#Clive Davis Institute

[mworldnews]

Taylor Swift's Academic Resonance: A Symphony of Study Across American Universities

American institutions have taken note of Taylor Swift’s cultural phenomenon in a harmonic fusion of popular culture and academia. With the 12-time Grammy winner’s impact on American pop culture reaching new heights, universities including New York University, Harvard, UT Austin, the University of Florida, and UC Berkeley have organized specialized courses that allow students to analyze Swift’s…

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (6-12 Apr 2025)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

🥰 Fan Service (Rosie Danan) - this was just so! much! fun! and given my usual low tolerance of cishet contemp romances, that's saying something. Nailed the whole 'being-in-fandom' vibe, even calling out some of the more toxic aspects, without ever shitting on it, in a way that can only be done from someone on the inside.

😍 Murder by Memory (Dorothy Gentleman #1) (Olivia Waite, author; Blair Baker, narrator) - delightful scifi cozy mystery novella set on a generation ship - as someone who loved The Spare Man, I gotta say I am all on board with this publishing trend. also: Dorothy Gentleman? incredible name, chef's kiss. Absolutely cannot wait for more of Dorothy's adventures.

💖💖 +72K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

In The Long Run (musette22) - MCU: shrunkyclunks, 12K - this fic is described by the author as "mostly 💫 vibes 💫 and unapologetic smut, with a bit of soulmates and angst thrown in the mix"; said vibes are heavily influenced by '70s rock, especially The Eagles' "Peaceful Easy Feeling" which all adds up to be wonderfully delicious

Misplaced Pencils (Somanywords) - MCU: stucy, 13K - lovely & poignant look at Steve Rogers & his relationship to drawing throughout his life (with a side of his relationship to bucky thrown in 😉)

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

The Sam Sanders Show - How Did Marsai Martin Conquer Child Stardom?

Home Town Takeover - s3, e5

Smartypants - s2, e3

QI - series Q, e2-4, 7-8, 11-14

Um, Actually - s10, e6

Game Changer - s7, e1

Doctor Odyssey - s1, e13-14

D20: The Ravening War - "The Seventh Kingdom" (s17, e5)

D20: The Ravening War - "The Heart of the World" (s17, e6)

D20: Adventuring Party - s12, e5-6 (The Ravening War)

The Fall Guy

Doctor Who - s2 (series 15), e1

D20: Titan Takedown - "Party Animals" (s25, e1)

D20: Titan Takedown - "Bouts and Boogies" (s25, e2)

D20: Adventuring Party - s20, e1-2 (Titan Takedown)

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

Pop Pantheon - Disco: Past & Present (with The Clive Davis Institute's Jason King)

Off Menu - Ep 285: Sally Phillips

Imaginary Worlds - NSFW Ancient Tales, Myths and Riddles

⭐ Twenty Thousand Hertz+ - Inside Apple: Sonic Accessibility

Our Opinions Are Correct - Severance and the New Hellscape (w/ Carl Zimmer)

Desert Island Discs - Cyndi Lauper

The Sporkful - Comedian Matteo Lane Says ‘Your Pasta Sucks’

Off Menu - Ep 286: Rhod Gilbert (Live in London)

Pop Culture Happy Hour - The White Lotus

The Curious History of Your Home - Clocks

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Black American West Museum

Switched on Pop - Miley Cyrus goes avant-garde

Dinner’s on Me - Matt Bomer

99% Invisible - Everything Is Tuberculosis

David Tennant Does a Podcast With…Georgia Tennant

Persuasion by Jane Austen - Persuasion 11. | The Tale of Mrs Smith

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Dying For Sex

⭐ Vibe Check - If You Don’t Want to Be Edged, Get Out of My Bed

⭐ Decoder Ring - Spring Break Forever

Decoder Ring - An MTV Spring Break Karaoke Misadventure

Imaginary Worlds - Blueprints for Utopias

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Pop Culture That Changed Our Minds

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - What Makes a Pest?

⭐ One Song - Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song"

Shedunnit - Book Club Fact File: The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

Shedunnit - Book Club Conversation: The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

No One Saw It Coming - Stealing the Mona Lisa: The Crime That Created a Legend

You're Dead to Me - Marco Polo: history’s most famous travel writer?

Hit Parade - Only Girl in the World Edition

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

The Muppets

"Bad For Me" [Dee Dee Bridgewater] radio

Who Believes In Angels? [Elton John & Brandi Carlile] {2025}

Rock Radio • 1990s

Groove Cruise

'80s Rock Revival

50 Years of the Piano Man [Billy Joel] {2022}

Beats & Soul

AC/DC

Ratt radio

The Darkness Radio • Rock

Enya

[mannytoodope]

Kamaal Ibn John Fareed (born Jonathan William Davis on April 10, 1970), better known as Q-Tip, is a rapper, record producer, singer, actor, and DJ. He started his career in the late ’80s as an MC and a leading producer for the rap group A Tribe Called Quest. During the mid-’90s, he co-founded the production team The Ummah, which led to the release of his gold-certified solo album in 1999. In the 2000s, he released his second solo album, The Renaissance, which earned him a Grammy nomination.

A Tribe Called was the subject of a documentary called Beat Rhymes &Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest it gives an inside look into a part of the hip-hop genre that best defines me: the Native Tongue collection that was vibrant in the mid-‘90s. Aside from his music, Q-Tip has appeared in several films. He has also collaborated with several artists in hip-hop and soul. As a DJ, he has hosted Beats 1 and Abstract Radio since 2015. In 2016, he was named the artistic director of hip-hop culture at the Kennedy Center. In 2018, he became the instructor of hip-hop and jazz courses at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. Q-Tip and the rest of A Tribe Called Quest recently released an album a few years ago. He has spread his wings by working with various artists throughout his career. Q-Tip misses his friend group member, Phife Dawg, but he still keeps his name alive. A Tribe Called Quest was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of  Fame last year. They are one of my favorite rap groups. They have released some essential hip-hop albums. Q-Tip is one of the most prominent rappers and producers in hip-hop today and is always on point.

[panelshowsource]

new additions to the masterpost :)

hey all ~

along with the few panelist collections i soft-launched yesterday (🥹 thanks for enjoying them), there is some new content on the masterpost + secondary masterpost!

—

panel shows

bring the noise — complete series sky 1 series hosted by ricky wilson with nicole scherzinger, tinie tempah, joel dommett, katherine ryan

the guessing game — complete series bbc radio scotland radio panel show where guests are asked a series of bizarre questions; hosted by clive anderson and guests include alex horne, susan calman, hal cruttenden, matthew crosby, cariad lloyd, etc.

it's your round — complete series radio panel show where each guests invents the round to be won. hosted by angus deayton and guests include miles jupp, sara pascoe, rebecca front, josie long, bridget christie, tim key, etc.

richard hammond's brain reaction — complete series science-based panel show hosted by richard hammond alongside victoria coren mitchell, johnny vegas and ria lina

misc. tv

archiveologists — complete series two episodes of mash aka diane morgan & joe wilkinson re-voice archive footage to give us a twisted comedy spin on british social history and institutions in short 'information' films

beauty & the beast: a pantomime for comic relief (2021) pandemic era virtual panto starring lily james, oliver chris, sian gibson, kiell smith-bynoe, miranda hart, michael sheen, lee mack, etc.

imagine... jo brand: no holds barred (2019) documentary about the legend herself, featuring interviews with peter capaldi, alan davies, victoria coren mitchell, etc.

show & tell — complete series e4 series celebrating comic storytelling. each episode sees three comedians bring something to 'show' to viewers. hosted by chris addison and guests include roisin conaty, elis james, joe wilkinson, joe lycett, diane morgan, james acaster, etc.

staged — complete series david tennant and michael sheen didn't win a bafta for this but they should have

the complete stand up to cancer celebrity episodes of the great british bake off (i will work on the sport relief episodes!)

twenty twelve — complete series bbc mockumentary series accompanying the 2012 olympics, starring hugh bonneville and jessica hynes

who do you think you are? — david tennant

misc. radio

alex horne presents the horne section — complete series 2011–2014 bbc radio 4 series

party's over — complete series bbc radio 4 sitcom starring miles jupp as a prime minister coping with life after leaving office

women talking about cars — complete series victoria coren mitchell hosts an exploration of what cars symbolise to women today, including freedom, power, refuge, novelty and familiarity; guests include olivia colman, claudia winkleman, jennifer saunders, etc.

