TRAVEL+FOOD

Loire Valley

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2022 is the perfect year to visit the Loire Valley, home to France’s iconic châteaux, incredible gardens and world-renowned wines. This year will include new hotel openings, anniversaries, exhibitions and more throughout the region.

Openings

Fleur de Loire: This new 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel and gastronomic restaurant helmed by two-Michelin-starred Chef Christophe Hay is set to open its doors on June 13, 2022. A lifelong project for Hay, the new property aims to offer an oasis of tranquility that promotes the riches and heritage of the Loire region, while also promoting sustainable travel. Housed in a 17th-century building designed by the brother of King Louis XIII, Fleur de Loire will feature 44 rooms (including 11 suites), a gourmet restaurant, bistro, pastry kiosk, swimming pool and state-of-the-art Sisley spa. Hay’s restaurant will showcase the best of the region’s unique terroir, including produce from local farmers, wine from Cheverny and produce from the onsite garden.
Le Bois des Chambres: This hotel, the first-ever at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, is set to open this spring. Designed by architect Patrick Bouchain, the hotel will feature 39 uniquely designed rooms and suites, as well as a gourmet restaurant, and original artworks on display throughout the property. Rooms are divided between a restored farmhouse and a new build, each of which has a different theme dedicated to the natural surroundings of the hotel.
Villa Monin: This new exhibition space dedicated to Monin gourmet flavored syrups is set to open its doors this summer. Located in the medieval city of Bourges, the space will offer a cabinet of curiosities around flavors and aromas, an immersive tour of syrup production, cooking classes and workshops, as well as a syrup tasting bar. Local Bourges confectioner Daniel Mercier will also offer a chocolate-themed tour within the space.

Exhibitions

La Renaissance des Femmes at Château Royal de Blois: A favorite residence of seven kings and ten queens of France, the Chateau is hosting an exhibition dedicated to three of its famous former residents: Catherine de Medici, Diane de Poitiers and Marguerite de Valois. Titled La Renaissance des Femmes (The Renaissance of Women), this exhibition highlights the power—sometimes restrained, marginalized or even forgotten—of these three iconic Renaissance figures.
Agnès Sorel, L’influenceuse at The Royal City of Loches: This royal city is celebrating the 600th anniversary of the birth of Agnès Sorel, mistress of King Charles VII, who gave her the domain of Loches. To mark the occasion, this exhibition, Agnès Sorel, l’influenceuse (Agnès Sorel, the influencer), aims to offer a better understanding of the role and influence of this “Lady of Beauty” in the kingdom’s politics and society.

The Ideal Garden at Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire: The garden is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the International Garden Festival, which has been a major destination for contemporary creation and landscape design since 1992. This year’s theme is centered around the “ideal garden,” questioning our current relationship with nature due to global warming, urbanization and more. This year, designers were encouraged to showcase their innovative visions by using new materials, plants, techniques and more.

Miguel × Light Nightclub

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Miguel Brings the Party to LIGHT Nightclub this Weekend

LIGHT Nightclub, located at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, came alive again this weekend with an exhilarating performance by superstar singer and songwriter Miguel Saturday night.

Miguel arrived at LIGHT around 1:15 a.m., joined by his wife Nazanin, along with a group of friends and business partners. The group began the night socializing in their booth, sipping on glasses of Clase Azul reposado and Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold. Before taking the stage, Miguel and Nazanin was seen dancing by the DJ booth, enjoying their time together.

Miguel took the stage around 2 a.m. where he performed over half a dozen of his hit songs including “Sure Thing,” “Don’t Forget My Love,” “Adorn,” “Skywalker” and “How Many Drinks” among others for a booming audience. During his performance, Miguel danced, sang and made a few fans night extra special by grabbing their phones for some exclusive photos and video.

After putting on an electrifying performance, Miguel rejoined his group and continued partying into the late hours of the night.

Reopening after nearly a two-year closure, LIGHT Nightclub has been a Las Vegas hot spot since 2013, offering a world-class sound system and the most prominent LED screens in town. LIGHT has reopened its doors, hosting DJs and live performances from some of the music industry’s top entertainers providing the ultimate party.

