Volume 101, Issue 3 Sept 8, 2016
The Student Voice of Howard University Since 1924 @TheHilltopHU
CAMPUS BLACK
HISTORY: Treasured Archive at The Mecca (Pg. 4) CULTURE YOUNG THUG: The Dress and The Artist (Pg. 10)
@TheHilltop1924
#EXPERIENCEBLUEPRINT
Homecoming 2016 – What Can We Expect?
Photo Courtesy: www.howard.edu
Loving Your Body For You Justin Cohen News Staff Writer
Jacinth Jones Campus Staff Writer
The much endorsed super model body type has been called the culprit for low self-esteem in American women for decades.
With the title “The Blueprint,” known to be this year’s Howard University Homecoming theme, the highly anticipated and most recognized occasion at The Mecca returns in less than two months.
Acceptable representations of bodies and their identities are designated by whom or what makes magazine covers; however, unrepresentative of an actual demographic of 2016 American women the cover may be. Charli Howard, model at MUSE New York City, and Clémentine Desseaux, French model and owner of BonjourClem, a style-inspired website, have responded with a new initiative called the All Woman Project: A collaboration of models of different shapes, sizes as well as ages and ethnicities to promote inclusivity in the modeling world. The BODY POSITIVITY CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
The annual Howard affair, which the main events are to occur October 18-23, is quickly approaching. As presumed, the Fashion Show, Greek Step Show and Pep Rally are already allotted to the homecoming weekend schedule. Entertainers and musicians remain to be confirmed. Katherine Summerlynn Powell, student public relations and marketing director for the Howard University Homecoming Steering Committee, said that this year’s homecoming brand offers something for both current Bison and alumni, calling it “one for the books.” “We went with “Blueprint” because we wanted something
Photo Courtesy: www.howard.edu
that set a new standard and lay the foundation for future Howard Homecomings to come,” she said. This year’s slogan, “Recognizing the Past, Celebrating the Present and Embracing the Future” provides alumni, current students and the greater D.C. metropolitan area a glimpse of what to expect. Elements of former homecomings have already made a resurgence. including the most recent critically-acclaimed Yardfest in 2012, which featured music artist Drake as it’s headliner. This year’s “International Yardfest” scheduled to occur on Friday, October 21. It is unclear whether “Blueprint’s” Yardfest will live up to the “Old Howard” ways with music artist such as 2010’s Wale and Slick Rick, 2011’s Naughty by Nature and Kanye West and 2013’s Big Sean, but the hype and speculation is well underway.
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CAMPUS Maya King Campus Editor
Q&A: The Return of the HU Fashion Council
After nearly a decade-long hiatus, the Howard University Fashion Council, a fashion design group and quasi-governing body within the College of Arts and Sciences under the Department of Art is making a return. The force behind the revamping of the council is sophomore Javari Miller, a fashion design major from Washington, D.C. Campus Editor Maya King sat down with Javari to learn more about the Fashion Council and learn of his plans for the future: Q: What inspired you to re-start the Fashion Council? A: For me it was baffling that—at Howard—the fashion design department wasn’t at the forefront even though everyone here likes to pop out and dress up all the time. I knew from the moment I heard about the former fashion council that I wanted to pick up where they last left off. They were active off campus, [doing things like] meeting with Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons but I wanted to do more on campus. I thought, why not? It was like killing two birds with one stone.
Q: Where are you right now in the process of moving forward with the re-establishment of the Fashion Council? A: Right now we’re just getting a foundation together. We are currently trying to establish a constitution and are meeting to discuss the planning for the actual council and what it means for the next year on campus.
Q: What do you plan to do with the “new” Fashion Council in the coming year? I want to start in the fashion design department [with the Fashion Council] as a governing body—I want to make sure everyone in that department is a force in whatever they do. I [also] want to host on-campus events like one teaching people how to wear certain things…like informal sessions with males on how to wear a suit and tie a tie.
Q: What is your primary goal for the Council?
THE HILLTOP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
A: I want us to have a fashion show by the end of the year. Inspired by a non-profit organization that did something similar during Fashion Week. I can’t really tell you too much because I wanted it to be a surprise. But know that I want it to happen.
