Posts made in March 2020

pickup, trucks, 360 MAGAZINE, Vaughn Lowery

5 Pickups for the 2020s: Like Nothing You Have Ever Seen

In November, Elon Musk revealed his Cybertruck pet project in a video that went viral after he smashed supposedly unsmashable windows. 

This Rubik’s cube of a car is a big deal for Tesla because trucks are consistently the best-selling vehicles in the USA … by a lot. For decades, the Ford F-Series has held the record for best-sold vehicle in America. People feel safer in large cars. According to car accident lawyer Lampert & Walsh, 3,800 commercial trucks were involved in fatal crashes nationwide in 2012, compared to a total of 33,500 fatal crashes.

Consider, for example, how many corporations buy elegant and powerful SUVs to minimize liability for the drivers of their fleets. Within this group is pretty much every single major construction company, by the way. 

The second, third, and fourth best-selling vehicles in the USA, are also large non-sedans (they include pickups and SUVs). You might think, ‘wait a minute,” with all of the green energy and environmentalism going around, people must be buying less large gas-guzzlers now than ever,’ but you’d be wrong.

Pickup truck sales in the US went from 2.5 million to 3.1 million between 2015 and 2019. There is a silver lining though. Companies are still producing large vehicles, yes, but many new models reflect the concern for the planet by offering EV and hybrid options. This includes a (very expensive) but all-EV Hummer with an insane amount of force.

For this reason, it is refreshing to see large-car manufacturers listening to their environmental Jiminy Cricket. 

The SUVs and Pickups of The Future

Tesla Cybertruck

On the truck’s main webpage, Tesla uses a hardcore punk font for the Cybertruck. It is indeed extreme. It has a tow rating of 7,500 lbs and a 0- to 60-mph of 6.5 seconds. It has a range of about 500 miles on a single charge. It is meant as a mix between utility and sport … obviously it is fully electric. 

It’s slated to hit the streets in late 2021.

Price: 

The base version is priced at $39,000. For comparison, the bestselling F-150 costs about $30,000. 

RivianR1T 

It has a frunk and has been called “cute” by caranddriver.com. This is no normal pickup truck. We’re talking about a car manufacturer that was founded in 2009 and ten years later has major-scale deals with Amazon and Ford. Amazon wants them to build their electric delivery vans and Ford has them working on a Lincoln SUV concept. Rivian’s designers have built their concept around the idea of eco-friendly SUVs. 

It gets about 400 miles per charge and tows about 11,000 lbs.

Price: 

about $69,000. At this time, Rivian is taking $1,000 deposits. Production will begin in 2020.

GMC Hummer EV 

A winner of the 2020 Miami Superbowl ads. This military brat turned eco-warrior is being promoted as having THREE engines. This is worth pointing out because generally dual-engine vehicles mount either engine on either axel. Nobody knows exactly how Hummer will pull off the weight distribution for this feat. 

This monster will have 1000 horsepower when it comes out to the public in Fall 2021. 

Price: 

None announced yet, but it is expected to be upwards of $70,000.

Bollinger B2

This extended pickup is known for having a ridiculous amount of storage capacity. It has 72 inches of bed length and 96 inches if you unfold the expandable cut. Within the market, the Bollinger is positioned as a champion of simplicity and transparency. It is a no-nonsense brand that makes cars that look like toolboxes. 

It gets about 200 miles per charge.

Price:

$125,000

Nikola Badger

At the end of the day, how many fleet-purchasing agents will be swayed by a 2,000 lbs difference in torque as opposed to their gut feeling about a car’s appearance? Aesthetics are important and that might be the Badger’s strength. It is marketed as the most attractive SUV of 2020. It is clean, muscular, and futuristic-looking, while still retaining a “normal” SUV build (unlike the cute R1T, the divergent Cybertruck, and the pragmatic B2)

This truck is special for one other reason that will inevitably garner a lot of attention: it’s a hydrogen fuel-cell/EV hybrid.

