CBU July Emagazine 2019

July 2019 E-Magazine

TOMMY HILFIGER X LEWIS HAMILTON Spring/Summer Collection 2019

House Music Picnic & Festival - Chicago

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Virgil Abloh Store: Church & State Museum of Contemporar y Ar t

The Abloh-designed 1,850-square-foot pop-up store named Church & State fills two fourth-floor galleries at the MCA, with walls covered in massive photographs by renowned fashion photographer Juergen Teller.

Did someone say sneakers?

Just look down. If the sneakers that museum security guards are wearing are blowing your mind, the limited-edition Nike Air Force 1 ’07 Virgil Abloh x MCA — known as “Flooded Blue” — will be available, but not at the store and not on a set date. Throughout the exhibition, there will be multiple surprise drops via the Frenzy app. If you’re quick, you can get the shoe for $159, but the sky’s the limit on the resale market.

There will also be surprise T-shirt drops, $65, on the app that will be limited to as many as can be ordered in a 24-hour period, then end. The first drop last week sold nearly 10,000 shirts.

The store will feature reinventions of approximately 20 of Off-White’s greatest hits adapted exclusively for the MCA. The MCA x Off-White Culture Wall collection allows you to — literally— wear the art from the exhibition, with suits, skirts and hoodies printed with images from the photo montage at the start of the exhibition depicting things important to Abloh.

Louis Vuitton Menswear Chicago Residency

1100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL To celebrate Virgil Abloh and his fall 2019 collection for the brand, Louis Vuitton has created a West Loop pop-up — also designed by Abloh — featuring an insanely cool, limited-edition range of day-glow orange accessories designed exclusively for Chicago. The space, which Louis Vuitton is calling a “residency,” is stocked with all of the essentials needed for your sizzling summer.

The sunglasses are a standout — think Marcello Mastroianni in Fellini’s “8½,” but with a very hip twist — and are in the running to be summer’s hottest shades.

The pop-up will also feature key pieces from Louis Vuitton’s fall collection, including a rainbow-hued logo carry-on that’s sure to become one of the brand’s most-sought-after bags. The residency runs June 8 to July 7.

Welcome to Chicago’s summer of Virgil Abloh.

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Shop the Scotch Porter Mineral Enriched Body Collection.

A Stunning New Boston Memorial Will Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King Hank Willis Thomas and MASS Design Group were selected to create the landmark dedicated to the Kings, who met and studied in the city

By Meaghan O'Neill

The Embrace, a memorial sculpture honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, was designed by conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas and MASS Design Group. The sculpture will be built on Boston Common in Boston.

Photo: Hank Willis Thomas and MASS Design Group/King Boston

In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. returned to the city where he and Coretta Scott went to graduate school and first met. On that trip, he declared to his audience that “Boston must become a testing ground for the ideals of freedom.” In 2017, King Boston, a privately funded effort working closely with the City of Boston, heeded that call when it asked for submissions for a memorial in the Kings’ honor on Boston Common, the site of many historic marches and protests.

Today, King Boston, which is also supporting a documentary film and additional programming that promotes equity, has announced the winner: conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas and MASS Design Group, perhaps best known for their work on the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama.

Unlike other nearby patinated sculptures, the memorial will feature a mirrored bronze finish that makes visitors and passersby part of the installation.

Photo: Hank Willis Thomas and MASS Design Group/King Boston

Called The Embrace, the 22-foot-tall sculpture represents the hands of King and Scott King, evoking images of the couple—and other protesters—arm-in-arm in peaceful marches for civil rights as well as the power of physical togetherness in declaring resistance against injustice. “The Embrace” also embodies Scott King’s emphasis on the transformative power of empathy—and putting it into action. Visitors to the sculpture will be readily reflected in its mirror-finish bronze, making them part of the installation “Both Martin and Coretta knew that the challenges that faced our nation then—and still today—cannot be fought with more anger, hate, or hostility,” wrote Thomas and Michael Murphy, executive director of MASS Design Group, in an email to AD. “Above all, what we felt like the Kings and their movement stood for was the belief that love is the ultimate tool against injustice.”

The idea for the 22-foot-high sculpture, which models the hands of King and Scott King, evokes images of the couple—and other protesters—in peaceful marches. Unlike so many other memorials, it also celebrates the power of love and togetherness as opposed to war, violence, and singular heroes.

Photo: Hank Willis Thomas and MASS Design Group/King Boston

Many other memorials on Boston Common—and throughout the city, as well as our country—are dedicated to military victories and singular heroes. “We wanted this to be a memorial to nonviolence,” wrote Thomas and Murphy.

Thomas and MASS Design were chosen from among a group of five high-profile finalists that also included Yinka Shonibare and Stephen Stimson Associates; Adam Pendleton, Adjaye Associates, Future\Pace, and David Reinfurt; Barbara Chase-Riboud; and Wodiczko + Bonder / Maryann Thompson Architects, with Walter Hood.

The sculpture’s central location in Boston Common is near the iconic Parkman Bandstand, where Dr. King addressed an audience in April 1965.

Photo: Hank Willis Thomas and MASS Design Group/King Boston

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Netflix’s When They See Us: Most disturbing drama of this year

By JOHN DOYLe for theglobeand mailcom It is unsettling to realize that many people looking for something new to watch on Netflix this week will actually be unfamiliar with what happened in Central Park, New York, on an April night in 1989. What happened was the rape and attempted murder of a young woman who was jogging there, Trisha Meili.

The 28-year-old Meili was doing her usual evening run after a long day at work on Wall Street.

And while there are many unsettling scenes in the first hour of When They See Us (streams Netflix from Friday), nothing is more disconcerting than the realization, an hour into the drama, that we know very little about Trisha Meili. She is not the focus of the story. The five boys charged with the attack on her are the point. The way in which they were coerced into confessions, threatened and intimidated, is the point.

When They See Us is superbly made and startling in its invective. That invective is aimed with blistering intensity, not just at a justice system that allowed a miscarriage of justice, but at all of American society.

The point of the title is that nobody actually saw the boys, who became known as The Central Park Five, as who they were. They saw black youths and wanted to convict them.

In its four episodes, the miniseries never lets go of its invective. After a few brief scenes of youths roaming the park, joshing and laughing, shouting insults at cyclists and one scene of a fist fight, the jogger is found and the police and justice systems kick into gear. The main force of authority is Linda Fairstein (Felicity Huffman) of the NYPD’s sex-crimes unit. She wants the case and lobbies for it.

She’s not that interested in the victim or what actually happened. She cares that somebody is arrested and charged, quickly. When she realizes that police already know that many youths were horsing around in the park, she instantly challenges the cops to treat the kids as suspects, not witnesses.

They truly are kids, these boys. The police and the press start calling them “animals” but director and co-writer Ava DuVernay is at pains to present them as what they were on that night. One was 13 years old, one was 16, the others were 14 years old. Korey (Jharrel Jerome, of Moonlight), Anton (Caleel Harris), Yusef (Ethan Herisse), Raymond (Marquis Rodriguez) and Kevin (Asante Blackk) were frightened children, bewildered and terrified. From the start, it’s simply implausible that they are guilty.

The four parts of the series shift from the arrest and interrogation of the boys, then to the trials, then to their experiences in prison and, finally, to their exoneration years later. But this is not presented as a story to feel good about in the end.

The viewer is not invited to feel satisfaction that justice was done, eventually. It’s one angry drama and scathing. DuVernay (who also made the movie Selma) wants you to see systemic racism at work and wants you to grasp that nothing has changed since 1989. After all, as the series manages to underline, while the case was unfolding, Donald Trump took out ads in New York newspapers calling for the restoration of the death penalty so that the boys would be executed. Now, he runs the country. And the state of the country is the real point of When They See Us. As such, it’s a heightened, fraught series, the most unsettling drama so far in 2019, and meant to be.

From left: Asante Blackk, Jharrel Jerome, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, and Marquis Rodriguez at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York to promote their Netflix series When They See Us on May 20, 2019. Photo by Christopher Smith AP

The Silver Room Sound System Block Party Hyde Park, Chicago

Saturday, July 20th, 2019 12pm – 10pm

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TRAVEL

Your Friend Loses Their Passport And Is Detained, Do You Continue Your Vacation Without Them?

By Stephanie Ogbogu for travelnoir.com

A travel horror story between friends has got social media divided about what they would do if their friend was detained in a foreign airport.

Tiana Parker was excited to celebrate her birthday in Bali with a group of friends. Unfortunately, when she misplaced her passport and cell phone on her flight from China to Bali, she was detained at customs.

When the group of friends arrived in Bali, Tiana realized that she left her passport on the plane.

Tiana was detained by Immigration who threatened to deport her to China where she could face harsher consequences. Tiana’s friends, including fashion designer Briana Shanee, attempted to plea with airport officials but were eventually asked to leave.

Tiana spent 24 hours detained by Immigration.

Thankfully, another friend was able to locate her passport and Tiana was eventually released and allowed to continue on her birthday vacation in Bali.

What would you do in this scenario?

If you lose your passport while traveling internationally:

If you are traveling internationally and realize that your passport has been lost or stolen, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate immediately. You’ll need to report to the consular’s office specifically. If your passport has been stolen, it’s helpful to file a police report with the local authorities. All U.S. embassies and consulates have after-hours duty officers who can help U.S. citizens in an emergency abroad.

From there, you can take a new passport photo, complete a new passport application and pick up your new passport at the local embassy. You’ll need some type of photo identification (driver’s license) as well as your travel itinerary, evidence of U.S. citizenship and enough funds to cover the passport fee.

