Posts made in October 2022

Donna Kalajian Lagani × Hearst Foundation

DONNA KALAJIAN LAGANI NAMED VICE PRESIDENT AND EASTERN DIRECTOR OF THE WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST FOUNDATION OF CALIFORNIA AND THE HEARST FOUNDATION, INC. OF NEW YORK

Hearst today announced that Donna Kalajian Lagani has been named vice president and Eastern director of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation of California and the Hearst Foundation, Inc. of New York, succeeding George B. Irish who passed away on September 13 after serving 14 years in that position. She begins her new role immediately.

The announcement was made by William Randolph Hearst III, chairman of the board of directors of Hearst, president of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and a director of the Hearst Foundation, Inc., and Virginia Hearst Randt, president of the Hearst Foundation, Inc.

Kalajian Lagani joined the Hearst Foundations in 2019 as senior program officer after nearly 25 years at Hearst Magazines.

Separate from the corporation, the Hearst Foundations are national philanthropic resources for organizations working in the fields of culture, education, health and social services. In addition, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation operates two programs, the United States Senate Youth Program and the Journalism Awards Program. Since its inception, the Foundations have made over 22,200 grants to 6,300 organizations, totaling more than $1.4 billion in funds awarded. Paul “Dino” Dinovitz is executive director of both foundations and leads the Western operations.

“For years, Donna was a high-energy executive at Hearst Magazines,” said Hearst. “She brings the same passion for making things happen to her role in philanthropy. I know Donna will make a positive impact on people’s lives — creating the kind of opportunities that my grandfather envisioned when he started the Foundations in 1946. The entire team looks forward to working with her. Donna will sustain our mission to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits and ensure that people of all backgrounds have the chance to build healthy, productive and satisfying lives.”

Said Randt: “Donna has already made a profound impact at the Foundations and has worked tirelessly to identify the organizations who can make the most impact with our grants.”

“The past four years with the Foundations have been among the most fulfilling of my career,” said Kalajian Lagani. “The Foundations are committed to helping organizations make lasting, positive changes in our world and I am honored to be able to be a part of it and to carry on that mission.”

Kalajian Lagani joined Hearst Magazines in 1995 as publisher of Cosmopolitan and was named publishing director in 1999. She added oversight of Seventeen in 2014 and of Women’s Health in 2018, following Hearst’s acquisition of Rodale. During her career at Cosmopolitan, Kalajian Lagani introduced groundbreaking initiatives, most recently through mobile and artificial intelligence technology. She developed and immortalized the “fun fearless female” mantra used by Cosmopolitan editions worldwide. During her tenure, she helped launch CosmoGIRL! and Cosmo for Latinas and was a strong force in bringing Cosmopolitan to new platforms, including Snapchat and Sirius XM Radio.

The Hearst Foundation, Inc. was founded by William Randolph Hearst in 1946. In 1949, Hearst established the California Charities Foundations, later renamed the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Both foundations are guided by the same charitable mission, which reflects the philanthropic interests of their founder.

The two foundations are managed as one entity, sharing the same funding guidelines, leadership and staff. Staff based in New York City review all proposals from organizations located east of the Mississippi River, and staff in the San Francisco office review those from organizations west of it.

DOLCE&GABBANA POINT SCHOLARSHIP

DOLCE&GABBANA ANNOUNCES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW SCHOLARSHIP

Applications for the Scholarship opens on October 26th 2022, and can be accessed HERE.

Continuing in its commitment to support young talents and promote their education, Dolce&Gabbana, on the occasion of International Coming Out Day 2022, announces the establishment of the “Dolce&Gabbana Point Scholarship.”

Dolce&Gabbana will collaborate with Point Foundation – the largest LGBTQ+ scholarship granting organization in the US that aims to empower promising students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – by sponsoring a four-year scholarship in fashion or related fields in an accredited college or university in the US.

The recipient will be announced in June 2023 and the Scholarship will start in September 2023, for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The establishment of the “Dolce&Gabbana Point Scholarship” follows the brand’s longstanding support of educational initiatives including collaborations with Humanitas University in Milan, Italy, which supports selected MedTech students, an innovative degree program in Medicine.

DOUGIE B – “Wreck”

DOUGIE B READY TO “WRECK” ON NEW SINGLE WITH YAGI B OUT NOW

WATCH VIDEO HERE

WATCH THE LIFE OF DOUGIE B VLOG HERE

Returning with more heat, Bronx rap phenomenon Dougie B unleashes an intense and infectious new single and video entitled “Wreck” with Yagi B today via Republic Records.

Listen to “Wreck” —HERE. Watch the music video to “Wreck” —HERE.

