Pop Artists Mourn Nelson Mandela Death On Twitter

Mandela

Several pop artists have shared their thoughts, condolences for Nelson Mandela, as well as offering quotes from the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary turned President after learning of his death on Thursday. Among the Twitter messages about the 95-year-old icon:

Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond): Nelson Mandela inspired the world.

Yuna Zarai (@yunamusic): “..if they can learn to hate,they can be taught to love,for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”- Nelson Mandela

Lady Gaga (@ladygaga): It is such a sad yet beautiful moment that Nelson Mandela has passed. A time to celebrate him & remember his contributions to humankind.

Britney Spears live during her 'Hot As Ice' performanceBritney Spears (@britneyspears): Nelson Mandela was a true inspiration to all humanity. He will truly be missed.

Alexa Ray Joel (@alexarayjoel): Mourning the loss of the wisest peacemaker and advocate for freedom, Our Great Nelson Mandela. Due to his tragic loss, my Today Show Appearance has been postponed. A true Revolutionary has been put to rest… Let us keep his resilient spirit forever resonating in our minds and hearts.

Toby Lightman (@TobyLightman): So sad to hear of Nelson Mandela’s passing. He is and always will be an inspiration and made this world a better place. #legend

Harry Styles (@Harry_Styles): RIP Nelson Mandela.

KT TunstallKT Tunstall (@KTTunstall): I dearly hope there are more like you, Nelson Mandela.

Victoria Justice (@VictoriaJustice): R.I.P. Nelson Mandela. A brave soul who inspired millions & made a legendary impact on the world. #ThankYou #GreatHuman

Darren Hayes (@darrenhayes): So lucky to have lived in a generation where a voice like Mandela’s could be freed from silence. Grateful to have witnessed such courage.

BC Jean (@BCJean): RIP Nelson Mandela #RIP #NelsonMandela #LeadNotFollow

Sara Bareilles (@SaraBareilles): Just heard about Nelson Mandela. What a king. Feeling gratitude that the world had him at all. #peaceandlove

Elizaveta (@elizavetaka): Nelson Mandela RIP

Sandi ThomSandi Thom (@Sandi_Thom): “Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.” Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013.

Cyndi Lauper (@cyndilauper): Nelson Mandela passed away today. A light in the world went out.

Katie Sutherland (@pearlypops): God bless Nelson Mandela x

Kate Voegele (@katevoegele): “It always seems impossible until it is done.” RIP, Nelson Mandela. pic.twitter.com/ikclvfZ93d

Mollie King (@MollieTheSats): So so sad to hear the news of Nelson Mandela’s death. What an absolutely incredible man he was! RIP

Nicola Roberts (@NicolaRoberts): We learnt half way through the awards that Nelson Mandela had so sadly passed away. An incredible human being now an angel.

Nick Lachey (@NickLachey): One of the more incredible experiences I’ve had was visiting the apartheid museum and home of Nelson Mandela in South Africa. May he #RIP

Clay Aiken wearing a green sweaterClay Aiken (@clayaiken): Mandela “bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice” - Give that speechwriter a raise Mr. Prez! VERY true! May his example endure!

Nicky Byrne (@nickybyrneoffic): #Mandela RIP

Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow): I have a heavy spirit today. Nelson Mandela will forever be remembered, admired, and loved. He changed the world.

Liz McClarnon (@LizMcClarnon): RIP Nelson Mandela. A sad day for the whole world http://www.whosay.com/l/BnK7mtA

Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton): Just landed & heard the sad new about Nelson Mandela. He was a true Hero & the world is a better place because of him. May he rest in peace.

Heidi Range (@Heidi_range): “@karindarnell: RIP #NelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/UCMI5QTcoT” What a man/ human being/ inspiration RIP Mr Mandela x

Amy Pearson (@missamypearson): RIP Nelson Mandela

Kerli with wingsKerli (@kerlimusic): Rest in Peace, Nelson Mandela? The world will continue being inspired by your life so beautifully… http://instagram.com/p/hjtUAzyRIc/

Wynter Gordon (@wyntergordon): NELSON MANDELA Thank you for fighting for us . Thank you for believing in us , believing that we could… http://instagram.com/p/hjsjCilHGr/ … I’m broken over Nelson Mandela’s death . Equally saddened by the the thought of the hands he left us in .who will fight for us now

Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul): I’m so very deeply saddened to hear of the death of Nelson Mandela. We have lost one of humanity’s greatest champions.

