LEVEL

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje intimidates when he scowls.  It’s not the raging fury of Oz’s Adebisi, the cult-classic character prison boss of Emerald City. This scowl is more slick and calculated: a thinking man’s intimidation with a pepper of physicality. Dressed in all black with a cowboy top hat and full-length fur draped over his broad shoulders, Akinnuoye-Agbaje is summoning the swagger of Alamo Brown, his latest villain in the third (and reportedly final season) of HBO’s Euphoria. Brown is the season’s Big Bad; a Black cowboy with a pimp pedigree. He’s a sharp-shooter and a sartorialist, wielding a gold magnum 44. Alamo has rescued Rue fromLaurie’s (Martha Kelly) indentured servitude. In return, Rue will oversee the women at Alamo’s strip clubs. What could possibly go wrong with Rue on watch where gorgeous women and drugs are plentiful?  Full story at Link in bio. Talent: @therealadewale Photographer/Director: @sarahmccolgan Production Company: @magiccreativeworks Producer: @russlemkin Producer: @karidexter Production Assistant: @ibawi_gabriel First AC: @josedela Photo Assistant: @wes_ sumner Photo Assistant: Cody Cloud Grooming: @dustystarks Stylist: @jasonrembert Stylist Assistant: Ean Ruteledge Stylist Assistant: Jarret Meilleur Location: @vergestudios Adewale PR: Shannon Barr Level: Founder: @Jermainehall Writer: @jermainehall Creative Director: @paulschirecalabrisotto Special thanks to @luisperezdp #euphoria #alamobrown #hbomax

Usher answers today’s questions with confidence and transparency. Seated in his man cave—he smokes cigars and reads here—there are no questions about his upcoming world tour, “Confessions Part II” being crowned the best R&B song of the 21st century by Rolling Stone, or the BET Lifetime Achievement Award he’s scheduled to receive later this month. This is not a music conversation. As Usher appears on the scheduled video conference, his on-screen handle identifies him as Dr. Usher. But we won’t talk much about his commencement speech to the Berkeley School of Music’s class of 2023, where he received an honorary doctorate degree, either. Our focus is on his most prestigious title: Dad. Read the full Q&A at 🔗 in bio. Writer: @erikgparker Creative Direction: @paulscirecalabrisotto Editors: @youngjfk and @jermainehall

Welcome to WISDOM where we sit with men who have done some living and have knowledge to share with you. You’ll learn, laugh, and hopefully incorporate some of these gems that are being shared. First up is @noblewood . In @marabrockakil ’s Forever (Netflix), a coming of age film that centers two deeply-in-love teens, Harris plays a father to two boys. He’s a cool dad with a side of stern — a practical parent that isn’t overbearing or preachy. When he finds out his son is looking to date seriously he has his version of the talk and incorporates props. Wood hands his son a cucumber and a condom and asks that he place the prophylactic on the fruit for accuracy. Then he ramps up the stakes by asking him to repeat the action in the dark. His teenage son, played by Michael Cooper, Jr., fumbles. FULL STORY at link in bio 🔗 Director and Photographer: @sarahmccolgan Producer: @henriicoleman DP: @karson.kane 1st AC: @andyjohnstone 2nd AC: @connor_sher Steadicam: @ryyster Gaffer: @tor.olson Key Grip: @jlab004 Art PA: @jackson.coates Art: @paulscirecalabrisotto Stylist: @jasonrembert Stylist Assistant: Blake Turner CEO and Founder: @jermainehall #blackfamily #parenting #blackgirlmagic #blacklove #blackexcellence #blackculture #blackowned #blackbeauty #fortheculture #blackmedia #fatherhood #forever #Woodharris

The baby-pink, robe-style top coat was designed by Chanel’s creative director, Matthieu Blazy. The look was intended to be both elegant and relaxed. #asaprocky #rihanna #metgala #vogue

It’s a family affair at fashion’s grandest stage. Beyonce and Blu were styled by Ty Hunter (@tytryone ). Music’s royal family looked amazing. #metgala #beyonce #jayz #bluivy #vogue

Steven Caple, Jr. (@stevencaplejr ) directs the first two episodes of television series Man on Fire. With the two films prior delivering their own stylistic POvs, Caple, Jr. lands on an aesthetic that mirrors where the episodes were shot: Brazil. His look is uncomfortable heat with tumultuous terrain. Whether Creasy is riding in a car off-road or in a plane about to crash, you feel like you’re part of the action. It’s gritty, but a far different grit than the previous two films as you feel the tropical environment through the screen. #ManonFire #JohnCreasy #Directing #Netflix

In an incredibly informative interview with the New York Times, Jay-Z details how he creates his magic and breaks down the art of rhyme. Here he delivers his state of mind when writing Dr. Dre’s “Still D.R.E.”. 📸 and 📹: @nytmag #jayz #songwriter #nyt #rap

Although Denzel Washington’s portrayal of John Creasy stands as one of his most memorable roles, @yahya puts his own spin on the character, amplifying his damaged state. He takes quite a few lumps in episode 1, which was directed by Steven Caple, Jr. The Special Forces mercenary is less super solider and more damaged soul. This state of unpreparedness made the character exciting to play says Abdul-Mateen II. #manonfire #yahyahabdulmateenii #netflix

Yahya Abdul-Mateen (@yahya ) Is no stranger to playing complex men on film. The former D1 track athlete is taking on the iconic John Creasy character last played by Denzel Washington in the 2004 film, Man on Fire. The seven-episode series which Carrie’s the same name sees Abdul-Mateen putting his own spin on the damaged and addicted Creasy. Here he talks to LEVEL about how he zones in to deliver on these types of characters. #ManOnFire #JohnCreasy #yahyaabdulmateenii

The polarizing film set a new record for a musical biopic’s opening weekend. The former record was held by Straight Out of Compton ($60.2 million). Queen’s biopic hold the record for overall tally at $910 million. With an outrageous 97% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, Michael should continue to pace well in the coming weeks. Said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson in a statement: “If you give audiences what they want, they will come.” Indeed. #Michael #MichaelJackson #Biopic

Bad press reviews aren’t keeping us from tapping into this film a couple times this weekend. #michaeljackson #michael #jaafarjackson

Two villains. One Rue. 🍿 #euphoria #alamobrown #laurie