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The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are finally here. And while the competitions are well underway, the entire world is still buzzing about the thrilling opening ceremony. One moment in particular seemed to strike a chord with the global audience. Near the end of the broadcast, the cameras turned to the Eiffel Tower, where Canadian singer Celine Dion performed Édith Piaf's “Hymne A L'Amour.”

Wearing an elegant Dior gown, Dion fought back tears as she looked down at the crowd watching her perform from the famous Trocadero gardens, where athletes, politicians, and the media had gathered. The choice of song was a tribute to Piaf's place in French cultural history. “Hymne A L'Amour,” recorded in 1950, is a piercing love song inspired by the untimely passing of Piaf's lover, boxer Marcel Cerdan, in a plane crash.

On top of the powerful imagery, this moment held special significance. The Paris 2024 opening ceremony marked Dion's first performance in over a year following the cancelation of her Courage world tour in May 2023 amid her battle with stiff-person syndrome. This autoimmune and neurological condition causes painful spasms and makes it hard to walk, as depicted in her documentary I Am: Celine Dion. The singer first revealed her diagnosis in December 2022.

“I’m honored to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favorite cities!” Dion wrote on Instagram. “Most of all, I’m so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance. All of you have been so focused on your dream, and whether or not you take home a medal, I hope that being here means that it has come true for you! You should all be so proud, we know how hard you have worked to be the best of the best. Stay focused, keep going, my heart is with you!”

You can relive Dion's soaring performance by watching the video on YouTube. To stay up to date with the singer, you can follow Dion on Instagram.

Canadian singer Celine Dion performed Édith Piaf's “Hymne A L'Amour” at the Eiffel Tower for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Céline Dion (@celinedion)

You can watch the full performance on YouTube.

Celine Dion: Instagram
h/t: [Harper's Bazaar]

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READ: Celine Dion Makes Her Grand Return With a Performance at the Eiffel Tower for the 2024 Paris Olympics

Photo: Atlantic Records via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

On July 12, “The Rain (Super Dupa Fly)” by Missy Elliott became the second song to be transmitted into space, following The Beatles' “Across the Universe” transmission in 2008. With the help of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the hip-hop track was beamed across 158 million miles to Elliott's favorite planet, Venus, in 14 minutes.

Brittany Brown, the director of digital and technological communication, originally pitched the idea to Elliott's team. In NASA's announcement, she explains that the collaboration was inspired by Missy Elliott's frequent use of space imagery. Elliott's music videos often feature futuristic themes with a cyberpunk-like aesthetic. This style also extends to her latest tour, “Out Of This World,” which has a surrealist spacecraft-inspired atmosphere. She often wears metallic fabrics and bold colors while performing, reflecting a combination of retro and new-world styles.

“The Rain” was transmitted at the speed of light through the Deep Space Network (DSN), giant radio antennas used for missions around Earth and with other planets. From a radio dish near Barstow, California, the DSN used large antennas typically employed to track spacecrafts, send commands, and receive data. Additionally, the DSN is capable of communicating with spacecrafts that range in distance from a few thousand kilometers away to beyond the solar system. This advanced technology made it possible to send Missy Elliott's song to Venus precisely and quickly.

The broadcasted song, which contains a sample of Ann Peebles' 1973 single “I Can't Stand the Rain,” was written and composed by Don Bryant, Bernard Miller, Missy Elliott, and producer Timbaland for her debut album Supa Dupa Fly in 1997. Elliott received two Grammy Award nominations for the album: Best Rap Album and Best Rap Solo Performance for “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).”

NASA's choice of Missy Elliott—who recently became the first female hip-hop artist in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—may have been influenced by more than just her futuristic branding. The artist has produced revolutionary songs addressing topics such as feminism, gender equality, and sex and body positivity, making her a pioneer for a new generation of female artists.

While it's unclear why NASA has chosen to transmit a song after over a decade, since the transmission of the Beatles “Across the Universe” to North Star, Polaris, the decision to send Elliott's hit song into space reflects the organization's commitment to blend culture and science. Elliott's innovative and creative work as an artist aligns with NASA's goal of bringing artistic expression into space exploration.

