Aries

21^st March – 19^th April

A true Aries, Lady Gaga is known for her high energy, passionate, and fiery songs that dominate the charts. Born This Way (2011), Gaga’s iconic second album, just screams Aries – just look at that rocker cover with Gaga as a motorbike! On this dance-pop album, Gaga dips her toes into metal, disco, house, rock, and opera to create an outrageously fun experimental piece that challenges what traditional pop is. It’s a feminist album that delights in freedom and equality. Gaga doesn’t care what the haters think and you shouldn’t either. Enjoy this nostalgic party and sing along to ‘Born This Way’, ‘Judas’, ‘The Edge of Glory’, and all the other Aries anthems.

Taurus 

20^th April – 20^th May

Full of absolute bangers like ‘Boyz’, ‘Jimmy’, ‘Paper Planes’, and ‘Come Around’, Kala (2007) is arguably one of the best albums of the noughties. Tenacious, hard-headed, yet down-to-earth, M.I.A. embodies many of the admirable traits of Taurus. Full of memorable bars, eclectic yet danceable beats, and M.I.A.’s plucky energy oozing through her gritty vocals, Kala will enthuse Taurus will energy to tackle the day.

Gemini

21^st May – 21^st June

Lively Geminis start your night out right with a playful house album with energy that matches your love of fun and sass. For those not in the know Deee-lite were a popular New York trio in the early to mid-90s best known for their hit song ‘Groove is in the Heart’. The supremely cool Miss Lady Miss Kier fronted Deee-lite influencing generations to come with her outlandish outfits, soulful sound, and activism. This larger-than-life group fused their colourful psychedelic 60s style with acid house, dance pop, and a hint of hip hop to create a kitschy camp hedonic potion of sound perfect for partying to. Their finest work is Dewdrops in the Garden (1994) features repetitive thumping beats, super cutesy vocals, and fabulous piano – it’s sure to pack the dance floor at any house party.

Cancer 

22^nd June to 22^nd July

Cancers are drawn to soft, creative music often with a romantic quality. A fellow Cancer herself, Kali Uchis makes emotionally nurturing music for the highly intuitive among us. Cancers treat yourselves to a bit of healing and romantic passion with Kali’s newest record Red Moon in Venus (2023). Reflecting “the divine femininity of the moon and Venus” the warm laidback R&B album features a mix of passionate love songs and Kali’s heartbroken yearnings that will entrance Cancers. Hop into a warm bath and soak up the good vibes like a true water sign.

Leo 

23^rd July – 22^nd August

Though Lana Del Rey is a Cancer, her third studio album Ultraviolence (2014) gives off Leo energy. On the album, Lana is confident playing up the ultimate femme fatale image that she had been typecast in presenting the image of a drama-adoring, ambitious, but loyal to her lover diva – just like a true Leo. Any Leo’s melodramatic tendencies will thrive whilst wallowing to ‘Cruel World’, strutting to ‘Florida Kilos’, and crooning to ‘Shades of Cool’.

Virgo

August 23^rd – 22^nd September

Hardworking, creative, reliable, patient, kind Virgos – you deserve an album as good as your character. Mama’s Gun (2000) by psychedelic neo-soul goddess Erykah Badu is the ideal album for you. Incorporating elements of funk, soul, and jazz styles and dabbling in themes of love, philosophy, and religion, it’s a great album for chilling out with your friends and reflecting on your day of putting good energy out into the world.

Libra 

23^rd September – 23^rd October

British singer-songwriter Joy Crookes, a Libra, always sounds poised and in control even when singing about vulnerable themes such as heartbreak, mental health struggles, and identity. Libras will fall for the neo-soul singer on the rich and luscious Skin (2021). Despite the heavy subject matter, Joy’s honey-toned voice and jazzy melodies will soothe Libra’s soul and help them restore the balance they crave after a long day.

Scorpio

23^rd October – 21^st November

The mysterious and passionate Scorpio crave meaningful complex music to match their intense personalities. Rosalía’s MOTOMAMI (2022) will be right up their alley. The concept album detailing the Spanish singer’s struggles with homesickness and isolation during the past three years blew away critics last year and reached the top ten in seven different countries. This electric mix of art pop, flamenco nuevo, and neoperro will ignite the fire in Scorpio whilst satisfying their urge for deep meaning.

