Robin Thicke's hit Blurred Lines became even more controversial on Monday after the singer admitted that he did not write it, according to court documents. The Hollywood Reporter revealed that in previously confidential evidence provided to a Los Angeles court in April, the singer admitted that he had been under the influence of alcohol and the painkiller Vicodin when he recorded the song and that he was not sober during media interviews. Thicke, speaking under oath, said that Pharrell Williams had written Blurred Lines. Thicke said he had been envious and lied about writing it. Blurred Lines was a worldwide hit last year but faced criticism for being misogynistic. The hearing in April was part of a legal process over claims by Marvin Gaye's children that Blurred Lines copied the song Got to Give It Up. A trial is expected next year. – AFP
Cat Stevens announces first US tour in 38 years
Yusuf Islam, also know as Cat Stevens, is taking his Peace Train back on the road. The singer, who lives in Dubai, announced a six-city concert tour of North America in December, his first in the United States since 1976. He converted to Islam soon after and put his music career on hold for quarter of a century. The musician, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this spring, is also releasing a blues album on October 27 titled Tell 'Em I'm Gone. The performer of 1970s hits such as Wild World, Morning Has Broken and Peace Train has slowly revived his mainstream musical career during the past decade but has made few appearances in the US. "I've been a bit slow in coming around to the United States, but there were so many people asking me to do that, that I just felt an obligation," he said. The Peace Train ... Late Again tour kicks off on December 1 in Toronto before moving to Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. – AP
Eminem publishers sue New Zealand government
The music publishers for the American rapper Eminem filed a lawsuit yesterday against New Zealand's ruling political party over the music it used in a campaign commercial. The Detroit-based Eight Mile Style and Martin Affiliated said that the National Party breached copyright laws by using Eminem's song Lose Yourself. A spokesman for the companies said that they filed a case in the New Zealand High Court and were seeking damages, adding: "It is both disappointing and sadly ironic that the political party responsible for championing the rights of music publishers in New Zealand ... should itself have so little regard for copyright." The National Party said it would defend its action, adding that the music was published by Spider Cues Music in Los Angeles and sold to it by an Australian-based supplier. – AP
Manhattan Short returns to India for fifth year
Manhattan Short, the international platform that showcases, celebrates and recognises short films from across the world, is back for the fifth time in India. The three-day festival begins on October 3. Manhattan Short 2014, India Chapter, will screen the 10 best short films from across the globe and includes the workshops The Short Film Industry: Boom! and Joys of Film Editing, which aim to help up-and-coming filmmakers. Ashvin Kumar, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker for his 2004 short Little Terrorist, will also conduct a workshop. – IANS
Golden Globes to honour Clooney's humanitarian work
George Clooney will receive the Cecil B DeMille Award at the Golden Globes. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which chooses the award winners, said Clooney was chosen, in large part, for his humanitarian work, in particular for campaigning against the genocide in Darfur. The prize, given to celebrities who have had a substantial influence on the entertainment industry, will be presented to Clooney at the awards ceremony on January 11. The actor, producer, writer and director co-founded Not on Our Watch, an organisation that works to fight genocides around the world. In 2010, he also co-produced a telethon, Hope for Haiti, which raised US$66 million (Dh242m) for earthquake relief. Previous recipients of the award include Jodie Foster, Steven Spielberg, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Douglas and Martin Scorsese. – AFP
