'The Voice' Winner Is ... Maelyn Jarmon - HuffPost

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https://www.huffpost.com/entry/maelyn-jarmon-wins-the-voice_n_5ce51370e4b0547bd12f568d

2019-05-22 10:42:00Z
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DJ Khaled: Father of Asahd | Review - Pitchfork

The creep of positivity culture has been steady and relentless. It has become a dominant modality of Instagram influence and global culture ever since the publication of Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret and among its most ardent benefactors (and beneficiaries) is DJ Khaled. For years, he has blended be-your-best-self mantras with middling music to great fame and, presumably, growing wealth; he even published a book detailing his “keys to success.” In the Snapchat era, Khaled’s vague, emphatic preaching made him an intriguing public figure beyond music. But unfortunately, as in the arena of emotional development, shouting aphorisms does little to prompt significant artistic growth.

Khaled’s new album, Father of Asahd, continues in his tradition of envisioning every song as a posse cut. The project’s 15 tracks feature 29 different performers plus his own signature bellowing. (The absence of Drake, a reliable hitmaker and longtime collaborator, is palpable.) The result is pure chaos. Since assembling Akon, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman, and Lil Wayne for “We Takin’ Over” in 2007, Khaled has proven himself adept at project-managing rap and R&B’s biggest stars into contributing verses for transparent plays at song-of-the-summer singles. Along the way, the strategy has produced actual anthems, hit songs with a backseat full of guests that will likely activate nostalgia even when they sound thin and tinny in retrospect.

The formula’s limitations are evident on Father of Asahd: There are plenty of voices but no clear message or intention. The world seems colder than it did in 2015, and Khaled’s platitudes no longer function as an effective anchor. Vaguely uplifting songs (“Won’t Take My Soul” and “Weather the Storm”) mingle with generic theses on envy and loyalty (“Jealous” and “You Stay”). Specificity, I’ve learned, is another victim of positivity vulture. It’s hardly a flex to gather dancehall’s biggest names—Mavado, Sizzla, and Buju Banton, newly released from prison—for a motivational opener, only to throw in strained vocals by New Jersey singer 070 Shake.

But something is bound to stick. There are a handful of introspective verses from Meek Mill and Lil Baby; it’s a shame they are not alchemized into effective songs. Cardi B and 21 Savage rapping over a Tay Keith beat on “Wish, Wish” is refreshing and poised for radio play. The clear standout is “Higher,” featuring John Legend and the late Nipsey Hussle. Especially in the context of his death last month, Hussle’s two verses are an eerily on-time reflection on his own life, beginning with his family history and ending with this urgent prophecy: “Homicide, hate, gang banging’ll get you all day/Look at my fate.” It offers a rare moment of depth and vulnerability on an album largely marked by inanity.

In recent years, ostensibly as Khaled has increased his budgets and access to the major-label clearance apparatus, his more-is-more approach has expanded to include a reliance on recognizable samples and interpolations; “Wild Thoughts,” featuring Rihanna, Bryson Tiller, and a prominent sample of Santana’s “Maria, Maria,” reached No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard charts in 2017. This time around, samples include OutKast’s “Ms. Jackson,” which is remade into “Just Us,” a cloying pop song featuring SZA; “Freak N You,” featuring Lil Wayne and Gunna, is built around sped-up Jodeci vocals; the Buju Banton closer “Holy Ground” borrows a riff from Lauryn Hill’s “To Zion.” It strikes as a cynical play at nostalgia. Whereas his peers are trying new strategies to best the streaming wars, Khaled, a firm Gen Xer, appears to remain focused on traditional radio. His challenge to the hegemonic structures of radio and music industry marketing, he recently told Jimmy Fallon, is to force multiple current singles into rotation.

Here and elsewhere, Khaled owes a great debt to Diddy, another guru of positivity and the progenitor of Khaled’s style of not-quite-producer, not-quite-curator auteurship. The blueprint for much of Khaled’s discography was established by Diddy way back when he was known as Puff. In 1997, he released No Way Out, a Bad Boy compilation that repurposed songs by the Police, Grandmaster Flash & the Message, and India to various degrees of effectiveness. One of those tracks, “Senorita,” is literally referenced on Father of Asahd’s “You Stay,” in the form of a similar use of India’s “No Me Conviene.” More than 20 years later, it’s time to try something new.

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https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/dj-khaled-father-of-asahd/

2019-05-22 05:00:00Z
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‘Game of Thrones’ author George R.R. Martin teases book ending, what’s next for series - Fox News

'Game of Thrones' fans furious after series finale failed to live up to expectations

After eight seasons of dragons, sword fights, ice zombies and massive battles, 'Game of Thrones' fans finally got the answer to the question, 'Who will end up on the Iron Throne?' Unfortunately, for many fans, that answer was pretty underwhelming. With big swings being taken left and right in the series finale, it seems opinions on the HBO hit show's final season were as cold as the winter that finally came.

“Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin hinted at what’s next for the acclaimed fantasy series following the finale of its HBO television adaptation Sunday night and teased fans with how the books may end differently — or not.

