6 min read

Saturday Notes: KAWS, Amaarae, Gov. Wes Moore

Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland
Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland

Gov. Wes Moore reflects on first 2 months

New York Amsterdam News by Josh.barker

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday he’s aiming for “the most full assault on child poverty” to ever happen in Maryland during his first legislative session, touching on a wide variety of topics in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press.

The governor, a Democrat, spoke about concerns in the banking industry after the second and third largest bank failures in U.S. history, his support for President Joe Biden, his thoughts on reparations for slavery, expanding the use of electric vehicles and police reform during the interview, among other topics.

Two months into his tenure, Moore, who is Maryland’s first Black chief executive and the third Black governor ever elected in the nation, noted the historical nature of his landslide November victory. He said his portrait will look “a little bit different” than the ones of white governors on the walls inside Maryland’s Capitol.

Gov. Wes Moore reflects on first 2 months - New York Amsterdam News
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday he’s aiming for “the most full assault on child poverty” to ever happen in Maryland during his first legislative session, touching on a wide variety of topics in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press.

Art: KAWS Reflects on Time in New Paris Exhibition

KAWS Reflects on Time in New Paris Exhibition
On view at Skarstedt Gallery.

Film: AFROPUNK Cinema Noir: Tayarisha Poe Shines Bright

AFROPUNK by Ada Kalu

Tayarisha Poe’s second feature film, The Young Wife, debuted earlier this week at SXSW. With positive reviews, the cast boasts names like Kiersey Clemons, Leon Bridges, Aida Osman, Sheryl Lee Ralph and more. The Young Wife navigates themes of love through Clemons ‘following her over the course of her “non-wedding” day.’ As it stands, Poe’s sophomore film sees her team up again with Jomo Fray as cinematographer and Terence Nance (Random Acts of Flyness) whose music features in the first film. Over the past few years, she has worked on The Twilight Zone, Two Sentence Horror Stories and her debut feature, Selah and the Spades. In honor of TYF, I’m looking back at her first feature film and why she’s an exciting director to watch out for.

AFROPUNK Cinema Noir: Tayarisha Poe Shines Bright - AFROPUNK
Tayarisha Poe’s second feature film, The Young Wife, debuted at SXSW with positive reviews. I look back at their first film and why she’s one to watch.

Ghana Holds State Funeral For Christian Atsu

Ghana held a state funeral for soccer legend Christian Atsu in Accra on Friday (March 17th). Atsu, who played for the Turkish club Hatayspor, passed away last month after massive earthquakes rocked Turkey. (Those earthquakes, which began on February 6, have killed more than 50,000 people.)

Ghana Holds State Funeral For Christian Atsu
Ghanaian soccer player Christian Atsu’s family and loved ones come together to pay their respects at his funeral at the State House in Accra, Ghana.

Music: Amaarae explores love and sensuality on new single “Reckless and Sweet”

Amaarae is the gift that keeps on giving. Closing out 2020 with her critically acclaimed debut album, ‘The Angel You Don’t Know (TAYDK),’ featuring standout cuts like Cruel Santino and Kodey Radical-assisted “JUMPING SHIP” and promotional single, “LEAVE ME ALONE,” Amaarae reaffirmed herself as a force to be reckoned with. Soon enough, standout track “SAD GIRLS LUV MONEY”began garnering mainstream success and caught the attention of Columbian-American hitmaker, Kali Uchis for a remix proving that Amaarae’s penchant for topping worldwide charts.

Amaarae explores love and sensuality on “Reckless and Sweet” | The NATIVE
Ahead of her highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Fountain Baby,’ Amaarae’s sensual vocals tell a story of a manipulative lover
Amaarae Announces New Album Fountain Baby, Shares Video for New Song
“Reckless & Sweet” is the first offering from the record, which is due this year via Interscope

Haiti: What’s the Path Forward for Haiti?

