RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 – Episode 1 RuCap

Welcome back racers!!! I know that I owe you all a ton of Black History Facts, but I will get those to you. However, our lives has been lacking in sparkle and fabulous since we last saw the ladies of Drag Race. Our long national nightmare has ended with the premiere of Season Seven last night. Let’s dive on in and see what this set of queens are serving this season.

Miss Fame walks in serving alien goddess. Her face is pretty flawless and she seems confident and put together. She’s the queen that I’m most familiar with through her makeup tutorials.

Ginger Minj is a tiny plus size queen serving up Oralndo Housewife with her opening look. I’m interested to see if she can bring it.

Jaidynn Diore Fierce speaks in fluent catchphrase but is one of the few queens who seems truly lively. She was one of my favorite in the meet the queens videos by virtue of being one of the few who was memorable in any way.

Violet Chachki…is super tiny in the waist and is clearly pretty. That said, she is incredibly shady. A lot of it seems to be coming for a young, dumb place.

Max is adorable. She’s like Milk and Sharon Needles had a baby. I really love her aesthetic.

Miss Fame is already shady for no reason with some blotting joke related to the newspaper. It’s not that serious, ladies. You just got there.

Katya! I adore her. She’s from Boston. She’s the funniest so far. I did really did enjoy her “Come On Muscular Dystrophy!” from the Meet The Queens video because C’mon ____ never gets old.

That said, I know that we all love Laganja. It’s so fun to yell “C’mon _______!” But seriously queens, stop it. Everyone can’t c’mon in this 5 minutes span.

Jasmine Masters is so fun to listen to. But so hard to look at.

Mrs. Kasha Davis is old school fun. She came across fun in the interview but her look is a bland.

I have no time for Violet and her constant preening.

Trixie Mattel has such a distinct look. It’s ugly, but distinct. I like it.

Kandy Ho’ has a shit ton of attitude and is mostly boring. She looks like Aubrey O’Day from afar and Serena ChaCha up close. I don’t see it for her.

I fucking hate Pearl. Pearl is a cute enough boy, but I just want him to stop talking. Credit where it’s due, the deep voice “Sup?” was funny.

Trixie decides she wants to jump on the C’mon Chinstrap! bandwagon.

Kennedy Davenport can dance her ass off. She seemed a skosh bland but after getting the Alyssa Edwards seal of approval, I hope that she brings it.

Sasha Belle is probably the least interesting queen of the bunch. That wig isn’t working for me, for you, or for her.

Tempest DuJour’s intro is pretty great. I wish they hadn’t spoiled the baby dropping bit. I love her campy style. Kandy Ho tries to throw age shade. I’m actually tired of her already.

Let’s talk about how age/weight shade is so tired. It doesn’t require any creativity or wit. Bye Kandy.

Ru talks via a creepy baby image but yells ‘Balenciaga!” Ru enters and announces that the first challenge is a fashion week extravaganza. The ladies will have to showcase two of their best looks, one from the spring collection and one from the fall collection. Jaidynn declares it #TooMuch.

Time for a runway show!

Ginger opens in a magenta sparkly frock. Very pretty. Her fall look is fabulous. Leopard and neon is so drag but excecuted well.

Kandy Ho looks dull in yellow lace that doesn’t fit her skin tone. Her fall look with the fur is a good look though.

Max is super campy but pretty. The spring look isn’t fashion forward enough. But then Max SLAYS the winter look. She also shows off a pretty fabulous runway walk too, which I don’t think anyone would have expected.

Jaidynn looks good, but not in a fashion way. She wears two jumpsuits ignoring the fall and winter look dictates. Ehhh.

Katya is stunning. The full fur look is amazing for winter shits all over Kandy No. Both of her looks do a great job of blending campy while meeting the glamour standards that the show reuqires. ME thinks she’s a threat.

Miss Kasha is true to her housewife character and has a very drag walk. Both looks are bland and don’t stand out in any way.

Trixie’s dresses are both super cute. I didn’t realize how curvy she was. I genuinely like the sequined dress for winter though I don’t think she’ll be winning any awards for her work.

Pearl is obnoxious. Her winter look is actually a great look. Well executed. Fur for spring is stupid though. Shut up, Pearl.

Tempest has a sexy gypsy thing going on. I love the quilted poncho for her winter look, but the wig is horrendous.

Miss Fame looks incredible. Love the red outfit. That gold look with the fascinator? Flawless.

