Posts made in April 2021

Camino QxA

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Camino, an Atlanta-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, is an inspirational, soulful pop and R&B powerhouse with his debut EP, Burning Fire, to be released on April 23. Burning Fire regales the tale of Camino’s past– both painful and joyous–as he struggled with homelessness after his move from Mississippi to Atlanta, followed his tenacious passion for music, and eventually landed an impressive record deal with Def Jam Recordings. Camino’s music is authentic, invigorating, and raw. Here at 360 Magazine, we sat down with Camino to discuss how he found inspiration to pursue music in his darkest moments, dream music collaborations, and the upcoming release of his full-length album.

1. What response are you anticipating when your EP, Burning Fire, drops?

Honestly, I don’t know. I obviously hope the response is amazing, but I honestly don’t know. I just hope people like it and find a way to connect to it.

2. How would you describe the sound of Burning Fire in three words?

Cinematic, anthemic and vulnerable

3. Who was your biggest musical inspiration in writing Burning Fire?

My aunt and uncle inspired the song, and it is about them and their story. But musically, Imagine Dragons and Adele, most definitely.

4. What kept you going to pursue music when it may have felt like the odds were stacked against you?

God and faith. I know I’m meant to do music. It’s the only thing I’m good at and it’s the only thing that makes me truly happy–like truly to my core happy.

5. Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

Billie Eilish, Adele, Sam Smith and Lewis Capaldi are all incredible. I’d love to collaborate with any of them.

6. Did your move from Mississippi to Atlanta influence the music you were listening to and drawing inspiration from?

Yes, absolutely. Coming from a small city like Jackson, Mississippi compared to Atlanta, Georgia was such a huge leap for me. It gave me more confidence to write the songs I wrote and instilled the passion in me to create the songs I did.

7. How are you feeling about already being signed such a notable label as Def Jam Recordings? Incredible. God is the greatest. Def Jam is home. They are incredible and provide every resource I need. Shoutout to my team I LOVE Y’ALL!

8. Looking ahead, do you have more plans for releasing any other music in 2021?

Yes, full-length album coming. That is my true masterpiece. Just stay tuned–I’m so excited to share with the world.

Eminem × Shady Con

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EMINEM TO DROP FIRST NFT COLLECTION AT “SHADY CON”

WITH NIFTY GATEWAY THIS SUNDAY APRIL 26TH

Rap Icon’s Initial Foray Into NFT Marketplace, Featuring Variety Of Collectibles

And Specially Crafted Beats, Launches At 6:30/7PM ET

Eminem announced that he will be dropping his first NFT (Non-Fungible Token) release this Sunday, April 26 at 6:30/7 pm ET on NFT marketplace Nifty Gateway. The drop, dubbed “Shady Con,” will feature a variety of Eminem-approved NFT collectibles.

In addition, the collection features original instrumental beats produced by Slim Shady himself specifically for this release. The tracks will be made available only as part of the limited-edition and one-of-a-kind NFTs. There will be a sneak peek at one of the offerings – a set of NFT action figures – coming soon! But this only scratches the surface of what’s coming this weekend!

Eminem first teased the announcement on Tuesday, retweeting the recent “Saturday Night Live” sketch featuring Pete Davidson in character as Eminem from the “Without Me” video, which parodied the song in an attempt to explain what an NFT is.

“I’ve been collecting since I was a kid, everything from comic books to baseball cards to toys, as well as every rap album on cassette I could get my hands on,” said Eminem. “Not much has changed for me as an adult…I’ve attempted to re-create some of those collections from that time in my life, and I know I’m not alone. I wanted to give this drop the same vibe of, ‘Oh, man I gotta get just that one or maybe even the whole set!’ It’s been a lot of fun coming up with ideas from my own collecting passion.”

“Shady Con” provides Stans, fans, NFT enthusiasts and collectors ONE OPPORTUNITY to own a piece from this premier drop. Born from the convergence of blockchain technology, creative enthusiasm, and pandemic doldrums, this drop was inspired by Eminem’s passion as a vintage toy, comic book and trading card collector that traces back to his childhood days as just “plain old Marshall.” Make no mistake, this is a digital festival…but it’s modeled after the traditional “Con” gatherings where fans come together and trade their wares. You may not be able to get together with thousands of Stans in a poorly ventilated convention center somewhere on the outskirts of 8 Mile Rd., but this weekend you can rub elbows with each other on Nifty Gateway and own a piece of the collectible, non-fungible action!

Commented Ashley Ramos, Senior Producer at Nifty Gateway: “We’re thrilled to welcome Eminem to our platform. Demand for NFTs continues to grow and we’re excited to bring this collaboration to our community and give them access to new artwork and music on Nifty Gateway’s marketplace.”

Nifty Gateway was created with the goal of opening the world to digital art and enabling both artists and brands to participate in this defining moment. Through the creation of unique, identifiable, and secure digital art on the blockchain, nifties have given authenticity to digital art — and with that provenance comes value. The company’s Nifty Marketplace is an all-in-one platform where you can buy, sell, and store NFT collectibles.

For more information on Eminem:

Sheikh Zayed Book Award

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Sheikh Zayed Book Award Announces 2021 Winners

The World’s Leading Arab Literature and Culture Prizes

Three women win including Iman Mersal for the Literature Prize, with additional awards to a study of Saudi Women writers, Arab oration, and a history of supremacy
Each winner receives a career-changing prize of $204,181
Winners hail from five countries: Egypt (2), Lebanon (1), Saudi Arabia (2), Tunisia (2), and the US (1)
Literature and Children’s Book categories receive translation funding
The awards will be presented in a ceremony streamed live during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (May 23-29, 2021)
Record-breaking year for submissions with over 2,349 entries from 57 countries
Cultural Personality of the Year to be announced at a later date

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, the Sheikh Zayed Book has revealed the winners of its 15th edition across eight key categories.

Three women took prizes this year with internationally renowned Egyptian author Iman Mersal, winning the Literature Prize, Dr. Asma bint Muqbil bin Awad Al-Ahmadi taking the Young Author Prize for her critical study of Saudi Women writers, and University of Chicago professorTahera Qutbuddin winning the Prize for Culture in Other Languages for her book Arabic Oration: Art and Function.

