Issue 51 ft T.O.

Letter from the editor, Owned & Operated by Ford Johnson Publishing

Publisher

Ford Johnson Publishing

Creative Director Rachelle Ford

Creative Consultant Brian King

Writers Ladychelle DJ Samore

Cover Designed by Ladychelle

Contact Us FordJPublishing@gmail.com 239-823-8181 www.FordEntMag.com © 2018 by Ford Entertainment Magazine All Rights Reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Ford Entertainment Magazine is a registered trademark of Ford Johnson Publishing, LLC. Printed and published in the United States of America.

I promise on everything, I didn’t realize that this was my 8 year anniversary issue until I randomly started looking at some old pictures. I literally sat like, “Oh shit! It’s been 8 years!!” Can’t wait til year 10 to be honest. I don’t know yet what I’m gonna do for that year, but I know I’m gonna do the most.

This month I am doing sometthing different. My second mixtape ever. No, I don’t rap, but I wanted to add an audio aspect to this issue so you get a feel for those artists featured.

8 years down, I can only imagine what the next 8 years have to offer. I’m ready to double and triple my grind and get this magazine to the level it needs to be. On every gas station shelf, every barbershop waiting room, and every prison kiosks. Big dreams for a small town girl.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge some amazing people who I have the priviledge of having in my life. They support me, love me, and hold me down when my world get crazy. My boy Longboy, bro I swear Ima keep the water running til you get home. Love you boo, you are one of the realest people I’ve ever met. Special thanks to Ahad, Ron, Brian, Marcus, Tre Davis, Nuely, Steph, Slim, Iz, Niki (forever and ever), Kai, and Trace. Just want to thank you guys for being you. You’ve all left an imprint on my heart at one point or another in my life and I thank you. Thank you Ahad, for every single encouraging, kind word you’ve ever poured into my life. I appreciate you more than I can even formulate into words. Special shout out to my boo Steve. You’re an amazing man, friend, father and artist and I can’t wait to see where life takes us.

In 8 years, let’s celebrate the magazine’s anniversary on a beach with drinks with umbrellas in it. - Love yall, Ladychelle

This Month in Ford Ent Magazine MUSIC 04 DJ SAMORE TOP 5 BEAUTY/ FASHION 06 PRETTY HUSTLAZ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS 08 A.D. VERSE 09 D.G.E 10 IPROFIT 11 VRE 12 T.O. 15 E.Z. 18 CITY BUOY 21 YOUNG GONZO 22 TEN TOES 23 GOLDEN CHILD 24 1/3 GOSSIP/LIFESTYLE

BEAUTY OF THE MONTH 16

Eslandie Morilus

25 10 SIGNS YOU’VE GOT A REAL ONE

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INDIE PICKS 1. Lorenzo Crash 2. Cypher Peep Game 3. Jimmy Black Journeyman 4. PT My Question 5. Reggie iz Real Treat You Good 6. Dee Rezzy Paper Chasers 7. Mason Indigo Flu Game 8. Young Niyah Hit Em 9. American Will Beach Party 10. Chivonne Saywhat Thinking About Me 11. Kissie Lee ft Syri The Kid Crash My Party IF YOU WANT TO BE FEATURED IN THIS SEGMENT , SEND YOUR TRACK TO URBANENTRADIO@GMAIL.COM PUT FORD INDIE SPOTLIGHT IN SUBJECT TO BE CONSIDERED.

1 2

DRAKE In My Feelings

We look at what’s hot on the radio according to Mediabase/BDS Soundscan, the streets, and Dj Samore, and what she feels is that next hot record. Most of the time when she says it’s a hit, it’s a hit!

Spotlight Tracks LIL BABY

Yes Indeed

3

LIL DONALD Do Better ELLA MAI Boo’d Up

4 THE CARTERS Ape Shit

5 CARDI B I Like It

YELLA BEEZY That’s On Me

YG| NICKI 2CHAINZ |BIG SEAN

Big Bank

WATCH DJ SAMORE TOP 5 WEEKLY , FOR THE WEEKLY UPDATE WHAT’S HOT ON THE RADIO, IN THE STREETS, FIND OUT NEW ARTIST, INTERVIEWS, AND HOT IN THESE STREETS OF ATLANTA. FOLLOW ON IG @DJSAMORETOP5

Entrees Caribbean Grill 2431 Cleveland Ave Fort Myers, FL 239-271-2450

Kinks, Coils & Conversation: Lets Talk Natural Hair

By Lena Badazz

Like many little black girls, hair has always been an important part of my “upkeep.” For long as I can remember Iwas handed a mirror after getting my hair done to see how pretty I looked. My little chest would swell with pride anytime I got my hair “done.”

Everybody would tell me how pretty I looked. As a child, my cousin worked in a hair salon. Once every 4 weeks I would get to go to the salon. It was the highlight of my little 10 year old day.

Since my cousin did hair, she would keep my hair done in between that time. Holidays, birthdays and special occasions meant I didn’t have to wear braids or ponytails. I was given curls or was allowed to wear my hair “straight.”

It wasn’t until years later that I realized what a big impact my hair had on my confidence, self-esteem, and the way people saw me.

Like many women my age, my hair was “permed” or chemically treated at a very young age. For long as I can remember I was taught my hair was difficult to manage. I’ve always had very thick hair and to make matters worse my scalp would burn easily when being permed. Needless to say, this process was torture for me and it wasn’t until I was about 27 years old that I decided to stop perming altogether. Black women overall get so much backlash for their hair. Wigs and weaves = selfhate, braid and plaits are sometimes seen as unprofessional in the work

place, natural hair isn’t always celebrated or accepted in all spaces. As I continue through my natural hair journey, here are 5 things I’ve learned and I’m sure many other women can agree on.

