OS 27: OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

ITS THAT TIME!!

TIME TO GET TOWNED!!!

We are seeking gents of color for our 2021 calendar set for NOVEMBER 2020 release. Shoots will start MARCH 16. You must be in decent shape, attractive, and comfortable doing artistic nude poses (no frontal) If interested in shooting email to snaphoney2011@gmail.com for more details! \

Last Sunday, millions of eyes were on this years Super Bowl that was held at the Hard Rock Stadium held in Miami. Although the Kansas City Chiefs won the game, ratings and talk were on the much awaited Half Time Show with Latino artists Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. Overall, it was a very energetic 15 minute show that reflected the Latinx culture. Both ladies showcased their sensualness, sassiness and sexiness. Yet, everyone is pitting them as far as who was the best but we believe both were because it was a celebration of Latin culture . 

The highlight of Shakira's set was her playing the guitar and drums, crowd surfing  and sticking out her tongue like a lizard during a Spanish chant.  During Lopez's set was when her daughter walked on stage to perform "Born In the U.S.A." while her mother had a feathered U.S. flag coat that opened up to a  feathered Puerto Rican flag coat and preteens inside oval cages to represent the controversy of the the Trump Administration's decision to cage up Mexican immigrant children.

 Was it the best Superbowl Halftime show? Not quite (Prince I believe was the best) but it was definitely memorable because it was the first time the Latinx community has been spotlighted on the Halftime Stage.

And they both won because after the show, both received over 700 percent spike in their record sales.

Another highlight of the Superbowl was what didn't occur on camera when Jay Z, Beyonce and Blu Ivy sat in their VIP area while Demi Levato sang the National anthem.  TMZ among other media outlets took a pic of the famous family during the moment and it sparked the question if they were unpatriotic and was protesting  for not standing. When asked at a Columbia University Q and A event about the occurrence, Jay Z responded by saying that they were into Levato's performance and forgot to stand. 

Uh, ok. Thats a bit of a stretch.

I will say this, from the outside looking in, it looked as though there were several people in their area who were not standing and when you re in the VIP area, its more laid back and more closed off from the general public. With Jay Z being appointed as creative director and  oversee the entertainment for the Superbowl and him saying "we are passed kneeling,"  its a mixed signal to the public that he appeared that he and his family planned not to stand. 

And thats their right. But, his response seems more to appease the NFL because the picture of the Carter family was taken.

Ironically enough, the team that Colin Kaepernick was cut from, The San Francisco 49ers, was playing in this years Super Bowl!

   FIT BITZ  (COVER STORY)

This week we feature Belleville wrestler Umbra Jerome Eon who recently became the first African American wrestler in the St Louis area to win Rookie of the Month at Cottage Hills Wrestling Alliance wrestling matches last month. 

Eon thanked everyone who helped him to make St Louis wrestling history: 

"To Cottage Hills Wrestling Allliance CHWA thank You for taking me in and trusting me.Thank you @tylerallwine for Texting me "Be There" helping me get to CHWA, period. Thank you opening your home and your arm TJ and The Universe to have us Meet up at the edge at the Wrestlemania show last year.

"Thank you @lride94 for inspiring me to wrestle and being the unsung hero of the Company. Thank you @alisterfuckingcrow for playing my music and being the first one to make me feel like I'm home. Thank you @trueexodus7 for the speech you gave me.  Thank you for the opportunity to fight you my third match for the championship and recognizing how much I'm really worth. 

Thank You @realcodydrake for giving me the fight of my Life.Thank You CHWA and I promise to be the work horse and leader you guys know I can be. Its Been 8 months Now and there's many more Memories and Moments To Create!"

To get in contact with Umbra, go to https://www.facebook.com/TRIPGAWD

or IG 666brainjiuce 

If you have an event, service or an artist to promote on OUTSTAGIN  email to maat.atkins@gmail.com

OS 26: OUT ON THE TOWN (R.I.P KOBE)

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

ITS THAT TIME!!

TIME TO GET TOWNED!!!

