Posts made in December 2024
Atlantis Paradise Island + Steve Aoki
Last night, Atlantis Paradise Island, the entertainment capital of the Caribbean, kicked off its 4th annual Party Like a Royal New Year’s Eve celebration with a show-stopping performance by world-renowned DJ Steve Aoki. Known for his electrifying performances and relentless schedule of over 200 shows a year, the GRAMMY®-nominated EDM superstar took the stage at Atlantis’ Aura Nightclub shortly after midnight. Aoki thrilled a sold-out crowd of resort guests, visitors, and locals with an unforgettable set featuring tracks such as “Pursuit of Happiness”, “Nataaoki,” “MIC Drop” and more.
During his electrifying set, Steve captivated the audience with a masterful remix of Bruno Mars’ hit single, “Talking to the Moon.” The nightclub buzzed with energy as the crowd sang along in perfect harmony. This was just one of the many highlights from the iconic DJ’s performance last night.
The Party Like Royal celebrations continue through December 31st, offering an exciting lineup of performances. On December 28th, R&B legends 112 will take the stage, followed by Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience on December 30th at Bar Sol.
New Year’s Eve promises to be an unforgettable night of live entertainment, fireworks, and fun at the resort’s Royal Deck, all hosted by comedian and actor Adam Devine. The evening will kick off with a DJ set by GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-Platinum artist Lil Jon, followed by a surprise musical performance. At midnight, a spectacular fireworks display will light up the sky, and DJ Webstar will keep the energy high, spinning until 1:30 a.m.
REMA RELEASES OZEBA VID
Rema has released the official music video for fan favorite Ozeba. A track that has received traction globally with Rema fans and a must-repeat at his live shows, “Ozeba” is an ode to a cult classic horror film from Benin, Nigeria of the same name. An Edo word to mean “trouble” or “to be in conflict with someone else” the music video pays homage to the film genre by creating a thrilling visual soundscape to the menacingly anthemic song.
Watch the Jackson Forsythe directed video above or HERE.
The song appears on Rema’s critically acclaimed album, HEIS, released earlier this year which is now GRAMMY nominated for “Best Global Music Album” award. The album also appeared on many “Best of 2024” albums list with Rolling Stone crowning it as the “the strongest contender for the best Afrobeats album of the year.” American fans won’t have to wait long to catch the song live as Rema is set to take over the dessert at next year’s Coachella Music Festival in Indio, CA.
Stay tuned on all things Rema:
Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre – Missionary
Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre are hyped about their latest album, Missionary. Produced by Dr. Dre, Missionary is a hip hop album inspired by West Coast culture. It is the 12th studio album from the American rapper, Snoop Dogg, who first made a mention of Missionary on social media back in 2022. International artists, including Eminem, 50 Cent, and Method Man, are featured in the album Missionary on various tracks.
Missionary is similar to Snoop Dogg’s debut album, Doggystyle, that launched his career. Snoop Dogg has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide since his first album, which was released in 1993. Dr. Dre worked as a producer on Doggystyle and believes that Missionary gives both of the legendary hip hop artists a chance to create a musical experience that resonates with their core audiences. Missionary has been trending on global charts in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Germany.
Gunz N Smoke has 1.5 million views on YouTube
Guns N Smoke is one of the hottest tracks of 2024. It is over 3 minutes in length and has verses from rappers like Eminem, 50 Cent, and Snoop Dogg. Elements of hip hop, gangsta rap, and guns, are mentioned throughout the song to make it feel more nostalgic to Snoop Dogg’s fans listening to the track. Snoop Dogg and his team uploaded Gunz N Smoke on YouTube on December 13, 2024, and received over 1.5 million views within a few weeks.
Previously, Eminem has collaborated with Snoop Dogg on tracks like From the D 2 the LBC. Known as Marshall Mathers, Eminem has performed on stage for numerous music festivals. Snoop Dogg was featured on Eminem’s album, Curtain Call 2, that was released in 2022. Despite having a feud with Snoop Dogg, Eminem has agreed to work with the rapper on his latest album as a mark of respect for Dr. Dre.
