We Are Jersey Magazine: May 2016

We Are Jersey

We Are Jersey Magazine MAY 2016 www.jerseyturntupent.com

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The Juice

We Are Jersey

We Are Jersey

WHAT’S INSIDE

MAY 2016 | ISSUE 11

Contributors Publisher: Bridget Papino Daniel Banks Editor: Shanna Banks Photographer: Anthony Swint

@newlineup_photography *All feature photos Nate White

@natewhite_ *All model photos

Models: Follow them on instagram

@wearejerseydiamondz

Features: HihwayLey

J, Flow

Kiara

Kiera Renee

Find us!

JerseyTurntupEnt and WeAreJerseyMagazine

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Featured Artist: Kiara

Out of State In Your Mind Kiera Renee

Check out our previous issues on www.jerseyturntupent.com/ Send all inquiries to wearejerseymagazine@gmail.com

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Upcoming Artist: Hihwayley 4 The Message 8 Upcoming Artist: Hihwayley 16 Strictly For The Gods: J Flow 30 Featured Artist: Kiara 40 Out of State In Your Mind: Kiera Renee We Are Jersey Magazine MAY 2016

SFTG Producer

J Flow www.jerseyturntupent.com 3

We Are Jersey The Message-

A Message From Your Publishers

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We Are Jersey

Model Photography by Nate White

e Are Jersey Magazine is a subsidiary company birthed out of the parent business entitled Jersey Turn’t Up Entertainment.

Having achieved rising success within only two years of business, the owners wanted to create something that would expand their networking repertoire while promoting positive talent both locally and abroad.

The idea of creating We Are Jersey Magazine began when co- CEOs, Daniel Banks & Bridget Papino, were featured in the July 2014 issue of another magazine company. After discussion with the owner of that magazine, as well as experiencing the positive responses that exposure generated towards their entertainment business, they decided to begin a magazine company of their own that would target a new type of entertainment promoting style. We Are Jersey Magazine’s goal is designed to provide exposure, references and resources that will influence all those aspiring to do something positive with the talents they possess. Through the lives of the individuals that are highlighted in the magazine, it is the desire of We Are Jersey Magazine to encourage, uplift and inspire anyone to continue to soar to greater heights and deeper depths with their abilities. While We Are Jersey Magazine primarily focuses on talent within the state of New Jersey, it is open to talent presented from abroad. The single focus is the promotion of positive talent so others can read and possibly experience for themselves the benefits that these talents offer.

“We Are Jersey” is a positive platform with great opportunities. are highlighted in the magazine, it is the desire of We Are Jersey Magazine to encourage, uplift and inspire anyone to continue to soar to greater heights and deeper depths with their abilities. While We Are Jersey Magazine primarily focuses on talent within the state of New Jersey, it is open to talent presented from abroad. The single focus is the promotion of positive talent so others can read and possibly experience for themselves the benefits that these talents offer.

“We Are Jersey” is a positive platform with great opportunities.

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HIHWAYLEY upcoming ARTIST

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We Are Jersey Hihwayley

HIHWAYLEY

H

ihwayLey AKA Ashley Orr is one of the many talented artists in the state of New Jersey, with multiple dimensions to his music and versatility. As a multitalented artist who has a variety of genres to perform such as, R&B and Rap, HihwayLey is always taking his talent to the next level.

HihwayLey lyrics are created to influence the audience to create visuals in their mind, while drawing them nearer to listen to more.

Besides being a multi-talented artist, HihwayLey is a huge trend setter with the style of personality he portrays daily. HihwayLey markets his style not only through music.

HihwayLey was born on Feb.25th in Lynwood, California.

His father being a native of California and mother a native of New Jersey made a choice to leave California to escape the gang culture that had taken control of the youth. HihwayLey moved to Paterson, NJ as a young boy where he began writing music at the age of 13 as a way of emotional expression. From that moment on he knew this industry was meant for him. HihwayLey’s motto has always been, Music is Life�.

