Posts made in February 2022

Jay Gwuapo – Bassline

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21-year-old Brooklyn drill rapper Jay Gwuapo returns with track and video: “Bassline” via From Nothing Records/Polo Grounds Music/RCA Records. The visual shows Gwuapo in the tropics with friends living it up and beautiful women while the track’s hypnotic beats play.

Watch “Bassline” HERE.

Last year Jay Gwuapo was on the track, “Proud of You” with Paris Bryant, and in 2020 he released “Black Mask” ft. Pop Smoke, which is special to the rising rapper as the late Pop Smoke was one of his best childhood friends. “Intro,” “Smoke Season Freestyle” and “Dangerous” were additional tracks Gwuapo released, and together, these four tracks honored and paid tribute to Pop as well as KJ Balla. KJ Balla was a frequent collaborator, labelmate, and friend of Jay Gwuapo‘s that was tragically killed. Other recent releases include “Lost Files,” “R8” and “Back to Back” with KJ Balla, “Long Live The Woo,” a tribute to Pop following his death, and a feature on Lil Tjay’s album with “Gettin Lit.”

Jay Gwuapo is officially back–stay tuned for more music coming soon.

About Jay Gwuapo

Brooklyn’s long been a hotbed for the latest and greatest in rap talent, and Jay Gwuapo is the borough’s next rising star in the drill scene. The East New York native is just 21 years old, having picked up rap as a career two years ago—but he’s already making moves that artists with years on him have yet to accomplish. With a series of buzz-generating street singles and a debut mixtape under his belt, Gwuapo’s talent and hybridized musical style will surely only gain more recognition to come.

Gwuapo started pursuing rap in earnest, pumping out unreleased tracks that started making noise in the NYC rap scene and eventually teaming up with Russ and KJ Balla’s From Nothing record label. “Downbad” from 2018 marked his proper debut single, featuring chilly production and Gwuapo’s now-trademarked “R&B-drill” sound. Then came the languid, melodic “Drip Sauce,” a collab with fellow Brooklynite KJ Balla.

Since then, Gwuapo’s dropped a few more choice tracks, including “Steppin’ Out” and the grim, serious “Well Explained”. Eventually, word got around to star-making label Polo Grounds Music, whose B. Jacques took particular interest in helping Gwuapo take his career and talent to the next level. “A lot of people were reaching out, but no one connected with me like my son B,” he enthuses. “The love felt different from what I felt from nobody else.”In 2019, Gwuapo announced his signing to Polo Grounds Music/RCA Records and released his debut project, From Nothing Pt. 1 which featured collaborations with label mate Calboy as well as Lil Tjay, Don Q, and KJ Balla.

SAFE – All I Need

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Rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer SAFE confessed his love in new single “All I Need” (Bando Recordings/RCA Records). Produced by Diego Castro, this new track shows SAFE’s sweet vocal range as he declares, “I’ll be by your side each and every day, any day, anyway.” Listen to “All I Need” HERE and watch the Jimmer-directed music video HERE.

SAFE on “All I Need”: This song is about the thrill of being in love with somebody, there’s nothing better than the first kiss.

Earlier this year, SAFE released the first installment of his new EP Get Home SAFE (Part 1) which features Kaash Paige on “By My Side” and Kiana Ledé on “Contagious.” The 7-track EP unlocks a unique sonic space, creating a delicate balance of contemporary R&B and hip hop. He received praise from NPR, Billboard, Teen Vogue, and Uproxx, receiving comparison to Drake and Brent Faiyaz. Listen to Get Home SAFE (Part 1) HERE.

About SAFE

In 2016, the then 18-year-old SAFE became Toronto’s secret weapon, working closely with Drake and Oliver El-Khatib. SAFE came up through the Halal Gang collective, consisting of Mustafa The Poet, Puffy L’z and Smoke Dawg. On June 30, 2018, Smoke Dawg was killed, sending the city into a state of shocked mourning. “He was the voice of the streets,” mentioned SAFE in an interview with Vice. After the tragic loss, SAFE took some time to himself and relocated to New York. Since then, the city of Toronto has been waiting to hear what’s next. In 2019, he released “Paid In Full” featuring Playboi Carti. Pitchfork reviewed the single, stating “his light and buttery melody shines over the gloomy instrumental.” Now in 2022, SAFE is looking to elevate. The impact he made in Toronto back in 2016 still remains and he is looking to spread that impact to the rest of the world.

Edmond Huot Interview

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The market of airline liveries is ever-growing and is a topic that has captivated the modern design world. What exactly is airline livery, and what do their designers do?

Well, we sat down with Edmond Huot, a Creative Director and Airline Livery Designer, to answer all our burning questions about his work field. Huot’s latest project was with Northern Pacific Airways, designing their brand-new livery in San Bernardino.

