Street Cred Magazine - November 2020

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The Phoenix Newspaper - November 2020 - Page 17

Music fashion Film Gadgets holiday education health and fitness

OCTOBER 2020

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THE LEGENDARY AUSSIE ROCKERS RETURN WITH THEIR 17th ALBUM

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Master P enters billion-dollar cereal industry

R

apper and serial entrepreneur Master P has launched a new venture in the cereal industry with his own brand called Uncle P's Hoody Hoos that is now available in stores nationwide.

"You got milk, we've got cereal," Master P said on a recent Instagram post.

"We're changing the game. The more we make, the more we give."

Uncle P's Hoody Hoos Cereal comes in different flavours such as Honey Drip, Tropical Fruit & Marshmallow, and Cinnamon Apple.

The new cereal brand is another addition to Master P's long list of businesses which include music, clothing, food, as well as a professional wrestling league.

He entered the breakfast cereal industry at the right timing as it is expected to grow by $12.9 billion this year, according to reportlinker.com.

Master P used this opportunity not only to try to make it to the top of the cereal industry but also to be able to give back more to the community.

"Hoody Hoos Cereal is not only a delicious breakfast or snack but is making a difference," said Master P. "A percentage of every cereal box sold goes to providing inner-city kids in the community with education, resources, and activities to help build their future."

Uncle P's Hoody Hoos Cereal can be found at the local Aldi, Save A Lot, 7-Eleven, or Walmart Neighbourhood Market.

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Pantomime dames highlight the plight of arts venues

Lady Leshurr joins Dancing on Ice Britain’s awardwinning rapper Lady Leshurr was confirmed as the tenth celebrity skater to take part in ITV's Dancing on Ice 2021.

The Birmingham musician, who rose to fame with the help of YouTube, released her third EP, Quaranqueen, in June.

She said: "I don't know what I've got myself into, but everyone knows me to be someone who just throws themself in at the deep end. I just wing it a lot of the time."

"I'm petrified, but I've always wanted to ice

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skate so what's better than doing it in front of millions of people.

"I'm looking forward to having a new skill and just showing off in front of my friends."

The show, which starts filming in January, will see 12 celebrities skate live with their professional partners as they try to impress the judges - Torvill and Dean, John Barrowman and Ashley Banjo - and the voting viewers at home.

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will return to host the programme.

D

ozens of pantomime dames marched on Westminster, as part of a day of action highlighting the plight of the live events industry.

The parade was organised after the rise in coronavirus cases prompted the cancellation of the 2020 panto season.

Actor Gary Bridgens, who normally performs in pantomime, under the stage name Gacko, every year, said: “The impact is rippling through the entire theatre industry for a generation.”

Organisers are calling for an extension to the government's furlough scheme for theatre workers.

"If the government don't support theatre in its hour of need, there won't be any - or worse, it will all need rebuilding after this disaster,” he said.

The protest in London coincided with a day of global events reflecting the issues facing the live event industry.

Under the slogan "red alert", the #WeMakeEvents campaign will see venues in 25 countries bathed in red

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light, to draw attention to the continued uncertainty over when concerts and shows can resume; and the precarious position actors, musicians and crew

find themselves in.

Pre-empting the day of action, hundreds of people who normally work at concerts, festivals and

theatres gathered in Parliament Square to hold a 30 minute silent protest at the government's handling of the situation.

0121 339 5885 (Birmingham) l The Stereophonics return to Arena Birmingham on February 29th

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Cultural leaders, artists and activists collaborate to launch new fund A committee of prominent cultural leaders, artists and activists including Artistic Director and the CEO of Sadlers Wells, Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director at HighTide Suba Das, and the Executive Producer and the Executive Director of Improbable Kathryn Bilyard and Ben Monks, visual artist Ferg Cooper, Independent Editor and Producer Sara Sjölund, Creative Strategist and ACE changemaker Suzanne Alleyne, multidisciplinary creative Shazia Bibi, and activist and artist Manuela Benini, have teamed up to launch a new artists funding platform.

ARTCRY went live with the launch month to include events,

artworks and talks released in support of the campaign.

The initiative aims to raise and distribute £50,000 in its first year of operations, and all artists from any discipline at any stage in their career are welcome to apply. Work must be free for audiences and presented in the public realm and be time critical.

The fund will encourage and support artists to create work responding to social and political events with fast- turnaround funding which enables fast action.

ARTCTRY will fund small grants (up to £5k) with decisions on applications made within a week of applying so that artists know within seven days whether they have received funding so they can start work.

THE GODSFATHER Speaks

A

mazon Prime Video has announced the official premiere date for season three of Amazon Original Series, “American Gods.”

The new season will premiere on Amazon Prime Video worldwide, excluding the United States on Monday 11 January.

Creator and executive producer Neil Gaiman - the Godsfather himself - released the following letter about what to expect from the upcoming season, addressed to fans of the novel and series: “When we embarked upon making Season Three of “American Gods,” we had no idea how timely it would turn out to be.

“We knew we wanted to return to what people loved and responded to in the book: that it was time for Shadow to go to the little town of Lakeside and try to lose himself in normality.

“And at the same time, in Season Three, we wanted to

focus on the characters and their journeys. To show Shadow forging a path guided by the Gods of his ancestors, becoming more himself while deciding who he is and what side he's on — humanity's or that of the Gods.

“We knew also that we wanted to continue to root the show in the landscapes of America. To explore what “America” means to its people and to talk about immigrants — about the very different people who came to this remarkable land and brought their gods with them.

“The new gods of phone and app and glitter demand our attention and our love, and the old gods want to mean something again.

