Hype Off Life - Issue #004 ft. Az Chike

A z CHIKE ISSUE #004

YEARS OF THE DOG DMX’s Influence on the Culture

The Embodiment Of The New West Coast Sound

Tales Of A Gutsy MC The Crane Commandments

UNDERGROUND FOREVER The Legend DJ Playero

Drag-On Setting Barz on Fire

Art & Hip Hop Are One with Toronto’s Amer SM 1

Publisher / Editor-In-Chief Keish Monique @lowkeyinlosangeles

Editor @swadedavillain

Online Contributor @talliespencer

Contributor @iamghettostarr

Online Contributor @thepaywilson

Contributor @tatum.hawkins

Online Contributor @kalishaperera_

F OL LOW US ONLINE Inst ag r am: @h y pe off lif e Twitter: @h y pe off lif e YouTub e: Hy pe Off L if e G eneral Inquir ies : in f o@h y pe off lif e. c om Advert ise: a dv e rt is e @h y pe off lif e . c om Submit: hy pe off lif e . c om /s u bm it

3

20

06 PUBLISHER’S WORD 10 DMX: YEARS OF THE DOG 20 TALES OF A GUSTY MC

26 AZ CHIKE

CONTENTS

Photo Credit ELVON IMAGES

12 AMER SM 16 DRAG-ON

36 YS 40 TRU SOUND 46 KALLION

34 ON THE COME UP

48

HYPE INTERNATIONAL 50 DJ PLAYERO

21

PUBLISHER'S WORD D

amn, is it Summer already? By the way LA is going crazy with packed beaches and hella brunch time turn ups with everybody dressed to the nines, I’d have to say so. Which makes me think now is the perfect time to add our contribution to one epic summer with our first issue of the year!

Truth be told, this issue should’ve came out awhile ago. How long, I’m not going to say. Just know perfectionism is a mutha. But, over the years I’ve learned the best way to get over procrastination disguised as perfectionism is to do like Nike says, and “JUST DO IT”. It doesn’t have to be perfect at first, just put out the best of what you have and improve on that.

Looking back on our first 3 issues, we’ve definitely come a long way. But, we wouldn’t know what to build up and what to let fall to the wayside without putting out those first few editions. So, to make a long story short, just do that shit. Even if you’re scared and don’t know if it will resonate, because it always will with the right people.

- Keish Monique

8

9

Written by Ghetto Starr

I

was too young to know the impact the Dark Man himself, Earl Simmons had on the Hip Hop world when he emerged. That didn’t stop the “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” from thundering through my Sony radio in 1998 at the age of five though. DMX’s debut album ‘It’s Dark and Hell is Hot‘ is my first recollection of a Rap album. The cover. The cuts. The aggression. The barking.

Hmm. 1998 huh? The flamboyant era was still going strong when X’s raw style and aphotic themes broke him through the shiny suits and flashy rhymes that dominated the airwaves. He went on to make history, dropping ‘Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood‘ later that year, making him the only living rapper to have had debuted on the Billboard album chart twice at the number 1 spot in the same year. That’s impressive for anyone to do, let alone a new artist on the scene.

While the eerie “Let Me Fly” and “Damien” had my attention, I’m still oblivious to how the hell I missed “How’s It Going Down” growing up. But I did. I have zero remembrance of ever hearing that song before 2012. Truly insane. That was around the time that I began the first half of my Youtube adventures, digging up songs that completely passed me by.

The music video for the thugged out ballad is just as fly as the song. Maybe one of the best damn depictions of a New York love story that has ever been drawn. X hollering at shorty on 125th Street.

The sex scenes. The panning of him and his clique posted up on one of those Summer days as Faith Evans (who doesn’t appear in the video) sends us those chill-giving 90’s vibes that are exclusive to the vocals of that beautiful time period. For anyone who is unfamiliar or has any doubts about how this man moved a crowd, I have only one thing to say: Woodstock.

The X Man lit up the East stage July 23rd, 1999.

Red overalls. Voice never went out. And the highlight of the performance? Well the Double R anthem of course. It was a perfect example of what cult followings Hip Hop artists (particularly

the 90’s) had. The Dark Man had everyone tap into their inner thug, not just that day but also what seemed like every day after.

As a Hip Hop Head, one of the beautiful moments for the culture was the backstage battle between DMX and Jay-Z on the Hard Knock Life Tour. It’s one thing to watch this on the internet. Another to have been there. Not so much to have say on who you thought one, but this is Hip Hop and these were two Top-Dogs.

Legend has it the two battled in a Bronx pool hall. Before Ruff Ryders and the R-O-C. Before the #1 albums. Now if I had to choose between which battle I would have attended, I would have to go with that one. Needless to say, there was a different aura there, a forcefield between two hungry soon to be giants in their baggy clothes.

(Oh, how I miss those man). Who won? Depends on who you ask.

Something to remember also was his closeness to our late Queen Aaliyah. They both starred in “Romeo Must Die” and gave us the duet “Back in One Piece” for the film. Their chemistry in the video probably had you trying to reenact their mean mugs and clothes. When she passed The X man spoke some heartfelt words in the beginning of the Aaliyah tribute “Miss You“. He lost more than just a fellow artist in the industry, he had lost a close friend. Another collaboration or two from them is something our playlists could have all used.

The fact that he was able to give us these gethype street anthems, depressing reflections on life and still go on to be commercially successful with his radio hits that didn’t have to sound all pop well into the 2000s allowed his rarity to be noticed and loved. Whether it was his film debut in the Hood Classic, Belly or being the nucleus of the Ruff Ryders conglomerate you could already tell X was going to be a name spray-painted on the walls of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame. He just had it. In this game, influence is king.

Originally published on HypeOffLife.com November 19th, 2019

11

AMER SM T

oronto-based mixed-media visual artist Amer SM has the golden touch when it comes to his art. A creative who thinks outside of the canvas, he stuns the world when he lets his visions become realities. His “Art by Amer SM” takes modern contemporary pop culture work and fuses it with high-end designer fashion brands.

The result is the brand doing numbers and has everyone from Drake, to Rick Ross, to Danny Green investing in his pieces. When he’s not working on new pieces and displaying them at his Digital Demand Studio, he’s popping up at Art Basel in Miami, and anywhere that highlights nothing but the finest art.

