Issue 74 ft Zoe Smooth

1. did it again - d’angel

2. Big boi ish - CI’year

3. Let Em Know - Richie D’vixen

4. Top - Finesse 1111

5. Night owl - Saucito

6. Dancing in the camera- j soul

7. lately - dejavu 504

8. Homecoming- Renegade El Ray

9. Big butt dj daewood remix

Pinheadhead

10. boss shit - trill 6attle

11. Cold dude - Reese tha chosen 1

x Kirby the hottest

12. traffic jam - supastar empire

13. AMB - Frankee Lu

14. Bag - Stickz Green

15. Racks Up - M Dot Xcellent

16. Chanel - Reese P

17. PTSO2- 123 Buwuw

18. Yea - Big Bud

19. Birthday Twerk - Da Kidd

20. Gotta Get you home

Annishka

21. For Real For Real

IT’s logan

22. Selfish - D’angel

23. Energy - Kissie Lee

24. Caddy Feet - Razi

25. Slide - Dedaproblem

26. F U Mean - Renegade EL Ray

27. Spend it - Jhonni Blaze

28. twin - Millionaire Baby

29. Go Hard- Quik V

30. young bitches

prince of buckhead

5 Top Platforms for Self-Published Authors

Self-publishing has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many authors opting to bypass traditional publishing and take control of their own book distribution. In this article, we’ll take a look at five platforms that are ideal for self-published authors.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform is a popular choice for self-published authors, with a large global audience and an easy-to-use platform for uploading and

distributing e-books. With KDP, authors can reach millions of potential readers through the Kindle store, as well as other retailers and libraries. The platform offers a number of tools and features, including the ability to preview your book, set your own price, and receive royalty payments up to 70% of the book’s list price. KDP also provides access to a range of marketing tools, including promotional options such as free book promotions, discounted pricing, and advertising.

Barnes & Noble Press

Barnes & Noble Press is the self-publishing arm of the popular bookseller Barnes & Noble. This platform is a great choice

for authors who want to reach a large audience and take advantage of Barnes & Noble’s marketing and distribution channels. Barnes & Noble Press offers authors a range of options, including the ability to set their own prices and receive up to 65% royalties. The platform also provides access to a range of marketing tools, including the ability to create author pages and target specific audiences with targeted promotions.

Smashwords

Smashwords is a digital publishing platform that makes it easy for authors to publish and distribute their e-books to a large global audience. This platform is a great choice for authors who want to reach a wide range of audiences and take advantage of Smashwords’ extensive distribution network. With Smashwords, authors can set their own prices, receive up to 85% royalties, and access a range of marketing tools, including the ability to target specific audiences with targeted promotions and featured author pages. The platform also provides a range of resources for authors, including access to a library of tutorials and a supportive community.

Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital is a digital publishing platform that provides a simple and straightforward way for authors to publish and distribute their e-books. This platform is ideal for authors who want to take control of their book distribution and reach a large global audience.

Draft2Digital offers authors a range of options, including the ability to set their own prices, receive up to 90% royalties, and access a range of marketing tools, including the ability to target specific audiences with targeted promotions and featured author pages. The platform also provides a range of resources for authors, including a library of tutorials and a supportive community.

distribution channels.

Kobo Writing Life offers authors a range of options, including the ability to set their own prices and receive up to 70% royalties. The platform also provides access to a range of marketing tools, including the ability to target specific audiences with targeted promotions and featured author pages.

In conclusion, these five platforms are great choices for self-published authors looking to take control of their book distribution and reach a large global audience. Each platform offers its own unique features, resources, and tools, so it’s important to do your research and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Best free resource for Self-Published authors

Adazing.com offers free templates for authros such as postcards, media kits, book mock ups and more. They also have a podcast and tips on how to grow your readership and succeed as an author.

Adazing.com

Kobo Writing Life

Kobo Writing Life is the self-publishing arm of the popular e-book retailer Kobo. This platform is a great choice for authors who want to reach a large global audience and take advantage of Kobo’s marketing and

Talent Vampires, they are among us.

Talent vampires, also known as “takers,” are individuals who use others for their skills, knowledge, and expertise without offering any help or support in return. They are often self-centered, always looking to advance their own interests, and they don’t hesitate to exploit others to get what they want.

