To celebrate Ed Banger Records seventh anniversary, the french music label is teaming up with shoebrand Etnies to create a seven part film project. The documentary follows the label's major artists: Justice, Uffie, Busy P, DJ Medhi, SoMe, Sebastian, Breakbot, and Feadz. This is episode one; stay tuned for episode two tomorrow, and three the next day, and four the day after that, and so on and so forth. Press Play!
This video is probably the best fan-made video of anything ever that I have ever seen, and not just because there are two extremely sexy men in it... that's just a bonus ;]
check out a preview to Gaga's actual video for teeth, after the jump...
[note: if the video doesn't show up here, it will for sure after the cut, blogger's failing]
Chanel Iman, Arlenis Sosa, Sessilee Lopez, and Jourdan Dunn
These four gorgeous young women were featured together on the cover of i-D's September 2009 issue. Today was my first time seeing this behind-the-scenes look at the shoot, and it always get's me hyped to see models in their element. This issue was especially important to mebecause it featured an all-black cast; a rarity in an industry that values more traditionally european features. In step with my whole new thing of celebrating self, I've gotten into celebrating black beauty, and embracing myself as a black male [I say Black, not African-American... I feel there is a difference, but that's a post best left up for another date]. So go on now, press play, enjoy the pretty ladies doing what they do best, or at least better than you or I.
[silly sidenote: reading over this, it sounds like a 5th grade book report, lol]
I am speaking this into the universe now, I will one day live amongst individuals seen in this video. Toasting with editors and photographers, jamming to musical powerhouses like Lykke Li, and being interviewed in the back of towncars by the likes of Yvan Rodick. It won't happen overnight, but in time, it will happen. Photos from this event can be found on Yvan's visual diary.
A few years ago, Converse released a music collaboration called My Drive Thru which featured Santigold, Pharrell, and Julian Casablancas... this year, they're doing it again. Best Coast, KiD CuDi, and Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend are the music phenoms that are taking the mic together. In anticpation of this track, three short films are being released. Above is the first of the series which features Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast talking about what inspires her music. I'm glad to see Best Coast on this project, as I'm just getting into this band, and it encourages me to want to know more about them. I'm so excited for this track; My Drive Thru was really cool, to say the least, so hopefully this new collab doesn't dissapoint. The song drops next month; I'll keep you updated, don't worry.
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-- And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted--nevermore! -Edgar Allen Poe (The Raven)-
As much as I make fun of Tyra, she truly is an excellent role model for not only young girls, but young men as well [cause duh, I look up to her]. I remember seeing stills from this interview last year, but in a more comedic scope (making fun of Tyra smizing and making faces, that part of the video is hilarious). Seeing it now, in its entirety, it just adds to the positive image I have of her in my mind's eye. She is a hard-working, independent black woman who hasn't forgotten where she came from, and knows where she's going. Tyra is indeed an icon in the fashion world, despite not being as edgy or controversial as other models of the past and present, but she carved out a great niche for herself in the industry nonetheless. Because really, though none of the ANTM girls have really gone anywhere major, the influence her show has had on the American public in terms of introducing them to this world, and the world of modeling is not to be taken lightly. Enough of me praising Tyrannosaurus Banks, just watch the interview; and please forgive my incessant run-on sentences, it's summer, and I'm about to go crazy here at work... only one more hour to go.
I'm super excited to scoop my copy of this brand new style publication; they are attacking fashion from a different angle: focusing on the individuals who are responsible for this billion dollar industry so many of us live and breathe. The magazine hits US newstands this week; check your local international magazine retailer.
I love this ad campaign, they embody the tagline, 25 Years For A Woman, By A Woman. The shots show both the sensuality and power of the female, and Karlie seems like such a good fit for this. Donna Karan has been around the block for a while, and she as a woman is very classy and regal in my opinion; this campaign really embodies what she, and her designs are: Woman Identified Woman
Say, can I give you the tools to build, A structure bearing some resemblance to a life fulfilled? Tell me, have you ever wondered how as you grow older time begins to disappear? Why, this is because a child lives for the day, a teenager lives for the month, and an adult lives for the year. Time seems to pass when you truly desire it to, But wishing it away, well indirectly you're simply wishing to die.
When I wake up in the morning, I feel just like any other insecure 24-year-old girl. Then I say, 'Bitch, you're Lady Gaga, you get up and and walk the walk today.' -Lady Gaga (Rolling Stone)-
The Challenge: Celebrate some aspect of your identity; marry the shadow and persona of your life. Since moving back home to D.C. from a two year stint in California, I've been finding myself in a bit of an identity crisis. It's no secret that the west coast, and the SF Bay Area specifically, is much more open-minded than those of us on the East Coast. I don't strive to figure out why, but I must say that it's something unique about that part of the country that just nurtures individuality. I had a lot of growth take place while over there, and as the days go on here back in D.C., I'm trying to reclaim that confidence and love of life that I wore as a badge back in the Bay. Loving ourselves is something easier said than done; we're constantly living with two identities: The Shadow (private) and the Persona (public). We tweak some form of our shadow, as to become more accepted by the general public, so we create a persona. For some, it's a dramatic contrasts, for others, it's simply toned-down. Whatever the case may be for you, I simply challenge you to find some aspect of your own identity, and celebrate it. This being LGBTQIA month, I've begun being myself wholehartedly, and not fearing public disapproval because I don't subscribe to how a young man is supposed to act, or what's masculine. I'm, in a sense, living my life, and dancing, like nobody's looking, and I charge you to do the same. "We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies." ~Roderick Thorp, Rainbow Drive
Don't forget to share your testimonials in the comment section.
I'll be honest, I wasn't in love with this song when it was first introduced to me. I've been a fan of Uffie's for almost 2 years now, and I'm super excited that her album is finally coming out. The first track off the album, Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans, is a kind of odd-one-out when listening to the others songs. This is very pop-sounding, while the majority of her album is reminiscent of a Lady Sovereign or Amanda Blank (that angsty rap sound). The video however has me really digging the track; I guess sometimes a visual component really does help. Produced by Pharrell, you'll see him in the video, the track is fun, dance-able, and will most likely find its way onto many people's late-night playlists. Enjoy.
[p.s. look for a complete review and download of the album in the coming days]