Sagittarius

22^nd November to 21^st December

The masked villain MF Doom was an innovative artist who inspired many of his successors with his impressive ability to weave samples from retro cartoons, snappy beats, humorous lyrics, and gorgeous flows to create masterful hip hop tracks that never missed. Adventurous Sagittarius who love the witty and tongue-in-cheek need to listen to MM FOOD… (2004) – a concept album “about the things you find on a picnic, or at a picnic table”. Undoubtedly those who haven’t listened to MF Doom yet will still be familiar with the TikTok-adored tracks ‘Hoe Cakes’ and ‘Rap Snitch Knishes’.

Capricorn

22^nd December – 19^th January

The overachieving, persistent, and sensitive Capricorn will feel inspired by many of the themes on Little Simz’s Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021). On this ambitious album Little Simz tackles the injustices black people face to this day, the government’s corruption, as well as her own insecurities, hopes, and dreams, and praises women and other strong people of colour. It’s a bold album that at times is triumphant with Simz’s lyrics surrounded by uplifting fanfare and in other moments more vulnerable and reflective. Either way, it’s an empowering hip hop album full of smooth melodies that will motivate Cancer in whatever endeavours they’re pursuing.

Aquarius

20^th January – 18^th February

Miley Cyrus has always been original and one step ahead of the trends throughout her career – she wowed us as Hannah Montana, reinvented herself with ‘Wrecking Ball’, gave us all the rocker glam with ‘Midnight Sky’, and her new album Endless Summer Vacation (2023) will be the ideal summer soundtrack for Aquarius. Clever, self-reliant, and creative, Aquarius embody many of the traits Miley stands for. You’ll be obsessed with Miley’s spunky new tracks like ‘Handstand’, ‘River’, and ‘Rose Colored Lenses’.

Pisces

19^th February – 20^th March

Synthpop duo Magdalena Bay shook up the music world in 2021 with their futuristic debut album Mercurial World (2021). Its surreal cyber sound sucks the listener into a pink-tinted electronic world – the whole album sounds like if an MS Paint drawing of a unicorn could sing. Mercurial World will appeal to whimsical Pisces with their love for daydreaming. Hypnotic and melodic, lose yourself to the airy ‘Dawning of the Season’ and dance yourself stupid to ‘Hysterical Us’.

_{Words by Molly Sutherland}

^{Header Image: Miley Cyrus, Kali Uchis, Little Simz, Joy Crookes, Rosalia}

The post A Full Tracklist Based on My Star Sign? Yes Please! appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Throughout the 13 tracks, we hear Joy explore various topics, such as; immigration, break-ups, generational trauma, tory neighbourhoods and mental health. These stories are met with the entrancing sound of Neo-Soul, a genre which embraces influences from Jazz, Funk, R&B and much more. Crookes has a sound reminiscent of the great Amy Winehouse with a similar London songwriter style, yet blends her own Bagladeshi-Irish heritage within her music, setting her apart from comparisons.

The album’s lead single ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now’ saw Crookes embracing her heritage in the music video, stunning in a Saree and Bangladeshi accessories. She did this whilst incorporating the culture of growing up in London into her lyrics, in an empowering account to inspire listeners to stand their ground and fight for what they believe in. 

One of the most personal tracks on the album ‘Unlearn you’ sends a poignant message on the effects of sexual violence, and how when faced with such a difficult situation, you can be left wishing you could reject that someone hurt you in such an inhumane way.

Speaking on the song, Joy said; 

“I don’t know how I managed to get that one out. I had the lyric, ‘unlearn you from my body’, and I was interested in how, when you break up with someone, you still have phrases that you share and so you have to unlearn them. 

Then when I started to write the melody, I realised what I’m really trying to talk about is unlearning something that happened to me that was completely out of my control.

It’s something that happens to so many men and women. You’re in a situation where someone else takes control of your body, your mind, your everything and how do you survive? How do you, more importantly, find a way to unlearn that from your body and not blame your body and not blame yourself for something as scary as that.”