One common way talent vampires operate is by ingratiating themselves to those who have skills they need. They may offer compliments or flattery, or pretend to be interested in the other person’s work, all with the goal of getting access to their abilities. Once they have what

Questions you ask yourself to determine if you’re being used:

1. Am I getting equal treatment and respect in this relationship?

2. Do they only reach out to me when they need something?

3. Is the effort I put into the relationship proportional to what I receive in return?

4. Are my needs and wants being considered and addressed?

5. Do they prioritize me and make time for me or is it always on their terms?

6. Are they transparent and honest with me or do they have secrets or avoid answering questions?

they want, they often disappear, leaving the person who helped them feeling used and taken advantage of.

Another way talent vampires operate is by creating a false sense of collaboration. They may ask for help with a project, but then take all the credit for the work done by others. They may also offer to help someone with their work, but then disappear when it’s time to deliver on that promise. This type of behavior creates a situation in which the talent vampire is able to take advantage of the hard work and dedication of others, while avoiding any responsibility for the outcome.

The effects of talent vampires can be far-reaching and damaging. People who are used by talent vampires often feel disrespected and undervalued, which can lead to a loss of confidence and motivation. They may also feel used and manipulated, which can create resentment and negatively impact their future relationships.

To protect yourself from talent vampires, it’s important to be aware of their tactics and to take steps to protect yourself. One way to do this is to set clear boundaries and communicate them to others. Make it clear that you are happy to help, but that you expect to be recognized and valued for your contributions. If someone starts to take advantage of your help, don’t hesitate to speak up and set things right.

Another way to protect yourself is to be aware of the red flags that indicate someone may be a talent vampire. These include:

They are always talking about themselves and their accomplishments, but never ask about you.

They make unrealistic demands and expect you to drop everything to help them.

They always talk about what they can do for you, but never ask what you need.

They never follow through on their promises.

When dealing with a talent vampire, it’s also important to protect your own interests. If someone is using you, consider whether the benefits you are getting from the relationship are worth the time and energy you are putting in. If not, consider ending the relationship or renegotiating the terms of your interaction.

For organizations, talent vampires can be especially problematic. They can create a toxic work environment, causing employees to feel drained and uninspired. They can also lead to a lack of trust and collaboration, as people become more hesitant to help each other when they fear they will be used and not recognized for their contributions.

Finally, it’s important to cultivate relationships with people who are supportive and positive. Seek out individuals who are willing to help and support you, and who value your contributions. Surrounding yourself with people who respect and appreciate you will help you build confidence and resilience, and will make it easier to recognize and avoid talent vampires.

In conclusion, talent vampires are individuals who use others for their skills and abilities, without offering any support or recognition in return. They can be damaging to individuals and organizations, creating a toxic work environment and eroding trust and collaboration. To protect yourself from talent vampires, be aware of their tactics, set clear boundaries, and cultivate relationships with supportive and positive people. By taking these steps, you can protect yourself from the negative effects of talent vampires, and build a more fulfilling and meaningful career.

Nia Lonette

Nia Lonette beauty of the month

My name is Nia Lonette and I am from temple hills Maryland. I am a professional dancer and model now living in Los Angeles CA. I began dancing at the age of 3 with my first style being tap. I then begin to take ballet, jazz, modern, African and hiphop at different studios around the dmv area. I’ve trained at Washington Ballet, Kirov, Dance Theater of Harlem, and Duke Ellington. My industry career began when I joined Capital Movement dance company here in the dc area for 3 years. I moved to Los Angeles in 2017 and began to work with many artist such as Beyonce, Remy Ma, Chris Brown, Camilla Cabello, Cold Play , Cardi B and KEM who I am currently touring with. I’ve also modeled for different companies such as 7/11, Tiffany & Co as well as Sony.

Ford Ent Magazine Apps Talent Booking.

Life is about finding solutions to our problems and satisfying our needs. For the past 12 almost 13 years we’ve been in the game, we’re often asked to refer music artists, models, actors, tattoo artists for personal needs and major projects. Our solution to that constant need?

A new feature on our app for talent bookings.

Talent Booking app features:

• Talent Name

• Talent Social media links and website if available

• Booking prices and services

• Talent Bio (Biography services available if you do not have one)

• Ratings & Reviews

• Talent email address for direct contact

• Talent Location

• Link to latest projects

• Custom EPK (Service available if you do not have one)

• Website posting of latest projects throughout the year

• Social media repost of announcements and projects throughout the year

• Magazine features and more!