Jasmine is very banjee realness for spring. She has a fondness for showing her abs but I’m not sure it’s coming across feminine. Jasmine is serving purple trenchcoat for winter. It’s…cheap looking. Like it was made of curtain fabric.

Violet’s look is really creative and good. Hate that. The tartan look is pretty fabulous though.

Kennedy looks like Niecy Nash (a point that is brought up by Carson). Her looks are bland but pretty. I love the hair on the winter look but the actual look itself is still not enough to impress.

Sasha…does not have great style instincts. Her “lobster” dress is pretty awful.

Did I mention Alaska was here to give us her Anna Wintour impression? It’s flawless.

“It’s hideous. I think I’ll put it on the cover.”

The new Pit Crew comes in nude. Hot redheads are great fun. Jason and Miles are back looking goodt.

Ru then announces that the queens will need to create a resort wear look that tears away to reveal a nude illusion. (Shoutout to Carmen Carrera and Trinity K. Bonet!) Jasmine then gives us a great quip with “No Tea, No Shade, No Pink Lemonade!” and tells us Ru wouldn’t like to see some of these ladies naked. She’s right.

After the break, Trixie makes a good point where she mentions that her look uses none of her natural features in her drag. Miss Fame gives us another brand lecture. (My friend is watching live with Katya and she says that you should drink each time she says brand. Don’t die!)

We learn about Tempest’s kids and husband, as well as her weight loss! Aww that’s nice. Kandy Ho doesn’t know how to sew. It’s Season 7. Just lie.

Jasmine has sewn some peacock fabric to two hula hoops and then proceeds to tell us about cocoons and butterflies for approximately 5 minutes. It’s probably her nerves, but she has to learn to stop talking. Ru is not impressed.

Trixie then tells us about how her boyfriend’s family doesn’t like drag. We’ve already gotten way too many sob stories. Stop it. Violet and Kandy are really tapping on my nerves.

Katya tells us that she has the body of a 50-year Irish Rock Climber. My love for her could not be any greater.

Runway Time! (For the third time)

Ru floats down the runway in turquoise (tur-kwazz) peekaboo look and looks incredible. Michelle visage is back and dressed like an ice skater. Carson Kressly is here and I love him. Ross Matthews is here also.

Kathy Griffin is here with bad makeup and fur. Love her!

NOW SISSY THAT WALK!

Katya scomes out in all red fringe. Her idea to use the hair is a great job. Flashing her asshole, may work. May not. I’m going to guess not.

Kasha Davis does a great job of portraying confidence. There’s a lot of shade from the judges.

Sasha Belle flops with a the black bra instead of nude. The look is tacky and bland. Think Jinxx on a very bad day.

Miss Fame looks great in turquoise and her body looks spectacular.

Kennedy Davenport does a great job selling a mediocre outfit. Love those wings.

Tempest’s look is so so bad. The crab belt is bad. The makeup is also bad. When I watched this on my phone, I didn’t think it was so bad, but on my TV? No gawd.

Trixie’s tennis outfit is odd. But the outlines of her outfit fir her Barbie brand. Pearl has such a good look but her walk and attitude suck. Her tuck needs some work as well. Max! I love the crutches. She’s putting on too much of a show, but I like where her mind is. Ginger is great fun. I like her in yellow and I think that she really has the skills. She’s a front runner.

Jasmine…has hula hoops. I like the longer hair and actually like the fringe outfit. Her makeup is also better than in previous runways. Kandy has a good body and bad contouring. Jaidynn’s outfit is fabulous and a much better showing that the runway challenge. Love her! Show us how sexy you is! Violet has the skills and the dress is a fun nod to Southern dressing. Padding really does help. Skinny isn’t exactly feminine.

Judging time!

Our safe queens: Ginger, Jaidynn, Pearl, Kasha, Katya, Max, and Trixie. No surprises here.

Sasha is not polished. She’s saying she confused the assignment. But really it just wasn’t put together well. Tempest looks so so bad on the runway.

That wig.

Those wrinkles.

Jasmine gets mixed reviews but it’s clear the judges like her. The fringe and her purple raincoat are read. Poor thing. Michelle calls out Kandy’s contour and I’m so glad we’re on the same page. Bye ashy! Her ugly tunic thing is also a tragedy.

Miss Fame is going to suffer from high expectations. But her work was superb this week. Kennedy is in the top! Her presentation definitely saved her look. Violet killed it with the fall look. Michelle and I continue to be on the same page by saying that we don’t see it for Violet’s boy body. Kathy Griffin disagrees and it’s clear that Michelle isn’t featuring it.

