Entertainment

K Michelle on Performing With Jelly Roll at CMAs: ‘That’s My Outlaw Brother’ on November 9, 2023 at 5:51 am Us Weekly

Published

1 year ago

November 9, 2023

Taylor Hill/WireImage

K Michelle is ready for her country closeup. The former R&B artist and reality star is leaning into her southern roots with a new album, a new name and a CMA Awards collaboration with the night’s Best New Artist winner Jelly Roll.

Under the alias Puddin, the Memphis native has released her first country song, “Tennessee.” It’s the debut single from her forthcoming country album — a move that feels totally natural to the star.

“It’s part of who I am,” the singer, 41, exclusively told Us Weekly ahead of the 2023 CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 8. “It’s so crazy when I talk to people and they’re like, ‘How does this transition?’ There’s no transition, let’s be honest. This is who I am. This is how I was born; this is how I was raised.”

K Michelle (real name Kimberly Michelle Pate) made her Music City debut on country music’s largest stage on Wednesday night when she joined Jelly Roll for a stirring performance of The Judds’ “Love Can Build a Bridge.” It was a full-circle moment for the musician, who also performs the song alongside Jelly and the Fisk Jubilee Singers on the recently released album A Tribute to The Judds.

“The first country that I got into was The Judds,” she said. “The first tape I ever got was The Judds and it was ‘Love Can Build a Bridge.’”

As for sharing the stage with Jelly Roll, that’s all in the musical family for K Michelle.

“That’s my outlaw brother. I understand him,” she shared. “We are unusual suspects in country music. I know his whole journey, his struggle. We’re open books. We prevail, we do what we want to do, but most importantly we love the music. The best thing is that we have a mutual respect for each other, and [this pairing] was a match made in heaven.”

Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

The performance was a stunning tribute to musical matriarch Naomi Judd, who passed away in 2022. With a crowd that included Judd’s daughter and bandmate Wynonna in attendance, K Michelle joined Jelly Roll to belt her way through one of The Judd’s most memorable hits.

Taking the stage in feathers and rhinestones, it was easy to imagine the former R&B artist as every bit the country star. Her powerful adlibs brought the crowd to its feet for a standing ovation before the performance had even ended. It was a moment filled with emotion for the performers and audience alike.

“For me, country music has always been about storytelling and about the feel of it. How it feels,” she says, adding, “I am so blessed and so excited to honor Naomi.”

For more from Nashville, check out Us Weekly’s VIP Guide to Music City.

Taylor Hill/WireImage K Michelle is ready for her country closeup. The former R&B artist and reality star is leaning into her southern roots with a new album, a new name and a CMA Awards collaboration with the night’s Best New Artist winner Jelly Roll. Under the alias Puddin, the Memphis native has released her first

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Entertainment

The Rising Trend of Immigrant-Driven Police Car Destruction

Published

17 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Recent events have highlighted a concerning trend of police vehicle damage and theft during immigration-related protests. On February 3, 2025, a demonstration against federal immigration policies in Arizona’s West Valley turned violent, resulting in significant property damage and a brazen act of police vehicle theft.

Escalation of Protests

The protest, which began peacefully, escalated as the crowd grew to approximately 1,000 people. By 7:30 PM, demonstrators had taken over the intersection of 67th Avenue and Camelback Road, setting off fireworks and engaging in unruly behavior. As the situation deteriorated, some protesters began throwing rocks, concrete chunks, and glass bottles at officers.

Police Vehicle Theft and Damage

In a shocking turn of events, one protester managed to steal a police patrol vehicle. According to a Glendale Police spokesperson, the suspect “jumped into one of our patrol vehicles and drove it a short distance before it was quickly recovered”. This incident underscores the heightened tensions and bold actions taken by some demonstrators.

The damage was not limited to this single act of theft. Five marked patrol vehicles sustained significant damage, including:

Broken windows
Slashed tires
Body and hood dents

Wider Impact and Response

The unrest spread beyond law enforcement targets. Multiple civilian vehicles and area businesses also suffered damage, and a large storage container behind a business complex was set on fire. To regain control of the situation, authorities deployed chemical agents around 10:15 PM to disperse what they termed an “unlawful assembly”.

Context of Immigration Tensions

This incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement efforts by the Trump administration. Recent directives have led to an aggressive increase in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with officials aiming to detain 1,200 to 1,500 individuals daily. This policy shift has sparked protests in multiple cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, Houston, and Atlanta.

Conclusion

The theft and destruction of police vehicles during immigration protests represent a troubling escalation in civil unrest. While the majority of demonstrators express their views peacefully, these incidents highlight the potential for violence and property damage when tensions run high. Law enforcement agencies and community leaders face the challenge of balancing public safety with the right to protest as the debate over immigration policies continues to intensify.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

Entertainment

Beyoncé Rewrites Grammy History

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Historic Achievements

First Black woman to win Album of the Year in the 21st century
First Black woman to win a country music award since the Pointer Sisters in 1974, winning Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter

Emotional Moment
During her Album of the Year acceptance speech, Beyoncé was initially frozen in place until her daughter Blue Ivy nudged her to approach the stage. She dedicated the award to Linda Martell, the pioneering Black country artist, saying, “I hope we keep pushing forward and opening doors.”

By the Numbers

35-time Grammy Award winner
Nominated for 11 awards this year
Won three awards total, tying with Charli XCX

Notable Quotes
“I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said, thanking the Grammys, songwriters, collaborators, and producers. She also specifically acknowledged the Los Angeles firefighters who were present at the ceremony.

The win was particularly emotional, with fellow artists like Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish visibly moved by her historic achievement.

Entertainment

Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Dominates 2025 Grammys

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Kendrick Lamar dominated the 67th Grammy Awards, held on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The rapper swept all five categories he was nominated in, including the prestigious Song of the Year and Record of the Year awards for his track “Not Like Us”.

“Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed at Drake, became the de facto song of 2024 when it was released in May, topping the Billboard singles charts. The song’s success at the Grammys further solidified Lamar’s position in his long-standing rivalry with Drake, with the track winning awards for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video during the Premiere Ceremony.

Lamar’s acceptance speeches were notable for their focus on Los Angeles and its recovery efforts. During his acceptance for Record of the Year, he acknowledged various neighborhoods in Los Angeles and emphasized the ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. This aligned with the Grammy’s overall theme this year, which included raising funds for wildfire relief in the Los Angeles area.

The rapper’s victories come at a significant time in his career. Having released his album “GNX” in November, Lamar is now set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show next week. His Grammy success has further elevated his status in the hip-hop community and the music industry at large.

Lamar’s wins were not without controversy, however. The track “Not Like Us” is currently involved in a legal dispute initiated by Drake against Universal Music Group. Drake alleges that the label, which represents both him and Lamar, jeopardized his career by promoting the song.

Despite the controversy, Lamar’s clean sweep at the Grammys has cemented his place as one of the most influential and successful artists in contemporary music. His ability to combine critical acclaim with commercial success and cultural impact was on full display at this year’s ceremony.