A Lil' Inspiration As We Transition Into Spring

Spring is here (supposedly)! The area in which I live is currently undergoing that annoying transitional period between winter and spring when Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind. This past Friday it reached about 76 degrees but right now as I write this post I can hear hail hitting my window so I am not fully in spring mode yet, unfortunately. Because of this, I am currently looking for inspiration for the upcoming spring months while keeping the current chilly weather in mind. It’s not warm enough to run outside scantily clad quite yet, but one is still able to introduce some nuances of spring into one’s wardrobe.

 Enjoy the following visual stimulation provided by STREETFSN.

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One of the trends that I am noticing and loving is vibrant colors paired with neutrals

I’ve got the neutral part down but I really need to start introducing some color into my wardrobe. What will you be wearing as we enter spring?

Prototype 3010: A Short Film by Jesse Boykins III

This is absolutely beautiful. One of my favorite singers, Jesse Boykins III, recently released a short film for his rendition of Andre 3000’s song Prototype. The song also features the ever so cool MeLo-X & poet Trae Harris. Not only did Jesse do an amazing job singing the song but the video is absolutely gorgeous as well! Enjoy :)

People You Should Know: Moruf

Hello my good good people! Today’s ‘People You Should Know’ feature is quite special because I will be presenting you all with an immensely talented individual. I had the absolute privilege of interviewing someone who I believe are the most talented up-and-coming rapper I've listened to in a very long time: Moruf. This young man is nothing short of inspiring; the fact that he are out in the world chasing their dreams and working endlessly at his craft is something that moves me deeply. Nas wasn’t lying when he said the world is yours. If you dream big and believe in yourself, you can achieve anything. It is up to us to claim ownership of our destinies. We were all born with the tools of success, we just have to put them to use.

The things that strike me the most about Moruf’s music are his flow, his lyrical content, and his choice of beats. The manner in which he seamlessly weaves storylines filled with riveting rhymes and witty wordplay over the soulful sound of clapping drums is mesmerizing. Moruf’s style of music is right up my alley; I am a huge fan of Slum Village so I was more than thrilled to hear some of their beats on his awesome mixtape entitled Garden State of Mind: Ready To Live. There is so much depth to his songs; I hear hope in his music. It's definitely something you can vibe to. I also appreciate the fact that his music stays true to what I would consider pure hip-hop: poetry to a beat. Like I always say, if you took a rap song and stripped away all the background noise and was left with the soulful sound of spoken word, you’ve got some genuine hip-hop. That is exactly what Moruf's work is; he is straight soul, no chaser.

Here are a few of my personal favorite tracks from Moruf (click to play): Love Jones, Slumdog, Peach Gone Bad, Canon

How long have you been making music? What initially got you interested?

I’ve been making music for the past 2-3yrs I would say. I always had a huge interest since I was young; started off singing in my middle school choir. I always wrote raps but I would say that’s making music. I actually started recording songs about 2-3yrs ago. The no riles factor within creating is what interested me. I love the fact I could say what I want over a beat and people would appreciate it.I'm a lover of music first before just hip-hop. I love oldies: Anita, Marvin, alternative, Theophilus London, Little Dragon, The Beatles…but hip-hop was something that I thought I was good at so I decided to give it a try.

Are you in school or doing any other type of work? If so, how do you balance these other activities with your music?

Yes, I attend Kean University in Union, NJ. Lord willing, I shall be done soon. 1 more year 8) And yes, I do work as well. Radio Shack..lol, a little part time gig. In all honesty, almost every day I’m busy from music, class or work and if I’m not doing either one I feel as though I’m not doing enough so I try to be balanced as possible when it comes to the timing. I feel I was born to keep myself busy…for now at least. It’s apart of the grind I would say.

How do you feel about the current state of hip-hop? Do you think it's dead?

