Courtesy of the Artist
In an era of trending sounds and singles, Kota the Friend makes albums. His latest, Protea, is a kaleidoscope of clever wordplay, smooth hooks, and beats you can dance to. Dedicated to his wife, the 16 tracks feel like a celebration. It features guest spots from Aloe Blacc, Braxton Cook, and Samm Henshaw.
Doing things his own way is nothing new. From his early days of playing the trumpet and performing at DIY shows, the native New Yorker has stood out. Musically, he combines sounds from different eras that fit his unique flow. Aesthetically, Kota loves bright colors and playful graphics, recalling early '90s acts like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul.
Inspired by Pharrell Williams, he's also become an entrepreneur with his clothing line FLTBYS. The brand includes not just tees and hats, but items like journals and a water planter.
Watch Jordan Edwards and Demi Ramos interview Kota about the evolution of his sound, influences, and love for Brooklyn.
Kota the Friend
For more from Kota the Friend, follow him on Instagram and TikTok. You can also catch him on tour starting Oct. 20.
Film Reviews
“Bottoms” Is a Sleeper Menswear Masterpiece
Bottoms proves that we should all be dressing like lesbians
09.14.2023
Bottoms movie
via MGM and Orion Pictures
When you think of fashion movies, what do you think of? The Fifth Element famously had its costume design done by Jean-Paul Gaultier. And then there are movies about fashion like The Devil Wears Prada.
And these days, streaming services feel like White Lotus is the ultimate inspo for my vacation wardrobe with kaftans and swimsuits galore — but notPortia’s sweater vest. Euphoria is a trend-setting fashion show that might not be realistic for high schoolers but uses clothes (and Emmy-winning makeup) as characters themselves.
But the most inspirational fashion films are the ones with impeccable costuming that feels effortlessly apt for the characters. It’s like meticulously curated people-watching.
And when it comes to menswear, the best dressed characters are usually the last ones you expect. Channing Tatum’s hip-hop-inspired looks and perpetually white Air Force Ones in the original Step Up. Tony Soprano’s button downs in The Soprano. Brad Pitt’s chaotic dirtbag look in Fight Club — and his slick Y2K suits in the Oceans movies.
Well, add Bottoms to the list. Billed as a “lesbian high school Fight Club,” this is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. And while it has already garnered rave reviews for being outrageously funny and irresistibly charming, we need to talk about the costuming.
It’s a sleeper menswear hit. Corduroy, perfectly faded vintage gamer tees, and of course, summer 2023’s favorite shoe, Adidas sambas. The lesbians in this movie Josie (Ayo Edebiri), PJ (Rachel Sennott), and Hazel (Ruby Cruz), throw fit after fit. It’s a masterclass in lesbian fashion, an education in queer dressing — on par with the one I got attending a historically women’s college.
And the fact that it resonates with any gender is proof of one of the most potent trends of the year: lesbian dressing.
Everyone’s been wearing vests, Adidas shorts as pants, and a lot of cardigans — all queer staples. So whatever your gender and sexuality, take inspo from the biggest menswear movie of the summer, Bottoms.
All products featured are independently selected by our editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
Rugby Shirts
In one of the most pivotal scenes of the film, both PJ and Josie are sporting oversized rugbies. Whether you call it old money or the resurgence of prep-style, but rugbies are back in a big way. Pair them with corduroys, straight-leg jeans, or even linen pants for the ultimate homage to prep style.
Knit button downs
Short sleeve button-downs are a necessity for the summer, and knitwear is a necessity for the fall. That makes knit short sleeves the perfect versatile piece. Pair them with docs like Hazel to channel your best summer punk.
Vintage Tees
One thing about Josie, she’s going to pull up in a vintage tee. The more faded and oversized the better. Of course, paired with equally faded jeans and a pair of Sambas.
Lots of layers
The token look of 2000s alternative guys: a short-sleeved shirt over a long-sleeved shirt. PJ rocks this look time and time again in Bottoms. And each time, it feels brand new. It’s also a cool way to mix and match prints and fabrics, and add some texture to your looks. And don’t stop with shirts. Layer your jewelry. Show your boxers over your pants. Go crazy. Just don’t like, overheat.
Of course, overalls
My favorite thing about Bottoms is that it doesn’t pull any punches. Within the first ten minutes is one of my favorite lines: “I may be ugly but these aren’t overalls.” But then of course, come the overalls. Corduroy? Denim? All bets are off and this versatile one piece is sure to be a hit this fall.
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CULTURE
Are the VMAs Relevant Again? What Happened at the 2023 VMAs?
Highlights from the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards
09.13.2023
Taylor Swift at the 2022 VMAs
Photo by Guerin Charles/ABACA/Shutterstock
For someone who considered themselves plugged in and aware of music and pop culture happenings (it’s literally my job, considering where you are reading this), I was surprised to see my feed blowing up last night with content from the VMA red carpet.
My instant reaction: Wait… it’s the VMAs tonight? My second thought: Are the VMAs still a thing?
