Bow-Bun Holiday Hairstyle!

In my last post I described my outfit, now here's a look at my hair !

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays !

This holiday my look is a repeat of last year's NYE style. I actually have not worn this romper again since, so here it is! This time I've paired it with the Out From Under Shimmer tights from Urban Outfitters, of course. I have complete this look with my hair in a bun topped with a decorative bow.

For Your Eyez Only, That new J. Cole

     J. Cole has released a new album in what seems to be a midst of new shit from your fave young/old rappers. Drizzy seems to have something on the way, CuDi will be releasing his project on the 16th, and Childish Gambino just released a new album. In his befitting style J. Cole's latest project has done impressive numbers while still disappointing a large number of listeners. He is one of the most notable contemporary rappers and is still referred to a "trash" or "Boring".

     Just a few days before releasing the album he premiered a documentary entitled "Eyez" available for streaming on Tidal. This film gives us a very discreet look into J. Coles process in creating this album. We see the certain tracks being created from scratch and the instrumentation going into them without even knowing what these tracks are. Based on the sounds and the lyrics we hear Cole recording, the 31 year old super-star is certainly staying very true to himself and who he has come to be as an artist. There does not seem to be anything particularly "New" forthcoming but the anticipation is still built. The film also features music videos for two new tracks "Everybody Dies" and "False Prophets". "False Prophets" received a lot of attention and even stirred some controversy for Cole's lyrics seemingly calling out and criticizing KanYe West as well as other mainstream rap artists.

     However neither "False Prophets" nor "Everybody Dies" are featured on this album, "For Your Eyez Only". An intimate story strung together as what seems to be a memoir-like love letter. Cole speaks on his own struggles with life and death, the plight of a Black man in America, Family, and ultimately love. We come to learn that one of Cole's closest friends was killed when he was only 22 years old, which implies that a lot of what Cole has had to say throughout the album may not be his own first person experiences. He is describing the world as how he has seen it but also telling the story of his late friend and the lifestyle he led. This however does not take away from or diminish Cole's narrative, if anything it supports it. Story-wise "For Your Eyez Only" is simple and easy to follow. Cole also describes love, the romantic kind, and we can easily assume he is describing his relationship with his wife, especially on the track "Foldin' Clothes". However it is not easy to understand who's eyez this project is for, only. At least not until the last track of the same title.

     Unfortunately, the album is not the most entertaining. Many are describing this project as boring and I agree. Standout tracks include "Immortal" on which Cole proclaims "Real niggas don't die" exhibiting what it means to have lost people close to him due to violence; and "Deja Vu" as it is the closest to being a club banger describing meeting a girl in the club and feeling as if it is love at first sight. Both of those tracks could possibly go mainstream. Lyrically the entire project is not the most impressive, Cole does not necessarily "Go there" nor does he present the hunger we would expect based on the bonus tracks featured in the documentary. Very basic bars paired with slow melodic tunes/beats offer listeners really decent background music, elevator music for the hip-hop head if you will. I appreciate Cole's story and his use of his platform to tell such a story, however this album does not put forward anything new or innovative artistically for J. Cole or in general.

     I believe Cole is now used a scapegoat for being "Trash" because he has yet to reach anyone's expectation of being this exceptional rapper with enough old school influence to make us feel the way Hip-Hop has always felt and also bring forth a Hip-Hop renaissance or a revolution. On top of that, it is not very easy to classify Cole as an artist. He's conscious by default as he speaks the truth on the state of the world and his own experiences over slower beats with real instrumentation however disappoints listeners with misogyny or not digging deep enough to evoke change. He's not like Kendrick, yet he's definitely not Drake. His albums always leave consumers wanting more.

Fit, Fit, FIT !

Here I've gt some UO on You as per usual and the shoes are from Forever 21. I paired my favorite BDG High-Rise Seam Jeans with an Out From Under sheer mock-neck tee and an out from under cage bra underneath the top.

"Awaken, My Love!"

