WHAT IT MEANS TO LOVE Learning to let go of the small stuff
CELEBRATING BLACK MUSIC MONTH
DESIGN A DATE: SEVEN IDEAS FOR AN OUTING, IN Recreate any outing with friends or a significant other from the comfort of home
COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST DANI' WRIGHT On why she's "stuck" on country
KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL
HUSBAND & WIFE DUO FATIN DANTZLER AND AJA GRAYDON ON NEW MUSIC, LASTING LOVE & FAMILYHOOD
Editor’s note
WHAT IT MEANS TO LOVE Learning to let go of the small stuff
CELEBRATING BLACK MUSIC MONTH
BRONZE MAGAZINE
june 2021
DESIGN A DATE: SEVEN IDEAS FOR AN OUTING, IN
COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST DANI' WRIGHT
Recreate any outing with friends or a significant other from the comfort of home
On why she's "stuck" on country
KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL
HUSBAND & WIFE DUO FATIN DANTZLER AND AJA GRAYDON ON NEW MUSIC, LASTING LOVE & FAMILYHOOD
Cover Credits: Cover Models: aja graydon & fatin dantzler of kindred the family soul Cover Photography: Matthew Muse FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shawn Stuldivant CO-OWNER Barry Stuldivant ISSUE DESIGN BY shawn stuldivant WRITERS rashida ashley meagan bess priyanka hardikar jae marie reggie pierre chelsea young BRAND PARTNERSHIPS Yaya Rey
Dear Bronze lovelies, The summer season has kicked off, the virus is slowing down, the vaccine is available to everyone, and restrictions are easing for those who are fully vaccinated. Although things are looking up, Covid is still not over, and the pandemic has left many of us with emotional and physical scars that may require much needed time to heal. Something to really feel good about is June marks African American Music Appreciation Month, which was initiated as Black Music Month by President Jimmy Carter who, on June 7, 1979, decreed that June would be the month of Black music. Although Bronze doesn’t need one specific month out of the year to acknowledge the accomplishments of black people and people of color, we still wanted to celebrate the contributions of blacks in the music industry who have influenced black culture in its various forms. Kindred the Family Soul are a shining example of how black music has positively shaped the way we love and live. I remember when they released their debut album back in 2003 and I fell in love with their hit single “Far Away.” To this day my husband and I still have it on our music playlist at home and in the car. I’m so honored to have them grace our cover and to know they are back with new music. Enjoy reading the issue and I look forward to seeing you again in August for our wellness issue!
xoxo, Shawn
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COUNTRY SOUL: SINGER/SONGWRITER DANI' WRIGHT
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COVER STARS: KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL The Neo Soul duo is back with new music!
The Louisiana native uses her roots to pave a way for herself in country music.
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WHAT IT MEANS TO LOVE
12 MUSICAL ARTIST KAISHA LEE: A chat with the Toronto born musical artist..
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DESIGN A DATE: SEVEN IDEAS FOR AN OUTING, IN
Fun outing ideas from the comfort of home.
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REFLECTION ON THE MUSIC Several musical artists share their thoughts on the significance of African American Music Appreciation Month
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R&B SOUL ARTIST SKYLER REED On channeling her inner creativity to compose her new EP 'Are We There Yet'
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GIRLPRENEUR ANASTASIA LINKPON IS MAKING HER DREAMS A REALITY Along with her mom, coowns BoujFleaMarket , a kid curated upscale online flea market.
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MUSICAL ARTIST CHRISTINA JONES The budding new artist discusses her debut album.
CONTENTS JUNE 2021
Learning to let go of the small stuff to focus on what truly matters.
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COUNTRY SOUL: SINGER/SONGWRITER DANI' WRIGHT
By Chelsea Young
No one can deny that black music artists have dominated the charts for more than a decade now. Music from black artists has moved beyond MTV and BET and now infiltrates commercials, sports events, and soundtracks of popular movies and tv shows. Despite the success of black musicians, artists still find the industry to be limiting on their creative expression, reducing their art to the restricted image of hip-hop and r&b.
