ROX(I)NSPIRATION: SOUL QUEEN

My love for music runs deep. The right song can put on me on cloud nine. I have been known to listen to the same song over and over again. Music is a big inspiration to my daily work. It is only fitting that my favorite genre of music is soul (and I use the term soul loosely). When you hear a really good soul record it sounds as if artist just ripped their heart out and sold a little piece of their joy or pain. There are plenty of wonderful soul artist out there, but today I wanted to share something from these “Soul Queens.”  

ROXI: STARRENE RHETT

PAPAROXI.COM: ROXI "STAR" from Paparoxi on Vimeo.

The theme here at Paparoxi is to feature people who are pursing their passions and following their dreams. This month’s Roxi Starrene Rhett is a living example of how ones happiness is directly tied to their pursuit of passion. New York City native Star is a successful journalist and blogger. She has interviewed the likes of Wesley snipes, Robert Dinero, Felicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Ice Cube, Kiki Palmer and the list goes on. She founded a wildly successful blog called “Gangstarrgirl” and she currently is the online Editor for Vibe.com and is a contributor to XXL, Juicy and Vibe magazines. Still so early in her career, Star has overcome the road blocks presented by such a volatile and changing industry and she continues on her path to success. One of the things I admire most about Star is her sincerity and humility. She is a really warm person with and infectious smile and it was awesome to be around her.

Website: http://gangstarrgirl.com/

Twitter: Twitter.com/GangStarrGirl

Email: GangStarrGirl@Gmail.com

Why are you a Roxi?

 I am a Roxi because I'm resilient and I don't give up. That sounds very cliche but it's true. So many people never pursue their passion because they are afraid or because they don't see the results they'd like when they'd like but I know that it's important for me to be happy. Happiness is actually more important than money, which is why I'm still pursuing my passion. There's nothing better than feeling fulfilled because you are doing what you love.

What is your favorite food?

I'm such a foodie so I can't just say one thing but I guess if I absolutely had to choose I'd say coal oven pizza specifically from a place in Brooklyn called DeFara's. BEST. PIZZA. EVER. Other than that, spiciness rocks my world.

When did you realize your purpose in life?

 I think our purpose can change and I think that we serve several purposes. For a long time I was searching for my purpose in life--that one thing that I was meant to do but I never found it and I drove myself crazy looking for it. Now I realize that it can be multiple things whether you touch one person's life or several. I came to that realization a couple of months ago. Hope that makes sense.

What is your favorite song?

 That's another one. I don't have one favorite song but the one out of several that popped up automatically is LL Cool J's "Around the Way Girl." There are so many good memories from childhood attached to that song. Plus, it's just a feel good tune. Where I'm from (I grew up in Harlem), being what LL described in the song as a 'round the way girl' was a huge honor because it meant that she was down-to-Earth and Fly but also worldly and knew a little bit about a lot. Sadly, women just don't get that same respect from men in hip-hop nowadays.

What was the hardest thing you have ever had to do?

 Again, there's not just one hardest thing but I think letting go of relationships is hard. In this case I'm talking about getting rid of toxic people in your life. Sometimes the people who were once friends change and you get to a place where you have to re-evaluate what their place is in your life. If the negative outweigh the positive then you have to learn to let go. A lot of times we get sold this notion that friends or a boyfriend are forever but that's simply not always true.

What is your favorite thing to wear?

I love wearing rompers and pants jumpers. Think,1970's style like Pam Grier in Foxy Brown.

What Legacy do you want to leave?

 I just want people to know that I was genuine, humble and that I did the best with what I had. 

SPIRIT: "TATTIMONY"

PAPAROXI.COM: "TATTIMONY" from Paparoxi on Vimeo.

STYLE: THE PROM DREAM

PAPAROXI.COM: "THE PROMDREAM" from Paparoxi on Vimeo.

I remember the build up of angst that went hand in hand with one of the biggest events (I thought) of my life PROM. Months of pouring through magazines and visiting dozens of boutiques to get the perfect dress. Planning out the perfect hair. Sitting at the Mac counter and testing out layers of makeup to get the right look. The nails, the flowers, the limo I remember it all like it was yesterday. I luckily have mostly fond memories of my PROM. What I remember most was the excitement it was almost palpable, and the feeling I had when I stepped into my dress and walked down the stair to my adoring family and friends. I know not everyone’s experience was magical (hey not even mine, I have just blocked out those thoughts lol). This year we captured some cool PROM style and we captured a little “teen angst” as we followed Nefertari and her “PROM DREAM”. Enjoy!

MALUCA MALA: "YOU CANT TEACH SWAG"

Que Que Feat. Maluca (192) by Maluca Mala

Bronx native and Dominicana Maluca is my ROX(I)nspiration this week. Self taught musician and certified go getter is carving is certainly bringing something unique and different to your ears. I love the energy of her music and her swag is crazy. Two years ago the 29-year-old quit her two jobs and moved back home with her parents to pursue her music career full time. She was fed up with always talking about a music career and went out and got it. In 2007 Maluca met record producer Diplo at a Karoke night on the lower east side, he went on to launch the careers of M.I.A and Santigold and a year later Maluca Mala. I love her story, her style and music. See for yourself why this chica is my inspiration:

MALUCA from V Magazine on Vimeo.