    The latest from Childish Gambino. The quadruple threat had mixed reviews for his previous album "Because the Internet" as he simultaneous seemed to be going trough depression, since then he has remained in a eyes and hearts of all of use, with random visuals and singles and ultimately has lasted television show "Atlanta".
   However the while TV thing is booming, Donald Glover fans have desperately been awaiting the return of Childish Gambino. He is here, with a bit of a surprise. Fans had not really known when to expect the release of new music from Gambino and certainly did not know exactly what kind of music we would be getting. The NYC born, Atlanta raised Rapper has given us anything but rap. Awaken My Love is a psychedelic collection of funk, soul, alternative, rock musical bliss. Just a couple of weeks before the albums release he released the first single, which also the first track, Me and you momma.

      The album presents a very 60's/70's feel reminiscent of The Zombies, Mamas and The Papas, Jimi Hendrix, etc. There is obvious Prince influence as well. Childish has harmonized hooks here or there in the past but on this album he is giving us pure vocals, no bars, just soul. Soul matched with experimental instrumentation and subject matter. Has this been his plan for the duration of his career? Is this the soundtrack for the next season of Atlanta? Is this joke? Who knows. Whatever it is, it is GREAT, and certainly a must-listen. The only problem I have with this is that it is not very lengthy, 11 tracks makes this album perfect for a subway ride commute to work or art exhibition/mingle hour background music. "Awaken, My Love!" takes a huge risk as I am sure Gambino is still considered a rapper, however the music is quite exceptional. If anyone is to take a risk in whatever they do this is how to do it.

Help Support Kearmonie Films!

I believe that the way we receive spoken word visually and digitally can be more than just a stage and a microphone, more than just a live performance. Poetry can be visual. Film can be poetic and lyrical, not just that it can be accompanied by actual poetry but a film can be a non-linear string of images that tells a story just as concrete, understandable, and as beautifully as a narrative film. I am raising money to purchase equipment and start shooting poetry shorts much like my latest “This Gen’”(below). I plan to create a space for poets, a digital space for spoken word artists that is not one-dimensional. To bring forth a combination of the beauty of film and the beauty of spoken word. Also to normalize the idea of “Non-traditional” and “Experimental” film.

Learn more and donate at: http://gofundme.com/KearmonieFilms.

 

My Halloween look: In Honor of The Black Panthers

     2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Black Panther Party for self defense. The revolutionary and even controversial group was founded in Oakland, California in 1966 and soon went national, with chapters in major cities across the U.S. What started as an organization to protect Black people from the police who often terrorized us, became a phenomena. At one point the org became bigger than itself, with divides among each other and of course the government trying to tear them apart. The documentary film "The Black Panthers: The Vanguard of The Revolution" premiered at The Sundance Film Festival Last Year and was aired publicly on PBS earlier this year. Beyoncé Knowles caused a stir in the media by paying homage to The Black Panthers during her super bowl halftime performance. So, naturally, one can assume the Black Panther costumes are coming this year. I am not the only one who payed homage this Halloween, but here is my very simple look:

   From head-to-toe this look is very #UOonYou. My complete outfit is brought to you by Urban Outfitters. A Black Beret, A Silence + Noise bomber jacket, The BDG High Rise Seam Jean, an Out From Under Bodysuit, and my Matte Black Doc Marten Boots of course. and I complete it with LimeCrime Black Velvet Matte Lipstick, also from UO.

Dressed in all white

   This weekend I visited my Great-Grandmother for her 80th birthday celebration. It was an elegant all white affair she had been preparing for for months, held in a large hall of her local church filled with friends and family members. Beautiful Black folks in all white. Originally I had a short white lace high-neck lose fitting dress that I wasn't too fond of, I brought that along with another little white dress from Forever21 that was alright. Upon arrival I still was not the most confident in my outfit for the celebration. The next day my great grandmother showed me a long flowy sheer dress her daughter originally had to wear for the event but was too small. It was great on me and only needed to be taken in at the sides. It was miraculous. A few weeks before the trip my great grandmother gave me a call and asked that I wear a head wrap the way that I have styled them before, and it had to be white. So I bought a yard of white satin fabric for only $3. This look came together effortlessly, to finish it off the jewelry is her own and I bought the shoes last minute from Payless.

