Greedmont Park Magazine #1

contents

Fefe Dobson Page 35

CULTURE 07 The Fix 09 Death By Gunfire 11 A Pint A Day 13 Sex, Love, Money 15 House Of Pain ART 17 Popstars + Cokeheads 21 Carla Aaron-Lopez 27 Red Rising Lotus FEATURE 31 BP Oil Spill + Beyond MUSIC 40 A-Trak 43 Yelawolf 47 Kid Sister 51 Reviews STYLE 53 Coco + Breezy 57 Your Personal Disco Ball

staff

PUBLISHER Justin Huff

EDITOR IN CHEIF Aaron Ware CREATIVE + ART DIRECTOR Corey Davis COVER ART Tunde [www.freshiam.net] EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rose Bellefleur STYLE EDITOR Myles E. Johnson ONLINE MARKETING + PR Lola Smalls ADVERTISING + SUBMISSIONS info@greedmontpark.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rose Bellefleur | Corey Davis | Brianna Giddens | Joshua Hooper Myles E. Johnson | Omar Mitchell | Austin Thompson | Aaron Ware CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Carla Aaron-Lopez | Corey Davis | Skylar Hensley | Oh Snap Kid! Pastiche Lumumba | Dave Martin | Omar Mitchell | Rony Shram CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS + ILLUSTRATORS Corey Davis | Joshua Hooper It’s the little things that count most. Our Magazine is made with 75% less paper than most mazagines.

Printed on 30% recycled paper.

GREEDMONTPARK.COM

Introduction It was two years ago when Aaron Ware and I came together to create a pop culture blog. We had one goal: capturing the essence of the all the things that we loved most. We wanted to cover everything from how we dress to what’s playing in our iPod to anything that inspired us on random. Eventually as time grew, it would attract the attention of two-hundred thousand faithful readers and it was obvious that it was time we start thinking about expanding.

Before our big move to New York, I wasn’t sure if the idea of Greedmont Park being an publication was even tangible. Ever so often, Aaron would make comments about turning the blog into a full-fledge magazine. In retrospect, in all honesty, I was afraid of taking on something of that magnitude. I’d simply brush him off by coyly mentioning a cute chick with a nice butt that I met earlier in the day. Eventually, Aaron and I cut through my boyish tirades and antics, and got serious about really creating Greedmont Park Magazine.

We noticed alot of other magazines failed at capturing what is happening our generation properly and genuinely, well atleast what was happening in our unique scene. We wanted to cover everything from it’s unfolding icons to today’s tastemakers. We can understand the rebellious, ambitious, art focused, and sexually liberated mentality of our era. Not just because of the fact we are constantly surrounded by it, but because we live it.

With that being said, we agreed that the BP incident held great relevance and importance to not only our generation, but the world. We instantly strived to find a way to include it in our first issue. The cover art done by emerging talent (and good friend of mine), Tunde, was a perfect compliment to the disaster that is taking place.

It’s not all politics and business here at Greedmont Park, we also found time to sit down with some of our favorite musicians and artists like Yelawolf (pg. 43) and Carla Aaron-Lopez (pg. 21) to see how things are progressing on their end of the spectrum. This issue is dedicated to us and consequently dedicated to you, since we are all living in the same world and thirsty for the same great information, music, fashion, and art. Enjoy!

Corey Davis Creative Director

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Death By Gunfire Words by Aaron Ware Art by Corey Davis

45 seconds of glory is all you will receive. I however, wouldn’t exactly consider it such a glorious period. Especially when you consider the agony of the .30 caliber slugs dismantling the entire upper torso of the defendant.

You can’t say those on death row don’t have options in Utah. They have always been given the choice of hanging, lethal injection, or the firing squad. Over 40 death row inmates have died from gunfire. There have been numerous raw reports and rumors over the years about the gruesome reality of the prison system in Utah. Everything from beheadings to prisoners bodies being donated to science. One 18-year-old inmate reportedly agreed to donate his body for final request for candy.

On Friday, June 18th 2010, death row inmate, Ronnie Lee Gardner, was set to see his eternal fate, becoming the first man to die by firing squad in Utah in 14 years. Gardner was originally sentenced to life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole for pleading guilty to the murder of Salt Lake City bartender.

But after murdering a lawyer, Michael Burdell, who he shot directly in the face during an attempted escape from custody with a firearm that had been smuggled into the courtroom. He was eventually sentenced to death on October 22, 198 Gardner was allowed to select his method of execution by either lethal injection or firing squad, strangely enough he choose firing squad. It could just be me, but living in the 21st century I am really in awe to see these barbaric methods of execution alive in today’s justice system.

Somethings not right here, the fact of the matter is that we are carrying on age old traditions from the 18th century. States like Washington and New Hampshire still offer the method of hanging...

Go figure.

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A PintA Day Words by Aaron Ware

Beer. Some people have an undying love for its aquired taste, while others cant stand the smell of it. Without moderation, it can turn the best of us into alcholics. Either way, it’s a God given blessing whether you partake or not. I’m actually a big fan of beer. And it’s obviously the rest of the world is as well, being that it is the third most consumed beverage in the Free World. For the non-believers out there it’s about time to jump on the beer bandwagon because it’s actually healthy in a variety of ways. I do recommand you excercise quality and stick to premium brands, I doubt the Colt 45, Old English or Steele Reserves would do you any good health wise.

1. Cuts Cancer Risk.

A 2001 study from the University of Prague reported that hop flavonoids found in beer, share a structure similarity to estrogen. They can therefore mimic it, which may lower the risk of hormone-related cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. They have also shown promise in relieving symptoms of menopause.

2. Promotes Strong Bones.

According to researchers at Tufts University, beer contains high levels of silicon, which help speed the delivery of calcium and other minerals to bone tissue, especially in men and young women.

3. Increases Mental Capacity.

A study from Harvard University showed that beer consumption contributed to increased mental capacity in older women. In addition, a 2003 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association claimed that people, 65 and older who drank one to six drinks a week were less likely to suffer from dementia.

4. Helps The Heart.

Researchers at Rockefeller University claim that, alcohol increases levels of high-density lipoproteins, that transport excess cholesterol to the liver for disposal and bestows the circulatory system with anti-inflammatory and anti-clogging capabilities. In addition, a 2006 study conducted by Beth Israel from the Harvard School of Public Health found that healthy men who drank moderately saw a 40 to 60 percent decrease in heart attack risk.

5. Maintains Healthy Cell Function.

Researchers in the Netherlands found that beer drinkers had higher levels of vitamin B6, which play a crucial role in the metabolism of red blood cells and the synthesis of neurotransmitters vital for normal brain function.

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sex.love.money

Words by Kitty St. Valentine Art by Pixel-Pimp.com

Hey Kitty, my husband has been watching alot of porn lately, how is that going to affect our relationship?

Dear Kitty, my boyfriend is really getting into introducing Any woman who has had a descent amount of bone food to our sex life, is that safe, what should I avoid? in her will tell you that the worst sex is always with The vagina is a delicate place. Think of it like this, the guy who’s trying to replicate what he has seen in it’s warm and moist (hopefully); any other situation porn, scene for scene. Honestly, I like porn, I watch under these circumstances can be disastrous where it and get off to it; but replicating the standard semold, fungi and bacteria can form. Keeping every- quence of events in porn is not the business. Porn is thing in balance is important to keeping a healthy, an industry, it’s not a sex school. While you can get some saucy ideas from it, the best approach to sex is happy pussy. communication (verbal and body).

When we think of introducing things to the vaginal area we must be careful. I won’t talk about personal I was once told sex is a team sport, and this is true. A hygiene, for the sake of conversation let’s just assume successful sexual experience is when everyone gets that everyone has washed their ass. Guys, please cut off. The only way a team wins is when everyone is and clean your finger nails if you want to put your communicating. Sure Michael Jordan was the leader but he needed the team to win. You can’t go balls fingers in someone! Would you want a dirty fingernail out after watching a porn and think to yourself “I’m finger swirling around in your mouth? Cleanliness is going to do that” and not ask your partner. Some next to godliness. things that they do in porn are porn specific, tricks to Talk to your partner, some women’s vaginal balance the trade for visual effect and not meant to be taken is way more delicate than others. Some women never into the bedroom (bathroom or kitchen). Good real have yeast infections, while others might have them life sex is uglier than porn sex. often. This is not a measure of their cleanliness, rather The good thing about sex is that it is as individual as probably a mixture of diet and foreign introductions to the person you are with, you might be surprised who the vaginal area that set off a chain of events. Certain likes being smacked, choked or bitten. Some guys foods (like dairy product and wheat) or certain under- might not mind a little tossed salad and with another wear can facilitate infections. the anal area is completely off limits. Some women When looking for products for the vagina make sure might not mind been nutted on and some women that they are breathable. Stay away from petroleum might think its gross. The time to find this out is base products or products with lot a of dye and fra- not after she’s wiping giz off her face! So be sure grance. Water based items are best. If you decide to communicate your ideas, there’s nothing sexier during sex than the guy who asks, “does that to go with real foods just remember “on” is usually feel good” or “what do you want me to do” safer than “in”. If whipped cream or chocolate is beand mean it and then do it! It’s extremely ing used in the fellatio process, make sure to wipe the sexy to care about how the person your penis down before putting the condom on (or into the fucking is doing. vagina/anus raw if y’all are getting down like that – The moral to the story is: When not recommended). engaged in intercourse, Together There are lots of products on the market that are safe to Everyone Achieves More! use that you can get from the grocery store, drugstore, or your local sex shop. The key is to look at which are best for you and your partner and the experience you want to have.

