Behind the Mask Interview: Butch Diva

Since I am doing a Caribbean focus, here is my interview with Tiffany Rhodes, designer of Butch Diva, whose first major patron model for her fashion line (and one of my favorite artists, too) was dancehall queen, Patra. Rhodes’ designs are vibrant and colorful, and look as much fun to be in as it is […]

The My-Stery: The Unreality of “Keeping It Real”

We should be “…moving past keep it real…let’s keep it surreal.” Musician Vernon Reid said this in his presentation of Artificial Afrika and it stirred some thoughts on “keeping it real.” I see it as reality that is presented to us and the reality we create or perpetuate can always be called into question. Reality changes, […]

The My-Stery: Frankensteinian Females

Last week, I wrote about how the ideas about creation in Frankenstein can be found in records like “Dr. Funkenstein” and “Monster.” Since Nicki Minaj is on “Monster,” I want to continue the Frankenstein theme with women. Although Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, most of the women seem to be weak, secondary characters in the story. […]

The My-Stery: We Fear Our Own Creations — From God/dess to “Dr. Funkenstein’ to ‘Monster’

Parliament – “Children of Production” Recently, I read Therí A. Pickens‘ pieces about Kanye West’s “Monster” and it inspired my own thoughts on “Monster” from the view of Frankenstein, which led me to listen to songs from Parliament’s The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein. I wondered how all of these strands of ideas fit together. These […]

Behind the Mask: Lil Kim Then, Nicki Minaj Now….

It is like they are twins or more Minaj as the younger sister who borrows without permission her big sister’s clothes. The beef between Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj works partially because our society has short-term memory as well as people who are too young to remember anything before a few years ago. Well, here […]

Nicki Minaj’s “Stupid Hoe” and Afro Futures

Last night, a great discussion on twitter took place about Nicki Minaj’s new video “Stupid Hoe” and whether she should be considered an afrofuturistic artist. Here is the conversation. My two sense on it is that it is complicated. Whereas I do not often enjoy Minaj’s music (her vocals are irritating) and her lyrics are […]