Posts tagged with "afro latino"

Black History Month celebrated via 360 MAGAZINE.

Black History Month

February is Black History Month and 360 Magazine would like to recognize some historic people of color who have become a positive influence on society. In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement skyrocketed and brought attention to the diversity that still exists within our community. Although society has come a long way from the early 1900s when segregation ran rampant, the movement for equality has a long way to go. From inventors to musicians, there are a number of successful people we would like to acknowledge in honor of Black History Month.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Arguably one of the most important leaders in the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King spent his time preaching for equality in a peaceful way. He will always be remembered for his famous “I Have a Dream” speech and his ability to lead others in this historical movement. Dr. King is one of the most influential

Joseph E. Lowery

Joseph E. Lowery is the grandfather of 360 Magazine’s President Vaughn Lowery and founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference alongside Dr. King. Throughout his life, Lowery served as vice president, chairman of the board and president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as well as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement.

George Washington Carver

Many people are familiar with George Washington Carver for his inventive skills. He made over 300 products from peanuts and as an agricultural scientist promoted methods to prevent soil depletion.

Garrett Morgan

Garrett Augustus Morgan, Sr. is to thank for the invention of traffic lights as well as gas masks. Every time you stop at a red light, take a moment to think of Morgan for this essential technology.

Barack Obama

As the first black president of the United States, Barack Obama made an impact as the 44th president and showed young people of color they have representation in politics. He continues to use his voice to connect with the American people.

Kamala Harris

Keeping in the theme of politics, Vice President Kamala Harris is the first woman vice president, the first African American vice president and the first Asian American vice president. She’s giving young women of color everywhere a sense of representation.

Madam C.J. Walker

As the first recorded female self-made millionaire in America, Madam C.J. Walker was an influential entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist of her time.

Frederick McKinley Jones

Frederick McKinley Jones was the co-founder of Thermo King and he brought incredible improvement to long-haul transportation of perishable goods. Jones also won the National Medal of Technology.

Stevie Wonder

Stevland Hardaway Morris, better known as Stevie Wonder, is a musical prodigy that became blind after birth and learned to play the harmonica, piano and drums by age nine. He is now a notable singer, songwriter, musician and record producer.

Lonnie Johnson

Lonnie Johnson is known for his success as an aerospace engineer. He has worked on the U.S. Air Force term of service and has also worked at NASA for twelve years including in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Patricia Bath

As an ophthalmologist, Patricia Bath was an early innovator of laser cataract surgery. She was also the first woman, African American physician to receive a patent for a medical invention.

Oprah Winfrey

One TV personality almost everyone is familiar with is Oprah. Known for her television show The Oprah Winfrey Show, she has made waves in the world of entertainment. She is also known for co-producing a Broadway musical version of The Color Purple, establishing O, The Oprah Magazine, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) as well as creating Oprah.com.

Harriet Tubman

After being born into slavery, Harriet Tubman was a conductor of the Underground Railroad and helped many enslaved men and women escape. She led many people to freedom with her bravery and connection with antislavery activists.

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks gained her notoriety as an activist in the Civil Rights Movement and is known for starting the Montgomery bus boycott after refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger. She has been called “the first lady of civil rights” and “the mother of the freedom movement” by the United States Congress.

John Lewis

John Lewis was chairman Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) as well as one of the “Big Six” leaders who organized the 1963 March on Washington. He was an essential part of the Civil Rights Movement and ending legalized racial segregation.

Alexander Miles

If you’ve ever ridden in an elevator, you can thank Alexander Miles for the automatic opening doors; he was awarded the patent for this invention in 1887. Mills was riding in an elevator with his daughter and he deemed an elevator shaft door left open could be dangerous.

Mary Kenner

Mary Kenner was an inventor famous for her development of the sanitary belt, the precursor to the self-adhesive maxi pad. However, due to racial discrimination, the idea wasn’t adopted for thirty years. She has five patents for various household items.

Maya Angelou

Known for her many famous pieces of writing, Maya Angelou was a poet, memoirist and civil rights activist. Over fifty years, she wrote a number of autobiographies, essays, poems, plays, movies and television shows. She also received over 50 honorary degrees as well as awards for her writing.

