A FASHIONABLE CULTURE
‘MIND POLLUTION’ SPRING/SUMMER 19
Editor’s Letter Dear Readers I am so happy and inspired that it’s even possible that Demur is able to connect with different creatives and cultures on an international level. When we made the decision to reduce our magazine to just two issues per year, Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter we promised we would not scrimp on quality. In fact the decision was taken for the simple reason that we wanted to take our time to create a better issue for you each time, an issue that carries value and remains timeless. I can
guarantee you this issue will leave you inspired as we delve into the taboo subject of mental health. Derrick Ofosu Boateng talks to us about the lack of opportunity and exposure for African photographers and helps us see Africa through his lenses. If you have always fancied a career in fashion but not been sure where to start, we have some professionals giving you advice on how to get your foot in the door. We talk to a former So Solid Crew member about waking up in Ayia Napa everyday and balancing multiple roles as a producer, rapper and entrepreneur This should be enough to keep you entertained and out of trouble pending the next issue. Until next time… Noreen Chada Editor, @noreenchada
Contributors Noreen Chada Editor Shirley Dee Creative Director Alice Diamond Staff Writer Kay Samuel Editorial Assistant
Harrison Madzivachando Features Editor Nicole Samoto Social Editor Stella Dzingai Contributing Writer Ranjan Barik Design & Art Direction
Visit us at: www.demur.co Social Media: Demur Magazine | Email: info@demur.co A Fashionable Culture © All Rights Reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily of the publisher, Demur Ltd. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden except with express permission of the publisher. It is not the intention to print any matter that discriminates on the grounds of race, sex, sexuality or disability. We accept no liability for any misprints or mistakes and no responsibility can be taken for the contents of these pages. Demur Magazine is a bi-anual publication addressing a fashionable culture. Demur Magazine is published and distributed by Demur Ltd. For any distribution enquiries please email info@demur.co
CONTENTS
06 Demur Decks – Our Spring/Summer 19 Wish List
08 Where Fashionistas Wine and Dine and You Can Too
10 Mad As Hell – Take Your Mind Back
13 Derrick Boateng, Africa through a Photographer’s Lenses
39 22 Confessions of a Fashion Stylist with Rebekah Roy and Ramona Tabita
What The Pitta – The Vegan Kebab Experience
41
27 A.M. SNiPer waking up in Ayia Napa everyday
Kickstart your Career in Fashion with Four Seasons Recruitment
29 Street Style by Jeanbaptiste Pellerin
43 Madd Kyng an Artistic View
46 Demur Decks Playlist by NIPAH
Demur Picks Our Spring/Summer 19 Wish List
Strappy Swimsuit Carvico – Paper London - £195.00
Buy Art Not Drugs T-Shirt – Hebru Brand Studios - £15 (as seen on Lebron James)
Reebok Instapump Fury Ultraknit OG – Consortium - £99.99
Tulle Skirt – Adidas - £49.95
A Bathing Ape Camouflage-Print Shell Overalls – Selfridges - £350.00
BRAVA Hoodie – Ruve Shop £40.00
Mini Crossboy Bag With Fringe – Pull & Bear - £17.99
PANTONE Sunglasses and Chain Set – Bershka - £15.99
C.E Cav Empt Taste Better Low Cap – END Clothing £69.00
MSH4 Shorts - Maxhosa £89.00
Anastasia Ankle Boot Knit – Buffalo London - £70.00
Patchwork Era Shoes – Vans £70.00
Chiltern Firehouse
Where Fashionistas
Wine & Dine
Wouldn’t it be a dream to dine with some of your favourite fashionistas, discussing the latest trends, fashion faux pas and that one time you went to an event with free booze and you ended up dancing on top of the table with a topless David Gandy…we can all day dream. If you can’t dine with the stars the next best thing is to at least sample a bit of their lifestyle by enjoying some fine dining at some of the restaurants your favourite fashionistas have been spotted at. Chiltern Firehouse, 1 Chiltern St, Marylebone, London W1U 7PA Who’s been spotted there: Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, Rita Ora, Will.I.AM Set in an old fire station aptly named, Chiltern Firehouse is located in the fashionable district of Marylebone and comes equipped with a luxurious hotel. As the place is popular with celebrities, the waiting list is bound to be longer than your left arm and is known
to prioritise high profile statuses over ‘Reggy the regular dude’. The restaurant is tailored with hanging light fittings, large mirrors and high ceilings which all contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of the eatery. Chiltern Firehouse is part of André Balazs’ group who also own a chain of hotels in Hollywood and New York including the Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard and the Mercer hotel.
