STILL GRINDIN' | PHARRELL + PUSHA T

When it comes to tackling your day, a caffeine pick me up is essential for so many people. Pusha T and Pharrell Williams (super-producer, multi platinum artist, entertainer, world renowned designer and entrepreneur) have partnered together this month to launch Grindin, powered by Lavazza and is available in dark and medium roasts for ground and whole beans. Longtime collaborators, Pusha T and Pharrell wanted to create coffee that allows us to enjoy our everyday hustles to work harder whether you’re an early riser, late-night grinders, and don’t simply stick to the storied 9-5. To enhance this partnership, they connected with Lavazza, the legendary Italian roaster whose legacy and heritage in coffee quality and craftsmanship dates back to 1895.

“Pusha and I have been building together since the beginning,” says Pharrell Williams. “From making Grindin back in 2002 to now, it has always been about intention and focus. Coffee has always been part of that discipline. It has been in the room with us when we create. Now it has a name.” Their love for coffee came from working an array of sessions in the recording studio, heading to the gym, being on the road, and creating a sharp contrast to a ritualistic experience.

“P and I were waking up really early. Like 5 a.m. early,” shares Pusha T on the origins of their coffee brand, Grindin. “That was our routine. Alarm goes off at 5, we’re up, and the first thing we’re doing is black coffee or the strongest espresso we can find. That’s how we were working. That was the fuel. We’d be in the studio creating, locked in, just grinding. And then from there we’d go ride 25 miles on the bike. That was the whole rhythm, create, move, create again. Coffee was part of that whole cycle.”

Grindin was roasted for superior taste and quality. The dark roast is sourced in Central and South America as well as in Southeast Asia with tasting notes of cocoa, caramel, and brown spices. The medium roast is sourced in South America and has notes of bittersweet chocolate, caramel, and roasted hazelnut. Whichever blend you choose to enjoy, they are both suitable for filter, espresso, and cold brew methods.

Born from that creative cycle, the hustle continued with a number of great sounds. Pusha’s instant classic, It’s Almost Dry in 2022 was followed by Let God Sort Em Out, which dropped in 2025 and was the first new album in 16 years from Clipse – the iconic and legendary duo that combines the creativity of Pusha and his brother Malice, which produced entirely by Pharrell. This album went on to be nominated for 5 Grammys including Best Rap Album and Album of the Year and ultimately, took home the prize for Best Rap Performance. That same night, Pharrell was honored with 2026 Dr Dre Global Impact Award to recognize his multi-decade influence on music, fashion, and culture.

With an exciting launch ahead with Grindin, Pusha wants us to know that their, “…customer is someone who builds things. The kind of person who wakes up and gets to work, who works out every day, who builds a strong community around them. It’s all about the grind, it’s the first move before you build something. That’s why this brand exists. It’s not about sipping and easing into the morning. It’s about ignition. It’s about the grind – the first move before you build something. That is why this brand exists.”

This belief in ignition has fueled Grammy-winning albums, award winning designs, global tours, runway shows and more. Without question, they understand the business of supply, demand, and hustle!

IG @grindin

@kingpush

@pharrell

PHOTO COURTESY | Grindin Coffee

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see STILL GRINDIN’ | Pharrell + Pusha T in mag.

ON THE STAGE | JASMINE "JB" BADIE

When it comes to watching your favorite entertainer, there are so many components that come together to bring their songs, performance, and personalities to life. Choreography is a major component! We sat down with Jasmine “JB” Badie who has worked with Sabrina Carpenter, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, and Megan Thee Stallion to name a few!

We sat down with this noted Creative Director and Choreographer to find out about how she got into the industry, the importance of movement, her creative process, and more!

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you enjoyed dance and movement?

JASMINE BADIE: I don’t know if there was one exact moment where I realized it. I think I understood the feeling before I understood what I could actually do with it. Music would make me see things — a certain sound could give me an idea, a character, an attitude, a whole visual. Movement eventually became the way I could get those ideas out of my head and make them real.

What’s funny is that I didn’t start out feeling like the strongest dancer in the room. I actually struggled a lot when I first started training. So my relationship with movement wasn’t built from, “Oh, I’m naturally great at this.” I had to find my own confidence in it, and I think that journey is a big part of why I create the way I do now.

AM: At what point did you realize that you wanted to be a choreographer and what do you love about doing it?

JB: I think I realized I had more to offer as a creator when the opportunity just kept knocking at my door. Eventually, I decided to walk in.

I’ve always believed you should wear as many hats as you can, get as much experience as you can and learn everything possible in the field you’re passionate about. Sometimes you’re so focused on one dream coming true that you don’t realize you’re also watering these other inspirations you never even knew you had.

That’s what happened for me. Dance opened the door, but through dancing I was learning so much more — about music, artists, performance, staging, storytelling and eventually what I wanted to create. Choreography became another way for me to use everything I had been picking up along the way.

What I love now is being able to see an idea become something real. Something can start in my head or in a rehearsal room and eventually end up on an arena stage, in a music video, or become a moment people want to recreate themselves. That’s still really special to me.

AM: Can you tell me where you trained and how you would define your style?

JB: My training was a little unconventional. I didn’t grow up in a studio training from the time I was three years old. When I started taking classes, I was actually SUPER insecure. Remembering choreography was hard for me and I would get in my own head about how I looked or what everybody else in the room might be thinking.

Once I moved to LA, I took as many classes as I could from different teachers and went to conventions like Monsters of Hip Hop. I wanted to learn, but eventually I realized part of my training had nothing to do with learning another step. It was learning to trust myself. Once I stopped looking around the room for validation, I realized, “Oh wait, I’m a performer.”

I don’t know that I would define my style by one genre. I think you can definitely feel where I’m from in my movement — Atlanta is always going to be in me — but I’m much more interested in how something feels. I like personality. I like groove. I like a little sauce. And I want the person doing my choreography to still look like themselves.

I also feel like if you have the ear for music and genuinely love the art form, you can do any style you put your mind to. For me, it’s less about putting yourself in a box and more about understanding the music, continuing to learn and being willing to stretch yourself creatively.

AM: Who have been some of the people that you have worked with?

JB: Whew! I’ve been blessed. Between my career as a dancer and my work as a choreographer and creative, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible artists — Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, Pharrell and N.E.R.D., Megan Thee Stallion, Ariana Grande, Missy Elliott, Cardi B, Tate McRae, Victoria Monét, Rihanna and so many others. The list really makes me stop sometimes and say, “Girl… look at your life.” LOL.

And I’ve been fortunate to experience this industry from different sides of the room. Being a dancer first gave me an education that I still use as a choreographer today. Working with so many different kinds of artists also taught me very quickly that there isn’t one formula for being great. I think all of those experiences helped shape the creator I eventually became.

AM: You are a creative director, choreographer, and creative architect behind Sabrina Carpenter’s most talked about performances. How did you connect with her and when you are working with someone, what is your creative process when it comes to bringing your visions to life?

JB: Sabrina and I started working together when I was hired to choreograph Fast Times. We started rehearsing in October 2021, and honestly, it was kismet from there.

We clicked FAST. We’re both Tauruses, so it was very much, “Ohhhh, you get it, get it, got it!” LOL. And she has the same birthday as my sister, which I’ve always found so special. There were just these little connections from the beginning. But beyond that, I saw soooo much for her. I saw possibility. I saw where we could go creatively, and thankfully she trusted me enough to go there with her.

My process now is very instinctual, but it’s also incredibly detailed. I pay attention to the person in front of me. I want to know what makes them comfortable, what makes them uncomfortable, what they naturally do well and what we can pull out of them that maybe they haven’t seen yet.

I’m also a HUGE movie buff, especially old films. I’m obsessed with raw cinematography — when something can be captured so artistically and delicately and then you pair that with good writing? Ugh, it fills me up. I think that naturally affects the way I create. I’m not just thinking about an eight-count. I’m thinking about what you’re seeing, what you’re feeling and what the whole picture is saying.

AM: How do you approach working with someone for a music video, a multi city tour, or an intimate performance?

JB: I think the biggest difference is understanding what each space is asking from you.

With a music video, I have the luxury of the camera. I can make something really small feel huge because I know exactly what you’re going to see. We can do another take. We can change an angle. We can catch that ONE little moment perfectly.

A tour is completely different because whatever we create has to survive. LOL. This person has to do it over and over again, sometimes for months. So now I’m thinking about the whole journey — where we’re giving energy, where we’re conserving it, what happens between songs, how the artist feels physically and whether the person in the very back of the arena is still getting a show.

And intimate performances are fun because you can let people come to you. You don’t always have to yell creatively. Sometimes a whisper is enough.