LeBron James

Along with being considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time, LeBron James also started the LeBron James Family Foundation to help create generational change for the children and families of LeBron’s hometown in Akron, Ohio.

Malcolm X

As a popular spokesperson at the time of the Civil Rights Movement, Malcolm X encouraged Black Americans to protect themselves against racism. He preached a much different lesson than Martin Luther King Jr. who preached nonviolence.

Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall was the Supreme Court’s first African American justice as well as a prominent civil rights activist. He served on the court for 24 years and helped with influential rulings at the time of the Civil Rights Movement such as the case of Brown v. Board of Education.

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the United States during the 20th century. He broke the color barrier of the MLB when he played for the National League Brooklyn Dodgers as second baseman with the jersey number 42.

Article: Hannah DiPilato

Founders of La Impresora shot by Gustavo Castrodad for 360 MAGAZINE

Maniobra: A Cultural Employment Initiative

The Mellon Foundation and the Centro de Economía Creativa (CEC) announced Maniobra – a newly launched $8 million cultural employment initiative created to facilitate stable employment opportunities for artists while strengthening the administrative bandwidth of community-based cultural organizations across Puerto Rico. In its inaugural stage, Maniobra – named in reference to “the work of one’s hands” – is providing support including salary, training, health and other benefits, and more to 37 artists and 25 artist-centric organizations across 12 municipalities.

Puerto Rican artists play critical leadership roles within their communities, yet often live in a state of financial precarity, earning a median annual income of approximately $16,000 for their work, with 46% generating less than $12,000 annually. Through Maniobra, CEC and the Mellon Foundation underscore the labor of artists as valued work, while modeling remuneration that reflects artists’ formal education, experience, and contributions to society.

“This initiative shines an important light on the economic state and personal well-being of the artistic community and centers both as priorities for philanthropy and cultural policy,” said Javier Hernández Acosta, Founder of the Center and Dean of the School of Arts, Design and Creative Industries at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. “Equity and salary justice within the arts had previously been relegated to a secondary agenda item, but we are now thrilled to work with the Mellon Foundation to advance this important work through real action.”

Maniobra provides participating organizations with the financial support needed to hire at least one full-time artist and $20,000 yearly budget to support the organization’s programming and creative projects over the entirety of the three-year initiative. The funding will not only strengthen organizations’ artistic programming and financial stability, but will also serve as a pilot that could be expanded in the future and has the potential of driving philanthropic support to a more holistic approach.

“Lifting up and celebrating the creativity of Puerto Rican artists, writers, and performers means granting them the resources they need to pursue their callings, supporting the archipelago’s artistic and cultural organizations, and broadly fostering the work and preservation of Puerto Rican culture at a time when stable employment and funding for these efforts has been imperiled,” said Elizabeth Alexander, President of the Mellon Foundation.“We are honored to support Maniobra, and excited to see the work that comes from this remarkable initiative.”

Prior to the launch of Maniobra, CEC and the Mellon Foundation collaborated on artists-centered initiatives including the development of Nido Cultural – a platform created to support management services for artistic and cultural production in Puerto Rico, as well as on an initiative aimed at Mapping of Cultural Work in Puerto Rico. Maniobra was inspired by Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY) – the $125 million Mellon Foundation-backed initiative created to help reactivate the creative economy of New York State and secure the future of its artists.

The artists selected for Maniobra, which commenced in early April, were selected by an advisory team of key stakeholders from the local artistic community. Considering the diversity of practices and approaches across the islands, collectives and organizations were selected based on their rich experience in artistic and cultural work.

“In addition to supporting these artists, we also expect to strengthen the work of the collectives and organizations by providing technical and managerial support as well as operational budgets for the execution of the initiatives,” said Sonia Méndez, Program Manager of the Centro de Economía Creativa, Inc. “It also represents a unique project that not only offers the artist a salary, but also fringe benefits and health care coverage.”