“America must be for all of us, and “American Gods” must reflect that. This season truly feels as if it does. It’s full of drama and emotion, the very real and the utterly strange, and it features some of the finest performances the show has yet

seen.

“It brings back favorite characters, some in remarkable new ways, and we will encounter people and gods we've never met before.

“I'm proud of our brilliant cast — of Ricky and Emily, of Yetide and Ian, Bruce, Demore, Omid and all the rest — and of what the writers have done to bring the story back on track.

“The struggles of the gods and the people in Season Three of “American Gods” are the struggles of America. We didn't think it would prove as timely when we plotted it, nor did I think the novel would still be relevant when I wrote it over 20 years ago.

“But I'm glad it's happening now, in a year when it feels as though diverse stories are being heard, and honored, and allowed to change the future.

“Thank you so much, Neil Gaiman.

Odeon opening weekends only at certain cinemas Odeon is cutting the opening hours for some of its cinemas in the UK and Ireland to weekends only because of delays to new film releases.

The chain, which operates 120 theatres, said it will affect a quarter of its cinemas, which will now open between Friday and Sunday.

Odeon, which employs 5,500 people, declined to comment on job cuts.

It comes as Cineworld said it will temporarily close its UK and US venues, affecting 45,000

jobs. According to movie magazine Film Stories, Odeon emailed customers to tell them that from Friday 9 October it was temporarily reducing hours at some cinemas "in light of the ongoing delays to the release of many new films".

The changes announced by

Odeon and Cineworld comes after the release of the new James Bond film was delayed again.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to return to cinemas, saying it would "encourage people to go out to the cinema, enjoy themselves and support" movie theatres.

However, the cinema industry has been hit by an absence of blockbuster movie to lure in customers.

Cineworld employs around 5,500 people in the UK.

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Auction raises £10,000 for London based HIV Charity A

major collection of prints by urban art legends including Obey, Jimmy Cauty and Jamie Reid made £10,000 at auction in aid of London based HIV charity The Food Chain.

The Food Chain, who provide

nutritional support for people living with HIV, saw a 300% rise in demand for their services since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, rapidly switching their service to emergency food delivery by volunteers and individual support

calls to their service users.

The entirety of the significant collection, including contemporary classics such as What U Looking At? by​Eelus and Stars and Stripes

by Keith Haring, sold through bidding in the auction room and across two internet platforms.

Highlights from Chorley’s charity auction include a The Medium is the Message Post No Bills print

by Obey that sold for £300 and Three Stamp sheets of Queen in Gas Mask by Jimmy Cauty that achieved £280.

Photo Op, a print by Peter Kennard and Cat Phillipps depicting Tony Blair taking a selfie in front of a huge explosion, made £160. The collection was a legacy donation by the estate of prolific collector Stephen Nunn and all

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proceeds from the sale went to The Food Chain.

Chorley’s Director and Auctioneer Thomas Jenner-Fust says “We couldn’t be happier with the outcome of our charity auction in aid of The Food Chain who are doing incredible work in London communities and to have had the opportunity to handle such an interesting and varied collection. It gives us great pleasure to be able to send a cheque for £10,000 to such a worthy cause” The Food Chain’s Community and Events Fundraiser Clifford McManus says “£10,000 will make a huge difference to The Food Chain and help us to continue to feed the fight against HIV across London”

Passenger Announces New Album For 2021 Mike Rosenberg, better known as Passenger, has announced that his new studio album Songs for the Drunk and Broken Hearted will be released on January 8, 2021, and he has shared the track that inspired the album’s title, “A Song for the Drunk and Broken Hearted,”.

He’s also happy to announce that all physical packaging of CDs and Vinyl will be made of 100% recycled material, and one tree will be planted for

every physical piece sold via the Passenger webstore thanks to a partnership with Ecologi and the Eden Project.

Passenger’s proposed year of busking, festivals and headline shows is postponed until 2021.

With an authentic and engaging live show that has won over scores of fans and critics around the globe and allowed him to headline some of the world’s most famous stages, he looks forward to returning to the road as soon as it’s safe for everyone.

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0121 339 5885 (Birmingham) l The Stereophonics return to Arena Birmingham on February 29th

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Ambassador Young and Killer Mike to open America’s newest bank

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apper Killer Mike has partnered with civil rights legend Andrew J. Young and entrepreneur Ryan Glove to launch the USA’s newest bank and financial institution.

Having already secured $3 million in seed funding from private investors, Greenwood Bank will be the first digital banking platform for Black and Latinx people and business owners.

Greenwood's initial products are savings and spending accounts that come with a stunningly designed black metal debit card for customers who sign up by the end of the year.

Advanced features like Apple, Samsung, and Android pay, virtual debit cards, peer-to-peer transfers, mobile check deposits, and free ATM usage in over 30,000 locations are offered with no hidden fees.

Customers who invite their friends to open accounts receive cash awards as a thank you from Greenwood. All deposits are FDIC insured by a partner bank.

Glover, who is also the founder of Bounce TV, said: "It's no secret that traditional banks have failed the Black and Latinx community.

Headie One Tops Chart With Edna, A New Album Named After His Mum

R "We needed to create a new financial platform that understands our history and our needs going forward, a banking platform built by us and for us, a platform that helps us build a stronger future for our communities.

“This is our time to take back control of our lives and our financial future. That is why we launched Greenwood, modern banking for the culture."

"Today, a dollar circulates for 20 days in the white community but only six hours in the Black community," said Michael 'Killer

Mike' Render.

"Moreover, a Black person is twice as likely as a white person to be denied a mortgage. This lack of fairness in the financial system is why we created Greenwood."