That’s really the challenge I love: figuring out how big or how small something needs to be without losing its impact.

AM: How important is fitness, endurance, strength, mobility, coordination, and recovery of the body when it comes to preparing women’s bodies for these incredible performances?

JB: EXTREMELY important. LOL.

What people see is the final two or three hours onstage. They don’t see everything the body has already done to get there.

Especially for women, we’re asking the body to do A LOT. Sing, dance, remember choreography, breathe correctly, run around a stage, sometimes do it in heels, change clothes in two minutes and then walk back out like none of that just happened. That’s an athlete to me.

So I don’t look at conditioning as separate from the performance. It is part of the performance. I want to know that when the lights come on, your body already understands the assignment. And recovery has to be respected just as much as training. You can’t constantly ask your body to give without giving something back to it.

AM: Where do you start when it comes to building a dance routine especially one that becomes a storytelling element to an entertainer’s arc that we can enjoy on stage?

JB: I usually sit with the song before I decide what it needs.

I want to know what catches me without forcing myself to find it. Sometimes it’s a lyric. Sometimes it’s something way underneath the track. Sometimes it’s literally a pause. And sometimes the thing that makes the most sense is not dancing at all.

Then I start asking myself what we haven’t seen yet. If we’re three songs into a show and I’ve already given you BIG, BIG, BIG, maybe the next moment needs to pull you in instead. I think choreography becomes storytelling when you stop treating every song like its own little island. Especially in a full show, I want one moment to lead you into the next. By the end, hopefully you didn’t just watch a bunch of dances — you went somewhere with us.

AM: As you have worked with so many people as well as creating iconic moments and dances from Ariana Grande, Beyonce, Megan Thee Stallion, Missy Elliott, Tate McRae, and Pharrell Williams to name a few — what are 3 performances that you are most proud of being part of?

JB: Oh this is MEAN. LOL. There are so many.

But right now, I would say Short n’ Sweet Tour first. Choreographing a sold-out arena tour is something I’m incredibly proud of. The amount of work and detail that goes into creating an entire show is completely different from creating one performance. Watching all of those pieces finally live together in front of thousands of people every night was very special.

Manchild would absolutely be another one. You create something in a room and hope people connect with it, but you can’t manufacture what happens after you let it go. Watching that dance go viral and then seeing it make its way into Fortnite was WILD. LOL. That’s when you realize something you made has officially left the room and belongs to everybody now.

And Sabrina’s Headlong performance at Coachella 2026. I’m just really proud of what we created there. Coachella gives you this huge canvas, and being able to create on that scale while still finding moments that felt specific was exciting.

And listen, I know you said three, but the BRIT Awards is getting an honorable mention because I LOVE that performance. LOL.

AM: How do you keep your body at its peak when it comes to being able to have the physical and mental resources needed to work with your clients?

JB: I play tennis whenever I can. I like that it gets my heart rate up without me standing on a treadmill staring at a wall thinking, “When is this OVER?” LOL. I’m competitive too, so give me a racket and now suddenly cardio is fun.

I also weight train with my trainer Oscar Cayetano. Strength has become really important to me because my work is physical even when I’m not the one performing. I can be on my feet for hours, demonstrating, rehearsing, traveling and then waking up to do it again.

Mentally, I’m still learning balance. I can get VERY locked into the work. So for me, taking care of myself sometimes means remembering that I am a human being outside of whatever I’m creating. Rest, getting quiet, playing tennis, watching a great movie — those things refill me too.

AM: What are 3 workouts that you do that we should consider placing in our fitness routines?

JB: I’m definitely a strength-training girl. I work my legs a lot because I need them! LOL. Squats are always in the mix.

I also focus on my arms and back. Push-ups are simple, but you feel them and you don’t need a bunch of equipment to do them.

And then core. Crunches, core work — all of it. I think having a strong center helps everything else, especially when your day requires you to be on your feet and moving as much as mine does.

So if we’re keeping it simple: squats, push-ups and crunches. You can do all three almost anywhere, so no excuses. LOL.

AM: How can choreography be a form of athletic training as well as building confidence?

JB: Anybody who thinks choreography isn’t athletic should come do a full-out rehearsal and then we’ll talk. LOL.

You’re using your entire body while your brain is doing ten things at once. You’re remembering movement, listening to music, thinking about timing, spacing, the people around you, your breath and what comes next. Then somebody says, “Again!”

But I think movement can do something even bigger for your confidence.

I know that personally because I wasn’t always confident in class. I used to worry so much about forgetting the steps or what somebody else thought about how I looked doing them. Eventually I realized I was giving everybody in the room more power over me than I was giving myself. When I stopped doing that, I found the performer in me.

SO yes, choreography trains the body, but learning to move without constantly judging yourself can train something else too. You start trusting yourself. And that confidence doesn’t have to stay in the dance studio.

IG @mssjb

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 90, 94, 100 Tommy Flannagan | PG 91, 97 Mason Rose | PG 98 COURTESY Jasmine Badie

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see ON THE STAGE | Jasmine “JB” Badie in mag.

9LIST ROUTIN3S | HEMKY MADERA

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST ROUTIN3S | Hemky Madera in mag.

IT'S ABOUT CHARACTER | NICHOLAS PINNOCK

Last month, we shared with you that we attended STARZ’s Fightland premiere, which also included performances by 50 Cent and G-Unit as well as an after party at PH Live in NYC! We have enjoyed this boxing crime drama as the character dynamics and storyline has been drawing us in on its inaugural season that is currently streaming now with new episodes dropping until the Season Finale on Sept 25th!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Nicholas Pinnock (For Life, Long Bright River, Hedda) who we have been long time fans of his work, and how he immerses himself into the characters that he plays! As Kingsley Marshall, the head of an iconic boxing family in London, we are taken into his enterprise and how he has been successful in the industry! We wanted to know more about how he came to the role, what he likes about it, and what he is excited about with this series!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We have enjoyed seeing a number of projects that you’ve been on and we’ve enjoyed seeing you in Fightland as well! It’s great to connect with you.

NICHOLAS PINNOCK: No, it’s a pleasure. Thank you for talking to me!

AM: Well, before we delve into Fightland, what do you love about storytelling?

NP: Oh, wow. I mean, telling stories is universal. You can touch anybody anywhere with a story. Somebody will identify with something or someone in said story and the human condition is such that we’re more alike than we are different. That’s what I really love about it.

AM: What was your creative process like when it came to connecting with the character of Kingsley Marshall?

NP: Finding him was all in the script. What happens when I approach a character, and especially I remember very clearly with Kingsley, was I read the scripts and from the way that the rhythm of the dialogue is laid out and how I find the rhythm, an accent or a vocal quality comes into my head and that’s where I started. That’s where I normally start.

AM: Oh, wow.

NP: Then I start to imagine what that voice looks like. What does that look like?

AM: Right.

NP: Then I try to decide, okay, now I get a look and a sound. What’s the feeling? And the feeling then happens a lot later when it comes to finding out what he wears. And then the physicality, because I can’t, I don’t know who my characters are until I’ve got them dressed.

AM: Exactly.

NP: That’s the final piece. Then it all comes together. And so Kingsley, yeah, it was really, really interesting. And, you know, the voice dictated what the beard would look like and how short that hair was and all these specific things. Then, it was how he would come into a room. I mean it was so specific with him and luckily the creatives, the show runners, and the writers - they allowed me to really explore it and find it without too many restrictions. They thankfully trusted that I had a handle on who I believed Kingsley was and I can just only hope that the audiences are as happy with it as we are!

AM: Well, as someone who loves boxing, it’s our favorite sport. We’ve been watching it since we were 3 years old. The subject was already exciting and we grew up seeing great fighters prior to when they became known to everyone else. So to see this series, Fightland and to combine the elements of crime, revenge, etc, it’s exciting.

What drew you to want to be part of Fightland?

NP: The biggest draw for me was working with 50 Cent again. Working with Curtis again was by far the biggest draw. I knew after the first time, that we were going to work together again. And when this came along, it was an absolute no-brainer. But, you know, when you’ve worked with somebody like him who you know, you trust, you respect, you love as a brother and you’ve got a friendship and more than anything as a collaborator! I would have come on and done one line for him and left.

AM: Right.

NP: So to have the privilege of playing Kingsley was just - it was amazing. Yeah, that was the biggest. But then on top of that, I read the scripts and the scripts were fantastic. I’m a big fan of the POWER universe and it’s in keeping with that. So I find it completely entertaining. So, you know, another opportunity for me to entertain an audience.

AM: Absolutely.

