Distinct Sounds: Anita Baker... A Cappella

While preparing for the work day this rainy morning, I was sipping my lemon ginger tea and stumbled across a clip of Anita Baker's "Sweet Love" a cappella.  Something I never knew I needed.  IN.CRED.I.BLE.

The clip was posted on social media which led me to believe... 'there has to be others on YT right?'  RIGHT.  I've compiled a few to share.  Huge shoutout to CoolestRarestThings.  We are thankful.  

Let your ears enjoy the melodies below:

{Watch/Trailer}:: Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers

The Lakers have been hot this year ainna?  And by hot, I mean this is the 3rd documentary I've seen pertaining to them releasing in 2022.  If you have not watched Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty on HBOMax, please tap in.  It's realllly good.  

Anywho, HULU has gotten their bid in the wave... presenting Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers.  This 10-part documentary series will take us behind the scenes through the rise of one of the most successful professional sports franchises from past to present.  These exclusive stories will be told...only by the people who actually lived it.  Looks like another good one ya'll.  Catch the trailer in full after the jump!

Tupac Pop-Up Restaurant Open for a Limited Time

 Previously, the pop-up location appeared with Nas' Sweet Chick restaurant in NYC a few years back.  Last Thursday 06/16, the late great Tupac Shakur's Powamekka Cafe' returned on his birthday... this time in LA.  Pac's estate has launched the Powamekka Cafe' for a limited time at the Fixins Soul Kitchen, across from the recent 'Wake Me When I'm Free' Tupac museum @ LA Live.   

It's been reported that Tupac visioned this concept while alive, describing it as a place where people can 'play and parlay'.  From now through the end of June, you can enjoy the pop-up with your choice of some soul food favorites: fried chicken, mac n cheese, candied yams, catfish, gumbo and more.  

{Watch}:: Tiny Desk Concert- Larry June

Numbers.  

Every now and again, Tiny Desk surprises us with some heat we didn't know we needed.  June with a live band is a chef's kiss.  Can we get a part two with fan favorites (and a couple b sides?).  If not, this is fine.  Good Job Larry.  Watch below:

- SLS 30 Days

-Just Me & You

-Dear, Snow

-Let's Drive to Vegas

Time Warp... 2018: Feels Like Summer | Childish Gambino

Circa 2018.

 In honor of the first day of summer solstice.  A sound production that embodies the title.

Every day gets hotter than the one before...

It's about to go down...

Go down.

Related Post:  Time Warp...1971: Hot Pants in the Summertime | The Dramatics

Related Post:  Time Warp...2001: Young, Fresh N' New | Kelis

Kevin Hart set to Open Plant-Based "Hart House" Restaurant chain

Kevin Hart business ventures stretch longer than Pippen's arms.  Truly.  This time, Kev is entering the food industry.  Following his own diet regime, Hart House is a plant-based fast food restaurant set for opening in two locations this summer; Los Angeles and Hollywood, CA.  Former Burger King culinary Chef, Michael Salem, has developed the menu over the last two years which consists of the following (so far):

Vegan Burgers, 'Chicken' sandwiches, Salads, 'Chicken' Nuggets, Tots, Fries, and Milkshakes.

New Black-Owned Premium Vodka Launched, "General Orders No.3"

Ron Lockett II, Rasheedah Polk, Michael Williams and Eugene Padgett

Over the weekend, the Juneteenth HBCU Alliance Music Festival benefit event was held with artists such as Wale, Lucky Daye, and Chrisette Michelle to name a few.  Proceeds from the benefit were designated for Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.  So what's the back story?

10 Black individuals connected through college, friendship, and family developed a Houston based premium vodka.  These individuals are compiled of a diverse background ranging from accounting, education, corporate retail, engineering and so forth.  Adding purpose with their development, they share that their commitment is to pledge 8.65% of Jubilee Spirits proceeds to help support HBCU's.  

The General Orders No. 3, a.k.a "GO3", name is attached to meaning.  Historically, General Orders No.3 was the order which freed enslaved people on June 19, 1865 in Galveston Tx; the day we all know and celebrate as Juneteenth.  This 80proof premium is distilled from Sweet Potatoes, Russet Potatoes, and Corn. 

Time Warp...2001: Young, Fresh N' New | Kelis

Circa 2001.

 I just found out the other week that Wanderland is on AppleMusic and it changed the course of my morning.  Joy.  

I love everything about this record.  Everything.

When the world feels like it's closing in...

Previous Time Warp posts

Netflix teaser released for Kid Cudi's Animated Series, "Entergalactic"

***UPDATED 06/20.  Release date added.

The Man on the Moon.

Kid Cudi shares an official teaser of his upcoming animated Netflix series, Entergalactic.  Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, will star as the lead character along with other featured cast members including Ty Dolla $ign, Timothee Chalamet, Jaden Smith, Teyana Taylor, Laura Harrier, Keith David, Macaulay Culkin and more.  

Entergalactic takes place in New York and follows a young artist named Jabari, who is navigating through life attempting to balance love and success.  

“This project will move you, it will take your heart places and make you fall in love again. I am so proud of every single person involved who helped bring my vision to life."- gushes Cudi in an Instagram post.  

Watch the 1 minute teaser below:

{Watch} :: Kendrick Lamar reflects on life in upcoming Spotify Documentary

***UPDATED 06/20.  Full Documentary Added.

"This life shit, it’s all about an experience. And everybody got they own different experience.”