To learn more about the projects and initiatives of the Centro de Economía Creativa, you can visit its social media accounts or Centro de Economía Creativa Website

*Photo: Gustavo Castrodad

cocktail illustration by Mina Tocalini for 360 Magazine

Margarita Day Drink Guide

Just in time for National Margarita Day, 1800 Tequila, the world’s most awarded tequila line introduces a delicious line up of 1800 The Ultimate Margarita, the #1 premium margarita that’s ready to serve! Made with real tequila and the extract of lime, 1800 The Ultimate Margarita is available in refreshing flavors including Classic, Peach & Watermelon! Perfect for any at-home celebration, all flavors are best enjoyed on the rocks and chilled/blended with ice. As a premium offering, 1800 The Ultimate Margarita is packaged in 1800 Tequila’s signature pyramid glass bottle.

If you’re looking to put a spin on the classic margarita, check out these cocktail ideas from 1800, all of which can also be made with their refreshing, new flavors below:

La Rita
2 oz 1800° Silver
1 oz Lime Juice
½ oz Agave Syrup
½ oz Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker, shake and strain into salted rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

La Rosita
2 oz 1800® Silver Tequila
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.5 oz Curacao
0.5 oz Rosemary Honey Syrup
Rosemary Sprig

To make the rosemary honey, add 2 parts honey to 1 part water and let simmer with some rosemary for 3–5 minutes.

Measure out all ingredients, add to a shaker with ice, and shake. Strain into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

Rising Star
2 oz 1800® Silver Tequila
0.75 oz Lemon Juice
0.75 oz Simple Syrup
3–4 Whole Blackberries
5–6 Mint Leaves
Seltzer Water

Lightly muddle mint leaves and blackberries in a shaker or mason jar. Add lemon juice, simple syrup, tequila and ice, and shake for 10 seconds. Pour into a glass over ice and top with seltzer water. Garnish with fresh mint and a blackberry.

All of these recipes can also be made with 1800 Tequila’s deliciously dangerous margarita flavors:

1800 Tequila x Jarritos Tamarindo Tango Margarita

Mix in fresh lime juice & Chile de Arbol and serve on the rocks with chile salt rim & lime wheel

1800 The Ultimate Margarita Original

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled and salted Margarita glass

1800 The Ultimate Margarita Peach

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled and salted Margarita glass

1800 The Ultimate Margarita Watermelon

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled and salted Margarita glass

Fabiio's High Class via NV Marketing for use by 360 Magazine

Fabiio – High Class

Rising Trap star Fabiio released his new song and video “High Class.” The single was released under AP Global Music and produced by JS BEATZ. The song is about how he lives a luxurious life now and is no longer living the same way from his past in Puerto Rico.
The music video, directed by Guri BellaFlores, reflects the lifestyle of Fabiio and the modern New York City life. He’s seen going through the city demonstrating his Puerto Rican roots and his luxurious lifestyle.
In this video, you also see fancy dinners, stylish sneakers, many jewels and endless city nights. Fabiio‘s style in the production is inspired by 90’s fashion and shows like Raising Kanan, directed by Rob Hardy.
Last summer, he released the single and music video, Trap de Disenador which has 5 million views on YouTube, and in August last year, he dropped Master which has 2 million views on YouTube.
He also made an impact on Spotify with 402.5K streams in 0ver 147 countries.
About Fabiio

Fabiio is a musician, born and raised in the Hato Rey Community of San Juan, Puerto Rico. He first got his start in music working at a barbershop where others saw his potential, and he started creating music at age 27. He is inspired by other rappers such as Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, and Snoop Dogg. He is also an avid skateboard enthusiast.

Evan Craft by Reb Czukoski for use by 360 Magazine

EVAN CRAFT DROPS DOUBLE ALBUM

Singer/Songwriter Evan Craft Drops Double Album Holy Ground Oct. 1

Holy Ground/Tierra Santa to be released in both English and Spanish.

On the heels of the success of Desesperado, Evan Craft’s double album released in 2020 in English and Spanish with a deluxe bilingual album as well, the singer/songwriter released his next full-length worship album Holy Ground (English) and Tierra Santa (Spanish) simultaneously today, Friday, October 1.

This will be Craft’s first release as a married man! Him and his wife, Rachel, were married outside Nashville, Tennessee, on September 17.

Music Background

Craft’s most recent single Be Alright, landed the #1 spot on Christian radio Mediabase audience, #3 on Billboard’s Christian/Gospel songs chart, #5 on the Billboard Christian songs chart and cracked the top 20 at radio in three weeks. The album, Desesperado, debuted at #42 on the Billboard Top 100 Christian chart.

