Fall Issue No. 15

REVIEWS Beauty products Mobile apps And more!

SPORTS Celebration Bowl celebrates HBCUs Georgia State makes history East Lake Cup

ENTERTAINMENT Concussion Creed Giraffage JoJo

EVENTS Bentley’s all-new SUV Soul Train Awards Red Bull Soapbox Race

INTERVIEWS No. 15

Fourplay Ladies Who Brunch ATL

Contents Arts & culture 4 Habsburg Splendor FakeSavian Elf the Musical Cinderella

4 7 9 10

Brrr!

13

Beauty 14 Caring For your Brushes Natural Beauty Series, Part 1 - Shea Butter Part 2 - Black Soap Part 3 - Coconut Oil

14 16 19 21

Video Games 23 Street Fighter V Pocket Gothic Kromaia

24 25 26

Events 27 Bentley Bentayga Debut Red Bull Soapbox Race Ladies Who Brunch ATL

27 32 35

Soul Train Awards

38

Movies 43 Concussion CHI-RAQ Creed Spotlight

43 46 50 52

Paranoid Girls

53

Music 54 Beer & Tacos Fest JoJo in Concert Giraffage Fourplay

54 56 58 60

Sports 68 Bowl Mania - Cure Bowl Belk Bowl Celebration Bowl Georgia Tech Football

68 70 72 74

Atlanta Hawks East Lake Cup

Travel & Recreation 87 J International: The Face of Travel PlayNConnect Periscope Waze Glide

87 88 90 92 93

*cover photo: Inaugural Celebration Bowl at the Georgia Dome by Hakim Wright

78 82

Arts & Culture A major American collaboration brings masterworks amassed by one of the longest-reigning European dynasties to the High Museum of Art. “Habsburg Splendor: Masterpieces from Vienna's Imperial Collections,” on view Oct. 18, 2015, through Jan. 17, 2016, showcases masterpieces and rare objects from the collection of the Habsburg Dynasty—the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire and other powerful rulers who commissioned extraordinary artworks now in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

“Habsburg Splendor,” largely composed of works that have never traveled outside of Austria, was co-organized by the High, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA), the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.

The exhibition explores the dramatic rise and fall of the Habsburgs’ global empire, from their political ascendance in the late Middle Ages to the height of their power in the 16th and 17th centuries, the expansion of the dynasty in the 18th and 19th centuries to its decline in 1918 at the end of World War I.

Prince's Dress Carriage, ca. 1750-1755, wood, gold, paint, varnish, metal, leather, braids, velvet, and glass, 107 × 204 1/2 × 81 inches (271.8 cm × 519.4 cm × 205.7 cm).

Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria

The more than 90 artworks and artifacts that tell the story include arms and armor, sculpture, Greek and Roman antiquities, court costumes, a carriage and sleigh, decorative art objects, and paintings by such masters as Correggio, Giorgione, Rubens, Tintoretto, Titian and Velázquez.

Key masterpieces traveling for the first time to the United States include: • The Crowning with Thorns (c. 1602/1604) by Caravaggio • A portrait of Jane Seymour (1536), Queen of England and third wife to Henry VIII,

by Hans Holbein the Younger • Jupiter and Io (c. 1530/32) by Correggio The three main sections to Habsburg Splendor are Dawn of the Dynasty, Golden Age, and Twilight of the Empire.

Dawn of the Dynasty features objects commissioned or collected by the Habsburgs from the 13th through the 16th centuries. In this late medieval/early Renaissance period, Habsburg rulers staged elaborate commemorative celebrations to demonstrate power and to establish their legitimacy to rule, a tradition that flourished during the reigns of Maximilian I and his heirs. Works from this era—including sabres and armor, tapestries, Roman cameos, and large-scale paintings—illustrate the significance of war and patronage in expanding Habsburg influence and prestige.

The second and largest section of the exhibition highlights the apex of Habsburg rule, the Baroque Age of the 17th and 18th centuries. The dynasty used religion, works of art, and court festivities to propagate its self-image and claim to rule during this politically tumultuous time.

Paintings by Europe’s leading artists demonstrate the wealth and taste of the Habsburg rulers, while crucifixes wrought in precious metals and gems, as well as sumptuous ecclesiastical vestments, reflect the emperor’s role as defender of the Catholic faith.

The exhibition concludes with works from the early 19th century, when the fall of the Holy Roman Empire gave rise to the hereditary Austrian Empire—a transition from the ancient régime to a modern state in which merit determined distinction and advancement. Franz Joseph, who would reign longer than any previous Habsburg, saw the growth of nationalism and ultimately ruled over a dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary. As heir to the Habsburg legacy —and in the spirit of public education and enrichment—he founded the Kunsthistorisches Museum in 1891. Reflecting the modernization of the Habsburg administration, the exhibition will end with a spectacular display of official court uniforms and dresses.

Michelangelo Merisi, called Caravaggio (Italian, 1571-1610), The Crowning with Thorns, ca. 1602-1604, oil on canvas, 50 × 65 9/16 inches (127 cm × 166.5 cm). Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria

Bernardo Bellotto, called Canaletto, The Imperial Summer Residence of Schönbrunn, Courtyard Side, ca. 1759/61,oil on canvas, 53-3/16 x 92-1/2 inches, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Fake Savian There are so many amazing things about Atlanta, but one that stands out the most is the art scene. We always show you what’s new and ‘coming soon’ in the arts scene around town, and I was fortunate enough to learn about an artist who goes by FakeSavian.

FakeSavian is a 26 year Atlanta based visual artist who currently works in digital, acrylic, oil, and various other mediums.

Being a graphic designer by trade, he focuses his efforts in fine art and design.

On page 54 you'll see a story on an inaugural music festival called Beer and Tacos. Part of that showcase was an Art Stroll where I was able to see FS work firsthand.

I’m not the only one that whose caught eye of this young talent. He’s also worked with Revolt, Adidas, Studio 43 and many more of today's industry leaders in design and art. He's been represented in New York, Atlanta, Augusta and Miami.

When I haphazardly ran across his work, I immediately noticed anime and video game characters with a personal touch. Anyone whose familiar with Anime, Japanimation, Manga, or Capcom, would notice some familiar characters that were tweaked to his liking.

During the Art Stroll (one of his pieces from the Stroll can be seen below), I was able to see his customized pieces of popular characters such as Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z), Cammy (Street Fighter series), Mega Man (Mega Man series) and many others.

His work can be viewed and purchased on www.fakesavian.com You can also view more of his work such as Vivi Orunitia (Final Fantasy IX), Mega Man, Samurai Jack (top right on last page), Bart Simpson (The Simpsons), and KAWS effects on his Instagram page using the handle @FAKEsavian He’s definitely an artist you want to keep an eye on. Be sure to follow him for original works and events around the city where he’ll setup shop.

-Jon J. *All artwork & photos courtesy of FakeSavian

Elf the Musical

Imagine a world where Santa is sarcastically jolly and 1% of the North Pole’s elf population was 6 ft. 3 inches tall. That my friends is Elf The Musical. Set in Santa’s Workshop in the North Pole, Mr. Claus is more relatable than any of us first thought.

Who knew that Santa Claus knew about Waffle House and Chipotle in Decatur? Just a few things that make him amazing.

Buddy the Elf is a displaced elf who doesn’t realize he’s human until he hears fellow elves commenting on the mischief he haphazardly stumbles into. After asking Santa about his true origins, our pal Buddy is off to New York to find his father. Buddy, played by Ken Clement, was a happy and joyous elf who loved to sing, dance, and rejoice in the Christmas spirit. Once he finds his dad (D. Scott Withers) he knows he’ll have his work cut out for him. His family doesn’t believe in Santa and the majority of New York City share his sentiments. Santa’s sleigh runs on the beliefs of people as he very sarcastically explained how PETA ruined his reindeer operation.

Elf The Musical is a hilarious adaptation of the movie where Will Ferrell had audiences laughing all through the holiday season. While I wouldn’t say this is totally family friendly because of some of the comedy, I’d say anyone in their teens should be ok. The audience was great, the actors were great, and the singing was contagious.

The Fox Theatre wins again as does Broadway Atlanta with another successful and thoroughly entertaining show.

-Jon J.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella It is extremely rare that I use the term ‘perfect’ (or any variation of it) but there is simply no other way to describe the Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella experience.

It was a very hazy, humid Atlanta night when I set my sights on the Fox Theatre.

Everyone was dressed like they were attending a special event… And they were. Little girls could be seen everywhere dressed up as princesses, some even mimicking Cinderella down to the tiara.

Once the show started, there was nonstop laughter and singing through the duration of the musical. Kaitlyn Davidson steps into the glass slippers in the title role of Cinderella, which she also understudied in the Broadway production. Davidson previously played the role of Gabrielle on tour. Andy Huntington Jones played the role of Prince Topher, Cinderella’s dashing love interest. Jones was a member of the original Broadway company of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA where he understudied the role of Prince Topher.

This version of Cinderella combines the story’s classic elements — glass slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting. She is a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who doesn’t let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. She longs to escape the drudgery of her work at home and instead work to make the world a better place. She not only fights for her own dreams, but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams too.

The great thing about adaptations is that you’re already familiar with the storyline but you get to see what plot twist may take place or the difference in characters. A great example is the amount of comedy they managed to stuff into this production. The Disney original

was never intended to have a superfluous amount of comedy, but this great adaptation was chocked full of it. Another great twist was one of Cinderella’s stepsister’s Gabrielle, outing her as the princess who wooed Prince Topher at the ball (and then becoming friends).

Standout characters in this production include the evil step-sisters Gabrielle (Kimberly Fauré) and Charlotte (Aymee Garcia), Madame (Blair Ross), Ella’s Fairy Godmother (Liz McCartney) and Lord Pinkleton (Chauncey Packer).

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the extremely detailed scenic design. Upon entering the theatre on the orchestra level, you’re immediately entrenched in a magical fantasy. The beautiful design and backdrop was so catching that I noticed copious amounts of people searching for their seat simply to house their belongings. They immediately left and headed towards the stage to catch a closer glimpse of this artistic masterpiece.

Everything from the forest, to the castle, and even the town square was beautifully done. Anna Louizos deserves all the praise for her part in making this a truly unforgettable affair.

This timeless classic gets a perfect 10 out of 10. This beautifully orchestrated masterpiece will be here through the weekend with its last showing at 6:30pm on Sunday.

-Jon J.

Brrr! The next big thing in fashion If there’s one thing we enjoy at The Peach Review® it’s discovering local talent on the upswing. That brings us to the latest success in the fashion world, “Brrr!”

The brand launched back in September with a women’s ready-to-wear collection and accessories line and a week-long trunk show at Neiman Marcus Atlanta.

Brrr!TM is an Atlanta-based, women-owned fashion-technology company co-founded by Mary-Cathryn Kolb and Tosha Hays in November 2014.

The founders have created a proprietary cool-touch fabric that is moisture wicking, offers SPF protection and is permanently cooling due to a compilation of all-natural ingredients. The fabric is patent pending.

Brrr! is an Atlanta-based, women-owned global fashion-tech startup that manufactures women and men’s ready-to-wear, accessories and home goods. Brrr! will license its BrrrXTM proprietary technology to some of the world’s most recognized brands, under the “cooled only by BrrrX” trademark.

Accolades The two founders of Brrr! crossed the pond to enter the highly competitive Decoded Fashion Milan Summit, November 17-18 in Milan.

Decoded Fashion recognizes the most innovative tech solutions for fashion and retail. Selected as the only finalist outside of Europe and Asia, the duo had the opportunity to present on-stage to a judging panel of industry leaders representing Fashion Technology Accelerator Intesa Sanpaolo, ePITTI.com and Hogan Management, as well as to an international audience of fashion and technology elite, gaining unprecedented exposure to top fashion brands and winning prizes that could help accelerate the growth of the business.

The former Spanx executives have engineered a permanently cool, powered by air™ fabric that is designed for everyday use, with the style and purpose that today's consumers expect from their apparel and accessories. Brrr!'s proprietary technology is BrrrX™. The technology creates a fabric that is permanently cool, moisture wicking and offers UV/SPF protection.

Impressively enough, the ladies came back as runners-up in the competition.

