IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Emily Ratajkowski is working on book of essays, ‘My Body’
Model and activist Emily Ratajkowski has a book deal. “EmRata,” as her millions of online followers know her, is working on an essay collection called “My Body.” Metropolitan Books will published it in 2022.
According to Metropolitan, an imprint of Henry Holt and Company, Ratajkowski will explore “what it means to be a woman and a commodity,” how men treat women and why women permit it.
Ratajkowski first rose to international attention through her starring role in the “Blurred Lines” music video, in which she appeared alongside singer Robin Thicke. She is an entrepreneur and activist who has supported Bernie Sanders’ two presidential campaigns and designed dresses for which part of the proceeds are given to Planned Parenthood.
Adam Wright’s new album is a witty antidote to 2020
Adam Wright, “I Win” (Independent) Nashville songwriter Adam Wright may have sensed we could all use a laugh, and so he has released a witty antidote to 2020.
Wright, whose compositions have been performed by such stars as Garth Brooks, Lee Ann Womack and Alan Jackson (his uncle), wisely kept these 12 tunes for himself. The whimsical tone is in the tradition of Roger Miller and Ray Stevens, whose sly humor made songs funny even on repeated listening.
“I Win” is a quarantine accomplishment — one-man-band Wright performed, recorded, mixed and produced the set. He plays acoustic and electric guitar, bass, keyboards and percussion, overdubs vocals and achieves a charming, demo-style informality that suits the material.
But Wright sings with tongue in cheek — a nifty trick — about logic, losing at love, cash flow woes and, on “Rhymes With Bucket,” a philosophy for life. He offers a tonic for a pandemic on “Cheer Up,” singing, “Probably going to be here awhile — smile.” This album can help us do just that.
Marvin Sapp on new album and dealing with pandemic at church
Even though Marvin Sapp finished recording his new album before the coronavirus rocked the world, the gospel singer believes his prophetic message of enduring transition and change
still resonates during the pandemic.
Sapp says his songs about being fearless of the unknown was heavenly sent for his 12th album, “Chosen Vessel,” out on Friday. While recording, he did not expect to release a gospel project during the pandemic, but he hopes his album can help listeners overcome uncertain change in the same manner as him.
Sapp, an 11-time Grammy nominee, is best known for the platinum-selling hits “Never Would Have Made It” and “The Best In Me.” Last year, he resigned as pastor of the Michigan-based Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, where he remains a chairman of the board of directors. He made the move to Fort Worth, Texas, where he is pastor of Chosen Vessel Cathedral.