—

ps. icymi these are the masterpost additions from last week which are well worth checking out!

WATCH LINKS MASTERPOST / FAQ / TAGS / ASK

[kamenstranger]

With this new season of Castlevania alleged creepy sex weirdo Warren Ellis was out as head writer, and Clive Bradley was in. Bradley is known primarily as a crime and horror writer, whose works I wasn't too familiar with before this. That, in addition to the events of season 4, left me with basically no expectations for what direction the show would go.

That said, The first episode perfectly sets the stage for the rest of the season. It is efficient without feeling rushed or over-stuffed. It is concise while covering a lot of ground.

We open on Richter being sent away to France for his protection, but in the process, his mother, Julia (Sophie Skelton), is killed by a powerful vampire, Olrox (Zahn McClarnon). Nine years later, in 1792, we find Richter (Edward Bluemel) with this adoptive sister, Maria Renard (Pixie Davies). Maria is a witch and a young revolutionary fanning the flames among the peasants, making her and her listeners targets for the literal bloodsucking cronies of the upper class. Although they pose no threat to our two heroes.

Richter and Maria right off the bat have a great sibling dynamic. While it would be a stretch to call this young cocky Richter level-headed, he has a comparatively cool demeanor to Maria's short fuse. Maria herself is a lot of fun. She is foul-mouthed and rebellious in a "burn the bourgeois" sort of way, which puts her at odds with institutions such as the church.

Still, the two meet with the local Abbott, Emmanuel (Richard Dormer), seeing as one of the attacking vampires mentioned a Vampire Messiah. Although the church is of no help.

After that excursion, there's a slight respite in Richter's domestic life, focusing on Maria and her mother, Tera (Nastassja Kinski). We see that Richter suffers from PTSD nightmares over his mother's death. He's awakened by an attack on the homestead by night creatures, something neither Richter, nor the rest of the household, has experience or knowledge of, resulting in a pretty brutal beatdown.

He's saved by the timely intervention of Annette (Thuso Mbedu) a former plantation slave who can manipulate rocks and metals; and Edouard (Sydney James Harcourt) a revolutionary opera singer. Both were looking for Richter in hopes of stopping this vampire messiah. Elsewhere, Olrox arrives in France to meet this messiah.

As I said, this episode covers a lot of ground. The back story for Richter, supporting characters and their relationships, major events being set up, more supporting characters to explore, and a lot of small character moments. That last one I think is the most important because there is a lot of that sprinkled throughout, along with some quick dialogue that explains small details. For example, when Richter is a child there's a quick line about how Tera isn't a vampire hunter. Richter is talented and has some training, but we see his limitations with the Night Creatures. There's some other stuff too, like Richter not having much thought on the current affairs of a classist system, but finding Maria and her mother good people with good intentions, so he stands by them. He has a good heart, but he perhaps doesn't think much about the world at large the same way Maria does.

Another small but appreciated bit is Annette's spear turning into dust and reforming as plates. You immediately pick up on her metal manipulation ability, and it's nice that Maria isn't the only one with unique magic (that being the Sì Xiàng.) Not to mention this also sets the ground for a much larger world of magic, like say, Richter's Item Crash abilities from the games. And yes, that is a key component because Richter lost his ability to do any magic after his mother's death.

In fact, episode 2 expands on that very thing while also explaining that Annette's powers came from her father's side, leading all the way back to her culture's God of war, Ogun (They don't specify which African Religion.) An inheritance of magic would become a running motif throughout this season. But That's just a small part of this episode.

The real meat of the second episode is the arrival of the Messiah's Emissary, Drolta Tzuentes (Elarica Johnson) to France, and Annette revealing the vampire messiah's name; Erzsebet Bathory. This triggers memories in Maria's mother that she had long kept secret. Tera was originally from Russia, part of a group of speakers helping a small village until they were besieged by vampires. Tera lost her sister to vampirism in the process and was forced to kill her. She fled until she reached France and was taken in by Emmanuel, hoping to leave that nightmare behind.

With their best lead being an Island chateau with nightly parties, Richter, Maria, Annette, and Edouard, skulk out the place in hopes of finding out where the night creatures are coming from. While spying on the partygoers, Annette spots her former slaver, Vaublanc, and nearly loses control of herself. Regardless, Vaublanc still takes notice and things quickly go south. The four flee an onslaught of monsters, but only three make it out. Edouard is overwhelmed and slain in the chaos. His body is brought to the Abbey along with other corpses to be made into night creatures in the cellar.

Unlike the slow methodical smith-like process of the 1400s, the demon forging process has become industrialized. Something I didn't care for much (at first) is that Edouard is turned into a night creature where it's basically just him but with monster appendages. So his midriff and face are perfectly normal. Everyone else turns into these barely recognizable monsters, but you know his features stay intact for future drama. We'll get back to that.

Episode 3 focuses on the group comforting Annette's loss, and her in turn opening up to the group about her past. Seeing her mother killed by Vaublanc, the awakening of her powers, her escape at age 16, and of course her meeting with Edouard. Edouard hid Annette from Vaublanc and brought her to a rebel militia in the mountains where she was trained to use her powers by a Seer, Cécile, and eventually aids in the uprising of Saint-Domingue. Although Vaublanc would of course escape. Annette is obviously very different from her game counterpart and for the better in my book. She's a proactive player here and the backstory given also connects both narratively and thematically to the setting and themes. It's also nice that Edouard gets some backstory laid out because we never really got a chance to explore him before his death. While this is still more in the service of Annette, it's at least something.

A smaller part of the episode is a homoerotic confrontation between Olrox and the Abbott's right hand, Mizrak (Aaron Neil) Olrox seemingly throwing a wrench into their plans for his own gain, planting a seed in the warrior's mind that Erzsebet will cast them aside when the opportunity arrives. Maria also introduces Annette to her revolutionary group, but are attacked by night creatures, Edouard among their ranks. One little twist is that Edouard maintains a degree of consciousness. He turns away from Annette, hides his face, and ends up attacking another creature that goes after her. In that regard, I consider his appearance to reflect that the process of the forge was perhaps flawed in some manner. But we have seen creatures display a degree of independence before, and memories of their past life as with FlysEyes. Whatever the cause, he's carried off with the remaining night creatures, Maria noting that they were heading in the direction of the Abbey.

Episode 4 follows up with Maria and Annette being hell-bent on assaulting the Abbey for answers, although Richter objects to the impulsive nature since they're unsure. Tera instead offers a more subtle approach with an alternate entrance to the cellar. In fact, she knows a little bit too much about the Abbey, something Richter takes notice of.

Olrox is also busy getting answers. From an afterglow chat with Mizrak to secretly investigating the demon forge and its workings. He even chats with Edouard while the Abbot is busy in a meeting with Drolta on their uneasy alliance. Trepidatious though it may be, both see a benefit. Emmanuel wants to purge the revolution for questioning and outright attacking the church. The Vampires want to maintain a ruling class and need a human to forge demons for an army. It's all about the status quo.

Drolta also has some good character bits here. I wouldn't call her particularly deep as a villain, she never becomes as interesting as Olrox. But she is a fun villain. Which, hey, that's more than I can say for her Bloodlines counterpart who was just a witch. You can also tell someone had a lot of fun designing all of Drolta's different looks, she has more outfit changes than anyone else and her aesthetic is fucking great.

All that said, Drolta and Emmanuel cross paths with our heroes, and a big chunk of the episode is a massive fight in the cellar. If you've read my previous Castlevania reviews you know I dislike regurgitating what's on screen followed by "done well" But this is a highlight of the season. We're at the midway point, the threads are starting to come together, and we're ramping things up with an amazing battle showcasing everyone's abilities brilliantly. In particular, we see how dangerous Drolta is. All this with a beautiful vocal performance by Edouard.

