Since its release earlier this summer, IGOR has been hailed as Tyler, the Creator’s magnum opus. Inspired major ’80s influences, the artist adopted a Warhol-esque alter ego, complete with a blonde wig and brightly colored suit, on the record’s artwork and in subsequent promotional materials and performances. IGOR is more than a concept album, it’s a full reinvention. And now fans of the record in search of a simple but culturally relevant costume can get the look themselves since he released three costume options inspired by the titular character.
The bulk of the costume consists of a two-piece suit (available in neon green, baby blue, and color-blocked red and pink option) and the distinct blonde wig. For extra flair, two pins that say ‘VOTE IGOR’ are included. It’s an easy enough costume that most people will get, and honestly, you could probably get more than one wear out of the suit too.
To exist in 2019 is to have a relationship with ‘Old Town Road,’ the runaway meme turned song of the summer. Less than a year ago, Lil Nas X was just another rapper with an internet connection and a dream, churning out singles to a micro-audience as he figured out his artistic identity. Then $30 and a downloaded beat later, the Atlanta-based songwriter struck gold when he penned the triumphant and inescapable ‘Old Town Road’ — the defiant ‘Can’t nobody tell me nothing’ refrain was inspired after his family voiced their frustrations with his artistic ambitions and he decided to turn the song into a “symbol of success.”
The country-rap song quickly gained momentum due to its sheer memeability (and providing the entire Yeehaw Agenda with a national anthem) which rapidly expanded into actual chart impact. However, controversy arose in spring when the song reached and then was made ineligible for the Hot Country chart for allegedly “not being country enough.” (Read: racism.) But not even that turbulence could dent Lil Nas X’s destined cultural impetus. One remix with Billy Ray Cyrus later, the song shot straight to the top where it’s remained for 16 weeks. This makes ‘Old Town Road’ the third longest-running Number 1 in the Billboard chart’s history (sharing the record with Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s ‘One Sweet Day’ and Luis Fonsi and Justin Bieber’s ‘Despacito’) and the longest-running rap song to ever top the chart, which for a tune that clocks in at only 2 minutes and 37 seconds is a deliciously ironic feat. And since Lil Nas X came out as gay in June, it’s just another display of queer excellence.
Congratulations, Lil Nas X. Listen to the record-breaking song below.
Irish songwriter Dermot Kennedy has already racked up over 300 million streams on Spotify, sold out Brooklyn Steel, and performed at Billboard Live all before even releasing his first album. Born and raised in Dublin, the 25-year-old initially got interested in music during his teens. He quickly began busking to gain experience and exposure — it wasn’t long before people began to take notice. And although he got his start by performing live for strangers, Kennedy is always thinking about how the listener is enjoying the music on their own.
“I started out wanting to just do the acoustic, folk thing and wanting to be like Damien Rice or David Gray, one of those artists — that was what inspired me in the first place,” he tells me over coffee at Lafayette in NoHo. “But then a couple of years ago I was working with a producer in London and we had a song that was totally acoustic, literally a folk song with my guitar and a vocal, and he put a really heavily programmed beat over it — it was really in your face and it just felt so good. It wasn’t intentional, it happened organically but it felt like a really cool sound to chase.
Photographed by Nate Morgan.
Kennedy’s work is a mixture of Irish folk with modern urban production, creating a unique and intimate soundscape. His interest in fusing different genres and embracing experimentation is a beautiful contrast that has earned a following around the world, but he considers lyrics paramount to his work. And despite his extensive live performance, he writes music with the individual listening experience in mind.
“There’s a bunch of stuff you do in the studio that, which for a moment you think, ‘I won’t be able to do this live,’ but you kinda just gotta disregard that and figure it out later on,” he says. “Cause if it sounds good, it just has to exist. And if something sounds cool when it’s recorded, you can definitely get it across live.”
Kennedy has a slew of festival appearances set for the rest of the year but is committed to working on the album early next year. He mentions his interest in working with big names like Travis Scott but also mentions more traditional outfits like The Gloaming. “Two things from totally different worlds,” he shares, ensuring that his debut record will be a masterful marriage of genres. We just have to wait for it.
Ah, to be sixteen again. She, and be she we’re referring to that beaut above, Lorde, released her first solo album Pure Heroine a few weeks ago, after initially signing her record deal at the ripe (err…) age of thirteen. Twenty-six years ago sixteen-year-old Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now made a storied rise to number 1 on the charts. And now Lorde, the New Zealand chanteuse who’s made a meteoric rise with her international anti-excess theme song Royals, has finally clinched the top spot on the Billboard charts. Titles are great and all, but is the music any good? Well…
So it’s a yes. Even better, she’s got equally good other songs:
So what’s her secret? According to the singer: “I think it’s probably because I’m an Internet kid. I’m watching ‘Adventure Time’ but I’m also reading Allen Ginsberg. I’m a mesh of references — fun and smart? I don’t know where I’d put myself. I’d like to think I’m doing something different.” We’ll take it.
