Toxin Magazine

toxin

Fashion, Music, Art

Spring Issue • May 2015

HIP HOP FEMME FATALE 5 FEMALE ARTISTS TO WATCH Wonder where all the female rappers have gone? Don’t sleep on these flaming emcees.

EKLEXIC: NYC TO LA INTERVIEW W/ ALEXIS GORDON

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2 • Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com

Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com • 3

FEATURES 6

luxuriousness: Eklexic Jewelry

Interview w/ Alexis Gordon.

FASHION + BEAUTY 12 Sneak Attack

Sneaker trends that will get you right before summer. .

14 Cake, Cake, Cake it on

Innovative makeup tricks from girls like you.

15 Nubian Spring

Fashion spread featuring ethnic patterns perfect for springtime sass.

23 Beauty Box Addiction

The latest craze into product sub-

scription services.

MUSIC + FILM 26 Femme Fatale

Five of the dopest female rappers out right now..

28 May Album Releases

Who’s dropping what and when

30 ‘Girlhood’ - Life of a black girl

Review about the crittically

acclaimed film ‘Girlhood”

ART 34 In Private Moments

Brooklyn artist Nakin Brown highlights the African American hair struggle

35

Street Gems Arist Paige Smith bedazzles the

streets of Los Angeles

4 • Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com

FROM THE EDITOR

Greetings and a warm welcome to our Spring issue of Toxin Magazine!

We couldn’t be more excited to have made it to this point. Being children of the digital age, Millennials, we have been focused on the digital aspect of media. We have combined our online magazine at toxinmagazine.com with a print edition available on all platforms.

Please take some time to get to know the layout of our new magazine. You will notice the main categories in this issue: Fashion, Beauty, Music, Film, and Art. Like the online magazine we will be covering Health + Fitness as well as Travel + Leisure in later issues. Within each category, there are three to four articles for you to enjoy. This issue is a bit geared toward our women, but as we expand content for the guys will begin to even out the reading field.

Just as with a paper magazine, you may want to sit and read the whole thing at once, or come back to this issue several times to digest the articles more slowly. You can download the magazine on our website, Google Play, or the ITunes Store.

When we set out in 2008 to create an on-line magazine that would promote quality music and interesting content, one thing we agreed on right away was to steer-away from the gossip blog, tabloid-driven magazines that we all sometimes read. What you will find in the pages of Toxin Magazine is a collection of inspired and instructive articles written by real, honest, down-to-earth journalists who work hard to create genuine content. We don’t always have hours to sit and read every day especially with the rise of social media. But we stay informed and want to keep you in the loop. Mainly to expose

Editor In Chief Taqkiiyawna Samuels, nelliebly@ toxinmagazine.com

Managing Editor Carlos Butler, carlos@toxinmagazine.com

Art Director Taqkiiyawna Samuels, nelliebly@ toxinmagazine.com

you to something you would not normally see. New fashion designers, artists, musician’s even new exotics places.

Graphic Artist

We are honored to share the work of the committed and thought-

Taqkiiyawna Samuels, nelliebly@ toxinmagazine.com

ful people at Toxin. Please visit Toxin Magazine online to see our wonderful contributors and read their bios. Also, feel free to leave comments on the articles online and to share your thoughts or ask the author a question.

Sales Officer info@toxinmagazine.com

We appreciate your support and are so happy to have you as a reader of Toxin Magazine.

With warmest thanks,

Taqkiiyawna & Carlos

, Editors

Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com • 5

LUXURIOUSNESS: EKLEXIC

HIGH FASHION | EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

T

Designer Alexis Gordon Chats with Toxin in an Interview About Her Luxury Jewelry Line Ekelxic, her career and being a new mom.

