The Legacy Magazine MS October 2024

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CARRYINGYOURLEGACYFORWARD

GloriaTaylor,mybelovedgrandmother, whoraisedmewithstrength,love,and unwaveringguidance.Yourwisdom,sacrifices, andenduringspirithaveshapedthepersonIam today.Youareforeverinmyheart.

Mymother,whosememoryIcarrywithme, thoughourtimetogetherwasbrief,yourpresence isfeltineverythingIdo.Ihonoryourlegacywith eachstepItake.

ToallthelovedonesIhavelost, yourliveshavebeenasourceofinspirationand strength.Thoughyouarenolongerhereinbody, yourloveandlightcontinuetoguidemeevery day. Thismagazine,andallthatIcreate,isareflection ofthelessonsandloveyouhaveinstilledinme. Youareneverforgotten,andIcarryyourlegacy forwardwithprideandpurpose.

Withallmylove, ChantalTaylor

ExploretherichandvibrantworldofSouthern Soulwithourcomprehensiveartistdirectory, yourultimateguidetothevoicesandtalents thatdefinethistimelessgenre.Whether you’readevotedfanornewtothescene,our directoryfeaturesanunparalleledcollectionof artists who embody the soulful spirit of the South. OurSouthernSoulDirectoryprovidesbooking informationforallSouthernSoulartists,from establishedstarstoemergingtalent. Additionally,weofferbookingdetailsforDJs, podcasts,andmore.

https://thelegacymagazinemssouthernsoula rtistdirectory.wordpress.com

S O U T H E R N S O U L D I R E C T O R Y

FEATURING

ChantalTaylorisadynamicforcein theworldofentrepreneurship,a womanwhohasturnedadversity intotriumphandbuiltaflourishing careerasamagazinepublisher, author,andskincarelineowner. BornonDecember23,1991,in Detroit,Michigan,Chantal’sjourney isoneofresilience,strength,and determination,makingheratrue inspirationformany.

Afterthetragiclossofhermotherat ayoungage,Chantalwasraisedby hergrandmother,GloriaTaylor, whobecameaguidinglightinher life.Gloriainstilledinher granddaughterthevaluesofhard work,perseverance,andthe importanceofeducation—values thatwouldshapeChantal’sfuture. Despitethepersonalchallengesshe faced,Chantalwasdeterminedto riseabovehercircumstances.

Aturningpointcamein2005when HurricaneKatrinaforcedChantalto relocatetoJackson,Mississippi. Thislife-alteringeventmarkedthe beginningofanewchapterforher.

Withdetermination,sherebuiltherlifeandeventuallylaunched TrueEssenceOrganicsin2018,askincarelinethatemphasizes naturalingredients.Theventurewasinspiredbyherpersonalbattle withDesmoidFibromatosis,arareconnectivetissuecancer.Despite enduringrigoroustreatments,Chantal’sperseveranceallowedher businesstothrive,earningherrecognitionandsuccess.In2023,she washonoredwiththeprestigiousEntrepreneurialSheroAward,and herproductsarenowavailableatmajorretailerslikeWalmartand Amazon.

Chantal’spassiondoesn’tstopatskincare.Shehasmadewavesin themediaindustrywithTheLegacyMagazineMs.,whereshe highlightsinfluentialleadersandbusinessesinhercommunity.Her effortshavenotgoneunnoticed,asshehasrecentlybeen nominatedforPublisheroftheYearattheBestofMississippi Awards.Throughherwork,Chantalcontinuestoleavealasting impactontheSouthernSoulandbusinesscommunities.

INadditiontoherentrepreneurial ventures,Chantalhostsapopular podcast,StandingonBusiness, wheresheinterviewsbusiness ownersandartists,further expandingherinfluence.Overthe years,shehascollaboratedwitha widerangeofentertainers, includingC.Lindsey,MazeratiRedd, BigYayo,EarlJackson,andmany more.Herskillsasalinedance instructorandchoreographerhave earnedherthenickname“THEE GOAT”amongherpeers, recognizingherasamultitalented powerhouse.

