Set for release on Nov. 19 from Walt Disney Records, the Encanto Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features eight original songs by Tony and Grammy-winning songwriter/composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “Moana”) with score by award-winning composer Germaine Franco (“Dora and the Lost City of Gold,” “Little,” “Tag”). Sebastiaĭn Yatra performs the original song “Dos Oruguitas” in Spanish in the film, as well as “Two Oruguitas,” the English language version of the song, in the end-credits. Previously announced artist Carlos Vives performs “Colombia, Mi Encanto.” The soundtrack is available now for pre-order. The physical soundtrack will be available on Dec. 17. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” opens in theaters November 24, 2021.
Born in Medellin, Colombia and raised in Miami, Latin GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Yatra said, “It’s always been a dream of mine to be a part of a Disney movie and it really hits the heart when it’s a Disney movie about my country and showing the best of what we have to offer, which is love and family and miracles.”
“Dos Oruguitas” marked a first for Miranda. “This is the first song I ever wrote beginning to end in Spanish,” he says. “It’s about the journey of Mirabel’s grandparents, their realization that sometimes you have to let go, you have to do the impossible.” The song is performed in the film in Spanish by Yatra.
On diving into the music of the Colombian-set story, Miranda said “A lot of the rhythms are familiar to me, but the instrumentation and orchestration is different and often unique to Colombia. One of the most fun things is that the accordion is so central to the music. It was really a joy immersing myself in artists I didn’t know and doing deeper dives into those I’ve grown up loving like Carlos Vives, who we’re lucky enough to work with on this movie. This entire process has been about falling in love with Colombian music and culture and getting to play in that space.”
The Encanto Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features eight original songs and a full original score, plus one reprise and one end-credit version of a song from the film. The digital version of the soundtrack also includes instrumental versions of the songs.
The Songs of Encanto
“The Family Madrigal” – performed by Stephanie Beatriz, Olga Merediz & Cast
“Waiting on a Miracle” – performed by Stephanie Beatriz
“Surface Pressure” – performed by Jessica Darrow
“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” – performed by Carolina Gaiten, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz & Cast
“What Else Can I Do?” – performed by Diane Guerrero & Stephanie Beatriz
“Dos Oruguitas” – performed by Sebastiaĭn Yatra
“All of You” – performed by Stephanie Beatriz, Olga Merediz, John Leguizamo, Adassa, Maluma & Cast
“Colombia, Mi Encanto” – performed by Carlos Vives
“Two Oruguitas” – English language end-credit version of “Dos Oruguitas” performed by Sebastiaĭn Yatra
Award-winning composer Germaine Franco is behind the original score for “Encanto.” Franco worked closely with filmmakers and Miranda to create a signature score that complemented the songs and story.
“Encanto” is directed by Byron Howard (“Zootopia,” “Tangled”) and Jared Bush (co-director “Zootopia”), co-directed by Charise Castro Smith (writer “The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez”) and produced by Clark Spencer and Yvett Merino. Bush and Castro Smith are screenwriters on the film.
In the film, the magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope. The voice cast includes Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecilia Botero, Wilmer Valderrama, Adassa, Diane Guerrero, Mauro Castillo, Angie Cepeda, Jessica Darrow, Rhenzy Feliz and Carolina Gaitaĭn.
The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour is pleased to announce chart-topping and platinum-certified rap star G Herbo as the headliner for their final tour of 2021, which kicks off in Philadelphia, PA, on November 12, 2021.
Tickets are on sale now and are available for purchase HERE and HERE in all markets. Be sure to get your tickets for a city near you.
“I’m excited to partner with an iconic brand like the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour and reconnect with my fans in person again. This is gonna be my biggest and absolute best tour period,” shared G Herbo.
“We had a great experience working with G Herbo for our Monster Energy Live On Location virtual series last year, and we’re excited about the idea of translating virtual to the stage in front of sold-out crowds,” adds Steve Glazer, Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Founder/Producer.
The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour is G Herbo‘s first time on the road since the release of 25, his highest-charting album, which peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart upon its release this past July. 25, which features Polo G, 21 Savage, The Kid LAROI, Gunna, and more, continues to put G Herbo at the forefront of Chicago’s distinct style of drill rap.
Complex states, “We’re used to hearing Herb be vulnerable on tracks, his album PTSD attests to this, but 25 finds the Chicago Drill pioneer in some of his most honest moments.”