50 Cent is a Grammy Award-winning rapper from New York City. His debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, had chart toppers like In da Club and P.I.M.P. The remix of his song, P.I.M.P, had Snoop Dogg collaborating with 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Young Bucks. 50 Cent has also appeared on the VH1 TV series, Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party.
Snoop Dogg is going big on gaming
Snoop Dogg is known for his many talents. The American rapper has been involved with casino activities in the past. Gaming companies have collaborated with Snoop Dogg to create slot games that are themed around the musician’s lifestyle. You can hear Snoop Dogg’s narration in several slot games including Snoop Dogg Dollars and Snoop’s High Rollers. His voice has helped gamblers land a number of winning combos to strike gold in casinos. He is also a pro poker player and has hosted gambling tournaments for his celebrity friends.
Roobet, the web3 gaming company hired Snoop Dogg in 2023 to represent their brand. The crypto casino has partnered with the American rapper to promote online betting across different parts of the world. More than 3 billion bets have been placed by crypto gamblers on the website and Snoop Dogg had a central role in helping Roobet achieve those numbers. Snoop Dogg has acknowledged the international customer base of Roobet and has been a part of their marketing strategies to acquire new gamblers on the digital platform.
Snoop Dogg Dollars is a vibrant slot machine game that was designed by Roobet. It was released in September 2024, a few months before the release of the Missionary album to get his fans excited for his new tracks. Players can match up to 5 symbols in Snoop Dogg Dollars to win in the crypto casino game. It has a hip hop soundtrack that provides an amazing setting for online gamers to be entertained while playing slot machines.
Fortnite releases a Snoop Dogg skin
Fortnite is an FPS game that has generated billions of dollars in revenue. It has designed a stellar Snoop Dogg skin for Fortnite players that is included with the Chapter 5, Season Remix. You can use the Snoop Dogg skin on your Fortnite character to fight in Battle Royale mode and Fortnite Festival. The hip hop artist’s skin can be purchased in the game till January 2025. Playing Fortnite while listening to Snoop Dogg’s new album, Missionary, can be a thrilling adventure.
The Dogg House and The Dogg Walk are included with the Snoop Dogg skin bundle in Fortnite. Gestures like The Dogg Walk can be rewarding after shooting up enemies in the action game. Gamers can play Fortnite on multiple gaming platforms such as, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
People can unlock the Y2K style for their Snoop Dogg skin in Fortnite to look glamorous against their opponents. You can also style the American rapper’s skin with a pair of glasses to add bling to his outfit. Weapons like rifles, crossbows, and rocket launchers, let Snoop Dogg scout the map for easy kills in Fortnite sessions.
Check out the item shop in Fortnite to get the full list of accessories available for the Snoop Dogg skin to stand out amongst your squad. You can order a copy of Snoop Dogg’s album Missionary to entertain your friends in Fortnite while conquering maps to complete objectives driven by the rapper’s music.
Glorilla + Kehlani – Xmas Time
GRAMMY-nominated recording artist GloRilla (CMG/Interscope Records) gets in the holiday spirits by releasing “Xmas Time” with Kehlani. Directed by Maxx and Madison, the live performance collaboration is festive, as Kehlani delivers a warm message of togetherness on the hook. At the same time, Big Glo’s playful quips and grateful attitude bring the joyous track together while performing under a blanket of snow.
“Happy Holidays to you and all your relations / and happy holidays to all our folks who couldn’t make it / I went to the North Pole to cop these bracelets / I got ice for ages, may your Christmas be amazing,” raps Glo. The warmth melts midtrack when a booming beat switch takes over the record, allowing Glo to flaunt her grizzled flow. “Certified trick, I get it from my dad,” she exclaims, again proving why her versatility is second to none.
Billboard crowned Big Glo this month as the Hottest Female Rapper of 2024. That win arrives shortly after she also was named AP’s Breakthrough Artist of 2024. Glo’s ascension into superstardom includes GLORIOUS debuting at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and securing the highest debut week for a female rapper, numerous Hot 100 wins, including “Yeah Glo!,” “TGIF” and “Wanna Be” featuring Megan Thee Stallion and “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” featuring Sexyy Redd. Glo also landed two Grammy nominations for her double platinum single “Yeah Glo!” in the Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance categories, solidifying her stellar run this year. Most recently, she also earned the second Billboard Hot 100 top 10 song of her career as a feature on Tyler, The Creator’s “Sticky.”