ChantalTaylor’sjourneyfrom overcomingpersonalhardshipsto achievingextraordinarysuccessis nothingshortofinspiring.Through hermagazine,skincareline,and variouscreativeendeavors,she continuestobuildalastinglegacy, touchinglivesandmotivating otherstopursuetheirdreams despitetheodds.Chantal’sstoryof resilienceanddeterminationisone thatwillinspiregenerationsto come.

SheritaTurner,alsoknownbyher stagenameDeVonese,hailsfrom thesmalltownofPickensville, Alabama,intheheartofPickens County.Growingupinthistightknitcommunity,wheretherewas justoneflashinglightandasingle conveniencestore,Sherita’sroots weredeeplyembeddedingospel music.Herfamilyhadagospel groupcalledTheGospelAngels, andfromtheageoffour,shewas singinginchurchesacross MississippiandAlabama.Oneof herearliestmemoriesissingingher favoritesong,IKnowtheLordWill FixItforMe.

Yearslater,Sheritaspentsome timeinWashington,D.C.,whereshe hadtheincredibleopportunityto visittheBETstudios.Shealso auditionedforAmericanIdoltwice andTheVoice,andalthoughshe wasn’tselected,thepositive feedbackshereceivedreinforced herbeliefthathervoiceand testimonyweremeanttobeshared withtheworld.

MusichasalwaysbeenacentralpartofSherita’slife,andinherearly twenties,shedecidedtotakeherpassionfurtherbywritingherown songs.ShemadeherdebutatakaraokenightinBirmingham, Alabama,performingoneofheroriginalsongsacappella.The positivereceptionshereceivedgaveherthepushtocontinue pursuinghermusiccareer.

AsaSouthernSoulartist,Sherita,nowknownasDeVonese,has alwaysrecognizedtheuniquenessofhervoice.Shewasinspiredby soullegendslikeArethaFranklin,PattiLaBelle,JohnnieTaylor,Bonnie Raitt,andherpersonalfavorite,FantasiaBarrino.InJuly2023, DeVonesereleasedherfirstsingle,BigWeight,followedbyTheOther Sideamonthlater.Bytheendoftheyear,shehadreleasedfivemore singles,withsupportfromBridgeDaGapPromotions,UrbanMedia, andK-BlueProductions,whobroughthermusictolifewithpowerful visuals.Shecreditsherentireteamfortheirdedicationinhelpingher succeed.

DeVonese’scountryrootsalso shinethroughhermusic.Her latestsingle,DirtRoad,isatribute tothosewhohavepassedbut playedpivotalrolesinshapingher career,aswellasanhomageto hercountrysideupbringing. Influencedbycountrymusic legendssuchasAlabama,Reba McEntire,RandyTravis,BillyRay Cyrus,DollyParton,WillieNelson, andKennyRogers,she seamlesslyblendscountryand soulintohermusic,earningher thetitleofaSoutherncountrysoul singer.

Athome,musicisaconstant presence,thankstoherhusband andmanager,DJIkeDurty. Together,theyplantolaunchtheir ownproductioncompany,TEP EntertainmentProductions,in 2025. Inthesummerof2024,DeVonese wasinvitedtoperformatthe WelcometoSouthCobbMusic FestivalinAtlanta,Georgia,where shewasintroducedasacountry soulartist—atitlethatperfectly encapsulatesheridentity.As DeVonese,theVoiceofSouthern Soul,shecontinuestoshareher uniquesoundandpowerfulstory withtheworld,onesongatatime.

IsaacTurner,betterknownasDJIke Durty,wasbornandraisedinthesmall townofBrundidge,Alabama,where there’sonlyonestoplightandasingle grocerystore.Despiteitssize, BrundidgehelpedshapeIsaac’s character,givinghimthestrengthand perseverancetopushbeyondhislimits andexplorenewhorizons.

Isaac’sloveformusicbeganearly.Asa teenager,heandhiscousinsentered varioustalentshows,performinghits likeTenderLoveandTheFatBoysMeet theForceMDs.Theyeventookrunnerupinoneofthesecompetitions, cementingIsaac’spassionformusic andperformance.

