MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 2013
ARTIST: BLOUH, “Art Is Our Salvation”
Street Art Save My Life Facebook.com/streetartsavemylife
Model: Reese Clothing: Johntine’s Boutique Makeup: Katherine Silverio Director: Genese Nicole Styling: Naesha McDowell
WHAT THE FUNK’S INSIDE 5..................THE RUNDOWN 6.................. EDITOR’S NOTE 7................. LET THE CHURCH SAY: LUCKY CHURCH 15.................. INSIDE JOHNTINE’S BOUTIQUE: PHOTO SPREAD 23................. THE HULK CRONUT: RECIPE by CHEF JOSIE 27................. URBAN MYTHOLOGY: THE EVOLUTION OF GAMING 31................ DAVENCE’S COSPLAY ZONE W/ SCOTT SPEARMAN 37................. L.A.M.B: BRITINEY BDOT DILLENGER 51................. SOCA NIA INTERVIEW
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E EDITOR-IN-CHIEF C.E. LAWTON SENIOR EDITOR GENESE NICOLE CREATIVE DIRECTORS C.E. LAWTON & GENESE NICOLE MANAGING EDITOR NAESHA MCDOWELL CONTRIBUTORS DAVENCE YOUNG, JOSETTH GORDON, ROSHAWN TYLER ADVERTISING info@funktheformulamag.com FUNKTHEFORMULAMAG.COM It’s the commentary of your life ... but better. Art. Culture. And Then some.
FOLLOW FUNKTHEFORMULA FACEBOOK.COM/FUNKTHEFORMULA TWITTER: @FUNKTHEFORMULA YOUTUBE.COM/FUNKTHEFORMULA INSTAGRAM: @FUNKTHEFORMULAMAG
COVER & LEFT: Model, Latoya Reese in clothing provided by Johntine’s Boutique
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EDITOR’S NOTE A Resolution for Evolution
The year is coming to a close. As always we’re back again with some fresh content, the latest photo spreads, what’s new in the Cosplay Zone with our main man, Davence, and some very special music features. Going into 2014 we have learned a lot over the past year of being in publication; all the work that goes in to building great content and imagery and what we’ll need to do to be even greater than our first year has put forth. Trust and believe we have much love for ALL of our supporters, contributors and those that have sat down with us in one form or another to give us and our readers a piece of them as we look closer at their individual journeys thorugh their careers. We thank you all for being a part of the FTF experience and are excited to bring to you all that we have planned for year 2 of FunktheFormula Magazine. Our New Years Resolution is a strong one that we’re looking to fulfill! In the meantime, enjoy what we have within our latest pages! -C.E. Have questions, suggests, comments? Feel free to contact us: info@funktheformulamag.com
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Harlem born, Bronx bred Funk Soul Hip Hop brotha, Lucky Church couldn’t have been in a better magazine, or better issue.
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ow’d you get your start in music? Good question. I was raised around music period. I was always kind of hindered, I grew up in a Baptist Church family, so they didn’t want secular music in the home. I used to listen to Casey Casem back in the day, Z100, and he would have every Sunday the top 100 songs… and I found myself sneaking to listen to music that I loved. But at home I had the Gospel roots, John P. Key and those kind of singers. So I’d say it really hit me, maybe around 10 or 11 honestly, and I would just be under covers sneaking listens to the radio stations … and I never got caught! (laughs) So my grandparents , if they were to hear this, they would beat my behind. (laughs) Would you say that music influences the music you do today? I feel a lot of soul in your music. Oh yeah, a lot of soul. My grandparents were the church influence, I went to church every Sunday, Faith Memorial in the Bronx. But my aunts and uncles and some close friends were also responsible. So if I went to an aunt’s house I would hear a lot of the disco, Donna Summers, Traci Latimore, stuff like that. And then I would go to an uncle’s house and he would play a lot of funk; Otis Redding, Parliament Funkfadelic, Marvin Gaye. It wasn’t until college that I learned what rock music was. I learned about Prince at an early age and didn’t know that was rock music. At a young age, to me music had no genre, I just loved music; whether it was Michael Jackson, Prince, Living Colour, Tina Marie… Pots and pans (laughs) I loved it all. So would you say college is where Lucky Church was born? I had Lucky since high school. Came from going through a lot with my family, a lot of crazy things in my life, so all of my friends started calling me Lucky because I always seemed to get out of trouble, or trouble never really found me…. Even though I was set up with this type of life where anybody could take the wrong road and went to jail or did a lot of bad things. Not to say that I’m perfect. And how did the Church part come in? Is that an influence of your background? A little. Given that I was raised by my grandparents… Reverend Simons was a minister, my grandmother was the First Lady. The funny thing is they never let me in the choir much (laughs). I loved to sing… I discovered at a young age I have a really high voice (laughs) and that I could hit high notes… The funny thing is, I think them hindering me from singing so much and me having to sneak and do it is what taught me to sing low and I followed a lot of female singers like Mariah Carey – which is weird, you probably won’t hear many men say that (laughs) – but I found myself sing to a lot of her songs and I think that’s how a lot of the soul snuck in there, along with influences like Marvin Gaye and the other stuff. So I was definitely heavily influenced by my grandparents, my family, my friends in college, and college, SUNY Farmingdale, is where I met Jus (of JusEvolution). I remember we would walk into every girls’ dorm room and he would play his guitar and I would sing, that was our little gimmick (laughs). But I would walk into his room and he had these posters of like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepplin and was like “who the hell are these guys?” at 19 years old. And I look back now and it seems crazy that a kid at 19 didn’t know about these classics. It’s absurd to me now, but I’m living proof, given that I was kind of sheltered. And he would play Hendrix tapes for me and I started watching different festivals and I fell in love with Led Zepplin and Robert Plantt became one of my favorite singers of all time. I thought I was going to be the next Usher, or the next R&B king! (laughs) But there’s something about rock music that really bit me. And what was the reception of your grandparents and family to you doing music? They weren’t very supportive at first. My grandparents both passed away in 8