The moral to this story is: Respect the vagina and she will be kind to you.

Kitty, I’ve been thinking about faking it... Not that I want to fake it! Or have before, but how can you really fake it?

I don’t think women are faking it like in the movie When Harry Met Sally, rather I think we just lie. At the end, the guy looks at you and say “did you cum?” and then you go “mmm hmmm.” That’s faking it and faking it doesn’t help anyone.

Fuck what you heard if you are getting busy then you need to be getting off. If you have never had an orgasm before then now is a great time to start.

Sometimes I blame bad sex on women, because we have let some fuckery slide, like lazy stroke or bad cunnilingis. Now there are some women who will tell the guy to get up, but for the most part in our sexual experience I think everyone has lied at least once. Enough of that, we have to become more vocal in our wants and needs if we are to achieve an orgasm.

While an orgasm doesn’t happen all the time it should not be taken for granted .

First of all here are some helpful hints to tip you off to a faker.

1. She screaming “oohhh Ima cummmm I’m cumminnnngggggg.”

Most women usually are sort of silent when they really cum. Can you talk when you are cuming?

2. There is no other physiological indication like shaking legs, vaginal contraction or sensitive body.

3. You know she didn’t but you figure you’d ask anyway.

If the guy is looking to be a good lover then he will want to make you cum. If he doesn’t care about your experience then he’s probably a jerk then you know never to have sex with him again…

The moral to this story is: Lying makes a bad lover of your partner and you!

Send a sex question to kitty4gp@gmail 14

LegendaryAssasin (2008)

L.A. is somewhat on the hooky side, but all that is made up in the epic finale. In this finale, Jacky Wu Jing single handedly takes on 100 goons, that plays like a homage to Neo vs. 100 Agent Smith from Matrix Reloaded, if it was choregraphed well, and didn’t have allot of mediocore CGI. Verdict: The last fight scene is Legendary, indeed!

InvisibleTarget (2007)

If Micheal Mann’s Heat had sex with Ong-Bak their love child would be Invisible Target.

This movie has loads of over-the-top action, super crisp choreography, violent gunfights, massive explosions and Jacy Wu Jing whooping people’s monkey asses.

Verdict: Add this movie to your collection, cus it’s awesome!

Fatal Contact (2006)

Starring Jacky Wu Jing the new ‘Jet Li’ kung fu cinema, Fatal Contact tales the classic story of a dumb-ass, country bumpkin who immigrates to the big city for a better life washing dishes and shinning shoes. When slaving medial jobs doesn’t work out, he remembers that he an unstoppable kung-fu bad-ass and enters the seedy world of underground fighting and standard ass-whooping ensues.

Verdict: Blood Sport meets Slumdog Millionaire! Grade: B+

Ip Man (2008)

This movie is NOT right. Nobody deserves to be beat up and humliated like this in a movie. Donnie Yen in this movie is a BEAST! The fight scences in the movie are both incredible and bone-crackling violent!

Verdict: Possibly the best martial arts film in the past 10 years!! This movie is Essential.

Words by Joshua Hooper Art by Pixel-Pimp.com 16

Popstars + Cokeheads Words by Corey Davis Photos by Oh Snap Kid!

Greg Mike is an artist who has mastered conflation of high and low art through his unique use pop culture imagery. Along with a majority of young artist today, he originally has a background in graffiti, but after studying studio art at FSU he has taken on fine art.

Most infamously known for his Popstars and Cokeheads series, where he transformed an army of soda cans into chromatic characters and creatures, he says “I hope to finish 150 by the end of the summer and I don’t plan on stopping until I’m laying in the casket.” Last week I finally got a chance to talk with him about his inspirations, upcoming projects, and everyday life.

Did street culture influence your art?

Its been awhile since a new unified art They are both go hand in hand. In NYC, movement has emerged, such as the the graffiti was in most skate spots and all Minimalist and Pop Art movement of my friends I skated with were writers. We the 60’s. Do you sense anything like would hang at spots with our black books that coming soon? in middle school. Those were the good old I think there is a clash and merge of days. Graffiti has affected my use of color, movements right now. We saw it in music, character work and line work. we saw it in fashion and in now art. People are meshing techniques and moveDo you still do either? ments; digital and hand painted, street I used to skate a lot more back in the day. art and graffiti. It within itself will create it’s I do my best to get out and roll around own movement. when I get some free time, but usually it’s just to keep my legs fresh for snowboard If you had to name you style of art, season. Being from up north, I’d pick a what would you call it? day of riding powder over a day on the I feel it’s classified as pop art. The bright concrete any day. colors, themes and techniques drawn from popular culture and the incorporaWhat can we expect from you next? tion of the “soda pop can” seem to put it Miami and NYC shows are in the works into the “pop art” category. and a number of collaboration projects with a few well known brands. My main foWhat is your background in art? cus is just continue to develop my art and I started painting and drawing when I was characters and let it grow as organically 8. That lead to oil painting in art class after as possible. I’m planning on more experithat I started skating and tagging. I was mentation with the mediums and formats heavy into the graffiti scene from 18-25. of my characters in the future. More instalIt wasn’t till 27 till I showed my work in lations, only larger in size. I’m a big fan of the gallery setting. Before that is was only large format works so as time progresses found outdoors. hopefully will also the size of the works.

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You’ve grown a bit infamous for painting coke cans. What were you thinking when you painted your first one?

It was an experiment in the beginning and developed organically from some sketches in my blackbook. It was nice to see the collection grow and watch the characters come to life on different objects. It took a few weeks to get my process down to a finished product that I was happy with and now there is about 100+ cans in the collection. I hope to be around 150 by the end of the summer and I don’t plan on stopping until I’m laying in the casket.

Before I got there, I was expecting a bunch of painted soda cans, but then I was surprised to to see a number of installations, t-shirts, skateboards, even beer coasters.

How’ did you find time to accomplish so much?

The trick is try to sleep as least as possible and create as much as possible.

It took you ten months to produce the exhibition, would you consider it to be a success?

I was happy with the exhibition and glad to work with KAI LIN ART. From the minute I walked into the space, he was 100% down Your father is also an artist, how did that with me transforming his space into whatever I influence your work ethics? wanted so it was a breath of fresh air. No limitaI wouldn’t say he’s a visual artist, but more of tions creatively. a jack of all creative trades. He has always influenced me from all aspects of design What is the story your artwork tells? whether it be architecture, art, visual produc- Don’t drink the cola. tions, etc. I think personally, it’s more his work ethic that inspires me, talk about a dude who Any advice do you have for young, doesn’t sleep and makes shit happen. upcoming artist?

Never stop creating, trust your struggle, dream What inspired the Popstars and Coke- big and do what you love because you only heads exhibition in Atlanta? live once.

Pop culture and mixed emotions.

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My Black American Life Words by Corey Davis Photos by Carla Aaron-Lopez

Carla Aaron-Lopez is a Los Angeles native who picked up her first camera at the age of 20 while rivaling with a college friend and instantly developed an affinity for photography. Her portfolio is centered on her life and the people she encounters, preferring to shoot “hard-working black people for they ultimately have the best stories to tell” When did you fall in love with photography?

Oh man... The first time I saw my shit on cibachrome. The vibrancy and richness of the color in photograph was magnetic and it pulled me into wanting to learn about the craft on a serious level.

Every time I pick up a camera to shoot I always remember to stay detail-oriented because it helps to create the bigger picture. Therefore, life sometimes looks like a photograph. The small moments become those small details I need to complete the whole and the photograph.

What is the first photo you remember taking?

A self portrait, I was wearing fake clearlensed Ray-Bans, the kind the hipster kids wear now-a-days, and an electric blue wig. I took it on a Sony MiniDV camera in nightvision. I looked like “The Ring” girl come to life. Shit was bananas to shoot in nightvision. Everything had a dark and morbid appeal to it. The fact that picture outcome is green doesn’t really help to take away it’s strange appearance. I was digging that aesthetic so hard at the time.

