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Embarrassing Olympic moves, white girl’s durag raises eyebrows

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PARIS (AP) — From an Australian b-girl with a meme-worthy “kangaroo” dance to Lithuania’s silver-medal winner in a durag, breaking’s Olympic debut had several moments that left viewers wondering whether the essence of hip-hop’s art form was captured on the Paris Games.

Rachael Gunn, or “b-girl Raygun,” a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, quickly rose to web fame, but not necessarily for her Olympic-level skills. Competing against several b-girls half her age, she was swept out of the round robin without scoring a single point, her unconventional moves landing flat, no match for her opponents.

At one point, Gunn lifted one leg while standing and leaned back, her arms bent toward her ears. At one other point, lying on her side, she reached up together with her toes, rolled over, and did it again, a move often called the “kangaroo.”

Gunn has a PhD in cultural studies, and her LinkedIn profile says she is desirous about the “cultural politics of break-up.”

“I never set out to beat these girls at what they do best — their power moves,” Gunn said. “What I bring is creativity.”

Australian Rachael Gunn, often called B-Girl Raygun, competes within the Round Robin Battle break-up competition at La Concorde Urban Park in the course of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)

Clips of her performance went viral on TikTok and other platforms, with many individuals wincing on the sight of her moves showcased on the Olympic stage as a logo of hip-hop and breaking culture.

“It’s almost like they’re mocking the genre,” wrote one X user.

Some of this was “strange to see”

Many black viewers, specifically, criticized Lithuanian silver medalist b-girl Nicka (legally named Dominika Banevič) for wearing a durag to every of her battles. Once worn by enslaved Africans to tie their hair up for work, durags are still worn by black people today to guard and magnificence their hair. They became a trendy symbol of black pride within the Sixties and Nineteen Seventies, and have become a preferred hip-hop style element within the Nineties and early 2000s. But when worn by individuals who aren’t black, the durag might be seen as cultural approval. Banevič is white.

Actor Kevin Fredericks responded on Instagram to Banevič donning the headgear that “it’s weird to see someone who doesn’t need a headgear for protection or waves, but wears a durag.”

The 17-year-old competitor ultimately won the silver medal, losing in the ultimate to Japanese b-girl Ami (Ami Yuasa).

Banevič, in turn, attributes his success and breaking style to Nineteen Seventies Bronx breakdancers — the OGs, or “original gangsters” of hip-hop, who created the dance.

Lithuanian Dominika Banevic, often called Nick’s B-Girl, competes within the B-Girls quarterfinals within the breakdance competition at La Concorde Urban Park in the course of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)

“It’s a huge responsibility to represent and raise the bar every time it comes to breaking because they did an incredible job. Big respect to the OGs and the pioneers who came up with all these moves. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible,” she said. “Without them, breaking wouldn’t be what it is today. So I’m grateful.”

Concerns about losing roots

Friday’s mishaps “may have turned off too many new viewers from getting the response they wanted from our Olympic premiere,” Zack Slusser, vice chairman of Breaking for Gold USA and USA Dance, said in a text message to The Associated Press.

“We need to change the narrative from yesterday’s initial impression of breakdancing as an Olympic sport. There were significant organizational and management shortcomings that could have been easily reconciled but unfortunately negatively impacted Breaking’s first point of contact with a new global audience.”

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The challenge for Olympic organizers was to achieve a broad audience, including many who were skeptical about adding the dance form to the Olympic list. Others feared that the subculture can be co-opted by officials, commercialized, and subjected to a rigid judging structure, while the spirit of breaking took root in local communities centered around street fights, ciphers, and street parties. Hip-hop began as a youth culture in black and brown communities within the Bronx as a method to escape socioeconomic conflict and struggles and to precise their will at a time when New York politicians labeled them as lost, lawless kids.

Refugee breaker Manizha Talash, or “b-girl Talash,” channeled that rebellious spirit by donning a “Free Afghan Women” cape during her pre-qualifying match — a defiant and private statement from the 21-year-old, who fled her native Afghanistan to flee Taliban rule. Talash was quickly disqualified for violating the Olympics’ ban on political statements on the court.