Oh shit! We have some shady shade right now. Ru asks who is least impressive amongst the queens.

Sasha – Pearl

Fame – Jaidynn

Kennedy – Trixie

Tempest – Ginger

Jasmine – Sasha

Kandy – Tempest

Violet – Sasha

Tempest calls out Kandy for calling her old. Kandy looks like Elmer Fudd from the side. Sasha is pissed that people think she is sloppy as her cheap nylon wig looms at us menacingly.

The judges love Miss Fame and Kennedy. Costumey is thrown around and I can see that. Violet has the fashion edge that is going to appeal, but showing boy body is always no no. Courtney got that critique and Violet is no Courtney.

Tempest looked awful. Her being a costumer is brought up. Jasmine has this great energy but not enough fabulousness. Kandy is ugly and her spirit is ugly. Sasha is read for being sloppy and all around raggedy. I still don’t really see it for Ross Matthews, but I will give him the beard joke.

Ru calls Kennedy safe. Violet Chachki wins the first challenge! Werq Atlanta! Miss Fame and Michelle Visage are livid, but she’s safe. Sasha is somehow safe? I didn’t expect this.

Tempest is in the bottom two which makes sense. Kandy is boring and has awful makeup. Jasmine is great fun to talk to and hard to look at. Jasmine is safe! Kandy is in the bottom.

The two rivals lip sync to “Geronimo,” one of Ru’s lesser songs. Both of these queens are so so mediocre. Tempest is…doing the noodle apparently. Kandy gives us some krumping and due to having a modicum of energy, saves herself. This is really bad in so many ways. Do these ladies not prepare?

Katya wins the lip sync when she tells us “I don’t know what that Miss Crab Lady is doing, but all I know is the bearded ho is TURNING IT!” I LOVE HER!

Tempest…to paraphrase Gia Gunn “dances like a man.” This is Honey Mahogany/Vivienne Pinay level terrible.,

Tempest sadly leaves us looking the hottest of messes. Wait they have to hold a Ru doll when they leave. Clever marketing though!

So what did you all think? Any favorites yet? If you can’t tell, I’m living for Katya. This set seems especially shady and fashion heavy. It’s my hope that the season gives us all that we need. I would recap Untucked but shit, it’s on YouTube. Watch it below!

Black History Facts – John Cromwell & Mary Washington (Black CPAs)

When she attended Northwestern University’s School of Chicago Business in the late 1930s, Washington found that she was the only woman in the program, and certainly the only black female student. Being light-skinned, however, she was easily accepted as white, as Washington’s daughter, Barbara Shepherd, a retired Chicago Public School teacher, explained. Washington began building her tax-season clientele in 1939, and focused on serving the community of small black-owned businesses in her area. One of her early and long-time clients was S.B. Fuller, a self-made millionaire and owner of the cosmetics company Fuller Products Company. Fuller came to rely heavily on Washington’s services and advice, and later leased some of his business office space to her to accommodate her growing business. Washington earned her degree in 1941 and was able to serve her apprenticeship with Wilson. When she sat for the CPA licensing exam, again, she was the only woman in the room.

In 1943 she became the nation’s 13th African-American CPA, and the first female of the group to attain her license, she became a leader for future generations of accountants. The firm she began in her basement on the South Side of Chicago in 1939, known today as Washington, Pittman & McKeever, remains one of the largest African-American owned firms in the nation.

Black History Fact: Macon B. Allen

Macon Bolling Allen is both the first African American licensed to practice law and to hold a judicial position in the United States. Allen passed the bar exam in Maine in 1844 and became a Massachusetts Justice of the Peace in 1848. He moved to South Carolina after the American Civil War to practice law and was elected as a probate court judge in 1874. Following the Reconstruction Era, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as an attorney for the Land and Improvement Association.

Come through Macon! Macon represents the theme of “Lifting As We Climb” which means he went and improved himself only to use what he learned to help others.

Obsessed: Rather Be

You know how there’s a song that you randomly hear and like? But you go to look for it and can’t find it?

That was Rather Be for a long time for me. But thanks to YouTube, I’m now listening to it on repeat forever and ever. It’s a problem.

This was literally me all weekend.

ALL DAMN WEEKEND!

This dumb song is everything and I can’t even explain it. Like I want to give you musical analysis, how it pulls live classical instruments over a dance beat, how the early 90’s influence is so strong (a la Crystal Waters & Black Box), how the harmonies are super super tight, how the ab libs are soft but effective.

