Human Rights Campaign Equality Votes PAC Launches Ad Campaign to Activate Equality Voters and Secure Victory for U.S. Senate Candidate Cheri Beasley
With less than 50 days before midterm elections, Equality Votes PAC launches effort to educate, persuade, and mobilize equality voters in North Carolina
Today, the Human Rights Campaign Equality Votes PAC announced the recent launch of a digital ad campaign in North Carolina, one state included in a greater campaign that’s simultaneously targeting three other key battleground states: Georgia, Wisconsin, and Nevada. The ad focuses on turning out voters in support of Cheri Beasley for U.S. Senate. Candidates like Beasley are critical to preserving the pro-equality majority in the U.S. Senate and to combating anti-LGTBQ+ legislation on the state level; targeted, discriminatory bills that have grown to a total of more than 345 bills across the country this year alone.
The ads underscore for voters what’s at stake this election, making it clear that outlawing abortion is just the beginning. These digital ads will also highlight threats to the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ people, including rolling back marriage equality and making it harder to vote.
Appearing across pre-roll, connected television, on platforms such as Roku and Hulu, the HRC Equality Votes PAC ad campaign is also featured across highly-trafficked websites and social media channels. The ad buy is aimed to engage in excess of 750,000 equality voters who don’t habitually vote in midterm elections. Equality voters, comprising more than 62 million people nationwide, are a demographically and geographically diverse voting bloc who are united by the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality. These voters tend to be younger, more racially diverse, and more female than the general electorate. This year’s ad campaign is one part of HRC Equality Votes PAC’s efforts to elect candidates in tight-running races.
Jennifer Pike Bailey, HRC’s Deputy Director of Government Affairs released the following statement:
“We were outraged at the Supreme Court’s dangerous decision to overturn Roe v. Wade this summer, and the Court’s most extreme members have openly encouraged even more rollbacks to the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, women, and people of color. Therefore, we must mobilize voters who will turn out to elect pro-equality lawmakers to Congress as well as state legislators who will fend off attacks from those who are stopping at nothing to write legalized discrimination into law. Equality voters nationwide, but especially those in Georgia, have the power to make history and swing elections, as proven by the record number of LGBTQ+ candidates who won federal, state, and local races in 2020. We are in unprecedented times, with threats to the lives and livelihoods of LGBTQ+ people growing by the day. It’s why we must make every effort to set pro-equality candidates like Cheri Beasley on a path to victory.”
In 2020, HRC’s Equality Votes PAC’s efforts drove nearly 130,000 clicks to HRC voting resources, a significant contributor to the margin of victory in key races. The power of Equality Voters was also underscored in 2020 when a wave of pro-equality and openly LGBTQ+ candidates were elected in states across the country.
Supporters in any state can go to hrc.org/vote to register to vote, verify their voter registration, find out about early in-person or mail voting options, and receive election reminders. For more information on how to get involved, sign up to volunteer, or join an advocacy training, visit the Human Rights Campaign Voting Center.
Paid for by Human Rights Campaign Equality Votes (www.hrc.org) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
One of the most talked-about actors of Fox’s hit series, The Cleaning Lady, Martha Millan was born in the Philippines, and raised in Sydney. In Australia, she got the acting bug when she took a theatrical high school elective. Upon graduation, She was accepted into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYC).
Millan is best known for her work in “The OA,” “Succession,” “Entourage,” “Madam Secretary,” “Strong Medicine,” all three primary shows of the “Law & Order” franchise, THE GREAT NEW WONDERFUL with Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jim Parsons and Will Arnett. Of late, she starred alongside of Danny Glover in the critically acclaimed film, THE DRUMMER.
In addition to being a relevant talent, Martha holds acting workshops for children. Pre-pandemic, she’s conducted after school programs at Public Schools Brooklyn. Moreover, she produced an online drama education curriculum for 10-16 years old. Some of the participants are from Brazil, Portugal and Israel.
As a globetrotter, Martha has visited a plethora of countries: Spain, Greece, Aruba, Peru, Indonesia, Guatemala and Panama.
To maintain her youthful exterior, Martha maintains a rigorous fitness regimen eith running and high-intensity training.
FUN FACT
Millan was one of the global ambassadors of Clairol Natural Instincts and the face of Nooch, a restaurant in New York City.
Champagne flowed into the greenery-filled Ardor at the West Hollywood EDITION on May 18, 2022, as ELLE, Polo Ralph Lauren and HULU toasted Hollywood’s brightest rising stars. ELLE’s Hollywood Rising event captured the interest of celebrities from the heat of Sunset Boulevard.