In1998,Isaacdeci YorkCity,aplace made.Livingindif area,hisloveform especiallyasheex theheartbeatofh YorkCitywasthe andthesongsont reflectionofhislife

In2009,IsaacreturnedtoAlabama, wherehemethiswife,SouthernSoul powerhousesingerDeVonese.She playedapivotalroleinbroadeninghis musicalinterests,introducinghimto variousgenresandexpandinghis appreciationfordifferentsounds.

In2020,IsaacandDeVoneserelocated toAtlanta,Georgia—ahubfor creativeslookingtomaketheirmark inindustrieslikemusicandtelevision. Themoveprovedinvaluablefor Isaac’sDJcareer,asheconnected withincrediblepeoplewhohelpedhim refinehiscraft.Hecreditsthemfor theirroleinhisgrowthasaDJ.

Today,Isaacnotonlyservesas DeVonese’spersonalDJbutalso manageshercareer.Together,they rebuildinganempire,startingwith EPEntertainmentProductions(Turner ntertainmentProductions),which heyaimtohavefullyoperationalby 025.Inadditiontomanaging eVonese,DJIkeDurtyisavailablefor ersonalparties,events,andmore. s2025approaches,Isaac ncourageseveryonetokeepaneye utforTEPEntertainmentProductions —somethinghepromiseswillbea movementyou’llwanttobeapartof. ookinginformationforDJIkeDurtyis vailablebelow,andhelooksforward ocontinuinghisjourneyinthemusic orld.

RisingfromHeartbreaktoSouthern SoulStardom

Up-and-comingSouthernSoulartist LadieD,bornMalindaDorsey,hails fromChicago,Illinois.Shewasbornto LucyDorseyandAlbertRollings,and herloveformusicemergedearlyin life.Bytheageofseven,Malindahad alreadydiscoveredherpassionfor singing,andtwoyearslater,she performedherfirstsong,AlreadyBeen totheWater,atherlocalchurch.At theageofthirteen,Malinda’sfamily relocatedtothesmalltownofPattison inClaiborneCounty,Mississippi.It washerethathermusicaljourney trulybegantotakeshapeasshe joinedherschoolchoirand participatedintalentshows,honing hercraftthroughoutherteenage years. Attheageoftwenty,Malinda’s musicalaspirationstookastep forwardwhenshejoinedalocalband. Hertimewiththebandallowedherto explorehervocaltalentsonalarger stage,butlifetookadifferentturn whenshebecamepregnantwithher firstchild.Decidingtoprioritizeher family,Malindaleftthebandand eventuallybecameamothertosix children.Thoughmusicremainedin herheart,raisingherchildrenbecame herprimaryfocusduringthoseyears.

Inadditiontoherpassionformusic, Malindanurturedaloveforcooking, whichledhertopursue entrepreneurship.Onceherchildren wereolder,sheopenedherown restaurant,whichbecameareflection ofherlovefortheculinaryarts. However,tragedystruckwhen Malindalostoneofherbelovedsons,a devastatinglossthatcausedherto closethedoorsofherrestaurant.The grieffromthislosstookatollonher, andshefoundherselfstrugglingto cope.

Afteraperiodofmourning,Malinda realizedthatstayinginastateof depressionwasn’thelpingherorher remainingchildren.Determinedtofind awaytoheal,shecreatedapersonal spaceforherself,affectionatelycalled her“ShePad.”Inthissecludedspace, Malindafoundsolaceand rediscoveredherloveformusic.Itwas duringthistransformativetimethat LadieDwasborn—anamethat signifiedanewchapterinherlifeand herreturntothemusicshehadalways loved.

AsLadieD’spassionformusic reignited,herson,DavidFlowersIII, wasalsocarvingouthisownpathin themusicindustry.Themother-son duodecidedtocollaborateonasong, leadingtoanimpromptustudio session.Withoutanypriornotesor writtenlyrics,theycreatedtheirhit singleWeCametoPartyinunderan hour.Theirundeniablechemistryand sharedtalentbirthedasongthat wouldmarkthestartofLadieD’s promisingcareerintheSouthernSoul scene.