Both American b-girls were eliminated in Friday’s round robin, a blow to the birthplace of hip-hop in what stands out as the sport’s only appearance on the Games. B-girl Logistx (real name Logan Edra) and b-girl Sunny (Sunny Choi) were ranked in the highest 12 on the earth but didn’t advance to the quarterfinals.

“Breaking for the Olympics changed the way some people dance,” Choi said, referring to a number of the flashier moves and more packed routines. “Breaking changes with the times. Or maybe I’m just old-fashioned and don’t want to change. … I think a lot of people in our community were a little afraid of that.”

B-boys will take to the stage Saturday to present Olympic breakdancing one other probability to represent the culture.


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Kendrick Lamar Releases Surprise Album ‘GNX’; group chats are going crazy

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Kendrick Lamar, Kendrick Lamar GNX, GNX, GNX album, K-Dot, K-Dot GNX, theGrio.com

There are few things more exciting than receiving an infinite barrage of text messages at the very same time in numerous group chats. This normally implies that something vital has happened in popular culture. Well, the exact same thing happened about noon on November 22, within the yr of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four. Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, higher often called Kendrick Lamar, released the album “GNX”, nod towards Buick Grand National Regal GNXa rare muscle automobile released in 1987 – which also happens to be the yr Kendrick was born.

“GNX” is coming to the tip of what has been a banner yr for Kendrick Lamar. From epic diss records geared toward Drake, to creating the largest song of his profession (and a Drake diss track) on “Not Like Us”, to the “Pop Out” concert streaming live to tell the tale Amazon Prime, Kendrick won this yr. He even received seven Grammy nominations, mostly for “Not Like Us.” And this victory will proceed in the brand new yr. In September, it was announced that Kendrick would stay Super Bowl 2025 headliner will happen in New Orleans. This announcement sparked some controversy and comments from several New Orleans legends similar to Juvenile and most notably Lil Wayne, who felt disrespected; Kendrick immediately refers to this topic within the opening song of the album (all stylized in lower case), “wacced out murals”.

The thing is, Kendrick didn’t sleep for many of 2024. And then, while the remaining of us were minding our own business, listening to other albums that had just dropped, like Ice Cube’s “Man Down,” I began receiving text after text… and I knew that would only mean that something vital happened.

At this point in my life (and possibly even yours), Kendrick Lamar releases are a drop-everything-and-listen event. I immediately went to the streaming service, launched “GNX” and pressed “Play”.

I need to admit that the primary time I heard the album I used to be a bit confused. Kendrick has probably never been more popular or famous; if there was ever a time to drag a Kanye West and release his own version of “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” – an album largely produced as Kanye’s best and most representative of Kanye’s greatness – now could be the time. “GNX” has a far more modern West Coast vibe and is certainly more for his die-hard fans than anyone who just began gaining attention due to his beef with Drake. Maybe that was the purpose; possibly not.

Kendrick Lamar, Kendrick Lamar GNX, GNX, GNX album, K-Dot, K-Dot GNX, theGrio.com
Photo: Dave Free

Either way, I can imagine that folks whose favorite lines are “OV-Ho” won’t be immediately thrilled. I wasn’t immediately blown away (though very amused by how sensitive Kendrick is to what people say about him on social media, well, everyone), but as is all the time the case with Kendrick albums, repeated listens are likely to correct any immediate monotony that I even have about his projects. For example, now that I’ve listened to it just a few times, I can not wait to listen to black college bands playing “tv off” style, which seems like a cousin of “Not Like Us.” The Shoot, Bayou Classic, which also takes place yearly in New Orleans on Thanksgiving Day, stands out as the first time we hear a band playing “TV off.”

Since the album didn’t come out long enough to be reviewed, group chats and social media were abuzz with immediate reactions. This is the a part of music releases I really like, where everyone seems to be listening to the identical thing, offering premature takes that will not even delay the following day. I’m not different; I’m sure I’ll say something about this album that can sound silly by Monday. Shoot, I can have already done it. But that is what happens when great artists release music. We spend time with others after which we refer to them, analyze them, criticize them, praise them, destroy them and let all our prejudices fly free. Love it.

It’s value noting that certainly one of Drake’s diss tracks that did not appear during last summer’s fracas was titled “The Heart Part 6,” and was an apparent try to usurp Kendrick’s pre-album practice of removing a non-album song titled “The Heart.” Well, Kendrick has a song on his recent album called, you guessed it, “The Heart, Pt. 6,” which I feel will probably be released soon Drake. Good job, Kenny.

