WAJ Magazine: January 2022 featuring UNIIQU3

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Lindsay Rawls

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CONTRIBUTORS EDITORS BEE PAPINO LACQUAN SCOTT

WRITERS AMY LOTHIAN MELISSA MALOON RANN MILLER JOSE WRIGHT, JR. STEPHANIE JONES JOSCELYN LEWIS

PUBLISHER DANIAL BANKS BEE PAPINO

PHOTOGRAPHERS SHELLY FERRELL (COVER) LACQUAN SCOTT

STYLIST AZARI’EL ANEYA-ISQ

FEATURED UNIIQU3 TAZ THE CREATOR RODNEY COURSEY QUEEN SHAY JUSTIN DE SEAN L BEZZLE LINDSAY BARRZ

ADS BENTLEYS LACED BY LADY A DOPEST CR3ATIVES PAPINO PROPERTIES ROYAL SOUL ARS GRATIAS ARTIS ROSE CITY STUDIOS HOME OF THE LIVING INC. BILLION BARZ CLUB

MODELS Our models can be followed on instagram @wearejerseydiamondz

Faith Rodriguez

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INSIDE Opener

Business

Brand New World Verzuz Home by: Rann Miller (pg. 9)

Jennifer Black Interview by Bridget Papino (pg. 25)

Editorials

Local

Child-like Challenges with a Lover’s Choices by: Jose Wright, Jr. (pg. 15)

Jersey Drill by: Amy Lothian (pg. 37)

Todays Tea With Jos by: Joscelyn Lewis (pg. 19) The Appetite & Admiration Station by: Jose Wright, Jr. (pg. 33)

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Resolutions vs. Goals by: Stephanie Jones (pg. 47)

RODNEY COURSEY Garden State Hip-Hop

TAZ THE CREATOR

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Designer

14 JUSTIN DESEAN Choreographer

QUEEN SHAY Choreographer

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L BEZZLE Billion Barz Club

UNIIQU3

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Cover Artist

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LINDSAY B A RR Z PE R S O N A N O N GR ATA

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The first time I watched the Wiz, I was a teenager.

I went through my entire childhood without knowing The Wiz even existed. However, I did watch the Wizard of Oz as a kid, but I never really cared for the movie.

Once in college, I read about a number of theories and political interpretations of the film, but it still carries little cultural significance for me.

The Wiz is different.

I remember a conversation with my uncle when I was fourteen. We were talking about kids’ movies and the Wizard of Oz came up and he immediate asked me, “yeah, but have you ever seen the Wiz?” I though he meant the store Nobody Beats The Wiz. He laughed and explained that it was a “Black” spin on the Wizard of Oz. He proceeded to take a trip down memory lane while demanding that I watch it.

So, I did, and I knew immediately that this wasn’t Judy Garland’s Wizard of Oz. It was better.

I thought so for the simple fact that it was a movie made

by Black people, for Black people, with Black people and the familiar cultural cues rooted in Africanisms in it. However, the meaning of the movie hit different when I sat down in my thirties to watch it with my children; everything from the story to the music hit me differently.

I was sitting on the couch with my kids and as Diana Ross began singing Home, the tears begin to swell up in my eyes. To hold them back, I do that quick sniffle and immediately my kids look up and by then, the tears were flowing. They ask me why I am crying. I have no answer, because I don’t really know.

As I’ve gotten older, and honestly since I’ve become a parent, I cry a lot more.

A thought or a specific movie scene—like when Marlin gave in to the idea that he’d never see Nemo again—or a song like Home, makes me cry. When watching the movie, although Ms. Ross is who’s singing, I hear Ms. Stephanie Mills in my head. No shade to Ms. Ross, but when Ms. Stephanie Mills sings it... church.

Maybe it’s just me, but when Ms. Stephanie Mills sings it, I feel good all over.

The first time I had ever heard Home sang, Stephanie Mills sang it. I heard it in a car while riding with a parent, on Black radio long before I ever heard of the Wiz. Shout out to WDAS in Philly.

What makes me cry when I hear the song is how Stephanie Mills brings those lyrics to life within my spirit. Whenever I hear her voice singing that song, it sounds like Gospel music to my ears because Ms. Mills is tapping into something that stretches beyond nostalgia. Rather, her voice to those lyrics tap into level of consciousness that pulls me from the vestibule of mere remembrance into the sanctuary of my own movement and memory. Through her voice singing those words, I see the makings of myself.

When I think of home, I think of a place Where there’s love overflowing I wish I was home, I wish I was back there With the things I’ve been knowing...

Maybe there’s a chance for me to go back Now that I have some direction It sure would be nice to be back at home Where there’s love and affection...

When I think of home, I am not referencing my geographical area as much as I am reference from where and from whom I come from. By the hands 10

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of God, I come from my ancestors that lived free and mighty in their own homeland; from ancestors who were kidnapped and survived the middle passage; ancestors who existed and resisted while enslaved; ancestors who migrated from Confederate states and planted roots in Camden, New Jersey.

My ancestral lineage is my geography.

Who I come from is the community that raised me; a community of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the elders from the neighborhood, the schools, the churches, the community centers and any other hallowed ground my feet stepped on.

As a father, watching my children live during their own childhood, I can’t help but wonder of the cultural meaning making that is happening within them. I can’t help but refer to my own. I cannot help but reflect on the very love and affection that was overflowing and how it shaped me. Thankfully, my career has allowed me to go back home now that I have some direction. But I want to go back to the home I once knew yet that home occupies a time and space that is far, far away.

Sadly, I can’t visit.

My grandparents occupy that time and space.

Many within the body of elders are there. Some friendships were left back there. Love abides there also. Whenever I return to those streets and neighborhood, the familiarity that rests within my heart compels me to see through a lens of what once was as my mind makes sense of what is.

I am left to know that while I can see, smell, hear and taste home, I can never again touch it.

If you’re listening, God, please don’t make it hard To know if we should believe the things that we see Tell us should we try and stay or should we run away Or will it be better just to let things, let them be Livin here in this brand-new world Might be a fantasy But it’s taught me to love, oh, yeah And it’s real, it’s so real, it’s real to me Although I can’t go back there, I lean into this brandnew world where I currently live; a world where my children take meaning from my overflowing love, a

world where I am an emerging member of someone’s community of elders. It feels different being on the other side. However, I believe that this is the life’s work of the community of elders raising up young men and women; to build and equip a new community of elders to maintain our people as time passes on.

This is a work throughout the African Diaspora.

All of this hit deep within my spirit the moment Stephanie Mills opened her mouth to sing Home, closing her Verzuz battle with Chaka Khan.

The impact of Verzuz is well documented by folks like Naima Cochrane and David Dennis. But what was once an intimate space for Black people to gather and commune together during the pandemic has become a capitalist enterprise. No shade to Swizz Beats and Timbaland, but the security and self-care of intimacy is often lost when a thing is detaches from the source of its strength... in this case, the intimacy of a purely Black space.

Under the authority of Triller, Verzuz is no longer held within the sanctity of a Black space crafted by Black hands. However, Black folks have always made lemonade from lemons. Even within the constructs of this social structure, we always form our own structures to house our culture, our hopes and dreams.

