YOUNG RIOT: POOLSIDE

YOUNG RIOT: POOLSIDE

LET US REFLECT AND REJOICE THE TRIUMPH OF SPIRIT. THE RESILIENCE OF BLACKNESS THAT TRANSMUTE OPPRESSION AND THEREBY WITHIN PLIGHT FINDS SOLACE. WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WRITE A LOVE LETTER TO YOUR CHILDHOOD HOME AND, IN DOING SO, YOURSELF TO FIND (READ:CONFRONT), SELF, A BLACK MAN MUST WADE THROUGH WATER, HOWEVER METAPHORICAL IN NATURE.

HERE, DAVID HOCKNEY’S PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST SERVES AS A VEHICLE TO EXPLORE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN IDEALIZED SENSE OF SUCCESS AND A MAN WHO, IN THE FACE OF VIOLENCE AND TRAGEDY, CONSTRUCTED A BEAUTIFUL PATH TO FREEDOM. LURKING A LAYER BELOW, THIS EXAMINATION PRESENTS US WITH THE REALITY OF OUR PAST CIRCUMSTANCES. THAT IS A MAN TRAPPED IN A PRISON; HE WAS NEVER MEANT TO ESCPAE. HIS VOICE IS THE ONLY MEANS WITH WHICH HE MIGHT ESCAPE THE BOX. POOLSIDE. 

WEB: www.patheticpixels.com

IG: @REALPATHETICPIXELS

CRAV* CHANGE REQUIRES ACCEPTING VIEWS

CHANGE REQUIRES ACCEPTING VIEWS.

We are Boston based and aiming to build a better future for today’s society by challenging each and every persons view and learning how to coincide through the differences. EXPERIENCE THE REVOLUTION!

Full Collection: WWW.cravindustries.COM

rev•o•lu•ton OVERSIZED COLLECTION

THE HUNDREDS X BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB

In the summer of 2003, Ben and Bobby Hundreds launched The Hundreds at the same time Pharrell Williams and NIGO were introducing Billionaire Boys Club to the world. For the first time in 17 years, both streetwear brands are collaborating on a T-shirt to raise money for Black Lives Matter and the Black Mental Health Alliance. Today, Bobby and Pharrell shared the following conversation around being a Black brand owner in the industry, mental health, and the importance of “sharing the codes.”

BOBBY HUNDREDS: As we all know, there is a lack of Black owned streetwear brands in proportion to the amount of influence black culture has on streetwear's design and perspective. But back in the early 2000s, there was even less Black leadership and ownership in the street fashion space. When you launched Billionaire Boys Club, was this on your mind? What was it like for you starting up your label as a young Black man in an industry that was predominantly owned and profited off of by white people?

PHARRELL WILLIAMS: When I launched BBC [ICECREAM], I was a different person. My concerns were different, my thought process was different, my self awareness was premature. I considered myself a black man and making chess moves was enough at the time because that’s what the people I looked up to were doing. I was proud that they were black and I thought it was enough. Since then, I’ve educated myself and realized that would never be enough when the playing field was never leveled. It’s never been a leveled playing field since the beginning of time. It took traveling around the world and seeing what people go through to open my eyes and humble me and recognize how blessed I am. Aside from achieving, my biggest responsibility is to hold open the door and show the way for my own people... and to explain to those who have the power over these doors why they need to open their doors or not have them at all. With BBC, I always say ‘Wealth is of the heart and mind, not the pocket.’, but that wasn’t enough.

“Wealth is of the heart and mind, not the pocket.” This is the Billionaire Boys Club mantra. I’ve addressed this before in prior projects, but streetwear culture has been slower to adopt the mental health movement. Why is that? And how can we be better?

We just have to open our eyes, open our ears, open our minds and hearts. We don’t think like that because a lot of us are just like “I’m good” and that’s all that matters. The system trains us to be like “Don’t worry about them, worry about me. Did I make it? Ok good, ‘cause it’s hard out here.” We have to take it upon ourselves to look each other in the eyes and realize that we’re stronger together—there’s power in numbers. And now more than ever, we can’t afford to not galvanize, not mobilize...as Killer Mike says. We need to figure our way forward and upwards. If you have a brand—especially if you are of African diaspora— it’s your job to educate. And how about this, even if you’re not Black, but you trade on the likeness of us—it’s your responsibility as well. You gotta tithe...you gotta give back to that which is giving you everything that you have right now.

We are donating our proceeds to a mental health organization that puts its emphasis on the Black community. Can you speak on why that is specifically important?

Of course it’s important. There are a lot of variables that affect the minds of the people whose likeness gets traded on and marketed towards and then don’t receive benefits from it at the end of the day. And not everyone can get access to mental health resources like therapy or rehab, not everyone has people around to help. If you never really dealt with the erosion of your mental state, then it only continues to erode. There’s so much to unpack when it comes to this but, the fact that the fashion industry is thinking about the importance of mental health and how it affects the African diaspora is a very important step that we all need to take.

