On Saturday, June 1, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit held one of the most sought-after swim events at the stunning W Hotel in South Beach.
On a night that will be etched in the memories of Hip Hop and R&B enthusiasts, DJ Cassidy’s “Pass The Mic” show at the Prudential Center in New Jersey offered a euphoric trip down memory lane.
Day One of New York Fashion Week kicked off with a bang! Libertine, a luxury read- to- wear brand unveiled their F/W24 collections for men and women. With lines stretching down the block full of industry professionals and influencers trying to get into the Starrett-Lehigh, I knew it was going to be good! When I finally got upstairs it was packed with some of EVERYBODY! Designer Thom Browne was spotted and there was lots of jockeying to speak to him and get a photo.
Creative Designer Johnson Hartig did not disappoint. The collection was filled with luxurious details. The runway was a washed in sequin, colorful flowers, black and white checkered pants and veiled headbands. Also incorporated into this collection is our favorite, the embellishment trend. Vibrant colors, lively prints and crystal embroidery reigned supreme.
Drawing inspiration through deep hypnosis creatives Jean Cocteau, Mary Quant, Peggy Guggenheim and Lord Bryon emerged! The designer says, “Peggy Guggenheim emerged three times, suggesting a strong kinship between them while expressing a desire to wear Libertine and jazz it up a bit”.
Embellished blazers and Graphic prints are what the brand is known for and allows the wearer to go from daytime to nighttime in the same look! Make sure to check out the Libertine X Le Sport Sac Pop-up Shop at Bergdorf Goodman.
Written by Renessta Olds
Instagram @reneeostylelab
Photo Credit: Dan Lecca
When intuition calls, Scarlett Taylor listens. The New York artist—who wields a crystal ball or a pack of tarot cards just as deftly as a microphone—has always had a penchant for the spiritual: since February 2023, she has released a new single at each new moon and full moon, reflecting her own cycle of fluctuating creative energy and her attunement with the cosmos. “On the full moon, I try to release something I just made, like the culmination of everything I’m moving towards,” she explains. “On the new moon, I try to release something that I’ve been holding onto for a while. It’s become a very beautiful thing for me.” The songs range from stripped-back demos to skittering hyperpop productions, and while Taylor’s eerie vocal melodies and creeping instrumentals evoke visions of ancient rituals, her lyrics feel simultaneously timeless and deeply rooted in 21st century life, dealing in concepts as contemporary as internet addiction and as lofty as cosmic destiny.
Photos by Hellen Elizondo
Photos by Hellen Elizondo
Photos by Hellen Elizondo
Photos by Hellen Elizondo
Now, Taylor is experimenting with a new sound. In her live performances, the singer reimagines her songs as howling rock jams, dialing the energy up to eleven and harnessing the reciprocal power of a live audience. Backed by a live band, the songs take on a new shape, an energy that Taylor knew had to be captured. “People were really liking the sound,” she says. “So we just decided to go in and record it.” Taylor and the band took to the studio in May to record Hallows, a rock-ified iteration of six previously released songs interspersed with fresh interludes. Infused with new energy and instrumentation, the songs take on a new life: “Veil (perfect timing),” the last of Taylor’s singles to be released on the new moon, transforms from a glitchy, stripped-back electronic meditation to a raucous jam session as Taylor’s voice soars above screaming guitars and crashing drums. The song is a celebration of love and destiny, inspired by a wedding Taylor attended between two witches. She was particularly moved by the story of one of the brides, who had lived as a man before meeting her partner and only recently transitioned. “In two years’ time, in perfect timing, she’s completely changed her life,” Taylor explains. “She has a new name, lives in a new state. It’s just crazy to think that two years ago she had a completely different life.”
For Taylor, transformation is always right around the corner. Through her rediscovery of the songs on Hallows, she unlocks a new form, one born from the electric energy of her live show. Guided by her instinct and intuition, the songwriter follows where the energy leads, shapeshifting between genres and exploring different production styles with each changing moon. “I feel more like I’m finding the song than like I’m thinking of it,” she explains. “It’s sort of like I’ve always known it was there, but I just had to rediscover it.”
Even on the heels of a fresh album release, Perry Maysun always has a new project up his sleeve. The prolific Westchester rapper, who often spends days at a time cooking up beats and verses in his room, churned out a new release every month in 2023, and he doesn’t show signs of stopping any time soon. “I love making music and I have ideas 24/7,” he says, “but I don’t like putting out loose singles. It just doesn’t feel as fulfilling as knowing all the songs have a home. I’m a sucker for an album.” It comes as no surprise, then, that even Maysun’s latest collaborations have given way to larger releases: a partnership with fellow New York rapper Young Wabo has already yielded a mixtape (Warping Time) and a full-length album (Peace Blessings Be), which both boast introspective, poetic verses over soul-lifting alternative hip hop grooves. “We made Warping Time in my room in like four days,” Maysun remembers. “And then we started working on Peace Blessings Be, too. He stayed in my house for like a month. We were just creating, creating, creating. It was like lightning in a bottle.”
