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Backstage Pass: How Jason “J.” Carter powers Pulse Of ONE Music Fest – Essence

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Source: Alexx Green @alexxshotthat

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Running a two-day outdoor music festival with over 50 bands, 30 sponsors and tens of 1000’s of attendees takes a variety of people power. One such festival is ONE Music Fest in Atlanta; its co-founder and chief marketing officer, Jason “J.” Carter is certainly one of the people behind this power.

For fifteen years, the event has remained certainly one of the few independent black music festivals within the country. Despite the symphony of sounds that ONE Music Fest will certainly bring, the director begins his day with a moment of silence.

“I’ll wake up and I’ll just be still,” Carter tells ESSENCE. “I imagine myself moving throughout the day. And honestly, I look ahead to the success of the day and I like to see everything flowing. I’m a very visual person, so I just conceptualize it, internalize it. The idea of ​​”looking forward to success” and declaring victory is something Carter learned from his mother many years ago. “As mom says, ‘Pick it up.’ Own it. Make it happen.”

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The founder’s morning practice also includes words of affirmation, prayer and hydration – two glasses of water, to be precise. The days begin slowly but deliberately – all in preparation for a large event that may take a complete 12 months to finish. “Feeling rushed, anxious and stressed. I try to not let any of this seep into my person, into my space,” he says.

After a moment of silence, Carter talks to his wife, does a number of push-ups, takes a shower and begins. Before heading to Atlanta’s Central Park, the principal makes a number of calls to his team. Doors open at noon, but he arrives closer to 9 a.m. to be sure the day goes as planned. Needless to say, this is just not a straightforward task. The director is a master of relationship management, connecting sponsors, brand partnerships, talent and other stakeholders. Somehow he manages to do all of it with none problems.

“I play a variety of ping-pong across the festival grounds, but I do not feel like working either. I believe the moment I feel like work is a day, I’ll stop doing it. Carter continues, “I really, truly love and appreciate the ONE Music Fest audience and family we’ve built through the years. So let’s hope this issue continues to evolve over the subsequent 15 years.

ESSENCE accompanied J. Carter on the bottom in Atlanta during day two of ONE Music Fest. Here, the entrepreneur and executive gives us a day within the lifetime of what exactly it takes to successfully organize a multi-day festival.

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Backstage Pass: How Jason
Source: Alexx Green @alexxshotthat

6:00

“The first thing I do on the day of the festival is still.” Carter continues, “I say a fast prayer, drink two glasses of water, and jump within the shower. But I believe peace is significant.

Despite the early hour, J. Carter doesn’t make breakfast. “I usually don’t eat before 12:00. So no, I drink water in the morning. I did 50 push-ups, I take a shower and this is my breakfast. Then I will eat a balanced lunch. This usually gives me energy throughout the afternoon and evening.”

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Backstage Pass: How Jason
Source: Alexx Green @alexxshotthat

7:30

The founding father of ONE Music Fest says festival mornings aren’t the norm. “I usually check into the hotel on Friday to be close to the event and close to the team if we need to make an impression before we go to ground zero.”

After fielding “a few” calls from his festival team, he makes sure his guest list and family have the precise references. He made the primary two phone calls with the event and festival coordinators.

“I take into consideration every part from what we want to do in production to creating sure my aging parents can get out and in of the festival freely. This applies to private matters in addition to team organizational matters.

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Backstage Pass: How Jason
Source: Alexx Green @alexxshotthat

9:00

“We usually arrive at the festival on the first day of the festival between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., depending on how much work needs to be done. This year was completely different for some reason. We were ahead of the curve when it came to procedures, production and staging. We almost got caught in the system this year, considering how hectic the entire year leading up to the festival was. When we got there, everything was in place.”

Backstage Pass: How Jason
Source: Alexx Green @alexxshotthat

12:00

“You will catch me walking alone throughout the festival. Just feel it or just stand in the corner; I just watch people,” Carter tells ESSENCE.

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Thanks to meticulous pre-planning, the festival helps avoid last-minute emergencies. “If you run a festival with over 50 different performers and talent, you employ over 4,000 people on the festival grounds. Everyone has their own life. Everyone has their own problems. Everyone has their own dramas and personalities. So the thought that nothing will ever happen is rare, especially for artists who have a team around them.”

“There are artists who can tour 100 to 200 days a year. It’s exhausting. So some artists might wake up to bad weather, miss their flight, or someone in the band might have some issues that then translate into what they have to do.” Carter continues, “But one thing I can’t do is stress about something I can’t control. Being in this space, you have to be very solution-oriented.”

Backstage Pass: How Jason
Source: Alexx Green @alexxshotthat

14:00

As co-founder of ONE Music Fest, Carter definitely must “work the room.” It involves artists, politicians, family and the press. The festival is already 15 years old and boasts over 30 local sponsors – essentially the most in history.

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The CMO explains: “I also visualize early within the morning who I want to the touch and see? Who must see me? Who should I confer with? Who do I even have to be sure they’re taken care of?