2009, so before they passed they began to approve of it because they saw the steps I was making. But earlier they didn’t because my grandfather, given that he was from the old school and had that strong background of hard work, having a regular job and supporting the family – his father was a sharecropper . So it hurt me as a kid, but the older I got, the more I understood he was a person of his circumstances; he only taught me what he knew so it was up to me to grow up, take that knowledge and see if it was the right thing to do or follow my own path, which is what I did. I know, at this moment, they would be proud for sure. You mentioned having a particular past. How often do you find yourself pulling from that past to make the music that you do? All the time. To be honest it’s painful but therapeutic. I found myself, even if I didn’t want to, touching on things I’ve gone through or at least somebody close to me has been through. Life’s the best teacher, and it doesn’t get any simpler than that. Someone asked me how do you stay so happy with everything you’ve gone through? I told them it’s because I choose to. And people think that’s crazy, but it literally is a choice And some people go through certain situations they can’t help, but for us that can, it’s a choice. You can either let those clouds rain on you or you can take a bar of soap and take a shower in those clouds. How did you find that point of turnaround? I used to write poetry, at a young age … and my grandparents HATED my poetry. My poetry was very dark. I would say up until age 29 I found myself still searching for everyone’s approval, not realizing the power I had in my own self. So at about 15, 16 the realization came from my teacher, Ms. North who read my poetry. I would cut class, and I was an A student in junior high school, and I went into high school with the mindset of “there’s no reward for this, there’s no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, I’m still coming home, getting beat up, going through the abuse, why do good in school?” She was the one who said “don’t do good for your parents or anyone else, you’ve gotta do good for you. What do YOU want out of life? You have a lot of potential, you can really take things far and you have a lot to offer people because your perspective on life is different.” So I’ve gotta thank Ms. North for showing me that at a young age, but it didn’t hit me in life till about 29 and I really got it. Would you say the issues of the abuse led to you being around your grandparents more? My mom passed in 2004, I believe. She was heavily addicted to drugs, crack, coke, everything. She 9
tried her best to raise me in Harlem, 145th and Lenox. The last day I saw her, I think I was 5, she brought me and my brother, who was 3 to my aunt Bernadette’s house. She said “oh I’ll be back, I’m going to get some milk.” And she never came back. My aunt was 21 at the time and just married so she wasn’t ready to take care of any kids, so she brought me to my grandparent’s house and my brother, Tyrone to my aunt Denise’s house. The weird thing is, as a kid I guess when you’re separated from someone for a long time, family or not, you tend to forget them, because now it’s all about you. I wasn’t reintroduced to my brother until I was about 9, and in that timeframe when he was gone from me there was a lot of abuse going on with my grandparents… And it’s hard to talk about my grandfather because he was a reverend. You know the pipes you lift weights with? That’s the type of stuff we would get beat with. He would put us in a tub of water and he would walk over with the salt – and this is the first time I knew what sea salt was. He’d put the salt in the water and beat us in the water so the salt could go in the wounds. At that time, it really tormented me, especially bringing home A grades. My only conduct issue was I was talking too much or a class clown, you know? (laughs). He put a gun in my mouth one time, trying to kill me for staying out too late. I was actually out with my friend at the time, who I consider a sister, trying to save her life. 10 guys were going to murder her… And I was a small guy at 5’7”, 110 lbs. soaking wet. And I came home after midnight, and he stuffed a gun in my mouth in front of my brother who has had issues with trust since that day… And my grandmother just watched. And these are people that I loved to death. So something like that throws you off. And I don’t think he meant it, I think he thought it would make me a better man … because that’s the culture he came from. I would hear the stories of walking to school with no shoes or his father would beat him like a dog, and those are the things that a scarred person leaves scars on other people. And even I was guilty of doing the same until I knew the where the pain was coming from. And I chose to break the cycle. That’s why I don’t have kids to this day, and I’ve been with my lady for 17 years. I told my lady I didn’t want to have kids early on because I didn’t want to be like them. Even though I knew I didn’t want to be like them, I would’ve easily became them because of the industry I
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was in. If I would’ve had a kid while doing my music; I knew it would’ve been about me because I wanted to be successful … And that’s not the father I wanted to be. So if it means having to wait for a point in my life where I would be better and ready, so be it… Phew! (laughs) Are you still in contact with your brother to this day? Yes, I’m still in contact with Tyrone. Our relationship is a little weird. It’s umm… It’s our grandparent’s fault to a degree, but I’m working on building it. They played mind games with us, and I’ll give 11
you an example. If my brother did something wrong, they would sit us both at the dinner table… They would give me a plate of steak. And mind you, we never really got the good food. But this day, when he was in trouble, I got the good food, he got a piece of old, crusty wheat bread and water. And as a kid, you’re not thinking of the game they’re playing, you’re just like… Eating slow (laughs) and being spiteful and devilish but not on purposes and not realizing you’re set up to play that game for them. I would eat the whole plate, he would be sitting there crying and they would give
