Thursday, November 23, 2017

OUT 334--THE 50 GREATEST BLACK MUSIC GROUPS OF ALL TIME




As defined, the word  "group" means "a number of people or things that are located close together or our considered or classed together.  In music, there have been thousands among thousands that have been classed as such from the harmonizing a capello groups, girl group pop, funk and soul bands, gospelmongers with a secular message, to  rappers with a dee-jay. Below are our choice of groups that made an impact on American music by creating a sound or social movement, influencing group offspring,  or innovating a style that is distinctively all their own

Before we get to the Top 50, here are the groups that made No. 51 to No. 60.

60.THE WHISPERS

59.KLYMAXX

58.MAZE FEATURING FRANKIE BEVERLY

57. WU TANG KLAN 

56.THE TIME

55.EN VOGUE

54.JODECI

53.DEBARGE

52.ASHFORD AND SIMPSON

51.GAP BAND



50.BROTHERS JOHNSON


49.LABELLE


48. MOBB DEEP


47.THE VANDELLAS


46.SALT N PEPA


45.NWA


44.TLC


43.CAMEO


42.NEW EDITION





41.THE BAR-KAYS 


40. BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS


39. THE STYLISTICS


38.DE LA SOUL


37. THE FUGEES


36. THE FIFTH DIMENSION 


35.TOWER OF POWER 


34. THE COMMODORES


33.BOYZ II MEN



32.GRAND MASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE 


31.THE SPINNERS


30.THE SHIRELLES


29.OUTKAST


28.OHIO PLAYERS


27.A TRIBE CALLED QUEST


26.GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS



25.THE MOONGLOWS 


24.WAR



23.KOOL AND THE GANG 


22.CHIC 


21.STAPLE SINGERS


20.RUFUS

19.POINTER SISTERS



18.THE DELLS 


17. THE PLATTERS 



16.RUN DMC





15.THE INK SPOTS 



14.THE IMPRESSIONS




13.THE MIRACLES



12.PUBLIC ENEMY




11.SAM AND DAVE


10. O'JAYS


9. IKE AND TINA TURNER REVUE



8.FOUR TOPS


7.JACKSON FIVE/JACKSONS



6.ISLEY BROTHERS



5.EARTH, WIND AND FIRE


4.PARLIAMENT/FUNKADELIC



3.SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE



2. THE SUPREMES



AND THE 
NO.1 GROUP 
OF ALL TIME IS....





1.THE TEMPTATIONS




















Monday, November 13, 2017

OUT 333--COVERZ-2018 MR COUTURE WINNER GERARD RIVERS!



Hey Outstagrs and Couturians, are you ready to meet Gerard Rivers? Well, he is definitely ready to be introduced. This 24-year-old has been on a whirlwind since his win of the title of Mr Couture in September at the 9th Annual Mista Couture Style Contest that was held at Womens Club of Hollywood.

Below is our Q and A with this handsome, rising talent.


OS:Where are you from? 
GR: I lived in the inner city of Long Beach/Lakewood, California during my elementary school years. 

OS: How was it growing up in that city? 
GS: Those were some of my most favorite times because there was always something to do. We had lots of family and extended family/friends around to make life fun. But, as I got into middle school, my parents decided to move us to the high desert area of Lancaster, CA which is about 1 hour north of Los Angeles.  They were concerned about the school system in Long Beach and the housing was more affordable in Lancaster so our entire immediate family moved at the same time in 2005, my grandparents, uncle/aunt along with my cousins. Life in Lancaster was not as exciting but we adapted and since it’s a smaller town, I take pride in being quite the personality around town. I’m mostly known for basketball here whether at the gym or “that dude that went to play in the Big East.” LOL


Rivers during his basketball days at Point Loma
Nazarene University Class of 2014-15
(Photo courtesy of  Loma University Athletics)
OS: You have built up a name for yourself playing basketball.  When did you start playing basketball?

GR:Basketball started when I was five and hitting the winning shot in the game. That feeling was incredible even at that age! My first passion was swimming, however. I was junior Olympic qualified at the age of 10 and won two silvers and a bronze in the California State games at that time as well.
Even though I wasn’t planning to make basketball my career, in middle school I was the tallest on the teams so I played a lot. 


Things changed in high school at Paraclete Catholic High since I stopped growing at 6 feet. But, I still was the star 3-point shot combo-guard who dreamt of going to play D1 ball. Because my school wasn’t big on recruiting for basketball, I didn’t get the looks that others here in the valley got. I was All CIF-1st Team, All League and team captain and believed I could walk on at St. John’s University in New York and  I did! I’ve also played in San Diego at Point Loma University and in Canada. This past July I was selected  number 22 out of 80 players in Vegas to compete for an overseas spot and was hoping to secure a contract. Then came the Mista Couture contest and my attention moved in a different direction.



Rivers in formal wear during the 9th Annual Mista
Couture Style Contest
(Photo courtesy of David Tonelson)

OS: .When did you start to become into being stylish?

