Hair Trends 2011

With more and more young Black ladies choosing to go natural after viewing Chris Rock's Good Hair, some are choosing the more processed look for the New Year. The first startling hair change comes from Hip-Hop socialite Angela Simmons, daughter of Rev Run. Early January she debuted her new honey blonde locks from her personal camera and released them on the net. Here are a few snapshots of her new 'do'

She captions the pictures: "Sometimes it's fun to just let go" and "I got the new hair cut...The one that you said wouldn't look no good #postcard- Bey".

Sidenote: Angela Simmons and I share the same B-Day, so ofcourse I'll show her a little Virgo bias and say she looks lovely in whatever shade she chooses ;-)

I for one would never color process my beautiful hair, as I am 'in transition', preparing for the Big Chop in a few days. Perhaps I'll upload pictures. But for those of you who has processed their hair dramatically (bleaching then applying blonde dye), is it worth the risk, or heck, is it risky at all? You be the judge...

Till then sweethearts,

The Urban Anthropologist

2011: New Year, New Music, Sloppy Seconds

The New Year brings new feelings of resolution and possibility, but one thing it also brings is, NEW MUSIC! Rappers like Charli Baltimore, Silkk the Shocker, and the entire No Limit Forever Records clan are fiercely preparing for comeback that will leave freshmen to the Rap game shaking where they stand. As every entertainer gears up to display their rap skills for 2011, others are more concerned with switching up beaus. The long-time relationship speculation surrounding Nicki Minaj and Drake came to a crashing halt January 07, 2011.

 On verified Facebook accounts of Bow Wow and Nicki Minaj, they subtlety announced they are officially dating via ‘relationship status’.

Yeah, I was just as surprised; the YMCMB family just got a little closer, and what's closer than figurative  incest, right? Ok now, close your dropped jaw and fix your puzzled expression and let's explore the rather disturbing 6 degrees of Celeb separation. If you are an avid gossip and truth hound as I am, you would have seen Nicki Minaj and Drake all boo'ed up New Year's Eve at The Mansion Club in Miami and was seen leaving together around 4:00am (NecoleBitchie.com), a mere week ago- fishy huh? Is it just me or do rappers enjoy the taste of other rapper’s saliva in a woman’s mouth, because that's exactly the situation; Sloppy Seconds. Is it proximity to other rappers (Propinquity theory) or just similar tastes? Either way it goes, it’s just plain nasty but is certainly entertaining. 2011 just got more interesting, and I'll keep you posted with more.

With love,

The Urban Anthropologist

Lil Wayne: He's Back!!!

Today, via XXLmag.com, Lil Wayne released the first single since being released from prison, which is also the first single from the new The Carter IV album. Teaming back up with aaclaimed produced Bangladesh from "A Milli", he produces an interesting, yet powerful track called 6'7" feat. Cory Gunz, the lastest signee to Young Money Entertainment. He wanted to showcase his still sharp lyrical abilities, and to also commend his Young Money proteges on their successes as well. Although not much can be inferred about the album from one single, but one this is for certain, Wayne is back and is fighting harder than ever to maintain his place in hip-hop music. After the recent beef with Bangladesh over compensation for unpaid beats is finally over as he makes a cameo on the album with yet another single with the Cash Money affiliate. I guess its true, money can change things, and repair any business relationship. More to come, stay tuned.

Signed,

Blue Aura, The Urban Anthropologist

I'm A MuthaF*cking Monster

  By now, I'm sure all of you true Hip-Hop heads have heard about the New Kanye West, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, and Nikki Minaj video "Monster" set to be released any day now. "Monster", said to be a genius collaborative effort from a few of Rap's heavy hitters, brings colorful lyrics to light with a crazy, addictive beat, but with the video, does West bite off more than he can chew by presenting such a controversial representation for the song?

  With a catchy beat, infused with killer lyrics made for an awesome head banger we can all relate to- as well all dominate in one area or another in life, hence, we all are a 'Monster' every now and again. With this ego boosting hit, music lovers gushed at the idea that a video was in the works. Thankfully for the fans, they released a sneak peek of the video which is posted on HipHopConnection.com & NecoleBitchie.com, which is about 45 seconds, and a few snapshots of the set as well.

  Not to quote HBO, but there was definitely reason to curb your enthusiasm. The song thought to announce rap skill superiority took a turn for the worst; The video:  instead of 'going hard', they are going macabre? Instead of enhancing the lyrics of the song, video producers and the "Dark, Twisted, and Beautiful" mind of Kanye West decided to go for a more literal depiction. The set, darkened not only in terms of lighting, but in tone as well. These pictures showed disturbing images of possession, death, suicide, cannibalism, and murder. Each rapper in his or her own visually, (for some spiritually) distasteful scene, which are bound to conjure up nightmares in the faint of heart.