he perfect item a woman needs to complement

“I actually have a sales background. I was doing business and

any plain jane outfit is a piece statement jewelry

sales prior to getting into design, I had left everything to start

to free her sense of style. When you see a bold,

my own company. But I have always had a passion for fashion,

edgy and glamorous piece of jewelry it instills a

you know buying things, buying clothes, jewelry and acces-

sense of wonder in whoever crosses its path. The questions

sories. I couldn’t do that on the budget I had so going to the

start to pour in, “I love your necklace”, “Who are you wear-

stores I decided you know what I’m going to try to replicate

ing?”, “Where did you

some of the things

buy it?”, “Where can

I wanted. Since I’m

I get it?” It’s easy to

originally from New

find a pretty item but

York I went down to

that glam piece is

the fashion district to

rare! Being a south-

get some ideas. And

ern belle, I absolute-

it hit me, I’m going

ly love bold, gaudy

to start making my

pieces that scream

own pieces. I kind of

statement.

Those

fell into the feedback

necklaces that require

I was getting, people

just a simple pair of

literally stopping me

diamond

studded

on the street saying,”

earrings. Enough with

Where did you get

the fluff, I’d like to

that?”, “Where can I

introduce the south

get that?” and I’d be

to Eklexic, created by Manhattan Fashionista Alexis Gordon.

like nowhere I made this. (We both laugh) it happened so

The line consists of jewelry and accessories for men and

often that I decide to stop my current company and put 100

women. We interviewed Alexis about her career as designer

percent effort into this jewelry design business.

and founder of EKLEXIC.

Did you have any formal training in jewelry design and creation? How did you come to realize your talent?

Can you give the audience a little background on you and

So I never had any formal training I mean shopping was really

how Eklexic came to be…?

where I grabbed all my inspiration you know the magazines

6 • Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com

photo credit: Jacob Whyman

Now my inspiration for all of my pieces are through my travels, experiences.

I’d go to the beach since now I live in Santa Monica.”

too but prior to that I never went to fashion design school or

I would go to Manhattan. Um, different things inspire me…

none of that stuff. I was self-taught and I hand made every-

structures in Manhattan or now I’m working on pieces that

thing. People were like “How did you learn how to do this?”…

are not as bold but more appropriate for beach attire. Also I’m

It just really came natural to me. That’s how I was able to kind

probably going to be going into a baby line.

of switch direction pretty rapidly.

Yea! We heard that you are a new mom, Congratulations…

Being a lover of fashion, tell us where do you pull inspira-

How does it fill getting back to work after baby?

tion from?

Yea I had baby 17 days ago… she is a perfect angel and all she

I try not to actually look at others jewelry because I don’t want

does is sleep. She’s such a good baby she doesn’t cry, so I’m

to subconsciously copy them. So now my inspiration for all of

able to get my work done literally when I left the hospital I

my pieces are through my travels, experiences. I’d go to the

had pieces to send out. While in the hospital, Abigail (PR) had

beach since now I live in Santa Monica, or when I was home

a messenger come pick them up and send them out.

Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com • 7

EKLEXIC DESIGNER ALEXIS GORDON INTERVIEW CONTINUED...

W

hen will we get to see the baby line?

I design almost every single day, I fill orders, bluefly.com has

I would say that line will be available

sent a lot of orders my way. We do a lot of that, I do interviews,

winter of next year (2016) but you will see

a lot of it is going back and forth with my manufactures about

samples prior to that for sale around fall/

designs, that has been my main focus for the past couple of

winter of this coming year. Design ele-

months it’s finally coming to lining up and I’m excited to put

ments for the baby line will be more of the

this line out.

fine, thinner jewels, I’ll be incorporating water, and pastels and

When creating Eklexic, What type of person did you envi-

crystals, pink and light blues things like that.

sion in your designs?

Has becoming a mom churned up any new inspirations for

I thought it would be celebrity driven um for someone bold,

future pieces?

over the top. It’s a different here (referring to Santa Monica

We are going through a huge growth stage, I’m coming up

vs. Manhattan) even though there both bold in their own way

on my second year. Here building a brand takes some time,

moving here helped me see what I needed to appeal to dif-

everyone is like Its (Eklexic) great, but for me it’s like I need

ferent people. In Manhattan it was more of the person I used

more. Its defiantly a huge priority in my life to focus on build-

to be then. The fashion week, shopping at Bloomingdale on

ing the brand….the brand is about being comfortable in your

a weekly basis, going out into the city often for nights out

own skin, making a statement with what you wear… just being

with friends, that was really at the time who I was. So that was

yourself. No matter what pieces whether the dainty or the

my initial target audience but I realized why not expand and

larger statement pieces we are going to be parallel with what

appeal to the mass public.

the message of the brand is today.

