Shaquille O’Neal has hit out at Kanye West after the rapper called out the basketball legend’s friend and Authentic Brands Group’s (ABG) billionaire owner Jamie Salter on social media.

Both O’Neal and West were at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas and the four-time NBA champion appeared to suggest the rapper snubbed him at Allegiant Stadium.

The pair have clashed in the past when West seemed to question O’Neal and Salter’s business relationship.

ABG own the rights to O’Neal’s name and the TNT analyst owns a large stake in the company but West took to social media to question who had the ‘extra one per cent for control and voting rights’ in their partnership.

O’Neal hit back and told the controversial artist to ‘worry about your business’. He even quoted West by adding ‘to quote the great Kanye West “I got more money than you, so why would I listen to you”.’

West took to social media again on Tuesday night to suggest Salter had cut all contact with him in recent months.

He posted: ‘DOV CHARNEY IS MY BROTHER AND ME AND MY WIFE’S BUSINESS PARTNER WHEN JAMIE SALTER AND EVERYONE ELSE WOULDN’T TAKE MY CALLS HE LET ME SLEEP AT HIS FACTORY DOV CHARNEY JONAH HILL AND JON RAFMAN ARE 3 PEOPLE WHO INSPIRED MY APOLOGY.’

O’Neal quickly jumped to the defense of his business partner, suggesting West chose not to speak to him in person at the Super Bowl.

He replied: ‘Who cares stop b****in and snitchin. I know you saw me at the Super Bowl i was waiting for u to say something smart. man up. nobody wanna see u cryin man up lil boy’. He has since deleted the post.

O’Neal and West also clashed over Kyrie Irving, when the Dallas Mavericks star controversially promoted a film that contained anti-Semitism.

It comes after both men had very different experiences with Taylor Swift on Sunday.

The singer allegedly had West removed from the Super Bowl after the rapper tried to upstage her on Sunday night, according to former NFL star Brandon Marshall.

Swift is said to have ‘made a call’ to have Kanye booted out after he intentionally bought seats at Las Vegas’s Allegiant Stadium that were in front hers.

The ‘Anti-Hero’ singer, 34, was in a VIP box with celebrity pals Blake Lively, Ice Spice and Lana Del Rey, as well as boyfriend Travis Kelce’s family.

Marshall – a retired NFL wide receiver – suggested Kanye, 46, was strategically placing himself in front of Taylor to photobomb any footage of her during the game’s broadcast.

‘[Kanye] was trying to leverage her celebrity,’ Marshall said on the I AM ATHLETE podcast. ‘[So] Taylor Swift gets p****d off. She boom boom makes a call or two. Everybody’s involved. He gets kicked out the stadium.’

It is unclear where Marshall got his information from and there is nothing to suggest any truth in his allegations.

The former NFLer did also initially confuse Swift with fellow popstar Katy Perry when making the wild claims.

However, if true, the incident represents a resounding victory for Swift in her years-long feud with the controversial rapper — starting back in 2009 when Kanye stormed the stage at the VMAs and embarrassed Taylor as she was accepting an award for Best Female Video.

Meanwhile, O’Neal posted a pic showing off the moment he was able to meet the pop superstar for the first time in Las Vegas. Shaq was seen alongside Jamie Salter and the ‘Cruel Summer’ singer.

‘Finally met @taylorswift,’ the post was captioned. ‘me and @jamiejsalter gifted her a NFL Judith Lieber bag.’

That bag is a purse in the shape of a football that is covered in crystals and retails for $4,000.

It’s made by the company Judith Lieber, which creates crystal-covered bags in the shape of other objects like disco balls, cameras, and a pair of lips among others.

During the tumultuous years of World War II, amidst the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and its gallant crew found themselves at the forefront of one of the most daring missions of the war—the raid on Rabaul, New Britain.

On November 5, 1943, amid the chaos of battle, a singular act of heroism unfolded aboard a TBF Avenger aircraft, forever etching the name of Kenneth Bratton into the annals of history.

