Posts made in May 2017

W Hotels of New York Launch In-House Tattoo Artist Series

W Hotels of New York Launch In-House Tattoo Artist Series with Espolòn® Tequila
Guests of W Hotels will be Invited to Jump the Extensive Multi-Year Waiting List to be Tattooed by Roster of World Famous Artists
  
New York City (May 25th, 2017) – Today, the W Hotels of New York announce the launch of the inaugural In-House Tattoo Artist Series, inviting some of the world’s most celebrated tattoo artists to set up residence, and tattoo parlor, in the hotels’ suites. W Hotels of New York will provide guests with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to jump the artists’ extensive multiyear waiting lists. Guests will be invited to book appointments with a rotating roster of the world’s top tattoo artists including: Tuki Carter, Chris Garver, Jack Rudy and Sara Fabel.  Each artist is lauded for embodying a singular aesthetic well-aligned with the hotel that they’ll call home. The hotels’ Extreme Wow Suites, each one offering an iconic cityscape view, will be transformed into private Tattoo Studios replete with an Espolòn Tequila cocktail cart and artwork created by the tattoo artists throughout the years.
Following the launch of the Tattoo Artist Series with Tuki Carter at W New York — Times Square on May 28th, 2017, all W properties in New York (W New York, W New York — Union Square and W New York — Downtown) will roll-out a rotating series intended to infuse each hotel with unique, cutting-edge guest experiences. Guests looking to join in on the action with an aversion to permanent ink may enjoy limited-edition temporary tattoos designed exclusively for W and Espolòn Tequila. Espolòn Tequila will create unique specialty cockt ails that pay homage to the style and aesthetic of each tattoo artist, available on all W Hotels of New York Living Room menus. Rates for tattoo consultations will start at $500 – $1600 per hour.
The In-House Tattoo Artist Series will launch at each property as follows with the possibility of additional artists joining the lineup for the series’ continuation:
  • Tuki Carter at W New York — Times Square, May 28th – June 3rd: An accomplished visual artist and musician, Carter is known nationally for his vivid portraiture work. A driving influence in Atlanta’s underground art and culture scene, his past clients include Usher, Young Jeezy and many more.
  • Chris Garver at W New York — Union Square, July 3rd – 10th: Featured on TLC’s Miami Ink, Garver is one of the world’s most renowned tattoo artists. Although versatile in his work, his specialty lies in Japanese and black and gray tattooing.
  • Sara Fabel at W New York — Downtown, August 20th – 27th: A Finnish tattoo artist, former model and actress, Fabel is known worldwide for her artistry. She works solely in black ink focusing on organic themes mixed with symbolism, mathematical elements, and secret geometry.
  • Jack Rudy at W New York, September 4th – TBD: Widely considered one of the world’s top tattoo artists, Rudy will continue the series at the W Hotels’ flagship property. Noted as being the godfather of the fine line black-and-gray style of tattooing, single-needle use, and realistic portraits, his body of work spans more than 40 years.
“Espolòn Tequila is instantly recognizable by the ‘Day of the Dead’-inspired imagery on its label, an homage to the famous Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada,” says Christina Moll, Marketing Director for Tequila at Campari America. “More than 100 years ago, Posada captured the real lives of the Mexican people in his paintings. Today tattoo artists are creating just as powerful images in their work, which makes us very proud to be part of this program.”
“Design that defies expectation is one of our passion points at W,” says Joseph Folta, Marketing Manager at W New York — Times Square. “We’re united with Espolón Tequila in our vision for the series and look forward to differentiating each artist, cocktail, and hotel to highlight their unique qualities.”
Tanya De Costa, Marketing Manager at W New York — Union Square states, “While we showcase artists on a quarterly basis, this will be the first time that we have a tattoo artist in house. We’re excited to be connected to these bold, creative talents in a realm that’s a first for us.”
According to Pete Villarreal, Marketing Coordinator at W New York  — Downtown: “By providing exclusive access to these renowned artists, the properties seek to spark guests’ imaginations in what we believe to be a most inventive, exciting, and unusual way.”
“As the W’s original property was inspired by the chaos and culture of New York, this visionary series is iconic of the city’s 24/7 energy and the W brand,” says Pablo-Andres Lopez, Marketing Manager at W New York. “We’re emboldened by the caliber of artists we’ve been able to enlist.”
All booking inquiries can be sent to wtattoos@lalcomm.com.
Espolòn Tequila, one of the fastest growing tequilas on the market, is an award-winning collection of super-premium tequilas that celebrates real Mexico and highlights its storied culture through classic 19th century artistry and the iconic rooster, a symbol of national pride. Handcrafted with 100% Weber Blue Agave, these heralded premium tequilas are distilled in the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico, and handcrafted at the artisan San Nicolas Distillery under the guidance of Master Distiller Cirilo Oropeza. www.tequilan.com @EspolonTequila
About W New York
Opened in 1998, as the flagship property for W Hotels Worldwide, W New York is a vibrant New York City retreat where fashion, food, music, and art excite the soul. Set in midtown Manhattan, the iconic W New York property offers travelers a soulful sanctuary in the pulse of New York City. With 696-guest rooms, guests can kick off their day with breakfast at the critically acclaimed restaurant Heartbeat, relax with treatments at Bliss49® spa, re-energize at FIT® and sip on martinis at the famed local hot spot Whiskey Blue. W New York is a centrally located oasis, inspired by nature, designed for comfort, and dedicated to service.www.wnewyork.com
About W New York – Times Square 
Located in the most famous neighborhood in the world, W New York – Times Square, which opened in 2001, offers a modern retreat from the hustle and bustle of New York City. The hotel’s 509 guest rooms and 43 suites – including the renovated Extreme WOW (Presidential Suite) that also functions as an event space – combine form, function and style with cutting-edge design. W New York – Times Square is in the heart of the theater district, with museums a few blocks north and downtown a quick subway ride away.
About W New York – Downtown
Situated on the cusp of New York’s Financial District, W New York – Downtown sits in one of the most historic and iconic neighborhoods in New York City. Fashion’s finest, power suiters and startup royalty hightail it the 5th floor Living Room Bar and Terrace to enjoy Sip Daily specials seven days a week (from 5-8pm) and sweeping views of Manhattan through sprawling floor – to ceiling windows. Situated at a perfect intersection of history and modernism, high style meets the high life in the hotel’s 217 guest rooms and suites. For more information, please visit: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycwd-w-new-york-downtown/
About W New York – Union Square
W New York – Union Square sits in a landmark 1911 Beaux-Arts building amid a vibrant New York intersection, representing a unique division in Manhattan: the orderly, traditional, mainstream, corporate uptown and the Bohemian, counter-cultural, free thinking downtown. A gathering place for people of all walks of life from around the world, the hotel celebrates the diversity of the area, and those who come to inhabit it. Taste Mediterranean-influenced treats at Gerber Group’s Irvington restaurant; gaze at the city and people watch with a martini in hand in the Living Room bar. W New York – Union Square is the place to see and be seen, where celebrities and locals mix and mingle, and everyone is an insider. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycnu-w-new-york-union-square/

