St. Tropez + Esther Phillips →

I recently took a listen to a track off of J. Cole's  2014 Forest Hill Drive titled "St. Tropez". I instantly recognized a familiar voice towards the end of the song as it illuminated in a jazzy yet brassy melody...a voice none other than Esther Phillips. Esther's original recording sampled is "That's Alright With Me" (From a Whisper to a Scream, 1972). Esther, known for her versatility in Soul, R&B, Jazz, and Country genres, maintained a career in the industry spanning since her adolescence. Recognized by her almost horn like vocal resemblance, she helped usher in a sound pinned "West Coast Soul", which was dominated by Motown, the Philly sound , and Stax Records.  Phillips, an international fixture, especially in the UK, recorded hits like "Release Me" "Home is Where the Hatred Is" and "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes". Although, she battled addiction like many artists in the industry, Phillips's sound and legacy inspired many artist like J. Cole. Though, nominated twice in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, Phillips has yet to be inducted. Phillips died in 1984, after health complications due to struggles with substance abuse. 

Take a listen...

Click to purchase J. Cole 2014 Forrest Hills Drive

Click to purchase From a Whisper to a Scream

Lion Babe EP Release Dec. 15

A few more days until Lion Babe releases their much anticipated EP on December 15th via iTunes. In the meantime , here is their "Jungle Lady" single released on Vogue. com 

Hear Lion Babe's Slinky New Track "Jungle Lady"

Vashtie Kola

DJ, model, designer, creative Vashtie Kola has dominated the New York's downtown scene for over a decade. Her presence as a DJ and "1992" party concept help revitalized NY nightlife in the formative digital era. But, the "Downtown Sweatheart" has a creative track record that stretches a mile long and surpasses the buroughs of NYC Vashtie has directed a number of music videos and short films starring Solange, Kendrick Lamar, and Kid Cudi. She became a fixture in the skateboarding scene as a way to further her creative independence. Taken from her own experiences with identity and creative evolution, Vashtie launched her fashion brand Violette in 2008.  Her style ridden message of individuality, feminism, and empowerment made history in 2010, designing the first sneaker under a female brand for Jordan. With her message, "sometimes the king is a woman", Vashtie and the Violette brand dominated again in 2012, when Vashtie designed a limited edition "Violette Beats", a pair of taxi themed headsets for Beats by Dre. The cultural icon continues to reign as a creative and fashion consultant for the Billionaire Boys Club brand, and recently launched  her G-Shock limited edition watch. Not only fashionably aware, Vashtie uses her creative talent to raise social awareness about poverty, children's cancer research, and the "stop and frisk" tactics in America. The Renaissance woman and woman King Vashtie is a goddess for the new generation. For more on Vashtie Kola and her brand, check out the links below. 

http://www.vashtie.com

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G-Shock x Va$htie 

http://www.gshock.com/happenings

Tessa Prendergast

Model, fashion icon, actress, dancer. Born in Jamaica in 1928, Tessa Prendergast (Welborn) gained notoriety by designing swimwear for the James Bond series in the 1962 movie.  "Dr. No.". Tessa created a daring two-piece ivory bikini for actress, Ursula Andress. Unbeknownst to Tessa, her design revolutionized the fashion industry and became of one of Hollywood's most iconic costumes ever. She  went on to re-marry and manage an exclusive supper club, Little House Club, until her death in 2001. The Swimsuit design reappeared in another jAMES bOND mOVIE, "Die Another Day" in 2002, cO-starring Halle Barry. A year after tESSA'S DEATH.

ACTRESS, URSULA ANDRESS in "dR. nO" (1962).

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Halle Berry in "Die Another Day" (2002), a year after Tessa's death. 

tESSA pRENDERGAST IN "hIS mAJESTY o'kEEFE" (1954).