Ambassador Young said: "The work that we did in the civil rights movement wasn't just about being able to sit at the counter. It was also about being able to own the restaurant" "We have the skills, talent and energy to compete anywhere in the world, but to grow the economy, it has to be based on the spirit of the

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universe and not the greed of the universe.

“Killer Mike, Ryan and I are launching Greenwood to continue this work of empowering Black and Brown people to have economic opportunity."

The Greenwood name pays homage to the prosperous "Black Wall Street," part of the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the early 20th Century -- a centre of African American enterprise, entertainment, skills, wealth and investment capital.

apper Headie One has topped the UK charts with his debut album, Edna.

Songs from the record, which is dedicated to his late mother, were streamed 25.5 million times last week, said the Official Charts Company.

The Tottenham-born 26-yearold, whose real name is Irving Adjei, was already one of the biggest names in UK rap, with a string of increasinglyimpressive mixtapes and a guest slot on Stormzy's second album, Heavy Is The Head.

An eighth mixtape, Gang, hit streaming services within hours of his release, and entered the charts at number five. It marked a move away from the rapper's origins in drill - a darker, bleaker variant of grime

- towards a more melodic, less insular sound.

That comes to full fruition on Edna, notably on the chartbusting single Ain't It Different, whose catchy hooks hide a message about the dull reality of prison life ("You ain't ever made a birthday cake from digestive biscuits," he raps at one point).

"Edna is proof that he's the unmistakeable, global 'King of drill', and much more besides," concluded the NME. "It's a move into the mainstream, without forgetting where it all began."

"Having my debut album go to number one means a lot to me," said the star, who posed with his Official Chart Award at his mother's graveside.

"Edna," he added, "this is for you."

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Cinema Ranked Number 1 New research from parents and children has revealed the cinema as the number one family activity for children aged 5-14.

Even as families across the UK have had to adjust to the new normal, the survey by Vue of 2,000 UK parents and children found that a trip to the big screen (69%) topped the charts ahead of visiting a park or playground (68%), taking on a theme park (56%) and going for a walk (48%).

Having been stuck at home for most of 2020, parents and children are keen to get back to the big screen, but it’s kids aged 5-14 who share the highest levels of enthusiasm.

Thankfully, as physical distancing and family safety top 2020 priority lists, the report by Vue also shows that more than half (58%) of parents feel safe taking their kids to the cinema under the current guidelines and improved safety measures.

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Kammy’s back for Christmas!

F

ollowing on from the unprecedented success of his debut last year, Chris ‘Kammy’ Kamara has announced the release of his second album ‘…

And A Happy New Year’ - out November 27.

Whilst his singing may have taken some by surprise, associating him more with being a star of Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening TV, the reception for his croon on last year’s ‘Here’s To Christmas’ was unanimous. Glowing reviews, a social media frenzy describing him as ‘Britain’s Bublé’, and front-pages backing him in the race for Xmas No.1, all led incredibly to a Top 10 album.

Middlesbrough-born Chris has delivered a smooth, big band swing album that is ‘pure class.’

And if you thought that wasn’t ‘unbelievable’ enough, Kammy

is back with a new album of the smoothest seasonal songs. ‘…And A Happy New Year’ continues his swing and big band sound, featuring Xmas standards such as ‘White Christmas’, ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’, and ‘Blue Christmas’; alongside a swing cover of Wizard’s classic ‘ I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’.

The album will also feature two brand new tracks: ‘Mr Claus’ and ‘Happy New Year’, written for Kammy (who celebrates his birthday on December 25)

by Richard Scott and Kelvin Andrews, who have also written for Robbie Williams amongst others. ‘… And A Happy New Year’ was recorded with the same musicians who appeared on ‘Here’s To Christmas’, an 18 piece big band. However whilst recording under Covid restricted

and distanced rules, each section was recorded of different days whilst remote recording for the strings took place in Sofia, Bulgaria. For the majority of the musicians it was the first time they had been in a recording studio for over 6 months.

On the album, Kammy says: “I was blown away by the reception to ‘Here’s To Christmas’, and when I was asked to record another I just had to! I hope that with ‘… And A Happy New Year’, especially in this year, I can help give people a little bit of festive cheer, and something to sing-along to.”

His irreverent style and infectious enthusiasm in analysing matches for Sky Sports’ Gillette Soccer Special on Saturday afternoons reporting live from matches has seen the nation take him to their heart as a national treasure.

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Spooky selection on offer as libraries mark Halloween

Power Up A

W

olverhampton's libraries are celebrating Halloween by offering a spooky selection of books for both adults and younger readers.

Library members can reserve some chilling tales online at https://www.capitadiscovery. co.uk/wolverhampton/ through the Select and Collect service, and pick them up safely at a

convenient time from Central, Bilston, Warstones or Wednesfield libraries. People can also reserve over the phone by calling 01902 552025.

Meanwhile, the library service's YouTube channel is packed with stories, rhymes, crafts and more to keep children occupied during half-term. For details, click http:// bit.ly/3bE4ViV. It's free to join Wolverhampton's libraries. For more information,

please visit www.wolverhampton. gov.uk/libraries.

All libraries are currently closed to visitors because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. All loan periods have been extended to 31 December 2020, meaning anyone who has a book or other item out on loan which is past its due date will not be charged until after that date.

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C/DC will release their seventeenth full-length album POWER UP on November 13, 2020. This marks the legendary band’s first new music since 2014.

To set the stage, they have unleashed a new single entitled Shot In The Dark.

