Even at 56 years old, RZA remains in supreme shape. The Wu-Tang Clan frontman gave Men’s Health a glimpse into his routine and vegan diet on Friday (July 11), which is fueling him while on the final tour for the legendary Staten Island rap crew.
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“Fitness is everything,” he said. “When you’re on stage and you’re moving an hour, 90 minutes, sometimes two hours, your legs got to be in shape. Your respiratory got to be in shape. Even your arms, you gotta stay in shape.”
RZA continued: “So, I do stretching, I do weights, I do my kung fu. I do everything to make sure that my mind and body is ready so that when I go out to that audience, I could give my best performance. I think my generation of hip-hop, we know that exercise and proper diet is important to be a good performer.”
Gearing up for tour, RZA says he would work out twice a day “so I’m more of a creature of demand.” The rapper-actor has mixed in plenty of other disciplines into his regimen, such as yoga, kung fu and qigong. “But I still bench press, and that’s just to show somebody that I can still bench press 225 pounds,” he quipped.
While on the road, RZA sticks to his strict vegan diet, but keeps it relatively modest as he feels food slows him down these days.
“Avocado toast in the morning. For lunch, I may throw some lentils and some, you know, some fennel, lot of oranges and bananas and fruits and vegetables throughout the day,” he said. “And for dinner, go cauliflower with a little bit of pasta here and there.”
RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan are currently in the stretch run of their final tour, which will hit Madison Square Garden Wednesday (July 16) for what’s sure to be an epic close to the Wu chapter. The trek wraps up with a show in Philly next Friday (July 18).
Catch RZA flexing his acting chops later this summer in Nobody 2, which comes to theaters Aug. 15. For now, watch his workout regimen below.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-11 17:12:112025-07-11 17:12:11RZA Reveals Workout Regimen & Diet Keeping Him in Shape at 56: ‘I’m More of a Creature of Demand’
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Finding the best speakers to enhance your music listening experience can be tricky.
You’ve got a slew of options on the market today that are too pricy and overly complicated, making achieving quality sound feel like a luxury. Not to worry: With help from us and the deals on speakers available through this year’s Amazon Prime Day, you’ll be able to grab a speaker that’s just right. No more Goldilocks-ing things to find just the right one for you.
We’ve prepped a list of the best deals up to 47% off on models big and small from top brands like JBL, Bose, Sony and Beats, among others. Whether you’re on the hunt for something casual or looking for more advanced tech to make your Lorde or KATSEYE listening experience immersive, this list has it all for an affordable price.
This tiny portable speaker packs a major punch. Don’t let the size fool you. The little but mighty Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 features big 360-degree sound with a base you can feel, along with a long-lasting battery life that boasts up to 14 hours of playtime. If you want to take your tunes outdoors, you won’t have to worry about damaging your new speaker acquisition because it’s both water and dustproof. The WONDERBOOM 4 can also float in 3.2 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. If the blue colorway isn’t your thing, this tiny tech comes in three other unique colorways from monochrome to two-toned hues. With all this in mind, it’s safe to say that this speaker can withstand whatever adventures you take it on.
Sony ULT Field 5 Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Sony’s ULT Field 5 Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker is a heavy-duty piece of tech that we can foresee becoming your new favorite. The portable style is jam-packed with improvements that weren’t expounded upon in the last few models. You’ve got 25 hours of battery life and a quick charging feature along with a nifty 10-band EQ that allows you to tailor your listening experience to your audio preferences to perfect the sound, clarity and depth of any track.
True to its portable nature, the Sony tech also comes with a shoulder strap. In the mood for a party? The speaker is also equipped with flashing ambient lights that create the ultimate vibe with the touch of a button. Like any good portable speaker, this one is waterproof, dustproof and rustproof. Beyond the black, three other colorways of the ULT Field 5 are currently available on Amazon.
If you’re planning on throwing a memorable party this summer, you’ll want to have Soundcore’s Boom 2 outdoor speaker in your arsenal. This hefty speaker is equipped with a heavy-duty racetrack subwoofer that adds depth and clarity. If you want to alter the sound, the speaker also includes a BassUp 2.0 feature where you mess with the bass EQ and increase the output per your preference. Like some of the other options on our list, the Boom 2 is waterproof and can float, so you’ll never be without your music, even if you’re taking a dip in the pool. From the beach to the park, this speaker is durable enough that you can bring it along no matter the weather or terrain.
This classic-looking speaker hailing from Marshall is a must-have for music snobs, and it’s currently on super sale on Amazon. The Emberton II Portable Bluetooth Speaker boasts Marshall’s signature sound with something the brand likes to call True Stereophonic, which, in simple terms, is multi-directional sound.
You’ve got around 30 hours of play or more on a single charge, which is longer than most commercial speakers, and a durable and easy-to-use design. This Marshall tech, like the other portable options on our list, is dust and water-resistant. We like this option because it’s endlessly sophisticated with gold accents and a monochrome black finish. It’s a classier option than some of the bulkier portable options on this list.