At the beginning of December they announced yet, another milestone. The team was invited to become a charter member of the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) Institute, joining powerhouse brands NIKE, Inc., and Vanity Fair®.

AFFOA, a national non-profit organization, is dedicated to innovating fibers and textiles for defense and civilian markets, including designing fabrics that see, hear, sense, communicate, store and convert energy, regulate temperature, monitor health and change color. Backed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and other key partners including industry, academia, government and venture capital, AFFOA is currently working on multiple proprietary fabric innovation projects for the Department of Defense and other organizations in the AFFOA network.

So as you can see, Brrr! is the next big thing to hit the fashion world. All of these accomplishments for the year-old company is beyond impressive. If you’d like to learn more about the brand, the brains behind the brand, or to catch a glimpse of the line itself, visit their website www.brrr.com

-Jon J.

Beauty Caring For Your Brushes Whether you’re new to makeup or a few years in, cleanliness is always important when it comes to your makeup brushes. Many people are unaware of the proper way to care for their brushes. No matter how expensive or inexpensive your brushes are, they can last years if you take care of them. It’s important to clean your brushes in between uses and give them a deep clean as well. Combine this with proper cleansing techniques and you will get the most out of your tools.

For in between cleaning, I alternate between two professional cleansers. My favorite is the Cinema Secrets Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner. The 32 ounce retails for only $36.00 via Sephora’s website. This is a rinse free, quick dry formula. It cleans without drying out your bristles and leaves no oily residue when you’re ready to use your brush. This is great for quickly spot cleaning your brushes. Cinema Secrets is safe for use on natural and synthetic brushes, and will last a long time as you on only need a small amount to clean them.

My second and newest favorite is the Vera Mona Color Switch Duo. This revolutionary product is amazing for quick brush cleaning especially when working on clients.

Positioned inside a small, round tin, are two sponges that

work together not only for cleaning, but applications as well. The outer portion contains a textured sponge that grabs and removes the pigment from the bristles of your brushes. The smaller sponge in the middle is great for wet application. Wet the sponge with water and use it to intensify shadows that work well when wet. The outer sponge can be washed and reused as well as being used on either side.

For my deep cleaning (which I try to do once a week) I regularly use Philosophy Purity Cleanser. It is very gentle on my brushes and gets them substantially clean for me. If I have any stubborn stains I follow-up with my Cinema Secrets. It never leaves my bristles feeling stiff. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I use a Beauty Blender quite regularly. To clean my sponges, I use the corresponding Beauty Blender Blendercleanser Solid.

This is the only thing that removes all of my makeup from these sponges. This also works as an excellent brush cleaner but goes quickly if you have as many brushes as I do. I can almost use a completely brand new solid when cleaning my entire brush collection so it isn’t cost-effective.

A few things to remember when cleaning brushes is to never use hot water. This loosens the glue and causes your brushes to fall apart. When cleaning sponges, use water as hot as you can stand, because this will disinfect your sponges as you clean them. Always wash your brushes with the bristles facing down. This will prevent water from leaking into the core of your brushes. When working with any kind of soap be sure to rinse your bristles thoroughly. Ensure all soap is washed out

and squeeze as much water out without pulling on your bristles. To dry your brushes set them on a towel and position at an angle. Be sure the bristles are facing downward. As I stated earlier, you don’t want water getting into the brushes’ core as this loosens the glue as well. If you take care of your brushes they will last longer than you think. It is a long process but worth the time to protect your investment. As I always say, research and find out what works for you. Put on your favorite playlist and your brushes will be clean in no time.

Sources: www.sephora.com ; www.theengineerguy.com ; www.popular.sleekhair.com ; www.veramona.com

-Keisha Campbell

NATURAL BEAUTY SERIES Shea Butter Recently, I was inspired to cover a variety of natural products that aid in my beauty regimen. It’s easy for all of us, especially me, to get distracted by the expensive glitz and glam of the beauty industry. Not to take away from the products I discuss on a regular basis, natural products are a cheaper and at times more effective option. To kickstart this series we will be focusing on Shea butter and all it has to offer.

Shea Butter is extracted from the nut of the African Shea Tree. It is an all natural Vitamin A cream that aids in many skin care concerns including blemishes, wrinkles, eczema and dermatitis. Shea Butter also contains the sebaceous gland, which makes it one of the best natural resources for our skin.

When purchasing Shea Butter it is important to understand the different levels of this product. Extreme altering or “filtering” of Shea Butter can take away its natural health benefits.

Level One: Raw Shea Butter ▪ ▪ ▪

Has not been filtered Comes as a paste Deep yellow color

Level Two: Unrefined Shea Butter ▪ ▪

Has been filtered as long as health qualifies aren’t affected Easier to handle; can be poured into molds

Level Three: Refined Shea Butter ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Has undergone some form of processing Odor has been removed Properties have been changed Common for perfumes/ preservatives to be added Very smooth; white color Refinement process destroys some of the natural nutrients

Level Four: Ultra Refined Shea Butter ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

At least two filtering systems that change composition Used for mass-produced cosmetics Contains the least health benefits Consistency can vary Chemicals used in refinement can be unhealthy

To gain the full benefits of Shea Butter, its better to use either “raw” or “unrefined.” Some beauty supply stores are known for selling raw Shea Butter and you can also shop online. When doing so, be specific with your search as some companies tend to market refined or ultra refined Shea Butter as raw Shea Butter. One of the pros of using this product are for the cost. A large amount of Shea Butter is inexpensive and will last you much longer than any moisturizer you would typically purchase. A little goes a long way and you will able to feel and see the difference quickly. It is also amazing for pregnancies to prevent stretch marks.

The most common con of Shea Butter is the smell. Upon first use of this product, I was not a fan of the scent. But the more I used it, the less it bothered me (once applied the scent doesn’t linger). Another con is the pasty texture. If you are familiar with how to handle raw Shea Butter then this is a minor issue. For me personally, I break off however much I need and knead the product in the palm of my hand with my thumb. This softens the product and it’s much easier to apply.

Incorporating natural products into your beauty regimen is a great way to save money. As much as I love my $85 night cream, it isn’t always pocket friendly. It is also a great way to transition into a healthier lifestyle as your curiosity on other products grows.

Sources: www.sheabutteruses.com ; www.psstatic.com ; www.icuskintherapy.com

Black Soap The second installment of my natural beauty series will focus on black soap. This product was introduced to me at a young age but, I never paid much attention to it. I was recently browsing an African boutique and ran across a few blocks of African black soap. That inspired me to start using this product again and to cover its features in this series. Black soap is much simpler to understand compared to Shea butter which was previously discussed.

Black soap is made from the ash of locally harvested plants and barks.

These include plantain leaves, cocoa pads, palm tree leaves, and Shea tree bark. The plantain leaves provide the soap with its Vitamin A & E benefits. The natural ingredients make the soap perfect for sensitive skin and is even safe for use on babies. The steps to making black soap are as follows: ▪ ▪ ▪

The leaves and bark are dried in the sun followed by a roast in a kettle. It’s important that the temperature is kept constant because this ensures the color and texture are maintained.

Water and various oils are added. The mixture is stirred for at least a day.

The soap is left for 2 weeks to cure

As you can see the process is quite simple for such an effective product.

Black soap as you may already know is made in Africa. These are usually the purest forms of soap. Those made in Europe or the United States tend to have artificial ingredients. There has been a lot of debate on the actual color of black soap. The color can vary from light brown to deep brown. Personally I’ve never seen a black soap that was truly black without having some sort of dyes added to it. When shopping for your soap, it’s important to look at the ingredients to check for things like this and others that don’t add up. Your basic and most common ingredients include but aren’t limited to: Plantain skins and leaves, Cocoa Powder, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Palm Oil and Coconut Oil.

A lot of the benefits found in black soap are found in some of your favorite skin care products you use today. It protects against the main signs of premature aging, which includes your wrinkles and loss of firmness. It helps improve your skin texture which is a claim I can vouch for. My skin is much smoother since I’ve started using this product again. It is also known to fade brown spots and discoloration of the skin. Although I have oily skin, I do suffer from dry patches in the winter months. Black soap helps to soothe dry and irritated skin. I also suffer from eczema and this helps a great deal with my occasional breakouts. It’s great for any of you that shave, even men. It soothes razor bumps and has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

This has replaced any cleanser that I was using for my day and night routine. I also have a bar that I use in the shower. When purchasing this from an African boutique, I noticed that it came in a very large block and they just cut however much of the product I wanted. Going into your beauty supply stores you’re more likely to find actual bars that you are more familiar with when it comes to soap. As I stated earlier, be sure to check the ingredients of these different brands of soaps. After washing my face, this doesn’t leave my skin dry like most cleansers I’ve used before. I follow-up with Shea Butter as my moisturizer and I’ve already noticed a tremendous difference in my skin. Give this cheaper (and in my opinion healthier) option a try next time when you replace your usual cleanser.

Compare results and you just might have your new favorite beauty secret.

Sources: www.boldlove.yourafricanmarket.com ; www.blackgirllonghair.com ; www.treehugger.com ; www.alopeciafree.com

Coconut Oil In the final installment of my natural beauty series, I’ll be focusing on coconut oil. Coconut oil is such a diverse product as it not only can be used for beauty, but for cooking as well. Similar to Shea butter, there are different categories of coconut oil. There are several uses for coconut oil but first, it’s important to be educated on the different types of coconut oil.

The two main categories of coconut oil are refined and unrefined.

Refined coconut oil is usually tasteless and has little to no odor. It is made from the Copra, which is the dried kernel or meat of the coconut.

The kernel is dried and unrefined oil is extracted. The oil is then refined, bleached, and deodorized. This is the most common way to mass produce coconut oil. Unrefined coconut oil is typically labeled virgin or extra virgin. There is no major difference between the two when shopping. Unrefined coconut oil is raw coconut without any additional chemicals. The smell and taste are more apparent.

When using coconut oil in your beauty routine there are many different uses that can aid from its addition: ▪ ▪

▪ ▪

Using it for hair adds protection from premature greying.

Using coconut as an ingredient for a deep conditioning mask adds shine, moisture, and softens hair (be sure to not over saturate hair as it can become oily).

For the body, it can be mixed with sugar to create a scrub.

It’s great for moisturizing cuticles.

A trick that I’ve used in the mornings when I have time, is an under eye treatment. I keep some coconut oil in the refrigerator and on mornings where my eyes are puffy, I’ll take some of the product and place it under my eyes. This can be done at night if it better fits your routine. Coconut oil helps to prevent wrinkles and fine lines and is also thin enough to sit under the eye area without causing drooping.

There are so many different ways you can create beauty products specific to your needs using natural products. The purpose of this series was to inspire my readers to try new things and introduce a cost-effective way to have quality products. This is just a minuscule portion of the natural products out there that can be used for beauty purposes. I really enjoyed finding out new facts about products that I use on a regular basis and bringing the information to you. I hope you have just as much fun learning along with me.

-Keisha Campbell

Sources: www.thebeautygypsy.com ; www.foodrenegade.com ; www.tropicaltraditions.com ; www.emc2health.com

VIDEO GAMES

Players: 1-2 Release: February 16, 2016 Price: $59.99 Rating: T for “Teen”

It’s the title gamers have been waiting for! The legendary fighting franchise returns with Street Fighter V. Powered by Unreal Engine 4 technology, stunning visuals depict the next generation of World Warriors in unprecedented detail, while exciting and accessible battle mechanics deliver endless fighting fun that both beginners and veterans can enjoy. Challenge friends online, or compete for fame and glory on the Capcom Pro Tour (The tour includes $500,000 in prizes).

For the first time in Street Fighter history, all post-launch gameplay-related content in Street Fighter V can be earned via gameplay, free of charge. All balance and system adjustments will be available for free, so players will always have access to the most current version. Additional characters will be continually added, making this the first iteration in the franchise where it’s possible for dedicated players to continue to expand on their gameplay experience without the need to purchase further titles in the series.

Street Fighter V will be released exclusively for the PS4 and PC. Thanks to a strategic partnership between Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Capcom, this edition will be the first ever to offer cross-platform play that will unite fans into one, centralized player base.