Michael Cooperson, a UCLA professor of Arabic, won the Translation Prize for his innovative translation of Maqamat Al-Hariri’s Impostures, a story of the popular Arab folk character Abu Zayd. The Children’s Literature category was won by the Tunisian author Mizouni Bannani for his novel An Artist Journey (Rehlat Fannan); The Literary and Art Criticism Prize was won by Khelil Gouia for his history of Tunisian art, The Path of Modernisation in the Visual Arts: From Drawing to Painting (Massar al Tahdeeth fil Funoon al Tashkeeliyya men al Ursooma ela al Lawhah). The Development of Nations Prize went to the Egyptian scholar Saeed El-Masri for his thought-provoking Legacy of Supremacy between Folklore and Religion (Turah al Este’la Bayn al Fokelore wal Majal al Dini). The Publishing and Technology Prize was presented to Dar Al Jadeed Publishing of Lebanon. The Cultural Personality of the Year Award to be announced at a later date.

The winning titles in the children’s books and literature categories will be entitled for translation funding through the Award’s Translation Grant. Nine books have been translated into multiple languages since the launch of this grant. The Award has seen a growing interest in translation requests, reiterating the importance of building bridges between nations, cultures, literature, and heritage.

The Awards will be formally presented on May 24th and streamed live on YouTube from the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (23-29 May 2021).

The winners will each receive a prize of $204,181 US (the equivalent of 750,000 United Arab Emirates dirhams) both in recognition of their achievements and to support their ongoing work. SZBA prize alumna Dame Marina Warner (Arab Culture in Other Languages, 2013) has described the Award as one that nourishes the academic community, “less of a trophy than a lavish bursary that allows the recipient to continue their adventures in understanding”.

2020 saw a record-breaking year for submissions, with 2,349 entries from 57 countries, particularly strongin the Young Author, Literature, and Children’s Literature categories. The Judging Committee noted that, despite a challenging year due to the global pandemic, they were delighted by the increase in submissions, reflecting not only the importance of literary awards but the resilience and vitality of the publishing industry.

One of the Arab world’s most prestigious literary prizes, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award aims to showcase the most powerful, stimulating, and challenging works representing the Arab world, and to encourage greater scholarship and creativity by recognizing and rewarding these significant cultural achievements in Arabic culture. In the words of last year’s Children’s Literature winner Ibtisam Barakat, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award is “the Arab world’s equivalent to the Nobel prize”.

H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, “Since its first edition in 2006, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has proved to be a beacon of culture and literature, recognised and respected internationally as a champion of creativity. Through this inspirational Award, we honour the memory of our nation’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose far-reaching vision for the UAE was intrinsically linked to the cornerstones of culture, knowledge and human development.”

Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre and Secretary General of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, commented, “As one of the Arab world’s leading cultural awards we are proud to support a flourishing international publishing landscape and pleased to see winners are from five countries across the globe. The judges were especially impressed with the range of genres, the breadth of topics and the ambition of the scholars and writers represented here. This year’s winners highlight the depth and prestige of the Award in the Arab world and beyond. We commend their achievement and look forward to seeing more superb work in the years to come.”

French-Lebanese author Amin Maalouf, winner of the 2016 Cultural Personality of the year, commented, ‘In such difficult times, it is more important than ever to focus on books and on cultural values. They alone can provide us with the moral compass we so desperately need to move on with our eyes wide open.’

The 2021 Sheikh Zayed Book Award Winners:

The Prize for Literature: Dr. Iman Mersal for her book In the Footsteps of Enayat Al-Zayyat (Fee Athar Enayat Al Zayyat)

The judges presented this award to Ms. Mersal for her unique and poignant exploration of the life of the Egyptian writer Enayat al Zayat who died in 1963 four years before her only novel was published. Mersal blends a mix of investigative journalism and storytelling to illuminate a writer’s struggles with mental health and uncover the roots of a woman’s search for identity in contemporary Arab society.

Iman Mersal is an Egyptian poet, writer, academic and translator. She works as an assistant professor of Arabic literature and Middle Eastern studies at the University of Alberta, Canada and currently resides in Marseille, France. An anthology of her works was translated into more than twenty-two languages and she has five poetry collections published. Herr book, Mamar Moetem Yasloh fee Talom Al Raks (A Dark Path Suitable for Learning to Dance), is one of the most important poetry books issued by the generation of the nineties in Arabic poetry.

The Prize for Young Author: Dr. Asma bint Muqbil bin Awad Al-Ahmadi for her book The Problems of the Narrated Self in the Saudi Feminist Novel (Eshkalyat Al-Thaat Al-Saredah Fee Al-Rwayah Al-Nesaayah Al-Saudiah)

The judges present this award to Dr. Asma bint Muqbil bin Awad Al-Ahmadi for her exploration of the themes of female identity through the lens of Saudi Arabian feminist literature, 1999-2012. This groundbreaking work focuses on topics that female Saudi writers have explored, such as belonging and self-realization.

A Saudi academic and critic, winner of the Sharjah Prize for Gulf Women’s Creativity 2019. Dr. Al-Ahmadi holds a PhD in Philosophy – Specializing in Arabic Language and Literature, and she is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Islamic Culture and Language Skills in the College of Science and Arts – King Abdulaziz University.

Prize for Children’s Literature: Mr. Mizouni Bannani for his book An Artist’s Journey (Rehlat Fannan)

The judges present this award to Mr. Bannani for his innovative use of language and multi-sensory educational techniques in ‘An Artist’s Journey‘. Mr. Bannani’s work is intended to inspire educators and children to learn through active participation and to ignite a sense of wonder and imagination in the process.

Mizouni Bannani is a Professor of Education Sciences at the Higher Institute for Applied Studies in Humanities in Sbeitla, Tunisia. He published two collections of short stories entitled Humma Al Ardh (The Fever of the Earth) in 1989, and Mawawil Aaed men Dhefat Al Nar (Mawawil of the One who Returned from the Shore of Fire) in 1996, in addition to a novel entitled Doroob Al Hawan (Paths of Humiliation). Bannani works as a literary and artistic consultant at Al Moanasah Publishing House and has participated in establishing the branch of the Union of Tunisian Writers in Kasserine in 1997 and chaired it until 2017.

