What first caught my attention was Esperanza's hair. She was featured in Essence Magazine a few years back, when I was fro'ing it up myself. To see another talented young woman of color with a massive afro was total hairspiration for me.
A couple years later, homegirl was playing the White House. That's when I realized she's probably a bit more than just awesome hair... HELLO, how many fools get to do what they love in front of the leader of the free world?! Props.Now ol' girl has a freaking Grammy, a surprise win not only for the many whom seem un-hip to her legend, but also to this longtime non-watcher of award shows. They never seem to award the underground artists--in my opinion, the ones who deserve the MOST love & recognition--at those things. Low and behold, 2011 has switched the game up a little.
I'm impressed by and proud of Esperanza's win last night. The year has great things in store!
... But apparently not for the legions of Justin Beiber fans out there, who commenced the hating almost immediately after Esperanza's win. They totally destroyed her Wiki page, changing her middle name to "Quesadilla," and adding such gems as "JUSTIN BIEBER DESERVED IT GO DIE IN A HOLE. WHO THE HECK ARE YOU ANYWAY?"
[click to enlarge]Way harsh, Tai. To quote Gawker, I can only imagine what it's like to have thousands of people trying to kill you with their minds. To the Justin Beiber (whom my grandma affectionately refers to as "Justine Beaver") fans out there I present to you this .gif:
Get over it and get hip, psssht.
Get over it and get hip, psssht.
