Bleu Magazine Issue #65 Flipp Dinero

p p i l F o r e n Di BELIZE T R E WAY

YOUNG BAE J. ERVING

JUICE WRLD

T Y L A YAW E H

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LIVE VIVIDLY.

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BLEUMAGAZINE.COM

Table of

Contents Photography by Ricardo Nelson

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42 EVERYTHING IS LOVE: FLIPP DINERO

Issue 65

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BOMBSHELLBYBLEU.COM

Table of

Contents 16 Access By Bleu

64 Fashion

20 Gadgets

72 Feature DOE BOY

24 Car Chevy Bolt

27 Books

74 Feature J. Erving

76 Feature Treway

28 Grooming Brands We Love

78 Op-Ed Millennials and Religion

30 Fuel Off-Screen Eats

32 Fitness Post Workout High

34 Fashion

80 The Humans

82 Fashion Tyla Yaweh

90 Spotlight Graduate Hotel

50 The Creatives Young Bae

93 Icon Juice WRLD

56 Travel Lisbon Photography by Ricardo Nelson

60 Travel Belize

Tuxedo-David Hart

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MASTHEAD

On the Cover FLIPP DINERO Words by: JAMIE ROLLO Photography: RICARDO NELSON Stylist: IMANI SULIMAN Grooming: SHANNON K. YOUNG

Publisher/Editorial Direction DĂŠVon Christopher Johnson

Head of Content EIC Bombshell by Bleu Ebony Allison

Creative Director Andrew Zaeh

Art Direction & Design Vee Banionis Agnes Mazeikate

Graphic Designer Luis Carlos Lopez

Managing Editor

Contributing Writers

Lavanya Sunkara, Adam Jacot de Boinod,Jonathan Powell Ricardo Nelson, Amy Torres, Andrew Hart

Carlos Barksdale LaToya Shambo Lashawnda Goffin info@bleulife.com

Editorial Contributors

Digital Content Strategist

Contributing Photographers

Merilee Kern, Chevy Wolf

Interns

Derek Anthony, Mackenzie Murray, Justin Wallace, Elise Slaughter, Kiara Rodriguez

Editorial Contributors

A Guy And A Gurl, Chevy Wolf, Imani Suliman, Shannon K. Young.

Jamie Rollo

UK Fashion Editor Sean Azeez

THE BLEULIFE GROUP

Copy Editor

Chairman, CEO & President

Deputy Editor

Digital Content Designer

Trevoy Ross

Pauleanna Reid

Staff Writer

Tommy Rodriguez, Elysia Tanswell

Partnerships & Branded Content

DĂŠVon Christopher Johnson Carlton Brown

AD Sales:

TTodd Evans, Rivendell Media 908.232.2021

Kaylin Young Kwame Owusu

Web Designer Kelly Janes Olney

Brand Ambassadors Rannon Harris, Chicago - Midwest Leroy Williams, Northeast

Newsstand Distribution TNG 1955 Lake Park Drive, Ste. 400 Smyrna, GA 30080

Submissions Bleu Magazine 26 Broadway, 3rd floor New York, NY 10004 info@bleulife.com

Bleulife Media & Entertainment Inc. | 26 Broadway 3rd Floor New York, NY 10004 | E-Mail: info@bleulife.com | Online: bleulife.com Printed in Canada. 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.

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

I’m not givin’ up I’m not givin’ up, givin’ up No, not me Even when nobody else believes I’m not goin’ down that easily So don’t give up on me And I will hold I’ll hold onto you No matter what this world’ll throw It won’t shake me loose I’ll reach my hands out in the dark And wait for yours to interlock I’ll wait for you I’ll wait for you “DON’T GIVE UP ON ME” ANDY GRAMMER

As one decade fades into the distance we begin to embrace a new normal in this era. A swift medical phenomenon has barreled through Asia, decimated parts of Europe and has begun to invade the shores of the United States. The glee and over-exuberance to rid ourselves from what we thought was the worst of times have presented itself more akin to the darkest hours of our human history. Unprecedented was the catch-all of the political atmosphere during the Trump Era of American life. Welp, it’s found a new pulpit - the health of our nation and the world.

It is during this time of self quarantines and social distancing that we must pull together as a human race to be kind to one another, even from a distance.

Perhaps this is the Universe’s way of teaching us that

race, gender, political affiliation, and orientation have no true dividing lines. These borders that we have erected both physically and philosophically have no true value. The will of nature has a funny way of making its adjustments to our “way of life.”

Our generation is not the first nor the last to be forced to drop our armor and embrace the need for a collective solution to a global challenge.

There is great hope in the everyday kindness of strangers to create a safety net to the most vulnerable of our communities. From food donations to free movie subscriptions, solutions are being manifested by the best of who we are. I truly believe that good comes natural to all humans and hate is taught. Let’s teach love and kindness.

DéVon Christopher Johnson Founder & Group Publisher

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C O N T R I B U TO R S

IMANI SULIMAN

AMY TORRES

If you would have asked Imani five years ago where she would be today, she would have told you exactly where she is now. With her unique vision and pursuit of perfection, she is continuously creating the look everyone wants to emulate.

Ammi-Shaddai Torres is currently the senior editorial photographer at Extra Butter NY, as well as a freelance photographer. Her main focus is on fashion and still life editorials.

RICARDO NELSON

Ricardo is a Jamaican born photographer based in New York City.

His work applies the basic principles of photography, light, and magic to capture the human spirit.

J O N AT H A N P O W E L L

Jonathan Powell is an author and native New Yorker. He currently resides in the historic Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn with his teenage daughter Jordan.

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ANDREW HART

Andrew “ANDEE” Gowdy-Hart, Direct Focus Films LLC’s Head Photographer is a Newark, New Jersey native that has a direct focus on using his talents for capturing events. Andee got his start shooting Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, and music videos for up and coming artists and most notably the NBA Draft.

L AVA N YA S U N K A R A

Lavanya Sunkara is a New York City-based writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Architectural Digest, and Fodor’s Travel among others. She covers travel, eco-lifestyle, and animal welfare. She’s been to several countries on six continents, and cherishes sharing her experiences and being a voice for the voiceless. Follow her adventures at www.nature-traveler.com.

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AC C E S S BY B L E U

THE OF F ICIAL SPIR I T OF TH E N B A , H EN N E S SY, CELEBR ATE S ALL- STAR WEEK EN D With the brand new announcement of their NBA partnership, the beloved cognac brand Hennessy kicked off All-Star Weekend in style. With celebrity ambassadors Nas and A$AP Ferg, the company hosted a cocktail party following up with a huge celebration. The cocktail party hosted by Nas and A$AP Ferg was held on February 14 and served as an intimate get-together with craft cocktails. The following night, Hennessy threw a huge celebration, which featured live performances by Nas, A$AP Ferg, and DaBaby. Celebrity guests included Saweetie, Dave East, Jahil Okafor, and many more.

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IMAGE CREDITS Caleb Zahmn and Noel Vasquez: 1. Pictured: A$AP Ferg 2. Pictured: DaBaby 3. Pictured: Nas and A$AP Ferg 4. Pictured: A$AP Ferg 5. Pictured: Saweetie and Nas 6. Pictured: Nas.

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AC C E S S BY B L E U

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DIR E CT V NF L SU NDAY TICK E T In celebration of the end of the four-day DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Lounge in Miami, AT&T hosted the event to end all events this Super Bowl Sunday. The event had special guest athletes such as the Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott who hosted a fireside chat, and the Minnesota Vikings’ Kyle Rudolph, the Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald, the Seattle Seahawks’ DK Metcalf, and former NFL player Jamaal Charles who all attended meet and greets. The event continued at the invite-only afterparty where surprise guest DJ Diplo performed a set for famous guests including Kevin Hart, Paris Hilton, Miles Teller, Shangela, Karamo Brown, and many more.

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IMAGE CREDITS AP Images for DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Lounge 7. Pictured: Dak Prescott 8. Pictured: Diplo 9. Pictured: James White and fans 10. Pictured: Juju SmithSchuster 11. Pictured: Karamo Brown 12. Pictured: Kevin Hart and Eniko Parrish 13. Pictured: Shangela 14. Pictured: Ed Reed, Reggie Wayne

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THE 4X5

CREAM OF THE CROP As sports teams have their MVPs, music genres have their most valued artists. With another decade of amazing music wrapped up, we’ve compiled the best of the best of Hip-Hop, R&B, EDM, and Afrobeat with each artist’s greatest hits.

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Hip-Hop

Jay-Z - “Empire State of Mind” feat. Alicia Keys (2009)

Rakim - “Don’t Sweat the Technique” with Eric B. (1992)

The Notorious B.I.G. - “Juicy” (1994)

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R&B

Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (1982)

Stevie Wonder “Superstition” (1972)

Aretha Franklin “Respect” (1967)

Nas - “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” feat. Lauryn Hill (1996) Whitney Houston - “I Will Always Love You” (1992)

Andre 3000 - “Hey Ya!” with Big Boi (as Outkast) (2003)

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Marvin Gaye - “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” with Tammi Terrell (1966)

THE 4X5

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EDM

Skrillex - “Where Are U Now” with Diplo (as Jack Ü) & Justin Bieber (2015)

Daft Punk - “Get Lucky” feat. Pharrell Williams (2013)

Martin Garrix - “Animals” (2013)

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Afrobeat

Fela Kuti “Water No Get Enemy” (1975) David Guetta - “Titanium” feat. Sia (2011) Tony Allen “Jealousy/Progress” with Africa 70 (1975)

Avicii - “Wake Me Up” (2013) Antibalas “Gold Rush” (2017)

Fema Kuti “‘97” (1997)

Manu Dibango “Soul Makossa” (1973) Issue 65

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GADGETS

ELEVATE YOUR ENTERTAINMENT Maximize your leisure time with these awesome upgrades!

