Rising Washington, D.C. R&B artist Drew Love, has debuted the visual for his steamy Royal-produced single "Sexcapades." The video was directed by Shaheer Lanier. Love is currently preparing to release his debut EP in the Spring of 2014.

Get into the affair after the break.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Following “Last Christmas” and “Love Is Everything,” Ariana Grande debuts her third Christmas single "Let it Snow (Snow in California).” The pop songstress pens a letter to Santa asking for snow so she can stay with her man just a little longer.

“Can you just make it snow in California?/ I’ll even settle for rain/ Don’t want him to go tomorrow morning/ Give me something to make him stay,” she sings over the snapping beat.

She will release “Santa Baby” next Tuesday, while all four songs can be found on her upcoming Christmas Kisses EP.

Gather around the fireplace and listen to Ariana’s cozy Christmas tune, which is now available on iTunes.

Although I applaud his efforts, the question is--where would these funds come from? The American people who are still trying to recover from a recession that has left them unemployed or underemployed:

President Obama officially observed World AIDS Day [on Monday, December 2], speaking to reporters about the progress made globally in both understanding and treating HIV and AIDS. According to White House pool reporter Jared A. Favole, of The Wall Street Journal, Obama said while the disease was once a death sentence that took people in their prime, today people can live vibrant and healthy lives.

He also talked about pledging $100 million to the National Insititute of Health to help find a cure for HIV and AIDS and matching contributions of partner countries two to one for up to $5 billion, money that would go to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

Obama's full speech (printed below) is followed by a memo titled "Shared Responsibility to Strengthen Results for an AIDS-Free Generation," that the White House also released today.

President Obama's full remarks on World AIDS Day:

"Thank you, everybody.  (Applause.)  Everybody, please have a seat.  Well, thank you, Grant, for your outstanding leadership of the Office of National AIDS Policy.  And thanks to all of you for being here.  This is a pretty distinguished crowd, I have to say, and it is wonderful to be here.

I should say, actually, welcome back, because many of you have joined us before as we’ve marked new milestones in our fight against HIV and AIDS.  And I’m honored that you could join us in commemorating World AIDS Day, which was yesterday.  And this is a time for remembering the friends and loved ones that we’ve lost, celebrating the extraordinary progress -- thanks to some people in this room -- that we’ve been able to make, and most importantly, recommitting ourselves to the mission that we share, which is achieving an AIDS-free generation.

I especially want to welcome ministers from our partner countries; members of my administration, including Secretary Sebelius, Secretary John Kerry; Congresswoman Barbara Lee; Mark Dybul from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.  And we’ve also got here Francis Collins from the National Institutes of Health; Michel Sidibe from UN-AIDS; Deborah von Zinkernagel, who’s carrying on the great work of Eric Goosby as our Acting Global AIDS Coordinator; and our many friends from the philanthropic world, including Bill Gates.  So thank you all for joining us here today.

Every year, this is a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come since the early days of the AIDS epidemic.  And those of you who lived through it remember all too well the fear and the  stigma, and how hard people with HIV had to fight to be seen, or heard, or to be treated with basic compassion.  And you remember how little we knew about how to prevent AIDS, or how to treat it.  What we did know was the devastation that it inflicted -- striking down vibrant men and women in the prime of their lives and spreading from city to city and country to country seemingly overnight.



Today, that picture is transformed.  Thanks to the courage and love of so many of you in this room and around the world, awareness has soared; research has surged.  Prevention, treatment and care are now saving millions of lives not only in the world’s richest countries but in some of the world‘s poorest countries as well.  And for many, with testing and access to the right treatment, the disease that was once a death sentence now comes with a good chance at a healthy and productive life.  And that's an extraordinary achievement.

As President, I’ve told you that in this fight, you’ll have a partner in me.  And I said that if the United States wanted to be the global leader in combating this disease, then we needed to act like it -- by doing our part and by leading the world to do more together.  And that’s what we’ve done, in partnership with so many of you.  We created the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy, rooted in a simple vision that every person should get access to life-extending care, regardless of age or gender, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic status.

We’ve continued to support the Ryan White CARE Act to help underserved communities, and we lifted the entry ban so that people with HIV are no longer barred from the United States -- which led to the International AIDS Conference being held here last year for the very first time in over 20 years.

This summer, I issued an executive order creating the HIV Care Continuum Initiative to boost our federal efforts to prevent and treat HIV.  Last month, I signed the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act, to finally allow research into organ donations between people with HIV -- a step achieved with bipartisan support.

And thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions of insured Americans will be able to get tested free of charge.  Americans who were uninsured will now be able to have access to affordable health care coverage, and beginning in January, no American will be again denied health insurance because of their HIV status.

On World AIDS Day two years ago, I announced an additional $35 million for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which helps people pay for lifesaving medications.  At one time, the need was so great that over 9,000 people were on the waitlist.  We vowed to get those numbers down.  And I’m proud to announce that, as of last week, we have cleared that waitlist.  We are down to zero.  (Applause.)  And we’re going to keep working to keep it down.

So we’re making progress.  But we’re all here today because we know how much work remains to be done.  Here in the United States, we need to keep focusing on investments to communities that are still being hit hardest, including gay and bisexual men, African Americans and Latinos.  We need to keep up the fight in our cities -- including Washington, D.C., which in recent years has reduced diagnosed infections by nearly half.

And we’re going to keep pursuing scientific breakthroughs.  Today I’m pleased to announce a new initiative at the National Institutes of Health to advance research into an HIV cure.  We’re going to redirect $100 million into this project to develop a new generation of therapies.  Because the United States should be at the forefront of new discoveries into how to put HIV into long-term remission without requiring lifelong therapies -- or, better yet, eliminate it completely.