When I think of the VMAs, I think of vintage VMA ceremonies — from the golden age of chaotic television when they first premiered in 1980 to the infamous Taylor Swift x Kanye beef in 2009 and the Miley Cyrus twerking fiasco in 2013.
But for the past few years, the VMAs have happened not with a bang but with a whimper. Maybe it’s because COVID took the ceremony online and they, like most award shows, haven’t fully recovered.
But this year, the VMAs have solidified themselves as the award show to watch again. Despite meager attendance and lackluster performances in years past, this year’s event brought its best. All the big names showed up in their award show best: Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, and even a mini-reunion of NSYNC. The affair was star-studded, the fashion rivaled the Met Gala, and the entertainment was top-tier.
If you missed it — like I almost did — here’s what happened at the 2023 MTV VMAs:
Who performed at the 2023 VMAs?
Like VMA shows of yore, this year’s performances were some for the books. All the hottest acts played all their best songs with all the works — from stunning choreo to studded gowns.
- Lil Wayne: The rapper opened the show with “Uproar” and “Kat Food.”
- Olivia Rodrigo: Fresh off the release of her new album, GUTS, Rodrigo gave an all-American performance. She performed her new songs “Vampire” and“Get Him Back!”
Olivia Rodrigo - "vampire" / "get him back" | 2023 VMAswww.youtube.com
- Shakira: After winning the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Shakira performed her hit song about her ex, soccer player Gerard Pique, “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53” as well as hits like “She Wolf” and “Objection.”
- Demi Lovato: Going back to her rock roots — who can forget her angsty Disney Channel days — Demi performed rock renditions of hits like“Heart Attack,” “Sorry Not Sorry,” and “Cool for the Summer.”
- Fall Out Boy: Their rendition of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” was nostalgia personified.
- Nicki Minaj: It’s the summer of Barbie, and with a new Nicki album coming in November, it’s bound to be the fall of Barbz. Nicki gave us a sneak peek of an upcoming song, “Last Time I Saw You.”
- Tomorrow X Together and Anitta: This eclectic pairing collaborated on their new song “Back for More.”
- Anitta: Anitta’s solo performance was a sensual medley of songs from “Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story.”
- Kelsea Ballerini: The VMA newcomer made some eyes well up with her piano rendition of “Penthouse (Healed Version).”
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs: After receiving the Global Icon Award, Diddy proved just why his legacy in music is so enduring with a medley of his greatest hits, including songs like “I’ll Be Missing You” as a tribute to Notorious B.I.G. — especially powerful on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
- Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion: This one is for the hot girls. “Bongos” has never sounded better.
- Måneskin: Goth is back and Måneskin are the proof. Their rendition of “Honey (Are U Coming?)” made me want to mosh.
- Karol G: The Spanish-singing powerhouse performed “Oki Doki” and “Tá OK (Remix),” proving why she has the first No. 1 Spanish album by a female artist.
- Doja Cat: Queen of weird, Doja wowed with “Attention,” “Paint the Town Red,” and “Demons.”
- Stray Kids: This K-Pop band stunned with their genre-defying performance of “S-Class,” and “5-Star.”
- Peso Pluma: This captivating performance of “Lady Gaga” and “Genesis” upped the cool factor of the show.
- Metro Boomin’, Future, Swae Lee, NAV, and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie: This eclectic group performed “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” and“Calling.”
- 50th anniversary of hip-hop: Tribute performances are usually pretty lackluster but it was iconic to see Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Doug E. Fresh, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, LL Cool J and Darryl “DMC” Simmons of Run-DMC.
Who won at the 2023 VMAs?
Mostly, Taylor Swift. But here were the rest of the winners:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift
SONG OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
BEST NEW ARTIST: Ice Spice
SHOW OF THE SUMMER (Social Category): Taylor Swift
GROUP OF THE YEAR (Social Category): BLACKPINK
SONG OF THE SUMMER (Social Category): Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven”
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Social Category): Taylor Swift – Midnights
PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: April 2023: TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Sugar Rush Ride”
BEST COLLABORATION: KAROL G, Shakira – “TQG”
BEST POP: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
BEST HIP-HOP: Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl”
BEST R&B: SZA – “Shirt”
BEST ALTERNATIVE: Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace”
BEST ROCK: Måneskin – “THE LONELIEST”
BEST LATIN: Anitta – “Funk Rave”
BEST K-POP: Stray Kids – “S-Class”
BEST AFROBEATS: Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”
VIDEO FOR GOOD: Dove Cameron – “Breakfast”
BEST DIRECTION: Taylor Swift — “Anti-Hero” — Directed by Taylor Swift
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Taylor Swift — “Anti-Hero” — Cinematography by Rina Yang
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Taylor Swift — “Anti-Hero” — Visual Effects by Parliament
BEST CHOREOGRAPH: BLACKPINK — “Pink Venom” — Choreography by Kiel Tutin, Sienna Lalau, Lee Jung (YGX), Taryn Cheng (YGX)
BEST ART DIRECTION: Doja Cat — “Attention” — Art Direction by Spencer Graves
BEST EDITING: Olivia Rodrigo — “vampire” — Edited by Sofia Kerpan and David Checel
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