G Herbo‘s recently released the visual for “Stand the Rain (Mad Max).” The Oz On The Track and Chase Davis-produced clip shows G Herbo gracing the fictitious cover of Forbes magazine’s “30 under 30 edition” while rapping over a hard-hitting beat boasting about “not reaching his goals but still sh*ttin’ on his peers.” The sentiment rings true as G Herbo is a force to be reckoned with as 25 has already garnered over 182 million streams.
Thursday, December 30, 2021: Los Angeles, LA: YouTube Theatre
About G Herbo
After quietly grinding for years out of his native Chicago, G Herbo established himself as not only a platinum-selling, chart-topping phenomenon but also as a staunch mental health advocate and proponent for change in the black community. Following a string of acclaimed projects, his critically celebrated third album PTSD bowed at #7 on the Billboard Top 200, received praise from Rolling Stone as “his most vulnerable album to date,” and yielded one of the most important songs of 2020, the platinum-certified title track “PTSD” [feat. Juice WRLD, Lil Uzi Vert, & Chance the Rapper]. His fourth full-length offering, 25, soared to the Top 5 of the Billboard Top 200, marking his second consecutive Top 10 and highest debut to date. Racking up hundreds of millions of streams right out of the gate, Pitchfork attested, “As Chicago’s G Herbo has gotten older, his music has become more urgent.” Simultaneously, he appeared on multiple #1 albums such as Pop Smoke’s Faith (“Run Down”) and The Kid LAROI’s F*CKLOVE3+: OVER YOU (“Don’t Leave Me”) as well as collaborating with Dave East and Harry Fraud. With a larger-than-life fanbase, G Herbo has shared the stage with everyone from Miley Cyrus to Marshmello. G Herbo remains a pillar of hip-hop and the culture.
Whether gifting for the holidays, a birthday, Valentine’s Day or “just because,” children’s literature is a timeless gift that can impact the recipient, families and society at-large in meaningful ways. This truth is exemplified with “A Little Spark ” children’s book authored by Chris Parsons—a truly unique title that was recently awarded the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award Gold Medal for best in family-friendly media. Fittingly so, as this distinctive interactive, read-along chapter book is centered around the noble theme of finding, and doing, good in the world.
A Little Spark is redefining children’s literature by driving its overarching message home by combining a compelling narrative and cast of identifiable characters with full color illustrations; a custom-scoredmusical soundtrack of original songs like this accessible through QR Codes while reading the book; an audiobook featuring delightful performances; fun on-and-offline activities; and invaluable life lessons that are highlighted throughout each chapter. It’s a heartening activity to enjoy with young children, grandchildren and students.
To complement the beautifully illustrated 160-page chapter book, Parsons collaborated with renowned music producer Bruce Faulconer to develop the full album with an original soundtrack and accompanying audiobook. “Lyrics range from playful to heartwarming and, in one instance, even a bit ominous,” noted Faulconer. “The music keeps the reader poised and, at times, thrillingly on the edge of their seat. We worked with an amazing group of performers and have created something truly special that’s resonating with kids and adults, alike.”
Enhancing the read-along story and the various audio components, A Little Spark also comes complete with a free companion online Resource Library available at BeThatSpark.com, which boasts over 50 book-related family activities like coloring pages, character puppets, word searches, mazes, dance videos, character drawing video tutorials and more. A “Parent’s Guide” is also available to help plan and optimize the overall experience.
“Parents, grandparents, caregivers and educators are indelibly seeking great content to engage with kids, and A Little Spark is written with purpose and intention toward that end,” said Parsons. “The storyline, and the various lessons embedded throughout, underscore that even the smallest creature can make the biggest difference. This takeaway message is especially important for young, impressionable children to hear because they so badly want to be seen and heard…in today’s culture more than ever.”
“Children’s literature is a powerful force that can shape and nurture the minds of kids,” continued Parsons. “In the case of A Little Spark, the combination of a great story, captivating illustrations and rich characters—in combination with mood-inducing music—can truly engage young minds in an impactful and immediate way. It’s one that not only entertains and inspires young audiences, but also helps them develop critical thinking skills and encourages a sense of adventure and the confidence to take that first step.”
As per the Mom’s Choice Award, “A Little Spark is an innovative, inspiring, and entertaining tale about unlikely comrades who join forces on a quest to defeat a threatening enemy. A little Spark reminds us that, to awaken our passion and spirit, we all need something in life to make the world be a warmer place, and to always look for ways to ‘Be That Spark.’”
