Editorial

The Fusion Issue

Culture, Editorial, Fashion, Featured, News

Youtube sensation Ahmir covers the latest issue of Worthy Magazine. The Fusion Issue will be a combination of our music issue and health issue. This issue will have exclusive interviews with the creators of the online show “The Couple,” a health feature with emerging physical fitness authority Tissili Brandi, the increasingly popular electronic music group A Tribe Called Red, and  up- and-coming Miami based songstress Miss Joelle Ashley not to mention an amazing feature with the founder of an online vegan bakery, which is aptly called “The Vakery,” Que Brandon. Those will be just a few of the features that we will be in this upcoming issue. We can’t wait for you to check it out.

In Golden Globe News: Quentin Tarantino uses N-word Backstage

Editorial, News

Photo: Getty Images

The always controversial and equally appreciated, Quentin Tarantino caused quite a stir at the  Globes with his use of the N-word back stage to justify his choice to not soften his storytelling approach with his award-winning film “Django Unchained.”

According to both The Hollywood Reporter and E! Online, “Tarantino engaged the conversation by using the N-word, to the silence and awkward whistling of onlookers.”

“I think it’s kind of ridiculous, because no one can actually say with a straight face that we use the word more than it was used in 1858 in Mississippi. So since they can’t say that, what they’re basically [saying] is I should lie,” Tarantino said regarding the racially-charged language spoken in his award-winning film. “I should pretty it up. I should lie, and I don’t lie when it comes to my characters and the stories I tell.”

 

Rihanna covers Complex Magazine Seven Times

Editorial, Fashion, News

Rihanna lives on the covers of magazines and we love her for it. The latest magazine to be graced with singers beauty and body is Complex magazine. They loved her look so much they put her on there seven times-in honor of her seventh album: “Unapologetic.”

When asked about how she’s handling her relationship with Chris Brown, RiRi tells the mag:

    “I held back before. I didn’t show a lot of myself. I was very guarded. I needed to be open and free and fearless. Basically say, ‘F**k it.’ What’s the worst that can happen? They’ll hate me? They’ve done that before.”

As for her current writing style, she adds:

    “I was tired of angry love songs. Love doesn’t always have to be about breakups, and ‘We’re never going to be together again.’ It could be sweet. It could be, ‘Hell yeah! We’re diamonds!’”

 

We must admit that we are loving the album. “Pour it up”  may be our favorite track and “Numb” is the perfect fashion show song. We anticipate hearing it at some of the highly anticipated fashion shows down in our neck of the woods, Miami.

Beyonce: “Life is But A Dream” HBO Documentary

Culture, Editorial, News

For a while, we were beginning to think that it was just us, but Beyonce’s documentary has confirmed our suspicions that the songstress and actress has carefully mastered the art of sharing just enough to keep us asking for more. A newly-released teaser for Beyonce’s self-directed documentary showed us that entertainer does struggle with the inner debate of how much to reveal about herself. However in this highly anticipated documentary, Beyonce seems to let the world in-in a vulnerable manner. Check out the teaser and let us know what you think. We will be watching. Do you plan on watching?

Conde Nast Names First-Ever Black Editor-in-Chief, Keija Minor

Culture, Editorial, Fashion, Featured

 

According to recent reports, Condé Nast has named it’s first editor-in-chief for one its publications in its 103-year-old history. Some are calling the move for the former Uptown magazine editor a step in the right direction and inspiring given the industry’s often racially divided disposition. What are your thoughts about Minor’s move up at Brides magazine?

 

 

Worthy magazine interviews SAV

Culture, Editorial, Fashion, Featured, News, Worthy TV

SAV, a new Atlanta hip-hop artist, who released his debut mixtape, DROP DEAD, on August 8th 2012.

The originality of his lyrics is punctuated by intelligently interlacedhistorical references to pieces including Harlem Renaissance poet, LangstonHughes’ “A Dream Deferred”, which SAV refers to in his song “Cats and Hounds.” Similar to poetry, SAV’s music alludes to a bigger picture than the words actually represent.