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GADGETS

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Bose Portable Home Speaker With 360-degree sound, water-resistance and voice control tied into one, this speaker retails for about $350 making it worth the bread. The average battery life is 12 hours of continuous use at 60 percent volume level, which is more than loud enough for a large room. The speaker also has WiFi connectivity and supports airplay for all iPhone users. As long as your speaker and device are connected to the same WiFi network your connection between your device and speaker will be seamless. The speaker also has the standard Bluetooth connection if you don’t have access to WiFi. Available at www.bose.com

JBL Tune 220 True Wireless Earphones Most wireless headphones have one thing in common: they break the bank.

We found one true wireless headphone without the large price tag. The JBL Tune 220 true wireless earphones have a market price of $99 and possess almost all of the same specs as Apple’s AirPods 1. These headphones have a 19-hour battery life with the charging case included and support voice assistance.

Available at www.jbl.com

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GADGETS

Google Pixel Slate A common mistake most people make is buying a laptop as well as a tablet. Why buy the hardware separately when you can have both in one? The Google Pixel Slate doubles as a tablet, laptop and, if need be, a notebook for school purposes.

Starting at $450, it is equipped with 12-hour battery life and up to 256GB of internal storage. Students are also eligible to receive up to 10 percent off any Google Slate purchase.

Available at www.amazon.com

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GADGETS

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LG C9 OLED TV 4K The LG C9 OLED 4K TV has held the top spot for the best OLED display on television since its release in mid-2019.

This TV appeals to a wide range of its users and consumers and is typically priced around $1,500. LG TVs were the first televisions to integrate both Alexa and the Google Assistant with LG ThinQ AI technology. With AirPlay 2 built-in, you can stream anything from your iPhone or laptop effortlessly.

The TV is also equipped with DOLBY Vision and DOLBY Atmos, which enhances its picture and sound quality.

Available at www.bestbuy.com

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CAR

Words by: LAVANYA SUNKARA

AFFORDABLE SUSTAINABILITY: Chevy Bolt is Paving the Way to an Electric Future Images courtesy of Chevrolet

The brand new 2020 Chevy Bolt EV offers impressive, up-to-date auto technology while remaining completely electric. One charge supplied nearly enough energy for a road trip through South Florida.

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VEHICLE SPECS Range: Top Speed:

93 mph

Energy:

66 kWh

Maximum Power: Transmission:

The Bolt EV is Chevrolet’s first all-electric vehicle and debuted in 2016. It was awarded the North American Car of the Year and Green Car of the Year in 2017. The 2020 model, starting at $36,620, offers technical advancements in RoD (Regen on Demand) one-pedal driving, AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System), WiFi connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Automobile phone integration.

Best of all, the Rear Vision and Surround Vision Cameras provide peace of mind for a safer driving experience. Inside, the car is quiet, while exterior speakers alert pedestrians to

With a 21-mile increase in range compared to previous EV models, I put range anxiety out of my mind. The front dashboard indicates the minimum and the maximum number of miles the car can travel on the current charge, determined by an algorithm based on the driver’s habits and the type of terrain.

Also, to support popular apps like Google Maps and Spotify via phone integration, the color touchscreen provides real-time diagnostics on battery levels, estimated range, and charging settings. Regen on Demand one pedal driving regenerates energy when you let go of the gas pedal to slow down and stop without using the brake pedal, allowing you to conserve energy in Low mode.

The brake lights still come on to indicate braking. The ability to easily toggle between Drive and Low mode at any speed made for an even more sustainable driving experience.

Single motor and gear set 164 inches

Width:

69.5 inches

Height:

62.8 inches

Storage:

its presence. These features, combined with a spacious interior and ample trunk storage, made the 176-mile journey through the Sunshine State a breeze.

200 horsepower

Length:

Wheelbase:

The all-new 2020 Chevy Bolt EV glides into the future in expressive colors like Oasis Blue and Cayenne Orange Metallic, boosting the automaker’s longest battery range. You can drive this dynamic electric car up to 259 miles on a single charge. To test the range and to experience its newest features, I embarked on a South Florida road trip, starting from the first (and only) solar-powered town in the country, Babcock Ranch near Fort Myers, across the Everglades, to the sandy shores of Miami.

259 miles on a full charge

102.4 inches 56.6 cubic feet

The myChevrolet Mobile App was the perfect sidekick, arming me with real-time information on charging stations and battery status. The app turns your phone into a vehicle command center, with controls to lock and unlock doors, start and shut down the car, and activate the lights. It also helps with planning your trip, suggesting the most efficient route for your journey.

There are three ways to charge the Chevy Bolt EV. Basic Level 1 comes standard and allows you to simply plug into a 120-volt three-prong outlet to charge the car, typically overnight or while at work. Basic Level 2 is available at public spaces, and can be installed in your garage, and gives approximately 25 miles of charge hourly. The fastest method is DC Fast Charge, which charges up to 100 miles in just a half-hour.

After charging the vehicle overnight at Hyatt House in Naples, I set out on the road. Although I didn’t need extra juice, it was nice to plug in the car at a complementary station in Babcock Ranch. Driving an all-new electric car to gaze upon the 400-acre Solar Farm at Babcock Ranch, where solar panels stretched beyond the horizon, it suddenly dawned on me: the future is here.

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Places

Content

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BOOKS

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JANIS: HER LIFE AND MUSIC

by Holly George-Warren

THE UPS AND DOWNS OF ENTERTAINMENT From Gucci Mane to Janis Joplin, these books will give you an intimate glimpse into their world before, after and during fame.

Enjoy these reads about and by entertainers.

I WOULD DIE 4 U: WHY PRINCE BECAME AN ICON

by Touré Enter the psyche of Prince Rogers Nelson. Touré brilliantly takes us along for a ride through the mind of pop icon Prince in his latest book, making a convincing case for why he should be regarded as much more than a talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. This book dives deep into the history and life of the musician, reminding readers of his great influence over the music industry. With firsthand interviews of the star’s associates and Touré’s widely respected words to recount it all, this book is a must-read for both casual and superfans of the legendary singer.

ART AND RIVALRY: THE MARRIAGE OF MARY AND CHRISTOPHER PRATT

by Carol Bishop-Gwyn Carol Bishop-Gwyn beautifully details the complicated marriage and rivalry of two of Canada’s most sought-after painters in a biography that you won’t be able to put down. Art and Rivalry is about a marriage that drew the attention of an entire nation. Mary and Christopher Pratt would eventually evolve into incredibly successful individual artists, but not before watching their marriage suffer as a result. This book sheds light on the steady growth in artistry and ambition of Mary until she stood toe to toe with her husband, and highlights the struggles of an upcoming female artist.

Filled with interviews from family members, friends, bandmates and others, this biography rewrites every negative narrative ever told about singer-songwriter Janis Joplin. A woman in a man’s industry, Janis Joplin’s unique voice, and electric stage presence made her one of the most iconic musicians of all time.

Holly George-Warren writes about her struggles with gender norms and drug addiction in the most complete Janis Joplin biography to date. But in spite of losing her battle against drug addiction at the ripe age of 27, Warren ensures that readers finish this book knowing who she truly was: a fighter.

JAY-Z: MADE IN AMERICA

by Michael Eric Dyson In this cultural biography, Michael Eric Dyson tells the story of none other than JAY-Z, one of the greatest emcees of all time. It is a complete look at HOV’s near 30-year career as an artist and influencer, analyzing not only his musical impact but the impact on the war against social injustice. From a drug-dealer in the trenches of Brooklyn, New York, to a billionaire rapper and entrepreneur, JAY-Z’s path is one to be remembered, and his willingness to take action and speak for millions against racial, criminal and social injustice has placed his voice amongst some of the most powerful ever.

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF GUCCI MANE WITH NEIL MARTINEZ-BELKIN Rapper Gucci Mane has been working on this autobiography since he was in a maximum-security prison. Beginning with his Alabama upbringing through to his conviction and his comeback, this novel is filled with stories that made this beloved rapper who he is today. Gucci Mane also discusses the details of his conviction, struggles with addiction, his incarceration, and how he found his voice as a “peerless rapper.”

HURRICANES: A MEMOIR RICK ROSS WITH NEIL MARTINEZ-BELKIN For the first time, Rick Ross is giving his fans an inside look into his Miami upbringing. Growing up in the city after the 1980 Miami race riots and the Mariel Boatlift, Rick Ross saw the rise of the city’s crack epidemic. It was in this turmoil that the budding artist flourished. He was the star of his high school’s football team all the while working on perfecting his musical talents.

Rick Ross also touches upon his drug addiction and the health problems that accompanied it in a new light. “My story has always been deeper than rap,” he said in a statement. “With this book, I wanted to go deeper than I ever have. I wanted to tell people about the life of William Leonard Roberts II.”

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Navigating the world of personal care can be tough. There are so many ingredients and toxins you want to avoid, but most have names too long and too complicated to remember. Here are our three favorite, no-nonsense grooming brands.

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MAGAZINE

Profile | Cobalt was founded by actor Rob Lowe after he noticed something was missing from men’s skincare. He set out to create low-ingredient products with an affordable price tag.

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Kelsen The grooming and beauty industry is flooded with brands promising eco-friendly products. But when you look deeper into the ingredients and packaging, you’ll find that most companies’ marketing tactics are filled with empty claims. Kelsen, founded by a team of pro skateboarders and surfers, set out to change the norm and create truly eco-friendly, quality products.

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Onekind Onekind is a newly founded beauty brand that seeks to break gender barriers in the grooming/beauty industry. Brother and sister Madison and Matthew Ruggieri founded the brand and after 10 years of product development, they finally were able to bring their transparent, clean, and gender neutral personal care brand to life.

