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Photographer: Lacquan Scott www.lacquanscott.design Artist: Wild Scarlet IAMWILDSCARLET.COM

The power of creatives is at an all time high, and like never before we are seeing Jersey connect and build at the most foundational levels. We Are Jersey has been representing Hip Hop and Fashion culture in media and marketing since 2014, and have had the honor of supporting a number of Jersey artists early in their development. In a nutshell we are a full service media and publication company with a functional Photo Studio, Recording Studio, and Podcast Studio that was specifically built with creatives in mind. But on a grander scale, we also utilize our resources to provide Artist and Model Management, Booking & Marketing Services, Branding and Consultancy for artists and businesses within our network. We are both the representation and implementation of creativity and business, all under one roof. Founded by the multi-talented entrepreneurs Bridget Papino and Daniel Banks, We Are Jersey is committed to the growth of the culture and enhancing the artistic experience as a whole. They provide their team and clients with a safe work environment and an unlimited amount of potential, while still achieving every goal together as a team. Looking for exposure for your brand, business, or music? Visit our website to learn more about how you can get featured inside the next issue of We Are Jersey Magazine, or even become a cover among some of the hottest independent music artists, businesses, entrepreneurs, and brands!

Photographer: Lacquan Scott www.lacquanscott.design Artist: Alma Davis @iam.queen.alma

OUR MESSAGE

DOPEST CR3ATIVES AD

KIMMESTRY

ALMA

PRIMETIME

MACC MCCRAY

SCOTT PAUL

AVID FEATURE

ENTREPRENEUR

FEATURE

SNATCHED AGENCY

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16 CONTRIBUTORS EDITORS BEE PAPINO LACQUAN SCOTT

WRITERS AMY LOTHIAN MELISSA MALOON

ALMA ROSA

PUBLISHER DANIAL BANKS BEE PAPINO

DANA MARTIN

PHOTOGRAPHERS

DAVID ALEXANDER LACQUAN SCOTT

FEATURED AVID FEATURE MACC MCCRAY UNICORN SCOTT PAUL STRONG CHAD PIFF ALMA ROSA SNATCHED AGENCY PRIMETIME

ADS

STRONG CHAD PIFF

DOPEST CR3ATIVES PAPINO PROPERTIES ROSE CITY STUDIOS INFUSED SEAFOOD BOIL

MODELS Our models can be followed on instagram @ wearejerseydiamondz

UNICORN

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WRITTEN BY: MELISSA MALOON

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ENTREPRENEUR

Royalty comes from the soul, which is why Alma Davis is the example of pouring your heart and soul into your work. Alma’s work ethic was evident from her teenage years, as well as her creativity. Inspired by the lack of melanin images in fashion, Royal Soul was created. A clothing brand that emphasizes melanin images and empowers women of color. Alma Davis took it upon herself to create these melanin images as a form of representation, which is seen few times. “Alma” in Spanish means “Soul,” so it’s only right that the two closest women to Alma motivated her to step into her purpose. Both Alma’s mother and grandmother played a tremendous role in Alma’s progression to success. While talent can be taught only but so many times, for Alma it was genetic. It was in her DNA, she was born with it and had the two Almas in her life help hone her skills and abilities. Ms. East from Newark School of Arts is also another queen to be credited for engaging Alma in history through art, she helped develop her drawing and painting abilities. Before Royal Soul, Alma became a ‘Jersey Diamond’ model in 2017 and was always known to be the one to come on set with unique 18

clothing pieces. From a concept to a reality now Alma is receiving positive and loving feedback on the artwork she created on T Shirts which are available for sale! You’ll see that when creating new designs she enjoys using a lot of abstract lines and vibrant colors to keep each design unique. When it comes to streetwear her pieces stand out for like of using spikes and chains, a bold statement in each piece. The bold statement with the intent of displaying images of people of color in a positive light. Having a clothing a brand while also a Diamond model? Alma was determined to build her network and connections in a positive way. She has been an influence even to the youth as a Black Woman Creator. This shows the youth that there is success in creative avenues as long as you work hard and stay hungry but most importantly, stay humble. An important principal taught to Alma by her mother to remain humble always. This allows her to celebrate her small success as big as her biggest achievements. Creative, devoted and motivated, Alma continues to push the boundaries in

fashion with her designs and delivery. She currently is involved with numerous pop up shops, which is when a brand rents out a space for a short period of time to sell merchandise. The results proved her one of two things: she was either overly ambitious or not ambitious enough, she just didn’t know which one. Either way there was ambition enough to keep pursuing and achieving her goals because when she sets her mind to something, she remains dedicated. Aspiring to opening multiple stores throughout the country, Alma is on the great rise! Make sure to catch her journey via Instagram @royalsoul.inc. Shop royaloneshop.com