On July 12, NASA transmitted Missy Elliott’s hit song “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” to Venus, making it the second song to ever be sent into space.

Supa-flying to Venus!

For the first time, a hip-hop song was transmitted #OutOfThisWorld. @MissyElliott‘s “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” traveled 158 million miles to Venus through NASA's Deep Space Network from @NASAJPL‘s Deep Space Station 13 in California: https://t.co/Gg5ibm80hb pic.twitter.com/BwsdTNNqCv

— NASA (@NASA) July 15, 2024

YOOO this is crazy! We just went #OutOfThisWorld with @NASA and sent the FIRST hip hop song into space through the Deep Space Network. My song “The Rain” has officially been transmitted all the way to Venus, the planet that symbolizes strength, beauty and empowerment. The sky is… pic.twitter.com/g6HofNQSt1

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) July 15, 2024

Elliott’s music often features space-themed imagery and a futuristic aesthetic, making her a fitting choice for a collaboration that blends culture with space exploration.

 

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Beyond creating innovative beats, the four-time Grammy Award-winning artist has made an impact with her music by addressing themes such as feminism and gender equality.

I’m just Waiting on that Spaceship to take y’all #OUTOFTHISWORLD it’s gone be crazzzzzzy facts#outofthisworldtour pic.twitter.com/xbsPFLcLZd

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) June 9, 2024

Elliott has an influential role in shaping contemporary music by inspiring a new generation of artists and creating cultural milestones, including her recent achievement of having her work reach outer space.

OH SNAPWe bout to go #OUTOFTHISWORLD on this tour 4real tho! The ENERGY gone be through the ROOF! Look up in the sky & see where the SPACESHIP gonna land next @ciara @BustaRhymes @Timbaland https://t.co/f6wE0hldEQ pic.twitter.com/eovTLnUfoL

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) May 13, 2024

Missy Elliott: Website | Instagram | X
h/t: [IFL Science]

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READ: From Earth to Venus: NASA Sends Missy Elliott’s Hit Song ‘The Rain’ Into Space

Join us again in congratulating the 47th #KennedyCenterHonorees!

“Our Honorees this year have each played an invaluable, pioneering role in developing American culture…with their decades-long devotion to pushing creative boundaries.” –@kencen President Deborah F. Rutter. pic.twitter.com/nVUBQkCmZS

— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) July 18, 2024

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has recently revealed the five artists who will receive the 47th Kennedy Center Honors this winter. The recipients of the awards this year are Francis Ford Coppola, members of The Grateful Dead—Mickey Hart, Billy Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bobby Weir—Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval, and The Apollo Theater in New York.

Since 1978, the Kennedy Center has honored contributors to the performing arts for their role in enriching American culture. David M. Rubenstein, a chairman of the organization, explained in a statement why each artist this year was selected.

Three-time Grammy-Award-winning Bonnie Raitt was chosen for her significant contributions across multiple music genres, including blues, folk, and RnB. Arturo Sandoval, a renowned Cuban-American jazz trumpeter and pianist, was chosen for his stylistic blend of Afro-Cuban music and modern jazz.

While the awards are typically given to individual artists, this year, a musical group is also being recognized. Members of the Grateful Dead—Mickey Hart, Billy Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bobby Weir—are awarded for their innovative approach to rock music, becoming a staple of American music.

In response to their selection, the Grateful Dead acknowledged the role of their fans in their music: “To be recognized alongside the artists who have in the past received this honor is beyond humbling. The Grateful Dead has always been about community, creativity, and exploration in music and presentation. We've always felt that the music we make embodies and imparts something beyond the notes and phrases being played—and that is something we are privileged to share with all who are drawn to what we do—so it also must be said that our music belongs as much to our fans, the Dead Heads, as it does to us. This honor, then, is as much theirs as ours.”

According to Rubenstein, Francis Coppola, a renowned film director, is also being honored due to the impact his films have had on American culture. Coppola, who currently holds five Academy Awards, is known for his works such as The Godfather series and Apocalypse Now.

Until this point, the Kennedy Center has never awarded an organization for their contributions to the performing arts. However, this year, the Apollo Theater is being celebrated for its history of launching the careers of many artists and raising the voices of Black individuals in the arts.