Amongst all this action are some story morsels; Tera is horrified at Emmanuel for one- although he does stop Drolta from going after Maria. Put a pin in that. There's also a truly heart-wrenching moment between Annette and Edouard where he begins to remember who she is. And if that wasn't enough, just when we're showing how fucking badass Richter can be with him finally handling night creatures, Olrox makes his presence known. And the utter looks of terror in Richter's eyes upon hearing his voice is so palatable.

The facial expressions this season are truly wonderful. Richter tells everyone to get the fuck out and runs for it, not stopping. And what I love is right after everyone has escaped, Olrox acts completely natural toward Drolta, saying he just got off the boat and the messiah is expecting him.

Ep 5 is split into three parts. One follows a frustrated Annette as she heads out and eventually tails Drolta's carriage until she meets up with Olrox. This segment is largely exposition while also trying to further convince Olrox of their cause. There's a lot of back and forth about rising and falling empires, something both Olrox and Drolta have seen their share of since their Aztec and Egypt days, respectively. It boils down to Drolta considering the natural order of things to be of rulers and subjects. The messiah can supposedly offer a permanent empire for Vampires to rule. After that meeting, and by complete happenstance, Annette ends up running into Vaublanc in the same graveyard. She uses her ability in possibly the most unique manner to trap the slaver in a cage of crosses. And for really no good goddamn reason at all, he gloats about Erzsebet Báthory's plans and her power. How she drank the blood of the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet. Considering she's a solar goddess, all I'm picturing is the time Dracula bit Superman and blew up.

That somehow didn't happen but instead supposedly gave her the ability to block the sun. This ranting goes on until the sun rises and burns the lesser vampire to a crisp. Meanwhile, Emmanuel shows up at Tera's house. It's a similar case of back and forth, how Emmanuel is clearly engaging in horrible sacrilegious acts but he views it as an end justifies the means sorta way. I'm getting a little bit ahead of myself here, but this is basically Emmanuel's character for the rest of the show. Becoming increasingly unhinged, but with a touch of self-awareness. His character has this uneasy combination of the deeper he goes, the worse he feels…but he can't stop. You wonder if it will ever be too much. Honestly, it makes for a more interesting human monster compared to the flat 200% evil priests of the previous Castlevania. Oh, it also gets revealed that he's Maria's father. Okay, that's not shocking from an audience perspective, it's painfully obvious what with Tera's comments, history, and the fact that there are only two adult blonds in the entire show. But from the Character's POV, it causes a rift between Maria and her mother.

Richter oddly has the least to do in this episode, yet he is perhaps the most interesting. After bolting and having a breakdown, he wanders aimlessly, gets a bandana from some revolutionaries smitten with his looks, and ultimately winds up at a bar. He's too poor for a drink, although an old man pays for a meal. And this is when things take a surprising turn. A vampire bursts into the bar looking for the old man. Richter reaches for the whip, but the old man has already taken it and quickly slays the vampire with ease.

Playing up an old fan theory, this is in fact Richter's Grandfather, Juste (Iain Glen). This one got me. The moment I saw a long white-haired man I figured it could be, but I was still pleasantly surprised they went there.

Episode 6 is another dense one, with Erzsabet making her horrifying arrival to France. Edouard meanwhile begins talking to fellow night creatures, one of whom, Jacques, recalls attending Maria's meetings. Speaking of, Maria visits Emmanuel in hopes of swaying the Abbott away from his path. I guess you could say she's presenting the choice of what sort of father he wants to be. I admit, it's slightly jarring that Maria would extend this offer in the first place given her utter disdain prior. I guess she wants to give the benefit of the doubt, but she's not exactly had a longing for a father figure as part of her character. Sure, she thought her father was dead until now, but it feels more like something thrown in so Drolta can secretly take notice and set up events for the finale. In fairness, Maria is impulsive, so I guess in that regard it still works. But… yeah I'm still iffy on it as a plot point.

Thankfully, the main core of this episode is much better by being centered on Richter and Juste. We learn why there was such dissonance with his daughter, and why he's kept away from Richter, how he became so broken. Juste once was the most powerful magic user of the Belmonts, the whip was almost secondary to him. But his wife Lydie and his best friend Maxim were both killed by a vampire. After that, he lost his magical touch. He lost hope. These tales of woe are cut short when elite vampire warriors sent by Drolta assault the duo, chaining Juste and separating Richter from the whip. Richter is restrained and prepared for execution. But something happens to Richter. A burning desire to not only live, but to protect the people he loves. That fire inside him grows and becomes literal.

What follows is less of a fight and more pure elegant destruction. Richter burning, freezing, and stabbing all the night fiends. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention this is backed with the one game cover for this season; Divine Bloodlines. Which is just exquisite. Beyond that, I just love this bit of character. Richter's strength, and consequentially what makes him contrast with Trevor and more directly Juste, is how he channels his trauma into something positive.

However, do not let the above distract from the fact that Olrox gets his own spotlight finally delving into his motivations. After all, he was once part of a great kingdom until the Spanish arrived. Does he see Erzsabet as just another god king which fools have pledged themselves to? Perhaps. We also get some insight into the lover Julia killed. A Mohican man who fought in the Revolutionary War, only to have his home stolen by those same people. The only thing that changed was who the colonizers were. But lest you think that makes Olrox too sympathetic, the only reason he lost his love is because he was turned into a vampire. Mizrak actually confronts him on this, asking if a choice was even granted. Of course, Olrox was too selfish for that.

Ep 7. Our penultimate episode, unsurprisingly, is mostly set up for the finale. Although a great deal is simply low-key character interactions, like the fallout between Maria with her mother over Emmanuel.

Richter also returns to the trio and has a nice quiet scene with just him and Annette, Richter apologizing for abandoning them and promising to help rescue Edouard. It's really the only scene the two have leaning into there being something between them, Annette admitting she was more worried about him than she wanted. It's rather cute and I love the subtle blush on Annette. But there's no time to kindle that spark. The four must prepare a full assault on the Abbey.

Less low-key is Erzsabet's plans being fully laid out. Olrox is nothing more than a servant to pay Erzabet tribute by conquering the Americas on her behalf. This submission is not something he takes kindly to, but he has little choice. Speaking of submission, Emmanuel is expected to do just that for the new messiah. A sacrifice of something dear to him; Maria.

As our heroes begin planning their attack on the Abbey, Maria voices concern over what could happen to Emmanuel. But as Tera bluntly puts it: he made his choice. Before they can continue, they're interrupted by an unlikely source, Olrox, who drops off Emmanuel's infernal tome. While this leads to a whole excursion, the gist is really quite simple; Olrox can't afford to get too involved with this subversion, Erzsabet is far more powerful than any know, and the Demon Forge can only be handled by humans. Whether or not they trust Olrox is irrelevant, this is their best bet at dealing a blow before Erzsabet can build an army.

That night, as Tera reads over the tome, Maria sneaks out and heads for the Abbey, hoping to give her father one last chance to have a change of heart. But it's to no avail, his mind is thoroughly poisoned and Maria is captured, breaking the last straw for Mizrak.

The following day, Tera figures out the solution to dealing with the forge, but it won't be easy. Destruction isn't possible, the only solution is sending it back where it came from; Hell. Annette will be needed to quite literally push the entire machine through a portal. Just as their plan is formulated, Mizrak arrives, warning them that Emmanuel is preparing to kill Maria. As they hurry to the church, the sun is suddenly eclipsed.

Erzsabet, true to the rumors, can call forth an eternal night.

This brings us to the season finale in episode 8. The four arrive in time to save Maria from the crazed holy man. Annette heads down to take care of the forge and also free Edouard, although he prefers staying with the night creatures, two of whom have regained their sentience and even protect Annette.

As Tera reads incantations to summon the portal to hell, Drolta and a small squad of vampires arrive at the church for Richter, Maria, and Mizrak to take care of. One thing for sure is that Drolta is a force to be reckoned with. Their previous fight was during the day, but now she's at full strength. Maria is giving it her all, and Richter is no slouch with his new magic. He even gets a few good licks in with his ice whip.

