DYU Showcases Innovative Electric Bike Range at EUROBIKE 2023, Secures Major Wholesale Deals
DYU, a leading manufacturer of electric bikes, made an impressive showing at the 2023 EUROBIKE exhibition hosted in Messe Frankfurt between June 21 and June 25. The company showcased an array of products, capturing the attention of attendees and sparking significant sales commitments.
The DYU booth displayed a selection of the company’s top-tier electric bikes, including the classic DYU D3F, popular for its compact 14-inch design and efficient 10 AH battery, now renowned in the biking community for over five years. The mountain-capable DYU King750, with a 26-inch wheelbase and a powerful 750W motor, was another highlight, boasting a removable 20 AH battery and a sturdy weight of 44 kg.
DYU also unveiled its FF500 and T1 models, both characterized by innovative design and urban commuting capabilities. The FF500, a 20-inch foldable bike with a 32KM/H speed, is equipped with a 48V 500W motor and a 14 AH battery, making it a standout in terms of power and convenience. Similarly, the T1, another 20-inch foldable bike with a 25KM/H speed and a 36V 250W motor, is designed for the urban commuter who values portability and efficiency .
EUROBIKE, the central platform for the bike and future mobility world, once again proved to be a valuable venue for connecting manufacturers, buyers, and enthusiasts. This event is instrumental in transforming the energy and transport sector, driving social change, and setting new standards in areas such as Sport, Leisure, Health, and Mobility. Visitors to the exhibition had the opportunity to explore a plethora of companies showing off their latest e-bikes, e-bike gear, and cutting-edge transportation solutions.
The DYU booth attracted significant attention, with many visitors expressing interest in the company’s range of products. According to Rosy, a sales representative at the booth, several visitors made substantial wholesale commitments with DYU. “The factory will be busy for at least three months, working day and night to fulfill these orders,” she noted.
The success at EUROBIKE is a testament to DYU’s commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. As the company continues to expand its product range and improve upon its designs, the future indeed looks bright for DYU. The company is grateful for the support from its customers, partners, and the EUROBIKE exhibition, and it is excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the electric bike industry.
About DYU
DYU is a leading manufacturer of electric bikes, offering a range of products designed for urban commuting, leisure, and mountain biking. The company is committed to creating innovative, high-quality bikes that meet the needs of a diverse customer base. For more information about DYU, please leave a message below.
Platinum-selling singer, songwriter, and producer Madison Beer has teamed up with GRAMMY-winning producer Timbaland for a remix of her latest single – Home To Another One. Timbaland gives a fresh spin to the summer anthem, adding in his signature production style- listen HERE.
Madison most recently gave fans a highly requested acoustic version of the acclaimed single, which further showcases her ethereal vocals – listen here. “Home To Another One,” was met with wide critical praise upon release, with GRAMMY.com applauding it’s “unflinching vulnerability and infectious melodies,” and Billboard praising, “[the] sounds of Tame Impala and Lana Del Rey, springy psych-rock and lilting pop.” Additionally, Madison spoke with one of her idols, Lana Del Rey, for a in conversation piece with Interview Magazine where Lana gave her own stamp of approval to Madison’s forthcoming album- read here.
The track is off Madison’s much anticipated sophomore album Silence Between Songs, arriving September 15, 2023 via EPIC Records. With her exceptional talent for storytelling and emotional depth, Madison will explore themes of growth, reflection, and introspection. Paying homage to some of her favorite artists such as Lana Del Rey, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Tame Impala, Madison will deliver a refreshing and innovative sonic experience and infuse the album’s visual aesthetics with her distinctive artistic vision. Silence Between Songs is available for pre-order now.
ABOUT MADISON BEER
Madison Beer is a songwriter, platinum-selling recording artist, producer and author. Since making her music debut at the age of 12, Madison has evolved into a dynamic and versatile artist whose sound blends pop, R&B, and soul influences, with powerful, emotive vocals that convey a raw and honest portrayal of the human experience. With over 2.4 billion streams earned worldwide, Madison has developed a dedicated fanbase and garnered critical acclaim for her unique blend of soulful melodies, her powerful vocal range, and introspective lyrics that explore the complexities of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. A creative force and visionary, Madison’s music videos and stage performances are meticulously crafted, offering an experience that transports audiences into her imaginative world through her keen eye for aesthetics.
As an independent artist, Madison released her debut EP As She Pleases, demonstrating self-assured conviction on the project’s standout track “Home with You” which reached number #22 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart and positioned her as the only independent female solo artist on the chart. Madison’s major label debut studio album, Life Support, was released in February 2021 and opened to critical acclaim. Life Support became Madison’s highest entry to date on the Billboard 200 and has since earned over one billion streams, while the album’s lead single “Selfish” went on to be certified RIAA platinum.
