We Are Jersey Magazine March 2021 Issue featuring Karma

Singer | Songwriter | Engineer

KARMA

Photos by Jamyr Greene

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Ph o to g ra p h e r : L a c q u a n S c o tt www.la c q u a ns c o tt .d e s i g n A r tist : K e r t as y

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!

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

DANA MARTIN

OUR MESSAGE

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DOPEST CR3ATIVES AD

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HOW SWEET THE SOUND

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ROYAL SOUL AD

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ASHLEY ANN

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TALENT ON EDGE DAVID PRACISE

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AN ORIGINAL PIECE BY RANN MILLER

THE GROOMING EXTRAORDINAIRE

OWNER OF ART N SOUL

AMBER LÉ

FOUNDER OF “THE BEAST WITHIN”

NAI

PODCAST HOST AND AUTHOR OF “ROAD TO RECOVERY”

JEFF KELLY

PODCAST HOST AND AUTHOR OF “THE AVENUE: A PERSONAL DICTIONARY”

NATALEE

JOURNALIST

KÄRMA

COVER STORY BY FLISADAM POINTER

SUNNIE

FEATURED ARTIST

NATA

FEATURED ARTIST

UMÉ

FEATURED ARTIST

KING BRAIZE

FEATURED ARTIST

CORTRELL LSN1 REVIEW

EXCLUSIVE R&B REVIEW BY BEE PAPINO

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CONTRIBUTORS EDITORS BEE PAPINO LACQUAN SCOTT

WRITERS AMY LOTHIAN MELISSA MALOON BEE PAPINO RANN MILLER FLISADAM POINTER

PUBLISHER DANIAL BANKS BEE PAPINO

PHOTOGRAPHERS

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STUNNA’ DIOR

LACQUAN SCOTT DAVID ALEXANDER SHELLY FERRELL

FEATURED TALENT ON EDGE ASHLEY ANN DAVID PRACISE AMBER LÉ NAI JEFF KELLY NATALEE GILBERT SUNNIE NATA JUSTINUMEE KING BRAIZE CORTRELL “LSN1” REVIEW KÄRMA

ADS

88 KERTASY

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FREEDOM FIGHTERS

DOPEST CR3ATIVES LOVED BY LOTHIAN MNDAY MRKT ROYAL SOUL WTVR BRAND RAYEA’S TOUCH STRICTLY FOR THE CULTURE PISTOL X PALMTREES UNCHAINED MEMORIES

MODELS Our models can be followed on instagram @wearejerseydiamondz

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Every Sunday, the Saints sang Amazing Grace.

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I didn’t attend church every Sunday growing up. But when I did, I went to church with my grandmother. When I turned 14, I got baptized and formally join her church, which became our church; First Refuge Progressive Baptist Church. It was there, where my parents got married.

It was there, where I learned how to speak in public. It was there, where I first flirted with girls in the back classrooms where Sunday school was taught.

I have a lot of memories of church as a kid, but the one thing I can never forget is that every Sunday, the congregational hymn was Amazing Grace.

I know they sang it every Sunday because my grandmother told me, though she never explained why. Maybe they sang it in thanksgiving for purchasing the church building; a Jewish synagogue that was a casualty of white flight. Maybe the song resonated because the song was written by a man after his Damascus Road moment, when it seems that the Lord met him in the midst of a storm on a slave ship.

For whatever reason, the elders never saw fit to change up. Every week, the Saints of God sang Amazing Grace as their congregational hymn of choice, or of habit, and I’d stand their next to my grandmother as she sang it. She sang it hard every time and it seemed that the older she got, the harder she sang it.

I can say the same for most, if not all, of those elders.

Verdell was a gospel choir singer. She sang when she was an Ames, she sang when she married a Noel, and she sang well after she became my Grandmom Sissy.

She sang in the church her entire life.

I remember asking her once why she didn’t sing professionally. She told me that she

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actually had an opportunity to transition from gospel to secular music like Aretha Franklin did, but that it wasn’t her path. She never doubted that should could have had a professional singing career. She told me that she would lean on her gospel roots, just like Ms. Franklin did.

Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t mean to stack my grandmother’s voice against Aretha Franklin’s. But like Aretha Franklin, my grandmom sang with power and conviction; the kind you can only find in the Black Church.

She sang with so much power and conviction that one could expect a visit from the Holy Ghost whenever she had a solo while on the senior choir. It seemed like the entire choir got a visit from the Holy Ghost whenever Grandmom sang. Janice King, Gladys Cooper, Marian & James Byrd, Joanne Hardy, Zynobia Ashley, Ruth Ware… They all caught it.

Verdell’s voice was full of the faith that the dark past taught her; full of the hope that her present bought her.

Amazing Grace Album Cover c/o Atlantic Records

The same was true for Aretha Franklin.

When Aretha Franklin died, the world reflected on all the great music she left behind.

The tributes came pouring in and the stories from her contemporaries made everyone smile and laugh. I smiled as I reflected on her Black Church roots and how she’d already marched on to Zion, as the Saints of God would sing.

She has joined Verdell in that city of gold.

What also made me smile was learning of Aretha’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.

When Dr. Martin Luther King challenged the military industrial complex when voicing his dissent with the war in Vietnam, it was Aretha Franklin who toured with him to fundraise for his efforts. Rev. Jesse Jackson said of Aretha: “When Dr. King was alive, several times she helped us make payroll… On one occasion, we took an 11-city tour with her as Aretha Franklin and Harry Belafonte… and they put gas in the vans. She did 11 concerts for free and hosted us at her home and did a fundraiser for my campaign.”

Aretha accepted an invitation to meet with the Black Panthers and participate in one of their programs. When Angela Davis was in jail, Aretha was ready, willing and able to bail her out. Although her father disagreed, Aretha pointed to group solidarity as her impetus to action. Aretha said (in one of the most profound quotes I’ve ever read): “… Angela Davis must go free. Black people will be free. I’ve been locked up (for disturbing the peace in Detroit) and I know you got to disturb the peace when you can’t get no peace.

Jail is hell to be in. I’m going to see her free if there is any justice in our courts, not because I believe in communism, but because she’s a Black woman and she wants freedom for

Black people. I have the money; I got it from Black people — they’ve made me financially able to have it — and I want to use it in ways that will help our people.”

Sadly, it was after her death that I was introduced to an Aretha Franklin that I hadn’t known. But I was glad to know of it all, including Amazing Grace.

Of course I knew Amazing Grace.