But things change when Erzsabet arrives. She has since transmogrified into a Sekhmet lioness appearance, and she is immensely powerful. None of the attacks launched at her can even make contact. Not Maria's guardians, not the whip, not the elemental magics. She casts everyone aside and heads right for Maria, which causes Tera to lose focus and close the portal. See, Emmanuel misunderstood. Bathory wasn't looking for a blood sacrifice, she was looking for someone to turn. Tera intervenes and begs to be taken instead of Maria. After all, she's a speaker and would be a powerful minion to have. Bathory accepts. I want to take a moment and say Tera's fate hits surprisingly hard. She's not the deepest character, we don't spend a great deal of time on her. But she's prominent enough to leave an impact. A flawed individual with the best of intentions and ultimately a good heart. I do want to give mention to Nastassja Kinski's performance, which is her first voice role. She gives Tera this soft-spoken kindly forlorn inflection that perfectly matches her complicated past. And to see that character turned and suddenly become this ravenous beast, feasting like a combination of starving infant and strung-out addict… it's beautifully sad. This is a show full of contrasts and Tera made a great contrast to Emmanuel, more so than Maria, I think. I don't believe Tera was under any illusions like Emmanuel. Her sacrifice isn't going to spare Maria, but it buys everyone enough time. Conversely, Emmanuel would give up anyone else with the assumption it would be worth it, even as it broke his heart. And make no mistake, his heart is breaking during this moment.

With the situation at its worst, the four make their escape as Drolta and her minions give chase. Drolta closes in on Richter, lunging after him.

Only to be met by a familiar sword. Understandably an elite vampire being taken out followed by a guy claiming to be the son of Dracula causes the rest of the vampires to flee. Alucard turns his attention towards Richter, hoping that he isn't too late. And that is one hell of a season finale. Goddamn.

If it wasn't clear by now. I thoroughly enjoyed this season. There are a few issues I have, mostly small and nitpicky stuff. But things are fairly damn solid and I don't have much major to complain about. One thing I do see criticized is some of the dialogue being "Cringy." It's not as bad as I had seen made out, but there are undeniably some dorky-ass wince-inducing lines. Some try too hard to be inspiring or funny. One example would be Richter going on a speech as his powers awaken and saying he was "gonna have a witty line… but fuck it." It just doesn't come off as earnest. I get the feeling that it's trying to evoke Ellis' form of vulgarity and irreverent humor- which itself sometimes fell face first. But there's nothing in here even close to "Eat shit and Die. Yes, fuck you." or "See? God Hates me." Nocturne thankfully avoids trying to be too much like its predecessor and is better for it. Although its own quirks occasionally stick out, it's nothing that ruins the moment. Probably the worst it gets was Annette's speech to the revolutionaries which isn't even a paragraph and about as inspirational as Marshmallow fluff is nutritious. Maria's overly enthusiastic reaction only highlights the lame awkwardness. Fred Hamton this was not. I suppose on a related note, it is worth talking about the themes of the series. The most notable of all these is how it interprets Vampires among the aristocracy, literally feeding on the lower classes. Not an original take by any means, but one that works and is great for the setting. Perhaps the most criticism I can levy towards Nocturne when it dips into the various class systems at play is how little it actually gets to delve into them, despite how constant they are. It does raise some interesting ideas and points, such as the uprising in Saint-Domingue, or how Olrox's Mohican lover was turned against by the Americans. It presents this idea that there are those that will always see themselves above others and the French Revolutionaries aren't really going to give a shit once all is said and done. A slave is beneath a peasant, an Indian beneath a colonist, a night creature beneath a human, a human beneath a vampire, and so forth. But as prevalent as that is, I don't think the series ever takes full advantage of those elements. The parallels are just that, parallels. Something repeated but never expanded upon in a meaningful way. Look, I'm in a post-Black Sun world. I realize nothing is going to compete on the totally radical scale by comparison. Still, while Nocturne is far from toothless, it doesn't have as much bite as it could. I will give credit to Olrox. I think he's the most interesting of the bunch in how these systems affect his compass. Driven away from his homeland by Conquistadors, his lover was driven from his by revolutionaries. Olrox himself is now part of a system of power- and yet he is still subjugated as nothing more than muscle to a more powerful figure within that system… who wants him to colonize.

As for everyone else… Man, this is a weird situation. For Richter, I don't think there's much that hasn't already been covered. I like his character and what they do with him. It's a fairly typical young hero journey, one that just got started in a lot of respects. He overcame is trauma, got his power back, and was met with something far stronger. He has quite a ways to go and more to learn. I think it's safe to say that applies to Maria, too. Perhaps even more so because she lacks a character-focused episode that doesn't center on her family. She was fine overall, but I'm more looking forward to the next season and the fallout of losing her mother to a fate worse than death, how that affects her, the relationships around her, and perhaps channeling it into becoming more powerful.

Curiously, Maria is down an animal buddy throughout this entire season. I'm not counting the doves/owls because I'm fairly certain they were considered redundant with huáng. But Shenlong is noticeably absent and I can only assume that's going to be Maria's big upgrade in the next season. I hope the same is true for Richter. As much as I appreciate seeing them get clever with the ice and fire abilities, I want to see things I associate with him specifically. The closest we get is the flame whip and a pseudo grand cross. Have him throw a bible and the page cut like razors or stick like Fulu talismans, 1,000 blades, hydro storm. Make that a part of him getting stronger, going beyond the traditional magic, and perhaps tie that in with some character stuff with Annette as their relationship blossoms. (As an aside. I can't help but think Tera being turned into a vampire is perfect setup to make the whip into a proper vampire killer ala Lament of Innocence.)

To give more credit where it's due, I also appreciate what's done with Annette by incorporating wider cultural elements into the setting, in addition to still being something that's a major part of her background. I'm hoping for more stuff with Annette next season because I feel aside from her origin tale she's easily overshadowed by Richter's journey feeling more full. Plus it's perfect opportunity to set up a family dynamic with the three.

Getting back to the magical angle, I also love that Erzsabet takes on a second form in relation to a God. That's very much in tune with how in the games Dracula could assume a form like Pazuzu. Likewise, Olrox can turn into a giant serpent, which is a nice twist on his lizard form from SOTN while giving some Quetzalcoatl-like qualities related to his own background. Hmm, that's another Sun God like Sekhmet…

But a lot of what I'm talking about here is setting and background stuff around characterization. And also shit I'm expecting/wanting next season because I've already covered most of the characters. Well, that, and as efficient as the story is, it does leave me wanting more. Which, yes, is a great thing. I enjoy these characters and want to spend more time with them. I feel it's at least appropriate enough to leave off where we do. But there is still a nagging part of me that hates that we have horribly short seasons with this franchise. As wonderful as the writing is at balancing the narrative and characters for a streamlined experience, it's still in the single digits. We only have 8 roughly 25 minute episodes and I struggle to say more than a few unique blurbs about any one character because of that short run. The plus side is they use every bit of that run time well, it's remarkable how much is done in that time. The downside is "barely scratched the surface" is a phrase I can apply to most of the cast. Richter is truthfully the only one with a proper fulfilling arc that still leaves room for growth. Annette sorta gets a spirit journey about using the full strength of her ancestors and forgiving Richter, but that's kinda it. Maria has some character stuff with her family, but it's not a journey in the same way as the others, despite the personal nature. We're going to have to wait until next season before deep-diving on Maria and Annette. To say nothing of Mizrak who barely has a speaking role. The more I think about it, the more I wish this was 3-5 episodes longer just to sink those claws in more. It almost feels like a show that is the best case scenario for when you cut out all the fat. As it stands, I'm still appreciative of what was done. 8 episodes were ordered and they did the best with those restrictions, that much I believe is certain. Maybe it's best to focus on what is rather than what could be, and what we got is still damn good.

