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Why is Mookie Betts still missing from the culture? — Andlandscape

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On October 30, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts was still in a hazy mood as he sat down for a postgame interview with the FOX baseball crew following the Dodgers’ five-game World Series victory over the New York Yankees. First baseman and World Series MVP Freddie Freeman showed up with a four-hitter that included a wild outburst after the first game. Fierce right-hander Blake Treinen, whose profession seemed all but over after a series of diverse injuries, threw 42 pitches and struck out three batters over 2.1 innings of labor in the fifth, limiting the Yankees to simply one hit.

However, it was Betts who once more reminded fans why the Dodgers moved heaven and earth in 2020 to sign the disastrous Boston Red Sox franchise. In 16 postseason games in 2024, the famed five-tool outfielder hit .290 with 18 hits, 4 runs scored, 16 RBI and 14 runs scored. Betts’ profession stats are much more impressive. The 2018 American League MVP is an eight-time All-Star, six-time Gold Glove winner and 2018 batting champion. The only reason Betts is not the biggest star in the game is because his teammate, Shohei Ohtani, is a record-breaking hitter with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases, a soon-to-be three-time National League MVP, who also won 38 games in profession as a pitcher.

On paper, Betts — who earned his nickname because his parents were huge fans of NBA guard Mookie Blaylock — must be as famous by name as other extraordinary figures in the current Black culture zeitgeist, like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, LeBron, Kendrick, Zendaya and Barack and Michelle.

When polarizing baseball great-turned-analyst Alex Rodriguez reminded him that he was the only energetic player with three World Series titles (one with the Red Sox in 2018 and two with the Dodgers in 2020 and 2024). , Betts downplayed the feat. Instead, he praised his teammates for his or her support during a stretch last season during which the 32-year-old struggled at the plate.

“I remember in San Diego I was just grinding, grinding, grinding,” he recalled. “Literally no one turned their back on me. They were all there, cheering me on in the cage as I hit shots, hit shots, and told me I was OK…all my teammates were there…I love every single one of those guys. I just love being a Dodger, I really do.”

Betts is armed with retro charm. In one other life, the MLB superstar might have been an eye-candy ’90s soap opera idol who would give fresh-faced Shemar Moore a run for his money. You might wonder why Betts – who married childhood sweetheart Brianna Hammonds and has a postcard-ready family that evokes comparisons of BLACK LOVE to LeBron and Savannah James or Rihanna and A$AP Rocky – is not celebrated more by us. And while his name has been name-checked in several rappers’ rhymes, akin to Benny the Butcher in “Line“, Kennedy House in “Trust” and DJ BlueBucksClan, A-Bliccy and Jeezy in “Mookie Bets”, some rappers they’re astonished that it continues to be unnoticed of the conversation.

Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after Freddie Freeman #5 hit a two-run home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2024 in The Bronx, New York.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

People outside of sports fandom would have a tough time picking Betts out of the lineup. However, he actually doesn’t shrink back from the highlight. In 2020, Betts moved to Hollywood where she executive produced the award-winning 2022 documentary about the most beloved Dodger of all of them, .

Despite the charismatic Betts’ contract with the Dodgers value $365 million, which in today’s staggering $700 million market, represents a bargain that his teammate Ohtani, away from the diamond, is comically aloof. A talented athlete who was a standout basketball player at Overton High School in Nashville, winner of the Class AAA All-City Player of the YearBetts is knowledgeable bowler who bowled an ideal match in 2017.

So what gives? Why hasn’t Betts grow to be a ubiquitous fixture in black celebrity circles? Blame MLB. In 2024, only 4 African Americans participated in the Fall Classic (not counting Afro-Latino players and one from the Bahamas). Things got even worse in 2022 when no Black players took the field in the World Series.

This season, when MLB celebrated Jackie Robinson Day in honor of the giant who broke baseball’s color barrier on April 15, 1947, the variety of black players on the league’s 30 rosters was just 6%. By comparison, 1991 boasted the highest percentage of black players in the MLB at 18%, led by such immortals as Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Andre Dawson, Ricky Henderson, Ozzie Smith, Lee Smith and Eddie Murray .

Back then, baseball was still considered cool, a lot in order that the aforementioned Bonds, Griffey and frozen two-sport star Deion Sanders routinely shared highlights on SportsCenter with Michael Jordan and Barry Sanders. That’s why Betts has made it his mission to draw more black fans and elite black talent to MLB.

“I think one of the most important things is that kids don’t see us there.” – he said during the 2023 meeting. In the profile, he was filmed wearing a T-shirt that read “We need more Black people in the stadium.”

“If you watch football and basketball, you can see us everywhere… everyone on the field, everyone in the commercials,” Betts continued. “I have to continue to do my part and stay involved so that kids can see someone they can be.”

Each 12 months, MLB’s development programs, akin to the DREAM Series, Hank Aaron Invitational and Breakthrough Series, involve 1,200 to 1,500 children participating in the league’s diversity initiative. And the Andre Dawson Classic collegiate tournament showcases HBCU talent trying to break into the big leagues.

The query, nevertheless, is not whether Betts will eventually be engulfed by this nebulous and overused all-encompassing “culture.” Is that why it’s taking so long?

“I have three” Betts said to a packed crowd at Dodgers Stadium for World Series celebrations, holding his right hand up. “I’m trying to fill this hand, Los Angeles”

Keith “Murph” Murphy is a senior editor at VIBE magazine and a frequent contributor to Billboard, AOL and CBS Local magazines. The veteran journalist has appeared on CNN, FOX News and A&E Biography, and is the writer of the men’s lifestyle book “The XO Manifesto.”

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit

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Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”

She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.

Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.

Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez shows off a “winter white” look, weeks after critics slammed her busty latex outfit. (Photos: @laurenwsanchez/Instagram, Theimagedirect.com via Page Six)

On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”

One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.

Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.

When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.

Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”

Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”

Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.

Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.

Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape

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India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.

“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”

Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.

Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.


Singer India Shawn grew up singing in church with her family. “I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” she said.

India Shawn

Name:
India Shawn

Hometown:

Los Angeles

Artistic soundscape

Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric

The oldest musical memory

Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.

Influences

For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.

Creative process

Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”

Challenges and development

As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”

Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.

Current project

There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”

Sheila Matthews is a digital producer at Andscape and a proud HBCU graduate. She believes “Return of the Mack” must have won a Grammy, and her Twitter mentions are open to all debate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence

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With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.

Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.

From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.

In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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