Kenneth Bratton, a valiant tail gunner, faced the fury of enemy fire as the Avenger soared over Rabaul. In the midst of the relentless barrage, tragedy struck when shrapnel tore through Bratton’s knee, inflicting a severe and agonizing wound. Despite the excruciating pain and the grim reality of his injury, Bratton refused to yield to despair. With unwavering determination, he remained resolute in his duty, steadfastly manning his turret and continuing to defend his comrades and their mission.

As the raid on Rabaul unfolded, Bratton’s courage and fortitude served as a beacon of hope amidst the chaos of battle. Despite his injury, he remained vigilant, his eyes fixed on the enemy, his spirit undaunted by the perils that surrounded him. In the face of adversity, Bratton’s resolve only strengthened, his commitment to his fellow servicemen unwavering.

As the Avenger returned to the USS Saratoga, Bratton’s fellow crew members bore witness to his remarkable display of bravery. Despite the agony of his injury, Bratton’s courage never faltered, his dedication to duty shining brightly in the darkness of war. With the assistance of his comrades, he was carefully evacuated from the turret, his actions leaving an indelible mark on all who witnessed his valor.

Bratton’s story is a testament to the unyielding spirit of those who served during World War II, a reminder of the selflessness and sacrifice that defined a generation. In the crucible of battle, amidst the deafening roar of gunfire and the piercing cries of the wounded, Bratton stood as a symbol of courage and resilience, a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for heroism in the face of adversity.

In the aftermath of the raid on Rabaul, Bratton’s bravery was celebrated, his actions honored by his fellow servicemen and commanders alike. His unwavering dedication to duty embodied the ideals of service and sacrifice that defined the greatest generation, inspiring all who knew him to strive for greatness in the face of adversity.

After the war, Kenneth Bratton continued to live a life marked by courage and resilience, his spirit undimmed by the horrors he had witnessed on the battlefield. Though the wounds of war may have healed, his legacy endured, a shining example of the courage and sacrifice that defined his generation.

In the annals of history, the name of Kenneth Bratton will forever be remembered as a beacon of hope and inspiration, a testament to the unyielding valor of those who served during World War II. As we honor his memory and reflect on his extraordinary bravery, let us never forget the sacrifices made by all who have served in defense of freedom and democracy.

Taylor Swift literally went great distances to support Travis Kelce during his NFL season, going so far as to travel from Tokyo immediately after wrapping an Eras show to Las Vegas to watch him play the Super Bowl.

All of Swift’s effort was not lost on her boyfriend, who sees it as his turn post-season to go the distance for her. A source explained to Entertainment Tonight that Kelce was eager to fly to Australia to watch Swift play her Sydney shows. (The couple was photographed having an affectionate outing at the Sydney Zoo today.)

“Taylor and Travis are both super busy right now, but they are trying their best to prioritize each other and their relationship,” the source started. “Travis is very into Taylor and wanted to be there to support her during her shows in Australia. He’s grateful that she showed up for him during a very hectic time in her career and made it a point to do the same for her. They’re making a joint effort to make things work.”

A separate source told Entertainment Tonight ahead of the Super Bowl that Kelce was really moved by the great effort Swift made to cheer him on at his Kansas City Chiefs football games. “Travis has never felt more supported by a significant other ever,” that source said. “This is just the beginning for them as a couple and many milestones are coming their way. Taylor and Travis make time for each other because they want to.

They both take so much pride in the importance of family and love bringing their families and close-knit circles together. They are genuine, honest, loving and forthright with each other across the board. They both continually encourage one another to be the best that they can be.”

Swift spoke to Time in December about how she and Kelce just want to show their support for one another’s careers. She addressed the public nature of their relationship, saying, “When you say a relationship is public, that means I’m going to see him do what he loves, we’re showing up for each other, other people are there and we don’t care. The opposite of that is you have to go to an extreme amount of effort to make sure no one knows that you’re seeing someone. And we’re just proud of each other.”