Price:

$60 – 90k, according to CEO Trevor Milton

peach pit, 360 MAGAZINE

Peach Pit – Black Licorice

Peach Pit has announced that their sophomore album You and Your Friends will be released April 3 via Columbia Records. Watch the band’s album trailer HERE. The 12-track LP was produced by John Congleton [St. Vincent, Best Coast] and features new song “Black Licorice” as well as previously released tunes “Feelin’ Low (F*ckboy Blues)” and “Shampoo Bottles.” Pre-order/pre-save You and Your Friends HERE and see full tracklist below.
 
In speaking about the announcement, Peach Pit’s lead-singer Neil Smith says: “You and Your Friends is a collection of songs about me, people that the band and I care about, and some of the old friends we’ve had over the years. All the songs are written from true stories, some have been exaggerated more than others. We can’t wait to finally let go of it and start playing these songs for you out on the road!”
 
Due to popular demand, Peach Pit has added new dates to their upcoming headline tour, which kicks off this spring in support of You and Your Friends. The first North American leg begins on April 23 in Calgary, AB with sold-out shows in Chicago, New York, DC, and more before Peach Pit brings their show to Europe. The band will return to the US for the West Coast run of dates, including two shows at The Fonda in LA, beginning June 16 in Phoenix, AZ. Tickets are on sale now, visit http://peachpitmusic.com/ for more information.

gunna, 360 MAGAZINE

Gunna – SKYBOX

Grammy nominated, Billboard chart-topping rapper Gunna released his new single and video for “SKYBOX” today via 300 Entertainment/Young Stoner Life Records. Produced by Taurus and directed by Spike Jordan, “SKYBOX” is the first single off of Gunna’s forthcoming sophomore album, WUNNA. 

Gunna has been on the fast track since the release of his debut album, Drip or Drown 2. The album landed on the charts as the #1 Hip-Hop Album in the United States and #3 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts, making it the top debut album for its week of release. His hit “Drip Too Hard” featuring Lil Baby also landed him a 2020 Grammy nomination in the Best/Rap Sung Performance category. In addition to collaborating with industry heavyweights such as Mariah Carey, Koffee, Roddy Ricch and more — Gunna is blazing his own path.

WATCH “SKYBOX” BY GUNNA HERE

covid-19, coronavirus, sara sandman, 360 MAGAZINE, health

THE CORONAVIRUS × NEED-TO-KNOW FACTS FOR TRAVELERS

World Travel Expert, Tammy Levent, Shares Safety Facts & Strategic Advice for Travelers

By: Tammy Levent, CEO of Elite Travel and founder of TASK™

The coronavirus causes respiratory disease in those who contract it. The first case was found in Wuhan, China. As of March 4th, there are over 93,000 cases found globally.

The World Health Organization states that if you’re not in an area where the coronavirus is spreading, haven’t recently traveled to an where there are known cases of the virus, or haven’t been in close contact with someone who is showing symptoms of the virus, then your chances of contracting the virus is low.

If the CDC or World Health Organization has put out a “do not travel” elevated warning, then do not travel there. If they say do not go to China, obviously you are not going to go to China even if it means having to miss your business trip. Your health is more important. 

To keep track of the virus, you should monitor news updates and travel alerts regularly but be pragmatic and avoid making rash decisions. If your vacation is more than a month away, I would say waiting to cancel your flight may be the best move. There is no need to panic, things may be different in a month. You can always change the date for a later time. When booking flights, either online or with a travel professional make sure to ask about cancellation policies. When I travel, I get “cancel for any reason” and “medical insurance” to cover me if something happens overseas.  

No matter when or where you are traveling, basic hygiene is the best means of prevention. Wash your hands with soap and water several times a day, especially before eating. Avoid touching your face or putting your hands in your mouth. If flying, be smart, wear a face mask when in close quarters.

I always take sanitizing wipes with me on airplanes and the first thing I do is wipe down the seat in front of me, the tray table, the headrest, armrest and seat belt. Another major thing that can help prevent sickness when flying is shutting off your ventilation on your overhead. I have been doing this for years. 

