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Apple Adds FaceTime Captions and Spotify Embraces NFTs in This Week’s Business and Crypto Roundup

Many brands are starting to see a recovery despite the challenges initially brought on by the pandemic. Some businesses, especially ones that focused efforts on expanding e-commerce ventures, have even seen profits rise even higher than before. HYPEBEAST has rounded up the top business and crypto stories of the week so you can stay in the know about trends across industries. Business 1. Shannon Abloh is set to become CEO of  Virgil Abloh Securities The Virgil-founded creative corporation includes art, architecture, engineering, creative direction, industrial design, fashion, film and writing. It is also opening a new philanthropic institution. 2. Apple previewed real-time captions for video calls and social media apps Real-time captions can be turned on for any audio, video, or streaming content including FaceTime, video-conferencing apps, and social media apps. The feature is meant to increase accessibility. 3. Samsung is reportedly raising the prices of its chips According to Bloomberg, the company may raise chip prices by 15-20% to reflect the increasing costs of production. The report cites global instability as one of the reasons for the price change. Crypto 1. Robinhood is launching a multi-chain Web3 wallet The Robinhood wallet will allow users to explore a variety Web3 dapps. It also offers non-custodial features as well as the ability to trade and swap cryptocurrencies for no network fees. 2. Twitch co-founder raises $24 million USD for Web3 gaming The Web3 entertainment company, Metatheory, raised $24 million USD in its recent funding round. Leading investments came from Andreessen Horowitz and cryptocurrency firms Pantera Capital and FTX Ventures. 3. Spotify is reportedly integrating NFTs onto its artist profile pages The new integrations will allow artists to display, promote, and sell their own NFTs in the app. The offering is still in beta, with select users like Steve Aoki and The Wombats being part of the test.    

‘Fendace’ The Versace x Fendi Collection Arrives Online

Fendace Arrives Online. Back at it again with another partnered release for your perusal, Fendi & Versace follow up their previously well-received release with the latest ‘Fendace’ drop for your consideration. Serving up all the opulence, maximalism and logomania-centric pieces you’d expect, the duo’s drop described by Kim Jones as “a swap rather than a collaboration” by Kim Jones celebrates “the beauty of togetherness after time apart and a celebration of women who have inspired me so much.” Alongside serving up a number of both men’s and women’s ready-to-wear pieces, the offering also spans footwear, accessories, bags, sunglasses and more – all with a heavy hand on the prints, patterns and iconography throughout. Check out some shots of the accompanying campaign below and shop drop in-store and via both brands’ websites now. View Larger View Larger View Larger View 

Video: Idaly – Amazing ft. Emms (Prod. Reverse & Andy Ricardo)

Jacquemus Announces a Nike Collaboration

Jacquemus has just announced its upcoming partnership with Nike (NYSE:NKE +4.74%) . The collaboration follows on from the label’s first physical shop in London, as well as various buzzy moments for the brand such as its “LE SPLASH” campaign starring Bad Bunny and the recent runway show in Hawaii. Now, Jacquemus x Nike arrives as a female-focused collection that aims to “invigorate celebration of the multidimensionality of contemporary athletes.” Per the announcement’s press release, Simon Porte Jacquemus said: “For this collaboration with Nike, I wanted to create a collection that reinterprets athletic women’s sportswear in a minimal way. I have always been inspired by vintage ACG pieces and Nike campaigns from the ’90s. Having this imagery in mind, we designed women’s athletic wear with sensuous details and neutral colors, along with my own interpretation of the Humara — my favorite Nike shoe. It was important for the collection to be accessible, for all bodies, and to be a natural blend of Jacquemus style and Nike performance.” Indeed, Nike ACG plays a considerable part in this collaboration as a source of information and inspiration. Supported by Nike’s rich heritage, outdoor and court-based sports are reimagined under the sexy yet everyday aesthetic Jacquemus is renowned for, combing hallmarks of Nike with a daily sports vision imagined by Simon Porte Jacquemus and his team. Jarrett Reynolds, Nike VP of Catalyst Apparel Design, adds: “When we collaborate at Nike, it’s always a 50-50 union where each partner comes together to advance the other forward in ways that couldn’t have been done alone. With Jacquemus, we drew from vintage ACG inspiration, the interweaving of Nike DRI-Fit fabric, and considered footwear like the Humara, to create a nexus of sport and style that could only be done through the shared lens of Nike x Jacquemus. Collaboration at Nike, and with partners like Jacquemus, allows us to expand the culture of sport and redefine it for the next generation.” In short, Jacquemus x Nike sets to redefine the ready-to-wear sector with clothes that are “comfortable anywhere, anytime.” For now, the duo has supplied a teaser graphic and video, while more is set to come before the collaborative collection drops on June 28 exclusively on Jacquemus’ website. More will follow throughout Summer 2022 via Nike.    

