The Beauty and The Brilliance of Jean-Michel Basquiat

For a year or so I have known Jean-Michel Basquiat by name, and by a print-out of one of his painting's (see below). It hung on my best friend's wall in his Harlem apartment, and I never thought much about it, until...

Two weeks ago I was at my school's library, flipping through the DVD catalogue, when I came across Julian Schnabel's film, Basquiat, and decided to rent it. His 1996 biopic of Jean-Michel Basquiat was extremely captivating. It walked the viewer through his life, including clips from his childhood, his life on the streets of New York, becoming rich and famous, his relationship with Andy Warhol, his drug addiction, up until his premature death in 1988, at the age of 27. This film was so enthralling that I watched it twice within one day. Anyone that has anything to do with art, must see this movie. Watch the trailer, here. 

After watching Basquiat I felt the need to know more about him. I went back to my library and took out King For A Decade: Jean-Michel Basquiat and 30 Americans, which is a book of a current exhibition of masterpieces of contemporary African-American art by the Rubell Family Collection. Basquiat's work is featured along with some other favourites of mine, Glenn Ligon, Wangechi Mutu, Mickalene Thomas, Kehinde Wiley, among many other wonderful, and thought-provoking artists. The exhibit is on view in Norfolk, Virginia until July 15 at the Chrysler Museum of Art. 

One of the most interesting things about Basquiat was how badly he wanted to be famous; how he went from a point in his life where he looked for money on the floors of nightclubs, to having so much money that he did not know what to do with it. Richard Marshall stated "Jean-Michel Basquiat first became famous for his art. And then he became famous for being famous. And then he became famous for being infamous." Another factor as to why Basquiat is so brilliant is the way in which he situated himself into the white dominated art scene of New York in the 80s, how he did not want to be referred to as a "black artist", and the ways in which he subtly or not-so-subtly incorporated black historical subject matter into his paintings and drawings. 

Today I watched Tamra Davis' Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, which was great because it was comprised of a hour + long interview with Basquiat alongside interviews of his friends and his art dealers. Watch the trailer, here. Tomorrow I am going to buy Phoebe Hoban's novel, Basquiat: A Quick Killing In Art, to learn more about the genius that was Jean-Michel Basquiat. Not only was his way of thinking and applying it onto a canvas brilliant, but his looks went along with it, he was truly stunning. I think it is safe to say, I'm in love with a dead man.

- Night Rider 

The Ultimate Night Rider: Iggy Azalea

Iggy Azalea is one of the trillest artists in the game right now. If you don't know who she is, you are definitely missing out. After downloading her mixtape Ignorant Art, perusing her YouTube channel, and reading Complex's article "Who Is Iggy Azalea?" I have decided she is phenomenally talented. Do not let her bombshell looks fool you. Her flow is to die for, lyrics are impeccable, and her references are relatable - for example, using Skittles' slogan "Taste The Rainbow" on her track "Pu$$y", or her reference to Tupac's death in "The Last Song", "true love died in '96". In addition to her musical and songwriting talents, she is beautiful, driven, and she is hanging off of A$AP Rocky's arm (another up and coming hip-hop artist you need to know - Download Live.Love.A$AP). Lucky girl. And he's a lucky guy. Can we talk about this girl's curves? DAMN. All females packing ass need to grab those American Apparel riding pants, they will get you a million head turns and compliments - some appropriate, and some absolutely uncalled for - depending on where you are when you wear them. 

I would go ahead and say Iggy and A$AP are a couple made in Hip-Hop Heaven (Side note: I really hope this place exists). Although Iggy is originally from Australia, she is currently living a West Coast lifestyle (only makes sense as she credits Tupac as one of her musical influences/obsessions). Her music video, "Pu$$y", filmed in Los Angeles, exemplifies that laid back West Coast living. Sitting on the porch with the sun beating down, laying back, slurping on an ice cream and chilling. A$AP, hailing from Harlem, reps his city in his "Peso" video. Go ahead and watch "Pu$$y" and "Peso" one after the other. Visually, these videos, and the artists behind them, are a match made in heaven. 

Iggy has to tackle being white in a majority rules black world. She also has to endure being a woman in the male dominated world of hip-hop. In her interview with Complex, Iggy states "Hip-hop is, one, black culture, and two it's very male-dominated. The reason that white male rappers can survive and are accepted [is] because they can relate to the masculinity of it all. And the reason that black female rappers can survive is because they can relate to being black. Where can a white female fit in that and relate to it?". Word. 

She goes on to say "I think that we are at a point where hip-hop has evolved. Now we are at a time where a white girl can put a song out and people will start to say, 'Oh, maybe this can work.'" Iggy explains that there are more white rappers today because "hip-hop used to be black culture, now it's so much more. Hip-hop evolved and so did the people that listened to it". She emphasizes the fact that we are in a different time in rap and hip-hop music. In 1964, Sam Cooke wrote the famous "A Change Is Gonna Come", covered by the likes of Otis Redding and Seal. Nearly 50 years later we are still changing and evolving as a society, surely "It's been a long time coming, But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will". Let's continue to break down barriers.