• Most little girls get their hair straightened in some shape or form for special occasions. This teaches us that our natural hair isn’t “good enough” I get wanting to look extra done up but in a lot of cases our natural hair isn’t considered done.

• There were times I didn’t go to school because for whatever reason I didn’t get my hair done. This followed me into adulthood. I’d miss work or special engagements because my hair wasn’t done. That’s kind of sad when you really think about it.

• I would neglect certain obligations to get my hair done. Plenty of days I’ve spent all day in the salon. There have even been times I’ve missed an entire event getting my hair done for that specific event. Let’s not talk about the money spent. I’ve spent enough money to take a whole trip on one hair style. I’m talking a hotel and even flight fee depending on the destination. OUCH. • I am extremely self-conscious when my hair isn’t to my liking. Although I now have natural hair, it’s noticea-

ble to other people when I don’t like how my hair came out. I’ve even been asked do I feel OK. When dating, I’d be nervous about showing my natural hair. I didn’t feel “desirable when wearing my natural hair.

• 4C hair is labeled the most difficult.

I’ve always been taught that my hair is a burden and that still happens today. Even though I wash and blow dry my hair I’m usually charged extra to braid my hair. I’ve stuck to one stylist because she’s one of the very few who does not openly complain or tell me I can’t get certain styles because of my natural hair.

• *Bonus* At times when I wear my natural hair I’m asked when am I getting my hair done. If you’ve ever said this to someone I urge you to refrain from making these comments. Essentially, what you are saying is the hair that grows out of their scalp isn’t “good enough.”

Going natural has taught me so much about myself. I’ve been able to recognize these hang ups and work on them. Its a “journey” because its truly never ending. You don’t stop learning or working on it. www.PrettyHustlaz.com

5 Great Oils For Your Hair

By Zurisha J

Oil is an essential part of the perfect hair care routine. There are so many oils to choose from. It may be difficult in selecting the perfect oil for you. Here are five fantastic oils for your daily hair care routine.

#1 Castor Oil

Caster oil can be use for a scalp treatment or a hot oil treatment. It is most popular in the hair growing department as well as controlling hair loss, fighting scalp infections,dandruff conditioning and moisturizing the hair, as well as preventing split ends. This oil in particular can have a very thick consistency so it is best to mix it with a thinner oil of your choice.

#2 Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can be a perfect heat protectant also it may repair previous hair damage. Its can also be use to lock in moister.

Curly heads love this oil for its resistance to out door humidity and can be used as a all in one head to toe moisturizer.

#4 Avocado Oil

Avocado Oil is great for thick hair. The proteins from this oil in particular helps repair damage that has already been done and preventing future breakage and frizz.

#3 Rosemary Essential Oil

This oil is great fore cleansing for dirt and toxins out of the hair.

Rosemary Essential Oil is filled with loads of vitamin B, iron and calcium giving it the perfect mixture for healthy hair.

#5 Argan Oil

Argan oil contains vitamin E, Omega 3 and 9 fatty acids, and antioxidants, great for damaged, dry, coarse or otherwise unmanageable hair.

A.D. Verse

Alter Demeanor Verbally Expressing Rejection of Society’s Expectation

I’m guessing the AD stands for your first name maybe?

Nah, it was originally Adverse but it was taken, so I made it into an acronym. A.D. Verse stands for Alter Demeanor Verbally Expressing Rejection of Society’s Expectations. But just say A.D. Verse, don’t say all that, that’s too much.

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What are the best 4 bars you’ve ever written and what’s the meaning behind them?

“Sleet snow or hell | too focused on the campaign | I can’t complain | thankful for the storms | I’ve been grinding through the rain. “ I’m saying regardless of the situation, I can’t lose my faith.I have to stick to my mission/my goal regardless of my obstacles. The adversity was necessary to help me grow but also grind harder.

better yourself, but since I dropped X-Factor, I’m looking for sponsors so I can drop EPs and possible albums in the future.

You are fairly young, how long have you been doing music?

Seriously in the studio? I’ll say 4 or 5 years.

That speaks volume as to the type of music we should be expecting from someone with a name like that. So tell us a bit about what your music is about.

And how did you get started?

I was in college and one of my professors was giving a lecture and he was like “if you’re in college, just for the money, you might as well be a dope boy.” So I thought, “I’m in college for the wrong reasons right now.”

I’m always getting these comparisons And I always liked writing music, so I to J.Cole and Chance The Rapper, so if thought, I’m gonna try this rap thing you like them, you’ll like me. I’m still out. So I hooked up with DJ Base from focusing on developing my lyrical abil- Miami Pipeline in Miami, and that’s ities, but that’s where I’m at right now. when I started getting into the studio.

Do you feel like you’re working on your skills or are you a bonafide artist who’s ready to be on tour and dropping albums?

I feel like I’m both. I feel like you always have to work on your craft to

And what was your first song about?

My first song, I was just trying to escape.

So it was more like a release?

Yes, I was basically coping.

What’s the best thing that’s happened with your music so far?

The best thing, I’ve been getting a lot of attention from this song called “True Lies.” I think that’s the best thing that’s happened so far. Running into people in the streets saying “I heard your song on Facebook or Soundcloud.” The feedback and the love I get from people really mean a lot.

What do you have planned with your music in 2019?

2019, I’m trying to get EPs going, visuals going, things like that basically.

Artist Fb Page - Adversemusic1 Instagram- Adnotjustarapper Twitter - Adversemusic1 Soundcloud-A-dversetheglobe

DGE

One sunny afternoon in Ft Myers, I met up with DGE. A group I was scheduled to meet for an interview.

