TALIA GODDESS IS THE POWERHOUSE MAKING STATEMENTS IN THE PUMA SPEEDCAT
Whether she’s laying a verse, an outfit, or an instrumental, the Brooklyn-born, London-living Talia Goddess has established herself as a force. Joining forces with size? in Manchester for the launch of the Puma Speedcat, we explore the journey of Talia Goddess and the parallels it draws alongside the Puma’s returning silhouette.
SALOMON AND GAUCHOWORLD PARTNER TO CELEBRATE LONDON’S MOVERS WITH THE HELP OF LOUIS CULTURE
Dressed in an outfit that consisted of a shiny black jacket and what must be the world’s most secure trousers – a brown cargo covered in zips and buckles – atop a pair of Salomon XT-6 in a coffee colourway, Louis Culture paraded around in a relatively reserved manner. Earlier that morning, Louis’ latest single ‘Babe’ had dropped. Although it was only a few hours into the day when Louis arrived promptly, the song had already made it into the Gauchoworld HQ playlist, and was subject to a frequent replay.
SALOMON AND GAUCHOWORLD PARTNER TO CELEBRATE LONDON’S MOVERS WITH THE HELP OF JESHI
Chasing the chaos is Jeshi, whose gold grills and coffee Salomon XT-6 are the standout features of an inky outfit that feels like it’s from the future. The streak in his hair, paired with a structured set of sunglasses make him look like a character that would fit right into the new Tekken.
LAS FLAQUITAS ARE READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD…BUT WON’T FORGET THEIR VALUES ALONG THE WAY
it wouldn’t be until a joint trip to the Dominican Republic, where half of Kaila’s family is from, that Las Flaquitas was born. It was here that the girls began to play out as a trio. Having made friends with a local DJ (who they credit with putting them on to “so many new genres”), they played all around the town of Guachupita where they were staying – on the beach, in bars, even at a pizza shop owned by the wife of their new friend.
IN LONDON WITH KANII: LIVING A DREAM THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT
Although he’s only begun his days as an ‘adult’, Kanii’s life has already taken a significant turn. As we catch up ahead of his headline show in London, he’s noticeably relaxed. Although he’s introduced to extraordinary experiences day by day, he exhibits the characteristics of the atypical teenager - head in phone, initially reserved - but perks up as his post-shoot Nobu booking is confirmed.
TAKING A TRIP TO PLANET GIZA
Somewhere in the heart of Montreal, there’s a new planet forming.
Rewind some years back, and after initially meeting and connecting over Mos Def and music more widely, Rami and Tony reconnected in less jubilant scenes - after underperforming academically. “It was at summer school, he failed Maths, I failed French, and he asked if I was still playing basketball. I was a little, but I mentioned that I had begun to make beats,” says Rami. Instantly struck by Rami’s new pursuit, Tony convinced Rami to teach him how to use Fruity Loops, starting with how to play around with samples. The rest was history, as Tony got home and sent Rami a multitude of beats he’d made, whilst also connecting Rami and Doom together.
LADY DONLI DIDN’T GO ANYWHERE
The self-proclaimed pan-African rockstar Lady Donli was born in Ohio before moving to Abuja, Nigeria as a child, where she spent most of her days studying her eldest brother and his friends, who were musicians. Influenced by the likes of Chaka Khan and Fela Kuti, Donli has since firmly fixed her feet in Nigeria’s alté cruise music scene with the release of her debut track ‘Cash’ – a bouncy, soulful and manifestation anthem – from her debut album Enjoy Your Life in 2019.
The 25-year-old quickly landed A COLORS SHOW performance off the back of ‘Cash’s’ success. When it came to matching that same reception on her next project, however, Donli hit a wall.
“YOU’RE ONLY AS REAL AS WHAT YOU REMEMBER”: BINA. FOR FOOTPATROL AND JORDAN
Redefining and restructuring the meaning of an art form is 22-year-old BINA., who is most commonly known as a musician. Combining vulnerability and honesty in equal measure, her music forms connections that can soften even the hardest of hearts.
However, to define BINA. as just a musician would be a disservice to the multidisciplinary creative she is constantly demonstrating herself as.
‘I DIDN’T EVEN HAVE AN ARC’TERYX JACKET WHEN I MADE THAT SONG’: GETTING TO KNOW YT
I was just searching ‘type beats’ on YouTube and rapping to them on voice memos and then I would just post them on my private story for fun. These times I was only 15 and I didn’t have a laptop yet, I got my first one on my 16th birthday, so when my mum would go out, I’d steal hers, record stuff on her garage band, and then put it on my SoundCloud.
