Brpp8 by BlaqRayn

BlaqRayn Publishing Plus Magazine

Promoting Artistic Expression

Issue 8

 Welcome To Blaqrayn publishing plus Magazine where we Promote artistic expression 

Hi I am Sapphire J Blue: Every month I will be bring Book Reviews with a little something about the Author. Rating System: 5 Sapphires – Impressive 4 Sapphires –Worthy Read 3 Sapphires – Acceptable Read 2 Sapphires – Mediocre Read 1 Sapphire – dreadful The Heart of a Cheatin Woman 4 Sapphires By Author Blunt What is cheating? How long would you wait for your man/women if your partner is away serving time? Is it really cheating to step out? The rule of the game is don’t shit where you eat, is broken in this story. The culprit is Lisa. Lisa has let friendship and trust turn into lust. In this book we read about Lisa’s feelings and trust issues. Yes her man Don is a little creep, but he doesn’t deserve his fate. Ask these questions and get ready for a cliffhanger that makes you curse Author Blunt. Yes there is a sequel Book 2 and Book 3. Put yourself in Lisa’s shoes; try to think what you would do. Oh and how long would you wait to act on love/lust? About the Author: BLUNT which stands for Black Lady under New Terms was born and raised the youngest of four in the Bronx. She found her surroundings in the ghetto intriguing and quite fascinating. Blunt choses the streets to provide her with the harsh lessons of life. Currently residing in Richmond VA, BLUNT’s writing career began in 2004 when she decided to start penning street life. BLUNT's approach is addictive, captivating and very sensual. Her pen name alone gives you an idea of what we have to look forward, to from this award winning author. Her titles include The Heart of a Cheatin Woman, Around the Way

Girls 7 and 8, and Even Sinners Have Souls.

Loyalty & Respect (Where it all began) 5 Sapphires Author Drea Delgado Tania home life is the worst imaginable. Nico is not the perfect role model or friend. We dive into their world that is full of drugs, violence and mayhem. As we watch Tania grow into women, you see how not only her natural instincts kick in, but her street knowledge. Her life’s experiences play a great role. Nico is a gem and bastard, but you will fall in love with his character. His love is genuine and heart is in the right place. In the end you will see that he is a good person. This urban romance has some bumps, but the smooth characters make you laugh, cry and cheer for them. This completely unlikely couple will make you laugh, scream and cry. It was in high school where Drea Delgado discovered her love of reading, starting with the legendary Donald Goines novels. Drea began to get serious about writing during a very low point in her life. Now the successful author of the Loyalty & Respect Series, Groupie Chronicles series, Memoirs of an R & B Housewife Series, is also the President/CEO of KTL Publications, with several authors under its umbrella. Drea resides with her family in Illinois.

Embezzled Trust 4 ½ Sapphires Author Jai Ellis Lynnae had a life that most people dream of. Money, friends, riches and the best of everything. In the scope of a couple of hours, this is all taken away. Yes she is in the will but she cannot get a hold of the money until she is 18. Force to live elsewhere, Lyannae’s world as she knows it is crushed. Trent a stranger or so we thinks joins her world and life changes. Trent is stranger/danger to be with. He is slick and has savage ways. As we read this book, we see love/trust and money making decisions and get people hurt. We are often told, everything that glitter isn’t gold, and everyone who is innocent is good. Lynnae, who you think is young and naive, isn’t as much as we think. Lynnae’s life has turned into a jungle; she is determined to be the head Lioness.

Jai Ellis grew up in the inner city of Chicago, Illinois, where she used writing to escape her surroundings. The more she wrote the more her love for writing grew. Jai introduced her work to the world in July 2012, releasing 2 books on the same day. She has gone on to releases 6 more titles and shows no signs of slowing down or stopping. 5

BLACK POETRY: HOBBY, CAREER, MOVEMENT? Namaste, my beloved. I am primarily a poet- a member of The Black Poetry Café- where this magazine’s editor, Kim Morrow found me. It is my ideology she decided would best serve BRPP. I would describe my niche as Afro-conscious. This month, I write about what is particular about Afrikan/Black poetry.

