June 2012 Issue

www.FordEntertainmentMagazine.com Info@FordEntertainmentMagazine.com 814-FordMag @FordEntMagazine @IamLadyChelle 2

Young & Influential

Magazine

Ford Ent Magazine targets young and influential readers, core ages 18-42. Most have their own audiences and distribution platforms via blogs, social networks, and online communities.

Cover $500 Full page $150 1/2 page $75

Music Lovers Websites

Ford Ent Magazine targets music lovers who are always looking for the next banging hit to download. They value quality music and always keep and ear out for who and what’s new in the music

Header banner (468 x 60) $59/mo.

Skyscraper (125 x 430) $29/mo.

Sidebar square (125 x 125) $15/mo.

Email Blast

scene.

Urban Readers

Email blast $25/message

Ford Ent Magazine targets urban readers who love reading articles with wide ranges of topics they can relate to. From nutrition, music business insight, fashion, relationships, sexual education to make up tips. These readers, whether they model, teach, rap, sing, design, or spend their days protecting our streets, Ford Ent Magazine ensures a variety of topics each month to reach them all.

Published monthly both in Print and online.

www.FordEntertainmentMagazine.com

Websites

1- 814-Fordmag

www.FordEntetainmentMagazine.com

Info@FordEntertainmentMagazine.com

Approx. 3,000 hits per week

Twitter/FordEntMagazine

Magazine

Twitter/IamLadychelle

15,000 online readers

Facebook/LadychelleEnt

1500 mail-in subscribers Over 1,000 copies in monthly online sales 68,000 page views (digital version) Total of 1,500 to 2,500 copies printed each month.

3

Sports Editorial..………………………….....6 New Music…….…………………………….…..8

Credits Publisher

Shannon “K.O.” Williams………………10

Ladychelle Enterprises LLC

Samantha Kane………………………...….12

Rachelle Ford

Editor In Chief

Myke Brogan……..………………………….16

Senior Writer

Travelle Gaines…….………………………..19

Beauty/Fashion Writers

MAGICTIME..22

Lola Sims

Supreme Makeovers

Graphic Designer MuzikPro Entertainment

Magic

Cover photo shot by: RMR Paparazzi

Marcus

Contributing Writers this month: Michael Forbes

Willis

Paige Diamond “”Queen”

Run your own Radio Campaign…28 Labels” The other “L” word………….32

Special Shout Outs: Team Bigga Rankin BSnS Radio Network First Lady Niki

www.FordEntertainmentMagazine.com Info@FordEntertainmentMagazine.com 814-FordMag @FordEntMagazine @IamLadyChelle 4

You, our reader.

Special shout out to “Slick” CEO of MuzikPro Entertainment and welcome to the family as the new cover designer for Ford Entertainment Magazine. Three cheers and well wishes to a long lasting working relationship!!

5

Sports Editorial

Teamwork, Legacies & Championships!

ESPN made a Soap Opera out of the Lebron Story...I mean, c'mon It's interesting.

A young kid at 18 gets in the league and to seal his legacy he'll need a ring. He was pushed and touted as the new MJ, hells, they even gave him #23. Here's the kicker in comparison to the last time they did this to us...the last guy had to do it with the greatest Center in NBA history.

totem pole before. Got there alone, lost to a Big 3.

Both men are Champs and both have been in the same place and in many ways still are on the same parallel, thing is, Lebron didn't go against KD, it was the "Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma Thunder".

Kevin Durant is still a Champ in My Eyes, because he's just two star players from being unstoppable in the next season if his investors make those moves, however, The Miami Heat Big 3 was a Team that was formed specifically for the Ring. I'd have to conclude this column by stating next year will be very interesting.

Please follow me on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Viddy | +more Social Networks or Google: @iKnowMrForbes, I speakback, talkback, followback, trackback, snapback, even more, my hairline aint like Neyo's, #WayBack.

