New School Soul
txt_Shawn Lawrence James//ph_Rahan Cotterel
Jade is planted on the frontlines of a musical revolution of the mind, heart, and outer body. She represents a new age of honesty where the truths of our generation are derived from individual experience, not perception. Watch her fly.
Name: Jade
Age: 22?
Born: NYC
Based: nomad
Occupation: singer/songwriter
Do you remember the day you decided music was what you were going to do for the rest of your life?
Actually, no. It was just something I did, no question. As for taking risks and evolving it into a profession, I would say when I was 17. I had just been signed to my first production company. They put me in a studio and told me to write. I had full control over my project; I was my own boss and my own delivery person. That made pressure intense, but there’s nothing more liberating than running your own life from all angles.
Describe your sound.
I would say soulful. Everything I write comes from the heart. I find it difficult to describe, though I will say it is rhythm and blues, experimental soul candy-coated with catchy tunes that stick in your head, so I hear.
What impact do you feel your music have on your supporters/haters?
I cant say for certain, but I would hope my fans will always want more than what I’m giving. I want people to walk away and feel like they know me a little more because I shared a bit of my soul. Precize, my producer, hates it when I introduce like 5 new songs every show, but I cant help it. I get overly excited and hype. As for the haters, I could care less.
What’s your next short term goal?
To not have negative 500 dollars in my bank account. No, seriously.
How did you become involved with G.F.C.?
We’re familia. We support each other and respect each other. They are an extremely talented group. Saint introduced me to Precize over a year ago. He said he knew this producer who was looking for an artist, so I dropped by his Harlem apartment up on 128, sat in his really small bedroom and listened to beats that gave me goosebumps. It was like he wrote them for me and knew I would come. I wrote to them while we recorded and that’s pretty much been the case since. We built this sound from the ground up. It’s ours.
St. Elsewhere
txt_Shawn Lawrence James//ph_Rahan Cotterel
Music, much like fashion, is formed around the intent of expression and constant progression. Rowdy is one of the few that’s able to thread the fine line of both and today he speaks with Stylistics about what helps him sew together a sound as abstract as the pieces he creates and collects.
Name: Rowdy Superstar
Better Known As: Mr. Sequin
Age: I think I’m 22?!?!?
Based: The Big, Big LDN/ Londontown!
Occupation: Artistic person! [Laughs] Rapper, producer, stylist choreographer.
Where did the name Rowdy come from?
I’m not 100% sure anymore. I know it happened while I was in school.
It’s the only name that has made sense enough to be my title. My previous name made me a junior and doesn’t suit me so I shed it quite quickly. [Rowdy] actually means spirited and driven.
Tell us about the various styles you draw from musically to make your own.
Musically, I draw from a bunch of different things, not just other music. I’m inspired by attitudes. [I’m inspired by] punk because its just about being raw in a “I done give a fuck!” kind of way. And that’s how I always live. Hip Hop because it’s a culture. It’s still new enough to still be budding, but old enough to have strong roots. And pop because it’s about having fun, being playful and taking thing too seriously.
Are those same styles used in your fashion?
My style in regards to the way I look I guess its a representation of my character, which is a culmination of the attitudes I just mentioned. I like to be seen so I guess what’s why me and sequins get along so well. To me, knowing your own style is more about how you wear it rather than what you wear. I got swagger! And that can save any old rag I throw on.
What song best describes your outfit from the shoot?
Of my own? It would have to be “New Day New Way” [But] I know there’s a Prince song but the title escapes me.
What would you say is your biggest misconception?
That people hear the title “Rapper” and pigeonhole me and expect to hear/see a Kanye, Jay-Z, or Dizzee Rascal type or for me to speak about stereotypical “rapper” subjects. I thin in that sense a lot of people (especially artists themselves) have forgotten that the power of Hip Hop was about it having no limits and more importantly being able to express yourself and your life in a way that’s true and real to you. Sticking to formula is not what it’s about – [now] its what it’s slowly becoming.
What do you love more: designing clothing or rhythms?
