Presenting…
Occupation: Journalist
Resides: Linden, New Jersey
You know what they say about a woman who dons animal print?– Neither do I, but I thinks it’s safe to assume they tend to be a tad bit feisty. Sophia is definitely just that, we did a bunch of different looks for this shoot and in each of her outfits she incorporated some sort of animal print. I call her my little lioness in a dress and in this case her roar is just as bad as her bite. DOPE!
-Nakeya B.
Categories: W.O.E.
Tagged: Dope Girl Thursday
ATEtraks Photography
Some may call her offensive, some call her hilarious and some may say she’s just being honest– what is clear, however, is that Azealia Banks is setting herself up for a long career of controversy. Through her blatant honesty and subtly sexed up image, she’s definitely drawn crowds to lend their eyes and eventually ears to what she has to give to the industry. She started rapping only last year but since then, has been featured on The Fader, gained a roaring fan-base through radio play and internet hype and has subsequently been shopped around by labels. They’re all itching to latch on to the rare gem that is a skilled female emcee, but Banks has no plans to rush it– at only 18, she understands she needs time to steer “unguided America” towards this generation’s Lil’ Kim hopeful. Without any unwarranted praise or reservations, we present to you: Azealia Banks.
Categories: Digest and Progress · W.O.E.
Tagged: 17, Azealia Banks, Gimme A Chance, The Fader
Drum roll please…
Occupation: Actress
Resides: Fell in love with BROOKLYN
I’ve never met someone with a more inviting and warm personality. I didn’t have the chance to meet Claudeen before shooting her, but we were, you named it, Facebook buddies. Her tagged photos and profile picture album kept me on her page for a good five minutes. Her life was so, interesting to say the least.
We met up at the Morgan stop off of the L train and walked around for a little bit after finally finding a cool spot to set up. She wore some of the best outfits. One look was a metallic silver dress, pink leggings and bright blue pumps, accessorized with a blue military cap…DOPE and a definite reflector of her personality. I would have to say though, the best part of the day with Claudeen was the vintage shopping we did after. She knew all the hot spots, $5 leather flats? I’m not mad at that.
When she wins her first Oscar, I will brag and boast I shot her first.
-Nakeya B.
Categories: W.O.E.
Tagged: Dope Girl Thursday
And it goes a little something like this…
Occupation: B-Girl
Resides: Piscataway, New Jersey
Wa is living proof that big things can sometimes come in small packages. I first saw Wa in a commercial she was featured in. It was short and sweet and showed her looking in the mirror at herself dancing her ass off. “This girl can move” I thought to myself as I watched her pop lock and break dance. Then a few weeks later I saw her in the dining hall and approached her about my Dope Girl project. She looked at me sort of crazy but smiled and gave me her contact information. After that the rest was hisherstory.
A few days later we were together doing the shoot. She was a real trooper, often doing moves in the middle of the empty parking lot we shot in–minus any protective gear. We did this image in a matter of 5 or 10 frames, pretty impressive. When I asked Wa what being dope meant to her, she said its about not being afraid be different. Home girl definitely lives by her word–she’s not your average. I have nothing but respect for a person like that.
-Nakeya B.
Categories: W.O.E.
Tagged: Dope Girl Thursday
And she goes by…
Occupation: Fashion Journalist
Resides: Somewhere over the rainbow, New Jersey
Kiyanna is graceful, intelligent, fashionable and beautiful. I can’t start to describe how multifaceted this young woman is. Writer, ballerina, business woman, and model are just a small amount of titles Kiyanna has managed to hold. When Kiyanna agreed to the shoot, I asked myself where would be a good spot to shoot her at. I thought a park, but then it was to cold, so I opted for our university’s library. It was large, quiet, well lit, and perfectly reflected Kiyanna’s sophisticated persona. We made our way to the fourth floor so we wouldn’t have to ignore the nosey stares of our fellow peers. We shot in number of places; I had her sit in chairs and on top of tables, flip though large old atlases, and pose in between aisles.
Then Kiyanna mentioned that the bathroom was pretty cool. We made our way into the small dimly lit yellow and green lavatory and proceeded to carry on with the shoot. I was drawn to this shot ultimately because of the composition. She looks directly into the camera and with use of her body she brings the viewers eyes over to the left half of the image. The black pops against the yellow, which makes her skin glow with a golden richness. Not to mention her head wrap is the cutest. This photo was one of my favorites I must say.