Niall Horan spoke about the bond the former group member of One Direction share with each other and discussed if there is a possibility of a reunion.

Niall Horan shares updates on One Direction’s group chat. Will there be a reunion?

Former One Direction member, Niall Horan, recently provided fans with exciting insights into the activities taking place in the band’s group chat. While speculation regarding a potential reunion continues, Horan admitted to being uncertain about what the future holds and revealed that no discussions about reuniting have occurred thus far.

In an interview with E! News following The Voice season 23 live finale, Horan discussed the band’s group chat, stating, “We’ve had three or four group chats. Some of them have been quieter than others. This new one is definitely louder than most, and it’s been great. I’m sure if I had a look at my phone in a few minutes, I’d see some messages.”

Despite the digital reunions, Horan clarified that fans should not expect to hear Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, or Louis Tomlinson on his upcoming album, ‘The Show.’ When asked about the involvement of his former bandmates, Horan responded with a resolute, “No, now that’s a straight and easy answer.”

However, Horan expressed his openness to the idea of his mentee from The Voice season 23, Gina Miles, joining him on the album’s accompanying tour. While some adjustments may be necessary, Horan expressed his admiration for Miles’ talent, stating, “I feel like no one was listening, but this girl is… you know a talent when you hear it. And this girl has got it. So yeah, there’s no reason why she wouldn’t open up for me at some point.”

During a previous interview with Variety, Horan addressed whether the success of One Direction placed additional pressure on his solo career. In response, he emphasized the unbreakable bond among the band members and their continuous support for one another.

While the future of One Direction remains uncertain, Niall Horan’s revelation about the lively group chat provides fans with a glimmer of hope for the fans.

FAQs

Who is Who does Niall Horan dating?
The former One Direction bandmate and new The Voice coach has been dating his girlfriend Amelia Woolley since early 2020.

Who made One Direction a band?
American singer Nicole Scherzinger, a guest judge, and long-time judge Simon Cowell both claimed to have come up with the idea of forming the band.

In 2015, the world bid farewell to the beloved boy band, One Direction, as they announced a temporary hiatus. However, they left behind a glimmer of hope, promising to return. Now, eight years later, we’re still eagerly waiting for their reunion. But what have the band members said about the possibility of coming together again? Let’s delve into the latest updates surrounding this highly-anticipated reunion.

Harry Styles: Keeping the Door Open

Harry Styles, the breakout star of the group, has enjoyed a flourishing solo career, marked by Grammy wins and chart-topping hits. During a recent interview with James Corden on The Late Late Show, Styles spoke about the complexity of the situation, stating, “I fear that it’s not a straightforward yes or no question. I believe I would never definitively rule it out. If there comes a time when we want to do it, I see no reason why we shouldn’t.”

Liam Payne: Group Chat, but No Reunion Plans

Liam Payne, in an interview with Delicious TV, brought a glimmer of hope to fans by revealing that the band members stay in touch through a group chat. However, when asked about the possibility of a reunion, Payne’s response remained uncertain.

One Direction
Image Source: Entertainment Tonight

Louis Tomlinson: Open to the Idea

Louis Tomlinson, earlier this year, admitted that while it’s challenging to imagine a reunion at the moment, he hasn’t ruled it out entirely. He commented, “I’d be surprised if we go through our entire lives without some form of reunion, or whatever you want to call it. I’d be up for that.”

Niall Horan: Awaiting the Conversation

Niall Horan hasn’t witnessed much progress in discussions about a reunion. He noted, “It’s as if the conversation hasn’t taken place. It’s a fantastic legacy to have. No, I don’t think it diminishes the excitement. It’s more that the response remains the same. The conversation has yet to occur.” While he confirmed that the band members communicate regularly, the topic of a reunion remains elusive. He even hinted that it might resemble the “Friends” reunion or perhaps a full-fledged tour.