Backstage Pass: How Jason
Source: Alexx Green @alexxshotthat

18:00

Managing a multi-day music festival means you could have to be flexible. Rolling with the punches is the secret. It’s value noting that each BossMan Dlow and Cardi B fell unwell ahead of the 2024 festival and canceled their performances. Carter’s job is to regroup and switch things around.

“It’s difficult. Nobody sees it this way, right? They want to blame the festival.” He continued: “BossMan Dlow announced earlier this week that he’s sick and is canceling every part. He continues to be a human being who needs to watch his well-being and health, mental and physical health. If he needed to take a mental break, let the person take a mental break.

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The co-founder also reflects on how things have modified for the reason that news of Cardi B’s hospitalization and subsequent cancellation of her ONE Music Fest appearance. “Cardi had a baby and if she has postpartum problems, it happens. It’s not the festival’s fault, it’s not Card’s fault. It happens.” He continues: “At a variety of festivals you possibly can just say, ‘I assume we just do not have a headliner.’ But we said, “No, we won’t do that.” That’s why we deal with our relationships. ONE Music Fest has partnered with the management teams of Latto and DJ Drama – they created a set with several different artists, including singer-songwriter Jeremiah and Atlanta’s 2 Chainz. The set was definitely a hit.

Backstage Pass: How Jason
Source: Alexx Green @alexxshotthat

9:00 p.m

This 12 months’s ONE Music Fest headliners included Latto, Jill Scott, GloRilla, Gunna and a couple of Chainz, but in J. Carter’s case, just one band took the cake. “Earth, wind and fire. Without a doubt,” says the founder emphatically. “I had to go to that stage to enjoy this show and I’m so glad I did.”

This 12 months, the Carter Festival hosted over a dozen relations. Watching the legendary band perform together as an entire was deeply remembered by all of them.

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“What would I like to get out of this? [ONE Music Fest] the most? He looks at the connection between the people in this audience – the smiles, the excitement, the energy (sorry for the language), but “Oh, y–t!” moments,” Carter says.

Backstage Pass: How Jason
Source: Alexx Green @alexxshotthat

22:30

“We’re removing people,” Carter says. “Typically, all departments – from security to website operations to media and promotional partners from Live Nation – come together for a toast and a sort of mini celebration. It’s right after the festival.” This 12 months, Hennessy and Don Julio provided libations for this commemorative moment. It’s a vacation!

Backstage Pass: How Jason
Source: Alexx Green @alexxshotthat

12:00

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“When I go back to the hotel, I do nothing. I do absolutely nothing. Thank you for a safe event, without any problems – no one was injured. Everything really went according to plan.” He continues: “And then I literally should fight myself to take a shower, I’m so drained. I just wish to be quiet and lie down. But I’m normally dusty as hell.

After a “good 30 minutes” of bathing, it was time for bed. Carter’s head hits the pillow around 1:30 a.m., but unlike most nights, he allows himself a number of extra moments (read: hours) of leisure. “I usually stay in bed for a good 10-11 hours,” he finally says.

A well-deserved rest.

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Celebrity Coverage

New music this week: Summer Walker, Coco Jones, Burna Boy and more – ESENCE

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New music this week: Summer Walker releases

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Happy Friday, people. With the looks of Maja, a brand new musical composition this week falls into the energy of renewal and re -control. From introspective ballads to anthem ready for the stadium, these editions reflect love, life and all the things in between.

One of essentially the most convincing offers this week is cooperation between 3 Chainz and the legendary Brothers Isley Brothers, a mixture of tenches of hip-hop and soul. “Sweet Love” Burna Boy and the windy “vacay” aminé also remind us that global rhythms and mixing of species at the moment are the norm, not an exception, and whether it’s a stuffy “spend” Summer Walker or Coco Jones combines strength Lady London In “It Mine” artists enter the season with confidence. Today’s list also includes the music of Jorji Smith, Tiany Major9, Weside Gunn and others.

Look at the most effective recent editions this week.

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Shedeur Sanders responds after the son of the NFL coach apologizes for Day Day Prank – Essence

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Shedeur Sanders responds after the son of the NFL coach apologizes for Day Day Drank

Boulder, CO – April 19: was the playmaker in Colorado Buffaloes, Shedeur Sanders, looks at the retirement ceremony in front of the black and golden spring game on Field Field Field 19 April 2025 in Boulder in Colorado. (Photo Dustin Bradford/Getty Images for Onit)

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The road to NFL is full of excitement, nerves – and for Shedeur Sanders, unnecessary dispersion that nobody has seen.

Shedeur, who’s the son of the NFL legend and coach Colorado Deion Sanders, fell victim to unripe joke During the NFL sketch in 2025, which must be a momentous opportunity for him and his family. But this moment quickly overshadowed Jax Ulbrich, son of the defense coordinator of Atlanta Falcons Jeff Ulbrich.

When Sanders waited to listen to his name, which was called during the project, he received what he thinks was a changing life from the Saints of New Orleans. Sanders answered in the surroundings of family and friends, only for the caller (whom we later learned that Ulbrich) revealed that it was all a joke, telling him that “he would have to wait a little longer” before he suddenly disconnects.

