Estelle covers the latest issue of Pynk Magazine. Fresh after performing “Thank You” on Black Girls Rock, she look gorgeous on the cover of the winter issue. The Hip-Hop songstress talks career, love and life.

On refocusing her life and career:

“I got back on the same page with my head and my heart. I just didn’t enjoy the music anymore so I turned everything around and started really paying attention to myself instead of listening to what everyone else was telling me [the album] should be. It just got real ridiculous for a while.”

On pushing past the pain:

“Every time I’d go in and record something that was really emotionally charged after one of these changing moments — those are the records that everybody loved. So I was like, ‘You might want to keep doing that. It’s going to hurt you but just keep going.’ And I did. And it hurt like hell. And a lot of people were probably hurt in the process, but oh well. They probably needed to go anyway. These were things that went with the process of me having to change my life around for the better. I definitely went through it.”

On her love life:

“I’m dating. I’m having fun. I don’t think I want to be in a relationship just yet. I’m enjoying my absolute freedom and having fun looking at the boys. There are some good ones out there. I like cute ones — black, white, whatever — with kind eyes and a kind spirit. I like men who are about something, who have a whole career to themselves. Guys who don’t really have too many issues – or at least deal with their issues. Not the ones who drift around looking for someone to take care of them… I’ve had a couple of those and they’re not fun. ”

HPNOTIQ x PYNK Magazine presents Estelle from PYNK Magazine on Vimeo.

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The annual Victoria Secret Angels Fashion show airs on CBS on November 29 and will feature performances by Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Kanye West and Maroon 5.

Model Tyson Beckford was also in the audience.

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Versace’s collaboration with H&M has been one of the most anticipated designer collaborations of the year. In honor of the collaboration H&M & Versace hosted a fashion show and pop up shop last week in New York City. They enlisted Nicki Minaj and Prince to perform at the show. Nicki hit the red carpet with Donatella before the show got started.

Here as a few of my favorites from the collection:

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Hip-hop artist Heavy D died Tuesday after collapsing outside his condo in Beverly Hills, and as the music community and other fans offered condolences, an autopsy was on tap to pin down the 44-year-old’s cause of death. (Source) The Jamaican-American heavy weight lover hailed from “Money Earnin’ Mount Vernon” (New York suburb) and had a successful career as a rapper, producer and actor.

The last video I saw was with him and Nia Long, but word is he was working on a comeback, hence his recent performance at the BET’s Hip Hop Awards with Tyrese, which I thoroughly enjoyed (name another big brother who could move like Heavy D!)  Here are a few of my favorites from Heavy Diddley Diddley D!

“Now That We Found Love”

“Big Daddy”

He also had a reoccurring role on the TV hit Living Single as Regine’s friend/boyfriend.

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Married to the MOB celebrated their seven year anniversary with a Fashion’s Night Out party at swanky midtown hotel, Yotel. Married to the MOB owner, Leah Sweeney teamed up with Dancehall artist Mavado for a celebration that included radio personalities, DJs and some flyest people in New York City. The success of the party and Mavado’s collaboration with New York City based streetwear designer, Married to the MOB (MTTM), proves that Caribbean celebrities can connect non-Caribbean brands without compromising their own their style. As Caribbeans, we are constantly consuming brands, specifically in fashion, from international designers and receive little credit or acknowledgement for contributing to the international fashion world. It was great to see the genuine connection between MTTM’s audience and Mavado’s fans.

 In an exclusive interview with both Leah McSweeney and Mavado we discuss their growth as artists, how they connected and what the future holds for their.

S&V: How did you get your start in fashion?
Leah McSweeney: When I was 12 I babysat for the editor of Seventeen Magazine and she would invite me to fashion shows during fashion week, she lived in my neighborhood. I went to private school and all the kids were dressed fly really young. Growing up in the city, no matter what school you go to, fashion is a big part of the city. Kids in New York grow up around fashion. Professionally, when I was 18 I started an internship at Mass Appeal magazine with the fashion editor. From then on I started assisting stylists, styling people on my own and from there I started Married to the MOB.

S&V: How did you come up with the name Married To The MOB?
LM: I came up with it at the time I was not working and at the time I said I had a Mob wife lifestyle kind of, minus the money and MOB was my crew of girls Most Official Bitches.

S&V: Tell about how you chose the direction of your line.
LM: I basically started from my personality. I’m basically putting out there stuff that I want to wear, that is for the MOB girl, not prissy stuff. It kind of takes a bitch with balls to where my stuff.

S&V: Tell me how the connection with Mavado came about?
LM: Because I have a friend of mine that’s a friend of his, I told him I’m doing this FNO / 7 year Anniversary party and we thought we’re kind of gangster in our own way, kind of evolving together. Music and fashion compliment each other so well.

S&V: Who are listening to right now?
LM: I listen to a lot of Lil Wayne, a lot of Britney Spears (laughs). I’ll be listening to Britney then throw on some Mobb Deep, then Buju (Banton). I listen to a lot of different stuff.

S&V: How would you describe your personal style?
LM: Simple. Sometimes I feel like I dress pretty boring to be honest with you. Simple, but tough and chic at the same time.

S&V: Where do you see your brand 3-5 years from now?
LM: I use to think so much about the future, I’m so in the moment. Doing what I want now matters. Thinking about what I want in the future doesn’t matter.

S&V: It must be a great feeling to do what you love?
LM: Besides my daughter it’s the biggest blessing. I’m so fortunate that I’m to be able to do it and I’m able to live off of doing it and it’s fun.

S&V: Advice for international designers who want to bring their brands here?
LM: Go for it and don’t take no for an answer, keep trying and doing it. It’s a great idea for Caribbean designers to bring their stuff here, we need some new shit! New fresh stuff.

