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Kadeem Lundy

Quavo &Takeoff Celebrate Only Built For Infinity Links

by Kadeem Lundy October 13, 2022

written by Kadeem Lundy

On the eve of the release of their debut album as a duo titled Only Built For Infinity Links, Migos members Quavo and Takeoff celebrated at Gold Bar in New York City. The album release event was presented by Hennessy, and the duo was joined by special guest Jim Jones and Juelz Santana.

The album took two years to complete and features 18 tracks. For the album the duo were influenced by Outkast and for the official album cover they took inspiration from Jay Z and Kanye’s Watch the Throne.

As the duo celebrated they played and rapped along to songs from the album. Earlier in the year they released the song Hotel Lobby under the monikers Unc & Phew (in reference to their family connection of being uncle and nephew). The song serves as the first single of the album, but is the third song on the album. Hotel Lobby serves to distinguish Quavo and Takeoff’s identities within Migos from their new identities as a duo rather than a trio, as they rap about their wealth. While not official singles the duo’s Tony Starks and Mixy featuring Summer Walker are standouts. Another song with potential to become a single is Hell Yeah, a song produced by Pyroman and Dson Beats, which Quavo takes the lead on the chorus rapping about having finally arrived in achieving fame and success.

Only Built For Infinity Links is currently available for streaming and purchase.

October 13, 2022 0 comments

Ray J, Ms. Pat, Nick Kroll & Ari Melber Attend Taping of Comedy Central’s Hell Of A Week with Charlamagne Tha God

by Kadeem Lundy September 29, 2022

written by Kadeem Lundy

Talk Show host Charlemagne The God brought Ray J, Ms. Pat, Nick Kroll and Ari Melber to the Paramount studio set of his Comedy Central talk show Hell of a Week with Charlemagne The God. The guests discussed the latest hot trending topics in politics and pop culture.

During a panel discussion segment which included Kroll, Melber and Ms. Pat, the panelist chatted about Donald Trump and Ron Desantis. Melber referred to Desantis as Trump’s mini me. “Trump’s against democracy, Ron DeSantis wants to be like Donald Trump, so would be very close because he’s really mimicking him,” Melber said. “It’s a bit like Drake said ‘You thought that we were enemies but the big you is like a mini me and Ron DeSantis is trying to be Trump’s mini me so it’s low key pathetic but it’s hitting a lot of the things the GOP likes,” Melber added.

Later in the taping singer/Love and Hip Hop star/ Raycon Founder Ray J appeared to discuss his current dealings with Kanye West and the Kardashian family over his past sex tapes. Ray stated he is preparing to take legal action in regards to how the situation regarding the tape has been discussed and handled on the Kardashian’s current Hulu reality series.

The episode is available for viewing on Comedy Central’s website.

September 29, 2022 0 comments

Lifestyle The Latest

Espolòn Tequila Celebrates Launch of Cristalino With Urban Cenote

by Kadeem Lundy September 23, 2022

written by Kadeem Lundy

Espolòn Tequila celebrated the launch of their latest tequila called Cristalino with an immersive “urban cenote” themed experience in New York City’s SoHo. Espolòn Cristalino is inspired by the crystalline waters found in the Mayan Cenotes and, the new tequila is the last creation by late founder Maestro Tequilero Cirilo Oropeza and was developed using traditional and modern techniques.

In order to develop the Cristalino, an aged blend of Añejo with a touch of extra Añejo is filtered through charcoal for the shortest amount of time when compared to the brand’s other tequilas. The process produces rich flavor notes of caramelized agave and honey, with a fruit and oak finish. The tequila is 80 proof. At the launch, guest had the option of enjoying various Espolòn tequilas such as Añejo, Blanco and Reposado within different cocktails. Light Mexican inspired food bites such as beef empanadas were also served at the launch. At the launch Princess Nokia performed while DJ Paurro played music.

Espolòn Cristalino is currently available for sale in 750mL bottles for the price of $59.99.

September 23, 2022 0 comments

Events TV

Tobias Truvillion, Larry “Legend” Spivey and The Talent Connect Celebrate BET Tales Episode C.R.E.A.M.

by Kadeem Lundy September 9, 2022

written by Kadeem Lundy

On Tuesday, September 6th, actor Tobias Truvillion, screenwriter Larry ‘Legend’ Spivey, and The Talent Connect Founder Ronald ‘Wink’ Woodall hosted a special screening of the latest episode of BET’s Tales at New York City’s 40/40 Club. The episode called C.R.E.A.M. was inspired by lyrics from the Wu-Tang Clan song C.R.E.A.M. Truvillion starred in the leading role in the episode. The Talent Connect is a talent management and career consultation services agency. Also in attendance was actor Sean Nelson.

Spivey who has worked on the series that was created by Irv Gotti since the first season, said he was asked to write the episode. Outside of his screenwriting projects Spivey is working on a comic book.