Also damn good is the animation this season. So this is going to be a pretty sort section because I'm limited to 30 photos and I've got 4 other reviews talking about the animation in Castlevania. One thing I have to point out is that Netflix and many others are calling this an anime, despite the fact that outside Japan the term typically refers to animation which is at the very least produced by a Japanese studio. We won't get into the semantics of how that applies if the actual animating is outsourced to South Korea (Which Studio DR Movie is) Or the nuances of how styles have intermingled for decades. Honestly, I don't really care all that much. I'm just pointing it out because I find it hilarious that a show partly handled by a studio based in Austin, TX gets slapped with the Anime label because, and let's be real here, they're too insecure to call it a cartoon or animation outright. That's the only reason. Amazon does the same damn thing with Invincible, which is just embarrassing in my eyes. If the HBO Spawn was made today they'd be trying to do the same shit with that… especially since that was partially handled by Studio Madhouse… who outsources to DR Movie.

Anyway, we've got yet another change up this season with animation moving from Tiger Animation in Season 4 to the renowned DR Movie. Chances are you've seen their work somewhere before, as they're pretty big in both the Japanese anime and Western animation scene. They've done everything from the in-between shots on JJBA Diamond is Unbreakable, to additional work on the 2010 Young Justice series.

Of course, that's not to say they handled all of this. After all, Powerhouse Animation has been at this since the first season in 2017, and are damn impressive in their own right. If you've seen the Sonic Frontiers and Superstars animations, that was them.

While the gap between this and Season 4 isn't massive, the uptick is still very noticeable. Fights in particular stand out more with a strong sense of choreography to the battles. There's a good use of the environment with impactful kinetic energy. Shading and lighting are probably the best it's been, and at no point was there a glaring instance of what could be perceived as "corner-cutting." It's frankly gorgeous and perhaps the best so far.

What I have a harder time commenting on is the music, and man, I always feel trepidatious talking about Music in the animated series. Comparisons to the games are inevitable, and those have some of the most rockin' iconic beats of any game series. The show typically only has one game track represented per season, if that. Yet I also feel that's disingenuous to Trevor Morris and (this season) Trey Toy, who do great work. Yet often times it is very atmospheric and more subtle, which I have a hard time conveying that, aside from asking if you like Castlevania IV's approach. What I can say, aside from the obvious choice of Bloonelines, is that Lamento della Ninfa is the standout track this season. It's used a couple of times, mostly in the Abbey, and it is a truly beautiful piece that complements the battles yet is still a great track divorced from the context of the scene at play. I also feel bad saying that because it, like bloodlines, is a preexisting track. In this case a Claudio Monteverdi composition.

Since we're on the subject of vocals, I might as well talk about the voice acting. It's good. I mean what the fuck do you expect? We're on a sequel to a 4 season show, of course, they're going to get that right. I will say it's surprising that not a lot of the cast have voice-acting credits prior to this. Some have one or two, for others this is their first VA role, and they all do a damn fine job. Less surprising is that Zahn McClarnon is one of the stand-out performance to me. He is the most experienced of anyone in the cast, and ironically it's the role showing the least variety. But I would say it's the most complicated because Olrox has a very subdued, practically emotionless delivery. To impart that sense of control over oneself without being stereotypically monotone is remarkably difficult for a lot of performers. I can hear Olrox and immediately pick up he's weary from all the shit he's seen. Every now and then you'll get something dry and cheeky, or a cold threatening aura peeking through the unnatural calm.

The other standout is Sydney James Harcourt. As far as I'm aware, this is his first VA role. He is primarily a musical performer on and off Broadway. And yes, that means when Edouard sings, it's still Harcourt. So that amazing rendition of Lamento della Ninfa is him.

Final Thoughts.

Castlevania Nocturne quelled most of my fears about the series continuing on, and in some areas showed itself to be far more nuanced and interesting than its fore bearer. There are still critiques I have with the show- it seems an absurdly short season is a reoccurring issue with this franchise. But I can't deny that few shows can do so much in so little. I've seen 43 episode series do less with their characters, so make of that what you will. Whatever issues I have with the episode number, I'd rather them set up and wait than try to tackle too much in a season that clearly doesn't have the time. My only real concern going forward is Netflix's abysmal practices fucking the show over. Ya know, is it going to take a third season to get some characters a satisfactory amount of development?

Regardless, I can say that Nocturne's first season feels refined, and frankly more mature. It never goes above the means given to it, and despite some stumbles, it's not overly ambitious or clunky. Nocturne knows exactly what it wants and gets to it in the shortest amount of time. If season 2 can continue that trend remains to be seen. I'm at least confident the series is in good hands.

As always, thanks for reading, and reblogs are always welcome. You can find me on Bluesky @kamenstranger.bsky.social I have a Ko-fi if you'd like to throw a dollar at me. Happy Halloween!

[fredfilmsblog]

Frederator Networks interns, autumn 2015, left to right: Fred, Sam Lee (University of Michigan), Josette Roberts (SVA), Jenny Brent (SUNY Purchase), Judy Tam (SVA), Lisa Franklin (Brown), Liz Chun (RISD), Danielle Ceneta (Syracuse), Peter Carlson (Ringling) Photo by Kirsten Wagstaff

Why I like interns. 

This post is from 2015 when I was running Frederator Networks, a much larger company than FredFilms. But most of the sentiments (we now pay interns, when we have them, which is NOT NOW) continue to be true.

And, I have to say, the part I find most unlikely but most true is... interns are our mentors. Seriously.

There’s been a lot of squabbling in the press this year about interns, especially in the media and technology businesses. And since I’ve had rookie programs in place for several decades, it seemed like a good time to weigh in.

Science? Or The Beatles?

For me, it’s personal. Back in the day (my day, that is), there were no organized apprenticeship programs that I knew of to prepare me for the work life I was seeking. But a lot of helpful people gave me guidance, and I want to pay it forward.

I grew up in a science family, knowing I’d be a scientist too. And then The Beatles came to America, and like a lot of other kids, my world got turned upside down. Eventually, I became determined to be in the recording business as a record producer. The problem was I knew no one who could help. And so I started to make my own way, in what to me was an underground, secret society. As full time, liberal arts college student it the 70s, there was no NYU Clive Davis Institute, Full Sail University. No Mix Magazine, noTape Op. I was totally on my own. I found one class taught by an RCA recording engineer and producer, and one highly technical publication. I stumbled into private recording sessions, asked anyone who knew anything, bullied my way into record companies.

There were no internships. I hadn’t even heard the term.

There were dozens of nice people who helped me and taught me things along the way. I worked in hundreds of circumstances for free, making mistakes and successes along the way, basically creating my own training path. I figured things out, started a record company, got a gig here and there. I rubbed shoulders with enough world class experts to figure out I had staked out the wrong direction for myself, and by the time I was 30, found myself in the television business. It all eventually worked out for me.

But, if there had been someplace for me to start fathoming what was going on, somewhere where I could smell what the scene was, I could have learned things a lot faster, and maybe cordoned off my path into the right direction a little sooner.

Interns aren’t easy.

For years it was hard for us to attract interns. Most of my companies have been startups, or below the radar service organizations, not famous ones at that. We really had to search, reaching out to local colleges and putting our best foot forward, hoping to attract minimally interested candidates. (Things have changed dramatically, ever since we produced Adventure Time and started Cartoon Hangover. Now we have to cut things off when we get 250 applications per semester, for less than 10 spots). Occasionally, an eager high school student would show up and ask to stick around, and despite the anxieties of our lawyers and insurance carriers, we worked things out.

I couldn’t tell you the exact criteria we’ve used to select contenders. But, I must say, our highly subjective process has resulted in some stellar colleagues and often, friends.

And intern programs aren’t easy to administer. We’re not heavily staffed, so whomever is responsible for the program is usually fitting it into an already over packed work day. And frankly, most of the students come into our place eager, but really rough around the edges. Many have no real work ethic, daily discipline, or much of an ability to actually interact with the adults in the workplace. I mean, they’re kids, after all.

On balance though, from my limited perspective, while internships sometimes put a burden on our small staff, our company has come out all the richer. Especially these days, as the way young people set the agenda for technology use and innovation, having the innocent perspective of new faces streaming in and out of our offices makes us sharper, smarter, and fresher.

And based on the long term relationship we have with many of our past candidates, the benefit has definitely been in both directions.

Interns are our mentors.