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OFF-SC EATS F

FUEL

Words by: ELISE SLAUGHTER

Some of our favorite entertainers know how to spend their money on food, but not the way you’re thinking. These big celebrities tried their hand in the food industry and won the jackpot. From locally acclaimed taco shacks to dine in roadhouses, check out these celebrity-owned restaurants on the east and west coasts.

Jon Huertas, a star on the NBC hit-drama This Is Us, is also the owner of a Cali-Mex restaurant in Venice, California. The Highway 1 roadhouse bar is a huge hot-spot for car and motorcycle enthusiasts. The menu features a wide array of craft cocktails, barbecues, and its specialty Cali-Mex surf and turf. Seeing as it is a bar, Clutch has a Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 5 to 6 pm. The bar is known for its signature dry rub barbeque. For a party of two, a meal averages out at about $55 to $65 with drinks included.

Photo credit: clutchcalimex.com

JON HUERTAS: CLUTCH

Tribeca Grill opened in 1990 and is co-owned by actor Robert De Niro.

The restaurant is located in the heart of Tribeca and is known by many around the world as a fantastic wine destination. A meal for two costs $150 to $180 on average, depending on your choice of wine. The signature dish at Tribeca Grill is the American Wagyu Sirloin. If fine dining is your thing, then you should check out the coveted Tribeca Grill.

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Photo credit: tribecagrill.com

ROBERT DE NIRO - TRIBECA GRILL

CREEN FUEL

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PHARELL WILLIAMS: SWAN AND BAR BEVY

Photo credit: swanbevy.com

The Grammy-winning singer tried his hand in opening a restaurant in Miami’s Design District. It was a smart choice! Pharrell opened Swan alongside its upstairs Moroccan-themed

bar, Bar Bevy, back in 2018. Swan has a specially designed menu made up of mostly soul-food thanks to Pharell’s dad, Pharoah Williams. To be able to get a seat at Swan, you have to make a reservation first. A full meal for two costs about $80, drinks and cocktails not included.

The action star opened up his first Taco Shack in Los Angeles called Trejo’s Tacos back in the spring of 2015.

Trejo’s Tacos is, of course, known for its large variety of tacos from carnitas to fish tacos. The restaurant also serves burritos, bowls, quesadillas and desserts such as its delicious dulce de leche cheesecake. For a party of two, a meal should average out to about $35, drinks and dessert included.

Photo credit: trejostacos.com

DANNY TREJO: TREJO’S TACOS

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FITNESS

POST WORKOUT HIGH

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Cannabidiol currently has the spotlight in the natural medicine market. The use of CBD has been on a steady rise as of late showing up in many different forms—oils, drinks, lotions, capsules, powders, and even cookies. It doesn’t come as a surprise that one of CBD’s many uses is for post-workout recovery.

CBD has been proven to help relax the body and assist muscle regeneration after an intense workout. Here are a few products we think you should look into:

ISLAND CBD FLOWER

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This product is 3.5 grams of 100 percent flower. Island Flower contains up to 28 percent THC and the brand claims that it is “as natural as it gets.” The product can be purchased directly on their user-friendly site island.co.

CBD GIO PEN The pocket-sized Gio CBD pen is the perfect on-the-go product.

Guaranteed effects include pain relief and relaxation. This product can be found on their website at eaze.com and product prices vary from $20 to $45.

REGEN PROTEIN POWDER

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Protein powders are an essential post-workout staple and we recommend ReGen Protein Powder. This dietary supplement delivers the most advanced and highest quality industrial hemp oil, sourced domestically in Colorado. This product can be ordered at lakelandcbdwellness.com for $79.95.

POPULUM COLD THERAPY HEMP RUB This CBD topical cream helps to soothe and relieve your muscles after a workout. This miracle product is available for purchase on their website at populum.com for only $45.

KUSH QUEEN RELIEVE CBD BATH BOMB

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There’s nothing better than sitting in a warm bath to loosen tight muscles after a workout. Upgrade your bath with the Kush Queen CBD Bath Bomb mixed with essential oils to fully relax those joints.

These bath bombs can be purchased at their website kushqueen.shop for $12.99 to $20.00 depending on the dosage.

1) Photo credit: swanbevy.com 2) Photo credit: courtesy of Grenco Science 3) Photo credit: lakelandcbdwellness.com 4) Photo credit: courtesy of Populum 5) Photo credit: swanbevy.com

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Words by: JAMIE ROLLO Photography: RICARDO NELSON Fashion: IMANI SULIMAN Grooming: SHANNON K. YOUNG All Merchandise Available at Bloomingdale’s The Shops at Riverside

Love :

Everything is

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At the helm of one his most anticipated years, rapper Flipp Dinero walked on set in the highest of spirits. On the verge of a burgeoning music career, this marked the artist’s first-ever cover shoot. Pulling up in a Black Mercedes Benz Sprinter, you would never expect Flipp to be as laid back and humbled as he was.

With his latest release Love for Guala blaring through the speakers and the vibe perfectly set, he was ready for this watershed moment.

Raised in Canarsie, he always had an unmatched motivation to reach a high level of success. With 2019 being a breakout year for the young artist, Flipp is well on his way to achieving those goals. “You could say it’s like crabs in a barrel just for me to make it out of that area,” he explained. “Being from my neighborhood, being from an area where people don’t show you love, that inspired me and motivated me to accomplish bigger and better.”

Breaking into the charts with his 2018 smash hit “Leave Me Alone” set him up for the successful release of his 2019 album Love for Guala. The track ended up peaking at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart within the first year of its release. But Flipp nev-

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er expected the song to reach that level of success. “I just jumped in the studio, regular recording process, you know what I mean?” he explained. “I just thought it was something cool, it was a catchy vibe. But, when other people heard it, the way they embraced it was crazy. That’s when I kind of knew I had something on my hands.

Just watching people’s reception toward the track.”

The feature-packed Love for Guala project includes hit songs “How I Move” (feat. Lil Baby) and “Looking at Me” (feat. Rich the Kid) along with the aforementioned single. Following his 2017 release The Guala Way, Love for Guala is Flipp’s second album, which speaks volumes to its success; artists seldom see such quick and wide recognition.

“Guala means to me God’s Unique Accolade Life Acquired,” Flipp said of his album. “I feel like we’re all unique to life so I just felt like Guala would be handed in with the title and my name. It’s just a love for money, love for Guala, the lifestyle, that’s what it means.”

“It’s all love with everyone that’s on the project,” he added. Other collaborations on Love for Guala include features from Jay Critch and Kodak Black, both of which came into fruition by “relationships through my big brothers.” One of those relationships includes the illustrious DJ Khaled who Flipp sees as a mentor. On set for his Bleu Magazine shoot, the 24-yearold rapper was seen on FaceTime with the famed producer showing off all of his looks. “He’s just an example of where I wanna be at that age,” he said admiringly.

“Khaled helped me out and I’m grateful.”

When it comes to his music and visuals, Flipp tends to every detail. “It was just picking the right amount of songs and the right songs to put on the project,” he said of Love for Guala. “It wasn’t that much of a difficult process. I love making music.”

Recently, he dropped unique visuals for “Looking at Me” with Rich the Kid and for “How I Move” featuring Lil Baby. In just weeks, the Damien Sandoval directed “Looking at Me” video racked up over 1 million views on YouTube. In a mere five days, the “How I Move” visual gained well over 1.4 million and counting. Directed by

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“GUALA MEANS TO ME GOD’S UNIQUE ACCOLADE LIFE ACQUIRED”

JACKET APC JEANS THE KOOPLES SNEAKERS GUCCI

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ENTERING THE NEW YEAR WITH NEW ENERGY, JUST CLEANING THE AURA’S, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING?” Kid Art, the video sees Flipp and Lil Baby hiding out from a S.W.A.T team.

“I always give my vision and input on how I want my videos to look. I always carry the treatments that are created for it. I always give my two cents,” he said. “I never wanna take away from the director, [though]. You know how some directors are. They wanna show that they’re able to make a dope visual. So, shoutout to all the directors I work with because they make some dope shit.”

This past year, Flipp has made tons of appearances including a spot on Rolling Loud Miami Sunday lineup next to the likes of Kid Cudi, Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, Tyga, Playboy Carti, and far too many others to name. Following the huge fest, he made concert appearances with Migos and 21 Savage, Young Thug, Casanova, Soulja Boy, Dave East, G Herbo, Pop Smoke, and many more. This upcoming March, Flipp will be performing alongside his longtime friend Jay Critch and breakout R&B artist Jacquees.

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While his professional career only dates back to 2016, Flipp has had a passion for music his entire life. “I’ve been making music all my life. I was always dabbling in the music scene,” he retold. “I grew up in a church and my mother and father were in the choir so I used to look at my mom as she would sing, and she would sing to me.

So, it kind of impacted me. That’s how my whole singing platform came about.”

dropped tracks like “Livin’ It,” “Wanna Ball” and “Play Fair,” but none of them stuck as much as his 2018 release “Leave Me Alone.” The track got much-deserved attention, blowing up once stars like Odell Beckham Jr. and Drake praised the track. The single piqued the interest of DJ Khaled who immediately signed Flipp to Epic Records under his notable We The Best imprint.

Flipp started professionally dropping music in 2017 with his debut single “I Do,” with fellow Brooklynite Joey Bada$$ promoting his music. “He gave me recognition and he was promoting my music and telling a whole bunch of people about me,” he added. He continued to release numerous singles including “Running up Bands,” “On Some,” and “Say No More,” all of which ended up as tracks on his debut album The Guala Way.