Jordin Sparks (@JordinSparks): He truly was an angel on earth & now he can finally fly. RIP Mandela <3 Jennifer Lopez (@JLo): "It always seems impossible until it's done." Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela. You will be missed. #trueinspiration #peoplewhochangetheworld Kris Allen (@KrisAllen): His flame may have burned out but oh what a spark he left. RIP Nelson Mandela Shane Harper singerShane Harper (@TheShaneHarper): “…It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” ~Nelson Mandela

Katie Melua (@katiemelua): NELSON MANDELA. Rest in peace.

Neon Hitch (@NeonHitch): A true god of our world.. What a tragic loss we have today RIP Nelson Mandela. You will be missed http://instagram.com/p/hjpc2BodbO/

Enrique Iglesias (@enrique305): The world has lost someone truly inspiring. Rest in peace Nelson Mandela

Emma Bunton (@EmmaBunton): RIP Nelson Mandela. What a legacy he has left behind. I had the honour of meeting him and his spirit was unlike any other.

Jessie J (@JessieJ): Nelson Mandela showed and acted out in front of the world what the true meaning of “fight for what you… http://instagram.com/p/hjnpo9Q0bY/

Eva Simons (@evasimons): May u rest in peace Nelson Mandela. U will be missed… a true hero pic.twitter.com/3IBGcznsTt

Guy SebastianGuy Sebastian (@GuySebastian): RIP Mandela. What a legacy.

Moby (@thelittleidiot): Nelson Mandela’s life has inspired us all. we lost a remarkable, inspiring, courageous human being today.

Maria Mena (@mariamena_no): RIP Nelson Mandela

Yoav (@yoavmusic): Sorry to hear of Nelson Mandela’s passing… Finally be at peace

Mika (@mikasounds): Good Lord. Nelson Mandela rest in peace. You were the one true great icon and role model of not only my generation but so many.

Nikki Yanofsky (@NikkiYanofsky): The world lost an icon today. A truly great, wise man. Rest in peace Nelson Mandela, thank you for all you’ve taught us. <3 Justin Guarini (@justin_guarini): I had the honor of spending time w/Nelson Mandela when he came to the US, he's an amazing soul. A stellar example of love & forgiveness #RIP Justin Bieber performs liveJustin Bieber (@justinbieber): #RIPNelsonMandela

Vanessa White (@VanessaTheSats): Terribly sad news about Nelson Mandela! Rest in peace x

Janelle Monae (@JanelleMonae): 1 of the most important&greatest individuals to walk on this Earth. Nelson Mandela. He walked the walk. He was 4 THE PEOPLE. Nelson Mandela.

Rochelle Humes (@RochelleTheSats): RIP Nelson Mandela - What sad news, The loss of a great legend. A truly inspirational man. Devastating news. Rest in peace x

Adam Lambert (@adamlambert): RIP Mandela

The Puppini Sisters (@Puppini_Sisters): R.I.P. Nelson Mandela, one of history’s greatest men.

Melanie C (@MelanieCmusic): I always feel strange acknowledging somebody’s passing on twitter but I have to say I am honoured to have met the great Nelson Mandela #RIP

Regina Spektor in the mirrorRegina Spektor (@respektor): Nelson Mandela- strong, hopeful, inspiring! Rest in peace… pic.twitter.com/KnOcZXAPnJ

Uh Huh Her (@UhHuhHerMusic): May you find the peace that you brought into this world. #ripnelsonmandela http://instagram.com/p/hj0Q2PpvGg/

Harry Judd (@mcflyharry): #RIPNelsonMandela

Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake): One of our GREATEST leaders… Thank you for BEING the true meaning of compassion. May you be at peace now. #RIPNelsonMandela

Kreesha Turner (@KreeshaTurner): “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” #quote #NelsonMandela #RIPNelsonMandela

Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan): “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” #RIPNelsonMandela

Elliott Yamin (@elliottyamin): #RIPNelsonMandela an iconic hero for positive change #History

Clare Maguire 'Ain't Nobody'Clare Maguire (@ClareMaguire): Rest in peace pic.twitter.com/N2pzMXJX03

Annie Lennox (@AnnieLennox): The world woke up to the news that Mandela has departed, leaving an extraordinary legacy in his wake..
Thousands of AIDS activists are gathering here in Cape Town for the biggest AIDS conference in Africa, the 17th ICASA
We are carrying on his work
Rest in Peace Madiba

Gabriella Cilmi (@gabcilmi): Rest peacefully Nelson Mandela… Thanks for blessing us with your wisdom…

Una Foden (@UnaTheSats): R.I.P Nelson Mandela X

Rachel Stevens (@MsRachelStevens): Just heard the news about Nelson Mandela, so so sad

Ellie Goulding (@elliegoulding): Rest well peaceful warrior, Nelson Mandela

Eliza Doolittle (@elizadoolittle): Rest in perfect peace Nelson Mandela

Mandela with Fergie and will.i.amFergie (@Fergie): Meeting Nelson Mandela at his house in Johannesburg was a truly memorable moment in life for me. He was an angel.

