LOKuuRAZ Magazine May 2013 by LOKuuRAZ Magazine

16 WELCOME TO THE PLAYFUL WORLD OF LUDY AMADO C.E.O. OF SEXYCRIOLAS.NET & HER LOVELY MODELS

ELIZA BYRD DESIGNS

LUDY AMADO

BAN D’AGU BOYZ

WATER SHOOT

LOK UU RAZ MAGAZINE STAFF: *JOSE C. SILVA , PRESIDENT, GRAPHIC DESIGNER *CL AUDINA SILVA , VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF EDITOR *W. LEE THURSTON, 337PHOTOS, PHOTOGRAPHER

MODELS: La Funkk, Kendra, Ludy, Nadi, Rita, Destiny, Seli, Liz

CONTENT

LOKuuRAZ Magazine May 2013

ELIZA BYRD DESIGNS

D R Y B A Z I L E ESIGNS D Eliza Byrd - Jewelry Designer & Creative Force From Manhattan, Brooklyn, to New Jersey.. a combination of city streets and suburban life mixed up with cultural ties to the Cape Verde islands define Eliza Byrdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique design style. Described as a free spirited style, Eliza Byrd Designs is always changing to keep viewers excited for the next creation. Urban chic, classy elegance, earthy ethnic pieces can all be found throughout the collections. Driven by passion for designing beautiful hand made jewelry Elizaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s satisfaction comes from taking her vision to create a wearable piece of art. My website is www.ElizaByrdDesigns.com and at the top you will see a tab labeled Bio. Let me know if you need any additional info. Thanks!

Models: La Funkk & Kendra Photography: 337photos

LOKuuRAZ Magazine May 2013

Welcome to the playful world of

LUDY

Amado Models: Ludy, Seli, Nadi, Destiny and Liz Photography: 337photos Location: Tantric Nightclub

“We are unique; a mixture of African and European culture. We range from light skin to dark skin and have exotic features. The way we talk, dance, our attitude - we are definitely one of a kind.”

Ludy Amado is an up-and-coming entrepreneur from Bridgeport, Connecticut. Rising from humble beginnings, Amado’s parents who are originally from Fogo, Cape Verde instilled in her the value of hard work. Having moved around constantly, she grew up experiencing different environments and people. Amado graduated from a vocational school in New Bedford, where she studied Cosmetology and Aesthetics. At a young age, she knew what she wanted and that through determination and perseverance she could achieve her dreams. Since the age of 14, standing at 5’9, 110 lbs., Amado’s dream of modeling was very real; it was what she wanted most. Due to the lack of support, however, it seemed almost impossible a dream to pursue. At first, it was very difficult because she was raising children at a young age, and she had little knowledge of the modeling industry. Nevertheless, Amado was persistent; she would not give up on her dream. Overcoming many obstacles, Amado eventually opened up a beauty salon in 2008.

Amado’s passion for modeling was awakened yet again. M a n y of her clients were young beautiful girls who shared her dream of becoming a model, and she found herself immersed in pursuit of this dream. As she searched opportunities for herself, she started to do the same for the girls. In 2010, Amado and Kathlyn Almeida (one of her employees) founded SexyCriolas, an organization that would provide young models with the support they need to succeed in the modeling industry. SexyCriolas is sure to become a beacon of hope for many young Cape Verdean women looking to enter the modeling world. When asked what makes Cape Verdean women beautiful, Amado answered, “We are unique; a mixture of African and European culture. We range from light skin to dark skin and have exotic features. The way we talk, dance, our attitude - we are definitely one of a kind.” Stay tuned for many great things ahead from Ludy Amado and SexyCriolas.