Even within a format the theoretically pit one artist against another, on a night where Stephanie Mills could have taken advantage of her coherence at the expense of Chaka Khan’s lack thereof, Ms. Mills did not. During an event mainstreamed for global consumption for the profit of its owners, Ms. Mills was able to pull from what home meant to her versus someone else’s definition of home to choose how to comport herself that night with her sister.

From there she was able to take us back home.

She guided our travel back to that place where suddenly the raindrops that fell have meaning and as I leaned into Ms. Mills voice even more, it pulled me from the vestibule to the sanctuary of my memories to show me that although my world has gone and changed its fate, I still know where I am going... that I can still live in this brand new world.

Thank you, God, for listening.

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Model: Lindsay Rawls @l.a.rawls Stylist: Lauren Baker @vintg Photographer: Kameron Ballard @kam.ballard

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Child-like Challenges With A Lover’s Choices By: Jose Wright, Jr.

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We have an interesting dilemma on our hands, don’t we? Love in 2021 still isn’t what many people would’ve hoped for. We can account for large numbers of movie selections that feed our desire to love on the big screen, but when it comes to the dating pool today? Well...you might as well take a look around you. I’m sure you know a few very happy couples who can attest to the genuine love you probably want to feel, but you likely can also point out the broken hearts and shattered romances too. The latter portion will be in a much greater number, won’t it?

Seriously, do some self reflection and dig into your memory bank. What does your romantic resume look like? Have you done more smiling than frowning, or do the memories that you can recall make you want to isolate yourself from all human life? I know all too well that this love journey doesn’t come with a tangible instruction manual, and it surely doesn’t come with any safety measures for your emotionally affected organs. Trial and error gets tiresome, breakups are more numerous than you may feel is necessary, and we all have collectively not yet found the key to make dating make sense!! I have noticed in my many interrogative dialogues with random couples (well known and not-so-familiar), that experiences and specific patterns greatly affect relationships! Where do these things tend to stem from in many cases? The answer is childhood!

Ladies and gentlemen, what happened to you as a child can DEFINITELY and DRASTICALLY affect how you interact in your adult relationships. wajmagazine.com

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Emotional cravings (or lack thereof) are held captive by memories, which are vigorously tied to them by experiences which should (or shouldn’t) occur.

When I was a child, I was surrounded by affectionate aunts. Hand holding was normal, being hugged up when standing next to them was also common, and constant kisses on the cheeks were a delicacy of touch as a child. What smiling little one doesn’t revel in that kind of affection? That being the case in regards to today’s romances, I now have a high need for intimacy and affection in relationships. My thoughts towards intimacy and memories of it as a child, provided positive reflections and an eagerness to engage in it more often.

Knowing that the childhood of a human being can greatly affect today’s romances, is

it any wonder that so many people do not prefer much touch? Does it seem weird to you when you see people who aren’t fond of hugs, or prefer not to hold hands on dates? Do you know (or understand) what they may have endured that brought them to that point?

Tattered hearts created from having traumatized flesh typically cannot give enough emotional desire for touch.

Imagine asking a person for a hug who was viciously raped in their teens, and finds fear in any form of hugs. What if their attackers gave an appearance of kindness through hugs, and then their willingness to receive those hugs resulted in near-irreparable emotional damage; would it make sense now that

EEEEEEEmoEtoiEnal craEvogEsi(vE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE touch isn’t of interest to them? I have myself observed people backing away from me, because of their fear forcing them to react by backing away from me.

It appears at times that some people don’t love folk enough for physical affection, which at times can be the case, but in many cases across the country [and even further than that], attempts at affection can be triggering to many hearts.

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How Does the Childhood Experience Correlate to Intimacy in Relationships in This Age? Taking note of the previous mentions of trauma happening in one’s youth, which greatly affects how people interact with one another, is it any wonder why many people want to be left alone?

Not much attention is brought to light in those circumstances where romances are tested. Fellas, how often have you found yourself the person attempting to initiate affection, only to be told not to hug them or hold their hands? In many situations that are romantically on an upward climb, the women do want to show affection and intimacy. However, a gentle touch on her shoulder may conceive a familiar reminder of deceit. Placing your arm on her hip could “trip a wire” in her subconscious mind, and you could end up on the receiving end of a rage fit that would scare the lion from his throne in

the jungle. How on Earth does a human being combat that kind of psychological calamity?

My honest guess is…patience. It is a patient individual that will find satisfactory solutions to such a dilemma.

What of the words that came from the tongues of adults & peers?

I’m willing to bet the last $0.55 cents in my coin pouch that someone called you something heart wrenching as a child, and though it might not have broken you to your very core, it definitely turned someone else’s world upside down. Words cause wars! Words have broken families and homes! Words have distributed malice to many regimes, and terrified academic

YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A CHILD AS AN ADULT? juggernauts!! Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. changed lives with words in his speeches, so what makes some folk think that children aren’t affected by words? TO THIS VERY DAY, grown women (and some men) have self esteem issues & insecurities about their anatomies. Some mothers have said things to their daughters about their weight, and never paid attention to their children’s reactions.

Parental insecurities have been cast into children since I can recall my initial philosophies on parenting concerns, and that hasn’t changed for the better yet. Women have been doing whatever they’ve felt is necessary to make themselves feel good, attractive, sexy, etc. Not every woman is tied to this idea, but many women have heard things growing up as a child, and experienced a lot of the tangible ramifications as teenagers. Body shaming was always a “thing,” and no child needed to hear that they’re too fat for people to like them, or want to play with them. I’m certain many people have noticed one thing…

These thoughts NEVER LEFT!!

The romantic world isn’t free of generational pain and trauma, and the bonding of lovers will greatly be affected by these concerns. Whatever potent amount of malice was experienced as a child needs to be healed, or people’s emotions will be considerably wounded to such a deep level, that romance will become undesirable to the masses to an even greater extent than we see now.

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s y a Tod

a e T

s o J by: Joscelyn Lewis

ROSEMARY New journeys we embark on can seem overwhelming because we don’t know where to start.

I am here to help and guide you along the journey to get back to our roots, herbalism. When teaching people about herbalism I always recommend picking one problem you are having an issue with and picking the one herb that helps cure it. Use the herb, see how it helps heal you, then pick an herb that compliments that one and keep building from there. We have to build one floor at a time to build a skyscraper, right? I’ll start with my favorite herb, Rosemary. It is affordable and easy to find at any grocery store or farmer’s market. So let’s dive in. wajmagazine.com

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ROSEMARY AKA THE DEW OF THE SEA What are the main benefits?

It protects the heart. It is rich in antioxidants preventing the arteries’ rapid aging while reducing the incidence of myocardial infarction. The antioxidants also reduce the stress response of the heart muscle cells and repairs the hardened heart tissue.

It manages diabetes. This plant contains rosmarinic acid and polyphenols creatine which proven by many studies lowers blood sugar levels or helps prevent it all together.

It can boost mental power and concentration which leads to better moods and less anxiety. The great thing is despite it having the power to help with these issues it does not contain caffeine so it is safe to drink during the day or at night.

It is an excellent herb for hair growth. Hair loss is a big issue we deal with when we grow older. For this, you would make the rosemary tea, instead of drinking it though you would let it cool, add it to a spray bottle, and spray the tea onto your hair or scalp. The stronger the tea the better, so I would let the tea steep overnight.