Often times, if you have an immediate need for your passport (i.e., you have a flight to catch), you can receive an emergency passport within 24 hours. The emergency passport will only get you back to the United States. From there, you’ll have to turn in your emergency passport and wait for your replacement to arrive.

If you have a few days to spare, you can wait for your replacement passport to be shipped to you from the United States.

Now, if your situation is like Tiana’s and you misplaced your passport on the plane, you may be able to convince the airport to fly it to you. Granted, that could take a while, so be comfortable with waiting. It’s also not something that happens often, but it’s worth a try.

If your friend loses their passport while you’re on vacation:

If you’re traveling internationally with a friend who misplaces their passport, there are several things that may cross your mind. Do you stay with your friend in the cold, dreary, holding room or do you continue on to your destination?

It’s important to make sure that your friend is safe no matter what decision you make. If you have your passport, jot down the numbers and websites from the passport information page. This could possibly assist them in the next steps to getting a new passport made.

If you have your phone, use social media, email or services such as WhatsApp, to get in contact with their family members in the United States and inform them of what happened. Keeping a clear line of communication with their loved ones stateside will be a great deal of help and will keep them reassured during the stressful process.

Lastly, before leaving your friend (if you absolutely have to) make sure you are aware of what the next steps are. Whether it’s determining if your friend will stay in the country or contacting the United States Embassy yourself, don’t leave your friend behind without knowing exactly what happens next.

Traveling abroad can be an amazing experience but it’s frightening when things don’t go as expected. We want you all to come back in one piece so practice safety and unity when taking vacays out of the country.

He’s back!

New Episodes On

BBC America

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INTRODUCING ILYMORE THERESE SANDALS. HANDCRAFTED IN ITALY OF CROC EMBOSSED LEATHER AND FINISHED WITH A METALLIC COLOR STYLE, THE INSOLE ARTFULLY CONSTRUCTED OF FULL-GRAIN PREMIUM ITALIAN LEATHER WITH A DIAMOND STITCHING STYLE MAKE THE SIGNATURE OF OUR SANDALS.

Sam's Tee is a versatile item and a must have for the modern and trendy male who loves to shoot a positive image as an influencer and give back to the community. It's B.I.L.Y collection exclusively designed for you as a limited edition collection by designer FAGNIDI Alain offers a range of fashionable top tee. From the top elegant clean street wear tee to the stylish but simple Sam's tee.

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Worn for reviews, it was made more for show than active battle. Today the F8ITH Helmet is listed between the greatest innovation, with its empowerment concept. It is the great pass idea. Each PIECE is designed to produce confidence and encouragement in style for the modern influencer man.

OFFSHORE ROOFTOP & BAR

Offshore is the nation’s largest rooftop venue that sits on the third floor of Navy Pier’s Festival Hall at 1000 East Grand in Chicago, and offers panoramic, unmatched views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline, providing a completely unique perspective not found anywhere else.

This stunning, chic 36,000 sq. ft. all-seasons/all-weather venue offers Chicagoans a full-service luminous bar and world-class kitchen, with a 20,000 square foot Terrace, along with seven cozy fire pits, an entertainment and gaming area, and multiple large gathering spaces for social and corporate events, weddings, and much more. The culinary team is lead by Executive Chef Michael Shrader. Shrader is a protégé of Jeremiah Tower who is credited as a pioneer in California cuisine.

Lonnie Bunch, the first historian to lead the Smithsonian, says he aims to engage the general public in "wrestling with the shades of gray" and to "embrace ambiguity.” Shuran Huang/NPR

Lonnie Bunch III Takes

Helm Of The Smithsonian: ‘I Feel The Weight Of History’

Lonnie Bunch III's interest in the past began with an incomplete story. His grandfather, a sharecropper-turned-dentist, would read history books to him, and Bunch would wonder why the pictures of black children contained little detail — why the captions simply read "unknown children" or "anonymous."

The founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Bunch has dedicated his life to telling a fuller, rounder and more complex historical narrative. He'll continue that mission in taking the reins of the entire Smithsonian Institution as its first African American secretary, overseeing 19 museums, 21 libraries and the National Zoo.

"It is crucially important for the Smithsonian to recognize it has an obligation to help America understand the fullness of itself, not just a portion of itself," Bunch tells NPR's Steve Inskeep.

When he assumes the position on June 16, he will become the first black person to lead the Smithsonian, and also the first historian to become secretary.

Bunch's philosophy is best evidenced by his leadership and curation at the NMAAHC. When the museum was first announced, some critics called the project a Balkanization of history, splintering the national narrative. He counters that more perspectives are necessary to piece together a coherent narrative.

"One of the great strengths of the Smithsonian is that we have different portals into what it means to be an American," Bunch says. "You can understand that through the American Art Museum or through the Air and Space Museum or American History Museum.�

Transitioning to the head of the Smithsonian's leadership team, Bunch aims to maintain this approach centered on diversity and nuance.

Lonnie Bunch, the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, stands for a portrait at his office.

He will soon become the Smithsonian Institution's new secretary. Shuran Huang/NPR

"I think the biggest goal of history at the Smithsonian ought to be to help the American public embrace ambiguity to understand that there's not simple answers to complex questions," Bunch says. "And if we can help the public become comfortable with wrestling with the shades of gray then we've really made a contribution."

Whether or not that means the Smithsonian will expand its offerings to include museums dedicated to women or Asian Americans is up to Congress, Bunch says. Nonetheless, he's focused on telling a compelling historical story that resonates with all visitors and excludes no one.

Beyond diversifying the content and artifacts within the Smithsonian's vast halls, Bunch also wants to broaden its mediums.

"The Smithsonian is a place that helps you understand the traditions of the country but also helps you understand innovation and the possibilities of the future," Bunch says.

Increasing technology and virtual exhibits is partially motivated by accessibility. Bunch says he wants the Smithsonian's resources to be available to all — not just those who walk through the doors of a museum.

Outgoing secretary David J. Skorton and his predecessor Wayne Clough were both university presidents, selected in part for their skills in fundraising. Bunch's appointment was certainly aided by his proven skill at raising funds for the creation of the NMAAHC.

But Bunch also has deep history with the Smithsonian. Years before he assumed leadership at the NMAAHC, Bunch worked as an associate director and curator at the Museum of American History and as a historian at the Air and Space Museum.

"The reason I took the job is that the Smithsonian transformed my life," Bunch says. "It's the place I care most about. It's where I met my wife. My kids went to preschool here. It's a place where any job I've ever had is because of my time at the Smithsonian.

"For me there's something wondrous about the Smithsonian ... [it's] the place of my dreams."

Bunch is not taking his new job responsibilities lightly. Asked about the meaning of his new post, he responded: "I feel the weight of history."

Josh Axelrod is NPR's Digital Content intern.

TASTE OF CHICAGO

JULY 10 – 14, 2019 Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St.

Free admission (ticket purchase required for food) Wednesday – Friday: 11a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Friday, July 12: Taylor Bennett, De La Soul Sunday, July 14: Bilal, Meshell Ndegeocello, India.Arie

It’s Cool, Cool Summer!

What to know about Robert F. Smith, the man paying off Morehouse grads' student loans

By Harmeet Kaur, CNN

(CNN) - Robert F. Smith lifted a huge

burden off the graduating class of Morehouse College when he announced during his commencement speech that he would pay off the student loan debt of more than 300 students.

The exact amount to be covered for the 396 students is still being calculated, Morehouse President David A. Thomas told CNN but the figure will likely be in the tens of millions of dollars.

Here's what you need to know about the 56year-old billionaire investor.

How he made his billions

Smith is the richest black person in the United States, with a net worth of $5 billion, according to Forbes. Yes, he's richer than Oprah.

He's the founder of the investment firm Vista Equity, which boasts capital commitments of $46 billion, according to its website. In 2019, Smith was #355 on the Forbes Billionaires List.

Smith is the son of educators who started his career as a chemical engineer for Goodyear and Kraft. He attended business school at Columbia University and went on to make a fortune off investing in the technology sector, working for Goldman Sachs before starting Vista Equity in 2000.

He has quite the generous streak

Smith is a big believer in paying it forward.

Before Sunday's student loans announcement, he donated $1.5 million to Morehouse College for scholarships and the development of a new park. In 2016, he pledged $50 million to Cornell University, one of his alma maters, to support its chemical and bimolecular engineering school, as well as black and female engineering students.

In 2017, he signed the Giving Pledge, an effort spearheaded by billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates to enlist wealthy Americans in giving away half of their fortunes.

Smith said he would invest half of his net worth during his lifetime to causes that support equality for black Americans and the environment, while his wife, model Hope Dworaczyk Smith, would focus on helping children.

He's one of the founding donors of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, committing $20 million to the museum before its opening.

He's also the founder and president of the Fund II Foundation, which provides grants for causes such as human rights, the environment, music education and "preserving the African American experience.�

He's married to a Playboy playmate

In 2015, Smith married model Hope Dworaczyk in a lavish ceremony on Italy's Amalfi Coast, featuring performances by John Legend, Seal and Brian McKnight.

Dworaczyk was named Playboy's playmate of the Year in 2010 and was a host and coproducer for the Canada-based show "Inside Fashion" on E!

The couple has two children together, and Smith has three other children from a previous marriage.

This story has been updated to reflect that the total amount Smith will pay is still being determined.

CNN's Eliott McLaughlin contributed to this report.

