Interview: Self

I remember when Onyx's "Shut 'Em Down" album came out.  I had just graduated high school and I was officially on my own.  I was working full time at a sneaker store on 125th street in Harlem and the now closed Harlem Music Hut was a few doors down from my workplace.  I would go in almost every day to peruse the seemingly endless array of CDs. 

There was a lot of hype for this album as two of the groups members, Fredro and Sticky, had been doing movies more than music.  This was supposed to be the definitive Onyx experience as well as a reminder to fans that they were still some of the illest MCs on the planet.  The hype was spot on and this album IS the definitive Onyx experience.  Classic.  I bought the album on release day and I was blown away by the raw energy captured on this album.  It was signature New York grit when the "shiny suit" era was at it's peak.  It mirrored my life at the time, too.  I was young, black and angry and this was my soundtrack;  loud, aggressive and not to be f****d with.

The title track was produced by Self and I went out to his brand new office/studio in Queens to talk about his experiences in entertainment industry, his community work and his plans for the future. 

Tiffany Monique Interview

Tiffany Monique.  Remember the name.  1/3rd of Beyonce's background vocalists known affectionately as "The Mamas", this singer/songwriter has traveled the world sharing her talents and is finally stepping out on her own.  We had the opportunity to sit down with her in-studio to talk about the transition from background to foreground.

We're also giving away 3 copies of Tiffany's EP "Nemesis" via Twitter!  Be sure to follow @roxfontaine to find out how you can win.

Beyond the Rack

There's a newcomer in the internet private shopping arena and I like it.  If Gilt is still too expensive for you there's a much more reasonable alternative for you at Beyond the Rack.  In the same fashion as Gilt and Ideeli, you register (completely free) to access brand clothing, shoes, accessories, home furnishings and more at significant discounts from retail prices.  You still need an invite for this one, so click the link above to join instantly.

How significant is significant, you ask?  Gucci eyewear that retails at $299 for $139.  Hugo Boss suits that retail for $895 for $499.  Great deals on high end gear.  Bring it down to brands like Five Four, Levi's, Monarchy etc. and you have get some really good deals.  There's something for everyone as the site carries Men's, Women's and Children's items.

Also like the other sites, you will find most items listed on a limited time basis.  If you don't act quickly on that item you love, you will run out of time or they will run out of stock; whichever comes first.  It's always nice to have options if you dig clothing the way I do.  Beyond the Rack is looking really good so far and I can imagine that it will only get better.

Click to Join 

The Ultimate "Flaker"

In the sneaker community buying selling and trading happens probably every minute of every day.  Just like in any business, there are people who love to "shop" with no money.  It is a serious offense to say you're going to buy something and then back out of the deal in the sneaker world.  You'll be labeled a "flaker" and people won't want to deal with you.  That wouldn't seem like such a big deal normally.  However, often times the shoes that people are clamoring for are very limited in numbers.  If nobody wants to deal with you, you can end up missing out on limited items or paying significantly higher premiums.

What happens when you take that same idea and upgrade the product to....let's say.....a Bugatti Veyron?

At a recent Barret Jackson auto auction some jackass bid $700,000 on car he could not or would not buy.  When the bidding closed the offender was reported as saying that he didn't actually intend to bid on the car and that he was only trying to "help".  You what!?

This fiasco raises so many questions:

How in the hell do you "accidentally" bid 700 grand?
Why are you schill bidding at one of the most notable auto auctions in the world? 
What the hell is a Veyron doing on the block at Barret Jackson?
Why did this car barely make it to 700,000? 

The CEO of the auto auction stepped up and said he'd purchase the car himself to minimize the embarrassment to the company.  Fortunately, a bidder on the phone stepped in and purchased the car instead.  The "flaker" was quickly escorted off the premises and I'm pretty sure he'll be banned from attending any future auctions.  Serves him right.

I wish I had 700 large to blow on a car.  That's a steal considering this car sells at over a million dollars easily!

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Hank Willis-Thomas Interview

Hank Willis-Thomas

I was introduced to Mr. Thomas' art back in 2005.  A friend of mine at the time had a blog where he mentioned the artist's work.  I was intrigued by the images he posted and I went to the artist's website to discover more.  It was love at first sight and I've been a fan of Mr. Thomas' works ever since.  Whenever I would have discussions about race relations in America, I would almost always bring up Hank Willis-Thomas.

His Branded series was most resonant for me.  His visual commentary on entities like Nike and the NBA really struck a chord in my intellect and I am continually inspired by his views.  I see this site as an attempt to express Hip-Hop as fine art and Mr. Thomas is doing this successfully whether he intends to or not.  It only made sense to work on finding out a little more about him as a person.

I reached out to Mr. Thomas to bring him to you in his own words and he graciously obliged.  Instead of rehashing the same questions he's answered hundreds of times over in previous interviews, we decided to take a more light-hearted approach.  For more on Hank Willis-Thomas and his incredibly moving art, please visit www.hankwillisthomas.com or search the web for in-depth interviews.  He's a fascinating gentleman.

RF: I managed to catch you out of the country. What are you up to? 

Hank Willis-Thomas: My first solo show in South Africa opened at the Goodman Gallery in Cape Town.  So I was there for the installation and opening. I also went to Luanda, Angola to check out the upcoming Triennial.  

RF: I don't imagine that you have a ton of downtime, but what do you enjoy doing when you're not working?  

HWT: I don't think I'm ever not working.  The greatest benefit of being an artist is that even when you're doing the most banal things or procrastinating, you are still working.

 Basketball and Chain

RF: In previous interviews you've stated that you felt you had some limitations in your photography. How has your photography evolved over the last year or 2?  

HWT: I don't really take pictures anymore.  My work has become more conceptual - thinking about how images are used rather than capturing them.

RF: I know you don't watch much TV but I'm certain you're aware of the cultural phenomenon that is The Boondocks. I'm just throwing this out there: I think it would be incredibly cool for you to do collaborative work with Aaron McGruder. I think your work is similar in many ways. You both have a lot to say and very interesting and unique ways of speaking.  

HWT: Sure.  Hook it up!

 Absolut Power

RF: It's always interesting to talk with Black men of varying educational and economic backgrounds about the “N” word. I think too many people focus on the word itself as opposed to the lack of tact when it comes to the words use. What are your thoughts on the subject? Do you use the term?  

HWT: I don't use the "N" word.  I don't know how many ways you can use it tactfully unless you're using it in the context of history or as an insult.  That being said, it does roll off the tongue pretty easily and the term "my nigger" can bring some strange sense of comfort.  

   
RF: How has the current economic trend affected your work? (In terms of ideas.)  

HWT: I don't think it has.  I have been too busy trying to figure out how we got here that many things of the present moment are still lost on me.  I'm very aware that these economic cycles occur and will continue to occur throughout our lifetime.  I'm more worried about the political ramifications and the greed and selfishness that seems to be re-surging from the "right wing".

 

 Are You the Right Kind of Woman for It?

RF: Fashion week is coming up in NY. Will you be involved at all? Are you fashion forward or generally disinterested?  

HWT: I'm not in NY so won't be involved.  I think fashion is great but it's not something that I put too much thought into.  Maybe I should...

RF: This is probably the most serious question of this entire interview: Team Blackberry or Team iPhone?

HWT: I think the iPhone is cooler and better for distractions but the Blackberry is more functional for getting messages and communication.  I like the iPhone because it's easier to ignore than the Blackberry.

 The Mandingo of Sandwiches

Images courtesy of the Artist and Jack Shainman Gallery