Posts made in September 2020

JAWAN – ALIGNED

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“Aligned can only be described as the EP’s theme song, as it discusses the evolution of me using real events, but on the surface, descriptions of loving yourself and having a high level of confidence. Aligned is essentially my current life, aligning itself to what I want my destination to be. This EP I feel is the perfect balance between being relatable and being something that only the person who the track is about can fully understand,” Jawan comments.

Jawan is truly an anomaly — as he will tell you. “When I say I’m not a simple man, that is an understatement. As a Gemini most people love me, but some struggle to understand,” says the Los Angeles based musician. He has spent the last seven years in L.A chasing the promises of a determined artist of his craft; as both him and his parents knew it was no turning back after his flight.

This Chicago choir boy was once only identified for singing and conducting numerous high-profile gospel events. Jawan has now worked with a number of heavy hitters in the music industry and this time around it’s not gospel. He is making his artistry well known with hard work and dedication, in the heart of Los Angeles. Jawan has worked with many artists, such as, John Legend, Pharrell, the late Aretha Franklin and the list continues. He has worked hard even during COVID-19 pandemic, which apparently hasn’t slowed this artist down. He just finished a track with the rapper Big Sean doing background vocals, which is at the top of the charts right now titled “Harder Than My Demons”. Currently he is working with one of the biggest, if not the biggest, powerhouse mogul in the music arena today. He is a part of Creative team for Kanye West’s Sunday Service. This is the team that writes, arranges, and pulls the whole thing together. Needless to say, coming from a gospel background, this transition was seamless for Jawan. He has vocal produced and arranged on both of Kanye’s latest albums that are also nominated for 11 Billboard Music Awards.

Leaving everything familiar in his hometown of Chicago, he quit three jobs and moved to Los Angeles, to go back to school with a serious approach to further his career as an entertainer. Jawan reflects on that time and recalls the experience forcing him to be alone more than he was used to, but allowing time for him to become, through his faith in God, more aware of who he was. He saw what he liked, did not like, and what only he could change about himself. Through many tears and prayers, Jawan saw that his biggest fault was that he did not love himself enough. It showed in every area of his life including his relationships, his jobs, and his music career in general. On his quest to love himself more, he gained a greater prayer life and during those quiet times, God kept reminding Jawan that he was in control and Jawan was right where he needed to be. Also, trust that everything would align the way it should, which is completely mind blowing seeing where he is today.

According to Jawan, the Aligned EP is just the start of so much more to come and he has high expectations of his projects that he is rolling out. The video of “Aligned” will be out soon and he has stated that it’s one of his best videos so far. Jawan adds, “I took this venture as another chance to explore and discover. I’m learning myself while you’re discovering me! I’m switching the gears, changing my approach and committing to my vision.”

Listen to Aligned here.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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By Cassandra Yany

Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday after her long battle with cancer. The 87-year-old Supreme Court justice was a trailblazer who continuously worked to end gender discrimination and preserve our civil liberties.

The Supreme Court announced Friday that Ginsburg passed away at her Washington D.C. home due to complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. She had previously overcome lung, liver and colon cancer. In July, she revealed that the cancer had returned, but that she would continue to serve on the Supreme Court.

Ginsburg’s revolutionary career started when she graduated at the top of her class from Cornell University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in government. Two years later, she attended Harvard Law School with her husband, Martin Ginsburg. There, she was one of only nine women in her class of over 500 students, according to NPR.

During their time at Harvard, Martin was diagnosed with testicular cancer, so Ruth would take notes for the two of them and help him with his work, all while trying to juggle being a new mom. When Martin landed a job at a firm in New York, the family packed up and Ruth finished her education at Columbia University.

Once Ginsburg finished school, she began to experience the discrimination that came with being a female lawyer. According to TIME, she was unable to secure a position at a premier law firm or one of the Supreme Court clerkships, regardless of the fact that she had been the first students to serve on both the Harvard and Columbia Law reviews, and graduated at the top of her class. These jobs were instead easily given to males who had ranked lower than her in school. This led her to work a lower court clerkship and teach at the Rutgers Law Newark campus.

