyes 42”
14. “A Dry Red”
The Age Of Pleasure is out 6/9 via Wondaland Arts Society/Atlantic Records. Find more information here.
Janelle Monáe is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
The Blue Note Jazz Festival is set to return to New York City this summer. On June 24, several jazz and R&B acts will perform across seven venues in New York City, including the famed Greenwich Village jazz club Blue Note, Sony Hall, the iconic Beacon Theatre, and more.
Taking one of these legendary stages is Grace Jones, whose performance will mark her first headlining solo show in over a decade. Fans can also look forward to seeing Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge’s supergroup NxWorries, as well as Robert Glasper with Lalah Hathaway, Buddy Guy, BJ The Chicago Kid, and more.
“The Blue Note Jazz Festival is celebrating the pulse and culture of New York City, and there is no better way to do that than by experiencing iconic artists throughout iconic venues this summer,” said Alex Kurland, Blue Note’s director of programming, in a statement. “We’re proud to spotlight multi-generational, legendary artists who have had an extraordinary impact and influence on music and culture.”
Fans can purchase tickets and view a full schedule of events here.
You can see the full line-up below.
Blue Note Festival
Some of the artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Beyoncé shares the tracklist with song collaborators from her forthcoming project Renaissance. The album’s first single, “Break My Soul,” debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Currently sitting at at #1 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart for the third week. According to Chart Data, it’s the longest running #1 released in 2022.
On Renaissance the queen tapped veteran hitmakers Mike Dean, The-Dream, her hubby Jay-Z and more for her seventh studio album, which is set to drop July 29.
The 28-time Grammy Award winner confirmed features from Tems and the legendary Grace Jones on “Move” that sent the internet into a frenzy. While Bey tapped Dancehall artist, BEAM on “Energy” for a total of 3 features. She also unveiled an alternate vinyl cover for Renaissance and has a pre-order link available on apple music.
Other notable collaborators the BeyHive can expect are Drake, Raphael Saadiq, Sabrina Claudio, and Pharrell Williams.
Beyoncé | #RENAISSANCE | Official Composer Credits. 🪩
Incl. Skrillex, Labrinth, Lucky Daye, Tems, SYD, Nija Charles, Honey Dijon, Moi Renee, 070 Shake, The-Dream, MIKE DEAN, Raphael Saadiq, No I.D., DIXSON, GuiltyBeatz, Hit-Boy, Drake, and more. pic.twitter.com/fReWdmcGbs
Beyoncé shares the tracklist with song collaborators from her forthcoming project Renaissance. The album’s first single, “Break My Soul,” debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Currently sitting at at #1 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart for the third week. According to Chart Data, it’s the longest running #1 released in 2022.
On Renaissance the queen tapped veteran hitmakers Mike Dean, The-Dream, her hubby Jay-Z and more for her seventh studio album, which is set to drop July 29.
The 28-time Grammy Award winner confirmed features from Tems and the legendary Grace Jones on “Move” that sent the internet into a frenzy. While Bey tapped Dancehall artist, BEAM on “Energy” for a total of 3 features. She also unveiled an alternate vinyl cover for Renaissance and has a pre-order link available on apple music.
Other notable collaborators the BeyHive can expect are Drake, Raphael Saadiq, Sabrina Claudio, and Pharrell Williams.
Beyoncé | #RENAISSANCE | Official Composer Credits. 🪩
Incl. Skrillex, Labrinth, Lucky Daye, Tems, SYD, Nija Charles, Honey Dijon, Moi Renee, 070 Shake, The-Dream, MIKE DEAN, Raphael Saadiq, No I.D., DIXSON, GuiltyBeatz, Hit-Boy, Drake, and more. pic.twitter.com/fReWdmcGbs
pic.twitter.com/n9ODqZHcgm
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(@JanelleMonae) 
