Xposure Magazine Nov/Dec 2011

XPOSURE NOV/DEC 2011

2011’s Most • Memorable • Fashionable • Controversial

As we start to wind down the year that was 2011 and look forward to 2012, we stop to reflect on everything this year encompassed. This year was a year of controversy, great music, fashion, film and culture - this issue celebrates just that. I chose Adele as my 2011 Person of the year because no one has had a bigger year than her. Her album 21 just surpassed the 12 million sales mark. Adele has changed the landscape of music this year with her tour and dynamic music. In the 2011 Illustrated section starting on page 17, we name the top albums, films and most controversial of the year. We also lost some great people and we celebrate them as well.

In the Next on Deck section, I decided to feature some of the great musicians who I know have had a huge year like Cloudeater, and the artist like Rolando, Stevie B., Calm White Noise and Hi Stakez. 2012 will be big for them so be sure to check out their features to find out all about them and their music.

2011 has also been a great year for Xposure who partnered with the largest online digital magazine distributor Zinio. Xposure also gained new audiences in Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and France and celebrated the 2 year anniversary. I’m constantly looking for ways to expand and grow this magazine. With that in mind, you will be able to read Xposure on your mobile devices really soon. To follow all the news about the growth of Xposure, log on to www.xposure365.com.

I would also like to introduce my new columnist Rolando Lamb, he has inspired me with his words and I hope you as readers enjoy his articles.

His column Love Is, is featured on page 16. Rolando is also a columnist on our website Xposure 365 as well so be sure to log on to support him, welcome to the family Ro! On a personal note, I want to thank the person who inspires me everyday. The picture above is one of my favorite pictures of me and my first love – my mom Miss Alberta. Here we are, in this tenth issue and you never gave up on me, I love you mama.

A special thank you to my readers and supporters all over the world, I wish you all a happy holiday season. See you in January!

Until next time...............................................

Goldyn P. Smith

Publisher/Editor in Chief

goldyn@xposure365.com

Twitter - @HoneyBFlyy

@XposureMagazine

Xposure Credits &Contributors

Rolando Lamb is the newest edition to Xposure Magazine check out his column on page 16. Originally from Virginia, Rolando now calls Atlanta home. Check out his Next on Deck feature on page 9 to find out more about him and his music.

Photos - Getty Images, Tristina Yarzombek

Xposure Magazine is a bi - monthly magazine published on a bi monthly basis. ISSN - 2158-0421. Copyright 2009-2011.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Views expressed by writers are not necessarily the views of Xposure Magazine. We welcome and accept unsolicited materials. Materials submitted to Xposure Magazine is the person’s guarantee that submitted items are not in violation of or infringing upon the rights of others and that said materials may be reviewed and subject to critique without any third party consent.

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In This Issue

Thank Yuu Steve Jobs

Features Iconoclasts - 6 Next On Deck - 8 2011 Illustrated - 17 Currency Matters - 26

2011 Albums

2012 Lotus Exige S

05

Iconoclasts

Next On Deck

We wanted to kind of reveal everyone in different distances and create a video that would give you an introduction to the energy of what we do. Instead of trying to do something narrative or elaborate, it was pretty simple.

How Cloudeater became Cloudeater (its not what you think) – (Nolan) – with any band, you make a list of names and go from there. I believe it was a Mexican folktale that tells the story of a cloud eater that’s basically the cause of a drought. There was an interesting folklore type of story connected to cloud eater.

Cloudeater

How they met – (Dan) – Nolan had been DJing at a place where Sam our lead singer was working. Sam performed there and he was by far the best person there. He was involved with another band at the time, which is no longer around. The two of us joined up with them and over time, that band fizzled out. I had known Chris since high school and told him we needed a drummer and that’s how we came together.( Nolan)– Sam invited me and Dan to join their band, I was excited just to be working with Sam. While we were working in the band, we began to work on Sam’s EP since I had studio time at GA Tech. It got to the point where we spoke to the band’s manager and we decided to do our own thing.