Kitchen W8
Kitchen W8, 11-13 Abingdon Rd, Kensington, London W8 6AH Who’s been spotted there: Giorgio Armani This Michelin star restaurant will be celebrating it’s 10the year in swanky Kensington this year. To celebrate the restaurant recently had a big revamp and now includes a private dining room. The menu at this neighbourhood restaurant located just off Kensington High Street, is reasonably priced considering it’s a Michelin star restaurant. You can grab a three course meal from the set menu for £29.50. If you decide to go you may wish to take advantage of their free corkage Sunday promo that they have going on. Their set lunch menu has also been dubbed the ‘best-value Michelin menu’ in London.
Pied à Terre, 34 Charlotte St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 2NH Who’s been spotted there: Kanye West This stylish restaurant boasts an extensive menu that includes vegetarian and vegan
Pied à Terre
options. The restaurant’s Hideway Bar has recently been voted one of the ‘top 10’ wine bars in the City. If you fancy doing it big for the gram, you can book the second floor private dining room which seats up to 13 guests and comes with butler style service at no extra cost. The restaurant also runs a MasterClass Kitchen Experience where every Friday up to 5 guests are invited to come and get involved in the world of a Michelin Starred kitchen and work alongside the restaurant’s team in creating some of their renowned dishes.
Mad by Sadie Fisher
Dorothy Rowe Australian Psychologist and author
250,000 people are currently suffering from some form of mental illness in the UK according to the Mental Health Foundation. Prescriptions have risen by 54 per cent since 2005 and Britain now has the second highest number of children on depression medication in Europe. I speak with conviction about the issues surrounding mental illness as my Mother who is from an ethnic background, has been in and out of mental hospitals since I was a child. Like Tennessee William’s tragic character Blanche DuBois in the play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, I relied on ‘The kindness of strangers’ whilst my mum’s brain was being fried and her body pumped full of drugs. Her mental illness robbed me of my Mother and left me a legacy of depression.
Many people from ethnic backgrounds suffer from mental illness, coming from a different country to a country that alienates them through racism, they are forced to congregate in the ‘ghetto’ and suffer alone amongst themselves. Australian psychologist and author, Dorothy Rowe summed it up nicely by saying ‘mental illness/depression is a prison where you are both the suffering prisoner and the cruel jailer’. In my opinion, the most insightful words relating to mental illness. The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton was appointed a patron of children’s mental health issues and runs Heads Together a mental health initiative campaign to tackle stigma and change the conversation on mental health. The
Duchess of Cambridge at the launch of Heads Together with her husband Prince William and brother in law Prince Harry
Duchess has spoken out about breaking the taboo, urging those who are suffering to seek help. Is it really that easy though to just to reach out and seek help? The annual NHS cost for managing the bipolar disorder is estimated at ÂŁ9.2 billion. But where is the funding going, what is it used for? The current waiting list to see an NHS psychiatrist is one year. Going private is a matter of days. A few years ago, I sought professional help as the legacy of my fractured childhood hit me like an asteroid and I felt robbed of me. I was in so much pain, drowning and desperately wanted to swim to shore. When help arrived 14 months later, it turned out to be the most fruitless and frustrating experience. The psychiatrist was woefully unpractised, and I lasted 2 sessions with him. Why are lives being put at risk because of the scandalised waiting list? Anti-depression pills linked to self-harm and suicidal thoughts are being handed out like Smarties. Many just want to be listened to, like the case of Joanne Norris.