One of my first times seeing Eklexic was on designer

How do you go about creating a new piece? We’d love

Adolfo Sanchez during New York fashion week, what

to know about your design process—choosing materials,

other options do you have for the men?

design development, how the team works to do this, etc.

Oh YES! That was my first I mean I just started making jewelry

Um I do 100 percent of this, I design everything. We use the

that was my first couple weeks in business. We have a whole

highest quality metal, the metals range from brass to stain-

section we are expanding for the men now, with really great

less steel. The gold colored pieces are 18 to 24 k gold plated

pieces that are out now. Terrence J form E! has one of my

so none of the pieces will ever tarnish. The components like

bracelets, several celeb stylists. The men’s line has recently

clasps and the jump rings are always gold steel. Those new

received really great feedback. I’ll be circling back adding

clasps are very chic by the way oh thank you, see we did the

more pieces for the men.

whole trendy thing with the handcuff clasps now were moving

What are your bestselling pieces?

into the more modern, clasp which we are very excited about

For men, the handcuff clasp bracelet is a crazy seller. I would

that. It targets more than just I would say the 18 – 35 year olds.

say there are several of our bracelets that have blue woven

Whereas the handcuffs are a trendy piece which would go out

leather that is very popular, the three stone onyx bracelet too.

of style sooner or later we wanted something more classic.

For women, the Vanderbilt, the crystal ladder necklace is a big

With the statement pieces I would take out all my supplies, the

one, so is the handcuff chain and Rachel bracelet.

chains, settings, clasps and I would hand craft each piece and

Tell us about your three core philosophies of growing your

modify them as needed. Some of the other things like with the

company and why they are important to you.

daintier line I would go get inspiration form things like fonts, I

Um so obviously I’m jumpstarting it’s really to make money

wanted something classic. We are going into rings as well the

[We both laugh] I have put every ounce of energy everything I

first ring is going to be a Band-Aid. So it looks like a wrapped

dig up at night until the next day sometimes weeks especially

Band-Aid, it will be gold platted. I listened to an interview

in the beginning so it’s really putting in your all. It takes every-

you did with a blog talk radio host almost a year ago, you

thing to make the brand successful. I also focus on targeting

weren’t interested in rings then, what made you change

the right people. That’s why I hired on pivotal. (PR Company)

your mind? I k now I know but you know what happened I cut

They tell me these pieces are great but we think you should

my finger and was like this would look so good in gold! [We

expand to x y and z because that is more appealing to the

both laugh] inspiration at its best! So I called my manufacturer.

general population. There’s only a small percent of people

Everything that isn’t handmade, anything I can’t make with my

who can wear those bolder pieces. They have helped me

own hands we have it done in New York.

expand more to appeal to the general population as opposed

Take us through your “typical” day at the office.

to just having one specific focus point. They have been really

8 • Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com

amazing.

Even though your pieces are fabulous and statement making alone, they pair well together….tell us the perfect way to layer or stack your jewelry…

Yes! I do lot of layering I will be layering a lot of my new pieces which you will see on Instagram very soon! I would normally layer one well two pieces one plain against a bolder necklace, then I would go into the longer pieces I mean I have done a lot [laughs] maybe about 6 inches on each arm with the beads…

I go overly aggressive. [laughs] Moving from NYC to LA how has the west coast influenced your designs? well a lot, I still do stick with the statement pieces but they are taking a back seat for the more personalized dainty pieces so what we are coming out with are letters and numbers, people like to order things with their names or boyfriends/husbands or children’s names, letters and numbers. We have shapes, hearts, stars, cutouts like palm trees and things like that. So it’s more of a brand where peoples can find what they are looking for.