Features include New Characters, New Battle Mechanics, Next Generation Visuals (thanks to Unreal Engine 4), and New Challengers (16 characters on release day, jumps to 22 by the end of 2016). If you’re as excited as the rest of us, check out this TRAILER.

Players: 1 Release: Android now available; iTunes TBA Price: Free Rating: T for “Teen” Size: 48MB Pocket Gothic is the latest project from the team at Fedeen Games. A fun introductory video gives the low-down on the story and the premise of the game. INTRO Pocket Gothic is an epic adventure on mobile for Google Play (now available) and iTunes (release date TBA). Players will find it as an action-packed sidescroller that's sure to appease for its anime-gothic looks as well as its actionpacked gameplay.

With Pocket Gothic, players will find a slickly designed beat-em-up adventure with an aesthetic that's equal parts dark horror and adorable anime. Choosing from four character classes, the player will navigate through hordes of bloodthirsty foes while slicing, slashing, shooting or blasting their way to glory.

The diversity of characters available also make this mobile RPG one to watch.

You can face evil head-on as the armor-clad Dragoon, or combine magic and swordplay with Spellsword. If you’d rather have bullets rain down on your foe you can be a Gunslinger, or cast spells as the Arcanist.

The Pocket Gothic Gameplay Trailer will show exactly how awesome this sidescrolling adventure can be! You can pre-register for the launch and updates HERE

Players: 1 Platform: PC & PS4 Release: Now Available Price: $19.99 Rating: E10 for “Everyone 10 and Up”

Kromaia Ω is a shoot-em-up that takes players on a journey unlike any other.

Mixing technology and myth, Kromaia's world is a uniquely fascinating and mysterious place to explore. Battle your way through strange new worlds protected by giant guardians and soar through ancient temple ruins as you attempt to uncover the secrets hidden within. Solve a wide array of puzzles as you engage in savage battles of wits between bouts of laser fire.

Providing players with full 360˚ freedom to fly, spin, and shoot, Kromaia gives you a level of control unheard of within the genre. The innovation doesn't stop there, however, as Kromaia's unique adaptive AI creates a special kind of emergent gameplay. This adaptive AI changes variables like enemy speed and formations to offer new, uniquely tailored experiences based on how you choose to play. Combine this with a wide range of ultra-maneuverable and customizable piloted ships called Armors, head scratching puzzles and a wide range of ancient alien worlds to explore, the result is a game which changes up the genre forever.

You can peep the game trailer HERE

-TBZ & Jon J.

Bentley Bentayga

EVENTS

Beautiful city, beautiful women, and most importantly, beautiful cars! The reveal of the new 2017 Bentley Bentayga, held at Bentley Atlanta in Roswell, GA was an event to remember. Although it was a soggy night with many days of rain before and many more to come, people arrived in impressive numbers. Copious luxury vehicles rolled into the parking lot to get America’s first look at the all-new SUV built by the world-renowned Bentley Motors.

The Bentley Bentayga is a beautiful SUV with elegant styling, tons of technology, and more horsepower than any SUV currently on the market. The front end styling of the Bentayga is very similar to that of the Continental GT. The headlight/ grille combination screams GT. The interior is sheer Bentley class: ▪ ▪ ▪

Hides among hides of supple leather in the interior Hand crafted wood and metal accents Gorgeous combinations with the diamond stitched leather seats.

The 8″ touchscreen navigation and 1,950watt, 18-speaker audio system by Naim will get you to your destination in style. If need be, it will get you there fast! The 22 way adjustable seats hug your body for ultimate comfort as you rip mile after mile of open road powered by the 600 hp W12 twin turbo engine that produces 663 lb ft of torque that achieves 0-60 mph in 4 seconds flat and tops out at an astonishing 187 mph.

Putting this power to the ground is an automatic 8-speed transmission coupled to an AWD trans axle. With the AWD system, this luxury SUV is capable of taking you off-road as well. The Bentayga features a four-mode adjustable air suspension, electronic active roll control, and electric power-assisted variable steering. Look out Land Rover! Bentley is on your heels!

If off-roading is not your thing, cruising the city streets is just fine. Keeping this beast firmly planted on the ground are 22″ polished 5 split spoke wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires. There will be tons of interior color and wood options for the Bentayga as well as other 20″ and 22″ wheel options. When you go to buy yours, take your imagination and have fun.

I had the opportunity to chat with a few attendees and I received mixed reviews: Some loved it, others hated it. Then you have the few that are on the fence and simply don’t know how to feel about it. Those that instantly fell in love all had one thing in common; they loved the overall design of the Bentayga. The living room like seating, the elegance of the wood, and the design of the body lines.

Those that were opposed had reasons ranging from duplicated design (Continental GT) to “I was expecting more.” Those of us that were unsure… Well, we just enjoyed the event and looked for things to sway us in either direction.

One young lady I spoke with that fell in love with the Bentayga had this to say: “Oh my gosh, I love it! It reminds me of myself; curvy and sexy! I would love to have one!”

The “power-hungry” customers were definitely pleased. Who wouldn’t be with 600 hp at your finger tips (literally, w/paddle shifters)? I would be very pleased.

My next mission was to get the family perspective. I found a lovely couple that appeared to be talking about the pros and cons. Of course, I put myself in their conversation. This couple currently owns 2 Bentley’s and had this to say: HUSBAND: “I do, indeed love the design of the Ben..Bentayga? Is that right?

Bentayga! Yeah, anyway, its gorgeous. I love the lines and most of all; the power. I can show out when I’m around ‘certain people’ [air quotes] and relax when I’m with my baby [hugs his wife with one arm].”

WIFE: “I like it, but don’t love it. It looks kind of feminine. When I pick a car, or truck in this case, I want it to look mean. Aggressive. I want it to look like a man’s car so when people see me get out of it, they’re like, ‘is she really driving that?’ The headlights just don’t do it for me. That needs to stay on their cars. It may be the round shape of the body. Maybe the color? I don’t know but, It reminds me of our GT.” That brings me to those that weren’t so impressed with the Bentayga. I heard similar comments from numerous people about the body styling; it looks like Continental GT. I was thinking the same from the beginning but didn’t find that to be a bad thing. The Continental GT is an amazing and absolutely beautiful machine. Porsche did it with the Cayenne and was a vast success.

Many that own a GT at this event did not like the design simply because of the similarities of the front fascia. Some of the remarks I received were “It looks like a lifted GT. I could have done that to my own car” and “I think they should have used a different color to introduce us to it. That’s an old people color.”

The “on the fence” crew had similar comments regarding the color. Bentley should have chosen another color for the big reveal. “I don’t know, there’s just something missing. To be honest, I really think it’s the color. I need something to push me to say, ‘yes’ about this!” One gentleman stated. It seemed like everyone I spoke with that was unsure about the SUV were congruent about their distaste with the color. I too had pictured the Bentayga in a different color (black sapphire metallic or white w/a blue pearl and in a sport model).

The 2017 Bentley Bentayga, in all of its classy raw power, is now available for preorder in the US. With its many luxurious options, powerful engine, off-road capabilities and sheer prestige, I don’t see why sales would not do anything but explode.

After visualizing this in a color combination that suits me, I certainly would not mind adding one to my stable.

-Doug Bryant Photo: Hakim Wright

Red Bull Soapbox Race

The weekend of October 24 hosted the 3rd Red Bull Soapbox Race in Atlanta. A crowd of 65,000 watched as over 40 teams performed skits, then raced down North Avenue NE in their soapbox racers. It was great to witness all of the imagination and creativity that went into their human powered vehicles.

Teams were judged on a three-part criteria that includes speed, creativity, and showmanship with Greenville, South Carolina based team “The Grease Monkeys” taking first place with a time of 34.5 seconds on the 1,200-foot course. Their skit featured the group of engineers and designers doing the Funky Monkey before they set off downhill for their epic run which ended with a smash, as the monkeyclad drivers crashed head first into a stack of hay bales.

Video of Soapbox Awesomeness With a potent combination of speed, charisma, and monkey mojo, The Grease Monkeys were able to impress the all-star panel of judges. Those included, multi-platinum Atlanta rapper, Yung Joc; world-class wakeboarder, Parks Bonifay; Hot 107.9’s, Huricane Dave; hosts of the ‘Stuff You Should Know’ podcast, Josh & Chuck,

and Founder of Witty + Pretty and Instagram sensation @BrosBeingBasic, Ashley Hesseltine. The 2009 Red Bull Soapbox champions, “Yongsa Dragon Breath” and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-inspired “Snafu Squad” finished second and third respectively.

“I think the difference between our team and the field was our skill set, our friendship, and our drive to win,” said Grease Monkey team member, Josh Holley. “We’re a very competitive group of people and that gave us our winning spark.”

The coolest thing about the Red Bull Soapbox Race was that the fans had a chance to share their thoughts too. That was made possible by The People’s Choice Award. “Top Golf Atlanta” won over the fans thanks their recent boom in Atlanta (they also opened a second location downtown last month) and their ability to do the “Nae Nae” on command. The local team ultimately earned more votes than any other team in the race.

People of all ages were in attendance and for the first time, it was hosted on North Avenue by Old Fourth Ward Park. Judging by the weekend’s turnout, the city is primed and ready for a 4th installment. We just hope we don’t have to wait another 3 years!

The zany but entertaining spectacle has become a “must-see” event here in Atlanta.

It’s the one race in existence where there are no real losers. You may lose the race, but you can never lose with your imagination.

-Jon J. Photos: Yoh Phillips & X

Ladies Who Brunch Atlanta Over the past two years I've followed the growth of Ladies Who Brunch Atlanta. After covering their previous events, I've grown fond of their brand and the path they are taking to promote women empowerment and entrepreneurship. I had the pleasure of speaking with the creators, Bianca Rush and Dayira Jones. With the upcoming three-day Ladies of Business Conference approaching, I was happy to get more information about the event and the brains behind this powerful brand.

When you both met, what qualities did you see in each other that led to you become business partners?

Bianca: It was more about finding a solution to a problem that we both identified with through discussion. We both had interest in developing an avenue where women could collaborate ideas and grow in the entrepreneurial realm of things.

Dayira, being that you are so young, who are some of your role models who inspired you to become your own entrepreneur?

Dayira: Some of my role models include my mother. She pushed me and motivated me to do better. I also look up to Oprah (I think everyone does). I really like how she helps people in her community. I also look up to my business partner Bianca. She is very strategic and structured. She's a great business minded woman.

Seeing the growth in the LWBA brand, what do you believe has set you apart from similar brands? Has it been difficult for you to constantly improve upon your previous events?

LWBA

Bianca: I think what makes us different is our team, because we are very consistent with the people we deal with. We've had the same publicist and the same event planner. With that, we are able to grow and share ideas because we have a very fluid relationship where we can be honest with each other.

Also, we like to hear from the people that are within our social media. It is not uncommon for us to reach out to our Instagram or Twitter and ask “Who do you want to see?” Or “What would you like to see more of?” We use that feedback when we meet as a team. Obviously that is why we are here, to provide an answer to those that are interested.

What are some obstacles that you have had to face in bringing such a large scale event together?

Dayira: Being that we are one of the first brands to come up with the brunching idea, we saw so many duplicates. We look at it as them being inspired and doing something people love to do. With us, I feel like the obstacle is us trying to be different. What can we bring to the table that's different?

What's the main thing that you're hoping women gain from the Ladies of Business Conference?

Bianca: I’m hoping that women who attend gain motivation and encouragement. We have our ‘Signature Brunch’ with our higher tier speakers. We also have great speakers on Saturday that provide more of an intimate setting. You can walk up and ask those questions that you may not want to ask in front of hundreds of others.

I saw that you were having a workout session and I thought that was interesting. Do you think that health and fitness play an important role in being successful?

Bianca: I definitely feel like health and fitness are important because it gives you that energy boost. Being an entrepreneur you know it's not a beginning and cut off time. You have to put in more than an eight hour work day to get what you want, especially in the beginning.

LWBA

Where would you like to see LWBA in the next few years?

Dayira: I think that it would be great to have different chapters in different cities and to grow internationally.