As one of the rising rap stars going into the new decade, Flipp is prepping for big things to come including visuals and a new project. With visuals out for “How I Move” and “Looking at Me,” he plans to soon release more visuals for his Jay Critch-assisted track “Fritolays.” He mentioned a potential new album saying, “I got a project I’m working on right now.

You could say it’s complete, but we putting in work towards it still.” He added, “Everything is going good, so we got a lot of things coming up. Entering the new year with new energy, just cleaning the aura’s, you know what I’m saying?” We’re excited to see what he does next.

Following the summer release of his freshman project, the rapper continued to release singles throughout the year immensely growing his following. He

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Young Bae made her claim to fame by appearing on seasons five through 10 of Black Ink Crew: New York. This self-made tattoo artist from Seoul, however, does far more than just tattooing.

Young is an all-around artist and entrepreneur who started her clothing line, 2one2 Apparel and lifestyle brand, Fitbae. On top of running her successful businesses and continuing her tattoo prowess, Young Bae is also a new mother and is preparing to publish her first book.

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B: So many people have watched your life evolve on the reality TV show, Black Ink Crew. We think that one of the reasons you have become such a fan favorite is for your talent and your transparency in telling your story. Recently we’ve watched you openly talk about the struggles of being a new mommy, but how has motherhood changed you overall as a person?

YB: Motherhood has made me more chill than I was. Before, it was all about hustling and making money. Motherhood taught me that there’s more to life than just working 24/7. It’s made me more sensitive and kinder. It has taught me real love and how to love unconditionally. It’s a different type of love for sure!

How many years has it been now that you’ve been tattooing and what keeps you inspired to continue to create over the years?

I’ve been tattooing for about 11 to 12 years and tattooing is a form of art for me. I’m an artist before anything. When I create something it’s when I feel free. It’s an amazing feeling when you create. What inspires me is how I’m able to express my emotions through my craft and art; growing up I wasn’t able to do so or speak about how I felt.

What would you say has been the key to your longevity?

Being true to yourself and being honest. I’m an honest person, I never really thought about money. It was always my clients first, not money. Taking care of people who take care of you, that’s how I’ve been able to build longevity.

With new tattoo styles and techniques popping up every day, how do you stay ahead of the curve?

Thankfully I’m an artist first when it comes to creating anything.

I’m good at that. When the new styles come around for some reason I’m able to do it but I always put my style into the new styles so it’s my tattoo. It’s not about “oh what’s in now.” I don’t do that but I’m able to create every new style coming around because I’m an artist first, not just a “tattoo artist.”

And now you’ve ventured off into the world of fashion with your new line 2one2 Apparel. Was a clothing line something you always wanted to do?

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afford nice stuff or things that looked right on me growing up. So I wanted to create something that showcases my style while catering to more curvy women. I also have the Fitbae collection which is my athletic wear line because I’m so passionate about working out and taking care of myself after having a baby.

There’s a lot of sexy yet stylish pieces and athleisure apparel as well. How did you decide on what type of clothing you wanted to create and sell?

Honestly I created this because I know what I like and I know that if certain things fit me a certain way, I’m not the only woman out there. I created this intending to make all women feel comfortable and have pieces feel flattering on them.

Do you see yourself committing to fashion and expanding your line with different collections?

Absolutely. As an entrepreneur, I believe in committing myself to any business venture that I embark on.

Fitbae is an overall lifestyle with apparel and an online community. How often are the classes and will consumers be able to engage with you?

Absolutely. In the future, we’re looking forward to having many Fitbae boot camps where people can purchase my online workout courses for women and moms who don’t have time to go to the gym. And if they’re unable to make a scheduled class they can always catch anything that they missed on my YouTube channel.

So many people have connected with you from your time spent on Black Ink Crew and your transparency with the struggles you’ve faced growing up and the issues you’ve had with your father. Knowing that so many people find your story relatable, did that fuel you to consider writing a book?

Yes, I feel like the response was overwhelming. It was so amazing and humbling to receive so many DMs from people who share similar experiences and it feels good that I’m not the only one who’s been through it and was hiding. Although sharing it was difficult, I’m glad I did because I feel like it may have helped so many other people as well.

What is the overall message you hope to convey in your book?

Sky’s the limit. Anything you put your mind and your heart, you can achieve it and never let anyone tell you you can’t achieve anything. Just put in the work and trust the process.

Do you believe that women can really have it all: love, career, and a family, or do you personally feel that some sacrifices have to be made?

Women have the hardest task in the world. Giving birth! Which means women can do ANYTHING! We run the world and without us, there would be nothing. I do believe we can have it all: love, career, and family, and to have that comes with being secure within yourself, compromising with your partner, and staying true to yourself and values. Trust the process because typically things won’t happen on your timing.

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Words by: ADAM JACOT DE BOINOD

Images courtesy of Lisbo tourism board

Lisbon, Portugal is one of the oldest cities in the world. With its historic charm, new age lure, and romanticism, this quaint city is one for exploring.

Like Istanbul and Rome, two other centers of far-reaching empires, it’s set on seven hills. Lisbon’s “Age of Discovery” began with the conquest of Ceuta in 1415 by Henry the (half-English) Navigator, and continued with an impressively short period with the rounding of the Cape in 1488, Vasco da Gama’s arrival in India in 1498, and Pedro Cabral’s landing on the Brazilian coast in 1500. This was the start of the city’s era of opulence and prominence.

You have to experience Fado. I went to Sr. Vinho on Rua do Meio à Lapa. It’s hard to say why it’s so popular with the Japanese and the Dutch, and no one knows how it started. Similar in expressive intensity to both the tango of Buenos Aires and the flamenco of Seville, fado, meaning fate or destiny, aligns itself with the word “Saudade,” meaning a longing for things that were or might have been.

The slaves from Brazil may have yearned for their homeland and certainly, Brazilian mandolins resemble the “Portuguese guitars,” though they use nine rather than 12 strings. Prostitutes historically descended on tavernas wrapped in a shawl, partly as they were too poor to buy a jacket but also to protect themselves from the clutches of the audience in whose proximity they sang these impromptu songs known as “desgarradas.”

I spent my first morning in Belém to see Lisbon’s main attraction, the Jerónimos Monastery. It has 16th century sprung vaults and separate conical pinnacles at the top. The church with the light coming through the stained glass windows, the cloisters with their unusual “Manueline” or “Late Portuguese Gothic” rounded rather than pointed arches, and the yellow-tiled refectory are all enchanting in their distinctive way.

“VIAJOU NA MAIONESE,”

The Portuguese phrase “viajou na maionese,” literally translating to travel in the mayonnaise but meaning to live in a dream world, perfectly summed up my experience of the romantic charm of Lisbon.

I read a lengthy Portuguese dictionary to find words to depict the wealth of her wonderful characters. I liked “janeleiro” for one who spends much time at the front window, especially a young woman who is something of a coquette. Certainly, I witnessed an “espreitadeira,” a woman who spies on her neighbors. Luckily I had no reason myself to spy on and identify a “pesamenteiro,” one who habitually joins groups of mourners at the home of a deceased person, ostensibly to offer condolences but in reality to partake of the refreshments which he expects will be served.

I stayed at the Lapa Palace. A study in elegance, this perfectly pink hotel has the feel of a well-run private house with fresh flowers, pol-

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ished tables, and telepathic staff in their traditional multi-buttoned uniforms who went the extra mile and more in helping me secure a particular coat from a local shop. The wonderful breakfast included those lovely egg tart pastries dusted with cinnamon that the city is famous for.

I enjoyed the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in the north of the city. It houses a collection of fine art and has an impressive array of both Corot and Guardi while the eponymous Turkish founder has bequeathed many amazing Ottoman treasures including Iznik tiles offering an interesting cultural comparison with the local variety.

The hotel is set in the exclusive, residential Lapa district, impressively beside the Chinese and American embassies. It’s within walking range of the vast neoclassical monument that is the Basilica da Estrela and across the street from the gates of the Jardim da Estrela that’s home to age-old tropical banyan trees, no doubt brought back from India or Brazil. When entering, make sure you get a bench decked with sunlight as they are keenly fought over.

I strongly recommend getting a Lisbon Tourist Card to cover many of the museums, shops, and modes of transport. With mine, I jumped on the trams, surely the best way to experience the city and used as much by locals as tourists, and decked with wooden panels with the driver presiding over old-fashion controls.

Intricate mosaics pave the city’s streets and squares. In Portugal, these glazed tiled pavements were used since the 13th century and were made of geometric pieces of plain colors. Then by the 16th century, they used “azulejo” as wall revetment, based on patterns of the Hispanic Moorish techniques from Seville and Toledo before gradually the Islamic motifs of knotwork and geometric patterns were replaced by European ones of vegetal and animal elements. Magnificent small cubed tiles emerged in the 19th century and were made by “calceteiros” out of limestone and basalt. Indeed the whole of Lisbon is like a tile museum with its colorful panels.

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For a different way to explore the city, I hopped in an electric “tuktuk” with Hills on Wheels with its high-pitched shrill from its three wheels to neighboring Alfama, the original Arab settlement and to walk up to its steep streets. Here I came across Armazem das Caldas, a lovely ceramics shop, in Campo de Santa Clara. On Alfama’s summit is perched the Church of Santa Engrácia, known as the National Pantheon and looking proudly down across the Tagus estuary.

Lisbon brought to my mind the Portuguese proverb “cão picado por cobra, tem medo de linguiç,” meaning a dog that has been bitten by a snake fears sausages. Effectively meaning once bitten, twice shy. For me, being once bitten means I am forever attached to this delightful and truly romantic city.