If you could choose one fashion designer to collaborate with, who would it be?

Aw man, Diane von Furstenberg, I love her she’s so edgy and classic… for my next line, her influence on me would be great she has such great timeless pieces, clothing wise.

If you could meet any women for lunch who would it be and what would you order?

For lunch? Any women? Um Jennifer Fischer, she is a jewelry designer that has recently blown up! She is someone that I would really love to talk to. Kind of see how she got to where she is. I would order…um now I’m losing all the baby weight so some sort of salad.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee If you can travel anywhere on a moment’s notice where would it be?

You know what I have been missing New York so I would be there in a minute.

Rhianna or Kim K? OH! Rhianna Early mornings or late nights Late nights Find more jewelry from Alexis at Eklexic.com

Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com • 9

BEA

10 • Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com

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Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com • 11

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Warming up the mascara will soften the formula and make it go on much more smoothly.”

14 • Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com

CAKE, CAKE, CAKE IT ON S right motions as you apply. It reduces

haring

and

swaping

makeup tips is almost as

clumps, separates your lashes, and gives a more even application.

fun as eating a bowl of cookies and cream ice

4. On how to tightline your eyes:

cream. We’ve compiled a short list of

tightlining your eyes can make your

5 life changing makeup tips that every

lashes look fuller and thicker. Use a

woman should know.

brush like this with gel liner. Load up your brush, and push the liner into the

1. For winged eyeliner: Place your pen

base of your upper lash line. It gives

at the outermost part of your nostril,

your eyes a very subtle lined look,

then angle it upwards to meet the outer

while making your lashes look fuller

edge of your eye. Lower the tip of your

and thicker. And if you don’t have $30

liner where it lands and draw down

to drop on a push liner brush, a short

toward your lash line.

shader paint brush does just as well for a fraction of the price. I like Royal

2. For a smoother mascara applica-

& Langnickel, which you can easily

tion:

find at Michaels. They also go on sale

While you’re applying your other make-

constantly!

up, tuck your mascara tube in your bra for a few minutes. Warming up the mas-

5. How to line your lower lashes:

cara will soften the formula and make

Get a cheap felt tip black eyeliner.

it go on much more smoothly. Or, hold

Cut a little off the top to give a blunt

the bottle between your palms and roll

edge. Use this to do tiny dots along

it a few times… it also warms it a little

your lower lash line instead of eyeliner,

for a much smoother application. For a

eyeshadow, or mascara. It will give the

less clumpy and smoother application

impression your lower lashes are fuller

for your mascara, NEVER pump your

and thicker by filling in the roots. Just

brush. That does nothing except pump

three tiny dots at the outer corner is

air in and out of the bottle, which dries

usually enough, but sometimes I do it

it out quicker.

all along to the middle of my eye.

BEAUTY MAKEUP TIPS & TRICKS Five life changing makeup tips every woman should know about. Learn to create the perfect winged eye to creating longer and fuller eyelashes...

3. For bigger eyelashes: Wiggle your mascara brush in little left-

Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com • 15

nubian

Spr 16 • Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com

ring

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HOW IT WORKS: Every 3 months, our FabFitFun VIP members look forward to their new seasonal gift box filled with the new most fab items, hand-picked by the FabFitFun Team! With a FabFitFun VIP membership, every season you’ll get a box full of uh-mazing new products for only $49.99 four times a year. Indulge in fashion finds, glam beauty secrets, and fab fitness gear guaranteed to make you feel like a VIP all year long. This is more than just a beauty box, VIP features a mix of beauty, fashion, fitness, wellness and home products that help you feel good from the inside out.

Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com • 23

MUSIC + FILM 24 • Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com

Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com • 25

DOPE FEMALE EMCEES 5 Female Rappers You Should Be Listening To

An article at NPR recently asked “Where Did All The Female

MUSIC FEATURE NEJENA REDDD FOXXX ANGEL HAZE JUNGLEPUSSY SHARAYA J DOMINIQUE YOUNG UNIQUE

Rappers Go?”. The reason for the serious dearth of femcee’s in the mainstream is a complicated one, largely tied to the commercialization of rap music and the general preference of certain styles of hip-hop over others. But as serious hiphop heads know, radio play doesn’t necessarily mean quality.

There aren’t less female rappers than there used to be, it’s just that female rappers are the same place their talented male counterparts are, they are hustling to build a buzz through all forms of media, doing things the indie way, or are pretty much underground. In no particular order, here are 5 female rappers we think you should be listening to. They range from conscious to hyper-sexual to perfect for a party to straight up gangster and everything in between.

26 • Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com

1.

In hip-hop, to boast is to breathe. The genre’s become so synonymous with braggadocio, it’s practically a no-holdsbarred palace of self-inflated “triple beam dreams,” most times so extreme, listeners

4.

Sharaya J is the latest artist signed to Missy’s Goldmind label and, completing the circle, her debut single, “Takin’ It No More,” samples “Take Away,” Elliott’s ode to her greatest protégé, the late

can never be too sure what, or rather, who

Aaliyah. From her bright-blue hair to

to believe. For New York (by way of D.C.) newcomer, Njena

her streetwear-inspired outfits, the up-and-coming rapper

Reddd Foxxx, one doesn’t have to listen to deem her top-

Sharaya J fits perfectly into the role of fashion muse. She first

notch at anything (although it helps)—just look to her creden-

made waves with her single “Banji,” released last year. The

tials. The emcee beat out more than 93% of the competition

Hawaii-born, New Jersey–raised artist had an eclectic pre-

to be accepted into America’s most revered design institution,

fame résumé that included stints as a dancer in the Step Up

The Cooper Union, only a few years before taking a chance

franchise and as a screenwriter for the film The Real T. She was

with rap. Her debut came as a feature on last year’s voguing-

recruited to open for her mentor Missy Elliott at the party for

tinged, web-cum-fashion runway hit, “Ima Read” with Zebra

Alexander Wang’s H&M collaboration.

Katz (released under Diplo’s Mad Decent label). Surprisingly, it was her first time rapping. Now, she’s upping the ante and taking the art form as seriously as she did her college admissions.

2.

Dominique Young Unique was signed

5.

For starters, she stands nearly six-feet-tall and sports a head of bleached dreadlocks and then there’s also her polarizing stage name. But it’s her presence -- refreshingly

to Sony Records, leading to a string of

genuine and completely enchanting --

guest appearances on hit singles such as

that explains why she’s an artist on the rise. Junglepussy has

last summer’s base-trembling earworm

but a freshman record and a few singles under her belt, but

“Earthquake” by DJ Fresh and megawatt

the fierce-as-fuck personality with a message about taking

producer, Diplo and Le Youth’s vogue-pop tune, “Dance with

no shit and focusing on your health has already earned her a

Me”. “When Le Youth first played me the record I thought it

dedicated army of followers online. The Brooklyn-born West

was kind of weird,” she explains. “But then I jumped on it with

Indian rapper is a fashion student-turned-retail employee,

a rap verse and it sounded so different and so new. It grew on

-turned-YouTube comedian, -turned-MC, -turned-lifestyle

me.” The tracks not only gave her the mainstream exposure

guru, -turned-DKNY model. And she’s only just beginning.

she needed, but showed her versatility as an artist. “I really

Earlier this month, Junglepussy (real name Shayna McHayle)

want to keep pushing myself and mixing it up,” she attests.

put out a video for “ME,” a chilled-out track from her debut

“Like Solange Knowles, she tries new things like that, she is

album, Satisfaction Guaranteed

one of my favourite artists. Oh god, her voice on ‘Losing You’ is beautiful, it’s real.” Other musical influences include Jay-Z and Kanye West – “Niggas in Paris makes me feel empowered,” she gushes. “Oh and I was into Trina when I was younger, I loved that ‘Million Dollar Girl’ song.”

