Unlock Magazine

’S IT D !

E A E!!

AH RE F

DETROIT

YNE

march 2008 VOL.1 ISSUE 1

GO

UNLOCK

MUSIC, FASHION, SPORTS, LIFESTYLE, POLITICS, MUSIC, FASHION, SPORTS, LIFESTYLE, POLITICS, MUS...

Wjlb’s

Beautiful Host Of The

“Quiet Storm”

SUNS H

Takes us On An amazing Journey To The Past And Back.

Also In This Issue:

The Pipettes - Alicia Keys - Spec-illest - Amy Winehouse - Lazarus - Hill Harper - Willie the Kid Lily Allen - Joss Stone - Suai - Shia Labeouf - Kal Penn - Mz. Thong - and much more!!!

CO M IN G SO

ON

UNLOCKMAG.COM PRESENTS

SEARCH for the KING

2.14.2008

FROM ME TO YOU

Dear Friends,

It’s Monday, I’m tired and not to mention still a tad bit hung over from Sunshynes birthday party last night. Speaking of our cover girl, isn’t she gorgeous! By far the sexiest woman I have ever seen in radio. As the host of WJLB’s Quiet Storm, she is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable personalities in Detroit. Smart, sexy and successful... Let me just say, Sunshyne if you’re reading this, (and I know you are) I AM SINGLE. Welcome to Unlock Magazine! I’m sure you will find us to be a pretty enjoyable read, if not we got a ton of pictures of pretty people to make your time with us worth while. Take Mz Thong for example, our first bombshell. Exotic and naturally beautiful she was built for this. In addition to Mz. Thong, we’ve truly got an impressive lineup. You can start with features of Alicia Keys, Kanye West, The Pipettes, The White Stripes, and Shia Labeouf to go along with exclusive interviews with Detroit’s own Big Herk and Spec-Illest. I also got a chance to Play word association with Dj Drama Protege Willie the Kid, spend two minutes with Motown recording artist Suai, and give out relationship advice with Lola Damone.

As you will soon see, Unlock is not your typical run of the mill free publication. I mean you really should be paying at least $3.99 but we’d rather be the best free mag than merely one of the best magazines that you have to pay for any day.

Oh yeah, Don’t forget to check out our web site, www.unlockmag.com for exclusive music, your favorite videos, daily rumors, news and more! See ya next month!!!

Greg Davis Editor-in-Chief

FEATURES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: GREGORY DAVIS

DETROITS SEXIEST ON AIR PERSONALITY TALKS ABOUT WHAT MADE HER WHO SHE IS TODAY

MANAGING EDITOR: MONIQUE LLOYD

THE KEY HOLDERS

UNLOCK’S INITIAL BOMBSHELL MZ THONG SEXY PICTORIAL Photos by:Legwork(red) and Kurt Perot(gold)

SYLVIA RANYA E. SNOWDEN Seraphina Lotkhamnga Theraisa K Kris Moore

MUSIC EDITOR:

WONDERING WHY TV HAS SUCKED SO BAD LATELY? hERE’S SOME INSIGHT TO HOLLWOODS WRITERS STRIKE

CARL “CJ” JONES

cover

d&e photography

DIGITAL IMAGING JEWEL GRAPHIX GOT A FETISH FOR POLKA DOTS? MEET THE PIPETTES

STYLE

Bad to The Bone, The fusion of Rock and Hip Hop

MUSIC

PUBLISHED BY BLUE LABEL PUBLISHING 35 GRAND RIVER, SUITE 9B DETROIT, MI 48226 (313)586-3171

Kanye West Alicia Keys- More than music Indie Music: The Indefinable Term The New British Invasion featurinf: Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone, and Lily Allen Spec-Illest Lazarus Big Herk 28 The White Stripes

LIFE

Sexual Healing: Relationship Advice Unlock’s Guide to Getting the Girl Tonight Dee’s Keys Digital Debauchery Hill Harper: Manifest Destiny

Hollywood

Writers strike Shia LaBeouf Kal Penn

DECISION 2008

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, two of the most pr Democrats most promising presidential prospects since the middle of one of the most expensive primaries ever, what promises to be come the first billion dollar elect both. let us know what you think at www.unlockmag.c

OPINION

olific fund raisers in history and arguably the e Bill Clinton won the 1996 election are currently in in hopes to become the Democratic representative in tion. We’d like Hillary, but would love to have them com. We will post your responses in he next issue.

What does Hip Hop mean to you?

It’s a type of music.

Finish this statement: Hip Hop is a reflection of…

Life.

Who’s your favorite rapper and why?

Ludacris, I don’t know why…His voice. His parts are always my favorites.

Why is Hip Hop bashed in the mainstream media as violent and misogynistic but Rock music seems to get a pass even though they are saying a lot of the same things?

Maybe it’s the way they say it sounds more derogative.

People are used to rock, it hasn’t changed.

What, if anything positive have you personally taken from Hip Hop? It’s fun to dance to.

How important is the 2008 Presidential Election to you?

On a scale to ten, I guess I would have to say between three and five.

Barack or Hillary? Why? Barack, because I don’t like Hillary.

Is there any scenario in which you can see a Republican winning the Presidency?

Yeah because a lot of republicans have the same beliefs.

In 2004 Diddy started the vote or die campaign. Do you believe Hip Hop can actually influence the Presidential election?

Yes because a lot of people listen to it.

Casey, 19, Allen Park

DIVERSITY

What does Hip Hop mean to you?

Life. What you go through and things like that.

Finish this statement: Hip Hop is a reflection of…

Life.

Who’s your favorite rapper and why?

Will Smith because of his positive image and message.

Why is Hip Hop bashed in the mainstream media as violent and misogynistic but Rock music seems to get a pass even though they are saying a lot of the same things?

I have no clue but both should be bashed because of the negative messages.

What, if anything positive have you personally taken from Hip Hop? Nothing.

How important is the 2008 Presidential Election to you?

Very important.

Barack or Hillary? Why? Hillary. She’s got more experience. She’s been there and done that.

Is there any scenario in which you can see a Republican winning the Presidency?

If they cheat.

In 2004 Diddy started the vote or die campaign. Do you believe Hip Hop can actually influence the Presidential election?

Yes, I think they could.

Al, 34, Dearborn

What does Hip Hop mean to you?

Nice music to listen to.

Finish this statement: Hip Hop is a reflection of…

The type of person you are.

Who’s your favorite rapper and why?

I don’t have one. It depends on the music.

Why is Hip Hop bashed in the mainstream media as violent and misogynistic but Rock music seems to get a pass even though they are saying a lot of the same things?

It’s about the people. If black people stand up and complain about rock, they would get the same response.

What, if anything positive have you personally taken from Hip Hop? Depending on the rapper, you learn not to call women bitches and hoes.

How important is the 2008 Presidential Election to you?

It’s important because it determines if kids will have to go to war or not.

Barack or Hillary? Why? Hillary because I think she can get the job done.

Is there any scenario in which you can see a Republican winning the Presidency?

Not a chance.

In 2004 Diddy started the vote or die campaign. Do you believe Hip Hop can actually influence the Presidential election?

Yeah, if more of them stepped up.

Christian, 16, Detroit What does Hip Hop mean to you?

A way of life for me. Not a way of life but of culture. How we express ourselves. I like Hip Hop. Finish this statement: Hip Hop is a reflection of…

Our community.

Who’s your favorite rapper and why?

I have more than one. I can’t narrow it down, they all have different styles. My top three is Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne and T.I. Why is Hip Hop bashed in the mainstream media as violent and misogynistic but Rock music seems to get a pass even though they are saying a lot of the same things?

Color, We’re black they’re white. That may sound racist but it’s real.

What, if anything positive have you personally taken from Hip Hop? That it doesn’t have to be just one style. Everyone’s different and they express it through music.

How important is the 2008 Presidential Election to you?

We’ve got to get Bush out of here. He’s ruining our economy, there are no jobs, people are losing there homes…

It’s very important for us as a community to vote. That’s the only way.

Barack or Hillary? Why? That’s very hard. I’m for black people but at the same time, Girl Power!

Is there any scenario in which you can see a Republican winning the Presidency?

Of course but we can’t let that happen. We have a republican now and he fucked it up so we definitely have to make a change.

In 2004 Diddy started the vote or die campaign. Do you believe Hip Hop can actually influence the Presidential election?

Hip Hop has influenced the world. Look at all of the commercials that come on TV, everythings influenced by Hip Hop. Ziakiya, 30, Detroit

What does Hip Hop mean to you?

It’s a whole scene.

Finish this statement: Hip Hop is a reflection of…

Someone’s outlook on the world... It’s music, a different culture with a whole scene going on.

Who’s your favorite rapper and why?

I don’t know it Queen Latifah is still a rapper but I’ve always liked her. She has a good sound and she puts a good package out. She has good music, it’s really positive.

Why is Hip Hop bashed in the mainstream media as violent and misogynistic but Rock music seems to get a pass even though they are saying a lot of the same things?

Because I don’t think they understand what it really means.

It’s somebody’s viewpoint. How can you dispute their viewpoint?

What, if anything positive have you personally taken from Hip Hop? Probably the idea of being yourself, and doing whatever you want.

How important is the 2008 Presidential Election to you?

Very important.

Barack or Hillary? Why? I don’t know yet. I’m Thinking about Barack to be honest, I trust him a little more. I like his policies on taxes and urban initiatives, whereas Hillary doesn’t have any yet.

Is there any scenario in which you can see a Republican winning the Presidency?

No, hopefully not.

In 2004 Diddy started the vote or die campaign. Do you believe Hip Hop can actually influence the Presidential election?

I think so, if the get all of the actors, rappers, and singers out. If they can get everybody out and united then yeah, I think it can.

Paul, 32, Detroit What does Hip Hop mean to you?

Well, it has no meaning to me. I’m a music lover. See, rap originated 150 years ago. Call it a response, a message from the young people. But there is a difference from where it started and where it is now, too much negativity. All music has a positive message; you just have to pull it out. I’m a music lover.

Finish this statement: Hip Hop is a reflection of…

Ones environment.

Who’s your favorite rapper and why?

James Brown. George Clinton.

Why is Hip Hop bashed in the mainstream media as violent and misogynistic but Rock music seems to get a pass even though they are saying a lot of the same things?

Well, because of culture. What color is that paper? White.

What color are the words on the paper? Black. Watch it now!

It’s a double standard.

What, if anything positive have you personally taken from Hip Hop? The message.

How important is the 2008 Presidential Election to you?

Not important at all. I’m still going to be working part time until I get a job.

Barack or Hillary? Why? I can care less, they don’t pay my bills.

Is there any scenario in which you can see a Republican winning the Presidency?

I don’t care about Republicans or Democrats.

In 2004 Diddy started the vote or die campaign. Do you believe Hip Hop can actually influence the Presidential election?

Yes, because he’s one of the most influential people in Hip Hop, he can get people to see what’s really going on.

Andre, 51, Detroit

What does Hip Hop mean to you?

I never totally reject anything ok. I don’t understand it completely but I’m willing to learn.

Finish this statement: Hip Hop is a reflection of…

A Part of our culture, in fact the mainstream part of our culture, including me because I’m more politically to the left, I’m more open to a lot of things.

Who’s your favorite rapper and why?

Eminem, That’s who I know the most about.

Why is Hip Hop bashed in the mainstream media as violent and misogynistic but Rock music seems to get a pass even though they are saying a lot of the same things?

Racial Stereotypes What, if anything positive have you personally taken from Hip Hop? A desire to explore something that I’m not already exposed to. I’m getting there. Let’s say I’m on a football field. I’m at the 25 yard line trying to get to the 40. But I’m getting there.

How important is the 2008 Presidential Election to you?

Extremely. End the war in Iraq, Universal health care, I can go on…

Barack or Hillary? Why? It’s a toss up but if either her gender or his race keeps either one of them out of the White House, it would be a sad commentary on our system.

Is there any scenario in which you can see a Republican winning the Presidency?

Yes unfortunately.

In 2004 Diddy started the vote or die campaign. Do you believe Hip Hop can actually influence the Presidential election?

Certainly if it votes the right way.

John, 60, Detroit

STYLE

BAD TO THE BONE

By Monique Lloyd

Hip Hop and Rock and Roll are two of the most popular musical genres with the most followers of all times; despite the fact that they both played the role of the “unwanted stepchild” when they first burst onto the music scene. The songs were equipped with a baseline, drums and the clever lyrical content that served as the misunderstood voice of the younger generation, growing up in both urban and suburban neighborhoods. Although, each style of music is magical on its own, when you put the two together, its pure genius! In 1986, Aerosmith and Run DMC remade “Walk This Way.” The song maintained its edgy, rock emotion Aerosmith had created; but now it owned a cool, hip-hop swagger. The response to the collaboration was ground-breaking and we can thank those two groups for introducing their art mainstream to the opposite target audience.

21 years later, we have had so many hip-hop and rock and roll collaborations, it has formed its own genre; Hip-Rock.

Hip-Rock is so innovative that it has crossed boundaries over into the fashion industry. The reason being is, Hip-Rock is not just a musical preference, it’s a lifestyle. If you listen to Hip-Rock, you act Hip-Rock, you live Hip-Rock and most importantly, you dress Hip-Rock! After being bombarded with last season’s trend of the classy, European-tailored look, the fashion industry was in dire need of this boyish, laid-back, stylish trend. Just as a business man would wear a dapper suit to speak for his professional demeanor, HipRock’s collaboration of the urban, hip-hop, skater kid, has been transformed into the new “in your face” style for the fashion industry today.

Hip-Rock has become a part of Generation X’s culture and is doing its part for racial harmony. The key essential you need in your closet to certify you Hip-Rock are: hoodies with creative graphic prints, slim fit denim, vintage and graphic T-shirts, gloves with the tips cut off, funky hats, an ill pair of sneakers, argyle anything and last but not least, skulls, skulls and more skulls! Whether it’s a skull graphic on a shirt or a dope iced-out skull belt, adding skulls to your wardrobe definitely completes your look and furthermore proves that you are “Bad to the Bone!” Now the only thing left to do is Party like a Rock star! Rock On!

Sexual Healing w/ GP and Lola Damone

I’ve been working very closely with a woman for around two years now. We have a great working relationship which has developed into a friendship that I really value. Lately I have been feeling like there is something more there but I don’t want to ruin the friendship by making an unwanted pass. How can I find out if the feeling is mutual?

LOLA: You have to communicate with her; if you don’t you’ll never know if the feeling is mutual. If she is a true friend, she will not be offended by you sharing your true feelings. However, if she does become offended, apologize and keep it moving because the friendship just wasn’t meant to be.

GP: You my friend are on a very slippery slope. On one hand, you don’t want to live with the regret of not knowing. All that leads up to is you boring your friends every time you get drunk with stories of how she could have been the one. On the other hand, you will look soooo stupid if she’s not interested and the friend ship will never be the same. Luckily for you I have been there before. Here’s what you do; Ask her out to a social event on a off day. If she accepts, she’s probably not too worried about keeping it professional. Now it’s up to you and how much game you got… or how much liquor you give her.

I am a 23 year old woman. I few months ago after an insanely drunken night my best friend and I fooled around. This was my first time with another woman and I although I don’t necessarily remember what happened I am fine with it. The problem is that now when ever we go out and have a few drinks she starts pressuring me for sex. I’m not into that and it

gets really annoying. How do I explain to her that it was just a one time thing without hurting her feelings?

LOLA: If your friend is pressuring you to do it again and you’re not with it, you need to be direct about it and let her know how you feel. If she can’t respect that, you don’t need her as a friend anyway.

GP: First let me just say that I am a huge fan of girl on girl sex. OK, now here’s your answer. It is time to be blunt. Let her know those time are reserved for EXTREMLY drunken nights only. If you play your cards right drinks will be on her for the foreseeable future.

I’ve been with my girlfriend for three months now. I recently found video on her computer of her and her ex-boyfriend having sex. She swears that she just forgot about it and it’s no big deal.

The problem I have is that the guys’ dick is huge and now I’m intimidated. Is this something I should worry about?

LOLA: Size is important but not for all women. I think you need to be more confident within yourself. If you are satisfying her and he’s a thing of the past then it shouldn’t be an issue. Haven’t you heard the saying, It’s not the size of the boat but the motion in the ocean?

GP: Look here lil’ fella, you win some, you lose some. You lost. There’s a reason she’s still holding on to that tape. You’re not getting the job done and he more than likely still is. Your reward for being nosey is a lifetime of insecurity and penis envy.

CONGRADULATIONS!!!

2 minutes with Suai Unlock: Is Suai your real name?

Suai: Yes, it is. It’s my government name, as they say.

Unlock: How did your situation with Universal Motown come about?

Suai: I auditioned at a few different labels, Sony, Warner Brothers. A friend who works with the production company had a connection at Motown, so I went with my guitar, auditioned, and they wanted to make a deal. It was a one day thing. That was November of 04.

Unlock: When can we expect your first release?

Suai: We are looking at April or May. Unlock: You have a title yet?

Suai: No, we don’t. I have some ideas, but their kind of sucky. But we are not done recording yet , so we’ll see.

Unlock: You mentioned you play the guitar. What other instruments do you play?

Suai: Yea, I play the piano and guitar; I perform with those. I play a whole bunch of stuff, but those are the main two.

Unlock: Who are you working with on the album?

Suai: For this album, they really went all out. I’ve been in the studio with Ne-yo,Dre and Vidal from Philly. Right now, I’m working with Akon; he’s really busy so it’s hard to nail him down. Linda Perry, she’s a Rock/Pop produce out of LA, I did some songs with her. Also Nephew, he’s from LA. I did like three songs with him. He has also worked with Ne-Yo and he’s real cool too.

Unlock: How would you describe your sound?

Suai: It’s kinda like R&b, Pop, Hip Hop Soul. But I got some alternative stuff in there too. The songs with Linda Perry are like big movie ballads. This album has a mix of everything, anybody can pick it up and get something out of it.

Unlock: You signed in 04’, the album drops in 08’. How do you keep yourself busy?

Suai: Well, I work part time. The rest of my time is recording, traveling, I was just in New York for a photo shoot. The label has me in Media training. I also do a lot of shows around Detroit. I open for whoever I can when they come through.

Unlock: Are you ready for the fame?

Suai: (Laughing) I think so. I can say I’m ready but I’m probably not.

UNLOCK DETROIT PRESENTS:

7

THE AVERAGE JOE’S STEP GUIDE TO GETTING HER TONIGHT!

