The intersection of the Underground: Music, Fashion & Art

Take a Simple Target Tube Dress and Make it Glam for Day or Night: I know I know, tube dresses scream summer, they are for free loving days and easy breezy nights. Often we think tube dresses are for the well endowed and younger person. WRONG! Tube dresses especially with a bubble hem are very cute, and add a tee shirt or cute bodysuit under and they are very stylish for fall!  I love the transition into fall!  It's all about warm soups, sweaters and fall wreaths and decor. And lets not forget pumpkins, I am a sucker for pumpkin decor all year long, but even more so when it's in season!  Back to tube dresses, I took a simple target tube dress on clearance for $16 and a lace bodysuit also on clearance for $9, and styled it with a leather jacket and grey boots from the thrift to give it a cool punk vibe, I also put it with some colorful sneakers without socks to give it that soccer mom vibe, that and a  herringbone trench  and you are drenched in current cute, ama...

Welcome to Hells Gates A ntagonist Dragonspit (also known as Dragonspit Jones) is a seasoned emcee, beat‑maker, and drummer hailing from the Hampton Roads region of Virginia (7 City/Tidewater).  He ended up on my Spotify playlist and found myself being pulled back to this song over and over. He is also very chill and responded to my messages on insta and was very humble. When I first listened he had less than 300 followers on Spotify he now has  over 1000 in just a couple of weeks.   Over the past 15+ years, he’s navigated the independent hip‑hop scene with gritty lyricism , raw boom‑bap production, and an unwavering DIY ethos.  🎙️ Origins & Style Described in RVA Magazine as an “absolute disdain for the current ‘Turnt Up’ state of Hip‑Hop,” his Ugly Truth LP (2014) revisits 1990s‑era beats with razor‑sharp lyricism and no-nonsense social commentary  . He merges roles as both MC and producer—on tracks like “On a Mission” from Back On The Map (2011), ...

Quick tips here: If you are struggling with looking awake and have to run the kids to school, run out to work or just answer the door for the plumber, here are the few products I use for this very thing. We all have to keep bouncing and here is how... 1. Start the night before, a great eye cream and overnight mask 2. Using a firming cream and energizing eye cream helps a lot in the morning! 3. I use clear mascara on eyelashes and brows, one tube of ph changing lip color I also use on my cheeks and gloss! That's literally it!  Looking good! Now Keep Bouncing!  Link to all my products  

When you hear music that grabs your soul, you really can have a moment or longer earthy experience that actually transcends.  That is what this group does. From song one through the entire 5 songs on "Be the Good People" you feel like getting up and dancing or possibly being in retrospect either I would say is appropriate.  In the song invite love in your life they say: “I just want to see you win, I love it when I see you win, I love it when I see you grin. Invite love in your life, invite joy in your days, may the powers be with you always, always”. This is such a wonderful way to hear music and a testament to the amazing things music can do to your soul.   Be the Good People, is a call to action to look beyond yourself and open up to love, kindness and joy. This album is a culmination of jazz, old school beats just the vibe overall is dance worthy or can get you through any bad mood. The beats and the lyrics just move you positive in every way . This is vinyl buy ...

Overcoming the person before us: impact or lack of in our job: As another week is upon us and some of us deal with the public, at times dealing with unhappy situations, I searched for some new ways to deal with and approach disgruntled patrons: While LinkedIn is normally not my go to, what this article says is important.  1. Listen to the complaint, or issue even if we cant solve it, just getting off their chests the frustratingly long wait, or the fact they just lost their job and this the last place they want to be, its important to hear them. Sometimes when I have an excessive complainer, I respond with, “I understand that is difficult, but the wonderful thing is you live in a country where you have access to running water and a toilet to use. That is more than 75% of the world”.  I literally hate constant complaining because we all have issues, we all have problems, however it’s not our problems is how we deal with them. Turning the complaint to a feeling of gratefulness l...