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W H E R E T O S TAY :

THE LAPA PALACE Rua do Pau de Bandeira 4 1249-021 Lisbon, Portugal (+351) - 213 949 494

W H AT T O D O :

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SR VINHO

Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal (+351) - 21 362 0034

Rua do Meio à Lapa 18 1200-724 Lisboa, Portugal (+351) - 21 397 2681

LISBON MARRIOTT HOTEL

THE JARDIM DA ESTRELA

LA BUVETTE DA MÃE D´ÁGUA

Av. dos Combatentes 45 1600-042 Lisboa, Por Portugal (+351) - 21 723 5400

Praça da Estrela n°12 1200-694 Lisboa, Portugal (+351) - 21 397 4818

R. da Mãe de Água 9 1250-154 Lisboa, Portugal (+351) - 21 246 5002

RADISSON BLU HOTEL

CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN MUSEUM

ALMA

Av. Mal. Craveiro Lopes 390 1749-009 Lisboa, Portugal (+351) - 21 004 5000

Av. de Berna 45A 1067-001 Lisboa, Portugal (+351) - 21 7823000

1200-224 Lisboa, Portugal (+351) - 21 347 0650

Photography by Shadowgate from Novara, ITALY - Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, CC BY 2.0,

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Words by: LAVANYA SUNKARA

ADVENTURE AWAITS IN BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA Images courtesy of Lavanya Sunkara and Belize Tourism Board

A guide to exploring all that Belize has to offer, from jungle adventures and Mayan sites to marine wonders and stunning islands.

Belize had been on my bucket list for years for its amazing underwater adventures and a chance to see The Great Blue Hole, a submerged cave unlike anything in the world. I soon realized that this Central American country has more to offer than just water activities. In this small, but mighty country, you’ll find intricate caves and cascading waterfalls, sanctuaries for exotic birds and jaguars, and breathtaking Mayan archaeological sites.

And no trip to Belize is complete without exploring the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve in the Caribbean, and sinking your toes into the soft sands of Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker.

After a flight from New York’s JFK with a layover in Miami, I landed in Belize City and began my journey west towards San Ignacio in the Cayo District, the launching pad for outdoor adventures and Mayan sites. It helped that all the signs on the George Price Highway were in English (this English-speaking country was a British territory known as British Honduras, and gained independence in 1981). Along the highway, visitors can stop by the Belize Zoo, home to animals native to the country. I ended my first day at Chaa Creek Jungle Resort in San Ignacio sipping fancy cocktails and having a delicious meal at their on-site bar and restaurant before retreating to my lovely cottage. This eco-friendly resort has miles of trails, a butterfly farm, and a Natural History Center.

The next morning, I awoke to the haunting calls of howler monkeys in the nearby trees. A bright, sunny day greeted me as I set out to explore the surrounding region by car. My first stop - Calico Jack’s Village - a resort and a zip lining spot located in the middle of the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. It features jungle walks, canopy zip line tours, and an extreme swing.

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After a thrilling zip lining experience, I refueled with a splendid lunch at Blancaneaux Lodge (owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola) and set out for more outdoor fun in the afternoon. Among the many natural attractions in the region, the Río Frio Cave, with its 65foot entrance, stands out. A well-maintained path snakes alongside the river that runs through the cavern, allowing visitors to take in the cave’s beauty. Popular waterfalls like the Five Sisters Falls and Big Rock waterfalls offer refreshing escapes on hot days, and I took advantage of the cool waters of the pool below Big Rock waterfalls before heading back.

I dedicated the next day to explore the Mayan sites of the region. Cayo District is the heart of the Belizean Mayan world. Impressive pre-Columbian archaeological sites like Xunantunich and Caracol are the highlights of the region and rightfully so. They remain the tallest manmade structures in the country. While Xunantunich features a 130 foot El Castillo pyramid overlooking the Mopan River, Caracol’s Sky Palace soars to 143 feet above the jungle in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. At its height, Caracol may have sustained a population of 120,000 people, more than the current population of Belize City.

The jaguar reigns supreme in Belize with a thriving population, thanks to the country’s efforts to dedicate thousands of acres for its habitat. In Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, sitting on 128,000 acres of rainforest in the Stann Creek District of south-central Belize, visitors get a rare opportunity to see these beautiful cats on an evening guided hike that may also yield sightings of ocelots, pumas, and margays. Although I didn’t have a chance to see these special cats in the wild during my stay, I had plenty of other animal sightings, thanks to my underwater adventures on the Caribbean coast.

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A 20 minute Tropic Air flight from San Ignacio brought me to San Pedro, situated on the southern tip of Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize. Marine adventures can be arranged straight from resorts in San Pedro; Ramon’s Village, where I booked a few nights, was no exception. Setting sail on a SEAduced by Belize catamaran, I set out to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve for some underwater fun. Hol Chan translates to a little channel in Mayan, and this coral-filled gap in the barrier reef allows for snorkeling in 30 feet of water.

Beautiful spotted and southern rays, sea turtles, colorful fish, and nurse sharks can be spotted on a snorkeling tour. A half-hour away from the channel lies Shark Ray Alley. As the name suggests, it’s the best place to get up close to nurse sharks and rays. Nurse sharks are medium-sized sharks and are fairly harmless to humans. They use their small serrated teeth and suction to consume food. They swarm any arriving boats in the hopes of being fed; guides use small fish to lure them to the boats.

The Great Blue Hole, a sunken cave located near the center of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, is the most iconic attraction in Belize. Those with an advanced diving certificate can dive to the depths to witness its stalactites and stalagmites, and the occasional sharks that inhabit the deep waters. The natural attraction can also be admired from above on a helicopter tour. At the nearby Half Moon Caye, another world heritage site, you can get up close to blue-footed booby birds and magnificent frigate birds nesting in the thicket.

Most snorkeling tours that leave out of San Pedro have the option of stopping at Caye Caulker, a laid-back island that spans just five miles. The walkable main road leads to stores, budget lodgings and beachside restaurants, including Fantasy Dining, which attracts scores of tourists for its good food and chill vibe. A short walk from there brings you to the Split, which came to be when Hurricane Hattie divided the island into two. Belizeans turned this unforeseen event into a tourist destination, complete with a bar and grill, beach chairs and clear blue waters for snorkeling and swimming. After a day of exploring caves and the magical underwater scene, I found myself dozing in a hammock back at Ramon’s Village to the sound of swaying palms and gentle waves, content with the exhaustion brought on by great adventure.

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W H E R E T O S TAY :

CHAA CREEK JUNGLE LODGE Chaa Creek Road, San Ignacio (877) 709-8708

W H AT T O D O :

ZIP LINE AT CALICO JACK’S VILLAGE Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve +501 832-2478

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BLANCANEAUX LODGE Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve +501 824-3878

RAMON’S VILLAGE RESORT

VISIT CARACOL MAYAN SITE

ELVI’S KITCHEN

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye +501 226-2071

Chiquibul Forest Reserve

Pescador Dr, San Pedro +501 226-2176

BANYAN BAY SUITES

SWIM WITH SHARKS

FANTASY DINING

Seagrape Drive, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

Hol Chan Marine Reserve Belize Barrier Reef

Playa Asuncion, Caye Caulker +501 206-0638

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T-SHIRT KIRK

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JACKET TAKEON

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JACKET STONE ISLAND

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WHY

ARTIST PROFILE

THE STREETS NEED DOE BOY

Photography by Anthony Hillard

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Following a brief hiatus, Cleveland-bred rapper Doe Boy is hungrier than ever. He ended 2019 with countless hit singles and mixtapes, including his long-awaited project Streetz Need Me 2, which served as a follow up to his 2016 debut project Streetz Need Me. The album saw great success with the marquis single “Walk Down” finding its way onto the Billboard charts with over 2 million streams on Spotify. Executively produced by Future, the album includes features from the hottest names in rap including YG, Young Thug, Gunna, and Lil Durk. Referring to Future as his “brother,” Doe Boy has been honored to create under the Future-owned Freebandz imprint under Epic Records. Through this connection, he has been able to secure those numerous features and more, including a track with Meek Mill, which further grew his name recognition. This past year, he made tons of appearances including multiple Rolling Loud Fests across the U.S, Post Malone’s Posty Fest, and MGK’s EST Fest.

Bleu: Can you talk about your Streetz Need Me 2 album?

Doe Boy: That was the first project I dropped when I came home from jail back in 2016. So I just wanted to continue the series. I’m about to drop part three soon, too. It’s a classic, and it was the hardest mixtape that dropped last year.

And Future executive produced the album, what was it like working with him?

That’s like my brother though, I work with him very often. It just, we got a certain type of chemistry. And then like, I respect his judgment.

He’s pretty much going to executive produce all my projects.

There are tons of features on the album, too many to even name.

How did those come about?

Me and Thug did a song. I got a song called ‘I’m Scared’ with him and 21 Savage. So we did the two songs on the same day. And then he just ended up using that one for his project and I kept that one for mine.

Then like the YG situation, I originally did ‘Walk Down’ by myself, and then I just put him on there afterward. Me and him got cool on like Instagram. That’s pretty much how all of them came about.

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You mentioned how Streetz Need Me 2 was the first project you released after jail. Do you feel that your sentence delayed your career or discouraged you?

Yeah, like I was about to blow up, and then I went to jail. So it delayed my career but it also helped it at the same time because it just made me more focused, and made me appreciate everything more. And then I just felt like everything happens when it’s supposed to. Maybe it wasn’t meant for me to blow up back then. I had to get older and just - and now I feel like, right now I’m just so unstoppable. I’m just in my bag.

What’s the ultimate message in your music that you try to portray?

It’s just like, it’s how I grew up and just like what’s going on. Like this was going on. So I just put it in my music and just hope people understand… But that’s why the streets need me, that’s why it’s called that.

Coming from Ohio, which has that stamp of greatness, do you feel like you have to keep that and maintain that?