- Night Rider

The Promotion of Miscegenation

Hello Night Riders,


I have not posted in awhile, and I am happy to be back. It is important for me to blog but it is more important for me to write about significant topics, and things that are worthy of writing about. I have been slowly adding to this post for weeks, and finally it is ready. What better a day for this to be posted than on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. May his words and actions live on in the mouths and hands of today's people. 


Miscegenation is a term that combines the Latin words miscere ("to mix") and genus ("race") . Miscegenation is very important to me, as it brings us closer to racial ambiguity, and hopefully, to racial equality. 


In my life, I have not personally experienced harsh racism. When you're white, growing up in a predominantly white neighbourhood and going to school where the majority of people are white, there is no racism to be experienced when your skin is the same colour as the next person. However, the problem lies therein. It may foster an ignorant child to become a racist adult. There are various degrees of racism, and each and every form of racism is absolutely outlandish and offensive. After a recent discussion I had with a white male I was truly disgusted, outraged, embarrassed, ashamed and deeply offended by the way in which he spoke about the black race, and more so about my interactions and relations with black people. I do not want to make this personal, however this issue hits home for me. I have dated people of different races, and I know what my preference is (as I'm sure you do too). It is my belief that I will marry a black man, and have mixed children. I do not believe that I am closed minded as I have experienced what it is like to be with different races, cultures, and religions. Due to the fact that I have been half of an interracial couple in the past, and plan to be in the future, I am invested in the progression of acceptance to the mingling of races. To quote the great Martin Luther King Jr., "We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. [...] No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until 'justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream' ". It is my dream to see interracial couples, all over the world, not only be accepted, but not have judgment cast upon them. A person should be able to do what they want to do, and be with who they want to be with, so long as they are not hurting themselves or others in the process. 


People consistently ask me "When did you start liking black men?" or "Why do you like black men?". First of all, let's shut down the stereotype of "all black men have large penises". That is not the reason why people like black men, because it is a generalization. It is a generalization just as "all asian men have small penises" is. Some things, and some feelings, are unexplainable. Even as you begin to describe why something is, you may realize it cannot be encapsulated in the words that you can possibly say, and rather it is a feeling that just makes sense to you. I believe that people are often intrigued by those who are different from them. That is one of the reasons why I am attracted to black men. People have the power to teach others, and learn from others. How can I learn from someone who grew up the same way that I did? How can I be stimulated (mentally, emotionally, physically) by someone who is just like me? Most often, in friendships, and more so, relationships, people stay within their own racial, cultural, and religious groups, because that is what is easy for them, what is normal for them, what makes sense to them. What makes sense to me is soaking in differences, and seeing the beauty in what others have to offer. I am reading a book called Interracial Intimacies: Sex, Marriage, Identity, and Adoption by Randall Kennedy. In the introduction, he discusses people looking for companions in the personals of a newspaper, "A retired New York City police officer noted that he had restricted his search to white women because his going out with a black woman would have caused great stress between him and his "Archie Bunker neighbors." The police officer stated "I was looking to make life easier". This, for me, is not a good enough reason as to why I should be with someone who is like me.


In 1963, in his "I Have A Dream" speech, Martin Luther King Jr. said "the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination", and most unfortunately, nearly fifty years later we are still trying to progress forward and live in equality with our neighbours. I believe that interracial marriages, interracial relationships, and biracial/multiracial children are a beautiful thing - so long as it is for the right reasons. There could be a multitude of "right" reasons. Yet, at the end of the day, it ultimately should be the reason of unconditional love for the other person. In absolutely no way am I saying it is wrong to marry someone within your own race, culture and/or religion. However, I am saying that you should not do it because it is the easy way out. Do what works for you, do what you want to do, and not what society tells you is "right".


I will leave you with one of my favourite lines from Martin Luther King Jr., "Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream".

- Night Rider

How To Land A Halloween Night Ride

Halloween comes but once a year, and if you want to experience some bumps in the night, you better have a killer costume (even though it will be on the floor by the end of it - hopefully in someone else's bedroom). 


As much as it's nice to have a laugh at clever costumes, or to say "Awww" to something cute, what's really going to help your cause is having a sexy - yet unique - costume. I'm going to show you how to step your game up, and do something a little bit more original. So that Playboy Bunny costume you were planning to wear? Nope, ditch it. And don't even think about wearing last year's French Maid costume!

In the lyrics of Drake: "Don't do it, please don't do it"

Animals are always a good start. But let's avoid that played out Bunny, the Cat - or even Cat Woman - and sexy Mouse is out too. Think of the least sexy animal. To me, that's a rodent, specifically squirrels. You could try a skunk, or a raccoon too. Find some faux fur items at your local H&M (tons in their winter collection), Forever 21, thrift store, or the like, and make sure only 1/3 of your body is covered. It won't be that cold anyway. Maybe minus five if you're lucky (that's 23 F for all y'all Americans). Next, get an appropriate tail for your desired animal, put on some ear contraption, and with some dark, mysterious make-up, you're set for some wild animal sex.

