Vaughn Lowery is a native of Detroit and the youngest of five siblings, a graduate of Cornell University's ILR School. Core duties: global diversification strategy, production management, and ecological implementation. The grandson of the late civil rights defender and recipient of the presidential medal of freedom, Joseph Lowery. Lastly, a distinguished member of the Alpha Phi Alphi Fraternity, Incorporated (Alpha Chapter).
An acclaimed music and pop culture-based iHeartPodcast Series, Questlove Supreme, releases a new interview with critically acclaimed solo artist, actor, writer, activist, producer, and creator Tariq Trotter. Trotter, recently nominated for a GRAMMY® in “Best Rap Performance,” joins the episode to discuss his newly released memoir, The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are. In addition, this episode includes history on the connection between Questlove and Black Thought, a look into Tariq’s daily life, what it was like working with Madlib on new music, and more.
Recent guests on Questlove Supreme have included GRAMMY® and EMMY award-winning rapper, artist, and entertainer André 3000 and powerhouse vocalists Shanice Wilson & Tracie Spencer. Check them out HERE & HERE.
Questlove Supreme is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.
Questlove Supreme is a fun, irreverent, and educational weekly podcast that digs deep into the stories of musical legends and cultural icons in a way that only Questlove and Team Supreme can deliver. Each episode of the celebrated and award-winning podcast is driven by conversations ranging from the guest’s origins (along with a few never-before-revealed secrets to their success) to their life passions and current projects. Additional hosts on the series include renowned on-air personality and music commentator Laiya St. Clair, GRAMMY Award-nominated rapper/singer Phonte Coleman, GRAMMY, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning music director “Unpaid” Bill Sherman and Suga” Steve Mandel, the engineer for Questlove, The Roots, The Tonight Show and Elvis Costello “. Questlove Supreme took home a Webby Award for “Lifestyle Podcast” and two “People’s Voice” Awards for “Lifestyle and Music Podcast” at the 2022 Webby Awards. The show also won a “People’s Voice” Award at the 2021 Webby Awards. The podcast was nominated for two 2022 NAACP Image Awards for “Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast” and “Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast.” Additionally, the podcast earned a nomination for “Best Music Podcast” at the 2022 iHeartRadio Podcast Awards and won “Best Music Podcast” at the 2023 iHeartRadio Podcast Awards.
A Bespoke Rolls-Royce is more than just a precious possession. For the commissioning client, it is the realisation of an ambition; a vision made solid; a dream come true.
During 2023, those wishes inspired the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective to push their boundaries further than ever before. The year’s commissions opened up new opportunities in the use of rare and beautiful materials, intricate craft techniques, surface finishes and other innovative technologies. There were an exceptional number of ‘firsts’ for the marque, including hand-perforated leather seats, Starlight Headliners incorporating mesmerising celestial animations and three-dimensional sculptural elements, stunning engraved artworks, numerous new paint processes and the first-ever commission to incorporate a Bespoke scent.
Commissions drew inspiration from celestial events, the mysteries of space, enchanting geographic locations, family legacies, clients’ signature colors, and much more. Below are just a few spectacular examples that represent a lasting tribute to the vision, imagination and ambition of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective and the remarkable clients who choose to celebrate their personal stories in Bespoke works of art.
ROSE BLOSSOM PHANTOM
This one-of-one Phantom Extended evokes the beauty and tranquility of a summer garden. Embroidered artwork celebrates the marque’s very own Phantom rose that blooms in the courtyard of the Home of Rolls-Royce. This special flower is illustrated in the Gallery and on the coach doors. In addition, the flowers are depicted in the Starlight Headliner which took over 200 hours to complete. Four species of butterfly – Swallowtail, Peacock, Common Blue and Duke of Burgundy – can be seen flitting amongst the blooms.
The captivating floral theme continues in the intricate and detailed rose marquetry on the passenger panel and rear waterfall.
PHANTOM SYNTOPIA
The most technically complex Bespoke commission ever undertaken, Phantom Syntopia was created in collaboration with Dutch fashion designer and Haute Couturière Iris van Herpen. It explores the beauty of fluid motion in solid materials in its ‘Weaving Water’ theme, which extends across the Gallery artwork, picnic tables, front passenger panel, bonnet and Bespoke Starlight Headliner.
