Xaviera Simmons: Identity is a Lifelong Question

After a pilgrimage tracing a transatlantic slave trade route ended in South Africa, Artist Xaviera Simmons traveled throughout the African continent before she had to ask herself, ‘Who am I here in this country? Who are my people?’ Simmons recalled to Elysian magazine, “[African-Americans] don’t have a motherland. Africa is 54 different countries. There is no place in Africa that I could ever go that would be my home. I’ve been all over Africa. Where can I go, and it’s like home for me?”

You are unauthorized to view this page.

Youthful Photography: The Story of Bec Parsons

Over the past several years, photography has taken place at the forefront of artistic vision. Whether due to the rise of Instagram, which glorifies effortless, gorgeous photos, the rise of a new generation of supermodels, who embody the ever-enviable wispiness and softness of ethereal beings, or the desire to tell stories in visual ways, photography has really taken hold and captivated the novel sensibilities and aesthetics of a modern era. Australian photographer Bec Parsons is the epitome of this contemporary conversion on still film.

You are unauthorized to view this page.

Paramore: A Band Divided

The emo-pop movement has been a pillar of pop-culture marketing for young people for almost ten years, and it continues to draw fans.  The goth-like image of eyeliner, disheveled hair and tight jeans has become very recognizable, and the music is almost exclusively marketed toward teenagers who long to be edgy in displaying their uniqueness. One emo-pop band with a sizable following is Paramore, which consists of vocalist/keyboardist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davies and guitarist Taylor York.  

You are unauthorized to view this page.

Young M.A.: The New Queen of Rap

How many female rappers have people spoken of in recent years? Two, I’m guessing-- Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. But there’s a fairly new female rapper on the scene, and she’s unlike anything you’ve seen or heard before. Young M.A., a Brooklyn, New York native, occupies a liminal space in the rap community, straddling the threshold for female and queer hip-hop musicians.  

You are unauthorized to view this page.