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@personal_jinxs + @isisnicole winter2012
0 ♥ / 9 May, 2012
isis-nicole:

my diamonds and dino by @astrowifey…that diplodocus and ice.
71 ♥ / 1 May, 2012
would make the mad decentest babies :p
12 ♥ / 1 May, 2012
9 ♥ / 21 April, 2012
isis-nicole:

Just a week before his upcoming performance at Reggies Rock Club (March 27th) 20-something-year old rapper Legit, born and raised in Chicago, stops by Columbia Chicago to share a few words on his buzzworthy music video “N*gger in Northface”. A song about his belief that everyone is racists to different degrees. With his body language laid-back and energy well poised, Legit sits against a wall shifting gears from his more serious side to his fascination with Danny Ocean and Kidz These Dayz. Oh and his ego! See more after the jump.

Isis: So you said that you used to rap under this different name and ‘when I had this other name I would rap stereotypically like a lot of my favorite artists…’
 Legit: At that time. Isis: And you said you were rapping as a listener. Legit: Mhmmm. Well, I was making the type of music that I was listening too and not necessarily the type of music that reflected me. And I guess it’s nothing wrong with that but me personally, I wanted to make music that I could relate to because I felt like there weren’t a lot of people making that type of music at the time.  Isis: What was it at the time, was it the snap music? Legit: Uh uh! It was before the snap music. It was like 50 Cent, the gangster music. 50 Cent was my favorite rapper when I first started rapping. I don’t like 50 cent at all now, but back then that was… Isis: So you were doing it earlier! Legit: Yeah like 2004, 2003-ish Isis: And what are you most known for now? Legit: (Laughs) The “N*gger in Northface” video.   Isis: We’ll get to that! And what are you unknown for? Legit: Oh man I don’t know. What am I not known for? My ego I guess. I keep my ego concealed. I try to at least.
Isis: And your trillest adventure? Legit: (Laughs) My trillest adventures! As it relates in music or in life? Isis: In life! It could be either or. Legit: Man I had some trill adventures a couple days go. St. Patrick’s Day was crazy.  Isis: St. Patrick’s Day was crazy! Do you have any favorite blogs that you go to? Legit: Oh yeah I have couple like Fake Shore Drive, 2dopeboyz, Ruby Hornet.  Isis: Please say illroots Legit: Ill…oh of course! I mean it’s very difficult to get on illroots. I got on there once.  Isis: I saw. That’s how I searched you and saw “N*gger in Northface”.  Legit: The thing with illroots is they’re based in Chicago but they don’t focus on Chicago Hip-Hop. They focus on the bigger artists but they just happen to be in Chicago so I think that’s why it’s a little harder to get on there.  Isis: Right I totally understand. I been trying to get Darnell to put one of my friends on for the longest, it’s so hard! But I really do, I like them a lot.  Legit: Yeah they shoot videos too.  Isis: Yes I know. They had like their launch party here in February did you get to go to it? Legit: No. I didn’t hear about it until like the night of.  Isis: Oh yeah they were announcing it the day of which I think can work but I don’t know how it works in Chicago.  Legit: If you’re big enough it’s perfect. If you announce it too far ahead it may be too many people that you might not necessarily want there.  Isis: So what inspired you to explore racial issues with the “N*gger In Northface” one?  Legit: Basically my freshman year of college I was at Loyola University up north and it’s predominately Caucasian as most universities are. I on the phone with a friend of mine I was like ‘yeah I’mma marry a white girl all these white girls up here’ just joking. Then I went nah let me quit playing, my mom would kill you. And then my friend was like ‘nigga my mom would kill you if you brought a white girl home.’  So we were laughing and shit when I started thinking about that mindset right there, which was something I don’t think is portrayed as much. That everybody is racist. The fact that my mother would get offended if I brought a white girl home, I think that’s racist. I felt like exploring this belief that I have that everybody is racists just to different degrees. In the first verse my mother is super adamant, like she doesn’t like it at all, then we go to the second verse and her dad is the same way about me then we got her mom who is okay but she still feels a little weird, so it’s like just these different degrees on how racists people can be.
Isis Nicole: What’s “Danny Ocean” about?  Legit: The video tells a story but the song itself is based on one of my favorite movies, the Ocean Eleven series, and Danny Ocean is the main character who was like the smoothest guy ever and just cool as fuck. I thought it would be really dope to make a song that reflected that side of myself.  Isis: Is this under The (Post) Graduation Tape?  Legit: Coloring Outside The Line….(pauses) Isis: What were you going to say? Legit: I don’t really have any music to be found… Isis: From the past? Legit: I mean, I do but it’s like really hard to find.  Isis: Now this is like a challenge. You’re challenging me!
 Legit: It’s actually not that hard to find, it’s on my website. I need to take it off!
Isis: I’ll try to look that up.
 Legit: You better hurry up! Isis: No fair! So you have a show coming up on the 27th at Reggie’s?  Legit: Yes mamn. Digital Freshness, Ruby Hornet and Jugrnaut put it together and threw me on the bill. Isis: And what was your collaborations with Harmonius Dynasty about? Legit: Basically, I really like live instrumentation a lot.  Isis: That helps rappers so much.  Legit: It’s so underrated! Have you heard of Kidz These Days? Isis: Yeah I’ve seen them live too.  Legit: I love Kidz These Days for the live instrumentation. So my manger linked me up with HD and we practiced an extended version of a song that I made, and it came out pretty dope. I was really happy with it and I love performing with a band.  Isis: Do you have any favorite shows that you’ve done that stands out the most?  Legit: I think my most memorable was the Big Mouth that I did in October. We had a really good response. Isis: How would you describe your sound? Legit: At its core, it’s really Hip-Hop as cliche as that may seem.  Isis: But I understand what you’re saying.  Legit: And I want to take that to other sounds. Being really lyrical on a radio friendly record, you don’t see that often. You really don’t see that at all and that’s something I try to do. I won’t say that I’ve done it but that’s something that I try to do.
@chicagolives
7 ♥ / 11 April, 2012
11 ♥ / 16 March, 2012
82 ♥ / 16 March, 2012
isis-nicole:


 All lines are possible if you ever think about putting your nails in the hands of Spifster——a manicurist based in Chicago whose panache for geometry translates properly onto fingertips. Her choice of shapes are wildly constructed, most suitable for handjobs that want attention. But keep in mind she will deny ya ass kindly if you can’t see HER bigger picture. Yes, to be designed by Spifster you must be 100% ‘SPIFFED’. I was thankful that she took a little time out with me to discuss her start in the nail industry, working with Jeniffer Hudson, being a perfectionist, touring the states and much more, check it out after the jump!







Name 
Tacarra Bianca Sutton


 


HometownHyde Park, Chicago, IL


 


Age 23 


 


Blog  http://spifster.tumblr.com


 


Most Known For Creating something out of nothing


 


Unknown For Being the bombest cooker of potatoes (laughs.)


 


Favorite blog(s)sirandmadame.com


 



So what’s the story behind Spifster?! Why did you start to design nails and why is it important? 

Started in 2008 after years of not doing ANYTHING to my nails. I vowed to start being more girly after highschool, so one day after playing around with a Sharpie Marker my love for nail art began.Spifster began with graphic design though, that’s my first love.


 



What’s the Spifster routine that gets the creativity flowing before you get to work?

Music! As long as there is some dope ass music playing I’m good, the rest rest will come. 


 


What’s your secret, or rather the risks and experiences it took for you to become an established nail artist?
My secret is always being true to myself. I’ve stayed true to form since 2008, so I think I’m doing something right! My risk was dropping school not knowing what was to come. It has been the best choice I’ve ever made though. 

 



What’s your favorite piece of nail art you’ve coined or created?

Though I’m more known for my precise hand drawn lines, I’d have to say my favorite is my exaggerrated polka dots. It’s a signature of mine and if left to me, ALL of my clients would leave with atleast one finger splattered in dots!


 


Are you available in salons or do you mostly design in your own private space?


For the past year my creative space has been Shervan Salon, 2201 S. Halsted. 


 



I saw your Ebony cover post with Jeniffer Hudson! What was that like? And can folks expect to see more of your work in magazines?

It was an HONOR! Jennifer was a sweet heart and she loved her nails (even though the camera angle on the cover of the mag didnt show them). I was the newbie on the team so I had to remember “know your role, and shut your mouth” BUT, when I showed her and the rest of the team my designs, all was spoken. We shared a few Chicago related jokes too. 2012 has no limits, so YES, expect to see more magazine features from me (God willing.)


 



Why do you think that there is this crazy buzz around nails, especially in Chicago?



I honestly dont know. It’s just COOL! It’s the easiest accessory with the most options a girl can dawn. The creative culture of Chicago has taken new heights in the past 3 years, so I am soooo glad that ladies (and guys surprisingly) have taken notice.



 


What is a big no-no in your world of nails?


Taking someone else work and claiming it as theirs. Inspiration is one thing, blatant disrespect for a persons craft is another.


 



Any nail trends you wish to see leave?

Crackle!PLEEEEEASE


 



What does it mean to be Spifsterized? (I saw Afrobella use the term!)