They came deep, 7 of them. Rapper Bigzoe, Comedian 2Somkey, Singer Cam, Hypeman 1Kidda, Rapper Knowledge, Rapper BSavage, Party Host/Hypeman Cleef and the man in charge, their manager PDub. A young energetic group who are more family than friends, with music being the bond that binds them together.

Describe your music to someone who may haven’t heard of you guys before.

BSavage: I feel like we’re in the mix, kind of like “Maggi.” We’re in the sauce.

Every group has a singer, who’s the singer here? I asked. They all pointed at Cam. “Ok, spit something, let me hear you,” I asked.

Cam: When hard times get harder, nigga get your grind up, can’t stop, won’t stop, nigga get your dollars, Motivation.

Next thing I know, the whole group joins in and begins singing the hook to their single “Motivation.” A song I also had the pleasure of watching them perform at one of my poetry nights.

What’s the process of the group putting a song together?

Do you guys do solo projects?

Big Zoe: We do all that. But our first group song, someone wrote the hook and we all

jumped in based on the hook and put the song together.

Who’s the best songwriter out of the group?

BSavage: Really ain’t no competition Cam: I feel like this, everybody brings something different to the group.

Everybody is strong. Zoe, he can write about the struggle, just about whatever he’s going through. Sam, he’s gonna bring you the street, the gangsta. Knowledge, he’s gonna come with something off the dome.

So I issued a challenge and asked each member to spit a couple of bars for me. None back away and all took the opportunity to show why they are one of the newest faces on the rise in music here in SWFL. But their joy, passion, and determination stem from the loss of someone who was a valued member of the group. Shadow.

Cam: Really this all started with Shadow. Our homie who’s no longer with us. He’s the first one who started

rapping. Booking shows and doing open mic nights, then the rest of us kinda came together. For me, I’ve always been a person who’s into music and love music and he pushed me to pursue it more and branch out and link up with other people. And even tho he’s not here, he played a major part in getting the group together.

What’s the most memorable thing that’s happened to you guys so far in your music?

Cam: Definitely the motivation video.

For me, that was a good project because we filmed that right after Shadow passed away. We were fortunate enough to get his verse, literally the day he died. Maybe 8 hours prior.

And the way that PDub, and Phillipe at Focal Views Media, the way they did that video and had images of him, even now when I watch it... (smiles) With Shadow being so important to you guys, with him passing, how did you find the strength to keep going and keep doing music?

Big Zoe: Because that’s all he wanted, that’s all he would talk about. Every time we would meet up, chilling, playing ball, he would talk about music. That’s why it hurt so much when he passed. Soon as he passed, we told each other we gotta go harder for him.

Motivated and dedicated to making it in this industry, multiple talents, lives, and energies all working together towards one goal. To make it in this game and buy their mommas mansions.

Cleef: They’re out there working hard every day. Just to give us something in life to look forward to. That’s why we’re doing this shit right here. We ain’t gonna stop until we get that mansion!

BSavage: Basically, they’re trying to feed us. Now it’s time for us to feed them.

Knowledge: We’re gonna keep going until they never have to work again.

iProfit

“Don’t follow the wave, create the wave.”

How does your name “IProfit” relates to your music?

Put it like this, my first name is Isaiah, and I don’t know what type of religion people believe in, but in certain religions Isaiah is a prophet. And I’m a Gemini, so it has like a double meaning on it. “I prophet” meaning I speak to my people, and “I profit” like, I’m chasing a bag. So it only makes sense where on one song you’ll hear some consciousness about what’s going on in the hood, then another song, you’ll hear about me in the club. So it makes sense, it’s just who I am. That’s just me.

And how long have you been rapping?

It’s been a while. From what I can remember, it’s been since I was 5 years old. I’ve been doing music and playing the drums.

How did you get started with that?

A lot of my family are into music. I got family that are in famous gospel groups, I’ve got family member’s who’ve been singing for a long time, I have entertainment lawyers in my family, etc... So it’s kinda like a family thing, most people in my family are into music, play an instrument and all that.

Do you play any live instruments in the present day?

Yea I play the piano and the guitar.

How do you balance your music?

How do you figure out what the people want to hear?

Once I realized that if you do it because you want to be true to yourself then that’s what makes you the best artist. People get it misconstrued like “I want to do this to make it towards the wave.” Nah, don’t follow the wave, create the wave. The best way to get longevity in this industry is if you just be you because there’s only one you. I just be me, and I just pray that everybody likes it. I just do it for the love of the music. That’s why I have different types of music, I’m an artist so I’m not afraid to create or step out of a lane to create different types of music. Because I don’t wanna be one of those artists who’s just boxed into one thing. Music is life. You can knock on a wall and make a beat, you can bump into a chair and you can use that into a song. Music really is life and everything around you so, I can’t say it’s really a balance. It’s just everything, everything deals with music.

That’s just how I view things and how I do my music.

it’ll take me to a place to where I can tap into something to be able to get people to understand the reasons that I make music. It always comes from a real place, it’s not just me coming up with anything out of my head because words hold power, so whatever I say out of my mouth I have to be able to stand on that. So I try to be conscious of what I say in my music.

Take me through your music creation process.

Some days if I’m in a bad mood, I can tap into a certain song that makes me think about pain. Or I could be driving down the street and see something happen and that could basically take me to another place, everything in life inspires me. It’s kind of like a photographic memory so when I see something,

power d l o h s d r o W ut of o y a s I r e v whate e to be v a h I h t u o my m on that. d n a t s o t e abl

vre Like a Lioness

I became an artist on December 29th of 2017, so not too long ago.