Joanne who was 28 had a history of severe anxiety and depression, she was also 35 weeks pregnant with her second child and battling panic attacks. On March 16, 2014, she phoned the mental health crisis, telling a psychiatric nurse that she was having suicidal thoughts. An appointment was made to see a specialist three weeks later. If she had been fortunate to have the financial resources to go private, it might have made a difference and she would have been seen immediately. After her desperate pleas fell on deaf ears, she boarded a train to Witham, sent a final text to her husband, and then walked into the path of the next train and died together with her unborn child. The irony of this sad story is that her voice was only heard when her story made the national news. Another victim of mental health failings. Mental illness robs you of that which is you, distorts moods and thoughts, and erodes the desire to live in this world. The Times Time to Mind campaign is calling for improvements into funding, waiting times, and has called for mandatory
Natasha Devon MBE, Body Image _ Mental Health Campaigner
‘specialist-led training in mental health for all GPs’. The Conservative party has been accused of reneging on their pledge to do more for mental health. How many more people like Joanne Norris’ must commit suicide before real action is taken? Mental health tsar, Natasha Devon was asked to leave her position as the first ever mental health champion for schools at the Department for Education (DfE) after her apparent criticism of the government’s commitment to mental health issues. A woman at the heart of the problems cannot speak out for fear of being marginalised? I would like to see not just a figurehead with a nice blow dry like the Duchess of Cambridge, but someone who has been through mental health issues who can navigate this problem through the murky waters of lack of funding, someone from an ethnic background, as many ethnic people with mental health issues feel uneasy about opening up to a non-ethnic person, I certainly did. Someone who has the ability to grasp the real impact of mental health issues that affect people from ethnic backgrounds.
In the 1974, Oscar winning film, Network, Peter Finch’s character has a complete meltdown on national television, compounded by the fact that he‘s no longer relevant to the news channel and discarded like yesterday’s newspaper. One of the most famous lines in cinema history is when he declares ‘I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!’ Every sufferer of mental health issues should cherish these words, get as ‘mad as hell’ and fight to have your voice heard.
Peter Finch as veteran news anchorman Howard Beale in Network
Photography by Derrick Ofosu Boateng
Africa through Derrick Ofosu Boateng’s Lense When we think of some of the best world-renowned Photographers, our minds immediately run to Western Photographers who have photographed some of the biggest celebrities in the world and produced some of the most memorable shots of our lifetime. Much like in many industries, photography is still a business where there is still a real genuine lack of multiplicity. Due to a lack of resources, exposure and over saturation of the same thing, some of the best Photographers stay hidden in the demise of photography. Derrick Ofosu Boateng is a young Photographer based in Ghana, who creates inspiring and impressive art with his photography, like our front cover for this issue.
Photography by Derrick Ofosu Boateng
Photography by Derrick Ofosu Boateng
Photography by Derrick Ofosu Boateng
You are currently based in Ghana. Is photography revered over there as much as it is in the western world? Photography in Ghana is gradually gaining admiration. At first photographers in Ghana were not acknowledged and only a few people took an interest. More people now understand what it means to be a photographer and the advantages of the field, and it has been really cool for me to now be recognised as a photographer and for my art. However, I still think western photographers are more at an advantage compared to say Ghanaian photographers.
images of constant suffering we are fed in the media? As an African photographer, the responsibility remains for me to portray Africa in a positive light. Normally the media always showcase the negative part of our lives. Africa is depicted to be full of dirt and destruction. The main purpose of my work is to showcase the delightful behaviours, lifestyle, and cultures of us the Africans, to the rest of the world. Photography by Derrick Ofosu Boateng
So you think African photographers in the industry are underrepresented? Yes. African photographers are underrepresented in the industry because a lot of aspiring Photographers in Africa find it difficult to get the equipment for their photography. It is extremely expensive in Africa to buy a camera and this stops a lot of people from pursuing their dreams. Which is a shame because there is some real talent here.
In view of that, what more can be done to ensure African photographers are fairly represented in the industry? I think if we could get quality but affordable photography equipment in Africa, it would really help and the exposure that we deserve. We are just not presented with the same opportunities.
Do you feel you have a responsibility to portray Africa in a positive light with your photography compared to the
Stay Connected to Derrick on @derrick_o_boateng
Photography by Derrick Ofosu Boateng
Photography by Derrick Ofosu Boateng
Photography by Derrick Ofosu Boateng
Confessions of a
Fashion Stylist
Rebeka Roy photographed by Emma Woolrych
Rebekah and her adorable dog Sophie
Every season we are introduced to new trends designed by some magnificent designers who spend hours on end making the perfect garment. When you finally see the clothes on the runway or in your favourite publication you fall in love with the look and it’s mostly down to the stylists who are responsible for crafting and coordinating garments and accessories to create a desired look. The people behind the scenes rarely ever get a look in. We speak to two Fashion stylists who give us an insight into their jobs. Rebekah Roy is a style and cultural influencer working in London and her work has been featured in international publications including Drapers, Glamour, Zink Magazine and VOGUE.COM. Rebekah was once dubbed by Time Out Magazine ‘One of the Top 100 “most original and influential people in the UK creative and media industries’. Rebekah’s work has taken her all over the world and here in a nutshell she tells us ‘Styling is not a cookie cutter job’.
