ISSUE 29 | AUTHENTICITY

This April issue 29 of ACCLAIM magazine will find its way into reader’s hands across the world. In this outing we’re looking at what makes something truly authentic.

We wanted to examine the relevance of authenticity in a digital age, looking at the worlds of art, design, music, and style to ascertain what constitutes an authentic experience. We spoke with individuals from all around the world - both those who’ve created something timeless and undeniably authentic, and those who mold and bend our perception of reality and truth.

This issue of ACCLAIM features three unique covers. Musician and style icon of the Tumblr generation Chippy Nonstop graces the general release with a racy image from our exclusive shoot. While the boutique options feature either divisive rap figure RiFF RAFF shot on location in Beverley Hills, or the highly sought after king of men’s footwear Ronnie Fieg  (founder of KITH NYC and designer behind the incredibly covetable New Balance 1300 ‘Salmon Sole’ sneakers).

/// CONTENT ///

CHIPPY NONSTOP X HOT SUGAR (+Realdolls)

We shot two emerging forces in the online music world, Chippy Nonstop and Hot Sugar, on location in New York. The shoot plays with representation and reality, featuring three anatomically correct dolls based on popular porn stars Jessica Drake, Alektra Blue, and Kaylani Lei. We spoke with the two young musicians about truth in the Tumblr age.

RiFF RAFF

Jonathan Brent spoke to the controversial Mad Decent rapper RiFF RAFF, who’s unorthodox flow and personal style (Versace sting-ray leather belts and Cazal sunglasses) has long sparked heated arguments in Youtube comment sections. We attempt to dismantle the anomaly that is RAFF to work out whether he’s a sincere musician or a performance artist with a multi-million dollar record deal.

RONNIE FIEG

Since starting his retail career as a teenage stockboy in a clothing boutique, Ronnie has steadily risen to occupy a spot in the pantheon of menswear greats. His collaborations with brands like Asics, New Balance, Sebago and Dr Martens are incredibly covetable – selling out in minutes. We spoke with Fieg about the explosion of interest in men’s fashion, and where he thinks the movement is heading.

HENRY CHALFANT

With the thirtieth anniversary of the seminal graffiti documentary Style Warsapproaching this year, we got in contact with director Henry Chalfant to talk about the films remarkable longevity and his ability to capture a genuine slice of New York culture. In addition to the interview we were able to secure amazing photographic documentation of New York subway graffiti from his archives.

FREEWAY RICK ROSS

Before the Maybach Music Group rapper, there was Freeway Rick Ross – the cocaine kingpin of South Central LA. Ross was almost singlehandedly responsible for the proliferation of crack in ghettos across America in the ‘80s – pocketing more than $600 million in the process. He was incarcerated in 1996 and was only recently released from prison. We tracked down Ross to talk about his past, and reflect on his ongoing legal dispute with the multi-platinum rapper who has adopted his name.