The successes of Be Alright have garnered Craft nearly 1 billion online streams and millions of subscribers and followers across social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Spotify.

The release of Holy Ground/Tierra Santa takes Craft back to the start, “Holy Ground is a very special album because it goes back to my roots as a worship leader.” He also mentions the goal he has in mind, “I get to incorporate Spanish language and experiences embedded in the lyrics from my travels throughout Latin America. We started out the year releasing pop music but I also want to lead people to a place of worship and to experience God in a very real way.”

Collaborations on this double release include Christine D’Clario on the feature track Healer, Pat Barrett (Same Spirit), Miel San Marcos (Looks Like Heaven) and Ke’Erron (Fix My Eyes/You Keep Hope Alive).

Latinx Impact

While not Hispanic, Craft has become a welcomed artist in the Latinx community not only for his authentic music, but his actions behind the words. To date he has raised more than $250k for the homeless mission in Los Angeles he co-founded called Mi Casa LA. In 2018 he rode his bicycle 1,200 miles across South America in a fundraising effort for various causes. A book and documentary of this trek are currently in the works.

Early in his career, Craft developed a deep love for the Latinx community in and around his Thousand Oaks, California, community. He began learning Spanish in high school to help his father who was running a homeless shelter in Los Angeles. In an effort to fully immerse himself in the Latin culture, Craft traveled to Mexico and other Latin American countries, which would spawn his first Spanish album.

He recorded Yo Soy Segundo in 2012 and much to Craft’s surprise, it became the No. 1 Latin Christian album. More mission trips would follow to South America and Craft’s online Spanish interpretations of popular worship songs have generated millions of views and earned him a devoted following.

“I have felt an incredible reception in Latin America,” Craft said. “I’ve been to Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and 99% of the people have honestly embraced me. It’s overwhelming and humbling.”

Image via Universal Music Group for 360 Magazine

Elvis Costello × Sebastian Krys – Spanish Model

ELVIS COSTELLO & SEBASTIAN KRYS REMODEL THE ALBUM, THIS YEAR‘S MODEL, INTO SPANISH MODEL, A DARING, FIRST OF ITS KIND RECORD

THE ALBUM FEATURES ONLY THE ATTRACTIONS’ ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCES WITH NEWLY RECORDED VOCALS BY LATIN POP AND ROCK ARTISTS SINGING COSTELLO’S LYRICS TRANSLATED AND ADAPTED INTO SPANISH

16 SONGS PRODUCED BY MULTIPLE GRAMMY AND LATIN GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING PRODUCER SEBASTIAN KRYS, FROM AN ORIGINAL IDEA BY ELVIS COSTELLO

FIRST SINGLE UNVEILED TODAY IS JUANES PERFORMING PUMP IT UP

SPANISH MODEL DUE SEPTEMBER 10 VIA UMe

Elvis Costello and longtime collaborator, 18-time GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY award-winning producer, Sebastian Krys, have brought together a stunning international cast of some of the biggest Latin rock and pop artists from around the globe to interpret Elvis Costello and The Attractions’ album, This Year’s Model, entirely in Spanish. The inspired Spanish-language adaptations are set to the band’s classic studio performances, culled from the original master recordings, which have been newly mixed by Krys, revealing a new power and intensity to The Attractions’ 1978 instrumental performances. The mixes, sometimes running on, allow us to now hear “What Happened Next:” Costello and Mick Jones of The Clash lock dueling rhythm guitars in a thrilling coda to “Pump It Up” or Pete Thomas almost demolishing his drum kit at the end of “No Action.” There is even the occasional vocal cameo appearance by the bandleader, but the album can now be enjoyed in an entirely new way. Spanish Model is set for release September 10 via UMe.

Watch/share video for Pump It Up by Juanes

Pre-order Spanish Model

Pre-order This Year’s Model

As Costello and Krys began to think of artists that would be a good fit, they discovered that This Year’s Model was an important record to many artists in the pan-Latin world, but its true nature had never been fully appreciated because of the language barrier. They enlisted many Costello fans, a few who Krys and Costello felt would be a great fit for the song, and all of whom have stellar careers and were excited to participate and bring their own styles to the immediacy and poignancy of the original songs, helping to create an entirely new listening experience.