Dani' Wright, a country music artist from New Orleans, Louisiana has experienced firsthand the challenges black artists face when they divulge from the industry's expectations. The talented singer/songwriter started to sing in her church choir at the age of 9 and by the time she was 11 she was writing songs about boys and crushed them with her cousins. Inspired by actress, singer, songwriter, producer Brandy Norwood, Wright decided she wanted to pursue a professional career in music. (continued >
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“[Brandy] was 14, from Mississippi, doing her thing, and I thought that if this girl from the south can do it, I want to do it,” Wright explained. Following her dreams, Wright went on to join an r&b girl group. When the group was on the verge of signing with Atlantic Records and could take a few days to make sure it was what they wanted to do, Wright took this time to confide in her mentor, actress, singer and dancer Tisha Campbell (My Wife and Kids, Martin) and confess her desire to do country music. “[Tisha] started screaming and jumping for joy and said ‘Oh my god, that’s what you should be doing! I support you and whatever you need, I’m here.’ A month later Campbell was managing Wright and her new career as a country music artist. “I’ve learned so much just being with the iconic person she is, but even the work ethic. She’s old school so you have to know how to sing, how to dance, and how to act,” Wright stated. “I’m happy and learning every single day. From phone calls she has, or how she’s playing ‘The Game’ as they call it, to knowing how to read the room. Just the little things she has taught me.” The hardest part about breaking into country music has been people’s unwillingness to accept Wright as a country music singer who can also be into hip-hop and r&b. Many people saw this struggle of acceptance with artist Lil Nas and his hit song Old Town Road. However, Wright believes things are changing as more black artists begin to do their own thing. Dani' Wright with manager Tisha Campbell.
“I kind of want to say that after George Floyd, people are welcoming and making it okay. I think there’s still the old gatekeepers and old people that want to keep things the same, but I think all the newer, younger people are opening up,” says Wright. As a New Orleans native, Wright has been exposed to an ample range of music her whole life. “I feel like our music is a big pot of gumbo. We have jazz, blues, folk, r&b, bounce music, zydeco, country. There’s just so many types of music.” (continued >
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This diversity has greatly affected the music Wright makes, but country music is her choice of poison. “Country music just stuck with me. I think everyday life is country. Feeling, eating, hanging with family at home, playing spades, going to the swamp and fishing, and just doing certain things. It resonated with me musically because it is really talking about our everyday life.” You can hear this influence in Wright’s single “PYT,” written with the help of Campbell. This fun new bop is all about Wright’s New Orleans roots and commitment to living her authentic self. “I wanted it to really talk about me introducing myself to the world. I like Shania Twain, but I love DaBaby at the same time.” Wright expressed. “With that song we tried to bridge the gap into country and hip-hop/r&b, but I also wanted to introduce into our culture that country music isn’t all whack like they think.”
Wright called out the origins of country music stemming from the black community and how the genre, like anything produced or created by black people, has been appropriated to such a degree that the creators have been written out of its history. “Even when you turn on the country music station today, everything is trap, everything is r&b. They’re basically coming for our sound. So, like...I want us to be doing our own sound.” What’s next for Wright? She is currently at a song-writing camp for FOX where she and Campbell are writing partners for every Fox show that features original music. You may have heard some of their songs in popular music shows Empire and Star. As for her own music, Wright plans on releasing 3-4 more singles this year and an EP at the beginning of 2022 with visuals to accompany the songs. You can keep track of Wright on Instagram and be sure to stream PYT!
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By Priyanka Hardikar
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Someone I love taught me how important it is to forgive
It is important to not take other people’s honest mistakes as
quickly – the small arguments, misunderstandings and
personal attacks – because mistakes aren’t personal. We look
mistakes that come up in daily life. The moments when we
for an underlying meaning in mistakes, but there isn’t one.
react too quickly and say something we don’t mean to
Most of the time, mistakes are just mistakes. We can live life
someone we love. The moments that aren’t capturing our
believing everyone is ill-intentioned and out to get us, or we
truest form or purest intentions.
can understand and embrace that this is what it means to be human, to be authentically ourselves.
Think about the last time you had an argument with someone you love about something small and inconsequential, like how
During one of my yoga classes, a student’s phone began
they forgot to pick up milk from the grocery store. Ugly words
ringing just as we were settling into the class. It startled
might have been exchanged. Your ego may have gotten hurt.
almost everyone in the room, and my human reaction was one
There is a desire to be right, to prove the other person wrong –
of irritation. Then, I heard a clear, composed voice – our yoga
for our feelings to be heard by the other person, to be
instructor – speak over the shrillness of the sound and my
validated. But if you think about it, the actual argument lasts
negative self-talk. She said: “Rise above it. You are not that
perhaps a few minutes – the grudge we hold and the anger
petty,” as if reading my mind. My first thought was, ‘Actually, I
persist much longer.
am that petty.’ But then I realized I choose in this moment how petty I am going to be.
