GLITTER FIRST, QUESTIONS LATER: WHAT A C★NT!
Move out the way girlies, because this Diva is ready for her closeup. Lexi Love comes to remind us to do one thing and one thing only: shine like the diamond—or rather, glitter bomb—you are. Kentucky-based, roller derby doll realness, and Kelly Cutrone-approved? Lexi is the epitome of what it meant to idolize the iconic supermodels from the Victoria’s Secret days (before they were canceled, of course)…
SHANTÉ, YOU STAY!
Shanté’s voice is one of those rare ones—pure, unfiltered, and completely her own. Whether it’s the gospel-infused ache of Clip My Wings, the effortless authenticity of Party on Mars, or the confessional intimacy of Cry 4 U, her music doesn’t just sound good—it truly put you in all the right feels.
BRANDON LIGONS IS THE ROSE BEHIND THE THORNS
Sitting down with Brandon felt like ringing up an old girlfriend to spill the tea and trade all the hot new beauty secrets. I've had the pleasure of keeping up with Brandon’s journey for the past few years now, and every new era of evolution feels like a reignited flame of inspiration and glamour. Originally from South Carolina, this New York-based insta-baddie is not only a model, content creator, entrepreneur, and beauty aficionado whose effortless blend of glitz and glam has carved out a unique space for themselves in the bustle of the Big Apple, but their presence online has become a bold declaration—a call for anyone to embrace authenticity without limits and self-expression without apology. With the help of their favorite kardashian-esque nudey lipstick, their signature clean cut bob with a curl in front, and their soulmate, boyfriend, and go to camera-man, Raul Ricardo, we peel back the covers and really get to know who Brandon Ligons is off camera, and what they have in store for us in 2025.
PLUSH (+h) COMES FROM A HEAVENLY PLACE AND GOD, REALLY, FUCKS WITH HER. DUH.
Six months ago, I met the musician known as Plush (+h) at Sincerely Tommy in Bedstuy, our old part-time, day job. When Plush (+h) first told me they made music, I asked them to send me something so I could listen. She said just search “Plush (+h).” I was visibly confused, and she very gently, with a light stoicism, said, “Just search it, if it’s meant for you, you’ll find it.”
DESMOND SAM: CREATING HIS OWN LANE
Desmond Sam never waited for a lane to open up for him—he created his own. From growing up in Brooklyn’s Flatbush to becoming a force in New York’s fashion and nightlife scenes, Dez has always trusted his instincts, even when the world around him couldn’t yet see his vision. His journey is one of self-determination, of making space where none existed, and of refusing to conform to an industry that often tried to box him in. Whether navigating fashion as a young Black queer creative or building Dine with Dez, the hottest new dinner party series popping up in cities across the country, Dez has proven time and time again that when the doors don’t open, you knock harder—or better yet, build your own.
UNAPOLOGETICALLY TATE: BABY TATE TALKS TATE TUESDAY VOL. 1
Baby Tate isn’t just a TikTok baddie; she’s a beam of light, empowerment, and relatability. At 28, this singer, rapper, and producer from Decatur, Georgia, has crafted a career that feels like an anthem for self-expression and joy. As the daughter of Grammy-nominated singer and former Arrested Development member Dionne Farris, Tate’s story is rich with self-expression, resilience, and determination. From belting Stevie Wonder tunes at four years old on stacked toddler chairs to attending performing arts schools through the twelfth grade, she’s always known the spotlight was hers for the taking. Now based in Los Angeles, Tate embodies the essence of growing boldly, taking your roots, watering them, and blossoming into something entirely her own.
JOEL HILARIO X A WORLDWIDE MAGAZINE
TALENT JOEL HILARIO★ PHOTOGRAPHER LOUIE PEREA ★ WARDROBE STYLIST J. ALEXANDER CARTEGENA★ VIDEOGRAPHER SEAN PERRY FILMS★ DP SAINT JAMES★ STYLING ASSISTANT JOHNNY GUTIERREZ★ ASSISTANTS RICHELLE KOTA + LENIN BETANCUR ★ CASTING INVITE ONLY PRODUCTION
KENJI’S LEADING THE WAY
Lately Kenji has been trusting what feels good, and it all started with him surrounding himself with friends he can trust and tapping into his inner voice.
A PIECE OF WERK: DARIUS THE BARBARIAN ON UNLEASHING AUTHENTICITY AND BOLDNESS IN MUSIC
In a world where authenticity often feels like a buzzword, Darius The Barbarian stands out as a genuine beacon of originality and fearlessness. Recently, I had the opportunity to delve into the mind of this boundary-pushing musician whose alter ego, Darius The Barbarian, encapsulates a bold, cutthroat spirit that challenges the conventional limits of artistry. From his EP MOUTHWERK to his brand new LP Body Gospel, Darius shares his journey, creative process, and the essence of being unapologetically true to oneself. In this candid interview, he offers advice to Black creatives worldwide and reveals the depth of his multifaceted persona that transcends music.
MALACHI OF ‘GOOD LIVES CREW’ TALKS RED FLAGS, THE CYCLES OF DEATH IN CREATIVITY & WHY HE THINKS HE MAY BE A FAILED ARTIST IN THIS LIFETIME
I met Malachi about a year and a half ago after I was invited to a Space Cade7’s show at Arlene’s Grocery in the Lower East Side. It was a relatively warm night, the venue was packed and I was front row. When Malachi raps he does more than flow, he dances, he levitates. His energy can be felt radiating through the room, it is hard to stand still when you watch the way his feet move around the stage, weaving in and out of all the other artists that make up the group previously known as Space Cade7s. A year and a half later— I am sitting with Malachi outside of Head Sound Records. He is more somber. It is another warm night. Malachi lights a joint, puts on the new Hiatus Kaiyote record, “Love Heart Cheat Code,” and we talk intimately about past lives, religion, influences, and the history behind the collective currently known as the Good Lives Crew.
