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Heritage Auctions is holding an online auction in which hundreds of mementos from the hip-hop world will be featured.

According to Complex, this is the first auction dedicated entirely to hip-hop memorabilia from many esteemed recording artists in the genre. The auction is currently open and will end on May 26. Anyone interested in getting their hands on possessions that may have been owned or correlated in some way to their favorite hip-hop recording artists can check the Heritage Auctions website to see what is available.

Items up for bids include trading cards featuring artists like JAY-Z, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, N.W.A., Drake and Kendrick Lamar — several vinyl recordings of Eminem albums like The Marshall Mathers LP, Encore and the 8 Mile Soundtrack. Original photographs include some of Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Tone Loc, Run-DMC (including Jam Master Jay), and Busta Rhymes. Ticket stubs for concerts like the “Up In Smoke Tour,” the “Anger Management Tour,” and the “Home and Home Tour.”

Several handbills for shows featuring Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash, and the Cold Crush Brothers. Concert posters featuring Biz Markie, Nas, Queen Latifah, A Tribe Called Quest, Salt-N-Pepa and Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) plaques for 3rd Bass and the Beastie Boys.

Some of the items up for auction have no bids, with some listed as having bids in the hundreds of dollars per item. Then there are some items, like a 1992 Tupac Shakur autograph on a 30-day notice to his landlord that currently has a bid of over $2,000, and the Eazy-E-signed It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa cassette tape EP, which has a bid price of $5,000.

Hip-hop fans can surely find a variety of hip-hop pieces to own, ranging from artists who helped start the genre’s commercial success to artists still recording and performing shows worldwide.

Originally Published Jun. 26, 2020.

With the start of summer comes seasonal drinks for kickbacks with friends and family while enjoying the weather. It is a time where you can enjoy your favorite summer drink either by yourself or with a companion. As you prepare your bar with your favorite wine and spirits, add a few Black-owned brands to your top shelf.

For Outdoor Dining And Picnic — Le Fête Du Rosé

As the first Black-owned rosé based out of St. Tropez, France, founder and CEO, Donae Burston wanted to created a wine that had a more multicultural focus in its marketing materials. The fruity, eco-friendly rosé wine is ideal for outdoor outings like picnics with friends on a beautiful day.

For People Dreaming Of Their Next Vacation — Cremas Absalon 

Cremas is a Haitian rum similar to coquito in Puerto Rico. Cremas Absalon brings the traditional drink to a larger audience with a twist: a cream liqueur with a taste that reminds you of an island vacation. The company also produces an ice cream made from the rum to enjoy during the summer.

For Drinks After Dark With Friends — HH Bespoke Spirits

Gin is another popular spirit that shows a lack of diversity in its field. The owners behind HH Bespoke Spirits used the inspiration of the Harlem Renaissance to bring their traditional London Dry style gin to a modern American audience.

For Someone Who Enjoys A Solo Drink — Uncle Nearest

Uncle Nearest is named after the country’s first Black master distiller, Nathan “Nearest” Green, who was believed to perfect the Lincoln Country Process that created Tennessee Whiskey. He is also the one who taught Jack Daniels how to distill his whiskey. The brand opened in 2019 in Tennessee to honor the African American whiskey maker.

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After five seasons and 65 episodes, Star Trek: Discovery has landed in dry dock. The first ever Star Trek streaming series has released its final episode, “Life, Itself.” And the finale has a coda that ties off the journey of Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green). What a journey it has been. In the first episode, set in the 23rd century, Burnham (Spock’s adopted sister) is a mutineer whose actions landed her in the Starfleet prison. She joins Discovery‘s crew, and serves under several captains. Then, after time-traveling 900 years into the future, Michael Burnham becomes the Captain of Discovery herself. And now, we see where her life takes her decades later.

Michael Burnham met the man who would be the love of her life, the Kwejian Cleveland Booker (David Ajala), when she arrived in the 32nd Century. This was at the start of season three. The two became partners when Burnham became stranded in this strange future. She became a space courier with Booker, or “Book” for short. Eventually, they became romantically involved, even after she became Captain of Discovery. Over the course of the last three seasons, the pair had their ups and downs. They even split up for a time. But in the series finale, the two recommitted their love for one another. This was at the wedding of Captain Saru (Doug Jones) and the Vulcan President T’Rina (Tara Rosling).