The ‘Weaving Water’ Starlight Headliner alone took almost 700 hours to produce, using a single sheet of leather overlaid on woven ‘liquid metal’ fabric to create a three-dimensional effect. It includes 162 delicate glass organza ‘pearls’, applied at the Home of Rolls-Royce by members of Iris van Herpen’s team.
The rear seats are upholstered in a specially created silk-blend fabric with the Weaving Water motif. For a long-lasting, sophisticated sensory experience, Bespoke Collective incorporated a scent-releasing mechanism housed within the headrests.
The fully Bespoke Starlight Headliner includes an animated sequence replicating the moment of totality: a circle of 940 fiber-optic ‘stars’ represents the corona around the Moon’s silhouette, surrounded by a further 192 ‘stars’. The animation remains visible for precisely seven minutes and 31 seconds – the longest possible duration of a total solar eclipse.
The illuminated fascia features 1,846 laser-etched ‘stars’ in a symbolic timeline of a total eclipse. The design culminates in a Bespoke timepiece incorporating a brilliant-cut 0.5-carat diamond set into the bezel, recalling the ‘Diamond Ring’ effect.
BLACK BADGE CULLINAN BLUE SHADOW
The Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow Private Collection is inspired by the Kármán Line, the invisible boundary 62 miles above the Earth’s surface, where our atmosphere ends and outer space begins. The Starlight Headliner includes an intricate embroidery depicting the Moon’s surface, made up of 250,000 individual stiches in five different thread colors.
It’s surrounded by 1,183 twinkling fiber-optic ‘stars’ – 799 white and 384 blue – each placed by hand. The leather seats feature artistic perforations for the very first time. The artwork, formed with 75,000 tiny perforations, mimics the patterns of clouds swirling over the continents and oceans as seen from space.
GHOST CHAMPAGNE ROSE
Ghost Champagne Rose celebrates the commissioning client’s signature color, inspired by her digital persona @ChampagneRose. Creating a single-tone color across both exterior finish and interior trim is exceptionally complex; materials absorb and reflect light differently, and the eye perceives slight variations if exactly the same color is applied to all surfaces. The Bespoke Collective therefore developed numerous formulations of the ‘Champagne Rose’ hue, each subtly adjusted according to each material’s specific surface characteristics – a true technical and artistic tour de force.
MANCHESTER GHOST
This one-of-one Ghost celebrates Manchester’s pivotal historical connection with the marque. It was in the city’s Midland Hotel on 4 May 1904 that Charles Rolls and Henry Royce first met and agreed to build ‘the best car in the world’.
The illuminated fascia features 10,000 laser-etched dots depicting an aerial view of Manchester, with the largest dot showing the location of the Midland Hotel. The design also includes the Manchester Bee – the city’s emblem for over 150 years, symbolizing hard work and collective endeavor. It appears as a coachline motif and delicate embroidery on the front and rear seat inserts.
GHOST AMBER ROADS
This magnificent collection, comprising just 12 examples, is inspired by amber, known as the ‘Gold of the North’ and traded along routes known as ‘Amber Roads’ for over 3,500 years. These historic trade routes are depicted in the Bespoke Starlight Headliner and illuminated fascia panel.
The two-tone exterior finish and interior palette capture amber’s warm, lustrous character. A piece of polished amber is set into the central rotary dial to add an extra tactile dimension.
BLACK BADGE WRAITH
BLACK ARROW PRIVATE COLLECTION
Created to mark the end of production of Wraith, this Private Collection includes the final 12 examples of the last-ever Rolls-Royce V12 coupé.
The design celebrates the land speed record set by Captain George Eyston on 16 September 1938 on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats. The Bespoke Starlight Headliner’s 2,117 fiber-optic ‘stars’ depict the Milky Way and the constellations precisely as they would have appeared there that night. The complex design on coach doors, comprising over 320 lasered marquetry pieces, mimics the cracked, irregular surface of the Salt Flats.
Unique fascia artwork depicting Wraith’s V12 engine, engraved on a single sheet of black-coated aluminum to reveal the gleaming metal beneath, commemorates the legacy of this Rolls-Royce icon.
THE PEARL CULLINAN
Commissioned for the owner by his family to mark a significant birthday, this magnificent Cullinan reflects the client’s passion for pearls and includes some of the most elaborate use of mother-of-pearl ever seen in a Rolls-Royce motor car.
The exterior finish captures the colors of the most prized pearl in the owner’s collection. The Picnic Tables feature a spectacular circular pattern made from 1,351 separate pieces of mother-of-pearl, each individually selected and inlaid by hand. The fascia motif illustrates the Arabic symbol for ‘father’ inlaid in stainless steel. The Bespoke Starlight Headliner shows the sky as it appeared at the owner’s birthplace on the night he was born.