And of course, this fight extends far beyond our borders.  When I became President, I inherited President Bush’s phenomenal program, PEPFAR, which has helped millions around the world receive lifesaving treatment.  And we haven’t just sustained those efforts, we’ve expanded them -- reaching and serving even more people, especially mothers and children.  Earlier this year, PEPFAR reached a wonderful milestone -- the one millionth baby born without HIV.  (Applause.)   And that alongside the rapid decline in new HIV infections and deaths from AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

On my visit to South Africa this year, I visited a clinic run by Bishop Desmond Tutu and had the honor of spending time with some of their extraordinary young patients and counselors and outreach workers and doctors.  Every day, they are doing extraordinary work.  And when you visit this facility, you cannot help but be inspired by what they do each and every day, in part thanks to the support of the United States of America.  They’re saving lives and they’re changing the way their country, and the world, approaches this disease.  And that’s work that we have to continue to advance.

On World AIDS Day two years ago, I set new prevention and treatment targets for PEPFAR, like increasing the number of mothers we reach so that we prevent their children from becoming infected, and helping 6 million people get treatment by the end of 2013.  Today, I’m proud to announce that we’ve not only reached our goal, we’ve exceeded our treatment target.  So we’ve helped 6.7 million people receive lifesaving treatment.  And we’re going to keep at it.  (Applause.)  Which is why, after I leave here today, I’ll be proud to sign the PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act, to keep this program going strong.  (Applause.)  Count on the legislator to applaud legislation.  (Laughter.)

Looking ahead, it’s time for the world to come together to set new goals.  Right now we’re working hard to get a permanent leader in place at PEPFAR, and once we do, one of our first items of business will be convening a meeting early next year, so the United States and our partners worldwide -- including governments, the Global Fund, U.N.-AIDS, and civil society -- can sit around one table and develop joint HIV prevention and treatment goals for the countries where we and the Global Fund do business.  We’ll hold each other accountable, and we’ll continue to work to turn the tide of this epidemic together.

And that includes keeping up our support for the Global Fund.  Its success speaks for itself.  It’s helping over 6 million people in over 140 countries receive antiretroviral therapy.  And now it’s time to replenish the Fund.  The United States will contribute $1 for every $2 pledged by other donors over the next three years, up to $5 billion total from the United States.  And the United Kingdom has made a similar promise.  (Applause.)

So today I want to urge all those who are attending the Global Fund’s replenishment meetings both today and tomorrow to take up this commitment.  Don’t leave our money on the table.  It’s been inspiring to see the countries most affected by this disease vastly increase their own contributions to this fight -- in some cases, providing more than donor countries do.  And that ought to inspire all of us to give more, to do more, so we can save more lives.

After all, none of the progress we’ve made against AIDS could have been achieved by a single government or foundation or corporation working alone.  It’s the result of countless people -- including so many of you -- working together from countries large and small, philanthropies, universities, media, civil society, activists.  More than anything, I think it’s thanks to the courageous people living with HIV around the world who’ve shared their stories; you’ve lent your strength, demanded your dignity be recognized, and led the fight to spare others the anguish of this disease.

We can’t change the past or undo its wrenching pain.  But what we can do -- and what we have to do -- is to chart a different future, guided by our love for those we couldn’t save. That allows us to do everything we can, everything in our power to save those that we can.  And that’s my commitment to you as President.

The United States of America will remain the global leader in the fight against HIV and AIDS.  We will stand with you every step of this journey until we reach the day that we know is possible, when all men and women can protect themselves from infection; a day when all people with HIV have access to the treatments that extend their lives; the day when there are no babies being born with HIV or AIDS, and when we achieve, at long last, what was once hard to imagine -- and that’s an AIDS-free generation.

That’s the world I want for my daughters.  That’s the world that all of us want for our families.  And if we stay focused, if we keep fighting, and if we honor the memory of those that we’ve lost, if we summon the same courage that they displayed, by insisting on whatever it takes, however long it takes, I believe we’re going to win this fight.  And I’m confident that we’ll do so together.

So thank you very much for your extraordinary efforts.  Appreciate it.  God bless you.  Thank you.  Thank you. "

White House memo: "Shared Responsibility to Strengthen Results for an AIDS-Free Generation"

Since taking office, President Obama and his Administration have taken enormous steps to address the HIV epidemic, both domestically and globally. This World AIDS Day, we remember those lost to this epidemic, and reflect on the progress of the past year to prevent HIV infections, improve the health of people living with HIV worldwide, and address HIV stigma and discrimination. Earlier this year, PEPFAR celebrated its tenth anniversary. Domestically, we are refocusing our efforts to lower new HIV infections, improve health outcomes, and reduce disparities. In July, President Obama signed an Executive Order to launch the HIV Care Continuum Initiative, the next step in implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Global Leadership on HIV/AIDS

The Obama Administration has strengthened the impact and sustainability of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and led efforts to reform and drive increased investments in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.  The U.S. was the largest donor to HIV efforts in low- and middle-income countries in 2012, accounting for 64% of total international assistance for HIV/AIDS.  Together, the PEPFAR and the Global Fund account for over 90% of donor funding for the AIDS response in the world’s highest-burdened and lowest-resourced countries. PEPFAR and the Global Fund are working together to invest resources in a coordinated, complementary, and synergistic manner to combat HIV/AIDS.

PEPFAR has delivered on the President’s 2011 World AIDS Day targets:

PEPFAR has exceeded the President’s 2011 World AIDS Day target to put 6 million people on lifesaving treatment.  As of September 30, 2013, PEPFAR is supporting treatment for 6.7 million people. This signifies an almost four-fold increase (from 1.7 million in 2008 to 6.7 million in 2013) since the start of the Obama Administration.

PEPFAR has reached the prevention of mother-to-child transmission target by reaching 1.5 million pregnant women with HIV with antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV transmission to their children.

As of September 30, 2013, PEPFAR will have directly supported more than 4.2 million voluntary medical male circumcision procedures worldwide, and by the end of calendar year 2013, PEPFAR will have reached the President’s target of 4.7 million.

In June 2013, we reached the one millionth infant born HIV-free because of PEPFAR support.  In Fiscal Year 2013 alone, PEPFAR’s investments meant that over 240,000 babies were born HIV-free.