Working in partnership with a teacher advisory group, the “Be That Spark” elementary education pilot program launched this October in multiple first grade classrooms. This one-of-a-kind scholastic program combines the book, music and all of the related material into a formal academic lesson plan designed to provide a fun, inspiring experience for educators and their students. The Be That Spark program includes a focus on helping students develop positive character traits based on the characters and lessons from the book. It aligns with U.S. standards by creating meaningful and challenging lessons for students intended to increase their reading, listening and comprehension skills.
“Our panel of judges really felt this book merited a place on our list of the best in family-friendly media products that parents and educators can feel confident in using,” said Dawn Matheson, CEO, Mom’s Choice Awards. Other accolades include A Little Spark earning its place as an Amazon new release best-seller in a number of categories, including #1 in Children’s Music Books.
ROLLS-ROYCE ANNOUNCES BLACK BADGE GHOST – THE PUREST BLACK BADGE YET
“After considerable internal debate, Rolls-Royce announced that it would create an officially sanctioned response to a new kind of client: a permanent Bespoke treatment to its motor cars named Black Badge. These products, which were launched in 2016, would be darker in aesthetic, more urgent in personality and dramatic in material treatment.
“In the five years since Black Badge became publicly available, this bold family of motor cars has come to symbolise the pinnacle of a new type of super-luxury product, setting in motion a shift across the wider luxury industry. Subsequently, nearly all luxury makers create products that seek to capture the Black Badge spirit.
“Today, we announce a product that represents a new kind of Black Badge motor car, one that seizes on the minimalist, Post Opulent design treatment that has recast the legend of Ghost but amplifies and subverts it with the application of black. Our most advanced motor car yet has been reengineered to characterise the alter ego of Rolls-Royce: assertive, dynamic, and potent. This is the purest Black Badge motor car in the marque’s history. This is Black Badge Ghost.” – Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
INTRODUCTION
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has a unique fluency in its clients. Its close relationship with the women and men who patronise the marque affords the company’s decision-makers an unparalleled understanding of the super-luxury consumer: their aesthetic preferences, uncompromising lifestyle requirements and changing taste patterns. Only with this understanding, and briefings supplied by the brand’s Luxury Intelligence Unit, is the marque able to create an accurate product response. Black Badge is a vivid example of this.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has always attracted subversive clients – rebellious women and men who built their success by breaking rules, taking risks, and challenging conventions. In the 2020s, these women and men engage with luxury products on their own terms. They reject suits for streetwear, use blockchain not banks and influence the analogue world through their digital endeavours. In doing so, they have created new codes of luxury that resonate with their sensibilities: darker in aesthetic, assertive in character and bold in design.
Their approach to Rolls-Royce products is no different. The marque has responded accordingly, developing new colour palettes, more technical surface treatments and even more powerful driving experiences without ever compromising the effortless sensibilities that have drawn this bold group of clients to the Rolls-Royce brand.
Black Badge, the highly successful alter ego of Rolls-Royce, now represents more than 27% of commissions worldwide and is codified by the mathematical symbol that represents a potential infinity, which is found within the motor car’s interior. This graphic, also known as the Lemniscate, was applied to Sir Malcolm Campbell’s record-breaking Rolls-Royce-powered Blue Bird K3 hydroplane and the marque’s designers nominated this hallmark for Black Badge motor cars to reflect their own unrelenting pursuit of power.
Rolls-Royce debuted Black Badge with Wraith and Ghost in 2016, followed by Dawn in 2017 then Cullinan in 2019. Today, a new, Post Opulent expression of Black Badge joins the family. The purest and most technologically advanced Black Badge motor car yet, Black Badge Ghost.
THE DARK SIDE OF POST OPULENCE
Conceived in response to a group of clients who requested a Rolls-Royce that was agile, discreet, highly connected, and free of any superfluous design, the new Ghost is not just the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce yet, but also the most aesthetically pure. In the twelve months since this motor car has been available, it has become one of the fastest-selling products in the marque’s history, representing more than 3,500 commissions worldwide.
This motor car also started a new design conversation in its relentless pursuit of minimalism and purity. Named ‘Post Opulence’ by Rolls-Royce designers, this aesthetic movement is characterised by reduction and substance. In service to this, exceptional materials are selected and celebrated while overt design is limited, intelligent and unobtrusive.