Prize for Publishing & Technology: Dar Al Jadeed Publishing – Lebanon

The judges present this award to Dar Al-Jadeed Publishing for their continued dedication and focus on intellectual and linguistic studies. Their commitment to amplifying Arab poets and writers, as well as their dedication to young writers, has greatly fostered the Arab literary landscape.

Dar Al Jadeed Publishing was founded in Beirut in 2000 with a unique focus on long-forgotten topics in Arab publishing, as well as science books and linguistic and intellectual studies. The company was founded by late Lebanese writer and translator Lokman Slim and Rasha al Ameer as a strictly cultural project that pursues genuine skills and talents looking to be discovered and published in isolation from ideological considerations and partisanship. Bearing in mind the importance of science books to knowledge and the progress of a society, as well as the cultivation of rational, mythology-free knowledge.

Prize for Arabic Culture in Other Languages: Dr. Tahera Qutbuddin for her work Arabic Oration: Art and Function

The judges present this award to Chicago-based writer Tahera Qutbuddin for her close examination of oration in the Arabic language. Ms. Qutbuddin’s comprehensive exploration of the oration tradition in Arabic society allows for a deeper understanding of how this tradition has shaped the contemporary Arab world.

Tahera Qutbuddin is a Professor of Arabic Literature at the University of Chicago and serves on the editorial board of NYU Abu Dhabi’s Library of Arabic Literature. She obtained her PhD and MA from Harvard University, USA, Tamhidi Magister and BA from Ain Shams University, Cairo, and high school diploma from Sophia College, Mumbai. Her research focuses on intersections of the literary, the religious, and the political in classical Arabic poetry and prose.

Prize for Translation: Dr. Michael Cooperson for his translation of Impostures by Al-Hariri from Arabic to English

The judges present this award to Michael Cooperson for his bold and innovative approach to translation of the classic Arab work ‘Impostures’. Mr. Cooperson excellently translated the sentiments and emotions of the ‘Impostures‘ in such a way that makes for increased accessibility among English-speaking audiences.

Michael Cooperson is an American author and translator, Cooperson studied at Harvard University and the American University of Cairo, and currently a professor of Arabic language and literature at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has published two monographs on early Abbasid cultural history: ‘Classical Arabic Biography’ and ‘Al-Ma’mun’. In addition to Impostures, he has translated Abdelfattah Kilito’s ‘L’Auteur et ses doubles (The Author and his Doubles)’ and Ibn al-Jawzi’s ‘Manaqib al-Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (Virtues of the Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal)’. His other interests include Maltese language and culture.

Prize for Literary and Art Criticism: Dr. Khelil Gouia for his book The Path of Modernisation in the Visual Arts: From Drawing to Painting (Massar al Tahdeeth fil Funoon al Tashkeeliyya men al Ursooma ela al Lawhah)

The judges present this award to Khelil Gouia for his narrative and research uncovers the progression of Tunisian art, illustrating connections between pre-modernist and contemporary forms of the art form.

Doctor Khelil Gouia is a professor of aesthetics, art theories and semiology of the image at the Higher Institute of Arts of the University of Sfax, Tunisia. He holds a PhD in arts sciences and techniques, specialising in art theories and history, as well as a professorial degree in philosophy from the University of Tunis, and an in-depth studies certificate in the history of modern art (ISBAT). His published books include Tashkeel Al Roya (The Formation of the Vision), Omarat Al Roya (The Architecture of the Vision), Bonyat Al Thaeykah wa Soltat Al Namothaj (The Structure of Taste and the Authority of the Model), Al Aamal Al Fanny wa Tahwolatoh bayn Al Nathar wa Al Natharyah (Artwork and Its Transformations between Theory and Theory, An Attempt in the Constructivism of Looking) and Masar Al Tahdeeth fe Al Fonoon Al Tashkelyah, men Al Orsomah ella Al Lawha (The Path of Modernisation in the Visual Arts, From Drawing to Painting).

Prize for Contribution to the Development of Nations: Dr. Saeed El-Masri for his book Legacy of Supremacy between Folklore and Religion (Turath al Este’la Bayn al Folklore wal Majal al Dini)

The judges present this award to Dr. Saeed El-Masri for his groundbreaking research into the history of arrogance in pre-modern and contemporary Arabic society. His exploration of arrogance gets to the root of how arrogance has contributed to the spread of extremism and hate within Arab society.

Saeed El-Masry is a Professor of Sociology at the Faculty of Arts at Cairo University, and an advisor to the Minister of Culture on the development of the cultural system in Egypt. Dr. El-Masry is a cultural anthropologist and holds a PhD in sociology. He won the United Nations Award for Excellence in Human Development in 2013 for the Egypt Human Development Report, which he participated in preparing in 2010. He also won the Arab Grand Prize for Heritage for the book Eaadat Entaj Al Turath Al Shaaby; Kayfa Yatshabath Al Fokaraa Belhayat fee thel Al.

AEDITIONS INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO

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AEDITIONS launches art-infused, one-of-a-kind, décor & furniture

In a creative step for two illustrious London brands, Bergman Interiors and HOFA Gallery are launching AEDITIONS, their new joint design project on May 20 2021. Inspired by their appreciation for contemporary art and bespoke luxury interiors, AEDITIONS will specialize in creating one-of-a-kind décor and furniture designs in collaboration with the world’s most remarkable contemporary artists and designers.

This new bespoke interior design studio is spearheaded by Bergman Co-founder Marie Soliman and HOFA Co-founder Elio D’Anna, and is set to release a range of collectable limited-edition designs including consoles, table lamps, standing mirrors, mini bars and the deluxe ‘Lapis’ Chessboard set designed by Soliman herself. With remarkably intricate details, uber-luxe finishing, and excellent craftsmanship, each creation will be a work of art in its own right. Moreover, all 50 limited editions of each design will be accompanied by a certificate of authentication, in addition to being numbered and signed by the artist.