New music from Drake and the unfortunate diss track

   This weekend everyone's fave Drizzy dropped not one, not two, but four new songs on the eve of his 30th birthday. Two of which "Sneakin'" and "Fake Love" are available for streaming on Tidal. Drake is doing what he does best one all of these tracks, playing it safe, remaining mediocre and giving the fans what they love. "Fake" is the Drake theme of the year and forever as he proclaims "Smile in my face, whole time tryna take my place" lyrics from The Ojay's classic "Backstabbers". "Sneakin'" takes a a different route as this is a song for the streets, reminiscent of the feel SchoolBoy Q has been going, this is elevated trap music. A feature from upcoming rapper 21 Savage also helps.
   The track that has stirred up controversy is "Two Birds One Stone" on which he disses both rapper Pusha T and our beloved KiD CuDi. The lyrics directed at Scott are what's riding most listeners gears and go as follows:

"You were the Man on the Moon, now you go through your phases
Life of the angry and famous Rap like I know I’m the greatest and give you the tropical flavors
Still never been on hiatus
You stay xan and perked up so when reality set in you don’t gotta face it."

     Earlier this month KiD CuDi checked himself into rehab for depression and suicidal urges, he notified fans and followers publicly via Facebook and twitter. CuDi was open honest and apologetic in his account as he repeated "I'm sorry" as if he had let his fans down. Most consumers who may not listen to CuDi's music were probably unaware of his prolonged ever-present battle with depression and struggle with self medicating. Self-Medicating is a symptom of most mental and social disorders, whether related to depression or forms of PTSD, commonly where those "suffering" abuse drugs and alcohol to cope. Drake's comments struck listeners as a direct jab at CuDi's metal health, which is a big no no. Drake's timing could not have been worse. Yes, he is responding to CuDi's criticism of his craft via twitter but that was before CuDi checked himself into rehab. For Drake to say this after CuDi's befitting sadness was made very well known publicly is insensitive and tacky. It is also pretty lack-luster being that he does not actually address KiD CuDi's original statement, instead he has some harsh criticism for the lonely stoner's lifestyle with some not very well thought out hits below the belt. Diss tracks are an important part of hip-hop but I think they should at least be good, what Drizzy had to say does not make much sense in content nor context.

     However, as an avid KiD CuDi fan (since day1) and someone who is dealing with major depression, I am not necessarily offended by Drizzy's comments. I am disappointed because those bars are weak, less than mediocre, and much less than creative. Drake poked fun at Scott for something that he has already told the world about himself, that is not much of a diss, that is something you say when you have nothing else to say. To me it seems Drake is still riding off of his "Back to Back" high. "Back to Back" being the diss track directed at Meek Mill after Meek called Drake out for not writing his own lyrics. Last summer that song was everywhere, Drake is currently trying to protect his own brand and get that kind of popularity again. "Two Birds One Stone" falls completely flat. The earlier verse in the track directed at Pusha T is also quite awkward, Aubrey is taking all of the L's with this one.

  If anything this shines light on how ignorant many people are on mental illness, especially in Hip-Hop. Hopefully it sparks conversation about the bigger picture, and not blow over as a simple petty rap beef.

Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’lé

    Or as I call it, The Michel'lé movie, is Lifetime's latest biopic having premiered Saturday October 15th. Though many may not be familiar with her name Michel'lé rose to stardom during the late 80's as a singer signed to NWA's record label. She too was coming 'Straight Outta Compton'. For those who are familiar with Michel'le, whether it be because of her music career or her recent role on reality TV show "R&B Divas", they probably know her most for one or two things: her very squeaky speaking voice as compared to her deep sultry singing voice, or her very tumultuous and violent relationship with music producer, label mate and pseudo manager Dr. Dre.

   This film checks off all the boxes when it comes to television cinema. Giving viewers a substantial amount of information and entertainment. Almost formed as a response to "Straight Outta Compton" the NWA biopic which cleverly left Michel'le out completely, this is her story. Now viewers know the truth despite rumors and interviews, this depiction gives it to us raw and upfront, so much so I believe this film should have a trigger warning. The graphic beating are not all to take in with this film, the lies, the cheating, scandal, and a large amount of drama make this not so much a must-see and definitely make sure you catch it the next time it comes on, viewers are certainly learning things they have not yet known.