The song sees the line up of Angus Young (lead guitar), Brian Johnson (lead vocals), Cliff Williams (bass guitar), Phil Rudd (drums) and Stevie Young (rhythm guitar) firing on all cylinders once again.

AC/DC are one of the most influential rock bands in history with over 200 million albums sold worldwide and 71.5 million albums sold in the U.S. alone.

The double-diamond Back in

Black stands out as “bestselling album by any band ever” and “third bestselling album by any artist” with global sales of 50 million and counting.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® in 2003.

The band also garnered their first Grammy Award in the category of “Best Hard Rock Performance” for “War Machine” during 2010.

They continue to sell out stadiums on multiple continents, sell millions of albums annually, and generate streams in the billions.

As part of the #PWRUP launch, the iconic London landmarks Battersea Power Station, St Paul’s Cathedral, Marble Arch & the Tate Modern

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were all 'powered up' with AC/ DC imagery.

For the album, the band have reunited with producer Brendan O’Brien who helmed Black Ice in 2008 and Rock Or Bust in 2014.

Charged up for the next decade, AC/DC cut twelve new tracks for the album, proudly maintaining their signature sound and all of its powerful hallmarks.

Power Up will be available in multiple configurations that will excite collectors and die-hard fans alike, including digital, CD, and deluxe versions.

The limited edition, one-ofa-kind deluxe Power Up box is the ultimate fan package. Hit the button on the side of the box and watch the flashing neon AC/DC

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With ACDC logo light up while the opening bars of “Shot In The Dark” blast out of the built-in speaker.

Inside the box is the full CD package in a soft-pack with a 20-page booklet that features exclusive photos and USB charging cable allowing the box to remain powered up and on display.

The vinyl LP will be pressed on 180 gram vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket. Limited edition red, yellow, silver and picture disc variants of the LP will be available at select retailers nationwide, as well as the band’s online store.

The album will also be available on all digital platforms and limited edition cassettes.

AC/DC are back in 2020. Get ready for POWER UP now!

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Unbroken a winner at T&T Film Festival

U

nbroken, an inspiring Jamaican story of determination and resilience, was a big winner at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (TTFF).

Directed and shot by Jamaican film-maker Gabrielle Blackwood, it was voted Best Documentary Short Film. Due to Covid-19, the festival and awards ceremony were streamed live via social media platforms.

Blackwood said she was grateful and elated about the win saying: “I’m extremely happy about it.

But I’m even more excited about it because Laron is excited and ecstatic about the win. I’m excited because people are now getting to see and sharing his story.

“It’s really good to see him excited about it because we just followed him on this journey not expecting anything to come out of it; neither did he.

“I think he’s looking at the silver lining which is — even though he

suffered from his amputation and the hardships associated with it like re-learning how to walk and how to take care of himself — people now know who he is, what he has gone through and what he has achieved.”

‘Laron’ is Laron Williamson, the documentary’s central character and ‘Unbroken’ follows his quest to make Jamaica’s Olympic rowing team.

“He suffered from a freak accident at work”, Gabrielle said.

“He lost his job and was just in

search of bettering himself.

“He came upon the rowing team who just started and now he’s on the Jamaica rowing team.” But the paralympic team said the nature of his amputation prevented him from qualifying as he was too able-bodied.”

Blackwood was commissioned

by Getty Images UK through New Wave Jamaica to do the docu-film saying it took massive research before coming across Williamson’s story.

Available at www.theticketsellers.co.uk Contact 07717 079 755

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JB WASSIFA CELEBRATES THE YOUNG GENERATION

S

outh & City Birmingham college teacher JB has always been at the forefront of young Birmingham!

Here is an example of a true entreprenuer in our city and has

l JB Wassifa Brown

made history as the very first young DJ in Birmingham to be playing on the famous Radio station Galaxy FM. He believes that young people need to see it to believe it!!

We celebrate JB's success this

Black History Month as he is all about now and what is to come.

In his own words he says that we have legends today, our history books in years to come will have a lot of achievers to talk about and really, we need to highlight them now.

It is no surprise that JB would be a massive musical influence in our community as we see he is following the footsteps of his legendary father Mykal Brown MBE the founder of the very famous Wassifa Showcase.

JB has gone from playing at small community centres to large concerts and selling out his own events such as Crossover and Touche.

Music and education work well together and this young man shows that DJS can be about more.

JB's passion is to pass his

knowledge of music younger generation.

to

the

How many years have you been a DJ?

I've been DJ’ing since a very young age. Records have always been accessable to me. It's difficult to put a date on it because I have always had a turntable in my room when I was younger.

My first few public event bookings would have been separate events with my Dad (Mykal Brown), Full Rass (Immortal Sound), Everton Jacobs (TC Connection), and Gee Tee. At the time I would have been about 13+. I remember DJing on a Monday night with Suga D & Gee Tee at Bel Air Nightclub, Fire mans Ball @ The Holte Suite (Aston Villa FC) with my Dad, Gee-Tee & Everton, Under 18's

and family birthday parties with Full Rass.

Over the years I have run my own events (The Crossover UK, Touché, Dancehall Meets The Club, So Sexy, Tasty, Fever, Late Night Blues, NYE Red Carpet Masquerade Ball, Easter Comedy "Candlelit" Dinner & Dance) in areas such as Birmingham, Coventry, Telford, Manchester & Liverpool.

I have DJed on events in all of England's main cities and performed alongside some of the UK's most sort after urban entertainers, Heartless Cru, Bassman, Pay As you Go, So Solid Crew, Chris Goldfinger, Seani B, Steve Sutherland, Sacha Brooks, Big John, DJ Pioneer, Hotsteppa, Preditah, Jamie Duggan, DJ Q, Murkz & loads more.

