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From the Editor’s Desk A full year has passed and by the grace of God All Mighty we are still here representing the indie and unsigned artists. As I have said before I didn’t think that my idea would grasp and hold people in the way that it does. I truly love all of you that have been so supportive of us during this year. We have faced many growing pains, but I do believe that we have proved ourselves as a reliable source of recognition for those artists that need a platform to be heard and seen. I have been told that imitation is the highest form of flattery and I must confess I am truly flattered by all of the people that are trying to do what we do. This year was great and next year will be better. We have so much in store for you. Not to let too much out of the bag, but G-Entertainment Magazine will be featuring artist, models, etc not only here on American soil but abroad as well. I am so excited and I can’t wait for you to see what we have in store for you. Until then enjoy…
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HAROLD “G” ABRAM, JR. MARKETING/PUBLIC RELATIONS LA’TOYA FLETCHER-ABRAM CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS PAUL H. FRANKLIN KENNY LUK D. JEROME SMEDLEY JELANI NEWTON RONTEZ RUDEBOI MCQUEEN TIG KNIGHT MAKE UP ARTIST/ STYLIST LA’TOYA FLETCHER-ABRAM CONTRIBUTING WRITERS BRIAN SHORTER T. ROSE MYNDLISS ALPHA
FOR ADVERTISEMENT INFORMATION CONTACT US @
www.g-entmagazine.net Follow us on Twitter @g_entmag Follow us on Myspace @www.myspace.com/gbone_ent Like us on Facebook G-Entertainment Magazine
Harold “G” Abram, Jr.
G-Entertainment Magazine can not accept responsibility for claims made by it’s advertiser. Advertisers who place ads in G– Entertainment Magazine do so understanding that G- Entertainment Magazine will not accept responsibility made by them in their ads; nor will the publisher be held financially accountable for errors in advertising, regardless of fault, beyond the partial or full cost of the ads themselves. Opinions expressed in GEntertainment Magazine are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the management, staff or advertisers.
table of contents
FEATURES
Artists [12] Jezabelle von Jane & The Magic City Sirens [22] FDP Kingz-Hip Hop [26] Bulldog-Radio Personality [32] BraNNue– Hip Hop [52] Leecon-R&B [54] QueeN-R&B [55] DieDra-Blues [60] TwoNfluential –R&B/Hip Hop
FASHION Fashion [36] Greg Towns– Creator of Legendary Clothing [43] Macking Fashionably [50] Amethyst Whitsey
Photo Galleries [20] All Black & Animal Print Party
G-Scenes G-SCENES[58]What’s going on in the City
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CHECK OUT THESE HOT ALBUMS
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Thousands will see this page. Why not let it be your ad being seen by our readers. Since its inception G-Entertainment Magazine has been a thriving force in the entertainment community. Not only is the magazine read in Alabama, but our readership has grown all across the globe.
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Jezabelle von Jane & GEM: Tell us about yourself? Jezabelle: I own The Magic City Sirens, they are a premiere burlesque group, here in Birmingham. I’ve been doing this now for five years and loving it. Getting around and spending time with GEntertainment Magazine, which I’m very happy to do. I love you guys. GEM: How did you get into dancing? Jezabelle: I started dancing when I was six years old. I’ve been dancing my entire life in one form or another except for ballet. Because my ballet instructor told me that I was too tall and not graceful enough for ballet and she was right (laughing). I was all knees and elbows. I’ve been dancing for about 25 years. I got into burlesque about 12 years ago. I started dancing, in Boston, with The Clad Trio and I was with them for a long time. Then I moved to Birmingham and Birmingham was absent of burlesque groups, so I filled in that
The Magic City Sirens void. GEM: Who are the members of the Magic City Sirens? Jezabelle: We have a diverse group. Our first, of course, is Jinx, the graceful , she has been with me the full five years. We have Ruby Lou who is not participating right now because she is pregnant. She has also been with me the full time that we have had the troop. Our newest girls in the troop are Ms. Abigal Lee, Ms. Tawny Rex, we have Tantiana Harry, who is our house mother, she has been with me for four years, Shayla Moore, one of newest dancers and one of our strongest vocalists, and of course me. GEM: If someone wants to audition, how would she get in contact with you? Jezabelle: You would contact me at www.magikcitysirens.co m which will send you to our facebook page. Send me your information then I will meet with you
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at our studio. Right now we are at the Magic city Dance Studio. They are gracious enough to allow us to come in on Sundays and we support them. I teach from the bottom up. I teach burlesque from the beginning to the end. If you want to audition you can audition to be on the Siren Squad or you can audition to be one of our apprentice and when your ready you will be put on stage. We offer a space for everybody nobody is excluded. We love every version of a women be her big or small. There is a place for everyone here. GEM: Where are some of the venues that your group has performed at. Jezabelle: We perform all over the Southeast and the East coast. We go back and forth from New Orleans, Mobile, South Carolina, North Carolina, all over Alabama and Florida. Pretty much the South Eastern states. This year we are venturing out to Texas and California, which is something new.
