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Hair and Make up: Beverley Knight is on a mission Food: Your favourite dishes
Haiti: 4 months on Old Skool: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coming back
One to watch: Ryan Brown Latest styles: For men and women Reviews: Monica, Christina Aguilera, Whitney and more Â&#x2026; 0217+/<
Sickle Cell: What do you know?
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Contents
PAGE 4: HAIR AND MAKE UP QG JHQHUDWLRQV \HW VWLOO KDYLQJ WR EX\ RXU KDLU DQG PDNH XS SURGXFWV LQ ¶EODFN VKRSV· PAGE 6: ONE TO WATCH 8S DQG FRPLQJ HQWUHSUHQHXU 5\DQ %URZQ PAGE 8: BRING BACK THE OLD SKOOL 'DQFHV FORWKHV DQG PXVLF DUH DOO FRPLQJ EDFN PAGE 9: REVIEWS: 2Q WKH ODWHVW DOEXPV DQG FRQFHUWV PAGE 10: WHAT CAN YOU DO? ,QIRUPDWLRQ RQ KRZ WR KHOS +DLWL DQG 6LFNOH &HOO VXIIHUHUV
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Why are we left out? According WR 9HUGLFW UHVHDUFK DSSUR[LPDWHO\ ELOOLRQ SRXQGV RI KHDOWK DQG EHDXW\ SURG XFWV DUH VROG LQ WKH 8. HDFK \HDU LQ VWRUHV VXFK DV %RRWV 6XSHUGUXJ DV ZHOO DV GHSDUWPHQW VWRUHV DQG VXSHUPDUNHWV :HOO NQRZQ EUDQGV 5LPPHO /·2UHDO 0D[ )DFWRU DQG RWKHUV DUH DOO DW DIIRUG DEOH SULFHV EXW QRW IRU WKRVH ZLWK GDUNHU FRPSOH[ LRQV 0D\EHOOLQH VHOO 'UHDP 0DWWH 0RXVVH WKHLU GDUNHVW VKDGH EHLQJ FRFRD ZKLFK LV QRW YHU\ GDUN DQG 6OHHN GR D GHHS VDEOH ZKLFK LV QRW IRU HYHU\ VNLQ W\SH 0DF VHHPV WR GR TXLWH D JRRG UDQJH EXW WKH\ DOO VWDUW IURP DW OHDVW Â&#x2026; Why arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t more stores on board with stocking darker shades at decent prices? 7KH 8. VHHPV WR EH EHKLQG WKH WLPHV *R WR D VWRUH OLNH 6HSKRUD LQ $PHULFD DQG DQ\ EODFN ZRPDQ ZRXOG EH OLNH D FKLOG LQ D VZHHW VWRUH WKH FKRLFH LV XQEHOLHYDEOH 7KHUH PXVW EH D PDUNHW IRU LW DV WKHUH DUH DSSUR[LPDWHO\ PLOOLRQ EODFN SHRSOH LQ (QJODQG ,W LV QRW RQO\ PDNH XS WKDW LV D SUREOHP KDLU LV WRR 1RW HYHU\ JLUO RI FRORXU LV VSRUWLQJ D %H\RQFH ZHDYH DQG ZRXOG QRW GDUH XVH WKH OLNHV RI /·2UHDO WR G\H WKHLU KDLU ,URQLFDOO\ KHU FDPSDLJQ FDXVHG FRQWURYHUV\ LQ ZLWK DFFXVDWLRQV WKH LPDJH ZDV DOWHUHG WR OLJKWHQ KHU VNLQ WRQH ZKLFK /·2UHDO TXLFNO\ GHQLHG (YHQ VR ZK\ G\H ZKHQ \RX FDQ EX\ ZHDYH LQ WKH VDPH FRORXU 6KDPSRR DQG FRQ GLWLRQHU LV DOVR D IDFWRU :KLOVW PRVW VKDPSRRV IRU (XURSHDQ KDLU DLP WR GU\ LW RXW WR JHW ULG RI JUHDVH DQG DGG YROXPH VKDPSRR IRU EODFN KDLU DLPV WR GR WKH FRPSOHWH RSSRVLWH E\ PRLVWXULVLQJ LW :LWK WKH DGGHG XVH RI KDLU RLO WR ULG D GU\ VFDOS <RX FDQQRW ZDON LQWR DQ\ VWRUH IRU WKHVH SURGXFWV ,Q PRVW DUHDV ZLWK HWKQLF FLWL]HQV WKHUH DUH KDLU VKRSV WKDW FDWHU WR EODFN KDLU FDUH QHHGV Why should we be singled out? %OHVW GHFLGHG WR WDFNOH WKHVH LVVXHV 7KH OHDGLQJ VWRUHV 6XSHUGUXJ DQG %RRWV FRXOG QRW KHOS %RRWV FODLPHG WKDW WKH\ ZHUH XQDEOH WR JLYH RXW FRPSDQ\ VHQVLWLYH LQIRUPDWLRQ DQG 6XSHUGUXJ IDLOHG WR UH VSRQG 7KLV DORQH LV WKH SUREOHP SHRSOH WDNLQJ D ,PDJH FRXUWHV\ RI *RRJOH
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Freshest styles Summer soon reach and the freshing locks are needed to be looking kris and ready to bruk out, whether it’s carnival or a holiday, you want to be the bummest ting on road. Here are some of the looks we think you should be reppin’.