Don’t you hate it when the smooth talkers, pretty boys, or ballers get the best of all the top-notch women everywhere and your left with all the picked over, average girls just because your an average guy? Do all of the sexy ladies walk past you without even giving you a second look but seem to fall all over the trophy dudes? Buddy, it’s time to change your approach and lucky for you UNLOCK is here to help! We came up with a How-To-Guide, that gives you all the tools you need to get that model chick in bed tonight. You don’t have to have Bishop “Magic” Don Juan’s game to get her.

It’s not even about game. It’s about capturing her attention and holding on to it. Get out your pens and pads, Class is in session!

ACT LIKE YOU’VE KNOWN HER FOR YEARS

Nothing makes a woman open up more than taking her out of her comfort zone and conversing with her like your one of her home girls. But don’t go too deep into detail. Don’t start commenting and throwing around whatever knowledge you know about the color of her fingernail polish or the tone of her highlights in her hair. You don’t want to plant a seed in her head that creates the entire wrong image, strips your masculinity and forever locks you in the friend zone. Remember, you want to get her tonight!

SHOW HER THE FUNNY

Laughter always breaks the ice. If you can make her laugh, you can make her do anything. Joking around with her makes her feel comfortable and want to continue being in your presence. It shows that you know how to take control of a conversation and capture her attention. But don’t be too silly.

Goofballs aren’t funny, they are irritating and childish. Make sure you’re sense of humor is funny to other people, not just to yourself. One corny joke will make this sexy lady shut down and then probably call someone on her cell phone to pacify her mouth until you stop talking and go away!

Remember, you want her to feel like the most fun time she’ll have is with you!

EASE UP ON THE COMPLIMENTS PSYCHO

Women love flattery. They also love that someone takes notice of all the time and hard work they put into their hair, make-up, outfit, etc. But fellas, keep your compliments to a minimum. Don’t go shooting round after round of ammo from your compliment gun! I guarantee she’ll catch the first two or three, but the others will just fall victim to deaf ears. She’ll get the impression that you’re trying to hard or just plain ole thirsty and desperate! She will eventually ease her way out of your presence. Remember, you only have a few minutes or seconds to command her attention.

PICK UP LINES? C’MON!

Fellas, contrary to belief, pick up lines DON’T WORK! They are the corniest way to get a girls attention ever invented. Although, some of you know they are corny, you insist on using them anyway, thinking it’s a way to be funny. But they aren’t funny, their annoying…as HELL! Stop it while you’re ahead and erase any trace of a pick up line out of your memory. It won’t be any use for them in the real world. Remember, if a pick up line is the first thing out of your mouth, she won’t be around to listen for the second thing! AND you’ll spend yet another evening practicing in the mirror!

CONFIDENCE-VSCOCKINESS

Women love it when confidence exudes off of you from miles away. It commands her attention every time. However, when you finally approach her, don’t go bragging about your job, car, and gear, money in the bank or the diamonds on your damn chain! The only person you would seem interested in dating is yourself. Not her. Feelin’ yourself too hard is a no-no. Just be you. Remember, your swagger will speak for itself.

KEEP IT REAL

Cliché, I know, but it’s the truth. Keeping it real gets the girl every time. Ladies know when you’re frontin’. Plus, there is no better person to be other than you. When keeping it real, all the other keys to this guide will fall into place, like a domino effect. However, don’t keep it too real. You can keep the up and coming assault and battery trial pending or the fact that you suffer from a bi-polar disorder, to yourself!

You want this sexy lady tonight, exposing too much will scare her off forever.

Women are nosey and they check.

No female is comfortable in a dirty, trifling ass crib!

CLOSE THE DEAL

Now that you’ve finally snagged this sexy lady from the club, grocery store, church, or wherever you met and got her to come and chill with you tonight, make sure you are on you’re A-game. Get showered and shaved. Spray on a lil’ smell-good. Cologne is an automatic aphrodisiac for women.

Clean up your place….thoroughly! Don’t just straighten up the bathroom sink and floor and omit the dirt- ring in the bathtub by just closing the shower curtain! Women are nosey and they check. No female is comfortable in a dirty, trifling ass crib!

Once you’ve eased her initial nervousness with all this comfort, chop it up on the sofa over some drinks. Liquor loosens her up and brings out all of the same qualities within her that you previously showed to get her. She’s talking, cracking jokes, stroking your ego and keeping it real, at the same time maintaining her confident demeanor. At this point, I’m telling you she won’t be able to keep her hands off of you. Now all you have to do is close the deal. Ultimately, she will blame all her actions on the liquor and disregard the fact that an Average Joe was able to stimulate her every sense to make her give in and give out all in the same night! Unlock

Bookies Lounge

“Open 7 Days for Cocktails & Dining”

Monday- Saturday 10am to 2am Sunday 12pm to 2am 23636 Grand River Ave (near Telegraph Rd) Detroit MI 48219

A

SS W O OR CI A D T IO

N

313.592.4446 313.592.4444 Kitchen Orders

WILLIE THE KID Unlock: Grand Rapids Willie The Kid: Raw energy Unlock: Detroit Willie the kid: Detroit is the founthetion for the midwest music movement.

Unlock: Kwamei Kilpatrick Willie The Kid: Playboy Unlock: Barack Obama WillieThe Kid: Inspiration Unlock: Hillary Clinton Willie The Kid: She represents the possibility for change.

Unlock: Women Willie The Kid: Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble,

Unlock: Entertainment Willie The Kid: Entertainment is the source – it’s an outlet for me.

Unlock: Success Willie The Kid: Success is pleasing God. Unlock: Hip-Hop Willie The Kid: Everything.

Unlock: Lyrics Willie The Kid: The most important part of rap music.

Unlock: The Aphillates WillieThe Kid: THE MOVEMENT. Unlock: DJ Drama WillieThe Kid: A provider. He gives a lot of opportunity to a lot of people.

Unlock: Cannon Willie The Kid: The sound track of the movement.

Unlock: Greatest of all time?

Willie The Kid: Has yet to be determined.

Unlock: The Crown Prince Willie The Kid: Yours truly, and the title of the debut album from Willie The Kid. Pick up “The Crown Prince” the debut album form Willie the Kid.

“Laaaa, La, La La, wait til I get my money right. Laaaa, La, La, La, then you can’t tell me nothin’ right?” That’s a

snippet lyric from Kanye West’s summer hit “Cant tell me nothin’” He’s Baaack! And this time stronger than ever. As if you could tell him anything in the past, he makes it more evident now, that you can’t tell him shit! After four years filled with unimaginable fame and success, it would have been easy for Kanye to sit back and bask on his impressive achievements, but that’s just not who he is. West is many things. He is a producer, a taste maker, a rapper, a producer, a video director, a fashion icon, the CEO of Getting Out Your Dreams (G.O.O.D.) Music; but first and foremost, he is an artist with an uncompromising vision.

That’s what kept him making music and that’s what sent him back for the countless hours spent in the studio working on new material, the best of which has found its way onto his highly anticipated new album, Graduation. Kanye West, the self-proclaimed, “International Asshole” has been inviting, confronting and overcoming drama and challenges since the beginning. He is arguably the most important, creative force and one of the few truly unique and gifted talents in the hip-hop music industry today. He is definitely not a newcomer to the business; however he spent most of his time producing smash hits for Jay-Z and other hip-hop giants, before he seized the opportunity to launch his own rap career and eventually become the vital hip-hop icon he is today. Since the release of his 3 million selling, critically-acclaimed debut, The College Drop-out, the Chicago-born, 27 year old, rapper/producer/hip-hop icon, has been at the top of the charts and at the top of his game. West has grown from an artist you watch to an artist you experience.

West has been noted to say “It’s hard when people are depending on you to have an album that’s not just good, but inspired. I mean, my music isn’t just music; its medicine. I want my songs to touch people, to give them what they need. Every time I make an album, I’m trying to make a cure for cancer-musically.” With Graduation, Dr.. West, has indeed delivered the medicine.

And once again he did it the only way he could; with honesty, humor and his conviction to continuing to prove himself by making great music.

Enlisting composer/producer Jon Brion to lend his skills to the album’s production, Kanye’s newest contribution to the game is a big album in every sense of the word. His trademark sample-based arrangements have expanded to include live

“Every time I make an album, I’m trying to make a cure for cancer-musically.” instrumentation. Kanye has always been an artist who not only challenges himself but his audience and his fellow musicians with new ideas and new ways of expressing the joys and sorrows of life through music.

Kanye, like a true original, is in a league of his own, creating the future of hip-hop as he digs back into time with his unique samples to connect the past to the present in a brand new way. Not only is West a musical brainchild that imitators are still trying to copy, he is becoming a political voice for the young hip-hop generation. Kanye West has an in-your-face approach to telling you the real about our government, country, AfricanAmerican history and just about any other topic he feels passionate about, through his lyrics and interviews, whether its on TV or not. (I.e. Katrina Telethon where Kanye made the controversial comment that President Bush doesn’t care about Black People). Despite the fact that Kanye speaks his mind more than most would like, he commands your attention and makes you listen to topics that need to be heard, by the masses, not just to the Black community. Every year Kanye West treads deeper and deeper into the makings of his legacy….and everybody’s a witness!

And the Grammy goes to...

2005 Best Rap Album College Dropout, 2006 Best Rap Album Late Registration, 2005 Best Rap Song “Jesus Walks”, 2006 Best Rap Song “Diamonds From Sierra Leone”, 2005 Best R&B Song “You Don’t Know My Name” (Alicia Keys), 2006 Best Rap Solo Performance “Gold Digger” , 2008 Best Rap Album Graduation, 2008 Best Rap Solo Performance “Stronger” 2008 Best Rap Performance by a duo or group “Southside” (Finding Forever) 2008, Best Rap Song The Good Life

Alicia Keys: More Than Music

A

s soon as you hear her soulful, angelic voice, you’re taken to an era in timea time where the days of old are treasured.

And at the borderline age of 26, Alicia Keys is just beginning to make her mark in this nation; to say that her plate is full, and she’s starting to fill a platter, is an understatement.

And she’s wearing the Chef Hat through it all-You Go Gurl!

After being in demand of putting out another hot album, and although her schedule was a bit tight, she’s back in the captain’s seat with her new album release, “As I Am” promised as yet another strong, successful album that Alicia is known for-and this promise has definitely been kept! Being that this was her first studio-released album since the release of “The Diary of Alicia Keys” in 2003, Alicia took this album at her own pace and gave birth to another success to add to her long list of achievements. This is not anything strange for Alicia, a young child who at the age of 4, had a passion for music. Some would feel that by her growing up in Hell’s Kitchen in New York by a single parent, she’d have a lesser chance of expressing herself outside it’s boundaries-but she didn’t and being raised by a supportive mother, she took on all opportunities and allowed herself to influence young ladies as well as mature ones to experience life, love and living through her eyes within her songs.

People, I’m here to tell you (as if you probably don’t know already-she’s just that hot on the charts!), Alicia Keys first week for the release of the album was beyond successful! Records shot above the charts as “As I Am” claimed the hottest album regional status with more than 740,000 copies being sold-and this was within the first week, folks! “This week has truly been one for the record books! Your overwhelming support has landed Alicia with the biggest sales for a female artist since 2004 and the most digitally EVER!” the words of a website moderator confirms the overwhelming, record-breaking success of Alicia‘s latest album release. And not to veer too far away from my main focus-ALL of her

accomplishments, but Alicia has been moved by the success of this album. “For this album to be NUMBER 1!!! is such a blessing! and I couldn’t have done it without you…” she shared with her ‘Family’ through her website as she wrote that she was preparing her Thanksgiving Dinner.

Alicia uses that same soulful driven passion to stand as an advocate for rights and political issues she believes in. And during her time away from the studios, she filled some of that spare time being active in a fight against AIDS/HIV in a small town outside Durban on South Africa’s eastern coast.

During an interview while there she stated, “To be the voice of the people. To represent real people and real life, real struggles, real pains, real joys, real things that are really there, you know?” The humanitarian organization Keep A Child Alive has enlisted Keys as an Ambassador to raise awareness about AIDS in Africa. Alicia was strong in her decision to cross an ocean and help build a clinic in Wentworth, an area where the infection rate was that higher of the average areas in that part of Africa.

Before this, there have been many organizations and facilities that have felt that same passion of Alicia; During 2004, she joined the nonprofit group Frum the Ground Up to help teens with self esteem and goal making, and while she toured to promote her album “The Diary of Alicia Keys”, she made a visit to an inner-city school in Chicago to discuss the importance of having dreams and following them. Also added to her list of supportive involvement is WE Empowers Women, a Women’s Entertainment (WE) program designed to support and address the modern lives of women and their families.

She’s also involved with “Teens in Motion,” an organization providing a safe environment for teens to excel in dance, singing, drama, spoken word, and self-esteem. It operates as workshops and is located in the South Bronx. Alicia is definitely wearing a coat of a well-balanced individual; gifted with voice, talents, personality and looks! Who could ask for more?

If you’d ask her, she’d probably say that she’d ask for a lot more. Alongside all the other projects and accomplishments Alicia has, she’s steadily adding more to her plate and trophy case.

Talk has been buzzing about Alicia working with her longtime manager Jeff Robinson and Disney for animation projects among a few others. The word is that a

deal has been signed for a first-look film production, and the first film will be a remake of the 1958 comedy Bell, Book and Candle.

Alicia and Robinson are also working on television productions within their company Big Pita, Lil Pita, which according to Alicia, “Pita stands for pain in the ass,” Keys said. “That’s what he and I both are — so watch out.” Within the television production company, Big Pita, the two already have plans for the first project; the UPN TV series inspired by her experiences as a biracial adolescent growing up in New York. According to records, UPN has given them a script commitment for the television program, Zora and it’s said to be aired soon.

The acting world wasn’t one of unfamiliarity to Alicia, seemingly because she inherited this talent from her actress mother, Teresa “Terri” Augello, who also held positions as a paralegal to make ends meet when Alicia’s father left them when she was only two years old. Alicia’s first acting gig was when she co-starred in The Cosby Show as Rudy Huxtable’s friend-she was only four years old!

With all of this on her plate, one would feel like Alicia has no room for anything else, but she does. Halle Berry is producing a film with a role designated for Alicia. “Composition in Black and White”, based on a bibliographical book of the same name, written by Kathryn Talalay is about a child piano prodigy and her struggles in relationships with her mother, community and society. Alicia will play the part of the 1940s biracial child pianist Philippa Schuyler, with hopes of she and Berry to start shooting the film as early as this year.

But while her endeavors are strong-willed for this project along with others, Alicia has been making her way onto the big screen with cameos and supporting roles; she played herself in an episode of CBS new addition to primetime drama, CANE; and she‘s performed her debut single “No One“ for a Target commercial. And that’s just to name a few; her appearances to promote her album, along with the many performances of the soul diva have landed Alicia in position to receive 2 Grammy nominations as of December 6th- for “Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - No One” and for “Best R&B song - No One“ (Be sure to tune in to CBS, Sunday, February 10th at 8pm EST to see if she wins!)

And just think, her roles in activism and in television and film are just a small part of the passion Alicia is sharing with others.

LIVE JAZZ & BLUES!

3225 Biddle Ave. Wyandotte, MI 48192 734-284-3459

jade@gizzmosmartinibar.com

During June in 2004, Alicia published her first book of poems, titled Tears for Water: Songbook of Poems and Lyrics. The book could be seen as an inside look into Alicia’s journal; it’s filled with some of her songs and a few journal entries of poems. But what makes this book even more special is how at the end of some of the poems, Alicia shares with the reader a small clue-like note of how she was feeling, what she was feeling or thinking when she had written them. 2004 may as well have been considered Alicia’s literary time era in her career. During that same year, Alicia was said to have intentions on making her diaries into a book; she also had goals of creating a book, “Alicia Keys’ Street Mysteries” where she is portrayed as a high school sleuth solving crimes and helping her friends out of murder charges.

But during the time of her aspiring book ideas, Alicia was having a glitch in the plan: Who would have the rights to the published projects? At the time of the proposal and meetings, it was reported that Alicia had two literary agents on hand. But even a glitch doesn’t stop her and the release of two more books under her name. Her passion for reading and literary works is

outstanding. Alicia has a book club on her fan club website; members are given the title of a book to enjoy and discuss with Alicia, sharing her thoughts on the chosen book, and seeing what concerns and/or questions she has on it. Although the book club is only on their second book, there has been a vast amount of participation from her fans. The books are chosen every three months, and at this time, they’re reading Bad Boy Brawly Brown by Walter Mosely.

It’s not often that we find wellrounded individuals who are in a place to help others and actually do. Alicia gives you a feeling of warmth at first glance. Her easy-going personality makes it easy for her fans to love her even more. While working on her latest release, Alicia invited two lucky “FAM-members” (fans) to visit her on the set of her video for her lead single “No One”. Both ‘FAM’ members were happy to say how down to earth Alicia was and how she treated them with nothing less than kindness. Her humanitarian characteristics are well worn on her sleeves, and can be seen in her interactions no matter where and when you see her. This past October, she was joined by her ‘mum’ for the New

York Music Awards. Alicia shared the award with her mother, stating “My mum helps me stay focused”.

During her childhood, Alicia’s mother took on extra jobs to support Alicia’s love and passion for music. Giving her the opportunity to take on piano lessons at the ripe age of seven. Although living in a sparse financial situation, Alicia didn’t let that deter her ambitions and goals; and after noticing the strain her passion had on her mother’s salary, she once asked her mother to stop the lessons, but her mother totally disagreed. So, with her mother’s support, Alicia learned classical piano when she was seven; and at eleven she began writing songs. By the time she was sixteen, Alicia had a major decision to make: Either to continue her education, because she had just been accepted to Columbia University, or to delve into her music career….Of course we all know what choice she made! The rest is history, well, HERstory!

By: Ranya E. Snowden

Sunshyne

I

t’s 2:45 on a cold, rainy, Tuesday afternoon. I’m sitting here at Fishbone’s restaurant in Downtown Detroit’s, Greektown awaiting my 2:30 interview with the host of WJLB’s Quiet Storm, Sunshyne.

She’s late. I’m hoping that it’s just a mixture of the weather and traffic that’s stalling her and that she’s not one of those “Diva’s” who must arrive on the scene fashionably late. Word of mouth spreads like butter, so most Detroit locals know bits and pieces of the sultry-voiced, radio personalities interesting and turbulent childhood, back in her hometown country of Bosnia. Wanting to dismiss the he/say, she/say and get the full story first-hand, UNLOCK was the first on the scene to offer Sunshyne a chance to show the world what’s behind that voice seeping out of their speakers from their favorite radio station. Before I knew it, Ms. Sunshyne had entered the building looking absolutely stunning. But, please don’t judge a book by its cover, there is so much more that meets the eye when it comes to this girl. Despite her undeniable beauty and status, she is far from some arrogant diva.