-Nakeya B.
Categories: W.O.E.
Tagged: Dope Girl Thursday, Photography
Occupation: Model
Resides: Queens, NY
Some may call her Latasha, but to me she’s Tasha. We’ve worked together to many times to count and each and everytime shes puts in so much work, so much energy, and so much laughter. When I approached her with the idea of having her in the project she was stoked as all hell. Little did I know what she had in store for me. Simply put, shes fierce and is never afraid to be different (hence the blue braids).
We met in Newark Penn Station ready to shoot and actually shot in an empty stair well. Tasha pulled out this ciggarete which was cool. She wanted to use it as a prop, then she lit it. At first it was funny watching her gag one minute at the smell but as soon as I said “Okay I’m starting”, Tasha put on that model face and really worked the camera.
For you photographers in need of a ride or die model, shes the one.
-Nakeya B.
Categories: W.O.E.
Tagged: Dope Girl Thursday
ATEtraks Photography
As far as city life goes, New York is characterized as a fast-paced, refreshed and cynical sea of opportunities. Philly, in sharp contrast, could be argued to have quite the polarizing effect, equipped with a laid-back, intimate and a quick-to-hype audience.
Perhaps that’s why Saure Benitez, better known as DJ Ultraviolet, moved from her family’s home in Spanish Harlem to the city of Brotherly Love at age 17. Perhaps that’s why Bee Eater Records, UV’s digital label, finds its home here (for now, at least). And perhaps it’s why success, despite its conception only a few months ago, seems like the label’s destined direction.
Find out more, after the jump…
Categories: Digest and Progress · W.O.E.
Tagged: Bee Eater Records, Ethel Cee, Fel Sweetenberg, Hu$tle Simmons, Ultraviolet
Snow White
Let’s be real here: fairy tales are a Disney creation. There are no knights in shining armor, no timeless, unchanging beauty, no woman who epitomizes purity and perfection all the time without needing a break. This is why Dina Goldstein’s photo essay is certifiably genius. She takes 6 famous princesses and gives you the harsh, cold truth of their translations in today’s ridiculous world. Harsh and hilarious at the same time, her work is definitely snack-worthy.
Belle
Click the jump to see the rest of the collection.
Categories: Phatten The Mind · W.O.E.
And we bring to you…
Occupation: Artist & Student
Resides:NY, NY & Istanbul, Turkey
Ley and I met radomly my first semester in college. I realized I was sharing a mail box with another girl and figured I would introduce myself VIA Facebook (go figure). We kept our relationship simple, a hi and bye when we saw eachother in the dining hall and occasinal comments on eachother’s walls and photos. What really drew me to Leyla was her ability to draw, paint, and love for stensil cutouts.
Shooting Ley was loads of fun minus the death of her vintage ciggarette holder that fell two stories down as we did some shots of her on her fire escape (we tried to super glue it back together with no avail). This girl has more accessoriese, shoes, clothes, purses, and gloves I’ve ever seen. Aparrently she makes extra cash on the side by buying and selling on E-Bay.
A woman after my own heart.
-Nakeya B.
Categories: W.O.E.
Tagged: Dope Girl Thursday, Photography
For the next 15 weeks we will have Dope Girl Thursday.
Each week we will post a new portrait of a new girl that was featured in THE DOPE GIRL PROJECT, a photo series created by me Nakeya B. (and features the other two-thirds of ATEtraks, SamSun and Doctor Sanchez). Be sure to check in every Thursday for the next dope lady.
Occupation: Photographer
Resides: Brooklyn, NY
www.marianasheppard.com
We both met out of our passion for photography. Somehow she found my work and we just have been kicking it with eachother ever since. When I first met her two of her features stuck out he most.
First was her hair. She had the coolest afro. When I asked her her nationality she replied Dominican. What’s cooler than a Dominican with an afro?
Second was her accent. Although she resides in Brooklyn, the rich culture of New Orleans runs through her veins and seep out her pores. Anyone who couldn’t pick up on her thick accent just isn’t listening.
We shot in Williamsburg in April and believe it or not, it was freezing. We found this American flag spray painted on the garage door and thought it would be cool to shoot in front of it. The Black Power fist and the au-natural ‘fro were small ironic symbols Mari felt she wanted to portray. Her photo came out to be one of my favories in the series. Nothing but L.O.V.E.
-Nakeya B.
Categories: W.O.E.
atetraks
SamSun
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