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CELEBS GIVE BACK: FIRST LADY Michelle Obama & Kerry Washington "FREEZE-DANCE" And Brings The "Arts" To D.C. Kids

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First Lady Michelle Obama joined actress Kerry Washington to help inspire community children to change their lives through the arts recently.  Find out where they went and what they did inside…

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First lady Michelle Obama and actress Kerry Washington appeared at Savoy Elementary School in southeast Washington, D.C today as part of the Turnaround Arts initiative of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

The program gives grants to low-income schools, in an effort to improve students’ overall performance through arts education. Several celebrities have signed on for the program with  Kerry adopting Savoy Elementary and actor Forest Whitaker and actress Sarah Jessica Parker each adopting schools last month.

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During her talk, which include a few dance moves, the FLOTUS touted Kerry for her committment to the program and enouraged the school kids to keep striving for success, even when faced with failure and rejection.

“Kerry got a lot of rejections She spent a lot of time developing her craft. She spent a lot of time practicing and working and trying out for things and having people tell her. ‘No,’ ‘No thank you,’ ‘You’re not good enough,’ ‘You’re not pretty enough.’ Could you imagine somebody telling Kerry that she wasn’t pretty enough, she wasn’t tall enough, she was too short? That’s all performing is, is rejection. … But when you work hard and you invest thousands of hours in anything, you get better. And that’s what you guys are learning here at Savoy.”

 

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During her remarks, she also thanked Kerry for her level of involvement and called her a "friend". 

"She’s not just a beautiful, fashionable, talented woman, but she’s real inside, and there is beauty deep inside. The fact that she is flying all over the country but she comes to spend time with you guys, and she does it for real; the fact that she’s taken time out of her schedule to come here today, it shows a level of respect for me, of course, and our friendship, but it shows more her love for all of you. So, Kerry, love you, girl. Keep it going. Very proud of you."

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And Kerry really threw her hat in the ring with the children…she kicked off her heels and joined the kids on stage for some and dance.

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Later in the day, Kerry also read stories to one of the third grade classes.

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And a few lucky kids in Jacqueline Lyons’ Pre-K Class go to meet the FLOTUS up close, as she spent time doing arts and crafts with the class. 

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The First Lady even got the kids on their feet where they freeze-danced to James Brown’s “Gonna Have a Funky Good Time."   A funky good time indeed….

 


Photos via McNamee/Getty Images North America

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Original Post Source – http://www.theybf.com/

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Dee-1 Calls Raheem DeVaughn To “Purify My Eyes”

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Fresh off his Breakfast Club appearance after having “Lines Drawn” with help from Billboard and successfully migrating From The Hood To Harvard, NOLA native Dee-1 taps Soul singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn for “Purify My Eyes.” Continuing his theme of counter-culture centered messaging the timely track, which was produced by Anonymous, urges listeners to replace images of corruption and cynicism with lifegiving content to reprogram our thinking for the better.

“This is easily one the most important songs I have ever done because it provides Hip-Hop with a solution-based perspective meant to combat some of the problems we face as a culture. It’s honest, raw, and transparent. I’ve been friends with Raheem Devaughn for a long time, so to finally collaborate on a song feels great. When I played the record for him, he fell in love with it and instantly added his parts; which took the song to another level,” say’s the David Found His Slingshot author in a exclusive statement to Medium Creative Agency.

Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana’s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career.

Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.

After addressing critics and fans alike in the official music video for the Danny Beats-produced single for “Lines Drawn” and following his viral interview on Sway In The Morning centered around industry hypocrisy, Emmy-nominated educator turned entertainer Dee-1 released his latest project to date From The Hood To Harvard. The 8-track body of work includes guest features from Skyy Brooks as well as P3RK and is anchored by supporting records “Impostor Syndrome” & “Dr. Freshh.”

Stream “Purify My Eyes” on your DSP of choice below and watch Dee-1‘s interview with The Breakfast Club | HERE.

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Chelsea Pastel Releases Motivative New Single “Price Going Up”

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To celebrate “Greener” pastures, following the announcement of her joining Kid Cudi’s ‘Insano World Tour,’ Cleveland native Chelsea Pastel releases the Cassius G-produced single “Price Going Up.” Marking CP’s explosive entrance into 2024, the empowering anthem resonates with anybody pushing forward with resilience and determination. With infectious beats and powerful vocals, she asserts her presence as a rising star to watch. Setting the stage for an exciting year ahead, the brand-new track is a bold declaration of Chelsea’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

“I jumped off that porch, I’m not going back to that house and I mean just that. I’m never looking back. I took a leap of faith and where I land is where I’m staying,” says the talented triple threat in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about her latest release.

Born and bred in Forest City, Chelsea found her passion for music early on, which led her to enroll in the Cleveland School of Arts. After graduating, Chelsea begin to make a name for herself throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her unique sonic style, catchy hooks, and lyrical prowess have earned her the title of Cleveland’s Next Up talent.

Apart from accolades, which include spotlight spots regionally on WKYC and Dirty Glove Bastard as well as national recognition on top-tier entertainment networks like BET, Chelsea is a self-taught instrumentalist who often handles her production, writing, and engineering. Her unique brand of ballads can be best classified as a fusion of Rap and Pop with a touch of Rock accented by old-school flavor.

Press play on “Price Going Up” on your DSP of choice below and watch the visual for “Greener” | HERE via Pastel Productions LLC / Vydia.

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Music

Chill Vibes and Sultry Melodies: Exploring iazY’s Latest Release “Pink Leaf”

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Hailing from the vibrant city of Irvine, the rising artist iazY is making waves with her latest single, “Pink Leaf,” released under her own label, iazY Music Ent. This track, produced by The Real Mapa and engineered by Troy “R8dio” Johnson, introduces listeners to iazY’s signature sound—a fusion of Urban pop rock melodies.

iazY shared her motivation behind crafting “Pink Leaf,” revealing, “I just had this vision of just a chill vibe, something for my ladies.” This intention shines through in the song’s laid-back groove and sultry lyrics, creating an irresistible atmosphere that invites listeners to unwind and groove along.

What sets “Pink Leaf” apart for iazY is not only its sound but also the emotions it evokes. She explains, “I think just how the song sounds and how it makes me feel. It just puts me in that ‘have fun chill’ vibe.” With its catchy hooks and lush production, “Pink Leaf” effortlessly captures iazY’s essence as an artist, marking a milestone in her musical journey.

As iazY continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of genres and infectious energy, fans eagerly anticipate upcoming shows and releases. To stay updated on iazY’s latest endeavors, follow her on Instagram @iazyofficial and keep an ear out for future announcements from iazY Music Ent.

Visit iazyMusic.com

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