One aspect of all human cultures is storytelling, personal experiences, folk tales, songs, poetry and cultural histories. Undoubtedly, the worst aspect of human civilization is war. For, beside the obvious casualties, war disrupts the continuity of storytelling as the history of the victors overshadows that of the vanquished. For, after the smoke has cleared, the storytelling includes personal experiences, folk tales, songs, poetry and cultural histories affected by war. We’ll include religion as a property of culture. In Afrika (Kush, Kemet, Nubia, Munhu Mutapa), these storytellers were known as Griots. The most ancient civilization on the planet finds itself today divided into many nations and trying to recover from many invasions and dispersions. What happens to the songs and poetry of a people then? The songs and poetry of my people. Empires, kingdoms and governments rise and fall, even religions can be corrupted. Yet, the people remain. Personally, I advise against overestimating our enemies’ ability to fully silence our voices- carve into stone dungeon walls if we must.

Even to mention this possibility is to admit that our war is not quite over. For myself, and millions of others- the terms Afrikan and Black are synonymous. This is not a discussion about politics and/or religion- it is about a people’s individual and collective identities- my people and our voices. To discuss Black poetry, it was necessary for me to color the background upon which Black poetry is painted. For some, it is a hobby- for others, a career. Where it becomes part of Afrikan history is when Black poets make themselves voices of Afrikan consciousness, and become activists for Black cultural liberation. The craft, science and art of poetry when filtered through an Afrikan prism has that element that we call ‘soul’. We have slang terms like ‘spillage’ and ‘lyrical spittin’’’bleeding pens’ and ‘fiyah’ (fire) to describe what we do. Many of us aspire to read and/or recite our works to an audience. Whether it includes anti-colonialism on the continent or anti-slavery or anti-discrimination in Europe and the ‘New World’ (the Americas), the voices of Black poets have collectively reflected what we were, what we are and what we desire to become.There’s also poetry in our music: jazz, gospel, rhythm&blues, soul, funk, rock&roll and rap music (hip-hop).

As we learn more- we say more and do more. We learn more about ourselves based on experience and learn more about the world around us and our reactions to itas well as how we influence it. The Black multitude is our intended audience- yet, oftentimes, the under- represented multitudes of other races and nations are influenced and inspired by our voices. Do we seek to be validated by academicians and sociologists and historians (of the Establishment) or do we leave them mystified by our primal, unapologetic and uncompromising celebration of the part of us that can never be tamed or imprisoned or conquered- our minds and our souls? Thus, prayers from Isis and Akhenaten join The Harlem Renaissance and Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti join James Brown and Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, join Bob Marley and Black Uhuru and Buju Banton, join Sojourner Truth, Sonia Sanchez, Gwendolyn Brooks, join Maya Angelou, Gil Scott-Heron and The Last Poets, join KRS-One, Chuck D. Rakim Allah, The Wu-Tang Clan, join Queen Latifah, Sistah Souljah and MC Lyte- all for the craft, science and art of Black poetry. Let the Puritans label us vulgar at times. We descend from gods and goddesses, kings and queens, priests and priestesses- as brothers and sisterschildren of the Sun and the Earth. Our influences are innumerable- so too the perspectives. Even through holocausts and genocides and catastrophic tragedies- the human spirit endures and strives along with the human mind to assert our beauty and power. So whether for your own personal journal, open-mic cafes, published books or mass audiences- the need to promote literacy (the ability to read and write) takes on maximum importance. 6

Black poetry and Black music are world poetry and world music and the struggle for equal human rights worldwide is our struggle and black poets of all levels and all aspirations- are called to represent something massive and immeasurable. To finish, allow me to indulge by dropping some lyrics of my own, a piece entitled: WHO KILLED JESUS? Who killed Tupac? Who killed Biggie? Y’all know who killed ‘emWhich one of us? Your criminal scienceOpen up cold cases Might as well askWho killed Jesus? There’s His mother now“Lookin’ good, mama” She said: “Get thee behind me, Satan!” SometimesNiggas are their own worst enemy Kill me nowJust for showin’ you the mirror Who killed Jesus? Could’ve been His brother The men who can’t be GodGet jealous Who killed Malcolm? You know what I’m sayin’ You beat your womanAnd claim to love your brother? Your baby’s mamaNeed money while you was in prison SometimesThe Devil is a pimp Times are hardBut we had more loveWhen we were poor All we had was each other Don’t get it twistedWe all want better He don’t steal heartsYou sold it, remember? I must confessSometimes, my lustFor tits-n-assMake me lose my mind Mama raised me better Why’d she have to die? I’m beggin’ you, sisterHelp me save my soul