Let’s hear from Huot on his creativity, and how he got into such a niche workspace.

Q: How do you find inspiration as a creative director?

A: Being in the business for more than thirty years exposes you to a lot. I remain curious and open to the world—traveling, meeting people, and always framing and curating my experiences.

Growing up on a rural farm in Canada, devoid of cable TV and city-living, I was extremely bored and, hence, was forced to use my imagination. As an early av-geek and disaster movie fan, I would lose myself in thought—creating entire story plots and visual scenes with model airplanes that I’d build, play with outside, and ultimately crash in some snow bank! I spent countless hours drawing planes on discarded paper bags and would act out scenes from Arthur Hailey’s Airport in my bedroom.

For me, creativity started with storytelling and creating entire fantasy worlds in my head. Years later, my talent for drawing and sense of theatrics led me to advertising, where those same core passions drive my professional pursuits to this day.

Q: Tell us your favorite part about having a career in such a creative filed.

A: Beyond the initial conceptual phase, where my team and I get to stretch our imaginations and aspirations, there’s nothing—and I mean NOTHING—that compares to walking into an aircraft hangar to see (for the first time) my design applied to a 137,000lb 155 ft long Boeing 757-200 series. The sheer scale of this aircraft in all of its aerodynamic and technological beauty is beyond extraordinary. It’s truly life-affirming!

Q: Can you explain exactly what an airline livery is?

A: A livery is synonymous with a ‘uniform.’ An airplane’s livery refers to the painted decal on the exterior of the plane. A plane wears a uniform the same way a chef or a doorman wears a uniform.

Folks within the aviation and travel industry are fascinated with plane liveries because not only a feat to paint such a large canvas but liveries are only changed once every 10-15 years.

Q: Did you encounter struggles while working on the Northern Pacific Airway livery?

A: A hurdle early on for me was understanding who the customer would be. Unlike larger, full-service multinational firms with the ability to cover more ground in terms of research and analysis, our agency is a smaller, more boutique company. We had to move fast, be resourceful, and quickly prioritize the core issues.

I worked closely with the client to better understand Asian cultural significance and hot points. At the same time, I was also speaking with the local team in Anchorage to highlight any concerns around misrepresenting their local indigenous communities.

Additionally, I developed a range of target profiling decks broken down into general categories such as leisure, business, and regulatory audiences. From there, I weaved all of those gathered quantitative insights into more contextualized thematic storytelling that gave a greater, more compelling meaning and purpose to the customer.

I titled the story: “We Are All Navigators.” So much of the subsequent design, including colors, typography, and positioning came from these valuable insights. By turning those data points into a greater story, I was able to elevate the brand in a more consumer-centric manner.

Another challenge that is often faced by start-up airlines involves maximizing relatively small resources. How do I make the most out of a budget? Both the investors as well as the operators are extremely sensitive to how we go about spending time and money. You’ve got to get it right the first time.

Q: What was the best part about creating for North Pacific Airways?

A: Northern Pacific will be the first airline that I fly on featuring my work. And for the record, when I say ‘my work,’ I really mean my team’s work. I could never do this without the help and dedication of some truly talented and inspired individuals. That is what’s really worth bragging about!

Q: What can we expect from Edmond Huot in the future?

A: I am looking forward to showcasing some new project work for another start-up airline based in Canada. Unfortunately, because of its sensitive nature, I can’t share any details at this point. I also want to expand my creative and design repertoire with travel and transportation-related assignments including private jet travel and environmental design application.

Northern Pacific Aircraft via Claire Kivior (Forward Media) for use by 360 MAGAZINE

Twelve Tips for Making New Friends

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Meeting new people is more challenging for some people. You may get nervous about starting a conversation or wonder where to find friends outside of your daily routine. If you’re looking to cultivate personal relationships, check out these tips for making new friends that anyone can use to create a social circle.

1. Open Your Heart

Connecting with someone requires opening your heart and becoming vulnerable. You won’t make those essential connections with people if you’re holding back your true self. It can be scary to think about, but it’s a risk worth taking.

Keep your mind open to this vulnerability, and you’ll find yourself getting along with people even if they’re different than your other friends. You can always head home to spend time by yourself and recharge your social batteries after opening your heart to a new companion.

2. Join a Club

You might picture grade school or college organizations for young people when you think of a club. They also exist for adults who aren’t in school, so think about your hobbies. There are always local groups for people who love to do things like reading, knitting, gardening, drawing and other commonly shared activities. A quick internet search will reveal different ones based on your interests.