Black Billionaire Robert F. Smith creates paid internships for 1,000 minority students Smith has announced the creation of the Intern X program, a part of his Fund II Foundation.

According to the Intern X website, the program will target “Rising sophomores with at least a 2.8 GPA from ethnically underrepresented groups.�

The program will provide paid internships to students at a host of top companies in the US. Among those companies pledging to support the program are AT&T, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Deloitte, Citi and Vista Equity Partners. The Intern X program will help to provide an eight-week paid summer internships in the fields of finance, marketing, software, not-for-profits, real estate, science, technology, engineering and mathematics to students who qualify.

There is no fee to sign up for the internship program and some companies may even provide housing and transportation assistance. Individuals who are interested should visit the InternX.org for more information on the program and how to sign up,

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THE TRADITION Beauty abounds in Jericho Brown’s daring new poetry collection, despite and inside of the evil that pollutes the everyday. The Tradition questions why and how we’ve become accustomed to terror: in the bedroom, the classroom, the workplace, and the movie theater. From mass shootings to rape to the murder of unarmed people by police, Brown interrupts complacency by locating each emergency in the garden of the body, where living things grow and wither—or survive. In the urgency born of real danger, Brown’s work is at its most innovative. His invention of the duplex—a combination of the sonnet, the ghazal, and the blues—is an all-out exhibition of formal skill, and his lyrics move through elegy and memory with a breathless cadence. Jericho Brown is a poet of eros: here he wields this power as never before, touching the very heart of our cultural crisis.

Author Jericho Brown is the recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard, and the National Endowment for the Arts, and he is the winner of the Whiting Writer's Award. Brown’s first book, Please (New Issues 2008), won the American Book Award.

His second book, The New Testament (Copper Canyon 2014), won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award. His third collection is The Tradition (Copper Canyon 2019). His poems have appeared in The Bennington Review, Buzzfeed, Fence, jubilat, The New Republic, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Paris Review, TIME magazine, and several volumes of The Best American Poetry. He is an associate professor and the director of the Creative Writing Program at Emory University.

Real Talk About LGBTQIAP

by Tara Coyt "Real Talk About LGBTQIAP: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Pansexual" is a sincere conversation about the who, what, when, how, and why of human sexuality, gender identity, and biological sex.

Author Tara Y. Coyt explores these questions by sharing a variety of LGBTQIAP perspectives including LGBTQ Institute Executive Director Ryan Roemerman, Fulton County Commission Co-Chair Joan Garner, Outwrite Bookstore Founder Philip Rafshoon, transgender activist Vandy Beth Glenn, and others from across the United States. "Real Talk" also includes leading researchers like Georgia State University professor Eric R. Wright, and organizations such as GLAAD, HRC, Georgia Equality, American Psychology Association. Also included are biblical scholars and historians like Peter J. Gomes, Reza Aslan, and Evangelicals Concerned.

Readers say "This has to be one of the most interesting, enlightening, and important pieces I've read on in quite some time," "The knowledge in your book has added wisdom and understanding of great value to my life," and "It has brought me understanding, wisdom, selfacceptance, and comfort."

"Real Talk" is an accessible, informative, and thought-provoking conversation.

Let Love Have the Last Word: A Memoir This Hardcover Edition of "Let Love Have the Last Word: A Memoir" is autographed on bookplate by Common. Common—the Grammy Award, Academy Award, and Golden Globe–winning musician, actor, and activist—follows up his New York Times bestselling memoir One Day It’ll All Make Sense with this inspiring exploration of how love and mindfulness can build communities and allow you to take better control of your life through actions and words.

David, a civil rights lawyer and law professor from New York, will be the first Black man and first person of color to helm the HRC in its nearly 40-year history.

Alphonso David Will Be the First Person Of Color to Lead the Human Rights Campaign

BY HARRON WALKER for out.com

The Human Rights Campaign will be helmed by a person of color for the first time in its nearly 40-year history.

The HRC announced on Tuesday that Alphonso David, a 48-year-old civil rights lawyer and law professor from New York, will replace Chad Griffin, who has served as president of the organization since 2012. David will not only be the eighth person to lead the HRC — the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy nonprofit in the United States — he will also be the first Black man and the first person of color to do so, The Washington Blade notes, as all seven previous leaders were white men and women.

In the past, David has served as a staff attorney for Lambda Legal’s Defense & Educational Fund, where he worked on the first same-sex marriage lawsuit in New York state. He has also acted as an advisor and legal counsel to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, advising the governor to sign administrative orders banning conversion therapy for minors and extending legal protections to trans residents of the state.

“I believe that together, we can harness the strength that’s inherent in our differences, to stand together in the face of fear and division,” David said in a statement to the Blade. “And that’s exactly what the Human Rights Campaign was built for.”

Tangentially related, did you know that the HRC’s outgoing president makes, like, half a million dollars a year?

According to the Blade, Griffin “earned $481,375 in reportable income and $20,893 in compensation in related organizations, making for total of $502,268” in 2017. That’s wild! Who knew that nonprofit work could be so, um, profitable?

JUNE IS

BLACK MUSIC MONTH!

PJ Morton takes on a Gap Band classic

Last year soul torchbearer and SoulTracks.com fave, PJ Morton, made lots of noise for his smooth soul interpretation of the Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love,” a song that earned him a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance back in February. He’s picking up where he left off with a bold, astonishing take on the Gap Band’s “Yearning for Your Love.” This update is equipped with Morton’s signature style: cozy D’Angelo-esque backing vocals, jazzy keyboard wizardry and slick cool finger-poppin’ beats are all there.

It’s a pretty excellent take, one that upholds much of the silkiness of the original while complementing the legacy of the original using newer, edgier riffs, but this offering – like Beyoncé’s take on Frankie Beverly’s “Before I Let Go” - should in no way replace the Gap Band’s cookout-ready masterpiece. It’s just something about hearing Charlie Wilson’s infectious crooning and the swell of glorious guitar solos channeling the likes of Ernie Isley on that revered ‘80’s classic. - By J Matthew Cobb for soultracks.com

Rahsaan Patterson Talks New Album 'Heroes & Gods'

by Gail Mitchell for billboard.com

Project marks his first release via Shanachie Entertainment

After a seven-year break between albums, one of contemporary R&B’s enduring talents is celebrating his 35th anniversary in entertainment with a new project.

Rahsaan Patterson returns with Heroes & Gods, his first album for Shanachie Entertainment.

“I didn’t say to myself that I’m going to take seven years between albums,” says Patterson of his recording hiatus. “But it was intentional in that I always allow myself time to live and experience life so that I have something to say when I come back.”

The singer-songwriter and his supple tenor do just that throughout the 13-track Heroes & Gods, traversing a terrain of topics encompassing love, self-empowerment, spirituality and simple danceyour-ass-off fun. Lead single “Sent from Heaven,” peaking thus far at No. 25 on the R&B Songs chart, recalls the classic sound of such Patterson influences as Al Green, Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin.

Coupling electronica, rock, jazz and other elements, the album’s additional standouts include the uplifting title track, the dance-infused “Soldier” and the mesmerizing album opener “Catch Me When I Fall.”

Patterson’s relationship with Billboard’s R&B/hip-hop charts began in 1997 with his self-titled debut album featuring the top 25 singles “Where You Are” and “Stop By.” Patterson, whose songwriting credits include Brandy’s platinum “Baby,” has placed 13 tracks on the R&B Songs chart, among them the top 10 “Treat You Like a Queen.” Trivia fans will recall that Patterson initially attracted national attention at the tender age of 10 when he began the first of four seasons playing “The Kid” on the 1980’s television show Kids Incorporated. Among his fellow co-stars: Fergie and Mario Lopez.

The young newcomer landed the role after auditioning for the show’s consultant Chip Fields, mother of actress Kim Fields (The Facts of Life, Living Single). “She was asked to find a black boy who could sing,” says Patterson with a laugh. “But she believed in me enough to know that I could sustain a life as an artist and performer.”

Patterson performed in Chicago (May 24), Minneapolis (May 25) and Nashville (May 26) before he headed overseas in June for dates in Amsterdam, London and Paris. Below, he tackles additional questions about the pride movement, finding a “higher power” in house music and his homage to Luther Vandross on Heroes & Gods.

Billboard: What inspired the powerful title track?

Rahsaan Patterson: When I was working on the foundational structure of the music, the chorus came. It was a reminder to myself of my own power and the cultural and political roles that we have as artists to influence younger generations. It’s also a testament to who we are as black folks and queer folks. I’m talking about the importance of growing in wisdom, being able to articulate and share that wisdom with others who may need that as they go through the transitional stages of life.

The LGBTQ pride movement has come a long way since you began your career. Given that, do you wish you were starting out now versus 35 years ago?

Interestingly enough, I feel like it’s a brand-new start with this album because I have a different view on things than I did when I started. Back then I internalized that rejection or resistance.

But I don’t take it personally anymore. It’s been a gradual process of growing and understanding that, for the most part, people’s issues usually have more to do with themselves than with you.

What’s behind your longtime love affair with house music?

What I love most about it is that it connects me in similar ways that gospel music connects people to their higher power. I don’t necessarily have to go to church on a Sunday in a building with a minister standing behind a pulpit. I can go to a club on a Thursday with a dope-ass DJ spinning some dope-ass house music and get my life. People in church shout and jump around as they listen to the choir and the word. All of that happens in a club with a great DJ.

The album shifts into throwback mode with a cover of Luther Vandross’ “Don’t You Know That.” Why that particular song?