I feel like I’m the face of Ohio. I feel like I’m the greatest thing to ever come out of Ohio. We don’t have a music scene like that, I mean it’s

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Photography by Chad Lawson

ARTIST PROFILE

just now starting… Like you know we had Machine Gun Kelly and like Kid Cudi? But it’s like I’m the face of the streets. So I gave a voice just to [show] what we are.

Do you sometimes go back home to Cleveland?

I go back to my hood all the time. I just bought Future to my hood.

We shot a video in my hood. I go back all the time.”

Do you feel like you still get the same love?

It’s even more. Like you know everything is weird sometimes like sometimes it be off but not for real though. But that’s just with everybody, period, nowadays. Everything just kind of be off sometimes no matter where I’m at, it’s just because where I am. I know how to deal with it though.

What was it like performing at Rolling Loud this past year?

I did like three, maybe four shows. That’s my favorite place to perform in like it’d be so lit. Like the energy is just priceless… I did Miami a couple of times, I did Oakland and L.A. How long have you been making music?

I really really started recording when I was 13. But I’ve been making music since I was like six like I was fake recording. I started being in a real studio when I was like 13 or 14.

Who’d you grow up listening to? Who’s your inspiration?

50 Cent, Gucci Mane, and Little Wayne.”

Do you fuck with the new music sound now?

Definitely that shits hard as hell. I just feel like everybody just sounds the same now. But that’s why you got people like me… I’m about to recreate the sound. They about to start noticing that street music is about to come back like everybody’s about to start back on the street shit and that gang shit.

Do you have anybody in mind that you would want to work with?

Justin Beiber... You see how many goddamn followers that boy got? I need some of them.

What do you think sets your music apart from other, current rappers?

It just sounds like me. Like I don’t sound like anybody like you can’t be like ‘Oh, he sounds like so-and-so.’ You know what I’m saying? The most they do is they try to compare me to like an Eazy-E like that’s what they try to say. But that’s pretty much because of my beat selection. Like if you listen to like ‘Walk Down’ or ‘6-4,’ a couple of the beats, they got this old west coast, IceCube bounce to it.

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F E AT U R E

Words by: JAMIE ROLLO

Photography: TERON BEAL

J.ERVING SHIFTS

INTO THE NEW WORLD OF MUSIC DISTRIBUTION

J. Erving founded Human Re-Sources, a digital distribution company that is catering to the ever-evolving world of music.

With popular, rising artists on his label and deep history in the music industry, he’s set up for great success.

With a 20-year history in the music industry, J. Erving is more than equipped for his newest venture: Human Re-Sources. The music executive founded the digital distribution company two years ago with hopes of becoming more focused on today’s streaming-centered entertainment market. Currently, Erving has solidified partnerships with successful streaming artists such as YBN Nahmir and YBN Cordae, breakout R&B/soul artist Pink Sweats, and many more.

“I think the consumer has moved us to digital consumption, right?

We’re not buying CDs anymore,” explained Erving in an interview.

“Being a primarily digitally based company is just servicing where music consumption is happening.” Aside from occasionally providing “physical units” depending on the need, everything Human Re-Sources does is digitally based, including marketing and promotion.

With Erving being in management for decades, the label has a bit more of an edge. Erving mentioned they were able to ink the first direct deal with Spotify because a longtime co-worker of his is now an executive over at the streaming company. He did mention, however, that those types of connections “gave us access but didn’t give us favors.” As for streaming success? “It’s really about the music and having solid talent and having shit that’s sticky,” said Erving. “You still gotta have good shit, so it all boils back down to the music.”

Erving is no stranger to the industry. Working through decades of turbulent change in music consumption, he has seen the evident shift into the social-media-driven market we see today. He explained how labels are now focusing on an artists’ “analytics” rather than going with their “gut.” Over at Human Re-Sources, he wisely is balancing the two.

With the rise of social media, artists have become more “entrepreneurial” and are selling tickets, streaming their material, and offering downloads of their music before any mention of a record deal.

“When I came into music, we didn’t have the luxury of the internet, we kind of had to go hand-to-hand. You know, I’m from Philly and if you wanted somebody in New York to hear your shit, you’d have to get on a train and go and try to figure it out,” he said.

Major record labels are now seeking out artists with favorable analytics, but according to Erving, that might not always be the best method. “The leverage is different,” he explained. “That’s why the major labels are having to overpay for a lot of the artists they’re signing because the shits already moving. And those artists, going in, they know they have leverage.”

“Humbly,” Erving believes that major record labels should be moving towards the type of deals that Human Re-Sources does. “Our only analytics is our gut. If it’s already streaming and they’re already selling tickets, it’s too late for me,” he said. He proudly listens to the intuition of his team and his ear, and from there will use his management expertise to grow the digital presence and following of those they choose to sign. “That’s how we approach distribution, you know, we’re in it with you. That’s what drove me into distribution. I felt the landscape was more transactional.”

In the past, Erving revealed that there were a lot of deals within the major label market that left him unsettled and defeated. Oftentimes when making record deals, he gave away too much ownership. “A lot of the record deals didn’t feel good,” he added. When creating Human Re-Sources, he wanted to be able to give artists more say. Erving explained, “as their distribution partner, we’ll charge a distribution fee for a certain period of time, but ultimately they own their mas-

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ters.” The distribution service not only provides digital promotion, marketing, and streaming deals but will also provide live performance and touring opportunities.

“We’re in it, in it with our partners,” he added.

When looking for talent to sign, Erving turns to his diversified A&R team for guidance. “We have some young folks on our A&R team,” he explained. “Their musical ear is trained to hear stuff that is working currently that I might not hear.” He mentioned the success of the late rapper XXXtentacion. When his son, who is part of the team, played some of the late artist’s music, Erving was certain yelling off-beat wouldn’t work in the market. Now, that style of rap is highly successful among younger crowds. “What ends up being phenomenal for kids, I might not hear,” he said. “The key for me is supporting things that people on my team are passionate about…

We have success with things that I wouldn’t have necessarily heard right away.”

It can be challenging to find artists as so many of them have easy access to publish and promote their work, but in Erving’s opinion, this is a good thing for music. “In the past, there were a lot of talented people who didn’t have the access to get it out,” he said. “It also becomes challenging to figure out how you could be so much better or so different that you’re cutting through the noise. 50,000 songs are uploaded a day. That’s a lot of music.”

One of the first artists Erving signed to the label was the Portland Trailblazers’, Damien Lillard. Under the name Dame D.O.L.L.A, he signed to Human Re-Sources and proved to be a huge success. As Erving reflects on his business, he expresses how signing the NBA player made an impact on the company’s success. “I will be forever grateful for Dame and his trust in us… We learned a lot from that project,” he said. “There wasn’t any exposure for us, there was way more exposure for him… So he took a huge risk on us and I will be forever grateful for him.”

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Words by: TOMMY RODRIGUEZ

TreWay on

REMAINING ONDA1 Two-time Grammy-winning musical director and drummer TreWay has created quite the buzz around his name. Through turmoil and changes, he details how he has remained focused and plans to establish a legacy that lasts generations.

Born and raised in Philly, Bernard “TreWay” Lambert was immersed in music from birth.

He began playing when his grandfather gifted him his first drum set at just 3 years old, hoping to harness some of his hyperactivity and introduce him to a world of music.

It didn’t take long before he began playing regularly at his church, an experience that he acknowledges has shaped him as a musician and a man. “God is the reason why I am where I’m at, and all my purpose and everything involved in my craft and my gift

“ “We puttin

Philly back on.

Live music

scene, you dig?”

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and my talent was anointed to me by God, so everything I do is based around church.”

through the live music scene and has won two Grammys of his own.

At 15 years old, TreWay was performing at gigs that lifelong musicians dream of doing.

He began performing with Tye Tribbet, a Grammy award-winning gospel singer and was allowed to tour with him for weeks at a time, thanks to his gracious principals at the Girard Academic Music Program. Fast forward a decade later, TreWay has ripped

The proud Philadelphian by no means limits himself to drumming, however. His clothing line, ONDA1, is something he truly takes pride in and is a passion of his alongside music.

“My brand is me. When people see me, I want them to see my brand. I want them to not just see, ‘oh, that’s the drummer for this person or drummer for that person.’ Nah, that’s TreWay.”

Photo Credit: Vernon Ray

For decades, we’ve witnessed some of the greatest musicians ever to walk the face of the Earth emerge from the city of Philadelphia.

Patti LaBelle, Boyz II Men, and The Roots, to name a few. We may very well be witnessing the uprising of a new musical movement in Philadelphia. A unique sound bridging generations, molded by years of playing gospel music, hip-hop, R&B, and any other genre you can think of. The man behind this movement? Meet TreWay. With drums, God and a dream, he’s only begun leaving his mark on the music industry.

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“Be on the lookout for me…

I just want my light to shine and my light will shine.”

The brand name, ONDA1, is a mantra of his and symbolizes a great part of what TreWay stands for. “We always ONDA1,” he declares.

Staying ONDA1 is a musical reference to staying on beat and an ideology he hopes to instill worldwide. It means to stay focused and not let anything deter you from living out your dreams. And if I may say so myself, TreWay practices what he preaches. “I know that my brand is gonna take off even more.

I wanna open up a store, a flagship store. I wanna open up a school. It’s a lot that I wanna do based on my brand. It’s something that I know will take off.”

When asked how he stays focused, whether it be in a music industry filled with demons or the city of Philadelphia that millions don’t make it out of, his answer is simple: “Just having a great, solid foundation is the key in this career and life.” TreWay remains grounded with the help of friends, family, and faith.

Over three years removed from the day he was shot and nearly lost his life, he finds himself in a better place than ever.

