Land Of Insanity

  Misa Hylton- Architect Of 90s Hip Hop Fashion “Mary and Puff were creating a new sound, so it only made sense that the image reflected that energy. We were all very young and it was important to show our swag. B ack then, most female artists that sang about love wore gowns and dressed up. There was space for something new. Mary was a hip hop girl at heart and sportswear has always been a staple in our community. I guess you can call it early tomboy chic.” “Although both women were from Brooklyn, if you look closely you see their different personalities and sense of style. Kim was a true B-girl at heart and Foxy had a West Indian flavor. Kim and Foxy created the space for female rappers to be feminine and sexy. As women, we get to choose how we show up whether it’s in baggy clothes or wardrobe that celebrates the female body. They liberated women.” “I think that Kim and I were magical together and when you have that type of synergy only greatness can come forth. We were thinking o...

 Mary J. Blige is very animated. The indestructible R&B diva is a woman who can be called fractured and having a flashback to one of the darkest periods of her well-publicized, often turbulent career, is something she can talk about. "That day I had been up for about three days just getting high. Cocaine is a crazy drug because it takes your addiction to alcohol along for a destructive ride" a candid Mary says about a New York photo shoot for Vibe in 95' that produced the now iconic headshot of her-in red hat. red hoodie, and red lipstick-looking out from the page somberly with those signature Bambi eyes. "I was just thinking. I hope no one knows." It was three years after the acclaim of her hip hop/ R&B debut, What's the 411? (Uptown/MCA, 1992), and the publicity machine was presenting young Mary as a changed woman. The soaring track "Be Happy," which anchored her definitive 1994 album, My Life, said as much: "How can I love somebody ...

  E s tate Of Donald and Millicent Seamount  TEA, 2 MOTHERS & A CONVERSATION        Veronica finishes pouring the tea into the flower tipped mug in the sun-filled kitchen that Millicent Seamount would brag "is her favorite room"  Millicent: I really find it swell to have your son show interest in fetching my daughter. She has been quite despondent these past few weeks.  Veronica: oh Millicent my son Chris had his fair share of rotten apples, if you will, but your Darlene is definitely a shining fruit.  Millicent- Ha!! A shining fruit with a fly on top. Do you believe that she asked me if she can go to a rock and roll concert!! I almost dropped my Bible. Veronica- oh what a pity. But really rock and roll is the last thing you should be worried about. There is a war in Vietnam. My Paul is there now. Millicent- (rolls her eyes) you mean the drunk? I didn't think he would have the mental capacity to handle such a patriotic duty. Veronica- I a...