JOOPITER Releases "On Another Planet: The Collection of Kid Cudi" for Auction

...heavy heavy heavy on my grizzle.

Now live for global bidding, Joopiter x Kid Cudi presents his personally sourced collection of fashion, jewelry pieces, sneakers, objects and more.  

This collection represents many eras of both my personal life and career, particularly how art and fashion influenced me over the years.  Each piece holds a special meaning to me and I hope that they instill this inspiration into the next owner.  

{Personal Post} PHOTOS: Yaddiya "HOYA$" Georgetown Pop-Up

Washington D.C's own, Justin "Yaddiya" Johnson, hosted a pop-up shop and record release party for his new album, HOYA$.  The celebration was held at Yaddiya's 1223 Potomac Gallery art space in the busy streets of Georgetown.   Serenaded with sounds from his new album on loop and classic Georgetown basketball games projected on tv screens, the event featured art from "Hoya Paranoia: Black America's Team" with pieces by Jermaine "jET" Carter, Corey Ramon Gibson, and Krown Aim.

Here's a walk through my lens... 

Janie and Jack Introduce Serena Williams Children's Fashion Collection

Serena has been our dream partner since the moment she became a mother.  We were so excited when we first saw her dress (her daughter) Olympia in Janie and Jack at Wimbledon.

- Parnell Eagle, President/Chief Commercial Officer of Janie and Jack

Designed for children from infant to age 12, each piece is colored in neutrals, pink, white, and shades of orange and yellow.  They extend in-store up to size 8 and available up to size 12 online.  

Pharrell x Moët & Chandon Unveil Birthday-Themed Collection

The best part about a birthday are the people who want to 

celebrate it with you.
-Pharrell Williams

The man of many hats, including Louis Vuitton Creative Director, teamed up with Moët & Chandon for an exclusive birthday-themed collection.  Each bottle features a custom sleek design— the Limited Edition (simple and elegant), the Bow Capsule (oversized fabric bow that also doubles as a brooch), and the Jewel Masterpiece (where the name speaks for itself).

{Personal Post} PHOTOS: "Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy" Exhibition | New York, NY

Part Two of {Personal Post} PHOTOS: "Ice Cold : An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry" | New York, NY

...later that cool January day, after a little shopping x eating x roaming, I headed over to the Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy exhibit.  A vibrant colorful funhouse of carnival attractions stemming from the 1987 Luna Luna amusement park in Hamburg, Germany.  Featured artists included Jean-Michel Basquiat, Arik Brauer, Salvador Dalí, Sonia Delaunay, Monika GilSing, Keith Haring, André Heller, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, and Kenny Scharf.  In addition, there were live costumed dancers, interactives, and an overlook 'Butterfly Bar'.  I was very specific with the photos I snapped here.  The magic always lies in the details.

Walk through the story...

Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt Album Will Be Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame

 Music has the unique power to shape culture and mark moments in time. Each inducted recording reflects that spirit, and we’re excited to celebrate these impactful works, ensuring their legacies continue to inspire generations to come.

- Harvey Mason Jr./CEO of the Grammy Recording Academy.  

Politics as usual.

Jay-Z 's 'Reasonable Doubt' album will be inducted into this year's Grammy Hall Of Fame on May 16, 2025.  Released in 1996, 'Reasonable Doubt' is still revered as one of Hip-Hop's greatest albums and arguably (I've been in many debates) Jay-Z's best album.  

The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame serves as a vital bridge between music’s past and present, honoring recordings that have left a lasting mark on our cultural landscape.

- Michael Sticka, President/CEO of the Grammy Museum

Megan Thee Stallion's New Tequila Has Arrived

 I'm excited to share this labor of love with you all and hope you are inspired to enter your CHICAS ERA!

Hotties Drink Responsibly.  Owh.

As part of her 30th birthday celebration, Megan Thee Stallion launched a new brand.  Tequila!

Produced in Jalisco, Mexico, Chicas Divertidas arrives in two premium offerings of Blanco and Reposado.   Both benefit from the Arandas region volcanic soil and cool climate, which yields a naturally sweet agave.  

{Watch} ALL DAY I DREAM ABOUT SPORT : A Short Film by. Gabriel Moses and Pharrell Williams

I didn’t go to film school or study photography. I’ve always had my own way of working, really trusted that, and stuck with it. My style is made up of all of the things that make me me.

-Gabriel Moses

Le Cinéma Club presents the exclusive online premiere of Gabriel Moses and Pharrell Williams 'ALL DAY I DREAM ABOUT SPORT' film.  Running a little over 20 minutes, the film serves as a visual love letter of culture in Senegal.  The cinematography throughout is striking; fluidly following a story of life and emotions in Senegal's capital city, Dakar.  The film unexpectedly includes a new song from Pusha T- "Mike Tyson Blow to the Face".  Underlying puns peek.

I recently saw Pharrell's 'Piece by Piece' biopic and it was fan-tas-tic.  There was no doubt that he and Gabriel Moses creative minds worked favorably in their synergy.  

Time Warp... 1988: Keep Looking | Sade #BlackHistoryMonth

Twentieth Century Fox

Don't lay awake at night 

Thinking about your worries 

Thinking about your problems...

Don't let them bother you, no...

  It's no use sitting down 

Don't walk 'round with a frown, oh no

Keep looking...

 

Related Post:  Time Warp... 2003: Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly | Lizz Wright #BlackHistoryMonth

Related Post:  SOULECTION presents new Sade compilation "Love is King"

Yasiin Bey x The Alchemist Announce Their Collab "FORENSICS" Album Livestream

FORENSICS is more than the name of an album, it’s descriptive of a new approach to delivering art, bringing together the experience of musical content with fashion, visual art, technology and community.

