Bleu Magazine Issue 41- Trai Byers

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TRAY BYERS The Empire Star on why he’s the happiest he’s ever been

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M Y NA K E D TRU T H ™ TAB

Dwyane Wade in our Luxury Loungewear

I we󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧 󰇧󰇧󰇧 󰇧󰇧e󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧 󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧 󰇧󰇧󰇧 󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧e󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧 The smile, the emotion you see on the court, that’s real. That’s the authentic me. Underneath it all, I want the freedom to do my own thing. To be who I want. The best me. Because you don’t ask to be a role model, it just happens.

That’s my Naked Truth™ – what’s yours? # mynakedtruth

THE FREEDOM TO BE YOU wearnaked.com

Available at

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LIFE IS BETTER WHEN YOU MOZIE

luxury bicycles delivered to your door moziebicycles.com @moziebicycles #MozieOn

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CONTENTS 11 PUBLISHER’S LETTER 12 CONTRIBUTORS 13 GUEST EDITOR 14 IT'S ME, IT'S YOU, IT'S BLEU 16 THE 5 BY 4 Thes.pi.an 18 GADGETS Now See This!

20 CAR Whip Status 22 TREND AVE New Wave 26 QUICK EATS Effective Meal Prep 30 BODY Super Size 32 GROOMING A Superior Scent 34 FUEL With a Side of Brunch 36 FUEL Five Star Hospitality: Celebrity Hotspots 42 TRAVEL Myanmar: An Eastern Escape PHOTOGRAPHY RICARDO NELSON

46 FASHION It Ain't Easy

78 FEATURE Living La Vida Lopez

52 THE CREATIVES Reality Show King(dom)

82 FASHION Bombs Away

56 PROFILE New and Improved

92 FEATURE Master Craft

66 FEATURE Hustle. Research.

Practice. Repeat!

94 SCORE Beats, Vinyl and Biggie

68 FASHION Radio Talking: Nihal Arthanayake 76 PROFILE Respect First, Fame After

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96 BLEULIST 97 ICON David Bowie: Farewell to a Legend 98 STOCKIST

Jacket and Jeans CULT OF INDIVIDUALITY Necklace and Bracelet TRITON Handkerchief J.HILBURN

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“91 /100” - W IN E E N T H U S IA S T

“COMPULSIVELY DELICIOUS” - THE POUR FOOL

“DANGEROUSLY EASY TO DRINK...

THREE OF US ALMOST FINISHED THE BOTTLE IN ONE SITTING; THAT’S HOW DELICIOUS IT WAS” - C r af t e d M a g azi n e

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CONTENTS

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One Trai At a Time From Ivy League to Hollywood, Trai Byers discusses how heartbreak got him to Yale, how he’s nothing like his character on Empire and why today he’s the happiest he’s ever been.

WORDS CHRIS LAW

PHOTOGRAPHY RICARDO NELSON

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MAGAZINE

Blazer, Pants, Shirt TED BAKER

WE FOCUS ON HIV TO HELP YOU FOCUS ON

TODAY

Ask your doctor if a medicine made by Gilead is right for you.

onepillchoices.com © 2015 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC1839 03/15

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MASTHEAD

On The Cover TRAI BYERS Words CHRIS LAW Photography RICARDO NELSON Styling RONI FRANÇOIS Styling Assistance BARBIE LAPIDO Grooming GARY DICKSON TRAI BYERS COVER SHOT: Jacket and Shirt CULT OF INDIVIDUALITY Necklace, Bracelet, Ring TRITON

TEAM BLEU

THE BLEU GROUP

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

DÉVON CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

ART & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER

JEROME BROWN ERICA VAIN

GRAPHIC DESIGN LEAD

DOMINIC BIELAK

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

MIKELLE STREET

FASHION EDITOR EUROPE FASHION EDITOR ASSOCIATE FASHION EDITOR

RONÇOIS FRANCOIS SEAN AZEEZ IDRIS GOODEN

COPY EDITOR ONLINE EDITORS

TREVOY ROSS CHRIS LAW GARY DICKSON

OFFICE COORDINATOR

JOSE MATEO

EDITORIAL TEAM RAYMOND MORA KISHON SPRINGER DORIELLE JACKSON

EDRIC ROBINSON YISREAL RICHARDSON BRIAN CAMACHO

CHAIRMAN, CEO & PRESIDENT DÉVON CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

AD SALES TODD EVANS RIVENDELL MEDIA 908.232.2021

INTEGRATED BRAND PARTNERSHIPS KIM J. FORD BRAND WHISPERER 973.580.4476 KFORD@BRAND-WHISPERER.COM

TECH SQUAD

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS GROOMING SPORTS FITNESS FOOD & DINING ALCOHOL & SPIRITS

RANDY REED ANGEL QUILES COREY ROUSE CLIFFORD HUNT II ADONIS FRANK

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

LENOX MAGEE

FASHION EDITORS-AT-LARGE

APUJE KALU ALISHA CRUTCHFIELD

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

ANDREW HORTON SABILE TEMPEST ADRIENNE JORDAN JASON BOURNE DOMINIQUE M. CARSON KENT OLDEN JUWAN WILLIAMS

RICARDO NELSON CYLE SUESZ MIKELLE STREET JAMIE MAGNIFICO ANTHONY BAUTISTA VINCENT DOLMAN DERRICK LIPSCHITZ GUILLES TOUCAS DOUG COOMBE

BOMBSHELL TEAM EBONY ALLISON GLAMO TANYKA RENEE CATAANDA J

LONDON BURNS MATIA PEEBLES CORINNE CUTTINO CHRYSTAL MILLER

AKEEM MARTIN SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR 318.458.7200 AKEEM@BLEULIFE.COM

ANTICIA WHITEHEAD ELHADJI FAYE ERIC RAZOR JR DJASSI JULIEN

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REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE RANNON HARRIS (CHICAGO - MIDWEST)

LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS THOMAS J. WILSON ESQ

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BLEU MAGAZINE 500 FASHION AVE, 17A NEW YORK, NY 10018 INFO@BLEULIFE.COM

Bleulife Media & Entertainment Inc. | 119 West 24th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10011 | E-Mail: info@bleulife.com | Online: bleulife.com Printed in USA. Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists, feature writers or other contributors are not necessarily the opinions of Bleu Magazine or its staff.

All advertisements, photographs, text or illustrations are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized to have secured proper consent for the use thereof. Bleu Magazine shall not be held responsible for any errors, loss, expense or liabilities on advertisements accepted after the deadline. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or advertisement in Bleu Magazine is not to be constructed as an indication of sexual orientation of such persons, advertiser or organization. Partial or complete reproduction of an advertisement, news article, feature or photograph from Bleu Magazine is strictly prohibited as Bleu Magazine is a registered trademark. A $25 or 1.5% (whichever is greater) fee will be charged for all NSF checks. All rights reserved.

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MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

PHOTOGRAPHY RICARDO NELSON

Let’s be honest, some people that enter into your space will have ill intentions. Be careful of those who try to align themselves on your path. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying don’t share your success and spread the love. The pay it forward model is great and usually has a positive outcome. However, pay attention to who’s receiving your energy and what they use it for.

What’s the move? Can I tell the truth?

If I was doing this for you then I have nothing left to prove, Nah this for me, though I’m just tryna stay alive and take care of my people And they don’t have no award for that Trophies, trophies And they don’t have no award for that Shit don’t come with trophies Ain’t no envelopes to open I just do it cause I’m ‘sposed to, n&!#a

We are killing it in 2016! I know you see all the dopeness. New layout and designs. Better features and wittier editorials. We, the people, of the BleuLife team are challenging ourselves to be the best at what we do. No apologies. No regrets. Just making sure we stay consistent and true to our DNA. Yes, we have haters (hi haters). But without them we wouldn’t know just how awesome we are. Why you mad?

So let’s have a round of applause for issue 41 of Bleu Magazine. Trai Byers stepped out of his character Andre, on FOX’s Empire and spent the day with contributing writer, Chris Law, discussing faith, love, work ethic and drive. We also added a few new sections. No spoiler alerts, you’ll have to check them out for yourself.

Sit back. Relax. Enjoy YOUR Bleu!

“TROPHIES” Drake DÉVON CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

FOUNDER AND GROUP PUBLISHER @DEVONISBLEU

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CONTRIBUTORS

DERRICK LIPSCHITZ

ADRIENNE JORDAN

Derrick Lipschitz is a New York City based photographer focusing on fashion editorials and commercial projects.

He utilizes his creativity and exceptional attention to detail to capture distinctive fashion-forward moments.

Derrick expresses his interest in capturing wedding photos and documenting significant moments in the lives of his clients.

Adrienne Jordan has been freelance travel and lifestyle writing since 2011.

Some outlets that she currently contributes to include BBC Travel, Travel & Leisure, American Way, and Men’s Journal. Some of the most standout experiences in her travels include gorilla trekking in Uganda, cruising the fjords of Norway, swimming in the devil’s pool in Zambia, and road tripping through South Africa. When she is not traveling, she enjoys painting, photography, and attending fashion and theatre events in her home base of New York City.

RICARDO NELSON

DOMINIQUE M. CARSON

Ricardo Nelson is a Jamaican-born photographer based in New York City. His portraits and editorial work apply the basic principles of photography to capture the human spirit. His work has been featured in OUT magazine, Schön !, Mashable, Vogue Italia, The Advocate, New York Times, Spin Magazine and GQ online. Commercial clients have included Ford Models, J-Press, Tommy Hilfiger, billyjoelshop.com and Shop.Beyonce.com

Dominique M. Carson is a freelance music writer, critic, and Brooklyn College graduate. Her work has been featured on Soultrain.com, Birthplace Magazine, Rappersoom.com and www.NYCityWatch.org. She was an honorable recipient for Blackstreetonline.com’s Black Celebration Awards’ News & Journalism category in September 2013 and is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

JAMIE MAGNIFICAO

SABLE TEMPEST

Jamie Magnificao originally from southern Vermont, Magnifico has made his home in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, where he constantly creates and develops stunning, high-end fashion photographs. He is influenced by classic beauty and creates radiant images with dynamic compositions. Each of his carefully crafted products illustrates the care and passion he puts into his creation. Using a perfectionist eye and high-end technical ability, he gives us distinguished images.

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Sable Tempest is an artistic guru who has combined the world of fashion and journalism. Holding a double BA in English/ Sociology and an Inter Arts minor from Georgetown University, Sable has produced notable articles for Vibe Vixen, Hype Hair, Live Civil, as well as enhancing independent companies through written content. As an active fashion stylist and brand manager, she has conquered worldwide audiences with notable placements of top brands.

GUEST EDITOR

BLEUMAGAZINE.COM @BLEUMAGAZINE

FA S H I O N | H E A LT H | C U LT U R E ENTERTAINMENT | ART

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IT’S ME, IT’S YOU, IT’S BLEU

OWN & Tyler Perry hosts NY press event for new season of Love Thy Neighbor and The Have and the Have Nots January 11, 2016

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OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network hosted a press luncheon at the Eventi Hotel in New York to celebrate the new seasons of their hit series The Haves and the Have Nots and Love Thy Neighbor. Show creator Tyler Perry along with cast members John Schneider, Angela Robinson, Palmer Williams, Jr and Patrice Lovely were in attendance to greet the 75+ guests and participate in a press conference-style Q&A. 1

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1. Tyler Perry 2. John Schneider 3. OWN President, Erik Logan, introduces the cast!