As we know with medicine, it differs from person to person. Rosemary is not safe for people who suffer from epilepsy (it can stimulate the nerves which, may lead to a seizure) or pregnant women (it can induce the pregnancy). People who are allergic to aspirin seem to have adverse effects to rosemary tea as they have similar ingredients.

How to make rosemary tea: 1. Take 1 tbsp of dried rosemary leaves.

2. Put into 8 oz of boiling water.

3. Let leaves steep for a minimum of 10 minutes.

4. I recommend if you don’t like the flavor alone, add lemon, honey, or lime. I do not recommend adding white sugar to any herbal tea.

Herbs that compliment Rosemary are: lemon verbena, lavender, or chamomile. Explore and play with blends until you find the one that benefits you specifically.

As always I’ll leave you with A THOUGHT TO SIP ON. Just a thought to think about as you sip on with your tea. Drinking tea is a form of meditation sip slow and see what comes up for you: Rosemary and Aphrodite are strongly connected. Aphrodite translates into “the dew of the sea”. Aphrodite was born out of the sea. She is the goddess of sex, love, beauty, and creation.

Rosemary is used for boosting memory. As you sip on your rosemary tea, let it help you remember the thing about you that you love. Make a list of the things you love about yourself, what makes you feel beautiful, and what you want to create in this life. Everything is created by love and everything is healed by love. Let this rosemary tea help you remember how much there is to love by you.

I pray you let these herbs heal you and bring you into the flow of perfect health.

Peace be with you.

Joscelyn Lewis

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Putting Creativity And Purpose Before Popularity

Culture

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Tamara Todd, aka Taz The Creator is an artist & garment constructor from New Brunswick, NJ. The fashion entrepreneur designs and creates pieces with a mix of printing, painting, and embroidery. Under the same moniker, her brand, Taz the Creator dons bold designs with popping colors, bold print & the brand’s motto “Create for purpose, Not for Fame”. Inspired and motivated by an innate need for creative expression, Taz’s brand is a culmination of expressions of family, her surroundings, her determination, and a love for bringing ideas to life while inspiring others to do the same.

Taz’s unique outlook on life undoubtedly contributes greatly to her creative output. Says Taz, “everything is considered art to me. I am a strong believer in the saying, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and [that] no one can tell a person a specific way to be creative because it comes from within.”

Of Tamara Todd, aka Taz The Creator is an artist & garment constructor from New Brunswick, NJ. The fashion entrepreneur designs and creates pieces with a mix of printing, painting, and embroidery. Under the same moniker, her brand, Taz the Creator dons bold designs with popping colors, bold print & the brand’s motto “Create for purpose, Not for Fame”. Inspired and motivated by an innate need for creative expression, Taz’s brand is a culmination of expressions of family, her surroundings, her determination, and a love for bringing ideas to life while inspiring others to do the same. Taz’s unique outlook on life undoubtedly contributes greatly to her creative output. Says Taz, “everything is considered art to me. I am a strong believer in the saying, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and [that] no one can tell a person a specific way to be creative because it comes from within.”

Of her mission and purpose, Taz leads with the mindset that there is no cap on creativity and encourages those around her to create

content that is authentically representative of self. “Do whatever comes to your mind, there are too many people trying to impress others and most people end up losing their [true] self in the process.

Taz contributes both her personal and creative growth to a change in mindset which has encouraged her to grow into the best version of herself, take risks, and push past previous limitations. “I took the initiative to pursue my dreams as an entrepreneur and I feel that one day all of my hard work will surely pay off.” Like any true artist, Taz’s abilities range in style and delivery. Whether she’s spending hours drafting the perfect design or freestyling something on a whim, her delivery is consistent either way. With this consistency, she’s been able to build trust among her clients and her community.

“The thing that sets me and my style apart is knowing that people trust in me with their pieces. Being able to freestyle a creative piece with my sense of style and techniques makes out for a great creator.”

Most recently, Taz teamed up with business partner Tiamoyia White to bring more inspiration and exposure to likeminded community entrepreneurs with their event “The Black Friday Vending Experience”. Together, the two were inspired to turn a grungy warehouse space into a one-of-a-kind shopping experience and provided a platform for others with their own brands and products. With 18 vendors in attendance and hundreds of customers coming through to support, the event turned out to be a success. For the future, Taz intends to continue being her most ambitious, creative, and powerful self, while inspiring others to do the same.

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their brands and provide more creative spaces where art is at the forefront. To see more from Taz and get the latest on “Taz The Creator” the brand, follow them on social media @humblemetee and @ Tazthecreator22.

Shop the brand at www.tazthecreator.com.

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INTERVIEW BY: BRIDGET PAPINO Jennifer Black is a passionate entrepreneur who has been through the heartache of losing family members and turned her pain into power by helping others grieve their losses. Jennifer Black, a New Jersey native, opened 1st 24 Bereavement Concierge Services in May 2015 focused on providing full-on support for clients beginning as soon as their loved ones passed away. Focused on ensuring others do not go through the same experiences as her previously, she is dedicated to her divine purpose.

Jennifer began noticing needs beyond just having guidance when planning funeral services when she saw how many other people are affected by a loss. Her services are available nationwide and include assistance with funerals and post-funeral responsibilities that come along after someone has passed away, and teaching women how to live life after a loss.

She is a New Jersey based luxury bereavement concierge and grief coach with a specialty in helping individuals plan and comes with the many uncertainties & grievous moments life can spring up.

Jennifer currently holds a Bachelor of Science degree, is an ICF-certified sadness coach, and a certified life insurance agency. Jennifer has been featured in multiple media outlets such as the Trendy Savings Show podcast and Woman To Woman Talk Magazine.

Jennifer’s created Here’s to Hope 30 Day Devotional giving you meditations to help you walk through different stages of grief. Her Passion On Workbook guide assists you with planning after losing a loved one. wajmagazine.com

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During our interview, Jennifer gave us a little more insight into her experiences.

Name one thing that loss has taught and stuck with you.

Loss has taught me the importance of living your best life while making a positive impact on people.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I enjoy being an advocate for my clients and holding their hand during one of the most devastating times in their lives.

In your experience, which stage of grief do clients find difficult to overcome?

Acceptance is a tough one for a lot of my clients because it means they have to move on with their lives without that person and that’s very challenging. Accepting the loss means death did happen and their loved is no longer on this earth.

Can you describe community resources you found helpful to clients?

Can we expect more guides on the way?

I always ask God to download ideas and strategies for products and services that help grieving hearts so I’m definitely open to it.

In what ways do you spend your time and wind down when your not working?

I love spending time with my family and friends because it truly rejuvenates me. I’m reminded of death every day so I embrace and take advantage of our time together. I love karaoke and dancing; it’s my happy place.

How do you balance what you do for work from your own personal emotions?

Prayer and self-care. The grieving hearts God has called me to is extremely heavy but so rewarding so I make it a point to spend time with him every day multiple times a day.

I need and long for God’s presence, peace, strength and comfort every day and he gives it to me. I also infuse self-care in my day in some kind of way because if I don’t, my family will feel the repercussions and that’s the last thing I want.

Local support groups, church and community service.

Your 30 Day Devotional and Passion On Workbook guide both are such brilliant ideas that can help so many people. What was the process like in creating both?