What Cloudeater sounds like – (Chris) – It would sort of be considered as Trip Hop, we take a lot of rhythmic things like Hip Hop and mix it with electronic. With what Sam does, it ties it all together in an interesting way. Its kind of hard to give an exact genre, its somewhere between alternative, rock, trip hop and R&B – but its not as bad as that sounds.

Hardly Wait video – (Chris) I’m a film person in my other life, we shot a bunch of ideas and it had not quite come together. We wanted to convey what the music does when you hear it live.

Opportunity to open for Little Dragon – (Nolan) This is my favorite band and we are opening for them. To have people in the room who like the same type of music is all we can ask for from a show.

Future plans – We’re getting ready to release the video for Blurry Wisdom as well as a few performances coming up.

Favorite tracks on Sun & Sidearm – (Dan) My favorite is Not Enough, is how we open each show. (Nolan) It’s the same for me as well. (Chris) They are all my favorites in their own way.

Why Sun And Sidearm is the title track – (Dan) The song is textually very different from the others on the album. We had another working title we were thinking about for a while and Sun And Sidearm was the last song that was mixed for the album. (Chris) The only take you hear on the album was the first take, we hadn’t worked on it before or since.

Advice to upcoming bands – (Nolan) Make music you stand behind a lot of people get carried away trying to come up with a marketable idea and they lose a lot. You close a lot of windows when you stop looking inside of yourself.

(Dan) if you make the right connections, people will support you. No gig is too small, take any gigs you can find no matter how lucrative. We played a gig that was at a loft, there was supposed to be a fashion show and then later the concert. The event kind of fell apart and there was not an audience for us as the headliner nor the opening act. There were about 7 people in the audience and we played anyway and did our show. It was because of that show, we were able to get the free studio time and mixing budget for the album. The album would sound very different had we not played that show. (Chris) We are still in the beginning stages of everything, don’t be afraid to try something new.

How the guys want you to feel after listening to their music – (Chris) I think what we are trying to leave behind a unique experience from this band. We’re not trying to sound like anyone else. (Dan) We don’t know what the next album is going to sound like, everyone interprets things with their own ears.

(Nolan) We have made interesting, original music and we hope people enjoy it.

For more information – www.cloudeatermusic.com and we have Twitter @ cloudeatermusic. Sun and Sidearm is available on iTunes, Rhapsody and we post videos to YouTube of our live shows.

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Who is Rolando? – What’s up everybody, its Rolando originally from Richmond, VA been here in Atlanta since I was 8 years old. I make inspirational music, my goal is to see the best out of everybody and raise everyone to the potential they are supposed to be.

Why he chose to do inspirational music – A lot of people are beat down, feeling like they can’t do certain things. I’m here to oppose that – we can do anything we put our minds to. I’m a dream chaser, I want everyone to chase theirs like I’m chasing mine.

History – I’ve been doing music professionally for about a year, I started writing poetry when I was 17 and I connected with producers who had tracks. It started out as fun, last year I decided I really wanted to do this and pursue it and that’s what I’ve been doing.

The definitive moment to make music professionally – I had a lot of great people around me encouraging me, my girlfriend really pushed me into what I’m doing right now. I think for the most part, I had to make a conscious decision.

The Beautiful Life – It’s the first single I released and its about seeing the beauty even when life gets ugly. Sometimes, life looks horrible but the beauty is we keep pushing through all the ugliness and pain and we find the joy we’ve been looking for. I’ve had a lot of good responses, I was at a youth summit and a lot of people felt uplifted by the song. I’ve gotten emails from people who say they were touched by what I was doing with that song. People need to know it’s a beautiful life and they can keep pushing when things look bad and they feel down and out.

Other singles – I have a song called Bounce With Me, it was originally written for the girlfriend I had at the time but it also has another meaning. I’m a Christian and He just wants us to grow with Him and be with Him. That’s how my current girlfriend looks at it now. The other single is called Peace, God – it’s a controversial song but it is an uplifting song. People don’t see themselves as they should, they see lesser than what they are. I want people to see themselves as kings and queens, you can check out all of the singles at Rolando. bandcamp.com.

