Posts made in August 2020

The Roots Jam Presents Solo Sessions 11

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The Roots announce the eleventh installment of their The Roots Jam Presents Solo Sessions, including performances by Khemist and Aja Monet. Khemist is a Philadelphia based MC, Poet, songwriter, and musician, whose latest EP, Khemtrails, was just released June 19th this summer, in honor of Juneteenth. Aja Monet is a poet whose work explores gender, race, migration, and spirituality, and she follows in the long legacy and tradition of poets participating in social movements. She is currently working on her next full collection of poems entitled Florida Water.

The episode is hosted by Captain Kirk of the legendary Roots crew and will be available on Monday, August 3rd at 6pm EST. This series is part of the custom content being delivered to fans during this time via The Roots YouTube Channel. All content is created by The Roots and produced by their production company, Two One Five Entertainment, in partnership with Live Nation Urban and available HERE.

The Roots Jam Presents Solo Sessions is an artist performance series highlighting emerging talent. In the spirit of the legendary Roots Jam Sessions, the band is opening up its platform to feature one song performances from music artists that are handpicked and curated by the band; artists that The Roots feel you should know. The pillars for The Roots Jam sessions are creativity and discovery and it is these same tenants that fueled the creation of Solo Sessions. Click HERE to view episode 10.

Follow The Roots: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Lola Young Shares Official Woman Video

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Today, Lola Young released the official video for “Woman.” Directed by Olivia Rose (Jorja Smith, 6lack ft. Future, Skepta and Ty Dolla $ign ft. J Cole), the clip features Young and a cast of women, identifiably different in their features but united by their confidence, as they boldly reclaim the female form.

View Official Video HERE.

Download / Stream “Woman” HERE.

Young also shared a statement about what the video means to her:

“I wanted to make this video because I believe women are all undeniably strong, sexy, free, brave, vulnerable, raw and powerful. And that we do not have to hide away. We do not have to remain unseen, our bodies should never be sexualized or a taboo conversation, or only seen through the male gaze. We have the ability to normalize our bodies being on show, and accept them for their differences, as it’s important to remember those differences are currently often shamed.

I came up with the idea of the women in the video being fully nude. The energy on set was insane, I have never felt more empowered in my life. Nipples, bums, rolls, stretch marks, cellulite, all of these things are beautiful along with the perfect body.

This is my personal experience of being a woman, hopefully other women will have their own take on what it means to them.”

“Woman,” which received its first U.K. play on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show, comes on the heels of the 19-year-old artist’s Renaissance EP. Co-produced by GRAMMY winner Paul Epworth (Adele, Mumford & Sons) and manuka, “Woman” is available for download/streaming HERE.

Billboard praised the velvet-voiced Lola Young and Clash Magazine hailed her music as touching [and] honest. Q Magazine observed, “Young’s songs bring her open-hearted lyricism and London Twang together with a neo-jazz sensibility with one foot always pointed in the direction of the nearest dancefloor.” Dummy said, “Lola Young has the most powerful and affecting voice we’ve heard in some time. The young singer is gaining ground fast.” Hunger Magazine noted, “The singer-songwriter has her own, uniquely raw take on music.”

With a gift for writing songs that encapsulate and explore the human condition, Young turns extremely personal emotions into songs that resonate with universal truths. As a lyricist, she creates evocative scenes with all the tenderness and sensitivity of a folk artist, while maintaining the sharpness, wit, and attitude of a rapper. She began writing music at age 11. Young is a recent graduate of the Brit School, whose alumni include Amy Winehouse, Adele, Freya Ridings, FKA Twigs, Jade Bird, Jessie J, Leona Lewis, Loyle Carner, and Rex Orange County.

Follow Lola Young: Instagram | Facebook | Website

Ellen’s Reputation

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By Eamonn Burke

The reputation of Ellen Degeneres and her show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, are unstable after employees of the production alleged there was a “toxic work environment.” This included citations of being fired after medical leave, bullying, racism, and sexual misconduct by producers. While there were rumors of Ellen’s toughness, this is the first time a proper investigation has been done internally.

Of the report, released in July, Ellen said in a statement: “We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others, and I’m glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention.”

