Apple Music Scores Super Bowl Halftime Naming Rights
The rights race is over. After Pepsi and the NFL parted ways earlier this year following a 10-year partnership, Apple Music has secured the naming rights for the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The details of the multi-year deal are not yet available, but early reports indicate that Apple Music will pay close to $50 million annually for the rights. The partnership will kick off at Super Bowl LVII, which is set to take place on Feb. 12, 2023 in Glendale, AZ. In the run-up to the main event, Apple Music will tease behind-the-scenes content via its social channels.
Beyoncé Reportedly Set to Heat Up Summer 2023 With Renaissance World Tour
If you’re a member of the Beyhive, clear your summer schedule and start saving your money. Reports indicate that Beyonce is set to make her return to the stage in summer 2023 to commemorate her No. 1 album Renaissance. Although tour dates have yet to be announced, the Ticketmaster page entitled “Beyonce Tickets” went live in the UK as reports suggest that the multi-talented singer has been booking stadiums for a world tour.
Ime Udoka Suspended By Celtics for 2022-23 NBA Season
After violating team policies, the Boston Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 NBA season. Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will take the reigns for the upcoming season as interim coach. The punishment comes as reports surfaced that Udoka allegedly had an improper, consensual relationship with a Boston Celtics staff member. NBA training camp begins next week, as the C’s open their season on Oct. 18 against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden.
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Thursday Night Football Debut Attracts 13M Viewers
The Nielsen ratings are finally in for Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football, and the results are staggering. Viewership for the LA Chargers game against the Kansas City Chiefs surpassed Amazon’s target goal of 12.6 million, with 13.02 million tuning in for the game. In addition to scoring huge ratings, Amazon Prime also yielded record-setting sign-ups, according to Deadline. All in all, Amazon’s VP of Global Sports deemed the debut a “resounding success.”
Questlove to Revisit the Long-lasting Impact of J Dilla in Upcoming Documentary
J Dilla’s legacy lives on forever. The iconic producer passed away in 2006, but his beats remain central to the foundation of hip-hop. Former collaborator and a cornerstone of the legendary Roots Crew, Questlove, will direct Dilla Time. The documentary will shed light upon Dilla’s unheralded, lasting effect on hip-hop. He will partner with Dan Charnas, author of Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, The Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm, for the project. This is not the first documentarian deep dive for Questlove, who won an Oscar for his film Summer of Soul, which captured the oft-forgotten Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969.
FTX Embarks on $1B Funding Round
The unsteady trajectory of crypto continues, but FTX has largely withstood these uncertain times. The company will look to raise $1 billion in capital. The company currently stands at a $32 billion valuation. The efforts to infuse additional cash will help maintain this figure while also helping the cryptocurrency exchange to make more deals and acquisitions. Past investors include Temasek, SoftBank, and Tiger Global.
Jack Harlow Takes Home the Title of Songwriter of the Year Award
Life is good for Jack Harlow. The pride of Louisville picked up the coveted Songwriter of the Year award at the 2022 SESAC Music Awards. Harlow has posted a massive year, releasing his sophomore album, scooping a starring role in the upcoming remake of White Men Can’t Jump, and collecting sponsorships with the likes of New Balance and KFC.
Lil Baby Is Going Global with the World Cup
Lil Baby is heading to Qatar. The Atlanta rapper revealed on Twitter that he is slated to co-create the official song for this year’s men’s World Cup. He joins past artists that include K’NAAN, Shakira, and Pitbull, who previously penned and performed the official tournament track.
J Balvin Brings Bilingual Twist to Global Mental Health
J Balvin aims to make the world a better place by amplifying awareness around mental health. The Prince of Reggaeton is making his way into the space by introducing OYE, a Spanish/English wellness app designed to provide users with wellness practices, daily feelings check-ins, and training designed to help users better understand their emotions. OYE emphasizes the importance of catering to a Spanish-speaking audience.
50 Cent, Houston Astros Cheers with New Partnership
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is raising the spirits of Houston Astros fans with the help of Sire Spirits. The newly formed multi-year alliance will mark 50’s first official partnership with an MLB franchise. Akin to his recent deal with the NFL’s Houston Texans, Jackson’s award-winning Branson cognac and Le Chemin du Roi champagne will serve as the official premium beverage of the ballclub. It will also rebrand luxury Suite 1 to “Sire Spirits/50 Cent Suite” in 2023.
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