Jhay Cortez Says New Single ‘Kobe En LA’ Represents His Two Moods: ‘They’ll Get to Know the Real Me’

Still riding high from the success of his and Bad Bunny’s chart-topping collaboration “Dákiti,” Jhay Cortez is maintaining his momentum.

The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter released his latest single “Kobe En LA,” an experimental uptempo reggaetón track, which he says showcases his two “big moods.” The song kicks off with a dramatic interlude the 27-year-old calls “el precio de la fama (the cost of fame),” featuring Buscabulla lead singer Raquel Berrios.

“The cool thing about this song is that I wasn’t planning on releasing it this way,” Cortez tells Billboard. “Initially, these were two completely separate songs, but then I thought, why not just join them? And I loved how it turned out.” Toward the end of the song, he returns to el precio de la fama, this time featuring emerging female artist Séssi.

In the song, Cortez sings about paying the price for being a famous person. “I have a price on my head … what do they want from me? They want to kill me, I want to die, when you’re not here with me.” He then transitions to the main song, “Kobe En LA,” a prideful track in which he sings about his rapid success and the love his fans have for him. “In P.R. they love me like they love Kobe in LA,” he confesses.

“This song represents my two big moods. I don’t always wake up happy or energetic. My mood changes constantly and sometimes one can get uncomfortable with what comes with fame,” Cortez says, adding, “Sometimes I just want to be normal. But then I feel like Kobe when I’m Jhay Cortez in action. They’ll get to know the real me with this song. Who I am as a creative, producer, songwriter and visionary.”

Cortez, who began writing his own music at age 11 and kicked off his career at age 16, began working on the track seven months ago and was involved from beginning to the very end, including creating the concept of the psychedelic music video, directed by Fernando Lugo, that accompanies the song. “I’m so involved in the creation of my music. I know what I want and I bring that to life. When you can have control over your art, it shows and it’s the purest form of expression.”

He and Bad Bunny share the same working aesthetic, he says. “That’s why I think we work so well together. I respect him a lot, he’s opened so many doors for us starting in this business. ‘Dákiti’ and our other two songs together were very organic collaborations because we’re people that love what we do and we only want people to enjoy what comes out of our hearts.”

Bad Bunny and Cortez’s “Dakiti” debuts at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart (dated Nov. 17). Their new collaboration is just the third song to debut atop the chart in 2020 and the seventh No. 1 of 2020 in total.

But still Cortez isn’t ready to wrap up the year just yet. “It’s been a tough one for everyone but it was during this ‘down time’ that I was finally able to decide what I want for my career and the path I want to take visually and musically. What happened needed to happen and it inspired songs such as ‘Dákiti’ and ‘Kobe En LA.’ And, there will be more before the year ends.”

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Tiësto Shares Photos of His Newborn Daughter: ‘She Gives Me Feelings I Never Knew I Had’

Tiësto has been productive during quarantine, dropping his newest collaboration, a baby daughter, this week.

“Say hi to my daughter Viola Margreet Verwest,” the Dutch producer wrote Thursday (Nov. 12) on Twitter. “She gives me feelings I never knew I had in me. And her mom is a real champion. How can you look so pretty after just giving birth?!”

The birth announcement was accompanied by photos of Tiësto holding his first-born child, alongside an image of his wife Annika Backes sleeping with Viola on her chest. The dance world veteran married the model last September in a ceremony in the Utah desert.

The baby news brought a cavalcade of cheer from the dance music community. “Welcome to the club! Happy for you!!!” Dada Life responded. “Wow wow wow, congratulations to you both!” wrote Laidback Luke, while Tritonal wrote, “u growing up brother! welcome to Dad-Hood, we bout that LIFE!”

See the family photos below.

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Rapper Shyne Barrow Is Elected to Belize’s House of Representatives

Belize held its national elections on Wednesday (Nov. 11), and while Prime Minister Dean Barrow will be replaced by John Briceño of the People’s United Party, Barrow’s lineage lives on the country’s government.

The prime minister’s son and former rapper, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, won the Mesopotamia seat in Belize City for the House of Representatives. His sister, Denise “Sista B” Barrow, won the Queen’s Square constituency.

Shyne served in U.S. prison from 2001 to 2009, for his part in a nightclub shooting involving Diddy and was charged with attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment.