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We Are Jersey Hihwayley

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While growing up in the city of Paterson which was filled with high crime and drug abuse, HihwayLey molded himself into wanting more in life than to being an average person working 9-5 or becoming a statistic of gang violence. For many years he was a music artist and boxer with the potential of becoming pro. HihwayLey hurt from being in a car accident, however while he was recovering from a car accident he went full time into the music. Pushing forward with a go hard or go home attitude, HihwayLey made a sacrifice putting music over his athletic abilities. “I always felt I was more than what they told me I could be. So no matter the obstacles I have to beat, I will still become successful�.

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Shot by Phil Coleman @SwirveMedia

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J Flow

strictly for the gods

Producer 16

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J Flow

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Producer

J

vseph Tibvrcio better known as “J Flow” was born March 26, 1990 in New York, born from Dominican descent parents. J Flow is a Hispanic Engineer/Producer from Bronx, New York.

Throughout his teenage years J Flow resided in Ridgefield Park, NJ. During his teenage years J Flow met his best friend and first artist Damon “Post” Poston. J Flow has produced a variety of Mixtapes for local Bergen County artists up and coming. J Flow has recently ventured into creating an entertainment company with his best friend/artist “Post”. J Flow’s engineering/producing genres vary from Trap, Hip-Hop, Rap, R&B and Reggaeton which reflects the love of his Hispanic background.

Beginning in year 2006 until 2010, J Flow had worked to perfect his craft before releasing his first mixtape with Post titled “Airplane Mode.”

In the summer of 2007 J Flow met Anthony “Famine” Reyes, who became his mentor throughout his career. “Famine” taught J Flow everything he needs to know from producing, engineering, photos and also videos. “Famine” has his own company named “ROOM Label” whom J Flow produced for. Their reggaeton artist Nesio is the first reggaeton artist to have placement with J Flow’s production on digital distributors.

J Flow produced 75% of his debut album “Todo Cambio” which was released on October 7, 2014. “Famine” continues to mentor J Flow in everything he creates, while encouraging him to move further in his career of becoming a top Engineer & Producer in “The Game”.

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Photo by Andy Mac We Are Jersey Magazine MAY 2016 www.jerseyturntupent.com

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We Are Jersey J Flow

On December 24th, 2011 J Flow’s released his first mixtape named “Airplane Mode” which included his main artist Post. From that moment, every dream became reality and history was surely in the making. Releasing “Airplane Mode 2,” helped the duo gain momentum and recognition from a company an up and coming clothing line known as “Fabricated Lifestyles”. By the summer of 2013 Fabricated Lifestyles picked up the next project from Post called, “Pariah Love” and fully involved themselves in the promotion and marketing of the brand. In the fall of 2013 J Flow, Post and Fabricated Lifestyles began working on building an enterprise of modern, urban and Hip Hop fashion merged. Also, in the summer of 2013 J Flow’s world changed as his views on this life would change into a new perspective. While stepping his foot in the industry and being greatly involved with business and marketing, his son was born. J Flow’s life changed and a new perspective on music came about.

He began to see the world in a new light and wasn’t only making music for himself but also for his son. While juggling being a first time father, J Flow stepped into a new career that he had only dreamed of and felt, “J Flow was Reborn”.

During the spring of 2014, J Flow and Post geared up for what would become a game changer for them. They released the mixtape “Strictly For The Gods,” with Fabricated Lifestyles. This mixtape had brought lots of attention to their collaboration. They had acquired shows daily in New Jersey and New York City. As 2014 came to an end so did the partnership between J Flow and Fabricated Lifestyles. As they parted ways J Flow and Post birthed a new company named “SFTG Alumni Music Group”. As the CEO, J Flow partnered with Post who is now the founder of the company. SFTG Alumni Music Group is made up of in-house producers, engineers and artists. Together the duo recruited “2inz” as the secondary producer to the company. The following enrolment who would join the team was Jay Po. Jay Po was the second artist to come onboard with them. Within a few short months later, two artists; “Bueno” and “Young Kuf ”, joined the company as developing artists.

