The Illustrators of Sports Lore

The following sets of images are iconic sports photographs and their photographers in honor of Rich Clarkson becoming the first photographer to be honored with a lifetime media award by any of the four major sports halls of fame, and all other revered photographers who helped illustrate sports history.

Rich Clarkson's portrait of Wilt Chamberlain, 1956

Neil Leifer's photograph of Muhammed Ali triumphantly standing over Sonny Liston, 1965

Robert Beck's capture of Brandi Chastain moments after her World Cup clinching penalty kick, 1999

Fernando Medina crystallized Michael Jordan's final shot of his career, 1998 (check the :06.6s remaining on the clock...appropriate)

The Catch by John Storey, 1982 (49ers vs. Cowboys, NFC Championship Game)

Heinz Kluetmeier,1980 "...DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? YES!"

"I know so many photographers that are as intelligent and astute at understanding what they’re doing and what their picture is saying as some really fine writers."

- Rich Clarkson

Watch Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé Perform "Feeling Myself" at Tidal Concert

To celebrate 1 million subscribers Jay Z and Tidal threw a star-studded charity concert at New York's Barclays Center Tuesday Night.

Among the highlights of the "Tidal X: 10/20 Amplified by HTC" concert included performances from Jay himself, Usher, Nick Jonas, Rick Ross, Fabolous and more. Exclusive performances to the event were collaborations that celebrated unity through music; of note was Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé's "Feeling Myself".  The special version included new breakdowns to amplify the song. Halfway through the performance the beginning of Travi$ Scott's banger, "Antidote," mixed with Nicki and Bey's track, then things got rousing. Barclays Center this past Tuesday was a once-in-a-lifetime even with just this number by the powerful women.

Watch the "Feeling Myself" performance below and clap for the $1 million in proceeds going to charities dedicated to advancing positive community relations and effecting systemic change for the development and sustainability of just societies. 

Christo, the Man Behind Wiz Khalifa's Latest Song

Photo by Gregory Neiser

Christo, aka "bounceman," is a Pittsburgh musician with a recognizable sound and a hand in a lot of songs from the city's hip-hop artists. He has hits with majors like Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller and even Atlanta's Ludacris. Christo's crisp sound supports up and coming acts Choo Jackson and EarthGang.

Production and engineering credits occupy only a portion of Christo's time: he writes songs and drums. The man is truly an entertainer, his "Drake Appreciation Night" DJ set at Pittsburgh art gallery Boom Concepts had the attendees lit, or find Christo on stage while he tours with the aforementioned artists. All of these arenas play into his curated sound: moments of lull, suspense and excitement.

Christo makes headlines today because of his work on Wiz Khalifa's new song, "Outsiders," along with Big Jerm. The track comes in a string of new music from Wiz this week. Wiz dropped "Most of Us" over the weekend and "Just Because" drops along with "Outsiders" now.

Enjoy music from the feature man, Christo, as well as Wiz's recent songs below and under OfficeVibes.

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.