Madison will release her highly anticipated second studio album Silence Between Songs on September 15, 2023.
UK-based DJ/Producer Sammy Virji has released the hotly anticipated collaboration “Shella Verse” with iconic vocalist Flowdan via Astralwerks – listen here.
A lean and bassy garage cut blessed with Flowdan’s rapid-fire vocal delivery, “Shella Verse” shows off Sammy Virji’s talent for combining killer hooks with immaculately crafted productions.
Sammy Virji has swiftly made his mark on the electronic music space, proving to be both a pioneer and innovator of the UKG renaissance. Over the years, he’s crafted an ever-growing discography and unmissable live show which has propelled him to the forefront of UKG and underground UK Bass scene.
His impressive past achievements include a coveted Rinse FM residency, monthly sold-out ‘Like a Virjin’ and ‘Isn’t It’ tours, performances at renowned venues across the UK and Australia (including a recent sold-out headline show at Village Underground) and a string of collaborations with the likes of Salute, Conducta and more.
Flowdan, the iconic figure of British urban music, has undeniably left his mark on the scene throughout his impressive career thus far spanning over two decades. With his iconic vocals and incredible live presence, the original Dan has graced stage across the globe both on his own and featuring with some of the biggest artists in the game. At the beginning of 2023 we witnessed the culmination of months of escalated hype with the release of his collaboration with Skrillex and Fred again.. called “Rumble,” a track which achieved global chart status and incredible social virality.
At the 24 Hours of Spa – one of the most anticipated racing events in the international motorsport season – today, Maserati unveiled to the world its latest track creation, the Maserati GT2.
After the announcement of the shakedown in early March, which was followed by an intensive series of tests to tune up the car, the House of the Trident officially unveiled its new gem of technology and performance, developed to bring the Maserati brand back to GT competitions. It had previously carved its name there with the winning MC12, which completely dominated the track from 2005 to 2010.
The Maserati GT2 is an exceptional synthesis between Maserati’s past, present and future: it draws on the living legacy of the MC12; it expresses the best potential, in the racing version, of the MC20 super sports car – taking the already exceptional 463-kW/621-hp Nettuno V6 engine to the extreme, and is preparing to chart a new course in the future of the Trident, which is determined to write exciting new chapters in the history of motorsport.
Maserati has designed and built a racing car dedicated to private teams and gentleman drivers. A masterpiece of performance that combines history, innovation and sporting attitude, features that have always characterised the Trident’s track and road cars. Conceived and designed to take part in championships or individual events reserved for the GT2 class, the Maserati GT2 will debut on the track in the final stages of the 2023 Fanatec GT European Series, and is due to participate in the entire 2024 season.
Davide Grasso, Maserati CEO, commented: “Our DNA and our spirit have always lain in racing. Our story began and developed from the track to the road. The decision to return to track racing forms part of a thorough strategic framework, inaugurated this year with the debut in Formula E, to which we have now added our return to the world of GT competitions. Now more than ever we want to rekindle and nourish that competitive passion that has always characterised and motivated us to achieve major milestones”.
The Trident thus celebrates its return to the world of exciting GT competitions with a cutting-edge product, the result of a creative and design partnership between the Maserati Innovation Lab, the Centro Stile Maserati and the technological excellence of the Maserati dynamic simulator.
Maserati S.p.A. Maserati produces a complete range of unique cars, immediately recognisable for their extraordinary personality. Thanks to their style, technology and innately exclusive character, they delight the most discerning, demanding tastes and have always been a benchmark for the global automotive industry. A tradition of successful cars, each of them redefining what makes an Italian sports car in terms of design, performance, comfort, elegance and safety, currently available in more than 70 markets internationally. The ambassadors of this heritage are the Quattroporte flagship, the Ghibli sports sedan, the Levante – the first SUV made by Maserati, and the Grecale, the “everyday exceptional” SUV, all models characterised by the use of the highest quality materials and excellent technical solutions. A range equipped with 4-cylinder hybrid powertrains – available for Ghibli, Grecale and Levante – V6 and V8 petrol engines, with rear-wheel and four-wheel drive, embodying the performance DNA of the Trident Brand, now completed with the Grecale Folgore, Maserati’s first full-electric SUV. The top of the range is made up of the MC20 super sports car and the MC20 Cielo spyder, powered by the ground-breaking 100% Maserati Nettuno V6 engine, which incorporates F1-derived technologies into the power unit of a standard production car for the first time. The new GranTurismo is available with both the powerful V6 petrol engine, derived from the Nettuno, and a 100% electric version: the GranTurismo Folgore, the first car in the Modena-based brand’s history to adopt this solution. By 2025, all Maserati models will also be available in a full-electric version, and the entire Maserati range will run on electricity alone by 2030.
• TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Announces GR Supra, GR86, and GR Corolla Special Editions for Model Year 2024 Lineup
• GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition Pays Tribute to Custom MkIV Supra
• Available in Mikan Blast or Absolute Zero and Limited to 900 Units for U.S. Market
• Aggressive Style with Oversized, Manually Adjustable Rear Spoiler
• Matte-Black Finished Wheels, Black GR Brake Calipers, and Black Supra Side Graphic
• Choice of Paddle Shifted 8-Speed Automatic or 6-Speed Manual Transmission
For over four decades the Toyota Supra has earned a reputation as an icon among sports car enthusiasts. From its first-generation roots as the Celica Supra in 1979 to its current fifth-generation form as the GR Supra, the model has captured drivers’ hearts over the years with a blend of power, handling, tech, and style. For 2024, Toyota pays tribute to that history with an eye-popping 45th Anniversary Edition.
As an an ode to the 1990’s models, the GR Supra 45th Anniversary edition will be available in a deep orange Mikan Blast (“mikan” means orange in Japanese) or ice cold Absolute Zero. Built on the 3.0 Premium Grade, this GR Supra’s low-slung, condensed extreme design is complemented by a large, manually adjustable rear spoiler. Rising about three inches above the rear decklid, the spoiler has an adjustment screw that allows drivers to change its angle and influence the amount of downforce being applied to rear wheels.
The 45th Anniversary Edition also features matte-black finished 19-inch aluminum wheels and black painted opposite mounted brake calipers that wear a GR logo up front. A black side panel graphic with a cutout Supra logo sweeps upward along the side, accentuating the vehicle’s contours. Altogether, the special edition brings a touch of nostalgia and flair to the 2024 Supra lineup with a look reminiscent of the MkIV model of big screen fame.The 45th Anniversary Edition will be limited to 900 units, split evenly between Mikan Blast and Absolute Zero. The engine will be flanked by exclusive 45th Anniversary Edition Mikan Blast strut tower braces that bear the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing logo. It will be available in both manual and automatic transmission options and will be powered by the same B58 inline six-cylinder 3.0-liter turbocharged engine on all 3.0 Supra models, outputting 382-hp and 368 lb.-ft. of torque.
The GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition sticks with the nameplate’s playbook of offering unique versions since its relaunch. Since the model returned to the market in 2019, Toyota has rolled out Launch, A91, A91 Carbon Fiber, and A91MT editions. Additionally, the GR Supra has continued to evolve over the past four model years, with changes like increased horsepower and torque on the 3.0 models, updates to handling dynamics, the addition of a 2.0-L 4-cylinder model, and the addition of a Manual Transmission option. In 2020 Toyota Gazoo Racing also started producing a GR Supra GT4 model for racing.
GR Supra 45th Anniversary models are expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in the fall of 2023. Pricing for the special edition model and details for the complete 2024 GR Supra lineup will be shared at a later date.
Blast From the Past
First on sale in 1979 and originally named the Toyota Celica Supra in the U.S., the firstgeneration Mark I (MkI) Supra was positioned as a luxury, rear-wheel drive sports model in the Toyota lineup. Known by some as the A40, which referred to its chassis code, it went through enough changes in its short time to ultimately be referred to as the A50 Celica Supra by Toyota engineers.
Initially, it featured a 2.6-liter inline-six engine that produced 110 horsepower and was available in both manual and automatic transmissions. In 1980, the model changed from a fixed axle rear suspension to a semi-trailing arm and coil spring system, and the 2.6liter engine was replaced with a 2.8-liter unit. Although only produced for a brief time, and in limited volume, the first generation Supra marked the beginning of a new era for Toyota sports cars.
In 1982 the second-generation A60 Celica (MkII) Supra arrived. This model used a 2.8-liter 5M-GE twin-cam straight-six engine. The sheet metal was radically redesigned from its predecessor and featured an aerodynamic look with a longer wheelbase and stretched front-end. It also included retractable headlights, a more aggressive flare on the wheel arches and an independent rear suspension.
Notable equipment on selected grades of the second generation Supra were a digital instrument panel and the “Navicom,” a forerunner of today’s car navigation systems that used a microchip-based device that calculated the direction and distance to a desired destination and displayed the information in real time.