I sang it in church. I sang it with my grandmom and all the other elders that had also marched on to Zion. But I never knew Amazing Grace quite like how Aretha Franklin delivered it.

It started with a Marc Lamont Hill tweet that encouraged me to hear Aretha’s Amazing Grace album, after which I listened and after I heard it, I had to see the actual live recording.

I needed to see her sing. I needed to hear the audience. I needed the choir, the musicians; I needed to be transported back to the Black Church to feel that feeling once again.

I yearned to feel the spirit of the elders; the power and conviction manifested by their struggles while manifesting hope as they moved forward.

I yearned to feel my grandmother’s presence once more.

Side note…

I know it is trendy for mainstream artists to involve the gospel choir in their studio and live performances, particularly, white artists.

But there is a level of inauthenticity that gnaws at me. It has less to do with whether or not they’re a Christian, although I am sure there is something to that. But rather, it’s the mainstreaming of the souls of Black folk to exalt their brand to make green dollars.

It’s not that Aretha Franklin didn’t call on her sacred gifting to perform for a secular world as her profession. But what she did in 1972 with Amazing Grace was sacred.

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Aretha Franklin with Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1972. | Jim Wells / AP

Did the album sell, of course it did. It is the highest selling live gospel album of all-time. But as her father, C.L. Franklin said, Aretha never left the church. He continued to say that “All you have to do is have something in here [the heart], and the ability to hear, and the ability to feel, and you will know that Aretha is still a gospel singer.”

If you’ve ever experienced Black church, then you know there is a sacredness that transcends the written doctrine; it’s no dope.

Prior to saying the often quoted “religion is the opium of the masses,” Karl Marx said that “religious suffering is the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering; that religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions.”

There is a sacredness rooted in the Black experience, whereby the voices crying out for Jesus in word and song, in that sacred space, divinely appointed to Black folk, has come to be the very heart and soul of a land we’ve known as heartless and soulless. Whether at 16th Street Baptist or Mother Emanuel, the Black Church has served as a vessel to protest against real suffering as Black folks have sighed.

You can’t replicate that spirit on the stage of an award show no matter how good the choir sounds.

When I heard Aretha Franklin’s voice, I thought of a bridge; I thought of a portal. Her cadence was indeed familiar. It was familiar to me as I am sure it was to the ancestors. I thought of my grandmother; as I heard Aretha Franklin’s voice, I heard my grandmother’s. I thought of the old Saints gone home. I thought of them swaying from side to side while stomping their feet to keep time and invite the spirit in the service.

Maybe it’s because I too am America… Black in America.

Aretha Franklin is indeed the Queen of Soul and her voice encapsulated the heart and soul within a heartless world filled with soulless conditions; same as my grandmother and all the other gospel singers, past and present.

I haven’t been back to my home church since my grandmom’s funeral, so while I am unsure, I suspect that their congregational hymn or choice, or habit, remains Amazing Grace. … How sweet the sound.

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The Grooming Extraordinaire STORY BY: AMY LOTHIAN | PHOTOS BY: LACQUAN SCOTT

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Ashley Ann aka The Grooming Extraordinaire is an award winning professional pet groomer, business owner and entrepreneur. With a strong passion for enhancing the beauty of pets Ashley has over 15 years experience in the pet grooming industry. She is also the sole owner and operator of her own grooming business, Diamonds in the Ruff, based in New York City.

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This budding businesswoman has not only built a foundation and successful career, but has quite literally paved the way and has been able to open doors for herself, and as a result, other women and minorities with interest in making a name for themselves in the pet grooming industry.

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As the first African American to graduate from the most prestigious grooming academy in China (Yi Lin Academy), Ashley Ann has traveled all around the world in pursuit of her goals and passions.

She has trained and competed in South Korea, China and New York Fashion week, to name a few. Ashley continuously strives to bring attention and awareness to a marginalized sector of her industry through collaboration with national and international publications. Having been featured on multiple podcasts, blogs, and magazines, Ashley positions herself in places of influence, to show others that the possibilities are endless no matter what you want to pursue.

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This passion and drive to be the first to accomplish major things in the pet grooming industry comes from the fact that “I didn’t see much too many groomers that looked like me, so with that it inspired me to start mentoring and educating minorities about the pet grooming world” states Ashley. As a result of her resilience, Ashley Ann has been featured on wellknown television platforms including ABC, Bravo, and most recently Haute Dog on HBO Max. Not only does Ashley Ann have a genuine love for what she does, but she aspires to continue to break down barriers and set a new tone as the Grooming Extraordinaire.

This profession is something incredible”, she says, “having this kind of connection with each pet that comes into my salon, I genuinely love making them happy by making them look and feel good.” For the future, she aspires to open the first black grooming academy in the U.S., as well as hopes of relocating to London UK to open a grooming school abroad. Ashley Ann strives to continue to lead the culture by being innovative, being an educator, and by creating new possibilities and opportunities for the youth.

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Follow Ashley Ann on Social media @Groomingextraordinare to learn more and see what she does next.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: DANIEL SHAWELL MODEL: FAITH RODRIGUEZ WWW.DANIELSHAWELL.COM W W W.W E A R E J E R S E Y E N T. C O M

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PHOTOGRAPHY: SHELLY FERRELL MODEL: KIANI BONNER @OFFICIALQUEENBEEKEE

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WRITTEN BY BEE PAPINO | PHOTOS BY: LACQUAN SCOTT

The problem? The Internet is great, but it’s quite dispersive, and it might be difficult to reach out to like-minded people by cold-contacting them on social media or through other channels.

The Internet is a fantastic platform for entrepreneurs and creative individuals with ideas and the skills and willingness to achieve their financial goals. However, the web is now so competitive that trying to make your way to the top feels like being a grain of sand on a long coastal beach: it’s hard to stand out! This is the reason why many entrepreneurs and talented people are constantly on the lookout for better ways to connect.

The solution? Creating a platform to bridge the gaps between these talents and enabling them to build strong partnerships and collaborations that set the bar higher.

Enter Shantae Menendez, the founder of Talent On Edge. She created a brand new online platform with the goal of connecting entrepreneurs and talented individuals.

In fact, the platform specializes in areas as diverse as management, talent agency services, and business promotion, among several other services.

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Her platform helps struggling entrepreneurs-- and it’s so much more than that because it actually brings people together, allowing fruitful opportunities for knowledge-sharing, collaborations, and partnerships. While maintaining being a stud model, podcast host for Hot Topic, and entrepreneur, Shantae keeps her focus and drive to continue to push for her clients at the forefront. She has created a community of talent that can easily be found on her feed allowing new page visitors to scout individuals for possible opportunities.

