pop princess power

Everyone knows Britney Spears did damn near everything she's done first...or at least she made it cool. Her stage style has always had a cutesy swagger that enticed young teen girls to add some sporty edge to their wardrobes (much to the chagrin of parents--omg that midriff!).

I personally had my conflicts with the school dress code solely due to her influence, but something the elders didn't have a problem with was her chunky footwear provided by longstanding sneaker brand, Sketchers (we alllllll had a pair though right?!). At the time Britney was a rising star that had the power to make everything she wore look exceptionally trendy and therefore, necessary, which is probably why she was also used in the ads for the rather unflattering kicks...

Not too long ago I was doing my usual Net-a-porter scrolling and I discovered that Britney's go-to stage footwear has been revamped in these quirky Miu Miu platform sneakers...

...even though I have never liked cork on anything but a wine bottle, I'm not mad at these and I genuinely appreciate the nostalgic feelings they evoke--maybe now I can aggressively strut across the room while doing some intricate hand choreography like the one and only herself...in the comfort of my own apartment of course.

Some Reading | 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

First of all I was happy to note that this show was relying almost entirely on established talent instead of new mediocrity…


Rihanna opens, which I wasn’t expecting because of…reasons. Then we learn that she’s going to perform three more times…anyway, I was bored with that opener despite the lively Pepto-bismol production.

Key and Peele are hosting and I was here for it…at first.

Diddy is now back to Puff Daddy and he’s wearing a kimono. Definitely here for that. He had to accept a vma on Drake’s behalf and said he would have to fight him for it.

Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj…okay so I think she maintained a pretty decent vocal while BIKING and Rihanna can’t even perform for 10 minutes straight. No I still couldn’t understand what she was singing, but at least this time there was a reason plus she and Nicki looked great (I need that pink bodysuit).

...and I need Nicki's boots.

Alicia Keys comes out with a somewhat impromptu-ish performance (at least I wasn’t prepared for all that). She presented an award to Calvin Harris who neglected to thank Taylor Swift for writing and singing on “This is What You Came For”.

Future…I honestly didn’t know at first because all of these trap negros sound the same to me.

…and now another negro I don’t always understand, Kanye West. At some point he calls himself his own role model, which I expected and then he made a comment about the systematic disenfranchisement of black people also, he further dragged Taylor; scattered as usual, but still, there was a valid point.

TEYANA TAYLOR HAS ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMANCES I’VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE OMG. She is unreal.

...and it was reported that her post baby body has nothing to do with the gym...kill me.

Now Rihanna had finished her blunt in time for her second performance, it’s very dancehall this time…so I was still bored.

Rita Ora makes her customary appearance and helps introduce Nick Jonas who is also becoming a customary performer…at least Pepsi thought it was epic because I didn’t care--except for the obvious:

I'm so proud of Miss Prada tho :`)

BEYONCE

I'm writing her in for president.

She opened with a very powerful tribute to those murdered by white cops then gifted us with a cosmic, Afro-centric mini Lemonade concert. I was lifted.

BRITNEY

The shadow visual was sleek and fresh and her look was on point. I felt like that white rapper got way too much time. Then she sings someone else’s song? And then the white rapper keeps rapping like…? And then he had the nerve to try and make out with her?? Did they know that Bey was before her so they were just like fuck it just do whatever…? I was a bit disappointed with some of the choices made here, but still very pleased with her overall production and presentation.

The Final Five (minus Gabby who was probably just trying to avoid Twitter niggers) present an award to the Queen, who looked regal as fuck, wow:

Goddess looks

At this point Rihanna has caught her breath for another performance…she had trouble hitting any key for her "Needed Me" rendition, but her talk-singing for the rest was actually quite good along with the dance performance.

Her face says it all.

Halsey and the Chainsmokers…they should’ve gone with the other white girl and performed that “Don’t Let Me Down” song. I was at least here for Halsey’s appearance, reminiscent of a much more talented star…

...at least she knows who's more original.