Martin, 70, paid tribute to the show on his blog Monday, calling the experience "a wild ride.” He wrote that while the finale “was an ending ... it was also a beginning.”

'GAME OF THRONES' STAR NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDAU PROPOSES SEQUEL SERIES

“Winter is coming, I told you, long ago … and so it is,” he wrote.

Martin wrote that he expects the final two books to fill 3000 manuscript pages.

The author promised fans he’s hard at work on the book series’ next installment, "The Winds of Winter." He wrote he knows it's late "but it will be done." He's just not saying when. He said "A Dream of Spring," the final book in the series, will follow.

Many fans have voiced their disappointment over the writing and character development of the final season. But Martin stressed he was “working in a very different medium” than showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

'GAME OF THRONES' SERIES FINALE HAS ALL EYES ON POTENTIAL PREQUELS AND SPINOFFS FROM HBO

“They had six hours for this final season,” Martin wrote. “I expect these last two books of mine will fill 3,000 manuscript pages between them before I’m done … and if more pages and chapters and scenes are needed, I’ll add them.”

Martin also teased fans over whether the books will end the same way as the show.

“Well… yes. And no. And yes. And no. And yes. And no. And yes,” he said.

'PAWN STARS' RICK HARISON APPRAISES RARE 'GAME OF THRONES' BOOK, SAYS AMERICANS AREN'T LEARNING FROM HISTORY

Martin explained the books will reveal the fates of many characters who never made it onto the small screen adaptation. He also reminded fans that some characters who died on the show are still alive in the books.

"The readers will learn what happened Jeyne Poole, Lady Stoneheart, Penny and her pig, Skahaz Shavepate, Arianne Martell, Darkstar, Victarion Greyjoy, Ser Garlan the Gallant, Aegon VI, and a myriad of other characters both great and small that viewers of the show never had the chance to meet,” he noted.

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To fans wondering whether the “real” ending is in the books or TV show, Martin suggested they decide for themselves.

“How about this? I’ll write it. You read it. Then everyone can make up their own mind, and argue about it on the Internet,” the author wrote.

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https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/game-of-thrones-george-r-r-martin-book-ending-whats-next

2019-05-21 15:01:10Z
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Sophie Turner Just Shared the Best Game of Thrones Finale Photo - E! NEWS

Nothing will top the Game of Thrones photo Sophie Turner posted on her Instagram. Nothing. Nobody post behind-the-scenes photos ever again, Sophie Turner cannot be topped.

The photo is of the three Stark siblings. There's Arya Stark (Maisie Williams), Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) and Sansa Stark (Turner), taken at the meeting of all the great houses in Westeros. It was the last scene they shot. And it's not just any photo, it's begging for you to spot the out of place elements. There's Williams sunglasses, Hempstead-Wright's legs and Turner's Juul vape. And the water bottle. Is it the water bottle that made it into the scene? Who knows.

Turner captioned it, "The pack survived," which is a reference to a line from the series, and also her tattoo that may or may not have spoiled the series.

Below, take a look at the photo and more behind-the-scenes pictures from the final season of Game of Thrones.

Don't miss E! News every weeknight at 7, only on E!

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https://www.eonline.com/news/1043130/sophie-turner-gifted-the-internet-the-best-game-of-thrones-series-finale-photo

2019-05-21 13:41:00Z
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Sophie Turner thinks 'Game of Thrones' petition is 'disrespectful' - CNN

Sophie Turner, who portrayed Sansa Stark on "Game of Thrones," is none too happy about a petition calling for the final season of the HBO series to be redone.

HBO is owned by CNN's parent company.

As of Tuesday a Change.org petition titled "Remake Game of Thrones Season 8 with competent writers" had secured more than 1.3 million signatures.

More than a million people want 'Game of Thrones' final season remade

In an interview with the New York Times published Monday, Turner pushed back on some of the negative fan reaction

"All of these petitions and things like that — I think it's disrespectful to the crew, and the writers, and the filmmakers who have worked tirelessly over 10 years, and for 11 months shooting the last season," she said. "Like 50-something night shoots. So many people worked so, so hard on it, and for people to just rubbish it because it's not what they want to see is just disrespectful."

The actress said she was not surprised by some of the viewers vitriol.

Batman and 'Game of Thrones' latest recipients of cold shoulder from fans

"People always have an idea in their heads of how they want a show to finish, and so when it doesn't go to their liking, they start to speak up about it and rebel," Turner said.

Turner was happier about how her character ended the show -- as reigning Queen in the North.

'Game of Thrones' is over, so now what?

"I loved it. It's the only place that she really, truly feels safe," Turner said. "It's the place that she's the most capable of ruling. She would be a fair and loving ruler, and it's what she's been striving for this whole series: to go back home, to protect her home. And finally she has that."

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/21/entertainment/sophie-turner-game-thrones-petition/index.html

2019-05-21 12:47:00Z
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Sophie Turner thinks 'Game of Thrones' petition is 'disrespectful' - CNN

Sophie Turner, who portrayed Sansa Stark on "Game of Thrones," is none too happy about a petition calling for the final season of the HBO series to be redone.