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GEM: Where do you see the Magic City Sirens in five years? Jezabelle: Hopefully, in five years I see multiple troops. Right now we have troop “A” and troop “B”. My strongest girls of course are troop “A” and troop “B” will perform more locally. Troop “A” will be our travelling troop. I’m looking for a troop in five years that travels exclusively that’s what they do from beginning to end. GEM: Do you offer lessons? Jezabelle: Yes, we do. On two Sundays of every month we offer burlesque lessons at the end of the lesson we have a small recital. GEM: How has Alabama treated your group so far? Jezabelle: I’m very lucky to be in Birmingham, Alabama. I’m surrounded by so many great performers. We have great dancers. We have theatre majors, we have graphic artist who all really work together. GEM: What type of dance do you do?
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And they’ve taken us with open arms, which has been wonderful for my girls. GEM: What type of dance do you do? Jezabelle: In our troop we are fortunate to have two trained ballerinas. Tory and I are both Jazz trained dancers. And of course we have girls that have never danced before. We incorporate a lot of Hip Hop in our burlesque, which a lot of troops are not doing. We have a lot of Nuvo type dancing as well as choreographed singing, dancing and acting. GEM: What sets the Magic City Sirens apart from other burlesque groups? Jezabelle: What sets us apart from other burlesque groups is only the icing on the cake for what we are doing. It is a wonderful melting pot of theatre as well as the vocal styles of each girl. Everything that we do is our own we don’t replicate anyone else’s shows. Its our creations and we don’t double our
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shows. Meaning, if someone hires us to do a show. We cater to the theme of that show and we do not bring that to anyone else. GEM: For the readers that may not know what burlesque dancing is could you describe it. Jezabelle: Burlesque was a movement at the beginning of the 1900s. It has turned into stand up comedy. Burlesque is a form of entertainment for the masses. Now its about women being on stage being empowered. GEM: What is your dream venue to perform at? Jezabelle: Our dream venue is called Jezebel’s and I want to open an old juke joint. I would like to have a dinner/theatre there. A full entertainment venue where people can eat dinner and they can dance at night. GEM: Do you have any shout outs? Jezabelle: I would like to thank the Magic City Dance Studio for letting us coming in. I would
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like to thank Alex on 7th and Matthew’s. Mathew’s was the one who gave us our stock here in Birmingham. All of my ladies and anyone who wants to feel empowered we are here for you.
www.magikcitysirens.com
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G-Ent. Magazine All Animal Print & Black Affair
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GEM: Let the readers know a little something about your group. Young Dirty: We started in high school rocking talent shows and in the cafeteria. We grew up in the same hood. I came from West End he came from Powderly. That’s how we linked up and we’ve been together ever since. Came up in this music thang. We both noticed that we got this talent and we are trying to put it to use. GEM: You guys were actually doing your music before you hooked up with each other? Big Cov: Yeah, at first we were solo. Then, we got with this producer named J. Mill and I guess he saw us being a group. I don’t know why it was just on from then. That was back in 2002. I don’t know what you call it because we rapped together in high school. We just hooked up. GEM: Have you guys opened up for or shared the stage with any mainstream artists? Big Cov: Never opened up for a mainstream artist. The only thing that we’ve done with any mainstream artists was Youngbloodz. We’ve been in the studio with Big Krit before everybody started knowing about him. A lot of folk...Yelawolf, Ciara and TPain. We were in Youngbloodz Presidential video that was before Chris Brown blew up... T-Pain 8 Ball and MJG were in the video too. Young Dirty: We had a chance to work around these people. GEM: Are you guys still connected to any of those people?
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Young Dirty: Not really, we’re still connected with a few though. GEM: What are you pushing right now? Young Dirty: Right now, we are pushing this song called Do Ya Dance. There’s a part 1 and a part 2. We shot the video for part 2. We got almost 4000 views in our first week. We haven't even released the first part to the song. They just heard part 2 Do Ya Dance and they have been clinging on to that. When we hit ‘em with part 1 it’s gonna be even crazier. Big Cov: I hit up B Flat, a producer in Birmingham, I had a beat in my head a song called Do Ya Dance its kinda like real club or whatever. We flipped it at the end its real melodic and he (Young Dirty) seen the vision of it and that’s how part 2 reprise came about. Young Dirty: We hooked up with Jafaar, he won artist of the year for Birmingham, he heard the track jumped on it and its been blowing up ever since. Big Cov: The video features Meme Williams and Patricia Turner. Shout out to Patricia Picket. The video also feature Kelsey Coulter. GEM: Who shot your video for you? Big Cov: The great Kenny Luk & Mz. Joi. GEM: Since you are pushing the new single are you still using any of your old
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music? Young Dirty: (pointing at his shirt) Yeah, U Gotta Pay Me is still buzzing in the streets. Big Cov: We got a street mix tape out called Crack Sells the Best. We’re comparing ourselves to crack. Young Dirty: U Gotta Pay Me was one of the first singles that we put out for that mix tape. GEM: Who influenced you to actually get into music? Young Dirty/ Big Cov: Outkasts. Young Dirty: We were big Bone fans. Big Cov: Das Effects… 8 Ball & MJG...UGK. GEM: How would you compare the way that you flow to those guys? Young Dirty: Its all of the above. Our music is just funky. Big Cov: The best way to describe it is… we were growing up listening to all these people… we keep flipping it. GEM: Is there anybody that you would like to work with? Big Cov: Drake, Andre and Pimp C Young Dirty: I’m gonna throw something outside the box…Kim and Goapele. GEM: Do you guys write your own music? Big Cov: We write all of our
own music then we shop around. Shout out to Ludacris he writes his own music. GEM: Do you come up with your own beats too? Big Cov: We come up with beats in our heads put it on the phone take it to the producer. That’s how we do all our music. Its original. Young Dirty: That’s also giving us rights for co-producing it. GEM: How has the music industry treated you guys? Big Cov: We are staying here in Birmingham, Alabama. Those others are running to other places that’s why they don’t get no love. Young Dirty: This is our city and we fell like if we don’t make a stand then nothing will happen. Like any other artist we’ve got our ups and downs. As far as Alabama goes yeah we got some love then nah we don’t have no love. GEM: Has 95.7 played you on Alabama Now? Big Cov: Nah, but if their smart they will. I mean numbers don’t lie. GEM: How can fans get in contact with you? Young Dirty: You can hit us up on Facebook, twitter, youtube and reverbnation everything is fdpkingz. GEM: Do you have any shout outs that you want to give?
