25 Years Of Vogue

Slant Magazine reflects on today's anniversary:

A sample of Madonna's 1990 hit "Vogue" inexplicably appears two-thirds of the way through the sexually charged "Holy Water," a track from the singer's new album, Rebel Heart. Previously, Madonna erupted into the song's refrain at the end of her 1992 single "Deeper and Deeper," and it's perhaps a testament to the euphoric spirit of "Vogue" that she seemed compelled to reference it at these climactic moments. Released 25 years ago tomorrow, "Vogue" wasn't just a hit single; it was a cultural phenomenon. Ironically, no other song better exemplifies both Madonna's influence on pop culture and the accusations of appropriation that have been lobbed at her over the years. The track, produced by Shep Pettibone, is at once a musical map of disco, shamelessly ripping MFSB's "Love Is the Message" and Salsoul Orchestra's "Ooh, I Love It (Love Break)," and an enduring prototype of its own, spawning countless copycats and spoofs in the early '90s and inspiring covers by more contemporary acolytes like Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Katy Perry. Like the Harlem drag balls that inspired it, "Vogue" is about presentation, and unlike, say, "Like a Virgin," the queen of reinvention has found little need to fuss with perfection.

The late Malcolm McLaren beat Madonna to the co-opting punch by a year, of course, and his remains my preferred take on the Harlem ball scene.

At The 24th Annual GMHC Voguing Ball

The 24th Annual GMHC Latex Ball was held last month at Manhattan's Terminal 5. From filmmaker Nicholas Jenkins: "The Latex Ball attracts over 2,000 individuals from the LGBTQ community to dance, vogue, celebrate fashion and art, and compete for prizes and respect. GMHC first launched the Latex Ball in 1989 as an HIV prevention program in response to dire HIV rates in the House & Ball community, a subculture of LGBTQ youth."

Kemar Jewel - Voguing Train

I can't get over how clean Philly's subway is.

(Tipped by JMG reader Ed)

Walking For A Cause

W Hotels has the deets on their website:

W Hotels of NYC presents the inaugural LOVE hangOVER Ball in support of the American Foundation of Aids Research (amfAR). The LOVE hangOVER Ball forms part of The W Hotels of New York City initiative to support the work of amfAR. The project is part of a series of activities across W Hotels’ four properties in New York, in the run up to World Aids Day December 1st. The initiative includes a mixture of direct donation, on site fund raising and the creation of a unique happening which will bring together New York City’s finest style mavens and voguing houses in a unique ballesque quest to celebrate the city’s place at the heart of LOVE in all its guises.

(Via Queerty)

Not Fred With Tires

Annie Liebovitz photographed Tim Tebow for Vogue. I'm reminded of Herb Ritts' iconic series from the 80s, Fred With Tires.

Earth Wind & Fire Reunite At DC Metro

Actually it's the Black Israelites with their usual dreary anti-gay hate speech. But this clip is amusing for the fierce queens who WILL NOT STOP VOGUEING in their faces. Werq!

Sue Sylvester, Dance On Air

"Lauren, Katherine, Lana too. Will Schuster, I hate you."

Malcolm McLaren Dead At 64

The greatest culture appropriator in pop music, Malcolm McLaren, died of cancer in NYC today at the age of 64.

UDPATE: The location of McLaren's death was actually Switzerland, not NYC as was first reported.

“He had been suffering from cancer for some time, but recently had been full of health, which then rapidly deteriorated,” McLaren’s spokesman Les Molloy told The Independent. Molloy confirmed McLaren died in New York this morning; his body will be moved to London for burial in Highgate Cemetery. An icon of the punk movement that swept Great Britain in the mid-Seventies, McLaren got his start as a fashion designer who opened up a clothing shop with Vivienne Westwood called Let It Rock. While in New York City to start up a new boutique, he became the New York Dolls manager, a role he held until their breakup in 1976. After working with the Dolls and returning to London, McLaren wanted to start up his own band — the misfit group of punks would later be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the Sex Pistols.

While I did and do still adore the Sex Pistols, with all the nonsense and hype laden upon them by McClaren, some of my favorite songs of all time are from his solo work. A sampling is below.

Vogue Evolution, Week 2

Vogue Evolution scored big with the America's Best Dance Crew judges for their "Beyonce challenge."

RELATED: Father Tony attended this year's GMHC House of Latex vogueing ball at the Roseland Ballroom this weekend. His report with photos and video is here.