Growing up in Saudi Arabia, Amer SM found a love for art thanks to his aunt. From there he developed an healthy obsession for art, and made the world his canvas. Years went by and he found himself living in Toronto, with the burning passion for art still alive within him. His artistic path lead him to exhibiting his amazing talent around the city, and networking heavily with prominent names around the world.

He made history as the first Canadian artist to collaborate with international luxury brand MCM, and has built an extensive portfolio that has found him even displaying his artwork on a Lamborghini. With a taste for high fashion and exquisite art, Amer SM believes that anything is possible once you are creative.

12

For those unfamiliar, how did you get your start in the art world?

I have been dedicated to art my entire life. I started drawing very young and on whatever surface I could get my hands on, everything from walls and floors became my canvas. It wasn’t until high school when a counselor of mine pushed me to pursue graphic design that the idea of making art my career began to develop.

13

In what ways did moving to Toronto help your career flourish?

I moved to Toronto and luckily integrated myself into the night life network very quickly. I was welcomed there and ended up building numerous valuable relationships that helped me in developing my graphic design business over time. Eventually, my graphic design business started to shine light on my passion for art, and once people saw my skills, the art side of my business took off.

Out of all of the subjects you could base your creations on, what drew you to Hip Hop? As simple as this answer may seem, Hip Hop is my favorite thing to listen to while I create, and I wouldn’t be the same artist without the influential figures in that field.

What do you love most about expressing yourself through art?

My favorite thing about being able to express myself through art is the freedom behind it. I can think of anything I want and make it into reality for not only me, but also all my clients.

Describe the creative process of making a piece, from start to finish.

Considering that I specialize in customer art, my creation starts with meeting with the client. I want to figure out exactly what they are envisioning so that I can create their dream with a touch of my own personal artistic style.

You’ve created artwork for many Hip Hop heavyweights, like Drake, Rick Ross, Tyga, The Game and more. What was your favorite piece to create?

Danny Green’s art was definitely my favorite piece to create. When he saw it completed, his reaction was overwhelmingly positive and it even led to him asking

14

me to follow him to one of his charity events the next day. I ended up presenting the piece at one of his youth basketball team events, which was an amazing experience.

Which one challenged your creativity the most?

Out of all the Hip Hop heavyweight pieces - I would have to say Rick Ross’ custom piece was the most challenging. Adding the smoke effect to create depth within the canvas was a challenge I hadn’t faced before, but ended up loving the results.

Wrapping a Lamborghini in your custom art at 2019’s Art Basel was crazy dope. What sparked that idea?

My goal at that point in my career was that I wanted as many people as possible to see my art. Having it displayed on an iconic vehicle at an iconic event just made sense. In addition, the fact that the art was now completely mobile once on the Lamborghini was a win-win. Now, everywhere I went for the entire trip, everyone got to see my art and learn my name.

Your personal brand, Art by Amer SM and digital studio, Digital Demand Studio are super hot right now. How did you get them off the ground and what is your vision for them both?

I put myself through school for marketing and graphic design at Humber Collage - this gave me the right skill to brand other companies and eventually brand myself.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

If art is your passion, work on it on a daily basis.

Even 1 to 2 hours per day is one step closer to your goals. You should also treat your passion, your art, like a business and not like a hobby. Treating it like a business will warrant the respect you deserve and the business can build on top of that.

15

16

F

or over 20 years, Drag-On has been spitting flames, and knocking heads off. An original member of the Ruff Ryders, he struck gold and platinum with his appearances in the Ruff Ryders’ “Ryde Or Die” album series, and gave us a classic with his debut album, “The Opposite Of H2O”. You’ve heard him on tracks with DMX, Eve, Juvenile, Damian Marley, and The L.O.X. to name a few, and he always held his own with a fire flow, and an arsenal of bars.

Drag-On couldn’t be missed on the big screen too as he made appearances in the films, “Exit Wounds” and Cradle 2 The Grave”.

Drag-On’s life has had plenty wins and losses, but he still moves forward.

Originally from The Bronx, he made the move to California in recent years, and has been running things with his many business ventures including his independent record label, HOOD ENVIRONMENT Entertainment. Still staying true to himself and his talents, he continues to catch the ears of many worldwide with his “Barz On Fire” series. Drag-On has proven time and time again that he is still a formidable lyricist, and is as hungry as ever.

17

Thanks for coming thru! How has 2021 been treating you so far?

2021 has been treating me good so far. I actually got a chance to get over the past year, as I dealt

with some losses dues to Covid-19. But, I’ve been working on doing and being better. 2020 has been

rough, but at the same time I’ve been working on a

few things in my career including a new project, and keeping positive energy around me.

So, you just dropped a new album ”Barz On Fire 4”. What type of bars and vibes can listeners expect?

BOF4 is really different from the previous releases, as they were mixtapes that had other people’s

beats on there that I vibed to, and this project is

more of an album with all original production. This is also the first project of mine to be released on streaming platforms. I wanted to do something different on this release and make things more official.

You’re out on the West Coast now. What sparked

What was your mindset while making the

I’m actually starting up a new business and getting

I was focusing more on being an artist over just

the West Coast. So, it only made sense that I take

creation of this album, get the right production,

the move?

into new ventures, and many of my clients are from my operations there, so I can be more hands on.

What similarities and differences have you

noticed between New York and California?

album?

being a rapper. I wanted to get deeper in the

show people that I’m still dumb nice with the bars,

and not just rap over beats. Plus, I wanted to make this project one that you can’t deny this year or ever.

The vibe, the energy, the music, and just sounds in

Which track stretched your artistry the most?

you have the big buildings, big hallways and stuff

I would say a song called “Ninja Turtles”. It’s

you’d hear from us. But with Cali the environment

are ratting. The Ninja Turtles looked up to Master

general make each area different. With New York like those that attribute to the booming sounds is more open, there are no loud trains and big

hallways so that inspires a more diverse selection of sounds there. With my new project, I recorded

half of it on the East Coast, while the other half was done on the West, and you can hear and feel the

difference with each track. You can tell when I was back in NY and when I moved to Cali.

actually about dudes who are rats and people who Splinter, who is a rat and I just applied it to how

the culture has been shifting recently where people think it’s cool to be a rat and hang out and idolize well known rats. When you hear this track, you’ll notice I switched up the flow a lil’ and I have a different approach.

You have an impressive social media following,

well into the 100,000s. How have you been able to grow your following over the years?

18

Just staying consistent and honest with my fans.

