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Sukhmani Unveils Powerful New Single “Not Your Exotic”
A sultry and energetic track, “Not Your Exotic” calls listeners to celebrate and honor both our diversity and inherent oneness.
Alt. pop singer-songwriter Sukhmani explores the complexities of belonging and identity in her poetic single, “Not Your Exotic,” out November 19th. This single follows the artist’s most recent release, “Divination,” and peels back to an even deeper layer of her already enticing artistic identity. The mix beautifully showcases Sukhmani’s rhythmic brilliance – in addition to her angelic vocals – with a masterfully layered, textured percussion line. Her hypnotic background vocals caress the melody in a silky blanket of colorful harmony and offer a captivating depth to the rich soundscape.
This project is an important moment for the artist in which she speaks out on her experience as a woman of color navigating how to exist authentically between cultures. It warmly offers an opportunity to celebrate every facet that makes each of us unique and inherently connects us. “A common cultural practice I grew up with was welcoming guests to our home on auspicious occasions by spilling mustard oil at either side of the door,” says Sukhmani, “I want to invite listeners into the song as guests and family, always willing to meet each other openly, and celebrate together as one.”
Sukhmani appeals to listeners in the verse, “Girl, recognize me as my own, honor the way I’m kissed by the sun // tell me your stories and take mine on // no, oh there is no other.” At its core, this track implores listeners to honor diversity while acknowledging our inherent oneness. Sukhmani hopes that “listeners can see the song as the invitation for togetherness and inclusivity that it is,” calling us to take a look inward and reflect on our own misperceptions. Listeners can stream “Not Your Exotic” on all major streaming platforms on November 19th.

Sukhmani was born with a rhythm that is undeniable. Listeners feel the heartbeat of her music before realizing it is pulsing through their body. As one of the first female tabla players to emerge from the U.K., she has toured and recorded as a percussionist for years, playing on stage at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
Sukhmani was born into a Punjabi immigrant family in the United Kingdom, and grew up in Leeds where she was surrounded by the sounds of her Punjabi Sikh family, the Afro Caribbean community, and the city’s thriving music scene. She now brings her rare understanding of rhythm and percussion to her own music, delivering sultry vocals over deep, driving beats.
Sukhmani has accompanied artists such as Ajeet and Snatam Kaur on tour as a percussionist, where she “brings deep beauty, passion, and artistry to her playing.” In her transition to singing and songwriting, Sukhmani’s music connects with and empowers listeners to be fully and unapologetically themselves.
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Olivier Martinez Wants Halle Berry to Cover $240K in Legal Fees Amid Custody Dispute.
French actor Olivier Martinez is asking a Los Angeles judge to make his ex-wife, Halle Berry, pay $240,000 in legal fees as their custody battle continues. Martinez allegedly says he can no longer afford the mounting litigation costs, especially after years without landing an acting role.
The request comes less than a week after the former couple received a mixed ruling on custody of their 13-year-old son, Maceo. The latest legal dispute between them is now about Martinez’s finances, and the actor is asking Berry for help paying bills he says are hard to manage.
Court documents have been obtained, and the $240,000 request is made up of two different amounts. Martinez is seeking $176,522.58 for outstanding legal fees and an additional $63,477.42 for anticipated costs. The figures indicate he is asking the court to consider both the costs he has already incurred and the legal work he anticipates will be necessary as the case progresses.
The documents also detail Martinez’s reported financial situation. He says he makes around $776.34 a month in acting residuals, and his monthly expenses are estimated at $17,555.99. He also reported approximately $43,206 in different financial accounts. Martinez is using these figures to argue that he can no longer fund the custody litigation on his own.
One piece of financial information in the filing is his disclosed residual income, but this does not represent all income sources available to him. The documents as described are a snapshot of the financial information Martinez is relying on to make his request, not a full accounting of all possible earnings.
The request adds another financial issue to an ongoing custody dispute involving their son, Berry said. The ex-spouses recently received a mixed ruling, and Martinez’s latest filing indicates that legal fees remain a major concern as they work through issues involving Maceo.
That’s $240,000, which is a lot of money, but the request itself is not a court order. Martinez is asking a judge to make Berry pay for the costs, but the information provided does not indicate that the court has approved the request or decided how the fees should be split.
His filing also points to the financial strain that can come with drawn-out family court fights, especially when one party claims their resources are no longer adequate to cover the expenses. Martinez argues that, based on the income and expenses reported, he can’t keep paying the bills without help.
It is not known whether Berry will be asked to contribute. Martinez is now seeking a financial arrangement that will allow him to continue the legal process, and the court is due to consider his request as part of the ongoing legal dispute between the former couple.
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Cardi B Rips NYC Bullying After Death of Bronx Teen Javits Frimpong
Cardi B is speaking out on bullying in New York City after 15-year-old Bronx student Javits Frimpong was shot and killed. The rapper spoke out against the teen’s death and slammed what she called a bullying culture in the city on a livestream caught by “Hollywood Unlocked.”
Based on the information provided, Frimpong, a 15-year-old student from the Bronx, was shot and killed this week. Cardi B spoke about the case in a social media livestream, using the moment to highlight her concern about the environment young people face. She focused on bullying and what she thinks it does to life in New York City.
The rapper said the situation makes her reluctant to raise her children in the vicinity of a New York public school or in what she called the city’s ‘hoods’. She spoke out of concern about safety and the social pressures young people may feel. The information provided does not give any more details about the circumstances of Frimpong’s death or the investigation into the shooting.
Cardi B’s response also fits into her broader pattern of speaking freely on social media about personal matters and events around her. She is also talking about a tragedy involving a young student and what she sees as a larger issue facing the city. She spoke about bullying, which she said was a concern in the environment.
The account also said that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie addressed Frimpong’s case. Details of his remarks are not included in the information, but his response adds another Bronx-connected artist to those reacting to the death of the teenager.
The incident has caught the attention of people in the music community, and Cardi B’s comments have sparked discussion about bullying and concerns for young people’s safety. She spoke emotionally and directly, in response to the death of a teen from her home borough.
The information released does not link bullying to the circumstances of the shooting, nor does it include any information on suspects, charges, or official findings. These are things outside the scope of the account given. Frimpong’s death has sparked public reaction, including Cardi B’s criticism of what she sees as a damaging culture for young people in New York.
The tragedy also prompted Cardi B to express concern about the environments children grow up in. Her comments about public schools and city neighborhoods revealed her fears as a parent. The public reaction to Frimpong’s death continues to attract attention, and her comments have brought wider discussion about bullying into the public response.
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