Jay-Z, Pharrell releasing new song
Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams have teamed up to release a new song about Black ambition titled “Entrepreneur.”
The track was slated for release Friday. It is in conjunction with Time’s special cover project “The New American Revolution,” which was curated by Williams and includes conversations with Angela Davis; Naomi Osaka; Tyler, the Creator; and others about the inequalities Black people encounter in the U.S.
Williams told Time the song is “about how tough it is to be an entrepreneur in our country to begin with.”
“Especially as someone of color, there’s a lot of systemic disadvantages and purposeful blockages,” he said. “How can you get a fire started, or even the hope of an ember to start a fire, when you’re starting at disadvantages with regards to health care, education and representation?”
Jay-Z and Williams have collaborated on a number of hit songs, including “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me),” “Excuse Me Miss,” “Change Clothes” and “Frontin’.”
Rolling Stones to open ‘flagship store’: The Rolling Stones’ wide-ranging 2018 deal with Universal Music Group will have a new outlet when a Stones-themed “world exclusive flagship store” opens Sept. 9.
The store’s location — at 9 Carnaby St. in London’s Soho district — is in itself a historic Stones reference, as Carnaby Street was a center of the 1960s Swinging London scene of which the group was an integral part.
Called “RS No. 9 Carnaby,” the store, created in partnership with UMG’s Bravado, will “feature all the hallmarks of the iconic band and include exclusive new fashion and merchandise,” according to the announcement.
“Soho has always encapsulated Rock ’n’ Roll, so Carnaby Street was the perfect spot for our own store. We are confident this exciting project that our friends at Bravado have created will be an unrivaled experience for everyone to come to London and enjoy,” the Rolling Stones said in a statement.
Netflix announces ‘Pinocchio’ cast: The cast for Netflix’s new “Pinocchio” film has been chosen. The streaming service announced Wednesday that newcomer Gregory Mann will assume the title role along with Ewan McGregor as Cricket and David Bradley as Geppetto. Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro will direct the stop-motion animated musical.
“After years of pursuing this dream project, I found my perfect partner in Netflix,” del Toro said in a statement. “We have spent a long time curating a remarkable cast and crew and have been blessed by continuous support from Netflix to quietly and carefully soldier on, barely missing a beat.”
Other cast members include Oscar winners Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett. Finn Wolfhard, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson and Golden Globe winner Ron Perlman will also have roles in the film.
Aug. 21 birthdays: Filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles is 88. Actor Clarence Williams III is 81. Singer Jackie DeShannon is 79. Singer Carl Giammarese is 73. Newsman Harry Smith is 69. Actor Kim Cattrall is 64. TV personality Brody Jenner is 37. Singer Kacey Musgraves is 32. Actor Hayden Panettiere is 31. Actor RJ Mitte is 28.