They know I’ve been doing my thing independently and putting in the work. I’m not there to ask them for sympathy and handouts. I’m just giving them

me, giving them great content, and expanding the

Drag-On brand. I originally wanted to drop BOF4 in January, but things didn’t work out. So, I got back on the grind and gave the fans some freestyles to

hold them over. All the work that I’ve been putting in resulted in my social media growth.

In your opinion, what’s the most challenging part of being an independent artist?

Getting all the paperwork together can be one

of the most challenging thing as an independent

artist. When you’re signed to a major label, you’re free of all those things so you can be an artist.

When you’re independent however, you have to be hands on in everything as a CEO and as an artist.

The independent route shows us who is really built for it and not just walking around with the “CEO”

You have also started your own record label, HOOD ENVIRONMENT. Can you tell us more about it?

HOOD ENVIRONMENT is a record label I started in 2006 and I have been building on it over the

years. In 2016 everything started falling into place and I started to see some friction. When all that

happened, it really hit me that I can still do music on a different level, I still have a shot. I had my

moments of discouragement. But 2016 put a battery in my back. I began to put out content, and from

there I started to see the difference in everything as I was getting a lot of support. I was happy about that and years later we’re still here.

title. It can be difficult, but you have to make sure everything is straight and your business is in top order.

Every artist has a tribe they lead to higher

heights. Who do you make your music for?

I make music for my fans and I make music for the

people. I fell into a trap before where I made music for the DJs, and that sh*t was hurting my career.

When I saw the light, I had to get out of that and

get back to the people who are fans of Drag-On,

fans of my style of music, and people who just f*ck

with me. I’ve made and will continue to make music for them. BOF4 is an album for the people. Don’t get me wrong, I still have DJs who support me

What gave you the inspiration to start it?

I started to see the Rap game change from that

and I show them love, but when I got out the trap I reconnected with the people who rocked with me.

time (in 2006) and you can’t teach an old dog new

Any message for your fans?

the company as a way to adapt to the changes in

To my fans, I’m in good spirits, I’m prayed up,

tricks. I was the difference however and I made

the scene and industry and make my mark. It’s a

different wave out now, but we had to be a part of it or get left behind.

I’m super focused, I’m also a good father to my

daughter, and I’m putting in the work for my career, this new album, and the future. Look out for more

Drag-On in the future and BOF4 is available on all streaming platforms.

19

20

Hey, Fly Fierra Sensei here.

#2 Image/Look/Style

This is prequel to “Tales of a Gutsy MC: The Crane Commandments the Do’s and Dont’s Of Hip Hop”.

I’m going to keep it short, a more extended detailed physical and digital book will be available covering this topic in depth down to the nail.

Now that you have a solid foundation and origin you must take all the greatness from your musical predecessors and elders and the ones that inspired you and put it all together and fuse it with your natural aura and energy ultimately creating your own unique and rare look. Notice I said look because look is totally different than image and style. I will explain further, your look is just that literally: how you look, your eye color, your skin color, your hair type, etc. All these things make up your natural look and different styles work better with certain looks and body types.

Study some of your influences and see who has sort of the same body type or look as you and see what styles might work best for you.

I’m going to break this down into 5 categories:

#1 Foundation/Origin This is the most important step in your journey as a MC or Rapper/Artist. This is what’s going to determine not only how well you are put together, but how far you go in this industry and business.

Who are you? Where did you come from? What city/village do you represent and come from? Who originally inspired you to become an MC and pick up a mic/sword? Do not try to mimic what you see and hear on tv or the radio. Now if that is what truly drives you and motivates you then go right ahead. But, no matter what you must realize you must become great or even greater than those you look up to or inspired by, you have to become great in your own right.

This means you must become a student of the game in all aspects and facets including business.

Therefore you must study the many different era’s of not just Hip Hop, but music in general. That’s if you want to be an unmatched and untouchable skilled MC or Rapper. You must study the 60s, 70s, 80, 90s, 2000s, 2010s, and now the 2020s and every great or pioneer from each generation and study the skills and techniques that they used and the things that made them great and not only take them to the next level but build on them and create and innovate new techniques and ways to shape and mold sounds and vocals together.

Just every little thing down to studio etiquette and work ethic delivery, cadences, melodies their business moves, their current and past labels and their affiliates, i.e. any MC or Rapper they have done business with past and present and lastly their style which will lead and prepare you for the next and 2nd step: Your image/Look/Style.

Next is the style. Your style is how you dress, your attire, the clothes you wear how you rock/wear them, how you walk, how you stand, and the kicks you wear. And they should not be anything “designer”.

There’s nothing FOREIGN about Hip Hop. No offense to my brothers that don’t know no better. They have been brainwashed, watching TV and listening to the radio, as I stated earlier, imitating what they hear and see instead of keeping the elders and traditions alive and embrace the real and do this thing how it’s suppose to. When you hit the stage and out here mobbing around in the streets you better have on some sneakers mane, Nike or Adidas preferably. And nothing but Nike over here. We won’t go into which is the best. We clearly already know which is the flyest, but salute to Adidas though.

But, when I hit the stage or the streets it’s game-time, and I’m coming to jam on n*gga/cats and show out, and every true MC or Rapper should feel and show up to do the same. The stage is the equivalent to the court and if you’re an All-Star player, then you’re going to move, train, and act as such … This is just a different GOAT mentally when you’re talking about being the greatest to ever do it. You should be able to put your style up against and stand and outshine not just the ones that inspired and you look up to, but all that came before you and the whole world ... you got to stand up and stand out.

Finally image. Your image is a combination of your look and style and how you see yourself and how you want the world and fans to see you. This has to be shaped and molded over time with your works and dealing, and what you say and what you do. Be warned that even once you master your own style

21

look and image people still may not see you as you see yourself or as others do. Everybody has their own view and feelings though you can pretty much guarantee what you put out is what people will see you as. Remember the tongue is a powerful tool especially with the right MC/Rapper with a strong spirit and immense vocal power and talent...truly a world changing ability.

Though not all rappers possess or can tap into this power or talent because they don’t know these rules or studied the Hip Hop sages and musical Gods, and drink from that chalice and become one themselves.

No guidance or history. So, they are reduced to being mediocre to average at best Rappers/Shinobi .., such a shame it waters and reduces the craft and all the different flows and techniques the ones before created and laid down to nothing.

