Latest news with #BlackStar
Hypebeast
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
BlackStar Film Festival Gives the Floor to Cinema for Liberation
Summary The BlackStar Film Festival returns to Philadelphia for its 14th edition. Kicking off on July 31 and running through August 3, the 2025 iteration promises over 90 films from 35 country, spotlighting the work of Black, Brown and Indigenous artists from around the world. 'In our fourteenth year we continue to view the festival as an urgent gathering for filmmakers and cinephiles of color,' said BlackStar founder Maori Karmael Holmes. 'The need in this moment is not only visionary cinema, but to be in space together around the work—to experience pleasure, rejuvenation and radical care in ways that push us towards action. The upcoming lineup spans wide thematic terrain, including films that center music as resistance, climate resilience and communal healing. Highlights for this year's edition includes the A24-backedBLKNWS: Terms & ConditionsAfro-futurist epic byKahlil Joseph, honoring Black history and the legacy of his late brother, artistNoah Davis. ActorLetitia Wrightmakes her directorial debut withHighway to the Moon, a tender coming-of-age tale of brotherhood fused with magical realist elements. Also on deck is the world premier ofTCB – The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizingby Louis Massiah and Monica Henrique, and closing the program will be Jenn Nkiru'sThe Great North, an experimental documentary that captures the cultural mosaic that is Manchester, England. This year's selections 'embody BlackStar's vision of cinema as a tool for liberation,' festival director Nehad Khader described. 'Amidst troubling times,' she continues, 'these filmmakers remind us of what is possible.' The 14th edition of the BlackStar Film Festival will run from July 31 through August 3 at multiple venues across Philadelphia and will be viewable online. To purchase tickets or learn more about the full lineup, head to BlackStar'swebsite.
American Press
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- American Press
Local author, poet recounts recovery journey in equine therapy
Jaylon J. Martin participates in equine therapy with his 'horse best friend,' Beau. (Special to the American Press) During times of hardship, friendships are an important source of support. In the poetry collection 'I Talk To Horses,' Jaylon J. Martin recounts his recovery journey in equine therapy with his 'horse best friend,' Beau. Martin, 24, found himself in equine therapy last April. 'I just remember one day, I just had this need to be around horses, just out of the blue.' After he asked around online, he was referred to Almosta Ranch in Sulphur, a 39-acre farm where guests can take a carriage ride, take a hop in Almosta Lake, or heal alongside the ranch's horses, ponies and donkeys. His first time at the ranch, a bag of apples in hand, Martin made an instant connection with the two-year-old Gelding Paint Quarter Horse with one blue eye and one brown eye, Beau. 'There was one horse who just clung to me the entire day of my first visit at the ranch,' Martin recalled. 'Beau, he just did not want to leave my side. And we've just been inseparable ever since.' In equine therapy, clients care for and build relationships with horses. This act helps mental health conditions like anxiety, depression and addiction. For Martin, who now visits the ranch twice a month, his time with Beau has helped him recover from addiction. He has been sober for two years now. His journey has been emotional, and his two poetry collections authentically recount his road to sobriety through accessible poetic imagery, he said. Martin has been writing and publishing since he was 13 years old. His first book, a Sci-Fi novel called 'Black Star,' was written when he was a student at Lake Charles Charter Academy. His eighth-grade English teacher, Ms. Myers, assigned the class a project where students created a dystopian universe. The project inspired him so much that he turned it into a novel. He graduated from McNeese State University with a Bachelor's in English and a specialization in writing. He writes both fiction and poetry. His fiction is solely for storytelling, but poetry is his emotional outlet. His first poetry collection, 'Recovery Ride,' was written during the fall of 2023 and is a testimony to his initial alcohol recovery. 'I Talk To Horses' will be his last poetry collection because he has told his 'personal story to the fullest,' he said. 'I Talk To Horses' is an honest exploration of not only Martin's experience in equine therapy but also his healing journey. 'It's me inviting my readers to the deepest and darkest parts of myself,' he said. 'Not just about the addiction, but also unspeakable traumas, because I feel like I do owe my reader an explanation of what certain poems are about.' Poetry serves as an outlet for both the reader and the writer, he said. And despite preconceptions about the medium, poetry is for everyone. 