Skai Is The Limit

VOLUME: HEART - SKAI JACKSON

“Don’t let anyone’s words ever get to you, because there have been some people in my life who have said ‘You can’t do this’ or ‘That’s not possible.’” Jackson said. “But now I did it, so I proved them wrong; I got where I always wanted to be today. So if you really want to do it, and you’re really passionate about it, don’t ever give up. It might take time, it’s not going to happen right away, but something great will eventually happen for you.”

Skai Jackson stars in the Disney spinoff series, Bunk'd. Skai was listed as one of TIME Magazine's "Most Influential Teens of 2016" and one of EBONY's "Power 100" honorees. She is also an ambassador for the organization, No Kid Hungry.

CARMEL’S BERNARDUS LODGE PUTS HONEYBEE’S TO WORK

SEPTEMBER/NATIONAL HONEY MONTH

NEW “BUZZED AT BERNARDUS” EXPERIENCE DEBUTS WITH HIVE WALKS, HONEY-INSPIRED SPA TREATMENTS, “COLONY COCKTAILS” & LUCIA’S MENU SPIN

CARMEL VALLEY, CALIF., 2017 – Boasting the largest resort collection of Italian honeybee colonies along the California coast, Bernardus Lodge & Spa puts a sweet spin on the season with its new apiculture program flush with 180,000 Italian honeybees and buzzy new ways to lap up the local nectar.

