Posts tagged with "Catherine Martin"

Madison Beer × Reckless

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MADISON BEER RELEASES NEW SINGLE “RECKLESS” TODAY

2021 TOUR DATES ON SALE NOW

Madison Beer releases “Reckless,” a powerful vocal statement from the rising pop star and the first single to come from her next project. The soaring track, co-written and co-produced by Madison, follows the announcement of her 2021 fall tour, tickets on sale now. You can stream “Reckless” here via Epic Records.

“’Reckless’ was written about how easy it is for some people in relationships to hurt others and move on without any guilt,” says Madison. “People have so much power over their partner’s feelings, yet many still choose to treat each other carelessly. I believe there is a balance to putting ourselves and our feelings first, while knowing we have the responsibility of treating people with respect, kindness, and consideration. It’s so important to find that balance in every relationship and knowing when to move on if you can’t.”

The release of “Reckless” follows the announcement of Madison’s highly anticipated 2021 tour and two-day Las Vegas residency, both of which are on sale now. For a complete list of tour dates and ticket information, visit the Madison Beer website. Dates and ticket information for the Resorts World Las Vegas residency can be found at here.

Madison’s debut album Life Support, her strongest personal and artistic statement to date, was released earlier this year. The album has accumulated over 700 million streams and includes singles “Selfish,” Madison’s fastest ever gold-certified record, and “BOYSHIT,” which Billboard called “one of the best pop chorus openings of 2020.” She has attracted the endorsements of NME, The Guardian, V Magazine, Paper, and Rolling Stone (who hailed her a “rising popstar”). Globally, Madison has over 3 billion streams across her catalogue to date, and a social following of over 25 million on Instagram, 14 million on TikTok, and 3 million on Twitter.

FULL LIST OF LIFE SUPPORT TOUR DATES:

October 18th – Toronto, ON – Phoenix

October 20th – Montreal, QC – Corona Theater

October 22nd – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place

October 24th – New York, NY – Terminal 5

October 25th – Boston, MA – House of Blues

October 26th – Philadelphia, PA – TLA

October 28th – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore

October 30th – Charlotte, NC – Underground

October 31st – Atlanta, GA – The Buckhead Theatre

November 2nd – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues

November 3rd – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live

November 5th – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues

November 7th – Houston, TX – House of Blues

November 9th – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl

November 11th – Detroit, MI – St. Andrews

November 12th – Chicago, IL – House of Blues

November 14th – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity

November 15th – Kansas City, MO – Truman

November 17th – Denver, CO – Summit

November 18th – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot

November 20th – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater

November 21st – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom

November 22nd – Seattle, WA – Neptune

November 24th – San Diego, CA – House of Blues

November 27th – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore

November 28th – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

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Surf Mesa and Madison Beer celebrate the euphoria of young love in the new single, “Carried Away,” released today by Astralwerks—just in time for Valentine’s Day. Coming of age and falling in love maylook different in quarantine, yet the duo evokesthe timeless essence of romance that remains unchanged. After opening simply with Madison’sexquisite, emotive vocals and acoustic guitar, the tender ballad swells as Surf imbues it with rich, ethereal layers. Download / stream “Carried Away” HERE. View the lyric video, created by Katia Temkin (Ariana Grande, Drake) as well.

“‘Carried Away’ is about the butterflies in your stomach feeling you get when you meet someone new and fall in love for the very first time,” explains Surf Mesa. “Working with Madison was a dream. I hope this song spreads love during this time when we need it more than ever.”

“When writing songs about love,” says Madison,“I’m often drawn to the ups and downs and heartache that can result from a relationship gone bad. It was refreshing to explore the other side of love for ‘Carried Away,’ the excited nerves you get from meeting someone and falling in love for the first time. I’m so grateful to Surf who made the whole process so fun.”

“Carried Away” follows Surf Mesa’s breakthrough hits “ily (i love you baby)” ft. Emilee and“Somewhere” ft. Gus Dapperton. Recently certified Platinum by the RIAA, “ily (i love you baby)”has amassed nearly two billioncombined global streams. Hailed by Rolling Stone as an ”earworm of a song,” it hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart and reached No. 2 on the U.S. Top 40 radio tally.Surf performed both songs in an exclusive live performance for Vevo DSCVR ARTISTS TO WATCH 2021.