NP: Then I looked at the cast, who I was going to be working with and it just, all the things fell into place.

AM: We’ve seen a number of the episodes. We were at the premiere that took place at Jazz at Lincoln Center and being able to see you guys as a cast as you were literally sitting 2 two rows behind us –

NP: And you didn’t say hello?

You know what? It’s kind of like - I’ll tell you what it is. It’s like your boss giving you a pat on the back to say, job well done. Because my audience, the audience is who I make it for. They’re the boss. They’re the people that, you know, forget what critics or anybody else says. If the audience has something to say, that’s what I’m interested in, really, really listening to. So whenever anybody comes up and asks, you know, for a photo or they want to talk about it or they want to say how much they enjoyed it. You know, no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I will give that person the time because it makes you go, okay cool! I will continue doing this because it’s offering an audience something that they still want! So thank you! I’m still happy to do it for you so never be too shy to say hi next time!

AM: Next time!

What do you love about playing Kingsley? He is quite a character with such a presence!

NP: Yeah, and you haven’t really seen him yet, have you?

AM: Exactly. But the little we have seen - you give good face. You give good presence.

NP: What I loved about Kingsley more than anything was, this is new territory for me.

AM: Right.

NP: If you look at the roles that I’ve played in the past, they’ve always been, you know, the moral compass. They’ve always been the upstanding citizen. They’ve always been a tortured, troubled kind of kind of guy that has, you know, a story to to break through and become something else. This was completely different.

AM: Yeah.

NP: He’s the antagonist. He’s the villain. He’s the crime boss. He’s the head of this family. He’s the person that no one takes any shit from. To be in that territory within my body was very, very tough. You know, people don’t know that the subconscious aspect of actor’s releases the same chemicals as if it were real life. So I was carrying around a lot of heaviness and a lot of power in a sense that didn’t sit well with me, Nicholas, but it was tough. It was absolutely new territory for me. So it was different shoes to fill, but that was the challenge.

AM: Right.

NP: You know, that’s what I wanted. That’s where the fear really sat with me. Can you bring this character to life in a way that is real and believable for an audience and that really... has the effect on the other characters in the piece to make them do what they do and react in the way that they react. Because it’s a specific tone that’s needed you know for Kingsley to have a knock-on effect on the rest of the players in the scenes, for them to do what they’re doing, for them to go on and tell the rest of the story to the audience. And that was my turn. That’s what really, really drew me to really wanting to explore Kingsley as much as I did.

AM: Mmm.

What do you want viewers to take away when they’ve seen this season after we see how the dots connected?

NP: Honestly, there’s no real philosophical thing that I want to go away with. I want them to be highly entertained and want more.

AM: Mmm.

NP: That’s all I could ask for.

AM: Well, it is such a pleasure. We have loved seeing you in so many different things. To see you play a number of characters and to now see you in this way, as soon as we see Kingsley, he stands on his own and your performance of him is believable - this is a badass man.

NP: Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment. Next time, say hi, right?

AM: Absolutely!

IG @fightlandstarz

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | STARZ

9LIST ROUTIN3S | MINDY WEISS

Read the AUG ISSUE #128 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST ROUTIN3S | Mindy Weiss in mag.

MAKING THE MOST OF C.H.I.P | INAKI GODOY

We love adding heat to our favorite dishes as it takes it to the next level. We sat down with Netflix’s One Piece star, Iñaki Godoy (One Piece, The Imperfects, Who Killed Sara). We talked with him about how an Instagram post showing his love of Tabasco came about, being the lead in One Piece, and what his role as C.H.I.P. is one that he takes seriously!

INAKI GODOY: I don’t know if you heard, but now I am the chip of the Tabasco sauce family. Do you know what C.H.I.P. stands for?

ATHLEISURE MAG: Yes, Chief Hot Ideas Person.

IG: That’s who I am. I’m the Chief Hot Ideas Person at Tabasco Sauce. Thank you for your time. What do you want to know about being the C.H.I.P.?

AM: Well, before we get into C.H.I.P., what do you enjoy about storytelling?

IG: What do I enjoy about storytelling? I enjoy that it’s very fun.

AM: So is there anything you would like to tell us about One Piece or anything we should know about Luffy? We know S3 is coming up.

IG: Well, I think that in S3 of One Piece, Luffy is going to eat a lot of food. And I think people should be looking forward to that.

AM: So how did you become Tabasco’s C.H.I.P.?

IG: That is a wonderful question. Let me tell you about how I became a C.H.I.P. of Tabasco. So it all started back in April. I ran out of hot sauce and I decided to post on Instagram that I needed people to send me hot sauce because I didn’t have any. What I didn’t expect was that Tabasco sauce replied and they sent me a box full of Tabasco all the way to South Africa where we shoot One Piece. It didn’t stop at that after that they sent me a customized Tabasco sauce that I actually displayed in my living room and it looks beautiful and then after that, they went even beyond what I ever imagined and they offered me a position as C.H.I.P. in Tabasco right?

AM: So what does it mean to be a C.H.I.P.?

IG: It’s my responsibility to have ideas to represent the values of Tabasco and just enjoy Tabasco overall so that’s what I do. C.H.I.P. it’s my new biggest role to date and I’m very very happy to be collaborating with my favorite sauce ever in the world.

AM: What are some of the hot ideas that you’ve come up with? Are you able to share?

IG: Well, one of my best ideas so far is I actually have a cookbook now. So I am not a chef. I am not trained at cooking. However, Tabasco decided to give me a shot and we collaborated together in making the Chaos Kitchen Cookbook, which you can actually download for free on the Tabasco website. It has some of my favorite recipes - all starring Tabasco sauce, of course. And it’s very, very, very entertaining. I think that if you’re looking for good food, if you’re looking for a not so serious experience, one where mess isn’t a mistake, but it’s actually the method where you can experiment, have fun, and just, you know, enjoy being in the kitchen. I think it’s the best cookbook for that.

I have this suit, of course. This is also one of my ideas. I wanted to have a suit, a red Tabasco suit. I have it. It has a lot of pockets where I can fit many Tabasco sauces. So for example, if I’m at the movie theater and someone has some popcorn, I can be like, “don’t worry, I got you.” Boom, boom, boom, sprinkle some Tabasco. Or let’s say I’m having a carne asada with my family. They’re having some tacos and then I can be like, “hold up, hold up. Let me give you some hot sauce, uncle.” And then boom, boom, boom, some Tabasco sauce. So it’s a very convenient suit. I personally like it a lot. I don’t like taking it off because I love it so much. So this is another thing that me and Tabasco collaborated with. I mean, there’s many of them. I am very busy as C.H.I.P.

AM: Do you have a favorite Tabasco flavor?

IG: It’s too hard to pick. There’s so many of them. I mean, the chipotle is so nice with a sandwich. I really like the little sweet, spicy flavor that it has. Sriracha is also really good. The extra hot is delicious when I’m feeling a little bit adventurous. I mean, the Tabasco red sauce is a classic. It’s discreet, yet it enhances everything. So I don’t know. I mean, I ran out specifically of the green jalapeno Tabasco sauce when I made that post back in South Africa. So, I mean, you could say that that one is my favorite because that’s the one that I ran out of first. So I don’t know. I like all of them. They’re all like my children. I cannot pick. I love them all individually.

IG @inakigo

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Tabasco

Read the AUG ISSUE #128 of Athleisure Mag and see MAKING THE MOST OF C.H.I.P. | Inaki Godoy in mag.

LIMITED EDITION JOHNNIE WALKER BLACK LABEL BOTTLEL DESIGN IN COLLABORATION WITH SABRINA CARPENTER

As you know, Sabrina Carpenter has had a partnership with Johnnie Walker Black Label for awhile and as she continued in her multi-year partnership, she has collaborated on designing a bottle! By drawing inspiration from her album, Man’s Best Friend, it is in a bespoke Sabrina Blue colorway and has a playful dog paw motif as well.

This bottle will first launch in Great Britain along with select global markets. It will be available here in the US in 2027.

9PLAYLIST | RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

PHOTO CREDIT | Pavel Suslov

PHOTO CREDIT | Pavel Suslov

PHOTO CREDIT | Pavel Suslov

PHOTO CREDIT | Pavel Suslov

PHOTO CREDIT | Pavel Suslov

Read the AUG ISSUE #128 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Red Hot Chili Peppers in mag.

FIGHTLAND STARZ PREMIERE

Earlier this month, we made our way to Jazz at Lincoln Center to see the premiere episode of the latest series to be released from the 50 Cent (POWER, Den of Thieves, Escape Plan franchise) Universe, Fightland! The night kicked off with words from Kathryn Busby, the President of Original Programming at STARZ. Following her talking about the show, its place within STARZ, and how excited everyone is, she introduced 50 Cent, who is an Executive Producer who brought this series to STARZ and Sky.

