Pop Culture Without Pretense

MICHAEL SAM TOLD ESPN & NY TIMES HE’S GAY (DETAILS)

In LGBT on February 10, 2014 at 12:19 pm

Michael Sam did something yesterday that was unprecedented in American sports: the Missouri defensive end football player and senior came out of the closet on his terms.
Sam spoke to The New York Times and ESPN in a candid interview that will be talked about for years to come. Whether he’s drafted by a team in a few months remains to be seen, however. Excerpt of his coming out below.

wpid 19c6c42d7823731b687a8955656a0949 1080 MICHAEL SAM TOLD ESPN & NY TIMES HES GAY (DETAILS)

Good luck, Michael, you’ll need it. The NFL isn’t ready for an openly gay player.  This wouldn’t be a thing if the NFL was ready.

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BLACK HISTORY RECAP: NEGROS CORRUPT WHITE YOUTUBE (PHOTOS)

In News on February 10, 2014 at 12:00 pm

For your convenience and education.

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THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S5: WHAT WE THINK WE KNOW (VIDEO)

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2014 at 7:32 am
 THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S5: WHAT WE THINK WE KNOW (VIDEO)Video: Everything We Think We Know About the Samsung Galaxy S5 (via BestTechie)

For months, the tech world has been teased with endless rumors regarding Samsung’s next potential smartphone release, the Samsung Galaxy S5. If it’s in development, which it probably is, it’s a follow-up to one of the most popular smartphones…


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PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN DEAD FROM HEROIN OVERDOPE (DETAILS)

In News on February 2, 2014 at 6:02 pm

VIA AFP:

Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment of a suspected drug overdose on Sunday, law enforcement officials said. He was 46.
The enigmatic star, who was hailed as the finest character actor of his generation, won an Oscar in 2006 as best actor for “Capote” and was nominated for three further Academy Awards.
A substance thought to be heroin was found at the scene when police responded to the actor’s home in Manhattan’s West Village after receiving a call from one of his friends.
“It appears to be an alleged overdose,” one police official told AFP. The actor was found on the bathroom floor with a syringe in his arm, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, the officer added.
“Two glassine envelopes contained alleged heroin,” another officer told AFP. There were no pills and no sign that the actor had been drinking, the first officer had said earlier.
Law enforcement officials refused to comment further until after the arrival and report of the medical examiner.
Hoffman, whose two-decade career made him one of the most liked and respected actors in Hollywood, leaves behind his partner, costume designer Mimi O’Donnell, and three children.
His family released a brief statement through the media saying they were devastated, thanking people for their love and support.
“This is a tragic and sudden loss and we ask that you respect our privacy during this time of grieving. Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers,” the statement added.
New York detectives and officers secured the street outside the actor’s home, and were seen entering and exiting the red brick, six-floor apartment building, an AFP reporter said.
A crowd of journalists and neighbors gathered, and a red rose and a bouquet of white roses were laid at the entrance.
One neighbor who gave her name as Janine, said she was accustomed to seeing the actor and his family out and about.
“They were always in the ‘hood,” she told AFP. “My husband saw him last week… They were a part of the community here.”
Tributes quickly poured in from fellow celebrities and actors, who took to twitter to express their sorrow.
“A truly kind, wonderful man and one of our greatest actors – ever,” wrote Mia Farrow.
Born Philip Hoffman in July 1967 in New York state, he was the third of four children of a Xerox executive and a feminist housewife who divorced when he was nine.
He earned a drama degree from New York University in 1989, though he fell into alcohol and drug abuse for a while.
Incorporating his grandfather’s name, Seymour, between his given names, he made his big screen debut in a 1991 independent film called “Triple Bogey on a Par Five Hole.”
In 1997, he made waves as a closeted gay crew member in Paul Thomas Anderson’s porn industry tale “Boogie Nights,” followed by a quirky turn in the Coen brothers’ “The Big Lebowski” (1998).
In Anthony Minghella’s crime thriller “The Talented Mr Ripley,” he stole the show from co-stars Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow with his supporting role as slippery and duplicitous preppie Freddie Miles.
The late Minghella once said that Hoffman was an extraordinary actor “cursed, sometimes, by his own gnawing intelligence, his own discomfort with acting”.
“There are few actors more demanding in front of camera, less demanding away from it.”
But, for all his success, Hoffman was a reluctant occupant of the limelight and in an interview with the Guardian published in October 2011 said he thought everyone struggles with self-love.
“I think that’s pretty much the human condition, you know, waking up and trying to live your day in a way that you can go to sleep and feel OK about yourself,” he was quoted as saying.
After his Oscar-winning turn in “Capote”, Hoffman had three more Oscar nominations as a supporting actor in “Charlie Wilson’s War” in 2008, “Doubt” in 2009 and “The Master” in 2013.

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RIGHT ON TIME: MICHAEL MCCOLLOM’S THE WAY WE WORE: BLACK STYLE THEN (PHOTOS)

In Lifestyle on February 1, 2014 at 2:22 pm

Right on time for Black History Month, Michael McCollom’s “The Way We Wore: Black Style Then,” is an excellent addition to your collection of books on African American style, perfect right next to your worn copies of Jamel Shabazz’ Back In The Days and Black Style by Carol Tulloch.

