Your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper and former member of legendary hip-hop collective Slum Village—Elzhi is back with a new release with one of today’s iconic artists. Entirely produced by the genre-bending musician, producer, and vocalist Georgia Anne Muldrow, the release is undoubtedly a piece of art. Their new collaborative album Zhigeist was just released on all platforms and highlights the chemistry between these two prolific artists.
A carefully crafted mix of psychedelic instrumentation and whirlwind lyricism, Georgia Anne Muldrow also contributes vocals on several tracks.
“The album is a mixture of what we both bring to the table,” explains Elzhi. “I dabbled in different textures of technique over Georgia’s soundscape fusions.” Overall, the album is an aesthetic triumph infused with an undeniable message. “Lyrically and musically, this album is a love letter to people of color,” says Elzhi. “What makes this project special is our determination to put medicine in the music.”
Check out an exclusive look at the making of Zhigeist below, featuring behind-the-scenes footage of Elzhi, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and album contributor Dudley Perkins.
As far as New Artists On The Rise go, Kyla Imani, former Gen Z host for The Source Report and thesource.com, started 2022 with “BIG PLANS.” The name of her single holds true to her year as she will take the stage in Austin, Texas as an official SXSW 2022 artist. Kyla Imani will be on hand for the weekend of March 16 to March 20, infusing the city and festival with her brand of music, which is skyrocketing her into superstardom one stage at a time.
One of the stages Kyla Imani will be featured on is the Futuristic Femme Showcase, appearing alongside Omeretta The Great, Nezi Momodu, Santana Fox, and Keora.
Imani’s latest hard-hitting single, “BIG PLANS,” has caught the attention of Tunecore, who made her New Music Friday featured artist for 01/21/2022.
With over 1.5 million followers on TikTok and music as her brand’s signature, Kyla Imani is looking to bet on herself this year. Kyla has secured major sponsorship campaigns with companies like Adobe, L’Oreal, Ulta-Beauty, Grub Hub, Hype Bae, and Footlocker while also producing her music and working with media brands such as BeatStars (where she is co-creator of “The Hook” by Kyla Imani) and The Source Magazine, ushering in a fresh and new generation to the iconic media brand. This year, she has taken a leave of absence from the famed Tisch School of the Arts at NYU to pursue being a full-time content creator, songwriter, and music artist.
Last year was a significant artist development year for Kyla Imani, as she dropped several independent singles, including singles: “These Boys Ain’t It” and the “TrackStar: Let Him Hurt” remix, which became a TikTok anthem going viral and had young ladies all across the globe clapping back on the dating and heart-breaking games there dudes (or boys) play in a relationship — as she became a voice for the witty clap backs. Check and subscribe to her growing YouTube channel to hear more of her songs.
Keep up with Kyla Imani’s moves across SXSW and in the future on her Instagram.
PUMA’s popular brand campaign “SHE MOVES US” has been expanded to include its top female sports ambassadors, honoring the women who have pushed sports forward to inspire other women around the world.
PUMA has invited its female sports ambassadors to speak about their beliefs and the things that drove them ahead in their particular disciplines – their secret to success, the hurdles they’ve faced, and what they’ve learned along the way – led by global pop phenomenon Dua Lipa.
PUMA athletes including WNBA stars Skylar Diggins-Smith and Breanna Stewart, Peloton bike, tread, and strength instructor Olivia Amato, golfer Tisha Alyn, footballer Nikita Parris, Ingrid Engen, and Fridolina Rolfö, triple jumper Patricia Marmona, W-series driver Naomi Schiff, and skateboarder Isadora Pacheco will perform alongside Dua Lipa.
“To me, She Moves Us, it’s like a community,” said Diggins. “I see it as a platform to inspire, a platform to educate, to empower, encourage women, to uplift women, to celebrate women, to showcase women, and our lifestyle and how sports and culture and values intertwine into those things.”
Dua Lipa added, “Sharing stories of success is all part of changing the narrative, especially in fields like sports and entertainment that have tended to amplify the accomplishments of men. Women are already nailing it across the board and celebrating their achievements is exciting and empowering. It also encourages those rising up to aim for the stars. Now let’s show the world what we are capable of!”