HBO is owned by CNN's parent company.

As of Tuesday a Change.org petition titled "Remake Game of Thrones Season 8 with competent writers" had secured more than 1.3 million signatures.

More than a million people want 'Game of Thrones' final season remade

In an interview with the New York Times published Monday, Turner pushed back on some of the negative fan reaction

"All of these petitions and things like that — I think it's disrespectful to the crew, and the writers, and the filmmakers who have worked tirelessly over 10 years, and for 11 months shooting the last season," she said. "Like 50-something night shoots. So many people worked so, so hard on it, and for people to just rubbish it because it's not what they want to see is just disrespectful."

The actress said she was not surprised by some of the viewers vitriol.

Batman and 'Game of Thrones' latest recipients of cold shoulder from fans

"People always have an idea in their heads of how they want a show to finish, and so when it doesn't go to their liking, they start to speak up about it and rebel," Turner said.

Turner was happier about how her character ended the show -- as reigning Queen in the North.

'Game of Thrones' is over, so now what?

"I loved it. It's the only place that she really, truly feels safe," Turner said. "It's the place that she's the most capable of ruling. She would be a fair and loving ruler, and it's what she's been striving for this whole series: to go back home, to protect her home. And finally she has that."

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/21/entertainment/sophie-turner-game-thrones-petition/index.html

2019-05-21 11:56:00Z
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Update: George RR Martin on How the Game of Thrones Books' Ending Will Compare to the Show - IGN

"How about this? I’ll write it. You read it. Then everyone can make up their own mind, and argue about it on the internet."

By Colin Stevens and Joe Skrebels

Update 05/21/2019: George R. R. Martin has again addressed how his final two books in the Song of Ice and Fire saga will differ from the ending of Game of Thrones.

In a post saying goodbye to the HBO show, Martin discussed his long-awaited conclusion to the written version of the series, and addressed the biggest question first: will the ending be the same? His answer is non-committal: "Well… yes. And no. And yes.  And no. And yes. And no. And yes."

His point is to say that, while he's working towards a similar end goal to the makers of the show, they had six hours of TV to work with and he'll likely have 3,000 pages of manuscript (and will add more if necessary). The media involved allow for different kinds of expression and explanation.

He also points out that having so many characters who either weren't introduced or died in the show will make for major differences: "if nothing else, the readers will learn what happened to Jeyne Poole, Lady Stoneheart, Penny and her pig, Skahaz Shavepate, Arianne Martell, Darkstar, Victarion Greyjoy, Ser Garlan the Gallant, Aegon VI, and a myriad of other characters both great and small that viewers of the show never had the chance to meet".

He concludes by pointing out that it's folly to ask if the show or the books are the 'real' ending to the story: "How about this? I’ll write it. You read it. Then everyone can make up their own mind, and argue about it on the internet."

Exit Theatre Mode

Update 04/15/2019: Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin has offered further insight into the difference between his planned final books and the HBO TV series.

During an interview with 60 Minutes, he said that the show, created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, “would have to run another five seasons” for it to be completely faithful to the story he has lined up for the final books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring.

The show will be very close, though, thanks to “several days of story conferences” that took place at Martin’s house in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “I don't think Dan and Dave's ending is gonna be that different from my ending because of the conversations we did have,” he said.

“But they may be on certain secondary characters, there may be big differences,” he explained, saying that “there's no way to get in all the detail, all the minor characters, all the secondary characters.”

He joked that people will fight on the internet about which ending is better, which is certainly the inevitable outcome of all this.

Original story: George R. R. Martin confirmed there will be changes and additions to the ending of his A Song of Ice and Fire series when compared to HBO's Game of Thrones.

In a piece by Rolling Stone that focuses on GoT actresses Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner, Martin spoke about how the show's creators, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, had to make their own way with the story after the past couple of seasons began outpacing his writing.

“I’ve been so slow with these books,” said Martin. “The major points of the ending will be things I told them five or six years ago. But there may also be changes, and there’ll be a lot added.”

Exit Theatre Mode

Martin’s words suggest that the general ending to Game of Thrones will be similar to what he has planned for his final novel in the series, A Dream of Spring. However, as has been the case throughout the show, there will be notable differences between the two.

Martin recently said the final season of Game of Thrones may have "important discrepancies” from his upcoming books. He specifically said there are “a lot of minor-character [arcs] they'll be coming up with on their own."

While some fans are upset with how long it’s taken Martin to complete the sixth book, he’s also mad he hasn’t finished Winds of Winter. To better focus on finishing this novel, Martin turned down the chance to cameo in Season 8.

Don't forget to check out our guide on where and how to stream Game of Thrones season 8, so you don't miss a single episode.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Colin Stevens is a news writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

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https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/05/21/george-r-r-martin-on-game-of-thrones-bookshow-ending-differences

2019-05-21 10:21:00Z
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