Zayn Malik: The Enigmatic Member

Zayn Malik, who has maintained a low public profile in recent years, remains a mystery regarding his stance on a reunion. Fans eagerly await any word from him.

One Direction. Image Source: Nicky Swift

Harry Styles’ Optimism for a One Direction Reunion

Harry Styles, during his appearance on The Late Late Show, continued to fuel the hopes of millions of fans. He responded to the possibility of a reunion with a cheeky, “never say never.” This isn’t the first time he’s addressed the topic. Harry Styles has previously expressed that there’s still a lot of love between the band members, and if the right moment arrives, a reunion could be on the horizon.

A Band That Defined an Era

One Direction, with members Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson, took the world by storm. Their announcement of a hiatus in August 2015 was met with tears, but fans have clung to the hope of a reunion.

Image Source: Sky News

Harry’s Hints

Harry Styles recently caused a stir on social media when he posted a selfie wearing a One Direction T-shirt on his Instagram Stories, only to delete it shortly after. Eagle-eyed fans couldn’t miss the iconic T-shirt from the group’s 2012 Up All Night Tour.

A Grateful Heart

During the 2023 BRIT Awards, Harry Styles emerged victorious, claiming the Album of the Year award for “Harry’s House.” In his acceptance speech, he graciously thanked his former bandmates, Niall, Louis, Liam, and Zayn, acknowledging their role in his journey.

The World Awaits

While fans continue to hope for a One Direction reunion, the band members’ individual careers have soared. Harry Styles’ recent Grammy wins and chart-topping album prove that the members have thrived in their solo endeavors. But as Harry himself said, “never say never.” So, Directioners, keep the faith—your favorite band may just surprise you one day.

In conclusion, the possibility of a One Direction reunion remains uncertain, but the love and anticipation from fans worldwide keep the dream alive. Whether it’s a tour, a single performance, or something entirely unexpected, the legacy of One Direction lives on in the hearts of millions.

Forty-two years after Israel banned John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr from playing to the nation, the truth about its Beatlephobia has finally been revealed.

Still reeling from the sight of Israeli teenagers swooning to the tunes of Cliff Richard in 1963, Israel’s publicly appointed guardians of good taste and morality, the interdepartmental committee for authorising the importation of foreign artists, refused their entry.

Determined to prevent another outbreak of mass hysteria, the 13 member committee of politicians and civil servants whose job it was to assess the artistic merit of foreign acts resolved to be “vigilant”.

As a result, the 1964 request to bring to Israel, the Rhythm Beatles – as they were called in Hebrew – was roundly rejected in the committee’s resolution 691, which reads: “Resolved: Not to allow the request for fear that the performances by the Beatles are liable to have a negative influence on the [country’s] youth.”

The promoters appealed against the decision, so the committee launched a global investigation of the awesome foursome.

After soliciting information from Israeli embassies and the foreign ministry’s cultural relations department, it discovered that the world was afflicted with Beatlemania.

Israel’s media lambasted the group, urging the committee to protect the nation’s youth as Cliff Richard had already given them “a bad name”. One paper reported that committee members had been listening to the “yeah-yeah-yeah howls which are capable of striking dead a real beetle”.

Another reported the head of the education ministry as saying: “There is no musical or artistic experience here but a sensual display that arouses feelings of aggression replete with sexual stimuli.”

At the conclusion of its inquiry, the committee wrote, in resolution 709, that it would refuse entry because “the band has no artistic merit” and its performances “cause hysteria and mass disorder among young people”.

Several versions of the story, blaming the then prime minister, Golda Meir, a former education minister who had never heard of the Beatles, a jealous promoter who regretted turning down the Beatles for Richard, and even the finance ministry for allegedly refusing to allot the foreign currency required to underwrite the performance, have lingered.

But when the Israeli ambassador to Britain, Ron Prosor, gave an official letter of apology to John Lennon’s half-sister this year, Alon Gan, a history professor at Tel Aviv University, was inspired to investigate.

