Atlanta, GA, USA
Care Free Black Boys
“Men can’t wear makeup”, “Men shouldn’t wear flowers”, both of Those old school,outdated mindsets are now starting to parish. Looking through Tumblr and Instagram you can see the apparent change in the way many men are starting to become more liberated to indulge into the gender neutral pool. In generations before the millennials, men showing any form of femininity was downright unacceptable. Today we are surrounded with people who understand that yes men can be feminine, wear flowers in their hair, and have a PAWPIN highlight and still be called a man. That’s one of things that I personally appreciate about the times we live in; no one is judging.
Jaden Smith pushing Gender Neutral boundaries in a photoshoot for Vogue
Young Thug in Alessandro Tricone, for his album titled “No My Name is Jeffery”
Rae Sremmurd poses for The Fader
Frank Ocean in “Boys Don’t Cry”
Isaih B. (@iisaiahb)
To all the CareFree Black Boys out there. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. It’s okay to cry, dance roll in the grass, watch the stars at night, paint your body in pastels.
Text: Imani Green
Visuals: Instagram,Tumblr
Augusta, GA, USA
Editorial:Kejuan Tanksley
My name is KeJuan Tanksley and I am junior at Augusta University. I major in Art with a concentration in drawing and later on photography and printmaking, as well. I am aspiring to become an artist in the fields of illustration and photography. I been influenced by art since I was three. I love the fine arts from music to dance to film to drawing. I always wanted to inspire people through my art and become a voice to be heard. Art is my form of expression of my emotions, opinions, and beliefs. I want to show people that they can go above and beyond without caring what the other person thinks or say about them. I want people to realize that we can be our individual selves and be free and not confined to social stigmas and roles placed upon us. I create art to communicate with everything in my surroundings, as if words never will have to come out of my mouth.
My photos are in my opinion dream like or appears as some sort of fairy tale. My photos are narratives about the emotions and stages a person experiences. The photos Misguided Child, He Who Confines Himself, The Different Branch on the Tree, and The Search are part of a project about multiple personalities. With 12 more photos included in this project, these photos illustrate different personalities constructed by an individual to fit the roles placed upon his peers, family, and society. Due to these excessive roles, the individual loses sight of himself and a part of him embarks on a journey of the inner mind, which is distorted and topsy- turvy, to find the individual behind the characters he created to fit the roles he have to play. In these photos, I used myself as the model as this concept was something I can relate to myself. The last 4 photos Introspection, Concentration, Absorption, and Reflection are photos I took of my friend. These photos are attributes of a deep thinker. Someone who is absorbed in what he is doing and concentrates a lot on his thoughts and ideas, while reflecting upon his thoughts and appearing introverted to those who see him. You can also say these photos are trying to illustrate a wise man.
Atlanta, GA, USA
Rihanna's Puma collection on the rise
With all of the designers showcasing their Spring 2017 looks, Rihanna’s own, Fenty x Puma collection has raised the bar. The debut show occurred during Paris Fashion Week and incorporated a variety of models from Imaan Hammam to Slick Woods. Inspired by Marie Antoinette, Rihanna intertwined the 19th century and street style effortlessly.
The runway was set up in a maze-like wonderland, allowing you to focus on the completed looks. Corsets, du-rags, and baseball caps were utilized most of the show. Rihanna’s “shape-shifter” expertise kicked in with baggy boilersuits, skin tight track pants, and sultry slits. Shoes included super platforms, pumps with a shoelace trim, and how could we forget about the infamous fur slides?
Overall, this season definitely sets a different tone from the last. Softer hues, ribbons, and ruffles are the complete opposite of the goth theme from the Fall 2016 Ready-to-Wear collection.
Rihanna’s advice on how to style the pieces are to either wear one item at a time, or all at once. Mix and match, create and innovate!
Text: Keyonna S.
Atlanta, GA, USA
“I’m like an encyclopedia of hip-hop”: Psyche Digital Meets Asston Kusher
"It all started with a booty call. Not my booty, my sister’s booty."
Twitter, one of the leading apps in late night hookups, never fails to show you women you can’t get and men you have already been with. But one thing I wasn’t expecting to see on my timeline is one of my sister’s exes cuddled up with some…Persian cat? Unapologetically and uncertain if it was really him, I tagged one of my friends in the picture typing “Is this the same boy my sister was with?” And instead of my friend replying, the guy in the picture assures me that he isn’t an ex at all, instead the superbly talented, 6-foot-7 skyscraping, 26-year-old oddity Asston Kusher, that I would go on to write my very first article about.
DMV born, Detroit raised, and Downtown Atlanta living, not only does Kusher invite us into his studio to ask questions and take pictures, the artist grants our team a private tour behind the mind of an abstract sound.
