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How the first-ever I Made Rock ‘N’ Roll festival celebrated the diversity of black music

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Photo credit: Gabrielle Minion

For over a century, the origins of rock & roll have been disputed by fans, critics and historians alike. The sound derived from the rhythm and blues music of the Nineteen Forties defined a whole generation inside a decade. On Saturday, May 18, 1000’s of people got here to the American Legion Mall in Indianapolis, IN for the inauguration I did a rock’n’roll festival. The event, organized by GANGGANG and Forty5, aimed to focus on the Black influence on the rock genre.

The festival, which featured a range of artists, exuded a positive atmosphere and had an Indian vibe. During I Made Rock ‘N’ Roll, participants could enjoy performances by Inner Peace, Meet Me @ the Altar, Joy Oladokun, Robert Randolph, Gary Clark, Jr. and the evening’s fundamental star, Grammy-nominated musician Janelle Monáe. Monáe, known for her exceptional creativity and artistry, spoke about the pivotal role people of color played in the origins of rock & roll and the way continually pushing boundaries is crucial to its development.

How the first-ever I Made Rock 'N' Roll festival celebrated the diversity of black music
Photo credit: Gerald Encarnacion

“Our blackness is in the DNA of rock & roll, from gospel to blues to artists like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard and Jackie Shane,” Monáe tells ESSENCE. “Rock & Roll would not exist without us and we’re continually redefining it. I all the time thought rock and roll was spirit. It’s greater than just wearing a leather jacket or playing the guitar. It’s the spirit of that person. I see it in lots of things and in many individuals and I am honored to represent it.

From the outside looking in, the development of the event seemed smooth, but in point of fact it was years in the making. In times of uncertainty for this country, the impetus for the festival was provided by the isolation of the global crisis. Although the initial idea was born out of a scarcity of connection to the world, I Made Rock ‘N’ Roll evolved into something much larger.

“In 2020, when everything in the world was disconnected from each other – from the race pandemic to the health pandemic – we thought that if everything in 2020 was about what divides people, then art and culture are what divides people connects,” says Alan Bacon, co-founder and president ALGAE. “We really just wanted to understand the power of art. How can we concentrate beauty, equality and culture in this sector, in this genre, within this platform, to activate the creative economy? But at the same time, convey a message that is needed, especially at this moment in time and history.”

How the first-ever I Made Rock 'N' Roll festival celebrated the diversity of black music
Melina and Alan Bacon, co-founders of GANGGANG. Photo credit: Jay Goldz

accompanied throughout the entire festival. From murals paying homage to Black Rock & Roll to local vendors selling music and themed merchandise, guests were each informed and entertained during their stay at the American Legion Mall. The history of Chuck Berry’s breakthrough album “Sweet Like Sixteen” to Jimi Hendrix’s iconic performance at Woodstock occupied places for everybody to see. This timeline of greatness showed not only what Black people did for rock, but for music as a complete.

“It’s the culture we know today,” says Gary Clark Jr. about the power of black music. “I mean, it influenced the way people play instruments, the way people write songs, the way people dress, the way people talk. It’s in all the things we do. This culture is predicated on what people think is cool, and we’ve been cool for a very long time.

Staying true to its mission of creating equality in the arts, this historic event did just that. “I Made Rock ‘N’ Roll is just another big, visible experiment to show what GANGGANG does, which is to show beauty and truth,” says Melina Bacon, co-founder and executive director of the company. This truth overturned today’s narrow and exclusionary view of rock music and showed the world what the genre really was.

How the first-ever I Made Rock 'N' Roll festival celebrated the diversity of black music
Photo credit: Jake Moran

Beyond the festival itself, the beauty of Indianapolis was striking. With dozens of events happening in the area – including the Indy 500 and the Pacers playoff series – travelers from around the world flocked to boutique hotels like Bottling AND Alexander, where they may rest and in addition get a taste of the city. Right next to the former is the Garage Food Hall and Pins Mechanical Co., the perfect place to spend an awesome evening with delicious food and even higher drinks.

While Indy as a complete is an exceptional place, the true soul of the city lies along the legendary Indiana Avenue strip. In the late nineteenth century, this avenue was a bustling, well-known district of theaters, jazz clubs, shops, offices and residences. It also became the home of the Madam C. J. Walker Building, which served as the Walker Company headquarters, in addition to the center of entertainment, business and commerce for the city’s black community from the Nineteen Twenties to the Nineteen Fifties. Now it stands as a testament to African American ingenuity and a logo of the city’s wealthy history.

How the first-ever I Made Rock 'N' Roll festival celebrated the diversity of black music
Madam C.J. Walker Building. Courtesy of the National Park Service

“The spirit of Indiana Avenue continues to drive us,” explains Melina. “We can integrate our local teams, employ lots of of people, and create jobs for the creative economy in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has an enormous base of creative resources. And it isn’t the typical narrative you hear from or about Indiana.