#3 Flow Now let’s begin with flow. It’s the beginning and end to everything. All things have flow just like water …

This is really a complex concept that only true MCs or Proteges will understand. But, every Rapper and MC is basically a samurai or ninja (Shinobi) from a village. Your flow is your sword and that gives you the ability to weave in and out and perform amazing verses and lyrical acrobatics but only high level rappers or Hokages can do this.

He has to be exceptional, head and shoulders above the rest. Every song is a constantly moving river or stream and it’s up to you to dictate the flow and direction of it… Now, think of each song or record as a river, and inside that river/song it’s little ripples and waves these are your flow and together they make the whole river/song. And go even deeper, inside the little ripples waves are individual words and those individual words together makeup a flow/wave ripple.

So, individual words put together make a flow, then you combine several flows together to make a whole river/song...everything moving like water. Several individual words turns into a flow and then the flows make a whole song.

As is several ripple waves combined together make a whole river ... And every time you change flows you change the direction of the song Just like when you change the flow in the river you change the direction in which it’s going.

22

#4 Versatility and Catalogue/Resume/ Collaboration So, yeah let’s start with versatility, catalog and resume. I’m going ahead and just get this out the way. See, a lot of people and general listeners are not really music critics or real OGs. They’re basically fans, that’s all. So, when you talk about the greatest of all time these things have to be covered.

Every song you make has a certain engagement points basically where verses start and hooks start and in some advanced cases, even bridges and counter melodies are used. These are your cues where the MC or Rapper comes in/engages and interacts with the beat or musical composition. You perform certain flows and hooks on certain songs and you must remember exactly where certain flows start and end.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be a verse it could be an adlib or you just talking your peace. But, at any point and time when the rapper vocalizes on a beat it creates an engagement point, and you must, I repeat, must remember where you come in and out.

It’s important that you got the engagement points mastered. You will need this ability to rap and perform on stage and on different beats. Smooth and efficiently. If your timing is off by one second it will throw your whole performance or song off ultimately making you sound off beat or in some cases too far ahead of the beat...you have to find the pocket of the beat, jump in and ride and cruise out with the beat not go against it. Remember everything is like water, a river, a stream one must keep flowing and moving like water with nothing stopping you. The MC or Rapper becomes one with himself and the record.

Next example, versatility is the ability not just to rhyme but also sing and harmonize and write all types of records from from up North, Down South, Midwest, West Coast, etc. Literally all coast all around the world. You have to transcended the region that you are from…

For example, no offense to Jay or Nas - both are no doubt 2 of the illest to ever rhyme, but that’s it. Jay-Z can’t write or rap or even make Down South records or West Coast records, etc. and then turn back around and make New York records. The same goes for Nas, and they are not producers. So, when we talk about the GREATEST OF ALL TIME they cannot be in the conversation.

Definitely lyricists, but not flat out Greatest Of All Time. Plus, they haven’t put out that many different bodies of work and definitely not independent.....

See Fly Fierra, Scarface, Pimp C, Z-Ro, Curren$y, Lil Wayne have produced and created, and put out so many flows hooks and bodies of work it’s a damn shame.

There are other Northern legends ( Run-D.M.C., Wu-Tang Clan, The Lox, Slaughterhouse), Southern legends (Outkast, Goodie Mob, 8Ball & MJG, Organized Noize, Disturbing tha Peace, Boss Hogg Outlawz, Street Military) and West Coast legends (Quik, MC Eiht, Dre, NWA, etc.) But, overall they all fall short of the GREATEST OF ALL TIME CRITERIA, which is Fly Fierra.

ITS NOT ABOUT HOW MANY RECORDS YOU SOLD OR HOW MANY BILLBOARD HITS OR RADIO SONG YOU GOT. Lol. I can’t say this loud enough kids. Please listen, you are the future and in order to keep this business and craft we love and cherish so much sacred and with some dignity, you must step up and become Hokages of your own and change the world, and keep the culture moving forward because it has gotten out of control.

We honestly are in a war, Shinobi killing other Shinobi over petty disputes. Enough of the blood shed. There must be peace though. There cannot be peace without war, no good without evil, yin and yang one cannot exist with the other ...

These literally are the hardest working men in Rap period. On top of being the best Natural Word smith and Rhymers, they will rhyme yo ass under the table.

But see, Spitta and Wayne don’t produce. But Fierra, Pimp, Face and Z-Ro do, and they write all their material, are the example of the streets and real Hip Hop, and true songwriters.

the North that you can’t make any other content.

That’s why it’s up to the new generation, and the real protégés and young OGs like myself (Fly Fierra) to continue to fill that void that my OGs left unchecked.

Next is catalogue. You must take your versatility and flow and construct not just records but full albums and elaborate bodies of work projects, with different titles, different series and their sequel’s, trilogies and even five and six part installments all around your name, your look, your style, your image, and showcasing that to the world in the illest most beautiful way possible. You have to bring the listener, the causal, the on the fence fans into your world and keep the cult fans even more immersed into the world, and soon as they get comfortable and think they got the world figured out you surprise them with even more cooler places in your world, i.e records and projects See, each project is a house and each brick that made the house is a record/song. So, when listeners come to see the house/project they also admire each and every brick that made it which are the songs. Most times if they don’t like the whole house, they like some quality of the house i.e the brick (songs) or paint detail (album artwork). So, in turn you will always have real estate/property that can be monetized, either for a flat out fee or later down the line in merchandise or shows, which will give you all you need for the last and final step when you’re ready to take it to the streets and stage, and show the world what you got.

But, as I said Z-Ro, Pimp C or Curren$y or Wayne can’t make a “New York” project or record no matter how many boom bap beats they rap on and vice versa. As I said for Jay-Z and Nas, as great as they are they are not versatile when it comes to the grand scheme and making projects and records. They can change their flows all day, but they will always be boxed in to their respective region

You can also use another technique and trick I developed.... Each album is a mood or realm in time, and inside each individual album is even smaller moods or realms in time. Everybody has emotions - happy, sad, angry, excited, etc., and you have to construct projects and records that tap into and touch these different type of moods. As you should know, there are a million different moods a human can feel. So, therefore you must have a million different records and techniques for each and every mood and occasion. This is when you truly become a universal, omnipotent God like MC or Rapper basically an Hokage...A rapper revered and praised for his impeccable skill and musical ability.