At Rutgers, she co-founded the Women’s Rights Law Reporter. While she was there, she learned that she wasn’t earning the same wage as one of her male counterparts. The dean attributed this pay disparity to the fact that the male professor had a family to support, while Ginsburg’s husband already had a good-paying job. This type of discrimination caused her to hide her second pregnancy.

After her son was born, Ginsburg began teaching at Columbia, becoming the university’s first tenured female professor. There, she also co-authored the first case book on discrimination law. She later went on to co-found the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union in 1972.

During her work as a lawyer, Ginsburg established that equal protection under the law, as stated in the 14th Amendment, should extend to gender. She won five out of the six cases that she argued before the Supreme Court on gender discrimination. She often chose to find this prejudice in cases where males were the plaintiffs being discriminated against, as seen in the 2018 film On the Basis of Sex.

In 1980, Jimmy Carter appointed Ginsburg as a judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. She became the second woman on the Supreme Court, and the first Jewish justice since 1969 when she was appointed by Bill Clinton in 1993. During her time, she eliminated almost 200 laws that discriminated against women.

Ginsburg also fought for the rights of immigrants, the mentally ill, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. She approved gay marriage in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, stating that if you can’t deny a 70-year-old couple the right to marriage due to their inability to procreate, you can’t deny a gay couple of that right either.

Ginsburg supported women’s reproductive rights, fighting for the coverage of contraceptives despite anyone’s religious beliefs. At the time of Roe v. Wade, she litigated a case where a pregnant Air Force captain was told she would have to have an abortion in order to return to her job. She noted the hypocrisy present in this case— that the U.S. government was encouraging abortion – and found that it served as a clear example of why women should have the right to make their own life decisions.

Ginsburg’s passing gives Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Trump the ability to appoint a new justice, despite her dying wish to not be replaced until after a new president is elected. This opportunity could make the Supreme Court more right-leaning and jeopardize cases like Roe v. Wade that are at the forefront of equal rights movements.

This comes four years after McConnell’s 11-month Republican blockade of President Obama’s nominee for the court, where he argued “that a president shouldn’t be able to seat a new justice in the final year of their term.” Obama noted this in a statement released early Saturday, where he said “A basic principle of law— and of everyday fairness— is that we apply rules with consistency, and not based on what’s convenient or advantageous in the moment.”

After the news broke Friday night of Ginsburg’s death, hundreds of people gathered outside the Supreme Court to pay tribute and create a memorial on the building’s steps. Many signs have since been left outside of the court honoring her legacy.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday morning that there will be a statue built in Ginsburg’s hometown of Brooklyn to “serve as a physical reminder of her many contributions to the America we know today…”

Trump issued a proclamation Saturday ordering flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of interment “As a mark of respect for Ruth Bader Ginsburg…”

RBG will be dearly missed by Americans on both sides of the aisle. We have lost a longtime champion of equal rights, but her legacy will never be forgotten.

HHF × JOHN LEWIS

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The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) today announced that the late U.S. Representative and Civil Rights Leader John Lewis will be honored with a special Recognition as an Ally for his work in fighting for justice and equality for all communities including Latinos through a tribute musical performance during the October 6^th PBS broadcast of the 33^rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards.

“The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is proud to recognize the legacy of our compadre John Lewis, a true champion of civil rights for all our communities,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President & CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “The Congressman was a passionate friend and champion of the Latino community through his courage, morality, decency, fire, action and collaboration for justice and human rights. He was ready to speak – no, shout – on behalf of the voiceless or the ignored including the immigrant community. The Congressman indefatigably supported Latinos by fighting for comprehensive immigration reform, denouncing family separations, and trying to ensure our right to vote. The Congressman will continue to serve as an inspiration to anyone who is in la lucha for justice and how our communities can make an even bigger impact when we work together.”

The Hispanic Heritage Awards are among the highest honors by Latinos for Latinos and are considered “America’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration” after being established in 1988 to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month in America by the White House. Linda Ronstadt (Legend), Bad Bunny (Vision), Selena Gomez (Arts), Jessica Alba (Business), and America’s essential farmworkers (Heroes) will be awarded.