But does it really matter? The heated moment has already passed. The heated moment is already over. So, why do we
The ringing had ended. The room now filled with peace and
let it get the better of us? Why do we attach ourselves to the
love – with positive energy. Was I really going to let a ringtone
argument and the angry emotions that come up?
that lasted less than 10 seconds disrupt the rest of my class? Or could I acknowledge that this person made a mistake – and
I remember I was going out to eat with someone I love when
let it go?
we got into an argument. I was upset, I snapped at him, and there was an uncomfortable silence in the car. But minutes
I was, after all, at yoga class to quiet my mind, to release and
later, when I cooled down and realized what we were arguing
let go of old beliefs.
about wasn’t important, I reached over for his hand. He returned the gesture, without hesitation. It was effortless, and
We are always told that forgiveness isn’t for the other person,
I felt the presence of love, how it filled the spaces around us.
but that it is for us. This is the truth: When we forgive people we love for small mistakes and small arguments, we open our
The moment of anger and misunderstanding had passed as
hearts. When we “stop sweating the small stuff,” we create
quickly as it had started because neither of us had chosen to
more space for ourselves and for our loved ones to exist freely,
hold onto it. Because we were unattached to our anger, we
as we are. When we don’t look for hidden meanings in
were able to let go of it. We were able to say to ourselves: I’m
mistakes, we stop taking things personally that weren’t meant
going to let this small thing go because it doesn’t matter; you
to be taken personally. When we let go of the unimportant, we
matter more to me.
feel lighter and happier and more connected to ourselves and to the people in our lives that matter most to us.
Later, I mention this memory to him, and he says: “It’s called love. Check into it,” and proceeds to send me the Wikipedia
The next time a small argument with someone you love gets
page for love, which makes me laugh out loud. But he’s right,
you riled up, ask yourself: Does it actually matter? If you know,
part of loving someone is knowing when to let things go. To
objectively, that it doesn’t, remind yourself: The moment has
understand that it is in our nature as humans to make
already passed, and I choose to let it go, to protect my peace.
mistakes, to get on each other’s nerves every now and then.
This is what it means to love – myself and others.
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KAISHA LEE: WHERE PURPOSE MEETS IMPACT By Rashida Ashley
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Have you ever met an artist who is completely aligned with their purpose from the moment they learn to walk or utter a word? Kaisha Lee is such an artist. Born with creativity and music flowing through her veins, this Jamaican queen lives to not only make music but to make an impact through every word she sings. Gifted at a young age to play piano, this Toronto born multi-talented artist has grown to also use her talents to educate others. She is the proud owner and operator of The Instrumental Voice School of
"I started playing piano at six and never looked back."
Music and Holistic Center where she teaches piano theory and vocal training. While singing gospel music and negro spirituals, she has toured various places in the U.S, Canada, France,and has even performed for President Obama’s inauguration with a passionate mission to bring a feeling of hope to the ears that bear witness to her music. It is only natural to get to know an artist who has made such an impact on those around her while staying true to her sound. As we sit down to get to know Kaisha Lee as an artist, we uncover her upbringing, the artists who’ve played a hand in her development, the lessons she’s learned throughout her career, and the meaning behind her new single “Survive “which is available on all platforms. Tell us about your musical background and roots. My family is Jamaican, so I grew up on reggae and soul music. I was corrected when I sang Bob Marley lyrics wrong. I started playing piano at 6 and never looked back. I wasn’t born understanding my gift at all. I just knew I was supposed to work with it, so I live a life of working with it. Grateful I have a small understanding now. Did you always know that you wanted to perform professionally? Why or why not? No, my first professional gig kind of just presented itself to me. I followed through with the few hurdles they wanted me to get over and after six months of working hard I was hired to tour with The Nathaniel Dett Chorale. Continued >
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'SURVIVE' Who have been some of the influencers of your music/sound? Bob Marley, Whitney Houston,Marcia Griffiths, Mary J Blige, Sizzla Kalonji, Beyoncé and many more. I’m a big kid with an old soul. I love “crate digging” on Apple Music in addition to loving the fresh Reggae dancehall sounds. It’s an exciting time for music. What effect has COVID had on you and your music? It changed everything. The single I wanted to release last spring was cancelled. It was a modern dancehall song about partying. Maybe next year. Due to the #CanadianLockdown I had to stop relying on performing income. I’m grateful I received a vocal teaching position at a local college. In some way, I’m still trying to figure out the new norm, as it’s ever changing. I was looking forward to performing live this summer but it’s going to be virtual.