After George Floyd’s murder, America’s response was that of anger, frustration, and protest. Now that we are settling into a groove of consistent activism, there is discussion on what our hard goals are. There are many different answers to this, but I’m wondering what goals you’d like to see out of this? Whether it’s a short-term goal, or one that will take the rest of our lives to accomplish?

There’s no doubt that this is the American Revolution 2.0. It’s also an evolution because there are people that are opening their eyes—they didn't realize they were sleeping the entire time and being complicit to the things that affect us and continue to lead to the untimely death of people that look like George Floyd and us. We’re also dealing with a very different Washington [D.C]... they are just overt with it [racism], there’s no hiding it. What I’d like to see is for there to be some accountability online so that at least we can get our facts straight. We can’t get our facts straight when our system is being infiltrated by foreign agents and bots. I mean, as a sneakerhead, the first thing you try to do when copping is getting around the bots. We have to do the same thing here. There is a world of divisiveness on our internet. The best way to divide people is to use the tool of selfishness. I would like all of us to be aware of all the variables at hand—there’s a lot going on. While it is dark now, I know there is a God and He is the greatest. But we gotta get ourselves up out of this. Faith without work is dead, so we have a lot of work to do...and most of it is just being more self aware. If you’re kind and think of others, then you're heading the right way. But they get you with the lure of being selfish. Being woke is cool but man, but it’s like driving home at 4am and you don’t really know that you’re tired until you swerve. And at that point, you realize you ain't woke. That’s when you say “I’m up now..I am going to continue to work on myself and continue to challenge the people around me to wake up.”

Whether you appreciate it or not, your influence and visibility as a Black owner of a streetwear brand inspired an entire generation of Black youth to believe they could also be the ones in charge. From Tyler [the Creator] to some of the kids in my crew today.

You know, I’m honored for things like that. But going back to the earlier question...I feel like I didn't do enough. At that time, it was about me, I was being selfish and I thought being black was enough. So if I could encourage you all to do anything, it’s to take your people with you...don’t make it just about you. That’s why you see me with my hands together [prayer pose]. Some of us pat ourselves on the back, others of us beat ourselves on the chest. That’s cool, I'm gonna let you do that...but when you’re done, bring people with you. Share the codes...share the cheat codes. A lot of us had to figure it out ourselves...that’s where we go wrong. The more of us that learn the codes, the stronger we are. That’s how we get to market share. If we don’t have market share, we don’t have a voice. If you don’t have a voice then you’re going to need help with healthcare, education and the biases that are ingrained in our legislation that makes the gravity 2x heavier on us. Share the codes, hold the door open.

Did you have a figure that you admired when you were growing up? And what would you say to a young Black man or woman today who is thinking of entering the space?

The people I tend to admire don’t make sense when I get asked this question because what I admire in people doesn’t really resonate with most people. I’m into people who are more like sages and seers. My grandparents, my mom and dad...wise people who see things. You know, the type of people who can read you from head to toe when you walk in a room..those are the people who I spend most of my time talking to. I find value in the things unseen. That doesn’t work for everybody because it’s not a tangible thing. I don't give names of people who you can see the things they have tangibly done. What I would say to any young black man or woman today who’s thinking of entering the space, is to surround yourself with people that are better than you. Do it because you love it so much that you would do it for free and you can’t believe that you can actually get paid for it. Hold the door open. Talk to your partners about them understanding more, listening more, watching more, and being more open.

Share the codes...share the codes...share the codes.

And, you know what, get really excited when you see others doing well. Some people take Ambien, some people take melatonin. But, I can honestly tell you the best sleeping aid known to mankind is good will. Be excited when your brother wins. Be excited when your sister wins. Don’t block their blessing because when you do that, you’re blocking yours. Whatever God got for you is yours. That’s it...share the codes. Be happy when you see someone making it because you’re going to want them to smile when you’re doing the same.

***

BIGGIE SMALLS x FILA

BIGGIE SMALLS CELEBRATES 48th BIRTHDAY
WITH A FILA COLLABORATION CAPSULE FOR SUMMER.

Thanks to his laundry list of iconic rap tunes, Notorious B.I.G. will be forever remembered as one of the greatest hip hop artists to ever walk the planet. And in celebration of the 25th anniversary of his legendary “Ready to Die” album, as well as what would have been his 48th birthday this Thursday, FILA has decided to create a commemorative capsule in his honor. Alongside a full apparel range is a duo of special Biggie x FILA Tennis 88 footwear renditions. Serving as updated version to the Original Tennis model that sparked popularity for the Sportswear brand amongst the Brooklyn community in the 90s, the kicks pay tribute to the late rapper through dual branded tongues that print out the number 25 just beneath its crown insignias, the famous baby photo from the album art translated onto the footbeds, as well as the words “Ready To Die” embroidered on the heel counter. Two colorways including a cream/red as well as a white/aqua blue are set to release first on FILA.com on May 19th, and at additional retailers on May 21st for $90 a piece.
VIA SNAKER NEWS BY ELLIOT SANTIAGO

Neiman Marcus Creditor Calls for Deal With Saks Fifth Avenue

A letter by the creditor suggests that combining the two luxury retailers would create between $2.8 billion and $4.7 billion of value.

