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[MUSIC] DJ DOUGHBOY AND LAWAND TEAM UP FOR ‘MY BABY’

[MUSIC] DJ DOUGHBOY AND LAWAND TEAM UP FOR ‘MY BABY’

The Dough Boy Project has teamed up with Lawand and T Diamonds for “My Baby” the artist’s latest single. With Lawand providing the soulful vocals that accompany the incredibly danceable beat, the single can be described as nothing short of excellent. Currently streamable on Spotify, everyone should give “My Baby” a listen!

With his first Spotify EP dating back to 2016, DJ Doughboy has been making music for years. A graduate of Farleigh Dickinson University with a degree in Television and Radio Broadcasting Communications, Doughboy, born Gregory Crapps Jr., has been a longtime deejay throughout the tri-state area. While doing so, he has produced multiple tracks, including “Tu Y Yo” “Lonely” and “Open” (all of which are currently available to stream on Spotify). He has since become a world-renowned artist, making appearances across Europe and Central America.

2019 is about to be Lawand’s year. Singing throughout her upbringing in Kingston, New York, Lawand has won multiple musical competitions and has performed at Carnegie Hall. With her fervent vocals quickly becoming her signature, she shows no signs of slowing down! Along with her deeply personal lyrics and undeniable stage presence (as evidenced in the Instagram video below) Lawand’s success seems almost inevitable.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrnWciqBPRg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

While “My Baby” is the first collaboration between DJ Doughboy and Lawand, it will hopefully not be their last, as the song is undoubtedly a success!

[ENTERTAINMENT] BEST MOMENTS OF THE 2019 GOLDEN GLOBES

[ENTERTAINMENT] BEST MOMENTS OF THE 2019 GOLDEN GLOBES

Sunday night’s Golden Globes officially brought us into the 2019 awards season, and it was more unexpected than usual. With films winning in genre-bending categories and an especially controversial year, if the Golden Globes are any prediction as to what’s to come in the next two months, we’re in for quite the ride. 

“Bohemian Rhapsody” 

The Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” was the surprise big winner of the night, taking home Best Motion Picture Drama and Best Actor in a Leading Role for star Rami Malek.
Photo courtesy of pitchfork.com

The Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” won the top honor, Best Picture Drama, and Twitter was quick to react. Many pointed out the film’s 62% Rotten Tomatoes score and the movie’s problematic director Bryan Singer (the center of his own Time’s Up scandal and the documentary “An Open Secret” which details his alleged sexual misconduct). With co-host Sandra Oh talking about the change in the entertainment industry, it seems almost hypocritical that this film would be lauded with the biggest award of the night. And I’m not even going to get into the fact that it’s not in the Comedy/Musical category, while movies like “Vice” and “Green Book” were under the Comedy/Musical category. 

People were so upset about “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” win that they even took to Twitter to shame 15 year old Elsie Fisher for congratulating the film in a tweet. I get that Bryan Singer is a bad guy, but let’s not take it out on the 15-year-old who’s new to the industry and at one of her first major events. She’s a teenager; can we expect her to be fully versed on all the controversies surrounding all the films? Let’s give her a break. 

Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh 

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Andy Samberg and “Killing Eve’s” Sandra Oh hosted this year’s Golden Globes.
Photo courtesy of eonline.com

With the still ongoing controversy surrounding the search for an Oscars host, many were waiting to see what this year’s Golden Globes host would do. An unlikely pair, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s” Andy Samberg and “Killing Eve’s” Sandra Oh took to the stage and began the evening with a relatively light-hearted opening. They had pretty good chemistry and timing, and some of their jokes really landed. Oh’s joke about “Crazy Rich Asians” being the first Asian-American led film since “Ghost in the Shell” and “Aloha” (in which Scarlett Johansson and Emma Stone played Asian characters) got a huge laugh and a yelled apology from Stone. Oh also said that the Neil Armstrong biopic “First Man” was coincidentally how producers looked for film directors. “First man, then two man, then group of man, then maybe woman.”  Not known for her comedic chops (excluding her small but memorable role as Vice Principal Gupta in “The Princess Diaries”), Oh definitely held her ground next to “SNL” alum Samberg. 