me a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. So that’s why our relationship is a little weird now, but we’re working on it. I love my brother to death. If anything happened to me, he’d be there, and I’d be there if anything happened to him, no question. The love is there, it’s just a weird love only we could understand. And I just found I have other brothers and sisters that I just found on Facebook. (both laugh) Facebook is good for that (laugh). How did you find yourself getting involved with the band, JusEvolution? You met the band in college? I met Jus, who already had JusEvolution in college. JUSEvolution stands for Just Understanding Self Evolution. We’ve been through a lot and most people don’t know how to evolve, they get stagnant. Most people who would have been through what we’ve been through as a band would crumble and walk away; we look at the situation, we figure out the tools to make it work, and we adapt. And that’s why we’ve been able to evolve. The band was a 3 piece. Jus would rap and play the guitar, he was ahead of his time. In 2001 he ended up on the first season of Puffy’s “Making The Band.” He was actually in the final 10 with Babs and Ness and that whole crew, that’s actually how I met all of them. We went out and did shows together. After the show, he was trying to figure out the next move, so we ended up moving in together, and we lived in the Bronx, 163rd and Teller, trying to find our way. By that time, his band ha dissolved and he was thinking of starting the band up again and asked me if I wanted to be one of the singers. I was like “fuck yeah!” and at that time I was still trying to find myself. I was wearing fitted hats and dress shirts, and this what I thought my persona on stage should be; was I like the business hip hop guy? (laughs) It wasn’t right. And I still wear fitteds to this day, but now I know how to put things together to be who I am; I found my style. So we started putting a plan together, shows started coming in. And we’ve went through our share of members, but the core has always been Jus, myself and Brian, our drummer. Our current members have been with us for about a year. But no matter how members changed, there was never any bad blood with anyone that’s left or remained, its still love, which is rare in those kinds of stories. So how many projects do you guys have?
This is going to be our third EP. We’ve traveled… Our biggest show to date and our biggest following is in Germany; we did a college tour there. I’m talking, when we got off the plane people were there and knew who we were. It was surreal. Funny thing is that at that time, everything was trying to stop us from going on this tour. Mind you the college kids there asked us to come. Our drummer at the time had to deal with child support, and with that you can’t leave the country. Our guitarist left to play with Scott Stapp…. And I wasn’t mad at him, go get that money (laughs) but we also had a tour coming up. And the bass player was from the Philippines on a work visa, so they weren’t going to give him another visa to go to Germany. So we found all this out and had to replace 3 members a week before the tour. Good friend of mine, the drummer from Earl Greyhound, Rick Sheridan, joined the tour; our bass player found a new guitar player for us who learned the songs on the plane. The bass player from another band from Ireland on the tour with us joined and learned the songs the day of (laughs). So that video I sent you of that performance, THAT’S the story behind it (laughs). Very Lucky indeed. (laughs) From there we did FuseTV, bunch of different Battle Of The Bands, couple of other things for MTV. So we’ve been around for a while but now I feel like we’ve finally come into our own. We’re writing better than ever, bonding more than ever. I just feel blessed to do what I love and make a little change to survive, and so many people can’t say that. Very Happy. How has your relationship and your love driven you? Man … I’m the luckiest man on earth, hence the name (laughs). Sometimes I wake up in the morning and look at her face and I’m like “why are you still here?” Just because, she could’ve chose anybody, you know? I met her in high school, Dewitt Clinton in the Bronx. And… Everything in our relationship just … Happened. And I give this advice to men … Be smart enough to hold onto the one that loves you hard. Don’t regret losing that person that gave you love and you felt the love for them just because you were vain and looking for something else. I’m fortunate and blessed that my woman happens to be a good woman on the inside and gorgeous on the outside. I got lucky to find her early in life. I think back 12
to high school, what made me fall in love with her was this… I couldn’t afford to buy her a birthday gift. So I bought her a simple keychain, you know the 99 cent little glass mirrors with the 2 hearts you get from those stands? (laughs) And she’s broken down crying, saying it’s just because I even thought of her. Most of her boyfriends he would buy gifts for her and they wouldn’t buy her anything. One time she took a gift back and said “look, take this money, go get set for this job interview, get some slacks, get the job and just start stacking your money.” WHAT?? That’s when I knew. Having somebody who didn’t have to believe me and love me in the way she did, showed me what really unconditional love. I felt like the Heavens opened up and sent her to me as my gift, and I was just smart enough to hold onto her. Where can people find your music and the projects you’re working on? Youtube.com/waltersimons1 is where you can find the best band footage and
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different projects I’ve been working on; My work with artist Cocoa Sarai, The Great American Health Challenge reality show I did a few years back, a health competition with NBC New York – I won as a part of Team Bronx. Also JusEvolution on Soundcloud. Any advice that you have for anyone trying to make it in music or life period? Believe in you, because if you don’t believe it, you can’t expect anyone else to. Once you open your heart to yourself, and love yourself, you’ll know how to love someone else, you’ll know how to treat someone else. And not everyone will love you but you have to be comfortable with understanding that. If you believe in something, fight for it, let that passion drive you. That’s what’s kept me alive this long and that fire burning. + https://soundcloud.com/jus-evolution Youtube.com/waltersimons1 http://cocoasarai.com/
e n i t n h o J ique t u o B d o o m ry e v e r u o y t 6 fi 2 o 2 t 1 s s n e g z i i s s e n D i g n i z i l a i c e Sp
’e s Model: Reese Clothing: Johntine’s Boutique Makeup: Katherine Silverio Director: Genese Nicole Styling: Naesha McDowell
Model: Reese Clothing: Johntine’s Boutique Makeup: Katherine Silverio Director: Genese Nicole Styling: Naesha McDowell
3, MIC CON 201 O C F O S L E E H THE INSPIRED N A S U COMING OFF S G IN R B ! T CHEF JOSIE UR STOMACH O Y OUR RESIDEN K C O R O T SURE CONFECTION
THE
A Massive Croissant-Donut with Serious Intimidation Factor
let’s face it...