It’s clear that Crookes poured her heart into this album, with many songs covering personal topics that must have been hard to sing. However, there are uplifting moments, such as ‘When You Were Mine’, which takes us on the eventful ride of Joy discovering her first love was actually gay. She says that a celebration of their love is at the heart of the track, intertwined with the slight bit of jealousy she felt seeing her ex move into a different relationship, made perfectly clear within the lyrics; 

“I’m shook but you look good together

I had my hesitation, but I just can’t hate him”. 

‘Skin’ is an album which sets an endearing soulfulness alight, projected through personal and thought provoking topics that take the listener on a rollercoaster of bittersweet emotions, as is life.

Words By Nadia Clasper

_{Photo Credit: Toast Press/Sony Music UK}

The post Joy Crookes Brings A Soulful Insight With Her Debut Album ‘Skin’ appeared first on Voir Fashion.

This week the remanence of Paris Fashion Week has filled our feeds with inspiration. We’ve spotted celebs in outfits hot off the runway, making us feel like we’re on the virtual front row – with an exclusive view of the glam accessories, flamboyant colours and flattering silhouettes. Instagram has also given us all the spring inspiration we need, we’ve spotted influencers in heat wave-ready attire; bright, bold and boujee. Time to start planning our going-out looks!

Dua Lipa

Dua looks like a tutti frutti cutie in her full Marshall Columbia outfit, with neon shades of pink, green, yellow and blue. Key trend alert: Argyle. Not only are the colours eye-catching but the check patterns tie it all together to give us major clueless vibes – and we’re here for it. Mwah. The message we’re taking from this is that bright colours are in.

£ 320

Marshall Columbia Plush Purse

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£ 330

Marshall Columbia Orange Argyle Sweater

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£ 795

Jimmy Choo Crystal Embellished Sandals

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Amy Hallimond

Badass chic is the energy this look is channelling. Amy has gone full monochrome in a zebra print co-ord, which reminds us that animal print is all the rave this season. But let’s just take a moment for the boots, which are a dream. Platform is back. You heard it here first. Style tip: pair with flares to look like a modern 70s godess.

£ 48

Motel Rocks Zebra Print Flares

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£ 1625

Prada Cleo logo shoulder bag

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£ 545

Stella McCartney Platform Ankle Boots

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Cinzia Zullo

Cinzia looks cool casual in her boyfriend jeans which she has paired with a scoop neck YSL tank and a satin head scarf. An accessory which can make any outfit look effortlessly stylish. Want to look like a y2k queen this summer? Then take some tips from this look.

£ 53

Snobby London Scoop Neck Vest

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£ 27

Pretty Little Thing Ripped Baggy Boyfriend Jeans

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£ 35

Vintsol Cerise Tie Up Sarong

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Aime Pradis

The colour coordination is perfect. Aime is giving us real-life ruby vibes in her cherry red look, a colour which you can look gorgeous in for every season. Key trend alert: Rimless Sunnies – accessories are everything and with the y2k takeover happening at the moment these rimless, wraparound sunglasses seem to be back. Let’s be honest, they complete every outfit.

£ 34.99

Fashion Nova Power Trip Corset Top Red

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£ 404

Louis Vuitton Monogram Baguette Bag

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£ 89.99

Levi’s 501 Low Rise Jeans

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Kehlani

Warning: extra hot. Kehlani wears new Savage x Fenty which she’s showing off under a risqué mesh piece. It’s hot girl summer ladies. She’s topped off the look with a pair of platform Doc Martens making it timeless, and showing us that matching anything this Spring with a pair of platform boots will elevate the look.

£ 189.99

Dr Martens Jadon Boots

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£ 22

Savage x Fenty Dotted Mesh Cheeky

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£ 790

Gucci GG tulle lingerie minidress

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Jordyn Woods

Miss Woods is really serving in her Fayth Feels Dress – an asymmetric masterpiece, Jordan is proving in the most flawless way possible that sporty glam is in style this season. Figure flattering stretchy silhouettes, big reflective sunnies – all tied together with lace-up heeled sandals. Wherever we’re allowed to go this summer, this outfit is guaranteed to make you feel high-end.