The process was an array of emotions because I felt not only my own grief but the grief of families all over as I was writing. I had to stop numerous times because I was overtaken by sadness, pain, confusion, bargaining, regret and blame. I prayed for God to give me the strength to finish, and he reminded me that there are so many people waiting on what he’s placed inside of me. I took a deep breath, wiped my tears, and completed what I started. wajmagazine.com

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What was the exact moment that it all clicked for you that this is what you wanted to do as a business?

My family experienced back-to-back deaths a few years ago and had bad experiences with funeral homes and the vendors involved.

During that time, I heard God’s voice tell me that this is what he wants me to do and that’s when it clicked.

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

I’m a firm believer that our words/language have power. I remember when I was in highschool in my senior year and wanted to go away to college. I wanted the freedom and experience but I wasn’t sure if I would get in. I remember telling my friends that I’m going and it’ll be paid for somehow, not even knowing whether or not my parents could afford it. I received news that I was granted a scholarship and that’s when I started to see the power of my words/language. God made it happen but the fact that I kept saying it and more importantly believed what I was saying, it happened.

Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 years?

I see both myself and my business in a state of the art facility that families come to after losing their loved one. The facility will include support groups, therapists, coaches and provide additional resources for grieving families. I see additional products and services to assist those having a hard time with grief.

If you could give the child version of you advice today, what would it be?

I would tell the child version myself that it’s ok to do something out of the box and be different. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing and the way they’re doing it.

Trust in God no matter what and he’ll give you everything you need along the way!

Do you have any advice for other female entrepreneurs like yourself?

Do it scared! Put yourself out there because people need the gifts God has put inside of you.

Don’t give up! Entrepreneurship is not for the faint at heart and it gets hard sometimes but cry it out and keep it moving! You got this sis!

If any of our readers whom has dealt with a recent loss in their life, what is one piece of advice you would like to give them?

Be patient with yourself because grief is a journey and has no timeline. You’re allowed to feel what you feel unapologetically.

How can our readers find you, follow you and book you?

We’re on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

There is a link in my bio on Instagram for scheduling. You can also reach us at www.1st24loss.com.

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Coursey Rodney by: Amy Lothian

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Rodney Coursey is a creative strategist,

community organizer, and concert promoter creating lanes and making waves across the New Jersey hip-hop scene. The Jersey Shore native has become well-known for his platform, Garden State Hip Hop (GSHH), which specializes in music, publicity, blogging, and event promotions with a focus on hip hop artists and musicians in the state of New Jersey.

Coursey and the brand have become pillars in the community and are much sought-after for their efforts in New Jersey and beyond. Always having a desire to go into the music industry, GSHH was founded in 2009 after Coursey experienced his fair share of rejection on his desired career path. Still in college at the time, he decided to bet on himself and create his platform. Coursey says he also saw an absence of Jersey artists in mainstream media coverage and saw an opportunity to shed light on Jersey’s musically talented.

Following the launch of the brand, it did not take long for Coursey to see the fruits of his labor come to fruition. Through GSHH, he was afforded the possibility of getting closer to his dreams of working in the music industry when

he landed an internship at a local studio.

Immersing himself in entrepreneurship, he shares that he had to make any necessary sacrifices at the time and faced his own set of challenges when first getting started. Through perseverance, he focused on his mission and taught himself valuable skills to be able to do so. In addition to being loyal to New Jersey and passionate about hip-hop, Coursey is motivated by an authentic passion & love for the music and for being of service to others.

“I love to see people shine”, he shared with the WAJ team. The highly motivated and dedicated entrepreneur attributes his consistent drive to family, specifically the influence and inspiration of his mother. He speaks highly of her saying, “She is someone who did not have the strongest support system or resources growing up but found her way through grit and determination. Watching her personal and professional growth has been very fulfilling.”

Coursey has utilized the Garden State Hip Hop brand to fulfill his dreams and passion of curating opportunities from himself as well as others through his work as a publicist and blogger and networking with other platforms to host events and showcases across the East Coast. As the GSHH platform continues to grow, Coursey aims to build relationships with more artists locally and globally, create great content, and help hip-hop artists establish their names within the community. Over the last decade, GSHH has hosted countless shows for Tri-state artists on the rise including the 2019 Summer Rap ‘n’ Rock Tour which featured groove-rock bands, rap artists, and hip-hop collectives and DJs. Over 6 weeks, Coursey and the tour’s other organizers performed and hosted on stages throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

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One thing that Coursey says has made him proud since he started GSHH is the progression of New Jersey in the mainstream and the creation of other platforms like Garden State Hip Hop, led by like-minded people with the same love and loyalty for his home state. Though he’s already accomplished so much during his career, Coursey says he still hasn’t reached his peak and moves by faith, leaving it all up to God. He also lives his life and conducts business by a simple mantra he calls the three D’s - dedication, determination, and discipline.

For the future, Coursey is planning the relaunch of the GSHH website this year. He also plans to expand his work as a creative strategist to include other forms of art associated with hip-hop such as visual art and literature while steadily working on producing more events. Follow Rodney on Instagram @rodneygshh and Facebook at gardenstatehiphop.com and look out for the relaunch of the Garden State Hip Hop website coming soon.

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Culture

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The Appetite & Admiration Station By: Jose Wright, Jr.

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Remember the Snickers commercials that had that one slogan that never dies; “hungry, why wait?” Some of those commercials were actually very funny. “You aren’t yourself when you’re hungry.” Oh yeah, I can definitely see how that applies to the subject at hand. Enough of the food conversation; I’m not trying to make either of us crave any chocolate bars right now.

What I want to tackle is Love vs Lust!! Is it easy to differentiate between the two? Is one greater than the other? Why are so many minds confused about the traits of either element?

I’m not sure why there’s so much uncertainty about it, but let’s attempt to break into greater understanding. Shall we?

What does lust typically entail? In comparison to that, what is love supposed to look like? If we break a particular phrase down, we might be able to better comprehend their differences.

What comes to mind right now are the words “lust of the flesh.” There’s definite usage of that phrase in religious institutions, but to my understanding, that’s the most applicable phrase possible. That being said, LUST has a focus that caters to pleasing the body! Google’s definition of lust simply is, “very strong sexual desire.”

Google’s definition of love is “an intense feeling of deep affection.” Which of the two tend to create the most issues & concerns in today’s society? Without question, lust holds that candle proudly. The other is misused in text/ print & audibly, and many have yet to truly find it. In this age & time where social media has been put into use to an even greater measure, the eyes of men have been perpetually ravished and ensnared by consistent, ever more alluring, and creative means of showing skin. OnlyFans accounts and (basically) free pornographic material have showered the internet’s social sites, and caused a downpour of primal reactions that do not cater to reason, or respect towards women.

Who remembers Daisy Dukes?

I know I’m not by myself here, but I remember when those were a new trend. I saw aunts and older cousins talking to younger family members about not wearing them, because of how high the cut rose to a woman’s “life giving” space. I know some of you reading this probably owned/own a pair! You can’t lie to yourself about this one. Those shorts were just too short, and depending upon the body type of the woman wearing them, they’d be even more uncomfortable looking in the eyes of some others. Regardless of how they may have fit on some women, the brothers would LOSE THEIR MINDS when we…they saw them.

