

5 Of The Dopest Music Festivals You Should Definitely Pull Up On This Year
Coachella is dope and all, but my real music connoisseurs know that Indio, California isn't the only place to get your life during festival season, and xoNecole has all the details on which ones you should pull up on before 2020 comes to an end.
Scroll below for the details:
Something In The Water
Who We Can't Wait To See: 6LACK, Usher, Chance The Rapper, H.E.R., Mereba, Nelly, Pharrell, Kali Uchis, Rico Nasty, Snoh Aalegra, Tank and The Bangas, Trey Songz, Tierra Whack
When: April 20-26
Where: Virginia Beach, VA
Price: Tier one and two general admission tickets are already sold out fo this festival but you can still purchase tier three tickets for $250 plus fees or VIP tickets for $600 plus fees.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Who We Can't Wait To See: Erykah Badu, Lizzo, H.E.R., Tank and The Bangas, Anthony Hamilton, PJ Morton, Big Freedia
When: April 23-May 3
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Price: First-weekend advance tickets for April 23-26 are currently $75 but will be an additional $10 at the gate. Tickets for Saturday start at $90 and the same applies for the following weekend but you can snag an advance four-day weekend pass for $275. For both Thursday night concerts, New Orleans locals can get access to the festival for only $50.
Rolling Loud Festival
Who We Can't Wait To See: DaBaby, Doja Cat, Big Sean, T-Pain, Rico Nasty, Megan Thee Stallion, City Girls, Wale, DaniLeigh, Saweetie
When: May 8-10, 2020
Where: Miami, Florida
Price: Three-day general admission tickets are currently waitlisted, but general admission+ tickets start at $499 plus an additional $100 fee. You can also still snag VIP tickets, which includes expedited entry, a private bar, and free makeup touch-ups, that start at $749 plus a $150 fee or upgrade your experience to add complimentary meals for an additional $200.
2020 Lovers & Friends Festival
Who We Can't Wait To See: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Usher, Lil' Kim, Mya, Jhene Aiko, TLC, Amerie, Tweet, Nelly, Summer Walker, Eve, Trina, Brandy, Doja Cat
When: May 8-9, 2020
Where: Los Angeles, CA
Price: Tickets for the Lovers & Friends Festival are currently sold out but you can join the waitlist here.
ESSENCE Festival
Who We Can't Wait To See: Janet Jackson, Ari Lennox, Janelle Monae, Bruno Mars, Patti Labelle, Raphael Saadiq, Jidenna, Tamia, Rapsody, SIR, Saweetie, Goldlink, Kiana Lede,
When: July 1-5, 2020
Where: New Orleans, LA
Price: Superdome general admission tickets are currently on sale for $186 and include a 3-night concert experience while VIP Gold and Platinum tickets start at $2,750 and $3,000 respectively. You and your crew can get extra bad and bougie by upgrading to a VIP Entertainment Power Pass for $3,900 or a VIP All-Event pass for an additional $500. ESSENCE also offers a travel package that will help you book your ideal stay for the weekend here.
Featured image by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
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8 'Low-Pressure' Date Ideas To Bring Connection Back Into Your Dating Life
Tired of “splitting the bill” dating debates? Well, A new trend might just put an end to this discussion for good.
Hinge recently shared its findings from their second annual LGBTQIA+ D.A.T.E. (Data, Advice, Trends, and Expertise) Report, which showed that modern daters are ditching grandiose dates and trading them in for what’s been coined as “low-pressure dates,” to connect with new people, build trust earlier, and develop deeper, richer bonds.
According to the reports, "An LPD (low-pressure date) allows for a safer and more laid-back environment where daters can gauge potential chemistry IRL before exploring things further."
This isn’t to be confused with low, or no-effort dates. LPDs, instead, are “a relaxed environment with a focus on getting to know one another,” where the focus is more on forming genuine connections and understanding their background and values. Think less about the place and more about the person.
When it comes to low-pressure first dates, many daters prefer to engage in conversations about personal growth, identity, family dynamics, and societal issues. These topics often set a thoughtful and meaningful tone for the date, leaving room to extend it for a longer amount of time if it’s going well.
While this dating style might not be a fit for every single person looking for their next boo, it’s an option to remove the materialistic component of dating and focus on what truly matters, forming a new, lasting, and meaningful connection.
So if you’re ready to switch up your dating style, we’ve put together a few low-pressure dates for your next relaxed, connection-forming rendezvous, no bill splitting required.
1.Stroll Through a Local Market:
Explore a farmer's market or street fair together. The casual browsing can spark interesting conversations and provide opportunities to learn about each other's tastes.
2.Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
Discussing art or exhibits can lead to engaging conversations about personal interests and perspectives. The conversation can have a natural pace of pausing and exchanging notes on the art while enjoying each other’s company.
3.Bookstore Browsing
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Unleash your inner bookworm, browse your local bookstore, and discuss your favorite books or genres. You could even start a mini book club between the two of you.
4.Picnic in the Park
Pack a simple meal and enjoy a relaxed afternoon surrounded by nature. This setting encourages easy conversation and helps you get to know each other in a casual environment.
5.Coffee Date at a Cozy Café
We know how controversial coffee dates can be, but never underestimate the vibes of a chill, relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great place for meaningful conversations over a cup of coffee or tea and provides the perfect exit if sparks aren’t flying.
6.Walk or Hike in a Scenic Area
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Enjoying nature together can create a peaceful environment for meaningful discussion and shared experiences. Not to mention, you’ll get a boost in dopamine and epinephrine, giving you both a post-walk rush.
7.Attend a Community Event or Workshop
Many cities have endless local events, workshops, or classes that align with an array of interests. What a fun way to connect over a new hobby or skill that you both can walk away with.
8.Explore a New Neighborhood
Take a leisurely walk through a new part of town, discovering hidden gems and sharing your thoughts on what you see. Who knows, it could discover the place for your “how we met” story.
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