Black They/ Them
I miss the 2000s because there were so many fashion trends and moments when it was encouraged to look like a hot-ass mess. The Instagram age is this weird era of control and perfection and “eyebrows on fleek” blah blah like I miss when everyone walked around with last night’s eyeliner still on while wearing 25 stupid accessories at once dressed like you slept in trash or whatever.
I feel like white designers are looking at what Black people wore in late 90s & the mid 2000s and going ‘yes, yes lets do this but on white people’.
Bad gal Rihanna’s new video for Work was everything that we
needed, especially part one, which took us back to the dancehall videos
of the early 2000s (which were mostly directed by Toronto based
filmmaker, Director X, who directed part one). In
light of Rihanna’s celebration of Caribbean culture, we want to introduce–and
remind you of some classic and current dancehall and soca artists you
can add to your playlists.
1. SPICE
Spice is probably one of our first introductions to feminism, when we think about it. When we first saw her video for Fight Ova Man almost a decade ago we would have never imagined for her to reach such international success. Being, “born inna Chanel and christen inna Gucci,” you may recognize her voice from her crossover hit with Vybz Kartel, Romping Shop which used Ne-Yo’s Miss Independent instrumental. Never one to shy from telling a woman when and where she’ll take their man, Spice’s use of unorthodox dancehall riddims keep her fresh and a favorite of ours.
2. DESTRA GARCIA
The self professed Queen of Bacchanal, like clockwork Destra comes out with new, infectious soca every Carnival season. If you’ve ever been to Trinidad for Carnival, or New York for the West Indian Day Parade, Toronto for Caribana, you get the rest, you’ve no doubt heard her song, It’s Carnival. Initially getting her start with Roy Cape All Stars (ask your aunties who they are if you all are Caribbean), Destra’s music has always been about enjoying the vibe, owning your sexuality, and never allowing a man to dim your shine.
3. NADIA BATSON
As the band leader of Trinidadian collective SASS! and a powerhouse vocalist, Nadia Batson was a songwriter and background singer before making her debut with 2007′s Caribbean Girl. SASS is Trinidad and Tobago’s only established all female soca band, which can be a nod to Beyoncé’s live band, The Sugar Mamas. Nadia’s Instagram profile also notes her weight loss journey, just in case you needed motivation to get your body right (by your own standards!).
4. J CAPRI
A young woman gone entirely too soon, J Capri’s time spent in dancehall provided us with catchy hooks and visuals like this for Reverse It. We only wish she were still here to give us more music, but we’ll bounce and jiggle to what she’s left us with. Rest well, angel.
5. TIFA
Citing Patti Labelle and Aretha Franklin as early influences, Tifa has made waves in the global dancehall community as being the first female dancehall artist to perform in the Czech Republic (!!!). Having also worked with other artists like Timberlee and Natalie Storm, Tifa’s work ethic is just as strong as her punchy lyrics.
SEE PART TWO HERE
Bad gyal tings 💕🇯🇲
Oh I forgot my number one theory, though it isn’t a conspiracy per se: TIME IS NOT LINEAR!!!!!
u kno whats hecka dumb
when u outside w/ a girl and its cold as fuk and the girl goes “im cold”
like theres a reason im wearing a jacket. cus its cold as fuk. y u wearing a cardigan w/ holes all in it. this is your fault
im keepin my jacket
https://soundcloud.com/professor-wrecks/weak-n-drownin-in-it-mix
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omgomgomgomg
