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DOPE AFRICANS® and The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) hosted an evening dinner and reception at NBPA headquarters, hosted by Miatta Johnson and Massah David of MVD INC., and co-hosted by Justina Omokhua and ADISA INC. The event took place in New York City in alignment with the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

DOPE AFRICANS is renowned for its ability to provide unique cultural experiences that draw influential guests from around the world. DOPE AFRICANS has earned its reputation by offering captivating and authentic showcases of African culture. In addition to prominent players and professionals from the NBA, the room was filled with distinguished influencers and public figures including Fally Ipupa, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, Harvey Mason Jr, Laolu Senbanjo, Bozoma Saint John, Alphonso David, Masai Ujiri, Lais Ribeiro, TG Omori, TJ Adeshola, Abdul Kareem-Abdullah, Tomi Talabi, and M.I Abaga (Jude Abaga).

Justinah Omokhua, Miatta Johnson, Massah David, Bismack Biyombo

This gathering served as a unique platform to elevate ongoing efforts to help players reach broader global audiences and champion new and existing economic development opportunities in Africa. Additionally, the gathering served as a platform to celebrate the wide array of current and former players involved in social impact work in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals across Africa. The event featured current and former players, including Bismack Biyombo, Bruno Fernando, Gorgui Dieng, Joakim Noah, Luc Mbah a Moute, Luol Deng, Obinna Victor OladipoEkezie, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, and Precious Achiuwa.

Co-founded by Massah David and Miatta Johnson, DOPE AFRICANS is renowned for its ability to provide unique cultural experiences that draw influential guests from around the world. DOPE AFRICANS has earned its reputation by offering captivating and authentic showcases of African culture. This one-of-a-kind event brought together a select group of athletes, business leaders, and cultural influencers dedicated to driving change and advancing economic development throughout Africa.

Wolfacejoeyy has just shared a new video for the track “melanin”, off of his recently-released project 22Joeyy – produced entirely by Michael Rainey Jr, who also notably stars in the 50 Cent-produced Starz TV show Power.

Along with the new video, Wolfacejoeyy has also announced that he’ll be joining Eem Triplin on the upcoming “Still Pretty” tour, which kicks off in November and will touch down in major citites like New York, Atlanta, L.A. and more. Wolfacejoeyy has successfully cultivated a unique sound through his forward-thinking fusion of various genres like R&B and Jersey Club into one sound – in the process, he’s accumulated over 13 Million Streams, and was recently championed by SoundCloud for his genre-bending abilities in their series “First On Soundcloud”.

Fresh off the release of the eclectic, 9-track 22Joeyy, “melanin” is an ethereal performance from Wolfacejoeyy that finds him honing in on his melodic flows and bright, playful lyricism – “Went to L.A., shawty eat me like it’s In N Out / My mama called my phone, she said lil boy, stop goin’ in and out / I tell my ma don’t worry, we gon’ make it out“, he sings over the bouncy beat.

As Wolfacejoeyy continues to push the boundaries of genre by leaning into his experimental knack and energetic sound on 22Joeyy, he’s fully embracing his moment and will soon be delivering lively performances across the United States to match.

Wolfacejoeyy is an integral member of New York’s underground Hip-Hop scene, whose work as both a producer and a vocalist has been foundational in pushing the eclectic sound of NYC to the forefront of the genre. Thanks to his bubbling diversity, charming personality and unwavering experimentation, Wolfacejoeyy seamlessly bridges the gap between various sub-genres popular within his city including Jersey Club, classic NY Hip-Hop and the underground futuristic trap scene currently being run by the likes of Yeat & Wolfacejoeyy’s close collaborator SoFaygo.

Backed by 22Joeyy’s lead single “Weekend” (feat. Cash Cobain & Chow Lee) and the new “buku (remix)” (feat. SoFaygo), the release of 22Joeyy finds Wolfacejoeyy expanding upon his signature cutting-edge sound. The consistently bouncy and euphoric sonic backdrops across 22Joeyy’s nine tracks are provided by producer and actor Michael Rainey Jr. Wolfacejoeyy’s complimentary performances flex his smooth vocals and charismatic lyricism, creating a sound that pulls from elements of sample drill to Jersey club that fuse together for a breezy yet bold and progressive project.

22JOEYY – OUT NOW
LISTEN

Breakout soul artist Devon Gilfillian and rising indie singer-songwriter Sammy Rae have collaborated on a moving new version of “Love You Anway,” the title track of Gilfillian’s acclaimed new LP, released earlier this year. Listen to “Love You Anyway” (feat. Sammy Rae & The Friends) HERE.

Embracing love as a unifying force for these troubled times, the deeply inspiring track has resonated with audiences around the world since its release. NPR Musicsaid the song is “just as much a celebration as it is a declaration.”

“My dream is for this song to bring all communities together to have a conversation,” said Devon Gilfillian. “There’s so much hate in this world that we could lessen just truly getting to know each other. I’m honored that Sammy Rae has added her incredible voice to this song. I saw her perform at Bonnaroo and fell in love with her music and her message. I know it may be idealistic, but I hope this song brings some change and light to the world.”

For as much as Sammy Rae & The Friends may be a band, this quickly rising, Brooklyn, NY based collective of dreamers and artists considers themselves a family first. Fronted by Connecticut native, singer and songwriter Sammy Rae, the group’s influences run from classic rock, to folk, funk, soul and jazz.

“It’s my honor to be featured on a song as beautiful, close-to-the heart and relevant as this one,” added Sammy Rae. “The melody and lyrics speak to any and all of us, and Devon’s compassionate voice and writing are so comforting.”

Love You Anyway, released via Fantasy Records, has amassed over 2.5M streams and hit #1 on the College Radio Soul/R&B chart. The album’s first single, “All I Really Wanna Do,” a Top 5 hit at Triple A radio, was named one of Rolling Stone’s ‘Best Songs of 2023 So Far’ and was included on both The New York Times’ “Morning Spring 2023” official playlist and CBS Morning’s official playlist “Mixtape.” Watch Gilfillian perform the track on CBS Saturday MorningHERE. Find Love You Anyway HERE.

Gilfillian is currently on a headlining tour across the country. The Love You Anyway Tour, which kicked off earlier this week in Columbus, will include a hometown performance at Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia on September 28 and an evening at the Los Angeles’ legendary venue, The Troubadour, on October 27th. The tour will wrap on November 29th in Santa Fe, NM. For more information and tickets, please visit devongilfillian.com.

Gilfillian has appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS Saturday Morning, the GRAMMYS’ “Positive Vibes Only” series, and has received acclaim from Rolling Stone, People Magazine, Relix, No Depression, Rated R&B, Paste, and American Songwriter, among many others.