Gan, who revealed the story in the daily newspaper Haaretz, one week before McCartney is due to perform for the first time in the country, said the true story was that “Israel in the early 60s was afraid that from the west would come a bad wind of sex, alcohol and rock’n’roll”.

PA Media
Sir Paul McCartney said the success was “mind-boggling”

The Beatles’ latest number one has been claimed as “an important landmark” for both the band and their home city.

The band’s Now and Then went to number one on Friday, 60 years after their first chart-topper, From Me To You.

Kevin McManus, Liverpool’s head of Unesco City of Music, said it continued the city’s “glorious run of success” which began with Lita Rosa in 1953.

He said it also meant Liverpool’s world record of “most number one hits from a city” now stood at 59.

The success of the new single saw The Beatles become the act with the longest gap between their first and last number ones and the oldest band ever to hit number one.

Sir Paul McCartney said the success was “mind-boggling”, adding: “It’s also a very emotional moment for me.”

PA Media
The single is the Beatles’ 18th number one and will be added to Liverpool’s Pop Music Wall of Fame

Mr McManus said the chart-topper confirmed the “incredible enduring power of the group” and was also an “important landmark for our city as it continues Liverpool’s proud tradition of having a number one single in every decade since the charts began”.

“Our Guinness World Record of ‘most number one hits from a city’ now extends to 58 – and the city’s Pop Wall of Fame on Mathew Street will soon welcome this latest addition,” he said.

Liverpool’s first number one was delivered by Lita Rosa in 1953, who got to the top with (How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window.

Since then, The Beatles have delivered 17 number ones, with others such as Cilla Black, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Atomic Kitten, Melanie C, The Real Thing, Sonia and Lightning Seeds also reaching the top of the charts.

Spice Girl Melanie C is one of Liverpool’s many chart-toppers, having scored two solo number ones

Mr McManus said while he suspected “Paul and Ringo” were not “glued to their radios waiting to find out if they had made it” this time around, reaching number one “still means a lot”.

“Of course streaming means the way the chart is calculated now is different and the numbers required to reach the top spot are much less than in the glory days, but it is still a huge deal,” he added.

“I grew up listening to the charts on the radio with my older sisters dying to know what the number one was going to be.

“Those days are gone but artists and their devoted fans still know the power of a chart-topping single.”

The Beatles in 1964. Photo: Mark and Colleen Hayward / Redferns / Getty Images

A month before the Beatles played “The Ed Sullivan Show,” they released their second American studio album — the one most people heard first. Here’s a track-by-track breakdown of this magnitudinous slab of wax by the Fab Four.

For many in America, Meet the Beatles! marked their first introduction to the legendary Fab Four — and their lives would be forever altered.

Released on Jan. 20, 1964 by Capitol Records, the Beatles’ second American studio album topped the Billboard 200 within a month and stayed there for 11 weeks — only to be ousted by their next U.S. album release, The Beatles’ Second Album.

It’s almost impossible to put into words the impact of Meet the Beatles! on an entire generation of the listening public. But Billy Corgan, of the Smashing Pumpkins, gave it a shot as an early fan of the Beatles in a series of LiveJournal remembrances — in this case, of himself at five years old, in 1972.

“I am totally overwhelmed by the collective sound of the greatest band ever blasting in mono thru a tin needle into a tiny speaker,” he wrote. “I associate this sound forever with electricity, for it sends bolts thru my body and leaves me breathless. I can not stand still as I listen, so I must spin… I spin until I am ready to pass out, and then I spin some more.”

So many other artists remember that eureka moment. “They were doing things nobody was doing. Their chords were outrageous, just outrageous, and their harmonies made it all valid,” Bob Dylan said of the opening track, “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” “I knew they were pointing the direction of where music had to go.” Everyone from Ozzy Osbourne to Sting and Questlove agreed.

