Mardi's Blog

Embracing My Roots: A Black Advertiser's Journey Through Hip-Hop Studies by: Mardline Prevot Vision Collage by Mazopal Design   Hey everyone, Mardi here, and I'm diving deep this semester. As a Black advertiser, CEO of Mazopal Design, and a proud Haitian American from Northeast DC, I'm embarking on a journey of self-discovery through the lens of Hip-Hop Studies. This isn't just another class for me; it's a profound exploration of my heritage, my identity, and my artistic expression. Hip-Hop and My Life: More Than Just Music Hip-hop isn't just a genre; it's a culture, a movement, and a mirror reflecting the realities of my life. Growing up in DC, I was immersed in the beats, the lyrics, and the raw energy of hip-hop. It was the soundtrack to my youth, a voice for the voiceless, and a powerful tool for storytelling. Now, I'm excited to dissect the five elements of old-school hip-hop – DJing, MCing, breakdancing, graffiti, and knowledge – and compare them t...

Serif a Was the Spotlight: Super Bowl LIX and a Font-astic Moment By: Mardline Prevot Credit:  Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Sunday, February 9th, 2025. A day of touchdowns, triumphs, and.... typography? Super Bowl LIX was more than just a gridiron spectacle; it was a cultural touchstone, a moment where the world's eyes converged. And this year, amidst the electrifying plays and the dazzling halftime show, something unexpected stole a diamond of the spotlight: a font.  Yes, you read that right. While Samuel L. Jackson celebrate his Gabonese citizenship (congratualtions, Mr. Jackson!), and the echoes of the game reverberated, the design world was buzzing about the use of a serif font during the Apple Music Halftime Show. Forget the plays, for some, the real MVP was Serif A.  The halftime show, a dazzling display of music and performance art, featured Kendrick Lamar, whose name was displayed in a striking lower-case "a" chain. But it wasn't just any "a." This ...

Bowie State University - McKeldin Gym Edition: The Graphic Designer for the I Am BSU Bless You by: Mardline Prevot  Courtesy: Bowie State University Okay, y'all, so boom! Let's talk about this flyer for the BSU intramural basketball league. First off, can we just acknowledge the graphic designer? Like, they understood the assignment. This ain't your grandma's boring event poster. This is a whole vibe, a whole mood, a whole experience. The yellow and black color scheme? Poppin'. The distressed texture? Immaculate. The sihouette of the player with the basketball? Iconic. And the HOOF DREAMS CALLING?  Pure genius. This flyer is loud, its bold, and its definitely gonna catch your eye when you're scrolling through your Insta feed. Big shoutout to Mardline Prevot, the Haitian American advertiser who designed this masterpiece. SIs really understood the culture and delivered something that speaks to the students. This is what happens when you let creatives of color shin...

Embracing My Roots: A Black Advertiser's Journey Through Hip-Hop Studies and Self-Advocacy By: Mardline Prevot Chuck Brown  As a Black advertiser, CEO/Visual artist of Mazopal Design, and Haitian-American hailing from Northeast DC, my journey through the art and media industry has been one of constant evolution and self-discovery. My Spring 2025 semester has been particularly transformative, thanks to my studies in @Hip-Hop Studio: Interdisciplinary Project in Hip-Hop and Visual Culture (which has even sparked a new BSU nickname, Mardien!).  This experience reignited a deep connection to my roots and provided a powerful lens through which I view my work. #1986, fictional year of my birth, feels significant as I delve deeper into Hip-Hop Studies. It's a reminder of the cultural landscape that shaped me and the power of hip-hop as a form of expression, resistance, and community building. This exploration has encouraged me to fully embrace my Blackness, my Haitian heritage, and t...

Born a Sufferah: Dancehall Music's Insurgent Soundscapes - Book Talk and Sound Clash at BSU By: Mardline Prevot Book Cover Art by Dianae Jaita Events Spring Semester 2025 (1/4) 2/1/2025 #Randomthought: Jamacian Sorrel - my second taste experience! The interaction with the drink, the ginger spice... it really got me thinking. What a way to kick off Black Revolutionary History Month (and a new year!) than with an insightful exploration of Dancehall music and its cultural impact! I recently attended the "Dancehall Sound Clash and Book Talk by t he Department of Counseling and Psychological Studies x College of Education in collaboration with the Caribbean Association this past Saturday, February 1st 2025, marked the beginning of Black Revolutionary History Month and start of what promises to be an incredible semester. It also saw me attending a fascinating event: a Dancehall Sound Clash and Book Talk hosted by the Department of Counseling and Psychological Studies and the Colleg...