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Kendrick Lamar explains how the “power of vulnerability” shapes his thinking as an artist and a human being

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Ahead of his 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, Kendrick Lamar reflects on the personal narrative that informs his artistry. As a cover star 2024 issue of Harper Bazaar’s ‘Voices’The “Not Like Us” rapper was interviewed by fellow artist SZA for an article written by author Kaitlyn Greenidge. In an intimate conversation, the artist, affectionately known as “K-Dot”, discussed three elements which have contributed to his evolution and self-transformation in recent times.

“The power of honesty and being honest with myself, looking at the person sitting across from me and learning that vulnerability is not weakness,” Lamar said. “I’m probably still developing that last one.”

Although he often avoided dwelling on his childhood because “it was traumatic,” Lamar admits it was fundamental to understanding his relationship with vulnerability. The Compton rapper explained that his “tough” “warrior” father showed no weakness, as an alternative showing him the responsibilities of “being a man” by working and providing for his family. Lamar noted that his father “never showed any emotion that could uplift the person sitting across from him” – a trait he acquired naturally.

“I learned to experience it without knowing that I had (these) same characteristics,” he continued. “But in what I do, there is certainly no growth without vulnerability. If I had understood the power of sensitivity earlier, I could have gained more depth and greater connection with the guys who were around me in my neighborhood… Our parents never had the opportunities to express themselves the way they wanted. I always looked at us as a beacon of hope (for them).”

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While he’s widely known for the flexible lyricism heard on his albums, Lamar’s music also serves as an outlet to explore his sensibilities. In fact, the rapper reveals that some of his most vulnerable moments have happened in the public eye. In addition to crying during songs like “Mother I Sober,” Lamar says it was the first time he allowed himself to cry publicly on stage.

While performing with other West Coast rappers, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, the star explained that he broke down in tears as the two veterans passed the “torch” to him on stage.

“A burst of energy just came out and I had to let it come out… My tears are online. And now that I look back, I love that moment. I love that this happened. Because it showed me how I could express myself in real time and see all my work actually come to life in that moment,” he added.

Even though hip-hop stays a male-dominated industry, the Compton resident says his musical journey has shown him how to balance his masculine and feminine energies.

“The more I delve into my music and the more I express myself… it’s this feminine energy. This is not the bravado I grew up with all the time. This is who I’m, I speak softly and I actually have to simply accept it,” he said, explaining how he sees music as a form of communication. “Because if my job is to speak, I actually have to have the opportunity to speak with everyone… and I am unable to try this if I’m behind a wall. I am unable to try this with my full manhood… That’s my superpower.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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BlaQue Community Cares is organizing a cash crowd for serious food

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QNS reports that Queens, New York-based nonprofit BlaQue Community Cares is making an effort to assist raise awareness of Earnest Foods, an organic food market with the Cash Mob initiative.

The BlaQue Cash Mob program is a community-led event that goals to support local businesses, reminiscent of grocery stores in Jamaica, by encouraging shoppers to go to the shop and spend a certain quantity of cash, roughly $20. BlaQue founder Aleeia Abraham says cash drives are happening across New York City to extend support for local businesses. “I think it’s important to really encourage local shopping habits and strengthen the connections between residents and businesses and Black businesses, especially in Queens,” she said after hosting six events since 2021.

“We’ve been doing this for a while and we’ve found that it really helps the community discover new businesses that they may not have known existed.”

As a result, crowds increase sales and strengthen social bonds for independent businesses.

Earnest Foods opened in 2021 after recognizing the necessity for fresh produce in the world. As residents struggled to seek out fresh food, Abraham defines the shop as “an invaluable part of the southeast Queens community.” “There’s really nowhere to go in Queens, especially Black-owned businesses in Queens, to find something healthier to eat. We need to keep these businesses open,” she said.

“So someone just needs to make everyone aware that these companies exist and how to keep the dollars in our community. Organizing this cash crowd not only encourages people to buy, but also shows where our collective dollars stand, how it helps sustain businesses and directly serves and uplifts our community.”

The event will happen on November 24 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 123-01 Merrick Blvd in St. Albans. According to the shop’s co-owner, Earnest Flowers, he has partnered with several other Black-owned brands in the world to sell his products at the shop. Flowers is comfortable that his neighbors can come to his supermarket to purchase organic food and goods from local vendors like Celeste Sassine, owner of Sassy Sweet Vegan Treats.