3. Add Volunteering to Your Schedule

Finding people who care about the same issues as you is one of the best ways to make new friends. You’ll share core values that stand the test of time, so meet people at volunteer events. Consider how you want to put your skills to use and if your community has any pressing needs. You’ll find people ready to help who will likely form friendships over your shared experience and passions.

4. Find an Accountability Partner

Friendships also form when people bond over goals. Anyone recovering from addiction can find an accountability partner to share and strengthen their recovery journey. This type of friendship will provide solace, motivation and encouragement when you’re experiencing something other friends may not understand. You’ll make this type of connection through support groups, either in person or online.

5. Take Your Dog Out

Pet parents have a unique opportunity to meet friends at the dog park. Grab a Frisbee or tennis ball and head to a local park this weekend. You’ll find other dog owners and have an instant ice breaker subject to talk about. It’s a stress-free way to create bonds without struggling to find something to discuss or a shared interest.

6. Remember to Stay in Touch

Once you meet someone new and want them to stay in your life, remember to stay in touch. Communication works both ways. If they give you their number or connect with you on social media, they shouldn’t be the only person in the relationship to reach out with a quick text or direct message. Anyone who struggles with maintaining friendships can set up reminder notifications once a day to stay in touch and avoid accidental lapses in communication.

7. Get Involved With School Groups

College students and parents with grade school kids can get involved with school groups to meet friends. Parent-teacher associations and clubs will expand your social circle right away. You’ll also gain long-term connections because the school that’s the center of your daily routine is also a significant part of your friends’ lives.

8. Practice Your Listening Skills

Relationships fall apart when people don’t listen to each other and hear what the other person is saying. Practice your listening skills with family members or loved ones while you’re making new friends. Empathizing and never interrupting are significant steps you can take to strengthen any new friendships and make them last a lifetime.

9. Say Yes to Hanging Out

Social anxiety might make it challenging for you to agree to activities with friends. Unless there’s a legitimate reason to stay home by yourself, push yourself out of your comfort zone by saying yes to invitations more often. Even if you only agree to a quick phone call or video chat, you’ll become more comfortable in social situations by practicing saying yes to your friends.

10. Make a New Profile

Sometimes people feel uncomfortable making new friends because they lack self-confidence. You can meet friends even if you don’t want to put yourself out there by creating a new profile on a social media site. A blog or other account that doesn’t have your full name or photo may give you the confidence to chat with others based on your shared interests. You can choose to open up at your own pace as you get to know them.

11. Take the Initiative

No one forms friendships if they wait for people to approach them first. You’ll have to take the initiative to start conversations or create opportunities to get to know others. Ask a co-worker to join you for lunch sometime or make a spontaneous phone call to someone you miss. If they value your relationship or want to develop your friendship, they’ll respond positively because you show how much you care.

12. Avoid Creating a Timeline

Healthy friendships take time. Friends that start with love bombing and intense connections usually burn out because it’s not a manageable emotional state for either person involved. Avoid pressuring yourself to reach certain relationship milestones on a deadline as you meet potential friends.

You won’t have a best friend after hanging out a few times. People need time and shared experiences to foster lifelong relationships. As long as you enjoy chatting with someone and feel valued without overextending yourself, your bond will last the test of time.

Making New Friends Is Easy

Now that you’ve read these tips for making new friends, start meeting people this week. Whether you eat lunch with a new co-worker or strike up a conversation with a stranger at a volunteer event, you’ll connect with others who have shared interests or life experiences. It’s all you need to spark fantastic friendships that can last a lifetime.

Think Wireless Technology is Safe? Read the Fine Print Warnings

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Cell phones, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi toys instruct users to keep devices away from the body

The Environmental Health Trust is advising consumers to pay attention to the fine print warnings on wireless devices and toys which say that devices should not be touching the body. Wireless devices expose people to a type of radiation called radiofrequency, or RF.

The EHT has developed a page of “Fine Print Warnings” that it has gathered on RF exposure warnings for best selling wireless phones, cell phone tech (Apple Airpods, Fitbit, GoPro and Apple Airtag,) and 19 toys including Wi-fi Barbie and Wi-fi Barbie Dreamhouse. The site also includes TVs, “Smart Home Tech,” laptops and printers, gaming, watches and technology used for and around infants. All these products state they emit RF radiation and most recommend a distance of 5m to 15 mm for cell phones and around eight inches for printers, routers and smart speakers.

Examples from EHT’s Fine Print Warning Page:

Apple iPhone 13: Warnings include, “iPhone is evaluated in positions that simulate uses against the head, with no separation, and when worn or carried against the torso of the body, with 5mm separation…to reduce exposure to RF energy, use a hands-free option, such as the built-in speakerphone, headphones or other similar accessories.”