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, footwear & accessories, home, fragrances and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren has sought to inspire the dream of a better life through authenticity and timeless style. Its reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company’s brand names—which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children and Chaps, among others—constitute one of the world’s most widely recognized families of consumer brands.
Hulu is the leading and most comprehensive all-in-one premium streaming service that offers an expansive slate of live and on-demand entertainment, both in and outside the home, through a wide array of subscription options that give consumers ultimate control over their viewing experience. As part of Disney’s Media and Entertainment Distribution segment, Hulu is the only on-demand offering that provides access to shows from every major U.S. broadcast network, libraries of hit TV series and films – including licensed content available exclusively on Hulu – and award-winning Hulu Originals, both with and without commercials. With Hulu + Live TV, subscribers receive a unique combination of access to 80+ live news, entertainment and sports TV channels from 20th Television, The Walt Disney Company, ABC, NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation, The CW, Turner Networks, A+E Networks and Discovery Networks, as well as Disney+ and ESPN+ included as part of the base plan. Visit hulu.com to subscribe or learn more about the service.
PHOTO: (L to R) Zack Calderon, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Mia Healey, wearing Ralph Lauren, Reign Edwards, and Reed Shannon attend “Elle Hollywood Rising” presented by Polo Ralph Lauren and Hulu on May 18, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Elle)
The Met Gala look that everyone is talking about first debuted when Marilyn Monroe sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Sixty years later, Kim Kardashian has added to the garment’s pop culture significance.
Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday” dress — now also Kim Kardashian’s 2022 Met Gala look — will be on display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Hollywood for a limited time beginning Memorial Day weekend. Visitors will be able to get an up-close look at this stunning garment, along with a behind-the-scenes peek at Kim’s Met Gala look and other memorabilia from Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy.
Sixty years after Marilyn Monroe famously sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy, Kim Kardashian has added to the pop culture significance of Monroe’s iconic dress — becoming the only other person to ever wear the gown.
Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday” dress — now also Kim Kardashian’s 2022 Met Gala look — will be on display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Hollywood for a limited time beginning Memorial Day weekend. Visitors will be able to get an up-close look at this stunning garment, along with a behind-the-scenes peek at Kim’s Met Gala look and other memorabilia from Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! acquired the dress at a Julien’s Auctions event in 2016 for $4.8 million. With taxes and fees, the dress’ value surpasses $5 million, making it the world’s most expensive dress ever sold at auction. Believe It or Not!, the gown is now valued at over $10 million.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! strongly feels that this dress, with both political and pop culture significance, is the most famous item of clothing from twentieth century culture.
“We are truly proud to be the stewards of such an iconic artifact and are excited to be able to add to its cultural significance with Kim Kardashian, who is sharing the story of Marylin Monroe and her iconic career with an entirely new generation,” said Ripley’s VP of Publishing and Licensing Amanda Joiner.
The multi-million-dollar dress has rarely been separated from its dress form, let alone worn by anyone other than Monroe. Great care was taken to preserve this piece of history. With input from garment conservationists, appraisers, archivists, and insurance, the garment’s condition was top priority. No alterations were made to the dress, and Kim Kardashian even changed into a replica before entering the Gala.
HDIGH is an anthem for young people struggling in the streets of New York. With provocative lyricism and exceptional musical production, this EP is solid. Dave East will become an international artist. No wonder Super Bowl half-time acts as Mary J. Blige recruited him as a collaborator for Rent Money.
Another highlight of the evening was a spotting of filmmaker Coodie Simmons from Kanye’s Jeen-Yuhs inside a Hot 97 interview booth.
FEATURED artists on his EP: Method Man, Musiq Soulchild, Anthony Hamilton, Benny The Butcher, OnlyIfWeVibe and Kalan FrFr
2022 has proven to be nothing short of eventful with only one month under its belt. Below, we discuss and highlight the leading news stories for the month of love, February.
Rihanna pregnant with first baby
Esteemed musical artist, fashion and business icon Rihanna is expecting her first child with boyfriend A$AP Rocky. She debuted her baby bump for the first time while out in New York City – you’ve seen the photos; Rihanna looking effervescent in a long, pink jacket strolling through the streets of Harlem.
Whoopi Goldberg suspended from ‘The View’
The announcement of Whoopi Goldberg’s suspension from ‘The View’ came the evening of Tuesday February 1 following her stating that the Holocaust was “not about race.” She argued that both the Nazis and Jews were white on the programming, later apologizing for these comments.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, was invited to the show on Tuesday where he told Whoopi, “There’s no question that the Holocaust was about race. Literally, the first page of ‘Maus,’ the book you were talkingabout yesterday, Whoopi, opens with a quote from Hitler, and literally it says, ‘The Jews undoubtedly are a race, but they are not human.’ Hitler’s ideology was predicated on the idea that … the Jews were a subhuman race. It was a racialized anti-Semitism.”