Do you prefer to shoot traditionally or digital? Why? I dig both. They both have an aesthetic appeal that I think should be exercised whenever the time calls for it. Digital is easy because the reward is quicker than a Polaroid. Every waking moment can be recorded if one chooses to do so. Or maybe you have a great idea to shoot a night out with friends on film to capture how special this occasion will be. Film has such a seductive quality to it that when compared to digital, you can’t help but to think about the history of film and what has been recorded and documented in analog. However, with digital, you can stretch the limits of photograph through manipulation and digital graphics.

Tell us what life is like behind the view finder?

Detail-oriented. I always forget one small detail that would make something dope.

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100 years from now, what is the message you want your photos to convey about American culture in 2010?

For my photographs, I want to be able to be recognized as more than a black artist exploring more than just black culture but American culture. I do not see a difference between the two. It is my hopes that when people finally understand that then they will be able to see black people for more than a second class group of citizens. No matter if they are black punks, geeks, freaks or boppers. To the future!

What is the role of your photograpy in history?

I document the times. There are lots more tattooed people today. I don’t know if that’s stupidity from trend following or an actual phenomenon based upon a subconscious need to tribally mark oneself permanently due to man’s extradition from nature. Therefore, I document the times through classic documentary style or studio lighting set-up. My main interest is to shoot people of color. When I make my first photo book it will be in the small art/culture/ philosophy section in the library.

How come you prefer to shoot “normal”, dayto-day people?

I have no interest in the celebrity. To me, a lot of their character is made up for them and you don’t get a chance to really spend time with them to shoot. “Normal” people are an oddity to me because I know I’m a little odd. We all have these different ways of describing normal thinking that we’re all on the same level but we’re not. Everybody lives and come up a little different that the next. I find that fascinating! It’s what helps create our character as people. Plus, dayto-day people never seem to catch a break like me. I can relate to that sometimes. I feel like I give them a break by capturing something special or dope about them. At least for today, I’ve made you happy.

A lot of your work seems to capture the promiscuous, carefree mentality of today’s youth.

I just shot my life and the people I meet. It’s just my nature. I fell in cool with the Terry Richardson/Juergen Teller-style photographs. Birds of a feather flock together and I shot them birds with a digital 35mm. It’s a no fear generation out here.

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How do you feel about today’s generation, are we heading in the right direction?

I don’t know. It saddens me when I see a really cool looking young black kids and they have no clue about the magnitude of how grand their black history is. Think about how more empowered every black boy and girl, man and woman would be when backed with the knowledge of their history as more than just slaves to a pale horse system? That could change the world!

Especially with how today’s youth is more willing to take challenges or band together through technology. I don’t know. I just think that if a group of kids are willing to step outside of what has been established as black or urban wear into skinny jeans and tight T-shirts then a little of that attention can be made to feed the brain with Supreme knowledge. I’m just saying. Get off the emo BS, go get some knowledge and go see the world. Help mend what’s broken. Get off that “it’s all about me” bullshit.

What do you love about art?

The freedom to show you what’s on the inside of my mind. To know that if I need something about life explained to me I can find the answers in art. Its different forms of interpretation like paint, film, found object. There are a lot of things that I don’t understand in the life but with art, I just get it. I understand it. It’s my interest now to find artists that have been neglected from art history. All the greats of fine art are cool but there is such a shortage of diversity among the canonized few. Art keeps everything exciting. What could you hate about that?

Sex, Drugs or Rock and Roll?

I’ll take the sex and the rock and roll. Drugs just make people look old as hell and broken in thoughts. Dope, dirty sex keeps you looking younger I believe. Ha!

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Rising Red Lotus Words by Chilly-O Art by Brandon Sadler

This summer Chilly-O Clothing feels that it is imperative to enmesh with a broader artistic community. I recently sat down with artist and illustrator, Brandon Sadler, the founder of the brand, from Atlanta, GA. How does time and space affect your creations?

For starters I work best under pressure or if I have a deadline. However, I do enjoy allowing my creative process to guide me at whatever pace. As far as space is concerned, there has to be good Chi around.

Good energy and interesting surroundings is key. And I work alone unless I’m doing live art or a mural, in that case it’s cool.

I’ve seen you around in many of the venues throughout Atlanta’s progressive art scene, I actually got to see you live at the Art Battle, you had a disposition of mystery over your persona, where does that come from?

Mystery? Well, I guess a part of that mystique came from my lack of trashtalking ability… I went there to battle! The other part, I can attribute to my style as a person and an artist. I’m typically pretty What was the developmental process in “dark” in so many words, ya know! defining your style?

Listening to God and paying close attention Dark? to who I am as a person and my interests. Yeah, I said that in “so many words” beIt’s a work in progress. cause that’s what most people say when they speak about my imagery. I am fasWhat style of art are you most confident cinated with the balance between the in and what art style would you like to beautiful and the grotesque, both visually learn to enhance your current skill set? and conceptually. Thinking back, I never I would say line and detail are my ladies, was really good at doing “cute” or “poppy” we’re tight. I would like to take my under- stuff. So, when people respond to what standing of detail and simplify that abstract I’m putting out, what you will see on this and still be able to get the information piece is what usually comes out. across to the viewer. Be closer to the Japanese ideal of , “less is more.”

Do substances enhance or cloud your vision when it comes to creating art?

What sparked the Asian influence in Depends on the substance. However, I’m your style? hella focused when I’m working so I can Asia’s dope... culturally and aesthetically. I ride the wave most times, but I can take guess it’s a an obsession. Like some people it or leave it. like lint balls or ceramic cows, I like Asia.

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What is the inspiration behind the pornographic imagery behind some of your work?

Well, I wouldn’t deem it pornographic.

Porno is made to activate your genitals, where as my use of nudity and erotica is a tool to get to your mind. I recognized that sex appeal is used to sell everything from a bra to a hamburger and I decided to use it to sell ideas. Plus even if my more risque concepts don’t appeal to some of my viewers, it’s still a trip to get people to stare at something that makes them uncomfortable and still be drawn to it.

Do you think there are people who could “get off” to your artwork?

Sure, I do.

Any interest in delving into street art as an extended form of expression?

I’m interested in getting back out there. I miss that side of me.

What’s your escape plan when bang ingout art on the streets, or do you just stick to remote territories?

Usually remote, chill spots… But I used to bang tags on my bike easy to keep it moving. I think when I do get back to it; I’m going to mess with the wheat paste game. I dig that hard, it’s still like writing though, but to connect all my styles I think that would be the motion.

Are You a Clean or messy artist?

I’m a messy and unorganized person, but my artwork is clean.

Squares or Circles?

Circles.

Are you a Ninja?

A samurai.

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BP Oil Spill & Beyond Words by Austin Thompson Photo by Dave Martin 31

The images of the ocean surface and Gulf coastline covered in black goo have been frozen on cable television screens since April 20, 2010 when a drilling rig explosion began one of the largest oil spills in the history. The BP oil spill decimated the environment and local economy of the Gulf region but it had an equally catastrophic effect on the cultures of the residents living there. The ruthless competition and greed that defines big business in America came in direct conflict with the local way of life of people who for generations evolved customs and social institutions in relationship to the Gulf Coast environment. A dramatic 60,000 barrels of oil a day are ruining the fragile ecosystem of the Gulf Coast and even after the hole is plugged the cultural effects of this tragedy will last for generations to come. These were people who depended on fishing and tourism not just for money but for the dignity of feeding their families and being part of a historical cultural tradition that linked them with their past. In an instant, much of this was washed away in a sea of a thick and nauseating guck that profiteers call “black gold”.

The BP disaster put a microscope on how unregulated multinational corporation’s not only threaten nature but also deny the cultural development of the people in their path.

Many fans of hip-hop and r&b have similarly witnessed the withering away of the original

urban black and latino cultures that birthed these genres by white corporate executives in the 1990’s---a process that was accompanied by gentrification in inner cities around the country. These artforms were victims of the same historical process of commodification that turned a once beautiful oceanic landscape into a cesspool of chemicals and petroleum in the Gulf.

Frustrations with the oil industry in the Gulf did not begin in 2010. The Gulf Coast region has the nation’s largest concentration of oil refineries and petro-chemical facilities. Before the oil spill the region had already been transformed with miles of pipeline through the marsh and wetlands and the bribing of local politicians to avoid government regulations.

BP in particular chose cost cutting measures to guarantee record profits year after year over safety standards. The result was that BP had been slapped with 750 safety violations before the oil spill. But President Obama was the largest recipient of campaign funds from BP in 2008 and like President George W. Bush before him, Obama’s administration exempted BP from several investigations of its safety standards. As we realized during the nearly trillion dollar bailout of Wall Street, the BP oil spill is another case where corporate America shaped the very laws that were supposed to protect us from their excesses.

