iCANDY: DRAKE COVERS DEC '11/JAN '12 ISSUE OF COMPLEX

Why not end this year and start the next with one of the biggest artists of 2011? Complex  rightfully chose Drake for its Dec '11/Jan '12 cover story.  The images for the story were shot by the same 20 year olds from Toronto who shot Drizzy's videos for "Marvin's Room" and "Headlines": Hyghly Alleyne and Lamar Taylor. Complex's  Damien Scott wonderfully wrote the story which you can read here.

Those who have been following RespectThisFresh for a while know how much I love and appreciate Aubrey Graham's talent.  Looks alone won't make someone a part of our iCandy series.  The "iCandies" we choose have an influence on many people and are doing great things when we choose them, which is why I chose Drake this time.  Name an emotion you've had, and Drake has more than likely incredibly expressed that emotion for you through one or more of his songs––an incredible talent.

Take Care  leaked last week, and I'm sure most of you have heard it, but please "buy it if you like it" when it hits stores tomorrow.

Source: Complex

iCANDY: DWYANE WADE'S FIVE STEPS TO OFF-COURT STYLE (via GQ)

1. My Throwback Tweed Look

I can certainly say that Dwyane Wade is one of the freshest (and cutest) NBA players both on and off the court, which is why I decided to add him to our iCandy series.  GQ  seems to agree by going to him to ask what his five steps to off-court style are.  Above is the first step.  Below you'll catch a quick interview GQ  conducted during the photo shoot by Dan Martensen, as well as the remaining four steps after the jump.

Behind the scenes of our photo shoot, we got the Miami Heat's most stylish baller to answer a few questions about his draft day suit, what he learned in Milan at Fashion Week, and the biggest style competition on his team. - GQ

Hit the jump for the rest of Wade's steps to off-court style.

Source: GQ

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE!

iCandy: RIHANNA NAMED "THE SEXIEST WOMAN ALIVE" (via ESQUIRE) (VIDEO x PHOTOS)

I lost count on how many times Rih Rih has been featured on RespectThisFresh for magazine appearances over the past year; the woman has been doing her thing.

This time the superstar is featured on the cover of Esquire  magazine as The Sexiest Woman Alive.  She practically bares all in the photo shoot done by Russell James for the November issue. The issue hits stands October 16th!!  Hit the jump for more pictures.

Source: Esquire

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE!

KANYE WEST PREMIERES "READY TO WEAR" COLLECTION AT FASHION WEEK IN PARIS

So just a few hours ago, Kanye West revealed his highly anticipated women's line during Paris Fashion Week. A lot of people have been waiting to see what Kanye has been putting together, so that means a lot of elite fashion enthusiasts and prominent names in the industry were in attendance for this.  Many people scratched their head on the thought of Ye doing something of the sort, but you gotta respect his fresh on this one.  Yeezy actually put together a bold collection for the ladies, entitled the "Ready To Wear" collection.  It is expected to see a release for the Spring/Summer 2012 season, but the name of his label has yet to receive a name.  I don't know whether or not if it's just a secret or if he just has yet to think of one.  One thing's for certain is that the collection is dedicated to his late mother.

UPDATE: The name of the line is called DW, in honor of Kanye's mother Donda West.

Although Yeezy is sure to receive plenty of cosigns and compliments from his collection, he did receive a number of harsh criticisms from some significant names who attended the event.  Style editor of the International Herald Tribune, Jessica Michault went on to say, "The Kanye West show, in my humble opinion, is proof that everyone can love fashion but not everyone can be a fashion designer."

Names such as Ciara, Anna Wintour, Jared Leto, Terry Richardson, Lindsay Lohan, The Olsen twins, Olivier Theyskens, Silvia Fendi, Alexander Wang, Carine Roitfeld and more were spotted at the 9:30pm (Paris Time; 3:30pm NY time) show.

Here are some details via Lady Info:

• -Kanye enlisted respected British designers Louise Goldin and Katie Eary for his line: Eary said, “[Kanye]’s such a dedicated designer. It’s not what everybody would think—he’s more dedicated than I am. The time and the travel that he puts in is unbelievable. I feel jealous at his commitment.”
• -shoes were specially made by Giuseppe Zanotti (an italian shoe line that tends towards the flashy, pointy, rhinestone and shiny side)
• -Kanye’s new line is being handled by fashion publicity powerhouse Karla Otto, the same pr flack who handles Jil Sander, Marni, Pucci, etc.
• -The show is being presented at a Paris middle school, called Lycee Henri IV. SeeMTVStyle for photos of the entrance

I've compiled as many photos as I could from various sources who attended the runway show, so enjoy.  Shoutout to Chisanga and Miss Info.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE!

XV SHOW AT THE SHELTER IN DETROIT - PICTURES

For those of you who have not been to an XV show let me tell you that personally I was amazed at the performance he put on. The crowd wasn't huge but it got hella loud in there. Here is a link for tickets for his current tour with Casey Veggies, most tickets are only ~$20 so if hes coming to your city and you have not seen him, make sure you do especially if your a fan of theirs.

Detailed pictures of the entire collection after the jump..

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE!

JET LIFE TOUR - PONTIAC, MI SHOW ON 5/31 (PHOTOS)

In case you couldn't attend his show in Pontiac Michigan last Tuesday, here are some shots of what you missed! Huge thanks and shoutouts to PK, Corey and Sarkis from Sarkis Vartan Ent.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE!

