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Native Tokens on Nimbus: The Ecosystem × The Future

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Nimbus is a blockchain platform that specializes in DeFi solutions for any potential needs a prospective user may have. Whether it is through dApps, staking in Crypto, or via lending and borrowing, Nimbus is the go-to platform when it comes to taking advantage of the DeFi market, and a major factor of its continuing success comes from its native tokens, NBU, and GNBU. With a third stablecoin in the works, Nimbus’ innovation continues to impress its community and grow along with the DeFi market.

Starting with the basics, there is the NBU token that serves as the lifeblood of the platform. NBU can be used to pay off debts, fees, swaps etc and is the standard for all transactions. Users can swap existing tokens from Binance or Ethereum blockchains or they can apply for a loan from Nimbus itself. Nimbus makes it easy for a first-time user to get a loan for tokens or just pay out of pocket for them. This flexibility from the start lets the user experience every step at their own pace.

NBU is the basic utility token and will be the one that most users will find most comfortable. NBU is often used for swapping or staking due to the ease of use it offers to jump into the sixteen different revenue streams Nimbus offers. Founded with the idea of being a flexible platform, Nimbus created the NBU to reflect that flexibility. A user can choose what they do with their tokens, like entering it into a chosen liquidity pool for the interest it accrues. Or they might swap it out via the Swap Machine dApp for a different token like Ethereum. While not offering as many options as the GNBU, NBU has far more intuitive access associated with it for the average user to take advantage of.

GNBU, the second of the two currently available tokens, is the main governing token on the Nimbus platform. Like NBU, GNBU offers its users a lot of flexibility and can be traded, tendered, or sold as a user likes. GNBU does take the staking idea farther as well, due to its nature it can be staked into whichever pool they like for any determined time versus the sometimes-hard locked nature of NBU staking. Furthermore, simply being in possession of the token allows for a user to get a percentage of every transaction fee that takes place on the platform.

The biggest difference between NBU and GNBU is that GNBU allows the user to have voting power on the platform. Nimbus relies on the community at every level, and it has established a community vote for major decisions that impact the platform’s ecosystem and current path. If someone has a GNBU they have a vote in this community and have a direct impact on the future of Nimbus. With the Nimbus Platform itself capping its ownership of GNBU at 10% any user that possesses one of these tokens has a major voice in developments.

There is a third token that is currently being developed along the Stablecoin idea: STAN, which will be directly pegged to the United States Dollar. Though it’s still in the works, Nimbus plans on having access to 15 different revenue generating tools. STAN will be swappable using Uniswap for other forms of Crypto or cashed out at the user’s leisure. Stablecoin is a more tangible coin that some users will find more comfort in and is one more avenue for users to reach financial success.

Crypto by its nature can be confusing, so Nimbus created its tokens with the philosophy of entuitive use for all Crypto enthusiasts. Nimbus isn’t as large as other blockchain platforms for now, but its growth continues with its security and flexibility being its driving force. In 2021 alone the number of users with attached wallets reached over 57,000 in number. As Nimbus continues to expand that number will grow massively.

The Nimbus blockchain represents the future of decentralized finance and innovation. With the hopes of eventually creating an entirely decentralized bank for its users to have access to, Nimbus is constantly creating the next best thing through its platform. Even its ecosystem has been created to be fluid and allow for user input at a regular pace.

There’s been a lot of bad press in the news regarding Crypto. For some Crypto is a game of musical chairs that won’t have many seats left when the music stops playing. But this isn’t a game of chance, and those who believe it don’t understand the market. Nimbus has striven to ensure that every user understands the experience fully while enforcing strict transparency and security across the platform. The best example of this lies in its chosen tokens.

Nimbus clearly has all token values available to its users and market trend information is up to date and specifies all aspects of exchange value. Furthermore, GNBU and its associated services encourage investing time and resources back into the community and benefits not only one user, but the entire platform. The ripple effect from one user benefits another and the cycle continues across the whole of the user base.

Community is key with the Nimbus platform, and constant innovation in both the services offered and what NBU and GNBU offer allow for that community involvement while they further innovate the platform to meet new trends. In no other platform does the community find itself directly involved in the ecosystem, and it is just one more reason why Nimbus is continuing to grow at a rapid pace as the year closes itself out.

Millennials × Spirits Making a Difference In The World

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It is no secret that millennials are making changes in the world around us every day. From social justice, equality, politics, climate change, and social media, the world is changing every day because of them.

Millennials outnumber Gen X and will soon outnumber Baby Boomers among voters. Not only have they revolutionized the economy, but they have also shifted today’s culture in many ways. For example, millennials are well-known for how much they use social media. The millennial generation uses social media as a voice to reach hundreds, or even thousands, of people worldwide. Because of how they use social media, they are forever changing human interaction.

Millennials are making significant changes every day, and one of those changes is in alcohol trends.

In the last few years, millennials have become more focused on the quality of alcohol and the variety of flavors the alcohol industry offers. The demand for beer has decreased within the last decade while wine, whisky, vodka, and other spirits have grown.

Millennials have become more conscious of the quality and ingredients in alcohol than their Baby Boomer and Gen X counterparts. Nowadays, millennials are looking for value and health benefits in exchange for their money and are looking more at hand-crafted and artisanal alcohol products.

Many vodka brands are borrowing tactics from gin because of these changes. They are moving to a much lighter serve and lower-alcohol offerings to appeal to the millennial generation. Many of these brands are becoming “healthy” alcohols by removing sugars and adding botanical flavors.

Glasgow Distillery Company‘s co‐founder Mike Hayward says, “The success of gin has opened up the consumer’s thirst for new and interesting products that have botanicals and natural flavor at the core. We see this as a great opportunity to attract consumers to the vodka category by creating a range of products that meet the desire for interesting and innovative spirits presented in a new and exciting way.”

