Everything You Should Know About Governors Ball NYC
The Governors Ball Music Festival is set to take place this weekend at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, NY. This is the 12th time that the coveted festival has taken place in NYC and although it has a new home—the excitement and energy remain the same! From Lizzo to Kendrick Lamar to Lil Nas X, some of the hottest performers of this generation are preparing to hit the stages and it will undoubtedly be a music event to remember.
Organizers recently confirmed that the festival is still going forward as planned despite the New York area’s current experience with “unhealthy air quality.” As smoke continues to drift toward the northeast U.S. due to Canadian wildfires, NYC is currently experiencing some of the worst pollutions in the world. In a statement to Pitchfork, a representative for the festival wrote: “We’re closely monitoring the air quality with weather experts and are in close contact with city officials. As always, the health and safety of New Yorkers is our top priority. At this time, the festival is continuing as planned. We are hopeful that conditions will improve in the coming days and are looking forward to a great weekend!”
If you’re planning to attend or still thinking about it, here are some things to expect!
Lizzo in All Her Glory
One thing for certain, two things for sure—when Lizzo hits the stage at Gov Ball, it will be packed with your favorite hits from her 2022 album “Special,” thick thighs, and lots of sparkles! With Lizzo also a proud ally of the LGBTQIA+ community and making headlines for her performance with drag stars, we also wouldn’t be surprised if the Grammy-winning entertainer took the moment to highlight Pride Month. Lizzo is always a good time!
Kendrick Lamar Closing Out With a Bang!
17-time Grammy-winning phenomenon Kendrick Lamar is set to close out the festival on the third and final night. And we can guarantee it is not to be missed! The headliner dropped his first album in 5 years in 2022 with the release of the highly acclaimed Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers and as expected, it is one of the best projects released in recent history. The groundbreaking rapper will likely perform a few cuts from his latest release along with cult classics. Get ready to rap every word!
Lil Nas X Celebrating Pride Month in a Major Way
If you’re looking to celebrate Pride Month to the fullest, you must not miss Lil Nas X’s performance! We can bet on it that Lil Nas X will use this moment to represent, and we’re here for it. From his fashion to his dance moves, we know it will be next level. Prepare to be wowed!
Plus, Your Other Favorites Gracing the Stage Too!
From Ice Spice to Joey Bada$$ to Lil Baby and more, the lineup is jam-packed with epic performances. Whether you’re going one day or all three—there are over 60 performers set to grace the stage and we can’t wait! See you there!
Learn more about the 2023 Governors Ball Music Festival HERE.
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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