Once the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul introduced herself to music fans across the world, the definition of a pop star would change forever. Contrasting from the beautiful, polished and glamorous nature of 90s female R&B and pop singers, Mary J. Blige was edgy, raw and transparent. She did not have the pipes like her idols Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan–but she had the soul.
Waking up in the morning, going to bed at night. The same mundane task day in and day out. For me, that’s too predictable, safe , and uninspiring. Creativity and expression allows me to escape both internally and externally.All throughout the day I’m in my mind creating and envisioning. Fashion is art and I get lost in it.
it saves me from myself…
SOUND OFF.
Rachel Zoe, O’how I love thou; The blogosphere and media alike are all a buzz with the speculation that the stylist extraordinaire is expecting. Rachel Zoe with child-can you imagine??? Well if the speculation is indeed true, then what’s to come of The Rachel Zoe Project. That’s all I’m concerned about. I need this show, it’s bad enough it’s only like 9 episodes per season. With that said I’d literally die to see Rachel Zoe with a protruding belly. Flyest pregnant chic for sure.
Had to vent…
SOUND OFF.
There was a day when a beautiful, braid-laced singer/songwriter emerged from Hell’s Kitchen and took the music world by storm with her classic debut, Songs In A Minor. Followed by the more experimental and sensual Diary. Next to come was the emotional and soul-bearing As I Am. Then something happened. Alicia Keys either dropped the ball or went so far left from what was right, The Element of Freedom is all but that. So I dare to ask:
Where’s the music and the artistry that oozed out your first three albums? It’s no mystery that the Element differs both commercially and critically from her past projects as it largely underperformed . I didn’t feel it. I didn’t crave it. It didn’t speak to me as strongly as I had hoped. “Unthinkable” is plainly not enough. Further, it essentially got lost in the music landscape of today. Hopefully the new-found mother will be the Alicia Keys we’ve all come to love with her next LP.
Here’s hoping…
SOUND OFF.
The face of a supermodel, a style that rivals all but Grace Jones, but most of all that voice. So raw, passionate, tortured, yet vividly honest. Since Phyllis Hyman’s inception into the music industry, she painted a picture–that of class, poise, sophistication, and beauty. A thespian of talent she was.
It is hard to believe there was a time when Beyoncé was a hungry teenager who dreamed of superstardom and Rihanna was just an ordinary girl in the Barbados that idolized the artists she played on her CD player. Before they sky-rocketed into worldwide notoriety, a raspy-voiced teenager with a cute gap and black braids was queen. She was not only a singer, but a TV and movie star who even landed endorsements with Covergirl. Anyone who grew up during the 90s can remember singing the words to “I Wanna Be Down” on the playground with friends. Her music and name are synonymous with the thriving 90s music scene and she is music royalty.
Who else could I be talking about but Brandy?
It’s been nearly seven years since the world met an arrogant, self-indulgent and controversial rapper named Kanye West. Some gasped at his flashy fashion sense, others attempted to understand the mascot motif plastered on his single and album art. The rest fell in love with his music–the aspect that is most important when mentioning the future pop culture icon.
When it comes to fashion words can’t describe my love of the androgyny of the male and female. Beyond taking society’s rigid views of gender and distorting them by creating a blurred gender, it creates some of the most compelling imagery the world of fashion has to offer. And that’s just where it begins. As Mark Jacobs had a male model dressed in a female coat with a handbag in tact and Calvin Klein enlisting the versatile and ever so androgynous Lara Stone for his fall ad campaign, this play on gender via the runway, model muses, and ad’s/ editorials, the whole twist of female to male and male to female is a trend and fashion staple that will forever be enVOGUE.
Androgyny is legend…
SOUND OFF.
Not only is it the most slimming, it’s the most powerful. Not only is it the most powerful it’s the most expressive. Not only is it the most expressive , it’s the consummate alternative. That to mainstream fashion which has formed a style identity too many fall victim to. Black- The image, the staple, the color.
It single-handily defined the grunge movement of the 90’s while more recently it redefined androgyny as seen by Calvin Klein’s latest ad campaign starring Lara Stone. Black allows one’s inner self to become revealed as seen through color. It has long told the story of some of fashions most prolific artist from Karl Largerfeld to Jil Sander.
