YFB January Issue- Style-Fashion n' Beauty {Nick C}

In 2010 we saw many Barbadians rocking some of the international fashion trends to hit our shores- from trendy animal prints to wild back breaking heels. So, what do we have to look forward to this year? 2011 promises to be an epic year in fashion. We have seen metal outfits from Lady Gaga and even her outfit made entirely of meat- with this heat in Barbados that is one fashion trend we would sure want to miss out on- furthermore, we like our meat well cooked and served on a plate! Here are some summer trends for us to consider for 2011:

>Sheer Maxi Dresses<

Sheer fabrics are nothing new to fashion, for those who want to be sexy without showing off too much skin, sheer fabrics are ideal. You can play them up by mixing bright colours with dark sheer fabrics and prints.  Sheer maxi dresses have become a big hit with many designers and are gracing the catwalks of brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Fendi. 

 >Heavy Metal<

Metallic colours are bold and daring gold, silver and bronze can be seen on California Girl Katie Perry. These pieces no longer have to be boring and can be worn as party outfits and we know there is always a party in Bim.

>Tail Hems<

Dresses and tops that are tapered (short at the front and longer at the back) are expected to be a hit for 2011. They fill the void between a mini and a mid-length and provide you with modest comfort. Tail hems can be very flirty and offer a fun twist on everyday dresses, skirts and tops. Included in the look for womens boutiques for their 2011 collections, tail hem blouses can be great alternatives for work wear with tailored jackets, while the more casual tops can allow you to still incorporate one thing that us Bajan girls love to wear- leggings. Leggings worn with tail hemmed shirts can be very classy and casual. 

>Tassels<

I know many of you know what tassels are, you remember that little thing hanging from your hat at graduation well that is expected to be another big hit for this summer and will not only be seen on clothes but yes- you guessed it on shoes, bags, hats and belts and jewellery as well. This new insurgence of tassels promises for them to be big, bold and bright.

>Stripes<

Stripes, much like jeans, are pretty much here to stay but the style associated with stripes is often changing. With a mixture of colour combination from bright yellows and reds, keep the classic style fresh, to the characteristic sailor blue and white.

>1970s< 

Many trends are recycled and given a modern twist. We expect to see the rise of the seventies once more in the fashion arena, with denim skirts and jackets. As we welcome back flares and bell bottoms, you can leave your afro picks and hair spray at home because fashion is not going quite that far with the seventies.

So there you have it, an inside look at what to look forward to for 2011 fashion trends. Remember to wear what suits you and you can also put your own personal twist to any of these trends and make it your own. I am sure many more fashion surprises are yet to come so keep your eyes glued!!

YFB January Issue- Music- Fault Station's 'The Final Third' {Risse C}

'For substance deprived rhymes to rise and make a mark in this. Like partying is all they see in this, pardon me the power of the spoken word to reach the audience'  -Fault Station

In an industry which struggles to be recognized as a viable enterprise in Barbados, the rap/hip hop genre can be considered the weakest link. However, the duo group Fault Station knowingly accepts the challenge to create lyrically strong, socially aware and thought provoking music; setting them apart from many of their international counterparts.

Kirkland 'Kas' Seale and Jabari 'Montana' Jemmott are kicking down the door and causing a disturbance in the local rap scene with 'The Final Third'. Even though they consider themselves rappers, their sound is anything but generic. Listening to their 2010 debut mixtape, produced by Stewart 'Strat' Carter of Triple E Studios, you will witness an amalgamation of sound ranging from rock and roll to ballads; with each track using an original beat- not the usual associated with the term 'mixtape'. 

 

With no two tracks alike, it is testament to their hard work. No strangers to the long studio hours and the fine tuning by Montana, a self professed perfectionist, Kas's studio time transforms him to his alter ego, moving away from his usual introvert and becoming a beast on the mic, spitting rhymes like they are his last.
 
This 12 track compilation is capable of being a hit with any audience, from 'Welcome to the Show' -an introduction to the entire experience and kudos, to 'Pleasure Doin Business' -a story about a man who yields to sexual temptation but home girl turns out to be a con artist. Other bangers on the album are 'Winner' feat. B-Roca and Teff; 'The Departed' feat. Chrissy Headley; 'Prelude to the Next Time' feat. B-Nice and 'Make Way' a Million Dollar Music production. 
 
