Bleu Magazine Issue 54 - Keith Powers by Bleu Magazine

Keith Powers AMADEUS

PA N A M A

T U PA C S K A K U R MOHAMED PUEDRAOGO

DEREKE CLEMENTS

E 54

THE

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ILLEN

V O L U M E 4

Table of

Contents Suit and Shirt RAGA MAN Shoes PAUL SMITH s Photography By RICARDO NELSON

62 Actor Keith Powers on Black male vulnerability, police brutality, and being authentically human while acting

Issue 54

TAKE THE LEAD

Take an active role in your health. Ask your doctor if an HIV medicine made by Gilead is right for you.

Table of

Contents Jumpsuit CARLOS CAMPOS Shoes PAUL SMITH s Photography By RICARDO NELSON

14 Access By Bleu

50 The Creatives Art’s Dynamic Duo

16 The 4 By 5 Game On

54 Fashion 117th and 8th

19 Gadgets Summer-Fests

72 Op-ed Why I Travel

21 Cars Voltage Cycles

74 Feature The Mega Producer

22 Soled Up The Great 8

78 Feature The Hustle Behind Panama’s Ambition

32 Grooming Walking in Sunshine

82 The Humans

34 Fuel

86 Fashion

The Better Choice: Seasoned Vegan

Prints Please

36 Fashion

94 Spotlight

Alone on Coney Island

Hot Springs on Tap

46 Travel

97 Icon

Slo Down!

Tupac Amaru Shakur

Issue 54

MASTHEAD

On the Cover KEITH POWERS Words By KEYAIRA KELLY Photography By RICARDO NELSON Fashion By DOUGLAS HICKMAN

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief

Contributing Writers

THE BLEULIFE GROUP

DĂŠVon Christopher Johnson

Keyaira Kelly, Melissa Curtin, Dominique Carson, Mecca Notes, Robin Williams

Chairman, CEO & President DĂŠVon Christopher Johnson

Executive Editor George Kevin Jordan

Contributing Photographers

Editor-at-Large

Ricardo Nelson, Stevie Love, Joshua Renfroe, Ashley Sky Walker

Darius Baptist

Sr. Designer

Interns:

Assistant to the Publisher Fitz Irving

Business Development Brent Zachary, Massih Azad

Dominic Bielak

Cedric Small, Johana Lopez, Erica Garnes, Jamie Rollo,

Art Direction & Design

Digital Content Designer

Jessica Nacincik, Elysia Tanswell,

Julian Kim

Vee Banionis

UK Fashion Editor

Emilie Breslin, Khrystian McCalister, Adama Diallo, Zavier Scott

AD Sales:

Sean Azeez

Todd Evans, Rivendell Media 908.232.2021

Contributing Fashion Editors

Scean Ellis, Leverage Media Sales scean@leveragemediasales.com

Douglas Hickman, Juan Ortiz

Fashion Market & Production

BOMBSHELL BY BLEU

Brand Ambassadors

Terence B. McNealy

Editor-In-Chief

Rannon Harris (Chicago - Midwest) Leroy Williams (Northeast)

Ebony Allison

Managing Editor Annika Harris

Contributing Editors Raymond Mora, Chris Law

Copy Editor Trevoy Ross

Digital-Content Strategist

Newsstand Distribution

Kaylin Young

TNG 1955 Lake Park Drive, Ste. 400 Smyrna, GA 30080

Editorial Team Kishon Springer, Cataanda Jame, Sigourney Salley London Burns, Matia Peebles

Submissions Bleu Magazine 119 West 24th Street New York, NY 10011 info@bleulife.com

Bleulife Media & Entertainment Inc. | 119 West 24th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10011 | E-Mail: info@bleulife.com | Online: bleulife.com Printed in Canada. Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists, feature writers or other contributors are not necessarily the opinions of Bleu Magazine or its staff. All advertisements, photographs, text or illustrations are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized to have secured proper consent for the use thereof. Bleu Magazine shall not be held responsible for any errors, loss, expense or liabilities on advertisements accepted after the deadline. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or advertisement in Bleu Magazine is not to be constructed as an indication of sexual orientation of such persons, advertiser or organization. Partial or complete reproduction of an advertisement, news article, feature or photograph from Bleu Magazine is strictly prohibited as Bleu Magazine is a registered trademark. A $25 or 1.5% (whichever is greater) fee will be charged for all NSF checks. All rights reserved.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICARDO NELSON

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

What you want, your house, your car Forty acres and a mule, a piano, a guitar? Anything, see my name is Lucy, I’m your dog Motherf****r you can live at the mall I can see the evil, I can tell it, I know when it’s illegal I don’t think about it, I deposit every other zero Thinkin’ of my partner put the candy, paint it on the regal Diggin’ in my pocket ain’t a profit, big enough to feed you Everyday my logic, get another dollar just to keep you In the presence of your chico, ah I don’t talk about it, be about it, everyday I see cool If I got it then you know you got it, Heaven, I can reach you Pet dog, pet dog, pet dog, my dog that’s all Pick back and chat I shut the back for y’all I rap, I’m black, on track so rest assured My rights, my wrongs are right till I’m right with God

Kendrick Lamar, “ALRIGHT”

We didn’t start out with the intention to make political statements. Our focus was simply to create fashion, travel and culturally relevant content for Black men. That was before Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Philando Castile, and the many more on the list too painful to continue writing. Because of these names and the countless others we have to deal with it. We can no longer be a bystander. We have to exist with purpose and intention. What has become abundantly clear is that we don’t just make great images through fashion editorials. We are making a statement. #BlackBoyJoy is not just a hashtag, it is the DNA and bedrock of the birth of this brand. Media has done a horrible job of representing black and brown males as complete humans - full of nuance and complexities. We’ve always been over sexualized, economically marginalized, and intellectually excluded. Bleu doesn’t just need to exist it has to exist. Our team encounters more no’s than yes’s. We hear you’re not black enough, you’re not masculine enough, not sensitive enough, not emotional enough, you protest too much, stop whining, just move on and the list goes on and on. Brands don’t spend dollars advertising in black media even though they have Black faces in their ads. As if to say, you’re good enough to sell my product but not to buy it. I say we are good enough. We have always been enough and more. Wake up America.

DéVon Christopher Johnson Founder And Group Publisher

Issue 54

C O N T R I B U TO R S

R I C A R D O H O R AT I O N E L S O N

K E YA I R A K E L LY

Cover Story Photographer

Cover Story Writer

Ricardo Horatio Nelson is a Jamaican photographer based in New York City. His portraits and editorial work use the basic principles of photography and the spirit of collaboration to capture the human spirit.

Keyaira Kelly is a writer, producer, speaker and poet living and loving in Brooklyn, New York. Keyaira currently serves as staff writer/producer for HelloBeautiful.com, but her bylines are scattered across the web. Keyaira unashamedly speaks to women about everything from their breast size to their sex life while providing the latest hard hitting news or social justice think piece with a side of water cooler culture gossip.

ROBIN WILLIAMS

L U C Y A L E X A N D R A H A M I LT O N

Robin Williams is a native of the Bronx, NY who holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of D.C. and an M.P.S in Sports Management from Georgetown University. In 2017, Robin wrote and directed her debut short film Garden of Eden. The film was selected into the Cannes Film Festival Creative Minds Short Film Corner in Cannes, France. Robin is Managing Editor at Soule.lgbt.

After moving to London at 18 to study fashion journalism, Lucy Alexandra Hamilton quickly realized her heart belonged to styling. Since then she’s been establishing herself as stylist working with various publications and brands including Wonderland Magazine, Hunger, Notion and Adidas.

EMEKA DIBIA

MELISSA CURTIN

“I tell stories.” Whether for broadcast, print, or in a song Emeka Dibia prides himself in storytelling. “Everyone has a story it’s a joy to grab a person’s attention with skillfully written emotion. Often times when you really resonate with someone… It’s not because of the words you write. It’s the feeling in between the words that draws people in. Emotion. Drama. Truth… Truth is the best one by far.” Emeka Dibia’s knack for telling stories started on his elementary school’s broadcast team. He knew he had something special there and demanded his 9-week term be extended. He’s also skilled in contract negotiations lol. 12

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Melissa Curtin is a Connecticut girl madly in love with Los Angeles. She is the co-founder of LaLaScoop, an online hub sharing the beauty and vibrancy of LA life. As an educator and travel writer, her passion for globe trotting and learning about new cultures was fueled when she traveled around the world at age 20 on Semester at Sea. Some of her favorite destinations include Croatia; Greece; Krakow; Prague; Costa Rica; Sicily; Formentera Island off Ibiza; and Tulum, Mexico. She delights in discovering new LA restaurants, mixing up her fitness routine with ClassPass, hiking in the canyons, basking in Malibu sunsets, and thinking about her next adventure.

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AC C E S S BY B L E U

TR AF F IK On April 16, 2018, celebrities and influencers joined the cast of TRAFFIK at Regal Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia for the VIP Tastemaker screening. Notable guests at the event included Tameka “Tiny” Harris, Torrei Hart, Demetria McKinney, Egypt Sherrod, Lil Duvai, and more. Guests used hashtag #TraffikMovie throughout the night on social media for reactions to the movie.

Roselyn Sanchez

Sincerely Ward

Laz Alonso, Roxanne Avent, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, Paula Patton, Roselyn Sanchez, Deon Taylor 14

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Tray Chaney

AC C E S S BY B L E U

DE AR WHI TE PE OPLE VOL . 2 On May 2, 2018, the stars, show creator, and executive producers were in attendance for the Dear White People Vol. 2 red carpet screening in Los Angeles, California. Logan Browning, Antoinette Robertson, Ashley Blaine Featherson, Marque Richardson, and many more came out in style to celebrate the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second season. All episodes of Dear White People Vol. 2 are now streaming on Netflix.