This Kanye West-Designed Pastelle Varsity Jacket Could Be Yours for $10,000 USD

Before Kanye West‘s YEEZY and his various endeavors with Balenciaga, GAP, adidas, and Nike was Pastelle, a streetwear brand that never really came to fruition. Anything that did release through a rudimentary website was available in incredibly limited numbers to a near non-existent level, while most of what was or is available today is a sample. Pastelle pieces are considered grails among the streetwear and wider fashion community, let alone for any self-confessed Kanye fan. Now, arguably the most iconic piece from Pastelle has come up for sale courtesy of the famed consigner Justin Reed, who’s currently in possession of the Pastelle varsity jacket. Back in 2008, Pastelle had lots of potential. Virgil Abloh, Don C, Willo Perron and Matt George were at the helm alongside West, who then recruited Kim Jones as a consultant, Emma Hedlund and Saif Baker (now best known for CMMN SWDN) as designers, Ben Baller to handle accessories, Retrosuperfuture for eyewear, KAWS for a bespoke logo and BAPE to help with distribution. Together, they’d scour LA’s Rose Bowl Flea Market and thrift stores for vintage clothing, and rumor has it that one leather troupe jacket actually inspired the varsity that you see above. Worn by Kanye West during his 2008 American Music Awards performance, the Pastelle varsity jacket comes in an unmissable and inimitable palette of blue, yellow and red, sectioned off in the traditional varsity way with its yellow branding adorning the rear of the jacket. Justin Reed’s example — which is one of a handful at best — is in a “Pre-owned, very gently worn” condition and a size medium. Rib-knit cuffs, faux leather paneling, branded appliqués and more complete the piece. Take a look at the example above, and head to Justin Reed’s website now to cop the rare Pastelle varsity jacket, which is listed for $10,000 USD.

Liverpool Steps Closer to Quadruple Dreams With FA Cup Victory Over Chelsea

Jürgen Klopp’s mighty Liverpool side is now one step closer to realizing their quadruple dreams after taking home the FA Cup on Saturday against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea. Almost a repeat of the League Cup final earlier in February, the Merseyside team and London’s favorite played all 90 minutes without a goal scored despite Liverpool’s dominance throughout much of the match, recording 17 shots and 53% possession over Chelsea’s 10 shots and 47% possession. Only two shots were on target for each side, and without any goals to celebrate, the game progressed to penalty shootouts, where the Reds took home its second major title this year once again with a 6-5 victory over the Blues. With the EFL Cup and FA Cup now secure, Liverpool is inching ever closer to its historic quadruple, an achievement no English team has ever achieved. Klopp’s men will now have to maximize its Premier League points with just two games to go to make up a three-point deficit behind reigning champions Manchester City, while a UEFA Champions League bout with freshly-crowned La Liga winner Real Madrid will be the final decider to conclude Liverpool’s exceptional season.

Mercedes-Benz Celebrates AMG's 55th Anniversary With Limited-Edition 2023 CLA 45

In celebration of AMG‘s 55th anniversary, Mercedes-AMG has now created a limited-edition 2023 CLA 45. Dubbed the 2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Edition 55, the new vehicle pays tribute to the automaker’s 55th birthday by being limited to just 55 units made for the U.S. market. The car itself is mechanically identical to the standard edition, meaning its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine will generate 382 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque pushed through all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and shift paddles. 0-60mph comes in at just four seconds. Performance aside, however, the special CLA 45 does receive a range of other aesthetic and functional upgrades. The exterior now comes in Cosmos Black Metallic paint paired with AMG-themed decals and 19-inch cross-spoke wheels, while the body kit is enhanced with the brand’s Aerodynamics Package, adding a front splitter and a trunk lid-mounted spoiler. The interior also receives a sleek makeover, with black and red leather upholstery covering most of its surfaces alongside a Microfiber-upholstered steering wheel and numerous “55” emblems and logos dotted around the cabin. Unfortunately, Mercedes has yet to announce pricing information for the 2023 CLA 45 Edition 55, but they’re expected to arrive in the U.S. sometime in 2023.

Takashi Murakami and READYMADE Launch a Limited Denim Capsule

Takashi Murakami and Yuta Hosokawa‘s READYMADE have announced a limited-edition batch of vintage jeans combining the artist’s iconic smiling flower and skull graphics with the Japanese label’s expertise in handcrafted products and upcycled materials. The jeans arrive in a light wash with a unique frayed finish and original red-ink Levi’s jacrons. Multi-colored Murakami flowers are embroidered in singles and pairs across the pant legs, waistband, and pockets, button fly studs appear as silver flowers, and skull-shaped rivets complete the design. The Takashi Murakami x READYMADE jeans will be available on the Tonari no Zingaro website on May 16 at 8 p.m. JST (7 a.m. EDT). An ultra-limited batch will be released and each pair is priced at ¥418,000 (approximately $3,230 USD).