He shared how important it was to launch this project through G-Unit Film & Television and what boxing meant to him.

With both of these opening remarks, we saw the first epsiode of this season. At the end of the first season which was full of plenty of action, we enjoyed 50 Cent performing alongside members of G-Unit and special guests. With castmembers from this show as well as those from the POWER universe, it was a great night to enjoy this energy. We continued on to the after party which was held at PH Live at Planet Hollywood in Times Square and enjoyed more performances by 50 Cent and well as hanging out with the STARZ team.

Fightland premiered on July 31st and will drop new episodes each Fri. on STARZ and its app as well. This show is a new high-octane scripted drama set in the cutthroat, high-stakes, cash rich world of British boxing, we navigate the action in the ring as well as what takes place outside of it!

Check out what we enjoyed during the red carpet premiere here, here, and here.

IG @starz

@50cent

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Fightland/STARZ

Read the JUL ISSUE #127 of Athleisure Mag and see FIGHTLAND STARZ PREMIERE in mag.

9PLAYLIST | JAŸ-Z - 3 NIGHT STAND @ YANKEE STADIUM

PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation

PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation

PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation

PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation

PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation

PHOTO CREDITS | Roc Nation

Read the JUL ISSUE #127 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | JAŸ-Z in mag.

9PLAYLIST | THE ROLLING STONES

Read the JUL ISSUE #127 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | THE ROLLING STONES in mag.

9CH3F ROUTIN3S | CHEF ANTONIA LOFASO

Read the JUL ISSUE #127 of Athleisure Mag and see 9CH3F ROUTIN3S | Chef Antonia Lofaso in mag.

WWE SUMMER SLAM 2026

It’s that time of year again - WWE Summer Slam and although there are a number of matches we will be excited to see this weekend, the one between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes is our favorite! It’s all going down in Minnesota and there’s bound to be a number of storylines that will be made from this powerhouse weekend! You can check out on ESPN as well as check out the latest S3 of their docuseries, WWE: Unreal on Netflix!

CALLUM TURNER X JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL GLOBAL AMBASSADOR

Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the iconic luxury Scotch Whisky, has announced that acclaimed actor and style icon, Callum Turner (One Night Only, Fantastic Beasts franchise, Eternity), as Global Ambassador. This will be a year-long partnership celebrating progress, craftsmanship and the moments that matter, the collaboration will help attract new audiences for the whisky, while cementing it in global pop culture.

Recognised for his quietly magnetic screen presence and effortless style, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label partnership shows Callum taking fans into the celebrations, rituals and reflections that mark the moments that matter - echoing the rarity and refinement that characterise Johnnie Walker Blue Label itself.

With three summer films and a television series on the horizon, Callum's rise is impressive. Callum can currently be seen on the big screen in the independent features, Rose Bush Pruning and Rose of Nevada and will star in the upcoming, highly anticipated romantic comedy, One Night Only. Next year, he will be seen as the male lead in the Apple TV+ adaptation of Neuromancer - a career trajectory that aligns with the kind of progress Johnnie Walker has been championing for over two centuries.

The collaboration celebrates him in a series of videos and intimate portraits as he raises a glass, putting Johnnie Walker Blue Label at the heart of every celebration, big or small.  

Callum will travel to Scotland on a trip of discovery as he uncovers a remarkable whisky shaped by rarity, craft and taste, revealing the extraordinary lengths the Master Blender goes to in sourcing whiskies of sufficient depth and character. The trip and other moments across the year demonstrate why Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the ultimate toast for the moments that matter.

He shares that, “The ethos of Johnnie Walker Blue Label is one that I've always admired. With only one in ten thousand casks ever making it in, that level of care is what sets it apart. Blue Label is the first bottle I reach for when celebrating with my mates, and now to officially be in partnership is a real honour."

SON TUNG M-TP | TOP OF V-POP

We’re always adding to our playlists and soundtracks of our lives. This month’s cover of Athleisure Mag is Sơn Tùng M-TP who is a singer/songwriter, actor, and is the King of V-Pop. He recently launched his latest single, Come My Way with trap artist Tyga (Rack City, Ayo, Taste). This song blends Pop Rap, Afrobeats, and Amapiano with traditional Vietnamese folk music which makes it all its own!

We sat down with Sơn Tùng M-TP to talk about being an artist, where he looks for inspiration, his sound, and V-Pop’s landscape.

ATHLEISURE MAG: You are a singer/songwriter and actor. When did you realize that you wanted to be an entertainer?

SON TUNG M-TP: I think it started when I was around 13. I got really into underground rap and hip-hop, and I would spend hours on YouTube listening to beats and just making up melodies and lyrics for fun. I wasn’t thinking about becoming an artist back then—I just genuinely loved doing it.

When I was in 11th grade, I asked my mom to buy me a computer so I could start recording my songs, but she was afraid I would slack off on my studies so she didn’t buy it no matter how many times I begged (laughs). My uncle eventually bought me an old desktop PC instead. It was slow, noisy, and about as basic as it could get, but to me, it was everything. That’s where I recorded my very first songs. They were rough and pretty naive, but that was the moment everything became real for me. Once I started creating my own music, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

AM: What is the music scene like in Vietnam?

ST M-TP: I think Vietnamese music is in a really fun place right now. There are so many talented artists with their own sound, and everyone’s pushing things in different directions. That’s exciting to see.

For me, the most important thing is staying true to who you are. I’ve been doing this for over 13 years, and I’ve learned that trends come and go, but your identity is what lasts. The more authentic we are as artists, the more people will connect with our music, no matter where we come from.

AM: Where do you look for inspiration when it comes to creating your music?

ST M-TP: Honestly, inspiration can come from anything. It doesn’t always have to be something I’ve personally been through. Sometimes I’ll hear someone else’s story and it’ll really stay with me. Other times, it’s just my imagination. I’ll start picturing myself in a certain situation, thinking about how I’d feel, and that’s where a melody or a lyric starts.

I think I just naturally imagine a lot. Even random little moments can inspire me. I could eat something really good and suddenly hear a melody in my head. The other day, I was just sitting in the waiting room on set, drinking a typical Vietnamese iced coffee while waiting for the next setup, and a melody popped into my head out of nowhere. That’s kind of how it works for me. You never really know when an idea is going to show up.

AM: How do you define the Sơn Tùng M-TP sound?

ST M-TP: I don’t think I could define my sound in one sentence, because it keeps changing. Every stage of my life comes with different music that I’m drawn to, and I like giving myself the freedom to explore. I don’t really put limits on genres.

For me, it’s actually pretty simple. If a song moves me, if I think it’s good, then I want to share it with people. I don’t really stop and think, “Does this sound like Sơn Tùng M-TP?” I just follow what feels right at that moment. I guess I’ll leave it to the listeners to define my sound.

AM: You’re known for reshaping the V-Pop landscape through your sound, creative vision and international appeal. What does it mean to you to be one of the most influential figures in your genre!

ST M-TP: It’s honestly a little overwhelming to hear that. I don’t really see myself that way. I just make the kind of music I love and keep challenging myself with everyday.

If my journey gives another young artist in Vietnam a little more confidence to chase their own dream, then that means a lot to me. That’s probably the biggest compliment I could ask for.

AM: You have released 33 songs and built quite a catalog as well as collaborating with artists such as Snoop Dogg - what is your process when it comes to creating your music?

ST M-TP: Everything starts with a feeling, not a plan. Sometimes I’ll sit with an idea for weeks before I record anything. I never want to rush a song just because it’s finished. I’d rather wait until it really feels right.

Looking back, working with Snoop Dogg was one of the biggest moments in my journey and really changed the way I thought about everything. Seeing how people connected with that song made me start asking myself, “What if my music could reach even more people around the world?”

That question stayed with me for a long time. Eventually, I realized I didn’t want it to stay a question anymore. I wanted to find the answer, and that’s really what led me to where I am today.

AM: We’ve been enjoying the song and video of Come My Way. Can you tell us a bit of background about the song, why you wanted to blend Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and V-Pop together?

ST M-TP: Come My Way wasn’t built around the idea of mixing genres. It was really about following what felt right to me.

People describe it as Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and V-Pop, but I don’t really think about it that way. I don’t think V-Pop is a sound you can add to a song. It’s something you carry with you. The moment I write a melody and sing it in my own way, that’s already my identity.