Who killed Jesus? Fuck the police! It’s only us here Money’s on the table Ghetto law saysSnitches get stitches But I ain’t tellin’ The people wanna know Some women don’t careWho they bring home Sleep with this oneAnd wait for the next Who killed Jesus? Solve this crime Don’t hate the playerHate the game that made him Brothers are dyin’And sisters fightOver the few that’s leftWhile the killer runs loose

Aquarius Khan

If you were left unable to work in your 30's but still needed to keep a roof over your head what would you do? That has been the dilemma facing Neville Hiatt the last few years. After being cleaned up on the Nepean Highway traveling between jobs by an impatient driver in a hurry to get home from work he has had to journey the legal and medical system to try and regain as much quality of life as possible. From standing staring in the pantry last year thinking of hanging himself in the backyard, to connecting with a local psychologist and support group and taking productive steps to turning his life around, and launching his own photography business Enchanting Times Photography, a name he first came up with back in High School. Having a wealth of poems and photos tucked safely away a few of these were collated originally in book form for some close family and friends for Christmas in 2012. Feedback from professionals in both industries quickly followed as the work was shared further afield. This led to the compilation and launch in 2013 of the coffee table style limited edition books The Bard from Ballarat Volume 1 and The Bard from Ballarat Volume 2. As the audience for these unique books combining poetry and photography together grew, the scary steps were taken for that very first photography exhibition. Now less than a year later and already a few group and solo shows under his belt, even launching a new range of photos was no longer a scary proposition. Utilizing photography as a meditative way of connecting with the beauty in this world. his two loves in photos are either bright vibrant colors or the classic look of black and white. His passion is also to share images of the outside world with those that for what ever circumstance aren't able to see it for themselves in person. Left fighting pain, depression and anxiety on a daily basis, he continues as much as he is able to use these creative platforms. he is discovering to stay as connected as possible with the community in an effort to share that "no matter what happens in life, there is always hope for a better tomorrow." Neville Hiatt is a poet/photography residing in Australia you can find his work @ http://enchantingtimesphotography.webs.com/ 8

Eureka

Eureka Flag Playground

Perfection

Angel Underground

A Splash Of Color

Forever

Photographs courtesy of Enchanting Times Photography

Featured Poet/Author Jay Tisdale

 Born in Philadelphia, raised is South Carolina, The Ghostwriter dealt with a lot of heart breaks, troubled times and adversity that he reflects in his metaphors. In early 2012, he met a young lady, Katherine Solomon a.k.a Ladiiee Lyrical, who’s an upcoming rapper from the same area where he grew up. He took a liking to her from the struggle, hustle and sexiness in her writings. Not long after that, he linked up with a very artistic young lady, MsSweetz. As an artist, poet and song writer, she would bring the sex appeal to the group with her poetry reflecting love and love making. They hooked up to form the group and movement that's known as SOULS OF INK ...

 Back when writing letters was a popular thing in school, The Ghostwriter would write them and eventually poems. With music being one of his inspiration, he had a talent for literature. Writing over the years about love he later found it interesting to add his actually life experience of sex, women, violence, drama. Keeping his work in his composition note book, it was finished at the age of 18 but not published until the age of 22.

The Ghostwriter King James Era In his venture to entertain the brain, as he may say, The Ghostwriter spills his blood and soul into his poetry from personal issues such as his own sexual encounters with women, trust and loyalty with friends, dysfunctional family members, among other things. For more on the poet/author look him up on social media for some of his latest work...

Recently self proclaimed King of Urban Poetry; James Tisdale a.k.a The Ghostwriter, has put forth compassion and has been relentless with his addiction for writing. With ten years of writing at the age of 26, has accomplished his small term goals. 13

SOULS OF INK www.facebook.com/SoulsOfInkPoetry

SOULS OF INK

Tina Wright aka The Quiet Poet

"A Walk on the Other Side" is just a collection of writings that will take you for a walk on the other side... Some are just my feelings, some are just my imagination and some are just wild and crazy and fun and a walk on the the wild side... The erotic side that we all have and it's healthy..~The Quiet Poet.