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COMING SOON TO MENLO PARK MALL

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Marvin Jules is a noteworthy example of what it looks like to take a calculated risk towards attaining success by trusting your gut and following through on your vision. Jules is a first generation American in his family as his parents were Haitian Immigrants. This only helped pave the way for Jules to witness the merit needed to build from the ground up. After working briefly in a quintessential corporate America position after graduating from Rutgers University, the Fords, NJ native soon set out on his own path towards attaining his definition of success. In 2014 Jules began the curation of his brand, Primetime, a one-stop shop for vintage and designer clothing, accessories, sports and card games and limited collectibles. Over the past 6 years, Jules has successfully developed and scaled his business and has now managed to broaden Primetime’s reach in the form of a physical storefront. The store will mark the opening of Primetime’s flagship location in Menlo Park Mall this summer in Edison, NJ. While vintage clothing and exclusive footwear are not new, what makes this collaboration different is its specificity to Central New Jersey. “There are a lot of people who sell vintage, designer, and cards. But there aren’t many places in New Jersey that sell all three”, says the multi-shop owner. In addition to opening the premier store for his brand Primetime, Jules is also co-owner of Clientele, an exclusive sneaker and streetwear boutique specializing in exclusive, limited footwear and apparel. Through his partnership with Menlo Park Mall, he and business partners Frank Richardson and Adam Gage are also expanding the Clientele with a relocation to a larger space directly next door to Primetime. His unique provision to the area is one that any fashion-conscious creative or collector can appreciate. The brand boasts a mixture of hand-picked pieces from Jules’ personal liking as well as timeless attractive commodities. By refraining from keeping up with what’s trending at the moment, Primetime is able to be a timeless brand that appeals to all. “Vintage is timeless. It can attract people young and old. It can remind older people of a time when they were younger and it can make younger people interested in something they had no idea about prior to seeing it”, he says. The feedback of the store opening has been overwhelmingly positive and it looks like both 24

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Primetime and Clientele will remain staples in the local community. This success, says Jules, is the culmination of many years of hard work along with the unwavering support of family, friends, and most importantly customers and clients who keep coming back. Jules’ advice to aspiring business owners is to be humble and logical but to always follow your dreams. “Never be ashamed to work jobs you don’t necessarily like while you’re working towards turning your side hustle into your main hustle. Don’t get caught up in social media’s ideals of what entrepreneurship should be. Do what’s right for you.” This way of thinking has not only aided Marvin Jules in his entrepreneurial ventures but have allowed him to spread his positivity in a palpable way for all to enjoy. For all your fashion needs look out for the official Primetime store opening date by following @ PrimetimeVntg & @Primetime_Menlo on instagram.

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WRITTEN BY: MELISSA MALOON PHOTOGRAPH HY: DAVID ALEXANDER www.mrdavidalexander.com

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ENTREPRENEUR

“Snatched Boss Babe” doesn’t even begin to describe the phenomenal woman that is Ayahna James. Passionate, driven and determined, Ayahna embodies BOSS as she cultivated her own lane while standing out among the rest. What is her business? Dance. Feeling the music course through your body so much as to make your body move, Ayahna inspires others to move their bodies to the rhythm of their own beat. “Snatched Agency, “a talent agency where you can book dancers and models, is home to many where Ayahna not only teaches dance but inspires women to go after their dreams, whatever it may be. “The future is female!” which is why women are the focus when it comes to this mogul in the making. She oozes power, independence and selflessness all through her hard work and hopes to motivate and inspire women to step into their power.