As for Afrobeats, I fell in love with it because of the feeling of freedom and the energy it gives me. At the same time, there’s something about the melodies and the way people sing that reminds me of the Quan họ folk songs I grew up hearing as a kid in Northern Vietnam. Those are two completely different worlds, but somehow they connect emotionally for me. Come My Way is really just all of those feelings coming together naturally.

AM: How did Tyga become part of this song?

ST M-TP: Tyga and I have known each other for quite a while, and we’ve talked about making music together more than once. This year, everything finally lined up, and it just felt like the right time.

What made it even more meaningful is that he has Vietnamese roots. I think that gave the collaboration an extra layer of meaning for both of us. It wasn’t just about putting two artists on the same track. It felt like we shared something beyond the music, and I think that made the whole collaboration feel really natural.

AM: The video is amazing! Why did you want to approach it in this way?

ST M-TP: I wanted the video to feel like two worlds coming together. You have the energy of Los Angeles, but at the same time, you keep seeing pieces of Vietnam all the way through it.

We added things that are really close to me, like the Chim Lạc, the jade water buffalo, the Xuân Phả folk masks, and the landscapes of Tràng An. Even a lot of my outfits were designed with Vietnamese-inspired materials and details. One of my favorite moments is seeing the Chim Lạc parked right next to the DeLorean DMC, with Tyga and me standing there. I just thought it was a really cool image—almost like we each showed up in our own cultural icon.

Since the song is in English, I wanted the visuals to do the talking. Hopefully people watch the video, enjoy the music, and at the same time get curious about Vietnam because there’s so much beauty there.

AM: Tell us about your upcoming tour and what we can expect!

ST M-TP: I’m not really the type to talk much before doing something. What I can say is that I’m pushing myself in ways I have never before, and I think people are going to see a different version of me. Beyond that... you’ll have to wait and see. I’d rather let the stage and the music do the talking.

AM: When you’re not creating your music, how do you take time for yourself?

ST M-TP: My life is pretty simple. I think people expect me to have some crazy answer, but I actually enjoy really normal things.

Most mornings, I’ll go for a drive, grab a bánh mì and a Vietnamese iced coffee, then sit in the park with my dog, Chiko, and just enjoy the quiet. Later I’ll hit the gym or go for a run, and at night I’ll usually watch a good movie before going to bed.

That’s honestly enough for me. Those quiet moments really help me slow down and recharge before I start creating again.

AM: What are 3 workouts that you do to stay in shape?

ST M-TP: Lately, I’ve been challenging myself with pull-ups. They look a lot easier than they actually are. (laughs). I’m pretty proud that I can do around 10 in a row now with good form, but I’m still trying to get better.

I also spend a lot of time strength training, especially my upper body, because it makes me look good in tank tops (laughs).

And running has become a big part of my routine. I used to struggle to run for even 15 minutes. Now I can run for about 45 minutes straight without stopping, so that’s something I’m really happy about.

IG @sontungmtp

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Son Tung M-TP

Read the JUN ISSUE #126 of Athleisure Mag and see SON TUNG M-TP | TOP OF V-POP in mag.

THE ONE PARTY BY UBER | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 KICKOFF

We went to “The One Party By Uber” for its FIFA World Cup 2026 NYC Official Kickoff Party at Pier 36, NYC. Iconic DJ/Producer Mark Ronson kicked the party off, particularly the atmosphere went electric on the eve of Game 5 in the Knick’s Champion winning run, he played some Benito wearing a retro Patrick Ewing jersey, then Empire State New York by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys that was mixed into his hit remix of Valerie.

Then the iconic Backstreet Boys came out and wowed the crowd with an intimate and amped performance for the VIP crowd. All members, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, and Kevin Richardson crooned their hits to the crowd, with generous nods and shoutouts, and strong hit catalog plus their Paw Patrol soundtrack hit, showing love for the sport, NYC, and Uber. The nostalgia was maxed, with most of the audience enchanted with utter glee.

We ran into some old friends, Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko, and caught a mesmerizing dance from Kiki Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk, Native Son, Coming 2 America) as well. On our way home, our to-go had a nice bagel and a smear courtesy of Uber Eats.

IG @uber

@ubereats

@iammarkronson

@backstreetboys

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 66 - PG 69, 74 - 79 BFA | PG 70 - 72 Paul Farkas

Read the JUN ISSUE #126 of Athleisure Mag and see THE ONE PARTY BY UBER | FIFA World Cup 2026 Kickoff in mag,

POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN | THE FINAL CHAPTER

The POWER universe is a world that continues to reveal itself across various timelines and it’s not stopping anytime soon! POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan is currently releasing episodes of its final season which you can watch on STARZ. We have chatted with various cast and filmmakers across the franchise in our issues. In this month’s issue, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Mekai Curtis (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day; The Lion Guard; POWER: Origins), Patina Miller (The Hunger Games franchise, The Many Saints of Newark, Madam Secretary), Erika Woods (Blue Bloods, The Blacklist, FBI franchise), London Brown (Ballers, Tales From the Hood 3, American Soul), and Sascha Penn (By Any Means, Cliffhanger, Power: Origins) to talk about this season, the series, and what they are excited for the fans to see!

ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s so nice to connect with you all as we navigate the final season of POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan! It‘s great that we are speaking with Mekkai, Patina, and Erika for the first time. In addition, being able to circle back to London and Sasha who we have interviewed prior to the S1 premier of this series as well as other times, and being able to circle back to you as this season comes to an end.

What have you enjoyed about being in this show?

MEKAI CURTIS: I’ve gotten to enjoy getting to grow as an artist and playing Kanan. I’ve gotten to kind of sink my teeth into this! I know that sounds like such a trope that every actor says. Actually being able to pull the layers back on a character and reveal that sort of thing. That’s something that, you know, any actor kind of dreams of. So that’s what’s been fun.

PATINA MILLER: I mean, I think being able to do incredible work with really great artists is kind of the actor’s dream. You know, it was a franchise that... was already amazing and so to be able to be a part of something that people love, being in this fandom where you know our fans of the POWER show are just so intense and love the show so much and so the opportunity to be able to jump into something like that and be a part of it and you know work with great material, great people, and a great crew you can’t ask for anything more!

ERIKA WOODS: I enjoy the slow boil that is Pop. You know, she starts off, she doesn’t say much. She sits at the table. She counts money. All of that is great. But this last season and getting to handle that business with Crystal (Aliyah Turner) and handling business with Famous (Antonio Ortiz). I just thought it was so many different layers and it’s just so much fun just playing with what motivates her and why she did what she did. It’s been a wonderful ride.

LONDON BROWN: First and foremost, likewise, I have enjoyed chatting with you.

I have been enjoying the checks, you know, staying employed haha.

No, no, no. You know, playing Marvin - as an actor, you want to find these characters where you can really have fun with. I’m so glad they allowed me to explore and let me play. You know, because sometimes you never know. Sometimes the writers have a strict idea about a character, but they were totally cool. They let me go and let me bring Marvin to life. And so just to have them to trust me to do that, that has been a great time. So that’s been wonderful.

SASCHA PENN: It’s good seeing you. Thanks for coming back.

AM: We have enjoyed seeing how this series in this universe has evolved! So it is interesting to see your perspective as the Executive Producer, Creator, Showrunner, Writer, you wear a lot of hats.

SP: I mean, look, I think... I’ve really enjoyed like working with people that I love and respect, you know, that’s first and foremost, that’s been kind of amazing. I’ve really been fortunate in that I’ve worked with people who frankly, I think have made me better at my job and maybe better even beyond my job. So, I think that’s also been like an incredibly satisfying piece of the experience. Look, it’s an amazing thing to be able to write a story and share it with a broad audience. And to have that audience respond mostly positively is always great, too. So, you know, it’s been kind of an amazing experience from start to finish. On some level, I’m sorry, it’s over. On the other hand, I do feel like it ended at the right moment in terms of the stories that we’ve been telling. So, you know, it’s bittersweet. But at the end of the day, I feel like we answered every question we asked. Let’s put it that way.

AM: The cast has such a great presence and it’s great to see the dynamics between one another as well as those behind the screen that create the story that is being brought to life. What are you excited for viewers to see of your character or the show?

MC: Honestly, I’m just excited for people to see the question that’s been asked since day one of the show, like how Kanan became Kanan, the people that influenced that, the environment, I’m excited for people to have more context as the show has kind of just revealed as it’s went on. But, you know, going into its final season, you see a lot of questions answered that everybody’s had.

PM: I mean, I’m always excited. You know, anytime an opportunity to be able to get another season is incredible.