Jeremy Tardy

Ted Sarandos

Logan Browning

Jeremy Tardy, Logan Browning, Ashley Blaine Featherson

Issue 54

ME GAM GAME ON Video games continues to expand throughout the world and Millennials do love to play the best ones. They have a particular video game based on the system they love to play. Here are five of the best exclusive games for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC.

2 4 5

EME ON P L AY S TAT I O N 4 : 1

SPIDERMAN

Insomniac Games has been well known for their previous PlayStation exclusive; Ratchet and Clank. The exclusive is highly anticipated by many, and for good reasons. Insomniac highlights and enhances gameplay with the mechanic of swinging. Using both sides of the web-slinger’s life, as Peter Parker and his alter ego, to convey a more human story instead of just a super-hero’s. Spider-Man releases on September 7, 2018. 2

G O D O F WA R 4

Santa Monica has released its eighth installment in the series, God Of War. The developers “re-imagined” the game; originally it was based on Greek Mythology, but this game goes into Norse Mythology. The plot shifts onto Kratos being a father figure to his son after the destruction of Olympus. 3

UNCHARTED 4

Naughty Dog finalizes the story of Nathan Drake with Uncharted 4, with the plot being the final journey to find Henry Avery’s lost treasure. With visuals so amazing, it immerses the player. The story is driven by multiple themes such as sacrifice and family. 4

LAST OF US II

Naughty Dog announced a sequel to one of PlayStation’s greatest hits, Last of Us. The sequel is set five years later, and changes the main protagonist, from Joel to Ellie who played a major role in the previous game. It had won the “Most Anticipated Game of the Year” award in 2017 5

N I E R A U T O M ATA

PlatinumGames was known for games, such as Metal Gear Rising Revengeance and Bayonetta. Nier Automata is a sequel to “Nier”, the story is set in the middle of a war between machines from invaders and the remnants of humanity.

NINTENDO SWITCH: 1

LEGEND OF ZELDA B R E AT H O F T H E W I L D

Nintendo returns with a classic character with their exclusive game from the launch day of the Nintendo Switch. Link stars as the protagonist and the story follows him to defeat Calamity Ganon. 2

S P L AT O O N 2

Nintendo developed a sequel to it’s third person shooter, Splatoon. One of the Switch’s multiplayer games, the game has four versus four modes where you defeat the enemy team with paint with an array of unique weapons. 3

SUPER SMASH BROS

Nintendo also revives it’s classic party brawling game, Super Smash Bros. The game stars many of Nintendo’s popular franchise characters, and many nonNintendo characters like Cloud, Sonic the Hedgehog, and many more. 4

SUPER MARIO ODYSSE Y

Nintendo continues the classic character trend with Super Mario Odyssey. It stars Mario and his partner Cappy, following their story to save Princess Peach from Bowser. The game won multiple awards such as Game of the Year and is easily one of the bestsellers for the Switch. 5

B AY O N E T TA 3

The upcoming “hack and slash” developed by PlatinumGames stars the protagonist Bayonetta, a shapeshifting combat expert. The third installment is rumored to be placed before Bayonetta 2 due to her appearance. No release has been confirmed, but expected to be released around 2019 or 2020.

XBOX ONE : 1

HALO 5: GUARDIANS

Being the first-person shooter video game, Halo 5 was developed by 343 Industries.However, Microsoft Studios later published Halo 5 for the Xbox One home video game console. Being a classic favorite by the public it was released on October 27, 2015. 2

QUANTUM BREAK

Adding onto the list of Xbox One home video games published by Microsoft Studios is Quantum Break. Created by Remedy Entertainment, the game was released in April 2016. The genre of the game is a science fiction action-adventure third-person shooter. 3

FORZ A MOTORSPORT 7

Known as the tenth installment in the Forza series, Forza Motorsport 7 was developed by Turn 10 Studios. Forza Motorsport 7 was released on October 3, 2017. This game had the honor of winning The Game Award for Best Sports/ Racing Game. 4

S TAT E O F D E C AY 2

Everyone is anticipating the State of Decay 2’s scheduled release on May 22, 2018 for the Xbox console. Being a new addition to the 2013 video game State of Decay sequel, State of Decay 2 is developed by Undead Labs. 5

SUNSET OVERDRIVE

Sunset Overdrive is a Action-adventure game, Third-person shooter game. Developed by Insomniac Games it was released on October 28, 2014. In 2015, it won the Best Music Supervision in a Video Game.

PC: 1

C I V I L I Z AT I O N I V

Been released on 2005, Civilization IV is a classic Xbox video game. This game was developed by Soren Johnson, with Sid Meier from Firaxis Games directing. This addictive game has no genre as it was won multiple awards. 2

DIVINIT Y: ORIGINAL SIN 2

The second addition to Original Sin was released on september 2017. Divinity: Original Sin 2 was developed and published by Larian Studios. The genre being a role-playing video game is different from most top videos games played on PC. 3

T O TA L W A R : W A R H A M M E R I I

Released not long ago, Total War: Warhammer II was created by Creative Assembly. After published by Sega it was ready for the PC console in September 2017. This Total War series uses turn based strategy and realtime tactics to succeed. 4

S TA R C I T I Z E N

A much anticipated PC game is Star Citizen. This game is being developed by Chris Robert’s company. As the release date is to be determined, the game is a multiplayer, space trading and combat. 5

ROUTINE

Promising the public for a first person horror exploration game set on an abandones Moon base back in 2015, Lunar Software is still developing the game. With many setbacks for the release, the real date is to be determined.

BLEUMAGAZINE.COM @BLEUMAGAZINE

GADGETS

SUMMERFESTS The beer, the music, you, and your peeps jumping in unison to music you may, or may not like. It’s Summer Music Festival season, this is the only time you are allowed to eat so many things burned on a stick. But surviving the seasons will take more than Bloody Mary’s and a bottle of pain reliever. Here are four must-have gadgets for the ultimate festival experience.

$99 VIMBLE S

The Vimble S lets you have a stable phone and avoid the shake when using the camera. If you are in a concert, you can record the perfect video without being disturbed by people pushing you around. And they will push you around. This is one of the best tech devices and is worth the investment.

$1000 M AV E N B 2 1 1 X 4 5 B I N O C U L A R S

So, you dropped $200 for your Big Sean tickets hoping to get a good pic for the gram, only to discover you are so far away from the stage it might be in a different zip code. However, you can spot wardrobe malfunctions even from the nosebleed seats with this gadget. The Maven B2 Binoculars features an 11x power and larger than normal 45mm zoom, combined incredibly well to see things much clearer. These binoculars also feature a neck strap that is comfortable and functional. Don’t miss out on these unique binoculars and make those nosebleed seats feel like VIP.

$85.95 KL ARUS X T11GT 2000 LUMEN CREE XHP35 HD E4 LED FL ASHLIGHT USB RECHARGEABLE

Sometimes darkness is a good thing for meditating, or getting in touch with your emotions. But you come to concerts to see people. If you have the Klarus XT11GT 2000 Lumen CREE XHP35 HD E4 LED, you can light your way out. The flashlight features a light beam that reaches over 316 meters or just over 1000 feet. The flashlight also features turbo mode, which increases the power of the light. Imagine lighting it up with this flashlight in the crowd and others are part of it.

$30.99 AUKE Y POWER BANK

When aliens finally reveal themselves outside of Marvel franchises and look back on our history one of their biggest questions will be: Why do human still leave the house with their batteries at 36 percent. This is where the Aukey power bank comes in handy with its 20,000-mAh-battery pack to charge your phone to full power. It also features double USB plugs to charge two different phones, making it essential for long festival days.

Issue 54

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CARS

C T

VOLTAGE CYCLES Kiss the Citi Bike goodbye and get moving on an efficient and environment friendly electric bike or electric scooter! This new wave of traveling has caught the attention of many people seeking an alternative mode of quick transportation.

C O S T: $5,899.95

E-BIKE LUNA APEX

Hand built in the U.S.A. with a Space Age, custom designed, Carbon Frame Set. This is the first bike to have Off-road only levels of throttle power combined with torque sensing pedal assist. Its E-Fusion ebike battery uses the very latest in battery technology, incorporating top of the line Samsung 21700 cells. It is fully customizable making it possible to own it at its highest power level. Its 3 sizes include: 17” (S), 19” (M), 22” (L). SPECS:

Max Speed: Battery: Shifting System: Weight: Max. User Weight:

C O S T: $1,200

40 mph Samsung 21700 cells Shimano Deore 10-Speed 56.4lbs 286lbs

RAYCON’S SCOOT-E BIKE

Raycon’s Scoot-E Bike is the perfect bike to use to get around the busy city or go on any adventure. Created with two heavy duty, shock absorbing wheels, a fold-up design for easy storage and transport, and a front headlight for night adventures, the Scoot-E Bike is a new safe and effective way of getting from place to place. The bike includes a front and rear double braking system, a control panel indicating battery life and a charging port. If you’re looking for a convenient, money-saving and environmentally-friendly way to navigate, Raycon’s Scoot-E Bike is the optimal form of transportation for you. SPECS:

Net weight: Gross weight: Motor Power: Battery: Lithium battery Max Speed: Max Load: Running Distance: Wheel Size:

13.9 kg 16.35 kg 250 W 36V 18-25 km/h 120 kg 4.4A-18 km / 6.6A-27 km / 8.8A-35 km 8 in.

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SOLED UP

PHOTOGRAPHY KHRYSTIAN MCCALISTER

THE GREAT 8

Issue 54

SOLED UP

SHAY HAYNES

Brooklyn native Shay Haynes is not your average “sneakerhead.” Growing up in a family with 4 brothers, his parents weren’t always able to splurge on the latest kicks for him and his siblings. His present day collection is the result of his childhood relived, consisting of all the sneakers he dreamed of owning but couldn’t afford as a youngin.