However, within this group of clients – who celebrate minimalism and material substance – a rebellious subset sought to create a disruptive expression of Ghost by permanently cloaking it in a shade so pure that its very classification as a colour remains a subject of debate: black. Black Badge Ghost reflects these clients’ desires. It is the dark side of Post Opulence: minimalism in extremis.
EXTERIOR
Clients are free to select any of the marque’s 44,000 ‘ready-to-wear’ colours or create their own entirely unique Bespoke hue. However, most women and men who requested this darker expression of Ghost have selected the signature Black. To create what is the motor car industry’s darkest black, 100lbs (45kg) of paint is atomised and applied to an electrostatically charged body in white before being oven dried. The motor car then receives two layers of clear coat before being hand-polished by a team of four craftsman to produce the marque’s signature high-gloss piano finish.
At between three and five hours in duration, this operation is entirely unknown in mass production, creating an intensity simply unattainable elsewhere in the automotive industry. It is this depth of darkness that serves as the perfect canvas for clients to add a high-contrast, hand-painted Coachline, which has done much to create the Black Badge ‘black and neon’ aesthetic that has come to characterise this vivid family of Rolls-Royce motor cars.
To match this dramatic coachwork, the marque’s Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople collaborated to create an entirely customisable process that allows Rolls-Royce hallmarks such as the high-polished Spirit of Ecstasy and Pantheon Grille to be subverted. Instead of simply painting these components, a specific chrome electrolyte is introduced to the traditional chrome plating process that is co-deposited on the stainless-steel substrate, darkening the finish. Its final thickness is just one micrometre – around one hundredth of the width of a human hair. Each of these components is precision-polished by hand to achieve a mirror-black chrome finish before it is fitted to the motor car.
The exterior treatment resolves with a Bespoke 21-inch composite wheelset. Designed in the Black Badge house style and reserved for Black Badge Ghost, the barrel of each wheel is made up of 22 layers of carbon fibre laid on three axes, then folded back on themselves at the outer edges of the rim, forming a total of 44 layers of carbon fibre for greater strength. A 3D-forged aluminium hub is bonded to the rim using aerospace-grade titanium fasteners and finished with the marque’s hallmark Floating Hubcap, ensuring the Double R monogram remains upright at all times. To celebrate the material substance and remarkable surface effect, a lightly tinted lacquer is applied to protect the finish but still allow clients to observe the technical complexity of the wheels unique carbon fibre construction.
INTERIOR
Advanced luxury materials have been meticulously created and crafted for a unique ambience in the interior suite. While recalling the dramatic mechanical intent of Black Badge Ghost, the materials are true to Ghost’s Post Opulent design philosophy – one defined by authenticity and material substance rather than overt statement. In this spirit, a complex but subtle weave that incorporates a deep diamond pattern rendered in carbon and metallic fibres has been created by the marque’s craftspeople.
Multiple wood layers are pressed onto the interior component substrates, using black Bolivar veneer for the uppermost base layer. This forms a dark foundation for the Technical Fibre layers that follow. Leaves woven from resin-coated carbon and contrasting metal-coated thread laid in a diamond pattern are applied by hand to the components in perfect alignment, creating a three-dimensional effect. To secure this extraordinary veneer, each component is cured for one hour under pressure at 100°C. This is then sand-blasted to create a keyed surface for six layers of lacquer, which is hand-sanded and polished before being incorporated into the motor car.
If specified in the client’s commission, the Technical Fibre ‘Waterfall’ section of the individual rear seats receives the Black Badge family motif: the mathematical symbol that represents potential infinity known as a Lemniscate. Rendered in aerospace-grade aluminium on the lid of Black Badge Ghost’s Champagne cooler, it is applied between the third and fourth layer of a total of six layers of subtly tinted lacquer, creating the illusion that the symbol is floating above the Technical Fibre veneer.
Aesthetes from the marque’s design team elected to further enhance the noir ambience of Black Badge Ghost by subduing the brightwork. Air vent surrounds on the dashboard and in the rear cabin are darkened using physical vapour deposition, one of the few methods of colouring metal that ensures parts will not discolour or tarnish over time or through repeated use. The Post Opulent principles of simplicity have also been applied to dramatic effect in the Black Badge Ghost timepiece design: only the tips of the hands and the twelve, three, six and nine o’clock markers are picked out, in a subdued chrome finish, creating a remarkably minimal clock. Additional timepieces are available within Black Badge Ghost to suit the client’s aesthetic preference.
