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https://www.blackenterprise.com/reebok-plant-based-vegan-sneakers-forever-floatride-grow/

Sneaker giant Reebok is releasing its first-ever plant-based performance running shoe. The Forever Floatride GROW will be available for purchase in fall 2020.

The running shoe is the latest example of Reebok’s commitment to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics in footwear by making products with plants. The Forever Floatride GROW follows the success of the brand’s successful Cotton + Corn lifestyle collection of footwear.

“With Forever Floatride GROW, we’re replacing oil-based plastic with plants,” said Bill McInnis, vice president of Reebok Future in a statement. “The biggest challenge in making a shoe like this was developing plant-based materials that could meet the high-performance needs of runners. During the three years we spent developing this product, we heard loud and clear that the idea of a plant-based running shoe resonates strongly with serious runners. But those same runners felt just as emphatically that they would never compromise on performance. The Forever Floatride GROW is the result. Plant-based performance—with no compromise.”

The shoe’s highly cushioned, responsive midsole is built from sustainably grown castor beans, and the eucalyptus tree upper is naturally biodegradable, sustainably sourced, strong, and breathable. The sock liner utilizes BLOOM algae foam. And the flexible, durable, and responsive natural rubber outsole is sustainably sourced from real rubber trees, as opposed to the petroleum-based rubber featured in other performance products.

“The earth is a runner’s arena, and we have a responsibility to help detox the world for the athletes who run in it,” said Reebok Brand President Matt O’Toole. “Our Cotton + Corn collection was the first step in making shoes from things that grow. Now, we have taken an award-winning running shoe, the Forever Floatride Energy, and reinvented it using natural materials to create what we feel is the most sustainable performance running shoe on the market.”

“Our consumers have told us they want more sustainable products, and the running community has been the most vocal and passionate on this issue,” said O’Toole. “We want to help runners perform at their best, while also feeling good about the products they wear.”

Consumers can sign up to learn more about the Forever Floatride GROW here. The Reebok NPC UK Cotton + Corn is available now.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/davido-hit-song-fall-new-album-tour/

Raise your hand if anytime in the last year, after hearing the first lines of Davido’s “Fall,” the infectious Afropop vibe took over your entire being.

You’re not alone. The 26-year-old Davido has seen this massive song, which has had 150 million views on YouTube, reign global charts and streaming platforms, as well as parties and festivals since its release in 2017.

But for the Atlanta, Georgia born, Lagos, Nigeria raised megastar, recording “Fall” wasn’t nothing more than he and his producers goofing around in the studio.

“We made that song like a joke. I wasn’t serious. It was us having fun. Until today I’m like, why doesn’t the song want to die,” Davido said jokingly of the nearly three year old song that received new life when it was included on his full-length album, A Good Time, last month.  

In November, the long awaited album entered the pop charts, further extending the Afrobeat artist’s reach outside of Africa. A Good Time includes his equally gigantic hit “If” along with “Blow Your Mind” feat. Chris Brown, plus new collaborations with Summer Walker, Gunna, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Naira Marley, and more.

Last week Davido announced the dates of his 2020 North American tour, which kicks off February 28th in Canada. He ends the year performing as part of Afro Nation Ghana in Accra.

But humbly, the singer-songwriter who has won several awards including MOBO’s Best African Artist and BET’s Best International Act, has been thankful for the year-after-year success and has spent 2019 enjoying the fruits of his labor.

“This was a great year for us because we’re normally busy, on tour, but this year we relaxed. We stayed in America – in ATL, LA – and chilled. Things just aligned this year. We had a great time recording the album.”

Check out the full video with Davido above.