Known as one of the only females you need to tap in with in the New Jersey artist scene, Ayahna built many relationships and connections that makes her the glue in this industry. Whether it be a DJ, artist, director, business owner, producer or dancer, Ayahna is the go-to person to ask to connect you to the best that Jersey has to offer. Which goes without saying being as Ayahna’s resume is extensive and impressive, having worked with major record labels such as Atlantic Records, RCA and The Winners Circle. She has also worked with many different popular artists such as Wyclef Jean, Black Rob, Fetty Wap, DJ Jayhood, Chinese Kitty, OG Maco. Featured in Vogue Magazine and Nylon Magazine, New York Times, New York Daily News; performances in SOB’s and much, much more!

Being in the position to teach women how to leverage their talent and monetize their artistry as a business is one of Ayahna’s favorite achievements. A fountain of inspiration and motivation, she has taken dancers off the streets and allowed for them to get their lives together in the best direction. One of the lessons life has taught Ayahna: Friends aren’t important when you have a goal. Something about when you’re on a mission, their doubts and fears suddenly get projected onto you. Never make yourself small for anyone. If you have a goal, see it through and if you need help doing so, well then Ayahna is obviously your girl! Driven by the need to succeed and inspire, Ayahna believes she is the person who can break barriers for her people through her career. “Bringing them into my world or a world they can relate to just through music, its magical.” Fueled by her ancestors, who are sure to be proud, and friends who no longer have the physical ability to make a difference; she hopes to ignite in kids from generations after her and women of all generations to follow suite and pursue what is rightfully yours. Make sure to tap in to be current with all things Snatched Agency via Instagram @snatchedAgency and you can follow the latest of Ayahna on her personal Instagram page @3l3v3n___ (that’s three underscores).

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Photographer: Daniel Shawell www.danielshawell.com Model: Faith Rodriguez @bb.faith

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WRITTEN BY: AMY LOTHIAN

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FEATURE ARTIST

Kyle McCray, better referred to as Macc McCray, has always had a passion for creating. With a childhood heavily influenced by a love of every art form, from fashion, to music and even food, McCray was inspired to create at a very young age. Growing up in West Orange, New Jersey, his father, a skilled baker and chef, introduced him to his first tastes of old school rap and classic hip-hop and its history. “As a child, [my dad] would have me guess the names and artists of old school rap songs. I would study them and then eventually I got the idea to try to rewrite the songs myself.” As he found his footing, McCray focused on a career in music by writing his own music, rapping, and went on to study audio engineering and production at SAE Institute in NY. He credits his time there to gaining industry experience and later moved on to work on production for a number of artists in New Jersey and beyond including collaborations with the likes of Kaytranada, Quentin Miller, HBO and more.

No stranger to setbacks, McCray says he’s gotten this far by taking everything in stride and not allowing challenges to blur his vision. He credits his successes to learning how to work at his own pace. “My speed is for me, so I try to focus on all my achievements. None of them are lesser than the next.” Among his most recent achievements is the release and success of his 2020 album “Roll the Dice” and recent single “TUNNEL VISION” a 2-minute track packed with McCray’s energy and messages of pushing yourself past your greatest challenges. He ends the song with the mantra “Anything in my way I’ma move it”.

McCray’s music style can be described as honest, relatable storytelling and he prides himself on creating music based only on his own knowledge & experiences. “I want to show especially young people that it’s cool to rap about what we actually know and what others can truly relate to instead of the illusion of someone else’s experiences.” As a grounded creative, he’s also been on a consistent bout of self improvement. Whether he’s working on growing a following, creating and maintaining his clothing business, RichPeopleSleep, another way for him to express everything he stands for. “My message is simple. Hard work wins. That’s pretty much what I stand for and what “RichPeopleSleep” means.” He makes music and clothing for those like him who cannot afford to go to sleep, who stay up in those late hours and put in the work, especially those who do it all on their own.