£ 210

FAYTH Feels Dress 2

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£ 39.99

Ego Official True Square Toe Lace Up Clear Perspex Heel In White Faux Leather

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£ 340

Loewe Logo Visor Sunglasses

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Chloe Davie

We can’t get enough of these Nasty Gal chain detail jeans. A key trend this season: cut-out pieces. Like we saw last week with cut-out tops and dresses, this pair of jeans fit right in. Make them your staple piece and the rest of the look falls together.

£ 55

Nasty Gal Blue Chain Detail High Waisted Straight Leg Jeans

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£ 595

Balmain Cropped cutout ribbed-knit halterneck top

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£ 150

Buffalo Black Leather Chunky Platform Trainers

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Joy Crookes

Brown and boujee. Embracing more neutral tones, no one can do it like Joy Crookes, and street style sarees are now our new favourite thing. Style tip: accessories can elevate a look and this season a mini handbag is essential.

£ 100

Kanya London Brown Mandarin Collar Long Sleeve Saree

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£ 1650

Christian Dior Blue Monogram Bag

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£ 179

Versace Brown Tortoiseshell Sunglasses

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Jorja Smith

New number, who dis? More from the cut outs trend and Jorja Smith is killing it. A whole new feed and she’s come back strong wearing a stunning all white bodysuit. White is definitely a colour to wear this season. We’ve added some accessories for you to shop to complete the look. 

£ 1874

Khaite Vita cut-out cotton bodysuit

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£ 20

Monki Black Baguette Bag

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£ 28

ASOS DESIGN Nicole strappy tie leg heeled sandals in black

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£ 170

Wolf & Badger Duet White Pearl Earrings Large Gold

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£ 320

Balenciaga Wrap-around Sunglasses

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Kim Kardashian

Hot off the runway, Kim K is dripping in new Givenchy – showing off her curves in an olive-green figure hugging body-con embellished with crystals, matched with a diamanté fringed bag. This season is all about being extra and loving yourself, steal the look and expect many compliments on your daily walk, the only form of social interaction at the moment.

£ 300

The Range Alloy ribbed stretch-knit maxi dress

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£ 1000

YSL Opyum 110 suede sandals

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£ 32

ASOS DESIGN luxe chainmail frame cross body bag with diamante fringe detail

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Kristen Noel Crawley

Glam seems to be a key message from the runways – Kristen looks dream-like in her MIU MIU co-ord, embellished with bright pink and orange sequins. Notice the backless and low-rise silhouettes, two trends you NEED to get your hands on this season. 

£ 2750

Miu Miu Cady Top

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£ 3700

Miu Miu Cady Skirt

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Words By Natasha Legge, Graphic By Millie Pollok

The post Voir’s Favourite Instagram Looks Of This Week appeared first on Voir Fashion.

From two-piece suits to thigh-high slits, monotones to every tone and a whole Hershey bar dress these are the top picks of the best red carpet looks from last nights Brit Awards 2020 from your favourite entertainers.

Words by Precious NjokiGraphics by Séverine Denis-Lessard

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The post The Best of The Brits 2020 appeared first on Voir Fashion.

As we look back on the array of young artists that emerged this year, from Lil Nas X becoming a viral phenomenon with hit single ‘Old Town Road’ to Ari Lennox receiving universal acclaim for her breakout debut album ‘Shea Butter Baby’, it can be agreed that the industry’s talent pool certainly didn’t disappoint. And with 2020 on the horizon this list, that is by no means exhaustive, provides an insight into the rising stars who are set to explode into the next decade.

Joy Crookes

The mature and timeless sound of Joy Crookes cements her place as an artist to watch in 2020. Her eloquent, well-refined vocals infused with soulful emotion and nostalgic fervour offer the perfect antidote to the number-driven vacuity of commercial, mainstream music. Having released her ‘Reminiscence’ and ‘Perception’ Eps in 2019 and with a number of live shows in the pipeline Crookes is on track to becoming one of the industry’s next biggest stars.

