ELSV PODCAST - EP5 VERZUZ | CIARA & KELLY ROWLAND TO THE STAGE
In this episode, discussing VERZUZ and the possibilities of "CIARA VERZUZ KELLY ROWLAND" / briefly reviewing BOW WOW VERZUZ SOULJA BOY plus some CIARA & KELLY ROWLAND mixes.
Publication declines SZA's request for Black photographer
And if there wasn’t another reason… this is why it is very important that we lift up Black Publications and build up our own spaces. SZA’s request to be shot by a Black photographer was turned down by a publication she refused to name.
And if there wasn’t another reason… this is why it is very important that we lift up Black Publications and build up our own spaces. SZA’s request to be shot by a Black photographer was turned down by a publication she refused to name.
“I requested a Black photographer for a cover n the mag told me no lol its 2021...and almost Juneteenth,” SZA posted on Twitter. “Respectfully, I can’t do it.” Not wanting to name the publication, SZA did go on to list a few publications who previously featured her on covers and gave Black photographers the chance to showcase their talents.
But we’ve heard this story before. We know this too well. It dates back as far as magazines have existed from the popular teen magazine refusing to feature Tia & Tamera Mowry with the success they had because they didn’t think they would sell; to Beyoncé having brought over the first Black Photographer (Tyler Mitchell) to shoot a Vogue cover. Its all smoke and mirrors. If Beyoncé wasn’t as big of a name and a need for Vogue would they have still gone with a Black Photographer? Not taking away from the achievements to have accomplished such a feature but when do we get to a point where we lift up Black publications and spaces that don’t blatantly exclude Black talent until its trendy?
This can also be attributed to the level of celebrity publications may assume someone to have — which seems they will bend to a cover stars request if they need them. At what point do go where we are accommodated. When do we go where its people who look like us and create for us? When do we have spaces created by people who look like us be the go to place where we don’t have to go into these spaces where we don’t our needs met.
It continues to go back to having to work twice as hard to obtain half in return. The fact that there seems to be little to no Black Creatives at these publications that can execute a project that would showcase Black Talent in the right light. It’s always the bringing in a Black Photographer or the Black makeup artist or the Black designer just for the purpose of the shoot instead of already being equipped with a diverse group of talent. Even this sentiment extends outside of just creative spaces. It’s the same in corporate spaces. It’s the same in professional fields with Doctors and hospitals. And the list goes on and on.
How are we in 2021, still having to hear and see these same stories? How are these publications still managing to skate by and be allowed to run spaces like these? When do we make these spaces more diverse or have a diverse space do what should be done?
J. COLE RETURNS WITH "THE OFF-SEASON"
J. Cole returned with his 6th studio album, declaring his departure from rap sooner than later. The Off-Season serves as the first of three projects withThe Fall Off being his last project expected before he retires. With that being the direction J. Cole is moving towards, breaking down this project comes to the thought that it was created as if it was his last. The Off Season is a cohesive body of work and upon listening, it is one of the albums that actually lends itself to the statement of being meant to be listened to from beginning to end. Having listened to the project for almost a week after its release, it still remains to work being played as a whole.
The album opens with the Camron narrated “9 5 . s o u t h” and features 21 Savage, Lil Baby, Bas, Morray and 6lack. Highlights/ELSV favorites include: the entire track listing "a p p l y i n g . p r e s s u r e," "l e t . g o . m y . h a n d," and "t h e . c l i m b . b a c k." — From someone somewhat critical of rap and Hip Hop, The Off-Season provides that breath of fresh air to a genre saturated with so much of the same; where you hear the same sounds, the same cadence, the same style, the same bars over a two minute length track — Tracks that are easily forgettable. This album isn't that, this project and its rollout is reminiscent of what album releases used to look like and what's been missing for a long time.