You know, so for us to be able to do 5 seasons and this being the final one, I guess I’m just excited for the finale and for, like Mekkai said, to understand. It’s been incredible sitting with these characters in this world for so long. And, you know, I have loved it. And, you know, it’s going to be... It’s going to be fantastic. I can’t wait to hear what people think about it. But I think it’s a wonderful ending to a really great chapter in this series.

LB: Well, I’m excited for them to see S5 because we get into it. We really peel back the layers. There’s a lot of vulnerability in S5. And especially with Marvin, people get to see a different side of Marvin. I know people are used to some of the comedic stuff, and he’s not the comedic relief at all. People still have found him to be likable and that’s cool. But I think now people are going to really love Marvin. Not because he’s perfect or anything, but because he’s so imperfect. I think people feel like, man, they are going to really be able to, they’re going to root for him or want to, you know, when it comes to Marvin for S5 and that’s going to be dope.

EW: You know, I’m curious for people to see exactly why Crystal was killed. Exactly who killed her? Was I alone - allegedly. Constantly people want to know that and the dynamic between Pop and Snaps (Wendell Pierce).

AM: Yeah.

EW: You know, you never saw them one without the other.

AM: Right.

EW: So for people to see, oh, they’re solid or, or really just see the dynamics of that partnership playing out. And now with our nephew, I think that there’s a lot of questions that I’m eager to be answered in the way they’re answered.

AM: That’s going to be exciting to see how the pieces come together!

SP: I mean, look, I guess I’m excited for them to see all of it. I’m so curious and excited to hear sort of where the viewers end up on all these different characters. Like the final analysis, what do you think of Raq (Patina Miller) and what do you think of Marvin? I’m just so curious because I’ve been surprised. I’ve been surprised over the course of these seasons. For example, after Marvin put his hands on his daughter in episode 108, people were like, that’s it for Marvin. I hate this guy. And then now Marvin is truly probably the most beloved character on Raising Kanan. It’s interesting to see how that all evolves and changes and shifts. That’s really interesting. For me as the person who’s sort of, I guess, writing it and guiding it it’s instructive.

AM: What is the biggest takeaway that you’re going to leave with, you know, coming out of this world, coming out of this series?

MC: Hmm it’s a toughie!

PM: It is tough! There’s so many things that you learn. Every show that you are able to be a part of every job, you learn something, right? I think you want to leave better than when you entered, you know? You hope that you can be inspired by the work and by the people. You hope that within the process, you’ve given everything that you could and you showed up and you were happy and you’re happy with the work, happy what you’ve left behind, you know. So I’m very happy with how this worked out. I was excited going into it and I was excited to the very end and to show up for work every day and to love what you do and to work with incredible artists. I know I keep saying it, but it is so true. Working with incredible people, it doesn’t feel like work. It’s just showing up, doing the thing that you’ve always dreamt of doing.

MC: I have nothing. I was literally about to say – I have nothing.

AM: Samesies!

MC: Patina is always able to, you know, I think that’s, again, just a testament to the work that we’ve done and the impact that we’ve made on each other is, you know, she just finished the same thought that I had. Being able to leave a legacy behind with the work that you’re doing and being able to connect with so many other people that inspire you to push you. You know, that’s what I’m excited for. That’s what this has been. That’s the blessing this has left me with.

PM: You know, you leave being more. There’s more belief in yourself and I’m a better actor for having being pushed, gone to my limits, really being tested. `Really! I mean, we’ve had to do a lot of vulnerable things. I mean, working with Mekkai and seeing how he’s had to, like, flex, you know, different parts of his instrument. And I’ve had to flex so many different parts of my instrument. You don’t really get that in every job that you do. You’re the one type of character. But all of these characters in this show have had such amazing journeys where I feel so fulfilled with being able to have pulled out so many different things to use. And, yeah, I’m better now than when I started, you know? So that’s the dream.

AM: Now that the show is coming to an end, what has been your biggest takeaway being a part of this series, part of this universe that people love so much?

EW: You know, I think my biggest takeaway is you can’t always focus on the awards.

AM: Right.

EW: The level of acting that I have been able to be around to learn from Patina Miller, Wendell Pierce (Elsbeth, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War, Jack Ryan series) and Shameik Moore (Wu-Tang: An American Saga, The Get Down, Dope). I mean, I just, everyone is so good. Joey Bada$$ (Grown-ish, Boomerang, Mr. Robot), all of these actors are so amazing. And it’s just wonderful to see them all get to explore these wonderful roles and play with this great material. And it’s not just, you know, guns and you know it’s it’s stories of families and relationships between mothers and kids and you know, spouses. So it’s just wonderful when you, when you see that and it crosses all races. We have Asians. We did every race - that I loved because there’s so many different parts of New York. I just, I loved it. All, you know, we’ve had Indian, we’ve had, we are United Nations and it is just so wonderful to explore that within the show.

LB: Just more confidence in the craft because this project was able to, I could feel that it pushed me in different areas as an actor that I hadn’t really touched on before. So it just kind of really sets me up going into the next thing. And so I’m glad this was a good, actor’s gym session for me doing this show. And I’m glad I was able to put on some weight after doing this show.

SP: Look, I think my biggest takeaway is just like you can’t do this on your own. To be truly great, you need to be surrounded by great people! So that’s one of my biggest takeaways. You know, I do have a tremendous amount of gratitude for 50 (Street Fighter, Fightland, BMF) and Courtney (Nemesis, The Good Wife, POWER franchise) and Mark Canton (Den of Thieves franchise, Escape Plan franchise, 300) and, you know, all these different people who brought me in. Obviously, my friends at Lionsgate and Starz.

You know, it is a humbling experience. You know, it’s truly humbling.

Like, here I am. You know, the act of being a writer, most of it is you sit in front of your computer by yourself in a room and tap away.

AM: Yeah.

SP: In rare instances, I get to sit with Kimmie from Athleisure Mag and I get to talk about things that I created by myself sitting in a room.

AM: Which is crazy.

SP: It’s crazy, right? It is crazy. And that is in and of itself like a tremendous, tremendous sort of gift to have. So there you go.

AM: Thank you guys for taking the time with us as S5 comes to an end as it has been a fantastic series! It’s been amazing to see the range and journey of the characters and how they sit in the overall universe. It’s bittersweet to know that the end is coming it has been so great to see the complexity, fashion, how it is shot and so many elements that have come together to create this series!

This universe is one that has been exciting to look at from various vantage points starting with the flagship POWER, Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and Power Book IV: Force! We also can’t wait to see that universe continue on with the prequel that has begun filming with Power: Origins which picks up after the events taking place in Raising Kanan so we can’t wait to see more of Mekkai! We’re also looking forward to Power: Legacy with Michael Rainey and Joseph Sikora. So the universe will continue and I look forward to seeing your projects within this world and outside of it.

MC: It was great talking with you today!

PM: It’s been a great time.

EW: It was great to be here.

LB: Thank you. I appreciate you. Thank you!

SP: Thank you. I really appreciate it. Thank you for sticking around.

IG @starz

@raisingkananstarz

@themekaicurtis

@patinamiller

@e.woodz

@reallondonbrown

@pennsascha

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Starz

Read the JUN ISSUE #126 of Athleisure Mag and see POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN | The Final Chapter in mag.

9PLAYLIST | MADONNA

Read the JUN ISSUE #126 of Athleisure Mag and see 9PLAYLIST | Madonna in mag.

BORN IN A CROSSFIRE HURRICANE | THE ROLLING STONES

Without a doubt, The Rolling Stones will have an amazing Summer this year! On July 10th, the anticipated 14-track album, Foreign Tongues will drop and they have been releasing tracks and videos; such as In the Stars dropped earlier this month. While we wait for the full album to become available, The Rolling Stones have another launch that is worth noting! This Spring, they debuted Crossfire Hurricane Rum, a super-premium spirit that celebrates the bands connection with Jamaica in a relationship that has spanned more than 5 decades! This launch and product illustrates the band’s music heritage, its Jamaican provenance, and modern craft.

Starting with Jamaica, this is the first brand to utilize rums from 4 of the country’s most respected distilleries - Hampden Estate, Long Pond, Worthy Park, and Clarendon. These 4 styles come together in a single blend that showcases its complexity and the island’s rum-making tradition and is 100% Jamaican with no added sugars.

“Jamaica got into everything we did in the early seventies - the music, the rhythm, the pace of life. Jamaica was one of the few places that would let us all in. The island said come in and we recorded Goats Head Soup. It’s never let us down since. Crossfire Hurricane is a continuation of that story, more than fifty years on,” said The Rolling Stones.