Tell us about the message behind your new single Survive. What do you want listeners to take away from it? I wanted people who felt like they couldn’t make it to know they can. Make your legacy your motivation. I wanted people to chant the affirmation and not sync into low frequencies permanently but feel empowered by reality and their strength. Having performed on many US, Canadian and International stages, what have you learned about yourself as an artist? Be comfy on stage and don’t worry. I am set up as a vessel people will be inspired even if I’m not feeling 100. Are there any upcoming projects that you can share with us? I am really looking forward to shooting the video for Survive next month.
BLACK MUSIC MONTH
JUNE 2021
KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL: LEGACIES MADE Written By Rashida Ashley Photography by Matthew Muse
It’s that time of the year where we as not only a community, but as a nation stand together in celebration of African American Music Appreciation Month. We stand together in celebration of the journey and impact we’ve made as artists. It is a time when we come together to reminisce about how far we’ve come, not only in the industry of music and the arts but how far we have come as a group of people in America. Our music has impacted billions within and past our borders. From culture, fashion, and even food, the music that African Americans have contributed throughout the years have paved the way to freedom, education, faith, and so much more; not only for our people but for society. To celebrate this momentous occasion, it is evident that we must look to the contributions made by African American artists and their journeys. Kindred The Family Soul, aka Kindred, is not only an artist duo, but wife and husband, mother and father, auntie and unc; Aja Graydon and Fatin Dantzler are an unbreakable family unit whose mission is to exemplify love, despite any challenges they may face, through the art they do. Kindred has won the Soul Train Award and a BET award nomination for their debut album ‘Surrender to Love.’ Their music has hit top 10 on urban AC radio. They have produced short films, starred in a national commercial for Walmart in 2015, and have authored their first children’s book ‘Mama said, clean up!’ They also hold community events such as Kindred The Family Games and Kindred The Family Reunion, all while raising a family.
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Photo Credit: Qasim / Aristocrat Film
WITH TWO DECADES OF EXPERIENCEAND WISDOM IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AS ARTISTS AND SONGWRITERS, PLEASE SHARE WHAT AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH MEANS TO YOU. Kindred: It's a wonderful thing to see the music of African Americans highlighted in this way. We are grateful to be a part of the fabric of Black Music. We look forward to the month of June each year and learning about music we are not familiar with. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR “LOVE STORY?” HOW HAS LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP REMAINED AS YOUR ANCHOR THROUGHOUT THE YEARS? Kindred: Our love story is unique but common. We love hard and deep and have many things in common, since we work together in love and in business. We believe we have a different strength than most couples, it feels kind of like a superpower. We try to stay in tune with one another and be each other's biggest supporters. Love and friendship fuel our relationship, so it's the most important thing to sustain. WHAT EFFECT HAS THE PANDEMIC HAD ON YOUR MUSIC, BUSINESS, AND FAMILY? Kindred: The pandemic has surely weakened the financial structure of our family, but we assume that most people have felt that somewhat. We have been able to focus on things that might have been looming, had not the slow down been instituted, but we take each day as it comes and try to make the most of it.
HOW HAS PARENTHOOD CHANGED YOU OVER THE YEARS? ARE ALL OR ANY OF YOUR CHILDREN MUSICALLY INCLINED? IF SO, HOW DO YOU SUPPORT THEIR MUSICAL TALENT(S) AND ASPIRATIONS? Kindred: Parenthood feels like that get back for what you did to your parents. It's eye opening and beautiful, but surely it is taxing. We are humbled by the talent and growth of our family. Our children are musically inclined, and our oldest son is a musical artist. We don't push them to do music, but we try to support them in every way we can.