Q: Are there any trends you might want to start or see on campus? A: I definitely want to see a little more unity across all fashion [leaders] on campus. I know it’s a cutthroat industry but right now we’re all here, coexisting. Why not try to work together and do big things for Howard? I want to see us be a lot more cohesive and do things together instead of battling.
Q: What do you wish to see in the future of Howard fashion? A: I want to see a more creative side of the student body. I want the creatives to offer their input or maybe even join the council. I want them to be more active. I want to see everyone put forth their best talent.
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MANAGING EDITOR Rushawn Walters ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Nadaysia Brooks COPY CHIEF Sylvester Johnson III ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE Akiah Singfield ASSISTANT COPY CHIEF Devin Barnwell CAMPUS EDITOR Maya King EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: eic@thehilltoponline.com NEWS EDITOR Amber Broaden MANAGING: managing1@thehilltoponline.com CULTURE EDITOR Xavier Handy-Hamilton HIRING: hiring@thehilltoponline.com SPORTS EDITOR Brittany Webb BUSINESS: business@thehilltoponline.com PHOTO EDITOR Crystal Smith
Zora Neale Hurston (18911960), co-founder of The Hilltop Newspaper, is considered one of the pre-eminent writers of twentieth-century African-American literature.
THE HILLTOP • 9-8-2016 • 3
BODY POSITIVITY CONTINUED FROM COVER project launched in the U.S. on Wednesday, August 31. Models like Iskra Lawrence, spokesperson for the body positive branding of Aerie, are included in campaign to show “the beauty of difference” as Vogue Magazine puts it in their beauty article “Meet the Models Calling for a Body Diversity Revolution in Fashion” on August 30. The campaign strives to connect those of different races, ages and body types all into the same shot, thwart conventional standards of beauty and dispel size zero prestige. Both Howard and Desseaux were models who made headlines when Howard wrote an open letter to her ex-modeling firm after allegedly being told she was “too big” and “out of shape” to work in the fashion industry and consequently being fired. The ordeal drove them to dedicate time, create and
advocate for body acceptance among women. Howard herself has released videos and conducted interviews firing back at the agency that claimed she was “too big”. Writing, in her open letter, “I refuse to feel ashamed and upset on a daily basis for not meeting your ridiculous, unattainable beauty standards, whilst you sit at a desk all day, shovelling cakes and biscuits down your throats and slagging me and my friends off about our appearance.” “We couldn’t understand why regular and plus-size models aren’t featured together more in shoots and campaigns,” said Howard of her campaign. The modeling world has made progress in recent years as the first agency devoted to girls of all-sizes opening its doors in 2013, but it still has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity. According to women’s fashion magazine Refinery 29, 2 percent
CAMPUS of women are truly happy with their bodies, while the remaining 98 percent feel mostly happy with their bodies, to not at all. Another study by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reports about 70 percent of girls grades five through 12 are influenced by magazine models in their idea of a perfect body. Charli Howard and her partners intend to change the conversation on beauty standards and how difficult to achieve they can be. She states that she doesn’t want women to covet the perfect body; instead, she wants women to strive for self-love. “As a consumer, you deserve to look at a fashion image and see yourself represented,” said Howard. “Not just a row of skinny Caucasian girls, but a variety of sizes and colors.”
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Opinion: Do Howard Students Just Want to “Pop Out”?
