Life Is Good - For Nas & Us Too

Life is good, and not just for Nas, who’s tenth studio album, Life Is Good, is number one on the Billboard charts. With his album reaching number one, it’s a sign that good music can top the charts again. Fans of hip-hop, celeb and non-celeb, are enjoying this album, with the word “classic” being thrown around.

It’s simple really, Nas had something to say, and thankfully we were ready to listen. He poured his heart out on this album, detailing personal events in his life that were very public.  He worked with great producers; performed over some great beats and an album that can easily play from start to finish has been created.

I take this as a sign, a sign that good, quality music is making a comeback. For too long, hip-hop has been flooded with songs lacking substance. And while fun, party songs are always needed, it’s as though party songs were all we were getting. Nas is oft referred to as a poet, a storyteller, and on this album he paints vivid images of life, whether its his own or life in general.

Hip-Hop has been thirsty for an album like this and Nas quenched its thirst (yeah I said it!). Seriously though, this album is a great look for an industry that at times seems like it’s being taken over by the youth who have no idea of how great music can actually be. I salute Nas for this great album and hope this inspires more substantial albums from our favorites as well as the burgeoning new hip-hoppers.

Do Rappers And Athletes Influence Fashion

Do rappers and athletes influence fashion? The quick and perhaps obvious answer is yes. And really, how can you argue that. Since the dawn of hip-hop, fans have overwhelmingly adopted the fashion styles of their favorite artists.

From Run DMC’s Adidas to Jay-Z and his button-ups, rappers’ influence on fashion has always been apparent. The same can be said of some athletes as well. Deion Sanders is one that comes to mind, his flashy personality not only entertained fans, but also appealed to them, as many adopted his flare.

And then there are the many (successful and unsuccessful) fashion lines started by both rappers and athletes. The creation of a clothing line in and of itself suggests that one’s individual style is influential enough to sell to the masses. However, fashion lines are not for everyone, just ask Busta Rhymes about Bushi Sport, in fact Complex Magazine breaks down 10 failed rapper clothing lines that you probably never heard of.

However, while the obvious answer is yes, rappers and athletes do influence fashion, I think the dynamic has changed a bit. The world of hip-hop is infused in so much of our daily lives that it stretches across all types of industries. Fashion is one of those industries that blend well with hip-hop. And I think more rappers are taking their cues from high-end designers, and so are superstar athletes.

It’s not uncommon to find Pharrell Williams or Carmelo Anthony sitting front row at major fashion shows, both in the U.S and abroad. More and more, rappers and athletes are incorporating runway fashions into their wardrobes, and thus influencing the style of their fans.  Kanye West takes it further with his high-end designer collaboration with Louis Vuitton and then debuting his high-end line, DW Kanye West in October of 2011 at Paris Fashion Week. I believe that like all things, influencers of fashion are cyclical, and in 2012, I think the fashion industry is really pushing the direction of fashion and style.

Frank Ocean's Bi - Why We Shouldn't Care

Frank Ocean is a dope artist. And before he came out as bisexual I bet you thought the same thing as you rocked out to Nostalgia/Ultra, his first official mixtape. I mean who didn’t love “Novacane” last summer. “I met her at Coachella…but girl I can’t feel my face, what are we smoking anyway, she said don’t let the high go to waste”, the song has a great beat and tells a story. We loved it. And we shouldn’t feel any different towards him as an artist, a creator of great music, who happens to prefer both men and women.

While his lifestyle may not be the preference of the masses, it has nothing to do with the quality of music he makes and it’s really none of our business. I think all the discourse about sexuality is a sincere case of everyone being way too concerned about other people’s personal business.

It’s 2012, and we are aware of people having different sexual orientations. Therefore we should be able to accept a person for who they are and not whom they date. I have no doubt that Frank Ocean will continue to make great music. I just hope that people use this as an opportunity to explore being more open-minded and appreciate others for being themselves.

Because in reality, it makes no sense to be so concerned about what someone else is doing privately, especially if it doesn’t concern you. And now I will patiently await the release of Channel Orange and I hope you do the same.