“The Congressional Black Caucus is known as the ‘Conscience of the Congress’ but John Lewis was known as the conscience of our caucus,” said Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Karen Bass (D-CA). “One of the greatest honors of serving in Congress was that I had the possibility of serving with him. His legacy to our country is that he devoted his life fighting racism and injustice wherever he confronted it, from boycotts, sit-ins, to protests in the streets, to championing bold, progressive policies in Congress including the Voting Rights Act, and being a moral compass. Mr. Lewis also led the effort to build the African American History Museum and when we visit the museum, this is another opportunity for us to always remember him and what he stood for. Now that he is no longer with us, we have to live up to his legacy and protect the right to vote for all Americans. As we continue to face the challenges due to coronavirus, we must protect our democracy even in the midst of adversity. Most especially in this election.”

John Lewis was an iconic civil rights leader who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his passing on July 17th in 2020. He was also the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) 1963 – 1966.

Mr. Lewis was one of the “Big Six” leaders of groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington. He fulfilled many key roles in the civil rights movement and its actions to end legalized racial segregation in the United States. In 1965, Mr. Lewis led the first of three Selma to Montgomery marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. In an incident which became known as Bloody Sunday, state troopers and police attacked the marchers, including Mr. Lewis. He was a leader of the Democratic Party in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1991 as a Chief Deputy Whip and from 2003 as Senior Chief Deputy Whip. Mr. Lewis received many honorary degrees and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

The Hispanic Heritage Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round, innovative, high-impact, actionable programs focused on education, workforce, leadership and culture. HHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.hispanicheritage.org and follow the Hispanic Heritage Foundation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

FLETCHER’s Bitter New Single

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Today, the American singer and songwriter FLETCHER brings the music world her new single “Bitter”; the song is a collaboration with Billboard charting artist Trevor Daniel and was produced by DJ and producer Kito. Released through Capitol Records, the single is a standout track from FLETCHER’s acclaimed new EP, THE S(EX) TAPES. The album was leaked only two weeks ago and hit number one on iTunes across every genre.

The new single already has 30 million global streams to date and focuses on FLETCHER’s sharp, intricate lyrics and mesmerizing vocals. The song’s addition of Trevor Daniel amplifies the track’s raw emotions. Daniel, an artist originally from Houston, is known for his multi-platinum hit Falling and recent single “Past Life” with Selena Gomez.

This single is a breakthrough for FLETCHER because this single marks the first time she’s ever decided to collaborate with a male artist. This decision coincides with her belief in using her creative output as a way to explore herself, her sexuality and the world around her.

“Trevor and I slid into each other’s DMs about being fans of one another. He’s such a visionary artist and I jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with him.” FLETCHER commented in a press release. “Trevor was able to bring a whole new perspective to the song and I guess we’re both still Bitter about our exes.”

FLETCHER has always created a diverse and inclusive space for creation and she channeled this with the creation of her music video for “Bitter.” The video was written, produced, and directed by female director Brooke James. A crew of women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community helped edit the video.

In the cinematic creation of “Bitter,” FLETCHER is shown in a control room replaying surveillance camera footage of strangers in a hotel who are unaware of the cameras. Daniel co-stars in the video and model and artist Mads Paige is also featured. Each of the three characters in the “Bitter” video are seen having individual journeys of exploration, identity, loss and healing while all of their stories overlap. The video is loosely inspired by the erotic thriller Sliver; however, FLETCHER switches the original gender roles of the film. This change adds a new dimension of sexual representation, rawness and attraction to the song’s narrative of emotional recovery and sexual exploration.

“Throughout the video, I wanted to explore the themes of masculine and feminine energy in terms of self-discovery. It is about the fear of knowing you need to go out and explore the world and your relationship with yourself, but being afraid that your person will find somebody new in the process,” explained FLETCHER. “I’ve never understood the saying if you love something, let it go until now. That’s life though. It’s petty, it’s Bitter it’s true and sometimes the truth has to hurt.”

THE S(EX) TAPES EP is An unfiltered look into FLETCHER’s world and shows her personal expression. The collection of magnetic and moody pop songs are all about feeling like you’ve found your forever person but without discovering yourself first. She plays on the feeling of needing to find out more about yourself before giving your all to somebody else.

