Goapele Covers Diablo Magazine...

Goapele is on the cover of the San Francsico East Bay magazine "Diablo." The songtress discusses her new album Milk and Honey and new business ventures including a nightclub and clothing boutique. Here's a snippet:

Born in Oakland in 1977, Goapele (pronounced gwah-puh-LAY, which means “to go forward” in her grandmother’s Setswana dialect) is the daughter of an exiled South African political activist father and a New York–born Jewish mother. Her parents married in Kenya, then moved to the East Bay.

“Music and politics were integrated into my upbringing from a very young age. A lot of my family is from South Africa, and during my childhood, there was a rich South African community in the Bay Area,” she says. “There were lots of parties where people would break into singing a cappella or playing conga drums.”

Click here to see more pics and read the full article.

Estelle Covers Bleu Magazine…

U.K. singer and rapper Estelle grace the latest cover of Bleu magazine. I knew of Estelle almost 4 years ago when her music was still playing on underground radio stations in London. I’m really happy for her recent explosion into the U.S. market although I’m fascinated to see if her image will help or hinder her. She is after all the antithesis of the light-skinned, long haired beauties that are saturating the market these days. I with her much success!

Bleu magazine is a great publication for “urban” men. Think GQ for the sophisticated black man. I say visit the site, snoop around, then if you like what you see, recommend it to your male friends. This issue hits stands April 29th.

Credit: ConcreteLoop.com for photos.

AmberMag.com

AmberMag.com is the premiere destination for African-American and Hispanic women who want the latest information on trends in the beauty world. Founded by Marcia A. Cole (editorial director), who also acted as the Deputy Editor of Lifestyle and Features for Suede magazine, this online publication offers comprehensive and honest reviews on products that we can actually use. I particular love their Salon and Spa locator because Lord knows it’s hard to find a good hairstylist and waxer! Also check out their video library which contains up-to-the-minute beauty and hair tips you can do yourself. You may have also noticed that the Iman video feature below was by AmberMag.com. Visit the site and let me know what you think.

Nothing Vogue about it!

UNVOGUE.com is the newest online magazine on the block and it’s determined to stand out from the crowd. Its title says it all. According to K. Tyson Perez, the magazine’s Editor in Chief, UNVOGUE.com takes a unique approach to fashion journalism. Their mission statement/opening letter states:

“A magazine that dictates your every fashion move is UNVOGUE. An editor who tells you what you must have to be apart of the “In” crowd is so UNVOGUE. If you are clearing out your closet every six months because a journalist or stylist said to, that is sooo UNVOGUE… A magazine that realizes that its readers are of many races, sizes, colors, religions, economic backgrounds and that they too would love to see themselves represented in the pages they dash to purchase is so UNVOUGE.”

We love it already, although the first issue doesn't seem to portray all the things the magazine claims to be. Click here to see if you too are “UNVOGUE.”

Vanessa Simmons Covers Brides Noir…

Vanessa Simmons is in the latest issue of Brides Noir, an magazine that focuses on the wedding fashion. As well as the photo shoot Vanessa also talks about her new clothing and jewelry line with her sister Angela. They also plan on expanding their existing Pastry sneaker line. Visit www.bridesnoir.com to preview the issue online and get inspired for future weddings… urban style, of course!

Credit: Concrete Loop for the pics.

Alicia Covers Uptown Magazine…

Alicia Keys looks flawless on the latest cover of Uptown Magazine and the additional editorial photos inside. If you've never heard of this magazine before it is very much for those who are “living well,” but I like it. I think this is only their fourth issue. The magazine is available in electronic format, so click here to start reading her interview and to see the other pics.

Credit: Juicy News for photos.

Another One Bites The Dust…

Another day, another Black magazine folds. Vibe Vixen is the latest publication to fall under the witches spell. After two years and some change, Vibe Vixen will no longer produce their hard copy magazine but will continue their presence online. Read the official press release below. I wasn’t really a fan of the magazine but it’s sad that people will lose their jobs.

"Less than two weeks after being named CEO of Vibe Media Group, Steve Aaron announced Vibe would fold Vibe Vixen, the female counterpart to urban music and lifestyle magazine Vibe.

Vixen will cease as a regularly published title with the August/September issue and starting in the fourth quarter, the company will begin publishing Vixen as special issues focusing on urban culture themes. The company hasn’t determined the frequency for the specials, a company rep said. Vixen also will continue to maintain a Web site.

In a press release, Aaron said there would be “some” layoffs. The rep would not make executives available for further comment.

Vixen launched in February 2005 as a twice-a-year title with a circ of 425,000 (unaudited) and upped the frequency to six times this year. Pages for the first half of 2007 totaled 147, per Publishers Information Bureau. [Source]"

Mimi Magazine

Angela Asare on the cover of Mimi magazine.

Mimi (the Swahili word for “me”) is the online magazine of choice for fashion-forward and culturally aware African women. Mimi offers articles on fashion/beauty, politics, love, the arts and everything in between. Features are carefully crafted to appeal to the entire African diaspora. If that isn’t enough, check out their blog written by Mimi editors and contributors. On the cover of their current issue is the beautiful Angela Asare aka Miss Ghana of 2006. The magazine has been around for two years. I’m surprised that I’m only just hearing about it now. Click here and tell me what you think.

Mya covers Ocean Style Magazine

I was getting my daily dose of Concrete Loop and saw this new magazine (well, new to me) called Ocean Style. As you can see Mya is on the cover looking sultry and fabulous. There was a time when I didn’t care much for Mya’s style but she's been growing on me. I wonder what projects she has up her sleeve. Head over to Ocean Style’s website to flick through a preview copy of their magazine.

Clutch Magazine Relaunches!

Rejoice! The wait is over! Clutch, the online magazine, has relaunched offering even more mouth-watering features pertaining to fashion, beauty, life and culture. Check in daily to receive a dose of their “Notebook” and while you’re there get exclusive insights on the latest up-and-coming designers and beauty brands. A new issue premieres on the first of every month but if you can’t wait until then, browse the Clutch “Blog Index” that lists all the hottest blogs on the web (including yours truly!) Visit www.clutchmagonline.com to peep the site for yourself!