SPIRITS

KODAK BLACK – HIT STICK

Kodak Black unveils a hard-hitting and hypnotic new single and music video entitled “Hit Stick.” Listen HERE via Vulture Love / Capitol Records.

A cinematic string sample swoons in and out of focus over the track’s tense beat and loose bass line, setting the tone. Off the rip, Kodak’s signature delivery instantly transfixes as his woozy flow practically snakes through the production. His charisma, cleverness, paranoia, emotion, and energy charge up “Hit Stick,” giving it a fascinating element of complexity and affirming him as the culture’s most enigmatic presence once again.

He kickstarted the summer with his record label Vulture Love’s first official project, Vulture Love Presents: The Last Zombies On Earth. Beyond generating millions of streams, it received tastemaker acclaim. XXL & The Source plugged it, and HotNewHipHop praised, “where this debut album succeeds is giving these up-and-coming artists a great platform to make their voices hard.” He then later followed up the compilation with a sold-out show at LA’s NOVO.

Alongside Kodak, the label compilation boasts contributions from VVSNCE, Lil Crix, G6reddot, GorditoFlo, Big Fredo, Jay Dirty, Taji Akeil, Project Pooh, NFL Tuewop, Jit4 Stan, Yung Mula, and JME Tmoe. Production credits include SkipOnDaBeat, ATL Jacob, Xairr, Dr. Zuez, Ayo B, and more. In short, the talent on display on Vulture Love Presents: The Last Zombies On Earth is nothing short of show-stopping. Listen HERE.

Vulture Love Presents: The Last Zombies On Earth arrived on the heels of Kodak’s recent introspective singles “Dis Time,” “Stressed Out,” and “Non Believer.” It was preceded by “Shampoo,” a confident burst of street rap that typifies the style that made him a superstar. Of course, that song followed When I Was Dead, an engrossing album in which Kodak explores both his nightmares and blood-stained aspirations. Featuring the smash hit “Lemme See,” the project only reaffirmed Kodak’s status as one of the most gifted artists of his generation.

Kodak’s status transcends the rap world. Over the years, he has cultivated the role of a prophetic storyteller in the culture at large, and his reach continues to grow. He holds over 25 billion global streams to his name and continues altruism towards his Pompano Beach community.

Photo credit: Jared Pearson

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QT PERTH

High atop the Western Australian capital, the 18th floor Rooftop at QT Perth is now home to a seasonal, Japanese-inspired Zen Garden as the Australian winter blends into spring, through the end of September. In an exclusive collaboration with the House of Suntory, Rooftop at QT has been transformed into a lush cherry blossom garden, complete with signature cocktails featuring Japanese Haku Vodka, Roku Gin, Hibiki and Toki Whisky.

The resident mixologists at Rooftop at QT have curated a refreshing roster of seasonal cocktails, including: Toki teapot infusions, Haku Vodka paired with QT’s unique twists, and Roku Gin served with imaginative tonics. Standout cocktail creations include Matcha Made in Heaven (which combines Haku Vodka with sake, coconut, almond milk and matcha tea) and The Butterfly Effect (which diffuses Roku Gin with lavender, grapefruit, lemon, yuzu soda and butterfly pea tea).

“We look forward to welcoming the city for an early sip of spring at The Zen Garden on the Rooftop at QT,” says Steven James, QT Perth’s General Manager. “This partnership with House of Suntory brings a unique fusion of tradition and modernity, offering our guests an unparalleled rooftop experience.”

House of Santory Ambassador James Buntin says, “Imagine experiencing the best that Japan has to offer—right in the heart of Perth. You’ll find a beautiful balance of elements, spicy delicacies, and expertly crafted cocktails featuring Hibiki, Toki, Roku Gin, and Haku Vodka. Cuddle up, savor these exceptional drinks, and feel as though you’ve embarked on your own personal trip to Japan.”

Rooftop at QT © QT Perth

The Zen Garden on the Rooftop at QT Perth will be in full bloom from July 27 through September 30, 2024. For more information, visit qtperth.com.

