Uncategorized

https://www.blackenterprise.com/universal-music-group-tiktok-deal/

Earlier this year, Universal Music Group (UMG) removed music from its roster of artists from the popular TikTok platform due to a disagreement regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and compensation. It was recently announced that an agreement has been made between the two entities, allowing music from Drake, SZA, Taylor Swift, and many others to be used on TikTok again.

The deal is a new “multi-dimensional licensing agreement” that allows the platform access to its “global family of artists, songwriters and labels and will return their music” to TikTok.

In a written statement, Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge said: “This new chapter in our relationship with TikTok focuses on the value of music, the primacy of human artistry and the welfare of the creative community. We look forward to collaborating with the team at TikTok to further the interests of our artists and songwriters and drive innovation in fan engagement while advancing social music monetization.”

The two companies were in dispute regarding compensation when UMG stated that TikTok’s proposal was at a “fraction” of typical payouts, chastising the platform for wanting to profit off the music unfairly.

“Music is an integral part of the TikTok ecosystem, and we are pleased to have found a path forward with Universal Music Group,” TikTok CEO Shou Chew said. “We are committed to working together to drive value, discovery and promotion for all of UMG’s amazing artists and songwriters and deepen their ability to grow, connect and engage with the TikTok community.”

Deadline reported that the agreement is designed to deliver better payments for the songwriters and artists under the UMG umbrella. This includes new promotional and engagement opportunities for the songs recorded and industry-leading protections concerning generative AI.

https://nerdist.com/article/boys-season-4-trailer-shows-direct-ties-to-gen-v/

The Boys ended their third season with a game-changing moment for the series. Homelander discovered he could do the unthinkable in public—and many in the public would love him for it. This left us all foaming at the mouth for season four. And now, it’s almost here. Fans attending the first-ever CCXP México were the first to see the official trailer for the fourth season of The Boys, coming to Prime Video on June 13. Cast members Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Chace Crawford, Karen Fukuhara, and Claudia Doumit were on hand to debut the trailer to a crowded room of fans. You can watch the latest trailer in full right here:

Here’s the official description for The Boys season four, as well as key art:

In Season Four of The Boys, the world is on the brink. Victoria Neuman is closer than ever to the Oval Office and under the muscly thumb of Homelander, who is consolidating his power. Butcher, with only months to live, has lost Becca’s son and his job as The Boys’ leader. The rest of the team are fed up with his lies. With the stakes higher than ever, they have to find a way to work together and save the world before it’s too late.

Judging from this trailer, certain major plot elements from the spinoff series Gen V will factor heavily into season four of The Boys. Namely, the virus that kills super-powered individuals. Homelander himself appeared in the Gen V finale. However, it’s unclear how many characters from that series filmed anything for the parent show. And clearly, the sociopolitical allegories are stronger than ever this season. The Boys will premiere its fourth season on June 13, 2024, with three episodes. These are followed by a new episode each week, ending with the epic season finale on Thursday, July 18.

.youtube-embed{padding-bottom:56.25%!important;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.youtube-embed a,.youtube-embed iframe{display:block;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute}.youtube-embed iframe{border:0}.youtube-embed img.youtube-cover{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;height:100%;width:100%;cursor:pointer}.youtube-embed img.play-button{width:66px;position:absolute;left:46%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;cursor:pointer}@media only screen and (max-width:499px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:45%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:425px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:44%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:375px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:43%;width:56px}}@media only screen and (max-width:345px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:42%;width:50px}}.youtube-embed .progressive-img{-webkit-filter:blur(10px);filter:blur(10px)}.youtube-embed .progressive-img.loaded{-webkit-filter:none;filter:none;-webkit-transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;-o-transition:filter 1s ease-out;-moz-transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out,-webkit-filter 1s ease-out}.youtube-embed .kskdDiv{display:none!important}

The post THE BOYS Season 4 Trailer Shows Direct Ties to GEN V appeared first on Nerdist.

https://nerdist.com/article/what-do-these-clues-mean-for-x-men-97-finale/

We only have two episodes of X-Men ’97 left in season one, and speculation about what might happen is running wild. Magneto is clearly back to his old ways, and Charles Xavier is finally back on Earth. This is going to lead to one hell of a confrontation. So far, the series has been remixing tons of lore from the comics, creating its own unique take on the X-Men. Former X-Men ’97 showrunner Beau DeMayo has been active on social media lately, dropping hints as to what takes place in the last few episodes, and what classic episodes fans should revisit. Here’s what he’s shared so far:

Finale prep recommended episodes:

– One Man’s Worth, Pt 1 and 2
– Sanctuary, Pt 1 and 2
– Descent
– The Final Decision #xmen #xmen97

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) April 28, 2024

So what could these references to classic X-Men: The Animated Series episodes mean? We have some ideas.

“One Man’s Worth, Pt. I and II” X-Men: The Animated Series Season 4, Episodes 9-10

Bastion’s Mama (“One Man’s Worth”) #xmen97 pic.twitter.com/tjzciD5Akk

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) May 1, 2024

We know what one of these was hinting at already. The episode “One Man’s Worth” showed an alternate Wolverine and Storm heading to 1959 to prevent the assassination of a young Charles Xavier. In that episode we met a racist bully in the past, one we now know was infected by a future Nimrod Sentinel, and fathered Bastion. His mother appeared in that episode as well.

“Sanctuary Pt. I and II” X-Men: The Animated Series Season 4, Episodes 3 -4

“Sanctuary Pt. I and II” featured Magneto attempting to create a mutant-only nation in orbit around the world with Asteroid M. Might he attempt such a thing again? That was also a part of the comics, in the storyline “Fatal Attractions.” (More on that story in a moment). That story ended when Magneto ripped the adamantium off Logan’s bones.