Spanish Model features such artists as: Cami, Draco Rosa, Fito Páez, Francisca Valenzuela & Luis Humberto Navejas (lead singer of Enjambre), Gian Marco & Nicole Zignago, Jesse & Joy, Jorge Drexler, Juanes, La Marisoul, Luis Fonsi, Morat, Nina Diaz, Pablo López, Raquel Sofía & Fuego, Sebastián Yatra, and Vega. They sing these timeless and universal songs, which have been expertly translated and adapted into Spanish to retain their meaning, energy, attitude, and wit. The concept represents what may be a first: an artist replacing their vocals with newly recorded performances by other artists singing in another language, backed by the original music. The full track listing is below.

  1. No Action – Nina Diaz
  2. (Yo No Quiero Ir A) Chelsea ((I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea) – Raquel Sofía y Fuego
  3. Yo Te Vi (The Beat) – Draco Rosa
  4. Pump It Up – Juanes
  5. Detonantes (Little Triggers) – La Marisoul
  6. Tu Eres Para Mi (You Belong To Me) – Luis Fonsi
  7. Hand In Hand – Francisca Valenzuela y Luis Humberto Navejas
  8. La Chica de Hoy (This Year’s Girl) – Cami
  9. Mentira (Lip Service) – Pablo López
  10. Viviendo en el Paraiso (Living In Paradise) – Jesse & Joy
  11. Lipstick Vogue – Morat
  12. La Turba (Night Rally) – Jorge Drexler
  13. Llorar (Big Tears) – Sebastián Yatra
  14. Radio Radio – Fito Páez
  15. Crawling To The U.S.A. – Gian Marco y Nicole Zignago
  16. Se Esta Perdiendo La Inocencia (Running Out Of Angels) – Vega

The album includes 16 tracks drawing from the original U.S. version of This Year’s Model (Pump It Up, Radio Radio, This Year’s Girl, The Beat) plus several other songs from those sessions. The album will be available on CD, digital and 180-gram vinyl.

This Year’s Model, which has been newly remastered, will also be released concurrently on CD and 180-gram black vinyl with the addition of Big Tears and Radio Radio. A limited edition version, that pairs both Spanish Model and the new pressing of This Year’s Model together as a 180-gram double LP, will be released exclusively via Elvis’ website, uDiscover and Sound Of Vinyl webstores.

Today’s launch is heralded with the release of an exciting video from Colombian superstar Juanes, whose own recently released Origen album was also produced by Sebastian Krys and featured Pete Thomas on drums. His exhilarating performance of Pump It Up, (with its spitfire lyrics now in Spanish) manages to match the same intensity and feel as the original, while Costello’s original backing vocals provide the trademark chorus and an instant familiarity. The video plays on this by transforming Costello’s signature video by rotoscoping the original and inserting Juanes’ head in place of Costello’s to create a playfully updated version that’s a perfect blend of the old and new, that this daring album embodies. ‘Pump It Up’ is such an iconic and signature song from Elvis’ amazing repertoire, that it was a real honor to have the chance to sing with the original 1978 recording and be a part of that propulsive energy, Juanes said.

Spanish Model exudes the same kind of energy and spirit as the original but with a Latin twist. With 19 featured artists representing 10 countries and territories across the Spanish-speaking world including:  Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, plus several from the United States. The album is truly a global, collaborative affair. Costello’s spiky guitars collide with band mates Steve Nieve’s carnival-esque keys and the urgent, propulsive rhythms of bassist Bruce Thomas and drummer Pete Thomas, as The Attractions virtually back a host of Latin music legends, contemporary stars and burgeoning artists for a set of thrilling Spanish-language performances imbued with each artist’s singular identity and style.

The idea for Spanish Model dates back to 2018 when it was sparked by a request by showrunner, David Simon (The Wire, Treme), to turn This Year’s Girl into a duet with a singer, Natalie Bergman for the opening credits of the second season of his show, The Deuce. Shortly after that came to fruition, allowing Costello to hear his song in a new way, he had a dream where he heard This Year’s Model, but in Spanish. With his curiosity and interest piqued he called his frequent collaborator, Argentinian-born, Latin GRAMMY Producer of the Year, Sebastian Krys, about the idea of having artists sing the entire album over the original backing tracks. It wasn’t long before the two were figuring out how to make the dream a reality.