Around the month of February, J Flow had begun to record for his first We Are Jersey Magazine MAY 2016 www.jerseyturntupent.com

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project as a compilation album. J Flow connected with well-known Producer & Artist CitoOnTheBeat. Together they recorded their first song of the project catalog which was produced by J Flow. With the help and guidance of CitoOnTheBeat, J Flow gained his vision of the direction of his album.

J Flow continues to find his own lane and discovered his love for drums. His beat style consists of beat patterns geared towards using drum rhythms consistently. J Flow believes drums are the backbone of the beat pattern and the element of surprise for when he puts his touch onto a track. Recently the nickname “Joe Chappo” was given to him due to his style of chopping and cutting beats to create drops and other surprises throughout the song. J Flow likes to describe his music and style of a beat as unique. Between his balance of synthesizers and different sounds, J Flow feels his sound is unexpected and different. J Flow’s new sound is an up-tempo beat based and focused around the drums as the beat is created. Alongside producing and engineering music with his artists, J Flow gave We Are Jersey Magazine a behind the scenes work of his very first song. He recorded a visual to show us the process behind the song, beginning from all aspects of the beat, to the artist, and finally the mixing & mastering. J Flow recorded the visual to show the process of creating great music in the studio. He plans to release this visual soon, alongside his current project right before summer 2016. His current lineup of artists consists of many artists from New Jersey where he is primarily based out of. His project has artists such as: Post, Jay Po, CitoOnTheBeat, Fuego, King Boxx, Waterz, Celeb, MR Sirius, Bueno, Young Kuf, Rich G and Stacks.

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J Flow

We Are Jersey J Flow Mixtapes Credits: Post: Airplane Mode 1December 24, 2011 Airplane Mode 2 February 2, 2013 Pariah Love October 1, 2013 Strictly For The Gods April 15, 2014 Shoulda Put It On SFTG December 24, 2014 Jay Po: The Appetizer July 4, 2015 Stacks: Federal Reserve Note April 28, 2012 Rich G: ART May 18, 2013 Stand By Me May 17, 2011 La Vie: The Risk May 15, 2013

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featured artist

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kiara

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We Are Jersey Kiara

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KiarA K

iara aka “Ki” is an energetic fireball who was born in Manhattan, New York. However Kiara was raised in the Hackensack, New Jersey where she discovered a passion for music surrounded by a family of musicians and singers. Music has always been a part of Kiara’s life in some way ever since she was born. Growing up, Kiara’s parents played around her the old school’s sounds of artists, Doo-Wap, Earth Wind and Fire, Aretha Franklin, to the R&B era of Floetry and Jahiem. The tracks Carl Thomas’s “I Wish” and Kelly Price’s “You Should Have Told Me” are just a few of Kiara’s all-time songs. Kiara’s influences of her craft as a singer were her father and grandmother. She was always surrounded by the singing harmonies of them daily.

Her father had a studio located in their home ever since she was young. When Kiara was around the age of 6 or 7 she recorded her first hook in that studio. The hook went a little something like, “Do you wanna take a ride wit me? Kick ya feet up in my Escalade?”. This hook makes Kiara smile daily and fills her up with joy just reminiscing about how it all began.

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We Are Jersey Kiara

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Kiara had begun to look for music everywhere. Whether it was going to the studio at her aunt’s house where her uncle worked on music and sometimes doing karaoke with her aunt, or singing along while her father recorded his songs at home. Kiara enjoys observing how every song is made while being put together, and treasured the melody of hearing her voice evolve through a microphone. Kiara fell in love with the process of writing and, for a long time writing music had been a secret. Singing out loud or in front of people was not something Kiara favored doing often. Kiara felt the only time she had ever sung her heart out was inside of a shower. Kiara hadn’t always felt comfortable with her voice. The more Kiara had grown within herself and see the person she saw herself becoming, the more comfortable she had become with her writing talents. After realizing this, the melodies from Kiara began to flow naturally. Kiara had begun to love her voice, and as her love began to flow deeper, her passion to move into the world of music became reality. Kiara’s love for music runs deeply and feels unnatural without it. Kiara adores the studio. When Kiara goes to studio session she pulls out her mac book, listens to the sounds from her producer, and creates melodies to the sounds of the beat while singing over them. Kiara appreciates the process of beginning a song, to ending. Kiara’s love for music is an addiction that will never break. Kiara feels many people want to make it in the industry are only here for the fame and money. Kiara desire is to make it her way. Kiara feels music is a part of her being and her passion for music runs deeper than just for the fame and money.