In addition to recommendations from the general public, the Kennedy Center has established an advisory committee comprising board members, past honorees, and notable artists to assist in the selection process. The board then chooses five artists based on their distinction in performing arts, ranging from music and dance to theater, opera, and television.

While the event is invitation-based, CBS will broadcast the award ceremony from Washington, D.C., on December 28, 2024. The event will also be available to stream on Paramount+. The host for this year has not been announced yet. However, in the past six years, Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan has hosted three times, including last year, making her a potential candidate again.

By continuously recognizing remarkable artists, the Kennedy Center Honors cements their place in history and reminds us of the impact performing arts have on American society.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has announced the five recipients of the 47th Kennedy Center Honors:

Francis Ford Coppola

 

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Mickey Hart, Billy Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bobby Weir from The Grateful Dead

 

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Bonnie Raitt

 

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Arturo Sandoval

 

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The Apollo Theater

 

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The ceremony, set for December 23, will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.

 

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Annually, recipients of the Honors are selected for their significant contributions to American culture and the performing arts.

 

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The Kennedy Center: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [NPR]

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READ: 47th Kennedy Center Honors Announces Five Recipients Including The Apollo Theater

Photo: Screenshot from Instagram

When Australian singer Inoxia set up to busk on the streets of Brisbane, she never anticipated meeting one of her musical heroes. The talented artist launched into ‘Lose Control,' when the song's original artist, Teddy Swims, unexpectedly walked by. She shared the surreal moment on Instagram, where it’s quickly going viral.

When Inoxia noticed Swims approaching, she did a double-take in complete surprise, saying, “Get outta town!” She kept her cool and quickly offered him a second mic to join her in a duet. Swims warmly greeted Inoxia with a hug, clearly just as delighted by the situation as she was. Then he starts to sing, and the song takes on a whole new level.

Swim’s powerful, soulful voice fills the entire street in an incredible live performance, with Inoxia joining in to create a beautiful duet. At one point, Swims forgets the lyrics to his own song, and Inoxia steps in to help him get back on track. This funny moment just goes to show that even big stars have their down-to-earth moments.

In another Instagram post featuring the two of them together, Inoxia writes, “Feeling so incredibly blessed right now, thank you Teddy Swims for all of your magic.”

Swims is wrapping up the Australian leg of his tour, but he couldn't finish without bringing Inoxia in on the fun. He invited the singer up on stage during one of his Melbourne concerts for an epic duet to the Shania Twain classic, ‘You're Still the One.”

Check out all the heartwarming moments below and follow Inoxia on Instagram and TikTok to keep up with her singing career.

Australian singer Inoxia started singing on the streets when the song's original artist, Teddy Swims, walked by.

 

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It's apparent from the start that the two musicians had good camaraderie.

@inoxiasounds @Teddy Swims you have my heart #inoxia #teddyswims #losecontrol #australia #brisbane #queenstreetmall #busking #buaker ♬ original sound – INOXIA

After their surprise duet, the pair also sang a cover of Rihanna's ‘Stay Together.'

 

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Teddy Swims even invited Inoxia on stage at his Melbourne concert for a powerful duet to Shania Twain's ‘You're Still the One.'

@inoxiasounds This has been the best week of my life. To my inspiration, my mentor. @Teddy Swims thank you for changing my life. What an incredible experience! #inoxia #teddyswims #melbourne #busker #viralbusker #australia #teddy #inoxiasounds #blessed ♬ original sound – INOXIA

Inoxia: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Patreon
Teddy Swims: Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube | TikTok
h/t: [Reddit]

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READ: Australian Busker Taken by Surprise When Teddy Swims Joins in as She Sings His Song

Photo: Featureflash/Depositphotos

It's a highly relatable situation; there's a commitment we can't miss but for whatever reason, we simply cannot make it. This happened to actor and comedian Hannibal Buress, whose film credits include Spiderman: Homecoming and Spiderman: No Way Home, where he plays Coach Wilson. When he couldn't attend the premiere of the first movie, Buress got creative and found a way to be there…sort of. He hired someone to go in his place.