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As a hands-on creative, McCray says that he wanted everything associated with his brand, from music, to apparel, to artwork, to represent his message of hard work and self-sufficiency.His clear perspective allows McCray to be a vessel for creative connection as someone who is not only motivated by his own growth but encourages other creatives where he can. “Sometimes as creatives, we get motivated by seeing others prosper. That’s definitely been the case for me on both sides.” He keeps himself and others going by working closely with other creatives and feeding off of like-minded energy, sharing ideas and creating projects with others. I’ve always been very determined about my craft so “the challenges I face never take me off course.” For some extra motivation and inspiration, follow Macc on social media @MaccMcCray and listen to “Roll the Dice” on all streaming platforms. His clothing is available for sale at the link is his instagram bio and online at www.maccmccray. net/shop.

Photographer: Lacquan Scott www.lacquanscott.design Artist: @missirissah Brand: @Richpeoplesleep

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Photographer: Lacquan Scott www.lacquanscott.design Artist: Karma www.lovekarmamusic.com Brand: @Richpeoplesleep 39

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COVER STORY BY: MELISSA MALOON

COVER FEATURE

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The freedom to be a Creative in its full capacity is a luxury many chase and few taste, for Stronghold they bask in the joyful taste. The visionaries behind Stronghold, Packman Dupe and Mikey Strong, and creative director, Notez, have fought and earned their freedom to design and bring to us all unique styles in streetwear. Whether it is curating, buying or designing, Stronghold is the one stop shop for putting forth some of the best clothing designs New Jersey has to offer. Stronghold, the name coming from partner Mikey Strong who was trying to bridge a gap between MMA and streetwear, it means to have a strong hold on life. In the time passed the “hold” was dropped to establish a brand apart from the MMA. Since its beginning it has grown to become a destination place for people all over the state looking for unique pieces that just can’t be found elsewhere. With now three locations, the most recent being at Menlo Park Mall, Stronghold has been a testament of resilience, perseverance and dedication; true examples of “Never not working.” Serving the community for over 10 years, Stronghold is a customerbased company where they make a conscious effort of establishing relationships with customers all over. They pay special attention to customer service and prioritize the customer feedback. It is the bread and butter of their business because

it allows them to gauge their performance and enhance it to be able to touch people inside as well as outside of New Jersey. Stronghold is more than excellent customer service though; it is a lifestyle. For the owners and creative director, it is a passion. Owner Dupe always knew fashion was going to be his passion, he went from getting two pairs of Jordans a year to now having an extensive collection. A firm believer of “Whatever you do, give it your 100%,” Dupe’s aspirations lie farther than dressing New Jersey, he wants to dress the world. For creative director, Notez, he also always knew he

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wanted to be in fashion and seek to make people smile one garment at a time. For Dupe, it is also about coming up with the right people with you. It is best to just start any project you desire but it also helps to do so with a partner who matches your passion and drive. It is also smart to find a mentor in whatever field of interest, advises Dupe. The most important key factor in everything is consistency. Consistency is the biggest focus over at Stronghold, because fortunately they have achieved their goals. They are blessed to say they have worked with people they have always wanted to dress, which allows them to focus on consistency to multiply their blessings! Now in 2021, we can celebrate the opening of a new location at Menlo Park Mall and also their involvement with the City of Bloomfield in New Jersey, where they will be designing recycling trash bins all throughout Bloomfield so as to encourage the youth to be more proactive when it comes to the environment. Obsessed and addicted to growth, these are just some of the early things we can expect over at Stronghold. Aside from anticipating their designs all over Bloomfield, NJ, we will be expecting a lot more collaborations and especially pop up shops, as well as more releases and events. They had made it to 10 years, they are working to exceed expectations for the next 10 years as they all also venture into different business avenues. Always looking to be better than yesterday and elevate, they are adamant on growth, they are happy to be in a position where they can help others in their growth as well.

To stay in with the latest of everything Stronghold follow the journey via Instagram @Strongholdshop! Shop looks online visit www.2strongshop.com for fire gear!

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CHAD PIFF WRITTEN BY: MELISSA MALOON PHOTOGRA PH HY: DAVID ALEXANDER www.mrdavidalexander.com

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A firm believer that he was born with a natural talent, Chad Piff has always had a tie to music. He was born with his skills and abilities which just gave him space to really focus and hone them. His passion for music came from going to church with his grandmother constantly and just hoping to one day play the guitar that always sat at the altar. Fast forward to now he is creating music and bringing people together sonically. Motivated by his son, Chad Piff always puts his all into his projects. He enjoys mixing a lot of hip-hop, R&B and also loves Rock and Roll. He doesn’t stick to just one genre because his style is too unique to place under one category or box. But at the end of the day, his music is mostly love based.