Whoopi extended her apologies, stating, “So yesterday on our show, I misspoke… “I said that the Holocaust wasn’t about race, and it was instead about man’s inhumanity to man — but it is indeed about race, because Hitler and the Nazis considered Jews to be an inferior race.”
She continued, “Words matter, and mine are no exception. I regret my comments, and I stand corrected. I also stand with the Jewish people.”
US to deploy troops amidst Russia/Ukraine conflict
February 2, the Pentagon announced that United States President Joe Biden authorized the deployment of 3,000 US troops to Poland, Germany, and Romania. This repositioning of US military persons comes from the suspicion of a potential invasion of Ukraine initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This skepticism comes from the growing presence of Russian military near the borders. Which has caught the attention of Ukraine and fellow NATO allies. A total of 3,000 troops will be moved, with 2,000 leaving directly from the US and 1,000 troops already in Germany planning to relocate to Romania.
Pamela has voiced her disapproval of Pam & Tommy, while Tommy has been in support of the new show. An insider communicated that the robbed home video devastates Pamela and is a topic she does not wish to be rehashed.
The insider stated, “It was a violation having this tape taken. This was a very traumatic time in her life. And it’s shocking that they are recreating it.” They continued, referencing Pamela when saying, “apparently doesn’t deserve privacy because she’s a sex symbol. It’s a sad reflection of how far we’ve not come as a society. Where are the apologies owed to Pam?“
Tommy talked about the portrayal of their history, stating, “I think a lot of people would think that it’s one thing, but it’s really about privacy and how things got crazy then and there’s different laws now.” He continued, “It’s a cool story and people need to know. It’s cool. I’m stoked.“
Satellite images depict increasing Russian military presence in Belarus
Amidst the growing suspicion of a potential Russian military invasion into Ukraine, new satellite images from February 5 show an increase in intensity in Russian military sites in locations like Belarus. The images are assumed to be connected to combined efforts with Russian and Belarusian exercises.
Although these images may add to the rising awareness of Ukraine and NATO allies, further imaging also depicts camps being set up closer to Ukraine’s borders, far away from where the Russian/Belarus practices are set up.
Euphoria renewed for season 3
As the dramatic second season of the blockbuster HBO series Euphoria continues to air throughout the course of February, the show has been confirmed for a third season. As one of the most encapsulating series airing modern day, there was no question as to if the series would come back for a third series, but nonetheless this announcement gives us that reassurance we all were anticipating!
Peloton enlists new CEO and removes 2,800 jobs
Popular fitness company Peloton announced the removal of their former CEO John Foley for his replacement Barry McCarthy. McCarthy has worked for the likes of Spotify and Netflix as the brands chief financial officers, now taking on the title of CEO and president of Peloton on Wednesday February 9.
Peloton, too, announced their elimination of around 2,800 employees amidst new brand operation plans. Further projects include the limitation of warehouses that the brand owns and making the switch to broadening delivery arrangements with more third-party sources. All these changes come to amass a whopping $800 million saving in annual expenses.
The company also announced that their official first factory in the United States is almost ready to open in Ohio. The production of the factory, like the other changes to the company, aims to lessen costs and save around $60 million for Peloton.
12-year-old Black swimmer almost excluded from swim meet after wearing a ‘Black Lives Matter’ swimsuit
A 12-year-old Black swimmer was nearly disqualified from a Wisconsin swim meet for wearing a ‘Black Lives Matter’ swimsuit. The Duluth Area Family YMCA, who was in sponsor of the February 6 meet, stated an independent volunteer official tried to ban the student from the meet, asserting that the suit went in opposition to a USA Swimming rule that bans political language.
Sarah Lyons, mother of Leidy, argued that her daughter wore the suit to show her unwavering support for the Black Lives Matter movement, as it is in an important cause to her. Lyons stated, “She is very passionate about social justice. She has been through a lot already at a young age. It’s a big part of her, which I think is wild at 12,” she told CNN affiliate KBJR.
