Fashion

5 Things We Learned Watching Taylor Swift’s Surprise New Folklore Documentary

Debuting on Disney+ as a surprise release, “The Long Pond Studio Sessions” is an intimate window into the making of Swift’s chart-topping album “Folklore.”…

“There’s been a lot of discussion about William Bowery, who is Joe, as we know,” Swift says, her response greeted with laughter by Dessner and Antonoff. “Joe plays piano beautifully, and he’s always just playing and making things up and creating things. ‘Exile’ was crazy, because Joe had written the entire piano part and was singing that Bon Iver part, the whole first verse. So I was entranced and asked if we could keep writing that one, and it was pretty obvious that should be a duet. We’re really big Bon Iver fans, and we knew that Aaron knows him, but I was too afraid to suggest it.” When Swift suggested it could be a duet to Dessner, he suggested Bon Iver immediately—so it seems that the decision was fated all along.

Is “Mad Woman” a shot at Scooter Braun? Swift remains ambiguous

Outside of the runaway success of Folklore, another story which has been dominating headlines this year surrounding Swift have been the twists and turns in her ongoing fight to reclaim ownership of the master recordings for her first six albums, the rights for which were passed to Scooter Braun after he acquired her former record label and were then recently sold to a private equity firm for a whopping $300 million. Swift has expressed her displeasure on multiple occasions at never being offered a fair shot at buying them back herself—as well as her frustrations that these sales were being overseen by Braun, the manager of fellow pop powerhouses Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, who Swift has referred to as a “bully.” (Swift has recently confirmed, however, that she has begun to re-record her earlier albums and will be releasing new versions of the albums, a move that will inevitably end up significantly reducing the value of the original masters.)

Given Swift’s propensity for reflecting what’s going on in her life within her music, many fans looked to the album’s twelfth track, “Mad Woman”—with its story of a woman being treated as delusional for wanting what is rightfully hers—as a more personal tale about Swift’s ongoing battles with Braun, which Swift appears to implicitly confirm in the documentary. “The first time I heard that piano bit you’d written, with those ominous strings underneath it, I knew this was a song about female rage, it has to be,” says Swift in her conversation with Dessner ahead of performing “Mad Woman.” “And then I was thinking the most rage-provoking element of being a female is the gaslighting. There have been instances of this recently with someone who is very guilty of this in my life, and it’s a person who tries to make me feel like I’m the offender by having any kind of defense. I feel like I have no right to respond, or I’m crazy, or I’m angry. How do I say why this feels so bad?”

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Fashion

Raekwon Unveils “The Emperor’s New Clothes” With All-Star Lineup

Raekwon, a legendary rapper known for his role in the Wu-Tang Clan, has just announced his long-awaited eighth studio album, titled “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” set to be released through Mass Appeal. Although no singles have been shared yet, the album is already creating a buzz and is highly anticipated this summer. It’s been seven years since Raekwon last released a solo album, and this new project feels more like a grand return than just another release.

He’s teamed up with a mix of familiar faces from the Wu-Tang Clan and some fresh talent in hip-hop. Listeners can look forward to clever lyrics and captivating stories filled with raw emotion. Raekwon has invited his Wu-Tang brothers Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Inspectah Deck to feature on the album, ensuring a classic blend that fans love. He’s also brought in well-respected artists outside of the Wu-Tang family, like Nas and members of the Griselda collective, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and Conway The Machine, who are known for their gritty style.

Adding to the variety, singers Stacy Barthe and Marsha Ambrosius will provide soulful vocals to complement Raekwon’s hard-hitting verses. The album’s production features talented names like Swizz Beatz, Nottz, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, Frank G, and Roadsart, promising a rich, cinematic sound that matches Raekwon’s lyrical skills. Even with such an impressive lineup, there’s still a sense of mystery around the album. There have been no early songs or previews released, just the announcement itself, which builds even more expectation.

But for Raekwon, this is part of his journey. He has always delivered powerful lyrics and relatable street stories without much introduction. The title, The Emperor’s New Clothes, suggests a fresh start and a daring vision that might challenge the current state of rap. With his experienced flow and storytelling still sharp, Raekwon seems prepared to reestablish his place among the top artists in hip-hop.

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Fashion

Wendy Williams Makes Stylish Splash At Columbia Supporting Her Designer

In a delightful surprise for fans and fashion enthusiasts, Wendy Williams made a rare appearance at Columbia University on Tuesday, and everyone couldn’t help but notice her. The former talk show host was in high spirits as she showed up to support her longtime friend and fashion designer, Mel Maxi. Wendy looked fantastic in a stylish black-and-white outfit that included a Yankee hat and her trademark flair.

Designed by Maxi himself, her outfit was not just chic but also had a personal touch that highlighted her vibrant personality. In a heartwarming moment recorded on video, Wendy told Maxi, “This is amazing! This was specifically designed for me… this is really hand done.” Wendy came to cheer on Maxi, who was set to give a lecture about fashion design at the prestigious university. Her appearance was a meaningful moment between two creative friends who have supported each other for years. Wendy’s presence emphasized the importance of friendship and collaboration in the creative world.

As she walked by, a nearby fan shouted their love for Wendy, and she instinctively responded with her signature warmth and enthusiasm: “Thank you!” she exclaimed with a big smile. After being away from the spotlight for months, Wendy’s visit was a refreshing change for fans who have missed her lively spirit. There were no fancy events or flashing cameras, just Wendy enjoying the moment, supporting a friend, and reminding us all of the significance of showing up for the people we care about.

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