I’ve been singing all my life, in the shower, at church, family gatherings, and wherever else my mom would tell me to get up and go sing. But I never really thought I would become a singer.

In order to have the positive, you have to have the negative. Have you ever been faced with doubt? How did you overcome that?

One of my songs is called Starbucks.

I actually went to Starbucks because I was having a bad day and I didn’t know how to cope with it. So I used my exact movements of that day to What’s the most heartfelt come up with a song. I had a rough verse you’ve ever dropped? day and I went to Starbucks to clear Close your eyes for a minute my mind. I put on my headphones Can you see what I see? and got to business. So pretty much, Visualizing my vision when I go through things in my of me living my best dreams. personal life, or even with experi ences with others, it will resort to

my music.

I like that. Do you go into music with a purpose to be How do you deal with writer’s inspirational or are you alblock? ways positive in your personJust writing down the weirdest stuff. al life?

Taking out a pen and paper and just As a person, I’m the type of writing what comes to my mind person who lights up the without music. Just blank space, room as soon as I walk in. I quiet environment, writing whatevfeel like my superpower is er comes to mind, literally anything, feeding off of positive enerthen I would go back, see what gy and allowing that energy rhymes and I would come up with to transfer to a being. I’m resomething. ally good at doing that. I use my music to influence others, Any current projects out?

I try my very best to influYes, I currently have 1 album and ence others with my music 2 EPs and 4 singles out at the moby being positive. I was once ment. a Spoken Word artist but then I transferred over to an And you mentioned earlier that you R&B singer. Because I figured, started your career on December not only I can be positive, 29th, 2017, why is that date so sigbut I can sing as well, and if nificant to you?

I could somehow combine The date is my mother’s birthday. those two together, it would She’s still alive and well by the be wonderful. grace of God. And I just wanted to shine on that day. Because on that Entertain as you inspire. day a queen was born times 2. She How did you arrive at music? celebrated the day of her birth and Where you always singing?

I became VRE.

Before I even ask about your music, I’m gonna go based on impressions. I take it as you’re soulful on some Lauren Hill type ish, would I be correct.

Correct, correct.

t.o.

“So when you speak of me, tell them this coming straight from me.”

Fresh on The Scene

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How long have you been doing music?

How many projects have you had before this?

I haven’t had any solid projects because I’ve been in a cluster of things all my life. But my dad used to do music when I was younger, and he’s the one who started me off in music. I was always a football fanatic and that was my drive, that was my love. But he started me off, he has recordings of me from when I was a baby, but he wrote me my very very first rap when I was in the second grade. I don’t know if I was 7 or 8. So now, I’ve always wanted to be like my dad, and after a certain point in time growing up, I had to be my own man because he went to jail. I would say I wrote my first rap in the 6th grade, but

Being that you’re fresh on the scene with music, what would you say has been the biggest lesson so far?

The biggest thing I’ve learned, and I learned this from a younger age being a music fanatic, I study all my artists. I love them all from R&B to Hip Hop to Rap to Old School all that, but the biggest lesson I’ve learned would be to remain true to yourself. And you gotta really find your identity, that’s an important factor of life itself.

What is the biggest misconception you’ve learned so far?

Support. I know a lot of talented people, myself included, you feel like you are somebody for the people and you feel like sometimes the people, de-

“Love is something that is universal. If you can speak the language of love, you can do everything right.”

me the best way to tell it is going to be through me. So when you speak of me, tell them this coming straight from me.

Was that single part of a project?

It was supposed to be a part of a project, it was a collection really. I never looked at is as a single when I first wrote it, but it was something more of a freestyle until I started playing it around and the people around me, the people who just knew me for my music and I got good feedback from it. I’ve heard plenty of things from “this sound like something Webbie or Bossie would have been on,” or “put this out”, or “make a music video for this, this sounds like something Lil Snuppe or a down south hot artist would be on.” so I figured, why not put it out as single, it wouldn’t hurt.

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We’re gonna jump right into the music, and I want to ask you about your brand new single “Speak of Me.” My impression of that track is that it’s a real-life track, would I be right?

Yea, everything yea. I write a lot of music throughout the day, each day I try to fit in 3 songs a day. This song I wrote a while back right around when I caught this charge with one of my partners and you know when you go about this life, everybody got something to say, everybody always try to put their input, they’re in your business. So when at that particular time, I was 17, I was just at the point, where I know my truth, he knows his truth, but it’s like everybody else try to put their own truth from what they hear. So I felt I just had to address any and everything. If somebody got something to say about

pending on what’s going on, the people don’t gravitate towards you how you want them to be and that could be a killer sometimes, an ego killer, and I’ve seen it make people wanna quit too.

It’s like support is key no matter what.

I thought coming in the game, you say What’s your dad’s reaction now that you rap and if you’re good, people will support you. But it’s like everybody’s you’re actually doing music?

It’s like any dad’s reaction would be. tryna make money, everybody’s tryna At least on a positive note. He loves it. pay a bill and it’s like, somethings cost It’s like a little him. (laughs). A newer and sometimes people are going to do version, an updated version. He loves out of love and respect. it because he knows it’s better than anything else I shouldn’t be doing. Even though I do fall into trouble often, he Back to your single, one of the lines supports it and he’s with it all the way. says “When you speak of me, tell them If anything, he’s my biggest support- that I’m a Zoe.” Were you born in Haiti? er. Coming from where he’s at, that I’m born here. My mom was born in Haiti, my grandma, my people, but my speaks a lot, but he loves it. dad is American.

I didn’t get serious until 16 and that’s when I started going into the studio and I was around real people who do music and beatmakers and producers. To shorten it, I tell people I started when I was 15 but it’s something that I live.

