Billy Nigel & Rex Leone

Inspired by art movements, textures and artists that I haven't heard of, beat makers, musicians and designers Billy Nigel and Rex Leone form " Elements of a Cynical Union" I met and feel in love with the duo at a show a few weeks back so I invited them for a chat. Billy Nigel ad Rex Leone was joined by a friend Yao, whom I would later come to know, is an essential part of their clothing line.

Billy Nigel

Rex Leone

Billy Nigel, Yao, Rex Leone

Here’s what happened:
We are beat makers, we love music but we are not into Hip Hop with the exception of Kanye west declares  Billy, reasons being that kanye came out on with that whole twist, it was different. I’m sure people thought he was gay when he came out with that swag, you know tight jeans pink shirts but look at everyone now. Straight loving him

Oroma: Not that it even matters, but do people think you are gay too?

Billy: I’m sure they do but we love women, titties pussy give to me in fact, I want to do a shoot with like 20 naked women all over me in bed.

Oroma: hahaha, very sexy. Tell me about your style, your swag, and your style of music.

Billy: I was the kid who grew up wearing fitted clothes. My mom wouldn't let me wear anything baggy or hip-hop

Oroma: why was this?

Billy: to keep me out of trouble I guess. We are from the Bronx so..

Oroma: and you listened which is rare because most kids are trying to fit in.

Billy: yeah, I’m glad I did. It helped mold me but I actually enjoy it. I think I was easier for me to listen to her because I actually enjoyed dressing up in everything she suggested.

Oroma: Which was?

Billy: Fitted pants, short sleeve dress shorts, shoes etc

Oroma: So the Bronx huh? What’s that like, making your kind of music in a place where hip-hop was born and not particularly associating yourself with Hip hop?

Billy: I mean it’s whatever you know, people will jump on soon. I didn't grow up listening to hip-hop. It was soulful gospel all the way. Our music is, in fact I don’t even know what to genre to put it in. it's NEW it's what’s up its fresh it’s a new sound

Oroma: so how does it work, who writes? Who makes the beats?

Billy: I make beats

Rex Leone: I write, we both write

And you (referring to a friend whom they brought along. Why are you so all quiet? Are you falling asleep ? I teased. I met you at the show as well no?) Yeah, yeah, hahaha he laughs, my name is Yao I’m tailor and designer)

Billy: We are also designers

Oroma: are you all wearing your designs right now?

yes, they all answer, expect for the shoes.

Yao: and I just make sure everything goes well with production technically.

Oroma: Interesting, Yao where are you from?

Yao: Togo, West Africa

Oroma: explain your background

Yao: I'm currently enrolled in a design program at FIT. I grew up around uncles who were tailors but you know, it was pretty basic cut and sew. I help Billy and Rex with technical and production work for their clothing line called LAISSEZ FAIRE ( elementsofacyncalunion.blogspot.com). And I' have mine as well called HOMME POUR YAO.

Oroma: So you are essentially part of the group.

Yao:design wise yes but not musically.

Oroma: this is so cool its perfect actually. Billy, Rex, where do you draw musical inspirations?

Billy: don’t know if you knew these artist but

Prince and the revolution, Francis and the lights, M83

Phoenix, kanye west, Mr. Hudson, Fashion and Design, textures

And art movements like art deco and surrealism.

Rex:  clean lines and industrialism

Oroma: no I actually don’t know those artist ha-has, but the art movements and kanye west yes. Didn’t you that I am in love with ye. LoL

But how did you all meet.

Rex: We met working in retail, I was in sales and he was in stock at Abercrombie and Fitch and I would go to the stock room like all the time to talk about music, fashion and things we want to do

Billy: I was already making beats and Rex was involved design. one thing lead to the other and we started making music.

Oroma: Do you find yourself changing your looks to entertain people i.e. lady gaga?

Billy: we’ve definitely evolved style wise

Would you wear make up, eyeliner lipstick

Billy: oh yeah, I love it all.

Oroma: hahahha can I put some on you now?

Billy: why not

Of course I put some black lipstick on him and we take some photos, Rex and Jao invade my jewelry box and it’s lights camera action until things die down. Fun chat.

Here are 2 tracks from them

Billy Nigel + Rex Leone = Elements of a Cynical Union. I know it’s a long name but remember it because they are the new African pop.

LISTEN BEFORE YOU JUDGE

LIGHTS

THE FLOOD