The YMCA overrode the threat from the official to exclude Leidy from the swim meet. They further issued a statement that read, “The Duluth Area Family YMCA is committed to being an anti-racist organization and stands with BIPOC communities throughout the Northland and throughout our country. We know that Black Lives Matter and we will continue to work to educate ourselves, to stand against inequality, and to strive to be active allies in the ongoing fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Book bans swarm US school libraries
The United States has reportedly seen a rise in the number of book bans, increasing from the end of 2021 to mid-February. Differing book bans in various places across the nation have been argued due to the contents of such books. Often, the books under fire contain some type of content relating to topics including race, gender and sexuality.
Local school boards and librarians have faced scrutiny and potential criminal charges from concerned parents. Bills in states such as Oklahoma have been created to outlaw public school libraries from housing books that had subject matter surrounding sexual activity/identity or gender identity. Another instance that had the nation, and Whoopi Goldberg, talking followed the exclusion of the ‘Maus’ from an eighth-grade module as voted on by the McMinn County Board of Education. The removal of the crucial Holocaust novel came due to “nudity and curse words.”
These book bans have been rather controversial due to the US’ protection of free speech under the first amendment. While conservative activists have been pushing for the restriction of books that delve into the US’ history of slavery and racial oppression, liberal activists have urged against books that may contain racist or insensitive material.
NYFW captivates NYC
New York Fashion Week commenced on Friday February in New York, New York. The week full of fashion commenced on February 11 and closes on February 16. An array of designers showcased at the shows in February, all elevating the world of fashion as we know it.
Shooting following Justin Bieber concert in LA
Saturday February 12, a shooting broke out at an afterparty following a Justin Bieber concert apart of the “Homecoming Weekend.” The shooting occurred on the outside of Beverly Grove restaurant. Police are still searching for the gunman who put at least four men in the hospital. Rapper Kodak Black was reported to be among the injured from the shooting.
Super Bowl LVI
February 13 at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA, the hometown Los Angeles Rams triumphed over the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar all performed during the halftime show.
Bitcoin surpasses tech stocks by an average 12%
Though Bitcoin has suffering throughout the course of 2022, a substantial turnaround has been observed. Data in accordance with Finbold shows that as of February 13, Bitcoin outperformed leading tech stocks by an average return on investment (ROI) of 12.24%. Bitcoin surpassed six of the upper tech stocks, even including Amazon.
Sarah Palin x The New York Times defamation trial comes to an end
February 15 a Manhattan jury in the widespread Sarah Palin defamation trial against the Times ruled against the former Alaskan governor. This decision came following the judge’s decision to dismiss the suit on February 14. His reasoning stemmed from the fact that he believed that there was not enough suitable evidence to prove that the Times’ 2017 editorial in question defamed Palin.
Scientists may have a potential HIV cure
A New York woman may have been cured from HIV following an intensive stem cell treatment process. The treatment entails that patients must have a terminal cancer or condition that allows them to receive the full procedure.
While involving the use a radiation, the aim of the stem cell treatment is to replace the existing immune system with a new HIV resistant stem cells. This procedure has been proven effective in a total of three men, and a potential other two women.
Jasmine Kennedie Comes Out As Trans
Jasmine Kennedie, a contender on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14, recently came out as trans on Untucked. Untucked is a companion show to Drag Race, where you get to see the competitors after they’ve received critiques from the judges and before the two queens to be eliminated are announced. The queens will discuss their performance, and whether or not they think they will stay within the competition, among other things.
During episode seven of the series, in a tear felt confession, Jasmine Kennedie says that she was going to begin hormones before entering the competition, and after seeing fellow trans contestant Kerri Colby, she felt the need to come out.
Russia-Ukraine Offensive
Russian leaders announced that they have approved a full-scale attack on Ukraine, after Putin announced that the neighboring country poses a threat to them. Putin believes there is aggression near the country’s border. Russia’s embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, has been cleared out. Putin delivered a fiery speech in which he declared that Ukraine had no right to exist, most likely based on the fact that the country gained its independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Russian troops are continuously added to the country’s border, and The Pentagon has stated that the attacks might occur at any time.
Ukraine President Volodomir Zelenskyy stated that Russia has no reason to believe Ukraine poses any threat to them, and asked for a call to Putin, which was denied. Ukraine has now issued a State of Emergency and is preparing for the invasion. Many national leaders are deeming invasion imminent. Sanctions have been placed on several Kremlin officials as a warning. Vice President Kamala Harris stated the US response to Russia would be “swift, severe, and united.”
New South Park Episode
South Park is releasing their newest episode, “BACK TO THE COLD WAR,” at 8 PM ET on March 2nd via Comedy Central. In the episode, a lot is riding on Butter’s ability to crush the competition in the all-important dressage championship.