We are seeking gents of color for our 2021 calendar set for NOVEMBER 2020 release. Shoots will start MARCH 16. You must be in decent shape, attractive, and comfortable doing artistic nude poses (no frontal) If interested in shooting email to snaphoney2011@gmail.com for more details! \

OUTSTAGN would like to send our condolences to all the victims of the helicopter crash that had taken place Sunday Jan 26 in the Calabasas in California. This was a tragic loss for all the family and friends involved. 

What was your biggest memory of Kobe?(COMMENT IN THE BOX BELOW) 

Last Sunday was the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards that was televised on CBS and held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  The year was the year of the new artist. The big winner was 18 year old indy artist Billie Eilish who won five out pf her six nods for Record ("Bad Guy"), Song ("Bad Guy"), Album ("When We Go To Sleep...."), Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album. Other big winners were Singer/flautist Lizzo who won three: Best Pop Solo Performance (Eilish was also in this category), Traditional R&B Performance ("Jerome") and Urban Contemporary Album ("Cause I Love You"); Lil Nas X who won two: Best Pop Duo or Group with Billy Ray Cyrus  ("Old Town Road") and Short Music Film. Another big winner was rock guitarist Gary Clark Jr who won for Best Rock Song and Performance ("This Land") He is the first African American male artist since Michael Jackson to win in the rock category.

As far as the show itself, it had its highs and lows but with the cloud of Kobe's death earlier that day and in the venue where he played with the Lakers, it was more a temp distraction to what had transpired.

The highs of the Grammys: Lizzo's energetic award show opener, Alicia Keys and Boyz to Mens last minute tribute to  Kobe, the male dancer dancing with Ariana Grande's performance, Demi Levato's emotional stop and start performance, Tyler the Creator manic performance, the Nipsey Hussle tribute.

The lows of the Grammys: The R&B categories not shown on the prime time show, Usher trying to dance in tight leather pants during the Prince tribute, Sheila E not getting enough shine during the Prince tribute,  and the show being almost four hours long. 

From my social media looks, the big hoopla was side eyeing Eilish for being the big winner especially in Album of the Year which from what I gathered Ariana Grande was the one to win.  Of the nominees, Grande's album had the most hits (four top 10 hits with two No 1s) but Grammy usually doesnt give awards on just charted success but in their eyes, the artistry of the artist. But from what had been disclosed from the ousted Grammy President that the award show is rigged with music makers across the board influencing the nominees and the winners aka AWARDOLA.

Was Eilish deserving? Yes. But lets not forget, awards are based on subjectivity and there will be a bias based on people's opinions on who should win. 


We would also be remiss if we didnt choose our Best Dressed at this years Grammys

THE BEST DRESSED FEMALE WAS:

Chrissy Tiegen

THE WORST DRESSED FEMALE WAS:

Billie Eilish

THE BEST DRESSED  MALE WAS:

  Common

WORST DRESSED MALE WAS:

John Legend

AND THE ONE

 IN THEIR OWN LEAGUE 

Billy Porter 

This story is about  a gym rat at my current gym who is the epitome of a gym rat: brolic, wanna be trainer, loud mouth, wearing half t shirts with the sides cut out, craves attention while working out. Well, one day, this gym hound had a convo with a fellow work out buddy in the lockerroom and he went on a rant about guys taking their clothes off in the lockerroom.

He said that black guys shouldnt be nude in the lockerroom. 

You heard me.

He also said he walked up to a full African native guy in the lockerroom who was nude and told him that he shouldnt be walking around nude. He then said the guy responded by looking at the gym rat like he was crazy.

Ya think?

Then a white guy chimed in and said, "Have you ever been in the military?"

"Naw," said the gym rat.

The white guy proceeded to tell him that in the military everyone is nude in the lockerroom and theres no issue.

Here's my thing. There is a modicum of decorum when it comes to being nude in the lockerroom (wearing a towel at some point) but to have an all out tirade about someone being nude theres some other issues going on.

But what is also puzzling, this gym rat used to play arena football. Dont they take off their clothes and become in those lockerrooms??? 