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Auntie & Unc
WITH THE DECLINE OF NEO-SOUL’S MAINSTREAM POPULARITY OVER THE YEARS, HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED TO SUSTAIN YOUR FOOTHOLD ON THIS GENRE AND REMAIN RELEVANT TO AUDIENCES? WHO ARE SOME OF TODAY’S ARTISTS THAT YOU ARE LISTENING TO? Kindred: I'm not sure I see the decline of Neo Soul, it never seems to be the mainstream thing to begin with. It's always been a kind of exclusive taste kind of thing, either it's your thing or it's not. We just strive to super serve the audience that gets it. We try to stay consistent and not to repeat ourselves
TELL US ABOUT YOUR RECENTLY RELEASED NEW ALBUM AUNTIE AND UNC. WHAT SPARKED THE TITLE? Aja: The New Album title is "Auntie and Unc" because it is who we most identify with as of right now. Our audience can also see themselves in the title, and we hope the music resonates in a real way. AS WITH ALL YOUR MUSIC, THIS NEW ALBUM GIVES OFF VIBES OF LOVE, LIFE AND HONESTY. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE SONGS AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE LISTENERS TO TAKE AWAY?
in hopes that the music will resonate
Aja: We were trying to paint a picture of
with the folks who are growing
life lived and wisdom earned. We want
alongside us. I listen to the same old
people to walk away feeling seen and
cast of legends and peers, but there are
having a soundtrack to a better year
newer artists we like: HER, Ari Lennox,
than the last hopefully ...
Anibaand the Sol Starz, Ain't Afraid, Suzanne Christine, Stout, and Duran Bernarr.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE BACK WITH NEW MUSICAND RECONNECT WITH FANS? Aja: Feels good to be back with new music for sure, but we really hope to be able to go share it with the folks around the world as safely as possible. So, we are staying optimistic. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PROJECTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS? Aja: Our son Aquil Dawud has a new project "Born to be Loved." And stay tuned to kindredpresents.com as we fine tune our network and strategy.
DESIGN A DATE: SEVEN IDEAS FOR AN OUTING, IN By Jae Marie
Jae Marie is a NYC-based writer who covers all things food, drink, beauty, travel and lifestyle. When she’s not writing, she can be found on the hunt for the city’s best mojito or cup of hot chocolate. You can follow her blog, By Jae Marie, for more adventures around town.
The last year has taught us a lot, and one of those is that going out is not the only option when it comes to having fun. Restaurants, movie theaters, amusement parks and other crowded public areas can still be nerve wrecking to attend. Being at home does not have to be boring! With just a bit of creativity, it is easy to recreate any outing with friends or a significant other from the comfort of home.
For the Outdoorsy Ones
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The weather is getting warmer, which means sunny afternoons and beautiful sunsets are upon us. Spend some time in nature by visiting a local park. Bring a big blanket or waterproof tarp, and pack a basket with goodies like sandwiches, fruit, charcuterie essentials or freshly baked cookies. Make sure to bring sunscreen, bug spray and wipes for any messes. Live close to the beach? Pack up the car for a day trip to the shore and some fun in the sun and sand. Don’t let a rainy day stop you either! A picnic in the living room or on the balcony can be just as memorable.
JUNE 2021
For the Creative Ones Need something to decorate the house with? How about something selfmade? Take the paint and sip experience home. Find a picture online to recreate like a sunset, bouquet of flowers or skyline, or get adventurous and freehand it. All you need to do is grab a variety of brushes, paint colors and a canvas to start. Get the drinks pouring, music going and find those inner Picasso skills. Make it a friendly competition with a big revelation of the finished pieces to each other at the end. .
For the Ones Who Sleep In Grab those groceries! Wake up this weekend with an at-home Bronze Beauty brunch. Whether steak and eggs, chicken and waffles or banana french toast, the menu possibilities are endless. This is another opportunity to start off with a charcuterie board by cubing cheese, adding a variety of meat slices, dips, hummus, crackers and finishing with a sprig of rosemary to garnish. End with a sweet treat like freshly baked homemade cookies or chocolate fondue. Don’t forget the bubbly and fresh squeezed OJ for mimosas. Take the experience a step further with a printed multi-course menu. Set the table with a few flowers, let in some natural light and create a playlist with all the best hits, new and old. Consider spoiling that special someone with breakfast in bed.
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For the Ones Who Cook They say too many cooks in the kitchen is a bad thing, but it does not have to be! Fire up the grill and turn this daily chore into something fun by doing it together. Put one person in charge of chopping up the veggies and someone else can run point on the BBQ. There are a variety of online cooking classes to choose from as well. Check the grocery list and log on at the start of the live class to join fellow at-home chefs. Remember, the atmosphere is everything. Dim the lights, set a candle, get the tunes going and the drinks flowing. String lights like these are a nice touch to any room and easy to order on Amazon. Take turns playing DJ, singing and dancing along the way. Make sure to keep an eye on the food! Have kids? Make it a family affair and end the night with board games.
