In the midst of a rebirth of this nation’s love affair with the noose, this is perhaps no better a time to be reeducated and reacquainted with the beauty of Africans and their descendants. In 1963, photographer Paul Strand traveled to the West African country of Ghana during the height of racial and civil turmoil to document an original people and culture on film. More than 40 years later, six photographers traveled back to get a revitalized look at the first sub-Saharan colony to gain independence. Ghana: An African Portrait Revisited, sustains Strand’s initial visionary concept through an updated variety of styles and viewpoints of Ghana at the brink of the country’s 50th anniversary. Printed completely in vibrant full color, the collection was edited and shot in 2006 by Peter E. Randall and five photojournalist: Barbara Bickford, Tim Gaudreau, Nancy Grace Horton, Gary Samson, and Charter Weeks. The 168 page photo essay was recently presented during New York City’s inaugural celebration of “Africa Week” (October 14 – October 21), co-sponsored by the African Studies Association, also celebrating its 50^th anniversary. Represent!

This is not a joke: 29-year-old Japanese experimental fashion designer, Aya Tsukioka is taking a lunch break bite out of crime. Her latest artistic expression to match a rapist’s wit is a skirt that transforms into a vending machine in a few simple folds and snaps. The purpose of the camouflaging clothes are to turn possible victims of street crimes, rape, and theft into commonplace public scenery— that is if you don’t notice their legs and shoes peaking out from the bottom on the coin return. Not only has Tsukioka created the go-go-gadget vending machine, she has also designed child size anti-kidnapping fire extinguisher backpacks, and a line of purses called the “Manhole Bag,” which aptly titled look exactly like a sewer manhole cover to the non-discriminating eye. Couture du jour? Not so much. 1st place winner at the dopest Halloween costume party. All night baby!

Source

We all associate Andre 3000 with the lyrical and artistic lunacy of the futuristic rap duo Outkast, but Antwan “Big Boi” Patton will not be outdone. The Grammy award winning ATLien rapper/actor has announced a daring and purely innovative collaborative performance with the classical Atlanta Ballet called “BIG.”

Working with choreographer Lauri Stallings, named by Dance Magazine as one of the top “25 to Watch” for 2007, Big Boi will rip the stage and rhyme with a tutu laced entourage of professional ballerinas and select dancers from Purple Ribbon Entertainment, the label owned by Outkast. Patton plans to expand the musical boundaries of his past smash hits including “Morris Brown” from the movie Idlewild soundtrack, “The Way You Move” from Speakerboxx, and possibly the Outkast classic “Bombs Over Baghdad.”

Approximately 40 dancers have reportedly premiered a 12-minute ballet snippet for the project. The full show will debut April 10 – 13, 2008 for six performances only at the Fox Theater in downtown Atlanta, GA. If you would like to secure your advanced tickets contact Ticketmaster.

Source

If you are a chica who refuses to leave the house without a purse that coordinates with the errands you need to run, the days’ weather, and the music you were listening while applying your makeup, then you are on the same wavelength as Alia Michele. All handbags are inspired by the vibrant colors, delicious shapes, and unique textures from the designers’ home in Kingston, Jamaica. Past collections with themes of sunshine and hummingbirds bring bursts of energy to any concrete jungle. The latest line includes one of a kind hand totes and clutches that come in a variety of screen printed canvas, leather, silk, and hand knitted wool and velvet. With designs to highlight day time or evening wear, all bags are manufactured internationally and displayed online for purchasing. If you visit the website and see a bag you love that is already sold out, email the designer personally and ask about getting your own custom handbag created!

Angie Stone is back with her 4^th studio album, The Art of Love & War in stores today (October 16th). Newly signed to the re-launched iconic soul label Stax Records, we’re getting the Angie we all love, with traces of gospel and acoustic rock. Stone wrote over 90% of the 14 track album, which has a reoccurring theme of forgiving, but not forgetting. The first released single “Baby” silently addresses Stone’s past relationship with hip hop/soul Adonis, D’Angelo. And after learning from her appearance on VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club that Stone suffered from congested cardio failure, who knew you could literally break your heart? “Go Back to Your Life” coos an a cappella doo-wop that sweetly surrenders to a love lost. Recording in Marvin Gaye’s studio on Sunset Blvd, Stone evokes his spirit and message in songs like “My People” produced by Idris Elba (actor from The Wire) featuring James Ingram. The album closes with the track “Happy Being Me” which says it all. Reborn into an overall healthier lifestyle, Stone has treated this album as soul therapy and her mellow sensibility is still very much appreciated.

The theme music you hear each time you lace up your kicks and hit the block is no longer only in your mind. DJ Peanut Butter Wolf dropped the video game companion album “2K8: B-Ball Zombie War” October 2. With dope lyrics covering the first half of the 20-track compilation, and futuristic fluid instrumentals on the second “B-Ball Zombie War” showcases an all-star roster of MC’s. The music is sure to blast out of the speakers in your game room like a boom box on a concrete b-ball court in the summer time. Look out for the veteran starting five: Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, the late J Dilla, Madlib, and MF DOOM, and rookies coming off the bench including Beat Konducta, MED, and Koushik. Catch live performances by Q-Tip who is currently on the road with Common in Worcester, MA at the Palladium October 6 or in New York City at the Nokia Theater October 7.