“No one hires interns,” says a disgruntled one in a recent New York Times story in the aftermath of some of the unpaid intern lawsuits.

I’m of two minds about the discontent. On the one hand, it’s clear that many companies are using interns as unpaid labor. Totally unjust. And, there’s a good argument that unpaid internships often favor well off students. But, it’s also true that internship programs can cost companies in real opportunity cost and productivity losses, as time spent away from daily workflow. Definitely, interns can be a double edged sword.

At my company, we don’t pay interns as a matter of policy. [The policy changed at Frederator, and now at FredFilms, we will pay interns.] As a start up we’re thinly resourced as it is, and any extra dollars are needed to keep the wheels on the bus. But, more importantly to me, I want people who actually want to be at Frederator, not someone who just wanted something cool to do for a while. Not for nothing, it’s the same criteria we use for employees. If someone comes into our offices with no clue about who we are, what we do, and what we stand for, we show them the door. We’re not a place for people who work to live, we live to work.

All that being said, we work super hard to be fair. If there’s an intern job in the house that we would pay a freelancer to do, the intern gets paid. We also limit their time at the office to two or three days a week. That gives a chance for more people to get exposure, and it encourages them to be out in the world rather than cooped up with us old working folk.

At the end of the day, some interns are good, and some are really bad. And, it’s true, not all good interns get hired. However, I can say with great assurance that my companies hired interns 30 years ago, and we hired interns 30 days ago. I think it’s safe to say that fully 25% of our current, full time team started in our internship programs.

And honestly, the former interns are some of my very favorite colleagues.

The interns in my shops remind me of why I wanted to get working the minute I was done with schooling (actually, before I finished, but that’s another essay). They’re intelligent, they’re fun, they know things I’ll never know. Sure, I can give them some benefits too, but the thing they don’t realize is that while we’re mentoring them, they’re actually mentoring us.

Fair trade, in my book. I really like interns.

[womanexile]

Kinda curious...

How Harry Styles Became the World’s Most Wanted Man

Rolling Stone Magazine

BY BRITTANY SPANOS

"In person, Styles looks more like your best friend’s cute, sporty older brother than the gender-bending style icon he’s become. He’s left the boas and sequin jumpsuits in the dressing room, opting instead for a blue Adidas track jacket, gym shorts, and Gucci sneakers. His hair, often described as “tousled,” like he’s a renegade prince in a romance novel, is clipped back with a hair claw, a signature day-off accessory. "

"Those post-Wembley showers were especially gratifying. When One Direction, which Styles casually refers to as “the band,” played the stadium in 2014, he ended up with tonsillitis on the day of the show. “I was miserable,” he recalls. “We played the first one, and I remember I came off, got in the car, and just started crying because I was so disappointed.”

rollingstone.com/music/music-features/harry-styles-harrys-house-dont-worry-darling-my-policeman-cover-1397290/

Lol, her HS description- on purpose? Same person taught TS NYU class too. Pics nice.

Taylor Swift Course Launched at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute

Varety Magazine

BY Jem Aswald

02.22.2022

New York University’s Clive Davis Institute has introduced its first-ever course on Taylor Swift, which launched on Jan. 26 and continues through March 9.

"Taught by Rolling Stone’s Brittany Spanos, the class will cover Swift’s evolution as a creative music entrepreneur, the legacy of pop and country songwriters, discourses of youth and girlhood, and the politics of race in contemporary popular music, according to a rep for the program, who noted that the course has a long waitlist. Swift has been invited to speak to class, although the status of that request is still pending.

Chaired by veteran music writer and musician Jason King, the Davis Institute has included classes taught by Questlove,“Dilla Time” author Dan Charnas, Q-Tip, legendary producer-engineer Bob Power and many others."

She also provided the NYU transcript

Read Taylor Swift’s Inspiring Speech for NYU’s Class of ’22

"Today, you leave New York University and then you go out into the world searching for what’s next. And so will I," superstar says at Yankee Stadium

BY BRITTANY SPANOS

rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-nyu-speech-1355121/

Rolling Stone journalists know a lot more than what they write. They see the things we don’t. But they’ll keep an artist trust so that artists will continue to work with them.

[disregardandfelicity]

he’s not just a journalist: Jeffrey S. Rabhan is an American entrepreneur. Formerly a music industry executive and chair of the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU,[1]he is the CEO of Bored-of-Ed, an education company he co-founded in 2024.[2]

CHAPPELL ROAN challenges journalist Jeff Rabhan to match her $25k donation to struggling up-and-coming artists after his attack on her over her Grammys acceptance speech in the Hollywood Reporter. She also shouts out 4 artists that she believes deserve more attention and support, namely hemlocke springs, Sarah Kinsley, Devon Again, and Baby Storme (via @chappellroan on Instagram Stories)

[musicarenagh]

Akira Sky's "Block My Number" Transforms Heartbreak Into Dream Pop Gold Akira Sky emerges as a voice for those navigating the beautiful mess of modern emotions. Her latest single, "Block My Number," is an atmospheric journey through the complex terrain of setting boundaries after heartbreak. The track pulses with a quiet intensity that builds like city lights reflecting off rain-slicked streets, showcasing why Akira Sky is quickly becoming a standout voice in indie pop. The opening moments of "Block My Number" draw you in with atmospheric pads and delicate instrumentation that create a dreamlike state. Akira Sky's vocals float above this sonic foundation with remarkable control, each note carrying the weight of difficult decisions made in the name of self-preservation. What really stands out about this track is how it turns ignoring someone online into something almost ritualistic, a healing rite that Akira Sky captures with a rare sense of realism. The multi-instrumentalist Akira Sky started her musical journey in Los Angeles before moving to Brooklyn. She brings her formal training and raw emotional intelligence to every part of this production. She has a deep knowledge of sound architecture that belies her age as a student at NYU's elite Clive Davis Institute. The production choices throughout "Block My Number" reveal an artist who knows exactly how to frame her narrative through sound. The structure of "Block My Number" mirrors the emotional journey of setting boundaries. It begins in a space of contemplative uncertainty before gradually building toward a chorus that feels like a moment of clarity amid emotional fog. There are small changes in the texture in the middle section that build tension before the final chorus, which sounds both freeing and sad. This careful arrangement takes a simple breakup song and turns it into something much more complex, showing off Akira Sky's skill for telling emotional stories. One thing that sets Akira Sky apart from many of her peers is her skill at balancing precise technical skill with real feeling. Her singing in "Block My Number" has times when it sounds strong and times when it sounds weak, sometimes in the same line. https://www.musicarenagh.com/alex-blockers-i-like-it-a-symphony-of-simple-joys/ This duality perfectly captures the mixed emotions that come up when you end a relationship—the sense of loss and freedom that Akira Sky so eloquently describes. The lyrics to "Block My Number" stay away from overused themes and instead focus on specific, familiar moments that hold the emotional story together. When Akira Sky sings about the hard choice to stop talking to someone, she does not make them sound like a bad person. Instead, she just says that sometimes you need to be apart from someone to grow as a person. "Block My Number" speaks to anyone who has had to make hard decisions about relationships because of how mature the lyrics are. The production features organic instrumentation layered with electronic elements that create depth without overwhelming Akira Sky's vocals. Orchestral sounds flow over acoustic guitar strings and computer synths, making a rich base for the music that is worth listening to more than once. Every time you play it, you will find new details that show how carefully Akira Sky works on her craft—a slight harmony here, an aural flourish there. The accompanying music video for "Block My Number," directed by award-winning filmmaker Luiza Botelho (2025 Pan African Film Festival winner for Best Short Narrative), elevates the song's emotional impact through striking visual storytelling. https://youtu.be/uHtqG4db2c4 Shot across Manhattan and Brooklyn, the video captures the urban isolation that often accompanies emotional separation. The chemistry between Akira Sky and Brazilian actor/model Pablo Morais creates a visual narrative that perfectly complements the song's themes. The video's color grading deserves special mention—scenes alternate