The most recent UNAIDS data shows that, in sub-Saharan Africa, the number of AIDS-related deaths decreased by 32% from 2005 to 2012, and the number of new HIV infections fell by nearly 39% from 2001 to 2012, due in large part to the efforts of PEPFAR and the Global Fund.

PEPFAR’s success in treating 6.7 million people with HIV has helped to drive down new infections and AIDS-related deaths in many PEPFAR-supported countries.  To address the high rates of HIV in key populations, PEPFAR supports initiatives to end stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and key populations, improving their access to, and uptake of, comprehensive HIV services.  As outlined in the PEPFAR Blueprint, to prevent the spread of HIV, PEPFAR will continue to make strategic, scientifically sound investments to expand core HIV prevention, treatment and care interventions and maximize impact.
U.S. Investment in the Global Fund

The U.S. has been the largest donor to the Global Fund, contributing $8.5 billion to date.  The Global Fund is a vital partner to the United States in supporting a country-owned response to AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria.  The Obama Administration has driven transformational reforms of the Global Fund, tying its last pledge to development and implementation of a comprehensive reform agenda, and conditioning its current pledge to successful execution of critical reforms.  The Administration’s goal is to further secure the Global Fund’s role as an efficient, accountable and results-driven mechanism to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.

In 2010, following our successful three-year, $4 billion pledge to the Global Fund for FY 2011-2013, the President’s FY 2014 Budget requested $1.65 billion for the Global Fund.  To leverage future funding from other donors, the U.S. announced that its commitment for the 2014 replenishment is conditional on other donors’ stepping up their contributions to match the U.S. investment two-to-one, and the Global Fund's continuing implementation of its ambitious reform agenda.  The U.S. will match incoming contributions to the Global Fund through September 2014 and will provide 33% of investments in the Global Fund for the 2014-2016 replenishment.  As of December 2013, the Global Fund reports that supported programs have helped:

·  6.1 million people receive antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS;

· Detect and treat 11.2 million new cases of infectious TB; and

· Distribute 360 million bed nets to protect families from malaria.


The National HIV/AIDS Strategy

To reinvigorate leadership and accountability in the domestic response to HIV, in 2010 President Obama released the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which has four primary goals: to reduce new HIV infections; to improve health outcomes for people living with HIV; to reduce HIV-related health disparities and inequities; and to achieve a more coordinated national response to the epidemic. Ongoing implementation of the Strategy means:
· Focusing on science-driven HIV prevention efforts by supporting and expanding targeted use of evidence-based HIV prevention approaches;

· Making smarter investments by intensifying HIV prevention in the communities where HIV is most heavily concentrated;

· Increasing access to HIV screening and medical care, including through implementation of the Affordable Care Act;

·  Supporting a shared response to the domestic epidemic through the support of HIV prevention efforts across all levels of society, including Federal, state, and local governments, centers of learning, faith-based communities, and the private sector.


The President’s proposed FY 2014 budget allocated $23.2 billion to address HIV domestically, and includes increases in discretionary funding for HIV prevention, care, and treatment.

Moving Forward

In July 2013, the President signed an Executive Order creating the HIV Care Continuum Initiative. The initiative calls for coordinated action in response to data that shows only a quarter of people living with HIV in the United States have achieved the treatment goal of controlling the HIV virus. In fact, along the entire HIV care continuum—the sequential stages of care from being diagnosed to suppressing the virus—there are significant gaps.  To address this need, the HIV Care Continuum Initiative is mobilizing Federal efforts in line with the recent advances in our understanding of how best to prevent and treat HIV infection.

Today, the White House released the report Improving Outcomes: Accelerating Progress Along the HIV Care Continuum. The report has four main sections:

I.  State of the Epidemic:  Provides an update on the Strategy’s indicators. There’s been positive progress in eight of nine indicators, with one stable.  Overall, our collective response to the epidemic will need to accelerate to meet all nine 2015 Strategy targets. The data are from 2010 and 2011, so cannot be used to grade the success of the Strategy. Instead, they are the most recently available data that give an accurate assessment of the domestic epidemic.

II.  Recommendations of the HIV Care Continuum Working Group:  Describes actions Federal agencies will take to improve outcomes along the HIV Care Continuum. Recommendations focus on supporting innovative models of HIV care; addressing stigma that limits engagement in care; strengthening data collection; promoting research to better address barriers to care; and providing technical assistance to improve care continuum outcomes.

III. Local Success:  Highlights the progress of Washington D.C., San Francisco, and New York City. These jurisdictions implemented approaches that are consistent with the principles of the Strategy (widespread access to treatment and testing, focusing on populations at greatest risk). They are reporting tangible improvements in HIV prevention and treatment outcomes.

IV. Public-Private Partnerships:  Describes examples across the country of innovative projects supporting improvements along the care continuum. This includes work being done in partnership with Social Innovation fund, industry, and local community-based organizations.

Investing in research to improve treatments for HIV: The HIV Cure Initiative

Better treatments mean better outcomes along the care continuum; a cure represents the ultimate outcome in that regard. Today, President Obama announced that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will invest $100 million in reprioritized funding over the next three years to launch a new HIV Cure Initiative.

· Although several individuals appear recently to have been cured of HIV through aggressive therapy, these approaches are too toxic or premature to apply beyond the research setting.

·  However, these cases provide clues to explore for possible new treatments, including other strategies that may eliminate or put HIV into remission without requiring lifelong therapy.

· This new investment will catalyze further research into this area, and could lead to a new generation of therapies to improve outcomes for people living with HIV.

Activities across the Federal Government are already working to help improve outcomes across the HIV care continuum. Examples include:
· Increasing healthcare coverage: The Affordable Care Act will expand health insurance coverage to millions of Americans, including thousands living with HIV. Under the law, starting in 2014 new health insurance plans will be required to cover HIV testing without additional out-of-pocket costs. Starting in 2014, insurance companies cannot deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions, including HIV.