The post Davido Wishes His Hit Song “Fall” Would Die (In a Good Way) appeared first on Essence.

http://www.afronerd.com/2019/12/topics-everything-eddiesnl-star-wars.html

Afronerd Radio Airs 12.22.19



As we head full swing into Holiday Week, let's not forget that we still have a Grindhouse podcast to air....specifically, this Sunday at 5pm eastern.  The issues to be unpacked?  EVERYTHING: our impressions of the (final?) film in the Star Wars saga, The Rise of the Skywalker; comedic legend, Eddie Murphy returns to SNL after a 35 year "hiatus" (because of, you know...superstardom and all that); more on the penultimate episode of S1 of Disney+'s Mandalorian series; Christopher Nolan returns in the John David Washington scifi-spy trailer for Tenet;  Henry Cavill's The Witcher series premiered on Netflix this weekend to so-so reviews;  iconic sci-fi director, Terry Gilliam (Brazil, 12 Monkeys) had some rather choice things to say about Marvel and Black Panther, specifically (can't have those Black kids dreaming!)  more Watchmen talk: is S1 final? And should it be? Watchmen's Doomsday Clock ended but even that might continue; JK Rowling might have to get off of twitter (even if she's right.....just like Trump says he really wasn't impeached either.....sigh); And if you need proof that Armageddon is near-50 Cent is producing an Black superhero animated series. Call LIVE at 646-915-9620. 

https://nerdist.com/article/first-real-star-wars-protosaber/

Here’s the thing about lightsabers that isn’t acknowledged enough: They’re just as dangerous for their users as they are for enemies facing off against them. Which isn’t a big deal considering the elegant weapons for a more civilized age are fictional, but in real life, this fact becomes frightening relevant. Check out the Hacksmith’s “world’s first protosaber” build for proof of that assessment, as well as an understanding of why a true energy sword is not only nearly impossible to build, but also unwise to wield.

For those unfamiliar, the protosaber (or “proto-saber”) is an archaic form of lightsaber, with the main difference between the two being the former’s use of an external power pack. As the Wookipedia notes, “the hilt [of a protosaber] was connected via cable to an external power pack due to limitations in power pack technology,” which not only resulted in a relatively short operational timeframe, but also, of course, limited mobility for its user. In the Star Wars universe, the protosaber was first discovered during a mission to Mustafar, when the Rebel Alliance found it in a container. It first appeared in Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi — The Golden Age of the Sith, a comic book sub-series that ran between 1996 and ’97.

Jump to 14:25 in the video to see the IRL protosaber in action. 

In the video, the Hacksmith refers to lightsabers/protosabers as the “holy grail of sci-fi tech,” although he also notes that they are “scientifically impossible to create in real life.” But because he seems to have a dash of Mad Hatter DNA—which is also definitely present in Colin Furze’s blood, for the record—the Hacksmith (and friends) took on the challenge anyway, ultimately coming up with an IRL protosaber that produces enough energy to power half of an average North American home; all from a block of batteries that’s slung over a user’s back.

Most of the video revolves around building a portable battery pack capable of powering the IRL protosaber, which seems dangerous enough even without taking the finished product into account. Apparently the battery pack “burst into flames” on several occasions, and while there’s no footage of that happening in this video, the protosaber itself does light on fire when the Hacksmith first turns it on.

One artistic take on the Star Wars protosaber. Brules

After replacing the protosaber’s “blade” with a thicker piece of tungsten—the original one couldn’t handle the 20kW of power produced by the battery—the Hacksmith reveals the final product at about 14:25. And the whole thing, including the protosaber blade and hilt, as well as the steampunk-style battery pack, turns out beautifully. The Hacksmith goes on to demonstrate its destructive capabilities by using it to burn through various objects, but does so without wearing any type of protective gear aside from some safety glasses. Which we only note because, again, this freakin’ thing is so freakin’ dangerous. Luckily, the Hacksmith doesn’t underestimate the power of the Force (of electricity), and manages to wield the weapon without burning himself.

What do you think about this IRL protosaber build? Are you shocked to see the Hacksmith wield it without any safety gear on, or do you think he’s well on his way to becoming some kind of engineering-class Jedi? Give us your proto-opinions in the comments!

Feature image: the Hacksmith 

The post World’s First IRL STAR WARS Protosaber Is Insanely Dangerous appeared first on Nerdist.