Future Glitterati – Mo

The most recent addition to the Future Glitterati series is my conversation with the Lion-Hunter herself, Mo Handahu. 

Self Deprecating gifs

That Moment When The Walking Dead Fan Art Happens

Anyone following my recent exploits on Twitter might have caught on that I'm a recently converted fan of the AMC Tv show, The Walking Dead. 

Glitterati Duane on Tha Underground Radio Show (Edited)

My interview with Tha Underground radio show with all the other stuff cut out :).

Glitterati Duane's Instagram Web Profile is Live

View Glitterati Duane's Instagram profile.

Hood Legend Video

Every neighborhood basketball court carries the memories of past great players on their worn concrete surfaces. To the people that witnessed them in action, those players will live on forever: As Hood Legends.

This is our first attempt at video production and it was a lot of fun, piecing it together. That being said: Please go easy on us :). Special thanks to Dean "Sizzlin Montana" Jones for repping the brand in the video, Nicholas Maynard for doing the bulk of the camera work and AbCents for the musical dopeness.

Glitterati Duane Interviewed on Tha Underground

Glitterati Duane with his brother Dean

During a recent trip to Bermuda Glitterati Duane was interviewed by JT of Tha Underground Radio show on Power 95 with his brother playing wing man. They chopped it up and discussed hip hop, the importance of branding in music, Glitterati Communications's active projects and the rap phenomenon that is of 2 Chaaaiiiinnzzz. Check out the interview here.

Glitterati Duane holding the Glitterati Power Swag shirt

Glitterati in the Clutch

Glitterati Duane at the Clutch Culture Summer 2012 showing (Pictured centre). Photo by Montwedi Sebina

This summer, Glitterati Duane was invited to view the Clutch Culture Summer Collection at Fred. We are eager to explore the fashion industry further so having the opportunity to see a well assembled collection presented in person was exciting. Mo, Clutch Culture's designer and owner is one of our biggest local inspirations for her accomplishments, work ethic and effervescent personality. Mo also runs popular lifestyle blog, Curvy Geekery where she documents a lot of her adventures in style.

Mo of Clutch Culture (Image courtesy of Curvy Geekery)

The show was broken up into two segments: The first segment was called "1998", which is a reflection of Mo's 16 year old self. It pays homage to the great memories she has from the 90's. The second segment was called "Wild Hearts", which focussed on her brands's staple, African prints and her personal style. The colours from both collections were vivid and the clutches were very well crafted. 

Everyone in attendance was dressed to kill and Fred was the perfect venue for the event. It truly felt like we were among the "Glitterati" of Halifax. Below are a few shots that Duane took at the event. To see more shots, check out Curvy Geekery. Mo is currently hosting a 90's costume party called Homeboyz & Flygirlz on October 6th at The Argyle so if you're in the city I recommend that you check it out.

Runway action

Models

The gracious host (Fred) doing his thing for the camera

Clutches

Fred planet

Door prize courtesy of Buscuit General Store

April Baird Interview - Future Glitterati

April Baird is the boss lady of April M Designs, a creative studio based in Halifax and I met her a few years back when she helped me with some graphic design projects. April’s self-described, “girly and cute” artwork that she executes across a number of mediums is dope and I’m a big fan. Something that I get really excited about is seeing people create lanes for themselves when there isn’t one and April has been doing just that. She recently hosted and organized the 2^nd annual Art vs Craft, craft show that featured over 50 vendors. Be Glitterati had the opportunity to be one of the vendors at Art vs Craft this year and I had a blast meeting the creative’s and craft enthusiasts who attended.

Where did you grow up?

Green Hill, Nova Scotia which is in Pictou County. It’s a small farming community. I love and hate it.

Future Glitterati - Jaro

Photo courtesy of Katherine Kerr Photography

This interview was originally intended to be part of a project that I started late last year but got too busy to complete. Doing a Masters, working full time and taking on client work has taken over my life and is kicking my independent projects in the nuts right now. The project isn’t dead but I’ve finally accepted that I’m only human and can only do so much. That being said, I feel obligated to share this dope interview I did with my man Jaro. He released a crazy mixtape called Cherubim around the time the interview took place that you need to check out. The man has a bright future ahead of him.

How would you describe your music?
A combination of Jesus turning water into wine with H.I.M Haile Selassie I handing out free blunts while Buddah DJ’s at a million angel march in the lower Eastside of heaven, that has a strip club where the 70 virgins that radical muslims get after they kill themselves work. Only at this strip club they take of their clothes in a comfortable mind expanding environment… All that, for your ears. Ha ha jokes. On the real, as far as the type of instrumentations and genres I draw from, I would say at its core is hip hop and reggae, but I draw inspiration from anywhere for production and voicing. I love electronic, rock, dub, dancehall, dubstep, folk and music native to old countries such as China, Australia and India to name a few. I love having a world sound. Lyrical content is just a reflection of life and all aspects of it. I’m a very spiritual person with a real love for mystery so that’s reflected as well. Hope I didn’t offend anybody.