This report is not the only scratch on Ellen’s reputation, as it is the culmination of multiple years of rumors. Back in 2018, in an interview response to the Hollywood stories of Ellen not being as cheerful and kind as she appears on television, she called the rumors an “outright lie.” In early 2019, she was criticized again for pardoning Kevin Hart of his previous homophobic comments in an interview with him. A photo of her talking with George Bush in late 2019 drew distaste again, though she defended herself and said that they were friends despite different political beliefs.

The closer examination of Ellen started with a November interview with Dakota Johnson, in which Johnson awkwardly calls out Ellen for lying about not being invited to her birthday party. It led to a viral Twitter thread including ugly stories about Ellen’s meanness which further damaged her reputation. Lastly before the report was an April scuffle with Ellen’s audience as she insensitively compared quarantine to being in jail while she sat in her mansion. It was also reported that her employees had been told very little about the future of the show.

Most recently was a Daily Mail article revealing that Ellen may leave the show or be “cancelled” and that employees are terrified of this scenario. “The show feels done” says a source, despite producer Andy Lassner asserting that “No one is going off the air” in a tweet. It is possible that James Corden will replace Ellen on her daytime television slot.

Man Burning Cars in Bronx

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By Eamonn Burke

Multiple people awoke in the Bronx neighborhood of Belmont to find their vehicles torched on Thursday morning, all within blocks of each other. One victim of the burnings sent a video of the man to News 12, in which he can be seeing looking around and subsequently lighting a spark on the car. Police are actively searching for the suspect.

Indiana School Quarantines on First Day

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By Eamonn Burke

Greenfield Central Junior High School in Indiana opened on Thursday, as one of the first high schools to do so in the country. Within hours, the school had to quarantine when a student tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. It appears that the student was tested days before and went to school without knowing the results.

The emergency “Positive COVID-19 Test Protocol” that went into action following the testing involved isolating the student and a two week quarantine order for those who had come in contact. The schools superintendent, Harold E. Olin, knew the situation was coming but was “shocked it was on Day 1.” Nonetheless, Olin said in a letter that “It was very evident today that nearly all of our families and students were prepared to properly follow the safety protocols we have established”.

This comes amidst a national debate over the re-opening of schools in the fall. While most major school districts have announced a remote start, some in places like Texas and Florida, where the virus is running rampant, plan to open in the fall. Teachers unions have been vehemently opposing an in-person opening, threatening and executing lawsuits and strikes to make their point. They put pressure on Trump’s administration, who is urging for children to get back to school.

Further complicating matters is a study from Northwestern and a Chicago Pediatric Hospital found that children five years and younger carry the virus in high concentrations, although a study on their transmission rate has not been conducted.

On top of all the virus concerns is that of the mental health and success of students who are learning virtually. This spans everything from eye health to sleep patterns to ability to socialize. In addition, it can be harder for many students to pay attention and retain material when studying from home.

Trump Banning Tik Tok

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By Eamonn Burke

President Trump announced Friday night that he plans to ban the social media sensation TikTok, calling it a “severance” from the Chinese-owned app.

“As far as TikTok is concerned we’re banning them from the United States,” Trump told officials aboard his Air Force One flight in Tampa. “I can do it with an executive order or [emergency economic powers].”

This comes after TikTok has been accused of being a security threat from China, with whom tensions are currently high. ByteDance, the app’s parent company, has been accused of giving American users’ information to the country. Meanwhile, a Tik Tok spokesman assures that they are committed to their users’ privacy, saying that “TikTok US user data is stored in the US, with strict controls on employee access.”

The app could be saved from legal issues if the rumored acquisition by Microsoft comes to fruition. The two companies have had discussion and the deal is allegedly in the works, although Trump has voiced opposition to it.

The creators of Tik Tok have also reacted to the ban, and to the ongoing concern for data privacy on the app. One influencer, 18 year old Josh Richards is leaving the app due to the privacy issues after amassing more than 20 million followers on the app. He announces that he will transfer to rival app Triller instead, whose investors include Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and fellow Tik Tok stars like Griffin Johnson and Noah Beck. Other stars are simply just saying goodbye to the app in recent posts.