Most of the OGs fall into this category, and on top of them not wanting to make Pop/radio records, it really boxed them in and kind of hurt their run and career. I’m away from being so Southern or so from

Collaboration: A collaboration is a special fusion between 2 or more MC’s or rappers. You have to fuse and combine together both worlds to make

23

one big one the listeners can enjoy. You must know how to compliment, not just the song but the person you are working with and bring the best out of each other through slick references and nods to each others musical journey. A collaboration should not be forced or pushed for money, which now days it is. You must truly care and love the MC or Rapper you decided to work with. It’s supposed to be out of love and admiration, not a business move, though sometimes certain features could be beneficial.

Never live under another man’s or rapper’s shadow.

You as your own Shinobi have to stand and protect your village, and city solo.

Now Resume. Your resume is just that, all of your achievements and stats you acquire as your time as a Shinobi or MC/Rapper. All your songs, all your projects ,all your shows, and different places and stages you have rocked. All of this makes up your resume, and really shapes you for the big leagues and major level business. It’s like your stat card and grade ranking grades S-rank, A-rank, B- rank, C - rank, D - rank, and lastly E - rank which is Shinobi or Rappers with basically no name, noobs or amateurs with no recorded songs or material yet and are just coming off the block of there city/village, starting out fresh in the world of music and Hip Hop. Basically, still in Hip Hop school, learning the basics and fundamentals about what it means to be a Legendary MC/Rapper or Shinobi

S rank level rappers = S class (35 or more Albums/Projects) Hokage level rappers = S class or A class (25 Albums/Projects) Jounin level rappers = S class or A class (15 Albums/Projects) Chunin level rappers = B class or C class (5 Albums/Projects) Genin level rappers = D class (1 album/project) Academy student level rappers = E class (No albums or projects)

24

After rappers graduate from the academy and release their first project, they will become genin which are official MCs or Rapper’s.

#5 Showmanship/Stage Presence And last, but most important is when you hit the stage. You must take everything above, everything you have learned, studied and mastered, and bring it to life on stage. Each record is a mood and realm in time. You must bring each record to life and animate them, and transfer the energy to the crowd or audience.

The same way the listeners feel when they listen to you, they should feel the same every time you perform in front of them. Do not lip sing or perform to your records with the vocals on them.

The crowd came to see you perform, not hear you halfway stumble and mumble to your song in the background. Real masters and top level Rappers don’t use our actual voice if you can’t rap it live, word for word you don’t need to perform it.

That’s why you must train and practice and study day in and day out on all your old material and new material. Never get rusty, always stay prepared. If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. Even when you got techniques flows and songs down pack, still rehearse and practice them until they get boring that’s when you really have mastered your craft...remember the song might be old to you but they are new to somebody. First impressions are everything.

This has been the introduction to “Tales of a Gutsy MC: The Crane Commandments the Do’s and Dont’s Of Hip Hop and How to Be a World Class MC”

Fly Fierra Sensei here signing out. Love you guys and girls and remember the babies are the future.

Let’s keep the youth and this culture burning with the will of fire!

25

26

Photo Credit: ELVON IMAGES

AZ CHIKE A

natural-born star, Az Chike’s colorful raps over function-ready production have quickly become the embodiment of the new West Coast sound. Hailing from South Central Los Angeles, a region popularized by it’s vivid storytelling, unique production style and overall realness, Az Chike stands out with charisma that can’t be bought, sold or copied.

As the de facto leader of the AzCult collective, Az Chike took an exit from his day job in 2015 to follow his dreams, after stacking enough money to buy his own production and recording equipment. Since then, sky has been the limit, as Az Chike released a slew of EPs, plus his first full-length project, “My World”, in addition to performing at Hip Hop’s largest music festival, Rolling Loud.

Describing his music as “rich” and “fulfilling, Az Chike is a prime example of how to be unapologetic and look fly while doing it, in the midst of a self-conscious and social mediaobsessed society. Proving first-hand that it always pay to bet on yourself, Az Chike has created a lane of his own, full of turn up anthems and empowering rhymes, coming in as a breath of fresh air we all could use.

Interview by: Keish Monique 27

As a South Central LA native, what do you love most about your city?

I’d say I love the convenience of the city, because when you’re in other cities the spots you need to get to are hella far. For example, I can find a Taco Bell in a minute here. But, when I’m somewhere else it’s too far, and the closest spot is some weird sh*t. We have everything at an arm’s reach in South Central LA. I love the city sh*t.

You have a unique sound and perspective that stands out from the crowd, you make music that’s very real, relatable and not to mention turned up. What type of sounds did you grow up on?

The West Coast sound definitely influenced me. Everything from Ice Cube, the “Bangin’ On Wax” tapes, Mausberg, and a lot of West Coast gangsta sh*t. My mom put me on to a lot of the music, so that’s all I used to hear.

What song had you feeling like, “Yeah, I want to do this too”?

It was this song called “Hello” by Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and MC Ren. My mom would play that everyday before she dropped me off at school and at football practice. She still plays it to this day, so I know it word for word.

So, you originally started off being conscious rapper. What sparked your decision to switch lanes with your sound?

It was a group decision really. Me and the homies had a discussion about it, and we wanted to make sense out of it. We wanted to rap like J. Cole, but LA wasn’t having that. So, we decided to just switch it up and have fun with it.

You quit your job several years ago to do your own things and never looked back. What was the most challenging part of life during that time of getting it out the mud?

28

I was just surviving at the time till I got it all figured out really. I guess the most difficult part in that time was just sitting down with your thoughts, and nothing to do. It’s a confusing and frustrating time too, but despite that, I was always finding myself doing something here and there to keep me from overthinking and getting depressed.

In the end, everything worked out. I stayed focused, and it was that time me and homies decided to switch from the conscious stuff, and make some fun West Coast music. I ended up being my own engineer and recorded a bunch of music to keep myself busy.

A lot of people get into the Rap game looking to make a quick buck. But it’s the opposite with you, you’re doing it for the love. Why do you feel it’s important not to have money as your main motivation?

You can always get money, just that you don’t have to rap for it. There are a lot of people getting it in other ways and some end up in prison for it, and they’ll rap everyday. So, it’s about doing this for the love, and having people who believe in what you do. Money ain’t sh*t, and it shouldn’t be your motivator. I approach Rap like I just love what I do. If I get some bread along the way for it, it’s a blessing.

Aside from music, you’re into fashion too.

What do you love most about fashion?

