2021 has brought us back the most talked about events.
By: Carly Cohen
On Monday, September 13th, the annual Met Gala was held at the one and the only Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The annual fundraising gala featured by Vogue consists of magnificent celebrity styling.
This year the theme was “American independence” let us dive into some of the looks.
Global Latin music idol MALUMA celebrated his 27th birthday by surprising fans with the release of the new visual album #7DJ (7 Days in Jamaica).The project consists of seven interconnected songs and videos which take us on an audiovisual journey as Maluma explores the heart of Jamaica, letting go of the trappings of fame and connecting with a new reality renewed by the Island through its people, music, and spirit of freedom.
For #7DJ, the versatile, ever-evolving singer/songwriter takes his sound in a completely unexpected new direction by fusing Latin urban music with reggae and dancehall, collaborating with renowned Jamaican artists Ziggy Marley and Charly Black, and incorporating traditional Jamaican musicians and live instruments (trumpets, saxophone, bass, drums). While each track has a distinct style, they are all seamlessly interconnected; the result is a Latin-urban-world music masterpiece that is as refreshing and magical as the journey that inspired it.
The #7DJ visual album concept was born more than a year ago on a seven day trip the artist took with his close friends and longtime music collaborators to Jamaica, a place he had dreamed of visiting since he was a child. He was able to immerse himself in the island life and sounds while spending time writing and collaborating and creating new connections and fusions every day on a trip that he describes as life-changing.
“Those seven days in Jamaica came at a time when I needed to escape and decompress as I had intensely worked non-stop on my career for seven years… causing me to question if I should even continue doing music. I did a lot of soul-searching and came back a different person, completely inspired and having realized that music is not just what I do, it’s part of who I am; how I experience and interpret life,” expressed Maluma.
#7DJwas produced by Edgar Barrera “Edge”, Johany Alejandro Corral “Nyal” and The Rude Boyz (Kevin “ADG” Jimenez and Bryan Lezcano “Chan El Genio”) with all the songs written by Maluma (Juan Luis Londoño) with Edgar Barrera, Vicente Barco, Johany Corral “Nyal”, Kevin Jimenez, Bryan Lezcano, Miky La Sensa, Ziggy Marley and Charly Black, among others.
Shot in Jamaica and Los Angeles, 36 Grados produced the short film comprised of seven interconnected videos that make the album an audio-visual adventure. To watch it click HERE.
The #7DJalbum cover is an image created by Colombian artist Federico Uribe, renowned for using recycled materials to create life-like sculptures and art pieces. The artwork created from pieces of discarded plastic is a stunning portrait of Maluma that will be auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to environmental non-profits presented by Maluma’s foundation El Arte De Los SueÑos.
With the concept of executing a pop-up, sustainable art exhibit in Miami for the release of#7DJ, Maluma chose seven other Uribe art pieces made with everyday materials that represent each song of the album. The show is open to the public for a month, and will be streamed for everyone around the world to visit virtually. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will benefit the following non-profits based in Colombia: Fundación Amigos del Mar, Jardín Botánico de Cartagena and Stand Up Providencia.
Track list for #7DJ (7 Days in Jamaica)
Tónika ft. Ziggy Marley
Love ft. Charly Black
Chocolate
Agua de Jamaica
Desayun-Arte
La Burbuja
Peligrosa
About MALUMA:
Maluma is one of the leading voices in Latin music and a bona fide global youth idol. Born Juan Luis Londoño in Medellin, Colombia, he formulated his artistic moniker, Maluma, from the first two letters of the names of his mother, father and sister.
The 2018 Latin GRAMMY award winner for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album (for F.A.M.E.)is one of social media’s most popular artists. With over 23 million Facebook fans, 6 million Twitter followers, and a whopping 56 million Instagram followers, Maluma is the leading Latin male artist on Instagram, and the first and only one to surpass 50 million followers. His official YouTube/VEVO channel has more than 26.8 million subscribers, having earned him a YouTube Diamond Play Button Award.