M y   c o n c l u s i o n   i s   w e   a r e   o n e   h u m a n i t y .   I f   a n y o n e   i s   b e i n g   h u r t ,   w e   a r e   a l l   b e i n g   h u r t .   I f   a n y o n e   h a s   j o y ,   t h a t ’ s   o u r   j o y . Quote by Ai Weiwei Ai Weiwei  My favorite living activist and artist: This man is amazing. Check out his interview in W magazine as well. Ai Weiwei is a Chinese contemporary artist, activist, and filmmaker known for his politically charged work that challenges authority and advocates for human rights. His art spans multiple disciplines, including sculpture, installation, photography, architecture, and social media activism. Below is a detailed overview of his life, work, and influence: Early Life and Background Born: August 28, 1957, in Beijing, China. Family Background: His father, Ai Qing, was a renowned poet who was exiled ...

Artist Showcase: Hey there, fellow music explorer! If you're here, it's probably because you're curious about the vibrant, evolving world of Afro Hip Hop. Today, we're diving deep into the southern part of the African continent to explore some fresh, up-and-coming artists who are making waves with their unique sounds. These artists, although relatively new on the scene with less than 5000 followers on Spotify or iTunes, are set to redefine the genre. Let's jump right in! My number one pick for the year!  Beast Viking is a versatile South African producer and artist gaining traction in 2024 with a distinctive style that blends traditional African rhythms, house beats, and modern vocal arrangements. Known for his ability to merge genres seamlessly, he has collaborated with other notable artists, producing works that resonate with a global audience while staying true to his South African roots. Notable Tracks and Collaborations Beast Viking's catalog includes stand...

  South African Rap: Women Leading the Charge                            image courtesy of https://sahiphopmag.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Faith-K.png South African rap isn't just a male-dominated space; women are making waves and redefining the genre with their unique voices, experiences, and artistry. These artists are not only breaking barriers but also inspiring a new generation of women in hip-hop. Trailblazing Women in South African Rap Sho Madjozi A household name, Sho Madjozi is celebrated for her vibrant persona and incorporation of Xitsonga culture into her music. Her global hit “John Cena” solidified her as a force in the rap scene. Madjozi’s artistry lies in her ability to merge traditional African sounds with contemporary beats, creating an infectious and distinctly South African sound. Nadia Nakai As one of the most prominent female rappers in South Africa, Nadia Nakai has been...

In a genre where 808s dominate, Clejan—known as "The Trap Violinist"—is breaking barriers by merging the elegance of classical violin with the intensity of trap music. Born Zac Clejan and raised in Atlanta, he began playing the violin at the age of three and later fell in love with rap during his teenage years. His journey has been one of perseverance, combining his early classical training with the raw energy of hip-hop beats to create a sound uniquely his own. From Classical Roots to Viral Fame Clejan’s rise to prominence wasn’t straightforward. After earning a marketing degree from the University of Georgia, he returned to music, blending violin melodies with trap beats. His distinctive style gained momentum when a cover of "Let’s Go" went viral on TikTok, amassing millions of views and propelling him into the spotlight. Today, Clejan boasts over 800,000 followers across social media platforms and six million organic streams worldwide. Career Highlights Clejan ha...

Nothing screams confidence like someone walking in with a vintage sweater and pair of original saddle shoes. Or someone donning an original Hermes silk scarf, or a gorgeous Yves Saint Laurent tweed 1970s car coat.  Vintage feels nostalgic, it feels basementy and earthy, it smells like old perfume, cologne and has an already worn humaneness unlike any other pieces in your closet. If I could everything would be vintage even my bras. Vintage says sophistication, it speaks a language only people of that era speak. Its like putting a record on and dropping the needle and the crackle begins before the unparalleled sound  begins to transcend the room.  Vintage puts you in a simple mindset, even if you didn't experience it, it begins to allow you to unravel.  When you wear vintage pieces and patterns your known for your style, your presence your impeccable image.  Vintage allows for experimentation with fabrics, with tones and variations.  Vintage says class, simpl...