Could he  be insecure about being nude himself? Probably. Could there be a sense of being uncomfortable seeing black guys nude? Maybe.  But is he implying that black guys who are nude in the lockerroom are in his mind "not men?" Likely--which is beyond absurd. 

 What does ones ethnicity dictate anything? People change their clothes and/or take showers when they are in the lockerroom. Why is he so concerned about it in the first place? 

Hmmm. *pinky finger raised with sipping tea * 

Now the ones he should have been having a case over are the elderly guys who walk around the lockerroom and frolic about in your face while youre on a bench at your locker! 

LOL 

If you have an event, service or an artist to promote on OUTSTAGIN  email to maat.atkins@gmail.com

OS 25:OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

ITS THAT TIME!!

TIME TO GET TOWNED!!!

We are seeking gents of color for our 2021 calendar set for NOVEMBER 2020 release. Shoots will start MARCH 16. You must be in decent shape, attractive, and comfortable doing artistic nude poses (no frontal) If interested in shooting email to snaphoney2011@gmail.com for more details! \

This week I traveled to streaming services that I have and wanted to highlight a few programs that I saw that I would like to comment on.....

I checked out comedienne Leslie Jones' special Time Machine recently. Now, Jones is an acquired taste if you like loud and boisterous female comics. But, I must say, I enjoyed her hour long special. The theme mainly was about her travels of her life and what she used to do when she was younger from sex to clubbing. The highlight was when she went into the audience to playfully berate a white guy about his penis and how women have to deal with penises. It was total Leslie Jones shtick and it was hilarious.


NEXT....

 I checked out Tyler Perry's thriller A Fall From Grace as well. And I must say, I enjoyed it. The pacing was a bit slow, but overall this film that stars Crystal Fox ("Haves and The Have Nots"), Phylicia Rashad and Mechad Brooks. The story is typical Perry fare--a woman who is betrayed by a man who is part of a scheme of identity theft. (Many on social media cal;ed it "How Stella Got Her ID Stolen"). Perry has been quoted,  in his press tours for the movie  that he filmed this movie in five days. Thats impressive but why? Why rush? As I have been raised, when you rush something youre gonna make some mistakes.  The movie definitely has its share of goofs that isnt abnormal in films but his were like a parody than anything else from wigs changing in shape within a scene, extras drinking from an empty cup and a judge shown reading from the script. This film I'm sure is the most watched movie on Netflix becasue of ebveryone ripping  and dragging it for its flaws. Plus, its gotten viral/meme status when Brooks; character screams ASHTRAY BITCH to Fox's character while smoking in bed. 




AND LASTLY, 

I saw a short film on Amazon Prime called MARZ, a black LGBTQ themes short about a hip hop rapper who is on the down low about his sexuality. Picture a hip hop Moonlight. The short was released in 2017 and was a hit at black film festivals across the country. The movie stars Jade Yorker as Marz and Devale Ellis ("Tyler Perry's Sistas). I liked this short film because its not your typical black LGBT imagery of flamboyance and finger snapping. It gives a mirror to the masculine black gay lifestyle in a hypermasculine world. The actual scenes involving the liofetsyle is tastefully shot and gives more the illusion in-your-face with the subject matter. 

FIT TALEZ

The story I have this week is about when someone stole some article of clothing from me. 

It was when I worked out at Bally Total Fitness back in the day in the late 1990s at Bally Total Fitness ....so it was after my work out and I had gone to the lockerroom to get my things and prep to leave. When I unlocked my lock from the locker, I saw that my pants were missing. 

Yes, my pants! I dont recall if I had a combination lock or a lock with a key but when I opened the lock my pants were missing.

They  would actually steal some pants and nothing else???

So,  after I reported the crime to the manager, he looked just as puzzled as I was.  

I never did find out who actually stole my pants but whoever did I wonder if they tried to 

wear them?

Who knows but only the pants smuggler.

SMH

Th

If you have an event, service or an artist to promote on OUTSTAGIN  email to maat.atkins@gmail.com

OS 24: OUT ON THE TOWN/SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO STL RADIO PERSONALITY TONY J

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

ITS THAT TIME!!