By the time she sat down, she was smiling, laughing and ordering her favorite dish, shrimp tempura sushi rolls. She exudes a laid back confidence and you can tell that she is comfortable in her own skin and embracing the path that life has intended her to walk.

Twenty-three year old Sunshyne, originally named, Vildana Puric, was born in a small village in Bosnia raised with her older sister and younger brother. Her father was an educated, college graduate, successful entrepreneur and came from a financially stable family, while her mother’s from an oppositely poor background and was ultimately outcast by her husband’s family, due to that. However, they lived a life that was normal for them, until 1992, which resulted in a turning point for the Puric family. Her father went off to fight in the army, leaving her strong mother to hold down the fort until his return. During this time, the Bosnian civil war was brewing under the surface, due to the breakup of Yugoslavia. The multi-ethnic republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Catholic Croats, Orthodox Serbs and Muslim Slavs) all living side by side, passed a referendum for independence, in which all the Bosnian Serbs didn’t agree to. Under the guise of protecting the Serb minority in Bosnia,

Serbian leaders called upon arms and military to support them in their movement, which also included Yugoslav people. The Bosnia-Herzegovina army prepared to combat for themselves, with some additional assistance from the Croatian military. ust imagine being woken up by bright red skies, the piercing, whistling sound of bombs plummeting to the ground, shuffling feet, crying women and children being shot at by snipers camouflaged on top of the hills, everyone screaming trying to escape with their freedom and life. Unfortunately, that was the harsh reality to an 8 year old, Vildana Puric. Her country was under attack by the Serb forces resulting in homes being ransacked and burned down, Bosnian civilians were being rounded up or captured and sometimes being beaten and killed in the process. Men and women were separated; with the women and children living in detention centers with intolerable, unhygienic conditions and being mistreated in many ways, often including rape. A realistic vision most American adults or youth couldn’t imagine seeing.

UNLOCK: What was going through your young mind when all of this was happening?

Sunshyne: Wow. Like, I wish somebody could have been there to film it. It was…..it was like a movie; a scene straight up out of a movie.

UNLOCK: Where did you all run to?

Sunshyne: We walked and ran aimlessly for miles until we wound up in the city my uncle lived in. So we stayed at his house for a couple of days, but then the army came and forced us to leave their house too, so we kept immigrating towards Croatia until we were stopped by the army and they told us we couldn’t go any further, so that city (Turnje) became our first refugee camp but it was already destroyed and they wouldn’t let us go in any of the abandoned houses because it was landmines set up, so we just had to stay on the road.

UNLOCK: What was it like there? Give us a visual Sunshyne: Man, it was demolished; it was no food, no running water. People were scouring around to see if they could salvage anything. Plus, the whole city had landmines all over, so people were losing their legs, arms, dying……it was crazy.

UNLOCK: How long did your family live there?

Sunshyne: For about six months. By that time, some of the men were released from the army, so my dad was back. The men started disabling the landmines and building shacks. You know, making it our own little city. So, then the army told us that our country was free and we had to go back, but it really wasn’t. It was still being taken over. So we moved back to my uncle’s house for 6 months and then the army came back again and made us leave. So we walked and walked until we made it to our second refugee camp, which was a town full of just roads and hills….nothing.

Her family lived at this particular camp for two years. Once again, taking an abandoned town, adapting to it and making it all their own. Red Cross served as the camps savior, dropping bundles of clothes from the sky and setting up camping tents for shelter. However, much like Detroit, Bosnia had four seasons. Sunshyne candidly remembers one night sleeping in the tent, then all of a sudden being pent down to the point that she couldn’t move. Turns out the tent had caved in because it was covered with snow. Her father managed to dig himself out to clean and hook the tent back up, so they could continue to live.

Throughout all this time, there is still no electricity, food, nor water. Everyday they had to wait for someone to bring them the necessities they needed to survive. None of the children were being educated because they were only attending a month or two for each grade. However, through it all, they maintained positive. Red Cross would set up meetings where the women of the camps could sit with American women to learn beauty tips and express the many different issues women go through. Next, they moved to their final and third refugee camp, which turned out to be, for the most part, better. Instead of tents, they had small trailers to live in that looked like large 10’x13’ empty boxes with no bathroom and kitchen. It was just a space with six beds; three horizontal and three vertical. Seven people lived there including her mother, father, sister, brother and her father’s uncle and his wife. Everyone had their own bed, while her uncle bunked on the floor. The small amount of clothes they had was used as their pillow. There was no way to

prepare food, so everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner, all the civilians had to wait in long lines to get their food and water. The Croatian people would allow her people to work for them picking potatoes.

Her parents would work hard everyday and save all the money they made. Eventually, a program came up where sponsors from the U.S. wanted to care for immigrant families, if they signed up to move to America. Many of their family members had already been sent to Michigan but Sunshyne’s family would constantly be overlooked. Finally, they were offered the opportunity to be sent to the U.S. to live with her father’s brother in Hamtramck, MI, only if they paid the country back. Needless to say, the Puric family took that golden way out and moved to the U.S. UNLOCK: At this time you were what? 12?

What was your reaction when you first reached the U.S.?

Sunshyne: This is it? (She laughs) It was February, freezing cold and snow was everywhere. I think I was just turning 13.

Back in Bosnia, we watched Beverly Hills 90210 so I always imagined that’s what America looked like. You know sunny, palm trees…..

UNLOCK: How was the transition from Bosnia to the U.S.?

Sunshyne: Well, we stayed at my uncle’s, so it was 8 of us to one apartment. And I want to dispel of the rumor that immigrants get everything when they come to America.

We didn’t get shit! A woman came and took us to the doctor to get shots and we did get welfare for 3 months, but that’s it.

My parents got a job down the street from where we lived stuffing pickles and they walked to work everyday. And within six months, they saved enough money to get a place of our own and a car….A 86 Honda...

My Dad still has that car! (She laughs) He needs to let it go!

UNLOCK: What about school?

Sunshyne: Well, we started school and they kind of just put us in a grade according to our age. So I started the 7th. I was a really determined kid. I learned English in seven months. I just wanted to fit in. My family and I would watch the show Family Matters with subtitles and any word I didn’t know, I would look it up in my translation dictionary. Yeah, but I was a straight A

student up until I got to high school. Then it was all down hill from there! (She laughs) Like most young ladies entering into high school, they not only learn algebra, they get introduced to a new craze; boys. Sunshyne began hanging around a group of Bosnian girls that were too mature for their age.

She began drinking, smoking cigarettes and eventually lost her virginity. Initially she was into school activities, like sports and the cheerleading squad, with each month passing month her participation in school decreased and her A’s turned to F’s, ultimately deeming her a bad student.

By the time she made it to the 10th grade, her crowd worsened. She was wearing cornrows, baggy clothes, she was still drinking and now smoking weed. Her self esteem was low and found herself migrating toward the African American kids because they seemed to accept her with open arms. They taught her to perfect her English causing her to pick up on their urban accent. She managed to get 36

relationship she had with an NFL player that was stabilizing her motivation to excel instead of enhancing it. That summer, her sister got her a job as a dental assistant.

She maintained her job while also attending Macomb County Community College, majoring in Broadcasting and Journalism.

One October day in 2002, Sunshyne was at the dentist office working as usual and listening to WJLB. The radio personality at the time, Kris Kelly, was announcing that she was looking for interns. Knowing she needed to find another outlet, Sunshyne applied and snagged herself an interview.

She went down ready and confident, gave Kris Kelly her story and was hired as an intern right on the spot. She interned from October 2002 to May 2003, learning the entire behind the scenes footwork at the radio station. She never wanted to be on the air from fear of the millions of listeners that would hear her speak that is, until an intern for well known radio personality, Reggie Reg, Kapri, influenced her to consider it. She began working on her voice making tapes and giving them to midday radio host The Bushman to critique.

Unfortunately, he would always tell her she sounded awful and encouraged her to keep working at it. In May 2003, the internship was complete and Kris Kelly informed her that her journey had ended on that day.

Sunshyne felt like her life was starting all over again.

UNLOCK: What were you thinking when Kris unexcused absences in her 1st semester. The Kelly said that would be your last day at the school would try to call or send letters home station? to inform her parents of their daughters Sunshyne: Oh man, I was devastated. I failing status, but due to the language barrier, had finally found something I really loved Sunshyne was able to translate whatever she and they were telling me I couldn’t do it wanted to make up to avoid getting in trouble. anymore. I was crying and begging to stay In 2000, her family moved to Clinton and then a woman by the name of Dody Township, which turned out to be the best Johnson, who was the Promotions Director, thing to ever happen to Sunshyne. It yielded decided she could use me for something. her from walking the terrible path she was She loved me and she knew how much this headed down and gave her the opportunity meant to me, so the same day I got hired to start fresh at Clintondale High School. to work in the promotions department, She began coming into her own person and doing street promotions, going to concerts recognizing her self worth and beauty. Two carrying WJLB signs. I was working with years of walking along the path of finding the Bushman at St. Andrews. I wasn’t really her way, it was 2002 and the time for her to getting any money, but I didn’t care, just as graduate had quickly come around and she long as I got my foot in the door. was once again completely lost. She had no UNLOCK: So when did you decide that you desire to do anything. She was involved and had to get your own spot on the air? overly attached to a Sunshyne: Probably the summer of 2003. I had told Bushman that I really wanted to be

we watched Beverly Hills 90210 so I always imagined that’s what America looked like.

You know sunny, palm trees…..

on the air and since there were no openings at WJLB, to try another station in another city. So I got referred to Brent Johnson, the Program Director of 96.5 in Lansing, which was the same radio station Reggie Reg and Cheron started at. So I sent my tape in to him and I didn’t get a response, so I would call him everyday for two weeks straight until he was just like “ok, come down here so we can meet, I’m not promising anything, just come meet.” So I went to go meet with him and we were listening to my tape and he got a phone call. When he got off the phone, he asked me what I was doing for the day. I’m like “nothing” He’s like “good, I need you to work my 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm shift today, can you do it? You got two hours to learn everything, you’ll be fine:” Although Sunshyne was extra excited about this opportunity, she was also nervous and uncomfortable because she didn’t know what to expect. She took advantage of the two hours of training and mastered the small station by the time she went on air.

She was on fire, taking calls, mixing songs and she even created her own 4 Play at 4 playlist, just like she had learned at WJLB. She nailed her subliminal test on air and was hired for a Saturday afternoon shift from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. She was still working with the Bushman on Friday nights from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am, went home to get a few hours of sleep and had to take the hour and 30 minute drive to Lansing the very next morning. In April 2004, she stopped working in Lansing and was finally hired at WJLB as the promotions coordinator. This was a full time position and for the first time she was earning an actual salary. She excelled at her new gig, planning all of the major events for the station. Ironically, she never got a chance to attend any of the events because she wasn’t the legal age of 21 yet. Not really personally fulfilled with her new position, Sunshyne eventually began to lack the positive morale needed to do her job because she really wanted her own show on air.

In January 2005, radio personality, Reggie Reg was let go and the station began to buzz with talk of who was going to be moving around hosting particular time slots. The weekend spot was now available and Sunshyne wanted dibbs on it. Just liked she wished, she received a phone call from

Kris Kelly asking will she be able to be on air from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, half of the weekend shift while another candidate hosted from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Knowing this was all a big test, she shined as bright as she could resulting in her getting the 10:00 am to 2:00 pm shift every Sunday. She was so excited to be on air that she didn’t even care that it only paid $40 a week. So she continued to work both positions until her and the Promotions Director decided that continuing on as the promotions coordinator wasn’t beneficial to her. She was given other duties to compensate for her salary she was making. She continued working until 2005, but after a while the assignments begin to die down and she was in desperate need of more money to pay rent and buy other necessities she wanted. She then began working at Arden B at The Somerset Collection in Troy, MI. She wound up quitting there because she needed something a little bit more lowkey. Shoppers and fans recognized her face from the WJLB events and would often ask why she was working somewhere like that if she was working for one of the biggest radio stations in the city. Sunshyne eventually found a more private position as a receptionist at a small office. She worked there and at the station from January 2005 to March 2007. During that time, she was still determined to get a full-time, on air position. She knew all she needed was a minimum two years experience on air, so she figured if she kept her original goals and persistence, her dream will eventually happen for her. If not, she was making plans to relocate to Miami and try to plug a spot in a new city.

Good things must come to those who wait because after all the years of hard work, low wages and dedication, Sunshyne was offered the position to host one of WJLB’s notorious, hot spots, The Quiet Storm, Monday through Thursday from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am. She quit her office job and prepared herself for the dream job she’s been waiting for. Awaiting her arrival, Sunshyne had R & B singers Joe and Lloyd host her segment to keep the listeners eager for their new diva of the night.

UNLOCK: How did you prepare yourself to host the Quiet Storm? I mean it was officially your show now.

LITTLE mISS sUNSHYNE

Sunshyne: Everybody was telling me not to go in there trying to sound all extra sexy.

See Cheron was very poetic voice, and I’m just not like that. People know me as the party girl. Until this day people are shocked that I host this segment. I was hosting a concert with the singer Tyrese and he was like “Sunshyne, what the hell you doing hosting the Quiet Storm with that voice?!?”

(She laughs) It really gives me a chance to be a different person. And I love my boss KJ Holiday. He is literally the best boss in the world. He lets me do me and makes suggestions afterwards. If he would have chewed me up my first night, I would have got scared and nervous I was going to get fired. He let me get comfortable with what I was doing on air.

UNLOCK: So now that you finally achieved your goal of getting your own slot on the air, what is your ultimate goal for the future?

Sunshyne: You know, I’m never satisfied and I think it’s good to be that way. Ok, I got the Quiet Storm but I’m still not complete.

There’s still something missing in my life.

But I can see myself doing radio my whole life. I want to get into TV too. To sum it up, I want to be the female version of Ryan Seacrest! Oh, and I must be somewhere hot! Miami, Texas, just somewhere with nice weather.

UNLOCK: At WJLB, you spin a lot of Rap and R&B. What type of music do you listen to?

Sunshyne: I love R&B now, but I have not always felt that way. I always thought you put on R&B music when it’s time to get down LOL. But everyone knows me as a party girl. I like pop, hip hop, everything that’s fun! Even country! Carrie Underwood is my girl!

UNLOCK: Have you met any celebrities that you just fell in love with their personalities?

Sunshyne: David Banner and Common.

Common made me sit down and tell him my whole life story, and he’s just a sweet guy.

David Banner is one of my favorite people because he is so smart and sarcastic.

UNLOCK: Any celebrity crushes?

Sunshyne: Yes! Young Jeezy! I would never date a musician, but everybody knows I love Jeezy. He’s so hood and country at the same time. But I have met him a few times and he is honestly, a very smart guy too.

UNLOCK: Where did the nickname Sunshyne come from?

Sunshyne: O’Neil Stevens from Mix 92.3.

When I was interning for Kris Kelly I would come in extra early and I was always smiling and asking anybody did they need coffee and he would always be like you are just my little sunshine, you just so sweet. So one day, Bushman was on vacation and DJ Blast was covering for him, so I was doing the paperwork getting ready to give him the traffic report and at that time I was practicing on my voice so I could eventually read the traffic on air. Anyway, I lied to DJ Blast and told him Bushman lets me do the traffic and he was like “well what’s your name, who do I throw it to” I was like “Sunshyne.” So that’s where it came from. I wound up sounding awful on the air too! I messed up so bad. When we got off the air DJ Blast was like “I’m getting fired!”

UNLOCK: When you’re not on air what do you like to do?

Sunshyne: I love spending time with my friends and family. But I am still a tom boy at heart. I love sports so I enjoy going to any sporting events, I would like to go bungee jumping but I am afraid of heights.

UNLOCK: Here at UNLOCK Magazine; we deal with a lot of up and coming artist. Do you have any advice for them or tips they could use when they are being interviewed?

Sunshyne: Oh my God yes! I’m so happy you asked that! First off, know all of the radio personalities, come in and speak to everybody. Please don’t say “yah mean, nyah sayin’” It’s so annoying. When you are being asked a question, come up with a clear answer that EVERYBODY can understand. Say something valuable. This is your presentation to the world, don’t mess it up by saying something ignorant. And be nice to the radio personalities you’re talking to cause once you leave, we gonna talk about you!

UNLOCK: Do you have any advice for someone trying to get into the radio industry?

Sunshyne: Well this applies to any person, but I say work hard and make your self valuable. If you’re valuable to a company, they’re going to keep you around. Plus, learn everything and every position you can, you never know what may come up.

UNLOCK: Kind of going back to the beginning, what do you remember most about your childhood? What still sticks with you to this day?

Sunshyne: When I was a kid I just remember

having fun. No matter what was going on around us, I always had fun. I feel like kids here don’t have fun. We never watched too much TV, I mean we never even seen a video game. We just played outside. We would be swinging on old broken down tanks, when we would hear a bomb falling, we would fall to the ground and then when it drops and explodes, we would get back up and play again. It sounds crazy but it was fun to us. We made the most out of what we had and as kids, we truly had fun.

UNLOCK: So now that you’re an adult and you come from such a different past of constant exciting things going on around you, how do you keep your adrenaline pumping or are you happy with the calmness?

Sunshyne: I think I just adapted to my environment. Sometimes I forget that I’m from another country until I tell somebody something from my past and their like “oh, my God. How did you do it?” But I am happy that that’s my past and I’m just enjoying the present.

UNLOCK: What do you value most in life?

Sunshyne: The people around me. Family and friends UNLOCK: I know all the men want to know, is Ms. Sunshyne dating anyone right now?

Sunshyne: (She laughs) No, I’m single but definitely looking…

UNLOCK: So being single in Detroit, what are you looking for in a guy?

Sunshyne: Let me just say this, I have such bad luck with men because I think I’m attracted to the wrong type. I like the bad boys and I always feel like I can change someone. But I learned my lesson (She laughs). I really want someone that is going to make me happy. I am very particular and I like things a certain way and until I find that perfect guy then I guess I will just be looking. But if I had to give you a quick description, I would say “thick neck”, “big back” (She laughs), at least 6’3. Oh, and has to have pretty teeth. I’m a teeth person.

UNLOCK: Well, it was such a pleasure talking with you today. You are truly a strong young woman and I admire your drive and determination. You deserve everything you have because you put in the blood, sweat and tears for it. You earned your place in this industry and I respect you tremendously.

Sunshyne: Thank you, thank you. It was my pleasure talking to you too. We have to go out for sushi again! UNLOCK

KIDS AROUND THE CLOCK

313-401-2577

Writers Strike Wounds Are Worth It

Writers create a justified tidal wave with their protests.