The Ladies of Business Conference takes place February 5-7, 2016. The list of speakers includes Miss Diddy, Ming Lee, Toya Wright, Claire Sulmers and many more. Payment plans are available and if you follow their Instagram they have flash sales and deals to save money. The event will include shopping, workshops, a workout session, brunch and much more. To purchase tickets and to find out more about this event please click HERE

-Keisha Campbell

LWBA

SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2015 celebrated the greatest legends of soul music alongside today’s brightest new stars at the unforgettable show, which aired on CENTRIC and BET November 29, 2015.

The evening was hosted by the oh-so talented Erykah Badu, who opened the night by performing a medley of her memorable hits including “Danger,” “On & On,” and “Love of My Life.”

The Weeknd led the winners with Best R&B/Soul Male Artist and Album of the Year, while Mark Ronson Ft. Bruno Mars also took home two awards for Video of the Year and Song of the Year for “Uptown Funk.” Artists were honored in 12 different categories and additional winners included Jidenna (Best New Artist), Kendrick Lamar (Best HipHop Song of the Year), Tyrese (Centric Certified Award), and more. The full list of winners can be found on the next page.

During the star-studded broadcast, L.A. Reid presented Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds with the Legend Award. After accepting the accolade, the celebrated producer and R&B legend performed some of his classics with Brandy, Fantasia, surprise guest Bobby Brown, Boyz II Men and Tevin Campbell.

Jill Scott was presented with the first-ever Lady of Soul Award with a special tribute video from industry’s top executives and artists such as Whoopi Goldberg, Usher and more speaking to Scott’s energy and creativity. She blew the crowd away with a selection of her most beloved hits including “Back Together,” “Long Walk,” “It’s Love,” “Golden,” “Cross My Mind,” and “Whatever.” Other artists that took the stage include Tyrese, Jeremih, Cameo, Lion Babe, Jazmine Sullivan, Erica Campbell, V. Bozeman, Tasha Cobbs and After 7. R&B favorite R. Kelly closed out the show with some of his hottest tracks including “Your Body’s Callin’,” “When A Woman’s Fed Up,” and “Ignition.”

Alongside all the amazing performances, Erykah Badu, Chrisette Michele, KCi, Lalah Hathaway and Eddie Levert appeared in the first-ever Soul Train Soul Cypher.

SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2015 WINNERS Best New Artist – Jidenna Best R&B/Soul Male Artist – The Weeknd Centric Certified Award – Tyrese Video of the Year – Mark Ronson Ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk” Best Gospel and/or Inspirational Song – Lecrae – “All I Need Is You” Album of the Year – The Weeknd - “Beauty Behind the Madness” Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year – Kendrick Lamar – “Alright” Best R&B/Soul Female Artist – Jill Scott Song of the Year – Mark Ronson Ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk” The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award – “Glory” (From the Motion Picture “Selma”) — Written By: Lonnie Rashid Lynn, John Roger Stephens and Che Smith (Common & John Legend) Best Dance Performance – Silento – Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) Best Collaboration – Omarion Ft. Chris Brown & Jhené Aiko – “Post To Be”

The show was a great success and we’re looking forward to it next year. This event is very special to Atlanta. In case you weren’t aware, there were watch parties for the Soul Train Awards all over the city that night, with everyone excited to see their favorite stars take the stage. Atlanta is no stranger to BET Networks’ award shows either. Every year the city overflows with musical talent as ATL plays host to the BET Hip Hop Awards. We’re definitely looking forward to the events BET & Centric have in store for us next year.

-Jon J. Photo: Hakim Wright

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Once upon a time, I wrote a review on one of the worst films ever made (Exodus: Gods and Kings) and in it, I referenced Hollywood’s incessant need for cultural inaccuracies. This one isn’t as big as that disaster film about Moses, but I found it rather appalling that a movie based on a real-life occurrence, couldn’t be portrayed with more accuracy. My point: Why is an African-American (Will Smith) playing the role of an African (Dr. Bennet Omalu)?

And this isn’t like ‘Mandela’ where we’re honoring a man who is no longer with us, because ESPN just showed Omalu on TV this past Saturday before the first-ever Black College Bowl Game (the Celebration Bowl). I knew immediately I would have to touch on this when I saw the trailer and Will Smith, with his fake Nigerian accent, has an intense moment with an NFLPA representative played by Adewale AkinnuoyeAgbaje. Then I saw who would play Mrs. Omalu, and it was none other than Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Now don’t get me wrong, I love all three of them, I’m just wondering why my favorite character from HBO’s Oz (Adele Akinnuoye-Agbaje), an actual African actor, couldn’t have the main role and have the American, Will Smith, play the NFLPA representative? I’m just saying…

Written and directed by Peter Landesman, Concussion takes us on the real-life journey of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a neuropathologist who immigrated from Nigeria and was the first to discover CTE. CTE stands for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a football-related brain trauma which he first discovered after the death of a local Pittsburgh Steeler legend. When Dr. Omalu discovered the condition, his efforts to properly alert the NFL and the public were quelled by constant threats, public insults, and even lawsuits. This film sheds light on Dr. Omalu’s brilliance, the severity of CTE, and the brash arrogance of the NFL.

The dangers of football have been a well debated topic over the past decade, but now more than ever, more and more people are starting to ask questions. With the league’s revenues growing astronomically each year, retired veterans are often left with copious healthcare issues and medical bills. Just recently, the NFL settled a lawsuit (with a huge payout) where they agreed to the settlement as long as they didn’t have to release findings or admit any type of fault. Does that sound like a league that genuinely cares about the very people who make the sport what it is?

Recently in a Sports Illustrated interview, Dr. Omalu was quoted with a disturbing statistic about CTE: “In my opinion, taking professional football players as a cohort, I think over 90% of American football players suffer from this disease. Over 90% of players who play to the professional level have some degree of this disease. I have not examined any brain of a retired football player that came back negative.”

That’s a staggering number. It’s no wonder the league resorted to guerrilla tactics to keep him away from their sport and denounce his research. It’s a shame really, because they could’ve accepted his work (like he originally intended) and worked together to rectify the problem. But people are reluctant to solve problems when a billion dollars is at stake, which is what makes this such a ‘David vs. Goliath’ story. In the film, Omalu was quoted as taking on an entity “that owns a day of the week.”

But like David (and Goliath), Dr. Omalu came out victorious and now players and their families can at least have a fighting chance at catching the disease and finding proper treatment.

Watch trailer HERE What the film lacks in action, it makes up with intellectual stimulation and a story guaranteed to motivate. While I’ll admit it does have a sluggish start, the film in its entirety, is bold in its direction and approach. So bold, that Sony Pictures

-Entertainment is offering NFL players and their families *free admission to the movie during the duration of the film’s run, which begins on Christmas Day. The studio has already engaged many current and former NFL players, holding private screenings in each team’s city in advance of its opening. By reaching out to the people who are most impacted by the film’s themes, the studio is engaging with the NFL players to join the national dialogue about the film.

Even if you aren’t a fan of football, you can still enjoy the film for the plot, medical discovery, and the courage it takes to stand up for the truth when going against all odds. The story is a great one that shows the tremendous endurance one must face when acting as a type of ‘whistleblower.’

Concussion is a good movie to see over the Christmas Holiday. I give it a 7.5 out of 10. I’m sure the NFL would rather you watch a College Football game or prep for this weekend’s NFL matches. But it’s important that people know the severity of this disease, if not for the sake of their favorite players and teams, than for themselves, friends, and family that may participate in the sport. I think everyone can agree that the game doesn’t necessarily need to be relinquished, but yet, made safer for everyone to enjoy.

*Players will receive complimentary admission for themselves and one guest by presenting their NFLPA membership card at any Cinemark theater nationwide.

There has been quite the uproar about this film and its name, “Chi-Raq,” and I have to start by telling the good public that there is no reason to be at arms about this. None. Zero. Chi-Raq is merely an adaptation of Lysistrata, where Spike Lee chose the backdrop of said adaptation to be Chicago.

What or Who is Lysistrata?

Lysistrata is a Greek comedy written by Aristophanes (the word itself in Greek means “Army Disbander”). Originally performed in classical Athens in 411 BCE, it is a comic account of one woman’s mission to end the Peloponnesian War. Lysistrata persuades the women of Greece to withhold sexual privileges from their men as a means of forcing them to negotiate peace; yet that conflict sparked an epic battle of the sexes. Who’s at war you say? That would be Trojans and Spartans.

The Film I believe the biggest issue with the film was two-fold: People didn’t like the name (Chicago + Iraq = Chi-Raq) and for some reason people thought this was a documentary. Well, this is not a documentary, but it is one of the best adaptations I’ve ever seen. I’m not afraid to call it genius either.

So now that you know the framework of what the film is based-on, I’ll explain how it is so creatively overlaid on Chicago. In Chi-Raq, Trojans and Spartans are rival ‘gangs’ in different areas of Chicago. As opposed to war in Greece there was ‘war in these streets’ set by the heads of these gangs, Chi-Raq (Nick Cannon) and Cyclops (Wesley Snipes, who was wearing an eye patch). Lysistrata (Teyonah Parris) is dating Chi-Raq and is the one who eventually rallies the women of Greece (Chicago) to take an oath of celibacy: “No peace! NO PIECE!” At one point in the story the women of Greece seize the Acropolis. So in Chicago, this band of revolutionaries

seize an armory and hold it hostage. I haven’t seen a film transpose the events of a Greek play so well since I thoroughly enjoyed the Cohen Brothers’ “O’ Brother Where Art Thou?” (a marvelous adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey).

The Characters The casting for this film was excellent. The main protagonist is played by Teyonah Parris, who I immediately recognized from Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse and she absolutely nailed her role as Lysistrata. She was a strong character who would eventually go from “boo-thang” to Chi-Raq to conquering visionary. She had a plan, and her plan made an impact locally amongst the community, locally within black culture, and spawned a global movement of women empowerment (which was a beautiful thing to see).

The narration responsibilities were set for none other than Samuel L. Jackson, who played Dolmedes. The credits read Dolmedes but your audio/visual senses may detect Dolemite. His wordplay and decorative suits were a great match for his character and the setting. Miss Helen (Angela Bassett) is responsible for talking some sense into Lysistrata. As a familiar face in the Chicago neighborhood of Englewood, a dominant presence with her height, kindness, and beauty, and the closest person to Chi-Raq, Lysistrata was the perfect person to direct change in the city. You’ll see many recognizable faces but in order to get a truly beautiful appreciation of this film, you need to know Lysistrata. Then a light bulb will go off when characters make brief appearances named Dr. Aesop, Olympia, Tereus, Apollo, Oedipus, and Myrrhine.

Get Educated One of the greatest things about this film is even though it’s an adaptation of a 2,000-year-old Greek comedy, the lines are chock-filled with useful information, sound insight, and will force your societal awareness. You’ll hear everything from Black Lives Matter and Trayvon Martin to hard-to-swallow facts. Like the Preacher’s (John Cusack) eulogy when he said “We go from third-rate schools to first-rate, top grade prisons!”

Or when they showed different shots of downtown you could see a sign that read “Illinois Caskets 50% discount.”

There was even a song that mentioned the amount of outrage shown for Cecil The Lion compared to shooting deaths of young people of color. I mean these are things you absolutely have to think about, they cannot be ignored.

Lysistrata goes off on a ton of different subjects plaguing the black community and her discussion with Miss Helen was fantastic.

The high point of their exchange is when she strong-arms Lysistrata into researching Leymah Gbowee. Leymah Gbowee won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for organizing nonviolent demonstrations (including a months-long sex strike) that helped end the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. These types of demonstrations are effective when thoroughly planned. The mere threat from the Missouri football team of not playing on Saturday’s forced their president’s resignation in less than 48 hours.

And it wasn’t just Lysistrata and Miss Helen dropping knowledge at every turn.

Everybody played their part equally, as well as Dolmedes. In between his humorous antics, he was sure to pop you in the forehead with game, poetry, and more importantly, truth. It was he, who juxtaposed a black youth with a gun, and a policeman, stated both their qualms, how they both are handling this police brutality pandemic incorrectly, and then moved on to the next topic.

In Closing This film is the type of project that will springboard careers and give audiences fresh insight and perspective. Now I’ve projected the trajectory of a few careers in past reviews and so far I’ve been correct (3 for 3), with my most successful nod going to Margot Robbie. Be prepared to see more of the gorgeous and talented Teyonah Parris. Her role in this project will hold me over until her Starz Channel return.