Known for its scientific superpowers, the golden elixir of honey has held sway overhumans since ancient times.  Egyptians used the nectar to treat skin and eye ailments, Greek Olympians used it as a power and race recovery source and the Spanish honored the honey bee with paintings dating back to the Middle Stone Age.  Today, these small wonders are credited with pollinating roughly one-third of the U.S., food supply.

Guests can tuck into this Forbes triple Four-Star property just nine miles from the Pacific and enjoy a variety of bee-centric adventures.  Tie in a sweet deal with luxury accommodations starting at $395.00. www.bernarduslodge.com.

Bee Inspirational Walks

Set on 28 acres of lush florals and vineyards, 100 fruit trees, a two-acre organic garden and 2,000 English, French & Spanishlavender plants, Bernardus Lodge’s newestresidents have hit nirvana – given each honeybee can visit up to 5,000 flowers a day.  Three colonies, maintained by teen entrepreneur Jake Reisdorf, Beekeeper, Owner and Operator of Carmel Honey Company — and chef Cal’s two personal home hives — ensure the property is well steeped in the sweet stuff.  Beginning June 3, 2017 and continuing every Saturday throughout the summer, resort guests can tap into a complimentary educational bee walk with chef Cal or Jake and learn the ins-and-outs of apiculture, as well as touring the heady organic vegetable and rose gardens.  12:00 p.m., complimentary.

Colony Cocktails

Lucia Bar, an open-air craft cocktail hub known for its garden-to-glass ethos, rolls out three new libations to kick off the Buzzed at Bernardus season.  For the ultimate feel-good fix, the EpiPen features Abomination Whiskey by Lost Spirits, fresh lemon, garden honey, bitters and soda water, served on the rocks.  Tequila is a perfect foil for nectar as well.  Tap into Mezcal Vago Espadin, fresh lemon and Angostura bitters with a float of honey, served shaken for the sultry Smokey Stinger.  Guests can also get buzzed on a refreshing Queen Bee — served butler-style on the bocce lawn — featuring Darjeeling Gin, fresh lemon and honeycomb bitters.  $15.00.

Hive-To-Table

Named after the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains which provide the dramatic backdrop to the 2,300 sq., ft., restaurant and alfresco dining terrace, Lucia’s contemporary dining room is the ideal stage for chef Cal Stamenov’s cuisine.  Classically trained with an eye to sustainability, the menu plays off locally-sourced ingredients with the essence of the dish taking center stage.  A back pocket of local farmers, foragers and fisherman keep Lucia’s kitchen at a steady simmer.   This season, chef Cal will showcase his raw, organic honey in a variety of entrees and desserts.  Highlights include a savory Garden Mache with local mushroom, fingerling potatoes and black sage honey and bacon vinaigrette, Chilled Bing Cherry Soup with Honey Ginger Ice Cream and Black Truffle Cheese Cake with a Chicory Side Salad.  Fragrant Honey Florentines and a sinful Honey Chamomile Ice Cream are also on tap; $12.00 – $55.00.

Buzzy Body Treatments

The nourishing nectar of organic bees has long been used for body treatments by ancient Greeks and Egyptians.  Honey is a humectant, so it naturally attracts and retains moisture making it ideal for skin treatments.  New this season are two treatments certain to hydrate, restore and rejuvenate all skin types.  Set in the award-winning Forbes Four-Star, 5,200 sq., ft. spa, the new Honeybee & Sunshine Massage steps up with a relaxing full body massage using Sun body oil with notes of sweet blood orange and golden amber to quench thirsty skin, followed by an age-defiant wild honey face mask to purify, hydrate and restore.  The service culminates with a delicious honey nectar serum infused with grapefruit and calendula which packs potent antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental damage.  The Spa will also feature a Honey Bee & Blossom Facial enhancement which includes an age-defiant honey mask; $185.00/50 minutes; $25.00, respectively.

Top Health Benefits of Raw, Organic Honey

     Raw honey has been used as medicine since ancient times.  The benefits of organic honey are enormous, including:

 

  1. Antioxidant Powerhouse:  Honey contains polyphenols shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

 

  1. Powerful Probiotic:  Some varieties of honey possess large amounts of friendly bacteria. This includes up to 6 species of lactobacilli and 4 species of Bifidobacterium. This may explain many of the mysterious therapeutic properties of honey.

 

  1. Ultimate Healer: The natural antibacterial agents of raw honey react to the body’s fluids to produce hydrogen peroxide, which is inhospitable to bacteria assisting in wound and ulcer healing.