LadieD’sjourneyisatestamentto resilienceandthehealingpowerof music.Fromherhumblebeginningsin ChicagotoherriseinMississippi’s SouthernSoulcommunity,shehas proventhatit’snevertoolateto pursueone’spassion.Withher powerfulvoice,herpersonal experiences,andherdeepconnection tohermusic,LadieDisquickly becominganartisttowatch. ForbookinginformationforLadieD, pleasecontact: 601-415-6647or706-871-0497.

LadieDisavailableforlive performances,events,and collaborations.

FromSportstoSouthernSoul:The JourneyofLatoriWilliams

LatoriGentrezWilliams,betterknownby hisstagename“BaddNewz,”wasborn andraisedinPhenixCity,Alabama. Growingup,sportswerethecenterofhis life,keepinghimfocusedandoutofthe streets.Sportsalsobecameawayfor himtocopewiththeemotionalpainof havinghisfatherandbothbrothers incarceratedinfederalprison.During hisearlyteens,Williamsexperienced anotherprofoundlosswhenhisuncle, Scoop,whohadsteppedintotheroleof afatherfigure,passedaway.Uncle Scoop’sloveandguidanceshaped Williamsintothemanandfatherheis today.

Asadevotedfatheroffour,Williams takesprideinseeinghischildrenfollo inhisfootsteps.Histhreesonsplay footballandbasketballfor championship-winningteams,whileh daughterispreparingtojointheAir Forceafterherhighschoolgraduation Reflectingonhisownachievements, Williamscherishesthenumerous awardsheearnedduringhighschool, including“RookieoftheYear,”“Bestin PhenixCity,”“BestUpcomingArtist,” and“BestSingleoftheYear,”among manyothers.

ForWilliams,musicbecameanescape duringhischildhood.“Musicallowedme towriteaboutmypainandhelpedme dealwiththeissuesinmyeverydaylife,” heexplains.Hispassionformusiccaught theattentionofSouthernSoulartistSir CharlesJonesduringafreestylerap sessiononInstagram.Jones,theCEOof SouthernKingEntertainment,saw potentialinWilliamsandtookhimunder hiswing,eventuallysigninghimtohis label.Thispartnershipintroduced WilliamstotheworldofSouthernSoulin 2021,withthepromisethathewouldone daylaunchhisownlabel.

ThepassingofWilliams’grandmother, Ms.FannieMaeWilliams,inearly2022 becameapivotalmomentinhislife.To honorherlegacy,hefoundedhisown musiclabelunderSouthernKing nment,namingitafterher— aeMusicGroup.Sincethen, hasreleasedseveralhitsongs, g“Rarebreed”featuringSir Jones,“PartyattheTrailRide” gWestLove,and“AreYouFeeling uringPokeyBear,allofwhichare eonmusicstreamingplatforms. yontour,BaddNewzisaccepting sforfutureshows.Fanscan withhimonsocialmediathrough k(BaddNewz),Instagram wz334),TikTok lliams334),andYouTube(Badd vo,BaddNewzTopic,orBadd nnyskits).Forinquiries,hecanbe viaemailat ewz334@gmail.com.

TheQueenofTrailRideSoulandBlues

VertieJoanneDelapaz,professionally knownasMs.Jody,wasborntothe lateReverendJoeandVivianSims PickensinChicago,Illinois.Raisedin BaySprings,Mississippi,whereshe stillresides,Ms.Jodydiscoveredher passionforsingingatanearlyage.She recallsneverknowingatimewhenshe wasn’tsinging,describinghervocal talentasagiftfromGod.

Despitesingingallherlife,Ms.Jody didn’tattendherfirstBluesshowuntil 2004,whenherbrother,DalePickens, invitedhertojoinhim.Theshow featuredlegendslikeDeniseLaSalle, O.B.Buchana,TKSoul,WillieClayton, LJEchols,andthelateJackieNeal. Inspiredbytheperformances,Ms. Jodytoldherbrother,“Icandothat, andI’mgoingtodoit,”and,inher words,“IDIDIT.”