Their best bit of the night came when they said that since the Golden Globes already give the attendees a dinner, they were going to mix it up and give everyone flu shots. LMFAO’s “Shots” started blasting as lab coated “doctors” rushed the crowd, pretending to give them flu shots. It led to Samberg making a crack at the anti-vaccination movement and was a lighthearted but especially funny moment. 

“Roma” 

Netflix’s “Roma” took home Best Foreign Film and Best Director for Alfonso Cuaron.
Photo courtesy of netflix.com

The Golden Globes are put on by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, so it seems weird that this awards show, with its emphasis on the foreign press, has a rule that the Best Drama nominees must be English language films. This meant that Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma” wasn’t able to compete in the big category. However, the HFPA seemed to notice the error in their ways, and gave the black and white, Spanish language Netflix film two awards – Best Foreign Film and Best Director. The slow, atmospheric film takes its time unveiling its story, but if you stick with it (and don’t mind reading subtitles) its an emotional journey worth taking. The film, consisting almost exclusively of deep focus cinematography and long takes, is one of the most beautiful looking films of the year. Some say it’s too slow, but I implore everyone to at least give “Roma” a chance. It’s available on Netflix, so why not put it on tonight?

Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler 

The comedy duo took the stage as presenters, but they didn’t waste the opportunity to make fun of the proposal at this year’s Emmy awards. Rudolph, pretending to shake uncontrollably, took out a fake wedding ring and “proposed” to Amy Poehler on stage. Some didn’t get the reference to the Emmy proposal and some didn’t think it was funny, but as a longtime fan of these comedians, I found it to be especially funny. 

Christian Bale Thanks Satan 

76th ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS — Pictured: Christian Bale, Best Actor – Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, “Vice” at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 6, 2019 — (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBC)
Photo courtesy of variety.com

Christian Bale took home Best Lead Actor in a Comedy/Musical for his role as Dick Cheney in “Vice” (which is somehow considered a comedy) and took the stage to accept it. Solidifying the Golden Globe’s reputation as “the Drunk Oscars” the UK actor took a moment to thank Satan for the inspiration in playing Cheney. He also joked about playing  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell next. 

“A Star is Born” Not the Sure Bet It Seemed to Be

Before the Globes, the vast majority of people were putting their money on “A Star is Born” being a big contender. However, the Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga film only won one award – Best Original Song for the mega-hit “Shallow.” With Cooper and Gaga in the front row, it seemed almost sad to see them repeatedly shut out. However, it could likely have something to do with Warner Brothers submitting the movie as a drama instead of a comedy/musical, despite the fact that it revolves around music (similarly to “Bohemian Rhapsody”). Many thought Gaga was a lock for Best Actress, only to lose to Glenn Close for the little-seen “The Wife.” Cooper last Best Actor to Rami Malek and Best Director to Charon. This could just be a momentary speed-bump on the movie’s road to Oscar gold, or it could signal the tides turning for the fourth iteration of “A Star is Born.”

Honorable Mention: Timothee Chalamet’s Glitter Harness

” Beautiful Boy” actor Timothee Chalamet shook up the red carpet with a black glitter harness.
Photo courtesy of thisinsider.com

I would be remised if I didn’t take this opportunity to highlight Timothee Chalamet’s outfit. The “Beautiful Boy” nominee broke out of the typical suit and tie norm of male red carpet fashion by adorning a black, glittered harness. The upcoming generation of actors are less bound by traditional fashion norms and are promising more unique red carpet looks for this year’s upcoming awards season.

What did you think of this year’s Golden Globes? Do you think Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh did a good job hosting? Were there any winners that surprised you or any losses that had you flabbergasted? Let me know in the comments below!