“Ezekiel is a family man”, Truvillion said. “This story is about class. It’s really about the haves and have nots. It’s about a family commitment. It’s about love. It’s about sacrifice. It’s about what people do when they’re under pressure and have to live moment to moment in survival mode, which too many of us, too many of us, you know know, too well”, he added.

While Tobias has done acting work in various platforms from television, to film to theater, he has one particular area out of the three which he is especially attached to, “If we talk genres it’s always gonna be the stage, stage is number one coming from New York being in a theater. That’s where I come from the Black theatre experience. They say that TV is a writer’s medium, and then they say that film is a director’s medium. So I get a chance to be able to flex in different spaces, but whatever I do, I always had the base of a theatre actor, somebody that has a process, somebody has gone through different techniques for themselves and thought about what he was presenting for his art. And that’s my favorite.” he stated.

After the screening, Truvillion did a brief Q&A with Woodall where they not only discussed the episode but spoke on Truvillion’s upcoming projects which include the Hallmark Channel movie To Her, With Love, the action film Sanctioning Evil and the Peacock series The Best Man: The Final Chapters. Truvillion is also the Founder of TruTotheCore which creates and promotes plant based health products such as sea moss.

The latest C.R.E.A.M. episode of Tales is available for streaming on the BET app and BET.com. The Talent Connect has also released a book titled THE POCKET BOOK OF QUOTES: AN ACTOR’S GUIDE TO MOTIVATION. The book is available for purchase on the company’s website.

September 9, 2022 0 comments

Lifestyle The Latest

WoodSpoon Arrives in New York City

by Kadeem Lundy July 29, 2022

written by Kadeem Lundy

WoodSpoon a new food delivery service, which allows diners to order home-cooked meals from over 300 local partner home chefs throughout the five boroughs and New Jersey, has officially launched. Customers have the option to schedule an order, order on demand, or place catering and family-style orders. Last weekend, WoodSpoon hosted a two day food truck pop-up event (July 23 and July 24th) across from Bryant Park and in Columbus Circle. The food truck at Bryant Park featured a menu of pork and vegetable dumplings made by home chef Chunyen Huang, and mini schnitzel and sabich sandwiches made by Saar. The following day in Columbus Circle the menu consisted of cheese tequeños and tres leche desserts by Tequeño World and seaweed egg tofu skewers and black sesame pudding by Yuhe Su.

The Knockturnal had the opportunity to try out the delivery service in Brooklyn, in which a jerk chicken dinner prepared by Home Chef Kaschiev Hunter was ordered. The jerk chicken came with two pieces of dark meat chicken with a side of coconut rice and peas. The chicken as noted by Hunter is marinaded for two days then oven-baked and air-fried with a homemade jerk sauce added after cooking. As an added thank you bonus, the meal delivery came with a side of plantains and a mini apple cinnamon loaf. Hunter explains in his WoodSpoon profile that he was born and raised in Queens, New York, and his recipes are a blend of his mother’s recipes, his curiosity to try different flavors and to consume healthier West Indian dishes. In making his dishes healthier Chef Hunter noted that he exclusively uses olive oil in his recipes and a little butter.

WoodSpoon is currently offering a discount of $20 on orders of $25 or more when using the promo code “spooner” at checkout.

July 29, 2022 0 comments

Music The Latest

Lil Kim Hosts Dinner Gala Celebrating The Notorious B.I.G.’s 50th Birthday

by Kadeem Lundy May 23, 2022

written by Kadeem Lundy

Lil Kim brought together some of the biggest names in hip hop on Friday evening May 20th, 2022 to celebrate what would have been Biggie’s 50th birthday. The 2nd Annual Biggie Dinner Gala at New York City’s Guastavino’s which was presented by Lexus and Pepsi honored Biggie’s legacy with a star-studded black tie gala and concert with performances of Biggie’s most insatiable hits.

Industry titans and family members Lil’ Cease, Junior M.A.F.I.A., CJ Wallace, T’yanna Wallace, Fat Joe, Havoc, Sway, Smif-N-Wessun, Tek and Steele, Prayah, Ceaser Emanuel of Black Ink Crew, and more gathered to celebrate B.I.G. who passed away in 1997.

The night featured performances of Biggie’s signature hits,and the night truly honored the late rapper who is widely considered the greatest rapper of all time.

The Knockturnal spoke to B.I.G.’s son CJ before the dinner on the gala’s blue carpet. About his hopes for how his father’s fans can keep his legacy alive CJ said, “I feel like people can start thinking about him as more than just a rapper more than just an artist and think about him as the creative brain that he was. Try to look at all the things that he did and put them into into your lifestyle wherever you can.”