between cool blues that evoke emotional distance and warm ambers that suggest lingering attachment. This visual dichotomy mirrors the emotional complexity of "Block My Number." The editing creates a dreamlike quality where moments flow into each other with the same fluidity as Akira Sky's vocal lines, creating a cohesive artistic statement across mediums. What makes both "Block My Number" and its video particularly compelling is how they transform the mundane act of digital disconnection into something almost sacred. The video's urban settings—dimly lit streetlights, reflective surfaces, intimate spaces—create a world where emotional and physical distances blur together, further emphasizing the themes Akira Sky explores in her music. Akira Sky is an example of a new breed of singers who have full creative power over their work. She is a fully solo artist who writes songs, sings, produces, and plays instruments. "Block My Number" has a clear vision that shows how independent the artist is; there is no sense of compromise or business sense, just pure artistic expression. [caption id="attachment_59722" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Akira Sky's Block My Number Transforms Heartbreak Into Dream Pop Gold[/caption] People who like the music of Remi Wolf, Janelle Monáe, and Lorde will find Akira Sky's music both familiar and new. She draws from the same sources of emotional honesty and sound experimentation, but she sees these things through her own unique lens. The result is music that pays homage to its predecessors while also breaking new ground. "Block My Number" is a great way to get into her artistic world. The exciting preview song "Block My Number" is from Akira Sky's upcoming first EP, which will be out this summer. If this song is any indication of where her full project is going, fans can look forward to a collection that strikes a good balance between emotional depth and musical sophistication. Not only is "Block My Number" a good song, it is also an emotional experience that turns personal limits into art. If you have ever looked at a contact's name on your phone while your finger was on the "block" button, Akira Sky has made a song for that moment. The song "Block My Number" tells us that sometimes the best way to take care of yourself is to put things away, and that is when great art can come out. https://open.spotify.com/album/4n9SF2l5OeV3C5oic2nvA9?si=JBlv9gx3Sye4egaf5oXbmg

[lboogie1906]

Kamaal Ibn John Fareed (Jonathan William Davis, April 10, 1970) known by his stage name Q-Tip, is a rapper, record producer, singer, and DJ. Nicknamed The Abstract. He embarked on his music career in the late 1980s, as an MC and main producer of the influential alternative hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest. He co-founded the production team The Ummah, followed by the release of his gold-certified solo debut Amplified. He released the Grammy Award-nominated album The Renaissance and the experimental album Kamaal the Abstract.

He has appeared in various films such as Poetic Justice, She Hate Me, and Prison Song, the latter of which he co-wrote and played the lead role. As a DJ, he has hosted the Apple Music 1 radio show Abstract Radio since 2015. He was named the artistic director for hip-hop culture at the Kennedy Center and he became the instructor of a jazz and hip-hop course at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music.

He is one of the most acclaimed figures in hip-hop. AllMusic states that he “led a jazz-based hip-hop revolution during the ‘90s”, calling him “the best rapper/producer in hip-hop history”. About.com placed him #17 on their list of the Top 25 Hip-Hop Producers, and #38 on their list of the 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time. The Source ranked him #20 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.

He was born in Harlem, his family settled in St. Albans, Queens. He first met his friend Phife Dawg at church when they were both two years old. He began rapping after being encouraged by Phife Dawg.

He attended Murry Bergtraum High School, where he first befriended Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Afrika Baby Bam, and Mike Gee, with the latter two forming the hip-hop group Jungle Brothers. In high school, he participated in rap battles and went by the stage names J Nice and MC Love Child. He and Muhammad formed an MC and DJ duo, and using recording equipment provided by Muhammad’s uncle, they began making demos. They were joined by Phife Dawg, who rapped, and neighborhood friend Jarobi White; collectively, they were known as Quest. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[wankerwatch]

Commons Vote

On: Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]: Third Reading

Ayes: 304 (97.0% Lab, 1.0% Green, 0.7% Ind, 0.7% DUP, 0.3% UUP, 0.3% TUV) Noes: 62 (100.0% LD) Absent: ~283

Day's business papers: 2025-03-31

Likely Referenced Bill: Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [HL]

Description: A bill to transfer the functions of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and its property, rights and liabilities, to the Secretary of State; to abolish the Institute; and to make amendments relating to the transferred functions.

Originating house: Lords Current house: Commons Bill Stage: Report stage

Individual Votes:

Ayes

Labour (294 votes)

Abena Oppong-Asare Adam Jogee Adam Thompson Al Carns Alan Gemmell Alan Strickland Alex Baker Alex Ballinger Alex Barros-Curtis Alex Davies-Jones Alex Mayer Alex Sobel Alice Macdonald Alison Hume Alison McGovern Alistair Strathern Allison Gardner Amanda Martin Andrew Cooper Andrew Lewin Andrew Pakes Andrew Western Andy McDonald Andy Slaughter Anna Dixon Anna Gelderd Anna McMorrin Anna Turley Anneliese Dodds Anneliese Midgley Antonia Bance Ashley Dalton Bambos Charalambous Barry Gardiner Bell Ribeiro-Addy Ben Coleman Ben Goldsborough Brian Leishman Bridget Phillipson Callum Anderson Calvin Bailey Carolyn Harris Cat Smith Catherine Atkinson Catherine Fookes Catherine McKinnell Catherine West Charlotte Nichols Chi Onwurah Chris Bloore Chris Bryant Chris Curtis Chris Elmore Chris Evans Chris Hinchliff Chris Kane Chris McDonald Chris Murray Chris Vince Christian Wakeford Claire Hazelgrove Claire Hughes Clive Betts Clive Efford Clive Lewis Connor Naismith Dan Aldridge Dan Carden Dan Norris Dan Tomlinson Danny Beales Darren Jones Dave Robertson David Burton-Sampson David Pinto-Duschinsky David Smith David Taylor David Williams Dawn Butler Deirdre Costigan Diana Johnson Diane Abbott Douglas Alexander Douglas McAllister Elaine Stewart Elsie Blundell Emily Darlington Emily Thornberry Emma Foody Emma Hardy Emma Lewell Emma Reynolds Euan Stainbank Fabian Hamilton Feryal Clark Fred Thomas Gareth Snell Gareth Thomas Georgia Gould Gordon McKee Graham Stringer Gurinder Singh Josan Hamish Falconer Harpreet Uppal Helena Dollimore Henry Tufnell Hilary Benn Ian Byrne Ian Lavery Ian Murray Imogen Walker Irene Campbell Jack Abbott Jacob Collier Jade Botterill Jake Richards James Frith James Murray James Naish Janet Daby Jas Athwal Jayne Kirkham Jeevun Sandher Jeff Smith Jen Craft Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Jess Phillips Jessica Morden Jessica Toale Jim Dickson Jim McMahon Jo Platt Jo White Joani Reid Jodie Gosling Joe Morris John Grady John Healey John Slinger John Whitby Jon Pearce Jon Trickett Jonathan Hinder Josh Dean Josh Fenton-Glynn Josh MacAlister Josh Newbury Julie Minns Juliet Campbell Justin Madders Kanishka Narayan Karin Smyth Kate Dearden Kate Osamor Kate Osborne Katie White Katrina Murray Keir Mather Kenneth Stevenson Kerry McCarthy Kevin Bonavia Kevin McKenna Kim Johnson Kim Leadbeater Kirith Entwistle Kirsteen Sullivan Kirsty McNeill Laura Kyrke-Smith Lauren Sullivan Laurence Turner Lee Barron Lee Pitcher Leigh Ingham Lewis Atkinson Liam Conlon Linsey Farnsworth Liz Kendall Liz Twist Lloyd Hatton Lola McEvoy Lorraine Beavers Louise Jones Lucy Rigby Luke Akehurst Luke Charters Luke Murphy Luke Myer Luke Pollard Margaret Mullane Marie Rimmer Mark Ferguson Mark Tami Markus Campbell-Savours Martin McCluskey Martin Rhodes Mary Creagh Mary Glindon Matt Rodda Matt Turmaine Matthew Patrick Matthew Pennycook Maureen Burke Maya Ellis Meg Hillier Melanie Ward Miatta Fahnbulleh Michael Payne Michael Shanks Michael Wheeler Michelle Scrogham Michelle Welsh Mike Kane Mike Reader Mike Tapp Natasha Irons Navendu Mishra Neil Coyle Neil Duncan-Jordan Nia Griffith Nicholas Dakin Nick Smith Noah Law Olivia Bailey Olivia Blake Pam Cox Pamela Nash Patricia Ferguson Patrick Hurley Paul Davies Paul Foster Paul Waugh Paula Barker Paulette Hamilton Peter Dowd Peter Lamb Peter Prinsley Peter Swallow Phil Brickell Preet Kaur Gill Rachael Maskell Rachel Blake Rachel Hopkins Rachel Taylor Rebecca Long Bailey Richard Baker Richard Burgon Rupa Huq Rushanara Ali Ruth Cadbury Ruth Jones Sally Jameson Sam Carling Sam Rushworth Samantha Niblett Sarah Champion Sarah Coombes Sarah Hall Sarah Jones Sarah Russell Sarah Smith Satvir Kaur Scott Arthur Sean Woodcock Seema Malhotra Sharon Hodgson Simon Lightwood Simon Opher Siobhain McDonagh Sojan Joseph Stella Creasy Stephanie Peacock Stephen Kinnock Stephen Morgan Steve Race Steve Yemm Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Terry Jermy Tim Roca Toby Perkins Tom Collins Tom Hayes Tonia Antoniazzi Tony Vaughan Torcuil Crichton Torsten Bell Tracy Gilbert Tristan Osborne Tulip Siddiq Uma Kumaran Valerie Vaz Warinder Juss Will Stone Yuan Yang