In sports, PUMA provides an inclusive product offering for women and girls. Period underwear and activewear, modest sportswear, a maternity line, and performance-specific goods explicitly designed for women. PUMA encourages all athletes to reach their full potential and collaborates with organizations and partners dedicated to breaking down barriers that impede girls from participating in sports. Women Win, for example, is an organization that uses athletics to empower girls and women all around the world.
Foot Locker has launched its month-long Women’s History Month campaign – in partnership with notable celebrity stylist Monica Rose and charitable organization Bottomless Closet – dedicated to empowering women to integrate their personal style into their everyday workplace attire in honor of International Women’s Day today.
Foot Locker is redefining the rules for business wear for Women’s History Month and beyond since women are no longer bound by outmoded dress norms that have governed our social dressing standards for decades. Foot Locker collaborated with Monica Rose to design personalized styles for real-life female entrepreneurs and leaders to disrupt these outmoded conventions. Monica and Foot Locker hosted four modern-day working women at their flagship store in New York City for this campaign, where she shared her expertise by curating looks for each woman, including those who work in an office, work from home, or freelance, are always on their feet or on the go, and are interviewing for the next step in their careers. Entrepreneurs like Scottie Beam, Jessica Wu, Jennifer Barthole, and Vic Jacobi modeled these Monica appearances to reflect their occupations and new work settings.
Foot Locker is working with Bottomless Closet in conjunction with the launch of this campaign, including a $30,000 grant to be used for year-round significant resources and tools geared at better preparing women for success at all phases of their careers. For more than two decades, Bottomless Closet has assisted nearly 50,000 low-income New York City women in finding work and achieving success. This relationship also includes training hosted by Foot Locker executives on International Women’s Day to provide insight and tools in the retail business.
“As a lot of people are returning to the office or workplace, it’s more important now than ever for women to challenge industry norms,” said Monica Rose. “I loved partnering with Foot Locker and these women to do just that, curating the best type of look for their career and personality. I hope it inspires all women to dress for themselves and not according to others’ expectations.”
“The Foot Locker team is proudly committed to continuing its support and celebration of women-identifying individuals and brands who are paving the way in their careers and communities,” said Holly Tedesco, Vice President of Marketing at Foot Locker. “As a brand, we strive to respect, inspire, develop and empower our consumers this Women’s History Month and beyond, and there is no better partner who represents that than Monica Rose and the work she has done in her career and in her community.”
Foot Locker continues to invest in its Women’s business beyond Women’s History Month. This includes the extension of its Behind Her Label program, which aims to close the gender gap in streetwear by elevating and providing resources to young female streetwear designers, as well as the appointment of Melody Ehsani as the Creative Director of its women’s business in March 2021.
Over the weekend rapper, Lil Baby and girlfriend, social media Influencer, Jayda Cheaves were living their best Paris Fashion Week lives this serving high fashion looks while attending shows, out to dinner, and strolling down , what is considered one of the city’s most luxurious areas, Avenue Montaigne the on again off again couple has been turning heads in all weekend long. The’ Do We Have A Problem’ rapper was spotted wearing a fuzzy cheetah Print Fleece and matching shorts while shopping while Jayda has been showing off both her fashion and beauty options. And if that wasn’t enough for fans, Jayda and Baby broke the internet after they attended Balenciaga’s F/w 22′ Fashion Show. A picture posted to Cheaves’s account captured the two lovebirds wearing all-black Balenciaga ensembles. They were met with Mix reviews with fans and celebrity friends of the pair commenting on their flaming hot outfits. The Do We Have A Problem” rapper issued a statement on his IG stories that clapped back at naysayers that included him saying. “Once you get to a certain point you suppose to change!! If you think I’m The same Persons I was, Then Sorry But You don’t Kno Me anymore.”
Jayda and Baby have been dating on and off over the last couple of years. The pair also share a two-year-old son named Loyal Armani. Take a look at all their Paris Fashion looks below.
Balenciaga
Rick Owens show
Givenchy
Clearly, they didn’t come to play any games, Let us know what you think and hit us up in the comments.