The New Yorker - Culture by Marlene L. Daut

What’s the Path Forward for Haiti?
As the international community contemplates another armed intervention, a reckoning with history is long overdue.

R.I.P. Lance Reddick, star of John Wick and The Wire

Lance Reddick, ‘The Wire’ and ‘John Wick’ star, dies at 60 - New York Amsterdam News
Lance Reddick, a character actor who specialized in intense, icy and possibly sinister authority figures on TV and film, including “The Wire,” “Fringe” and the “John Wick” franchise, has died. He was 60.

TV: Bel-Air renewed for a third season at Peacock

Bel-Air renewed for a third season at Peacock
Peacock’s dramatic reboot of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air just became the streamer’s longest-running live-action show

African Literature: ‘I Wish I Had More Time to Write for Leisure’ Aby Sène’s First Draft

The Republic by Aby L. Sène

Academic and author of ‘Against Wildlife Republics: Conservation and Imperialist Expansion in Africa’ Aby Sène, believes pan-Africanism should not be presented in an alienating way: ‘To me, before any theory or ideology, pan-Africanism is first and foremost an instinct, an intense love for global Blackness that includes love towards all Africans across the globe, including the poor and working-class African, the agrarian African, the queer African, the incarcerated African, and so on.’

https://republic.com.ng/february-march-2023/first-draft-aby-sene/


StockX vs. Nike Court Documents Reveal that a Reseller Received 38 Fake Pairs of Air Jordan 1s from StockX

The StockX vs. Nikelegal saga contniues as recently unveiled court documents state that StockX sold 38 pairs of fake Air Jordan 1s to a customer/reseller. The documents state that the resale platform “authenticated” (wording which the company removed from its product pages as of November 2022) 38 fake pairs of Air Jordan 1s last…

Reseller Received 38 Fake Pairs of Air Jordan 1s from StockX | Nice Kicks
StockX vs. Nike court documents reveal that a reseller received 38 fake pairs of Air Jordan 1s from StockX. Learn more on Nice Kicks.

2024 Sneaker Releases

Apr
08
adidas Sambas x Lionel Messi x Inter Miami

adidas Sambas x Lionel Messi x Inter Miami

Lionel Messi's collaboration with Adidas Sambas, inspired by his time with Inter Miami, presents a captivating blend of style, performance,
2 min read
Apr
08
Bode x Nike Astro Grabber

Bode x Nike Astro Grabber

The latest collaboration between Bode and Nike centered around the re-release of the Astro Grabber, a shoe with a rich
2 min read
Feb
08
Bodega x Saucony "Jaunt Woven"

Bodega x Saucony "Jaunt Woven"

The Bodega x Saucony Jaunt Woven is a testament to the fusion of aesthetic appeal and functional design. It's a
2 min read
Jan
29
Travis Scott x Jordan Jumpman Jack "University Red" and "Sail"

Travis Scott x Jordan Jumpman Jack "University Red" and "Sail"

The Travis Scott x Jordan Jumpman Jack "University Red" and "Sail" colorways are slated for release in the Spring and
2 min read
Jan
25
Air Jordan 5 "Black Cat" 2024 Release: A Coveted Release for Sneaker Enthusiasts

Air Jordan 5 "Black Cat" 2024 Release: A Coveted Release for Sneaker Enthusiasts

View this post on Instagram A post shared by zSneakerHeadz (@zsneakerheadz) Sneaker culture is excited as the iconic Air Jordan
1 min read
Jan
22
Air Jordan 5 SE "Sail"

Air Jordan 5 SE "Sail"

The Air Jordan 5 SE "Sail," set to release in April 2024, is a highly anticipated addition to the Jordan Brand's Special Edition (SE) range.
2 min read
Apr
25
Air Jordan 5 ‘Olive’ Returning Spring 2024

Air Jordan 5 ‘Olive’ Returning Spring 2024

2024 will feature the release of the Air Jordan 5 "Olive" in of Army Olive, Solar Orange, and Black. Air
1 min read