Its probably bad enough that the school uses the antiquated idolatry of Native Americans as its mascot but having that imagery on the players crotch? Laughable. I know my man Flo was just trying to do a good deed but this #Fail was better left on the drawing board.
Now if you think these are bad. Crosstown rivals, Atlantic High School is vying for the crown of #UniformFail with their own similarly dreadful duds. Which are worst? SOUND OFF!
Palm Beach Post
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Lady Gaga is fat. Or at least that’s how she views it after gaining 25 pounds. But instead of fretting about it (yea I said Fret) she is using it as an opportunity to get women to feel good about themselves. Her new, Body Revolution 2013, is designed to get her fans or “Little Monsters” as she calls them to post their own photos and show that at any size they can love themselves. Along with these photos she posted the caption: “Bulimia and anorexia since I was 15…be brave and post a photo of you that celebrates your triumph over insecurities.”
Thousands of fans have responded. She has been pleasantly surprised by the reaction.
“I have been startled and overwhelmed with pride and emotion the past few days,” she wrote. “Gratitude mostly. Seeing you post photos of things on your bodies and in your minds that you feel society tells you you should be ashamed of. You are showing them you have no shame. My weight/loss/gain since i was child has tormented me. No amount of help has ever healed my pain about it. But YOU have. My boyfriend prefers me curvier, when I eat and am healthy and not so worried about my looks, I’m happy. Happier then I’ve ever been. I am not going to go on a psycho-spree because of scrutiny. This is who I am. And I am proud at any size. And I love you and want you to be proud in any form you may take as well.”
So while I’m not sure that this in anyway fits in the Fat Back category we do celebrate the curvier proportions here at the Nation. So what say you? SMASH or PASS the new more healthy Gaga frame?
“A Body Revolution 2013″ is part of Gaga’s preexisting Born This Way Foundation created to combat bullying and low self esteem. “My mother and I created the BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION for one reason: to inspire bravery,” Gaga wrote. “This profile is an extension of that dream. Be brave and celebrate with us your ‘perceived flaws,’ as society tells us. May we make our flaws famous, and thus redefine the heinous.”
Do you think Gaga looks “heinous” in the photos below?
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This is the home of the Fat Back Award (which oh by the way MAY be making a comeback…we’ll see.) But one thing is for sure Rihanna won’t ever be honored. None the less, she’s a sex symbol. The 24 year old recently posted over 100 new or should I say nude photos to her Facebook account lightly covering the goodies in body paint.
The pics are from the set of her new music video “Where Have You Been.” Ehhh, not for me but what do you think?
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Other black women making the list were Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson and Michelle Obama. Apparently being famous somehow was a prerequisite to beauty according to People Magazine.
“I feel more beautiful than I’ve ever felt because I’ve given birth,” Beyonce said. “I have never felt so connected, never felt like I had such a purpose on this earth,” said Beyoncé, who graces the magazine’s cover. “I’m very honored and it means more to me that I was named this after I became a mother.”
So while we haven’t been Ivy league trained in the science of beauty determination lets second guess People anyway. SOUND OFF: Do you agree that Beyonce is the Most Beautiful Woman in the World?
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“Michelle Obama has risked the wrath of cash-strapped Americans by indulging in a $50,000 shopping spree at Agent Provocateur… ‘Along with the Queen of Qatar, Sheikha Mozah, she closed off part of Madison Avenue to spend time in the luxury lingerie shop.”
The White House has since released a statement vehemently denying the allegations. But should they have to? I believe the argument is that at a time when many Americans are cash strapped the otherwise very thrifty clothing shopper, Michelle Obama shouldn’t be splurging for bedtime goodies. But on the flip side, Valentines Day IS coming up and her man has worked rather hard this past year fighting with Republicans in congress, can’t the brother get a little love? SOUND OFF Should Michelle Obama be allowed to drop 50G’s on Lingerie?
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Shout to: Fresh Like Dougie for the sneak peak.