About LIGHT Nightclub

LIGHT Nightclub at Mandalay Bay merges cutting-edge creativity with popular music to produce unrivaled nightlife entertainment. LIGHT’s DJs play a wide range of popular hits with performers and dancers immersing the crowd in a pulsating party vibe set to state-of-the-art sound and lighting. LIGHT’s massive LED screens captivate the senses and a world-class sound system keeps energy high. LIGHT is open Friday and Saturday nights from 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. More information is available on the website here and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

BIA × J COLE

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BIA underlines her international appeal on irresistible new single “London,” out via Epic Records. The braggadocious track, which features Grammy-winning rap icon J Cole, is heavily influenced by U.K. drill — albeit with a swagger that is all BIA’s own. Listen HERE. The record is produced by AzizTheShake and co producers Jon Glass & Tim Nihan.

Since the song’s debut, it’s reached the #5 spot on YouTube’s trending page for music and has now surpassed 3,000,000 views in total.

“BIA is making a splash with her first official single of 2022 by recruiting J. Cole for “London.” COMPLEX said.

“Bia goes from wearing her jewelry at the bodega to shopping near Big Ben as she brings her own flair to the drill rap style of the U.K. as she’s joined by J. Cole on “London,” out Thursday,” said The Rolling Stone.

“BIA’s new song, “London,” is already a hit on social media, with fans praising the rapper’s tongue-in-cheek British-isms and guest rapper J. Cole’s jaw-dropping featured verse,” said UPROXX

The accompanying music video is set in an overcast London, but the Boston-bred artist’s starpower shines through (as does her drip) the British gloom. Watch HERE.

From perfectly placed high-fashion name drops to pristine, U.K. slang-filled bars – “He never met no one like me / It’s pretty funny how now they all like me, innit?” – BIA’s “London” is a winning mix of style and smarts. Cole also stays on theme, rapping: “Blokes going broke tryin’ to keep up with Cole, but I make it back soon as I spend it.” Both MCs bring their A-game.

The dynamic visual similarly celebrates all things British with Instagram-ready scenes from the U.K. capital. BIA shops at the most luxurious stores during the day, and then struts down the sidewalk — Cruella de Vil-style, flanked by two dalmatians — at night. The multi-talented artist then hosts a tea party, before sailing down the Thames with Cole.

The luxurious theme of “London” recalls BIA’s 2020 platinum single “Whole Lotta Money,” which received a Nicki Minaj remix on the deluxe version of her For Certain EP. The trap&B smash debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted for 17 weeks overall. For Certain (Deluxe) also houses “Can’t Touch This,” which netted over 15.5 million Spotify streams. With “London,” BIA makes it clear that her influence knows no bounds. At home and abroad.

Follow BIA:
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

*Photo: Hayley Louisa Brown

Easter Paintings Up For Auction

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Dreweatts is delighted to unveil a lost Easter tradition that dates all the way back to the 17th century. The tradition, carried out in Holland, is encapsulated in a pair of oil works by revered Flemish artist Matthijs Schoevaerdts (1665-1723). The pieces are about to be up for auction in Dreweatts Old Master, British and European Art on May 26, 2022.

The scenes in the pieces of artwork show the Dutch tradition of butchers parading their finest animals proudly through the streets, set to drum rolls, where the whole town would come out waving banners and to bet on the weight of the animals. The parade took place a week before Easter, on the day of the Guild’s patron saint, St. Luke, who was symbolized by the winged ox. It celebrated the guild’s most prized cow or bull, which was decorated with gilded horns topped with oranges, as well as ribbons and floral garlands.

The celebratory procession was led by pipers and drummers and followed by a chorus of singers and dancers, made up of guild members and townspeople. The celebrations would culminate in the animal being butchered and the meat served at a grand Guild dinner and a large portion of it being given out to the poor people of the town via the church. The phrase: ‘The guild ox is on parade’, derives from the tradition, meaning ‘this will be a real feast!’.