At the grand opening three years ago which was visited by over 350 viewersSassine stated that the collaboration was “super, super, super exciting” to the purpose that the majority of the products were off the shelves inside hours.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Keke Palmer Recalls the Key Advice Will Smith Gave Her as a Child: “It’s Hard to Be First”

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Keke Palmer, Keke Palmer Will Smith, Keke Palmer emancipation, keke palmer parents, Is Keke Palmer emancipated? theGrio.com

Like many young people, actress Keke Palmer went through a phase wherein she clashed along with her parents. Recently in a performance at “Toast” podcast.Palmer revealed that fellow actor Will Smith helped her take care of the situation along with her family.

As a child star who has appeared on Nickelodeon and Disney productions, the “Akeelah and the Bee” actress explained how juggling fame has affected her and her family relationships — a lot in order that she admits she once considered emancipating herself from her parents.

Although her lawyer tried to get her into counseling, Palmer said it was Smith’s words that ultimately modified her mind.

“A couple of weeks go by, I’m on the set of ‘True Jackson, Vice President’ and I get a call from a very, very unknown number. And I said, “What? If it was strange, I would not answer,” she said, mentioning that she simply went back to work. Later, while retrieving her phone, Palmer received a voicemail from the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star.

“Hey Keke. This is Will. We’re here filming ‘The Karate Kid’ with (my son) Jaden and I just want to let you understand that I’ve talked (to your lawyer),’ Palmer continued, impersonating Smith. “He let me know every little thing you are going through and I need you to know that sometimes it’s hard to be the first, but you may do it. Just stay focused, love your loved ones and every little thing shall be high-quality.

Palmer remembers struggling as a child with the attention and fame that got here with climbing the ladder in the entertainment industry. While trying to adjust to the demands of her burgeoning profession, the actress recalls feeling that fame meant she would have to “throw (her) family away.”

“It’s something that happens when you leave and you can become a child artist, you can be the first person in your family to go to college, or you can be the first person in your family to get married,” Palmer said: explaining her feelings at that moment. “There are so many firsts that can happen as the generations of your family grow and evolve.”

Keke Palmer is reclaiming the “narrative” surrounding his relationship with ex Darius Jackson

Ultimately deciding not to undergo the emancipation process, Palmer emphasized the importance of getting a healthy community when navigating the entertainment industry.

“I think I’ve always felt like a lot of people, whether they’re big names or whether they’re my lawyers, have been a good community,” she added. “Also, my parents made sure I was around (people) who would encourage community rather than discord and separation.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Issa Rae will be honored at the British Fashion Awards 2024

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Issa Rae gets flowers – in style.

The 39-year-old author, actress and producer will receive the Pandora Leader of Change award at the upcoming British Fashion Awards 2024, which will happen on December 2 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the British Fashion Council announced.

Actress and former “Insecure” co-star Yvonne Orji will present the award to Rae at the event, which serves as a significant fundraiser for the council’s foundation, in keeping with Women’s on a regular basis clothing.

“We are thrilled to honor Issa Rae with the Pandora Leader of Change Award at the Fashion Awards 2024,” Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, shared in an announcement.

“Rae’s work has inspired and resonated with people around the world. “She is a staunch supporter of the civil and women’s rights movements, always advocating for equality and social justice in her acting and writing,” Rush continued. “She consistently uses her platform to highlight the lack of diversity in Hollywood and advocate for greater representation in the industry, including meeting people of color behind the scenes.”

She added: “She is wholeheartedly committed to moving the conversation forward and galvanizing voices that are typically absent and underrepresented to open doors for others. She truly embodies the principles of this award and we are very excited to celebrate her in December.”

According to the British Fashion Council website, the Pandora Leader of Change award recognizes individuals who “lead innovation” to extend representation in arts and culture. Rae will be the second-ever recipient of this award. According to official details about the award, one other actress and author Michaela Coel was honored in 2023 Elle Magazine.

Viola Davis will be honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2025 Golden Globes

“Issa Rae truly embodies the spirit of the Pandora Leader of Change award,” Berta de Pablos-Barbier, Pandora chief marketing officer, said in the release. “In this second year of presenting this award, we are (honored) to celebrate a woman whose love for her craft and community shines through in each multi-dimensional character she brings to life.”

Pablo-Barbier added: “Her passion and purpose make her a natural candidate for this award, which fits perfectly with our values ​​at Pandora, where love is always at the center. Issa’s commitment to meaningful change and uplifting others makes her an extraordinary change leader, and we are proud to honor her.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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