On Thursday, July 25, Anderson .Paak and Stefani released “Hello World (Song of The Olympics)” with a video posted to the Olympics’ official YouTube channel.
“The Olympics and The Coca-Cola Company teamed up with Ryan Tedder, Gwen Stefani, and Anderson .Paak to create a song that celebrates the magic that happens when the world comes together at the Olympic Games,” the YouTube description reads.
Tedder co-produced and co-wrote the feel-good anthem. In the video, .Paak sets the tone by singing, “Hello, world, where ya been? / I’ve been waiting for you and your friends / One love begins / Tip-top, we’re starting at ten / If you believe that we can make some magic happen, say yeah.”
.Paak’s performance is spliced with footage of Olympic athletes being generally awesome, and eventually, we’re joined by a glittery Stefani. “I was mindin’ my business, taking care of business,” she sings. “Doin’ my thing / Woke up in the middle of the night like, ‘Ooh’ / Heard the telephone ring / I don’t need to tell you, I don’t need to explain / It’s ‘Hello World,’ we showin’ up, we changing the game.”
The 2024 Paris Olympics will run from July 26 to August 11, and you can expect to hear this song umpteen times in between.
Gwen Stefani, a music, fashion, and pop culture dynamo, has carved a unique place in the industry. Her journey from the lead vocalist of No Doubt to a successful solo artist and fashion icon is marked by innovation, flair, and a distinct sense of style. As of 2023, Stefani’s trailblazing career in music and her ventures into fashion and entrepreneurship have amassed a net worth of $160 million, according to Parade. This figure signifies her financial achievement and her profound impact on the music and fashion industries.
Career Highlights: Chart-Topping Music & Fashion Ventures
Stefani’s rise to fame began with No Doubt. Her energetic performances and unique voice propelled the band to international success. Her transition to a solo career was met with acclaim. She carries hits like “Hollaback Girl” and “The Sweet Escape,” defining a generation. Additionally, Stefani’s foray into fashion with her line L.A.M.B. showcased her innovative design sense. It also showcased her ability to influence fashion trends. Her involvement in television as a coach on The Voice further demonstrates her versatility and appeal in different entertainment arenas.
Personal Life: Balancing Fame & Family
In her personal life, Stefani has also navigated the complexities of fame, relationships, and motherhood with grace and resilience. Her high-profile marriages, first to Gavin Rossdale and later to Blake Shelton, have been subjects of public interest. These reflect the intertwining of her personal and professional worlds. Further, Stefani’s role as a mother and her journey in balancing family life with a demanding career add depth to her public persona, resonating with fans who admire her for her talent and authenticity.
Impact & Legacy: A Trailblazer In Music & Style
Reflecting on Gwen Stefani’s $160 million net worth in 2023, her career is a testament to her diverse talents and influence as a trendsetter. Stefani’s legacy in the music industry is characterized by her distinctive voice and role in shaping the sound of modern pop music. Her contributions to fashion are also marked by her unique style and ability to transcend music to become a respected designer and entrepreneur. Overall, Stefani’s journey in the entertainment world highlights the power of creativity, adaptability, and a strong sense of self.
By the time Eve released Scorpion in 2001, she had already established herself as a formidable force in hip-hop. With this album, she took her artistry to new heights, blending the raw energy of hip-hop with the soulful depth of R&B. Scorpion was more than just a collection of tracks. It was a nuanced portrayal of Eve’s multifaceted talent as a rapper, songwriter, and performer. This album showcased her lyrical prowess and highlighted her ability to create music that resonated with a diverse audience.
Scorpion arrived at a pivotal moment in Eve’s career, following the success of her debut album. It was a project that balanced commercial appeal with artistic integrity, featuring collaborations with prominent names in the music industry. The album solidified Eve’s reputation as an artist who could deliver powerful, thought-provoking music while staying true to her roots in hip-hop.
Scorpion: A Fusion Of Hip-Hop And R&B
Scorpion marked a significant moment in Eve’s discography, showcasing her versatility and willingness to explore beyond the confines of traditional hip-hop. The album’s production featured a blend of hard-hitting beats and smoother R&B melodies, creating a sound that was both edgy and accessible. This fusion reflected Eve’s Philadelphia roots and her journey in the music industry, blending street-wise lyricism with broader, more relatable themes.
Standout tracks like “Let Me Blow Ya Mind,” a collaboration with Gwen Stefani, broke new ground for Eve. With its catchy hook and seamless meld of rap and pop elements, the song became a chart-topping hit and won a Grammy Award. It exemplified Eve’s skill in creating music that could cross genre boundaries and appeal to many listeners. Another key track, “Who’s That Girl?,” highlighted her ability to deliver rapid-fire rhymes over a danceable beat, further showcasing her range as an artist.
Throughout Scorpion, Eve maintains a balance between introspection and empowerment. Tracks like “Love Is Blind” addressed serious topics like domestic violence, while “Cowboy” showcased her storytelling prowess. The album was a journey through various aspects of Eve’s artistry, cementing her status as a multifaceted musician.
Scorpion Climbs The Charts: A Commercial Powerhouse
Eve’s Scorpion made a significant impact on the charts upon its release. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, a testament to her growing popularity and the album’s broad appeal. The album was certified Platinum in the United States, signifying its commercial success. “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” emerged as a standout hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning international acclaim.
