He wears the Tour Second Half Jacket from Uzo Njoku’s People’s Movement across the hanger. It is an abstract pattern in blue, white and black, drawn by Njoku. “I’ve been learning so much,” Masego said, referring to the exploitative labor practices and questionable political histories of some well-known brands. “So, that’s why I’m working with Africans; hopefully they haven’t hurt anyone historically.”
Early in his career, the instrumentalist went through a Self-described “old man stage”. He bought “thrift store fabrics”—corduroys and shirts that cost 50 cents. Masego spoke about the importance of being born in Kingston, Jamaica. He felt the claim that the island was his home was untrue. But what about the style there? “Jamaicans are the most confident people I’ve ever met. They can wear anything,” he said. We walked over to the Dolce & Gabbana boutique, and he found a pair of rugged, quilted jeans paired with a tan, logo-embossed blazer. “It looks like when Jamaicans first got their money, they put on clothes or something,” he said. Cream wide-leg joggers with modest gold plaques sat on another mannequin. “I love the silhouette of these pants here.”
MELISSA BUNNI ELIAN
MELISSA BUNNI ELIAN
at On the way to the fitting room, Masego said he liked Vivienne Westwood and tailoring. He rebels against mainstream fashion brands, he’d rather slip into a designer’s DM and ask for something bespoke. A stylist pulls in a rack of clothes. For a quick change, Masego returns in a matching jacket and pants designed by Nicholas Daley, a London-based designer whose parents are Scottish and Jamaican. “If I see something that matches, I say, ‘Yes,'” he said. “I love this anime villain-inspired costume.” The pattern looks like hibiscus flowers are dipped in navy paint and the petals are printed onto ice-blue fabric.
Between looks, we peel back the layers of Masego’s new album. He recorded a portion of it in Huntsville, Alabama, and collaborated with Kelvin Wooten on songs like “Sax Fifth Avenue” and “Who Cares Anyway?” “He was like my year old version. More talented, but very recluse. So, I just pulled him,” Masego said. For inspiration, he looked inward. He sings about his desire for a simple life on “Remembering Sundays.” According to Masego, the jazz musician does not like to leave the house; he would rather not sing about the waves of his mind. “I had a group of people around me asking me to get better,” he said. “We’re talking about masculinity and femininity; growth and leadership; and tons of different conversations that I haven’t had in the past.”
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