Young Dirty: Yeah, shout out to Jafaar for getting up on this track, B-Flat, Kenny Luk, Mz. Joi Meme, Kelsey, Patrice, J Mill, KD and Hollow Ent. Big Cov: I want shout out all the artist, producers, promoters and everybody that helped us out. (showing his tats) We are the kings of the city.
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Bulldog –WGFX Goodfellasradio.net GEM: Here we ware with another exclusive GEntertainment Magazine interview. We are here with Mr. Bulldog from Goodfellas Radio. Would you tell our readers a little about yourself? Bulldog: I’m known as the one and only Bulldog as everybody knows here in Birmingham. I am the Human Resources Manager, I.T. Manager, auto development of WGFX Goodfellas Radio.net and Soulvive Radio as well. I was born in Birmingham, Alabama, went to Midfield High School and had a little stint at Auburn University. Then the government came and picked me up. I spent six years over seas with the C.I.A. now I’m back here doing a lot of things
trying to help my city grow. Came up with Goodfellas Radio, James Finley is the owner. He came up with it five years ago; basically because he was tired of the politics of commercial radio stations here not playing our local talent plus our unsigned artists. So, the development of Goodfellas was born five years ago in January. Right now we are in 52 countries, 1.5 million listioners and we’re just sky rocketing right now. We are just trying to give the unsigned artists a chance to shine. Along with your Jeezy, Lil Wayne and then you will play an unsigned artist in there. When you play them in the same context people say “hold up who was that?” They would get more recognition that way. That is basically the staple of Goodfellas Radio.
GEM: With all of the hats that you wear are you vice president of the radio station? Bulldog: No, not really. We have Mr. Readus Linton, he is the station manager. It goes James Finley, myself and Mr. Linton it goes down that way. Mr. Finley has the very last say so. He is the head of the company period. We just support and act. GEM: What made you want to get into radio? Bulldog: It was kinds funny how it happened. When I came back one of my best friends and three other guys started a club called Club Exotica. We were open about a year and a half. We had some problems with the city and shut down. I started doing security at Exotica and It snowballed
from then on as far as security. I started doing bounty hunting, private security, and I got into the entertainment side of it. I did some stuff for Jermaine Dupree and I did some stuff with BET at one time. I kind of got into that besides music has always sooths the savage beast as you know. These three cats came up to me one day while I was doing security on the Southside, I’ve been knowing them a long time. I’ve seen them grow up, and said we need a manager. I was kind of leading them to another person and they didn’t want that. They said they wanted me to see if I could manage them. I said that I don’t have any experience in it. I went to couple people in the industry that I know and they said that they would help me out. That’s how I really got into the industry.
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Back in ‘07, I started managing a group called Color Blind. It was an Asian cat and two Black guys. From there another friend of mine told me about the radio station. I was like ok cool let me go and check this out and see if I could get my guys on. Low and behold its James Finley and I’ve done stuff with him because he used to be a concert promoter. I did security for him. He was the first one to bring R. Kelley to Birmingham. When we saw each other it was like I know you and he was like yeah I know you. It was a match made in heaven from then on. I’ve been with the station for four years now. GEM: What is it like to work with the talent that your around everyday? Bulldog: Its kind of challenging. A lot of the talent that we deal with is the unsigned artist and trying to get them the exposure that will take them to the next level. The thing that we try to get into them is that they need to start learning the business themselves. If they look through history groups like TLC and B2K were both multi-platinum selling groups, but they were broke because they didn’t know the business and their managers took advantage of them. We try to educate them and bring them up to speed on how and what the business is all about. How to brand themselves and making sure that contracts are signed. A record label will come up and throw a million dollars in your face real quick. They need to understand that’s not their money for real. That money is just to keep them there with the record label. We try to teach them that if a record label gives them money they need to invest it in producing their albums not on bling or cars etc. Because if the album flops they owe the record label back all of this money. They all think that they will be an over night sensation. There is no such thing in the music industry. Everybody has to pay dues. Drake was out there like eight years before he got on. GEM: What is a day in your life like? Bulldog: First of all, I take care of the website for the radio station. Secondly, I’m over all of the programming of the station itself making sure that the software
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is streaming, the commercials are running and the songs are ran right. Then of course, any grievances that we have I take of those. We are always having meetings etc. GEM: Does your work require you to travel out of town a lot? Bulldog: I travel and I try to stay current with different things outside of Birmingham. We have trips planned for Italy, London, Cancun, and Beijing. GEM: What sets you guys apart from other internet radio stations? Bulldog: First of all, we are uncensored. I know that are a lot of people that frown upon the profanity and all that stuff, but if you have ever interviewed someone for radio and they knew they had to watch what they were saying you don’t get the truth. If they are laid back and can say whatever you get everything. Say you get Lil Wayne’s Carter 4. There are going to be four or five songs that the record label is going to push. There may 15 other cuts on the album that people like, but you wont hear them unless you buy the album. But on our radio station you will hear it because we take the cuts that nobody else will play and play those cuts. That’s what sets us apart. We have DJs all across the US, so you will hear a different type of flavor not just the South. GEM: How can people get in contact with you guys? Bulldog: You can go to the website www.goodfellasradio.net wgfx@goodfellasradio.net sign our guest book tell us what you like and don’t like. You can follow us on twitter @wgfxgoodfellasradio www.facebook.com/ wgfxgoodfellasradio GEM: Do you have any shout outs that you want to give? Bulldog: First and foremost, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, James Finley, Readus Linton, all of our DJs & interns and my parents.