This week's style post: Black Daria

     This is about as grungy as I get. Well I could maybe give more grudge but this is the most so far. All black every thing, new stockings(ribbed faux thigh high tights) and my fave doc martens. Look complete with one of those "vintage" tattoo chokers. You know me, #UOonYou; My whole look is brought to you by Urban Outfitters. Thought the shorts are apart of their renewal brand, and the top was a sale item earlier this year this simple outfit can be recreated. That store will probably never run out of the faux knee high stockings nor the choker, and the long silence and nice black top could be recreated with a number of men's t-shirt more than likely of the Feathers brand. I paired this with my fall jacket as shown in my last style post and was well prepared that high 60 degree weather.

NPS highlights

     NPS being the National Poetry Slam, which takes place every summer around early August usually in a different city each year. Poetry Slam Inc. invites over 70 slam teams from all over the country to compete in a week long competition and ultimately there is one winner. I was a competing poet and this year we went to Decatur, Georgia. The team representing Baltimore took 1st place, San Diego 2nd, and The House Slam team from Boston took 3rd. The youtube channels dedicated to spoken word and slam poetry SlamFind, All Def poetry, and of course Poetry Slam Inc. were in the building to capture the greatness of almost 30 slam bouts throughout the duration of the tournament. Of course there are many poems that were not filmed and many that have not made it to YouTube, but here are some exceptional pieces that did.

The singular "they" and breaking the binary

    All this talk of non-binary gender identities and gender non-conforming identities bring about a lot of hate, naturally. What is need to know is that sex(sex organs, male, female, etc.) and gender(gender identity) are mutually exclusive of each other. Are there correlations? of course, are they the same thing? NO. Plain and simple. People who are gender non-conforming are just that, they do not identify with either of the two most popularity known genders therefore instead of "he" or "She" those who are gender non-confoming use the pronoun "They".

     Besides being oppressive and enforcing the now proven to not be true idea that gender and sex are the same thing, people are using grammar and the english language as an excuse to not respect the pronouns of others and ultimately their identities. "They" is often use to describe multiple people, it is only used in a singular sense when discussing someone who's gender identity you do not know. We actually use the singular "they" all of the time. But when it is mixed in with a proper noun, the name of the person you are speaking about, is when it gets confusing. It seems there is no need for the singular they in this sense because you can already identify this person, but when you really think about it you can't.

     Now I believe the way we use language should be they way I personally address "sexuality"/"sexual orientation". If the person has not told you their identity, you do not know it and you should not assume. If someone has brought their gender identity to your attention, you should respect that. It is like their name and it should be that simple. It is dehumanizing and disrespectful to minimize somebody's identity to your own preferred way to use words, especially when defending a language in which the words rough, dough, and cough do not even rhyme.

   But let's take a shift, language is key but so is appearance. Clothing is divided by gender and how we dress often influences other people to assume our genders. BuzzFeed recently created a short video interviewing people who's personal styles "Gender-bend". One of my friends and founder of "Paint and Poetry" Mojo Disco is featured in this video as well and I appreciate it very much.

Dressing Beyond The Binary

Dressing Beyond The Binary

Posted by BuzzFeed LGBT on Thursday, October 6, 2016

  I work in retail so this video resonates with me a lot because I always imagine a world where there are no women's nor men's departments in clothing stores. One day I had a customer ask me about sweaters and flannels shirts for her sister who is androgynous. I took her over to what was our sweater shop at the time and she didn't seem enthused, she then told me that's she's looking for something that is more like Men's clothing. So I said, you could check out the Men's section and she replied "I didn't even think of that, thanks!" I find this encounter to be funny. Clothes don't have gender. I do understand when men are discouraged when a certain item is only available in the women's department because it may not come in a big enough size for them. But truthfully clothes do not have gender, they are not boy clothes or girl clothes, if you buy items and put them on your body they're your clothes.

Fallin' deep into Fall

     This week's outfit already offer some layering and is topped off with a cool fall jacket. Yes, it is no longer summer time, it is chilly, breezy , and cloudy sometimes. I'm wearing the Silence + Noise Melly Cocoon Sweatshirt Mini Dress over the BDG high rise seam jean. Accompanied by the BDG Georgie 4-Pocket Surplus Jacket and my favorite matte black Doc Marten Boots. I finished this look with my hair wrapped in the top bun head wrap style I demonstrated in this post.

Solange Knowles has blessed us...