DALLAS, United States — Hedge fund Mudrick Capital Management LP asked Neiman Marcus Group's independent directors on Tuesday to explore a combination with rival department store chain Saks Fifth Avenue, challenging the company's plan to reorganise under bankruptcy protection.

A lawyer for Mudrick, which holds portions of Neiman Marcus's roughly $5 billion of debt, wrote in a letter to the directors that a sale or merger with Saks would result in better financial recoveries for creditors than the company's current plan to restructure and hand control to senior lenders.

Neiman Marcus filed for bankruptcy last week after prolonged store closures in response to the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in plunging sales.

The letter, reviewed by Reuters, suggests that combining the two luxury retailers would create between $2.8 billion and $4.7 billion of value. That could ultimately be achieved by Neiman Marcus using bankruptcy proceedings to permanently close at least 22 stores in nearby or overlapping locations to its rival. That and other cost savings could boost the combined retailer's earnings, the letter said.

Saks owner Hudson's Bay Co in 2017 explored a Neiman Marcus takeover but did not ultimately pursue it, Reuters previously reported. Hudson's Bay has remained interested in Neiman Marcus, according to sources familiar with the matter, but has not yet made a formal bid for the company.

Representatives for Mudrick, Neiman Marcus and HBC declined to comment.

Hudson's Bay was taken private in March by shareholders that include Chief Executive Richard Baker, and it is also grappling with financial fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.

Neiman Marcus Chief Executive Geoffroy van Raemdonck told Reuters in an interview last week that the company is focused on reorganising and that a deal with Saks is not at the top of its priority list, though he did not rule it out.

Neiman Marcus has negotiated a plan with most of its creditors to cancel about $4 billion of debt in exchange for handing control of the company to senior lenders led by Pacific Investment Management Corp, Sixth Street Partners and Davidson Kempner Capital Management.

Pimco and Sixth Street declined to comment while Davidson Kempner could not immediately be reached.

These investment firms are also providing a $675 million financing package to aid the company's operations while it navigates bankruptcy proceedings, which a federal judge approved on an interim basis over Mudrick's objection.

The lenders hold the lion's share of Neiman Marcus's senior debt, giving them significant sway over whether the company's reorganisation plan is approved. Their agreement would likely be needed before Neiman Marcus attempted to explore a sale in lieu of the current plan.

An auction could also be time-consuming while Neiman Marcus is struggling. Neiman Marcus expects to burn through hundreds of millions of dollars in cash through at least the end of July.

Mudrick's letter said other creditors are hamstrung in agitating for a sale given they have signed a so-called restructuring support agreement associated with Neiman Marcus's bankruptcy case. The company's executives could be concerned about losing their jobs in a merger, and Neiman Marcus's private equity owners are keen to move on from their failed investment, the letter said.

By Mike Spector and Jessica DiNapoli; editor: Christopher Cushing. BOF

J BALVIN X Air Jordan 1 HIGH

J Balvin’s Air Jordan 1 High Collaboration Expected To Release This Holiday Season

If all of the sold out drops and astronomically high resell prices of Off-White and Travis Scottcollaborations are any indication, it’s that the Nike/Jordan team have mastered the art of aligning with key influential partners. And as we saw confirmed via an incredible Super Bowl halftime show this past February, the Jumpman music roster is set to expand by one this year with the welcoming of reggaeton artist J Balvin. The Colombian icon, who has been running up the numbers in recent years in terms of popular tunes with the likes of Cardi B, Bad Bunny, Major Lazer, and more, is now receiving his very own Air Jordan 1 collaboration. Balvin discussed in a recent interview that although production was caused to be pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the kicks will now be targeting a release for the 2020 holiday season.

Visually, the kicks are expressive of the artist’s vibrant fashion sense as the upper, which has been upgraded with edgy/extended overlays, is presented with a vibrant multi-colored gradient base seated next to a cream-colored tongue. Accents arrive by way of stark black shoe strings, as well as his signature happy face logo stamped along the left tongue and lateral heels. Peep a first look here ahead, and keep it locked for more official information related to its release likely on Nike.com and at select stockists. via sneaker news by elliot santiago

HAILEY AND JADEN FOR LEVI’S®

Spring is springing, which means you can finally start dressing the way you want to, instead of the way you have to (i.e: with mittens). Jaden Smith and Hailey Bieber have the right idea. Here, the rapper/actor (him) and model/TV host (her) walk you through our top looks for those first warm days.