“And I think in terms of our history, the descendants of those great men of Indiana Avenue are still alive,” he continues. “We are literally still here. So it is not the spirit that is alive and well; so only people alive and well want to continue to push this narrative forward.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Pharrell Williams ‘Irritated’ by Celebrity Political Endorsements

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Pharrell Williams shouldn’t be a fan of celebrity political endorsements. In an interview with Hollywood ReporterThe multi-faceted star shared her more “humanist” view of politics and her opinion on the music and entertainment industry’s involvement in elections.

“I’m more of a humanitarian. I like people who try to help others. I’m not sure I’ll ever vote for the far right. I won’t,” he reportedly said with fun. “But I’m not really into politics. I do like some of the politics; I think education is important. We have a nonprofit called YELLOW (whose mission is equality through education), and then there’s another 501(c)(3) that helps black and brown entrepreneurs called Black Ambition—those are the things I lean into. I’m not an activist, but I believe in action.”

As hundreds of men and girls rally to support Vice President Kamala Harris within the 2024 presidential election, Williams revealed his mixed feelings about celebrities publicly endorsing political candidates. When asked if he would allow any party to make use of his music of their campaigns, as Beyoncé did with Harris, Williams said no, adding that he sometimes “gets irritated” by celebrities getting involved in politics.

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“Sometimes I get annoyed when I see celebrities trying to tell you (who to vote for). There are celebrities I respect who have their own opinions, but not all of them. I’m one of those people (who says, ‘What the hell? Shut up. Nobody asked you,'” he explained. “When people come out and start thinking they’re righteous, they roll up their sleeves and go around with a sign saying, ‘Shut up!'”

In recent years, celebrity endorsements have turn into a key a part of each parties’ political campaigns. While Williams apparently has no plans to endorse anyone this election cycle, he publicly endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016. Similarly, he sent former President Trump a letter demanding that he stop using his song “Happy” at one in all his rallies.

“Politics is not my field of expertise,” he said, at a Clinton rally in 2016“But I am a human being. I am a human being with a family, a human being who shares this Earth with other people. These elections are simply too important. I could not sit on the sidelines and just remain silent.”

Social media users were quick to criticize the Louis Vuitton menswear creative director for his seemingly contradictory comments.

“I respectfully disagree, Pharrell. The voices of the informed can educate,” one user wrote on X.

“That’s a privileged approach, lol,” said one other as well as.

Regardless of your opinion on celebrity political endorsements, Williams’ statement reminds us how vital it’s to do your research and fully understand the ballot before casting your vote.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Jennifer Lopez allegedly wants ‘revenge’ on Ben Affleck, revealing how he ‘let her down’ in the bedroom amid embarrassing divorce

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jlo-ben-affleck revenge

Soon-to-be-four-time divorcee Jennifer Lopez is reportedly gearing up to disclose unflattering details about her relationship with Ben Affleck following their recent split.

According to a brand new report, Lopez, 55, who has previously praised their passionate sex life in her music, is now considering changing her praise and should be preparing to release a song that paints a very different picture.

jlo-ben-affleck revenge
Sources claim that singer Jennifer Lopez wants to embarrass her soon-to-be ex-husband Ben Affleck with songs about his poor bedroom performance. (Photos: @jlo/(Instagram; Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

As tensions between them intensify following their breakup, a more essential side of their time together begins to come back to light.

Lopez, who once bragged about watching the “Good Will Hunting” actor have sex in the bedroom while singing sensual lyrics in “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” appears to be changing his tune on Affleck’s abilities in the bedroom.

“When things were going well between them, J.Lo put Ben and his bedroom skills on a pedestal,” the insider said. revealed to In Touch, “but she’s taken off her rose-tinted glasses and is telling people he was actually a pretty selfish and basic lover.”

This marks a major change from Lopez’s previous tributes to Affleck, in which she appeared to idolize him each personally and physically.

Her latest album, This Is Me… Now: A Love Story, released in February, was intended to have a good time their renewed romance.

Lopez’s ninth studio album featured a companion film that showcased their relationship in a vibrant light. While she produced the project herself, In Touch’s alleged source claims that Affleck played a major role behind the scenes, likely controlling the narrative greater than people realize.

Just two months after the project’s premiere, the couple announced their end of collaboration and have remained separated ever since.

However, Lopez’s tone has reportedly modified drastically. She not praises Affleck’s talent but as a substitute expresses frustrations about their personal lives, especially his mediocre performance in the bedroom, a brand new report claims.

“She’s so pissed she wrote all those sexy lyrics about him,” an alleged insider told In Touch, claiming Lopez is considering writing one other song that exposes Affleck’s flaws.

The person said at the time: “She says she’s now ready to write a breakup song that hits where it hurts most and makes up to him for all the ways he let her down, including in the bedroom.”

Adding that Lopez uses writing as an outlet for her emotions and that her team is fully supportive of the idea, the anonymous spokesperson said, “She’s very emotional and angry right now, and part of the way she deals with her emotions is by keeping a journal and writing. Her team is encouraging her to channel that into songwriting.”

