Brandon Tauszik Shows Barbershops' Integral Role Through Gifs

Brandon Tauszik: Tapered Throne

In the African American community most men get their haircut at a barbershop. The shops and the people that run them remain as one of the most important institutions to black communities because they foster comfortable and open environments where people can talk, form friendships and be themselves.

Brandon Tauszik, a photographer from Northern England, took to his Oakland, California residence and explored the independently owned barbershops in the city's black communities. To learn about the crucial role the shops play, Tauszik offers a glimpse at the daily routines and interactions shop owners have in his latest series, Tapered Throne.

An introductory essay by Dr. Quincy T. Mills, a professor of Africana Studies at Vassar College, accompanies Tauszik's exhibition and explains the loyalty one has to his barber. Mills writes:

“Haircuts are not commodities for African Americans. You cannot get one anywhere, from anyone, at any price. One’s barber knows how he likes his hair cut, how long to keep the sideburns, how to shape the taper. Outside of the particulars of one’s cut, a barber will come to learn much about their clients. Information is divulged about family, work, recreation, and sometimes their greatest fears and joys.”

— http://taperedthrone.com/

Brandon Tauszik: Tapered Throne

Barbers form a Rolodex of names, events and places relevant in the community, their shops become the pulse of everything current in the neighborhoods. In cities where crime is abundant barbershops add positive influence and support. A man named ATL said of Fruitvale Barbers in 2014, "We sometimes have to deal with a lot of negativity in Oakland; poverty, crime, violence. But I don't believe my shop has to be part of all that."

The series of images Tauszik presents are made more intriguing by his use of gifs. Gifs offer the spotlight aspect of a photo, but, "At the heart of a gif is the loop... you're able to spend time within the moment as the same sliver of time passes on infinite repeat," Tauszik says. The footage is reminiscent of a barber's pole forever turning outside his shop, as viewers see the clippers move back and forth, around and about a myriad of black heads and chins. 

Tapered Throne illustrates how barbershops create valuable relationships and sync communities, see for yourself at brandontauszik.com and be sure to read the paired essay.

Brandon Tauszik: Tapered Throne

esta. Makes Fetty Wap's "Trap Queen" Like New with Remix

Musical engineer, esta., handles a song you may or may not have heard, "Trap Queen". The Soulection affiliate titles his remix "1738," alluding to Fetty Wap's Remy Boys squad. esta. serenades listeners in a gleeful, scintillating way, but holds to the original version's trap influences with 808 percussion hits. Enjoy "1738," when you kick it this Friday night.

Donald Glover's 'Atlanta' Comedy Show Receives 10-Episode Series from FX

Someone recently made the observation, "Childish Gambino is an actor who can low-key rap." Formally known as Donald Glover, the artist showcased his talents doing standup comedy and writing for NBC's 30 Rock show. These achievements were followed by Glover's role as Troy Barnes on the Community sitcom. Glover's on-screen prowess is natural, while plots and characters may extend outside his reality or even beyond the solar the system, like in his latest The Martian performance, he brings quirky Donald Glover with him. Watch "Clapping for the Wrong Reasons," below to make yourself familiar.

In light of Glover's popularity and creativity, FX has decided to give his comedy show, Atlanta, a 10-episode series beginning in 2016. Created by and starring Glover, Atlanta documents two cousins' journey through Georgia's iconic music landscape. Directed by Hiro Murai, the genius behind "Clapping for the Wrong Reasons," Glover plays Earnest "Earn" Marks, described as an "artistic loner" who returns to ATL to face his failures in business and a strained relationship with a woman whom he shares a daughter with.

Nick Grad, president of original programming for FX tells Variety, "Atlanta draws on Donald's considerable talents as a musician, actor and writer to give us something unique."

Source: Complex

Supreme x Air Jordan 5 Official Release Date

Supreme and Air Jordan is an imperial collaboration. Both brands credit the golden era of popular culture, the 1990s, for their success and the history that makes them icons today. Representing different realms of sport, skate and basketball, Supreme and Air Jordan stand as symbols for trendy, observant and proud people accepting of unique lifestyles. Air Jordan 1s and Supreme's "Box Logo" tee forms a crisp, youthful uniform for an absorbent person. These qualities make the Supreme x Air Jordan 5 a mark of creative excellence.

When the sneaker was first designed in 1990 the application of a reflective tongue designed to light up with camera flashes was created to grab attention. Supreme and Air Jordan carry out this pizzazz with three new versions of the AJ 5 done in black, camouflage and white colorways. The icons' branding details the shoes: an underlaid Supreme logo, "94" is embroidered on the heel paying homage to 'Preme's birth year and accents, like 3M hints and a custom hang tag.

Purchase the Supreme x Air Jordan 5 Friday, Oct. 16 online and at Supreme's London location, as well as Saturday, Oct. 17 in Japan. Happy hunting.

Introducing, Piers James - 80's Baby

Rap from the United Kingdom is no fad, it is creeping across United States radio waves, playlists and into ears around the world. UK rap is as ostentatious, proud, reflective and dirty as its founding counterpart. A sub-genre called Grime fronts the crowd along with boom bap and contemporary stylings from artists like Skepta, Little Simz, Jay Prince and Danny Seth.

No need to yell, "The British are coming," because they are already here. On the horizon, however, ready to make his entrance into Boston Harbor is Piers James. Hailing from London the rapper separates himself from his British cohorts thanks to melodic and relaxed vintage sounds influenced by '90s hip-hop. Here highlights Piers' first release in 2015, "80's Baby". The song is an example of progress in his skill and popularity, his growth will garner him more attention here in the U.S.

Introduce yourself to Piers James and "80's Baby," the first single from his upcoming Green Screens In Visible View EP, below. Explore more of his work on his SoundCloud and website.