What is the number one misconception about being a stylist? People assume fashion is glamorous. I have been fortunate enough to travel the world and have some amazing adventures because of my work, but it isn’t all glamorous. People aren’t meant to see behind the scenes, all the effort that goes into every job. In most creative fields you never see the work that goes into bringing something to life and really that’s the beauty of it. It’s like when you go to see a film, you just enjoy the film you don’t think about all the time, effort and money that it took to make the film. It’s normal for me to be running around London with a case picking up items, making tea on set, sewing on a button or taking up a hem or steaming clothes, no part of the job is beneath you - it’s not glamorous but it’s part of the job. You do what it takes to get the job done.
Style is about individuality, so what do you think makes a good stylist?
There are so many elements that make a good stylist, from having a good relationship with the designers and PR companies, understanding trends and being a team player. It’s important to know what kind of work you like to do and what your style is all about. Styling is very creative so explore your creativity as much as possible and figure out what kind of work or style you would like to do. Take risks and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
I have had so many memorable moments in my career. I really love styling and have worked with so many talented and creative people over the years. I love the feeling of when a project comes to together, the synergy of working with great people and you always get something better than you expected. I love the moment when the models are lined up backstage waiting for the show to start or you find that perfect
dress for your client. I’ve travelled to some extraordinary places and see the world in a different way and I don’t think I would have had those opportunities if I didn’t work in fashion.
How do you work out what works for each client? Every client is different, and it takes time to get to know each client and understand what they want and what you have to offer. I research my clients and try to learn as much about them as possible so that I can understand the direction they want to move towards and find the right options for them. So much of my work is research and making mood boards. Each client is unique and has different needs, it’s important to understand that – you don’t want to dress all your clients in the same way. Styling is not a cookie cutter job.
How do you solve conflicts of style with your clients? I present my clients with a lot of strong options to find out what works for them, what fits well and what’s event appropriate. I don’t have conflicts with my clients. It’s not how I work or think. There’s a lot of mutual respect with the people that I work with and ultimately, we have the same goals.
How do you source your clothes? I source most items from PR companies and from designers. When I travel, I’m always searching for interesting pieces made by local designers or looking for unique pieces at markets.
Stay Connected
to Rebekah at www.rebekahroy.co.uk
Ramona Tabita
Ramona Tabita splits her time between Milan and Paris and has worked with an array of clients including ASOS and Highsnobiety. Styling was not always on the cards for Ramona. It was only when Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, a private university in Milan, offered Ramona a scholarship after seeing some of her photography work, that Ramona realised styling was actually the highlight of her work and she could see herself doing that full time.
What is the number one misconception about being a stylist? Many people have confused ideas about what a Stylist actually does. I recently worked on the styling of a fashion show and presented myself as the stylist of the show to everyone, the backstage photographer complimented me for the design of the clothes, which shows even within the industry there is a lack of clarity.
Style is about individuality, so what do you think makes a good stylist? A good stylist must have their own personal vision of beauty, and their own aesthetic. Everything must be accompanied by research and knowledge of current trends. Many stylists only look at their own vision or just the aesthetic trend at that moment, in my opinion it is essential that there is a balance of both.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far? The most memorable moment for me so far has been working with Michèle Lamy for her cover story for Flofferz magazine. It was epic!
How do you work out what works for each client? You first need to study the client, understand the aesthetic and the history. From then, you can reinterpret everything without forgetting the identity of the client.
How do you solve conflicts of style with your clients? I usually try to make the client understand my style choices, I explain the research path that brought me to that decision, and I show them references to make them understand why a certain style is a better choice
How do you source your clothes? I usually work with the press offices, but I also have a huge archive room/storage. I’m always buying clothes from vintage markets, or sample sales, and so many brands just give me clothes. I never stop adding pieces to my archive, it is always in progress!