Published by Glitterati Incorpated, McCollum’s book is filled with decades old images of cool looking Black folks. Many of the images are from McCollom’s  personal collection and feature African-American designers, models, entertainers in all their splendid style glory of their era: huge afro’, butterfly collars, psychedelic colors and attitudes. Some of the subjects presented in this tome are known to us, folks like image activist Bethann Hardison, photographed on a Rio De Janeiro beach, and Andre Leon Talley. Other’s are obscure yet stylish. There are tons of Do’s and Don’ts but that doesn’t matter because style is about taste; and this book is flavorful.

wpid screen shot 2014 01 29 at 11 35 31 am RIGHT ON TIME: MICHAEL MCCOLLOMS THE WAY WE WORE: BLACK STYLE THEN (PHOTOS)
 RIGHT ON TIME: MICHAEL MCCOLLOMS THE WAY WE WORE: BLACK STYLE THEN (PHOTOS)
wpid screen shot 2014 01 29 at 12 43 43 pm RIGHT ON TIME: MICHAEL MCCOLLOMS THE WAY WE WORE: BLACK STYLE THEN (PHOTOS)
 RIGHT ON TIME: MICHAEL MCCOLLOMS THE WAY WE WORE: BLACK STYLE THEN (PHOTOS)
 RIGHT ON TIME: MICHAEL MCCOLLOMS THE WAY WE WORE: BLACK STYLE THEN (PHOTOS)
 RIGHT ON TIME: MICHAEL MCCOLLOMS THE WAY WE WORE: BLACK STYLE THEN (PHOTOS)
 RIGHT ON TIME: MICHAEL MCCOLLOMS THE WAY WE WORE: BLACK STYLE THEN (PHOTOS)

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YASIN GAYE IS A MIXTAPE WORTHY OF YOUR EARS (DETAILS)

In Lifestyle on January 29, 2014 at 7:49 pm

From a press release dropped in our inbox this afternoon:

Gazaway’s new *Soul Mates* series continues the theme of his previous work in creating collaborations that never were. On the series’ first installment, the producer unites Brooklyn rapper Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) and soul legend Marvin Gaye for a dream collaboration aptly titled “Yasiin Gaye”.

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KATE UPTON IS DOWN WITH FOOTBALL FOR VOGUE FEBRUARY 2014 (PHOTOS)

In Lifestyle on January 29, 2014 at 5:46 pm

“We’ve Got Game” is the title of the Kate Upton and Prince Amukamara & Steve Weatherford, D’Brickashaw Ferguson & Muhammad Wilkerson, Victor Cruz, Vincent Piazza & Tracey Morgan & Bobby Cannavale & Jason Biggs, Woody Johnson & Al Kelly & Jonathan Tisch, Michael Strahan, Nick Mangold & Jimmy Fallon shoot by Mario Testino for Vogue February 2014.

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SOLE PROVIDER: RALEIGH RESTORATIONS BRINGS GOOD KICKS TO LIFE (PHOTOS)

In Lifestyle on January 28, 2014 at 10:13 am

The secondary sneaker economy is booming, spawning national and international conferences, knock offs and clandestine import/export businesses that sometimes illicit cease and desist requests from Nike. No one’s crunched the numbers for this market yet but judging the Instagram feeds of sneakerheads around the world, who hoard deadstock as well as show their gains (selfies with wads of cash, huge sneaker collections in elaborate display cases, appearances on Judge Mathis, profiles by NBC), things are pretty good, $3000 for a pair of Air Jordans 1s on eBay good.

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DOPE OR NOPE: CYCLOPS & DEAD POOL BEARBRICK (PHOTOS)

In Lifestyle on January 27, 2014 at 6:32 pm

We havent bought a Bearbrick in years but these from Marvel X Medicom? Fire! Available for pre order now, $65 each.

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PHARRELL’S HAT STOLE THE 2014 GRAMMY AWARDS.

In Lifestyle on January 26, 2014 at 8:27 pm

wpid 1390785790101 PHARRELLS HAT STOLE THE 2014 GRAMMY AWARDS.

Pharrell woke up like this to attend the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. The Oscar nominated producer and singer looked awesome from the neck down dressed in a red leather tracksuit and blue jeans and what looks like a hat borrowed from Smokey The Bear.

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CLIVE DAVIS PRE GRAMMY PARTY ARRIVALS: ALL YOUR FAVES (PHOTOS)

In Lifestyle on January 26, 2014 at 12:24 am

Clive Davis Annual Pre Grammy party is underway in LA and some of your favorite singers are making their way across the red carpet to get drunk and fake like each other before the big day. Above: Newlyweds John Legend and Chrissy Tiegen. Legend was snubbed this year. Sad face.

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STORM/JANET JACKSON MASHUP BY CLIFF CHIANG (PHOTOS)

In Lifestyle on January 25, 2014 at 1:01 pm

She’s in control! This Storm/Janet Jackson mash by comic book artist Cliff Chiang is everything. Inspired by Janet’s Control album from the 1980s.

H/T Son of Baldwin

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