Since its debut in September, FLETCHER’s EP has already earned critical acclaim from a variety of outlets. like Nylon Magazine praised THE S(EX) TAPES as “perfectly messy pop” and Spin noted, “there aren’t any rules when it comes to FLETCHER’s music.” THE S(EX) TAPES is “bawdy and brilliant, a welcome injection of chaos and funk into the pop landscape,” according to Paper Magazine. The EP was executive-produced by Malay who has also worked with icons such as Lorde and Frank Ocean and was co-written by FLETCHER and her girl gang of songwriters including Caroline Ailin, Emily Warren, Mozella, Jennifer Decilveo, Ilsey Juber, and more.

Listen to FLETCHER’s new single here and watch the provocative music video on Youtube. Look out for updates and new music releases on her website. You can also keep up with FLETCHER on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Are We Living Too Clean?

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By Jessica ter Haar, Ph.D., scientific director of the International Probiotics Association

If the coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything, it is that proper hygiene is vital to keeping ourselves and the members of our communities safe and healthy. We are constantly reminded of the need to disinfect our hands, avoid touching our faces, keep our distance and take COVID-19 safety measures seriously.
But could all the hand washing, antibacterial cleansing and social distancing cause another health problem?

It may seem counterintuitive, but the extreme clean living our society has adopted could in fact make our body’s innate immune system weaker. Many people have entered into a sort of “microbe-phobia” to avoid the coronavirus, but it is important to remember that not all microbes are bad. In fact, many are essential for good health.
Sterilizing everything can have the unintended negative consequence of eradicating the good germs that we would normally be exposed to in our daily lives. In doing so, we are weakening our body’s own natural defenses to everyday threats.

Microbes—including bacteria, fungi, and viruses—are invisible to the naked eye, and our bodies host trillions of these microorganisms inside and out. Scientifically, this population is known as the microbiome. The gut microbiome, for example, is a concept that has been around for centuries but has only been commonly used in conversation since the early 2000s.

Some microbes are harmful and can make us sick, but many keep us healthy and should not be feared but appreciated. Understanding the role of the human microbiome has been complicated further by the confusion surrounding terminology – a big one being the differences between bacteria, fungi and viruses. It’s important to know more about them and how they differ when considering good versus bad microbes.

Bacteria are single-cell organisms, and most are not dangerous to humans. In fact, less than 1% of all bacteria are responsible for disease. Many bacteria live in our bodies and help us stay healthy. Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, which kill the bacteria or at least stop the bad bacteria from multiplying.

Fungi are single-celled or multi-celled organisms that are similar to bacteria in that they live in different environments and cause disease. Fungal infections can become life-threatening if the immune system is weak, but certain fungi also have many beneficial qualities. The discovery of penicillin, a type of fungus, was due to a variety of mold which is now used to produce this antibiotic.

Viruses, including the coronavirus, are more challenging. They have no cells of their own and instead rely on host cells to multiply and replicate. Many viruses peacefully co-exist with humans, but some can cause diseases, including the relatively harmless common cold, while others can be deadly and bring about serious diseases like AIDS, measles and COVID-19. It is difficult to fight a virus with medication, which is why vaccinations are often used to support the immune system to better prepare the body to fight the virus.

As we begin practicing good hygiene and social distancing recommendations, life is feeling far from normal. But similar to the emotional effects of our isolation, by not living life, we are failing to be exposed to the good natural microbes needed to support our immune system’s defenses, metabolism, digestion and the brain’s ability to modulate mood and focus.

The question is, how can we continue hygiene measures to prevent COVID-19 without weakening our immune systems?

This is where probiotics come in. Probiotics can be the hero in our current germophobic environment to help counter the lack of microbe exposure and stimulate our body’s own bacterial population in the gut microbiome and cells. Probiotics can literally wake up sleepy bacteria and cells and assist in protecting our health.
If you are unfamiliar, probiotics are live microorganisms that, when taken in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. Experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and WHO created this definition of probiotics, and to date, probiotics have more than 8,000 different scientific research studies indexed by PubMed.