How does your culture affect your music and your grind?

Growing up it was hard. I grew up in an era where you were hated if you were Haitian. You couldn’t even go to school and tell people you were Haitian, you eat cats, your people are poor, even tho the people are poor it’s like you’re pouring salt in the wound when you do all that. I used to hate being Haitian. It doesn’t really contribute to my music.

I don’t try to broadcast it as much because that’s a wave that certain people are riding. They were riding it hard back in 2014, 2015, it’s not too popular now as it was before. But we’re still on top regardless, Zoes gon stick together. In music, I bring it up here and there just to let people know you’re not dealing with no Yank or nothing.

I grew up hard. We ain’t had much after my dad went to jail. But when I was

with him, the culture I was around was more so the street culture. Not so much as in gangs, but it was kinda something like that. Because it was well organized and family oriented. That has a lot to do with my lifestyle and how I curate my music. And after he went to jail we sorta had it hard and struggled badly, from sleeping on floors to sleeping with family members every other month, different place, different schools every year. Some days coming home, lucky to eat, some days come home and there’s nothing to drink. Some days can’t even take a shower or flush the toilet with the toilet being stuffed up with piss for a whole 2 3 weeks straight. We had it bad. Rats and roaches and some of the stuff most people couldn’t go through, but I had to go through all that, it just made me stronger and gave me a message to put through my music. Just go-

ing through to struggle allows me to speak on what I know and what I feel people can relate to. And also love. I’m every bit of a loving guy and I put that in my music also. Love is something that is universal. If you can speak the language of love, you can do everything right. So I put that in my music too.

How did your dad being sent away change your lifestyle if any?

It changed a lot. He left when I was around 9. Growing up I had everything, he gave me everything. Let my brothers tell it I was his favorite, he spoiled us. He was in the dope game and did what he had to do to take care of his kids. So I went from having everything, and literally the day he left, everything dropped to rock bottom and it was like I didn’t have anything. It kinda humbled me. It changed everything and I’m not gonna exaggerate and say it made me a man but it made me look at life different. I was able to see things from the up and up aspect and from the bottom. And I didn’t really have too much guidance. My dad was everything to me and taught me everything and I had to rely on that from pretty much now. And at this current stage, it’s my transition to being a man now.

Life’s just pretty been sad without my dad. But I’ve learned to appreciate stuff more. I don’t be trying to big brother anyone, but whenever I see someone who needs help, I always try to put in a word of encouragement in for them.

Telling them it could be way worse.

And always making sure those around me just appreciate things too. Because all this could be gone in a second.

How do you plan on wrapping up this year in regards to your music?

I plan on releasing a tape soon and just progress. Trying to get where I wasn’t yesterday and hopefully a couple of shows, and hopefully getting my name out there. Bigger platforms, bigger stages, all that.

IG: @1LilTakeOver Twitter: @RoadRunner_TO

Tell me a little bit what your music is based off. What kind of vibe?

People get a lot of different vibes from my music. For me personally, it’s stuff that I’ve been through, different experiences, stuff I have seen growing up, I rap about a lot of different things. I rap about my past, I’m a smoker so I rap a lot about smoking. There’s a lot of people who live the same lifestyle that I live and they fuck with the music heavy. I have people constantly asking me “when the new music drop?” and they ride to it, and share it with other people.

Tell me a little bit about your past and how that’s affected your music. What kind of upbringing did you have?

I’ve been through a lot of hard times, I’ve had to live with family members with my mom growing up. I didn’t always have a stable place to live, my parents were separated I had a single mother and I had to help her pay the bills. I’ve been locked up, thank God I got the cases dropped, it could have gotten me a lot of time. It’s a lot of different things, and I’m blessed to be able to be here to talk about it. And I’m not trying to lead anyone down the wrong path, but I just want to show people that they can turn nothing to something and they can change into a better person.

What are you trying to accomplish with your music?

At this point its just to keep giving the fans what they want to hear.

Until I get on that bigger platform until I can share with the whole world, then I’m just giving the fans what they want to hear, I’m still working, I’m just starting right now. I have a lot of videos that need to be done, a lot more music to be recorded, and right now it’s

I just want to show people that they can turn nothing to something and they can change into a better person.

just the beginning.

How long have you been doing music?

I’ve been doing music since I was 16, 17 on and off. But when I started taking it seriously, it was a couple years ago when I dropped that first mixtape “Undisputed” that’s when I really started taking it seriously. I started getting my studio professionally done,

“

Your name, EZ is Dope, as soon as we hear that, you’re letting people know that your flow is not to be played with. Is that correct?

Yes, for sure that.

“

getting it mixed and mastered, I started just investing more in myself once I started seeing that I had a lot of people who wanted to hear it.

What kind of feedback did you get from that project?

That’s still some people’s favorite til this day. I dropped one more mixtape after that, and people loved it, but that first one is a classic and it’s just next level. And honestly when I did it, I was just doing me, I was just talking about my lifestyle, and once people heard it...I had a couple people love a couple of songs off of it. Like “Solid” is the 4th track on the mixtape and it’s like the top one that everybody, every time they hear it, they want me to do something with it. I had Fly 98.5 FM contact me about it, everybody that hears that song, they love that song. People really loved that mixtape.

With this game being over saturated with artists, what makes you stand out?

Just me being me. EZ is dope. There’s a lot of artists who talk about the same thing, but me I’m a different artist because I do all kinds of different things. I’m a tattoo artist, I breed American Bullies, I got a lot of things going on and when people see me they tell me that I have a lot going on and it’s hard to stay on top of that. But what makes me different, I do a lot of things that other artists don’t do. I can do a lot of different aspects of my music, I don’t always have to be an artist. If I had to do something else, I could that too. I’m versatile.