GLORIOUS remains the talk of many year-end conversations for best albums, including mentions for Rolling Stone, NPR, Billboard, Rap-Up, UPROXX, and more. “TGIF” landed on best singles lists for Vulture, Time, Pitchfork, New York Times, and Rolling Stone, while “Yeah Glo!” “Wanna Be (Remix),” and WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME also made the New York Times Best Songs List. TIME also named “TGIF” the number one song of 2024. Glo covered Rolling Stone’s Musician on Musician cover with Busta Rhymes. She also popped out as a surprise guest for TDE’s Christmas Concert & Toy Drive.
After releasing two seminal projects this year, including Ehhthang Ehhthang and her debut album GLORIOUS, Glo has more than proven that she’s a surefire rap superstar who can release hit records at a prolific clip.
GloRilla – Xmas Time (feat. Kehlani) (eSingle)
Retail: https://GloRilla.lnk.to/XmasTime
“Xmas Time” Live Performance: https://GloRilla.lnk.to/XmasTimePerformance
GloRilla – GLORIOUS (eAlbum)
https://GloRilla.lnk.to/GLORIOUS
Follow GloRilla: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Weatherproofing Your Home: Building for Southern Ontario’s Four Seasons
The climate in Ontario is famously varied. There are hot and humid summers, snowy and cold winters, ever-changing springs, and unpredictable autumns. For property owners, it means that their houses should be ready for all the seasons.
Weatherproofing your home doesn’t only mean that your house should withstand any weather conditions. It’s also about reducing energy costs and watching over your investment.
Neighbors from Ottawa experience even more extreme weather transitions. As part of their home renovations, they invest heavily into windows and doors Ottawa to prevent energy loss due to poorly sealed windows and doors.
That said, any homeowner would like to know how to renovate their property to handle ever-changing weather. Here’s what you can do to build or renovate your place.
Some insights into Southern Ontario climate
Throughout the year, the area experiences considerable temperature changes that range from -20°C in the winter to 30°C or more during the summer. High humidity, frequent rainstorms, and heavy snowfalls bring even more challenges.
Extremely low temperatures and heavy snowfalls in the winter can damage roofs, foundations, and insulation. High humidity in summer can lead to moisture-related problems like mold and warped materials. Rainfalls in spring can be the cause of floods and water intrusion.
It all might sound like there’s nothing you can do to protect your home from frequent renovations. However, by knowing what might come, you can come up with the best solutions for your property.
Most important home renovations
Insulation
A perfect house is where it’s warm in the winter and there’s cool air in the summer. And it’s all about making your home well-insulated. As we all know, Ontario’s energy costs can be pretty high, high-quality insulation can help homeowners reduce their energy bills. In fact, proper insulation can lead to a 20% reduction in the costs of heating and cooling per year.
Make sure you insulate properly the following areas:
- Attics. Heat rises, meaning that if there are breaches in the attic, it’ll lead to heat loss.
- Walls. They serve as barriers against outdoor temperatures. If you use spray foam or fiberglass batts, you can create a perfect barrier.
- Basements. Most houses have basements where it’s cold and there’s moisture. By proper wall insulation in the basement, you can prevent mold growth.
Roofing
As roofs fall prey to heavy snow loads and intense UV rays, you should take care of choosing the right materials. Here are some roofing tips:
- Choose a design that can withstand snow loads. On the stage of building a house, you should forget about a flat roof even if it looks superb. A flat roof is more prone to leaks and snow buildup. That’s why your roof should have a slope.
- An asphalt shingle roof looks marvelous, but is it a rational choice? Metal roofs become increasingly popular due to their longevity and resistance to ice.
Windows
Every property owner wants to save on energy use. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a house loses about 30% of its energy through windows.