Lopez’s longtime manager Benny Medina and her team are reportedly urging her to pursue the project, though some speculate they’ve been working behind the scenes to break Affleck’s image since their marriage began to unravel.

This alleged manipulation is not any stranger to those that have previously been involved with Lopez’s life.

Her first husband, Ojani Noa, recently spoke to the Daily Mail about the similar treatment he experienced during his marriage to the star.

“(Her people) wanted her to look good for everything that was coming out — the movie, the album, and they didn’t want any bad publicity,” Noa claimed. “They made it sound like I didn’t want to be with her, and it was the opposite.”

There’s no word on whether Lopez plans to officially channel her frustrations with Affleck into recent music. She’s currently promoting her latest film, “Unstoppable,” a project she co-produced with Affleck and his longtime friend Matt Damon. Lopez recently attended the Toronto International Film Festival to advertise the film, although Affleck was noticeably absent.

Despite their split, the duo have remained in touch, reportedly raising their combined family together. Lopez and Affleck were recently spotted at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where they met up with their children — Affleck’s daughter Seraphina, 15, son Samuel, 12, and Lopez’s twins, Emme and Max, 16 — for a family chat.

Art often imitates life, and Lopez’s story suggests she could use this tumultuous time to fuel her creativity. Whether it’s a chart-topping song or successful movie, the fallout from this breakup could encourage her next big hit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMFIOGsIdA


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Fans slam Oprah Winfrey’s ‘shady’ move to hide her secrets after blocking upcoming documentary on her life

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oprah winfrey documentary

Oprah Winfrey has officially halted production on her online documentary, but fans want to know why.

The billionaire actress and former talk show host reportedly spent “a fortune” to make sure the docuseries never saw the sunshine of day after she fell out with Oscar-winning filmmaker and director Kevin Macdonald over the biopic project.

oprah winfrey documentary
Oprah Winfrey faces criticism after paying a “fortune” to block a documentary about her life. (Photo: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Page SixA rep for the 70-year-old media mogul confirmed she paid to shelve the documentary after her content take care of Apple expired in September 2022.

“As her Apple TV+ deal was coming to an end, Ms. Winfrey purchased the rights to her docuseries and has since decided to put the documentary on hold,” Oprah’s spokesperson told Page Six.

Additionally, one other source said, “Kevin made a video, but Oprah didn’t like it and refused to make changes, so Oprah gave Apple her fee back.”

While speculation suggested McDonald refused to comply with Winfrey’s requests to edit, the TV personality’s team denied the claims, with Oprah’s camp insisting to Page Six that “it just wasn’t the right time to do the documentary.”

It comes amid speculation that Winfrey spent “millions” on the rights to the documentary. However, Team Oprah dismissed the concept the deal was price seven figures.

Deadline Originally announced as an Oprah Winfrey documentary for Apple TV+ in January 2021, MacDonald teamed up with Emmy-nominated producer Lisa Erspamer to create the now-cancelled biopic, which was to be presented in two parts.

They previously worked together on the documentary “Whitney,” which premiered in U.S. theaters in July 2018.

Internet users reacted to the news that the documentary had been frozen, with many wondering whether Winfrey was fearful that some damaging information was about to be released.

“Well isn’t that suspicious!” one person wrote within the Page Six comments section. Another person asked, “What is she afraid of or hiding?”

Similar footage appeared on the X program. For example, in response to an article concerning the cancellation of the documentary, an individual identifying himself as a Donald Trump supporter he tweeted“What is Oprah hiding?”

Another X account published“Oprah Winfrey spent a fortune to prevent a documentary from being released, that sounds credible… money tells the truth… not the truth.”

Winfrey was a goal of conservatives throughout the 2024 presidential campaign. The Tennessee State University graduate endorsed Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris, drawing the ire of Donald Trump’s MAGA legion.

After making a surprise appearance on the Democratic National Convention in August 2024, Winfrey faced backlash from Trump supporters over allegations of abuse related to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa.

Winfrey apologized to the parents of scholars who accused a Leadership Academy worker of molestation in 2007. Tiny Makopo, a dormitory supervisor at the college, he was acquitted of 14 charges related to allegations of abuse.

Winfrey’s announcement that she would hold a virtual “Unite for America” ​​rally in support of Harris also sparked outrage from the appropriate.

Critics have relentlessly hounded the “Beloved” star over her alleged “disappearance of girls” allegations, despite no evidence to support the disappearance of any Leadership Academy students.

Oprah Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi. After graduating from college and dealing in journalism, she became a household name, hosting the favored program “The Oprah Winfrey Show” from September 1986 to May 2011.

The so-called “Queen of All Media” has built an empire price $3 billion. Winfrey earned an Oscar nomination for her role within the 1985 film “The Color Purple.” She can be a two-time Emmy winner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMFIOGsIdA

This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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