On the track, incisive drill production rumbles as he launches into a raw rapid-fire flow. As the bass rattles, his storytelling begins, “Ran so fast they don’t tell him where his shoes at.”Yagi B pulls up with an equally punchy cameo of his own. Together, they deliver an explosive and engaging anthem laced with thrilling lyrical mastery. The music video matches the energy as the duo and their crew mob through a New York City playground performing their signature “geeking” dance moves.

Sharing more than his music, this week Dougie B launched a new YouTube vlog series titled, “The Life Of Dougie B.” The show follows his everyday activity as he elevates his rap career while maintaining his fun personality. Watch the first episode —HERE.

It lands in the wake of his eventful summer which includes the release of “UZI.” Upon arrival it incited critical applause. HotNewHipHop noted, “His flow is high energy and relentless; it seems like he barely stops to take a breath in the song’s two and a half minute runtime,” and declared, “Dougie B has proven himself to be an important figure in New York’s drill scene.” DJ Booth also touted him among “10 Rappers You Should Know Right Now On Audiomack” and praised, “Over scattered percussion and sampled strings, Dougie B delivers threats and boasts in a hoarse yell, turning something that once belonged to the internet into something intensely regional.” Also Variety included him in their highlight “The Voice of New York is Drill” while COMPLEX applauded him in their feature, “Sample Drill Is Taking Over New York Rap.”

It just paves the way for more music from Dougie B soon.

Piling up tens of millions of streams, he made waves on Kay Flock’s viral “Shake it” [feat. Cardi B, Dougie B, & Bory300], landing on the New York Times’ coveted feature The Playlist and one of Billboard’s “Best Songs of 2002 So Far.” Meanwhile, Huffington Post noted it “highlights New York’s ever-evolving drill scene.”Complex went as far as to crown him a “key player” in the New York Sample Drill movement.

“I’m Back” and “Forever On That” finally made their way to retail stores. He initially teased the songs on YouTube, inciting a groundswell of excitement in the process. The hard-hitting and hypnotic “Forever On That” surpassed 6 million views during its initial upload on Kay Flock’s YouTube Channel and soared to #1 on YouTube “Trending.” Maintaining this momentum, the instantly irresistible “I’m Back” also vaulted to #7 on “Trending.” The two-pack illuminates the strength of his airtight flow and knack for a knockout hook. These songs affirm Dougie B as one of the hottest rising stars in New York right now which has landed him a performance on the upcoming Rolling Loud New York festival.

The 20-year-old Bronx rapper has independently earned millions of views and streams of his music as part of a rising new vanguard alongside brothers-in-arms Kay Flock and B-Lovee. Their quintessential “Brotherly Love” has amassed nearly 24 million views to date and launched an entire Bronx drill movement informed by their grim realities. He recently made his Billboard Hot 100 debut with “Shake It” alongside Kay Flock and Cardi B, with the track’s video garnering 26 million views on YouTube and earning major looks from Pitchfork, Billboard, Insider, Complex, The Source, and more. He has also impressively exceeded 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

ABOUT DOUGIE B
Dougie B has walked through life’s flames and emerged on the other side with a powerful and potent story to share. The 20-year-old Bronx, NY rapper opens up with no shortage of street grit and hauntingly hypnotic hooks, earning tens of millions of views and streams independently as part of a rising new vanguard alongside the likes of Kay Flock and B-Lovee. He immediately gravitated towards music as a kid. He initially drew inspiration from watching his uncle rap. At just 13-years-old, he witnessed tragedy firsthand when his father died from a series of epileptic seizures. He moved upstate with his mom, but their relationship fractured and he returned to the city. In between making his way on the streets, he listened to the likes of Gunna, Young Thug, G Herbo, Chief Keef, Kodak Black, and the late King Von. In and out of jail, he spent a year behind bars before returning home in summer 2020. He joined forces with Sha Ek and Kay Flock on the banger “No More Free Dougie B,” cracking over 2 million YouTube views. Alongside Kay Flock and B-Lovee, he unleashed “Brotherly Love” in 2021, amassing north of 20 million views. Other anthems included “Geeked” with CHII WVTTZ, SET DA TREND, and CBLU as well as “Turnt” with B-Lovee. With all of this momentum, he caught the attention of Republic Records and inked a deal with the label at the top of 2022. Now, he approaches the game with unbridled ambition on a series of 2022 singles and his debut project.

Follow Dougie B on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Spotify.