View Lyric Video HERE

Download / Stream “Carried Away” HERE

ABOUT SURF MESA

No matter how dark things get, Surf Mesa remains a dreamer. The 20-year-old songwriter and producer spent much of 2020 honing the escapist energy of the nostalgic electronic ballads he’s been working toward since he got a copy of FL Studio in third grade. The Seattle artist makes “music for good feels,” which made his music a breath of fresh airin a tough year. Both of his beloved 2020 singles—“ily (i love you baby)” featuring Emilee and “Somewhere” featuring Gus Dapperton—offer romance and refuge for tired minds, drenched in gossamer synth and fueled by insistent drums. The delicate “Carried Away” with Madison Beer, continues in this windswept tradition.

This placid mindset has clearly connected. “ily” was recently RIAA certified Platinum after almost 2billion global streams and nearly 4 billion TikTok videos. The song hit #1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic chart and #2 on Top 40 radio.“Somewhere” is right behind it, landing on Spotify’s hallowed New Music Friday out of the gate and garnering placements on dozens of playlists across platforms since. His whirlwind rise also earned him remixing duty on Marshmello and Halsey’s “Be Kind,” and Shawn Mendes’ “Wonder”—both fitting titles for Surf’s heartwarming music to enter mainstream EDM and pop.

By year’s end, “ily” placed on Spotify and Amazon’s top songs lists, setting him up for even bigger successes this year—VEVO has already named him a DSCVR Artist To Watch for 2021. And yet, after all this, he continues to make music at home alone, the same way he’s worked since he was a kid,holed up in his room making beats between Counter-Strikematches. He has humble aims: to make catchy, chill pop music and give others a way to “feel better about their day.” Listening to Surf, it’s hard not to.

ABOUT MADISON BEER

Prior to signing withEpic Recordsin 2019, Madison Beer achieved unprecedented success as an independent artist with her partnerFirst Access Entertainment. Her debut EP As She Pleases boasts over 700 million streams and made her the first independent female solo artist to break into theTop 20 radio charts, after having debuted in theTop 5 on iTunes in 18 countries and in the Top 10 in 42 countries worldwide. Globally, Beer has over 2 billion streams across her catalogue.

She’s attracted the endorsement ofTime, Rolling Stone, NME, V Magazine and Billboard, which named her among its coveted “21 Under 21” list, and has a social following that reaches an audience of over 20 million on Instagram and 12 million in TikTok.

Her latest single “Baby” was included on PAPER’S “10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now” and MTV’s “SONGS WE LOVE” list, with the video amassing over 4 million views on YouTube within its first week of release. Last year, feverish fans mobilized and left thousands of comments on Epic’s Instagram page to demand the release of “Stained Glass,” Madison’s most personal song to date, after she teased it during an Instagram Live session. Continuing on her hot streak, Madison has consistently beaten her daily best streaming numbers with “Selfish” after the single was added to Spotify’s coveted Today’s Top Hits playlist and is now certified Gold. Madison’s debut album, a strong personal and artistic statement, is slated for release in February 2021viaSing It Loud/First Access Entertainmenton exclusive license toEpic Records.

ABOUT ASTRALWERKS

Established in 1993 in New York City, Astralwerkswas the brainchild of Caroline Records staffers who saw an opportunity for a label focused on the nascent electronic and ambient scene. Now based at the historic Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood, Astralwerkshas emerged as a modern, artist-first label and the #1 market share leader for dance/electronic music in the U.S. Combining a scalable, independent and global-thinking ethos with the ability to tap into the resources of a major label has enabled Astralwerksto sign such artists asILLENIUM, Jonas Blue, Alison Wonderland, EDEN, ZHU and Alesso. As a testament to its pioneering approach, Astralwerks has amassed 30 GRAMMY® nominations, taken home six GRAMMY Awards and had historic releases from the likes of The Chemical Brothers, Swedish House Mafia, Halsey, Porter Robinson, Phoenix, Eric Prydz, Fatboy Slim and many others. The label has also released such massive singles as the 6x Platinum “Happier” by Marshmello + Bastille and FISHER’s “Losing It.”