Without full description being written out, the attentive and oh so carnivorous male species couldn’t really handle those shorts. THAT WAS BACK THEN!! Today, lust (through its various displays) is a whole, different kind of visually euphoric, and salivating beast! Speaking with intent and concern, the human eye doesn’t stand a chance (let alone the effect on the mind). Lust puts women in harm’s way! Lust has no regard for the high standard of man (which in many spaces seems almost nonexistent)!

Lust’s only concern is the climax that two bodies can achieve by ANY sexual means necessary!

That said, what does love look like? What goes through the human heart and mind when you genuinely LOVE someone?

To love someone is to give of yourself intentionally for their benefit, and to accomplish that task even if you must sacrifice something you hold dear. Love is selfless in nature, and a man or woman who loves another shows it in very specific manners.

Jennifer Lewis’ character in the 2001 movie “The Brothers” gave an example of love to three women, which spoke of sacrifice. “If 34

he would give you his last piece of food, the very last bite, BABY…that’s love.” It’s a simple act to say the least, but you know most brother’s aren’t giving up that last bite of their sandwich easily, right? There has to be deep rooted affection and adoration for someone, in order to sacrifice something that as small as it may seem, is in that moment the most desired item before their eyes. Come on now ladies AND fellas; you know you DON’T PLAY when it comes to your food! I’m quite certain that if someone tries to grab a chicken wing off of your plate, they’ll be missing a finger or two and regretting the choice they just made.

Are the distinctions between love and lust noticeable?

Love and lust are noticeably different, but based upon the definitions presented, one can lust after someone they love. Can a person lust after someone and learn to love them later? Can someone fall out of love and simply lust after an individual? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that those questions have confirmed answers that hold true, but not enough caution is brought forward in regards to either element. Swinging back over to the social media mentions for a moment, how many of you ladies don’t even read your DMs anymore? Regarding lust, I rest my case! The ability to more readily and effortlessly use social networks to contact one another, may have created more of a budding concern than most would consider minimal enough to remain on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat, etc. Hypersexual consistency feeds the notion that many women have, in believing that most men are simply uncaged animals, mentally enslaved in a constant mating season. You may feel extreme passion (or intense desire) lustfully for someone you consider your partner, but would that mean you are trapped in lust? To love someone truly is displayed in many ways; building a home together, starting a family, co-founding a business, spending quality time and learning about one another are things that are entrenched in love’s domain. Lust is PURELY sexual!

How have you seen love & lust presented in your own life? What is it about love that excites you, or concerns you? Are you authentically loving someone right now, or has sex been the main focus but you didn’t really see it? Is lust all that’s been presented before you? Do you now comprehend the difference?

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

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The New Jersey Artists Pioneering The Next Wave Of Viral Music Story By Amy Lothian

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Jersey Drill: The New Jersey artists pioneering the next wave of viral musicCreatives from the Garden state are known for trendsetting and being the first to start the next wave. This year, that comes in the form of a new genre of music known as Jersey Drill. The Jersey Drill sound originated in 2021 as an off-shoot of the popularized Jersey Club sound and is now becoming a trendy cornerstone for many upcoming Jersey rappers, especially in Newark and Essex County and surrounding areas. The world has seen before how quickly Jersey sound can go viral and those pioneering the first wave of Jersey Drill want the world to know the real narrative of where the sound truly comes from. Leading the movement of Jersey Drill are some of the state’s most talented and forwardthinking artists and producers who also played a hand in putting the Jersey Club genre on the map. Among them are artists Unicorn (Killa Kherk Cobain), BandmanRill, and MBM Franko as well as producer Ace Mula and DJ 809.

the first artist to rap on a Jersey Club beat and the first to do Jersey Club collabs with Brooklyn Drill artists like Fivio Foreign, Ether, Swipey, and Beno. This year Unicorn and the aforementioned artists have produced some of the first Jersey Drill sounds with singles like “Jack N Drill ‘’ with BandmanRill, produced by Ace Mula, and “Jersey Drill” with MBM Franko and DJ 809. What makes this new sound different is the fusion of Jersey Club and Drill in a format that is suitable for rappers to join in on, while still keeping the Jersey Club elements of the beats. Even though the sound is still relatively new, it has already been well received by listeners. Newark artist BandmanRill’s “Heartbroken” Remix went super-viral last year. Bandman, who was fresh out of high school, jokingly threw a Brooklyn Drill flow and cadence over the Jersey Club beat. People liked it so much that he’s credited with giving the movement the sauce that it needed to reach a much bigger audience. The single quickly took off across the internet.

The Jersey Drill sound combines the workings of Jersey Club and rap, specifically Brooklyn Drill. Unicorn (Killa Kherk Cobain) was

Similarly, Unicorn (Killa Kherk Cobain) and BandmanRill’s single “Jack N Drill”, also produced by Ace Mula, surpassed 500k streams

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on Soundcloud and continues generating upwards of 15k plays per week. The song itself is an ode to Jersey Drill, which is a play on the words as if they are “Jackin” Drill (hijacking drill and making it their own). It can also be interpreted as a play on “Jack N Jill” meaning they’re all on this journey up the hill together.

The “Jack N Drill” track set off waves among artists in New Jersey with Ace Mula being quickly commissioned by a long list of artists for “JackNDrill” type beats. Following the trajectory of the song, Ace Mula released the first-ever Jersey Drill Album titled “JackNDrill” with Unicorn and BandmanRill on the lead single of the project. The project also featured many other notable New Jersey artists, and Ace Mula became the pioneer producer of this sound. Together, Unicorn and Ace Mula worked to specifically tailor the sound so that more hardcore rappers from New Jersey would be able to have beats that represent Jersey sound but aren’t the same as purely typical Jersey Club dance beats. Elizabeth natives rapper MBM Franko, self-titled “Mr. Jersey Drill”, and DJ 809 also released multiple Jersey Drill style records and videos last year. DJ 809 also produced and

released a full Jersey Club / Jersey Drill Album titled “Til We Meet Again” featuring many of the most prevalent Jersey Club and Jersey Drill Artists to date. For the holidays, rapper Unicorn and DJ 809 also released the first-ever Jersey Drill/Jersey Club Christmas Album titled “Xmas In Jersey”.

For these creatives and more this is the driving sound of New Jersey in 2022. Since its inception, Jersey Drill style music has been explored by almost all the major acts in the state. Among them are artists like Rek Banga, Chad B, Chad Piff, Kia BHN, Big Moose 280, Fetty Wap, Ib Mattic, Uniiqu3, Coi Leray, Baby ATM, and more. No doubt the Jersey Drill sound is something that is unique to New Jersey and like Jersey Club, will soon be a global sound.

by: Melissa Maloon

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Culture

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Music has been Shayla

Henderson’s voice since she was only 3 years old. Also famously known as Queen Shay, she knew what she wanted and how she wanted to inspire and motivate others at the age of 3.

Moving to the music and just feeling the music in you and through you is the passion that Queen Shay has for dance, it isn’t a thing she is known for or does but it’s a part of her identity, her voice.

Since a kid, teachers would ask Queen Shay’s mother, “Did you know your daughter danced?” This was a talent that showcased itself from a young age. She soon became known as the Dancing Poet because of how she translates lyrics into body rhythm and movement.

While some dancers only hear the beat, some hear what the average listener can’t hear, Shayla listens to the words. The lyrics of a song take over her and allow her to express herself through the song crowning her the Dancing Poet.