Things have changed this year. Kids may be reading more than watching TV. College students may actually be studying. People may have taken up a new hobby. Everyone is possibly starting to feel better because we’re all getting a chance to go to bed earlier these days.

Perhaps things have changed for the better.

Either that or you’re the person who’s grouchy from spending most of your money renting DVDs of your favorite shows for the past two months. How else are you going to get your weekly dosage of prime time television? Even the late night shows have been cancelled and you’re sick of the novelty re-runs. Your DVDs may not contain new episodes but at least you’re watching what you want to watch when you want to watch it.

With the writers strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) authorized by the Writer’s Guild Association (WGA) on Friday, November 2nd 2007 and taking place since Monday, November 5th 2007, the TV schedule has changed among other things. Already lasting over two months, the writers strike has been affecting the industry inside and out.

Initially expected to occur in the summer of 2008 after the Screen Actor Guild’s (SAG) contracts expired, the WGA decided to go ahead with an early strike after their own contract expired on October 31st 2007 to ensure that the AMPTP had less time to prepare for a strike with scripts ahead of time. The last writers strike took place in 1988, lasted 21 days and 6 days and cost the entertainment industry nearly 500 million dollars.

So is this strike worth it? Viewers think they’re getting hurt in the process, but they are the least harmed in this fight for what’s right. The writers have been hurting for a while but at least they know why the pain has come and why it has to continue even more severely for a while for their integrity. Then there are the others involved in this industry that are under the writers and studio heads who are getting slashed and pierced as well because of the two stubborn parties that meet every three years to negotiate contracts. Only, during times like this, not much negotiating is happening.

Strike Issues

companies to end this.

Along with a demand for higher pay, the WGA is fighting for three main issues among other key proposals:

The AMPTP has hired the team of lawyers dubbed as the “master of disasters” to represent them in this case. Chris Lehane and Mark Fabiani have been hired to help many democratic politicians such as Bill Clinton and Al Gore. They have also hired former campaign manger of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Schmidt, for public relations.

DVD Residuals Back in 1988, writers became aware of the importance of the home video market. Movie studios depended on the home video market as a major source of income and with the VHS being put out, writer then only managed to get a small percentage of the sales. This same formula used for the VHS has been applied to the DVD residual process. The WGA had demanded the four cents to be doubled to eight cents per purchased DVD. However, this proposal was removed from the table the night before the strike had started.

New Technological Media (mainly internet) The WGA is recognizing that it is unjust for the writers to not receive any profit from any of the following: Internet downloads, streaming, on demand, media transferred to cell phones, etc.

Examples include itunes, Amazon Unbox, and Tivo. Writers want a new formula for this new media that cannot be similar to the one that currently applies to DVDs. The WGA is asking for a 2.5% of the distribution gross for all material under this category.

Reality Programming and Animation Jurisdiction The WGA’s contract with the AMPTP is over a minimum basic agreement (MBA) by which they are employed. Writers are proposing that even reality programs have writers for the storyboard of each show. The AMPTP is saying that since most of reality programs consist of raw material that is just edited, the writers don’t really have a place in getting credit for this.

There are also writers for animated series such as noted cartoons, The Simpsons and Family Guy. The AMPTP argues that the show is created by the storyboards that the illustrators do ahead of time.

The WGA argues that even before things get to the storyboard, there is at least one writer from the WGA that provides a script.

The WGA is proposing that all animation in TV and film that is not under any other union is included in the new MBA. What’s Been Brought to the Table November 26th – The WGA and AMPTP agree to come to the table to negotiate after the strike as begun.

November 29th – The AMPTP says they will provide a $130 compensation. There is a four day recess upon the WGA’s request because they do not understand how this amount has been calculated but is happy with the new range of numbers.

December 4th – The negotiation resumes but after the WGA pushes for reality TV jurisdiction, the AMPTP walks away and also wants the WGA to drop several other key proposals.

There has been talk about what each side plans to do next. The AMPTP may continue to delay negotiations to wait for a greater force in order to end any unwanted production contracts. The WGA may be trying to negotiate with independent production

Many members of the WGA have been informing the American audiences via internet with their videos and their blogs about their frustrations as well as giving updates. The picket lines have had themes every now and then, such as “Bring-A-Star-To-PicketWith-You.” Don’t expect to see any writers showing up for the Golden Globes or Oscars this year.

Wounds Writers who also serve as a producers find themselves in a tough situation where they are allowed to do one aspect of their job but cannot do so easily because of the strike. Many have started out just serving their producing jobs but ultimately decided to not perform any of their duties because of their loyalty to the WGA. Tina Fey is an example of a person who has dual duties.

Television has also been greatly altered because of the re-runs which affect ratings. All major networks, CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox have had new shows to replace the cancellations but none have benefited a great deal from any of the new productions. NBC did the worst with ratings. New reality programs pop up here and there but viewers are put off by the overwhelming amount of new shows.

Producers have been cramming all their filming with the scripts they have into what time they have left and the actors are being overworked. NBC’s shows have run out in December and ABC’s shows will run out early January.

Because all the writers are gone, other jobs, such as various crew members and assistants, who depend on the writers’ existence, have been terminated. Those who are not a part of the WGA are brutally affected and face undeserved lay-offs and must find other means of employment for their families.

Since all the networks have late night shows, all late night shows immediately went to re-runs as well. Letterman, O’Brien, and Leno have all been paying their staff out of their own pockets until the end of the year. On January 2nd 2007, they will be coming back to your television but without the writing staff. The first late night show to come back early was Carson Daly’s on December 3rd 2007 and The Colbert Show followed shortly after. Many of the WGA accused the Comedy Central and NBC of forcing their talk show hosts to come back. However, all of them have agreed to come back in January for the fear of their staffs facing lay-offs.

Actors have also been present at the picket lines to support the writers. They, too, are unemployed without a show or film to start in but certain actors weren’t afraid to show their support. Many

Left: Scrubs, My Name is Earl, Grey’s Anatomy, Back to you, Everybody Hates Chris, House, 24, 30 Rock, and The Simpson have been directly affected by the strike as well as early returners The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Conan Obrian, The Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonite Show with Jay Leno

brought doughnuts among other treats to the picket lines throughout this difficult period.

There has been presidential candidate support as well but a few chose to not take sides because it is a huge economical factor for the nation.

However, some are willing to be mediators if they are needed. There have also not been many presidential candidacy interviews because of news networks such as CBS News going on strike starting around the same time as the WGA strike. Presidential candidates do not dare cross the picket lines.

A friend has just moved out to LA in hopes of becoming a writer but as expected, it’s been harder than usual to make it out there.

Production companies have stockpiled scripts to prepare themselves for a strike of at least 3 months and the hiring has been slower than ever. Yet, even as a young newcomer and with great hopes to be employed, he supports the WGA because of what they stand for. He sums up his reasoning in one sentence: “It’s like if someone invents a great machine that cures diseases but only the marketer who showed it to medical companies get all of the cash from when they keep purchasing the device and the inventor only gets a one time check.”

Lastly, if the WGA is successful and receive what they ask for in their contracts, then this is the stepping stone for other unions to also go on strike in order to get what they need. The entire industry may be going on strike one at a time and they will most likely overlap if this does occur.

Worth

Everyone has a job that they are responsible for and they are and always should be given credit for it. The WGA is requesting that they not only receive their acknowledgement with justified compensation but they also want to prevent this cycle of abuse. Even if they do get each proposal passed and doubled, they would still not make as much money as just one of the CEOs from the AMPTP.

So far, there are a lot of battle wounds from this year’s strike.

However, in the end, these people who are fighting are the ones bringing you your entertainment. You may be mad now because your favorite TV shows have been re-runs or because they are unable to show finales but these writers are fighting to get acknowledged for the importance of their creativity.

Do you support the WGA? Are you still mad that your TV schedule is messed up? Are you going to be able to survive another week without Grey’s Anatomy? Think of all the memories and associations you make with TV and film; pop culture in general. These are the creations of the writers that are struggling to get what they only deserve.

The studio heads are very important in this industry with their producers and directors. There is an abundance of talent. A single director can make a film great and a team of producers may crank out the best show yet, but without the writers there would be no show or film.

By; Seraphina Lotkhamnga

FREE

19~5~24

BL IS

HI

NG

SHERE Entertainment presents:

BL UE

LA BE L

PU

HIP HOP MENS MAGAZINE

February 2008 Volume 1, Issue 1

R

COVE

VE

DJ DRAMA

JOINS SOME OF DETROIT’S HOTTEST ONLINE MODELS

IN

G

USI L C X E

SO

ON

LOUISE

CO M

THE MIx TAPE KING AND #1 APHILLIATE SITS DOWN FOR AN ExCLUSIVE INTERVIEW.

NAS

G

WITH A CONTROVERSIAL NEW ALBUM, CAN THE LYRICAL HEAVWEIGHT STAY RELEVENT IN A ERA OF DUMBED DOWN RAP?

BE

L

PU

BL

IS H

IN

FREEZE LA

SHERE ENTERTAINMENT’S CEO

BL

UE

TALKS ABOUTS THE ALBUM, THE HUSTLE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSIFACATION.

ALSO INSIDE: LAUREN LONDON LIL’ KIM KATT WILLIAMS TRUTH RAINES MAXX PAIN SOLDIER BOY EVA MENDEZ ROXIE and much more!!!

Indie Music: The Indefinable Term Sound, genre or a way of life?

Today, it’s not surprising to have a person in their twenties and on down tell you, “Oh. Well, I don’t listen to anything on the radio.” Usually when someone says this, you can assume that this person listens to mostly indie music. “Indie,” the short term for its original term “independent,” in reference to record labels, is what you listen to if you’re a cool hipster these days.(If you don’t know what a hipster is, then you will be completely lost on the rest of this article… or maybe you are one and just won’t admit it.)

However, today the term “indie” is often too confusing to be used as a description.

Is it because the term is misused? Or is it because the term is merely too broad nowadays? If you ask people with any musical knowledge what exactly “indie” means, I can assure you that you will get different answers from everyone. The answers you receive will frequently fall into these three categories: Sound, genre, and aesthetic/philosophy.

Indie Is This Sound There are both music fans and artists who argue that indie is the sound produced by artists. So what does that mean? Well to the majority of listeners who are just beginning to tune into hip music will just give you artists such as Broken Social Scene, The Arcade Fire, Yo La Tengo, ClapYour Hands Say Yeah and The Decemberists. These listeners will tell you that indie is the sound that these types of bands create. The sound is unique, fresh but most of all upcoming with an artful edge. Can we take this to be the true definition of indie?

Some believe that it is the way the artists use their instruments. Guitars aren’t just used for power chords or riffs. Instead they serve for the purpose of texture within the musical layers of a song. Some believe it is how the artists choose to use technology.

Many indie artists are now associated with

the lo-fi technique, in which the production of music sounds somewhat home-made by using cassette tape recorders. Lo-fi production is mostly used because of the artist’s lack of finance.

support in the right way, and this is often linked to how indie artists works with integrity.

A large amount of music fans will also inform you that indie music is underground, meaning it is undiscovered.

It can be considered cool to listen to indie music because not many others are aware of these bands or artists’ existences yet. These people will tell you that indie music is the newest music you will find.

Sometimes, these bands will gain a cult following, but they will definitely not gain nor want commercial success.

Indie music listeners will often unite with their artists’ aesthetics or philosophies. To make indie music is to make music that represents what they stand for. The artists are writing music for themselves not for radio play. This is a main justification for indie artists choosing not to sign with major labels. Not all artists who sign with a major label will be successful with listeners, so why comply with all their rules when artists can do what they want to do in their own terms?

Indie Is Working With an Independent Label Since the term, “indie,” derives from “independent,” there are many music lovers who strictly define indie by what type of label the artist works with. An independent record label is purely a record label that functions without the association to or finance from a major record label. So, can we limit the definition of indie music by its label? Is indie music just a genre because of its label?

Artists who choose to work with independent labels tend to do so because they feel that they get more control, actually, in this case - freedom, over their creativity. Independent labels cannot offer the artists enough money in the first place, so the artists are paying for career aspects such as recording, touring, and publishing out of their own pockets. However, because they are paying for all of this, they are also entitled to make each and every one of these business decisions their own.

Artists who fear of being a sell-out if they do gain commercial success often use independent labels as somewhat of a security blanket for their reputation (Although some fans may have other thoughts). Major labels often have more control over the creativity and what is being published, but most of all they also have some control over how the label can profit from the artists’ music. Artists who sign with independent labels feel they have

Indie Is A Way of Life

Indie artists tend to join together with the Do It Yourself (DIY) ethic which originates from the punk aesthetic. DIY refers to being self-reliant without the help of others (which you usually get from others by paying for it). Indie music is linked to the DIY ethic because of its importance of individualism and rebellion which stemmed from punk ideology.

Indie music can be also be a way of life because the artists aren’t creating or making profits for “the man.” As previously mentioned, integrity is a huge factor in what some people defines as indie. Most people will say indie is anything that is not mainstream. These artists do not care if everyone hates their music. Indie music is the music for the rebels, the radicals, and the revolutionary.

So Indie Is…?

Each of the three categories intertwines with each other in many aspects but is also their own world in what justifies what indie music is. Perhaps the older generation may argue that indie is a way of life whereas the younger may argue that it is a sound that has evolved into a genre. Don’t agree or still undecided? Well, it’s hard to take sides.

Similar to the chicken-egg situation, it’s a cycle that constantly involves evolution.

None of those three categories can clearly define indie music today.

The sound of indie music is not just The Arcade Fire or Broken Social Scene. There is also indie hip-hop, indie pop, indie rock, indie folk, indie electronica and much more.

So forget about the indie stereotype without rappers or pop stars. The sound of indie is not consistent because any genre can start out as indie. Therefore, indie cannot be a clear nor objective genre because there are too many sub-genres within it.

Also, just because an artist or band is undiscovered and unsigned, that factor does not necessarily make them indie. There are plenty of artists making mainstream music with the help of an independent label. Mainstream labels that support indie artists such as Feist, The Fratellis, and The Pipettes. A label cannot define indie because there are many independent labels that work with the help of major labels today, such as Cherrytree Records and Interscope Records.

Moreover, only some indie artists are loyal to the DIY ethic of music. Some artists who are labeled as indie are only so because they have not landed a major record deal.

Much of indie music includes artists who have hopes in becoming mainstream. They might be considered sell-outs once they do gain commercial success, but if they are doing what they choose to do; aren’t they still indie?

Some artists are willing to accept the support and help from a major record label. Does this make them mainstream even though they are still producing indie sounding music? Major labels can actually provide the money for tours, which ultimately help their fan base grow.

These major labels have done a decent job with principles that work for artists.

Furthermore, major label artists can have the same amount of fans as any indie label artist may have and vise versa. It all depends on the fans.

In the end, indie or mainstream, indie music is still a business and unfortunately some indie artists are hindering themselves by rebelling against major record labels.

Whether they are indie or major label record deals, there are good and bad deals.

In due course, artists, indie or major label that do well, will take advantage of a good record deal according to their own standards.

Wikipedia defines indie as short for independent, references to artistic creations, outside the support of commercial mainstream, or without the support of a major label. Again, the term indie here is very broad. If I were forced to define indie (I wouldn’t choose to because I’m sure my opinion doesn’t matter), I would say indie music is: Music with a new sound in any genre.

The term indie music will always change because what’s new will eventually become old. Hence, you will always be arguing with a fellow music lover what it is until the day you die. That is, if you choose to argue about it. You can be a bigot about it (watch out for those hipsters) or you can just take it for what it is: A broad term to group particular similarities in music.

By:Seraphina Lotkhamnga

WE’VE EVOLVED....

HAVE YOU? 1314 Broadway, Downtown Detroit

DEE’S KEYS

BY Sylvia

Deon Keys life was charmed from the beginning.

His father was a small business man in Downtown Detroit his mother a pediatric nurse. Deon had everything that a young boy could ever dream of having especially a young African American male living in an Urban city like Detroit in the early 80’s. He went to private schools all of his life and excelled as both an athlete and a scholar.

By the time he graduated from High school, he was slated to be one of Detroit’s most eligible African American bachelors. He studied Business management at Wayne State University and graduated at the top of his class.

He was following in the footsteps of his father, Deon Keys senior who owned a small recording studio that did well but Deon had higher expectations for the company. He admired the man that his father was but felt that his father had settled for the mediocre status of middle class. Deon aspired to turn the small recording studio into a conglomeration of companies branching off into producing in hopes of owning his own record label one day. He knew that the only way to achieve this goal was to work hard, remain focused, with No Distractions! And to him, distractions meant wife kids and car pool. Now don’t get me wrong, Deon loved his parents for they provided him with a childhood filled with love and affection and he was spoiled beyond belief, but he also knew that his father could have been so much further along with his business if he had more time to devote to cultivating It. By the time he graduated in 2003 from Wayne State University, Deon had devised a dynamic business plan that set the stage for all of his dreams to come into fruition. He was going to put Mo-town back on the map! Now don’t get me wrong, Deon is not just all work and no play he just likes to keep It real. He is honest and up front about his feelings which is why he keeps so many of the women in his life as friends. They on the other hand have one goal in mind; unlocking the key to his heart... Sharay Deon met Sharay at the ‘Black Expo’ in Cobo Hall in late October. Her company was S&G Beauty, a small cosmetic company that

Sharay was natural beauty in itself. She was the perfect shade of caramel with not a flaw to the texture of her skin. With deep set eyes that were chestnut brown and dimples so deep, you could set a cherry in them she sent him a smile from across the room that lured him over to her booth. She was wearing a caramel colored business suit that was tailored to fit her athletic type body. At five feet six inches she appeared to be five nine in her three inch heels that accentuated her perfectly sculpted legs. She wore her hair pulled back in a tight bun which added the look of sophistication to her beautiful face. He placed her at around 28 years old but later found out that she was only 25. He attributed the mistake in age to her style of dress and the way that her hair was combed.

“Hello, my name is Deon, Deon Keys with “Key to the Underground INC.” “Pleased to meet you Deon, I’m Shary Evans, S&G Beauty” “And what does the G stand for?”

“Glamorous, of course.” She said with a smile.

They talked for a while about their businesses, educational background and some of the places that they had traveled to and exchanged numbers. By the time the conver

sation had ended the Expo was coming to an end and they decided to meet at Floods for drinks and to get to know each other a little better. Sharay had sized him up during their conversation and had already assessed him to be marriage material. He was articulate, well groomed, successful and fine as top of the line wine! Deon was every bit of six feet six with dark brown skin and a bald head. He was dressed in a dark blue double breasted suit with a blue and gold tie. His teeth were perfectly straight and made his full lips look even more delicious when he smiled. She knew that automatically assessing a guy as husband material was a bad habit of hers but she couldn’t help It. Ever since she was a little girl, her grandmother would say “If you can’t see a guy as a husband, don’t waist your time with him as a friend.” She believed in this old saying because she had seen all too many times, women dealing with no good guys for sex, only to fall in love with them and be trapped in a marriage without the security of a financially or intellectually mutual relationship.