This is not the first time that the combination of greed and oil decimated the culture of a people. From a U.S.-backed coup of the democratically elected president of Iran in 1953, to military support for dictator Sani Abacha in Nigeria throughout the 1990’s and the recent invasion of Iraq by neo-conservatives in 2003, it is evident that multinational companies will go to any lengths to enrich themselves and feed our addiction to oil. The oil industry is thus the most consistently profitable industry in America powering our cars, heating our homes and making up the plastics we consume in products everyday. The costs of our addiction to oil both foreign and domestic is not paid by the oil companies who profit or the politicians whose campaigns they bankroll. The high costs of oil are passed to Mother Earth in the form of environmental destruction, and oppressed and working-class people around the world in the form of endless wars and cultural oppression.

Months have gone by and BP has not yet been able to stop the flow of oil into the Gulf.

The U.S. government has been reluctant to seize the company’s assets or takeover the recovery effort for fear of being labeled “socialist” by conservatives. However, we know that ultimately neither politicians or the corporations that direct them are substitutes for the work of organized people in struggle. The battle to liberate the Gulf Coast from the grip of BP is only part of a larger struggle to defend the culture of people in poor and working-class neighborhoods around America.

Music, poetry and art will inevitably be forms of important resistance to all foreign domination and destruction of the environment.

Rapper Drake is teaming up with the HipHop Caucus’ “Green The Block” campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of off-shore drilling around the country. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson bandleader of the Roots also recently sounded off on the impact of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

In the Gulf, a third of federal waters are now closed and the producers of fishing nets, boats, fishermen or shrimpers have seen their cultural life on the verge of obsolescence. Restaurants and households are finding the very seafoods their communities consumed in abundance now scarce and more expensive than ever. Three decades of greed and corruption is responsible for allowing this crisis to occur. The oil and gas industry has bought the best democracy money can buy. Half of the judges in the region receive money directly from owning shares in big oil companies.

“They need to find another way...another solution besides offshore drilling, or onshore After intense pressure from grassroots or- drilling...I don’t think that people really know ganizations, President Obama announced the repercussions that we’ll have to face now a BP trust-fund to pay money to the victims that all this oil has spilled. You’re really not goof this human-made disaster. However, what ing to know the direct results ‘til probably a monetary price can one put on the loss of an year and a half from now.” entire way of life? The relationship between the people and the Gulf is one of identity, an Decades from now, we will tell our grandchilidentity that was forged in years of a diverse dren stories about the worst environmental Southern history that the ocean played a disaster in history. But the world they inherit, large part in creating. It was only five years both culturally and ecologically, will depend ago that this very region suffered from Hur- on what we do today. To make a positive difricane Katrina, another painful experience in ference it will be necessary to look beyond American selfishness as we saw thousands the immediate cleanup of oil in the Gulf toof black residents left drowning in the streets ward a literal transformation of America’s of New Orleans. dependence on both oil and corporate greed.

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Sunday Love Fefe Dobson Words by Rose Bellefleur Photo by Rony Shram

Fefe Dobson, Mean Girls, and Seventeen Magazine were the epitome of my pubescent years. It was the summer of my ninth grade year in high school, I was no longer a freshman, but I wasn’t an official sophomore yet. Training bras to Victoria Secret soft flex, Paul Frank kiddie panties to Bare Necessities boy shorts, transitions were in full affect. Seventeen was my Bible, drilling false notions of beauty into my head. The story line of Mean Girls was my mantra, I was caught up in the in crowd trading braces and my soul in exchange for a one-way ticket to coolness and once I got in there was no way in hell that I planned on returning to mingle with the squares. Fefe Dobson was to me what Grace Jones was to Warhol, my muse.

At a time when uber commercialized artist like Britney Spears and ATeens were spitting out chart topping singles and Dance Dance Revolution anthems like “Hit me Baby One more Time”, Fefe Dobson stood out like a emo kid in a stadium full of cheerleaders. The drums, electric guitars, rebellious microphone cord swings gave her an idiosyncratic sound that could be heard on all frequencies. The ripped pre-Kate Moss pantyhose, crinkled leather jackets, safety pinned slub ensembles, black chipped nail polish and studs gave her a bad ass aura that commanded attention on all red carpets.

On the right, were artist like N*Sync, uniform and standard with their plastic,

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synthesized music and even more synchronized and pyrotechnic embellished dance moves. They sang about love, crushes, lust, desires, and candy. On the left, Fefe Dobson was the uncut raw artist, in comparison to them she was indie. She poured her heart out about the unedited and behind close doors teenage years, which were years and door slamming episodes full of heartbreak, loss, loneliness, misery, and most importantly anger. Her music videos didn’t look like clips from a Disney movie chock full of gyrating hip movements, matching white latex jumpsuits and hand cross, hand cross, hand over heart, sidestep, sidestep dance numbers. Instead, these childhood infancies were replaced with heartbroken, vulnerable, broken down, almost ripe clips of a quaky vulnerable persona singing about accepting mistakes, thinking of boys in bed, and navigating her way through love.

Her hair is longer, but other than that she is the same Fefe Dobson, rebellious and conspicuous with her music all the same. Yes, she has matured emotionally and mentally, but that is to be expected. After all when we were introduced to her, she was at the mellow age of seventeen. Six years later, she is even more into leather and studs and although as a young lady, she has come to love and accept heels, I want to make it clear that she is still the same. And that is a good thing. For all the reasons that we fell in love with her seven years ago, we can still continue to love her and her music for

“When you have pain in your household, childhood issues, or break up with someone you love.That is where those deep feelings and thoughts come from.�

the same reasons today: energetic, spunky, and Joy, after a long reflecting pause she replied, very reflective.

“Judge for yourself, I think it’s a piece of art.”

We started off with the rich, knitty gritty and personal stuff. Few know this, but when Fefe Dobson was younger, her younger brothers were given to the system. With the bonds of siblinghood severed, the pain that she felt found its way into her lyrics, “When you have pain in your household, childhood issues, or break up with someone you love. That is where those deep feelings and thoughts come from. I think about it and write about it. I write about issues and happiness in my life,” Fefe explains to me. Fefe Dobson was at the cusp of her career and she was a teenager undergoing not only family issues, but also love and self-confidence issues too. “ Don’t Let it Get to Your head” (2005), one of her most candid and tangible singles, was written when the canadian beauty was going through some emotionally draining love issues. “[I was going through] a lot of stuff, a serious breakup, it was confusing for many years. At that point I was wondering if I was good enough, or pretty and skinny enough.” Now, the singer has comes to accept herself, “[I’m] older, I’ve learned to be more patient about myself and the little things,” she says when describing the changes that have occurred between the interlude of that single and now, “I’m at a point where it doesn’t matter, I’m me. All girls need to find happiness within themselves.”

And happiness and strength she has found.

From her album Joy, Fefe Dobsons’ single “Ghost” is more or less a victory song. The single was produced and co-written by Kevin Rudolph and Fefe Dobson. “[I have] three full diaries full of music and I’m working on a fourth.

I co-write everything. I have to be a part of it somehow. I have to get my fingers in there, plant a seed, put my spin on it,” she told me when she was asked about the collaboration. “Ghost” is a pop melody which strays from her usual rock sound, and has a feminine quality in it that gives the single a Maddonnaesque feel. The pop-rock star stated the inspiration as being, “A guy that has done me wrong and it is your turn now to be ghost and to walk away.” Fefe said that the experience in the studio with Kevin was priceless, “‘Ghost’ is a fun song. Working with Kevin Rudolph was a pleasure and [he is] so much fun.

[He] cheered me on a lot.” When we asked Fefe Dobson what could be expected from the album

Speaking of Joy, I was dying to ask Fefe about Sunday Love. Many assume that the reason the album wasn’t released was because the lack of response to the singles, but that isn’t so. Fefe simply needed time to herself. “Musically, I love those songs on the record, but I needed time to reevaluate and reconstruct my career. [Sunday Love not being released] was a blessing in disguise.” I assumed that she probably felt as if she has to prove herself with Joy because of Sunday Love not being released, but Fefe Dobson did not feel that way at all. “[...they’re] different albums, they sound different musically. I’m not worried at all about Sunday Love, I’m excited about Joy, Sunday Love will released somewhere down the line.” Call it what you want to, ranging from terms such as “comeback” to “freezy pop”, Fefe Dobson, is glad that she took some time off to add some detailing to her art. “It’s important to take that step away and recreate. If your popping one album after another, you’re creating the same thing there is not enough time to sink in.”

Fefe Dobson may have took some time off to recreate and find herself, but during this time off, she was still working. She just got off tour with Hedley, Faber Drive, and Boys like Girls.

The idea of being stuck in a tour bus full of guys was unfathomable to me, but to Fefe it was fun.