It would be smart to opt for double or triple-pane windows that can help reduce heat transfer. Moreover, you should make sure that your windows and doors are sealed with high-quality weatherstripping to block drafts.
Siding
Siding is not only a part of your house’s overall look. It’s also a shield against diverse weather conditions. Nowadays, homeowners give preference to the following siding materials:
- Vinyl siding is affordable and easy-care. However, it’s not the best choice for extreme cold;
- Fiber cement is marvelously durable and fire-resistant;
- Wood siding is great-looking, but requires frequent maintenance.
Depending on your budget, you can find the right material that will be durable and good-looking.
Foundation
Heavy rains often come with springs. They can lead to cracks in the foundation, structural instability, and water infiltration. As Ontario’s residents are familiar with spring thaws and heavy rains, here’s how to protect the foundation:
- You can apply a waterproof membrane to the walls as it’ll prevent moisture penetration;
- When building a house, make sure that the land around your place slopes away from it to prevent water from collecting at the foundation;
- Install French drains to manage excess water.
Gutters and downspouts
Moisture damage and dampness issues can be detrimental to your property. However, if gutters and downspouts are well-maintained, there’s nothing to worry about.
That’s why you should take care of their regular cleaning as clogs can lead to overflow. Make sure the downspouts are long to direct water away from the foundation.
HVAC
HVAC systems can bring year-round comfort. Your system should be reliable when living in a region like Southern Ontario, which has diverse weather. Here’s how to optimize the efficiency:
- As winters and summers bring the most extreme weather conditions, you should schedule inspections before these seasons. This way, you’ll make sure there’s peak performance;
- You can save energy by installing programmable thermostats. As temperatures can differ every day, they’ll adapt to them and save energy;
- Depressurized air ducts and vents can be the cause of energy loss. You should make sure to seal ducts and vents so that there’s even heating and cooling in the house.
How to plan your weatherproofing project
A home built in the 1980s and a newly constructed home in 2023 are two different things. They both will have different weatherproofing needs. Most importantly, many things depend on the budget you have.
Start with the following steps:
- Firstly, you should make an assessment of your house. You should find areas for improvement and conduct an energy audit;
- If your budget is tight, you should make insulation and window upgrades a priority;
- Little experience in home improvements can do more harm than good. That’s why you should hire local professionals who can suggest the most appropriate solutions.
Conclusion
Southern Ontario’s climate can be harsh from season to season. By investing in weatherproofing, you invest in comfort, energy savings, and durability. Whether you renovate your property or build a new house, you should focus on the most exposed areas. Proper insulation, reliable windows, roofing, and foundation will make your home ready for anything the weather may bring.
Beyoncé Bowl Mesmerizes Millions
Redefining what it means to have a honky-tonk halftime show at the NFL via Netflix
It’s been months since we have seen anything visually from the Cowboy Carter album. And Beyoncé drank every moment of it (a 13-minute medley of 8 songs). Wearing white, she trotted into the stadium on a horse while singing one of the record’s most iconic tracks, 16 Carriages. Fast forward, she’s strutting with some of the country music’s rising stars (Tanner Adell) singing Blackbiird. Then, she rocked out to YaYa. Additional ingredients include Blue Ivy, Shaboozey (spaghetti), Post Malone (Levii’s Jeans), and Texas Southern’s marching band.
Effortlessly epic. This less assertive version of Beyoncé was crucial due to the recent events in America. Mrs. Carter was born to entertain. Overall, it was reminiscent of Beychella–a cohesive body of work.
Obtaining RIAA certification for the most titles by a female artist of all time and becoming crowned as the #1 pop star of the 21st century are the reasons behind this emotional experience.
Surely, it was not possible to imagine that 22 years later, when celebrity shutterbug Markus Klinko captured her in 2003 for her debut album Dangerously in Love, she would attain a meteoric mark. The Queen has repeatedly demonstrated her worth to Americans. Her impactful country music recital will definitely result in her winning several Grammys, including Album of the Year. Yale’s decision to add her to their academic roster to address her cultural influence on society is a no-brainer.
Articles in the Media
At the global box office, Mustafa’s earnings exceeded $122 million.