Something as simple as a probiotic supplement can help compensate for our ultra-clean lifestyles and add beneficial microorganisms to our daily health arsenal. Probiotics add to the functional diversity of healthy microbes within our microbiome that bolster our immune system and overall health resilience. Probiotics have quickly risen in popularity and took center stage in the past decade, primarily because of how probiotics make people feel and how they work.

According to research, people report feeling better when they are taking a probiotic, which makes perfect sense because when the gut is happy, the rest of the body seems to be in synchronicity. But let’s not forget that probiotics can also work beyond the gut. There is a lot of probiotic science that continues to evolve, and everything seems to point to positive health outcomes.

Many of the microorganisms in probiotic supplements, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, are similar to those naturally found in the body. Different types of probiotics have many different effects on the body like helping to maintain balance of good bacteria; producing certain vitamins and other substances; impacting our mood; and regulating weight.

Interestingly, studies of probiotics have shown beneficial immune impacts. While no probiotic has been found to treat COVID-19, research studies are currently assessing their impact. To date, more than 1,600 human clinical trials have been published about probiotics on ClinicalTrials.gov and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform of WHO databases. The International Probiotics Association is another great resource for updates on studies and new findings with probiotics.

As we wait for life to return to normal, taking something as simple as a probiotic supplement can help our immune systems compensate for an ultra-clean lifestyle and put our minds at ease as we take steps forward to boost our health during these uncertain and challenging times. In learning more about microbes, we can embrace the power of these organisms, take the fear out of equation and develop a plan to keep our immunities strong in the face of any health crisis.

About Jessica ter Haar, Ph.D.,

Jessica ter Haar is director of scientific affairs for the International Probiotics Association (IPA) and is a microbiology expert and probiotic educator focused on digestive and women’s health. She holds a doctorate from the University of Groningen in medical microbiology and probiotics for vaginal infections, and a master’s degree in nutrition and nutraceutical sciences from the University of Guelph. Ter Haar is also the founder and chairwoman of “Women and their Microbes,” a scientific conference directed at scientists, clinicians and industry professionals focused on helping women achieve their best possible microbial health during every stage of life. In her professional work with probiotics, she uses her thorough knowledge base to underscore the importance of probiotics, make scientific knowledge accessible, and address unmet medical and research needs. Additionally, ter Haar consults with a variety of companies in the probiotic, pharmaceutical and food industries on strategies to clearly communicate, valorize and leverage scientific benefits and best practices.

Alya Alghamdi’s Sprint To Her Dreams

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By Alya Alghamdi

Every fire begins with a single flame — mine was ignited with the thought of freedom. Growing up, I always knew there was something more for me. My sisters and I would talk often about what we wanted to be when we matured. They would mention their dreams to have a family and own a house, and I would simply reply, “I want to be on top of the world!”

Despite having a privileged childhood in Saudi Arabia, I longed for a life far beyond what material goods could provide because my fulfillment came from a deeper place — a place of purpose. As I grew, the flame burning inside spread like wildfire, consuming me. I knew my purpose was to burn bright, but the world in which I existed sought to extinguish that. It became clear that my journey to live as my true self would not be an easy one. Still, I decided at an early age that instead of letting my circumstances hold me back, I would redefine them to reflect the reality I wanted to live in.

At that time, I had no idea I would one day pursue athletics professionally. My potential as an athlete went untapped for many years due to the fact that Saudi Arabia did not allow women to go to the gym or join sports teams. It was simply unacceptable for a female to participate in any kind of physical activity. Still, this couldn’t and wouldn’t stop me from dreaming, hoping and impatiently waiting.

Foregoing the arranged marriage that is expected of Saudi Arabian women, I made the unfortunate discovery that my best chance at gaining freedom would come at the expense of leaving my family and my home. Still, I was determined to keep my fire burning, so I left for Europe. I chose my destiny to be a free human being, and that came with a lot of losses, but my gains far outweigh those costs.

In Europe, I was able to discover my true passion — running. I spent the majority of my time exploring new physical activities like long distance running, surfing, hiking and competing in marathons. The simple freedom of putting on your shoes in the morning and doing whatever you wanted to do was a completely new concept to me and I promised myself I would never take it for granted.