When they got to Floods, they discussed the Expo and shared with each other stories of how they networked possible future investments. He told her how he wanted to buy a few record stores apartment buildings and condos in order to raise money for his label. Stretch Money’s ‘It takes money to make money was his motto. They decided to stop the shop talk and get to know each other a little better.

“So tell me a little about yourself Sharay.”

“Well, aside from working hard to make my company a success, there isn’t much to tell. I’ve never been married, I don’t have any kids and I rarely get out to date. I mostly unwind by reading a book or listening to music in the evening when I get home.”

Mistake number two. She told him just what he wanted to hear, she was lonely and easily accessible. She started to make up something more exciting but instead found herself asking him the same question that he had asked her. “What about you? Tell me about Deon.”

“Deon? I’m very focused on my career. The goals that I have set for myself are finally starting to go in the direction that I want them to go so now I’m at the point in my life where I can relax a little from time to time and have some fun.”

“What do you like to do for fun?”

“I’m having fun right now. I like the company of beautiful women such as yourself.

But I’m not looking for anything serious. Right now, I’m at a point in my life where I can’t have any complications. I am only interested in relationships with no strings and no drama attached, you feeling me?”

“Yea, I feel you. I’m not looking for anything serious either.” Mistake number three. ‘Alright Sharay keep It up you’re going for a record.’ She thought to herself. She knew that she should have ended the conversation right there, told him that she was tired and would be in contact with him some time and walked away, but the vibes that she was feeling was too strong. Deon had this ere about him that made her want to get to know him better.

Mistake number two. She told him just what he wanted to hear, she was lonely and easily accessible.

of relationships and ‘no strings attached,’ but she just didn’t know who she was dealing with.

After two glasses of wine and a few laughs, they decided to call It a night. They agreed to meet at ‘Mr. Nicks,’ a club that catered to a mature crowd but partied hard like the younger crowd just the same, on Saturday night. Deon wanted to see how she moved. He read in the Autobiography of Malcom X, that you could tell a lot about the way a woman is in the bed by the way she danced and he found that to be somewhat true. He walked her to her Lexus and shook her hand before she got into her car.

Her hands were soft, as he had imagined her whole body to be. He offered to follow her home since she had two glasses of wine to make sure that she made It safely there but she declined the offer. She thought that was very thoughtful of him and made a men-

tal note of the gesture of consideration that he had shown her by the offer. He on the other hand was just testing her to see if she would allow him to follow her home and invite him in for something more. The fact that she didn’t showed him that she was a pretty decent lady and worth a date or two before hitting the sheets.

When she got home, she called him just as he asked to let him know that she had made It safely home. He thanked her for calling and said that he was glad that she made It safely home. He didn’t hold a lengthy conversation though, much to her dismay. For some reason, she wanted to extend the conversation that they were having earlier but Deon had other plans so he told her that he’d be in touch before the weekend. Sharay fell asleep thinking about him and the conversation that they had earlier and he fell asleep beside Renita, a bed buddy of his that was ready willing and waiting all the time.

By the time Saturday rolled around, they had talked on the phone several times. The conversation of relationships with or without strings did not come up in any of these conversations. Sharay wanted to stay away from that topic until a later time. She wanted to give him time to ‘fall for her,’ before broaching that subject again. She wore an all black tight fitted dress to the club with black silk stockings and patten leather stilettos. She wore her hair in a long pony tail which made her look more of her 25 years of age. They met outside the club and walked in together. Mr. Nick’s was jumping too! J Holiday’s ‘Wanna Take you to Bed’ was playing when they walked in and they wasted no time getting to the dance floor. Without a drink to warm her up she danced like a Genie in a bottle turning him on as she rotated her hips to the rhythm of the music while looking him seductively in the eyes. The next song had a more up beat tempo and she really started showing him some moves. They were having a ball!

Deon was surprised at just how much fun he was having with her but he kept telling himself to remain focused. She was not the only woman that he had come across that was both interesting and fun to be with, she was just the one that he was with at the moment. He knew that he had his pick of the creme de le creme of women in Detroit so he never sweated any of them. Every know and then though, he came across one that he

felt a little something more for than the others but he never let them know It. That would complicate things too much for him.

With those women, he set up a time limit.

Three months max. Have a few laughs, hit the sheets a few times and end It. Cold and fast! That way his heart would not get in the way of his agenda.

They closed the club out then went to have breakfast at an all night Denny’s on Gratiot, not too far from where Sharay lived.

They laughed and talked until about four in the morning. Finally he told her that he had to leave before he started thinking about doing something that he knew she wasn’t ready for. She agreed on that note that It was time for her to be going home before she made up in her mind that she wouldn’t object.

Sharay couldn’t sleep at all that night.

Thoughts of she and Deon, dirty dancing on the dance floor while staring each other down kept her up all night. Finally at about five thirty in the morning she went to her dresser, opened the top drawer and took out her faithful friend ‘Peter’ the vibrating rabbit and allowed the fantasy of Deon making wild passionate love to her along with the soft hum and tingling sensation of ‘Peter’ rock her into a deep peaceful sleep. At about ten in the morning, she was awakened by the loud ringing of her telephone. She rose to answer It and was tickled by the sound of two familiar voices on the line.

“So did you get nasty?” The two voices rang in unison. “Did you get the mushroom or was It just a little spaghetti?”

“You two need to get a life!” She laughed at her two girls Vicky and Shawn. They worked for her but were long time friends that she felt comfortable sharing the most intimate details of her life with.

“Details, Details, Details!” Vicky shouted with anticipation. It wasn’t often that Sharay took the time out to have some fun with a man so when she did they made her share all of the details with them.

“Ok Ok, It was soooo....soooo...so good. I can’t even talk about It” She joked “That good? Dayum, girl, what you say his name is?”

“Peter. Peter Peter the coochie beater.”

“Girl, she talking bout that damn Rabbit.”

Shawn said “Will you get man to give you some before your stuff turns into a flash light.” Vicky

teased. They were teasing her but they wanted the best for her. Shawn was married and Vicky in a long term relationship. They wanted her to find someone that she enjoyed being with and have the same type of love that they both had.

“It takes time ladies, I couldn’t just give It up on the first date!”

“But I bet you wanted to.” Vicky said “Damn skippy I did!” Sharay laughed and went on to tell them about her night. She told them how they danced while staring each other down then ending up at Denny’s for breakfast.

“Wait a minute. You said you went to the club, then to Denny’s?” Vicky asked.

“Yea?” Sharay answered.

“Well that makes two dates girl, you could have gave him some after that!” They all laughed. Vicky was the most outspoken and most confident with her sexuality of the group. She is the one who turned Sharay on to the rabbit. She told her that she couldn’t work for anyone with all that pent up aggression so she gave her a little gift to get It out when times got to stressful.

The gift set in her top drawer for months before she finally used It. But It was like eating Pringle potato chips, once you start, you can’t stop. Sharay had been using It faithfully ever since. She even gave It a name to make It more personal to her.

They ended the conversation with ‘I love you girl’s’ and ‘see you at work on Monday.’

Sharay took a shower and fixed herself some breakfast when the phone rang again. This time It was Deon.

“What’s up cutie?” He asked.

“You handsome.” She flirted back.

“I was just thinking, if you aren’t doing anything later, maybe we could grab a bite to eat.”

“That sounds cool to me.”

“You ever been to Sweet Georgia Brown’s down by the Greek town?”

“No, but I heard its nice.”

“Alright then, how does seven o’clock sound?”

“Works for me.”

They hung up the phone and although It was still early, she ran to her closet to pick out something to wear. She was so excited, she forgot all about his ‘no strings attached agenda.’ She called her girls back to give them the 411 on her date and they gave Deon kudos for asking her out again

so quickly. Shawn told her to be careful and Vicky said ‘to hell with careful, girl, have some fun!’ Sharay took both of their advice to heart and at 7:00 she was parked across the street from Sweet Georgia Brown’s looking good enough to be served as the main course with no room left for desert. She spotted Deon getting out of his car and waved him over to her. He walked over to her car and opened the door for her, when she stepped out, showing those long sexy legs of hers, he knew that the evening was off to a good start.

The mood in the restaurant was romantic.

They had a live jazz band playing soft music and the lighting was perfect for the candle lit table arrangements. Once they were seated, they ordered a bottle Roset` Mo. They couldn’t take their eyes off of one another. The attraction was defiantly there. They talked more about their pasts, relationships family and friends and the conversation flowed freely throughout dinner. By the time dinner was over, they both realized that they were not ready to call It a night. She invited him to follow her home and he gladly accepted the offer.

Sharay knew that inviting him over so soon was a huge mistake because she was much too physically vulnerable to be inviting a man over to her house without the possibility of sex in the picture. Deon; however, was so damn fine and they seemed to click so well that It only seemed natural to end the evening in his arms. She didn’t plan on sleeping with him though, she just wanted to feel his arms around her and the softness of his lips.

Her condo was perfect for a single woman.

It was in Macomb County, a small suburb just outside of Detroit. She had good taste he thought. Pictures of African American Heros hung on her walls, framed to match the color of her couch and chairs. She had battery operated scented candles burning so her house smelled like something baking on Christmas morning. She went to change into something more comfortable and chose a loose fitting pair of sweats and a wife beater. She looked good enough to eat. She offered him a drink but he declined saying, “If I have one more drink little red riding hood, you won’t be safe in this forest with me.” She laughed. He was always joking which made her all the more attracted to me.

“Oh grandma, save me from the big bad

wolf!” She joked back He came a little closer and took her in his arms. “I’ll save you.” He said looking her in the eyes.

“You’ll save me?” She asked as she parted her lips seductively. He kissed her softly on the lips caressing the small of her back as she held on tightly to his muscular shoulders. She almost felt dizzy by the kiss It was so powerful. He led her to the couch and set down, pulling her on his lap. They kissed for a good thirty minutes, exploring each other’s mouths, necks, ears and face with their tongue and lips. Sharay was so damned horny that before she knew It she had her hand down Deon pants, exploring his manhood and was pleased to find out that not only was the brotha fine but he was packing as well! As he grew swollen from her touch they both mentally and verbally discussed that they were both adults and whatever happened they would still respect one another afterwards. That was all Sharay needed to hear. She led him to her bedroom and they spent the rest of the evening making love to the sound of soft music on her CD player. When they finished making love, they kissed some more, then fell asleep in each other’s arms. At about two thirty, Deon announced that It was time for him to be leaving. He said that he had to be at work early and needed to get home so that he wouldn’t be late. ‘Wasn’t he the boss?’ She thought but decided not to ruin the evening with nagging. It was too early in the game for all of that so she just kissed him once more and walked him to the door before saying goodbye. He promised to call the next day and she went back to bed to dream about their beautiful evening together.

She arose for work a little later than usual but that didn’t matter, she owned the company, which is why she was so puzzled

by Deon’s urgency to leave last night. He did say that he was very focused though so that explained why he may not want to be late. She took a long hot shower, pulled her hair back into her bun, threw on a grey two piece suit with a black silk blouse black shoes and purse grabbed her coat and was out of the door in less than an hour.

Sharay cleaned up nicely. She stopped at Starbucks to grab a cup of cappuccino and a bagel and headed to her office.

When she got there, Vicky and Shawn were already working on their latest project.

Eye shadow’s for the Winter. They were listening to Steve Harvey on FM 92.3 talking about men and how they valued women in a relationship. Steve was telling a woman that the man she was dealing with didn’t want anything from her but sex and not to waste her time. He told her that she was the prize and if he didn’t recognize that then It was his fault. He also told her that she gave It up too fast and next time to take her time and let the man get to know her better before giving herself to him. ‘Ouch!’ Sharay thought. She hoped that advice didn’t ring true for what happened last night. Steve Harvey’s words stuck with her all day as she waited for her phone to ring with a call from Deon, but It didn’t.

Vicky and Shawn asked about her date and she told them all the juicy details of her evening. She also confided in them her concern over him leaving so early in the morning. Shawn told her that she was reading too much into things and to just relax and go with the flow but Vicky told her to follow her instincts, have some fun but not to allow her feelings to become involved with this man. “He sounds like a true player to me girlfriend so be careful!”

Sharay wished that she had kept the details of last night a secret. At least until she knew for sure Deon’s intentions, but hadn’t he already expressed them to her? She still hoped that in time he would want something more. By the end of the day, she was feeling a little down about him calling but she was still optimistic about later on. ‘Maybe he’s just waiting for me to get home to call me.’ She thought. But he didn’t. By nine thirty that evening, she was relaxing in a hot tub, resting her head on her bath pillow while sipping on a glass of wine. Time seemed to creep by at an alarmingly slow pace. She wanted so badly for the phone to ring but It didn’t. She went to bed at about eleven with the phone right next to her in hopes that Deon would call to wish her a good night but he never did.

She fell into a fitful sleep, tossing and turning and cursing herself for having slept with him.

She awakened to the sound of the phone ringing at about seven thirty in the morning. It was him! She answered trying not to sound too eager to hear his voice.

“Good morning pretty lady. What’s up?”

She wanted so badly to say, ‘you not calling me yesterday is what’s up!’ but she

didn’t. Instead she replied. “Same old stuff, on a different day, what about you?”

“The same. So how was your day yesterday?”

He asked sounding cheerful. She wanted so bad to cut into him for not calling her all day yesterday after making love to her the night before but her pride just wouldn’t allow her to sound so petty.

“It was cool. We got a lot accomplished and we’re all set for the holiday season’s eye makeup.”

“That’s good, I like to see a woman making moves. I was pretty busy myself yesterday which is why I didn’t call. When I got home last night I crashed. Girl, you wore me out the other night!”

That explained his not calling and she relaxed. Her mood instantly changed and she talked with him for a few more minutes on the phone before saying that she had to be at a nine o’clock meeting that morning. She told him that she’d call him later and they hung up. She kicked herself for being so insecure about him not calling her. Hell, they were both busy people and she told herself that from now on she would not get stressed out about him not calling. They agreed to go out again on Saturday. Dinner and a movie. She looked forward to seeing him again. They spoke frequently over the next couple of days talking sexy on the phone until the wee hours of the morning.

The fact that they continued to get interrupted by his busy phone line didn’t bother her in the least. She knew that he was a single man and must have women throwing themselves at him because he was so damned fine.

On Saturday, he picked her up for the movie at around six o’clock and they went to the Summit for dinner afterwards. She was impressed by his taste in restaurants and allowed herself to be swept away by being wined and dined by such a handsome man.

They didn’t end up in bed that night but over the course of the next three months they slept together frequently. She was falling fast for him and decided that It was time for ‘the talk.’

One evening while she relaxed at his place in one of his long tee shirts she asked, “So what do I mean to you?”

“What do you mean, what do you mean to me?”

“You know, how do you feel about me?”

“I feel that you’re a fun person to be around, I enjoy having sex with you and we have a lot of good conversations.”

“So where do you think this is going?”

“Look Sharay, I told you in the beginning that I am not looking for a commitment with anyone at the present time. I’m just having fun, hanging out and working hard that’s all!” The tone in his voice was definite.

“Well, what if I don’t just want to just hang out?”

“Well, I can’t help that. You knew how I felt from the beginning and I haven’t changed my mind. If you can’t handle that then I’ll respect you for not wanting to waste your time.”

Sharay thought about his words for a few minutes before speaking again. “I really like you Deon. I enjoy every moment that we spend together and I think about you all the time when we are apart. I however; cannot just allow my feelings to grow stronger for a person who has no intentions for a future with me.”

“So what are you saying.”

“I’m saying, I can’t do this anymore. I can’t pretend that this is something that it’s not because my feelings are growing stronger each day and I can see myself getting hurt by all of this.”

“Well like I said before baby, all I can do is respect that. If you want to remain friends that’s cool with me but if you choose never to speak with me again, I’ll understand that too.”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing!

How could this man that she shared herself with so frequently sound so cold and heartless? She knew what she had to do. She had to take the advice of Steve Harvey. The advice that he gave that woman that day on the radio. The day after she had first made love to Deon, and just walk away. She got dressed, kissed him long and soft on the lips, looked at him with tearful eyes and said “I’m sorry you feel this way, goodbye Deon.” She quickly left before changing her mind and agreeing to stay in this relationship with no future. Deon felt a twinge in the pit of his stomach but he knew that It wouldn’t take long for It to go away. Sharay was cool people and she was the bomb in bed but he knew that he must stay focused to achieve his goals.

Sharay took a few days off of work. She knew that her girls were holding It down at the business so she decided to stay home, turn her ringer off drink wine and watch Lifetime. She cried as

she watched an endless number of love stories ranging from women with cheating husbands to women who were abused. She wanted to focus on someone else’s pain and not her own. She thought about the past few months with Deon and kept reminding herself to keep It together but she knew that the only way to let him go was to allow herself to grieve him naturally. On the third day she stood in the shower crying as the water streamed down her face. She let out a few ‘Damn you Deon’s’ then told herself to get a grip. She vowed to be stronger when the next man came into her life but she knew that would be a while because It was going to take a while to get over him. She had actually fell in love.

Deon went back to business as usual. Sure, he thought about Sharay from time to time but he was rather relieved that she ended It and not him. She was such a nice lady that he was dreading to severe the relationship with her.

It had been three months and he was trying to figure out a way of letting her go without hurting her feelings too much but It was so hard to do because she gave him no reason to end It. Usually a woman did something to turn him off or said something stupid and he used that as a way of ending It. Sharay however, let him off the hook.

He stopped at a news stand downtown to pick up a paper and when he reached for the last copy of the Free Press he noticed another hand grabbing the opposite end of the paper.

“Looks like we have to share this one over coffee.” He said, looking the Dark skinned sister up and down. It was cold outside and she had on a black full length mink coat with a mink hat to match. She was wearing black leather boots and must have had on a dress because the boots were all that he could see below the bottom of her coat.

“I really don’t have time for coffee, but if you would allow me to buy this paper, I’d greatly appreciate It, I have to check the morning’s numbers.” She said “The lottery numbers?” He asked puzzled. She didn’t appear to be a woman looking to find out whether she hit the three digit or not.

She laughed. “That’s cute. But I mean the Dow Jones.”

“Oh, well in that case, handle your business baby.

Allow me.”

“Baby?” She asked in a condescending tone. “That’s Ok dear” she sarcastically replied back. “I got this.”

