Mr dreamz magazine Antonique Smith 2016 by Mr Dreamz Magazine

12 06 beyond borders

18 AND GOD CREATED

10 special guest

20 THE MAN IN THE MIRROR

14 ART LOVER

23 urban story

16 FITNESS LIFE

27 pop/ROCK culture

featuring Jacqui (South Africa) and Orla Johannes (UK/Canada).

«Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real» Tupac Shakur

featuring the Broadway awarded actress/singer Antonique Smith.

featuring the Canadian photographer Penel Woods.

featuring the fitness athlet Devoné Martin.

featuring the canadian model Katie MacDonald from Nova Scotia.

featuring the canadian singer Voyce* from Montréal.

featuring Moka Blast, Xplanatory and Killa Dunn.

featuring Brad Schecter (page 12) and Sweet Caroline (p27).

THE TEAM Editor in chief DREAM KAYRIS Contributing writers Joha Brown, Winnie MC, French Vouvou, BB.Bouk, Trendy Alien, French Cxcaine,Tari Aro. Photographers Christophe Levet TwoRs Entertainment Penel Woods Cover photography TwoRs Entertainment

PR/ Marketing Kloud9 Agency www.kloud9agency.com www.frxnch.com www.dreamkayrisworld.com Mr Dreamz magazine 1000 Rue Ottawa Montreal, H3C 1S3 mrdreamzmag@gmail.com Agency contact info@kloud9agency.com

@mrdreamzmag

www.mrdreamzmag.com

THE EDITOR

MR Dreamz Magazine has established its brand as “The New Era For A New Generation Of Dreamers” wich is available online, on mobiles and in print. The publication aims at giving indie artists & companies a voice that can be heard across all over the globe. Working from Paris to Miami and Montreal, Mr Dreamz showcases tomorrow’s mainstream stars, their arts, image and stories first. Since 2011, The magazine has been reaching more than just readers but a cultural movement of dreamers that change the way we consume music, dress, dream and live. - Dream Kayris

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B EYOND BORDERS

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B E YOND BORDERS

JACQUI The Voice From South Africa Interview by Joha Brown. Can you tell us one crazy memory from your past life? About 10 years ago, I was on vacation in Sun City, South Africa. I’m really a shy person but this day I decided i’m going to be daring and just do something wild. I’m so afraid of water and i decided to try out the water slide and another thing I cant swim. My brother went ahead of me then it was my turn. I sat at the edge building up the courage and i said to myself its now or never. I went down this slide screaming my lungs out and landed in the water which was ankle deep and i was drowning. My brother came up to me slapped me on my face and said ‘snap out of it’. When i opened my eyes everyone was looking at me I was just so embarrassed. My family reminds me of that incident all the time and tells everyone. Its a never ending embarrassment and thats why I will never forget it. How is the South African pop industry? Describe it in three words. Diverse, Fresh, Current. What do you feel is the most important problem in your society today? There are no jobs in South Africa. Many South Africans are emigrating to other countries to support their families and themselves. How can an artist change things? In other words, how can music impact positively on our societies’ problems? I believe that music was created by God to not only be an impact on a person positively but to change situations in a person’s life. My music is

not only good sounding but has a positive mark on a person’s heart. I’ve had testimonies of people who say that listening to my music has lifted their spirits when they were down. This makes me feel that I’m doing what I was born to do and fulfilling my destiny. How did you meet Verd, your songwriter? Tell us the story? He was performing at a church meeting about 10 years ago. I was contemplating whether i should go up to him and talk to him or not. I stood afar built up the courage walked up to him and said Hi and i introduced myself. I said I need help and I have this dream to sing and make Cds and he said I came to the right guy and the rest is history. What is the concept behind the «Take a look at me now» single? We wanted to depict that dreams can come true by believing in yourself and never giving up and persevering. The visual is very beautiful! Who did write and direct the video? My friend for many years NIC BILLINGTON. Who is the team behind «Deep Eden Records»? GOD, my husband and myself. What is your next challenge? To keep making positive good sounding inspirational music.