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation) Kids Edition:“It is advised to use the Products in such a manner that minimizes the potential for human contact during normal operation… this device should be installed and operated with at least 20 cm between the radiator and your body.”

Apple Watch Model A1553: “When placing Apple Watch near your face, keep at least 10 mm of separation to ensure exposure levels remain at or below the as-tested levels.”

These hidden warnings were a key part of a major federal lawsuit EHT recently won. Although EHT has repeatedly requested that the FCC (the U. S. government agency with authority) update it’s RF rules- unchanged since 1996- so that all wireless devices are tested in body contact positions, rather than with a separation, the FCC made a decision in 2019 that “this is unnecessary” and that it “ ensure[ed] that relevant information is made available to the public.”

EHT argued that most people were fully unaware of these fine print instructions. In fact, studies show that if cell phones and wireless devices are in body contact positions (without a separation distance), the RF exposure can violate U.S. government safety limits. Some phones were found to violate limits up to 11 times the safety limit when the cell phone is pressed to the body.

EHT and over a dozen others then sued the FCC and received a favorable ruling. The Court ordered the FCC to revisit these RF testing procedures as well as the safety limits for wireless RF radiation.

“Most people are not aware of these instructions. Even more importantly, wireless safety limits are now 25 years old. So we recommend keeping even more distance than the manufacturers instructions. It is best to choose devices without RF emissions,” said Devra Davis, Ph.D., president of EHT, and an epidemiologist and toxicologist who has presented findings before Congress on the dangers of wireless radiation. Davis was also instrumental in having smoking banned from planes and she was part of a Nobel Peace Prize team on climate change. Davis continued, “the wireless industry will tell you that there’s no harm from wireless but that’s not what the many peer-reviewed scientific studies or a growing group of experts will tell you. The fine print on wireless technology is clearly warning users to keep the devices away from direct body contact.”

“They’re warning users to keep the device away from the body,” explained Davis. “Go out and observe how people carry their phones—they’re typically tucked into a pocket (close to the body); carried in a bra (within close tissue contact); in an armband (body contact) and some people talk on them with the phone up against the head—dangerous proximities for radio frequency wireless.”

There are a growing number of home devices and children’s toys that use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and the instruction manuals state that the devices can expose people to RF radiation. “Wireless technology in the hands of children is particularly dangerous,” warned Davis. “Their brains and bodies are even more vulnerable than adults.They have thinner skulls and research has found children absorb the radiation deeper into their brains, which are more sensitive and still developing. Children hold wireless devices and toys up against their small bodies so the radiation is more easily absorbed into their head and body.”

“No one is testing for the multiple exposures from the myriad of devices we use all at once. For example most people have a phone, laptop, Wi-Fi mouse, speaker and printer right next to them at work. Yet companies only test one device for RF at a time,” stated Theodora Scarato executive director of EHT. “When cities like San Francisco and Berkeley tried to ensure companies informed consumers not to keep cell phones near their bodies via cell phone right to know laws, the wireless industry sued, arguing the information violated their free speech rights.”

There are a large number of credible, peer-reviewed published studies in academic journals on the health issues posed by public growing use of technology. A 2019 review concludes that the science is substantial enough for physicians and health professionals to warn the population that having a cell phone next to the body is harmful, and to support measures to reduce RF exposures. A 2021 review by the Pusan National University of Korea found cell phone radiation can damage sperm and the scientists conclude “male cell-phone users should strive to reduce mobile phone use to protect their sperm quality.”

Last August, the U.S. Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia Circuit ruling in favor of EHT ordered the FCC to explain why it ignored scientific evidence showing harm from wireless radiation as well as revisit the RF test procedures.

The court held that FCC failed to respond to “record evidence that exposure to radiofrequency radiation at levels below the FCC’s current limits may cause negative health effects unrelated to cancer.” The court also said that the agency demonstrated “a complete failure to respond to comments concerning environmental harm caused by RF radiation.” The court found the FCC ignored numerous organizations, scientists, medical doctors who called on them to update its 1996 human exposure limits for wireless radiation.

Hugh S. Taylor, M.D., who is president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine said, “And if I were someone who’s considering pregnancy, or someone who is pregnant or mother of a young child, I think it’s just important to move that cell phone away from you and not be exposed to that radiation any more than possible.” Taylor is also professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine and chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale-New Haven Hospital. His published research on prenatal exposure to cell phone radiation was cited in EHT’s court filing. His research findings have been pivotal in demonstrating harm from RF radiation exposure.

For more information on the Environmental Health Trust, go to www.ehtrust.org.