All-New Season Episodes will be Available to Stream in HD HERE and HERE, and the Comedy Central App post-premiere. Comedy Central’s South Park the series launched on August 13, 1997, and is based on the VHS-shared, animated short entitled “The Spirit of Christmas.” Trey Parker and Matt Stone are the co-creators of South Park. Parker, Stone, Anne Garefino and Frank C. Agnone II are the Executive Producers of the Emmy® and Peabody® Award-winning show. Eric Stough, Adrien Beard, Bruce Howell and Vernon Chatman are Producers. Christopher Brion is the Creative Director of South Park Digital Studios.
Press Room Bar and Alamo Drafthouse
For movie lovers, an elegant theater is tucked away in Lower Manhattan. We went for a private preview held by Press Room Bar and Alamo Drafthouse for signature cocktails, hip treats and typographic activation. The highly anticipated Liberty Street is the third location of the New York metropolitan area.
With 36 locations throughout the country, it was established in 1997 by the contractor and producer Time League. The home to both blockbuster and classic films, featuring a dine-in American cinema with seat-side service.
GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, announced the nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards. RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 finalist Gottmik announced nominees in select GLAAD Media Awards categories live via GLAAD’s TikTok channel.
The GLAAD Media Awards honor media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues. Since its inception in 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards have grown to be the most visible annual LGBTQ awards show in the world, sending powerful messages of acceptance to audiences globally. The 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Ketel One Family Made Vodka.
For a full list of nominees, see below or HERE. A tip sheet with a breakdown of nominations by media and trends among the nominees is available HERE.
The 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards nominees were published, released, or broadcast between January 1 and December 31, 2021. The GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies, which fund GLAAD’s work to accelerate LGBTQ acceptance, will be held in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, April 2, 2022, and in New York at the Hilton Midtown on Friday, May 6, 2022.
“Media can create positive change and this year’s nominees represent powerful projects, stories, and creators that positively shifted culture and enlightened audiences with new and impactful LGBTQ stories,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “There are more nominees this year than ever before, highlighting a growing landscape of LGBTQ visibility, and serving as a reminder of the critical role that film, television, music, journalism, and other forms of media can play in growing LGBTQ acceptance in the face of ongoing attacks against our community.”
Streaming services saw a total of 63 nominees, with cable receiving 39 nominations, and broadcast networks receiving 17 nominations. HBO/HBO Max scored the most nominations of any network with a total of 19 nominees, followed by Netflix with 17 nominees. Hulu received 7 nominations, while ABC, MSNBC, and Peacock all received 4 nominations. In the Spanish-language categories, Univision and Telemundo both received two nominations.
During a year when anti-transgender violence rose and lawmakers across the U.S. introduced an unprecedented number of bills attempting to stop transgender youth from participating in sports and accessing gender-affirming healthcare, many of the nominees at the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards centered on transgender people and issues in timely, nuanced, and empowering ways. Of the 30 television shows nominated across Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Drama Series, and Outstanding New TV Series, 18 feature trans and/or nonbinary characters, including:
A large number of nominees at the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards also include powerful and impactful stories about LGBTQ people of color. In the film and television categories, those nominees include:
GLAAD announced 246 nominees in 30 categories, including two new categories: Outstanding New TV Series and Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology. As LGBTQ representation continues to expand across television and streaming, the Outstanding New TV Series recognizes scripted comedy or drama series in their first season that include impactful LGBTQ stories. The Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology category recognizes an original graphic novel or an anthology of short stories appearing in the same book released by a mainstream publisher and its subsidiary labels.
“After decades of LGBTQ characters being excluded, sidelined, or misrepresented on television, it is incredibly powerful to see how many series introduced fresh, impactful, and fully developed LGBTQ characters and storylines in their first season, many of which were some of the most beloved shows of the year,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “The introduction of the Outstanding New TV Series category recognizes the shows and creators getting LGBTQ inclusion right from the beginning and encourages other showrunners to include LGBTQ characters and stories that enlighten and entertain in new projects.”
