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Are we sure Drake will get better? — Andlandscape

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I at all times considered Yasiin Bey a fortune teller.

Nearly 25 years ago, I went to Circuit City and acquired Bey’s (then often known as Mos Def) debut solo album. . I used to be 13 years old and hungry for rap music that was like a full meal. The album became the premise for my understanding of the world as a black teenager in America. I told people on the time that this album was top-of-the-line books I had ever read since it taught me about gentrification, colonization, and racial double standards. But the song I kept coming back to growing up was “Water of the New World”, a track that originally didn’t impress me sonically.

The song is concerning the commodification of something as common as water, with prices rising and unsafe water being provided to the black community. I used to be fascinated by this song when water crisis in Flint, Michigan, it happened. I considered this after I was in my hometown of Jackson, Mississippi fought to maintain water clean. I take into consideration this as our global climate is falling apart by the day. Whenever I see these headlines I feel: Mos Def was attempting to warn us.

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Maybe we must have seen Drake are available 2024 when it will be the identical fairy began the 12 months asking one critical query about Drake: “What happens when this thing collapses?”

Bey later walked back his comments, calling Drake “very talented,” but his original statements resonated all year long. At the time of Bey’s comments, the considered Drake’s empire falling seemed as not possible because it did for him and Bey to record a song together.

But almost a 12 months later, something that gave the impression of a fantasy is now more possible than ever. Drake’s profession is at its lowest point and he isn’t doing himself any favors. The once unquestionable, at all times calculating hit machine becomes the topic of viral lyrics, stadium-filling chants and accusations of cultural appropriation. It’s an odd place to see him. But possibly we, like Mighty Mos Def, could have expected it.

Of course, the impetus for Drake’s not-so-good, very-bad 2024 was a musical attack from now-bitter rival Kendrick Lamar. Throughout the summer, the 2 traded songs in a musical chess match that gave rap one in every of its most enjoyable feuds ever. When the songs aimed toward one another were first released – Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle” and “Pushups” and Lamar’s “Euphoria” and “6:16 in LA” – I used to be dismissive of the concept that the feud could be clearly detrimental to either of them. them. their careers. “When the dust settles, their careers will be fine,” I wrote in May. “They will both be safe.”

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Lamar then ramped up his attacks, launching a calculated, military-level lyrical invasion that targeted every weak spot of Drake’s. Sure, other rappers called him corny. But Lamar examined every blemish with exquisite precision. At the core of the attacks was the claim that Drake was not, in truth, a part of the black American culture. He is an outsider. The knockout punch was “Not Like Us,” a chart-topping anthem that questioned Drake’s relationships with underage girls, called him a colonizer, and, frankly, made him look uncool. Even after Lamar secured the victory, it gave the impression of Drake would bounce back. All he needed was one hit, right?

But Lamar didn’t stop.

Was “Not Like Us” music video.“Pop Out” concert on June 11, the announcement of the Super Bowl halftime show and the promise that 1000’s of viewers and hundreds of thousands at home will be screaming “Minor” in harmony and a surprise album stuffed with latest hits and more reasons to have fun Lamar. One thing that each one of those moments had in common was that they featured groups of individuals – a community – large crowds from Compton, California, members of the Crips and Bloods performed on stage, and songs were played by bands from historically black colleges and universities. They all banded together to make fun of Drake to the purpose that Drake’s clowning became cool. Even brands and social media influencers hungry for a chunk of hip-hop loot dismissed Drake as low-hanging fruit.

Rapper Drake attends the sport between the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers on the Toyota Center on March 16 in Houston.

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

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With each passing day, it seemed less and fewer inevitable that Drake would find a way to undo all of it together with his next shot, largely due to his own mistakes. His latest rebuttal: “Heart, part 6″ was as ill-conceived a diss record as he could have produced, full of inaccuracies about Lamar’s music and an incredible attempt to create a narrative that would spread information into Lamar’s camp. Drake then slowed down gigabytes of content as a throwaway that didn’t move the needle. He randomly released loose songs that sometimes sounded great (“No face” is one in every of his best songs this 12 months), however it hasn’t been as well received because it often is, even in the event that they are only released to the general public. For example, his 2021 EP got here out of nowhere and still managed to chart, and “Wants and Needs” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. This may appear to be a contradiction or an overreaction, as Drake he wasn’t attempting to release a totally polished single with the goal of dominating the charts, but these moments matter.

Rap battles, like political battles, are sometimes won on the margins. A slight deterioration within the demographic situation can damage all the campaign. A neighborhood in Pennsylvania can change all the state. A mistake in a small town in Wisconsin can damage every thing. According to Drake, he has been on the sidelines for a while now.

