“VIDEO: Watch Just Blaze's Samples Visualized With Mesmerizing Graphics - NPR” plus 2 more

Sofia Temmuz 18, 2021

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 10:34 AM PDT

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In the first installment of our new video series The Formula, producer Just Blaze unpacks the drum-centric samples he created for Jay-Z and Beyoncé. Whether he's tapping out sampled drums or incorporating live drummers in the studio, his ability to harness energy is what makes his sound so dynamic.

The Formula is a five-episode series on the art of sampling in which acclaimed hip-hop producers show us how they find inspiration in classics, hidden gems, found sounds and other raw musical materials to create new hits. For each video in the series, NPR Music has also asked a writer we love to focus on an element of the video we've made and spin it off in a new direction — to sample it.

After being name-checked by Just Blaze in the video above, The Roots' drummer and Tonight Show bandleader Questlove corrects the record and explains why his colleague's talent for finding and flipping a sample is inspiring and infuriating in equal measure. You can read his essay here and find the latest episodes and essays at npr.org/theformula.

CREDITS

Host: Rodney Carmichael; Producers: Nick Michael, CJ Riculan; Animator: CJ Riculan; Assistant Producer: Ben Naddaff-Hafrey; Director of Photography: Colin Marshall; Editors: Annabel Edwards, Nick Michael; Videographers: Annabel Edwards, Nickolai Hammar, Colin Marshall; Audio Recording Engineer: Nickolai Hammar; Audio Mix Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Supervising Producer: Nick Michael; Senior Producer: Abby O'Neill; Consulting Editor: Jacob Ganz; Managing Editor: Becky Lettenberger; Executive Producers: Anya Grundmann, Keith Jenkins, Lauren Onkey

MUSIC

"Hovi Baby," Jay-Z, The Blueprint 2 (2002)
"Shaft In Africa (Addis)," Johnny Pate, Shaft in Africa (1973)
"Show Me What You Got," Jay-Z, Kingdom Come (2006)
"Let Me Try," Kaleidoscope, Kaleidoscope (1969)
"Freedom," Beyoncé, Lemonade (2016)
"Rose Water", DJ Face [series theme track]

Britney, Beyonce and all the celebs connected to 'Tiger King' stars - Wonderwall

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 12:33 PM PDT

Long before the phenomenon that is the "Tiger King" appeared in living rooms across the country via Netflix, celebrities from all walks of life were hobnobbing with the show's stars and their furry friends in a multitude of ways.

Britney Spears, for example, has a surprising connection to Doc Antle, and it involves one of her most iconic moments ever. In 2001, the pop star memorably performed "I've a Slave 4 U" at the MTV Video Music Awards with a snake. A tiger also appeared on stage, as did Doc.

Kevin Mazur / WireImage

"She had to climb into a cage and dance with a big adult tiger," Doc, who often appears in the docu-series, told Rolling Stone in 20015. "We're in there, spinning around, 10,00 people were screaming and dancing and the tiger's just Mr. Cool. We had a big snake come down and dance on her shoulders."

Getty Images

Beyonce, has a connection to Doc, as well. In 2019, the Myrtle Beach Safari, Doc's zoo, posted a photo of Beyonce hanging out with a tiger and a chimp.

"Throwback to when @beyonce visited us! Feeding tiger cubs with the help of, @docantle & Vali the Chimp," the caption read.

YouTube superstar Logan Paul visited that same zoo earlier this year, as pictures show him hugging a tiger and hanging with several animals.

"Save the tiger," he captioned Instagram pictures from the day.

Rapper Da Brat posted several photos and videos from her visit to Doc's zoo in October 2019. Photos showed her hugging monkeys and elephants.

The visit, she said, left her "speechless." She added on Instagram that "ALL of the trainers were EXCELLENT!"

Some stars have caught flak for their connections. Shaquille O'Neal addressed his appearance in the documentary, claiming he is not friends with the show's main character, the flamboyant Joe Exotic, who was arrested and sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role a murder-for-hire plot against an animal rights activist.

"Listen, people are going to make their own opinions, but, again, I was just a visitor. I met this guy — not my friend. Don't know him," Shaq said this week on his podcast "The Big Podcast With Shaq." "Never had any business dealings with him, and I had no idea any of that stuff was going on."

Shaq actually spoke about his visit to Joe's zoo on TNT afterward, saying, "Shoutout to Joe Exotic." He also announced he "got two more tigers."

On March 31, Joe's former "husband" John Finlay revealed a very surprising detail about a 2015 arson fire that housed Joe's film studio. The studio was completely destroyed the studio, and it also killed seven alligators and one crocodile. Those animals previously belonged to Michael Jackson.

"One of the previous managers had gotten us Michael Jackson's alligators from Neverland Ranch," John said.

Like Shaq, multiple athletes have connections with the documentary, too. Former "Dancing With The Stars" alum Floyd Mayweather posted a photo with a cheetah at Doc's zoo in February 2019.

In January 2019, NFL stud Odell Beckham Jr. posted a video of him visiting the zoo and playing catch with a chimpanzee and petting a tiger. The video didn't sit well with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"These sensitive and much-abused animals belong with their families in nature, not pimped out as props by shameless roadside zoos," the statement said at the time. "We're sure that Odell Beckham Jr. had no idea that the sleazy safari park where this young chimpanzee is kept has a lengthy record of violating federal law and uses great apes and big-cat cubs in cheap publicity stunts like this. These encounters are incredibly dangerous, and PETA urges everyone -- including Beckham, who certainly doesn't want another injury -- to steer clear of cruel facilities that exploit animals."

Fellow NFLer Ndamukong Suh hung out with Doc's tigers the summer of 2019.

"Today was DOPE!" he said on Instagram.

United States soccer stars and World Cup winners Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris visited the zoo in 2018.

WWE wrestlers The Undertaker and Jinder Mahal have connections, as well, and "iCarly" star Reed Alexander and celebrity chef Todd English have hung out at Doc's zoo in the past.

One of the more interesting connections comes from "Pawn Stars" notable Rick Harrison -- who owns a plaza in Las Vegas. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jeff Lowe, a central figure in documentary, approached Rick about setting up a business called Tiger Encounter in "Pawn Plaza" that would include giving people the ability to have their pictures taken with exotic animals.

After one meeting, Rick said no.

BET House Party Presents: Dance Class With Beyoncé's Choreographer JaQuel Knight - BET

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 04:13 PM PDT

Join BET's House Party series on IG Live Tuesday for a virtual dance class!

Queen Bey's choreographer JaQuel Knight will help you get into formation with an unforgettable dance lesson. JaQuel Knight is known as the man behind Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," which won him his first MTV Moonman at the 2009 Video Music Awards for Best Choreography. The video also went on to win that year's MTV Video of the Year and BET's Video of the Year Award in 2009. He received recognition for the choreography, which was thought to be "genius and innovative." Then went on to choreograph Beyoncé's second single, "Diva," from the I Am…Sasha Fierce album, as well as her 2009 - 2010 "I Am…" world tour.

Spread the word using #BETHOUSEPARTY and tune into @BET on Instagram on Tuesday, March 31 at 2:05 PM EST/ 11:05 AM PT.!

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The BET House Party IG Live series will feature daily programming designed to inspire, entertain and empower our community. From musical performances and DJ sets to master classes and lifestyle hacks, follow @BET for the daily schedule.