if The Hulk stepped foot in a room you were in, you’d wet your pants. Partially in awe, partially in fear. He starts out at least 8 feet tall and that’s only while he’s a little peeved. The infinite strength and oftentimes inability to reason make him the ultimate monster. It’s a wonder why so many adore him. But real fans know it’s because deep down inside, there is a very tender human. A genius scientist who walks about the Earth seemingly as average as John Doe. We are reminded of this whenever Hulk sees his Betty and starts to commiserate. You can’t help but feel bad for him (whilst he crushes someone’s spleen). And then there’s the Cronut… It’s another wonder of the modern world. In a time of green and clean eating, the item of food that gets everyone’s praise is a deep-fried croissant shaped like a donut, shot into stardom by Dominique Ansel of the Soho bakery in New York. The Cronut name was wisely trademarked and Mr. Ansel has remained mum on his pastry recipe. You could hear the bitter hisses from all the way to Japan. Chefs there have been reverse engineering the recipe since news hit. But I never take no or impossible for an answer. So not only will I show you a simple way to croissant-donut victory, we’ll do it to the Hulk-eth power! Massive flaky, tender layers of pastry filled with oh-so-sweet white chocolate and then drizzled with green matcha powder to keep it earthy, somewhat manly, and green. Very, VERY green. The flavor is wonderful and though the size is intimidating, remember it’s meant to be shared.
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white chocolate and matcha croissant-donut Serves 12
Ingredients
6 sheets of puff pastry, thawed Oil, for deep frying 1.5 cups white chocolate chips 1.5 cup sugar 1 cup confectioners sugar 3 TB matcha powder 2 drops of green dye 3 TB water
Method
To make the croissant donut: Heat the oil in a large sauce pan until a deep-fry thermometer registers between 350 and 380F. Lay a sheet of 12x20 inch parchment on a workspace. Place one sheet of puff pastry on it. Keep layering the other 5 sheets removing any packaging that may come with them. Use a rolling pin to lightly roll over the full length of the dough. This helps the layers stick together better while frying. Refrigerate for 5 minutes. Cut down the center of the pastry and place one half on top of the other half. There should be 12 layers of puff pastry stacked on top of each other measuring a rectangle of about 12x10 inches. Using a dessert plate as a guide, carve a circle in the dough. This is the outer rim. Use a biscuit cutter to cut the center portion of dough out. Discard both excess pieces.
I’d like to see you fry! temps over 350 really make my dough boil!
Slip the dough into the fryer oil and cook until browned. Flip twice with tongs. The dough will puff up and crisp. This would take about 8 minutes.
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For the white chocolate filling:
Place the white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute on 50% power. Stir the chocolate until it melts. If there are chips still visible, heat for another 30 seconds. Continue until the chocolate is silky and smooth when stirred. Pour the chocolate into a squeeze bottle. The opening tip of the bottle should be about an 1/8th inch wide.
fill me up for ultimate taste!
Carefully insert the tip of the bottle into various crevices of the pastry and squeeze to fill. Choose about 10 different positions to make sure each slice would have some chocolate. Let the pastry cool in the refrigerator until the chocolate is no longer runny. Roll the sides of the pastry in sugar.
For the green matcha glaze:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir till smooth. The mix should be thick but pourable. Drizzle the matcha glaze all over the top of the pastry. Let it dry completely before serving.
Hulk Hungry...
Food Network Chopped Champion, Chef Josie Gordon is the chef and owner of Lively Palate in NYC. She has co-authored the dinner party bible “Party Like A Culinista� which was published by Lake Isle Press in 2011. Chef Josie’s mission is to heal people and strengthen their friendly bonds through meaningful social interaction over shared food.