 

  1. Nutritional  Superstar:  Used as an energy source for runners in the Olympics in ancient Greece, natural honey contains 22 amino acids, 27 minerals, vitamins B6, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin which helps to neutralize damaging free radicals while maintaining glycogen levels and improving recovery time.

 

  1. Skin’s Super-Agent: Honey’s natural anti-bacterial qualities are particularly useful for the skin and when used with the other ingredients, can be excellent in moisturizing and nourishing.

 

  1. Allergy Armor:  Since bees pollinate plants, it only makes sense that honey is a fast-track allergy preventer.

 

  1. Sleep Promoter: Consuming honey before bedtime restocks the liver’s glycogen supply and prevents the brain from triggering a crisis search for fuel, thus waking one.

 

  1. Perfect Balancing Act: Honey has been used in Ayurvedic medicine in India for at least 4,000 years and is considered to affect all three of the body’s primitive material imbalances positively. It is also said to be useful in improving eyesight, weight loss and curing impotence.

 

  1. Blood Sugar’s Best Friend: Its exact combination of fructose and glucose actually helps the body regulate blood sugar levels. Some honeys have a low hypoglycemic index, so they don’t jolt your blood sugar.

 

  1. Soothing Qualities: Honey is a natural cough and throat soother and can alleviate the nasty sidebars that accompany a cold.

BACKSTORY

Perennially recognized by discerning readers of Travel and Leisure’s “World’s Best Hotels” and Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top Hotels” and as well as a Wine Spectator Grand Award & Best of Award of Excellence recipient (2001-2017), this Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star property has long set the gold standard for wine country vacationing.   Originally opened in 1999 and restored in 2015, Bernardus Lodge and Spa is set on 28 pristine Carmel Valley acres awash with vineyards and lavender featuring 73 luxurious guestrooms, suites and villas, signature Forbes Four-Star Spa at Bernardus Lodge, Forbes Four-Star Lucia Restaurant & Bar, swimming pool & adults-only infinity jacuzzi, an alfresco croquet and bocce court and 4,300 sq. ft. of meeting space.  Woodside Hotels (www.woodsidehotels.com), an operator of a portfolio of distinguished independent luxury properties throughout Northern California, is the management company for the property, which is located on the Monterey Peninsula, 120 mi./193  km, south of San Francisco and 330 mi./531 km., north of Los Angeles.  For information, contact Bernardus Lodge at 831-658-3400 or visit www.bernarduslodge.com.

hhuhuh via 360 Magazine for use by 360 Magazine

Internet Policy

1. Purpose.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the proper use of 360 MAGAZINE, INC’s (hereinafter referred to as Company) internet system and make its employees and users aware of what the Company deems as acceptable and unacceptable use of its internet system. This policy also provides for sanctions in the event of a breach or violation of the policy terms hereunder.

2. Applicability.

This Policy applies to all users of company technology, including employees, contractors, vendors, partners, associates, and any other parties accessing or using the Company’s System through on-site or remote terminals.

3. Disclaimer of liability for use of Internet.

The Company is not responsible for material viewed or downloaded by users from the Internet. The Internet is a worldwide network of computers that contains millions of pages of information. Users are cautioned that many of these pages include offensive, sexually explicit, and inappropriate material. In general, it is difficult to avoid at least some contact with this material while using the Internet. Even innocuous search requests may lead to sites with highly offensive content. In addition, having an e-mail address on the Internet may lead to receipt of unsolicited e-mail containing offensive content. Users accessing the Internet do so at their own risk.

4. Duty not to waste computer resources.

Employees must not deliberately perform acts that waste computer resources or unfairly monopolize resources to the exclusion of others. These acts include, but are not limited to, sending mass mailings or chain letters, spending excessive amounts of time on the Internet, playing games, engaging in online chat groups, printing multiple copies of documents, or otherwise creating unnecessary network traffic. Because audio, video and picture files require significant storage space, files of this or any other sort may not be downloaded unless they are business-related.

5. No expectation of privacy.

The computers and computer accounts given to employees are the exclusive property of the Company. No individual should have any expectation of privacy in any communication over this System. The System is to be used solely for company-related business, and is not to be used for personal business or pleasure.