A little over a month after the release of his latest studio album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Kendrick is serving more introspect in an upcoming documentary.  The doc is said to chronicle Kendrick's trip to Accra, Ghana; traveling stories and interacting with the local community.  Though the teaser is only 15 seconds, it's found impactful and sets a concrete tone of what's to come.  No official date of release has hit the waves yet, BUT it is slated to drop THIS week.  Exclusively on Spotify.

Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock Headline Joint Comedy Show

Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock have teamed up for a "very special" comedy show during Labor Day weekend this year.  On September 3 and 4, 2022, the duo are set to headline at the popular O2 Arena in London, UK.  General tickets went on sale today!  As with any Chappelle show, no phones are allowed (including apple watches etc.) and will be locked secure.  I can only imagine how great this will be.  Get your tickets here.

Related Post:  Chris Rock and Kevin Hart announce Joint Comedy Tour : "Only Headliners Allowed"

{Watch} :: A First Look at Trevante Rhodes as Mike Tyson in upcoming series, MIKE.

Trevante Rhodes is a stand out actor in any role he plays: Moonlight, Bird Box, The U.S. v Billie Holiday, and The Predator just to name a few.  Now Rhodes' steps to the plate with delivering the role of the one and only IRON Mike Tyson.  

MIKE is an HULU original 8 episode series, chronicling an illustration of Tyson's life from adolescence to adulthood, including very familiar significant moments.  The casting for Don King and Robin Givens, also, seems to be spot on.  Creator/Screenwriter Steven Rogers and creative team, who produced HULU's I, Tonya, gives us a sneak peek of the story they brought to life.  Watch the first look trailer after the jump!

Dedication To Prince: Purple Mix Vol.1 by. DJ FreshYourHighness

In celebration of his birthday and memory, DJ FreshYourHighness dropped a new Dedication to Prince mix.  A special blend of some favorite and classic, written and/or produced, Prince records.  This is fire.  Take a listen below:

Time Warp...1971: Hot Pants in the Summertime | The Dramatics

Circa 1971.

 There are some songs that just FEEL like warm winds and sun rays.  FEEL like jubilation.  

Top 5 'Dramatics record.  

Related Post:  Time Warp...1972: I'll Find a Way | Black Ivory

Previous Time Warp Posts

Ghostface Killah to Open Flagship Shop for his Coffee brand, "Killah Koffee"

Street merchant tucked in the cloud.

Living up to his Ironman moniker, Ghost is bringing his successful online designer coffee brand to physical presence in a new flagship shop.  For those unfamiliar, Killah Koffee is made with 100% Arabica beans and available online for purchase of four special blends: Marble Cake (a fan hit), Marvelous Medium Roast, Supreme Dark Roast, and C.R.E.A.M (now viewed as Vanilla).  

 Ghost with co-owners, Ross Filler and Shawn Wigs, recently had a 'soft' opening of the flagship shop.  While it's not open to the public just yet, with no date provided, so far consumers can expect each coffee flavor and merch of hats, mugs, accessories etc.  

Watch {Trailer}:: Cam'ron Hosts New Home Makeover Series... "Hip-Hop My House"

...the whole crayola living room going on here-

Killa Cam, yea.

MTV Entertainment Studios and Anaïd Productions presents a new home makeover series that is the first of its kind... a Hip-Hop theme.  Residing on Paramount+, "Hip Hop My House" brings dramatic makeovers to a fans home turning it from rags to riches via a rap icon tribute (i.e. Nelly, Tyga, Migos, Rae Sremmurd etc.). The Dipset Legend himself teams up with interior designer Zeez Louize to make these renovations come to life.   

Cam has never been camera shy and often, most times, provides some form of humorous entertainment.  Expect nothing less.  Check the trailer after the jump!

Art Installation:: Devin Troy Strother presents... "Durag Activities"

I hope you read the title in Baby Keem's voice as I did.

Los Angeles based artist, Devin Troy Strother, has his second solo exhibit displayed at Over The Influence gallery's Bangkok location.  

“The title of the show is from "Durag Activity," a song by a young rapper named Baby Keem. I used this title when imagining a group of men going undercover to seek vengeance upon a group whose sole purpose was to eradicate my brothers and sisters. in going under cover and having to wear those awfully stupid ass white hoods on their heads, i imagined my brothers would wear a durag on top of their heads to protect that precious black hair and skin from them evil white linens.”

Deep.  Strother is known for his dark humor narratives confronting difficult political narratives, including race.  This exhibit is on display through June 25, 2022 @ Over the Influence Bangkok- 81 Tri Mit Road Talat Noi, Samphanthawong Bangkok, Thailand. 

{Personal Post} PHOTOS:: Miami Heat Playoffs Game 3 x A Day at the Beach

Let me start by saying, I am a fan of the home team... Wizards of course.  HOWEVER, we were already headed to Miami for a few days and it was like... why NOT catch a playoff game?  Gives me a reason to bring the hat back out anyway.  Miami played Philly that evening in Game 3 and unfortunately, it was a BLOW OUT.  Mercury retrograde began on this day, also.  Since that morning to present, the days have exuded every bit of that... but that's another post for a different time. 

It had been a few years since we'd been here.  

We hit the yayo for a couple days and did what we do... have FUN.  

Take a glimpse...