COMPANION CD A Walk On The Other Side is the soundtrack to the new Erotic book by Author The Quiet Poet and it gives you an audio glimpse into the mind and heart of this dynamic artist. If a picture paints a thousand words...imagine what sound can do for the imagination!

BOTH AVAILABLE ON CREATESPACE AND AMAZON.COM 16

It Was On My Mind UGLY

While reasoning with a young brother yesterday after work, his cellphone rang. He answered, talked for about thirty seconds and then returned his attention to me.I noticed an underlying smile and gleeful spirit had arose.I asked, "A female?""Yeah, one of my lil breezes."I smiled at him. A tall, handsome, dark skin brother from NY. Smooth, a work in progress but has a good heart and willing to listen."She wanted me to stop by.""Oh yeah?""Yeah but she said she's on her period."He frowned."And?""I told her I would see what's up.""Oh, you're not going because you can't get none?"He smiled. "Here you go. I know you got something to say about that. Let me hear it.""I'm just saying, if you really want to show her you care, go and chill with her, show her she's worth more than sex.""I'm saying though, shorty ain't all that. She's kinda ugly, something I just smash.""Ugly huh?""Don't start Muh. "I'm just saying, just a few decades ago most people would consider YOU ugly based solely on your dark skin.""Shit, that's they problem.""And this brother, is YOUR problem. You're allowing society to provide your standard of beauty. "Man...you always-

"Now would be the time to listen young-in."He smiled and shook his head."Go head Muh.""When you got off the phone you were smiling and glowing. Ugly doesn't produce happiness."His eyes tightened in curiosity. "Pretty is...as pretty does. If a female makes you feel good, makes you smile and anticipate her, she's pretty. But society has poisoned you into a misinterpretation of beauty. If you continue to allow others to define your perspective on people, a great deal of happiness God has in store for you will escape you.""So you're saying I should ignore the fact she doesn't look good to me?""She looks good enough for you to lay down with.""She's got a fat ass though.""I can guarantee she has a few more assets young-in. Problem is, she doesn't fit the image of the people whose opinion you value. An even bigger problem is, the opinions you value are based on superficial shit. The mind is powerful. If someone convinces you that something is ugly, that is how you will see it. Why don't you try seeing her through your own eyes, based on how she makes you feel."I'll admit...she is a down ass chick." THIS IS HOW IT STARTS. Talk to our youth. Have something to say. Walk the walk...and with consistency, they just may listen.

Muhjahid Qahhar 18

Featured Poem Power To The People The revolution will not be televised! It's happening right before our very eyes,globally! Worldwide! As a mass of huMANS have been summoned to plummet and meet their demise! This revolution will not be televised!It doesn't have to be, when we've grown accustomed to stupidity! Adolescence interrupted, then abducted! Ringing alarms, warning us of incoming exploding bombs of hormones and testosterone! Abandoning our lakes and ponds, to go slither on the edge of rivers...with snakes! As we ate from piles of problems prepared on pretty plates!And have the audacity, to speak blasphemy! The nerve to only fall down on bending knees, to pray... knowing damn well it's fake! Then standing back up right, once again13 which was just repented! And we fear what we don't understand. Well I don't understand man! So we should fear ourselves! Walking on the very stairwell, bound for Hell and can't blame no one else...but ourselves!

Queen Christine

Because this revolution will not be televised! But it's publicized, in the public's eye. As we milk it for all it's worth, until it no longer works...bleeding it dry! This being the reason why. The planet and everything within it, continues to die! While we pretend to be blind or have it reassigned to the back of our minds...further fueling the lies! But this revolution will be utterly useless! Declared a nuisance! If we fail to bid the BULLSHIT farewell. Around our necks is where the noose is. And as our ignorance is heightened, this device is tightened... promising to tie up any loose ends. Or until we decide to let some truth in.

Author of: Brainstorming

Power To The People!!!