· Maintaining strong support for the Ryan White Program: The Ryan White Program is the largest Federal program solely dedicated to providing HIV care and treatment. The Ryan White Program will continue to play a vital role in completing coverage and ensuring people living with HIV continue to receive treatment without service gaps. With support of ongoing supplemental investments from the Administration, the number of people living with HIV on waiting lists for the joint state-Federal AIDS Drug Assistance Program decreased from a peak of 9,310 in September 2011 to zero as of November 27, 2013. Sustaining this momentum will require continued effort, including ongoing partnership with States and Congress enacting a budget that replaces the sequester in a balanced, fiscally responsible manner.

· Supporting innovation to link and engage persons living with HIV into care:  Funded through the Secretary's Minority AIDS Initiative Fund, the Care and Prevention of HIV in the United States demonstration project is underway in eight states and is designed to reduce HIV-related morbidity, mortality, and related health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities.

·  Focusing on prevention interventions that work:  CDC and its partners are pursuing a High-Impact Prevention approach to reducing new HIV infections. This approach is using combinations of scientifically proven, cost-effective, and scalable interventions targeted to the right populations in the right geographic areas to increase the impact of HIV prevention efforts.  CDC funded programs conducted more than 3.5 million HIV tests in 2012 and newly diagnosed more than 13,000 people.

· Standardizing HIV data to improve health outcomes along the care continuum:  In June 2013, the Secretary of Health and Human Services approved plans submitted by nine HHS operating divisions to adopt and deploy seven HIV common core indicators and streamline data collection for HIV services grantees. HHS offices are working to include these indicators as clinical quality measures in electronic health record systems beginning in 2016.

·  Supporting research to improve outcomes along the HIV care continuum:  The NIH has expanded its investment in research to address gaps and opportunities in the HIV care continuum. Highlights include investigations of the effectiveness of methods to identify people living with HIV earlier and to link them to care; community-level interventions to expand HIV testing and treatment; interventions to improve HIV outcomes among substance users; and evaluation of innovative network approaches for HIV testing and referral for uninfected persons in the correctional system.

· Supporting HIV prevention, care and treatment for veterans living with HIV/AIDS:  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is focusing on increasing HIV testing rates and the number of veterans who are aware of their HIV status and linked to care and treatment.  Since the release of the Strategy, the VA has increased the number of veterans screened for HIV by 217%.

·  Addressing HIV-related stigma and discrimination: Stigma and discrimination keep people from getting tested, care and treatment.  The Department of Justice (DOJ) will continue its aggressive HIV non-discrimination enforcement efforts, specifically targeting enforcement and outreach to the geographic areas with the highest prevalence of HIV, and continue its efforts to address HIV criminalization laws. DOJ will also increase its work under the Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative, which focuses on removing barriers to health care for people with HIV. The Federal Bureau of Prisons will continue its efforts to maximize optimal HIV treatment for inmates and improve clinical linkages upon their release.

·  Increasing employment opportunities for people living with HIV/AIDS: The Department of Labor (DOL) continues to support efforts in this regard. Efforts specific  to HIV include publishing a suite of “Employment and Living with HIV/AIDS” materials, including a resource guide for individuals; a business case for employers; a series of individual, employer and service provider success stories; and an online toolkit with information for individuals, employers and service providers.

·  Supporting stable housing for people living with HIV/AIDS: Ongoing support of the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program and other HUD programs means thousands of  people living with HIV and their families have stable housing, which is vital to improving health and wellness. HOPWA currently supports housing for over 61,614 households.

[HIVPLUS]

40 year-old super-producer Pharrell Williams along with The Neptunes, have had the music game on lock since 1992,  lending a verse to Wreckx-N-Effect's hit "Rump Shaker."

Over the years the multiple Grammy-Award winner has added numerous credits to his name--including:

• Musician: His solo efforts, plus four albums with N.E.R.D. and one album with Daft Punk, sold 2.7 million copies.*
• Music Producer: Singles he collaborated on with Robin Thicke, Daft Punk, Jay Z, and numerous others sold 9.7 million copies from January through September 2013 alone.*
• Philanthropist: From One Hand to Another, which he founded in 2008, helps kids ages 7 to 20 meet their potential through music, technology, art, and motivation.
• Fashion Designer: Clothing lines Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream, started in 2005 with BAPE founder Nigo, manufacture high-quality streetwear such as T-shirts, denim, shoes, shirts, and accessories. Regularly guest-designs for companies as varied as Gap, Timberland, Topshop, and Moncler.
• Media Mogul: His YouTube channel, i am OTHER, launched in 2012 with eight programs. It currently has more than 250,000 sub- scribers and 21 million views.
• Author: 2012's memoir Places and Spaces I've Been (with contributions from Buzz Aldrin and Jay Z).
• Furniture Designer: Perspective Chair (with Domeau & Pérès), May 2008. Tank Chair (with Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin), November 2009.
• Jewelry Designer: Collaboration with Louis Vuitton (2008).
• Fine Artist: Collaboration with Takashi Murakami on a sculpture for Art Basel (2009).
• Textile Manufacturer: Partner in Bionic Yarn, which turns plastic bottles into clothing and bags.
• Tech Star: Cofounded UJAM, a cloud-based music- creation and pro-duction platform, in 2010.
• Gearhead: Co-owner of Brooklyn Machine Works bicycles.
• Architect: Announced plans to collaborate with Pritzker Prize winner Zaha Hadid on a prefab house.

The fashion icon who has been all over Billboard this year with hits such as "Lucky" and "Happy," is featured in the latest issue of  business magazine,Fast Company.

In the interview, the newlywed shares details on his creative process, productivity and teamwork, preferring to work with women, education and so much more:

ON WHY HE PREFERS TO WORK WITH WOMEN:
Oh, I would go crazy with an office full of dudes. What am I going to talk about? Football? I don’t know anything about sports. Women have always been my motivation, and equality is quite naturally a theme for me. So it’s all estrogen: estrogenic–I’m going to create a term–intelligence. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, and everyone works way, way, way harder than me.