Air Jordan 9 “Cool Grey” $150

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SOLED UP

Air jordan 5 retro black metallic silver $220

Air Jordan 3 OG black cement $200

Air Jordan 7 Raptor $160

Issue 54

SOLED UP

Christian Louboutin (Louis Orlato Flat Suede Sneakers) $1,295

Air Jordan 4 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;89 OG White Cement $220

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SOLED UP

Air Jordan 7 Raptor $160

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG $160

Issue 54

GROOMING

WALKING IN SUNSHINE

1 It may not be officially summer, but it is officially sunscreen season, when the sun is beating down not only enough to give you a tan, but to damage your skin. We here at Bleu have uncovered plenty of the best sunscreens over the past few years, so to help save your face and limbs, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put together a list of some of their favorites below.

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C L I N I Q U E P E P - S TA R T D A I LY UV PROTECTOR (19.50)

K I N TA R I â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S S K I N B R E L L A SUNSCREEN ($30)

Ultra-lightweight sunscreen plus universal perfecting tint equals the perfect daily sun protection. This 100% mineral formula protects against UVA/UVB rays with SPF 50.

This 80 minute water resistant Skinbrella Sunscreen protects the whole family from harmful UVA and UVB rays, all the while gliding on smoothly without any residue.

GROOMING

B E Y O N D C O A S TA L A C T I V E FACE ST I CK SU N S CR E E N ( $ 7 )

S U P E R G O O P ! E V E R Y D AY SUNSCREEN ($19)

B E Y O N D C O A S TA L A C T I V E SUNSCREEN (14.99)

The easy-to-use Active Face Stick is formulated for high exposure areas and provides shelter from UVA rays with Avobenzone. SPF 30 effectively blocks 97% of sunburn-causing UVB rays.

Supergoop! brings you an oil-free, water-resistant daily-use sunscreen with SPF 50 that’s designed to defend skin from photoaging and dehydration in addition to environmental stressors.

Beyond Coastal’s Active Sunscreen is designed for long, hot hours in the sun and water. With maximum water and sweat resistance that rubs in clear, your skin will feel moisturized and protected.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TERENCE B. MCNEALY

Issue 54

FUEL

The Better Choice: WORDS BY EBONY ALLISON

Seasoned Vegan

estled on the corner of St. Nicholas Ave and W.113th Street in Harlem, New York sits Seasoned Vegan, the full service Vegan Soul Food Restaurant which has become a staple in the community. Bleu talked with Brenda Beener, better known as Chef B, and her son Aaron Beener, about why they opened Seasoned Vegan. “We did it for the community,” Chef B says, “to bring our people healthier options beyond the daily choices of fast food and chicken spots. We had friends and family that were suffering from diseases and we knew if they changed their diet they would have a better chance of healing themselves. As a family we decided to bring Season Vegan into the community.” What started as a 21-day dairy fast with her husband ultimately turned into a complete lifestyle change for her family as they later adopted a complete vegan lifestyle. Seasoned Vegans offers a robust menu that includes some favorite “soul food” dishes. Chef B likes to use that term loosely. Yes, they do make mouth-watering vegan soul food, which is the product. But it is also Ms. Beener’s purpose. Since opening its door in 2014 its vegan cuisine captivates many, making it one of New York’s most sought after restaurants. Locals and tourist alike all flock to the West Harlem destination in search of fried chicken, ribs, crawfish, and macaroni and cheese but with a vegan twist. After taking just a bite of one of Chef B’s famous dishes, your tastebuds will burst in amazement, leaving one open-ended question, “How on earth does she do it?” It is safe to say that Chef B is a modern day alchemist, fusing art and science while transforming traditional soul food dishes into delicious and healthier options. A part of Seasoned Vegan’s appeal may be the handpicked staff who are warm and embracing of their customers. Whether you walk in for dinner on

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a weekday or weekend brunch, the receptive hosts and hostesses provide a deeply embedded sense of community belonging that makes one feel at home. Close to Central Park and one block from Lenox Ave, the venue is also public transportation friendly; within walking distance from C, 2, and 3 train. Seasoned Vegan has invested not only in the food to provide a healthier experience, but also its water too. Customers are provided a tall bottle of specially filtered Kangen water that includes many healing properties. While there are several juice bars in Harlem promoting a environmentally conscious mantra for local consumers, Seasoned Vegan allows one to also dine in while enjoying its finger licking menu. Transcending beyond its Harlem doorstep Seasoned Vegans name rings bells with many bigwigs. If you come in on the right night you might walk in on Styles P hosting, Cicely Tyson schooling Lenny Kravitz, or a lowkey jam session with India Arie and Stevie Wonder. And if you’re still relishing on the hype of Black Panther, then you might be able to experience a first class trip to Wakanda by walking through its doors, or at least snag a pic with its King Chadwick Boseman— just don’t disturb him while he’s refueling on the Smothered Chicken and Collard Greens. In a perfect world, there would be a Seasoned Vegan in every city across America, however, until then, Chef B and Aaron will continue to offer us the next best thing. Super Vegan Market is an online shop that currently sells 100% vegan based products ranging from baby food, to household cleaning supplies. Though the expansion of an additional physical location is still under wraps, the duo are planning to purchase their first factory in The Bronx, New York and will soon begin to produce and distribute their beloved menu items to grocery stores bringing the soul of Seasoned Vegan directly to your kitchen.

FUEL

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FA S H I O N

Alone on C PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVIE LOVE

FASHION BY TERENCE B. MCNEALY

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FA S H I O N

Coney Island Issue 54

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Issue 54

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Issue 54

TA B

Slo down! Life is too beautiful to rush. Take your time and savior all California has to offer with a road trip through the states Central Coast.

WORDS BY MELISSA CURTIN

Issue 54

T R AV E L

ust three hours outside Los Angeles or San Francisco is a peaceful getaway to relax and recharge – the quieter Central Coast, where 32,000 acres of rolling bucolic vineyards flourish, open space and natural beauty abound, and charming towns pop up along the rugged coastline. Take a road trip or a long weekend and immerse yourself in “SLO CAL” where the sun shines 315 days per year. Combine multiple locations in one day or let your adventure take you where you need to go. Start your exploration by sipping vino in Paso Robles. The vineyards are more relaxed and personal than Napa, boasting some of the best cool climate grapes. A good place to begin is the winding roads to Halter Ranch Vineyard for tasty Cabs in their beautiful facility and glorious grounds. If extra time permits, take a complimentary tour of their underground wine cave. Nearby, sample olive oils in 11 different varieties made right on site at Pasolivo, a 45-acre olive tree ranch. Cold pressed small batches with no adulteration provide high quality health benefits, and a reason to leave with a few bottles of extra virgin olive oil. Locals also recommend world-class vineyards such as Justin, Tablas Creek, Opolo, Denner, Law (reservations needed), Bodega de Edga, Daou, and Tin City – a two-block radius of tasting rooms, breweries, and distilleries. Make your way to RE:Find Distillery at Villicana where they craft unique spirits using sustainable methods like using the leftover saignee (grape juice) from their vineyards, removed prior to fermentation to enhance wine quality. As the base material for their alcohol, signee provides a sweeter, softer finish on the palette. The flavors linger in your mouth and are easy to drink. We recommend RE:Find’s cucumber flavored vodka, kumquat liqueur, and limoncello. While in Paso Robles, walk around and browse the numerous shops. Grab food at Thomas Hill Organics, a chic bistro featuring a changing menu with local farm ingredients. Eat in the back outdoor patio and sip on a local wine with your meal. Stay nearby in low key Atascadero at the restored Carlton Hotel for a clean comfortable affordable room with a Jacuzzi style tub. Fresh pastries can be purchased next door or a morning cup of Jo and a homemade quiche is just a short walk away, at Bru Coffee. Head to the coast to visit the Hearst Castle ranch in San Simeon. Weekdays are better, with less crowds. Book a tour in advance, like the Grand Rooms tour. Expect a harrowing bus ride to this enchanted hilltop estate that was built from 1919 to 1947. Marvel at the design, art, and antiques, while pondering the life of newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. Don’t miss the Elephant Seals Vista Point, five miles north of Hearst Castle, where barking huge seals cuddle, frolic, and nurse their young on the sandy beach. From San Simeon, head south to Morro Bay, a sleepy seaside town facing a giant volcanic rock and a world class National Estuary in eyesight of this Gilbratar of the Pacific. Book a private kayak session with John 48

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Flaherty of Central Coast Outdoors and paddle over the glassy water surrounded by numerous birds, seals, and fish. Don’t miss the oyster bed and the beach made up of 50 years of oyster shells. Right outside the dock is Bayside Café, an excellent lunch spot for generous portions of fish and chips and clam chowder. Spend a night

watching the sunset dip while dining at one of the dockside restaurants serving local fish and big juicy clams. Six miles southwest is Montaña de Oro State Park – a worthwhile visit to walk on the secluded small rocky beaches and windswept hiking trails on rugged cliffs hanging over the ocean.

T R AV E L

Head back inland to the adorable town San Luis Obispo nicknamed SLO, known as the happiest place in America, and stay in the town’s heart - SLO Brew Lofts, located right above a pub on Higuera Street. My loft had exposed brick, full kitchen, elevated comfy bed, a record player, yoga mat, board games, and more hip fanfare. Right outside, SLO’s Downtown Thursday night Farmer’s Market shuts

down the street, with food vendors, live music, and shopping till late. BBQ seemed to be a real hit as crowds lined up down the street for several joints grilling a variety of meats. Vegetable Butcher is a new spot not to miss, offering meat, seafood, and vegan lovers a playful diverse cuisine like Vegetable Loaded Queso Dip and Curried Sweet Potato and Corn Tacos.