That’s hard for me to answer because they are two of the three ways of expressing myself! But out of those two, if I had to choose, I would have to say sounds. My music is my heart and soul translated. That travels further and connects with more people on a deeper level (I hope) sound can penetrate, clothes just sit on top.
What did you love most about your stay in New York?
Everything. I love everything about New York. The smell, the pulse of the city, the speed at which things move. The spontaneity, the fact that it felt familiar while at the same time feeling like you’re in a different world. I loved the love I got from people, blogs, etc. The lemon loaf from Starbucks, the peppermint pie from Burger King and the BBQ’s [Laughs]
Usually, the case with individualists is that they are their biggest competition. What keeps you motivated to continue to push the envelope?
I’m not sure if I do “try” to push the envelope. What I do continue to do is stay 100% true to what is me and I strive to have an understanding of myself as I grow, mature and change. In doing that, I guess I’m able to express something that’s individual. There is only one me! I have to be in love with everything I do I have no boundaries for myself. There’s enough of that created by others. I also made a promise to myself that if I do something by accident that is similar to something that I seen/heard, I have to delete it and keep it moving.
The World Is Yours
txt: Shawn Lawrence James//ph: Rahan Cotterel
In life, few things can dare challenge the momentum of persistence. I learned that from my experience with Great Scott & Alex (Marketing Director of Billionaire Boys Club and the youngest five star chef in New York, respectively.) They are a walking advertisement for a generation of dreamers aspiring to achieve society’s imposed view of the impossible. Brave, young and boundless, the two speak with Stylistics on what helps them exercise their brand of brilliance to the masses.
Name: Scott D. McKenzie (pictured left) Alex Goldberg (pictured right)
Better Known As: Great Scott; Goldberg
Age: 23; 14
Born: East Orange, New Jersey; New York City
Occupation: (Scott) Billionaire Boys Club/Ice Cream Skate Team, Model, Fashion Stylist, Humanitarian, Philosopher. (Alex) I work at a restaurant and I’m a very good cook.
Alex, you’re the youngest five star chef in the history of New York. What are some of your favorite dishes to make?
My favorite dishes to make are breakfast and omelets I [also] like to grill and make steak.
Scott, can you explain the philosophy of Billionaire Boys Club (BBC) clothing?
Scott: I am BBC. BBC is wealth being in the heart and mind, not the pocket. BBC is being spiritually wealthy first because without spiritual wealth, you cannot be financially nor anything else. With wealth within the heart, you can grant anything beyond your wildest imagination
What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned working under Pharrell?
Scott: That life is not about money… It’s about spiritual wealth.
How did you two become friends? To my understanding, you guys had very different upbringings. What do you admire about one another?
Scott: Alex would come into Kid Robot bullshitting around so I’d ask him “Where are your parents?” He responds “Where the fuck are yours?” But what I admire about him is he does not give a fuck about you. Even though he’s 14, he’s not 14. Mentally, he’s far beyond. He’s so smart and ahead of his time it’s unbelievable.
Alex: Scott looked like a fly dude and I wanted to become friends with him and I started talking to him and got his number. [He’s a] great guy because he’s so nice. He was good-looking and knew how to dress.
Talk about the company you developed together:
Alex: Scott said something one day about starting a company and I said “Cool, with who?” I said I wanted to have a hand in it and then we started to think of names and we came up with ASAP that stands for Alex Scott and Perri. [not pictured]
Scott: Well “ASAP” is not a company yet. It’s just us as friends: me, Alex, and Perri Da$h. We all know that one day we are going to collaborate, but for now we just support one another as a team.
What inspires your style?
Scott: I’m inspired by life, period. I grew up around all cultures in this world. I mean for me, when I wake up and get dressed, there’s no strategy to the shit I feel.
You guys managed to accomplish a lot at such a young age, what keeps you inspired?
Scott: The crowd I keep around me. I love them for what I’m not.
Did your age hold any obstacles against you during your ascension?
Scott: Well, when I was [younger] it did. Nobody believes in you until they see you doing you first. You gotta make people believe. When I was young, I’d talk about what I wanted from life and years later, things are actually becoming reality.