He carries a degree in Music Audio and Music Production so when it comes to studio time, he knows more than a thing or two. That much is evident as he was played on the radio without any label behind him pushing his music. He was featured on the East Coast National Radio, HOT 97 Radio and Power 105.1. He has also been played in major places like the Mall of America, MGM Grand and at gyms like Retro Fitness or LA Fitness. Aside from all of these radio appearances he has also been on tour, twice with major artists, and college tours as well. Chad Piff has remained busy in the pursuit of his dreams. It is most rewarding to him to hear how supporters listen to him while doing the most basic human things such as working out, cooking and just being. His music demonstrates so much love, peace and hope that someone expressed how his music helped him during his depression and prevented him from committing suicide. It really means a lot to know his words carry that much impact and influence to change someone’s reality and take it from absolute negativity and introduce positivity and hope. Therefore, he is incredibly careful with his lyrics; he is intentional with his words and how they might affect people. 52

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With that being said, the message he hopes to spread through his gift is that everything will be okay, never give up and if you love someone tell them every day. There is so much love to spread so let us do just exactly that, spread the love! That is especially anticipated in his upcoming new project: The Chad Piff Experience. We are hoping to see more love songs, but the rest is to be discovered when it is finally released for enjoying. To stay up to date with the latest and maybe catch a few gems for The Chad Piff Experience follow the journey via Instagram @chadpiffmoderndayhippie, for Facebook and Twitter follow Chad Piff.

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WRITTEN BY: MELISSA MALOON

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FEATURE ARTIST

The power of music could completely change your energy and how you go about your day, or at least that is what it is like for R&B Artist Scott Paul. From an early age he knew he had a passion for music that he just couldn’t not pursue. He now pursues to not only impact you and your energy through music positively, he is also looking to make a positive change in his community by running for Sussex County Commissioner. For Scott Paul it really began when he started seeing concerts and observing how music impacted and influenced everyone’s mood and energy. He has put in the 10,000 hours of work to not keep thinking is that right or correct; he just creates, and it flows naturally. His music resonated with just about anybody, from high schoolers to middle aged people who love R&B, and everything in between.

Scott Paul is well-known as he has done shows with New Jersey’s very own Justina Valentine and Fetty Wap, as well as other popular artists like J. Cole, Meek Mill, Chance the Rapper, A Boogie with Da Hoodie, PnB Rock, MGK and many more. His versatile style and sound can really resonate with all genres. Ambitious, hopeful and stoic, Scott Paul doesn’t only have big aspirations in music and on stage, but also in his community. You may catch his name on the ballot for Sussex County Commissioner in New Jersey. As it has been shown, the people care less about political experience and more about proper representation. That is where Scott Paul comes in willing to work with anyone and everyone who is looking to take real steps towards a better society. As commissioner Scott Paul will make sure all demographics of the county have a voice and impact on its run. The goal is to ensure that all current and future residents of Sussex County feel they have the opportunity to live happy and prosperous lives. Scott Paul also ensures small businesses and entrepreneurs will thrive and move away from practices that hurt the environment and prioritize renewable energy sources, vastly improving internet speeds and access throughout the county which has been an obstacle for many businesses and schools being that the internet is bad county-wide. He will also welcome cannabis to the community for the numerous of reasons that we should support it as well as the revenue that it brings in, it can help the community tremendously.