Photography by Paul Franklin
Avera
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Photography by Paul Franklin
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GEM: Hey, how are you doing? BraNNue: I’m good it feels good to be back in Alabama. GEM: Tell us a little about your self ? BraNNue: I was born and raised in (West End) Birmingham, Alabama...Powderly. Shout out to Arrington Middle School! It really feels good to be home, New York I different. GEM: What do you do in New York ? BraNNue: I like to call myself a professional life liver. I model. Act and I do music. I do what I want to do. GEM: How did you get into modeling? I
BraNNue: Modeling kind of came to me. was approached to do a promo show. From there I did other promo shows. Modeling in Alabama, for a dude, I don’t know about the females… being around beautiful women, you have to act like you don’t see them (laughing). It was fun. We didn’t make any money, but it was fun. You get to be around pretty women and get in the club for free, I was in the life. I wasn’t getting paid for it and I wanted to get paid for it, so I went to where I knew people were eating off of their looks. I went to New York where the big boys play. GEM: How did the modeling game change for you in New York vs. Alabama? BraNNue: It changed for me in two ways. First, I got paid. Secondly, I wasn’t getting paid at first and I had more bills. had more bills because its expensive in New York. I was paying this lady $250 to sleep on her floor. That’s just to give you an idea how rough it is in New York if your not goig there for a 9 to 5. The game was exciting because you were there. You would see bill boards and magazines… magazines you never heard of. Your there daily with people trying to get on and you knew the possibility was there for you. GEM: What where your top five modeling jobs?
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BraNNue: When I was at my lowest point. I got a call from the Tyra Banks Show. When you’re a model and you get a call from the Tyra Banks Show you think I’m on… forget Pizza Hut I’m on! I was asked to be on the show on a guest panel. Everybody was calling me saying that they saw me on tv. I didn’t make any money and I didn't get to talk to Tyra Banks. It rejuvenated my idea that it can happen any day. It got to the point that when Tyra needed a nice looking black guy they called me. I did some shoots for Mecca Jeans. I did some fit modeling for Sean John. I met the face of Sean John and was like I look better than this dude, but its not about looking better. Its about paying your dues. GEM: What is a fit model? BraNNue: A fit model is… before they mass produce it. They arrange to see how it fits on real people. Before they put it on mannequins they have to see how you move and walk in it. They ask you questions like how do the pockets feel?, how does the fall of the waistline feel?, and does the crotch need to be extended. GEM: Lets talk about acting. BraNNue: Being a male model opens a lot of doors. I used to see all these ads looking for an African American male actor, so I started going to auditions. I got responses every time. There was this one ad that said they needed an African American male athletically built with a Southern drawl. I thought that’s me!!! I went down there and what I learned that day was modeling is a blessing of how you look, acting my friend is a skill. I learned that day that I couldn’t act. GEM: We’ve talked about the modeling, and acting now tell us about the music. BraNNue: I really didn't start listening
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to music until No Limit came out, so I’m influenced by that dope boy music. It’s the energy that they put out there. They are excited about their lives. But I’m not a dope boy I’m a model. I make that model ass nigga music. Its not so much that I am a model, but I model life. I do what I want to do. I’m excited about my life, so you hear it in my music. I live off my looks and I meet all these beautiful women. Who wouldn’t be excited about that ? And I get more sleep than a dope boy. I don’t have to worry about anybody kicking in my door. I got the opportunity to make some music and I jumped on it. GEM: What are you working on now? BraNNue: I got two singles that I’m pushing now. One is called Why They Hating. The hook goes like this… “I know why they hating I know why they sick I be dope boy fresh and I aint never touched a brick.” That’s my respect for the dope boy music, but I understand that I don’t have to be a dope boy to make music. My other single is called Head Boards… a club banger! Its exactly what you think it is. It goes… “Curiosity killed the cat it never killed George that’s why I’m acting monkey when I’m breaking head boards breaking head boards.” I actually debut it in New York and it was crazy. GEM: How can people get in touch with you? BraNNue: brannuelife on facebook, youtube, twitter, @gmail if you want to contact me directly. If you have any questions about the game… how to get into it. I don’t mind answering questions like that. GEM: Do you have any shout outs? BraNNue: Shout out to GEntertainment Magazine for having this interview, the Evans family: big
brother, George, my mom, pops, Darrel Sledge, my sound engineer Marsha, Kimlicious and look out for my boy Gunsmoke from Mobile.