Hip-hop isn't dead; THE RADIO IS! The best music nowadays is not on the radio which really sucks. Everything is pretty much the same. It sucks how the radio nowadays doesn’t give new artists a chance but rather has the same 10 artists playing in a cycle ALL DAAAAAY! AND WHAT REALLY SUCKS IS THAT AT THE JOB I WORK AT, I HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO ALLL DAY.

Who are your favorite hip-hop artists?

Jay Electronica, Mos Def, Talib, Madlib, Quasimoto, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye, J Dilla (as a producer & MC), Andre 3000, Pete Rock, Baatin (Slum Village), Melo-X

I love your mixtape, Garden State of Mind: Ready To Live because I get so much of that feel-good, soulful, genuine hip-hop vibe from it. In an age where most rap music is very commercial, what inspired you to stay true to a very conscious brand of hip-hop?

I don’t know to be honest. This is something that I just felt. I didn't think "hmm, I wonder how the radio would feel about it"; I simply created...it felt right and the homies agrees as well so I put it out.  I get that question a lot. I don’t know, I’m just myself within the music so by me not trying to sound like anyone else I guess it all works out for the best!

Garden State of Mind: Ready To Live | Twitter | Facebook | Streetwear Couture 

She's Got That Good Good: Christina Caradona

Hi guys! I hope everyone’s week is going well so far. For today’s ‘She’s Got That Good Good’ feature, I present to you a very cool young woman who was born in New York but raised in France for most of her life. I’m an avid reader of her blog which documents her fun & fashion filled life. Without further ado, here is..

Christina Caradona from New York

What do you do?

I’m a model/blogger

What 3 words would you use to describe your style?

Alternative, edgy, preppy? It’s hard my style is so black and grey sometimes.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

I've been super big with online shopping Nordstrom and ebay. Otherwise I tend to shop at Top Shop or Barney's (when they have sales!)

 What is the one article of clothing you couldn't live without?

I have these August 15th army boots that are perfect for any outfit! I love them.

www.troprouge.blogspot.com

Throwback Joint: This Woman's Work by Maxwell

This is one of my favorite songs to sing in the shower because I know the noise of the water will drown out me attempting (and failing) to hit all those high notes. Please watch, reminisce, and enjoy!

Check Her Swag

I received an e-mail this past week requesting that I do a post on the celebrities and/or public figures whose styles I love the most. Since I haven’t really done such a post yet, I gladly obliged! Here are 6 women whose senses of style I simply adore. Not only do I find the ways in which each of them dresses to be utterly inspiring and deliciously dope, but I also admire the manner in which each of them carry themselves. They wear their clothing; their clothing does not wear them. 

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     Fashion Editor for Wonderland Magazine..

Celebrity Stylist..

Editor-at-Large of Pop Magazine..

Singer/Actress..

Model, DJ & Actress..

Vocalist of the band, Noisettes..

Which celebrity and/or public figure’s style do you adore the most? Leave it in a comment!

That Good Good Music: Blu

It is getting harder and harder to find decent music in the world, especially when it comes to hip-hop. That’s why I have so much love and respect for all the artists who are able to make truly high quality music in this age of over commercialized music. As Q-Tip says in the song "You Can't Hold the Torch", the game isn't the same. The heart and soul truly are divided when it comes to music. Some artists focus so much on the "fame game" to the point that their are selling a bit of their soul along with their records. However, Blu is definitely an artist whose mind is on his music and it shows in the quality of music he makes. I feel he provides the best of both worlds. His lyrics are excellent and they give that certain level of consciousness that I look for in my music yet the overall sound definitely has the potential to cross over to mainstream when the music world is ready. I love the beats in his music, they are on a whole other level than what I've been hearing in other music lately. His partner, Exile, is definitely holding him down in that area. 

(Click on the songs and they will play in the music player located at the bottom left corner of your screen. If the songs do not play, just refresh the page and try again.)

No Greater Love
Soul Amazing
Love Lines
Cold Hearted
Amnesia

Dancing In The Rain
First Things First

Blu most definitely has that good good and if you're still sleeping on him, it’s time to wake up!