For the Movie Fans Admit one and bring the silver screen to the small screen. Take advantage of the handful of streaming services for an athome movie night. Choose from the suggested list or something already favorited. New movies are launching on these platforms weekly, so sit back, relax in a pillow fort and grab the popcorn with the movie theater butter.
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For the Wine Lovers Can’t make it out to a winery? No worries! Whether a different brand, venturing from red to white or even rosé, sweet to dry, try something new. Cheese, dried fruit and bread are great snacks to have on hand for the event. Try it with beer, rum or cognac too.
For the Ones Closing the Long-Distance Gap In a long-distance relationship? Today’s technology makes it easier than ever to be together, even when you are miles apart. Set a night to video conference and recreate any of the above ideas. Have dinner delivered to the door of your loved one, watch a classic movie or binge a few episodes of a new TV show. The physical presence might not be there, but it is a great way to be together even when apart.
No matter how you spend the day, just remember, it does not always have to be something extravagant. Spend time with friends or that special someone, laugh and create lasting memories for years to come. JUne 2021
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ESNAVI - SINGER/SONGWRITER REFLECTS ON THE MEANING OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH
To me, African American Music Appreciation Month means honoring, acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of African Americans to music. This month is a time to reflect, learn and be inspired by these contributions and the music that has been created by us.
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KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL - SINGERS, SONGWRITERS, PRODUCERS REFLECT ON THE MEANING OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH
It's a wonderful thing to see the music of African Americans highlighted in this way. We are grateful to be a part of the fabric of Black Music. We look forward to the month of June each year and learning about music we are not familiar with.
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MELI'SA MORGAN - R&B/SOUL SINGER–SONGWRITER REFLECTS ON THE MEANING OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH
I grew up in the era where we called our music R&B, Soul and Gospel Music. That was the music that soothed our souls and helped us get through Love, Hate, and Life changing moments for Black people. Now they group it all together and call our music African American Music. Ok, but all the Motown music I grew up listening to and all the wonderful Soul and Gospel singers like Aretha Franklin and the many talented artists whose music touched my heart, soul, and I still love singing their songs to this day along with my own songs; this music will always be and I will forever call it R&B and Soul Music.
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Photo Credit:Audrey Blackmore
RASHIDA ASHLEY - SINGER–SONGWRITER REFLECTS ON THE MEANING OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH To me, African American Music Appreciation Month means the remembrance of not only the music but the stories behind it. As a community of people we have been through a heavy weight of unimaginable things. It is our stories that fuel our hearts to fuel our music to then fuel our audiences. This is a time to not only celebrate but to remember and be in gratitude of the artists who have come before us. These artists have stood firmly before us with a calling in their hearts. They stood in the name of many things and as a consequence left legacies that we are still in the midst of discovering its impact today. This is a month to be abundantly grateful and thankful.
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RISING R&B SOUL ARTIST SKYLER REED CHANNELS HER INNER CREATIVITY TO COMPOSE HER NEW EP 'ARE WE THERE YET'
By Reggie Pierre
Photos: Sebastian Francis
A
woman of many talents, Skyler Reed was born and raised in Virginia. At a very young age Reed was introduced to music by her beloved mother, who unfortunately passed away. With immense pain in her life, she turned to songwriting and journaling as a form of therapy; this is where her inspiration to pursue a music career began. After knowing that she wanted to be a musician at the age of twelve years old, she began drafting a path to her big dreams.
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Reed attended Virginia State University receiving a bachelor’s degree in Music. She then went on to briefly live in Los Angeles in the early stages of her career but believes Atlanta is the mecca of up and rising artists. Shortly after, Reed established her own music lesson business, Skyler's Music Studio, LLC based in the heart of Atlanta, which is why she continues to reside there; not only to grow her fan base, but to uplift and coach other singers through her vocal lessons.
What was the inspiration behind your Are We There Yet EP? I wrote a song with my friend Jessica Lloyce and co-partner on the entire project. The song ended up being called Are We There Yet, and that kind of just became the stem for the title of the EP. I thought this was a great overall message and there's other songs we can pull from that can kind of go along with this theme. So, the overall inspiration for this EP, just like my other projects was just to inspire people while also throwing in some love songs.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve faced thus far as a musician? And how did you overcome that troubling moment in your career? As we all know, the pandemic has been a hard time for everyone emotionally, mentally, and physically since all we could do is stay home. One of my biggest obstacles thus far is creating a project in the middle of a pandemic because in creating this EP I wanted to put it out fall 2020.
