by Lara Arbid
Photography by Amina Gingold | Fashion by Lucy Bermudez
It takes a lot to stand out in the hip hop world today. Cue Anik Khan, the Queens-based rapper with a magnetic energy and compelling story.
by Athanasia Efthimiu
Photography by Tiffany Nicholson | Fashion by Kendal Steensen
Music by the emerging artist Mafalda has a magical effect of awakening your emotional side. As soon as one of her songs surges through your speakers, her beautiful lyrics, voice, and vibe tug at your softer, more solemn self.
by Mimi Chang
Photography by Jason Barbagelott & Van Van Alonso | Fashion by Lisa Bae
It’s no secret that the Bronx breeds musical talent. Maxine Ashley is no exception and is not one to be slept on. Broken into the music scene at age 13, the singer / songwriter is no stranger to the industry and intends to run it by her own rules.
by Adair Smith
Photography by Diego Bendezu | Fashion by Emma Lillian
Welcome to the age of millennial rappers, where feminism is cool and social media is where you’re found.
by Mimi Chang
Photography by Andrew White | Fashion by Sam Bates
The journey of finding one’s self can be one without a distinct beginning or end. Often times a lifelong quest, these existential crises can hit anyone. Since we’re all still figuring our own shit out we sat down with singer / songwriter, Quiñ to talk about her journey of how she re-met herself to realize her musical destiny.
by Israel Mejia
photography by Marc Pilaro | fashion by Maleeka Moss
Over the years, Azealia Banks has established herself as one of the most promising musicians of our generation. However, her career has become almost synonymous with controversy, as the media has painted a negative picture of the complex character. We sit down with the New York City prodigy to discuss her musical process, the double-standards against black women in the music industry, and why you shouldn’t count her out just yet. Don’t call it a comeback.
In case you didn’t know by now, FKA twigs is an artist who does things her own way. That’s certainly the case with her latest audio-visual epic, M3LL155X (pronounced “Melissa”), an expression of her “personal female energy.” Entirely self-directed, the aesthetics are what initially stand out. Fashion muse Michèle Lamy is the first face we see, wearing her go-to heavy jewels, tattooed and dyed fingertips, gold teeth, and even a fluorescent lightbulb on her head. Lamy’s stunning cameo is subsequently followed by twigs as an inflatable sex doll, a solid amount of pregnancy, some hardcore vogueing, and of course, lots of killer fashion. And while viewers would certainly raise an eyebrow at just about all of the visuals in the short film, we should ask ourselves, what does it all mean?
Guys, can we talk about one of the most epic videos ever? Our favorite badgal is back, and she’s not fucking around. Just like every other single that the singer (apparently now trap artist?) puts out, we all fell in love with Rihanna’s bumping new track when it first debuted a couple months back. And now the infectious tune seems even better, bolstered by something of a short film directed by the star herself. It’s sexual, it’s violent, it’s over-the-top, and it’s kind of everything.
*Note: This story originally appears in the Fall 2014 issue of VRLX Mag. Find out more and get your copy here!
Sometimes it feels like we’re drowning in the sea of today’s music, and we could really use a breath of fresh air. Cue The Skins, the Brooklyn-based rock band that’s giving us some tunes to get hyped about.
It was only a couple of years ago that Azealia Banks wowed the world with her painfully catchy, undeniably infectious hit, “212.” With witty lyrics and uncompromising sass, highlighted by “she really went there” expletives, Banks proved her potential as one of the most talented female rappers of all time. We all anxiously awaited the songstress’ full-length album, when she would ideally rise above social media spats and put her money where her mouth is. Well, that day has finally come. And Azealia’s doing more than just justifying her extra dose of confidence; she just about murdered any competition, while she blew critics out of the water.