RED BULL BATALLA

RED BULL BATALLA REVEALS DETAILS FOR 2024 U.S. SEASON FINALE – THE NATIONAL FINAL ON OCTOBER 12 IN MIAMI

WORLD’S LARGEST SPANISH-LANGUAGE RAP BATTLE BRINGS 16 OF THE COUNTRY’S BEST MCs TO FACTORY TOWN MIAMI

Today, Red Bull Batalla, the world’s largest Spanish-language freestyle competition, is excited to announce details for the upcoming U.S. National Final taking place Saturday, October 12 in Miami. Tickets for the event are on sale now at redbull.com/batallausa.

16 of the top freestylers from across the country will take center stage at the sprawling Factory Town Miami for a highly anticipated event that will challenge their lyricism, speed, creativity and stage presence in head-to-head knockout rounds until only one MC remains. The winner that clinches the title of 2024 National Champion will advance to the world’s largest stage for freestyle rap at the Red Bull Batalla International Final hosted in Madrid, Spain this November.

All the action will be judged by a panel of freestyle experts including Venezuelan legend and 6x Latin Grammy nominated artist, Akapellah, alongside 2x Red Bull Batalla National Champion Reverse, Snow QLQ, Dilema and more to be announced. The event will be hosted by Racso White Lion with beats by resident DJ Cesar.

The 2024 Red Bull Batalla season kicked-off with a global application phase that saw nearly 8,000 entries, followed by U.S. qualifier competitions in San Antonio and Brooklyn, the latter being Red Bull Batalla’s first-ever titled event in the Empire State.

All eyes now shift to Magic City and October 12th as the biggest night in the U.S. for freestyle battle rap. Florida has been a long-simmering hotbed of talent, and the freestyle rap scene is now on fire. For the past three years, the Red Bull Batalla U.S. championship trophy has been won by a resident of the state with the groundbreaking wins of Oner and the reigning champ Reverse who, after his win last year, became a Red Bull Batalla U.S. double champion, a feat previously only held by Puerto Rican MC, Yartzi.

Bud Light + Post Malone

Last night, Bud Light and 9x RIAA diamond-certified, GRAMMY® Award-nominated phenomenon Post Malone put on “A Night in Nashville.” Taking over the city of Nashville for one night only, Bud Light and Post Malone gave fans an intimate performance with music from his upcoming album F-1 Trillion. The event featured an exclusive night of live music from Post Malone plus special guests Blake Shelton, HARDY, Joe Nichols and Sierra Ferrell.

Songs from the set included Post’s recent singles “I Had Some Help” and “Pour Me a Drink”, which he performed with Blake Shelton, as well as a handful of yet to be released records from Post’s upcoming album F-1 Trillion which is set to be released August 16th.

Alesso + Nate Smith

Today marks a groundbreaking fusion in the music world as globally celebrated dance music producer Alesso unveils his latest collaboration with ACM New Male Artist of the Year and Billboard’s Country Rookie of the Year Nate Smith: “I Like It”. Arriving just in time for the summer festival season, the single is a feel-good party anthem, representing the pinnacle of both artists’ signature sounds in a transformative musical synergy.

“I Like It” masterfully blends Alesso’s vibrant, dance-infused sound with Nate Smith’s soul-stirring country vocals, creating a genre-defying anthem that promises to get hearts racing and feet moving. Recently captivating the mainstage at Stagecoach and named Billboard’s Rookie of the Year, Nate Smith also broke the record for the longest run at country radio in history, affirming his momentous rise in the music industry. Boasting sharp, pulsating house beats, the production features an uplifting, spirited tempo that seamlessly marries electronic rhythms with the warm, rustic charm of country guitar riffs, presenting a fresh, invigorating sound that’s both innovating and nostalgic. Listeners are treated to a rich, melodic auditory journey that epitomizes the perfect summer atmosphere – energetic, joyful, and irresistibly catchy.

Listen and watch the music video for “I Like It” HERE.

From Alesso:

“I’ve always been a big fan of the crossover between Rock/Country and Dance music. We set out to make a fun song for everyone to party to this Summer and Nate delivers an amazing performance on the song. We’re excited for the world to hear it!”

From Nate Smith:

“Alesso is an absolute force and I’ve been a fan of his for a while. I was sooooo excited when he asked me to hop on this song. It’s just one of those songs that you’ll instantly sing along to and put you in that party mode. Who could say no to that?”

