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/ CON / TENTS / issue 12
aprjune 2018
Features
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h.e.r 12
lunick bourgess
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Alex fefegha
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a l i ya h hasinah
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vamp
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gabriel moses
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bryan obonyo
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preye crooks & chris jammer
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CONTRIBUTORS Founders -------Ibrahim Kamara & Jide Adetunji Brand Manager ---------- -Shanice Mears Music Editor ----- --- - Sade Akinfe Art Director ---------Shenell Poorman Creative Director __________ Regina Stephanie Jaiyeola Photographers _________ Giorgia Gray Flora Scott Stylists _____ Lottie Airadion & Seyon Amosu Contributors _____ Abiola Kareem
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EDITOR'S NOTE
The first quarter of 2018 has been eventful to say the least. We’ve already witnessed some epic moments within all creative fields, from fashion and music to arts and culture. We kicked our year off with some dope events including epic collaborations with NIKE and the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Both of which we connected young creative talent with the creative industry in ways that had never been done before. Our 2nd issue of the year a big one for us and a personal favourite for me. The Faceless edition tells the story of 7 legendary creatives letting their work do the talking for them. All these entrepreneurs/creatives are trailblazers in their respective fields and are creating history as we speak despite not being widely recolonised by popular culture. Our cover star for Issue 12 is none other than the future of R & B, H.E.R. Despite keeping her identity concealed she’s managed to burrow her way into hearts worldwide with her flawless vocal ability and song-writing skills. It makes it extra special that we are massive fans of H.E.R at GUAP. The acronym actually stands for having everything revealed, which is exactly what we intend to do as we share with you the stories of these amazing human beings.
/ Jide Adetunji Co-Founder & CMO
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THE FUTURE
H.E.R. Words - Regina Jaiy Photo - Dazhane Leah Interview - Jide Adetunji Video - Ibrahim Kamara Styling - Lottie Dion Make-up - Mata Labs Hair - Erik Pascarelli
OF R&B. 7
Tracksuit: Nike Boots: Stella McCartney Glasses: Retrovinspecs
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Having Everything Revealed, may seem like a juxtaposition when people think of H.E.R; but after encountering such a California native, you understand that completely sums H.E.R up. Known to the world as H.E.R, the emerging songstress has breathed new life into the RnB world unencumbered by the usual focus on image. H.E.R teaches us now more than ever that music surpasses the usual boundaries and borders. Someone who has experienced life in a way that they can convey that experience to the masses and have such an effect without focusing on the psychical should be applauded. H.E.R’s music shows us that you should be confident in who you are and what your abilities are because there is always an audience for your talent. She reveals and breakdowns that the vulnerability and the essence of who she is is shown through her music and that her music is essentially who she is. 10
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LUNICK BOURGESS THE FUTURE OF A&R
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Words - Jide Adetunji Interview - Jide Adetunji
Photo - Giorgia Gray Video - Ibrahim Kamara 13
High Street Kensington, one of the richest and most beautiful parts of London. Somewhere on one of the top floors of one of the grandest buildings in the area, working frantically hard behind his desk we found Virgin Record’s Youngest A&R Manager. He talks through the pressure of his role and how he climbed his way into his current position. During his so far very impressive career he has signed the likes of Mo Stack and Hardy Caprio, seeing both respectively make their mark on the official UK charts. As he continues his pursuit of running his own label, he seeks to continue to champion the music he loves with integrity.
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WE ALL CAN’T BE ARTISTS
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TECH AINT COOL?
ALEX FEFEGHA CREATING A FUTURE IN TECHNOLOGY. Shoreditch is the creative hotspot in one of the most diverse and unique cities in the world, London of course. This just happens to be the home of Comuzi, founded by Alex Fefegha & friends, a dope tech start-up which started by accident but is growing fast because of passion and purpose. Alex, a young tech entrepreneur from Peckham decided to go straight into the tech world after getting a taste of the industry through an unpaid apprenticeship before he started uni. Since then he and his partners have never looked back. They aim to use tech for good and for impact, as they continue to develop it with their hearts and with their community in mind.
Words - Jide Adetunji Interview - Jide Adetunji
Photo - Flora Scott Video - Ibrahim Kamara
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“I think entreprenurship is overated.”
“He combines melody and harmony to his cutthroat trap flow”
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EN ZER
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R EN ZE EB EE
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ALIYAH HASINAH Words - Jide Adetunji Interview - Ibrahim Kamara
BLACK IS POWER POWER POWER
Photo - Ibrahim Kamara Video - Ibrahim Kamara
A young poet & creator from Birmingham who believes in being her true self at all costs. Her work touches on social issues typically pertaining to the experience of black people worldwide. She takes it on as her personal responsibility that black voices are heard and get the right coins for their effort.