ON HOW HE TAPS INTO CREATIVITY IN THE SHOWER:


First thing I do [in the morning] is thank the master. I thank God every day. Then I lie there for a few minutes and just sort of…be. Then I shower, and that’s where a lot of my concepts come from. I write songs in there sometimes. If you don’t interrupt [your subconscious] with the ego, or are like, No, it’s gotta be like this, then a lot of ideas will come. Once you start judging it and editing it, then you’re no longer tapped in. You’ve moved it over to your mind before you even realize it. So I spend a lot of that time just standing there in the water with a blank stare. It is often the reason why I’m tardy.

ON TEAMWORK BEING THE KEY TO SUCCESS:
You are only as good as your team. When you envisage success, you should see all the people you work with, in addition to yourself. When I look at that picture, I see giant angels who are much smarter than me, who can oversee the things that I don’t know shit about.

HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT AMERICAN SCHOOL SYSTEMS:
The school system isn’t spending a lot of time looking for specific potential. We are bred to be worker bees; to grow up, get married, have a kid, drive a Volvo, do our taxes, invest in something, find a hobby. I spent a lot of time in school not paying attention.

Head over to Fast Company to read the complete interview. Also, check out his latest I am OTHER contest where you can submit your best t-shirt design in the clip below.

 

As breakout stars go, they don’t much bigger nor shine as bright as Ariana Grande.

Since bursting on the scene early this year with debut single "The Way," the 20-year-old has gone on to enjoy blockbuster success with its parent album Yours Truly. Indeed, the hit-filled set appears to be the gift that keeps giving, spawning a number of chart smashes (including latest single "Right There"), a sell-out tour, and critical acclaim aplenty.

That Grape Juice recently sat down with the soulful Pop powerhouse, who readily dished on her phenomenal year, upcoming new album, those Mariah Carey comparisons, and more. As ever, we ask the questions you really want answers to!

Continue reading to watch their interview with Ariana Grande!

Jhene Aiko gets high with the king of kush, Wiz Khalifa, on the original version of her smokers’ anthem “The Vapors.” A version with Vince Staples appears on her EP Sail Out, which debuted at No. 1 on the R&B charts.

“Can I hit it again?” asks Jhene, while Wiz brings the smoke.

If you missed it last year, also check out Jhene’s holiday song “Wrap Me Up” featuring James Fauntleroy, which is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Get high with both on their collaboration after the break.

 

[IMAGE COURTESY OF NOIRE3000; MODEL: AK BROWN]

Since the epidemic began in the late 80s'--the once deadly disease has been upgraded to a chronic illness that is manageable, with those infected now living longer, more fulfilling lives. However with the many advancements made has come this idea that HIV/AIDS is no longer a topic that needs to be discussed. We as a nation have raised our awareness of how to protect ourselves, but with a 20% increase in gay men having unprotected sex within the past decade--it's clear that the discussion is far from over. Or are we no longer afraid of the three letter diagnoses:

...World AIDS Day.

It's scheduled at a weird time of year, isn't it? Right in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this day dedicated to one of the deadliest plagues to beset modern humanity is often overlooked. There's shopping to accomplish! Who is really going to take a break to talk about HIV?

It's sort of a problem cropping up in recent discourse when dealing with the AIDS epidemic. The majority of visible American media is satiated on the idea that HIV is no longer deadly, a circumstance exacerbated by the white supremacist and classist notion that HIV-treatment options are available to all, an idea repudiated by the realities of racism and poverty. With all this static and all this dissonance about the nature of HIV and its consequences, it's easy to see why an ongoing scourge, which slowly murders people globally, can fall out of the public eye.

It is no longer cool nor widely acceptable to talk about HIV and AIDS in the terms that they deserve nor with the sense of urgency that the epidemic requires. Poverty-stricken indigenous South Africans are wasting away in the suburbs of Cape Town, while the advent of PrEP has convinced white middle class gay men in the United States that HIV is no longer a big deal. The priorities are clear: as long as those most privileged among us (like myself) can survive, the disease is manageable.


It isn't. If you think it is, please talk about it with someone newly infected living in Namibia, in Chad, in Alabama... Or on the street you live, sleeping behind your dumpster.

While you gear up for the holidays, please understand that there are some that will never see the holidays again. Please understand that there are those of us who lost an entire generation of elders to this disease, leaving us bereft of wisdom and historical perspective. Keep in mind that there are those among us who miss loved ones who died too soon, too young, too... dead.

Why do we not talk about this anymore? American mainstream gay culture is busily divesting itself of its urgency in talking about HIV, while American mainstream straight culture is divesting itself of any interest in the topic whatsoever. As funds for treatment and research slowly but steadily dry up, things are beginning to look bleak for those not advantaged enough to access prevention and treatment. What do we do? What do we do while people are dying and no-one cares enough to do something about it?

The next step forward, whatever the oligarchic ruling class may tell you, is clear to anyone with a sense of logic (or compassion). The de-stigmatization of HIV is paramount to education. Education about HIV is a necessity to prevention. Prevention is necessary to saving lives.

I hope for a cure someday during my lifetime; with avid desire I wait until I'm able to stop taking these pills, these little pills that rule my little world. Until then, I hope to stay alive, and I hope that others live through this, and I know that some of the people infected don't have a chance in hell, and I'm really fucking sad about that. Capitalism and the state and AIDS have ensured their demise. I hope they pass in comfort.

I know they won't.

As long as people are more obsessed over Black Friday than December 1st, AIDS will exist and will continue to kill people. Thousands of them, globally. As long as people care for profit margins and gift wrapping and the American status quo, people will die victims of narcissistic negligence at the hands of the most wealthy society in human history.

Us.

[HIVPLUS]

Stag Homme Studios discovery, Goran and Brazilian porn star Diego Lauzen have hot sex in the studio’s latest video release called “Gostosos!” There is no doubt that Diego and Goran have great chemistry, and directors Francesco D’Macho and Damien Crosse captured it perfectly! This scene is another must-see from Stag Homme!