Arelia Johnson Campus Staff Writer
“Yass, Hunni! We are Beat!” Is the phrase every Howard student will most likely hear when he or she is walking across the yard or sitting in the café. Howard University has its own flavor and take on what is stylish and trendy. With the start of the new year, many students have broken out their “Monday’s” best to match the perception and feel of the campus. Brothers were wearing bow ties, full suits and had their sock games together, while the sisters on-campus adorned themselves with septum rings, Steve Maddens or a colorful romper. Last year, an opinion piece was written that associated the campus’s fashion
sense with less-than-perfect academic ability. To be honest, the assessment was fair and poignant. It is true that many on our campus have a certain preoccupation with image that is not only unhealthy but also, in many ways, obsessive. I, however, am proctoring a different point of view. I believe Howard is a place where the diversity of Blackness—regardless of how it is presented—can and will be embraced. On any given day one may see women on campus rocking the latest protective-style, lace fronts, bald heads and perms. Brothers present themselves in a plethora of ways. There is an unspoken dress code, sure, but it is one of looking
the best and being the best as well. Howard is a cultural phenomenon and a place where Black bodies can find a home in any number of arenas. Only at Howard can one see how image plays such a strong role in how Black Lives Matter to Black people on a historically Black campus. And let’s be honest, it is hard to be us anywhere else because there is always someone out in the world telling us that we are wrong in being who we are and who we are meant to be. American comedian and actress Leslie Jones’ struggle, which is one of too many out in the world, have shown us this. So, yes! We are showing up
to class with our faces “beat for the gods.” And yes! We are all popping out this year because there is a new sense of being beautiful, Black and free. Howard is that place for us to do it. It is the intersection of style, eclectic living and creative expression. But,
don’t get it twisted. If you spend more time picking out your wardrobe than you do preparing for class, you may not make it for the week. In fact, you may not make past the first semester. How good you look should be matched by how good of a student you are.
Photo Credit: Crystal Smith, Photo Editor
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CAMPUS
Photo Credit: Maya King, Campus Editor
Photo Credit: Maya King, Campus Editor
A Treasure Among Us: Moorland-Spingarn Research Center Maya King Campus Editor
THE HILLTOP IS ACTIVELY SEEKING A WEB EDITOR AND LAYOUT (GRAPHICS) EDITOR.
THINK YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES? MORE INFO ON OUR WEBSITE: THEHILLTOPONLINE. COM/OPENINGS
When the MoorlandSpingarn Research Center opened its doors for the first time in 1914, it was known to the Howard community as the Library of Negro Life, consisting of a small collection of and books and antislavery paraphernalia.
Howard student Ta-Nehisi Coates, made extensive use of its resources—that owed in part, perhaps, to his father, who was an employee of the center for more than five years.
“Moorland held archives, papers, collections, and virToday, the two-floor research tually any book ever written center is recognized as the by or about black people”, world’s largest and most Coates said of the value he comprehensive collection placed in his time at Moorof documents dedicated to land-Spingarn in his novel the preservation of AfricanBetween the World and Me. American history and “For the most significant culture. portion of my time at The Mecca, I followed a simple “If I could talk about ritual. I would walk into the [MSRC] enough, I would tell Moorland reading room and you what our pamphlet says,” fill out three call slips for said Dr. Clifford Muse, inthree different works.” terim director of the research center, located in Founder’s The MSRC prides itself on Library. “The Moorlandits rich history, having been Spingarn Research Center hailed “one of the world’s is truly the nation’s largest premier centers for the study collection of black artifacts of the black experience” by in the world.” Howard’s library division. Among the most notable Before the advent of the age of its collections are more of technology, Moorland-Sp- than 70 books and bound ingarn was one of the most newspapers donated by John effective vehicles by which Cromwell, founder of one Howard students could of the nation’s first black conduct research. In fact, a newspapers, The People’s number of undergraduates, Advocate and the national including author and former archives of Alpha Phi Al-
pha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greekletter fraternity founded for African-Americans. Yet, the MSRC and its staff have found themselves in a long period of adjustment, given Howard’s financial woes and a series of changes in leadership. “There are only two major repositories in the world that document the global black experience,” said Howard Dodson, former director of the MSRC, in a past interview with the New York Times. “One of them, Moorland-Spingarn, is in a state of crisis.” However, in the midst of the myriad issues it faces, the MSRC, like many of Howard’s establishments, is not going anywhere. Rather, it is evolving and looking to serve a new purpose within the Howard community. If one looks around the reading room of MoorlandSpingarn in 2016, he or she will most likely see a very different use of the room’s resources than they may have since its founding.
Nayssa DeVora Davis, a freshman legal communications major, is like many current undergraduates in that she views the MSRC as more of a sanctuary than a true resource. “I really enjoy spending time in Moorland-Spingarn mostly because it’s a quiet place where I can study by myself without any interruption,” said Davis. “I don’t really need to use the Dewey Decimal System it has available but I can appreciate the history it represents.” The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Today, its focus remains of compiling and preserving black artifacts while still making great efforts to remain relevant in the face of students’ changing interests. “This place will be a hub of activity,” said Mr. Dodson, in reference to the center’s bright future. “Come back soon.”