That last swell into the final chorus???

But really, the song just embodies happiness right now. Or my version of it. As weird as it sounds, I’m strangely in a good place. Are things perfect?

But this song embodies my version of happiness and real love. Where shit can go wrong but you know just being with that one person will fix your mood immediately. It pleases me to think that I’ll be in that place at some point in my life. (Speaking it into existence, y’all!)

Either way, I’m going to be snatching your faves wigs with my karaoke rendition of this song with some patented Countess step-touch choreography.

Four Days of Black History Plus Some Quick Grammy Thoughts

Let’s start with what you all came for, Black History!

February 6th – Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison is an American novelist, editor, and professor. Her novels are known for their epic themes, vivid dialogue, and richly detailed characters. Among her best known novels are The Bluest Eye, Sula, Song of Solomon and Beloved. She was also commissioned to write the libretto for a new opera, Margaret Garner, first performed in 2005. She won the Pulitzer Prize and the American Book Award in 1988 for Beloved and the Nobel Prize in 1993. On May 29, 2012, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

February 7th – Lonnie Johnson

Lonnie George Johnson is an American inventor and engineer who holds more than 80 patents. Johnson is most known for inventing the Super Soaker water gun, which has ranked among the world’s top 20 best-selling toys every year since its release.

February 8th – Diahann Carroll

Diahann Carroll is an American television and stage actress and singer. She has had a long, successful career that has spanned nearly six decades. After appearing in some of the earliest major studio films to feature black casts such as Carmen Jones (1954) and Porgy and Bess (1959) and on Broadway, she starred in Julia (1968), one of the first series on American television to star a black woman in a non-stereotypical role. Later she played the role of Dominique Deveraux on the popular prime time soap opera, Dynasty. She is the recipient of numerous stage and screen awards and nominations.

February 9th – Matthew Henson

Matthew Alexander Henson was the first African-American Arctic explorer, an associate of Robert Peary on seven voyages over a period of nearly 23 years. They made six voyages and spent a total of 18 years in expeditions. Henson served as a navigator and craftsman, traded with Inuit and learned their language, and was known as Peary’s “first man” for these arduous travels.

During their 1909 expedition to Greenland, Henson accompanied Peary in the small party, including four Inuit men, that has been recognized as the first to reach the Geographic North Pole (although this has also been subject to dispute). Henson was invited in 1937 as a member of The Explorers Club due to his achievement and was the first African American to be accepted. In 1948 he was made an honorary member, a distinction for 20 persons annually.

Man that was a lot of history. And frankly, that’s the best part of this post because the Grammys were dull.

I had every intention of doing a full recap, but there was nothing there. The performances ranged from delightful (Lady Gaga/Tony Bennett) to cringeworthy (Kanye/Madonna). No one performed anything up-tempo and with the show that long, you needed someone to up the energy. It was mostly draining. Even artists that are typically entertaining and fun were listless.

Honestly, I just wanted it to be over so I could watch Bob’s Burgers. What were your thoughts?

TRASHY THURSDAY IS BACK! – The Big Tymers

WHAT’S UP FRESH? IT’S OUR TURN BABY!

Trashy Thursday is back, snitches! It’s been far too long since the dulcet tones of hoodboogers have populated this blog. But how exactly do we come back??

Now by the time we were blessed with this duo, Cash Money has been around for a while. But like a bat out of hell, Still Fly came through and stormed the charts gaining the duo MTV-Level fame with the catchy hook and hilarious subject matter. So let’s take a step back and just deep dive in the anthems.

This Is How We Do is perfect. Mannie Fresh truly was the best part of Cash Money. His productions are why so many of their jams were so catchy. This song has his fingerprints all over it. Baby might as well be a feature rapper in it.

Now Stun’n is actually their first single as a duo.

The sheer difference between the sound here between the first two songs we listened to is a clear example of late 90’s Dirty South rap and the early 2000’s rap that was played on the top 40 stations. It’s not just the money difference. It’s a range in style and polish. It’s in the griminess of Stun’n juxtaposed with the slickness and pleasant beats of This Is How We Do. But you can go to Complex to get a true historical point-of-view on rap and hip hop.

FUCK.

THESE.

HOES.

AFTER.

OUR.

SHOOOOOOW!

Listen, I just had a pure dance break to this. Also, how many people punched themselves in the face getting their roll on? I was actually driving home to NC from Boston for my vacation when this song came on the radio. I, of course, started to jam and dance. Luckily, there was no damage to my car or the Chikfila drive-thru.