Even when LJ got to work with that center...he went all the way twice, but there were stronger powers that be...Teams of 3 Star players...so yeah, Boston tore his ass up. So the kid made a decision for himself...to take a cut on pay and hype to win with another player who has won with the same Center, Dwaye Wade. And they formed a Big 3, a team of 3 star players.

Michael J. Forbes, Author

Everyone followed the storyline...and believed all the hype, but what Kobe had not done that Lebron did was share the ball. if you look at the numbers, LJ's are not that of a MJ or Kobe, but he does have numbers that suggest he knew he wasn't the only guy. By getting his teammates and supporting cast involved, this ring came sooner than everyone thought.

Website: www.iKnowMrForbes.com Twitter: @iKnowMrForbes Facebook: @DadeCounty Google+: Michael J. Forbes Instagram: @iKnowMrForbes

"Why? Why MrForbes? How do you know so much about what your saying? " Well if you followed a LJ vs. KD story, KD won just by getting there. Because Lebron was on that side of the 6

7

What’s New in Music?

Check our website every week for the latest in music, industry news, opportunities, educational articles, fashion, and pretty much whatever else we feel like featuring.

To submit content to the site, contact Ladychelle.

814-FordMag info@Fordentertainmentmagazine.com Twitter.com/Iamladychelle

www.FordEntertainmentMagazine.com 8

9

Shannon K.O. Williams you where he wants you to be in life.

What is something about the modeling industry that people wouldn’t know off hand?

That it’s a lot of hard work and determination. You have to stay focus on your goals and get the job done like a professional.

What would be your dream gig?

I would have to say the first cover of GQ & Ebony Who have you modeled for so far?

Missy Elliott's Clothing Line, Kontrol Magazine ft. Melyssa Ford, Journey Magazine and Rocawear What is your ultimate goal for your modeling career?

Not only to bring masculinity back, but to establish myself as the new face for all strong black “Real” men in the world and industry.

How did you first get into modeling?

The very first time I was introduce to modeling was by a young lady name Ms. Kim Kirby. She taught me everything I needed to know about runway & modeling.

Hobbies Interest?

Boxing, Martial Arts, Rock Climbing, Hip Hop, be-bopping, Stunts, Basketball, Football, Graphic Design, & Web Design

Did you ever think you would be modeling?

Honestly No! But God has different ways of showing 10

11

Introducing:

Samantha K

12

Kane

13

quainted with a friend and local MC named “Dutch Scholtz.” Wellknown throughout the city as the ‘kid who made it’ upon signing a deal with Def Jam Records, Dutch decided to go home and start producing after his deal did not work out the way he planned. Fortunately for Samantha, Dutch’s path to rebuilding left him open to recognizing her talent and also played a role in his decision to mentor her further!

Fast forward to 2012 and Samantha has gone from posting a YouTube video casually displaying her rhyme skills over a vintage hip hop beat with only 225 views to receiving over 66,000 views within a week and a half after word of mouth spread about the extremely talented, female MC from Canada! Influenced by legends such as Big L, Lauryn Hill, B.I.G. Wu-Tang, Outkast, Big Pun, Lil Kim, Missy Elliott and even non hip-hop legends such as the Beetles, Bob Marley and RadioHead, Samantha states: “I am pretty nostalgic when it comes to Tunes!”

Out of those 225 views Platinum producer and manager Lee Marshall who has worked with the likes of the late, great Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson and his nephew J. Burnett aka “J. Billz” who has ghost produced for Platinum artists and labels such as Arista, Warner, and EMI came across an incredible talent who would be the first artist signed to their new imprint 400 Music Group.

Poised and ready, Samantha is looking to have her first single released digitally by May of 2012!!

Samantha Kane is a female rap sensation with beauty, brains and a flow to match. Raised in London, Ontario, Canada this 5’8, halfJamaican beauty is equipped with all of the tools needed to be a top notch MC in the game.

Born with a flow reminiscent of the “Golden Age of Hip Hop” but with a modern twist, Samantha has set her sites on dominating the music industry and taking over the charts. In order to prepare for this journey, Samantha attended a highly regarded performing arts school where she was trained in dance, drama, and vocals. In addition, she also discovered a talent for painting and sculpting which allowed her work to be shown in prestigious art galleries at a young age. However, with a passion for the written and spoken word Samantha always knew she wanted to transform her love of poetry into rhyming over beats.

