{Personal Post} PHOTOS/VIDEOS: Beyoncé RENAISSANCE World Tour - Toronto

Earlier this month, we headed up to Toronto, Ontario Canada for Beyoncé!  Yes baby, our Renaissance World Tour concert date finally arrived.  A TIME was had.  This was my 4th time seeing Beyoncé live.  The production on this show was mind blowing.  Worth EVERY penny and more.  I documented it, of course, to share :)  Below are compilation video(s) AND photos that I captured of Day 2 at the Renaissance World Tour in Toronto.  Still in awe.

Take a vicarious journey.  Follow me.....

{Watch} ASAP Rocky Highlights Fatherhood in New Beats by Dre Commercial + New Music Video "RIOT (ROWDY PIPE'N)"

The footage circulating a few weeks ago of Rocky randomly running in Timberland boots with those dressed alike now makes sense.  He was not only starring in, but directing a commercial.  A Beats by Dre commercial for the latest Beats Studio Pro headphones.

"Bae!  We ran out of diapers" yells Rihanna from another room.  Rocky then goes on a diaper run... literally.  You will not only see Beats product placements throughout, but Rocky's AWGE and ASAP trademark as well.  Speaking of marketing, little RZA is so cute being the face of the diaper brand.  It's all good until Rihanna has one more request for Rocky at the end...

On the flip side, Rocky released his last studio album in 2018 and is now back with new music and a new video.  The video spills over from the commercial with the same alike dressed going to riot.  He, also, throws in a quick promo for Rihanna's new product.  Catch both the commercial and the RIOT (ROWDY PIPE'N) video after the jump!

{Trailer} NETFLIX presents "Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop"

We will always be stronger together than we are apart. 

As #HipHop50 continues celebration this year, more and more documentaries of the culture are releasing.  I'm 100% here for it!  NETFLIX is up to bat with a limited docu-series centered around the crucial role that the women of Hip Hop played in establishing the culture for what it is.   

NETFLIX dives through all 50 years to tell this story.  Lil Kim, Queen Latifah, Glorilla, Cardi B, Roxanne Shante, Latto, Yo-Yo, Da Brat, Bia, Rah Digga, Young MA, City Girls, Rapsody, Coi Leray, Remy Ma, MC Lyte, Bahamadia, Monie Love, Tierra Whack, Kash Doll, Saweetie, Chika and many many more are featured within.  Watch the trailer after the jump!

Mielle Secures Major Partnership Deal with the WNBA

Mielle Founder, Monique Rodriguez

 The WNBA is excited to partner with Mielle, a brand that is committed to empowering women and supporting women’s sports.” 

- Colie Edison, WNBA Chief Growth Officer

Mielle has inked a multi-year deal with the WNBA as an official marketing and textured hair care partner of the league.  The Mielle brand was founded by Monique Rodriguez and follows a mission of commitment to ensure their high quality products help ladies confidently embrace the beauty of their natural hair on all hair types.  Mielle goes into detail of the partnership on their website:

Throughout the partnership, Mielle will demonstrate its commitment to supporting and empowering women by activating at tentpole events like WNBA Live, conducting WNBA-themed marketing and retail programs, and introducing players to their new, favorite Mielle products.

The Weeknd Taps into His Roots With Ethiopian Coffee, "Samra Origins"

Blue Bottle Coffee latest partnership with the Weekend is inspired by his Ethiopian heritage.  He and his mother, Samra, contributed their deep insight and knowledge of their homeland to help craft the Samra blend Vol. 1.  Both agreed, this is the 'taste of home'.  

The blend of Ethiopian coffees is a washed processed coffee with a light body complex flavor and a natural processed coffee that is intensely fruited and balanced.  The final blend results with notes of raspberry, toffee, and citrus blossom.  

Gamer Food: PlayStation Collaborates with Garafalo for Special Edition Pasta

A post solely for my LOVE of pasta (and PS).  A love intertwined.  Per Eurogamer, Sony announced a new collaboration with Ocado; a British online supermarket.  Italy's 'Garafolo' produced the special edition pasta shells in shapes of PlayStation's controller buttons.  

{Trailer} SHOWTIME presents an Original Documentary... "All Up in the Biz: The Life and Rhymes of Biz Markie"

Most people don’t know that he used those powers to power up some of the culture’s greatest poets and then some. I was fortunate to meet with Biz when he was alive so to have the opportunity to bring him back to life now that he isn’t here…it’s a special film.

-Sacha Jenkins

A closer look into the life, career, and impact of the iconic, Biz Markie.  Directed by Sacha Jenkins, 'All Up in The Biz' will feature exclusive footage, interviews/guest appearances (from DMC, Fat Joe, Tracy Morgan, Nick Cannon etc.) and Puppetry.  These are all important working parts to bring the story together.  SHOWTIME has delivered some exceptional documentaries.  Teddy Pendergrass, Rick James, Wu-Tang, and Hector Camacho (I feel I'm missing one) were all wonderfully done.  I expect the same for this one.  Watch the trailer after the jump!

KITH Launches X-Men ASICS GEL-LYTE III Collection for 60th Anniversary

In lieu of X-Men's 60th Anniversary, KITH has collaborated with Marvel to create a one of a kind ASICS GEL-LYTE III collection.  The sneakers are inspired by mutants from the franchise in related colorways.  Fire.  

