April 30, 2026
NEW YORK (AP) — For years, anti-gay epithets and sentiments in rap have largely been accepted, along with its frequent misogyny and violence, as part of the hip-hop culture — a culture that has been slow to change, even as gays enjoy more mainstream acceptance. But a shift appears to be on the horizon.
Solange Knowles is known as the funkier sister, compared to her glamazon sibling Beyoncé. From her DJing to her dazzling ensembles, her bohemian style has been praised by both fans and fashion industry insiders alike. Now, Solange is parlaying her unique image into her first gig headlining a fashion campaign.
Already a face for the beauty and hair care company Carol’s Daughter, Solange Knowles is now a muse for Madewell, with whom she secured her very first fashion contract. A company owned by J. Crew, Madewell is known for its more youthful approach to the colorful classics that make J.Crew a favorite brand of first lady Michelle Obama.
“Images from the 26-year-old’s first major contract with a fashion label have been released, showing the photogenic singer-songwriter in a series of rainbow-colored looks,” reports the Daily Mail about the newly released photos. Unafraid of color, Knowles also parades in contrasting patterns, an overall approach that matches her signature tastes.
Celebrity style watchers have praised the company’s selection of Solange, as a DJ and eclectic dresser, to head the campaign titled “Mix Well.” The mixing and matching of stylish combinations to produce cute outfits is seen by many as the perfect metaphor for both Madewell’s brand, and the multi-faceted “It Girl” aura Solange has cultivated.
“In what’s possibly the most appropriate slogan ever, Madewell’s newest campaign, ‘Mix Well,’ features DJ/style star/under-30 influencer Solange Knowles. (Mix. DJ. Get it?),” explains the leading fashion web site, Refinery 29. “As the face of the Madewell fall ’12 campaign, Knowles is officially the perfect choice for a collection that has already inspired us to get creative with the way we style ourselves.”
While Solange has made a unique place for herself in New York City’s style scene, this is her first attempt to capitalize on her individual fashion sense in a national campaign. Do you think her unusual image will inspire shoppers to adopt her mix-and-sometimes-mismatch approach to fashion?
by Alexis Garrett Stodghill via Solange makes debut as the face for Madewell fashion line | theGrio.
“Life has two rules: Number 1, never quit! Number 2, always remember rule number 1.”
–Duke Ellington, legendary jazz pianist, composer and bandleader
When the developer Bruce Ratner set out to buy the New Jersey Nets and build an arena for them in Brooklyn, he recruited Jay-Z, the hip-hop superstar who grew up in public housing a couple of miles from the site, to join his group of investors.
Mr. Ratner may have thought he was getting little more than a limited partner with a boldface name and a youthful following that could prove useful someday. But Jay-Z’s contributions have dwarfed the $1 million he invested nine years ago. His influence on the project has been wildly disproportionate to his ownership stake — a scant one-fifteenth of one percent of the team. And so is the money he stands to make from it.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2ZjVDMyfv4]
Singer Janelle Monáe is the latest addition to the gorgeous legacy of Cover Girl spokeswomen. She is joining fellow music artists Pink, Queen Latifah, and Taylor Swift to become the new face of the cosmetic line. Her first Cover Girl campaign is set to launch in next month’s Vogue.
Monáe has a unique hip-hop and soul sound. The Bad Boy artist, known for wearing only black and white, was nominated for a Grammy for her debut EP. Monae is more than a singer and songwriter, she is on a unique mission to encourage women to use all their artistic powers to play, change, and transform. Her website reports that she is excited to open up a new platform to inspire women.
via Janelle Monáe named the new face of Cover Girl | theGrio.
ITHACA, N.Y. — Hip hop pioneer DJ Afrika Bambaataa (pictured) (bam-BAH’-tah) has been appointed to a three-year term as a visiting scholar at Cornell University.
“If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.”
–Marvin Gaye, singer/songwriter, musician & Motown legend
Forbes magazine has named the hip-hop power couple at the top of their 2012 ‘Highest-Paid Celebrity Couples’ list.
The duo have earned a total of $78 million in the past year. Beyoncé took in $40 million with endorsements, album sales, and royalties, while Jay-Z took in $38 million with his Watch the Throne album sales and tour with Kanye West. The “Crazy in Love” duo managed to accumulate so much and still took time off for the birth of their first child, daughter Blue Ivy.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé replaced last year’s highest earning couple, NFL quarterback Tom Brady and supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen, who amassed a total of $72 million this year. Third on the Forbes list are soccer player David Beckham and wife fashion designer Victoria Beckham, who earned $54 million. Brad Pitt and Angelia Jolie are placed at fourth earning $45 million, and rounding out the list of five are Will and Jada Pinkett Smith with $40 million.
via Forbes: Jay-Z and Beyoncé world’s highest paid celebrity couple | theGrio.
“Sometimes you’ve got to let everything go–purge yourself. I did that. I had nothing, but I had my freedom… [W]hatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you’re free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.”
— Tina Turner, Pop, Rock and R&B singing legend
“Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn’t mean he lacks vision.”
–Stevie Wonder, musical legend