Canerows will forever be a trademark of our heritage, gone are the days where only girls repped this style, boys are reppin’ too, so now it’s time to mix it up with funky patterns. And whilst on about patterns, girls if you are brave enough, steal the boys styles too. Patterns in your hair will further express your individuality, and so will dying it. Two tone will show all sides of your personality. Full fringes are now back with Lady GaGa and Kelly Rowland also sporting it. If you can’t do it natural, do what we do best and weave it. Make sure the closure looks smart and the fringe is cut to suit your face. If you want the natural look, wear your afro big and proud. 3KRWRJUDSK\ E\ 5RFKHOOH )DUTXKDUVRQ H[FHSW ERWWRP ULJKW E\ :LOO *UD\WRQ
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Every twenty one year old has dreams. From the outlandish fame and fortunes of being a celebrity to the more realistic ones of being a doctor, lawyer, business person, and mechanic. All these dreams require talent and first and foremost dedication. Walking into the coffee shop surrounded by all types of people from all walks of life, a woman looking stressed on her mobile phone, a man reading a daily paper, children running around impatiently as their mother gets her daily caffeine fix. Fighting through the hustle and bustle of city life I finally make my way through the crowds and see him sitting there, in Martin Luther King t-shirt and the latest creps, twenty one year old Ryan Brown. You do not know that name yet, but you soon will. Ryan Brown is this month’s one to watch. Having already gained a 2:1 degree in Law and Criminology from Derby University and currently attending Nottingham Law School it seems that nothing is too high to reach, but this alone is not good enough for Mr. Brown so Blest caught up with him to see why he believes in always striving for more. So Ryan, many mixed heritage youths find it difficult to find a place to belong. Did you find it difficult growing up, especially being from a multicultural background? At times, I grew up in a predominantly white area so it was only through football and family that I managed to become part of a crowd if that makes sense. It was almost as if I had to be good at something to be part of the group.
Where do you see the business heading? Well as of May 1st we will be being stocked in a shop in Nottingham and we will be re-launching our brand, to be honest we could go anywhere from our current situation, we never thought we would be liked by so many people and have so much interest shown in us, it’s been a bit of a mad year and thankfully it’s going in the right direction.
How did it affect you and has it made you a stronger person? Yea definitely, when i was young it used to confuse me but as i grew up it just made me more comfortable with myself and even hungrier to suceed, so to be honest its benefitted me greatly.
Where do you see yourself in ten years? A qualified solicitor and fingers crossed a very successful entrepreneur.
What are your aspirations? My main focus is to qualify as a solicitor; I graduated in 2009 with a 2:1 and start a Legal Practice course in September. My second aspiration is to develop MCE clothing into a reputable clothing line. Tell us more about MCE. How, why and when did it start? MCE started in last June; originally we started it just to make clothes for ourselves as we didn’t want to be wearing the same clothes as everyone else which you can get on the high street. Also we like bright colours so we saw it as a chance to develop our own designs and wear our own clothes effectively. We never could have anticipated the rate at which people began to know about us. How many of you run the business? There are 3 of us that currently run the business, each of us specialise in different things. What do you specialise in? Well, I take care of designing our new garments and take care of the trade marking side etc with me knowing a little bit about that.