A YEAR OF MARVELS AND MASTERPIECES
ROLLS-ROYCE REFLECTS ON 2024 BESPOKE HIGHLIGHTS
• Landmark Bespoke commissions completed in 2024 reflect the record level of Bespoke demand
• Commissions illustrate clients’ increasingly bold, diverse, and personal inspirations
• Each features unique details never previously seen in a Rolls-Royce motor car
• Testament to the exceptional creativity, skill, and unparalleled artistry of the Bespoke Collective
• Highlights include all motor cars in the current Rolls-Royce product portfolio
In 2024, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers, and craftspeople brought to life some of the most creative and ambitious examples of artistry ever seen.
Client commissions comprised highly complex, hand-painted, and embroidered artworks, stainless steel and gold inlays, exquisite iridescent paint finishes, and much more. Driven by their pursuit of perfection and the dreams of the marque’s clients, Rolls-Royce artisans created singular graphics, such as an 869,500-stitch embroidery inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy, and captured cultural symbols using the canvas of leather, wood, and fabric. From finely executed coachline motifs to full-scale artworks within the interior, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective once again stretched the breadth of luxury possibility.
The extraordinary complexity behind this year’s commissions reflects the ever-growing number of clients that trust the marque’s artisans with their boldest visions. While these inspirations are as diverse as the personalities of the clients themselves, clear themes have emerged over the year. Bespoke commissions are becoming increasingly personal, with many clients curating individual masterpieces to mark major life events and commemorate transformative moments, places, and people that are meaningful to them.
As 2024 comes to an end, Rolls-Royce reflects on just some of the finest examples of Bespoke possibility. The motor cars selected are owned by clients who have generously given permission for their details to be shared with the public.
PHANTOM SCINTILLA
Limited to just 10 examples worldwide, this magnificent Private Collection celebrates the ethereal beauty, grace, and legacy of the Spirit of Ecstasy.
The interior features 869,500 stitches forming a continuous graphic inspired by her expressive form. The figurine itself has a unique ceramic finish, evoking the Parian marble of The Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Greek statue that inspired Claude Johnson to commission the original mascot in 1910.
The centerpiece is the Celestial Pulse Gallery, capturing the fleeting presence of the Spirit of Ecstasy. This artwork comprises seven individually milled ribbons, cloaked in the same ceramic finish as the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. Above, the Bespoke Starlight Headliner features an animation with 1,500 fiber-optic “stars,” inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy’s flowing gown.
BLACK BADGE GHOST CITY LIGHTS
In this commission, created exclusively for the U.S., the Illuminated Fascia features a Bespoke design recreating a bird’s-eye view of a city at night. The graphic is inspired by the thrilling view seen from an airplane as it makes its final approach for landing. The pattern is composed of 8,372 laser-etched lights, each individually placed by hand in the Piano Black veneer surface.
CULLINAN SERIES II – INSPIRED BY ROSE
This delicate, highly artistic commission was inspired by the Phantom Rose, specially bred for Rolls-Royce, which grows in the courtyard of the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood and nowhere else in the world.
Bespoke designers created a stylized rose motif, which was then translated into delicate embroidery on the front and rear headrests and incorporated into the meticulously hand-painted coachline.
PHANTOM GOLDFINGER
To mark the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film Goldfinger, Rolls-Royce created this intricately detailed homage to the eponymous villain’s 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville.
Bespoke specialists faithfully recreated the original car’s famous black and yellow exterior finish, with ingenious features referencing the film’s pivotal scenes – from a gold golf putter, inspired by one used by Auric Goldfinger in his infamous match with 007, to a solid 18-carat gold speedform displayed in the center console.
Other gold-inspired features include gold-plated treadplates embossed with the same font developed for the film in 1964, a 24-carat gold-plated VIN plaque engraved with a number ending in 007, as well as organ stops, seat bullets, and speaker frets with a lustrous gold finish.
The Gallery houses a stainless-steel artwork featuring an isoline map of the Furka Pass, where 007 follows Goldfinger to his smelting plant in the film. As another subtle reference, the Starlight Headliner reflects the constellations as they appeared over the Furka Pass in Switzerland on the final day of filming the scene. As a finishing touch, a hidden projector was developed to display the legendary “007” logo when the trunk is opened.