Blessings continue to pile upon the musical director’s life, whether it be performing at Coachella, touring with Meek Mill, Future,

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Bebe Rexha, Marsha Ambrosius, or Floetry, or doing every major late-night show you could name. In addition to his work in fashion and aspirations of opening a music school, the musical prodigy hopes to leave a mark in the film industry as well. “I wanna be in movies, but I also wanna do the music in the movies. Like scoring movies.”

TreWay and his group, The Now Generation, are on the verge of dropping Thompson Street, an album that’s “about to change the world.” The crew has been quiet since the release of their single “Don’t Call” in 2016, a song that remains a crowd favorite to this day.

TreWay recognizes the power of music and its ability to change the world. “Music is a spirit. It moves in everybody.” With his humility, unequivocal drive and unwavering faith, TreWay will become one of the biggest names in the game and continue to move masses with his music. “Be on the lookout for me… I just want my light to shine and my light will shine.”

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Words by: JOHNATHAN POWELL

MILLENNIALS

AND RELIGION:

The Exodus from Tradition to Kanye’s Sunday Service

It is no surprise that many millennials are rapidly leaving behind traditional churches. Take a look into why younger generations are redefining their relationship with a holier being. “… All that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done,” (Judges 2:10). A cryptic, almost Game of Thrones-like connotation and energy connected to it; a layered message connecting our present-day plight. Why are millennials opting out of traditional churches and opting into a Kanye West, Sunday Service type of narrative? There is a generation that has now arrived that doesn’t know a God, a Lord, a deity, or any higher being, let alone the institution of the traditional church. Several weeks ago, by pure serendipity, I came across Dr. E. Bernard Jordan’s book, The Lit Generation: What the Millennials Need from a Prophetic Church. In this book, Dr. Jordan attempts to tackle some of the same questions I have and provides some interesting

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data while doing so. For example, he notes that in the 1990s, researchers studied the trend of the “unaffiliated.” These unaffiliated people also referred to as “Nones,” were composed of individuals who identified themselves as atheists, agnostics, or those who have no response when asked about their religious affiliations.

American churches is almost non-existent in juxtaposition to that of white churches.

This information brings even further clarity to my position namely because, historically, most mainline white churches enrolled their masses primarily with symbols whereas the Black church substratum is its “experience.”

Are you seeing the contrast?

Further research indicates that the rate of religious change accelerated further during the late 2000s and early 2010s, reaching 20 percent by 2012. Today 25 percent of Americans claim no formal religious identity, making “Nones” the largest “religious group” in the U.S. As I searched deeper into the data, something even stronger struck out to me. According to the Pew Research Center, Black millennials are more religious than others. The drop off in African

We are not the first to make attempts at theorizing the “why’s” and “how’s.” Therein lies the bedrock for understanding this “social climate change.” The exodus of many millennials from traditional houses of worship is due to the lack of “enrollment” done by them. Long gone are the days where people come to church because the culture and “powers that be” deem it the acceptable practice of good American young people. Individuals cannot blindly just accept edicts and

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dogmas that don’t translate to factual reality.

I would argue that here we have a generation that is frustrated with answers that no longer truly satisfy new questions. Traditional enrollment into the church happened, as I see it, through two areas: symbols and experiences. Let’s take a look at the first: there is a science to symbols, called a symbology. It comes from a Greek word symbolon meaning “token, watchword.”

Aside from its deeply embedded Greek roots, the study of symbols became so insightful and impactful, that it became a part of an incredible sociological perspective that George Herbert Mead developed in the middle of the 20th century. I first learned about it in college and was fascinated at how something so simple could become so profound. In the simplest, most undeveloped terms, this symbolic interactionism is a system that helps us understand how we live in society and how to maintain what happens as we repeat certain interactions, and how these interactions create meaning. The word “meaning” is crucial because that is where the divide begins; a lack of meaning which is altogether different than a lack of respect. Respect is often given as the “blood-stained scarlet letter” to our generation; our very own “scarlet letter” are the symbols which enrolled many before us like the altar or the robes of clerics. Today, these symbols do not garner the same levels of respect because the meaning and purpose of them are foreign to many. Coupled with the fact in most recent years, these symbols have now become representative of many new perspectives, both good and bad.

“Millennials do not respect until they inspect,” and the lack of understanding is now the lack of meaning. Has it become less interesting to inspect and research? More importantly, has our previous generations’ influence encouraged this nonchalance towards “deity?” I ask these questions because how else can you develop a love or an appreciation for something if there is no relationship or investment to it? All traditional churches, steeped in a rich heritage of history and pageantry, have perhaps done a poor job of translating that history to appeal to the new generations. Think about it: the symbols of and in the church pre-date even the country we live in. Are sacraments even relevant to this day and age? Or, are they some archaic representation of European supremacy and domination of the modern world. All

of these icons have been defined through social and ethnic lenses. Would you be so inclined to appreciate a symbol that carries such mixed meanings? The priest’s collar traditionally speaks to the yoking or ownership of Christ over his servants, namely the priest, likened to the yoke that is placed around an ox (What a metaphor!). Yet to others, it reminds them of the countless children that have been objectified, brutalized and taken advantage of.

And this ladies and gentlemen, opens a new interest, appeal, and investigation of worship and commonality by the one and only Rev. Dr. Kanye West (it does have a ring to it).

Although Kayne does not equate himself to be any kind of messenger, reverend or minister in the traditional sense, he becomes an even bigger “man of the cloth” by redefining a relationship with the church and God via something we all have knowledge of and love for, which is music. He uses what I see as the second tool for enrollment experience.

The new “Sunday Service” provides a positive, joyous and celebratory experience to church and God with no symbols, no relics, no history, just experience. As a millennial,

experiences are the route to ignite an investigation. Think of every modern revolution we have seen in the last decade, from civil rights to environmental concerns. All contentious politics start from a shared experience and sense of community. And what Kanye West has managed to do is redefine these contentious politics into a musical and self-guiding experience. He has disrupted the traditional techniques of church and God to make a statement of what church can and could be.

And in no small feat is this new experience to be demeaned because in all sincerity, “an experience” is the purest form of conversion to church; give people the experience and the rest will follow.

The lyrics, almost like a musing meditation, cause the hearers to fall into an ocean of emotions that cascade down to one’s soul until cleansed in renewal. Perhaps the exit out of the church is the entrance into the church.

But this church may not have steeples. It may not have pews or pipe organs. But it may encapsulate the essence, the spirit, the engagement and the core of what Christ is about.

Beyond unexplained symbols and idols, and robes, there is an experience that everyone can partake and encounter.

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MEET ANDREA DENNIS AND ERIK NIELSON

Andrea Dennis and Erik Nielson recently released their groundbreaking novel, Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America, which gives a critical look into courtrooms’ use of rap lyrics. Dennis has worked as an assistant federal public defender and now holds the John Byrd Martin Chair of Law at the University of Georgia School of Law. Nielson is a professor of African American literature and hip hop culture at the University of Richmond.

What initially made you realize that there was a prejudice against rap music? What interested you?

We always knew. We both grew up with hip-hop from its beginnings in NYC. Over the years since its birth, we heard all the reporting about politicians, police, and prosecutors vilifying rap music and trying to squash its popularity and impact. But it wasn’t until we were well into our careers before we figured out what was happening in the criminal justice system.

Andrea first encountered this tactic in the early 2000s when she was a federal criminal defense attorney. About five years later, the issue landed back on her radar when she was researching connections between hip-hop and the law. At that time, she realized the practice was more than just occasional and isolated, leading her in 2007 to publish her law review article entitled Poetic (In)Justice? on the topic. By 2012, it was clear that state and federal law enforcement and prosecutors nationwide were using rap evidence in every phase of the criminal justice process.

As for Erik, oddly enough, his work related to the U.S. criminal justice system began in the U.K., where he received his Ph.D. While working on his degree, he learned of cases in the U.K. in which grime (similar to rap) was being used as evidence in criminal cases. Suspecting that if the practice was occurring in the U.K., it was likely happening in the U.S., he began looking. It quickly became clear that it was widespread, but he didn’t appreciate the full scope of the problem until he and Andrea teamed up to collaborate.

Why do you feel court systems use rap lyrics against defendants but not other genres?

Race and ethnicity, primarily. The criminal justice system targets young Black and Latino men who also happen to be the primary producers of rap music. Because lyrics are usually written in the first

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person and oftentimes focus on criminal themes and use violent imagery, police and prosecutors view (or at least claim to view) rap lyrics as self-incriminating confessions which is the best form of evidence.

Additionally, lyrics that reinforce common narratives and stereotypes of Black male criminality and dangerousness are powerful influences on judges and jurors.

Also, we can’t forget about class. Money buys justice and most of the defendants in these cases – whether Black or Latino – are amateur rappers who don’t have the name recognition or financial resources that protect famous artists.

What do you mean by “rap lyrics aren’t just prejudicial? They are toxic”?

They are extremely damning and damaging. Studies have shown, for instance, that people perceive the same song lyrics as more threatening and in need of regulation if they believe the lyrics came from a rap song rather than a country song. This may be because individuals hold preconceived, negative notions about rap music and associate rap lyrics with stereotypes and tropes of Black male criminality, violence, and aggressiveness. So when rap lyrics are admitted, they can infect and poison an entire case, resulting in a conviction even when the case is otherwise very weak.

And in some cases—particularly those in which rap lyrics are being prosecuted as threats—the entire case is predicated by how a judge and jury (mis)interpret those lyrics.

When researching for the book, what were some of the most shocking findings?

Two things were stunning. First, it’s clear that in some cases police “experts” and prosecutors are knowingly misrepresenting rap music

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(courtesy of Andrea Dennis)

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(Photography by Jamie Betts)

to judges and jurors to secure convictions. Second, prosecutors are trying to use rap lyrics to impose the harshest of sentences, [including] the death penalty. And sometimes their arguments are successful.