6. Monitoring computer usage.

The Company reserves the right to monitor, intercept and/or review all data transmitted, received or downloaded over the System. Any individual who is given access to the System is hereby given notice that the Company will exercise this right periodically, without prior notice and without the prior consent of the employee. The Company’s interests in monitoring and intercepting data include, but are not limited to: protection of company proprietary and classified data; managing the use of the Company’s computer System; preventing the transmission or receipt of inappropriate materials by employees; and/or assisting the employee in the management of electronic data during periods of absence. No individual should interpret the use of password protection as creating a right or expectation of privacy. In order to protect everyone involved, no one can have a right or expectation of privacy with regards to the receipt, transmission or storage of data on the Company’s Internet System.

7. Blocking of inappropriate content.

Company may use software to identify inappropriate or sexually explicit Internet sites. Such sites may be blocked from access by Company networks. In the event you nonetheless encounter inappropriate or sexually explicit material while browsing on the Internet, immediately disconnect from the site, regardless of whether the site was subject to company blocking software.

8. Prohibited activities.

Material that is fraudulent, harassing, embarrassing, sexually explicit, profane, obscene, intimidating, defamatory, or otherwise unlawful, inappropriate, offensive (including offensive material concerning sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or other characteristic protected by law), or in violation of Company’s equal employment opportunity policy and its policies against sexual or other harassment may not be downloaded from the Internet or displayed or stored in Company’s computers. Employees encountering, witnessing or receiving this kind of material should immediately report the incident to their immediate supervisor and Vaughn Lowery, by phone at 213-841-1841 or email at vaughn@the360mag.com. Company’s equal employment opportunity policy and its policies against sexual or other harassment apply fully to the use of the Internet and any violation of those policies is grounds for discipline up to and including discharge.

9. Games and entertainment software.

Employees may not use the company’s Internet connection to download games or other entertainment software, including wallpaper and screen savers, or to play games over the Internet.

10. Illegal copying.

Employees may not illegally copy material protected under copyright law or make that material available to others for copying. You are responsible for complying with copyright law and applicable licenses that may apply to software, files, graphics, documents, messages, and other material you wish to download or copy. You may not agree to a license or download any material for which a registration fee is charged without first obtaining the express written permission of your immediate supervisor and Human Resources.

11. Accessing the Internet.

To ensure security and to avoid the spread of viruses, employees accessing the Internet through a computer attached to Company’s network must do so through an approved Internet firewall. Accessing the Internet directly by modem is strictly prohibited unless the computer you are using is not connected to the company’s network.

12. Virus detection.

Files obtained from sources outside the company, including disks brought from home; files downloaded from the Internet, newsgroups, bulletin boards, or other online services; files attached to e-mail; and files provided by customers or vendors may contain dangerous computer viruses that may damage the company’s computer network. Employees should never download files from the Internet, accept e-mail attachments from outsiders, or use disks from non-company sources, without first scanning the material with company-approved virus checking software. If you suspect that a virus has been introduced into the company’s network, notify the Help Desk immediately.

13. Sending unsolicited e-mail (spamming).

Without the express permission of their supervisors, employees may not send unsolicited e-mail to persons with whom they do not have a prior relationship.

14. Amendments and revisions.

This policy may be amended or revised from time to time as the need arises. Users will be provided with copies of all amendments and revisions.

15. Violations of this policy.

Any employee who abuses the privilege of access to the Company’s Voicemail, E-mail or the Internet System will be subject to corrective action, up to and including termination. If necessary, the Company also will advise law enforcement officials of any illegal conduct.

16. Use of Internet.

Use of the Internet via Company’s computer system constitutes consent by the user to all of the terms and conditions of this policy.

17. Points of Contact.

Questions concerning the use of the Internet System should be directed to Vaughn Lowery, by phone at 213-841-1841 or email at vaughn@the360mag.com. Questions concerning the improper use of the System should be directed to the employee’s immediate supervisor and Vaughn Lowery, by phone at 213-841-1841 or email at vaughn@the360mag.com.

Community Service via 360 Magazine for use by 360 Magazine

Washington D.C: Off The Beaten Path

Images x Article by Lia Summers

Washington, D.C. has blossomed into a world class destination in the past ten years. It has always been the seat of power, but massive investment in the city has spurred a tourist boom. Here’s the inside scoop on some out-of-the-way destinations.