One vodka brand is taking a few ideas from the millennial generation and using their social responsibility to donate to groups trying to change the world while making a “smooth, crisp, and warming sipper.”

Organika Vodka, founded in 2016 in Russia, focuses on the ideals of sustainability in all forms. From locally sourcing renewable resources in the Lake Baikal region to working side-by-side by the indigenous people and developing a biodegradable spirits bottle, this company is striving toward showing just how much of a difference a company can make toward sustainability and ecological consciousness. By creating a more ecologically conscious alcohol, Organika is changing the industry for the better.

There are three varieties of Organika Vodka: Organika, Organika Life, and Organika White Truffle. While each kind is made with highly oxygenated water from Lake Baikal and 100% grain BIO spirit, they each have one ingredient that differentiates them.

Organika is made with Siberian Larch Extract, which can be found in different parts of the world, while the most valuable species is found in Siberia. It is said that Siberian Larch is known for strengthening blood vessels, which makes it a natural aphrodisiac.

A well-known tonic called sagan-daila is used to create Organika Life. Sagan-daila means “life-giving” and is said to stimulate the brain, kidneys, and heart activity. It is also said to relieve fatigue and hangovers.

Organika White Truffle is made with not only sagan-daila but also the white truffle mushroom, which is said to rejuvenate the body and “positively influences the men’s power.”

Not only does this company focus on being sustainable and ecologically conscious, but they are also focused on the preservation of rare animals like the Amur Tiger, the Far Eastern leopard, the snow leopard, and the polar bear.

The majority of their charitable donations are given to the World Wildlife Fund who actively sought out the brand for a partnership after being “so moved” by Organika’s efforts in rare animal preservation. Even during the height of COVID-19, Organika continued to support its partners.

If there is one thing millennials also care about significantly, it is most definitely animals. Suppose millennials cannot get behind a sustainable and ecologically conscious vodka brand that is making significant changes in wildlife. In that case, I am not sure what they would get behind. Not only does Organika use organic ingredients and locally source them, but they are also donating toward saving animals all around the world. I would say that is a win-win on both accounts.

With millennials caring more about what is in their drinks than the experience of drinking them, it is no surprise that vodka companies are making changes in their production.

In an interview with Forbes, Jonathan Hemi, the managing partner of Crystal Head Vodka, said, “Clean, additive-free, high-quality liquid is where we see opportunities as well in different expressions through different types of grains.” In other words, clean and sustainable alcohol is creating more opportunities for vodka brands like Organika to make significant changes in the alcohol industry.

Organika has recently signed contracts with the Miami Dolphins and the Breakthru Beverage Group in Florida, expanding their reach into the United States from Russia and Germany.

The contract with the Miami Dolphins sees Organika at the Hard Rock Stadium from the 2021 season to the 2023 season. Fans of the Dolphins will be able to experience Organika vodka and Organika Life. They are also planning on using aluminum cups instead of traditional plastic for their drinks in the stadium.

The partnership with Breakthru Beverage opens new sales and distribution opportunities in Florida for Organika Vodka in the ultra-premium vodka category while also distributing the brand into 14 different states and Canada.

Sustainability and change are essential for both millennials and Organika Vodka to thrive. Not only can millennials help Organika change the world for wildlife, but Organika can also produce clean and eco-conscious alcohol for millennials. Both of these groups are working to change the world differently, but imagine what they could do working together. With the social-media-hungry millennials, there is no telling just how much Organika can achieve with its mission of preserving wildlife.

Halloween Party Guide

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NEFT Vodka

Have you been waiting for something truly unique to enter the already crowded vodka market? Enter NEFT Vodka, an all-natural, ultra-premium spirit with a taste so pure and smooth we challenge you to put it up against any other brand whether neat or in your favorite cocktail. Distilled in Austria, NEFT is made from only two ingredients, 100 percent ancient rye grains and pure Austrian Alps spring water with no additives of any kind. This decidedly rare combination results in a flavorful vodka with hints of lemon, black pepper, and creamy vanilla for a slightly sweet finish. With holiday content in the works and Halloween coming soon, I thought this might be a great fit for a highlight!

Packaged in a one-of-a-kind unbreakable barrel that keeps the chilled vodka cold for up to six hours in any season, NEFT is the perfect addition to holiday celebrations and can be taken anywhere you plan to go. With Halloween season right around the corner, you can enjoy a spooky cocktail made with this NEFT Vodka recipe.

Flying Purple People Eater

1.75 oz NEFT vodka

0.75 oz white peach juice

0.25 oz lychee liqueur

2 dashes blue butterfly pea powder

Directions: Drizzle thin layer of orange oleo saccharum (or, orange cake frosting) around the inside of a martini glass. Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into glass. Garnish with a pellet of dry ice.

NEFT Vodka is $37 for a 750-mL barrel and available online.

D’USSÉ

Naturally confident and boldly outrageous, D’USSE is providing a cognac cocktail for Halloween. Whether you’re hosting a spooky Halloween bash or spending the night cozied up to the fire with festive treats, this is the ultimate cocktail to sip on.

D’USSE Cognac’s Friday the 13th cocktail filled with VSOP Cognac, Blood Orange Syrup and more. The VSOP is naturally aged for at least four and a half years, the bold and full-bodied blend of D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac is made from a selection of the finest eaux-de-vie, including some that were carefully matured in the cellars of the Château de Cognac. On the nose, it reveals a powerful bouquet, rich in woody notes layered with touches of cinnamon and floral notes. Distinctively and unexpectedly smooth, each taste reveals hints of spices and almonds with undertones of honey and dried fruits as the grand finale.

Friday The 13th

2 Parts D’usse VSOP Cognac

1 Part Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 Part Blood Orange Syrup

Top with Ginger Beer

Highball & Lemon Wedge

Add D’USSÉ, lime juice and blood orange syrup into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with ginger beer.