The timepiece is flanked by a world-first Bespoke innovation that debuted with Ghost: the Illuminated Fascia, which displays an ethereal glowing Lemniscate, surrounded by more than 850 stars. Located on the passenger side of the dashboard, the constellation and motif are completely invisible when the interior lights are not in operation. As in Ghost, the Lemniscate motif is illuminated via 152 LEDs mounted above and beneath the fascia, each meticulously colour-matched to the cabin’s clock and instrument dial lighting. To ensure the Lemniscate is lit evenly, a 2mm-thick light guide is used, featuring more than 90,000 laser-etched dots across the surface. This not only disperses the light evenly but creates a twinkling effect as the eye moves across the fascia, echoing the subtle sparkle of the Shooting Star Starlight Headliner.
ENGINEERING
Black Badge is not just an aesthetic – it is an experience. The clients who requested this motor car demanded that the Bespoke treatment of Black Badge Ghost extend from the design atelier into the marque’s engineering department. In doing so, the Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople collaborated to create a vivid driving personality that matched Black Badge Ghost’s visual intent without compromising the marque’s effortless ride proclivities and exhaustive acoustic tuning.
Key to its potent character is the Architecture of Luxury, Rolls-Royce’s proprietary all-aluminium spaceframe architecture that debuted with Phantom. This sub-structure not only delivers extraordinary body stiffness, but its flexibility and scalability allowed Ghost to be equipped with all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, and the award-winning Planar Suspension system. For Black Badge, these peerless engineering qualities have been comprehensively re-engineered, including the fitting of more voluminous air springs to alleviate body roll under more assertive cornering.
The capacity of the Rolls-Royce twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine was deemed sufficient. However, the flexibility of this celebrated power plant has been exploited to generate an extra 29PS, creating a total output of 600PS. The sense of a single infinite gear has also been dramatised with the addition of a further 50NM of torque, for a total of 900NM. The powertrain has also received Bespoke transmission and throttle treatments to further enhance the engine’s increased power reserves. The ZF eight-speed gear box and both front- and rear-steered axles work collaboratively to adjust the levels of feedback to the driver, depending on throttle and steering inputs.
As with all products in the marque’s Black Badge portfolio, the ‘Low’ button situated on the gear selection stalk unlocks Black Badge Ghost’s full suite of technologies. This is asserted by the amplification of the motor car’s engine through an entirely new exhaust system, subtly announcing its potency. All 900NM of torque is available from just 1700rpm and, once underway in Low Mode, gearshift speeds are increased by 50% when the throttle is depressed to 90%, delivering Black Badge Ghost’s abundant power reserves with dramatic immediacy.
To bolster confidence when exploiting Black Badge Ghost, the braking bite point has been raised and pedal travel decreased. Non-Black Badge Ghost is provisioned with a robust braking hardware package that was deemed more than ample under extreme conditions, even accounting for the Black Badge alter ego’s increased power output. However, a new suite of bold high-temperature brake calliper paint colours has been developed in preparation for forthcoming Black Badge Ghost commissions.
The Advantages of the Transaxillary Method According to Memorial Plastic Surgery’s Dr. Patrick Hsu
When considering breast augmentation, one of the most common concerns patients have is the scarring that will occur after the procedure. And while this depends on the incision made during the surgery, Dr. Patrick Hsu of Memorial Plastic Surgery favors one particular method, called transaxillary breast augmentation, for its minimally-invasive approach which leaves no visible scar on the breast.
Dr. Hsu offers transaxillary breast augmentation at his clinic in Houston, Texas, as an alternative incision technique compared to the more common inframammary and periareolar methods of implantation.
This cutting-edge technique soared in popularity among Asian breast augmentation patients who are at an increased risk for darker, pigmented scars because of their skin tone. But because it causes minimal scarring that’s hidden beneath the underarm, it’s now a preferred technique by patients of all ethnicities.
“I consider this technique to be extremely safe. It allows our patients to recover faster as there is no large incision and they can enjoy their results sooner,” he shares.
Dr. Hsu is a well-known advocate of safe cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, performing the most complex surgeries using minimally invasive techniques that ensure the patient experiences no complications after the procedure. He is actively involved in raising awareness about one of the most complicated surgeries, the Brazilian Butt Lift, and has spoken out about the importance of finding a plastic surgeon who understands the complexity of the procedure and performs it with the patient’s safety in mind.
Every patient who visits his clinic at Memorial Plastic Surgery receives an initial consultation for Dr. Hsu to understand their goals and make treatment recommendations that will help them achieve their specific goals with the shortest possible downtime and least complications.
