Kode 8 October 15' Pia Mia by Kode Magazine

HOLIDA

www.bbda

AY 2014

akota.com

Allan Troy Watson @ALLANTROY_ EDITOR IN CHIEF + CREATIVE DIRECTOR Roshada Powell @ROSHADA_ MANAGING EDITOR

Jacob Simon @J_SIMON EXECUTIVE EDITOR

tony todd @XTONYTODD DESIGN DIRECTOR

Mimi Bui @INSTAMEEMSTA PRODUCTION + BOOKING COORDINATOR

Alex Shera @ALEXSHERA FASHION EDITOR

ryan mitchell @THESLAYGAWD CORRESPONDENT + PR DIRECTOR

Mic’chele Daniels @MMIISSCCHH FEATURES EDITOR

Andrew Boston @ANDREWB0STON TRAVEL EDITOR

Alyx Cohen @ALYX456 FEATURES EDITOR

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<THE SOURCE|

When I was younger I used to get so flustered and angry when anyone would say I was crazy, weird, or twisted. It always seemed to have such negative connotations, it seemed to forever be indicative of different or strange, therefore equating to a degree of me feeling like an outsider. To a young teen there was nothing worse than feeling like an outsider when all you wanted to do was fit in, you could say I was quite haunted by the feeling. Fast-forward 10 years and I now reveal in the sanctity out of the ordinary that my rather twisted and demented mind has helped me create something I hope will outlast me and have an unforgettable stamp on the pop culture zeitgeist and give those twisted kids out there a light at the end of the tunnel.

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BONNIE WEARS COLLAR & BODYSUIT | GEMY MAALOUF | GEMYMAALOUF.COM SHORTS | BRIAN LICHTENBERG | SHOPBRIANLICHTENBERG.COM

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THE NOT SO SILENT KILLER

Bonnie Mckee PHOTOS BY| ANGELA PETERMAN

FASHION + CREATIVE DIRECTION | ALLANTROY OF THE KURATORS FASHION EDITOR | ALEX SHERA HAIR | AARON LIGHT MAKEUP | ANTHONY H. NGUYEN

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Kode | You know we have loved you since ‘American Girl’, How would you say you’ve grown as an artist? Bonnie | I feel like I’m ever evolving- I’ll love something I create one day and then two weeks later completely change my mind about it! That’s the beauty of being an artist, is that I get to reinvent myself. I think since American Girl I’ve had the freedom to experiment with different sounds musically. Not having a major label breathing down my neck or the pressure of radio has been a nice break for me- I can really do whatever I want and make anything that feels good to me. It’s very empowering! Kode | How did you get your start in the music industry? Bonnie | I started out moving to LA by myself at 16. I was a drug addict and essentially a teenage runaway, but the demos of my first songs were good enough to get me a big record deal with Warner Brothers, sonI pulled it together just enough to get by. I released an album and toured it but the timing wasn’t right, and honestly, I don’t think I knew who I was yet as an artist. So I got dropped and got broke and had to get creative. I started singing demos for 200 bucks a pop and saved up enough money to rent a shit hole studio in hollywood, where I started writing songs for other people and landed a publishing deal, which ultimately resulted in me writing 10 #1 songs for artists like Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Taio Cruz, Kesha, Kelly Clarkson... You name the pop star, I wrote for them. I became a very in demand songwriter, but all I really wanted was to be on stage. So I signed a deal with Epic records, released American Girl, toured it, shit fell apart, left epic, started over again. At this point I was fed up with the major label bullshit, so I decided to release en EP independently, and it’s been such a blast! Kode | What was the inspiration for your new album Bombtastic? Bonnie | Bombastic is a fun song I wrote with Charlie Puth. It’s kind of my own personal cheerleader song! After all of the drama and ups and downs in the industry I needed a song to remind me that I’m a fucking boss and ultimately I am in control of my destiny and defining who I want to be! Wasted Youth is my John Hughes movie anthem, Easy is my plea for no strings attached sex, and I Want It All is a song about my undying dedication to my fans and how I would and have done anything to reach my audience... including signing a “Deal with the Devil”. Kode | You’ve written number one songs for some huge artists like Katy Perry and Britney Spears, do you constantly feel pressure when you are writing your own music?

^ “Writing

this song was very therapeutic for me.”   Bonnie | Ghost writers have been around since the beginning of music. Elvis didn’t write his own songs. Neither did Michael Jackson, or Madonna, or Cher, or Whitney Houston. Who cares? The point is, they’re superstars. They’re performers. That’s what people want to see, and they don’t really care who wrote the words they’re singing along to. And that’s ok! I think everyone’s upset when rappers have ghost writers, which I understand because of how the genre was born and what it represents, which is all about authenticity and having the sickest skills. But rap isn’t what it used to be, it’s become pop music. And I don’t see anything wrong with a talented songwriter or rapper putting their work on a superstar face. Does it hurt the credibility of a hip hop artist? Perhaps. But a hit song is a hit song, and it’s still the artist’s performance of it that makes it what it is. Kode | Which song on your new EP would you consider the most personal?