With no clear outlet or experience recording in a real studio, Samantha decided ‘practical’ was the way to go and attended college until she was reac14

15

Myke Brogan

A new force to be reckoned with.

How long have you been in the game and How do you feel as though you differ from other artist? I been writing music for 4 years now and really pushing my music for about 2 years. I think my lyrics separate me from a lot of other artists. I try my best to paint a picture for everybody that listens to me…when people hear my songs I want them to feel the same way I feel or say “oh shit I know exactly what he means by that” or “damn I did that last night”. People love when they can listen to music and relate to what's going on in a song.

What is the name of your new mixtape and how did you come up with it? well after my extended college career as a horrible student I finally managed to graduate from University of South Dakota. I hated every minute of college classes but I made a promise to my mother that I would graduate college before I really pursued my hip hop career so my first mixtape is “So Long South Dakota” duh Your style is very unique. How would you describe your personal style? Ummmm…I don’t have swag lol and don’t care what people think or say so my style is really whatever the fuck I want…I'm a very simple guy polo socks, camo shorts, hoodies, and last but not least a good pair of boat shoes. And if I'm really feelin good a fitted or a skully cap (beanie). I'm like the little boy from the movie “Big Daddy”

Originally from southern California where the skies are clear and the weed is good and hip hop is alive, Myke Bogan is a new force to be reckoned with. While the young kids have adopted the whole skinny jeans and snapback hat movement, which he can live with because he figure sat least they have some type of hip hop influence, Myke is focused on real Hip Hop. What can we expect from the new mixtape your dropWhat is your creative process when it comes to making ping? Any features? You can expect good lyrics and music? Well I wouldn’t call it creative but once I've cho- hopefully a style and a sound that is very unique. When sen a topic and the beat I always start with smoking you listen to “So Long South Dakota” I want you to feel two dubies (since me and my team gave up swishers like “this dude spits” and “he is different”. I strive to be and tobacco) and having a rolling rock or pabst blue in my own lane not to be placed in category or just a ribbon on the side. And I usually just put the beat I'm certain type of group. I wanna be one of a kind in hip working with on repeat, then piece by piece I began hop. As far as features go we are working on getting ghost writing my verses. I don’t write anymore because with NIpsey Hussle on a track called “California Dreams”. Also I have a song “Just Call” featuring my girl it never comes out exactly how I wanna say it.

Jamie Farns who is an amazing singer.

16

www.LadychellePromo.com 17

18

Travelle Gaines The Epitome of a Hustler 19

By Paige Diamond The entertainment world is full of stereotypes and the world of professional sports is definitely not immune to that. Professional athletes go through a lot to be in tip top shape and be the best in their positions in the game just as other entertainers do. No more do we know about the vocal coaches behind some of our favorite R&B artist, do we know the coaches that make some of our favorite players in the game the rawest in their profession… until now. Travelle Gaines, founder of Performance Gaines is the go to guy for strength & speed conditioning for many NBA and NFL players. His roster includes 161 players currently in the NFL, 76 starters, 7 Pro Bowlers and that is just last year. The former strength conditioning coach of LSU and the Jacksonville Jaguars is a force to be reckoned with, who has a strong yet laid back demeanor. So just like all stereotypes, Travelle shatters what we think people in the sports world are like. If you don’t believe me, keep reading this exclusive interview.

Paige Diamond: How did you get your start being an athletic trainer?

Travelle: When I first started I never thought I was this great trainer. It’s funny because I think people associate being a great trainer with your client list. Like I have a few big name guys like Reggie Bush, Chris Johnson and others. When you work with big name guys who are really good, folks associate that with being the best or great but I don’t think that’s true. So

part of my goal when I started off was okay if I could get like 6 guys to pay me like $4,000 a month to train I’ll be great. That lasted about 3 days. I had 3 guys, then it went up to 5, then 7, the first month I had 12 and by the end of the first summer I had about 30 in 2007. So it just blew up.