Stephanie St. Clair

One of the most interesting figures of the Harlem "hey day" era is one of the most obscure and Controversial . Stephanie "Madame" "Queenie" St. Clair. Activist, Community figure, Writer, Gangster. Much is lost on St. Clair's beginning, end, and arrival in America. But, it's documented that St. Clair was a highly intelligent woman, with dreams and equal brass to match. St. Clair spoke three different languages, English, French, and Spanish, and held the reputation for a fiery personality. Like many transplants to New York, St. Clair arrived with dreams of establishing a life far better than her native land. She discovered the color of her skin and gender restricted her from going as far as she hoped. Though, quick witted, tough, and intelligent, St. Clair learned the game of "numbers", a million dollar backdoor operation of number matching. Her fortune doubled and St. Clair became one of the notorious and richest figures in Harlem society of the 1920's and 30's. St. Clair lived on Sugar Hill, an affluent section of Harlem, where she lived next door to historical leaders such as W.E.B. Dubois. Still, she led an all male operation and donated parts of her wealth to the community. Interesting to note, though St. Clair ran an illegal operation for her time, she strongly advocated against police brutality and corruption in her neighborhood. St. Clair's open letters to Harlem newspaper publications earned her jail time and generated harassment from the law. Eventually, her resistance led to the demotion of over a dozen police officers, which was unheard for a women, let alone a woman of color.  And though St. Clair spent time in jail because of her advocacy, she spoke on a cause very prevalent today. St. Clair died just as she arrived in obscurity  around 1969 in Harlem, after giving up her numbers operation decades earlier. Her legacy is portrayed in film, literature, and neighborhood folklore. Her strength still echoes today. 

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A Little Bit More..

Stephanie St. Clair Televised Documentary 

Sara Golish Prints "Sundust"

SUNDUST print release & a very special THANK YOU! | Sara Golish

Yokoo Gibraan

Q & A | Designer Yokoo Gibraan

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Purchase

etsy.com/shop/Yokoo

Dorothy

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Rare Photos From the Set of 'Porgy and Bess'

Legacy: Aretha's Amazing Grace

Some of Aretha Franklin's best work is found in the very place that launched her career, the church. Born into a very religious and politically influential family, these origins made a lasting impression on Aretha Franklin, and somewhat is responsible for her career. Her father, Rev. C.L. Franklin was a Civil Rights activists and one of the most popular ministers in Detroit. Scores of musicians and leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Sam Cooke,  and Smokey Robinson flocked to Rev Franklin's church, New Bethel Baptist Church.  Many artists in the Detroit community looked up to Rev. Franklin but admired his daughter's talent. They thought she would flourish in the musical world, and Aretha long to sing the music of her peers.  But, the church culture frowned upon secular music and its industry, so it wasn't an easy transition. Rev. Franklin eventually relented. Possibly, he believed in his daughter and her undeniable talent and the assurance of the music savvy visitors who frequented New Bethel. Aretha came into her own singing, Rhythm and Blues. The emotionally charged feeling behind most of Aretha's voice, her vocalized spirituality, earned her the "Queen of Soul" title. She came full circle in her career recording "Amazing Grace" in 1972, her 3rd live studio album. That same year Aretha went U.S. gold with her hit "Rock Steady" off of "Young, Gifted, and Black". "Amazing Grace" went on to be the biggest selling live gospel album of all time, and won a 1973 Grammy award. 

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Reading

Click to purchase.

Etta

I was just sitting here thinking that I'm in the mood for Etta. Etta James. For no particular rhyme or reason, other than her sweet melodic raunchiness and stirring greatness. I was seeking for a particular tune only Etta could supply...so here's one of my favorites. 

The Side Note

The story is told that Etta James sung this song for old an old love, Harvey Fuqua (creator of the Moonglows, who eventually help launched Marvin Gaye's career.) Fuqua was set to marry Gwen Gordy, brother to Motown visionary Barry Gordy. Get it? No matter the circumstances or vivid storyline, you can hear the pain and emotion in James's voice. An emotion that transcends generations and relationships. The pure effectiveness of James's voice in this song is the true beauty that makes Rhythm and Blues. 

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Etta's Autobiography 

View fullsize

Click to Purchase

Lion Babe

EP is available now on iTunes. 

Download #JumpHi Single: http://po.st/FBEPiYD UK! Pre-order the LION BABE EP: http://po.st/FBEPiYD http://www.lionbabe.com http://www.youtube.com/user/lionbabemusic http://twitter.com/lionbabe @lionbabe Music video by LION BABE performing Jump Hi. (C) 2014 LION BABE LLC, under exclusive licence to Outsiders Recorded Music Ltd. / Polydor Ltd. (UK)

Aja Monet

Contemporary poet, Aja Monet is set to release a chapter book of poems, "Inner-City Chants and Cyborg Cyphers" this month. In the meantime, her collection of poetry, "The Black Unicorn Sings" is available now. 

http://www.ajamonet.com

“Know the World is keeping you in love”

— Aja Monet

Prince and The Third Eye Girl Feat. Lianne La Havas