He took to Instagram on Wednesday night to celebrate the win and his triumphs after a bumpy past, fittingly writing, “FROM HIP HOP TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES!!!”

“Thank you MESOPOTAMIA!!! It is with the greatest humility that I accept this victory for us! We won today!” he continued. “This victory is for all those who are just like me in Mesopotamia, Belize and the world over! All those who have taken a fall! All those who have stumbled on their life’s journey.

“We all fall! But to get up and walk, run and rise again is the purpose of life! We are all destined to be challenged but we are all capable of overcoming those challenges! My story is testament of human fortitude! We all have what I have! We just have to dig deep within and find it! I hope I inspire everyone to overcome their adversities and find their greatness!”

See his post here.

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Florida First Time Unemployment Claims Continue To Fall

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – First-time jobless claims continued to slow last week in Florida, while efforts are underway to bulk up the state’s unemployment agency and key parts of the economy still struggle amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Labor estimated Thursday that 28,128 new claims came in last week to Florida, part of 709,000 first-time claims nationally during the week that ended Nov. 7.

That was down from 31,615 new claims in Florida during the prior week and marked the fourth consecutive week of declining numbers. The national total dropped by 48,000 from the prior week, with a four-week average dropping to 755,250 claims.

Florida, which offers up to $275 a week in unemployment benefits for 12 weeks, has seen a steady string of hotel and leisure-related businesses announcing layoffs the past couple of months, even as jobs overall have been returning amid Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to reopen the economy during the pandemic.

The state’s unemployment rate was 7.6 percent in September, representing 770,000 people out of work. That was down from a peak of 1.22 million people unemployed in April when the jobless rate was 13.8 percent.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, which is the state’s unemployment agency, will release an October report on Nov. 20.

Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Dane Eagle, who was appointed to run the agency by DeSantis in early September, said this week he’s prepared to ask lawmakers during the 2021 legislative session for $5 million to increase staff by more than 100.

Eagle has already hired 200 people to help handle a backlog of unemployment claims, now around 38,000 from the more than 4.6 million claims submitted since mid-March. And Eagle is conducting a review of the CONNECT online unemployment system that will determine if his legislative request will include fixing or replacing the troubled system, which cost $77 million to create less than a decade ago.

The CONNECT system, which has been described by DeSantis as a “jalopy,” was overwhelmed in the spring when the state first forced businesses to shut down or scale back operations to slow the spread of COVID-19. Now, the state again faces an increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, while thousands of people face layoffs or the prospect of long-imposed furloughs becoming permanent.

Eagle told WKMG-TV in Orlando that his agency is working to set up a site for people who are laid off for a second time this year.

“That’s one of those more complicated issues that we need to look into (to) make sure there is a wage determination and employee separation,” Eagle told the station. “It does take a little bit more involvement from us as an agency.”

The largest pending layoffs are at Walt Disney Co., which has advised Eagle’s agency that more than 18,000 employees in Florida will be laid off as the year ends.

The pandemic’s impact on the critical travel and leisure industries can be seen through relatively low gas prices, which hit an average of $1.998 a gallon on Wednesday in Florida, according to the AAA auto club.

“Demand concerns — related to surging cases of COVID-19 — continue to weigh on the global fuel market, leading to lower prices at the pump,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said. “Although U.S. gasoline demand is not nearly as low as it was in April, it remains 9 percent lower than what’s common, this time of year.”

The pandemic-caused reduction in travel is also forcing Southwest Airlines to enact the first “involuntary furlough” in the company’s history, with eight unionized material specialists at Orlando International Airport set to be let go on Jan. 11.

Meanwhile, Elite Laundry Services of Florida, an airline cleaning company, advised the state that 130 layoffs announced in March and April are now permanent because there is no definite return date for the work.

“The company hopes the circumstances change and that it may be able to offer employees the opportunity to be rehired,” Elite President Susy Marchesini wrote to the state on Oct. 31.

But the travel and leisure outlook might not be all dire.

With the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention giving the cruise-ship industry a framework to resume operations, Royal Caribbean has started seeking volunteers to test new safety protocols.

“While we are eager to welcome our guests back on board, we have a lot to do between now and then, and we’re committed to taking the time to do things right,” the company told Travel + Leisure magazine on Monday. “This includes training our crew in new health and safety protocols and conducting a number of trial sailings to stress-test those protocols in real-world conditions.”