Each year, GLAAD presents non-competitive Special Recognition Awards to media projects that do not fit into one of the existing GLAAD Media Awards categories. For the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards, GLAAD is presenting Special Recognition honors to eight media projects that spotlighted diverse segments of the LGBTQ community in innovative ways. The eight media projects include: All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson [filmed reading + performance]; “Alok Vaid-Menon” 4D with Demi Lovato (Cadence13/OBB Sound/SB Projects); CODED: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker(Paramount+); Jeopardy! Champion Amy Schneider; The Laverne Cox Show(Shondaland Audio/iHeartMedia); Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson(ABC News); Outsports’ Coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics; and “Celebrando el Mes del Orgullo” (Telemundo). A full summary of the projects receiving Special Recognition can be found in the tip sheet with an additional breakdown of facts and figures about this year’s nominees available HERE.GLAAD’s Barbara Gittings Award for Excellence in LGBTQ Media honors a pioneering individual, group, or community media outlet that has made a significant contribution to the development of LGBTQ media. The award is named after Barbara Gittings in recognition of her groundbreaking work as editor of The Ladder, and for her appearances as an out lesbian on national news media throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis serves as Executive Producer of the GLAAD Media Awards, alongside GLAAD staff Rich Ferraro and Anthony Allen Ramos. Spencer Harvey will serve as Producer, Juana Guichardo will serve as Associate Producer, and Wendy Shanker will serve as Headwriter.
RZA and the Flatbush Zombies have established themselves as staples of New York’s storied hip-hop scene. The old school and new school have finally collided, with the release of “Plug Addicts”, the first of two singles from RZA and the Zombies.
“Plug Addicts” is out now, complete with a music video that pays homage to Tarantino’s classic flicks. Shot in a dingy abandoned theater in Downtown Los Angeles, RZA and the Zombies don Reservoir Dogs-style black-and-white suits; trading braggadocious bars over a spooky boom-bap beat, produced by The Abbott himself. RZA assumes the role of executioner, reimagining Mr. Blonde’s iconic cop-torture scene, while the Zombies find themselves trapped in a giant birdcage
“Plug Addicts” will be followed up by “Quentin Tarantino” (out December 17th); another cinematic cut produced by RZA and Prince Paul, a rekindling of the horrorcore subgenre that RZA and Prince Paul popularized as Gravediggaz in the 90s.
RZA shared some words about working with the Zombies:
“I’ve had my eyes on the Flatbush Zombies for sometime now. Their style of Dark hip hop lyricism is reminiscent of my days in the Gravediggaz. This type of collaboration was overdue.”
“In a lot of ways I saw RZA in myself, as a fellow producer/artist. We are making history together at this very moment. The music he’s made over the course of his career had a lot to do with why I wanted to make music in the first place, it’s beautiful to see these things come full circle.”
“Plug Addicts” was shot and directed by John Tashiro (of SHOTCLOCK) in Downtown LA.
RZA’s company 36 Chambers has also recently announced a partnership with MNRK Music Group. Beginning today with the release of Plug Addicts; 36 Chambers and MNRK will release a host of projects throughout the coming months, which includes the highly anticipated album “Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater” by RZA and DJ Scratch, as well as a Joey Bada$$ collaboration, a new artist Weather Park, and even the long-awaited Bobby Digital album. Fans can also look forward to the release of a Graphic Novel, “Bobby Digital and the Pit of Snakes”, an original graphic novel to be released in May 2022. The book will be released in both softcover and hardcover formats in finer bookstores, comic shops and record stores everywhere, with special limited deluxe and super deluxe versions available.
A Bobby Digital Reaction Figure is available now for preorders for the month of December only here. This RZA ReAction figure of Bobby Digital features detail that highlights the character’s asymmetric, cyborg-like appearance, and comes packaged on a metallic cardback that features cover art from the “Bobby Digital in Stereo” album.
Alan Grunblatt, MNRK’s President of Urban Music says, “In 2022 RZA as Bobby Digital will leave his mask on but will go mainstream. Get ready for the next hip hop superhero. Bong, Bong.”
RZA says, “My creative roots are founded in music, not only as a performing artist but as an entrepreneur. The MNRK partnership with 36 Chambers creates a wonderful opportunity to bring new music to the world. Aligning and reconnecting with longtime business friend Alan Grunblatt is sure to make this journey a great addition to my musical legacy.”
About MNRK Music Group
MNRK Music Group is one of the largest independent music companies in the world, with recording, music publishing and management divisions operating in every major music market around the world. MNRK is committed to discovering and guiding top music creators and artists and is home to some of the greatest music talent in the world, including The Lumineers and Ricky Martin as well as the iconic Death Row Records and the music publishing catalogue of Chuck Berry, plus premier music companies Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang. Its catalogue across divisions consists of 54,000 music tracks, including multiple GRAMMY winners and platinum-selling hits.
About 36 Chambers
36 Chambers ALC is a lifestyle company that specializes in music, fashion and art. With these three principles, we seek artists and products that are on the forefront of culture, consciousness, and creativity. Drawing from diverse sources of inspiration from around the world and infusing them with hip-hop street culture, we strive to present a mix of products and experiences that are sure to fit in today’s marketplace. For ethical reasons, 36 Chambers does not use any animal leather or animal by-products.