(from the "Try Again" video")

Then Rihanna closes the show with her final wailing…it was in key and she looked amazing. Her fuck buddy presented her with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award.

Unpopular opinion: I don't like them as a couple.

This year's vmas was iconic as fuck in my opinion, I'm not even going to attempt any negative critiquing because it was an enjoyable viewing with way more highlights than low points. For the first time I actually stayed up and re-watched the unedited broadcast until it went off; first to see how Queen Bey kept that Fendi fur on while thrashing around, then to see Queen Britney curve that white dude and finally to ask God why he didn't make me look like Teyana Taylor.

Fashion Faves


Normani...I'm legit counting down the days until she goes solo, this girl is a star.

Naomi...super fucking model.

Kim K...sex on wheels.

Halsey...the girl made some great style choices that night. I loved the sheer jumpsuit and she actually looked like she took a shower.

Desiigner...the slickest of all the men (most of whom looked amazing too). I think his lack of a shirt actually adds to the sophistication in a weird way.

Britney...clean sexy looks

Nicki...this is royal blue--RO-YAL.

Beyoncé...front to back, this look took my breath away.

Some Reading | 2015 Billboard Music Awards

This was the most anticipated Billboard Awards since Britney back flipped her way into our hearts in 1999…

It opened with Taylor’s "Bad Blood" video… I was totally digging the 5th Element, Minority Report dystopian whatever vibe and that was the most beautiful set of cameo appearances I’ve ever seen minus Lena Dunham.
 
Van Halen…I guess they figured since it worked with the Grammys….?

Ludacris and Chrissy Teigen as the hosts...at least it wasn’t LL Cool J. Chrissy actually didn't annoy me as much as I thought she would and she rocked Kim K's Balmain dress from the VMAs last year way better.

One Direction wins something and reminds people that the group is 20 percent less attractive now that Zayn has left.

Fall Out Boy and Wiz Khalifa…Wiz was so random for me, but I loved the dancers even though they were kind of doing the most.

Nick Jonas…it’s nice to see him successfully breaking away from his 2nd rate boy band. He did a wonderful job.

Meghan Trainor and John Legend….snooze fest. She still looks like a fat drag queen. Next.

Mariah Carey…I’m cringing at how bad that mic feed is going to sound...

Those white people put Iggy in the rap category twice. Then she had the nerve to say she wrote Fancy.

Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth and Lindsey Stirling…It was supposed to be a tribute to one of the most unremarkable actors people can't stop talking about...all I remember was some mediocre looking white kid was reaching for some falsetto notes and being scared Wiz Khalifa’s boney ass was gonna break a hip while dancing.

Empire Cast ft. Estelle…I don’t see it for Yazz’s rap career because I’m unsure if he’s acting like he sucks or not, but Jussie is so adorable and I’m into his Michael Jackson-esque vocals.

Hozier…does this guy wanna go anywhere else aside from church tho? I’m getting played out vibes with that song.

Little Big Town…they sang the theme song to Single White Female. It was creepy.

Pitbull and Chris Brown…I can feel this song getting annoying by the second. Chris looked like a jolly rancher.

GO. AWF.

Ed Sheeran…well at least I didn’t go to sleep this time. The song was really good and the performance was actually a true highlight of the night.

Even her gay dancers are checking her out.

Britney and Igloo Australia…First of all, Britney looked absolutely incredible and she also looked like she was having so much fun during the performance. It was very kind of her to share her air space with that other girl.

Queen Nicki welcoming everyone to her listening party.

Nicki Minaj and David Guetta… I hadn’t heard "Hey Mama" yet, but it goes off. That whole performance was just a listening party for her two new singles…she basically did some cute choreo and threw in a few “hhhyeah, c’mons” in there and kept it moving. So deliciously diva.

Tori Kelly…bitch can sing. We’ll see what happens with this slightly above mediocre white girl.

The Simple Minds…a filler performance…I was singing along though.

