Mama, ooooooooh....
You may think you know "Bohemian Rhapsody," and you know exactly where every "Galileo" and "Figaro" and "Magnifico" lives.
And, you might.
But you don't know this song like you're about to.
Check it out here:
Wow!!! te reo MΔori rendition of Bohemian Rhapsodywww.youtube.com
This MΔori group sings their own version completely a cappella. Listen to it-the tight harmonies, the familiar counterpoints, and watch how into it they are.
It's truly an amazing experience.
Who are the MΔori?
They are the indigenous people of New Zealand. This particular group is called HΔtea Kapa Haka and they're...just amazing.
Here's another performance of theirs from 7 years ago:
Hatea Kapa Haka Groupwww.youtube.com
According to Newshub, HΔtea Kapa Haka collaborated with musical artist William Waiirua to create this "Bohemian Rhapsody" entirely in the Te Reo language and as a standing tribute to Queen and to the recently released film Bohemian Rhapsody.
The group also made a video with Waiirua showing their collaboration:
William Waiirua x Queen x HΔtea Kapa Haka - Te Reo Bohemian Rhapsody https://t.co/JnZQ8BopBiβ Su Majestad Ishtar Bernadette (@Su Majestad Ishtar Bernadette) 1551564196
It's SO COOL, right?
HΔtea Kapa Hakaβs te reo #MΔori rendition of #BohemianRhapsody is everything and more! Check them outβ¦ https://t.co/CW5Nf8cj2Rβ Sradda (@Sradda) 1550961594
@RoAnnaSylver YOU ARE MOST WELCOME <3 there is another one here too, same group I believe https://t.co/Q2QFK92upUβ michelle! ππ (@michelle! ππ) 1550832554
The group, who hails from Whangarei, performed this set live at New Zealand's national kapa haka festival, Te Matatini, in Wellington in late February.
The festival reportedly brings 46 kapa haka groups together to compete.
My Boy: "I FREAKING LOVE TE MATATINI because we are the normal. Our reo. Our fams. Our kai. Our little kids runningβ¦ https://t.co/B9LT0rnthKβ 2Tapu (@2Tapu) 1550911180
Here's more.
We're proud to be the core funder of Te Matatini taking place in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington for the first timeβ¦ https://t.co/Qc5ZwKoPg7β Ministry for Culture and Heritage (@Ministry for Culture and Heritage) 1550717380
Celebrating Te Matatini in style with our brand new haka lanterns at the Chaffers X Cable Street intersection π¦β¦ https://t.co/8h3SGPz5Pvβ Justin Lester (@Justin Lester) 1550633436
Celebrating Te Matatini with thousands of performers, whΔnau & supporters at the pΕwhiri welcoming the 46 teams toβ¦ https://t.co/qBk0A8qf5jβ Kelvin Davis (@Kelvin Davis) 1550633254
Tomorrow we welcome Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival which kicks off 6 straight weekends featuring 11 event days forβ¦ https://t.co/N7iTUyCEOYβ Shane Harmon (@Shane Harmon) 1550644487
Perennially popular Bohemian Rhapsody saw a resurgence in sales and downloads with the release of the film of the same name. The Oscar winning film is now available here in multiple formats.
And this performance of Queen's most famous piece of music was a highlight for people this year.
This is glorious. Te Reo version of βBohemian Rhapsodyβ https://t.co/xWaDed8Tqq #TeMatatini #BohemianRhapsodyβ πππ πππ πΏπππππ (@πππ πππ πΏπππππ) 1550862681
@ruwanijourno @Mihi_Forbes Loved it! Such talent. So envious. Sadly, My SPM ear is not properly tuned to Te Reo. Tβ¦ https://t.co/BH9O8ThA0mβ Evan Yates (@Evan Yates) 1550952328
@ruwanijourno @huihoppa This is phenomenal! Loved it!β Anna Henderson (@Anna Henderson) 1550907240
@ruwanijourno @MariaSherwood2 Amazingβ Smug Hermit Bastard From Papakura (@Smug Hermit Bastard From Papakura) 1550865490
@ruwanijourno Freddie Mercury I think would be wrapped at this wonderful te Reo rendition. It wasn't just the pitchβ¦ https://t.co/6XIDMJhiwnβ Richard Mayson (@Richard Mayson) 1550869854
Over 60,000 people reportedly attended the festival this year.