What is the most memorable show you have done with your father Mykal Brown?

Some of my most memorable events with my Dad are One Love Peace Festival 2011 featuring: Sean Paul, Shaggy, Bust Rhymes, John Holt, Skepta, Donaeo, Gyptain, Etarna & more, Beres Hammond Tour in 2016, and performing with some of the UK's top sound-systems (Saxon, Sir Coxsone, Fatman, Jah Shaka, Young Warrior, V Rocket, Luv Injection and Observa Supa Power. By myself: Dru Hill, SWV & Ginuwine in 2012, and Rick Ross Tour in 2016.

How do you want to contribute to black history?

JB: I would also like to lead by example by providing a modernday template of how to implement innovative ideas to create longterm business success.

The history I would like to leave behind is the blueprint on how to build generational wealth and unity amongst Black people.

What impact do you want to make on youth?

JB: I aim to help support young people to make the right longterm decisions to better their lives.

Drawing upon the influences in my life, I aim to mentor, coach, and support young people to succeed in their chosen field.

What's your title in college?

I’m theAssessor/Trainer for the Ignite Programme. Our programme aims to support our young people to overcome barriers impacting on their ability to succeed.

Our skills coaches - Apache Indian and Rawait Khan, helps our young people to build their confidence, interview skills and achieve meaningful work. The programme is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Check out JB on Instagram at jbwassifabrown.

Rising Star Flynn Releases Debut EP

I

reland’s rising talent Flynn has released just two solo tracks in 2020, but they’ve quickly placed him in prime position for greater things.

‘One of Us’ and ‘B-Side’ have introduced him as an artist with global potential, with numerous Spotify New Music Friday playlists plus The Pop List (Spotify) and New Pop Hits (Apple) helping to introduce him to a whole new audience.

His surging status has also been spotlighted with a quick succession of tips from influential tastemakers including The Line

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of Best Fit, Wonderland, Fault and Clash.

While those two songs have delivered a snapshot of Flynn’s talents, his debut EP, also titled ‘One Of Us’, will show that there’s much more to come – out now via Jive Germany / Sony, Flynn launches the EP with the focus track ‘Selling Me Love’.

‘Selling Me Love’ proves that Flynn is impossible to pigeonhole after the alt-pop of ‘One of Us’ and a modern update on the sounds of Stax with ‘B-Side’.

‘Selling Me Love’ is supremely larger-than-life, taking flight

from understated opening verse into a dynamic chorus that melds hip-hop energy and chartbound immediacy with a dash of muscular funk.

The trait that shines through all three songs is Flynn himself, with a voice of seasoned maturity emerging from the young artist.

“This is my first EP release”, says Flynn, “so I just really wanted to put my life so far into words and touch on all the little experiences I’ve encountered along the way.

“It feels so surreal to be able to finally share all these stories with everyone, I loved the whole process of making this EP and I’m really proud of it. I hope it resonates with people and they can take something away from it”.

In addition to the three recent singles, the ‘One of Us’ EP will be completed by the piano ballad ‘I Don’t Wanna Love You’ and the tropical soul of ‘Young’.

Flynn co-wrote all five of the EP’s tracks with collaborations including producers Toby Scott (Cashmere Cat, JC Stewart, Kaiser Chiefs) and Blair MacKichan (Sia, Lily Allen).

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RSC to focus on 2021 programme in Royal Shakespeare Theatre

‘Christmas is NOT Cancelled’ F

ollowing the soldout performances of ‘Lazuli Sky’, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Repertory Theatre have announced a specially adapted production of the classic Christmas fairytale ‘The Nutcracker’, which will run at The REP from 14 – 22 December 2020.

This new adaptation of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s much-loved production will bring the family favourite to The REP for the very first time.

In a COVID-safe environment including socially distanced seating allocated to household or bubble groups only, they are able to tell The Nutcracker story in a way that is equally safe for the performers and production crew, on and off stage.

This Christmas, the full-length production will be shortened to an 80-minute magical

experience that will retain all of the most enchanting moments and characters from the classic full-length show.

‘The Nutcracker’ at The REP will whisk audiences from the heartwarming Christmas Eve party where Fritz and Clara meet the magician Drosselmeyer, to the rousing battle between King Rat and the toy soldiers, through a flurry of Snowflakes and onto a journey to the Kingdom of Sweets where Clara meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince - all accompanied by the cherished Tchaikovsky score performed live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. This special series of shows will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s original Birmingham Hippodrome production being created as a gift for the City in 1990.

The Nutcracker will also be performed the Royal Albert Hall this Christmas (30 Dec 2020 - 2

Creation Day festival tickets now on sale

Tickets are now on sale for Wolverhampton’s first-ever Creation Day festival. - two days of incredible live music from legendary UK bands who are set to rock West Park as part of the new festival next summer.

Happy Mondays, Editors, Ash, Echo & the Bunnymen, Black Grape and Sleeper are just some of the amazing acts set to take to the stage in West

Park over the weekend of May 29 and 30 2021.

Creation Day festival forms part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s ongoing commitment to re-light the city, help boost the local economy and offer high-profile events to attract visitors.

The two-day event is organised by the council in partnership with Toura Toura Festivals and Alan McGee,

Jan 2021).

Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta said: “Following the fantastic experience of staging our first shows since lockdown at The REP, we are so happy to continue our collaboration with this very special version of The Nutcracker so that audiences in Birmingham and the West Midlands can have something to look forward to this Christmas.