Among the first designs to be released this spring are creations by celebrated sculptural painter, Zhuang Hong Yi, whose signature 3-dimensional flowerbed paintings are coveted for their sensational color vibrance and emphatic homage to flowers. Hong Yi has created unique table light, chair and console designs fit for any nature-lover’s dream. The phenomenal Ilhwa Kim, painter of sculpted, biomorphic seed universes, will also début a cigar and mini bar design which encapsulates her unique vision of nature and the subjectiveness of perception.

Prolific contemporary portraitist and surrealist painter Loribelle Spirovski, is also part of the maiden cohort of artists, with her unmistakable artistic style beautifully embodied in the ‘Emissary Mirror & Screen Divider’, which features a unique silkscreen print and brass finishing, and the ‘Homme Table Lamp’ made of elegant Carrara marble and steel.

Commenting on the launch, Co-founder of AEDITIONS Marie Soliman said, “AEDITIONS creates an entirely new and interactive way of experiencing art. It’s the possibility of creating unique luxury interior designs that fuse art and function that drives the whole concept.”

Echoing the same sentiments, Elio D’Anna, Co-founder of AEDITIONS, said, “Combining art, design and interior décor is what AEDITIONS will be about, and each collection will be impeccably designed and exquisitely made. We have created a bold, new way for people to incorporate fresh contemporary art into their home interiors.”

All designs are available exclusively through Aeditions’ website from 20 May 2021.

‘Visage China Collection’, (AEDITIONS / Loribelle Spirovski) for use by 360 Magazine

‘Visage China Collection’, set of nine, painted porcelain, 20cm diameter, edition of 50 (£3,250) (AEDITIONS / Loribelle Spirovski)

Bespoke Lapis Chessboard Set’ in bronze, brass, veneers & lapis lazuli, edition of 20, 40 x 40cm, (£6,250) (AEDITIONS / Marie Soliman)

Bespoke Lapis Chessboard Set) (AEDITIONS / Marie Soliman)

Johnson Controls to Speak at Leaders Summit on Climate

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President Biden invites Johnson Controls’ CEO to speak at Leaders Summit on Climate

George Oliver to address role of U.S. business community in supporting ambitious climate action and policy, and in creating jobs and economic growth
Biden calls for urgent dialogue on ways to strengthen collective efforts to address climate crisis
Summit to explore economic benefits of green recovery and long-term decarbonization

Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, announced that its chairman and CEO George Oliver has been invited by U.S. President Joe Biden to participate in the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate.

The summit will bring together leaders of the world’s major economies and other vital partners for an urgent and open dialogue on ways to strengthen collective efforts to address the climate crisis. President Biden has made tackling climate change a top national priority since taking office and is urging other world leaders to attend the summit to discuss how their governments will help drive the goal of limiting global temperature rise.

“I am honored to accept President Biden`s invitation to join him and other world leaders calling for urgent climate action. It is especially important to establish a roadmap to limiting the rise of global temperatures as we get closer to the COP26 climate conference scheduled for November in Glasgow,” said George Oliver, chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. “Transitioning to a lower-carbon economy is an opportunity to build back better, as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Providing clean, sustainable and energy efficient solutions creates jobs while building strong, resilient, global economies.”

According to the White House, a major theme of the summit will be the broad economic benefits of climate action, with a strong focus on job creation. This will explore both the economic benefits of green recovery and long-term decarbonization and the importance of ensuring that all communities and workers benefit from the transition to a clean energy economy.

Representing both Business Roundtable and Johnson Controls, Oliver will address these topics in a session on April 23 as well as the role buildings can play to slash both emissions and costs.

Business Roundtable is an association of chief executive officers of America’s leading companies. Oliver was named chair of the Business Roundtable Energy & Environment Committee in January this year. The Committee is dedicated to advancing policies that encourage innovation and support an environmentally and economically sustainable future.

The vast majority of Business Roundtable’s 223 member CEOs have made public commitments to reduce their companies’ greenhouse gas emissions/carbon footprints, are making serious progress and reporting on it publicly. Nearly half of those commitments are for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, if not sooner.

Business Roundtable members are playing a significant role in driving ambitious climate action and the policy needed to spur low-carbon economic growth. Last September, the organization endorsed the goals of the Paris Agreement and proposed aggressive policies to achieve those goals.

Johnson Controls own ambitious emissions reductions targets were recently approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative – an independent organization that assesses corporate sustainability claims. As part of its environmental sustainability commitments, Johnson Controls aims to cut operational emissions by 55 percent and reduce customers’ emissions by 16 percent before 2030. Johnson Controls believes its OpenBlue platform for optimizing building sustainability will be central to fulfilling these goals and ultimately creating an environment for healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet.

The company also recently joined the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign and is a signatory to The Climate Pledge, an initiative of business leaders co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism. Signatories to the pledge commit to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040 – ten years ahead of the Paris Climate Agreement goal.

As a leader in the buildings space for more than 135 years, Johnson Controls has been a pioneer in sustainability and is ranked in the top 12 percent of climate leadership companies globally by CDP. It is on the World’s Most Ethical Companies® Honoree List and is named one of Corporate Knights’ global 100 most Sustainable Companies.

To read more about Johnson Controls’ commitment to sustainability, please visit their website.

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

With a history of more than 135 years of innovation, Johnson Controls delivers the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through its comprehensive digital offering OpenBlue. With a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology, software as well as service solutions with some of the most trusted names in the industry. For more information, visit our website or follow us on Twitter.

Highest-Valued Startups

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Three Highest-Valued US Startups Now Worth $208 Billion Following Stripe’s $95 Billion Valuation

Following its most recent funding round, Stripe became the most valuable private company in Silicon Valley. According to the research data analyzed and published by ComprarAcciones, the digital payments giant raised $600 million at a $95 billion valuation. That was close to triple the $36 billion valuation it had in April 2020.

Based on rankings published by Pitchbook, it is now the most valuable private company in the US. It sits ahead of Space X ($74 billion) and Instacart ($39 billion).