FINDING PEACE IN THE CITY WITH OSQUELLO FOR PS PAUL SMITH HAPPY + STAN RAY
“My hair is more interesting than my face most of the time,” says Fabiano Lewis, aka Osquello, as he poses like a well trained model, hitting iconic poses without being prompted as he wears the PS Paul Smith Happy + Stan Ray collaboration.
TAKING A RIDE WITH BXKS FOR FOOTPATROL FREQUENT PLAYERS
“I’d probably be a Bentley if I was a car,” says BXKS, sitting on a bench surrounded by the retro Porsche and Maserati cars in south London’s ForeverGood. “Because I’ve got a bar that says, ‘Too many thoughts in my head that my forehead looks like the front of a Bentley,’” she laughs.
ON FASHIONING THE SAD GIRL AESTHETIC, RADA FOR FOOTPATROL FREQUENT PLAYERS
Ever-evading definition, RADA seeks to continually metamorphose her sound and image. “I often switch up both, as I don’t like being put in a box. I prefer playing a character or inhabiting an idea which gives me freedom to change.” This natural inclination towards shifting identities aligns with her nomadic upbringing, having been born in London but raised in Russia to parents of Russian and British-Jamaican heritage.
A TALE OF PERSEVERANCE: LOSHH FOR FOOTPATROL FREQUENT PLAYERS
In many stories, there’s a mother who’s the unsung hero of it all. In Loshh’s case, it’s no different. Explaining that although he didn’t realise it as a child, he appreciates the music he once begged for his mum to turn off - his current mission is to update that sound. “Growing up I didn’t think I liked it [Pasuma and Wande Coal], I’d always tell my mum to change it,” says Loshh. “The only challenge for me as an artist is making it modern in today’s society.”
SWITCHING CODES AND GENRES: JJESS FOR FOOTPATROL FREQUENT PLAYERS
JJESS’ music has been making waves for many reasons. Her DJ sets feature musical transitions that feel more like spatial shifts, spanning geographies and genres. These mixes create a sonic crosshatch, weaving techno beats with Afro house, big name artists with avant-garde sound. This multi-genre trademark is the offshoot of creative ingenuity.
“MY NOTES HAVE MY WHOLE LIFE IN THEM”: A CONVERSATION WITH PIPER-GRACE
Just six months into releasing music, Piper-Grace is solidifying her place in the UK RnB scene. Her debut track ‘Things Lovers Do’ and most recent offering ‘Caught Up’ emphasise her powerful vocals and sultry voice. Paired with her emotionally stimulating and reflective lyrics, Piper-Grace is a breath of fresh air in the RnB world.
MATTIE COZARTT DISCUSSES HERITAGE AND MUSIC, IN COLLABORATION WITH DR. MARTENS
To celebrate this homage to Basquiat, we linked up with a modern day enigma closer to home - Mattie Cozartt, wearing the 1460 boot that features Basquiat’s ‘Untitled’(1982) - and spoke to him about life, lockdown and breaking boundaries that others try to impose on him.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MOBO AWARDS TO BRITISH MUSIC CULTURE
For over 20 years The MOBO (which stands for Music Of Black Origin) Awards has been a platform that has celebrated artists within the genres of Hip Hop, Grime, RnB/Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Gospel, and Afrobeats. Within its general focal point of Europe, MOBO has played a huge part in elevating the careers of an endless number of homegrown, black musicians here in the UK.
FROM BASEMENTS TO BILLBOARDS: SKEPTA
Where do we even begin when speaking about the King of North London? Perhaps we take him for granted due to the fact he has been around for as long as most of us can remember. Being a fellow North Londoner myself, it’s only right that we pay homage to the goat that is ‘Big Smoke’, coming out of Meridian Estate. Whether your first Skepta moment was seeing him and Devilman clash on Lord of the Mics.
EXPLORING THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC DURING LOCKDOWN WITH DJ KIROU KIROU OF 99GINGER
Although the outbreak of coronavirus and the lockdown that followed had put many of our social lives on hold, music played an important part in bringing many people together online. As music continued to unite us through a shared taste of genre or a favourite artist, many individuals have fused music and the use of social media.
BEFORE TOP BOY ASHLEY WALTERS PAVED A WAY FOR BLACK BRITISH MEN IN MUSIC & ARTS
For many, their first introduction to Ashley Walters would have been through his prominent role on Top Boy, where for three seasons he has faithfully played the role of Dushane, established drug kingpin of the fictional Summerhouse Estate. In the role, Dushane captivated us as a charming figure.