www.facebook.com/brannuelife Check out the Breaking Head Boards video http://youtube.come/index? desktop_uri=%2Fl&gl=US#/ watch?v=cFP
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Legendary Clothing Greg “DJ” Towns Owner 931 19th Street N Bessemer, AL 35020 (205) 482-8999
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GEM: Tell the readers a little about yourself. Greg: I was born in Hueytown, Alabama. I went to school at Hueytown Elementary, Central Park Christian and finished up at Pleasant Grove High School. I played college basketball at Alabama and the University of Montevallo. Kenyatta: I grew up in Fairfield, Alabama. I attended Central Park Christian and I graduated from Pleasant Grove High School. GEM: Tell us about the store. Greg: This is our second location. The first location was in Dolomite, a city near Hueytown. We decided to break off and come to a bigger city where there would be more traffic. We really started off with a peddler’s license selling t-shirts out of the trunk of a car, but when we found out more about business we decided to get a location. Eventually, after people started knowing us and we started building our clientele we opened the store. Now we are at the point where people are asking us about our own brand and putting something on tshirts to represent us. So, we started our own clothing label starting with t-shirts. GEM: How did you come up with the design and the name?
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Greg: That’s why we started off with t-shirts to have a broad customer base. We are trying to bring the streets to the corporate world. As far as ages we want babies to senior citizens. We break it down into three sections. Cartoon characters for the kids, urban wear for hip hop and a classier look like collar shirts for the older crowd. GEM: So, people can purchase Legendary Clothing here at your store. Greg: Yes, here at the store, or we will ship. If you have an airport close to your city we will even bring the items to you. GEM: Are you guys going to sponsor any fashion shows in the future? Greg: We are actually working with In Tha Game Entertainment. GEM: If someone wanted to contacted you how can you be reached? Greg: Our number is (205) 482-8999, you can reach us on facebook @ legendaryclothing, follow us on twitter @livinglegendary or legendaryclothing205@gmail.com. GEM: Do you have any shout outs?
Greg: Well, the name came from a group of us in Hueytown. We called ourselves Living Legends. We chose Legendary as something that everybody could identify with (as the name of the store). The logo that we use is the Saint’s sign. That came from the neighborhood football team called the Hueytown Saints. To identify with the park I just took the Saint’s sign. GEM: When did you launch your own brand? Greg: At the beginning of this year. GEM: What type of audience are you targeting?
Greg: Kenny Luk, Joi, G-Entertainment Magazine, Leo, my mom and dad, my aunt (Addie Towns & Uncle Towns), Jerry Towns, Jeremy Towns, Andre Towns, Kenyatta’s brothers and my boo (Kenyatta).
Photography by DJ Smedley Makeup & style by La’Toya Fletcher-Abram
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Photography by DJ Smedley Make up & style by LaToya Fletcher-Abram
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Macking Fashionably By La’Toya Fletcher-Abram
Photography by Derrick Jerome Smedley Makeup & Styling by La’Toya Fletcher-Abram
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I
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n this economy, having extra money is a privilege. Clubbing, dating, shopping and tak-
ing vacations seem so farfetched now-a-days. Even club owners allow male and female customers to get in free until certain times. A couple of years ago, that was unheard of. Especially for guys; they always had to pay to enter a bar or club. Well, when money and time allows, you do want to go out looking fresh. So, this article is to inform you of what’s in style and how to obtain that right look for the low when macking fashionably in the club.
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What’s Your Current Trend? First, know your style color chart. For the fall of 2011, burnt colors like bamboo, honeysuckle (pinks), deep purples, green, deep teal and coffee brown are the popular colors at the moment. In the spring of 2012, colors like tangerine, solar power yellow, lilac, royal blue and soft earth tones colors are the colors to rock. Scarves are always popular this time of year. The most popular ones are the infinity scarves or animal print scarves. These scarves will look good with any tshirt or jacket. Ladies, the 70s are back !!! Skinny legs are out flare leg, high waist and wide leg pants are so in. The 70s Bohemian and sophisticated glamour has arrived back on the scene. Anything with a plunging neckline and soft pleats are the items to buy. Fur clothing and purses are hot right now. Anything sheer will have you blazing the club scene and women’s tuxedo’s are so chic.
Gentlemen, modern suits are the look to rock at the moment. A good suit never goes out of style. Relaxed tailoring is the style for you guys. Wearing outwear, jackets and trousers is it. For my casual and street-wear dressers, rock wear and overalls is the thing for you. Anything with some external pockets will have you looking hot. One look that is totally hot right now, would be to rock a bennie cap, oxford button down, wear a loose tie and a blazer/jacket with some jeans and converse will have you looking casual but stylish. So, let’s channel our inner Donna Summers or David Bowie to help navigate the current fashion scene. Also, you can rock a biker, punk rock look to give your style some edge. So, whether you have enough money to rearrange your entire wardrobe or buy accessories to revamp your old one let me tell you what to buy.
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Feather Earrings, They’re an absolute must for 20112012. Where can I purchase these? There are so many places, but I’ve seen the cutest and most affordable ones at Body Central, Rue21, Rainbow & Baker’s Shoe Store. However, if you want to splurge on yourself, then I recommend buying some from Arden B & BeBe Boutiques. Or, if you are on a really tight budget, then you can purchase some cute feather earrings from the Happy Z Outlet or $1 Galore Jewelry Store.
