The NBC Sports Group will present 27 hours of Triple Crown coverage this season from Churchill Downs, Pimlico and Belmont, including additional ‘classics’ from the Preakness and Belmont, live racing from all three tracks prior to the three Triple Crown races and post-race coverage of the Preakness and Belmont on VERSUS. This marks the first time that all three races will be on one network since NBC last aired the Triple Crown in 2005.

PREAKNESS STAKES: Since NBC Sports began broadcasting the Preakness in 2001, every Preakness telecast on NBC over that period attracted more viewers than any Preakness telecast on ABC in the previous seven years. Viewership for the Preakness is up an average of 69% in the 10 years on NBC compared to the previous seven years on ABC.

The Preakness Stakes was run for the first time in 1873, and has run without a break from Pimlico Racecourse since 1909.

For more information, please visit the NBC official website.

*Press Release courtesy of NBC
*Article Photo courtesy of NBC

The Urban Island music scene has had a phenomenal year so far with artists coming out and showcasing their talents.They understand the dedication and hard work it takes to pursue music. But more than commitment, you’ve got natural talented young artists in the urban island music scene and singer Molia has got our attention. Only 19 years old, this young female music artist is excited to release her new solo album this summer and the WhatItDo was able to catch up with her.

TWID: Where are you from?

Molia: I’m 19 years old and I’m from San Jose, CA. I wasn’t serious about my music until I was 16 years old. That’s when my older cousin Laine she called me and she asked me if I wanted to go out to Virginia to be apart of her record label and she was going to help me out and so I had a year contract with her. It became serious since then. When I was fifteen, it was my first time in the studio, and I started writing my own music when I was 12 but I wasn’t really serious.

TWID: What was the turning point for you to get serious as a music artist?

Molia: When I was with my cousin, I got a couple of interviews with major labels like Jive and Def Jam Records. So, it encouraged me and the people that I met, I met a lot of artists, and I’ve worked with some and it kept encouraging me to keep going and keep working on it.

TWID: What inspires you? Are you more of the singer or do you like to write?

Molia: I like both. I could write about anything. Everything that I write about is true. Whatever I’m going through, my daily situations. If you really listen to my songs, I have a lot of love songs. I was like in a few relationships and I just write how I feel. I would say that writing is more of an option for me. Singing is something that I love to do and I love to make people happy and I love to touch them with my music.

TWID: What about performing?

Molia: I recently just got into performing. Because when I used to perform, I would be stuck and I wouldn’t know what to do. I want people to feel like I’m entertaining them. I mean I do need a little more work but, other than that yea. It’s something that I like to do.

TWID: What’s your ethnic background?

Molia: I’m samoan. My parents come from both American and Western Samoa. It’s really confusing because us polys we have big families. And I don’t know if I were to go all the way back, I’m not really sure. Both of my parents are from Hawaii. Both of them are from Western Samoa. My dad’s parents are from American Samoa.

TWID: What do you hope to accomplish in 2012?

Molia: I want to get my first album out. I’ve been working on my album for a year or two now. I’m actually working on getting it out during the summer time.

TWID: Who is your biggest inspiration?

Molia: Lauren Hill is as well Bob Marley too. Its what he says. Lauren Hill is the same way. She sings about her life. But what she sings about is what she goes through and that’s how I see my music and how I sing. I sing what I go through. I want to inspire people like how they inspire me. And my parents keep me motivated. They support me through everything. Especially my dad. If I want something, he makes sure that I get it. That’s how my parents are. I really appreciate what they do for me. I want to be to do that for people one day. Even though when I have kids and a family, I want to be able to do that too but for other people as well.

TWID: How can we find you online?

Molia: My music is currently on Reverbnation/Molia and YouTube/themoliab as well. You can also follow me on Twitter/_Moliaaa.

There’s no doubt that Molia is dedicated and her source of inspiration that keeps her driven comes from a solid foundation. She is one of the very few polynesian females in the music scene who has the right humble attitude with a sweet personality. Her urban island sound is about to splash the west coast this summer and that’s WhatItDo!