Angel Haze’s shifting relationship with her gender identity is, of course, just one element of a young

3.

“Hip hop is practically a no-holdsbarred palace of self-inflated “triple beam dreams,” most times so extreme, listeners can never be too sure what, or rather, who to believe...”

career in a constant state of evolution.

Now 23 years old, Haze first secured her place in hip-hop when she dropped her widely acclaimed free EP online, Reservation, in late July 2012. The title

celebrates Haze’s Native-American heritage, while also serving a more utilitarian function. “It’s like when you go to a restaurant, you make a reservation,” Haze said in an interview with Billboard that year. “[…] For me, it’s like that with the rap industry. I made my reservation there […] and now I’m finally arriving.” Within a month of their ceremonial arrival, Haze had signed with Universal Republic Records (which has since shortened its name to Republic Records.)

Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com • 27

MAY ALBUM RELEASES MAY 4TH MAY 19TH

R&B CIARA’S NEW ALBUM “JACKIE” DROPS MAY 4TH

MAY 18TH SOUL

The follow-up to 2013’s Ciara, which she named after her mother, also includes contributions from Dr. Luke, Polow Da Don, Harmony Samuels, The Underdogs, Rock City, Ester Dean, and Diane Warren.

“I can now see the world through her eyes and I know what it’s like to be a mom,” Ciara told “Extra.” “I am a mini Jackie and it’s that simple.” On May 3, she will kick off her first tour in six years with stops in New York, Atlanta, Miami, and L.A. The R&Bpop star also told Waterhouse that Jackie boasts her “dream team of producers who [she] always wanted to work with”: “I always have a vision of what I want to do, but this time I was super specific. I feel like it’s such an important time for me, personally, professionally and musically.

I am doing everything I could dream of for this album. Sonically I am so content; I had my dream team of producers who I always wanted to work with.” Jackie will be available everywhere on May 4th.

NEO-SOUL SINGER SONGWRITER KWABS HAS DETAILED HIS MUCH-ANTICIPATED DEBUT LP LOVE + WAR Kwabs has announced details for his long-awaited debut album. With album artwork revealed and entitled Love + War, his 12-track LP is set for release on May 18th through Atlantic Records.

Kwabs commented, ‘I am so excited about finally announcing the details of my debut album. It feels good to release some new music after an amazing 2014. The response in the UK and now internationally has been incredible. ‘Perfect Ruin’ is one of my favourite tracks on the album and of everything it’s probably the song fans have most wanted to hear finished.

So I think it’s been a long time coming…

I hope they feel it as much as I do.’ Love + War will be released 18 May via Atlantic Records.

28 • Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com

HIP HOP/RAP RICO LOVE NEW ALBUM SET TO DROP, “TURN THE LIGHTS ON”.

Music and poetry have been staples in Rico Love‘s life since he was a young kid in Harlem, N.Y., which makes perfect sense that he’d mature into the super producer and songwriter that he is today. Earning respect for writing songs like “Throwback” and “Seduction” on Usher’s 2004 Grammy Award-winning album, Confessions, Rico went on to pen tracks for the likes of Fergie, Diddy and Sean Kingston, among others. Even Beyonce found herself belting out four of Rico’s tunes on her five-time Grammy Award-winning album, I Am…Sasha Fierce. Rico is ready to finally make his major label debut. “Somebody Else,” the first single to arrive off his Turn the Lights On album, shows Rico tapping into relationships and love once again, laying the foundation for his May 19 release.