In2005,afterencouragementfrom friendsLeoJohnsonandWilliamDay, Ms.JodyvisitedEckoRecordsin Memphis,Tennessee,whereshewas introducedtothestaff.ByJanuary 2006,shehadsignedwiththelabel andreleasedherdebutalbum,You’re MyAngel.Laterthatyear,shefollowed upwithhersecondalbum,WhatYou GonnaDoWhentheRentIsDue.The successofherdebutalbumquickly gainedherrecognitionfromradio stationsandlistenersworldwide.

SincesigningwithEckoRecords,Ms. Jodyhasconsistentlyreleasedan albumeveryyear,onlytakingabrief pausein2020duetothepandemic.In 2021,shereturnedstrongerthanever withher17thalbum,CowboyStyle, followedbyANighttoRememberin late2023.Nowbackinherannual recordingstride,Ms.Jodyissetto releaseher19thalbumbeforetheend of2024.

Hersongscontinuetoreceiveheavy airplay,captivatingaudiencesacross theglobe.WhileMs.Jody’simagemay reflectthatofasultry,streetwise woman,shedescribesherselfasa simple,backwoodscountrygirlwho loveslifeandenjoyshavingfun. Whetherornottheimagematchesthe reality,onethingiscertain:listeners aredrawntoMs.Jody’ssoundand energy.

Throughouthercareer,Ms.Jodyhas earnednumerousaccolades.In2021, shewon“NationalShagDanceSongof theYear”attheCBMAAwardsforher singleGetIt!GetIt!.Thefollowingyear, shewashonoredasa“QueenofSoul” bytheJacksonMusicAwards.In2023, shewasrecognizedasthe“Queenof TrailRideSouthernSoul&Blues”bythe NorthLouisianaSouthernSoulAwards, andshereceiveda“Lifetime AchievementinBlues&SoulMusic”at theRadio,Music,&FilmConference Awards.Earlierin2024,Ms.Jodywas inductedintotheAlabamaBluesHallof Fame.

Havingbeennominatedfornumerous awardsthroughouthercareer,Ms. Jodyhasundoubtedlysolidifiedher legacyintheSoulBluesindustry—and shehasnoplanstostopanytimesoon.

Premiere,atalentedsingerandDJ,is swiftlyrisingasoneofthemost excitingnewartistsinthemusic industry.Knownforhissoulfulvoice andheartfeltlyrics,Premierehas captivatedaudienceswithhisunique soundthateffortlesslyblendsR&B, SouthernSoul,andBlues.Hisabilityto mergethesegenreswhilestayingtrue tohisrootshascarvedoutadistinct spaceforhimintheindustry.With yearsofmusicalexperienceanda deeppassionforhiscraft,Premiereis quicklybecominganametoknow, drawingattentionfrombothfansand industryinsidersalike. Onstage,Premierebringsan undeniableenergythatresonateswith audiences.Hischari connectwithfansm performanceunforg it’shispowerfulvoic stagepresence,Prem lastingimpression.H createameaningfu hisaudiencehassol astandoutperforme world.

Premiere’sdebutsingle,“SkiptotheGoodPart,”highlightshisgiftfor storytellingthroughmusic.Thesongdelvesintothelifeofawoman trappedinaone-sidedrelationshipwhereherpartnerneithersupports herfinanciallynoremotionally,contributingonlytoaphysical connection.Themessageispowerful—shedeservessomeonewho treatsherlikeaqueen.Withthisrelatableandtimelytheme,Premiere deliversasongthatnotonlyentertainsbutalsospeakstotheheartof hislisteners,makingitastandouttrackinhisgrowingcatalog.

Inadditionto“SkiptotheGoodPart,”Premiere’shitsingle“Lady”has beenmakingwavesinternationally.Initiallydebutingat#19on Amazon’sTop100,“Lady”hasworkeditswayupthecharts,reaching the#8spotasahotnewreleaseintheUK.Thistrack’ssuccesshasalso earnedhimaspotontheprestigiousUrbanInfluenceUKmusicchart, furthersolidifyinghisglobalappeal.Premiere’sabilitytocrossborders withhismusicshowsjusthowversatileandfar-reachinghissoundtruly is.

