This weekend is going to be ecstasy! Pure magic. I can feel it, almost taste it. I'm ready to get blown away.
P.S. If anyone knows of any decent bands out there, share the love. I'm dying for some new music (doesn't have to be a new artist, just new to my ears).
Took an impromptu late night trip to Billy's in Cheslea last night with my sister. Yup, we went all the way from Brooklyn to Chelsea just to munch on some delicious red velvet cupcakes with over-the-top creamy icing. YUM! These things'll be death of me.
Yes, I do realize that Bobby Brown isn't exactly the coolest kid on the block anymore. But his 1987 sophomore album "Don't Be Cruel" is not only a favourite of mine, but is arguably one of the best R&B albums ever. It produced several hits and r&B classics including; "Roni", "Every Little Step", "My Prerogative" and the title track "Don't Be Cruel".
I some time ago, I came across a video interview accompanied by states where an upcoming artist made a comment slandering the novelty of R&B. The artist went on to say that r&B was "empty and hollow" and "not rooted in anything good". Wow. It's one thing to 'not get' a certain genre, but to make statements that clearly degrade both the genre of music and the people that listen to it, is another thing entirely. As an musical artist, this singer should do themselves a favor and expand her knowledge of r&B. I get the feeling that if they knew an ounce about the history and progression of r&b, they would have thought twice about the manner in which they stated their views. Go ahead, express your opinion. That's all gravy with me, so you won't mind if I do the same.
Now I'm a fan of all kinds of music and often find it hard to define my taste in music according to genres. R&B is one of the more definitive genres that I was raised on as a child and continue to have a profound amount of respect for. From Anita Baker to Aaliyah, Barry White to Beyonce, Sade to Seal, the list is endless. R&B has always maintained a flavorful air and is one of those genres that you cannot get away with being successful in, without being truly talented. R&b requires a great deal of vocal talent. It can be combined with jazz, soul, gospel and hip hop to create something richer than each individual genre and has had a great impact on rock n roll. From it's early days in the 1940s and 1950s in hub-bub urban centers such as New York City, Chicago and Detroit to Motown in the 1960s, disco-infused r&B in the 1970s, the pioneering on New Jack Swing in the 1980s and the contemporary sounds of the 1990s and 2000s, rhythm and blues has come along way. I really could go on and on about the history of r&b and it's impact on music and society, but the music speaks for itself.
In short, what I'm trying to say is regardless of your music tastes, you're free to express your opinion on a matter but don't be distasteful about it and have an utter lack of respect for something just because you can't relate. Better yet, in the words of Bobby Brown - don't be cruel.
Although I prefer to wear darker colours as the weather gets colder, this bright but non-distracting take on colour takes away from the coldness of the season. The bright yellow tights gives what could have been a rather average outfit, a vibey and eclectic twist.
These boots are a must have for me, definitely need to nab these babies as soon as they're available at H&M stores in the city. They're exactly what I've been looking for but could never afford.
NIGERIA HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE 2010 WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA!
It's the first time a football world cup is going to be held on African soil and if the Super Eagles were to not qualify, it would be disastrous. We've made three previous appearances at FIFA World Cup tournaments in the past and were the winners of the 1996 Olympic Football Tournament after beating Argentina. We faced them at the same tournament last year but lost and went home with the silver medal. We're also due to play early next year at the CAN (Africa CUp of Nations). Next year is undoubtedly going to be an epic year for football - the only sport that gets the whole world watching.
Baggy is always good with me. Several of the Armand Basi AW09 pieces have an oversized element to them that reflect comfort, coolness and androgyny, while still being style conscious. From larger-than-life drop crotch pants, to trench coats motorcycle jackets and wrap-around dresses (that still leave room to breathe). Another factor that draws me to this collection are the use of basic, solid, dark colors. During the hotter months, I'll occasionally where a hint of colour and be a little more liberal with the colour spectrum. But as soon as there's an air of coolness in the weather, I'm back to wearing monochrome pieces. Various shades of black, grey's and occasionally white. And who knew that thick tube socks and classic creepers would go so well together? Obviously the folks at Armand Basi did.
Despite getting off to a slow start, compared to last year, I've been to some epic shows over the past 10 and a half months. Q-Tip, Athlete, Bat For Lashes, Florence & The Machine and Fever Ray were all highlights for me. Despite not finding my ticket for Animal Collective in time, Maximo Park cancelling a scheduled gig and Peter Bjorn & John and El Perro Del Mar changing their date to one I could not attend, it's still been one hell of a year.