E.Z. is dope

BEAUTY OF THE MONTH

Eslandie Morilus

Model: Instagram: @Slandie_17

Makeup Artist: Glammed By Helena Instagram: @glammedbyhelena Glammedbyhelena@gmail.com Photographer: YV Destine Website: Dlowstudio.com Instagram: DlowStudio Hair stylist: Instagram @Touchedbygi Stylist: facebook Faussie Lafortune

“It ain’t even about the city, my mind is set on something way bigger than the city and once I do it, they’ll catch on. “

citybuoy flournoy How long have you been doing music?

I just started about 3 months ago (laughs) just kidding. I’ve been doing it for a while. Probably since I was 10 or 11, off an on, it was like a hobby, always messing with music. Like my uncles, they had the cassette tapes, then the CDs and I was always collecting music. I was a fan of music and always messing around with it.

So at what point did you decide to take it seriously and pursue it as a career?

Probably when I did a little demo for the first time by myself. I used to record with my friends a lot.

Yes, someone told me the name of the group you used to be a part of...

Yeah, the Pakaholics.

Yes, tell me about that.

The Pak was just like you see all those little jits, all my friends, everybody that I hung with, everyone that was around me. You didn’t even have to rap, but I just had the gift to bring it out of people. I kinda started a lot of people off, I ain’t gon say no names, but a lot of people in the city who’s doing it, have been influenced by me. If you hang with me and you’re

“ I ain’t gon say no names, but a lot of people in the city who’s doing it, have been influenced by me.

cool with me, and we fuck with each other, and you know that’s what I do, so being around it...I had homeboys... if you’re hanging around, listening, smoking, freestyling, and I would fuck with you and put you on the spot, and bring it out you. For the first time doing it by myself, I put together a little demo. I was actually in California, I got family out there and I was staying in California at the time, God bless his soul. When I came back to Ft Myers with it, my homeboy Jody Boy, God bless his soul...but I put “Cityboy” on the CD. It wasn’t a name, that’s just what I called the CD. Then niggas started calling me that shit. So it kinda stuck.

What was the message on that demo?

It was just stories, ghetto stories that has happened in the streets. So people would hear certain songs - it could be someone in the family, just ghetto stories, like ghetto blues - and people would listen and be like “who

were you talking about on this song?

You were talking about me?” It was always something like that. At the same time, there weren’t any boundaries either. Having parties, having fun, whatever came to mind.

One thing I’ve noticed with your music and your brand, you rep 3701 a lot. Can you tell us the meaning behind it?

3701 that’s the hood, that’s Bucktown. If anybody knows Fort Myers, Bucktown, you know what that is, 3701 is exactly what that is, that’s the address.

What experiences have stuck with you that has you holding on to that address that makes it so significant?

I mean, it’s a lot of memories out there. I grew up there. From the love of football to me and other little jits running around, niggaknocking, I had a lot of fun out there. I grew up out there, a lot of people have lost their

ain’t In this game, a no friends, it’s ou dirty game, y , and gotta boss up smarten up. this, you lose a lot of friends when they don’t understand the vision of what you’re trying to do. So that’s something I thought of, being a student of music, always listening to all different styles and vibes, and I put all that together and had GABOS. 10 tracks mixtape with a bonus track.

lives out there. You done seen it all in the 37, done pretty much seen it all. So it’s important for me to do it because I figured like, I’m putting the hood on my back. By me putting the hood on my back, that’s 3701, I gotta rep that.

You just dropped a project, GABOS, tell us about that.

It actually dropped Easter time, I was like “Damn, I’m supposed to be on this rapping shit, I’m supposed to really be doing it.” I had pretty much stopped doing it and been living life. And I guess I stopped living it and started putting it into rhymes and came up with the project. GABOS was while I was going through a lot of shit. In this game, ain’t no friends, it’s a dirty game, you gotta boss up, and smarten up. And that’s what I came up with. Doing

Do you feel like you receive the support you deserve from your city?

I feel like it is what it is, I don’t feel any way about it. I just look at the reality of things. If I’m not getting the support from my city, maybe I’m not working hard enough.

But it ain’t even about the city, my mind is set on something way bigger than the city and once I do it, they’ll catch on. It’s all love, it’s like a family member that don’t fuck with you.

What’s next for you?

The GABOS gear, and making it into something big, a lot with the brand 3701 Ent and expand with it. That’s my vision at the moment.

young gonzo Loyalty is law

We recently caught one of your performances of a new single you just dropped, tell us about that.

I recently dropped “Take Over” on em.

I’ve been sleeping for a while, but you know, I’m about to wake them back up with a new project, had to drop the single off of it. Getting ready to do it all.

Now Take Over is the new Single to the new project that’s coming? Correct?

Yes, the name of the project is Loyalty is Law. It’s based on keeping it real with all your surroundings, keeping it real with your friends and everybody that’s been keeping it 100 with you.

Is this your first solo project?

Yeah, It’s the first project that I drop since I’ve been making music.

Do you have any features on this project?

I have the Steve Woodz feature on there and that will probably about the only feature I have. I just want to show what I can bring to the table instead of having a lot of featured

artists.

And you’re fairly young correct?

I’ve had the love for music since I was about 13, 14 but around 14 is when I started freestyling around with my cousins and we never took it seriously until one day we actually did a song and pretty much fell in love with it. I took it more serious than my cousins did and so far it’s taken me a lot of places.

What’s your flow like? what kind of vibe?

I bring that underage crowd party type. If you’re at a party or in the club and you hear one of my songs you’re basically going to see everybody vibe out to it.

