EVENTS
Gary Vaynerchuk Gives His ‘Amplify Live Experience’ Keynote Address (2016) [Video]
Be self-aware. Know thyself. Then be that to make your way to the top! Don’t be that entrepreneur trying be something else or trying to sell what you have… that line about business coaches who have not made money in any business other than ‘being a business coach’…zing!
And that’s just the beginning (really starting at 3 minutes). This is over an hour strong of Gary, the whole Gary, and nothing but Gary Vaynerchuk. But of course, in expected Vaynerchuk fashion, the time is mostly spent in question & answer format. But still… this is the realest of real talk (with a LOT of f#cking cussing). Press play now.
– @ojones1
DJ Rasta Root – “SeratoCast Mix 58” (2016 Official One Musicfest Mixtape)
Point blank: To start, you NEED to catch the homie DJ Rasta Root on deck at the Smokin Shells DJ Stage for this year’s One Musicfest in Atlanta (Georgia, USA), Saturday, September 10, 2016, at Lakewood Amphitheatre.
As an enticement for those who have yet to make that go-no go decision, as well as to serve as a consolation for those who cannot make it to The ATL, here is DJ Rasta Root’s 2016 Official One Musicfest Mixtape … “SeratoCast Mix 58”
DJ RASTA ROOT – SERATOCAST MIX 58 (2016 OFFICIAL ONE MUSICFEST MIXTAPE)
Excuse Me, Young Knight. You Got Knocked The F*ck Out! (Video)
Knockouts during knights’ fights are very rare, but when they happen, they look very impressive!
So… first of all… KNIGHT fights? Where they do that at? Apparently, on M-1 Global – that and all kinds of MMA videos, fights, promo, interviews with fighters on there. Like this one right here. CRAZY fight to the finish: the finish being one dude in armor beating SHIelding off another!
Watch Sunday’s NYC #GoTopless Parade 2016 (Video)
You know how folks say, “It is what it is.” Here it, well, they are what it is all about. Naked breasts… all the way down to the nipple… all throughout the streets of Manhattan, New York, and [actually] various other places in the U.S.A. It is a peaceful protest for women’s rights to not be criminalized if they choose to go topless. Currently, men can; and it is no big thing (no big law against it).
On August 28, 2016, the women’s rights organization GoTopless held Go Topless Pride Parades and other events in New York, Los Angeles and over 60 other cities worldwide for the 9th annual GoTopless Day.
Surprising thing you will realize moments after watching: It’s just another parade… not even a protest. They’re boobs; women’s and men’s. Some folks are even pushing strollers. Perhaps, the biggest thing to gawk at is how this whole event is a relative non-event… perhaps, as it should be.
(Of course, I have NO problem admitting that I clicked to see some big ole breasteses… but that’s just me, I’m sure.)
#FreeYourBreasts
#FreeYourMind
– @ojones1
Watch The First Flight Of The Largest Aircraft Ever (Video)
You see… it’s not the size of… Nah, #$%! that, homies. That Airlander 10 is a big azz airship; the biggest that ever took to the skies! Why’s any of this matter? Well, check this out:
The ship is part  helicopter, part blimp and at 92 meters (301 feet) long it is the largest aircraft in the world. Though its maiden flight was only 15 minutes, flights when it enters normal operations could be as long as five days and night with passengers or up to two weeks at a time when controlled remotely and unmanned.
– FastCompany
The National Conventions Are Over. The Battle For The U.S. Presidency Truly Begins (Video)
One week after the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Democrats from both near and far set their sites on the City of Brotherly Love for the 2016 Democratic National Convention. National, International and local media converged on the Wells Fargo Center for this star-studded event attended by Hollywood A-listers, civil rights activists, hall of fame athletes and thousands of Democratic supporters.
The culmination of four days of notable keynote speakers kept both delegates and attendees engaged. A host of speakers which led to endorsements for Hillary included one-time presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, Senator Cory Booker, First Lady Michelle Obama, President Bill Clinton, President Barack Obama and many more.
The DNC brought excitement to the city of Philadelphia although it wasn’t met without any drama. Bernie Sanders’ supporters voiced their disapproval of Hillary throughout the week and several arrests were made. One thing is sure: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will battle for the title of the 45th President of the United States and may the best candidate win.
– SGIII
Marvel Comics Universe Featurette: Chadwick Boseman As T’Challa AKA Black Panther (Video)
See? See how EVERYBODY… including the cast of the movie… had been waiting on Black Panther to join the Marvel Comics Universe on screen??? C’mon, Hollywood. Sure took ya long enough. But now we’re here. Great featurette above on Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa / Black Panther.