Killer Heels, No accessory, clutch, or even a belt can set off an outfit like shoes. Shoes are the make or break deal of an outfit making a very good impression or a very embarrassing one. Even Elle Varner’s hit single, “Only Want to Give it to You” talks about how she compares shoes to her man lol! Make sure when wearing dark colors like black, navy blue, brown or grey; you would like to add a very colorful shoe to make a bold and eye-catching statement or a gold or silver shoe to make you and your outfit sparkle in the club. Either way, pairing a bold contrast color shoe or metallic shoe will make the outfit pop.
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The Perfect Clutch, No after 5 or evening wear attire is complete until you rock it with the perfect clutch. When going out, who wants to be bothered with a handbag? Not I! So, how about purchasing a coin or lipstick purse or hot clutch. I’ve seen some cute and affordable coin & lipstick purses for $1at The Happy Z Outlet or your local beauty supply store. However, if your really want to make any impression, then Charlotte Russe, Rue 21 & Wet Seal have some of the hottest and most affordable clutches in town!
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A Little Extra Extra! If you really want to show of your inner diva or stud, then why not rock a hat? Hats add flavor and personal swag to any outfit. The 70s are back!!! Ladies, big floppy hats are so in. When the summertime comes back, be sure to purchase the cutest beach hat from Rue 21 for $9.99. Until then, buy an adorable suede floppy hat from Forever 21 or City Gear for $19.99. For guys rocking a stylish fedora or military cap to the club scene is what’s hot. You can obtain these stylish hats from Rue 21 for $9.99.
Jewelry, What outfit wouldn’t be complete without jewelry? Both men & women can use jewelry to highlight any attire. Body Central, Charlotte Russe & Rue 21 sells really cute jewelry for nice affordable prices. However, if you’re on a really tight budget, then Happy Z Outlet & $1 Jewelry Galore are places for you.
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GEM: Tell us a little about yourself. Amethyst: I’m from Birmingham, Alabama. I got started...I did not set out to make purses. Just because of an outfit that I decided to make a purse to match it and it drew a lot of attention. A lot of people were interested in the purses, so basically that’s how it all started. It was God because I didn’t plan it. GEM: With this spectacular design that started a trend. How did it make you feel?
Amethyst: You look like...over the top. You just like it all, you know bling bling (laughing). Believe you me I can design a purse for you and you will really like it. GEM: When did you decide to make it a LLC company? Amethyst: This year around the middle of the year. GEM: Do you have any business partners? Amethyst: Yes and no… GEM: They are private?
Amethyst: Really good, I didn’t think that people would pay that much attention to the purses. I didn’t actually think about design a purse I just did it to match my outfit, but when people started saying things about it I was a little overwhelmed by it.
Amethyst: Yes.
GEM: So you’re the first lady at your husband’s church. Is that a big advantage for you?
GEM: If someone wanted you to design a purse how can he/ she get in contact with you?
Amethyst: It is...it is. You know how women are. We see somebody with something and we always kind of want it. It really helps being the first lady.
Amethyst: You can call me (205) 682-0582 or (205) 283-5980.
GEM: How would you describe your purses?
Amethyst: Yes, everybody. My family, friends, co-workers and church members. Go to my website and check out my purses you will not be disappointed. Give me a call and I will make the most fabulous purse for you.
Amethyst: My purses are just over the top. Naturally, I’m going to say that because I’m designing them, but they really are fabulous. A lot of thought goes into each purse. They are all originals, no patterns. GEM: What are the types of purses that you design? Amethyst: Dressy, elegant and casual. GEM: What sets your purses apart from other designer purses? Amethyst: They are what comes to me at the time. I don’t have anything special in mind when I make the purse. I just cut it and design as I go. GEM: If I (Toya) wanted a purse what would you pick for me?
GEM: How do you market your purses? Amethyst: I’ve done fashion shows, I’ve set up booths at events, I’m doing purse shows in homes now and you can always go to the website. Check us out at www.amethystwhitsey.com
GEM: Do you have any shout outs that you would like to give?
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GEM: Tell us about yourself? Leecon: Right now I’m doping live performances. That’s what I love to do. I’m in the top three for the Karaoke Idol. Its for the Alabama Idol. GEM: How long have you been singing? Leecon: I’ve been singing since I was 15 years old. I’m 26 now, so I’ve been singing 10 plus years I think I’m good. GEM: What made you want to sing? Leecon: Its just something that’s deep inside of me. Everybody has their own passions in life and singing is mine. If somebody came to one of my shows they would see that singing is my passion. I like to entertain. GEM: Have you heard any of your music on the radio? Leecon: Well, the 8 o’clock Beat Down is the only thing that I’ve been on. I haven’t been on anything mainstream yet.