Explaining the Transaxillary Method
Transaxillary breast augmentation involves making a small incision in the armpit. Dr. Hsu uses an endoscope to assist in the dissection to minimize bleeding and to create a precise, clean pocket for the implants.
Both silicone and saline implants may be used with this method, though the size of the incision varies depending on the implant used. The implants are typically placed under the muscle. Once healed, the scars are almost indistinguishable from a natural crease in the armpit.
“What makes this technique much safer is that it eliminates the need to cut through the muscle or the breast when accessing the implant site,” Dr. Hsu explains. “Because of this, it’s also less likely to cause a temporary loss of nipple sensation, which is a common side effect of other breast augmentation techniques.”
Dr. Hsu employs a no-touch technique that prevents any contact between the implant and the patient’s skin during implantation. This greatly reduces the risk of bacterial infection and capsular contracture.
Check out this video of Dr. Hsu performing a transaxillary breast augmentation.
A series of videos featuring Dr. Hsu and his team are found on his social media accounts so that potential clients can get a sense of how he performs breast augmentation and see a glimpse of the excellent, life changing results he’s able to produce.
Get In Touch with Dr. Patrick Hsu Today
Now that lockdown measures are easing across the country, Dr. Hsu and his team at Memorial Plastic Surgery have implemented strict COVID protocols to safely reopen their clinic and cater to a new surge of patients requesting cosmetic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation. Patients considering breast augmentation with the transaxillary method can consult with Dr. Hsu for a comprehensive treatment plan to help them achieve their specific goals.
In the last decade, Dr. Hsu has performed hundreds of breast augmentations using the transaxillary method and has achieved satisfactory results that meet their cosmetic goals and provide a safe and quick recovery process.
Get in touch with Dr. Hsu today by visiting Memorial Plastic Surgery’s website to schedule a consultation or by calling the clinic’s hotline at 713-633-4411.
COACHINTRODUCESCOACH × MICHAEL B. JORDAN‘BLUE THE GREAT: THE ART OF COLLABORATION’
Capsule Collection Designed in Collaboration with Michael B. Jordan and Blue the Great
Coach introduces Coach × Michael B. Jordan, its next collaboration with actor, producer and Coach men’s ambassador Michael B. Jordan. The capsule collection, titled ‘Blue the Great: The Art of Collaboration’ is a partnership between Coach, Jordan and his friend, LA-based artist and painter Blue the Great. The collection and campaign recontextualize inclusivity in art—using the house’s heritage as a canvas to spotlight the importance of collaboration and friendship amongst the two artists––and the creative community at large.
Inspired by Jordan’s personal approach to style and Blue’s contemporary take on art, the all-gender collection of ready-to-wear, footwear, bags and accessories combines the house’s heritage in craftsmanship with sportswear and streetwear in a limited edition drop. It features Coach’s iconic codes—Signature and Rexy—updated with Blue’s trademark mummy-wrapped art, as well as a tote crafted of 100 percent recycled materials.
To introduce the collection, Coach will release a campaign photographed by frequent Coach collaborator Shaniqwa Jarvis. Featuring portraits of Jordan, Blue and friends, Khat and Frank Brim (beauty and lifestyle influencers) and Tori Kirihara (artist) in an “open door” art gallery, the story repositions this traditionally exclusive place as a venue for collaboration and authentic connection. Inspired by the inclusive and optimistic spirit of New York and Coach, the campaign continues the house’s tradition of spotlighting the voices of up-and-coming and under-represented artists in its storytelling.
“We had worked with Blue as part of our Spring 2021 campaign, so I was excited to partner with him and Michael on this special collection,” said Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers. “Mike and Blue have a great friendship, grounded in mutual respect for each other’s artistic approach. The combination brought originality, dimension and significance to this collection.”
“I’ve been painting since I was a kid. It’s crazy and pretty exciting to be able put my spin on such an iconic brand like Coach. Whenever art and fashion mix exciting things can happen,” said Blue the Great.
Rising Florida star SpotemGottem is back today with thrilling new single “Killers On They Shit”. On the track, Spotem lays out the ruthless logistics of a hit, rapping menacingly while the record pulsates around him with authentic street energy. “Killers On They Shit” has all the aggression and on-the-ground detail that fans have come to expect from the Jacksonville native. Watch the ShotbyGG-directed video for the track HERE, or listen to all digital retailers HERE.