In a series of now-deleted tweets, Buress wrote that he needed “a lookalike with solid comedic timing for an event tonight.” To sweeten the deal, the actor offered compensation of $500. Despite the short notice, Buress' request was answered by Joe Carroll, an LA-based author, screenwriter, director, and actor. While he doesn't really look like Buress, Carroll got the job.

“When @hannibalburess hits you up and tells you to crash the red carpet since he couldn't make it…. You crash the damn red carpet,” Carroll wrote on Instagram. And crash the red carpet he did. Not only did he confidently pose for selfies with fans, he also answered questions from reporters and was even introduced as Buress by the premiere's official emcee.

Carroll, who wore sunglasses to help conceal his identity, later shared some selfies from the event. Meanwhile, Buress has deleted all mention of his request from his social media, including a tweet where he sarcastically seems to acknowledge the stunt. Overall, it was a success, as no one seemed to notice during the event.

Luckily for the impostor, this was far from his only Hollywood event. Carroll recently shared that he directed his second feature film, Fighting to be Me: The Dwen Curry story, which will soon air on BET. As for Buress, he is in a stand-up comedy tour across the country.

You stay up to date with creative actor’s shenanigans and projects by following Buress on Instagram.

Hannibal Buress is an actor and comedian whose film credits include Spiderman: Homecoming and Spiderman: No Way Home, where he plays Coach Wilson.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Hannibal Buress (@hannibalburess)

When he couldn't attend the premiere of the first movie, Buress got creative and found a way to be there…sort of. He hired a man named Joe Carroll to go in his place.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Joe Carroll (@iamjoecarroll)

Not only did Carroll confidently pose for selfies with fans, he also answered questions from reporters and was even introduced as Buress by the premiere's official emcee.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Joe Carroll (@iamjoecarroll)

h/t: [Variety]

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Photo: s_bukley/Depositphotos

On Saturday, July 13, 2024, beloved actor Shannen Doherty passed away at the age of 53 after a courageous battle with cancer. Doherty was widely recognized for her iconic roles as Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, and Prue Halliwell on Charmed.

“The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie,” announced Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane. “The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”

Doherty was initially diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2015 and experienced remission in 2017. Unfortunately, the cancer returned in 2019. In 2020, Doherty publicly revealed her diagnosis of metastatic stage 4 cancer. In June 2023, she disclosed that the cancer had spread to her brain and that she had undergone surgery.

Despite her ongoing health battles, Doherty remained positive and resilient until her passing. “People just assume that it means you can’t walk, you can’t eat, you can’t work. They put you out to pasture at a very early age —‘You’re done, you’re retired,’ and we’re not,” she said, adding, “We’re vibrant, and we have such a different outlook on life. We are people who want to work and embrace life and keep moving forward.”

Doherty used her voice, social media platforms, and podcast to openly share her experiences with cancer. She raised funds and awareness for cancer research, offering support and inspiration to others facing terminal cancer by helping them find hope and positivity. “When you ask yourself, ‘Why me? Why did I get cancer? Why did my cancer come back? Why am I stage 4?' that leads you to look for the bigger purpose in life,” Doherty shared.

The talented and prolific artist didn’t let her declining health get in the way of her career. In 2019, Doherty joined the TV reboot of Beverly Hills, 90210, playing an adult version of Brenda Walsh, the character that made her famous in the '90s.

In addition to staying active professionally, Doherty enjoyed a vibrant and loving social life up until the end of her life. Her oncologist and good friend Dr. Lawrence D. Piro spoke about Doherty’s final moments. “In the last few hours, she was in a place where she was very comfortable and sleeping and transitioning, and she was surrounded by some of her very close friends,” he said. “The room was surrounded by a select group of friends that were giving her a lot of care and support. It was somber and sad, but beautiful and loving. The hardest thing about this was that she wasn't ready to leave because she loved life.”

On Saturday, July 13, 2024, the beloved actress Shannen Doherty passed away at the age of 53 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Photo: Jean_Nelson/Depositphotos

 

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She talked candidly about her years-long battle with cancer in her Let's Be Clear podcast.