Paige Diamond: Oh okay so it kind of fell in your lap then.

Travelle: No, I did it the hard way. I started out with nothing. I didn’t have any loans from mommy and daddy. I started from nothing and built off of my relationships. I emailed everyone, I worked my phones. The truth was in the pudding. So when I got the athletes to buy into what I was doing and see the results, they would tell a friend and that’s what helped me out. Then when those people had great seasons they would tell other athletes.

Now people call me, I don’t have to call anyone. Basically everything I have done has been virtually through my phone and word of mouth.

20

Paige Diamond: People do not realize that people are great resources.

They always think in terms of resources that it has to be material you know? That’s why it’s important to invest in people because you never know who knows who.

Travelle: You know what, I have to say this. When you are in a profession where you are being critiqued everyday, where-as I’m constantly judged on my body of work. Like if one person got hurt or one person gets out of shape that could end my whole career. A lot of trainers focus on the negatives you know the “Why train with him because I’m better” or “I can do this or that”. A lot of the time people ask me who are my favorite trainers and who do I look up to- I say nobody. I’m so consumed with my work and what I’m doing that I don’t think I really have a competitor because I’m really maxed out at what I do so I re-ally don’t have time to be concerned with anyone else. People take shots at me but I never respond to them.

Paige Diamond: I hear you on that.

That’s just like Oprah. She doesn’t feel she has no competition so she doesn’t even address the haters. I like your attitude and how you choose to deal with that.

Travelle: Yeah I feel like if you have so much positive, you don’t have to worry about the negative or feed the negative energy and let it bring you down. I do a good job with that because I practice what I preach when I teach the players about adversity and consistency. I tell them to just worry about themselves and take care of their business and also be a man about it to. So that’s why I don’t respond to or respect any negative energy around me.

Paige Diamond: Okay so you kind of touched on this but I want to go a little bit deeper and I want to know what is it about your company Performance Gaines that separates you from your competitors? What is it that makes athletes relate to you?

Travelle: Well I relate to my clients.

They are putting their bodies in my hands- this is how they make their living, that’s no joke. Once that trust is built, they tend to feel confident in confiding in me with other things.

They see that I can relate to them and maybe that is what makes my clients so comfortable with me.

Paige Diamond: It is definitely something that humbles you and gives you discipline so I think its great that you relate to you clients and try different customs with them that are apart of their life-

style. Was there a life changing event in you life that motivates you daily? I know about your injury in Montreal so I was wondering if that could be one of those times.

Travelle: I’ve never had a life changing event. I’ve had several things that have shaped me definitely but there isn’t just one catastrophic event. I think it’s more so the things that I’ve seen that has made me the man that I am. One of my goals is to make a positive impact on everyone that I come across. Sometimes I get the short end of the stick, which I do quite often but I make it do what it do and come out on top. That’s what motivates me and that’s how I try to live my life everyday.

Paige Diamond: You know what?

You need to be a motivational speaker.

Travelle: (laughs) Now, I don’t know all about that.

Paige Diamond: No seriously, I’m feeling inspired over here like wow.

Let me ask you this- For those who may not have the monetary means to have personal training but would like the opportunity to go pro, what is your advice to them?

Travelle: You got people from all over who do not have the resources so my advice to them is to stay determined, have faith and remember that God is love. If you believe, then nobody can stop you. I’ve had every reason in my life to not be successful. I didn’t grow up with any-body in my household that went to college.

21

College wasn’t expected of me. Not much was expected of me and no one ever encouraged me to do anything. So everything I’ve had to do, I had to beat the odds to do it. Anything you want to do- if you believe and you are mentally strong to do it no matter what your aspirations are you can do it. Just do whatever you can to obtain your goals, work hard and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.

Paige Diamond: I totally agree with you because people don’t give themselves enough credit to realize that we are creative beings. Whatever you think, you create.