Over the weekend rapper, Lil Baby and girlfriend, social media Influencer, Jayda Cheaves were living their best Paris Fashion Week lives this serving high fashion looks while attending shows, out to dinner, and strolling down , what is considered one of the city’s most luxurious areas, Avenue Montaigne the on again off again couple has been turning heads in all weekend long. The’ Do We Have A Problem’ rapper was spotted wearing a fuzzy cheetah Print Fleece and matching shorts while shopping while Jayda has been showing off both her fashion and beauty options. And if that wasn’t enough for fans, Jayda and Baby broke the internet after they attended Balenciaga’s F/w 22′ Fashion Show. A picture posted to Cheaves’s account captured the two lovebirds wearing all-black Balenciaga ensembles. They were met with Mix reviews with fans and celebrity friends of the pair commenting on their flaming hot outfits. The Do We Have A Problem” rapper issued a statement on his IG stories that clapped back at naysayers that included him saying. “Once you get to a certain point you suppose to change!! If you think I’m The same Persons I was, Then Sorry But You don’t Kno Me anymore.”
Jayda and Baby have been dating on and off over the last couple of years. The pair also share a two-year-old son named Loyal Armani. Take a look at all their Paris Fashion looks below.
Balenciaga
Rick Owens show
Givenchy
Clearly, they didn’t come to play any games, Let us know what you think and hit us up in the comments.
Harlem-bred former In Living Color, “Fly Girl”, Jossie Harris-Thacker was a trendsetter when she became one of the top hip hop dancers of all times. From her signature braids to her 90’s style—young girls everywhere wanted to be like Jossie. We watched In Living Color to get a glimpse of her moves and adored her as Renee in The Lost Boyz video. She was definitely the ‘it’ girl but doused in immense natural talent.
Although she wasn’t formally trained in dance, her talent landed her featured roles in a host of music videos including, Michael Jackson’s, “Remember the Time”. As one of the most sought out dancers, touring the world with top artist such as Janet Jackson, and many others, Jossie starred as one of the acclaimed, “Fly Girls”, in Keenan Ivory Wayan’s, hit TV show, “In Living Color”, alongside her friend, Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, and Damon Wayans.
Following, In Living Color, Jossie honed in on her natural acting talent that landed over 45 roles in many top television series. Jossie’s lead performance in the NAACP nominated short, “Brooklyn’s bride to Jordan”, led to her award winning role, “Charlie”, in Chicago International Film Festival’s best film, “Mississippi Damned”, which earned Jossie “Best Supporting Actress” award and makes her the first African American, Latina woman ever to win in that category. Jossie recently won the People’s Choice award for “Best Lead Actress”, at the Las Vegas Film Festival for her film work in, “No Weapon Formed Against Us”.
Still fine as wine, Jossie’s passion is teaching. Known as a professional acting coach to the stars, Jossie has her own, “Respect for Acting Academy” for adults and “Kids W.A.Y. (Who Are You?) Acting Academy.
In collaboration with Live Nation Urban, Mary J. Blige and Pepsi proudly announce the inaugural “Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit.” Between May 6th and 8th, 2022, the festival will take place in the lively metropolis of Atlanta, GA, with three days dedicated to music, comedy, and community development. The presale begins at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, and the general on-sale begin at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, March 10th.
The festival is designed for and by women on Mother’s Day weekend in Atlanta, GA, a hub for creativity and culture. Mary J Blige has dedicated the majority of her career to magnify, empower, and give voice to BIPOC women via the art of music and truth-telling. She is a 9-time Grammy Award-Winning Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Producer, Philanthropist, and Global Superstar. The progression of her life’s mission and purpose is this multi-touchpoint event, which focuses on Music, Wellness, Technology, Beauty, and Financial Literacy.
“The idea for the festival came to us after early listening sessions of my latest album with my family and friends and women in the industry. Each time, the people in the room would share a story, oftentimes of heartbreak or pain, but they always ended with joy and love and how their girlfriends or mom or sister helped them find their voice and strength. We felt like after two years of being inside and having to endure so much, that this was the type of experience that people, especially women, deserved,” said Blige. “I’m so grateful to all of the performers, vendors, and participants for committing themselves to our inaugural event and I am so excited to do this in a city that has been rocking with me since the very beginning of my career. I am proud to create this with my sisters and I look forward to an undeniably beautiful and special experience.”