Olly Murs (@ollyofficial): So sad to hear that Nelson Mandela has died, a very influential figure has gone, will be sorely missed by millions of people. #RIPMandela

Sam Sparro (@samsparro): Wow. Nelson Mandela. What an incredible man. Humbled by his greatness. Let’s celebrate his life by continuing to change the world!

Shane Filan (@ShaneFilan): Such sad news about Nelson Mandela What an amazing man ! #RIPMandela

Amelle Berrabah (@Amelle_Berrabah): R.I.P Nelson Mandela. It was an honour to have met you xxx pic.twitter.com/C8fzqtASBN

Katy B (@KatyB): Been reading Mandela’s quotes all day… ‘Any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose’ #RIPNelsonMandela

Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson): I am at a loss for words. Today, the world lost a great man and I lost a special friend, Nelson Mandela.

Lauren Bennett 'I Wish I Wish'Lauren Bennett (@grl_lauren): Rest in peace Paul Walker

Darius Campbell (@DariusCampbell): R.I.P Nelson Mandela, a truly inspirational person

Kat DeLuna (@KatDeLuna): “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” - Nelson Mandela #RipNelsonMandela http://instagram.com/p/hl4xpazNy4/

Julian Perretta (@julianperretta): gutted to hear of Nelson Mandela’s passing. a powerful character who lived a life that inspires us all.

VV Brown (@VVbrown): RIP wonderful Nelson Mandela

Regina Spektor Performs & Denies Being A Russian Spy

Regina Spektor in a dress

Regina Spektor visited ‘The Colbert Report’ on June 7th, where the Russian born singer songwriter talked about the story behind her latest album being titled ‘What We Saw From The Cheap Seats’ because “you have a good perspective” sitting up there. “I think it’s something everybody should be a part of. It’s the 99% up there.”

Because she was born in the former Soviet Union, host Stephen Colbert jokingly asked how does he know if she wasn’t a spy. “How do you know I did not come here to take American jobs,” Spektor responded, leading her to talk about her immigration into America at the age of 9. “It was actually really exciting,” Regina said. “Immigration is I think traumatic for adults, and really exciting for kids.”

Regina told Stephen she would recommend travel “to places where you don’t understand anything,” prompting Colbert to ask if she spoke English upon her arrival. “No, not right away,” she responded.

Talking about her upcoming return to Russia for the first time since she left at age 9, Regina said, “I’m excited. I always have been kind of nervous to go back, but at a certain point it got to a point where it’s just silly. I have to go back and play for the people. Especially to go as a musician, and see who my audience is, even if, I dunno if I even have one. I hope I have one. Just to have the experience where you get to talk Russian between songs, that’s cool.”

Watch the interview below and her performances of ‘Small Town Moon’ and ‘Ballad of a Politician’, both off her album ‘What We Saw from the Cheap Seats’, after the cut.

(more…)

Regina Spektor Proves When A Student Is Ready, A Teacher Appears

Regina Spektor black and white photo

Regina Spektor was “Person of the Week” on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer last week. The Russian born singer songwriter said, “The key to everything I think is just finding the use you have in the world. There’s an old proverb that says that when a student is ready, a teacher appears.”

Regina also talked about growing up so poor that her family couldn’t afford to get her a piano. “I would just find a little table or windowsill, and I would just play my pieces,” Spektor explained.

They also spoke to Regina’s piano teacher Sonia Vargas, who recalled first working with the student, who as the proverb said, was ready. “Immediately, how she played,” Vargas said. “You can tell the sound. The sound tell you whether the person loves the instrument, loves the music.”

Watch the interview via YouTube below.

Regina Spektor ‘Don’t Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)’ Video

Regina Spektor is out with the music video to her new single ‘Don’t Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)’, off the American singer songwriter’s sixth studio album ‘What We Saw From The Cheap Seats’, out now on Sire/Warner Bros. Records. Watch it via YouTube below.

Spektor released ‘What We Saw From The Cheap Seats’ on May 29th, co-producing the release with Mike Elizondo.