It’s worth noting that prior to The Rolling Stones’ arrival in Jamaica, they had been recording on Main Street in the South of France; as well as touring in the US. When they arrived in Jamaica in 1972, it became a breath of fresh air their label head, Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records knew that this island was the centre of emerging musical influence. By recording Goats Head Soup in Kingston, they were immersed in a new flow that Keith Richards said that the “1970s Jamaica felt a lot like 1960s England when we started out. There was something in the air - a new rhythm, a new imagery.”

The band continued to record at Dynamic Sound Studios where the connected with iconic reggae authors - Sly & Robbie, Peter Tosh, and more. Mick Jagger recorded, “There was something in the air. You could feel it from everybody on the street - a vital thing happening with reggae.”

The rum brand’s name is from the opening lyric of Jumpin’ Jack Flash (Editor’s Note: The opening lyric: I was born in a crossfire hurricane and I howled at the morning drivin’ rain) as a means to capture the raw energy and enduring spirit of one of the world’s most iconic bands.

The Rolling Stones partnered with Ian Burrell, Global Rum Ambassador to be a co-creator due to his expertise in Jamaican run and its cultural significance.

The bottle reflects the band’s iconic lips logo in a prominent way and is surrounded by wave patterns that showcase echo sound. By visiting the website, the storytelling continues by sharing the band’s time in Jamaica in the 70s, along with the recording of Goats Head Soup in Kingston.

Fans of the band and rum should visit the website to see never-before-seen images of the band on the island along with the moments that established their time there from the music as well as the spirit behind the rum. As their global rollout continues, Crossfire Hurricane Rum’s social account will share upcoming drops, collaborations, and new ways to interact with this story.

The portfolio includes Crossfire Hurricane Gold for mixing and Crossfire Hurricane Reserve for sipping.

IG @crossfirerum

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Crossfire Hurricane Rum

Read the MAY ISSUE #125 of Athleisure Mag and see BORN IN A CROSSFIRE HURRICANE | THE ROLLING STONES in mag.

THE RED ROCKER | SAMMY HAGAR

We have been fans of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Sammy Hagar whether from his solo career, as a member of Van Halen, or in super bands! He is a noted singer/songwriter, guitarist, an entrepreneur with an amazing portfolio, and philanthropist. Whether it’s his music, restaurants, spirit brands, etc. he is about loving life and enjoying it to the fullest.

His latest venture is one that is important to him as it is about longevity and nourishing your body as he continues to tour and has his residency in Vegas at Park MGM. Red Rocker Essentials is a line of vitamins that he partnered with noted wellness supplement guru, Wayne Gorsek, who founded and sold Vitacoast, and with Nature Labs, has this new line of products, as well as Sammy’s own supplements. We sat down with this duo to talk music, life, and the importance of vitamins as we navigate our day to day.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into Red Rocker Essentials, we’d like to talk a bit about your music.

When did you first fall in love with music? I have been a fan of yours for decades. And so being able to connect with you is definitely a pleasure, Sammy Hagar.

SAMMY HAGAR: Well, I’m thrilled. Thank you! But, you know, I think probably the first time I went crazy and said, “wow, I want to do that,” was when Elvis Presley - I was like 4 years old or something... My teenage sisters were watching his debut on TV or it might have been the Ed Sullivan Show or whatever it was, but Elvis Presley comes on and my sisters are sitting there going crazy right? Screaming, holding their faces - watching a guy in black and white on TV you know.

I’m going, “wow, that’s pretty cool you know?” I might want to do that right? I want to be that guy. But really, my dad was always singing and whistling and he could yodel country music. He was listening to Hank Williams and Hank Snow and people like that. I’d sit in the car and hear him sing to the radio. That kind of got my attention too. I was kind of raised around music, even though no one played music around me. Everyone kind of liked music. My sisters would dance and they’d dance with me, you know, and my dad would sing to the radio. I guess I was influenced by music right away.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to be a recording artist? You’re an amazing guitarist, a vocalist, you write songs...

SH: Well, I had an older friend that used to go to school with my brother and he played guitar. I used to always dress the part. My sisters always had me looking like the latest rock star, whoever it was. It was Elvis Presley or whoever the next person was, my sisters would comb my hair like that and roll up my sleeves. I swear, they dolled me up all the time like I was their playmate.

I think this guy who played guitar, he came over to my house to see my brother. He’s going, “did you ever think about being a singer?” And I’m going, yeah, you know, and he played guitar. So he started playing guitar and I started singing a couple songs. I knew a few songs from the radio, same kind of thing. So I started a band with him. He took me to see The Rolling Stones when they came to San Bernardino Swing Auditorium the first time they played in America and that was where I lived. George Babcock from a radio station, 590 AM, brought The Stones and we went to see them. And I just said, that’s it. Boom. I saw their first American performance and I wasn’t even driving a car yet, you know. So this guy had a car and we drove over and I think that’s what really did it.

Then to play guitar, that was just wanting to be a singer. My friend played guitar and I just sang all the time. Then I went to see Cream’s first American performance with Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker at the Whiskey A Go Go, I went into a music store the next day and I stole my first guitar! I mean, I hate to say it, but I wanted to play like that and I knew I was going to sing like Mick Jagger and I’m going to play guitar like Eric Clapton!

That really set me on my course and that’s all I wanted to do. You couldn’t have talked to me out of it. I thought I was going to be rich and famous someday and I was determined. Pretty lucky guy, I’d say, you know? But I did the work.

AM: Oh, you did the work. I mean, you have been part of so many different bands as well as being a solo artist!

Before we delve into Red Rocker Essentials, Wayne, can you tell me a bit about your background and what led you to the wellness industry?

WAYNE GORSEK: I just learned a little more about Sammy! I didn’t realize Elvis inspired Sammy. Look at my shirt (Editor’s Note: Wayne’s shirt is a button down that has Elvis on it).

SH: What a trip!

WG: It’s actually made by the clothier that supplied Elvis in Memphis.

AM: Oh, wow.

WG: It’s made in America. I got like 5 of them. I’ll answer your question 2 ways. What got me into music as I grew up in Illinois. My family had horses, so I started out learning, Glen Campbell, Country Western music. And then as I got in my teen years, I watched Smokey and the Bandit. I got a black Trans Am. I started to get into Classic Rock. First concert was Eddie Money. Then I discovered Sammy.

In fact, Sammy, I grew up by St. Louis. You said that you had the record amount of tickets sold in St. Louis I think you said.

SH: Yeah, I still do! I think I still hold the record of the most tickets ever sold by one artist in in one city in St. Louis and I don’t know how that happened! But you know, Wayne I’d tell you in a second if I knew how that happened! I would have made that happen in every city!

WG: Well, I think Sammy, his songs relate to us folks in the Midwest. I Can’t Drive 55.

AM: I’m from Indianapolis originally. So yes, it definitely syncs in with the Midwest.

WG: Yeah! Trans Am and Eagles Fly. I mean, so many great songs and the St. Louis rock station really supported you.

SH: Yeah, yeah, they definitely did.

But Wayne, I think your question is not how you got into Sammy Hagar. It’s how you got into vitamins, then you met Sammy Hagar, and then we did vitamins together. Now, can you follow the damn questions here, Wayne?

WG: Haha Yes! The way I got into vitamins, I grew up believing that doctors could fix everything. My grandparents raised me, adopted me, and I have a lot of good memories, but the bad memories were when I entered my teen years, they entered their 70s. This would be in the 80s, and they got a lot of diseases. They got Parkinson’s, arthritis, depression, heart failure, you name it. I thought the doctors could fix them, took them to a lot of doctors, and I saw a lot of side effects, a lot of big bills. The bills now are probably 4X higher now if you go to the doctor. I saw lots of side effects with the drugs, and I thought there’s got to be a better way.

So I went to the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Library, nights, weekends, and I studied what is Parkinson’s, and what is arthritis? How do you fix these things? I came across nutrition. I came across herbs, vitamins, foods.

So I take these articles from the medical journals to their doctors, and the doctors admitted they knew nothing about it. They don’t teach them in medical school. So I started going to the vitamin stores and buying 8, 10, 12 bottles of all these herbs, vitamins, and I saw that they helped them. I realized that the average person isn’t going to do all that research and they’re not going to go out and buy 8-12 bottles so I decided to start a company that made a good multi that would work. Put it all in one and it did work. My last company we sold billions of dollars, we did IPO, sold to Kroger, and this is my second now!

AM: Wow I am very familiar with your first company, Vitacoast so you are definitely well versed in this space!

How did the two of you guys come together? Sammy, you’ve always been focused on wellness and longevity. How did the two of you come together?