NgΔ TΕ«manako from West Auckland was the 2019 winner of Te Matatini.
We love your work, HΔtea Kapa Haka!
We can't wait to see what you do next!
-Sigh-
China.
Why, China?
According to the Hollywood Reporter,over a minute of footage will be cut from Bohemian Rhapsody upon its release in the country.
Why?
Because China refuses to show the film with any LGBTQ content.
All of the footage of Freddie Mercury kissing men will be removed from the film in order for the film to get a country-wide release in China.
#BohemianRhapsody to be released in China β without any homosexual content https://t.co/wh01HTQb5N https://t.co/G24YdcWfMnβ NME (@NME) 1551282726
βBohemian Rhapsodyβ to Get China Release, Without the Gay Parts https://t.co/UgBEpiWDtm https://t.co/ZTJt7Ue2BMβ Towleroad (@Towleroad) 1551377445
#BohemianRhapsody's Gay 'Intimate Kisses' to Be Cut for China Release: Report https://t.co/GjpVKe2I2sβ SeuAcervo_music (@SeuAcervo_music) 1551383300
The movie already received considerable pushback for "straightwashing" Mercury's character, including very few references to his bisexuality or the fact that he contracted HIV/AIDS.
This led several to joke that China will basically releasing the movie "as it already is."
Every single gay on this site tweeting a form of "So they'll just release it as it is?" on that BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Cβ¦ https://t.co/plryeNNCqEβ Jorge Molina (@Jorge Molina) 1551400797
βWe made a film about a gay man,β said best actor winner Rami Malek. Couldβve fooled usβ¦ #Oscars https://t.co/4PwvelJTIaβ PinkNews (@PinkNews) 1551142804
Did Bohemian Rhapsody just win an Oscar for editing out the gay parts about Freddie Mercury?β John Mackey #blacklivesmatter (@John Mackey #blacklivesmatter) 1551061208
Wellll....I'm happy Rami Malek identified Bohemian Rhapsody as a movie about a gay man. I wish someone had told the screenwriters.β Mark Harris (@Mark Harris) 1551066641
But the worst part about all of this is China's continued treatment of LGBTQ people.
Homosexuality has been "legal" in China since 1997 and in 2001 homosexuality was no longer classified as a mental illness.
However, there are no anti-discrimination laws in place. Because of this, LGBTQ people struggle with not knowing if their sexual orientation or gender identity will get them arrested on a daily basis.
Censorship rules in China still apply to LGBTQ content.
Mango TV, the streaming service which showed the Oscars to China at large, censored Malek's acceptance speech when they replaced the term "gay man" with "special group" in its subtitles.
Introduction to China's LGBT in 4 minuteswww.youtube.com
Surprise! In #China it is illegal to be #gay so the # #Chinese broadcaster censors #RamiMalek #Oscars speech #Chinaβ¦ https://t.co/CBX8G5XFpyβ Paul DuBois @aproposltd (@Paul DuBois @aproposltd) 1551214518
It is completely outrageous that China is censoring the #LGBT scenes from #BohemianRhapsody It's time to grow upβ¦ https://t.co/SS8VtSMJoRβ Mad As Mel (@Mad As Mel) 1551406066
Oh China, get over it. There are LGBT people, just as there are different races and ethnicities. What on earth areβ¦ https://t.co/ilO7KlFFz0β Monita Rajpal (@Monita Rajpal) 1551369298
Unsurprising. They censor everything. https://t.co/Iy3i8Aszl9β Occasionally, Choose Violence π (@Occasionally, Choose Violence π) 1551430210
Since being gay in China is an uphill battle, this announcement is hardly surprising.
But an international straight-washing of a queer icon and bisexual erasure once again?
Only in 2019, folks.
Only in 2019.
If you think you saw Adam Lambert for a brief scene in Bohemian Rhapsody, you were right.
The acclaimed film is slated for home release on February 12, 2019 but is already available for pre-order here.
The former American Idol runner-up in the show's eighth season has firmly established himself as an accomplished solo artist in his own right, landing him a collaboration performing with the remaining members of the rock group, Queen, now known as Queen + Adam Lambert.