Let’s go back to an earlier jam.

EVERYTHING I TELL YOU! If you aren’t pursing your lips and shoulder bopping, you’re not listening to it correctly.

YES YES YES YES YES! The Cribs parody. The cornrows.

So this is my absolute favorite Big Tymers song of all time. OF ALL TIME!!! It just makes me smile so hard. The special effects!

Story Time! So young Trash actually attended a Big Tymers concert back in the day. It was pretty much the greatest thing to ever happen. During Oh Yeah!, there was a giant diamond set piece. During the breakdown, the top opened and what had to be 100 hoochies dressed in metallic swimwear poured out to dance around the stage for the next few songs. It was SO SO SO GOOD!!!! Y’all the early 2000’s were a glorious time. I only paid $5 for my ticket.

To close this out, turn your hymnals to Page 55, Bling Bling.

I know I left out some brilliant tracks. 10 Wayz and Fuck You are other favorites. What are yours? Share your favorite memories of Baby and Mannie Fresh.

Black History Fact – Dr. Charles Drew

During World War II, African-American doctor Charles Drew pioneered many of today’s advancements in blood research and transfusion.

Charles Richard Drew was born on June 3, 1904, in Washington, D.C. He was an African-American physician who developed ways to process and store blood plasma in “blood banks.” He directed the blood plasma programs of the United States and Great Britain in World War II, but resigned after a ruling that the blood of African-Americans would be segregated. Dr. Charles R. Drew made some groundbreaking discoveries in the storage and processing of blood for transfusions. He also managed two of the largest blood banks during World War II.

Black History Fact: Hattie McDaniel

Time for another Black History Fact! Step into this!

Hattie McDaniel (June 10, 1895 – October 26, 1952) was an American actress. She is best known for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind (1939) for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first African American to win an Academy Award.

In addition to acting in many films, McDaniel was a professional singer-songwriter, comedian, stage actress, radio performer, and television star; she was the first black woman to sing on the radio in the U.S. During her career, McDaniel appeared in over 300 films, although she received screen credits for only 80 or so.

McDaniel has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood: one at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard for her contributions to radio and one at 1719 Vine Street for acting in motion pictures. In 1975, she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame and in 2006 became the first black Oscar winner honored with a US postage stamp.

My personal favorite Hattie line was when she was accused of furthering stereotypes to which she responded:

“I’d rather make $700 an hour playing a maid than $7 actually being one!”

Quickie Post: Your Black History Fact & My February Jam

Let’s start this off with your Black History Fact of the Day!

Althea Gibson was an American tennis player and professional golfer, and the first black athlete to cross the color line of international tennis. In 1956, she became the first person of color to win a Grand Slam title (the French Open). The following year she won both Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals (precursor of the U.S. Open), then won both again in 1958, and was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in both years. She won 11 Grand Slam tournaments, including six doubles titles, and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Come on Althea!

So if you think back to the first episode of Empire. We opened with this song.

I’ve been listening it non-stop ever since. I love her voice, I love the harmonies. SO GOOD.

Black History Facts Plus Random Thoughts

Hey y’all! It’s been a minute, now I’m back with the jumpoff.

I saw this on our dear friend Brash’s Facebook and thought it would be important to keep up with the important Black History facts she’s sharing here on the blog.

Feb. 2nd – Meet Alexander Miles. He is credited with an important evolutionary upgrade to the elevator. You know how the doors close automatically so you can ignore that coworker you don’t like or avoid the serial killer who’s after you? And also how you don’t have to close them when you get off the elevator? Thank Mr. Miles. He also improved the closing of the elevator shaft when the elevator isn’t on a floor.

Now some cobbled together thoughts…

Empire is still the greatest. I’m going to get up some more detailed thoughts this week. (Finally!)

RuPaul’s Drag Race is FINALLY back!!! Best believe I’ll be here recapping it with you all.

The Super Bowl was a good game. Missy Elliott is the queen of everything. Let’s enjoy a retrospective of some of her greatest hits.

I listened to Work It so so so so many times. One of the greatest songs of the early 2000’s. The amount of practice to get the backwards lyrics is why I didn’t do well in Pre-Calculus.

One Minute Man with Trina PLUS The Get Ur Freak On Remix with Nelly Furtado has me about to flip a table.

Stone. Cold. Classic. If you don’t know this song by heart, rectify this immediately. This is music video history.

That’s all for now.

Class And Trash Show

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