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Self-taught, Queen Shay learned a lot of her skills in the streets, which is where her skills in freestyling were honed and recognized. Queen Shay feels like herself most when she freestyles and choreographs Hip Hop. Being recognized in this realm brought forth opportunities as she was a part of an amazing dancing group Choreobliss that eventually performed for Pharell and Missy Elliot’s choreographer for a competition in Virginia, performed at SOB’s in New York, and performed as a backup dancer for numerous upcoming, underground artists. Queen Shay is now lead choreographer for an established agency based in Newark, NJ, “Snatched Agency” and also teaches her own classes at YouFitnessNewark where she teaches every Thursday, 7-8 PM. 44 wajmagazine.com

One of the greatest challenges that Queen Shay had to overcome was balancing her dance life while assimilating to motherhood.

It was during this time she realized the significance and importance of dance in her life as she wasn’t able to dance for 2 years following the birth f her daughter. Instead of letting motherhood end her dance career, it made her better and stronger. Driven to make a way, she brings her daughter with her to performances, practices, or lessons where her daughter can see her mother living out her dream. This assures Queen Shay that her daughter too will know how to pursue and chase after her dreams.

As a teacher of dance, Queen Shay herself had to be a student as dance taught her many lessons. One of the biggest lessons dance taught Queen Shay was confidence, this was a big lesson for her due to her shyness.

Queen Shay is a shy person but completely transforms when dancing, she was able to break more and more out of her shyness the deeper she stepped into the dance realm.

Even though dance taught Queen Shay to break her shyness, so did her inspirations.

Aside from her inspirations and idols in dance such as Sean Bankhead and Paris Goebel, her best friends are always at the ready to continue inspiring Queen Shay in the way one handles things with life and the other with dance and spiritually. However, both best friends always push her past her doubts and fears and further cement in her what she already knew: Queen Shay Got This!

Seeing how her friends believe in her so much motivates Queen Shay as well as her daughter and family. Her daughter loves to watch her videos and knows some of Queen Shay’s choreography, seeing that alone lets Queen Shay know that what she is doing is worth more than what she could have imagined.

Tap in with Queen Shay and check out her amazing dance skills on Instagram (@ queenn_shayyy) and all new projects! Also don’t forget to check out her classes with YouFitnessNewark, Thursdays, 7-8 PM.

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by: Stephanie Jones 2022 is upon us! January seems to be the time of year when we are fired up and ready to make changes. Gym memberships are up, healthy foods are on our list, this is going to be the year we lose that weight, get into shape and finally start living our dream life.

In fact, when it comes to resolutions, these are the top 3 things on people’s list: 54% have “start exercising” 48% have “eating healthy” 44% say “saving money” These are all great resolutions and goals but suddenly February rolls around and we can’t seem to remember where we even wrote our goals down, much less are we accomplishing them. Over 64% of us stop working on our goals by the 3rd week of January!

So what causes this and how do you finally make this year your best ever?

Let’s start with some science. According to the Science Daily, 70% of people never accomplish their goals and 80% of people never accomplish their resolutions. So do goals work, but resolutions don’t? It doesn’t appear so. What seems to be the missing puzzle piece is an action plan.

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“A goal without a plan is a dream” Brian Tracy Does that mean that you should throw in the towel and not set any goals or resolutions for 2022?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! The way to accomplish a goal or resolution is to have a plan. And to review the plan on a regular basis. And to have actionable steps that support your goals.

Goals should excite you and push you outside of your comfort zone but often people make ambiguous, unrealistic goals. A goal such as “This will be the year I finally get healthy” doesn’t have the making of a goal that is achievable.

Setting a SMART goal to get healthy makes sense and allows for you to have actionable steps to achieve your goal without it feeling like work.

SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant and Time Sensitive So instead of saying “This is the year I am going to finally get healthy” set the goal of: Drink 1 gallon of water a day Lose 10 pounds over 90 days Exercise 3x a week Then set actionable steps to support your goals.

These could look like: Set up a tracking system for your daily water intake Set a goal to increase your water intake by 1-2 glasses per day until you reach your goal of 1 gallon per day.

Actionable steps for losing weight could look like this: Clean out all of the junk food in your house Replace with healthy alternatives Have a meal plan Set up a reward system (that is not food driven) for when you reach your monthly goal towards your bigger goal

You can break down every goal into actionable steps. Review these weekly to see if you need to adjust to stay on track. This system will help you work towards your goals on a regular basis, helping you to actually accomplish them.

So no matter what term you choose to attach to your dreams - goals or resolutions - the real key is to have a system in place to move the needle on a regular basis to accomplish them.

This is how you finally start to cross those big ideas and dreams off your bucket list and start actually living the life you desire to!

I encourage you to walk into 2022 with your head held high, not feeling defeated by 20202021 and with a clear plan of action, systems and organization.

Give up the fad diets, the hate of your body and turn the leaf into a new version of you.

The healthier (in all ways - mental, physical and emotional) you, so that you can be the best version of yourself. Find sustainable ways to be the healthiest version of you!

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Since exercise and eating healthy aka YOUR BODY is #1 on the majority of people’s minds and lists to change - let’s talk about it.

Fad diets don’t work and gyms are expensive. There is nothing wrong with the gym but if you are struggling with time and/or cold hard cash, then I want to offer you some alternatives.

Sustainable, sometimes small, changes make the biggest impact and create a domino effect.

Health: The best thing you can do for your body and mental clarity is to increase your water. Water flushes toxins from your system, keeps you hydrated and that natural glowing skin. Strive for a gallon a day.

Next - eat whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible. Try making your favorite take out meal at home, skip the frozen food section and make something quick and easy instead. Stretch your culinary muscles!

Lastly, shop the perimeter of the store. This is where you find all of the whole foods - produce, dairy, breads, cheeses, etc. And if you can’t pronounce something on a box, you probably shouldn’t eat it.

Try swapping out 1 thing a week. Try a new item from the produce section that you haven’t ever before. Try your hand at making bread, or that dessert that you crave and love.

These small changes will help you to gain control of your health and not feel restrictive.

Exercise: In the US we think we have to hit the gym hard for hours a day to look like any in shape person we admire. That is not true though!

Walking for even just 15 minutes a day is good for your body, your heart and your health.

Jump roping for 10 minutes is equivalent to a 30 minute jog. (by the way - unless you jump rope on a regular basis, it’s tough!)

Hula Hooping, roller skating, dancing - all burn calories, are fun and get your blood pumping.

So while strength training is necessary for healthy, strong bones - mix it up! Don’t make working out be a chore, find something you love to do and do that! You will stick with it longer and you will make healthier choices the more active you are.

Be in the top 5% of people who actually make a plan and have actionable steps to achieve the dream life you desire! You can do it! I am rooting for you!

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Justin by: Melissa Maloon 51 wajmagazine.com

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Newark, New Jersey’s very own star choreographer, Justin DeSean, is known for leaving it all on the floor by using his body in one of the purest forms of selfexpression and art: dance. Authentic and aware Renaissance man, DeSean is trailblazing a path for those after him and creating positive experiences and spaces.