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ARTIST: BLOUH, “Unexpected Meeting”
Street Art Save My Life Facebook.com/streetartsavemylife
Roshawn Tyler's
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First video games were Nintendo, Sega, and Atari. As a kid, playing on those 8bit systems was fun; from Mario Brothers to Metriod, to Double Dragon to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Very big colorful step from the previous systems like Telstar(1976) & Colecovision (1982) . As the decades went by, we witnessed and experienced new improved systems with better graphics and better entertainment such as Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Turbo Grafx 16 and Neo Geo. 16 bits of power that brought you an arcade like experience from home. Classic titles like Super Mario, Street Fighter, Donkey Kong Country, these games set the bar for what we thought at the time couldn’t get any better. Then came a new era of technology, Compact Disc. Video games left the cartridges behind and jumped to CD. More freedom, more power to expand and give consumers something they never experienced before, EVER. Sega CD was revolutionary for that. Video games now had animation and were like playing a movie. I remember my first Sega CD and playing classics like Time Gal and Road Avenger. The birth of time sequence where you had to push a button when it told you at that exact moment. Even then, we thought games couldn’t get better than this. Fast forward ten years later, the disc has revolutionized video games yet again. While Sony Playstation and Playstation 2 and X box gave us great enjoyment and new titles, the bar was raised. Sony Playstation 3 and Microsoft X box 360 wowed everybody so much when they were introduced, I’m not even sure I can call em game systems anymore. I mean these are the best movies I ever played.
The video game industry is becoming bigger than life. Actors, athletes and even musicians are getting involved as if they were game designers themselves.  With social media now forever growing, video games now tapped into that market as well. I remember games on cell phones like brick breaker, solitaire, basically card games. Now with smartphones with touch screens and powerful technology we can enjoy arcade style games while we travel. We seen our favorite classics like Tetris, and Bejewed brought into today’s generation with new colors and fun exciting game modes that are ADDICTIVE. Along with future classics like Angry Birds, Fruit Slice and Candy Crush. When connected online we can play with friends, challenge each other and ask for help via Facebook. All from the comfort of our own homes or the train, store, restaurants ... Hell, even while the sex is boring, haha!
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Grand Theft Auto went from being a cheap micro machine looking crap with a helicopter view game play style to a larger than life social powerhouse. I’m not a fan of GTA but I can appreciate a great game for what it is. It’s like the Sims but without the sugar. Free roam environments, shopping, pulling off heists and killing cops just because (NWA would be proud). Then you have games like Uncharted. OMG, greatest game of all time! You talking about a game that looks so real and pulls you into the story. From the dialogue to the action sequences, this is what a movie is supposed to feel like. These details in these games now are far beyond belief. You can see every bit of gravel in the streets. Every single detail in vehicles and buildings. Games are becoming more adult now. Cursing, sex, drinking, oh man! Drugs ... Everything you can think of happens in these games today. Survival, walking through life like jungles catching food to survive, finding ingredients to make medicine in case you get sick. Every single thing is so realistic now. There are no more life bars; depending on where you get hit determines the damage. Video games came a long way. I’ve enjoyed more action, more thrills and chills playing these games today than I do going in theaters. And this is just the beginning with the Playstation 4 coming, with an even more powerful graphic card and faster CPU and processor. The evolution of games has just begun. +
Hello my fellow cosplay engineers. In this article I would like to expose you good folks, to a person that does REAL chainmail designs.
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I have seen your work it is really great. In case you are wondering folks, I have had the pleasure to look at some of his work and it is damn good! How long have you been doing this, Scott? Thank you. I have been working this craft, since last December. Ah, almost a year then. How did you get into the world of chainmail? Well I was homeless last year, and no one wanted to hire me. So I hired myself! I am all self -taught, too. Awesome. It always amazes me what folks can create when they have to. How has your life changed from then to now as a result of chainmail work? Well it’s been an up and down battle. I have worked for commissions up until June. Hopefully this article brings you a lot more business then. What kind of chainmail commissions have you done? My newest work is a Skirt for a GoGo dancer here in Portland My next most recent commission that I finished was an anodized aluminum gold Twilight Princess Link Cosplay, my latest one in process is a European 6 in 1 stainless steel vest. Since then I have been working on getting into cons and events. I also worked on a dragon scale tie. Ok now that is skill. How long did it take you to make that chainmail tie? Steel at that gauge is painful to get into place. It is a 60+ hour project. Dragon scale is the weave that attracted me the most. Awesome, I see a bright future for you with cosplay commissions. That tie is really ingenious. First time I have ever seen a chainmail tie. There are 2 different ring sizes. The big ones are steel the little ones are blue anodized aluminum. There are many types.
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Awesome and I would guess different weights as well? Depends on the materials really. It is very cool how you used the different types of chain links to form a pattern.
Ah, very nice so basically raves and what not. That will definitely go over well at cosplay conventions too, since they always have a rave night there.
It’s called an inlay. There is a program that allows you to design patterns. You can easily add pictures into the maille.
Pretty much. Raves and club events.
Oh very nice. What is the biggest chainmail project you have done to date?
I am also working on some glow stick charms.
The Link armor. A partial hauberk.
Awesome, So you do plan on incorporating more lighting into your chainmail designs then?
Each project is totally unique in its own way. It
shows a lot of versatility on your part. Well I believe that anything can be created out of chainmail. It all comes down to the artisan. Well said… ok one project of yours is screaming out at me so it must be discussed, the glow in the dark chainmail bracelet. Thank you. It is one of my versatile bracelets. As we all know in cosplay LED’s, and lite work always kicks the cosplay up a notch. Do you plan on taking these to a convention for sale or just selling them online solely? I plan on selling them at EDM events, Conventions, and online. What is an “EDM” event? 33
Electronic Dance Music.
Very nice.