Antiquing:

For Your Eyes Only, 604 Rhode Island Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C. — This is a massive (10,000 square feet) antique store on the top floor of an auto repair shop in front of Rhode Island Ave NE Shopping Center. The owner buys huge lots of antiques from estate sales and has a monthly opening where he hawks his newest wares. He has thousands of pieces of original art, mid-century modern furniture, jewelry, decorative items, clothing, comic books, clocks, prints, bicycles and more! It’s all arranged haphazardly for the happy hunting.

Fairgrounds Flea Market, 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, MD, www.johnsonshows.com — Every Saturday and Sunday at the North End of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, MD. This is the biggest flea market in the area where treasures show up every week.

Botany:

United States National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, D.C. www.usna.usda.gov

Watch the seasons change on 446 acres filled with trees, shrubs, floral plants and a new nest of bald eagles. The Arboretum is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service. Their stunning collections include bonsai trees, Azaleas, Aquatic Plants, Magnolias, Dogwoods, Maple, and Hollies plus the Asian Gardens and the Old Capitol Columns. The arboretum also has 9.5 miles of winding roadways that are perfect for biking.

Women’s History

Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC, www.hillwoodmuseum.org

Located near Rock Creek Park, this 25 acre estate of socialite Marjorie Merriweather Post bursts with good taste and celebrates the art of living. Her Georgian Mansion is filled with Russian and French antiques, and she also has a Russian Dacha, Adirondack House, Cafe, Visitor’s Center, French Parterre and a stunning Japanese garden. Don’t miss the floral arrangements with flowers grown in their own greenhouse. Hillwood is Mt. Vernon for chicks!

Art:

Glenstone Art Museum, 12002 Glen Road, Potomac, MD, www.glenstone.org — Appointment only modern art museum on 300 acres in Potomac, MD. Experience large outdoor sculptures from Jeff Koons and Richard Serra and others among a pastoral setting.

Food:

Union Market, 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC, www.unionmarketdc.com

This trendy local market has really hit its stride after 5 years. There are over 40 artisan vendors with delectable food for every palate and unique gifts. It also has ample free parking and free drive in movies in the summer!

 

Meet: The Filharmonic

What started as friendly encounters at college singing competitions soon turned into the formation of a talented group with a shared love for music and cultural-fulfilled connections. The Filipino-American group was brought into recognition when they won NBC’s “The Sing-Off”, which launched them on a national tour, performing alongside Linkin Park, Black Eyed Peas and Pentatonix. They are most well-known for their performance in Universal’s hit-movie, PITCH PERFECT 2. They can also recently be seen opening for Fifth Harmony and singing on TV alongside James Corden, Neil Patrick Harris and Shawn Mendes on The Late Late Show for CBS.

Follow them on Instagram: @thefilharmonic

Say Goodbye to Clutter and Say Hello to Chic Minimalism!

With the new “Tiny House” and slick minimalism being in, it’s time to say goodbye to your cluttered spaces and say hello to the J Design Group interior design specialty! Elegant and chic simplistic living!

Sleek lines and luxury focal points, J Design Group can make your home fall in line with the hottest and newest interior design trends. You don’t have to worry about a thing with this amazing design team because quality luxury is their number one priority. Minimalism never looked so good! It’s now the perfect time to purge and splurge- get rid of the outdated design and upgrade to the new and trendy!

About J Design Group

For 26 years, The J Design Group portfolio includes professional and entertaining decor for hotels, restaurants, financial institutions, corporate facilities, casinos and resorts all across the globe. For the last three years, they were awarded the Best of Houzz Award in Design and Client Satisfaction. J Design Group is also frequently featured in magazines like Eastern Home & Travel, Miami Home & Decor, Trends, Florida Designs, JW and many more. J Design Group has an extensive list of celebrity clients – among them NFL player Stephen Tulloch and MLB player Alex Gonzalez. Learn more about J Design Group and see what others are saying about them here.

Thinking about giving your home a makeover? Visit www.JDesignGroup.com to get inspiration ideas for your simple and chic dreams!

WEST COAST RAP ICON ICE CUBE SIGNS TO INTERSCOPE RECORDS

Preps Reissue Of Politically Charged Album Death Certificate

Lead Single “Good Cop, Bad Cop” One of Three New Additional Tracks

(May 25, 2017 — Los Angeles, CA) Interscope Records is pleased to announce the recent signing of West Coast rap icon, Ice Cube. Known to be one of the most important figures in rap history, Ice Cube began his career with the Notorious West Coast Gangsta Rap Group N.W.A over two decades ago. At the height of the group’s success, Ice Cube broke away to start his own solo career. With over 10 million albums sold to date, Cube joins the label after several years of releasing music independently on his own Lench Mob Records which includes his Gold Certified 2006 opus “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” the highest selling independent hip hop release of the year.