What’s next –I’m connecting with producers, performing at open mics and everything. I’m following the opportunities as they come along.

For more info – Follow me on Twitter @Ro_Lambo and be sure to check out Rolando.bandcamp.com Last words – Grace and love.

Rolando

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Next On Deck

Who is Stevie B? - I’m a kid from Augusta, attending Georgia Southern some know me as Rip or Stevie B The Ripa. I do music.

Experience at A3C – I’m loving it, I’m walking away from it as a better artist.

I’ve gotten to meet up with some artists that inspired me and they know me by name now which is cool too. I found out about A3C from the music alliance at my school and I kept putting it off. Finally I was able to get press passes and its turned out to be a lot more than I thought it would. I’m definitely coming back and when I do, I will be performing.

Stevie’s sound – I have an old soul, I’m all about lyrics as well as great beats.

What Stevie’s working on – In 2008 I released a project with my camp Designated Hittas called The Hit Factory Vol. 1. There was supposed to be a Vol. 2 but life kicked in so we had to slow down. With that, I ventured into my solo stuff, I’m working on my solo project now. I’m also working with my crew Smokin Aces on a project as well. Right now I’m doing a lot of collaborations and just doing music.

Musical climate in Augusta – A lot of people that come from Augusta stop claiming Augusta once they become more popular. There is not many that come from Augusta but they start representing Atlanta. Augusta has a lot of crime right now so the music scene is fading a little.

On hus single Love Jones – It’s the main song I always perform, relationships take a lot of time and focus and right now its not my focus. I don’t want to put a lady in that situation where I’m all about my music and not the relationship.

The song is about the woman having a love jones for me but my love jones is just for music.

Why he’s The Ripa – My friends gave me that name, the guys that became Smokin Aces were on a road trip with me were listening to me freestyle and gave me that name. Its like lyrical exercise while I’m on the road and we all kept it going and that’s what they called me. Stevie B. is actually my government name, its not Steven or anything its just Stevie.

More information – Facebook.com/StevieB.TheRipa, Tumblr.com/ TheRipaShow, follow me on Twitter.com/StevieB_TheRipa Last words –I feel like everybody should find themselves and be themselves.

If you continue to be yourself, the people who need to notice you will start to notice you. Stop trying and start being.

Stevie B. 10

Calm White Noise History – I started out in 2008 with a funk band called The Family Funk, we did really great things. I was the co founder along with another Jazz musician and we recruited other musicians at Georgia State. We played covers as well as some originals, it was supposed to be a one time impromptu show but it kept growing. It actually grew into a 2 year venture, one of the guys wanted to take more of a Jazz route and I wanted to do Al Green and P Funk. After we went our separate ways, it got to the point where I wasn’t feeling the funk stuff. I wanted to venture into the electronic music I do now. I got the drummer from the old band, got another guy from Georgia State – Andre who is a technology genius and a couple more from school.

New album - We had one week in the studio, we cranked out 80 hours of material. With the album we’re trying to release, we’ve got everything recorded, have to finish vocals and effects and then have it mixed and mastered which Andre can do. We are looking to release the album in December or January, its 10 songs about 45 minutes of material.

Calm White Noise’s sound – We get a lot of influence from Radiohead, Bjork and we have a lot of rock elements because of the guitar.

We’re very dynamic - we have slow songs as well as the up tempo songs.

How Calm White Noise became Calm White Noise – My drummer and I went to see the Do Do’s at The Earl, it was a sold out show and we’re out there scalping. We asked this guy for tickets, he didn’t have any and we started to talk to him about our music. We were telling him we had like an indie rock, electronic sound. He told us “if you sound like I think you do, I’ll give you a freebie” I looked at my drummer like this guy is crazy. He looked at us and said calm, white noise. I was like sounds good, not really wanting to give up my poker face. He walked away and the more I thought about it, and thought about the music – the more it made sense. Its our dynamic level in a sense, white noise is like the buzz you hear from the vacuum cleaner. Its like a sound that’s always there and calm white noise makes it dynamic, we’re not a soft band and we’re not a hard band. Calm White Noise is a band that is genre less, life is always encompassing different things.

