Apple Announces HomePod in colors.
Following the announcement of the new AirPods 3 during the October Apple Event, Apple announced that its HomePod mini smart speaker will be available in three new colors joining the current white and black editions. The new HomePod mini colors Blue, Orange and Yellow will be available beginning November joining the existing black and white versions for the same asking price ($99) as before.
ELSV PODCAST - EP8 EXTENDED VERZUZ TAKE
In this episode. Extended Verzuz conversation on what the next Verzuz should be. As we said in the last episode. Jermaine Dupri Verzuz Diddy only works if the artists who's songs they play actually show up on the stage; we don't need a Timbaland Verzuz Swizz Beatz repeat.
I'm ready for another R&B Verzuz. Trey Songs seems to be the topic of conversation to come to the stage but who is the appropriate opponent? Omarion? Miguel? Chris Brown? Is Chris Brown the better match up for Usher? Can we get Justin Timberlake VERZUZ Usher???
My pick is still the same for Female R&B with Ciara VERZUZ Kelly Rowland. No one has the hits for Mary J Blige except maybe R. Kelly. Mariah Carey is a different conversation.... which brings it back to why Diddy Verzuz Dr Dre might be better.
Plus a variety of other random music topics. Check it out on Apple Podcasts
ELSV PODCAST - EP7 MUSIC. VERZUZ & NEW SH!T
In this episode, VERZUZ Talk. Recapping FAT JOE VERZUZ JA RULE. Ashanti Won. Remy Won. JADAKISS WON 3-0 IN THE VERZUZ.
Discussing possible Verzuz, Trey Songz Verzuz Omarion? Kelly Rowland Verzuz Ciara?? Trey Songz Verzuz Chris Brown??? Jermaine Dupri calls out Diddy to see him in a Verzuz, but Diddy wants Dr Dre.
New SH!T - top new records I'm listening to featuring Eric Bellinger, RINI, Sevyn Streeter & Justine Skye - featured Apple Music Playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/new-sh-t/pl.u-6mo44kvcWjp8E0
ELSV PODCAST - EP6 AN APPLE MUSIC DILEMMA
In this episode, discussing my issues with Apple Music and signing up for Apple One. This was fun. Still not done but hey almost there. I guess
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
