Photos: naginoda.com

Blurb from YAMS:

野田 凪 Nagi Noda.

野田 凪 Nagi Noda’s Bio:

Among her works are the short film Mariko Takahashi’s Fitness Video for Being Appraised as an “Ex-fat Girl“, the half-panda-half-something-else Hanpanda life-sized figures, and the video for Japanese singer Yuki’s song “Sentimental Journey“. Other works include direction of a television advertisement for Coca-Cola (with music by Jack White), collaboration with Medicom Toy to produce Nagi Noda Be@rbrick and the video for “Hearts On Fire” by Cut Copy, it was the last music video she made.

Nagi died on September 7, 2008, at age 35, after surgical complications from injuries sustained in a traffic accident the previous year.

Photo: Courtesy of SiKK

Blurb from YAMS:

I have always seen the passion in SiKK’s performance. Whether she knows it or not, her recognition and accomplishments are no surprise — to me. Perhaps, now, she will understand why I have ‘hounded’ her so. For more SiKK, kindly click here.

SiKK’s Bio:

SiKK is a 22 year old Hip-Hop dancer and performer from Montreal City, in Quebec, Canada. Inspired by her mother’s devotion and strength, SiKK always knew she would be working in the music business, on stage or behind the camera. Equally stubborn as her mother, nothing would stop her or change her mind. Open-minded, she grew up listening to all kinds of music and developed her good sense of creativity. She learned how to dance by re-producing her favorite choreographers and copying her favorite performers at a young age. God blessed her with this gift. SiKK’s first performance was in the 6th grade when she teamed up with a couple of friends to do a dance choreography in front of the whole school. That day she knew, she would get up on stage eventually for the rest of her life.

In high school, she created a dance crew. The crew did a few rehearsals during lunch breaks, but the only performance they scored was in a church at the end of 2004. In 2005, she met the people that will become her family and the most influential people in her life.

Photo: Nancy Chérubin

Tribe Alone is a collective organization of performers (dancers, djs, rapper, beat boxer, reggae singer) working together to highlight the positive energy that exists in the urban scene and community. Within three years, they performed in clubs, national festivals, talent shows, and schools and did over 30 performances together. As they evolved individually to discover who they were as artists, SiKK kept pushing on her side. While she was in college, she put together another dance crew, Bonafide and did several shows and video appearances together.

Due to differences, the group last for nearly 2 years but it did not stop SiKK from being on stage, creating, connecting, and networking with new artists. Since 2005, she did over 60 shows and worked as a choreographer and a dancer for few artists in Montreal: Moines de Rue, Juliane, Diaspora, T-Ara, Finess, Souly Track, E’ly, Lukay, Chaplin, Lotus & Troy Dunnit, MuGz, Malicious Malia and many others. She collaborated with Nä-Lij Clothing for their fall 2008 collection. In 2009, she danced in K-Maro’s (famous French rapper) video Elektric directed by NuFilms. Later, she flew to New York with pop singer Malia, to work in her project.

Photo: Janie Janvier

Earlier this year (2010), she opened up for Sean Paul’s concert in Montreal, shot an upcoming music video for Malicious who is coming out soon. SiKK is now working on her personal dance video project L.S.Series, on Novelty, her new art and entertainment organization. She is also going to college to pursue her new passion for cinema and filmmaking. She might start giving dance classes this year; more info to come.

Her main goal is to create, break the rules of normality, follow her heart, inspire the youth, and encourage positivism, by any means necessary. Her supporters are the reasons why she is still dreaming with her eyes open. Through dancing or not, she will be creating and change the game.

Photos: Isabella Blow

Blurb from YAMS:

Isabella Blow > Lady Gaga

Isabella Blow’s Bio:

Isabella Blow was an English magazine editor and international style icon. The muse of hat designer Philip Treacy, she is credited with discovering the models Stella Tennant and Sophie Dahl as well as the fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

Blow moved to New York City in 1979 to study Ancient Chinese Art at Columbia University and shared a flat with the actress Catherine Oxenberg. A year later, she left the Art History programme at Columbia, moved to Texas, and worked for Guy Laroche. In 1981, she married her first husband, Nicholas Taylor (whom she divorced in 1983), and was introduced to the fashion director of the U.S. edition of Vogue, Anna Wintour. She was hired initially as Wintour’s assistant, but it was not long before she was assisting Andre Leon Talley, now U.S. Vogue’s editor-at-large. While working in New York, she befriended Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. In 1986, Blow returned to London and worked for Michael Roberts, then the fashion director of Tatler and the Sunday Times Style magazine.

