Entertainment
Will Jennings, Co-Writer Of ‘My Heart Will Go On,’ Is Dead
Will Jennings, the renowned lyricist behind timeless hits like Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic and Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love,” has passed away at 80, according to reports from several U.S. media outlets.
He reportedly died at his home in Texas, though the cause of death has not been revealed.
Jennings, a native of Kilgore, Texas, enjoyed a prolific career spanning five decades.
His journey in Hollywood began in 1976, and he quickly rose to prominence with the success of songs like Barry Manilow’s “Looks Like We Made It,” co-written with Richard Kerr in 1977.
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His partnership with Kerr continued with Manilow’s hit “Somewhere in the Night,” cementing Jennings’ reputation as a master songwriter.
Over the years, he wrote for legendary artists including B.B. King, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Roy Orbison, and many others.
Jennings’ work on film soundtracks garnered widespread acclaim. He won his first Academy Award in 1983 for the song “Up Where We Belong” from An Officer and a Gentleman.
He later earned a Grammy Award for his collaboration with Eric Clapton on “Tears in Heaven” for the movie Rush.
However, it was the 1997 Titanic soundtrack that brought Jennings his greatest recognition.
His lyrics for “My Heart Will Go On,” performed by Celine Dion, won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and multiple Grammy Awards in 1998, making it one of the most beloved songs in cinematic history.
Over his illustrious career, Jennings was nominated for six Grammy Awards, winning three, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.
Tributes from the music industry have poured in. Singer Peter Wolf called Jennings “a maestro, a brilliant mind, and a gentle spirit,” highlighting his generosity and patience as both a collaborator and friend.
Will Jennings leaves behind a lasting musical legacy that will inspire generations to come.
Controversial Nigerian singer, Portable, has expressed disappointment after meeting with Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
The meeting took place over the weekend in Edo State.
Obi was in Benin to support the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate, Olumide Akpata, while Portable was in the state for a show.
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In a trending video on social media, Portable was seen bowing as he greeted Obi beside his car.
However, expressing his disappointment in a separate video, the singer complained that Obi did not offer him any money.
While comparing Obi to President Bola Tinubu, he told his crew: “Obi cannot give us anything. Obi didn’t give us anything. If it was Tinubu we met, he would have given us something. Let’s go.”
Watch the video here
Veteran Nollywood actor, Emmanuel France has passed away.
This was confirmed by popular filmmaker Femi Ogedengbe on Monday via his Instagram page.
Ogedengbe expressed his sadness over the actor’s demise, reminiscing about their time together in the film industry. “Rest in peace to one of Nollywood’s legends, Uncle Emmanuel France. One of the actors I took to Tanzania in 2006. We shot three movies together: She Is My Sister, The Director and Cross My Sin R.I.P.”
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As of the time of this report, the cause of France’s death has not been disclosed.
His passing comes just hours after the death of another Nollywood actor, Big Larry, adding to the growing list of losses in the industry this year.
Since January 2024, Nollywood has mourned the loss of several prominent figures, including Mr Ibu, Junior Pope, Sisi Quadri, Ganiyu ‘Ogunjimi‘ Oyeyemi, and Amaechi Muonagor, among others.
France’s death marks yet another significant loss in the Nigerian film industry, as fans and colleagues remember his contributions to Nollywood.
Controversial Nigerian street-pop star, Portable, has publicly apologised after a video surfaced showing him slapping a pastor who came to preach at his bar.
The incident, which reportedly occurred a few days ago had sparked outrage on social media.
Many netizens, along with religious figures, condemned Portable’s actions and threatened legal action for assaulting a man of God.
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In response to the backlash, Portable took to social media in the early hours of Monday to address the controversy.
In a video, he apologized for his actions, attributing the incident to past traumatic experiences.
Portable explained that he reacted impulsively, thinking the pastor posed a spiritual threat. “I thought he was there to harm me spiritually,” the singer said. “If I had known he was a genuine man of God, I wouldn’t have slapped him.”
He went on to seek forgiveness from God, acknowledging his mistake. “May God forgive me. I’m human and not perfect. I’m also a child of God,” Portable said, adding that he has experienced similar situations in the past, including harm to his sister through deceptive means.
The apology has since stirred mixed reactions from fans and followers of the artist.
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