Over the past few months, I've absorbed myself in my new-found love for The xx, so it's only fitting that my tickets are already purchased for their December show with Friendly Fires. Couldn't ask for a better headliner and opening act to close the year off for me (in terms of shows and concerts). Looking into next year already, a delightful email from the bowery presents just alerted me that French new wave revival and renewal, boss-nova sounding band Nouvelle Vague will be paying New York a visit at Webster Hall in late January. Excitement doesn't even begin to cover the way I feel. When tickets go on sale this Friday at noon, I'll be purchasing mine before the clock hits 12:05pm.
Melanie's seductive voice makes me melt with every word sung.
You simply cannot write certain portions of history and leave Africa and its people out of the picture. With 2009 marking the 70th anniversary of WWII, it pains me to think of the African veterans that faught in this second great world war, and were never given the recognition they deserve. From Ethiopia in the east, Nigeria in the west, South Africa, Algeria, the Congo and all over Africa, men of all ages either enlisted or fought out of indoctrinated duty to their colonialists, or against invaders of their country. I'm shocked that despite studying history in in British-African school, this portion was left out of the curriculum. Purposefully? I hope not. After all, it wasn't called a WORLD war for no reason.
Here are some excerpts from the article in the BBC that I read:
"...Africans learnt what Fascism could mean for them. Among them was John Henry Smythe of Sierra Leone. His teacher gave him Adolf Hitler's book, Mein Kampf.
"We read what this man was going to do to the blacks if he gets into power. And he attacked the British and Americans for encouraging the blacks to become doctors and lawyers," Mr Smythe said.
"It was a book which would put any black man's back up and it put mine up."
He volunteered to join the Royal Air Force, becoming a navigator, flying bombers over Germany..."
"Don't forget in those days we were very loyal Brits - stupid as that may sound now," Mr Culverwell says. "We were brainwashed into being little brown Britishers."
"As a colonial soldier I had very rough treatment. At that time we hadn't even a single Nigerian officer, all were British. And many of us revolted against injustice, what I might call man's inhumanity to man."
"Every soldier who went to India got new ideas and learnt new things. We came back with improved ideas about life. We, the ex-servicemen, gave this country the freedom it's enjoying today. We gave this freedom and handed it over to our country."
They're back. And once again, I can only stare and wish that I had the means to afford them. But alas, I'm only a student with an hourly wage job and it wouldn't be worth it to dip into my meager savings for these.
To those of us that can't afford the "real deal", or other more costly shoe brands, our trusty friend Jeffrey Campbell is always there in the form of imitation styles or/and shoes that look just as great, but don't cost as much as bigger brand names.
It's taken me a while to warm up to shoes with a height greater than 2 inches but lately, I've developed a deep affection for platform wedges. Their solid base allows for both greater comfort and easier mobility. The latest shoe on my wishlist is the Jeffrey Campbell Pixie Boot. I've been searching high and low for a pair of solid black platform wedge booties and these babies are just it. They remind me of both these gorgeous Moschino and these Dolce & Gabbana suede platforms - both shoes that I'd lusted for at one point, but were far beyond my price range.
JC, you've answered my prayers. Now please be in store when I get paid!
Found these portraits of model Dorian Cobb to be very Prince-esque. Naturally, I fell in love with them the same way I fell in love with Prince after hearing "When Doves Cry".There's just something about a man with a femine touch to him.
Just subscribed to Interview Magazine yesterday. Haven't had a steady magazine feed for a while now and it feels good to look forward to a lovely 'package' in the mail over the next 12 months. No more having to open my mailbox everyday dreading some ghastly bill of some sort. In an perfect world, I'd have a subscription to multiple magazines...but mine is not a perfect world.
Recently came upon this thought provoking image from avant-garde photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino. Not sure what to make of it but the cultural contrast makes it a powerful photograph.
The majority of the pictures here are taken by me. If you would like to use them for any reason/purpose, please contact me BEFORE you use them.
Music files/MP3's are for sampling reasons only, please support the artist by purchasing their music on iTunes, Amazon or other reliable sources.
Furthermore, if I have used any of your material and have not acknowledged you, please inform me and I will correct that. If you are an artist, record label or company representative and would like me to take down a song, please feel free to send me an email at: tmakinwa@hotmail.com.
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