Ant-Man One

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Ant-Man, one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes, will celebrate his big 60^th anniversary with a new limited series! Al Ewing, the writer who redefined Hulk in IMMORTAL HULK, now sets his sights on Ant-Man, delving into the character’s unique history to examine every hero who’s ever taken on the mantle! Joining him on this epic journey will be artist Tom Reilly. Known for his acclaimed work on the current THE THING series, Reilly’s stylish art will take readers on a brilliant adventure that begins in Marvel’s silver age and concludes in a strange new future. Each thrilling issue will focus on a different Ant-Men from Hank Pym to Eric O’Grady to Scott Lang as a brand-new future Ant-Man seeks to connect them all so they can face off against a threat only they can hope to defeat!

It all kicks off in ANT-MAN #1 which will flash back to the early days of Hank Pym’s career as the astonishing Ant-Man! It’s date night for Hank and his girlfriend Janet Van Dyne, but nobody told that to Ant-Man’s enemies! Watch as Hank’s antagonists band together to finally take down the scientific adventurer! But will anyone come to his rescue? And who is the mysterious stranger who stalks him?

“For Ant-Man’s ant-iversary, we wanted to go BIG with the world’s smallest hero—burrowing an ant tunnel right through his sixty-year history and far beyond, from the wild and wooly 1960s all the way to a future you’ll have to see to believe!” Ewing promises. “You’ll find out how Henry Pym, Scott Lang and Eric O’Grady impacted each other’s lives in ways they never knew themselves—but who’s the mysterious final member of this Ant-tastic Four? Tremble with anticipation, true believer—the answers are coming soon to a hill near you!” “I’m very excited to work with Al again, this time to celebrate, and add to, the legacy of Ant Man!” Reilly says. “Several different people have taken the name, and Al’s written a fun story that gives them all a chance to shine. I also look forward to working with Jordie Bellaire again, her colors elevate any book that she’s on. There’s lots of inspiration to be taken from Ant Man’s rich artistic history, and there’ll be plenty of room for both of us to experiment in this series. I can’t wait for everyone to check it out!”

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

Morgan Super Three

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The Morgan Motor Company unveiled Super 3, one of the most intriguing and distinctive vehicles the company has ever built. Super 3 has been designed from the ground up to offer new levels of character, thrill and adventure, principles that have defined Morgan’s three-wheeled product since the company was founded 113 years ago.

At the very heart of Super 3’s personality is its driving character. Primarily, a three-wheeled Morgan is a vehicle that entices you to get behind the wheel, offering a unique combination of mechanical feel, connection to the environment, and visual differentiation from anything else on the road. Few vehicles will engage their occupants like Super 3, which encourages owners to feel present in the craft of motoring and entices them to embark on incredible adventures.

As the company’s most configurable model to date, Super 3 offers an extensive list of options and accessories that allow owners to tailor their own experience. From adventure touring accessories to race-inspired liveries, Super 3 adopts multiple personalities to reflect the individuality of its owner. Three expressions of these personalities can be seen on the launch vehicles.

Like every Morgan, Super 3 will be built in Malvern, Worcestershire, at the company’s Pickersleigh Road factory. Skilled craftsmen and women have been handcrafting cars in these hallowed red brick buildings since 1914, just five years after HFS Morgan invented the first Morgan, known as ‘The Runabout‘.

Design

With Super 3, Morgan introduces a new design philosophy. In comparison with the outgoing 3 Wheeler, which was created in the style of the 1920s V-twin-engined three-wheelers, Super 3’s designers and engineers have drawn influences from the mid to late century. The jet age was an era in which there was a logical relationship between function and form, as the horizons of imagination were broadened.

Aerodynamic and mechanical requirements have heavily influenced the form and proportions of Super 3. This is most notable in the cast aluminum structures that provide the face of the vehicle, brace the engine and control the corner packages, while also directing air into the side-mounted cooling packs.

Two rectangular ‘diffuser plates’—-referred to as ‘sideblades’—intelligently manage cooling requirements while also presenting a platform for panniers, luggage racks and liveries.

Super 3 is Morgan’s first clean-sheet design since the launch of the Aero 8 in 2000 and the company’s biggest visual departure since the 1962 Plus 4 Plus. Super 3 challenges the typical perceptions of Morgan design yet remains true to the company’s underlying principles and heritage.

The exact positioning of the engine—now car-derived and mounted in-board—within Super 3 is of crucial importance. Chosen in part due to its compact nature, the inline three-cylinder block sits precisely behind the front axle line, delivering optimum weight distribution and desirable proportion. The latter is a key principle for Morgan’s designers, who determine it vital that the body of the car is visually towed by its front wheels rather than sat on top of them. Super 3 has a mechanically intricate front end and exhibits linear geometry, which is intentionally contrasted against the trailing aerodynamic passenger compartment.