The Black Suit and the LBD a.k.a. The Little Black Dress will forever remain trends season after season. Black is just as iconic as a Chanel, Balenciaga, and Yves Saint Laurent. It is largely used by designers because of its significance alone.
so much more than just a color…
SOUND OFF.
We hail Beyoncé as queen, love to watch Ciara kill the stage, and deeply adore Aaliyah for her sweet melodies and slick dance moves. However, it seems that we are slowly forgetting who opened the door for Britney, Gaga and all of the women listed above.
Much like Madonna and her brother Michael Jackson, JANET JACKSON is synonymous with groundbreaking pop music. In two earth-shattering decades, Janet flourished into a supreme icon. She combined the power of image, controversy and true artistry that created standards that ALL contemporary female pop and R&B artists must follow.
To be a man is to be strong. To be a man is to be fearless. To be a man in the world of Sound On Mars is to be a person who is unapologetically themselves with style of course. As the real world and the ubiquitous world of S.O.M. Differs greatly, I want to look at the evolution of masculinity through the decades.
The 1920′s: The decade of the Gentleman. From sharply tailored three-piece suits paired with a fine hat, and matching Oxford toe, this was a time when a man dressed as if He was in competition with red carpet followed him everywhere and let’s just say the man was victorious.
1960′s: The decade of freedom, be it physical, social, and for our purposes, style. The suit took a back seat to streamed pants, vest, button ups, and looks that were not restricted by conservative views. People were discovering who they were and their style reflected such.
1990′s: With the influx of hip-hop culture, all things urban was a look that dominated. Jeans were baggy, shirts were XXXL. Masculinity was definitely exaggerated and at this point stereotypical.
2000′s: Kanye came and changed everything. His Power and influence has allowed for men to embrace a more fitted look, blazer, The influence of European style is more visible than ever. There is a street style that now reflects everything but the streets.
And just for the nostalgia of it all. The 1970′s was the decade of disco and the style was just as flashy, in your face, and allowed the man to wear heels which is always a plus . The 1980′s- most of us were born and our fathers were rocking the brightest colors, stone washed denim, and hi-tops. See house party for references.
can it even be defined…
SOUND OFF.
I have a feeling that 2011 will be an exciting year for music. Why? Because three R&B/Pop vets seem to be crafting some gems in the studio.
From bursting onto the music scene back in 1996 causing all ladies to purchase African inspired headwraps to shaving her head completely off, further cementing herself as a trendsetting, trail-blazing, and fearless renegade of an artist. A change agent among many who presumably take the safe route. Erykah Badu will forever be a name synonymous with true artistry, distinctive style, and while many label her alternative, I’ll just call her distinctive. Some are the exception to the rule. Erykah Badu is the Rule.
Love of my life…
SOUND OFF.
If your anything like me, then the first thing that catches your eye about someone is what they wearing. Whether it be on trend, a throw back to the 20′s, or something so alternative you have no clue what to think, what we wear gets us attention, all be it desirable or not so much. Some may argue who care what others think or assume and even say how shallow to base opinions based on what one wears.
See that’s the complex because who we are is what we wear. Knowing that what you wear, could invite potential suitors, possible employers, and maybe even fame in some cases, wouldn’t the wise decision be to dress accordingly and get attention for all the right reasons. Could someone tell me how that could be perceived as shallow.
SOUND OFF.
There is one name, one artist, one word that is fashion, music, & style defined in every essence of the world. Who? KELIS of course. As she rides high on the success of her critically acclaimed ‘Flesh Tone’ project its only fitting to acknowledge Kelis. As for the commercial aspect, Flesh Tone debuted at 49 on the Billboard Charts after selling a dismal 7,900 copies. Nonetheless Kelis is an artist worthy of high praise and adoration or as I’ll call her, A WOMAN OF DISTINCTION.
Beyonce is arguably the most prolific artist of our generation. Post the pre-eminent Michael Jackson. The others most notably Madonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill. The next artist to have such an imprint on the world would have to be Beyonce.
Solange is undeniably one of the most talented and underrated artist to have ever hit the music scene.She is incredibly BRILLIANT, so much so she has cultivated some of Beyonce’s hits. And these two musical giants are sisters. What are the odds?? The only other sibling combo comparable is Michael/Janet of course.