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Twitter & Instagram @Jacquimusic

B E Y O ND BORDERS

orla johannes

Living in Montreal, QC, Canada, Orla is a young British lass with an effervescent personality whom has won the hearts of Montrealers through her voice and bubbly persona. Orla arrived in Montreal in the middle of the iconic ice storm of 1998 and fell in love with the people and the city. Here she followed her dream of becoming a successful Television and Radio Personailty. Interview by Joha Brown

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B E YOND BORDERS

How did you launch your career in the entertainment industry? I’ve always dreamt of working in the entertainment industry, in particular television and radio. It’s a dream I had since I can remember. Throughout my childhood I attended dance and theatre school and competed in prose competitions which I loved. I attended Bournemouth University, England and graduated with a BA Honours in Hospitality Management, yet my dream was always Radio & TV. After University, I worked in London for a couple of years in advertising for The Sun & News of the World, and then accepted a job in Marketing in Montreal, Canada. It was there that I decided to follow my dreams of becoming a TV & Radio Host so I left the corporate world, went back to acting school, got an agent and started back into acting with small movie roles. To support myself financially, I was a hostess and a waitress and after only a year of pulling pints, seating punters and movie gigs I had landed a full time job with Radio Station 940 News Montreal as Traffic and Weather Reporter. Soon that position was followed with an offer to be Fashion Reporter on Entertainment Spotlight on CTV (Canadian Television), a weekly entertainment show full of interviews with celebrities as well as local content with cohost Mose Persico. I hung up my waitress’ apron and threw myself into the media industry which was where I wanted to be! From there I have had my own radio chat show called Tabletalk, which was great fun! I hosted it for over 3 years in Montreal and interviewed chefs, sommeiliers, authors, food critics and everyone attached to food and drink! Determination, networking, being proactive, knocking on a lot of doors, sending demos and positive thinking got me exactly what I wanted, dreams do come true if u truly believe.

Being a «voice», do you have sometimes the impression to work too much in the shadow? Absolutely not. It’s what you make it. As a voice you can still capture peoples’ attention. Everything in life is what you make of it, I have always been a positive happy person with focus and direction and never seen voice work as being in the shadows. In fact I honestly can say there is nothing about me that has the word ‘shadow’ in it!! Lol What are your projects? Do you plan to act more in the future? The next couple of years will be challenging, I’m a person that wants it all! I have a beautiful family, I love my career, I want to be able to do my own things like working out and all the things women do to keep ourselves looking great! It’s a bit tough juggling everything at the moment with two babies, but I know in a couple of years it will get easier and I can open myself up to more opportunities in Radio & TV hosting. Your love story with Montreal? I love montreal with all my heart! The people, the place, the excitement of the city and how montreal comes alive with all the festivities of grand prix, and all the other famous festivals. I love the restaurants and the shopping and I love how montreal gave me my dream come true! Who knew I had to travel so far to get it! I was on my own when I ventured to Canada for a job not knowing anyone but extremely excited at what could lie ahead. I’m an adventurous person with a zest for life. I’m a social butterfly and love hosting events and chatting with people from all walks of life. I’m an organised and tidy person… I cant think straight otherwise! I always had a dream, I always followed my dream and had absolutely no doubt in my mind that radio and tv was what I was going to be doing. In 2009, I made the front page of The Wall Street Journal for the power of my voice.

What’s been your career highlight to date? One real feeling of greatness was when I flew with the crew of Entertainment Spotlight, the television show I cohosted and was fashion reporter on for over 5 years, to film in London and Paris. It was a real sense of achievement to stand in Piccadilly Circus, London, filming where I used to walk only dreaming of doing just that! Another great achievement and my connection to the beautiful country of France is the new English Voice of Air France! My voice is the English voice that can be heard at the various airports telling travellers when their flight is boarding and to proceed to their gate!

Official Website: www.orlajohannes.com

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«My Next Challenge? Saving the world. Lol. But, seriously, people are dying from asthma and cancer and don’t know it’s from the pollution in our air and water that comes from power plants carbon emissions, and landfills and we’re destroying the very earth we live on. We have a short time to make changes before it’s too late. I’m a part of the movement to make that change and save those lives.» Interview by Winnie M.C Photo by TwoRsent

