Entertainment
Barack Obama’s Highly-Anticipated New Memoir “A Promised Land” Sells A Record 1.7 Million Copies In First Week Of Release
President Barack Obama’s “A Promised Land” sold a record 1.7 million copies in its first week of release. …
Book-slangin’ Barry is what they call him in the streets.
President Barack Obama spent 8 years as our Commander-In-Chief and in that time he dealt with an extraordinary amount of crises, vitriol, racism, and unprecedented hatin’ from people like Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans. He also gained an extraordinary amount of wisdom, perspective, and learned some valuable life lessons that he will likely carry with him for the rest of his days.
Barry-O packed all these experiences into a new memoir that a LOT of people have been waiting on for a very long time. A Promised Land is the title of his latest collection of writings and to call it a success already is a bit of an understatement. According to ABC News, sales of A Promised Land are already setting records as 1.7 million people have purchased a copy in the first week of its release on November 17, 2020. Hell, it sold 890,000 copies on the first DAY. Crown, the book’s publishing company, has upped its initial run from 3.4 million to 4.3 million to account for the staggering demand.
The 1.7 million mark equals the first week sales of the two Presidents before Obama COMBINED. It’s safe to say that President Obama is still pretty popular around these parts and will undoubtedly go down as one of the most popular Presidents to ever hold a residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Earlier this week, the former president surprised hundreds of Chicago Public School students with a free copy of his new book. Obama joined CPS’s CEO Janice Jackson in a virtual assembly to share the big news.
During the Zoom call with the staff and students, Barry revealed that he was so “proud” of the way the students remained focused and hardworking despite the tough and difficult circumstances presented by the pandemic. Must be nice! Wish we could have gotten a free copy!
Interested in buying the book? Get yours HERE.
Artist Spotlight
Marsha Bartenetti reinvents in her own style “New York Minute”
Marsha Bartenetti’s latest release, “New York Minute,” written by Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, and Jai Winding, offers emotional depth, turning a timeless look at life’s fragility into a reflective, cinematic journey. Stephan Oberhoff’s arrangement perfectly frames Bartenetti’s voice, and Kevin Bate’s expressive cello adds a warm resonance that makes the track feel like a movie.
The way each instrument sounds makes it feel planned, which lets the listener stay in the fleeting moments the song so beautifully describes. Bartenetti’s singing is the best part of the song. She shows an openness that feels real, as if she has lost something and still fully embraces love and presence with complete honesty. Her choice of words and small changes in tone make the lyrics feel even closer.
“New York Minute,” is a new version that pays tribute to the original while showcasing Bartenetti’s own style. The movie-like instruments and heartfelt vocals make the song feel both personal and universal. It makes us think about how hard it is to let go and hold on.
Artist Spotlight
“Yonkers” – Song by Tyler, the Creator
15 years ago, Tyler, the Creator released “Yonkers.” The song would go on to shape a generation of hip-hop fans and make him one of the most talked-about artists in modern music. Tyler’s work on “Yonkers,” which came out of the Los Angeles group Odd Future, was a brave mix of raw lyrics, dark humor, and simple production that made him stand out from other artists right away.
“Yonkers,” which is just over three minutes long, seems simple but has a big effect. The song’s production is based on a spooky bassline, simple piano chords, and simple drums. This puts Tyler’s voice and story front and center. His flow is slow and threatening, and it sends out a stream of verses that balance shock value with deep thoughts on themes like being alone, rebelling, and thinking about oneself. This song has a modern twist on the gritty, confrontational style of hip-hop that was popular in the early 2010s.
The music video for “Yonkers” became a cultural phenomenon all by itself. In the black-and-white video, Tyler looks straight into the camera while doing something that surprised both fans and critics. Tyler became known as an artist who isn’t afraid to push boundaries when the song’s raw lyrics and stark images quickly went viral. The video’s viral success brought Odd Future national attention and helped Tyler get more work, including his albums Goblin (2011) and Wolf (2013), which were both well-received by critics.
People who didn’t like “Yonkers” thought it was a new take on hip-hop. People in the genre often liked flashy production and collaborations, but Tyler’s solo song showed that minimalism can be just as interesting, if not more so, when it has strong lyrics. Young people who wanted realness and change connected with the song’s unapologetic tone, and its influence can still be heard in music today. Many contemporary artists assert that Tyler’s early compositions, particularly “Yonkers,” significantly influenced their lyrical writing and visual storytelling techniques.
“Yonkers” was a big moment in Tyler, the Creator’s career. It was a bold statement from a single artist who wanted to change the rules of hip-hop, and it captured the spirit of early Odd Future, a group that thrived on chaos, creativity, and free expression. More than ten years later, the song is still a touchstone for fans and a turning point in the growth of alternative rap. Its creepy beat, controversial lyrics, and viral music video are still seen as examples of a time when hip-hop was pushing its limits and welcoming a new generation of voices that were willing to question the way things were.
“Yonkers” is a cultural artifact, a snapshot of the time that shaped Tyler, the Creator’s unique artistic style, and a reminder of how powerful bold, unapologetic music can be.
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