Staying true to my childhood pipe dreams and capitalizing on my new found freedom, I set my sights on making it to the top of the world – Mount Everest. This was one of the most difficult but rewarding things I have ever done, and it was just as treacherous, unwelcoming, and life-changing as one would imagine. By definition, the environment was inhospitable. Temperatures were below freezing, there was no running water and any water packed for the trip was frozen still. When you are placed in such a life-threatening position, suddenly, all you can think about is how much you want to live. That trip really opened my eyes to what was truly important in life — love and passion. For some people, they find those things in raising a child, but for me, I found it in my sport.

It was not long after my return from Mount Everest that Saudi Arabia’s Olympic Committee extended an invitation for me to take part in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Physically I had reached the top of the world, but professionally, the Olympics became my new Mount Everest. Working with Olympic royalty Michael Johnson, I dedicated my entire life to training, thinking, dreaming and speaking only of the Olympics. Then, three weeks out from the games, my offer to compete was rescinded by Saudi Arabia due to a culturally based decision that had nothing to do with my ability as an athlete. This was earth-shattering for me. I had dedicated everything to training for this opportunity, to represent my country and make them proud, and in a flash, it was gone! I spiraled into a depression and my soul felt hollow where my fire used to burn.

My coach saw the internal anguish and he told me I was left with only two choices — go home or try again. With my options laid bare, the outcome became increasingly clear. I knew this was not the end of my Olympic journey and my fire once again started to burn. Picking up right where I left off, I trained vigorously for the 2020 Olympics, breaking the record for the 60-meter dash. I am also working toward breaking the 100 and 200-meter, which I am confident I can achieve with my abilities, as well as coach’s confidence in me. But my dreams becoming a reality were once again postponed, this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I now have my sights set on carrying my country’s flag at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

However, to be clear, the Olympics are not my endgame. Once the games are in my rearview, I plan on starting a mentorship program and non-profit foundation for young Saudi Arabian female athletes to provide them with the support and resources I did not have during my training journey. Ultimately, I’m not here to break a record, I’m here to show women they can accomplish anything, even with just a single flame.

Follow Alya Alghamdi: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

PRAYERS release ‘CHOLOANI’ featuring Teypohs’weepeehl (Iron Jacket)

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PRAYERS, the groundbreaking electronic cholo goth duo from Los Angeles, featuring Leafar Seyer (vox, lyrics and founder of the cholo goth movement) and Dave Parley (drums, beats and music) released “CHOLOANI” their YouTube channel. “CHOLOANI” is a stunning oral history in video form featuring Teypohs’weepeehl (Iron Jacket), a traditional language speaking member of the Chichimeca tribe whom shares the history of modern day cholo subculture from it’s cholani origin.

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“The yauh’kweehkahtseehntleeh or (sacred opposition song) that Teypohs’weepeehl sings is over 30,000 years old and has not been heard for 300 years by anyone outside of the few remaining, language speaking, traditional cheecheemehkah who have still kept this tradition and custom,” said Leafar Seyer.

Filmed in high desert of central Tseewahktehtlahn—Iron Jacket’s land, the breath-taking landscape is a backdrop for Iron Jacket’s physical appearance which draws on his traditional form a CHEECHEEMEKAH KWACHEECKAY SOCIETY WARRIOR in red ochre grease paint. An ancient warrior society that went underground after the scalplock bans of the 16^th century, who then became the choloani of the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries and then became the cholo of the 20^th century.

Listen to this ancient, sacred song and oral history and allow the context and insight contained within to shift your perception of the world’s oldest, most misunderstood and labeled “world’s most dangerous” gang subculture in the world.

“CHOLOANI” is the first offering from the forthcoming Cholo Goth body of work. Prayers will be releasing “La Vida Es Un Sueno” song + video on September 30.

Luxury Watches In & Out of Style

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Millions of dollars worth of expensive timepieces are on sale in the market. The point is having a watch that serves time but also the extreme engineering feat behind it. It is about the ability, the style factor, and the precision. Patek Philippe’s Gobbi Milano “Heures Universelles” is nothing less spectacular and nothing sort of affordable. Worth £6,849,669 it is a big investment, but keeping records of Patek’s consistent ranking; it has quite the resale value. In the market of collectible watches, Patek is a household name. A name you can trust.