[SPORTS] MLB HOT STOVE NEWS 12/11

[SPORTS] MLB HOT STOVE NEWS 12/11

Yanks Thinking About Trading Young Talent?

The MLB hot stove is off and running! With a number of MLB teams now jockeying to improve their teams while others opt to rebuild this winter, anticipation of blockbuster moves are abound.

Here’s a run down of the latest moves and news here.

New York Yankees Willing To Trade Rising Star Miguel Andujar

Rumors have surfaced that if the right deal came along, such as a blockbuster deal that would include acquiring New York Mets’ Ace right-hander Noah Syndergaard, that the Yankees would be interested in dealing Miguel Andujar.

Miguel Andujar had a strong rookie campaign with the Bronx Bombers in 2018, batting .297 with 27 home runs, 47 doubles and 97 RBIs in 149 games.

The 23-year-old third baseman being traded wouldn’t be a complete eye opener , as it’s also been reported that rival execs believed the Yankees front office is not high on him, according to the New York Post.

Keep in mind, that story was posted back in July, and as we all saw, Andujar played a significant role for the New York Yankees throughout the entire season with his bat.

Although he’s somewhat of a defensive liability at third base and doesn’t take many walks, it likely will take a great offer to move him.

Ivan Nova Traded To Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox made a low leverage move in acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Ivan Nova from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

The White Sox parted with right-handed pitching prospect Yordi Rosario in the deal.

Nova finished last season with a 4.19 ERA in 26 starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018.

Andrew McCutchen Signs With Philadelphia Phillies

The former NL MVP is headed back to the state of Pennsylvania, but this time he’ll be wearing red pinstripes.

Andrew McCutchen agreed to a three-year/$45 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old five-time All-Star outfielder batted .255 with 20 home runs and 65 RBIs in 155 games last season with the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees.

Troy Tulowitzki Released By Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays parted ways with the oft’ injured Troy Tulowitzki on Tuesday, making Tulowitzki a free agent.

He’ll be owed the $38 million that was still left on the remaining two years of his contract, including a $4 million buyout in 2021.

Tulowitzki spent three plus seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, initially acquired from the Colorado Rockies back in 2015.

While in Toronto, the five-time All-Star never played to the level that earned him his reputation as one of the best shortstops in the MLB. He experienced down years in terms of batting average, along with bone spur injuries in both of his heels that caused him to miss all of 2018.

It’s unclear if Tulowitzki will be cleared before the regular-season next year.

What are your thoughts on the latest moves? Leave your comments below!

[ENTERTAINMENT] BIGGEST SNUBS FROM THE GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS

[ENTERTAINMENT] BIGGEST SNUBS FROM THE GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS

With the Golden Globe nominations last week, there were plenty of worthy nominations, including “A Star is Born” “Vice” and “BlackPanther” but as always, there were some films and performances that were noticeably snubbed. 

Toni Collette for “Hereditary”

Toni Collette gave a powerhouse performance in “Hereditary.” Photo courytesy of gamesradar.com

It’s rare for a horror film to get any nominations (“Black Swan” and “Get Out” being recent exceptions), but this summer’s “Hereditary” is certainly worthy. Focusing on a family as they process their unimaginable grief, Toni Collette gave a powerhouse performance. It’s one of those rare roles that require her to gives everything she has, and she’s up to the challenge.

If you haven’t yet seen “Hereditary” I strongly recommend that you stay away from spoilers, because the trailers and marketing completely blindside audiences as to what the film’s second half contains. It’s dark, uncomfortable, shocking and really powerful. I strongly recommend everyone watch “Hereditary” (which will be available to stream on Amazon Prime by the end of the month). I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Collette will receive a rightfully deserved Oscar nomination.

