‘I'm as hip-hop as anyone in the country': Delhi rapper Shauharty
"For me, Saddam Hussein has always represented the pure-unchecked male ego and narcissism," says shauharty. ''Saddam Hussainé' is just a creative lens, not a political statement,' he says, adding that satire runs deep in the production. 'The whole Saddam hiding spot meme is big in pop culture—we wanted to weave that in.'
Shot in the scorching deserts of Jaisalmer, the short film draws from classic Westerns like Sergio Leone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and Tarantino's Django Unchained and Pulp Fiction. 'Zaid (the director) and I wanted to make a gritty, satirical Western film,' says shauharty. 'We tried to blend Indian cultural elements into a visual language shaped by Hollywood.'
Saddam Hussein, carries a mysterious briefcase—an homage to Pulp Fiction's iconic glowing briefcase. Says shauharty: 'I couldn't think of anyone else but Saddam Hussein to carry it—it's as if he had a brief to be egoistic.' For the rapper, ego is an obstacle. 'If you're too egoistic to show who you are, you're limiting your potential and creating a false image,' he says. 'Letting go of ego was necessary to talk about subjects like identity, sexuality, and acceptance—topics that I'm covering throughout the forthcoming mixtape. I avoided them for a long time. Now, I'm finally ready to let that go.'
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Mint
9 hours ago
- Mint
Beyonce, Jay-Z dominate Paris as celebrity drives fashions biggest trend
Paris, Jun 29 (AP) If any force swept through the fashion industry this season — and sent shockwaves around the globe — it wasn't a new silhouette or a daring colour. It was the spectacle of celebrity. Star power eclipsed fabric and form, transforming the runways of Paris Fashion Week into arenas where A-list icons, K-pop idols, and digital megastars didn't just attend — they became the main event. As the week wraps up Sunday, it's clear: the world is watching not for what's worn, but for who's wearing it. Beyoncé and Jay-Z didn't just attend Louis Vuitton's blockbuster show — they became the story. As they swept into the Pompidou Centre, the entire mood shifted. Cameras flashed. Phones shot skyward. Even before the first look hit the runway, images of the couple rocketed around the globe. The scene encapsulated a truth that every major brand — from Louis Vuitton to Dior, Hermès to Saint Laurent — now understands: The real front row isn't in Paris, but on Instagram, TikTok and Weibo. And nothing sells quite like a star. Beyoncé's head-to-toe denim look — a custom Louis Vuitton creation by Pharrell Williams — sparked headlines worldwide and instantly set the tone for the season. Her ensemble, complete with a cowboy hat and Western belt, became one of the most shared images of fashion week, underlining just how quickly a star's wardrobe can ignite trends far beyond the runway. Her Cowboy Carter tour, however, hasn't been without controversy — a T-shirt worn in Paris referencing Buffalo Soldiers drew criticism online this week from some Indigenous and Mexican communities. And when Williams presented her with a Speedy bag straight from the runway, the moment went viral — striking a powerful note that Beyoncé isn't just an attendee, but the face of Louis Vuitton's creative vision. This is the new dynamic of luxury: The most coveted runway seat is now in your hand, and what matters most isn't just what you see, but who you see wearing it. It's a story that's been told before — celebrity eclipsing fashion — but in a year of global uncertainty, the urge for escapism and the power of star-driven fantasy have reached a new intensity. Show, not just tell: Fashion as spectacle What once was a private preview for buyers and editors is now a worldwide entertainment event. Designers don't just stage shows — they produce spectacles. Williams, Louis Vuitton's showman-in-chief, turned his runway into a snakes-and-ladders fantasy with a guest list to match: Beyoncé, Jay-Z, K-pop royalty J-Hope and Jackson Wang, reggaeton star Karol G, and Hollywood names like Bradley Cooper and Mason Thames. Each arrival triggered waves of posts and stories — making the crowd as newsworthy as the collection itself. The modern runway has become a stage for celebrity, where the applause is measured in views and viral moments, and the line between performer and spectator disappears. No other force is shifting menswear trends faster than K-pop. This season, stars like J-Hope, Jackson Wang, GOT7's Bambam, and NCT's Yuta were everywhere, livestreaming shows and igniting fashion frenzies from Seoul to Sao Paulo. These idols are both tastemakers and trend translators, instantly transmitting what they see in Paris to millions of fans. Their attendance has become a commercial event in itself, driving the adoption of new styles on a global scale. Beyoncé effect Even the clothes themselves now chase celebrity. Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' moment and Louis Vuitton's nod to Western style sent cowboy hats, flared denim, and rhinestone shirts trending worldwide. Brands scramble to turn these viral moments into wearable trends — knowing that what Queen Bey wears in Paris will be copied in malls and on apps within weeks. 'We make fashion, but we're a house of travel,' Williams told reporters. In truth, it's the celebrity's journey through fashion that matters most. The old fashion cycle is gone. It's been said before. Where trends once took months to trickle down, now a celebrity-worn look can reach the high street soon after the show lights dim. TikTok and fast fashion brands move at the speed of the repost. At Hermès, even the discreet luxury of woven leather tees and wide trousers took on new meaning as athletes and music stars documented their attendance. Their posts quickly turn exclusive details into mass-market 'must-haves'. It's a process that global platforms like Shein and Temu have weaponised — transforming a viral runway or celebrity moment into affordable, shoppable trends in a matter of days. The result: What debuts on the Paris catwalk can show up in online shopping carts from Atlanta to Addis Ababa almost instantly. Beneath the celebrity glow, classic trends endure. Streetwear is still king, with oversized silhouettes, soft tailoring and activewear influences everywhere from Dior to Dolce and Gabbana. 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In 2025, the biggest trend in men's fashion isn't a garment at all — it's the show itself. And in a season defined by heat, hype and headlines, it's clear: celebrity is the new couture, and we're all in the front row. (AP) PY PY
