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Sirius XM & Pandora Present, “For The Love: 50 Years of Hip-Hop” Featuring Wu-Tang

by Danielle Niecey August 17, 2023
written by Danielle Niecey

August 10, 2023, The Knockdown Center, Queens New York.— Sirius XM, the broadcasting company that provides satellite and online radio services; along with Pandora, their subscription-based music streaming service; Presents, “For The Love: 50 Years of Hip-Hop” Featuring Wu-Tang with Martell Cognac at The Knockdown Center in Queens, New York. 

 

On August 10th, 2023 the Knockdown Center along with Sirius XM,

QUEENS, NEW YORK – AUGUST 10: A view of the audience as Wu-Tang Clan headlines SiriusXM and Pandora’s Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration at Knockdown Center on August 10, 2023 in Queens, New York. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Pandora, Martell Cognac and additional brand sponsors: Clorox, Volkswagen and Cricket Wireless shut down Queens, New York in killah-bee fashion. The loyal fans of the famed Hip Hop group, WuTang, wrapped the sidewalks of the popular venue in hopes to make entry through the waitlist. The group has influenced more than 30 years of the genre and continues to solidify the permanence of their impact and their brand through merchandising, music and much more. 

Prior to the evening portion of the event, Sirius XM and Pandora hosted the “For The Love: A Community Giveback” event for the kids and teens that included a concert, a “back to school” backpack giveaway and an opportunity to celebrate and support the performance culture of the emerging local talents in the area; in the same vein early Hip Hop artists emerged in the community. Sirius XM and Pandora also gifted a $20,000 check to The Boys and Girls Club of Metro Queens.  

Later that evening, the doors re-opened at 8:00 pm with the general admission of an audience of 21+ only guests. Martell Cognac, the leading international prestige cognac, with 300 years of history in its existence, tipped its glass to the tenacity that is the genre of Hip-Hop. Martell Cognac, known for using a high percentage of eaux-de-vie (a traditional double distillation process), aromatic blends, distinct taste and richness in flavor, served their beverages at an open bar in the Premiere seating section for their VIP clients and that of Sirius XM and Pandora; which included brand influencers, designers, media press and Sirius XM’s popular radio show host, Marisol “El Bombon”,  of Sirius XM channel, Caliente; a red-hot sonic blend of salsa, bachata, reggaeton and tropical Latin music. 

QUEENS, NEW YORK – AUGUST 10: Lola Brooke performs onstage ahead of Wu-Tang Clan headlining SiriusXM and Pandora’s Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration at Knockdown Center on August 10, 2023 in Queens, New York. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Upon entry into the venue, a Volkswagen car sweepstakes is posted in royale fashion and immediately ahead of it, a hip-hop themed ‘step-and-repeat’ booth, reminiscent of an urban city building, brought to the venue by Clorox®. The step-and-repeat consisted of 2, 10-second-long video segments, shot by a live cameraman; props that included 4-Subwoofer and 2-Tweeter Speakers and costume jewelry, mimicking the late 80’s to early 90’s fashion. The “Faux 20 mm Cuban Link” Chains paid homage to an essential iconic accessory of the Hip Hop, Rapper fashion movement. Synonymous with the culture, Venetian (shutter) shades, huge diamond encrusted square signet rings and at last, a microphone. Guests had the opportunity to record a clip, in front of a backdrop that mimicked a brick wall with graffiti and the Clorox® emblem on the backdrop. The recorded clips were uploaded to a digital processing bank and participants were able to have the clips sent directly to their phones with a live link for download and share. Clorox®, the long-standing trusted brand has solidified itself with the “ultra fresh” culture, who prides themselves in a “crisp white tee” and “clean kicks”. Its trusted brands, which also include Brita®, Burt’s Bees®, Glad®, Kingsford® (for the summer barbecues), and Pine-Sol® have been trusted household names for every hip hop generation. 

QUEENS, NEW YORK – AUGUST 10: Wu-Tang Clan headlines SiriusXM and Pandora’s Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration at Knockdown Center on August 10, 2023 in Queens, New York. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

The Wu-Tang show opened with a giveaway of high-end fashion brand name sneakers and was followed up with a set, by emerging Brooklyn Artist, Lola Brooke, who performed her hit single, “Don’t Play With It”. Brooke gained notoriety after the release of her breakout single “Don’t Play with It” in 2021 that gained momentum on (formerly) Twitter and TikTok, opening doors for the artist to sign to Arista Records in 2023. Additional guest appearances included  American journalist, radio personality, executive producer and former rapper, Sway Calloway. Sway now hosts “Sway in the Morning” on SiriusXM, “Shade45”. Also in the building, American Rapper and the original Hypeman, Flavor Flav of Public Enemy. The Wu-Tang clan took to the stage with a venue packed wall to wall of screaming fans throwing up the “WU” as they performed their classic hits, “C.R.E.A.M”, “Protect Ya Neck” and a crowd favorite, “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing to F’ With”. The performances, which included a solo performance from Method Man, rocked on into the late hours of the night until the close of the venue at dawn.

QUEENS, NEW YORK – AUGUST 10: Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, and Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan headlines SiriusXM and Pandora’s Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration at Knockdown Center on August 10, 2023 in Queens, New York. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

To ensure the safety and encourage responsible consumption of their Cognac, Martell offered complimentary designated travel via Uber to its VIP Premiere guests who also enjoyed the luxury of exclusive views of the band’s live performances on stage.