“Hedley is so talented. Boys like Girls are super duper nice, all the guys were cool. They treat you like you’re their sister,” she told me as we were talked of the abundance of testosterone that she had to deal with while touring. Even if the situation had been worst, Fefe probably would have been able to deal with it. To most, teenage years are filled with experimentation, movies, the mall and other childish infancies, but Fefe’s were filled with tours. “Touring, living out of a suitcase, playing tons of festivals,” spoke Fefe of what comes to mind when she thinks of her teenage years, “There was no glamour when I started off. It was really about roughing it. There was nothing glamourous. I didn’t want it to be; I wanted to work hard and sweat.” In a sense, she was paying her dues.

When most people think of musical artist, they think of a plethora of scandalous and racy music video releases, Grammy’s after parties, and wild nights at the hottest clubs, but this false and stereotypical notion of the music industry is not at all realistic. Before artist reach this state of fame

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and nirvana, dues have to be paid. Whether it be singing background pro bono, going on tour and literally singing and performing for food because you are trying to get your name out there and the checks haven’t started rolling in yet, there is much sacrifice to be made to reach success in the music industry.

find true love, you’ve won.” Relationship wise, she was hopeful, “I don’t think I’ve ever experienced love that will last forever and I have hopes that I will.” We steered clear of the gushy stuff and started talking about break-ups and heartbreak. “Heartbreak is this uncontrollable feeling that heals and goes away sooner or later when it comes to relationships. Death, it never Having payed her dues, reached that plane of nir- goes away, it pulls aside but never heals. And vana , having been compared to and evaluated if it’s true love that you are heartbroken over, by many, Fefe Dobson was given a chance to you’ve missed out on love.” serve as a critic herself. Fefe has always been inspired by and respected gutsy women who aren’t And the analogy that I had used earlier. You afraid to express what they feel and when asked know, the one with Christina Aguilera, Britney of artist that she admire who have this trait, she Spears and *NSYNC on the right with their ablisted Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, and Gwen stract pop songs and Fefe Dobson on the left Stefani. When it came to artist, who like herself, with her organic, concrete music, I brought it up have the uncanny ability to stand out, she had while talking to her. This time however, I used a this to say about Ke$ha, “I purchased her record, Disney channel and Degrassi analogy. “I think she really speaks to certain crowd[...] I had to feel that is interesting,” she told me, she went on to it out.” Fefe’s conclusion, “I like her.” Speaking add, “Degrassi had that real life vibe. That’s the of new artist, of course Justin Beiber came up, kind of show I want. Gritty, real and relatable; it and she gave me the most peculiar yet brilliant isn’t easy and bubble gum. At times you like the opinion of the artist. “He is such a good kid. He’s bubble gum you don’t have to worry about the always smiling and has a positive message.” She pain and reality. Who doesn’t like both ends of then went on to tell me about how when she was the spectrum.” So the deciding factor was this: younger she had a crush on Justin Timberlake pop vs. rock? Fefe was on the fence with that and wrote a song about him. “The lyrics talk about one, “I’m both,” she told us, “I have to be categoblue eyes and fantasies,” she laughed as she told rized. Rock because its rock guitars, live instrume the story. This song “Take Me Away” went on ments and heavy and pop because its poppy to be a chart topping single that many know her and my choruses are repetitive.” by. She reasoned to me how just like her crush on pop star Justin Timberlake led to a chart topping Whether it be pop, rock or indie, we love her all single, some girl out there with the biggest crush the same. From “Don’t Go” which is 70s infused on Beiber is writing songs about him and is an pop with a dash of Cyndi Lauper and Madonna artist waiting to emerge. Fefe Dobson has long spunk, “Pepper Spray” with its folky and soulful been compared Rihanna. With Rihanna’s Rated vibe, and right down to “Truth Anthem” which is R, just being released and Fefe Dobson’s Joy due chock full of her signature American rock sound, out in a few weeks, people will be comparing. Un- we are very appreciative of her sound. With Joy fortunately for them, Fefe Dobson really doesn’t due for release, June 15 2o1o, we can expect a care about the comparisons. “I get it kindof, but lot of great things from Fefe Dobson and it isn’t our music is very different, you can hear the dif- to much to critic her to the highest standards. ference in it. We’re both black women doing edgy She’ll do good though, she’s a fighter. music.” While on the topic of black women in the music industry we briefly spent some time talking about Kelis and the “Acapella” video, and Fefe was very much in appreciation of Kelis’s art. “She is great,” Fefe told me.

The interview dwindling down, Fefe and I started chatting about girly stuff, like love and break ups.

She defined love as “an energy that is the core of life. The most beautiful thing ever. When you

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th

12DISCIPLES

Words by Rose Bellefleur The setting is a venue in East Hollywood. Talk about hearts on the dance floor. Flashing lights fight with the hazy smoke in attempt to reach out to you. Psychedelicglimpses of heaven spin in your head as you absorb the energy pulsating from the colorful strobe lights overhead. Your feet are in a pretty sticky situation, and with every jump and grind your shoes become more and more engulfed in vat of beer, vodka, burnt bits and depending on the extremity of the party that you are at, vomit. Bones, everywhere. Especially the more pointed and dangerous ones.

I dare you to get out of sync with the thumping crowd and expect an elbow or shoulder blade to not get slammed into your face. In the middle of this musical orgy,I spy with my drunken eyes a wasted youth clutching his beer bottle, celebrating the life that he has just began, the fears of failure a bachelors degree away. I spy with my drunken eyes a cocky persona, her jeans hug her curves tightly, she’s thirty, crow’s feet is a dead giveaway, but to anyone with the right amount of cash and with the right whip, she’s twenty one. Tonight she has been anonymously crowned queen of the dance floor. And why shouldn’t she be, she got the night off and saved up for the damn tickets.

Not to mention the fact that it took two hours to straighten that mess of a hair and squeeze those size 14 hips into size 7 jeans. I spy with my drunken eyes a confident and happy persona,she’s alone. No need for an entourage of girls to blend in with and a steady supply of drinks to free her spirit!

Sadness, happiness, love, hate, sin and lies all under one roof and don’t tell me you can’t feel the energy radiating in a room full of hip thumpers and rump shakers. I spy with my drunken eyes, the creator of it all, the man with the golden hands spinning and turning rhythms and anthems that combined potently and subliminally force you to let go of the worries of life and give in to the joys of the night. We hail him the Apollo of the turntables, his fans and beloved following refer to him as A-Trak.

Although music as an art form is abstract, I got a chance to talk about the more concrete aspect of it with A-Trak. From the commencement of the interview, there was a characteristic in A-Trak’s being that I instantly held in high regard. He knew his stuff. So many people will drone on for hours, giving you auditory tours of their celebrity lives, but with A-Trak, I was schooled on the art that he specializes in, DJing.After ensuring that I was sufficiently schooled on the art of mixing, we went on to talk about some of the people that have influenced A-Trak. We started off with the late Guru,Keith Elam, who A-Trak said inspired him by simply “making good records”. We began to talk about the Gang Starr duo that Guru had been the half of and A-Trak commended them on how they stayed “truthful and gritty” at a time when hip hop was evolving. On the subject of emcee’s and gritty hip hop, Run DMC and especially Jam Master Jay took home the award and were cited as being the “pioneers of hip hop” that exposed a whole generation to a new style of music that eventually took over the nation. Jam Master Jay, he dubbed the “anchor that kept [Run DMC’s] credibility as a group unquestionable”.

The upcoming release of yet another highly anticipated mixtape Dirty South Dance 2 from Fool’s Gold, will not only showcase A-Trak’s talent, but will also display what A-Trak means when he says that he only “plays tracks that [he] stands behind”. “Loonies to Blow”, via Dirty South Dance 2 is sickening.

What seems like a typical poppy and techno mix of Drake, and Birdman’s “Money to Blow”, is in fact a fusion of the hip hop single with, Grammy Award winning, David Guetta’s “Toyfriend” instrumentals, speed up, slowed down and then equalized to put you in an euphoric, mind blowed state. The mixtape features Carte Blanche, a house duo which consists of DJ Mehdi and Riton, and Kid Sister collaboration and a remix of Donnis’ “Gone” by DJ Craze.

After being invited to tour with Kanye West, A-Trak is recording scratches for Kanye West’s Late Registration and a couple of years later Graduation.

Fast forward a little more to a year or so where A-Trak has become such a familiar name in the hip music culture that he becomes the recipient of huge endorsements and is collaborating with the likes of Zoo York and Kid Robot. Fast forward to 2oo7, where A-Trak has become so successful and garnered so much respect in the music industry that he launches the label Fool’s Gold, a league of extraordinary artists with sounds that are too unique and new to the game to be referred to as indie, are too organic and gritty to be named pop, but at the same time not as harsh as raw hip hop. Fast forward to 2oo9, where “Day N’ Night” , a single that would take the subculture of hip hop and psychedelic pop by storm and bring the man on the moon, Kid Cudi to sudden and unexpected fame, is released on a Fool’s Gold EP. Let’s not forget a collaborations with a man whose work, or some pathetic imitation by some wannabe house DJ, you’ve probably at least once during your lifetime shook your ass to, Armand Van Helden. And we haven’t even hit the climax of this spectacular talent, we’re in fact still building up. Recording not only for his artist that are signed onto Fool’s Gold, but also for A-Trak, is scheduled to occur within this year. In conjunction with that, he is once again teaming up with Arman Van Helden for a continuation of the Duck Sauce project.The Duck Sauce collaboration is well anticipated considering that “aNYway” one of the tracks which stemmed from the project took the dance and party scene by storm with its funky, make you feel SOOooo good, from the tip of your toes the the tip of your tongue, disco fever rhythms.

