The Must See Binge-Worthy Series Is Here!
If you haven’t done so already, make sure to tune in to Red Bull’s second season of “The Cut” hosted by record producer, OG Parker!
If you haven’t done so already, make sure to tune in to Red Bull’s second season of “The Cut” hosted by record producer, OG Parker! It’s a must-see television series you don’t want to miss! This binge-worthy series consists of 18 unsigned songwriters and producers who must work together to come up with a smash hit. Did I mention that they all are meeting each other for the first time? With only 10 hours to spare, each group has to come up with the best song to present to one another. Here’s the twist! After each group present their song, they have to come to a vote on who should proceed to the next round and cannot vote for themselves. Who will make it to the final round and win the grand prize?
The cast includes: Adonis The Greek, Charlie Shuffler, Cryssy Bandz, Desta Dawn, Errol Bangz, Jeleel!, Jermaine Elliott, Jess Carp, Jon Swaii, Kid Lennon, Mother Wata, Ramii, Relaye, Ta$ha Catour, Versus XX, Xian Bell, Ye Ali, and Zil. While some groups had an instant music connection, others weren’t so lucky. Find out how each artist overcomes their battle and the wonderful music they’ve created on https://www.redbull.com/us-en/shows/the-cut !
Photo Credits: Red Bull & Instagram: ogxparker
Report: Jessica Tamay
Lady Gaga Shifts Focus During COVID-19 Crisis
"Thank you with all of my heart... for sharing in a global moment of kindness with each other, and spreading positive and loving intentions"- @ladygaga
COVID-19 has delayed a lot of things, one being Lady Gaga’s new album, Chromatica. The album was supposed to come out on April 10, but has now been pushed back until further notice due to the pandemic. Chromatica will be Gaga’s sixth album, which will consist of sixteen songs. So far, “Stupid Love” is the only song available and it’s leaving fans anxious for the album release. Although the album release has temporarily been put on hold, Gaga has managed to keep herself busy during quarantine.
While in quarantine, Lady Gaga had time to work on another project called One World Together at Home. Gaga curated the One World Together at Home album that was released on April 18, which consists of 79 songs by some of music’s biggest artists. This album was organized by Global Citizen and the World Health Organization to raise money for COVID-19 relief. “Thank you with all of my heart... for sharing in a global moment of kindness with each other, and spreading positive and loving intentions”, says Lady Gaga after the One World Together at Home concert that also premiered April 18. The proceeds from the One World Together Album will be donated to Global Citizen to aid in COVID-19 relief.
Photo credits- Norbet Schoerner studio & Global Citizen
Report: Brionna Thompson
One World: Together At Home
WHO and Gaga partnered with Global Citizen to create a series of stay-at-home concerts, called One World: Together At Home. The event was hosted by 3 of the most popular late-night hosts: Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert, and Idris Elba
Lady Gaga took social distancing to the next level, by creating a free virtual concert to support frontline healthcare workers and the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO and Gaga partnered with Global Citizen to create a series of stay-at-home concerts, called One World: Together At Home. The event was hosted by 3 of the most popular late-night hosts: Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert, and featured Idris Elba, who was diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as healthcare workers fighting on the front line. Throughout the show, messages displayed from various artists and healthcare workers discussing the importance of staying at home and supporting each other.
Hugh Evans, the co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen said, “Our hope for the special is that everyone will come away believing that we, as a shared humanity, can emerge from this moment forever grateful for the work of doctors, nurses, teachers, grocery store workers, and all those who are the backbone of our communities.” The show aired on April 18th and included 70 artists of different genres such as the Rolling Stones, John Legend, Celine Dion and Lizzo, Shawn Mendes, Camilla Cabello, Stevie Wonder, Lang Lang, Luis Fonsi, Shah Rukh Khan, Sheryl Crow, Jimmy Fallon, Heidi Kum, Hozier, Andrea Bocelli, Usher, Celine Dion, Hussain Al Jasmi, Charlie Puth, Eason Chan, Common, Adam Lambert, and Jennifer Lopez.
Report: Woo Jong Kim
IG Live Battles and Keeping the Culture Alive
Battles showing the strength of an artist’s catalogue and the friendly battles to see who will win the night. This pandemic didn’t stop our culture from coming together and providing joy and entertainment in the middle of a crisis.Artist from T-Pain vs Lil Jon to Babyface vs Teddy Riley, have created a space of mental escape even for just a moment.
During a time when the world has shut down, social media has been the connection holding the culture together. With Instagram at the forefront, celebrities have banned together to have friendly battles to not only keep us entertained but educated. Instagram live battles between those such Swizz Beatz vs. Timbaland, T-Pain vs. Lil Jon, Babyface vs. Teddy Riley, and many more are putting their catalogs to the test in friendly battles to bring joy and entertainment during a time where there is very little.