He extended his hand. “The name is Deon, Deon Keys.”

He said “That’s nice.” She replied then paid for her paper and walked away without looking back. He stood there dumbfounded as she walked away without looking back and disappeared into the crowded streets of Downtown Detroit. He stood there thinking ‘I’m scared of you baby, I’m scared.’

BOMBSHELL

BEAUTIFUL, SEDUCTIVE AND SEXY

MZ. THONG

Where are you from?

Originally Thailand..now in London Canada.

How often do you get to Detroit?

2-4 times a month How would you describe the modeling/fashion scene here in Detroit compared to other places you’ve been?

In Toronto.. Import modeling is very big..Asian, fake boobs and lingerie will do it for them there! Then New York.. they want more of a standard model for high fashion (tall and equipped for the runway).. Detroit is more allowing of urban models where you don’t have to look like Americas Next Top Model..but then again compared to New York..the modeling scene is not as “serious”..so the standards are not as high.

How are some of the people you’ve worked with and what do you have coming next?

There has been some good and some bad...alot of people try to say they can do a lot for you.. so those are the people you have to watch out for.. a lot of scammers out there!

Next up...I’m preparing for new

SEDUCTIVE

BEAUTIFUL

5.Are you single?

Yes! 6.You are obviously very beautiful, do you ever sense that men are intimidated by your looks?

I don’t really sense it until someone tells me..like the other day..I had a dude out of nowhere come up to me at work and ask me out then tell me he’s been trying to work up the nerve to talk to me for 9 months. I don’t feel like I intimidate people at all.

7.Instead of you telling us what a man needs to do to peak your interest, tell us what he definitely should NOT do.

Well being too aggressive is not attractive at all..it could end up looking desperate...and when I know I could have a man like that with no challenge..its a bit of a turn off!

8.Where can our readers see more of your work?

For now www.myspace.com/rattanaworld will give you all the update and personal info you want...until the launch of my site!

9. Thank’s for your time but before we go I gotta ask how you came up with the name Mz Thong?

That’s my last name.pretty boring answer, so here’s a better one. I love to strangle and choke men with my thong...hahaha so much fun!

With Downtown Detroit hosting everything from All Star and Super Bowl Games to the Jazz Festival, your upscale needs can be met here at Clark Lofts at 35 W Grand River! Only 5 minutes walking distance from the city’s greatest events.

For Leasing Info Call 313-995-5908 www.clarklofts.com

Amy, Lilly & Joss: The New British Invasion?

By: Theraisa K

“The British Invasion” (the term itself) was originally coined by the media and consumers dating back to 1964. The term refers to the impact of musical artists from the United Kingdom [UK], crossing the pond, and infiltrating the American way of life in the late 1960’s from music to fashion and beyond.

Dusty Springfield (left) was by far one of the biggest female solo artists of her day, singles like “Wishin’ And Hopin’” and “Son of a Preacher Man” are still played on the radio today.

An “invasion” by the Oxford Dictionary (and Thesaurus) standards, states it as a: “hostile or harmful intrusion” – Can the “British Invasion” really be called an invasion though? It’s an open ended question for the most part; you can swing both ways depending on how you look at it.

On the one hand the British seemed to have taken over America by storm in the late 1960s, (and again in the 70s with punk as well as the early 80s with music videos thanks to MTV needing more content), with their more pop version of rock and roll music - not to mention their quirky fashion trends. American’s probably weren’t prepared for the onslaught of the British, and reacted / protested accordingly - no doubt the older generations revolted against it, while the younger generations gobbled it up (and likewise tortured the older generations with it!)

invasion, more-or-less an addition to what was already being done at the time - just in a new, more exciting way.

On the other hand, the British didn’t really bring anything “new” with them (in music at least); rock and roll was already a staple form of influential and rebellious music in America. If anything America influenced the British with rock and roll music and they reverberated it back to us in the form of happy-golucky, popular rock and roll – in that regards, it wasn’t necessarily an

The initial “Invasion” (if you will) was said to have begun with legendary solo female artist Dusty Springfield (b. 1939 – d. 1999); a pre-Beatles singer that had great success in major US cities, and whose career spanned nearly four decades. Her first single in 1963, “I Only Want To Be With You,” was played on many radio stations and topped many US charts. Follow-up

The British could never quite capture the true essence of American rock and roll, but brought with them a “fresh” sound, that was rooted not in rhythm & blues or country music (like American RNR), but more or less in jazz, pop, and folk. This fresh sound is what the young music listening market needed at the time, and is probably the only reason why it ever blew up and spawned “manias” and the likes in the first place.

singles like “Wishin’ And Hopin’” and “Son of a Preacher Man” are still played on the radio today.

Springfield was by far one of the biggest female solo artists of her day, though she didn’t read or write her own music (like many of today’s artists) - she did however produce many of her own tracks, and was never rightfully credited for it (due to the fact that at the time, producing was considered a “man’s” job – not a woman’s).

Springfield endured momentary bad luck with record labels, but always seemed to bounce back and survive for a few more years in the industry.

She was also known to be a perfectionist in the studio, recording and re-recording sounds – not an easy task to do with the equipment at that time, but nonetheless, her hard work and perfectionism seemed to pay off (for her at least).

Unfortunately as Springfield became more famous, she began

indulging in drugs and alcohol (not uncommon for the time) and reportedly had a mental health problem known as “cutting” (when you deliberately cut/carve yourself (self-harm)– most common among teenage girls – more info can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Self-harm), which put her in the hospital numerous times. It was also said that she attempted suicide that was also co-related to her mental health problem (perfectionism is also considered an ill form of mental health, and can lead to such acts as self-harm).

roll to psychedelic rock, and were fashion trendsetters – not only that, but they were also highly involved in the upsweep of the cultural revolution of the late 1960s/early ‘70s.

The Beatles had their tough times, just like any act or artist; not getting much radio play in the beginning and it’s even said that a testing of “She Loves You” on a TV show garnished them laughter from teenagers because of their

by British acts like the Sex Pistols, the Clash and even Elvis Costello helped spawn the DIY (do it yourself) revolution of sorts. Punk music, as it’s said, could be played by all – regardless of talent or skill, making it fashionable, popular and accepted among the rebellious youths of America. Teens rebelling against their parents’ and grandparents’ rock and roll music for the most part – every generation goes through it, even today’s!

Dusty passed away in 1999 at the age of 59 after losing an on again off again battle of Breast Cancer, unfortunately she passed away weeks before she was to be inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, likewise she passed away on the day she was to receive her OBE (the Officer’s “Order” in the British order of chivalry (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), established by King George V in 1917). Her legacy, most notefully credited to her “soulful” voice (ie having the voice of a black woman, but being white) and music continues to live on and influence many of today’s artists.

The Beatles on the other hand were most noted for opening the flood gates to America - paving the way for many British acts (as well as revolutions / invasions and styles) to follow from the 1960’s to today.

The Beatles are said to be the bestselling music related act of all time in the USA, and who could argue with that? They’ve sold over one Billion albums worldwide, had ventured in all different styles of music from 1950s styled rock and

“Beatlemania” swept through the nation in the 60’s

hairstyles! It didn’t take much longer for “Beatlemania” to sweep the nation - the band was flocked by thousands of fans, photographers and media personal alike for many years to come all across the world.

After the revolution of the 60s, a new “Invasion” swept through America – Punk. The punk movement of the 1970’s, fronted

By the 1980’s however there was a down trend in UK music interest in American markets. The two superpowers split, the British drifting towards New Wave and Synthpop, while America was content on rebelling Disco (and everything else that came with the “dance craze” of the late 70s/early 80s) and enjoyed the sounds of Soft Rock and Heavy Metal.

Recent years (2000’s) has seen another influx in British acts in America, though not nearly as substantial as what went down in the 1960s. Artists such as Coldplay and James Blunt have had success in the US in recent years, but this new wave of British acts is forefronted mostly by young women.

Natasha Bedingfield, Corinne Bailey Rae, KT Tunstall and more notably: Amy Winehouse, Lilly Allen and Joss Stone among a few.

The latter three young ladies have been dominating the media circuits

Influences (according to her MySpace profile) include: Mos Def, the Shangri Las, and Dinah Washington to name a few.

At only 24 years of age, Amy has already accomplished more than most with a long road ahead of her. She is a two time winner of the Ivor Novello Award, a recent winner of the Best British Female Artist Award (at the BRIT Awards), and has been nominated countless times for videos, singles and album awards.

Winehouse has a bright musical

a throwback to the good ole days of Motown, just updated to reach the appeal of today’s vibrant and youthful music listeners. Like the Beatles and early rock and rollers, Winehouse’s sound isn’t “new” it’s just a breath of fresh air to an intolerably exhausted industry.

Common internet domains: MySpace, SoundClick, IUMA, Napster and so on have helped and hindered many unknown artists from around the world. Websites like MySpace.com have helped catapult numerous acts into the spotlight, Lilly Allen amongst them.

From L to R: The Clash, Elvis Costello, The Sex Pistols, Corrine Bailey Rae, James Blount, KT Tunstall, Cold Play, Natasha Bedingfield

for the better part of the past few years – both in good light and in poor. Whether it’s from winning and being nominated for countless awards, supporting worthy causes, entering and bailing out of rehab, stirring up controversy while bashing everyone in sight, or simply acting a fool; Amy, Lilly & Joss seem to be the new breed of British “invasioneers.”

Amy Winehouse, a jazz influenced Soul/Jazz/R&B/Funk singer, started her music career at a young age.

It is said that she received her first guitar when she was thirteen and by sixteen was singing professionally.

future ahead of her, but like many of today’s artists, Winehouse is another troubled soul cast into the public eye. Her single “Rehab” from her latest album, “Back to Black” was written about not wanting to go into a rehabilitation center after being confronted by her management company. Though later on, she spent a short stint in rehab, but only for a handful of days before bailing out. Rehab, like so many say, is the new Hollywood craze – though like the British music infiltration of the late 60s/70s and even 80s, it’s nothing new.

Winehouse’s music sounds like

Lilly Allen, the daughter of actor Keith Allen, film producer Alison Owen and goddaughter of the late Joe Strummer (of the Clash), is a very opinionated young lady who has graced many hot or not lists on both sides of the ocean (and perhaps around the world). According to her MySpace profile, she has a range of influences from Blondie to T-Rex to rap and beyond. A self-proclaimed (former?) ecstasy dealer, has had her recent ups and downs, having to cancel shows in the US due to an allegedly expired visa relating to an arrest / photographer assault charge (so they say – but don’t believe absolutely everything you read in

the tabloids). Though neither of those reports are anything new, it’s probably more common than we think.

The world is moving too fast for standard traditions and custom relations to keep up with the times. Neither (customs or traditions) can keep up with all these newby artists who pop-up out of the woodwork (then likely disappear just as fast). Artists, like Lilly, who haven’t been well-known the world over for more than the past 5 years, are constantly having to prove that they’re as popular and “well known” as they are - just so they can score a pass card (ie working visa) to tour, record and stay in any one country for an extended period of time.

Attacks on photographers – well, that’s been happening a lot these days and probably has in the past too (rightfully so). Something tells me that those reports are just an easy way for the photographer(s) to score some extra pocket money. C’est la vie [that is life].

Amy and Lily aren’t the only ones at the top of the charts (more than likely at each other’s throats too) in the USA, Joss Stone also has her two cents thrown in. Joss Stone is a blues/R&B/soul singer/songwriter who has sold over 10 million albums, can boast of 2 BRIT Awards and a Grammy, not to mention she’s pretty prominent in joining worthy causes. She’s pretty amazing for someone who is only 20 years of age. Stone’s influences include artists such as Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin, as well, she’s performed with Blondie and Gladys Knight to name a few.

Stone’s last album “Introducing Joss Stone” aided her in entering the Guinness World Records for being the first female artist to turn the video for “Tell Me What We’re Gonna Do Now” into a “Product Red” (making the video buyable through iTunes with sales / profits going to helping women/children in Africa affected by AIDs / HIV through the Product Red organization).

On the flip side, lots of controversy seems to be stalking Stone like an enormous black shadow. Reports of herbeing/sleeping with an older man while being under the legal age (in California at least) has stirred up a lot of talk; as well as trash talking other celebrities, being incoherent and bumbling from the use of (allegedly) “weed” (and whatever else), and trading in her accent for a more Americanized one – these have been but a few sparks in recent years. The future of Joss Stone will

unveil itself soon enough it’s just a matter of waiting it out.

Amy, Lilly and Joss may be mixed in (or fronting) the next and most current “British Invasion,” but it certainly won’t have the magnitude and will probably lack the impact of the first and even second “Invasions.” It doesn’t even really feel like an invasion, yet, as none of these young ladies (as well as gentlemen) have really ignited a fire that’s caused the whole nation to go up in arms over them. Sure they’ve caused a bit of controversy, but in retrospect, it’s not nearly as powerful as lets say John Lennon’s comment about the Beatles being bigger than Jesus - come on, that really got people riled and fired up! I don’t think anyone in history has topped that slip of the tongue yet. There’s probably been a few close calls, but I doubt it amounted to millions of people around the world throwing an artist’s records into a communal fire in protest of a simple comment.

Likewise, I don’t see many people dancing down the street with purple streaked hair and hippie clothes, (at least not on-mass), trying to be “in” with Joss Stone.

Or a wack of young ladies getting tattoos of pin-up girls on their bodies like Amy Winehouse. I don’t really know what Lilly’s brand or mark on the industry is yet, other than her point-blank controversial mouth (at least in the press, if you read her MySpace blogs, you’ll get a totally different perspective of the singer). I’m sure there’s little cliches here and there throughout the planet that regard these young ladies as idols, and try to emulate their every fashion quirk, disorderly conducts, accents and what have you. But, still, it’s nowhere near “Beatlemania” status and probably never will be.

You could hardly call the latest influx of British imports as the next/current “invasion” – all it really is, is just a random increase in British music in American markets (a common trend) – nothing more, nothing less. But, ultimately it will be up to you to decide whether or not these media frenzies, manias, revolutions and so forth

by British infiltration can be referred to as “Invasions.”

I suggest they be called something more along the lines of “reverbs” or “re-FRESH-ments,” seeing as how the music genres pre-existed in America prior to the British arriving on our soil. It’s your call though!

http://www.theraisak.com info@theraisak.com

S

C E P

L L I -

R A I D

A F O Y

T S E

M

C M AD

Frustration lives here. It lies

festering beneath the surface. Behind the over sized shades and under the overexaggerated swagger of its inhabitants it runs ramped. Spend enough time here and you can’t help but feel the hold it has on everyone who moves in this arena.

Welcome to underground Detroit Hip Hop. Unlock sat down with The SpecIllest, to discuss his upcoming record ILL HOP: The Evolution but instead of the usual promotional hype, we got something real...

Frustration.

UNLOCK: So, lets get right to it.

When does the album drop?

Spec: September, Ill Hop the Evolution.

UNLOCK: What can we expect from your album?

Spec: Just Hip Hop, that’s it. Lyricism, concepts... Song’s that say something other than “we in the club” we got this, we got that. I’m making statements.

UNLOCK; Describe your style.

Spec I really can’t describe it. It’s a lot of word play but not so confusing that it will fly over your head.

Middle ground.

UNLOCK: Would you consider yourself Conscious, Gangster...

Pop? Spec: More conscious. Growing up

in Detroit... I’m from the hood and everybody know how shit go in the hood.

But what I spit about goes beyond the hood whereas most rappers don’t go beyond what they know, or try to learn more and really develop into an artist instead of a nigga that just rap.

“I know a couple of artist that feel like they got the “D” on lock like that’s all they need.”

UNLOCK: What do you feel is Detroit’s place in Hip Hop right now?

Spec: Shit’ we don’t place. Ain’t shit really poppin. The artist that do break into it really just become local and are really happy with that shit.

I’m tryin to be international. I’m not saying no names but I know a couple of [artist] that feel like they got the “D” on lock like that’s all they need. I mean I love my city but fuck it, fuck Detroit. You gotta go elsewhere. The music scene is garbage and the ones that are on the radio ain’t sayin nothing.

UNLOCK: What Detroit artists do you respect?

Spec: Besides myself, you got artist like Danny Brown, Slum Village, my homie K-Illa. [artists] that really paid their dues and appreciate Hip Hop and love the music.

UNLOCK: Let’s wrap this up. I gotta say, You made a few very incendiary comments about the city and the state of Hip Hop in the city.

What do you say to the people who are going to undoubtably be offended by your words?

Spec: Fuck it. Love it or leave it.

THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN ACTOR?

I

n just a few short years, Emmy-winning actor, Shia LaBeouf, rose from the energetic adolescent on the popular Disney kids television series, Even Stevens, to the bankable young lead in three box-office, smash hits this year, including, Transformers, Disturbia and the animated tale, Surf’s Up. His quick wit and offbeat charm undoubtedly contributed to his ascendancy, as did his critically lauded performances in the teen features Holes and The Greatest Game Ever Played. All of these factors played a part in LaBeouf going from a child star to the ultimate major film star of 2007. His shear determination, coupled with raw ability and charisma, Shia LaBeouf is propelling himself straight to the top of Hollywood’s young stars.

B

the manic, nerdy counterpart to perfect older sister Ren, on Even Stevens. The series was a success with younger viewers and earned LaBeouf excellent notices, as well as, a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series for the show’s final season in 2003.

L

aBeouf reunited with the Even Stevens cast for a Disney Channel original movie, The Even Stevens Movie, before making the jump to theatrical features, starting with Disney’s adaptation to the young adult book, Holes.

LaBeouf brought both his comic chops and an effortless knack for drama, which allowed him to shine in a cast populated by heavy weights like Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight and Tim Blake Nelson. While filming, Voight gave Shia a book on acting tips and this made him realize that acting could be much more than just a job. Holes earned LaBeouf critical praise, as well as, the inevitable “performer-to-watch” buzz. For his performance in Holes, LaBeouf scored a MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Male Performer. He then went full throttle, auditioning and being cast to play supporting and starring roles in films with outstanding directors and cast, such as, I Robot, The Greatest Game Ever Played, Constantine, Bobby, and the box-office killer and most anticipated movie of 2007, Transformers.

orn Shia Saide LaBeouf on June 11, 1986, in Los Angeles, CA, LaBeouf was raised by his performer parents in the working class neighborhood of Echo Park.

The performing gene was clearly passed down to Shia at birth because he began performing stand up comedy at age 10, delivering “dirty” joke routines at a local club while he was still in grade school; all in a means of helping out his struggling family. Due to his notoriously profane mouth and other reasons, LaBeouf was booted out of every school he attended, but over- compensated with his professional drive to become successful. The acting bug bit harder when LaBeouf saw a friend on an episode of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Women, which was a pivotal moment that strengthened his drive to pursue acting as a means of satisfying both his need to financially help his family and o what’s next for this young, talented, star on the rise? his desire to perform.