The tradition continued well into the 20th century, but gradually disappeared after WWII, due to advent of increasing commercialism. Easter advertising moved inside the butcher’s shop, where their best-bred beef would be displayed on platters in shop windows and decorated with flowers and garlands of bacon.

The two oil works that illustrate these scenes are incredibly rare, as only a few examples of 17th century paintings with the subject of the Easter Ox are known to exist. They were created by the great Flemish painter Matthijs Schoevaerdts (1665-1723), whose landscapes are full of anecdotes and delicately painted scenes of peasants travelling, sailing or attending fairs, typically with small figures in detailed poses set against a backdrop of a pleasing landscape or buildings.

Schoevaerdts was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and printmaker who is believed to have been born in Brussels, where he trained with the landscape painter Adriaen Frans Boudewijns. His early works show the influence of the market views and other crowded scenes of Jan Brueghel the Elder, who started the tradition of landscape paintings with decorative scenes in the early 17th century.

Later he came under the influence of the Dutch and Flemish artists who worked in Rome known as the Bamboccianti, after which his landscapes also included backdrops of Italian ports and ruins as in one of the present works. His works are highly desirable and have achieved good prices at auction. That, coupled with the rare subject matter should attract a lot of interest at auction.

The Procession of the Easter Ox / Giving Out the Alms at a Ruined Church carries an estimate of £20,000-£30,000.

AEROMOBIL ANNOUNCEMENT

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AeroMobil announces the second model of its revolutionary flying car, the 4-seater AM NEXT. AM NEXT leverages the ground-breaking engineering of AM4.0, the world’s first production flying car. AM4.0 is a 2-seater luxury personal vehicle – more than a supercar and a light aircraft combined, it is a new species of vehicle which will start deliveries in 2024.

The primary business model for AM NEXT, launching in 2027, is a fleet aerial ride-hailing service. AM NEXT will provide significant time-savings on regional routes in the 100-500 mile range, which are too far to drive and too short, or inconvenient, to fly. AM NEXT will provide no-hassle travel: door-to-door single-seat convenience and comfort, to work, rest, play, or just enjoy the view.

A leading global management consulting firm measured the Total Addressable Market (“TAM”) for the AeroMobil ride-hailing service as $70 billion annually just in North America. This is calculated from an extensive survey of traveler switching rates based on time, price and convenience on 660,000 routes within AM NEXT’s range.

Like AM4.0, the AM NEXT flying car has major advantages over other Advanced Air Mobility solutions. AeroMobil’s technology uses existing infrastructure (over 10,000 landing strips in the US), fits existing automotive and aviation regulation, and has significantly greater range than eVTOL craft. AeroMobil also has very few competitors which will enable strong profit margins thanks to leading market share and differentiated branding.

AeroMobil’s business model is capital and overhead efficient. The company engineers and designs the hardware and software, and will manage the customer experience through a proprietary flight booking app. Manufacturing and fleet operations are outsourced to leading specialists in these fields.

Patrick Hessel, CEO of AeroMobil, stated:

“We are excited to announce the second revolutionary model of AeroMobil’s true flying car. Following AM4.0, the world’s first production flying car, AM NEXT will disrupt and democratize the regional travel market. It will provide a better, and in many cases previously unavailable, solution to trips in the 100-500 mile range. AeroMobil will leverage AM4.0’s proof of concept of engineering and regulation, and its premium branding, into AM NEXT’s mass-market aerial ride-hailing service”.

“Coinciding with the announcement of AM NEXT, we are touring the prototype 2-seater AM4.0 flying car in the United States, with public viewing and with private appointments for investors, buyers and operators. Details are on aeromobil.com”.

The AeroMobil 4.0 will be at the Hiller Aviation Museum in Silicon Valley between March 8th and 20th.

The vehicle will be at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles between March 22nd and 29th.