Scorpion resonated with audiences internationally, charting highly in countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada. This global reach underscored Eve’s appeal as an artist transcending geographical and musical boundaries. The album’s singles, particularly “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” and “Who’s That Girl?” enjoyed substantial airplay and became club favorites, further driving the album’s sales and popularity.
Critically, Scorpion received acclaim for its bold fusion of genres and Eve’s lyrical depth. Critics praised her ability to tackle serious themes authentically and the album’s production quality. The commercial and critical success of “Scorpion” marked a pivotal point in Eve’s career, establishing her as a leading figure in the evolution of hip-hop and R&B.
Enduring Influence Of Scorpion
The legacy of Eve’s Scorpion extends well beyond its initial release, underscoring her influence in the music world. The album’s successful blend of hip-hop and R&B elements showcased Eve’s ability to navigate and reshape the musical landscape, setting a precedent for female artists in the genre. Scorpion affirmed Eve’s position as a formidable artist and contributed to the evolution of hip-hop, particularly in expanding the role and representation of women.
Eve’s fearless approach to blending genres and addressing poignant topics in Scorpion paved the way for future artists, especially women in hip-hop, to explore a diverse range of sounds and themes. The album’s commercial success helped to break down barriers, proving that female rappers could achieve both critical and commercial acclaim on a large scale.
The impact of Scorpion is evident in its continued relevance. Tracks like “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” remain iconic, symbolic of a time when hip-hop underwent significant transformation. As highlighted by the album, Eve’s role in this transformation has inspired a new generation of artists who look up to her as a trailblazer in the industry.
The 2024 Hollywood Walk Of Fame inductees list has been revealed, and Dr. Dre, Gwen Stefani, and Def Leppard are amongst the 31-person list of honorees. Last year, Stefani delivered her speech as she joined her husband, country music star Blake Stelton, during the ceremony to reveal his placement among the legends.
Dre himself has attended several ceremonies in the past when his friends were being acknowledged by the organizing committee, including the ones for 50 Cent (2020), Ice Cube (2017), and Snoop Dogg (2018). Now, all eyes are on him as the producer will bring out a host of special guests when his ceremony is held.
Brandy Norwood, Charles Fox, Darius Rucker, Glen Ballard, Sammy Hagar, and Toni Braxton round out the rest of the new inductees. However, those aren’t the only musicians to be honored next year. The late Otis Redding will also receive his posthumous star. Instead of being recognized for his impactful music career, the soul legend is being honored for his contributions to live theater. The same goes for Sheryl Lee Ralph, whose career started in musical theatre. Ralph is being acknowledged in the television category.
Although the official date of the ceremony has not been revealed, radio personality Ellen K shared her excitement for the big day as an official selection committee member. “The committee did an amazing job choosing these very talented people,” said Ellen. “We can’t wait to see each honoree’s reaction as they realize that they are becoming a part of Hollywood’s history with the unveiling of their star on the world’s most famous walkway.”
Nearly four years removed from her latest studio album You Make It Feel Like Christmas, Gwen Stefani is ramping up for a comeback with Let Me Reintroduce Myself. After teasing one of its new songs, “Slow Clap,” on Instagram, she released the video today, complete with a guest appearance from pop-rap princess Saweetie.
The new song flows in the same vein as Stefani’s previous tracks with Eve: It’s got a dancehall/reggae vibe, upbeat lyrics, and a call-and-response chorus that encourages listeners to sing along. Even the video, which finds the two stars taking over a high school gym for some pep rally-style shenanigans, may remind fans of the video for “Hollaback Girl.”
Although Gwen hasn’t released much new music over the past few years, she’s been a hot commodity as a collaborator, working with her fiance Blake Shelton on “Nobody But You” and with dance-pop star Dua Lipa on the remix version of her album Club Future Nostalgia.
Meanwhile, Saweetie has been an in-demand guest star as well, popping up on Lil Tjay’s recently released albumDestined 2 Win, and preparing to feature on Demi Lovato’s next album. Her fans also believe a collab with Nicki Minaj is in the works.
Watch Gwen Stefani’s “Slow Clap” video featuring Saweetie above.
Saweetie is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
At the end of 2020, Gwen Stefani marked her official comeback with the playful song “Let Me Reintroduce Myself.” The song’s video saw the singer calling back to her early aughts heyday by showcasing her most iconic outfits — but she was just getting started. Last month, the singer followed-up with her rhythmic track “Slow Clap” and this week, Stefani announced she has asked Saweetie to join in on a remix.
Stefani and Saweetie’s “Slow Clap (Remix)” video is set to arrive Friday, and the two are already getting fans excited. Stefani shared a few teasers that show the duo’s friendly chemistry. One snippet gives fans a close-up look at both Stefani and Saweetie’s bejeweled acrylic nails and another shows them playing a hand-clapping game on set.
Saweetie is the latest celebrity that Stefani has recently cosigned. Ahead of the anticipated collaboration, Stefani praised Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single “Drivers License” as “a light in the dark” and was tapped by Dua Lipa to hop on a club-ready remix of the singer’s Future Nostalgia track “Physical.”
Of course, Saweetie’s remix arrives on the heels of news that she and Quavo have broken up. The rapper broke the news last month, claiming that Quavo had been unfaithful to her during their relationship. Following reports of their split, a video surfaced that showed Saweetie and Quavo getting into a physical altercation over a suitcase in an elevator. The video is reportedly being reviewed by the LAPD and Saweetie recently came forward to claim the incident happened over a year ago.
Saweetie is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.