BIG SEAN × DETROIT PISTONS

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The Detroit Pistons announced hip-hop icon and Detroit-native Big Sean will become the organization’s Creative Director of Innovation. In this role, Big Sean will provide creative counsel and strategic guidance on a variety of Pistons off-the-court initiatives, including team merchandise design, in-game experience, co-branded community, and social responsibility activation, and more.

To kick off the partnership, Big Sean has added his Don Life logo to the Pistons practice jersey. Photos of the jerseys are attached.

“Sean is an accomplished artist, philanthropist and entrepreneur. Having spent time with him and his family I know how deeply he cares about the city of Detroit,” said Pistons Owner Tom Gores. “We share a common desire to use the power of sports and entertainment to improve our community and make a positive impact on people’s lives. I’m excited to see what we can do working together.”

Central to the partnership, the Pistons and the Sean Anderson Foundation will work together and engage Detroiters through future community initiatives and programming. The six-time Grammy nominee will also curate music for Pistons in-game entertainment, including halftime performances and DJ playlists. Additionally, Big Sean will participate in creative sessions and spearhead collaborations with the Pistons design team to launch custom merchandise line extensions.

“It’s a dream come true and a real honor to get to work with the iconic Detroit Pistons,” said Big Sean. “I grew up in the city, which naturally made me a fan of the Bad Boys. I would later have a Grant Hill poster on my wall and then, against all odds, would watch the ’04 Pistons go on to win the Championship, inspiring the whole city of Detroit. I look forward to creatively finding new ways to contribute to their legacy and continue their dedication to the community through sports, art, and, of course, music.”

Detroit Pistons Chief Business Officer Mike Zavodsky lauded the addition of Big Sean and sees the partnership as a natural fit for the Pistons and their newly launched D-Up brand campaign.

“Big Sean embodies everything the Pistons organization and our D-Up campaign is about – creativity, hard work, and the people of Detroit,” said Zavodsky. “Big Sean and the Pistons are both a part of the fabric of Detroit, and we look forward to this partnership reflecting the culture of the city we both call home.”

FOLLOW BIG SEAN:
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NF – CLOUDS (THE MIXTAPE)

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Today, the myth-making, chart-topping Michigan rapper NF announces his latest project and first mixtape, CLOUDS (THE MIXTAPE) out March 26, 2021, which is now available for pre-order/pre-add via NF Real Music/Caroline here. NF has also released the ominous, chest-beating title track, “CLOUDS,” in tandem with a fittingly cinematic video. Listen here and watch here.

With “CLOUDS,” NF outlines his reasons for releasing this mixtape now. “Hanging onto songs this long is daunting,” he raps, matter-of-factly. He then playfully delivers clever lines in unison with a sparse violin melody before his delivery becomes more fiery, matching a thundering, industrial beat. Throughout, the technically gifted MC passionately strings together intricate rhymes about his continued ascent and the gravity of his ambitions: “It’s probable / That I might press the envelope / Ideas so astronomical / Sometimes I find them comical.”

“CLOUDS” follows NF’s last surprise single, October 2020’s “CHASING_(DEMO),” which featured 15-year-old Australian fan Mikayla Sippel. A gripping ballad about breaking down and wanting to escape the world, “CHASING (DEMO)” arrived just as calls for new music from NF’s fervent fanbase were becoming deafening. Ever since his Billboard-topping fourth album, 2019’s The Search, fans have eagerly awaited more of his emotive and brutally honest songwriting, grand production, and sharp delivery. This new single suggests that CLOUDS (THE MIXTAPE) will be well worth the wait. NF will have collaborations with HOPSIN and TECH N9NE on CLOUDS (THE MIXTAPE).