The collaboration showcases the versatile artistic ranges of Alesso and Nate Smith, offering a vibrant soundtrack that promises to ignite dancefloors worldwide. Fans of both Alesso and Nate Smith, as well as new listeners, are invited to dive into the exhilarating world of “I Like It,” a track that not only pulses with Alesso’s signature dynamic beats but also resonates with Nate Smith’s compelling lyrical storytelling.

Following the success of his recent “Hypnotize” EP, Alesso continues to dominate the global music scene, electrifying crowds at major international festivals including standout performances at EDC Las Vegas, Tomorrowland Winter, and Coachella. He recently celebrated the first Body Hi after-party following Beyond Wonderland Chicago, highlighting the rapid growth of his label, Body Hi. This summer, Alesso is set to continue his tour de force with headline performances at Tomorrowland Belgium, Ultra Music Festival in Bali and Korea, and his high-profile residency with TAO Nightlife in Las Vegas. Notably, Alesso’s 2017 hit collaboration with Florida Georgia Line and Hailee Steinfeld, “Let Me Go,” has just surpassed a billion streams, further cementing his influence in the global music landscape. More information and upcoming events for Alesso can be found HERE.

Alesso x Nate Smith “I Like It” eSingle HERE.

Follow Alesso

Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/elibrownbeats

Facebook: facebook.com/AlessoOfficial

Instagram: instagram.com/alesso

X (Twitter): twitter.com/Alesso

YouTube: youtube.com/alesso

TikTok: tiktok.com/@alesso

Website: alessoworld.com/

Merging Realities – Uzair Merchant

‘Uzair Merchant is a compelling visual storyteller who stimulates conversation through a new age matrix that intertwines AR, AI, and VR.’ — Vaughn Lowery

Podcast

Apple

Spotify

World Police Summit brought together global law enforcement from over 138 countries to share tomorrow’s strategies to combat global emerging criminal challenges and pave the way for a safer future.

To highlight this safer future, the opening ceremony for the summit featured a never-before-seen film, Merging Realities, which quickly turned into a fully immersive experience for attendees. Viewed on one of the largest seamless mesh holographic screens ever built, at 22m x 4m, this was the first immersive experience of its kind.

With the slogan of the Dubai Police in mind, “Welcome to Policing 5.0,” the film portrays a sci-fi inspired world of Dubai, the technological advances and how the police are always one step ahead, hinting to what the future of policing would be. It showcases the universe all the way back to a single atom, showcasing how we are all connected in a Quantum Realm, the atoms, charges, and electrons pulsating through all of us, the larger picture that we are all one.

The genius behind this film is Uzair Merchant, the founder of bKREATIV Productions and The Kreativ Lab. Merchant’s most recent work embarked on pushing the boundaries of immersive experiences, merging together mesh technology and holographic, traditional cinema, and live onstage action. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai were in attendance along with Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, and police leaders, security experts and professionals from across the world.

Merging Realities will soon be released to the public. The full livestream of the event can be viewed here.

Post Malone + Blake Shelton

Post Malone and Blake Shelton Surprise CMA Fest With “Pour Me A Drink”

CMA Fest TV Special To Air June 25th on ABC

Post Malone and Blake Shelton surprised the CMA Fest crowd this past Thursday with their new single “Pour Me A Drink”, the latest offering from Post’s forthcoming country album. You can see photos from the performance HERE.

About Republic Records

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

Photo: John Shearer|Getty Images

CHAIN POP-UP

Notable actor and comedian Paul Scheer hosted his official book launch party at CHAIN pop-up in Los Angeles for his new book, “Joyful Recollections of Trauma.”

CHAIN is the World’s First Gourmet ‘Chain Food’ pop-up featuring Chef-driven versions of chain restaurant classics like Friendly’s, Pizza Hut and more with incredible interactive and retro inspired elements throughout the space to e age guests and consumers. Codigo 1530 tequila, Absolut and Jameson liquor brands were featured at the event. The speciality drinks included Paul’s Punch with Codigo 1530 tequila and Foutain-Style Vodka LemonLime which featured Absolut Vodka.