“Killers On They Shit” marks the beginning of a new era of music for SpotemGottem, as he prepares to follow up his critical and commercially acclaimed project ‘Most Wanted’ which was released earlier this year. Most Wanted was the culmination of a rise that began when SpotemGottem released “Beat Box” last year. With a mellow, but ominous trap beat, ferocious bars, and delivery filled with sporadic shouts, the song picked up serious momentum since its release with established artists like DaBaby, Pooh Sheisty, Polo G, NLE Choppa, and more tapping in for remixes. With the momentum of “Beat Box” still at his back, nearly 6 million monthly Spotify listeners, and Most Wanted hitting streaming platforms everywhere, SpotemGottem remains poised to fully take over. Recently, the young talent also made his television debut during the 2021 BET Awards pre-show where he performed a high-energy minute-long performance of his viral hit “Beat Box” alongside JuneBug. Revisit the performance HERE.
Lil Wayne to Headline Drai’s Nightclub “Matrix” Themed Halloween Weekend
Iconic rooftop nightclub will show Las Vegas “a world where anything is possible” with incredible Drai’s LIVE performances by Jeezy and Lil Wayne
Drai’s Nightclub is adding a glitch to Halloween Weekend with three nights of mind-blowing “Matrix” themed parties. The weekend will be headlined by an epic Drai’s LIVE concert by Lil Wayne on Saturday, Oct. 30. Drai’s Halloween weekend will also feature performances by BET award-winner Jeezy on Friday, Oct. 29. Drai’s resident DJ and legendary music producer, DJ Franzen will keep the party going on Sunday, Oct. 31 for a special SunDrais experience on Halloween night.
Five-time Grammy Award-winner Lil Wayne, known as “Weezy” to his fans, is known for hits like “A Milli” and “Go DJ.” His newest solo album, “Funeral,” debuted no. 1 on the 2020 Billboard Charts, becoming Lil Wayne’s fifth chart-topping album. He recently released a collaborative album with Rich the Kid entitled “Trust Fund Babies” on October 1, 2021.
Drai’s LIVE brings full-length performances to the rooftop of The Cromwell, set to the stunning backdrop of the lights of the Las Vegas Strip. Frequent Drai’s LIVE performers include superstar artists such as Wiz Khalifa, Gucci Mane, Rick Ross, and many more. The full list of upcoming Drai’s LIVE performances can be found HERE.
Drai’s Nightclub is open Friday through Sunday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tickets and VIP table reservations are available on the website at Here. Other special requests are available by emailing info@draislv.com.
TELEVISION ACADEMY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Netflix Vice President of Overall Deals, Series Nne Ebong and Freeform Executive Vice President of Programming and Development Jamila Hunter Join Board of Television Academy Foundation
The Television Academy Foundation today named two new members to its board of directors: Nne Ebong, vice president, overall deals, series at Netflix, and Jamila Hunter, executive vice president of programming and development at Freeform, Disney General Entertainment’s young-adult network. Ebong and Hunter have been elected to three-year terms, effective immediately.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nne Ebong and Jamila Hunter to our board,” said Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy Foundation. “We look forward to implementing their collective expertise and strategic guidance in the Foundation’s future plans for educational programming and community outreach to help build a more inclusive and diverse television industry.”
As vice president of overall deals, series at Netflix, Ebong is responsible for leading the development of series under creative partnerships with Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland and President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions, among others.
Prior to joining Netflix, Ebong was creative lead at Wiip, a global film and television studio. During her time there she played an integral role in the studio’s efforts to identify, develop and produce projects for the cable, streaming, and international marketplace, including HBO’s The White House Plumbers starring Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux and Amazon’s The Summer I, Turned Pretty created by New York Times bestselling author Jenny Han.
Ebong has been honored by the “I Have A Dream” Foundation, Los Angeles. She serves as a Big Sister through The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. She is also a mentor for Who’s in the Room, a program launched by Time’s Up to help diversify the executive and producer ranks throughout the industry.
As executive vice president of programming and development at Freeform, Jamila Hunter oversees all scripted and unscripted development and current originals for Disney General Entertainment’s young-adult network. She returned to Disney in 2020 after acting as president of Khalabo Ink Society, Kenya Barris’ production company. Prior to this, Hunter was senior vice president of ABC Comedy where she oversaw the development of all network sitcoms. Under her leadership, ABC launched the highly rated reboot of Roseanne and The Conners. Before stepping into this role, Jamila was vice president of ABC Comedy where she worked on projects ranging from Emmy-nominated black-ish to Last Man Standing. Prior to joining ABC, she worked her way up the executive ranks through various roles in comedy, alternative, and digital programming at NBC, Bravo, OWN, and 20th Century Fox Television.