International Swagger
txt_Shawn Lawrence James//ph_Rahan Cotterel
Styling others for a living requires a special charm, external instincts, and an unlimited reservoir of influence. British-born stylist Nasrin Jean-Baptiste is well-noted for refreshing herself with the latter and here, she chats about the mechanics of making people look good.
Name: Nasrin Jean-Baptiste
Age: hmm?
Born: in the 80’s
Based: London
Occupation: Fashion Stylist and Consultant www.nasrinjeanbaptiste.com
Background: I was born and raised in London by two Haitian parents. I have always had a dual sense of cultural identity. The concept of different-ness and being open to our many diverse cultures will always be a point of intrigue and something to embrace.
My fearless, non-conformist mother would never bat an eyelid when I would come home with bright yellow hair or the most horrific outfits I would make out of ripped up t-shirts, bleached denim jeans and florescent ribbons. So being open, coloring outside the lines and self-expression came quite naturally and is reflected on my approach to life, work and my appearance.
Favorite Brands: I am a very fickle brand follower. You’re only as good as your last collection, so I go season to season falling in and out of love with designers – but British designer Ashish has stood the test of time as I have been a huge fan since his first s/s collection in 2005. Lashings of sequins, beading and knitted enmeshments is divine and he somehow combines it with enough wit and edge to make me feel like a lady.
Luella Bartley and Danielle Scrutt are new favorites. I love their interpretation of Britishness and Youth Culture. Up and coming designers Timothy James Andrews and Pam Hong will prove to be significant future talents. Oh, and I can’t not mention Vivienne Westwood for her menswear.
What inspired you to become a stylist?: I have always enjoyed the idea of creating alternate worlds and hyperreal personalities. Whether it is in print or film, styling allows me to explore these mediums. Being able to interpret and manipulate garments like an artist’s paint pallet and using them to convey a story, message or to even make someone feel the same excitement I do when I see a shoot that inspires me is the reason why I’m so passionate about styling!
(More!)
Crown Heights
txt_Shawn Lawrence James//ph_Rahan Cotterel
Ever-aspiring to new heights whether through words or what’s he’s wearing, Will is towering over the clichés of his small town beginnings and adopting his views on the world in high definition.
Name: Will S. aka Bump aka WordSmith aka ill Will aka Prince S.
Age: I’m 23
Born: Bear, Delaware
Based: Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
Occupation: I’m a former pro-athlete turned stylist, an actor, writer and model citizen.
Favorite brands: G-Star makes the best jeans for me (36X36). Vans Gucci chucks and Nike for footwear. I used to love Rocawear because it was urban chic to an extent, but now I am an American Apparel fiend. I think it should be noted that Frida is doing one hell of a job creating her own lane/line after the legendary and iconic Tom Ford.
Talk about the gumbo of influence that’s birthed the style you possess today.
My style is collectively eclectic. I am the product of growing up in a small state between Philly and Baltimore where I stuck out like a 6′8 sore thumb. I went to Villanova where I dabbled in the country club lifestyle and partied it up like the rockstar baller. I was in college. Then I lives just outside of Milan while playing pro Italia ball. And now, I live in Bed-Stuy — do or die!
She Lives In Color
txt_ Shawn Lawrence James//ph_Rahan Cotterel
Well-coordinated in her color of creativity, Shyvonne illustrates a picture perfect blend of sass and soul, drawn from her easel of an inspiration called life.
Name: Shyvonne (Ill never tell my middle name) Sanganoo
Better Known As: Shyvonne (E is silent please), or one of the many nicknames people like to give me.