CLOUDS (THE MIXTAPE) TRACKLIST

CLOUDS
THAT’S A JOKE
JUST LIKE YOU
STORY
PRIDEFUL
LOST (feat. HOPSIN)
LAYERS
DRIFTING
TRUST (feat. TECH N9NE)
PAID MY DUES

ABOUT NF

NF is the stage name of Michigan rapper and composer Nate Feuerstein, who emerged with his debut album, Mansion, in 2015. The raw emotion and honesty in his music continued on Therapy Session, building the foundation of an incredibly strong and loyal fan base. In 2017, Perception gave NF his first No. 1 album on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart, and delivered the multi-platinum hit single, “Let You Down,” which reached #1 at Pop Radio. In the summer of 2019, NF released his fourth album, The Search, earning his second consecutive No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart. Now certified Platinum, The Search featured Top 10 Pop radio hit “Time” and propelled NF to the global stage, selling out 19 dates on “The Search World Tour,” including shows in Australia and Europe. With over 28 RIAA certifications and 18 billion streams, NF recently earned a spot in the Top 50 most streamed artists of 2020. His fifth album and first ever mixtape, CLOUDS (THE MIXTAPE) is set to release on March 26, 2021. Fans can expect NF to take his signature blend of lyrical introspection and powerful thematic elements to the next level on this 10-track project.

CONNECT WITH NF

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Ivory Layne – Confetti

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Rising Nashville-based singer songwriter Ivory Layne releases her debut EP ‘Confetti’ today, alongside focus track ‘Lonely Hearts’.

A collection of powerfully emotive songs that shows the breadth of and scope of Layne’s talents, the ‘Confetti’ EP includes critically acclaimed singles ‘December’, a surging rush of modern day soul pop, and Layne’s rousing feminist anthem ‘God Save The Queens’.

Meanwhile, the heart-crushing title track outlines just why Billboard tipped her to become “the new Adele”, while ‘Lonely Hearts’ is a sublime combination of classic songwriting and widescreen production that places her in the sphere of contemporary pop polymaths like Maggie Rogers.

Produced by Nick Atkinson and Edd Holloway aka The Barn Productions (Lewis Capaldi, Gabrielle Aplin, Dean Lewis) Jimmy Robbins (Keith Urban, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert) and Ivory herself, the Confetti EP is Ivory’s first UK release since signing with Justin Timberlake’s development company Villa 40 and showcases the unique voice and masterful songwriting that caused Timberlake to sit up and take notice of Ivory’s talents.

Layne says; ‘In a world constantly asking “what do you believe?”, I see the Confetti EP as my answer. It’s been my musical collection of lessons learned over the last seven years, touching on themes of personal growth, heartbreak, love, mental health, and letting go. I began this EP having barely co-written, never been in a relationship, still new to Nashville, and with one academic trip abroad under my belt. I finished writing it last year in London, having visited so many times it felt like home, crafting songs about dates gone wrong for the right reasons and the beauty found in every season when you take the time to look. I’m still writing as I’m living, it’s the nature of art itself, but the Confetti EP will always hold a special place as the diary of my early twenties, where I’ve been and where I want to go.”

Tipped for stardom by the likes of Billboard, V Magazine and Live Nation’s Ones To Watch, Layne’s remarkable talent has garnered critical acclaim as well as attracting a wealth of stellar collaborators.

In just a few years, she’s worked with Grammy award-winning producer Ed Cash (Dolly Parton, Amy Grant) on her debut EP; collaborated with Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness and Needtobreathe; written for other artists alongside co-writes with some of Nashville’s finest including Jimmy Robbins, Shane McAnally and Lori McKenna. Layne’s sharpness in the writer’s room has also landed her two global ad campaigns, one for prestigious jewellery house Swarovski and another for cable giant, HBO.

The Confetti EP is primed to cement Layne’s reputation as one of the world’s finest, rising female talents.

ABOUT IVORY LAYNE

Since signing with Justin Timberlake’s artist development company Villa 40 Ivory has been earmarked by the likes of Billboard and V Magazine, garnered critical acclaim and attracted a wealth of stellar names. She has worked with Grammy award-winning producer Ed Cash (Dolly Parton, Amy Grant); collaborated with Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness and Needtobreathe ; and written for other artists alongside Nashville’s finest (such as Jimmy Robbins, Shane McAnally and Lori McKenna). While her sharpness in the writer’s room has landed her two global ad campaigns, one for prestigious jewellery house Swarovski and another for cable giant, HBO.