Is that what we get to look forward to on Loyalty is Law? You’ll see a whole lot of club bangers, my intro, I’m just gonna shut everybody off. You’re gonna fall in love with this project.

How much do you feel like you know about music from behind the scenes?

Being young, I understand I have so

much more to learn and that’s what I love about it. Music, you never stop learning. There’s always more to improve, ways so much more music to put out. There’s always something new to music.

Young Gonzo, 19, is an uprising rap star from Lee County, FL. In April, of 2018, he released his debut project “Loyalty Is Law” which features tracks like “3/25” in which he goes into detail about what his up bringing was like, and the struggles he went through and is still going through til’ this day.

His latest E.P. can be streamed and downloaded from music platforms such as MyMixtapez, iTunes, Spotify, and more. Follow Gonzo on Instagram & Twitter @1younggonzo

What’s the concept behind the name “Ten Toes?”

Hollo Tip: I feel like, anything you do in life, you gotta be 10 toes in it. You gotta back up what you’re saying, so we’re always like “10 toes”, everything 10 toes.

See-Note: 10 Toes to the ground, head high to the sky. We 10 toes in it, we ain’t falling out about no fuck shit. It’s me and cuh, 10 toes, Ying and yang, pretty much that’s what it is.

That’s actually a concept that I also go by, I usually refer to it as “standing in the paint,” another popular saying. So I can relate to that. So tell me how long yall been doing music.

Hollo Tip: I’ll say, 2011 for real. I think that’s when we came up with our first song “How we do.” Since then, there’s no telling us “No” then. So we were always in the studio, we always had music out. So it was like why not.

See-Note: A lot of it was understanding the business. Coz you don’t wanna spend all that money and then get fucked out of all that money you’ve put in. We put all that in, we want everything back. We took a lot of time to learn the business, and we’re still learning a lot about the business.

We’re not trying to get fucked over. I studied the game and I’ve seen a lot of dudes get fucked over in the game and I’m just trying to cross my Ts and dot my Is. We’ve worked too hard, spent too much money, too much time, to get fucked over.

When you’re in the studio, do you make all your songs together or do you sometimes rock solo?

Hollo Tip: We rock solo sometimes. Some songs you just want to be on it by yourself. We don’t take it personally.

See-Note: I’ve never heard a song I wanted to be on and he’s told me “no”.

Hollo Tip: And vice versa. We’re both our own artists, but at the same time I think the sound that we have together

10 toes

is very special and we have to take advantage of that.

Especially when you guys hit the stage, you’re true performers, you’re live. Which do you prefer the most? Being on stage or being in the studio?

Hollo Tip: For me personally, I think the studio for me. I turn up more in the studio then I do on stage. Like, I’m still trying to break out of the shyness of being on stage. So now I’m just really getting into it.

See-Note: I’ma say the stage. The energy you get from the crowd, just the energy in the room, especially if you got a crowd that’s fucking with your shit.

In the music industry, it’s always go time, and that doesn’t always allow a lot of time for a personal life. How do you find the

balance?

Hollo Tip: I’m a father first. Regardless that I’m a rapper. I’m a father first. So before I go get on the mic, I’m with my children. So really I don’t get the time to do anything besides be a father and go rap. That’s my time, I have no time to do anything else.

See-Note: Without life, it’s hard to create. I’ve had times in my life where I’ll stop writing and just live for a little bit, and then go back to the writing process because you done went through some shit, now you have material to write, gotta have balance, you have to take time to live your life, so when it’s time to create, you have shit to say.

"We've hard, s worked to o moneyp,ent too much time, to too much get fuc over. " ked

Your name, Golden Child, tells me that you’re a top pick. Would I be correct?

You already know. I came up with the name because I’m the last of 8 kids. Just felt like I was cut from a different cloth, that I was unique from the others.

Being that you are the last child of 8, that must mean you’ve had so many lessons passed down to you, any lessons you remember?

I just kinda learned from some of their mistakes, learned what to do and what not to do.

golden child “It was times when we couldn’t even sit certain places, now it’s cool to be from Haiti, now it’s the wave.”

And how do you translate that into your music?

I try to speak about my upbringing, things that I went through, I try to keep it real and highlight the things that I went through growing up.

You have a single, Straight off the Boat, are you from Haiti or were born here?

I was born here in America, but both of my parents are from Haiti.

Tell me some of the things your parents went through that has affected you enough to want to put it into a song.

It’s been a number of things, not just what my parents went through, but things that we went through just being children of immigrants. The teasing, name-calling, there was a time when it was

shunned upon or even derogatory to be called Haitian or whatever, but the tables are kinda turned now. And that’s what I wanted to put in the song. It was times when we couldn’t even sit certain places, now it’s cool to be from Haiti, now it’s the wave. People have finally recognized that we were one of the first Black Republics...

And how long have you been doing music?

I’ve been doing music for quite a while, probably started playing around and freestyling in middle school.

I even recorded after high school, but still didn’t take it seriously.

And when did you tell yourself, I’m an artist now.

I was doing it in 2009, I had my own studio and playing around with it. But I would say in 2012 was when I really said: “ok, I’m gonna try to do something with this music.” But I had a little setback, and I didn’t come back out until 2015. That’s when I really started to pursue it.

When you decided to pursue it, what song did you drop?

It was called “Gonna Make it”, it’s me rapping and talking about the promises that I made to certain people.

What kind of promises?

I promised my mom that I would make it someday. Also spoke to some people who passed away, a cousin of mine who passed away, and to my father. I was also kinda speaking to the dead but not really. I promised them I would make good on my word that I’m gonna make it someday.