As you may or may not know, in Canada, it is Girl Guide Mint Cookie season. And if you also didn't know, they're fucking delicious. First things first for your Girl Guide costume, go dig out your old sash and scarf with all those badges on it, you'll need these to legitimize your outfit. Then, you're going to get a crop top (possibly from American Apparel, this one is my fave) or something that will bare some skin. Depending on what sort of Girl Guide you're being, and from what country, is how you can decide which colours to incorporate. In Canada, if you're going to be a Pathfinder, grab the forest green crop top. If you're going to be a Brownie, camel is a good choice. Next, you're going to get a pleated skirt. This could be found literally ANYWHERE. If you're feeling extra you can add a hat or beret. Last thing, and very important, do not forget to bring a box or two of those mint cookies! You'll have men eating out of your hands. Maybe somewhere else too. 

Everyone loves biblical costumes, well, unless you're religious. But, I'm all for blasphemy, so bring on the Holy slutty Mary costumes and the almost naked Eve. For the Mary costume, you will need a dress, preferably blue, red works too. Now you're going to take a pair of sharp scissors and run a slit up the side, the front, or the back. If you like it from behind, then cut it there, give the guys a hint right off the bat. Add a veil, or headdress, and most importantly your Rosary beads. If you feel like adding something extra, carry a bible. Count all of the sins you commit that night. You'll definitely be in need of some reconciliation after your walk of shame the next morning.

You'll need to show a helluva lot more skin than this if you want to be sprinkled with His holy water

Eve is an easy costume. Get some tight, nude leggings and a nude body suit, grab some green foliage (fake from the Dollar Store is ideal), a red apple, and a snake (fake or real). Easy peasy! You're set! 

Whether or not you've chosen one of these fabu ideas, or have been inspired to wear a costume just as intriguing (would love to hear your ideas), I wish you good luck and may you have a safe ride!

- Night Rider

Happy 25th Drake!

Image via Drake's Twitter 

Aubrey Drake Graham is one of the sole reason's why I am a Night Rider, most definitely. I only feel right dedicating a post to him on his 25th birthday. Drizzy, thank you for your music, thank you for representing Toronto, and thank you for being so damn sexy. 

- Night Rider

Top 7 Video Boys

Throughout the test of music video time, there has been a spot reserved for "video girls". In 2009, Complex Magazine created a comprehensive list of 50 women from the past decade of video girl fame. Unfortunately, it seems that video boys are not nearly as prominent. Although I have not yet accumulated a list of fifty video boys, here's a good start...

seven.

Brandy - Long Distance

Of all of the guys on this list, I would say Brandy's featured video boy is the manliest of the men. Looks good wearing casual clothes, looks GREAT in a tux. But he'd probably look best wearing nothing at all. Damn. 

six.

Rye Rye featuring Robyn - Never Will Be Mine

As if the song and video weren't on point enough, Rye Rye chooses a gorgeous man to be featured. Edith Zimmerman (from The Hairpin) said it best: "the main (guy) in this video is so hot it is NSFE, not safe for eyes". Love it.

five.

Nicki Minaj - Super Bass

I have a question: Why is Nicki's main guy in the video her main guy? I'm not comprehending this choice. The guy I've picked out in the background is gaining all of my attention. That one with the blue balls ball. They're all looking a little bit shiny - but what's a little shine? I'd hit it.

four.

Destiny's Child - Jumpin' Jumpin'

Definitely not given enough camera time, this guy looks like a Bob Marley reincarnate. I love myself a man with a good set of dreads - and I bet he likes jammin' too.

three.

Beyonce - Countdown

The only thing Beyonce did wrong in this video was not feature this beautiful man enough. Look at what he is wearing, look at his hair, look at his face, look at the way he moves, sheeeiiit, I'm all about it. 

Can we also discuss the fact that he is waiting for some Night Rider's "love on top" over here...

two.

Madonna - Like A Prayer

Madonna changed the game in 1989 when she featured the very handsome Leon Robinson in her music video for "Like A Prayer". Robinson looked damn good in that video and still looks damn good today. DILF status for sure.

one.

Beyonce - Halo

Beyonce is the queen of featuring sexy men in her music videos. Her 2008 video "Halo" features the all around gorgeous and charming, Michael Ealy, whom everyone (must have) fallen in love with. After watching the intensity shared between the two, on screen, there is no doubt that he gets the top spot on my list.

Oh, and Mike... can I hit it in the morning? 

- Night Rider

Defining A Night Rider

Night Rider [nahyt-rahy-der]

noun

A white woman (can sometimes be asian, hispanic, or brown) who chooses to only, or most often, sleep with black men

verb, night·rid·ing

To commit the act of sleeping with black men

Not to be confused with “men [...] in the late 1800s who committed nocturnal acts of violence and intimidation against blacks and black sympathizers” (Night Rider as defined by dictionary.com)

Yvonne: “You know that hot, black guy from Criminal Minds?” (Shemar Moore)
Genevieve: “Oh, are you a night rider too?”

Origin:

1969-2011; night + rider