Being that Sussex County has been poorly represented, they are ready for someone who can facilitate real change to their community and people. Scott Paul stepped up to be a voice for the people and help provide them what is needed for the community like all things mentioned above. Scott Paul also became a recent new member to the board of trustees for NORWESCAP, an organization that serves 30,000 low-income people early, worked with Pathways 2 Prosperity to deliver food to families in need every Tuesday, Scott Paul also worked with Pass it Along and other organizations to speak to students in middle and high school about following your passion and dream. Aside from all of that Scott Paul, alongside some brilliant friends, also founded the H3AL Coalition, Highlighting Equality and Equity through Education, Advocacy and Love. To many he is a hero, but for Scott Paul, he is just fulfilling his calling and doing God’s work. It was never planned prior for Scott Paul to go ahead and run for Sussex County Commissioner, however, it only makes sense as he plays a vital role in his community and society. He continues to spread the message following your dreams. Life is all about trial and error, perseverance and faith and Scott Paul is making the best of it. Out now by Scott Paul is newly released album “Gemini Man,” make sure to check it out available on all platforms Apple, Spotify, Tidal. Also, make sure you don’t miss out on the video releases and more content by following Scott Paul’s journey via Instagram @iamscottpaul. W W W.W E A R E J E R S E Y E N T. C O M

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UNICORN KILLA KHERK COBAIN WRITTEN BY: AMY LOTHIAN PHOTOGRA PH HY : DAVID ALEXANDER www.mrdavidalexander.com

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“Consistency is key” Just ask Killa Kherk Cobain, aka Unicorn. If you’ve had your ear to the streets or listened to music from Jersey at all in the last 4 years, then you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about. We’re catching up with Unicorn since his first We Are Jersey feature back in 2018. As he tells it, nothing’s changed, and at the same time, time can make a world of a difference.

So tell us, How have you changed as an artist since the last time we spoke with you? How has your creative process evolved? To be honest, my creative process has remained exactly the same. I don’t spend a lot of time in the studio unless I’m working with a producer on beats, and even that I usually do at home. I go out and experience life and I write my music based on my daily experiences. Most of my concepts come to me while cruising through the hood in my old school Chevy. I put on a beat and vibe while driving and I’ll come up with something based on my mood, vibe, and daily experiences. Most people know and can tell that my music reflects a lifestyle: Sex, drugs and rock and roll, gangs, guns, and Jersey club, party, jewelry, money, and business. All of my lyrics are based on things I see and go through in real life. Unicorn is literally outside with the people everyday living, learning, and creating, whether its music, fashion, film, or business. What are some things you’ve learned in the past few years, about yourself and about the industry? One thing about the industry is that everything is analytics. The industry doesn’t focus on talent and artist development anymore, they focus purely on numbers, engagement, and the ability to turn a profit off of your creations. I made sure to educate myself on all aspects of the business so that I can maintain ownership of my intellectual property and creations. I’ve created a new sound and expanded the genre of Jersey Club music and Jersey culture. I’m what business people 1st want to market first. [I’ve accomplished many firsts already], first to rap on Jersey Club, first to combine Jersey Club with other genres like UK drill and Brooklyn drill, first to bring the Jersey

Club sound into the mainstream hip-hop arena, first Jersey Club artist on the Summer Jam stage, etc. Our genre is expanding every day and in this industry, as a pioneer of a new sound, it’s important to put a face to the brand. One thing I’ve done is an amazing job of making my face and brand a household name in New Jersey and now worldwide. I own 100 percent of all my masters, I’ve never had a manager or been signed to anyone or anything, I’ve learned to become my own record label, my own marketing company, and my own corporation. In doing so I’ve been able to dictate my success. How has the pandemic and current events changed your creative outlook? The pandemic really opened my eyes to the fact that there are so many creative ways to utilize technology to reach more people. While everyone was panicking and fighting over milk and toilet paper, I was starting new business ventures, creating music, designing clothing collections, and diversifying my sound. I had so much time to sit still and listen to new genres of music for inspiration. I get inspired from struggles, for some reason, struggle brings out the best in me creatively and I’m able to turn a bad situation into a win. Has your target audience expanded or changed? I make feel-good music and I pretty much provide a vibe for people who like to dance and have fun. To me, dance is a universal thing, so I guess you can say I’m targeting happy people. Then again I’m targeting unhappy people as well, because