A Legend All Its Own
In 1986 Toyota introduced the third generation A70 Supra (MkIII) and dropped the Celica name, positioning it as an independent high-performance, high-grade sports car. It was completely redesigned and featured a sleek, aerodynamic body with a 0.33 coefficient of drag. When it was introduced, it featured a 24 valve, 3.0-liter six-cylinder 7M-GE powerplant with an output of 200-hp at 6000 rpm and produced 196 lb.-ft. of torque.
Later a 7M-GTE engine was made available with an intercooled sequential twin turbocharger. This boosted the 24-valve engine’s output to 230-hp and increased torque by 33 percent to 254 lb.-ft. A small, fast-spinning, low-boost turbo engaged very responsively just above idle speed; as RPM built and load increased a larger high-boost turbo would gradually spin up, providing significant boost in the upper ranges of engine performance.
Anti-lock braking (ABS) and four-wheel disc brakes, which were ventilated up front, was another new addition to Supra in 1986, with the system being optional on naturally aspirated models and standard on the Turbo-equipped model. Another modern feature was an electronically moderated suspension with two modes – normal and sport – that was built with a double-wishbone construction for all four wheels. This was the first time Toyota had mass produced this type of race-inspired suspension on one of its vehicles.
Other features included eight-way adjustable sport seats, side window defrosters, and one touch power windows. And just to make us all jealous, there was even an optional detachable sport roof.
In 1993 the A80 Supra (MkIV) arrived. It featured two choices of inline-six engines, the naturally aspirated 220-hp 2JZ-GE with 209 lb.-ft. of torque or the twin-turbocharged 2JZ-GTE, capable of 320-hp and 315 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engine models offered a choice of automatic or manual transmission. AT models offered normal and manual shift modes and MT models with the 2JZ-GTE engine featured Toyota’s first six-speed gearbox.
The MkIV Supra was also known for its advanced suspension system, which was electronically controlled and could adjust ride height and stiffness on the fly. At the time, the car quickly gained a reputation as competing with cars far above its class and Road & Track said, “The Supra Turbo performs at Ferrari Testarossa and Porsche 911 Turbo levels…it easily outgrips the European pair, is more stable in abrupt maneuvers and digs to a halt with near-identical determination.”
Exterior designer Kunihiro Uchida referred to its looks as reminiscent of a “wild animal racing across a field” with its large, round front end and rear ducktail spoiler, smooth aerodynamic side profile with door mounted mirrors, and new sleek, projection headlamp system. And the Supra was about more than looks and power, as it was Toyota’s first vehicle to include both driver- and passenger-side air bags as standard equipment. The Supra ended its run in the U.S. with the 1998 model year.
Power for the Present
As the years passed, many enthusiasts and Toyota fans longed for the return of the Supra. The call would be answered by then Toyota President, Akio Toyoda, who championed the revival of the sports car model. Upon its return it would be dubbed the GR Supra and serve as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s (GR) first globally badged model.
The new GR brand had a straightforward goal: Develop cars aimed at the pure joy of driving. Through a process that started on the track, cars would be rigorously tested until a series of master drivers approved their performance. Subsequently, the introduction of models, like the GR86 coupe and GR Corolla hot hatch expanded the driver-centered lineup, with each GR sports car undergoing the same intensive track testing process before receiving its GR badge.
The fifth generation A90 GR Supra (MkV) model was revealed in 2019 after undergoing its GR approval process. The design took elements from two legendary models, the MkIV Supra and 1967 Toyota 2000 GT. At launch the A90 Supra featured a turbocharged 3.0liter inline-six B58 engine matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission that produced up to 335-hp and 365 lb.-ft. of torque. It was made in collaboration with BMW and based on their Z4 platform.
For the 2021 GR Supra model, the GR team kept the pedal down to bring more output and torque while also adding a new grade. They increased the 3.0 Supra to 382 hp and 367 lb.-ft. of torque, warranting enough changes to the model to dub it as the “A91” by Toyota engineers and offer a likewise named special edition for that year. The lineup also added a turbocharged four-cylinder model with 2.0-liter engine, 255 horsepower and a stout 295 lb.-ft. of torque.
In 2023, the GR Supra added a manual transmission option to the model, which brought a new level of engagement to the punch-above-its-weight sports car. And at the same time, all 2023 GR Supra 3.0 models gained a retuned suspension with revised shock absorbers, re-tuned electric power steering with new mechanical components, and an active rear sport differential standard.
As with all GR Supra A91 models, Normal, Sport and Individual modes that adjust throttle response, suspension damping, and power steering settings came standard. All 3.0 models came with an Adaptative Variable Suspension (AVS) with sensors and solenoid valves that finely control the damping force of the shock absorbers is also standard. On the inside of the 3.0 models, premium features like black leather-trimmed seats, a 12-speaker acoustically tuned premium JBL sound system, full color heads-up display, and Qi wireless charger offer drivers a luxury cabin.