FOLLOW IVORY LAYNE HERE

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Def Jam Recordings × Marvel Comics – Black Panther

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Def Jam Recordings and Marvel Comics – two iconic brands who have left an indelible stamp on popular culture the world over – today announce a special collaboration designed to integrate the voices of young Black creatives with one of the most transformative characters and storylines in graphic arts history: Black Panther. Three of Def Jam’s rising stars – Saint Bodhi, Bobby Sessions, and Kaash Paige – will each contribute character-driven short stories in Black Panther #23, #24, and #25, the last three issues of the “Intergalactic Empire” saga from the acclaimed creative team featuring writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and artist Daniel Acuna.

Black PIn celebration of Black History Month, arriving February 24^th, Black Panther #23 will see buzzing South-Central-LA singer/songwriter Saint Bodhi share her take on Storm for an emotional story grounded in tragedy and acceptance. One month later in issue #24, Dallas-native, revolutionary rapper Bobby Sessions will tell a story about the King of Wakanda Black Panther himself. And in the series finale issue #25 in April, “Toxic R&B” breakout star Kaash Paige will forge a tale about Wakandan Princess Shuri and the power of knowledge. Aligned with the Def Jam Forward initiative to promote social, economic, and educational equality, each three-page story will also feature an exclusive one-page Def Jam artist profile.

“Bringing these two logos together was a dream,” said Def Jam partnerships consultant Jonathan Rheingold. “There was a mutual desire to unite these two great brands for a mission and a cause — leveraging Def Jam’s rising stars and the legendary Marvel characters to tell powerful stories that would make an emotional connection with fans of both cultures.”

Bodhi, Sessions and Paige are stepping into comics for the first time within these highly anticipated issues, but each of the Def Jam artists have a long-standing passion for Marvel and the world of comics and graphic arts in general. And like the inspirations behind their latest albums, the challenges faced by Marvel’s heroes are not so far removed from their own. “My album Mad World is a raw, honest, and very personal journey into my life and upbringing in South Central L.A.,” Saint Bodhi writes. “I grew up with a not-so-normal past. I say the things people are afraid to say. I let you experience the ‘mad world’ that is my life.”

Similarly, “Teenage Fever is my debut album and it was important for me to capture my last year of being a teen through my music,” says 20-year old Kaash. “This chapter of my life is coming to an end so I wanted to put all my experiences into a document that will live forever.”

“My album Manifest is a guide for people to transform into the greatest version of themselves,” Sessions concludes. “A body of work that will lead people to find their inner super hero!”

Bodhi, Sessions, and Paige will bring their short stories to life alongside some of Marvel’s most talented comic book writers and artists. Kicking off with her Storm story in Black Panther #23, Bodhi will be joined by co-writer Danny Lore, artist Alitha Martinez, and colorist Rachelle Rosenberg. Don’t miss this iconic new issue of Black Panther and Bodhi’s Marvel Comics debut, on stands in comic shops everywhere February 24^th! As a bonus, Bodhi’s debut story will also be included in Marvel’s Voices: Legacy #1, a celebration of Black voices and artists, on sale the same day.

Over the next week, fans can tune in to Marvel’s podcasts on SiriusXM including This Week in Marvel, Women of Marvel, and Marvel’s Pull List to hear from these artists making their Marvel debuts. More information about Sessions and Paige’s stories will be released in the coming weeks.

About Def Jam Recordings

Founded in 1984, Def Jam Recordings has represented the cutting-edge in hip-hop music for more than 35 years. Def Jam began as a maverick independent label inspired by downtown New York City’s vibrant street culture and the emerging sound of hip-hop, pioneered by iconic stars like LL Cool J, Slick Rick, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. Over the following two decades, Def Jam established its dominance with superstar acts like Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man & Redman, Ludacris, Rihanna, Jeezy, and the inimitable Kanye West. Now in its fourth decade, Def Jam’s music and lifestyle has grown into a global brand – synonymous with creativity, quality and authenticity – encompassing a diverse roster of marquee and emerging stars like West, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara, Logic, Pusha T, Jadakiss, Vince Staples, Jeremih, Big Sean, YG, 2 Chainz, Dave East, and Jhene Aiko, among others. Today, Def Jam has reaffirmed its passion for and commitment to hip-hop culture, and has expanded its global brand reach to become the most-followed major label on all major social media platforms.

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.

For more information visit marvel.com.

About Def Jam Forward

Def Jam Forward is a task force committed to fostering a community that values, promotes and demands respect, freedom, equal opportunity and justice for Black lives.

