May 25 marked the 2022 Reel Works ChangeMaker(s) Gala. The event honored producer and MACRO founder and CEO, Charles D. King, who received the organizations Reel Works ChangeMaker award; and The Best Man and Little actor, Regina Hall, who received Variety’s Voice of Inspiration Award.
Bronya Shillo had her “aha” moment in her mid twenties when she decided to clean houses and bartend to fund and create, the drink getting all the buzz, Fishers Island Lemonade. Shillo told her story on May 18 while celebrating the launch of Fishers first ever variety pack.
HBO Max’s Legendary turned the Brooklyn Museum into a ballroom last Tuesday, to celebrate the shows third season that premiered on May 19.
Cinema Village NYC hosted the premiere of the Pusha T and Keep Lock produced drama, Respect the Jux, on May 6. The star studded event brought celebrity trainer Don Saladino, reggae music producer JKlassic, the cast and more to the red carpet.
Respect the Jux focuses on how the “American Dream,” for some, is only a dream; especially for those with few resources. Jux Producer Anothony Jacobs sums it up, “This movie is about the choices life sometimes leaves us with.” The film portrays the infamous struggle of migrating to the U.S. from Jamaica. A cycle that often starts with a parent leaving their child(ren) behind to start a life in “the land of opportunity;” before sending for them so they can grow up in a better place.
The film, however, is just the beginning of a larger story. Years in the making, the novel based plot is the first of many urban stories Keep Lock will produce, according to director and writer G.H. Goba. “This is our job. To produce consistent urban content,” he reassured on the red carpet. “No longer would you have to wait five years for your next movie. From here on out, every year you’re going to see us standing on somebody’s red carpet; presenting to you something great.”
In addition to releasing more content, including Respect the Jux 2, a big part of Keep Lock’s mission is to employ black creatives and non-creatives to keep them off the street. Goba noted, “We’re not about the limelight. We’re actually about the network (…) let’s build. We’re looking for writers, producers, directors, leads(…) we can provide opportunities.”
Respect the Jux is now available on Hulu, Prime, Apple TV and more. Get updates for Respect the Jux 2 and more Keep lock films by following @juxmovie and @keeplockfilms on Instagram.
Some stereotypes about New Yorkers are true! We’re always on the go and when hunger kicks in we have no problem turning to pizza. Everyone has their favorite spot, and if it’s Made in New York Pizza, now there are two!
Lauren Steinberg rebranded the term “feminine hygiene”and bestowed the “coochie,” “twat” and/or “vajay-jay,” as Queen of all kingdoms.
On February 15, Terry Singh took over LiveRocket Studios for New York Fashion Week to display his menswear collection.
In just three episodes, Phat Tuesdays: The Era of Hip Hop Comedy tells the story of how the series creator, Guy Torry, launched an all-Black comedy night at The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip, LA in the 90’s.
Amazon Music hosted a holiday party at Ludlow House on December 7 to celebrate Leon Bridge’s latest cover, “Purple Snowflakes.”
The recent Grammy nominee reinvents the Christmas bop, originally sung by Marvin Gaye, by giving it a soulful, Texan twist with a music video to match.
Known for his R&B hits, “River” and “Beyond,” Bridges came across “Purple Snowflakes” back in Fort Worth, Texas when he was bussing tables at Rosa’s Cafe.
“It was part of their Christmas playlist,” he recalled, “before Shazam was a thing.” He continued, “Undeniable music, your just going to gravitate towards it. It was inevitable that I would record it one day.”
That day came and the cover was released back in November before it was recorded exclusively for Amazon Music’s Original holiday songs; a platform that features holiday music from artist all over the world.
Stream “Purple Snowflakes” and more on Amazon Music now and watch the video on Amazon Music’s YouTube account anytime. Happy holidays!
With/In Vol I, a collection of shorts filmed on iPhones during the beginning stages of lockdown last year, premiered four of 13 short films on June 13 as part of the Tribeca Film Festival.