TIME TO GET TOWNED!!!

We are seeking gents of color for our 2021 calendar set for NOVEMBER 2020 release. Shoots will start MARCH 16. You must be in decent shape, attractive, and comfortable doing artistic nude poses (no frontal) If interested in shooting email to snaphoney2011@gmail.com for more details! 

This week OUTSTAGN looks back at our experience covering some of the annual St Louis award event The Traffic Music Awards that were created by the late STL radio personality TonyJ who passed this week from cancer at the age of 49.

OUTSTAGN covered some of his award  shows in the past in its heydey. It was like the American Music Awards, hood style. 

Looking back, the award show has become a cemented event in St Louis bridging the urban community (hood stars, black politicans, comedians, tv personalities and performers) and giving it its merited spotlight.

Tony J was a radio personality for Radio One for about 20 years and was famous for doing his TRAFFICAAA report on air. Hence, The Traffic Music Awards were formed CIRCA 2008.  He was always gracious and gave OUTTOWN access to cover his award show.

Below are links to three of the award shows that OUTTOWN covered.

May he rest in his next level of existence.

MARCH 02, 2009

OUT 566--The 2nd ANNUAL TRAFFIC MUSIC AWARDS at ROBERTS ORPHEUM THEATRE March 1, 2009

http://maatspear.blogspot.com/2009/03/traffic-music-awards.html

March 8, 2010

OUT 798--THE 3rd ANNUAL TRAFFIC MUSIC AWARDS@AMBASSADOR 

http://maatology.blogspot.com/2010/03/3rd-annual-traffic-music.html

March 7, 2011

OUT 972--The 4th ANNUAL TRAFFIC MUSIC AWARDS (TOO MUCH AWARD) @AMBASSADOR (DAY TWO)-MARCH 5

https://maatology.blogspot.com/2011/03/out-972-4th-annual-traffic-music-awards.html

FIT TALEZ

The front desk people are the first people that you see when you enter a fitness center. They greet you as they scan your card for access to the gym. They normally reply afterwards, "Enjoy your workout."

Even if they mean it, or not. LOL

But this tale is about a manager at my current fitness center years ago when I joined this center in 2011. He was a semi buffed black guy  and he used to manage at Bally Total fitness (where I used to workout  from 1996 to  2010) before it  closed down. 

He was one of those guys who was a jokester--but in a college jock type pf vibe. I recall one day when I was prepping to exit the gym, he jumped up on the front desk counter and walking on top of it like a tightrope--Ringling Brothers style.

I couldnt believe he actually was doing this! Some of his colleagues laughed at his antics, but soon after that day, the following days, he was nowhere to be found.\

I assume he got fired from that daring stunt. 

LOL

A few weeks ago during the Christmas holidays, I stopped at a Quick Trip Gas Station on Vandeventer in St Louis to get some gas. I walked in to prepay for it and then walked out to go to my car to pump gas. As I was preparing to pump the gas there was a distressed  40 something black woman walking around the pumps asking people for money for gas for her car that was parked at the gas station.

I then thought, "Okay, now, what scheme is this?"

So, when she walked near me, she said, 'Excuse me sir. I need a few dollars to pump some gas in my gas tank. My car is right there." She proceeded to point her finger desperately toward her car.

'm sorry, I don't have any change."

And in this case, I didn't. I only had my debit card.

Then she said, "Okay."

She asked another gas pumper the same thing and then exclaimed, "Boy, I tell ya, people are greedy these days!"

Greedy? Excuse me? So, she needed money to put gas in her car and she thinks people she is begging to are greedy. Yeah, OK.

Who's to say she wasn't greedy to scam some money through peddling. A guy at the Amoco off Skinker and Clayton Road asked me the same thing, same scenario, around the same span of time before the Quick Trip situation.

Could she have been for real with her begging? Probably

But to be rude in trying to beg is like pastor at a church cursing during his sermon.

Okay??? LOL

I was like, here w

If you have an event, service or an artist to promote on OUTSTAGIN  email to maat.atkins@gmail.com

FIN.