PHANTOM CINQUE TERRE
This one-of-one Phantom celebrates the unique landscape and viticultural heritage of Italy’s Cinque Terre region. The Gallery artwork represents an imagined amalgamation of elements from the five Ligurian cliffside villages, sketched digitally, then airbrushed by hand.
The Bespoke Starlight Headliner features a map of Italy, embroidered in 14,338 individual stitches, with five prominent ‘stars’ marking the locations of the villages.
The rear doors are adorned with a delicate grape-branch embroidery, each comprising 9,215 stitches and using two different techniques to create luster and texture. The grapes motif also appears as an intricate plated gold and stainless steel inlay on the rear picnic tables, as well as the coachline motif.
BLACK BADGE CULLINAN LUCID NIGHTS
These three striking commissions, created exclusively for Korea, are inspired by the scenery, atmosphere and dynamism of Seoul Metropolitan City at night. Bold exterior colorways, reminiscent of the neon-lit streets of Seoul, include the daring Lime Green, luscious Indy Red and vibrant Tucana Purple.
BLACK BADGE CULLINAN LUCID NIGHTS
These three striking commissions, created exclusively for Korea, are inspired by the scenery, atmosphere and dynamism of Seoul Metropolitan City at night. Bold exterior colorways, reminiscent of the neon-lit streets of Seoul, include the daring Lime Green, luscious Indy Red and vibrant Tucana Purple.
Spectacular tour over 800 km delivers the ultimate in luxury and authentic experiences via the driving prowess of the lifestyle version of the Super SUV
Sant’Agata Bolognese, 20th December 2023: The magical Omani culture and landscapes coupled with five-star luxury and unique experiences shaped the Lamborghini Esperienza Avventura in Oman, which welcomed an exclusive group of guests from across Europe. Each of the four-day tours started with guests arriving in Muscat and a stay at the first of three venues, starting with the renowned beach resort The Chedi.
Commencing with a welcome dinner on the seaside at the celebrated five-star coastal venue, guests departed the Chedi next morning in one of eight Urus S reserved for them, accompanied by three Lamborghini professional drivers and support vehicles to cover more than 330 km during the first day. After a coffee break on a cliff facing the white sands of Fins beach, the Urus S tackled challenging rugged areas away from the roads heading up the Hajar mountains, with a lunch break at the 1500m-high Salmah Plateau with its traditional villages, underground caves and tombs. The tour then headed onwards to the endless dunes of Wahiba Sands for a night of exclusive desert glamping, where guests were welcomed by a local Omani Bedouin band and experienced a traditional dinner under the stars of the desert.
The second day of driving saw the tour pause for a mid-morning sojourn at Wadi Indam Natural Park, considered one of the biggest rivers in the entire Sultanate, before heading to the 17th century town of Nizwa, an important stronghold in Omani history, where participants could visit the ancient fort and the Imam’s castle. The Super SUV proved its unrivaled abilities to all as it chewed up road miles and tackled sand and rough terrains, arriving for lunch in the ruined village of Birkat Al Mouz amidst its date and banana plantations. The last stage of 280 km’s driving through captivating landscapes led guests to the exclusive Alila Jabal Akhdar hotel, perched on a clifftop over 2000 meters above sea level. The dinner took place on a deck with a breathtaking vista over the surrounding canyon accompanied by the sound of a local oud player.
On their final day clients departed to drive 200 km-plus back towards The Chedi, Muscat and they waded the river Wadi Dabaun in the Urus S, that had so capably taken them in versatile luxury across 821 km of varied terrains. Authentic and exclusive experiences combined with insights into Omani culture, characterized by a great hospitality, the Lamborghini guests left Oman full of memories of such a diverse country and of Urus S that had delivered so many unique and memorable driving emotions and experiences.
*Fuel consumption and emission values of Urus S; Fuel consumption combined: 14,1 l/100km (WLTP); CO₂-emissions combined: 320 g/km (WLTP)
Juice WRLD’s new single “Lace It” f/ Eminem and benny blanco is out now. The single, produced by Juice WRLD’s longtime collaborator and friend benny blanco, is the first official new single from Juice WRLD this year. Eminem, who praised Juice WRLD previously stating ”his potential was so off the charts,” first collaborated with Juice WRLD on his first posthumous release “Godzilla,” which recently spiked in streams due to the Eminem x Fortnite Big Bang event. benny blanco notably collaborated with Juice WRLD on singles “Graduation” and “Roses.”