Travelle: Yeah I get a lot of emails and this particular one almost brought me to tears. The guy was from Boston, MA, a black dude who is deaf. He was saying he was my biggest fan and he wants to be a strength coach and be just like me even though he can’t hear. He said he can feel the vibrations of people running or dropping the weights and that motivates him. He’ll never let anybody tell him that he can’t be a coach because he can’t hear them.

So if someone who is deaf can coach, I think anybody can.

Paige Diamond: Okay and now what I need you to do is describe Travelle Gaines in three words.

Travelle: Humble, Hungry and Hustler.

Article featured in the September 2010 issue of Ford Ent Magazine.

MAGIC 22

CTIME 23

Up Close and Personal with

Magic Marcus Willis For those who are unaware, tell us a brief bio on who you are and what you do.

I'm a professional boxer, been boxing as long as I could walk. I enjoy my hobby being my career. Love entertaining and having something to share with those who are interested in my art..

When did you decide to go into Professional Boxing and why that decision?

I would say it was already written.

God blessed me with this ability for a reason. I always knew I would be a pro athlete at a young age. This decision was predicated.

Do you remember your very first Pro fight?? What was your mindset while stepping into that ring?

Ummm yea, it seems so long ago now. I was just ready to start my career out with a boom. I was very confident and focused. Felt like I was the only person on the planet.

What's your current fight record?

Right now I am 11-2-2 What's your typical training session like? and how often do you train?

It varies. Mostly a lot of cardio, focus training. A lot of roadwork!

Abs abs abs. I'm in the gym no less than 2 hours a day, getting ready for a fight 2 times to 3 times a day 6 days a week.

Tell us a little bit about that upcoming fight.

I'm fighting a guy by the name of Djolevi Ballogou, I really can't pronounce it, after the fight he won't 24

be able to pronounce it. He's a tough African contender, fought in a few Northern African title fights.

So a very worthy opponent. I respect every fighter who gets in the ring.

Is this fight special to you in any way?

How so?

Yes, every fight is special. I train for every fight like its a championship fight, you never know who's going to be there in the audience to open up bigger opportunities, and every win pushes your rank to that next level. It's too serious of a moment not to treat special or take serious. I don't have anybody to come in and take a punch, slip a punch, throw a punch for me when I'm tired or injured. So I have to be fully prepared every time I step in for battle.

“I train for every fight like its a championship fight.�

“A champion in my mind is someone who faces the toughest opposition, perseveres through every adversity.�

Your fighting style has once been referred to as "War". As I quote a 2007 article: "he invades their space, slides into their zone to land short combinations then moves his head before any retaliation" Is your modern day fighting style similar to your 2007 self?

Yea I still have some of the same tactics. I'm a little more polished from back then.

Changing into that pro style, you have to be smoother and not as careless. I love to mix it up and be a versatile kind of fighter. All in all I love to put on a good performance for the audience.

Explain #Magictime The hash tag. Well Magic is my ring name and I feel like I am a soon to be trending topic. To me #Magictime is all the time and then some. 25 hours a day 8 days a week. I love what I do, with the blessings of God life often feels a little magical. The state that boxing is in today boxing needs a little magic. Life gets stressful sometimes, we all need a little magic.

Besides boxing, do you have any

other interests? What else occupies your time?

Boxing is my main focus. Other than that I love helping other people get healthy. The number one epidemic in America is obesity, so I'm somewhat of a health advocate.

Besides that in my spare time I love music, I play drums, write and sing a little.

What makes a champion?

Hard work, dedication, motivation.

A champion in my mind is someone who faces the toughest opposition, perseveres through every adversity.

Champion shows in heart, hard work, and attitude. A champions head is always held high looking to 25

conquer that next task What is your ultimate goal in boxing?

I just want to hit people in the face.

Hmm my ultimate goal. I would love to get those big name belts, the hardware, the fame and recognition, create a solid foundation for my loved ones. I just want to represent my God well, my family well, my camp well, and my city well. I want to give my people, and the youth a sense of hope.

Describe your mindset the seconds leading to the ring?