Santo Spirits

Halloween is right around the corner, and it would not be complete without spooky cocktails crafted with the best BOOze in town. Skip the tricks this year and treat yourself to Santo Spirits, premium tequilas made with 100% Blue Weber Agave.

Legendary Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar and culinary icon, Guy Fieri teamed up to bring to life a portfolio of authentic agave expressions with smooth and bold flavors that are sure to elevate you to a “higher spirit” this coming Halloween. Whether you are getting ready to go out and about or staying in to binge your favorite horror movies, these spooky drinks are easy to create and even easier to enjoy.

Bloody Citrus

TheBloody Citrus is the perfect cocktail to kick off mischief hour! Featuring the Santo Tequilla Blanco, it is a Santo Spirits fan favorite that will have you rolling over in your grave. Combining citrus fruit galore, this sweet cocktail is the trick to satisfy your sweet tooth this Halloween and is dressed up in spooky orange and blood-like red color.

2 oz. Santo Tequila Blanco

1/2 oz. PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

1 oz. House-made fresh lemon sour

1 1/2 oz. Clementine and Peach flavored sparkling soda

1/2 oz. Blood orange soda

Directions: Combine all ingredients but the blood orange soda in a shaker. Shake and strain over a tall rocks glass filled with ice. Add floater of blood orange soda.

FEARFUL FIERI

TheFearful Fieri brings the heat by combining the unique favors of Guy Fieri’s Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ Australian Aromatic Bitters and a Chipotle Chili Sugar Rim with Santo Mezquila. The liquid shines as its smokey notes blend with the sweetness of the brown sugar and spicy hint of chipotle that are sure to turn things up a notch this Halloween!

2 oz Santo Mezquila

1 oz Agave Nectar

1.5 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

0.5 oz Guy Fieri’s Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ Australian Aromatic Bitters

Garnish: Chipotle Chili Sugar Rim

THE HAUNTED SPIRIT

The Haunted Spirit takes your taste buds to a new levelwith the unique combination of Santo Mezquila, Aperol and Yellow Chartreuse. This simple and spooky cocktail is perfect pairing for your scary movie marathon.

1 oz. Santo Mezquila

0.75 oz. Aperol

0.5 oz. Yellow Chartreuse

0.75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

0.25 oz. Agave Nectar

Sparkling Iced Spiked

In case you needed more cocktails to try out, Sparkling Ice Spiked has released their limited-edition festive flavors that just hit the seltzer scene: Cranberry Orange, Apple Cider, Raspberry Truffle and Grapefruit Juniper.

In addition to these festive flavors, Spiked is hosting a sweepstakes, called Holiday Hero, which gives 21+ consumers in eligible states the chance to win $5,000 to help fund their upcoming celebrations in true hero fashion.

Juniper Gin & Tonic

8 oz. Sparkling Ice Spiked Ruby Fizz

1 oz. Gin

1 oz. Simple Syrup

Grapefruit Slices

Lime Slices

Garnish: Grapefruit Wedge, Sage

Directions: Muddle fruit in a cocktail shaker. Add simple syrup and gin and shake with ice until chilled. Pour over ice in a tall glass. Fill with Sparkling Ice Spiked Grapefruit Juniper. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and fresh sage.

Apple Cider Aperol Spritz

6 oz. Sparkling Ice Spiked Apple Cider

1 oz. Aperol

Sliced Apple

Cinnamon Stick

Garnish: Thyme Sprig, Cinnamon & Sugar

Directions: Rim wine glass with water and dip into cinnamon sugar mix. Fill wine glass with ice and add Aperol. Fill with Sparkling Ice Spiked Apple Cider. Stir with cinnamon stick and garnish with an apple slice and sprig of time.

Raspberry Truffle Floats

Sparkling Ice Spiked Raspberry Truffle

1 Scoop Raspberry Sorbet

Garnish: Chocolate Shavings

Directions: In a wine glass add one scoop of raspberry sorbet. Fill with Sparkling Ice Spiked Raspberry Truffle. Garnish with fresh raspberries and chocolate shavings.

INDOGGO® Gin

With its laid-back California style, INDOGGO® Gin is like no other in the world. It’s gluten-free, sugar-free, low-calories, and will leave you wanting more. Easy to mix, easy to drink, hard to forget. Iconic rapper Snoop Dogg created this remix on the traditional spirit, and these flavor-packed cocktails only require a few simple ingredients that you most likely have on hand and are perfect to sip on while watching classic Halloween films or to serve at your ghostly get togethers! Take a look at the below recipes and try them out for yourself at home.

WITCHES LEMONADE

The Witches Lemonade is a classic go-to cocktail for Halloween. This drink consists of the perfect combination of lemonade and INDOGGO® Gin for everyone to enjoy.

2 oz INDOGGO®

6 oz Fresh Lemonade

Ice cubes

Lemon slices for garnish

Directions: Combine INDOGGO® and lemonade to a glass and stir to combine. Top with ice and lemon slices.

GHOST COCKTAIL

The Ghost Cocktail is a vibrant mix of INDOGGO® Gin, coconut milk, and a squeeze of lemon for a fresh flavor. Take your Halloween festivities to the next level with this spooky Cocktail!

1.5 oz INDOGGO®

2 oz Coconut Milk

¾ oz Lemon Juice

¾ oz Vanilla Syrup

Optional: 3-4 drops of CBD Oil Tincture

Directions: In a cocktail Shaker add INDOGGO®, coconut milk, lemon juice and vanilla syrup. Add ice and shake. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with CBD leaf and oil (optional).