Dance is not just something Justin DeSean does, it is his life as he started dancing at the age of three. What was his first dance move? The Robot. Decades later DeSean is now one of the most sought out dancers with an impressive and extensive resume. DeSean’s passion for dancing extends to drawing, cooking, and fashion as they all go hand in hand. He is also the owner of a catering service business, “SERV’D” that specializes in multicultural comfort foods, craft services, and unique dining experiences.

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Culture

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DeSean was always surrounded

by creatives as he always went to cookouts and family get-togethers where everyone possessed some artistic ability. This is where the creative foundation comes from for DeSean. At the age of 9, DeSean began training in foundational styles that include Hip Hop, Jazz, African, Tap, Ballet, and Contemporary. Suffices to say, DeSean is very well versed in dance and the different genres making himself much more marketable. He can be feminine and dance for artists such as Lil Nas X or Doja Cat or be masculine and dance for the likes of Omarion and Chris Brown.

Accrediting his success to his hard work and dedication, mentors and trainers also receive their roses as they played a helping hand in realizing De Sean’s dreams of becoming a full-time choreographer. De Sean’s mentors, which include Chuck Maldonado, Soraya Lundy, Shirlene Quigley, and Solo of Envy Dance Crew all played a crucial part in helping DeSean achieve his dreams by instilling the values of being a well-rounded dancer, “that brings about longevity in this industry.”

Through his passion, dedication, support system, and hustle DeSean was able to transform his life as he experienced homelessness at some point. It has been a long journey for DeSean as he had lost his job and home simultaneously, which did little to help his depression and anxiety. With all of these factors playing against him, DeSean’s hunger was greater than the obstacles that faced him being that he was still able to create a lane for himself that allows for him to focus on creating a safe, positive space for others today.

Always staying true to himself, DeSean hopes to inspire others through his story. He was able to go from homeless to full-time choreographer by staying true to himself and his dreams. How he can say that he not only performed at NJPAC but also worked with and assisted some of the top choreographers in the industry, choreographed for one of the hottest independent artists right now, Margie Plus, choreographed Amber Rose’s Annual Equality March “Slut Walk”, performed for the US OPEN, H&M x Balmain Fashion Show, was a resident dancer for MTV’s TRL and, one of his proudest accomplishments, dancing for Teyana Taylor. With such an extensive resume, he hopes to sign to a commercial dance agency.

He aims to show other dancers or artists that, “you can thrive in this industry just for being you!” You do not have to compromise yourself or your values to make things happen, showing up as your most authentic self-more than suffices, it sets you apart.

This is a big lesson for his students as he has been teaching dance since the age of 16. His students drive his passion and remind him of why he is doing all of this in the first place.

The commitment and dedication they show towards learning let DeSean know he is doing his job right. DeSean shares his personal success story to inspire and motivate his peers, students, and generations to come.

Make sure to keep up with all things Justin DeSean by following him on Instagram (@justindeseanofficial) and don’t forget to check out his catering page (@servdbyjdsn).

Stay tuned for the latest events and upcoming projects from Jersey’s very own star choreographer!

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by: Amy Lothian

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Putting Jersey Club On The Map One Beat At A Time

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For New Jersey natives, the genre of Jersey Club music represents something special, homegrown and unquestionably unique. For Cherise Gary, better known as UNIIQU3, not only is she all these things as a person, but she embodies these qualities in her performance as a DJ. Over the past few years, the exposure and love she’s brought others through playing Jersey Club music has spread far beyond New Jersey, and even North America. As UNIIQU3, aka the Jersey Club Queen, the Newark native has taken the world by storm with her artform, bringing Jersey Club and its specialties to listeners across the world. UNIIQU3 prides herself on being original, “I always go against the grain. I’m always aiming to do something that’s never been done or putting my twist on it at the very least.”, and brings undeniable originality through her talent and ear for music. From her humble beginnings as a Jersey Club DJ in her home state, she’s continued to put a special spin on her mixes wherever she performs. In 2014 UNIIQU3 released her first album, The New Klassiks. Since then, she has become a prominent and sought after talent for nightlife across the world and the go-to person for Jersey Club DJ-ing. UNIIQU3 sets herself apart by creating mixes filled with energy and diversity, pulling in anyone with the ability to hear and feel the vibes she creates in a room.

UNIIQU3 is all about good energy, creating it and feeding off of it. It’s this good energy and unique delivery that has earned her a long and well deserved resume of accomplishments including worldwide recognition and powerhouse performances on some of the biggest festival stages. She has headlined stages 59 wajmagazine.com

Cover Artist

in arenas including Afropunk Brooklyn and just wrapped up the last leg of her European tour. Her mixes have also been recognized by some of today’s most well-known artists, gaining her exposure and recognition for what she creates. UNIIQU3’s 2018 single, “Girls off The Chain’’ was sampled by Chloe Bailey on her chart topping single ‘Have Mercy’ which debuted at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number 13 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, selling 8,500 downloads and yielding 13.8 million streams in its first week of tracking. “One of my greatest accomplishments has been influencing the music industry by being myself.” UNIIQU3 was also featured on the September cover of DJ Mag North America. As she grows as an artist and gains popularity she continues to build an authentic platform of her own. The DJ and international artist is also a Twitch Partner, and hosts several radio shows including ‘Hear & Now’ on SiriusXM and ‘Club Chronicles’ NTS London.

In true UNIIQU3 fashion of keeping everything homegrown, New Jersey was certainly not left out of her celebrations. In August she hosted and performed at the Jersey Club PBNJ Block Party named after her well-known 2019 single ‘Peanut Butter Jelly Time/PBNJ Anthem’ and curated to acknowledge and celebrate Jersey talent.

The show was held at the Al-Munir Urban Farm in Newark and attended by a long list of upcoming independent artists from across the east Coast including DJ FLWRSHRK from NYC, Baltimore DJ Ayymello, and Jersey artist Unicorn. According to UNIIQU3, “we had a full day of inspiration and activities.” The festival offered guests workshops on music production and dance and throughout the day, attendees were able to dance to club music and learn about the culture. Earlier this year, UNIIQU3 was also featured on an episode of PBS’ short story series ‘Sound Field’. The 15-minute documentary episode highlighted and recognized how women like UNIIQU3 have changed the 60 wajmagazine.com

pace and face of the dance genre known as Jersey Club. Even though data has shown that over 60% of jersey club listeners are women, production in the genre has been heavily male dominated. The documentary recognizes UNIIQU3 as “the Queen of Jersey Club, a producer, artist, and DJ who’s propelling the 135 BPM genre into a global phenomenon”. She appears in the doc and describes Jersey Club as “rambunctious, inyour-face, party music” and acknowledges that as far as women in the industry, there wasn’t really a blueprint for her to look up to and very little female recognition outside of its dancers. This lack of representation is what inspired UNIIQU3 to try her hand behind the booth and create an image of and for women in Jersey Club that had not been seen before.

Even with worldwide recognition and a fan base of over 4M listeners across 175 countries (Spotify), UNIIQU3 remains humble and true to her causes: music and being herself. When she’s not performing you can find her on a hike, taking a random dance class, painting, or shopping. But when she is in creative mode, she is focused and consis-

tent. UNIIQU3 released two EPs this year, ‘Bitches is Outside Vol 1’ and ‘Heartbeats’, the first being a self release and celebration of post-pandemic freedom and the latter is her latest body of work in collaboration with UK label Local Action Records. For the future UNIIQU3 says, “My plans are just to tighten up the brand so I can expand it.