GR Supra GT4 EVO
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s track-focused mindset also led them to launch a Supra GT4 racing model, which allows professional and amateur drivers alike to compete on the world’s most famous racetracks. The GR Supra GT4 model was developed in Cologne, Germany by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe, home of Toyota’s five-time Le Mans 24 Hours-winning motorsport team, the GR Supra GT4 and launched in March 2020. It is sold to private customers for competition within the popular GT4 category of racing for vehicles based on roadgoing counterparts, with modifications permitted for safety and performance.
Since its launch, GR Supra GT4 customers have won races and championships on three continents in competitions such as the GT4 European Series, GT4 America and Super Taikyu in Japan, as well as legendary events like the Nürburgring 24 Hours. A cumulative 625 entries in 317 races worldwide as of the end of 2022 resulted in 79 class victories, 20 overall wins and 207 podium finishes. In 2023, 27 GR Supra GT4 vehicles are competing in Europe, 20 in North America and 12 in Asia, including Japan.
Production of the GR Supra GT4 reached a milestone of 100 units earlier this year. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s close cooperation with its GT4 teams and drivers has led to continuous improvement of the model since launch. For the 2023 season, a GT4 EVO with 487 lb.-ft. of torque is being offered for race teams with a focus on improvements for even faster lap times. The team increased power and optimized the torque curve of the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, turbocharged engine and made changes for more effective cooling, improved brake system design, new ABS settings, latest KW damper technology and updated anti-roll bar specification. Click here for additional information or here for the 2023 GT4EVO press release.
Complimentary 1-year NASA Membership
Purchase of a 2024 GR Supra comes with a complimentary 1-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). GR Supra owners will enjoy a host of benefits, including one free High Performance Driving Event (HPDE) and discounted admission to NASA-sanctioned events.
Warranty and ToyotaCare
Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles, and corrosion with no mileage limitation. ToyotaCare is a no additional cost plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years, unlimited mileage.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 39,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 33 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 22 electrified options.
To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to virtually visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
About TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing embodies Toyota’s commitment to overcoming every limit to make ‘ever-better’ cars, to forge new technologies and solutions under the extreme conditions of motorsports, and to never stop innovating. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing races its cars to push the limits for better and to learn from the toughest challenges. Competing on every kind of road, no matter what the challenge, inspires TOYOTA GAZOO Racing to build ‘everbetter’ cars and engineer Toyota’s future DNA to bring freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to everyone. For more information, visit www.toyotagazooracing.com.
In celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, Brooklyn-based lyricist Kota the Friend releases ‘Barcelona‘ f/ Samm Henshaw.
New Single OUT NOW
Taking off the heels of his latest single ‘Hope You Heal’ – an uptempo track offering a new sound. Kota’s latest score was teased at a private listening party, which 360 attended. It further exhibited his versatility and dynamic artistry.
Both tracks, Hope You Heal and Barcelona are the catalysts off Kota’s highly anticipated album Protea, arriving June 30th. Naming the project after his wife’s favorite flower Protea, it pays tribute to their unwavering love and support–it’s a vulnerable peice of art rarely witnessed within the genre.
Protea spotlights some the couples’ favorite artists that they listened to while they ran errands while driving in their car.
Kota the Friend is a kid from Brooklyn that loves art. He burst onto the music scene in 2016, helmed by his well-received debut EP, Palm Tree Liquor, which garnered praise from industry staples such as Billboard, XXL, RESPECT. Mag, and many others. This was around the same time that the multihyphenate started to see success with his “Lyrics to GO” series, securing a fervent fanbase for his subtitled rap videos. But before Kota became the enigma that he is today, he was finding his way through Clinton Hill, consuming art on different levels. His gift is that he knows how to execute a vision, backed by a worldview that sees the bigger picture in all things. His seminal debut album, FOTO, has a soulful texture and was anointed as “one of the best hip-hop albums of 2019” by Rolling Stone. In 2020, the Brooklyn MC was riding high from the momentum of his critically acclaimed sophomore LP, EVERYTHING, which arrived during the isolating lockdown of the pandemic. The album went on to debut at No. 1 on the iTunes Hip-hop Chart, peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums Chart, and earned Kota his first entry on the Billboard 200. The following year was no different, with a presidential cosign leading Kota’s campaign for greatness. His track, “Lupita’s Interlude,” was the first song on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ inauguration playlist, which was curated by Emmy Award-winning actress Issa Rae. Further, UPROXX crowned Kota “one of the most commercially viable indie artists since Chance The Rapper,” which signaled a breakthrough 2021 for the lauded scribe. Last year was highlighted by his third studio album, MEMO; followed by 2023’s Lyrics to GO, Vol. 4, and his 18-track opus To See a Sunset (Deluxe) with Statik Selektah. On top of all this, as an independent artist, Kota has amassed over 700M+ streams to date.