The cast and crew reveal the importance of Black Panther’s role in a featurette for Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War,” available on Digital HD September 2 and on 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, Digital SD and VOD September 13!
More video, from Boseman at Comic-Con, after the jump.
Comedy/Politics: Stephen Colbert Officially Opens The ‘Hungry For Power Games’ At The RNC (Video)
[Stephen Colbert] Julius and his pet weasel Caligula report from the 2016 Republican National Hungry For Power Games at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, where Tribute Trump is set to accept the party’s nomination.
Haaaa! The polished segment turned out even better than anticipated. Watch The Late Show segment that Stephen Colbert crashed the RNC to shoot (raw footage we posted from that here). So many comic jabs landed in this bit. You gotta watch!
Watch Stephen Colbert Crash The RNC Stage (Video)
Getting a bit of footage for a skit for The Late Show, Stephen Colbert sneaked up onto the podium and ‘gaveled’ the Republican National Convention (RNC) to order this past Sunday ‘Hunger Games’ style. However, the words he uttered as he struggled with the security staffer firmly escorting him away from the mic should prove to be most poignant and memorable:
“Look, look… I know I’m not supposed to be up here. But let’s be honest, neither is Donald Trump.”
Solid. Satirical. Political. GOLD!!
– @ojones1
Interview With The Creators Of “Tuskegee Heirs” at AwesomeCon 2016 (Video)
Major COOL!
Full disclosure: The cameraman/interviewer, going by the ‘Big O’ moniker, is NOT me. However, I am kind of envious of him. Watch this Blerd Verse Podcast ep with the artists/creators of the comic concept “Tuskegee Heirs” at AwesomeCon 2016. Blerd Verse – as in Black Nerd Universe all smashed together. Get ready to geek out on these guys homage and futuristic reinterpretation approach to the story of the heirs of the World War II pilots, The Tuskegee Airmen.
(More disclosure: I’m from Tuskegee… so I am extra GEEKED about all of this!)
#Afrofuturism
– @ojones1
Comedian Billy Crystal Delivers Funny And Touching Eulogy For Muhammad Ali (Video)
Muhammad Ali. He is gone, but he will NEVER die. Billy Crystal speaks TRUTH as he lovingly eulogizes the man who called him his “little brother” ever since they bonded decades ago. Watch the clip above of comedian Crystal at Ali’s homegoing. After the jump, see the “15 Rounds” performance that so impressed The Greatest early in life.
Joi performs new Music at Atlanta Jazz Festival (Video)
The 39th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival kicked off during Memorial Day weekend (May 27th-29th) at historic Piedmont Park. Three days of great music, food and fun in the sun in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. The headliner for Friday night was Joi Gilliam who got the festival off to a great start. Entering the stage with a sequence red dress with one leg out accompanied by beautiful headgear and feathered wings. You immediately knew that you were in for a show. Thanking the crowd for supporting her music career that now spans over 20 years. She did songs from her previous albums like Sunshine & the Rain, Fatal Lovesick Journey all the while backed by drummer Lil John Roberts and a full live band.
Towards the end of her set Joi gave the crowd a treat by performing a new song off the upcoming “Rebekkah Holylove is her name” album. The track is called “On my way to Berlin” and it got a great response from the huge crowd gathered that night. Enjoy footage from her performance including the unreleased “On my way to Berlin” track. Connect with Joi CLICK HERE TO VISIT HER WEBSITE
Thanks again to the great folks over at the Atlanta Jazz Festival for once again having us on site.
Photos taken by Itoro Umontuen
-ArtByOdell Twitter/SoundCloud
It’s Official: Super Bowl 2019 Will Be In Atlanta (Video)
Next time someone asks, “What’s so special about Atlanta?” grab their smartphone (or get them here online somehow) and show them this. Then, right as the clip is ending, tell them, “Oh… and Atlanta’s got the SuperBowl coming… AGAIN!”