“Sorry to Bother You”

Boots Riley’s debut feature “Sorry to Bother You” was snubbed with zero nominations at the Golden Globes.
Photo courtesy of movieweb.com

Without a doubt my favorite movie of 2018, “Sorry to Bother You” is a biting satire that equal parts funny and unpredictable. Commenting on corporate America, the African American experience and consumerism (among other things), I was certain that Boots Riley’s film would be in contention for Best Comedy or Musical, as well as Best Screenplay and Best Actor for LakeithStanfield.

I suspect that last year’s “Get Out” stole some of this movie’s thunder, but they really are entirely different. “Sorry to Bother You” is another movie with a really surprising and out-of-left-field twist that I didn’t see coming. It’s funny, smart and incredibly unique. I’m hoping that “Sorry to Bother You” can at least get a Best Original Screenplay nomination at the Oscars. If you’re thinking about checking out “Sorry to Bother You” the film is available to stream for free with a Hulu account.

“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”

“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” reunited the cast of the original while adding new actors for flashback scenes.
Photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Was “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” a perfect movie? Certainly not, but it was a really fun theater experience. Watching it in a packed theater of ABBA fans (and Meryl Streep fans) was the best theater experience of the summer. Following the style of “The Godfather Part II” the “Mamma Mia” sequel spends half of its time following Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) following her mother Donna’s (Streep) death, and the other half flashes back to a young Donna(played by “Baby Driver’s” Lily James) during the summer where she met three potential lovers.

The music was fun, the performances were lighthearted but effective and it’s a fun watch. With some of the year’s bigger musicals being submitted in the Best Drama category (“A Star is Born” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” both thought they’d have a better chance at prestige as dramas), I was sure that “Mamma Mia 2” would at least get nominated for Best Comedy or Musical andBest Actress for Lily James. Since it was omitted, the only musical in the top category is “Mary Poppins Returns.” It’s unlikely that the ABBA sequel will receive any Oscar nominations, so the Golden Globes were its big chance to shine.

Ethan Hawke for “First Reformed”

Ethan Hawke stars as Toller in “First Reformed.”
Photo courtesy of theatlantic.com

Ethan Hawke stars as a priest struggling with his faith in“Taxi Driver” screenwriter Paul Schrader’s “First Reformed.” It’s a small, quiet and deliberately paced film that some may see as boring, but I found incredibly interesting. It raises questions about faith, environmentalism and the future of our planet. Featuring a lot of dialogue heavy scenes, it’s the kind of movie that rewards your attention.

As he struggles with his faith following a bad diagnosis, Hawke meets Amanda Seyfried (in her second mention on this list) whose husband is taking his environmental activism to the extreme. This leads Hawke down a road of questioning his purpose and man’s negative impact on the planet. “First Reformed” doesn’t wrap everything up into a tidy ending; questions are left unanswered and viewers are required to think about it to come up with their own conclusion. In the current age of over-explaining everything, Schrader’s film is a welcome change. I was certain Hawke would be nominated for Best Actor, andI’m still hoping he gets the recognition he deserves come Oscar Nomination Day.“First Reformed” is also available to stream for free on Amazon Prime.

Were there any other snubs that surprised you? What movies and performances are you rooting for at this year’s Golden Globe Awards? Let me know in the comments below and make sure to watch the ceremony, hosted by Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh, on January 6, 2019 at 8 p.m.

[SPORTS] NFL WEEK 15 POWER RANKINGS: EVERY TEAM’S CHAMPIONSHIP QUALITY

[SPORTS] NFL WEEK 15 POWER RANKINGS: EVERY TEAM’S CHAMPIONSHIP QUALITY

The Quarterbacks Aren’t As Important As You Think

This is the time of the year when teams are sharpening their toolbox before attempting to make a Super Bowl run, yet, it’s hard not to ponder that New England’s devastating 34-33 loss last week won’t have a long lasting effect.

The Patriots defense, for what it’s worth, is not very good at all. They’ve taken a step back in 2018 from last year’s defense that allowed only 18.5 PPG, which would be ranked first in the NFL today.