Never put your suitcase or purse on your pillow. Think of all the places your purse and luggage have been! They touch the bathroom floor, the airport floor, the street, and the pavement. It’s just not sanitary!

The big question surrounding the coronavirus is  “Should you cancel your upcoming trip?” Unfortunately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer. The decision depends on when and where you are traveling and what your current health condition is. Discuss health concerns with your doctor and use qualified resources for information like The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

ABOUT TAMMY LEVENT

National TV Travel correspondent, Tammy Levent is the CEO of Elite Travel, an award-winning national travel agency named the fastest-growing and most trusted in the nation and she is also the founder of TASK™ (The Travel Agent’s Success Kit) a business that helps struggling travel agencies successfully adapt to this new age of travel. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

lil baby, 360 MAGAZINE

LIL BABY – EMOTIONALLY SCARRED

WATCH “EMOTIONALLY SCARRED (LIVE PERFORMANCE) | VEVO”

Vevo announces Lil Baby as the next artist in their Ctrl series with a performance of “Emotionally Scarred” premiering today.
Vevo’s Ctrl series highlights the work of hard-hitting, cutting-edge musicians making an impact in today’s music scene – both emerging and established. These artists demand attention, and Vevo’s Ctrl shines a deserving spotlight. Shot in Vevo’s Brooklyn studio, Lil Baby’s performance follow sessions from Rick Ross, Common, Rapsody, Fat Joe, Jeezy, Jadakiss, Fabolous, A$AP Ferg and more.

Charismatic, confident Atlanta-bred rapper Lil Baby quickly rose to fame after he launched his career in 2017. Following a series of mixtapes, his popularity exploded with the release of the 2018 full-length Harder Than Ever, which included the Drake-featuring hit “Yes Indeed.”

Lil Baby grew up in Atlanta hanging with friends like Young Thug, Coach K, and Pee, leaning more toward a life of petty crime and street hustling while his friends went on to thrive in the music industry. In 2015, at age 19, Lil Baby went to prison for two years for a probation violation. Upon his release in 2017, he jump-started his rap career with a mixtape called Perfect Timing, released in April of that year. The mixtape featured cameos from friends like Lil Yachty, Young Thug, and Gunna, and strong production from 808 Mafia, Brickz, and many others, highlighted by Lil Baby’s woozy flows. The mixtape immediately brought the young rapper fame, in part due to his affiliations with friends in the Quality Control family of artists as well as the 4 Pockets Full clique.

As his mixtape attracted more listeners, Lil Baby worked constantly on new music, releasing singles like “My Dawg” and the Young Thug collaboration “Pink Slip” in the summer of 2017. Other 2017 releases included Harder Than Hard, 2 the Hard Way (with Marlo), and Too Hard. Lil Baby’s debut studio album, Harder Than Ever, appeared in May of 2018. Featuring guest appearances from Drake, Offset, Lil Uzi Vert, and others, the release entered the Billboard 200 album chart at number three. The rapper’s success continued with Drip Harder, a collaborative mixtape with Gunna that was released the following October and reached number four on the Billboard 200. 2019 saw Lil Baby starring in the film How High 2 and releasing a handful of singles including the Future collaboration “Out the Mud.”

“Emotionally Scarred” is now streaming on all platforms. Keep up with exclusive content from artists all over the world on YouTube.com/Vevo

ABOUT VEVO: 

Vevo is the world’s largest all-premium music video provider, offering artists a global platform with enormous scale through its distribution partners. Vevo connects artists with their audience globally via music videos and original content, working directly with them to find unique ways to bring their music to life visually. Vevo also works with emerging artists, providing them with a platform of global scale and reach, to find and grow their audience. Reaching 26 billion monthly views globally, Vevo has over 450,000 music videos in its catalogue.

Doja Cat, 360 MAGAZINE

DOJA CAT × LIFT 2020

Vevo today announced that Kemosabe/RCA Records artist Doja Cat has been named their first LIFT artist of 2020, and has released a live performance of “Streets” off her new album Hot Pink. Vevo’s LIFT initiative connects today’s up-and-coming artists to audiences around the globe through video content. Launched in 2011, Vevo’s artist development program shines a spotlight on the world’s freshest new talent. Vevo LIFT alumni include the likes of Billie Eilish, Halsey, Khalid, Jorja Smith, SZA, Julia Michaels, YUNGBLUD, Sam Smith, CNCO and more. 