What are you currently doing with yourself? Studying part time and focusing the rest of my time on MCE clothing, my social life, oh yeah and also working part time for Central Networks. I’ve always like to have my own money. You seem to really busy, when you have free time what do you do? I play and watch most sports, socialise with my friends and my girlfriend. Who is your hero and why? My hero would have to be my dad, might sound cheesy but he came from nothing with basic qualifications now he is a very successful businessman, also when I look at my friends many of them do not have a close relationship with there dads and I do with mine, he has always been there supporting myself and my family and has still been successful with his career. If I could take an ounce of his determination with the qualifications and business I have then I will be a very successful man. And lastly what motto do you live by? “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it...If you can dream it, you can become it.” by William Arthur Ward Search MCE Clothing on Facebook to wear the latest creations of Ryan and his friends.
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Bringing back the....
Everything seems to be making a comeback. I’m sure your parents give you the same old stories of the fashion, dances and music that they wore, did or listened to when they were younger making a reprise and they are not wrong. Picture this image: seven years old, in your high tops and dungarees, red rat on the radio, the dance, the bogle. They are not the only things coming back.
7KH ÀYH Blest IHHO DUH RQ WKH ULVH %RJOH turn to the side, two hands up, move them in a circular motion one after
another as you whine your body. You remember? Well RihannaÕs Rude Boy video is a prime example. RiRi is bringing it to the main stream.
%XWWHUÁ\ No chance youÕve forgotten this one. Bending both your legs inwards then outwards. Cock the batty out and go for it.
+LJK WRSV Still in fashion but just new designs. Splash some colour into your outÞt. From these
to these
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'XQJDUHHV 3OD\VXLWV The denim all in one is taking new shapes. It has
changed from the play clothes you were forced to wear into an array of designs you cant wait to show oȔ. Show oȔ those legs nd Þnish oȔ with killer heels.
5HJJDH it has always been around and is not going anywhere fast but now it
has a strong inßuence on the commercial chart. Sean Paul, Rihanna and even Melanie FionaÕs Sad Songs have the beats. Old skool is now Nu skool. One Love All of the above were once big, and are now becoming bigger the second time around. Embrace it, enjoy it, and roll out this summer with your old skool stuȔ.
Reviews
and New releases
I have been a fan of Monica since she dropped the big hit Don’t Take It Personal back in 1995 and the hits have not stopped coming. The sixth studio album from her has a more mature feel to it and you can feel the emotion in each song. The first track, titled the same as the album Still Standing is from the heart, with each word sung you feel it, it’s one of those anthems for all women even men who have been pushed so far but never fall at the hurdles. Very empowering. One In a Life Time and Everything to Me are songs you could dedicate to your other half or even play at your wedding as a dedication of your love. Stay or Go is one of those we can all relate to when you get to a part of your relationship where you are unsure what it is your really want . If You Were My Man reminds me of her track you Aint Got to go Home Tonight featuring DMX, it has an early eighties feel to it. Mirror reminds me again of a track off After the Storm album Should Have Known Better taking a reflected look at what is important in her relationship. Here I Am, a track strictly reserved for the bedroom, need I say no more. Superman is self-explanatory, a song you dedicate to your man when you’re well proud of him. Love All Over Me, this is a mixture of bedroom and dedication, a true slow jam. On closing the final track on the album which is titled Believing In Me, it is a song that gives you back the strength you may feel like you have lost . This is Monica’s best album yet, with only 10 tracks she manages to fit in all emotions and songs for every occasion. Stand out track: Still Standing One to skip: Stay or Go 5 stars
By Fergie Al-Truth (Miss Smith-Edwards)
Whitney now on her Nothing But Love world tour has faced criticism after performing her hit song I Will Always Love You and failing to hit the high notes. Hundreds of fans have walked from different arenas as the troubled star had to pause to catch her breath. Dates were already postponed due to illness and she performs night after night she fails to impress her long standing fans. Here’s hoping her first concert in 11 years improves. Her last date is in Helsinki, Finland on June 10.
Christina Aguilera has been off the radar for a while and is coming back with a new ablum Bionic out June 7. A more futruistic sound than her last 40s inspired Back to Basics, she has followed in the footsteps of Black Eyed Peas and Kanye West with electronic beats and an auto tuner. Looks like it may be a hit
The first Disney movie to star a black princess gained positive reviews worldwide and now’s the chance for you to own a piece of history and a great movie to watch for years to come. Out June 21.