Major cruise ships aren’t expected to operate out of Florida until next year, but the CDC directive replaced a “no sail” order that had been in effect since mid-March.

(©2020 CBS Local Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida’s Jim Turner contributed to this report.)

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What Is That Funny Taste In Tap Water? Miami-Dade Officials Say It’s Safe To Drink

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Residents in Miami-Dade have begun tasting chlorine in their tap water and it is perfectly safe, the county says.

The county announced last week that starting on November 8, the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department would temporarily change its water chlorination method for its drinking water for a two-week period.

Officials said that free chlorine, instead of the standard combined chlorine (chloramine), would be used during the treatment process.

The county said this is part of a routine procedure regularly scheduled each year in partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County and the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER).

Officials said the temporary addition of free chlorine will not cause any adverse health effects.

Also, keep your eye on your pets’ water bowl, if they don’t drink the tap water, you will want to give them bottled water.

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People requiring dialysis, owners of tropical fish, and managers of restaurants and stores with fish holding tanks are encouraged to seek professional advice, the county said.

Additionally, county officials said there would be brief periods of lower than normal water pressure or instances of cloudy water. They advise to run the water for three to five minutes until the water runs clear.

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Philadelphia Guard Nisine Poplar Signs With Miami Hurricanes

CORAL GABLES (AP) — Nisine Poplar, a 6-foot-5 guard from Philadelphia, signed a national letter intent to join the Miami Hurricanes next year.

Poplar, a senior at Math, Civics & Sciences Charter School, averaged 22 points per game last season and helped the school win the state Class 2A title in 2019. He started playing organized basketball in 2018 and already has more than 1,000 points.

He’s the Hurricanes’ first 2021 signee.

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(© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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From a Beauty Queen to a Beauty Business Woman and Aficionado

Milinda From a Beauty Queen to a Beauty Business Woman and Aficionado

Milinda Smith in Miss Jamaica sash

[SOUTH FLORIDA] – Miss Jamaica World Second Runner up 2016, Milinda Smith was born in Linstead, Jamaica and migrated to the USA as a toddler with her mom and then baby brother.

Milinda entered the pageant well rounded and already pageant trained. Milinda was not only a runner up in the pageant but walked away with a few sectional prizes. She was Miss Jamaica World Beach Beauty 2016, Miss Jamaica World Best Body 2016, Miss Jamaica World Best Smile 2016.

Since the pageant Milinda Smith has dabbled in a few things and started her company where she made carnival costumes. Although she faced several challenges, Milinda never shied away from pursuing her dreams of becoming a business woman and working for herself.

Milinda Smith, From a Beauty Queen to a Beauty Business Woman and Aficionado

Milinda Smith

Launch of MAJAS

While attending college, Milinda started to research how to manufacture lotions and body butters. After much trial and errors, she came up with the perfect formula for the all-natural skin care products. Realizing that it really worked her beauty product line MAJAS was born. Her products can be found at www.majasthebrand.com

Milinda knew she had much more to offer as she became fascinated with the art of attaching eyelashes. She wanted to explore her hand at putting on the eyelashes and so she added it to her skills. When she saw how perfectly she did lashes, Milinda realized her dream in the world of beauty and pursued her education in Esthetics.

As a licensed Esthetician, Milinda Smith now sets out to open her own beauty spa based in South Florida.  What is amazing for this esthetician is that during this pandemic while others are failing, she has set out to open her business. When Milinda was asked, how is it she is opening a business in a pandemic, her response was, “real life still a keep.”

Jamaica Consul General Oliver Mair and Malinda Smith

Jamaica Consul General Oliver Mair and Malinda Smith

Milinda Smith graced the office of the Jamaica Consulate a few weeks ago where she paid a visit to the Consul General Oliver Mair, and presented him with some of her products in appreciation for his involvement in the diaspora, and his continued support of not just her business but others as well. She was well received by the Consul General.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Milinda also invited the Consul General to do the honors of cutting the spa’s ribbon on November 14th at 12 noon when she will officially open her doors. Consul General Mair readily accepted the invite as he heartily congratulated Milinda on her achievement. It is to be noted that COVID-19 guidelines will be followed and everyone who enters for business there will be protected.