WATCH “STREETS (LIVE PERFORMANCE)” | VEVO 

“We’re thrilled to have Doja Cat kick off our 2020 LIFT program” says JP Evangelista, SVP of Content, Programming and Marketing, Vevo. “We’ve been Doja fans for a while now, and it’s been a thrill to watch her continue to develop her music in the last year. The performances we captured for LIFT are incredible, and we can’t wait to share them with her fans and new audiences around the world. This is a continuation of an incredible partnership between the Vevo, Kemosabe/RCA Records and 10Q/Maverick Urban families.” 

Born and raised in L.A., Doja Cat made her first upload to Soundcloud in 2013 at just 16-years-old. She developed a knack for music by studying piano and dance as a kid, and taught herself Logic and how to compose on a midi controller. Dojasigned to RCA during 2014, she unveiled her acclaimed Purrr! EP. Its lead single “So High” impressively racked up over 30 million cumulative streams and garnered praise from tastemakers such as Fader, Vibe, Paper, Pigeons & Planes, and more. While touring London with the likes of Lizzo, Father and Theophilus, she assembled what would become her debut album, Amala which was released in March 2018. 

In August 2018, she released what would become her viral hit “Mooo!” which enjoyed over 10 million views in just a couple of days. With co-signs from Chance The Rapper, Katy Perry, Chris Brown and J.Cole among others, “Mooo!” propelled Doja Cat forward and added many fans to her already feverishly loyal fan base. Doja followed up with her smash hit “Tia Tamera” ft. Rico Nasty, and in March 2019, she released the Amala Deluxe album, which included the now-Platinum “Juicy.” 

Doja recently announced her North American headlining “Hot Pink Tour” kicking off this spring. The tour will see her stop in major markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto and more before wrapping in the desert for her weekend 2 Coachella performance.  

“Streets” is now streaming on all platforms. Catch Doja Cat on her world tour through July 2020, and keep up with exclusive content from artists all over the world on YouTube.com/Vevo

ABOUT VEVO: 

Vevo is the world’s largest all-premium music video provider, offering artists a global platform with enormous scale through its distribution partners. Vevo connects artists with their audience globally via music videos and original content, working directly with them to find unique ways to bring their music to life visually. Vevo also works with emerging artists, providing them with a platform of global scale and reach, to find and grow their audience. Reaching 26 billion monthly views globally, Vevo has over 450,000 music videos in its catalogue.

Claude Lévi-Strauss, Emmanuelle Loyer, 360 MAGAZINE

Claude Lévi-Strauss

Academic, writer, figure of melancholy, aesthete – Claude Lévi-Strauss (1908-2009) not only transformed his academic discipline, he also profoundly changed the way that we view ourselves and the world around us.

In this award-winning biography, historian Emmanuelle Loyer recounts Lévi-Strauss’s childhood in an assimilated Jewish household, his promising student years as well as his first forays into political and intellectual movements. As a young professor in 1935 Lévi-Strauss left Paris for São Paulo to teach sociology. His rugged expeditions into the Brazilian hinterland, where he discovered the Amerindian Other, made him into ananthropologist. The racial laws of the Vichy regime would force him to leave France yetagain — this time for the US in 1941, where he became Professor Claude L. Strauss, toavoid confusion with the jeans manufacturer.

His return to France, after the war, ushered in the period during which he produced his greatest works: several decades of intense labour in which Lévi-Strauss reinvented anthropology, establishing it as a discipline that offered a new view on the world. In 1955, Tristes Tropiques offered indisputable proof of this the world over. During those years, Lévi-Strauss became something of a national monument, a celebrity intellectual in France. But he always claimed his perspective was a “view from afar,” enabling him to deliver incisive and subversive diagnoses of our waning modernity.

