Hola from Puerto Rico! This time I’m actually on a much-appreciated holiday, but still running, of course…
The Stories
* Dr Dre has released his first album in 16 years…
While we wait patiently for Frank Ocean’s imminent sophomore album, there’s another one to get excited about. Dr Dre. In the past 16 years, the pioneering artist has been a producer, a talented A & R man and a savvy and very wealthy businessman with Beats and then the Apple collaboration. Now, he’s about to go back to what he’s known for – making music. Compton is releasing instead of Detox which had been the long-awaited album he was set to put out. It coincides with the release of the NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton. Does he still have it? is the question. He’s pulled in some of his most well-known collaborators and also introducing us to new protégés, something he’s usually been pretty good at over the years. The album, which is available from Friday, features 16 new Dre songs and appearances by Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and more. He’s also going to be donating the royalties to an arts centre in Compton.
* A number of celebrity splits happened this week…
Splitsville was the name of the town Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale visited this week, when they announced their divorce after 12 years of marriage, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog also announced they are going to be seeing other people, frogs and pigs (although I am hoping that one’s just a TV publicity stunt for The Muppets show), and Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith reaffirmed their commitment to each other and denied divorce rumours. I don’t usually do these gossip/personal life stories, but these are the kinds of couples we’ve come to see as stables in showbiz, so it does feel like something shifts if they are no longer together. Even Lenny Kravitz experienced a split of his own – when his pants tour on stage in Stockholm, revealing he was wearing no underwear. And he carried on playing. Always knew he was a rockstar among rockstars. Also, Jon Stewart bid the Daily Show goodbye with his last hosting this past Thursday. But, Jennifer Aniston married Justin Theroux, so maybe it’s not all Down with Love entirely.
* Fantastic Four hits the cinema and so does the Deadpool trailer…
The reviews haven’t been too kind to the film, and director Josh Trank has implied that 20th Century Fox meddled in the film he intended to make. The re-imagined origin story of Marvel’s longest-running superheroes stars Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell and Michael B. Jordan. The Deadpool trailer has been tacked onto the film as a preview. Let’s hope this one is as much of a winner for Ryan Reynolds as it looks.
The Route
For a very scenic 3 miles in Old San Juan, start from the Plaza De La Rogativa, at the sculpture done by Kiwi artist Lindsey Daen, and head up the hill towards Castillo San Felipe del Morro, otherwise known as El Morro. Take in the breathtaking National Monument that’s been standing since the 16th Century. Head down the street Calle Cruz, with its wonderful coloured buildings, turn right on Calle San Fransisco. Right again on Calle del Cristo where you’ll find the Old San Juan Cathedral. Head down del Cristo, towards the Marina, turn left on Calle Tetuan, and run along it until you get to Castillo de San Cristobal. You then have time to explore its 5 levels and then head back to El Morro, with your ticket from Cristobal!
Pro-tip
Make sure you stop by Cafe Mallorca, an old-school diner the locals frequent, where their speciality is a mallorca, a sweet bread-like pastry filled with guava and cheese. Also, I can attest that their chocolate cake slice goes down well after a long run of 10 miles or more. Marathon-training can be used to discount many calories, ha!
