Shifter Selects: Bringing Black Excellence

Graphic by Samantha N. Olson. Photos from left to right: Malcolm & Marie/Netflix, Nicki Minaj wearing Fendi prints/Pinterest, Bree Runway/Instagram.

Welcome to Shifter Selects, a new addition to our digital component where we’ll highlight the latest trends in music, film/TV and fashion. Here’s how it’ll go down: on Monday of every week, we’ll be on the lookout for trending topics and give our hot takes on the matter. Sound like something you’d be interested in? Look no further than our Shifter Selects for the week of Feb. 1–5.

This week, we wanted to commemorate black history month (which we believe should be every month) with new releases from black creators and actors. From Netflix's new film starring Zendaya and John David Washington to the musical stylings of our new favorite music star Bree Runway, we've got all the details.

Music

Bree Runway is Bringing Fresh Flavor to Pop and Hip-Hop

by Camille Ruiz Mangual

Where to listen: Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music

No matter what she is going through, Bree Runway approaches her life with gratitude, she says in a conversation with Leomie Anderson. Before signing to EMI Records, the up-and-coming genre-fluid artist juggled regular jobs and posted covers and remixes of songs on social media. A Bryson Tiller/Fetty Wap/Drake mashup kicked off her career, receiving 50 million views and over 30,000 retweets. It’s been uphill since then. In Nov. 2020, Runway released her debut mixtape "2000AND4EVA" to great reviews calling it, "bold, belligerent yet vulnerable" and full of songs that are "dangerously catchy."

"Whatever your dream is, please nurture it," Runway said in a video reflecting on her journey. "Don’t watch anybody else. Do you, no matter the timeline or how long it takes you’re gonna get recognized for your shit."

You can check out Runway’s music on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music.

Film/TV

"Malcom & Marie" hit Netflix on Friday, Feb. 5

by Brianna Bradley

Where to watch: Netflix (with subscription)

This is not a love story. This is a story about love.

Netflix’s upcoming romantic drama “Malcolm & Marie” stars award-winning actors John David Washington and Zendaya. After returning home from a movie premiere, tensions arise between a filmmaker and his girlfriend. Sam Levinson, the director and creator of “Malcolm & Marie” and HBO’s “Euphoria,” describes the film as “a relationship piece that plays out in real-time.”

The screenplay was written in six days and shot in the midst of the pandemic. Because of social distancing restrictions on set, Washington and Zendaya acted as their own stylists and makeup artists for the project.

Although “Malcolm & Marie” is shot on black-and-white 35 mm film, the narrative illustrates the gray areas of love. The film shines a spotlight on the shifting balance of power and vulnerability within an intimate relationship. It reveals a truth: a couple is the collision of two people — two hearts, two minds and two egos.

Fashion

How Logomania Was Originated by Black Culture

by Valerie Galarza

Where to follow: Dapper Dan, Gucci, Louis Vuitton

Selena Gomez was recently seen on a shopping trip wearing a casual outfit with jeans and a beige turtleneck. The one thing that stood out the most from her outfit was the monogram trench from Louis Vuitton. Selena’s style look was a perfect balance between casual and luxury — a look that Vogue considered to be a “valuable style lesson for logo maniacs everywhere.”

Although Gomez’s outfit was fashionable to say the least, the real valuable style lesson comes from Black Culture. In the 80s, designer Daniel Day — a.k.a “Dapper Dan” — began dressing hip-hop's top artists by using fabric splashed clothing with knock-off designer symbols that he personally ended up customizing himself.

His influence can heavily be seen in the wardrobe of singers like Selena Gomez, Rihanna and Billie Eilish, who is known for wearing logo-brand outfits. Logomania fashion would not be as it is today if it weren’t for Dapper Dan’s innovative ideas way back when.

Want to keep up with the latest trends?

Tune in next Monday for our next installment of Shifter Selects!