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I didn’t win, but you know what...like I was talking about the passion or whatever. You got to keep on going with and eventually it will pay off. GEM: What type of style do you have? Leecon: Southern Soul...I like to call myself the prince of Southern Soul because you have a lot of artist that like to do R & B. I like Soul...Soul reaches down deep in your soul. I like to incorporate a little Hip Hop into my shows. I like to incorporate a little Gospel into my shows. So, you got all of that mixed up in one. Southern Soul you got a little bit of everything. GEM: What about dress style? Leecon: I like to wear suits. If you come to one of my shows its all classy. GEM: What’s your dream stage to perform on? Leecon: I would think the Essence Music Festival. GEM: What producers
would you love to work with? Leecon: I would like to work with JD. I like that ballads that he writes. He writes some good ballads and I’m a ballad singer. I like to write my own, so I would say myself too. GEM: How can the fans get in contact with you? Leecon: www.myspace.com/leecon2011 www.facebook.com/leecondaicon GEM: Would you like to give any shout outs? Leecon: I want to give a shout out to all of the haters. Haters are motivation to me. Each time I tell them I’m doing a show...if you aint behind me your behind me.
dâxxa GEM: Hey ladies, could you tell our readers a little about yourself? QueeN: My performance name is QueeN of Trill. I am twenty eight years old and I am a mother of two. I’ve been singing for over twenty years now. I started singing when I was two. I started out in the church like so many others have. I started out with a live bands when I was around fourteen and I have acting under my belt as well. I performed in a play back in ’96 called I aint mad at you. It travelled through that state of Alabama. So, when I was fifteen I started out with the live bands. I started out at Wellington’s Bistro, which was my home. Then I started travelling with the Crystal Clear Band and Show and then the Daz Band. DieDra: My name is DieDra, I am an artist of Ruff Pro Records. I’ve been singing since I was about nine. I started off in church family group, lead singer. I did my first professional gig when I was about twenty five. I opened up for Betty Wright and from there I didn’t know much about the Blues and I’m a Blues singer. I started off with Boogie Down Productions in New York. I was signed with Boogie Down Productions, which put out KRS One. I was with those guys for about ten years and the producer that was in charge of my product...well the company never put anything out on me. When I hooked back up with my old producer he was in the Blues scene , so he kinda pulled me over into that. I immediately loved it and the crowd was appropriate for my age setting. I was always trying to fit into R & B, which wasn’t appropriate with me being over thirty. So, Blues was perfect… I’ve been doing that for about three years now. I’ve been nominated for about nine Blues awards. I’ve won one called The Blue Note Award from the National Association of Rhythm and Blues DJs. I won that this year for last year. I was nominated again for the Just Blues Awards.
GEM: Do you write your music? QueeN: I do, I’m a song writer. I also have help from other artists that are on the label So Be It Ent, the label that I am on and Ruff Pro Records as well. They Helped me out with my album The Definition of Music. DieDra, Yes, I’ve been writing and I’ve also written for other artists down in Florida and Illinois and various places. GEM: What would be a dream collabo for you? QueeN: My dream collabo...I’ve always wanted to do a collab with Jamie Foxx. I want to do a duet with him one day because he’s very soul and I wish I could play the piano as well; that’s just a God-given talent. He’s one of the artists that I do admire. DieDra: I don’t think that I have a dream collabo. I think a dream event that I would like to do is sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl.
W|xWÜt GEM: QueeN, what would be your dream stage to perform on? QueeN: My dream stage would be at the Grammys. GEM: Besides venture out to be
being an entertainer would you an entrepreneur?
QueeN: I would like also do a lot of domestic violence
to do a clothing line. I would charities. Things dealing with and abused children.
DieDra: Well, my husband and I run Ruff Pro Records, so we kind of already ventured on into what we do. Our goal is not really to focus on artists. Matter of fact, we want to keep our artist list really small and focus on the backbone of the business the marketing strategies and things that make a business successful. Its not always an artist. Because you can have one artist that can hit it really big for you and that’s enough for your company to be successful. We’re not focusing on the artistry of it we’re just focusing on the business side of it. GEM: Is it better to go indie or sign with a label these days? DieDra: Absolutely indie. A label is going to take everything from an artist. I’m so glad that I don’t have to worry about that being an entrepreneur of a record label of my own. I don’t have to worry about those issues. Its funny when you meet artists I think they are living in tv land. So much of what they see on tv they believe that to be true and its not. You don’t walk into a record company open your mouth and because you have a nice voice you get signed. That doesn’t happen. That happened back in the 80’s when Babyface found Toni Braxton at a gas station. That doesn’t happen anymore. A label is looking for someone with a finished product and is doing something and has create a name for themselves then they see further possibilities in you. My husband and I have learned as being artists and business owners we kind of have the best of both worlds. We know what the strategy is to be successful as an artist then we know what it takes to be successful as a business owner. Its not as easy as it looks on BET. QueeN: I would agree with DieDra with the indie...everything that she
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said. GEM: What is important to know in the music or entertainment business? QueeN: First, for me I think knowing how your money is going to be made. The education behind knowing how things are ran for yourself and contracts. Just really knowing what’s going with your career and being around people that have been in the industry twenty or thirty years that really are knowledgeable about things. DieDra: I think as a new artist you should be self sufficient. When you depend on a label to do it you become indebted to that label. Then they wonder why they don’t have anything as artists. They may have a product out, but they don’t have anything because they put themselves in debt with the record company. I would like to teach up and coming artists to get your product out first then approach a label because you have something to offer. That way your not approaching that label immediately going in debt with them. GEM: Where were you born? QueeN: Birmingham, Alabama. I grew up on the Westside.