The thing I respect most about Spike Lee is that he makes no bones about the truth.

There is a serious lack of diversity in Hollywood and nobody cares to seriously address it. As long as his résumé extends, the fact The Academy would offer him an ‘honorary’ award, just goes to show how out of touch they really are. That goes for women as well.

This past May I observed Salma Hayek at the Kering: Women in Motion talks in Cannes, describe her own personal struggles when dealing with men in the industry.

As long as visionary directors such as Spike and others have an outlet and a will, I’m 100% confident they will do the right thing. In a world where people are often rewarded for doing what’s right and ‘common sense’ isn’t as common as it once was, I’m looking forward to the rise and matriculation of the next Spike Lee, wherever he (or she) may be (can you hear me Ryan Coogler).

There are too many quality one-liners to count, but one of the last ones that stood out to me was “Chicago’s peace is our Selma.” This film is an amazing formula of real-life issues blended with educational insight and topped off with a mountain of sexual themes. If large helpings of sex and vulgarity is not your thing, you still need to sit through this just for the comedy, the clarity, and the overall message. In order to get the most out of this you’ll need to come with open eyes, open ears, and fend off any predispositions with reckless abandon. I give CHI-RAQ an 8.5 out of 10.

Writer-director Ryan Coogler follows up his breakout film Fruitvale Station with the film to see this Thanksgiving holiday, Creed.

Creed is the best unofficial sequel I’ve seen in recent memory. Unofficial because the crew behind the film claim it as a stand alone movie and not a sequel in the Rocky franchise. Michael B. Jordan plays Adonis Johnson, son of the late Apollo Creed. After being discovered by the only family he knows (Mary Anne Creed, played by Phylicia Rashad) he struggles with his constant desire to box. His daily gig at an investment firm can’t divert his obsession with boxing and he eventually quits to train professionally. After his search for Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) is successful, his story can begin as he starts to find himself, redefine ‘family’, and perfect his craft as a boxer.

As stated before, this is not a Rocky sequel but enough flashbacks and references were thrown in to keep audiences up to par with the history of the Balboa-Creed relationship.

Adonis’ love interest is a young woman named Bianca (Tessa Thompson) who lives downstairs from him when he starts to train. If your eye isn’t trained properly, you might think you were staring at Angela Simmons. A rising musician, Bianca is a free spirit whose taken over the local club scene in efforts to boost her music career. As if her work ethic wasn’t enough drive for her, she’s also suffering from a hearing condition. She works on her music constantly, knowing one day she will succumb to a complete loss of hearing. Her talent and dedication draws Adonis’ attention and gives her added motivation for songwriting and to keep pushing towards her dream.

Michael B. Jordan is sure to win the hearts of the Rocky franchise as he puts on a solid performance as the son of Apollo Creed. Starting as a young child in a detention center, he can’t seem to stay out of trouble.

Determined to never return to a group home, his plans are derailed when a former love interest of Apollo’s, Mary Anne Creed, comes on the scene to take him in to give him a sense of family.

The movie takes place in Philadelphia and the film pays homage to not only the Rocky franchise but the city itself. They might as well have given the entire soundtrack to Meek Mill (you’ll hear him many times), they shine a light on the city’s dirt bike/4-wheeler culture, and features some Philadelphia natives too. My favorite being newcomer Gabriel Rosado, who I discovered earlier this year on DIRECTV’s Big Knockout Boxing (BKB).

There’s enough Rocky to have fans of the original have spells of nostalgia while a balanced amount of Creed will make fans out of a new generation of moviegoers. This great balance of old and new is why I feel comfortable giving this a 9 out of 10. It’s a bit over 2 hours in length and a great film to enjoy over the holiday.

Spotlight is the true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, that rocked the entire Catholic Church to its core. Directed by Tom McCarthy with shared writing responsibilities from Josh Singer, the film dives deep into the cover-ups in Boston and builds heavily on suspense.

The film has a very slow start, but once it gets going, the suspense will have you at the edge of your seat. Exactly how deep does the rabbit hole go? To find out, the case was given to the Globe’s “Spotlight” team of reporters. Their year-long investigation uncovers decades worth of cover-ups, reports of abuse, and much more. Why was this so difficult to get moving? At every step of the way, the team encountered public officials who were catholic (and wouldn’t report them), people who were in the church’s pockets (church would pay them to keep silent), or they would come across moles in their own office. Even with all of those hurdles, the team finally got their first start once they discovered a disturbing pattern of priests who were accused of abuse and then placed on “leave.” The film goes so deep that even some of the firsthand accounts of the accused are disturbing.

You’ll notice some familiar faces like Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, and Liv Schreiber, but my favorite of the film was Stanley Tucci, who played a smartaleck lawyer who was almost impossible to catch.

Spotlight gets a 9 out of 10. For what it lacks in a slow commencement, it makes up for in suspense and great acting. Ruffalo’s character reminded me a lot of Jake Gylenhaal’s in Nightcrawler. It’s a great film with great writing, you won’t be disappointed in this one.

Paranoid Girls (Chicas Paranoicas) is the first Spanish comedy about the world of fashion in a fictional piece. Directed by Pedro del Santo and written by Helena Montesinos, we’re taken on a journey with three girls (Ana, Paula, and Veronica) in Spain. These three form a bond that is tested in the most serious way imaginable as they share their stories of love, loss, friendship, and life lessons.

The film delves into the highs and lows of the fashion world. With all of the girls being models, they experience firsthand the stress of staying in shape, learning who to trust, and that sleazy people come in many shapes.

In this case, the main sleaze was a contracted photographer for Ana, Paula, and Veronica’s agency. A full-time photographer and part-time dope head, selfishly makes moves behind his agency’s back to lure in larger firms who will pay more money for his work. It’s a goofy, sexy comedy that is unabashedly in Academy Award contention.

Oh yes, you heard me right. In a move that can only be seen as ballsy, Pedro Del Santo bypassed the Spanish Film Academy and reached out to the Academy directly for an alternative way to get into the famous award ceremony (See The Hollywood Reporter article HERE). The film is in consideration for the following: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Song, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design.

The film is in Spanish with English subtitles and displays a type of foreign humor that would probably go over the heads of most Americans and non-fashionistas. Honestly, the film is probably a 6 out of 10 and I wouldn’t give it any awards personally. But the simple fact that Del Santo bypassed his own country’s Film Academy because he believed in his work so much, makes me a fan of his for life. I have nothing but respect for those who aren’t afraid to dream and I hope he can salvage something come Awards Season.

All film reviews by Jon J.

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Beer and Tacos is probably one of the most well-known and successful grassroots showcases in Atlanta. What started as a conversation between friends at Vinnie's Styles streetwear boutique in Atlanta’s L5P (Little Five Points), has become the most talked about independent movement in the music industry in a matter of only three years.

November 28, 2015, will mark the day that the movement made a serious jump into the big leagues by hosting their inaugural Beer and Tacos Festival at Philips Arena.

The young festival is known for setting trends as well as boosting careers. Beer and Tacos has played a role in the careers of artists such as Trinidad James, Rich Homie Quan, Two 9, OG Maco and many more.

The great thing about the organization is the respect. Just about all of the names I mentioned before who used Beer & Tacos as a stepping stone came back to support their first ever appearance at Philips Arena. The MC/hosting responsibilities for the evening were given to none other than Ft. Knox, one of the most supportive and positive influences in the industry.

Top: T.I. Right: Post Malone

The headlining acts for the festival were Post Malone and Ty Dolla $. Supporting acts included OG Maco, Bankroll Fresh, Lil Uzi Vert, and one of my personal favorites Marian Mereba.

Behind the scenes, you could stumble upon Atlanta’s best and brightest either preparing to perform or just showing their presence in support. Many producers were there showing love like TM88 and Zaytoven, DJ Speakerfoxxx and ATL favorite T.I. all made appearances for the festival.

In the music industry but especially in Atlanta, you always want to stand by what you promote. With this being my first B&T experience, I can say I saw everyone that I wanted to see, and from what I saw, everyone who was promoted to show up, did so.

There are multiple components to this festival that make it great (music, art, networking), and I hope the city continues to support and get behind this movement.

Top: Post Malone Middle: OG Maco
 Bottom: Bankroll Fresh Right: Ty Dolla $

-Jon J. Photos: Yoh Phillips

JoJo is back and better than ever On Friday, December 4, I witnessed the comeback, the return, the evolution, of JoJo. Tons of fans young and old, new and loyal, lined up to see the former child songstress at The Loft in Midtown.

JoJo’s debut single, “Leave (Get Out),” released when she was just 13 in 2004 — reached the pinnacle on Billboard’s “Pop Songs” chart, making her the youngest-ever solo artist to have a #1 single in the United States. Due to problems with her former label, she was unable to release music for upwards of 6 years.

To mark her long-awaited debut, JoJo released “III” – a collection of three new singles in August. All three tracks – “Say Love,” “Save My Soul,” and “When Love Hurts” — will also be featured on her third solo album, slated to arrive early next year. Check them out here.

She released the official music video for “When Love Hurts” earlier this month via MTV. It was the #1 most watched video that day. You can watch the video HERE. To say she put on a heck of a show is an understatement. Out of curiosity she asked the crowd, “How many of you have my first album?” and the entire venue went crazy. When questioned about her second album they yelled even louder. It was clear I was surrounded by JoJo diehards and the diversity of her fan base was extremely impressive. It was almost as if she never left. No matter where you turned, everybody was either singing along, taking pictures, or posting on social media.

Her opener for the evening was an artist out of Maryland named Aaron Camper. He had a nice sound and you could tell the two, JoJo and Camper, had a genuine relationship as artists. He performed a few original tracks and sampled more popular tunes such as “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa, “Water Runs Dry” by Boyz II Men, and “One in a Million” by Aaliyah.

JoJo initially performed a few of her old tracks like “Baby It’s You” to an explosion of applause. She continued the momentum with arguably her most popular track “Get Out.” That was one of those numbers that had everyone singing along with her, including employees at the venue. It’s no surprise that so many people knew the words, the video has 38.5 Million Views on YouTube.

The good times continued as she sang “Anything” where you could hear the sample from Africa by Toto (not many people looked like they were old enough to know a Toto different from Wizard of Oz). After she had the crowd swaying to “Too Little, Too Late”, she covered a few samples by Drake and Jeremih and threw it back to a feature from her Can’t Take That Away From Me mixtape.

Be sure to keep your eyes and ears on alert for her third album, due next spring. If you have a chance to see her live, do your ears the justice.

-Jon J.

GIRAFFAGE Have you ever listened to a track by an artist you weren’t familiar with and instantly loved it and became a fan? That is exactly what happened to me this past spring.

While making the long trek to and from Cannes, France for the film festival, I passed the time during flights by listening to a variety of music but also making playlists. Before my return leg to the States, I had a list of songs I wanted to listen to, that we received from labels around the country. One of the last items on my list was a track called “Impression Of You” by Giraffage & Viceroy. It was at that exact moment I experienced the perfect balance of R&B and Electronic music.

Giraffage is San Francisco-based producer and beat master, Charlie Yin. He burst onto the music scene with his debut Pretty Things EP. That was immediately followed by his synth-pop debut album, Comfort. In February 2013, he released his Needs mixtape via Alpha Pup Records.

Yin has toured with Phantogram, Flume, XXYYXX, and served as the main support on Porter Robinson’s massive “Worlds Tour.” He has performed at staple music festivals such as Treasure Island, HARD Day of The Dead, Splash House, Lightning in a Bottle, and Roskilde in Europe.

He recently dropped his No Reason EP via Fools Gold, the first release to ever feature his original work. This five-track EP is pure gold, as opposed to its label name.

Proving that he can take any sound and turn it into music, if you listen to the track “Hello,” you’ll hear everything from synths, dial-tones, and whistles, to blowing bubbles and the squeak of a rocking chair. He is clearly not afraid to experiment with the unknown, which is a good thing for an artist/producer.

If you’re into more faster paced music that’ll get the heart pounding and the fists pumping, “Chocolate” might be the track for you. Once you get about two tracks into his EP you can tell he has a signature sound. That sound is one full of instrumentals, light snares, and hard beats.