It’s about the exclusivity for me. You have everybody wearing the same thing, but when it comes to having that special piece, you’re able to stand out. Anybody can bust down a watch or chain. But you can’t get this CELINE bomber jacket I got that cost $2000 and only 12 were made. It keeps you distinct, it says a lot about you, and it gives off a different type of energy.

How does it feel to be a trendsetter and have so many people look up to you?

Honestly, I don’t pay much attention to it. I peep it sometimes, you feel me? The homies will tell me about it later down, but I hardly notice it.

29

You’re very thoughtful. Do you read a lot?

I don’t read a lot of books, but I do catch a few articles about me, or just some random stuff I’ll be looking up at times. I’m into animals and nature and science. So, I’m more into reading about those when I’m bored or something.

You’ve previously mentioned that you’re spiritual, believing in the Universe and higher powers. What lead you to that belief?

Right before I got the job that I quit, nothing was making sense to me and I couldn’t get things right. Around that time I started meditating and getting in tune with myself. The more I did them, the more they helped me to gain more confidence and rely more on myself. Even though there’s a higher power, you still have to depend on you, and I had to empower myself.

It took some time, but that sh*t worked!

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?

I don’t know really, maybe that I’m a responsible guy because I may come off as real wild through my music. I’m hella responsible, I take care of a lot of sh*t for myself, my mama, and my little brother. I’m the financially fortunate one in my family, so when things aren’t going well they come to me, and I got them. I got them in other ways so it ain’t always about money. It gets stressful sometimes though, and that’s where the meditation comes in.

What’s the biggest message you have for your fans?

Don’t let nobody tell you how to do you, unless they gon’ do it for you. Life don’t work that way because you are in control of everything that you choose to do, and you have to be realistic when obstacles come your way. Be realistic with your goals and dreams, and everything will slide through.

30

31

vv

I nstagram : @ sausedamusic T witter : @ joesauseda Y ou T ube : sausedamusic S potify : J oe S auseda A pple M usic : J oe S auseda S ound C loud : sausedamusic 33

34

ON THE COME UP 35

YS

36

B

orn Justin Lawson in Compton, YS is the newest rising talent from the home of Kendrick Lamar, YG and Roddy Ricch. Raised by his Southern-bred grandparents, the 20-year-old first developed his love for rapping at the age of 13. He began recording tracks known for their colorful gang-banging references, drawing inspiration from his everyday street life. By 19, he released bonafide hit, “Bompton”, a hard-hitting Trayvon Jackson-produced hometown anthem that scored neighborhood recognition and caught the attention of Alamo Records. Later, a remix of the viral smash -- aided by features by 1TakeJay, Shoreline Mafia’s Ohgeesy and Fredo Bang -- ushered in YS’s 13-track debut project, “Street Dreams”. Songs such as “Real From The Start” offer a vivid glimpse of his world and the promising skill of his melodic wordplay, a page taken from his greatest musical influence, Lil Wayne. While he works on forthcoming musical outputs and grows as an artist, he plans to offer a window into the softer, more soulful side of his gangsta persona.

For those unfamiliar, describe your come up and how you got your start rapping.

I started rapping as a kid. I just had love and passion for music, so I did it for fun.

When did you know music was your gift?

I was about 9/10 when I knew I could really rap and make a real song.

How has life been different since dropping your viral hit, “Bompton”?

Ain’t nothing change really but the eyes I got on me, and you know once everybody think you finna make it out the extra support come.

Speaking of the city, what do you love most about Compton and it’s culture?

I honestly love how my hood we mostly all family for real. So, it don’t feel like a gang to me it’s really my family. Whether we bloodline

or not the streets made us related.

What does being a part of West Coast Hip Hop culture mean to you?

I’m tryna bring something different to the West Coast. I appreciate being apart of a big part of Hip Hop, but I’m tryna show em something different about the West.

When thinking back to your youth, what is one thing you know now that you wish you did then?

I wish I knew that once you become bigger in someone else’s eyes that’s when the world change. You know, you never know your status until you meet people who never knew you before.

Where do you want to take your career next?

I’m tryna build a legacy and make my own business within music and outside of it as well.

37

38

39

Photo credit: Lucas Markman

40

Tru SOUND I expected to be rewarded with nothing less than a cosmic journey inside the quietly vivid mind of rap artist and producer, Tru Sound. But what I didn’t expect while preparing for this interview with him was this text: “I got covid, been a hectic weekend lol.”

It was spring 2021, the pandemic still raging but numbers slowly improving, and while Tru and I wanted to dig into his latest single “No More” al fresco sipping golden milk beverages, we ended up navigating his song’s message of resilience and overcoming obstacles in real time.

This turned out to be a gift, to witness Tru’s heart-first ethic even while dealing with nausea and headaches caused by his diagnosis. Some artists just perform, but I learned Tru’s art is being Tru. “No More,” the single off his new album WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS is a stunning articulation that takes us through repeated occurrences of racial inequality and class disparity. Tru is vulnerable and honest with us as his lyrics reflect on the bittersweet reality of our present. Clouded by his own thoughts and actions, he seeks to find clarity within to make sense of the world around him. With a sound that’s refined and expansive, “No More” grounds the senses into a groove that’s meditative and clings to your soul.

We hope you enjoy our conversation below where we go deep and discuss how Tru’s upbringing in South Central LA informs his music (or doesn’t), how he and his film crew for the music video won a battle against a couple of park rangers, the philosophical way he defines art, and turning dreams into visions.

Written by Tatum Hawkins

41

First of all, you graduated from CalArts last year in the middle of a pandemic. How was that experience?

For me to graduate in 2020 amidst the pandemic, it was definitely unforgettable and a very introspective time. I had those feelings of, you know, I wanted to walk the stage and there was certain experiences and things that I wish I could’ve partook in.

Especially when I look back on my experience with school, I kinda had a lot of unfinished experiences, like I didn’t go to my own prom, situations like that.

I think I appreciated my graduation more for the family support and the actual accomplishment of just getting through something myself, something that I stuck to, something that I struggled with and I had to fix my struggles throughout.

At what point did you realize this music thing was for real?

a moment for me to get real with my audience and my peers to talk about what I thought about the last year. ‘Cause I wrote that song at the beginning of George Floyd and the BLM protests, so for it to come out almost a year later, there’s a lot of feelings around not only, like, the message and what the record stands for, but just where I’m at as an artist and how I’ve grown since. For me, this record, as much as it’s a statement about society, it’s definitely a statement about personally where I’m at too.