The best thing about it is that posts are currently at no cost allowing you to network for free.

Shantae Menendez’s roots in North Jersey created the foundation for her to discover her passion. With footprints in Ridgefield Park, all the way to Hudson County, Shantae made herself known as a hardworking individual who had strength, heart and the ability to turn nothing into something. Working in the music industry as well as with events allowed her to gain the networking skills she needed among entrepreneurs and creatives regardless of niche. Her experiences led her to come across individuals that were in need for assistance in getting exposure often with no solution. After taking time off and hitting the drawing board, she decided to come back on the scene with a solution in mind. This time she wanted to go after the true passion of connecting with others head on and connect the dots.

Stanly M

Model at Talent On Edge, Actor W W W.W E A R E J E R S E Y E N T. C O M

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Dani Diamond

Model at Talent On Edge

Fast forward to 28 years old and almost two years since her journey with Talent On Edge began, her platform is rapidly expanding. This multi-talented female entrepreneur created a solid source for talent for others that is buzzing along the east coast in ways she never imagined.

Shantae even created a team of models that help bring visuals to life including Dani Diamond, Stanly M, River, Clari Cole, and Lady Wavy. She manages said models with the aim to provide her clients with as much exposure as possible. Since creating her platform and working with clients, Shantae has quickly received an overwhelmingly positive response. Talent on Edge and herself have been highlighted on major media platforms, including FOX, ABC, and NYWeekly! More recently, they have shot with DaRucci Leather and also added another New Jersey based stud model Dre. Shantae isn’t letting up anytime soon as her team continues to grow despite the pandemic.

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Talent On Edge is not limited to any specific state or geographical area, therefore welcoming creatives from all over the country. This makes the platform even more appealing because it might allow entrepreneurs to expand their reach with out-ofstate connections and beyond.

Through her Instagram account, people can book a wide variety of talented professionals, including photographers, models, and actors, as well as videographers.

With her team and resources, Talent On Edge can help you take it to the next level.

Lady Wavy

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In conclusion, it is safe to say that a platform such as Talent On Edge is particularly valuable in this day and age. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, people have been feeling more isolated than ever before. This has affected entrepreneurs as well and has made it really hard for talented, like-minded individuals to network and create something special. Talent On Edge is here to change all that, going for a one-of-a-kind feel that sets the bar higher in the industry. Somewhere between social excellence and innovation, this platform represents the future, and the good news is, it’s already here!

Clari Cole

Model at Talent On Edge

Find out more about Talent On Edge, and check out the platform on their Instagram account.

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@LOVEDBYLOTHIAN W W W.W E A R E J E R S E Y E N T. C O M

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DAVID PRACISE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY MELISSA MALOON

Celebrity tattoo artist, David Pracise, is dominating the ink game in the tristate area as one of the best tattoo artists. His work speaks for itself as his lines are all consistent, the shading impeccable and being that his specialization is in black and grey realism and portraits, many of his pieces look better than an actual photograph used because of its dimension.

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David Pracise’s mastery in tattooing started as just a 5 year old boy in love with art. Being no stranger to designing and artwork, it only made sense for David Pracise to later in life channel his artistry through tattooing to be able to live off his art. Inspired by other great portrait artists and a great artist like Basquiat, David continuously pushes and challenges himself to have freedom in his art because that freedom allows for him to render his best pieces.

While art is a passion for David Pracise, tattooing came later into the picture after the birth of his son. His son is what ultimately motivated the decision to begin tattooing in the first place so as to find a more lucrative medium to showcase his art.

Family is the root of everything as it is what motivates David Pracise to continue pushing the envelope in the tattoo industry.

Family is what motivates him to stay innovative and grind hard as an entrepreneur.

David Pracise is the owner of the first Black owned tattoo shop in Bergen County, New Jersey. His journey as an entrepreneur is highly motivated in being an inspiration for a younger generation.

He wants to inspire the youth in his community to open a business and pursue their talents. This is monumental for the fact that people of color now have a space where they can go get a tattoo without the feeling of intimidation that some people would feel in a predominately white tattoo shop.

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At David Pracise’s shop, people of color tend to feel more comfortable because of the representation. Being that for many tattoos can be a form of therapy, they can now feel comfort in a space where they are fully understood and embraced. This much is seen being that David Pracise specializes in portraits and realism, he tattoos a lot of memorials of lost loved ones. It was then that David Pracise understood just how essential his business to the community. He was not only expressing artwork but helping in the journey of healing and remembrance.

David Pracise’s work is so well recognized he has tattooed celebrities such as Fetty Wap, Young M.A., Angela Simmons, Camron and Prodigy, he has been featured in magazines and music videos and has also made an appearance on a TV show for his talents. He hopes to leave a legacy for his sons and open multiple tattoo shops and continue being a safe space for not only the Bergen County community but the Black community as well.

David Pracise’s shop is a hidden gem located at 449 Market Street, Saddlebrook, NJ. More of his work is displayed throughout his Instagram and Facebook: @DavidPracise.

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INSTAGRAM: @Rayeastouch TWITTER: @_mixedflavors 48 WEBSITE: www.rayeastouch.com

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Amber Lé

STORY BY: MELISSA MALOON | PHOTOS SHOT BY MISS ROCKY

(INSTAGRAM: @ROCKYSREALITY)

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A safe haven was created for women who are survivors to domestic violence by none other than Amber Lé, media personality and domestic violence advocate. “The Beast Within” a domestic violence program and healing media platform, was created as a safe space for women to share their experiences and continue their healing journey after having survived an abusive relationship. “The Beast Within” is more than just a program to help women heal from such traumatic experiences but to help women reclaim their power! It is a lifestyle brand that promotes self-love, women empowerment and mental health awareness.

Motivated by seeking her own empowerment, Amber Lé recognized she was going down a destructive path because of her perception of herself after having been in an abusive relationship: “How can I allow someone to treat me like this?”

It was hard for Amber Lé to speak on the situation because she felt embarrassed. However, she realized she is not the weak one for having been in an abusive relationship, this was something that was done to her and she made the active choice to reclaim her power and share her story.

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The more she spoke of it, the easier and easier it became to be that vulnerable about something so sensitive. A helping hand? The fact that women were also sharing their experiences with Amber Lé. It was then that she realized her calling from God and what she was meant to be doing: helping women realize their power and reclaim it by helping them claw out the strength within them!