Round out your trip with a drive on the pier at Avila Bay, a sunset seafood dinner at picturesque, cliffside Ventana Grill in Pismo Beach, and a peaceful sleep at the surf-style luxe Inn at the Pier, where the ocean crashes right outside your room.

Find your own pace in SLO CAL. W H AT T O E AT

W H AT T O D O

Thomas Hill Organics 1313 Park St. Paso Robles, CA 93446 #805-226-5888 thomashillorganics.com

Halter Ranch Vineyards 8910 Adelaida Road Paso Robles, CA 93446 #805-226-9455 www.halterranch.com

Montaña de Oro State Park 3550 Pecho Valley Road Los Osos, CA 93402 Parks.ca.gov

Carlton Hotel 6005 El Camino Real Atascadero, CA 93422 #877-204-9830 The-Carlton.com

Bru Coffee 5760 El Camino Real Atascadero, CA #805-464-5007 brucoffeehouse.com

Hearst Castle 750 Hearst Castle Rd. San Simeon, CA 93452 #800-444-4445 Hearstcastle.org

Re:Find Distillery 2725 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446 #805-239-9456 refinddistillery.com

SLO Brew Lofts 738 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 #805-543-1843 Slobrew.com

Bayside Café 10 State Park Rd. Morro Bay, CA 93442 #805-772-1465 baysidecafe.com

Pasolivo 8530 Vineyard Drive Paso Robles, CA 93446 #805-227-0185 info@pasolivo.com pasolivo.com

W H AT T O D O

W H E R E T O S TAY

John Flaherty of Central Coast Outdoors PO Box 6893 Los Osos, CA 93412 #805-528-1080 centralcoastoutdoors.com

Ventana Grill 2575 Price St. Pismo Beach, CA 93449 #805-773-0000 Ventanagrill.com

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T H E C R E AT I V E S

Art’s

DYNAMIC DUO

Bleu talks to power couple Jamyla and Pierre Bennu owners of Exit The Apple a revolutionary artspace in Baltimore WORDS BY DOMINIQUE CARSON PHOTOS COURTESY OF EXIT THE APPLE

ost people say you shouldn’t mix business with pleasure. But, that’s not always the case. There are couples who are able to align personally as achieve a high level of success professionally. For example, Kindred The Family Soul, Dondre Whitfield and Salli Richardson, Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, Warryn and Erica Campbell, Teddy and Tina Campbell, and of course Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith. It can be somewhat challenging for a couple to work together because of their intimate relationship. However, it’s possible to launch a venture as a team and come to

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terms with your relationship at home. Couples know how to turn off “work,” when they put their key in the door. They can also protect the relationship and business, and still have jovial attitude under pressure. And now we can add Jamyla and Pierre Bennu to the list. The Bennus launched Exit The Apple, an artspace in Baltimore, Maryland. It’s a place where individuals can utilize their gifts and artistic talents. Exit The Apple is also an event venue, a workshop room, and

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J A M LY A A N D P I E R R E B E N N U

“...overall mission of the space is to encourage creative expression, foster cross-pollination between creative genres...”

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innovation incubator. Within the last four years, people hosted workshops, events, and classes so Baltimore talents can increase their audience. Along with Exit The Apple, the Bennus are also owners of Oyin Handmade. Oyin Handmade is a line of natural hair and beauty products. Oyin Handmade was introduced in 2001 when Jamyla was not pleased with commercialized beauty products with chemicals. She created a product that will be appropriate for dry and texturized hair. The Bennus are constantly working and are well respected! Ebony.com listed them in their “The Coolest Black Family America,” series. In Baltimore, they’re known as the power couple. After business hours, the couple are fulfilling their duties as parents to two sons, Sadat and Osei. Bleu Magazine reached out to the adroit married couple about Exit The Apple, working together, and art events. Bleu Magazine: Why was the Exit The Apple launched in Baltimore? Jamlya and Pierre Bennu: Exit The Apple Artspace was launched in spring of 2014, as a grassroots creative workspace, event venue, and creative/arts incubator.

Why did you name the creative work-space, Exit The Apple? The name is the brainchild of our creative director Pierre Bennu, who has been creating films and books under this name for 20-plus years. It is meant to evoke the idea of living outside of one’s self-imposed boundaries, blossoming forth, and bearing fruit. What is like working together as a couple? The chance to work together is a big part of why we went into business together; we love running a family business. What is the overall mission of the Exit The Apple? The overall mission of the space is to encourage creative expression, foster cross-pollination between creative genres, and provide an affordably priced rental venue that helps creatives in Baltimore elevate their work and connect with each other. What are some of the projects or events that have been hosted at Exit The Apple? Our first flagship event was ‘The Exchange,’ a popup marketplace focusing on creative entrepreneurs. It ran monthly for two years

and seasonally for one year. We have also done comedy events, art and yoga classes, film and book clubs, live podcast recordings. A large portion of the programming in the space comes from our amazing community of renters who bring their imagination and energy to the events they throw. In your opinion, how do we keep arts and entertainment alive during these trying times? The same way as always: by creating, by supporting creatives, and by consuming work we respect and enjoy. What are your upcoming projects in 2018? Our upcoming projects this summer include arts classes, variety shows, and self care and movement workshops. We’re thrilled to be hosting a summer-long youth literary workshop that is returning for its second year. Public events will be posted on our website http://exittheapple.com/.

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FASHION: TERENCE B. MCNEALY

PHOTOGRAPHY: JOSHUA RENFROE

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POWERS TO THE PEOPLE Actor Keith Powers on Black male vulnerability, police brutality, and being authentically human while acting WORDS BY KEYAIRA KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICARDO NELSON FASHION BY DOUGLAS HICKMAN MAKE UP BY ELIVEN QUIROS

Jacket PRIVATE POLICY Shirt RAGA MAN

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A ACTOR KEITH POWERS’ HUMILIT Y WOULD

hang sloppily off a man twice his age. It’s a character trait usually earned by a man with some wrinkles and knuckles worn and callused from the seasons of life leveling his pride. But at 23 years old, Powers, though physically groomed and polished externally, carries an internal wisdom that supersedes his youthful appearance. With looks striking enough to put comparable millennial heartthrobs to shame, and a confidence that any grown woman would respect, the young Adonis caught our eye, but his depth and nuanced on-camera performances won our hearts. Even with the record-breaking miniseries The New Edition Story, the Freeform drama Famous In Love, and the box office smash Straight Outta Compton accenting his résumé with gold, the star still doesn’t consider himself a “celebrity.”

“I’m starting to catch it even more now, and I’m going through this thing where I’m so in love with acting, and I’m educating myself more in knowing exactly what I want. Honestly I got signed off of my looks, and I told myself in order to call myself an actor, I had to study the art of it. LA brought that out of me.” The city that would turn out to be the hub of Powers’ wildest dreams was the epicenter of a Black American nightmare just two decades prior. The police beating of Rodney King, who is actually a cousin of Powers, brought the country face-to-face with systemic criminal justice corruption while setting Los Angeles on fire with racial tension. “I met Rodney King twice in my life, but police brutality was always a conversation in our household,” Powers said of his late family member. Adding, “In Straight Out Of Compton there is a clip of Rodney being beat, and I don’t think [Dr.] Dre or any of them even knew he was my cousin. Police brutality is real, and it’s always weighed really heavy on my heart.”

“I don’t even like to consider myself a celebrity yet because I’m still working towards what I’m supposed to be,” he revealed during our conversation. (Yea, tell that to the 15.7 million people who watched The New Edition Story in its first week). “I can’t get stagnant and feel comfortable when there is so much work to be done. I like not being good at everything yet,” he confessed, an admission void of ego. Powers described the nerves he had around mastering the iconic New Edition choreography, having never been trained as a dancer. “Ronnie was always encouraging. He kept it 100 with me,” he said of the legendary musician and mentor who carefully guided Powers’ on-screen depiction of himself. “If the dancing wasn’t smooth enough, he taught me how to make it smooth. Instead of saying ‘nah that ain’t it’ he’d say ‘let me show you how to make this better.’” Powers considers himself a forever student of the craft of acting; humbly navigating his new found fame, which branched off from his original career path as a model. Signed to Wilhelmina at age 17, Powers left his hometown of Sacramento, California behind to pursue fulltime modeling in Los Angeles. “I didn’t get the acting bug until I moved to LA, and the modeling gave me one foot in the door,” Powers said, remembering his beginnings. 64

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Powers’ personal familial connection to police brutality eventually extended to his hometown, with the shooting death of Sacramento native Stephon Clark rattling his community March of 2018. “I think I met Stephon a couple times, when we were kids playing football. I know we met, I know his face. But that really hit home for me as well. It’s a tragedy that easily could’ve been anyone.” With Black men under attack in almost every facet of life in this country, it’s a feat that Powers has managed to harness the principles of love and healthy relationship in a time where the Black male experience and vulnerability seem to contradict one another. But Powers has grown beyond societal expectations of masculinity into a man who sees strength in his weaknesses. He talks about his love life with the ease of classic 1990s R&B. “I tell my boys all the time, I love my girl. I’m so sprung on my girl bro, she got my heart she can do whatever she wants with it. I’m scared, but it is what it is.” Powers divulges, referencing his fellow

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“ I want the younger generation to come up and see me and say ‘Yo Keith really showed us what it was like to treat a woman and just be real and authentic with our feelings. KEITH POWERS

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actor and girlfriend Ryan Destiny, who plays Alexandra Crane on the Fox series Star.

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People talk about [the movie] like it saved their lives. To see their kids wanting to dance and do performing arts meant a lot too.