Worldwide Unicorns Total 603 with Cumulative Valuation of Over $2 Trillion

The top three US-based private companies are now worth a cumulative $208 billion, up from $149 billion prior to the Stripe funding.

On a global scale, Stripe is now the second most valuable unicorn. It is second only to ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, whose valuation was $180 billion during a December 2020 funding round. Space X is third, while Chinese ride hailing giant Didi Chuxing is fourth at $69 billion. Instacart sits in fifth place.

Among US fintech companies, Stripe is the most valuable. It is almost 10 times the value of second-placed Robinhood, which is worth $11.7 billion.

Stripe is also more valuable than all euro zone banks with the exception of HSBC. HSBC, which is currently the largest European bank, has a market capitalization of $118 billion according to Marketwatch.

Additionally, Stripe’s valuation is higher than Facebook’s $80 billion valuation prior to its 2012 IPO. It is also ahead of Uber’s $72 billion valuation in 2018, prior to the 2019 public listing.

According to CB Insights, there were a total of 603 unicorns worldwide as of March 2021 valued at a collective $2.005 trillion.

In the public market, Saudi Aramco still holds the record for largest IPO of all time, which raised $29.4 billion. Snowflake holds the 2020 title after its $3.9 billion raise at a $33.2 billion valuation.

The full story, statistics and information can be found here.

Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater Relaunch

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RZA Launches “Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater”, First-of-its-kind Film Screening Platform from 36 Cinema

Heroes Of The East, 1978 Kung Fu Classic–Streaming Saturday, April 24^th with live-commentary from RZA and Dan Halsted

RZA also unveils “Pugilism”, first single from forthcoming solo album

Listen HERE

Last year at the onset of the pandemic, RZA, searching for a creative output and sense of community in the wake of a global shutdown, launched 36 Cinema: a first-of-its-kind film screening platform through his company 36 Chambers. The platform hosted weekly screenings of classic kung fu films (like Shaolin Vs. Wu Tang and Mystery of Chessboxing) and other seminal films (like blaxploitation classic Petey Wheatstraw), with live commentary from RZA and various guests, ranging from directors, actors and critics alike. The platform was met with great enthusiasm from kung fu enthusiasts and cinephiles generally, amassing a steady following and selling over 20k tickets and raising money for independent theaters around the country.

RZA has today announced the official relaunch of 36 Cinema, which will return in force this summer with a brand new slate of programming that he’s dubbed “Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater”. The series kicks off this Saturday (April 24th) at 9pm ET with a screening of the Shaw Brothers classic Heroes Of The East.

RZA will be joined by Dan Halsted, head programmer at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland (and 35mm film archivist), who is also a major kung fu cinema buff in his own right. RZA and Dan hosted several 36 Cinema screenings last year, bringing a wide breadth of knowledge of Asian cinema and providing valuable insights into some of the classic kung fu staple films.

36 Cinema relaunches at a time when martial arts storytelling is having a major revival in popular culture. Just this month, the CW have rolled out the first episodes of Kung Fu, a remake of the cult classic 1970s TV show. From the commercial success of film franchises like The Raid and Kill Bill (which RZA scored incidentally), it’s clear there’s been a renewed interest in kung fu cinema from a western audience since the genre’s glory days. 36 Cinema aims to educate and enlighten a new generation of film lovers, while also catering to an audience of plugged-in kung fu fanatics.

Previous hosts of 36 Cinema screenings include director Jim Jarmusch (Ghost Dog, Coffee and Cigarettes), actor Michael Jai White (Black Dynamite, Tyson, Why Did I Get Married), actor and martial artist Scott Adkins (The Bourne Ultimatum, Zero Dark Thirty etc.), film archivist Warrington Hudlin, comedian Donell Rawlings, stunt actress Shaina West, among others. The platform also partnered with key cultural institutions such as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in DC and the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens.

RZA looks forward to bringing on some other notable names to co-host upcoming screenings of Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater throughout the summer. The full run of programming will be revealed in the coming weeks, which will include other seminal films outside of the kung fu genre specifically.

In tandem with the reveal of Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater, RZA has also released a brand new single – Pugilism – his first solo release under the alias Bobby Digital in 13 years (since his 2008 LP Digi Snacks). Pugilism is the first cut from RZA’s fourth album–Bobby Digital: Digital Potions– a follow up to his beloved 1998 debut solo album Bobby Digital In Stereo. RZA will share further details about the album in Saturday’s screening of Heroes Of The East.

Purchase tickets for the Heroes Of The East screening on 36 Cinema HERE

Distribution Partners
36 Cinema has licensing deals in place from the following distributors: Janus Films, AGFA, Magnolia Pictures, Well Go USA, Shaw Brothers Studio and Celestial Pictures.

AREA21 – LA LA LA

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MARTIN GARRIX & MAEJOR’S AREA21 SIGN TO DISNEY MUSIC GROUP’S HOLLYWOOD RECORDS

FIRST SINGLE + VIDEO “LA LA LA” OUT NOW

Martin Garrix and Maejor have signed with STMPD RCRDS/Hollywood Records for their collaborative project AREA21. The music of AREA21 follows a story arc of two alien travelers who are tripping through the cosmos and spreading a message of unity and good vibes when they accidentally come crashing to Earth. Their adventures are portrayed musically and visually throughout a series of songs and accompanying animated videos produced by award-winning animation studio, Titmouse (Run the Jewels, Dua Lipa) set to roll out this spring & summer, and culminating in an album due out this fall.

AREA21’s first release, “’La La La’’, is out now. The boundary-pushing video for “’La La La’’ shows the duo traveling through the galaxies, beaming up unhappy people onto their spaceship for an impromptu party, using the universal language of music to unite and uplift their mood. The end of the video sees them come crashing to Earth and that’s when the real adventure begins.