'When you ask people if they like poetry, they tend to tell you they don't, because poetry has this long track record of being very cryptic and vague and clinging to imagery to the point where the readers aren't really sure what exactly the poem means,' he explained. 'I try not to be cryptic at all. I try to be very clear and precise, especially when it comes to the imagery of it all.' Martin's favorite poem from the collection is 'Brown Eyed Lucifer,' a poem about a friendship break-up, which is a topic he believes is not talked about enough. 'That poem is about me having to let someone go who just would not hang on to me, not just when I was going through my recovery, but in life in general,' he said. 'It was also a wake-up call to me to realize who exactly that person was. 'I'm one hundred percent honest in all of them, but I excelled with that poem, because I'm still struggling with that heartbreak to this day. But that poem gives me some type of closure in a way.' The progression of Martin's equine therapy is reflected in this poem. 'Brown Eyed Lucifer' went through many drafts. But the one that ended up in the books is a living poem that grew and healed alongside Martin. 'This version of the poem is much kinder than the original,' he said. 'Because it's much more kind and more accepting of myself and the situation as a whole … that's why I stamped that one as the final product.' He said the process of writing 'I Talk To Horses' was 'almost like writing a country album.' Country music was instrumental in his writing process. To honor this, Martin will be releasing a spoken word country album where he reads his poems alongside country music instrumentals written by his friend, Taylor Fillion. His spoken word album will be released on all streaming platforms on August 15. Martin isn't slowing down. Next year, he is releasing a college fantasy novel called 'Alicans.' This will be his seventh book release. His works are available for purchase online and in local bookstores, Creative Roots, The Charmed Page and Krew's Books and Brews. More information is available on
IOL News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Ghanaian-American singer Amaarae announces new album with catchy lead single ‘S. M. O. '
Amaarae has announced the release date for her highly anticipated third album, 'Black Star'. Image: Instagram. Ghanaian-American singer Amaarae is quite literally the star of her country's flag on the album art as she announces her upcoming album 'Black Star', which is set to drop on August 8. The new album comes after her 2023 chart-topping sophomore album 'Fountain Baby'. The 30-year-old artist marked her return with a lead single titled 'S.M.O.', setting the tone for what's still to come. Known for her genre-bending fusion of her signature alternative afrobeats sound, she has already given fans a glimpse into the upcoming 13-track album with 'S.M.O.', which is a blend of upbeat afro and techno instruments. The track delves into themes of sexual liberation and empowerment, which is a no-brainer for Amaarae as an artist who usually expresses her sexual being through her music. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'For as long as I've made music, fusion has been my strength, and I think this comes to full fruition on 'S.M.O.' The song takes inspiration from Ghanaian 80s highlife trailblazer Ata Kak and blends it with a mean Detroit club bass, a drum roll akin to both Magic System's '1er Gaou' and Michael Jackson's 'Rock With You'. 'I don't know how much clearer one can get when they ask you to 'SLUT ME OUT'. The message can't be mistaken, and the beat makes you move. That's all I want to do this summer, make people dance and feel things!,' she said in a statement. In an interview with 'Rolling Stone', the 'Co-Star' singer revealed that she is driven to create a globally impactful album with 'Black Star', aiming for both commercial and critical success, and will not rest until she achieves it. According to the article, 'Black Star' marks an insightful exploration of the artist's dual identity as a woman and creator, with the title and album art cleverly referencing her own persona, the Ghanaian flag and the rich Black cultural heritage that she blends in her music style. Ghanaian singer Amaarae stuns for the 'Black Star' album art. Image: X In April, she made history as the first solo female Ghanaian artist to grace the Coachella stage. Additionally, she secured a tour spot with Sabrina Carpenter, which would make one wonder what the two artists have in common since their sounds are completely different. Interestingly, Carpenter revealed that she and her friends listen to Amaarae. The 'S.M.O.' singer draws parallels between herself and Carpenter, citing that their forms of expression are not so different. 'She's a freak just like me; it's just a different kind of expression. Hers is bright and colourful; mine is dark and edgy. But we're both saying the same thing: we're sexual beings, and we are women who feel free and confident in that,' she told 'Rolling Stone'.