About Republic Records
A division of Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, Republic Records has been recognized by Billboard as the industry’s #1 label over the last 10 years. It is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Billy Porter, Bo Burnham, Ciara, Clairo, Coi Leray, Conan Gray, Daddy Yankee, Drake, Eddie Vedder, G Herbo, Glass Animals, Florence + the Machine, Greta Van Fleet, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack Johnson, James Blake, James Bay, Jessie J, Jimmy Fallon, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Jonas Brothers, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Kim Petras, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Metro Boomin, NAV, Nicki Minaj, Of Monsters and Men, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Stevie Wonder, Swedish House Mafia, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Twice, TXT, and more. Founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, it is also comprised of innovative business ventures, including American Recordings, Boominati Worldwide, Brushfire, Casablanca Records, Cash Money, Federal Films, HYBE, Imperial, JYP, Lava Records, Mercury Records, Republic Records: Kids & Family, Republic Nashville, Universal Arabic Music, Uptown Records, Victor Victor, Wicked Money Family, XO, Young Money, among others.

Seven Tips for Starting a Business

When starting a business, consulting for financial due diligence can be crucial in ensuring a solid foundation and implementing the seven essential tips for a successful venture, and setting your business on the path to prosperity.

Here are seven tips to help you launch your new business.

Start Small

You’re taking on the challenge of opening up a new business for a reason. When you’re passionate about sharing your products and services with the world, it’s easy to get ahead of yourself.

One of the biggest mistakes a new business can make is offering too much too soon. Customers don’t identify your business with anything and you can end up in serious debt.

At the start of your business, narrow your focus down to a few related items that you can market to consumers. That way, you’re not stretching your budget too far.

Your company needs to find its identity. What product or service should your customers identify your business with? Center your focus on that thing and other small offerings to begin making a profit.

As your business grows, so can your line-up.

Organize Your Finances

Before you can do much with your business, you must get your finances in order. Most small businesses begin by taking out a loan and renting or purchasing a property. You then have to consider hiring employees and payroll and your normal supply chain costs.

As your business grows, other items will be considered, such as charitable donations or expanded locations.

You need to keep your financial assets organized from day one of planning your business for the Internal Revenue Service to accurately appraise and tax your company.

Without accurate financial records, you could end up in legal trouble.

Open up at least one separate bank account for your business and use a bookkeeper or financial software to keep track of everywhere your money goes. If you are not sure where to start, seek help from a financial advisor.

Know Your Competition

It’s unlikely that you’re the only business that offers similar products or services, so it’s important to know your competition.

Do a search on any similar products or services in the community and region. Also, see what online businesses are popular in the market. Once you know what else is out there, you can decide how to differentiate your business from them.

You need to have something original that makes you stand out from the crowd, whether it’s through marketing or materials.

Will your company offer a perk that your competitors don’t? Is your product or service better run or made? Is it more affordable than the others? All of these can influence your prospective customers to come to you for their needs.

Locate Strategically

Where you choose to put your physical location can make or break your business. You need a place that won’t run you dry but is close enough that your customers can easily commute.

For many businesses, a location near the town center or a business district works well. When you are amongst other businesses, you can attract potential customers who are out and about with shopping in mind. They’ll be more likely to stop by your products or services when they pass your business.

Another factor is what the ideal property for your customer base would be. If you sell lawnmowers, you don’t want to put yourself in an area filled with apartment complexes.

With the right property, you can get an advantage off of local competition by being the more convenient business to visit.

By choosing the right location, you strengthen your other business growth strategies.

Market Like Crazy

You can strategize and set up your business well, but there’s no point in any of it if people don’t know you exist.

It’s good to hire someone who knows marketing, though there are things you can do on your own to promote your business.

Send an announcement for local news stations to use. Ask non-competing businesses to display your flyers or business cards. Put an advertisement in the newspaper and post it on social media. Consider renting a billboard advertising to the community. You could also stand outside your businesses and offer free flyers or samples.

You’ll need to have a grand opening to help with your publicity and invite everyone around to check out your establishment. Invite the news and local leaders, hold a ribbon cutting and provide some freebies and special prizes.

As the business owner, you’ll need to put yourself out there. Give interviews to publications and answer questions. You are the face of your business, and your involvement with your consumer base can affect how they perceive you.

Embrace the Internet

Almost every business now has a website that you can use for marketing or as an online store. With internet shopping still on the rise, it’s more important than ever for your business to enter the ocean of e-commerce.

The first step is to create a website. There are many free and low-cost platforms that allow you to begin building web pages for your business.

On your website, talk about your business’ origin and what your values are. Give potential customers a good idea of what products or services you offer, regardless of whether or not you choose to make them available via the website.

Make sure that you advertise your physical location on the website and include contact information for viewers to ask questions.

Once your business is established, you can also consider adding reviews and testimonials to the website.

Having a website isn’t the only way to make your presence on the internet known. Services like Google Business allow you to post information to appear on the results page when someone searches for your business. It displays your business hours contact information and links to your website or social media pages.