“Descent” X-Men: The Animated Series Season 5, Episode 9

“Descent” focused on the backstory of Mister Sinister, focusing on his days as a 19th-century scientist named Nathaniel Essex. This suggests we’ll see more flashbacks to Sinister’s younger days before the season is over. Maybe the show will finally explain what Sinister’s ultimate goals are in working with Bastion, besides just doing experiments on more mutant DNA. Mister Sinister always has plans within plans.

“The Final Decision” X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1 Episode 13

“The Final Decision” was the season one finale of X-Men: The Animated Series. That episode featured the X-Men teaming up with Magneto to stop the Sentinel Master Mold from replacing the minds of world leaders with Sentinel-controlled brains. We could see a repeat of those events in X-Men ’97, only now with the threat of Bastion’s human-looking Prime Sentinels.

Uncanny X-Men #304, “…For What I Have Done”

This week’s homework assignment #XMen97 pic.twitter.com/6Nnlk8ac7B

— Beau DeMayo (@BeauDemayo) May 2, 2024

We also have a comic book-related bit of homework. DeMayo shared the cover of 1993’s Uncanny X-Men #304, part of the “Fatal Attractions” storyline. In this issue, all of the X-Men and their adjacent teams gathered at the X-Mansion grounds for Illyana Rasputin’s funeral. Magneto crashed the funeral, declaring himself the new mutant savior. And he convinced Colossus, Illyana’s grieving brother, to abandon Xavier’s dream and join him. Colossus isn’t a regular member of the team in X-Men ’97, but this sure indicates that at least one stalwart X-Men is defecting to Magneto’s side before the season is over. Maybe even more than one.

We’ll discover what it all means when the last two episodes of X-Men ’97 season one, “Tolerance is Extinction” parts 2-3, drop on Disney+ on May 8 and May 15.

The post What Do These Clues Mean for X-MEN’97’s Big Finale? appeared first on Nerdist.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/black-women-mental-health-treatment/

Originally Published May 2, 2019.

When it comes to mental health, black women are more likely to experience mental health-related issues due to lower income, poor health, multiple role strain, and the “double minority status” of race and gender, according to a study conducted by psychologists who focused on the lack of support black women receive professionally.

More recently, the National Alliance of Mental Illness recently published a study that revealed:

• Only ⅓ of black Americans who need mental health care receive it
• Physician-patient communication differs for African Americans and whites. Physicians were 23% more verbally dominant and engaged in 33% less patient-centered communication with African American patients than with white patients.
• Lack of culturally competent counseling deters folks from seeking care

We know that’s a lot of hardcore facts. So, take a deep breath with us… Now that you have the facts, we want to be sure that you have the tools that you need to take the steps toward your healing or be a resource for another powerful woman.

Speaking of powerful women, we spoke with Dr. LaVerne Collins, interim vice president of Foundation and Professional Services for the National Board for Certified Counselors, about the real on black women and mental health as we prepare for the Women of Power self-care and self-preservation workshop where women can ask our panel of experts anything. Yes, anything!

Black Women Mental Health Facts

When it comes down to the facts and figures, Collins says that there are a number of reasons why black women aren’t seeking professional help for their stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues: stigma, pricing, and mistrust of both diagnoses and treatments to list a few.

“There’s stigma that’s still prevalent in the black community. Even a basic mental health issue like stress or anxiety because we as a people have been taught to be strong and we’ve been taught to rely on the inner strength of our ancestors and spiritual sources — all of which are good — however when we don’t seek the professional care that we need, those resources don’t give us the complete package of care.”

There is also significant stigma associated with the language that some people use that keeps women from pursuing help.

“We’ve heard people say things like, ‘you know she’s not all the way there…’ or ‘you know she’s a little touched…’ We have very unfortunate labels and judgmental statements that we’ve heard our ancestors use because they didn’t have an accurate understanding of mental health,” says Dr. Collins. And that language only keeps women in hiding to live with their pain.

While the stigmas are very real for a lot of women, Dr. Collins urges women to pay attention to abnormal feelings and triggers that may arise.

“Pay attention to anything that is atypical for you; anything that is causing an interruption to your daily life, such as your work or social life; and pay attention to the degree of interference that you are experiencing.”

On your journey to wellness, it is important to seek culturally competent and responsive mental health professionals as well as consult with your doctor to rule out any medical conditions that could be contributing to any changes in your mood or brain chemistry. Here’s Collins’ formula for finding the right fit for your needs.

Start your journey today

• First, do the research to identify a board-certified counselor whose specialization is a fit for your needs
• Secondly, prepare to speak to more than one counselor in the vetting process. You do not need to go with the services of the first counselor that you interview with or have a consultation with.
• Look for a counselor who will give you a 15-minute consultation in person or by phone before you enter into an agreement with them.
• Prepare yourself by taking notes of how you’re feeling so that you can tell your counselor what your triggers are (i.e., if you’re having crying spells).

Remember that you are not alone

“Have confidants who you can share with that you trust and who will support you with their presence and their words,” adds Dr. Collins.

• Know your limits. — Be able to set limits and don’t overload yourself. We live in an overload culture and it’s very easy to do more and take on more. Sometimes we find our significance in the amount of things that we do and we find ourselves wearing ourselves out.
• Take vacations or staycations. — Know how to step away and take a real vacation or staycation and do what reenergizes you and things that nourish your mind and body. If what you need is to be away from everyone, do that.
• Watch what you eat. — Don’t give your taste buds over what your body really needs.
• Maintain a regular cycle of 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night.
• Minimize or manage the amount of stress in your life — recognize what things are stressful to you and have a way to minimize them.

RELATED CONTENT: Mental Health Monday: Tips For De-stressing