Home Sweet Home comes out 11.13.15

The Community of Harlem has a rich history of Arts & Cultural contributions. The Harlem Renaissance has influenced artists, poets, scholars, educators, politicians, fashion, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and community leaders from New York City throughout the world. Hip Hop Music & Culture will now join that legacy in Harlem as the Hip Hop Hall of Fame + Museum is set to open up its offices on the historic 125th St. There will be a press & community open-house event scheduled to kick-off the Hip Hop History Month Celebration in November.

The office space will include a classroom and broadcast studio for the non-profit Museum & Educational Institutions programs and classes being designed for local youth under its Hip Hop Arts Academy banner. Classes will begin this fall with a Fashion Design and Entrepreneurship class for youth to learn the fashion business and design techniques to launch their own creations and brands. Students will be trained by industry professionals with special celebrity guest speakers, and graduate with their very own online e-commerce store teaching valuable skills, entrepreneurship, job creation and business management. All classes will include a ‘Life-Skills Module’ teaching young people about personal development, family and professional values & etiquette, college prep, career prep, financial literacy, homeownership, and entrepreneurship. Classes will range from 6-10 weeks and be in-conjunction with our Harlem Business, Community, Arts, Cultural, Media, and Educational Program Partners.

‘The program curriculums are currently being designed and prepared to launch first class this fall with all classes online in 2016,’ stated Pierre Voltaire, the Educational Program Coordinator Consultant.

The Hip Hop Hall of Fame + Museum is scheduled to secure ownership of its Harlem Museum building site by December 2015 and open in late 2016. ‘The site will be unveiled to the public at a VIP Reception during the Hip Hop Hall of Fame Awards TV Show Week November 28th – December 4th 2015, closing out Hip Hop History Month activities,’ stated HHHOF Chairman JT Thompson, the Creator-Producer of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame Awards Show that aired on BET in the 1990s.

The Harlem Hip Hop Museum will feature a Hall of Fame, Museum, Retail Gift Shop, Restaurant, Sports Bar, Concert Lounge, TV Studios, Offices, and house the Hip Hop Arts Academy. The Proceeds from the Annual Hip Hop Hall of Fame Awards Induction Ceremony & Concert TV Special will benefit the development and operation of the HHHOF.

The Hip Hop Fans and Community follow the Hip Hop Hall of Fame at http://hiphophalloffame.org, http://facebook.com/hiphophalloffame, or http://twitter.com/hiphophof.

SOURCE Dove Entertainment

BEASTMODE®, the apparel & lifestyle brand of NFL star, Marshawn Lynch, has entered into a partnership with high-end underwear company, PSD, to develop a collection of co-branded products initially designed for men.

“I got some PSD underwear and I liked how they fit. I decided to co-create the BEASTMODE® x PSD line so my fans can look good and be comfortable in any situation,” said Lynch.

Lynch and his design team worked closely with PSD to develop his own hard-hitting take on men’s boxer briefs. The co-branded BEASTMODE® x PSD line will be launching in time for the holiday 2015 season worldwide and can be found in national retailers such as Champs, Footaction along with specialty retailers like Dr. Jays and Shoe Palace.

“Marshawn only puts BEASTMODE® and his name on brands that he likes. We are honored to have him and his BEASTMODE® team as collaborators. PSD is known for celebrating authenticity and great design,” explains PSD Founder and President, Curtis Flaitz. “We are looking forward to unveiling the BEASTMODE® line in stores this holiday season.”

PSD has established significant credibility with top professional athletes and tastemakers as a comfort brand that innovates through contemporary patterns and fabrics. With a unique take on athleisure, PSD helps their loyal fans wear their life.

About PSD:

The signature PSD woven waistband is the telltale sign that defines the premium brand. Kyrie Irving will lead an influential group of professional athletes including; NBA player Chandler Parsons, NFL wide-receiver and fashion icon, Stevie Johnson, and BeastMode proprietor, Marshawn Lynch, as endorsers of PSD luxury briefs and undergarments in 2015/2016. PSD, founded by brothers Curtis and Ryan Flaitz in 2008, has quickly evolved into a notable lifestyle accessory brand adopted by many professional and influential entertainers. PSD is focused on on-trend prints, comfort and performance. Wear Your Life means everything to this family business that has achieved industry wide recognition. For more on PSD and the brands grassroots story visit psdunderwear.com

About BEASTMODE:

BEASTMODE is the lifestyle and apparel brand of NFL star running back, Marshawn Lynch. Growing up in Oakland, California, Marshawn Lynch was a four-sport high school star excelling in football, basketball, track and wrestling. His talent led him to the University of California where he became the school’s second all-time career rusher. The NFL took notice and the Buffalo Bills drafted Lynch in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. In the 2013 season, Lynch was a large factor in bringing the Seattle Seahawks to their first Super Bowl victory. More recently, Lynch and the Seahawks agreed to a 2-year contract extension, where Lynch will remain for the upcoming seasons. For more information, please visit beastmodeonline.com

SOURCE PSD Underwear

ACCLAIMED SONGSTRESS TWEET TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE “WON’T HURT ME” AND UPCOMING ALBUM, JOINING WITH ENTERTAINMENT ONE MUSIC

Video to premiere and digital single to be released on iTunes the week of September 21^st

Nashville, TN (September 14, 2015) – Acclaimed songstress and songwriter Tweet kicks off a soaring return to deliver new R&B favorites to fans with the release of her new single “Won’t Hurt Me,” bringing her celebrated vocal talents and soulful presence to the acoustic guitar-driven track. Just released to Urban AC radio and available for pre-order on iTunes, Tweet’s “Won’t Hurt Me” will also follow with a music video premiering the week of September 21^st.