If you’d like to experience that beautiful fusion of R&B and Electronic music I spoke of in the beginning, he has a track called “Be With You” that’s a surefire winner.

He does a lot of shows on the west coast, but we’re hoping he graces ATL with his presence in 2016. He had a set at Tomorrowworld but he needs a show at a local venue. That festival was far too big and had many complications due to weather last year. I’d love to see him at Terminal West or maybe pull a set at Opera.

Between his original productions and his epic remixes, Giraffage is an artist you need to keep on your radar. You can buy his No Reason EP on iTunes HERE

-Jon J.

Fourplay Recently The Peach Review® had the pleasure of experiencing a double-dose of Nathan East, bassist for the iconic jazz group Fourplay: first via a 30-minute phone interview, and second by attending Fourplay’s rocking concert at The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

I was fortunate enough to track Nathan down after he had just arrived in Los Angeles from a gig in Istanbul; excerpts from that conversation are as follows: As recently as last week I just saw a great picture of you and Marcus Miller posted on Facebook; I believe the two of you were in Zurich?

NE: Absolutely! Marcus is my bass brother and we always have a great time when we’re together. His performance in Zurich was absolutely outstanding; in fact it was Fourplay and Marcus closing out the last night of the music festival there – we had a lot of fun!

First and foremost I’ve got to congratulate and commend you and the rest of the group for 25 years of cranking out quality music. I’ve had the opportunity to review the latest CD ‘Silver,' and it is pure quality. What do you attribute to Fourplay’s staying power in an industry that is so super-competitive?

NE: It seems like just yesterday -- time goes by so quickly. We’re still doing what we all love to do. We also try to adhere to the high standards that we set for ourselves 25 years ago. If you look at the individual players – Bob (James), Harvey (Mason), and now Chuck Loeb, they are all stalwarts as individual players; when you bring the entire group together, the sum of all the parts is really greater than the individuals. We try to generate a project as a group every 18 months to 2-years or so, but during the interim we’re all off doing our own individual gigs; consequently when we get together as a group our musical DNA kind of just synthesizes and we’re able to create music that the public has enjoyed for quite some time now.

How did the genesis of Fourplay come about?

NE: Actually, Bob James gets the credit for that. We were recording his Warner Brothers CD ‘Grand Piano Canyon’ in 1990; it was Bob that really noticed the synergy that he, Harvey, Lee (Ritenouer), and I had while we were recording and made the suggestion of forming a quartet. So Bob definitely gets the credit for that. You know it’s nice when things click and come together better than you could’ve ever dreamt; I guess there was some divine intervention in play.

How do each of you highly successful players “check your egos” at the door when you come together to collaborate?

NE: We’re all pretty relaxed and laid back guys; so when we come together our mind-set is we’re so thankful for the opportunity to do what we’re doing that instead of egos coming into play, it’s just the opposite; everyone bends over backwards to be cordial and accommodating to each other. It’s kind of like a basketball team – if you’re going to win, one guy can’t hog the ball all the time.

I like the basketball analogy; in fact Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once compared a successful jazz ensemble to a basketball team — where if done properly, everyone gets their opportunity to dribble the ball (solo), everyone gets their opportunity to individually contribute, and again if done properly and in proportion, the team (band) will be successful in its desired outcome. Would you agree with Kareem’s basketball metaphor?

NE: It’s interesting because I know Kareem is a huge jazz fan, in fact we regularly see him at our performances; and yes, I do agree with his basketball metaphor. We try to make sure all the players are represented as far as solos and individual contributions to our records. It’s really a democratic system that we’ve created musically.

Nathan East photo by Toshio Sakurai

I read where Bob made the statement regarding Fourplay that, “We have no leader; but we’re all leaders”. So, the name of the group is not Bob James and Fourplay; or Nathan East and Fourplay — it’s just “Fourplay”. That’s pretty cool. Is it difficult to maintain that level of democracy?

NE: Well, when we get together to collaborate on an album, whomever brings in a particular song or piece of work, that person is the “leader/boss” for that day (for that particular song); consequently the “leader” is regularly changing; so, the dialogue is very open and it ends up being very democratic in nature.

Can you talk about the process that Fourplay uses in terms of the creation of a song?

NE: Well first, we all have individual studios to work from – although it seems like Bob does some of his best work while on airplanes (laughter); but there’s really no set pattern. Chuck might share something that he’s created with me and I’ll give my 2 cents; Bob might present a piece of a melody to us, and sometimes he feels that it might not be “Fourplay worthy”, and our response might be “are you kidding? That’s wonderful!” So at the end of the day, we create in our home studios, share it with each other, and the creative process takes off from there.

So are you responsible for all those cool Fourplay basslines that I hear in the songs, or do the guys have input in that area?

NE: For the most part the guys depend on me to create the basslines; usually there’s a skeleton of a song already created, and I have the fun of creating the basslines — that’s where I get my creative satisfaction.

Nathan East photo by Toshio Sakurai

Can you talk about what appears to be almost an interchangeable aspect to Fourplays guitarists -- the transitions from Lee to Larry, and Larry to Chuck; on the outside looking in the changes appear to almost be seamless — is that indeed the case?

NE: Very seamless; it’s been almost like a lateral pass on the football field. In each case the guy took the ball and ran it down a portion of the field.

Obviously, when Lee and Larry both decided to move on, they did so to concentrate on their individual careers. If Nathan East were to ever decide to take a sabbatical to do the same thing, who would you recommend as a replacement on bass?

NE: That’s an interesting question. There are so many great players out there; one of the first people that come to mind is a guy like Abraham Laboriel. He’s such a great player and can fit in musically with anyone. Esperanza Spalding also comes to mind; I’m sure the guys would be really happy if someone of her caliber were available. Guys like Marcus and Freddie Washington are guys that we’ve all played with before and would be good fits — musically and personally.

What was it like getting together with Lee and Larry again? Having the two of them perform on this anniversary CD had to be special.

NE: It was great! We always try to stay in touch with those guys, so whenever we’re thru Nashville we try to hook up with Lee for lunch, or when we’re in LA we’ll connect with Larry. But for the sake of the Fourplay brand we always try to keep it moving forward and generate an album every 2 years or so.

So how often do your travels bring you to Atlanta?

NE: OMG, Atlanta is one of my favorite places to visit and I’m not just saying that! (laughter). My wife and I have a brick in Centennial Park with our wedding date engraved on it. I love how much further the dollar goes in Atlanta versus where I am (Los Angeles). My only problem with Atlanta is every time I come, it’s so hard for me to leave (more laughter); the people are beautiful, the lifestyle is great, and I always have a great time. In fact, my son and I just played at Suite Lounge so I took him to Centennial Park and we found our brick!

So tell me a little about the younger East…

NE: My son plays piano and Doc Robinson (The Suite Lounge owner) asked if we would play so we did a little duet; he also played on my last album (he did a rendition of the Beatles song ‘Yesterday’) and we’re scheduled to play at a jazz festival in Japan. He recorded his first song with me at 13 years of age and now he’s 15. His name is Noah and has perfect pitch and a great ear.

Needless to say, as a father its great to be able to see your son accomplishing the wonderful things that he has accomplished this early in life.

I was wondering if you had done any tinkering at all on the upright bass?

NE: As a matter of fact, Bob James and I have an album out that we just released called ‘The New Cool’ which features me playing the upright 100% on that album.

When you first started in the business as a bassist, who were your inspirations? Who did you emulate and look up to?

NE: Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Verdine White, Robert Bell, Rocco Prestia, Paul McCartney, Pete Cetera (Chicago), .

Who are the young up and coming bassists who have caught your eye?

NE: I guess now that Esperanza’s star has already shot thru the stratosphere, I’d say keep your eye on Henrik Linder bassist for the band The Dirty Loops out of Stockholm, Sweden. He’s awesome.

NE: By the way, did you happen to catch the Laker / Clipper game last night?

Yes I did. What did you think?

NE: Let’s just say I’m glad Steph Curry doesn’t play bass! (Endless laughter …)

As was mentioned prior, I also had the opportunity to get a sneak preview of Fourplay’s new CD ‘Silver’. Whether you’re a long-time Fourplay aficionado or a newcomer to their music, you will be thoroughly satisfied.

As was mentioned in the interview with Nathan East, the group is celebrating its 25th anniversary together and this CD is recognizing that longevity. The title ‘Silver’ is based on the silver anniversary for the group, and the majority of the songs make reference to that precious metal in various ways.

The first cut is titled “Quicksilver” and is a Chuck Loeb composition; it primarily features Loeb’s guitar and Bob James’ keyboard. (Listen HERE) The second cut “Horace” composed by James is a musical tribute to one of his favorite pianists, the late great Horace Silver. Nathan East’s bass holds down the pocket superbly as James and Loeb tag-team their way through this marvelous composition.

The third contribution to this marvelous compilation of songs is entitled “Sterling”; this is a joint collaboration between Loeb and East. The opening piano statement

by James gives way to smooth guitar play by Chuck. Nathan and Harvey Mason maintain the rhythm wonderfully throughout, with mellow background vocals chiming in.

The pace slows down for the Harvey Mason penned tune “Silver Lining”; this fourth tune is sad and has fewer grooves. It’s described as showing the “elegiac” side of the band.

Cut number five titled “Silverado” is special; it is composed by current guitarist Chuck Loeb along with his predecessor, guitarist Larry Carlton. The two create a binary guitar component that displays the magical role that guitar has played in this quartet for the last quarter of a century; Mitch Forman does justice on the organ as well.

If like me, you’ve been a Bob James fan since the 70’s, you’ll truly enjoy the sixth track of this wonderful CD; it’s entitled “Mine” and it is truly vintage Bob James / Fourplay. This James composition features his piano and Chuck’s guitar and it is flat-out exquisite. Sit back, kick your feet up, enjoy your favorite libation and journey to wherever the tide takes you.

“Silver Streak” is the seventh cut on this ten track CD. Harvey Mason & Chris Wells collaborate on this upbeat, fast paced, cosmic ride. Chuck Loeb will take you on a ride on this one. Buckle up.

In the eighth slot on this magnificent CD is the Chuck Loeb written tune entitled “Precious Metals”. One of the precious metals featured on this track would have to be guest Kirk Whalum’s tenor saxophone. After the metaphysical sounds of the previous track (Silver Streak), “Precious Metals” slows the pace for a more traditional Fourplay sound. Whalum’s tenor sax is as smooth and sultry as ever, and the laterals from Kirk to Chuck to Bob and back to Kirk are phenomenal (and thankfully no one fumbles). The anecdote that is circulating is that after Whalum’s contribution to the CD it was stated that, “After 25 years of Fourplay – finally, sax!”

How appropriate!

The penultimate track on this magnificent offering is entitled “Anniversario,” and is brought to us courtesy of bassist Nathan East (along with Tom Keane). An opportunity on this project for Nathan to strut his stuff on bass.

Finally, Harvey Mason and original Fourplay guitarist Lee Ritenour collaborate on “Windmill.” Lee does what Lee has always done. A wonderful way to close out a beautiful and long anticipated CD. Kudos Fourplay.

On November 12, 2015, The Peach Review® team was on hand to celebrate WCLK’s hosting of Dianne Reeves & Fourplay gracing the stage of The Cobb Energy and Performing Arts Centre. After a wonderful opening act by jazz songstress Dianne Reeves, the jazz quartet known as Fourplay took the stage and didn’t disappoint.

From L to R: Bob James, Nathan East, Chuck Loeb, Harvey Mason.

This was a special performance for the group as they are currently on tour and celebrating their 25th anniversary as a group; they are also greasing the runway for their brand new CD entitled “Silver”. The title is in reference to this being the silver anniversary of the group coming together. In 1990 while recording Bob James’ album ‘Grand Piano Canyon’ a synergy was noticed amongst the foursome

by Bob James. After the recording session he approached guitarist Lee Ritenour, bassist Nathan East, and drummer Harvey Mason to see if they detected the same synergy that he had. Needless to say, they did, and when James suggested the formation of a quartet the evolution of Fourplay had begun.

For the last 25 years this group of players have been laying down some of the most prolific and recognizable sounds in progressive jazz. During the last quarter of a century the only personnel changes have been on the guitar, where Lee Ritenour eventually gave way to Larry Carlton, who eventually gave way to the group’s current player Chuck Loeb. The fact that these transitions in guitar have been virtually seamless speaks to the strength and professionalism of all four players.