Ashley Kutcher releases vulnerable new single “Boy From Carolina.” Seductive, bittersweet, and relatable, the track details the highs and love of young love through Kutcher’s emotive and dreamy lyrics. “Boy From Carolina” is accompanied by an official music video, which paints a dreamy portrait of a blossoming relationship, and its gut-wrenching end. Watch HERE.
Listen to “Boy From Carolina” (Darkroom / Interscope Records) by Ashley Kutcher via all digital retailers HERE.
“How do I know your skin? How do I know your touch?” Kutcher sings over strummed guitar and sparse percussion. “But you never let me in, you never open up.” The singer-songwriter documents that aching sense of distance on the chorus: “I could pick him right out of a lineup, Southern-looking boy from Carolina / blue eyes, but I don’t know what’s behind them.” It’s impossible to not get swept up in the raw emotions on display.
That also applies to the touching video, which follows Kutcher as she gets to know a small-town guy. It’s broken up, like a flood of vibrant memories, which all lead to her love interest getting caught cheating on her with another woman. The aching loss of the visualizer is driven home by the chorus’s final line: “He’s a good guy, and a damn-good liar.” Watch the official music video HERE
“Boy From Carolina” follows Kutcher’s recent single “I Can’t Swim,” a potent exploration of rekindling romance following heartbreak—with the same person. It was preceded by “Everyone and No One,” an equally bittersweet breakdown of love and doubt. Before that came her Survive My Own Mind EP, which featured the stripped-down “Love You More”—a streaming hit with more than 14 million streams on Spotify alone. The EP also contained the acoustic TikTok sensation “Nothing’s All the Time,” as well as the infectious “Emotionless.” With “Boy From Carolina,”the 24-year-old’s disarming ability to charm listeners with heart and vulnerability has never been more apparent.
ABOUT ASHLEY KUTCHER:
Singer-songwriter Ashley Kutcher tells raw, real, and relatable stories through her music by candidly addressing her own mental health, pondering where a relationship might be headed, or discussing her emotions in depth. By doing so, she invites listeners to partake in her story as they live out their own. The Baltimore-born and New York-based singer, songwriter, and artist asserts herself as a consummate storyteller with a whole lot to say. She started to build a connection in 2019 as she performed countless gigs in local bars in between attending college for nursing. Gaining traction with her own music online, she answered a Twitter follower’s request with “Love You From A Distance.” After taking over TikTok and inspiring millions of “creates,” the song exploded to the tune of over 80.8 million Spotify streams and paved the way for her first EP, One Eighty, in 2021. It yielded fan favorites such as “If I Could,” “The Night You Left,” and more. In its wake, she notably sold out her first two headlining shows on the East Coast in New York and the West Coast in Los Angeles. Now, she opens up more than ever on her forthcoming debut album, due out later this year [Darkroom/Interscope Records].
Merchants, Chargebacks, and the IRS: Navigating the Complexities of False Profits
Article: Monica Eaton, Founder of Chargebacks911
Chargebacks take a toll on retailers year-round, and when tax season approaches, the IRS is ready to collect. The proliferation of friendly fraud has put merchants on defense and their profits in limbo. The best defense is a good offense; merchants need to create their own chargeback playbook.
Chargebacks and Friendly Fraud
In a quest for the quickest route from point A to point B, dissatisfied retail customers are bypassing merchants and airing their grievances with their banks to secure a refund, known as a chargeback. First-party misuse occurs when the consumer makes a legitimate charge but may not recognize it and mistakenly assumes it to be a merchant error or fraud.
And the simplicity of it all has led to the abuse of the chargeback system, with customers viewing the process as the same as requesting a refund from a merchant, along with a growing trend of consumers knowingly gaming the system, also referred to as “friendly fraud.” Merchant Fraud Journal predicts chargebacks will cost retailers over $100 billion in 2023.
While banks deposit chargebacks into their customer’s accounts almost instantly, the chargeback process to validate or invalidate the dispute can take months. Win or lose, merchants still contend with the quandary of how to report unpredictable chargebacks and their associated fees to the IRS.
Proactive Planning
Firstly, chargebacks should be treated differently than refunds. Chargebacks cannot be reported as “cost of goods sold” (COGS); however, they can be listed as “accounts receivable.” They should be logged in a separate account designated for chargebacks as funds owed to the business. If the retailer wins their dispute, the amount will be applied against that account. If they lose or elect not to challenge a chargeback, the accounts receivable balance should be written off as a “bad debt expense.”