In 1989, Blow married her second husband, art dealer Detmar Blow, in Gloucester Cathedral; he is a grandson (and namesake) of the early 20th-century society architect Detmar Blow. Philip Treacy designed the bride’s wedding headdress and a now-famous fashion relationship was forged. Realizing Treacy’s talent, Blow established Treacy in her London flat, where he worked on his collections. She soon began wearing Treacy’s hats, making them a signature part of her flamboyant style. In a 2002 interview with Tamsin Blanchard, Blow declared that she wore extravagant hats for a practical reason:

“…to keep everyone away from me. They say, Oh, can I kiss you? I say, No, thank you very much. That’s why I’ve worn the hat. Goodbye. I don’t want to be kissed by all and sundry. I want to be kissed by the people I love.”

In 1993, Blow worked with the photographer Steven Meisel producing the Babes in London shoot featuring Plum Sykes, Bella Freud, and Honor Fraser. Blow had a natural sense of style and a good feeling for future fashion directions. She discovered Alexander McQueen and purchased his entire graduate collection for ₤5,000, paying it off in weekly ₤100 installments. Spotting Sophie Dahl, Blow described Dahl as “a blow up doll with brains”, and launched the model’s career.

Isabella Blow arrives as a guest at the Turner Prize, December 2005.

Blow was the fashion director of Tatler and consulted for DuPont Lycra, Lacoste, and Swarovski. In 2002, she became the subject of an exhibition entitled When Philip met Isabella, featuring sketches and photographs of her wearing Treacy’s hat designs.

In 2005, Blow starred in a project by artist Matthieu Laurette, commissioned and produced by Frieze Projects 2005 and entitled “What Do They Wear at Frieze Art Fair?” It consisted of daily guided tours of Frieze Art Fair led by Blow and fellow international fashion experts Peter Saville, Kira Joliffe, and Bay Garnett.

Shortly before her death, she was the creative director and stylist of a series of books about beauty in the Arab world; the books were being produced by Kuwaiti fashion entrepreneur Sheikh Majed al-Sabah. Blow was dismissed from the project for unknown reasons and attempted suicide. For more about blow, kindly click here.

Isn’t she lovely? We hear her name is Miranda. The photographer is unknown. If you know the photographer, leave his/her name as a comment!

Blurb from YAMS:

We’re at it again! If you missed our first interview, kindly click here. This time around, we are talking about love! Scroll below to listen to the interview, edited by K-Offbeat. To listen and download, The Akoma, click here.

K-Off Beat’s Bio:

Art has always played a major part in my musical journey. After my father passed away leaving me with his collection. I realized how therapeutic music is and how it helps me deal with the loss. Shortly after his death, I became a producer to reinvent music and use it as an instrument to help others and myself. Keeping listeners tuned in with offbeat rhythms and new ways to hear things has opened some doors for me, but I’m not in it to sell my soul, just to deliver something different.

MP3: “Audio Interview for The Akoma” with Producer K-Offbeat

Photo: Richardine 'YAMS' Bartee

Blurb from YAMS:

This interview is from 2007-8. Then, 17, fashion designer and aspiring actress Ade from Washington, D.C. has began dressing herself and designing clothing since the precious age of 2. Of Ivorian descent, Ade’s dresses embody continual great use of textures, shapes, and composition. Full of personality, we bring you Ms. Giwa-Bello! To purchase The Virgin Episode, click here.

GrungeCake: How long have you been into designing, modeling, and fashion illustration?

Ade: Designing? Since I could dress myself, really. Since I was about two. I started drawing in like the 7th grade.

GrungeCake: Who are your inspirations?

Ade: I am a huge fan of anything 40’s. I love Lauren Bacall, side parts, and pin curls. Sweetheart tops, gathered as well as A-Line skirts. I also have a special place in my heart for Josephine Baker. That femininity with a wink. I adore anything that is not quite right— a little off.

GrungeCake: How has DC influenced your own fashion and your work?

