Paved the Path: Grace and Style

Before there was Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Rihanna, or any other "edgy" showgirl of our generation, there was Grace Jones.
The influential actress,singer, and model was born in Jamaica in 1948 and found fame in the United States throughout the 80s and 90s while also building her brand all over the world.

Fluent in many languages and well-versed in the power of Black enterprise, Grace Jones constantly pushed the envelope in regard to her image and presence in media. Her signature facial features, incredible physique, haircut, and shoulder pads led to the popularity of fusing androgony with bold, unapologetic sexuality.
Ms. Jones embodies the very spirit and energy of a strong Black woman who embraces everything she has to offer. She continues to serve as an inspiration to those in the industry today, and I genuinely respect her ability to break barriers over the decades.
As a woman, lover of pop culture, and fashion devotee, I salute the icon and living legend that is Grace Jones.

Happy Black History Month

-With Love, Farasha xo

Paved The Path: The First of the First

Beauty and brains. Michelle Obama is one of many definitions of a strong black woman. The first African American first lady of the United States, standing strong beside her President instead of behind. Michelle Obama is a woman of empowerment and an inspiration to all women. She's an example of how far African American women have come over the years. Michelle not only shares her knowledge, but her incredible fashion sense as well. This woman sets trends in and outside of the White House. Michelle Obama is truly amazing and a role model for many, myself included.

Thank you, Michelle Obama

With Style,

NyjerahNicole

Paved The Path: The Last True King

Probably the most important post I'll ever do aside from when I sign my first contract lol But in light of BHM I think that it wouldnt make sense for the Pave the Path series to not include the most influential man in the history of music. Only a few names such as James Brown, Prince, Steavie Wonder can be mentioned in the same breath as the great Michael Jackson. He not only re-defined the genre of Pop, but revolutionized and inspired just about every mainstream genre existent today. Oh yeah, he set the standard for the 'music video' with Thriller which happened to be the highest selling album of all-time that will never ever be matched. Michael Jackson is the Michael Jordan of Music (fitting they did a video/song together off his classic album dangerous). Plain and simple, without Michael there would be no Kanye West, no Alicia Keys, no Ne-Yo, no Justin Bieber, no Chris Brown, no Wyclef Jean, no Pharell, no Black Eyed Peas, or any popular mainstream artist of our current generation. When he passed last year, I cried just like every other artist or fan touched by his music and greatness did. However, they were tears of joy mixed with sadness because he was trully the Last True King of our time.

Letter After T, Before V

'U'

Paved the Path: Clutch

February 17th, 1963 Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born to Deloris Peoples and James Jordan in Brooklyn, NY. It wasn't known then but he would go on to become the greatest basketball player of all time. MJ would go on to become an Icon in the world of sports, the NBA, and sneakers the world over. A man of great stature and desire MJ dealt with his fair share of setbacks throughout his life. The lose of his father which triggered his early retirement was a  major setback. Being cut from his High School Varsity team because he was deemed too short at 5'11" didn't stop him from following his dream to play basketball.. He went on to become a star at Laney High and go on to play for the University of North Carolina where his sophomore and junior he was voted as an All American and received player of the year awards (in his junior season). He went on to be drafted 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls and that would ever change the basketball world forever. Wearing his shorts longer larger than other players, banned sneakers, sticking his tongue out mid air when scoring MJ was in your face and unabashedly himself. 6X NBA Champion, 5X NBA MVP, 6X Finals MVP and host of other accolades that propelled him to being (arguably) the Greatest of All Time. MJ also left an impression on the sneaker world and is easily one of the 3 major reasons this blog exist. Air Jordan's are (in my opinion) the greatest sneakers ever created. MJ (along with Nike) completely flipped the sneaker world on its ears. Adidas was the premier sneaker company at the time and a fairly unknown Nike took a chance on MJ and turned him into a Multi-Million dollar icon and Nike into a Multi-Billion Dollar company. Role Model, Superstar, Icon, and Mogul Michael Jordan epitomizes what can be achieved with a burning desire and a will to win. So I raise my Jordan VII (hehe!) to him and say Kudos MJ. ENJOI!



"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."

- Michael Jordan

Stay RURF
Sdot

Words Cannot Express... Or Maybe They Can...