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To grab hold and stimulate consumer attentions brands have to get crazy maybe even fabricate beef, like the rappers do. That’s exactly what white boy sheik outfitter, Abercrombie & Fitch is doing. “Appauled” by the behavior and his misuse of their clothing, the company is offering to pay Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino NOT to wear them anymore. Abercrombie & Fitch has released a statement, expressing “deep concern” about Sitch’s association withFitch.
“We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans,” the statement says.
So lets go to the tale of the tape: This American retailer focuses on casual wear for affluent white kids aged 18 through 22. Their stores are intentionally dimly lit and blasted with loud music and their signature cologne to resememble the sights, sounds and yes smells of a nightclub.
Brand’s have tried this stunt before but usually trying to bait a celebrity into an endorsement not the opposite. But its a very risky strategy. Remember the whole 50 Cent/ Taco Bell fiasco? #MajorFail. Say what you want about “The Situation” he’s a social icon and represents the character of many of their consumers. No doubt this stunt has already drummed up millions of dollars of “can’t buy” publicity but there is a risk.
Naturally, the company hopes the show’s hosts and fans will actually wear MORE of the brand in deliberate protest conning millions of fans to do the same but there is the chance that Abercrombie is instead raising their noses at the fist pumping, JTL generation or a step further, Italian Americans. That’s a very losing proposition. If the conversation swings in that direction, it could be a slippery slope that would lead the brand into certain demise.
For now, only time will tell. For many brands, however its do or die and such publicity stunts are going to become more frequent and their true intentions exposed more often. Where do you see this controversy ending up going?
]]>So now the once exclusive headphones aren’t as unique because everyone has a pair and in fact, its even being bootlegged. So what do you do when that happens? Well you release a much more expensive pair. Peep the limited edition Detox flavored Beats. While we still don’t have the slightest clue when the album will drop you can show your allegiance with this pricey set of phones retailing for a lofty $599.95. But at least you won’t look like everyone else in the hood. Individuality has its price.
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Some surprises and newcomers from this years list? Check out Wiz Khalifa coming in at #11 with $11 Million in earnings. Rumor has it that figure has adjusted to about $10/ hr considering he’s smoked all of the profits. (My bad, corny joke) I’m kind of surprised that Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross were so low on the list with $6.5 Million and $6 Mill respectively considering the year’s they had but goes to show you when others have their hand in your pockets your bread is going to be split like a pizza pie. In case you were wondering I would have made the list but my album aint drop yet.
Here’s the top 20.
1. Jay- Z $37 Million
2. Diddy $35 Million
3. Kanye West $16 Million
4. Lil’ Wayne $15 Million
5. Bryan “Birdman” Williams $15 Million
6. Eminem $14 Million
7. Dr. Dre $14 Million
8. Snoop Dogg $14 Million
9. Akon $13 Million
10. Ludacris $12 Million
11. Wiz Khalifa $11 Million
12. Drake $11 Million
13. Pharrell Williams $10 Million
14. Timbaland $7 Million
15. Swizz Beatz $6.5 Million
16. Nicki Minaj $6.5 Million
17. Rick Ross $6 Million
18. 50 Cent $6 Million
19. Pitbull $6 Million
20. T- Pain $5 Million / B.O.B. $5 Million
via: Forbes
]]>Founded by three brothers from Newark, the Sagz team was thoughtful enough to include an adjustable waistband with three levels of snaps so that wearers embarrass themselves a little or a lot.
“Our patented concept consists of high-quality jeans that sag naturally,” says the company’s website. “Consumers can ‘sag’ their jeans at different levels without having to constantly pull up their pants, resulting in more time to be active, express themselves and show their SWAG.”
Now what good would a jean company be without a commercial showing off some ass. After all it is how Calvin Klein got started. Mildly amusing, the commercial depicts a nosy neighbor, appalled a decently exposed woman washing her whip and calls the police but when they arrive its the two sagging pants wearers arrested not the woman. (A little political undertones if you ask me but I digress.)
So on behalf of all the Saggin’ youth of America, let me be the first to apologize for this prolonged fad. While I do believe it will someday fade, we’ll just have to put up with it just a little longer.