JBL Go 3 – Portable Mini Bluetooth Speaker in Blue
Despite its size, this JBL speaker packs a punch. Retailing for $27.95, the Go 3 features Bluetooth compatibility capable of connecting to a plethora of devices. This tiny device delivers punchy bass and a large sound signature to the JBL brand. You’ve also got an ultra-portable design thanks to its miniature build, making the style perfect for listening to hits on the go. If you’re worried about battery life, don’t be. The Go 3 gives you up to five hours of playtime on a single charge. The speaker is also dustproof and waterproof, perfect for bringing music poolside or to the beach.
Sonos Era 100 – Black – Wireless, Alexa Enabled Smart Speaker
This speaker is one of the larger entries on our list, but it doesn’t mean it’s any less compact. Retailing for $188.43, the Sonos Era 100 is sleek, modeled to be placed anywhere you want impactful sound, from bookshelves to your desk. This Sonos product is equipped with a 47% faster processor, and next-gen dual-tweeter acoustic that specializes in producing high-frequency sounds. The speaker’s architecture creates detailed stereo separation while a built-in 25% larger midwoofer acts to deepen the bass for sound you can feel. If Black isn’t your thing, the Sonos Era 100 also comes in White.
Sony SS-CS5M2 3-Way 3-Driver Hi-res Bookshelf Speakers (Pair), 2025 Model
These dual speakers from Sony give you high-quality sound that can only be equated to a concert. Retailing for $168.00, this tech is meant to go in bookshelves, but can be placed anywhere you’d like your sound, from the living room to the garage. The speakers include key features that create a beautiful listening experience, including a high precision tweeter that delivers precise sound clarity and a bass reflex enclosure that creates distortion-free, low frequency sound that increases the perceived loudness of the bass. In non-music-nerd speak, these speakers are a must-have, especially given the affordable price.
Bose’s SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker is for those who like to bring their sound on the go. Retailing for $99.00 during Amazon Prime Day, this speaker is meant to withstand the elements while offering impactful sound quality. This thing is extremely durable. Beyond being waterproof and dustproof, the silicone-wrapped body can also withstand drops, shocks, and rust. If those facets alone haven’t convinced you, the speaker’s size makes it easily packable, so you can jam out without the stress of toting a bulky piece of equipment.
Beats Pill x Kim Kardashian – Wireless Bluetooth Speaker and Portable Charger in Dark Gray
While this Beats Pill x Kim Kardashian speaker came out in October of last year, the model is still as fresh and innovative as ever. Retailing for a hefty marked-down price of $99.00, this speaker is equipped with a slew of key features that make it so dang great. Firstly, the style is compatible with both Android and IOS products.
It boasts a 24-hour battery life and an updated design that creates a more powerful sound thanks to a bespoke racetrack woofer and redesigned tweeter that promotes sound quality and range. Finally, the speaker is water and dust-proof. You’ve also got a Kardashian-certified sleek and simplistic gray construction that gives the speaker a modern look, if that’s your thing.
This Amazon Echo Pop is compact but mighty. Retailing for $21.99, this little speaker includes Alexa capabilities and a full sound that works great in bedrooms and small spaces. Not just for listening to music, this speaker’s Alexa function allows you to play audiobooks, and podcasts without touching a button from your favorite providers including Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Sirius XM and more. To make your life easier, this speaker also has the ability to control compatible smart home devices like smart plugs or smart lights with your voice. The speaker’s compact size is also a major plus, meaning you can place it just about anywhere without crowding your space.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-11 17:01:372025-07-11 17:01:37Last Chance to Grab Up to 47% Off the Best Amazon Prime Day Deals on Must-Have Speakers
The deadly floods in Texas hit close to home for Selena Gomez, who was born and raised in the Lone Star State, and spoke out about the disaster on Instagram.
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In a post on her Story on Friday (July 11), the singer-actress wrote a message of support for the victims of the torrential rains that swept through Texas in the first week of July. More than 100 people have died in the destruction, according to CNN, including 27 young girls and counselors who were part of the Camp Mystic summer camp located along the Guadalupe River.
“So many are hurting and have lost everything, including loved ones, in my home state of Texas,” Gomez wrote. “My heart breaks for those who have lost someone and anyone still missing. The people of Texas will need our help as they rebuild from this unfathomable disaster.”
The hitmaker went on to encourage followers to join her in contributing money to support the state’s recovery and rebuilding efforts. “I’ll be donating to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund,” she wrote. “If you are able, please consider doing the same. And, as the community mourns, please know mental health support is available.”
Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, where she lived until she moved to Los Angeles as a teenager to star in Wizards of Waverly Place. She’sjust the latest musician to acknowledge the floods in her home state, with fellow Texans Miranda Lambert, Hilary Duff and Maren Morris posting messages of support in recent days. Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish and Shakira have also shared their condolences.
The Rare Beauty founder is currently fresh off of the last day of filming for season five of Only Murders in the Building, in which she’s starred since 2021. In June, she posted an emotional video of herself and costars Martin Short and Steve Martin celebrating the wrap, with Gomez getting visibly teary-eyed in the moment.