In April of 2020, Juice’s mother Carmela Wallace announced the establishment of the Live Free 999 Fund, which receives additional support via Grade A and Interscope Records in addition to individual donations.
“I can recall Jarad playing Eminem’s music on repeat at home because he was a huge fan. This is a bittersweet moment for me; I am happy that Jarad had a chance to make music with someone he admired and sad that he cannot be here to take in the moment; Jarad left us way too soon.” – Carmela Wallace
The Live Free 999 Fund honors the legacy of her son by supporting young people in their battles and to do so with love, joy, and emotional honesty. Live Free 999 encourages anyone struggling with mental health and addiction to reach out and get help. Text LF999 to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line for free crisis counseling.
For additional information on the Live Free 999 Fund go [HERE]
Anitta is more than ready for summer in Brazil and bringing the heat and funk to the world! The global star is releasing her last single of the year, “Joga pra Lua,” in collaboration with producers Pedro Sampaio and DENNIS. It’s Brazilian Funk bringing together three of the genre’s stars in another mega-dance “batidão” (big beat). Listen here.
“I really threw myself into funk in 2023. Finishing the year with this song is very special for me”, says Anitta. “I’ve had this chorus stuck in my head for months… It’s delicious. It’s so summer! I love it! Anyone who’s watched Tiktok in The Mix knows what I’m talking about. It makes you want to start dancing immediately!”
With lyrics entirely in Portuguese, “Joga Pra Lua” throws the listener into a warm and seductive atmosphere. Like someone flirting in a baile funk, Anitta sings in the first verse: “From afar I spotted you / I was in tune / I tripped / Wanting that little mouth”.
“I love collaborating with other artists. And I think it’s wonderful when that harmony leads to one, two or more collaborations… ‘Joga pra Lua’ celebrates my musical connection with these boys. We’ve done other works together and it was incredible”, says Anitta.
“Joga pra Lua” was written by Anitta, Pedro and DENNIS along with songwriters Gabriel Cantini (Kevinho’s collaborator) and Shylton Fernandes (Pabllo Vittar and Zé Felipe). Sonically, the single mixes funk carioca with electronic music. This perfect match was signed by Pedro Sampaio and DENNIS. It also samples “Uva”, a track composed by Fernando Os and performed by Brazilian funk group Os Saradinhos.”
Pedro Sampaio, who has already collaborated with Anitta on hits such as “No Chão Novinha” and “Dançarina Remix”, echoes this feeling. “Working with Anitta and DENNIS is always a pleasure. They’re artists I admire, I get a lot of inspiration from them”, he says.
DENNIS is credited as one of the producers of Anitta’s album “Versions of Me” (2022). He also produced the recent single “MONSTRÃO”, released last month.
A visualizer will arrive on Anitta’s YouTube channel on Monday (December 18th) at 11 am (Brasília Time — BRT). The chemistry between the trio of artists also shines in the audiovisuals. Set against a backdrop that refers to the lunar soil, the video features dance as its main element. Ohana Lefundes, one of Anitta’s stage dancers, interacts with the singer in a modern choreography full of sensuality. “I love the result. My dance with Ohana is beautiful, super artistic. I also had a lot of fun with Pedro and DENNIS on the set!.”
Shot in the beach town of Arraial do Cabo, in Rio de Janeiro, the visualizer was directed by Anitta herself, in partnership with the creative team at GINGA Pictures, who have previously collaborated with her on music videos such as “Funk Rave”, “Boys Don’t Cry” and “El Que Espera”.
Anitta first teased the new song this past weekend, during her showstopping performance at the TikTok In The Mix concert, in Phoenix and was broadcast globally. In the performance, she also teased snippets of forthcoming new songs such as “Grip” and “I Wanna F”, and “BELLAKEO”, her recently released duet with Peso Pluma.
The leading eco-resort operator Soneva has been awarded the 2023 Terra Carta Seal from the Sustainable Markets Initiative, the only hotel brand to be recognized for its pioneering sustainability efforts.