THE CUBANO SHIRT: A VACATION YOU CAN WEAR
Sunshine means Cubano time. This throwback statement piece works equally well on men and women. Style it however: you can button it to the top, leave a few open, throw it over a graphic tee, or grab it to use as a shacket on your way out the door. Our Cubanos, decorated with, say, paisley or flowering birds of paradise, are exactly as loud as you need them to be. Should you wear them with jeans, chinos, shorts, or swim trunks? Yes.

HAVE IT BOTH WAYS
Our favorite thing to do right now is to go high/low — mix casual clothes with something a little more formal. Our Straight Chino Short II is perfect for this, because all you have to do is throw on a graphic tee, and you’re done.

STAND OUT (BUT NOT TOO FAR OUT)
Yes, you can pull this off. The key to wearing a single pattern from head to toe is to choose pieces in softer color schemes. You’ll still get plenty of attention, but you won’t seem to be begging for it.

LACE UP
These sleeveless Charlie tops are super feminine, and their adaptability gives you all kinds of options. You can lean into their femininity, or go the tomboy route with boyfriend jeans or a Trucker Jacket.

EMBRACE THE BIG SLEEVES
Puff sleeves are back, and we’re here for it. Take, for instance, our Hannah top: its flowy sleeves make for a fun, flattering silhouette, and its eyelet details (those little holes) complete the beachy look. It’s versatile, too — tuck it in, or don’t, or tie it into a crop top like Hailey.

GO BIG IN LEVI’S® 501® MID THIGH SHORTS
Mid-length shorts are in style for women, and our advice is to buy yours a size or two bigger than usual. The extra room gives them a slouchy streetwear fit and plenty of versatility. Wear them with a tighter top or that new Cubano shirt you’ve been meaning to try.

the launch

On April 4, 2019, Beyoncé announced a collaboration between that Ivy Park and Adidas. The collaboration marks the relaunch of the Ivy Park brand after severing ties with former retailer Topshop. In a statement released by Beyoncé on the official Ivy Park website, she states, "This is the partnership of a lifetime for me... Adidas has had tremendous success in pushing creative boundaries. We share a philosophy that puts creativity, growth and social responsibility at the forefront of business. I look forward to re-launching and expanding Ivy Park on a truly global scale with a proven, dynamic leader." The new relaunch also aims to put out shoes, performance gear, and lifestyle apparel.

A week before the official launch of the collaboration, Beyoncé sent various orange boxes to celebrities and fans promoting the launch. The boxes ranged in size from full scale clothing racks with the most notable pieces to smaller boxes that included shoes. Celebrities who received the box include Ellen DeGeneres, Cardi B, Kendall Jenner, Ciara, Missy Elliott, Reese Witherspoon, and Hailey Bieber.

Hours after the pre-sale launch on January 17, 2020, the collaboration was officially sold out on Adidas' website. The line was available in select Adidas stores worldwide, as well as Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Foot Locker, and Finish Line locations in the United States, on January 18, but also quickly sold out. Many fans expressed their frustration and blamed Adidas' virtual "waiting room" for with not being able to purchase any items because of the short time it took to sell out. Matt Powell, a senior footwear analyst at NPD Group, says Ivy Park x Adidas could eventually surpass sales of other Adidas collaborations, including Yeezy by Kanye West.

THE POWER OF PYER MOSS

THE POWER OF PYER MOSS

Designer Kerby Jean-Raymond launches his latest collection with Reebok 

A fashion show is never just about the clothes, and few shows this season have been quite as thoughtful and impactful as the Pyer Moss show which took place in the historic Kings Theater in Brooklyn, New York on September 8th. The show included the debut of Reebok by Pyer Moss Collection 3, the next chapter from Pyer Moss designer Kerby Jean-Raymond’s series “American, Also” which continues to explore the human condition while bringing a voice and light to untold stories.  

Even before getting to the clothes, Jean-Raymond designed the location of the show to be a statement in and of itself, steeped in history and culture. Jean-Raymond told Nylon Magazine, “I grew up here. This is my zone school area. I worked across the street for three years at a sneaker store. I think the success [of the concept] is bringing people closer to me rather than trying to assimilate into whatever else people are doing."

While most fashion shows have a musical soundtrack, Jean-Raymond also took this one step further. The show opened with a monologue that took the audience from plantation fields of North Carolina to the Carnegie Hall concert stage, where Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of Rock and Roll music,  rose to fame.  The message that came across was clear: the oppression and mistreatment that black people have endured for centuries will never be forgotten, and that in the face of the history and the present, people have “…a freedom on the inside that the world didn’t give them and the world could not take away.”

