NYC Spring FashionWeek 2011: Flashback (Yigal Azrouël)

I’ve been on  hiatus ever since school has started back up, but I’ve still been keeping my eye on what’s been going on in New York’s Fashion Week. Out of all the shows that I watched, I was initially most impressed by the work of Yigal Azrouel’s.  I enjoyed the overall production of the models’ appearance. The neon orange eye makeup with the pulled back slick hair gave an alien-like appearance to the models. With the addition of the simplistic nude colored pieces, the line looked like it could have been taken out of a Star Wars movie.

Kanye West Ft. Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon, and Charlie Wilson “Lord Lord Lord”

“This is something special. This is something new.” Those are high expectations for any artist to live up to, but Kanye West and Co.’s “Lord Lord Lord” is definitely tiptoeing near those affirmations. “Lord Lord Lord” is another installment of Mr. West’s G.O.O.D. Friday series, where he promised via Twitter that he’d be releasing a new song each Friday until Christmas. To quote the man himself, “I’m calling it good Fridays. Y’all know every Friday y’all gone have a new joint from our family. We look at the game completely different now.”

Word.

The instrumental, which heavily sample Nas’ “Find Your Wealth”, is layered with silky synths and a heavy jazz beat. Mos Def’s opening verse stream of consciousness about the wonders of life suits the dreamy track. Kanye’s take is more of an appreciation for the female form, “Her heels set the mood/ where did you acquire those are liars/ when I met you I heard Jesus bells, strings and a choir.”Charlie Wilson’s contribution doesn’t sound as out of place as his previous G.O.O.D. Friday features.

The song is close to perfect until Swizz Beatz walks in with his lackluster verse. His interpretation of a Jay-Z verse fails miserably around the heavyweights around him. Luckily, the two-minute outro reverts from the previous speed bump and coasts smoothly until the end.

Grade:A-

Download \”Lord Lord Lord\”

New Music: Kanye West “Devil in a New Dress”

There are two discussion pieces that you’re bound to hear in any new Kanye West song: his “I am an asshole” mantra and some reference to Satan. With “Devil in a New Dress” you get both served on a rusted copper dish, varnished with sin. It’s a love song, for the illuminati kind, but a love song nonetheless. Kanye croons, “The way you look should be a sin, you my sensation/ I know I’m preaching to the congregation/ We love Jesus but you done learned a lot from Satan.”

As far as production goes, this is one of the standout tracks from Kanye’s weekly “G.O.O.D. Fridays” installment. The groovy baseline dances in time with the steady percussion, before a crash of symbols break up the waltz, only for it to start all over again.

Kanye West\’s \”Devil in a New Dress\”

Music Source: Kanye Universecity

Ramadan

I’m not muslim, but I do respect the dedication that most muslims have when it comes to their faith. Currently, muslims around the world are celebrating Ramadan. For those who don’t know, Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calender. During that month, muslims are to refrain from food, water, and sex during sunlight. It is meant to teach patience and spirituality within the culture.

Here are some amazing photos that I found through boston.com’s Big Picture posts.

Amanda Langford’s “Wet Women”

There’s nothing more I like than wet women. No pun intended. To be serious though, this collection of photographs–shot by Amanda Langford in 1988–is as relevant now than they were then. Every piece of clothing worn by these models could still be in a fashionista’s closet today. Fashion is fades, but style is timeless.

Kanye’s Frankenstein-esque new track

Ever since Taylor-gate 2009, Kanye West’s name has been synonymous with the term monster. In good form, the “International Asshole” has decided to take the “if you can’t beat them, join them” route with a new track entitled “Monster”. This track, along with the “Power” remix, will be on 5-song collaboration EP with Jay-Z called Watch the Throne. Tagging along for this monster-mash is Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, and Bon Iver’s, Justin Vernon.

P.S.: All Hail Queen Minaj.

\”Monster\” Feat. Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Bon Iver

Must See YT: Cee Lo Green’s “Fuck You”

When I first heard Cee Lo Green’s “Fuck You”, I thought to myself that “hand’s down this is the best song of 2010 and nothing this year would be able to top this.” I was wrong. Something did top it. The “Fuck You” video.

It’s heartwarming to watch the journey of little Cee Lo to College Cee-Lo trying to get “the Heartbreaker”, but in the end failing miserably. On the bright side, after it’s all over little Cee-Lo turns into a Lady Killer and has more than enough money to buy as many girls as he wants to. That was the moral of the story…right?

Model: Marloes Horst

Screw a blonde ambition. Brunettes are tired and boring. Nowadays, it’s all about red heads. Marloes Horst is bringing back that fire to the model world. Here is the dutch beauty’s spread in October’s Jackie.

Nike’s “Marty McFly” Patent

I’m not a sneakerhead, by any means, but ever since I’ve seen Back to the Future, I’ve been in love with the Marty McFly’s. It seems that Nike is finally starting put the plans together for creating these self-laced shoes. According to the movie, McFly’s should be released sometime in 2015. Only 5 more years.

The Good Ones “Sara”

Good music is able to transcend all platforms, whether it’s musical or language barriers. “Sara” is one of those songs. Sung by, Rwanda based The Good Ones’, “Sara” is acoustically warm and sung in a three man harmony. Although, I don’t understand the language I can only imagine that the “Sara” being sung about is a lost love. Not lost in the sense of a woman that moved on to another man, but a woman who had to leave for alternative reasons.

The Good Ones \”Sara\”