That was my favorite song as a kid on his Never Too Much album. I’ve always been resistant about doing covers because I feel the majority of my favorite songs have been masterfully written, produced and recorded and don’t necessarily need other renditions. However, Luther has always been an inspiration and influence—particularly in his unique approach to singing, songwriting and background vocal arrangements. I wanted to pay homage as he could sing a cover and make it absolutely his own. In re-recording this song, I had to find a way to arrange the song musically and vocally—maintaining its integrity while also putting a fresh stamp on it.

To what do you attribute your longevity in the business?

I’ve never wanted to throw in the towel. I’ve just always been very clear that my path is my path. And I’ve never been one to compare myself, my music or success to anyone else’s.

Having that clarity and self-awareness has helped sustain my career plus my level of comfort with what I do and how I do it. .

‘UNWRAPPED VOL. 8: THE CHICAGO SESSIONS’ TRUMPETED BY BILLBOARD, NBC CHICAGO & OTHER MAJOR MEDIA OUTLETS

By Fisher Jack for www.eurweb.com

*(Los Angeles, CA) Hidden Beach Recordings’ Unwrapped series has made a triumphant return with its Unwrapped Vol. 8: The Chicago Sessions album. Released May 24, the 10-cut collection has already garnered glowing coverage from Billboard and NBC Chicago, among others.

As Chicago native and Hidden Beach Recordings founder Steve McKeever explains in the Billboard article by Gail Mitchell, he wants Unwrapped Vol. 8, which was recorded in

Chicago and features Chicago musicians, to help “shine a positive light” on his hometown city.

“The most unifying project we’d put together was Unwrapped,” McKeever adds. “So I decided to ramp it back up.”

McKeever also features Chicago-based Hiplet Ballerinas in the video for Unwrapped Vol. 8 selection “Pick Up The Phone.” NBC Chicago covered the video, highlighting how Hiplet is redefining an art form with its hip-hop version of ballet as seen in the “Pick Up The Phone” video.

“Hiplet is world famous,” McKeever says during the interview with NBC 5’s LeeAnn Trotter. “They represent some of the most positive things that are coming out of Chicago.”

Unwrapped Vol. 8: The Chicago Sessions is available on digital platforms worldwide today and is a family-friendly way that generations of people can listen to the music of today together. Stream the album in its entirety HERE.

Recorded in Chicago by Chicago musicians, the 10-track collection features mesmerizing hip-hop jazz reworkings of Gucci Mane’s “Miss My Woe,” SZA’s “Love Galore,” J. Cole’s “ATM,” and JAY-Z’s “The Story Of O.J.” The LP also features Unwrapped’s take on Cardi B’s “Best Life,” which features

Windy City artist Chance The Rapper.

Unwrapped Vol. 8: The Chicago Sessions has also earned early praise from The Hype Magazine, Newslocker, and HipHopOnDeck. Forthcoming coverage on the project include interviews with RightOn!, The Soren Baker Show, and others.

In addition to the acclaimed Unwrapped series, Hidden Beach Recordings launched the career of multi-platinum recording artist and award-winning actress Jill Scott and Kindred The Family Soul, among others. Hidden Beach Recordings also released an R&B album from multi-platinum artist Darius Rucker as well as a studio album and a Christmas album from gospel music legend BeBe Winans.

The Unwrapped Vol. 8: The Chicago Sessions tracklist is as follows:

1. Pick Up The Phone (originally recorded by Travis Scott) 2. The Story Of O.J. (originally recorded by JAY-Z) 3. Miss My Woe (originally recorded by Gucci Mane) 4. Goosebumps (originally recorded by Travis Scott) 5. The Way Life Goes (originally recorded by Lil Uzi Vert) 6. Love Galore (originally recorded by SZA) 7. Best Life (originally recorded by Cardi B f. Chance The Rapper) 8. Made in America (originally recorded by Kanye West & JAY-Z f. Frank Ocean) 9. ATM (originally recorded by J. Cole) 10. Be Careful (originally recorded by Cardi B) For more information regarding Unwrapped and Hidden Beach Recordings, please contact soren@hiddenbeach.com

Travis Scott

Up Coming Releases!

Chris Brown, Indigo

Santana, Africa Speaks

Future, Save Me

It’s Summertime, and the weather is heating up everywhere. So it is fitting that some of our favorite soul artists are also warming up the season with new releases coming. Of course, that means its time for our latest “Upcoming Releases” article, giving SoulTrackers a sneak peek of what’s coming over the next few months…and even beyond.

Longtime Faves – Fans looking for new music from some old school favorites will find something to cheer about, with the release of the new solo album by Earth Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey coming out on June 21. Angie Stone follows in July with her Full Circle project, and Lionel Richie supplements his big summer tour with Hello From Las Vegas. The late, great Leon Ware will also be represented with his final release, Rainbow Deux, and Raphael Saadiq will be back in the game with Jimmy Lee.

Indie Soul Stars - Many independent soul stars are also putting out full lengthers, beginning with funkmeisters The APX, soul man Raheem DeVaughn, Euro-dance masters Cool Million, and longtime SoulTracks friends ABIAH, Brian Owens and Juewett Bostic all arriving in June. Also be on the lookout for highly anticipated releases by Ola Onabule, Jazzmeia Horn, Matthew Whitaker, and Elle Varner coming a bit later.

There are ton of worthy releases hitting before Labor Day, and check out our “On The Horizon” section below to see what’s still being put together for release toward the end of the year.

This should be a great summer for music, and we hope you’ll be following with us! www.Soultracks.com

Rihanna Is the World's Richest Female Musician, Thanks to a Reported $600 Million Fortune Her massive empire eclipses that of Madonna, Celine Dion and Beyonce. By Gil Kaufman for billboard.com At just 31 years old, Rihanna is officially the richest female musician on Earth.

That's according to a profile on Tuesday (June 4) in Forbes, which estimates the singer's massive warchest at around $600 million, putting RiRi north of such fellow music superstars as Madonna ($570 million), Celine Dion ($450 million) and Beyoncé ($400 million).

On the heels of the news that her early mentor Jay-Z has just become the first rap billionaire, the snapshot of Rihanna's rise to riches focuses not on her music sales or concert proceeds, but rather her savvy move into fashion and partership with French luxury goods giant LVMH. Their collaboration on Fenty Beauty -- which launched in September 2017 at LVMH-owned Sephora -- was an out-of-the-box success, with the brand racking up a reported $100 million in sales in just its first few weeks.

In addition to tapping into her massive social media presence, the singer has also taken great strides to be inclusive with the Fenty Beauty offerings, releasing 40 different shades of foundation in what one analyst told the magazine was a potential shock to the traditional beauty system. “It challenged the standard convention that you only needed a very defined set of shades to satisfy a market,” Jefferies research analyst Stephanie Wissink said. “Not only did [Fenty Beauty] achieve meaningful sales, but it potentially changed the industry permanently.”

After just 15 months in business, Fenty Beauty has reportedly racked up $570 million in sales, with the business worth an estimated $3 billion for LVMH, which owns a reported 50% of the company to Rihanna's estimated 15%, a figure her team would not confirm. In addition to Fenty Beauty, Rihanna -- the first black woman to head up a major Parisian luxury house -- also co-owns the Savage X Fenty lingerie line with L.A.-based fashion firm TechStyle Fashion Group and has an upcoming clothing line with LVMH, Fenty, which will produce high-end clothes, shoes, accessories and jewelry; the latter, which launched online in May, will includes sizes up to 14, continuing the singer's push for inclusiveness evidenced in the Fenty Beauty product line.

XAVIER KEYZ

XAVIER KEYZ Burgeoning singer, songwriter and music producer Xavier Keyz has no intention of redefining R&B. On the contrary: It is his passion for classic soul that continues to make the artist a standout among so many gimmick-ridden acts currently pervading the airwaves.

Born and raised in Chicago, Keyz (a.k.a. Cameron Frazier) began singing at age 2(!). He recalls, “It was Faith Evans’ hit ‘Soon As I Get Home.’ I sang it out loud to my parents and friends and they all gave me this look of surprise. I was just learning to speak and yet I was delivering verses and choruses‌ and they were in tune!â€?

From that point on, there was little doubt that music was destined to become the major force field in his life. He took to the piano as if he had played it all of his life—playing any song by ear. And, thus, was born his lifetime moniker: Xavier Keyz.

His new single “Things Changeâ€? now available worldwide to stream! đ&#x;”Ľđ&#x;”Ľ đ&#x;’żđ&#x;’ż Click here to hear it:

IG: @keyzofficial | www.iamkeyz.com Text him at 213-293-1219

Chaka

Khan Latest Album “Hello Happiness”

For as much cultural progress as has been made over the last decade in the music business, the charts are still plagued by ageism and a lack of representation of sophisticated listeners’ tastes. Yes, inevitably, many veteran artists have shifted their focus to touring over recording for reasons aligned with an ongoing decline in record sales. The influence of a vocal institution such as Chaka Khan, however, never fades far from the minds of millions of fans, whether they be ardent followers or younger artists influenced by the masterful works of her five decades as a performer. Thus, it’s a shameful reflection of the industry that since the dawning of this millennium, one can count on three fingers the number of new albums she’s released.