The concept of Sankofa is integral to Reebok by Pyer Moss Collections 3. Sankofa is a Twi word from the Akan tribe in Ghana that translates to "Go back and get it" and is represented by a bird fetching an egg from its back. This idea is artfully integrated into several key pieces in the collections. Sankofa symbolizes going back to the history of your past to take what is rightfully yours and reclaiming your narrative. 

As the opening monologue ended, the curtain went up on the choir, named “The Tabernacle Drip Choir Drenched in the Blood.”  The choir served as the inspirational music accompaniment for the entire show as the models walked the runway. It was an evocative choice that transported the audience and, in the end, brought the crowd to their feet during their final song of the night.

By the next day the reviews were in, and the response was overwhelming. As with his previous shows, Jean-Raymond gave people a new perspective on art and fashion and what it can all mean, wrapped up in a story they’ll never forget. It’s about being conscious about culture and designing with a purpose. 

Reebok Global Design Manager, Priscilla Shum, who has been working with Jean-Raymond on the Reebok side of the collection since its foundation, says the collaboration has been very meaningful to her.

“Working with Kerby and the Pyer Moss team has been incredibly rewarding,” says Shum. “With Kerby I get to witness a creative genius in his element. Being able to extract that vision and put that expression into something he sees in his head is something I can’t really put into words. It’s such a fulfilling, motivating feeling.”

Reeboks relationship and design process with Jean-Raymond and Pyer Moss has evolved and grown quickly.

“This collection differed in the sense that both his mainline, Pyer Moss and the Reebok by Pyer Moss collection fluidly told a story and fed off each other,” says Shum. “In previous seasons, we were establishing a relationship, understanding each of our needs. In this collection that relationship harmony really came through.”

The Sept 8th fashion show also debuted the new Reebok by Pyer Moss Experiment 4 “ Fury Trail” sneaker, the latest style to join the Reebok by Pyer Moss footwear collection. The shoe was designed as a sacred object split into three layers, each one representing all those who climb to success through the creation of something sacred in the face of adversity. The first offering of the Reebok by Pyer Moss Collection 3 is available now, with the second offering becoming available in December.

In a recent interview with Footwear News, Jean-Raymond said it was a dangerous move for Reebok to start working with him.

“Reebok did a dangerous thing by signing me. I was not an ideal candidate. I wasn’t doing wild sales numbers, I wasn’t trending, I didn’t have any celebrity backing, I was speaking politics in my art and somebody there saw the potential in that and how I can [mobilize] a community, and they took a chance. All you companies that have profitability with no souls can reach back down and reinvest that money into communities, and you’d be shocked with how fast your growth would accelerate. Reebok did it and you should do it.”

Jean-Raymond was recently named Artistic Creative Director for Reebok Studies_, a new division that will focus on exploring human nature and show the importance of people’s lives and stories. As he explained to Footwear News, his vision for this new branch with the brand is to expand talent and build a pathway for other artists.

“My vision is to not only work with existing Reebok talent and partners; it’s also to champion new ones,” Jean-Raymond said. “Having my own division at Reebok allows me a way to provide a pathway for bringing in designers, artists and personalities that we feel can marry well with the Reebok brand. As the first designer to ever work with Reebok in this capacity, I feel honored to be a part of such an important moment in the brand’s history.”

Shum says Jean-Raymond’s storytelling through his designs is unparalleled and that partnering with someone with such vision is a game changer.

“Working with Kerby is unique in the sense that no one can tell a story like he does,” she says. “His ultimate vision far surpasses what any of us would think of. The partnership puts Reebok in a whole different light and spectrum. So many different eyes and voices that wouldn’t normally be exposed to what we do now have eyes on us. It’s pretty incredible.”

As for what’s next for Jean-Raymond’s future collections, he told Footwear News he is already working on the next one—and it’s sure to shift the fashion community yet again.

“The next one is not going to be a trilogy; it’s going to be a one-and-done. I am halfway through with it, I did the Reebok portion of it already,” Jean-Raymond said. “I have the concept, I think it’s really fire. All I can say is it’s not about race because that’s not my thing, that’s not my schtick. I’m not the race guy. I’m the social [guy]; I care about people.”

The first offering of the Reebok by Pyer Moss Collection is available now. The second offering will be available December 14th.

SEBASTIAN MIKAEL & FRIENDS

SEBASTIAN MIKAEL & FRIENDS
>>> 10.23.19
@middlesex lounge
315 MASS AVE
CAMBRIDGE MA, 02139
DOORS : 10PM || 21+ || $15 MUSIC BY: REAL P

AFTER-PARTY HOSTED BY:
@SEBASTIANMIKAEL @WAYOFCAKES
@DANNYXOMEGA 
@ERICA.ANASTASIIA

FMI • TXT/CALL 617.651.0809

MAHALIA, LOVE & COMPROMISE TOUR

It’s hard to believe that an artist with an output and reputation as strong as Mahalia’s hasn’t released an album yet. But having signed to Asylum Records via Atlantic at the age of 13, before taking the time to finish school in her hometown of Leicester and find her sound, Mahalia’s entire career has been an exercise in intuition and patience.

