Contributor: Runteldat

You’re more likely to see Chris Brown, Mike Tyson, and the ghost of Ike Turner on the cover of Essence than you are to see a Black face on the cover of Vogue in a given month.

Traditionally, it’s taken Black women to achieve some historic feat, reach some huge undeniable level of mega stardom, significant weight loss, or all of the above to have editor-in-chief Anna Wintour place them on the cover.

However, Black women have been doing quite well lately. This year alone saw both Beyonce and First Lady Michelle Obama grace the cover of the fashion bible.

Star magazine now says you can cross out chances of fashionista Rihanna being added to the list — Ms. Wintour is not too thrilled about her nude shots leaking to the web.

Star claims:

“It could have been Rihanna’s shining moment: the cover of Vogue! But when the nude pictures hit cyberspace, her once-in-a-lifetime chance was gone in a flash. Rihanna and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour had been talking for weeks about doing the cover and an inside spread, says a close friend of the singer, who adds that the two even chatted about it at the Met Costume Institute Gala on May 4. ‘Anna told her Vogue absolutely loves her and really wanted to work with her. Rihanna was ecstatic!’ But since the photos came out, says the friend, ‘Anna hasn’t returned any of her calls. Rihanna’s so upset!’”

If true, this is the biggest crock I’ve ever read. Do you know how many coke whores of graced the cover of Vogue looking like a dual PSA for D.A.R.E. and eating disorder programs?

Andre Benjamin and Antwan Patton were wearing baseball jerseys long before they were a hip hop cornerstone. The outcasts rocked plaid shorts, duck boots and Girbaud jeans before you, too. So, it kinda makes sense then that Dre would take this love of fashion to the next level.

Benjamin Bixby is the clothing line birthed from Andre 3000’s colorful mind. Look at the pics. You know the guy’s style. We’ll call it a funky semblance of 30s era sensibilities with a flair for the dramatic. But rather than speculate on the labels the talented rapper/actor uses in his own description, we’d rather go to the man himself and get his thoughts on his new higher-end brand (items at Neiman Marcus and Barney’s range from $75 bowties to $1,595 leather jackets), his own style evolution and hip hop’s relevance to fashion. Read the rest of this entry »