empire mag
LIFESTYLE
Dazed & Confused 20 + 20 Cover | Pharrell Williams & Maxine Ashley
The December issue of Dazed & Confused wraps up a project for the magazine’s 20th anniversary that saw portraits of 20 cultural icons of today, including Alicia Keys, Kate Moss, Tilda Swinton and others. Each unique cover was accompanied by a study of 20 rising stars chosen by each celebrity. Pharrell Williams discovered Maxine Ashley in late 2010 and has since been developing the signature “grinding melodic pop” sound that first sparked his interest in the young artist.
NOWNESS | 25 Years of Def Jam Recordings
In their upcoming Rizzoli publication, Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label, founders Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons catalog the progression of their humble “experimental art project” beginnings to the creation of the most influential rap labels in history. In anticipation of the duo’s forthcoming book, NOWNESS preview a few excerpts of the illustrious founders recalling their first impressions of one another in 1984. With a little help from Beastie Boys’ Adam Horovitz, the article offers a candid interaction between the label’s founders as well as an archival photo set previewing the book’s forthcoming content. A release is slated for October 11 through book publisher Rizzoli.
Tattoo Age | Troy Denning
The Tattoo Age video series, a collaboration between Vice and New Era, continues with part two of a feature on tattoo artist Troy Denning. Part two begins with Denning’s monster win on the television show Cash Cab,along with his friend and fellow tattoo artist Jeb Maykut. The piece focuses on Denning outside of the tattoo industry, exploring how he came to be the artist he is today. It explores the influence of punk bands on his work, his stint as a bouncer and philosophy on education. For those who missed out on the first episode, click here.
Coltrane Curtis | The Pursuit of Cool
Coltrane Curtis, most recently known as the managing partner of New York-based media company Epiphany, is the latest to be chronicled in R+I Creative’s The Pursuit of (Cool) series. This latest video focuses on Coltrane’s fashion influences from the world of jazz. He speaks about why people like Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis and Mos Def have been so influential to his own personal style. It’s quite refreshing to see a taste maker talk truthfully about what has molded him as a person. Check it out above!
Play Cloths 2012 Spring/Summer featuring Pusha T @ S.L.A.T.E.
Late last month we got a chance to explore the upcoming Spring/Summer 2012 line from Play Cloths, founded by Malice and Pusha T of the Clipse. While at the brand’s S.L.A.T.E. booth we spoke with Pusha not only about Play Cloths but also some of his other ventures outside of fashion, what he’s currently rocking, and some insight into upcoming music projects.