Time after time, party after party, artist after artist, mix after mix, we have seen how talented this former turntable prodigy is. The party hasn’t even started yet, but he has got us dancing, moving all crazy like letting the rhythms and techno beats take us back to the era when music and dancing was the supreme relief from the sorrows of life and the ultimate form of expression. So, don’t be scared of the dance floor. Let the disco fever take you. It starts with a couple of finger snaps and some foot tapping here and there. Relax, let your head bob to the beat. We’re celebrating with the Apollo of the turntables and everyone is invited.

What’s the cause of this celebration? This beautiful sickening institution: Life, and if the party gets out of hand, so be it.

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Stage Lights Yelawolf Words by Myles E. Johnson

Behind a lot of Yelawolf’s tunes, there’s anger, insanity, intelligence, and street-smarts.

Needless to say, rappers with a catalogue like that don’t always have the reputation for being the most friendly or talkative, especially to young journalists. He’s on tour with Wiz Khalifa, just singed a major record label deal with Interscope, and is prepping for new projects. Yet, he found the time to talk to Greedmont about music, comparisons, and an assortment of other subject matters.

Yelawolf is an Alabama raised rapper that has been making quite a wave in the music world, lately. Meshing his southern background and skateboard style into hard-hitting music that garnered him a lot of attention on projects like “Stereo” and “Trunk Muzik”. He has collaborated with such artists like Juelz Santana, Slim Thug, and countless producers. He’s noted as one of the most unique and distinct voices in Hip-Hop. Now that he’s on tour and signed, he seems to be on the brink of world domination.

My phone rings. It’s him. I answer, “Hello?”

“What’s Up, Myles?” Yelawolf says in his cool, calm, and collected voice. Not with an attitude, but like we were friends about to catch up. I don’t know if Yelawolf has always been this calm, or if it’s just the calm before the storm since he just recently signed a major label deal that not only bridges him, but his Ghetto Vision label that he believes very deeply in and will also allow him to keep all creative and artistic control. “We only went with a label that let us do what we are doing”, he continues.

“We’re all about the integrity of the art. I just want to reach the world.”

If you didn’t already know Yelawolf is not just one of the most prolific lyricists in rap, right now, but

he’s also white. I decided to not to tip-toe around the subject and asked him a few racially charged questions that I figured a white rapper in HipHop would have a especially unique take on.

When asked about the inevitable comparisons to label-mate and fellow white rapper, Eminem, he responds, “Comparisons are just human nature. You have to have something to compare it to and we just have to make it your own.” He brings back the focus on the music and the art quickly, “I’m passionate about what I do. I do what I love. I make sure every record I like is based on a real point of view.” Still, when inquired about a possible collaboration between Eminem and himself he quickly jabs, “All for the collaboration. Absolutely”.

If you don’t know Yelawolf for his witty delivery, the successful “Trunk Muzik”, or his collaborations with Hip-Hop heavyweights, you might know him from your television. He had a stint on Missy Elliot’s reality television show “Road to Stardom”. I inquired about how it might have affected his career or mentality. He responds truthfully and openly, “It didn’t do anything for my career. It came out way more [of a] personal experience.”

Listening to Yelawolf’s music and watching his growing, yet still distinct image you have to ask yourself how did he grow up and what he’s inspired by. Yelawolf divulges about his childhood.

He grew up with a young mother who had him at fifteen years of age and had to grow-up faster than the average child. “I was making my own meals. Getting myself up from school in 3rd and 4th grade. I just grew up quick.” He still contributes his vast and eclectic taste in music to his mother.

“I could have heard all of that shit on skateboarding videos and still not been attracted to it.” In his youth, he also found his love of skateboarding and the culture. “I got my first skateboard when I was four or five. I got my first pro model when I was like twelve or thirteen. I really started going hard out in Nashville.” he also adds about skateboarding culture and it’s influence on him, “It just broadens my horizons”.

Yelawolf has a profound respect and admiration for his hometown of Alabama and his history. His roots run thick in Alabama and he’s open about how his history manipulates his music, lyrically and conceptually. “I base everything off of my own perspective. I am super passionate about the state of Alabama. Generations of my family are from Alabama… I feel a certain sense of responsibility. To be completely honest and real about who we are and what we do.” His responsibility doesn’t stop at just Alabama, but Yelawolf is passionate about the working class everywhere.

“I love the working class, blue-collar people. So many people in Hip-Hop want to be the star, I just want to be the people.” He jokes about a time where money didn’t flow so smoothly, but he still

partied with the best of them. “You start being so fresh that you roll up in the party, the freshest person there and have no car… I know how to wear those Wal-Mart shoes.”

Yelawolf is an artist’s artist. He has the passion, and apparently it’s finally being noticed on a more mainstream scale. He has a certain type of passion and sharpness in his voice that a lot of rappers don’t possess. “There’s a couple of ounces of passion people are missing. I believe in my shit.

I believe in my team.” Yelawolf has the recipe for perfection. A thirst and drive that’s very rare in a lot of young Hip-Hop today. “I’m an extremist. When I want to do something, I just fucking do it. And if I’m not good enough, I get good enough.” He sees himself working with artists like Outkast and Lykke Li and filling up arenas. It’s more than probable with work ethic and talent like his.

I prepare to close the conversation and Yelawolf thanks me for the interview and I thank him for sparing some time. Plenty of rappers have the talent or knowledge, but a lot do not have the passion or integrity. It’s the integrity that separates good music from great art. Yelawolf is in the business of making great art. Look out for his new project, “Trunk Muzik: 0 to 60” dropping in June and catch him on tour with Wiz Khalifa. Yelawolf is one of the newest voices in Hip-Hop, but it’s turning out that his bite is going to be way worse than his bark.

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Kid Sister Words by Rose Bellefleur

I’m dying in a fit of laughter as Kid Sister goes into detail about her first ever nail installation, “[I was}13 about to be 14 when I first got nails, they were blood red and VERY whorey. So racy. I look back at pictures. I was overweight. Looked like a brunette Miss Piggy.” She goes on to assure me that she took a break during college, “Because it’s hard to type with them.” Of course, I start off the interview with nails, especially since it’s Kid Sisters iconic trademark and the theme behind her chart topping, Kanye West featured single “Pro Nails” that brought her career to sudden and unprecedented fame. Many people know Kid Sister for her electronic, smack talking, and sassy singles and at times, they associate the themes behind Kid Sister’s musical releases to her character.

She has been dubbed: care-free, strong, sassy, and uncensored, and it’s not a bad thing. In a world full of females who are content in being Barbara Walters, Honey Bee Home Makers, Martha Stewarts, and Barbies, Kid Sister is Mae West meets Jane Fonda.

At first I was taken back by her bluntness. It came in a disparate variety of truth that you don’t come across often these days. How does love inspire your music? It’s more like lust. How Does Pain inspire you? It doesn’t, my life is awesome, I don’t go through too much stuff. Do you ever get compared to Lil Mama? Not really ever. What would be your dream collaboration? Someone no one would think I’m a fan of like Hurricane Chris or something...

She’s strong. You probably have heard her music at parties more than you’re seen her face. The Chicago native is all about working and often plays a creative role in a lot of her music videos. “Some of them, I do.

And the ones that I have, have turned out pretty awesome,” she tells me when I ask her if she plays apart of the creative concepts that are behind her videos. We begin to talk about the Pro Nails video which leads to us talking about the collaboration with Kanye West that went down for the song, “You always hope those things will happen. Never anything that I would hint at or ask. Heard it over the phone without any warning, that the collaboration came through.Kanye was on the stage at the MTV Europe VMAs angry because Justice won best video. A-Trak was stuck in the middle of situation because he was friends with both of them. He then gave Kanye some new artists to check out. Played him all this new stuff [our stuff]. Kanye West said he wanted to get on Pro Nails.” Kid Sister went on to tell me some of the emotions that were behind the creation of Pro Nails stating, “It was talking a lot of smack in a fun way. It was to illustrate the girl that I am. I’m very sweet, but hold fast cuz u might get touched. At the end of the day to know me is to love me.”

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“If I want my voice to be heard,

I just speak louder”

We kicked things off with her Ultraviolet album and the concept that she had in mind when it came to the songs, themes etc, “[I wanted] to bring a cohesive, grouping of sounds, a movement. When I started there wasn’t a name for what I do. I started doing hip-hop lyrics over electronic beats. No one was doing it before. All of a sudden it blew up.