Stay Connected
to Ramona at www.ramonatabita.com
Kickstart Your
Fashion Career
Meryl Streep as Editor of Runway Magazine and Anne Hathaway as a recent college graduate with big dreams in Devil Wears Prada
It is a dream for many to land a job at the biggest fashion publication or fashion house and for many it just stops there…a dream. The fashion industry is often considered difficult to break into and perhaps even harder to stay in and remain relevant as each season comes with a new trend and fresh talent emerges. But if you can at least get in it is a start. The question is how. We talk to Chloe Brassey, Director at fashion and luxury retail agency Four Seasons Recruitment. We ask whether a fashion qualification is necessary and was the ‘Devil Wears Prada’ a real depiction of the fashion world? Do you think having a fashion qualification helps you get ahead or is it more about the experience? You need to have a mixture of both. A relevant qualification clearly defines the career path you have chosen to take. However, the more internships and experience you gain the better qualified you are to do a job.
What’s the current market like? Are there still plenty of jobs out there? There are a lot of opportunities out there, you just need to figure out which career path is right for you and do your best to stand out among other candidates – your competitors! A lot of people want to work for the top fashion houses so the more boxes you tick, the better.
How do you feel about free labour in the name of exposure or gaining experience? If you have the opportunity to do a sandwich year while studying, we would advise you to take advantage of it as this is often paid and will give you a year of fulltime experience which is invaluable. Internships are a fantastic idea and if you can afford to work for free but get exposure to a top brand it may be worth it long term and will help you enter the market! Another great alternative is to register with Four Seasons Recruitment to do temporary work within luxury retail. As well as boosting your CV and getting paid well above the London minimum wage, this will give you first-hand experience with some of the biggest brands in fashion.
What can one do to make sure they stand out from other candidates? • Have a clear and concise CV • Make sure you have relevant work experience on your CV • Choose the field you wish to get into and ensure everything you do is in line with that ambition • Employers are looking for someone passionate that has a clear ‘path’, not someone that changes direction too often
Some people assume the fashion world is tough and a brutal world to work in much like scenes from the ‘Devil Wears Prada’. Is there a high employee turnover in fashion and why do you think that is? Like most industries you have to work hard to be noticed. The hours are long and expectations in the fashion world are high and that’s not for everyone. However, if you are passionate and driven towards a career in fashion there are lots of opportunities to work hard, develop, progress and make a name for yourself.
FSR recruit in retail, wholesale, visual merchandising, design, buying, merchandising, marketing, PR and eCommerce
We’ve seen various fashion brands promote diversity within their campaigns. Is the same reciprocated in their recruitment? Absolutely – skills and experience take precedence over anything else when we try and match the right candidate with the right brand.
What ‘FSRL’ approved advice would you like to share with our readers? Choose a career path that you are passionate about and try to get as much experience as possible within that field, anything that can help you stand out in a crowded room. When you have 6 months to a year’s experience, call us and we’ll see how we can help.
Register
with Four Seasons at www.fsrl.co.uk and escalate your fashion career to the next level.
Style Street
by Jean-baptiste Pellerin
Chateau-Rouge
Courtyard of Ngor district in Dakar.
Les Halles
Rue Du Faubourg Saint-Denis
Lower East Side, New York
Rue Lafayette
Rue Léon Jouhaux
Rue Montorgueil
Rue Sainte-Croixde-la-Bretonnerie
Times Square, New York
Founder Cem _ Roj outside their Boxpark What The Pitta location
What The Pitta
The Vegan Döner That Might Just Change Your Life After a night out all most of want to do is find a kebab shop and grab that greasy kebab and hot chips with burger sauce and slight squirt of barbeque sauce. As you sink your teeth into that kebab and all those spices awaken your taste buds and take you to another place. The next morning you wake up with sauce all down your clothes, which you forgot to change out of and realize you have a ‘What The Pitta’ food wrapper in your hands so you obviously wonder to yourself ‘What The Pitta?’, get on to good ol google and find you had a meatless vegan kebab which tasted even better than your usual meaty one. This is exactly what happened to me guys after a night out in Shoreditch, I kid you not. In my digging I thought it would be better to hear it from the horse’s mouth (no pun intended). Co-founder Cem talks us through a ‘What The Pitta’ mouthful experience and a vegan doner domination quest. We are so used to grabbing a meaty kebab after a heavy night out, so why should we opt for a veggie döner instead? Number one it’s all about flavour which is what people are looking for whether
they’re meat eaters or not. We cook everything from scratch from our marinated soya pieces, our breads, hummus and tzatziki. We always have customers come back to us saying that our döner was the first they’d eaten that
Meat free kebab with homemade hummus followed by crunchy lettuce, pickled red cabbage, onions and tomatoes
didn’t make them feel gross and bloated afterwards and customers often express how surprised they are that it’s actually a meat free version!