 ...with her latest album "A Seat at The Table". The announcement of it's release came along with a total relaunch of her website and even a giveaway for fans. The website solangemusic.com is the perfect simplistic look at all things Solange. Many people know Solange Knowles as Beyoncé's sister but she is one of my biggest inspirations, as one can probably infer based on past posts I've made about her, and she has just drastically effected the web and the airwaves with "A Seat at The Table" including the digital book of the same title available for viewing on her website, offering over 100 pages of all of the song lyrics from the album, stylized on the page in poetic forms, and various glamorous yet subtly beautiful photos of herself and other Black people.

     The album is a melodic dream offering the narrative of being Black in America right now. Sol-Angel presents the topics of mental health, black owned businesses, the use of the word "nigga", family and lineage, segregation, police brutality, racism overall but truly who we are, what we have done and what we can do as Black people. With songs like "Rise" "Weary" and "Cranes in The Sky" she addresses the overwhelming issues or struggles with being Black in America and the state of the world today from a subtle, personal, and emotionally transparent standpoint. This is still Solange's voice and Solange's story, yet it is all of our stories, all of our narratives and that is what a beautiful piece of art is and does. Your art is working when you can spread love in a way where it seems you are putting yourself and all of your flaws and pain along with happiness out into the world for consumption. The songs are strung together with a number of interludes including several accounts from the rapper Master P, a narrative from Solange's father, and a snippet from her mother. To include the voices, feelings, and ideologies of her parents is a pure representation of the Black experience. Often all we have is the fact that our parents, their parents, and so on have fought for us to be here and we have to give thanks that we are here. At times it feels that our family is all we have and it is the struggles of our ancestors that keep us going now. As many say, if you don't know where you come from, you won't know where you are going. Master P is an icon, especially in the south, he is most known for, and also reflects on this fact in the interludes, starting his rap career as his own business. Instead of waiting for a record lable to recognize and sign him he started recording his own music and selling his own music out of the trunk of his car. The use of his voice and his narrative is a clever way to add an image and a "voice of God" to the grand idea of Black resilience, resistance, and prevalence.

"If you don't understand my record 

you don't understand me, so this is not for you"

Master P.

    The very title "A Seat at the Table" is a considerably cliche allusion to the Black experience in America. In the Post-Slavery south segregation was the norm and Jim-Crow was the law. Often Black people still worked for Whites as maids and house-help, and were literally not allowed at seat at the dinner table. This title could also derive from the very well known Langston Hughes poem "I, Too" in which he declares "I, too, am America."
     One of the most stand-out tracks on "A Seat At the Table" is "F.U.B.U.". FUBU the name of a clothing line founded by LL Cool J during the early 2000's is an acronym for "For Us, By Us" literally stating that the clothing was created for Black people by Black people. Solange presents the same exact sentiment on the track by the same name. She addresses trouble with racial profiling and racism as a whole Black people face everyday as she sings "All my niggas in the whole while world-- this shit is for us". She also states "Don't be mad you can't sing along, just be glad you got the whole wide world" addressing white people, the fact that white people can not sing along with this song because of the use of the word nigga, and white privilege. The song "Don't Touch My Hair" also offers the same kind of summation of a race related issue and the big picture.

    Sunday Night Sol-Angel surprised us once again with two brand new videos. One for "Cranes in The Sky" and the other for  "Don't Touch my Hair". Both offering the stunning, breath-taking imagery we saw in the photographs in the digital book as well as subtle yet notably clever camera movement.

     Comparisons to "Lemonade", the album equipped with a short film of music videos strung together, released by Solange's Big Sis in April are already to be expected no matter what kind of album Solange could have made. But as far as being magnificent representations of Black pride, Black love and Black power these are both exceptional projects. Especially with positive and encouraging images of Black women and Black Girl Magic. Solange's music always pulls from traditionally R&B with an alternative pop sound and even beats that have a late 80's early 90's feel, as usual Solange stayed true to herself.

New music from KiD CuDi

No, no, no, Not the album as of yet. CuDi's latest "Passion, Pain, & Demon Slaying" was set to be released today September 30th. However Cudders went to Twitter last night to notify fans the project will be delayed, just a few days after releasing the tracklist to the masses which obviously got our mouths watering. Our faves André 3000 and Pharrell Williams are featured on the album and the anticipation builds. Do not fret Cudder did release two tracks from the album. One is "The Frequency" which was released on his soundcloud months ago, I wrote about it here, and the other is "Surfin'" ft. Pharrell.