Premiere’scommitmenttohismusicgoesbeyondperforming.He continuouslystrivestogrowasanartist,alwayspushingtheboundaries ofhiscreativity.Withnewprojectsintheworksandmoremusiconthe way,heispoisedtomakeanevengreaterimpactintheindustry.His journeyisjustbeginning,andwithhistalent,passion,anddrive,Premiere isonapathtocontinuedsuccess.Heisnotjustaperformer,buta storytellerwhoweaveslifeexperiencesintounforgettablemusic.

Forbookinginformation,Premierecanbereachedat318-664-1906orvia emailatkeenanmalveaux@gmail.com.Besuretofollowhimon Instagram@DjPremiere_1andsubscribetohisYouTubechannelat @keenanmalveaux1578tostayupdatedonhislatestreleasesand performances.Premiereisjustgettingstarted,andthefutureisbrightfor thisrisingstar.

Photocredit:ILoveYouThisMuchPhotography

MarlenaWright’sstorybeginsinthe heartofMississippi,inthecloseknitcommunityofTiePlant, Grenada.Raisedinanenvironment richwiththesoundsofbluesand soul,Marlena’schildhoodwas steepedinthemagicofthelocal musicscene.Livingneartheiconic V.J.Mondy’sLounge,shegrewup justastone’sthrowfromthepulse oftheblues.Sundayswere especiallymemorableasshe accompaniedherfathertotheclub tocleanupafterlivelySaturday nightgatherings,immersingherself intheenergyofthemusicfroman earlyage.

Attheageoffive,Marlena’sfamily relocatedtoDuckHill,Mississippi, tobeclosertorelatives,butthe rhythmofsoulandbluesstayed withher.Growingupjusteastofthe MississippiDelta,Marlenawas captivatedbythesoundsofWGNL 104.3inGreenwood,where legendaryartistslikeJohnny Taylor,MarvinSease,andWillie Claytonfilledtheairwaves,fueling herpassionforthemusicofher roots.

Hermusicaleducationextended beyondbluesandsoul,thanksto heruncles,whointroducedherto the90ship-hopandR&Bgreats. Theywouldupgradetheircars withboomingspeakersandblast theiconicsoundsofTupac,3-6 Mafia,andR.Kelly,instillingin Marlenaadeepappreciationfor themusicofthatera.“Myuncles werethereasonformyloveand respectforTupac,3-6Mafia,R. Kelly,tonameafew,”shefondly recalls.

Marlena’sdriveand determinationcarriedherintothe businessworld,wheresheearned adegreeinBusiness Administrationandlauncheda successfulmarketingcareer.She workedwithindustrygiantssuch asWalmart,Amazon,andGoPro, deliveringexceptionalresults acrosstraditionalanddigital marketingplatforms.

Herjourneytookanexcitingturn whenshemovedtotheJackson areaandbeganpartneringwith De’KeitherStamps,now CommissionerStamps,onseveral communityinitiatives.Through thisconnection,Marlenawas introducedtotheworldofradio, andshewassoonoffereda partnershipwithWMPR90.1FM,a chancesheeagerlyaccepted.

Marlena’sdeepadmirationforthe Eversfamilyandtheircontributions tohistorymadethisopportunity evenmoresignificant.Thisledtothe launchofTheLoungeRadioShowon April6,2024,withDanny “Dannyboy”Lewisjoiningashercohost. Marlena’sloveforMississippi’s musicallegacydidn’tstopatthe radio.Sheplayedapivotalrolein recognizingthestate’scontribution toSouthernSoulbyorganizingthe passingoftheSouthernSoul Resolution.Asaresult,May14,2024, wasofficiallydeclaredadayto celebrateMississippiasthe birthplaceofSouthernSoulmusic.