Loyer’s outstanding biography tells the story of a true intellectual adventurer whose unforgettable voice invites us to rethink questions of the human and the meaning of progress. Lévi-Strauss was less of a modern than he was our own great and disquieted contemporary.



The Author: 

Emmanuelle Loyer
 is Professor of Contemporary History at Sciences-Po, Paris. Her biography of Lévi-Strauss was awarded the Prix Femina essai in 2015.

Guitarists to Follow In 2020 

Guitars are among the best known musical instruments in the world, given that they have been around for a very long time, so it would be easy to assume that they no longer hold secrets, but some artists are working to discover new styles and bring their skills to the next level every day. 

If you are into guitars as well and you know what an analog delay pedal is and you are also using one, then you surely need to take a look at what some of these next guitarists have to say in terms of their music, given the instrument’s history

We’ve done our research and picked guitarists that are bringing something new to this industry, given their diverse backgrounds and experiences, so let’s see who they are. 

To be followed this year 

Vanny Tonon is from Italy, a country famous for its artistic expression throughout history. With a unique style, Vanny usually starts from a melodic idea and a chord progression, and chooses one of these, but the most important part is that he uses his emotions to guide the sound. He sees music as color, so you can say that he is actually sort of painting with the sound. 

The next guitarist on our list is Sarah Joanne from the United States. What makes her style unique is the fact that she likes experimenting with both distorted and clean sounds in every song she makes. She is also in a band that has a diverse sound, including elements from soft piano to harsher metal ones. She, too, is using her emotions when writing songs and then sees the end result. 

You should also check out what Daniel Donato has to say in terms of playing the guitar. What defines his style is a passion for technical ability and the joy that every guitarist feels when learning to play for the first time. This is what keeps his sounds fresh, but he also likes incorporating elements from old-school country players, as well as from the psychedelic era. 

Felix Martin from Venezuela deserved a closer look as well, given that he plays two guitars as one. This is what makes his music stand out, as he mixes two melodies, two chords, as well as various percussion techniques. 

If you want to take your own skills to the next level, he is definitely a guitarist that you can take a look at for inspiration, especially since he uses the tapping technique, instead of the normal fingerstyle guitar playing one. 

Talented guitarists around the world 

What makes today’s world exciting is the lack of limitations, and this can be seen in every aspect of our lives. Therefore, we turned an eye to Australia for inspiration as well, and this is where we found Mark Fisher. Also known as Phisha, this talented musician brings thoughtful lyrics, songwriting techniques, as well as vocal abilities together to make his own music. 

Also in Australia, there’s Andrew Higgs, another talented guitarist that can be found by the name “King of the North”. He plays with a lot of attack and he strives to perform every song, not simply play it, and that includes singing. 

Moving on to the United States, we’ve also taken a look at Ando San Washington, a guitarist who uses hip-hop beats, as well as progressive guitar elements into the same song. The result is a fresh sound that uses thumping as a technique. What makes his music truly interesting is the fact that he creates melody and harmony using different chords. 

You should also take a look at Lore Paz Ampuero, a Chilean guitarist that combines two different trends in her music. She gets her inspiration from jazz for clean sounds, but also adds a modern touch using various techniques, such as tapping, fingerstyle, and thumping. She developed her style by listening to a lot of modern artists, and she constantly looks for innovation and creative ways to get inspired. 

Another guitarist that you want to keep in mind this year is Kris Xenopolous from South Africa. His music is a combination of everything he has heard, but it can be translated into a jazz-fusion with metal, pop, and hip-hop elements. He is into experimenting with modern guitar-playing techniques such as thumping and tapping, so we can certainly expect many other interesting sounds from him. 

Four Seasons, FS NY Downtown, Tribeca, Four Seasons Downtown, Vaughn Lowery, 360 MAGAZINE, 360, 5 star, five-star, amenities, WTC, One World Trade Center, world trade center

How to Stay Active and Healthy While Traveling

When traveling to new places most people tend to over-indulge, treat themselves and then be depressed when they come home feeling heavier and less healthy. Traveling and staying in shape don’t generally go hand in hand but that doesn’t mean it is impossible to keep your health in check while on the go.

