Entertainment
MF Doom and Madlib’s ‘Madvillainy’ – now 20 years old – is the timeless, classic album we all thought would be released in 2004
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It’s a bit of hard to inform since my social media circles are older and into ’90s hip-hop, but MF Doom – born Daniel Dumile – seems almost as relevant now as he did in his heyday in the ’90s and 2000s. I’m sure this statement is not entirely accurate, but there are many podcast episodes dedicated to his influence and entire shows about his life (“Did I Ever Tell You The One About…MF Doom” hosted by MC Serch). Donald Glover’s hit FX show “Atlanta” devoted a whole episode to MF Doom and his death following his October 2020 death.
MF Doom, an MC who began in the early ’90s, seems almost timeless. His extremely unconventional rhyming couplets and persona (he was known for wearing his signature metal face mask, of which I own a reproduction) were as at home in 2024 as they were in 1999. While MF Doom was never a mainstream rapper, people were aware of that about him , he loved it and because of that he had a big fan base.
Likewise, Madlib (born Otis Jackson, Jr) is an “underground” rapper and producer who has been a favourite of all of us hip-hop heads since the Nineties. When Kanye West released his album “The Life of Pablo” in 2016, the song “No More Parties in Los Angeles” starring Kendrick Lamar and produced by Madlib, was a simple standout. This was mainly attributable to the rhythm and the indisputable fact that Kanye also looked as if it would know what we all did. Madlib is a monster behind the boards.
Madlib’s album “Shades of Blue” – a transforming of several songs from the Blue Note Records catalog – has long been one among my favorite albums. If you asked me what hip-hop album best represents me, I would say “Shades of Blue.” Madlib has produced must-listen projects, and Madlib has something like a billion songs and projects featuring a wide selection of artists, from J Dilla to Freddie Gibbs to Kendrick Lamar. That’s lots of stuff to take heed to.
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The purpose of those introductions was to spotlight the indisputable fact that MF Doom and Madlib are artists whose work has been long overdue. I bet the primary reason is their 2004 collaborative album “Madvillainy,” a 22-track project released on March 23, 2004 that took the hip-hop streets by storm. To bring up an album highly expected would be an understatement; a leak of potential tracks from just a few years ago had the streets talking much like how they were READY for a Jay Electronica album ten years later.
Be that as it might, the album lived as much as expectations. Almost immediately, discussions about “instant classic” and “album of the year” arose. I also remember talking to friends about not only the impact of the album, but how necessary it would be. For reference, Jay-Z had just released “The Black Album” in 2003, and the conversation after “Madvillainy” ended was this: Many of us wanted Jay-Z to rap over the beat that Madlib provided for “Madvillainy.” ” The closest we got was Jay-Z’s 2017 album “4:44,” which was (it seems) a response to Beyoncé’s 2016 album “Lemonade.” The entirety of “4:44” was produced by No ID and had a more underground feel hip-hop rather than the glossier, big-budget album that topped the charts. And I remember thinking that we finally had Jay’s version of “Madvillainy.”
However, “Madvillainy” was included on almost every list that had to say the biggest albums (NO just hip-hop) of all time, which was quite a big achievement by two underground hip-hop artists at the time. The album could be released in 2024 and would fit in with many non-mainstream hip-hop releases. This comes as no surprise to most of us who heard “Madvillainy” in 2004. What appeared like hyperbole at the time now seems obvious. True genius is obvious – sometimes you simply should wait for everybody else to catch up. Of course, in 2004 the album received great recognition and excellent reviews. And it sounds as fresh (though also vintage) now because it did after I first put a compact disc in my automotive’s CD changer.
“Madvillainy” has retained its cult status. Both MF Doom and Madlib have had prolific careers, but “Madvillains” is a feather in the cap. The “Madvillainy 2” rumors never materialized, but that is okay. The duo gifted the music-loving world with a project that now seems to be appealing to music fans of all stripes. Currently, each song on the project has hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify, with “ALL CAPS” having almost 150 MILLION streams. This may not sound amazing in comparison with a few of the more popular hip-hop acts, however it is absolutely incredible considering the two artists who created this project.
It’s good to be right about classic material, and “Madvillainy” is just that – an album I’ll definitely be listening to until I am unable to hear it anymore.
Entertainment
The most iconic moments of the beauty of Robert Flack – Essence
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Anthony Barboza/Getty Images
Robert Flack, a valued singer, songwriter and pianist, died on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. The legendary singer, whose velvety voice again defined the soul and R&B, stays a everlasting icon of elegance, emotions and artistry. With timeless classics, resembling “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever and Wis See Your Face”, the singer died the audience captivated the audience along with her ability to weave delicacy and power in every note. Not only will we take heed to her repetitive music, but we won’t stop eager about its most iconic moments of beauty.
In the 70s Robert seriously swayed Afro – a daring statement of being black and proud – during performances at live shows, including the famous Newport Jazz festival. Two years later, she honored the scene of Ronnie Scott in London along with her hair drawn into the band, combined with dramatic long eyelashes, which defined her characteristic appearance. Always to experiment with hair, she also accepted braids decorated with beads, without effort combining style and cultural pride.