Via: Daily News
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This morning I saw the new cover of Complex Magazine featuring the gold standard of Diva 2.0, Ms. Beyonce Knowles Carter. For some reason I thought it an odd selection. Sure Complex is a magazine that has reported on and featured her before and is heavily involved in the urban fashion space which is Bey’s sweet spot but in the end Marc Ecko created it to be an Urban, Hip Hop book . It got me to wondering… Is Beyonce still Hip Hop.
Sure she’s married to the prince of the culture and is the “hottest chick in the game wearing his chain” but what game? You’d be hard pressed to find a straight member of the Nation with a Beyonce album on his iPod or going to a concert without a shorty. I think however there was a time, especially when with Destiny’s Child that Beyonce appealed to a more urban audience. If you think about it Kelly Rowland does. She’s all over the Rap remixes, singing hooks. She’s sexy, she’s urban, she’s hip hop.
The truth is with Bey, while we might have always have been conditioned to believe that she appeals to us, only does so in a sexual nature not as a brand. She’s reaching the “Single Ladies” who should had “a ring [put] on it.” and the gay community that emulates her divadom.
Then again, on the flip side I think about the changes of the culture as I write this and wonder….Maybe Hip Hop IS more feminine today, appealing to a more Homosexual culture. Its certainly more welcoming to the gay community in fashion and in lifestyle. But wanted to gather your thoughts. SOUND OFF: Is Beyonce Still Hip Hop.
]]>Already the spokesman for K-Swiss, his appearance in their ad campaign is said to have increased sales up to 250%. And now it appears he’s not settling for spokesman and planning to take a higher position by force. He has appointed himself “the mother f’ing CEO” in a new viral video and bringing some henchman as backup. Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels, Kansas City Chiefs’ Quarterback Matt Cassel, San Francisco 49ers Linebacker Patrick Willis, wrestler Ray Mysterio, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and MMA fighters Urijah Faber and Jon “Bones” Jones were all brought along as muscle.
“Before you say anything, prepare to shut the fu!k up,” says Powers.
Powers is crazy. hahaha. I think the intense character development HBO is known for is perfect for identifying with brands. You don’t have to worry about them getting arrested, going to rehab or beating their wives because if they do, its all part of the script anyway. As long as the fictitious character is in line with the brand image you’re good to go. K Swiss is always fighting an uphill battle with the likes of Nike so why not go for it. Looks like its working. Strong Salute to K Swiss on this one.
Kenny Powers, the fictional baseball pitcher from the HBO series Eastbound and Down and spokesman for K-Swiss shoes is back and taking over!
Now the abrasive personality has appointed himself the mother f’ing CEO in a new video and enlisted the help of some A-list athletes. Cameos in the video include Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels, Kansas City Chiefs’ Quarterback Matt Cassel, San Francisco 49ers Linebacker Patrick Willis, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and MMA fighters Urijah Faber and Jon “Bones” Jones.
“Before you say anything, prepare to shut the fu!k up,” says Powers.
Watch the future of K-SWISS enfold below and visit the K-SWISS Facebook page for more.
Kenny Powers, the fictional baseball pitcher from the HBO series Eastbound and Down and spokesman for K-Swiss shoes is back and taking over!
Last year short-tempered Powers, played by actor Danny McBride, exploded on the internet injecting new energy into K-SWISS and TUBES training footwear with a series of hilarious and raunchy videos. Since Powers’ videos debuted, K-Swiss has reported an increase of 250% in online sales.
Now the abrasive personality has appointed himself the mother f’ing CEO in a new video and enlisted the help of some A-list athletes. Cameos in the video include Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels, Kansas City Chiefs’ Quarterback Matt Cassel, San Francisco 49ers Linebacker Patrick Willis, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and MMA fighters Urijah Faber and Jon “Bones” Jones.
“Before you say anything, prepare to shut the fu!k up,” says Powers.
Watch the future of K-SWISS enfold below and visit the K-SWISS Facebook page for more.