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We Are Jersey Kiara

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Shot by Sonic Photography

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kiera renee

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We Are Jersey Kiera Renee

kiera renee

The Tutu Queen, born Kiera Renee is the founder of TrendyMii. Born and raised in Central California, Kiera knows the meaning of small town living all too well. She grew up in a low ¬income neighborhood where shootings and fighting were routine. Growing up, Kiera shared a 3 bedroom apartment with 4 brothers and 2 sisters, an uncle, and sometimes cousins and aunts who needed living assistance. “My mom would take in anybody! That’s just the kind of person she was. Sometimes the fridge was empty but she made a way to feed us all, even if it was top¬ramon!

And that’s why I will forever be grateful.” While in high school, Kiera got her first taste of production as the producer of her class homecoming half¬time shows. She would hold that position for the entire four years in school and lead her class to 3 first place titles. Undenounced to her, dancing at the halftime of football games would birth a career in production almost 10 years later. Fast¬ forward Kiera moves to Los Angeles, attends college, and falls in love with Journalism. “I knew that while I was in college I wanted to start TrendyMii. But I didn’t know until I began modeling that the fashion and beauty industry is where I would focus my attention.”

Upon graduation, Kiera knew that she didn’t like the 9 to 5 life. As the solution, she researched the entrepreneur lifestyle but soon learned how the road less traveled got its meaning. For the next two years Kiera would sleep on floors, in abandoned backyards or anyone’s couch. After being shamed by family members, Kiera eventually isolated herself and fell into a temporary state of depression. Being ashamed of this reality Kiera never spoke about it, and merely continued her journey to success as if everything was

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okay. “I’ll never forget the time when I was getting ready to interview Antonique Smith, it was my first celebrity interview so I was stoked. I scrounged up some bus fare, located a videographer and asked my friend Angel to let me shoot it in his store. It was planned to a tee. I hadn’t eaten since the night before but it didn’t matter. So the time is getting closer for the interview to happen, but no Antonique. I call her management, no answer. After about 10 calls it was apparent that she was not showing up. Once everyone packed up their things and I apologized for ill planning and I just burst into tears, so overwhelmed. I literally spent the last of my money just to get to the interview and had no idea where I was going to sleep that night. This was one of those moments where I definitely asked God to give me a sign but, because I was dressed my friend asked me to take some photos. That photo would end up being the cover shot for my web series. So see there is always sunshine on the other side of the storm. “Now, through personal experiences, Kiera seeks to guide young entrepreneurs and be a source of encouragement and strength for them as they embark on their road less traveled. Having lost friends to depression, she knows that the need for a change within her community is real. Kiera produces the Los Angeles movement, Stylers Panel, a monthly event cultivating entrepreneurs in the fashion and beauty industry. The event has been fostering healthy relationships for the past year, impacted over lives and counting.

Kiera Renee would love to share her story with your audience and be a beacon of hope for someone in a dark space. Kiera has been featured on Tyra’s FABLife, UrbanHollywood Radio, ErnieandJesse Show, TheNikkiRichShow, TheRealTalkShow.

The Tutu Queen is currently booking for speaking engagements on social media and inbound marketing as it relates to the fashion and beauty industry. Book The Tutu Queen now at your schools, seminars, events and more! She is Booking now for June & ¬August 2016.

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We Are Jersey Kiera Renee

What influenced you to create TrendyMii?

I created TrendyMii because I noticed that there was not an educational fashion and beauty media outlet. Yeah there were tons of blogs, but not sites that highlighted the careers of people in the fashion industry. Then adding the educational aspect just took the site to a whole new level. When I interned at KABC I figured out early on that I did not want to be a hard news reporter. Then after following my mentor George Pennacchio around I learned that I didn’t really care that much about (formal) celebrities, nor did I want to report on their lives. So I found a way to infuse my love for fashion and journalism together.