Working as executive assistant to Power’s 105.1 DJ Suss One and Editor in Chief of The Feature Presentation, Amber Lé combined her passions and created “The Beast Within,” where media meets mental health. This platform can serve as a tool to heal from such a painful experience. Just newly launched, the website for “The Beast Within” hosts a podcast, offers self-defense courses, apparel, survivor stories and, most importantly, more events for survivors to come together and speak their truth. Amber Lé is constantly looking for ways to continue providing tools for women to help heal and find their power again. She has taken courses with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) and continuously collaborates with other organizations such as Town Clock CDC.

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For Amber Lé this is more than just helping women understand that they are victims of cruel treatment, but building up their confidence again and self-image. Some of the ways that she best advises a woman who is seeking her embetterment to do is to simply face herself. You’ve got to look at yourself in the mirror and remind yourself of who you are, what you were before the situation, where you are now and where you could possibly be. “She has to begin with remembering her worth and decide she wants better for herself.” This is the sort of advice that helps women so much that women constantly reach out and praise her method of healing and courage.

Amber Lé is blazing a path for healing and mental health. Not only is she bringing about more awareness to mental health and domestic violence, but she is also providing tools to help women effectively triumph over this trauma. She is innovative in combining her passions and efforts and creating a media platform that not only caters to the empowerment of women, but also provides women with a virtual support group that encourages and uplifts one another.

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“The Beast Within” can be accessed through the website directly, www. thebeastwithin.co/ Also don’t forget to check out Amber Lé and the amazing work she has done through her Instagram: @madeinvietnam__

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STORY BY: MELISSA MALOON

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In 2021, there’s a podcast for anything you can think of.

Literally there is one for any category, any professional field, any hobbie/interest.

In an era where you can be overwhelmed with so much information and so much being available at the same time.

The Confessional, a podcast/ radio show hosted by Naisha Nickerson (Nai), is the podcast to not miss and definitely make note of. Not only is it a witty and intriguing radio show/podcast; its innovative in the way Nai can use a media platform and cover mental health and relationship/ sex topics where listeners can understand, relate and be inspired to embark on their own journey of healing from traumatic experiences and maintaining healthy relationships.

The Confessional is more than a podcast, it’s an experience.

It’s a space where you can feel safe to express yourself fully.

Based and centered around healing, Nai offers listeners different ways to cope with traumatic life experiences.

She is most effective in doing this because she allows herself to be open and vulnerable with her listeners.

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Nai has bared with her listeners and supporters of The Confessional her own experiences that motivated the start of the podcast: her trauma with sexual abuse and suffering the loss of both parents. As Nai opened up and shared her story with her listeners, they felt comfortable and safe enough to share their experiences with her.

This provided Nai with a sense of purpose and inspired in her the mission to help as many people as possible through her podcast by providing them with a platform to learn coping mechanisms and learn what healthy relationships look like.

Having so many listeners come forward and share their traumatic experiences, Nai never feels overwhelmed because, not only does she empathize, she understands the importance of being able to speak on traumatic life experience: it releases power and holds over you.

Nai is careful to set her boundaries so that the traumas of others doesn’t affect her and trigger her own traumas. It also helps that she now has a strong support system.

This is why she also promotes the importance of a healthy relationship and being with someone who adds value

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Not only is Nai a rising podcast/radio show host, but she is also an author. She released a book titled, “Road to Recovery” that explores the relationship between her and her mother. Nai delves into the journey of her mother’s battle with addiction and how it affected, not just their relationship, but how Nai regarded all of her relationships thereafter. Through growth, Nai has come to a place where she can now advise others on how to establish healthy relationships and maintain them.

To this day, Nai faces the struggle of having her boundaries tested in the media industry by men. Being that it is a male dominated industry, Nai explains she isn’t taken as seriously. However, that never deters her as she continues to push her message, “my confidence will show through my work.”

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The Confessional can be found on all podcast platforms: Spotify, Apple, ect.

Naisha Nickerson’s “Road to Recovery” can be purchased directly through her website theconfessional.bigcartel.com or Amazon.

Don’t Forget to Follow Nai on all social media: Twitter/Instagram @50shadesof_nai

Photos By: Lacquan Scott W W W.W E A R E J E R S E Y E N T. C O M

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JEFF KELLY

STORY BY: AMY LOTHIAN | PHOTOS BY: LACQUAN SCOTT

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Jeff Kelly is a creative entrepreneur who through authorship and advocacy has dedicated his time to reaching those who may need to hear his words whether through reading or listening.

Fresh off the release of his latest book, The Avenue: A Personal Dictionary, Kelly says his passion and desire is simply to help people and provide healing where he can. Like most young people of color, a battle with depression and his own personal struggles is what has motivated him to make his impact on the world in a hope to prevent others from experiencing the same fate he was subjected to.

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Kelly has created several successful platforms for release and healing including a podcast, self-authored books, and a merchandise line. By working through himself and collaborating with other like-minded creatives, Jeff Kelly has continuously shared perspective in ways that others can relate to and heal through. One way he stays consistent with this mission is through the podcast Introverted Intuition, a virtual safe space for his target audience of young black men and women. It’s goal is “to be a weekly escape from the darkness by providing inspiration, motivation, information, and entertainment.”

To date, the show has reached over 50,000 listeners in over 25 countries and just recently hosted a successful live podcast show.In addition to being an entertaining and collaborative platform, Introverted Intuition Merch is another extension of the brand’s influence and reach.

Jeff Kelly is also the author of three best-selling books including “The Avenue: A Personal Dictionary” described as a transparent and self reflective tale about Kelly’s own desire to find healing and change while also being an intense self reflection that can lead to growth.

Through transparency and authenticity, Jeff Kelly has been able to cultivate a brand and promote a message that provides peace and entertainment, showing that it is possible to be free and make your dreams come true.

Follow Jeff Kelly on instagram @ theave360 and @jkellybooks for the latest on the podcast, book releases and a dose of positivity.

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Natalee Gilbert

STORY BY: AMY LOTHIAN | PHOTOS BY: DAVID ALEXANDER

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JOURNALIST JOURNALIST

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Remember the name Natalee Gilbert because it won’t be the last time you hear about this aspiring music journalist and media professional in the making. Backed by a lifelong talent and passion for writing, creativity, and music, Natalee has always had dreams of being a successful writer. She’s kept this dream alive with time and consistency and through her personal and professional evolution. Since 2018, Natalee has expanded on her love for music and writing by combining the two and building a platform of exposure for other creatives as well.