Associated Press
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
LA Galaxy, Black Star, and Carson Parks and Recreation Unite To Empower Black Youth Through Juneteenth Soccer Clinics
In a powerful celebration of Juneteenth, the LA Galaxy partnered with Black Star and Carson Parks and Recreation to host two dynamic youth soccer clinics in Carson, CA—underscoring the club's unwavering commitment to inclusion, and community empowerment. Held on June 16 and 17, the free clinics welcomed more than 160 young athletes from across Southern California. These events not only honored the legacy of Juneteenth but also advanced the Galaxy's mission to uplift and unite communities through meaningful outreach and engagement. The first clinic, on Monday, June 16, was presented in collaboration with Black Star, a national initiative focused on increasing access and visibility for Black soccer players. Led by LA Galaxy Youth Soccer coaches, the session offered participants a chance to sharpen their skills, build confidence, and connect with inspiring role models in the sport. The celebration continued on Tuesday, June 17, at Galaxy Park, where the Galaxy teamed up with Carson Parks and Recreation for a second clinic. The event featured special appearances by musician Bam Marley, son of Ziggy Marley, and athletes from the United LA Girls Soccer Team, who joined Galaxy coaches in leading drills and engaging with the young players. 'Through our Juneteenth clinics, we're using the game of soccer to bring communities together, celebrate culture, and provide youth with access to positive, inclusive opportunities both on and off the field,' said Tamala Lewis, Sr. Director, Community Relations & Foundation, Dignity Health Sports Park. These clinics are part of the LA Galaxy's broader efforts to support underserved communities and harness the transformative power of soccer to inspire connection, growth, and lasting change. To learn more about the LA Galaxy Foundation and its community initiatives, please click here. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from AEG
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Amaarae Is Ready to Release a New Album — and Take Over the World
When you meet Amaarae, it's hard not to notice how much deeper her speaking voice is compared with the sweet falsetto she constantly deploys in her music. It's all intentional: 'There's a sensitivity and a vulnerability that I get to tap into in my music that isn't very easy for me to express,' she tells me under the shade of a teahouse at the Japanese Garden outside of Los Angeles. 'Deep down, I'm a sensitive and mushy person.' Amaarae has been thinking a lot about who she really is. She's currently hard at work on Black Star, her upcoming third album, out later this year, which sees her diving deeper into her identity as both a woman and an artist. The album title is a triple entendre referencing herself, the Ghanaian flag, and the Black cultural roots of the dance music she blends on the record. For the 30-year-old musician, whose real name is Ama Genfi, there's been a power to finding herself — and allowing herself to be vulnerable as an artist has given her strength. 'There's a switch that flips. There's a confidence and big-dick energy to it,' she says. 'It's a version of me that takes over.' More from Rolling Stone Childish Gambino Teams Up with Amaarae and Jorja Smith for New Tack 'In the Night' Amaarae Teases Deluxe 'Fountain Baby' as She Drops 'Angels in Tibet' Video Let Aṣa's Sweet Strength Make You a 'Believer' Black Star arrives two years after Amaarae released her critically acclaimed LP Fountain Baby, which featured the avant-garde alt-Afropop hit 'Angels in Tibet,' and follows a string of high-profile moments that have cemented her as an artist's artist. Over the past couple of years, she opened for Kaytranada and Sabrina Carpenter, collaborated several times across Childish Gambino's Bando Stone & the New World, and she made history as the first Ghanaian solo female act to perform at Coachella. '[It] was a huge turning point because before, my shows would mainly be, like, young Black kids, young African kids,' she says. 'There's clearly been a shift here. Now, it's much more of a global representation and melting point, which brings me a huge sense of pride.' She's seen her fan base expand, stretching out to include megastars. When she first heard she'd landed the tour slot with Carpenter, for example, Amaarae was skeptical: 'I was like, 'What the hell do Sabrina Carpenter know about some motherfucking Amaarae?'' But Carpenter later told her she and her friends played her music all the time. 'She's a freak just like me,' Amaarae says. 