When did he start? insinuating that Megan Thee Stallion was lying about being shot by Tory Lanez and in addition you are turning pale together with one other Canadian rapper, this resonated together with his black female fans, which contributed greatly to his success. The ghostwriting allegations which have dogged him for years have damaged his standing among the many same hip-hop purists who now rally around Lamar’s authenticity and writing style. And yes, strange exchanges with underage girls also turned off some segments of his base. These dents weren’t enough to scale back Drake’s overall popularity prior to this 12 months. Still, they matter when presented as a unifying whole – on this case, Lamar – who laid out all the explanations to hate Drake in clever, catchy, and sometimes hilarious rhyming couplets and chants.

And now Drake has delivered a suicide note that betrays the rapper’s history as the identical calculating, sensible warrior who crushed Meek Mill to dust in his clenched fist. Two weeks ago, Drake filed two complaints against the corporate own record label, Universal Music Group, for artificially amplifying “Not Like Us” and promoting a song that he claims spread false accusations about him. Other than that, Drake didn’t prefer to lose and successfully called the police on the black man. In a dispute based on Drake’s association together with his Blackness and his status as a hip-hop interloper, filing a legal challenge over words spoken during a rap battle discourages any motion Drake can have taken. While Drake has been memed and joked about throughout his profession, the uproar has never been like what we’ve seen over the previous few weeks.

There has at all times been a belief that Drake is one stroke away from forgetting every thing – disqualifications, accusations and banality. But I’m not sure that is the case anymore. We enter the aftermath of a feud that’s more paying homage to the lopsided beating 50 Cent received Ja Rule within the early 2000s, effectively ending his superstar profession, than the back-and-forth between Jay-Z and Nas that helped each side rise to the following level. their careers. It’s one-sided and the tide is popping towards the megastar greater than expected. Unfortunately, lots of the problems are Drake’s fault. Lamar masterfully took down one in every of rap’s biggest stars, but he also used Drake’s refusal to handle and fix a few of the issues that were already bubbling beneath the surface. Now the road to recovery is bumpier than ever, and Drake’s future is unsure. What once gave the impression of an obstacle is increasingly looking like a ditch from which it will take some serious work for the once biggest rap star to climb out of.

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Nobody could have predicted this.

Except possibly Mos Def, after all.

DavidDennis Jr. is a senior author at Andscape and the writer of the award-winning book “The Movement Made Us: A Father, a Son, and the Legacy of a Freedom Ride.” David is a graduate of Davidson College.

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Why a’ja Wilson is bigger than just the next release of sneakers – and scape

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The recent Sneaker Nike A’one and the accompanying clothing line come for a very long time.

On the pitch, three -time awards and dominance of WNBA MVP and Las Vegas Aces are undeniable. Her attention to detail in every element of her game is that she flourished from the first skilled profession basket. Now she has set herself to the same success in the sneakers industry.

Early questions arose why the release lasted so long, but Nike left nothing. They spent almost two years in the trenches, ensuring that every aspect of the release was made at the highest level.

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Now this expectation pays off.

As the release date approached, and Scape talked to women specializing in sneakers, fashion, sport and culture about their feelings on the signature line, Nike marketing plan and the historical importance of A’ja Wilson’s release.


Star Las Vegas Aces A’ja Wilson is wearing Nike A’one “Pink A’ura”.

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The two -time WNBA master cooperated with the footwear designer Nike Ben Nethongome to create a’one for convenience and versatility. The silhouette has the Cushlon 3.0 central sole, which is a stronger base for response and smooth, cushioned landings. The pattern of adhesion on the outer sole allows the rims to make cuts and rotation without devoting precision.

A’ONES technical features are impressive, but personal data give the personality of shoes.

A’ONE finishes pay tribute to the pearl necklace, Grandma Wilson gave her as a toddler. Inspired by a pearl protecting a coat, the design has a robust, breathable upper part, Phylon middle carrier and a lightweight outer sole, which together sway cushion cushioning.

Illustration of technical elements of Nike A’ONE.

Other personal accents include a sentence from her 2021 essay Tribune And Celtic symbols at the back of the shoe language representing the names of parents, Roscoe and Eva Wilson.

The “Pink A’ura” version is a special color “before heating”, the term uses Nike to explain the color scheme or design theme in signatures and is related to a singular element of the story for the player. Pink A’ura is described as “flushing Leo energy and illuminates the pitch in her favorite color.” Another detail includes “A” of her signature, referring to her role “A1”.

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A’ja Wilson poses for a selfie with young girls during a pop-up pop-up Nike in Tamp, Florida.

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“I am excited from it, especially knowing the album she has in WNBA and how he likes to combine athletics with fashion. He is probably one of the best-dressed people in WNBA,” he said Ashley HallCreator of the content from Philadelphia and co -host Only table who previously worked with Nike and Fenta. Hall is not going to rim, but she likes the figure and colours, believing that the living pink was “a really good idea on her part and her favorite color.”