Easy Life

Their minimalistic, indie-alt vibe fused with a mellow R&B finish has seen Easy life rise from the unknown to selling out their first UK tour all in the space of two years. Having signed with Island Records in 2018 the group of five has since released two mixtapes “Creature Habits’ and ‘Spaceships’, plus a handful of popular singles. Their ability to merge serious issues, such as the environmental concerns on track ‘Earth’ and struggles with mental health on single ‘Frank’, with an endearing, nonchalant rock attitude has made them a highly sought-after, marketable band. And having returned home from their stint in the U.S this summer it won’t be long before frontman Murray Matravers’ ‘world domination’ plots become a reality.

YBN Cordae

After receiving a Grammy nomination for the release of his debut album, ‘The Lost boy’ YBN Cordae has proved himself as one of the most talented younger artists of 2019 but has yet to receive the recognition that he deserves. By reviving classic lyricism in rap and spreading the messages of self-growth, positivity and family-ties it is only a matter of time before he becomes one of the hottest acts in the hip-hop community.

Koffee

Leading the way in Jamaica’s new reggae music scene is singer-songwriter Mikayla Simpson, professionally known as Koffee. Her first and only Ep ‘Rapture’ stays true to reggae’s roots of thick, heavy bass and upbeat rhythms, which combined with her fresh, fiery and impassioned lyrics creates a distinct sound that rejuvenates a traditional genre for the modern ear. With a new album on the horizon and a potential feature on Rhianna’s upcoming project, 2020 looks to be incredibly promising for the rising reggae star.

Beabadoobee

The grunge-inspired Filipino-British, singer Beatrice Kristi, known under the pseudonym Beabadoobee, is making significant waves in the alt-rock indie scene. Her sound started with a characteristic lo-fi, DIY aesthetic with her first single ‘Coffee’, an intimate, melodious track, shooting her into the limelight and seeing her sign with Dirty Records. Subsequently, she has released four EPs, Patched Up, Loveworm, Loveworm (Bedroom Sessions) and Space Cadet, with the latter displaying her impressive versatility as she embraces a grungy, distorted vibe comparative to the love-struck, relaxed tone of her earlier work. If Bea continues to be as open and artistically expressive about her frustration, alienation, and outsider status then there is nothing to stop her from becoming the voice of a generation.

Ivory Wave

The elegant fusion of pre-noughties indie-rock with a modern acid-house machismo sees Brummie boy-band Ivory Wave as having the potential to becoming the next big thing. After the launch of their Ep ‘Dream Nights’, a collection of expressive, neoteric tracks with anthemic qualities, the ambitious group soon joined renowned dream-pop band JAWS in support of their UK tour. If they continue their grassroots approach to success, that has seen singles such as, ‘Uptown’ receive Track of the Week on Radio X, then the potential Ivory Wave have is limitless.

Aitch

British rapper Aitch’s Mancunian charm and boyish charisma have seen him take 2019 by the storm. With his first ever release ‘Straight Rhymez 1’ racking up 16 million hits on YouTube and attracting the attention of major grime artists Stormzy, it was not long before Aitch was opening shows for the likes of Wiley and Cadet on their respective UK tours. In a candid interview with The Guardian Aitch admitted that “It’s the funny accent that draws bare attention,” but that is not to forget his natural freestyle ability and witty, memorable lyrics. Having already reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart with ‘Taste (Make it Shake)’ it is no doubt that Aitch will be one to watch in the forthcoming year.

Celeste

After winning BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year for 2019 to not mention Celeste Waite would be criminal. Having signed with major record label Polydor Records in 2018, Celeste has since released her second EP ‘Lately’, that sees her serene soulful vocals perfectly compliment the tranquil, jazz-inspired beats found through-out the five-track experience. Headlining her first show at the O2 Shepherds Empire, London in April 2020 Celeste’s performance will be one not to miss.

Arlo Parks

Amid the logjam of aspiring emo, bedroom-pop sounding artists shines Arlo Parks. Her poetic, self-reflective lyrics blend flawlessly with the comforting subtlety of her backing instrumentals. And given the success of her two Eps, ‘Super Sad Generation’ and ‘Sophie’, as well as her collection of consistently admired singles the future is set to be very bright for the 19-year-old from London.