1/3 Sitting here with 1/3 JG and Swave.

Now is it Swave as in Swave Smooth?

Are you saying you’re mister playa playa? Is that what that is?

Swave: I mean, I wouldn’t tie it to being a player, but I would tie it to being smooth. I always thought myself of a smooth person. Superfly, that smooth.

1/3 JG, explain your name.

JG: I had a son on the way, he died.

And his name was my name flipped around, which is Gabriel Joshua and his was Joshua Gabriel. So I just took it and brought it to the limelight.

So you carrying him with you. Where does going through something like that take you? Does it motivate you or pause you?

JG: It was more like I was ready for him to come. It was more like a standstill kind of, you have to really understand that a kid is coming into the world. And I was at a point in time where I was like God makes no mistakes and you have to keep going.

That explains the JG, explain the 1/3 JG: The 1/3, it’s actually 3 of us. Me, my dawg Swave and my dawg Jubree and we were always together so it was like we were the 1/3 of the Migos.

We’re not trying to bite anybody’s style, so we went with 1/3 and kept it moving.

Tell us what your musical flow is like.

Do you guys always perform as a group?

JG: How it is, is like we’re a group but everybody got their own lane and got their own music. We don’t wanna be just based on “oh we make gansta music”, or emotional music or this and that. Everybody got their

own lane, their own avenues that they go through. Like Swave, I got a couple features with Swave, and he got a couple features out there with somebody else.

Sheeesh

I do see your movement has gotten beyond music, I’ve seen it on clothing.

Tell us about that.

JG: It was actually “Shit” in the beginning. 1/3 Shit. But a lot of people can’t go around saying it, with kids wise and all that, so we decided to clean it up so that everybody can say it. And we decided to put some marketing behind it and go beyond the music so that people can visualize it.

on our sound. We got a project in the works for the near future, but right now we’re working on mastering our sound.

And what has been the coolest thing that’s happened so far in your music?

You guys have a current project out? JG: Getting the positive feedback JG: Right now we’re just working. We we’ve been getting. have enough for a project, but right Swave: I would say, it’s this interview now we’re just focused on the bigger right here. picture of just getting it.

Swave: Right now we’re more focused

10 Signs You’ve Got

By Ladychelle

1. He treats his daughters like a

queen. That’s his true love, he caters to them, listens to them and spoils He mentors you spiritually. them. Showers them with love and We all could use encouragement respects them for the future queens and spiritual guidance as we navigate that they are and shows admiration through life. That’s why churches are for their position in his life. so popular. To have someone who you can go to with those deep, what is the meaning of life, type questions You can tell him everything. is a phenomenal feeling.

Your real one listens, really listens.

5.

8.He makes you feel like

Beyonce.

Whether or not you’re a fan, you can’t deny Beyonce is on top of the world. She’s beautiful, talented, classy and all those other amazing adjectives. You need someone who makes you feel To your dreams, your fears, your all that and more. Not just He’s honest and loyal. worries, your bad jokes. physically, but someone who In all aspects of his life.

He’s your besfriend. makes you feel like a genius, a Not just with you. Someone who queen, a vixen, and a hustler .You have above everything else, doesn’t spare your feelings with lies to keep him in the green with you, but all in one. That encouragement a genuine friendship. is enough juice to make you someone who will respect you Someone you conquer a country. with the truth. can completely be yourself around Someone you can measure because you know without a shadow your growth with. of a doubt that, flaws and all, He’s driven and ambitious.

It’s such a beautiful journey to they adore you.

That’s the person you want in your be able to look back and crecorner if you’re trying to build a He guides you. future. Because you need someone ate a timeline of your personal growth and be able to look at Whether it’s though a trivial issue who can take the driver side while someone and appreciate them like your favorite show on tv ending you ride passenger and vice versa. holding your hand thru that or something as major as coping You don’t want someone who is set trip. In order for there to be with the death of a family member. apart from your movement. progress, you need a progresHe’s there not only to listen, but to You want someone you can sion of some sorts. offer guidance and wisdom. run the movement with.

Specifically one you Be that voice of reason who you can can measure. just close your eyes and follow the sound of his voice out of the fog.

He treats you like a princess, respects you as a queen and f*cks you like a peasant. Enough said.

2.

6.

3.

9.

7.

4.

10.

8 At first, I was going to give y’all some nice teas, a look through my most memorable moments of the past 8 years of being LadyChelle and publishing this magazine. Then I realized, seriously, ain’t nobody got time for that!

All jokes aside, best memories I’ve had with this journey, are every single one I’ve made, meeting different people, traveling to different locations, doing exactly what I want to do, when I want to do it. Cheers to another 8 years, coz I’m gonna rock this wave til the wheels fall off. Best thing to happen to me in this journey is meeting my industry idol Julia Beverly. I was a super fan of her work with Ozone Magazine and was super excited to be able to sit with her and soak the game up.

I am eternally grateful to all my mentors in this industry, whether they know they play that role for me or not.

Chaos, First Lady Niki, Dj Quest, Kevin Shine and countless others. Longboy, you were the best person one could ever ask for on their team. You taught me things I would have never realized on my own. I hope one day to make you proud.

Thank you to everyone who’s ever picked up a copy of Ford Entertainment Magazine or checked out our digital copies.

Thank you!!!

CELEBRATING YEARS IN THE GAME

“Eight years. I’m ready for another 8.I’m ready to apply every bit of knowledge I’ve learned in the past 8 years to reach new levels and new heights with this magazine, and any others I may launch in the future.

Thank you to every single person who’s ever believed in me. Even if it was for a moment. I’m ready to make my grandma, my auntie, daddy, my brother and my momma proud.”