Photo Credit: Jamel Martin Of JMartinvisuals

May 23, 2022 0 comments

Events Lifestyle The Latest

Allbirds Releases Their Newest Tree Flyer Sneaker

by Kadeem Lundy May 17, 2022

written by Kadeem Lundy

New Zealand-American footwear brand Allbirds has just released their latest innovative running sneaker called The Tree Flyer. The sneaker features the company’s SwiftFoam™ as part of the midsole for extra bounce while walking or running. The company exclusively unveiled the Tree Flyer at a launch event at the brand’s Flatiron district location in New York on May 5th. Allbirds co-founder Tim Brown, Chief Brand Officer Kate Ridley, VP Innovation & Sustainability Jad Finck, and Material Innovation Director Romesh Patel were in attendance. Allbirds tested the new sneaker for over a year amongst 115 runners with nearly 6000 miles before the release.

The company has a mission to reduce material waste in the production of footwear through use of their SwiftFoam™ process. The process is a method of midsole foam production which uses the company’s castor bean oil based resin (compared to petroleum based materials) which reduces energy use and less material is needed. The finished product is 30% lighter than the company’s Sweetfoam, and delivers an energy return with a rebound of 70% to the wearer. The Tree Flyer’s light cushioned midsole allows runners the ability to go longer distances. More technical specs of the sneaker include a 22.0mm forefoot and 30.5mm heel for a total offset of 8.5mm. Overall the entire weight of the sneaker with midsole, upper and laces combined is 269g [9.49oz] size M9.

Other features of the sneaker’s design include a flared external heel that provides additional support, an increased toe spring that provides better transition, a traction pattern on the sole for great grip, new reflective eye-stays, and flat laces. The “Tree” upper provides a sleeker fit that holds the wearers foot in while being more breathable and durable, and it is the that gives the sneaker its name.

The carbon footprint of the sneaker is also carefully taken into consideration, incorporating an emission number representing carbon use output into the design of each pair of the shoe. In reducing the carbon footprint of the sneaker each pair has an emission number of 9.92kg CO2e. Speaking on the importance of understanding the effects of carbon use and waste and it’s effect on the environment, and emission number use Jad Finck stated, “Everything we use and consume has a carbon footprint and the science behind that emission number is confusing, just like the science behind calories. You’re not always going to choose the lowest calorie food – sometimes you’ll go for the chocolate cake or the steak dinner – but you’re able to make that choice with all the nutritional information. Producers and service providers have an obligation to tell people the environmental impacts associated with what they’re making.”

The Tree Flyer is available in three colors: Lux Beige, Buoyant Yellow, Natural Black and comes in woman’s sizes 5-11, and men’s 7-14 including half sizes. The sneaker retails for $160 and can be purchased at Allbird stores and on Allbirds.com

May 17, 2022 0 comments

Events Lifestyle

Fogo de Chão Celebrates New Bar Fogo Menu Launch

by Kadeem Lundy April 2, 2022

written by Kadeem Lundy

While many diners are familiar with Fogo de Chão and the establishment being one of New York City’s premier churrascaria restaurants, it is the new revamped Bar Fogo menu that is one to not take a second guess in trying. The Knockturnal was on hand to celebrate and taste some of the restaurant’s newest offerings from the Bar Fogo menu at an intimate launch party on Thursday at the New York City location.

The feel of the upscale churrascaria is casual in which the CEO Barry McGowan stated, “For over 40 years we’ve been known for creating lively, memorable experiences for our guests during every occasion. Our refreshed Bar Fogo menu provides our guests another way to discover something new with an elevated bar experience to relax with a craft cocktail, a glass of premium South American wine and smaller shareable plates, perfect for date night or a happy hour gathering.”

As guest arrived staff within the bar served generous samplings of the new menu items including: Lobster & Shrimp Tacos, Saucy Legs, Queijo Assado and Gaucho-Style Hummus. The tacos come three per serving wrapped in Napa Cabbage with lobster and shrimp blended together with citrus aioli, shredded slaw and peppers. The Saucy Legs are chicken legs marinaded in cognac finished with Brazilian BBQ sauce and accompanied by Pão de Queijo crispies which go great with the Queijo Assado fire grilled Brazilian Cheese bites with a side of malagueta pepper honey. Typically it is hard to find hummus topped with meat but the hummus offering is topped with picanha.

The delicious Bar Fogo foods were complemented with a choice to try one of the new cocktail additions which include: Desert Rose which is a Patron Silver and Aperol blended drink if you prefer a tequila based cocktail or Jorge’s Sour which blends Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Licor 43 and Fogo Silver Cachaça mixed with fresh lemon and honey, topped with Jorjão Malbec if bourbon,cachaca and red wine are more your taste, Samba Squeeze Martini made with Grey Goose is a vodka based offering for vodka martini fans, and the VSOP Sidecar made with Remy Martin is right for those who enjoy a nice cognac cocktail, and lastly Basil Gimlet. Along with new cocktail creations are new spins on classic cocktails like Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Martini. Diners can enjoy the cocktails and premium South American wines during All-Day Happy Hour in the dining room, Bar Fogo area and on the patio every day of the week.

Also on the Bar Fogo menu is the $8 Picanha Burger for a full taste of the signature Picanha which is as good as the all you can eat churrasco outside the Bar Fogo area.

April 2, 2022 0 comments