On this night, those in attendance were treated to a show that will not be forgotten any time soon – kudos to WCLK and to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre for providing such a wonderful venue to see such a class act perform.

Fourplay photo by John Robert Williams & Toshio Sakurai

Interview and Reviews by: KJ

SPORTS

San Jose St. 27 Georgia State 16

Georgia State qualified for their first bowl in program history with a (6-6) record, and impressed with four-straight wins to end their regular season. San Jose State was one of three sub .500 teams (5-7) to make it into a bowl game (good grades pushed them over the hump).

But when it comes to the opportunity to play in a game for a good cause, who would argue with that?

The AutoNation Cure Bowl is more than a game. It’s a celebration of the women who are living with breast cancer today and those who will face it tomorrow. But more than that, it’s a rally cry to the world to raise awareness and help bring an end to this deadly disease once and for all.

Funds raised from the AutoNation Cure Bowl will directly benefit the nation’s highest rated breast cancer organization, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, whose mission is committed to exclusively funding cancer research.

This season’s success is the exact reason why the Georgia State Panthers brought in Head Coach Trent Miles. After two struggling seasons, his Panthers, led by quarterback Nick Arbuckle, have made a world of difference in improving the program.

The biggest stat that stood out as to why the Panthers were ineffective in their bowl appearance was the running game. Their leading rusher Glenn Smith could only notch 22 yards on the ground. Compare that to San Jose State’s Tyler Ervin who carried the ball 3o times for 132 yards and you’ll see the major disparity in the two squads.

The Panthers passing game was a different story. The distribution was pretty even between wide receivers Ari Werts, Todd Boyd, and Donovan Harden, all of whom had three receptions. It was Penn Hart who only had one catch which was baffling as he’s been a standout allseason (in receiving and all-purpose yards).

San Jose State quarterback Kenny Potter can end the season with a smile as he willed his sub-.500 program to a win and a first ever Cure Bowl victory. He rushed for 69 yards and threw for 89 yards, scoring a touchdown in each category. Fellow Spartan Tyler Ervin averaged 4.4 yards a carry and will definitely be on the radar of NFL scouts.

The Panthers can return to Georgia with their heads held high. I remember watching a program that had 3 wins in combined seasons.

Fast forward and Miles’ group fight to win four-straight games and end the regular season demolishing rival Georgia Southern in the process.

-Jon J. Photo: X

The Belk Bowl has been held annually in Charlotte, NC since 2002 (known as the Continental Tire Bowl). Over 46,000 cowbell swinging fans came out in the rain to see the Mississippi State Bulldogs in their first ever Belk Bowl appearance against the North Carolina State Wolfpack, who were seeking their third victory after wins in 2005 and 2011.

Luckily for the fans, it didn’t take long for some big plays on a night when several Belk Bowl records were set. The Bulldogs never trailed in the game, defeating the Wolfpack 51-28.

On the 1st play from scrimmage the Bulldogs defensive end Johnathan Calvin applied pressure to Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett leading to an interception by Gerri Green. Just 5 plays later Dak Prescott connected with Fred Ross for a 14yard touchdown pass to take a 7–0 lead. A few series later Brissett threw another interception, this time, a one-handed catch by Mississippi State’s Brandon Bryant. After starting the next drive on the Bulldog 33-yard line Prescott connected with De’Runnya Wilson on 2 consecutive passing plays for 67 yards and a touchdown. The first quarter ended with the Bulldogs leading 14–0. The Bulldogs scored their first rushing touchdown of the evening on a 33 yard reverse by Fred Ross with 12:17 remaining in the second quarter increasing the lead to 21-0.

Midway through the third quarter the Wolfpack scored the first points of the half on a Brissett 3 yard touchdown run to stay within 10 points at 31-21. From this point on the Bulldogs’ offense would dominate. Prescott connected with Brandon Holloway on a 10-yard pass in the corner of the end-zone to increase the lead to 37-21. Prescott and Holloway would connect again, this time for a 55-yard strike down the sideline for a touchdown. Freshmen running back Aries Williams tacked on a 33 yard touchdown run up the middle.

In a post-game interview Prescott stated: “I returned back to Mississippi State this season to win a bowl game for my school and our fans.”

With his performance tonight he was able to do that and more, winning the Jerry Richardson Most Valuable Player Award, setting the Belk Bowl Passing Yards record with 380 yards, Belk Bowl Passing Touchdowns record with 4, and solidified himself as the 4th player in FBS history with at least 9,000 passing yards and 2,500 rushing yards in a career.

Mississippi St. 51 NC State 28

-Tony Stanford Jr. Photo: Hakim Wright

Students, fans, and alumni alike, came out for the inaugural Celebration Bowl here in Atlanta. The Celebration Bowl put the winner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) against the winner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). This had The braves of Alcorn St. (SWAC) facing the Aggies of North Carolina A&T (MEAC). You might remember that name Alcorn St. from the beginning of the season when they faced Georgia Tech in a game the Braves would rather forget (they lost 69-6).

The raucous crowd of 35,528 were on their feet. The Alcorn St. side didn’t have much to cheer about in the 1st Half but the 2nd Half was like an entirely different game. With momentum on their side it was time for their defense to step up to the plate.

The Braves of Alcorn St. were able to take the game up to the last second but were unable to overcome the staggering mountain they had to climb. NC A&T’s offensive onslaught was led by running back Tarik Cohen.

Cohen made the best of his time in the national spotlight, finishing the game with 295 yards rushing (on only 22 carries) and three touchdowns. If that wasn’t enough he was the team’s leading receiver with 53 yards.

North Carolina A&T 41 Alcorn St. 34

NC A&T were so dominant early on, they were able to double Alcorn’s total yardage, 544 to 260. The big plays by NC A&T were the difference in the game. Hopefully we’ll be seeing Cohen on Sundays (in the NFL).

Here is North Carolina A&T’s Head Coach Rod Broadway on the Bowl Week: They (players) had a great time. It was a beautiful week for our kids.

I’m just excited for them to have the opportunity to go to the (Civil Rights) Museum, the Aquarium, the College Football Hall of Fame and all the other activities they had planned for us. I know our team enjoyed themselves and I think the fans enjoyed it too. It was a heckuva football game.”

What started off as a blowout turned into a hard-fought matchup that may have very well started a rivalry between the two schools. The final score was NC A&T 41, Alcorn State 34.

-Jon J. Photo: Hakim Wright

Georgia Tech Football It was a completely different year for our beloved Yellow Jackets. There’s so much truth in the saying, “What a difference a year makes.” This time last year, we were all celebrating a statement-making Orange Bowl victory. It wasn’t just “a” victory either, it was won over your typical overhyped SEC team, clobbering Mississippi State (who you saw a few pages back dismantling NC State, channeling their ACC hate from when Tech beat them last season).

This season the Yellow Jackets finished with a woeful (3-9) record and 7th in the ACC Coastal Division. The scary thought in all of this is ‘what could have been’ since they lost six games by eight points or less. Flip that around and you have a (9-3) record, an exact duplicate of last regular-season and probably a better bowl. As close as the games are, its the finishing that always comes back to plague Georgia Tech, whether its in basketball or football. If those losses of eight points or less weren’t bad enough, four of those games would’ve been upsets (Notre Dame, Georgia, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech).

But not all is lost on this season. We had great times at Bobby Dodd this year. We found out we’re kicking off the 2016 season in Dublin, Ireland, after the 60 point victory over Alcorn State, Tech fans applauded them as they left the field, and the unforgettable upset over Florida State on the last play of the game. That was the most exciting game I ever witnessed and properly dubbed “The Miracle at Techwood.”

We appreciate you following our football coverage and although the season just ended, we are already prepared for 2016.

As we say farewell to the 2015 season, we’ll share the finer moments of the last few games: Virginia Tech, Florida State, and Georgia.

-Jon J. Photo: Yoh Phillips - Virginia Tech Hakim Wright - Florida State, Georgia

The Atlanta Hawks are currently 5th in the Eastern Conference and 2nd in their division with a (21-15) record. Their latest match is an away contest tonight against the struggling Philadelphia 76ers (4-33).

The Hawks rank third in the NBA in assists at 25.0 per game, dishing out at least 25 helpers 20 times, including six 30-assist nights. The Hawks have handed out at least 21 assists in all but two games this year. They’re recording assists on 65.7% of their made baskets (second in the league) and also ranks third in A/TO (Assist/Turnover) ratio (1.71).

Atlanta is having a respectable season and have been very fortunate in the injury department. The Hawks clinched a playoff berth for the eighth consecutive season in 2014-15, the longest active streak in the Eastern Conference and the longest run in team history. This time around the Hawks are gunning to make more history like last season (including making it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history).

This fall we covered a few key exhibitions, including the Pistons, Lakers, and Thunder. You’ll see a performance from Young Jeezy and we’ll say a fond farewell to NBA Legend Kobe Bryant.

Atlanta was the site of the inaugural East Lake Cup from Nov. 2-3. This tournament sought the four semifinalists from the 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships for a collegiate match play championship. The tournament was aired live on Golf Channel each day.

The participating universities included: Women’s Division - Baylor, Duke, Stanford, and USC Men’s Division - LSU, USC, Illinois, and UGA

The East Lake Cup hosted the best and brightest in today’s collegiate golf. Although the weather was less than desirable, the tournament still played out to be a success. Two match-play tournaments were held simultaneously for the women’s and men’s divisions.

With only five players competing on each team, one would think that this two day tournament would be a breeze. But with the weather hampering tee times, delays and soggy conditions played a role in the inaugural tournament. The rain-soaked East Last Golf Club – home to the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola on the PGA TOUR – received more than three inches of rain in the 36 hours prior to Day 1 matches on Monday And if that wasn’t enough, play was suspended due to darkness at 5:30 p.m. on Monday after a 4-hour morning delay due to inclement weather conditions during Day 1 of the East Lake Cup.

With delayed tee times and play suspensions due to darkness, we knew we were going to have a second day loaded with action (not a bad thing).

Everyone knew we were going to have to play ‘catch up’ since there were 17 matches that needed to be completed from Day 1.

Outside of match play, there were honors given to two athletes during the tournament. The first recipients of collegiate golf’s newly established Tom Cousins Award were announced Monday evening: Laura Lonardi (Baylor University) and Alex Burge (University of Illinois).

Established as a way to recognize a male and female collegiate golfer who excels in academics, is engaged in his or her community, and has demonstrated an ability to overcome adversity, Lonardi and Burge were selected by a panel of industry leaders for their accolades both on and off of the golf course. The award is named after developer and philanthropist Tom Cousins, who laid out a bold vision to revitalize the East Lake community of Atlanta by providing cradle-to-college education, mixed-income housing and community Pictured L to R: Laura Lonardi, Tom Cousins, Alex wellness to break the cycle of poverty to create a Burge (Courtesy of NBC) holistic environment. East Lake now acts as a national model for community redevelopment through Purpose Built Communities for transforming a struggling community into a thriving neighborhood.

The University of Southern California (USC) women’s and University of Illinois men’s golf teams claimed the inaugural East Lake Cup presented by Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

After dropping its opening match of the day, USC (No. 3 seed) rallied to win each of the final four matches to defeat Duke (No. 4 seed) 4-1 after knocking off Baylor University (No. 2 seed) Tuesday morning.

“It’s really special because this tournament turned out to be better than I could have ever expected,” said USC head coach Andrea Gaston. “Just to have this opportunity for our kids to experience this and to see the bigger picture of what golf invites in their lives and the opportunities they can have. It means a lot.”

Illinois (No. 3 seed) won two of its first three matches against Georgia (No. 4 seed) then leaned on senior Alex Burge, who clinched the Cup for the Illini by defeating Greyson Sigg in 19 holes en route to a 3 ½ - 1 ½ victory.

“We came here to win, we came here to compete and they got it done,” said Illinois head coach Mike Small.

In the men’s division semifinal, Georgia (No. 4 seed) defeated defending national champions LSU 3 ½ - 1 ½, while Illinois defeated Southern California (USC) 4-1. In the women’s division, Duke defeated defending national champions Stanford 4-1, while USC defeated Baylor 4-1.