Have an album you recent bought and would like to tell the country what you think? Each month we print a review written by a reader. Could yours be the lucky one. Email them to reviews@blestmagazine.co.uk ,PDJHV FRXUWHV\ RI *RRJOH
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Haiti: 4 Months on The destructive earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale that struck Haiti on 12 January still has the world in shock. From celebrities on Twitter to appeals on television everyone is rallying together and you should also get involved. Thousands dead and children orphaned there is not enough money to fund reliefs as many charities jump on board. Four months on and the challenges are continuing to grow as they prepare for a rainy season. There has been distributions of tents and other supplies such as water and food yet people are still in desperate need, some alone and without their families. The Disasters Emergency Committee is one of the charities getting involved, having formed in 1963 and would like for you to offer a helping hand. Who are they? They are an umbrella organisation for 13 humanitarian aid agencies including Oxfam, Action Aid and British Red Cross. Their goal? To strive to raice standards of humanitarian aid and to ensure that the funds raised by the public are spent in the most effective way. Their Achievements? ÂŁ8.1 million was raised to help Gaza, ÂŁ60 million for the Asia Quake Appeal and an astonishing ÂŁ390 million for the Tsunami Appeal... Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help them break that record. How they work? The DEC has a support network made up of television and radio broadcasters, the banks, WKH 3RVW 2IĂ&#x20AC;FH %7 UHJLRQDO DQG QDWLRQDO SUHVV DQG D UDQJH RI RUJDQLVDWLRQV LQ WKH FRUSRrate sector. These organisations help at the time of an appeal, publicising the situation and raising funds from donations. How can you help? You can help by donating directly to DEC through their wesite or any one of their 13 charities. Little things like buying accessories from your local Oxfam shop willgo a long way too. You can also volunteer or hold an event to raise awareness ad money. )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ JR WR ZZZ GHF RUJ XN LW¡V WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW VWHS LQ KHOSLQJ WKH PLOOLRQV RI VXIfering people in need.
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Sickle Cell Anaemia
You can make sickle cell look as pretty as you want, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that it is a serious condtion that can result in tissue and organ damage, reducing sufferers life expecntancy to 56 years. An average person lives 20 years longer. It is the most common genetic disorder in England with one baby in every 2,000 people born with the condition. It is most common among Black Caribbean, African and British people developing thousands of years ago in Africa. Chanelle Logan 22 was born with the condition and it has been a life long struggle with at times thinking she wasn’t going to make it. “The hardest was when I gave birth to my son. The lack of iron made me weak, even though I had been taking my medication, I was rushed in for an emergency C section.” Chanelle stayed in hospital for a week longer than most new mothers and received a blood tranfusion to get her back in working order for her new arrival. This also helped oxygen travel to her vital organs. Many more complications could have occured from miscarriage to organ failure but this did not phase her. “The risk of dying didn’t even cross my mind and was worth it to see his little eyes looking up at me. I will probably get to see my grandkids, if I had had him later or not at all, that wouldn’t happen.” Jayden now 2 is not at any risk after screenings gave him the all clear. Some people are not that lucky. This is how it works. If one parent has sickle cell anaemia and the other has sickle cell trait, there is a 50% chance of a child having the sickle cell disease and a 50% chance of a child having sickle cell trait. If both parents have the sickle cell trait, a child has a 25% chance of having sickle cell disease. “My parents both have the trait and I’m the only one out of my 3 siblings to have it. I’m the 1 in 4” Chanelle continues. She is trying to raise awareness and has chosen to share her story with Blest to highlight how serious this is. “There are organisations for everything nowadays that are literally thrown in your face, most people don’t even know ones for sickle cell exists.” The ones Chanelle refers to are the Sickle Cell Soiety and Organisation for Sickle Cell Anaemia Research (OSCAR) who aim to raise awareness and funding to educate health carers and other professionals about the condition but they cannot do it on their own. Volunteers and fundraisers help as well as donations from supporters. Chanelle is on the receiving end of your help and RQFH -D\GHQ LV LQ IXOO WLPH HGXFDWLRQ VKH LQWHQGV WR ÀQLVK KHU GHJUHH LQ QXUVLQJ ´(YHU\ day I count my blessings that I have a beautiful son and a career ahead of me, things may not be perfect but apart from my health it’s pretty close.” For more information and ways to donate visit www.sicklesociety.org and www.oscartrust. org.