4. Patrice Lovely 5. Patrice Lovely, Tyler Perry, Angela Robinson 6. Angela Robinson 7. Patrice Lovely and Palmer Williams 8. J. Alexander Martin (Entrepreneur & Co-founder of FUBU) and Shannon Lanier (ARISE 360 Entertainment) 9. Group Photo From Left to Right: John Schneider, Patrice Lovely, J. Alexander Martin, Tyler Perry, Angela Robinson, Palmer Williams Photos courtesy of Oprah Winfrey Network

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IT’S ME, IT’S YOU, IT’S BLEU 1

SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2015 Orleans Arena, Las Vegas November 6, 2015 The hippest trip was led by the illest chick Erykah Badu and featured incredible performances by Jill Scott, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Fantasia, Bobby Brown, Tyrese, Jeremih, Brandy, Boyz II Men, R.Kelly, Jazmine Sullivan, V. Bozeman, Cameo, Erica Campbell and Tasha Cobbs. Jill Scott was honored with the first-ever Lady of Soul Award and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds was presented with the Legend Award.

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1. Janelle Monae 2. Cameo 3. Silentó 4. Jill Scott 5. Tevin Campbell 6. Erykah Badu 7. Jidenna 4

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8. Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds 9. R.Kelly

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THE 5 BY 4

thes·pi·an formal humorous ADJECTIVE 1. of or relating to drama and the theater. “thespian talents” NOUN 1. an actor or actress.

They make us laugh, cry, jump, and dance; these leading men command the silver screen and our attention. From legends to new kids on the block, the editors at BLEU put together our list of male actors that you should pay attention to.

The competion was steep so we broke the list down into categories. Check them all out below.

1. JACK NICHOLSON 2. DENZEL WASHINGTON 3. DANIEL DAY-LEWIS 4. SIDNEY POITIER 5. TOM HANKS

OF ALL TIME 1

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1. MATT DAMON 2. WILL SMITH 3. IDRIS ELBA 4. MICHAEL B. JORDAN 5. CHANNING TATUM

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HIT MAKERS 1

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THE 5 BY 4

1. O’SHEA JACKSON JR. 2. JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON 3. JOHN BOYEGA 4. EZRA MILLER 5. AZIZ ANSARI

NEW KIDS 1

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1. VIN DIESEL 2. DWAYNE JOHNSON 3. ROBERT DOWNEY JR. 4. TOM CRUISE 5. JASON STATHAM

ACTION 1

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THIS

SEE !

NOW

GADGETS

Virtual reality is quickly proving to be the future of technology.

Here are the devices you need to know.

WORDS RAYMOND MORA

SAMSUNG GEAR VR PRICE: $100

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MAGAZINE

The Samsung Gear VR goggles give consumers the ability to engage in an immersive 360° experience in games, movies and even apps on any Galaxy device. Running from monsters in a virtual version of Temple Run or watching your favorite Netflix show is all possible with this technology.

SAMSUNG.COM Out Now

GADGETS

OCULUS RIFT

The Oculus Rift gives consumers a high-end way of stepping into the virtual gaming world. Complete with a headset, standalone sensor, Xbox One controller and Oculus Remote, pre-order recipients can jump right into action with the complementary EVE: Valkyrie and Lucky’s Tale games provided.

PRICE: $599.00

OCULUS.COM Release date: July 2016

MICROSOFT HOLOLENS

The Microsoft Hololens brings apps and ideas to life in hologram form. As the first wireless holographic computer, consumers can interact with apps in real life, shaping holograms with gestures as well as voice commands that the device understands.

PRICE: $3000

MICROSOFT.COM Out Now

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CAR

WHIP STATUS

If you’re going to own a car in this day and age, you need to have the following features in your whip. Not only will they make your car in the superficial realm but, they could help save your life.

WORDS ANGEL L. QUILES JR

ELECTRIC SEATS

That lever/crank on the bottom of the seat that's used to adjust the seat is not the movement anymore. Electric seats can move up and down helping the consumer adjust their driving stance perfectly, and fostering maximum control of your vehicle. Moreover, these seats can heat up. Perfect for those blistering cold days that make your eyes water and make your lips as dry as chalk.

BACK UP CAMERA

Don't we all wish we had eyes in the back of our head. It would of saved us alot of slaps to the back of our heads as youngsters. Well now you can. If you buying a whip at least. Jump on the technology package for any vehicle you purchase. Back up cameras save lives.

In 2010 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released proposed rules in the Federal Register that estimated that annual fatalities occurring from backing crashes could be reduced from 207 to 112 (46% reduction) if all vehicles were equipped with rear view video technology. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety surveyed drivers and calculated that 80% of drivers agreed that the back up camera technology made them feel more safe. In 2018 back up cameras will be mandatory in all new cars and light trucks.

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MOTION SENSORS

If you live in New York don't placate yourself by not having motion sensors if you're getting a new V. Stop chewing up my bumper by trying to squeeze into a spot.

Bumper guards are ugly and they get stolen. Seriously speaking they make you aware of what's getting next to you, and that's important. Especially you're the type to fall asleep behind the wheel.

CAR

BLUETOOTH

Why the hell do you want to deal with wires? Let's get rid of the clutter, and keep the vehicle looking fresh. Make sure you got that Bluetooth action to bump your tunes. Remember if your iPhone or Galaxy isn't syncing up to your car. It's probably because you have 5 devices already linked up. Don't go crazy! Either erase one from the car itself or erase one from your phone. Moreover, if your synced up to more than five vehicles on your phones Bluetooth. You're a car THOT.

POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS

Need that! This technology is so official. I was test driving the BMW X3 with the fully loaded package when I hit a bump fast. I was suspended in the air and the mirror adjusted itself to my exact line of sight. In addition, the mirrors heat up to eliminate any fogging that may occur during those vapor filled days and night.

POWER STEERING

Lets face it not everyone behind the wheel is Jeff Gordon although we all may like to think so. Power steering helps even the most novice of drivers keep their composure and poise behind the wheel. Literally helps you stay in your lane.

Owning a fancy car is nice. It catches peoples attention and makes you feel a sense of self worth. However, if you’re getting a fancy whip but cant aord the packages that include the aforementioned accessories. Cop yourself a whip that you can include those packages in. Your life will be safer, the car will feel doper, and everyone you take as a passenger will feel a lot more comfortable.

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PHOTOGRAPHY MIKELLE STREET

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NEW WAVE LA-based designer Chris Stamp is just the latest in a gradual West Coast takeover.

WORDS MIKELLE STREET

g

Over the past three years, fashion has debated whether or not Los Angeles could viably become a fashion capital. Though its multiple fashion weeks have gone largely unacknowledged, the West Coast has hosted fashion shows from the likes of Burberry, Tom Ford and Saint Laurent after birthing pivotal men’s labels like John Elliott. Of course it’s with good reason: why not make a city known for being the seat of Hollywood into a fashion player? And while LA-based brand Stampd headed to New York for its first full presentation, the label is just the latest sign that the City of Lost Angels might deserve added attention.

Chris Stamp started his line on the back of snapbacks but what he presented in January at New York Fashion Week: Men’s was so much more than that. Stamp himself called his Fall 2016 military-inspired collection the future of menswear and while that may be a slight reach, the style is definitely on trend with the LA mode of dressing that’s almost ubiquitous on street style blogs. The turtleneck trend that was cemented in Drake’s “Hotline Bling” video appears here in a moth eaten grey sweater and utility parkas. Bomber jackets, like the sort worn by style icons Kanye West and Justin Bieber, make a reappearance done in satin with rouched arms and sometimes styled atop layered henleys. There was even a black, oversized wool coat on offer for fans who live in colder climates.

In all, the line-up was a bit of a new beginning for Stampd. The aesthetic came off clean and slightly elevated (literally so as models stood on platforms above fog in the Snarkitecture designed set). The show itself was a milestone as it was the brand’s first — though it was their eighth collection — and saw support from the likes of the CFDA, Dockers and AXE. And as for the future? According to the designer we can expect a brick and mortar location in LA as well as a women’s line.

New waves indeed.

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COURTESY OF STAMPD

QUICK EATS

EFFECTIVE MEAL PREP IS KEY TO GAINING & SUSTAINING

WORDS ANDREW HORTON

National Clinic Certified Fitness Trainer, JONATHAN COLEMAN, is heavily passionate about inspiring fitness seekers to value the benefits of proper nutrition just as much (if not more) than they enjoy their physique looking its best.

“I've witnessed clients successfully drop weight and/or gain muscle within a short amount of time, yet they didn’t sustain their new body due to poor dieting. My mission is to insight clients on how to retain results not only through exercise, yet also through proper meal consumption. The combination of both is truly the key to success.”

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WHAT EXACTLY IS MEAL PREPPING?

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

Meal prepping is the selection of ingredients/foods as part of a healthy, nutritional diet per meal each day followed by a week’s worth preparation of meals. You can only imagine just how much you’ll grow to cherish and look forward to left-overs!

Jump start your day by selecting a breakfast full of energizing ingredients. Be sure to avoid foods high in fat. People who live a fast-paced, on-the-go lifestyle, I highly recommend fruit/protein-based smoothies in addition to egg whites.

Keep it simple, yet healthy! Not only will packing a lite lunch put an ease on your daily routine & budget, it also keeps your energy levels consistent throughout the day by avoiding the common plague of mid-day post-meal fatigue. Because I am constantly running from one appointment to the next, I tend to pack lunch sandwiches on whole wheat bread, tuna salad, mixed fruit, fresh vegetables, and nuts that are high in protein (specifically almonds).

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DINNER

VITAMINS

ACHIEVED SUCCESS

The perfect dinner is comprised of the proper in-take of protein and carbs: grilled or baked meats, poultry, and fish, steamed/ broiled vegetables, and whole grains. Fish is an excellent choice for amino acids. Lima beans are high in protein. Brown rice, quinoa, or couscous are a exceptional sources of healthy carbs.

Daily vitamin supplements are an asset to your diet and to your immune system. On any given day, you can be sure to find fish oil pills and Vitamin B-6 inside both my medicine cabinet and gym bag.

The development of a consistent meal plan regimen will help you avoid relying on unhealthy last minute options such as pizza or fried foods at mealtime. Another great benefit to proactive meal planning is that it significantly reduces the amount of time spent indecisively gazing into your refrigerator, searching for your next meal. The most favored benefit of planning ahead is the amount of money you will save by avoiding multiple trips to the grocery store each week.

So, remember that one must consistently demonstrate proper eating habits in order to attain and retain a fit-body, and most importantly, a healthy lifestyle!

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TAB

New GenvoyaÂŽ is now available Actual Size

One pill contains elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF).

Ask your healthcare provider if GENVOYA is right for you.

To learn more visit GENVOYA.com

Please see Brief Summary of Patient Information with important warnings on the adjacent pages.

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Brief Summary of Patient Information about GENVOYA GENVOYA (jen-VOY-uh) (elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide) tablets Important: Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with GENVOYA. There may be new information about GENVOYA. This information is only a summary and does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment.

What is the most important information I should know about GENVOYA? GENVOYA can cause serious side effects, including: • Build-up of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis).