In her short time in the industry, she’s already made a solid impression and built an expansive portfolio, having authored over 1000+ articles across numerous well-known publications

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Over the past few years, Natalee has been able to curate an organic network and has even gained a few admirers, having written hundreds of articles and features on independent artists and entrepreneurs.

Her writing has been featured on prominent platforms such as Kulture Hub, Rap Fiesta and DJ Suss One’s The Feature Presentation. In addition to these, Natalee has also created her own blog (The Fresh Finds) and a corresponding playlist dedicated to showcasing underground and indie artists.

With the internet at her disposal, Natalee has showcased hundreds of entertainers by lending her pen to the culture and generating traffic through social media and blogs.

She continues to be a force by staying persistent, and pushing out new content weekly.

Natalee is proof of what can happen when you create your own lane, “I went from reaching out to artists to them now reaching out to me.”, she says, even more proof that all her hard work is paying off. With her authenticity and journalistic style, Natalee continues to be a voice for the artist and showcase them in a light that gains them fans, new listeners and industry buzz. For the future, her goals include improving on her writing style, remaining authentic, and continuous networking. Look out for her next headline on her website and on social media (@nataleefederal).

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SHOP WTVRBRAND ONLINE www.wearejerseyent.com

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KARMA

STORY BY: FLISADAM POINTER | PHOTOS BY: Jamyr Greene

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COVER ARTIST

“Patience and Reward: Stepping Into The Laws of Kärma”

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Multihyphenated talent Kärma has taken the lemons life dished out and turned them into a sweet serving of lemonade. Overcoming personal tribulations to career derailments, the Jersey City native is standing firm in her pursuit to become the face of the state’s underground creative community. In this profile piece, guest contributor Flisadam Pointer sat down with the singer, songwriter, and engineer to chronicle her journey as an independent artist in all stages.

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What’s bound to be, will be. The idea of manifesting an alternative outcome is a fallacy of the wide-eyed.

Your life’s path has been determined for you ⎯ or at least that’s what we’ve been taught. Have you considered for a moment, you have the agency to orchestra your own fate? How about the spiritual principles of cause and effect? Multihyphened talent, Kärma, real name Candice Peterson’s professional journey is a true testament of her stage moniker ⎯ where the intent and actions of an individual will influence the future of that individual.

Artistically debuting in 2014 with the project Life After Love, her entry into music took place well before this a thousand miles away from her hometown of Jersey City.

“Dallas was a change of pace. It’s the country but there are city-like areas. So being there I had to adjust.

It opened my eyes to see there’s more out there than just Jersey City,” adding, “being from Jersey City or areas like it, [for example] Newark or Irvington, it’s easy to get stuck in those environments. So being out [in Dallas] seasoned me up a little bit.” Although her southern residency would be short-lived, while there she saw a significant boost in her personal development, as she recalled “[being in a new city] gave me this fearlessness. I felt I could do anything.”

Peterson credits New Jersey solely with the shaping of her as an artist, however, as she recounts her first time singing to a crowd she laughingly admits,

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“[Dallas] was the first time I performed anywhere on a stage [at] a karaoke bar.” Fastforwarding to her return home, Peterson quickly threw herself into the already established underground music scene performing at any showcase that would allow her or as a featured lead vocalist for a cover band. “Different people bring out different things from you. [Performing with Conundrum was] the most comfortable [I’ve ever been]. I was in a different world performing with them. Those moments we had performing together definitely shaped me.” Overjoyed by the endless opportunities to pursue her passion for music full-time, Peterson couldn’t have possibly predicted the whirlwind of highs and lows she would become engulfed in, the first of which being an endless media coverage battle between New York City and New Jersey-based recording artists. “[Jersey City-based recording artists] are outcasted in a way by the entertainment industry,” she sternly shares adding, “I’m not exactly sure why, it could be that New York is the bigger city but me being [involved in the scene] showed me that we [Jersey artists] stand on our own two feet very well,” continuing “Jersey artists [and] Jersey culture is deserving of more credit than what we get. We’re talking about [the late] Whitney Houston. We’re talking about Queen Latifah. We’re talking about SZA.” This unwavering home pride shines through as she exclaims, “I couldn’t see myself being from anywhere else. I hope and pray I make it from being home but I’m ok with branching out too. But I really want this to be my stomping grounds 100%.” Shortly after her reentry, Jersey City’s independent music scene would undergo a massive revival sparked by new event promoters planting roots, an influx of budding local acts, the boom of small-scale music venues, and the noble efforts of the city council to compete with neighboring municipalities.

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“[The] Jersey City [music scene] has evolved since I first started. [Back then the scene] was mostly saturated with a lot of rappers. But now you are seeing more women DJing, women engineering, women producing, and women rapping.” Thinking back to those times Peterson shared, “there were times when I would perform at showcases hosted at Cafe Sole on Communipaw and the lineup was full of dudes,” continuing, “[Cafe Sole] specifically taught me a lot about how to perform. How to hold my own amongst men. That was a dog-eat-dog type of experience.” This “dog-eat-dog” mentality would become a staple for Peterson as the years to come would be filled with constant unprovoked professional attacks rooted in misogyny. Kärma would internalize her femininity as yet another career hurdle. In an attempt to project strength, avoid her gender being mistaken for weakness, or the fear of being hypersexualized, Kärma began her walk on the performative tight rope ⎯ the idea of gender neutrality.

But first, in order to understand how Kärma arrived at this notion, you must explore the different facets that make her an artist. Kärma isn’t just a singer. Kärma isn’t just a songwriter. Kärma isn’t just an engineer. Kärma is a fan first. A thorough investigation of these uniquely distinct roles equally plays a vital role in her overall creative DNA. Declaring veteran entertainers such as Missy Elliot as artistic influences, there’s no wonder as to why her resume reads the way it does. “[Missy] influenced everybody, first of all, let’s start there.

From rappers to producers to singers, period. If you are a creative she’s up there [on your list] even if you don’t acknowledge it. Someone you’re influenced by was influenced by her.”

Last year the forever student was finally ready to share what she had learned with the release of what would be her debut full-length project, but the pandemic immediately shut that down. Like many other artists, Kärma found herself in creative limbo. “At first [not releasing music] was uncomfortable,” as an independent artist Kärma built her bones W W W.W E A R E J E R S E Y E N T. C O M

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by hitting the performance circuit and steadily releasing new music as a solo act or by teaming up with her peers, however, as venues continued to close their doors and as mandatory stay-at-home orders were enacted for the first time in her career Kärma found herself at a standstill.