Speaking of social media, you should create different pages and profiles for your business. By joining different platforms, you can reach a more diverse audience.

Create a Positive Environment

When you own a small business, customers notice the little things. One of those things is the overall mood in your store.

You want your customers to feel good about entering your business while giving them the confidence that you will provide what they need. This involves appealing to their senses, from sight and sound to smell.

Employees can also reflect the atmosphere of a business. You want to treat your employees well because you should and to help them be in a good mood while serving your customers. At the same time, provide customer service training and keep communication open about the best ways to serve each person that comes through your door. When people feel good visiting your business, they are likely to return.

Ferrari Monza SP: the First-born of the Icona Line

To demonstrate that the Ferrari lineup will now be represented only by the most expensive and exclusive cars that are part of the Icona line, the Italians demonstrated two models – the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2.

For who was this car created? Of course, for the most devoted of his fans. All fans associate this car model with old versions of the car. And some have even compared it to the Mercedes SLR McLaren Stirling Moss, the latest modification of the SLR by the Speedster. Ferrari would not approve of selling such a car to a person who only once became a customer of the company, buying an initial model with a V8. To buy such a car, you need to be a connoisseur of these machines, and at the same time Ferrari must know about it.

Unfortunately,this car was produced in a circulation of only 100 copies and therefore it is not possible to rent it. However, you can still use the rent ferrari dubai service to rent luxury cars.

Sales

As mentioned earlier, only 100 copies of this model were produced – and all of them have already been sold. Based on this, it follows that the car is clearly not worth $100,000. The car is very expensive, but, unfortunately, its price has not been disclosed. In addition, a special line of accessories was released for new owners, developed in collaboration with Italian fashion houses:

● Limited shoes;
● Wardrobe items (gloves and scarves);
● Safety helmets, etc.

Machine architecture

The presented models SP1 and SP2 are the same car, only one in a single, and the second in a two-seater version. To create this model, the developers were inspired by the old models of sport cars of the 50s. Therefore, the new model has a number of characteristic features:

● Contours with bulging wheel arches;
● The body is made entirely of carbon fiber;
● Doors open sideways and up;
● Roof and windshield not included.

It is also unusual that the doors here open exclusively from the cabin. So if you need to get into this car, you should stick your hand inside and open the door from the inside. There is a loop on the inner lining of the door that you can reach and pull to close the door. There is no glass in front of the driver at all, only a diffuser that directs air above the driver’s head. There is a small piece of glass in front of the passenger. In the middle, at the base of the central partition, there is a rear-view mirror, which is mounted on an oblique leg and visually looks more like a side mirror. Specially designed to protect against airflow, safety helmets have been developed and a small air deflector is used for frontal protection.

An interesting fact: the height of the car is slightly more than a meter (1155 mm).

Vehicle Specifications

These car specifications are based on the chassis of the serial Ferrari 812 Superfast coupe. Model specifications:

Naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine (power 812 hp);
Maximum power is reached at 8,500 rpm;
All this power flows through the 7-speed robot and is transferred, of course, to the rear wheels;
Acceleration to 100 km in 2.9 seconds;
The maximum speed is 340 km per hour.

In conclusion, the ferrari monza sp1 and sp2 are great examples of modern technology wrapped in classic cars from the 50s. The price of these copies starts from $ 1,400,000, and their limited number makes it difficult to purchase this car. But you can still rent luxury cars with the help of the rental companies.

Six Best Ways to Make Your Rooms Look More Spacious

Decorating a small room can raise a series of challenges, especially if you want it to look good, but also feel practical. Finding a middle solution can be tricky. However, there are simple ways to make a room look more spacious and chic at the same time. Here are a few good options.

Choose the right curtains and drapes

Curtains and drapes can make a difference if you use a bit of common sense. Most people opt for contrast designs when matching curtains and walls, but this is a bad idea. What you need to do is give them the exact same color.

Indeed, white walls with gray, dark green or red curtains may look pretty stylish. But then, the mix of colors will visually reduce the size of the room, which is already small enough. Getting the same color will bring in some unity.

Based on the color of your walls, it may seem difficult to find curtains and drapes in the same color, especially since most manufacturers opt for darker nuances. However, a bit of research will give you something suitable.

Use natural light

Natural light is a classic. The more light can go into a room, the more spacious it looks. The solution is even better if you have large windows. Whether you are just resting in that room or you have some guests over, pull the curtains and allow as much natural light inside as possible.

To benefit from natural light, you might as well give up on drapes. Keep some curtains for privacy though. If you do give up on drapes, keep in mind that you may lose privacy after sunset if you turn the lights on. Anyone will be able to see inside.

Furthermore, you can replace solid wood doors with internal glazed doors. After all, doors with windows in their composition will allow even more light inside. Besides, you can also have some of the light go into the hall and give it a more spacious appearance too.