AMTRAK’S USA RAIL PASS

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For a Limited Time, Amtrak Offers USA Rail Pass for $399

Customers can now tour the country for less than $40 per ride

Now through March 29, Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass is available for just $399, a savings of $100 off the regular $499 price. Customers taking advantage of this special offer will pay less than $40 per ride for ten travel segments over 30 days. Offering an affordable way to take a multi-segment train journey on an adventure across America, the USA Rail Pass allows customers to see the country and explore sights at many of Amtrak’s 500 destinations.

The perfect option for those who are craving adventure or want to spend weekends away from home, the USA Rail Pass makes traveling from town-to-town and across the country easy. Individuals looking to discover hidden gems or visit friends in the next city over, can leverage the USA Rail Pass to access more getaways. Customers can purchase the USA Rail Pass on Amtrak.com or the Amtrak app and immediately start to build their itinerary. By leveraging the app, customers can access their tickets, check train status, and get boarding information prior to departure.

The USA Rail Pass offers up to 10 segments of travel within a 30-day period—beginning with the customer’s first trip—and is valid for use within 120 days of pass purchase. A travel segment occurs when a customer boards and disembarks one of Amtrak’s scheduled services. If the trip involves making a connection, customers will use two segments of the pass.

The USA Rail Pass is available for travel in Coach class—featuring wide, reclining seats with a big picture window, ample legroom, and no middle seat. Upgrades to Business Class and private room accommodations are not available. Amtrak Guest Rewards members will earn two points per dollar spent on each USA Rail Pass following travel on the first segment. Additional restrictions, terms and conditions apply. Learn more at Amtrak.com/USARailPass.

About Amtrak®

For more than 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and modernized train travel. Offering a safe, environmentally efficient way to reach more than 500 destinations across 46 states and parts of Canada, Amtrak provides travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Lenny Tavárez × Anitta

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Urban music icon, Lenny Tavárez, joins forces with Brazilian sensation Anitta for the release of Que Vamo’ Hacer, a song full of powerful lyrics, chemistry, and a lot of sensuality. The song and its official music video are available for streaming today.

KRACK Deluxe is Lenny Tavárez’s latest musical work, a powerful album that has brought together Latin music stars such as Zion y Lennox, Nicky Jam, Rauw Alejandro, De la Ghetto, Justin Quiles, among others, in a brilliant urban production that will immortalize the essence of Lenny Tavárez in the reggaeton industry. In this new edition of the album are three additional songs including: La Pared 720 alongside De La Ghetto, Brray, Justin Quiles, and Randy; TBT Remix with Micro TDH, Feid, and Brytiago; and Que Vamo’ Hacer alongside Anitta.

To accompany the release of KRACK Deluxe Lenny presents Que Vamo’ Hacer with a world-class artist such as Anitta. The song can be defined as a melodious, almost romantic reggaeton, with a powerful “beat” that invites you to move your hips, produced by Ovy on the Drums himself, who had the idea of bringing both artists together in this soon to be hit.

Listen to Que Vamo’ Hacer.

Watch the video HERE.

*Featured image of Lenny Tavárez × Anitta by Alktitude.

KRACK DELUXE by Lenny Tavárez featured inside 360 MAGAZINE.

LAROPA × THE BLOND

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Rihanna, Jay Z, Jake Paul, Erika Jayne, Playboi Carti, Gunna and other celebrities share one thing: they all wear LaRopa. The irreverent cult brand has created a sensation for its thousand-dollar denim suits, $300 hats, and bedazzled, sewn-in-America shirts that say, “P*SSY BUILDS STRONG BONES.” Aristotle Sanchez and Jimbo Williams founded the brand while they were homeless on the street. Without a cent of investment money, they made LaRopa one of the most popular new brands in the U.S. Currently, they operate stores in downtown LA, Melrose, and New York.