Benefits of Being Listed in our Talent Booking roster on the app:

1 year listing on the app

Custom promo graphics

Website blog posts

Magazine features

Social Media Posts

Free Contract services

Free custom Split sheets if needed

Custom EPK digital and print

Free referrals- no booking fees

We are not a booking agency, which means we do not actively pursue jobs for those listed. We are merely serving as a directory platform for those looking to book talents.

sonÉt

SONÉT (SOE-NAE), a name that falls pleasantly on the ears just as the melodic tones this vocalist creates and performs. Born Stephanie Jean on July 2, 1992, Sonét ’s vocal talent was recognized by her mother at the early age of 2 years old. “My mother tells everyone how I used to perform the Mattress Giant commercial jingle when I was 2 years old as if I was on someone’s stage”, says the R&B and Hip-Hop vocalist. Later on in her teenage years she would be known to be the young vocalist that enjoyed and was eager to sing solos in her church and middle & high school’s choir. Sonét’s repertoire and natural talent had grown by the age of 14 and earlier on in her teenage years, she would go on to take the next step and picked up a microphone to record her first song. This recording experience made a lasting impression on her and it immediately was imbedded in her mind that music was in her destiny. As a writer and composer Sonét ’s body of work is a direct reflection of her influences from the likes of Bob Marley, Mary J . Blige, Lara Fabian, Usher, Kierra Sheard, Whitney Houston, Kiki Wyatt, Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx & Ne-Yo. The subject matter in each of Sonét’s songs always comes from “a place of experience, either what she or someone she knows have personally been through or from what She or who I aspire to become.”

Currently 16 years into her musical journey, Sonét performs in her South Florida area as well as out of state. She has music that plays on both terrestrial and online radio. She has released her Mixtape Project titled Verbatim in 2019 and in 2020 she released her EP self titled “Sonét”. Her ultimate goal is being able to have the ability to “always inspire, relate and create freely.” Sonét continues to build her portfolio by working with producers from her hometown of Broward & Dade County while attending college and continuing with her education which will also allow her to venture off into her other endeavors.

Booking Rates

• Booking Services/Prices: $200 for performances three songs max.

• Club appearance. negotiable. Video Features: $300

• Full verse with video appearance/(Complimentary hook included)$600

• Songwriting for a hook only $100 artist credit included

• hook and bridge $200 Complementary background vocals throughout artists verse artist credit included

T-mike T he a r T m eans e very T hing BiOgraPhy

Hailing from Fort Myers FL, artist T-Mike, born Tymichael, started making music professionally in 2017, when he felt the only way for him to reach his goals and get his voice heard was to put my all into my music and not hold anything back, and he’s done so ever since. Growing up in the church choir and remembering writing songs as early as middle school, the artist is no stranger to music. Growing up in the south, in a very religious family. T-Mike uses his surroundings and the things he’s experienced as an edge that allows him to tap into different sounds and tones on different beats. Thus creating a sound of his own, “not quite soul or gospel, or hard core rap, it’s a blend of them all,” describes the rapper who also uses his travel experiences in his music, “I’d describe my music as an experience. Not too many of my songs sound the same and they all come from different experiences. Some songs are meant for turning up and enjoying yourself but then I have songs that make you reminisce about love ones that’s no longer here. And when you hear these songs you experience it through my lyrics and the instrumentals.”

Influenced by various artists, TMike feels as though the game is in a great position right now where anyone has a chance to do great things, as he keeps some of his top artists such as Drake, Lil Baby, Rick Ross, Rod Wave and EST G, in his current playlist rotation. His biggest accomplishment to date by the artist’s recollection, is when he’s approached by random people telling him how much they enjoy his music. It encourages him to keep going until he reaches his goal of becoming a household name in the music industry.

“1 want to be respected for my art the same way people respect Andre 3000.”