Opt for sofas and armchairs with legs

When investing in furniture, things with legs seem a bit old fashioned. Instead, you would rather have a massive sofa rest directly on the floor. The same goes for armchairs. Plus, large, cozy and comfy armchairs are usually made without legs.

Other than that, most people will think about cleaning too. When there is plenty of space under your furniture, chances are dust and debris will gather in there, so cleaning will be a bit difficult. Luckily, most vacuum cleaners have long and narrow heads for such places.

Furniture with legs is totally worth it in a small room because it creates a spacious effect. It feels like all the furniture is floating, so it feels like there is more space, even if it technically covers the same surface. It is all about the optical illusion.

Get rid of things you do not use

Giving up on things is difficult for a lot of people. Most people will cling to things because of different meanings. For instance, you may want to keep something because there are memories related to it, or perhaps you think it looks good somewhere on the furniture.

Now, the more things you have around a particular room, the more clogged it will appear to be. Sure, plenty of decorations will definitely give you a cozy appearance, which is opposite to the modern and simplistic approach.

Sure, a few decorative items can make a difference, but if your room is full of things you never use or touch, it might be time to get rid of them. If you cannot, simply gather everything in boxes and store such things somewhere else.

Choose bright or neutral colors

If you are decorating a room from scratch or want a total change, keep an eye on the colors. You may need to change the colors of your walls as well, not to mention the color of your door and different pieces of furniture.

For instance, you need bright colors. If too much white bothers you, opt for some neutral colors then. Take beige, for example. Mix neutral colors one with another, and you will achieve an extraordinary visual effect.

Such colors will make a space look bigger. On the other hand, avoid loaded wallpaper, patterns or large pieces. If you love such things, opt for subtle designs. Keep in mind that the larger something is, the more space it will visually take.

Choose multifunctional furniture

If you can find a piece of furniture that you can use as a sofa, armchair, dining table and coffee table, go for it. Sure, you are less likely to find such a transformer, but you can still find multifunctional furniture with different purposes.

For example, small stools can be used to sit down, but many of them are also empty on the inside, so you can store things in there. If there is a pillow on top you can remove, hide it and turn it into a coffee table. Sometimes, you may need to use your imagination too.

Bottom line, there are, indeed, different ways to make a room look bigger. Some of these changes may require an investment, so it pays off doing everything in one go, from changing wall colors to replacing doors. Apart from money, you will also need a decent amount of creativity in the process.

Avengers Assemble × Jason Aaron

THE MIGHTIEST HEROES FROM ALL OF TIME AND SPACE GATHER TO FACE THE END OF ALL THAT IS IN THE AVENGERS ASSEMBLE TRAILER!

Jason Aaron brings his Avengers era to an end with the biggest Avengers story of all time starring, starting with AVENGERS ASSEMBLE ALPHA #1 on November 30. See the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ upcoming battle against an incredible legion of villains led by MEPHISTO in the shocking new trailer!

The greatest army of heroes ever assembled go to war against the deadliest group of villains who’ve ever lived in an epic story so monumental it can only come from the mind of super hero visionary Jason Aaron! AVENGERS ASSEMBLE will close out Aaron’s nearly five-year run on Avengers with a breathtaking crossover between Aaron’s two current Avengers titles, Avengers and Avengers Forever. The saga will officially kick off in next month’s AVENGERS ASSEMBLE ALPHA #1 where Aaron will be joined by superstar artist Bryan Hitch, and fans will witness the start of a conflict beyond all imagination—a grand battle that stretches from the dawn of time when Earth was protected by the Avengers of 1,000,000 BC to the twilight of all reality and everything in between!

At Infinity’s End stands Avengers Tower, and it’s fallen under assault by the ultimate forces of evil including the Multiversal Masters of Evil and Mephisto. The Avengers fans know and love will unite with heroes from the past, future, and far reaches of the multiverse to defend Avengers Tower and the fate of Marvel history as we know it. Can they work together? And will their power be enough to prevent the end of all that is? Fans can get their first glimpse at this awe-inspiring showdown as well as some of the characters who will be fighting on the frontlines of it in the new AVENGERS ASSEMBLE trailer, featuring never-before-seen artwork!

“Four years of Avengers stories. Threads from really every major series I’ve worked on throughout my last decade and a half at Marvel, from Ghost Rider to Thor. It all leads to this. The biggest Avengers story I could possibly imagine,” Aaron said. “Featuring a cavalcade of characters from across creation. And I’m so deeply thrilled and honored that it all kicks off with an oversized ALPHA issue that’s being drawn by the legendary Bryan Hitch, who I’m getting to work with here for the very first time. Avengers Assemble. Say the words like a prayer. It’s the only thing that can save you.”

