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US country music star Jelly Roll is seeking a pardon to wipe his criminal convictions from the record, after spending time behind bars as a teenager.

He told the Tennessee Board of Parole that while in detention, he fell in love with songwriting which he says changed his life in ways he “never dreamed imaginable”.

Now aged 40, the rapper-turned-country singer, real name Jason DeFord, wants to be able to travel internationally to perform, but his criminal past currently makes that difficult.

“I want to be an inspiration for people who are now where I used to be – to let them know that change is truly possible,” Jelly Roll told the board, which has recommended a pardon. The final decision rests with the state’s Republican Governor Bill Lee.

The singer broke into country music with the 2023 album “Whitsitt Chapel” and crossover songs like “Need a Favor”. He has been recognised at both the CMT Music Awards and Country Music Association (CMA) Awards and earned four Grammy nominations, including for new artist of the year.

Jelly Roll performs during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, February 16, 2025. REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier
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Jelly Roll performing in Vancouver during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in February. Pic: Reuters

As a part of the pardon application, friends and local leaders wrote to the board about Jelly Roll’s transformation and generosity.

Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall described how the star had an awakening in one of the jails he managed, while Live Nation Entertainment CEO and President Michael Rapino pointed out his charity work.

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Jelly Roll has spoken openly about his criminal record and what it has taken to overcome it. He often visits jails before performing concerts and helps feed people who are homeless.

Due to his criminal record, which includes a robbery at age 17 and drug charges at 23, he says it “takes a team of lawyers and a mountain of paperwork” to perform internationally, sometimes requiring special permits.

Last year, he gave evidence before a Senate committee about his own drug addiction and called for stronger legislation against the fentanyl crisis, saying he has “attended more funerals than I care to share”.

He was recently able to make his first international tour, taking in Canada and the UK, where he spoke about a rehabilitation programme.

Governor Lee said every case seeking clemency, such as pardons, is equally important and goes through a thorough process.

“The reporting on Jelly Roll, that’s encouraging for his situation, but there are steps yet to happen in that case,” he told reporters.

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Counter terror police assessing Kneecap concert video

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Counter terror police assessing Kneecap concert video

Counter terror police are assessing a video reported to be from a concert by Irish rappers Kneecap.

A social media clip of the hip hop trio on stage appeared to show one member of the group shout “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

The footage was posted online by Danny Morris from the Jewish security charity, the Community Security Trust.

He said it was from a gig last November at London’s Kentish Town Forum.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of the video and it has been referred to the counter terrorism internet referral unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.”

Hamas and Hezbollah are both proscribed as terrorist groups in the UK. Under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, it is an offence to express “an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation”.

Sky News has contacted Kneecap’s management for comment.

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It comes after TV personality Sharon Osbourne called for Kneecap’s US work visas to be revoked after accusing them of making “aggressive political statements” including “projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech” at Coachella Music and Arts Festival.

In November last year, Kneecap won a discrimination case against the UK government after former business secretary Kemi Badenoch refused them funding.

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Harvey Weinstein retrial: ‘He had all the power,’ prosecutor tells court as opening statements begin

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Harvey Weinstein retrial: 'He had all the power,' prosecutor tells court as opening statements begin

The retrial of Harvey Weinstein has begun in New York – with a prosecutor telling the court the former Hollywood mogul used “dream opportunities as weapons” to prey on the three women accusing him of sexual abuse.

The case is being retried five years after the landmark #MeToo case against the producer, who was once one of the industry’s most powerful figures, after the appeals court last year overturned his conviction.

Weinstein, who is now 73, is charged with raping one woman and forcing oral sex on two others. He has strenuously denied the allegations.

Following a lengthy jury selection process due to the high-profile nature of the retrial, the prosecution has now opened its case at the same courthouse in Manhattan.

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Why is Weinstein getting a retrial?

Attorney Shannon Lucey told the court the Oscar-winning producer and studio boss used “dream opportunities as weapons” against the female accusers.

“The defendant wanted their bodies, and the more they resisted, the more forceful he got,” she said.

Weinstein had “enormous control over those working in TV and film because he decided who was in and who was out,” the court heard. “He had all the power. They had none.”

Dressed in a dark suit and navy tie, Weinstein listened to the prosecution’s statement after arriving in court in a wheelchair, as he has done for his recent appearances.

His lawyers are expected to outline their case later on Wednesday.

Harvey Weinstein appears in state court in Manhattan in his retrial on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in New York. (Steven Hirsch /New York Post via AP, Pool)
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Steven Hirsch/ New York Post via AP/ pool

The opening statements got under way after the last jurors were finally picked on Tuesday, more than a week after the selection process began.

Prospective jurors were questioned about their backgrounds, life experiences and various other points that could potentially impact their ability to be fair and impartial about a case that has been so highly publicised. They have also been asked privately about their knowledge of the case and opinions on Weinstein.

Seven men and five women have been chosen to hear the trial.

Why is there a retrial?

In 2020, Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison after being found guilty of charges of sexual assault in 2006 and rape in 2013, relating to two women.

But in April 2024, New York’s highest court overturned the convictions due to concerns of prejudicial testimony and that the judge in the original trial had made improper rulings.

Prosecutors announced a retrial last year and a separate charge concerning a third woman, who was not part of the original trial, has since been added to the case. She alleges the producer forced oral sex on her at a hotel in 2006.

Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies raping or sexually assaulting anyone.

