Spotlight: "Musiq Soulchild"

By Nikki Osei

Hello flawlessly fabulous fashionistas and fellows! It has been an excruciating week for me from working, to hosting events, to maintaining my household, and prepping for midterms. However, I got the surprise of a lifetime when I found out that Musiq Soulchild, my favorite artist of all time was coming to BSU. If you know me then you know that my obsession with Musiq can be a bit unnatural at times. I was blessed with the opportunity to hang out with him in the pressroom and get an interview. So what did I ask? I pondered and realized that I should not ask him the same questions he is always asked (besides, I already know the answers because I am obsessed). So I questioned him about what else...his personal style.  

What describes Musiq's personal style?

What defines my personal style?

What gives you so much swagger?

Ha! (We laugh, I blush). I definitely have to thank God for my creativity and for my vision in which I use in developing my personal style. I take a little bit of everything and piece it together...Old school mixed with some new school.

Do you have a stylist? Does she always style you?

I do have a stylist, but I communicate my ideas, my style, and personal taste. But ultimately it's me using someone else's intelligence to help me express my own ideas, rather than me trying to be like some one else so to speak.

Do you have a favorite designer?

Not particularly. Umm...I'm really not that fashion savvy in a sense of the names, and the people and things like that. I'm more of a personal type dude where I could like find something in like the most...you know...high end store whatever or a (no name boutique)....Its pretty much what looks good to me and what I like.

Who is your celebrity style icon?

Because I am a creative person, my celebrity icon or icons could be...well it

depends on when you catch me. When you catch me it could be like old

school new school Marvin Gaye. And its not so much the clothes that he

wore it's the aura, the whole presentation. I thought it was fresh. It could go

from that to George Clinton, you know and I'm whiling out. (We both laugh,

I giggle and blush LOL).   It all depends on which side of me, which side of

my creativity I use. As of right now and what people already know about

Musiq Soulchild, I would have to say now my style is heavily influenced by

James brown and Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. You know when they

used to dress up....basically the whole R&B look. Though in future you

might see some other things.

I got to ask him another question but it didn't pertain to his style. On this day, Musiq had on a purple (my all time fave color) button up shirt, with a purple, white, grey and navy tie. Over the button up he had on a lavender v-neck sweater. He wore grey tailored pants and white loafers. He stamped the look with his signature shades, which were big, silver, and shiny. They had some bling encrusted in them and they mesmerized me. I do not know who designed his gear (really I couldn't hog all his time and ask him so many questions). But if I had to guess based on what I do know, I would say that his shoes were Louis Vuitton and his shades were Versace. Musiq is still rocking the Mohawk, which was freshly shaped. He has a really nice grade of hair as well. I know because I was all in his grill as I sat next to him, filing every detail of him into my memory bank! LOL!

It was an interesting interview and while I was nervous and star stuck, I tried managed to keep it together. What I gathered from our conversation is that old school performers influence his style, but he does not obsess over fashion. By no means is his style reflective of his music or personality, as it is...well generic. But he always looks great and that is all that matters. While he is always dressed nicely, I can pick out several male artists and celebrities who have similar tastes in clothing including, Raheem DeVaughn (my second fave artist) Kanye West, and Jay Z. The men are on their grown and sexy, which they should very well be. It is refreshing to see men with clothes tailored to fit in statement colors and lavender is so a statement color. I would love to see Musiq wear Nana Boateng designs (he designs for Fonzworth Bentley).

Yes, it was one of the best days of my life to be able to converse with the artist I love about a topic I love. I will say that Musiq Soulchild was friendly, personable, charming, funny, fine, and fashionable. He's the total package and though his style is not unique, men could surely take notice and integrate some his looks into their wardrobes. And finally, if you live under a rock and did not know, his latest album, "OnMyRadio" is out in stores!

Rock Star of the Week

Alas, we have a rock star! This young man should have been my rock star ten times over and he could very well be my rock star every week. Terrence "Shawn" Vidale is a senior majoring in finance. He was spotted in the CLT rocking a Chinese cut grey jacket, navy herringbone cardigan with an orange Ralph Lauren polo underneath, Rock and Republic denim, and Evisu denim tennis shoes. He was so fly, but then again, when you see him, you expect nothing less. It's starting to get warm BSU, so bring out your fresh gear and my next rock star could be you! Until next time remember, "a lady should always be classy and fabulous." xoxo