After foolishly opting out of the Danity Kane reunion, D. Woods is forging ahead with her solo career. The Atlanta singer gets into the holiday spirit with her cover of Wham!’s ’80s hit “Last Christmas.”

“It’s that time of year again HOLIDAY SEASON!” said D. “Here’s a lil holiday jam for you all while you’re out getting your shop on or at the holiday parties.”

Is she better off solo? Listen to her update of the Christmas classic, and decide for yourself.

 

Following the release of “Merry Little Christmas (Without You),” this past weekend, Kevin McCall debuts his new holiday EP Xmas Love.


K-Mac has had a productive year releasing new music for his fans, starting off with the ‘Definition‘ mixtape in February, and the ‘Sextape‘ EP this past summer.

Now, let Kevin McCall help you get into the holiday spirit with his latest work below!

Jace Tyler and JP Richards find a private place for a heavy fuck session. Jace sucks JP's strong black cock while his own dick twitches delightfully. JP moans with relish and offers his bubble butt for Jace to eat. But both guys are hungry and JP dives in as well. JP fucks Jace standing upright until he is open enough to let him ride on his engorged cock.


Jace's load squirts in a blast of cum.

Sean Zevran is one of the hottest models in Randy Blue’s stable of stallions. Look at him! Those chiseled good looks. That huge cock. An ass that could crack walnuts. Whether he’s plowing or getting plowed, Sean gives 110% in every scene. (And if you’ve seen any of Randy Blue‘s “Behind the Scenes” videos, you’ll also catch a glimpse of his wry sense of humor.)

Scroll on down to find out what Sean says about what turns him on, his ultimate fantasy scene, and how he got into the adult industry.

-Karsh

KARSH: SEAN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR INTERVIEWING WITH US. LET'S START THINGS OFF SIMPLE. YOU HAVE A DIVERSE BACKGROUND. HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO THE ADULT INDUSTRY, AND WHY DID YOU GO WITH RANDY BLUE?
SEAN ZEVRAN: I had just finished taking my last final of my undergrad degree when a friend of mine—Brandon Wilde, who is also in the industry—gave me a call and told me he had submitted some photos of mine and my contact information to Randy Blue.

It caught me off guard and I laughed… But sure enough, Randy Blue contacted me that evening with a proposal to do a solo video and sign an exclusive contract with them. I told them I’d give it some thought, and after considering several factors—including the consequences of doing porn—it didn’t take long before I had made up my mind. A few weeks later, I was flying to Los Angeles to shoot my solo.

K: SINCE YOUR DEBUT WITH RANDY BLUE, YOUR BODY HAS REALLY CHANGED AND IMPROVED FROM SCENE TO SCENE. WHAT FUELS THAT PASSION TO IMPROVE? HOW DO YOU STAY IN SUCH GREAT SHAPE?
SZ: I have always been very physically active. In high school, I was a state competitor in track and field and cross country, and also, a good friend of mine and I started competing against one another toward my senior year to see who could pack on the most muscle. I stayed active in the gym throughout college and was also in the Marine Corps Reserve, so it was necessary to stay fit for the physical fitness test (on which I usually scored a 300).

Once I got into porn, the industry has a way of making one very much aware of every physical insecurity one has. So, motivated by both competitiveness and insecurities, I’ve worked my ass off (or should I say “on”) in the gym. And lately, I’ve had the desire to start competing in official competitions in physique class. Hopefully, I’ll be entering my first competition next year if I can continue at this pace. I’ve stayed fit and improved my body by working hard and adhering to a strict diet, which generally consists of eating six meals daily loaded with carbs and protein.

K: DO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS KNOW ABOUT YOUR GAY PORN CAREER? HOW DO THEY FEEL ABOUT IT? AND HOW DOES IT FEEL WHEN YOU GET RECOGNIZED IN PUBLIC?
SZ: I’m an honest, open book with everyone, and that includes my family. So, yes, my family is aware of my career in porn. I’m sure there are other things they wish I might have chosen, but they are nonetheless sincerely proud of me. They know that whatever I choose to do, I will give it my all, and I am always first and foremost concerned about being a compassionate and ethical human being. Additionally, I did time in the military and have a college degree; they’re content to let a little wildness slide from time to time.

It used to be a little awkward when people recognized me, only because I wasn’t used to it, but eventually, I came to be confident in it and realized that I can make someone’s day by taking some time to introduce myself and chat with those that recognize me. That’s always a good feeling.

K: WHAT'S THE BEST PART ABOUT WORKING WITH RANDY BLUE? BESIDES FUCKING ALL THE HOT GUYS, I MEAN! HOW DO YOU CREATE THAT CHEMISTRY? IS IT GENUINE, OR IS IT ACTING?
SZ: The best part of working with Randy Blue is the opportunity it has provided for me insofar as traveling, meeting new people and experiencing new things. It’s allowed me to discover a lot about myself and the world, and also, to live on the edge a little.

As far as the fucking of hot guys, I’d say it’s a mix of chemistry and acting. Sometimes the chemistry just isn’t there, and so we improvise. Though, it goes without saying the hottest scenes are almost always those wherein there is strong chemistry between the two guys; or three or four, or however many.

K: A LOT OF PORN IS AROUND CATEGORIES AND FETISHES. BEING A BIRACIAL MAN, DOES THIS AFFECT YOU? AND IF YOU COULD GIVE ANY ADVICE TO UP AND COMING PORN STARS OF COLOR, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
SZ: There are a lot fetishes in porn. It’s very interesting. It’s made me a lot more open-minded, that’s for sure.

As for being biracial, it doesn’t really affect how I perform or how I regard my role in the industry, but it seems everyone is trying to claim me—some people think I’m Latino, others try to label me black or a “man of color”. I don’t consider myself anything.

Race is ambiguous and, ultimately, irrelevant. As you know, I’m both black and white, but even if I were one or the other, those two racial labels are still quite ambiguous. If I could give any advice to upcoming porn models of color, or any upcoming models for that matter, it would be to be themselves and not place so much emphasis on race and stereotypes. What’s more relevant is personality and how a model performs.