The single will be digitally released via iTunes on Monday September 21, 2015. Signing to Entertainment One Music (eOne Music), Tweet is releasing “Won’t Hurt Me” as the first single from her upcoming new album. Born Charlene Keys, Tweet’s new album is named Charlene, and is scheduled for release in early 2016.

Following a sizzling live performance set at the Essence Festival this summer, the hit powerful voice behind the albums Southern Hummingbird, It’s Me Again, and Simply Tweet showcases new candor, empowerment and her signature warm artistry on “Won’t Hurt Me” – paving the way to invite listeners into the intimate, soulful music experience they’ll hear on Charlene. Tweet teamed up with longtime collaborators and producers Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart, John “Jubu” Smith, and Charlie Bereal to record the album, along with an appearance from Missy Elliott.

Tweet says: “I am beyond excited that I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to team up with eOne and release the first single “WON’T HURT ME” from my new album CHARLENE. I can’t wait for my supporters to hear this project and take them along this new chapter of self-discovery.”

Phil Thornton, eOne Music’s Vice President and General Manager of Urban Inspirational, says: “In Tweet’s live performances, there is no mistaking the sheer force of her voice, the passion and the poetry she delivers as an artist and songwriter in her music. She continues to be a world-class talent, and eOne is thrilled to unveil this new single and album for fans everywhere!”

Pre-Order Tweet’s new single “Won’t Hurt Me” on iTunes now, to be released on September 21, 2015:

http://smarturl.it/TweetNewSingle

For more information and the latest updates on Tweet, visit:

Website: www.iamtweet.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TWEETSPAGE

Twitter: @MS_HUMMINGBIRD

Instagram: @tweet_

About Entertainment One

Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company’s comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Spain, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea. Through established Film and Television divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming, merchandising and licensing, and digital content. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 40,000 film and television titles, 4,500 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.

Xyrena announced today that it is releasing Aaliyah by Xyrena, a fragrance tribute to the late performer, who was known as the “The Princess of R&B.” This first and only official Aaliyah fragrance was developed in close collaboration with Diane & Rashad Haughton, the singer and actress’s mother and brother. It comes 14 years after her tragic passing.

“I grew up with Aaliyah’s music,” said Killian Wells, CEO of Xyrena. “As a huge fan, this is a very personal release for me and my company. We set out to create a fragrance to be cherished by Aaliyah’s fans and also introduce her to a new generation.”

By consulting with both her mother and brother, Xyrena was able craft a true aromatic tribute inspired by actual fragrances Aaliyah wore. The resulting fragrance is unisex but leans masculine, as Aaliyah favored traditional men’s scents in line with her signature, sexy tomboy image. The formula is also a hue of black, which was Aaliyah’s favorite color. Aaliyah by Xyrena has base notes of vanilla, sandalwood, amber, and jasmine; middle notes of black pepper, violet and leather; with top notes of mint, lavender and mandarin.

“It has been wonderful working with Xyrena to create an incredible fragrance that embodies the beauty, mystery, and creativity that my sister infused into every aspect of her life,” said Rashad Haughton, Aaliyah’s brother.

Aaliyah by Xyrena is a luxury Extrait de Parfum and is available for pre-order (at Xyrena.com/Aaliyah) starting today for $64. Shipments will begin in mid-October. Xyrena will donate 5% of the gross sales from the fragrance to The Aaliyah Memorial Fund.

Xyrena has released an official commercial spot, which can be viewed at Vimeo.com/Xyrena/Aaliyah. The high-energy spot features a group of talented young dancers including popular Vine stars Joey Arias and Fiña DuBois.

ABOUT XYRENA:
Based in Los Angeles, Xyrena is the world’s first celebrity-partnered on-demand perfumery. Xyrena was founded by Killian Wells, who coined the name as a compound of two terms, XY for Male and Female chromosomes (echoed by the brand’s unisex fragrances and cosmetics) and RENA, from the Latin word renascor, which means “to be renewed or reborn.” Certified 100% vegan and cruelty-free by PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Vegan Action, Xyrena offers fragrances that fuse the upscale quality of niche cosmetic brands with the added personality of celebrity curation.

Fans of Kanye West seem to be all in on him running for President in 2020…  Check out Yeezus2020.com…  the hip-hop icon now has his own political action committee with campaign videos…. I don’t know but having Kim Kardasian as the first lady… Whoa!!! What would Kanye do with all that power for real?  Jay Z for Vice President?

Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor, and reality star T.I. announced via Twitter that he’s released a surprise EP, Da’ Nic, via his Grand Hustle Records label via Empire Distribution today, marking this the first independent release. The five-track project includes features from Young Thug and Young Dro, as well as production from Jazz Feezy, Sho Nuff, League of Starz, London On The Track, and Mars. Named after the slang term for a nickel bag, the five song EP, Da’ Nic, serves as the precursor for the forthcoming 10-track full album, The Dime Trap.

T.I. also declared that he’s returning to his old nickname Tip, to mark his return to making trap muzik. T.I. has released nine studio albums (I’m Serious, Trap Muzik, Urban Legend, King, T.I. vs. T.I.P., Paper Trail, No Mercy, Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head, and Paperwork) throughout his career, along with several highly successful singles such as “Bring Em Out,” “Whatever You Like,” “Live Your Life,” “Ball,” and more.

T.I. began to gain major recognition in 2003, after he was featured on fellow Atlanta-based rapper Bone Crusher‘s hit single, “Never Scared.” He began to gain more prominence with the release of Trap Muzik (2003), which includes the Top 40 hits, “Rubber Band Man” and “Let’s Get Away“. In 2004, T.I. appeared on Destiny’s Child‘s international hit, “Soldier“, alongside Lil Wayne. His sixth album, Paper Trail (2008), became his most successful album to date, with first-week sales of 568,000 copies in the United States, making it T.I.’s third chart topping album in a row. It included three international hit singles, “Whatever You Like”, “Live Your Life” and “Dead and Gone”. In 2013, he was featured on Robin Thicke‘s hit single “Blurred Lines“, alongside Pharrell Williams, which peaked at number one on several major music charts. In November 2013, T.I. announced that he had signed with Columbia Records, to release his ninth album, Paperwork (2014).

Da’ Nic Tracklist:
1. Broadcast Live
2. Ain’t Gonna See It
3. Check, Run It
4. Peanut Butter Jelly (ft. Young Thug & Young Dro)
5. Project Steps

Listen to Da’ Nic:
Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/3xIOxSe4aJ52HMzjuhlnf3

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/da-nic-ep/id1038302466?ls=1

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tiofficial/sets/da-nic

Audiomack: https://www.audiomack.com/playlist/grandhustlegang/da-nic

VEVO stream: https://www.youtube.com/tivevo

Complete program and tickets: www.montrealblackfilm.com

11^th Montreal International Black Film Festival
presented by Global News Montreal – September 29 to October 4, 2015

MONTREAL, Sept. 9, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ – At the Former NFB Theatre, programming for the 11th edition of the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) was announced. The MIBFF, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by Global News Montreal, will take place from September 29 to October 4, 2015 with a variety of memorable events that will leave a mark in the Festival’s history.

Canada’s biggest black film festival, the Montreal International Black Film Festival, is returning with a rich and bold programming honouring Afro-American History. The programming includes the “Black Market”, exciting special events, the “Cinema Without Borders” professional development activities program for the youth from the South, tributes, attendance of international guests and much more. In addition, the MIBFF will debut an exhibition and after parties. Moviegoers will get the chance to watch uncut, quality films; feature-length, mid-length, shorts, documentaries and narrative films will all be presented, most making their Canadian debut! Festivalgoers will also get the chance to see actors and directors from all corners of the globe sharing their passions. And there’s something for everyone!

Some of the highlights include: Sweet Mickey for President, The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, Selma, Breathe Umphefumlo, Dennis Rodman’s Big Bang in Pyongyang, Dry, Terrible love, Manos sucias (Dirty Hands), White water, En quête d’identité, Thina Sobali (The two of us), Una vida: Of Mind and Music, 3 ½ minutes – ten bullets, Game Face, O KA (notre maison), My father’s land, La belle vie, Imperial dreams, Battle dream chronicle many more! Productions are divided into several categories: drama; art, poetry, and music; comedy; accomplishment or portrait; Haitian films; identity, history, and traditions; immigration and segregation; bullying; and the human condition.

After the success of its 10^th anniversary edition, the MIBFF continues its innovation with a variety of entertaining events that transcends borders, where the past meets the present.

A SYMBOLIC CONTEXT: SPECIAL AMERICAN PROGRAM
With the generous support of the Consulate general of the United States in Montreal

2015 is a symbolic year of many ground-breaking anniversaries in American history: 50 years since the historic march from Selma to Montgomery led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; 60 years since Rosa Parks’ refusal to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a public bus in Montgomery, initiating a new era in the American quest for freedom and equality; and 50 years since the assassination of human rights activist Malcolm X. The 11^th MIBFF is proud and honoured to be featuring a strong and significant Special American Program that will give Montrealers access to more independent films, actors, speakers and American directors. This Program includes tributes, screening of 20 films which include the festival’s opening and closing films, an exhibition on 25 trailblazing Afro-American women, movie discussion on the power of non-violence and the Festival’s Kick-off Party.

2015 also marks the 5th anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. To commemorate this event, the festival chose to open with an excellent film that unveils an important chapter in Haiti’s political history.

TRIBUTES AND HONORARY AWARDS

TRIBUTE TO MARTIN LUTHER KING III
Tuesday, September 29, 7PM, Imperial Theatre | $25
Presented by Global News Montreal