What are some ways to combat this issue?

We call on everybody to help fix this problem. Citizens can vote for progressive prosecutors, and when they are jurors in a criminal case they should be skeptical if presented with rap music evidence. Politicians can enact what we call rap shield rules to prevent rap lyrics from being used against artists to impose criminal penalties on them.

Criminal defense attorneys should fight this practice not only in their cases but also by drawing the public’s attention to the practice and the injustices it causes.

Judges need to more closely scrutinize police who claim they are experts on rap music and prosecutors’ arguments for admitting rap lyrics as evidence. In many cases, we believe judges should reject the positions of police and prosecutors. Finally, we hope that industry artists and executives will speak out more often on this issue and collaborate with us on solutions. Some well-known artists have signed onto legal briefs submitted to the Supreme Court and supported individual artists in their cases, but there is so much more that can be done such as education, mentoring and youth programming.

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Photography by: RICARDO NELSON Fashion Market: EBONY ALLISON CHEVY WOLF Styling by: A GUY AND A GURL Grooming: CHRIS TABASSI

TYLA YAWEH: A R AGER BØY LIFEST YLE Tyla Yaweh is making ripples through the music industry. The Florida-bred artist has amassed tens of millions of streams on his debut album, Heart Full of Rage, and is currently on the brink of releasing the sequel. The versatile rock-influenced rapper stresses how important it is to remain true to yourself, and it is this very idea that separates Tyla Yaweh from the rest.

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SHIRT PRIVATE POLICY PANTS DAVID HART GLASSES TALENTS OWN

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S P OT L I G H T

Words EBONY ALLISON

Class Is Back In Session At The Graduate Ann Arbor So, you’re visiting a high-profile college town. You may stumble upon resolute sports fans, historic sites, eclectic art scenes and if you’re lucky, a Graduate Hotel. If you find yourself at the front door of this specialty curated hot-spot, you’ve struck gold. Graduate Hotels are only located in university towns regarded as the crème de la crème.

Bringing us to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The city of Ann Arbor is known by many as the home of The University of Michigan. And loved or loathed for the accolades of their football team, the Wolverines. A city rooted in winning, it only made sense for Graduate founder, Ben Weprin, to set up shop in the high spirited town. In an interview with Inc Magazine, Weprin candidly discussed his strategy for his brand, “We’re not going into markets where there are no hotels. We’re just doing it

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Images Courtesy Of Destination Ann Arbor

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differently.” Each Graduate location is curated with high regard to local culture, history and the university.

Graduate Ann Arbor is located in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor and just a block away from The University of Michigan. With a distinguished decor that boasts of Wolverine pride, Graduate Ann Arbor recreates the collegiate experience for guests in real-time. The staff was welcoming. Midwest hospitality goes unmatched. It is inevitable to become fixated on the ceilings that extend up to the second floor. There are chalk walls with formulas that you’ll be inclined to solve. The tufted green sofas in the waiting area are almost too pretty for sitting but perfect for an Instagram moment. And the grand refectory table is perfectly designed to ensure everyone has a seat.

At the Graduate Ann Arbor, details matter, and even the key cards are reminiscent of student ids. The rooms appear to pay homage to fraternity life. The furniture is vintage, the bedding is superb and the vibe is the perfect fusion of new school meets old. The plush terry cloth

robe, which you’ll find hanging perfectly in the closet, is even branded to make you almost feel as cool as a jock in an exclusive letterman.

Take a stroll through the hotel and you’ll find the Allen Rumsey cocktail lounge. The lounge offers a full menu and a classic spin on drinks from back in the day. In the mornings, before heading out, stop by the Pointdexter cafe for your caffeine fix and small breakfast bites.

Though there are plenty of gems to discover by wandering through the hotel, several attractions, restaurants, and museums are also nearby. The famed Michigan stadium is just a five-minute drive away. Craft breweries can be found on just about every block and dispensaries for recreational and medicinal use are in short range.

Weprin understands that his concepts may not appeal to everyone, but with several Graduate locations slated to open in the coming future, he has proven that his idea is in demand. In an interview with CNBC, he states, “For me, this business isn’t about how we can be everything to everybody – it’s more, how can we be unique in a way people will love.”

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Best Black

Actors/Actresses from 2000-2019 Tyler James Williams Everybody Hates Chris

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Morgan Freeman Bruce Almighty

Danny Glover Jumanji: The next level

Tyler Perry Madea

Eddie Murphy Showtime

Chris Rock Everybody Hates Chris

Lee Thompson Young Smallville

Denzel Washington The Equalizer

Cuba Gooding Jr. Radio

Forest Whitaker Black Panther

Damon Wayans Jr. White Chicks

Samuel L. Jackson Shaft

Idris Elba Thor

Daniel Kaluuya Get Out and Queen and Slim

Nick Cannon Drumline

Halle Berry John Wick and Catwoman

Corbin Bleu High School Musical, Jump In

Octavia Spencer Ma and The Help

Kevin Hart Jumanji

Viola Davis How to Get Away with Murder

Eddie Griffin Norbit

Tiffany Haddish Like A Boss

Dennis Haysbert Secret Obsession

Laurence Fishburne The Matrix Series

Oprah Winfrey The Butler

Jamie Foxx Django Unchained

Raven Symoné That’s So Raven

Don Cheadle Iron Man

Keke Palmer Hustlers and Beautiful Noise

Martin Lawrence National Security

China Anne McClain Ant Farm

Tyrese Gibson Fast and Furious

Tichina Arnold Everybody Hates Chris

Spike Lee Red Hook Summer

Sierra Aylina McClain Daddy’s Little Girls

Regina Hall Girls Trip” and “Little

Whoopi Goldberg The View

Gabrielle Union The Perfect Holiday

Tracy Morgan Cop Out

Will Smith The Pursuit of Happiness

Gabourey Sidibe Precious

Anthony Anderson Black-ish

Tracee Ellis Ross Mixed-ish

Terry Crews White Chicks

Issa Rae Little

Regina King Watchmen

Jaden Smith Karate Kid

Queen Latifah Hairspray

Meagan Good Think Like a Man

Jada Pinkett Smith Girls Trip

Zendaya Euphoria and Spiderman: Homecoming

Jennifer Hudson Winnie Mandela

Orlando Brown That’s So Raven“Proud Family

Sanaa Lathan Love and Basketball

Lupita Nyong’o US and Black Panther

Kerry Washington Scandal

Sterling K. Brown Black Panther

Marsai Martin Black-ish and Little

Trevor Noah The Daily Show

Chadwick Boseman Black Panther

Arsenio Hall Black Dynamite

Michael B. Jordan Creed

Erik King Dexter

Terrance Howard Hustle & Flow and Empire

Kyle Massey Cory in The House

Taraji P. Henson Proud Mary, Acrimony and Empire

Leon Thomas III Victorious

Eve Barbershop

Jordin Sparks Sparkle

Angela Bassett Otherhood

Wesley Snipes Blade

Ice Cube Friday

Algee Smith The Hate U Give

Cedric the Entertainer Barbershop

Amanda Stenberg Everything, Everything

MAGAZINE

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Words by: KIARA RODRIGUEZ

The Legacy of Juice WRLD In December of 2019, the world lost an artist who changed the way people view rap music. Juice WRLD inspired many with powerful music that discussed taboo topics such as mental health and drug abuse.

Jarad Anthony Higgins, known professionally as Juice WRLD, was a creative singer, songwriter, and rapper who impacted the world in a short time. Though his music was rooted in a place of loneliness, Juice WRLD’s lyrics told stories that touched everyone who had an ear to listen.

Juice WRLD and his siblings were raised by a single mother in the suburbs of Chicago in a religious household where he was taught to play the piano and the guitar. In his sophomore year of high school, the Chicago-based rapper found his start by releasing music under the name “JuicetheKidd’’ on SoundCloud. Soon, his songs were getting noticed and his name recognized. The inspiration for his chosen name came from his fondness for the late rapper Tupac Shakur’s role in the movie Juice. He later changed it to “Juice WRLD” because it “represents change in the world.”

His fast track to fame was short-lived. Juice WRLD’s music began to blow up by way of collaborations with Travis Scott and Future, which immensely grew his name recognition. His album Goodbye and Good Riddance spent 50 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at the No. 4 spot. His unforgettable single “Lucid Dreams” debuted at No. 74 on the Billboard Hot 100. Just months before his death, Juice WRLD had won Best New Artist during the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. Within his speech, he mentioned how much of a blessing the award was and that he hopes to be a figure to look up to, just as he looked up to the recipients before him.

rapper wrote this as a tribute to fellow rappers Lil Peep and XXXTentacion, but it would later describe his tragic fate.

He was always about positivity no matter the amount of negativity around him. He once said in a 2018 interview with MTV, “In the last book of the Bible, it says that 666 is the mark of the beast, right?... 999 represents taking whatever hell, whatever bad situation or whatever struggle you’re going through and turning it into something positive and using it to push yourself forward.”

The spread of Higgin’s death was a shock to all. Many people held his powerful lyrics in high esteem as they brought awareness to mental illness and substance abuse. His songs were often raw, authentic testimonials to the struggles he dealt with himself. Juice WRLD passed away six days after his 21st birthday due to what the media has described as a fatal seizure while getting off the plane at Chicago Midway Airport.

He was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital. Fellow peers from the industry such as Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Travis Scott, Lil Nas, Drake, Meek Mill, Chance The Rapper, Billie Eilish, and many more have given their condolences and recognition on the level of creativity that Juice WRLD gave the world.

One of the lyrics in Juice WRLD’s unforgettable song “Legends” writes, “What’s the 27 club?/ We ain’t making it past 21.” The late

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