Every month we try to raise awareness about and for causes that we feel you need to be informed on. If you have a cause that you would like to be highlight email us with why and how it has affected you to causes@blestmagazine.co.uk 3$*( ,PDJHV FRXUWHV\ RI *RRJOH 3KRWRJUDSK E\ 5RFKHOOH )DUTXKDUVRQ
Blest
This seasons
Must haves
Everyone needs a summer wardrobe, but choosing the essentials can be a hard task. Here are a few to get the ball rolling. A summer dress, hat, sunglasses,swimming costume, leggings, denim shorts, a jumper for those breezy days, and a baggy top for when yourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;e not feeling your best. Now where to grab your essentials. +DW Â&#x2026; 3ULPDUN &DUGLJDQ Â&#x2026; 1HZ /RRN %DJ Â&#x2026; 3ULPDUN 'UHVV Â&#x2026; 7RSVKRS 3XPSV Â&#x2026; 3ULPDUN 6XQJODVVHV Â&#x2026; 5LYHU ,VODQG V %DJ Â&#x2026; 0LVV 6HOIULGJH 6KRHV Â&#x2026; 'RURWK\ 3HUNLQVV £ 'UHVV Â&#x2026; 0LVV 6HOIULGJH *ORYHV Â&#x2026; 7RSVKRS 6KRHV Â&#x2026; 7RSVKRS -HZHOOHU\ IURP Â&#x2026; $FFHVVRUL]H 6ZLPPLQJ &RVWXPH Â&#x2026; 5LYHU ,VODQG -XPSHU Â&#x2026; 7RSVKRS 7RS Â&#x2026; 8UEDQ 2XW¿WWHUV +DW Â&#x2026; 3HDFRFNV 6XQJODVVHV Â&#x2026; + 0 1HFNODFH Â&#x2026; 1HZ /RRN 'HQLP VKRUWV Â&#x2026; (DUUULQJV Â&#x2026; 1HZ /RRN /HDWKHU -DFNHW Â&#x2026; =DUD 9HVW Â&#x2026; + 0 /HJJLQJV Â&#x2026; 3ULPDUN
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&HOHE ,FRQV Rihanna
What has happened? The freshed face girl from Barbados with the long locks and awkward dance moves has turned into a style icon. With the sickest hair styles many girls aren’t brave enough to try and reppin’ her roots with her blends of reggae and R&B also in herlatest video Rude Boy, Rihanna has been chosen as one of your celebrity icons. In 2006 she created her Believe Foundation to help terminally ill children and continues to strive to help others through her talents. She is set to tour the UK in May.
Alicia Keys
Another browning making a difference with her music. An accomplished pianist she often plays the musi c for her songs and has often been referred to as the Princess of Soul. Co-founder and Global Ambassador for the non-profit organisation Keep a Child Alive that provides medicine to sufferers of AIDS and HIV in Africa she is keen to make a difference to a world that needs barriers breaking down. Nine years in the business and four albums under her belt, we have not seen the best of her yet.
Jennifer Hudson
Hudson deserves this icon status not only for her contribution to music and her amazing performance in Dreamgirls a couple years ago but for her sheer bravery. In late 2008 her mother, brother and nephew were killed and she has found the courage to come back fighting. Hudson and her family have set up the Hudson-King Foundation for families of murder victims in honour of them. Now mother to a beautiful son and spokesperson for Weight Watchers with her new svelt figure, Hudson has proven that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. She must be the world’s strongest woman.
Beyonce
It seems that this woman can do no wrong. Thirteen years in the game and each song and album only proves why everyone loves her in the first place. Along with Kelly Rowland she set up the Survivor foundation to help victims of Hurricaine Katrina. On her third solo album, the woman oozes grace as a strong black woman. Who can forget the Taylor swift incident. Not in it for the fame or the glory, in it for the music and her fans.
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recipes from Trinidad and Ghana
Cook one of our dishes and send a picture to us to food@blestmagazine.co.uk. We will judge your creativity and ten winners will get a copy of Levi Rootâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cookbook
Black History... May
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Next month in: Blest
out on the streets to get your opinions, chance to win a trip to the Bahamas, Careers: Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your next move? Dizzee and Wiley: Are they sell outs or moving on with the times? More recipes plus much more
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