Bonnie | Of course. Because of my past successes, peoples expectations are astronomically high for me. And of course I want to win and I want the fame and the glory. But the most important thing to me right now is just that I have the luxury to be an artist at all. I’ve proven to the world that I am a capable, accomplished songwriter. Now I’m getting to go out and play shows and touch people with my own voice and see those reactions in the crowd with my own eyes, rather than just watching from the sidelines. And wether that crowd is a stadium full of people or a group of friends in my living room is irrelevant; the point is, I’m doing what I’m passionate about, and I’m doing what makes me happy. I get to make music videos and have other creative outlets outside of the four walls of my studio, and as an artist that is extremely important for me!

Bonnie | Probably ‘Easy’. I wrote it right after I had just gotten out of an 8 year relationship. I was on the rebound and not ready for anything serious, and the guy I was seeing wanted more from me emotionally than I was able to give him at that time. Writing this song was very therapeutic for me.

Kode | With all the heated discussion going on about artists having ghostwriters, What are your thoughts on ghost writing?

By| Ryan Mitchell

Kode | Any advice to future songwriters or artists? Bonnie | Collaboration is key! Don’t let your ego get in the way of what’s best for the song. And try to do something creative every day! I made that new year’s resolution one year and it changed my brain. Creativity is a muscle, you gotta work it out!

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POSHSQUARE.COM

ALL GUYS WEAR JUMPSUITS | GENERAL SURPLUS STORE

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BAD, BAD, BAD

LANY

PHOTOS BY | BRIDGER SCOTT

FASHION + CREATIVE DIRECTION | ALLANTROY OF THE KURATORS FASHION EDITOR | ROSHADA POWELL GROOMING | MATEO SIFUENTES KODE 8 | 45

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POSHSQUARE.COM

HIP HOP’S NIGHT RIDER

Ace Hood

PHOTOS BY | NIKKO LAMERE

FASHION + CREATIVE DIRECTION | ALLANTROY OF THE KURATORS FASHION EDITOR | ROSHADA POWELL GROOMING | AMY CHANCE

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Kode | Coming from a huge hit like ‘Bugatti’, did you feel any pressure with your new single ‘ I Know How It Feel ‘ Ace | No pressure at all. I always give the fans good music. For me the purpose is to show fans where I am at in life. I make music based on what I’m dealing with. It’s based on a feeling and what I’m going through with at that time. So for me it’s easy. Kode | How do you stay authentic in this industry? Ace | I remain me. I keep humble and good people around. I don’t keep ‘yes men’ around. I do what’s best for my team. I stay grounded most importantly. You know….prayer and hard work. Stick to what I know. And continue to evolve musically, lyrically, spiritually, mentally and physically. Kode | Along with music, you also have an apparel line Hood Nation, what inspired this start? Ace | HoodNation is just a representation of the people I speak to when I make music. My fans always tell me I inspire and motivate them. And they come from all different walks of life. They’re people looking for inspiration to find their way. HoodNation represents every hood, every ghetto, every street, every struggle. And that translates to the clothes. Kode | You are also a father, how do you manage to juggle everything? Ace | I think communication is important. I have to be on the road constantly, so I do things to keep in touch with them. Let them know I’m there using facetime, talking on the phone, etc. And when I’m not traveling, I make it a point to see them as much as possible.It’s all about sacrifices but still being there for them always.

“ No pressure at all. I always give the fans good music. ”

Kode | You recently just hung out with business maven and all time yogi Russell Simmons, how did you both meet? We could only imagine how inspiring that conversation was. Ace | The conversation with Russell is always inspiring. I first met Russell at the Def Comedy Jam in LA. We were chopping it up about life. I practice yoga, and obviously he practices as well. So there was a connection. He ended up giving me a yoga book to read. He’s done so much for the culture. It’s important to listen to someone like that. Kode | What are some of your pre-show rituals? Ace | Prayer is always the most important thing to do before a show. After that, I have to do a set of pushups and abs. Maybe have a drink or 2. Then I’m ready. Kode | When can we expect a new album? Ace | Sometime in 2016. Probably around summertime. Right now I’m working on my mixtape Starvation 4. I’ll be dropping that in October 2015. I know the fans have been patiently waiting for it. It’s on the way. And in between all that, I’m going to continue to give my fans new music, videos and content that I know they’ll appreciate.

BY| RYAN MITCHELL

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ACE WEARS ALL CLOTHING | G STAR RAW | G-STAR.COM SHOES | NIKE | NIKE.COM

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ACE WEARS JACKET | AZUL BY MOUSSY | AZUL-M.COM UNDERWEAR | ETHIKA | ETHIKA.COM

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ACE WEARS JACKET | H&M | HM.COM T-SHIRT | MATIERE | MATIERE.COM

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PIA WEARS TOP AND SKIRT | MANOKHI | MANOKHI.COM HEELS | ALEJANDRA G | ALEJANDRAG.COM

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Photos By | Angela Peterman

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