Since releasing, My Aim Is True, in 1977, the ever musically curious Costello has allowed himself to follow his artistic desires wherever it takes him, often into unpredictable yet exciting territory. Across more than four decades, the iconoclast has reveled in exploring the human condition through a wildly diverse catalog that includes collaborations with Burt Bacharach, Allen Toussaint, Paul McCartney, T Bone Burnett, Brodsky Quartet, Spinal Tap, Anne Sofie von Otter, The Roots and his wife, Diana Krall along with many others spanning a dizzying array of genres, from country and jazz to orchestral, pop, rock, experimental and beyond, all the while keeping his audiences on their toes. After winning a Grammy for Look Now, his 2018 album with The Imposters, Costello recently released a French language EP, featuring French adaptations by Iggy Pop, Isabelle Adjani, Tshegue, Etta Somatis & AJUQ of songs from his acclaimed 2020 album, Hey Clockface.

Part of the fun of this project is its unexpected nature, Costello said. Although, I think people in my audience that have been paying attention are pretty much used to surprises by now.

When Elvis told me the idea, Krys said, it took me about 15 seconds to answer. I have been in so many situations where I was trying to turn Latin artists onto Elvis Costello’s music. The feedback I heard most often was ‘I love it. I wish I knew what he was saying.’ Spanish Model is an opportunity to turn an entire side of the world onto this great record and through these voices, get these ideas out. Lyrically, This Year’s Model is still relevant today, what the songs have to say and how they say it.

Costello and Krys worked closely with all the artists and in some cases with several songwriters, including Elsten Torres, Ximena Muñoz, Luis Mitre, Andie Sandoval, and Vega, to adapt the lyrics so the Spanish versions would seamlessly capture each song. With the lyrics in place, each artist set out to record.

The translation was key as Luis Fonsi explained: The lyrics felt really natural. Nothing stuck out, and you can’t just read it. You must sing the lyrics to really know if the song will work or not. From the first time I started singing ‘You Belong To Me,’ it just felt natural. It’s true to the original lyric. It has that same energy.

It’s tricky, Fonsi said, because you want to respect the original version. I tip-toed my way around it. Do you veer off a little bit? What’s the perfect combination?

I had a blast singing ‘Triggers,’ La Marisoul said. The translation was beautiful. I just love ballads where I can get down and sing.

Costello first hinted about the release last year when he created an October surprise playlist, 50 Songs for 50 Days, which included a, briefly available, preview of Spanish Model with Gian Marco and Nicole Zignago’s politically charged version of Crawling To The U.S.A. Costello and Krys recently discussed the origins of Spanish Model at the 2021 Latin Alternative Music Conference last month.

This Year’s Model is about desire and how that relates to love, fashion and to the male gaze towards women and control, especially in political control over us all, Costello said. I don’t think there’s anything that somebody in another language would not have encountered. Some of the lyrics might be a little obscure because I use peculiar English idioms, but I constantly fall in love with records in other languages in which I don’t even know one or two courtesy words. What you respond to is the humanity, the pride, the sorrow, the celebration.

Ultimately, Spanish Model echoes the personal journey of celebrating influences and inspirations that Costello has embarked upon in countless creative ways over the years, whether taking him outside his comfort zone, expanding his musical repertoire or, as with this project, discovering something new altogether.

Follow Elvis Costello via his Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and website.

by pollen for use by 360 Magazine

Pollen Presents Takes J Balvin NEON Experience Global

Four Days in Punta Cana (Dec 8-12) with J Balvin, Rauw Alejandro, Sech, Arcángel, Nio Garcia, Mariah Angeliq, Zion & Lennox, Cazzu, and More

Follows Three Sell Out J Balvin NEON Shows in Las Vegas

Pollen Presents has announced the first international J Balvin NEON experience in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, which will take place from December 8-12, 2021, at the Meliá Punta Cana Beach Resort. NEON’s international expansion follows the sellout of three much anticipated J Balvin NEON weekends in Las Vegas this September.