While Hello Happiness, Khan’s first CD since 2007’s Funk This, is, in fact, more of an EP than a full-length album, the end result is one that is likely to more than satisfy the appetites of both devotees and new recruits. The opening title track (and current single) gets to the heart of the matter within seconds of its intro: “Music makes me say, ‘Goodbye sadness, hello happiness.’” The underpinnings of British producer/DJ Switch’s sonic prowess (bolstered by live bass and guitar) immediately set a tone that is classic in essence yet contemporary in energy. There is plenty of room for Khan to spread her soaring tones without distraction, but also shine with an arrangement that matches her innate vibrancy.

Khan, who participated in the writing of all seven tracks on Hello Happiness, continues her stride with equal zeal on the kinetically potent, melodically ecstatic “Like a Lady.” Veering from sultry and seductive on the verses to her signature fiery vamping on the choruses, she evokes the same passion and endurance as four decades ago on classic Rufus movers like “Once You Get Started” and “At Midnight.” The pace is momentarily slowed a tad for a breakdown of sorts, the interestingly rock- and hip-hop-clad, riff-based “Don’t Cha Know.” Building a brashly funky groove around a handful of Khan riffs proclaiming “I got my own thang,” the number adeptly blurs the lines between futuristic and retro.

Subsequently, the stylistically defiant “Too Hot,” featuring the production input of Milan-based BOT and Canadian composer Sarah Ruba Taylor (co-founder of Diary Records, home to Hello Happiness), casts Khan amidst a soundscape of blazing organ waves and rousing guitar lines in a number that most certainly could electrify an intense scene in a deserving action flick. “Seems like a dream, but it really was a nightmare,” she relates with cheeky, bluesy innuendo before heatedly espousing, “Who’s gonna feed my fire/Need a man who likes it rough.” Few could so seamlessly carry the weight from understatement to full-on assertation that she employs to bring the words to life so unmistakably.

Last year’s “Like Sugar,” the jam that brought Khan back to the spotlight at large, fits ideally in the mix of Hello Happiness. With Khan not only delivering the backing vocals, but also some hot timbales, and Samuel Aaron Wilkes providing the deeply insinuating bass guitar so central to the track’s dynamism, the affair is hard not to be drawn into time after time. The song’s refrain is easy on the ears, yet brought to life with fervor akin to “Tell Me Something Good.” Furthermore, Khan’s vocal from start to finish will disprove any skeptic’s doubts of a true singer’s ability to drive the flow and impact of a dance floor filler.

Pure infiltrations of reggae vibes permeate “Isn’t That Enough,” with a deep-rumbling bassline by Ricky Rouse setting the stage for Khan’s declarations of bliss and contentment complemented serenely by the sublime backings of Taylor and Tiffany Smith. From there, Hello Happiness closes out with a pared-down reprisal of “Like a Lady” entitled “Ladylike.” Bringing the tempo down and softening the mood, Khan adapts the former track’s melodies into gently swaying phrases which give the lyrics heightened clarity. Not foregoing touches of sass, the cut is a reminder that whether or not there’s a bristling beat behind her, Khan makes each tune she touches a standout that is hard to resist, and even harder to forget. Highly recommended.

Kirk Franklin Drops New Album “LONG LIVE LOVE”

Fourteen-time GRAMMY® Award winning artist,

songwriter and producer Kirk Franklin released LONG LIVE LOVE (Fo Yo Soul / RCA), his much anticipated new album. LONG LIVE LOVE is Franklin's thirteenth studio album and his first since 2015's Losing My Religion.

Showcasing Franklin's signature sound, the album's lead single "Love Theory" has held the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart for 17 weeks straight. Also a crossover hit, the infectious ode to God is currently #4 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart. Recently, Franklin introduced a new single from LONG LIVE LOVE entitled "OK" and premiered its accompanying music video. "Love Theory" and "OK" are among the album's ten beautifully crafted tracks that are sure to uplift the listeners' spirits.

To help celebrate the release of LONG LIVE LOVE, Franklin is hosting listening events at churches across the country in cities including New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Augusta, and Nashville. Additionally, he will kick off the 26-city LONG LIVE LOVE Tour on July 11th in Austin, TX. And he will return as host of the ninth season of the music competition show Sunday Best when it premieres on BET on June 30th.

With over 26 years in music and countless awards and accolades under his belt, Franklin is just as excited about LONG LIVE LOVE as he was about his very first project. He says, "Every album is my first album, the butterflies have never left".

by BWW News Desk

Jay-Z is now hip-hop’s first billionaire, according to Forbes

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter can officially add

“billionaire” to his growing list of titles.

According to Forbes, the Brooklyn-born artist-turned-entrepreneur’s business empire is now worth $1 billion, making him “one of only a handful of entertainers to become a billionaire — and the first hiphop artist to do so.”

Together, he and his wife Beyoncé — who has an estimated net worth of $355 million — became a billion-dollar couple in 2017.

The short list of other billionaires in the entertainment industry includes “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and basketball legend Michael Jordan.

In 1996, Jay-Z became a household name when he released his debut album, “Reasonable Doubt,” on his independent label, Roc-A-Fella Records. Since then, the 49-year-old — who has rapped about his unconventional rise from Brooklyn street corners to corporate boardrooms — has continued to expand his portfolio to include smart investments inside and outside of music.

In 1999, he launched clothing line Rocawear, which sold for a reported $204 million in 2007 to apparel company Iconix.

A year later, Jay-Z launched entertainment company Roc Nation, which is now worth an estimated $75 million. In 2015, he submitted a bid to purchase the parent company of Scandinavian streaming service Tidal for a little less than $60 million. The service, which he relaunched later that year, is now worth $100 million, according to Forbes.

On his 13th studio album “4:44,” Carter detailed some of his investments, including artwork that he purchased years ago for $1 million. Today, Forbes estimates that his art collection is worth roughly $70 million.

Aside from investments in art and music, the hip-hop mogul has also expanded his empire to include investments in Uber, real estate and liquor. Forbes reports that his stake in Uber is worth an estimated $70 million, his real estate investments are worth an estimated $50 million and his cognac, D’Ussé, sells almost 200,000 cases annually and is worth $100 million. His investment in the champagne company Armand de Brignac is worth an estimated $310 million.

Warren Buffett, who appeared on the cover of Forbes with Jay-Z in 2010, said that Carter was “teaching in a lot bigger classroom than I’ll ever teach in,” and explained that “for a young person growing up, [Jay-Z] is the guy to learn from.”

“Jay-Z’s journey is the modern-day embodiment of the American dream,” Zack O’Malley Greenburg, Forbes editor and author of ”Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office, ” tells Vibe. “His ascent offers an invaluable blueprint and inspiration to the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

Jay-Z performing at a concert. shanti | Twenty20

AMC”s New Show “NOS4A2” Is A Different Kind Of Vampire Story NOS4A2 (Sunday, AMC 10 p.m.) is a new supernatural-horror series based on Joe Hill’s bestselling novel of the same name.

It’s a sometimes powerful, sometimes dryly funny rethink of an ancient kind of story. Zachary Quinto plays the immortal vampire-figure antagonist, Charlie Manx. He lures children into his Rolls-Royce and feeds off them, but not their blood. He takes their souls to a place he calls Christmasland. His main adversary is Victoria McQueen (Ashleigh Cummings), a teenage art student who can use a certain old bridge to be in another place, another time. Visually sumptuous and broodingly slowmoving, the series aims way higher than most supernaturalhorror dramas. You can binge the entire season!

Beyoncé's First-Ever Movie Is Coming To Netflix, And Millennial Twitter Is Freaking Out Bey season is pretty much a year-round affair, but things have been especially active in the Hive these past few weeks. Fresh off of the masterpiece that is Homecoming, Beyoncé is returning to Netflix with another gift: the rerelease of her 2001 TV movie, Carmen: A Hip Hopera.

The streaming platform's Strong Black Lead arm, consisting of a group of Black executives, officially broke the exciting news on Thursday via Twitter. The announcement explains that Carmen: A Hip Hopera will stream for the entire month of June, and is a part of a "rotation of throwback films" Netflix will be featuring throughout the year in an effort to expose and stream more classic Black films.

For those who somehow aren't aware — hey, where've you been? — the made-for-MTV musical film is based on Georges Bizet's opera Carmen and marks Beyoncé's official film debut.

Directed by the incredible Robert Townsend, the movie also stars Mehki Phifer, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Joy Bryant, Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri and Bow Wow. It originally premiered on the cable network back in 2001.

The film served as a springboard for Bey's movie career, seeing her go on to star in a slew of blockbuster smashes including Austin Powers in Goldmember, The Fighting Temptations, Dreamgirls, Cadillac Records and Obsessed.

HEALTH & FITNESS

Why Doing Fewer Reps in the Gym Can Yield the Same Strength Gains

by Julia Savacoo for mensjournal.com

Banging out those last reps in the name of strength-building may not be productive after all. Researchers at CUNY Lehman College in New York took a group of generally fit men and put them on a three-times-a-week strength protocol. They were instructed to do either a minimal, medium, or max number of reps of upper and lower body exercises.

After two months, participants showed virtually equal strength gains. The high-volume group did score better in one area, though: muscle size.

“For muscle growth, volume is a key driver,” says author and exercise scientist Brad Schoenfeld. “But high-volume training can quickly lead to overtraining—when the workload exceeds the body’s ability to recover.”

Find balance by alternating volume every month: Week one, go high-volume for muscle growth, then bring it down for three weeks.

[ feed your focus ] www.asrv.co

[ train anywhere ] ASRV gear is designed for all condition - versatile environment training. www.asrv.co

Click Here To See The Trailer

‘Krypton’ Season 2

SyFy has released an action-packed full-length trailer for season 2 of Krypton, one of the channel’s offerings in the superhero genre. And it doesn’t get much more super than Superman.