Yasiin Bey x The Alchemist are slated to perform and premiere their highly anticipated upcoming collaboration album, FORENSICS, via livestream.  It will be sourced through Bandcamp for $9.99 USD.  Consumers will be able to replay the event for 48 hours after the live stream concludes.  

{Trailer} The Weeknd's "Hurry Up Tomorrow"... the Film

"...it does not count. Everything remains exactly how it was."

Fresh off the heels of the Hurry Up Tomorrow album release, The Weeknd dropped the official trailer for the accompanying film by Trey Edward Shults (Waves/It Comes at Night).  Starring Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, Barry Keoghan, and Jenna Ortega, Hurry Up Tomorrow the film follows the story of a musician plagued by insomnia.  After being pulled into an odyssey with a stranger, the very core of his existence begins to unravel.  The trailer is just as energetic and captivating as the album itself.  

Watch below!

Meet Robert F. Flemming Jr: The Inventor of the Acoustic Guitar #BlackHistoryMonth

Born in Baltimore, MD in 1839 as the first of five children to Robert F. Flemming Sr and Mary Jane Flemming, the Flemming family relocated to Massachusetts.  As a young adult, he enlisted with the U.S. Navy in May 1863 and discharged from service in June of 1865.  Flemming Jr. returned to Massachusetts where he worked as a guitar manufacturer and music teacher.  His curiosity and desire for a louder and more resonant sound, compared to traditional guitars then, led to his creation of the 'Euphonica' guitar.  In modern times today, we know this as the Acoustic guitar.   

The HEINZ & DJ Mustard for Mustard Collab Is On the Way

An undeniably perfect use with Kendrick's yell of "MUSTAAAAARD" on he and DJ Mustard's 'Tv Off' track.  The promo commercial unveiled during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards this past Sunday.  Note, Dijon "DJ Mustard" McFarlane has since dropped the 'DJ' from his professional recording name however... its use here is to help from reading in a tongue twister.

The record producer and DJ is now the Chief Mustard Officer of HEINZ.  That title entails hosting events, exclusive recipes, creative energy and more into the sauce world.  In addition, a new mustard sauce is coming soon.  A first for HEINZ in almost a decade.

Meet Alonzo "Lonnie" Clayton: The Youngest Jockey to Win the Kentucky Derby #BlackHistoryMonth

Born in Kansas City, MO on January 4, 1876, Alonzo "Lonnie" Clayton had a reputation for being 'exceptionally bright'.   One of nine siblings, Clayton joined his brother Albertus, who was a Jockey for Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin in Chicago, IL.  After starting as an exercise rider, he debuted as a Jockey in 1890 in Clifton, NJ.  He won the Jerome Stakes and Champagne Stakes in 1891.  The following year, Alonzo "Lonnie" Clayton made history.

Time Warp... 2011: Universal Train | Father's Children #BlackHistoryMonth

The world keeps going around 

Don't you know that I'll keep singing my song...

 

Related Post:  Time Warp... 2020: Almeda | Solange x Playboi Carti x The Dream #BlackHistoryMonth

Related Post:  Time Warp... 2003: Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly | Lizz Wright #BlackHistoryMonth

{Personal Post} PHOTOS: Banksy x Basquiat + Osgemeos "Endless Story" Art Exhibits

What a lovely afternoon at the museum.  Warped in the art, we ended up staying until the museum closed.  First we stopped by the Basquiat x Banksy exhibit, then ventured to the OSGEMEOS: Endless Story exhibit.  I captured my favorites of both.  Here's the view through my lens.

Off we go...

ADDICTION's 15th blog-aversary!

15 years in this thang.  

While the 'blog-era' dissolved as access to information and the way people consume it changed, ADDICTION remained.  I'm allowed to express myself through interests and it's something I hold dear.  THANK YOU as always to the visitors and supporters.  From day ones to newcomers.  

We still going up.  

Xoxo, Dolcezza. 

 

Related Post:  ADDICTION reaches over 500k views! :: 14th Blog-aversary!

{Book Alert} "How To Be More Like Kendrick For Dummies"

Load up the pro tools and press three.

Who knew that the book from the Squabble Up video was not just a subtle diss, but an actual book to be released?  HA.  Through 250 pages, How To Be More Like Kendrick For Dummies features his iconic quotes, thought-provoking insights, and facts about Mr. Kendrick Lamar himself.  

Sneak Peek: Tamar and Her Mom, Evelyn "Ms. E" Braxton, Debut Their Upcoming Cooking Show

Tamar and Ms. E became fan favorites through the long running reality tv show, Braxton Family Values.  Now they're back onscreen with a new series and venture.  Together in Cooking Sessions with Tamar and Ms. E, the Daughter and Mom duo will prepare some of their favorite recipes with a few guests here and there as well as... dishing out tea.  

Watch the sneak peek below:   

{Trailer} HULU presents... Sly & The Family Stone Documentary, "Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)"

If you want me to stay...

Oscar Winning Director and renowned Musician, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson, brings forth a new documentary examining the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone.  SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) captures the rise, reign, and fade out of the groundbreaking band and man while engaging a closer look on how Black artists navigate through the veiled burden that comes with their success.  

Watch the trailer after the jump!

Anwar Carrots Debuts New "Homegrown" Streetwear Collection with Walmart

It’s inspiring to work with a brand so deeply connected to people’s everyday lives, especially when it comes to making quality and affordability a priority. 

- Anwar Carrots, press statement

Anwar Carrots and mega retail chain Walmart have teamed up for an exclusive streetwear collection with his Carrots brand titled, Homegrown.  The Homegrown collection features t-shirts, hoodies, joggers, and crewnecks for both kids and adults.  

...with this collection, we’ve created something that resonates with families, celebrates growth, and brings everyone together, proving that inclusivity and empowerment can go hand-in-hand.