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JAY-Z Offers To Pay Fees For Those Protesting Police-Shooting Of Alvin Cole

A 17-year-old African-American male, Alvin Cole was shot to death by police in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, in February of this year. The individual who shot Cole, Joseph Mensah, is an African-American police officer who has fatally shot two other people in the last five years.

After Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm confirmed on Wednesday that he would not file charges against Mensah, (a decision which was consistent with his past disinclination to charge Mensah over the other two deaths) police clashed with peaceful protestors. Several protestors, including Cole’s mother and two sisters, were arrested.

This prompted rapper JAY-Z to offer financial coverage of any legal fees/fines incurred by the arrested protestors. This was announced through Team ROC, JAY-Z’s social justice branch of his broader ROC Nation Company.

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The conflict arises as Chisholm claims that Mensah, who reportedly observed Cole holding an unloaded firearm while on his knees, acted in self-defense when he fatally shot Cole in the Mayfair Mall parking lot.

Team ROC additionally responded with the demand that Mensah is relieved of his duties at the Police Department and be legally prosecuted, with Wisconsin Governor, Tony Evers hiring a special prosecutor for the case.

Protest attendance is estimated to have exceeded 100 people, with all participants marching onto the I-94 freeway during rush hour.

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A Facebook live-stream shown from within the Cole family car during the protests depicts officers threatening use-of-force upon Cole’s mother, Tracy Cole.

Said the mother, “I can’t believe y’all did this to me. Y’all killed my son,” followed by repeated cries of “I can’t breathe,” to which an officer responded, “Well, that’s too bad.”

[via]

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Artist Spotlight

Billy Chuck Da Goat finds his flow on new release “Vibez”

Goat

Billy Chuck Da Goat’s latest release, “Vibez,” has a laid-back, hypnotic bounce that makes it easy to listen to without ever feeling empty. It makes a place where calmness and quiet confidence come together.

“Vibez” was made on purpose, but it also sounds simple. Billy Chuck’s smooth delivery flows through the production without rushing or pushing anything. Instead, he lets the rhythm breathe, allowing people to get into the song at their own pace. This laid-back energy is the best part of the song, nothing feels forced, which is exactly what it’s trying to do.

The track changes to fit whatever you need it for, like a late-night drive, a focused workout, or a way to unwind after a long day. It has a quiet edge of confidence, it’s not loud or bragging, but it’s steady and sure of itself.

Connect with Billy Chuck Da Goat on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube

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François Marius and Bérénice creates a tender acoustic pop confession with “Billie Jean”

François Marius

François Marius’ latest release, “Billie Jean (Acoustic Version),” cuts to the quick and lets raw emotion take over. What you get, ultimately, is a personal pop experience that feels closer to a secret than to either a spoken-word show or a performance. The initial soft strum of an acoustic guitar creates a mood that is soft, sweet, and quietly interesting. It’s a full-throated, backbones-out piece, and every note is screaming its potential. It’s simple but riveting, and it proves that sometimes less is more.

François Marius and Bérénice’s voices sound right together, their voicings intermingle so naturally that they seem accidental or spontaneous, harmonies that emerge from nowhere. The way they speak to one another is very, I mean, they really love each other. That even makes the track seem like a conversation about feelings.

The two artists are clearly close. Romance and Eros are not just ideas, and they inhabit every note that lingers and every minuscule shift in tonality. The harmonies soar effortlessly over the acoustic foundation, a blend of sweetness and strength. It’s a sign of strength and also of a willingness to be hurt.

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“Billie Jean (Acoustic Version)” is stripped of any fancy production or theatrical effects, it wins you over with its frankness and forthrightness. Sandy François Marius’s impersonation is fresh and real, endowed with depth and softness thanks to Bérénice’s presence, which definitely makes everything more perfect. This acoustic performance serves as a stark reminder of the elements that do connect people: the singer, his guitar, and a story from the heart.

Connect with François Marius on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube || Twitter || Soundcloud

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