Argue.


Panama Jackson theGrio.com

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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New music this week: Tyla, Lola Brooke, Coco Jones and more – Essence

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Happy Friday, people! Whether you are drinking a warm beverage or preparing for a fun-filled weekend, this week’s latest music releases set the tone. From sensual R&B melodies to powerful hip-hop anthems, these songs have something for everybody.

Coco Jones leads the pack along with her seasonal album, and Tyla offers a heartfelt change of tone with “Tears.” Miguel’s smooth “Always Time” and Jorja Smith’s tender “Stay Another Day” showcase R&B at its finest, while Lola Brooke and Killer Mike turn up the warmth on “Go To Yo Head” and “Warryn’s Groove,” respectively. Today’s list also includes music from Eric Bellinger, Coi Leray, Blxst and more.

Below you possibly can read our list of latest products.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Serena Williams is cutting short divorce talks for a second time after the couple reunited and put months of rumors to rest

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Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian are still doing well despite months of unconfirmed divorce rumors.

On November 17, Williams and the Reddit co-founder took a walk down memory lane and tested one another by asking questions on themselves and their family in a recent promotional ad. The couple ate a few of their favorite meals and meanwhile checked their glucose levels using Hello Lingo, a glucose monitoring device.

Nearly five minutes into the recording, Williams tested her husband’s memory by asking, “Who said I love you first?”

Ohanian, who shares two daughters, Olimpia and Adira, with the tennis legend, responds quickly by saying, “Mmm,” before writing his answer on the board.

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian recall who said “I love you” first amid divorce rumors. (Photo: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)

“It’s like ‘The Newlywed Game,'” Williams said, writing down her answer, referring to the mid-Nineteen Sixties show “The Newlywed Game,” which tested couples who had been married for lower than two years to see if how much they learn about their relationship. amplifier.

Both Williams and Ohanian turn the board over to reveal their answers and, quite shockingly, they received two different answers. Ohanian wrote that Williams said it first, but Williams claims it was Ohanian.

“Come now. Are you going to lie about this? he declared to Williams, who responded with a laugh: “I said I would be honest.”

“That’s not an honest answer,” Ohanian continued. “I still keep in mind that phone call. Oh, you realize I felt the same, but you certainly said it first.

Williams joked: “My glucose levels were high. I ate some ice cream, my glucose level was too high. Then I tell this guy and I feel like saying things I would not normally say. The moment ended with Williams replaying how she told Ohanian those three special words.

Of course, there was no shortage of reactions from fans who showed their love for the couple and how well they interact of their normal element.

One YouTube commenter he wrote“It’s great to see Serena and Alexis in this normal environment, they are so lovely and have great charisma. I love them even more now and I feel great chemistry between them.”

Someone else said: “I liked this part. They seem to really like each other.”

However, as rumors swirled about problems of their marriage, one fan was confused by the video shared on Instagram.

“I thought I read that they got divorced?” he wrote one person in Williams’ comment section.

Someone else also addressed the rumors, writing: “Where are the haters who said divorce was imminent? Sometimes people will be crazy. Seriously, how are you going to even start assuming things like that about people you have never met?

This summer, fans began speculating that Williams and her seven-year marriage to Ohanian were in trouble after they noticed she hadn’t posted from him on her social media pages in some time.

Moreover, Ohanian was noticeably absent from the June premiere of the documentary “In the Arena: Serena Williams” and was also absent from her side at the Met Gala in May.

But they got back together this summer after they attended the Paris Olympics with their daughter Olympia in July.

Among the many viral moments spent with the Ohanian family, she organizes: umbrella for his wife and the European commentator – who didn’t realize he was her husband – and called Ohanian Serena’s “umbrella holder”.

The tech guru reacted to the moment hilariously by snapping a photo of himself holding an umbrella over himself and his daughter.

Ohanian joked, “I am also a personal Olympia umbrella owner. Sidebar: You all set the bar too low for me and celebrity daddies only get flowers for *admitting* they have kids.”

The proud dad is probably also Adira’s personal umbrella holder.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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