J Balvin NEON, a Pollen Presents experience, is a multi-day musical journey curated by Balvin himself and will include performances from some of his favorite acts, representing some of the most influential voices in global music. This will include performances by Puerto Rican rapper and singer Rauw Alejandro, Panamanian vocalist Sech, reggaeton and latin trap artist Arcángel, Latin dancer and world-class choreographer turned rapper and film actor Nio Garcia, Miami-born American singer Mariah Angeliq, Puerto Rican musical duo Zion & Lennox, Argentinan singer Cazzu, and much more. 

The Punta Cana experience will provide an incredible backdrop for NEON, as the weekend programming unfolds around pool parties, night swims, after parties, and a headlining show from J Balvin on the beach on the final night.

J Balvin NEON Punta Cana will take place at the beautiful beach-side adults-only Meliá Punta Cana Beach Resort starting Wednesday, December 8th and concluding on December 12, with all food and drinks included in ticket packages along with access to headlining performances on the beach, club nights, and more.

Tickets for the event are scheduled to go on sale on Wednesday, July 14th. Additional details can be found here, and those interested in receiving updates can sign-up on the site.

About Pollen
Pollen is a leading travel company building, curating, and delivering the best experiences for members all over the world. Members enjoy these experiences together with the people they love, creating stronger relationships and unforgettable memories. Members immerse themselves in multi-day itineraries that combine live entertainment, parties, and relaxation time in more than 50 popular destinations. Members can discover and book these experiences exclusively on the official website and the Pollen app. Pollen has already launched bespoke mini-breaks with mega stars like J Balvin, Marshawn Lynch and Ozuna.

Natan & Shander "Ojos Cafe" cover from Nini Veras, NV Marketing and Public Relations, LLC for use by 360 Magazine

Natan × Shander unveil new single Ojos café

Natan and Shander, the original performers of “Poblado” (74 million views on YouTube) and “Poblado remix” (43 million views on YouTube), present their new single “Ojos café”, an urban song with romantic and catchy lyrics, available as of today on all digital platforms.

Natan & Shander belong to the record label Black Koi Entertainment with the management of La Industria INC. They are currently emerging as the new famous duo within the urban genre, thanks to the international success of their song “Poblado: and “Poblado Remix.”

The duo is originally from Cartagena, Colombia, and living in the city of Medellín, a place that has produced great Latin music stars such as J Balvin and Karol G. Natan and Shander begin to savor unstoppable success, and their sensual- urban-funk style, with tones of the original reggae, has made them make a big difference within the urban genre industry.

“Ojos café” authors are the same interpreters together with Crissin, the latter was also responsible for the production of the song with Alexander Rojas Pineda “The Big Pieces” and Luis Alberto Ambrosio “Daymebeats”.

“Ojos café” premieres with its official video clip. An audiovisual piece with a very organic aesthetic, which revolves around the life of a beautiful girl with perfect brown eyes. The filmmaker was Felipe Zapata with the production of ADB Films, and it is available to all fans through YouTube.

Enjoy “Ojos café” today on your favorite digital platform.

Illustration By Alex Bogdan for use by 360 Magazine

BLACK FEMALE ATHLETES FACE OLYMPIC DISCRIMINATION

By: Clara Guthrie

Leading up to the postponed 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo—with opening ceremonies scheduled for Friday, July 23—the International Swimming Federation (or FINA, a shortening of the “Fédération Internationale de Natation”) has banned the use of swim caps specifically designed to fit the volume and texture of Black hair. Their reasoning for such a targeted and controversial ban seemingly lies in the cap’s novelty, leaving officials wondering how the product may affect different Olympic swimming events. (Many people have been quick to point out, however, that the larger size of these caps could actually cause more drag in the water rather than any sort of advantage.) In a statement, FINA said that, to their knowledge, “the athletes competing at international events never used, neither required, […] caps of such size and configuration.” Additionally, they took issue with the fact that the caps do not lay flat and tight across the head as other swim caps used by white athletes do.

The caps of interest were created by a Black-owned British company called Soul Cap. According to their website, their products are intended for “those with dreadlocks, weaves, hair extensions, braids, thick and curly hair” and are “designed with extra room in mind.” Their business—which was founded in 2017 and includes a variety of swimming-related haircare products for those “blessed with voluminous hair”—grew out of an understanding that the beauty industry was overlooking the needs of these individuals.