From NEW BREED to the SECOND LINE
Dawn Richard is back with her new album Second Line, her first album with Merge Records and her first new album since 2019’s New Breed. As “a movement to bring pioneering Black women in electronic music to the forefront.” Dawn continues to push forward with breaking down the barriers placed keeping Black artists in one genre. With her previous work Blackheart & Redemption, Dawn has explored Dance and Electronic sounds. Fast forward to 2021, Dawn continues showcasing her New Orleans influences - An Electro Revival.
On Second Line, Dawn Richard’s introduces alter-ego ‘King Creole' — an “assassin of stereotypes, a Black girl from the South at a crossroads in her artistic career.” The album shines as an ode to the Second Line — a New Orleans tradition of celebration usually at a funeral with a parade. The bulk of the album includes uptempo dance styled rhythms, preceded by the single “Bussifame”.
Dawn Richard - Bussifame [VIDEO]
Ahead of the album drop, Dawn shared, “Pilot (A lude)” “Jacuzzi,” “FiveOhFour" (A lude) with accompanying visuals and “Mornin | Streetlights”. Second Line is available now from Merge Records. Available in stores (CD & Vinyl), plus on all streaming platforms.
Having sat with the album, 1 day after the release. It’s definitely hard to pick a Top 3. You just have to play the whole album and run it back. And these interludes need to be longer but in true Dawn Richard fashion, the interludes is going to slap.
CURRENT FAVORITES - NOSTALGIA, JACUZZI, STREETLIGHTS, PERFECT STORM — yeah the whole thing. The run from “Le Petit Morte (a lude)” to “Selfish (Outro)”, PRESSURE!
Just go purchase and watch that Boomerang video.
What's New from 2021 Spring Apple Event? M1 iMacs, iPads and more.
The highlight of the 2021 Spring Apple Event seemed to be the new iMac, redesigned with the new M1 chip which Apple announced Tuesday - April 20th. The new version of the smaller iMac (formerly 21.5 inches, now 24 inches) has taken on a whole new look, becoming the first M1-powered Mac in an all-new design unveiled.
The new iMac, brings back the nostalgia of the classic candy-colored CRT-sporting G3 model, from 1999. - with seven color options, plus color-accented Magic Mouse and Trackpad options. Customers will be able to get the iMac in Blue, Red, Green, Silver, Orange, Yellow and Purple.
iMacs will be available for preorder April 30, starting at $1299.
Our thoughts on the announcement - if Apple made at 24 inch iPad Pro and attached a stand, you would get this iMac design. which brings us back to the question of when will Apple bring the iPad closer to the iMac? Are we closer to a touchscreen Mac or and iPad with Mac capabilities?
Next up, Apple’s new iPad Pro 11 inch and 12.9 inch - also powered by Apple’s M1 chip. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro features an improved screen using an array of LEDs that is brighter and has better color resolution than previous displays using a technology called Mini-LED.
The iPad Pro will also have a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with an ultrawide lens that can automatically pan to keep human subjects in the shot. In addition to these features, the iPad Pro will have a Thunderbolt (USB-C) connector that will allow the iPad to connect to higher-resolution monitors and download images from a camera more quickly.
The iPad will also be available to order April 30th, starting at $799 for the 11 inch model and $1099 for the 12.9 inch model
Also announced; is a new color way (purple) for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini; plus the new AirTag and the new Apple TV 4K with redesigned remote.
Teyana Taylor - Gonna Love Me / You're All I Need (ELSVNATE MIX)
Finally got around to putting this mix together after mixing it in a set several times before. Same vibe from both songs; Teyana Taylor’s “Gonna Love Me” and Method Man’s “I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need To Get By” featuring Mary J. Blige – so why not bring them together. Especially with Method Man Verzuz Redman happening.
Derek Chauvin found guilty for the murder of George Floyd
Following three weeks of testimonies, a jury in Minneapolis, Minnesota found Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts in the murder of George Floyd. The former officer is now convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin’s bail would also be revoked, as we await his sentencing, which will be in a couple of months.
Now that a guilty verdict has been reached, the fight for justice is not over. There is still a lot of work to do. There is still a responsibility for this America to start making changes so this doesn’t happen again. This verdict can not be the end all, be all. This cannot be the resolution to years of police brutality and misconduct. This cannot be the justification of action and changes happening.