From Meet the Beatles!, the Fabs would have the most astonishing five-or-six-year run in music. And so much of their songwriting and production innovation can be found within its grooves; truly, the world had no idea what it was in for. In celebration of the 60th anniversary of Meet the Beatles!, here’s a quick track-by-track breakdown.

“I Want to Hold Your Hand”
The Fabs’ first American No. 1 hit may have been about the chastest of romantic gestures. Still, there’s nothing heavier than “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” because it’s clamor and fraternity. That seemingly saccharine package also contained everything they’d ever do in concentrate — hints of the foreboding of “Ticket to Ride,” the galactic final chord of “A Day in the Life,” and beyond.

“I Saw Her Standing There”
A few too many awards show tributes have threatened to do in “I Saw Her Standing There,” but they’ve failed. As the opening shot of their first UK album, Please Please Me, it’s perfect, but as the second track on Meet the Beatles!, it just adds to the magnitude. What a one-two punch.

“This Boy”
Songwriting-wise, “This Boy” drags a little; it becomes a little hazy who “this boy” or “that boy” are. But it’s not only a killer Smokey Robinson rip; John Lennon’s double-tracked vocal solo still punches straight through your chest. (Where applicable, go for the 2020s Giles Martin remix, which carries maximum clarity, definition and punch — said solo is incredible in this context.)

“It Won’t Be Long”

Half a dozen other songs here have overshadowed “It Won’t Be Long,” but it’s still one of the early Beatles’ most ruthless kamikaze missions, an assault of flying “yeahs” that knocks you sideways.

“All I’ve Got to Do”
Lennon shrugged off “All I’ve Got to Do” as “trying to do Smokey Robinson again,” and that’s more or less what it is. One interesting detail is the conceit of calling a girlfriend on the phone, which was firmly alien to British youth: “I have never called a girl on the ‘phone in my life!”he said later in an interview. “Because ‘phones weren’t part of the English child’s life.”

“All My Loving”
“All My Loving” was the first song the Beatles played on the American airwaves: when Lennon was pronounced dead, eyewitnesses attest the song came over the speakers. It’s a grim trajectory for this most inventive and charismatic of early Beatles singles, with Lennon’s tumbling rhythm guitar spilling the composition forth. (About that unorthodox strumming pattern: it seems easy until you try it. And Lennon did it effortlessly.)

“Don’t Bother Me”
As Dreaming the Beatles author Rob Sheffield put it, “‘Don’t Bother Me,’ his first real song, began the ‘George is in a bad mood’ phase of his songwriting, which never ended.” Harrison wouldn’t pick up the sitar for another year or two, but the song still carries a vaguely dreamy, exotic air.

“Little Child”
“I’m so sad and lonely/ Baby, take a chance with me.” For a tortured, creative kid like Corgan, from a rough background — and, likely, a million similar young folks — Lennon’s childlike plea must have sounded like salvation.

“Till There Was You”
McCartney’s infatuation with the postwar sounds of his youth never ended, and it arguably began on record with this Music Man tune. As usual, McCartney dances right on the edge of overly chipper and apple-cheeked. But here, George Martin’s immersive, soft-focused arrangement makes it all work.

“Hold Me Tight”
Like “Little Child,” “Hold Me Tight” is a tad Fabs-by-numbers, showing how they occasionally painted themselves into a corner as per their formula. Their rapid evolution from here would leave trifles like “Hold Me Tight” in the rearview.

“I Wanna Be Your Man”
Tellingly, Lennon and McCartney tossed this half-written composition to the Stones — and to Ringo Starr. Mick Jagger’s typically lusty performance works, but Starr’s is even better — the funny-nosed drummer throws his whole chest into this vocal workout.

“Not A Second Time”
Meet the Beatles! concludes with this likable Lennon tune about heartbreak — maybe C-tier by his standards, but it slouches toward his evolutionary step that would be A Hard Day’s Night.