Lactic acidosis may happen in some people who take GENVOYA. Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Lactic acidosis can be hard to identify early, because the symptoms could seem like symptoms of other health problems.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms, which could be signs of lactic acidosis: • • • • • • •

feel very weak or tired have unusual (not normal) muscle pain have trouble breathing have stomach pain with nausea or vomiting feel cold, especially in your arms and legs feel dizzy or lightheaded have a fast or irregular heartbeat

• Severe liver problems. Severe liver problems may happen in people who take GENVOYA. In some cases, these liver problems can lead to death. Your liver may become large and you may develop fat in your liver.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms of liver problems: • your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice) • dark “tea-colored” urine • light-colored bowel movements (stools) • loss of appetite for several days or longer • nausea • stomach pain • You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking GENVOYA for a long time.

• Worsening of Hepatitis B infection. GENVOYA is not for use to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). If you have HBV infection and take GENVOYA, your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking GENVOYA. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before.

• Do not run out of GENVOYA. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare provider before your GENVOYA is all gone.

• Do not stop taking GENVOYA without first talking to your healthcare provider.

• If you stop taking GENVOYA, your healthcare provider will need to check your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check your HBV infection. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or unusual symptoms you may have after you stop taking GENVOYA.

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What is GENVOYA? GENVOYA is a prescription medicine that is used without other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older: • who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past or • to replace their current HIV-1 medicines in people who have been on the same HIV-1 medicines for at least 6 months, have an amount of HIV-1 in their blood (“viral load”) that is less than 50 copies/mL, and have never failed past HIV-1 treatment HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. GENVOYA contains the prescription medicines elvitegravir (VITEKTA®), cobicistat (TYBOST®), emtricitabine (EMTRIVA®) and tenofovir alafenamide.

It is not known if GENVOYA is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age.

When used to treat HIV-1 infection, GENVOYA may: • Reduce the amount of HIV-1 in your blood.

This is called “viral load”.

• Increase the number of CD4+ (T) cells in your blood that help fight off other infections.

Reducing the amount of HIV-1 and increasing the CD4+ (T) cells in your blood may help improve your immune system. This may reduce your risk of death or getting infections that can happen when your immune system is weak (opportunistic infections).

GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. You must stay on continuous HIV-1 therapy to control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIVrelated illnesses.

Avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 infection to others: • Do not share or re-use needles or other injection equipment.

• Do not share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades.

• Do not have any kind of sex without protection. Always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.

Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to other people.

Who should not take GENVOYA? Do not take GENVOYA if you also take a medicine that contains: • alfuzosin hydrochloride (Uroxatral®) • carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, Tegretol-XR®, Teril®) • cisapride (Propulsid®, Propulsid Quicksolv®) • ergot-containing medicines, including: dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot®, Migergot®, Ergostat®, Medihaler Ergotamine®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), and methylergonovine maleate (Ergotrate®, Methergine®) • lovastatin (Advicor®, Altoprev®, Mevacor®) • midazolam, when taken by mouth • phenobarbital (Luminal®) • phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®) • pimozide (Orap®) • rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater®, Rimactane®) • sildenafil (Revatio®), when used for treating lung problems • simvastatin (Simcor®, Vytorin®, Zocor®) • triazolam (Halcion®) • the herb St. John’s wort or a product that contains St. John’s wort

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking GENVOYA? Before taking GENVOYA, tell your healthcare provider if you: • have liver problems including hepatitis B infection • have kidney or bone problems • have any other medical conditions • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if GENVOYA can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking GENVOYA. Pregnancy registry: there is a pregnancy registry for women who take HIV-1 medicines during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry.

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take GENVOYA. – You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.

– At least one of the medicines in GENVOYA can pass to your baby in your breast milk. It is not known if the other medicines in GENVOYA can pass into your breast milk.

– Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how GENVOYA works.

Some medicines may interact with GENVOYA. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

• You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with GENVOYA. • Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take GENVOYA with other medicines.

How should I take GENVOYA?

• Take GENVOYA exactly as your healthcare provider tells • • • • • • •

you to take it. GENVOYA is taken by itself (not with other HIV-1 medicines) to treat HIV-1 infection.

GENVOYA is usually taken 1 time each day.

Take GENVOYA with food.

If you need to take a medicine for indigestion (antacid) that contains aluminum and magnesium hydroxide or calcium carbonate during treatment with GENVOYA, take it at least 2 hours before or after you take GENVOYA. Do not change your dose or stop taking GENVOYA without first talking with your healthcare provider. Stay under a healthcare provider’s care when taking GENVOYA. Do not miss a dose of GENVOYA. If you take too much GENVOYA, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

When your GENVOYA supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to GENVOYA and become harder to treat.

What are the possible side effects of GENVOYA? GENVOYA may cause serious side effects, including: • See “What is the most important information I should know about GENVOYA?” • Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medicine. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the middle of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The exact cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known.

• Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines.

Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having any new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before you start and while you are taking GENVOYA. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking GENVOYA if you develop new or worse kidney problems.

• Bone problems can happen in some people who take GENVOYA. Bone problems may include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bones.

The most common side effect of GENVOYA is nausea.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

• These are not all the possible side effects of GENVOYA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

General information about the safe and effective use of GENVOYA. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use GENVOYA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give GENVOYA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This Brief Summary summarizes the most important information about GENVOYA. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about GENVOYA that is written for health professionals.

For more information, call 1-800-445-3235 or go to www.GENVOYA.com.

Keep GENVOYA and all medicines out of reach of children.

Issued: November 2015

EMTRIVA, GENVOYA, the GENVOYA Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, TYBOST, and VITEKTA are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2015 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. GENC0005 11/15

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BODY

SUPER SIZE WORDS RAYMOND MORA PHOTOS COREY ROUSE

Born in Jamaica Queens, New York personal trainer COREY ROUSE has been in the fitness industry for seven years. Working at FIT Factory, he focuses on functional movement, athletic development and circuit training with his clients. When it comes to the chest, there are about three muscle groups within the area: the deltoids, pectoralis major and pectoralis minor. People talk about developing the Superman type of chest, but don’t know what it takes to achieve it.

Here are three exercises that pump up the three muscle groups of the chest.

Push Ups “Push ups [are] a way to master the body weight,” Rouse says of the tried and true workout. Mastering this stand by will prove as a baseline for piling on the weight plates at the gym. “That’s your foundation. You essentially set your foundation before you can even go in to the realm of weight bearing exercises.”

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MUSCLES WORKED Pectoralis Major Deltoids

BODY

Parallel Dips “I prefer body weight over any kind of extra weight, just because of protection of your bones,” Rouse says, pointing to form as a vital component once you switch over to exercises using external weights. “I fully engage in dips more than I do with any weight bearing exercises.”

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MUSCLES WORKED Pectoralis Major Pectoralis Minor Deltoids

“When you get on the bench and you start doing a bench press, you are normally effecting your biceps and your pectoralis major,” says Rouse. To make the work out target your pectoralis minor, adjust the bench so that you are doing the work out on an incline. The added bonus? The movement pulls in other uncle groups as well. “From the shoulders all the way to your chest, it’s also affecting the arms as well.”

Bench Press

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MUSCLES WORKED Pectoralis Major Pectoralis Minor Deltoids

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GROOMING

WORDS MIKELLE STREET

Jamie Fox. David Bowie. Jay Z. Diddy. Besides celebrity status, it would seem that those names have little in common. Until you get a whiff of their chosen scents.

Fragrance is an intimately personal attribute which is why, to hear that all of the aforementioned celebrities, in addition to the likes of 50 Cent, Hugh Grant and Usher, amongst others, all turn to one company for theirs is astounding. Enter Creed fragrances, a niche, family run business headquartered in Paris France, that’s

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been operating in the world’s most influential circles since 1760.

While it would be naive to call Creed “unheard of,” the company is by no means a household name like the luxury houses of Chanel and Dior. And with good reason: the prices for bottles of the brand’s oud and vetiver start at $185 and go up to $1,025.

That means, this isn’t some convenience store fare. Those numbers quickly weed out anyone with a passing fancy and target the company’s 20+ men’s fragrances directly at connoisseurs.

GROOMING

Amongst the haul, Diddy and George Clooney prefers the brand’s Green Irish Tweed while David Bowie and Jamie Foxx opt for the Silver Mountain Water for it’s clean, fresh smell. Irish Tweed is the brand’s best seller and has also found favor with the likes of Cary Grant, Richard Gere and Prince Charles. For David Beckham, the brand’s bold patchouli, black currant and red apple laced Aventus scent is key.

But what is it that keeps everyone coming back from Humphrey Bogart to Justin Timberlake? The quality. The company is the world’s only privately held luxury fragrance company that’s been passed from father to son. So far, it’s

gone through six generation of Creed’s, serving more than 10 royal houses.

For Creed the entire process is by hand. From the family themselves traveling throughout the world in search of new notes to incorporate into new releases to the hand production of the ouds themselves, nothing is left to chance. In fact, the company believes in their work so much that they refuse to advertise, trusting that their fans will do all the work for them.

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FUEL

With a Side of Brunch WORDS CLIFF HUNT

T

o know that things as simple as breakfast and lunch are being pushed together into one collaborative event that now becomes an actual verb is amazing.

You know what I’m talking about; at least I hope you do. I’m talking about that mix of crisp toast, mimosas, and fried eggs, with grilled chicken and maybe a quick spinach salad. I’m talking about nothing other than B R U N C H! Brunch has completely changed from something that, when I was a kid, was a seldom experienced event that combined breakfast and lunch fare on one menu. Images of people eating fancy tuna melts with a side of home fries or grits with fish are vividly engrained in my memory. But now, the experience has completely become a part of entertainment in its own right – especially if you live in places like New York City, Los Angeles, DC, Chicago, and Atlanta.

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In today’s brunch scene, alcohol is key. If the mimosas aren’t flowing like the Nile River then there is no need for one to want to attend that particular brunch. I get it. Who doesn’t like a fun social type of event centered on food? Unfortunately, food has lost its major spotlight in the brunch scene due to the additions of heavy flowing mimosas, crazy funky beats from DJ’s, or going to spots that are the places to be seen by one-and-all. Not to say there’s anything wrong with that, but let’s not forget that brunch is a meal and there’s no sense of getting toasted on the orange fizzy ‘drank’ if your toast is limp and eggs are cold.

Make sure wherever you go or however you entertain for the brunch scene, that you keep it 100 when it comes to the nourishment needed for a long day of socializing, partying, or just straight up kicking back mid-day.

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Few Quick Tips From

Culinary Cliff Here are just a few things to look into when brunching with whomever and wherever.

TIP

1

Don’t just go for the mimosas. Try a bellini, screw driver, or even other fun cocktails. Some places, especially if Spanish or Mexican, provide items like sangria or margaritas. No need to stay mundane with the Tropicana and Korbel in the glass.

You can’t go wrong with those fun dishes like Heuvos Rancheros, Chicken and Waffles, Shrimp and Grits, or a classic Eggs Benedict. Mind you – these are normal plates but every place has their own twists on these very popular items.

TIP

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Lastly, don’t just go for the toast. See if they have biscuits, rolls, croissants, or other types of doughy goodness to fill you up and also soak up the liquor later on.

Cliff Hunt, an alumnus of Morehouse College and a culinary graduate of the International Culinary Center in New York City, is steadily balancing his full-time corporate endeavors while diligently working to one day add value to the face of the food scene not only in New York but globally. You can find Cliff interning in kitchens across the city, educating, hosting his own pop-up shops, catering for new clients willing to experience his culinary creations, or hosting alongside fellow chefs at the Gentlemen’s Kitchen showcases.