“The Nutcracker is an essential part of our annual season and we can’t wait to welcome audiences back to The REP in December for this celebration.”

The REP’s Artistic Director, Sean Foley added; “It was wonderful to collaborate with Carlos Acosta and Birmingham Royal Ballet for the World Premiere performances of Will Tuckett’s Lazuli Sky -

and a particular thrill to welcome audiences safely back to The REP for the first time in seven months.

“We are just as excited to reveal the next stage in our ongoing creative partnership as we bring a special version of The Nutcracker to The REP for the very first time. A visit to theatre is an on-going Christmas tradition, and we can’t wait to

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share this magical experience with our audiences this festive season.”

This enchanting version of a Christmas favourite will be a fitting tribute to the company’s 30-year history, and one that looks to the future with hope and celebration. It is the quintessential Christmas treat for all the family.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will focus its programming in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratfordupon-Avon over the coming year, with the Swan Theatre and The Other Place remaining closed until 2022.

The Company’s extensive education, digital and streaming activity will continue throughout the autumn and winter to allow people to experience the RSC in their homes and schools.

This winter, small-scale socially distanced performances will take place in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and be streamed into homes.

The Company will also stage free outdoor activity, and plans to reopen its West End hit, ‘Matilda The Musical’ as soon as it is financially viable.

founder of the iconic Creation Records label - formed in 1983, becoming one of the key labels in 80s and 90s indie music. Over the years, he has worked with such major acts as Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Oasis.

Next year’s festival will see stars from Creation Records join forces with other wellknown bands to perform their biggest hits from 12.30pm to 10.45pm.

Bands playing on Saturday are Happy Mondays, Echo & the Bunnymen, Cast, Black Grape and Echobelly as well as new artists Shambolics, The Clockworks and The Illicits.

The line-up includes a Creation Day exclusive as it will be the first time that frontman Shaun Ryder has performed with his two bands, Happy Mondays and Black Grape, at one festival. Acts lined up for Sunday are Editors, Friendly Fires, Ash, Sleeper, Glasvegas, The Wedding Present as well as up and coming performers Heavy Lungs, Cat SFX and Marquis Drive.

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NEW ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST ARRIVES IN UNITED KINGDOM SHOWROOMS

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he first New Rolls-Royce Ghosts have arrived in UK showrooms following a highly successful homemarket debut.

After final inspection at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England, the motor cars were dispatched to the marque’s seven home-market dealerships; Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Essex, London, Leeds and Sunningdale.

New Ghost is the result of exhaustive dialogue with the marque’s customers.

Many demanded a car that rejected unnecessary branding, affectation or obtrusive technology. In response to this, the marque’s designers immersed themselves in spaces that reflected a minimalist approach to statement design.

London played a particularly important role in defining the new Ghost’s design direction. The capital’s landmark Shard building informed the reductive approach to aesthetic form that came to be internally known as ‘Post Opulence’.

Designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winning architect Renzo Piano, the building is widely praised for its monolithic yet simple forms delivered by highly complex

engineering processes.

This echoes Ghost’s design and development process, where the client requirement for simplicity was delivered through cutting-edge engineering and manufacturing techniques.

First customer deliveries for Ghost and Ghost Extended will commence late Q4 2020.

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MOTORPOINT RAISES MONEY FOR CHARITIES

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otorpoint has helped raise almost £2,000 for two West Yorkshire charities.

The UK’s largest independent car retailer, which is based in Castleford, put on a special outdoor screening of classic rom com ‘Pretty Woman’ in the grounds of its five-acre branch near Xscape Yorkshire and J32 Outlet Centre earlier this month.

It also hosted the town’s firstever Drive In Bingo prior to the movie with a host of prizes up for grabs for the winners including a special sweet-filled hamper donated by Haribo.

And, the sell-out socially distanced event, which attracted over 250 people on the night, helped to raise £1,875 to support the work of the Castleford Tigers Foundation and The Prince of Wales Hospice in the community.

Richard Start, General Manager of Motorpoint Castleford, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people having a wonderful

socially distanced time at Motorpoint, in spite of the rain, watching ‘Pretty Woman’.

It’s been a really tough year for charities in terms of fundraising, with so many events having been cancelled, so it’s been very humbling to have been able to help out by raising money to support the fantastic work done by the Castleford Tigers Foundation and The Prince of Wales across West Yorkshire.”

Mat Lancaster, Head of Operations at the Castleford Tigers Foundation, added: “I really can’t thank Motorpoint enough for hosting the Drive In Cinema. It was a huge undertaking, given the current COVID-19 regulations, but the response from film goers was absolutely brilliant and the money it generated will be very beneficial.”

Jill Kirkham, Fundraising Manager at The Prince of Wales Hospice, said: “Everyone at the hospice would like to thank the team at Motorpoint Castleford

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Clock Change Cancellation Could Save UK Economy £160M Based on previous Government estimates that 80 lives a year could be saved by scrapping the October clock change, the UK could reduce the number of people killed on our roads by four and a half per cent and save the economy £160m, says the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, who is calling on the Government to stop the practice.

The charity believes that moving to a permanent daylightsaving system would significantly improve road safety.

“Every year there are unnecessary victims of road collisions throughout the winter months during commutes to work or school which could easily be avoided if the Government scrapped the process of changing the clocks,” comments Neil Greig, Policy and Research Director at IAM RoadSmart.

for their continued support. The money raised will help us to be there when it matters for people across the whole of the Five Towns.”

Over 14 Million UK Drivers Get Nervous When Driving In The Dark Nearly a third (29 per cent) of UK motorists – over 14 million drivers – get nervous when driving in the dark according to new research by SEAT UK. With the days getting shorter and the clocks due to go back on 25th October, the lack of daylight hours means most drivers will have to make more trips in the dark.