Our goal is social, economic and educational equality for every Black person in our community, starting with our own artists, staff and colleagues. Our commitment to equality means we will examine and amend our internal practices, as well as support organizations on the frontlines of the fight for change.

As a company, we are uniquely positioned to be a thought leader within the music industry and the world at large. As members of this task force, and ambassadors of its message, it is imperative that we embody and implement a roadmap to lasting and meaningful change.

MarvelXDefJam – Storm

The New Blade

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By: Catherine Martin

With the reboot of Marvel’s Blade expected to arrive to theaters in 2022, many fans of the original 1998 superhero movie speculate whether Wesley Snipes will reprise his role in the film. Snipes played the role of the eponymous half-vampire/half-human hybrid, Blade, who has the duties of a superhero and a vampire hunter. He played Blade throughout all three of the Blade franchise movies, yet, he is not expected to be cast in this iconic role again for the new reboot. Instead, Oscar-winning Mahershala Ali will be playing the role of this flawed hero. Keep in touch with what Ali is up to HERE.

Fans of the original Blade trilogy were uncertain about how to feel about the new casting, but Welsey Snipes has since told his fans to “chillaaxx.” Although he has told his fans to calm down, it has not stopped him from being adamant about how he is, and always will be, Blade. On January 7th he quote tweeted a message to him asking, “Wes, can you be Blade again?” and in response stated, “I AM BLADE…forever.” After spending so much time as Blade, there is no doubt that Wesley Snipes has a deep connection with this role and that it will always be a part of him.

The details of Blade are still being kept from the masses, and the only confirmed detail known, right now, is Ali’s attachment to the project. Back in 2019 Snipes made a comment about his opinion of Ali’s casting for the role of Blade:

“People are very, very sneaky. They try to make it about the actors,” Snipes told AP. “It’s not about me and him. I’m happy for him to be considered. I’m happy for them looking at him. Flattery… what do they say? Imitation is the best form of flattery. It’s something that he has acknowledged that he wanted to do and his family wanted him to do it, so I’m appreciative of him getting the love that I’ve created something that others want to carry on and make their own stamp on.”

Wesley Snipes response was not only calm and collected, but extremely supportive as well. More support can be noted in a more recent interview with Den of Geek (read more about it HERE), and we can see where the two stand in regards to each other and if they have kept in contact since the announcement of Ali’s new role as Blade. So, the suspicions people have about Snipes being upset with Ali can be erased once and for all.

“No, he hasn’t called me. We haven’t talked about characterizations or how he should play it or anything like that. I can’t imagine that call ever coming in. That would be really strange. But we did communicate about how much we appreciate each other’s work, and how I’m comfortable with saying, ‘Hey man, go rock it, baby. If you got it, do it.”

Though, Wesley Snipes will not be playing his iconic role as Blade, he will always carry the attachment and fond memories of his time with this character. In addition, his part has inspired many people, Mahershala Ali included (you can hear his thoughts on Wesley Snipes HERE), and will remain the marker and epitome of, Blade.

WESLEY SNIPES’ OTHER ENDEAVORS

There are many ways to keep up with the actor through his other endeavors. He recently played General Izzie in Coming 2 America, starring Eddie Murphy. The comedy/rom-com will be available to watch on Amazon Prime March 5, 2021. Watch the trailer HERE. Additionally, outside the realm of acting, Snipes has now coauthored a dark fantasy novel with Ray Norman, Talon of God. So, for all fans of Wesley Snipes, you can continue to keep up with the actor, film producer, martial artist and author through the multitude of content he continues to produce.

KEEP UP WITH WESLEY SNIPES

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MIT Study Shows the Power of Accurate Information to Increase Vaccination Rates

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Despite the availability of multiple safe vaccines, vaccine hesitancy may present a challenge to successful control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, vaccine hesitancy may be caused not simply by fears about the safety or efficacy of the vaccine, but instead by the inaccurate belief that many of your peers or social cohort are not being vaccinated.

A recent working paper entitled “Surfacing Norms to Increase Vaccine Acceptance” written by two MIT Sloan Professors, Dean Eckles and Sinan Aral, of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, with Sloan PhD student Alex Mohering, post doctoral researchers Kiran Garimella and Amin Rahimian, and Avi Collis of the University of Texas, set out to study the relative importance of the beliefs that people hold about the acceptance of vaccines by others.