Chris Cuomo on Police Reform
To put it frank, Chris Cuomo says police reform won’t happen until white kids start getting killed. The CNN host made the comments while talking about the police killings of George Floyd, Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo.
“How many more [will] die from the pandemic; die from police shootings?” Cuomo said. “George Floyd. Daunte Wright. I wonder if you’ll remember their names six months from today because they’ll be replaced by so many others.”
Cuomo also criticized those who try to demonize victims of police violence by pointing out their criminal histories or past interactions with police.
These are the realities of America today that we need to face. While many took offense to Cuomo’s thoughts, the fact remains there is a pattern of black people getting killed and no one being held accountable. In every case there is also a media release of information to demonize a victim to make them being killed justifiable.
Cuomo went on to claim that if Black Americans began buying guns or forming armed militias to protect themselves from the government — a common argument made by pro-Second Amendment activists — gun reform laws in the U.S. would be passed quickly.
We're really back at peaceful protests, tear gas and riot gear - not even a full year later.
In the wake of the events happening in Minnesota, not even a full year after the events that led to the murder of George Floyd; while ex-cop Derek Chauvin stands trial - we return to protests and police force back in riot gear and placing barricades around areas in Minnesota after Ex-cop Kim Potter, “accidentally” fired her gun killing Daunte Wright.
Pepper spray is used from behind the fenced perimeter of the Brooklyn Center Police Department on Wednesday.
Nick Pfosi/Reuters
In the wake of the events happening in Minnesota, not even a full year after the events that led to the murder of George Floyd; while ex-cop Derek Chauvin stands trial - we return to protests and police force back in riot gear and placing barricades around areas in Minnesota after Ex-cop Kim Potter, “accidentally” fired her gun killing Daunte Wright. The former Brooklyn Center police officer faces second-degree manslaughter charges for the death of Daunte Wright.
The home of the former officer has been barricaded by large concrete and fencing and is under police supervision. Protest have erupted and protesters have been met with force; including police in riot gear as well as being shot with tear gas.
A person gets their eyes washed out after the police released chemical irritants on protesters on Wednesday.
Leah Millis/Reuters
The head of Minnesota’s largest police union, Brian Peters believes Daunte Wright was partly responsible for his own death. “Daunte Wright, if he would have just complied. He was told he was under arrest. They were arresting him on a warrant for weapons. He set off a chain of events that unfortunately led to his death.”
“I’m not excusing it,” Peters continued. “But what we’re seeing in policing these days is that non-compliance by the public.” - It’s statements that’s been said before. It’s statements that come off contradictory when we don’t see the same actions taken with non-African Americans. Even in recent events, we don’t see these actions taken when police officers are directly threatened by white people. A 61-year-old white man dragged and assaulted an officer but was not shot or tased in the process. The incident occurred in Minnesota, days after Daunte Wright was fatally shot by officers in the same state.
The shooting sparked protests across the state of Minnesota and prompted Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon and Potter to resign from their positions. Potter was later arrested and released from Hennepin County Jail on $100,000 bail. She now faces charges of second-degree manslaughter in connection with Wright’s death. If convicted, she can serve up to 10 years in prison and may be required to pay a $20,000 fine.
Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune/AP
And with another name, another situation, it seems we are back where we were just a year ago, even back where were 50-60 years ago; with the same situation yielding the same results or different results lessened in comparison to results to the same situation when in comes to police officers. How many more unarmed black men and women have to be killed? How many more peaceful protests have to occur? How many more excuses have to be made for things to be changed?
Daunte Wright's mother says “justice isn't even a word to me” in response to the charges brought against Potter. Justice doesn’t bring her son back. - Would justice "bring our son home to us, knocking on the door with his big smile coming in the house, sitting down eating dinner with us, going out to lunch, playing with his one-year-old, almost-two-year-old son, giving them a kiss before he walks out the door,"
Chyna Whitaker, holding her son Daunte Wright Jr.,