In an inspired twist, the singer crossed paths with the rock legend who formerly fronted Queen on which Bohemian RhapsodyRhapsody is based.
Sort of.
Lambert confirmed he was the truck driver from the Queen biopic who shared a fleeting moment with Freddie Mercury, who was played by Golden Globe winner Rami Malek.
The singer teased in a tweet on Saturday:
"Who is he!?"
Who is he!? ππ #BohemianRhapsodyMovie is available for digital download on 1/22! https://t.co/RXVOvhv2quβ ADAM LAMBERT (@ADAM LAMBERT) 1547208209.0
Access Online refreshed audiences' memory of the singer's cameo halfway through the film.
In the scene, Freddie Mercury (Malek) is at a rest stop and talking to his fiancΓ©e Mary Austin on the phone. Enter: rugged truck driver (Lambert), with whom Mercury locks eyes before disappearing into the bathroom.
The film implied that the pivotal moment signified Mercury's first gay experience after coming to America.
Lambert fans campaigned for him to win an award for his seductive portrayal of a blue collar worker.
@adamlambert @BoRhapMovie Aaaaaand the Oscar for Best Supporting Role in a movie goes to "@adamlambert !! #Truckdriver πππ€£π€£ππβ Gelly (@Gelly) 1547208537.0
@adamlambert @BoRhapMovie Shouldβve gotten a golden globe for Best Sneaky Cameo in a Drama 2019 tbhβ Noy (@Noy) 1547208704.0
@adamlambert @BoRhapMovie Best 20 seconds in the movieππππ!!!! Here you go: https://t.co/Zad6Y9z4luβ Carlitaβ (@Carlitaβ) 1547209107.0
@adamlambert @BoRhapMovie You know your cameo was so well done and underwraps when you have to literally come out aβ¦ https://t.co/LHTH7OLeuOβ kate o shaughnessy (@kate o shaughnessy) 1547228306.0
This user was caught off his guard.
Maybe he needed to catch his breath from getting hot flashes.
@adamlambert @BoRhapMovie OMG! Had no idea you were in the movie. Thatβs cool.β Damon Gonzalez (@Damon Gonzalez) 1547220491.0
While it was a no brainer for others.
@adamlambert @BoRhapMovie Many we realized from the first moment !!! ππ But I decided to go to the cinema for the sβ¦ https://t.co/FLNQR7JfzUβ fenix (@fenix) 1547257636.0
@adamlambert @BoRhapMovie When my friend and her daughter went to the movie, she whispered to us that it was Adamβ¦ https://t.co/BTgI8VToygβ Sarah Adams (@Sarah Adams) 1547220197.0
@adamlambert @BoRhapMovie One sexy mother trucker?β PinkFlamingo (@PinkFlamingo) 1547208556.0
One amorous Lambert fan put himself in Freddie Mercury's shoes.
@adamlambert @BoRhapMovie i woulda followed him into the bathroom! j/s πππβ€β DuckBert (@DuckBert) 1547223920.0
@TheRealDuckBert @adamlambert @BoRhapMovie Get in line, Duckie! πππβ πΉMoChuisleβοΈ (@πΉMoChuisleβοΈ) 1547223954.0
@TheRealDuckBert @adamlambert @BoRhapMovie I would have waited by his truck π±π±π±β Lynda C Webber (@Lynda C Webber) 1547225183.0
Sexy truck driver is a thing for some people.
@adamlambert @BoRhapMovie I have never been more sexually attracted to a random trucker trying to lure me into a toilet cubicle....πβ lovesummer22 (@lovesummer22) 1547208511.0
Lambert first performed with Queen band members, Brian May and Roger Taylor, during American Idol in 2009 and officially joined the group as the new frontman in 2012.
According to Digital Spy, May said that Mercury, who died on November 24, 1991, would approve of the new lead singer bringing the band into the future.
"Judging by my incoming mail, this decision will make a lot of people very happy. It's a worthy challenge for us, and I'm sure Adam would meet with Freddie's approval!"
"And what better place to revisit, and walk those emotional paths than Knebworth? It will be a rush."