Gomez also dropped music this year, teaming up with fiancé Benny Blanco for joint album I Said I Love You First. The LP reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
Over the past year, Australian rock duo Royel Otis has burst onto the global stage with a series of hits, each bigger than the last. But the band had already seen significant success in their home country, with a trio of EPs — Campus, Bar n Grill and Sofa Kings — and a debut album, Pratts & Pain, on indie label Ourness, which won them awards, recognition and a loyal fan base down under, and some traction on U.S. radio.
But it was two one-off cover performances for radio stations in 2024 that propelled them into the mainstream. The first, a cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor,” recorded for Triple J radio in Australia, rocketed to No. 2 on Alternative Airplay last July. And the second, a cover of The Cranberries’ “Linger” recorded for SiriusXM’s live sessions, became their first Hot 100 entry last August, coming in at No. 94 and announcing the band’s arrival.
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Last November, Ourness partnered with Capitol to propel Royel Otis further, and that development is paying off: the band’s latest single, “Moody,” became its first-ever No. 1 on a Billboard chart as it reaches the summit of Adult Alternative Airplay this week, a milestone for the group as it gears up to release its second album, Hickey. And with the group’s success so far, Ourness co-founder/director Andrew Klippel is Billboard’s Executive of the Week.
Here, Klippel talks about the rise of Royel Otis over the past few years, how those covers helped shine a light on the duo’s back catalog and win them new fans, and what comes next for both the group and his indie label. “Royel Otis are always writing, so I imagine after this cycle they will be back in the studio,” Klippel says. “Ourness will be working closely with our artists to help in whatever ways we can for them to be the most definitive version of themselves possible — to hopefully help build long careers.”
This week, Royel Otis lands its first-ever No. 1 on a Billboard chart, as “Moody” reaches No. 1 on Adult Alternative Airplay. What key decision(s) did you make to help make that happen?
It’s our first No. 1 at AAA, which is a huge milestone for the project. Prior to our partnership with Capitol we had taken the format seriously, but had more traction at non com, so it’s definitely been Dan Connelly and the radio team at Interscope Capitol working closely with Hallie Anderson from the Ourness team. With continued audience growth through touring, socials and streaming — the timing was right and we were able to convert that momentum into our first No. 1. Radio has always been a huge priority for us, and we intend on continuing that. Alternative commercial format on “Moody” is moving very strongly for us and timing wise on a trajectory that’s beating our prior No. 1, “Murder on the Dancefloor.”
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This chart topper comes after the band had a couple significant hits in the U.S. with a few covers, including with The Cranberries’ “Linger” and Sophie Ellis-Bexter’s “Murder on the Dancefloor.” How were you able to leverage those cover successes into interest in the band’s original material?
While the covers brought significant attention, the band had the strongest growth on “Oysters In My Pocket” prior to the covers. That’s where the largest growth happened, exponentially speaking. That’s where they gained artist support and gate keeper support. There was strong love from the music community for the band based on that song and the discovery of the back catalog that existed prior to the covers and the ambitious release strategy from [EPs] Bar n Grillinto Sofa Kings, then into [album] Pratts and Pain. Both “Murder on the Dancefloor” and “Linger” helped us introduce the band to new audiences and broaden our reach — but by that point, we had a strong foundation in place, with a strong catalog of original music. That allowed fans to dive into this and connect with the band.
Royel Otis
Georges Antoni
The band has also had significant success in their native Australia. How did you work to cross them over into Europe and the U.S. over the past few years?
We worked the EU and U.S. in parallel from the start. We knew it would take a lot of time and invested accordingly in terms of risk profile. This way, more or less, the growth in those major territories was at similar levels and everything made sense in terms of live, PR, assets and the energy of the boys. We built a consistent global strategy and story from the beginning. That’s paid off with the consistent release schedule.
Last fall, Ourness partnered with Capitol to work the band globally. What has that deal allowed you to do?
It’s been great to partner up with Tom [March], Lillia [Parsa] and the Capitol team — it’s opened up so much on an A&R level in terms of access and experience. Being able to work closely with their DSP team has been great; global has been another outstanding elevation. It’s really helped us to scale. We’re not looking to scale in an artificial way unless that happens naturally, we’re looking to build solid career growth through our relationship with Capitol, which is something we aligned on from the inception of the deal.
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“Moody” is the first single from the band’s forthcoming sophomore album. How are you planning to set up this album differently than the first, and what are you hoping to accomplish with it?
The key differentiator is that this album has a shorter, punchier cycle leading up to release. We’re hoping this will hold attention and build energy with our audience, gatekeepers and internal teams. The cadence feels customized around the songs and culture of this album. The intention is to build audience at a steady rate that supports retention and conversion on a career level. We’re not trying to create virality, but [we’re] always open to move with that when and if it happens.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-11 16:35:362025-07-11 16:35:36How Royel Otis Readied a ‘Punchier’ Album Rollout — and Landed Their First Billboard No. 1
Chris Brown pleaded not guilty on Friday to two additional charges related to an alleged assault on music producer Abe Diaw at a London nightclub in 2023. The incident reportedly took place at Tape, an upscale venue in Mayfair, where prosecutors claim Brown launched an unprovoked attack, striking Diaw multiple times with a bottle before continuing to punch and kick him.
