Nicki Minaj "Anaconda" single art work and why I am not here for it

When Nicki Minaj released her new visual promo for her upcoming single “Anaconda” there was major backlash for her reverting to her old image after making conscious efforts to try and separate her from the overtly sexual image she once portrayed. Her reaction was to call it racism. Alluding to the fact that the black woman’s body is viewed as too racy, too abrasive, instead of as art like a white woman’s body. While racism clearly exists in entertainment, especially when talking standards of beauty and the fashion world, it is also a case of taste. Nicki instagrammed pictures of white or fair skin high fashion models in shots with their butts to the camera labeling them “acceptable” while then posting her own single art work with the word “unacceptable.” I have several issues with all of this. 

Steff Reed #TheIntervention Album Review

After over a year, and some may say a life time, Steff Reed has released his debut album “The Intervention” for full consumption. It may seem odd to refer to a body of work as something to be consumed but the emotional journey you will go through with Steff on the ride that is “The Intervention” will leave you engulfed in passion, love, affection, anger, lust, grief, and even joy. Yet these are just a few feelings that seep out of the lyrics and production of the 8 tracks you will encounter.

#BayGirlInNYC

Easy2Dress Racism?

Earlier this week I was scrolling my instagram feed when a picture posted by one of my favorite accounts, @Tuffmagazine, caught my eye. There was an attractive white man jumping rope in the middle of a boxing ring with a jersey inspired shirt reading... NIGGA 00. My first thought was “What the..?” This was blogger/model Mariano di Vaio in an Easy2Dress FW2014 campaign ad shot. Easy2Dress, an Italian based street wear brand that identifies themselves as creating “unconventional t-shirts & clothes”. But when does unconventional become disrespectful?

Despite the fact that many of Tuffmagazine and creator @akacharleswade followers sounded off in response to this coming to their attentions, but there were many people supporting the brand and model. Some saying that to Italians there is no negative connotation around the word, as if they are unaware of the origins of the word nigga. Though not all were saying that this made the concept and creation of this shirt okay, but that if you had no idea that a word was “bad” how would you know not to embrace it?