Branson and Bezos Breach Final Frontier

The world is reeling under the heel of a global pandemic. War, famine and racism are just as prevalent as they were 20 years ago, and the environment is trying to kill us. It’s a tough time to be human, that is, unless you’re in the Billionaires Boys Club. 

Blue Origin's New Sheppard Rocket

Elon Musk, Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos, three of the planet’s richest men, have been flexing their funds in their own personal space race. The billionaires have been using some of their own money — and a lot of American taxpayer money to build (and in many cases blow up) bigger, better rockets, figure out new ways to make commercial space travel attainable and in Branson and Bezos’s cases, strapping on spacesuits of their own to cosplay as astronauts.

SpaceX founder Musk fired the first shot in this latest iteration of the space race, famously using a test launch of his companies Falcon Heavy rocket to send his personal Tesla roadster into an orbit which will have it cross paths with Mars, a planet Tesla has been the lead evangelist for colonizing for nearly two decades. But it was the brash British founder of Virgin Galactic, Branson, who took things to the next level.

On July 11, he and his team lifted off from the company’s Spaceport America (near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico) its VSS Unity spaceplane, becoming the first of the billionaires to pop their space cherry. Amazon founder Bezos wasn’t far behind. His Blue Origin team’s New Sheppard rocket took to the air Tuesday morning, with his brother also along for the ride, to ensure Bezos could no longer be called a space virgin. It was an act he immediately thanked the customers and employees of Amazon for paying for shortly after arriving back on terrra firma. 

So, what’s next? Well, Virgin Atlantic and Blue Origin hope to launch passenger flights in the coming year. Origin hasn’t revealed its prices yet, but several media outlets have reported that Galactic flights may cost around $250,000 per ticket. 

Musk seems content with his legs on the ground for now, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t join the cosmic Three Comma Club soon enough. If Bezos’s rocket is any indication — this race might be more about much smaller things than benefiting humanity.

 

Lil Nas X Goes on Trial In Latest Video

 The viral country-rap hit "Old Town Road" made Lil Nas X a star in 2019, going from background music

Lil Nas X

in TikTok videos, to a diamond certified (10,000,000 copies sold) music industry phenomenon — spending 19 weeks atop the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is the longest-reigning single to top the chart since its debut in 1958. 

Then with the spotlight on him and the industry waiting to see what he would do next he did the unthinkable, at the height of his popularity he came out as gay. The move could have ended his burgeoning career, driven largely by the country and rap markets, neither known to be bastions of tolerance for non-conforming artists. Instead, the social media savvy star turned his supposed weaknesses into a strength rallying new fans to his work and earning the support of celebrities like Niki Minaj. 

some of y’all already know, some of y’all don’t care, some of y’all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y’all to listen closely to c7osure. 🌈🤩✨ pic.twitter.com/O9krBLllqQ

— nope 👶🏾 (@LilNasX) June 30, 2019

While not everyone has embraced him, his talent and Internet acumen have continued to keep him wining in the music game, releasing platinum single after single to follow-up to his initial hit. Controversy has continued to follow his nascent career. In March of 2021 his collaboration with New York-based art collective MSCHF, a modified pair of Nike Air Max 97s called Satan Shoes with a drop of human blood featured in all 666 pairs put up for sale sparked outraged. Christian groups, politicians and others said he was promoting Satan. Nike eventually stepped into the storm to protect its image and sued the collective for trademark infringement. Lil Nas took the lawsuit in stride with a legendary Twitter response and the companies eventually settled the suit. 

The artist didn’t forget the fiasco and brilliantly used the scenario as the basis for his latest single “Industry Baby” a track co-produced by Kanye West and Take A Daytrip and featuring Jack Harlow that releases Friday. Watch as Lil Nas turns another potential misstep into a win: 

NFL plans to inspire change this season with "Left Every Voice and Sing" and More

 

The Black national anthem, "Left Every Voice and Sing," will play before every game this season, according to the NFL.  The anthem previously played before week 1 games in 2020.  

This will be a continuation of last years social justice messages with on field-signage and decals on players helmets. 

The NBA had a attempted to show solidarity with many of its' players by showing social justice messages during the 2020 season but after experiencing plummeting ratings, the showing was quickly sidelined. 

This reinforces the NFL's 10-year, $250 million commitment to fighting systemic racism in America.  Music mogul and rapper, Jay-Z and his Roc Nation Company have been advising the league on its "Inspire Change" initiative since last year.