antonique Smith

TIME TO DREAM HIGHER Who is the real Antonique Smith... As a kid, what were some of your life-changing moments? I’m a girl from East Orange, NJ and the minute I heard Whitney Houston’s voice is the moment I knew I wanted to sing. I wanted to sound just like her and I sang to her music and in church till I could actually sing! Thank God! Lol What is your musical background? Do you have a musical family or did you just fall into music all on your own? My parents had an amazing vinyl collection and were big music lovers, so good music was always on. And my aunt Vanessa played the piano and I sang with my cousins in the choir since I was 7. Not long after that, I had to start sneaking to listen to the radio. No more secular music around the house once we started going to church. Who was the first person who trusted in your potential? My dad. He recognized very early on my passion for singing. Once he saw that I actually had a gift of singing, he took me to a studio to make my first demo. I was about 12 and I sang the Lauryn Hill version of His Eye Is On The Sparrow from Sister Act. You were first known as a Broadway Star for your rôle in «RENT». Do you remember that day you auditioned for it? I do remember. I was a little nervous because I’d never been in a professional play... only plays in church or at school. So, I didn’t know what to expect or really what was the right thing to do. I just went in and sang my heart out. I sang a Whitney Houston song. I got a callback where they asked me to learn a song from RENT. I came back and they asked me to learn another song and put me with a choreographer to see if I could dance. A few days later, I got the call that I had the part! My first professional theater job was in a Tony Award winning Broadway musical. I was beyond excited! As a singer and an actress, you have worked with so many big names in the industry. What has been your best collaboration? Wow! That’s a tough one. There’s quite a few actually. But to name one, I’ll have to say Dr Dre. That man is as amazing as we all know but so extre-

mely cool. I did a hook for the mythical Detox and he gave us a track that became my new song «Higher». Do you think of yourself more as an actress, a singer or a songwriter? Is it complicated to wear so many hats? I’m known more as an actress but I think of myself as a singer first. It was my first love. It’s not complicated wearing those particular hats because they work hand in hand. What’s a film without music? What’s a song without emotion? I’m just blessed to have the gifts to wear all those hats. Who are your favourite current singer/songwriter? I love Taylor Swift. I think she’s a brilliant young lady and a great songwriter. I was most impressed by her and her mindset when I heard her talking about different things in interviews. I also love Sia and Jessie J’s amazing voices. How did fans receive the H.U.W.A.M visual (Hold Up Wait A Minute)? What were the main feedback? They loved it. They loved seeing a sassy side of me and felt it was empowering. And they also loved seeing King Bach and Lance Gross. You have just released a new single entitled «HIGHER». What is the story behind that song? Higher is the wiser way to approach the moment when the person you want to be with is having a hard time committing. Most times, us ladies start asking all the wrong questions. «Where is this going? What’s our future? Are you seeing other people? How do you feel about me?» That’s when guys typically disappear. A wiser way is to simply say «Don’t you worry, I’m not trying to change you. I won’t chase you. I’m only trying to elevate you Higher, if you let your guard down.» That’s Higher. What is the craziest thing a fan has done for you? I wouldn’t say crazy, but sweet. A fan made a scrapbook of my years in RENT and gave it to me when I left the show.

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Twitter & Instagram @AntoniqueSmith www.antonique.com/

R OCK CULTURE

BRAD SCHECTER

«Pushing beyond your struggles in life and letting nothing stop you from achieving your dreams.» - Interview by Winnie MC

How could you define the current state of Rock nowadays? Well first of all, I agree with Gene Simmons on most things. But I must take exception when he says that “rock is dead.” I don’t agree. I think it’s just been on sabbatical. And now it’s time to bring it back with a vengeance. It’s remained a powerful force and even grown in other countries, especially in Europe and South America. But I believe it’s resurfacing here as well. I see it in Hollywood where I live. More and more rock shows keep popping up. We desperately need more bands like Foo Fighters, and Avenged Sevenfold and classic bands like Led Zepplin and Van Halen to emerge. I think people are finally getting a little tired of the electronic scene and want to hear some riffs again.I can’t believe how many young kids I see wearing Iron Maiden and AC/DC shirts. These bands will always be cool. How did you get into music and where do you come from? I grew up in the South Bay, which is the beach suburb community of Los Angeles. My father was a musician, a trumpet player. Two of my brothers are also professional musicians. We had an upright Baldwin piano in our living room. As a small child, I was naturally drawn to it. I used to sit down and try to make up songs. Finally my parents got annoyed with my song stylings, so they got me piano lessons. When I was 6 or 7, my parents bought me an acoustic guitar. I kinda sma-