"You are not perfection
but you are beautifully flawed
To the women who carry more weight than the average
understand, that this is only to cushion the blows of truth wrapped in gut feelings.
To the laps, tummies and chest of big momma syndrome,
That children rest their heads on and make them feel at home,
Look at it as being built as a mansion, instead of a house
You are more comfortable to live in." - From 'Beautifully Human' by Simply Kat

I had the opportunity to go to Pace University this past weekend and partake in the watching of some free comedy, spoken word, rapping, and music. The powerful words I quoted at the beginning were spoken by the beautiful young lady pictured above And I have to say I was quite awestricken by her passion and conviction. That young woman, Simply Kat (as she is so eloquently called), performed several of her pieces for the audience. It felt like I fell in love with poetry all over again because of her. I had gone through a stint where poetry/spoken word just didn't hit me like it use to. Sometimes people are just too cheesy or hipster or wannabe deep and their isn't any real passion in what they are writing (or saying) and it shows. Not Kat. Each poem from her really brought me back to memories of how spoken word is suppose to make you feel. I am indebted to her for that much. Her poems 'Purple', 'Beautifully Human' and 'Love for Nemo' (each which she performed at the show) were wonderful. Each poem had a message that hit home for me. Purple, my favorite of the three, was a much needed reminder to me of how important it is to follow your dreams and live your life for no one but yourself and the ones you love. I was so moved that I felt the need to support and had the chance to purchase her book of spoken word entitled 'Human'. I sat and read the entire thing on the long ride home back to NJ and I loved every bit of it. She is an awesome poet and a great person (she's pretty cute too :-) and I just had to let all of our readers know that there are those who are passionate and skilled, at what they do, out there and it must be commended. That's all I got for now ENJOI!

to contact Kat:
Kattmagill@gmail.com
Http://www.myspace.com/listen/love/live

Stay RURF
Sdot

Jadakiss: LiL Bruh-So Raspy (God Bless Us All) Freestyle.

Last night I was listening to Flex drop all his bombs around 10:30, and to my auditory pleasure, he happened to hit the audience with a recent freestyle from one of my favortie lyricists Jadakiss.


In true form, Jada comes back with bar after bar of dropping knowledge and advice to all the "Lil Bruh"s out there as he covers the beat from N.E.R.D's track "God Bless Us All" off of their album entitled Nothing.


I personally love this freestyle. It's real, it's honest, and it's smooth to listen to. The beat already knocks, thanks to Pharrell, and the addition of Jadakiss's swag and familiar flow just make it complete. Flex gassed it for a good reason. It came right on time, considering so many of our peers are facing stress and struggle from all facets of life. Def some motivational verses for all who sit and listen.


It took a day for it to reach the web & it still has all his tags lol , but here it is: click & enjoy it while it's still fresh. Oh, and then feel free to comment on what you think!!

With Love, xo

Hubby Kicks...

I've been a little reminiscent with Valentine's Day rapidly approaching, and I've been thinking of our generation on a whole and how we regard the concept of Love, Like, and Lavishly Lacing our "significant" other around this time of year. I randomly came across an ad for the new Valentine's Nike Dunks and I immediately said to myself, "kids still cop Valentines sneakers??!". LoL, it seems like just yesterday I was (literally)  running around SoHo at 6:45 in the freezing snow trying to get my man the Un-Tiffany's before Clientele closed. Man 2006, those days were so fun, adventurous, and youthful.

Years later, I'm amazed that the same innocence, yet sincerety of going on a quest for the perfect Valentine's Day gift still exists. Fly little 11th graders may be running to the mall to get those new SB's for their boo as I type this..and I applaud them. I haven't been with my "Un-Tiffany" for years now, but while love may fade for whatever reason, kicks are forever. Nowadays, ladies look to jewelry, designer names their basic a%# can barely pronounce, and trips around the world to validate their counterpart, but I've always been a sucker for something a little more thoughtful and practical.

Admittedly, my 20's and my enrollment at a fashion school have transformed me into an official boot/heel/shoe rocker...my Nike's are a thing of the past. Lol, but I will never forget the thought and effort that was put into those Air Max 97's back when things felt so sweet and real.

I suppose this post is simply dedicated to all of us girls who remember the days when Prince Charming came bearing a size 5Y. Fellas, it was fun, and I hope you all approach this lovers' holiday with some spunk, creativity, and more. Let it serve as a reminder that a good gift is damn near eternal because of the memories and symbolism that are associated with such. Now that we're all old enough to (legally) pop some champagne, I'll toast to the Good Ol' Days. ; ) Happy Valentine's Day in advance VOQ fam.

With Love, xo