Season 1 of Krypton introduced us to Seg-El (Cameron Cuffe), known to us here on Earth as Superman’s grandfather. The story follows Seg-El as he fights for justice on his home planet. DC Comics fans will recognize some names and venues, but this is not your parents’ Superman. The story is set 200 years before Krypton’s fateful end and is not a Superman prequel, but an original story.

Season 2 begins six months after the devastation of the first season. It shows us a different landscape and introduces us to more villains for Seg-El and his gang to battle, including a scenestealing Lobo.

Check it out here.

Click Here To See The Trailer

MENSWEAR DENIM SPRING - SUMMER

BY G-STAR 2019 It always feels like some kind of retro touch in G-Star collections.

As well as in this Spring-Summer collection.

Male models wear 1920's like designs: suspenders, hats, feeling it?

Check out the color shades of these jeans, jackets and shirts.

Click Here To See The Trailer

TOMMY HILFIGER X LEWIS HAMILTON Racetrack To Runway: Formula 1 Racing Driver Lewis Hamilton Designs Another Tommy Hilfiger Collection

By Daniel Reyes for megaman.onemega.com

The five-time Formula One world champion is not only known for his mad driving skills, but also for his impeccable style. So it was really just a matter of time for him to showcase his talent in designing as well. After his successful collaborative capsule for Tommy’s Fall 2018, he continues to be the global brand ambassador for spring 2019. Now, he’s back as a collaborator with his second collection.

This season’s TommyXLewis adds a fresh twist to classic sportswear designs. It features bright pink and purple pop of colors, oversized “CREATE X UNITY” graphics, and dip-dyed grading inspired by edgy Los Angeles street-style.

According to Tommy, “Lewis and I [were] both inspired by everything around us. We have channeled this into truly unique looks, [and] I’ve loved watching Lewis evolve in the world of fashion design.”

“For Spring 2019, Lewis and I were inspired by the edgy street-style of Los Angeles, fusing West Coast-style with the classic American cool DNA of our brand.” – Tommy Hilfiger

“Lewis and I are both inspired by everything around us and we have channeled this into truly unique looks. I’ve loved watching Lewis evolve in the world of fashion design. And I look forward to presenting our new collection with him to fans around the world” – Tommy Hilfiger

Lewis Hamilton, the British Formula 1 ace with 62 Grand Prix wins under his belt (the second highest tally ever, after Michael Schumacher), is the new brand ambassador for American brand Tommy Hilfiger.

The British racing driver, on the other hand, shared that “collaborating with Tommy continues to be an inspiring journey of discovery, celebrating self-expression and individuality. It has been incredible to see our creativity come to life through every piece of the collection, fusing my personal style with the American heritage.”

Perhaps that’s why upon looking at the collection closely, it highlighted sporty influences, heritage pieces, and oversized silhouettes. It effortlessly blends Lewis Hamilton’s fashionforward sensibility with Tommy Hilfiger’s classic American cool DNA.

In fact, Tommy himself explained that “it’s always really special when our ambassadors infuse personal meaning into our collaborations. Lewis’ creative spirit and passion for bringing unique experiences to fans around the world comes through in every collection, campaign, and event we partner on.”

Lewis Hamilton explained how he has evolved as a creative, and all his inspirations for the TommyXLewis collection. He proves that his ongoing story both on and off the track is one built on the drive, commitment and a passionate belief in the power of always dreaming bigger.

What inspired the Spring 2019 TommyXLewis collaborative collection?

The collection celebrates the streetstyle of Los Angeles that always inspires me every time I visit. [We] wanted to create a truly unique collection that fused my personal style with the American heritage of the brand.

How would you style your favorite pieces from the Spring 2019 TommyXLewis collaborative collection?

I would pair the distressed skinny organic cotton jeans with a crewneck sweater and the reversible bomber jacket, which can dress up any look.

The “CREATE X UNITY” graphic across the chest of the sweater and the stripe details down the arms of the jacket adds an unexpected twist and make it a really cool piece.

When I’m at home I dress for comfort, so any of the tracksuits would be perfect.

How have you evolved as a designer?

Tommy continues to be an incredibly inspiring mentor. I’m still learning a lot from him, and I’ve come a long way in just one year. This experience has given me so much more confidence in the design studio. As I gain confidence, I’m able to focus more on details such as sustainability, which is exciting and really important to me.

The word “unity” features on many of the styles. What does this word mean to you?

Unity can lead to something totally new and powerful, which inspired the “UNITY X CREATE” graphics throughout this collection. Now more than ever, it’s important to collaborate to create change and create something new.

The Spring 2019 TommyXLewis collection will be available at Tommy Hilfiger stores globally, through select wholesale partners and online. Follow them on Instagram at @TommyHilfiger and @LewisHamilton for more updates.

AP

Black Boys will be the primar y victims if teachers bring guns into the classroom

Studies confirm that black students, especially boys, are punished more harshly in public schools than are their white classmates for the same misconduct.

While some have viewed schools as inherently safe, that hasn’t always been the case for black students.

The truth is that black students are far more likely to face harsher punishment in school than their white counterparts. From suspensions to arrests, schools have provided us with a first-hand look at the racial disparities that affect the way students are disciplined.

Now that Florida Republicans have passed HB 7093, a bill that allows armed teachers in Florida’s classrooms, the threat of harsh punishment, or worse, will be further intensified for black students.

I proposed implicit bias training to be added to HB 7093 because research has found, for example, it’s why people tend to view black boys as less innocent by the time they reach the age of 10. It’s why black students are three times more likely to face out-of-school suspension or expulsion than their white counterparts for the same types of behaviors. It’s why law enforcement undergoes implicit bias training in addition to firearms training.

Why? Because implicit bias and firearms are a deadly combination.

By passing HB 7093, Florida has all but guaranteed the death of a black student at the hands of an armed teacher. Blood will be on the hands of those who voted for this bill and the governor that signs it into law.

Why? Because implicit bias and firearms are a deadly combination.

By passing HB 7093, Florida has all but guaranteed the death of a black student at the hands of an armed teacher. Blood will be on the hands of those who voted for this bill and the governor that signs it into law.

I became a public school teacher to inspire children and educate the next generation of Florida leaders. I know the challenges that come with being a teacher that is underpaid and overworked. As much as I want to keep our students safe, an armed teacher is not the answer to the gun violence epidemic that plagues our schools.

Gov. Ron DeSantis can still veto this dangerous and misguided legislation. Earlier this year, I called on Gov. DeSantis to form a commission to examine ways to prevent gun violence in minority communities throughout Florida. It’s not too late to stop this bill and reevaluate our options for school safety.

Let’s be honest, the push to arm teachers as a solution to school shootings is a blind spot among lawmakers who do not have to navigate the world as a black man.

Just as politicians have come to acknowledge the failed “tough on crime” policies of the 1970s, we must stop HB 7093 before black students become a casualty of the Florida Legislature’s ignorance.

OP-ED by State Rep. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park, represents House District 101 in the Florida Legislature for the miamiherald.com

K.ROSS ART

K Ross Art Bio (Kelly Robinson)

Kelly has been a native of Chicago since 1988, and is well known and well respected in the Chicago music, cultural and social scene. His foray into the art world was a logical next step. His love for art comes from his love for the differences in people, nature’s beauty, the passions of others and the chronicle of the African-American experience.

He is an accomplished abstract artist that has been painting since 2002.

Kelly’s passion for life and love resonates in his works with bold colors and textures. His works also reflect his mood and various inspirations from the spaces and the people around him.

Kelly has sold numerous paintings and his original works have been collected by art collectors in Spain, Belgium, the Bahamas as well as, various cities throughout the United States, including his hometown of Ypsilanti, Michigan and Chicago.

His art has been exhibited locally in galleries throughout Chicago, but he prefers the intimacy of private art shows where he can personally interact with each new potential collector and tailors the conversation to each art connoisseur’s passion.

Kelly likes to ensure each person selects the perfect K.Ross Art painting that best reflects his or her personality. He enjoys getting to know more about each potential collector. He feels the painting that a person selects to buy needs to move them and inspires a smile.

Each original artwork is created organically and is bold, powerful, colorful, textured and sparks the imagination. His artwork requires you to come closer so that you can experience his creative spirit up close and personal.

There is never a print. Each original painting is The Only One In The World.

You can find more of K.Ross Art at:

Instagram: Krossoriginalart

Facebook: K. Ross Art

You can contact him at kelly@krossoriginalart.com

Private Viewing By Appointment Only

Photo credit: David Slocumb Photography

K.ROSS ART

Tell us a little about yourself?

Besides what my bio says about me as an artist, K.Ross the person is a positive, spirited and a proud African-American man. I’m blessed and I was raised with strong values, with respect for others. I was born and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan by my mom and grandparents and blessed to have a village of family and neighbors that guided and protected me. All of them were great examples that shaped the course of my life.

With dreams of being a movie star (the next Eddie Murphy‌lol), I left home after graduating from my local Junior college to pursue a life bigger than I could image in Chicago. In Chicago, I completed my B.A. at Columbia College in Music Business and Marketing. After graduating in 1990, I had planned to move to Los Angeles to pursue the next journey in life but God had other plans for me.

I quickly gained employment with A&M Records and on my first day on the job, my boss asked me to promote Janet Jackson’s newest single, Love Will Never Do Without You, and the rest is my music history.

I like to travel but mostly to beach locations. Oceans help me find my peace and I enjoy swimming for hours.