Expected theater fillers Indiana Jones 4 and Eagle Eye are due out this year and the exciting sequel to Transformers in 2009. Shia LaBeouf is looking like he is going to be pretty busy over the next few years. At 21 years old, he has ccording to LaBeouf, he landed an agent by simply an impressive resume and successfully striving to make picking one from the Yellow Pages, pretending to be an his list of credentials even longer. If LaBeouf continues adult while raving about an up and coming young talent to make quality films, becoming a household name is named “Shia LaBeouf.” The ruse clearly worked, as he expected of his future. And for a kid who promoted himself was signed by an agency at 12, and began making rounds into stardom, who knows what’s next for Shia LaBeouf. on network programs like The X-Files and Freaks and The possibilities are endless.

Geeks. In 2003, he landed the role of Louis Stevens,

S

A

By: Monique LLoyd

Hip-hop as a whole has just been reinvigorated with the recent sound

scan battle between Kanye West and 50 Cent. Sales were at an all time low, and the hip-hop industry feeling the brunt of it, “microwave records” and cookie-cutter singles have spawned a previously unheard of lack of creativity that has plagued this heralded art form we call hip-hop. With the recent Battle between the two Hip Hop Titians the sells increase drastically giving people a reason to go out to the store and purchase music. With Curtis and Graduation generating enough interest and keep the art form alive, just long enough for another super star to Bloom, “Enter Lazarus.”

The Pakistani emcee, who’s in his early 20’s, has been making a name for his self in the Detroit hip-hop scene for sometime.

From his roots as a battle emcee, winning numerous competitions and elevating to Freestyle Friday champion on radio station 95.5, to crossing over to a mixtape artist, garnering lyricist of the year, artist of the year, and song of the year, “I Stand for the World” nominations at the recent Detroit HipHop awards as well as gaining radio play on FM 98 WJLB, HOT 102.7, WHFR the Zone, Canadian radio stations and ultimately being chosen as one of the three artists featured in the nationally aired Discovery Times documentary The Real 8 Mile, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winner Charlie Leduff , Lazarus has been putting in work, gradually obtaining credibility in the local and international hip-hop scene. Lazarus is also filming a video for his hit single “Let the Game Know” with acclaimed director and visual genius, Anthony Garth.

Controversy sells, but skill, substance, and diversity leads to longevity. Lazarus hunger is evident and his passion is immense, his words hit hard without coming off too preachy for the mainstream to feel his message. Thinking outside of the box and delivering a refreshing, creative, and lyrically driven master piece, Chapter 1: The Prince Who Would be King LP, looks to turn heads. From the album’s inception, listeners will quickly realize this isn’t going to be your ordinary, everyday rap album, as ceremonious horns provide the epic backdrop to an old king passing the throne to its new heir. Reality based tracks such as “Dream “Birth of a Titian” of a Hustler,” chronicling his father’s journey from Pakistan to America By: Maximus and the hardships of attainting the “American Dream,” and “Like a Cigarette Smoke,” portraying his love affair with hip-hop and his dad’s unwillingness to allow him to pursue his dream, establish that he has a story to tell. The brutal narrative “De dia Los Muertos” finds Lazarus flexing his creative muscles, delivering a storytelling ode to Kill Bill, with a sonic narrative following a man’s quest for vengeance. The politically charged “Born to Die” finds Lazarus and Royce Da 5’9 spitting, “Lynch me, put me on the tree and whip, cause I ain’t never gonna be an Uncle Tom ass bitch,” while the controversial, yet worldly, “I Stand for the World” centers on equality for all and attacking Bush’s war on Iraq. Both tracks explore areas of content often forgotten in today’s popular music. The album’s superb production must also be mentioned, with the bulk of it masterfully crafted by Bang on the Table’s own, Alpha-bet, who was himself nominated for a producer of the year award at the recent Detroit Hip-Hop awards.

The crossover ability, outside-the-box thinking, and overall message, will propel the album far beyond local success, finding its way into international and mainstream audiences’ hands. Lazarus is patiently waiting for his day to do battle with the likes of a Kanye West or a 50 Cent because he views them as his only competition.

Lazarus

Destinations Beyond White Castle He’s mostly known for roles in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and National Lampoon’s Van Wilder. To his family and friends, he’s known as Kalpen Modi; the man who decided early on in life that he was going to be on the silver screen. Now with the prestigious The Namesake coming out on DVD this month, he is not only the one of the most famous South Asian actors in Hollywood today but also a producer in the challenging world of film.

That’s right. Not many South Asian actors are a household name but Penn has definitely earned every blessing and the reputation he has gotten. Born Kalpen Suresh Modi, he comes from a family of Indian ancestry. Not unlike most Asian parents, they thought a career in the arts seemed too risky for their son. However, Penn made sure his family knew that he seriously intended on going down the path so many others have tried to take. After being inspired by Mira Nair’s Mississippi Masala, which starred South Asian Americans in non-stereotypical roles, he realized that he could in fact make it in the industry. Penn decided that he wasn’t going to settle for a regular path of employment placement after an education and started going to The Fine and Performing Arts Specialized Learning Center to start sharpening his skills. He later on double majored in Film and Sociology at UCLA. His stage name is now Kal Penn only because he wanted to prove that anglicized names had more of an appeal to a white-dominated industry. It started out as a joke but he soon realized that his audition callbacks rose by 50%. Many of the roles he has been offered and a few that he has actually played typically require Penn to put on an unnecessary thick Indian accent. He has accepted these roles only because the quality or humor of the storyline such as National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj. He is good friends with his co-actor, John Cho, from Harold and Kumar and they both share a similar attitude towards South Asian actors in Hollywood today. In the film, neither of them have stereotypical accents and they’re not an Asian who is only in love with his studies or obsessed with sex. Neither Penn nor Cho were cast as blue collar workers whom have only a few minutes in the entire film. The storyline of Harold and Kumar just happened to be about two guys who were from Indian and Korean descent. Although Penn is grateful for the doors that the roles of “Taj” and “Kumar” have opened for him, he couldn’t be any more different from those characters. He instead relates more to his most recent role, “Gogol,” from Mira Nair’s adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel, The Namesake. Just like his character in Nair’s film, Penn had grown up with difficulties one encounters as a second generation child growing up in America. He is also aware that many of the issues that exist in his character’s life are the same ones he has come across as a struggling actor.

As Penn has built up his resume with supporting roles in both film and television, you can’t help but notice the roles he had been playing. However, Penn was conscious of the fact that he was going to have to make hard choices for aspects of this industry that he wouldn’t be comfortable making. These decisions included issues such as having to go back into a studio to make his accent thicker or deciding if taking a stereotypical role would make him an actor who supported unfair standards that Hollywood has thrown at him. He had told New York Magazine that he had almost not taken the role as a villain in 24 because of the extreme racial profiling but then changed his mind with this justifi

cation: “I think it’s repulsive. But it was the first time I had a chance to blow stuff up and take a family hostage. As an actor, why shouldn’t I have that opportunity? Because I’m brown and I should be scared about the connection between media images and people’s thought processes?” Personal ethics are important to most actors and Penn made sure he took the time to make a wise decision that could affect both his personal and professional life.

As we unfortunately and increasingly see with each day, young actors may have the tendency to get caught up with the glamorous side of Hollywood and forget about their beliefs. So it is not surprising to see that Penn’s personal ethics define his political stance in general as well. Subtly forced on him too often, he has mentioned his beliefs that suggest racism can slowly be eliminated in the industry even by people are just breaking into it. As a producer he believes that if minorities can get involved they can also help change the industry’s perception from within. His website has been known to feature various political and anti-war links.

Not exactly how you imagined “Kumar,” is it? Penn is not only reaching out through his website but in spring 2008, but he will also be serving as a visiting professor of Asian American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Penn had spoken about being an Asian actor in Hollywood during a visit at the University last November and expressed his interest in teaching certain aspects through his experiences.

He will be teaching the courses: “Images of Asian Americans in the Media” and “Contemporary American Teen Films.”

Don’t call him Professor Kumar, because his main concern is not going to be about how he is going to find the nearest White Castle and you can bet that he knows a little bit more than just filming a ridiculous love scene involving a giant bag of marijuana.

It’s safe to say that Penn’s parents made the right choice in supporting his perseverance towards his goal as an actor.

Now as a producer, he has the chance to let others know what stance he is taking in the industry today. Whether it will be more along the lines of the upcoming 2008 sequel Harold and Kumar 2 (which will follow Penn and Cho’s characters to Amsterdam) or on a more serious note such as The Namesake, it’s bound to have credibility to accompany all his achievements.

by Seraphina Lotkhamnga

by Seraphina Lotkhamnga

The Pipettes are bringing the old school vibe back and they are doing it in style.

Who Are Those Polka-dotted Pips?

......... ......... ......... .. ...... .. . ......... ......... ......... .........

They may wag their fingers at you while they claim “your kisses are wasted” but they do it with attitude and appealing sexual aggression. The three ladies (RiotBecki, Gwenno and Rosay) dressed in polka dots from head to toe are The Pipettes and they’re not afraid to tell you that they’re “the prettiest girls you’ve ever met.” Backed by The Cassettes, their four piece male band, they are reminiscent of The Shangri-Las as they wink, nod, and point at you during a performance and bring fresh wit to today’s listeners with the style of the 60’s.

Although they may look like innocent stylish school girls in their coordinated polka dots and bubbly personas, The Pipettes deliver the tongue and cheek essence both on their record, We Are the Pipettes, and to live performances. Looking after their appearances is only part of the concept which includes some feminist beliefs and distinct personalities very much like the Spice Girls had.

RiotBecki, Gwenno, and Rosay can be described as Sexy Librarian Pipette, Desperate Housewife Pipette, and Mod Pipette respectively. These girls are extremely aware of what has gone down in the music realm and it shows in their unique approach to each lyric they write, choreograph and execute on stage. They are a concept that an audience member either love or hate.

Gathering a cult following in the UK shortly after their album release in 2006, the girls and Cassettes were invited to perform at Austin’s SXSW. They received great reception from US audiences after a series of live performances and were then offered a deal to release an album here in the states via Cherrytree Records sans any changes to the UK album. This is a dream come true for US listeners who had merely satisfied their Pipettes obsession for the past year by collecting random mp3s and youtube scraps.

Yes, they can be perceived as a manufactured product similar to early 60’s girl-groups who sing with tight harmonies and synchronized moves, but these girls tell a different story with their lyrics and beats. One is able to learn from their album that they in fact own some riot grrrl records, insist on having one night stands, demand to know what the other sex wants, and had much experience with perplexing lovers who make them wonder why he stays with girls like them. Smart and sexy are the two traits that have always gotten girl-groups by in the music industry but to succeed in today’s fast-paced music world where tastes can change from album to album or single to single, there needs to be a better built foundation underneath all the hair-dos and matching dresses.

Rather than synthesize everything, the three front women already have an upper hand with their mysterious other members who are planted to play behind them for every show. The Cassettes are acknowledged to be four males who play instruments for the ladies but having them in the shadow and obscure puts The Pipettes up on a pedestal where the girls come before the boys in this concept. However, The Cassettes and The Pipettes work together in writing all content. One Pipette may have an outline of what a song may sound like and the other two fill in here and there with stage voices or binding harmonies and the males add onto the concept with instrumental emphasis that enhance whatever clap happy beat the ladies have created.

The polka dots that aesthetically pull the group’s appearance together may be prominent but don’t let the simple and feminine look fool you. They may be girls who refer to schooldays in songs such as “ABC,” using letters and numbers to describe a girl’s frustration with a boy’s naivety outside of school subjects and “Judy,” a tale of the cooler, older and bolder tough girl of all as well as their early UK single, “I Like a Boy In Uniform (School Uniform)” which is more than obvious. Yet, this is not quite the record you are able to listen to with your grandma however much she used to love The Shirelles or The Ronettes. It would be a bit much to assume she would appreciate the Pipettes singing about how they just “want to bump and grind with you here tonight,” how they are not getting their “XTC” or that the title of the song with another pretty melody is “Sex.” The Pipettes have suavely made the move where they took those school day references and written about them with much more gusto and audacity in such a tone that no parent should allow their daughter to use.

The sound and style of production can easily be categorized into more of a lo-fi sector of music. Their live sets may be disguised in all the theatrical aspects but the extraordinary skill The Pipettes possess is that they allow their studio album to equate the sound as if they were performing for you right there on stage, only from your home. However, to add on to their exceptional concept, their music is hard to categorize into a well known genre. It is definitely pop but it is also modern indie. There are hardly any female-singing groups today that tend to use easy going or exciting conversational tones among the melodies and harmonies anymore. Although the lyrics The Pipettes do not match the early 60’s girl-groups, their music is exclusive with their blend of components of harmonies from the past and rhythms from the present similar to later Belle & Sebastian and The Go! Team.

It has helped The Pipettes to be aware that they were a concept even before the songs came along. Having an old school vibe along with a look that unites them in a way similar to past girl-groups but doing it with a style and mind-set from the present has challenged themselves to discover what in fact they can create in such a new and limited notion for today’s listeners. The Pipettes are proof that musicians out of all people are the ones you can depend on to take something from the past and make it fresh and as attractive and charming in the present. Their album claims, “We Are the Pipettes” and they have done an admirable job defining who they exactly are.

Digital Debauchery

: A History of Sex in Video Games

By Kris Moore

gly in s a e r c in e r o m a g in m ideo games are beco t as technology grows. inmen ta r te n e f o m r fo r la u p aled o iv p r 0 6 3 x o -B X e th r fo ” 3 alo September’s release of “Helease in terms of marketing r ie v o m ig b y n a f o t mes a a th g o e id v s A . e d a m it k n ba hype and the amount of edium, they start to pick up continue to grow as a m gs one would expect to see in on all of the naughty thinion, including violence, dirty the movies or on televissex. It should come as no great language and of course, around for ages and manages big surprise; sex has beenf our forms of entertainment. to find its way into all o

V

The Early Years It may seem as if sex in video games is a fairly new concept, being pushed further into the market with the evolution of home consoles’ processing power.

However this is not the case. As early as 1982, sex has been found in video games. Take for example the controversial “Custer’s Revenge,” an early Atari game made by Mystique, a now defunct company that specialized in adult entertainment of the electronic kid.

In “Custer’s Revenge” the player took on the role of General George Armstrong Custer, represented as a crude collection of pixels meant to represent a naked (and fairly excited) man. As Custer the player would need to cross a portion of prairie desert, avoiding various obstacles, in an attempt to reach “Revenge,” an equally crudely rendered Native American woman, who was tied to a cactus. Rough graphics aside, the seemingly rape-centric plot of the game angered woman’s rights groups and eventually Mystique went out of business.

But the business of sex and video games has yet to be ceased.

The void left by Mystique’s brand of inane sex games

was quickly filled by a guy named Larry Laffer, titular star of the “Leisure Suit Larry” series of games.

“Leisure Suit Larry” proved that an adult title could be both fun and popular, as it spawned up to seven different spin-offs and sequels, ushering in Larry as the greasy granddaddy of video game perverts. In the series of games, players would guide Larry on his quest to get laid. Utilizing a point and click interface, the games would allow for a more explorative style of game play.

This allowed for players to try out all sorts of solutions, many of which would lead to hilarious “death” scenes should the player choose wrong. But for the player who chose right, the reward would be slightly more pornographic in style.

“Leisure Suit Larry” managed to keep controversy at bay by containing a fair amount of disarming humor.

The games never really took themselves too seriously and were really more about having a laugh than looking at rendered nudity. The creators of “Leisure Suit Larry” also attempted an early age-verification to try and keep the adult-centric game out of the reach of children.

However, the system was basic and flawed, consisting of a series of questions that it was expected

only adults could answer. But even so, “Leisure Suit Larry” went on to be one of the first, if only, successful series of adult-oriented video games.

Even today the legacy continues with “Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude” the most recent game in the series. This game was released for the X-Box and Playstation 2 home consoles, alongside the traditional computer release. However, this time around the player takes on the role of Larry’s college bound nephew (also named Larry) as he explores the campus and tries to get lucky with the ladies. This was the first game in the series to break away from its traditional point and click style in favor of a 3D full exploration mode, similar to the “Grand Theft Auto” series. However, as the game was released to a more mainstream audience, and was sold by big chain stores, a great deal of the content was cut down in favor of a “Mature” rating. It was only later that Sierra released an uncut version. The game garnered mixed reviews, but still managed to show that a sex-based video game could be successfully released into the mainstream market.

In Recent Years Around the same time as Larry’s latest outing, a different sort of adult game was released, Top Heavy Studios’ “The Guy Game.” The title, released for Playstation 2 and Xbox as well as the PC, took a different approach to adults only gaming. Where as “Leisure Suit Larry” was a point-and-click adventure game, “The Guy Game” was done in the style of a quiz show. Utilizing actual video footage, players would answer questions along with the girls being interviewed. Whenever the girl being interviewed would answer a question wrong, she would bare her breasts in ala “Girls Gone Wild.” At first they would be censored, but as the guys playing answered more questions right, the censorship would fade away. The style of “The Guy Game” would prove to be less of a video game and more like an interactive DVD. Video games have also become a market where any and all brands or companies can license their product to be adapted into a game. So when it comes to adult video games, it’s no surprise that one of the few mainstream sex-game titles spun out Playboy. In “Playboy: The Mansion” players take on the role of a young Hugh Hefner (referred to as “Hef”) as he

attempts to build his porno empire. The game was a simulation that allowed players to create their own Playboy Mansion (complete with buxom co-eds) and take a shot at running the Playboy magazine. Players would need to assemble talent, find models and set-up the photo shoots for each month’s issue.

The other half of the game allowed for building and maintaining the mansion itself by outfitting it with furniture and throwing wild parties. And of course, what would a Playboy game be without attractive, clothing free women? Through various social interactions, the player could woo and effectively score with the various playmates in the mansion. “Playboy: The Mansion” also featured the likenesses of various celebrities, from Carmen Elektra to Ron Jeremy. Although it received mixed reviews, “Playboy: The Mansion” proved that a video game could have an adult premise and feature virtual sex, while still maintaining the nuances of a true “tycoon” simulation game.