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“I love Black women, that goes without saying. What resonated with me with Ryan is I was able to open up to her, and tell her how I felt. And I let her know how talented she was when I first met her. You have to tell women that, especially Black women. It’s important to let Black women know how much they mean to the world, not even just to Black men. My mom taught me from a young age you need to always, always show your Black women love. So I already embodied that in my soul. It wasn’t even something I had to remind myself of.” Continuing, “I want the younger generation to come up and see me and say ‘Yo Keith really showed us what it was like to treat a woman and just be real and authentic with our feelings.’” Beyond relationships, Powers was touched by the positive feedback he received from parents about the effect The New Edition Story had on their kids. “People talk about [the movie] like it saved their lives. To see their kids wanting to dance and do performing arts meant a lot too. I grew up only knowing sports. I wish I grew up and wanted to do arts and theatre. I wish I had started a long time ago. It’s an amazing feeling but there’s definitely a lot of pressure, because people already know who you are and want to know what’s next.” In the scrutiny of the spotlight, Keith recognizes the responsibility he now has to the young boys who are watching his every move as a blueprint for career success. Images of Black men as leaders is necessary in a time where we as a people are constantly inundated with images of our victimization. Powers may get the chance to embody the ultimate spirit of heroism and revolution in his rumored upcoming role as Black Panthers founder Huey P. Newton in Matt Barnes’ film Power To The People. The possibility has the actor in intense preparation mode. “We’ve been definitely talking about the project. They are getting the production side together. Nothing is finalized yet,” Powers said of the movie. “But I will say Matt and his people are really getting the job done. I’ve been doing my research. I just know when the time comes, and I get that green light personally, I have to escape and really dive into the life of who Huey P. Newton was and what he stood for. If it’s in the Lord’s will and it comes about I’d love to play such an icon. It would be scary to play because he means so much to our people, but I’m up for the challenge.” Challenging himself on and off screen has become the spine and nerve center of Powers’ development as a man. Whether it’s tackling a biopic or expressing love, Powers does not shirk away from his responsibilities as a man, partner, son, brother, actor, and friend. “I tell my guy friends I love them all the time. And you feel so liberated afterwards when you’re able to express your feelings as a Black man. It shows other[s] who just think we are wild and crazy and only here for entertainment that we are human. Black men, we have to look in the mirror and just decide to be leaders.”

Issue 54

O P- E D

Why I travel.

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WORDS DÉVON CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

Bleu’s own Publisher takes a moment to reflect on his life of travel, and how those miles impact our past, present and future. As a student, I found myself asking questions of authority. Not that I questioned authority. I just wanted to understand the “why” of things. Why do we cross on green and not on red? Why does the moon shine at night and day but the sun doesn’t? How can we say Christopher Columbus discovered America and then learn “Native American” history in the next chapter? Why is the only reference to Africa linked to slavery and poverty? Yes, I asked these questions out loud. Most of the time, if not all of the time, my teachers didn’t have the answer. Their ability to teach me a lesson was hinged on their own miseducation from tainted textbooks and oppressive ideologies. They learned from the very inaccurate books they taught me from. My questioning the content of the pages was an acknowledgment of their limited knowledge. My inquisitiveness caused them to become defensive. And rather than admit any shortcomings due to their ignorance - I was punished. I was labeled a “disruptive student.” Imagine that. This label haunted me for my entire grade school experience from third to ninth grades. In third grade, my teacher Ms. Kalman, placed me behind a three-panel folding wall. Her reason was that my “constant hand raising was a disruption to the class.” The truth, in hindsight, was that she didn’t know the answers to my questions. And I, like so many inquisitive little Black boys, needed to be silenced and put in a place not to be a problem. I sat behind that wall for almost a week. I felt ashamed and embarrassed. Too afraid to tell my parents because I was convinced, by the conviction from my teacher, that I was wrong. I sat in silence trying to absorb the lessons. Lessons now were even harder to understand considering the six-foot wall obstructing my view of the notes on the chalkboard and muffling the sound of Ms. Kalman’s voice. My grades on homework that week slipped, prompting my mother to inquire why. With tears in my eyes, I orated a play by play of what was transpiring within the cold yellow painted cinderblock walls of my classroom to her. The following Monday my mother paid a visit to the classroom. Or should I say, she came to see this unhinged person that would, without caution or care, place her child behind a wall. She stood in the doorway, four-inch stilettos, a silver fox bomber, and cherry red lipstick (it was the 80’s everything was over the top) and asked for “a word” with my teacher. I could hear my mother’s high octave voice, although I could not make out the words that formed sentences with authority and command. Within minutes after their chat the teacher walked back into the room, folded the wall

and informed me my new permanent seat was the front desk of row three. My mother, emerging in the doorway, locked eyes with mine and gave me her signature left eyewink. Then, a head nod that instructed me not to cry and sit in my new seat assignment with pride and headed out the doorway. What my teacher did not know is that I spent most of my Saturday’s in the library. Books were my great escape. I especially loved reading the Atlas. Through its pages I would cross oceans and scale mountains. I would visit villages in Peru and chase kangaroos in Australia. I read hundreds of books and melted into thousands of photos, placing myself on decks of pirate ships and on the front lines of epic battles. My questioning of the lessons that were being taught in my censored classroom wasn’t because I was ignorant or not paying attention. I needed to know why what she was teaching was so limited. Why was I being force-fed an inaccurate account of historical instances that were clearly more detailed than footnotes being passed off as history lessons. Edited history is inferior and more detrimental than the most painful recollections of the truth. My time in public school continued to be traumatizing. In fourth grade, I was given detention because I described the surface of the moon as Swiss cheese. The rest of the students, when asked the same question, gave the typical answers of rocky, dry and grey. In contrast, my answer came across as if I was being intentionally different from everyone else and a class clown. The truth is the teacher didn’t ask for surface texture. Or surface color. I could have easily given those same non-abstract answers as my classmates. But, to me it looked like the pattern of circles, random yet distinct, on a block of Swiss cheese. No answer should have been wrong. But mine was perceived as wrong, because the intelligence of my fourth grade teacher was yet again limited, through no fault of her own. She too is a victim of tainted textbooks and oppressive ideologies although she bared the same skin of the oppressor. Ignorance breeds ignorance on both sides. Thus, my answer was punishable. This pattern of limiting my thirst to learn through larger windows and wider peripheral observations went on until I went to private school from tenth grade to graduate school. My private, and costly, education afforded me the right to ask questions. And that’s insane. And what about in public school? Pause. Let’s keep this in perspective. This was the 80’s to early 90’s, before Google, the Internet, and social

media. There was no asking Siri or Alexa for answers. The gateway to knowledge was through the classroom. Unfortunately, these lessons were set up by a racist system to appease the outcry for equal education, yet a determination to limit the freedom of thought amongst those commissioned to oppression. In America, Black history is taught through the foundation of slavery. Thus, by only being taught captivity, we see what is now very limited freedom as actual freedom. The shackles are off and the plantations have closed but the system they represented and funded is still going strong. Our captivity has been propagated through lesson plans and history projects. The stories passed down from our elders have all but disappeared. So there is no counter to the great con by which this country is still pulling. The cellular memories are vanishing, diluted by each new generation dependent on edited text and void of counter intelligence in the home. In private school, you get to ask questions. Why, because you are paying. The instructors better have the answer or find it quickly. An unhappy child means an unhappy parent and an unhappy parent means less dollars coming into the school. The textbooks are different. The art rooms have more supplies. And the teachers want to be there. But, not everyone can afford private education. This is another result of intentional marginalization of people of color through voter suppression, workplace discrimination, and denial of capital for community reinvestment. How does one afford to put their child through private school if they can’t even get a job themselves? Black men, especially, have a harder time attaining economic equality. Instead of a generational upward economic trajectory, the trend plummets. The New York Times reported findings from a study done by Harvard, Stanford, and the United States Census Bureau that many found shocking. I just found it part of the larger issue that continues to relegate

people that look like me in America. Oprah Winfrey champions education as the “great equalizer” and door opener to opportunity. This may be true for some. But not every system of education is meant to free thoughts. Some systems are specifically set up to limit the imagination of Black people. And we are still being “taught” that there are places in the world where we don’t belong. Or don’t hold a place in history. America is racist. There is no other way to describe the reality that most of us have become immune to noticing. Our understanding of what it means to be an American has been influenced by tainted textbooks and detached teachers. We’ve deleted painful memories passed down through tales from our grandparents and replaced them with present day material possessions. As if a new pair of shoes can erase the sores on our ancestors’ feet from hours of working barefoot in the field. We are our ancestors’ wildest dreams. We are also their biggest disappointment. How have we become so detached from the incredible circumstances that against all odds we managed to be alive today? Millions didn’t even survive the journey across oceans after being whipped, starved and shackled at the bottom of ships stacked like livestock. Those that did not perish remained in a system of generational servitude for centuries. The chance to be alive today, without even taking into consideration police violence, nutritional warfare, and systemic oppression in the present, is a miracle in itself. For years, I felt like I too was in captivity. It wasn’t so easily identifiable when I was younger. Iyanla Vanzant, the self-help guru and motivational speaker, calls this “cellular trauma” passed down

through our DNA. It hibernates in our subconscious and reveals itself with or without a trigger. It wasn’t identifiable until I experienced the antithesis of captivity, freedom. It is why it took me so long to let my mother know about my classroom prison cell. I had already been trained to accept such treatment. The walls felt familiar. The punishment felt valid. Black people are global stakeholders. That realization only comes from traveling to parts of the world usually taught with the void of our existence. So, I travel to places that don’t show up on my Instagram feed because their algorithm has yet to catch up to my inquisitiveness. I don’t need a hotel deal in Pensacola, FL or cheap flights to South Beach. I want to see the Northern Lights in Scandinavia. And visit the vast forests of Vanuatu. So I travel. The only way to erase the miseducation I received is to seek truth, understanding, and connectivity across the globe. Indigenous people around the world had three things in common before colonial terrorism: food, shelter, and community. At our core, that is all any of us really need. Travel is the only way to know that my existence isn’t limited to slave ships and cotton plantations of the former Confederacy. I go places I was misled to think Black people don’t exist in, and within hours I see other Black people. But, I also go places and meet people that tell me I’m the first Black man they have seen in person. Then they ask me if I “know Drake.” I don’t. No offense taken. However, I explain to them we are not monolithic and most of us are not athletes or entertainers. Then, I sign my autograph and pose for a photo with their kids.