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Five Star Hospitality: Celebrity Hotspots f

WORDS ADONIS FRANK

From the big screen to the recording studio, many A-list celebrities are making the crossover into the bar and restaurant world. It may only be right, I mean these celebs know how to entertain and be entertained, which pretty much makes these stars the ideal owners for several of today’s hottest and most popular drinking and dining establishments. While many of these celebs have made a name for them in the hospitality industry, do they have what it takes to pull off a five star experience?

Finely crafted cocktails? Live music? Decadent desserts? What makes for a great restaurant? In the case of Jay Z, Justin Timberlake and Lisa Vanderpump, it takes all of that and a little more.

RESTAURANT: 40/40 CLUB OPENED: JUNE 18TH, 2013 LOCATIONS: NEW YORK CITY, BROOKLYN, LAS VEGAS, & ATLANTIC CITY The 40/40 is a host to many lavish & high profile events. Home to many A listers such as Diddy, Beyoncé, and Rick Ross with an appealing aesthetic and décor surrounding the area with sports memorabilia and golden bottles of Ace of Spades champagne, there is a distinct level of opulence at the 40/40. While the décor and celebrity list may keep the lines wrapped around the block and patrons spending quite a penny on bottle service, the skilled and attractive bartenders keeps the guests wanting more!

Maintaining a popular position in the nightlife scene, the 40/40 club lives up to all of the positive reviews. With only one location closed to the public (Las Vegas) the 40/40 is here to stay for a very long time.

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PHOTOGRAPHY FREDERICK M. BROWN/GETTY IMAGES

f CELEB: JAY-Z

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FUEL

CELEB: JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE RESTAURANT: SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY OPENED: JULY 18TH, 2007 LOCATIONS: NYC – HELLS KITCHEN & UPPER EAST SIDE Hometown flavor is the name of the game, as R&B crooner Justin Timberlake represents his home town of Memphis, Tennessee in the exquisitely executed pub. Think of it as a taste of Memphis in the Big Apple, with a charming menu that will light your taste buds on fire and a plethora of colorful cocktails that keep you guessing. Southern Hospitality hosts many viewing parties, celebrity diners along with guest bartenders and celebrity chefs. You will definitely get a great taste of Memphis after exploring this well-known restaurant. Pat on the back for Justin as the overall experience does not fail to impress.

f CELEB: LISA VANDERPUMP RESTAURANT: SUR LOUNGE OPENED: REOPENED 2004 LOCATIONS: LOS ANGELES Lisa Vanderpump, successful reality star & entrepreneur is known for her lavish lifestyle and marriage to Ken Todd as displayed on the popular Network television show, Bravo’s Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Lisa spawned an amazing space where the atmosphere, menu and staff leaves you in awe and speechless.

Sur Restaurant exemplifies a high level of sexy with many touches of charm & class in the right places. Cocktails finely crafted and executed with the proprietors very own brand alcohol as well as many other high profile and popular brands, Sur serves up the right amount of elegance and sexy. The level of popularity skyrocketed with the success of the restaurants highly acclaimed television show Vanderpump Rules. Sur is definitely a must on anyone’s dining experience list.

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TRAVEL

Myanmar: An Eastern Escape With a fledgling tourism industry, the largely undiscovered country of Myanmar is bursting with stunning landscapes, warmhearted people and preserved cultural heritage. I explore the destination’s pagodas, palaces and its flourishing food scene.

WORDS ADRIENNE JORDAN PHOTOS TRAFALGAR GUIDED VACATIONS

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RAVELERS TO MYANMAR MAY FEEL SOME

trepidation – and with good reason. With decades of military rule and armed conflict between ethnic groups marring the peace, the country was all but closed to travellers until 2011.

But it is a country on the brink of change, particularly if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi succeeds in leading the country to democracy – and as a destination, it has so much to offer. The Myanmar people are perhaps the most welcoming in the world. They are a mixture of backgrounds, from Chinese to Indian, a result of constant emigration over many years. For the adventurer, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and seeing the one-leg fisherman rowers. Perhaps the most intriguing – and surprising – part of the Burmese culture, however, is the food scene with its local, rustic flair that varies from region to region.

I am experiencing Myanmar on a tour with Trafalgar (E Katella Ave, 801 92805, USA +1 866-513-1995 www. trafalgar.com). The seven-day expedition guided by a

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personalized travel director allows LGBT customers to feel safe and welcome, as well as aware of the customs of the country. The Secrets of Myanmar trip offered

by Trafalgar provides an intimate group of 26 people where you can travel with people from all over the world. Being a local Burmese guide who has seen the country at its best and troubled, my travel guide, Nyein Moe, offers a personal look into the life of Myanmar in an upbeat, informative, and often humorous touch.

The first stop is Yangon, the capital of Myanmar. To do as the locals do, I rise early for a morning jog on the long wooden bridge that spans the length of the Kandawgyi Lake. I am greeted by the cheerful faces of the locals exercising before their workday, and the beauty of the man-made lake, which sprouts lily pads and water flowers throughout. An early start ensures a spectacular view of the orange sunrise over the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda from across the lake. After my run, I embark on a walking tour of Yangon, which offers an

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intriguing look at the colonial heart of the city and takes in various sights including the City Hall, the former Immigration Department, the High Court, and the vintage-looking General Post Office. Strand Road is home to the stately building that housed the former New Law Courts, and after an hour-long walk, a coffee break is most welcome. I pause for a while at the Strand Hotel’s British-themed lobby bar, built in 1901.

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MAY BE OPTING FOR A COFFEE TODAY, BUT IT IS

impossible to go a day in Myanmar without an introduction to the nation’s widespread tea culture. Tea consumption is a Burmese way of life, where instead of bars, teahouses serve as the social gathering place for Myanmar people. “People from different walks of life meet at teahouses,” says Moe. “There is loud music and noisy conversation about business, the love of sports and the heyday of Mandalay.”

I pay a visit to one of the newest teahouses in Yangon, the Rangoon Tea House (Pansodan St, 77-79; +95 9 979 078681; www.facebook.com/rangoonteahouse), which is outfitted in a chic, modern décor with floor-to-ceiling windows. The teashop serves green and black tea, the style most commonly served in Myanmar. There are no condi-

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TRAVEL

ments on the table, as the local way is to take the tea plain with no additives. The exception would be la phet yay, a popular brewed black tea from the highlands of Shan state traditionally served with sweet condensed milk. Yay nway chan, weak green or black tea, called “Chinese tea”, is comprised of free leaves and twigs thrown into hot water, and is usually provided free of charge.

On day three, we head to Bagan, where I am able to explore a few of the city’s 2,200 pagodas and temples. Unlike the bustling city of Yangon, Bagan is a destination where the locals have more of an agricultural lifestyle spread across several villages. Modes of preferred transportation include small cars and biking. At the golden Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century, I take in the 13th-century frescoes adorning the corridors and walls of the Gubyaukgyi “Cave” Temple.

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HE HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP HAD TO BE MY ex-

perience on Inle Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar, which sits some 1,000 meters above sea level. The lake hosts clusters of peculiar floating homes that run the gamut of bold, rainbow-color schemes on the exteriors, and I spent a great deal of time watching, fascinated, as the Intha fisherman expertly maneuvered their 10 foot wooden, canoe-like boats with one leg. The non-English speaking fisherman are seen in a distance using ingenious conical bamboo nets to catch fish like ngape, tilapia, and Inle carp. I learn that this practice has survived for hundreds of generations because of its distinct advantages. The upright position allows the fisherman to see across the lake to spot dense hyacinth weeds scattered just below the surface of the lake where fish can be hiding. They are also keeping close watch on bursts of bubbles created by shoals of fish. During the tour, we pass floating gardens of tomatoes and other produce made by

piling weeds and compost on long poles fixed to the lake floor.

STAY KANDAWGYI PALACE HOTEL +95 1 249 255 www.kandawygipalace-hotel.com THE STRAND HOTEL +95 1 243 377 www.hotelthestrand.com

Along with surprising gourmet fare, another largely unknown discovery in Myanmar is the country’s two relatively new wine estates. As there is not enough wine production for export, tourists must visit the country itself to buy and sample Myanmar wines. Both estates are located 30 minutes from Inle Lake. I visited the Aythaya wine estate (Aythaya – Taunggyi, Southern Shan States, +95 (0) 952 12 830; www.myanmar-vineyard.com), which started in 1999 (the other winery, Red Mountain opened in 2002). The wine tasting at Aythaya is conducted in the Sunset Wine Garden restaurant, where the spectacular sunset over the vineyards and valley creates an otherworldly panorama. The restaurant also serves a combination of western and Myanmar food, like fish in banana leaves and mutton balls with brussel sprouts.

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ITH NEIGHBORING THAILAND TO VIETNAM, THE

region may be flush with highly lauded Southeast Asian gastronomy but from the wine to the delectable gourmet offerings, Myanmar’s cuisine – along with its political progress – makes it a country to watch. I leave Myanmar a transformed foodie. B

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' IT AIN T EASY WORDS JASON BOURNE PHOTOGRAPHER JAMIE MAGNIFICO FASHION STYLIST IDRIS GOODEN

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BROOKLYN-BRED RAPPER T.R.I.N.I. IS ARTICULATE

by design, candid by impression and ambitious by nature. His climb up the ranks of indie artists has been marked with ups and downs after migrating to the United States. But, never one to be discouraged, the Trinidad-native has taken his lumps and turned them into building blocks, establishing the platform of how MAD Music imprint.

The son of a DJ, T.R.I.N.I is a former battle rapper but has set his sights on being a recording artists known for captivating fans with intriguing wordplay. Influenced by legendary acts like Jay Z and Cassius, his goal is to etch his name into the history books one bar at a time.

We sat down with the MC to talk about his love for his art, what his name means and why he transitioned from being a battle rapper to being a recording artist.

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BLEU MAGAZINE: Your stage name and how it breaks down is kind of creative. Let the people in on the significance behind T.R.I.N.I. T.R.I.N.I : Simply an acronym for The Reason I’m Nice Is. My name is a play on my realization of what defines what is dope.

I want it to challenge people to evaluate their terms. Everyone has the potential to be great, and for me I think it is important to spark the conversation of criteria, all the while encouraging others to express theirs very boldly. I’m also Trinidadian so it works well for me.

You have been putting the footwork in for a number of years climbing the indie ranks in NYC, how would you describe some of your experience and where your brand is now ?

These past years have been a journey for me with a lot of ups and downs. From doing countless shows across the Tri-State, as well as being on the road in Pennsylvania, Florida and California laying the groundwork to make sure that a buzz was created. Ultimately we want to hit the nail on the head from coast to coast. I recognize that I am still in the process of building the brand, all the while learning new things daily about my craft. I would say some influencers would be Lil Wayne, Jay Z, and Future sonically.

You are a native of Trinidad correct, but you currently call Brooklyn your home. My assumption is that the Caribbean sound has been very influential on your musicianship; How did hip hop creep into the fold?