Honesty of design is one of Morgan’s key principles, and Super 3 embodies this wherever you look. Every feature—no matter how superficial it may appear—has an underlying mechanical purpose: the vehicle celebrates the marriage of design and engineering. Examples of this are prominent throughout Super 3. Features such as the metallic impressions in the footwell side panels, which stiffen the surface but are exposed as a design feature. Everything is honest, with reason.

The engine mount strategy is unique to Super 3. The Hartland Strut—named after the Morgan engineer that designed it—is the foremost mount and integral to the face of the car, while managing the torque reaction of the engine.

The front wheel design is by Morgan. The wheels’ positive offset allows for the longest possible suspension wishbones, with the brakes mounted far out. This maximizes ride quality, handling, and stability. The inside face of the wheel arches is closed-off, which works aerodynamically both to reduce wind noise and to help the flow of cooling air to the radiators behind them. To keep Super 3 looking proportionally correct, an all-new tire has been developed with Avon.

Platform

Underpinning the Morgan Super 3 is a bonded aluminum Superformed monocoque platform. Morgan’s expertise with bonded aluminum platforms dates back more than two decades, to the start of Aero 8 production, and was furthered with the CX-Generation platform used in the 2020 Plus Four and 2019 Plus Six. Super 3’s platform evolves that technology further still.

For the first time in Morgan history, the platform is a true monocoque, with stressed exterior ‘A-surfaces’ (as opposed to a unibody design found on most modern production cars, with bolt-on non-structural panels). Not only does this make for a lighter and more rigid chassis but also provides packaging benefits and gives more interior occupant space with no intrusion. Its rigidity not only benefits the car’s dynamic capability but also enhances safety, with Super 3 meeting the same exacting M1 and Reg. 12 frontal impact standards as Morgan’s Plus Four and Plus Six four-wheeled cars.

Super 3 continues Morgan’s long-standing use of Superform technology. The heating of aluminum to a superplastic state before vacuum forming allows for intricate exterior shapes to be created with a lower material stress than pressing. While Superformed exterior panels are a proven technology in automotive production, this is the first time the process has been used to produce a structural vehicle platform.

Further displaying Morgan’s use of innovative construction techniques is the exposed structural front casting. As well as providing the rigidity of the car and mounting points for the suspension while performing a vital safety function, it also carries the attractive finish required of an A-surface. As a display of the car’s mechanical honesty, it provides a link to motorcycles, which use exposed castings in their frames.

Customisation

Super 3 is the most configurable Morgan to date. The company has curated an extensive list of more than 200 options and accessories, each one allowing owners to tailor their Super 3. A key project aim was to design and homologate all accessories and options alongside the development of the main vehicle. This not only ensures that those options work in total harmony with the vehicle but also removes the need to retrofit additional options once the vehicle has been built.

Feedback from owners of previous three-wheeled models has been instrumental in defining some of the key accessory themes. These themes—three of which can be witnessed on the vehicles demonstrated at launch—include adventure touring, contemporary design and classic motorsport.

Morgan has developed many of its own options and accessories and worked with several key partners to help curate the options available. These project partners include Malle London, Beeline, and Quad Lock.

The Name

Morgan has a long history of using the word ‘Super’ in its product names, dating back to Super Sports three-wheelers of the 1930s and more recently with four-wheeled cars such as the Aero SuperSports. In any deployment, the term has represented an enhanced level of performance and refinement and a moving forward of technology. Super 3 is the embodiment of this. A further link is the prominence of the term ‘super’ in the American lexicon of the 1950s and 1960s, a period of culture during which some of the early inspiration for Super 3 was anchored. Super also defines a new product family for the company, joining the ‘Plus’ range and setting a new design language for future models.

The Next Generation of Plant-Based Is Here

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By: Abbot’s Butcher

Whether you call it plant-based or vegan, the trend of not eating animals has radically evolved over the decades. From the granola-crunching hippies of the nineties who got hooked on Diet for a New America to the angry vegans of the 2000s flaunting “I’m Not a Nugget” tees, the plant-based lifestyle hasn’t always been the cool thing to do. But just like Britney, plant-based is back, and it’s got massive public and celebrity support. Why? Simply put, vegan food is better. It’s better for the environment, definitely better for the animals, and arguably better for your health. And these days, it actually tastes better thanks to the culinary innovation of plant-based entrepreneurs. One of these companies is forging a new trend in the industry—beyond the Impossible and Beyond products commandeering seemingly every fast-food chain and independent brewery menu. Abbot’s Butcher is the next generation of plant-based meat, and here’s why you should get on board.