Yes actually. I am actually having some issues in finding glow in the dark rings so I can make these again. Wow very nice, and innovative. It is just simple Japanese 12 in 2. Samurai’s used it in key places to protect from arrows and slashes. Nice. Do you have a site where our readers can see or even order some of your work? Best site to view my work, sales, and current commissions would be www.facebook.com/MajesticMaille.
Awesome, what conventions can folks see you showcasing your work this year, and next year? Well prior to next year I will be at NewCon PDX. After that I plan on applying to Sakuracon, Kumoricon, Akicon, and Gearcon. Sweet do not forget about wizard world too. That takes place towards the end of January I believe. I would LOVE to hit up WWCC but lacking the funds from work and commissions the table price is a bit out of my range. Now if I could find a backer... I hear ya, all we need is that one big ticket backer. Don’t we all. Once we find that one backer, all of the Artisans and artists out there would be amazingly off Well to my readers, you definitely need to go to this man’s site and check out his work, as well as if you’re attending any of the cons he will be at stop on by and buy one of his bracelets, the quality is amazing! Scott is has been a pleasure chatting with you. My business motto is “quality chain maille, fit for royalty and priced for everyone” and the pleasure has been all mine! +
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ARTIST: BLOUH, “Darth Vader”
Street Art Save My Life Facebook.com/streetartsavemylife Photo by Thomas Ferro
Love And Music Baby We leapt at the opportunity to sit down with the incomparable, femme fa tale, diva extradonnaire Ms. Britiney Bdot Dillenger to discuss her beginnings, her dreams and her undeniably bright future.
(This page and Right Page): Hair: Free, Glamm on The Go Salon Styling: Naesha McDowell Makeup: Tamaika Brown Director: Genese Nicole
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our name, Da Boss Lady, Britiney Bdot Dillenger is very unique. Where does it stem from? I gave myself the name “Da Boss Lady” because I am always giving directions or in some leadership position. But “Britiney Bdot Dillenger” has a deeper story. Britiney was given to me by this transgender woman that I use to date back in ‘95 when I was still on my nigga “ish,” haha. So I ran with that name. I liked it and not too many people had it. A couple of years down the line, I decided that I wanted to rap as a transgendered woman. I had the opportunity to sit down with this young business man who steered me in the right direction on becoming an artist. He blew my mind with things that I had never even
thought of before. He had asked me many questions, but the answer to most of them was, “I don’t know.” But he asked me one question that stuck with me after all of these years. He asked me, “What is your rap name?” I couldn’t believe that I had no idea. He then said, “When you find out then get back to me.” Wow. I was dumbfounded. As time went on, I tried figuring out some names that I would want to be called. A whole 2 years later, I looked up one day and realized that I liked the name, “B.” but I wanted the period to be spelled out. So “Bdot” was born. I ran with Bdot for about a year. Foxy Brown and I were hanging out one day when I told her of my dream of being a rapper. I explained my reasons for wanting this career and how necessary it was to me. So she would take me to shows and introduce me to other well-known artists. I would always tell them that I was a dope rapper. The Tom Joyner Cruise was the first time I busted my gun as an artist. When everything was over, Foxy told me that I amazed her by being so good. She would go on to always push me as an artist. Ironically, she was not a lover of the name Bdot. She told me that I needed a tougher 38
name. Something like a gun. She would go on to calling names like, ‘Machine Gun Kelly’ and ‘Gun Cock Fox’, etc. I would always laugh when she started that. One day she blurted out, ‘Dillenger’. That was it. That’s how Bdot Dillenger came about. So let’s talk shop. When did you make your emergence as Britiney? What made you want to go ahead to commit to this transformation? I started my transition in the mid 90’s. However, I wasn’t consistent with it, at all. My mother wasn’t having “all that” up in her place of residence and was not playing ANY games. So I would “be in and out of them,” which in our community is called Drag. At times I found it very difficult trying to become the woman that I wanted to be. I would end up dressing myself in the hallway of my building or carrying my clothes in a backpack and getting dressed at friends’ houses. My mom started to see changes in my body when I started hormonal therapy. My features were starting to change. My complexion changed. My breasts started growing. She couldn’t put two and two together. She just knew something was taking place. My brother would say, ‘Yo, why do you look like that?’ and I would always reply that I did not know. I had a friend sit me down one day and say to me that I needed to decide on what I was doing because I was looking too crazy. He said, “once you take yourself seriously then everyone around you will start taking you seriously.” At that very moment in 2006, I never looked back. I stepped into greatness and have been walking in it ever since. Did you make music before your transformation? No. But I was always into music. I loved it from a very young age. I just saw myself as all of the female rappers, haha. How does being a trans affect your outlook on music? I honestly believe that my time is now; especially since there are mainstream rappers such as the Game, Jadakiss and Fat Joe co-signing gays in hip hop. Recently Akon signed a transgendered artist by the name of Jeffree Star. Transgender Lavern Cox’s career has elevated from the hit reality show, P. Diddy’s “I Wanna Work For Diddy.” Transgender Isis King who shocked America as being the only trans woman on “Americas Next Top Model,” a show that traditionally showcased biological females. Look at how amazing her career is. You have my girl, Transgender Leyomi Modonolo from “Americas Best Dance Crew.” Being a transgender gives me leverage on the game because it’s something that is not touched on.