But it was the hair and the many braided styles that A.I. wore that would later characterize him and to some extent give him a bad wrap. Despite being of a Georgetown education, Iverson was misunderstood labeled a “bad guy” and uncooperative despite leaving his heart on the floor every night. His unorthodox trend would spread across the league to the college ranks and directly into the throngs of Hip Hop culture. If you didn’t rock braids, you had to try extra hard to be cool.
On the flip side the Jersey wasn’t quite as controversial a trend. Since the early days of the New York Yankees “Murderers Row”, (now noted as the first athletes to wear numbers on the back of their shirts to identify their spot in the batting order hence Babe Ruth’s #3) team jerseys have been the ultimate sign of fan solidarity. But Hip Hop didn’t care about it was all about vanity and who could rock the rarest, most colorful jersey and find the sneakers to match it (which would give rise to the sneaker craze but that’s another post.) When modern jersey’s couldn’t satisify their thirst for jersey excellence they went digging in the crates giving rise to the throwbacks.
But like all fads…these two would run their course and fade away. While you’ll still see players in the NBA with braids or the occasionally Lou Alcindor Power Memorial Jersey on 125th Street in Harlem, their not what they used to be. Players like Carmelo Anthony and A.I. cut off the locks realizing their earning potentials in endorsements were hampered by their “rebellious” hairstyles opting for the Caesar instead. Gone are the ultra bagging fashions making way for the European fitted jeans which unfortunately are worn way below where intended.
But in their wake, these trends gone past have left the one chick in barbershop who would braid everyone’s hair looking for work. The Mitchell and Ness once expansive product line and booming business is back to satisfying the occasional collector looking perhaps for an office ornament. While their eras clearly intersected and had some play on each others successs SOUND OFF: Which is more played out: BRAIDS or JERSEYS?!
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A new Facebook campaign is encouraging dog enthusiast to boycott Nike and any other companies who endorse Vick. A modest 4,000 people have “liked” the page, most of them probably New York Giants, Redskins and Cowboys fans. The campaign is sure to gain legs after some tree hugging celebrities have taken to twitter to voice their displeasure and encourage fans to follow suit.
@jennaldewan: “Yes, I do believe in forgiveness, but that does not mean I need to support him as an inspirational figure,” Jenna Dewan, star “The Playboy Club” tweeted.
@SophiaBush: “NIKE just signed Michael Vick!? Done. Over. Lost customer. NEVER wearing Nike again. #AnimalAbuseIsUnforgivable”
@SophiaBush: The propensity to be cruel and ruthless toward a defenseless animal is sick, twisted, & unforgivable. #NOTaRoleModel.”
@KaleyCuoco: “Dear Nike, I’m disappointed.”
Now while many of these white actresses stand their ground, the spineless BET decided to give Vick its “Athlete of the Year” award. The new Facebook campaign is calling for the network’s head as well as Subway who sponsored and presumably approved the award.
I think its time we lay off Vick. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. sheesh! I mean this guy has paid his debt, he’s served time, he’s doing the right thing through community service, he’s saying all the right things. I think this all boils down to jealousy. We don’t like seeing others succesful and when they mess up its almost like we don’t want to see them given a second chance at something we didn’t have a first at. These ultra libral Animal activist celebrities never watched Vick and probably didn’t wear Nike’s in the first place, they probably have a closet full of those ugly yet expensive TOMS alpargata moccasins. I mean come on. Is the average person really going to throw out their Jordans and Air Force Ones and wear what? Reeboks? Yikes. BET Was wrong for that at Subway should be ripping them a new asshole for even ropign them into that whole controversy. But would we expect anything less? Probably not.
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Gotta hand it to the brilliant and intentionally appearling to be clueless Kris Jenner. Shes’ the brainchild behind the empire. She’s the true success story. But she’s gone a bit far. The TV Show was cool for a hot minute but now she’s managing Lamar Odom, they’ve got perfume lines, 3 TV shows and its like a bunch of what? I’m embarrased for Americans that we even consider such fabricated foolishness entertaining.