We really need to eat more sustainably

Most people don’t think about suffocating greenhouse gases, manure pollution, or the massive land requirements for raising livestock when they bite into a spicy birria taco. It’s a bit of a killjoy to connect the dots between what we eat and the impact it has on our environment, but the reality is, it really does. An Oxford University study cites that eating vegan is the single most impactful way an individual can reduce their environmental impact. So yes, your seemingly insignificant decision to have sausage on your pizza or grilled chicken on your salad does add up.

How? Over fourteen percent of the global total greenhouse gas emissions come from animal agriculture. In the US, 25 percent of the nation’s total agricultural emissions come from enteric fermentation—aka cow burps and farts. Speaking of, the nearly 94 million cows in the US create a ton of waste—literally. The waste from a 2,500 herd of cattle is equivalent to the waste of a city the size of Minneapolis. And all that waste sits in what the industry calls manure lagoons—giant vats of open excrement so uncontrollable that the USDA grants a limited amount of seepage into the surrounding earth and waterways.

Sorry if this ruined your taco experience. The good news: plant-based meat sidesteps the massive contributions to greenhouse gases and the repulsive manure lagoons. And Abbot’s Butcher makes Ground “Beef,” “Chorizo,” and Chopped Chick’n, so you can still enjoy that taco or meaty salad. Win.

Is plant-based meat healthier?

The short answer is yes—no matter what brand you’re eating, plant-based meat is free of harmful cholesterol, natural and artificial hormones, and cancer-causing inflammatory compounds (remember, red and processed meats are considered Group 2A and Group 1 carcinogens—yikes). Beyond these basic health attributes, there’s a massive range in health benefits (or detriments) across the variety of brands.

The first iterations of plant-based meats—like Gardein and Lightlife—were largely soy and wheat-based. We’re not bashing soy, but more so the use of soy protein isolate. It’s essentially soy that’s been chemically treated to isolate the protein of soybeans. Plus, because over 90 percent of the soy grown in the US is genetically modified, you’re likely eating soy that’s been chemically treated and grown with pesticides. That’s just not something we like to think about when chomping down on a vegan chicken nugget.

After 2010, the second wave of plant-based meat emerged. Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods swept up loyal fans by collaborating with fast-food chains, celebrity chefs, professional athletes, and full-on celebrities. The addictive Impossible Whopper and surprisingly spot-on Beyond Orange Chicken at Panda Express redefined what plant-based could be, but then we looked at the ingredients. Canola oil, natural flavors, methylcellulose—what even is that? It’s a laxative, but some companies are now listing it a “plant fiber” to not scare consumers. The second wave of vegan meat may taste great, but it’s at the expense of engineered ingredients with questionable health consequences.

Abbot’s Butcher is the next generation of plant-based meat, bridging the gap between taste and nutrition. It’s free from soy, gluten, natural and artificial flavors, and multi-syllable ingredients. And so far, it’s the only one that can make these claims. The brand uses thoughtfully sourced pea protein to build 15-18 grams of protein in each of its foods. The rest is a mix of spices, vegetables, and extra virgin olive oil—that’s it. Abbot’s Butcher’s Ground “Beef,” “Chorizo,” and Chick’n are made with clean, Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients, meaning you won’t regret your dinner the morning after (raise your hand if you’ve had stomach issues after eating a Beyond or Impossible Burger. Yep, been there).

Plant-based meat finally tastes good

Adjusting our lifestyle to benefit the environment and our health hasn’t always been easy or convenient. If you want to eat whole, plant-based foods, there’s a lot of cooking and meal prep involved, and we’re not all for that. The second generation of plant-based meat ushered in convenience and improved the taste and texture of its vegan predecessors, but it sacrificed quality ingredients to do so. The reality is, few are willing to give up the foods they love for the sake of their health or the environment. Tacos are just too good. The solution? Make better plant-based meat. And Abbot’s Butcher has done just that. The texture is spot-on, and the flavor is so satisfying. When you can eat the “Chorizo” by the spoonful, you’ve picked a winner.

The future of food is definitely trending plant-based, but it’s no longer enough to just make a burger or nugget that tastes good. It has to make you feel good, too, and Abbot’s Butcher is doing just that.

Find Abbot’s Butcher at a retailer or restaurant near you.

Plant-based recipes inside of 360 MAGAZINE.

Toyota bZ4X

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When the 2023 Toyota bZ4X battery-electric SUV arrives at dealers later this year, it will come with more than just stylish looks and emissions-free utility. The all-new EV will also mark the start of a collaboration between Toyota Motor North America (Toyota) and EVgo to provide new bZ4X customers with on-the-go access to DC fast-charging stations. EVgo’s high-powered chargers provide EV drivers both flexibility and convenience to quickly charge at prime locations, such as frequently visited grocery stores, shopping centers, and central downtown areas, allowing drivers to travel and charge with minimal downtime and aligning with their break, shopping, eating or errand time.