SPECTRE LUNAFLAIR
Commissioned by a discerning client from the United States, Spectre Lunaflair draws inspiration from the optical phenomenon of a lunar halo, where moonlight refracted through high-altitude ice crystals creates a bright ring around the moon.
To capture this spectacle, the marque’s specialists spent a year developing a unique holographic paint finish, reserved exclusively for the commissioning client. The captivating “rainbow” effect is achieved by applying seven layers of lacquer, including a pearlescent layer infused with fine flakes of magnesium fluoride and aluminum. This creates a deep metallic effect in low light that bursts into rainbow technicolor under bright sunlight.
The Spectre Lunaflair concept was partially inspired by another Bespoke masterpiece, the one-of-one Phantom Syntopia. Captivated by Phantom Syntopia’s iridescent Liquid Noir finish, the commissioning client asked the Bespoke Collective to create a light and luminous expression of this concept that reflected their fascination with the lunar halo phenomenon. This cross-pollination of ideas exemplifies the power of Bespoke at Rolls-Royce.
GHOST EXTENDED SERIES II – THE ENCOUNTER
This exquisite Ghost Extended Series II is designed to mark the 120th anniversary of the meeting of its founders on May 4, 1904. The celebratory commission contains numerous references to The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce, including their initials, embroidered on the headrests, their signatures on the C-pillar, and the historic date of their introduction as the coachline motif.
These include a unique hand-painted artwork on the front passenger panel, dragon embroidery on the headrests, a coachline motif, and the first-ever depiction of a dragon in a Bespoke Starlight Headliner, crafted from 677 “stars.”
The interior is finished in Duality Twill, a new rayon fabric made from bamboo, embroidered with a “Duality” graphic – an abstract interpretation of the interlinked R initials of the marque’s founders’ names.
PHANTOM YEAR OF THE DRAGON
Commissioned via the Shanghai Private Office, this extraordinary Phantom Extended was created to mark the Lunar New Year, beginning on February 10, 2024. In a beautiful example of the growing trend toward blending international heritage and Chinese cultural traditions, known as guochao, the interior features meticulously crafted details inspired by a traditional dragon symbol.
Peter Sommer Travels
Launches 1st Gulet Cruise in Montenegro
Peter Sommer Travels will launch its new Cruising the Coast of Montenegro tour in 2025, its first itinerary in the country known for its sparkling waters, atmospheric mountains and multi-layered history. Cruising aboard a traditional gulet, visit towns and villages from the Adriatic Coast to Lake Skadar and the Bay of Kotor and discover the influence of the ancient Illyrians, the Greeks, the Roman Empire, Venice and the Ottomans, as well as fabulous food from beloved family restaurants, wine made in the wooded hills and more. The eight-day Cruising the Coast of Montenegro tour departs Sept. 15, Sept. 22 and Sept. 29, 2025, and costs £3,895 per person based on double occupancy. For more information, call 855-443-3027 or visit https://www.petersommer.com/tours/montenegro-gulet-voyage.
Hennessy X.O Collection by Florian Zumbrunn
The daring union of generative art and robotics.
To revisit the design of its iconic Hennessy X.O decanter, Maison Hennessy enlisted the creative agency OK C’EST COOL to conceive a unique experience blending ultra-customization, artistic creation, and robotic innovation. This one-of-a-kind customer journey, balancing tradition and innovation, culminates in the creation of an exclusive collection of 40 numbered pieces envisioned by generative artist Florian Zumbrunn.
To reinvent the design of its legendary Hennessy X.O decanter, Maison Hennessy collaborated with OK C’EST COOL to craft a distinctive experience uniting ultra-customization, artistic innovation, and cutting-edge robotics.
This unique customer journey bridges tradition and innovation to create an exclusive collection of 40 numbered pieces, designed by generative artist Florian Zumbrunn, available exclusively in Cognac. Each carafe features a unique, customizable design painted by a robotic arm through an innovative production process, engineered by robotic expert Jean-Marie Ollivier.