Check out the AVENGERS ASSEMBLE trailer now and stay tuned for additional AVENGERS ASSEMBLE news, including cover reveals of upcoming installments. For more information, including an exclusive sneak peek, visit Marvel.com.

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE ALPHA #1 – 75960620432800111

Written by JASON AARON

Art and Cover by BRYAN HITCH

Colors by ALEX SINCLAIR

On Sale 11/30

AVENGERS #63 – Part 2 of “Avengers Assemble”

Written by JASON AARON

Art and Cover by JAVIER GARRÓN

On Sale 12/7

AVENGERS FOREVER #12 – Part 3 of “Avengers Assemble”

Written by JASON AARON

Art and Cover by AARON KUDER

On Sale 12/21

AVENGERS #64 – Part 4 of “Avengers Assemble”

Written by JASON AARON

Art and Cover by JAVIER GARRÓN

On Sale 1/4

AVENGERS FOREVER #13 – Part 5 of “Avengers Assemble”

Written by JASON AARON

Art and Cover by AARON KUDER

On Sale 1/18

To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

JAMIE RAY – “COUNTRY TRAP”

COUNTRY RAP PHENOMENON JAMIE RAY RELEASES DEBUT COUNTRY TRAP EP TODAY

MORE MUSIC COMING SOON!

Rustling up a signature style unlike anything in the game, country trap king Jamie Ray serves up his anxiously awaited debut EP, Country Trap [Against Da Grain/Human Resources/Epic Records]. Listen to Country Trap—HERE.

The nine-track collection highlights his hypnotic hybrid of country and hip-hop threaded together with the pluck of bluesy guitar and the thump of slick 808s. Among many highlights, “Camo Bando” pairs his unrestrained flow with a skittering beat as he namedrops Rambo in between a yeehaw or two. He warns, “Don’t think about taking off with my money. I got it!” Breezy acoustic guitar gives way to trap production on “Buckshot” punctuated by banjo. Then, there’s “Do Si Do” [feat. D Star & Dusty Leigh]. He cooks up a honky-tonk banger with no shortage of twerking or twang. The introspective “Country To The City” chronicles his journey, while “Guitar Strings” hinges on six-string fireworks straight out of the Mississippi Delta as he urges, “So let me know if you want to go,” over fretboard-burning wailing. Meanwhile, Country Trap also boasts his breakout “MAGIC CITY COWBOY” and “COWBOY GANGSTA.”

In advance of Country Trap, Jamie has impressively gathered over 30 million total global audio streams and 20 million video views. He preceded the EP with “STICKS,” which cracked 234K Spotify streams and 887K YouTube views on the music video. In a symbolic moment of passing the torch, he just joined forces with Southern rap icon Bubba Sparxxx for a Remix of the #1 classic “Deliverance.” Check it out HERE.

After quietly grinding, Jamie Ray set the game ablaze with a cosign from Young Thug and the release of “MAGIC CITY COWBOY” in 2021, generating over 8.4 million Spotify streams, 2.9 million YouTube views on the music video, and countless TikTok creates. He further defined a showstopping style of his own with the likes of “Broadway Girls REMIX” and his latest viral hit “COWBOY GANGSTA” whose visual surpassed over 8.2 Million views on YouTube. Along the way, he tallied tens of millions of streams and views and attracted features from the likes of Lil Baby and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. Now, he’s ready to flip country and rap upside down for good.

Get ready for more from Jamie Ray.

COUNTRY TRAP Tracklisting:

1.“COWBOY GANGSTA”

2.“CAMO BANDO”

3.“BUCK SHOT”

4.“YEET YEET”

5.“FIJI”

6.“DO-SI-DO” (FEATURING DSTAR & Dusty Leigh)

7. “MAGIC CITY COWBOY”

8. “COUNTRY TO THE CITY”

9. “GUITAR STRINGS”

FOLLOW JAMIE RAY:

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Dallas Jackson – “The System”

Writer/Director Dallas Jackson’s High-Octane Action Thriller

“The System” Starring Tyrese Gibson, Terrence Howard,

Jeremy Piven & Lil Yachty Set for Nationwide Release in Select Theaters on Oct. 28; Digital and On-Demand on Nov. 4

With an enviable slate of film and television projects in various stages of release, production or development, rising Hollywood filmmaker Dallas Jackson has a name currently ringing out in the best way among entertainment industry power circles. Jackson’s new action thriller “The System” starring Tyrese Gibson, Terrence Howard, Jeremy Piven, and Lil Yachty is set for a nationwide theatrical release on October 28; He’s in development on “Creature House,” Jackson’s new horror feature film in collaboration with Kevin Grevioux, 50 Cent and G Unit productions which was recently announced by Deadline; and his 2020 action feature “Welcome to Sudden Death” starring Michael Jai White is still in heavy rotation on Netflix, where it ranked among the top 10 movies on the platform for weeks following its release.