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Hair: Free, Glamm on The Go Salon Styling: Naesha McDowell Makeup: Tamaika Brown Director: Genese Nicole
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How are you received or perceived by mainstream? How are you received when you are performing? I am seen as female. That is until I open my mouth and rep my gender as well as my community. A lot of the times I step into these venues and blend right in with the crowd. My mother always said, “It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it.” My personality and my character is my craft. I take that very seriously. Someone said to me years ago that less is more and more is just simply too much. Besides this fact, I have some great people in my life that are working and pushing me to the stars. Even though I’m an artist, I don’t just do a show, it has to be THE show. You know what I mean? So far, I have worked with Providence from EMTM Records in which I was able to open up for Jadakiss. You have my girl Deshai Williams, who had me showcase for D-Teck from Konvict Musik. You got my boy over at Bad Boy, Willis June Bell, who is simply the best and taking an interest in the project. Some great things are getting ready to come through the pipe line. He has had me perform for people like Damon Eden from
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Sony Music and Dave Lighty. I’m basically destined for greatness. Performing wise I give it my all and all. When I get done performing I hear a lot of, “You did you thing” and “Keep up the good work.” I haven’t gotten any negative feedback. THANK GOD, haha. But like I said before I take my craft very seriously. I didn’t come to play any games. It’s either simply the best or better. What is your most memorable moment as an artist? When did it “click” that music is for you? When I was in Cancun with Foxy, she let me get on stage with her and rock the mic. That moment right there was really big for me. You had everyone on the stage from Doug E. Fresh to Monie Love. We were on the same line up with other great artist like Salt n’ Pepa, Lil Mo, SWV, and Mc Lyte. These were some of the people that I grew up listening to and here I was performing alongside them. That very moment I knew that was where I wanted to be, musically.
Who are your music influences? Mc Lyte, Roxanne Shante, Foxy Brown, Lil Kim, Eve, Remi Ma, Nicki Minaj, 50cent, Jay Z, Jadakiss, P. Diddy, Kanye West, Mobb Deep and Wu Tang. What keeps you motivated to keep going? My supporters. I love when random people walk up to me and say, “You’re Bdot Dillenger, right?” It’s amazing that I have never met them but they know who I am and the things that I’ve done. My community, the GLBT Community, who support me and pushes me to be greater. Knowing that I’m making a difference and becoming a role model. Most of all, I stand on the word of the Lord who directs my every move and who gives me discernment and confirmation that I’m doing the right thing.
Dress: GITO Fashions Hair: Free, Glamm on The Go Salon Styling: Naesha McDowell Makeup: Tamaika Brown Director: Genese Nicole
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“A lot of the times I step into these venues and blend right in with the crowd. My mother always said, ‘It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it.’ My personality and my character is my craft. I take that very seriously.”
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Dress: GITO Fashions Hair: Free, Glamm on The Go Salon Styling: Naesha McDowell Makeup: Tamaika Brown Director: Genese Nicole
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Fashion is a major part of your look, who are your inspirations when it comes to fashion? My mom (May She Continue to Rest In Peace), June Ambrose, Lil Kim, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Prince, Liberace and there’s a rapper turned paster by the name of Debora Hooper. What is the name of your current project and where can people download it? I’m currently working right now with Carlton Wright from CW1 Entertainment on a project. We are putting the final touches on it and are not going to release anything until it is ready. We are working hard on a couple of ideas. I love the energy and the drive for the way that it is being steered. This will not be an underground project. We are focusing on mainstream. I feel great about that. As an artist, I’m allowing the professionals to do what they do to help market and brand me. Believe me, it’s going to be great. Listeners are going to be very happy. The name of the project that I’m gearing towards is “Dragged to Riches.” What is your advice to anyone out there who may be on the same journey? Follow your dreams and do not let nothing or anyone stop you from achieving or reaching the goals that you have set in motion. +
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Dress: Gamakache Black Hair: Free, Glamm on The Go Salon Styling: Naesha McDowell Makeup: Tamaika Brown Director: Genese Nicole
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ARTIST: ZOSH & SNSA, “Blotter”
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This month, we were able to meet up with rising star, Soca Nia. Born and raised in Trinidad & Tobago, Antonia Denoon moved to the US at the age of 13. That’s not before getting a real taste of the music that has been a strong part of the history of her country. Her uncle dabbled in Soca music and heavily encouraged Nia at the age of 7, along with her young aunt, to practice hours on end crafting songs; so much so that her grandmother every now and again had to intervene requesting him to “give them a break!” But overall Soca has had a strong influence on her and her family. For her, it grew from the practice with her uncle at a young age to writing music all through high school with her close friend, Asha to what she’s working on today. Her mother writes music as well, and even now, Nia’s twin daughters come to her excited about the idea of writing songs for their loving mother. Though Nia cites some of her favorite artists as Avril Lavigne, P!ink, and Madonna, among many others, Soca has definitely been the closest to her heart. In the culture, Soca originally spawned from Calypso music; as Nia puts it, it’s the “Dancehall version of Calypso.” Where Calypso’s core was around putting forth a message to its listeners, Soca grew to be the more dancy, fun-loving, party building off-shoot and a huge part of Trinidadian, island culture. When writing, Nia crafted her songs to the style of big named artists in Soca music that she loved to listen to. However, her shyness found her more intrigued with the songwriting aspect rather than the actual singing aspect. It was through the encouragement of a good friend who felt she had a great voice for the music she was creating that Nia took a step back and finally reconsidered the idea of actually becoming a recording artist. Around 2009 after Nia’s friend Asha moved to Texas, she found herself staying in communication with her about her new aspects of taking the music writing and performing to another level. Nia recollects expressing to her friend “I’m going to be ready by 2014 … I knew 5 years ago what I wanted to do. I could’ve said 2010, or 2011… I said 2014.” When it comes to strengthening ones craft, particularly in music, Nia 51