To make things easier for you, we have compiled a list of the most important things you need to remember if you want to stay active while also having fun and enjoying your trip.

Endless fitness possibilities

It can be a bit difficult to stay active when traveling since a workout routine works very well at home where you know which route you’ll take, what you’ll wear, your favorite dual station bag stand at the gym and so forth. When traveling you can feel overwhelmed and not following your routine can quickly lead to a feeling of guilt and anxiety.

It is important not to let yourself feel overwhelmed by this feeling and remember that you don’t need a gym to work out. You can do pull-ups in the park, use a bench for step-ups, the stairs for bear crawls, and so on.

This is what makes traveling so invigorating for people since it lets you experience new things and test your body in new environments. When you are traveling there are also plenty of activities that you can throw yourself into such as beach volleyball, swimming/snorkeling, surfing, rock climbing, tennis, and so many others.

Other tricks that can help you get some exercise include opting for the hotel stairs instead of the elevator, hiking up a hill so that you can get a better view of your surroundings, or simply going on a walk to explore the city. Just because you’re not at the gym it doesn’t mean that you can’t get a good workout while also enjoying your trip.

Diet and nutrition

Your diet and nutrition are just as important if you intend to stay fit and healthy but it can be difficult to balance things since, for most people, food is a key part of travel. Experiencing all that the local cuisine has to offer and sampling as much of the street food as possible is certainly part of the experience.

You don’t need to give all this up. Instead, you need to find a balance between treating yourself and keeping your healthy diet. The best way to try everything without overindulging is to share your meals with other people so that everyone can get a taste of each dish.

What’s more, try to be aware of liquid calories as well, especially alcohol since beers, wines and ciders are drinks that are very high in calories.

Don’t stress

With all that being said, the most important thing to remember is that everything will be alright and you don’t need to stress yourself too much. Try to enjoy your trip regardless of how little time you may have left for exercising.

There are plenty of uncertainties when you are traveling, especially when going to foreign countries and this can really turn your workout routine upside down. We understand just how stressful it can be to find a balance between enjoying your trip while also staying in shape. To that, we say that you shouldn’t worry.

Just because you don’t work out for a few days or weeks doesn’t mean that you will lose all your progress. Studies have shown that for the average person it takes up to four weeks for weights and about one to two weeks for cardio before your fitness starts to decline.

This is assuming all you do is stand in bed all day and when you’re visiting places you’ll end up walking for the most part of the day which will give you a good workout for your legs and will help burn some of the calories from those delicious foreign dishes.

Finally, what’s crucial is to enjoy your vacation since at the end of the day, any trip can be a once in a lifetime opportunity and treating yourself a few too many times for a couple of days won’t negate all the effort that you’ve put into your body.

Omar Pérez-Then, 360 MAGAZINE

Omar Pérez-Then

Omar likes concon or crispy rice, as you may know it. He’s from the Dominican Republic, and no, he doesn’t play baseball, but he loves to sing and write songs. That’s the reason why he moved to Southern California in early 2007 to start the Commercial Music/Professional Vocalist program at Long Beach City College. For many years, he was an apprentice of the world-renowned Soprano María Remolá, was a “lover” on the cast of “Evita” – the Musical under the direction of Amaury Sánchez, and performed in a small latin band in his native Dominican Republic.

As of late, Omar released a passionate collection of his own compositions in Spanish, on his first EP album “O Mayúscula,” where he treats us with his own personal style he likes to refer to as “Caribbean Soul,” a fusion of his R&B/Soul influences and Caribbean roots. This sound has taken him to venues in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and all around the Dominican Republic, his home country, where he has charmed audiences at Casa de Teatro, Hard Rock Cafe – Santo Domingo (as opening act for the Multi-Latin GRAMMY Winning artist, Noel Schajris) and consequently, his own residency for Lunes de Cantautor. Also, serving as supportive musician for artists like J Balvin, Nicky Jam, and Chino y Nacho at the HTV • Heat Latin Music Awards in Punta Cana’s Playa Blanca.