S&V: How do you feel about coming back to NY?
Mavado: Great feeling. Now my music is better. My music can play everywhere. I’ve been in the game so many years now and I take my heavy step just to go higher. I’m always trying to learn something in the mean time. Now is just the perfect time for me to be here.

S&V: How do you think that your music has changed from the beginning to now?
Mavado: Back then I had competition, so it’s all about who’s the best, who’s putting out the most music. At that time we were going hard at each other. I think now, not I don’t have a competition. So now I’m taking advantage of it.

S&V: How do you plan to take advantage of the opportunity?

Mavado: Sky is the limit for me. It’s all about We The Best, Gullyside and I have my new label Mansion Records.

S&V: So from a business aspect, how have grown?
Mavado: I’m still learning, never too old to learn.

S&V: I know you have a great team around, but I’m sure the final decision lies with you, so how do you go about making the right decisions with regard to your career?

Mavado: It’s all about making the right decision, not being hasty. Take time to make the decision. I’m the kind of person that when I hear something I don’t just jump to it. I’ll have something for a couple of days thinking. You got to have a plan. You can’t build a house without a plan. So with my career I’m always thinking ahead, what’s the next step. My every move can be a complicated step.

S&V: You seem to have a reserved personality; do prefer to be on stage or in the studio?
Mavado: Both of them, it’s all about the music. I love music in the the studio, on the stage, I’m ready.

S&V: What’s your favorite song to perform
Mavado: I got so much of them.

S&V: Which did you get the best reaction to at Reggae Rhythm & Blues?
Mavado: All of them really, but true Delilah is that new hot song, as soon as my band drop the riddim on that song (hums the riddim) the crowd went crazy!

S&V: Speaking of Delilah, how did you come up with the concept for that song?
Mavado:  I’m from the ghetto. Walking 20 miles until you grow up and get a chance to buy a bicycle, but then here comes the man with the money and sometimes you as a young youth and you have this girl that you like. But you have some goal digger girls. I’m not saying you have good girl, you have excellent girls out there, but you still have goal diggers and you still have to be looking out for them. I think this song is an evolution, cause even I, myself have been through a couple “Delilahs” (laughs).

S&V: So I’m a female, what would I call the male version of “Delilah” ?
Mavado: (Laughs) I don’t know (laughs more) I really don’t know.

S&V: Tell me about your style, how do you go about picking out clothes for your shows and appearances?
Mavado: I’m a very picky person when it comes to my fashion. Cause no one can do my wardrobe for me. I have to do it myself. Whenever I have to do a show my manager is always like “dawg we ah go late, how much tings you ah go buy” I say “I have a few more stores dung deh suh”.

S&V: Is that what happened today?
Mavado: (Laughs) Something like that. I always want to look perfect cause I always want when my fans to see me they say “yo!” Cause the stardom come with the fashion and how you carry yourself and all of that.

Be sure to check out Mavado’s new single “Delilah” available on iTunes

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Caribbean beauties Nicki Minaj and Rihanna team up for “Fly” off the Pink Friday album. The two actually shot this video awhile ago, but the video was just released. Check it out.

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Lenny Kravitz is gearing up for a new album Black and White in America. He enlisted the help of rapper Jay-Z on a song call “Boongie Drop”. The title is a little crazy, but the song has a nice infusion of Dancehall and Hip-Hop.

Lenny Kravitz feat. Jay-Z DJ Military – Boongie… by funked00

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Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch The Throne album debuted last week. I still haven’t heard the whole album, but I’m definitely rocking out to “Otis”. The new video features a chopped up Maybach which is being auctioned off. Proceeds will be donated towards The East African Drought Disaster. Watching this video made me question, who in Caribbean music do you think could do a “Watch the Throne” album?

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Nicki Minaj stand alone as the only female on the Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings Of 2011 list. Joining heavy weights like Jay-Z, Diddy and label mates Lil Wayne and Drake, the current leading lady in Hip Hop came in at spot #15 earning $6.5 million. Check out her latest interview and performance on Good Morning America where she seems to be excited and very appreciative of her fans.

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In an exclusive interview with the NY Post, rapper Foxy Brown attempts to clarify her diva-like antics over the years. The rude gal, previously the protégé of Hip Hop rapper Jay-Z and later romantically linked with Dancehall DJ Spragga Benz, has dealt with her fair share of trial an tribulations, from prison time to loss of hearing. Foxy Brown has die hard fans that have been wishing for a real comeback for some time now. Last we heard Black Roses was set to be her double disc come back with Hip Hop and Dancehall influences; fitting for her Brooklyn raised, Caribbean affiliated rapstress, but haven’t hear much about that lately.

Read a few clips from her NY Post article where she talks about the difference between Inga and Foxy, her set backs, going to church and possibly posing for Play Boy:

 ”The Foxy character and Inga Marchand are two different people,” she continues. “My fiancé calls me Inga. No one around me calls me Foxy. I go to church every Sunday. I go to Bible study every Friday night. I’m saved.”

 ”Jay and I are each other’s history,” she says. “We discovered each other, basically. Our first record together was what blew both of us up. We became Bonnie and Clyde.”

Incarceration was easy, she says, compared to the card she already had been dealt — losing her hearing.

“I live a different life,” she says. “I’m not at every party; I’m not seen everywhere. That’s why people still care about my brand. I’ve never whored myself out.”

 She says she’s still debating whether to accept Hugh Hefner’s $2 million offer to pose on the cover of Playboy.

Brown says she plans to release a long-delayed album in 2011. She is also suing New York City for $100,000 for civil-rights violations, false arrest and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Read the interview in it’s entirety HERE | Photo  from shoot with NY Post by Caitlin Thorne Hersey view more HERE

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