Article Written By: Elizabeth Lavulo
Twitter: @elavulo

The WhatitDo team visited Miami,FL and was able to soak up the sun and a hot atmosphere with even hotter people. In a city where yachts are just as abundant as cars to where you can pull up your boat in the comfort of your own backyard was a sight to see. In a latin infused atmosphere blended with Caribbean influences and southern comforts, Miami is definitely a city where urban islanders have a strong presence. During the visit, we were able to catch up with samoan stuntman Tanoa’i Reed. He shares with us what brings him to the Everglades and how he stays true to his polynesian roots working in the Entertainment Industry.

On location in South Beach doubling Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for his upcoming film Pain and Gain directed by Michael Bay, Reed’s humble attitude has gotten him far in his work and he shares with us what he does and that’s WhatItDo!

NEW YORK – May 7, 2012 – NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and its producers have again collaborated with YouTube, and for the first time, show sponsor Snapple, to allow talented acts from across the country the opportunity to audition online for their shot at stardom and a million-dollar prize. The online auditions will be voted upon by the viewers in the YouTube Snapple episodes airing in August on NBC, and the top 20 acts will compete at their shot at stardom for sought-after slots in the semi-final round of the competition show. Those selected to enter the semi-finals will then face the AGT judges panel – - – new judge Howard Stern, who joins fellow judges Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne.

Following the June 1 deadline, producers will select 20 acts for the YouTube community to view and vote for their favorites. The #1 YouTube act with the most qualifying votes will gain a place on the YouTube Snapple quarterfinal performance episode. 11 other acts found on YouTube will also perform on the special live show and will be competing for slots in the semi-finals.

Much like season 5 finalist Jackie Evancho, who became a worldwide singing sensation after her online submission led to her competing on the #1 summer series, hopefuls once again can audition online by submitting their videos via the YouTube/Snapple audition program.

Now through June 1, United States-based acts of all ages can now upload their audition videos via the “America’s Got Talent” Audition App, or at www.youtube.com/americasgottalent, or at www.nbc.com/agt or the Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/nbcagt. All submissions are subject to the terms and conditions of the competition.

“America’s Got Talent” will premiere with two two-hour episodes on Monday, May 14 (8-10 p.m. ET) and Tuesday, May 15 (8-10 p.m. ET). The series then resumes in its regular day and time on Monday, May 21 (8-9 p.m. ET) and on Tuesday, May 22 (9-10 p.m. ET).

In addition, once again, “America’s Got Talent,” YouTube and Snapple have taken the online audition element to the next level, allowing submissions via a new iPhone and Android app, which gives potential acts the opportunity to submit audition videos from their handheld devices. This app allows these users to record and upload a video directly to YouTube and submit it as an official “America’s Got Talent” audition.

For more information on America’s Got Talent, please visit their official website.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – May 2, 2012 – Jeremy Britt, a 23-year-old banker from Rockford, Michigan, became “The Biggest Loser” at tonight’s live season finale of the NBC series, winning $250,000. Jeremy began season 13 weighing 389 lbs. and lost 199 lbs. He weighed in at finale at 190 lbs. and lost 51.16% of his body weight.

The runner up among the three finalists was former professional wrestler and single mother of three, Kim Nielsen, who began the show at 252 lbs. and weighed 134 at finale. She lost 118 pounds and 46.83% of her body weight. Coming in third was winner Jeremy Britt’s sister, Conda Britt, a nutrition health services tech who lost 115 lbs. and 39.12% of her body weight. She started the show at 294 lbs. and weighed 179 lbs. at finale. Jeremy and Conda were the last original team standing among the ten teams of contestants who were on season 13.

The winner of this season’s $100,000 “at home” prize among eliminated contestants went to 41-year-old Mike Messina, a cook from Oakland,
California, who was eliminated in the second episode. He began the show weighing 358 lbs. and ended at 198 lbs., losing 160 lbs. and 44.69% of his body weight.

Also at the live finale, runner-up Kim Nielsen was announced as the winner of the PALA (Presidential Active Lifestyle Award) challenge, a contestant competition announced by First Lady Michelle Obama during the makeover episode. PALA is a six-week pledge-based program designed to get both adults and children more physically active and healthy, and the First Lady challenged the players to see who can get the most people to sign up under their names on www.nbc.com/pala. Planet Fitness will donate $30,000 worth of gym equipment to Kim’s hometown so that her whole community can get active too.

For more information on the Biggest Loser, you can visit the show’s official website.

