TOP DOGG
Snoop Dogg’s protégé October London reveals Marvin Gaye’s family are backing new album
Meanwhile, a Brit singer has revealed they are seeing a therapist
SOUL star October London is firing on all cylinders right now.
But he almost quit music to become a truck driver, before being championed by Snoop Dogg.
7
7
On being discovered by the rapper and getting signed to his label Death Row Records, the US singer told me: “When Snoop called, I had quit music. I didn’t think it was going to work out any more.
“After that he said, yeah I want to sign you. So 2016, that was when history was made. I was going to quit music to be a truck driver.”
Since then he has worked with Stevie Wonder and Nile Rodgers.
He recently dropped his latest album October Nights, along with a limited-edition vinyl of his 2023 record The Rebirth Of Marvin, which gained him the support of family.
READ MORE ON SNOOP DOGG
He recalled: “They couldn’t stand it at first. They were saying, ‘You are saying you’re better than ’, and I was like, ‘No, no, no, that’s not it at all’.
“Once we got on the phone and I actually had a conversation with the family, I let them know I was not stepping on anyone’s toes.
“Now our relationship is great. They actually gave me some stuff from his house.
“He would take these amethyst stones, they were his good luck charm.
Most read in Bizarre
“I now have them at my house and I will pass them down to my son.”
'I remember when she wasn't born' - Bill Belichick stunned into silence by Snoop Dogg's punchline about girlfriend
Doja's big knight out
DOJA CAT makes it a knight to remember as she poses in this chainmail headpiece for the video to new tune Born Again.
The track and visuals came out yesterday, with Doja and Raye appearing as featured artists in the song by Blackpink's Lisa.
7
I first revealed the trio were teaming up for the disco-inspired collaboration last month, but not many people will realise this song has been hanging around for a while.
Raye actually wrote the song years ago when she was still signed to her old record label, but wasn’t able to release it at the time because of a dispute about her putting out music.
It now stands to be a major hit, so she’s had the last laugh.
Dad-to-be Ed hitting the bottle
ACTOR ED WESTWICK used to be the last man standing at parties – but now he’s swapping magnums of champers for baby bottles.
The Gossip Girl star, below, was among VIPs at the Tommee Tippee exclusive brunch at Wild By Tart in London, to celebrate the brand’s 60th anniversary.
As well as the posh meal, Tommee Tippee has launched a Heritage collection which includes everything from soothers to gift sets.
It won’t be long until Ed has to stock up on the items, as his wife Amy Jackson announced in October that she is expecting their first child.
Get ready for the sleepless nights, Ed. They’ll hit you like a truck.
Caity one to watch
CAITY BASER is back with a dramatically different sound.
She has already had a string of hits including Pretty Boys and her Joel Corry collaboration Dance Around It.
7
But the singer from Southampton has released her single Watch That Girl (She’s Gonna Say It) which features a full live band and lyrics about confronting her past.
She told us: “All the stuff I’ve released so far was about one boy that broke my heart and I sang about it for four years because I was so p***ed off.
“I thought maybe I should look on the inside and ask, ‘Why am I so angry and feeling all these things?’.”
Meanwhile, Rema is also back, with a single called Baby (Is It A Crime) which samples Sade's 1985 song Is It A Crime? after she gave him the seal of approval.
Ava Max has launched a new era with the release of her anthemic tune Lost Your Faith, and new British boyband Absnt Mind have dropped their track Special ahead of a UK tour later this month.
Olly in Euro therapy
OLLY ALEXANDER has revealed he is seeing a therapist following his doomed stint on Eurovision.
He scored nul points from the public for his entry Dizzy last May.
7
Speaking to Fleur East on Hits Radio about his advice for this year’s UK hopefuls, girl band Remember Monday, the Years & Years singer said: “My advice was to get a good therapist. I do think that’s it. You’re definitely going to need a good therapist.
“I’m lucky because I have a good therapist, and I had one before I did Eurovision.
“But you’d better believe I am still talking to my therapist about Eurovision right now.”
Olly released his new album Polari yesterday.
Selena's Friends with Jen
ALL eyes were on Selena Gomez and Jennifer Aniston as the old mates posed for this pic together.
The pair hung out at an event in Los Angeles thrown by Selena’s make-up brand Rare Beauty.
7
It was to celebrate “Galentines Day”, which is an alternative to Valentine’s Day where girls can spend time with their mates instead of their love interests.
Gushing about her Friends star pal, Selena said: “I’ve known Jen for over a decade now, and she’s someone I’ve always looked up to. She’s always been there for me.
“It’s nice to have people in your life who can just be there and hear you out and give great advice.”
Kendrick laps up final vibe
KENDRICK LAMAR has revealed he’ll be oiling up his knees before his Super Bowl half-time performance tomorrow night.
The rapper headlines with special guest SZA and said he will be going for a run before show time.
Kendrick, right, whose set will be broadcast on ITV1, told Apple Music: “I do some laps. Maybe it’s a two-mile warm-up, or a mile warm-up. Maybe some push-ups. Just to get the body moving.
“Sometimes you be out on that stage, man, you need some oil on your knees to get moving and get cranking.
“So physically, I’m just exercising the body, a little bit of stretching, a little bit of all that.
“On a mental level, I’m usually playing some Isley Brothers, just to calm, not my nerves, but calm my excitement.”
Lily's recovery back on track
LILY ALLEN has spent the past month at a mental health retreat after struggling with the breakdown of her marriage to Stranger Things actor David Harbour.
But it sounds like she is doing better now and channelling that heartache into her first music in years.
7
Lily’s last album No Shame came out in 2018 before she’d even met David.
She shared photos on Thursday night of herself in the studio, right, working with singer-songwriter Chloe Angelides, who has co-written tracks for Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Selena Gomez and Sabrina Carpenter.
The Smile singer had been expected to return to her hit BBC podcast Miss Me with pal Miquita Oliver this week following the break, but it sounds like she is taking time to focus on her tunes instead.
Last month she said she hoped her album would finally be out this year.
OASIS are to re- release their fourth album Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants as a limited-edition vinyl to mark its 25th anniversary.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
It came out in February 2000 and features the track Go Let It Out.
The record will be out on February 28 ahead of their reunion tour, which kicks off in July.
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Topics