expresses, “you need to nurture it and not rush it. It takes a certain level of comfort to get into the booth. If you’re not ready, it comes out. To sell it, you have to believe in your own music.” With that, Nia always finds herself ready and energetic when it’s time to jump in the booth, which in turn becomes a reflection of the music she’s currently building. When reaching out to a friend on Facebook, requesting any info on music producers she can work with to take her music to the next level, she was referred to Clyde “Cool” Headley, who is a bandmate of big name Soca artist, Bunji Garlin. This in itself was a major honor for Nia to have the opportunity to work with the producer behind one of Trinidad and Tobago’s biggest artists. One of the great things she finds about working with “Kool” as that he is a true personification of his moniker. “he made me feel real comfortable, so much that I was able to do [Nobody] in one take.” Nobody, Nia’s first single, was recorded on the spot in the studio, and the organic nature of creation of the track has clearly led to the strength of the party jumping single … We personally can’t stop jumping and wining up to it over at HQ, can’t even help it! To add to her “Super Crew” of music makers, Nia was also able to acquire the talents of Peter Wildfire, a songwriter for another heavy hitting Soca artist, Machel Montano. Wildfire provided background vocals for the super track, ‘Nobody.” Rebel Muzik, headed by Soca Rebel, who have worked with other top artists in the genre, have also provided the artillery to help build the music creation experience for Nia and her goals to bring Soca beyond the community and to the forefront of the music world overall. This powerhouse group has allowed her to be true to herself as an artist and record her first 2 singles in an environment of good vibes and positive outlook. “They cater to you… You sing it, you write it, you own it. And I wanted to stand out … I don’t sound like anyone, but I have enough presence to be someone.” With this, she’s been able to steadily build a fanbase of believers, not only in her but in the genre. “I don’t normally listen to soca music, but I like your sound” is what she tends to get from particular listeners, and to her that’s a great accomplishment and a sign she’s on the right track.
Her biggest battle with the music that she’s found is maintaining the authenticity of the music’s island flavor while making it modern enough for others to understand and love. “Island people don’t consider you ‘island’ unless you’re FROM the island (laughs).” Nia is hopeful, though, and is looking towards 2014 as the next level of making her country and the world believers of her music. She plans on competing in the Soca Monarch competition, the pinnacle competitive event in the islands. With a grand prize of 2 m illio n d o llar s ( ~ 13 3 , 000 U S D ) S o c a Monarch has many different version throughout the islands and even in the UK (given the strong influence of English expansion into the Caribbean long within the history of the island). Though working a 9-5 which proves difficult for regular travel to consistently market the music in the islands, Nia has sought out the assistance of DJs and other supporters in the country to help market and spread the influence of the Soca Nia sound, with the goal of competing in the smaller monarchs in before reaching the grand stage in T&T. We’d hope that Nia gains the chance to shake up Carnival in Trinidad. Just to give you an idea, Carnival is a massive Trinidadian tradition, annually (so big that it has taken 52
precedence in the world eye over the Brazilian Carnival celebration). It’s a large celebration of music, fun, positivity and the freedom of being yourself and loving others. People of all shapes, sizes, colors and genders participate with elaborate costumes and performances. From mud bands, to oil slung left, paint slung right, everyone becomes one during Carnival and The Labor Day Parade held in NYC (which has become the largest parade in the city, with a general attendance of 2 million, double the actual population of Trinidad and Tobago!). “You can not tell the homeless from the people living in the mansions. Everyone is on the same playing field. Yu dance, you laugh, you love. You are free,” says Nia. One of Nia’s biggest accomplishments has been making it to internet radio with her singles, having “Nobody” play multiple times in a show on myradiolive. com. It’s a huge experience being the first in her musical family to make it to radio, and also given that internet radio has allowed her the chance to get more in touch with her fans and interact with them directly. She hopes to continue to build the love and appreciation for the music she brings. Step by step, she plans to build her influence by spreading her current singles, “Nobody” and “Like We” just to give people a taste of who she is as an artist while building her catalog for future projects. She expresses an openness for collaborating with not only other Soca artists, but artist of other genres in an effort to bridge the gap of Soca’s appeal within her 5 year plan. “I want to to do a song with a Meek Mill, or Rick Ross, or a Jay Z. I want Soca to be as mainstream as possible, where Soca can be played in the club on the same level as other music.” We asked Nia what advice she’d give to up and comers in the music industry and she left us with this: “Never give up. Everything is a lesson, not a failure. You’re growing. Take negativity out of what you do. There’s nothing negative about trying and not getting to that point just yet. It’s grooming yourself to get ready to take the stage.” Nia is definitely an artist who’s proven the reality of this, and that “Nobody” will be badder than she. + 37 53
Twitter.com/iamsocania Instagram.com/iamsocania Facebook.com/iamsocania “Nobody” is now available on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and other music distribution sites!
The new album available now on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and more!
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FunktheFormula, Inc. 2013