“We are thrilled to announce that Ice Cube has joined the Interscope family. He’s obviously one of the legendary figures in hip-hop…that’s a massive statement on its own, but he’s so much more than that. Cube has an incredible body of work, and as a fan I’m honored to welcome him to the label,” states John Janick, Chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M.

The first project under the deal will be a 25th Anniversary edition of Ice Cube’s highly controversial second album. Death Certificate: 25 Anniversary Edition will release on June 9th. The re-release will feature three new songs, “Only One Me,” “Dominate The Weak,” and the sinister lead single, “Good Cop, Bad Cop.” Originally released on October 29, 1991 and produced by OG Cube cohorts, Sir Jinx, and the Boogiemen (DJ Pooh, Bobcat, and Rashad Coes), the incendiary LP, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and sold over five million copies worldwide, takes a potent look at life in South Central through the eyes of one of reality rap’s greatest and grittiest storytellers.

Recorded in the wake of the Rodney King beating in 1991, Cube artfully contextualizes the harsh material he delivers on Death Certificate, declaring a “state of emergency” and breaking down the original 20-track opus into two parts. “The Death Side,” he says firmly, is “a mirror image of where we are today” while “The Life Side” represents “a vision of where we need to go.” The album’s revolutionary tone is established with the opening rager, “The Wrong Ni*** To F*** Wit.” The new material brings equal amounts of fire to the already stellar collection.

Rapidly traversing from guns (“Man’s Best Friend”) to gangs (“Colorblind”), Ice Cube leaves no stone unturned, attacking hot-button issues affecting the Black community with the ferocity of a lion. “Black Korea” addresses tensions in the ’hood after the shooting death of an African-American girl by a Korean grocer; “A Bird in the Hand” laments the lack of gainful employment opportunities for young Black males; “Look Who’s Burnin’” is upfront about the proliferation of sexually transmitted diseases among Black youth.

Nevertheless, activist and scholar Angela Davis took the artist to task for his overtly sexist imagery on the songs “Givin’ Up the Nappy Dugout” and “Horny Lil’ Devil.” The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights organization, publicly denounced Death Certificate, calling the album anti-Semitic for comments on the now infamous diss track, “No Vaseline.” The state of Oregon even went as far as making it illegal for local retailers to promote Ice Cube in any way, shape or form.

James Bernard, then-editor of hip-hop magazine, The Source, clapped back at the album’s more mainstream critics with an official statement that said they were “too dainty and thin-skinned to hear the anger, rage and frustration that many people are forced to deal with every day.” In a review of the album for Entertainment Weekly, Bernard wrote, “I’m not arrogant enough to wag my finger at someone for stridency or incorrect language when many of his friends are dead and many of the rest are either in prison or standing on the corner surrounded by burned-out buildings and dying dreams.”

Despite all the surrounding controversy, Death Certificate was heralded a musical masterpiece and Ice Cube ultimately received the accolades he deserved for his incisive and revelatory socio-political commentary. Twenty-five years later, Cube maintains the album’s relevance. “Sadly, our community is dealing with many of the same issues,” he says. “I only hope that young millennials feeling powerless in the ’hood can channel their own anger and frustration by listening to this record.”

Death Certificate: 25 Anniversary Edition will be available for pre-order on June 2nd. The bombastic new song, “Only One Me,” will be made available for early download as an instant grat track.

Tracklisting

The Death Side
1. Only One Me
2. Good Cop, Bad Cop
3. Dominate The Weak
4. The Funeral
5. The Wrong N**** To F*** Wit
6. My Summer Vacation
7. Steady Mobbin’
8. Robin Lench
9. Givin’ Up The Nappy Dug Out
10. Look Who’s Burnin’
11. A Bird In The Hand
12. Man’s Best Friend
13. Alive On Arrival
14. Death

The Life Side
15. The Birth
16. I Wanna Kill Sam
17. Horny Lil’ Devil
18. Black Korea
19. True To The Game
20. Color Blind
21. Doing Dumb Sh**
22. Us
23. No Vaseline