Customers who purchase or lease a new 2023 Toyota bZ4X will get one year of unlimited complimentary charging at all EVgo-owned and operated public charging stations nationwide. Customers will be able to use the Toyota App on their mobile device to sign up for this offer, locate EVgo stations and initiate complimentary charging for their new bZ4X.

“The arrival of our all-electric bZ4X marks an important step in our commitment towards electrifying 70% of our fleet by 2030. We want our bZ4X customers to enjoy a high-quality ownership experience that is as seamless and worry-free as possible,” said Christopher Yang, Vice President, EV Charging Solutions, Toyota Motor North America. “Collaborating with EVgo, the nation’s largest public fast-charging network, will help provide bZ4X owners with access to a fast, reliable charge where and when they need it.”

With more than 800 DC fast charging locations and thousands of Level 2 charging stations, EVgo’s charging network serves over 68 metropolitan areas across 35 states. The EVgo network is powered by 100% renewable energy.

“EVgo is thrilled to collaborate with Toyota on bringing accessible and convenient fast-charging to new EV drivers with the bZ4X,” said Jonathan Levy, EVgo Chief Commercial Officer. “Toyota’s scale and EVgo’s track record of leadership in clean transportation will help make it easier for even more drivers to go electric.”

When it goes on sale in the spring of 2022, the 2023 Toyota bZ4X will offer consumers a battery-electric option that combines Toyota’s legendary reputation for quality and reliability with the performance and practicality they expect in a modern SUV.

“This is just the beginning of Toyota’s next-generation battery electric vehicle products that will join our existing portfolio of electrified vehicle options and will drive our progress toward carbon neutrality,” said Yang.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands plus our 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 in North America and has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 43 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, the company’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. Toyota has more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, with electrified vehicles comprising more than a quarter of our 2021 North American sales.Through its Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, click HERE.

Mooski – Soul Bleed

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Mooski, the ever-vulnerable sensation from Opp, Alabama, returns with another raw journal entry of a song, “Soul Bleed.” His latest single is an anthem for the broken-hearted and also a slap that will shake rear-view mirrors for the rest of us. Listen HERE. The emotional track, out now via Capitol Records appears on the breakthrough artist’s forthcoming mixtape, Melodic Therapy 4 The Broken due out March 11th. Pre-order/pre-save HERE.

“Soul Bleed” once again finds Mooski opening his heart and mind for fans. Over somber yet thumping production, he spills every raw feeling about a scarring romantic relationship. In every line, Mooski conveys regret with refreshing transparency.

Mooski‘s willingness to be open about his personal experience has captivated a massive and growing audience. “I talk about the unspoken,” he says. Before “Soul Bleed,” Mooski won over fans with soul-baring hits like “Zodiac Killer” and “Track Star,” which has become an online sensation, racking up 475+ million views on TikTok, 42+ million global streams and RIAA certified Platinum. The “Track Star” TikTok challenge inspired videos from Keyshia Cole, Lala Anthony, Dream Doll, and Halle Berry, among others. Additionally, Trey Songz and Chris Brown both remixed it.

Before Mooski recorded emotional records for his fans, he served them as a sergeant during a four-year tenure in the Marine Corps. He left the service to pursue his true passion and started releasing freestyle videos on social media. Pleasantly surprised by the response, he soon realized that vulnerable stories got the most traction. “Soul Bleed” is another testament to Mooski’s work ethic, unflinching introspection, and continued artistic growth. Few artists can turn personal experiences into universal hits, but Mooski has done it again.

About Mooski

The whole world is buzzing about Mooski thanks to the popularity of his runaway smash single “Track Star.” The versatile 24-year-old has been riding a wave of success since releasing the track last June, but his journey has been anything but easy. Born Darien Hinton, Mooski was raised in a religious household in Opp, Alabama, where he grew up listening to and performing faith-based music. The second oldest of four kids, Mooski and his mother and sisters were often part of the praise and worship services at their church, and it wasn’t uncommon to find family members singing around the home. Despite their faithful foundation, Mooski’s childhood was marred by both parents’ struggles with poor health, and arguments between his mom and dad often revolved around the financial toll taken due to frequent ambulance calls to their home.

Determined to start earning income to help with bills and buy his own clothes, Mooski began working part-time jobs when he was only 15, building a strong work ethic that would serve him well when he joined the Marine Corps at just 18-years-old. “I talk about the unspoken,” Mooski says. “When people listen to my music they’re going to be like, ‘Mooski was in my head.’ It’s going to be personal to them. I know how depression works. I didn’t grieve my father’s death until two years [after the fact]. I’m going to talk about things I was thinking and things I was going through, stuff I didn’t want to talk about. I’m going to put it in the music because I know these are things everybody is going through.”