The event will be at her beauty spa named EPIDERMASTERS located at 6151 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, Florida 33023 suite 201. The event will run from 11:30 am to 4pm with services discounted for the day. More information can be found at www.epidermasters.com

Milinda Smith is also the Vice President of the charity Mission of Hope and Grace through which she plans to give back to the community. She hopes to be an inspiration to other young women who wants to pursue their businesses and has one thing to say to them. “Chase your dreams and turn them into reality.”

Milinda has the strong support of her mother Dr. Coretta Mathie and her brother Jaleel Smith who is behind her all the way.

 

 

 

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Aruba Becomes First Caribbean Nation to Partner with JetBlue on Entry Testing

JetBlue

Vault Health, JetBlue’s Testing Partner, Provides Saliva-based PCR Testing at Home Before Travel

[NEW YORK] – JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today announced Aruba is the first Caribbean nation to partner with the airline for seamless entry testing through JetBlue’s testing partner, Vault.

The decision by Aruba to begin accepting the convenient PCR test facilitated by Vault’s technology platform for JetBlue customers arriving on the island was made after assessing the supervised testing process.

It also comes as a result of the airline’s initiative to work with destination regions to promote safer travel with easy testing.

JetBlue and Aruba are equally dedicated to helping keep those working and traveling safe while providing viable options for those who want or need to travel, including those seeking to vacation.

Aruba has required negative COVID-19 PCR test results since reopening to visitors, all in order to protect travelers and residents and allow them to enjoy the beauty of the island and contribute to the tourism industry that drives the Aruban economy.

The supervised at-home test facilitated by Vault’s platform is the first and only saliva-based test accepted for entry of JetBlue customers by Aruban authorities.

The test option with Vault provides convenience, quick turnaround, and accuracy. Vault facilitates all testing conducted by its collaborating laboratory. JetBlue customers receive a dedicated customer support phone line through the process.

“Reliable, accurate, and convenient testing is a vital key to safely resuming leisure travel and invigorating the economy,” said Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer, JetBlue. “With a long history of promoting seamless travel, we are grateful to the Aruban Tourism Authority and the Aruban government for recognizing our partner, Vault, as an easy way for JetBlue customers to meet Aruba’s testing requirements.”

“Aruba is honored to partner with JetBlue to be the first Caribbean country to offer this innovative seamless entry testing to streamline the travel process, and make our ‘one happy island’ even more accessible,” said Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of Aruba Tourism Authority. “We continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our visitors and locals through advanced safety protocols. This partnership provides our visitors with an added level of convenience and ensures that once travelers arrive on our sunny shores, they can immediately enjoy their trip and head straight to our award-winning beaches.”

The simple saliva test is administered via online video connection facilitated by Vault, with a test supervisor who helps ensure the customer is providing their sample properly. The sample is then overnighted to a laboratory for processing within 72 hours.

In addition to priority support, Vault has created a dedicated landing page for JetBlue customers with current travel scheduled to Aruba, located at https://learn.vaulthealth.com/aruba/.

“We are honored that Aruba is allowing Vault to facilitate their first and only saliva-based test accepted for entry into the country,” said Vault Health Founder and CEO Jason Feldman. “Vault supervises the entire at-home test taking process to make sure that it is safely and precisely completed for more accurate results to keep residents and travelers to Aruba safe.”

JetBlue customers traveling to Aruba on a JetBlue Vacations package also get the Insider Experience, including free airport transfers and access to a trained team of local Insiders at their service throughout their stay, at no extra charge.

JetBlue’s partnership with Aruba and Vault is part of the airline’s broader Safety from the Ground Up program, which focuses on healthy crewmembers, clean air and surfaces, fewer touchpoints, as well as travel flexibility.

The airline is dedicated to continuing to evolve this program while focusing on ensuring customers who want or need to travel feel comfortable.

To learn more about the airline’s safety program, visit jetblue.com/safety.

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Virtual Film Screening of Reggae Boyz 2014 World Cup Bid

Virtual Film Screening of Reggae Boyz 2014 World Cup BidFree Screening Presented by South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center November 12th and 15th

by Howard Campbell

[MIAMI] – Reggae Boyz, film-maker Till Schauder’s documentary about the Jamaican soccer team’s unsuccessful qualification bid for the 2014 World Cup, will be shown in South Florida for the first time this week.