1 want to be respected for my people respect Andre

babyJ

Super producer Kenneth Jones, aka Baby J, is who you would call a veteran in this music game. No stranger to the rap game, he recalls his first experiences with music as early as middle school when he used to rap during the morning announcements. He remembers a time when Big Gates, owner of Big Gates Records, home of artist Plies, came at his school with a team dressed in suits just to check out his young skills. Although the opportunity to join the label didn’t fully come to fruition, it gave the young rapper the confidence he needed to explore his skills a little further. Joining up with PRC, a local label, he remembers hearing someone yell, “I have a 13-year-old over here making beats!” Decades later not much has changed except for the fine tuning of his many talents and becoming a household name in his city. We all have a story to tell and growing up in the streets of Ft Myers, FL, Baby J has many chapters to shared. He chooses to share his stories in a melodic format through his music and beats. Although, like many other artists, you will find songs that are just meant to make you vibe and chill, this versatile artist’s musical catalog will also motivate, inspire, and even sometimes turn the ladies on with his clever word play, and natural musical talents. Although from a fairly small city compared to the major parts of the world when it comes to music quality, Baby J’s music cannot be classified as anything but “National”, “Major”, “Real life”, “Versatile”, and a “Unique flow you will not discover anywhere else in the world.” With a smooth flow, a creative soul, and an image that captivates the ladies, Baby J is an artist to watch and definitely an industry ready artist only lacking the right exposure.

Ladychelle: Sak Pase, It’s your girl Ladychelle, Ford Entertainment Magazine, and I’m here with Zoe Smooth. You know I had to click it up with my Haitians. What up? What up?

Zoe: Everything’s great Ladychelle: You are just a multi-artist. If I could put a title on it, you know, you do the music, you do the actual painting, art, you know because you got the merch that just dropped. You do so much. Tell me a little bit more about your art. Tell the people who you are, and introduce yourself.

Zoe: Well, I am Zoe Smooth. Smooth criminal, whatever you want to call it. Really it took prison for me to, should I say, realize the gift that God gave me. Cause in a place where there’s no money, no, no nothing to go and nobody to see. You have nothing but time to sharpen your craft. So that’s what I did to past my time. And I did everything, make purses, portraits, I did the dreads, cut hair, and I made money every which way. Fixed the radios, everything. So you couldn’t miss me. Did the tattoos, so you couldn’t miss me whatsoever. But I’m out. I’m just taking those same skills, and using them out there.

Ladychelle: I love it.

Zoe: All profit. No re-up. It’s beautiful.

Ladychelle: I love it. Cause using your mind and your gift, your hands and it’s amazing. It’s an amazing feeling. So I can imagine. Tell me a little bit about your upbringing that might have shaped your hustle, your grind, your “I’m going to go get it whichever way.”

Zoe: Well, my mom never knew how to read, or write. The Coast Guard saved her. The boat had capsized, they saved all the coast of Florida and she made it over here, touched down, here I am. So I thank the Coast Guards, thank y’all for saving my mom. But seeing her going through so much in life, it just made me want to go harder, do more for my kids. Nowadays people don’t even get to spend time with their kids. They too busy going to work and when they come home, all they got time for is to cook the meal and tell ‘em to go back to sleep. So I try to do different for my kids. That’s it.

Ladychelle: Now you’re barbering; you’re a Barber, right? And then you also do the music. How do you find the time to balance it all?

Zoe: Well I don’t know, really. I be doing that thing in my sleep. It’s easy, surgical.

Ladychelle: I was about to say, is cutting hair kind of the same, kind of relates a little bit with writing music. Do you apply the same artistry to everything that you do?

Zoe: Yeah, because in foreign countries we don’t have the ability to say I can’t, cause we going to damn show try because we’re tired of being hungry. So I apply that same mindset into the American atmosphere.

Ladychelle: Now, with you wearing so many hats, if you had to choose just one to run with if you had to sit and be like, okay, you know what, this what I’m going to do, which one would you pick? Or do you have a favorite?

Zoe: Anybody that comes through that door is a dollar sign to me. So I wouldn’t care. You know what I mean? Somebody wants a haircut, you got it, you want tattoos, you got it, females, eyebrows. Okay, you can get your lashes did, I got you. And I’m going to play some fire-ass music in the background for you.

Ladychelle: Take me through the process of your music. Take me through the vibe of it. What can people look forward to? Cause you just dropped the album, “Press Play” on your website.

Zoe: Press play, it’s self-explanatory, all you got to do is press play and let it ride. I know people are tired of just buying an album and it’s just one song that they like on the whole album. So they got to keep on

rewinding that one song, not mine. You got to Press Play and let it ride.