Regina Spektor 'What We Saw From The Cheap Seats'

‘What We Saw From The Cheap Seats’ Track Listing:
1. “Small Town Moon”
2. “Oh Marcello”
3. “Don’t Leave Me (Ne me quitte pas)”
4. “Firewood”
5. “Patron Saint”
6. “How”
7. “All the Rowboats”
8. “Ballad of a Politician”
9. “Open”
10. “The Party”
11. “Jessica”

Deluxe edition bonus tracks:
12. “Call Them Brothers” (featuring Only Son)
13. “The Prayer of François Villon (Molitva)”
14. “Old Jacket (Stariy Pidjak)”

Regina Spektor & Only Son ‘Call Them Brothers’ Video

Regina Spektor and Only Son are out with the music video to their new single ‘Call Them Brothers’, which appears on Only Son’s second album ‘Searchlight’.
The video was directed and photographed by James Holland using Super 8mm film. Additional archival footage was shot by family friend Howard Zuckerman.
Regina and Jack Dishel of Only Son liked the song so much they recorded a new version of the song with producer Mike Elizondo. It will appear on the digital deluxe edition of Regina’s new album ‘What We Saw From The Cheap Seats’, available on iTunes May 29th. Watch the video via YouTube below.

Regina Spektor Expresses Appreciation For HIAS

Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor spoke with JTA about her recent show at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, where despite being ill, the singer headlined a benefit concert for the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, or HIAS, which helped resettle her family in New York more than 20 years ago. “I don’t think any of us would be in America if it wasn’t for them,” said Spektor, who emigrated with her family from the Soviet Union at the age of 9 and resettled in New York. “They did so much. To get to play a benefit show for them was like - it was just such an amazing like full-circle kind of thing.”

Regina Spektor ‘All The Rowboats’ Video

Regina Spektor is out with the music video to his new single ‘All The Rowboats’, the lead single off the Russian American singer-songwriter’s forthcoming sixth studio album ‘What We Saw From The Cheap Seats’, available worldwide May 29th via Sire Records. Watch the Adria Petty and Peter Sluszka directed video via YouTube below.

Regina Spektor ‘Don’t Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)’

Regina Spektor is out with her new single ‘Don’t Leave Me (Ne me quitte pas)’, from the Russian American singer-songwriter’s sixth studio album ‘What We Saw from the Cheap Seats’, out on May 29 on Sire/Warner Bros. Records. ‘Don’t Leave Me (Ne me quitte pas)’ is a new version of ‘Ne me quite pas’, a song originally from Spektor’s 2002 album ‘Songs’. Listen via YouTube below.
Stream- “Don’t Leave Me- (Ne Me Quitte Pas)”

Regina Spektor New Album ‘What We Saw From The Cheap Seats’ Out Late Spring

Regina Spektor 'All The Rowboats'

The much-anticipated new studio album from Regina Spektor, ‘What We Saw From The Cheap Seats’, is set for release on Sire/Warner Bros. Records in late spring 2012. The album reunites Spektor with production partner Mike Elizondo and is her first album of new material since 2009’s ‘far’. ‘What We Saw From The Cheap Seats’ will launch with a first listen track ‘All The Rowboats’, which will be made available digitally February 28th. Watch a stream of the track via YouTube below. Spektor will also release an exclusive 7″ of two Russian cover songs, ‘The Prayer Of François Villon (Molitva)’ and ‘Old Jacket (Stariy Pedjak)’, for Record Store Day on April 21st. Spektor will tour with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers this spring performing new material from the album.

‘What We Saw From The Cheap Seats’ was recorded over an eight week period this past summer in Los Angeles. Spektor wrote each of the 11 tracks on the album. She arrived at the session with a collection of new compositions, but others were pulled from earlier periods. On working with Spektor, Elizondo says, “Regina Spektor is that rare artist that continues to surprise. Just when you think you have her figured out, she knocks you out with something completely different. It’s that spirit that drives this record. Each song takes you on a journey that only Regina is capable of providing. She has truly outdone herself.”

Regina Spektor Tour
All dates with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
April 18/19 1 Bank Center Broomfield, CO
April 21 Verizon Arena Little Rock, AR
April 24 Tingley Coliseum Albuquerque, NM
April 26 Intrust Bank Arena Wichita, KS
April 29 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park Alpharetta, GA
May 1 Germain Arena Estero, FL
May 3 Amway Center Orlando, FL
May 5 Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX

Regina Spektor On Touring, ‘Live In London’ & Daniel Cho

Regina Spektor recently visited Rolling Stone’s New York offices to talk about her tours with the Strokes and the Kings of Leon and the “almost sci-fi” musical based on ‘Sleeping Beauty’ that she’s currently writing. Spektor also opened up about her new album-slash-film, ‘Live in London’, which is dedicated to Daniel Cho, her late cellist, who drowned last summer while they were on tour. Watch the interview via YouTube below.

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