Release show there for my last project ‘Descended Crowns,' back in 2018. I was performing a lot during that time. The event took place at the Masquerade which is a huge venue down here in Atlanta. It was really cool and so much fun! I had my band with me, and it was just really a good vibe performing.
Who has been the biggest influence in your personal life and career? Having a supportive circle of people around me has been very fundamental to my success. I have been blessed to have an amazing boyfriend who is the engineer in most of my projects. Most importantly, having a close-knit group of family members and friends helps keep me grounded. They’re the inspiration behind it all. They fuel me and my career and I am forever grateful for all their love and support throughout these years.
What advice can you give to any struggling artists out there trying to find their voice and sound?
Unfortunately, it didn’t get released, so being able to maneuver the covid-19 pandemic and having
I would honestly say to never give up on yourself
to produce was really hard. This is my first project
and your dream, I say this because you’re going
that needed input production, and Jessica is like
to get rejected many more times than having a
the brains behind all the magic. It was a
door opened for you. You must be strong and
challenge being a musician but being a different
believe in yourself because no one else will do
kind because I am a singer, I needed Jessica,
that for you.
who's a composer and pianist. It was cool having that experience and learning from that challenge within itself. It’s weird because I personally feel like when I am going through a hard time the best music comes out, so ‘Pieces of Me’ was written when I was probably at my lowest point during the pandemic. It was after the killing of George Floyd and there were protests across the street. There was just a lot going on emotionally and with being lonely.
What has been the best performance of your career so far and why? My best performance was during this event
What are your aspirations for the next level/phase of your career? What is next for Skyler Reed? Are there any new projects that you are currently working on now? Honestly, my aspirations are to just perform more. I am waiting for Covid to settle down a little bit more. As far as my new projects, nothing is concrete so far but I am always writing songs and perfecting my voice and my craft. To stay Up to date with Skyler Reed you can follow her on Twitter @iamskylerreed and on Instgram @iamskylerreed.
called Raw Artist. They have shows in different cities. They came to Atlanta, and I did an EP
JUne 2021
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Girlpreneur Anastasia Linkpon is Making Her Dreams a Reality
By Meagan Bess
New York resident Anastasia Linkpon, along with the help of her mother Adriane Mack, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Mack Enterprises and Curated Culture, are doing some good work that other young girls as well as adults can admire. Together the two co-own BoujFleaMarket, a kid curated upscale online flea market filled with fun accessories and self-care items. Through business ownership, Anastasia is empowering other young black girls to reach their goals and dreams.
What do you enjoy most about what you do? Anastasia: I love being creative. Especially when it comes to naming the products and being a creative director for our product shoots.
Why will Anastasia’s story continue to inspire young black girls and even black women who want to make the same step or are just hoping to make positive choices in life? Adriane: Everyone needs to learn financial literacy and creating generational wealth.
What has driven you to keep the business going so that Anastasia will continue the creation into her later years? Adriane: I am inspired about creating generational wealth and spending quality time with my daughter. The business will take on its shape as she continues to mature. BoujFleaMarket will be what she makes of it.
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Photo: Kerby Jean
Do your products ship internationally and how will that inspire other young girls to ally with your daughter and her business?
What motivated you to start your business online?
Adriane: Yes! We have already shipped to
we want to prepare ourselves for the future
the Philippines! We want her to connect
we need to create e-commerce businesses. I
through social media and her travel
was excited to hear Operation Hope and
experiences. We know as her business
Shopify created a partnership to support
continues to grow and we get the word out
black-owned e-commerce businesses. We
about mindfulness and creating
jumped at the opportunity.
generational wealth, other children will
How does Anastasia being homeschooled help with the exploration of new items to add to the flourishing collection?
become inspired to live their dreams and work hard.
What’s your favorite item(s) and why? Anastasia: My favorite product is our Mango Lip Balm and our body creme. I have sensitive skin and I can use both without it being itchy.
What inspired the bath bombs and what do you like most about using them?
Adriane: We live in a virtual world now. If
Adriane: Homeschooling allowed us the time to be creative on our own time. Anastasia and I talk about the next bath bomb scent we want to launch. We talk about sales and marketing. We also talk about product development. We have slime kits coming out in the Fall! Continued >
Anastasia: I love to take bubble baths and bath bombs make it fancy. I can relax and be warm.