Photos by Hellen Elizondo
Photos by Hellen Elizondo
Photos by Hellen Elizondo
Photos by Hellen Elizondo
Photos by Hellen Elizondo
Not every song he creates makes it onto an album like Peace Blessings Be, but Maysun is a firm believer that every track deserves a home. Songs that didn’t originally find their way onto full albums can be found on Maysun’s Reverie mixtapes, a series of projects that serve as a refuge for the sonic misfits. “I love these songs, they’re great,” Maysun says. “But they’re like orphans. Reverie is my song orphanage. I have a great time puzzling them together and making a beautiful sequence of songs.” The collections range in size—Reveries I and II are quick 6-song EPs, while III and IV make up full-length albums. For Maysun, there’s no point in holding onto the music he makes: it belongs out in the world. “People think that if you put out too much music, it saturates you,” he reflects. “But you can’t saturate yourself. Why would you want to be less of yourself? When a color is saturated, it’s the most pungent.” To fans who might find his relentless release schedule a bit dizzying, Maysun has only one thing to say: “Keep up.”
As a die hard Marvel fan, I felt compelled to have to see the MCU’s 32nd studio film release because I’ve seen all the other theatrical releases. I’ve been invested from the moment I saw Iron Man and excited for every movie to come out after until now.
As many people are suffering from “superhero movie fatigue”, I went in with very low expectations because the last thing I want to be is disappointed in a Marvel project (I’m a HUGE Marvel fan BUT very unbiased when it comes to my job).
This film was definitely geared towards a younger audience with the inclusion of Ms. Marvel as one of the film’s protagonists. Iman Vellani does a terrific job of being the ultimate fan girl and superhero at the same time. Her bubbly attitude and eagerness to please Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel is just adorable. Most of her moments made me chuckle, especially when she asks Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson reprising the role) if she was being tested to be an Avenger.
Another addition to the film was Monica Rambeau making her MCU film debut sans code name (I’m assuming they will eventually call her Photon or Spectrum OR do they have a bigger role for her planned down the line?). Ms. Marvel makes a funny comment about “workshopping” a code name for her that made the audience giggle. Teyonnah Parris is just perfect as Monica Rambeau. She did a superb job of embodying the character and I just can’t imagine anyone else playing the role. The on screen chemistry between her and Brie and Iman was undeniable. I felt the sisterhood bond they formed and wouldn’t be surprised if the three of them are friends in real life.
Apart from the light hearted moments, the film does have incredible fight scenes that looked like they were a nightmare to choreograph (kudos to the film editors and stunt coordinators for their precision). The CGI was handled with a very delicate but heavy hand ensuring the realism of the landscapes and enormous worldbuilding that looked like a world that really existed is a far away galaxy. Also, our favorite furry flerken Goose is back and it turns out it/she/they (how do you refer to alien species that can procreate on their own) have a little secret that ends up saving the entire crew of the space station S.A.B.E.R. towards the end of the film (you gotta see it to believe it…the wackiest scene EVER).
So with that said, I will say that The Marvels was a furry, fun filled romp through the space time continuum. It made me smile and the last five minutes have definitely convinced me to stay the course and see where the MCU takes us next (YOU MUST STAY UNTIL THE MID CREDIT SCENE…it’s X-cellent (insert winkie emoji).)
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Music Tectonics Conference 2023 in Santa Monica, CA. It was an amazing event that brought together music tech innovators from across the industry spectrum. I learned a lot, met some great people, and had a lot of fun. Here is my experience.
You can’t talk about the conference without mentioning the amazing panels and networking. The conference kicked off with a really interesting talk by Maria Egan, David Knox, and Vickie Nauman about gaming and music. They shared some insights into where the industry is going. They also talked about some of the challenges and opportunities that the industry faces in the age of Web3, such as data ownership, transparency, and decentralization.
The conference also featured several panels that covered a variety of topics, such as:
– Untapped Opportunities in the Music Market: This panel discussed how the streaming boom has created a surge in demand for music catalogs, and how artists, labels, publishers, and investors can benefit from this trend.
– The Billion $ Problem: Emerging Solutions to the Music Industry’s Streaming Fraud Conundrum: This panel explored how music tech platforms are fighting fraud and making sure artists get their fair share of the pie.
– And many other amazing conversations.
The Exhibitors and Activations
The conference also had a lot of exhibitors around the pool at the Annenberg Beach House. They showcased some of the latest and coolest music tech products and services. I got to see demos, try out some gadgets, and chat with the founders and reps.
Some of the exhibitors that caught my eye were:
– LANDR: LANDR is an online platform that provides AI-powered mastering, distribution, collaboration, and promotion tools for musicians.
– LyricFind: LyricFind is a global leader in licensed lyrics solutions, powering thousands of websites and services with lyrics from over 4,000 publishers. I learned how lyrics can enhance the music discovery and consumption experience, and how they can generate revenue for rights holders.
– getmoments.com: an app that helps you get more out of concerts.
Next, I had the opportunity to speak to the founder of the conference Dmitri.