After studying the responses of over 300,000 people in 23 countries, the study showed that accurate information about descriptive norms can substantially increase intentions to accept a vaccine for COVID-19, reducing the fraction of people who are “unsure” or negative about accepting a vaccine by five percent. In other words, clear and accurate information about the behavior of others can influence behavior in a positive way.

“While public health officials and the media have been emphasizing the potential negative impact of vaccine hesitancy, our study found that emphasizing the overwhelming vaccine acceptance expressed by most people is a better way to get those who are unsure to accept COVID-19 vaccines,” says Sinan Aral.

These results suggest that public health communications should present information about the widespread and growing intentions to accept COVID-19 vaccines—and not overly emphasize the fear that the vaccine will not be accepted among a large portion of the population.

“Humans are innately sensitive to the behaviors of others. This pandemic is tragic enough without adding to the suffering by overestimating and over-communicating the fear that some will not accept the vaccine. The best way forward, as is often the case, is the presentation of clear, accurate and timely information.” says Dean Eckles.

C.S. Armstrong – “Crazy” & “Welcome To America”

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With a fascinating journey as a child prodigy turned preacher and army veteran turned soul-shaking artist, C.S. Armstrong shares a pair of new recordings today. First, he serves up a bluesy and bold cover of the Gnarls Barkley classic “Crazy.” The video highlights the intensity of his delivery with intimate closeups as he sings in the studio.

Watch “Crazy”—HERE.

Then, there’s “Welcome To America” with Black Thought. He joined forces with the legendary Roots co-founder and elite rapper for this standout from the Judas and the Black Messiah Soundtrack—available now.

Listen to “Welcome To America”—HERE.

Be on the lookout for more from C.S. Armstrong soon.

ABOUT C.S. ARMSTRONG

Born to a single mother in the service with a preacher grandma in his corner, C.S. Armstrong traveled an unbelievable road one step at a time. At 10-years-old, he preached in church as an ordained minister. At 16-years-old, he earned respect in the streets with his fists. At 18-years-old, he enlisted in the military to serve his country. Eight years later, he rolled into New York and lent his voice to one hip-hop banger after another. His instantly recognizable vocals shined on Statik Selektah’s “In The Wind” [feat. Joey Bada$$ & Big K.R.I.T] and Bun B, Prodigy, and Remy Bank’s “Where’s Your Leader.” His voice also coursed through Action Bronson’s tastemaker-approved Billboard Top 200 chart-topping Mr. Wonderful, in addition to joining the star on the road. Settling in Southern California, he powered Book’s “Last Man Standing” for the official Call of Duty: WWII trailer and dropped a pair of critically acclaimed independent projects, namely Truth Be Told [2019] and The Blue Tape [2020]. His voice echoed on Black Thought’s “We Could Be Good (United)” [feat. C.S. Armstrong & OSHUN] from the critical favorite Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cain & Able. Along the way, Dr. Dre became his “uncle,”Republic Records signed him, and he distilled gospel, blues, hip-hop, and rock into a sound as intoxicating and biting as aged whisky. Streamed millions of times and championed by Billboard, A COLORS SHOW, and more, OnesToWatch claimed, “The music is something to grow old with.” Now, he tells the story with no filter on a series of singles for Republic Records.

CONNECT WITH C.S ARMSTRONG

Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify.

ORSON WILDS SHARE STRIPPED-BACK VERSIONS OF “STAND UP” & “MOTHERS DAUGHTERS”

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After releasing their debut singles “Stand Up” and “Mothers Daughters,” Canadian duo Orson Wilds has pared down the grandiosity of the tracks, releasing stripped-back versions of each. Together, the reimagined tracks showcase Orson Wilds’ raw talent and their ability to scale the group’s size back while still maintaining the potency of their songwriting. Both acoustic cuts are available now on all streaming platforms, while the acoustic version of “Mothers Daughters”; is joined by a new music video streaming on the band’s YouTube channel.