I enjoy the outdoors and adventures and working out in the gym. I definitely enjoy long and adventurous bike rides and riding roller coasters (no-hands). . I am NOT a TV guy. I have too much energy to sit still for more than an hour. I also enjoy sports but in small doses. I like watching track & field and basketball, preferably in person.

I embrace all forms of art, music, painting, theatre, movies, dance, and spoken word. Basically, anything creative I admire.

In all, I am a fun, positive and spirited guy that enjoys life, meeting new people and doing fun activities. I enjoy laughing, smiling and creating WOW moments for others along my journey in life. I am happy living my true life and being ME with my family and friends.

What inspires you to do art?

My inspiration is driven from an organic and spontaneous explosion of creative energy in my whole body. It’s a mood. A feeling of excitement in my heart and mind that drives this feeling of I can’t wait to get to my paint, my brushes and my canvas to release the creative energy in my spirit. I can’t wait to give birth to a new piece of art that reflects my spirit. I call my art my Kids.

How do you work and what materials do you like to work with?

I approach my work from a free and organic place. From the moment the brush touches the canvas I zone everything and everyone out. The moment belongs to the art and each of my brush strokes. Each piece is different from the last, stands on its own and tells its own story. Each piece, secretly, is a reflection of my life, spirit, mood, emotions, past experiences and people in my life. I title each piece after I paint it.

My materials of choice are premium acrylic paints and sometimes, oil, wax, paste and ink on paper or canvas. Various textured mediums help create the story of the pieces.

What does your art mean to you?

Art means to me: Imagination. Beauty. Investment. A valuable asset. A reflection of me, you and anything one sees in each piece. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

As I look at your art, I see that a majority of your work is abstract. Why is that style prominent throughout your work?

I favor abstract over figurative art because for me it requires a person to look closer. Come closer to see the details and depth. It requires you to use your imagination. Find what the art is a reflection of. See the beauty of the art.

As I look at your art, I see that a majority of your work is abstract. Why is that style prominent throughout your work?

I favor abstract over figurative art because for me it requires a person to look closer. Come closer to see the details and depth. It requires you to use your imagination. Find what the art is a reflection of. See the beauty of the art.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?

I have been blessed with nothing but positive feedback from people. I have gotten many similar responses from customers such as;

• Wow! / Impressive • Seeing the piece in person is much better. You can see the details and depth of the work.

• People see something • Do you have prints available?

• I didn’t know you were so talented.

All responses have been favorable and a driving inspiration to keep pushing myself to level-up to my satisfaction first.

Where would you like your art to take you?

To fill as many walls as God sees fit for me to fill with K.Ross Original Art. I want my art to take me to new opportunities to make people smile and see beauty where they hadn’t seen it before. To places that best reflect ME!

Most important I want my art to take me to all places positive and fulfilling to me!

What would be your dream project?

I am doing my dream project now…painting. Creating emotions of WOW and smiles. I’m giving birth to my Kids that are a reflection of my spirit and they are appreciated and admired by others. With each piece I create, I’m living my dream!

How can others find your art?

Instagram: Krossoriginalart | Facebook: K.Ross Art Email: krosbrands@gmail.com | Email: krossoriginalart.com

Photo by Chris Herr/HBO

'Native Son' Proves How Little Has Changed for Black People in America

By A.T. McWilliams FOR VICE.COM

HBO's modern adaptation of Richard Wright’s 1940 novel shows the fears and anxieties that constrain so many Black people.

HBO’s Native Son, an adaptation of Richard Wright’s 1940 novel of the same name, isn’t your typical cinematic examination of race in America. That is to say, it doesn’t spew fantasies of racial harmony, or propagate the worn-out trope of white saviorism (cough cough, like Greenbook did). Instead, director Rashid Johnson and screenwriter Suzan-Lori Parks offer a harrowing glimpse into the inner-workings of Black pain, set in present day Chicago. Through anti-hero Bigger (played by Moonlight’s Ashton Sanders), the film peers into the anxiety and depression endemic to Black experience in America, along with its unique root causes.

For Bigger, such deep-seated pain is rooted in poverty. Native Son begins with Bigger chasing a rat through his cramped South Side Chicago apartment, which is barely large enough for his single mother, younger sister and brother, and himself, before striking the rodent with a skillet—his first kill of the film.

Not unlike the rat, Bigger and his family are trapped. But a lucrative way-out presents itself to Bigger: a job as a driver for Mr. Dalton, a wealthy white philanthropist (played by Bill Camp) and his outspoken, leftist daughter Mary (played by Margaret Qualley). As Bigger enters the Daltons’s elegant mansion, adorned in racially conscious art and volumes of European literature, we see a different, more affluent side of Chicago.

“I was willing to change a lot of things about this story,” Johnson told VICE over the phone. “One thing that was non-negotiable was that the film would take place in Chicago”—just as the story does in Wright’s original novel. Johnson, who was born in Chicago, went on to describe the city as being as “charming” as it is “brutal,” descriptors that shine through in his cinematography, which casts a dark, cloudy pall over his hometown, an apt illustration of Bigger’s bitterness and despair.

Such hopelessness was a key theme in the Wright’s book, which sold more than 215,000 copies in its first three weeks.

Photo by Chris Herr/HBO

And at the time, Bigger grew to represent more than himself in the American cultural imagination; he embodied Black life during the Great Depression, an era that left 50 percent of Black people in Chicago unemployed —a staggering consequence of racist hiring practices and rampant segregation, making Wright’s Native Son a tale of two cities.

Like Wright’s book, the contemporary film adaptation juxtaposes both Bigger and the Daltons’s worlds, which Bigger is charged with seamlessly moving between. In doing so, it reckons with the processes of segregation and gentrification that continue to plague Chicago today—as seen through the eyes of his anti-hero, who constantly questions Black people’s place in society.

Johnson said he first became obsessed with Bigger after his mother gave him Wright’s novel at age 15. With the film, Johnson said he was interested in dissecting Bigger’s “psychological schisms,” unpacking the anxieties that can be “buried inside of the Black psyche because of the more systematic aspects of white supremacy.” This becomes evident in an early inner-monologue from Bigger, who, while playing an arcade basketball game on the South Side, refers to his oppressors’ motives with respect to the Black community: “Keep them fed and entertained and stupid. That way you can keep them where you want them.”

The film explores the ways that oppression can make you resist societal constraints, transforming Wright’s Bigger into an afropunk loner, gloomy and apathetic and aggressively alternative. Sanders's rendition of Bigger is wiry and long-limbed, with lightning-green hair, tortoiseshell glasses, white socks beneath ankle-length pants, and a leather jacket covered in safety pins and the words “OR AM I FREAKING YOU OUT” graffitied in white. He prefers punk and classical music to hip-hop. He’s never what you think he is.

According to Johnson, Sanders was “not necessarily what people imagined” when reading Wright’s depiction of Bigger, whose name suggests someone more physically imposing. But Johnson said Sanders better captured Bigger’s “fragility,” offset by a “deep, brooding voice that doesn’t necessarily match his physicality.” Moreover, Sanders's commitment to the character allowed him to manifest his greatest complexities—his sense of righteous rebellion, his unrelenting anxieties, his depression, his fear—sometimes captured in small silent movements, like a furrowed brow or a fearful stare. But what did Bigger have to fear?

Photo by Chris Herr/HBO

During Native Son’s climactic juncture, Bigger returns to the Dalton’s home with Mary after joining her at a friend’s party. As he attempts to help her into bed, and Mary’s inebriated state grows louder and more disruptive, Bigger hears her blind mother walking down the hall, and he suddenly fears for his job. His goal becomes urgent and clear: avoid being caught in such a precarious position—that of a young Black man tending to his wealthy boss’ white daughter, whose intoxicated commotion might inaccurately appear as screams for help, a death sentence in any era. To stop Mary from screaming, and drawing the attention of her mother, Bigger holds a pillow over her head—unintentionally suffocating her to death. Suddenly, the reality of what just occurred sets in. To protect himself, he disposes of her dead body in their family’s furnace. And once his attempt to hide his crime fails, he finds himself on the run.

Photo by Chris Herr/HBO After his unintentional murder of Mary, Bigger is seen at the edge of a waterbank. There, he reckons with his double consciousness—or, as he describes it, the experience of “always looking at oneself through the eyes of others. Of measuring oneself by the tape of the world that looks on in amused contempt. And pity.” His words underscore a key argument of Native Son: In America, oppressed people are perpetually subject to the controlling gaze of their oppressors. As a result, Bigger feels the world will never see him as the individual he desperately seeks to be. And though his murderous act was unintended, as a Black man in America, he’ll always be seen as guilty.

As such, Bigger embodies the fears and anxieties that constrain so many Black people, whose mental health worsens with every microaggression, every police killing, and countless examples of anti-Black sentiment, blatant racism, and bigoted violence. Therein lies the triumph of Johnson’s and Parks’s adaptation, and even where it improves upon the book on which it is based: Native Son confronts the complications of being Black in America by looking inward. And with its ambitious take on a timeless story, the film reveals how Black pain can take hold so deeply that, as we see with Bigger, selfpreservation becomes self-destruction.

POWERBEATS PRO REVIEW: THE BEST BEATS Apple’s wor kout headphones are so much more than just a gym accessor y

By Vlad Savov for verge.com

D

r. Dre, the man who boasted about

being the first billionaire in hip-hop after selling his Beats by Dre to Apple, can be forgiven for taking it easy these days. He has nothing left to prove to anyone. But Beats, the brand that transcended its origins as a cynical celebrity cash-in and became a cultural icon, has everything to prove. For a long time, Apple had seemingly frozen development of new products inside Beats, allowing its adopted brand to release only minor updates and alternative colorways. You could be forgiven for thinking Beats was a neglected stepchild.