Tyla Yaweh

Yaweh has never been short of performing alongside some of the industry’s most foremost acts, from opening Xxxtentacion’s Revenge tour in 2017 to supporting Post Malone across Europe earlier this year. His latest full-length album ‘Heart Full of Rage’, is an experimental, introspective array of tracks, in which he contrasts his concise flow with airy vocals and energetic trap beats with mellow electric guitar riffs. Having just come off the back of an impressive Rolling loud set Tyla Yaweh’s name is sure to be on everyone’s lips throughout 2020.

Words by Charlie Malcom-Mckay

Graphics by Araceli Alonso

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Crookes’ voice has been compared to the likes of the late, great Amy Winehouse for its rich vibrancy and expression.

You may not have heard of her yet, but Bangladeshi-Irish singer Joy Crookes has been garnering some much-deserved attention. She has managed to amass 108k followers on Instagram, almost 7 million views on her YouTube channel and, not to mention, a feature on Miss Vogue describing her as ‘One To Watch In 2019’.

Crookes’ voice has been compared to the likes of the late, great Amy Winehouse for its rich vibrancy and expression. Her vocals are gentle yet husky with a velvety warmth reminiscent of classical jazz musicians. Though the 20-year-old is flattered to be compared to one of the ‘greats’, she is clearly determined to “do [her] own thing” – whether in terms of her fashion choices or musical style, and this is undoubtedly what has kept her global fanbase growing.

Joy’s videos – specifically ‘London Mine’ and ‘For a Minute’ beautifully encapsulate the colourful yet raw aspects of London that are typically unglamourised

Joy’s lyricism really manages to keep her audiences’ ears pricked – her two EP’s Reminiscent and Perception which dropped this year were delicately infused with her experiences of growing up in South London and her dual-identity. ‘London Mine’ kicks-off lyric “Bangla noise on Brick Lane / That’s the sound of my home”, purposefully highlighting the multicultural nature of the UK and the historically Bangladeshi settlements of East London.

Her videos – specifically ‘London Mine’ and ‘For a Minute’ beautifully encapsulate the colourful yet raw aspects of London that are typically unglamourised as they’re considered a “shit hole by the rest of the city”. Fruit & veg stalls, African fabric stores and “£2 chicken & chip shops” all form the backdrop of her videos, making her work all the more iconic and embracing of Britain’s rich immigrant culture.

“My dual identity reflects more about me as an artist. I grew up with so many different cultures and influences around me… Irish people have a real way with words, we have incredible writers like Oscar Wilde, Paddy Kavanagh, Van Morrison. Then Bangladeshi culture is different – the way we style our hair, the way we present ourselves, our mannerisms”. Crookes’ style is perhaps the most profound aspect of her image. You’d never catch her without her statement gold jhumki (traditional South Asian earrings) and fabric entwined braids. Her elegant hybrid of animal print vintage coats with street-style sports luxe truly makes Joy Crookes Joy Crookes – and you can hear her lyrics through her resounding style.

Having so few South Asian artists in the music industry is one of the reasons Joy proudly asserts her Bangladeshi roots

This kind of fusion – mixing East and West, traditional and contemporary – has been more popularised nowadays. To name a few, fashion designers Ashish and Kim Shui; artists Jorja Smith in ‘Be Honest’ and singer Raveena, underlines how artists and musicians of various descent negotiate their cultural identity within their work.

Having so few South Asian artists in the music industry is one of the reasons Joy proudly asserts her Bangladeshi roots: “For South Asian artists, MIA is the most famous in the West – Jay Sean and Zayn Malik too, those three probably… it’s good that I’m opening up to the fact that I’m Bangladeshi.”

Ultimately, Joy’s agenda is to spread positive energy with her music. She manages to not only do this, but also empowers her audience by openly loving her culture, incorporating the jewellery and accessories typically tucked away for weddings and festivals into her every day style. Joy commences her European tour in October.

The post Joy Crookes: Intertwining Heritage with Aesthetic appeared first on Voir Fashion.