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
Explained: How one Colombian man brought Zumba to the world, and the row over it in Kerala
Several religious groups in Kerala recently criticised the state government's decision to introduce Zumba classes in schools to encourage fitness among students, and as part of an anti-drugs measure. Earlier this week, cleric Abdul Samad Pookkottor said, 'Zumba is harmful to the moral life of students. Prayer is the best for mental well-being. We also have yoga. This is an import from the Western world. If the government insists that Zumba dance should be implemented, our clerics will fight against it. Girls and boys should not be allowed to mingle under the pretext of the Zumba dance…' The government said it would continue its policy despite similar comments made by some other organisations. What is Zumba, and what exactly is the controversy about? We explain. It's a relatively new form of exercise that combines dance and aerobics. In 1986, Beto Perez was working as an aerobics instructor in Cali, Colombia, but forgot to bring his tape of American pop hits by Michael Jackson and Madonna to a class. This led him to improvise a 30-minute class using the cassette he had in his car, 'full of Latin songs, specifically salsa and merengue tunes that he had recorded from the radio,' according to a BBC report. His students gave rave reviews. 'Every time I taught, more and more people would show up and take a class. There would be lines out of the door of people waiting to get in. Word travelled fast. This was the beginning of Zumba,' Perez told the BBC. He moved to the capital, Bogota, and later to the United States, without the requisite documents. Colombian pop icon Shakira also hired him to choreograph some songs. Today, Zumba classes have spread worldwide. In India, remixes of film music are also used in classes, rather than strictly Latin music. One major selling point is that its intensity is varied, and participants can choose what they want to do according to their convenience. With different kinds of songs and routines in almost every other class, depending on the instructor, it also offers a more dynamic form of exercise to people who may not enjoy the routine that gyms offer. Further, no equipment is needed for it. While aerobics includes several activities meant to increase oxygen consumption, such as running, swimming or jumping rope, Zumba mainly focuses on high-intensity dance and exercises. The trainer leads the class in sync with the fast-changing music, incorporating jumping jacks, arm stretches, and other moves. The dance workout was initially called the 'Rumba', which means party in Cuban and is also used in Latin America to refer to a variety of dances. 'Zumba' was a play on that. Perez launched his company, Zumba Fitness, based in Miami, with two other partners in 2001. They began by offering classes and certifications to instructors and have since expanded to classes, DVDs, clothing and accessories, and more. Notably, the recommended clothing for Zumba classes is the same as that for any fitness-related activity — proper shoes, and comfortable and breathable outfits suited for movement. However, Zumba has been restricted at times, particularly for women. In Afghanistan, the Taliban banned music and dancing under a strict implementation of Islamic law when it first came to power (1996 to 2001). Some Zumba classes later sprang up, once the regime came to an end. In 2017, Iran was reported to have banned Zumba and arrested people for it. A BBC report from the time quoted Hamid Damghani, a commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as saying, 'They were arrested by the Guards' intelligence forces while teaching and creating video clips… as they sought to change lifestyles and promote a lack of hijab,' he said. Some religious leaders have continued opposing Zumba's inclusion in schools in recent days. Another cleric, Nazar Faizy Koodathai, said students should not be compelled into 'vulgarity'. 'If well-built students are also forced to dance wearing minimum clothes and mingling with the opposite sex, it is highly deplorable. Instead of introducing Zumba, let the government focus on physical training programmes. Students should not be forced into vulgarity,' he said. However, the state government has shown no signs of walking back its decision so far. The general secretary of the state's ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), M A Baby, told the media in Kozhikode that 'religion should be kept away from education'. 'Children should grow mingling with one another. Those who oppose should rethink their stand. In a secular country, religion should be kept away from public education. They can comment on issues, but they should not dictate terms on education,' he said. Education Minister V Sivankutty said, 'Certain quarters have come out against Zumba, which is being introduced in schools as part of anti-drug initiatives.' He added, 'What is being held in schools is a short physical fitness programme. Students are performing Zumba in their uniforms.' He said that under the Right to Education Act, it was mandatory for all students to participate in learning activities suggested by the government. The minister also shared videos of students of two schools in Muslim-majority areas performing Zumba in uniform, wearing headscarves. Higher education minister Dr R Bindu also shared a video of college students — including Catholic nuns — dancing to music at a college in Irinjalakuda in Thrissur.
Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Suga is the Eminem of K-pop': Grammy-winning producer reveals why the West wants to work with the singer
BTS member SUGA kicked off a solo world tour before heading to the military, spanning 102 days across 10 countries, including the United States. The rapper of the seven-member boy band saw his popularity hit a whole new high. But apart from being a performer, SUGA is known for producing his own music—something he's been obsessed with since childhood. He's done it for big names in the industry like Heize, IU, PSY, OMI, Suran, and even Jungkook. But according to Grammy-winning producer Frankie Biggz, SUGA isn't just another idol. His music is now being recognised overseas, and he's changing how people view producers in the K-pop space. Biggz even compared his authenticity to that of U.S. rapper Eminem. Also read: BTS' Suga's students didn't know he was a star: 'He always arrived early, read my 500-page textbook, wasn't just a donor,' says hospital's professor Biggz, who's worked with names like Kanye West, 50 Cent, and Eminem, was recently interviewed by Honorary Reporters, a program backed by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. He praised the 'Daechwita' hitmaker for proving that music producers don't always need to stay behind the curtain. They can create beats, master albums, and take full control, on stage, on tour, and on charts worldwide, all at once. What really struck him was how SUGA does it all while being part of one of the most influential groups in the world. A group whose voice reaches even the UN, yet here's a guy still handling every inch of his creative process, start to finish. 'So, for SUGA to be doing what he's doing, he had to be obsessed with it. He was obsessed even before he became a member of BTS,' Biggz said. Also read: BTS' V turns heads in black tank top at RunSeokjin tour; RM, J-Hope bust out dance moves to Super Tuna To Biggz, SUGA's already carved a niche that puts him at the top of every Western label's wish-list. 'He's an amazing artiste, he looks great, the camera loves him, and he has millions of fans around the world; that's a very attractive quality for any Western label. Secondly, it's not just for show. He attracts Western artistes because he is one of the most talented people on earth.' Artistes like him aren't just collaborators, they are someone who bridges the gap, the producer emphasised. 'When it comes to breaking through, when it comes to who's going to be the first to introduce a sound, who's going to be the first to carve their way through all of that, he's winning,' Biggz said. Since SUGA understands both Korean and Western sounds, he's in a unique spot to connect the two, and the industry trusts him to do just that. 'But I think that SUGA is just a chameleon in terms of production,' he added. Biggz also pointed out what separates legends like Kanye and Eminem: 'that maniacal obsession with their careers,' something he clearly sees in SUGA too. Drawing a direct comparison to Eminem, he said: 'He has that presence. He has that authenticity, like Eminem, SUGA carries himself with respect, but if someone offends one of his team members, you're going to have to talk to him first.' 'In the future, K-pop will likely have an increasing influence on global trends,' Biggz said, adding, 'Min Yoongi can become a conduit for Western professionals into the Korean industry, demonstrating that professionalism and respect for the process are universal values of the Korean music industry.' The producer acknowledged that while he isn't sure what kind of life SUGA lived in his early days, one thing he's certain of is that this kind of resilience, understanding, presence, and toughness, those genuine qualities, don't come from a perfect life situation.