Yesterday, they hosted an exclusive party at The Blond on 11 Howard Street in NYC. One of New York’s prestigious venues located in Lower Manhattan. Nestled inside the 11 Howard Hotel, it is reminiscent of Los Angeles Sky Bar. The entrance is subtle but lavish with a healthy set of stairs that leads into a dimly lit bar. We were here in celebration of LaRopa’s expansion. Music is a blend of the past, the present and perhaps the future. The staff was courteous and professional, especially the bartender, promoters and bouncers. Remember, the crowd is young and elegant. Do not waste your time if you do not belong to the culture of clandestine clubs and on a list. Bottle service is probably your best course of action. All in all, this is definitely a mood. And, after a crowded night at this spot, you’ll feel like the pandemic never happened.

Official site HERE.

Groundbreaking Sky-High Ocean Catwalk

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This week fashion blended with sustainability on a fully reimagined scale with Jessica Minh Anh’s groundbreaking J Spring Fashion Show 2022. The show was set amongst the Italian Rivera and took place atop the Costa Toscano, the latest LNG-powered cruise ship.

Breathtaking views paired with the most luxurious haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessory and swimwear collections swarmed the deck of the Costa Toscano. An environment in which fashion blends seamlessly with sustainability was the scene of the J Spring Fashion Show 2022.

Taking place atop deck 18 of the Costa Toscano, the fashion extravaganza was set amongst stunning views of the Italian Rivera. The ship aims to set sail on its first cruise after the final show on March 5.

The show kicked off with supermodel Jessica Minh Anh sporting a classic high-fashion red fishtail dress. The piece of art was produced by the Malaysian brand Emmanuel Haute Couture, accompanied with Jessica Minh Anh’s pioneering seashell-inspired hairdo.

The show continued with a remarkable array of embellished gowns with accentuated waistlines. Showcased in the colors of white and pink, each dress imitated the essence of the ocean.

Decorated with impeccable adornments with not one piece looking alike, Emmanuel Haute Couture maintained to raise the standard of pure excellence. The J Spring Fashion Show 2022 marks the third moment of the two fashion entities working together.

Then after Ngali showcased their ready-to-wear “Nginha” collection. The Australian brand took reference from serene, open areas to create a series compiled with flowing, moving pieces. Australian indigenous artist Lindsay Malay’s designs were printed onto silk adding for an added textured feel throughout the series.

US designer Elizabeth Southwood’s Sauvage brand showed off their latest collection full of daring yet constructive swimwear. The collection was motivated by the “year of the tiger,” sporting an assortment of unique prints, Swarovski crystals and innovative features.

The elaborate, couture collection “ORO” was dominated by gold accents and meticulously constructed pieces. Pakistani innovator Syeda Amera’s pieces emulated feminine styles embraced with hand-woven embroideries. “ORO” provided a unique interpretation and level of elevation needed within the space of couture.

Consisting of pieces that looked as if they were walking amongst the clouds is the South American designer La Paix from Paraguay. The couture, high-end aura from the collection took inspiration from all the pristine parts of life including nature, architecture, culture, art and life. Each piece had a dramatic yet contemporary flare.

GLAUDI from the California designer Johana Hernandez commemorated life after the pandemic with their collection. Standouts were comprised of eye-catching details, satin shimmering dresses and elegant gowns that filled the collection.

Jessica Minh Anh closed the GLAUDI show as a picture-perfect modern fairy-tale princess. The elaborate yet chic hand-beaded haute couture gown showcased intricate beading of crystals that caught every inch of sunlight shone upon them. Highlighting Jessica Minh Anh’s petite waistline with an A-line silhouette, the finale piece was truly mesmerizing.

Having worked with Jessica Minh Anh on other elaborate projects at distinctive venues, African designer Kine Dion had the perfect recipe to showcase everything we admire about modern femininity. Placing emphasis on individuality and diversity, the collection was encompassed by garments full of distinct weaving and embroidery tactics.

The finale showing of the J Spring Fashion Show 2022 was held by Vietnamese celebrity designer Hoang Hai. The “East meets West’ inspiration point created a unique haute couture collection full of White, blue, gold and red idiosyncratic pieces.

Jessica Minh Anh closed out the show in an impeccably designed silver dress full of Swarovski crystals. The final piece of art referenced the profile of a swan as Jessica Minh Anh glided down the catwalk. The gown itself took over a thousand hours to make and revealed a high cut slit with a deep trail. Jessica Minh Anh headed the array of models through the ocean catwalk pictured amongst the deep oceans.