These battles are not only connecting friends but are also connecting generations. Younger generations are learning new music from back in the day and the older generation is learning social media and newer aged music. So the biggest gain here is generational bonding. IG live battles are keeping the culture enriched and sane while we are all on lockdown.
Everyone is having friendly competition on which artist will win and who should go next. These battles are keeping our spirits alive and will forever be a part of history. The culture couldn’t thank these artists enough and I don’t know about you guys but I am looking forward to some friendly competitions between some female artists.
Report: Maya Howard
Nintendo’s Latest Installment of Animal Crossing: New Horizons Capitalizes Need
Now more than ever, people are relying on video games to pass the time and escape reality. The digital age provides a safe space that rests at the intersection of society and technology, creating a much needed safe space for those who find themselves in isolation. Nintendo’s latest installment of Animal Crossing: New Horizons capitalizes on this need.
With COVID-19 forcing social distancing orders to bleed into summer, those stuck at home have begun itching for something to do. Many have busied themselves with testing new recipes, dusting off the books on their shelves, and booting up those old home workout videos in an attempt to fill the passing hours. If there is one company that has benefited off of the people’s boredom, it is Nintendo. The multi-billion dollar video game company’s popular gaming system, the Nintendo Switch, has found itself as a commonplace commodity among American households.
For well over three weeks, the Switch has been consistently sold out in major retail stores. Originally priced at $299.99, new Switch consoles are now being sold on sites like Ebay for well over $500. On March 20, Nintendo released its newest installment of the Animal Crossing franchise for the Switch. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game where players become a resident on a small island alongside bipedal animal friends. They work to beautify and customize the island, creating the remote getaway destination of their dreams. Mixing cute aesthetics, endless furniture and clothing choices, and online features that allow players to connect with friends, the game has experienced a similar boom of popularity to the console it was released for. Originally selling for $60, a physical copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons now sells for $94.99 on Amazon. Animal Crossing has created a safe haven for players among COVID-19 worries; each individual pixelated
island is its own world where people can meet up with friends and family without the fear of infection. In the weeks following the game’s release, people have held events such as weddings and graduation ceremonies in lieu of their cancelled real life counterparts. Couples have dressed their little villagers up and visited each other’s islands on mock dates. People are using the game in an attempt to maintain any form of fulfilling social interaction during this time of social isolation. What does this mean for the future? How will games affect the normalcy of a post-Coronavirus world? Despite the comfort Nintendo is currently providing many households, they have also created new questions with uncertain answers about how society will continue to intersect with increasingly normalized virtual realities.
Report: Nicolette Schneiderman
Zoë Kravitz's Cool 90's Style in Hulu's "High Fidelity"
A new, gender-reversed Hulu adaptation of Nick Hornby's 1995 novel “High Fidelity” was aired this February.
A new, gender-reversed Hulu adaptation of Nick Hornby's 1995 novel “High Fidelity” was aired this February. The series is about a heartbroken record shop owner, determined to revisit her five all-time greatest heartbreaks in a journey of self-discovery, and to see what went wrong in each relationship. The main character, Rob, is played by none other than the amazing Zoë Kravitz, and her style in the show mimics her unique style in real life.
It influences it so much that Kravitz and the costume designer for the show, Colleen Atwood, actually went and shopped for the clothing at vintage stores together. Kravitz told indiewire that “a lot of the band T-shirts were [hers], too. [Also,] Colleen designed this great leather jacket that was kind of a homage to the jacket that [John] Cusack wears in the [first] film.” The costumes were a nostalgic take inspired by the 90’s, featuring high-waisted jeans, Hawaiian shirts, loose flowy pants, long jackets and sweaters, and combat boots. Band t-shirts were a big hit on the show. Kravitz was seen wearing a Bowie T-shirt, Beastie Boys, and a long Bob Marley shirt almost worn like a dress. Kravitz and Atwood paired some of these looks with high-waisted blue jeans, and a pair of loafers. The long leather trench coat was also worn frequently throughout the show, paired with a variety of different styles.
The most memorable was with a Hawaiian shirt worn as a dress, and completed with a pair of black chunky boots. The best, and most casual look from the show was Kravitz in a basic yellow shirt, high-waisted blue jeans, and again, the chunky black boots. She threw her braids in some pigtails and called it a day. High Fidelity is turning heads not only for people who love the production, but for music and fashion lovers as well. The styles in the show are not only affordable, but are also so easily achieved that you probably already have some of it in your closet.
Watch High Fidelity on Hulu today.
Words by Libby Ayers.
At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.