GR:It used to be that I was trendy. I look back on some of those big t-shirt/jean styles when I was younger and laugh because I can’t believe I thought that was cool. Maybe then it was, but since high school, I came to realize that style is unique. You make it who you are. At prom, I rocked some pink accessories with my suit that stole the show! Even my sister will ask my opinion before rocking a new look. 



Honestly, it’s about how you carry yourself in your attire that makes the style attractive. At this year's Fashion Style Week (in Los Angeles), I met a man whose fashion was extremely eccentric and some might think weird. He mixed patterns and colors that were so busy it bordered on a thrift shop vibe, but dude had so much swag it convinced me that I could pull that off too. You must be fearless!

Rivers on the red carpet during first
appearance as Mr Couture at Opening
Reception of Style Fashion Week at
Avenue L.A. October 2017 (Photo by Dedee Holloway
)



OS:Whats your favorite attire to wear and why?

GR:It seems there’s never enough reasons anymore to suit-up. I love sporting a nice suit ensemble whether it’s casual, professional or After Five. There’s intense power behind a man in a suit that demonstrates the look and 

attitude of prominence. When not in a suit, I like a nice pair of jeans, a button-down shirt, and a pair of boots. I might even top it off with a fedora if the mood hits me. Wardrobe must call to me as I’m shopping and most times it’s easy to pull together something nice no matter where you shop. Just always shop for you, not the trend.


Rivers after winning the Mr Couture title. Pictured from
left are YOURS TRULY, Ma'at Atkins (creator/co-producer
of Mista Couture Contest) and
2017 Mr Couture Winner Donald Miles
(Photo Courtesy of David Tonelson)

OS:Why did you decide to enter the Mr Couture Contest?

GR:I didn’t even see the “Mista Couture” contest information (on Casting Networks) until about two weeks before the event. My sister was in a showcase a few years back and was, in my opinion, the winner. She won every category except Miss Black Antelope Valley. How does that happen? Well, that inspired me to give it a shot. 




With seriously zero preparation time, and not really knowing what to expect, I just dove in believing. My nanny used to always say, “That boy could fall in a pile of shit and come up smelling like a rose!” I carry those words with me as conviction that in the end it will all work out in my favor. Besides that, I have the BEST support system anyone could have. My family, and I mean everyone, has even traveled across state lines to encourage my dreams.


OS:Were you surprised when you won?

GR: It wasn’t as big of a surprise to me that I won as you might think it should be. You have to believe in yourself with passion and NEVER doubt if you want to succeed. People think that’s being cocky, but it’s not. It’s trusting that as Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do ALL things through Christ…”. When you have complete faith, there’s no room for doubt. I am infinitely grateful at the same time however.
Rivers in picture pose modeling some of
his Mr Couture prizes including logo tee and
PRASM armband, belt and socks.



OS: What are some of your hobbies?

GR: I like to travel to beautiful and peaceful places. I’m a night owl, so a lot of times I will get in the car, put the top down and just drive through Hollywood to feel that electric vibe. There’s so much life in the city. I’m also into spiritual awareness. While I do believe in God, I also believe He lives in us and we have the choice of what happens to us in this space called earth according to our desires, faith, and actions. It’s the Law of Attraction. 


If you say you CAN or you WILL, then that’s what happens. If it doesn’t, then something didn’t line up and that thing is not meant to be, but something else better is on its way just for you. No matter what you must stay in an atmosphere of peace, strength, love, and belief. Try to never let your harmony with the universe be disrupted. I’m also a dog lover. My family calls me the “dog whisperer” because I study how to interact with them so they usually will listen to me.


OS: So what's next up for you?

GR:Right now, my focus is to develop my craft. Since I’ve chosen to move away from basketball, acting and modeling is where I’m heading. I’ve been acting since I was about nine-years-old and was in a couple of commercials and videos. The video that’s easiest to look up is from a band called “The Fray” and the song is “How to Save a Life” (from 2009). Yep that’s me in the beginning in back right with the big Afro and at scene 1:01, 3:27 and 4:01 with the ugly cry on YouTube.Yep that’s me in the beginning in back right with the big afro and at scene 1:01, 3:27 and 4:01 with the ugly cry on YouTube. 


I’ve been employed as an extra lately on different productions such as “Lip Sync Battle”, “Lucifer”, “America’s Funniest Home Videos”, commercials, and even Marques Houston’s soon to be released new joint called “Always and Forever”. Soon I’ll be acquiring more national commercials and speaking parts, along with completing my modeling portfolio. 

(Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjVQ36NhbMk to see video)



OS:So, what do you see yourself doing in five years?


GR:My aspiration for the future is to secure my position in entertainment as a well-known entity whose drive shoots him straight to the top! I AM THAT NEXT NEW DUDE! During this next year I intend to represent the “Mista Couture” brand with pride here in Los Angeles and anywhere else this journey takes me. For me, this is a proud, major accomplishment.


OS:How can people contact you as far as booking you for modeling opportunities?

GR:For bookings please contact rivrs24@gmail.com, gerardrivers on IG, my cell 562-208-4827, or my manager Dedee Holloway at 562-208-4967.