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my music and brand should be able to change their mood from whatever negative state they’re in and transform them into a positive place. Unicorn is targeting the world, Unicorn represents joy, rareness, and embracing your individuality. My music gives people a vibe to elevate from low vibrations to a higher happiness. What are some of the goals you’ve reached for yourself since the last time you spoke with us? Wow. Let me see. There’s sooooo many milestones I’ve reached since I was on the cover of this magazine. When y’all first featured me I had three songs in rotation on the radio and was literally spawning a new genre of rap with the Jersey Club-infused beats. Since then, myself and DJ Fade were the first Jersey Club set on Sway in the Morning, Garden State Plaza mall gave us an annual event called Jersey Club Dyy which was a huge success. I’ve been fortunate to begin touring and performing internationally. I’ve been the subject of three documentaries so far and pbs recently interviewed me for a jersey club documentary. My goal in the beginning was to give Jersey a sound and represent Jersey culture. Thanks to TikTok, my sound has gone global and you can see my influence taking a hold as many young artists are now beginning to produce and rap on Jersey Club beats. I successfully transformed this genre to the point where we aren’t just DJ’s and producers anymore, but we’re actual artists. As the first ever Jersey Club artist, I’ve paved a lane for Jersey Club to have artists who make original sample-free records and can tour and have a career off of our homegrown sound. Moreover, we now have Spotify playlists, and the genre of Jersey Club is being recognized by the mainstream. I played a pivotal role in not only creating this new sound within Jersey Club, but also legitimizing it where the record industry

acknowledges Jersey Club and views us a valuable asset. I’m the only unsigned Jersey artist with 7 to 8 records in radio rotation since I came out, that’s 3 years of radio hits that all embody and stayed true to the Jersey Club music sound. I’ve also been able to successfully merge Jersey Club with Afro-beat, drill music, trap music, Latin music, reggae. Soulja boy might have done a lot of things first, but Unicorn aka Killa Kherk Cobain was the first to turn Jersey Club into hip-hop; They call me the Jay-Z of Jersey Club for a reason. I’m cool with just being called Unicorn or Killa though. What’s your latest project/single and how has your audience received it? My latest project is an EP I’m working on with my producer Ace Mula called ‘Jack n Drill’. It’s a brand new sound that all the kids in Jersey are going crazy for. We’ve mastered the fusion of drill music with Jersey Club beats and the project reflects the inner cities of Jersey from Newark to East Orange to Paterson to Camden. We have a lot of guest features from top artists in Jersey and the production is unlike anything that has ever been made; Brooklyn drill, Uk drill, and Jersey Club all meshed together. Some call it Jersey drill, the project is crazy. I’m also featured on Uniiqu3’s new project ‘Bitches is Outside Vol. 1’ with our hit single Stand Back reloaded, and the fans have been going crazy. I also dropped a video for Jack n’ Drill and 100k in LA, which is a tropical house mixed with Jersey club vibe. I filmed 100k in LA in cali during the pandemic and it came out amazing. I still work with Nimi Hendrix and Secret Society Motion Pictures and we have a plethora of dope visuals, films, and content on the way. Are things going the way you would have imagined them this time last year? Things are better than I could have ever imagined right now and I’m just grateful for my fans and supporters and I’m gonna keep supplying bigger and better vibes for the people. What are some business moves you’re working on for the future? Most people don’t know but I was a creative director and designer for Coogi brand when they relaunched around 2015. Since then I’ve not only done music but I’m still very active in fashion, having worked with vintage brands such Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, Ewing, Starter, Coogi, MCM, etc. Now I have my own collection which I’ve partnered with a Stronghold Shop. We have a location in Bloomfield, New Jersey and we’re opening a brand new boutique in Menlo Park Mall in July. The Unicorn and Jersey Club collections will be available at Stronghold shop and online. Moreover, I’m opening a Creative Center that will offer film, photo, music, dance, and business classes. The Creative Center will also provide tutoring and behavior therapy for children with autism and special needs. We will have Jersey Club production and Jersey Club dance classes as well. I’m putting multiple Jersey Club projects together and working with all of the top producers in Jersey. I’m literally doing music, film, fashion, and philanthropy all at once and I’m loving every second of it. What would you tell yourself from 3 years ago? 3 years ago when I started doing music and expanding this new sound I knew I was gonna be the hottest thing smoking. In Jersey and on the Jersey Club scene I’m recognized as a pioneer and I would tell myself to keep going harder because getting to the top is one thing, staying at the top is the hard part. Remain humble. Remain focused.

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We Are Jersey Magazine July 2021 Issue Featuring Strong