At a hearing at Southwark Crown Court, Brown denied charges of assault causing actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon — a bottle — in a public place. He had previously pleaded not guilty to a more serious charge of unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Brown’s co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, a fellow musician known as Hoody Baby, also pleaded not guilty to a charge of actual bodily harm in connection with the same incident.
Brown was arrested on May 15 in Manchester as he arrived in the U.K. for his Breezy Bowl XX tour, which included performances at major venues like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and Co-op Live in Manchester. He was released on bail set at $6.75 million and allowed to continue his European tour, beginning with a show in Amsterdam.
On May 21, Brown addressed the situation publicly for the first time, posting on Instagram: “FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!!” following a week in custody. After completing his European tour dates, he is scheduled to return to North America in late July, with performances planned in Miami and a two-night stop in Toronto.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-11 16:25:482025-07-11 16:25:48Chris Brown Denies Further Charges in London Bottle Attack Case
DINO of SEVENTEEN brought the thunder to the Esports World Cup on Thursday (July 10), performing the tournament’s official 2025 theme song “Til My Fingers Bleed” at the opening ceremony.
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Taking the stage at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the South Korean star and collaborators Duckwrth and Telle Smith — as well as 30 backup dancers and video game-inspired stage effects — gave the event an exciting kickoff with the high-energy anthem, which dropped on streaming services June 30. DINO’s showcase at the tournament makes him the first K-pop artist to ever perform at the EWC.
“Can’t take fight from the fighter/ Can’t take war from the warrior/ Can’t take soul from the soldier,” DINO sang while nailing every dance move. “And when it’s all done, bet they want more/ When do we settle the score?”
Post Malone also took the stage Thursday night. On Instagram, DINO shared photos of himself and the American hitmaker hanging out and laughing backstage on Instagram.
DINO and his collaborators debuted “Til My Fingers Bleed” on YouTube on June 29, writing on Instagram that the EWC theme song was created for “the ones who play with everything they’ve got.”
Following the star-studded opening ceremony, the players gathered in Saudi Arabia will now embark on seven weeks of gaming competitions. There are 24 different titles and $70 million in prize money up for grabs.
DINO’s performance comes just a few months after SEVENTEEN released its fifth album, HAPPY BURSTDAY, in May. The LP reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, becoming the band’s seventh top 10 entry on the chart so far.
Watch DINO perform “Til My Fingers Bleed” (around the 1:16:48 mark) at the Esports World Cup opening ceremony below.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-11 16:06:402025-07-11 16:06:40Watch DINO of SEVENTEEN Nail His Historic Performance at the 2025 Esports World Cup
Be careful what you wish for. After Joyner Lucas said clashing with Skepta was the “moment he was waiting for,” the U.K. legend took to the booth and delivered the bristling “Friendly Fire” diss track, aiming at Lucas and others on Friday (July 11).
Skepta had plenty of smoke for JL on the second verse, which he began by sniping at Lucas’ skillset: “Joyner Lucas, you bastard/ Why you rap like you studied at Harvard?”
He continues to jab Joyner for not producing hit songs. “Praise the lord, you want beast? Then I’ve got this/ You haven’t had a hit song for the longest/ Too concerned with your clothes/ You should be focusing on flows,” Skepta raps.
That wasn’t all either, as Skepta hailed himself as a “GOAT” while referring to Lucas as a “lyrical miracle” and claims he’s looked at as a “joke” in the United States.
“Where I’m from, I’m a GOAT/ Where you’re from, you’re a joke/ SK turn you to a ghost, yo/ Talkin’ like you’re lyrical miracle, oh please/ Where I come from, that’s a default speed,” he spews.
Lucas has been waiting for Skepta to step into the ring, so this most likely isn’t the last we’ve heard from this feud, which began brewing last week amid the U.K. versus U.S. rap debate.
“I wanna clash an American rapper anyway,” Skepta wrote to X on July 3. “Finally get this UK/US rap debate sorted.”
Lucas accepted the challenge and baited Skepta on July 4. “The moment I’ve been waiting for… say the word, Joyner Lucas vs @Skepta #UKvsUS,” he said.
Prior to dropping “Friendly Fire,” Skeptaoffered up a final warning for Joyner Lucas. “Hey Jonah, I wasn’t even gonna reply back but I’m a rapper’s rapper,” he wrote on his IG Story. “I’m gonna respect the fact that you stood up and said something. The first man, you get me? But this is just another example of the ignorance. Jonah, if you was from the UK, fam? Quiet, bro, understand?”
However, Joyner Lucas wasn’t the only person on Skepta’s “Friendly Fire” hit list, as he also jabbed at Hot 97 radio host Ebro Darden and streamer DJ Akademiks. “Old man Ebro askin’ me stupid questions Tryna use me to get clicks, I said what I said,” he raps to open the track. The bar appears to be tied to their 2024 interview on Apple Music, which saw Skepta chime in about the Drake-Kendrick Lamar battle.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-11 16:00:542025-07-11 16:00:54Skepta Delivers on His Promise to Diss Joyner Lucas With Bristling ‘Friendly Fire’ Track
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Time to pull out your wallets one last time. Prime Day 2025 is coming to an end, but there’s plenty of last-minute deals still kicking around. If you were late to the sale party, the house of Bezos kicked off its annual savings event earlier this week and extended its deals from two days to four. With the official dates for the Amazon-issued sale are between July 8-11, we’ll be updating our guides with the plenty of splurge-worthy Prime Day deals worth shopping until they turn the lights off.