Age: 22 going on 50
Born: In a hospital (Bronx, NY)
Based: I now lay my head to rest for 3hrs/night in Harlem
Fav Brands: Anything colorful with limited visible labelness
Occupation: Cool runnings; My 9am-12am is Marketing with Ciroc at Bad Boy, I also do the PR/Marketing for No1s Done is Right (promoting peace through parties), PR with strong arm media, Freelance with BET for Award shows, and most importantly working on my music is certainly a full time job (even though its not yet paying off my student loans )
Cultural Makeup: A lil bit of my mom mixed with some of my dad 
First generation American; moms from Trinidad and Dads from St. Lucia with a buncha other stuff in between…
Fun Fact: Shyvonne’s cover of Diddy’s “Last Night” became somewhat of an overnight sensation tallying over 80,000 hits since it’s inception. (“I taped that song in my friend Tommie’s dorm in college and I had to sing close to the computer because it did not have a microphone. It literally picked up every single note, sound, breath, it was soooo loud!”)
What song best describes your outfit?
Hmmm…”Just a Girl” by No doubt meeting “Around the Way Girl” LL Cool J, I think that would explain it; little bit of Ska-Rock-Hip Hop on the stoop in BK.
Where is the most fashionable place you’ve visited?
LONDON TOWN — even the homeless people looked fly!
Do you tie in any fashion influence from your multi cultural make up?
I do not notice that I do intentionally, but here and there a family member will say I look like I’m going to carnival [laughs] — guess being bright is just in my blood. It’s weird though: its my cultural make up, but me and my parents are from completely different worlds. Oh well, everything has an influence if you realize it or not.
Street King
txt_Shawn James // ph_Rahan Cotterel
Johnny is vandalizing mainstream’s perception of street with punk inspired threads as virbrant as his demeanor suggests — all while etching his permanent mark on New York City’s coveted downtown sect. Here, he chops it up with Stylistics on everything from the bourgeoning British scene to the untouchable hotness of Paris.
Name: Johnny King
Better Known As: Je Suis Le Kille
Age: 21
Occupation: ex-battleship salesman and lady killer, and sales associate at Blue In Green
Born: November 26, 1986
Based: New York
Favorite brands: Raf Simons, Kris van Assche, Lanvin, Common Projects, Somet, Low Hurtz, Hood By Air (I have the chain).
Style is…
What defines your personality outside and inside. People try too hard to look good; a good style of dress can be a t-shirt jeans and sneakers, but it’s just how you present yourself.
You recently returned from a trip to London. How does the streetwear scene differ from that in New York City?
Well, London has a cool style; they know to dress. I also went to Paris and Amsterdam and Parisians’ are hot so their style will never compare to New York, but as for London you can see the similarities in style, but they’re are better clothes out there so you can always look good.
Stylistics: Beat Goes On
interview_Shawn Lawrence James // ph_Rahan Cotterel
Meshing an around the way cool with even fresher perspectives way across the Atlantic, writer/blogger Shauna Barbosa builds with Stylistics on her sophisticated funk, trendspotting, and dicets the science of chic.
Name: Shauna Barbosa
Better Known As: SB, Elle
Age: Late 80’s
Occupation: HBIC at Let’s Just Eat Cheese, Freelance Writer, Corporate Publishing
Born: Roxbury, MA by way of Cape Verde
Based: New York City
Define your style.
Funky, sassy, sophisticated, and down right gutsy. You ever see someone wear red pumps in the snow? Suede boots in the snow?
The older women in my life heavily influence my style. My mentors have taught me so much about walking into a room, making my clothing work for me. And I just can’t complain about the Prada, JP Tod’s, Louis Vuitton, YSL, Flavi Olivera and countless other vintage gems bestowed upon me from real women — real life trendsetters.
Do you draw any inspiration from your Cape Verdean upbringing?
Cape Verdean fashion is very much inspired by American culture. People like to keep up with Americans. However, the traditional dress is very original, tropical, and inspired by Portuguese and African culture. Brazil also shares similar taste in style because of European influences. Remember, Brazil was also colonized by the Portuguese so we have a lot of similar cultural traits.
While we’re trying to keep up with Western fashion, at the same time there’s always a touch of Cape Verde in the way we dress. Whether it’s jewelry or a wearing a traditional wrap around the waist.
Just being Cape Verdean is individuality. We fight to be recognized. I mean, we get excited to see our country on the map. With that passion and our mix of cultures, it undoubtedly influences how we carry ourselves.