Blige and her colleagues Nicole Jackson, Vice President of MJB Inc., and Marketing Maven Ashaunna Ayars of The Ayars Agency created the festival. They’ve put together a team of women to run every aspect of the festival, from production to communications, in an attempt that reflects the festival’s mission and vision.
Ayars says, “This festival and summit were created for our friends, mothers,sisters, and the countless women who walk unapologetically in their truth and strength. Being able to bring an experience like this to fruition, especially with a dynamic team of Black women at the helm, is a dream come true. I’ve lived in Atlanta for several years and am thrilled that we’ll be able to give back to a city that has nurtured, supported, and amplified to the global stage so many Black artists and entrepreneurs. We are so grateful for Pepsi’s support in celebrating and honoring women, but also with their commitment via grants for the larger Atlanta creative & entrepreneurial community.”
Due to its reputation as a hotspot for young Black creatives and entrepreneurs, Blige and her collaborators chose Atlanta as the setting for this inaugural event. To ensure participants have the greatest experience possible, the festival has partnered with dozens of local, minority, and female-owned companies and vendors. The festival’s involvement in the local entrepreneurial community, as well as the performers and hosts for the numerous events during the weekend, demonstrate the festival’s affection for Atlanta.
You can see the full lineup for the festival below and learn about all of the events of the weekend here.
Grammy Award-Winning artist Ciara gues hosted ‘The Ellen De Genres Show’ on Thursday and was joined by her husband for the special occasion. During the show, Ciara admitted and joked to the audience that Russel’s presence makes her nervous after giving her a large bouquet of roses the Seahawks quarterback asks the audience “Do you guys want me to make her more nervous?” As he bent down on one knee popping the question “I have a question for you. Serious question. Can we have more babies?” The couple who have been married since 2016 years are already parents to 19-month-old son Win Harrison, daughter Sienna Princess, 4, as well as son Future Zahir, 7, whom Ciara shares with ex Future “I mean, it would be perfect. Just give me one more at least Ciara replied and joked “We definitely can, but we’ve got a little time before we get there.” We definitely see children in their future as the couple who just recently launched a Children’s Book “Why Not You” named after their foundation and Charter School ‘Why Not You Acadamy’ on March 1st focuses on the attitude they want every child to have. See the sweet moment below.
For the second time, Republicans voted against the Crown Act, which bans discrimination of Black Hairstyles in Schools and in the workplace. According to the HuffPost on Monday. The Crown Act failed to pass the House with a needed two-thirds majority as part of an expedited voting process, with 235 votes for and 188 votes against the bill, the latter all by Republicans.” The crown act was created to end race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or styles that include braids, locs, twists, or Bantu knots. Hair is a Black woman’s crown and glory, but the history of our hair can be complicated for some to understand. There are so many untold stories but who can forget about Andrew Johnson the High school student who was forced to cut his locs before a wrestling match or Deandre Arnold, the Texas teen who was suspended over her dreadlocks, banning swim caps for black hair at the Olympics and the countless women who were fired from their jobs because their hairstyles were deemed unprofessional.
“Our natural hair is as innate a quality of Black people as the presence of melanin in our skin,” says Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.)after the vote. “Discriminating against our hair is no different is no different than discriminating against the color of our skin.” She also noted that Black people are “far too often…derided or deemed unprofessional simply because their hair does not conform to white beauty standards.”We will bring the CROWN Act back and pass it with a simple majority. We won’t allow Republican antics to stand in the way of Black people having the right to live as their authentic selves,” in a statement from Rep. Bonnie Watson .
In some states, teachers cut the hair of Black students because they think Black hair is “inappropriate.” My daughter should be able to wear her hair naturally, in braids, or in any style — in school and when she gets a job. Shame on the republicans who just blocked this bill. https://t.co/MCTm2Neu18
Earlier this week, House Republicans blocked the #CROWNAct, a bill intended to end race-based hair discirmination. They delayed us, but we won’t be deterred.
…we will bring the CROWN Act back and pass it with a simple majority. We won’t allow Republican antics to stand in the way of Black people having the right to live as their authentic selves.
— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) March 1, 2022
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