Those results setup the consolation matches, where Stanford (No. 1 seed) defeated Baylor (No. 2 seed) 4-1 in the women’s division, while USC (No. 2 seed) defeated LSU (No. 1 seed) 4 ½ - ½ on the men’s side.

Championship Matches Results:

Women’s Division USC defeats Duke 4-1 to claim the inaugural East Lake Cup

USC (No. 3) vs. Duke (No. 4) Robynn Ree Virginia Carta (2&1) Karen Chung (4&2) Celine Boutier Kyung Kim (3&1) Gurbani Singh Gabriella Then (1up) Leona Maguire Tiffany Chan (3&2) Sandy Choi

Men’s Division Illinois defeats Georgia 3 ½ - 1 ½ to claim the inaugural East Lake Cup

Illinois (No. 3) Georgia (No. 4) Thomas Detry (4&3) Sepp Straka Dylan Meyer Zach Healy (2 up) Charlie Danielson (3&2) Jaime Rivarola Alex Burge (1up, 19 holes) Greyson Sigg Nick Hardy halved Lee McCoy

Consolation Matches Results Women’s Division Stanford defeats Baylor 4 ½ - ½

Stanford (No. 1) vs. Baylor (No. 4) Mariah Stackhouse halved Laura Lonardi Lauren Kim (6&5) Lauren Whyte Quirine Eijkenboom (5&3) Louise GateauChovelon Casey Danielson (3&2) Giovana Maymom Shannon Aubert (1up) Maggie Beth Byers

Men’s Division USC defeats LSU 4-1

LSU (No. 1) vs. USC (No. 2) Sam Burns Sean Crocker (3&2) Nathan Jeansonne Justin Suh (5&3) Zach Wright Rico Hoey (3&2) Brandon Pierce (2&1) Andrew Levitt Eric Ricard Jonah Texeira (3&2)

USC’s Gabriella Then on defeating Duke’s Leona Maguire 1up “I had a chance on 17 to win the match, and it was about the same distance, and I figured this was my second chance to finally close out the match, so I felt really good about it. I know [Maguire’s] well decorated and that she is the best out here. I was feeling really good about my game today and I was just hoping my best could outdo her.”

Illinois’ Alex Burge “I made a good birdie at 16 to get back to 1 down and that was big to see that putt go in the hole. It feels awesome. I had the guys out there watching and supporting the last few holes.

I knew if I were to win, the team [would] win as well. It feels great. It’s big. We’ve had a good stroke play fall so far, but to win a match play event, we know at the national championship that is what it comes down to. Match play is a weird thing, you have to learn how to play it and we are getting it down.”

Georgia head coach Chris Haack “Very proud and I know the Bulldog nation is proud of them as well. That’s golf. To me it was an unbelievable day. I think the real winner was college golf. These guys got so see some really fantastic golf. My guys are really special. My hat is off to Illinois, what a great team. Mike Small does a great job and we lost to a really good team today in extra holes. It doesn’t get more exciting than that. The whole tournament has just been unbelievable. Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Rolex and BMW and CSX rolled out the red tape for us. This heartbreak is one of those things where it’s just golf. That’s just the way it goes. We’ll learn from it, and hopefully we’ll be able to play these guys again come late May. It’s great for college golf.”

We echo Haack’s sentiments on this awesome showcase for collegiate golf. We are geared up and ready for next year’s East Lake Cup. It’s a great experience for golf enthusiasts and prospective young golfers. Not only was it free, but since it’s a collegiate tournament (as opposed to a professional one) you won’t have to worry about crowds. Just relax and watch the beauty of the sport take place.

-Jon J. Photo: Hakim Wright

Travel & Recreation

TAKE A TRIP

James Washington, better known as “J International,” is out to break stereotypes about other countries and encourage youth to travel.

James was born in Michigan and Raised in the Detroit metro area. His passion for travel began at a young age and always had a desire to see other places. He often traveled to other states to visit family, but it was his trip to California that changed his life forever. In March of 2002, he landed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has been traveling the world ever since. As you’ll hear at the end of the video, 2015 ended with him visiting his 60th country, inching closer towards his goal of 100. His passion for travel runs deep, which has pushed him to encourage youth in the black community to invest in passports so they can have their own global experience. Click the link above titled “TAKE A TRIP” for an experience of your own.

PLAYNCONNECT PlayNConnect is the most unique way of finding and connecting with people in your area by removing the awkwardness of ice breakers. If you’ve ever had trouble initiating a conversation, talking to a stranger in general, or even been lost for words, PlayNConnect is the bridge to that awful gap that so many singles face around the world.

So now that I have your attention, I’m sure you’re wondering “how does it work?” First, you swipe through the profiles of people in your area, get matched, and then the fun begins. After you find a match you play games with them as a way to start a conversation. These aren’t lame or boring games either. They’re uniquely designed to help you discover more about the people you’re matched with. As you discover fun facts about the people you’re connecting with, it makes it much easier to start a conversation and gives you a plethora of topics to discuss.

For example, one of the games you can play is Would You Rather, a game where both parties answer questions in the form of scenarios. ‘Would you rather’ watch TV, ride your bike, watch Star Wars, or take a nap? Each person answers the sets of questions and afterwards you can see where and if your answers match. This is a great tool for those who struggle with conversation topics. This way if you both agree on ‘ride your bike’ you can talk about riding bikes but that has the possibility of spawning new conversations and so on. There’s also a ‘chat’ function for you to communicate with new people. A great way the PNC team alleviated another opportunity for awkwardness, is by taking away the option to just message any and everyone. Only after you have

PLAYNCONNECT officially connected, are you able to chat with that person (lessening the amount of creepers filling your inbox).

The team at PlayNConnect had a launch party at Atlanta Tech Village the first week of December and I was able to meet the brains behind the app, Sachin Malhotra and Faisal Zaman. It was also great to meet so many people excited for the launch and to see reactions after using it. After speaking with the founders, they expressed their excitement and shared they would be adding even more games (as of now there are 3 options: Word Snap, Quick Picks, and Would You Rather).

When I asked Faisal why people should use this app compared to others, he had this to say: “ If you’re tired of all the same dating apps that are out there that don’t help you connect; this is different from ANYTHING that’s out there.”

Its fun, its free, and its available now in the App Store.

Have you ever wanted to know what was going on in Russia at that very second? Or see a sunset in Hawaii? Or maybe wish you could see through the eyes of a runner in Central Park? With Periscope you can do just that.

This live streaming app gives you the ability to show any Periscope user around what you’re doing in real-time. And at last count there were over 10 million users, so you have plenty to see worldwide.

To say this app is amazing is an understatement. So far, I’ve watched a young teen play his guitar on his porch in Madrid, Spain, I followed the morning news from a radio DJ in Durban, South Africa, a school of locals in Brazil took us to the beach, an American that’s been living in China show me and about 200+ others the largest mural in the world and I saw a guy in Honolulu, HI play the ukulele in a Chewbacca mask. Clearly I had a good day.

After you setup your profile you can leave it ‘public’ for the world to see or set it to ‘private’ so only certain people can access it. A great feature is the Twitter integration, so if you have an account you can send out a tweet with a link to your stream. There’s a system setup to ‘show your love’ for a video by tapping the screen. Once tapped, you’ll notice hearts will float from the bottom of the screen to the top. By leaving hearts, you’re letting the broadcaster know that you the viewer are enjoying their video. While walking down North Avenue (to Bobby Dodd Stadium) we were streaming and received lots of love because of the scenery from the bridge. We also covered Bentley’s debut of the Bentayga (never before seen), that brought in hundreds of followers and lots of love (hearts). The coolest part about Periscope is what users refer to as ‘voiceover.’ As you can see below, you can leave comments that will appear onscreen for everyone to see. While you can’t speak, the broadcaster can see your questions and vocally answer them, creating a truly unique and interactive experience.

The tab that you need to familiarize yourself with is the ‘explore’ tab. That’s the one that shows the map of the world where you can choose where you’d like to explore.

Numbers will appear inside red circles that represent how many users are in that area.

People normally flood the more well-known areas like along the coast of Brazil, Paris, Sydney, etc. I find it more adventurous to go places that aren’t talked about so often like Nepal, Burma, Jordan, and Belize, just to name a few. The last thing you should know about Periscope is that the videos only last 24 hours (like snapchat). Let’s say on Monday you stream for 20 minutes ok? Any user around the world (if your profile is public) can watch that video by ‘replay’ until that exact same time Tuesday. By Wednesday it will be gone and nobody will be able to see it. While its hidden from the rest of the world, you yourself will still have access to that video, the comments, and all the stats that come with it.

Periscope is free and heavily addicting. Any time, day or night, somebody is doing something, and you can see through their lens with this app.

App Store Google Play

Waze claims they’re all about contributing to the 'common good' out there on the road. But how do they do it?

By connecting drivers to each other they’ve made a platform for local driving communities to work together to improve everyone’s daily driving experience. That can be anything from warning others about a pothole in the street, a car accident up ahead, or even warning others about that cheeky state trooper behind the bushes.

This awesome app works in a variety of ways. First off, it will automatically offer you an alternate route to save you time if you hit traffic which is clutch in cities like Miami and Atlanta.

If you’d like to avoid potholes, speed traps, car accidents, and other traffic stoppages, you need to join this awesome community.

App Store Google Play

Secondly, are the benefits you get from a community working together. If you look at the picture, you’ll see a police notification popped up with a police hat and a message “In 0.5 mi” with 4 “thumbs up” right beneath it.

That means a Wazer reported a police presence on that road and 4 other Wazers confirmed this by giving a “thumbs up.” Those funny looking ghost-like icons are other Wazers around you. You can change your look and unlock more by getting points (mine looks like a ninja, don’t judge me).

Thirdly, is the way you earn points. By helping out the Waze community, you’re rewarded with credit. So if you let someone know there’s a pothole nearby, they may hit you with a “thanks!” and you’ll develop status amongst your fellow Wazers!

Glide is the unique communication platform that combines the convenience of texting with the authenticity of video. It leverages innovative video messaging technology to power spontaneous, back-and-forth conversations that can be viewed and responded to immediately or later.

Having the ability to send true video messages is great, but that’s not even the best part. Glide uses patented cloud-based technology! So for those of you who struggle with space on your phone, don’t fret! You can send endless video messages back and forth and not one drop of precious gigabytes will be used (hooray for extra storage).

If you’re closed out of your phone and your friend decides to Glide you, you’ll receive a notification saying “____ is recording live.” So you have the option to see their message then and there or you can hold off until you’re finished running errands, driving, etc.

This is a very popular and very useful application.

Unlike FaceTime, you can leave numerous messages to a friend, loved one, coworker, and they’ll always be available to not only watch, but replay as many times as you’d like. I’ve been using it with a friend in California and she sends videos of the beach and the waves all the time.

Back when we went to the Cannes Film Festival, we were sending Glides to friends and family of all the professional mischief we were getting into.

With 20 million users and counting, this amazing app isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. If you don’t feel like using your available 5 minutes of recording time, you can instantly send texts and

photos as well. Another clutch feature? You can preview your messages before you send them.

Or if you send one and change your mind 10 minutes later? Just delete it (clutch). So do yourself a favor and stop using your phone’s storage and send endless messages with Glide!

App Store Google Play -App Reviews by Jon J.

Editor-in-Chief Jon Jones Beauty Contributor Keisha Campbell Music Contributions Lauren Brumley YoAngie! Caquias KJ Sports Esli Lara Mike Brown Jon Jones Tony Stanford Jr.

Editor KJ Videography Malcolm “X” Lewis Art/Graphics Bob Jeffreys Fashion Team Joy Larkins Keisha Campbell

We hope you enjoyed our Fall 2015 Issue, No. 15 of The Peach Review®. If you’d like to see more content (pictures/videos) or keep up-to-date on events around ATL you can:

Photography Hakim Wright Malcolm “X” Lewis Yoh Phillips Anna Lira Jonathan Davis Kent Foster Event Contributions Khaleah Evelyn Andrea Abril Erica “EDB” Bizzell Doug Bryant Consultant Desmond McLennon Video Games Titus “TBZ” Rowell Alana Clarke

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