Issue 54

Amadeu

Bleu sits down with Amadeus, the producer with the tracks of gold â&#x20AC;&#x201C; well platinum - for most artists.

WORDS BY DOMINIQUE CARSON

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ntwan “Amadeus” Thompson is not the typical producer in entertainment. He has so many different jobs; any one of them could be a life long career. Amadeus is a Multi-Platinum Bad Boy/Hitmen Record Producer, CEO of Platinum Boy Music, Inc, DraisNightClub Resident, and Trey Songz’s Musical Director/Tour Drummer. He is a well-rounded producer who worked with over 80 artists, ranging from Jennifer Lopez, French Montana, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Justin Bieber, Fabolous, T.I, Young Jeezy, Tyga, Keyshia Cole, Wale, Busta Rhymes, just to name a few. Amadeus took it one step further by producing music for major brands including BET, VH1, Burger King, Sprite, EA Sports, and ESPN. Amadeus also started Platinum Boy Music production. He launched Music 101 College Tour, a tutoring session for people to learn more about the ins and outs of the business. He says the overall mission of the tour is to “educate, empower, inspire, and transform the people.” Bleu Magazine recently spoke with the legendary producer about his musical roots, Bad Boys days, upcoming projects, and giving back. Bleu Magazine: Thank you Amadeus for speaking with Bleu, I appreciate your time. Let’s talk about your musical journey. Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson: I was fascinated with music from an early age. It was just always around the household. My parents love music from all different genres. On Saturday, my mother would clean up the house and she would play different records. She would play everything from Hezekiah Walker to RUN DMC, to Marvin Gaye, to Chic. It was blessing that I attend Catholic school because I was surrounded by music especially hip-hop. It was a huge financial sacrifice for my family and I appreciate them for believing in my talent and vision. I just started recognizing my love and passion for music. Music became my outlet and escape and it kept me away from the streets. I was kept away from violence because I was doing something productive with my life. Who were your musical influences? Some of my musical influences were KRS-One, Brand Nubian, Black Sheep, Kirk Franklin, The Doors, A Tribe Called Quest; it was just so many different people. Before the Bad Boy era, different artists influenced me based on their artistry and style. What made you decide to pursue a career in music? I didn’t see myself doing anything else but music. I started off as an artist. I wanted to be a rapper. My rap name at the time was “A-Boogie,” and I thought it was tight. People thought my stage name was trash

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and I changed it to Amadeus. I studied the meaning of the name, how it’s supposed to be used, and how can I apply the name to my personality. I am crazy passionate, silly, love women, and strong. I was like that fits me, most definitely. Then, it was suggested to me that I start working behind the scenes because they recognize my talent musically. And I figured I could see more of the money because I was considered one of the “operators in music.” It was no brainer for me to be involved with musical production. Who was the first artist you produced? The first artist I produced wasn’t a mainstream artist. The artist name was Nucci Reyo on MCA Records. It was a big moment because I sold my first track. I also produced “My Life,” a track for Foxy Brown from the Cradle to the Grave soundtrack. The soundtrack went gold and sold 500,00 copies. It was also the response to Eve’s diss record, “Get Off Me.” At first, I was like my career was over because I loved Eve and I didn’t want to get involved with the beef. My colleague had to tell me that you’re just producing the track; you’re not featured on the record. I know from that point, I was making my mark in the game. I was just getting into the game and I wanted to be taken seriously. How did you link up with Bad Boy Records? Bobby Springsteen, Head of A&R at Bad Boy Records at the time would allow me to play a new batch of beats for him. And I would go see him and my mentor, Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie. D-Dot was one of The Hitmen for Bad Boy at the time, and from there, I started making connections with the label. D-Dot was such a big help in my career and he guided me in my production career. While I was in the studio, I started working with the late Heavy D for about two months. I wasn’t a [member of] The Hitmen yet but still maintained those relationships with Bad Boy. Then, I was approached by Fran Spero and Dalton Hernandez, a manager for all [members of] The Hitmen and they listened to my beats. And from that day, I became [one of] The Hitmen producers for Bad Boy records. They wanted me on the team. It was like my dream turned into reality. I started working with Cheri Dennis, Day 26, Danity Kane, and Donnie. Were you able to produce for other artists due to word of mouth or submitting tracks to the artists? I started producing over 15 years ago and I started working with other artists by sharing my beats. Other colleagues were aware of what I was doing as a producer. I also started going for networking events and listening session so I can get other contact information. I sent out email blasts to all of the industry contacts in my phone. I still send email blasts to this day so I can work with more notable artists. But, word of mouth is the oldest way to

retrieve and accept a message. And once I sent out the beats, I am still maintaining relationships with other artists and musicians. How does it feel when people call you the “Super Producer?” It is still a humbling feeling and a blessing. I am achieving my dreams and goals. I am also inspired by Swizz Beatz, Puff, and Dr. Dre because they are super producers in my eyes. Over 17 years later, I’ve worked with over 50 artists and it’s a blessing. It just makes me want to work harder and harder. I never wanted to get to a certain level and be comfortable. When you’re too comfortable, you miss out on other opportunities. You start losing sight of who you are as an individual and God is no longer first. He wants us to constantly evolve, learn, and elevate in our lives. Let’s talk about the Music 101 College Tour. I started with the Music 101 College tour back in 2015 because I want more young people to learn more about music and the business. I want to pour my knowledge into other people and use my career as a blueprint. We want to transform people by changing their mindset about the business. I am creating a blueprint by informing the people so other executives won’t take advantage of them. I just want everybody to be great and express themselves musically. I am giving them encouraging words that they can apply to their everyday life. We have speaking engagements in several different schoolsNYU, Harvard, Yale, William Paterson University, just to name a few. What inspired you to launch Platinum Boy Music Inc.? Platinum Boy Music Inc. is a publishing company that I started in 2000 and we’re growing as a team and family. My blueprint for Platinum Boy Music Inc. is similar to The Hitmen because I wanted to be surrounded by the best producers and musicians. I want to put like minds together studio and create masterpieces. What is your definition of music? Amadeus: Music is an instrument that can make you feel a number of ways. That’s why people love listening to music; it doesn’t matter the genre. A listener will know if the music was made with love and I enjoy making what I love in the studio. I won’t press stop until I love the record. Music is a sense of freedom and it’s a way that we as artists or producers can express themselves. There is no right or wrong way to make music. As long as your heart is in the music, you can’t go wrong at all. It’s up to people to embrace your music, it can’t be forced. Everything isn’t for everybody as far as music is concerned. You have to realize your music is not going to be appealing to everybody. But, you create the music and just be who you are musically.

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F E AT U R E

The Hustle Behind Panama’s Ambition It takes guts, hustle, and an unshakable positive attitude to be a creative entrepreneur. Bleu talked with actor, rapper, and business owner Panama about delivering big on your dreams.

WORDS BY MECCA NOTES

anama, much like his family’s native country, is a connector of history, culture, and language. The artist and entrepreneur successfully created his own lane of entertainment landing a role on the hit television series The Wire, and breaking into the rap game. Now, through his multicultural entertainment and branding agency, THE WOPA Group Inc., the proud Afro-Latino works to help other artists build a bridge between their dreams and reality. Within a few minutes of conversing with Armando “Panama” Cadogan Jr., you notice that positivity just flows from the Brooklyn-born mogul-in-themaking. Confidence is his mantra. He believes in his vision and aspires to help as many people as he

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can. He operates under the motto: Live well. Love life. Laugh often. “I speak on everything I want to attract in life and have a tremendous amount of faith in my walk allowing God to direct my steps,” Panama says. The young entrepreneur was born in Brooklyn to parents from San Miguel, Panama. He traveled to San Miguel during school breaks and experienced the differences between American and Panamanian culture. “Growing up in Panama is being around people who are just happy that you are around instead of for what you have, or what you can provide

or contribute,” Panama says. “But, also on the extreme side I grew up in a very poverty-stricken neighborhood where not everyone is welcome. It’s just not a place to be hanging out.” Panama says he witnessed a lot of things traveling back and forth and used those memories to fuel his art and shape his mission. When choosing his moniker he decided to honor his familial roots while choosing a name that could make his brand an international symbol. “The whole concept is to carry the brand. So you can feel like Panama is as big as the United States or as big as Mexico,” Panama says.

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PHOTOGRAPHY MIKE CRUZ @MIKE_PIXELMOTIV

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“Live well with Pride, Love life with Faith and Laugh often with Joy”

PHOTOGRAPHY C O U R T E S Y O F T H E W O P A G R O U P, I N C 80

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PHOTOGRAPHY ISMAIL CALLIGRAFIST ( @CALLIGRAFISTPHOTOGRAPHY )

Panama found his first break into the industry in 2002 while living in Baltimore, Maryland when he landed the role as Bubbles’ Tormentor on the hit HBO drama series The Wire. In 2008, after wrapping up Season 4, Panama dove into the music industry. He delved into the underground mix-tape scene, quickly gaining notoriety, and released his first single “Make It Last” in 2009. That debut attracted mainstream and underground recognition. His song aired on MTV and was in heavy rotation on Music Choice. Panama now focuses on artist management and development as CEO of the WOPA Group. WOPA stands for “winners own perfect angels.” Panama adds, “Every person has an angel and every person is a winner.” Some may question why Panama made the shift from artist to management, but for him the transition was a natural.