What was the biggest obstacle you have faced on your journey?

The biggest obstacle that I’ve had to face on this journey was placing value upon myself. When you work for someone they tell you how much you are worth, and quite frankly everyone at the job has the same value. But when you work for yourself you have to place value on yourself. So in the beginning I was not charging enough and afraid to ask for more money, which came from doubt of the unknown. However, slowly I started to realize that in order to grow I had to ask myself how valuable were my talents and skills. Once I defined it, I just stuck to it and everything was better from then on out.

What is the passion behind your talents, skills and abilities? What motivated you to enter this area?

The passion behind my talents and skills and a journalist sparked from a diary that my grandmother use to have. She died of lung cancer, but in her diary she wrote a fews weeks before her death that she had to play like she wasn’t bothered by her upcoming surgery because everyone in the family thought that she was so strong. So she just kept quiet and eventually died in surgery. From that day on, I know it was my job to help tell people’s sto-

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We Are Jersey Kiera Renee

ries. I’m super loud and out-going. So I knew if I could become a journalist then this vision would come to life.

What successes have you personally achieved along your journey?

Along my journey I’ve been able to travel abroad and get paid for it. My first major achievement was booking my first client in Fashion PR and handling all of her media engagements for Vancouver Fashion Week. I was fresh out of college and had no idea how to even price myself, or if I could even do the job, but I went and do super amazing. The second success that I’ve achieved is developing over 7 different women in media. Through the TrendyMii internship program I’ve been able to mentor and guide young journalist. And it’s crazy because three of the women lived on the east coast. Which not only helps expand the brand on the east coast but it also gives me a chance to challenge myself as a leader. The third success that I’ve achieved personally is getting through the struggle!! Man, the stories that I could tell you. God definitely built a fighter when he made me. There were so many times when I simply wanted to throw in the town and say “fuck it.” I spent a period of time where I would literally sit in Starbucks during the day, just to be in a building and then start to make phone calls as the sun went down to see where I was going to sleep. Most of the time it would be a guy who I knew liked me. And I would just go along with it just so I would have a place to sleep. So getting through that time period in one piece is more than a personal achievement for me. The final personal achievement was creating Stylers Panel last year. This event fell into my lap. I created this while riding in my friend’s car. I immediately called a friend who had an existing production and pitched it to him. He said if you create it, I’ll promote it. Within two day I developed 2 panels and a full event schedule.

What setbacks have you personally experienced along your journey?

We Are Jersey the funds to produce certain projects and to be able to have lunch meetings.

You can’t have a lunch meeting if you can’t afford the meal (lol). So that definitely made me miss opportunities and weakened a few relationships.

Heck, I didn’t want these people to know that I was super cute and broke lol so I would just always cancel or attempt to reschedule.

What testimonials have you received from others that your brand is making a difference to your target audience?

I’ve had models attend my events and call me one week later saying that they booked paid photoshoots or that they got their portfolio built by someone who they connected with at my events. I had a vendor Joel Daley of Spider Web Design call me a day after the event to let me know that they grabbed two new clients from tabling at Stylers Panel. Stuff like this lets me know that what I’m doing has a purpose and that there is a need for it.

What is the message you would like to share/spread through your gift?

The message that I would like to get across to the people is that you’re the most valuable part of your brand. Without you it does not exist. So do not try to build something that you’ve saw or try to be someone that other people say you should be. Stick to your own merits, learn the business, go through the struggle and then reach your greatness. If a girl from small town Merced can do it, anyone can!

For more information and press links contact kandkdpr@gmail.com Follow Kiera’s Journey LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/KieraRenee Instagram: @Saykierarenee Twitter: @Saykierarenee Snapchat: @Saykierarenee

One set back that I have experienced was having problems with getting

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Model: Jessica Lara

Photography by Brandon Huggins

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