To help you sneak in some last-minute savings, ShopBillboard has sorted through all the good, the great, and the best Prime Day deals worth shopping on the final day. From Adidas and Crocs to Apple and Dyson, this list includes deals up to 50% off on highly sought-after, tech-savvy gadgets, trendy fashion and beauty deals, and stylish home upgrades. So get shopping before you miss out!
Keep checking back here throughout the week as we’ll be updating our guide with more and MORE sweet deals.
Prime Day is Amazon’s annual members-only shopping event. It offers limited-time deals, lightning deals, and exclusive discounts on products across nearly every category. Unlike past Prime Day events, this is the first year the event has been extended from two days to four days.
When Is Amazon Prime Day 2025?
Amazon Prime Day 2025 begins on Tuesday, July 8, and will end on Friday, July 11. However, shoppers can browse many early deals right now.
Best Prime Day Tech Deals
Looking to upgrade your hardware? There endless amounts of must-have Prime Day tech deals worth exploring. Save big on Apple, Beats, Samsung, and Toshiba products below.
Upgrade movie night with this premium Sonos soundbar. Experience vibrant bass, crystal clear audio, and an impressive 3D surround sound with Dolby Atmos for under $400.
The portably Middleton speaker utilizes True Stereophonic, a unique form of multi-directional stereo sound to deliver an immersive experience wherever you roam.
Tap into your gaming side with this impressive PC that features an AMD R7-8700F, GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB DDR5, 2TB m.2 NVMe SSD, USB Type-C, VR capabilities and Windows 11
This super affordable tablet is equipped with a 10.1″ 1080p Full HD display, a 13-hour battery life, 32 or 64 GB of storage and up to 1 TB expandable storage with micro-SD card, all for $70.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro AI True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
Sony’s flagship line of headphones has always had impressive, industry-leading noise-cancellation. For under $200, there’s no better over-the-ear headphone deal better than this.
Samsung 55-Inch Class OLED 4K S90D Series HDR+ Smart TV
Under $1000 this smart TV is equipped with Dolby Atmos, object tracking sound Lite, a real depth enhancer, 4K AI upscaling and the Alexa assistant built-in.
Keep a close eye on your daily steps, health and notifications right from your wrist. The smartwatch provides wellness tips, heart rate tracking, a sleep monitor and a fitness tracker.
Toshiba 75-inch Class C350 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV
If you want a device more portable than a laptop, the iPad is a great choice. The Apple tablet features an A16 chip, an 11-inch liquid retina display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP front/12MP back camera, touch ID, and all-day battery life.
Want a 4K UHD smart TV without breaking the bank? This Amazon Fire TV is currently at a super low price point for under $400.
Best Prime Day Beauty Deals
Having a sophisticated beauty regimen doesn’t need to be expensive. Level up your skincare with these impressive Prime Day beauty deals from medicube, Starface and Revlon.
The smell of this body cream alone makes it worth the splurge. Add to the fact that the product is currently 20% off and it instantly becomes a must-have.
Revlon ColorStay Multi-Liner in 010 Mischief Maker
If you’re prone to sweating like I am, not to fear. Salt & Stone is currently having a major sale on their beloved long-wearing scented deodorant in the heady scent santal and vetiver.
These patches are both cute and effective, formulated with a singular ingredient, hydrocolloid, a substance borrowed from surgical dressing that’s clinically proven to improve the appearance of pimples overnight.
There’s never a bad time to add to your wardrobe, especially when products are over 40% off. Shop fan-favorite brands like Levi’s and Crocs below before sizes run out.
If you need a great summer shoe, these Puma’s Easy Riders are a hidden gem and typically overlooked as a great everyday walking shoe.
Best Prime Day Home Deals
Want to give your home an HGTV makeover? These Prime Day home deals will help spruce up your living space without breaking the bank. With deals up to 49% off, you can fully redecorate without going over your budget.
A sleek smart alarm clock with Alexa and big vibrant sound with clear vocals and deep bass. Just ask Alexa to play your favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks in seconds.
Stop intruders in their tracks with this on sale bundle of 2 motion-activated LED spotlights. Each camera turns on when they detect motion, and sound the built-in security siren with just a few taps.
You know what’s cooler thank drinking water and staying hydrated? Nothing. Take advantage of this Hydro Flask sale and make sure you’re hitting your daily water intake.
This ultra-soft blanket is the ultimate snuggle buddy. With a comfortably weighted design and cozy plush material, wrapping yourself in this oversized throw feels like a big, warm hug.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-11 15:51:322025-07-11 15:51:3250 Last-Minute Prime Day Deals: Save on Apple, Dyson & Nintendo Before the Sale Ends
Yungblud is showing his fans some love after experiencing a health setback while on tour. The musician announced via his Instagram Stories on Thursday (July 10) that he’s currently battling tonsillitis, and is following his doctor’s advice to postpone both the Thursday show in Dundee, Scotland, and Friday set in Liverpool.