   "Why?" one might ask, "Why so gruesome?", and others just faithfully jump on the bandwagon, calling all objectors to West's creative genius, 'heretics'. Am I the only one that finds this increasingly alarming? Instead of killing the track, are they killing themselves symbolically? or those who admire them? Too many questions to be answered from a simple 45 second video, and yet too much can be inferred from that short sample of what could possibly the best or most detrimental project West has taken on.

  Personally, I did not watch the "Power" video, and after seeing the stills of the 'Monster' video, I'll probably avoid that one as well. That is just my spiritual choice to do so, but I do encourage those interested to see for themselves- don't die of suspense. For those Anti-Conspiracy theorists out there, I know what you are thinking "Its just a video", and who knows, you may be right. But as soon as I saw the opening scene for 'Power', something in my body (I’m reluctant to say spirit) did not feel right, I had a sudden urge to turn the channel and I did. I am a very open-minded individual, and coming from Spencer, Oklahoma (hometown of Donda West), I've always supported Kanye since his mixtapes, so this is not a 'hater' movement speech.

  Something is broken in urban music- Individuality and opinion. Its a crime to speak out against the so-called 'genius' of a beloved music figure? If you dislike the Nikkis, Waynes, and Kanyes of the day, you are crazy or 'hating'. I am a Christian first, and an intellectual second, and both of these innate mental processes sense a problem with the current state of urban music and its depiction to the public. How will music evolve and refine if no one offers constructive criticisms of the craft? Groupthink (in context of the sociological concept) is a dangerous mental process and manifestation, and if we don't wake up from this spell, we will be cursed with much more than just mediocre mainstream music and low-brow, sarcastic representations of 'art', we will lose the ability to make up our own minds- slavery. And isn't that the real Mutherf*cking monster?

Ambivalence of Apate (Ode to "Nicki Minaj" by Jasmine Mans)

I’m not sure if it’s the Neon gas pumping through your synthetics,
Or your penchant for Louboutins, that’s got you putting on,
But you put me off.

I would have never imagined the uniqueness of Harajuku,
Could ever be condensed into a plastic, vacuous form.
The vibrance and eclecticism of the city mocked by sensationalism,
Cheapened by your carelessness and trend.

What a weight to carry,
Such a burdensome load to bear an infamous ambivalence in your name.
To expose your empty lyricism without shame,
Basking in the acclaim of the impressionable and weak.
Relishing that you can make painted up whores look chic.

Perhaps it was the hype,
Or the exaggerated sensuality of your curves,
As they are unattainable and you are unobtainable.

I imagine you laying there, perhaps many personalities ago,
Filling your behind and chest with confidence and superficiality.
I imagine you becoming ‘whole’ under a green wig.
Masking your pain with a façade of rebelliousness and nonconformity.

I imagine you as a slave to your own mind.
Riding as a backseat driver to your own personas,
Geppetto to your own minion of Pinocchios.
Breathing life, a iniquitousness that cannot be extinguished by your hand,
Or others.

As you are not just you,
You are what you represent:
Deception and uncertainty,
Sexuality and commodity,
Anarchy and disorder; (Dissociative Personality Disorder to be specific.)
Your release from Pandora’s Box is sadly enduringly prolific.

When will the Pink mist disperse,
And the masses wake?
To realize what we thought was a diamond,
is just a cheap fake?

(Original Poem by Blue Aura)

Welcome to my world!

Welcome to the Urban Anthropologist!

 I am sure many of you wonder why I have chosen this title for my blog, but lucky for you, this is the Introduction to the mind of Blue Aura, the Urban Anthropologist.

Let's begin with the basics: Anthropology (in which I have received formal training) is the study of man in all aspects (biological/evolutionary, linguistics, archeology, and cultural), I am focused on the Cultural aspect. My use of 'Urban' strictly entails the genre(s) I am researching, and writing about.

 You see, so much of the Entertainment industry is enigmatic to the rest of society. My blog is designed to remove the frills and facades of the Music industry, particularly Hip-Hop/R&B, and show the sides many of you have never seen; or know exist. This is not a blog to glorify rappers and others involved in this industry, it is to remove their pedestal-to make them human. This blog is designed also to inspire young women to love their bodies, instead of seeking to change it with evasive surgery.

Hip hop is one genre of music that glorifies the unrealistic curves of a woman, and plants the seeds of inferiority in the minds of young ladies aspiring to be the object of desire for many of their celebrity crushes. These artists magnify the 'importance' of large breasts and large hips and ass, which are traits rarely obtained naturally. I am writing to prove that natural, intelligent women can win the hearts of their desired celebrity, instead of settling for less; allowing fake, vacuous ‘Barbies’ to steal our places in society. In short, I’m shutting down the fake, and uplifting the real. Look out NY, GA, TX, CA, as a new trend is catching on,

Real women with real minds are coming to blow yours...Eat your heart out Barbie.



Till we meet again,

The Urban Anthropologist