What was your favourite meat dish before you gave up meat and dairy? I did love a good juicy burger but with the new ‘Impossible burger’, I feel we finally have a vegan alternative that hits the mark on flavour and texture. No more crumbly falafel burgers!
What’s your reaction when people say going vegan/veggie is hard? Everything is hard until you gain some experience. Simply educate yourself with online content or speak to someone who’s been doing it for a while. I chose veganism initially because of the health benefits and we all know life will be a lot harder if you’re suffering from a host of illnesses that can come with a heavy meat-based diet, so it’s a trade-off, short term pleasure < long term health and well-being. You don’t have to go all in straight away either, having more meat free days is a good start.
How would you describe a ‘What The Pitta’ mouthful experience? People always mention how tasty our bread is which is the first flavour that kicks in, then you get your homemade hummus followed by crunchy lettuce, pickled red cabbage, onions and tomatoes. Once you get to the meaty soya pieces the authentic Turkish flavours fill your mouth then you hit the cold fresh garlic tzatziki and the tingle of our new spicy chilli sauce loaded with scotch bonnets. There’s a lot going on with our vegan döner!
You’ve got spots in Brighton, Camden and Boxpark Croydon where is the vegan doner domination quest taking you next? How do you source which areas to expand to? At the moment I’m on the scout for shops in both Brixton and Manchester’s Northern Quarter. I feel we can have ‘What The Pitta’s’ all over but we’re still finding our feet as a new small business so it’s logistics and experience that’s really stopping us from growing as quickly as we would like to.
Meat free kebab
Try Out
What The Pitta at
89-91 Bayham Street – Camden Boxpark Croydon – Unit 9, 99 George St, London CR0 1LD Boxpark Shoreditch – Unit 52, 2-10 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6GY Brighton – 14 East Street, BN1 1HP
Music Interview A.M. SNiPer Whilst working on an album due for release this year, the English-Cypriot rapper A.M. SNiPER is heavily involved with the Greek and Cypriot media, Ayia Napa nightlife, music and entertainment industry/events and WaterWorld water park. If you do follow A.M on Instagram you will often see him hanging out with the likes of Chris Brown, Tinie Tempah and Tekashi. A.M. is constantly working as an artist, record producer, international entrepreneur. The former member of So Solid Crew’s latest track ‘GANGSTA’, has gained over 4 million views all without any promo in the UK, which goes to show how much of a worldwide presence A.M. SNiPER has. You were recently nominated as ‘Man of the Year’ in Cyprus’ MAN Magazine, you are a rapper, producer and entrepreneur. How do you juggle your various roles and ensure you devote enough time to each one? NO SLEEP! Hahahah… The key is that we all work as a solid family unit and with so many things going on, the right people combined with the right delegation skills will bring around the required results, sometimes you just gotta go on autopilot and see it all through, organised chaos… We are blessed that the TEAM is so synced and that is what takes the whole setup far, after-all T.E.A.M = Together Everyone Achieves More. Honestly though
crossing between the left and right side of the brain is challenging and it slows down creativity at times, that is why I take my time with releases and they haven’t been as frequent as they should have been, especially combined with the fact that I’ve just joined the DADDY club and boy is that a challenge! The most beautiful one I have the pleasure of enjoying though. From your days in So Solid Crew, to working with the likes of Chris Brown, The Game and Afro B, all varied genres. How would you describe your style of music? It goes without saying that I’m a soundman, everyone knows that within the industry, I’ve helped break records that were number one as well global hits, from Kent Jones’ ‘Don’t Mind’ to Wiley’s ‘Heatwave’… However, A.M. SNiPER is
between Napa and London, nothing wears off in my eyes for now, not the party scene, not the work, and not the duties, I am a full on workaholic it’s 4:24am and I’m doing this interview, and every day is a new day so why take anything for granted… Grateful is the mood for sure!
definitely a hip-hop artist who is never scared to experiment and above all tries to sound unique so there will never be any comparisons, I’m really enjoying sculpting my own identity within the scene, sounding like me, and just competing with myself.