All You Need To Know K-POP

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By: Conan Zhang, Elle Grant × Kai Yeo

Korean pop music, known as K-Pop is becoming a global force. With forceful sounds, charismatic performances, and colorful concepts, it is a maximalist’s dream perception of music. The fans are dedicated, if not overwhelming in their dedication to their favorite artists. Recently, the political successes of K-pop fans are making just as many headlines: fans crashed Donald Trump’s Tulsa rally and have been at the forefront of vocalizing issues related to Black Lives Matter. Who are the artists that inspire such loyalty and such action? Read into 360’s introduction to some of the twenty-first century mainstays below.

Seo Taiji And Boys

Debuted in 1992, Seo Taiji and Boys were and influential 3-member band and are known as the first “boy group” in K-pop industry consisting of Seo Taiji himself, alongside fellow members Yang Hyun Suk and Lee Juno. Their debut single, “Nan Arayo (I Know),” was an instantly catchy hit that topped the charts for a record-breaking, seventeen consecutive weeks and propelled the group to pop mega-stardom.

In April 2017 it was announced that Seo Taiji was assembling a group of modern K-Pop acts to cover songs from his past to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his debut with Seo Taiji and Boys. The first act announced for the project was BTS, with other acts including Urban Zakapa and Younha. The first single from this project, a cover of “Come Back Home” (from Seo Taiji and Boys IV) recorded by BTS, was released with a music video on July 5, 2017.

In case you’re new to K-pop, it might be helpful to add that BTS was also invited by Seo Taiji to perform their rendition of Come Back Home and other acts at their 25th anniversary concert.

PSY

Heard of Gangnam Style? Born Park Jae-sang on December 31 1977, he is better known as the artist PSY. He is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. PSY is famous in Korea for his funny videos and stage performances. After releasing Gangnam Style on 15 July 2012, the video crossed over 2 billion views in less than two years (so many that it broke YouTube). This song can also arguably be named the first breakout Korean hit to become popular in the West. The song’s refrain was entered into The Yale Book of Quotations as one of the most famous quotations of 2012.

Since his international success, PSY has gone on to found his own record company P NATION and currently mentoring other artists.

Big Bang

No introduction needed, Big Bang is a South Korean boy band under YG Entertainment. The group consists of four members: G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, and Daesung; They are named as “Kings of K-pop,” Bigbang have greatly helped spread the Korean Wave internationally. A fifth member, Seungri, left the group and the industry in disgrace following an the Burning Sun sex scandal, of which he was an organizer, a moment that blighted K-pop’s reputation at home.

Eighteen of Big Bang’s singles have been number one hits in South Korea and have remained atop the Melon charts for a record 51 weeks. The group has sold over 150 million records globally, which rank them among the best-selling boy bands in the world. Forbes Korea ranked them as one of the most powerful celebrities in South Korea from 2009 to 2016 (placing 2nd in 2009, 2012 and 2014, and they were the first Korean artists to be included on the Forbes Celebrity 100 and 30 Under 30 list of most influential musicians in the world (2017).

Currently with 4 members discharged from military service, fans are eagerly waiting to see what happens next.

Lee Chae-rin, better known by her stage name CL, rose to fame as girl group 2NE1’s leader in 2009, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. As a solo artist, CL made her debut with “The Baddest Female” in 2013 and has continued to pursue her own career following the group’s hiatus in 2015. The release “Hello Bitches” (2015) led CL to become the first female Korean solo artist to place onto the Billboard Hot 100, and the third Korean artist to do so overall.

In November 2016, YG announced the disbandment of 2NE1 after nearly two years of hiatus, and CL subsequently remained under the label. Shortly after leaving YG in December 2019, she released her solo EP project In the Name of Love (2019), consisting of six tracks written during the three years since her previous single “Lifted.” Her debut studio album, Alpha, was released in October 2021.

BTS

BTS, an abbreviation for Bangtan Boys, was formed in 2010 while the group debuted in 2013. The team is made up of seven members including Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. The members co-write and co-produce almost every song that they perform, marking a shift in the K-Pop industry to including artists in the songs they sing and promote.

Originally intended to be a Korean hip-hop group, they are now producing music in a wide range of genres. Their songs often focused on personal and social hot topics, mentioning mental health, troubles of school-age teenagers.

Having sold over 20 million albums on the Gaon Music Chart, BTS is now the best-selling artist in South Korean history and holds the best-selling album in South Korea with the work Map of the Soul: 7. The group’s numerous accolades include six American Music Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, 24 Golden Disc Awards, and nominations for a Grammy Award and a Brit Award. They are undoubtedly the current Kinds of K-Pop and have broken through to Western popularity unlike any other artist.

BLACKPINK

Blackpink is a girl group formed by YG Entertainment, featuring four team members: Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa. In August 2016, they debuted with their single album Square One, which is features the extremely popular songs “Whistle” and “Boombayah.”

Blackpink is ranked as the highest-charting female Korean act on the Billboard Hot 100 and they broke a huge number of online records since they released “Kill This Love” (2019) and “How You Like That” (2020), each become the most-viewed music video within the first 24 hours of release. Though this record was eventually broken by BTS, it is nonetheless just one of many examples proving the quartet’s impact on society.

Lee Ji-eun is well known as IU. She is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actress. The name IU is a combination of the letters ‘I’ and ‘you’ which means “you and I become one through music.” She debuted as a singer when she was fifteen with her first mini album Lost and Found (2008). Her work “Good Day” won her five consecutive weeks at the top position of South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart. In the year of 2019, “Good Day” was ranked number one on Billboard’s “100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s” list.

NCT

NCT are a K-pop group created by SM Entertainment. NCT stands for Neo Culture Technology, and the idea is that they’re a group of infinite members who are constantly shifting into different sub-units in different cities around the world. Currently consisting of 5 sub-units – NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream, NCT 2018, WayV.