Focused and ready for war, hey it's #MagicTime

What's your motivation?

Quite a bit, my mom deserves the world. I wanna be able to give it to her. My dad has invested so much time in training me amongst a lot of the youth of Fort Myers, all volunteer work, and believing in me, failure is not an option. I love my city and I want to represent them to the best of my ability. I've never had many naysayers, every one has believed in me, and I have to prove them right.

Anything else you'd like to let your fans and supporters know? Any shout outs?

June 29th it's #MagicTime simple.

Shout out to my trainers Larry Willis, Joe Ponce, Rashid Abdul-Salaam.

Fight Zone, Designer’s Closet, Twin Cutz barbershop, Matthew Malave with Unique Auto Spa, Baker Insurance Group. Dr. Ziggy Dr. Means and Dr. Stephenson. My masseuse Addy and Jason Jones and Alexa Ponushis with Visalus. And a big thank you to you Chelle.

26

27

TheGame101

How to Run your own College and Internet

RADIO CAMPAIGN If you’ve got a great new release that you really believe can get some serious college radio play, but you just don’t have the budget to hire a professional radio promoter, don’t let that stop you! With a good plan and some free time, you can do a decent job as your very own radio promoter. Here are the steps to get it done:

1) Plan to assemble 100-200 mailings

2) Develop a targeted list

This package should include 1 CD (remove the cellophane wrapper!) along with an artist One-Sheet. Do not add extra photos and articles about you, as this is will be perceived as clutter and unprofessional. Also, don’t send extra copies of the CD and ask the recipient to pass them around the station.

Put together a targeted list of college, community, public and of course internet stations, as well as commercial specialty programs (like local or unsigned feature hours) that are appropriate for your genre. You’ll have the most luck if you limit this list to a geographic area that you can realistically tour through at least 3 or 4 times a year.

3) Know whom

to contact It’s important to address your package directly to the person you are trying to reach at the station. In most cases it will be the program director (some stations also have a music director). If the station has a specific show featuring music like yours, go ahead and send that DJ a package as well as they might have some input when the show’s playlists are assembled. Never send your package just addressed to the station as that would either get lost in the shuffle or thrown in the garbage.

4) Be clear with your intentions Are you promoting a specific song? Are there certain songs that work better for radio? It’s important to be clear to the program/music director, as they don’t have time to listen down to your album and decide what will work.

5) Follow up two weeks later

After you send out your CDs to radio, check back in a couple weeks by phone or email to make sure they received it, had a chance to listen, and ask if they’ll be adding it to their playlist. Don’t put up a fight if they say NO. Just politely ask “why” and say thanks if they tell you the reason.

If they say yes, give them a quick thanks and casually ask what their preferred protocol is for you to check up on the actual reception your album is getting from their listeners. Feel free to check back every few weeks to see if it’s still in rotation. You might feel like you’re being a pest, but we’ve actually heard from college radio DJs that they appreciate when someone calls to remind them to play a certain song. Otherwise, they tend to feel like they get into a programming rut and just start playing the same old things.

28

6) So you got played

7) Keep in touch

If you hear that a station has added your music to their playlist, it’s important to follow up with a thank you. Ask them if there is anything that YOU can do for THEM. Maybe they’d like you to record a bumper for them (one of those little radio plugs where a band says “Hey, we’re Led Zeppelin and you’re listening to KLED!”) Perhaps you could send them free discs for them to give away in a station promotion. The options are unlimited.

If a station has shown interest in your music, be sure to keep them up to date with your music career (outside of pitching your music to them). A quarterly email highlighting tour dates and recent career achievements should suffice to keep you in their consciousness. Don’t add them to your fan email list unless they ask to be added!

8) Timing is everything Make sure you’re ready and willing to do all these steps in a short period of time. Just like the press, your big chance to make any significant splash with radio is when your CD is

Sometimes you just don’t have the time, money, or inclination to pull off a giant radio campaign, but the truth is, there are still plenty of opportunities to get your music a little airplay if you’re paying attention or know where to look. These commonly missed opportunities won’t make a career, but can be the little extra push needed to get the promotion ball rolling.