With his Maluma World Tour he has achieved unparalleled success, having sold over one million tickets in 105 worldwide concerts in 2017 alone, and becoming the top concert-selling Latin artist in the world. In 2018 and 2019, he broke records achieving full houses in all of his shows throughout the United States and Europe, selling out Madison Square Garden (New York), the American Airlines Arena (Miami), and two The Forums (Los Angeles), among others. With his 11:11 World Tour he also sold out Israel’s largest venue, Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv (60,000+ audience); made history at the 18th annual Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco, setting an all-time attendance record with his headlining concert in front of 200,000 people; and performed for the first time ever in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in front of 25,000.
In 2018, Maluma entered the fashion scene with his edgy, youthful and authentic look, and style. He has been named a “Menswear Icon in the Making” and “Men’s Fashion’s Newest Muse” by Vogue. In addition, he was one of GQ’s “Men of the Year” in 2019 and continues to gain the fashion support of designers such as Kim Jones (Dior), Jeremy Scott (Moschino), Olivier Rousteing (Balmain), Donatella Versace, Calvin Klein, Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton and more. In 2019, he attended the Met Gala for the first time, being one of the first Latin urban artists of this generation to be invited by Anna Wintour. Maluma has also released top campaigns and commercials as the face of global brands such as Moet Hennessy, Michelob and Adidas.
Since joining Sony Music Latin in 2015, Maluma has released five albums Pretty Boy Dirty Boy(2015),F.A.M.E. (2018), 11:11 (2019), Papi Juancho (2020) and 7DJ (2021). Maluma is the youngest artist to simultaneously hold both the #1 and #2 spots on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, and is only the sixth act to ever achieve the feat he has now repeated three times. To date, Maluma has had twenty #1 singles on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art will host its fourth annual World Culture Festival, with this year’s events and activities centered on the theme of “Dance.” Workshops, performances, puppetry, art making, and more will explore how artists find inspiration and express themselves through movement, and participants of all ages will have the opportunity to experiment with motion. The festival is free with Museum admission, which is pay-as-you-wish for New York State residents as well as students from New Jersey and Connecticut.
“Each year, The Met’s World Culture Festival welcomes New Yorkers of all backgrounds to celebrate and share their traditions surrounded by inspiring works of art from across time and around the world,” said Sandra Jackson-Dumont, the Frederick P. and Sandra P. Rose Chairman of Education. “The universal power of movement is present in cultures all over the globe. We are excited about this year’s theme of ‘Dance’ and the lineup of incredible workshops, performances, and other experiences that bring art to life in new ways at The Met.”
Thunderbird American Indian Dancers—the longest-running Native American Dance Company in New York—will perform in the American Wing in observance of Native American Heritage Month; and the nation’s leading Latino dance organization, Ballet Hispánico, will host flamenco and salsa dancing workshops in recognition of Hispanic Heritage month. To celebrate Diwali, The Culture Tree will present a puppet show inspired by Krishna, one of the most widely revered and popular Indian gods. Award-winning movement artist and poet Jahra “Rager” Wasasala will perform God-House (bure kalou), a work that explores the vivid realms related to the artifacts in the exhibition Atea: Nature and Divinity in Polynesia.
World Culture Festival: Dance! is made possible in part by the E.H.A. Foundation and Tiger Baron Foundation. Additional support is provided by Jody and John Arnhold and Antique Tribal Art Dealers’ Association.
Please see below for more information about scheduled events and activities:
PERFORMANCES
Space is limited; first come, first served.
God-House (bure kalou) with Jahra “Rager” Wasasala
12–12:30 pm, 1–1:30 pm, 2–2:30 pm
Floor 1, Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, Gallery 359
Puppet Show: The Colors of Krishna’s Love
1–1:30 pm, 2–2:30 pm, 3–3:30 pm
Floor 2, Asian Art, Gallery 206
Thunderbird American Indian Dancers
2:30–3 pm, 3:30–4 pm, 4:30–5 pm
Floor 1, American Wing, Gallery 700
ART ACTIVITIES AND GALLERY DEMONSTRATIONS
Meet artists and make art together inspired by The Met collection! Unless otherwise noted, activities are best for ages 3 and up.