WATCH “LA LA LA” VIDEO HERE

The lyrics of “La La La,” celebrate being different and blocking out the negativity:

When They Criticise Me, I Don’t Listen

They Don’t Realise, I Like To Be Different

All They Do Is La La La La La La La La

Talking In My Ear, But I Do Not Wanna Hear

I Be Like La La La La La La La La

Get Up Out My Face, Give Me Space, Give Me Space

LISTEN TO “LA LA LA” HERE

AREA21 is now inhabiting Earth but still live in their own kind of world. They will come up against situations unlike anything else they’ve experienced before in their galactic travels. Stay tuned for additional transmissions relaying further music and news are coming.

ABOUT STMPD RCRDS:

Since Martin Garrix and his management founded STMPD RCRDS in 2016, the record label has grown into a true household name within the dance music Industry. With a clear vision of putting artists first, focusing on quality over quantity, being open-minded and innovating, a small and nimble team quickly built the foundations of STMPD RCRDS as it stands today. Operating from their studio in Amsterdam, STMPD RCRDS releases new music weekly. With their diverse range of artists and genres, no track is the same, making the weekly releases very welcome surprises for their fans. With a strong team and a superstar at its helm, it comes as no surprise that the label is going from strength to strength.

ABOUT HOLLYWOOD RECORDS:

Part of the Disney Music Group, Hollywood Records is home to artists and soundtracks from Queen, Sofia Carson, AREA21, TINI, Dreamers, Joywave, Scarypoolparty, almost monday, New Hope Club, Olivia Holt, The Undefeated “Music For The Movement”series, and soundtracks from the “Guardians of The Galaxy”franchise, “WandaVision,”the highly anticipated “West Side Story”and more.”DMG also releases chart-topping film and television soundtracks such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,”“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”(featuring chart-topper Olivia Rodrigo), “Soul,”Oscar-winning “Coco”and “Moana”soundtracks, and the Oscar and Grammy-winning “Frozen”soundtrack.

ABOUT TITMOUSE:

Titmouse is an independent Emmy award-winning animation production company. Our artist-run studios in Los Angeles, Burbank, New York City, and Vancouver keep 1,000 of the most talented people in the industry (that are guaranteed 100% human) pushing creative boundaries. Writers, producers, directors, storyboard artists, animators, compositors, editors and artists are all right here, in house. Its state of the art sound studio is where many original TV shows, films, commercial work, branded and digital content projects are recorded. Titmouse founders Chris and Shannon Prynoski launched Titmouse in Los Angeles, the birthplace of the American entertainment industry. Known for series such as Venture Bros., Big Mouth, Midnight Gospel, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Tigtone, and Metalocalypse, Titmouse creates high-quality cartoons for all ages and interests. Visit us online on Titmouse’s website

AREA21 continue their journey on planet earth with “Pogo”

Following the release of “La La La,” which has already surpassed over 5M combined streams, the adventures of AREA21 continue with today’s release of “Pogo.” The song exudes the feeling of being completely uninhibited, living life wild and free, which makes it the perfect soundtrack for the coming summer months. Written by Martin Garrix and Maejor, Martin also plays electric guitar on the track, one of the many talents from this multi-faceted artist.

The video for “Pogo” picks up where “La La La” left off with the two alien travelers M & M having crashed landed on earth, standing on their recently crashed spaceship and running from the law. Their escape includes a very unorthodox mode of transportation, a group of unlikely heroes and lands them in the perfect place to get away from it all – Vegas, baby.

ABOUT AREA21: The music of AREA21 follows a story arc of two alien travelers who are tripping through the cosmos spreading a message of unity and good vibes when they accidentally come crashing to Earth. Their adventures are portrayed musically and visually throughout a series of songs and accompanying animated videos produced by award-winning animation studio, Titmouse (Run the Jewels, Dua Lipa,) set to roll out this spring & summer and culminating in an album due out this fall.

Kelly Dooley QxA

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Here at 360 Magazine, we were honored to speak with the athleisure pioneer and cannabis queen, Kelly Dooley. With her impressive, luxurious brands–Luxe Branding Haus and BodyRock Sport–Dooley stays busy revolutionizing how athletic wear can empower her customers. When she isn’t designing her avant-garde, fabulous pieces, Dooley can be found working with lifestyle and luxury cannabis brands, as well as involving herself with several real estate and technology projects. Dooley is a trailblazer who sets forth on her dreams with determination and undeniable spunk. We sat down with Kelly Dooley to speak about her recent sports bra design for Britney Spears, her best solutions for combatting stigma surrounding the cannabis industry, and how she finds inspiration.

What was it like creating a bra for superstar Britney Spears? How did you feel when you first found out about the project?

When I first launched BodyRock Sport in January 2010, I had an insatiable desire to beautify activewear for like-minded women that combined fitness and fashion in a way that had not been done before.

The moment that I found out that Britney Spears was rocking my $20,011 Eternal Love Sports Br a from my most popular Zip’ Up collection with the Jessica Moto leggings from my Show ‘Em Some Swagger collection in her comeback “Twister” music video was absolutely surreal. My baby, BodyRock Sport, was on fire. I was breaking all the rules and taking names–one celeb at a time. I was empowering women to love the skin they’re in, while pursuing my dream with reckless abandonment in the heart of New York City.

I neither made the sports bra nor the leggings specifically for her, but due to the intricacy of the design–which included black and silver French silk and a diamond-eyed skull tassel attached to a solid gold zipper pull–and based on the purposely inflated price, I knew that the design would inevitably adorn an A-List celebrity. Britney was on my manifestation list and my dream came true with Godspeed. I was honored and proud of myself for achieving my goal. 2012 represented a dramatic turning point in the overwhelmingly lackluster world of athleisure, and I–the avant-garde, fabulous, over-educated and extremely quirky SoCal girl–was being heralded as one of the pioneers of the activewear industry.

I knew that my Dad was beaming down at me from heaven with pride. I recall getting hundreds of Google alerts because the music video went viral–not only because of the extravagant sports bra that she wore– but also because Britney Spears finally returned to the stage with a vengeance after overcoming her former hardships. She was also often seen out and about in Los Angeles rocking some of my other sports bra designs and booty shorts. Every now and then, I spot her in the tabloids or online wearing a design that I created a decade ago. The surge of gratitude never dissipates.