With it blowing up there hadn’t been an artist to put out a body of work that is the essence of that movement,” she told me. We began talking about some of the singles that were released for the album and a few of the videos. After the single and video for Pro Nails was released, Kid Sister landed some star heavy features for her Ultraviolet album namely the likes of Estelle and Cee-Loo. When asked about the collaboration with Cee-Loo for the DayDreaming single, she stated that “it was good” and he was “super sweet.” When asked about the theme behind the song “Step” that featured Estelle, it was simple. “That song is about going on vacation.” Having already worked with Kanye West, Estelle, Cee-Loo, A-Trak and many more esteemed producers and artists, I wanted to know if Kid Sister had anyone in mind who she would love the opportunity to collaborate with. “Someone completely random. Like Hurricane Chris or OJ the JuiceMan.

What I do is to make me happy giggle and laugh.

All I want to do is have fun.” Of course, hearing the Chicago native talk about her music and upcoming events, I couldn’t help but think of another particular Chicago group whose art could be considered a part of the musical subculture movement that the subculture that we are so heavily in has had the opportunity to witness rise to fame and acclamation: The Cool Kids. “There are certain artists that you are always surprised at and The Cool Kids continue to pleasantly surprise me” Of course there is a sense of camaraderie between the two artists, “We came from the same place, same culture,” she tells me.

Of course, the age old question of whether or not as a female hip-hop artist Kid Sister feels as though she has to work twice as hard to prove herself came up, but Kid Sister managed to answer it in the most iconic of ways. “I guess, that’s what everyone says.

Ignorance is bliss, I haven’t really felt it. I grew up with all boys I think thats why. If I want my voice to be heard, I just speak louder, you just have to do everything a little better and quicker and more frequently.

Its like that with every profession. Some people, like 9-5 types or whatevz don’t take me seriously with my nails. I think the key us to just keep on doin what ya do, unfazed by outside influences.”

As a female she has nothing to prove and being the sister of Josh Young, who is one half of the duo behind Flosstramadus, she assured me that an unbalanced type of relationship was not the caseat all.

“I don’t think either one of us have anything to prove to each other.

We’re part of a big family and big crazy, crazy family. It’s more of a joint effort. There’s a familial group feeling to what we do. We’re all part of a larger team.”

Long nails don’t care, Kid Sister is one to look out for in the music scene, with recent collaborations with AfroJack, Bun B, Paul Wall on the way and a new single on Ed Banger out now. A tour that she has scheduled in the near future, a video for the single “Big and Bad” directed

by Rik Cordero to hit TVs in the upcoming weeks, and a new album in the works, Kid Sister is staking her place in the industry, one nail at a time.

the play Janelle Monae ::TheArchAndroid (Suites II & III)

A masterpiece has been born. The concept was well crafted, the rhythms do not cease to captivate you, and neither do the heartfelt lyrics. With its orchestral melodies and mystical undertones, Janelle thoroughly takes you on a journey upon the arrangements clashing with your eardrums.

Noteworthy tracks: Faster, Locked Inside, Oh Maker, Neon Valley Street

Broken Bells :: Broken Bells

When Danger Mouse and Shins leader James Mercer band together magic is generated. The idealistic melodies and James’ calming voice meet to structure a dynamic album.

Noteworthy Tracks: The High Road,The Ghost Inside, Sailing to Nowhere

Curren$y: : PilotTalk

As a part of launching BluRoc Records, Curren$y’s Pilot Talk does its job in reinstating the dynasty. Boasting phenomenal creations from the one and only Ski Beatz, this album is a classic. Just press play there will absolutely be no need to let your fingertips graze the skip button.

Noteworthy tracks: Audio Dope II, Breakfast, Roasted, Skybourne

Donnis :: Fashionably Late

The XXL Freshman upholds his title with this mixtape. Fashionably Late has all the ingredients needed to overhold his fan base until his album drops.

Noteworthy Tracks: Darkside, Lightning, Country Cool Remix

Mach Five :: Double Dare EP

I got a sneak peek at the latest creation from Corey Davis and A. Ware, who join forces again and produce a pleasant and eclectic album. Straying from the norm, the tracks are representative of its masters: diverse and artistic.

Noteworthy Tracks: Come Back, Working, California Sunshine

yground Words by Brianna Giddens

Wiz Khalifa :: Kush & OJ

The release of Wiz’s fume and tangy concoction almost instantly became a number one trending topic on Twitter, as stoners rejoiced on April 14th. Although he usually spits about the same concepts, smoking weed or taking your girl, Wiz never seems to leave us disappointed with one of his projects.

Noteworthy tracks: Mezmorized, Spotlight, Up, Never Been

Christian Rich ::The Decadence

Presented by Clinton Sparks and Mick Boogie, The Decadence is a must have in your iPod. With Pharrell giving it a stamp approval, and unforgettable construction of tunes, it’s guaranteed to gain a place in your top played list.

Noteworthy Tracks: Famous Girl, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, My 1st Model

Hollyweerd :: Edible Phat 2.0

Exhibiting an expansion of their individualistic creativity and diversity, Atlanta’s favorite weerdos return with their highly demanded mixtape. With Edible Phat 2.0, its blatant that Hollyweerd has perfected their niche, giving us a pristine taste of their euphonious perceptions.

Noteworthy tracks: Love Me, So Check it, Don’t Believe The Hype

Dom Kennedy :: FromTheWestside,With Love

The Cali native, presents us with another compilation of refreshing sounds and wordplay, enlisting himself in the category of California’s acknowledged artists. His production selection and captivating lines.

Noteworthy tracks: 1997, Locals Only, Play On

Big Boi: Sir Luscious Leftoot ::The Return of Chico Dusty

Our beloved ATLien has returned. Due to an unsupportivelabel subsidiary, Big Boi parted ways with his home and took his project to Def Jam. Good riddance, seems that Jive didn’t know what to do with his remarkable art.

Noteworthy tracks: Turns Me On, General Patton,You Ain’t No DJ

Typical Byronic Heroes Words by Rose Bellefleur Photo by Dave Martin

Their sunglasses are dark, brooding, chain-embellished, and stud casted; these shades are made for the typical and iconic byronic hero. You have a strong distaste for social institutions or you ever feel as though you are a rebel without a cause? Buy a pair.

Pretty jaded and not blinded by the flashing lights that prey? Buy a pair. Got a high level of confidence that some mistake for cockiness and a blood in my eyes, ice in my veins attitude/mentality to match? Buy a pair. These shades aren’t your typical piece of merchandise or accessory. They are couture. While many in the accessory business get their merchandise made in sweatshops or factories across the Atlantic, with Coco&Breezy sunglasses you get what Corianna and Brianna (a.k.a. Coco&Breezy) have hand picked and made, fresh from their apartment in New York to you. No middle man.

And to all who have falsely accused the girls of getting their designs from the wellknown sunglasses brand Mercura, let’s cut the bullshit. The girls are from middle of now-where Minnesota, “We can’t copy them

because we never knew about them. I’m from Minnesota, growing up I knew about my fashion, but not about anyone else,” Corianna scoffed at the accusations, “Mercura is tailored to older women, we’re the new generation.” When they are in the designing mood or when they know that they have a big project coming up, the girls purge themselves of everything that might inspire, so that the finished project comes purely from their souls. “When you see something it is stuck in your mind visually and you don’t want to accidentally recreate it,” they told me when I asked about the thought process that goes with the brand.

The thing about Coco&Breezy is that you have to admit that behind the brand is pure genius. Before the brand came out sunglasses were just an accessory and the only thing that made a pair stand from amongst the others was the brand that made them. If either Chanel, Louis, or Marc Jacobs were stamped on the side of your shades then you were officially in vogue, there was no artwork or creativity that went into it. With Coco&Breezy you can tell that

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the shades are theirs simply by looking at the shape, studs, chains, and lens of the frame. Just like Gucci is known for their patented colorway, Louis Vuitton is know for the mesmerizing LV’s, and Chanel is known for the intersecting C’s, so is Coco&Breezy known for their heavy metal designs.

to be some sort of animosity, which eventually leads to pain, towards the lack of childhood and wonders in their life. When asked if they were inspired by pain and if that was one of the reasons behind their chain and stud heavy designs they said no, “Sunglasses are dark and we like studs, but pain doesn’t inspire us, we stay positive.”

The girls have pretty humble beginnings that really don’t match the grandeur of their success. They have backgrounds as dancers. It’s something that they were and still are pretty passionate about, but had to put aside so that they could focus more on designing. At one point they tried to do both, but the stress was too great and both designing and dancing are time-consuming. When the girls moved to New York, they came with the mind-set that designing would be their number one priority. When they first made the move, no one knew about them and they went for two whole weeks without selling a thing, fast-forward to today and everyone knows about the girls, their shades are so in demand, and it’s not at all surprising to see people wearing fakes.