Miami Art Week VIP event will feature WuTang Founder’s 1lb Gold Eagle Bracelet Now Melted into a Solid Gold Coin, Backed by NFT Video
Veteran Art Dealer Avery Andon, has launched a highly curated Art NFT platform and marketplace, ArtGrails. In an epic hip-hop power move, Andon, an artist manager and lifelong advisor to some of Hollywood’s most elite celebrities & art-collectors, has paired hip-hop legend and WuTang Clan founding member, Ghostface Killah, with world-renowned jeweler, Jason Arasheben, aka Jason of Beverly Hills.
The two have melteddown Ghostface Killah’s “Golden Eagle Bracelet,” an iconic piece of hip-hop history, turning the one pound 24k solid gold bracelet into a giant one pound gold coin, minted as an NFT. The original was created by jeweler to the stars, Jason Arasheben, better known as Jason of Beverly Hills, whose clients include LeBron James, Drake, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mariah Carey, J-Lo, and more.
On November 30th, the coin and an NFT video of the bracelet being melted and minted, is available as one exclusive set (ultimately available to only one buyer) via auction on the ArtGrails platform. To kick off the launch of the platform and the beginning of Art Basel 2021, ArtGrails hosted an invite-only VIP viewing event, art show, and kick-off party on November 30th in the design district of Miami. No part of the exclusive ‘minting event’ video will be posted online by ArtGrails, leaving the auction winner the power to decide if the ultra-exclusive NFT-backed video becomes available for public viewing elsewhere.
Ghostface Killah’s solid 24k Gold Eagle Bracelet is an emblem of hip-hop history, and now, in a display that is quintessentially ‘2021’, someone other than Ghostface will be able to own the iconic WuTang member’s bling –– only in the form of a one-of-a-kind gold coin created from the melted bracelet. The coin comes with an NFT video featuring Ghostface and Jason of Beverly Hills melting the eagle bracelet and transforming it into the 1lb coin.
Arasheben has pushed the boundaries with an immutable impact on hip-hop history by eliminating one iconic piece and creating another. For the first time, his creation combines the tangible and digital world. Together, Ghostface Killah and Arasheben have taken performance art, the entire concept of ‘collectible jewelry’ and non-fungible token and smashed all barriers and preconceptions to create the one-of-a-kind set. The lucky auction winner will have the opportunity to work with Arasheben to further customize the coin in case a necklace chain or other custom mount is desired.
Avery Andon, the founder of ArtGrails, had the idea to pair Ghostface Killah with Jason of Beverly Hills for this legendary piece. He is the lead curator on the majority of the platform’s upcoming NFT drops, which feature equally compelling artists, celebrities, and collectibles. The ArtGrails’ ArtBasel event is a culmination of months of hard work by Andon, not only with the Ghostface project but also because he has had a large hand in creating and developing the technology behind ArtGrails.
“This auction features some of the most monumental custom NFTs ever created, which required a platform that provides a truly custom experience for delivering high-end art,” said Avery Andon, Founder and CEO of ArtGrails. “With NFTs en route to becoming an industry standard, ArtGrails pushes the industry forward, demonstrating that the future of fine art and collectibles goes beyond paper certificates of authenticity; therefore raising the standard for art buyers, owners, and dealers.”
The ArtBasel Miami kickoff party and VIP event on Friday, December 3rd represents a large milestone for ArtGrails. The pieces on display at the ArtBasel event will all be tangible wall pieces. The physical art will only be sold along with its accompanying NFT. It can not be resold or bought without the NFT, immutably tying the real world artwork to the blockchain ledger.
The singular 1:1 set made up of the Ghostface Killah Gold Coin and the NFT Video of the melting eagle bracelet will open for auction on ArtGrails beginning at 5:00PM EST on November 30th and will run until 5pm EST on December 5th. The coin and video will be on display in Miami for the duration of the time. The ArtGrails launch event will also showcase a pair of NFT 3D Illustrations that will be minted in limited numbers beginning on Monday, December 6th on the ArtGrails platform.
In addition to the Ghostface Killah NFTs and Coin, the event will feature other renowned NFT and contemporary artists including Cory Van Lew, Matt Gondek, Javier Martin, and Anthony James.
To learn more about ArtGrails and to participate in the online NFT auctions, please visit the ArtGrails website at ArtGrails.