At the time, luxury activewear was virtually impossible to find so I felt passionate about innovating the industry that so desperately needed to evolve. Believe it or not, the first sports bra EVER was not even invented until 1977. The design looked as though it had been produced solely for hospital patients–not for vivacious women, like me, who prioritize both their inner and outer beauty. If wanting to look and feel my best makes me narcissistic, then I will unapologetically own that title. My entire squad of customers, all of whom represent a constellation of stars, are stellar in their own ways.

What is your artistic process in creating a new piece? More specifically, how did you come up with the design for the iconic bra?

My creative process is very Faulknerian in nature. I instinctively follow a stream-of-consciousness approach for everything in life when it comes to creativity–whether that be a sports bra design, a customized piece of furniture or a lavish dinner for a loved one. I go with, and grow with, the flow. My overarching objective in creating extravagant sports bras was two-fold.

On the one hand, I knew that I capitalize on the white space in the activewear industry by targeting my demographic, which had been egregiously disregarded for so long. I could not comprehend why bras like the one I envisioned in my head had not yet existed!

On the other hand, because I got my M.A. in Media, Culture and Communication Studies with an emphasis in social media and luxury consumption from New York University in 2008, I knew that I could strategically leverage social media at a time when Instagram was still in its infancy and when Facebook was ubiquitous, still existing as the epicenter for digital communication. Therefore, my ridiculously expensive, bespoke sports bra designs had viral appeal that would boost my website traffic; thereby introducing customers to my other eclectic, yet more affordable, designs that ranged from $44-$85. At the time, these prices were considered outrageous since the median, high end sports bra price industry wide was around $30.

Each design that launched was inspired by women who have inspired me. These woman include my Mom, who is my hero; my bestie Jasmine Kingsley, who is a queen in her own right currently dominating as a lawyer for HUDL in Lincoln, Nebraska and raising two beautiful mixed children with the love of her life. Further, the ZuZu Bra was named after my beautiful hair stylist and make-up artist, Zuleika Acosta. She now owns hair salon in Brooklyn called ZuZu Studio. I am so proud of all of the dreams that she manifested with unwavering intention since the second I met her while getting my hair styled at Bumble and Bumble’s styling bar at Bloomingdales on 59th in New York City back in 2010. Even Angelina Jolie, when she starred in Tomb Raider sexily clad in black leather [has been an inspiration].

Every creation that I created was different, just like the plethora of exceptional women who inspired the design. [These creations] empower women to love the skin they’re in. [The designs] encourage them to fully embrace their femininity with just enough bite to remain authentic in a society that has successfully brainwashed females into idealizing an unrealistic standard of beauty. [This unrealistic standard of beauty] exacerbates mental health issues worldwide by diminishing self-esteem, which has proven globally to be utterly detrimental.

There were seven staple collections based on women’s respective needs, dubbed: (1) Dim Your Headlights; (2) Keep ’em in; (3) Lock ’em Down, (4) Show ’em Off; (5) The Empower ’em Collection, which was marketed as the world’s most fashionable mastectomy bra endorsed by Giuliana Rancic; (6) Yogansita; and (7) Zip ’em Up. I also had an assortment of booty shorts, capris, cycling shorts, gloves, leggings, moto-jackets, swimwear, and tops.

The Zip ’em Up Collection was hands down the most popular collection. From that collection came The Sophia Bra: a pink, ditsy, floral Supplex adorned with a gold zipper. [The Sophie Bra], embellished with a combination of gold studs and Swarovski crystals on the piping, was the star of the show. The same month that Britney Spears reminded the world of who she was by wearing The Eternal Love Bra, The Sophia Bra got confirmed for Oprah’s O List, which was another goal that I was determined to manifest.

Where do you usually find inspiration for designing with your company Luxe Branding Haus?

The world is my playground. I’ve had the unique privilege of living in Southern California, Boston, New York City, and studied abroad in 8 different countries, from middle school through graduate school . I travel all over the world as an explorer.

This montage of vivid experiences has helped me develop a global perspective and a sophisticated eye that is heavily influenced by architecture and interior design. Luxury fashion from the world’s most reputable brands, [including] Louis Vuitton, sets the precedent not only for customer service. [Vuitton’s] artful, fashion-forward yet elegant design, and overall quality [sets the standard].

[Dooley finds inspiration] by being a voracious reader with a monomaniacal desire to eternally innovate, whilst blazing a purposeful trail in every industry that I strut my fancy feet into while living a life of purpose. More than anything, it’s my heart and hustle that sets me, as the founder, apart. Coupled with the juxtaposition of luxury design, social media marketing, and postmodernism, that is what makes Luxe Branding Haus such an avant-garde and purpose-driven company.

Rather than thinking outside-the-box, as many creatives are naturally inclined to do, I design as if there is no box– because the norm does not interest me. Basic [fashion]–such as Coach, Lululemon and Michael Kors, for example– are of no interest to me. In a world of disempowering monotony, standing out is an absolute anomaly and is a surefire way to create positive change in a world that is controlled with fear, rather than trusted with faith. Why blend in when I was born to stand out?

We all live in the same world, but not on the same frequency. Luxe Branding Haus follows the same luxury strategies invented in Europe and [has been] developed worldwide by predominantly French and Italian brands. We have several lifestyle and luxury cannabis brands launching in California this year as well as several game-changing real estate and technology projects. [They] are going to influence each respective industry indefinitely through integrated, cause-based marketing and other non-traditional strategies. [Through these projects, Dooley aims] to create positive change in a world that so desperately needs authenticity, genuine inspiration and a resurgence of utilitarian principles that will make the world a better place.

Is your personal style reflected in the pieces and styles you do for other people, or are the designs more-so dependent on the individual?

My designs are, often, heavily dependent on the individual. I have styled countless men and women over the last 13, years and I treat each project differently. To me, the human body is the equivalent of a blank canvas to an artist. Take, for example, Johannes Vermeer’s famous painting, “Girl with a Pearl Earring” from 1665. The combination of paint that he used and the brushes that he chose to create that world-renowned masterpiece is the same refined yet free-flowing process that I utilize when it comes to my designs. The only difference is that consumer products and humans are my canvas, and luxury design is the vehicle through which my visions come to life in full form.