The Patriots are 22nd overall in total defense (372.5), 12th in PPG (22.5), 15th in rushing yards allowed (113), and 29th in sacks (24).

The sacks department is most concerning considering how the team finished tied for seventh in sacks (42) last season and even that unit couldn’t lay a finger on Nick Foles in the Super Bowl.

New England’s secondary has looked good at times, but when the team uses it’s heavy nickel package they are vulnerable against the run. We saw that last Sunday in their unbelievable loss in Miami, as the Dolphins rushed for 189 rushing yards in the game.

The point I’m getting to here is this, Dont’a Hightower — a team captain and the mic linebacker — has regressed mightily in his return from a season lost due to injury, and it’s making the Patriots defense worse.

He’s a liability in pass coverage and questionable against the run because of his lack of speed. On one particular play last week he was faked out by Ryan Tannehill on a read option run that Tannehill went for 13 yards and a first drive.

New England entered 2018 as a heavy Super Bowl favorite, but with their defense getting torched by offenses like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins and Tom Brady regressing in terms of on-target throws to wide open receivers, it very well will be a quick postseason for the Patriots.

Losing in Pittsburgh this Sunday could all but confirm it.

Here we will be looking at each team’s championship quality (Spoiler: Not every team gets one here, duh!). The Kansas City Chiefs are the NFL’s top offensive team, but that’s not particularly a quality that what will get them to a Super Bowl. What will?

Let’s get started.

1. New Orleans Saints (11-2)

New Orleans’ offensive line has helped the team be one of the best at protecting the football. The Saints have committed only 12 turnovers in 2018, with Drew Brees throwing only four interceptions in 13 games.

2. Los Angeles Rams (11-2)

The Rams have arguably the NFL’s top running back in Todd Gurley, which gives Los Angeles an advantage over most teams. Los Angeles likes to play with tempo, but don’t be surprised if January brings about changes.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-2)

Getting after the quarterback will always be a key ingredient, and while Patrick Mahomes is special, we saw him lose a game throwing six touchdowns. It’s Kansas City’s pass rush that will lead them to a Super Bowl. They are second in the NFL in sacks with 42.

4. Los Angeles Chargers (10-3)

A red-hot quarterback will always come in handy come playoff time and that’s what Philip Rivers is right now, just ask Aaron Rodgers from the 2010 season or Joe Flacco from the 2012 season.

5. Chicago Bears (9-4)

Defense wins championships, and the Chicago Bears certainly have everything checked off in that category regarding it. The Chicago Bears are third in yards allowed (309.9), third in points allowed (19.0), fourth in sacks (40), and first in takeaways (34)

6. New England Patriots (9-4)

Being balanced on offense in January is the name of the game, and New England’s fifth ranked offense is one of the most balanced in the NFL.

7. Houston Texans (9-4)

The Houston Texans nine-game winning streak ended last Sunday, but there’s a great chance they’ll win out with their remaining schedule, meaning they’d be going into the playoffs with 12 wins out of their past 13, and there’s no better indication of a Super Bowl contender than a hot one.

8. Dallas Cowboys (8-5)

The Dallas Cowboys have allowed the second fewest points in the NFL this season at 18.9 PPG. They have held seven of their 13 opponents this season under 20 points.

9. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)

The No. 1 rushing team in pro football is the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle can go to their three-headed monster at running back to wear down opponents, and they’ve also got a quarterback who’s rushed for 849 yards in a season as well.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5-1)

The Pittsburgh Steelers pass rush is ferocious, as they lead the NFL in sacks with 45 this season. That’s also led to teams converting only 36.8 percent of their third downs against them.

11. Baltimore Ravens (7-6)

Leaning on the run over the past four weeks has changed Baltimore’s season, and their league-leading 115 rushing first downs gives you a clear indication of what type of team they want to be come playoff time.

12. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)

The Indianapolis Colts get it done on third down about as good as anyone offensively. They are second in the NFL in conversion rate at 47.2 percent.

13. Miami Dolphins (7-6)

Never underestimate the importance of a good punter. Matt Haack has been one of the best in the NFL this season, responsible for 31 punts inside the opponent’s 20 yard line, second best in the NFL.

14. Minnesota Vikings (6-6-1)

The Minnesota Vikings defense is nearly as stingy on third down as they were in 2017. They are allowing a league-low 29.7 percent of third downs converted against them.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)

The Philadelphia Eagles have not been particularly great at any category, but they have been one of the least penalized teams in the NFL this season, tied for fifth in that category.

16. Tennessee Titans (7-6)

The Tennessee Titans are one of the best teams in the NFL at returning kicks, averaging an NFL-high 34.4 yards per game on kickoff returns.

17. Carolina Panthers (6-7)

The Carolina Panthers are second in the NFL in rushing, and lead the next team behind them by eight yards despite rushing the ball 72 times less than them. They lead the NFL with 5.4 yards per carry.

18. Denver Broncos (6-7)

The Denver Broncos have tried to be a balanced offensive team, but if this team makes a run, it’ll be due to their rushing attack. Denver is seventh in the NFL in rushing, averaging the second most yards per carry at 5.2.

19. Cleveland Browns (5-7-1)

The Cleveland Browns are second in the NFL in turnovers forced with 28 this season, recovering a league-high 13 fumbles this season.

20. Washington Redskins (6-7)

Washington’s injuries at quarterback as well as on the offensive line and defense, have turned what was once a contending 5-2 Washington Redskins team into a team that will be lucky to finish .500. Gruden may not survive yet another season like that. His seat is warm.

21. Green Bay Packers (5-7-1)

Green Bay doesn’t give their opponents extra possessions with turnovers as they are tied with New Orleans for the second fewest turnovers this season at 12.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-8)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are explosive offensive unit, as they are second in the NFL in total yards ( and first in the NFL in passing yards per game at 331.4.

23. Detroit Lions (5-8)

The Detroit Lions have a reliable leg in Matt Prater, who has made 24 of 25 field goals this season, including three from 50+ yards.

24. Atlanta Falcons (4-9)

Matt Ryan won’t be playing in the postseason this year, but if he was, he’d be one of the hotter quarterbacks in the playoffs. Ryan has thrown for 4,076 passing yards, 28 touchdowns to only six interceptions while completing 70.5 percent of his passes.

25. New York Giants (5-8)

There isn’t much of a championship quality for the New York Giants, but it’s hard not marvel at Saquon Barkley, who right now is on his way to the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in a landslide.

26. Cincinnati Bengals (5-7)

Where’s Boomer Esiason when you need em?

27. Buffalo Bills (4-9)

The Buffalo Bills defense is ranked No. 1 in total defense, and it’s their work against the pass that’s a big reason why. The Bills are allowing an NFL-low 185.8 passing yards per game.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)

Despite not being anywhere close to the team they were last year, Jacksonville is still ranked sixth in the NFL in defense and are allowing only 203.7 passing yards per game, which is second in the NFL.

29. New York Jets (4-9)

The New York Jets defense has been great on third down, allowing only a 33.7 conversion rate, which is the second lowest in the NFL behind the Minnesota Vikings.

30. San Francisco 49ers (3-10)

Robbie Gould is one of the NFL’s best kickers ever, and he’s continuing that here in 2018. Gould has knocked threw 25 of 26 field goals this season, including two from 50+ yards.

31. Oakland Raiders (3-10)

They fired general manager Reggie McKenzie, so there’s a start.

32. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)

The Arizona Cardinals front seven doesn’t make life easy on their opponents. The Cardinals have gotten to the quarterback 39 times this season, the seventh most in the NFL.

What are your thoughts on this week’s NFL power rankings? Leave your comments below!