Preceding this controversy, Soul Cap had partnered with marathon swimmer Alice Dearing, the first Black female swimmer to represent Great Britain in the Olympic games. This partnership was intended to promote diversity in the world of swimming and help break down barriers for other minority swimmers who may be blocked from competing at the highest level. “Swimming as a sport hasn’t always been as accessible to people from minority communities,” Dearing said. “Increasing diversity in the water is a huge passion of mine, so with Soul Cap, […] we hope we can start to dispel those barriers.”

This decision to ban Soul Caps from the Olympics has caused public outrage among many swimmers, specifically swimmers of color. According to the BBC, one young swimmer said she was “heartbroken but not surprised” by FINA’s discriminatory action. Another swimmer, 17-year-old Kejai Terrelonge, said that swim caps made for thinner or untextured hair have posed perpetual problems throughout her athletic career. “Using the smaller swimming caps that everyone else would use—it would fit on my head, but because I put oil in my hair, when I was swimming it would just keep sliding off, and my hair would get wet,” she said. Since Black hair is naturally drier than other hair, exposure to chlorine and other chemicals in pool water can cause severe damage to hair. In 2019, Dearing herself even acknowledged that she “can fully understand why someone would quit [swimming] over their hair.”

Non-athletes have also joined in on this critique of FINA, taking to Twitter to voice their frustration. One user called the decision “cultural insensitivity on an international scale.” Another said, “this misguided notion of uniformity is the antithesis to inclusion.” “It’s 2021 and still there is ignorance about Black hair and naturalness,” said another Twitter user. “People who make decisions about Black hair should do the research first. Our hair may not be natural to you but it is to us!” This final sentence seems to be a direct response to another quote from FINA in which they said that Soul Caps do not “fit the natural form of the head.”

Unfortunately, this move to ban swim caps for Black hair has not been the only inequitable decision surrounding Black female athletes made by Olympic athletic committees. Last week, 21-year-old sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was suspended from the Olympic team after testing positive for THC and thus failing her drug test. While marijuana is explicitly against the rules for competing athletes according to International Olympic Committee (IOC) standards, many people were outraged at Richardson’s suspension seeing as the drug is legal in Oregon (where Richardson ingested it) and the drug’s known effects are in no way performance-enhancing. Actor and outspoken supporter of marijuana Seth Rogen weighed in on Twitter, saying, “The notion that weed is a problematic ‘drug’ is rooted in racism. It’s insane that Team USA would disqualify one of the country’s most talented athletes over thinking that’s rooted in hatred.” 

In another Olympic-centered controversy, 18-year-old Namibian sprinters Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi were withdrawn from the 400-meter race due to their “natural high testerone level[s],” according to the World Athletics governing body’s policy on Athletes with Differences of Sex Development. This policy states that women’s blood testosterone levels must be below 5 nanomoles per liter to compete in the 400-meter race, among other events. These new regulations were introduced in 2018, and the only proposed solution for these athletes is to lower their testosterone levels with medicine in order to compete. It is important to note that neither Mboma, Masilinigi, their families nor their coaches were aware of their hormonal condition prior to being tested.

As these debates that target the rights and Olympic potential of Black female athletes continue to unfold, FINA has announced it will review the original decision to ban Soul Caps from the summer games. In an official statement, FINA said that it is “committed to ensuring that all aquatics athletes have access to appropriate swimwear for competition where this swimwear does not confer a competitive advantage.” FINA also said that it plans to “speak with the manufacturer of the ‘Soul Cap’ about utilizing their products through the FINA Development Centers.” No further statements or decisions have been made at this time.

According to the official Olympics website, part of the IOC’s mission is “to act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement” and “to encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures.” And yet, the past few weeks have revealed unflattering truths about the international world of athletics and the discrimination that athletes of color—specifically female athletes of color—repeatedly face in order to pursue their Olympic dreams. The IOC represents the highest standards of athletics and competition, and thus they must rise to the same standards when it comes to protecting, empowering and uplifting the athletes who participate.

Piso 21 illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

Piso 21

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