What can we expect from your upcoming album? Let’s release some singles first and we see where that takes us, the album might or might not be complete ;) it all depends but 2019 will see my debut album for sure and it will be a journey, connecting past, present, and future…
Who are some of the artists that you are working with now? Can we expect features on your album? The Game is on it like you mentioned, Wiley, Afro B, and there will be some other legends as well as new artists you have never heard of or by the time I drop, they might even be global super stars but for sure the album is A.M. and then about who is on it, the features will complement the sound…
What is it like living in Ayia Napa? Has the novelty of the party scene worn off yet or is everyday a new party? I was never based here full time until my daughter was born and I found Athens, Greece to be a nice creative spot in
Would you be up for a So Solid reunion? I was never a front figure in So Solid, but a reunion is always a blessing, even when it happens behind the scenes, it’s ‘Solid Love’ forever without that brand I would not see what the music world is like, good and bad. But I think the guys are all doing their thing and it’s beautiful!
Being based in Ayia Napa has that had an effect on your music, as in do you have to do more to push your music through in the UK for example? I couldn’t come to the UK so it has been frustrating at times, and it is always harder, as they say, out of sight out of mind, but Napa would not be what it is if I didn’t think of ways to promote my sound and book some incredible talent to come through, it also kept me away in order to focus on creativity, anyway mans about now so that is all irrelevant let’s chart some music and have fun!
Make sure you
Follow Me & Tag Me @snipermusic everywhere! Thank you!
Madd
Kyng
The Afrofuturism Art World with Madd Kyng Madd Kyng (Michael Kendrix Temple) is a creative Painter and designer with a diverse background in Art based in Houston. Madd works to produce Afrofuturism style pieces which he describes as Classical Art history infused with an afrocentric twist. What is your creative process like? How do you get yourself into the mood and bring your pieces to life? Honestly I have used psychedelics that have forever changed my perception on how I view the simplest subjects. In a
world filled with so much inspiration and having altered perception on life, the mood is forever to create and bring concepts to life. Seeing that the world of art is always evolving, one must stay driven to stay on the forefront.
Even artist have to eat too. So how do you come up with a profitable pricing structure for your pieces? When it comes to pricing, the variables to consider are the length of time you take to paint a painting, costs of materials, and other incidental expenses like framing and transportation to establish a base point. Because I have a diverse financial audience, I don’t allow people’s budgets to dictate my prices. I simply create different levels of affordable art from my large custom art to the embellished prints for those who can’t quite afford a large custom piece.
What do you believe is a key element in creating a good composition that speaks to people? There is not just one key element when creating a good composition, but several of them. One must incorporate Unity, Balance, Movement, Rhythm, Focus, Contrast, Pattern and Proportion. By arranging these elements in a decorative matter, the painter can capture the viewer like a deer struck by headlights.
Do you feel most of what you know and can do is through your degree in Applied Arts and Science or is it more skill and talent? In the great words of J.Cole “To the OGs, I’m thankin’; you now, Was watchin’; you when you was pavin’; the ground, I copied your cadence, I mirrored your style, I studied the greats, I’m the greatest right now”. For me I studied the techniques of the old paint masters to acquire the skill. Once I had the skills, all it took was a dedicated work ethic to develop my talent. Knowledge of craft plus hard work equals a great talent.
How would you describe your style of work which you term as ‘Afrofuturism’? To describe my style of work, first I must tell you the meaning of Afrofuturism, which is a cultural aesthetic that combines science-fiction, history and fantasy to explore the African-American experience and aims to connect those from the black diaspora with their forgotten African ancestry. My style of work consists of Classical Art history infused with an afrocentric twist while also including a lot of pop culture in my work as well. I put all my thoughts and knowledge cohesively into my work, showing the technical skills of the old masters, while showing a wild imagination using a spectrum of mediums.
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Demur Decks -
A Playlist That Keeps
Singer/Songwriter NIPAH shares with us the songs that she is spinning on her playlist including the songs she dances to when no one is looking. Song that describes your current mood? NIPAH’s latest single ‘WAVE’ is out now all streaming platforms. Afroman - Because I Got High What is the one song that gets you fired up anytime, any day? Million Stylez - Miss Fatty What is the one song you cannot get out of your head? Juls - Early What is your favourite song from your favourite artist? Beyonce - Signs Your go to karaoke song? Amy Winehouse - Me & Mr. Jones Songs that describes what you have lined up for the rest of the year Lil Kim - No Matter What They Say The song you dance to when no one is looking? Any bashment songs... Aidonia- Yuh Can Wine
Amy Winehouse
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