Jackson, a proud Howard University alumni (one of the nation’s leading HBCUs), is being honored with a Bison Honors Award at his alma mater’s Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 22. A special screening of his newest film, “The System” will be shown during Homecoming week in Washington DC on Thursday, Oct. 20.

As President of production company DJ Classicz, Jackson creates content focusing on edgy, young adult driven film and television projects for international audiences. The multi-hyphenate writer/director/producer considers it his mission to entertain the world by creating content for multicultural audiences that embeds a redemptive message at its core or shines a light on societal issues. In The System, he takes on the corruption inside the privatized prison system, which many social justice advocates describe as ‘modern day slavery’ and disproportionately affects people of color.

“I try to start off my movies with a bang so you’re ‘in’ from the beginning and can stay with it,” said Jackson. “What gets me up in the morning is the chance to impact the culture by increasing content, movies and tv projects that serve as enjoyable entertainment wrapped in a message. We can shine a light on topics that are important to us, but in a digestible format for audiences.”

Jackson served as Executive Producer, alongside iconic director John Singleton for 10 episodes of the limited series crime-drama “REBEL” on BET/Viacom Networks. His other credits include serving as writer and director on Blumhouse feature film “Thriller” starring Mykelti Williamson (Fences), and rapper-actor RZA, which made its world premiere at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival. He co-wrote “Straight Out of Heaven” with iconic director Singleton for WBTV, and served as screenwriter on the urban-family series “Uncle P” starring Lil’ Romeo Miller and Cheech Marin for Nickelodeon.
The Denver native, who was a latchkey kid riding the bus at age 10 to rent movies from his favorite genres, recalls the rich relationships that have informed, supported and fueled his career forward. They include Singleton, his esteemed mentor, and RZA, who he has collaborated with on several projects since he began in the business.
“I got a master class by shadowing John Singleton and watching him work,” said Jackson. “He taught me how to pay attention to other directors on the show. I got a notebook and took copious notes – how to block a scene; how to tweak a script on-the-spot during a table read; how to identify a problem and quickly solve it during the production. John said, ‘know your story and know it better than anyone else. That way no one can tell you what to make and how to make it.’ He was a complete professor to me in giving me instructions. He believed in me enough to endorse me, which had a major impact on my career trajectory.”

When asked about the power of aligning with executives and talent who hail from historically black colleges & universities, Jackson said, “What we can accomplish individually and collectively is insurmountable. We’re not all the same. At HBCUs, learning about the African diaspora, different parts of the world and the country gives you a confidence about ‘self’ that is powerful, as well as peers that you can call on for employment, to look out for our children and network connections. It’s allowed me to transport myself into Hollywood with these skill sets in my back pocket. We are a magnet for culture, which gives us a unique advantage and a ‘super power’.”

Up next is “Twenty Four Seven,” another collaboration with 50 Cent and his G Unit Productions for CBS Television on which Jackson serves as both screenwriter and an Executive Producer.

Based on the book by Derrick Parker and Matt Diehl, the story centers on Parker, who worked on some of the biggest criminal cases in rap history, from the shooting at Club New York to the first shooting of Tupac Shakur.

Regarding his brand, vision, journey and voice, Jackson said, “The grand vision is to entertain. I grew up on movies, knowing TV guides back and forth. I was a “nerdy” kid who rented 3 movies at a time. You’ll see there’s always a message in everything I do. Subtle or not, I wrap a lasting message inside the project. I’d like to leave the world a better place by my work, and encourage Black youth to never give up; show them that they can actualize their dreams.”

ABOUT “THE SYSTEM”

Retired marine Terry Savage (Tyrese Gibson) would do anything to save his daughter, including robbing drug houses to pay for her medical treatment. When Savage gets caught, he’s offered a chance at redemption by the local police commissioner to get his daughter the care she needs in exchange for infiltrating a private prison and exposing the corruption that’s headed by a sadistic warden Lucas Fisher (Jeremy Piven).

On his first night there, Savage is attacked by one of the prison gangs but saved by another inmate, Bones (Terrence Howard). An OG of the prison, he decides to teach Savage some unique, martial arts skills. When the warden recruits Savage for The Dungeon, his vicious, underground fight ring hosted by a deranged inmate, Joker (Lil Yachty), Savage must fight for his life against ruthless and bloodthirsty inmates. With help from Bones, Savage must capture incriminating evidence while trying to stay alive and get back to his daughter. Filmmaker Dallas Jackson writes and directs this explosive, action-packed thriller, which takes on corruption in America’s prison-for-profit privatized correctional system. The System will be released by The Avenue in select theaters nationwide on October 28, and available via digital and on-demand on November 4.