SH: Well, I guess Wayne came to see me in concert in Las Vegas, and this is a story that he told me. But he said, “wow, this guy at his age, sure has got a lot of energy! Of course he needs that energy to keep doing what he’s doing if he wants to keep doing this, you know.”

We had a little conversation and I said, no, I’ve always been in the supplements and here’s what I take and here’s what I do. He’s going, oh, “you can do better than that. You know, some of these supplements have things in them that really aren’t good for you, or they’re not the best quality of Vitamin B, or the C that has a little bit more, and those organic products out there. He asked me if I read about everything that I take. I’m spending about two seconds on the back of a bottle! It’s got the stuff I want and then he’s going yeah. but where’s it coming from?

He just said come on down to my lab and let’s work on some stuff. So I went to the lab. I didn’t just say, “oh throw my name on some vitamins.” No, hell no man! I went down there and put on the suit, the hairband and went through a sterilization program. And we spent the whole damn afternoon in there. I was really impressed and I was very interested in upgrading my supplements. So, here we go, you know?

AM: Wow.

SH: I also want to say that there were things that were important to me like energy, natural energy without the crash, heart health, and flexibility!

Over time, I have figured out what I needed because I know as I get older, my joints are getting stiff. I need flexibility on stage. If I go out there and I’m not warmed up and I really haven’t really stretched well before I get out there – it can be tough. You get out there in front of thousands of people and your energy level – that adrenaline spikes and you do crazy stuff and if you’re not flexible, you’ll throw your back out, which I have done many times. I have thrown my neck out. You’re coming off the next morning feeling like I have head banged too hard. But, yeah, things like that.

I’m concerned about my heart because my mother had heart disease. My brother had heart disease. It’s in my family. I get myself checked out all the time about that. So, you know, I mentioned that. And I like an energy boost, but I can’t stand the products that are out there. I won’t mention the names, but I cannot even take 1 sip out of 90% of the assortment that exists right onw of those energy drinks. I don’t do it. I don’t drink coffee before a show either because it dries out my throat. So I used to take a little sip of a Coca-Cola and stuff like that with my rum or my tequila in there to get the relaxed buzz for a relaxed energy rush.

But anyway, Wayne says, no, I got you. I got you on all this stuff. The energy without the crash. You’re crashing because of the caffeine. You have to have different intake for it. So he knows all the answers to all that stuff. He’s the one that created this stuff for me to fit my lifestyle and my fans are you know almost my age some of them are my age and older even and um so I thought, “hey this is a good thing to pass on to them.” If it works for me with what I do, it’s going to [likely] work for you in your everyday life and that’s kind of the way I’ve always went about my restaurants, the way I’ve always went about my music.

If I have a message in my music it’s usually something that I wanted to tell my fans that this is a cool way to live. You know, I wrote the song Cabo Wabo, because I discovered Cabo back when it was undiscovered sand I said, “man you guys got to go to this place, you know you got to go there!” I mean, I’m telling you right now you go there you’re gonna be happy. So, I built a place down there for them, it’s really the way I think about my fans. It’s my family first, and my fans, they’re my extended family. So I think about them right along with the rest of my family, you know? And so that’s why I wanted to create this stuff. I want to upgrade them. Everyone takes vitamins. I bet you 90% of my fans take them, but half of them are probably taking stuff that’s been sitting on the shelves too long. It’s about taking a better supplement. So I’m trying to help them out.

WG: Well, you know, Sammy, you’re accurate. The typical multi, there’s tons of studies showing they don’t work because they got too little actives and they use forms of B vitamins that most people can’t utilize and absorb. So, we put in the active Bs that you can utilize. And we put in enough to work, levels that are much higher than the worthless daily values. If you want to be healthy, you cannot take the minimum. You’ve got to take optimal levels, which are much higher than the minimum DVs.

SH: I didn’t mention when I take my supplements. I personally don’t take my supplements until I have a decent meal. You know, like I don’t take them first thing in the morning because I just don’t like the way they feel on my stomach. A lot of times I take my supplements if I have a big lunch, I take them with my lunch, but I take them with food. And I think it’s really important that that’s half of what they do. You’re not living on the supplements. You’re living on the food you’re taking. You take supplements with it and you. get more of the nutrients out of the food and out of your supplements and it goes into your body better. It’s all about assimilation to me.

WG: Well said, well said, spot on.

SH: Yeah, so he didn’t teach me that. I knew that already. It is better with food. It is better with food. I really recommend that. A heavy vitamin can be rough on your stomach in the morning with just water.

WG: When you look at Sammy’s supplements, it’s a vegetarian capsule, you absorb that in just minutes. It breaks down in minutes, not hours. Some of those tablets from other brand never break down.

AM: So you have the initial products that launched last month. Are there going to be additional products that you plan on adding to this line?

WG: Oh, yes. Absolutely. We started Sammy’s line with Men’s, Women’s, Multi Energy Drink Powder.

SH: I’m open to new products as I get older for more brain health and a little bit more cutting edge stuff. Right now, we’re doing a good job. We’re putting good stuff in the normal stuff.

AM: Right.

SH: I’m an experimental guy. I’m willing to say, let’s go for some life extension products here. I rely on Wayne to guide me through that because I don’t want to get out there and just start taking a bunch of stuff and find out later, oh, no, you shouldn’t have taken that. So Wayne’s my guru here, you know. He’s my nutritional guru, substance guru, you know. I’m so happy since I ran into Wayne because he’s just so knowledgeable about all this stuff. You know, a lot of people will just try and do anything. And, you know, you can do more harm than good sometimes. So, yeah, we’re looking to expand as soon as we get everything just right.

AM: And what does this look like in terms of like rolling it out to consumers? Obviously, people can go to the website and different distribution/retailer points. But when you’re on tour or on your residency, will you be sharing this with fans in terms of awareness?

SH: Well, the awareness part, I always wear shirts. Like right now, I got my Red Rocker Beer shirt. I’m always sharing my apparel with my products and I get tattoos on my arm like Cabo Wabo, Santo, Beach Bar products and that’s Bogus Otis. I’m just one of those guys like a NASCAR person, but I don’t have to put the suit on. I just put the tattoos on. I don’t want to take my shirt off. Rather than shove it down their throats or talk about it too much. I drink my tequila on stage. I drink my rum on stage. It’s real. It’s organic with me. I own these companies except for Wayne here, but it’s still my stuff. I can’t make vitamins. So I have Wayne to do it. I don’t just endorse things and I never have. So that’s why I’m willing to get the tattoos. That’s a real endorsement.

I wouldn’t sell vitamins in concert. People that follow me, they go to my website and look at it all the time and tell them where they can get things. You know, the world’s so much about online right now. But I think Wayne’s got it covered. That’s his distribution thing. He’s got it down with his stuff. His stuff’s good stuff. It’s in all the good stores.

WG: I currently manufacture about a million bottles a month for some of the largest retailers – my customers. As Sammy grows, he’ll never outgrow us you know and we do plan to expand as he said - products for brain memory, cognitive, and joints. We can pretty much help people with any health concern with the right nutrients.

AM: That’s amazing. Sammy, We’ve been a fan of yours musically as well as an entrepreneur. Santo is a great tequila, Cabo - we went with friends because we heard the song growing up.

What do you want your legacy to be known as since you have been involved in so many things in your life as a musician and as a successful entrepreneur?

SH: Oh, my! I want my legacy just to say that, you know, I want people to smile when they think of me. I want to make people happy to make their lives better. I want to help people that I can help. You know, Paul Newman said something one time I saw him in an interview and it just changed my life. It was years and years ago after he had died. But it was at a benefit where he said, you know, “when you’re in a position to be able to help people and you see someone that needs help, you have to do it. If you see a person fall down, you’ve got to stop and pick them up.” I thought, wow, it just really touched me. I thought, yeah, I can help people. You know, I got extra money and I’ve got the ability to make people happy. So, when I walk out on stage. I want to make people really happy. I want to bring them joy. And I want to make them cry, too. I want to touch them deep in their hearts. I always want to leave them at my concert with a ballad. I don’t leave you with this big, crazy, high-energy song that makes you want to run out in the street and get in a car wreck. I’m going, no, no, no, no. You’ve got to settle down. I like to touch their hearts at the end of a show so that they remember it. In the morning, they smile. They wake up, and they remember the show, and they think about it, and they start smiling. And it makes them feel good. That’s my legacy. I’m gonna make people feel good and enrich their lives in any way I can.

IG @sammyhagar

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Rob Shanahan

Read the APR ISSUE #124 of Athleisure Mag and see THE RED ROCKER | Sammy Hagar in mag.