Currently, NCT is made up of 21 members – we know, it’s a handful! The members are: Taeil, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Kun, Doyoung, Ten, Jaehyun, Winwin, Jungwoo, Lucas, Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung, Xiao Jun, Yang Yang, and Hendery.

After debuting in 2016, they have won 7 awards from 19 nominations and are continuing their stardom today. Pionerring the “noise music” trend and have so far been the only ones that do it well – “Simon Says.” Find out more information about them through their show NCT Life streaming on YouTube for free.

TWICE

Like many of today’s K-pop acts, Twice originated from a reality competition show. The 2015 series Sixteen involved that many JYP entertainment “trainees” – the term used for aspiring idols-in-training, preparing for a potential debut. After a series of challenges and fighting for a place in the final lineup, the remaining nine formed a new ensemble, also known as Twice.

After the announcement of the label’s new girl group, founder and CEO of JYP explained that Twice refers to the act of making an impact “once through the ears and once through the eyes.” As so, the group’s fame has been propelled by hit after hit of vibrant sound through bright and colorful music videos. Their unique sound can be heard especially in “TT” and “Cheer Up.”

More on K-pop

These men and women are just of a few forcing open the door to K-Pop in the west after being mainstays in South Korean and Asian popular culture for years. This list features artists from the first to third generation of K-Pop stars, known as the generations to push international boundaries of popularity. In this new decade of the twenty-first century, K-Pop is more popular than ever. Stars of the fourth generation, coinciding with the Gen Z age group, are achieving international successes early on in their forebearers above could only dream of just years ago. A great deal of this success is owed to the listed artists, who have collectively decades breaking barriers and sharing music. New groups like ITZY, TXT, Ateez and Enhypen are achieving new heights, learning from the elders while paving the way for the future.

Art Basel in the Miami Design District

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Art Basel – and all that comes with it – is around the corner, and we’re pleased to share a few client initiatives set to debut in the Miami Design District! From art installations, to pop-ups and events, please find below information for Miami Design District’s 2021 Commission winner: a physical and virtual site-specific installation coined Tomorrow Land, Jeffrey Dietch’s ‘Shattered Glass’ exhibition, Craig Robins Collection, the Mitchell-Innes & Nash exhibit, Shoes + Art by Matthew Chevallard, and CLIMAX by Jean Thierry Besins.

2021 MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT DESIGN COMMISSION: TOMORROW LAND

The Miami Design District is pleased to unveil Tomorrow Land, a physical and virtual site-specific installation created by Studio Proba and Enjoy the Weather for the neighborhood’s Annual Design Commission 2021. Tomorrow Land features a series of playfully designed sculptures, seating, and ornamentation, created by Studio Proba in her signature, popular style. In addition to the physical components woven throughout the Miami Design District, the installation boasts an interactive, virtual game created by Enjoy the Weather. A dedicated app built around AR technology and proximity beacons which allow visitors to “collect” and digitally customize Studio Proba’s shapes and place their own custom totems throughout the neighborhood—and beyond—for other participants to discover and play with.

Dates: November 2021 – May 2022

Location: Miami Design District as well as at the entrance of Design Miami in Pride Park

JEFFREY DEITCH PRESENTS: ‘SHATTERED GLASS’

Shattered Glass, the acclaimed exhibition of new art by emerging artists of color, which was shown at Jeffrey Deitch Los Angeles last spring, will be presented in an expanded version in the Moore Building in the Miami Design District. The Los Angeles version of Shattered Glass, curated by Melahn Frierson and A.J. Girard, was more than an exhibition, it was a phenomenon, attracting 1,000 visitors per day in its final weeks on showcase. Shattered Glass connected with a diverse art audience, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see art that reflected their own life experience. The expanded Miami version of Shattered Glass will include fifteen new artists. The painting, sculpture, and photographic works in the exhibition are all figurative. The subject matter is often the artists’ family and friends. Their primary subject is their own life and their community. The participating artists are all strongly socially engaged; many of whom incorporate powerful social messages into their work. The exhibition represents a remarkable new generation that connects with a new art audience. Jeffrey Deitch has been presenting exhibitions and public art projects in the Miami Design District since 2002.

Dates: November 29 – December 5, 2021

Location: Miami Design District The Moore Building

CRAIG ROBINS COLLECTION

The Craig Robins Collection, displayed within the Miami Design District headquarter offices of DACRA, is a private collection of contemporary art and design that represents a broad range of artistic perspectives. Based on the belief that art should be shared, highlights from the collection are constantly rotated and put on view within the workspaces at DACRA, the innovative development company founded by Craig Robins in 1987. The annual re-hanging of Craig Robins contemporary art collection highlights the work of American conceptual artist John Baldessari (1931-2020), and features recent acquisitions including work by Kenturah Davis, Sayre Gomez, Yesiyu Zhao, and more. Encompassing the disciplines of design, art, and architecture, the multifaceted collection also features pieces by established favorites such as Urs Fischer, Jean Prouvé, Richard Tuttle, and Marlene Dumas.

Location: DACRA Headquarters: 3841 NE 2nd Avenue

MITCHELL-INNES & NASH

The Mitchell-Innes & Nash exhibit will feature early works by Eddie Martinez alongside works by Freddie Brice, David Butler, Ray Hamilton, Ike Morgan, Mary T Smith and Billy White among others.