K: LET'S SAY YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY OUT YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY IN YOUR NEXT SCENE. DESCRIBE FOR US WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE?
SZ: Oh, this is a fun question: I have several different fantasies I tend to envision, depending on my state of mind. I’m versatile and have a submissive side and a passionate side as a bottom and a top, respectively.

As a submissive bottom, I have this fantasy of being put in situations wherein I’m taken advantage of. For example, it’s hot to fantasize about being someone’s slutty rent boy, being blackmailed for sex or put into a quid pro quo situation, being date raped or going to jail for a night or two and being held down and used. Of course, these are situations that are better left as fantasies and not made realities. Plus, my ego is often too great to allow any of these things to happen, except for being a rent boy, which I have done on occasion.

As a top, my fantasies are a lot tamer. This is because I am very passionate and intimate as a top. Usually, I have a strong attraction to the boys I top. So, anything involving dates, movies, cuddling and other romantic situations are my fantasies as a top.

K: ALRIGHT, LET'S GO INTO THE MAN BEHIND THE BRAND. WHO WERE YOU BEFORE YOU BECAME SEAN ZEVRAN? AND WHAT'S SEAN ZEVRAN LIKE WHEN THE CAMERAS ARE OFF?
SZ: As I mentioned in the first question, immediately before my involvement in the industry, I was a college student majoring in philosophy with a minor in economics. I was also in the Marine Corps Reserve. I was one of the founding fathers of a fraternity on my college campus, as well as a member of numerous other extracurricular student organizations. And I had a lot going on even before college—I was a high school student working two and sometimes three jobs, a state competitor in track and field and cross country each year of high school, and I was class president three out of four years of high school.

All of this almost inevitably leads many to ask how I would end up in porn. The answer to that is simple: I pretty much ran myself ragged. I was so professionally driven toward the future before realizing I wasn’t a happy person. I also faced a difficult ethical conundrum regarding choosing a future as a Marine Corps officer. I completed Officer Candidates School in college and was on set to commission as an active duty lieutenant in the Corps, but I declined my commission upon graduation.

While I don’t regret any of the things I did, I needed some time to be young and stupid. I needed to take some time to live in the now. That’s pretty much the bottom line. When Randy Blue gave me that phone call, I saw an opportunity to liberate myself in a brazen manner of self-expression and defiance of social norms. I regret nothing.

To answer the second part of your question: Sean Zevran is the same on camera as he is off camera. I don’t like to pretend I’m something that I’m not. Besides, I am not very good at it. I appreciate who I am through the sum of my experiences and education and I don’t like to inhibit that. So, what you see is what you get. Most people can appreciate that.

K: AND I'M SURE EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW THIS: ARE YOU SINGLE, AND WHAT KIND OF MEN DO YOU LIKE?
SZ: I am indeed single. Of course, realizing the physical qualities of guys that I like is easy, and any of my close friends by now can probably pick out from a mile away a guy I’m going to be physically attracted to.

Roughly, if a guy is a muscular Latino, Asian or mulatto, or just a guy with darker features, with wild haircuts and tattoos being a plus, or has some variation of these qualities, chances are I’m going to be eye-fucking him. I’m definitely not exclusive to that physical “type”, if you will, but I certainly have a higher attraction to those traits than others. Also, I’m a big legs and ass guy—I love me some muscular legs with a nice muscle ass, regardless of how the guy prefers to be sexually satisfied in the sack. He can’t be skippin’ leg day, bro.

But about personality… I’m still learning what personality traits attract me the most, but so far here are the ones I’ve figured out:

First, I’m not attracted merely to confidence, but what the military calls “command presence”. This is someone who is authoritative, tactfully takes charge of situations and inspires others to action. On the other hand, I have little patience for meekness and timidity.

Secondly, I respect those who use the most simple, straightforward solution to problems—all hail Occam’s razor. By the same token, I have no tolerance at all for people who dramatize problems. My tendency to logically analyze a situation and place it into different philosophical contexts often has me being perceived as insensitive, yet this is a quality and ability I highly value in myself and others.

Third, I’m invigorated by those who aren’t too lazy to think about complex issues, who have the capacity to understand my beliefs, and furthermore invigorated by those who can challenge my beliefs to the point where I need to suspend and reevaluate them. These are often the only people I feel emotionally comfortable opening up to and whose opinion I respect enough from whom to accept advice.

Last but not least, I’m attracted to those who do not defer to authority by virtue of authority itself and who have the fortitude to oppose moral and social norms when these norms do not serve to better our fellow human beings. I value those who dare to be creative and different, but not in a reckless way. There should be moderation between taking self-expression to the extreme and maintaining the utmost respect for other human beings.

So, there you have it. These qualities are not exclusively what I look for in a guy, but qualities that I have a natural inclination to gravitate toward.

K: I KNOW YOU HAVEN'T BEEN SHY AT ALL ABOUT YOUR TIMES GROWING UP AND BEING SURROUNDED BY RACISM IN YOUR HOMETOWN. HAS DOING GAY PORN CHANGED YOUR PERCEPTION ABOUT GAY MEN?
SZ: Not anymore than everyday life changes my opinion of human beings as a whole. We (human beings) are complex and cannot so easily be summarized in narrow groups. Many people, including gay men, have a tendency to label ourselves and others and look at things in a very limited way.

For example, some gay men might say, “Ugh, all gay men are horn dogs and cheaters”, but how many times have you heard women accusing straight men of the same thing? Or how many times have you heard men accusing women of things that are just as common for males?

We’re human, and understanding humanity takes a greater understanding than the labels of sexuality, gender, race or religion allow for. For a deeper analysis, I defer to psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists and all the rest of those guys.