“He’s a wordsmith with the ability to accurately capture the emotion of an instrumental at a level of lyrical prowess that few can exhibit,” said The GM, who produced SAV’s track“Up in the Sky.”

The up-and-coming artist describes his music in two simple words, “It’s dope.” He continues, “My music has a lot of value to it,” which listeners will find evident when they press the play button on the mixtape’s first track “The Adoration.” SAV draws some of his musical inspiration from André 3000, who he deems to be his favorite rapper.

SAV has made an effort to ensure a perfect release ofDROP DEAD, which took two years to produce. In conjunction, SAV will release the music video for “Confu-Zang Wu-Tang” which was filmed in Chinatown, New York City and Atlanta, Georgia.

“SAV works to make good songs. He refuses to abuse a hot beat by throwing a bunch of random unfocused bars on it with a catchy hook; as a southern gentleman, it’s not in his nature,” said The GM.

Editor’s Note: Aaliyah’s Significance

Culture, Editorial, News, Slider

 

The singer Aaliyah

 

Being that I have been under the weather literally (Isaac) and figuritively, I have been reduced to being confined to my computer even more than usual. I was reminded yesterday that August 25th marked the anniversary of the passing one of R&B’s most influential icons from the 90s. My Facebook newsfeed was inundated with pictures of the songstress that I once and always will find hypnotically alluring and indescribably beautiful. It has been 10 years since Aaliyah passed away and fans are still posting original handsketches and paintings of the singer.

What caught me off guard was a question posted by Complex magazine, which I believe was intended to be more of a conversation piece than a profound statement or anything incendiary in nature. As an avid listener of Aaliyah, I automatically go on the defensive when anyone challenges her contribution to R&B. The question that Complex magazine posed was: “Would Aaliyah still be famous if she were still alive “(something along those lines). I couldn’t even bring myself to comment. Not that it was really that offensive of a question, but mostly because if anyone commented after me challenging my opinion, it would have been a debate- a drawn out debate.  So instead, I have decided to take to Worthy to do my part as a fan of Aaliyah.  Instead of just answering the question, I will write as a fan who is still effected by her music and inspired by the personal legacy that she left behind.

For me, I remember the singer standing out in a sea of oversexed R&B songstresses looking undeniably young and comfortable in her petite frame and humble physique. Behind an angelic voice that song lyrics that seemed to astutely describe the generation of the time, was an individual who seemed to be completely comfortable with who she was. She didn’t have the coveted wide “hips for days” and the overflowing bosom that guys always seemed to be chasing after. She rocked sweats that always seemed to swallow her. And with a humble bosom and all -wore tight fitting tops that celebrated her petite frame. She was simply Aaliyah not appearing to compete with other belting R&B singers. She knew her voice and she stuck to her style in an industry where a singer would pick up any trait to remain a factor. Aaliyah’s choice to maintain a signature sound conveyed volumes about her personality. Small in physical stature she appeared to have a firm opinion on who she was and who she wanted to be. To someone like me, who regarded the creative minds that created and/or song the songs that I loved as heavenly remnants who walked the earth, Aaliyah was as close to unique as anyone could get.

For me, she was the first public figure I looked towards to accept that my appearance could still be alluring and mysterious. I didn’t have to have the body of Tyra Banks or any other woman that I found myself wishing I could look like. I didn’t need to stock pile on make-up to be beautiful and every article of my clothing did not have to be painted on.

I look at artists today and I still see the influence that Aaliyah had on them. Ciera’s style as comfortable as she may have been in sweats when she first came on the scene- will always be compared to Aaliyah. Whenever I see Solange Knowles or Rihanna adorned in a midriff of any kind, I will always think of Aaliyah and wonder how she would’ve worn it. Good grief even Drake’s tracks feature the singer’s melodic voice.