Dates: Monday, November 29 – Saturday, December 4 from noon to 8pm, Sunday, December 5 from noon to 6 pm – Winter Exhibition

Location: 151 NE 41st Street, Suite 125

SHOES + ART BY MATTHEW CHEVALLARD

Footwear Entrepreneur, Matthew Chevallard, is debuting an innovative modern-retail experience in the Miami Design District, coined: Shoes + Art. Merging Chevallard’s passion for footwear with his passion for art collecting, this multifaceted speakeasy retail concept, invites the public into a forward thinking and design-driven oasis in the middle of the most popular neighborhood in Miami. Chevallard’s new Avant Garde boutique, is situated in front of luxury houses Fendi and Louboutin, and features his two Italian hand-made footwear brands, Blu Scarpa and Concetto Limone all within Chevallard’s art gallery, THE OFFICE. The unique boutique concept will open to the public in time for Miami Art Basel 2021, on November 28th, 2021, with a solo exhibition by the coveted Mexican American artist, Eduardo Sarabia. The exhibition will feature a full range of works from Eduardo’s practice. For the first time, Eduardo will be displaying 10 limited edition lithographs, with several of them hand embellished by Eduardo Sarabia himself. Tying in the brands, Eduardo will be painting a set of Blu Scarpa products, and will be displaying a large selection of unique hand-painted ceramic plates. The remainder of the works will be revealed during the opening.

Dates: November 28 – ongoing

Location: 160 NE 40th Street; 2nd floor of OTL

CLIMAX BY JEAN THIERRY BESINS

Designed by Jean Thierry Besins, CLIMAX is a 13-foot sculpture made of 1 ton of recycled stainless steel. The radiator inspires viewers to stop shielding themselves from the existential threat of death when facing climate change. CLIMAX is the first version of a 100-foot-tall heater that Jean Thierry Besins plans to install in Iceland in September 2024. The sculpture will be inaugurated in October in Jungle Plaza and will be on view through February 2022.

Dates: October 2021 – February 2022

Location: Miami Design District Jungle Plaza

ABOUT MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT

The Miami Design District is a one-of-a-kind neighborhood that combines luxury shopping, galleries, museums, design stores, restaurants and major art and design installations all within an architecturally significant context. The Miami Design District is owned and operated by Miami Design District Associates, a partnership between Dacra, founded and owned by visionary entrepreneur Craig Robins, and L Catterton Real Estate, a global real estate development and investment fund, specializing in creating luxury shopping destinations. As Miami becomes increasingly known for its own rich culture, the growth of the Miami Design District further reflects how the city is deserving of its place on the global stage.

SIKI – Where Entertainment Meets Crypto

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As a multi-media, multi-blockchain NFT Creation Engine and marketplace wrapped in a social ecosystem that streams NFT music, live streams and post, SIKI app is one of the fastest-growing companies in the blockchain/crypto space.

SIKI is in a private “invite only” stage currently which users can apply for. Despite so, the app is already packed with cutting-edge features such as fast royalty payments, advanced statistics, security, gamification, multi-chain NFT engine, and cryptocurrencies. At this time, SIKI is mostly onboarding artists and crypto-enthusiasts.

Taking pride in making sure the platform will be ready and simple to use even for those who are new to NFT’s and crypto, SIKI is not in any rush to launch.As the app is relatively new and upcoming, we were lucky enough to speak with CEO Chris Moraites on what plans he has for SIKI.

Where did you get the idea to create the app?

Being a musician myself, I have always been trying to figure out a way to advance the music industry for new artists. I had worked on a few tech concepts in college and over the years but nothing felt like it could make a big enough impact. After meeting Jason Dowd and learning the possibilities of NFT’s, it helped me realize this is what I needed to connect everything. Since then, the project has grown so much further thanks to people like my brother Myles Moraites and longtime friend Nick Gangi.

What is the targeted market for this app?

Music, crypto, and gaming enthusiasts. As it grows, we are hoping that it is built to be simple enough so anyone can use whether they have knowledge of crypto or not.

How would you explain this app to people who are not familiar with NFT?

If they were familiar with gaming, I would say it’s like a music or media idle game. If they upload music, created playlists, or have collaborated, their accounts will grow even when they are not using the platform. The more they use the platform the higher their ranking in the platform allowing them to receive more rewards as well.

What will your app do that regular streaming sites are not doing?

Being able to support your favorite artists on a financial level isn’t something that has been available in all the major music streaming platforms. Also, by using the platform it isn’t just the songs that receive stats but fans will also be able to shine. In many situations most artists have no clue how much a fan supports them, we want to make this more transparent.

What are the goals for the launch of this app?

To bring in a strong and active community that looks to help support artists as well as each other. We would like all fans to be seen as curators, not just people who stream music but people who want to help push the reach of artists.

How do you see this app expanding in the future?

In our next phase we expand heavily into a social media approach allowing for NFT’s in images and videos. Unlike Instagram and other platforms, we allow users to monetize and NFT each piece of content. We then will be expanding into live streaming as well as gaming.

Can you explain the term ‘gamification’ to your audience who would like to be a part of it?

Gamification refers to a level/ranking system that is implemented for users and artists. This way, artists can increase in level the more active they are. For example, if they tip $1, they will rank up to a level 1 tipper. There are many different level categories as well as various rewards and benefits that come with being within the top ranked.

Will uploading my song to SIKI immediately turn it into an NFT?

No, you may upload music to SIKI and not NFT the song. However, if you want to receive royalties then it must be an NFT.

What are some of the latest developments that may excite users?

We are excited to have DJ Clue on board with SIKI as he is one of the legendary shapeshifters of today’s music as he is a multi-platinum artist, DJ and producer who has been instrumental in the development of artists like Jay Z, Mariah Carey, Fabolous and many others, as well as DJing for NYC’s hottest music station Power 105.1. We also recently have begun some major partnerships with some of the top crypto companies out there. We launched our SIKI.io content house on November 1 in LA which has 2 recording studios in it. We will also be throwing networking events for artists and industry professionals in the future. Other events include an upcoming art basel where we will be announcing much more exciting news. I am so grateful for the SIKI team and can’t wait to share some of the developments everyone has been working on to build this platform.