MAY 26TH HIP HOP/RAP BOOSIE BADAZZ RETURNS WITH LONG AWAITED NEW ALBUM The long awaited release of the new album from Baton Rouge rapper Boosie BadAzz. “TOUCH DOWN 2 CAUSE HELL” drops everywhere on May 26th is preceded by the new tracks, “Retaliation” and “Like A Man (Feat. Rich Homie Quan)”

The massively anticipated

album – which also includes the street single, “On That Level (Feat. Webbie)” – Boosie BadAzz – until recently known worldwide as Lil Boosie first lit up the hip hop underground at just 17 and soon teamed with the renowned label Trill Entertainment to unleash a series of undisputed classics, including 2003’s “GHETTO STORIES” and 2004’s

NEW MUSIC FASHION TRENDS + DOPE ART

“GANGSTA MUSIK” (both with longtime collaborator Webbie), and 2009’s top 10 breakthrough, “SUPERBAD: THE RETURN OF BOOSIE BADAZZ.” His fifth and most recent solo album, 2010’s “INCARCERATED,” was recorded and released while serving a 96-month prison sentence at Angola Louisiana State Penitentiary. The album earned widespread acclaim, with SPIN hailing it as “an enormously heartfelt album that makes his legal plight even more of a feel-bad story.”

TOXIN MAGAZINE

left to right: Marietou Toure, Lindsay Karamoh, Karidja Toure, Assa Sylla 30 • Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com

GIRLHOOD: AWARDWINNING FILM HITS DVD INDIE FILM ENTERTAINMENT ‘Girlhood’ Comes Out on Blu-ray and DVD This Month.

After a short U.S. theatrical run, the critically acclaimed and much-buzzedabout indie film Girlhood will be coming on DVD and Blu-ray on May 19th.

But, many viewers were definitely critical of the film’s depiction of young black women in France.”

Directed by Céline Sciamma, Girlhood stars Karidja Touré and Assa Sylla. Touré plays Marieme, the films main character, a teenager who feels stunted in her community, and oppressed by her family, until she befriends three girls who change her worldview and help her to be free.

The story is reminiscent of Now and Then due to how the friendship develops during the movie. The film has received mostly rave reviews after showing at film festivals all over the world. But, many viewers were definitely critical of the film’s depiction of young black women in France.

The upcoming DVD/Blu-ray release, which will include an interview with lead actress Karidja Touré, is available for pre-order HERE. Toxin Magazine • www.toxinmagazine.com • 31

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BEAUTY + ART FEATURE NAKIA BROWN FIVE MYLES GALLERY

IN PRIVATE MOMENTS Artist Nakeya Brown Features in Solo Exhibition in Brooklyn.

She highlights the hair stories of African American Women in a photo collection.

This weekend, artist Nakeya Brown, will show three of her photo projects, “The Refutation of ‘Good Hair,’” “Hair Stories Untold,” and “if nostalgia were colored brown” in a solo exhibition titled “In Private Moments,” hosted by AfroPunk. The title for the exhibition stems from an interview Brown did with Black Girls Talking last fall. “They brought up this concept of ‘the secret lives of black girls’ and that was something I really liked, and I really thought that, ‘Yeah, there is this super-secret life that we all do and it’s really centered around our hair,’” she says. The notion builds off of the hair rituals that women of color partake in within the privacy of their own homes. Brown’s unique works have since gone viral as a result of the familiar imagery that she depicts — imagery that definitely resonates with black viewers. Much of Nakeya Brown’s works employ nostalgia to create striking images of black beauty and black hair culture. “In Private Moments” opens on April 10th, at FiveMyles gallery

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in Brooklyn. For more info, head over to www.FiveMyles.org.

STREET GEMS STREET ART PAIGE SMITH

Arist Paige Smith has bedazzled the streets of Los Angeles with some intricately crafted geodes made of paper and paint that she installs in urban nooks and crannies. Consider the skill it takes to create and then secretly install this multi-faceted work, and keep your eyes peeled in So Cal. You might be lucky and discover some of these lovely street gems

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REBUILDING OUR COMMUNITY BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE A d v o c ate s fo r t h e fu n d a m e nta l s of l i fe , n u r t u r i n g t h e c u r i osity in every child. Youth of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, a b l e a n d d i s a b l e s h o u l d h a v e t h e c h o i c e to p r o s p e r i n l i fe , a n d T h e To x i n Y o u t h F o u n d a t i o n s u p p o r t s t h e m o n t h e i r q u e s t to fulfillment. v i s i t tox i n y o u t h . o r g

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