If she were still here, I believe there would’ve been a place for her music and her presence. Even with fans being as fickle as we can be sometimes. Aaliyah was the poster child for girls of all shapes and sizes who were trying to be comfortable in their own skin. For me, Aaliyah was the first person who showed me that all women have their own unique beauty, which makes them worthy. Everything about her image in the industry was signature. She had a signature sound that stayed with you days after hearing her songs, it always seemed like she had a signature personality that was mysterious and inviting all at once and there was her signature look.

Her life, although it was too short, left its mark on the world and the people in it. Especially with someone like me. She is remembered just as much for her music as she is for her beauty. She defined a style that most women and artists still aspire to today.

Much Love,

Ju’lia Samuels

THEY HOPE HE FAILS: Are Republicans Trying to Destroy The Economy

Editorial, Featured

Speaker of The House John Boener has indicated that he will, once again use the deadline to increase the nation’s debt ceiling as leverage to coax concessions out of President Obama and the Democrats. The Speaker is eager to see progress on paying down the nations’s debt through measures that Democrats have opposed.

The Debt Ceiling, refers to a cap on the nation’s ability to borrow money. However, it is not a reference to future debt or spending. Raising the current Debt Ceiling pays debts already accrued by the nation. In other words, it pays for the spending the congress has already authorized. The failure to raise the Debt Ceiling is much like running out of a restaurant, after ordering and consuming a meal. The refusal to raise the Debt Ceiling is a signal to the markets that America is not going to honor her debts.

The Republicans have already tried this maneuver. The result was a stock market crash and it inspired credit rating agencies to issue a downgrade of the nation’s (former) triple A Credit rating. The move by Boener has many asking if the Republicans have committed themselves to a strategy to intentionally crash the nation’s economy, ahead of the November elections.

Early, in President Obama’s Presidency, many republicans openly stated that they “Hope The President Fails” in his efforts to restore the economy, which they deemed to be akin to socialism. Some have suggested that the GOP may have moved from Hoping Obama Fails, to proactive action to Ensure That He Fails.

 

FRENCH ELECTIONS TODAY: Why Should You Care?

Editorial, Featured

Elections for France’s highest office will be held today (Sunday, April 22). There are ten candidates for this year’s Presidency in France, and multiple rounds of elections, will whittle the field. Following today’s first round of elections, if no candidate among the original ten, receives 50% of the vote, a second round of elections will be held on May 6, for the two highest vote earners.

The French elections have been unusually competitive this year, due largely to weakness in the French economy. The current President, Nicholas Sarkozy finds himself threatened by the candidacy of François Hollande. Sarkozy is a conservative and his opponent is a Socialist. Both men represent the right and left of French politics.

World wide, (in America, Canada and Europe) conservatives have addressed the global recession with Austerity measures (slashes to government spending). In France, unemployment is at 10% and the Austerity measures have failed, in the minds of many. And this has led to a rise in France’s left.

The Socialist standard bearer, François Hollande is offering France, a very different set of growth oriented policies. Hollande is currently leading Sarkozy in the polls and another Far Left candidate,  Jean-Luc Melenchon, is poised to come in third place, which signals the rise of a far left, socialist block in France.

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

U.S. voters are faced with a choice, similar to French voters. They must choose between the investment  growth and spending policies of President Obama (although he is not a socialist), and the cuts of the GOP. It remains to be seen if Americans will reject Austerity as French voters seem poised to do. The U.S. has persued a dual strategy which has restricted the levels of investment preferred by the President, while tempering the austere cuts desired by the republicans. This likely, makes it harder for Americans to choose between the two paths and differentiate between which policies have failed or worked. While America has faired much better then it’s European counterparts, in recovering from the global slump, Americans are divided on who deserves credit.

The final lesson from the French elections is that the continually struggling economy, is not friendly to incumbents of any political stripe. President Obama could simultaneously be the reason that America has faired better than Europe, through his stimulus package, infrastructure spending and bailouts, and still be the victim of a restless electorate.