LOKuuRAZ Magazine May 2013

Ban D’Agu Boyz Introducing Ban D’Agu Boyz: Stars in the making, group members Cleu and Puto Lopes had already started making a name for themselves as co-founders of their very own production company - N3xG3n Musik. Following a vision for a fresh, upbeat pop vibe in the company’s release of a new album/mix-tape, Puto motioned to create a group, inviting artists from similar projects. Initially, the group looked to recruit artists like Jaa.k.a, Ja D’Beth and Steven, who were previously involved with N3xG3nMusik; as Ja was one of the original masterminds behind one of N3xG3n’s biggest hits to date. Ban D’Agu, along with Puto Lopes, and Steven had also been featured in many past recordings led by the two young producers. Puto and Cleu continued working out the logistics, as group members, Ja and Steven became more actively involved with N3xG3n Musik’s studio. While producing some new records, the four-member crew including: Puto (Producer/Keyboardist), Cleu (Producer/Keyboardist), Steven (Vocals) and Ja (Vocals), which would become known as Ban D’Agu Boyz, came to fruition. The name of the group originated from the song “Ban D’Agu,” which had been recorded to promote ‘having a good time’ – the main message from this newly formed group’s songs. Completed and released at the beginning of 2013, Ban D’Agu Boyz’s first album is already widely popular in the Cape Verdean market, and making a great deal of noise through its airwaves. Stay tuned for new upcoming releases.

LOKuuRAZ Magazine May 2013

Ban D’Agu Boyz Member : PuTo Lopes Bio:

Born in São Jorge, a city in the island of Fogo, Cape Verde, Mario R. Lopes, better known as “Puto Lopes” comes from a musical family. Following in the footsteps of his family members, Puto began playing keyboard at the age of 13. By the age of 15, he had started recording music with his cousin, Patrick Medina. Having moved to the U. S. in 2003, Puto started working with DJ Dos on mix-tapes, and he went on to co-found N3xG3n Musik with Cleu. Puto is now Producer/Engineer at N3xG3n Musik, and a keyboardist, Dj, and producer for Ban D’Agu Boyz.

Member: Cleu Bio: A native of Cape Verde, Cleu entered the music world when he arrived in the U.S. during his teen years. Having met Puto Lopes in 2006, he pushed to the top by co-founding what is now a successful music production company - N3xG3n Musik. Since then, Cleu has performed as a keyboard player among many well-known Cape Verdean artists, on stage as well as in the studio. He is now Producer/ Engineer at N3xG3n Musik and a keyboard player/producer for the Ban D’Agu Boyz crew, which is produced and released by N3xG3n Musik.

Ban D’Agu Boyz Member: Steven Bio: For as long as he can remember, Steven has had a passion for music. Born in São Jorge, Cape Verde, his love for music started growing at a very young age. Steven’s father would take him whenever he would perform, and Steven was constantly around his cousins, who were part of a band known as “Os Irmãos” (The Brothers). It was there that he also met their younger brother, Puto Lopes, who inspired and pushed him to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. When Puto moved to the U.S., Steven met Kevin, one of Puto’s nephews, and soon after they started singing together. Having launched his career, when he arrived in the U.S., Steven reconnected with Puto, which eventually landed him a part in the Ban D’Agu Boyz crew.

Member: Ja D’Beth Bio: Jairson B. Barros, better known as Ja or Ja D’Beth, is a native of Cape Verde. Born to Ntony and Beth D’Nemia, Ja is proud to have roots in Fogo. Growing up with his sisters, Jandira and Jacira, and his brother, Zito, Ja always strived to be a role model for his family. Today, he is engaged to Salette Monteiro, with whom he shares the joys of being a proud parent to two girls, Jasany and Sanajah. A graduate of Brockton High School and Massasoit Community College, Ja recently obtained a degree in Business Management. In 2002, Ja entered the music world, when he started rapping with two hometown friends, named Ligo and Victor (aka K.V) while living in Cape Verde. Although they eventually had to go their separate ways, Ja returned to the music world after two years when his cousin, Puto, and friends, Helder Brandao (aka Boia) and Joao, recorded “Kroka,” a song that quickly became a hit on YouTube. Soon after, Puto called Ja and Boia again to record a new song together; with a bottle of grogu and fresh beats, they came up with the song now known as “Ban D’Agu.” Since the song started with a group of guys just hanging out and having a good time, this friendship and spirit became the theme of the group Ban D’Agu Boyz. In Ja’s words, “We never choose a song that we can’t relate to in some way, shape, or form. Our music will always reflect who we are.” The music of Ban D’Agu Boyz is fun and youthful, but the Boyz also take great pride in making music that has deep meaning and speaks to the Cape Verdean culture.

Water

Shoot

by 337photos

Models: La Funkk & Kendra

LOKuuRAZ Magazine May 2013

Model: Kendra

LOKuuRAZ Magazine May 2013

Model: La Funkk