Secondly, Chargeback fees should be considered operating expenses or bank fees; a subaccount is recommended for high-volume chargebacks.
Thirdly, retailers who receive payments through payment card processors, such as PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo, must fill out IRS Form 1099-K, which will be sent directly to the retailers from the payment networks. It is essential for merchants to note which chargebacks come from third-party networks. Payment transaction services do not account for refunds, chargebacks, or associated fees when reporting their gross monthly and annual payments. If not properly accounted for, this can lead to a higher income being reported to the IRS than was actually received.
In the 2024 tax season, the threshold to report payments and transactions from third-party payment platforms and apps will drop from $20,000 for more than 200 transactions to $600 for any number of transactions on a given platform.
Prevention Strategies
To prevent chargebacks before they happen, retailers can implement two key strategies throughout the year — collaboration and confrontation.
Collaborate with financial institutions and take advantage of the products they offer that alert retailers to a potential chargeback before it is filed. This allows merchants more time to review the transaction and take the appropriate action to avoid a chargeback.
Confront and challenge illegitimate or fraudulent chargebacks, not only to recover lost revenue, but to open up communication with issuing banks to help both sides recognize current patterns and the latest trends in friendly fraud and its abuse.
About Chargebacks911
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THE ROLLING STONES DEFINITIVE FORTY LICKS COLLECTION COMES TO DIGITAL AND LIMITED EDITON VINYL
FANS CAN ALSO STREAM IN DOLBY ATMOS IMMERSIVE AUDIO
The Rolling Stones‘ Forty Licks, the album that gathered together fully three dozen of the most enduring and anthemic songs from the group’s peerless career and added four then-new tracks to their incredible story, is to be released digitally for the first time on July 26. Two days later, it will be available, again for the first time, in a lavish, limited edition four-disc, 180-gram black vinyl version, housed in a wide spined gatefold sleeve. At the same time, Stones fans will also have an opportunity to enjoy the reimagined Dolby Atmos® versions of the album’s 40 tracks – streaming where available. With Dolby Atmos, fans will experience an immersive journey through the iconic album as details in every song are revealed with unparalleled clarity and depth.
Forty Licks was initially released in September 2002 to celebrate the Stones’ 40th anniversary and to mark the beginning of their massive Licks tour. This global spectacle, mounted on the breathtaking scale that only the Stones could muster, crossed the globe over the next 14 months, playing 117 shows and became the second highest-grossing tour in history up to that time.
The collection, which times out at over 2 and half hours, includes no fewer than 20 (US) Top 10 singles of which 13 broke into the Top 5 and 7 going all the way to #1 including “Satisfaction,” “Miss You,” “Brown Sugar,” “Paint It, Black,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Get Off Of My Cloud” and “Angie.” UK chart stats for Forty Licks tracks are quite similar with 20 Top 10 singles, 16 Top 5 singles and 7 #1s. The list of UK chart toppers includes “The Last Time,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “It’s All Over Now” as well as “Satisfaction,” “Get Off My Cloud,” “Paint It, Black” and “Honkey Tonk Women.”
Following its initial release, Licks would sell seven million copies around the world, and has since come to be seen as the definitive anthology of the band’s recording career. It was, uniquely, the first collection to bring together landmark recordings from all points in their unrivalled songbook, from their early days via Decca UK and London US (ABKCO Records) through to the establishment of their own Rolling Stones Records.
With the release of Forty Licks, longtime Stones fans and newcomers alike can enjoy a retrospective featuring the 1960s hits that made the band icons of successive generations.
Full track listing below
Record One:
Street Fighting Man
Gimme Shelter
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
The Last Time
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
19th Nervous Breakdown
Under My Thumb
Not Fade Away
Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?
Human Rights Campaign Condemns North Carolina House for Passing Anti-Trans Sports Ban; Urges Governor Cooper to Veto
Bill is one of the first explicitly anti-LGBTQ+ legislation to advance through the North Carolina General Assembly since 2016’s HB2 and 2017’s HB142
Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — condemned the North Carolina House for passing House Bill 574, which would prohibit transgender students from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity. The bill now heads to Governor Roy Cooper for consideration.
In yet another sign of the historic level of anti-LGBTQ+ attacks sweeping state legislatures this year, this is one of the first anti-LGBTQ+ bills currently advancing through the North Carolina General Assembly since their deeply discriminatory anti-transgender bathroom legislation in 2016 and 2017.