The survey of 2,000 motorists also revealed that 31 per cent of drivers actively avoid driving in the dark if possible. Of those who said driving in the dark makes them nervous, over two thirds (68 per cent) said this is because they do not like having lower visibility.

Perhaps surprisingly, 1824-year olds (37 per cent) are

most likely to feel nervous about driving in the dark, while experience counts, as only 25 per cent of over 55s have concerns.

London drivers (40 per cent) are significantly more likely to get nervous when driving in the dark, and are more likely to avoid getting behind the wheel when it is dark (43 per cent), followed by motorists from the West Midlands (34 per cent).

However, drivers in the South East are the most comfortable taking to wheel when the night has drawn in, with only 25 per cent saying they would avoid driving when it is dark.

Lighting technology has advanced greatly recently, with auto-dip functionality and LED light systems being adopted

by SEAT. However, traditional halogen lights are still present in the majority of the UK’s car parc.

The luminous efficiency of SEAT’s latest LED bulbs mean they provide almost double the luminosity (900 lumens versus 550 lumens) of standard LEDs and even more so than halogen bulbs. The white light of an LED also allows drivers to see further into the distance.

Throughout the design of every new SEAT model, which can have up to 300 individual LED light sources that last 10,000 hours, its Design & Lighting team conducts over 300 3D light simulations to deliver the best possible performance in any environment.

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Controversy reigns over funeral of reggae legend Toots Hibbert

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he funeral for the founding fathers of reggae music, Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert, was stalled on eve of the planned service after no could find the burial permit as the body made its way to the Dovecot Memorial Gardens in St. Catherine, in Jamaica.

It followed concerns from family members who were disappointed at him being laid to rest outside his hometown. Hibbert’s daughter Jenieve Bailey, previously announced the decision to have her father’s body to be laid to rest in May Pen, in Clarendon, where other family members were

buried.

Toots’ nephew, Wilbert, said: “The whole family agreed for him to come back home to where his mother, father, three brothers and sister are buried. He needs to take the country road back to the place where he belongs. You don’t need anything plainer than that.”

But just days before the planned date of burial, the announcement was made about a change in the place of rest.

In defending his stance he went on: “He sings about the country road in one of his biggest songs, and he is always visiting us down here. He never left us out.”

He went on: “From the time

Miss Doreen (Toots’ widow) and some of the children came down here and chose the land, we didn’t hear a word. No grave digging was going on down here and everybody — my mother, sisters and aunt — were asking me what is happening?”

The day of the burial saw the planned procession, with a private service for close family members which took place at Perry’s Funeral Home chapel.

Hibbert’s body was transported to Dovecot Memorial Gardens, but no one in attendance possessed the burial certificate, which is usually provided by the Registrar General Department when receiving a

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Rapper Ludacris partners with daughter, Kamara, to produce Netflix series signed death certificate.

Without a signed burial order, the body cannot be placed in the grave.

Following the family being unable to provide the relevant documents, Toots’ body was returned to the funeral home.

The reggae legend, 77, was admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies after reporting concerns with his breathing before later passing away as a result of challenges brought on by COVID-19 last month.

Rapper and actor Chris Bridges, more popularly known as Ludacris, is set to produce a new animated series called ‘Karma’s World’ inspired by his eldest daughter Karma Bridges.

The series will be released on Netflix soon.

Ludacris’ production company Karma’s World Entertainment is one of the producers of the coming-ofage story that will follow the life of 10-year old girl Karma Grant, an aspiring musical artist, rapper, and songwriter, who wanted to use her music to be able to change the world.

The 40-episode series with 11-minutes screentime

each will feature original music scoring created and supervised by Ludacris himself in collaboration with James Bennett Jr. and produced by Gerald Keys. The compositions tackle the issues young children are facing from friendship, creativity, emotions to selfesteem, and discrimination.

Karma’s World Entertainment is partnering with 9 Story Media Group, Oscarnominated Brown Bag Films, and Emmy Award-winning Creative Affairs Group to produce the new series.

Ludacris is hoping the series will get to inspire young children and empower young girls.

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Celebrate Positivity And Stay Safe

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was determined this month that my article goes with a bang and is as vibrant as a flashing firework that will be going off up and down the country.

For it is that time of the year, when everybody can get together and celebrate Guy Fawkes Night on the 5th November.

But unfortunately this year things will go not so much as a bang but more of a fizz because of the Covid-19 Global Pandemic.

So this year’s celebrations will have to be on hold until we can all have a World Party Day when (Cirus The Virus as I call it ) has been beaten and lockdowns as we know it, are no more.

We will get through this together if we all remain positive, because these words are so important in our lives today.

Which reminds me of an old African proverb I once heard.

‘If You Want To Go Fast - Go Alone’ / ‘If You Want To Go Far - Go Together’ Positivity is having a strong belief and confidence in someone or something.

This positive mindset is what helps us get through the tough days and the major obstacles we all experience in life.

So if you are facing any issues and you are feeling helpless and lost because of problems, just really concentrate believing there is a solution to be found if you look hard enough.

Most importantly talk with others who can offer support, help and guidance to you. Talk, talk, talk, and have a Never Give Up and have a Never Say Can’t attitude in life.

My life as a world strength athlete and my knowledge of health & well-being and nutrition is something I am able to pass on but what makes me who I am and my ability in achieving what I have done throughout my career, is my mindstrength and ability to manage the mindmonkeys.