A testament to the success of major label patience, even at a young age Mahalia, born Mahalia Burkmar, chose not to allow the pressure of signing to rush her process and growth as a young artist. She began releasing acoustic music in her late teens before moving down to London to pursue her career after high school. Appreciative of the relationships she’s been able to nurture with her record label, Mahalia once even joked that she’s a ‘label baby’ though she strives to maintain a level of creative independence at all times.

Raised in a musical family, her confidence and prowess at the tender age of 21 is impressive but expected. “I grew up in a house where my mum would tell me if a lyric was shit. And when she said that, she meant, you can do better and she was right.”  Her mother hails from a singing background and was in a band called Colourbox in the 80s, while her dad was also a session musician and songwriter. She also shares her passion for music with all three of her brothers who she reckons instilled in her a deep desire to just be heard: “when you’re a girl among boys you just don’t get listened to.” All these details contextualising her love for connecting with others through her music and live shows, as well as her openness in her music.

Despite her age, her journey to this record has definitely ebbed and flowed over the years. “When I got to 18 and I moved to London, I was confused because I thought that I was ready but I really wasn’t.” Mahalia bounced around the houses of friends and family for over a year, with very little money or motivation to create: “I was just finding life really difficult.” She details one particular low point when she called on her usual friends for a place to crash in London, but one by one the plans all fell through. She found herself at Paddington with her suitcase and nowhere to stay: “I remember jumping the barrier and getting a train back up to Leicester that night to stay at a friend’s house. It was just a mad time” she revels.

It wasn’t until she decided to move back to Leicester in 2017 that she wrote and released breakout single ‘Sober’. “All of that was just me losing confidence and feeling insecure, watching other artists surpass me and I hadn’t even worked out who I was yet.” Fast forward to present day, via a viral COLORS session that travelled globally and “changed everything”, international tours - both support and headline - a string of infectious singles and collaborations with the likes of Little Simz and Kojey Radical, Mahalia has been back in London for over a year now and writing her debut album for just as long.

Her jam-packed schedule of activity seems to go against the traditional album-mode exile that many artists practice these days - isolating themselves from their everyday lives and social media to focus solely on writing for prolonged periods of time. Instead Mahalia utilises the everyday to draw inspiration and energy from, explaining “I find that the busy periods away mean that when I’m back, I’m truly excited to return to the studio.”

Inspired by Eartha Kitt, Mahalia’s debut album is titled “Love and Compromise”. Named after the clip of Kitt that resurfaced and went viral a few years ago, where she unapologetically addresses her views on relationship and the idea of compromise. Mahalia explains, “I watched that clip religiously and it was such a huge part of my growth and understanding myself in relationships with men.” In the 3-minute snippet, the iconic triple threat star who was a singer, dancer, actor is posed the question of whether she’d be prepared to compromise if a man entered her life. In response, Kitt cackles dramatically and proceeds to return the question repeatedly, asking the interviewer to unpack everything from exactly what reasons she would have to compromise, all the way to the meaning of the word itself. Her own signature blend of fascinating and empowering - something that Mahalia channels effortlessly through her own candid lyrics and refreshing outlooks.

“The album talks about me falling in love, and falling out of love, breaking hearts and having my heart broken and me compromising for things but also at the same time being really uncompromising.” And it’s that back and forth that inspired a lot of the writing on this record, before eventually coming to the resolution that while we can choose to compromise on the material, there’s power in choosing to remain strong in your character and spirit.

Musically, the record is surprising even to Mahalia, excitedly she admits “it’s not what I thought it was going to be!” Continuing on a distinct departure from her earlier stripped-back acoustic style for a more diverse and open sonic palette. “Every song is different, which to me is so much more exciting.” She cites Jill Scott’s Woman and Billie Eilish’s debut album as sharing a similar ethos: one where you’re able to feel something different in each moment. Mapping it out track by track, the record invites you on a journey through relationships of all kinds: exploring sentiments of confusion, addiction, rejection and infatuation before circling back to the search for love. 

And her influences are as broad as her emotional spectrum. “I’ve been playing with the idea of putting out a playlist of songs that inspired the album, but I don’t know if people are going to get it.”  When considering who would occupy the playlist, she simply says, “Everything. Everything I heard in a restaurant, or coming out of someone else’s phone on the street, or while I’m watching TV.” More practically, she lists everything from Bon Iver and Carole King to Summer Walker and H.E.R and of course Lauryn Hill as artists that would make the cut. Drawing on the vulnerability of the Summer Walker that she endeavours to capture in her own art, the raw sentiment of Bon Iver and the intricate musicality of H.E.R, as well as the all round strength of storytelling on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Ultimately finding honesty and emotion at the heart of her music. And in this case, the openness Mahalia radiates in her art is nothing but a genuine reflection of her real life presence - effervescent and warmly familiar. A key factor that suggests this album will be the first in a long line of self portraits that she can paint authentically over her career. And though she cites her parents ability to follow their gut and talents through different career paths, when asked if she thinks she’ll make music forever she nods and smiles dreamily: “It just makes me really happy.”

