nsfw

Speaking of Mr. West, I will be the first and surely not the last to say I hate his new sound. I appreciate when artist wants to make a clear statement, and am so willing to believe in statements that might be ahead of their time, but what Kanye has so exceptionally done so far in his career is appropriate the genre conventions, aesthetics, and sounds of a non-hip-hop universe and make them his own that somehow still appeal to the contemporary hip-hop audience with the exception of the space he's venturing into for his latest album, "808s and Heartbreaks." "The Graduate" was the perfect balance between Kanye's interest in electro-house music and hip-hop street cred, a bold move for a hip-hop pop artist. His decision to record his new album entirely using Auto-Tune and singing, instead of rapping, on every track is a terrible one that shows his limitations as a vocalist, not something entirely required for the success of a rapper, but definitely for a balladeer. For an album that is supposed to be his emotional opus (his recent break-up album and the death of his mother have surely had an effect on him), it makes no sense that he chooses a device that makes a person sound like a robot, instead of emphasizing the emotions of disappointment, frustration, and loss through his actual voice. On top of that, his album listening party consisted of forty naked women in afro wigs courtesy of artist Vanessa Beecroft, a stunt and a misfire for his appreciation of mind-expanding contemporary art. Is it just me or is that the most poured on thick schlock of this artist's near asexuality? There usually seems to be a wink in his eye with his obsessive posting of hot girls on his blog, but this seems a bit extreme for a gathering of people like Michael Rappaport and Audrina Patridge. Let's not forget his latest video was an homage to "American Psycho." If he's truly channeling Patrick Bateman, then perhaps this will all be a nasty dream we'll soon forget.

reeeeeeeemmmmmmiiiiiiiiiixxxxxxx!!!!

I want to hate MGMT, but I can't resist this remix. Add to the equation Kanye in non-Auto Tune mode and it's good, right? Right?

copy cat

Kanye West at the Lanvin men's S/S 09 collection in Paris

It's one thing that Clive bit off my shades of gray look, but dang Kanye, you had to go and steal my shorts, jacket, summer scarf, and smart glasses look too? I guess my bag of tricks is officially empty.

that's the very last time we saw each other

For his album listening party last summer, Kanye West and editor Derrick Lee made a series of mash-up videos, with each song taking on a new context with its cinematic counterpart. The rhythm of West's lyrics in this video becomes akin to the the lushly romantic and melancholic world of Wong Kar Wai's sci-fi dreamscape "2046." His fan-like love for Asian popular culture, nostalgic idea of the future, and eye-popping visuals are more concrete and passionate here than in some of his other videos. For more, click here.

p.s., What happened with "My Blueberry Nights"? It's unfortunate that the few international auteurs with current releases (Michael Haneke, Susanne Bier, Olivier Assayas) have yet to connect to an American audience. Fernando Meirelles, perhaps you can make things better.

she don't believe in shooting stars

"Flashing Lights"
Kanye West feat. Dwele
dir., Spike Jonze & Kanye West

Video ho, expensive car, bludgeoning to death! Oh, my!

british girl

Estelle feat. Kanye West, "American Boy"

You know I how feel about British accents.

the sartorialists: five best dressed men of 2007

When I think about what I wore versus what I wanted to wear in 2007, I'll think of the men I looked to for reliable inspiration and a dashing simplicity. All of these men exhibit a singular and defined personality in how they dress as well as embody the timeless trends of this past year--neutrals, slim cuts, and stripes. We can also hope that candy colored denim, Wayfrarers (I must admit I picked up a knock off pair at Old Navy over the summer), ethnic inspired scarves, and the Slim Slack at American Apparel will die a slow death before the next big thing in 2008.

In no particular order:

Mark Ronson, musician, dj, producerInspired by the lean lines of the Rat Pack, Ronson managed to make the mid-century lounge lizard look cool again without being too retro or costumey. This is the kind of look that necessitates a martini and Amy Winehouse playing in the background.

Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, fashion designersA controversial choice indeed, due to the restrictive number that constitutes this list, but I think of Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough as two complementary minds with one shared vision. I'm curious as to what a men's line would look like under the relaxed but effortlessly stylish eye of design duo behind Proenza Schouler. Their womenswear collections combine a soft and hard edge that's at once youthful and very of the moment but classic and clean. Essentially that's how they dress and I can't think of a better way of looking young and comfortable minus slovenly and unkempt.

Jack, played by Adam Goldberg in Julie Delpy's "2 Days in Paris"It's easy to slip into the tall white socks, cargo shorts, fannypack, and college t-shirt routine when traveling abroad but Jack brings an incredible black velvet blazer, sunglasses fit for Godard, and a hot French girlfriend. Adam Goldberg's character is ready for any occasion, whether it be a late night soiree or shopping at the market in the morning. His style is pragmatic but with a flair and wit.

Kanye West during Paris Fashion WeekWhen in Paris and attending fashion shows ranging from Yves Saint Laurent to Vivienne Westwood, the standard is a little higher than an award show or television appearance. Gone are the distracting shades of day-glo, funky glasses, and Gucci backpacks from Kanye West's early sartorial repertoire during his many appearance during the collections. West's style has evolved leaps and bounds since his brazen debut into a more grown-up sensibility, favoring less flash over an overt and heavy-handed way of wearing luxury. Those navy Common Projects and tailored suit are remarkably modern and undeniably hip-hop.

Brad Pitt, parent, philanthropist, budding architect,
movie star extraordinaireWhat to do when attending the most glamorous film festival in the world? Call Tom Ford and get him to costume design and tailor a tuxedo and daytime suit for you and nature will take its course. When he's not too busy adopting children, providing new homes for Katrina survivors, or making sensational movies, Brad Pitt makes such daringly perfect choices for his public appearances. Who else wears a scalloped vest with parted hair and not look like a Jay Gatsby rip off? Mr. Pitt, you are quite simply the man.

Honorable mention:
The cast of "The Darjeeling Limited"
George Clooney
Milo Ventimiglia

Worst dressed:
Tom Cruise
Gareth Pugh
Timbaland

the hipster handbook

Some Random Dude, Cory Kennedy, Kanye West, Jeremy Scott, and Agyness Deyn at Jeremy Scott's After Party during Paris Fashion Week

Naturally, The Cobrasnake caught this gem of a moment that looks like that moment when you and all of your friends are posing for a possible MySpace or Facebook default pic. Celebrities are just like us in a myriad of ways.