About ArtGrails
ArtGrails is an NFT technology platform that aims to lead the market in high end, exclusive, luxury collectibles sold as NFTs. The high-touch, exclusive NFT platform has a hands-on approach to curating and selling contemporary art and believes in a future where every piece of art is tied to a unique NFT identifier, immutably tied to a blockchain.
RZA Announces Forthcoming Graphic Novel Bobby Digital and The Pit Of Snakes via Z2 Comics
RZA has today proudly announced that he is bringing his exceptional storytelling skills to the comic book medium with the announcement of Bobby Digital and the Pit of Snakes, an original graphic novel to be released in 2022.
The founding member of the multimedia supergroup The Wu-Tang Clan first introduced the world to his alter-ego with the 1998 album Bobby Digital in Stereo, with lush digital orchestral sounds and inventive beats, putting the rapper’s love of comic books on full display through its concept and execution. Now, exactly 23 years since its original release, RZA announces a partnership with Z2 Comics to give the character a story in the medium which inspired his creation.
RZA says “Out of all my creative personas and alter egos Bobby Digital is probably the best fit, for comics and graphic novels. It’s a pleasure for me to collaborate with Z2 Comics and bring this lush world of creativity into the comic space. The readers are going to be hit with something they never seen coming. Bong – Bong.”
Who are you, what is real? This is the question Bobby Digital is seeking to answer. Embracing his id, ego and superego he embarks on a quest to figure out the nature of his reality and himself. He will be ambushed by enemies unknown, he will be tried in ways most men can’t endure. Will he be victorious? Most of all, will he survive the Pit of Snakes?! From the mind of the legendary RZA, Bobby Digital and The Pit of Snakes will coincide with the relaunch of the iconic character and be synced to music that will melt your mind.
Z2 Publisher and CEO Josh Frankel says “RZA has always shown himself to be a Swiss Army Knife of creativity, elevating every medium he touches, and to be able to help bring an already existing comic/music hybrid such as Bobby Digital to the page is amazing. I think everyone will be equally amazed at the result.”
Bobby Digital and the Pit of Snakes pairs RZA with White Noise Studios member Ryan O’Sullivan, whose last collaboration with Poppy was widely celebrated by fans and critics alike, with Sound & Fury artist Vasilis Lolos rounding out the team to bring the world of Bobby Digital to life. The book will be released in both softcover and hardcover formats in finer bookstores, comic shops and record stores everywhere in May 2022, with special limited deluxe and super deluxe versions available to preorder now exclusively through the Z2 website.
About Z2 Comics:
Z2 Comics is the premier destination for official music-related graphic novels, created in partnership with top-tier artists, musicians, directors and pop-culture icons. Distributed globally via Simon & Schuster, Z2 has collaborated with such diverse artists as Blondie, Cheech & Chong, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Joan Jett, Motley Crue, Ivan Moody, Gorillaz, Machine Gun Kelly, Sublime, Yungblud, Cypress Hill, Babymetal, Major Lazer, Rico Nasty and Alter Bridge as well as debut comic works by Grammy-nominated artists Sturgill Simpson and Poppy, as well as essential album tie-ins by The Doors, Anthrax, Public Enemy, Ronnie James Dio, King Diamond, and All Time Low. Additionally, the company has tapped top talent for the official graphic biographies of such pop-culture legends as The Grateful Dead, Beethoven, John Lee Hooker and Charlie “Bird” Parker.
About RZA:
Wu-Tang Clan mastermind Robert Diggs, best known as the RZA among several other pseudonyms, is one of hip-hop’s most revered, influential producers. With the group’s classic 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), he established their widely imitated core sound, consisting of stark, booming beats and chilling samples (heavily drawing from vintage soul records as well as kung fu movies), setting the backdrop for the crew’s gritty, violent narratives.
Following the album’s trailblazing success, Diggs participated in the pioneering horrorcore group the Gravediggaz, and produced the first wave of solo releases by his fellow Wu-Tang members. Starting with 1997’s Wu-Tang Forever, he concentrated less on producing Wu-Tang releases and devoted more time to his solo career, with the gold-selling debut by his alter ego Bobby Digital arriving in 1998.
He also successfully ventured into film and television work, beginning with his highly acclaimed score for Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) and continuing with a lengthy string of soundtracks (Kill Bill Volume 1 & 2) and acting roles (American Gangster, Californication, Brick Mansions, The Dead Don’t Die). He made his directorial debut with 2012’s The Man with the Iron Fists, and has also directed Love Beats Rhymes (2017) and Cut Throat City (2020). RZA executively produced the Hulu original series Wu-Tang: An American Saga. He’s also written two books: The Wu-Tang Manual (2005) and The Tao Of Wu (2009).