ABOUT WRITER/DIRECTOR DALLAS JACKSON

One to watch, filmmaker Dallas Jackson is holding court for entertainment buffs who enjoy action, horror and thriller films. The multi-hyphenate writer, director and producer is also a Howard University (HBCU) grad, proud father, family man and self-professed “geek” who considers it his mission to entertain the world by creating content that resonates with multicultural audiences. Also central to his ethos is embedding redemptive messages at the core of his projects and highlighting societal issues through entertainment. Jackson is president of DJ Classicz Productions, an independent production company he founded which generates edgy, young adult driven film and television projects for international audiences.

Dallas served as executive producer for 10 episodes of the limited series crime-drama “REBEL” on BET/Viacom Networks, where he worked alongside one of his industry heroes – the late, iconic director John Singleton. Dallas directed, produced and co-wrote the teen slasher film “THRILLER” for Blumhouse Pictures/Universal Pictures, which debuted on Netflix in April, 2019 and stars Mykelti Williamson, RZA, and Vanessa Bell Calloway. His 2020 action feature “WELCOME TO SUDDEN DEATH” starring Michael Jai White is also still in heavy rotation on Netflix, where it ranked among the “top 10” movies on the platform for weeks following its release.

Jackson’s new high-octane action thriller “THE SYSTEM” starring Tyrese Gibson, Terrence Howard, Jeremy Piven, and Lil Yachty, explores corruption in America’s prison-for-profit privatized correctional system.

Dave Audé – Motions

Listen to Grammy Award-winning Producer, DJ and Remixer Dave Audé discuss his debut album and illustrious career with Vaughn Lowery on 360 MAG podcast HERE.

Los Angeles native Dave Audé is a Grammy Award-winning producer. Currently, he resides in Nashville with his loving wife and three kids. In the early 90’s, he was best known as the co-founder of Moonshine Music.

Audé has produced a plethora of highly acclaimed artists such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Céline Dion, Lady Gaga, and Madonna. With 13 number-one singles on the Billboard Dance Music Charts, he has remixed hundreds of songs.

In 2010, Audé was nominated for a Grammy for his remix of Dean Coleman’s, “I Want You.” In 2016, he won for his Bruno Mars makeover of “Uptown Funk.” Dave admits the best part of the Grammy’s, “Knowing I’m nominated.” The DJ adds, ”Obviously winning as well and taking home the trophy, but really getting there first, being nominated by someone and everyone vote for you, and making it to the final five is really amazing.”

Dave Audé’s professionalism and and rhythms reflect his characteristic ease within the realm of mathematical electronic music. With twenty years plus experience, this vet maintains his methodology, “The real focus is on the artist and the song,” Dave confesses.

Audacious Records has produced a 120 as a remixer and 14 #1s as an artist. In 2015, the imprint was listed No.1-Independent Record Label. Of late, they continue dropping hits like, “This Is Our Time” and “Break Out.”

In 2008, he was named musical director for the Pussycat Dolls Tour. Today, he serves as the Grammy co-chairman of the Nashville chapter.

As the ultimate remixer, Dave provides the sonic solution. With a strong background rooted in artist development and musicality, he co-wrote and co-produced Selena Gomez’s Kill’em with Kindness as well as remixed Shaggy and Sting’s Just One Lifetime.

Throughout the decades, he built a reputation as a master remixer and producer, delivering chart-topping results. Audé constantly experiments with various genres, conjuring melodic magic for his fans across the globe. In 2021, Audé received his third GRAMMY nod for “Best Remixed Recording, featuring Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato on “Met Him Last Night.”

Subsequently, Dave Audé made a decision to manufacture his very own menu of music. According to Dave, ‘‘I just decided that I wanted to do my thing and have an album. I really wanted to sit down and write a bunch of music with my friends and put out an album of my own.’’ Audé’s chameleon-like abilities allow him to succeed in any genre, from pop to country and electronic to rock. Upon being asked about his best-loved tracks, “They are all my favorites for different reasons.” Further, for Dave, the dance genre isn’t strictly for the clubs, it’s life’s soundtrack. ”Nowadays dance music is heard in everything, it’s to brush your teeth, to wake you up in the morning, to prepare breakfast, etc.,” shares the megastar.

Some advice to aspiring music producers:

“Sometimes the long road is the road to take.”
”You need to gain some experience and meet people.”
For all those people who want to work in music: “It’s really about knowing that you want to do something with music, you know, stick with it, keep in mind what your goal is, what your end goal is.”

Article: Andrea Esteban, Vaughn Lowery