THE HILLTOP • 9-8-2016 • 5
NEWS
Photo Credit: Amber Broaden, News Editor
Photo Credit: Amber Broaden, News Editor
Photo Credit: Amber Broaden, News Editor
Photo Credit: Kyndal Thomas, Northwestern University
{{{READ MORE ABOUT OUR NEWS EDITOR’S EXPERIENCE AT #AFROPUNK2016 ON PAGE 9!!!}}}
Photo Credit: Amber Broaden, News Editor
Photo Credit: Amber Broaden, News Editor
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT CHAPEL Did you know that there are locations on campus for silent prayer and mediation? Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel Monday – Friday ~ 8:30 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. Interfaith Prayer Room (Blackburn Center Room 142) Daily ~ 7:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.
Members of the Howard Bison Football Team stand during their Call to Chapel.
Monday, September 12th Faith & Ethics in the Workplace “Staying Conscious in an Unconscious World” with Dr. Otis Moss, III 12:00 Noon
Join us this Sunday… 11:00 A.M. – Cramton Auditorium Rev. Dr. Otis B. Moss, III Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ Chicago, Illinois
“Deeper in Faith – Wider in Community”
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Twitter/Instagram: @MikeXAnderson
All Photo Credit: Michael Anderson
THE HILLTOP • 9-8-2016 • 7
Black & White: Capturing the Beauty of the Mecca Amber Broaden News Editor “Anyone who wanted their portrait taken, I would take it. I did not really care about the responses I would get, I am not doing things for anyone else or comparing myself to other artists because I am just doing what I like,” said photographer and current Howard University Bison Michael Anderson. A junior majoring in business marketing, Anderson can be spotted walking around the campus in between classes with his Nikon D7000 capturing portraits of the beautiful people at Howard University. However, he is not your average business student. This 20-year-old student should be noted as one of 2016’s upcoming photography phenom as he masters the craft of photography that examines culture and the versatility of the Black individual as his art.
wanted their portrait taken, too, so I did not feel like I adding to the beauty that you see at Howard, but magnifying what is already here.” The photo series shows the varying identities, cultures and forms of expression at Howard University, which has given Anderson the opportunity to capture the images of notable people both on- and off-campus. Anderson also had the op-
portunity of photographing a few of Howard’s elite including, Dr. Gregory Carr, chair of the African-American History department, Lance Gross, notable 2004 Howard University Alumnus, and Howard President Wayne A.I. Frederick. “Everyone that I interviewed happened on a whim,” Anderson said. “However, when I captured President Frederick, his guards assumed I was rushing him at first, but
after we took the picture, the only thing Frederick asked was that I did not turn him into a meme.” Through his images, Anderson said he portrays the beauty of the individual, which, has allowed him to build bonds with many new faces he has not interacted with on campus before. After taking their portrait, his protégés engage with him warmheartedly as they pass each other on-campus.
As Anderson pursues his interest in photography, he intends to further his current partnership for Teen Vogue this month. Teen Vogue notified Howard University early last week that introduced Anderson to the possibility of being a campus photographer for their fashion spread in September. The magazine plans to have a fashion spread on campus style from a wide range of students and has reached out to eight schools, including Howard, Spelman College and Harvard University to assist.
Preceding his work with photographing house parties, social gatherings like Howard’s Very Own “Rep Your City” event and D.C.’s annual Broccoli City Festival, Anderson launched his own photo-series, Noir.
“It was by chance that this opportunity came to me,” Anderson said. “Teen Vogue wanted me as a campus photographer for their September issue.” The craft of photography has always been expected to relay a message to the viewer without words being used to express it any further.
Anderson describes his Noir series as a black and white campaign that he streamlined in less than two weeks. Anderson took 145 portraits on Howard’s campus and posted each photo onto his Twitter account so that he could broadcast the culture and variety of students on campus.
As he is able to represent Black culture and inspire others to believe in their beauty, Anderson is eager to continue his craft and expound on more innovative multimedia ideas.
