Last week, Kanye West dropped his latest album '808s and Heartbreak' two days after performing (and winning at) the American Music Awards. West did his usual rambling post-win about making a mark in history for creating innovative music, cited Elvis as an example and even compared himself to The King! While the audience chuckled, I thought to myself 'he may be on to something'.
Kanye West wearing Pastelle jacket at American Music Awards
It's been a long time since a rap artist such as West has left an indelible mark not just on music but on style at such Elvis-like proportions. The Louis Vuitton and Nike collaborator who will release his very own rainbow bright line of clothing called Pastelle next year (he debuted the jacket worn at AMAS) has a fresh and envelope-pushing take on fashion that is often copied on a global level. Stylespotter decided to highlight the five key elements that makes Kanye, well Kanye. Peep the signature items repeated by fellow artists such Common, John Legend and Lupe Fiasco. Even Jay-Z has gone Afro-Nerd rocking horn-rimmed glasses. Need I say more?
There are several HIV/AIDS observance days throughout the year -- World AIDS Day, which just passed on December 1st, is one of them. But what happens when these special days are over? It's easy to become complacent. That's why Dr. Kevin Fenton, Director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control, is dedicated to keeping the AIDS epidemic foremost in the minds of Americans, especially black Americans, who are disproportionately affected by the disease. 
For a night out or special occasion, the flat-iron can be a girl's best friend. Here are a few tips that have helped me achieve healthy, sleek hair at home!
It's the day after Thanksgiving. The malls are packed. Lines stretch to the backs of stores. Desperate shoppers fight over messy piles of picked-over merchandise. 
In 1995, Maria Davis was a successful New York hip hop promoter (featured prominently on Jay-Z's first album 'Reasonable Doubt') when her world was turned upside down. An HIV test she had taken as part of an application for a life insurance policy came back positive. She had unknowingly contracted the disease from her soon-to-be husband, and three years later she was diagnosed with full-blown AIDS. 
As the 20th anniversary of 
When Brenda McElmore showed up to get her hair dyed at a local JCPenney salon in Downey, Calif., she probably didn't expect to hear "no." Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. According to McElmore, the receptionist at the front desk told her, "We don't do African American hair." McElmore says she was "astonished" to be denied service strictly because of her race.
Hezekiah Walker, Kim Burrell, Rev. Clifton Davis of 'Amen' fame, as well as scores of other luminous luminaries will descend upon the island nation of Bermuda for "No Ordinary Christmas," a gospel extravaganza debuting in the beautiful island from December 3-7. 