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Who in the limelight inspires you to keep pursuing your career at a young age and why? Anastasia: Simone Biles. I love gymnastics and I take gymnastics on Saturdays. It’s hard work just like running a business.
What do you plan to do when you’re older in relation to your current career, outside of it, or alongside it? Anastasia: I want to own a dog walker business. I want to open 2 more businesses before I am a grown-up. I want to be rich and give money to the poor.
I want to be rich and give money to the poor. Visit BoujFleaMarket.com Follow @BoujFleaMarket on Instagram
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Musical Artist Christina Jones By Chelsea Young
Christina Jones is a talented singer specializing in Jazz, Soul, and R&B. Once a member of an American Idol cast and a student at the Berklee Conservatory of Music, her debut album “ You Were My Compass” will tug at the heartstrings of all who listen. Christina collaborated with the famous pianist and composer Kimiko Ishizaka to create an album that tells stories of love, heartbreak, and healing. Christina sat down to tell us about her journey and what all went into creating this highly anticipated album.
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When did you first become interested in music and theater? IMusic and performance have always been a part of my life. I can’t remember when I wasn’t singing or dancing or making an impression around the house. Did you ever consider pursuing a path other than performing? I sincerely enjoy writing. Currently, I mostly write poetry and a song once every blue moon, but I’m open to the idea of being a playwright or a show writer. But, I’m still young and in college. That’s something that I’m still figuring out on my own.
"I WANT TO BE MULTIFACETED AND TELL A STORY IN MORE WAYS THAN JUST WITH MY VOICE."
Tell us a bit about your training and how you got to where you are now? I trained with Jessica Ford for about 11 years at the age of 11 and through that training I got a lot of performance opportunities musically. I ended up singing in competitions throughout my high school career and eventually went on to American Idol and made it to Top 40. As far as everything else goes, the most training I’ve gotten was from the college I now go to. How would you describe your music style? I consider myself an old soul. In that vein, I would probably describe my style as reminiscent, smooth, but powerful. I’m in love with jazz, R&B, and soul, and you can hear that in a lot of the things that I sing.
Tell us about your upcoming album and the journey in creating it. What were some of your influences and/or inspiration? The journey was a rough one. Kimiko and I worked together entirely virtually to get ideas for the album. I get the story as straightforward as possible. I still have never met her in person, but it was great talking with her and hearing her story. I think my influences musically came mostly from jazz artists like Nat King Cole, Ella, and even Leslie Odom Jr. What were you and Kimiko Ishizaka’s process while working on the album remotely? We would have a call here and there and talk about each song and the story behind it. Kimiko would explain the lyrics and the story to me, and I would do the best to bring those emotions and those life experiences. How did you come up with the title “You Were My Compass?”
What would you say to people wanting to pursue the arts?
It originally was going to be called “Heartbreak.” But after a few conversations and a lot of deliberation, we found that the common theme that always seems to be embedded into the songs is going on a journey and what it means to travel with and without a guide to lead you. We felt that “You Were My Compass” was the most representative of her navigating through this heartbreak and healing alone. It's also the name of the first song on the album.
If you’re going to pursue a career in the arts, know that the journey is arduous. I’m not going to sit here and lie to you and say that I’ve been happy and confident in my craft the entire time on the journey that I’m taking. There are going to be days when you fully celebrate what you’re capable of, and there are going to be days where you feel that your art should never see the light of day. On those days, remind yourself that your art is worth going all in for. You wouldn’t have an artistic bone in your body if you weren’t meant to do what you want to do. The only person limiting your potential is yourself. So go and make art that makes you happy, sparks joy in you, inspires you, and lights a fire because I promise you, your art and happiness are worth sharing.
What do you hope listeners and your fans will get from the album? I hope that listeners will experience the story that is being told but the powerful emotions the writer goes through. I hope that listeners can feel (or at least empathize with) the loss and the hope for brighter days. Do you plan to continue working in the theater as well as record music? I don’t want to be subject to only one thing my entire life. I want to be multifaceted and tell a story in more ways than just with my voice.
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“You Were My Compass” will be out on July 16, 2021. To pre-order the album you can head over to ChristinaJones.com where a preorder allows you to download the first single “What Love Means to Me.” Keep up with Christina and her career, follow her on Instagram @christinajones for the latest updates!
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NOW ON BLURB This book is about self-love; as Nsi was learning to love herself over the years. She takes you on a journey of self-love in three stages of her life; her childhood, her heartbreak, and her budding single life after her long relationship of 4 years.
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