Kelly Clarkson…the second most successful American Idol got her pregnant ass up there and slayed. I love how she’s real woman pregnant not Hollywood skinny with a belly pregnant.

Imagine Dragons...I know it was a tribute to BB. King, but I was sleeping…they should have brought their drums.

Kanye West…I don’t even know why ABC would have him perform if they were just going to bleep out literally the entire performance. It was so obnoxious. Like, more obnoxious than Kanye himself. I could barely see him and now I can’t even hear him??? I really think censorship goes way too far when it comes to these award shows sometimes.

Fashion Notes (Highlights and WTFs)

Balmain is coming to H&M! I'm dyinnnnng. Jourdan and Kendall looked amazing making the announcement.

Kylie just looks so boss here; that statement belt is everything.

I'm sort of living for Zendaya's variety of looks and risks; this was so summery and well-tailored.

This worked for Charli because it was such a stark contrast from her usual. I loved the soft details in this vintage dress.

Yazz looked like a prom date at some historically black private school, but I was loving it.

I heard she got her boobies done, but I'm not sure...either way the neckline on this jumpsuit was working for her.

Speaking of plastic surgery...I mean Iggy's face was really the only thing she possessed as a natural talent...and now that's questionable too...I love all the pastel though.

I still can't figure out Rita Ora's lane (singer, actress, host? or WHAT?), but I bet this look made her a ton of tip money on stage...

I don't even care what her name is...she's a troll.

**photos Tumblr and me.

Overall, it was actually fun show. I found it youthful and fresh from Chrissy Teigen being absolutely delightful as the main host and several of the new artists actually putting on professional stage shows. Memorable? Nope, possibly a little too long as well, but there were little moments here and there that made the show a lot less boring than I expected it to be.

A.U.I.M.E. | Beginning with the End (part one)

Now that I'm properly settled in to my new place, I'm going to get back into the music section of this obscure little blog. This is part one of a two part review of all the musical content I've accumulated since the end of 2013. This portion includes artists that are well established in the game or at least familiar to my iPod...

M.I.A-Matangi...This is the most energetic album of the bunch with incredible dance tracks that keep me bouncing off the walls every time I push play. "Exodus"/"Sexodus" are my favorite tracks; one is basically subtle remix of the other, but the song is so good she could have put it on a third time.

The Weeknd-Trilogy...I'm kind of obsessed with this kid; his vocals just sweep me away and I hear something new in each song that makes me love it more every time I listen. He also happens to be the originator of the melody behind M.I.A.'s "Exodus", which is probably why I like that song so much. My favorite tracks are "D.D" (a flawless "Dirty Diana" remake), "House of Balloons" and "Next" and so many more because everything is just perfection.

Britney Spears-Britney Jean...She's still the queen of pop as far as I'm concerned and this was such a wonderfully refreshing effort from her. Reviewed in full HERE.

Nine Inch Nails-Hesitation Marks...Trent Reznor's artistry is forever compelling and I'm loving his latest work. It's dark with flashes of unexpected levity with songs that are as complex as they are catchy. Favorite tracks: "Copy of a", "Satellite", "Came Back Haunted".

Natalia Kills-Perfectionist...I had to pick up some tracks from this young lady's debut album. I think her star is still rising and she's definitely on the brink of taking center stage with some of her songs being featured in some mainstream productions. Fave tracks: Acid Annie, Zombie.

Marina and the Diamonds-The Family Jewels...Katy Perry's more indie cousin is really brilliant and like Natalia, I had to seek out her earlier work, which I found to be a little more quirky than Electra Heart, but just as infectious. Fave tracks: "The Outsider", "Guilty", "Rootless", "Oh No!"

Beyoncé-BEYONCE...I'm seriously afraid of retaliation from the Bey Hive if I say that this is my first time putting any of her music on my iPod--I do agree that she's the Queen of the Universe so I hope that makes it better. Fave tracks: "***Flawless", "Haunted", "Blow", "Heaven".