BLACK IS POWER POWER POWER
FOR THE BLACK. 21
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GABRIEL MOSES Sun, Ice-cream and grass. We filmed Gabriel on a perfect summers day in the capital. Location, a lovely park / sports centre in South London where Gabriel turned up early and sharp. The one thing I noticed immediately was how mature and well spoken he was despite his youthfulness. A young director / producer from London who has worked with the likes of Nike, Adidas & Puma all before the age of 19. He founded Young Athlete TV after deciding not pursue a career as a pro footballer. It was at this point he decided to start filming his pro and semi-pro friends when he realised there was a lack of support and media attention for young sports people.
PROFILING YOUR FUTURE FAVOURITE ATHLETES
Words - Jide Adetunji Interview - Jide Adetunji
Photo - Flora Scott Video - Ibrahim Kamara
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MAKING THE FESTIVAL OF THE SUMMER
PREYE CROOKS CHRIS JAMMER
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Words - Jide Adetunji
Photo - Ibrahim Kamara
Interview - Jide Adetunji
Video - Ibrahim Kamara
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MUSI C MUSI MUSIC C MUSI MUSIC C MU SIC
START YOUR SUMMER RIGHT SUN SUN SUN AND LOTS OF SUN
The Sony offices are always a pleasant place to visit. Surrounded by plaques and memoirs of some of music’s most historical moments. Whenever we step into the building it feels as if we too have stepped into an important moment in time, not to mention where Preye spend his days working as an A&R during the day before spending the rest of days with the crew planning a crazy festival. It started of simply as just a gathering of friends in their university town Cambridge for the love of good music. Strawberries & Creem Festival has now become one of the countries best up and coming festivals. Turning a hobby into a career isn’t as easy as it seems but Chris & Preye talk us through their journey, how it all comes together and what to expect this year.
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VAMP
Words - Jide Adetunji
Photo - Ibrahim Kamara
Interview - Jide Adetunji
Video - Ibrahim Kamara
MAKE YOUR OWN SPACE
MAKE YOUR OWN SPACE
A gorgeous day out at Southbank by the river. All three ladies Christina, Ruby & Rumbi arrived in truly fashionable timing. Looking beautifully poised for the perfect lighting, singing and dancing in perfect synchronisation the girls were full of energy. Before they kindly bought us lunch they talked us through how they founded A social marketing agency helping brands connect with Black talent called VAMP. A task best suited for three young, ambitious and fearless women of colour. Within their first few years they have already landed major contracts with the likes of Disney, Warner and more. Their role in the European launch of Black Panther the movie helped connect young black owned media platforms such as Gal-Dem & GUAP interview the main cast and Directors. 33
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FROM LONDON TO AFRICA Words - Jide Adetunji
Photo - Ibrahim Kamara
Interview - Jide Adetunji
Video - Ibrahim Kamara
AFRICA AINT JUST AFROBEATS
BRYAN OBONYO 36
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A gloomy day in Brixton, London. We spent the afternoon strolling through the market discussing how important visual content has become and will continue to be for our generation and future ones to come. Ubinufu Space was created from that necessity to fit a gap in the market, reacting to popular music videos from overseas, mainly Africa. With the rise and globalisation of all African genres, not just afrobats, Bryan, Founder of The Ubinifu Space sought to create a platform to connect the UK to the motherland and shed light on some of the worlds most amazing talent.
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GUAP ONES TO WATCH:
STYLISTS by Abiola Kareem Photo: via Instagram
STYLE IS THE BEST WAY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF’
MINI PROFILE COMMONLY KNOWN AS: ThatKevs LOCATION: London INSTAGRAM: @thatskevs/45.7k STYLIST & FASHION BLOGGER WEBSITE: www.thatkevs.com Kelvin Carson is a Holland born stylist who has now made London his home. Graduating university with a fashion marketing degree, he has definitely climbed up the food chain with his styling gigs. He has worked with big names such as Ms Banks, Afro B and SNE. Himself building a following on Instagram, one can describe him as a fashion blogger; giving us daily inspiration and sauce!
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MINI PROFILE
Photo: via Instagram
COMMONLY KNOWN AS: Jay Hines LOCATION: London INSTAGRAM: @jayhines_10.7k ART DIRECTOR & STYLIST WEBSITE: www.Jay-hines.com 22-Year Old Arts Director and Stylist, Jay has made himself very known in the British fashion industry.
CLASSY CLASSY CLASSY
MINI PROFILE COMMONLY KNOWN AS: Coco The Don
From working with brands such as Selfridges, Burberry, Vogue Mexico and many others, his background in visual arts and classical contemporary dance has definitely aided his creativity and visual mind. When looking at Jay’s Instagram, it screams elegance, contemporary and classy; giving you an old school vibe making you just love the page a bit more every time.
GANGSTER IN A DRESS
LOCATION: London INSTAGRAM: @coco_thedon/4.9k TAGLINE: Gangster in a dress STYLIST & IMAGE CONSULTANT WEBSITE: www.cocothedon.tumblr.com Steff London’s main stylist Coco The Don is definitely a key player to watch in the game. Describing herself as a British stylist, image consultant and a gangster in a dress. She has used brands such as ‘Off White’, Levis and Versace when styling Steff giving her an edgy, street and old skool look, bring her personality to light.
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