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Since then, Jax Ulbrich has published a public apology for his actions.

“On Friday evening I made an amazing mistake,” Ulbrich wrote on Instagram. “Shedeur, what I did was completely unforgivable, embarrassing and shameful. I’m so sorry that I took your moment, it was selfish and childish.”

The moment, captured to the video by brother Shedeur, Deion Sanders Jr. And he published in well -advanced media, he shows that Shedeur looked confused, asking, asking:

In addition to immaturity, there may be a much bigger problem here. NFL prospects are received by private phone numbers especially for communication with league staff during the project. Somehow Ulbrich gained access to this private channel, asking serious questions on the project of security protocols. Atlanta Falcons Since then, he apologized.

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Black athletes like Sanders are already in the face of sufficient control. And let’s be honest – they were reacted in another way, the headlines would concern his attitude, not with a joke.

Despite the proven fact that many analysts are expected as the talent of the first round, Sanders unexpectedly slipped into the sketch, finally chosen by Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. While this development has change into one of the biggest stories of the sketch, Call Call added an unnecessary layer of humiliation to already difficult experience.

But Sanders? He got a high path.

Talking to the media after calling, he didn’t allow the wit to define his night.
“It didn’t really affect me,” he said. “I do not feed negativity. This is, of course, the guy was childish … but everyone does children’s things here and there.”

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His mastery stood out. And truthfully, this isn’t a surprise. The son of “Prime Time” knows something about coping with the light of headlights and remaining grounding when he has the most significant.

In an interview with Essence, just before the NFL Deioners project, Sanders spoke about his suggestions for his sons about their future NFL and the way deeply rooted in faith. “The first thing we are talking about is that you will go where God wants you to go because he has already seen the path,” says Sanders. “Where we want to go, it may not be the right place, but where he wants us to go, it is certainly the right place.”

This incident is a reminder of additional obstacles that black athletes often encounter during their skilled journeys. What must be a pure holiday of exertions and Sanders’ achievements was partly overshadowed by an act of disrespect that he is anticipated to be kindly forgiven.

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Coco Jones wants more – essence

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Coco Jones wants more

Coco Jones, “Why not more?” 2025. Credit photo: Cindy Romero

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The Coco Jones journey was about unchanging perseverance. At the age of 27, the singer, the writer of the lyrics and actress had a profession lasting almost twenty years. From her first role in Disney, to her groundbreaking performance as Hilary Banks in Peacock’s, she maintains consistency through all this. As an artist, her long and tedious path reached some extent in 2024, when she received the primary Grammy award for a stupendous ballad “,”ICU. “Each of her previous experience within the industry – whether good or bad – put the muse for her debut studio album,

Traditionally, the primary album is the correct introduction to the masses, nevertheless it was different for Sige Def Jam, since it was within the focal point long before its release. Regardless, she was still extremely essential for the singer, because he served as a really perfect time for her evolution. “[This album] It means growth and opportunity to learn more about yourself, “said Jones.” When I see people’s reactions and opinions when I perform the title song, and when I live in this album, I will have new apparitions about myself and who I want to become the next one. “

As for the person to evolve – the sky is the limit. Appearing in several projects within the film, television and theater, this multi -fanet can result in what he means. Asked why the world was best for the world to listen to this latest work tank, Jones replied: “I am my most difficult critic, so I wanted to do things that I felt that they were fresh and inspiring – and it takes a lot of time and effort to find these things.”

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“So I feel that you give your creatively and then leave it all on the table,” she continued. “But it was definitely one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, and I’m sure that when working on my next project, it will be more different and more different obstacles – but it’s worth it. Everything is good is worth the challenge.”

In the case of 14 album songs, you’ll be able to hear the meticulous Jones process. Coming in only over 40 minutes, it occurs from London to Da Track, Future and YG Marley, which helps, amongst others, to chop out the album title, together with the production of Stargate, Cardiak and Wu10. Records equivalent to “Taste”, “Here We Go (UH OH)” and “The most beautiful project” show the artist’s versatility, in addition to her progress as a singer.

“I think that I have become stronger as the author of texts,” said Jones Essence. “I think that as an artist, thinking about the whole world, topic and line, I became more purposeful, as well as on the production side, I was a little more practical.”

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While the debut edition is the moment to have a good time, Jones has fled for the time being, preparing for the longer term. Now, with a brand new partnership with the long-lasting Vodka brand Gray gooseDuring the beginning of a concert tour in North America, and filming for the fourth and last season of the Set, the winner of the NAACP Image award, behaves as the very best priority, since the balance is crucial to survive on this continuously changing entertainment industry. “I’m really big in therapy,” she said. “Healthy eating and sleeping in a reasonable time gives you energy so that you can give it a crowd – it is important to treat your body with respect.”

If you look deeper at Jones’s profession, it is straightforward to acknowledge how she achieved this level of success. The years of concentrated work and dedication to her craft – whether it’s music, acting or the rest that she thinks – led to the lady we see today and makes the title of the album even more suitable. It is just not really a matter, but slightly a press release, because Coco Jones has a lot to pass.

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