Virtual screenings will be at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center on November 12 and 15 as part of its Indie Flicks series. The film had a world premier two years ago at the Krakow Film Festival in Poland, and made its American debut in 2019 at the Brooklyn Film Festival in New York.

Schauder got involved with the project through investors who were impressed by The Iran Job, his 2012 documentary about United States Virgin Islands basketballer Kevin Sheppard’s experience playing in war-torn Iran.

Like that project, Reggae Boyz transcends sports.

“It’s also about a country trying to keep its population together; fighting social issues such as gun violence and racism. There is a story beneath the soccer story,” Schauder explained.

He arrived in Jamaica circa early 2013, when enthusiasm for the Reggae Boyz qualifying for the World Cup for a second time was high in the Caribbean country. Schauder traveled with the team to games in Mexico, Nicaragua, the United States and Panama.

When it was clear qualification was no longer possible, the Jamaica Football Federation fired head coach Theodore Whitmore, a star of the historic 1998 campaign, and hired German coach Winfried Schafer.

Schauder says the initial investors also lost interest in Reggae Boyz when they realized qualification was a lost cause. He completed the film with his own funds.

Inevitably, Reggae Boyz has a musical component. During his time in Jamaica, Schauder was struck by its frenetic dancehall energy.

“It’s steeped in the country. Everybody seems to have some performative talent,” he said.

Till Schauder was born in Seattle, Washington to German parents who were teachers there. He was raised in the City of Gottingen in northwestern Germany and studied film in the US and Germany.

In addition to The Iran Job, his credits include the 2017 documentary When God Sleeps, which also focuses on life in Iran.

Virtual Q&A with Director

After the screenings, there will be a virtual Q&A with Director, Writer, Producer, and Co-Director of Photography Till Schauder.

The event is free and open to the public on Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 15 at 4 p.m.

Registration is required. To register and view the trailer: CLICK HERE

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Senator-elect Shevrin Jones Announces People’s Agenda

Rep. Shevrin Jones

Representative Shevrin Jones (file photo)

[TALLAHASSEE]— Today, Senator-elect Shevrin Jones (D-West Park) announced his People’s Agenda, a focused set of priorities reflective of his constituents’ interests that he will introduce in the upcoming 2021 session.

Senator-elect Jones will work with colleagues across the aisle to put forward legislation addressing issues impacting Florida families, including:

  • Small business rehabilitation;
  • Worker retention; and
  • Police reform and accountability.

With COVID-19 cases on the rise, a mishandled pandemic response out of Tallahassee, and economic relief stalled in DC, Senator-elect Jones will make a people-first recovery a top priority in the upcoming legislative session.

Hundreds of thousands of Floridians are without jobs and unemployment benefits, and countless local businesses have struggled to operate safely or even close permanently, including many in Black communities within SD 35.

Jones intends to introduce legislation focused on spurring opportunity, rehabilitating Florida small businesses, and retaining workers.

While serving in the Florida House, he introduced an internship tax credit bill to offer tax incentives to businesses that retain interns for employment following the end of the internship, a measure he will champion once again in the Senate.

Qualified local businesses will receive a tax credit for any income tax previously paid of $2000 or less or for the amount of the wages previously paid to a degree-seeking student during their internship if:

  • The student worked full time for at least nine weeks;
  • The qualified business shows documentation for the current tax year proving that it employs 20% of the degree-seeking students who were previously employed as interns on a full-time basis; and
  • The State University, Florida College System, or institution operates by the school district under f.s. 1001.44.

This year also underscored the need to reform the criminal justice system to ensure “opportunity and justice for all” is a reality for all communities, including those of color.

As a Black man raised in South Florida, Senator-elect Jones intimately understands the systemic racial injustices across our society, and in the Senate, will build upon his record of fighting for criminal justice reform.

In response to heinous acts of police violence brutality, including the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Senator-elect Jones plans to introduce a bill to end qualified immunity for police to ensure accountability for abuse of power or misconduct.

“Throughout my time in public service, my goal has always been to make sure that the People have a seat at the table and are heard,” Senator-elect Jones said Monday. “These challenging times call for a distinct focus on addressing the pressing needs of our community, from rebuilding our economy to ensuring justice and respect for all who call our great state home, and I look forward to hitting the ground running on behalf of the People in the Senate.”

 

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