Another previous partner with Jessica Minh Anh, the Parisian hair accessory brand Alexandre de Paris created pieces the array of collections. They contributed flowered hairbands, butterfly/dragonfly hairpins and jeweled headbands, bringing an esteemed sense of charm.

Acting as Jessica Minh Anh’s fourth cooperation piece with the Italian cruise brand, Costa Crociere, she spoke to her decision of the Costa Toscana for the superior ocean fashion show. Jessica Minh Anh stated, “This particular moment in history provides an opportunity for a sustainable “restart” of our society. Costa Toscana aligns perfectly with my mission of highlighting sustainability in a visually attractive way. It was an honour to celebrate the resurgence of business and style on the world’s newest LNG-powered cruise ship.”

Mario Zanettic, President of Costa Cruises, spoke to the influence of the show, stating, “It was a great pleasure to have Jessica Minh Anh on board transforming our new LNG flagship into a phenomenal catwalk. She is a pioneer in marrying fashion with sustainability, just like Costa in offering the most advanced sustainable ships. It was a perfect event to celebrate such an innovative ship like Costa Toscana, which in a few days will leave for her first cruise, starting the full resumption of the Costa fleet in the next summer.”

This next-level fashion show amongst the sea holds the place for Jessica Minh Anh’s 26th imaginative venture since her initial catwalk atop England’s London’s Tower Bridge. Holding shows in some landmark destinations, she has plans to only continue to elevate the space of fashion x sustainability, and they’ll take us out of this world, quite literally. For more information, on Jessica Minh Anh and her inventive shows, visit the JMA Website

J Spring Fashion Show 2022 press photos via JMA Global Media for use by 360 MAGAZINE

Additional information on Jessica Minh Anh:

Born: 19 June 1988 in Hanoi, Vietnam

Height: 175cm (5’9)

North Ave Jax – Play Dumb

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Buzzing out of Burlington, VT, rapper, singer, and artist North Ave Jax releases his new single entitled “Play Dumb.”

“Play Dumb” catapults North Ave Jax‘s flagrant style of unapologetic and catchy lyricism as the Burlington rapper laments on the hook “Smartest thing I ever did, was play dumb.” Atop of the single’s resonant production, “Play Dumb” connects both the thrilling and hypnotic flare of North Ave Jax as he reunites with director and friend Kelly Butts-Spirito to represent the rapper’s home state of Vermont in single’s music video. “Play Dumb” presents an alternative flow to current trends and resounds a powerful message of relating to one another’s significant struggles and rigid paths in life.

Be on the lookout for more music to release later this year. He’s about to put Burlington on the map like never before.

About North Ave Jax

When you think of Vermont, you think of maple syrup, mountains, and massive amounts of snow. Moreover, its quietude typically inspires quaint lives. North Ave Jax chose a much louder path. The Burlington native took the unexpected route personally and creatively, threading deft verbal dexterity through unpredictable soundscapes punctuated by punk rock spirit, pop ambition, and even a twist of R&B. At two years old, he picked up drums and continued to play through grade school—even joining a rock band in first grade. Mom introduced him to the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, while a trip to the local library actually unlocked hip-hop for him. After hearing Flo Rida‘s “Low” on library headphones, he embraced rap, listening to JAY-Z, Drake, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Brent Faiyaz, and more. Throughout high school, basketball occupied the bulk of his time, yet he still managed to ignite a handful of viral freestyle videos from the lunchroom. Kicked off the basketball team in senior year, he dropped out of school. One night in 2021, he wound up recording in a friend’s makeshift closet studio. Hunger to succeed drove his delivery from the jump. Serendipitously, an acquaintance FaceTimed LVRN Co-Founder and President Tunde Balogun and played him Jax’s music. A day later, the label flew him to Atlanta in order to ink a deal. Now, North Ave Jax introduces a scorching signature style on a series of 2021 singles and more to come.