'It's just a different kind of expression: Hers is bright and colorful; mine is dark and edgy. But we're both saying the same thing: We're sexual beings, and we are women who feel free and confident in that.' That no-holds-barred sexual freedom has defined a lot of Amaarae's lyricism in the past. (A sample lyric: 'I like my coffee with some head in the morning,' from her song 'Disguise.') Her liberated approach continues on the new album: 'Black Star to me is the genesis of me feeling sure and confident in myself as a grown woman, number one, and knowing exactly what my message is, how I want to tell it to the world,' she says. Part of her process also meant weaving threads from African sounds and the Black origins of dance music. 'I'm taking my culture and I'm synthesizing it in a way that feels unique and fresh to me… I wanted to take a genre that needs to go back home to its roots and merge that with my African roots and hip-hop and create a new world,' she says. This album, she explains, took shape as she began to feel more embraced by people in Ghana, many of whom misunderstood or had preconceived notions about her and her family. Amaarae was born in the Bronx but grew up between the United States and Ghana, with parents in high-profile roles in Ghana. Her father was a politician and banking executive, and her mother was the first female chairperson of Access Bank Ghana. She says many people assumed she was just a privileged kid making music. 'They didn't think I had anything to offer because they didn't feel like I could speak from the perspective of the everyday man,' she explains. Amaarae understands why people may have thought that way, but notes that she doesn't 'really have much of a relationship' with her father, and that her mother 'has worked her ass off for years and years to give my brother and me a good life.' 'I don't need to apologize for that,' she explains. However, she does feel like things have shifted. 'With this album, I want to stamp it as 'I'm from Ghana, I love being Ghanaian.' I want to be a global symbol,' she says. Most of all, with Black Star, Amaarae says she wanted to have fun. For Fountain Baby, the singer says she took things 'too seriously' and allowed for 'too many cooks in the kitchen' to decide how the album ended up sounding. This time around, the musician (and her go-to producer Kyu Steed) took the driver's seat for the project, and traveled to Brazil to meet with several baile-funk producers. She also worked with El Guincho and Bnyx, who introduced more alternative, free-flowing sounds. 'They make music not for money or hits, but the expression,' she says. 'And that is so beautiful. I wanted to feel free like that.' Amaarae was ready to move past some of the harder moments that inspired Fountain Baby. 'It's a time stamp of a very specific time that felt like hell on Earth,' she says. She won't go into details about what that looked like, but explains that the music from that period 'equipped me with a lot of the knowledge that I have today to navigate the world.' She approached collaboration this time with a fresh mindset, shaped in part by her experience on Childish Gambino's Bando Stone album, where she embodied a character that Donald Glover, she says, 'pulled out' of her. 'He's really good at getting an interesting performance out of you. Half the time, I didn't realize that's what he was doing, but it was masterful,' she says. 'Now, when I bring other people into my world, I'm more intentional. They all have to operate as characters in this world.' The new era kicks off with 'S.M.O.,' or 'Slut Me Out,' which hears her asking a lover to 'scream and shout' in bed over a retro-futuristic dance energy that's ready for a Boiler Room DJ set. One of her favorite tracks? 'Star Killa,' where she chants 'ketamine, coke, and molly' over a hypnotic rhythm. 'It's bold and audacious,' she says. 'All the suits have gone back and forth like, 'I think you should change the name or the lyrics.' But when I preview it, people come to me and say, 'This is the record.' I think it's just nice sometimes to say the thing as it is.' The goal now with Black Star? 'Global takeover,' Amaarae says bluntly. 'My soul can't rest until I feel like I've made a project that resonates in a really huge way globally. The last frontier is to make both a commercial and critical success. 'Above all,' she adds, 'I'm a Black fucking star.' Production Credits Styling by AARON CHRISTMON and MARQUISE MILLER. Hair by MAYKISHA BOWERS. Makeup by NNEOMA CHISOM NWAKA. Photo assistance REID CALVERT. Styling assistance DEONNA BOLDEN. Outfit by BALENCIAGA Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