Watch the video that brought #SUPERBOWL2019 to Atlanta: https://t.co/dOB2rRew0t
— 11Alive News (@11AliveNews) May 24, 2016
That’s right. @11AliveNews tweeted it out. ATL ho! (shouted in Lil Jon’s voice)
Bumbershoot Festival 2016 Lineup Announced
Festival season is in full swing right now. The Shaky Knees & Shaky Beats festivals have already happened here in Atlanta. SXSW went down in Austin, Broccoli City in DC and these are just a few of the many nationwide. Well in the Pacific Northwest the Bumbershoot festival goes down Labor Day weekend September 2-4 in Seattle, Washington. This is the 46th year of the festival ArtByOdell has flown out to Seattle the last two years to cover this historic festival. Music, Art, Literature, Comedy all happen at Bumbershoot but the music takes center stage. The lineup was recently announced. With a lineup that could possibly be one of the most diverse of all festivals. From Logic, to DeathCab for Cutie, to Anderson.Paak, to Run The Jewels, Billy Idol, to Fetty Wap. Bryson Tiller, Zhu, Flatbush Zombies to Seattle’s own beloved Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. After all the artists I named that’s not even a quarter of the full lineup of acts. Once again we will make the trip from Atlanta to Seattle for a fun filled Labor Day weekend! Passes on sale now if you have never visited Seattle this is a good reason to check it out. Meet us at the Space Needle and dance to the music being performed.
CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS POST: EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE & INTERVIEW FROM 2015 BUMBERSHOOT
–ArtByOdell Twitter/SoundCloud
The 39th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival: Memorial Day Weekend
It’s that time of year again where the grills are out, sun is shining and people looking forward to having Monday off from the 9-5. What is it I am speaking of? That would be Memorial Day, which also means it’s time for the annual Atlanta Jazz Festival. Celebrating it’s 39th year providing amazing lineups for a free event held in beautiful Piedmont Park in the heart of Atlanta, GA. Three days of nonstop music from artists all over the world will invade midtown Atlanta. A few of the standout artists are Gregory Porter, Joi, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, The Headhunters and many many more. Once again the Jayforce.com team will be on official media coverage for the festival. So make sure you follow the sites Instagram & Twitter accounts for live updates, exclusive footage and interviews. So if you are in Atlanta or the surrounding area come on out and enjoy this city sponsored event!
Celebrating 39 years of musical mastery, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is the perfect way to spend Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-29) with family and friends. Set in the heart of midtown Atlanta’s beautiful Piedmont Park, visitors can stroll through booths of unique art, clothing and jewelry and savor delicious treats ranging from BBQ and soul food, to classic burgers. World-class musicians will perform traditional,contemporary, Latin, and hip-hop inspired jazz. Artists performing this year include: Benny Golson, Eliane Elias, and Jamison Ross. The Atlanta Jazz Festival is presented by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Admission is FREE. For more information:www.atlantafestivals.com
Roots (Official Trailer)
Looks as compelling as the original TV mega-series driven by author Alex Haley’s groundbreaking story. A man tracing his family back to its “Roots” in the Motherland. The trailer shows an ensemble cast giving us a real look at history in the raw. Make your plans around this program’s debut on Memorial Day, May 30th.
Africa’s Biggest Mall Opens In South Africa (Video)
Just a mall opening. That’s all. The continent’s biggest mall. Sure, but big or small, a mall’s a mall… Oh wait, the continent is Africa; which is big. And this Mall Of Africa grand opening was HUGE!
By 1:30pm, 70,000 people had walked into Mall of Africa. [Morné] Wilken said many customers were taking advantage of opening sales by large stores such as clothing retailers H&M and Cotton On and electronics group Dion Wired. Starbucks had also opened its second branch in the country and was “trading extremely well.”
“We are really excited about what this mall can do. It is located in an extremely good position. Shopping mall culture is very much entrenched in South Africans. In Gauteng, we hang out at malls. Families go to malls. It’s what we do. We feel we have built a centre which has a strong choice of tenants, more space and more facilities than any other shopping centre in SA,” said Mr. Wilken.
Politics: Bernie Sanders Rally In South Bronx With Rosario Dawson, Spike Lee And More (Video)
I’m very excited about the fact that I don’t have to vote against someone… that I get to vote for someone… who’s on our side… who marched with Martin Luther King… who can draw a crowd that makes me dizzy with happiness and love and excitement.
– Rosario Dawson
Feel that? It’s the Bern! Great lead-off to an hour-strong ‘Bernie Sanders For President’ rally in the South Bronx (New York) by the uber-sexy (yes) actor-activist Rosario Dawson. Spike Lee and other noteworthy folks were on hand. Thousands of fanatic supporters. And the Senator-Who-Would-Be-President, Bernie Sanders.
Coming for those electors, New York. Game on, Hillary. This is it! Press play #FeelTheBern