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“Please understand i hate letting you down. I wanna say f–k it and just do it but they said I could really do damage to my voice,” the British musician wrote, noting that he’s getting a steroid treatment and plans to have his tonsils taken out when his schedule permits. “I love you all and I will DEFINITELY be at. Bristol and Southampton next week.”
“I cannot believe what’s happening at the minute,” he concluded in his Story. “Beautiful.”
Shortly after, Yungblud shared another message to his Story, this time offer a token of appreciation for fans in Liverpool who had tickets to the now postponed concert. “To make it up to you I’ve put some money behind the bar at @motel_bar,” he wrote. “If you go tomorrow night and show your ticket you get a free drink on me. I know some of you have travelled.”
He continued: I’m so sad I can’t be there but at least you can be together and celebrate each other, as that’s what Yungblud is all about. Go to the bar play the tunes and have a good time. I love you. Again, I’m truly sorry.”
The musician released his genre-blurring fourth studio album, Idols, on June 20. The 12-track set — which is the first part of a double album — debuted at No. 1 on the U.K’s Official Albums Chart, his third consecutive to summit the tally. The North American leg of his Idols World Tour kicks off Aug. 23 in Los Angeles.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-11 15:51:312025-07-11 15:51:31Yungblud Pays for Fans’ Drinks to ‘Make It Up’ to Them After Postponing 2 Shows
Bob Geldof was in a French cafe recently when a man came up to him and said, “Thank you for the best day of my life.”
“I didn’t know what he was talking about, but I assumed it was Live Aid — I don’t think it was our third hit single,” Geldof tells Billboard via Zoom. “And I go, ‘Thank you very much.’ What else do you say?”
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That’s happened a lot to Geldof over the past 40 years, since the Live Aid concerts — benefitting the Band Aid Charitable Foundation’s continuing efforts to combat famine in Africa — took place on July 13, 1985 in London, Philadelphia and other locations around the world. Following the all-star Band Aid “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” benefit single the previous December, it was 20-odd hours of music transmitted globally by 16 satellites to 169 countries, for a reported audience of nearly two billion. With legendary performances by a who’s-who roster that Geldof branded a global jukebox, it raised $140 million during the shows and the following week.
Live Aid is being celebrated on its anniversary by rebroadcasts of the concert by the BBC and 80sCentral.com, while CNN debuts a new four-week documentary, Live Aid: When Rock ‘n’ Roll Took on the World, at 9 p.m. ET on July 13. (It will air in three episodes on the BBC.) And an original cast recording from Just For One Day — The Live Aid Musical, which is back on London’s West End, comes out July 11.
Four decades later, Geldof proclaims that, “I’m not interested in the nostalgia of it. It’s a vivid thing to me.” But he understands what happened on that day, when many felt united across the globe.
“It’s that sense of being there, and connected,” he explains. “Everyone just felt this sense of humanness — not humanity, but humanness. For the first time in 300,000 years, since we all left the Rift Valley, we were all talking to each other about a common problem and using a common language, the lingua franca of rock ‘n’ roll. Everyone in the world understands ‘a wop bop a lula, a bop bam boom.’ Rock ‘n’ roll is beyond language; it’s an attitude and it’s a sense, and it’s universal.”
He adds that, “The number of people who have watched Live Aid on YouTube has far exceeded the huge numbers that watched it initially, and they keep going back. It’s constantly referred, like in the Queen movie (Bohemian Rhapsody) or Just For One Day. Occasionally what rock ‘n’ roll achieves hits you really hard.”
“If anybody could have pulled that miracle off, it was Bob and no one else,” says Sting, one of the many Band Aid artists who also performed at Live Aid. “His passion, his energy, his bloody mindedness…all of us were just passengers on his coattails. We saw the logic of what he was saying, but we wouldn’t have got it together, singly or as a group, without him — and that’s not false modesty. This was Bob’s thing.”
The Next Step
A concert was not on Geldof’s agenda when “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” came out. “I thought (with) Band Aid, I’d get to Christmas, make $100,000 pounds, give it to OXFAM, job done,” he recalls. But with its huge success and the appearance of other songs from the U.S. (“We Are the World”), Canada (“Tears Are Not Enough”) and other territories, the idea began to take root; during the “We Are the World” sessions Geldof even told those artists he’d “be back knocking on the door” for a potential concert.
“You think, ‘Okay, how serious are you about actually stopping this (famine)?’ So Live Aid was both the practical means of stopping the horror and the political lobby to bring that sort of thing to a close.”
George Thorogood, who performed in Philadelphia, offers a blunter assessment: “It was really a crying shame that the world has so much money and resources, yet there are people on our planet that are starving. That doesn’t make sense. And what do they do when they want to make money? They call a rock ‘n’ roll band.”