PYER MOSS x REEBOK COLLECTIONS 3 & 3.5 • NYFW

Earlier this Summer, Pyer Moss founder Kerby Jean-Raymond was appointed as the Artistic Director for Reebok Studies, an emerging new division within the sportswear brand that aims to “explore the human nature of things and show the importance of people’s live and stories.” Barely two months after the announcement of this larger partnership, Jean-Raymond debuted his Collections 3 and 3.5 at the historic Kings Theater in Brooklyn to a massive crowd that lined up around the block to witness his interpretation of the concept of “Sankofa”. The runway show, which was prefaced by an empowering speech and backdropped by live choir music that delivered a medley of classics of both hip-hop and gospel, saw the designers collaborative vision with Reebok materialize with a vibrant assortment of sportswear gear and the new Experiment 4 – Fury Trail sneaker. The was design in three parts to communication the story of the fight and rise of the marginalized, the glamour and expression of success, and emotion. All three parts of the silhouette come in contact with the wearer.

The Reebok by Pyer Moss Experiment 4 – Fury Trail is set to launch on Reebok.com and select retailers including SSENSE this October as part of the launch of Collection 3, with additional colorways being available alongside Collection 3.5 in Spring 2020. via sneaker news

BEYONCE'S IVY PARK X ADIDAS

Today, adidas announces a multi-layered partnership with Beyoncé. This newfound union with the all-time star will include a signature line of footwear and apparel as well as the re-launch of Ivy Park, the singer’s athleisure line that originally debuted in 2016. In addition to releasing a collection of products, Beyoncé will also champion the ideals of inspiring and empowering the next generation of creators, driving positive change in the world through sport, and identifying new business opportunities.

Beyoncé, despite her status as one of the most attractive celebrity draws for nearly two decades, has never truly had a major shoe deal with a sportswear brand. The forthcoming release of the first sneaker as part of this collaborative venture with adidas will be her first foray into the world of sneakers, which leads us to wonder – could Beyonce create a women’s line as powerful as adidas Yeezy?

Renowned not only for her music but also her style and indomitable confidence, Beyonce has slowly and painfully teased her own forthcoming adidas collaboration for quite some time. With fellow artists the likes of Pusha T and even Childish Gambino joining the ranks of the Three Stripes, it’s only fitting they leave room for the queen. Reinventing the wheel — one well worth making a comeback — the living legend has wrought an imaginative interpretation of the Samba silhouette as part of her “IVY PARK” thematics. Certainly joined by an expansive set of apparel, the shoe itself has no problems standing on its own, removing itself from its usual sportswear ethos with a chunky platform sole atop a base of what looks to be premium leathers. While the bottoms dye in dark gum shade, the rest is quite unassuming as a fitting starting point for the model itself, painting the suede toe caps with light gray then leaving all else relatively colorless — tongues, heel counters, and so on — though accents by way of the three stripes at the side and heel tab boldly display a sultry grape shade which is complemented by a swirled cord wrapped just around the entire back up to the vamp. Elsewhere, laces atop their ribbed and “IVY PARK” branded backdrop relatively are minimal to say the least, looping through only four total eye stays that are themselves constructed of the same thin string.

Grab a quick look at these as well as some unsurprisingly seductive campaign imagery right here, and sit tight as these were confirmed by Beyonce herself to be releasing on January 18th, the perfect open for the brand’s 2020 affairs. via sneaker news by michael le

QUALITY & SOUL

NEW LIFE ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

QUALITY&SOUL POETRY SLAM
@THE GREATEST BAR (NEAR TD GARDEN)4TH FLOOR
WEDNESDAY OCT, 26TH -  7PM-12AM - 21+ EVENT

SOUNDTRACK PROVIDED BY: JAGGAMOVEMENTS INTL
HOSTED BY: RELLY RELL

LIVE PERFORMANCES BY:
MARK A. MERREN & SWERV-O

SPOKEN WORD BY:
RICH DARX, MZENVEED, MENTAL ENLIGHTENMENT
FRANKLY PINA, LADY ROSE
MS GYSELE, ALI AND RONDY RAYMOND

$5 ALL NIGHT

CASUAL DRESSCODE
FELLAS- NO HATS OR TIMBS
JEANS/SNEAKERS COLLARED/POLO SHIRT
LADIES- CLASSY AS USUAL

FOR MORE INFO CALL 

RELLY RELL @ 857-334-8875 
EMAIL @ NEWLIFEENT.INTL@GMAIL.COM TWITTER: @NEWLIFECEO

THE GOOD NEGRO

WHAT'S GOING PEOPLE... HOPE YOU ALL ARE DOING WELL. AS FOR ME, I JUST RECENTLY CELEBRATED MY 30TH, THIS PAST SUNDAY AT THE GOODLIFE. THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO MADE IT, AND EVERYONE WHO SENT ME SOME WELL WISHES, I APPRECIATE YOU ALL. I WAS GOING TO DO A THANK YOU VIDEO, BUT GOT SIDETRACK WITH SOME PROJECTS I HAVE COMING UP IN THE NEAR FUTURE. FOR THE PEOPLE THAT SHOWED UP I REALLY HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD TIME.