Lambert said he hoped to honor Mercury's legacy prior to Queen + Adam Lambert's July 2012 performance at the Knebworth Festival in England, which was the final venue where Mercury performed his final act with Queen in 1986.
"I'm completely in awe of the Queen phenomenon. The thought of sharing the stage for a full set is so beautifully surreal. I'm honored to be able to pay my respects to Freddie's memory."
"He's a personal hero of mine and I am deeply grateful for the chance to sing such powerful music for fans of this legendary band."
With his current successes, the humble singer must wonder if this is the real life or just fantasy.
But to us, he is a champion.
A New Interactive Version Of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Is Hitting Theaters
Bohemian Rhapsody, in case you missed it, is the 2018 Queen biopic that won Best Motion Picture-Drama at the Golden Globes last weekend. Rami Malek also took home a Golden Globe for Best Actor-Motion Picture Drama for his portrayal of the beloved Freddie Mercury in the film.
It was a huge box office success, both in the US and abroad, bringing in over $748 million; quite impressive for a film with a $50 million budget and significant difficulties and delays in production. Sacha Baron Cohen was initially slated to play Freddie Mercury, so when he left the film over creative differences with the producers in 2013 it seemed the project may never be completed.
Rami Malek signed on to play Mercury in 2016, reviving the project and allowing principal photography to begin in 2017.
Queen lead guitarist Brian May sang Malek's praises for his performance as Mercury in an interview with Express, "Rami absolutely blew us away the first time we met him. We saw Freddie in him, we could sense his passion. I love the way Rami has captured not only Freddie's great powers and ebullience but also the sensitive side, the vulnerability of Freddie, of which there was a lot."
There was a special trial run of a sing-along version of Bohemian Rhapsody released in South Korea to guage fan reaction. It was intended to be a limited run, but was so wildly popular that a worldwide release was planned.
The sing-along's main change (for the Korean release, at least) from the standard version of the film is the inclusion of the song lyrics in English, instead of Korean subtitles. This allows moviegoers to enjoy belting-out the words to their favorite songs with everyone else in the audience.
This sing-along cut of Bohemian Rhapsody is being re-released to 750 cinemas in the US and Canada, and the regular cut is also coming to an additional 550. It just became the highest grossing music biopic of all time, so there's plenty of demand for it.
Some fans have already had the chance to attend one of the sing-along showings, and they're ecstatic.
@BoRhapMovie Went tonight, so much fun!! Singing, stomping our feet, doing radio gaga claps!! It was great!! https://t.co/onmdHUAqIjβ SPN-RIVER-ROBOT1 (@SPN-RIVER-ROBOT1) 1547274415
@BoRhapMovie Seen it last night was absolutely amazing the whole cinema was singing and having a laugh and Hyatt haβ¦ https://t.co/nV4Cu0qISFβ Kearaβ¦ π (@Kearaβ¦ π) 1547253788
Some reported that their local audiences weren't as into the interactive version of the film as they were.
Nobody was going to let that stop them from enjoying the experience to the fullest, though.
@BoRhapMovie I wore this to one tonight! We all sang and clapped and it was beautiful!!! DEFINITELY go!!!! β€β€ππ» seeβ¦ https://t.co/PXpxypVIHCβ Laurie π« (@Laurie π«) 1547248369
@BoRhapMovie Most of the people in my screening were miserable buggers not joining in! Why go to a sing along and not sing?!!β Natalie Clarke (@Natalie Clarke) 1547248677
Unfortunately, this is a limited run, so there's bound to be people disappointed.
Many people expressed a desire to see the sing-along version, and lamented that their area wasn't chosen for the re-release.
@BoRhapMovie Unfirtunately, nowhere in the Pittsburgh, PA area. We got Showman singalong when it was out...but not BoRhap?β Mardie Baldo (@Mardie Baldo) 1547297188
@BoRhapMovie Mexico wants again @Cinepolisβ joanaπ³ (@joanaπ³) 1547248907
@BoRhapMovie I'm sad cause I can't find one near me :(β Jeanne Cole (@Jeanne Cole) 1547287712
@BoRhapMovie My heart is broken itβs not showing at mine at all :/ no where near me :/β kat estrello (@kat estrello) 1547264311
@BoRhapMovie I want to but I can't find any near me ;-;β 33 days 5sos| 73 days MCR| 93 days TUA (@33 days 5sos| 73 days MCR| 93 days TUA) 1547248960
It really seems like the demand is there for a wider release of this special sing-along version.