“In the beginning it was hard. I’m always working. I felt that I had to keep up with my surroundings here locally and also, the music industry in general. So if I wasn’t working on my own stuff then I’m mixing [for someone else]. Constantly working for other people I really didn’t give myself time to see if I liked the [musical] direction I was going in.

Do you even want to put out music now?

Are you okay? Like, do you need a second?

Do you need a couple of days? A couple of months? Like, how are you feeling about this? Do you want to revisit this work? Do you want to just completely scrap it altogether?

So [the pandemic] made me reflect a lot.

Focus inward as opposed to constantly being a workhorse but once everything settled in, I was grateful for the break as it gave me perspective as an artist.” Later adding, “taking that break gave me a chance to [become more] comfortable with a different side of myself. Now, I’ve found my sound. I found the direction I want to go [in]. I got rid of the guilt. I got rid of the expectations of constantly going, going, going. I just found my footing by taking it slower.” Retorting, “I learned I no longer have to keep up with what anyone else is doing. I can have my own pace. I can have my own timing with things.”

Despite having a total of five EPs under her belt (2016’s i95 & WiFi, 2017’s Sunny Side Up, 2019’s About Last Night), the most recent Three released in 2020, Kärma doesn’t feel she’s even scratched the surface of her abilities. “I started to feel complacent because [the music was working]. I was challenging myself in other ways but not artistically.”

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“I’ve been experimenting with my sound,” continuing, “no artist really knows what we’re doing we just do what work. We’re trying different things.

True artists [are] just experimenting.

We’re trying to create an experience for others to relate to.” Armed with a new sense of confidence she emphasized, “now I’m ready to put out a full [length] project.

I’ve grown a lot [vocally]. From my first project to now, man the training wheels are gone.” As Kärma radiants confidently in this declaration, this wasn’t always the case. As Kärma reminiscences on the early stages of her career painful flashbacks of verbal attacks from peers, being ignored and dismissed by collaborators. “My [boisterous] confidence back then was a defense mechanism,” used to shield her from the ugly side of being a woman in the industry. “I was apart of a collective of artists...but I didn’t fit. I would tell myself ‘they are not listening to you.

They’re going to make you sound how they want you to sound. They [would] tell me what type of song to make.’ I didn’t feel like they trusted me to make my own decisions, so I branched off.”

During that quest of self, Kärma would become a one-women musical machine. Urging, “honestly, keep your attitude. They will tell you that ‘this is not professional’ or ‘nobody’s going to like you’. ‘It’s not beneficial’ for you to be cockiness or a big personality.

Keep that firmness and demand respect. Because what they’re telling you when they oppose is that they are uncomfortable.

That you need to shrink yourself to make them feel okay.” The icy island of isolation would thaw in 2019 after

meeting fellow songwriter, Fred “Freddy” Philp Jr. “I am very introverted when it comes to my creative process. But in 2019, I finally let someone into my writing bubble. Freddy and I made beautiful music together. It brought out a side of me that I feel was locked away and needed someone else [to make it] comfortable [enough] to come out.”

This newly uncovered collaborative spirit would emerge in other facets of her art.

Kärma would go on to add many of the Garden State’s budding acts including Party Michael, MALC, Macc McCray, PeteyxKraze, and Darryl J to name a few onto her resume for production credit. Still, Kärma points out “[engineering] is my second job, technically.” On the outside you wouldn’t know Kärma “started to engineer out of curiosity [but really] need,” confessing, “...I didn’t feel comfortable being in the studios with men [engineers]. They would always put their two cents in or just not want to hear you out and listen to [my] needs.”

Where did she get her start as an engineer? Her soulful father of course!

“One day I was writing a poem in my father’s studio and he was standing over my shoulder reading it. He took it underlined the doubles. Then told me to go [in the booth] and record it. I ended up in front of the mic and that’s when I started to see how to engineer.”

“My father lives in the Poconos and has an in-house studio. I used to [travel] back and forth [often].” As her production portfolio continues to expand, Kärma confides, “I’ve been blessed to engineer with so many amazing artists that I come to tears sometimes.

Like who the hell [am I] with all that I’ve been through to be able to do this and work with people I literally look up to. I feel humble. I feel honored to be able to share my gifts and help somebody else [share theirs] at the same time.” While engineering may be secondary for Kärma, writing remains the core of who she is, her ethos.

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“The first song I ever wrote to was a rap and I feel I still have that component with me.” Kärma concisely describes her aesthetic as “...honest. I’m raw.

Sometimes more emotional than structured.” This approach has created an internal struggle as she is to this day classified as an R&B artist. A genre with a long-running history of enforcing traditionalism. “With R&B you can use [fewer] words, put more emotion, be more dynamic, show more range but I utilize my words and lyrics a lot filling [the song out in a way] a rapper or poet would.” In the past, Kärma verbalized how these outdated standards restricted her approach during the songwriting process flashing back to her time working with an artistic collective, “you’re limited in what you can sing about”. On the other hand, acts such as Summer Walker, Kehlani, and Jazmine Sullivan continue to prove fans will support great music conservative or not.

“I don’t feel as restricted as I used to. I put those restrictions on myself as opposed to the genre because it has evolved over time. Over the past four or five years, we’ve seen a lot more women artists specifically rappers getting more attention and [gaining] respect. I feel that it’s because they just stopped caring about playing into these power dynamics. ‘I’m a lady so I have to [present myself in] a certain way.’” After fighting to be seen by music lovers, for stage time in the performance circuit, the patriarchal power structure in the engineering community, and the creative constraints placed on her, Kärma is “ready to embark on a totally different side” of herself openly and freely taking the lemons life dished out and turned them into a sweet serving of lemonade. As she continues to shine as a hometown hero, Kärma has her eyes set on branching far beyond New Jersey’s state lines but ensures “I want fame not because I want to be famous but because I want my art to reach more people.”

Kärma’s debut full-length project is slated to be released later this year. For updates be sure to follow her across your preferred social media platforming including Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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Photographer: Lacquan Scott Model: Sherelle Davis-Clarke @cinderellea_ W W W.W E A R E J E R S E Y E N T. C O M

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SUNNIE

STORY BY: AMY LOTHIAN | PHOTOS BY: COREY HARISTON

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FEATURED ARTIST

Sunnie Allen aka Sunnie has been performing since she could remember. A singer from just 3 years old, she’s never stopped pursuing her talents, and has always stayed motivated. Born in Willingboro, New Jersey, her message is one of realistic optimism.