You got your start in music as a rapper/vocalist for a band called The Chronicles. Were you always into genre blending?
Man, I miss The Chronicles. We had some REALLY good times. *sidebar* I won’t say that The Chronicles are done. Our core members are still together for the most part. We have just evolved our whole scope of who we are, so look out for an evolution of ‘The Chronicles’ in the future! As far as the question, that’s hard to say one way or the other. I grew up in Bermuda listening to old school reggae, old school gospel, soul and African songs such as the South African National Anthem. So I have always had an appreciation for different types of music. But I first fell in love with blending music when Busta dropped ‘When Disaster Strikes’. The song ‘Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See’ was huge in Bermy. That instrumental was so deadly. Every major dancehall and reggae artist jumped on it and tore it up. That’s what exposed me to blending music and it being hotter than if each artist stayed on their respective genre’s beats and riddims. When I moved to Canada back in the day, I was exposed to so many other types of music in large part thanks to my band members and close friends. When we came together we just said lets just all play what we bring to the table and don’t call it anything. As long as it grooves together we were happy. So rock, reggae, hip hop, jazz all made into our sound. Good times… That’s where I realized music is music. And I should embrace all types of music for my own sound.

Chartis Illustration

Illustration gig we did for Chartis's Bermuda office. This was given as a gift to retiring executive.

Glitterati Duane X Instagram

Yeah yeah yeah. I was an insta-hater not too long ago but what can I say? I mean. I was curious about it, but when my brother was in town last week he got me interested. Being a person that likes to communicate visually it's actually turned out to be an enjoyable medium for me so here we go. I'm going to attempt to post at least 1 image a day for a year. Lets see how I do! Follow my exploits on instagram here.

Pre-Shrunk 2012

As part of my attempt to push my creative limits as far as possible I submitted a painting into the Argyle Fine Art 2012 Pre-Shrunk show and it was accepted! I have a sneak peak of it below. On the real... You can easily find a whole shot of it online but you should really get your lazy butt down to 1559 Barrington Street in Halifax and check out mine and all the other pieces in person. Let doooo it 2012.

Glitterati Duane on Background Noise

I had a chance to stop in and chat with the wild boys of the Background Noise Podcast! We got to talk about the Be Glitterati line, my background, a new project that I have in the works and a bunch of funny stuff from the past week. Check out the show here.

Be Glitterati 2011-12 Look Book

Check it out. At long last the Be Glitterati look book and store are live. Hit me up about any items not displayed in the store that you might be interested in.

"Be Glitterati is a t-shirt line born from the daily influences of Bermuda born, Halifax based designer and artist Duane Jones. The inspiration for this line includes everything from rap, culture, depression, to happiness and sex.

The glitterati are known as the fashionable set of society but we consider the glitterati to be anyone on the grind who will stop at nothing to fulfill their dreams. The way we see it: Anyone can “Be Glitterati”."

Glitterati Duane X Movember 2011

A lot of people may not know this about me but cancer has had a major effect on my family, my wife's side and mine. Every year I pledge to so something about that and never do. This year I'm getting my mo on for Movember, hoping that I can raise at least a couple of dollars to help fight this disease. Donate to my page here. Thanks to my boy Dave for nudging me m-over the edge.

Graphite Illustration - Uncle Bobby

Illustration that I did of my uncle and cousin as part of his birthday gift this year.

The Giving Tree For Sale

I  am pleased to announce the beginning of a new relationship between Glitterati Communications and artflakes.com. Artflakes is a company based in Berlin that sells art prints online and has asked me to join their roster of artists. My illustration, "The Giving Tree" is the first of my prints up for sale. Purchase The Giving Tree here!

Glitterati Duane x Fresh Goods

My piece inspired by Mal's song, "The Giving Tree" is currently on display at Fresh Goods Sneakers and Apparel in Halifax. These guys carry some dope brands including, Nooka, G-Shock, The Hundreds and Shwood. They also support local brands like my personal favorite, The Quarrelsome Yeti and hopefully Be Glitterati *wink *wink. If you're in the city and want some fresh stuff that you can't find at the mall check them out at 1491 South Park Street ASAP!

4 Years With Mrs. Glitterati

Photo by Emma Rose Photography

Man time flies. It's hard to believe that it's been four years, 2 kids and a house later. Many people don't know this, but my wife was instrumental in the formation of Glitterati Communications in the early days. Today she mostly acts as my financial advisor / life coach ( Love you dear :) ), but without her there would be no us, so she deserves some props for that. I love you and I'm looking forward to spending the next 40+ years with you!