Stay tuned to The Knockturnal as we continue to bring you more exclusive stories on the 50 Year Celebration of Hip Hop!

 

August 17, 2023 0 comments
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EntertainmentFeaturedFilmSports

The Must Watch HBO Documentary Film: “Say Hey Willie Mays!”

by Danielle Niecey November 10, 2022
written by Danielle Niecey 8 Minutes read

Thursday, October 27, 2022, Manhattan, New York. HBO Documentary Films and Urbanworld Film Festival – hosted an exclusive screening for, “Say Hey, Willie Mays!” at the SVA Theater (located at 333 W 23rd Street in Manhattan, New York). The production runs in association with UNINTERRUPTED, Zipper Bros Films, and the Major League Baseball franchise to curate and celebrate one of baseball’s most renowned players, the living legend, and Baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer, Willie Howard Mays Jr.

The film “Say Hey Willie Mays!” is directed by Nelson George and produced by Colin Hanks, Sean Stuart and Glen Zipper; Executive producers from UNINTERRUPTED include LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, Philip Byron and Major League Baseball’s Nick Trotta. With his career that spanning over 25 years, “Say Hey Willie Mays!” tells the story of the MLB icon, Willie Mays Jr, the discovery of his life calling in Baseball and emphasizes the fulfillment this path afforded him. The film covers Mays’ early career, where he began his profession in the Negro minor leagues; his draft by the US Army during the Korean War (1952 – 1953 ) shortly after being signed to the, then New York Giants; his impressive record setting career stats, that are compared to Babe Ruth’s; the highs (and the self-reflective times) of his life, and how he changed the face of baseball for the world.

Athleticism runs in Mays’ blood. His story begins in Westfield, Alabama; the living legend co-narrates the film which speaks highly of his father, Cat Mays, who raised him after he and Willie’s mother separated. Cat Mays played an integral part in young Mays’ development as an athlete and his sportsmanship. Willie’s father, Cat Mays,  a talented baseball player himself, participated in a local baseball team in Fairfield. His mother, Annie Satterwhite, also a skilled athlete, chose to run track and play basketball while she attended school. As a natural athlete, Mays explored an array of sports from basketball, to even becoming a quarterback for his school’s football team. Ultimately, his heart found its home in Baseball. His professional career as a baseball player began before he finished high school at the tender age of 17 with the Birmingham Black Barons, a minor league that initiated him into the, then, Negro American League. Despite all of the social commotion and cultural norms separating people of color from experiencing a more robust life, it was impossible to hide a light as bright as Mays. On the field Mays shone, and was scouted by several major leagues before he was of legal age to commit to a professional Major league team. Mays eventually signed to the New York Giants in 1950 and it is here that the world begins to take notice of Willie Mays Jr!

As the story continues, the world kept a close eye on this gifted athlete as he literally swept the nation westward; branching his career from the East Coast and playing for teams as far out as California. He even inspired younger athletes, such as his godson, Barry Bonds; to walk in his footsteps. Mays would go on to become the Rookie of The Year (1951); becoming an MVP player after closing in on 41 home runs and leading his team to win the World Series Championship of 1954-1955 thanks to his infamous “Catch” from a fly-ball hit by Vic Wertz of the Cleveland Indians.

The film also highlights Mays as a star off the field. His natural charm and mild-mannered temperament opened doors for him to meet high ranking public officials, political and national figures and receive special honors. Mays was featured in mainstream television, where his early media appearances on “The Donna Reed Show”(1964-1966); “The Colgate Comedy Hour Self”(1954) reaffirmed the benevolent narrative that surrounds him and set the trajectory for his star-studded career in and out of Major League Baseball.

Although the documentary is filled with gems and life principles, one of the most inspiring aspects of this film is Mays’ diplomacy and his work ethic, which he allowed to speak for the man that he was raised to be. He never lost sight of his mission to excel or perform at his best, even when facing discrimination. He never let the outside noises or distractions become the “thing” that branded his career.  He had a gift of not taking things personal, remaining focused, rooted and being noted by his colleagues as a very reserved man, even in the face of personal and career scrutiny. The film makes reference to  fellow MLB icon,  Jackie Robinson, who accused him of “selling out” and “not doing enough for the advancement of black people”. With class, poise and dignity, Mays responded to his statement and made it clear that he successfully led his own quiet revolution for his people and many others. The film backs this evident truth by highlighting community involvement, charitable works, his impact on every community he’s stepped foot in; his accolades and praises from public figures and his dedication to his craft. Mays clearly inspired and opened doors for people of various nationalities to enter the league and never once did he care what the color of their skin was.

 

Willie Mays Jr loved what he did, and played with love. The film does an extraordinary job highlighting these wonderful qualities about him.


Other special film appearances included his protégé, Barry Bonds, the son of baseball legend Bobby Bonds.

Chuck D of Public Enemy Nick Trotta, Colin Hanks, Nelson George, Michael Mays, Sean Stuart and Jamal Henderson. Credit: HBO/GETTY IMAGES

The special guest in attendance for the HBO Documentary screening included film-contributor and Hip Hop Legend, Chuck D of Public Enemy (who I was so thrilled to have met); Nick Trotta, Colin Hanks, Nelson George, Michael Mays, Sean Stuart and Jamal Henderson.

The new HBO documentary for, “Say Hey Willie Mays!” aired on HBO Nov. 8, 2022 and is available on HBO Max.

I highly recommend it!

November 10, 2022 0 comments
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