Starting in the spring of 1985, Geldof enlisted British promoters Harvey Goldsmith and Maurice Jones for London and also presented the idea of a global telethon that would take place there and in the U.S. “I stepped back and said, ‘He’s barking mad!’ Goldsmith recalls in the CNN documentary. The late Bill Graham handled the U.S. show with Larry Magid of Electric Factory Concerts firm in Philadelphia. Like Goldsmith, he was not a little apprehensive about what had to be accomplished in a very short amount of time.
“For five weeks (after announcement), you had to figure, ‘Well, the one thing I’m not gonna get is a lot of sleep,’” says Magid, who also helped produce Live 8 in 2005. “When it first came up, I was numb just sitting there and listening for three hours. The idea of doing something 10 or 15 time bigger than you’ve ever done, with the eyes of the world on you, is staggering. It was either going to be a great success we could all bask in, or we were gonna look…stupid. Logistically it was daunting, but we had a lot of experience putting on shows and we had a plan, and we executed that plan perfectly.”
Geldof readily acknowledges that “I was out of my depth. My mouth had written the check my brain couldn’t cash. All I really remember is being frightened; the fear was failure, and personal failure was the least of it. I’d asked these bands to help, and they all had and I really didn’t want to let them down. But much important was the fear of failing those in whose name we were doing it for in the first place, and that would have been catastrophic.”
Best-Laid Plans
Fortunately, with the help of Michael Mitchell — who’d been involved with sponsorship and networking for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles — Live Aid put together an unprecedented network of support from media, including MTV, the BBC and an ABC primetime telecast hosted by Dick Clark. The logistics — chronicled in Geldof’s memoir Is That It? and the Just For One Day musical — were dizzying and mind-numbing. “I was on an organizational continuum,” he says, and that included fatigue and a pinched nerve that hampered his movements on the day but did get him a backstage massage from David Bowie. (“Alternative career — David Bowie, masseuse,” Geldof quips.)
Quite a few acts had agreed to be part of a show even in advance of Live Aid’s conception, while others were roped in in short order. “I knew the kids from Band Aid would come, so there were all your ‘80s hits,” Geldof says. He harangued others, including Queen, the Who and, unsuccessfully, Bruce Springsteen. And despite Goldsmith’s desire to “keep it very opaque or obscure” when Live Aid was first announced, Geldof went ahead and included names that weren’t formally secured yet.
“Harvey was there kicking me under the table and literally squeezing my leg and screaming at me afterwards,” Geldof remembers, “and I said, ‘They can’t really refuse now,’ ’cause it was everywhere.” Several acts on the first edition of the event poster wound up not playing, however, including Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Huey Lewis and the News, Paul Simon and Tears For Fears. As the Wembley lineup filled up, some groups, including Pretenders and Simple Minds, were sent to Philadelphia, where Graham and Magid also worked on putting together a roster.
“We just set out to figure out who were the best people and try to convince them,” Magid says. “Obviously one of the first things you say is, ‘Who does the public want to see? Who can we get to balance out what this London show is?’ The Beach Boys came right to mind. We knew Clapton was in the States, and then Jagger wanting to do something but not to compete with the show in London, so he thought it was a better fit for him to do this (Philadelphia) show.
“Not everybody we wanted could do it, and there were people who in the beginning turned us down and came back and said, ‘We can be on the show,’ but at that point we pretty much had it booked.”
While there was some jockeying to be primetime on ABC, Geldof says that mostly “no one moaned about where they were in the bill. The answer was, ‘There’s no bill.’ Who do you put over this person? It’s not possible. It doesn’t mean if you’re on third you’re actually third. It just means that’s the only spot we can stick you in. And all of them played way beyond their normal concert ability — all of them. They played real good for free.”
Live Aid’s highlights went on to become legend: Queen’s galvanizing set; Mick Jagger’s solo set that included Tina Turner and Hall & Oates, plus his “Dancing in the Street” video collaboration with Bowie; Phil Collins crossing the Atlantic Ocean on Concorde to play both shows; Sting’s stripped-down collaboration with Collins and Branford Marsalis in London (and guesting with Dire Straits on “Money For Nothing”); U2’s epic, unintentionally extended rendition of “Bad”; Patti LaBelle’s soaring vocals; Teddy Pendergrass’ first performance since being paralyzed in a car crash three years prior; and Paul McCartney closing London with “Let It Be” in his first live performance in six years, with Geldof, Bowie, Pete Townshend and Alison Moyet stepping in to help out when his microphone failed.
Even acts that fell short — Led Zeppelin’s semi-reunion and Bob Dylan’s meandering set with Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood — are still spoken about now. “They dropped the curtain in front of the monitors, so we couldn’t hear ourselves,” Richards explained a few years later. “Here’s three guys with acoustic guitars and they were getting ready for (sings) ‘We Are the World’ with 50 people behind us…Bob and I kept looking at each other, like, ‘Where’s the blindfolds and last cigarettes?’ But it was all for a good cause, so what the hell?”
Those About to Rock
The Beach Boys’ Mike Love says his band definitely felt the global connection between the Live Aid concerts during its five-song afternoon set, which featured Brian Wilson in a then-rare live appearance with the band. “We were playing in Philadelphia and they were singing along to our songs at Wembley Stadium, thousands of miles away. The whole thing was so euphoric and inspiring.”