Can you describe your music in three words?
Abrasive, Esoteric, EPIC.
Can you describe yourself in one?
Anomaly
Kusher’s room had an ambiance identical to Eric Forman’s Basement from “That 70’s Show”; an infamous couch and rolling table, possibly over one hundred vinyl records stacked in their own corner and a Kitty that’ll support him no matter what. Bill Klinton, Kusher’s obese Persian roommate, didn’t greet us with warm welcomes. “I don’t want to be like him, because he’s caged in all the time,” The producer looks down at his fluffy cat and cracks a smile, Klinton looks back at him straight-faced. “But he’s so stress-free; you know…he has nothing to worry about.”
What about you makes you most confident?
My height and my energy. I don’t realize how tall I am until a motherfucker be saying that shit and I just feel like when I walk in somewhere it’s just like [mind] blowed. And I got supersonic hearing, so I be hearing “ That [man] tall” it’s just funny as hell, I guess it just adds confidence to me. I’m a confident motherfucker off top, I don’t know, that tall shit make me a little confident cause I hate hearing it.
Besides your musical talent, what other talents of yours are impressive?
I’m like an encyclopedia of like hip hop and music history. It’s just in my blood that’s how my mom is. She always knows everything about every artist. All that ill shit. She’s like a fucking book, and I get that from her. I guess that’s a talent.
Kusher leads us to warehouse down the street to take pictures at an aged door he admires. He sprawls out onto the ground and clears our confusion by saying, “I’m trying to look as trashy as possible”. On the subject of bums, we begin to talk about Donald Trump and the war on power in the United States.
What message can you give to the men and women standing up for #BlackLivesMatter?
Educate yourself on how the world really is, bruh. Like, we’re here. We are indigenous people of America. America was created on blood and killing and corruption and it’s not even a place that’s supposed to really… it’s a ticking time bomb. Police aren’t here to protect us, they’re here to protect people who pay mad taxes and own shit but don’t own shit, you know. Like, niggas been protesting for mad years like MLK got popped. And we don’t even have a leader, not saying we need one but we don’t have one. We gotta educate ourselves on how the world is going. I fuck with BLM, cause BL do matter, but we have to educate ourselves, this country was never set up for our success. We have this false sense of freedom and shit.
We talk more about himself over this short course of time we met, and I find out we have three major things in common. Both of our favorite F. Gary Gray movies is Set It Off, we don’t mess with fake people and bad energies, and we both would recommend listening to his music.
Which producers influence your music and overall yourself?
Prince Paul, DJ Premier, DJ Paul & Juicy J, Alchemist, Marley Marl, Lil Jon, Mr DJ… Beastie Boys [smiles], RZA, Lord Finesse, Diamond D
Ponder Me This proceeding BLACK CHOLO is Kusher’s newest masterpiece featuring the best song to play for one of your friends who never puts in for the boof pack titled NIGGA WE GOT MID. “I got Ouija Radio coming and Im dropping Tokyo Yacht Club 2 both albums [are] works from me, instrumentals and songs, works from people im producing, all types of bugged out shit, I got comedy shit coming and we writing a movie, it’s going down in a major fucking way” Stay tuned!
Strange Ang
Text: Angel Wildgoose
Visuals: Evan Berry
Visuals: Evan Berry
Atlanta, GA, USA
It’s WhatEver She Wants: AE the cool
I got the pleasure of hearing Ashley Elim also known as AEthecool sing at the annual Arts of the Hearts of Augusta event. I caught up with her at a small coffee shop where we were able to conduct the interview. Dressed in a black jumper that she thought was too big for her, but it gave off a vintage vibe. Her two braids slicked back and her shades to make her look like a superstar. She was ready to handle whatever this interview was in store.
“I’m still in the starting stages so I still have to do normal things”, AEthecool said as she explained how she prepares for a show. “Sometimes I will be at work and come home to scramble to get ready and some days I will procrastinate and scramble to get ready.”
And on this particular day she worked and procrastinated. She didn’t have a chance to eat either.
The urban soul (what she calls it) singer has been performing locally in Augusta for the past year and a half year. Having the passion to sing from a young age she started out singing just like every other great singer, in the church. Although, she felt she didn’t have the confidence to sing, she knew working behind a desk was not for her.
“If I was doing what I was supposed to do; I would be quiet most of the day not wearing out my voice and probably warm up. Then I would do makeup then go to the show. I think I’ve done that once.”
Singing came second nature to her. Her family said that they never heard her sing until she was, maybe around 12-years-old, in which we both found quite funny. AEthecool has been singing her whole life and believes her family was hiding the cruel truth that as a child she just didn’t sound that good. But it all turned out for the best because this young lady can sing!