Among the top 10 luxury watches that have made it big, below are some noteworthy mentions. Rolex’s Paul Newman Daytona 6239 is a splendid watch indeed. With a whopping €14,712,483, you can expect the craze and high-risk investment factor associated with it. It can have any reference number besides above, like 6264, 6265, and so on. Its prime configuration to details is the prize you win here. But, why is this particular watch so expensive? Why should one invest millions of big bucks into it?

The myth behind Paul Newman’s watch is that when it went up at auction in 2017, it became the most expensive watch to be sold at a staggering $17.8 million. This was totally unexpected, and there was nothing sort of surprise here. It slowly earned its popularity due to laws of supply and demand, and because hardly anyone was interested in buying them, Rolex didn’t manufacture them anymore. Thus, some of these watches become collectibles and treasures because there is just a handful, and therefore their prices soar high.

But, is this a good investment, was our next question? And, from online forums, we can speculate that despite a doubt, Rolex’s Daytona is the perfect model to invest in today, it is only a chronograph. IT is known for its high value and prestige. The market value is steady and easily doubles the original price today.

Thus, from the brief example, we can see how having such a watch can be used as collateral in high-stakes gambling games, table casinos, and sports betting. Watches act as collaterals for a number of things. Below is a list of the best watches you can invest in today.

Investments should always stand the test of time. In the above infographic, you can see the brands that have been successful in doing so. Research from Betway has shown Rolex’s Chronograph has stayed above 250% of the time in the list of best watches to invest in while other brands include Breitling, IWC, and tau Heuer. Using this information, you can assess and spend your millions into some watches, a couple of them, and expect to win big at an auction in the future. It is all about the law of supply and demand, and some luck.

These brands sell and make stylish watches, and they never go out of style. The factor of detailing, design, and aesthetics is one of the key reasons. But, then there are also other factors like the association with famous celebrities and personalities. There can be anything that hikes up the worth of a seemingly common watch.

7 Things to Know Before Using an Auto Transport Service

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At some point in your lifetime, you’ll find yourself in need of auto transport services. You could be moving your car or motorcycle from one state to another. In other cases, you may need to ship your vehicle overseas for an extended vacation or work retreat. Instead of grappling with shipping yourself and coordinating tedious logistics, trust the experts at Guardian Auto Transport to oversee the process.

If this is the first time hiring an auto transport company to ship your vehicle, there are a few things you should know before scheduling your pickup date.

What insurance coverage is offered?

Ensure that the auto transport of your choice offers sufficient insurance coverage for the items you are shipping. Be wary of companies that offer low shipping costs and compromise on insurance. Your automobile is one of the most treasured possessions, and you won’t want to gamble with its safety.

Even though your car is insured, your current insurance plan may not be comprehensive enough when crossing state borders. Ensure your shipping company provides adequate insurance coverage that will protect your vehicle from unsightly chips or dents or other catastrophic roadside accidents.

For optimal safety, request a copy of their insurance documents to better understand the extent of coverage. If you aren’t satisfied with the current level, ask them to adjust it upwards. It will cost you a bit more, but it’s well worth the investment, as you won’t have to worry about financially-devastating damage that could potentially drain your bank account. When it comes to your automobile, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Do I need to prepare my car for shipment?

Are you seeking auto transport services to transport your car? Do you know how to prepare your vehicle before shipping? If you identify as a clueless first-timer, below are some vital pointers to keep in mind:

Wash your car: A clean car will make any scratches and scrapes visible to the owner. Once you’ve spotted these blemishes, you can document them accordingly.
Disable any alarm systems of your car
Empty personal belongings from the car
Leave minimal gas in the car
Lock your car
Inspect for any leaks or damages before shipping
Ensure it has a valid license

Adequate preparation expedites the shipping process tremendously and saves you from unnecessary delays. Some vehicle owners might be operating under a tight deadline, making timeliness all the more vital.

How much will it cost to ship?