Joan Baez began Live Aid in Philadelphia with, “Children of the ‘80s, this is your Woodstock,” but Graham Nash, who also performed at both concerts, drew a stark contrast between them.
“There was a feeling at Woodstock that we weren’t alone,” says Nash, who walked away with the day’s dressing trailer assignment chart as a souvenir (and still has it). “Yeah, we knew that Richard Nixon was crazy, that his administration was corrupt. But when we were at Woodstock we realized that here’s almost a half a million kids that felt the same way we did. There was a certain amount of that in Philadelphia, but not as much as Woodstock. It was a different purpose.”
Meeting Baez was a personal highlight for Rob Halford of Judas Priest, who had covered her “Diamonds & Rust” in 1977. “She was very cool,” remembers Halford, who watched part of the show with the rest of the crowd on the JFK field. “I was sh-tting myself. I’d just got a Budweiser and a cigarette and I see this lady getting closer and closer — ‘Omigod, that’s Joan Baez!’ My immediate thought was, oh, Christ, she’s gonna go, ‘You massacred my song’ but she comes up and we had a hug and she said, ‘I just want to tell you my son said, “If you see anybody from Judas Priest, can you tell them I prefer their version of ‘Diamonds & Rust?”’ I just thought, how sweet she is, so beautiful and self-effacing. It was a great moment.”
Sting’s Live Aid performance came less than a month after the release of his first solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles, and found him trading off songs with Collins during a stripped-down set that also included Blue Turtles collaborator Branford Marsalis, who was part that project. “It was pretty easy,” recalls Sting, who rehearsed with Collins via phone. “We know our songs. I like the idea of the impromptu. It was completely the opposite of what Queen did, which was staggering and wonderful and crystal clear. But we were, in the spirit of the original Band Aid record, kind of amateurish and thrown together — genuine passion, but not particularly polished. It was good to get it over with and just enjoy the show.”
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were among the Live Aid bands on tour at the time, fitting it in between Southern Accents Tour stops in Florida and New York. “That was overwhelming. I felt very honored we were part of it,” says guitarist Mike Campbell. “Backstage there was this tent with (Bob) Dylan and Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, and this tent over here was Jimmy Page and his entourage. And then Madonna had a tent in another area and she came marching over and wanted to be in our camp but there was no room for her, so she had to go back to her area. But we had all cool people in our spot.”
Nash also had a Madonna moment. While standing with emcee Jack Nicholson backstage when Madonna and then-husband Sean Penn were approaching, “This roadie says, ‘Look the other way, look the other way.’ And me and Jack said, ‘What?!’ (laughs) Yeah, look the other way. Sure.”
Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr, who was married to Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde at the time, had a more pleasant encounter, however. “We were in our dressing room/cabin or whatever,” he says, “and we heard this voice from behind us, this Glasgow accent, and we turn around and it’s Sean Penn! He had just studied a Glaswegian play and had been practicing the accent — which is a very hard thing to get — and had it down. We became friends that day and hung out and all that.”
Kerr, whose band was riding high on the Billboard Hot 100-topping success of its The Breakfast Club hit “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” adds that while he and his mates “knew it was a big deal” to be part of Live Aid, “it didn’t feel mind-blowing, as you think of it now. We turned up and played; that’s what we do. We didn’t think 40 years later we’d be looking on it like this. If we had thought about that I’m sure we would’ve been beside ourselves with nerves, but I don’t recall that on the day.”
“The Best Day Of My Life”
For Geldof, meanwhile, playing early at Wembley with the Boomtown Rats — declaring “I just realized today is the best day of my life” — “was the only time of the day I felt relaxed. Walking on stage, I was perfectly at home, ’cause that was my job. This is what I do. But about halfway through our set I realize, ‘No, no, this isn’t a huge crowd — dude, this is everybody! F—k!’ So that pulled me up short. That was the only time I felt, I suppose, what everybody felt.” (Geldof will play a dozen U.K. shows celebrating the Rats’ 50th anniversary this October and November.)
Four decades later the world is still feeling it. The Band Aid Charitable Trust is continuing its efforts (donations can be made to bandaidtrust.co.uk). Twenty years after Live Aid, Geldof and company put on Live 8, a series of eight global concerts in front of the 2005 G8 Summit in Scotland that he feels “were more important politically and economically.” And while Dylan rankled some with his concert-ending suggestion to send some of the money raised at Live Aid to American family farmers, it did spawn Farm Aid and its annual concerts.
Yet the template remains Live Aid. In the CNN documentary, Bono notes that, “Something went on at Live Aid that is still with us….It began a journey for all of us from what you might call charity to what you might call justice.”
“The world tilted that day,” Philadelphia promoter Magid adds. “We can all say we changed the world. (Geldof) is the guy that led the way, but this was a main contribution of our lives, to be involved in such an incredible undertaking, not just for African famine relief but all of social consciousness…and what you can do to help. We were just happy to be part of it.”
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-11 15:43:002025-07-11 15:43:00Bob Geldof Looks Back on Live Aid at 40: Pressuring Bands to Perform, Getting a Massage From Bowie & Being ‘Out of My Depth’