The color construction has also caught the attention of the recent Host Seattle Storm Kayce Crescent. “I love that she dropped a pink pair first, because it wasn’t like the colors of her band,” she said. Kirihara was a fashion and sneaker, who hosted the events of NBA and WNBA, before she brought her management Storm.

“It seems to me that this is quite a cult dropping of the first characteristic sneakers in colors, which probably not many people expected,” she said.

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Debut colours a’one is not an accident. The former debutant of the 12 months WNBA put her hands on every aspect of the project and was surprised by how often the team put it off during this process. “In fact, they look at me:” What do you desire to sell? You have a pen to your notebook. What do you desire to do? ” – she said . This is the reason why A’ones tell their story so professionally.

“As for the shoes of every athlete, I really want to feel that they are in the shoe,” said Taja “TJ” Keasal, host Sneaker Talks with TJ. She read Wilson’s book and believes that having more intimate knowledge about the Golden Olympic medalist makes the tennisian more unique.

“Her parents were turned on. Certainly her grandmother is turned on. I just love that the shoes attract so many of them, who makes A’ja, a’ja, to the shoe,” she said. “We don’t have to guess. We don’t have to wonder. It is extremely designed by it.”


View of the NIKE window before heating during the final 4 NCAA women in 2025. On April 3 in Tamp, Florida.

Nike

Nike marketing plan on this trip before heatingwhich consisted of stores popping up throughout March and April in Las Vegas, Tampa, Florida, and Columbia, Karolina, where she appeared at the University of South Carolina. In each location, Sneakerheads could buy a shoe before a wider retail version. It could appear obvious to revive the family hero to the debut of her characteristic line, but more enthusiasm has been added to release.

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Olivia Irick is from South Carolina, who attended a jumping window in her family state. She waited in the queue for 3 hours to get some of the first pairs of A’one, having fun with the event that released a big selection of Sneakerheads and Wilson fans.

“(To see) people camping and lining up around the block, because these shoes were simply something beautiful for (witness), especially (a woman) with their own characteristic shoes,” said Irick. “It was a good time for the city’s culture and sneakers.” Wilson participated in the event, signed posters for youngsters and took pictures with fans.

Irick proudly raised her couple A’ONES during the video interview with Andcape.

“I am not a pink girl, but because of who A’ja is, what she brought to hit the game and South Carolina, I wore this shoe several times,” she said. “I think I’m a pink girl now.”

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A’ja Wilson (Center) poses with young girls who participated in the events of Nike’s a’one Pre-Heat Event in Columbia, sc.

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Nike “did a good job to hear his athletes and hear the consumer.” Sports reporter and ESPN analyst Monica McNutt said. He believes that the company has not neglected any details when it was time to release.

“Speaking of intentional implementation, Sheryl Swiopes and A’ja Wilson Connection It is not an event – she said. “Sheryl Swoopes was the first woman who got a characteristic shoe for Nike and I feel that the first woman who had a characteristic shoe, dot. And in lots of respects Nike was part of the creation of history and part of culture.”

McNutt said that she didn’t query Nike’s involvement in the former three -time WNBA MVP. He believes that the company has learned from earlier outlets and used them as a chance to develop at a time when women’s basketball continues the incredible growth in the mainstream.

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Actress Issa Rae (left) and A’ja Wilson (on the right) you’ll be able to see a set of Wilson clothing by Nike.

Nike

Nike will release the A’one accompanying clothing line. The line covers Hoodie impersonated by SateenA’Symmetrical one -legged sleeve and a relaxed slide in the same pink shade as a’one. Hoodie sweatshirt honors a mother who didn’t want the superstar to wear masks at the airport.

Like many black women, Kirihara sleeps with silk pillowcases to guard his hair, so with a hood with a sweatshirt with Satk it could appear a small detail to others, but “makes a huge difference.” He thinks he represents more than just something to wear.

“There is a story behind this. And I love it. I think they are drugs because many people want to match things. They want to combine a outfit that is associated with it,” she said.

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Tionna DenceceLover, the writer of the texts and content creator, believes that offering Calm Slide is a win for the three -time defensive player of the 12 months WNBA.

“I like the fact that he has a slide,” Denice said. “Some people may not want a sneaker, but they may want a slide. So he gives people options, even if they are not athletes.”

He also loves a hoodie.

“She is such a black girl. It’s so cultural. It’s also for other women. That’s what I loved in the line. Yes, it is a cultural matter, but other women can understand it,” she said.

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Irick agreed.

“I regret that they didn’t have it in a jumping window, but I definitely wanted a shoe sweatshirt,” she said. “This is the one I go the most. But I also have a few slides. It has become my way out.”

Keasal also loves so as to add an identical calm slide. “This coordination,” she said. “People may think that this is not such a great contract, but it can (can) increase someone’s confidence.”


