Fox N' Wolf

Don't be cruel.

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.

Click here for a list of great r&b songs

Curls in all the right places.

Minimalistic facial hair is a thumbs up in my book.



ph: Stil in Berlin

Don't paint it black.

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.


ph: Styleclicker.net

Math to make you laugh.

photos: Fashematics.com

"They're always frowning here, but smiling here"

"Some people think I don't speak English and they're like, 'no hunny, that's not how you say it.'"

Go well, lady.

Some WTF TV moments.

Watch from around 3:00 minutes onwards and listen to what Sofia Vergara says.



WOW! Is all I can say.

Now you should be holding me.

These boots.

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.

ph: Alice Point.

WE MADE IT!!!!

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.

Now about these wedges...

Tristan Blair AW10






source: The Vice

Armand Basi One AW09

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.

See the rest of the collection here

ph: Anywho.dk

Oh how brilliant!

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.


ph: Clash Music

We will not forget, nor be forgotten.

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."






source: BBC

Atacoma.

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.

Anyone at ACNE mind slashing the prices?

ph: Vanilla Scented.

You're making me want you.

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!




ph: cocorosa

I Love You Dennis Hopper.

all photographs by Dennis Hopper

More from Mondino.

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.

Warhola, Malanga and some.

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 Lindy Hop.

source: Time/Life Photo Archives

Last Night.

Duane Jones is my hero.

Wasn't in any sort of mood to 'celebrate' All Hallows Day last night so my sister's and I stayed in, made a scrumptious dinner and desert, watched Night Of The Living Dead - a classic favourite of mine - and ended the night with Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood. I fall in love with Daniel Day-Lewis with every movie I see him in.

The Village.

Despite not garnering critical or financial success upon it's release, M.Night Shyamalan's The Village is one of the best psychological thriller's that I've seen, to this day. Maybe it's because I'm no film expert and can't be arsed to disect every ounce of the film as most film critics did. The feel, mood and the mystery embedded in the film are enough to satisfy me. Overall, The Village is a well-written screenplay with a great cast and stunning soundtrack.

photo sources:1; 2; 3; 4; 5

And darkness I became.

Out of this slender, feisty, red-headed beauty came the maddening sound of a voice that could shake the heavens and turn the world upside down.

In the middle of the madness.

Although she identifies more with being British, I still can't help but see Sade as a beautiful, talented and gracious Nigerian woman. I suppose one can attribute that to her name and the fact that when I first heard of her, the description given to me had no mention of her British maternal parentage. This song ranks in my top 5 Sade songs ever. From the wonderful harmonizing duet, to the soothing and uplifting feeling of the lyrics and melody. Vocally, Sade is incredibly blessed. Her voice possesses so much depth, passion and sensuality. No word is without emotion. Mmm...I wish I could look as good, and pull of white lace as effortlessly as she does. There's something so classic about this black and white video. Gotta love those dance moves.




P.S. Does anyone have any idea who the man in the video is (other than a back-up singer)? I wouldn't mind being seranaded by him any day.

Nu Shooz.

When my package arrived from Urban Outfitters this afternoon, amidst the rain and in the wake of the aftermath of tragedy, it seemed like perfect timing to help me get my mind off of things. Not only was I excited to receive the package, but the UPS man that delivered them to me was one tall portion of the finest hot chocolate - and a funny one too. HA! Just had to put that out there and give the man props. Anyhow, both these shoes below satisfied my slowly-growing shoe fetish and come highly recommended from me. Not only are they a piece of cake to strut around in (this coming from a certified tomboy), but they're just as yummy to look at as the delivery man. The first pair, 80%20 Scarlett Wedges are my favourite of the two and seeing as the Eileen Shields Tara wedges are a little out of reach for now, these'll make a fine substitute.





I've had my eye on the second pair, made by the wonderful Dolce Vita label, and the months of waiting for them to go on sale have paid off. Not to mention I got an additional 10% off on each. Both are sure keepers. So here I am, sharing the love.

Death Be Not Proud.

Just when I was finally getting know you, you've been taken away from us all. I already miss the man you were shaping up to be. So full of humour! We're all still in denial, cousin. The circumstances are just too surreal and unreal to swallow. Only yesterday, my sister and I were talking excitedly about having you come over and visit us during the holidays. And now, it seems as though you've taking the longest vacation of all.

If love were enough to bring you back, then you'd be back with us a thousand times over.

Alas.

title taken from a poem by John Donne

Come on Eileen.

At $300, if I were to purchase these shoes they'd be the single most expensive thing I've ever purchased or had the pleasure of owning - besides my laptop. In my world, $300 goes a looooong way. On the other hand, I rarely splurge or treat myself to anything of quality. Luckily, Eileen Shields - the creator of these oh-so-awesome platform duo-tone wedges - has a great return policy. Nevertheless, I'm terribly indecisive. HELP??

photo source anywho

Lungs.

This time next week, I'll be at Florence and he Machine's very first NYC show. If it weren't sold out, I'd encourage you to buy a ticket. The week needs to speed up so next Tuesday can come around fast. Cannot wait to hear her perform songs from her/the band's debut album Lungs as well as her cover version of the Cold War Kids' Hospital Beds. But from her entire discography, Cosmic Love is the song I long to hear the most. What a magical, heavenly, powerful and intensely passionate song! Pretty much sums up the way I feel about Florence and the Machine.



photo sources: 1; 2.

Tut, tut, French Vogue.

More often than not, fashion pushes the fringes of society a little too far - at the expense of art. But what these artists fail to understand is that whilst art is a creative medium of expression, one has to remain culturally and historically aware of their environment and thus, take social awareness into perspective. Being sensitive to issues of past and present help one to sufficiently analyze the context in which one presents their artwork. Too often, in the world of fashion, we see countless pages of models in so-called 'ethnic' settings amongst locals or indigenous peoples, standing out in the foreground as some sort of fair and angelic deity - as if to illustrate the various spectrums of race, class and most especially beauty.

This particular fashion editorial was brought to my attention via this posting on the Jezebel website. But instead of writing a four-paged letter analyzing the issues that have been raised surrounding this spread, I would encourage you to read some of the comments posted on the Jezebel website.

On a personal level, I wouldn't classify this as racist - at least I am not offended by it racially - but that does not mean that I approve of it either. I am yet to discover the rationale and true reason for them 'painting' Lara Stone in shades of brown, but if all they wanted was a model with a brown complex then why not hire a model whose skin is that shade? Don't know about you but I'd really love to hear the explanation behind this spread. How many times have you seen a model of colour painted white for the purpose of beauty and entertainment? Yeah, I thought so.

What I'm trying to say is that in my opinion, this portrayal just wasn't necessary. Whether or not this fits the all-round definition of a 'blackface' stereotype, the fact that it conjures up racial connotations is enough to label it a fashion faux-pas. This is pure cultural insensitivity. Let's not repeat this one again, French Vogue, or any other magazine for that matter.

Comments welcome!

Source:TFS
Paris Vogue October 2009
Photographed by: Steven Klein
Stylist: Carine Roitfeld

Little girl red.

(Nigeria 1989 - I'm the wee one in my beautiful mother's arms)


(Kenya 1995 - The awkward bony-legged one in the red. No idea why I look so angry.


(Kenya - The eager beaver behind the kid with the knife, haha)



(Kenya - All smiles!)


I miss lil' ol' me. My childhood was golden.