*Press Release courtesy of NBC
*Photo courtesy of Trae Patton/NBC

Great Warrior, Great Battle

Around the world, there are documented wars, battles and tensions between countries over power, money, and even women. The South Pacific, as small as the countries are, indeed have had their own conflicts that have bled into America and other areas of the world. Out of the Pacific, Tongans & Samoans have had the most tension which has surfaced in the U.S and New Zealand making them the new battlegrounds to continue the “battle.” The question always has been, “Why?” The past is the past but it does not dictate our today or future. It has influenced people but not committed them to “fight.” There are many who love regardless of race and advocate for others to do the same through education, exposure, and experience. Here is an insight from someone who might know a thing or two about Tongan & Samoan relations.

Princess Diaries 4:

When the topic of relations between the Islands of Samoa and Tonga are brought up, my mind is a whirlwind of thoughts. What is one without the other?

I feel a strong connection to Samoa.

We shouldn’t deny the extremely intertwined history Tonga shares with Samoa. Tongans and Samoans only remember the animosity between the neighboring islands, but do not acknowledge the great mutual respect that formed the basis of each other’s cultures. When both Islands are looked at from a historical perspective, you can see that the similarities and connections are far more deeper and respected then the surface would show. The body of ancient Tongan Kings were sacred and only Samoans were allowed to touch them in order to receive their tattoos. In ancient times, although battles were fought between Samoa and Tonga, leaders of both countries would still show respect to each other even though the fate of one of them would be a loss. The story is, when Samoa battled Tonga to reclaim their country and won, the leader of the Tongan army called to the leaders of the Samoan army and said, “Malie To’a [great warrior]. Malie e tau [great battle],” so the Highest Samoan titles Malietoa and Malietau have Tongan origin. An example of something revered in the Tongan culture with Samoan roots, is the Tongan solo dance or tau’olunga. We [Tongans] integrated the Samoan solo dance into our [Tongan] culture. I’ve learned that one nation gives strength to the other. As a true Tongan, I pay homage from the strength I’ve gained, knowing that some of the rich legacy of my country has is a result of our relationship with Samoa.

I feel a strong personal connection to Samoa starting with my name. My full name is Frederica Lupe’uluiva Fatafehi Lapaha Tuita. Lupe’uluiva, a Samoan name, was gifted to me by my late grandfather, King Tupou IV. I once asked Tooa Tosi Malietoa (daughter of High Chief Malietoa of Samoa), what was the story behind the name Lupe’uluiva. I remember sitting at her feet, looking up at her, eagerly listening to her to explain. And in Samoan and a little english she says my name means “dove with nine heads”. In Samoa, there is a pool of water, Vaimo’oi’a, there hatched a dove’s egg and it bore a dove with nine heads. The metaphorical meaning behind the name is one who carries wisdom and the ability to connect with their people, Aiga or [in Tongan] Kainga. Through my name, I feel an abundance of love for Samoa just as much as I do with Tonga. I believe I inherited this trait from my late grandfather, Tupou IV. He spoke Samoan and would hold conversations with the late Malietoa Tanumafili II and his aiga in Samoan. He knew the importance of good relations between Tonga and Samoa and was elated when his son, the late Prince Ma’atu, married Alaileula, the late Malietoa Tanumafili II’s granddaughter.

I remember when our grandfather was in Mercy Hospital (Auckland, NZ), and shortly before he passed away there were things he would start to forget. At times when we’d sit with him, I’d wonder if he remembered us- his grandchildren, but the moment Alaileula walked into his room where we were with him, he remembered her immediately and asked about Samoa and her family there. The greatest Tongan chiefs from the first Tu’i Tonga down to the current King of Tonga are knowledgeable of the history we share with Samoa to appreciate our connections.

I often wish all polynesians shared my gratitude for other cultures, as well as, the friendly banter that I share with my Samoan friends and family. I take nothing they say negatively or to heart because they are my heart! I owe many of my fun loving traits to spending time and growing up with my Samoan friends and family. My aunt Alaileula Tuku’aho tells me the first time she saw me, I was 3 years old, and without knowing who she was I opened my arms inviting her to hug me. That story always always makes me happy and reminds me that how hate is often brought on by how we’re taught and that genetically all children have the ability to love without judgement. I walk around with pride knowing that I still carry that feeling today as an adult.