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DieDra: I’m from Norfolk, Virginia. I have only been here since ‘07. GEM: How does one evaluate a good producer? QueeN: I go by what he has already done with other artists. DieDra: I think that is the same quality that you should have... I’m spoiled...my husband is a producer and he is excellent and he has been nominated for international producer of the year and things like that. He has national notoriety for his work. I’ve learned that ear to hear bad production and bad mastering. We don’t criticize other artists. We don’t criticize unless you are a bad singer. We’re really listening for that music. GEM: Do you have any shout outs? QueeN: Shout out to So Be It Ent, Greedy Ent, Ruff Pro Records, IWSU, my family, friends and fans you have really been there for me. DieDra: I would like to give a shout out to my husband Keith Ruff of Ruff Pro Records CEO and also to my management company J E Entertainment out of Atlanta. I have the pleasure to be managed by Joe Dougless who also manages Franky Beverly and Maze and Stephanie Mills. I have a very good
management company and to Michelle Knight, who is his assistant. Without her we probably wouldn’t know what to do. GEM: If someone wanted to contact you how could you be reached? QueeN: email me at sobeitent@gmail.com or Omari McClain 205.222.1891 www.reverbnation.com/ queenoftrill www.facebook.com/ thequeenmusicpage www.cdbaby.com/queen22 DieDra: Michelle Knight 404.295.5364 or myself DieDra at 404.379.0096 www.facebook.com/ diedrathebluesdiva www.myspace.com/ diedra1108 www.cdbaby.com/diedra
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G-Scenes‌ See What’s
Everybody loves G-Entertainment Magazine. The artists in Birmingham showing us love and we love you back!!!!
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Going On In The City
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A. Naimah & MeMe strike a pose B.GEM Models C.Ms. Mayhem is in the building. D. Guest at a GEM event E. GEM models washing cars F. Mrs. G-Ent Magazine striking a pose. G. Mr. G-Ent Magazine all smiles. H. Club Spotlight open mic. I. Exclusive interview with Hamilton Park.
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Photography by Paul Franklin
TwoNfluential
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GEM: Tell the readers a little bit about yourself. Lil Steve: I was raised in Birmingham, Alabama...on the Eastside...Center-Point. I started writing music when I was about 14. I got with my cousin and I was like we are a dynamic duo. I sing and rap. He raps and come up with beats and different concepts, so I figured why not do what we do best and do it together. Champ: I’m from Birmingham, Alabama...born on the Westside grew up on the Westside, but I trickled over to the Eastside. I’ve been doing music since I was in the first grade. That’s when I started playing the piano. After that I started writing poetry. Put that together you get this 2-Influential music. We are trying to change the music game. I know that everybody says that , but we are trying to bring positive and influential music to everybody. GEM: So Champ, you produce most of your songs? Champ: Right now we get a lot of our beats online. But at the same time we do have some beats that I have hooked up with a partner of mine and incorporated. His name is AC the Spitter. He’s an up and coming artist from Birmingham. GEM: How do you guys come up with the ideas for your songs? Lil Steve: a lot of it just comes off the head. Like the single “No Panties” we were in the kitchen cooking some chicken I played the beat for Champ and it hit us. I was like why not make a strip club song. GEM: Who or what made you want to get into music? Lil Steve: As far a rapping and singing I started around 14, but I’ve been around music all my life. Both of us were in the church choir and I was in the band. So, I learned how to read music. As far as making music its just in my blood. My dad wanted to be an entertainer when he was younger. Champ: Our first single together was called “Let Her Go” we wrote that song and put it to see what was going to happen. Everybody liked it, but we didn’t have a name at the time. We were like lets get a group together and I was in class (@ Alabama A & M) and I texted him and was like I got a name for the group 2-Influential.
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GEM: Have you worked or opened up for anybody here in Birmingham? Champ: No, we haven’t done that yet. We are trying to get ourselves out there first, but we look forward to working with other artists. GEM: Who would you like to work with? Lil Steve: We are open to work with anybody and new ideas. Champ: We wouldn’t mind working with Chris Brown, Trey Songs and Ruben Studdard. We don’t want to be categorized. We do it all, but we lean more to catching the ear of the ladies. If we get the ladies to listen the fellas will listen. GEM: Do you guys do gangsta music too? Champ: We do it all. Lil Steve: We are working on a couple of projects now. We are trying to keep ‘em swagged out in the club. GEM: (to Champ) Do you still play the piano? Champ: Yes. GEM: (to Lil Steve) Do you play any instruments now? Lil Steve: Yes, I play saxophone and percussion. Actually, we took a piano class together at A&M. GEM: How can fans reach you guys? Champ: You can reach us at www.facebook.com/ twonfluential follow us on twitter @_lilsteve_jr or @mrbe2suave www.reverbnation.com/2nfluential GEM: Do you have any shout outs? Lil Steve: First, I want to shout out God, Champ: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and of course our family that’s behind us and all our partners: Shawn Williams, Tevin Gamble, Antonio Hendricks, Ralph Lewis, Chris Watson and AC Spitter.
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Day Production’s Fashion Show
Who said that you have to be in New York to know Fashion? Day Productions put on a show that could challenge the best designers. There were designers, stylist, makeup artists, models and G-Entertainment Magazine in the place. This was one of the best fashion events that I have attended and I can’t wait until the next one...maybe we can sneak a couple of GEM models in the show ; ) check the company at www.dayproductionsllc.com
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DoD Social & Savings Club
The ladies of DoD Social & Savings Club invited us out to one of their events at Cosmos. We had a blast and the ladies of DoD treated us well. We ate, danced and socialized. We even had the opportunity to get an interview. Be on the look out for these ladies on the SSC scene they are a forced to be reckoned with.
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