One more thing to add to the promo for Beyoncé’s 4... The world class entertainer is brought to life by photographer Thierry Le Gouès and artist Ebon Heath in the Complex‘s Style & Design issue. The August/September issue does a great job of painting an image of Beyoncé as powerful, accomplished yet earthbound. Read the full editorial HERE. View more after…
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If there’s one magazine that gives Kanye West his shine, it’s Complex. It’s an awesome magazine that produces some of the best editorials and pictorials of the eccentric artist. The latest issue featuring West pulls in a handful of people who worked with him on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy to share their experiences:
Nicki Minaj On Working With West:
“I heard through Drake that Kanye wanted me on his album, and I got on the next thing smokin’ to Hawaii. I didn’t think that he was gonna like me. I always figured that he was one of those conscious rappers, so I thought that he wouldn’t want girls to be dressed overtly sexy—and I go to the studio and he has nothing but pictures of naked women on his computer that he’d invite me to look at. They were really artsy pictures, but you know he loves nudity, so it was a complete shock to me, ’cause I thought I had him all figured out, but I didn’t. He was watching porn when we were in the studio—no shame in his game. Kanye kept askin’ me to come and eat breakfast, but I like to record in the morning. So, when they were eating breakfast, I was in the studio listening to music and writing. And he would always be like, (more…)
M.I.A. is the feature story for the June/July issue of Complex magazine as part of the promotion for her forthcoming album, /\/\ /\ Y /\ (MAYA). As with most interviews done by the visual artist, there is always a constant flow of opinions and introspect rolling out of her mouth.
On her admiration for Kanye West, as a person and an artist:
I think Kanye is trying to take it into a new realm and he’s sort of putting the artistry back into it and sort of taking it in that direction.
On her opinon of Jay-Z vs. Nas:
I was having a conversation about Jay-Z and Nas and how it was really crazy how they were having this Nas vs. Jay-Z moment 10 years ago and no one really talks about it now.
Jay became the biggest representation of rap music who’s still alive, started dating Beyoncé—everything was so much bigger and better with Jay-Z. I hope people don’t think that that wins. The fact that Nas didn’t become all this sort of stuff changes people’s perception about the music and the work he achieved in his lifetime. I don’t wanna say Jay-Z sold out, but I just feel like we have to wait another 10 years to see what happens. Jay-Z’s ambition was to become like Frank Sinatra, a household name all over the planet, and own a casino in Vegas and stuff like that. And I think Nas was really sticking to knowledge. I still think the biggest point about hip-hop is in there somewhere, what happens to those two artists. [SOURCE 1] [SOURCE 2]
After reading the entire interview you can’t help but admire her more and more because the thing with her is not about being comfortable, it’s all about awareness. Being uncomfortable is what ticks most people off. Also, sure, Kanye West is as great as she says he is, we always agree on that but there just comes a time when a person should know when to keep their mouth closed. Then again, that would be comfortable. You can read the entire interview HERE and view the gallery after.
Kelis is featured in the Feb./Mar. issue of Complex magazine. She responds to three statements that the average US male say. Check it out after…
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