Zubir Ahmed

Green Party (3 votes)

Carla Denyer Ellie Chowns Siân Berry

Independent (2 votes)

John McDonnell Oliver Ryan

Democratic Unionist Party (2 votes)

Gavin Robinson Jim Shannon

Ulster Unionist Party (1 vote)

Robin Swann

Traditional Unionist Voice (1 vote)

Jim Allister

Noes

Liberal Democrat (62 votes)

Adam Dance Al Pinkerton Alex Brewer Alison Bennett Alistair Carmichael Andrew George Angus MacDonald Anna Sabine Ben Maguire Bobby Dean Brian Mathew Calum Miller Cameron Thomas Charlie Maynard Charlotte Cane Chris Coghlan Christine Jardine Claire Young Clive Jones Daisy Cooper Danny Chambers David Chadwick Edward Morello Gideon Amos Helen Maguire Helen Morgan Ian Roome Ian Sollom James MacCleary Jamie Stone Jess Brown-Fuller John Milne Josh Babarinde Layla Moran Lee Dillon Lisa Smart Liz Jarvis Luke Taylor Manuela Perteghella Marie Goldman Martin Wrigley Max Wilkinson Mike Martin Monica Harding Munira Wilson Paul Kohler Pippa Heylings Richard Foord Roz Savage Sarah Dyke Sarah Gibson Sarah Olney Steff Aquarone Steve Darling Tim Farron Tom Gordon Tom Morrison Victoria Collins Vikki Slade Wendy Chamberlain Wera Hobhouse Will Forster

[hiphopraisedmetheblog]

Joey Bada$$ Appointed Artist In Residence At NYU Clive Davis: 'Class Is In Session'

Joey Bada$$: A New Chapter at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music In September 2024, Joey Bada$$ was announced as the first artist in residence at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the intersection of hip-hop, education, and mentorship. Joey Bada$$, renowned for his lyrical prowess and multifaceted artistry,…

[enterprisewired]

Taylor Swift Is the Subject of a New University Course on Social Psychology

A new Arizona State University course is exploring what psychologists may learn from Taylor Swift’s career as one of the biggest performers on the globe.

This autumn, a course titled Psychology of Taylor Swift — Advanced Topics of Social Psychology will be given, and Ph.D. candidate Alexandra Wormley will instruct it. She explained to the news outlet of ASU that “the course is basically using Taylor Swift as a semester-long example of different phenomena — gossip, relationships, and revenge,” stressing that “the class is not a seminar on how much we like or dislike her — we want to be able to learn about psychology.”

 Larger media landscape

She continued by citing Swift’s 2017 album Reputation as an example of how she would relate psychological concepts to themes from her numerous albums. Taylor’s sixth album, Reputation, marks her comeback after vanishing from the public eye due to disputes with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. She releases a hugely popular album and goes on a stadium tour as her way of exacting revenge on them and the larger media landscape, she said. The pupils are aware of this, but do they understand why we enjoy taking revenge? Do they know how we exact our retaliation? We can learn from social psychology.

Numerous colleges across the nation are now offering courses on Swift. The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU began offering its first-ever class on the superstar in February 2022, instructed by Rolling Stone writer Brittany Spanos. The singer-songwriter’s work was studied alongside that of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Wyatt, Coleridge, Keats, Dickinson, and Plath in the new liberal arts course Literary Contests and Contexts: The Taylor Swift Songbook, which debuted at the University of Texas at Austin last August. The course’s “required texts” included four of her most recent albums.

Swifties should naturally be interested in the course

The upcoming fall semester will feature the new subject, Psychology of Taylor Swift – Advanced Topics of Social Psychology. The course will be instructed by Alexandra Wormley, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Psychology.

Wormley told ASU News that she believes utilizing Swift as a starting point “will spark meaningful conversations and serve as a teaching tool for learning advanced psychology concepts.” Swifties should naturally be interested in the course, but Wormley emphasizes that “the class is not a seminar on how much we like or dislike her — we want to be able to learn about psychology.”

Taylor Swift haters, who we’ve learned are “going to hate, hate, hate, hate,” should enroll in the class, according to Wormley, who told ASU News she’s not assuming “any prior knowledge about Taylor Swift in my lectures.” In fact, she hopes they do, in order to challenge the Swifties with different viewpoints.

Curious to learn more? Explore our article on: Enterprise Wired

[futuremusicmoguls]

Future Music Moguls 2018 Open House is on Saturday, September 23rd, 10AM - 12PM @ 721 Broadway. Meet the faculty, ask questions, and learn all about the FREE spring high school program at @nyuniversity‘s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music!

RSVP: http://bit.ly/FMM2018OpenHouse

[pop-punklouis]

since u have a background in music and (im assuming) some knowledge of the music industry, do u think sony is actually trying to sabotage louis?

Sony is the root of all evil. 1000%, but i don’t think, at this point in time, they’re actively sabotaging Louis. contracts and obligations from the days in the band can definitely topple over with any label— especially when it comes to boybands. so, i think much of what we’re seeing is the fumes of those contracts and obligations. but yeah again, no i don’t think they’re actively trying to sabotage him in 2019-2020. that’s just my opinion

[fashionbooksmilano]

Rebels

From Punk to Dior

Janette Beckman

Drago, Roma 2021, 240 pagine,  23 × 28 cm, English, ISBN  978-88-98565-46-7

euro 60,00

email if you want to buy :booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

Janette Beckman and Drago Publishing are proud to present ‘Rebels: From Punk to Dior,’ the first-ever monograph from the British-born, New York-based photographer. Covering four decades of photography the book serves as a stunning snapshot of Beckman’s significance in the world of art, photojournalism, music, fashion, and popular culture – but most prevalently, it’s a testament of her unique ability to extract beauty from the outliers of society. With written contributions from Beckman’s peers including academia’s Jason King, Chair of NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music & Vivien Goldman Author & Professor at NYU; journalists Vikki Tobak, and co-founder of PAPER, Kim Hastreiter; visual artist Cey Adams; music legends Sting, Run DMC, Paul Weller, Salt-n-Pepa, Belinda Carlisle, and Slick Rick; and fashion’s Dapper Dan, Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri, Levi’s Chad Hinson – From Punk to Dior showcases Janette Beckman’s influence in her realm. In addition to publishing five books, Janette Beckman’s work has been exhibited in galleries worldwide and is included in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Museum of the City of New York, and the British National Portrait Gallery. She is represented by the Fahey Klein Gallery.

13/01/23

orders to:     booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

ordini a:        booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

twitter:         @fashionbooksmi

instagram:   fashionbooksmilano, designbooksmilano tumblr:          fashionbooksmilano, designbooksmilano