In its original form, “Stand Up” was called “the kind of song that sounds like it’s trying to get a whole amphitheater’s worth of people on their feet” by The Alternative, while FLOOD Magazine said that the “Mothers Daughters” video finds “the Canadian duo is doing everything they can to be added to your must-see list once venues start opening back up.”

The studio versions of “Mothers Daughters” and “Stand Up” were both recorded and produced by Will Yip (Panic! At The Disco, Turnstile, Title Fight), and will be included on the band’s forthcoming debut album expected to arrive later this year. Released in December, the band’s debut single “Stand Up” is already closing in on one million streams globally. The track was commended by Uproxx, Northern Transmissions, and The Alternative upon its release, with Uproxx declaring it “one of the most anthemic indie rock jams since Arcade Fire dropped Wake Up.” Both tracks are available now on all streaming platforms. Watch the official video for “Stand Up” here and “Mothers Daughters” here.

Orson Wilds, fronted by Eric Reid and Brianna Bordihn, have only played a handful of shows in the Southern Ontario area, focusing mainly on the honing of their craft and sound. This hard work paid off when Yip, an enthusiastic producer with bustling industry savvy, was so taken by the compositional strength of Orson Wilds’ songs that he took the band under his wing, helped them produce two new singles, and signed them to his imprint. Though Reid and Bordihn represent the core of Orson Wilds, an ever-evolving collective of friends and family round out the live iteration of the band with stomping uplifting electric guitars, horns and woodwind sections, and thrashing, urgent percussion.

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Sustainable Fashion Brands At The Forefront Of The Design Awards

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Fashion design of the year by V Visionary Limited is a sustainable collection carefully crafted and curated by Vickie Au. With 15 years of experience under her belt, Vickie is a talented designer with a strong background in the fashion industry. Awarded collection Revisit was a product of V VISIONARY working with the experienced-profession, fashion & apparel stakeholders to design and customize sustainable and ethical products. “We believe that sustainable initiatives are the key to bring positive impacts in making a better environment to the community and world”, said the the designer Vickie Au.

Awarded with Bronze in Accessory / Accessories category, Studio Variously is a sustainable brand based in Michigan that collaborate with some of the most skilled heritage artisanal clusters in India & Nepal to develop their concepts by supporting ethical production practices. They explore minimal design elements by combining environment friendly materials, such as natural yarns & organic dyes free of toxic chemicals, with ancient techniques. “We seek beauty in slow made textiles that bring people & their cultural stories together”, lead designer Anjali Purohit commented.

MIRET ecological sneakers – made with 97% natural materials, awarded with Gold, combine the strongest natural fibres to craft sneakers which are kind to your feet as much as they are kind to nature. “We are using 10 amazing plants: hemp, kenaf, linen, cork tree, wood, corn, jute, eucalyptus, rubber tree and New Zealand wool to craft our 97% ecological MIRET sneakers. We are industry insiders who have used our manufacturing expertise to redesigned sneakers from the bottom up, making them compatible with nature”, commented designer Hrvoje Boljar.

Born and raised in Shanghai, Qingyi Dong founded an LA-based slow fashion brand named BIG WHITE TOTE in 2018. The motivation behind the brand concept came from “The True Cost”, a documentary film that unfolds the ugliness of fast fashion industry. Believing in a possibility of transferring feelings through handmade items, the line provides young professionals with day-to-day urban accessories that are not mass produced.

The 2020 International Design Awards (IDA) was the most successful in its 14 year history, attracting thousands of outstanding designs submitted by companies and designers around the world competing for the top prizes in this prestigious award. “Attention and respect for the environment is not only an ethical issue but also a business issue. Consumers are becoming more and more receptive to this topic and are looking for designers to teach them how to look great while generating the least possible impact on waste and pollution,” commented jury member of Ihe IDA Cristiano Magni, President and Founder, Cristiano Magni Public Relations.

About the International Design Awards

The International Design Awards (IDA) recognizes, celebrates and promotes legendary design visionaries and uncovers emerging talent in Architecture, Interior, Product, Graphic, and Fashion Design. The IDA aspires to draw attention to the iconoclasm of design worldwide that is conceptualizing and producing great creative works. The Farmani Group founded the IDA in 2007 and the competition has now become one of the leading design awards globally, awarding and promoting hundreds of designers each year.