AS SOME OF YOU MAY OR MAY KNOW, I WAS THINKING OF "RETIRING" FROM THE WHOLE CLUB PROMOTING, I HAVE BEEN IN THIS INDUSTRY FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. I HAVE SOME GOOD EXPERIENCES, SOME BAD EXPERIENCES, AND AS WELL SOME GREAT EXPERIENCES. AFTER MY DEPARTURE FROM POETIC ESCAPE, WHICH REALLY I DIDN'T WANT TO DO, BUT I HAD TO BECAUSE MY PARTNER AND I DIDN'T SEE THINGS THE SAME WAY, GRANTED WE HAD A GOOD RUN FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS, BUT THERE WERE TO MANY THINGS I DIDN'T AGREE WITH, AND HE DIDN'T AGREE WITH OR WOULDN'T BUDGE ONE... AND SINCE THERE WAS NOTHING ON PAPER THE BEST THINGS FOR MY PIECE OF MIND WAS TO STEP BACK.... TRUST ME IT WAS ONE HARD DECISION TO MAKE, IT FELT LIKE I GAVE UP ON MY FRIENDS AND MY GOAL TO PRODUCE QUALITY EVENTS.

SO AFTER SOME SOUL SEARCHING AND A MAJOR WEBSITE AND COMPANY RECONSTRUCTION, I DECIDED I'M NOT GIVING UP BECAUSE OF OTHERS AND THEIR SELF-MOTIVATED AGENDAS, BUT I WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. ENTERTAINMENT COMES IN VARIOUS FORMS, AND IT SEEM THAT AS A PEOPLE WE DON'T SEEK THESE OPTIONS, BECAUSE WE ARE SO WHAT WE HAVE, WHICH ISN'T MUCH. 

I'VE BEEN TO A FEW PLAYS THIS PAST YEAR, AND ONE THING THAT ALWAYS STUCK OUT FOR ME IS THAT THERE WEREN'T MANY OF US, AND BY US I MEAN BLACK PEOPLE - THERE TO ENJOY THESE SHOWS, THAT WERE PRODUCED FOR US AND BY US. SO WHY WEREN'T WE THERE. I FEEL WE AS A PEOPLE HAVE COMPLETELY LOST TOUCH WITH THE ARTS AND ALL WE CAN DO IS SHAKE OUR ASSES, AND DON'T GET ME WRONG THERE IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR THAT, BUT WE CAN'T PARTY ALL WEEK AND WEEKEND LONG. CAN WE?

SO I REACH OUT TO COMPANY ONE, WHICH PRODUCE PLAYS ALL YEAR LONG, AND WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF FORMING A PROMOTIONAL PARTNERSHIP TO BRING MORE AWARENESS TO PLAYS PRODUCES FOR US AND BY US. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN ME ON JANUARY 15TH, 2010 AT THE BOSTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS PLAZA THEATRE THEATRE, FOR THE OPENING OF THE GOOD NEGRO

###

BEFORE THERE WAS CHANGE, THERE WAS BIRMINGHAM. WHEN CLAUDETTE SULLIVAN IS BEATEN AND ARRESTED FOR TAKING HER LITTLE GIRL INTO THE “WHITE ONLY” RESTROOM AT A DEPARTMENT STORE, SHE FINDS HERSELF AT THE HEART OF THE 1960’S AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. TENSIONS BUILD IN THE INCREASINGLY HOSTILE SOUTH AS A TRIO OF EMERGING BLACK LEADERS ATTEMPTS TO CONQUER THEIR INDIVIDUAL DEMONS AMID DEATH THREATS FROM THE KU KLUX KLAN AND WIRETAPS BY THE FBI. THOUGH THE DETAILS AND CHARACTERS MAY BE FICTIONALIZED, THESE PERSONAL STORIES ARE INSPIRED BY POLITICAL UPHEAVALS AND THE HISTORICAL RECORD, REVEALING THE HUMAN FRAILTIES BEHIND THE HISTORIC HEADLINES.

Written by Tracey Scott Wilson
Directed by Summer L. Williams
January 15th – February 6th 2010
The Plaza Theatre @ The Boston Center for the Arts