She makes music that inspires others to see the fault in society, and in themselves, and hopes to reach those who want to consistently work on becoming the best version of themselves. Inspired by her own personal experiences, Sunnie has been listening and taking mental notes of what it means to be a woman without boundaries.

Picking up on sounds and messages from the likes of legends such as Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Mariah Carey, Sunnie has structured her own sound around their framework, while adding her own unique flare.

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Over time, and through building her own sound, Sunnie has expanded her skills beyond singing to include songwriting and recording, creating most of her material on her own.

Through her own self-expression Sunnie says she’s “finally ready to let the world embrace her artistry”.

As far as her sound she says “ I’m just here to keep you calm during the storm, and remind you that you are not alone.” With a soft, yet recognizable voice, her music is the perfect mix of softness and smooth R&B. Her singles Everything Stops and We’re Rolling have over 150K streams combined on Spotify. With two projects under her belt, Sunnie is looking forward to the much anticipated release of her next album “Fleur Immortelli” coming soon.

Confident in her sound, Sunnie hopes that this album will show others what she and her fans already know, that she’s a talent to watch out for.

Many are convinced that this could be a turning point in Sunnie’s career, putting her at the forefront as a shining star that the entire world will have the opportunity to observe.

Follow Sunnie (@iiamsunnie) 86

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NATA

STORY BY: AMY LOTHIAN | PHOTOS BY: DAVID ALEXANDER

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FEATURED ARTIST

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Singer, songwriter & rapper Aminata Bangura, better known as Nata The Illest, is bringing old school classics back to a modern hip-hip sound.

Inspired by the likes of Tribe Called Quest, Common and Slick Rick, Nata is not only well-educated and inspired by hip-hop, but also extremely passionate about it. Drawn to its illustrative and expressive style, Nata’s feelings for the music are ones she could not deny, “Growing up I was shy, but hip hop was literally calling me,” she says. From as young as 9 years old, Nata expressed her love for music and performing. She was always inspired to create her own lane with her spin on the craft.

Self-proclaimed as Rap’s Sweetheart her sound is a mix of classic hiphop & R&B blended with a message of perseverance, faith in God, real life stories and positivity, “If you enjoy real bars, some swag talk, fun sounds and great visuals, my music is for you.”, says Nata. The rapper’s latest single “Art Thou” delivers all this and more, with an eye-catching visual of Nata at the center of classic and modern art pieces, paired with interpretative messages about what’s going on in the world, delivered with Nata’s unique flow.

She keeps this consistent with every visual, with eye-catching colors, scenes, and captivating lyrics, it’s easy to watch video after video, and easy to see why her videos get hundreds of thousands of views.

From not being able to see her path as an artist, Nata has since shaked any fear that came with owning her craft and makes music that inspires others to do the same.

Doing this has led to many successes and accolades for the young artist, including being featured on Hot 97’s Instagram, and even gaining the recognition of legends like Missy Elliot.

Her authenticity in her sound, delivery and art form in videos has gained her thousands of fans and

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over 40,000 views on YouTube, achievements she attributes to being herself and having faith in God. She aims to target the younger generation of Millennials and Gen Z’s with the message of not having to compromise yourself to fit the mold.

Nata is proof that challenging fear and changing your mindset can change everything in your life. Listen to her latest single “Art Thou” on YouTube and keep up with the artist at www.

Natatheillest.com and on Instagram @ill.Nata.

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UMÉ

STORY BY: MELISSA MALOON | PHOTOS BY: DAVID ALEXANDER

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New Jersey’s very own 18 year old artist who is classified as charismatic, motivational, inspirational and lyrical, Justin Ume, better known by his moniker UMÉ, is redefining mood music and what it means. Being a songwriter since the age of 13, UMÉ has sharpened his pen game to create music for those who feel powerless and those who don’t know how to express their emotions with hopes to encourage everyone to tap into their real feelings.

Having grown up with trauma induced anxiety due to an emotionally challenging upbringing, UMÉ’s sense of secludedness and isolation lead him to music and more specifically, mood music. Only having music, UMÉ was able to channel all of his energy into writing. In his darkest moments, writing music for hours is what brought him most comfort.

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FEATURED ARTIST

Because of UMÉ’s own personal experiences with anxiety and feelings of secludedness he is able to understand and express empathy with others better than most.

He creates music that is relatable and inspires to bring about the realness within every listener.

Being that UMÉ has such a versatile sound, he is a multigenre songwriter in Rap, R&B and Pop. Whatever the genre the music relaxes with smooth and melodic beats layered with lyrics that carry a deep meaning: find your power.

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Finding your power is something that can be challenging when experiencing feelings of anxiety, however, UMÉ had to become self-sustainable and responsible at a young age. The result of this: a maturity and resiliency level that is driven with an innate hunger to achieve all of his goals. He best advises,” It’s important to appreciate the beauty in the struggle because it’s usually where we find the strongest parts of ourselves.”

Being familiar with the feelings of powerlessness, he aims to help others to never to have experience such a feeling. UMÉ is not only gifted with beats and rhythms but with delivering a message that can be warm to all listeners who are open minded yet introverted and struggle to find music that they can understand and relate to. This is seamless for UMÉ because he has an agenda to help people see and live in their truth, versus the mainstream sound and message that pushes people to fake personalities and self-medication in efforts to fill a void.

UMÉ stays motivated by reminding himself what will happen if he doesn’t continue to keep pushing himself and the envelope for the genre of mood music. It also helps that he is a big believer in taking chances and is not afraid of failure, “Id always rather try something new and learn from it then sit back and allow myself to not be in control of my life as it unfolds in front of me.”

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With that being said, UMÉ released his single “BLU” which perfectly captures his freedom in artistry through this R&B hit that exudes confidence and hope. It is empathic music that is diverse enough to connect to one’s emotions and create a more relatable experience, it is dimensional and intentional. It’s a reminder that UMÉ gets what he sets his mind to by getting things done with the right people, his people, by his side. It is also just a piece of what UMÉ’s anticipated project “Growing Pains” which is expected to be released this year, 2021.

For now you can enjoy the single “BLU” from “Growing Pains” now on all streaming platforms!

Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify You can keep track of UMÉ’s music journey through his Instagram: justinumee

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KING BRAIZE STORY BY: MELISSA MALOON | PHOTOS BY: LACQUAN SCOTT

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FEATURED ARTIST

Newark, NJ native rapper, poet and songwriter, King Braize, started his professional music career at 12 years old. Since then he has released 8 projects: 5 mixtapes, an EP and two albums. All of which depict the hard work he has put in to achieve the success and respect for his artistry and lyricism. King Braize is the embodiment of always having faith and hope in your dreams and achieving your goals.

Having been given only two options to become successful in life (music or sports) it was clear that music will always be there for him after having suffered a sports injury. It was clear for King Braize that music was going to be it for him. He has been writing music since he was 3 years old, so it only makes sense: music was and will always be there for him.

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Knowing this, he started his own label, Krown Movement, as a way to create a space for others who have a dream in music to be able to pursue it successfully. Being CEO of his own label, King Braize executes everything flawlessly, but does wish for more creativity time.

He prioritizes time in the booth because it allows for him to keep the child within him alive and wearing the CEO hat doesn’t let him solely focus on his creativity.

Being a genuine, authentic and raw rapper from Newark he doesn’t like to force anything, if it doesn’t make sense don’t try to make it make sense. Because of this his creative process entails the music building off of each other, if he likes a beat, he would already have the lyrics in mind, if he hears a song then he knows what beat to match it to.

Music just comes naturally to him.

King Braize has been recognized with awards for his innovation in Hip Hop/Rap and has been featured in newspapers and magazines.

Therefore, his reach is undeniable, especially because the central message behind every song is Unapologetically Black. He pays much homage to Black women with one of his favorite songs that reminds Black women just how special and essential they are.

He speaks love into Black women and the Black community, always representing his roots and his community.

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When asked who inspires or influences him, he responded very candidly, “Me.” A strong advocate in always believing in yourself, King Braize looks to himself to inspire him and motivate him. He only competes with himself so he wouldn’t compare himself to anyone else. He aims to be better than he was before and not better than the next person. Because of this we not only see King Braize develop into a strong CEO but also witness his development as a lyricist.

With that being said, we have a lot to anticipate from King Braize this upcoming year, 2021. Releasing a deluxe version of his latest album, “Inspire Yourself,” King Braize is encouraging all listeners to find inspiration within themselves and to keep the child within themselves alive. The deluxe album will be released March 21, 2021 and will feature two new singles for Black women and a visual that will release the same day.

We can also expect King Braize to release another project this year, but we will have to follow along his Instagram to know what project and release dates! Make sure to stay in the loop by following King Braize on Instagram & Twitter @kingbraize.

You can also keep up with King Braize directly through his website: www. kingbraize.com.

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CORTRELL LSN1 REVIEW WRITTEN BY BEE PAPINO |

On March 5, 2021, Cortrell released his junior album “LSN1,” a mellow album filled with lyrics about love found, love lost, and, surprisingly enough, the calming sounds of nature.

Hailing from Paterson, New Jersey, the pop/R&B artist has wanted to be a singer since he bought his first CD: Brandy’s NSN. He says he did not start taking music seriously, however, until he was about 19 years old, in college, and had just gone through a tough breakup. Like so many great musicians, he found that writing songs and making music helped him express himself like nothing else ever had. To this day, writing a song is how he has learned to heal himself.

LSN1 starts off slow, with a calming acoustic guitar; then, Cortrell’s crooning voice comes in. “You don’t know the difference between a groupie or a fan,” he sings. The song is about wanting more than friendship; wanting it so badly, in fact, that he is willing to end the relationship if friendship is all he will get. The track ends with layers upon layers of Cortrell’s voice, humming and singing and mourning the end of whatever he and the subject of the song have together.

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“Love (Interlude)” features Young Eskere and Illvminate. The sound of ocean waves on the shore is layered with Cortrell’s soft voice and a soothing synth. The interlude, although it is only 57 seconds long, is perfectly placed, and exceptionally composed. Featuring only a single sung verse, the song ends just as abruptly—and peacefully—as it began—with an echo that feels equally nostalgic and hopeful for the future.

The same synth reappears in the next track, “Love You Better,” featuring Illvminate. From the start, however, this song is more upbeat and danceable. This song is the first time drums appear in the album, which starts taking the album to a different place—one of confidence and coolness. “Don’t be afraid of the love coming towards you,” Cortrell sings, encouraging the subject of the song to leave behind their worries so that he can love her better.

Also featuring Illvminate comes “Secret.” As the title implies, the song is about keeping a relationship on the downlow. The deeper, slower bass and lower pitch add to the atmosphere and intrigue of the relationship, completing the story that Cortrell so masterfully tells with his lyrics. Over and over, he reassures the subject of the song that “no one will ever know,” and that she will be his best kept secret.

Kicking off with a thunderstorm, a piano makes its first appearance on the album with “Temporary Love” featuring Young Eskere.

A stuttering kick drum and high-pitched backing vocals are the support for Cortrell’s voice in this short, yet sweet, song. Much like the love spoken of, the track is short, and leaves you wanting more. By now, we know that when it comes to love, Cortrell isn’t here to mess around. He wants something real, something beyond friendship, and something substantial. The brevity of the song is saying something, in its own way— Cortrell won’t waste time with temporary love, and he won’t waste time with a long song dedicated to it. On to the next thing.

The closing song of the album is also about a love gone wrong.

Cortrell bemoans, “Gave me a piece of you / while I just gave you more / I don’t know why I went so hard for you… I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Perhaps the track would be more aptly named “Mistakes,” as Cortrell regretfully realizes that this has happened “time and time again.”

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“Mistake” is accompanied by a music video, in which Cortrell, bathed in a mournful—and almost vengeful—vibrant red light, glitches and reverses as he sings about mistakes made.

He sings upside down in his bed, staring hauntingly at the camera; he sings in his mirror, frustrated and depressed; he walks outside, still washed in red lighting, and stares gloomily down the street. His pain was palpable through the song alone, and is even more so through the music video. The video ends with the camera backing out of Cortrell’s room, and the album ends with a haunting melody that makes you eager to put the album on repeat again.

What is remarkable about LSN1 is that it was written to someone. It is almost like we have gotten access to a series of letters that Cortrell has written to his love interest; each song about a different situation, yet each one comforting his love interest’s fears and reservations about their relationship, whether it be about moving on from just friends or people finding out about them.

From nature sounds to a reverberating bass, Cortrell’s junior album is an impressive piece, and has a song for every type of love. Designed to be put on repeat, don’t miss out on this love-filled hip-hop-infused R&B album.

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