I feel sadness for those who instigate hatred between Samoans and Tongans, because it isn’t Fa’asamoa (the traditional Samoan way), or FakaTonga (the traditional Tongan way), to hate or bicker over things such as race. Neither culture is better or stronger than the other. Without the differences in the two cultures, Samoans and Tongans are the same.

If one were to take away an individual’s culture from them what would they bicker over?

Tongans and Samoans are proud of their culture and rightfully so. If we lived their culture on a daily basis, we would know it isn’t based on hate. The battle we face today isn’t between Samoans and Tongans, but against the ignorance to the bias one feels towards the other.

I consider myself, not only a true Tongan, but a true Polynesian. The knowledge and respect I have for both cultures connects and grounds me to both Tonga and Samoa. I stand by and will continue to share what both culture have taught me…. to love!

Written By: Hon. Frederica Tuita
Twitter: @FreddieTuita

Driving in luxury is a wonderful feeling because it’s a feeling of total comfort, fresh tan leather interior, modern tech savvy design, user friendly controls that have been engineered around touch, sight and sound. To every urban islander, its all about the big SUV vehicles and a nice exterior that attracts attention. The 2012 Infiniti QX56 is not only a show stopper on the road, but a big beauty from the inside out. An elegant ride that was crafted to make you feel regal no matter who you are.

What’s Good In the Hood?

When driving an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) full of polynesians, the first thing you want to make sure is that your vehicle has power and can handle a heavy load of islanders. The engine of the QX was designed to handle both power and efficiency with gas consumption. The 5.6-liter DIG (Direct Injection Gasoline) V8 features dual overhead cams, 32 valves and a sophisticated VVEL valve control that enhances full throttle in the engine but maintaining the fuel economy. What that means is that the engine was engineered to handle heavy duty power and control but still maintaining how the gas is being utilized throughout this big sexy. 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque deliver an impressive 8500 lb towing capacity and can handle a polynesian load.

Interior

When you’re driving the QX56, you can’t help but feel important and expensive inside. As mentioned in the beginning, Infiniti wanted to make sure their modern design was created around touch, sight and sound and they did more than that. I had the opportunity to escort royal family members of the Kingdom of Tonga to a couple of events in the QX and the interior was fit for royalty. From the conditioned soft leather seats to adjusting temperatures whether it be hot or cold, it was up to the Princesses to adjust within a touch of a button. Because music is a huge part of our driving experience, each royal family member synced their phone to the Bose Premium Audio System. The interior is laced throughout with 13 speakers, including two subwoofers for heavy bass bump. The amazing sound quality will allow you to enjoy playing CDs, streaming music from a compatible Bluetooth device or XM Satellite Radio, or connect and control your iPod via the USB port. The music selection when driving the royals had world wide versatility along with the Bose premium sound delivered a high definition experience.

The QX has three rows of available seating. It can also transform and automatically fold down the third and second row seats for cargo space if you need to move large items. This is great for the average urban islander because when it comes to weddings and funerals, transporting people and goods is definitely a plus in this ride.

Exterior

When you look good on the outside, you feel good on the inside. Well, this is how a person feels when driving the QX56. There are three exterior features that caught my attention right away. The HID (High Intensity Discharge) bi-functional xenon headlights with windshield wiper interlock. The second features is the automatic rear power liftgate. It came in handing when when walking to the QX, it was convenient to just press a remote button and it would open automatically making it easy to put bags and boxes and then pressing the button again to close the liftgate was great. The third feature is the power folding outside heated sideview mirrors with turn signals and a reverse tilt down. This was a plus in traffic on busy city streets because sometimes you want to stick your hand out to let the driver next to you know that you want to merge into their lane. With the turn signals on the side view mirrors, that fills in as your second hand and replaces you having to go through the hassle. It’s also nice know that mirrors are also heated to clear any kind of fog making it convenient for the driver to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.

When driving the Infiniti QX56, its definitely a modern luxury on wheels. With its sophisticated engineered technology by the way it looks and feels, its swag is a force to be reckoned with. The MPG(miles per gallon) gets 14 miles in the city and 20 miles on the highway. Starting price on the QX56 is $59,200. It is competitively priced for a luxury SUV. For the average urban islander who is looking to upgrade into something elegant and nice, this is definitely an option for you to consider. The QX56 is an SUV that is fit for royalty and that’s WhatItDo!

