Harlem entertainer Azealia Banks yesterday (July 5, 2017) on social media provided an update on the current status of a collaboration between herself and Australian rapper Iggy Azealea, whom she once famously feuded with and wished death upon.
While the reconciliation between the two is one nobody would have predicted three years ago when the feud was at its worst, Banks and Azealea share the commonality of seeing their popularity fall off a cliff because they both lack verbal filters and made a series of controversial statements that many viewed as unsupportable. In Banks’ case, her bigoted Twitter attacks on Zayn Malik were so severe she was kicked off the platform. As such, a collaboration would gin up a certain rubbernecking level of interest in their music, even if momentarily. Any long term upside is another story.
Despite the potential positives, Banks noted that while she was excited about the possibility of a collaboration, plans were not yet concrete. “Please let me clear up any misconception for anyone that took my words out of context: I am incredibly flattered and so excited about a future collaboration with Iggy,’ Banks wrote on Instagram. “Yes, she and I had our differences in the past, but we were so young and that was so long ago. She and I are both on a whole other level right now, and I have nothing but respect for her as a woman, an artist and a businesswoman. As such, I’m thrilled for the opportunity to work with her, or any other artist out there because I truly believe that united, we are stronger.” She added, “The deal is still in talks and we haven’t confirmed details or which song, but as soon as we do, I promise I’ll share with all of you!”
Banks was responding to Azealea’s July 3rd written Snapchat statement stating Banks would be included on her next album, Digital Distortion, originally slated to drop in June 2017. “Public Service Announcement, Azealia is going to be on DD. We are collaborating. Burn your wigs now or preserve them in your freezer for release day,” wrote Azealea.
Azealia followed up on on the same day on Twitter, writing that she understood that fans were taken aback by the announcement. “This has been something extremely negative for so long, if there is a way to make it positive and also be creative together, [I’m] here for it,” she wrote.
This unlikely reconciliation kicked into gear on June 21, 2017, when Azealea on Snapchat was inspired to state she no longer had any issue with Banks. “I just wanted to say fyi; re: A. Banks, call me crazy but girl; I don’t hate you. I don’t know you to hate you.”
XXL magazine followed up on Azealea’s olive branch with Banks, who commented, “I think a true reconciliation can happen once there is some acknowledgment of what hip-hop has been trying to tell her. I still don’t think she quite understands the effect her racial privilege and the socio-economic leverage that comes with it has on a marginalized group of women’s culture. Race aside, this is also a women’s issue. I hope that there will be a chance for us to have an open discussion about this, as I feel America and the world could really benefit from some candid discourse between two public figures about the world’s biggest sickness: racism. I wish for women of the future to be able to refer to this moment in women’s culture as an example of what can happen when people take time to understand.”
Check out a timeline of events below.
July 5th: Azealia Banks Instagram Statement
July 3rd: Iggy Azalea Twitter Statements
This has been something extremely negative for so long, if there is a way to make it positive and also be creative together, im here for it.
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) July 3, 2017
I dont expect you guys to understand why i would collaborate with someone who has publicly said they hope i die.
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) July 3, 2017
July 3rd: Iggy Snapchat Statement
July 21st: Iggy Azalea Snapchat Statement
![Actress #ViolaDavis' cover for #VanityFair is winning praise, especially in light of gymnast #SimoneBiles' #AnnieLeibowitz-shot #Vogue cover, which has been widely panned.
Turns out, Davis was shot by #DarioCalmese (portrait on the slide by #TeronBeal), the first black photographer to shoot a cover for VF, which was first published from 1913 to 1936 and then revived in 1983.
Until two weeks ago, according to the @nytimes, Calmese didn't know if he was the first Black photographer to shoot the cover but he had a hunch so he reached out to magazine editors.
In the magazine's July-August letter, editor-in-chief #RadhikaJones wrote, "To the best of our knowledge, it is the first Vanity Fair cover made by a Black photographer.”
At the same time, in the 35 yeas before Jones was named editor, VF had published just 17 covers solo covers featuring Black people. Since become EIC two-and-a-half years ago, Jones has published eight covers featuring Black people including two featuring interracial married couples.
According to Calmese, the cover poses was inspired by an 1863 McPherson & Oliver photograph (on the slide but be warned it's disturbing) of Gordon, an enslaved man whose back is filled with scars from being whipped.
Commenting on the choice, Calmese explained, "When you look at it, it is gruesome and harsh, but he pushes back more toward the camera. His hand is at his waist, you know that line, with his profile going down the arm and coming back. And so I was like: I can recreate this."
Well aware of the importance of the cover, Calmese said, "I did know that this was a moment to say something. I knew this was a moment to be, like, extra Black."
According to the NY Times, "For [Jones], the image represented the strength it takes to tell your own story, she said. For [Calmese], it is about rewriting an old story.](https://snobette.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