Admiral Burnham Is Married to Booker, and They Have an Adult Son in Starfleet

Then, Star Trek: Discovery drops a bombshell on us. We flash forward decades into the future. We see that Burnham and Booker are now married, living in a country home on a remote alien planet. As Michael wakes up to get her morning coffee, Book follows her, and in their conversation, it’s revealed that today is a big day for her. She’s now Admiral Burnham, and a shuttle is coming to take her to a special ceremony. When the shuttle arrives, a young man beams down, played by Sawandi Wilson. He reveals himself as the son of Burnham and Booker. He’s also in Starfleet, and is about to get his own command and starship. He appears as “Captain Leto” in the credits, although they never refer to him by name. He looks about thirty, meaning she and Booker have been married for at least three decades or more in these scenes.

Michael Burnham Takes Command of Discovery One Last Time

Booker stays behind on the alien world, and mother and son go to Starfleet HQ together. In typical Trek fashion, they have a new uniform design. They talk together on the shuttle about Burnham’s friend Tilly, who is now the longest-tenured instructor at Starfleet Academy. We don’t really find out what became of the rest of Discovery’s crew, although we see a montage of them together in younger days. Once they get to Starfleet HQ, we see that they are reverting Discovery to its original 23rd-century mode, with the letter “A” removed from its registry number.

Michael Burnham beams aboard Discovery, now an empty ghost vessel, and talks to Zora, Discovery’s sentient AI system. They embark on one final mission together. It’s a secret “Red Directive” mission, where Discovery will await a ship of unknown origin for a thousand years. Upon reaching the coordinates, Burnham will disembark, while Zora awaits the mysterious vessel. Zora realizes that after this mission, she and Burnham won’t ever see each other again. Burnham says her famous catchphrase one last time as they go to warp — “Let’s fly.”

Will Michael Burnham Return in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?

Will we follow up on this future version of Michael Burnham? It depends on exactly when the new Starfleet Academy series takes place. It might happen concurrently with the elder Michael Burnham we see in the Discovery epilogue. What we do know is that after many hardships, Admiral Michael Burnham led a fulfilled and fruitful life, something she could never have foreseen for herself in the series’ original episode, when she was an outcast mutineer, shunned by almost every member of Starfleet. Admiral Michael Burnham has had a journey unlike any Starfleet commander, or Star Trek series lead, before her.

The post STAR TREK: DISCOVERY Series Finale Epilogue Reveals the Fate of Captain Burnham appeared first on Nerdist.

Originally Published Aug. 18, 2015.

The end of the summer should remind us of one thing—the countdown to the New Year starts now. So, if you’re behind in your career goals or need some motivation to launch that idea you’ve been sitting on for several months, check out these awesome books on career and creativity.

Strategize to Win by Carla Harris

Recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of “The Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate,” and Black Enterprise magazine’s “Top 75 African Americans on Wall Street” and “Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business, “Harris is more than qualified in the career strategies and tools necessary to “start out, step up, or start over in your career.

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

When Austin Kleon was asked to speak to students at Broome Community College, he wrote his speech based on “ten things he wished someone had told him when he was starting out at their age.” “Nothing is original, so embrace influence, collect ideas, and remix and re-imagine to discover your own path. Follow your interests wherever they take you.” This message serves as the foundation for Steal Like an Artist—transformative principles that help people discover their artistic side.

And you don’t have to be an “artist” to benefit from this short, yet powerful read about tapping into your creative side. The book includes empowering messages, graphic illustrations, and Kleon’s personal experiences.

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

If there is anyone who can teach you something about holding out for “hope,” it’s our very own former President of the United States, Barack Obama. According to the book description on Amazon, The Audacity of Hope is Barack Obama’s call for a new kind of politics—a politics that builds upon those shared understandings that pull us together as Americans. Lucid in his vision of America’s place in the world, refreshingly candid about his family life and his time in the Senate, Obama here sets out his political convictions and inspires us to trust in the dogged optimism that has long defined us and that is our best hope going forward.”

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

If you’re one of the millions of people who dream about escaping the corporate rat race, the 4-hour workweek is recognized by many “career switchers” as the “blueprint.” The book includes 50 practical tips and case studies from readers (including families) who have doubled their incomes, overcome common sticking points, and reinvented themselves using the original book as a starting point.”

Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media by Aliza Licht

Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job is described as “mentorship in 288 pages.” Highlights from the book include communication and personal branding tips as well Licht’s invaluable lessons learned from her career as well as advice and inspiration.

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