Hunter is also on the board of the Ghetto Film School and HBCU in Los Angeles, two organizations that share the Foundation’s focus on innovating ways to diversify the talent pipeline. In addition, she works with Women in Film and Arts for LA and serves as a peer group advisor for the Television Academy’s Executive Peer Group.
More than 1,000 students have been kidnapped from schools in northern Nigeria since December. The kidnappers are Islamic militants, often referred to as ‘Bandits,” and they consistently grow stronger in Nigeria. Many of the kidnapped students have been released for large ransoms of all their families have, but many are killed in captivity. Negotiations of ransoms tend to end in killing of the hostages. The head teacher at one of the schools in Nigeria told reporters that many parents sold most of what they owned in an effort to raise funds totalling more that 30 million naira (about $72,900 USD). The hostages are as young as 4 years old, and are often held for at least three months without their parents.
The greatest number of victims, hostages never to be seen again, are young girls who are raped, sold off into slavery, and forced to marry their captors.
Save the Children International, a non-governmental organization (NGO), has observed these attacks. The group claims the increasing cases of attacks on students has put the education system of Nigeria at extreme risk. Save The Children International stated “from January to August 2021, over 1000 children were abducted in Nigeria, with so many of them still in the hands of their abductors.”
Mercy Gichuhi, Nigerian Director of Save the Children International said “When education is under attack, a generation is attacked. Children, girls, and women are more vulnerable at times of attack, putting them at a higher risk of traumas, fear, gender-based violence, physical and sexual abuse.”
The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) stated that between 2015–2019, there were over 100 reported attacks on schools in Nigeria. The Islamist attacks increased between 2020 and 2021, which led to the closedown of many schools due to fear of being attacked.
About Yuval David
Yuval David is an innovative actor, host, and filmmaker with a creative mantra to entertain, uplift, and inspire. He is a captivating performer and compelling storyteller who uses his platform for sharing narratives that affect social change, specifically on behalf of highly respected US and international organizations that raise awareness for the marginalized and under-represented, inspired by his LGBTQ + and Jewish identity, and his Israeli-American roots.
As an actor, Yuval plays major roles in feature films, television, theatre, web, digital media, and voice overs. These include, “What Would You Do” (ABC), “Madam Secretary” (CBS), “The Michael J Fox Show” (NBC), “Beauty and the Beast” (Disney), in addition to productions with HBO, Comedy Central, Dreamworks, AFI, and theatres across the globe.
As a TV Host/Presenter, Yuval focuses on societal, humanitarian, and entertainment programming.
As a filmmaker, Yuval produces, directs, and writes films, documentaries, web-series, digital and TV content, including the award-winning episodic series, ‘One Actor Short,’ ‘Pranks of Kindness,’ ‘Better World with Yuval David,’ ‘What Makes You Beautiful,’ and numerous other web series.
Yuval’s exceptional work has been screened at more than 100 film festivals and taken home more than 75 awards from international film festivals, including The Big Apple Film Festival, New York International Film Festival, NewFilmmakers Film Festival, NYC Independent Film Festival, Hollywood Just4Shorts Film Festival, Top Shorts Film Festival, Vegas CineFest International Film Festival, IndieFest, Accolade Global, American Picture, Atlanta Film Festival, and Global Webisode Festival, just to name a few
Inspired by his Jewish and Israeli-American roots, Yuval advocates for all marginalized communities through his creative work and social action, including the Israeli Consulate, the Shoah Foundation, the Jewish National Fund (JNF), Keren Kayemet, Stand With Us, A Wider Bridge, The Aguda, American Israel Cultural Foundation, Chabad, The Jewish Learning Institute, #EndJewHate, and JewBelong among other organizations. Yuval is frequently invited to host, MC, and speak on behalf of cultural, humanitarian, philanthropic, social and political initiatives and institutions.
Yuval David is also a go-to host and narrator for video and documentary features for Jewish, Israeli, LGBTQ, Arts, Cultural and Humanitarian Organizations and Initiatives, including The National LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change national conference, the Shoah Foundation, the Jewish National Fund (JNF USA), and Stand With Us.
