Archive for January, 2014

Happy First Monday of 2014!

Now that everyone is out of their stupor from the Holidays, we’ve decided to kick things back into full swing by saying farewell to the year that just past and looking forward to the year ahead. There were a number of trends, individuals and people who made a splash in 2013 but we’ll be focusing on who will be even more successful in 2014. This list is comprised of artists and musicians of who we think will #OWNIT this year through the lens of style, and note that it’s not a list of any particular order but rather a collection of people you should keep bookmarked in your mind as the year progresses.

When the year is all said and done, all we’ll be able to do is reference these posts and say we told you so. With that said, let’s jump right in.

Kanye West
If this was a numbered list of people to actually keep your eye on, Kanye would be number one. During his Yeezus press rounds and recent interviews of admittedly trying (and failing) to receive funding for his fashion label dea, although polarizing amongst audiences, showed his passion for clothes and style. He recently announced a partnership with adidas Y-3. If anyone lives style burning through their every day, it’s this man. With a prospective album dropping in the Summer and the launch of his adidas line in the Fall, it will definitely be a notable year for Mr. West.

Pharrell Williams
In terms of music, Pharrell had the best year with the notable singles like “Get Lucky” and “Blurred Lines” that dominated radio for the entirety of 2013. The only competition for this past year’s summer anthem was himself. Pharrell has obviously been a mainstay as a musician, fashion icon and celebrity for over a decade now — and he doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Nor looking any older.

Drake
With the release of Nothing Was The Same, Drake keeps pushing the ceiling up for himself as a mainstay in not only hip-hop but popular culture as a whole. Constantly wavering from radio single to hip-hop backpacker tracks, Drake shows no signs of slowing with his team October’s Very Own where they produce their own merch, direct their own videos and produce their songs from the front to the back. Not to mention, Drizzy has been such an advocate for his hometown Toronto, Canada and recently became a Toronto Rappers executive pulling a page out of Jay Z’s book.

Justin Timberlake
When Justin Timberlake announced his return to music after a long hiatus and foray into acting, the world kept their eyes fixed on the showman in the Spring with The 20/20 Experience Part 1, all the way to Fall with The 20/20 Experience Part 2. With the singles “Suit & Tie” with Jay-Z and “Mirrors,” Timberlake kept the dapper look on point consistently being seen in a — you guessed it — suit and (bow)tie.

Kendrick Lamar
When you’re regarded as hip-hop’s best lyricist by nearly the entirely industry after calling out each individual specifically, you’ve definitely been validated. Kendrick Lamar’s infamous “Control” verse solidified his place in this rap game. He was then brought onto the Yeezus tour with Kanye West which was on everyone’s Instagram feeds. Like we need to remind you.

Childish Gambino
Donald Glover once modeled for a Gap ad before anyone really knew him from NBC’s Community, his stand-up comedy act and his musical persona Childish Gambino. He has always been into style and even had a song on one of his earliest mixtapes entitled “I Love Clothes.” However, 2013 saw his evolution as he became more about art and the modern communication with his latest album Because The Internet. We’re excited to see where the multi-talented Donald Glover takes his career and various personas, in addition to what they’ll look and sound like, in 2014.

A$ AP Rocky
It’s no secret that A$ AP Rocky is someone who’s into fashion with his ties to upscale brands. He even walked the runway for the Hood By Air show. The release of his debut studio album LONG.LIVE.A$ AP started off the year and he’s been on the radio for that record for the entire year. He’s most notably a mainstay in fashion circles and blogs, which keeps his brand alive and fans eager for the next project.

Big Sean
This past year, we saw the evolution of Big Sean in terms of solo career when he released a project named Hall of Fame which was a conceptually-driven project that was intended to surpass the surface-level verses he spits on radio singles with Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne and Jhene Aiko. Big Sean definitely kept the ball rolling in good company with guest appearances on his album by Nas, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Miguel, 2Chainz and more. You can also see that he’s trying to build up a whole movement with ventures like his clothing line Aura Gold which is a streetwear line focused on creating products for his fanbase.

Beyoncé
When you release an album with no promotion, no radio singles and no forewarning, apparently the outcome is having one of 2013’s best-selling albums only days after release. Well, maybe it helps that you’re Beyoncé. Queen Bey makes our list of individuals to #OWNIT, even over her better-half and husband, Jay Z. She’s a major deal and it’s no secret. You also don’t need to admit that you’ve been bumping “Drunk In Love.” Surfboardt.

Chance The Rapper
Chance is one of these guys that is building his fanbase up so organically that it’s difficult to turn your shoulder to him. His latest project Acid Rap thrust him onto the scene and on people’s radars with features from Twista, Vic Mensa, BJ The Chicago Kid, Action Bronson, Childish Gambino and Ab-Soul. He also went on his own tour named the Social Experiment Tour in the back half of last year. Talented with the right co-signs and a different sound, the Chicago native is a rapper you should definitely watch in 2014.