Thanks to the popularity of its collaboration with DJ Clue and other celebrities, SIKI has been growing exponentially. “This is groundbreaking…This technology bridges music in a way never seen before. Putting every artist in a win/win situation,” says Platinum Recording Artist DJ Clue. in a report on the company’s plans to expand the NFT’s.

There’s a music angle here too: DJ Clue is not only one of its first clients, but he is also taking a stake in the company. There are more details on his plans where you can see at Siki.io: Clue’s NFTs will be launched on his upcoming show which complements the launch of the SIKI app this month. That hints at the NFTs being bundled with ticket sales, or perhaps offering seats at the concerts as rewards, Taylor Swift-style. Fans can be ahead of the NFT’s going on sale in the final quarter of this year.

About DJ Clue

DJ Clue is an American DJ, Platinum Recording Artist, Platinum Producer, and CEO of Desert Storm Records. He airs on NYC’s Power 105 6-10PM Monday – Friday. Born in Queens, New York, DJ Clue, also known as Ernesto D. Shaw, he was originally interested in pursuing a rap career, but quickly fell in love with generating his own beats and making crowds dance.

His first mixtape, released in 1990, became an almost instant hit, circulated widely because it contained a large amount of music that could not be heard anywhere else. He also recorded his mixing live freestyle, giving all his tapes a raw, immediate feel that became part of his signature sound. He distributed tapes independently throughout the 90s, and his first mixtape CD, “The Professional: Part 1”, sold over a million copies. Since then, he has had the opportunity to collaborate with several artists, including Jadakiss, DMX, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Mary J. Blige, and Lil’ Mo.

Shaquille O’Neal × Damian Lillard

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Shaquille O’Neal × Damian Lillard: Hip Hop and Hoops Collide in Epic Reebok × adidas “Damenosis” Collaboration, October 19

Reebok and adidas have confirmed the official release of their highly anticipated “Damenosis” collaboration, bringing together the worlds of hip hop and basketball through icons Shaquille O’Neal and Damian Lillard. “Damenosis” drops with two narrative footwear models: Reebok’s Shaqnosis and adidas’ Dame 7 EXPLY “Damenosis,” launching globally beginning October 19 from Reebok and adidas respectively, and select local retailers.

Following the brother brands’ summer 2020 hoops collaboration that brought together legendary guards Allen Iverson and James Harden, Reebok and adidas basketball have partnered once again, this time to honor icons Shaquille O’Neal and Damian Lillard, two basketball icons who share a love for music and creative expression.

adidas’ Dame 7 EXTPLY basketball sneaker draws inspiration from Lillard’s on-court and off-court passions. Each sneaker from the adidas DAME 7 EXTPLY series is presented as a musical “track” – the final being a surprise collaboration with Shaquille O’Neal, the only professional basketball player to release a certified platinum music album. Together, ‘Shaq’ and ‘Dame’ – with Reebok and adidas – continue to blaze a trail for athletes with creative aspirations.

In “Damenosis,” Dame’s signature sneaker is brought to life in Shaq’s iconic “Shaqnosis” colorway, while Shaq’s historic Reebok Shaqnosis is presented in colors nodding Dame’s musical iconoclast.

Introduced in 1995, Reebok’s “Shaqnosis” embodied the larger-than-life, multi-dimensional persona of superstar athlete, actor and rapper, Shaquille O’Neal. This fifth signature shoe by Reebok, for Shaq, helped dispel the notion that big men couldn’t sell sneakers.

“I came in the era where the statement was made that big guys can’t sell shoes so when Reebok gave me my first opportunity, I just wanted to represent for the big guys, plus I always saw myself as a guard in a big man’s body,” said O’Neal in a recent video interview with Lillard.

26 years later, “Shaqnosis” gets a reimagining in the form of the “Damenosis” linking O’Neal to an NBA guard in Lillard, who embodies the fierce competitive spirit of Shaq on the court and a shared love of music off the court.

“For a legend who has done so well on and off the court being willing to attach his name to mine and connecting over a shoe, that’s a special honor,” said Lillard.

Dame’s signature sneaker is brought to life in Shaq’s iconic “Shaqnosis” colorway. The “Damenosis” features a subtle fade on upper and tooling, inspired by iconic Shaq “Shaq Fu” hat image. In addition, there’s a special elevated toe box with both player and brand logos.

Reebok’s Shaqnosis ($150, GX2609) and adidas’ Dame 7 EXPLY “Damenosis” launch globally October 19 from Reebok.com and adidas.com respectively and select local retailers.

CHOCOLATE ACADEMY CENTER DUBAI

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Bringing chocolate expertise to the growing Middle East region

Barry Callebaut opens CHOCOLATE ACADEMY^TM Center Dubai at the foot of Burj Khalifa

The Barry Callebaut Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, inaugurated today its relocated CHOCOLATE ACADEMY^TM Center Dubai, which is now at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.

This new location and facility will be the creative platform for chefs and artisans to showcase and develop their talent and skills. As CHOCOLATE ACADEMY^TM Center Dubai is part of the wider CHOCOLATE ACADEMY^TM Center network with 24 academies across the globe, it will be the best platform to bring renowned chefs to Dubai to inspire, train and advise local artisans.

Commenting on the launch event, Chef Romain Renard – Head of Chocolate Academy Centre Dubai said, “With our new set up we aim to elevate the experience of all chocolate professionals in the region who wish to create and express themselves. It is a unique place where we are cultivating an atmosphere of curiosity, creativity and inspiration for both professionals and chocolate lovers.”

With a team of dedicated chefs, CHOCOLATE ACADEMY^TM Center Dubai plays its role to inspire and educate the industry around chocolate and bring new techniques to artisans, pastry chefs, confectioners, bakers and caterers. The CHOCOLATE ACADEMY^TM Center Dubai also plays an important role to drive innovation as consumption patterns are changing more towards premiumization and new concepts in terms of design, color and flavors. As of October 21, courses and events with physical attendance will start again.