Anyway, I digress. Looks like Kim is proving all the haters wrong by taking her Fat Back and I’m sure the cameras in tow to the doctor to actually X RAY the assets to prove there’s no augmentation. I personally never thought so anyway. I mean its nice but I’ve seen plenty of other white girls with the same gifts. Its honestly the hips that make it look even more defined.
Via: GlobalGrind
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]]>Did you know body lotion, Nivea is turning 100 years old? Yep, and to celebrate they’re launching a brand new campaign with their new “Global Brand Ambassador”, Rihanna. She’s got pretty decent skin right? Hmmm. Maybe it doesn’t really matter after all Nivea comes from the Latin “Niveus” translated “snow white” so maybe they were more interested in her skin tone or maybe it was her abusive past in correlation to the Disney Narative. I digress.
Nivea used her latest hit single, California King Bed, to reinforce its brand messaging with the lyrics (“Chest to chest. Nose to nose. Palm to palm. We were always just that close”).
It’s been a craaaazy week in a good way. Please forgive me for laying a little low. You know me, I’m not ever gone for too long but apologies are in order. But in the midst of the chaos I forgot Mother’s day is this Sunday. If you’re like me Momdukes is the rock so you gotta do her right. Here’s a couple of the things I’m considering that there’s still time to cop for Mom before the big day.
1. Amazon Kindle ($139; amazon.com)
With all the new tablets out, the folks at Amazon have finally dropped their quintessential e-reader down into the affordability bracket for a brother on a budget like me. Its light and she can download all of her favorite books and magazines at the touch of a button. Just monitor her usage so she doesn’t spend all of her pension.
2. Canon – PowerShot ELPH 14.1-Megapixel Digital Camera (ON SALE $129; Best Buy)
Regularly priced at $199, this digital camera will give mom a perfect opportunity to capture all the memories during dinner. My mom thinks she’s a professional photographer so she has this 20 lb camera with like 10 lenses that she lugs around in a book bag everywhere, take a thousand photos but never downloads any of them. Drives me nuts. Hopefully your mom isn’t like mom and she’ll love this.
3. Fossil Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch ($85; Macy’s)
This watch says expensive at a very, very affordable price point. Every woman needs a watch but at this price you can keep mom looking fly without breaking the bank.
4. Sony 9″ Widescreen LCD Digital Photo Frame Best Buy )
This is an ones easy. Great way to personalize the gift, save time and bread ESPECIALLY if you have kids. Scour your photos on the computer of her grandkids and upload them to the digital photo frame and let her be place them on the mantle. This one’s usually $139 so you’re getting a great deal. Make sure you pre-load the pictures or else the gift is wack.
5. Evan Picone Black Multistripe Suit ($139 Buy 1 Get TWO Free; K&G Superstore )
This one’s a little unconventional but follow along. One of my favorite for copping the very affordable business wear is K&G. Over Easter they had this Buy 1 Mens or Women’s suit and Get TWO Free. I’m not talking any cheap polyester church suit either. I’m talking Sean John, Kenneth Cole, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein. Hook that up with shirt and tie (French Cuffs pleas), the pocket square and you’re looking like a million bucks. Naturally, the kid had two scoop a few. Gotta look sharp for these meetings. Anyway back to Mom. K&G is bringing back the sale for women’s suits and if you’re mom is still doing her thing in the boardroom head down there an scoop some ill new business attire. She’ll be shocked and think you paid a bundle. Keep the styles simple like this very simple but plain black joint so you don’t have mom out there looking crazy. Oh and make sure you know her size, nothing more embarrassing than thinking she’s a 6 when she’s squeezing into a 14. Thank you K&G.
5. Edible Arrangements (http://www.ediblearrangements.com Pricing varies)
Look the flower thing is played. It doesn’t show you were thinking. This is the same concept but you can eat em. That’s always good. After church, she can break out the bouquet and everyone can share in the goodness. Use this as a last ditch effort though. Keep in mind they get a lot of orders for mothers day so if you’re not in the cue soon you might be back to the drawing board.
Anyway however you flip it, make sure you treat mom right. The day only comes once a year and tomorrow isn’t promised. Show her that you appreciate all she’s done for you.
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