What cool oasis that would be to dip our roots in! But how can we permanently lynch sin? When just about every man... literally lust to leisure in luxury! Where as we neglect to negotiate the nurture of our natural necessities! Putting together our heads, to unthread the tightly web in which we've been webbed in. And rip the stitching from sutured eye lids, finally correcting MAN'S vision!!!

Featured Author Monique Love: THE PEN GODDESS Monique is a woman with a very huge heart and dreams that are bigger than she is. She is capable of captivating her readers’ attention by keeping it so gritty and real that your blood will boil for more with each turning page. "Bringing the Fire" is her mission. Besides sharing the passion of putting life’s incidents on paper Monique can look at anything and see a story in it. She would like for her stories to one day be read all over the world or maybe even seen on television. Her dream is to write movie scripts and make best sellers. Allow me to introduce, Monique Love "The Pen Goddess ". She is currently apart of the G-Street Chronicles family. She creates nothing but FIRE from her pen. Don't believe me...check out Monique Loves “Dope Girl's Ambition” and “Storm's Revenge”! Monique is mysterious, just like her characters, branding herself "The Pen Goddess". Monique is a talent to be respected. Her creative insight into the lives of her characters leaves one to wonder...”Is she living inside of them?” That’s how well her stories are told! Monique is the mother to a very beautiful 11 year old princess, Shai, who is undoubtedly "the love of her life". Monique feels that the most important lesson she could ever grace Shai with is to always follow her dreams and never give up fighting for what she believes in. Giving her the hope that one day her dreams could really come true.

Monique has been the featured Author at the 2012 Atlanta Author’s Convention and a featured guest on “Conversation with the Diva” hosted by Yenita Mckie Thomas in Richmond, Virginia as well as BRPP Network blog talk show. She has a testimony that she would love to share with the world and maybe through her writing she can help others find their gift as well as the strength and courage to make it. Monique wants her readers to know that they are not in this alone and just when they thought no one else understood them.... she does!! She wants nothing more than to satisfy your literary hunger, and quench your imagination with her craft. Monique wants her readers to forever crave the excitement of her work. "The Pen Goddess’ message to the literary game: "The worst thing I could have done was to wait so long to realize that my mission was to pick up the pen. Since I have, my stories have had the ability to draw readers in wanting more!" Fine out for yourself!”

Monique Love 21

Books By Monique Love What do you do when you watch your parents go from kingpin to crackhead right in front of your eyes; when a drug deal gone bad causes you to lose your mother, brother and life as you know it all at once? Meet La'Rain Peters known in the streets as Rain. From her early childhood years her life was anything but normal. Her extensive knowledge of the drug game followed her from a young age right into adulthood. It wasn't until the sexy son of a Columbian drug lord was stunned by Rain's striking beauty that she realized she can also rule. You'll witness how a man and a woman torn by the love of money and power, past losses, present fears, and the paradox of their growing ambition for the game withstood their love for one another. Rain becomes the woman everyone loves to hate. Will she know when to stop, or will her greed for money cause her to self destruct!

Stormâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Revenge Synopsis: After the death of her twin sister La'Rain, a part of Storm dies too. And after later learning that La'Rain's death wasn't an accident, Storm now must find out who her killer is. With the help of her business partner Lizzy and La'Rain's old crews, other painful secrets begin to surface. One-by-one, Storm begins taking down La'Rain's rivals in the quest to find the unanswered questions. Respect in the game is no longer given; it's taken. But will the once controlled drug game become more dangerous than Storm imagined? The city of New York will feel the wrath of Storm's Revenge.

LATEST RELEASE BY MONIQUE LOVE: THE PEN GODDESS After reuniting with her family and coming out of hiding, Rain tries hard to let go of her past and live her life right; but sometimes terrible secrets that are hidden in the ground come back to haunt us and in the process, infect those who are touched. Donny was everything to Rain and Storm; but being a grown man, he wanted to start his own journey that didn't quite involve the twins. That’s when things between Donny and Rain got messy. When his girlfriend’s skeletons start exploiting her darkness, Donny has no choice but to go running to the one who's always had his back. It seems that trouble was once again knocking on Rain’s door from all different angles of her family, pulling the twins back into the life they thought they'd buried. What begins as a new journey in love for both women, quickly unfolds into something soul consuming. Neither of them could have ever imagined this happening, and quickly the Queen becomes the protector once again. Under the guise of being their brother’s keeper, will the Queendom be the ultimate victor out of this much betrayal? Can Rain be the glue that bonds this go ‘round?