Hip hop became life when I first came to the U.S.A. My mom was a DJ at the time and her set up was in the basement where I stayed. She would practice some

Hat and Jeans CULT OF INIDVIDUALITY Shirt DR.MARTENS Jacket KITH

FASHION

mixes then leave . One day she played an instrumental of a Hov record, - something I ain’t ever heard before - I told her to leave it on. She did then left it on loop, I sat down and wrote some lyrics to it. From that point forward it was a wrap; there was nothing else I wanted to do more than create music.

What are your earliest memories of being intrigued by the genre?

I remember when I sat down and was scrolling YouTube and found one of Cassidy’s legendary freestyles. I was bugging out by the fact that someone can actually think of things to say like that so rapidly. It had me puzzled for a minute. I made a note to myself that I have to be like that or better. Also I remember a cypher I had some years ago in Times Square. It lasted about 5 hours, on the corner rapping with 6 artist that were incredibly dope. I felt at the top of my game that night and would never forget that.

That is essentially where it all started for you correct, in the battle rap sector; How has the transition been to actually becoming a recording artist?

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Battle rapping was definitely my favorite thing to do. I transitioned into recording music when my best friend at the time got deported back to his country. We started battle rapping in high school together and made a name for ourselves. Once he got locked up I promised I’d make it in the music industry as a point of homage. I stopped battle rapping and started focusing more on being in the studio. With time I developed my craft and honed my skills. Now I just try to make dope music for the people.

Still get the temptation to battle here and there?

Man, always. I still watch battles on YouTube as I try to keep up. I would crush a lot of battle rap cats still.

achieving my goals. I just gotta have a solid foundation,’ which to me is a label. I had a lot of people try to lead me in multiple directions, thinking they knew what was best for me as an artist. Needless to say they were wrong. With this digital age it’s so easy to get out there; you just gotta really invest In yourself and put in that work.

How has it been juggling both?

It’s been a task but a learning process too. I learn a lot everyday about the business of this music industry. I do a lot of networking as well; with that and being an artist, the struggle I would say is having the time to create music. For now it’s a task, I must say.

But you must have a great work ethic. I work hard so I think I’m good in that department. B

You started your own label about the same time that you jumped in to dropping projects; where did the entrepreneurial spirit come from?

Once I realized that indie was the best way to go I said to myself ‘Ain’t nothing gonna stop me from

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THE CREATIVES

Y T I L A E R SHOW ) M O D ( G N I K WORDS EDRIC ROBINSON

Housewives and Hollywood Divas executive producer Carlos King rules his sets with an iron fist but takes time to get to know the talent.

At age 14, Detroit native Carlos King had no foresight that the hours he spent watching episodes of The Real World on MTV would serve as a premonition into his future career in producing hit reality television, some 20 years later.

With credits on shows like the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Hollywood Divas and Love and Hip Hop, King has positioned himself as one of the go-to men for reality tv production. Despite growing up in the Motor City with his nine siblings, he knew early on that working in the automobile industry was never going to be his life.

“I’ve always loved television” King says. “I thought to myself; I would graduate high school, go to college and major in journalism. I was either going to have my own magazine or I was going to be Barbara Walters.”

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HOLLYWOOD DIVA’S

R&B DIVA’S

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After Moving To Nyc

black kids everywhere that you don’t always have to be in front of the camera. There’s a career behind the scenes where you can make a shit load of money and be creative and happy,” King shares.

in 2002, he enrolled at hunter college, majored in journalism and managed to get internships at Def Jam, ABC’s The View and BET. “I always felt a connection to NYC. So I moved there and that’s when everything made sense to me.” King went from landing his fist job at the Gap to settling into a fulltime role at BET Style.

This is where he was approached by a mentor about a then new reality show in Atlanta. “The Hills was the biggest reality show in the world back then and I was obsessed with it. My mentor knew this and approached me with an opportunity to move to Atlanta and work on The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” King said.

It was a risk but the beginning of a wonderful and lucrative career. On that first season, King served as an associate producer working with co-stars Nene Leakes and DeShawn Snow. “Back then Nene who I became very close with and we’re still close today, used to call me her water boy,” King laughs. “I was their assistant but my job was to support the producer above me. So everything from taking notes, to talking to the talent to get insight.”

I honestly think reality tv is a mirror reflecting experiences and these women and men who decide to do reality tv are brave enough to show you the mistakes they make, their insecurities, their flaws.

According to King, he had finally found his niche. He continued to progress in roles on the Housewives and eventually landed the executive producer position. “I truly felt like, ‘Ok God I’ve found my purpose,’” King reveals. “Reality is my thing. Everything came full circle for me when my first full executive producer credit was on Nene’s wedding special. Then I was the executive producer of Atlanta Housewives season 6, which broke records across demographics for every show on Bravo.”

According to Nielsen, season six of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” was the highest-rated season of the “The Real Housewives” franchise among all key demos, averaging over 3.8 million total viewers.

Naturally with its growing popularity and praise, reality television has its share of criticism. Some find the programming a heightened sense of reality that often seems scripted and exploits groups. King disagrees with the nay sayers. “I honestly think reality TV is a mirror reflecting experiences and these women and men who decide to do reality Tv are brave enough to show you the mistakes they make, their insecurities, their flaws.

It’s not always pretty but hey it’s real and we watch it to understand a person in a particular situation and if its trash to you then don’t watch it,” King says. “I’m not ignorant enough to say that all reality shows are real.

I can watch a show and say that’s not really happening - that’s the imagination of the producer. So yes those shows exist. But I don’t produce those shows. The ones I do are absolutely real, we don’t craft anyone’s story.

I’m not gifted like Shonda Rhimes where I’m scripting someone’s life.”

“

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THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA

At age 36, King says he’s enjoying life, loves what he does and strategically balances ruling with an iron first at work and sustaining quality relationships with family and friends. Reality television has afforded him the opportunity to work with and employ many black personalities, producers, audio persons and cameramen. He takes pride in this work. “What I know for sure is that God is real. Everything that has ever happened to me, good, bad or whatever, he has shown himself though the art of my experience. As I grow as a person and as a professional, I know that everything happens for a reason and it’s not something you can control. I’m a vessel that God has used to show the world the good, the bad, and the ugly,” King says.

With season three of Hollywood Divas in production and a new show, The Next 15, set to air on TV One this February, King is continuing to create and produce reality television. “Everybody who is on reality tv just wants to be heard. To tell their story, wanting you to know who they are. It’s that simple,”

This avalanche of success was the catalyst that led to the founding of his production company Kingdom Reign Entertainment, in 2013. Under his company, he has produced Hollywood Divas for TV One and specials for MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 featuring Reginae Carter and Lil Wayne. “My career and position has allowed me to give women a voice and a platform that they wouldn’t ordinarily have. It’s an opportunity to tell their story and get paid for it. It’s also showing the urban audience and

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PROFILE

NEW AND IMPROVED

After some time off, R&B singer Tweet is back in the studio and ready for her new chapter.

WORDS DOMINIQUE M. CARSON

OOPS

(Oh My) were the exact words we used when R&B singer, Charlene Keys first appeared on the music scene in 2002. Keys, better known to her fans as Tweet, was a pretty, brown skinned female with an incredible voice. It seemed that the sultry concoction of Tweet’s writing along with Missy Elliot’s and production by Timbaland to make a huge breakout hit for the singer. The song went on to receive massive airplay on the radio in the United States and overseas.

Soon after, other chart-topping singles hit the airwaves:“Call Me,” “Smoking Cigarettes,” and “Turn Da Lights Off.” Features on tracks from the likes of Missy, Ja Rule, and Bubba Sparxx continued to add to the discography of this rising star.

Even outside of the radio, Keys guest starred, as herself, on the comedy sitcom The Parkers and in the film, Honey alongside Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer, and Percy “Romeo” Miller.

But Tweet’s career took a back seat when Sylvia Rhone, CEO of Tweet’s label Elektra Records left the company in the wake of a merger with Atlantic Records to become the president of Motown. Now signed with Atlantic Records, Tweet’s new label didn’t understand her artistry quality as a singer.

To make matters worse, Tweet’s personal life started to unravel as well . At the time, her relationship was on the rocks and it left her feeling despondent.

It was a disheartening time for Tweet and her dependency on alcohol and cigarettes grew. Tweet was spiraling out of control and she was looking for way out from all of the darkness she encountered in her life.

The artist took matter into her own hands. She re-evaluated her relationship with God after listening to “Make Me Over,” a popular song from the gospel group Tonex. After doing some soul-searching, Tweet preserved and regained her love and fascination for music. She re-recognized her ongoing 56

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"Trust your instincts and listen to your spirit. All of us have levels of discernment from God, therefore; it is important for you to make changes in your life if you’re unhappy about your current situation or state.” purpose and mission as an entertainer.

Fourteen years later since her debut, Tweet fans still recognize and appreciate her voice because of it’s ever present passion. Tweet hasn’t lost her touch. For some, it was a sense of relief when she announced her return to the music industry and that she was putting the final touches on her new album, Charlene and it’s lead single “Won’t Hurt Me.” Tweet took time out her busy schedule to converse with Bleu Magazine about her new album, overcoming personal and professional hardships, future television appearances, and more.

To understand it all, Bleu sat down with the musician to talk about the new album, overcoming personal and professional hardships as well as what’s in the future for her work. Tweet is back and better than ever.

Bleu Magazine: Let’s talk about your new single, “Won’t Hurt Me.” TWEET: The song was produced by John “Jubu” Smith and it was based on my personal life experience. Every male and female can relate to this situation. We all have that one male or female that’s in the friendzone but would like to be in a relationship with you; that was the concept for this song. I told

PROFILE

one of my male friends I only see him as a friend and didn’t want anything more with him. I was not changing my mind and it was a difficult thing for him to understand at the time. He was not pleased and he started doing little things to make me jealous or upset and I’m like I don’t care what you do. It doesn’t affect me; it’s not hurting me at all.

What makes the new Charlene album different from the other projects you’ve released in the past?

I have matured and grown as an artist and person. I am not afraid to stand out on my own. When I started in the business, I was not a solo artist. I was in a group called Sugah and Missy was the one who pushed me and told me to go solo. Without the push, I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career.

singing “Make Me Over,” and that’s what I asked God to do in my life. I was asking Him to make me whole because I was tired of being unhappy and depressed.

My best piece of advice I would tell someone about the business is to take a look around you and pay attention to the signs. Trust your instincts and listen to your spirit. All of us have levels of discernment from God. Therefore it is important for you to make

dad gave me that nickname. So, when it was time for me to come up with a name as an artist, I didn’t know what to call myself. I told myself let me stick with what I know and that’s how I came up with the name Tweet.

What was it like working with Missy again?

It was great working with Missy again. It was back and forth for a bit as far as making a record with each other, but, we managed to get back in the studio.

We worked on a song called, “Somebody Else Will.”

Missy and I vibe in the studio. It’s cool because she knows what I like and don’t like as far as music is concerned. Missy and I go back since the early 90’s; we’ve known each other for a long time. Everything just comes together and alive when we work together.

When I recorded this album, it’s letting my fans that I’m still the same Tweet musically but I’m all grown up.

I don’t care about people’s opinions anymore and I just have more creative freedom on this album. I still have the same vibe but my fans will know I’m presenting my life through my music. And my fans will know and understand why the greats like Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin influenced me as an artist. I had to go back to the basics on this album; I started from the beginning so it has a throwback touch as well.

What’s your favorite song on the new album?