More info – Our Facebook page and Soundcloud which is Calm White Noise, the website is being developed.

L ast words – Try to expand your musical conscious whenever you can, listen to anything you think you would hate – you may like it more than you expect.

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Next On Deck Who is Hi Stakez? - Is from Houston, has been rapping since 2003, first release was 2006. Has released 3 projects and a new one on the way.

3 projects – My first project was produced in house, my second project had some radio play in New York, here in Georgia. The third release was last year, A Day in The Life EP. We shot videos on location here in Atlanta and the EP is available on iTunes now.

Being from Houston – People tell me my music doesn’t sound like I’m from Houston, they put us all in the category of the same sound. There is a lot of diversity in Houston, there will be a few more artists like myself who will come out in the next few months .

What Hi Stakez sounds like - Some of my biggest influences sound wise are 9th Wonder, DJ Premier, No ID. If I had to compare myself lyrically to someone it would be Common, Talib Kweli and artists along those lines. I’m Hip Hop but not really a backpack rapper but Hip Hop. New projects – Right now, I’m finishing up The Audio File EP, I just shot the video today for the single Make It Right. The EP should be released early 2012.

Experience at A3C – My experience has been great, we came out here to work. We’ve been networking and exposing ourselves to new markets. I’ve already met a few people during A3C who I want to have on The Audio File EP. The A3C Cypher was my first experience participating in one, I had fun. Its not really my lane, if I could do it again I would.

New single Make It Right – It was produced by me, it has an Anita Baker sample, its real laid back with a 90s feel. Hopefully, it will be in rotation here in Georgia as well as Texas.

How To Reach Hi Stakez – For the latest updates, follow me on Twitter @ HiStakez and you can also visit www.histakez.com .

Last words – Look out for The Audio Files EP, its going to be a movement.

Its good music with a 90s vibe coming from the south. The 90s was when Hip Hop really reached its prime, it didn’t really offend people that much.

Music was more relatable, its okay to be a little vulgar but its important to have music that people can relate to. I grew up on music in the 90s, it was a great time for Hip Hop. I want to thank all of my supporters who continue to support me.

Hi Stakez

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Ciao Bella

CoverGirl Queen Collection announced Paula Patton as their new brand ambassador recently. The Queen Collection will launch a new line in January which will include Vivid Impact Eyeliner, LashFanatic Mascara and Natural Hue Matte Pressed Powder. The partnership will include featuring Paula in print, television and online ads. Congrats to Paula Patton, we can’t wait to see the new campaign. Don’’t forget to check out Paula’s new film Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol with Tom Cruise in theaters December 21.

Versace For H&M

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Haute Plate Best of 2011

Jimmy Choo celebrated their 15th anniversary this year, the milestone also celebrated The Icon collection which gave lucky consumers the chance to purchase some classic styles.

“The Icons is really my 15 favorite shoes of the last 15 years,” co-founder Tamara Mellon The styles chosen include celebrity favorites, famous on-screen pairs—like Carrie Bradshaw’s “I lost my Choo!” stiletto—and more, adapted with a modern feel.

10 percent of proceeds benefit the Jimmy Choo Foundation, a charity that supports gender equality and female empowerment.

James Franco channels old Hollywood style in the new shots released by Gucci. Franco and Gucci have partnered to release Gucci Made to Measure which gives the well dressed man a new option to look effortlessly chic. Frida Giannini, Gucci’s creative director, said: “James has an innate ability to fuse classic elegance with contemporary style and interpret formal wear in an individual way.”

The options available to you include 178 fabrics, colors and lining to make your look as distinctive as possible. The service will be available in 11 boutiques worldwide by the end of the year and pricing will start around $3,000 US.

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk first-ever exhibit, has just landed at the Dallas Museum of Art after a four-month stint in Montreal. The exhibit features costumes worn by Gaultier’s famous celebrity clientele —like Dita Von Teese’s bustier dress, along with pieces worn by Naomi Campbell, Rihanna and Sarah Jessica Parker. “Gaultier wanted his exhibition to reflect the energy of a catwalk show,” curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the museum Kevin W. Tucker said.