The “Urban Soul” style of music, you know the one from before. And for anyone who thinks she got it from Trapsoul she thought of the name before it came out. It’s Neo-Soul with a strong hip-hop influence to it.
“I throw some R&B in there too” she said convincingly. “But it’s mostly Neo-Soul with a Hip-Hip feel.”
Auditioning for X-Factor around four years ago just because was actually a funny story to hear. She said that she sung Alicia Key’s Fallen acapella because she had no music.
“It sounded good” She said unsurely. “But they got some little girl that was bouncing around in cowboy boots.”
I asked if she learned anything from that experience and without any hesitation she laughed and said no. Which I would assume meant this was a huge waste of time. And would never do it again. She much rather make it on her own than a talent competition.
“I don’t know what will happen when I get caught in it [singing competition]” AE said with worry in her voice. “I know sometimes there are certain things you have to do once you win, if you do win. Like you have to be on a certain label, you have to do certain type of things and I wouldn’t want to have to do that.”
AE wants to work her way to the top herself. She knows that it takes a lot of work and she is motivated to do so.
“You have to discipline yourself” AE stresses to me. “Being a singer and an artist is like a 24-hour job” AEthecool said embarrassingly. “Especially right now because I don’t have a team and can’t afford a team; so you have to do everything yourself and you have to work so you have money to do things and you have to do your own makeup so sometimes it’s not on point. You have to eat right, exercise so your voice sounds good. It takes a lot. You always have to think about something and you have to be consistent and discipline yourself.”
AEthecool is motivated by all her friends who are succeeding in what they love to do and it gives her the extra boost to do what she loves which is singing. It was a pleasure sitting down and learning about the singer/songwriter.
For all of her latest music including her Eps “Here we are” and “Whatever” follow her soundcloud at aethecool as well as her Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the say name. Be on the lookout because she’s releasing her website soon.
Text: Jarel Mcrae
Brooklyn, NY, USA
Brooklyn’s Very Own
Besides being the home of the NBA's Nets, the Urban Assembly School of Music, and the famous Prospect Park, Brooklyn has a diamond in the rough that is dying of some exposure; her name is Claudia Louis and MiyStanza Home is the name of her new designer, decorative, handmade pillow line.
Talk about chic! Louis has always loved designing and knew that her eclectic style would someday turn into her very own home decor line. However, pillows was one of her first creations. "... [pillows] creates a huge difference, but at the same time they're so simple," she said.
SHIBORI, "the Japanese word for a variety of ways of embellishing textiles by shaping cloth and securing it before dying. The word comes from the verb root shibori: to wring, squeeze, press, Dartmouth College describes. Hearing this description may be new to you, but Shibori has been making its way to fabrics since the 8th century. The versatility of the ancient technique is what drew Claudia in from the start. "It's normally done in indigo, but I wanted to experiment with the different colors. You can never really go wrong with it; you'll never know what it will look like until you unfold it."
Personally, I am head over heels for these dyed patterns! Because I'm such a tie dye freak, my new found love for shibori was inevitable. Although this pattern was the budding inspiration to her pillow line, shibori dying is not the only design that is in store.
"I love a dressed up bed and I've always dreamed of having my own linen line," she said. "[a well-dressed bed] may not be the coolest thing, but it's so enticing and inviting."
Besides these cute cushions, sheets and baby bedding is also on her plate. She feels that there is a dying need for afro-centric style to be incorporated into baby linen and I am totally on board. "We always see the giraffes; people are ready to see afro-centric style," she explains. Curtain designs are also expected in the future if not soon.
Now, I know you're probably thinking how the hell you can get your hands on a set of pillows; they're amazing, I know. But promoting her amazing work has been a tad bit difficult. After all, she is a full-time working mother who lives in one of the most beautiful cities in the country. It would be hard for me too! Claudia Louis has store on Etsy, the famous worldwide marketplace for many other crafty designers, but she wishes to keep that current too.
"I should post more on Instagram, but I do have a Paypal account to receive money via the web” she said.
Aside from her social networks, you can always shoot me an email for serious inquiries for an order.
"Don't expect anyone to understand your passion” Louis said with motivation. ‘Still go for it! Align yourself with other creative people to uplift yourself. Your limit is only what you set on yourself. Trust your instincts and don't listen to anyone's noise."
Discussing her design ideas and inspiration was great. Hearing such supportive words from such a talented and kind spirit instilled even more motivation and drive in myself; I hope you are taking notes. You can follow Claudia Louis at @miystanza on Instagram; don't hesitate to speak! Please don't sleep on her; she's on the come up.
Text: Sade' Louis
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