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At a preliminary court hearing in January, he begged for the retrial to be held as quickly as possible due to his deteriorating health, telling the judge: “I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.”

Weinstein was also sentenced in February 2023 after being convicted of rape during a separate trial in LA – which means that even if the retrial ends in not guilty verdicts on all three counts, he will remain behind bars.

His lawyers are also appealing this sentence.

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Charli XCX, Lola Young, Raye and JADE among artists nominated for Ivor Novello Awards

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Charli XCX, Lola Young, Raye and JADE among artists nominated for Ivor Novello Awards

Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Raye and Ghetts are among the artists nominated for this year’s Ivor Novello Awards for songwriting, along with a nod for Wham!’s Last Christmas.

Lola Young, whose single Messy was a huge hit in 2024, leads with three nominations, for best album, best song musically and lyrically, and the rising star award.

Other acts in the running for Ivors include Fontaines DC, BERWYN, Myles Smith, Laura Marling, JADE, Bashy, Conor Dickinson and Jordan Rakei.

Nominated composers also include writers for Oscar nominees including The Substance and The Zone Of Interest, hit shows such as Black Doves and Rivals, and games including Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II and Farewell North.

Wham pictured in September 1984, three months before Last Christmas was released
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Wham! pictured in September 1984, three months before Last Christmas was released

And Wham! receive their nomination for Last Christmas as one of PRS for Music’s top five most performed songs of 2024 – a posthumous nod for George Michael, almost 30 years after his last win in 1997, for the single Fastlove. Despite never making it to number one when it was released in 1984, Last Christmas has topped the charts at Christmas for the last two years.

The festive track is up against Harry Styles‘ 2022 hit As It Was, which is in contention for the third year running, Dua Lipa‘s Houdini, Stargazing by Myles Smith, and Prada by Casso, RAYE and D-Block Europe.

The Ivors recognise creative musical achievement in songwriting and composition, and also celebrate a number of singer-songwriters and groups for their wider contribution to UK music. This year’s ceremony marks the 70th anniversary of the awards, and will take place on 22 May in London.

Charli XCX made it a Brat BRITs. Pic: Reuters
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Charli XCX’s Brat is in the running for best album. Pic: Reuters

Some 74 composers and songwriters have been nominated this year, with two-thirds – including Young – up for awards for the first time.

It has already been announced that U2 will be inducted into the Academy Fellowship “in recognition of their enduring influence and impact on the craft of songwriting”. The bandmates – Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr – will become the first Irish songwriters to be inducted, following in the footsteps of artists including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Kate Bush and last year’s recipient, Bruce Springsteen.

Artists including Raye, Lana Del Rey, Skepta and KT Tunstall were also among last year’s winners.

Tom Gray, chair of The Ivors Academy, described the event as “the most joyful celebration of music making in the calendar”.

Congratulating the 2025 nominees, he added: “It’s a huge privilege for the Ivors Academy to champion music creation in all its forms.”

Here are this year’s nominees.

Dua Lipa performing at Glastonbury in June. Pic: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP
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Dua Lipa’s Houdini is among the song nominees. Pic: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

BEST ALBUM
Brat – Charli XCX, AG Cook and Finn Keane
On Purpose, With Purpose – Ghetts and TenBillion Dreams
The Loop – Jordan Rakei
This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway – William Brown, Conor Dickinson, Jared Solomon and Lola Young
Who Am I – Berwyn

BEST CONTEMPORARY SONG
Allergy – Felix Joseph, Alastair O’Donnell and Pa Salieu
Angel Of My Dreams – Pablo Bowman, JADE, Steph Jones and Mike Sabath
Circumnavigating Georgia – Sans Soucis
Double Standards – Ghetts, EMIL, Sampha Sisay and R-Kay
How Black Men Lose Their Smile – Bashy, Toddla T and Linton Kwesi Johnson

BEST SONG MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY
Child Of Mine – Laura Marling
Genesis – Rodney Jerkins, RAYE and Toneworld
In The Modern World – Grian Chatten, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan, Thomas Coll and Carlos O’Connell (Fontaines DC)
Messy – Conor Dickinson and Lola Young
Mine – Orla Gartland

PRS FOR MUSIC MOST PERFORMED WORK
As It Was – Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson and Harry Styles
Houdini – Caroline Ailin, Danny L Harle, Tobias Jesso Jnr, Dua Lipa and Kevin Parker
Last Christmas – George Michael
Prada – D-Block Europe, Obi Ebele (Da Beatfreakz), Uche Ebele (Da Beatfreakz), Jahmori “Jaymo” Simmons and RAYE
Stargazing – Peter Fenn, Jesse Fink and Myles Smith

RISING STAR AWARD
Bea And Her Business
Liang Lawrence
Lola Young
LULU.
Nia Smith

BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE
Fly Me To The Moon – Daniel Pemberton
Hard Truths – Gary Yershon
Kneecap – Michael “Mickey J” Asante
The Substance – composed by Raffertie
The Zone Of Interest – Mica Levi

BEST ORIGINAL VIDEO GAME SCORE
Empire Of The Ants – Mathieu Alvado and Mark Choi
Farewell North – John Konsolakis
Flock – Eli Rainsberry
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – David Garcia Diaz
The Casting Of Frank Stone – Boxed Ape

BEST TV SOUNDTRACK
Black Doves – Martin Phipps
Mary & George – Oliver Coates
Rivals – Jack Halama and Natalie Holt
True Detective: Night Country – Vince Pope
Until I Kill You – Carly Paradis

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