For info and full submission guidelines contact:

Pen Goddess Presents Submission COME JOIN THE MOVEMENT!!! P.G.P is excepting submissions!

pengoddesspresents@Yahoo.com

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES When submitting your manuscript, please include a synopsis of your novel or short story, along with contact information, including author's name, email, phone number and address.When submitting a novel, please only include the first Five chapters. If we have an interest, we will request the full manuscript. Short stories may be submitted in their entirety.

Dope Girl's Ambition (G Street Chronicles Presents) by Monique LoveLink: http://amzn.com/B00HNAVUAE Storm's Revenge (G Street Chronicles Presents) by Monique LoveLink: http://amzn.com/B00JR97NYQ A Brother's Betrayal (G Street Chronicles Presents) by Monique Love Link: http://amzn.com/B00M0OM4DA

Real name: Darren Small

Rap name: M.A.G.

Young Darren Small started rapping at the tender age of 13 but didn’t start taking his music more seriously until around 17. Soon afterward, he met another young man by the name of “Colors the Networkman” who believed in his music and talent, becoming his manager. Colors was impressed by Mag’s ambition and knew his talent could take him to the top. Mag has perform at Meeting of the Mindz, Geecheeone Magazine’s Appreciation Party, Club Catalantia, 2 Expo’s Fashion Show and more. With a great stage presence, M.A.G. is definitely an Artist and Performer to keep an eye on!!! His new CD Animal Planet is out now!!!

1: How long have you been a part of the industry/business? A: I've been doing music for about 9 years now. I've just recently started getting involved in the business part of music. 2: How did you get your start? A: I started with my own bootleg in- house studio set up. I used to work with a program call "Audacity". It wasn't the best but, I worked with what I had lol. 3: If you will, give me one pro and one con you have found in this industry. A:The Pro is that you get to live out the life that you wanted to live with your music. Sharing your talent with people that will listen to what you created and love it is just an amazing feeling. The con to it is that you have a lot of artist out here who feel that they have to pretend to be something they are not just to be successful. 4:Has this always been a lifelong dream or something that happened unexpectedly? A: It has always been a lifelong passion for me to do music. This is a lifestyle for me and a passion. 25

5: With whom have you had the pleasure of working with? A: I have worked with a handful of local artist in my area but none nationally know yet. Hopefully one day I will have that pleasure to work with artist like 2 chains, Dom Kennedy, Kendrick Lamar, just to name a few. 6: People see the glitz and glamour, but how hard is the work? A: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never really work if you enjoy what you do know. You may run into a few snags in the road but hey, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a part of the game. 7: I f you weren't doing what you do, what do you think would be your chosen profession? A: It would be behind the 26

All Photographs and Links courtesy of Taylor Made Musick Group and LTC Management

8:Who and what inspired you? A: My family. They are who inspire me to pursue and chase my dreams. my passion for music is what keeps me going. 9: What is your advice to anyone trying to succeed in this industry? A: Don't try to be something your not. if you don't trap, don't talk about flipping chickens.If you don't gang bang, don't talk about being in one. always be yourself weather you make it or not. That doesn't just pertain to music either. Be yourself in anything that you do period. 10: Any words of encouragement or shootouts that you would like to add? A:" Dreams become reality when you work hard, sleep less, and stay consistent." Praise goes to God for helping and showing me my talents and allowing me to use my gift accordingly. Shout-outs to my wife for supporting me in my dream since day 1. My family for pushing me to keep going. Colors for helping me put my name out there for everybody to see and anyone whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s listening to my music and following my movement. Facebook: www.faecbook.com/Taylor-made mag Twitter: www.twitter.com/taylortmadec Thank y'all.

GOTTA GET IT VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrKAqB3VQHw&sns=em. 27 SUCKA FREESTYLE VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn0nN9PM9aw&sns=em