No explanation can do justice to this musical masterpiece- you just gotta listen to it!The flow: insane, the lyrics: poetic, the message: raw and uncut. With the heart and soul of winners, these two are destined for greatness in 2011 and beyond.

Download the mixtape album here

Fault Station links: Reverbnation | Facebook | Twitter

The Rise of a Star: Janelle Monae

From her humble beginnings in Kansas City, I have followed Janelle Monae as an artiste and from then till now she has never disappointed. This exuberant young woman who has been likened to Andre 3000 of OutKast has a very unique approach to her music and performances. Decked out in her black and white tuxedo like ensemble, she always bend society's perception of what a female artist should be. Refusing to conform has made Ms. Monae a much needed breath of fresh air.

Monae is striking in every sense of the word, her music encouraged her move from Kansas to ATL where she founded her label the "  Wondaland Arts Society" ... not your average recording label. Under them she produced her first album "The Audition"  a piece of work which many of the music industry's top moguls slept on and it was highly underrated and never officially released. 

However, Monae caught the attention of music's most outstanding duo "OutKast" and it was influential in the exposure which she received from this point forward. Take a listen to "The Audition"

Monae has since moved onto bigger and better things, signing a distribution deal with Badboy, which has proven to be nothing less that vital to her establishment as one of the biggest names in our time. In my opinion it is very important for Monae to hone her craft under her original label, since as we have seen time and time again in the music industry, young talent is robbed of its uniqueness, and being signed results in their music becoming very run of the mill, their image is altered to fit the mould and the majority eventually fall into the shadows.

This can never be said of Janelle Monae who is on the verge of releasing her second major album "  The ArchAndroid"  which, from the sample she has posted on her Myspace is definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with. They are no filler tracks on this album, each song is lyrically astounding and the beats are equally iconic.

May 18th is the release date for her album and I look forward to purchasing it ....something I rarely do :). Ms. Monae has my support as a fan as long as she stays true to her music.

xoxo

Risse

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★♫★M.J★♫★ 29/08/1959 - 25/06/2009

So maybe you were on your way home from work...or liming at the office waiting on your friend to hurry up and finish what they were doing or on your way to the gym....but it doesn't matter cuz when your phone rang or you got that text or that message on your blackberry saying..."I hear Michael Jackson dead" you tell yourself what really going on here...

Only this week was I constantly humming his song "Rock with You" and it was stuck in my mind on repeat. But none of that changes the fact that the music industry has lost one of its greatest icons ever...and I still feel glad that he has been honoured on numerous occasions for his contribution cuz I realize people only give jack his jacket when the person is six feet under.

MJ had the power to do what much other facets in life couldn't achieve...bypassing all the obstacles of colour, class, religion, gender, age etc etc to bring people together and let unity reign even if it was for a 3 hour performance...he had that touch.

Bringing me to my point...that the only thing fair in life is death...and we all have to die. People always want to go to heaven but no one wants to die...and for a man like MJ to pass away it saddens me and he will be missed but his death is no greater than the death of a mother in Africa or a father in Iraq or any person for that matter. Everyone has equal importance in this life and we all have a purpose to fulfill.

He lived a full life ...many of us might not even live to see 50 and despite his trials and tribulations he will never be forgotten and his name will be forever etched in history.

The moral of this blog is...celebrities are human too and their is no reason to over react cuz the media is bombarding you constantly with every opinion of Tom, Dick and Harry about who what when where how and why...just remember the person when they were at their prime and as for MJ he was the best entertainer of all time a proud product of the Black race and he will always be remembered for his smooth moves and beautiful voice.

R.I.P MJ you will be surely missed


Risse

Y.F.B....the PR of the future

Ya Know Wha I Hate....these GoArmy.com ADS!!!

So it's Saturday night and I'm home watching reality TV my life is so exciting!!! (the sarcasm is choking me) But hey, its only been 4 days since my last exam so I have summer to frolick :)

Anyways, I thought it was necessary to blog about this pressing issue while it was still hot on my mind...and we all know how hot that can get. While watching College Hill South Beach edition, these GoArmy.com or whaeva it name ads came on and these three guys in camo were talking and while I was there wishing the ad would hurry up an finish to get back to the drama that is College Hill...I hear one of the guys in the ad say - if you like playing video games and you like blowing up stuff the army is for you.

