Story
Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2: Willow Smith, Bella Hadid & More Jaw-Dropping Looks
Rihanna always delivers, and her second annual Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2 defied every already-sky-high expectation viewers had for the extravaganza. Gone are the days in which sex alone sells, as has been demonstrated by the steady and slow demise of Rih’s lingerie rival, Victoria’s Secret, which lived (and died) by the idea that there is one unvarying standard of beauty. Instead, Rih has revolutionized former notions of conventional beauty by showcasing it in all its forms— models of all races, body types, and genders posed on and strutted down the runway in a remarkably majority-minority display. The show was enchanting, awe-inspiring, and above all, one of the most diverse and inclusive productions to hit the mainstream fashion scene since, well, ever.
Featuring live musical performances by Miguel, Big Sean, Travis Scott, Bad Bunny, Ella Mai, Rosalia, Mustard, and Roddy Rich, the star-studded presentation was nothing short of an iconic concert/fashion show mashup. It’s safe to say Rih is setting the tone for not only other lingerie brands, but the rest of the fashion industry as a whole, who would do well to take heed and follow suit while the rest of us marvel at the mogul’s impeccable union of sensuality, story-telling, and body positivity.
Rihanna’s show and the legion of looks served in it were a blessing to our eyes, and while every single ensemble that made its way down the runway was damn-near perfect, we’ve narrowed it down and rounded up our favorites below.
Bella Hadid
It’s no coincidence that whichever lingerie fashion house has Bella Hadid on its team is probably also the lingerie fashion house that’s in first place. The 23-year-old former Victoria’s Secret Angel stunned in an all-black lace and latex ensemble, sporting a unique take on a ‘60s beehive hairstyle.
Jerritt Clark/Getty Images
Lizzo
One thing about Lizzo— she’s going to live her life, and she’s going to make haters mad doing it. Embodying Fenty’s empowering message of self-love, Lizzo made her show debut wearing violet lacy lingerie, topped off with matching violet gloves and bottom-bearing fishnets.
Normani
Brides everywhere were shaking as Savage X Fenty ambassador and Show veteran, Normani, made her return to the stage, this time as a bride dressed in white.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Willow Smith
A longtime advocate for self-expression, Willow Smith and Savage X Fenty are a match made in heaven. Delivering everything we could’ve asked for and more, the 19-year-old singer took on the runway wearing a black satin blouse, black fishnets, and even black platform Doc Martens.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Rihanna
This list wouldn’t be complete without including Rih herself. The designer donned not one, not two, but three jaw-dropping outfits throughout the night; first, an all-black leather look which she stripped out of at the start of the show, revealing nothing but lingerie underneath. Then, a purple floral getup, which was giving ethereal nature fairy vibes, and lastly, another all-black outfit, this one featuring sheer polka-dotted mesh and ruffles on ruffles to close out the show.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Christian Combs
Rih’s collaborator for her newly-launched Savage X Fenty menswear capsule collection, Diddy’s son, Christian, took to the runway dripped in all-black satin.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Nazanin Mandi
Miguel’s wife and certified dime piece, Nazanin Mandi, wowed in an embellished emerald green ensemble, completed with green latex thigh-highs and over-the-elbow gloves. Garden of Eden sh*t.
Jerritt Clark/Getty Images
Demi Moore
No stranger to owning her sexuality at any age, actress Demi Moore was a perfect fit for Rihanna’s fashion show, making her sultry appearance clad in all-black and fishnets.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Fans ate up every moment of the show, taking to Twitter to express their amazement with the show, noting their favorite celeb appearances and even cracking jokes about Fenty’s newly-established menswear line.
Story
ReeToxA confronts the past with truth on “HMAS CERBERUS”
“HMAS CERBERUS,” ReeToxA’s new single, is a raw, very personal song about his life experiences. The song sounds like Oz rock from the 1990s, and modern alternative and grunge. It sounds brave and familiar at the same time, like a truth kept secret for a long time.
“HMAS CERBERUS” is based on a true story from Jason McKee’s life, and it shows how his ten years in the Navy changed him and how they still do. The song bravely speaks to the emotional toll of service, including alcoholism and mental stress, sincerely.
The poem is what makes the single stand out. The writing is brilliant and stays smart, and it’s hard without being preachy. The singer got the idea for the song when he saw four seasons in one day at a beer garden in Melbourne. It connects the sudden change in the weather to a life that is constantly changing and hiding how you feel. It’s a potent metaphor for a mind that finally stops long enough to figure out where the damage started.
The song “HMAS CERBERUS” is both intense and at the same time. It makes you think, but it’s also surprisingly easy to dance to, which shows that dark themes don’t have to be sad music. The song is both interesting and challenging to listen to because of the gritty guitars and rock base. In a sea of safe releases, ReeToxA stands out as honest, raw, uncomfortable, and necessary. “HMAS CERBERUS” is a brave meditation that stays with you for a long.time
Story
Kieran James Honors Memory with “Part of the Grind”
Singer-songwriter Kieran James delivers a devastating new single with “Part of the Grind,” a track to tackle the tangled emotions behind loss and memory. A love letter penned to a close friend who faced severe cognitive decline, the song’s emotional heft feels universal yet heartbreakingly personal.
Set to delicate instrumentation and achingly sung vocals, “Part of the Grind” is both a lament and an honoring, a means of remembering while addressing the unavoidable cost of time and illness. His voice floats, leaving room for silence and the long pauses that so often come with grief. But in that silence, there is warmth as well, a refusal to let memory be totally extinguished.
Resilience is also implied in the song’s title, a reminder that even in heartbreak, life goes on and holding the memory of someone stays with the rhythm of everyday living. it’s an anthem for anyone who has ever looked on witnessing decline, mixed sorrow with love.
In Kieran James’s “Part of the Grind,” we hear music as well as go behind it. He gives us room feel, to mourn, and to honor. In the process, he turns private pain into something achingly universal, a song for everyone who has either loved or lost.
-
Artist Spotlight7 days agobAnI kAI Explores Identity and Resilience on “bAnIverse”
-
Artist Spotlight7 days agoSeigetrops Delivers a Feel-Good Groove with “Let Me Be Yours”
-
Artist Spotlight7 days agoAldo J Turns Loss into Renewal on “Now That You’re Gone”
-
Story3 days agoReeToxA confronts the past with truth on “HMAS CERBERUS”