Recognized for its remarkable sustainability efforts, Soneva, which has award-winning properties in the Maldives and Thailand, is the only hotel brand among a select group of large global organizations that received a 2023 Terra Carta Seal, including Airbus, Carbon Clean, CDPQ, DLA Piper, EY, Haier Smart Home, Hitachi, LanzaTech, Novartis, Orange, Ping An Bank, Pollination, ReNew, Robertson, Siemens Energy, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
The Terra Carta Seal is awarded to companies that have demonstrated the success of a high-impact, large-scale, company-wide project, initiative or strategy that aligns with one or more of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s ten Terra Carta articles. The winners were selected by a panel of global experts from the environmental, business, political and philanthropic worlds. Designed by Sir Jony Ive, the Terra Carta Seal was launched in 2021 at COP26 by His Majesty King Charles III when he was the Prince of Wales. Since its inception, the Sustainable Markets Initiative has awarded its coveted seal to just 83 companies globally.
“The Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Terra Carta Seal recognizes those companies that are taking great strides in delivering real-world outcomes,” said Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO, Sustainable Markets Initiative. “As we stand on the eve of COP28, public, private sector and philanthropic actors will come together at the inaugural Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum to bridge the gap between ambition and action. It is examples exemplified by the 2023 Terra Carta Seal winners that are helping to inspire and lead the way.”
While there is currently no industry standard for environmental and social reporting, Soneva developed its own in-house Total Impact Assessment (TIA) methodology, which includes measuring its Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L) and improving year-on-year. By taking a ‘planetary boundaries’ view of its social and environmental impact, the TIA assesses the impact from sources over which Soneva has both direct and indirect control, including natural capital, human capital, social capital, economic capital and tax.
“Soneva is honored to be awarded the prestigious 2023 Terra Carta Seal. We are dedicated to leading the way in responsible tourism and championing the transformative power of travel and tourism in global conservation efforts,” said Arnfinn Oines, Social & Environmental Conscience, Soneva. “Soneva resorts have been carbon neutral since 2012, and we recently invested US$9 million in 4.5MWp solar PV and 4.5MWh of battery storage at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, which will take us to 50% of electricity from renewable energy.”
NCT’s concert film, “NCT NATION : To The World in Cinemas,” will be released in theatres on two dates — December 6 and December 10, 2023. The concert film features a live recording of the group’s “NCT NATION : To The World” concert held on August 26th at the Incheon Munhak Stadium Main Stadium. Notably, this concert marks NCT’s first full-group offline performance since their debut in 2016, showcasing collective and individual team stages that stirred significant excitement.
This concert film was shot with 18 dedicated cameras, capturing various angles and providing a vivid portrayal of the concert’s energy and behind-the-scenes moments on the theater screen. “NCT NATION : To The World in Cinemas” will be available in over 60 countries worldwide. Please find local showtimes and tickets HERE.
Earlier this year, NCT released their fourth studio album, Golden Age, which became the NCT’s third full-group album to enter the Billboard 200 chart. It also debuted in the top 5 of Billboard’s Top Album Sales and World Albums charts. Tracks for the album were performed at the “NCT Nation : To The World” concert, which also included special stages from the members, NCT 127, NCT DREAM and WayV.
In 2021, NCT released Universe – The 3rd Album which debuted in the Top 20 of the Billboard Top 200 chart and in the Top 5 of Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart. The album also surpassed 1.7 million preorders on the day of release, breaking the group’s previous record of 1.1 million preorders for their 2020 album NCT RESONANCE Pt. 1 – The 2nd Album.
ABOUT NCT: With 3.5M+ monthly Spotify listeners, 17.1M+ Instagram followers, and 11M+ Twitter followers, NCT is known for having a unique group concept, their dedicated fans and their irreplicable performances.
NCT is the acronym for “Neo Culture Technology”. The band made its debut in April 2016 with double digital singles “The 7th Sense” and “Without You.” Since debut, NCT has achieved global success with five Top 10 Hits on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart including both debut digital singles and other hits like “90’s Love,” “Boss,” “Baby Don’t Stop,” and “Coming Home.”
Travis Scott has announced today “The Cactus Jack x Audemars Piguet Collection,” a limited edition and exclusive capsule collection featuring a carefully curated selection of premium merchandise, including tees, hoodies, hats, and accessories that showcase the distinctive design elements synonymous with both brands.
Available today via shop.travisscott.com, the first-of-its-kind collection was inspired by the energetic ethos of Cactus Jack and the timeless elegance and precision craftsmanship emblematic of Audemars Piguet. Each piece in this collection is a testament to the seamless blend of two creative worlds.
Prices range from $45-$1,850.00, and the collection is available now on shop.travisscott.com