Check them out below:

Wolverine

Jada Pinkett Smith Reclaims Her Narrative with Memoir, "Worthy"

..I was believing that my journey was not a worthy journey.  But when I saw it on paper —I couldn't help but look at myself and say, Wow.  What a life.

-Jada Pinkett Smith to PEOPLE mag

Actress and Talk Show Host, Jada Pinkett Smith, has been in the news over the last couple of years for less than favorable instances.  Most were brought to the forefront beyond her control unexpectedly.  She began writing her book in December 2021 and is now ready to tell HER story.  Uncut. 

{Personal Post} PHOTOS: 'Buy Art Not Drugs' Art Exhibit

Jerome Hood held his 2nd annual art showcase.  Presented by the Hood Galleria, we entered the 'Buy Art Not Drugs' exhibit.  It was in an intimate setting, which worked for the impactful art pieces.  Inspired by @hebrubrantley, take a look inside...

The Brooklyn Public Library Celebrates Jay-Z's Legacy With "The Book of HOV" Exhibit

via Getty Images

Who you know like Hov?

Jay-Z.  Shawn Carter.  Brooklyn born and raised.

...is being celebrated at the Brooklyn Public Library with their surprise exhibit, "The Book of HOV".  It warms my heart to see my G.O.A.T receive his flowers in this magnitude while he is still alive to smell them.  Prior to entering, the entire library front is covered with various Jay lyrics.  The saying is indeed true.  There's a Hov lyric for everything.

via Getty Images

"The Book of HOV" is a multimedia exhibit that explores Jay-Z's cultural and global impact in music, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and innovation.  

The exhibit features thousands of archives including original recording masters, never before seen photos, iconic fashions,  prestigious awards and so on.  Per a statement on the official website, the end goal was "to provide a behind-the-scenes look at a Hall of Fame songwriter and performer, successful business person, and a consequential philanthropist who has never forgotten the lessons he learned on the road to success; and the borough where his journey began."

Rapper Lil' Baby Opens his New Restaurant, "The Seafood Menu "

Dominique Jones, better known as Lil' Baby, just opened a restaurant in his hometown of Atlanta, GA.  The Seafood Menu Restaurant and Lounge is a collaboration with he and Chad Dillion (the Boiler Seafood Atlanta).  The menu (no pun intended) is comprised of tasty eats such as Crab Rangoon, Shrimp Tempura, Caribbean Jerk Chicken (Lil' Baby's favorite), Fire Grilled Salmon, Zip Sauce Lamb Chops, Snow Crab Legs, Fried Catfish, Lobster Tails and other items.  

Hungry yet?

via Atlanta Journal

JT of the City Girls Launches "No Bars Reform" to Assist Formerly Incarcerated Women

JT has officially launched 'No Bars Reform', an online haven to assist formerly incarcerated women with navigating life after prison.   After spending time in prison herself, JT has vowed to utilize her platform to help rehabilitate women with a criminal record back into society.  

{Trailer} PARAMOUNT+ upcoming "MIXTAPE" Documentary, featuring Lil' Wayne, DJ Clue, DJ Drama and more

Every other week, there is Twitter banter of who had the greatest mixtape run.  Wayne is always in the top rank, if not THEE top.  Mixtapes were a moment in time as an example of 'you just had to be there'.  No need for sample clearances.  No censorship.  Just bars and music.  Rap beefs, new music, everything.  This was a time where, arguably, a hot mixtape was more influential to the Hip Hop culture than having a hot album.

Lil' Wayne, DJ Clue, Jadakiss, DJ Drama, 2 Chainz, N.O.R.E, KRS-One, Angie Martinez, Mike Tyson, Fabolous, Tony Touch, Funkmaster Flex and many more share their personal experiences and insight on the mixtape subculture.  Paramount+ presents us a documentary diving into the origin and story of the movement that broke the industry.  

Watch the trailer after the jump!

Cardi B's 'Whipshots' are Now Served at AMC Theaters

I like it like that.

Cardi B affiliated vodka-infused Whipshots brand has partnered with AMC Theaters to enchance the cinematic experience this summer.  At 250 select AMC Theaters nationwide, moviegoers (21 and over of course) will have the option to order the Whipshots Vanilla and/or Lime flavor with their cocktails.  

{Personal Post} PHOTOS: atmos x New Balance 2002R 'Cybernetics Blue' Fashion Show

atmos x New balance collabed for an event presenting a fuse of local streetwear fashion and the rich culture of Washington, D.C.  No debate, D.C. is the mecca of where the New Balance trend began.  A panel of D.C. fashion enthusiasts and marketers spoke on when the New Balance trend started in D.C. (1979) and how it became a prominent shoe within the culture to present day.

The runway featured trend-setting styles from Paradyce, The Museum, Alldaz, Made in the DMV, atmos, atmos Pink, Love More, Keyonna Jones, Zella Fermani, Chris Pyrate, Mingo by Domingo, Entrapreneur, and Ricardo DSean.  A few of my favorites are featured below along with some flicks of the sneak crew and I.  Check it out:

Time Warp...2007: Brand New | Lil' Wayne

Circa 2007.

This song went platinum in my car Sophomore/Junior year of college.  Wayne was on a crazyyyy run then.  

I forgot about it until it came on recently.  Still a bop.  

Welcome to the show

I am the main. attraction.

Related Post:  Time Warp... 2007 :: Ghost Ride It | Mistah F.A.B.

Related Post:  Time Warp...2001: BaKardi Slang | Kardinal Offishall