(Laughs) She and a few others have used that but the experience with me is more widely known as being “spiffed”. Being spiffy is to be attractive, strategic and stylish in your outward appearance. I like to provide that. I put designs together in a way that is cohesive to each finger and to the person.


 


Will you ever deny a design or client whose ideas just don’t fit the spifster scene?
YES! (Laughs.) I’m known to do so. I’m big on never compromising your style, so if I dont see the bigger picture in a request, I’ll nicely decline, but will recommend something similar and better fitting. 


 



How do you set yourself apart from other designers out there?

I’m a huuuuuge prefectionists, it’s the Virgo in me. So in my designs, everything has to be perfect or it won’t make it out the salon. It’s geometry sometimes. The equation doesnt work if the angle is off by a degree. Also, being myself and staying within my own lane. I think that’s all it takes being an individual. Be true to self and the masses will take notice. 


 



What does it take to be successful and motivated in this business?

Being in love with it. The most successful in their respective fields stems from their true love for it. I LOVE art and everything it stands for. There’s been times I’ve been balled in tears because I love it so much!



 


You obviously design dope nails, but for some reason I think of you as a writer or something also. I can picture you writing, do you have a column somewhere or am I trippin?!


 



No writing here. I think of some great shit to write but when it’s time to write it, I go blank. (laughs.) One day I would love to, but I wont force it. I’ll just continue talking and cracking jokes in the meantime. 


 



Any collaborations with other artists (nail, jewelry, musicians…) in your lifetime that you care to share?

All in due time. 


 


How about a Spifster street team?

A lot of my fans have been asking since the beginning, now I’m in a space in time that it can happen so also, coming in due time!

 


What’s your biggest challenge so far?
When real life and career come head to head. I love this so much that the other seemingly challenges don’t effect me. Only challenge is when LIFE happens, cause life will throw off all the plans you thought you had set. I’m working through it though and life gets easier by the day. 

 

I saw that you scheduled to do a pop-up event in ATL. Do you usually do nail tours and how often?
 
I’ll travel to where there’s a demand or simply places I’ve wanted to travel to my whole life. Once I began promoting myself via social networks, places like ATL and NY showed me the most love, so thats where I’ve been so far. This year though I have plans on traveling to LA, DC, Miami, Houston and London!

What’s the craziest nail request you’ve had from someone?

Someone asked me to draw their deceased friend face on their nails…..that was one of those designs I declined (laughs.)


 

Any advice to aspiring artists?


Do what’s natural and never let anyone tell you no.



*Additional Info: Booking apptments and service menu 



All bookings for Spifster nails in Chicago can be done via http://styleseat.com/spifstersuttonfor travel bookings, email spifsternails@gmail.com
8 ♥ / 7 March, 2012
isis-nicole:

I leave for London this Tuesday with @Brasspix. Yall don’t know how excited I am to finally meet my Nail Porn family, and most of all Sophy Robson. As a tribute to my first time traveling on a plane and first time traveling out of the country I got currency nails. Since my dollar will now be pounds. I’ll take lots of pictures, learn lots of things, and really take in the experience of Nailgasm. It’s an honor! xx
22 ♥ / 7 March, 2012
get it!
isis-nicole:


So last night I went to illroots launch party w/ friends and got my #illamerica nailsdid by @astrowifey for the event. I had lots of fun, especially when the beers became free. I also got to meet a few new faces and catch up with Darnell. Best moment: when my nails got called FRESH. Unfortunately people didn’t really break out of their circles, but I did get to hand out a few biz cards. Even learned that Chiddy Bang was in the building. That DJ should have played ‘The Good Life’ from that Taco Bell commercial cz that songs a hit!
26 ♥ / 30 January, 2012
8 ♥ / 30 January, 2012
29 ♥ / 15 January, 2012
isis-nicole:


Too the tipsy fiends and hip hop heads, @Astrowifey released her ‘Worship The Wu Tee’, anyone tryna cop one?! Click right here! The   tees are available in black and white, photographed in front of the   Congress  Theatre Chicago where Wu-Tang usually plays their shows. I  call the nail art, ‘cream theme’ becz of the dollar bills and  gold. Aww, this brings me back to my high school days when I was all  anxious about  some BB$ wear. Point is, get you one or some while they  here xx
84 ♥ / 12 January, 2012
isis-nicole:

@Astrowifey and her team member Paloma will be doing nail art from 5-8pm for Olivia Palermo’s Holiday Style Event at TOPSHOP Chicago. Scheduled for the evening:  complimentary drinks, makeovers, nail art,  music, and exclusive gift selected by Olivia when you spend $100 or  more. I don’t plan on doing any spending since this month has been hella tight BUT I do know I will be in there like nose hair to support my girl. WERK!
8 ♥ / 6 December, 2011
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