Kitsuen Grand Opening
Friday I had the privilege of attending the Grand opening of Ramen/Saki bar Kitsuen on H st. Owned by Wayne n Tony of W&T night life and Virginia native Pusha T of the rap group Clipse. The space is luxurious yet home-y with a bar, kitchen, and back patio on the main floor and a hookah lounge upstairs with plenty seating and tables.
From Paris with LoVe
Don C and Kristen Noel Crawley are fashionably my favorite couple. If I had to model a high end luxury relationship in 2020 it’d be these two, followed by “College Dropout” Kanye and Alexis Phifer or Pharrell and Vashtie in 04. That’s my top 3 fashionable couples of all time. Honorable mention ASAP Rocky and Chanel Iman.
Detoxing
The older I get the more I realize who I was when I was younger is now much more complicated and needs much more attention and appreciation from not just others but from myself as well. Becoming more self conscious and a student of my own persona and figuring out why I am the way I am is something I have recently begun to focus on.
Happy Birthday MLK!
In 2020 we are still hanging on to your dream and fighting the good fight against racism, social injustice, and civil rights for all people of the world. Not many know the history of our nation and the atrocities you fought to the death to bring to light and to bring change to.
Passion and Purpose
Once I found my passion in fashion I started my business, but once I began to use my brand in helping others and teaching kids and working within my community, I found my purpose. The energy and positive vibrations from working with some foster kids and local teens this weekend was extraordinary.
Food for Thought
Anything that god has for me, is for me. No man or woman can block or take that from me. Time is a human construct that can confuse and mislead you on your own personal journey thinking you’re missing out or that someones blessing should be yours. Life is about building and creating, not following a timeline or someone else’s construct of what success is.
All the Smoke
Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes’ podcast all the smoke has become one of my favorite podcast in the past year or so. Only into their 11th episode fairly new I think it has the potential to grow into that breakfast club, Joe Budden type podcast level.
Ear to the Streets: Griselda
Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, and Westside Gunn have pretty much run the underground rap scene all 2019 but I think 2020 the Buffalo natives will be taking over main stream ears as well.
Drop Gems
One of the most important parts of running a brand is knowing that everything you do reflects your brand and the reputation of your brand. So when you have an authentic, organic, fan base that relates to your brand’s authenticity and then switch up it confuses the consumer. Being consistent and brand focused is key in growth and expanding to new consumers who may not know your previous work but if you are consistent there’s no question or confusion as to what your brand offers.
If it’s up then it’s up with us!
My first week back on social media has been eventful to say the least.
Savage!
This year I’m starting off with GoonMilk messages of the day! Inspiration that gets me motivated and hopefully lights a fire inside some of you! Sometimes it’s not what people say but who says it, So instead of me preaching on my imaginary pulpit of positivity here’s some influential people and clips everyday to help you get out of those negative situations!
Sunday’s Best
I always think it’s dope shining light on black folk in the fashion industry. Courtney Mays has been a top stylist for years now and Chris Paul’s personal stylist. One of many stylist taking the NBA by storm. Ten years ago what NBA players wore to their games and press conferences were atrocious, now it’s big business.
Queen and Slim
So, I finally went and saw Queen and Slim last night and it really didn’t disappoint as some critics said it wasn’t as good as it was boasted to be. I thoroughly enjoyed the many cultural and detailed Black nuances throughout the movie and how they captured the black community as a whole from one side of the spectrum to the other. How we eat, talk, walk, feel, and communicate with one another was put on display in a very detailed yet subtle way that it wasn’t just a “black” film, but it was, and one of hope and resilience.
GoonMilkTV SZN1
Every GoonMilkTV volume has been uploaded to the new GoonMilkTV page on the GoonMilk site! Now you can watch each episode of SZN1 in one place! This pass year has been a blur but you can now recap some of the greatest GoonMilk moments from 2019 all at once here!
The World Chico and Everything in it…
Throwback Thursday!
Around this time in 2016 I was transitioning from working together with Black on Enspire Streetwear, and rebranding GoonMilk for myself.
G.O.O.N.S. Dont Die, We Multiply
Tomorrow the second Cartoon Capsule collection will release. An ode to one of my favorite movies as a kid, “Bebe’s Kids”. Putting a spin on the movie’s motto “We Bebe’s Kids we don’t die, we multiply” and using hand drawn characters by my bro Mike Mike he did for me a few years ago.
3rd Annual Zelf on the Shelf!
Extremely proud of my cuzzo Azel Prather Jr., he’s hosting his third annual “Zelf on a Shelf” this Friday along with a self care day for his KIPP students where Barbers, Beauticians, and nail techs are coming into the school to give the kids makeovers for christmas! Last year he raised enough money through social media to get gifts for 340 students at his school. Surpassing the 26 kids he actually teaches. Zel was also featured on channel 9 News this passed weekend giving him even more of a spotlight for his The Prather Foundation and what he does everyday for those kids.
Distraction Addiction
What are the long term effects of too much information? How attached are you to your phone? Are Social Media Friends real? Can you put your phone down? Are you addicted to your Smartphone?
Ghetto Until Proven Fashionable
Moschino’s Pre Fall 2020 show was satire at its best. But that’s what Creative Director Jeremey Scott has always been known for. That being as it may, where as a culture do we draw the line of mockery and a clear admiration for what Black Culture has brought forth to fashion and mainstream media.