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As I have said so many times and I will keep on saying it, ‘Your Mind / My Mind Is The Highest Level Of Strength’.

As Walt Disney is renowned for saying ‘If You Can Think It, You Can Do It’ Positive thinking can help in so many ways, especially when all doors are shut, just keep thinking those words ‘The mind is the highest level of strength, your mind is the highest level of strength’. As hard and as difficult as it is now in this negative climate do not let the mind-monkeys take over, in your mind say to yourself the following: • Never say can’t, say I can do • Things may be bad now but will only get better.

• I will not let the mind-monkeys beat me.

• I am strong and not weak • I can get through this dilemma • I need to stay positive and not have negative thoughts • I must go to war on myself and not on others • I am stronger than I think • I will never give up The one mantra that helps me so much is ‘‘Whatever the mind of man can conceive, he can achieve” in other words if it’s Thinkable it is Doable. You have to have an unshakeable belief in yourself, because if you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect other people to believe in you. Because if you believe in yourself you can achieve great things and positive outcomes are within your grasp.

Spread the Love and Stay Safe.

MADE BIRMINGHAM IN

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The Phoenix Newspaper - November 2020 - Page 31

Mind, Body & Soul

Spirit Guides - Who And What Are They?

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e all have spirit guides that help and guide us throughout our time here on Earth.

So who are these unseen guides?

They are spiritual beings who come in many forms.

1. Angels 2. Animal guides 3. Gods/Goddesses 4. Ancestors 5. Star Beings 6. Nature Spirits 7. Ascended Masters As well as passed family members that want to help and guide you on your life journey. We all seek comfort and love in times of desperation.

We all have a need to know that there is something ‘out there’ that will have our best interests at heart and look after us , without judgement and with love.

Our guides are here to support us ALWAYS, not just in times of trouble.

They will never let you down, they are available 24/7 at no cost.

By opening yourself up to receiving their divine guidance - opens up another dimension of pure love.

The more you ask your guides for assistance - the more you receive, but be

specific about what you need guidance on , it can be anything.

Say it as it is and let your guides deal with it as they know best. Find time to connect to these wonderful, unseen, loving guides.

Sit quietly and try and connect to them, you may feel the energy around you change slightly as they move closer to you .

Talk to them , be aware of them. Open your mind to them. Some people can hear and/or see their guides.

You may see little flashes of light in the room when you’re connecting to them, Please don’t be afraid - they come to you with pure love.

If you meditate, listen to any messages/ words you may receive from your guides.

Ask for a sign of their presence. A feather in an unusual place is the most popular sign of an angelic presence.

Remember they are your personal guides, to help you get through whatever life throws at you - the good, bad and the ugly times.

Be patient , make a strong connection with them and live your best life.

And ALWAYS be thankful.

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Principal Dancer Misty Says Ballet Is Listening After George Floyd Killing Having made history as the first Black Female Principal Dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland has said that ballet is listening after George Floyd killing.

"As the world is changing, as it grows more diverse, if the ballet world doesn't evolve with it, then it's going to die," she said.

She says that after George Floyd's death and the focus on Black Lives Matter, for the first time in her 20-year career, people are starting to listen to her about the problem of diversity within the global ballet industry.

Misty became the first Black woman to become the principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in its 81-year history.

A true prodigy, she was dancing en pointe within three months of taking her first dance class and performing professionally in just over a year: a feat unheard of for any classical dancer.

"There's so many communities that are not going to support an art form that they feel does not want them to be a part of it," she says.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri Misty was raised in San Pedro, California, before beginning her ballet studies at the late age of thirteen. At fifteen, she won first place in the Music Centre

Spotlight Awards.

She studied at the San Francisco Ballet School and American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive on full scholarship and was declared ABT’s National Coca-Cola Scholar in 2000. Misty joined ABT’s Studio Company in 2000, joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in 2001, and in 2007 became the company’s second Black female Soloist and the first in two decades.

In 2015, Misty was promoted to principal dancer, making her the first Black woman to ever be promoted to the position in the company’s 75-year history.

Rapper Logic Pays £173,000 For A Rare Charizard Card

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few cars, a luxury holiday, pay off your student debt or maybe buy a... super-rare Pokemon card.

That's how much rapper and streamer Logic reportedly spent on a 1st edition Charizard Pokemon card at a live auction during which, he tweeted Logan Paul, who also collects them, to let him know that he won.

He also spent $23,000 (£17,600) on a box of unopened Pokemon, containing another Charizard card and a few other rare cards.

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Speaking on Instagram about his love for Pokemon and how he struggled to afford the cards as a child, he wrote: "Being able to enjoy something that I've loved since childhood now as a grown man is like buying back a piece of something I could never have.”

In the late 90's, collecting and trading Pokemon cards was a staple part of childhood.

The packs sold for around £3 each at the time. And now, although less people may collect the cards, Pokemon is still just as popular, with games released on

mobile and consoles.

While most of the cards won't be worth anything close to the one Logic bought, it's possible that collections could have increased in price this year.

A leading trading cards and collectibles shop owner, said: "The regular Charizard card might be worth around £300," "Most cards that people have will be the mass-produced ones so they won’t be worth as much, but they can still be worth a lot of money as long as the cards are in good condition.

"The price for the vintage Pokemon cards seems to be going up and since lockdown and the demand for the retro cards have gone through the roof."

Featuring the fan-favourite, firebreathing dragon, the 1st edition Charizard card was first seen in 1999. Different editions of the card have sold for different prices, but the holographic 'shadowless' version is said to be worth the most.

The $226,000 that Logic spent is the largest amount spent on the card, according to Cardhops.

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