K: YOU'RE VERY ELOQUENT IN INTERVIEWS AND ON FACEBOOK. YOU'VE STUDIED PHILOSOPHY AND ECONOMICS AND TALK A LOT ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS AND POLITICS. WHAT DO YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING AFTER PORN?
SZ: Well, Karsh, as you’ve personally known for a while, I plan to get enrolled back in school for a master’s degree, preferably in neuroscience. I am working on getting completely on top of things financially before getting back into school full-throttle, though. I eventually want to get accepted into a PhD program.

So, you could say my short-term goal is a master’s degree (unless I am accepted directly into a PhD program), followed by the long-term goal of maybe teaching and doing research in my given field. I am still not entirely certain. I am not even sure how far I wish to go in the porn industry.

K: DO YOU READ ANY OF THE COMMENTS PEOPLE LEAVE ONLINE ABOUT YOUR SCENES? IF YOU COULD TELL THOSE FOLKS ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
SZ: Reading online comments about scenes is like reading the comments on online news articles. At best, it is only slightly amusing, and at worst, it is irritating. I no longer read the comments, so I have nothing to say about it really.

K: OKAY, LET'S MAKE THE LAST QUESTION FUN. YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE YOUR PORN NAME TO THE NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET AND THE FIRST STREET YOU LIVED ON AS A KID. TELL THE WORLD YOUR NEW PORN NAME.
SZ: I don’t remember the very first street I lived on, but the one I do remember is called “Choctaw”. And the name of the first pet I had was a dog named “Sandy”. So I guess my new porn name is “Sandy Choctaw” or “Choctaw Sandy”, whichever ordering of the names you prefer.

Thanks for the interview, Karsh. I’m honored, and it’s always a pleasure to speak with you.

[SEAN ZEVRAN]

"Say you loved me, whatever/So completely, whatever/I see you was wrong but guess what, baby
I got a smile on my face/Don't trip, didn't take long to get over you/I'm good, ain't got no attitude/Found another on the quick finer than you./And that's the truth, fool, I'm happy for you"

I didn't even know what love was during this time, but this track was my go-to breakup song. "Happy" was featured on the You Got Served soundtrack, released on December 23, 2003.

During that time Jhene Aiko was signed to Epic Records, and while pursuing her solo career, was featured on labelmate--B2K's album B2K-The Remixes Volume1.

During this time Jhene's A&R was fired, leaving the release of her self-titled debut album in limbo.

"They had brought a new A&R on board, and she didn’t really didn’t know a lot about my projects, so she kind of just put me on the back burner. And it was obvious that they were not going to do anything [with me]. My mom was my manager at the time, and I sat down with her and I was like I would just rather be released and be free to do whatever I want rather than wait. The same thing with TUG ‘cause they were pretty much doing the same thing. I wasn’t really working and I was doing everything on my own, so I decided I would just rather be a free agent."

The songstress who was then 16, decided to leave the industry completely and focus on her education. After experiencing life, including having a child with singer Omarion's younger brother O'Ryan, Jhene returned to industry and inked a deal with Def Jam in 2011.

Since then Aiko's career has become hotter than ever, but one listen to "Happy," and it's clear that Chris Stokes and Epic missed out big with this talent.

The 25 year-old just released her critically acclaimed EP Sail Out, the follow up of 2011's Sailing Soul(s).

 

On his tour training different porn stars across the country and across the world, Bull Dawg meets his match, Julien for In Da Gym, Canada edition. While the weather outside was icy cold with snow in the Canada, Bull Dawg an Julien turned it up in the gym, attracting lots of stares from the who's who of the local gym. Not only did the looky-loos motivate the pair, it had them so pumped that their muscles were bulging out of their tank tops, they had to peel out of them--attracting even more stares.

The gym work out went well, well at least until Bull Dawg and Julien peeled out of their shirts, as not only did they attract the attention of their fellow gym patrons, but the gym management got curious to see what the commotion going on around them was all about.

As Expected, the gym management did not like the top muscles of Bull Dawg and Julien, parading around their gym--so they politely asked both "Hulks" to get dressed.

Continue reading to get pumped!

In “Marc and the Twins,” which was distributed only online, the Goffneys are hanging out on the Las Vegas strip when they offer to audition for “Marc,” a chiseled black porn star who happens to pass by. The three take the “audition” to a seedy hotel room. Although “Marc” is the focus of the encounter, the twins can be seen rubbing each others’ chests and getting cozy. “Marc and the Twins” seems to be the most popular of the online porn films that star Taleon and Keyontyli.

In an interview with Details magazine, the owner of the Blackmen.net website, Xavier McDonald, described the video as "a pretty big deal" within "black hard-core gay erotica," mainly because Marc Williams"bottomed" for Taleon Goffney.

Austin Wilde saw Eli Hunter’s bubble butt and knew he wanted to be inside of it. We took the guys down to the beach to toss around the football around and find out what exactly it is a straight guy likes about getting fucked. Austin also explained what it is about fucking straight guys that he enjoys so much, and then went on to tell a story about his favorite experience of doing so. After football and talking about sex for so long, instead of sticking around for the sunset, the guys went back to get it on. Once back, they pretty much devoured each other in a sexual rampage. Eli seemed to like getting fucked by Austin’s huge dick a little more than he originally portrayed. He also seemed to enjoy Austin pulling out and cumming all over his hole and then eating it out.


It’s just two guys, regardless of their sexuality, enjoying an orgasm together…

In aninterview with Bad Boyz Club, crossover porn superstar Phat Daddy praised Lex. When asked who his favorite bottom was to work with, he replied, "Now that's a good question. I have no favorite but the best was Lex."

When asked about the "awkward" moment in this classic threesome scene where Lex abruptly gets up and the two begin to laugh hysterically, Phat Daddy cleared up the moment. "[Because I made him nut early], but also because he really liked me for some reason. He cool though, thats my boy."


A Papithugz Lextacular. Lex is back in his versatile debut on our site with buff Phat Daddy and muscle bottom Miguel Lee. Lex says, "real niggas know how to take dick" and we couldn't agree more.

Happy Holidays!!!