Notable guests in attendance among many actors and comedians included, Paul Scheer, Adam Scott, Jerry O’Connell, Ed Helms, Rob Riggle, June Diane Raphael, Casey Wilson, Roman Royale, Kyle Newman, Rob Huebel, Jason Mantzoukas, Jack McBrayer, Tessa Sanchez GreenField and Michaela McManus.

Visit the brands online:

Chain

Codigo 1530 Tequila

Absolut Vodka

Jameson Irish Whiskey

photo: startraksphoto.com

The Macallan + The Mark Hotel

Ahead of the first Monday in May, The Macallan and The Mark Hotel embarked on a partnership to introduce Castle Garden, the signature cocktail to be offered to the night’s biggest stars at The Mark Lobby Bar following the event on May 6th.

The Macallan’s take on this year’s exhibition theme–which celebrates nature’s influence on fashion and examines the cyclical themes of rebirth and renewal– is showcased through this unique cocktail that highlights their shared reverence for sustainability and the natural world.

As the brand celebrates their 200th anniversary, Castle Garden offers a sensory time travel experience that shows the history, creativity, and craftsmanship found in every bottle of The Macallan.

Ingredients:

1 oz The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old (balanced by European and American Oak, sherry seasoned casks)
0.75 oz Jean-Luc Pasquet Pineau de Charentes
0.25 oz Honey Syrup
0.25 oz Lemon Juice
2 oz Brut Sparkling Wine
Baby’s Breath Flower Garnish
Optional: Passion Fruit “Caviar”

Method:

Add all ingredients, except sparkling wine, to a shaker with ice.
Shake and strain into a Champagne flute, top with 2 oz of sparkling wine.
Garnish with sprig of Baby’s Breath.

LAMBORGHINI ARENA

Recap

Automobili Lamborghini celebrates the first edition of its Lamborghini Arena event with an exclusive Revuelto[1] created by the company’s Ad Personam customization program, which recently inaugurated its new studio at the Lamborghini headquarters. The special version of the V12 hybrid plug-in super sports car was unveiled during the weekend of Lamborghini Arena, the biggest event in the history of the Sant’Agata Bolognese brand, held at Imola Circuit on April 6 and 7.

The exterior of this special car features contrasting hues with new carbon fiber elements that create a striking visual effect. The bodywork is painted in Grigio Hati (gray) with details in Verde Scandal (green) that accentuate the car’s lower line, roof, mirror caps and rear diffuser surrounds, all combined with the Verde Chiaro (light green) of the brake calipers. The rear part celebrates the Italian flag, with red, white and green stripes embellishing the lower surface of the moving wing. The hood is crisscrossed by two racing-style stripes in Nero Noctis (black), highlighting the performance attitude of the V12 super sports car.

The roof, rear “cofango”, spoiler, air intakes, sill inserts, and other details are made of high-gloss exposed carbon fiber, giving the elements a shiny effect enhanced by the 21-inch (front) and 22-inch (rear) high-gloss black Altanero alloy wheels.

The interior trim echoes the exterior colors, with Nero Ade (black) sport seats featuring stitching and piping in the Verde Scandal hue, the same color used for the Lamborghini logos embroidered on the headrests. The bulkhead panel lining is embellished with exclusive embroidery depicting the map of the Imola Circuit, the lettering “Lamborghini Arena 2024” in Bianco Leda (white), and escape route maps in Verde Scandal (green). Also exclusive are the carbon fiber plates with “Lamborghini Arena 2024” and “Ad Personam” logos located on the ends of the dashboard.

Unveiled in March 2023, Revuelto is the first V12 hybrid plug-in super sports HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle). It is equipped with a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 mid-engine combined with three electric motors, one of which is integrated into the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Delivering maximum torque of 725 Nm at 6750 rpm and maximum power output of 1015 CV, it reaches a top speed of more than 350 km/with 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 2.5 seconds.

[1] Consumption and emission values of Revuelto; Fuel consumption combined: 10,3 l/100km (WLTP); Power consumption combined: 78,1 kWh/100 Km (WLTP); CO2-emissions combined: 276 g/km (WLTP).