“There’s a void and I thought that needed [to be filled],” Panama says. “A lot of people wake up and become musicians. They become artists. They create their projects. They visualize it. But a lot of times, artists are subject to make the wrong the decisions.” “Making the wrong decisions can lead to an unsuccessful career, and because I was an individual in music, with no manager, no capital, no friends or colleagues in the music business, and made it thus far all the way to TV, made it to brand sponsorships, touring, had people endorse me, just off pure hustle and grind, charisma, and talent. I wanted to provide that to individuals, who might need that same guidance.”

Dillon. His hustle doesn’t stop there, he is also part owner of J & G laundromat in Harlem and the Build ‘N’ Box gym in the Bronx. With so many successful irons in the fire, you’d think the young mogul might slow down, take stock in all he’s accomplished. If you think that you don’t know Panama. “Like I said, I’m moving from a spiritual intellect so right now God is calling me to do other things,” Panama said. “My next step is farming, getting involved in the food industry. throughout this process it’s just all timing. Nothing crazy just timing.”

His current roster includes Force MDs, who created the hit songs “Love is a House,” “Tears,” and the classic hit, “Tender Love”. He also manages: Stadium Skye, Real Deal Berns, and Rock

Issue 54

REMYSELL SALAS

What is Humanitária? Why did you create it, and what was it like running the organization? Humanitária is a full-service social impact organization that helps its clients develop and execute strategic initiatives in emerging markets. I created this because I wanted to assist the voiceless through a direct pipeline to the policy makers that craft the crucial legislation that governs them. What is greatest joy as an educator? I don’t consider myself as a traditional educator but an individual that empowers their students through academia. My classes are a conversation among peers that concentrates on Caribbean politics. I teach at the City University of New York as an Adjunct Professor. I love teaching there because I can see myself in many of my students. I know where they come from and understand their 82

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learned how to properly engage the public and dissect challenges many activists face dealing with opposing groups and leaders. Being civically engaged should be natural on things that you believe in and that protect and empower your community. When you are not empowering your people or community, another group can take control of how your community can dictate policies, laws and rights among your community. challenges. I really love vibing with my students and seeing their progress in the class and how it translates outside of the classroom. What does NYC mean to you? Honestly, I can’t explain that, but New York is my heart and soul. I lived abroad for a few years and there wasn’t one day [that] I didn’t think about home. I was born in Harlem but grew up in the Bronx. I remember how lively it was; every neighborhood had its own vibe, its own soundtrack. Music came from everywhere; cars, apartments, bodegas, dudes rapping on the corner, guys playing dominoes and Doña’s singing in their batas in front of their buildings. Gentrification has definitely destroyed the character of the City. Growing up in NYC is something that was priceless and has definitely made me the individual I am today! Having studied at Harvard’s Kennedy School, what does it mean to you for a person to be civically engaged? Harvard was a big part of my development and under Professor Marshall Ganz, I extensively

Tell us about your educational experience in Norway? I earned my masters from the University of Oslo in Norway. Living abroad definitely opened my mind and eyes to different cultures and provided to grow within. The University of Oslo challenged me the most academically they had me sweating everyday. Also, while I was studying at the UiO I became civically engaged and got my first internships with the Norwegian Prime Minister and the Norwegian People’s Aid an NGO. How important is an education for people of color? Well look at our history with educated people of color and their influence to our culture and to the world, such as WEB Dubois, Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Angela Davis, and James Baldwin. You see how they empowered our people to strive for greatness and shaped our minds. I believe when you educate one person it extends to others around them. Therefore, it is extremely important to feed our minds with the right information and understanding.

WORDS BY R O B I N W I L L I A M S

Remysell is an activist with a decade of advocacy covering socio-economic empowerment, immigration issues, gender and racial inequality, education, and accessibility, and uplifting underrepresented groups living in poverty globally. He is the Manhattan Director for the City of New York, Mayor’s Office, the Founder of Humanitaria Group, and a Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY) in the Center for Ethnic Studies and Political Science. Prof. Salas earned his Bachelor’s degree in History from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany, a Master of Philosophy degree in Comparative and International Education from the University of Oslo (UiO) in Oslo, Norway and completed a Political, Leadership, Organization and Advocacy program at The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (HKS).

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OBEHI JANICE

Obehi Janice is an award-winning actress, writer, and comedian. She is a member of the 2018-19 Emerging Writers Group at The Public Theater. Her plays include Ole White Sugah Daddy, Era Era, Selah, African Tea and her one-woman show FUFU & OREOS. Her work is featured in American Theatre Magazine, Bustle, NPR, and For Harriet. Obehi is a Luminary Artist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the recipient of a TCG Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship. She works on stage, screen, and as a voice actress in commercials, radio, and cartoons. Her comedic short, BLACK GIRL YOGA, won the Reel 13/AfroPunk Film Competition from WNET/ New York Public Media. The Improper Bostonian named her “Boston’s Best Actress” in 2014. She received an IRNE Award for Best Solo Performance for her starring role in We’re Gonna Die (Company One Theatre/OBERON). She is a TEDx speaker, the writer and director of a Boyz II Men parody and the star of an educational video about dinosaurs that lives in The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. She is originally from Lowell, Massachusetts but currently, Obehi is based in Brooklyn, New York. There seems to be much revision involved in the writing process. How much revising does it take for you to get to a finished project, and how do you know when it is complete? Writing is revision and revision is endless but revision can be magical. You learn so much about yourself as an artist. I’ve been working on one play for nine years, another for two years, and so on. I

of revelation. It has occurred when I played Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun my freshman year of college. It honestly happens anytime I’m watching a play, television show, or film and KNOW that that’s the kind of work I want to do. It is when my heart convinces my head to stop overthinking and just do the damn work and believe in the power of my voice. like to write slowly because my life is complicated - I don’t have laser focus as a writer unless I’m on deadline or in a residency. So, revision and the idea of completion are very spiritual for me. It’s about purpose - where do I want this piece to land to achieve the greatest amount of transformation for an audience? How do I want it to transform me? I used to think I was a perfectionist but now I embrace that I am a slow writer.

What are your definitions of success and failure both as a creative and a human? Are the goals the same? Let me focus on success since failure is so frustrating, but necessary for growth. Success looks and feels like being a bold light. I would say being a bold light combines my creative and human identities.

When did you think to yourself, “oh I want to do this?” And when Did you think “Wow I CAN do this?” The “Wow, I CAN do this” came first when I performed a monologue in the voice of Sojourner Truth when I was in the eighth grade. I think it was extra credit or something. I came up with the concept myself. I remember that I wrote the speech in italics. You know, for emphasis. And after I performed it, my class was so hype and my teacher told me that I was a good public speaker. I remember I had to ask him what a public speaker did. I had never heard of that as a vocation or a skill before. The “oh I want to do this”, yeah, that has come in many different micro moments

I created the moniker Obehi Janice in 2009 as an act of resistance - deciding not to carry the name of my Father’s family allowed me the freedom to take control of my narrative. These two first names are a bridge between America and Nigeria. Together, they give me insight into where I’ve come from, but most importantly, where I’m going. Janice: My English name. My Christening name. My “whitesounding” name. It means “God is gracious” and, indeed, I’m forever fascinated by grace in all its forms. Obehi. My NAME. It is Edo for “It’s in God’s hands”. I’ve chosen to create stories that always require a level of bravery that feels more like an act of trust. The bravest thing I can do is to be a bold light through my art and life.

Issue 54

MOHAMED OUEDRAOGO

The Ivory Coast native Mohamed Ouedraogo came to the US when he was six years old. Mo stumbled upon modeling while studying Graphic and Web Design at the Art Institute of Washington, when a colleague invited him to an audition after seeing him pose for a student photographer in the school’s photo lab. Mo has been signed with agencies both in the United States and in Europe and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. When you are working, how do you get in the zone? I get prepared before the shoot and get in the mindset so the day of the shoot I’m already there. Once I’m shooting and everything is set up, I get into the clothes, and I feel like that’s when I’m in the zone. As a model, we are bringing the creation of the designer to life. They picked me for a reason, so once I’m in front of the camera and once they direct me, and I know what they’re looking for, it’s on. It’s like an automatic thing. What is the hardest part of being a professional model? 84

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I think the hardest part is not giving up, regardless of whether you are big or not. As an upcoming model, you hear “No” so many times, so you have to make sure that you don’t get discouraged. Sometimes I wonder, “why am I doing this?” I could just get a comfortable job and be fine, but sometimes it is not even your fault when you don’t get booked for a job. But getting your foot in the door to get booked is the most challenging. Also, working out and staying in shape, keeping your skin looking good, and keeping up the image is also a lot of work.

energy throughout the day. I just try to be active, the yoga helps me be centered and relaxes me, and SoulCycle is a stress reliever. If I don’t do these things consistently, I feel a shift in my energy.

What are your self-care practices? Recently I’ve been on a spiritual kick so self help books have helped me a lot mentally, I’ve realized that you can’t look at someone else and compare it to yourself because you don’t know where they are in life. I’ve also started practicing yoga and that has helped because I don’t get so frustrated throughout the day and I’m less impatient as well. Physically, I do a lot of SoulCycle, and I recently became a vegan and that has helped me get more

What has been your most memorable experience? I did a show for Todd Snyder for New York Men’s Fashion Week (NYMFW). This was a bigger show then the ones I had done before, they had a lot of big models there, everything was so fast paced. That show was more so, what the bigger shows are like, the experience was so different from what I was used to. Being in that circle, on the next level, was eye opening.

Who has been your favorite designer to work for? My favorite designer so far is Miguel Viera. He is based in Portugal. As far as companies, I’d have to say Brooklyn Cloth. They’re really good people and have booked me consistently, they feel like family. It is always nice to shoot with them.