Amine Mebrouki, General Manager Middle East & North Africa, said: “The chocolate market is recovering in the Middle East region. The CHOCOLATE ACADEMY^TM Center Dubai supports local businesses in finding the right chocolate solutions to help them win in the market. From empowering women and young talents, to supporting new concepts: The CHOCOLATE ACADEMY^TM Center Dubai is the place to be in the Middle East region for everything related to chocolate.”

Rogier van Sligter, President EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), added: “This is an important moment for Barry Callebaut’s presence in the Middle East region. The relocated CHOCOLATE ACADEMY^TM Center Dubai will strengthen the collaboration with our customers in the growing Middle East region, helping them to develop their own profile in terms of taste and flavor. Initiatives like this help to grow the Gourmet business in the Eastern part of our EMEA Region.”

The center will also serve as a meeting place for chocolate professionals encouraging the exchange of technical expertise among each other.

Further stating on his part, Anuj Pachauri Marketing Manager – Barry Callebaut Group stated, “We believe the new location of CHOCOLATE ACADEMY^TM Dubai will become the beating chocolate heart for chefs and chocolatiers not only in Dubai but in the whole Middle East. This will bring us closer to our customers, helping them express themselves in best possible way.”

For more information about the Barry Callebaut CHOCOLATE ACADEMY™ centers please visit their official website.

BILLIE EILISH × ELLE CANADA

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KO MÉDIA REVEALS A BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL NOVEMBER ISSUE OF ELLE CANADA

KO Média is excited to unveil the November issue of ELLE Canada featuring Billie Eilish. The singer-songwriter opens up about making music, directing her own videos and evolving her style no matter what people have to say about it. “You’re not even supposed to really know who you are until you’re at least my age or older,” says the 19-year-old, admitting she struggles with the vitriol from certain fans over her experimentation with fashion. “It’s very dehumanizing.” And now that her sophomore album has debuted at number one around the world, Eilish reflects on her creative process during lockdown. “The album came from a lot of self-reflection,” she says. “Happier Than Ever is really just me processing trauma. Making (it) was cathartic and freeing.”

Post pandemic freedom is fueling a new version of glamor for the 2020s that combines liberation and self-expression (with a priority for sustainable choices). When it comes to fashion trends, this edition runs the gamut — from playful, luxurious silhouettes and rebellious blends of punk and prep to plush accessories and denim everything. We even look back at futuristic wardrobes inspired by the cosmos. Plus, we reveal the cream of this year’s crop in makeup, skincare, hair care and body care products with results from ELLE’s Beauty Grand Prix.

For a dollop of inspiration, we talk to Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi about being an unapologetic voice of reason, paving the way for women in the media and publishing her first children’s book (about food, of course). Dame Helen Mirren reflects on being a L’Oréal Paris ambassador at 76 and why the word “swagger” should replace “beauty”; Shay Mitchell of Pretty Little Liars fame discusses her healthy approach to social media; and Toronto-based actor Bilal Baig talks about crafting the style of a gender-fluid character for prime-time television.

Women take center stage in articles about the rise of diverse female voices in the graphic-novel world and Canadian Black women in the film industry who are breaking the mold. But things also get dark as we explore the dangers of skin bleaching and involuntary celibacy among women driven by a toxic blend of misogyny and impossible beauty standards.

In design, creative director Willo Perron steers his multi-faceted career toward new territory with furniture; two architects take on the challenge of modernizing a 17th century canal house in the heart of Amsterdam without losing its character; and Montreal designer Jessy Colucci lets his intuition guide the slow creation of collections in an industry defined by fast-paced seasonal cycles.

And before the first snowfall, find out if ditching the city for life on the farm feels as enchanting in person as it looks on Instagram, and (re)discover how to get joy out of your running practice.

The November issue of ELLE Canada will hit stands and Apple News+ on November 18, 2021.

Homeless Pets Benefit

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Numerous musicians and celebrities are set to appear in “Songs to Save Them All: A Benefit for Homeless Pets,” a three-hour benefit concert for Best Friends Animal Society streaming on July 22, 7PM ET/4PM PT.

The event will livestream on Tiltify, Twitch, YouTube and Facebook, as well as at bestfriends.org/concert, and viewers will have the opportunity to donate to Best Friends Animal Society, which has a mission to make America no-kill by 2025.

Recording artists including Sam Nelson Harris from X Ambassadors, Amythyst Kiah, gnash, ZZ Ward, Natalie Taylor, Mondo Cozmo, Elah Hale, Aaron Frazer from Durand Jones and The Indications, Katie Toupin and others are scheduled to perform.

Celebrities including Amanda Seyfried, Justin Theroux, Kat Dennings, Bob Odenkirk, Cecily Strong, Zosia Mamet, and Cameron Monaghan are also expected to make appearances.

For many, the COVID-19 crisis has really deepened the bond they have with their pets, as Best Friends Animal Society CEO Julie Castle noted. “Pets are our best friends and members of our family, especially during this time of uncertainty. Our goal for this concert is to bring people together with a diverse, cross-section of musical talent to celebrate the ways that music and our love for our pets unite us, despite any differences, and to highlight the ways we can support homeless pets and our communities during this crisis, ” Castle said.

“This is such an absolutely unprecedented time in human history, and Best Friends is enormously grateful to all of the musicians, singers and songwriters who are sharing their time and talent with us this evening, along with so many familiar faces from film and television who are here to support our work,” Castle continued. “We are humbled and grateful. And together, we will Save Them All.”

Funds raised will help the organization with its life saving programming across the country, including collaboration with thousands of shelters and animal welfare groups. For more information, visit www.bestfriends.org.

Follow Best Friends Lifesaving Center: Facebook | Twitter