There’s a lot of places around the world that want to experience my magic and I too want that exchange. More traveling, more music and one of a kind experiences.” Moving forward, she intends to continue being her best adventurous, unapologetic, and creative self and we are sure the music will be filled with nothing less. To listen to more from UNIIQU3 and get your Jersey club fix, check out the JERSEY CLUB JAMZ Spotify playlist, the first of its kind that features originals and remixes of classic Jersey Club Vibes. Look out for UNIIQU3’s latest projects by keeping up with her on social media @uniiqu3music and online at www.uniiqu3.com and www. uniiqu3music.com.

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by: Amy Lothian

Making Music Through Spirtual Enlightenm 63 wajmagazine.com

Feature

The Sonic Marriage of Music, Faith & Energy Artist Torrell Smiley, better known as LBezzle or Lord Bezzle is bringing new meaning and feeling to conscious rap. Backed by his strong faith in God, family, and love for this community, LBezzle has pioneered the genre with one-of-a-kind sounds designed to uplift, enlighten and heal. Over the past few years, LBezzle has embarked on the journey of selfdiscovery and spiritual awakening which he strongly credits as his motivation towards attaining creative success. Through this journey, he’s focused on curating sounds that generate emotion through self-awareness. Originally from New Brunswick, NJ the rapper and entrepreneur focuses his talents on not only creating independently but on building with the community and forming a team of like-minded individuals. As both an artist and entrepreneur, LBezzle puts his emotions into everything he touches from music to merch, to curating showcases.

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When creating, LBezzle keeps it authentic, tapping into his truest being and feeling the emotions behind everything he does. “ If I can’t feel it then I won’t write it. If it doesn’t make my blood run hot or cold, it’s pointless. I create based on deep-seated emotion”, he says of his unique process. The reality of this truth can be heard on every track of his latest project, Lion’s Gate. The album features 7 authentic LBezzle tracks that show the depth and authenticity of LBezzle’s creation.

With standouts like EastSide and Toxic Masculinity, listeners are taken on a journey through his lyrics, delivery, and production style. “Connecting with my cosmic consciousness has helped me to navigate my inner world to manifest better music.” To get a full scope of all LBezzle is capable of, seeing him perform live is a must-do for fans who embrace his sound, it is unlike any other artist.

LBezzle has mastered the power that comes from the voice through projection and inflection. He channels his spirituality in his performances as well, “Not only do I project my voice, but I shoot light codes and cosmic energy when I rap. I pull at your heartstrings and give people goosebumps with the real-world experiences I speak about”.

In addition to empowering listeners through his spiritually vibrant music, LBezzle has also curated a space for other creatives to thrive with his music showcase Billion Barz Club. The showcase celebrated its 1 year anniversary this October and has become a prominent and sought-after arena for talent in the New Jersey area. His goals for the showcase include growing it to include an arsenal of more local artists and producers that take their craft seriously and creating a music conglomerate of Jersey artists to expand their art and businesses. For his future plans as an artist, LBezzle has plans to release another 7-track album, expand his merchandise brand as a product in more stores, get his song “EastSide” to a million streams, get more involved in radio play and music publishing and learn to play the electric guitar. With big plans for music, entrepreneurship, and building community, LBezzle plans to continue to look inward for guidance. Listen to his project Lion’s Gate on all streaming platforms and keep up with the artists on social platforms @LBEZZLEMUSIC. 65 wajmagazine.com

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BBC16 - VTX EDITION PERFORMERS VTX Shotgun Slums RememberSB Matt Andru Brett D. Cinco Dreezy Erko Darius Foster R.Sen Electuz Chiefy ChimeOmari Cordell Rich WhatACuteLiar Neveah JustKay Lui RomanceTheKid BlackWater Outliiiers CashAddictions Major K Joz;P LBezzle

VENDORS Talams Barbary Customs AnxiEddies LBezzle Music Stretch Pharmaceuticals The Melanated High Priestess Billion Barz Club Is One of The Biggest Shows In New Jersey Featuring Local Talent & Vendors based in the New Brunswick area. www.billionbarzclub.com Instagram: @billionbarzclub wajmagazine.com

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Lindsay by: Melissa Maloon 69 wajmagazine.com

Perfectionist wordsmith Lindsay Barrz oozes talent and creativity as she maneuvers herself as a sharp businesswoman with style and street smart. “Persona Non Grata” artist passes on her strength and wisdom to others through heartfelt music. Lindsay Barrz has had music flowing through her since a young age, paired with the trials and tribulations that are a part of life, Lindsay Barrz is the embodiment of passion meeting talent.

29-year-old Hip Hop sensation was raised in Sparta, New Jersey where her journey with music all began. With percussions being her first love, it wasn’t until she was 16 that she dropped her first 16 following a devasting heartbreak. This was when she was able to mix her knowledge in percussion, instruments, and poetry skills into one, and a star was born.

Self-taught Lindsay Barrz has always used music as a form of therapy and self-expression which allows her to be her full and authentic self in the music industry.

Influenced by the likes of early Drake, Childish Gambino, MGK, Lil Wayne, and Eminem, who she relates to most given their similar upbringing and styles in music, Lindsay Barrz appreciates true lyricism when it comes to music. She appreciates authenticity and quality over quantity and now strives to continue uplifting upcoming artists as her predecessors and influences. Changing the way she approaches music, she values putting artists on that are talented and thorough, like herself. She does not turn down any opportunity as networking and meeting new people holds long-lasting value.

Lindsay Barrz finds strength in adversity, she battled addiction and turned to Jesus after a near life-long struggle. “I want to pass on my trials and successes and communicate to my listeners,”

is the goal behind every song, interaction, or collaboration. It was in this battle that she dug into her therapy which is creating music, “Music is an expression of my feelings and emotions. The pen and paper always listen to what I have to say.”

Being that Lindsay Barrz is an authentic, driven talent she works with underground artists to uplift them as she has been. Some of the artists that she has worked with include Young Khalil, Joka Lik, Nic Darwin, Emmywinning Keith Jones, Chang3, and many more!

Always striving for greatness, Lindsay Barrz inspires a whole generation to stop at nothing to realize their dreams.

Staying true to her background and message, Lindsay Barrz hopes to make one of the largest labels that promote underground, struggling artists, “I want to take chances on artists that may barely even have a social media presence, but definitely bring the heat when it comes to their music.”

Stepping into her purpose, Lindsay Barrz is well on her way as her latest release, “Persona Non Grata” meaning “a character not welcome” is accompanied by a high budget and official music video which is the first of many for the star Lindsay Barrz. It is only fitting that one of the closest songs to Lindsay Barrz earns a high-budget video. These are the types of opportunities she strives to create for other underground, hungry artists who, like Lindsay Barrz, takes her craft seriously and outperforms every time.

Some of her goals include moving out to Los Angeles, California to create music, obtaining a worldwide fan base, and making music with artists that influence her as well as taking care

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of her friends and family.

With “Persona Non Grata” being her first of many high-budget music videos, that just means you have to stay tuned for what is to come next! Make sure you check out Lindsay Barrz on Facebook (Lindsay Barrz), Instagram (@lindsay.barrz), and Tik Tok (@lindsaybarrz).

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