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DEREKE CLEMENTS

Dereke Clements is an American-born transnational creative and performer, producing culture across seas from the U.S. to France. Currently, Dereke is living a non-traditional life as an entrepreneur, consulting in the cultural and education sector, dancing, and grant writing. Raised in Los Angeles, California, Dereke has always been around music, his father was a sound engineer with his own recording studio, Image Studios of Los Angeles. Dereke’s affinity for the French language was born from hearing his father’s French speaking friends who were natives of Canada and several West African countries. He then went on to receive a degree in Dance and French from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has studied abroad in France as a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholar. While continuing his French studies abroad, Dereke apprenticed at Ballet Preljocaj in Aix-enProvence, France. Can you explain the work that you do? I have been quite entrepreneurial. I have done a number of things related to cultural preservation work. I have also performed across the U.S. and Europe and currently, I am a research assistant with Lloyd International Honors Program at my alma mater UNC Greensboro. I have taught in the school system in France, done grant writing, and have been fortunate enough to have my work open up the opportunity to visit James Baldwin’s former home in the South of France. As an arts administration consultant, I offer information on how arts programs can do more with their resources and do better. Being entrepreneurial requires you to be incredibly adaptable, quick on your feet, and to know how to represent an individual’s or an organization’s brand and values well. What is your creative process? That is a good question because I am still discovering it. One part of my creative process is literally how I’ve been living. What I have been creating is this life, and this life that I am living is very nontraditional and calculatingly improvisational, but not haphazard! I am intentional about setting my

oratory setting through movement. The body is such an effective educator and storyteller. How is Black art received in modern day Paris? I would not be an expert to ask about that, but what I’ve experienced, at least, is that it depends on what you call “Black art.” Black culture on the other hand, is adored and absorbed, like everywhere else in the world. I will say that Black culture and Black art are well received in Paris; actually an art gallery comes to mind named Galerie Intemporel it is located in the Marais district, which is one of the bohemian, cultural oriented districts in Paris. They have a lot of contemporary Black art there.

goals and creating new opportunities. My first process is writing. I have journaled ever since I was a little boy. It is the first way that I hear my own voice. Journaling quiets my mind enough to be able to hear a lot of interesting concepts that inspire the things that I want to do. Creating this transnational life that I have been building and the focus of my passion of cultural competences is very important to me. A lot of what I create comes from my the unique experiences that I have had. What is the artistic and cultural intent of your work? My intention is really to be a curator of experience and experiential learning; I believe it is the most authentic form of learning. It is the thing that connects people the closest because there is so much honesty in it. Being an artist it comes from having to collaborate, travel, and connect with the different ways people live and that is what I want to continue to do with the work that I do; engaging people and building their cultural competences. One of the ways that I want to do this is by developing an experiential lecture series where people can perform their experiences in an

As a Black gay man, how do your experiences differ within the US in contrast to Europe? There are three different levels to it, me as a Black man, a gay man, and a Black gay man. Expressions of masculinity are much more varied in France so my sexuality is not always assumed, in fact, France is one of the few places I’ve been where I am not immediately read as a gay man, there is a level of closeness between men that is not shared in the States. There aren’t as many hang ups about male sexuality there. There is a different sense of freedom being able to exist in a place where you can be yourself fully and not have to engage in “performative masculinity.” From a racial standpoint, race is more on the forefront in the US then in France and is more of a marker for how people interact with you. In France though, you are identified first by what country you are from, although French nationalism often comes with historical racial implications they’re not aware of. Because of this, in France I’m American first and then Black because there are identities that they know are specific to Black culture in the US because of what they hear and see from pop culture. In the US however, there is no diversity in identity with race so you’re just “Black.” Gender expression is also a bit more fluid in France and I appreciate that, the only thing you have to look out for though is the fetishization and that really comes from Europeans not having as much access to Black Americans.

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Hot Springs On Tap Sure you love this country but would you want the US Federal Governement to be your landlord? Bleu travels to Hot Springs, Arkansas and talks to the owner of the Superior Bathhouse Brewery WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY GKL AND BREWERY

S P OT L I G H T

Rose Schweikhart is all smiles as she describes her business to reporters. Why shouldn’t she be happy? Superior Bathhouse Brewery is a oneof-a-kind business. It is the only brewery in the world to use water from natural hot springs. The fresh water bubbles up at around 145 degrees fahrenheit. At that temperature the springs are already warm enough to kill most impurities. It has a fresh clear taste that people travel hundreds of miles to experience. It sounds like the perfect romance between H2O and beer. Schweikhart’s journey into beer making was not easy. Her process, much like her brewing, was complicated and arduous, but ultimately satisfying for everyone involved. Let’s go back eight years, Schweikhart, who was from Morristown, New Jersey, had a much different career trajectory. She was a tuba player. Yep, a professional tuba player. She spent part of her formative years in Manchester, England

pursuing a masters in classical tuba. It was there that she began to travel and taste great beers. By the time she and her then husband were living in Springfield, Illinois, Schweikhart says she had begun playing around with making her own beer. A friend told her to consider crafting professionally and then fate stepped in to assist. Her husband was offered a job in Hot Springs, Arkansas and Schweikhart did her research. “How is it possible there isn’t a brewery there using the hot springs?” Schweikhart recalled. That question began a three year journey to entrepreneurship. She made some calls to find out if it was possible for her to make beer using the water. She expected response of no, but she actually got a reply back from the US Federal Government asking her to investigate the Superior Bathhouse. The bathhouse, which was closed in 1983, was owned by the Hot Springs National Park. Many of the buildings along the Bathhouse row were run

down and dilapidated and in desperate need of some TLC. The Hot Springs National Park (HSNP) came up with a unique plan to use federal funds to restore the old buildings and then promote them to private businesses. Essentially the US Government would be Schweihart’s landlord. “This innovative leaving program created a pathway for me to get this building,” Schweikhart says.The building is humongous and built with mainly concrete. Schweikhart describes her first tour of the facilities.“The second I walked in the building I thought how cool it would be to have people sitting here,” she says as she pointed to the open row of barstools that align with giant front facing windows. In 2012, Schweikhart was awarded the right to “negotiate the lease.” It would be another year before she actually got the keys to the building. The wait and process were long and slow.“Can you imagine what it was like, as a business owner, spending money and not making money?” Schweikhart says of the process. Thankfully when she finally did open for business, the reception was good. She started selling craft beer and running the restaurant. A year and a half later she opened the brewery. Now Superior makes about 31,000 gallons of beer a year, which is about 496,000 pints, according to Schweikhart. Because Hot Springs is a tourist attraction and close to so many other regional hubs, the brewery gets a fair share of customers. About 100,000 annually she added.“People come from, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Alabama,” Schweikhart says. Superior makes about 18 different types of beer. Schweikhart loves the chance to experiment with different ideas.“Beer is made up of 95 percent water,” Scheweikhart says. “And this water is a blank slate.” Creating new and exciting beers brought this owner back to her musical roots.“You have a palette of ingredients much like you have a palette of different musical notes,” Schweikhart said. “You can make pretty much as any beer you want. Most people like music and most people like beer.”

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Tupac Amaru Shakur 1971-1996 WORDS BY EBONY ALLISON ILLUSTRATION BY ALFREDO IBARRA

“I exist in the depths of solitude, pondering my true goal, trying to find peace of mind and still preserve my soul, constantly yearning to be accepted and from all receive respect, never compromising but sometimes Risky, and that is my only regret” -Tupac Shakur, poem from “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” Tupac Amaru Shakur will forever be known as one of the most influential beings to set foot on this earth. I was seven-years-old when he was tragically gunned down in Las Vegas, Nevada. The day he was pronounced dead was my first real experience with understanding death. Celebrity culture wasn’t really a big thing in my household, but Tupac was the exception. Every Saturday morning my mother would do her routine cleaning with “Keep Ya Head Up” and “Brenda’s Got A Baby” wailing from the stereo speakers. I will never forget the panic on my older brothers face when Pac was shot five times in New York, in 1994, less than two years before his death. More importantly, I remember his impact on the Black community. Born Lesane Parish Crooks in the Manhattan neighborhood of East Harlem, the future prodigy’s name would later be changed to

Tupac Amaru, a name that derived from the 18th-century Peruvian revolutionary who was killed for the rebellion against Spanish rule. His mother Afeni Shakur and father Billy Garland were notable members of the Black Panther Party and dedicated most of their lives to Black Liberation. Though widely known as a hip-hop icon, Shakur spent his teen years at The Baltimore School for the Arts, studying acting, poetry, jazz, and ballet. He performed in “The Nutcracker“ and many Shakespeare plays, and it was there that he would meet and develop his special friendship with Jada Pinket. Tupac’s younger life was a true forecast of how his adult life would play out and ultimately suggest one thing-his soul was sent here for a purpose. He would later become what we now call a multi-hyphenate rapper, activist, and actor landing major roles in movies including Above The Rim, Bullet, Juice, Gridlock’d, and Poetic Justice. Prior, his love for poetry evolved into a love for music, specifically rap, using the alias MC New York before linking up with the 1990’s hip-hop group, Digital Underground. Though short lived, Pac went on to release his first single as “I Get Around” solidifying a number

11 spot on the Billboard charts and inking a deal with Interscope Records. The release of his first album 2pacalypse Now was not well received in popular culture, but if you asked a Tupac fan their thoughts on the album, the response would be unanimous: inspiring. His follow up project Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z debuted at number 24 on Billboard, his third studio album, Me Against The World, is revered to be one of the greatest albums of that time and widely known as Pac’s most influential work. But in February 1996, it was All Eyez On Me, his fourth album now under Death Row Records and Interscope, which would place him at number one on Billboard and platinum plaque success in February of 1996. On September 7th 1996 Shakur would be gunned down, dying 6 days later. Afeni Shakur, in a 2013 Vanity Fair interview, spoke about the night she found out her only son had been shot yet again: “I knew one day the call was coming, from the moment he was born, I measured his life in five-year periods. When he was five, I was so grateful. When he was 10, I thanked God he was 10. Fifteen, 20, 25, I was always amazed he’d survived. He was a gift.”

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