The first female athlete Nike, Sheryl Swiopes, Toasta a’ja Wilson in honor of her collection A’ONE.

Nike

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For many, the characteristic A’ja Wilson line means something much apart from hard wood. WNBA built his success at the back of black women. However, before the initial announcement of Wilson’s shoe in May last 12 months, Candace Parker was the last black player of WNBA, who received the sneaker’s line.

It was 15 years ago.

Wilson’s popularity coincides with increased league visibility. A’ONE edition is not only paying arrears; This proves that perseverance pays off.

Denice asked if this independent would have the same impact. She mentioned how WNBA players “once they had to go abroad” to earn money, “which means you had to love it, right?” He feels that the league and the sneakers industry as a complete are waiting for somebody like A’ja Wilson, whose quite a few awards speak for themselves.

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“I feel that its basic base of fans and fans in WNBA or people who support basketball (they would be there). Is this a place where it is now five years ago? Probably not. I think that time is everything. This is the perfect time to spend a shoe. It is the perfect time to celebrate WNBA,” she said.

“Now is the perfect time. It’s the perfect time for WNBA, because we see it (we blow up),” she said. “It’s a perfect time for her because her career will come from here.”

Hall agreed.

“I think that thanks to her achievements I think it is very late,” she said. “I really hope he gets the moment he deserves.”

Keasal repeated sentiments.

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“I don’t think it can be disappeared or challenge what it means now,” she said. “We see this increase in women’s basketball. You also see that her number one player in the world is also at the forefront. And I think that this means a lot only in terms of representation, because she represents a lot.”

Sneaker Nike A’ONE, a clothing collection and a quiet slide shall be available in chosen retail sellers on May 6.

Garfield Hylton is an expert journalist, spirit and a digital storyteller. When he doesn’t write essays, he is working at the gym on a jump in order that young boys don’t escape from the pitch.


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Ici: Criticism of BBL Erykah Badu and more – Essence

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ICEM: Criticism of BBL Erykah Badu and more

Michael Buckner/Billboard via Getty Images

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Beauty might be two things: fashionable or undefined. And sometimes each. Over the past week, the makeup looks for a long time, it exceeded trends together. Meanwhile, a single hair trend cannot even be attached.

For example Red lip This is a alternative of makeup, which turned out to be probably the most timeless appearance of beauty. Just take a look at the Cat and Tracee Ellis Ross. Naja connected it with the overgrown high top Grace Jones and deeply embedded French ends, and Ross selected a rather lighter red nail and a skillful roll.

While the lips have turn into Rouge, the hair became dishonest with trends difficult to define. Solange, seen in wet wet braids this week, creativity directed a birthday session for Ari Lennox. Her uncertain wig went with a pink, junk manicure. To finish the week, Erykah Badu participated within the Billboard Music Awards within the critic of BBL culture. In other words, she shook the overalls expanding the body, the red lip and intentionally messy wing when she received the icon award.

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If you missed this, take a look at the 9 best beauty moments from the week.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Kamala Harris “60 minutes” The interview has an emmy nomination regarding the Trump lawsuit

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From the dispute about the courtroom to the longed -for Emma nomination, the “60 minutes” interview with Kamala Harris pays fresh attention this week. On Thursday, the segment with the participation of the former vp was nominated for the “outstanding edited interview”.

The same interview was at the center of the ongoing dispute of President Trump with the information network. In November 2024, Trump filed a lawsuit against CBS, claiming that the interview was “insidious” and “documented” to make his opponent look good.

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“The matter we have on the basis of 60 minutes, CBS and Paramount is a real winner. They deceived and deceived the American nation on levels, never seen before in the political arena,” wrote Trump in Post on social truthHis social media platform. “60 minutes and his corporate parents, so that this would not have a negative influence on her, remove and remove the entire answer of Kamali, each word, and replaced it with a answer, which she later gave a completely different question. 60 minutes committed a gigantic fraud against the American nation, federal electoral commission and a federal communication system.”

Although CBS has transferred transcription, in keeping with the request of the Federal Communication Commission, CBS remains to be in the face of Harris’s intelligence evaluation.

According to reports, the CBS parent company, Paramount Global, allegedly working on reaching a settlement with the Trump administration, despite the undeniable fact that many journalists oppose this concept. In addition, the “60-minute” executive manufacturer, Bill Owens, gave up attributable to corporate restrictions imposed on him after the controversies of Harris’s intelligence.

Unfortunately, CBS is considered one of the many organizations to which Trump’s administration aimed during the first 100 days. On the same day, “60 minutes” was nominated, Trump signed a contract executive order Directing the corporation to public broadcasts to “stop federal funds for NPR and PBS.”

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Trump signs the executive ordinance directing federal financing cuts for PBS and NPR

(Tagstranslate) Donald Trump

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