The Dallas Museum of Art is located at 1717 North Harwood in Dallas. Call 214-922-1200 or visit dm-art.org for tickets and info. The exhibit will remain in Dallas through February 12th, and will then travel to San Francisco next, where it is set to open March 24th.

Love is what you see in a mother’s eyes the day she gives birth to her baby. Love is the tear the father fails to hold back as he holds his child for the first time. The moment you realize that you would give anything, do anything if only to see that small sign of joy that we recognize as a smile.

It’s refusing to forget their first steps. The determination on their faces as they take three, maybe four steps only to fall into your arms.

At which point, you pick them up and hold them above your head like champions.

The fall doesn’t matter.

Love doesn’t remember the fall.

Love saw the accomplishment. Love saw the excitement in their face, as they experienced success for the first time.

Love saw the fall.

Love doesn’t ignore the trials, tribulations, and mishaps that are inevitable. But Love is waiting with open arms to catch us when we fall, and a smile to strengthen us when we are weak, and words to soothe and encourage us when our fears and worries began to drown us. The heart of humanity is plagued with a hole. It’s like an unsolvable puzzle that the whole world has tried to solve and fail time and time again. Because we fail to understand Love we fail to understand what we need. Love is the piece that countless people are missing. However, the way we define love has been skewed and misused. This deception has caused us to reject the very thing we should accept.

Love is.

Love is stability. We can depend on Love’s consistency through any and all situations.

The heart of humanity is plagued with a hole. It’s like an unsolvable puzzle that the whole world has tried to solve and fail time and time again. Because we fail to understand Love we fail to understand what we need. Love is the piece that countless people are missing. However, the way we define love has been skewed and misused. This deception has caused us to reject the very thing we should accept.

Love is.

Love is acceptance unconditional.

Through the rising or falling, laughing or crying, health or sickness, Love accepts. Love is the strongest motivation and the deepest inspiration. Love consumes and transforms until there is nothing else.

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is God. Love yourself. Love others. Love God.

Grace and Love,

RoLando

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We lost some great people this year. Although we celebrate the year in review, we remember the ones we lost.

2011 Illustrated

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Best Albums of 2011

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Best Films of 2011

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Most Controversial of 2011

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Visivo

Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt in the new Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol. Ethan finds himself being held responsible for a catastrophic terrorism event. In order to clear his name, Ethan and his team must go rogue to find the truth. MI4 hits the big screen December 21 and also stars Paula Patton, Jeremy Renner and Ving Rhames.

21

Allure

She’s one of the most stylish women in Hollywood and her red carpet looks never disappoint. Kate Winslet is one of our favorite starlets.

Kate Winslet stunningly took the red carpet at the 68th Venice Film Festival was there for the premiere of her new film Carnage. Opening stateside December 16, Roman Polanski is already getting glowing reviews for his adaptation of the Tony award winning play God of Carnage . The film also stars Jodie Foster, John C. Reilley and Christoph Waltz. Kate took the red carpet wearing Victoria Beckham’s Open Neck fitted dress from the A/W 2011 collection with shoes by Jimmy Choo.

22

Heavy Metal

The all new 2012 Lotus Exige S made its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. The ExigeS comes with a 3.5 liter V6 engine with 345 horsepower. If you are looking for speed, quality and beauty, you’ve found it in the Lotus Exige S.

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Currency Matters

Occupy All Streets

It was the biggest financial story of 2011. What started as a protest against corporate greed on Wall Street has grown to a worldwide protest of issues affecting everyone. There were riots and civil unrest in Atlanta, Oakland, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston to name a few. The protests in different areas including everything from fair housing and foreclosures to the economy, jobs, medical benefits and equal pay for everyone.

Everyone from President Obama and elected officials in Washington to diplomats overseas have an opinion on the protests going on. No matter if you think the protests are right or wrong, one thing everyone can agree on is the right to protest. So where do we go from here?