Today,Marlenacontinuestomake wavesasthehostofSouthernSoul TuesdaysatMBarinJackson.This weeklyeventoffersaplatformfor SouthernSoulartiststoshowcase theirtalents.Withafullslateof projectsonthehorizon,Marlenais excitedaboutthefutureofhercareer inmusic,radio,andentertainment. Herpassionforthecultureandthe beatsthatshapedhercontinueto fuelherjourneyforward.

Artistsinterestedinsubmitting musicforSouthernSoulTuesdaysor expressinginterestinlivehosting andradioopportunitiescanemail theloungeradiowmpr@gmail.com.

THEHEARTBEATOFTHEBEAT

Withover37yearsofexperience spinningtracksandlightingup dancefloors,DJVivacioushas becomeapowerhouseinthemusic industry,captivatingaudiences acrossgenres.Bornandraisedin Houston’shistoricFifthWard,her passionformusicwasnurturedearly on,heavilyinfluencedbyherfamily’s deep-rootedconnectionstogospel. Hermother’sloveforbothgospeland bluesfurthershapedDJVivacious’ musicaljourney,layingthe foundationforacareerthatwould pulsewithrhythm,soul,andenergy.

DJVivaciousembarkedonherDJ careerattheageof17,quickly establishingherselfwithinHouston’s vibrantnightlifescene.By2014,she explodedontothenightclubcircuit, whereherdynamicpresenceand impeccableskillsearnedher recognitioninbothDJbattlesand thetrailridescene.Knownforher versatility,DJVivaciousspecializes inold-schoolR&B,SouthernSoul, Reggae,Country,andHipHop, makingheracommandingforce behindthedecks.

Throughouthercareer,DJVivacious hassharedstageswithartists spanningR&B,blues,SouthernSoul, andZydecogenres,consistently showcasingherabilitytoblend stylesandcreateunforgettable musicalexperiences.Her unwaveringdedicationhasearned hermultiplenominationsforFemale DJoftheYearattheprestigious ZydecoBluesandTrailRideAwards (ZBTAwards),furthersolidifyingher placeasoneofthetopDJsinthe industry.

DJVivacious’reputationfor excellencehaslandedherinsomeof themostexclusiveclubs,whereher abilitytoconnectwiththecrowd bringsheruniquestyletolife.Sheis alsoaproudmemberofrenownedDJ coalitionssuchasTexasFleetDJ, Dymejays,andGorillaSquad, continuouslypushingthe boundariesofhercraftand spreadingthejoyofmusicfarand wide. Whethershe’scommandingthe dancefloororprovidingtheperfect soundtrackforintimategatherings, DJVivaciousremainstheheartbeat ofthebeat,alwaysreadytokeepthe partygoingstrong.

BornasEarnestinePerdueonOctober 21,1979,inSacramento,California,the artistknownasBeautynesshasalife storyasinspiringashermusic.Raised inMobile,Alabama,afterbeing adoptedbyhergrandmother, Beautyness’sjourneyhasbeenone filledwithbothchallengesand triumphs.

Hergrandmother’sloveandguidance laidthefoundationforalifeof strengthandresilience.However,at theageof19,Beautynessfacedthe devastatinglossofhergrandmother, aturningpointthatcouldhave shatteredher.Instead,shefound solaceinmusic—apassionthathad beenwithhersinceherteenageyears. Musicbecameheroutlet,helpingher navigategriefandempoweringher throughthehighsandlowsoflife.

At5’9”,Beautynesshasundergonea remarkablepersonaltransformation. Afterstrugglingwithweightformany years,shemadethelife-altering decisiontohavegastricbypass surgery.Thischoicenotonly improvedherhealthbutalso reinvigoratedheroutlookonlife.With arenewedspirit,Beautyness embracedherhealthandwell-being, givingheranewsenseofpurposeand energy.

Beautynesshasalwaysbeenaperson ofstrongvalues,standingfirmagainst peerpressure.Sheproudlylivesalife freeofalcohol,drugs,andsmoking, reflectinghercommitmentto authenticityandself-care.These principlesextendintohermusic, whichisrootedinhonesty,emotion, andadeepsenseofpurpose.