LUPE FIASCO COVERS MAY ISSUE OF XXL

Took them long enough.  Lupe Fiasco FINALLY graces the cover of XXL.  The May 2011 issue hits stands April 26th.  Read more about the issue on XXL's webpage.

iCANDY: JESSICA ALBA IN APRIL ISSUE OF VOGUE ITALIA

::iCandy::

The gorgeous Jessica Alba is featured in this month's issue of Vogue Italia.  In the photographs taken by Michelangelo Di Battista, Alba wears pieces by Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada with dark makeup by Revlon.  Check out Ryan Smith's interview with her on Vogue Italia's webpage.

I don't know how I feel about the bob as her hairdo, but she's still gawwwgeous.

Shouts to Mechanical Dummy

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE!

iCandy: CHRIS BROWN FEATURED IN GQ ITALIA

With his album, F.A.M.E. (Forgiving All My Enemies), dropping tomorrow, I decided to make this cutie my latest iCandy feature.  Above are images from Chris Brown's feature in the April issue of GQ Italia.  Styled by Andrea Tenerani, he wears pieces from Dolce&Gabanna, Giorgio Armani & Tom Ford.  The images were all shot in black and white by Kai Z. Feng.

"Most of the time when you think about style, or you're dressing; it's basically what you bring to it- the clothes don't wear you, you wear the clothes." - Chris Brown

::iCandy:: ;)

iCANDY: RIHANNA IN THE APRIL ISSUE OF VOGUE MAGAZINE

Yea, I had to make her an iCandy post again.  This time, Rih Rih covers the April issue of Vogue magazine, which hits stands this week.  Hit the jump for scanned images from the issue.  She's gawwgeous.  The photos were shot by one of the creative geniuses, Annie Liebovitz.

Shouts to Rihanna Daily.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE!

XXL 2011 FRESHMEN COVER

Your XXL 2011 Freshmen Class will consist of Kenrdrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., CyHi Da Prynce, Meek Mill, YG, Fred The Godson, Mac Miller, Yelawolf, Diggy Simmons and Lil Twist.

I'm not gonna speak on this (unless you all really want my opinion).  I'm just gonna sit back and watch how this year in hip-hop unfolds...

LADY GAGA x SUPREME BY TERRY RICHARDSON (PHOTOS)

Yesterday, I gave you guys a brief look at Supreme's campaign with Lady Gaga by Terry Richardson for Purple Magazine.  Today, we get a few more detailed photos from the spread; I must say that Supreme outdid themselves with this one.  T-Rich did a great job working with Lady Gaga and producing these pics. Crispy.

iCANDY: LADY GAGA x SUPREME FOR PURPLE MAGAZINE

Purple Magazaine got together with popular photographer Terry Richardson, Supreme and Lady Gaga for a quick spread on their Spring/Summer 2011 issue.  As you can see inside the issue, Gaga is rocking the the classic Supreme box logo t-shirt, which is one of Supreme's most interesting promo campaigns in a while. Peep out what we have so far; more to come soon.

PHOTOS: R.T.F. x WALE x KENDRICK LAMAR - LIVE AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIV. (RECAP)

If you follow me on twitter you would know that the Wale footage that we gathered a couple weeks ago is unfortunately being postponed right now, but we should have that out to you guys ASAP. So today i have the next best thing to video, PHOTOS..lol all 19 of them too! To no surprise Wale and Kendrick Lamar brought the house down and MSU showed them both mad love. Our homies Earlly Mac and Big Shan also performed and I cant even lie I LOVE seeing DETROIT rhymers out here grinding. Last and certainly not least I have to give props to Fowl, dude had a sick set and could definitely be a candidate for 'RTF's highly touted 'Sleeper Series'.

MORE DETAILED PHOTOS AFTER THE JUMP...

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE!

BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGES FROM RIHANNA'S "S&M" VIDEO

("S&M" artwork)

You guys know I love Rihanna.  Here are a few images from her upcoming video for her single "S&M" off of Loud.  The "S&M" visuals were directed by Melina Matsoukas in Los Angeles last week.  There's still no word on an official release date for video.  Shouts to Ryan Seacrest for these.

KANYE WEST'S "MONSTER" VIDEO : STILL FRAMES

YiKES!

ALICIA KEYS PHOTO SPREAD FOR VOGUE ITALY

Even a month after having a child, Alicia Keys can still get the head nod for a photoshoot.  Here is a look at her latest spread with Vogue Italy magazine one month after birthing her and Swizz Beatz first child.  You can catch this on the latest November edition.  

Props AKD 

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE!

DIPSET REUNION IN BROOKLYN, NY (PICTURES)

Yesterday, Miss Info surfaced photos of a Dipset photoshoot at a construction site om Brooklyn, NY to show that they are all officially back together.  Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Freekey Zekey took a few photos as well as a short video showing their unification.

It was originally meant to happen at last week's SummerJam but Jim was held from being allowed in the building by the police.  But now that it's finally happened, do you think they'll return to the prominent level that they were once at? Or is this reunion a little too late?

Hit the break for more photos...video coming soon!

DRAKE's THANK ME LATER PROMO POSTERS, CREDITS, THANK YOU's & BACK COVER

As Drake readies for his debut album to release on June 15th, he puts out the album scans, promotional posters, back cover and all that good stuff.  The artwork to the rest of the album is pretty hot; couldn't say the same for the cover though.  Make sure you leakers go cop that because it's predicted to do numbers.  Help the man out...Thank Me Later, on June 15th.

Hit the break to see all of the pics...click to get a closer look.