I’m telling myself, I’m not gonna cry no more, like, that hook specifically speaks to me coming out of a place, or being in place, of transition, and overcoming obstacles. Just the fact that the song is out, it’s a bittersweet thing, I feel great, and also feel like there’s more work for me to do and for the world to do.

Bring us back to the recording session.

I was cryin’ on the mic, for real.

A music career got real for me when I graduated high school, actually, that was the first time I guess I had some sort of acclaim or notoriety for music, when I first “took off.” That was 2015. And the years following was continual growth and sharpening up of the skills. I mean, I’m still trying to figure it out, honestly. I think it’s still getting real, even with this release, it’s just gonna keep getting more realer and realer as it goes, you know what I’m saying?

So there’s a record I have called “Black Matter” that I released around George Floyd’s death, as an emotional release for myself. It was literally like, wow, we’re here again. And that record was one that I had been debating putting out since 2016, I kid you not.

And in 2018, I finished recording the song, and there was something that went down in Oakland, and I just remember feeling that. I was like, dang, this is crazy, still happening. There was a situation every year up until George Floyd where I was like, I gotta get this record out.

What was the inspiration behind your name?

I put the record out around May [2020] and then I’m writing “No More” around that same time. Just in my room, all those lyrics kinda flowed out of me, and it was just a very real moment with myself. Not really thinking about things, just being able to articulate feelings as they come. So that’s why the record is kinda simple. At least for me. It feels just like as I’m talking right now, it just felt simple, it was facts. I said what I felt, and I got out what I needed to.

I don’t feel like I picked my name, truthfully (haha that’s funny). I used to do this acting competition called DTASC, and I remember the first time I put a song out under the name Tru was after I won first place in a monologue competition. One day I just came home with a first place trophy, and I was like, “I’m gonna be true to myself.” And I remember that was it, it was Tru from there on.

“No More” is one of my favorite songs on the album, can you tell us more about it?

There’s a lot of emotion that is packaged up in “No More.” It has me feeling very overwhelmed, very hopeful, optimistic, but also, it was release. It was

42

What was your creative vision for the “No More” visual?

I needed something that made a statement and that was a stamp. Also being as it was my first visual in a year since I graduated, this visual needed to say a lot, and there was a lot that needed to be said, even

Photo credit: Samuel Trotter

43

Still from “No More” Visual

outside of the song itself, from the quality of the video, and the caliber of which we were able to pull off. The vision for the video was something that was going to be remembered, something that could carry on over time just like the song does.

Best memory from the shoot?

Marita [producer] had went down to talk to the park rangers, they were like creepin’ on us, somebody had snitched ‘cause we didn’t have no permit shooting. And I just remembered like, we’re in front of the park rangers, Marita’s down there trying to stall and talk to them, we’re getting shots as we’re clearing out the area … it was just such a cool moment of bad-assery for me! I definitely stand for the resistance, and I love it. I’m spittin’ my verse to the camera, Stash [cinematographer] is trying to get the last shot, and then meanwhile in my head, I’m just like, bro, these two old geezers are not ‘bout to do nothing in the first place, they just shouting at us through a microphone. That was just, like, a really cool memory for me. We got the shots we needed and we got out, and like, bros being really, really unnecessarily aggressive, and everyone kept their cool, and I felt like we won the battle.

44

What’s your songwriting process like?

My songwriting process is very strange, probably 90% freestyle, in the moment, only 10% writing I do is to find words and phrasing that would make things unique and special. The only time I like to write is when I can’t feel what I’m trying to find. If I can’t feel it, then I have to start thinkin’ and all that, that’s when I start writing, but otherwise, I really just freestyle and flow. When I was younger I could do much more freely, but now my mind is definitely boggled down by expectation placed on myself and trying to get the ideas right, you know, striving for perfection, there’s all that tied up into it. There’s also tears, tequila shots and mediation at times. The older I get, focusing on connecting to the flow instead of relying on outside source for my flow, I think this is where my songwriting process has been evolving and just becoming more of a organic, natural flow and tapping into an energy or a mood, or a feeling or a concept, and learning how to flesh that out in the moment.

South Central seems to be a very apparent and present backdrop in your music. How is a sense of place important in your songwriting?

A good friend of mine was talking to me while I was in Atlanta recently about the solar plexus and how the energy of that chakra is primarily focused around how we identify ourselves, what we identify with, where we identify with, etc., and that really shook me for a minute because here I am in Atlanta, out of South Central, and Tru is the same person. Tru is the same artist. I’m able to flow the same, and I’m actually flowing more freely than in my hometown.

And here’s what’s gonna blow a lot of people’s minds, because I rep Leimert Park so hard my whole life, but I’ve learned in my growth how little South Central really has to do with who I am as an artist.

I think as a person, just as a human being, I’m definitely South Central, like, just the way I carry myself, the way I kinda am shy but passionate, the way I can turn up, the way I can stand up for myself, South Central is in me. But now I’m seeing how South Central is more of a charisma and energy.

When it comes to the sound and the music that I make, I’m starting to attribute more of that to my other worldly senses, I’ll attribute to being from Belize or having seen so much of the world traveling.

Places inspire, but they don’t necessarily ground me in anything and that’s something I’m now seeing that I can use to my advantage, the fact that I have access to so much of the world in my sound.

You’re an artist with multiple practices, not just music. How do you define art?

I feel like Fusion Art is how I define my art. It’s the concept that everything I do feeds the other. One of my favorite acting professors in college, Nataki Garrett, I remember she was telling me, because of the way my grades was looking, she was like, yo, you gotta pick one and focus on it, you can’t be here trying to do it all. And I remember how crushed I was to hear that, but in all fairness and retrospect, it wasn’t crushed like I was discouraged, it was just a big hit to my ego. And when something hits my ego its either gonna make me do two things: I’m either gonna shrivel up and, like, I’m traumatized and gotta heal, or, ima really work hard to face the challenge and really get to the bottom of it, and I think that’s what I did throughout my four years at CalArts. From that point on it wasn’t just, oh I’m a rapper or I’m an actor, I really spent four years figuring out how to blend every art practice that I had, painting, acting, dj-ing, producing, the audio, the voiceover, the graphic and visual arts, rapping, how to blend my

poetry, my dance background, my tai chi, my martial arts, everything I was around. Art, it’s philosophy for me, it’s a lifestyle, waking up, breathing.

What are your dreams?