ForBeautyness,musicismorethan justapassion—it’shergreatestform ofexpression.Withavoicethat captivatesandlyricsthattellher story,shechannelsheremotionsand experiencesintohersongs.Musichas beenherconstantcompanionthrough life’supsanddowns,offeringawayto connectwithherselfandheraudience. Assheapproachesher45thbirthday, Beautynessismoremotivatedthan evertocontinuecreatingmusicthat resonateswithherlisteners.With upcomingprojectsonthehorizon,fans canexpectnewmusicthatreflectsher journeyofresilience,growth,and hope.Beautyness’sstoryisoneof inspiration,andhermusiccontinues toupliftandinspirethosewhohearit.

Forbookinginquiries,youcanreach Beautynessat+1(251)391-7195orvia emailat choclatestine.perdue@yahoo.com. FollowheronTikTokat @sexydarkandlovelyandonFacebook atEarnestinePerdue.

MusicthatMoves,LyricsthatMatter

RufusBarnette,aNashville recordingartist,blendsgospel, traditionalculturalsoul,and rhythm&bluesintoamusical foundationthatspeakstothesoul. BorntheonlysonofRev.Rufusand PaulaBarnette,andtheyoungestof fourchildren,Rufus’slifehas alwaysbeensurroundedbydeep faith,family,andresilience.Beyond hismusic,Rufusisanaccomplished heavymachineoperator,security specialist,andentertainer.He’s alsoadevotedfathertoRufusS. BarnetteJr.andsharesalifefullof lovewithhiswife,TiffanyBarnette.

Rufus’scareerspansTV,radio, internationalstages,andevena movie.Despitehis accomplishments,heremains grounded,believingthathis purposeis“tobeheardinthetruth oflyricsandlife.”Aproudgraduate ofNorthCarolinaA&TState UniversitywithaBachelorof Sciencedegree,he’salsoamember oftheNationalSocietyofPershing Rifles,anelitemilitaryfraternity withalongandprestigioushistory.

Havingreturnedtohishomestate ofSouthCarolina,Rufusenjoys thepeaceandsecurityofrurallife withhisfamily.Yet,hislifetooka dramaticturnwhenhefaceda severemedicalemergency—a blockageofover80%inhis superiormesentericartery, cuttingoffbloodflowtohis stomachandlaterimpactinghis liver.Inarareandmiraculous twist,hisbodygrewanunnatural bloodvessel,knownasa systemicshunt,tokeephisliver functioning.Thismedicalmiracle fuelshismusicandhispassionto sharehope,inspiringothersto smileinthefaceofadversity.

Duringtheproceduretoremove theblockage,Rufusbriefly crossedovertotheotherside beforebeingrevived.The aftermathwasdevastating—he losttheabilitytowalk,talk,or sing.Ontopofthis,doctors deliveredagrimprognosis, suggestingthathemayhaveonly fiveyearsleftduetothe condition.Reflectingonthis period,Rufussayslifewas“lifing himwithnowarning.”

Twoyearsafterhisinitialsurgery, Rufusenduredathirdreconstructive kneesurgery.Beforehecouldfully heal,helosthisjob,leavinghimto relysolelyonhisentertainment careertosupporthisfamily.Despite thesechallenges,Rufusremains resilient,humorouslydescribinghis lifeas“anentiremovie.”More determinedthanever,he’sreadyto releasenewmusic,perform,and leavealastingimpactonthe entertainmentindustry.

Withhisnear-deathexperiencestill freshinhismind,Rufusrecallsthe momenthecrossedover,wantingto staywithhisbelovedgrandmother. Buthenowunderstandsthatit wasn’thistimetogo.“IreckonI’ve gottoomanysongsleftinmeand toomanystagestoconquer,”he reflects.“Iain’tgivingup.AtleastI gottoseemygranny,andnowI knowwhat’swaitingontheother side.”

AsRufuslooksahead,heremains ocusedonmakingthemostofthe mehehasleft.Hismusiccarriesa messageofperseverance,andhe opeshislyricswillinspiresomeone oholdonalittlelonger,tosmile hroughtheirstruggles,andtoface fe’schallengeshead-on.

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