May 23, 2013
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Emily Shapiro

Interpretive Dancehall: Puma Dance Dictionary x Dre Skull x Popcaan

mikpakrecordspumadictionaryFirstTimeofficialmusicvideo2013

In dancehall, there is a dance for pretty much every word, action and emotion in existence. You’ve got “difficult,” “sufferer,” “confused,” even “shovel.” One could probably speak in full sentences using only party dances. Puma has launched a creative ad campaign for their Sync fragrance line called “Dance Dictionary” that is something like that, minus the Jamaican party dances. You can visit their website, www.pumadancedictionary.com, to see how folks like Dancehall Funk instructor (and choreographer of French Montana ‘s “Freaks” video) Dionne Renee and Brooklyn flexer Storyboard P use popping, waving, gliding, twerking and the like to communicate a variety of messages.

And they haven’t stopped at simple phrases. Puma has collaborated with Mixpak Records to bring us a super dope interpretation of producer Dre Skull‘s new single “First Time” featuring the entrancing vocals of Purity Ring’s Megan James and Popcaan. The song is not your typical dancehall track so it’s fitting that, in the video, the dancers (including Ms. Renee and Storyboard P) are fully clothed and keep their legs firmly planted on the ground. We think the collaboration is a good look for all and it’s got us thinking about some other songs we’d like to see put through the dictionary. Check out the video below:

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Fashion Fridays: Q+A with Mikaila Brown of Aliakim


Words and Interview by Emily Shapiro—

mikaila

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Bruk-Up Cinema: “Flex is Kings” Documents Brooklyn’s Caribbean-Inspired Dance Movement

Words by Emily Shapiro—

Photograph by Deidre Schoo

If you’ve been to a dancehall party in Brooklyn over the past 10 years (or a Rice and Peas), you’ve seen a flexor. They can contort their bodies in unnatural ways, glide and wave their limbs with insane fluidity, and generally put on a good show at any bashment they attend.

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Fashion Fridays: Aliakim’s “Revolutionary Chic”

Words by Emily Shapiro—

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When one thinks of glamour, the image of an AK-47 is not usually what pops into your mind. However, bad gyal, designer, intellectual and activist Mikaila Brown has managed to make the assault rifle, along with many other subversive images, feminine and something every woman would want to wear. Ms. Brown’s line Aliakim fuses images typically associatd with war or violence like guns, grenades and brass knuckles with ready-to-wear high fashion clothing and accessories.

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Fashion Fridays: Manicures + An Interview with Project Runway’s Samantha Black


Words by Emily Shapiro, Photos by Kevin Ornelas—

Project Runway Sammy B

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Socanomics: Wine Yuh Waist with Miss Black USA

Words by Emily Shapiro—

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Large Up friend and supporter Selena Bailey Watkins has a lot going on. The smart and beautiful Watkins, whose parents both hail from Antigua, is the reigning Miss Black USA, and the first Antiguan-American to hold that title. She’s been repping her role hard in 2013, speaking to young women all over about empowerment and following their dreams, while representing her West Indian culture as well.

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