Ade: D.C. is such an eclectic city. It is definitely evolving and finding itself fashion wise. Honestly though, I could not pinpoint anything that I got specifically from D.C. It is just a part of me you know. My mother is Ivorian and her mother sewed. She made beautiful pieces. I adore the prints and fabric from Ivory Coast and I think I can appreciate it a lot more because I do not live there. It is not everyday for me.

GrungeCake: Share what you like most about DC.

Ade: Whew, such a small city but there is so many different parts of it. The fact that it is the capitol of the United States makes it such a melting pot culture wise, which I love because I get bored easily.

GrungeCake: Describe your first piece. What does it look like? What material(s) did you use? Is there a specific colour scheme? How long did it take you to make it? What were your inspirations?

Ade: My first piece I honestly made when I was about two, I still have the picture, I made it out of packing material and accessorized it with a shower cap and pearls. I’m still looking for it, when I find it its going straight on eBay.

GrungeCake: Do you design for a specific demographic?

Ade: Absolutely not. I design for whoever is interested in my work.

GrungeCake: How long does it take you to complete each piece?

Ade: It depends really. If I am really inspired or determined I can do I quick dress in one day. I have pieces that have taken me months to complete. I am a persistent person. When I want something, I want it now!

GrungeCake: What kind of sewing machine do you use?

Ade: I currently own a Singer 7422 Advance. I got it because; it has about 30 something stitch patterns. It’s my baby. I love it but I am looking to upgrade.

GrungeCake: Are you or do you plan to be a fashion major?

Ade: Whew. Man, I have considered it but honestly, I do not see that happening.

GrungeCake: Are you into cloths of the Scottish? Could you see yourself emulating the look of Scot man’s kilt into your style of design?

Ade: I love plaid and I really love lumberjacks. This is probably the best question ever. Yes, the answer is yes.

GrungeCake: Your dresses embodies continual great use of textures, shapes, and use of composition (most importantly) — is there anything else that you see within your work that was not mentioned?

Ade: I am a Drama Queen; as far as composition goes, I am big on dramatics, using simple techniques to create a dramatic finished piece. Honestly it depends on how I’m feeling creating pieces tends to be therapy for me so more intricate pieces tend to be products of particularly intense times in my life. It is a little more than just making clothes with me. (laughs)

GrungeCake: Any other talents or interests other than fashion?

Ade: I act which is my first love. I am a big music appreciator; I am actually in the process of starting a band. I am a writer and I read a lot.

GrungeCake: Do you enjoy Granola bars?

Ade: Nature Valley. I hate Quaker.

GrungeCake: If your line were out in stores now, which stores would they be in?

Ade: Man, honestly I could see myself in boutiques around D.C. one of my favorites is Pink November.

GrungeCake: You are also a writer, has any of your poems and prose influenced any of your fashion design?

Ade: Whew, this one is a winner! Yea, again when I create anything. Honestly, it is personal. I construct my pieces many times like the pieces that I write with the same type of passion.

GrungeCake: Are you a Blink 182 fan?

Ade: Is a pig’s pussy pork?

GrungeCake: Can you dance?

Ade: I’m brown.

GrungeCake: If a celebrity could wear something you designed, who would it be and why?

Ade: Wow, Betty Davis! She is so bad, man.

GrungeCake: Are you influenced by any music or art movements?

Ade: I love music period. My feel-good song though— the one that gets me “unhhh” in that place is “She’s Gone” by Hall and Oates. Whew!

GrungeCake: Red velvet or chocolate cake?

Ade: Zora’s Chocolate Mousse Cake and mainly because they only have it in D.C.

GrungeCake: What is next for Ade?

Ade: Graduation. An official website. A new haircut. A lot. I’m planning a launch for sometime this year. My MySpace will be updated with plenty of information.

Photos: http://brickartist.com

Blurb from YAMS:

I think the tech geeks will get a kick out of his ‘brick iPhone’. I mention Sawaya in the first GrungeCake Magazine. Click here to purchase.

Nathan Sawaya is a New York-based artist who creates awe-inspiring works out of some of the most unlikely things. His recent North American museum tours feature large-scale sculptures using only toy building blocks. LEGO® bricks to be exact. For more Sawaya, click here.

