CULTURE

Dr.Dre, Snopp Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar to Headline NFL Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show /  by Hussein Abdullahi

Super Bowl LVI Partners With Roc Nation to Headline Star-Stubbed Line-up

With Super Bowl LVI approaching, the NFL recently released their new trailer for the halftime show of the ages. The All-star cast features Southern California’s trio Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Nine-time Grammy winner Mary J. Blige and lyrical genius Eminem. The five musical legends will take the biggest stage in sports put on a show for the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show. Super Bowl LVI will take place live from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 13, 2022. Super Bowl LVI returns to Los Angeles for the first time since 1999. This year’s halftime show will mark the third year of the NFL’s partnership with Pepsi JAY-Z’s Roc Nation. The NFL in conjunction with Pepsi and Roc Nation have collaborated to bring these Billboard hitmakers together for a cultural landmark moment. Back in 2019, JAY-Z joined alliances with the NFL to enhance live game experiences and amplify social justice issues. In addition, Roc Nation is responsible for advising the selection of artists for major NFL performances like the Super Bowl. The 12-minute performance will feature some of the quintet’s landmark hits.

NFL Releases New Trailer for Super Bowl Halftime Show

With the Super Bowl “Halftime Hype” at an all-time high, the NFL released a new first-of-its-kind trailer titled The Call. This halftime show is being promoted like a motion picture film. Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar are all showcased in the trailer directed by Felix Gary Gray. F. Gary Gray has been responsible for creating iconic black LA films including, Straight Outta Compton, Friday, Set It Off. Gray wanted to capture a unique moment that symbolizes the profound impact of music culture.

“To be able to write a love letter to California and to Los Angeles… it doesn’t happen often, and i don’t think it’ll happen not like this. - F. Gary Gray ”
— F. Gary Gray

The trailer includes a subtle Southern California connection between both superstars Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg seen getting the call from Dr. Dre. Dre earlier released a statement saying that performing at Super Bowl LVI would be one of the biggest thrills of his career. For the Queen of R&B, Mary J. Blige will be the only female in this line-up. Mary will be appearing in her second halftime show performance. In 2001, Mary performed alongside Nelly, NSYNC, Brittney Spears, and Aerosmith at Super Bowl XXXV. The trailer climaxes with Dr. Dre’s hit single California Love as the artists arrive at SoFi Stadium, where they will take one of the biggest stages in sports. With four teams on the quest to Super Bowl LVI, The LA Rams are one win away from their first super bowl appearance since 2000. The Halftime show will air live on NBC.

Written by: Hussein Abdullahi

Published by: TGQ Inc.

Featuring: NFL

Culture Conversation Wraps up Season 3 | From Start-Up to Premium Show /  by Hussein Abdullahi

Culture Conversation wraps up another successful season

Podcasts have become a powerful tool for millions of content creators globally. From transforming the digital landscape amid the global pandemic, podcasters have leveraged the power of media to deliver a tangible product. The passion for creating content has yielded a profit for most. Our team at TGQ Inc. has been responsible for the executive production of the podcast Culture Conversation.

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In July, Culture Conversation concluded their third season with a season finale episode featuring the HoopQueen Keesa K. Season Three featured an array of industry leaders, sport business professionals, and community activists. The long list includes Ontario’s first Poet Laureate Randell Adjei, Toronto’s Sports Journalist Duane Watson, Young Entrepreneur of the year Nevell Provo + more. We will highlight some memorable moments from Season Three below.

Heart Of The City

In March, Sports Journalist Duane Watson joined our platform to share his unique story. Duane Watson is responsible for creating several media projects in conjunction with NBATV Canada and TSN. Duane has cultivated a space for Black Journalists across Toronto's landscape to tell stories imperative to our culture.

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There wasn’t a space for us to like see us! To kind of have that platform where people are speaking like how we talk about ball or whatever I think that stuff is really important. Giving our people stuff to aspire to. - Duane Watson

In this episode, Duane reflects on his early career working in the music business for Sony during the golden era of Hip-Hip. After having much success in the music business, Duane sacrificed a six-figure salary to jump-start his freelance career in Journalism. By utilizing his journalistic principles of storytelling and his marketing mindset, Duane brought life to The HoopClub, NBAXL and the iconic Nike Crown League.

HoopQueens TO

On the season finale, Keesa K. of the HoopQueens joined the platform to share her story. Keesa K. has created a women-led community organization to advocate for equality in sports, provide access to resources for women in sports, and overcome the gender disparity gap. We have begun to see a slight shift in sports. Women are getting recognition for being powerful athletes.

We go through so much as women, you know we have kids, we have our familys, we have things to take care of as a women of the household. I feel like men have a lot of opportunties for you know money to come in, but for girls its not the same. - Keesa K.

Female athletes such as Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, and Sabrina Ionescu have all exercised activism against gender discrimination in sports. Keesa K. spoke on the importance of educating the masses on women in sport, normalizing a co-ed sports environment. Keesa K. spoke on the importance of uplifting women across the globe to be multi-faceted. HoopQueens is committed to changing the narrative for millions of women athletes nationwide.

His Story

Earlier this year, Randel Adjei was named the first Poet Laureate of Ontario. Randell joined our platform to share his embarking journey. The social entrepreneur has overcome several obstacles as a youth in a low-income community. Randell turned to poetry and sports as a way to express himself. His upward trajectory came at a time when he went through a life-changing experience. It was at that moment when he redefined his purpose. Randell created an art organization, R.I.S.E (reaching intelligent souls everywhere). RISE has produced several community-based initiatives for upcoming artists across Toronto’s GTA. Randell spoke on the importance of redefining your purpose, creating a lasting legacy within the community. He ended this segment off with an acapella spoken word!

Podcast: Culture Conversation

Written by: Hussein Abdullahi

Published by: TGQ Inc.