Be the Big Fish in a Small Pond.

Don’t overlook the small markets! Many off-thebeaten-path towns have community radio stations that would be thrilled to have you stop by while on tour. Even if your music doesn’t exactly fit their format, in many cases, these stations will welcome you for an in-studio performance or a short interview while spinning tracks off your album. Remember, even if the listenership is minimal, instudios make excellent video and photo opportunities that make great content for the web!

Keep your ears open for opportunities.

When the DJ asked listeners to submit their 5-song Perfect Playlist, Portland band Hello Morning submitted their playlist which included one song off of their new EP. The DJ loved their music and thought it fit perfectly, so not only did their song get played on one of Portland’s largest rock stations, but Hello Morning was asked to come into the studio to talk about their playlist which gave them an excellent opportunity to promote an up-

Be sure to check the station’s website.

Many commercial radio stations have an internet radio component that can have a broader reach with more daring programming choices than you’d hear over the airwaves. If you do find this to be the case, be sure to follow their submission guidelines.

Use social networks to make an introduction.

There’s a good chance that many of the DJ’s in your town are on Facebook and Twitter, so use that as an opportunity to get to know your local radio scene.

Interact with them, and as you get to know them, introduce them to your music. Oftentimes these folks are very interested in the local music community even if they’re station format does not allow for indie This article courtesy of :

No matter where you’re at in your career, CD Baby is the complete artist services company to help with any of your musical needs.

29

30

www.WHOisSHOZOE.com @WhoisShoZoe 31

LABELS

The other “L” word.

Author: Queen, HipHopSexpert.com the box labeled lesbian?

Why do we out ourselves in any type of box when clearly our thoughts and actions aren’t within the parameters of that box? I feel that labels of any kind should be eradicated! PERIOD! Most of us don’t have the capability of staying with the labels we put ourselves under and why should we? Change happens every second of the day. My concern is that we are not being true to ourselves nor to each other when we use labels and we all deserve the option to deal with what is presented to us or not.

Marked or inscribed to something to indicate nature. A short word descriptive of a group. A word indicating that what follows or belongs in a particular classification. A molding… a brand or trademark.

That is the definition of label. We ascribe labels to pretty much everything and everyone and even to ourselves. Gay, straight, urban, emo, butch, femme etc.

But why do we put ourselves and each other in such constraints? And if one goes outside of that particular label… then are we no longer being true to that label?

And who in the hell came up with these labels anyway?!

I’m not excluded from this. I have fallen victim to the label bandit too. In the gay community… I would be labeled a “femme”… short for feminine of course. The label of femme is supposed represent the “role” I play in a relationship… my style of dress… and even the capacity to which I show emotions. But I defy this everyday because if the “role” of femme is to be submissive at all times… well I’m far from it. And if my style of dress has to consist of dresses… well I don’t do those either! And the capacity at which I show great emotion has nothing to do with a label… it’s just who I am as a woman. So in my opinion… that label really doesn’t fit.

In my opinion… labels don’t fit any of us because we are incapable of staying within the four corners of a box. Everyone should just be who they are and be honest about who that is! And keep the labels where they were meant to be…. on clothes!

Take for instance the label of lesbian. To be classified as a lesbian means that you have sexual relations with women. But the definition doesn’t imply “with women only”! So does that mean if a “lesbian” sleeps with a man… she can no longer be labeled a lesbian? What do you think? Personally… I take the definition of a word literally and I would like to think that if I were involved with a woman that considers herself lesbian… that she only has sex with women. But while involved in a recent debate about the matter… I was informed that a person can be emotionally gay and physically straight.

In other words… she is emotionally involved and in love with a woman but still has sex occasionally with men… with no emotional attachment I assume.

Well me being the non-judgmental person I would like to think I am… my first response was “To each her own”. But in the back of my mind, I questioned if she could be classified… “labeled” a lesbian truly!! My next question was so why would you even put yourself in 32

33

Hands Up Music 34