Soon, these puppy-dog emotions (“And now you’ve changed your mind/ I see no reason to change mine/ I cry”) would curdle and ferment in astonishing ways — in “Ticket to Ride,” in “Girl,” in “Strawberry Fields Forever.” And it all began with Meet the Beatles! — a shot heard around the world.

With the news of a ‘final’ record from The Beatles, and the development of AI voices, holograms and “raves beyond the grave”, where should we draw the line, asks Arwa Haider.

“I think we’re actually on the cusp of something exhilarating and terrifying… it’s an alien life form.” When Bowie voiced these thoughts in a 1999 interview, he was greeting the creative dawn – or potential cataclysm – of the digital age. His words seem even more spookily resonant several years after his death (the Starman left this world in 2016). The music industry remains in a state of flux, and tech continues to connect realms – and maybe even raise the voices of long-departed singers.

AI music is frequently taken to mean the buzz around “deepfake” digitally-generated vocal sounds, whether imitating the styles of contemporary stars (for instance, the recent AI “fake Drake”/The Weeknd track Heart on my Sleeve uploaded by TikTok user ghostwriter977) or dead legends – including a flurry of AI Bowie “new songs”, covers and imaginary duets (such as Life on Mars featuring a digital Freddie Mercury). At the same time, slightly confusingly, AI music relates to the cutting-edge tech used to restore recordings actually made by a singer in their lifetime – such as the release of The Beatles’ “final song”, Now and Then, with its first bars written by John Lennon in 1978 and the track completed last year.

This isn’t the Fab Four’s only “new” record following their original split, or Lennon’s death in 1980; Free as a Bird (featuring Lennon’s hazy lead vocals) became an international hit in 1995 – but tech capabilities have soared since then, and the Peter Jackson-directed archive doc series Get Back (2021) proved pivotal. McCartney explained in a recent Radio 4 interview that John Lennon’s voice was extracted from “a ropey little bit of cassette” using tech trained to detect individual voices and distinguish them from surrounding audio.

“We had John’s voice and a piano and he [Jackson] could separate them with AI,” said McCartney. “They tell the machine, ‘That’s the voice. This is a guitar. Lose the guitar.’

“So when we came to make what will be the last Beatles’ record, it was a demo that John had [and] we were able to take John’s voice and get it pure through this AI.”

The draw of the familiar

While machine-learning software is rapidly evolving, there are various deep-rooted motivations behind such posthumous expressions. As music fans, we’re usually excited to hear anything featuring our favourite singers; if they’re no longer with us, that sharpens the desire. There’s an emotional hook as well as a novelty factor when Lennon “reunites” with McCartney (including their “virtual duet” at the latter’s Glastonbury set last year), or when multi-genre holograms (Tupac, Maria Callas, Ronnie James Dio) materialise onstage, even with noticeable glitches. Obviously, commercial corporations are also keen to draw as much revenue as possible from artist legacies, and posthumous releases can be lucrative business; alt-rock icon Kurt Cobain was just 27 when he killed himself in 1994, but he continues to generate millions, through releases of extremely variable quality.

A moral dilemma persists in bringing singers back from the dead. Most artists have creative ideals, and we can only guess what they would have wanted once they’ve gone; “deepfake” tracks suggest that singers are infinitely malleable – serving industry whims and viral gimmicks, even as raves beyond the grave. The AI-generated craze hasn’t been limited to dead Western stars; international examples have included “new” tracks from South Korean folk hero Kim Kwang-seok as well as Israeli singer Ofra Haza – but as it stands, most “deepfake” music sounds depressingly bloodless, like a bot version of ’90s TV show Stars in their Eyes.

While nostalgia is a powerful force, there’s also an “ick factor” to the sentimentality of many posthumous projects – perhaps most luridly demonstrated in Barry Manilow’s 2014 album, My Dream Duets, which featured him crooning alongside recordings of dead icons including Judy Garland, and Whitney Houston.