Tap Your Toes
Explore how to use your body as an instrument by turning your sneakers into tap shoes!
Ground floor, Carson Family Hall West, Uris Center for Education
Reimagining Ancient Greek Prizes with Rose Nestler
Did you know that modern-day trophies are inspired by prizes for ancient Greek games? Make your own trophy with video artist Rose Nestler, who makes oversized, fabric reinterpretations of ancient Greek vessels.
Ground floor, Carson Family Hall West, Uris Center for Education
Jingling Jewelry
Celebrate Diwali by making colorful, acoustic jewelry inspired by artworks in The Met collection.
Ground floor, Carson Family Hall East, Uris Center for Education
Dancing with Degas (Best for ages 5 and up)
Connect science and art by building a basic motor to make a tiny dancer twirl.
Ground floor, Carson Family Hall East, Uris Center for Education
Flamenco Dancing Workshop with Ballet Hispánico
1–1:30 pm (For all ages), 2–2:30 pm (Best for ages 13 and up)
Express yourself through the empowering dance style of flamenco.
Ground floor, Bonnie J. Sacerdote Lecture Hall, Uris Center for Education
Salsa Dancing Workshop with Ballet Hispánico
3–3:30 pm (For all ages), 4–4:30 pm (Best for ages 13 and up)
Move to a fun, rhythmic salsa sequence with Ballet Hispánico.
Ground floor, Bonnie J. Sacerdote Lecture Hall, Uris Center for Education
Dancing with Lights and Digital Art
Learn to code and construct wearable circuits, then create digital body sketches with STEM from Dance.
Learn capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music, with FICA New York.
Ground floor, Art Study, Uris Center for Education
Every Body Dances
Let your body create its own story. Be inspired by works of art from The Met collection and learn basic dance movements and techniques with Infinity Dance Theater. All bodies are encouraged to participate.
Ground floor, Carroll Classroom, Uris Center for Education
Wangechi Mutu: From Seat to Feet
Create animated figures using collage material inspired by The Façade Commission: Wangechi Mutu, The NewOnes, will free Us, and Mutu’s collages.
Floor 1, Modern and Contemporary, Gallery 399
Drop-in Drawing with Teens@Graham
Sketch live dancers as they perform choreography that embodies power. Drawing demonstrations with teaching artists repeat every 30 minutes.
Floor 1, Egyptian Art, Gallery 131, The Temple of Dendur in The Sackler Wing
STORYTELLING AND QUIET SPACES
Tot Spot (Best for ages 0–5)
Play and learn with books, blocks, and more; just for early learners.
Ground floor, Nolen Library, Uris Center for Education
Storytime with Miss Nina (Best for ages 3 and up)
1–1:30 pm, 2–2:30 pm
“Rap, Rock & Read” during Miss Nina’s signature show! Clap, stomp, shake, dance, wiggle, and sing along during this interactive Storytime.
Ground floor, Nolen Library, Uris Center for Education
The cafeteria on the ground floor will also celebrate World Culture Festival. A special menu is available for purchase.
Large-print and Braille activity schedules and assistive listening devices are available upon request. Sign Language interpretation is available free of charge by request with at least one week’s notice.
Analytics for the Met Gala – top mentions, celebrities and brand mentions (and the moment when a pigeon steals the show)
Data from the last 24 hrs, taken at midnight the day of the Met Gala
NEW YORK – Leading international social media analytics firm measures fashion’s biggest night in social media buzz. Data as of 11:58 p.m. ET Monday, May 6, 2019 offers the what’s trending on the most outrageous and quite specifically, the most remarkable, buzz from the Met Gala and the year of Camp.
5.8 million mentions
26.9 million engagements
62.6% female audience, 37.4% male audience
Trending:
Harry Styles (347K mentions and 1.6 million engagements)
Lada Gaga and her 4 outfit changes (266.6K mentions and 1.3 million engagements)
Singer Lay Zhang & Valentino
Top trending articles on news channels
The Vogue article about the Met Gala (10.4K shares/likes)
The GQ story about Harry Styles (4.5 K shares/likes)