I don’t have a favorite; it’s like asking a mother her favorite child. All of the songs on the album are my testimony to overcoming hard times. I just want people to be inspired when they hear this record but also listen to soulful music at the same time.

Why did you decide to sign a recording contract with Entertainment One Music?

It was important for me to work with a label that respects my talent and style as an artist. It was a great decision for me, absolutely. Phil Thornton, who is the Vice President of eOne Music saw me perform at the Essence Music Festival and [told] me he was a fan of my music. He wanted to know what I was doing musically and expressed how much he wanted me to be a part of the team. Phil was like ‘We want Tweet’ and really enjoyed what I do. Phil and the label really support me; I was ready to start a new chapter and eOne is in that chapter. I’m just so blessed to work with them and they have been a blessing

“Missy and I vibe in the studio. It’s cool because she knows what I like and don’t like as far as music is concerned.”

You mentioned how and why the song, “Make Me Over,” from Tonex changed your outlook on life but, when did you realize it was time for you to get back on track?

Once Sylvia [Rhone] left Elektra and merged with Atlantic Records, my career went left. They didn’t fully understand who I was as an artist. It was a lot going out at the time and I was not getting the support I needed from the label. I just wanted to get away from the business because I was not happy. I’ve been in the business since the 90’s and I suffered a lot. I’ve been through alot in this business and that’s how I started drinking more and smoking three packs of cigarettes a day. I was at the lowest point in my life.

I saw Tonex’s performance on BET and they were

changes in your life if you’re unhappy about your current situation or state. If you don’t, it will start to affect mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and that’s when God has to whip you back into shape.

God will break you when he needs to and you don’t have a choice but to go up.

in my life.

Are we expecting any future television appearances?

I would love to but my thing is I would have to find the right role that fits well with my personality. I want to do it right; I would have to get an acting coach and take some acting classes. But, I would love to do a remake of Lady Sings the Blues. I just never wanted to be one of those singers who didn’t take the time to study acting; it’s an art. I would really have to do it right; it’s like a football player trying to sing without the proper training. It doesn’t look good at all. B

How did you come up with your stage name, Tweet?

It was my nickname when I was a little girl. My

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COVER STORY

One FROM IVY LEAGUE TO HOLLYWOOD, TRAI BYERS DISCUSSES HOW HEARTBREAK GOT HIM TO YALE,

Trai HOW HE’S NOTHING LIKE HIS CHARACTER ON EMPIRE AND WHY TODAY HE’S THE HAPPIEST HE’S EVER BEEN.

at a WORDS CHRIS LAW PHOTOGRAPHY RICARDO NELSON FASHION STYLIST RONI FRANÇOIS FASHION ASSISTANT BARRIE LAPIDO GROOMING GARY DICKSON

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IT WAS AN UNSEASONABLY WARM DAY IN

December when I first met Trai Byers. Much to my surprise, he arrived on time (read: ten minutes early) and without an entourage wearing a slim-fit knit shirt, jeans and silver-toned sunglasses.

We come to the seating area and I ask him if he has a preference.

“Oh I don’t care man, I’m from Kansas City man, I’d sit on the floor,” he offers.

Trai’s humility is impressive. He’s gracious and honest. He shares his day plans with me as if we’re homies. Beyond shooting our cover today, he and his fiancée co-star Grace Geasley (who he describes as a woman of God, integrity and beauty) to check out his former co-star Jennifer Hudson in the Broadway production of Color Purple and fellow thespian Leslie Odom in the hit Hamiliton.

In a world full of shortcuts and social media, Trai’s journey to success was a little more traditional. After years of schooling and extra work in films like Remember The Titans and Boycott, he scored some important roles on the TV show 90210 and in the movie Selma before landing the role of Andre in Empire.

Despite a significant drop in ratings from season 1, Empire still rules Wednesday night with over 11 million viewers. Such an amount of success could leave him with a big head and an even bigger ego.

Thankfully, that’s not his style.

As our talk continues, conversation about where he’s from prompts him to ask me where I’m from. I tell him that I’m from outside of Hartford, Connecticut in a town called Bloomfield.

“It’s a small town,” I explain. “The only person famous from there is…”

“You” Trai offers.

“I don’t go into any medium thinking I want to fulfill the needs of the medium; I want fulfill the needs of the character and hopefully that helps me to stand out as a truthteller versus just an actor with a job.”

Humble and humorous. We sat down with Trai to find out all about his journey, his thoughts on Empire this season and the hard journey of playing Andre.

BLEU: When did you know that acting was what you wanted to do?

TRAI: I’m told that as a kid at vacation bible camp, [the church] asked me what I wanted to be and I said a movie star. The first performance I remember seeing and thinking “Wow, this is somebody who is actually doing this for living. I’m not watching this in real life,” was Denzel Washington in Malcolm X. That stuff hits — it hits you hard — and it stayed with me.

What made you chose Yale versus other schools?

First of all, I went to school for 10 years. I have to say that because education is important and for everybody reading, I want him or her to know how important I take it. I was at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in LA and the girl I was dating at the time was auditioning for Juilliard and man she did me wrong, she did me wrong, she did me WRONG! Yikes I’m not this type of person, but to prove myself to myself as a man I said if she’s going to audition for Juilliard, I’m going to audition for Yale. I didn’t audition for any other place, it was all or nothing and it was the easiest audition I’ve ever done.

Do you remember what you auditioned with?

A scene from Othello and a scene from Distant Fires by Kevin Heelan. I wanted to do something that no one I thought was doing. And lickety-split, I got into Yale and she didn’t get into Juilliard. Laughs. Bless her heart man.

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Do you have a preference between doing film or TV? [Actors] can jump from theatre to film or television to film; ultimately you are telling the truth. Sometimes there’s a big loud truth in film that is equivalent to what you do in theatre. I don’t go into any medium thinking I want to fulfill the needs of the medium; I want fulfill the needs of the character and hopefully that helps me to stand out as a truth-teller versus just an actor with a job.

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How much impact does your own personal story have on your character? There are a lot of spiritual elements to Andre, is that intentional?

Not intentional by me. We were presented initially with a very interesting character who didn’t sing, was the underdog, but intelligent and not really conniving outside of the way he had to be for the music industry.

Certain things -desperation, being usurped from what he felt was his birthright - illuminated the darkness in him as a means of getting what he needed. That’s not me!

To answer your question: I don’t think I’m anything like Andre. With the spirituality thing, that was something that the writers brought to me

as a sort of redemption for him. The spirituality was a part of his coming into his own. The biggest difference between Andre and I is that I am deep into religion and he’s at the beginning of understanding how that applies to his life. At times, playing Andre is a hard journey, but very fulfilling to show a man who’s trying to be a star despite the fact that he’s not a singer, or that no one is rooting for him.

You said something early about it being a hard journey. Why is it a hard journey?

It’s deep, dark and it’s sometimes bloody, you know what I mean?

To get there? To do it true?

“The biggest difference between Andre and I is that I am deep into religion and he’s at the beginning of understanding how that applies to his life.”

To do it true. His truth is very deep.

I think the only way to show how bright the light can be is to show how dark the dark can be with what he’s given circumstantially in the script.

Much like the sophomore album of your favorite artist, there’s so much expectation, there so much hype from the first album and people always feel like if wasn’t at the level of hype of the first one, it somehow failed. How do you feel about the second season and do you watch it?

Um… And I can stop taping if you need me to.

No, no, no, this is important. This is a great question and I’m happy

Shirt SCOTT LANGTON Pants CULT OF INDIVIDUALITY Necklace and Bracelet GEORGE FROST

to answer it. What I think about the second season: as artists in general, we need to keep the bar up. We have a room full of very talented people and we didn’t expect the show to be as massive as it was. Trying to find the formula again has proven to be difficult because now we are caught between “well we must have been doing something right and what do the people want” The people didn’t know what we were writing when we showed them the pilot. All they could do is watch and all we could do is be true to ourselves. Not knowing how they would react which made us ballsier and gutsier and more intent on telling the truth of everybody rather than zooming on what we thought they wanted. I think that we’re learning our lesson.

COVER STORY

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“I don’t do art for art’s sake, I don’t it for life’s sake. I see a lot of people missing it.”

I don’t watch this season. For me, as an actor, what I value most is not the finished product, it is the process. I love working through the scenes with my fellow actors, trying new things and making new discoveries each take.

those heavy, emotional moments - poor guy. As an actor, it is very cathartic to expel high energy to capture Andre’s torment, but sometimes it can also be difficult.

There is never more truth to the characters than in that present moment. These are the most exhilarating times for me, because I get to learn. These moments, I feel make me a better actor. I never want to stop learning. I hold these moments as sacred to me, the edit chooses what’s best for the show. I like to remember it all. So I excuse myself from the finished product.

Keeping private life private is important and I respect that. How happy how you are right now and what do you want to say about that?

I find myself very happy right now.

Incredibly happy. God has blessed me immensely with some highs and some lows, some growing pains. It’s about educating me as to what it is that gives Him glory. It’s been a little about his Glory versus my understanding of the world I’m in, kinda like Andre with music and spirituality. I feel inspired to be an agent of love. To tell you, that I’m elevated on an elevator because it’s true. I’m a guy who likes to look you into the future to see where I’ll be so I can work to get there. Brother, I’m fine with today. B

What’s the hardest thing about doing the show Empire?

The hardest thing about Empire, for me, is going to those deep dark places repeatedly. I remember doing the boardroom scene in season 1, we literally did it over and over from different angles. You can’t lose the pace, the intention, the urgency, the meaning.

I felt like I had to catch lightning in a bottle 20 times in a row. It’s fulfilling, but exhausting. Andre has a lot of

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

Hustle.

Research.

Practice.

Repeat!

WORDS SABLE TEMPEST PHOTOGRAPHY ANTHONY BATISTA

a

DAM SENN SAT IN A LA STUDIO AS HE AUDITIONED for what would soon be his new role as

Zero in VH1’s hit series Hit the Floor. “They called me back into the room around five or six times,” Senn recalls. The actor was no stranger to auditioning for roles, but this day in LA was different.

Different, not because of the role, different because ambitious actor was offered the role while still in the audition room — essentially there was no debate against the casting production team.

Make no mistake, getting into character and adapting to new environments did not have to be embedded into Senn; it came natural. Having been born in Paris, France and relocated to the Texas Bayou, the pace of Senn’s future was pretty much set.

“My mom went to college in Paris, my grandfather had businesses in Paris and my father was the only white kid raised in Houston neighbor,” Senn says. Needless to say being raised in the Bayou with a Creole upbringing that a combined French art, music, and literature and art, prepared Senn for theatre and drama from a young age.

Reflecting on having horror film night on Saturdays and watching classic black and white films with his dad, Senn confesses that he has always had a fascination with TV: “The TV world is just amazing. You see people get into these different characters and make pure entertainment.” Senn attended a theater high school, which led him to moving to New York City for post-high school theater education.

Being in the concrete jungle, Senn quickly learned the hustle of New York City. While he was in New York City to chase his dreams of being an actor, his modeling career blossomed.

“I would get booked for modeling gigs and use the money to pay for school,” he says of the experience that started two dance after touching down in NYC Some of Senn’s most noted modeling features include campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana and Banana Republic campaigns.

“I got into business to be an artist. Every character is a piece of art and I am the canvas. I want people to feel the love and hate of each character I play.”