Just a few many years quickly forward, and Robert was still turning her head. While playing in Gillette Civil Rights 2010 between Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, she stunned the navy blue eye shadow, a dark light highlighter and daring red lipstick. The following yr, she performed at Bideawee Ball from 2011 with full rhythm – eyeliner, mascara, highlighter and its characteristic red lips. And in 2020 she performed unforgettable during the 62th annual Grammy Awards, wearing a beautiful curly crown and the same red lipstick that we met and loved.
In honor of her everlasting legacy, we glance back at some of the most iconic beauty moments of Roberta’s incomparable flack.
Entertainment
Joe Freshgoods X New Balance 992 “Starn Well” is celebrating cooperation
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Joe Freshgoods selects five years and counts with New Balance because of his latest version 992 “Arged Well”, a tribute to his creative partnership with a characteristic brand of sportswear, which still supports his design talents and a contagious passion.
After Debut On the Joe Freshgoods New Balance 992 website, Chicago Creative is preparing for a wider version of February 28 via newbalance.com and chosen retail sellers. The new edition of the sneakers means the fifth anniversary of Joe of New Balance, milestone after almost stood before closing his now widely beloved and known brand.
The document coming in June 2025 is shared within the history of Joe’s success, from his start as an area Streetwearus brand in his hometown of Chicago to providing New Balance partnership in 2020, when he wasn’t sure find out how to keep his business.
“He examines how the partnership influenced the global culture of sneakers and development transparency”, Joe common In the announcement on Instagram, “which was more important to me than just doing it about tennis games. This is a real life. ”
The trailer of the documentation offers access to Joe’s journey, presenting his modest approach to success and its influence on the Boston brand of sportswear founded in 1906. Since joining New Balance, Joe Robinson (higher referred to as Joe Freshgoods), a champion with a young history.
Five years later, with 20 Sneakers Publishing House and counting the most recent cooperation of New Balance Joe Freshgoods is a love letter for his creative journey with the Boston brand.
“Sometimes I feel that I shouldn’t be here. But I am here and say, “Oh, I’m good at what I do,” he says within the film.
Project 992 “Agnish well” attracts the inspiration from the primary cooperation of Joe Freshgoods from New Balance – the edition of New Balance 992 “No Emotions”, also referred to as “heart anatomy”. It was a right away hit and celebrated in the course of the NBA All-Star weekend, and now charges resale prices around $ 3,000.
While the explanations for the New Balance revival may vary, many consider the primary release of Joe 992 to be a catalyst that enlivened the brand. Sneakers have pink and red suede silhouettes placed on an olive mesh base and accented saddle skin on the tongue and rear card.
Four sets of lace are attached, and the box is decorated with unique details reflecting the theme “aging well”. In addition, Joe Freshgoods designed the “Championship Dreams” leather university jacket to commemorate his five -year success as a designer.
“I wanted this jacket to capture the essence of the last five years – each project was a milestone, another closed chapter, another dream,” Joe signature Post on Instagram. “Over time, I had the honor to tell culturally important stories, and this jacket reflects this travel project according to the design.”
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Entertainment
The best beauty looks at the black Essence women in the Hollywood Awards – Essence
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Getty images
This is a cloudy day in Los Angeles, but the shining stars of the city brought light to the annual black Essence women in the Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza. At the 18th 12 months, the show we celebrated extremely talented and galvanizing distinctions, akin to Cynthia Erivo, Tyana Taylor, Raamla Mohamed and Marla Gibbs.
Before the event, Black Beauty took a red carpet. The Essence cover star, Tyra Banks, got here in a neutral rhythm – with voluminous hair matching her makeup. Meanwhile, each of the Cynthia Erivo nails found a press release – drawing black and white stripes with decorative greens. And, Teyana Taylor, in the most perfect shadows to eye shadows and lips, she had black, half -burned pixie cutting.
Then Laverne Cox arrived with chopped and cropped bob-made by Jodie Turner-Smith-with a round blush to animate her cheeks. Speaking of hair, Taraji P. Henson immersed his ends in the bleach, which consumed shine on nails, mouth and eyes. To close the carpet, the butt appeared in a brief, curled cut and a thick black French tip.
Below is the best beauty of Essence black women in Hollywood Awards.
Tyra Banks
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Cynthia Erivo
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Teyana Taylor
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Laverne Cox
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Jodie Turner-Smith
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Taraji P. Henson
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Silence
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Nzyda Nash-Betts
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Fish
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Crystal Stewart
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Danielle Brooks
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Karrueche Tran
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Zoë Kravitz
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Meagan Good
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Tia speech
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Tasha Smith
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Yvette Nicole Brown
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Jackie all the time
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Dominique Fishback
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Kandi Burruses
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Muni long
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Storm Reid
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Ryan Destiny
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Danielle Pinnock
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Arnold in China
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