Coco&Breezy are on the pathway to becoming a household brand. They plan on opening a few stores in New York and then branching out overseas to other stores, preferably Nordstrom. They also plan on starting a foundation for kids. “We did the all American dream and we want to let people know that they can do it too. If you believe in it, you can do your own.” The duo are coming out with limited edition Coco&Breezy shirts that will be served on a first come first serve basis and a new design will be made every two months.

Their new collection 20/20 should be out in May. The name stems from the fact that the twins are turning twenty in May and from the fact that everything is coming into full focus for them,hence 20/20. The line will not only feature the trademark, avant garde shades but they also plan on including necklaces, and bracelets in the collection.

Along with the success has also come a very busy lifestyle. The girls are always working and rarely have time to themselves. “We don’t get to live the young life, but I’m not complaining.” Corianna told me. What few know about the girls is that they were home-schooled and graduated very early. Once they graduated they delved into their designing so they really never got to live the young life. I speculated that there had

And all those rumors going around that the reason why the twins are always wearing their sunglasses is because they’re cross-eyed: they’re not true. “We hate it when people ask us to take off our sunglasses,” they tell me laughing, “We are known for them, they are our trademark. Our motto is: ‘let’s give them something to stare at’.”

“We hate it when people ask us to take off our sunglasses�

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“At first I liked the fact that women have been embracing gay culture. What I don’t like is when people over use it.

Some people do too much.”

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Your Personal Disco Ball Words by Myles E. Johnson Photos by Skylar Hensley

Brian Patrick Davis is a modern day renaissance man. His artistic hand is in everything, from designing the website to your favorite website, to green lighting your beloved artist’s next single. Brian Patrick Davis wasn’t off when he named his own website, OneBoyRevolution. com. Brian seems to be taking Atlanta (well, the world) by storm just by having taste and opinion. From the outside, his world may seem like it is just filled with champagne, celebrities, and disco-balls but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Though he does roll with an impressive crowd, (including the quirky songstresses Cassie and Solange) and can appreciate a sequined blazer, he doesn’t even drink (or smoke, snort, pop). Brian Patrick Davis is as savvy as he is stylish which is a strange combination in the industry of the lost. I had to pick his brain and learn some secrets and had a sit-down conversation with the Atlanta-appointed, Black Socialite. I was in hopes to find a simpler, more basic person behind all the layers that his public image portrays but alas, I found just the opposite in an even more layered, interesting and generous human-being.

Brian bursts through the room with a contagious energy. All smiles and politely

apologizing for being a couple minutes late. His ignorance of his persona is not only shocking, but endearing and comforting. He steps into the chic lounge (of course, he knows the owner) with a slightly over-sized turquoise sweater with a forgiving crew neckline, crisp blue jeans effortlessly tucked into a pair of Ugg boots. Accompanying the outfit was a massive and beautiful Gucci bag that carries all of Brian’s personal necessities.

From his image, you’d think that would be red-bull, glowsticks, and maybe a pair of disco-pants, just in case. Which led me to ask Brian about his moniker as the Black Socialite. He explains, “When I was younger, too young to be at certain clubs, one of the promoters became a close friend of mine”. The club promoter he is talking about is of course, Atlanta icon in lifestyle, fashion, and music, Fadia Kader.

“She started calling me the Black Socialite. The DJ would yell on the microphone, ‘the Black Socialite is here!’ and it stuck.”

When asked about the name and how he reacts to it he replied, “When people see me they actually call me Black Socialite.

I didn’t give it to myself, but people think I did. People think I’m arrogant, but I’m so not”.

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To any followers and admirers he is quick to correct them and make himself more personable, “People are like ‘You are Black Socialite!’ and I’m like, ‘I’m Brian!’” With his hands, he sweeps his shoulder-length dreads to the back of his head and adds, “My view of a socialite is somebody that is not afraid to be social. I’m not afraid to network and meet people. Being able to be yourself wherever you go, that is what a socialite does.” Dismissing all stereotypes that might come with the word ‘socialite’, he snipes quickly, “Some people think I have a lot of money, but I’m still trying to make it. People have their own, little inkling of what the name means.

It’s either a gift or a curse.” He chuckles, “Some people think I have an inheritance coming in.”

Please, don’t let Brian’s humble nature fool you. He did grow-up well. Some of his peers even referred to his family as the Huxtables.

His mother was a lawyer that owned her own firm and his father was (and still is) a dean at the historically Black college, Clark Atlanta. The university is where Brian attended college and met the now legendary members of the designing team Project X, and garnered his writing gig on the website, ConcreteLoop. Concerning ConcreteLoop, Brian makes no gripes about how he became a part of the now phenomenal entertainment blog. “My friend started it for fun. The site got popular and she contacted me. She hit me up and was like, ‘I need some people to work on the site’, and that is how it came to play.” The Project X collaboration happened just as effortlessly. “It was founded by a couple of really close friends. My friends were producing fashion shows and decided to form their own group. I was in the art department.

Fashion and art are all put together.”

With that backstory, it’s not surprising that Brian has created a decent name for himself as a tastemaker and creative consultant for labels. “I’ve worked with Universal Records and Shanell from Young Money.” He tugs the sleeves of his shirt as he thinks and responds, “Janelle Monae, when she was releasing independently, I did graphics for her…before she got signed. And I‘m doing some work for her now.” When asked about what’s the best people to collaborate with creatively, he responded, “I like to work with people I believe in. I want to be your fan and if I’m a fan, I’ll put my best foot forward.”

Seeing what Brian has become, you would think that when he was a child he always knew what he wanted to do. From art to performance, he always had many different talents, but before the developments of who we know of now, he wanted to be on stage. “I was into musical theatre when I was growing up. I wanted to go to Columbia”, he says. But some things were just not written. Though, Brian never really played out the drama on stage, he has been asked to be featured on the small screen in the avenue of reality television. He declined the offer, but it is not because he is afraid to be candid, he explains…

“When people get you on camera,

they misrepresent you.”

He is not afraid to get up-close and personal, as long as he is not being misconstrued for entertainment purposes. Brian Patrick Davis is fearless about any subject as he divulges in deep conversation about icons, gay culture, fashion, pop cultuture, and beauty. On the iconic figure of our generation, Lady Gaga, he says, “I love Lady Gaga. The thing that I appreciate [most] is her youth. When I first saw the “Just Dance” video, I said to myself, ‘Who is this woman and where is this party?’.”

Fashion does seem to play into a big part of who we think the Black Socialite is, more-so than Brian Patrick Davis himself. He is the first to tell you that he is blessed with great, talented, like-minded, fashion-conscious friends. “I like clothes. My friends are so into fashion that compared to them; I’m not really into it. I get my knowledge from them.” It was written all over Brian’s face that we couldn’t talk about fashion or style without mentioning the recent passing of avant-garde designer, Alexander McQueen.

Brian laments, “I really respected Alexander McQueen. There was a silence in my house when he died. I know this is horrible to say, but I was more sad for the brand than for his actual death.”

Brian also cites Givenchy and Alexander Wang as designers that he is always interested in. You do not have to be a designer to make it into Brian’s closet, however, he asks small requests from his pieces. In fabulous socialite fashion, he adds, “I like more metallics, anything that shimmers or shakes.”

There is more depth to Brian than fashion and pop culture. He has true opinions and concerns about the gay and black community. “I would love to see a gay man in the forefront”, he states.

Concerning the popularity of the gay culture, he admits that there are pros and cons. He says, “At first, I liked the fact that women have been embracing gay culture. What I don’t like is when people overuse it, but don’t know where it came from. Some people do too much. They just learned a new lingo. I hate girls who are new fag hags.” His views aren’t limited to gay culture. He adds his sentiments on the Black state of mind too, “We have no Black leaders that represent the variety of us. We have no one to lead and guide us. The gay community needs that, as well.”

When asked about his future, business wise, Brian sees himself being an A&R executive at a record label. When it comes to love however, Brian hopes to have two children and could not help gushing about his boyfriend. Most of all, he wants to be happy. “I honestly want to live a good, happy life. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. To

just to feel like I’ve accomplished something.”

He quickly adds, “Maybe, hopefully married. I don’t know.”

Brian wraps up the conversation and indulges my interests on his newest projects in music and design. He also shares with me funny stories about his childhood. He advises me on how to make it in a very cut-throat business. It’s rainy and misty outside and as we part ways, he ensures my safe departure. I learned something new about the iconic personality of Atlanta known as the Black Socialite, that no one might ever know if one simply judged him by his partying/online persona and work. He is consciously human and humble. Brian Patrick Davis is much more than simply a Black Socialite, he is a one boy revolution with a beautiful soul and mind to match.

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Style by Myles E. Johnson Photos by Pastiche Lumumba

Photos by Chilly-O