Overall Rating: WWWW

Review By: Elizabeth Lavulo

*Urban Island Song Choice for the Infiniti QX56 2012 – Josh “Wawa” White Movin About My Ways
*Photos courtesy of Infiniti
*YouTube video courtesy of jaycen29

On May 12th, urban island rapper Big Myke is ready to release a new mixtape in the hip hop scene entitled, Here To Shake The Game Up, features rappers from the San Francisco Bay Area. 2012 brings a fresh new hip hop sound for the San Jose based rapper. Always on top of his game, Big Myke knows what it takes to make a mark in hip hop, keep the music moving and heads bangin’ with his lyrical flows.

The Here To Shake The Game Up mixtape release party will be held on the evening of May 12, 2012 at Francesca’s in Mountain View, CA. Hosted by Jay Platinum with DJ Grande and DJ Sparks on deck. It’s about to pop off when doors open at 9pm as hip hop heads come through. It’s a 21 plus affair with casual dress and a positive attitude. Wearing negative behavior will be checked at the door. Special guest live performances will be Hoodstars, Willie Joe, Goldie of the Federation, J Sauce and D Loc of the Gogetas. Whether or not you’re ready to shake the game up with Big Myke, his mixtape release party is going to be a live and direct affair and that’s WhatItDo!

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – April 23, 2012 – Select songs from tonight’s new episode of NBC‘s musical drama series “Smash” (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET), are now available from NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products and Columbia Records on the iTunes store at http://www.itunes.com/NBCSmash. NBC also provides episode recaps, games, photos, videos, musical performance highlights and even fan challenges each week at http://www.nbc.com/smash/.

The two songs available for tonight’s episode of “Smash,” entitled “Publicity,” include:

“A Thousand and One Nights” – written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman; featuring Katharine McPhee and Raza Jaffrey.

“Secondhand White Baby Grand” – written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman; performed by Megan Hilty.

In tonight’s episode, Karen (Katharine McPhee) finds herself seduced by the glamorous life of new BFF Rebecca Duvall (special guest star Uma Thurman) — but can Rebecca be trusted? What will Karen’s ascent mean to her relationship with Dev (Raza Jaffrey)? And will Rebecca drive Derek (Jack Davenport) insane? Eileen (Anjelica Huston) introduces new beau Nick (guest star Thorsten Kaye) to ex-husband Jerry (guest star Michael Cristofer), while Julia (Debra Messing) panics when her son Leo (Emory Cohen) goes missing. Megan Hilty and Christian Borle also star.

“Smash” is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire – to be a “Smash.” Evolving from an idea of executive producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg and created by executive producer/acclaimed playwright Theresa Rebeck, the series is also executive-produced by Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

“Smash” is a production of Universal Television in association with DreamWorks Television and Madwoman in the Attic.

For more information on Smash, you can visit their official website.

*Press Release courtesy of NBC Universal
*Photo courtesy of Will Hart/NBC
*Video courtesy of NBC Universal

The Bay Area definitely caught the FIYA last night as one of the biggest official Pacific Islander headliner tours took to the stage! The San Francisco club Mezzanine housed the biggest Island/Reggae party last night Wednesday, April 14th. Island Sol & Earshot Entertainment hosted a sold out show with New Zealand Reggae Band-Katchafire with guests Common Kings, K’Nova and on the 1’s & 2s, DJ Irie Dole. Special appearances of the night were J Boog, 106KMEL’s Chuy Gomez, Wash House Entertainment, and BigBodyRadio just to name a few.

If you weren’t there, you definitely missed out on a night full of peace, good vibes and great music! K’Nova a local artist was first to hit the stage with LA based band, Common Kings killin’ it right after. Once Katchafire graced the stage the volume of the crowd could’ve blown the roof off. Just when we thought the night had met its peak, Katchafire invited J Boog and Junyer King of Common Kings to join them in singing Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds. That’s when the climax of the night set the place on fire! It was a great show, great people, with a great vibe and that’s WhatItDo!

Rating: WWWW

Review By: RAEN
*YouTube Video courtesy of seymorebuttz13