Now I don't know who produces these ads and I don't think the people in them are really soldiers but that has to be one of the DUMBEST things I've ever heard come from a man's mouth. Do they not see what these ads are trying to achieve and the potential damage it can do?...Maybe I'm being overanalytical or it's just my paranoia but I honestly think that ad was tailored to target YOUNG BLACK PEOPLE - American and otherwise.

The entire production screamed "If you black and foolish this one for you" and it is disgusting to see how these people are so outward and blunt about their intentions. I find it disrespectful to say things like that when it comes to people's lives being put on the line to protect others and God forbid a person who lost someone in war to have seen that ad.

This ad in my opinion is a typical case of stereotyping as it is well known army scouts predominately reach out to the BLACK PUBLIC schools. I often question their logic and ask myself why they don't go into the high end clubs or private schools and hand out their cards....Black people wake up and don't be caught by the subliminal messages of these people who abuse the media for their own gain. See these things for what they are and not how they appear to be.

Risse

Y.F.B....the PR of the future

Reggae on the Hill 2K9

Wow...my last entry was 4 days before my 21st bday :( this isn't good lol I have to keep at it but its just lack of time between school work, work and other stuff I just don't seem to have time but soon with the help of God I will be back on the grind for 2kshine.


I felt the need to take a break from studying and write about my experience at Reggae on the Hill 2009. For those who don't know its an annual festival hosted by FAS Entertainment in Barbados. I never went before since I always had an exam the next day but I told myself its now or never I don't know if I will be here in 2010 so take the chance while you have it :)

But people....this show surpassed anything I expected! It was one of the most organized events I have ever been to in Barbados in terms of timing, performances, artistes change over, sound quality...it was just the bomb! My only con about it was the crowd as it seemed like too much people for the venue but that was a speck of sand compared to the pros on the day.

As for the performances I have to give credit where its due and all the artistes outdid themselves especially Buju Banton and Queen Ifrica who had the crowds wrapped around their fingertips with their lyrics and powerful messages. The show stopper however was none other than Mr. Moses himself who I have found a whole new appreciation for....BEENIE MAN IS THE BOSS when it comes to keeping you on your feet and putting 150% into every single moment of his performance...there was no faulting him on the hill as he was jamming with the audience to the other performances and then ended the show on a high.

All in all...my first Reggae on the Hill experience has left nothing but great memories with my friends who I have to thank for encouraging me to go....I don't regret one minute of it :) Props to FAS Entertainment and Digicel for a well organized and professional event ...cuz for some reason people feel that only international event planners can plan an event and it comes off well, but I know if they experienced that show they would have a change of heart....BAJANS could do it too and do it well if I may say so myself.

So its official...the only way I won't be going Reggae on the Hill again is if I'm not in Barbados, in a hospital bed or God forbid six feet under.

Risse

Y.F.B....the PR of the future

Slow Down

Hey everyone,

Just a little note letting you know that recently things have been somewhat quiet but its no indicator that things are dead.

Progress is occurring behind the scenes in order for things to happen in the forefront..so

Stay tuned to the Y.F.B....The PR of the Future

♫Make Way♫- Fault Station in the building or rather the Studio

Watch as Montana and Kas create musical history in the studio. These two know how to spit lyrics and with Minim, one of the best producers in Barbados...what can stop them?

Remember where you heard it first....Y.F.B...the PR of the Future

Fiona doing a cover of Mariah Carey's "Hero"

Here is the first cover for January 09 from Fiona. The hit song "Hero" by Mariah Carey...take a listen and leave your comments.

Remember you heard it first on the Y.F.B...the PR of the Future

Fiona ♫- Star in the Making

One of the up and coming artistes in Barbados, Fiona is the epicentre of classic R&B and soul fused with a dash of Caribbean rhythm.

This is the first of many videos to come so watch out for this songstress as she sings her way to the top!
Remember the name...Fiona

And you heard it first on the Y.F.B...The PR of the Future