How can the stigma surrounding the cannabis industry be best combatted?

Clinical trials, the decriminalization of cannabis, education, and luxury branding, in my opinion, will play the most fundamental roles in de-stigmatizing the cannabis industry. Luxe Branding Haus is revolutionizing the cannabis industry. I am so excited for the slow trickle of our diverse assortment of brands, all of which will resonate with different demographics. At the same time, [these brands will aid in] educating and enhancing the lifestyles of our vast clientele and hopefully helping them achieve true bliss through holistic health via cannabis–which is THE TRUTH–the universal panacea for virtually every ailment. All our brands are tied to a cause with the intention of boosting morality by imbuing the industry with pay-it-forward principles that will help mitigate some of the issues that have been so detrimental to humanity. My most fervent philanthropic passions are domestic violence awareness, mental health awareness, social equity, and suicide prevention.

How do you see the LA cannabis industry evolving in the next few years?

The LA cannabis industry will gradually commoditize and therefore become ubiquitous and normalized. Once cannabis goes federally legal, consumers will need to be more educated than ever to avoid being manipulated by the sociopaths who lead big pharma, one of the most evil juggernauts in the world. [Big Pharma] takes more lives than it saves lives, and that does more harm than good.

Do you have any other exciting projects coming up in 2021?

2021 is stacked with a vast array of blessed projects, and I could share all my secrets, but I’d rather wet your palates. All I can say is to be sure to prepare your tastebuds for the most luxurious branding and the most superb quality in the cannabis industry.

D-Nice × 2 Chainz × Jack Harlow

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D-NICE, 2 CHAINZ AND JACK HARLOW ANNOUNCED AS HEADLINE ACTS FOR THIS YEAR’S REIMAGINED ‘PREAKNESS LIVE’ AT PREAKNESS 146 ON SATURDAY, MAY 15th

1/ST EXPERIENCE Celebrates the Return of Live Music with New Entertainment Experience Boasting a World-Class Lineup of Artists & Performers to Broadcast Live in Part on NBC During the Race Day Broadcast and on D-Nice’s #ClubQuarantine

D-Nice’s #ClubQuarantine to Live Stream Second Screen JockeyCam Experience as Part of Preakness LIVE

1/ST, owners of the legendary Preakness Stakes, together with 1/ST EXPERIENCE, leaders in blending the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through uniquely curated events, announce Preakness LIVE, a wholly reimagined entertainment experience for Preakness 146.

Taking place on Saturday, May 15, Preakness LIVE will feature legendary DJ, D-Nice, NAACP Image Awards Entertainer of The Year, 2 Chainz, Grammy Award-winning rapper and 2020 breakout rapper Jack Harlow. Excerpts of Preakness LIVE performances will be shown on NBC during the live race day broadcast from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET and live on D-Nice’s #ClubQuarantine Instagram. In addition to the live music excitement of Preakness LIVE, D-Nice’s #ClubQuarantine will live stream the Preakness 146 JockeyCam, a thrilling “second screen experience” that will give fans at home a real-time view of what it is like to be a jockey riding in the Preakness Stakes (G1).

Says D-Nice, “”Performing at this year’s Preakness LIVE alongside 2 Chainz and Jack Harlow is a full circle moment. Last year at this time, I was performing at the nation’s first full-scale, socially distant drive-in concert exclusively for frontline workers at 1/ST Preakness At Home’s Drive-InFieldFest. Now, we are able to come together live for my biggest in-person performance since the pandemic with Preakness LIVE, plus share the experience with my fans all over the world on my #ClubQuarantine Instagram. I’m excited to bring my energy and lift people’s spirits in this safe and socially-distant live experience.”

Last May during the pandemic, 1/ST EXPERIENCE reimagined the live entertainment experience with the nation’s first full-scale, socially distant drive-in concert, Drive-InFieldFest hosted by D-Nice exclusively for first responders as part of the 1/ST Preakness At Home livestream event. Now, the experience comes full circle with Preakness LIVE, an in-person concert headlined by D-NICE along with 2 Chainz and Jack Harlow. With the front rows reserved exclusively for first responders and frontline workers, Preakness LIVE will offer a safe, socially distant and more intimate live audience experiencing replacing, for this year, the tradition of InfieldFest.

With standardized COVID-19 protocols in place, Preakness 146 weekend will host 10,000 fans for a socially distant entertainment event. Preakness LIVE will offer socially distanced pods for groups of eight to provide a unique and private concert viewing environment for concertgoers. To amplify the experience, food, drinks, merchandise and more will be accessible via mobile phone ordering and served directly to guests in their seated pods along with contactless wagering via the 1/ST BET app.

Tickets for Preakness LIVE can be purchased online at Preakness beginning Wednesday, April 21. Pods are sold in packages of eight (8) between $360 – $2,000 (or $45 – $350 per person) depending on distance from the stage for the private viewing area.

“This year has given us an opportunity to maximize our entertainment offering and reimagine the race day experience for fans utilizing our ample outdoor spaces,” said Jimmy Vargas, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST EXPERIENCE. “Sporting and music events around the world have evolved to address safety precautions surrounding COVID-19, and we are proud to again innovate world-class entertainment in a safe and comfortable environment, while using our digital capabilities to share the experience globally.”

One of the most anticipated and celebrated annual sporting events, Preakness weekend features two-days of world-class Thoroughbred horse racing and entertainment. Past performers include Wyclef Jean, Kygo, Post Malone, Sam Hunt, Juice WRLD, the Chainsmokers, and many more top artists.

The year’s event will also feature elevated food and beverage concessions for Preakness 146, such as DIAGEO premium spirits brands, and official wine sponsors Kendall-Jackson and La Crema, who will be activating a pop-up wine tasting experience.

Wagering on Preakness 146 can be enjoyed regardless of where fans are viewing the race day card with handicapping tools available on the 1/ST BET app. Part of the 1/ST TECHNOLOGY suite of handicapping and betting products, 1/ST BET is changing the game by delivering a user-friendly experience that suits everyone from the experienced horseplayer to the first-timer.