Walking on to set, Senn did not know much about his character. In fact, the actor was never really given a background for Zero; he had to “create” one. Fast forward four episodes in and, the thespian was informed that his character, a popular athlete, was now bisexual. Though it was a first for Senn, he admits that the concept was exciting.

“Zero being bisexual actually gave color and life to character,” Senn explains. “ It explains some of his prior actions; I thought Zero was womanizer.”

“I didn’t tell anyone about my character being bisexual; I wanted to know who my real supporters [were].”

“I got into business to be an artist. Every character is a piece of art and I am the canvas. I want people to feel the love and hate of each character I play.”

As the world sat shocked faced that Zero was bisexual, so did Senn’s family, friends and close supporters. The actor, who had never played a bisexual role, shared that the experience was an eye opener for him as well. “It was eye opening to see how hard it is for those in the community to come out,” Senn softly states. The well-traveled and cultured model/actor is now an advocate for equal rights and self-love. Senn firmly believes that people should be who they are and society should accept everyone regardless of their gender, sexuality or culture.

When discussing the future of Zero, Senn gives a slight chuckle and says “I have no clue.” Nonetheless, in his current role, Senn would love to see Zero “own” up to his actions so that he can “be at peace with his past.”

We may not know the future of Zero, but the future of Adam Senn will definitely not shy away from the small screen. The all around creative, who also owns the Manhattan-based restaurant Il Bastardo. is currently directing his first film and wishes to create TV shows and movies down the line. Continuing to be fascinated by various roles, Senn will be starring in upcoming films Married Before Christmas and Super Model. B

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Radio Talking: Nihal Arthanayake Club owner and award winning, world-renowned BBC radio DJ Nihau Arthanayake does a spin in the season’s sharpest suits and cleanest frames. @TheRealNihal PHOTOGRAPHER VINCENT DOLMAN PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT OLIVER BARJOLLE FASHION STYLIST SEAN AZEEZ PRODUCTION/CASTING DIRECTOR DANNY WALKER

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PROFILE

Respect First, Fame After After a tragic end to Brent Antonello's dream to play baseball, a new calling came his way.

WORDS KISHON SPINGER PHOTOGRAPHY CATIE LAFFOON

IMAGINE having a dream, and one day having to hear you could never do it again. Brent Antonello grew up in Fort Lauderdale Florida, in a touristy town about an hour away from Miami. Brent’s family’s background was initially from New York and Italy. His father was the first of the generation to start a life in Florida. There, in Florida, is where Brent found his love for baseball. He played for as long as he could remember, all the way through his junior year of high school, until he had a tragic injury in his shoulder. Going into his senior year, baseball was his dream and his pathway into college.

earing from the doctors that he might never play baseball again was hard on Brent; he’d dedicated his life to sport.

But, the teenager had to make a decision and decided that it was time for him to put the glove down.

H

“It was weird I remember being in therapy after my surgery and they were massaging my shoulder...”

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“It was weird,” Brent explains of his revelation that he had another calling. “I remember being in therapy after my surgery and they were massaging my shoulder. I was watching TV, I remember seeing the movie The Departed with [Leonardo] Dicaprio, and it just clicked with me. I said to myself ‘I want to try this’ and I decided to take an acting class.”

But the event didn’t come without foretelling.

Brent had always had an interest in acting; baseball was all year round, so he never had the chance to actually take part in acting classes. Without a doubt baseball was Brent’s first love but he was ready to try something new and jump right into acting.

“After taking my first acting class in Hollywood, Florida I got the acting buzz. Then I came to LA in the summer for two weeks for an acting class and it struck me; I was like ‘I’m going to do this!’

“There was no plan B — I’ve never been like that. If you have a plan B you’re already setting yourself up for failure”. rent worked hard at his new craft. His first role was in a thriller-themed short film called “One Fine Sunday”. Even though it wasn’t a blockbuster, Brent was excited about the fact that he got to explore L.A. “ I remember being so excited to be in Los Angeles, where the industry thrives. You come out here the weather is nice, I was just so excited.”

That credit was followed with more short films and then his big break with Hit the Floor. “I actually went in for the pilot when it was called Bounce,” the actor explains. “I remember going out for the role of German, Jonathan McDaniel’s role, but it just didn’t fit at all. Then another part came in at

B

season two when it was called Hit the Floor and they called me in for Zero’s part. I remember thinking this is weird they keep calling me in and I didn’t fit the role of a basketball player but I did it and completely bombed that audition and then a month after. I got called in to try a sports agent role. Finally I was like okay here we go I can do this one”.

“I want to have respect in the industry, I think fame can get in the way and in L.A that’s all people want”

his was finally the job Brent had been waiting for. He landed the role of Jude, which is a sports agent that has a secret relationship with Zero, one of his clients. The actors weren’t sure about audience reaction when filming but pressed on. The result: the show was juicier than ever.

“We didn’t know what the reaction would be — we did our part,” Brent explains. “It was a 50/50 chance it’s either people dig it or they don’t, when it aired we would just have to see. The reaction we got shocked me. The gay community was supportive and people overall were very supportive and they liked this storyline.” Brent embarked on a new successful journey with Hit the Floor with his most memorable moment being able to actually watch the first episode he appeared in himself.

T

want to have respect in the industry, I think fame can get in the way and in L.A that’s all people want.” Brent is overall a very simple guy that enjoys hanging out with his family and his dog Jack. He loves boating, trying new food and fishing. He is a pretty mellow guy. His main focus is his dreams.

“My overall goal is to keep working and work with people I respect. From directors, actors and producers. Overall respect for people I work with and for them to have that same respect for me because people can’t take that from you. With that, one job will lead to another. And I want to keep working until I guess, I don’t love it anymore.” Brent’s work ethic and focus will get him far. We’re excited to see where Brent’s career takes him next. B

“I

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LIVING LA VIDA LOPEZ J.R. Taylor Talks Dance, Dynamics, and Directing J. Lo’s Every Move WORDS KENT OLDEN

g Like a movie scene / In the sweetest dreams / I have pictured us together / Now to feel your lips / On my fingertips / I have to say is even better...

From all of my sadness, the tears that I’ve cried / I have spent all of my life…

So begins the musical musings of the love story that made Bronx-born Jennifer Lopez an undeniable force in the music game. In her 1999 hit dance-pop hit Waiting for Tonight, J. Lo sings us the realization of a long-awaited love that she can finally call her own. Just like that, she outlines exactly how it feels to make it to the place that she’s wanted to be for so long, and how she can’t wait to return there each and every night. Ironically enough, the lyrics also align with the artistic journey of the one man who is presently responsible for everything the former Fly Girl flies high with. Enter: J.R. Taylor.

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ORN AND BRED IN THE CITY OF behind one of the biggest acts in R&B at the time, Angels, J.R. recognized early on and completing his college education, J.R. followed that the so-called “traditional track” his heart and pursued his passion: he danced with wasn’t what lay ahead for him. As Meelah, Misha, and Irish. The choice was made, and a kid, he spent his spare time div- it opened the door to an entire career. ing into classic films like Daddy Long Legs starring Fred Astaire, The year after the 702 tour, J.R. found himself teachStormy Weather with Lena Horne, ing dance classes at both the world renowned Miland the 1970s favorite The Wiz lennium Dance Complex and the Debbie Reynolds featuring everyone from Michael Dance Studio. With his fresh approach to dance and Jackson to Diana Ross. Songs soared around J.R.’s choreography taking flight, J.R. landed gig after gig, head while dance steps strode down to the center of choreographing performances for The Queen Latifah his soul even during grade school. The creative arts Show, as well as Trey Songz, Kelly Rowland, and were such a passion for him that they brought him Queen Bey. face-to-face with an opportunity of a lifetime and a tough decision: education or entertainment.

“The most exciting job [out of all those] would have to be creative directing Trey Songz’s tour,” says TayStarting his freshman year at California State Uni- lor. “He had never used creative direction and choversity, J.R. began to build both his resume and rep- reography before me, and it was for his Chapter V ertoire, dancing alongside artists like Rihanna, Missy album. It was a breath of fresh air [for me] because Elliot and Chris Brown. He appeared in music vid- I had only worked with female artists before him, so eos for our favorite Dreamgirls: Jennifer Hudson and it was exciting to finally have a male artist on my Beyonce. As luck — or maybe his budding legacy resume.” Providing creative direction for both Trey, — would have it, he also found himself dancing in and then Jamie Foxx, set the stage — somewhat literthe film adaptation of the popular Broadway musi- ally — for the spot that has come to make J.R. Taylor cal, as well as films like SoulMan and Beauty Shop. such a sought after choreographer and creative direcStill, the pearly gates to the pop culture platform that tor. Working with Jenny from the Block. would launch his career were just around the corner.

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PLAYFULLY PENSIVE ABOUT HIS CURRENT WORK

“The first big gig [I got] was actually through a friend,” Taylor says, speaking of the defining 2005 moment that served as a springboard for his career. “I was in college and I went to this audition for 702’s tour. I got the job.” Faced with choosing between dancing 80

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with the former Fly-Girl-turned-pop-princess, J.R. relishes in the fruits of his labor. “It’s really any creative director’s dream come true,” he says. “She was a dancer first, so she understands dance and respects dance, and she’s so diligent in everything she does.

“

At the time, I was young and…I could feel that we were making something really special. It was something that was gonna be around forever

“

PHOTO DENISE TRUSCELLO

FEATURE

FEATURE

Lo, J.R. Taylor shows no signs of stopping in a game that he is no doubt dominating. He has had experiences that have served as the perfect springboards to solidify his success, and continues to make memories to last a lifetime. Of all the shows and stars under his belt, however, there is one project that he holds near and dear always and forever: Dreamgirls. Boasting an all-star cast with the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Loretta Devine, and Danny Glover, being a part of the film remake of this Broadway classic is something that J.R. will not soon forget.

“She lets you go in and do whatever you can think of for her brand because it’s already established, and she likes to try new things” Taylor says. “Most [other] artists I’ve worked with don’t really work as hard when they get to where J. Lo is — they’re almost on autopilot. J. Lo works like a new artist — always “At the time, I was young and…I could feel that we grinding; always putting in the work.” were making something really special. It was something that was gonna be around forever,” J.R. recalls.

Even in reaching this level of creative freedom and “Being on set, the dancers, the actors, it was all just fame (in his own right), it goes without saying that awesome. It was awesome to be a part of something J.R. — like anyone else — does come across some that you know is gonna last forever.” obstacles to overcome while striving for constant creativity.

“Tender words you say / Take my breath away / Love me now and leave me never / Found a sacred place “Coming up with something new, something fresh all / Lost in your embrace / I want to stay in this forevthe time,” is his response when asked about challeng- er…” es in creative direction. He doesn’t, however, let that stop him. Oddly enough, the very childhood passion Lost in the embrace of his passion for dance and crethat kickstarted his love of the craft is also what keeps ativity, J.R. makes it quite clear that he surely wants him going in a world where thinking up various ways to stay in it forever. Even if he could never dance one to reinvent the wheel is as innate as breathing. step in his life, he knows the creative world is where he belongs.

“I feel like everything’s already been done, but I love watching classic movie,” Taylor explains. “Like, “I would be doing something that has to do with telethings done in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, most people to- vision, film, or music for sure,” says Taylor when day haven’t seen it, so it’s up to me to find new ways asked about alternative careers. “[I’ve gotten] to see to present it — not copy — but reinvent what was all different types of creativity out there. I’d probably done then.” be a songwriter, actually. The dances, the movements, all start with the song. Writers tell the story, but the From 702 and Jamie Foxx, to Mariah Carey and J. dancers, they show you what the song looks like.”