 

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Shannen Doherty: Instagram | Podcast
h/t: [People]

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Photo: Jean_Nelson/Depositphotos

Richard Simmons, a workout personality that rose to stardom with his welcoming approach to fitness, has passed away. His frizzy hair, short shorts, and sparkling demeanor made him instantly recognizable throughout the decades. Simmons had just celebrated his 76th birthday the day before in his Hollywood Hills home. His passing was confirmed by his longtime publicist Tom Estey.

Upon his passing, Simmons' brother Lenny shared a statement on the fitness star's Facebook page: “I don’t want people to be sad about my brother. I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives. He truly cared about people. He called, wrote, and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help. So don’t be sad. Celebrate his life! He was very excited about all of the upcoming ventures he was working on. We are in shock. Please respect the family at this difficult time.”

Born Milton Teagle Richard Simmons in New Orleans, his life wasn't all about fitness from the beginning, but rather a way out of unhealthy habits. “By the time I was 8 years old, I was 200 pounds,” he told CNN in 2003. “Uniforms couldn’t fit. My father would sew inserts under my arms and in my legs.”

After trying some dangerous methods and diets to lose weight, he went back to the basics, looking up elementary school books on the six food groups and exercise. “Slowly but surely, I went (down) the right path,” he said. This inspired his life's work—making exercise appealing and welcoming to people of all shapes and sizes.

With time, this turned him into a TV staple, appearing on late night shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with David Letterman. The introduction of the VCR made his workouts even more accessible to a wider market, birthing an empire that also included classes, books, products, and infomercials. In 1974, he opened his own studio in Beverly Hills, which became known as SLIMMONS, which featured one of the first salad bars in the area.

Simmons was so devoted to his mission that he would also call and email those who needed inspiration during their fitness journey. “I call anywhere from 50 to 80 people a day. I do about 200 e-mails a day…I don’t offer false hope for anybody,” he said in 2003. “I tell them that it’s going to take some time. They’re going to have to love themselves. They’re going to have to be patient.”

Despite being an outgoing celebrity for most of his life, he became reclusive in his 60s, only occasionally sharing personal updates on his social media pages. In March, fearful about his time coming, he called for his followers to enjoy life to the fullest every single day. “Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.” Still, he celebrated his birthday at peace.

“I feel good! I am grateful that I’m here, that I am alive for another day,” Simmons told People only a few days ago. “I’ll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people.”

Legendary fitness instructor Richard Simmons has passed away at age 76.

Photo: Angela George via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

The beloved health advocate entertained audiences for decades with his TV appearances.

Ultimately, his legacy as a champion for healthy habits with a zest for life will live on through the people whose lives he's touched.

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In many ways, Junxi Lu is an average 9-year-old boy. He enjoys playing with his friends and dressing up in colorful clothes and wigs. But he also has a passion for music that far exceeds his age, as he is incredibly skilled at playing both the classical and electric guitar.

The young guitar prodigy, better known as Maituo, began learning the classical guitar in 2020 and picked up the electrical guitar in 2021. Being that he was born on March 8, 2015, it means that he was only 5 years old when he started his musical journey in mastering these instruments. While this isn't necessarily unusual, Maituo's skill with the guitar is what is truly extraordinary and sets him apart from his peers. At only 9 years old, he's able to play songs with the musical prowess of people far older than him.

Maituo's musical portfolio is as expansive as it is impressive. He soulfully plays blues songs, almost seeming like a mini B.B. King as he closes his eyes, feeling each string being plucked like a tugging of his own heartstrings. He can also shred along to hard rock and metal songs, recently coming up on stage during a performance in Thailand to play the iconic guitar solo in Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns ‘N Roses. Even more impressively, he plays all of these songs on a full-size adult guitar. Even when the track requires him to stretch his arms all the way out to hit certain notes along the fingerboard, Maituo never misses a note. His lightning-quick fingerpicking is also a wonder to marvel at.

So how did this child become so good at playing the guitar? It seems that Maituo's skill is a mix of practice and perhaps genetics, as the young boy isn't the only talented musician in his family. His father is also a guitarist and many of the guitars that Maituo plays on are from his father's personal collection. It goes without saying but the child's father is also his tutor. Maituo also has a 7-year-old sister who is extremely gifted on the drums. She's able to play an impressive number of songs with her eyes closed. The brother-sister duo often rock out together at their in-home studio. Maituo's father records and then uploads their performances to their social media pages.