    Surfin' offers us CuDi harmonizing, humming, and duly noted cockiness as he declares "I ain't ridin' no waves, too busy making my own waves". It's reminiscent of "REVOFEV" from his second album "Man on The Moon Part II: The Legend of Mr. Rager". This track indicates some promising new music from Scott, maybe a 'comeback' of sorts though he hasn't gone anywhere. Now I really can't wait.

Top Bun Headwrap tutorial !

I've done this head wrap in the past while I still had starter locs. Then I used two scarves to create the bun but now I can just put my hair up and complete the look with one scarf. Here's how:

About Donald Glover's Atlanta

    Writer, Actor, Comedian, and Hip-Hop artist also known as Childish Gambino; Donald Glover is a man of many talents, wittiness, and a charming coy personality. Gaining critical acclaim from hip-hop nerds and nerdy hip-hop heads alike for his first two albums Childish Gambino has almost seemed to become a larger icon than Donald Glover himself on the acting, writing and producing side of things but now after seeming to have gone into hiding Donald Glover is making art and making waves with his television show Atlanta, starring himself.

    Atlanta is a truthful representing of the Black experience as we follow our protagonist Ern, his battle with homelessness and a low paying job as well as his trying relationships with friends, family, and his baby momma. He has equal as much street as responsibility and seems to have a rep as being irresponsible. Ultimately he links up with a distant cousin who has just begun to blow up on their local rap scene as a way to get rich quick. He believes his cousin could make it big and he believes he can help. For the past 3 Tuesdays eyes have been glued to FX to see what happens next. Following suit of our favorite TV-MA drama Atlanta certainly brings the drama as well as suspense and of course brings the funny. What seems to be Glover's own sarcastic dry humor has definitely influence the dialogue and plot of Atlanta and has failed to disappoint when it comes to entertaining. Atlanta is hilarious and quite promising. As someone who does not watch TV, I've got my Fall show now.

First week of Autumn Look !

This week's outfit is a simple Urban Outfitters Sweaters dress over Black tights, complete with H&M boots. This Monday was a rainy Fall Day, a little chilly but not cold enough for a jacket. This look is simple, cute and still stylish despite swift winds and grey clouds.

New *Spoken Word* Video up !

     Last month I performed on of my latest pieces as part of the "Who You Callin' a Bitch" concert Series in NYC. This piece is written after my friend and contemporary Taylor Steele, you can hear her piece here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHqGkNQoqd0.

Monday Nights at the Bowery Poetry Club!

  As you may remember from my coverage of the opening night event, Mondays nights have been quite eventful at The Bowery Poetry Club in the LES as they host a weekly slam. Bringing back the culture of performance poetry in a competitive setting to one of the pioneer venues of the arts movement in NYC.

   This Monday I was the featured performer. Like most poetry slams there is a 15-20 minute feature spot showcasing a particular poet or performer, this artist is often who brings in the crowd and sets the mood. At Bowery that performer goes on after the first 2 of 3 rounds during the slam. The space does a bit of a turn around at 8:30 as the weekly open mic wraps up and guests shift frequent the bar, mingle, as the DJ sets up and people attending the slam fill up the space. The host is none other than Ashley August, just 4 months short of 1 year hosting at the bowery every Monday. She always has great energy and  a welcoming spirit.

  Six people competed in the slam, in the first 2 rounds and after the feature(that's me) 3 of the poets advanced to the last round and ultimately 2 of the final 3 advanced to semi-finals. Monday's slam was bit different than others The Bowery has hosted. This slam was the first of six prelim slams as part of the chapbook slam. A chapbook is a small collection of poetry, usually consisting of 15-20 poems often printed in a small pamphlet like book. The top two from each of the first there prelims advance to the first semifinals and the top poets from that slam advance to finals. The same goes for the second set of prelim slams. Ultimately there is one winner, at finals, and that winner gets their own chapbook published by the Bowery Poetry Club along with a cash prize. Pretty much if you missed this slam, there are plenty more to come. You can find @BowerySlam on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more info on upcoming events !

Photos taken by Shiyah Trotman (@NaiveShy)