“Art is subjective, but black and white colors make people focus and think about the people when you take the color away,” he said. “A wide spectrum of people
“I want to embody the energy of the people, the environment in my pictures. It is best to let people know they look beautiful even when they do not feel that way,” he said. “I would love to further attend events to capture more of these intimate moments with the people behind the lens.”
“It is important that I reach people with my pictures and mentor as well because there is plenty of room for growth,” said Anderson. “This is the year to do it.” Courtesy Photo
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CULTURE
Release of the New Balance 990s Xavier Handy-Hamilton Culture Editor “The heritage of the 990 is respected in the DMV,” said shoe designer June Sanders at an August 30 DTLR prerelease party held at popular restaurant venue, Lost Society. DTLR, a DMV apparel, footwear and music retailer with over 100 stores across the country, introduced the DTLR exclusive 990 model New Balances and are currently only carried in DMV stores. Yet despite the exclusivity of this shoe, the uniqueness and quality of the product are forcing “sneakerheads” nationwide into a nascar-esque race for these kicks.
and Southeast D.C. native, Marquis King, popularly known as “Shy Glizzy,” took to Twitter stating, “Whoever made those ‘DMV’ 990’s need to go back and remodel em. I don’t see D.C. nowhere in them.”
of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, is the pulse of this often misunderstood world of sneakers.
While most of the sneaker trends the DMV has popularized eventually received Sneakers have grown from nationwide recognition, a necessity you put on when affection for the 990 model you want to shoot hoops or of the New Balance is a love run track into a multi-billion that for the most part has dollar business as well as a remained within the district. fashion statement. The DMV, The District has previously also known as the nickname birthed some of many of tofor a coalition of the District day’s popular sneaker trends,
Photo Credit: Xavier Handy-Hamilton, Culture Editor
such as the Nike Foamposites and the Ray Guns.
consumer market of DC and Virginia?
Sanders, designer of the 990 New Balance model and product design manager for DTLR, said he aspires to push the shoe outside of its local celebrity.
While the packaging of the 990’s is covered with detailed regional maps and flags incorporating the region as a whole, controversy has been raised over whether the design of the shoe itself only pays homage to Maryland.
“I always want to create something that feels right, and this felt right,” he said. The DMV 990’s might have felt right to Sanders, but what about the shoe-buying
So much has been criticized about the design of the sneaker that popular rapper
“The Maryland flag is the most pronounced,” Sanders stated when asked to respond. “The colors of the shoe and the flag together made for a more aesthetically pleasing product.” Recording artist Fat Trel, a D.C. native rapper, spoke out about the controversy surrounding the shoe. “[The shoe] represents the DMV as a whole… they just mean you’re representing, you’re putting on,” the rapper said. “I think [the shoes] are pushing our culture. I think they are very much appreciated. Shout out to New Balance, I can’t wait to actually put them on.”
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THE HILLTOP • 9-8-2016 • 9
CULTURE
Music, Fashion and Afropunk: The Inspirational Experience
Park. “Excuse me, excuse me,” Lee said as he moved passed me. It was only until he was inside of the park that I had realized it was him!
Amber Broaden News Editor
It’s been close to two weeks since AFROPUNK Festival 2016 shook everyone’s lives in Brooklyn on Aug. 27 and 28. And, personally, I still cannot get over the music, activism and fashion legends that I passed by during my two-day experience. AFROPUNK’s unapologetic dialogue against issues of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and hatefulness through ableism, ageism and fatphobia created a magically safe space for people of the Black Diaspora and allies, to gather and be express themselves for a day or two. “This is a space for loving and being in a Black body that is positive, promotes freedom and imagination,” said Valerie Thomas, associate professor of English and Africana Studies at Pomona College. “I felt very protected and connected to everyone in this space.” The two-day experience granted me the opportunity to witness my favorite
Photo Credit: Cameron Clarke
artists on stage, some of which included Flying Lotus, Sángo, Tyler, the Creator, Ice Cube, Kelela and The Internet. Author and poet Nikki Giovanni, also presented a poem before Laura Mvula, upcoming British-American singer and songwriter, performed her set on stage. The cool sightings of seeing other eclectic Black people also enhanced my experience. Princess Nokia, Kamau, Le1f and Spike Lee were spotted talking to many of AFROPUNK’s attendees during the day. “I have been coming here for three years and it always gets better,” said Kamau Agyemen, Brooklyn singer and performer at AFROPUNK 2016. On day two, I heard that Spike Lee had been walking around the park, and at a certain point even had a line waiting to meet him. I was be eager to meet him as well, and I kind of did. I was in Spike Lee’s way as he tried to enter Commodore Barry
Other AFROPUNK attendees also had the chance of meeting various music artists, such as Kamau and Le1f during the festival, as they experienced the festival with people who travelled from around the world to see the artists. “It was really cool seeing Kamau after his performance because he was really sweet and seemed pretty willing to talk,” said Michelle Sanders, junior social policy and African-American studies major at Northwestern University. “He was really engaging as a performer and as a person.”
