Art Tart: Ananda Nahu

Art Tart: Art you can sink your teeth in.





We can't get enough of Brazilian artist, Ananda Nahu's work. A dynamic female voice in the explosive street art scene of Brazil, Nahu's stencil pieces are so rich in color, culture and beauty they bring invaluable wealth to the neighborhoods they were inspired by.

This past week has brought us so many pretty pictures, our retinas are hitting backflips...but we're not complaining one single bit!


//Find more of Ananda Nahu's art here\\.

The Birth of the Obama Era

There are hundreds of words in the English language that we could use to describe our emotions on this day, the 5th of November, 2008.

Unfortunately, we are at a loss for every last one of them...





Our eyes have gladly witnessed the birth of the Obama administration.

May God bless it and keep it...for a second term...

[image design: Gausa. additional photo design: Cocoa Lounge]

NOW: THAT's What's "POP"pin...

Lady Tigra of the 80's hip hop duo L'Trimm, certainly has the right idea about showing presidential support, by remixing Obama's iconic "Hope" poster.

And how DOPE is it that in less than 5 days, with one balllot, we have the power to CHANGE the direction of America and our perception across the globe? Now that's what's "Pop"pin!

And you know what else POP's...?



Three aptly titled fall magazine covers featuring Super Duper Models: Oluchi, Jordan Dunn and Naomi Campbell. With winter rapidly approaching, these British mags will 'fall' off of magazine stands real soon--so grab them while you can.

More Than 38 Million Make History Watching 'History In The Making'

Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for president last night before 80,000 people at Invesco Field in Denver, and an estimated 38 million t.v. viewers, setting a new record for convention viewership, according to Nielsen. Final figures are expected to top 40 million people.

Talk about rising to the occasion. Rising and shining.

P. Diddy Campaigns for Janelle Monae in Los Angeles

(Photo by: J. Althaus)

Los Angeles, CA -- There was a seismic shift in the energy of the Hollywood Sunset Strip last night around 7 pm. Just as anticipation was building around the nail-biting democratic race several thousand miles away, the energy outside the Key Club was also peaking Tuesday night.

But the issue at hand was neither Obama, Clinton, or McCain. The people had spoken and they wanted a musical change they could believe in. Afro-Punk kids, Music Industry execs, Hollywood blondes, and the Grown & Sexy put aside their differences to align for one common cause--Janelle Monae.

And she delivered.



After being presented to the crowd with a heartfelt speech from two of her chief campaign backers, P. Diddy & Big Boi of Outkast, Janelle Monae unleashed on stage with a wildly energetic performance of Violet Stars Happy Hunting, and from there, was an introduction to the many faces of Janelle Monae. She followed with the achingly beautiful, Smile, a song in which she shines with the vocal depth and tenderness of a young Judy Garland. Sincerely Jane has a strong social message and a bass line to match, and Letting Go has a fun, bouncy nature, easily reminiscent of Michael Jackson's early work from Thriller. With her brief, but powerful set, Monae clearly addressed the underlying issues, key ingredients for any new artists' success: talent, versatility, and influential backers.





The crowd was appreciative, and cheers became more akin to a campaign rally than an artist showcase (see Monae "Imagination Inspires Nations" posters being hoisted in the crowd photo).

If Diddy was making the case to bring a change in the music industry, as he suggested in his opening speech, then the results from last night was resoundingly clear: Janelle Monae is definitely a musical candidate of change. And, without question, receives the endorsement of The Cocoa Lounge.

Holy Shirley Chisholm! A Change is A' Coming!

"I am, was, and always will be a catalyst for change" -- Shirley Chisholm

Few would have predicted that 36 years after New York congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm's, historic bid for presidency in 1972, Barack Obama would emerge a prime contender for Chief Executive of the U.S. with his own hopeful message of change.

Obama's compelling sweep of four states this weekend is just another sign that Americans are not only ready for change but acting on it, and fighting back with a weapon so rarely used: the ballot.

Something is in the wind on these shores and we're all for pulling off our jackets and basking in it. The fervor and creativity of Obama supporters around the country just does our heart good. Check it out:

The Birth of Rosa Parks

(1955 booking photo of Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama)

On this day in 1913, Rosa Parks, aka "The Mother of The Civil Rights Movement," was born. Her single effort of resistance in 1955, spawned the movement that would change the United States of America forever and we are eternally grateful.

If one little woman from the segregated Tuskegee, Alabama south could change a nation, imagine what kind of greatness we are all capable of.

The Cocoa Lounge celebrates the life and work of Rosa Parks today. Happy Birthday!

'Dem' Darn Debates: Hilary Vs. Obama

It's gonna be a tough choice at the polls for the 2008 Democratic Primaries. Most of us want change. A lot of us want diversity. But with both a woman and black man fitting the bill, it looks like the fight for The Oval Office will be to the finish... and it won't be pretty.



Enter this cute and witty little YouTube video that addresses just about every Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton gripe ever uttered. The vid throws clever political (and personal) jabs at both candidates that'll make you laugh first and think later.