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NiiMAG®

@niimagdigital

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the magazine documenting black culture globally.
by @jeetahh

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I’LL CALL U LATER; I’M READING MY NIIMAG!

A collab with my fave🫶🏾

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Ears clipped with hot combs, unruly curls reigned in with relaxer & decisions made over the “big chop” - Black Hair is a historical tale of craft.

Though often known for its ability to be twisted, braided and loc’d, Black Hair is versatile and creative and a continuously evolving craft. Today, we can find 100s of salons, barbershops and craftspeople all blessed with the gift of showcasing the beauty and strength of Black Hair.

Special thanks to the enigma that is @liz._.aka of @hhbeautyldn and the stunningly talented @ami.fall of @thick.cuts for sharing some thoughts on their craft with us 💆🏽‍♀️💇🏽‍♀️💋

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From Dork to Debonair: Black Nerds and the Pop Culture Glow-Up 📁

In recent years, the concept of the ‘nerd’ and the identity of nerdiness itself have undergone a significant glow-up. Once a socially risky label, almost synonymous with awkward, isolated, and unserious in the romance department, ‘nerd’ now signals something entirely different. Nerds have transformed from being rejected to becoming potentially... sexy??

The shift in perception is notable; being nerdy is now seen as interesting and desirable, often representing individuals with niche knowledge that sets them apart. In ‘90s sitcoms, Black nerd characters like Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, T.J. Henderson from Smart Guy, and Dwayne Wayne from A Different World embodied the ‘rejected nerd’ trope, but each found a moment of redemption. They got the girl, got the fit off, and got the applause.

Call it the sexy nerd pipeline. Or maybe the revenge of the nerds. Like most trends, this one is cyclical. Case in point: 21 Jump Street. In the first film, Channing Tatum’s Jenko, a former jock, blends in with the cool kids. But in the sequel, Jonah Hill’s nerdy Schmidt thrives. Being socially conscious, eco-aware, academically gifted? That’s the new norm.

We’re in an era that simultaneously romanticises vanity and values nerdiness. Think: gym selfies and Letterboxd film essays in the same breath. Anti-intellectualism and intellectualism, coexisting. In Paid in Full, Ace Boogie starts as a quiet, lowkey character who prefers making money over being flashy. When questioned about his demeanour, he reveals his concerns about being boring, which his girlfriend echoes, showing their shared perspective. Ace represents the redefined nerd archetype: strategic and innovative, while Rico embodies charisma and chaos. Ultimately, it’s Ace’s “boring” approach that prevails.

Today’s nerds are setting the tone. Michael B. Jordan talks anime during movie press runs. Across Twitch and YouTube, Black and POC women are gaming, cosplaying, and building whole communities around their passions.

The Black nerd isn’t on the outside looking in anymore. They’re shaping what cool is.

✍🏿 @jeetahh
🎨 @niallcsmith

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AFRICAN WOMEN THROUGH THE YEARS — International Women’s Day

SLIDE 1: @bahriproject 📸
SLIDE 2: city of toronto archives
SLIDE 3: harrison forman 📸
SLIDE 4: @niimagdigital

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Japanese Music... and the Fascinating World of Exclusive Albums and Bonus Tracks 📁

Even in the age of Spotify and Apple Music, Japan’s music audience remains deeply rooted in physical media, with CD collecting still thriving.

Whether we notice it or not, Japan has long been responsible for blending music, entertainment and technology seamlessly in many ways. As the birthplace of the Walkman and karaoke, music and entertainment have long been at the helm of how many Japanese music fans experience music.

The origins of Japanese music exclusives stem from the country’s collectible culture and historically high music prices. CDs are notoriously more expensive in Japan than anywhere else, but for a nation of dedicated fans and avid collectors artists offer more incentive for them to remain loyal to their artistry.

What’s even more interesting is that while many chose to give whole bonus albums, other artists’ bonuses included never-seen-before cover art, bonus tracks or even esoteric demos turned finalised singles.

Often characterised by the signature ‘OBI’ written in Japanese—the strip of paper looped around the CDs, those Japanese exclusives still maintain an air of rarity and pricelessness to music nerds. With NiiMAG®, this piece is an ode to the music nerds who love to collect and discover—and gatekeep.

Oh, and this is a UK magazine collaboration, so we’ve snuck in our OWN bonus track at the end!

✍🏿 @jeetahh
🎨 @niallcsmith

Tracklist:
Aaliyah - One In A Million (1996) [JPN Ed.]
Solange - Solo Star (2002) [JPN Ed.]
Mashonda - January Joy (2005) [Japan-Only Release]
Daft Punk - Discovery — Interstella 5555 Cover (2001)
Michael Jackson - Thriller 25 / Blu-SpecCD Edition (1982/2009)
Elisha La’Verne - Elisha La’Verne (1998) [Japan-Only Release]
Brandy - Full Moon (2002) [JPN Ed.]
Fiona Apple - When the Pawn… (1999) [JPN Ed.]
J Dilla - Jay Love Japan (2007)
Pharrell Williams - In My Mind (2006) [JPN Ed.]
Rina Sawayama - Sawayama (2020) [JPN Ed.]
Sampha - Process (2017) [JPN Ed.]
Tami Hert - Hert So Good (1998) [Japan-Only Release]
BONUS TRACK: Skepta - Doin’ It Again (2011) [UK Digital Ed.]

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