The first question a majority of customers usually ask is: How much will it cost me to ship? Unfortunately, it’s not a simple yes-or-no question that representatives can answer in a few seconds. Instead, pricing shipping depends on a multitude of factors. The transportation costs calculator allows you to estimate the cost of shipping goods from one location to another based on factors such as distance, weight, mode of transport, and shipping speed. Some factors bound to influence the total shipping cost include the following:

Size and weight of your vehicle
Distance to be covered
Time of the year (prices tend to increase in the summer due to increased demand)
Make and model of your car (Note: classic and luxurious vehicles tend to cost more)
Method used (whether open, enclosed, or expedited auto transport)

Is you shipping provider registered?

Safeguard yourself from scams. Ensure that the auto transport company of your choice is registered by the Department of Transportation. A registered company has an active USDOT and MC number. You can verify the validity of these numbers with the US Department of Transportation.

To prevent rip-offs, use caution when dealing with brokers. These professionals bear no responsibility for your shipment and will not feel obligated to maintain your vehicle’s pristine condition.

For those beginners, you’ll need to be able to distinguish between shipping companies and brokers. Unlike shipping companies, brokers don’t have a USDOT number. They only hold an MC number. Requesting their USDOT number is an easy way to differentiate between the two.

Do I need any documentation?

Always have the correct documentation in your possession when shipping your car. At a minimum, you’ll need to have your car insurance certificate and registration documents on-hand. To be on the safe side, confer with your auto transport company and ask about the paperwork you’ll need beforehand.

How long does it take to ship?

The duration of shipping depends on the distance covered and the method of transportation. Your auto transport company should advise you on the likely duration of shipping. A company that values its customers should promptly communicate when faced with unexpected delays for customer satisfaction guaranteed.

How do I make payment?

Consult with your shipping company and inquire about the modes of payment they accept. Some don’t accept checks. Other shipping providers don’t like cash, as it is risky and burdensome to the driver to carry on-the-go.

You may be wondering: Should I pay in full before shipping? The payment requirements and deposits will differ from one company to another. However, it’s advisable to choose a company that bills you only after dispatching a carrier for your shipping order. Remember, a trustworthy auto shipping provider will never charge you for a quote. If they request payment upfront, consider looking elsewhere for auto transportation services.

Final thoughts

Failure to complete the necessary steps associated with the shipping process may result in additional charges or costly damages. To guarantee quality customer service interactions and a seamless shipping process, scan through online reviews posted by former customers. These customer testimonials or negative reviews can point you in the direction of a reliable auto transport company.

Rock Mafia Releases New EP

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DISTINGUISHED SONGWRITING & PRODUCTION COLLECTIVE ROCK MAFIA RELEASE
SONGS FOR THE ETERNAL OPTIMIST VOL. 2 VIA 12TONE MUSIC. LISTEN HERE

ROCK MAFIA HAS PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN AND PRODUCED FOR MARIAH CAREY, KEHLANI, SELENA GOMEZ, MIGOS, KAROL G, ZEDD, BTS, EMINEM, AND MORE

Notable songwriting and production collective, Rock Mafia, have released Songs for the Eternal Optimist Vol. 2 via 12Tone Music – listen HERE. The EP featuring Bipolar Sunshine, Casey Veggies and Loren Gray highlights introspection and solitude, a stark contrast to their debut EP earlier this year.

The divine pairing of Tim James and Antonina Armato – collectively known as Rock Mafia – has added their creative genius to the music of stars like Kehlani, ILLENIUM, Karol G, Miley Cyrus, Eminem, Zedd, Young Thug, Mariah Carey, and BTS to name a few, while also garnering critical acclaim for their own music.

With the ultimate goal of creating a community of artists who have each other’s backs, Rock Mafia gets their inspiration from the rare earth resonance of crystals, quartz, citrine and obsidian, coupled with the idea that music is a spiritual force which at its highest point, moves through us regardless of whether we are creators or listeners. Tim James states “There was so much joy in the room when we made these! We became entranced with soul music , especially sounds from the 70’s and the great soul singers of that era. I think in some respects this is an homage to that timeless era. It is an Honor to share our latest project with the world.”

Songs for the Eternal Optimist Vol. 2:

Get Back Up
Top Of the World feat. Bipolar Sunshine
Keep Comin Back
No More, One More feat. Casey Veggies & Loren Gray