Showing posts with label Aaliyah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aaliyah. Show all posts

Friday, September 19, 2008

Top Video Hairstyles That Should Never Be Duplicated


Cristina Aguilera- Dirty Instead of looking "Dirty" it just looks homeless. I would imagine this is the pile of mess my hair would form into if I ever (God forbid) became homeless and didn't have a comb. We've seen Cristina with plenty of different looks, some appealing and others quite awkward. But the slight dreadlocks, blonde/black mix, with cookie crumbs, lent, and dirt all packed in tight is definitely not one of her more suitable hair styles. But then again I'm sure Ms. Aguilera wasn't trying to appease my tastes in hair when she decided to go this route.So ladies, exoticists, bohemians, artsy peeps etc. stop trying to go for this look. Cristina can style her hair like this one day and wear a strawberry blonde bob the next. And well you guys are kinda stuck with it if you decide to go the messy dread route, so let's leave this one for the video. (Please note I love locks. I intend on locking my hair someday)

Aaliyah-More Than A Woman R.I.P. Ms. Aaliyah!~ But I have a bone to pick with women who are still wearing their hair in the long phony pony with the little raised "bump" at the top. Aaliyah could pull off this hair style because after all, she's Aaliyah. lol No seriously she had a team of stylists (notice more than one) who could blend her hair with the texture of the ponytail and who could create an entire look surrounding this simple yet somehow elaborate hairstyle. In addition, I'm sure the creative (genius) director who created the looks for the shoot did not intend for the style to be worn as everyday casual hair wear. (I like coining new phrases) Ladies, let's retire this style and leave it as one of the many video hairstyles that need not be duplicated.

Amy Winehouse-Tears Dry On Their Own I know this picture is a bit blurry. Amy, I understand you like the 60s-70s Mod-Big-hair-look but for once please wear your hair like a normal person. If we could somehow lock her in the bathroom with only a flatiron or simple curling iron, some Garnier Fructis smoothing hair serum and a few clip in extensions, I think we might have ourselves a new (less suicidal/depressing/drug addict) look for Ms. Winehouse. You know, something a little more presentable like this.... Thatta girl, there ya go :)

Ashanti-Body On Me We all know Ashanti's style is kinda hit or miss. Sometimes she hits the target dead on and sometimes she misses completely. I didn't want to jump all over the bun/Pocahontas braid she sports at the end of the Body On Me video because that overlaps with my number 1 "worst video hair style to duplicate". This hair style is exceptionally fly in the video. I can dig the three braid action on one side with the smoothed hair on the other side to give it the Mohawk look. I also like the idea of the loose curls and exaggerated swoop bang. But, in the wrong hands and on the wrong person this can be a complete Diana Ross MESS. Ladies please do not go to the local hair store and buy a pound of hair and try attaching it to your head. Once again this was a look created for a video not a night out at the club. I can guarantee if you wear this much fake hair out to the club it will get caught in a hook on someones jacket, or possibly in someones earring. :o) Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!


Last but not least, Ms./Mrs. Beyonce Knowles Carter ...whatever! Upgrade U That braid is a definite NO NO. I remember when I was little my mother would try to put one big braid in my hair and I would break out and have a fit. I would roll all over the floor, kick and scream, cry, throw chairs etc because I knew how absolutely stupid I would look with one long thick braid growing out of the crown of my head. I have naturally thick curly hair so one big braid was just not an option, unless my mother was planning on intentionally trying to humiliate me. Ok Beyonce, this is fine for the video. I see you in the back seat of the car with gold interior to match your blonde braid. You should have provided a brief disclaimer at the beginning of the video instructing young black girls to not try and duplicate any of the hairstyles in this video. I must admit this is one of the best vids in 2007, but definitely not the best way to upgrade the style of impressionable young women.



If there are any others you can think of please leave a comment letting me know. I'm certain there are other completely offensive hairstyles many of us commoners have tried to pull off, but they just need to be left in the video

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Often Imitated Never Duplicated


August 25 marked the 7 year anniversary of Aaliyah Dana Haughton's untimely death. The Brooklyn born singer/dancer/actress will be remembered for her quick rise to fame in the mid 90s. To date Aaliyah has sold around 32 million albums worldwide as well as charted six hit singles. (see chart below)(of course I'll cross reference this with my Billboard Chart book tomorrow when I get to work) It's sad, I've looked at Aaliyah's bio on various websites and noticed how short it is in comparison to other artists. It only makes me wonder what we could have expected from the graceful songbird. In real Michaelangelo/Picasso fashion she was nominated/won most of her awards & accolades after her traggic death. Below are just a few.
American Music Awards
1999, Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist ; Nominated
2002, Favorite Female R&B Artist; Winner
2002, Favorite R&B/Soul Album: Aaliyah; Winner
2003, Favorite Female R&B Artist; Winner
MOBO Awards
2002, Best Video: "More Than a Woman"; Winner
2002, Best Dance Video: "More Than a Woman"; Winner
2002, Best International Act; Winner
Image Awards
2002, Outstanding Female Artist; Winner
2003, Best female video: "Miss You"; Winner
World Music Awards
1997, World's Best Selling Female R&B Artist; Winner
1998, World's Best Selling R&B Artist; Winner
1998, World's Best Selling Single: Are You that Somebody; Nominated
1998, Entertainer Of The Year; Winner
2000, World's Best Selling R&B Artist; Nominated
2000, Female Entertainer Of The Year; Winner
2002 World's Best Selling Female R&B Artist; Nominated
2002 World's Best Selling Female Pop Artist; Nominated
But life must go on... Since her passing we've had a bunch of poorly put together imitations. I believe when Aaliyah passed she took with her the sincerity, depth, and originality the R&B sector once offered its fans. There was something about this young lady that screamed trendsetter. I remember me and my old college roomie used to watch the Aaliyah I Care 4 You DVD every Friday morning. (we should have been at our 8:40 but ahh oh well it was Friday) Thats the type of impact she had on our generation. We have to ask ourselves, will the pop icons we idolize have a lasting impression? If not, why are they our idols? Rest in Peace Aaliyah (melodies of an angel)

Sidebar-Every time I hear I Miss You I revert back into a budding, coming-of-age 17 year old college freshman living in Franklin House. Ah the memories (nothing significant it just sucks that I'm getting old) Take a trip with me down memory lane. (See music player below)
Aaliyah

One of my favorite Aaliyah videos, More Than A Woman. (Uggh I can't believe I used to try dancing along with her while watching the DVD) I think I may have burned a hole along this track in the I Care 4 You DVD. Whatever I'm still cool :o)



**I have to apologize for the extremely late Aaliyah posting. In the world of blogging one day is a eternity :o)