Despite this, some contemporary vocalist/producers have responded positively to “deepfake” tech – notably, electronic artists such as Grimes and Holly Herndon (whose 2021 custom voice instrument Holly+ invited users to upload tracks for reinterpretation). Even the trailblazers admit that they’re feeling their way, though, and global laws remain nebulous around AI and intellectual property.

“As an artist, the AI possibilities of collaborating with vocalists who have passed away evoke a mix of excitement and unease,” admits J Lloyd, co-founder/frontman of Jungle, whose original tracks including latest single Dominoes dig deep into classic soul and funk styles. “When considering how future generations will connect with our own music, AI sparks a sense of curiosity and wonder – will our expressions be experienced in new, immersive ways, or will the human touch and emotional resonance that defines our music be overshadowed by technological advancements?”

Some singers have reacted more emphatically against posthumous projects; in 2021, Anderson .Paak had part of his will tattooed on his arm (“When I’m gone, please don’t release any posthumous albums or songs with my name attached”). Although Amy Winehouse’s estate approved the posthumous collection Lioness – Hidden Treasures (2011), Universal label CEO David Joseph later announced that her vocal demoes had been destroyed as “a moral thing”, to avoid future releases she couldn’t have consented to.

Ultimately, the most sensitively treated posthumous releases tend to be nurtured by those who genuinely knew and loved the artists. The posthumous Sparklehorse album was released in September, with Mark Linkous’s younger brother and sister-in-law completing the work they started before his tragic death in 2010.

The emotional and creative bond to a late singer is also expressed in far-reaching ways; out in July, album The Endless Coloured Ways centres on the songs of Nick Drake (who was just 26 when he died in 1974), with reinterpretations from artists including Emeli Sandé and John Grant. The project was overseen with a distinctly human touch by Cally Calomon (manager of the Nick Drake estate, who has worked closely with Drake’s family since the ’90s), and Jeremy Lascelles, co-founder of Blue Raincoat Music and CEO of Chrysalis.

“All art is artifice… No intelligence is ever ‘artificial’,” Calomon tells BBC Culture. “Calling intelligence, however so generated, ‘artificial’ is yet another example of humankind trying to absolve themselves from the blame and consequences of their invention.”

Lascelles points out: “AI is only the latest in a long run of technological advancements, and as with all things that involve disruptive change, it is both threatening and brings about huge opportunities. Artists and songwriters have forever written songs inspired by their peers – sometimes brilliantly, sometimes in ways that are cringingly and crassly obvious. The same applies to posthumous recordings being brought life by means of modern technology. In the end, the only judges will be the listener. Does this sound emotionally engaging and ‘authentic’, or does it sound fake and contrived?

“With The Endless Coloured Ways we asked a range of artists to re-invent these songs in their own style, requesting only that they don’t copy Nick’s original recordings. We think the results are spectacular. And we can assure you that no modern piece of technology was mistreated or harmed in any way during the process.”

This article was originally published in June 2023.

The relationship rumors pertaining to Tom Brady and Kim Kardashian are picking up speed as Kim K is now said to be open to dating.

Brady has been linked to a few females this year, having gone through a divorce with Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen nearing the end of 2022.

And the reality TV star is just the latest one, given that they have been in contact recently.

It’s been reported that the conversations between the two were strictly business as Kardashian is looking to buy property near a vacation home owned by the former NFL quarterback.

Reps claim Brady and Kim K are just friends yet the speculation has yet to die down.

Another source is claiming that Kim is “open and excited about dating.” She’s also thought to “really like” Brady.

“Kim is feeling great, and she is ready, open, and excited about dating in general and the potential of finding a forever partner one day,” the source was quoted as saying.

There are bits coming from just about everywhere, with certain people suggesting that there might be a possibility of something more going on between the two while others rubbish the rumors.

Well, this will certainly make Gisele jealous.https://t.co/sA5nDNfuMm

It’s also been reported that Tom is not interested in dating models after his experience with Gisele while another source claims he has told close friends he’s dating a hot blonde in an attempt to get his ex-wife jealous.