I used to dream about having matching cars with the homies, going out to dinners eating the most expensive meals possible, I used to have regular pipe dreams for sure, for sure. I was never really into shoes, never really into fashion. Now my dreams are a lot bigger, a lot different, but I wouldn’t even call them dreams, I really think I have visions. A city in the middle of the ocean. Headquarters around the globe that serve as community resource centers, recording studios. Goodness, a music licensing company that services Black creatives specifically in all sorts of genres, whether it’s sound design, scoring of film. My dreams are a lot bigger now, got nothin’ to do with rap.

What can we expect from you following this album?

I still gotta get deeper, there’s a lot of details missing from this album, if you ask me, just things that would make the story more complete as it pertains to the bigger picture. At the same time, this album, it’s statements. It’s like one of those compilation books where you get all sorts of short stories in one. This album is WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, what happens when the smoke clears? The smoke is not gone yet. So following this album, I expect to take risk, honestly, and allowing myself to be open and flow vs the typical calculated process of making music. I think after this album there’s also just a lot more of me … having fun, and just like, I wanna share the life I live, not just talk about it in the music. And I’m talking about the highs now, you know what I’m saying? ‘Cause it’s crazy, like, this whole album, the last couple years, there’s been some lows. And through this album, I found such a high place of self-love and gratitude. I want people to feel that. I’ve also got some cool features on the way, some surprises, a lot of new merch, a lot of new experiences and events now that things are opening up again. And you can expect a lot more opportunities to connect with me, I really plan on trying to hold space for others and get back into the flow of being present with the community.

45

46

KALLION I

nfluenced by the old school, recording Kallion’s music is presented in a modern way for everyone to enjoy. Born in Los Angeles, California, music was always playing in his home that he shared with many family members including a twin brother.

With the sounds of Anita Baker, Patti Labelle, Teddy Pendergrass, and many prominent names in Jazz, R&B, Country, Rock n Roll, and Hip Hop captivating his life, Kallion knew from an early age that he wanted to make a difference like them. Inspired by his father and some of his favorite artists, Kallion ventured into the music world as a songwriter.

In his path to becoming a songwriter, Kallion honed his skills through writing for small plays in his hometown, and did plenty research on songwriters before him. By the age of 16, he added his vocals to the mix, and discovered he had what it takes to be more than a writer. He soon joined a short-lived R&B group, and moved on to promoting himself through mixtapes after the group’s breakup.

The years that followed found him competing in a music contest hosted by BET where he left a great impression, and enrolling in the Los Angeles Film School where he studied music production and science.

2017 was the year that saw Kallion make his official entry into music with his debut project, “The Affair”. Having released his debut album, “Teach Me” in 2020 and his latest single “Nasty” in early 2021, Kallion is on a mission to give the world quality music, and touch the hearts of many worldwide.

Written by Wade Haye 47

48

HYPE INTERNATIONAL

50

DJ PLAYERO Y

ou can read through a Social Studies book, run through your favorite throwback magazines with your fingers on the glossy page or for those of us that own computers, iPads, and other expensive gadgets that connect us to the past, present, and future (THAT’S LIKE ALL OF US), if you’re passionate enough about things you’ll understand that reading and LIVING aren’t quite the same. Hell, YouTube might sort of bridge the gap in this case. But not fully.

I wasn’t in the caserios or nightclubs of Puerto Rico in the 1990’s. But DJ Playero was. The sound today referred to as Reggaeton has its genesis like every other extravagant thing in this world. And right in the middle of it was Pedro Gerardo Torruellas Brito aka DJ Playero. Just like Hip Hop, it is deeper than a sound. It is very much a way of life, an offspring of Hip Hop if we may. Many facts, far more opinions.

But undeniably, any way we go about it, the name DJ Playero is going to get brought up.

The Reggaeton OG had editions of cassettes that would feature local artists rapping over the Reggae/ Dancehall/Rap fusion, sort of like how mixtapes did in the early 2000s. Reggaeton had its influences from Jamaica as far as the rhythms went. The drum pattern called Dembow (credits to Shabba Ranks for that), dominated the crowd. As time passed the production of the melodies would develop and become more complex but the drum pattern remains the signature to this day. The first artists were actually said to be from Panama, but their style of Reggaeton was very much clean compared to where Puerto Rico would later take it … and perfect it.

A couple of Playero’s renditions turned into classics, so timeless that a proper party thrown today

wouldn’t be complete unless the DJ throws on “Playero 37” which features the international Latin megastar Daddy Yankee singing about his love “Yamilet”. If you know, YOU KNOW. The music was for the youth. It was about sex.

Dancing. Drinking. Smoking. Not giving a f***. Of course you had some artists on the conscious tip.

But everyone rapping brought some flavor to the table. Performances got you seen. The DJs got you heard. Playero alongside other disc jockeys, like DJ Negro whose tapes would make their way into stores becoming available to everyone, not just those from the hood. Due to the obscene language, the image (baggy jeans and XL tees type of days), and lifestyle the music was said to promote, Reggaeton got the attention of the government who tried to do everything possible for the music to be contained. Laws banned the music from being sold.

Well, I guess we saw how that worked out.

With Reggaeton being so popular and commercialized now, the bittersweet feeling of being proud of the genre I’ve been enamored with for about 17 years to being a worldwide phenomenon when everyone called it a fad while it was just starting to get radio play in the states.

The bitter part? Well, yes the vulgarity, the OOOMPH, the rawness in the music seems to have been missing for quite a while, as evolution tends to do. I am bitter about that. Nonetheless I wonder if this man recording artists in the projects of PR, networking with young talents, spreading the Perreo sound in the discoteques where the people would dance like they were making love (some of them probably were), knew how great of a factor he was and what he was contributing to history.

-Ghetto Starr

51

52

APPAREL God Is Dope godisdope.com Milano Di Rouge shop.milanodirouge.com Support Black Colleges supportblackcolleges.org

BUSINESS/FINANCE OneUnited Bank oneunited.com Earn Your Leisure earnyourleisure.com

FOOD & DRINK Sip & Sonder 108 S. Market St., Inglewood #JUICEBAE 6249 Bristol Parkway, Culver City Giti Thai 4423 W. Slauson Ave, Los Angeles 53

“PROVIDING THE BEST IN CARIBBEAN ENTERTAINMENT TO YOU”

54

55

Made for The Real Ones of This World Pass Along to Someone Special

hypeo f fli f e

.com