Blurb from YAMS:

I have a thing for Los Angeles artists. Always have. When I hear the melodies, the jargon, the way the sentences flow, it takes me to a special place — personally and professionally. I have followed the underground LA music scene for the past five years; collectively, their artists are exceptionally talented and seemingly, they have not lost the art of story telling. They make music that marries your soul. Clearly, it’s personal. (smiles) I had the pleasure of watching Intuition perform alongside VerBS for the celebration of GrungeCake Magazine’s Release for The Dance In My Belly Episode and VerBS’ birthday at Rehab Records in 2009. Click here to purchase.

I love words and Intuition has many of them in his music. Girls do like Intuition. ‘Girls that count’.

I encourage you to support Intuition. Is the ‘recession’ kicking your ass? ‘Tight with your euros. dollars, and yen? We understand. However, it doesn’t cost much to repost and share this with everyone you love, know, and want to fxck.

Thanks in advance. Click here to listen and purchase Intuition’s genius album, “Girls Like Me”.

Intuition’s Bio:

Girls like Intuition, but so do Hip Hop purists, newjack scene kids, and Indie rap snobs alike. The exciting “new” rapper has emerged as one of the fresh faces of the Los Angeles underground Hip Hop scene. But don’t be fooled if you’re just hearing of him, he’s been cutting his teeth for nearly ten years now.

Raised in North Pole, Alaska, Lee Shaner a.k.a. Intuition, moved to Southern California during his college years to pursue his passion for emceeing. A true 80’s baby, Intuition was raised on rap music during it’s golden era and has a style that, while firmly rooted in tradition, still manages to be forward thinking and modern. With early influences ranging from bugged out hippy rap like “3 Feet High and Rising,” to G-funk classics like “Doggystyle,” to the gritty lo-fi hardcore ramblings of “Enter the 36 Chambers,” it’s safe to say the kid has a solid foundation.

Intuition’s debut solo album “Stories About Nothing,” produced entirely by his “musical soul brother” Equalibrum, was a critically acclaimed, yet scarcely heard, record filled with heartfelt yarns woven by a deft narrator of human nature. The writers at Okayplayer.com heard the record and knew they were “looking at the start of something good.” Almost three years later, after a drastic voice change, and an acquired cult following due to the release of 2009’s “BUZZ EP” with fellow emcee VerBS, Intuition has released his sophomore follow-up “Girls Like Me” to the delight of fans and critics alike.

The release of “Girls Like Me” has brought Intuition to the forefront of the blogosphere, with coverage from nearly every major hip hop blog ranging from 2dopeboyz to KevinNottingham and back. Impose Magazine has said the record “will make him the next ugly-ass rapper to be adored by teenage women…[and] single-handedly keep LA hip hop in our thoughts and ears…” With production handled once again by the phenomenal Equalibrum (other than two bangers donated by Dibia$e and Mike Gao) the record has a sense of continuity and flow that is rarely found in modern rap music. Intuition treats song sequencing like the lost art that it is, and it pays off. With a supporting cast consisting of Indie rap legend Slug, underground rap journeymen Nocando (whose new record label Hellfyre Club made Intuition its first signee) & Ex-I, and soulful crooning from Raquel Rodriguez and Travis Brown, there are surprises left and right for long time fans of Intuition or first time listeners.

About “Girls Like Me,” Intuition states “People that listen to my music will know more about me than they would ever know about me by my talking to them…there’s not a single lie on this album, and if someone doesn’t like this record, they would probably hate me as a person.” This sort of brazen honesty is something of a rarity these days in any musical genre, let alone hip hop, and that honesty alone makes him a musician worth perking your ears for.

Intuition is many things: a lover, a hater, a friend, an asshole, a flirt, a loner, a sibling, a son, …but most of all Intuition is a rapper. You should be his listener.

Photos: Julia Fjelddalen for GrungeCake Magazine

Blurb from YAMS:
Julia Fjelddalen captures Norwegian Model and Wardrobe Stylist Beryl for GrungeCake Magazine! I love these Norwegians. Stay tuned for the slideshow.

Photos: Sunna Gottshalk

Blurb from YAMS:

Model Sunna Gottshalk is a Jamaican model born in Burnt Savanah, Westmorland, Jamaica. She stands at 5′11″ and is 180cm tall. According to her website, she was discovered when she was 17 years old. She has worked with the British Vogue, Elle, and countless other prestigious magazines. She’s also modeled for Alexander McQueen, and H&M catalogues. There wasn’t much about Gottshalk online, as far as her biography, so I wrote this one.