Kendrick Lamar Makes Return to Music With New Track and Video "The Heart Part 5"

Kendrick Lamar is officially back in the music business, announcing his return by sharing a new track off his new album Mr. Morales & The Big Steppers. Just less than a week before the album drops, Lamar has also released the accompanying visuals to the track “The Heart Part 5.” His long-awaited fifth studio album has a first week projection increase to 400,000 and is expected to debut at No. 1 in the U.S. upon release. The new track samples the classic 1976 Marvin Gaye song, “I Want You.” Throughout the music video, Lamar can be seen standing in front of a deep red backdrop while he raps the lyrics of his songs and swaps faces with deep fake technology with other hip-hop icons like Nipsey Hussle and Kanye West and other Black legends like Kobe Bryant. The shape-shifting begins with a quote, “I am. All of Us,” attributed to the artist’s Oklama persona. Lamar opens the song by addressing the audience, “As I get a little older, I realize life is perspective and my perspective may differ from yours. I want to say thank you to everyone that’s been down with me. All my fans, all my beautiful fans, anyone who’s ever gave me a lesson. All my people.” Take a look at the video above.    

FX Drops First Teaser Trailer for Docuseries 'Dear Mama' About Tupac and His Mother

FX‘s newest docuseries Dear Mama tells the story of the late Tupac Shakur and the valuable lessons he leared from his mother Afeni. The new teaser depicts two images layering over one another to complete the full collage. A voiceover reveals the dynamic between the mother and son duo and discusses a particular challenge Afeni would pose to Tupac. Afeni would invite her son to debate over issues of the New York Times and the narrator made it very clear that these were debates and not just discussions. The voiceover said, “It was my responsibility to teach Tupac how to survive his reality. So Tupac do something wrong, take your little sorry self in that corner, get the New York Times and let’s have a debate about it. Not a discussion, a debate. Let me hear what your idea is, stand up, defend it.” From the trailer, audiences catch a glimpse of Afeni’s impact on Tupac’s lyricism, which is still remembered as some of the most powerful lyrics to date even decades after his death. FX describes the new docuseries to be “told through the eyes of the people who knew them best.” Directed by Allen Hughes, the five-part series is set to explore both Tupac and Afeni’s voices as they worked with two different generations on their pursuit for equality and freedom. Tupac died in 1996, just a year after the release of his track “Dear Mama,” and Afeni Shakur died in 2016. Similar to the song, the docuseries named after the hit track, continues to dissect the relationship between Tupac and his mother, paying tribute to the hardships she went through to raise him. Dear Mama hits FX this fall.

Kanye West Shares New Music Video for "Life of the Party"

Kanye West has officially dropped a new music video for his André 3000-featuring DONDA track, “Life of the Party.” The video sees Ye through the years, showcasing new videos and photographs from the Chicago rapper’s childhood. However, the photos are updated with the artist wearing pieces from the upcoming YEEZY GAP ENGINEERED BY BALENCIAGA collection. The video is a seamless integration of all facets of Ye’s creative forces that bridges the past and the future. The first drop of YEEZY GAP ENGINEERED BY BALENCIAGA initially arrived earlier this year in February, showing off the ghoulish side of the collection and now, Ye’s synonymous oversized apparel aesthetic. The music video marks YEEZY GAP’s first YEEZY GAP ENGINEERED BY BALENCIAGA television commercial featuring the “Life of the Party” visuals and was premiered on FOX network during Family Guy at 9:45 p.m. EST on May 8, in honor of Mother’s Day.

Max Verstappen Wins in Inaugural Miami Grand Prix

Red Bull‘s Max Verstappen gained control of the inaugural Miami Grand Prix with an early aggressive takeover of Charles Leclerc to stay ahead and become the reigning world champion. The race marked Verstappen’s third victory this season and also the second consecutive race that the Red Bull team bested the Ferrari team. While Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz also podiumed alongside Verstappen, they were held off due to Verstappen’s lead in the ninth lap. Verstappen edged out his competition early on and continued unchallenged until a late crash between Lando Noris and Pierre Gasly led to the safety car and a 10-lap sprint to the finish. Verstappen won by 3.7 second while Ferrari’s Leclerc and Sainz settled for second and third and Perez for fourth and Mercedes in fifth and sixth for George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. Russell fought up from the 12th on the grid and changed out to medium tyres behind Hamilton’s old hards at the restart. While Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo was ahead of Mercedes at the restart, he was unable to maintain the lead. With a two-week break, F1 is set to return to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix on May 22.