To keep up to date with the young guitarist, you can follow Maituo on Instagram and YouTube.

Maituo is a gifted 9-year-old guitar prodigy.

 

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He started learning classical guitar at the age of 5 and began learning the electric guitar just a year later.

 

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Maituo has an extensive musical repertoire, and plays everything from soothing blues to fast-paced metal and hard rock.

 

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His 7-year-old sister is also incredibly talented with the drums, and the two often rock out together at their in-home studio.

 

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Maituo: Instagram | YouTube

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READ: 9-Year-Old Guitar Prodigy Soulfully Plays the Blues Better Than Many Adults

Detail of “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymous Bosch. Between 1490 and 1510. (Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights is one of the world's most recognizable paintings, thanks to the artist's incorporation of unique aesthetics, uncanny characters, and remarkable depth. The piece is a triptych oil painting that shows the Garden of Eden, Paradise, and Hell. The detailed artwork is full of little elements that are often overlooked at first glance, and a certain YouTube video delves into one of these hidden details—a musical score carefully printed on the buttocks of an agonized man.

The sheet music can be found in the bottom left of the third panel of the painting, which depicts sinners in Hell. The focus of this scene is a man lying flat on the ground as he is crushed by a giant lute. A large toad-like demon extends its barbed tongue towards the region where the notes are etched—a unique eternal punishment that makes one wonder what exactly he did in life to earn it.

The music was initially transcribed and recorded by a blogger named Amelia in 2014, who was kind enough to provide a piano recording of her playing it. Despite the dark subject matter of the painting, the song doesn't sound too haunting. This may be due to the fact that the song is written in C, which was a common key for chants of the 14th and 15th centuries when Bosch was painting the piece. Instead, the musical score sounds almost comforting at certain points, which makes Bosch's inclusion of it all the more surprising.

Ready to listen to this unusual backside music? Click here to fire up the video.

h/t: [Open Culture]

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READ: Listen to the Song Hieronymus Bosch Painted Onto a Man’s Butt in “The Garden of Earthly Delights”

Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Marge Simpson has been a pop culture icon since she first appeared on television screens in 1987. But from the looks of things, she might be older than you think. In 2023, archeologists in Egypt revealed several treasures that they'd unearthed, including a 3,000-year-old coffin. When experts opened the casket at a press conference, eagle-eyed viewers noticed a painting of a woman inside the coffin's cover that looked all too familiar.

With a tall blue coif, yellow skin, and a light green dress, the woman looked shockingly like The Simpsons' matriarch. In reality, she's actually the daughter of a high priest in El-Ashmunein, and her name is Tadi Ist. The sarcophagus was discovered in an ancient cemetery in Minya, an Egyptian city on the western bank of the Nile. The cemetery was filled with the tombs of high-ranking officials and priests, and the archeologists were able to excavate numerous treasures.

The cemetery dates back to the 20th Dynasty, the last to rule during Egypt's New Kingdom Period. Stretching from 1189 BCE to 1077 BCE, it was a period when the pharaohs lost enormous power to high priests. The Marge Simpson sarcophagus, while drawing much amusement from commenters on Reddit, is actually quite important.

The portrait of the high priestess is surrounded by 12 depictions of her in different positions. These are representations of the 12 hours, with officials from the Supreme Council of Antiquities stating, “It is a rare and important scene ever. Every scene of the hour has its shape.”

While the Marge Simpson sarcophagus is just one of over 25,000 artifacts found at the site, its discovery has been a fun way to merge popular culture and archeology.

In 2023, archeologists in Egypt revealed a sarcophagus with a painting that looks eerily familiar.

Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

With a tall blue coif, yellow skin, and a light green dress, the woman looked shockingly like Marge Simpson.

Redditors had a field day making funny comments about the connections between ancient Egypt and The Simpsons.

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h/t: [Upworthy]

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READ: 3,000-Year-Old Egyptian Coffin Includes Drawing That Looks Just Like Marge Simpson