AFROPUNK was a festival that was so full of vibrant colors, political statements, body art and careless freedom. Outfits seems to reciprocate the energy of each person.
and get a picture.
“I came to witness the beauty of the culture,“ said Jeannetta Cook, an AFROPUNK attendee. “So many people are strong in their own pride and me people have many unique styles.” With body-positivity, eclectic afro-futurism styles and rad hair styles, AFROPUNK was not far from styles we see here on campus. This experience multiplied these stylistic flares that it was impossible not to stare in awe
“This is my third year coming here, and I love seeing people’s different styles, their hair, skin types.” says Brea Pipkens, Brooklyn resident and a AFROPUNK attendee. “Everyone has their own style, and they mix it up and own it!” Within the photoset, I wanted to share some styles that caught my attention and really set the tone for this new-age punk festival. To follow one of the lovely fashionista’s I met during my experience, follow the hashtag #BriaApproved for fashion do’s around New York City.
“I had the opportunity of taking a picture with Le1f, a rapper and producer from New York,” said Sarayah Wright, junior radio, television and film major from Northwestern University. “He asked me if a set was over and I recognized him immediately. His music and videos are so freeing.” Activism and advocacy organizations such as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Care More and Families United for Economic Equality (FUREE) were also set up within the park to promote global outreach to fix universal and domestic disparities. Photo Credit: Amber Broaden, News Editor
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CULTURE
THE COVER: Is that a Dress, Jeffery? Justin Jenkins Culture Staff Writer A cover, a name and a dress. From the beginning, any true fan knew that there was something different about this “No, My Name Is Jeffery” mixtape even before it was dropped.
revealed when speaking to New York–based media platform, Complex. In a recent Calvin Klein commercial, Young Thug expressed that “In my world, of course, it don’t matter,” says Thug.
Atlanta rapper Young Thug revealed his newest music to world Aug. 26 as the music artist continued to push the limits of a typical trap artist, with his most controversial album to date named after his real name, Jeffery.
“You could be a gangster with a dress or you could be a gangster with baggy pants. I feel like it’s no such thing as gender.”
While vocal style and beats are eccentric in classic Young Thug (Jeffery) style, it’s not just his unique sound that is generating attention, it’s the album cover itself. The cover art is Young Thug dressed in an azure Japanesethemed dress designed by Italian designer Alessandro Trincone and photographed by Garfield Lamond. The dress went viral and sent many fans into an uproar. But is this really a surprise in terms of Young Thug’s personality? This is not the first time that Thugger has portrayed himself in women’s clothing, as he’s been selected as the cover boy for Calvin Klein’s latest women fall collection and graced the cover of “Dazed” in a Gucci dress. A snippet of his mentality is
In 2016, some express the moniker ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ as being more important than ever with fighting for both gender and racial equality; however, some won’t be able to accomplish these goals without progressive thought throughout all communities and arts.
Courtesy Photo
Young Thug, Thugger or Jeffrey- whatever you want to call him- is merely that catalyst for revolutionary thinking within the Hip-Hop community, which is a step in the right direction that brings intellectual criticism of what truly defines a trap artist. Thug is still the Zone 3Atlanta-bred rapper and his credibility in the world of trap music is noted. However, his unprecedented push for all around artistry will take not only trap, but the genre of rap to unforeseen heights. Courtesy Photo
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