Ladychelle: And what’s, what’s the subject line of your music?

Zoe: Press play. It’s everything, life. It’s real life. It’s nothing fictitious in my music. It’s a lot of y’all boys out there, making that fictitious music, nigga pull that paperwork now.

Ladychelle: Let’s get into that. You know how, because there’s movies, people come up with their ideas and imagination and create movies. Why can’t that apply to music, where they can create their ideas and persona and then put it in music? Why is music, rap music specifically calling out like, oh nah, this ain’t real.

Zoe: Because it’s getting used against us regardless of how you see it. You know what I mean? They can, but we get penalized by. So why do that? I’m not say the truth, why? You’re gonna penalize me, and use that against me in the court of law. But with me, I’ve already been there, done that. I cut hair, I still could talk about

the dope and all the other stuff I been did when I was a little jittybug. Little jittybugs need to tighten up, jail ain’t where you need to be at.

Ladychelle: You know what? Then let’s get into that. Because a lot of the, especially rap music nowadays, hip hop music generally glorifies the street life, glorifies certain things that could lead you to a life behind bars. But at the same time, I don’t feel like we have enough people that are like, Hey, this is not where you’re trying to be at. So let’s talk more a little bit about that.

Zoe: We lack leadership, that’s all that is. We lack leadership. Everybody followers. Nobody want to be a leader. We need somebody to stand up and just be like, no man, that’s not what it is. We don’t got no OGs teaching the young Gs nothing. These young bucks, they out here just moving reckless, killing for no reason and they’re rapping about killing what they just did. That’s retarded, why would you do that?

Ladychelle: So how do we fix that phenomenon? Or are they just lost?

Zoe: They lost. That’s a lost cause They lost unless they got one of them little young bucks that going to switch up the rhymes and make them see different, then they lost. Ladychelle: Do you feel like

you as an artist, as a business owner, do you feel like you are applying that leadership to the young bucks and you’re telling them what’s what and what’s real?

Zoe: Of Course, of course I am. I let these kids know that every time when you come to my barbershop, I don’t call it a barbershop. I call my shop “the trap”. You wonder why? Because every person that comes through my door, it’s a eight. Eight is $30. Every person that comes through my door is $30 cut or a dub site. It wasn’t $20 this or $20 that. So whatever thing is about a dollar sign for me, that’s why my name starts for the best and it’s dollar signs.

Ladychelle: I love it. I love it. Let’s get into the final message of what you would encourage people and what your music and your art kind of speak of. Let’s speak specifically about one of the piece of art that I know that you did that’s one on the merch where you put “Justice for None”.

Zoe: Well that piece, Justice for None, I was locked up and, it’s self-explanatory, it’s justice for nobody. I was locked up with politicians, warriors, doctors you name it, big time drug dealers, and we was all still the same people. So there’s justice for nobody. Now. When you got a big time lawyer sleeping right next to you, I’m like, damn, how you got in here man, you

big time. Cause Bernie Madoff was, I used to eat with Bernie Madoff before he died. You know what I mean? It is crazy to see, to be around people like that. Nicky, Nicky Scarfo, you know what I mean? That’s another one. That’s another big name.

Ladychelle: So pretty much what you’re saying is at the end of the day, when it comes to the justice system or the street life? No, there’s only one way out.

Zoe: Yeah, they don’t give a damn, you got money, don’t give a fuck bunch of money enough. Not at all. We need your time. That’s what we need. Because every year that’s like two, that’s $23,000 that they make off of every person that’s locked us $23,000 per person. So that’s a trap and that’s why they go to the trap and that’s why I don’t be in traps. She won’t trap me again, that’s why I’m in the barber-

shop. It’s my trap.

Ladychelle: I love it. Let’s get back to your music. Let’s get back to Press Play. What is the overall message that you want people walking away from after they’ve pressed play and they’ve listened to every single track, what is the final message that you like? Okay, this is the word.

Zoe: I will hope what they get from listening to my track is that, at least one track is going to get you through the day, you know. You might be feeling some type of way in one moment then here, after listening to the music, you going to be like, “oh man, that made me feel a little better. I need rewind that man, That’s my favorite song”. With Press Play, you just got to press play and let that thing ride.