Human Rights Campaign Senior Director for Legal Policy Cathryn Oakley released the following statement:
“Yet again, extremists in North Carolina are choosing to attack their own constituents, rather than legislate on the real issues facing their state. As these politicians know, HB 574 does nothing to address the real challenges in women’s sports, which include chronic underfunding, unequal pay, lack of access and harassment and abuse of athletes. This bill only perpetuates discrimination and stigma against the LGBTQ+ community, particularly against transgender and nonbinary people. We call on Governor Cooper to veto this discriminatory legislation.”
Earlier this year the Biden Administration issued proposed rules affirming that Title IX protects transgender students from discrimination in athletics and that state laws banning participation of transgender athletes are violations of federal law.
THE FACTS: Anti-Transgender Sports Bans
A majority of Americans oppose discriminatory bills seeking to ban transgender and non-binary youth from participation in sports.A PBS/NPR/Marist poll states that 67% of Americans, including 66% of Republicans, oppose the anti-transgender sports ban legislation proliferating across 30 states. And a poll conducted by the Human Rights Campaign & Hart Research Group revealed that, with respect to transgender youth participation in sports, the public’s strong inclination is on the side of fairness and equality for transgender student athletes. 73% of voters agree that “sports are important in young people’s lives. Young transgender people should be allowed opportunities to participate in a way that is safe and comfortable for them.”
Advocates for women and girls in sports support trans-inclusive policies and oppose efforts to exclude transgender students from participating in sports. This includes the National Women’s Law Center, the Women’s Sports Foundation, Women Leaders in College Sports, and others — including prominent female athletes like Billie Jean King, Megan Rapinoe, and Cheryl Reeve. That’s because while there are real issues facing women’s sports, including a lack of resources devoted to supporting them, transgender participation in athletics is not one of them. And nearly 550 college athletes have stood up to anti-transgender legislation by demanding the NCAA pull championships from states that have enacted anti-trans sports laws.
The nation’s leading child health and welfare groups oppose sports bans. Groups representing more than 7 million youth-serving professionals and more than 1,000 child welfare organizations released an open letter calling for lawmakers in states across the country to oppose dozens of bills that target LGBTQ+ people, and transgender children in particular.
In 2022, lawmakers introduced 80 bills aimed to prevent transgender youth from playing school sports consistent with their gender identity. By the end of the 2022 legislative session, a record 17 bills attacking transgender and non-binary children passed into law. 19 states exclude transgender athletes in school sports.
For more information, please access the following resources on HRC’s website:
THE FACTS: 2023 Is the Worst Year On Record for Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
So far in 2023, HRC is opposing more than 525 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been introduced in statehouses across the country. A total of 78 pieces of legislation have been enacted into law this year. More than 220 of those bills would specifically restrict the rights of transgender people, the highest number of bills targeting transgender people in a single year to date. This year, HRC is tracking:
More than 125 gender-affirming care bans — bills that would prevent transgender youth from being able to access age-appropriate, medically-necessary, best-practice health care; this year, 16 have already become law in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Dakota, Utah, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma, Florida, and Nebraska
More than 30 anti-transgender bathroom bills filed;
More than 100 anti-LGBTQ+ curriculum censorship bills, and;
45 anti-LGBTQ+ drag performance ban bills.
Americans believe the amount of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is excessive, agreeing it is “political theater.” Likely voters across all political parties look at GOP efforts to flood state legislatures with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation as political theater. Recent polling indicates that 64% of all likely voters, including 72% of Democrats, 65% of Independents, and 55% of Republicans think that there is “too much legislation” aimed at “limiting the rights of transgender and gay people in America” (Data For Progress survey of 1,220 likely voters, 3/24-26, 2023).
By comparison, last year in 2022 politicians in statehouses across the country introduced 315 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, 29 of which were enacted into law. These efforts — the result of a coordinated push led by national anti-LGBTQ+ groups, which deployed vintage discriminatory tropes seeking to slander, malign, and stigmatize LGBTQ+ people — only yielded a less than 10% success rate, as more than 90% of anti-LGBTQ+ bills were defeated. The majority of the discriminatory bills – 149 bills – targeted the transgender and non-binary community, with the majority targeting children. By the end of the 2022 state legislative season, a record 17 bills attacking transgender and non-binary children were enacted into law.
More than 300 major U.S. corporations have stood up and spoken out to oppose anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being proposed in states across the country. Major employers in tech, manufacturing, hospitality, health care, retail, and other sectors are joining with a unified voice to say discrimination is bad for business and to call on lawmakers to abandon these efforts. Four of the largest U.S. food companies also condemned “dangerous, discriminatory legislation that serves as an attack on LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender and nonbinary people,” and the Walton Family Foundation issued a statement expressing “alarm” at the trend of anti-transgender legislation that recently became law in Arkansas.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