Although there are only a handful of games that can truly be considered “adult,” there is a plethora of popular mainstream that have sex in them. From busty heroine Lara Croft in “Tomb Raider” to the scantily clad vixens of “Rumble Roses,” the game industry is unashamed to use sex to keep gamers interested and titles flying off the shelf. In the spin-off title “Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball” the usual crowd of sultry, bouncy, female warriors from the “Dead or Alive” series of fighting games trade in their already skimpy battle attire for thong bikinis. The action moves to tropical settings for a guy pleasing round of volleyball. Players control a two person team through various volleyball matches and mini-games, unlocking new swimsuits along the way. Although often criticized for its depiction of barely clothed women, “Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball” contains no nudity and thus reaches a more mainstream audience.

Hot Coffee, Hot Water Sometimes however, sex in a mainstream game can be a target for controversy. The “Grand Theft Auto” series of games are often the target of conservative groups for its depiction of violence and glorifying of criminal activity. A common feature of the game is the ability to pick up a prostitute and have

sex with her to regain your health. The sexual act itself, however, is performed in the privacy of a car’s backseat.

The only indication that it’s even happening is that the car will bounce up and down and a few decisive moans will be heard. However, the biggest controversy faced by the series was due to sexual content that was not even intended to be a part of the finished game.

“Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” was the first game in the series to debut a sort of dating simulation minigame. Throughout the story, the player could choose from up to six different girls to have the main character CJ try to date. The dating aspect was fairly innocent for a game known to not hold any punches and would involve picking the girl up, taking her out for dinner and, if things went well, going back to her place for “coffee.” Normally in the game, this “coffee” situation was represented by the camera focusing on the outside of the girl’s house, while moans were heard from the inside. Although it may not be suitable for children, there certainly was nothing pornographic about it.

However, when “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” was released for the PC, a patch was released that when used would unlock a hidden mini-game called “hot coffee.”

In this mini-game, the player isn’t grounded to the yard outside of the girl’s house, but instead is where the action is. Not only that, the player is able to control CJ during the mini-game, allowing him to perform different sexual acts on the girls. The game was thought to be unfinished, due to some graphical errors and featured no nudity, but still managed to rile up the masses.

The controversy reached a fever pitch when it was discovered that the “Hot Coffee” mini-game was also put onto the Playstation 2 and Xbox versions of “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,” although it was made inaccessible.

However, it was discovered that through the use of an “Action Replay,” a commonly used game modifier that is usually used to cheat at games, one could unlock the unfinished mini-game. Many parents groups were angry at this discovery, leading the ESRB to re-rate the game as “AO” or “adults only.”

This proved to be disastrous for Rockstar Games, the makers of the “Grand Theft Auto” series of games, as many big chain retail stores, such as Wal-Mart, will not carry games rated for adults only. This lead Rockstar

to re-release a second edition of “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” with the controversial, and yet intentionally inaccessible mini-game removed.

The Future It is pretty clear that video games, for the most part, are here to stay and if the past is any indication, we can expect these future video games to push boundaries and maybe a few buttons as well. While adult-oriented sex games have not really made much of a splash in America, they are all the rage in the birthplace of most video games, Japan. With ludicrous games such as “Battle Raper” and a wide plethora of pornographic dating simulations; Japan represents what a market flooded by adult games could look like. However, it is unlikely that it would ever get to that sort of level in America.

For the most part, games should regard sex in the same manner that Maxis’ series “The Sims” handles it. In the various “The Sims” games, players create their own characters and control their day to day tasks such as eating, sleeping and going to the bathroom. A key function of the games is the ability to build romantic relationships between Sims, which also disregard gender and sexual preference.

Every Sim is essentially bisexual and are able to mate the way the player sees fit.

If things are going well for a Sim-couple the player can try their hand at making the two consummate their feelings the same way real-life couples consummate their feelings; by having sex. The game takes strides to never actually call it sex. Instead it’s referred to as “woo-hoo”, which is also the noise the Sims make when they are knocking simulated boots. The sex scenes are more silly than sensual, involving the two Sims hopping under the covers, making animal noises at each other and ending in a flurry of fireworks.

And just like in real life, this can be good or bad and can often lead to a Sim-pregnancy.

The makers of “The Sims” have the right attitude when it comes to sex in video games. “The Sims” is supposed to be a simulation of real life, and since sex is a part of real life, there is no reason it shouldn’t be included in the game. Sex is never glorified or used to tantalize male players; it’s simply an option in the progression of your Sim’s life. An option, like in real life, that can lead to all sorts of situations, some good and some bad.

BIG

HER

K

REAL DETROIT

Unlock: Give me a brief synopsis of your career Big Herk: I’ve been rapping about twenty years. I’ve been doing it for a long, long time – started in the Eighties. I have done a lot of different projects. I did my own thing first with Motor Living; went from that to the Rock Bottom thing, to Got Cha Back Entertainment – my new label. I have been on Slum Village Album, Obie Trice, and Royce Da 5’9. I’ve been featured on songs with Rick Ross, 8 Ball and MJG, got a movie out, Project 313; you can cop that at Walmart or Best Buy. My own potato chips called “Rap Snacks”. I think that I am the only independent artist out of Michigan with his own chips. I’ve had a pretty decent career.

Unlock: Talk a little bit further about Got Cha Back Entertainment and who’s involved with that.

Big Herk: Got Cha Back Entertainment is my own label; I’m CEO along with my cousin Moe. You know, it a record company, it’s not only a label, but it’s a lifestyle, it’s our slogan.

It’s just me and my family. We just started the label, you know, we’ve got artists Devious , Young Colt, B Gutter, Young Herk my son , Young D, Super Mario- one of our producers .It’s a new label that we’re trying to put our foot forward, promote it, and get it off the ground.

Unlock: What are some of your promotion strategies.

Big Herk: I’m going to do the best basic thing I do, footwork.

When you’re independent, you can’t sit up and wait for people.

We are going to get in the streets. We are going to be trying to set up tours. I got a lot of people in different cities like Missouri, Memphis, Atlanta; I got a cousin in a branch in New York. He went out West and we are networking with record stores who were ready and willing to hold the materiel and sell the product. We got to get out there and promote the different markets and make sure we do out part, and everything else will cover itself. Just hitting the streets more than anything, My Space, networking through the computer and grinding man. We ain’t got no budget to pay, people to go hit the streets, so we doin it ourselves. Put our heads together and put it together.

Unlock: The new album, Overdose. It is out yet?

Big Herk: NO, we’re doing a mixtape now showcasing the whole label, like I say I got a lot of new cats on there, it’s their first album ever, as far as Gotcha Back. I’m trying to network them to be sure they get promoted. Everybody knows who Big Herk is. So, I am going to keep moving forward.. I got to start getting my artists some notoriety. That’s the reason I put Overdose on hold for a second. I could have put Overdose first and focused on my album cause that what we were promoting for a minute. But, once I took a step back and realized I going to try to put my own label together cause I’m getting older, I ain’t going to be doin this forever, .

Unlock: You say everybody knows Big Herk now. How can the up and coming artists get with you to collaborate?

Big Herk: Hit me on My Space, network, that’s what I do.

Holler at me when you see me out. I’m out t all the time doing shows. I’m known all through the city. I do a lot of stuff throughout the city. So, I’m constantly seeing people, and I at a lot of these open mikes; doing stuff myself so they know where I’m at; I’ve reached out to a lot of them, a lot of them have reached out to me. It ain’t nothing to networking. You see me, holler at me.

Unlock: Is it anybody out there besides the people on you label that has caught your attention?

Big Herk: Oh yeah. It’s a lot of kids doing stuff. I have to give a shout out to a lot of the up and coming cats, Tone, K Deezy, Stretch, Mr.. Wrong , John Drummer. A lot of these cats are not getting seen on the radio, but I know if they get the chance, they would make a big impact. Like I say, it is a process. You got to earn your keep it this game. They are paying their dues right now. Soon you will hear about their name for sure. It’s a whole lot of cats doing their thing. They just need a break right now.

They need some love. We need to start supporting out own in the city, radio and everybody else Unlock: On your website, Got Cha Back Entertainment, there is a statement on there that says you are possibly the best that has ever come out of Detroit, independent or major. What can you say to back that statement up?

Big Herk: I don’t really speak on that. I know what I can do.

The fans speak honestly; I don’t have to talk about it. I know a lot of cats proclaiming they are King; they are the best at this or that; everybody thinks they’re the best. If you don’t think you are the best, what are you rapping for; what you out here making a statement for? But, fans, whatever they say, they got their opinion- you might not agree with what they say. But, I do what I do. Ain’t too many cats on the same level that I’m on.. I let you know what’s going on now. Music done changed, it’s real one dimensional. When I put an album out, I do it like the old school. I give you a little bit of everything, cause we are trying to cater to every demographic. Everybody don’t want to hear about your rims and hear punch lines. We show a lot of versatility. I think that’s what sets me apart from a lot of these cats.

Unlock: Last Question. You’ve been in it for twenty years.

How much longer you got in you?

Big Herk: I’m going to be a part of it regardless. Even if it’s nothing but behind the scenes. I’m going to be involved in it some kind of way, in some limited role.. I’m not nineteen or twenty-one anymore. I am a thirty-plus year old man. So, you know I can’t do it forever. It’s time to think about the future.

If you are running a professional sports team, I don’t care how good the players you have are, eventually it’s time to get some more players. Right now I’m just going to keep going, and see what happens.

PEOPLE WE LOVE...

THIS MONTH

HILL HARPER

T

LIFE

here is nothing like being a triple threat, having good looks, talent and an education. Hill Harper is blessed to be one of the few that actually possess them all. He is an accomplished film, television and stage actor.

He is known to captivate audiences with his charismatic and authentic style, which he credits each eclectic character he has portrayed throughout his career. In addition to being a gifted actor, he is a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Brown University and holds two Master’s degrees in both law and public administration from Howard University. In 2004, he was selected as one of People’s Magazine Sexiest Men Alive. Although, Harper comes off to be the “guy next door” at first glance, he exudes a seriousness that commands roles embodying depth and intelligence rarely offered to young black actors. He has had the opportunity to defeat the stereotypes of young black males, by starring in the CBS drama hit, CSI: NY. He has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for City of Angels and Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for CSI: NY by the NAACP Image Awards. He also earned a nomination for a 2004 Golden Satellite Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series.

In the quest for the betterment of himself, Hill Harper realized change doesn’t matter if you are the only one evolving, so he invested time, money and positive energy to our world’s disadvantaged future leaders. He feels that young males from undeserving environments (particularly African American) are a lost generation that society and its elders are over-looking due to a lack of understanding. More and more young brothers are going to jail/juvenile for crimes, dropping out of school and falling victim to the streets.

He began to write, Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny, which is a motivational tool for young men and covers, in-depth, all the issues surrounding the transitions from boyhood to manhood and how to survive and come out on top. New York Post reports we have an estimated $500 billion to invest on the “Hip-Hop Lifestyle” from artist salary and tours, to marketing, to expanding urban fashion lines. However, it’s ironic that out of all those billions, so little is being invested in the future of our youth.

In a age where many young men are lacking suitable male role models, mainstream media seems to be working more diligently than ever to perpetuate the idea that drug dealers and thugs are what they should strive to be. So it should come as no surprise that when Hill was trying to get his book published, publishing companies were excited to work with him, however, when he described the contents and who his target market was; they insisted he was taking an incorrect approach by promoting a book to a population that doesn’t read. In an effort to prove them wrong, Hill embarked on a nationwide promotional tour appearing everywhere from such sows as Oprah and 106 and Park to local Boys and Girls clubs and juvenile detention centers.

All of the books proceeds will go towards the MANifest Your Destiny Foundation, which is Harper’s nonprofit, youth organization, dedicated to empowering, encouraging and inspiring misguided males to succeed. The philosophy behind the organization is to provide young men with nurturing support systems, resources, encouragement and guidance through mentorship, scholarship and grant programs. Feeling that misguided boys are at a sever disadvantage due to their lack of personal interaction with positive role models, mentorship is the core of MANifest Your Destiny Foundation. Mentors are successful men in various industries who are committed to providing young men with guidance, positive role models, apprenticeships, internships, constructive outlets and the motivation to dream big and accomplish anything that they set their minds to. The foundation provides financial resources and practical experience to support young men’s academic or professional fields of interest. Internships and/or apprenticeships are awarded to eligible young men who have demonstrated their passions and commitment to furthering their education through academic achievement and community service. Additionally, the organization awards grants to deserving young men to start their own business.

PMUHT YCKI ICKY THUMP SUMMER 2007

MUSIC

Former Detroit based rock group The White Stripes--Jack White, guitar and vocals, Meg White, drums --

formed in 1997 with the idea of making simple rock & roll music. From the red-and-white peppermint candy motif of their debut singles, self-titled album, and stage show to their on-the-surface rudimentary style, they succeeded wildly and immediately with that mission. Their first recordings were a mix of garage rock, blues, and the occasional show tune. In front man Jack , the White Stripes have a formidable songwriter, guitar player, and vocalist capable of both morphing between styles as well as changing the musical styles themselves; flowing effortlessly from folk blues to soaring pop territory within the span of 15 minutes is not an uncommon listening experience with either the White Stripes live show or on record. In drummer Meg, the White Stripes have a minimalist percussionist who seems to sense intuitively exactly when to not play. The White Stripes are grounded in punk and blues, but the undercurrent to all of their work has been simplicity, a love of American folk music, and a careful approach to intriguing, emotional, and evocative lyrics not found anywhere else in the modern punk, or garage rock. “Vocals, guitars, drums; melody, storytelling and rhythm; red, white and black,” Jack explains. “All these components revolve around the number three.

It was all about, ‘Let’s live inside of a box and have there be rules.’ The whole idea of the band is that it was all about what not to do. Why be repetitive? Why have two guitar players? Why have a bass player playing the same thing a guitar is playing?

Let’s break this down as much possible and have it still be rock ‘n’ roll and show what two people can do.”

While they may have sprung from the Detroit rock scene, the White Stripes quickly gained a national following after two successive tours with indie rockers Pavement and Sleater-Kinney in 1999 and 2000.

The White Stripes released their second LP, De Stijl, in 2000 and it further spread the group’s reputation.

They followed its release with successful tours of Japan and Australia and entered the Memphis studio of renowned producer Doug Easley for 2001’s White Blood Cells. The album was a critical smash and the White Stripes soon found themselves, along with the Strokes and the Hives, at the forefront of the new wave of rock & roll bands.

After making the tough decision to jump to a major label; White Blood Cells was reissued on V2 in January of 2002 and their first two records followed suit in June. The White Stripes truly became big time rock stars when their “Fell in Love with a Girl” clip was nominated for four MTV Video Awards, including Best Video of the Year (alongside fellow Detroiter Eminem) Breakthrough Video, Best Special Effects in a Video, and Best Editing in a Video. In spring 2003 their fourth full-length, Elephant arrived to nearly unanimous critical acclaim. In 2005 the Stripes returned with Get Behind Me Satan, a dizzyingly diverse album that spanned disco-metal and light, marimba-driven pop and was written and recorded in two weeks that spring Get Behind Me Satan was about as polarizing as you’d expect from an album that found such a reliable act trying to confront the need for creative advance. Those left cold by Satan will find their new album Icky Thump a welcome reheating. Recorded in three weeks in Nashville’s Blackbird Studio, Icky Thump is a welcome throwback to the groups earlier offerings. Gone are the marimbas, the ethnic oddities, and all the piano-musings. Instead, Jack and Meg are again mining garage blues revivalism and the brief electric storms of the De Stijl-Elephant trio. It’s that old steady formula we once mistook for shtick—drums and guitar.

“Let’s break this down as much as possible and have it still be rock ’n’ roll and show what two people can do.”

“It was draining me, I had to get somewhere where I could breathe again.”

Icky Thump is the White Stripes playing the White Stripes again, just two years after playing this mythic duo some of us liked without every really recognizing. People wanted it back then. The question is do they want it now?

The White Stripes have sold millions of records, Jack has dated Renee Zellweger, appeared in movies, and put Detroit on the musical map for the first time since Iggy Pop met David Bowie. But don’t ask him about being a celebrity.

“I hate that word!” White recoils. “Celebrity is very empty. It’s like all the people talking about Paris Hilton or whatever. There’s really nothing going on there. I’ve never wanted that; anything that’s happened [to me] is sort of a by-product of creativity.”

Though Jack has become one of the most famous faces on Detroit’s music map, the rocker said he had to quit his hometown because it turned against him. Jack, now lives in Nashville, with his wife, model Karen Elson, and their daughter, Scarlett.”It was so super-negative,” Jack said of Detroit, “It was draining me, I had to get somewhere where I could breathe again.” “I was just trying to fight a losing battle, trying to keep a community of musicians together and keep it positive at the same time,” he said. “I did that part of trying to be non-egotistical, I tried to not make it about myself.”

He also said the Stripes aren’t the only band to get ill treatment from their native city. He griped about an article in a New York publication that lambasted the homegrown band The Strokes.

“When that happens, you can’t stay in your hometown,” he said.

“Because they’ll just turn on you.”

JOKE OF THE MONTH

While visiting England, George Bush is invited to tea with the Queen. He asks her what her leadership philosophy is. She says that it is to surround herself with intelligent people.

Bush asks how she knows if they’re intelligent.

“I do so by asking them the right questions,” says the Queen. “Allow me to demonstrate.”

Bush watches as the Queen phones Tony Blair and says, please answer this question: your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or sister. Who is it?”

Tony Blair responds, “It’s me, ma’am.”

“Correct. Thank you and good-bye, sir,” says the Queen. She hangs up and says, “Did you get that, Mr. Bush?”

Bush nods: “Yes ma’am. Thanks a lot. I’ll definitely be using that!”

Bush, upon returning to Washington, decides he’d better put the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the test. Bush summons Jesse Helms to the White House and says, “Senator Helms, I wonder if you can answer a question for me.”

“Why, of course, sir. What’s on your mind?”

Bush poses the question: “Uhh, your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or your sister. Who is it?”

Helms hems and haws and finally asks, “Can I think about it and get back to you?”

Bush agrees, and Helms leaves. He immediately calls a meeting of other senior Republican senators, and they puzzle over the question for several hours, but nobody can come up with an answer. Finally, in desperation, Helms calls Colin Powell at the State Department and explains his problem.

“Now look here, son, your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or your sister.

Who is it?”

Powell answers immediately, “It’s me, of course.”

Much relieved, Helms rushes back to the White House, finds George Bush, and exclaims, “I know the answer, sir! I know who it is! It’s Colin Powell!”

And Bush replies in disgust, “Wrong, you dumb shit, it’s Tony Blair!”

ADVERTISING WORKS!!!

UNLOCK MAGAZINE HAS THE DEMOGRAPHIC YOU WANT ADVERTISE IN PRINT AND ONLINE FOR ONE GREAT COST CALL TODAY 313-586-3171

COMING TO THE STAGE...

UNLOCK TV 2008