“ I’m not saying it was the wrong decision, but…I feel like I missed out on something because I didn’t go to an HBCU. I really wanted to go to one, but my passion was dance.

“

To have all of that in one client makes your job more fulfilling.” Yet another breath of fresh air to his always-off-kilter approach to creative direction is the trust that Jennifer Lopez places in J.R. with her every move on stage; a trust that allows for a freedom of fluidity in developing new and innovative ideas for her brand.

Setting his sights on venturing more into film and directing, J.R. says he wouldn’t mind turning to Broadway for a while for that experience. “That’s very interesting, choreographing for Broadway plays.” Understanding his own dedication to dance and his desire to create opportunities in the craft, J.R. also aspires to do his part in opening the door for those that are coming after him. “I want to help create more opportunities for dancers to be brought into the forefront. I loved the times when Fred Astaire and Cab Calloway were in the spotlight; when the dancers were the stars. I wanna bring that back.”

From dancer to choreographer to creative director, J.R. Taylor’s talents run the gamut of what it takes to maintain in an industry like his. Celebrating success the way it should be, J.R. looks back in awe of all that he’s accomplished while looking forward to what’s to come.

“This year I’m definitely touring with Natalie La Rose… so be on the lookout for that. That’s [all I can tell you] for now!” he says laughing.

He has so much to be grateful for that he regrets nothing about the way he came to be. Well, almost nothing: “I never went back to school,” he points out. “I’m not saying it was the wrong decision, but…I feel like I missed out on something because I didn’t go to an HBCU. I really wanted to go to one, but my passion was dance.

The only thing I regret in life is not going to an HBCU — well, so far.”

HBCU GRAD OR NOT, J.R. TAYLOR IS GUNNING TO TAKE HIS

rightful place on the throne of guiding the creativity of our favorite dancing divas of the day, and for that, we say thank you, while you keep on living la vida Lopez...

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WORDS JUWAN WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY GILLES TOUCAS

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KEVIN CARROL had to audition four times before joining season two of HBO’s The Leftovers. We chat with the seasoned actor about his film career, family lineage and determination to succeed.

FEATURE

Imagine a world where all at once 140 million people just vanished. Not many people could even fathom what that would be like. All the way from the West Coast, Carrol opened up about being one of the leftovers after the “Sudden Departure” happened and playing John Murphy, a very complex man and husband to Regina King’s character Erika in the critically acclaimed show The Leftovers. This series derived is from a bestselling novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta.

Carrol has admitted he loves that he’s a part of a show that challenges all levels of humanity. When this awarded actor was younger, he’d never thought he would have such a profession. Now, years later, Carrrol has been in movies like Paid in Full, Being John Malkovich, in addition to his current onscreen role as devoted family man and appointed enforcer.

BLEU: Where are you from?

KEVIN: I was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, but

my grandmother lived in the Bronx so I always found myself back and forth.

How did you get into acting?

When I was younger I wasn’t introduced to the arts.

It wasn’t until I was in college and joining a fraternity that I became curious. I was on campus and happened to be walking pass the performing arts building and saw that they were casting people for a play based on being in a fraternity. After spendiing a year in London and seeing my first play out of the country there and going to NYU for graduate school my path changed.

How was the audition process for this role?

I auditioned four times for this role. It was good because it was more than one opportunity to show them what I could do. I would much rather go through a gang of auditions and get the part than go to one and not be asked to come back.

What was it like joining the cast in th second season?

The people of the first cast were so “well seasoned.”

It’s one of those things where everyone who was a part of the show only wanted what was best for the show. They were gracious and nothing other than patient.

What was it like playing such a role in a world where things like this happen?

You know there are some very heartbreaking things that happen in this series and unfortunately many of them are relatable. This show is such a sense of enlightenment through storytelling. It’s very rewarding when I get to see everything so put together. Just like on this show, people have have been stripped of their truth and forced into beliefs other than their own, so it’s very relatable.

What are some things that you do to get you prepared to go on set?

I’m not asked this much but I actually get this urge to clean. If I’m going into a scene that is intense, I just may grab the vacuum before I go on. It helps me to clear my mind so that when I step on set I’m open and receptive to the energy that I will receive from others on set.

Has this been your biggest role on television?

This has been my biggest television role thus far.

What is it like working with Regina King?

This answer always changes because I’m asked this

so much and every time the answer gets better. As an actor there are so many destinations when you’re working, but for me, it’s all about the people that you’re working with. With her, she knows she’s Regina King, everyone on set knows who she is, but she doesn’t need to be reminded who she is. Regina came in as a part of the team. I couldn’t have picked a more perfect partner to go on this journey with.

“This Show Is A Sense Of Enlightenment Through Storytelling” Have you received any nominations or awards from this series?

Obie for Sustained Excellence of Performance.

Who or what inspires you?

The fact that we are all on this earth together. Seeing people of different walks of life accomplish things inspire me. My mother is another inspiration of mines. Being the first black woman to graduate from Chapel Hill School of Nursing shows me that I can’t make any excuse not to accomplish something while I’m here. B

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Beats,, VinYL and

Biggie

Falcons linebacker Justin Durant talks playing in the field and what’s wrong with the music industry.

WORDS RAYMOND MORA PHOTOGRAPHY DOUG COOMBE

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JUSTIN DURANT HAS BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL SINCE AGE 8.,

The Atlanta Falcons linebacker has been made all the better for it. In fact, it was back during his junior year of high school, living in his native Florence, South Carolina that Durant knew linebacker was going to be his main position.

tor, Quinn helped the growth of the linebacker’s game and refining his skills on the field. The coaching has improved Durant’s versatility as a linebacker which in turn has bolstered the surprisingly young Falcons defense.

“One key ingredient that’s going to take us to the next level is to live in the moment,” says Durant of the approach. “You can’t really think too far ahead, you have to take it day by day and work on our craft each day.”

Football athletes play hard on the field, pushing themselves for the win. In Durant’s life that meant making it into the NFL, a sport passed down to him by his older brothers. It was those brothers who provided the young athlete with his initial base of confidence. In 2007, that confidence paid off when the young athlete was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s gone on to play for the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and now, the Atlanta Falcons.

But the father of one does more than just work on his craft; he’s a modern day renaissance man, ready to navigate his way around a medium rare steak (he says he doesn’t want to skimp on the nutritional value) as quickly as he does a play. His closet? Stocked with an enviable collection of 200 sneakers. But where his passion really lies outside of the gridiron — given the fact that his daughter Payton motivates him to be the best that he can be — is music.

“I had some older guys who definitely were setting a good example and I was just doing immature things,” Durant says of the almost 10-year career he’s had. “It helped me realize what I needed to do to be successful. I have been with great organizations that It doesn't sound you shaped my career – In the histocan tell everything is based on helping me become ried dispute a better player. I have of 2Pac vertheir love of . Of course all of the coaches to sus Biggie, Duit sounds good and they have a thank on all of those rant is a fan of lot of heartfelt songs that schemes that helped the West Coast me get to where I rapper. In fact, touched my . am now. But it was a Biggie Smalls process and I’m just is the linebackgrateful for everyer’s favorite artthing they did to me.” ist of all time for his diversity on the mic and fearlessness.

Amongst those coaches has been Falcons The traits are no doubt ones that Durant head coach Dan Quinn. Durant describes himself utilizes on the field. But the athQuinn as a player’s coach with tons of enlete isn’t a one artist type of guy. Counting ergy and a competitive nature. As a menhip hop and R&B as his favorite genres,

“

forced,

music

soul ”

he listens to everything from electronica to soul and alternative music.

“I think [Outcast] organically makes the type of music that they want to make,” Durant says. He counts their Aquemini record as one of his favorite albums. “It doesn’t sound forced; you can tell everything is based on their love of music. Of course it sounds good and they have a lot of heartfelt songs that touched my soul.”

Other artists go so far as to change Durant’s mood. Take Sade’s soulful voice. A few of her tracks can turn things around for the on-the-field star.

“I don’t want to be one of those you know ‘Ah man, this is different so I like it’ type of guys, I want to hear something original,” says Durant of his overall tastes. “I don’t necessary want to hear everything everybody is listening to. If [other people] do then that’s cool, I might listen to that song just for the time being, but it’s going to be forgotten pretty soon. It’s not going to be something that sticks for a long time.

“I think that with consumers it’s our fault that people are putting stuff [so much] out.

We are forcing them to do it. Everyone thinks that they have to continuously stay hot, putting out project after project after project and that’s ruining the quality of the music.”

After his NFL career, Durant will change that about the industry by working on the A&R side of the business. If he sets his mind to it, there’s no stopping perceptive football star. B

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DAVID BOWIE: FAREWELL TO A LEGEND WORDS DOMINIQUE M. CARSON

“David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative; he gave us magic for a lifetime,” Kanye West told Entertainment Tonight.

Those were the exact words from the Grammy award winning rapper in the wake of 69-year-old music icon David Bowie’s death on January 10, 2016.

After an illustrious career covering the world, the singer, songwriter, producer, and painter lost his 18-month battle with cancer. It was a huge loss for the entertainment industry and a hard pill to swallow because of Bowie’s exceptional quality.

produce a work of art. He recently released a new album, Blackstar which also received commercial success; Blackstar was the London-born musician’s first number one record on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States.

Having delved into everything from acting to playwriting and painting, Bowie’s career changed when he released his 1969 crossover hit, “Space Oddity.”

From there, he challenged himself as an artist with his 1972 album, Ziggy Stardust which centered around a space-rock star and is cited as an inspiration point for fashion designers still today. On the album the musician delves into futuristic themes of Armageddon, gender dysfunction/confusion, and the challenges of success and fame.

Bowie was a cultured artist that was full of originality and freshness. He was truly a singer and took the time to comprehend the science of making good music that would captivate people. Bowie’s successful career spanned over four decades. Known as the The ups don’t come without the downs though. “musical chameleon,” he sold 140 million records In the 70s, Bowie had a recorded history of subworldwide, nine of his albums were certified plati- stance abuse while recording tracks like “The Man num in the UK, and he was inducted into the Rock Who Sold the World,” “Let’s Dance,” and even and Rock Roll Hall of Fame. His music was so impres- “Fame,” featuring John Lennon. But when Ziggy sive and used a combination of different sounds to finally kicked his habit in the mid-80s, his newfound

freedom gave birth to standout works like “Ashes to Ashes”, “Under Pressure” with the rock group, Queen, “China Girl,” “ Blue Jean,” “Tonight” with Tina Turner, and “Dancing in the Street” with Mick Jagger. It was arguably some of his best work of his career.

In the public eye, Bowie was very outspoken about his love for his children and wife, Iman especially when he released the Black Tie White Noise album in 1992. He shared his marital bliss with the world in tracks like, “Pallas Athena,” and “The Wedding/ The Wedding Song,” making it clear that the union was no tabloid fodder.

Bowie was an entertainer that impacted millions of people and generations to come with his music, stage presence, and his ground-breaking spirit. He wasn’t afraid to be different from the rest and gave his best on stage. Meanwhile, the world is still devastated about his loss, from friends tofamily, and celebrities but Bowie died peacefully and will forever be missed.

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