Considering how Queen's music and story has touched the lives of so many people (especially LGBTQI+ people, who don't see much representation of themselves in mainstream media), is it really a surprise that fans jump at a chance for a new way to connect with some of their favorite music and musicians?
If you haven't seen Bohemian Rhapsody yet, now is your chance!
Some Talented Kids Cover 'Bohemian Rhapsody' In Impressive Fashion In New British Ad π
John Lewis & Partners, the U.K. department store famous for its adorable Christmas commercials, has just released a new video which brings a tiny modicum of joy back into the otherwise depressing world of television advertising. In the video, a crowd of parents are nodding their way through an elementary school recital when their ambitious children decide to take things up a notch with Queen's most iconic anthem.
Twitter felt like they were seeing the world's most adorable concert!
Who's seen the John Lewis and Waitrose advert with the school kids singing Bohemian Rhapsody? Its brilliant!ππππβ jdman (@jdman) 1536164495.0
Of course I love #GBBO but did everyone just see that @jlandpartners advert with the kids singing Bohemian Rhapsody?! Amazing!β Matt McCabe (@Matt McCabe) 1536089390.0
Didn't think I'd like this. But I really do. John Lewis and Waitrose bring kids together for an epic performance ofβ¦ https://t.co/b1SYsBfrRZβ Jeremy Lee (@Jeremy Lee) 1536047980.0
These kids rock harder than most of us could ever hope to!
Did anyone else simply love the John Lewis/Waitrose ad by those Fab kids doing Bohemian Rhapsody? Amazing! Broughtβ¦ https://t.co/j3jqeLzBrSβ Shar (@Shar) 1536097625.0
I am actually living for the John Lewis advert with the Bohemian Rhapsody kids cover π€πβ Shae (@Shae) 1536285550.0
And Twitter explodes from the #JohnLewis And #Waitrose advert during #GBBO Bohemian Rhapsody on Mars with kids....brilliant #queenβ Alina Cohen (@Alina Cohen) 1536088784.0
Though John Lewis is usually known for its Christmas ads, this was a refreshing change of pace!
The new John Lewis-Waitrose ad with the kids doing bohemian rhapsody is excellent β ππ»ππ»β MR-DMV (@MR-DMV) 1536261258.0
@RealSethDaniels waitrose/john lewis, have a new advert, kids singing "bohemian rhapsody", it's brilliant. have you seen it yet?β Lyn Macdonald (@Lyn Macdonald) 1536248632.0
Stuff the Bake Off! Itβs all about this advert tonight!!! Who couldnβt love #BohemianRhapsody being performed by aβ¦ https://t.co/WWjMBZSK0Fβ Laura Dyer (@Laura Dyer) 1536093135.0
Some people were enjoying the commercial more than the program it aired during.
So Far the best part of #gbbo today is the bohemian rhapsody advert πβ Alex (@Alex) 1536088766.0
Has anyone seen the new John Lewis / Waitrose advert with the kids singing Bohemian Rhapsody? Absolutely epic, best advert in ages.β Shannon πΈπΌ (@Shannon πΈπΌ) 1536088735.0
Everything, from the music to the visuals, just seemed to come together...
Just watch this. The best #JohnLewis & Partners advert EVER! (Itβs NOT about Christmas) Featuring a bunch of kids,β¦ https://t.co/WBTBNJZzcfβ π‘πͺπ·ππ ππ»π²ππΈπ·πͺ (@π‘πͺπ·ππ ππ»π²ππΈπ·πͺ) 1536087556.0
You haven't seen undeserved self-satisfaction until you've seen a group of theater kids singing Bohemian Rhapsody.β gayle.txt (@gayle.txt) 1535919463.0
Congrats on another winning commercial, John Lewis & Partners!
#JohnLewis @jlandpartners Just seen the new advert and I think it's genius, Kids singing #BohemianRhapsody what's not to love!!β Lucyboo (@Lucyboo) 1536252346.0