ZAI, A PUNK RAP ICON IN THE MAKING!
During a viral freestyle, artist and designer Zai raps, “I am full of contradictions, but damn is that a crime.” Being a Trans, Black, Jewish, Gay man, this line sums up Zai’s unique perspective and mission to show better representation to often underrepresented groups. In a conversation over Zoom, we talked about this, intersectionality, and his upcoming album, Saturn’s Doula.
CORINNE BOBROW-WILLIAMS ON BEAUTY, LIBERATION & WHY WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT MONEY MORE
I recently had the honor of sitting with the multi-hyphenate and gentle-spirited Corinne Bobrow-Williams on a sunny day in Bedstuy. We grabbed a tea from September Café and sat on a stoop, talking for hours about their beginnings in photography, posing feminine bodies in front of recycled backdrops, how the South informed the way they see the world at large, the beauty of being Black, and the exploitative nature of money. Corinne’s presence and the gems of wisdom they left with me during our conversation were the breaths of fresh air I needed on an otherwise sweltering Tuesday. I hope you find the same.
HOW AN EYE FOR THE MUNDANE AND A LOVE FOR RAWNESS KEEPS ADBI IBRAHIM IN THE RIGHT ROOMS
Abdi provides a clean-cut sense of realness when directing and contributing to his art as well in conversation. Accolades include but limited to directing commercials starring Venus Williams and shoots for Baby Keem on Billboard Magazine, Abdi is still only widening his range in the industry. We spoke on family, travel, and goals of working alongside more big names.
MAKE-UP, HAIR, DANCE, PHOTOGRAPHY, & MODELING: Steps by Jeannette Williams on her path to becoming the creative enigma she’s always wanted to be.
Lots of people call themselves multidisciplinary arts, all encompassing arts, but not everyone has the portfolio to back it like Jean does. Entrusted with the hair and makeup of icons such as the Clermont Twins, JT, and Dreamdoll; her face on the occasional Brandon Blackwood campaign the list only goes on and grows further by the week with Jean. All this in the effort to be able to get her creative visions just right. Now tapped into photography, Jean now has her feet in everyone’s place on set. Nonetheless, she took some time to let me know how going with the flow was her way out of the box and let me know what mental switches happen behind and in front of cameras.
YOUR ROYAL FINEST: QUEEN AMINA IS HERE
At just 23, Queen Amina has revamped herself into a meticulously diligent artistic butterfly. This up-and-coming creative visionary has broken free from her cocoon, and her hands are not to be tampered with. A young and passionate artist, with a skill and talent that compares to few is in a league of her own.
C★NT. BOLD. SMART. DOSHA DENG BALANCES ALL HER PLAN, FUTURE, & WINNINGS HARMONIOUSLY.
Dosha Deng, captivating the limelight for the last 4 years, took some time on her younger brother’s birthday no less, to sit and talk with me from a hot LA day. The young model, who at this point you’ve probably seen on GIA’s latest campaign, or maybe Barbie’s European campaign? The list is only accumulating on where you’ve seen her face and she happily let me know it’s only the beginning for her and for more darker-skinned models as we spoke further on the topic of whose faces she’s seeing in castings.
FROM ILLUSTRATION TO FASHION EXPERT: The Electrifying Odyssey of Kwesi Willis
From Michigan to New York City originally on a journey to further hone their skills in illustration, this interview brings insight into how Illustrator and Fashion savant Kwesi Willis acquired their job as a Fashion Assistant at Harper’s Bazaar.
DIALLO MITCH UP IN THIS B★TCH!
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DIALLO MITCH FOR WORLDWIDE MAGAZINE DIGITAL.
TALENT Dialló Mítch ★ PHOTOGRAPHER James Kelly III ★ WARDROBE STYLIST Dialló Mítch ★ GLAM Aime Ramirez ★ HAIR The Baddie Spot ★ CREATIVE DIRECTION Dialló Mítch ★ INTERVIEW Fatima Turay
ELEGANCE IN ACTION: MEET MOODY BLU
Regal. Dynamic. Stoic. These are just a few of the choice words that can be mentioned to describe the work of film photographer, Moody Blu. Moody’s repertoire ranges from high fashion looks to more artistically appreciated stills that all cast a spell on you. His images have a heartbeat: beating beauty, individuality and a lingering mystique that makes his moniker, Moody Blu, a pun that is full of intention. With an elegant and avant garde approach that you notice in the final product, it’s no wonder Moody has ventured further into creative direction with his production house, @mb9studios. From the array of muses/subjects, to collaborating with other creatives, but ultimately being the man with the plan—Moody Blu is an essential piece to executing any project, just trust HIS process.
GET TO KNOW THE MULTIFACETED, CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHER, DAVID JAELIN
TALENT, ART DIRECTION, PHOTO EDITS BY DAVID JAELIN ★ PHOTOS BY CAIRO ★ WARDROBE STYLING BY GREG EMMANUEL ★ INTERVIEW BY FATIMA TURAY
Going through the different images of David’s work takes you on a ride that has you venturing to different worlds, all set way in the future. Meticulously detailed graphics, while paired with stunning subjects that complement David’s grand vision, his work simply put is breathtaking. Anything that makes the eye marvel, is more than just eye candy: that’s real art.