In a few days, it will be the beginning of the French presidential election and musician, performer and activist Kiddy Smile is serving us one of the most political and powerful music videos. Directed by Kiddy himself, “Spread it” is the first single from his new EP to be released soon. This track is a house banger with a French touch inspiration, mixing melancholy with a present-day text. Something to dance to and, why not, cry at the same time.
It’s not a secret, Kiddy Smile has always been a political topic for the French cultural scene and for the current French government. In 2018, while he was mixing at the Élysée Palace, he was wearing a t-shirt “Fils d’immigrés, noir et pédé” which became viral. In a statement he argued that he decided to be part of this party to put his afro-LGBTQI+ community into the spotlight.
Meanwhile this upcoming EP, Kiddy Smile will be a member of the jury of Drag Race France (French adaptation of Ru Paul’s Drag Race) and will be on tour in Europe with expected appearances at Sonar (Barcelone), Nuits Sonores and at Defected’s residency all summer in Ibiza.
We talked with Ecstasya about her hiatus, the struggle of keeping Lisbon’s first queer hardcore night (Maythey) alive, and why the best tracks come from being “sad as fuck.”
Bikkembergs unveiled their latest collab for a new generation of fashion and street culture aficionados at Pitti Uomo 108 with designer Gosha Rubchinskiy reimagining the classic Soccer sneaker.
Designer Eli Russell Linnetz spins a chaotic tale with The Wild Bunch, inspired by a fictional gang of anarchists (the Dudley Dozens) who turn the California coast into their personal warzone.
Benji Blue Bills has come a long way since his early boom bap days, now carving a distinct niche in electronic trap with vintage synths and a fresh, immersive sound.
The Schreiberling, meaning “scribbler,” is a limited-edition writing instrument inspired by Montblanc’s historical “Baby” models from the early 20th century.
Jean Paul Gaultier opens the doors of his Paris headquarters for Et Gaultier créa l’Homme: Le Male – Passé, Présent, Futur, a sensory exhibition celebrating the iconic fragrance Le Male.
adidas Originals and Sneakersnstuff (SNS) have teamed up for the fifth installment of their SNS GT II, a hybrid sneaker that combines elements from two adidas classics.
Fangs, wings, and other ways to survive. Nicasio Torres and his new paints exhibition in Palo Alto Barcelona. Somewhere between desire and dissidence, a creature with oil-painted wings and graphite claws begins to stir.
Turn the page. Breathe deep. Your pupils are already dilating. The high is coming.
Issue 26 brings together two electrifying covers that take the dopamine dive from Sadiq Desh captured by Cris Cerdeira to multidisciplinary visual artist and photographer Tomás Pintos’ cover story, Besos hasta agotar stock (Kisses Until Sold Out), developed from the live performance creating a space where glamour
meets exhaustion.