Dmitri started the Music Tectonics Conference in 2019 as an in-person event in LA. He noticed that there was nothing going on in the LA area for music tech, and he wanted to do something on the west coast this time of year. He chose LA as the spot because he felt that music is crossing over to more and more verticals, such as gaming, Hollywood, streaming, social media, and more.
He also wanted to create an ecosystem play, where music tech innovators can connect with the whole industry, including record labels, publishers, investors, management companies, consultants, attorneys, and more. He believes that startups need to be part of the conversations and partnerships that will shape the future of music.
The Current and Future Trends in Music Tech
Dmitri shared with me his observations on what’s happening right now in music tech, and what’s coming next. He said that there are two big things that are happening right now: artificial intelligence and Web3.
Artificial intelligence is making the tools of production more and more accessible to anyone who wants to create music. He said that it’s not about replacing human creativity, but rather enhancing it and democratizing it. He gave examples of some of the AI-powered platforms and tools that were showcased at the conference, such as LANDR, which provides online mastering, distribution, collaboration, and promotion services for musicians.
Web3 is transforming the music rights landscape with technologies such as blockchain, smart contracts, and NFTs. He said that it offers new possibilities for data ownership, transparency, and decentralization for both artists and fans. He gave examples of some of the Web3 disruptors that were featured at the conference, such as Vibrate, which tracks and analyzes live music events around the world using big data and machine learning.
He also said that live music tech is another area that is evolving rapidly with technologies such as VR/AR, spatial audio, interactive lighting, and more. He said that it can enhance the live music experience for both artists and fans, especially in times of COVID-19 restrictions. He gave examples of some of the live music tech tools that were presented at the conference, such as getmoments.com, which is a social app that helps you find and connect with like-minded people who share your interests.
The Advice for Music Tech Startups
Dmitri also shared with me his advice for music tech startups who want to succeed in this industry. He said that they need to be committed to their passion for music and technology because it’s always going to be a hard road. He said that music has a smaller total addressable market than other industries, such as gaming or fintech or health tech or cyber security. He said that music tech startups need to find their niche and their value proposition in this competitive space.
He also said that music tech startups need to be part of a community where they can get support, information, feedback, and exposure. He said that Music Tectonics is one of those communities, as well as a platform where music tech founders can meet and network with other innovators from across the industry spectrum, and showcase their products and services to potential partners and investors.
The Networking and Connections
One of the best things about the conference was the networking opportunities. I got to meet and connect with so many amazing people who work in music tech. I exchanged ideas, insights, feedback, contacts, and business cards with them. I also made some new friends who share my passion for music and technology.
Meeting X LI the legendary web 3 artist and co-founder of Soundctrl.XYZ, startup founders, CEOs, musicians, creatives. The relationships that I made here are priceless. I walked away very impressed with the people here.
The Conclusion
The Music Tectonics Conference 2023 was an incredible event that exceeded my expectations. I learned a lot, met a lot of great people, and had a lot of fun. I want to thank Dmitri Vietze for his time and insights, and for organizing such a wonderful conference. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in music tech. I can’t wait for the next one!
The Algemeiner newspaper recently celebrated its 10th annual J100 Gala, a prestigious event recognizing individuals who positively influence Jewish life and contribute to the promotion of Israel. This year’s gala, held on Wednesday, October 25th 2023, at New York City’s Capitale, honored actor Dean Cain, politician Natan Sharansky, and journalist Irit Tratt.
The J100 Gala is highly anticipated each year and is often likened to the Jewish equivalent of TIME100, unveiling the J100 List–a compilation of the top 100 individuals who make significant contributions to Jewish life and beyond.
The gala emphasized the importance of accurate reporting, particularly in conflict, where misinformation can be widely disseminated. Dovid Efune, Algemeiner Honorary Chairman, who has extensive experience as a journalist, stressed the need for reliable reporting amidst the ongoing challenges in the Middle East.
Actor Dean Cain, renowned for his role as Superman, received recognition for his outspoken support for Israel. Natan Sharansky, a former Soviet refusenik who spent nine years in Soviet prisons and later became an Israeli politician, was honored for his work as a human rights activist and political author. We celebrated journalist and advocate Irit Tratt for her unwavering dedication to providing thought-provoking coverage of Israel and the Middle East.
The gala was hosted by Emmy Award-Winner Dana Arschin, with Publisher Simon Jacobson and Dovid and Mushka Efune serving as co-chairs. Honorary Chairman Bernard-Henri Lévy lent his support to the event.
The J100 Gala is a prominent gathering, attracting community leaders, celebrities, and cultural icons. Past honorees and J100 lists have featured notable individuals, including Sacha Baron Cohen, Warren Buffett, Gal Gadot, and Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, among others.
The Algemeiner, now in its 51st year, is recognized as a global news destination that provides independent media coverage of the Middle East, Israel, and matters of Jewish interest worldwide.
Below are a few of our favorite items for fall!
When D.J. Kool Herc and his sister Cindy decided to throw a party for the young people from their neighborhood in the Community Room at 1520 Sedgewick Ave., little did they know that it would be the spark for a global movement in music. They only wanted a safe place where kids could go party and not have to worry about getting chased out of the parks by cops or random gunfire.