The new Powerbeats Pro put any such worries to rest. They are the most sincerely and comprehensively new Beats product since the Apple takeover, and they are a triumph. The Doctor’s headphone elves have been quietly busy, and the first true wireless Beats earphones happen to also be the best Beats headphones of any size or kind. At $250, they don’t come cheap. However, the Powerbeats Pro deliver numerous advantages over Apple’s cheaper and simpler AirPods, and those upgrades totally validate the Beats price premium.

Upon unboxing the Powerbeats Pro, you’ll have to stifle a laugh at the size of their carrying case. It’s like a regular true-wireless headphones case with a serious case of gigantism. You could probably fit four AirPods cases in the volume occupied by the Powerbeats Pro’s indulgently chunky box. Looking on the bright side, it’s a very robust case, it includes a battery to more than double the earphones’ running time, and it’s still less than half the size of a case for over-ear headphones. And without wishing to get ahead of myself, the sound quality of the Powerbeats Pro is good enough for them to indeed be compared to over-ear portable alternatives.

The design of this new generation of Powerbeats is subtly brilliant. It still has the crossbar section that houses the batteries for each bud, but now it’s much more gracefully integrated into the hard stem that curves up to go over and around the back of the ear. Apple also gradually softened the part that wraps around your ear to make it more comfortable and forgiving to what’s a highly sensitive area of the body. (There’s no fat to protect the cartilage of your ear.) That single, flowing external shape makes the Powerbeats Pro look vastly more coherent and intentionally designed than their chunky predecessor.

invisible Galaxy Buds — but it allows you to feel more comfortable wearing a pair of Powerbeats earphones outside the context of a gym or an exercise session.

Seating the earbuds into my ears was a bit of a fiddly task at first. They don’t have the AirPods’ streamlined, mindlessly simple shape, and so I have to pay a bit of attention getting them on and off.

The advantageous difference from the AirPods, though, is that the Powerbeats Pro have various sizes of in-ear tips, so they have a far more customizable fit. That should mean they have a better chance of matching the people who find the AirPods fall out or don’t fit correctly.

With the new Powerbeats, I do find that if I don’t position them well, the right over-ear hook starts to dig into the back of my ear. (You can blame my physical asymmetry for why it only happens on one side.) I also worried about those hooks clashing with the arms of glasses, but my colleague Chris Welch, who tried the Powerbeats Pro at their announcement, says the trick is to put the earphones on before your glasses and everything is fine. Once you get past those minor stumbles, what you’ll get from the Powerbeats Pro is absolutely phenomenal fit, stability, and comfort.

For their size and shape, these are super light earphones. I wouldn’t quite say you can forget you’re wearing them, mostly owing to the over-ear hooks rather than the buds themselves, but these aren’t too far away from the feathery ease of wear of the AirPods.

My colleague Thomas Ricker has two specific complaints about Apple’s other wireless earphones: he hates the way the connecting cord of the earlier Powerbeats would flap against the back of his neck while running, and when switching to the AirPods, he finds his hoodie catches their protruding stems when he turns his head. The Powerbeats Pro solve both of those issues. Their nicely curved exterior design means they have no aberrant shapes sticking out to catch on things. I very much approve these headphones for use with hoodies, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the savvy Beats engineers made a point of perfecting that jogger-friendly combination.

THESE SOLVE MANY OF THE ERGONOMIC PROBLEMS OF NECKBUDS AND THE AIRPODS

The Powerbeats Pro are, at their heart, exercise headphones, and I put them through their paces. I ran, played basketball, jumped around like a 20-year-old at a metal concert, I lifted weights, I grimaced, I even broke a sweat with the Pros on. But they didn’t. I’m shocked by just how stable these earphones remain in my ears no matter what I throw at them. (Side note: the battery case isn’t water-resistant like the buds, so you should definitely dry the sweat off the buds before tossing them back in there.)

Cognizant of the incompatibility between touch controls and sweaty hands, Apple has wisely stuck to mechanical controls on the Powerbeats Pro. There’s a symmetrical arrangement on each bud: The circular “b” logo is the control for music playback and answering or rejecting calls, and there’s a small volume rocker above that. With the new Apple H1 chip on board, you also get the option to have Siri always listening for your voice commands.

THEY MAY BE AN APPLE PRODUCT, Being a devoted Android user, I have primarily been using the Powerbeats Pro BUT THE POWERBEATS PRO ALSO paired to a Google Pixel 3 XL. Guess what?

They work brilliantly together. Keeping up WORK BEAUTIFULLY WITH the excellent wireless performance of the ANDROID DEVICES AirPods, Apple’s Powerbeats Pro provide a faultlessly stable connection — I’ve had exactly zero dropouts or signal disturbances — and they have the longest connection range of any true wireless headphones I’ve yet tested. Given the Pixel’s reputation for having somewhat questionable Bluetooth performance, I can say you’d struggle to find a device that won’t work beautifully with the Powerbeats Pro. Not that that should be a surprise when Apple’s already on the second generation of its true wireless AirPods champ.

Watching YouTube videos on Android with the Powerbeats Pro, I notice no detectable lag. The automatic sensors that pause and resume music depending on whether you have the earphones in also work as well on Android as they do on iOS. Same goes for taking calls with these earbuds: no latency, no garbling or failure to communicate. In fact, the Powerbeats Pro are so good at things that have nothing to do with workouts that I’m tempted to recommend them as a universal pair of doeverything earbuds.

Their claimed nine-hour battery life off one charge is so good that I’ve never been able to come close to draining them. Even at my most intensive and extended listening, I don’t go beyond five hours at a time, and then when I return to the earphones, they’ve refueled inside their chunky case and are ready to go even longer. Apple claims a total of 24 hours of power between the case and the earphones. It’s almost enough to make me forgive the company for forcing me to carry a Lightning cable around specifically for the Powerbeats Pro. Wireless or USB-C charging really would have been helpful.

But there are two things that prevent me from crowning the Powerbeats Pro as the uncontested best true wireless earbuds.

One is that they don’t quite have the noise isolation to be great commuter headphones. Don’t misunderstand: these have a vastly better seal and isolation than the AirPods and are a real upgrade from Apple on that front. But when I’m wearing them on the London Tube, subtler music like Burial’s Burial gets overwhelmed by the drone of the train’s passage through the tunnel. Jabra’s Elite 65t are far superior in these circumstances, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds also hold their own, and if you’re willing to tolerate a connecting wire, neckbuds like the OnePlus Bullets Wireless do an even better job.

The other small foible, and it’s a highly unusual one for THE POWERBEATS PRO Beats headphones, is that the Powerbeats Pro have a lot COMBINE ENERGETIC of treble energy in their tuning. This is a complicated issue to address because that treble is what gives them HIGHS WITH A TIGHT my favorite sound of any Beats headphones to date, but it AND IMPACTFUL BASS can also be fatiguing if you’re just listening to the Powerbeats Pro in a quiet place and trying to relax. These THAT’S FULL OF are not laid-back headphones at all, and you have to know AUTHORITY and be comfortable with that right from the beginning.

Why do I enjoy the Powerbeats Pro sound? Well, it’s everything that a sports or workout pair of headphones is supposed to give you. To be stimulating, workout music has to be aggressive and in your face, not veiled or demure. The Powerbeats Pro combine energetic highs with a tight and impactful bass that is full of authority.

Music feels dynamic, fast, and, indeed, aggressive through these headphones. Any Apple enthusiasts feeling bass-deprived by the AirPods will find themselves very much at home with the Powerbeats Pro.

The signature Beats bass emphasis is much more refined on the Powerbeats Pro, and it serves only to provide a nice sweetener to vocals and instruments. Male voices sound a little deeper and a little richer than they naturally are, which makes them — and the Pros’ overall sound signature — more pleasant to listen to. If it wasn’t for that extra bit of treble sharpness, I seriously would be recommending these as your go-to headphones for all situations. But I have to also underline the fact that these wouldn’t be as good in their primary use case as sports headphones without those imposing highs.

Sampha’s Process serves up a good illustration of the Powerbeats Pro’s deftness in handling more nuanced and gentler productions. That album also shows off the surprisingly wide soundstage of these earphones. Rodrigo y Gabriela’s Area 52, on the other hand, challenges the Pros with a diverse cavalcade of instruments, including an entire orchestra at times, all interwoven and layered into a fast-paced, complex performance. Like a sports star who happens to also be good at academics, the Powerbeats Pro do a remarkably cogent job of playing back all genres of music.

The Powerbeats Pro are the best Beats product yet. They raise the bar for what can be expected of fitness and true wireless earphones, both in terms of sound quality and battery endurance. They improve on Apple’s own AirPods in tangible ways, and they shame rivals like Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless that can’t seem to be able to figure out the whole wireless connectivity issue.

You can go on Amazon or AliExpress today and find true wireless earbuds for less than $30, so the $250 asking price of the Powerbeats Pro is a considerable spend. But none of those budget alternatives will come close to the design refinement, wireless performance, sound quality, or fit and stability of the Powerbeats Pro. Or that nine-hour battery life. Apple took a long time to spit out a truly new Beats product, but now that it has, the wait has absolutely been worth it.

Photography by Vlad Savov / The Verge

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