shed the hell out of it. Guess it was then I knew I was destined to be a rocker. Where did you find the inspiration to write the single «Another Day»? I’m not totally sure to be honest. My father had passed away a few years back, so I was still an open wound in many ways. It actually began as just a drumbeat I started playing. Then I took it to the piano and it started taking on a life of it’s own. I usually start with the chorus when it comes to writing lyrics. Then I know what the song is about. In this case, it was just about not taking life for granted and cherishing every day as though it were your last. The main message behind the album is pushing beyond your struggles in life and letting nothing stop you from achieving your dreams. In a way, the album is sort of a self-help book set to music. It was very therapeutic to record. According to you, is Art the best way to produce social change? I’m not sure if it’s the best way. But it certainly is a great start! How many people did John Lennon influence? His messages still ring true and are so relevant to what is happening today. What is your next challenge? Being an independent artist, I have quite a few. At the present time, it’s finding a way to be heard and get known, and find a fan base. I am starting to get radio play. My song, Ano-

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ther Day is played regularly on Alumni Radio and is starting to get played on ARFM in London. So that is very exciting. Where did you find the inspiration to write the song «True Selfie»? As artists, a lot of us struggle with our own identity and self-esteem throughout our lives. It’s not easy what we do. We are putting our souls and raw emotions on the line. I started writing that song several years’ back, and then as of late, I’ve become more and more aware of the “selfie” generation and I saw how I could tie the two concepts together. I worry that the younger generation is way too obsessed with what other people think about their Facebook and Instagram posts and need to spend more time figuring out what is most important to them. The song is really about not worrying about what others think and being your authentic self. Who is the real Brad Schecter as a man? I ask myself that every day. My day-to-day routine really depends on what I have going on in my life. Right now, it’s sending out and promoting my new album. When I have down time, I enjoy going to the beach to body board, playing with my dog, cooking, watching football, and spending time with friends. «Live Your Dreams» Album available now on Itunes, Google Play & Amazon.com More infos on: www.bradschechter.com Twitter & Instagram: @BradSchecter

"An Alien coming from Mars, Reaching for the light beyond the horizon." dreamkayrisworld.com

ART LOVER

PENEL WOODS X MY STORY ÂŤI was always creative in my life. When I was in Grade 3, we were asked to design a sign (promo ad) for the Rockliffe Park Public School Book Fair in Rockliffe Park, Ottawa, which was the first Urban Art which I created. It was displayed all over Ottawa. Justin Trudeau, Mathew Perry, Ben Mulroney went there too as children. It is a famous Book Fair held yearly to this day. Point of why I mention this long ago achievement is that I knew then that I was an artist and creative. I have loved Pop Art since a kid. My Mum had been an artist in NYC and my Dad was a fabulous photographer. Fast forward to: June 2014 I lived in the Beaches in Toronto and started shooting the sunrise every morning for 3 months. I started shooting everything constantly from June 4, 2014 on and realized that my creative from being that 9 year old was always there. I just needed to be patient until the iPhone camera became my partner creatively... A TEAM. In February 2015, I joined FOAP online digital stock footage/social media site. For the first time, I uploaded my photos. Immediately, they resonated and by April 15, 2015 I was featured in the Magnificent Foapers of the week! All the experiences I have had in my life, various careers and endeavours have led me to this moment where I am pursuing digital art and photography. I will be incorporating music and other elements in my art in the future. I do not like to highlight my age because my Art resonates with young people. Many fashion types, models, clothing companies like and follow my Instagram gallery.Âť

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ART LOVER

Photographer | Toronto + Montreal + Travel For Inquiries: penhwoods@ gmail.com

01| YORKVILLE (TORONTO) ÂŤ1984 Literally a wall of video cameras. Urban Art Installation covering the side of this building in Yorkville in Toronto. I first noticed and then photographed this video wall in the spring. It makes you just stop and stare and thinkÂť. Instagram @PenelWoods

02| R.O.M (TORONTO)

Crystal building at the ROM (the Royal Ontario Museum) in Toronto.

03| STREET MURALS Back cover/ Street art by the talented Young Jarus (IG @youngjarus)

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NO PAIN NO GAIN NO GAIN

FI TNESS LI FE

Interview by BB Bouk Photographies by @normanejones

DEVONÉ MARTIN

«To all beginners, research before you start your journey. There is always so many easy fix routes proposed to weight lost and weight gain but you have to remember not to be a consumer.» How did you get started in fitness? I got started in fitness at the age of 18. It seemed very natural based on playing sports all my life. I started working at a Golds Gym in Sacramento, Ca during my freshman year of college. What is your favorite body part to train? My favorite body part to train is back. I love to deadlift! What kind of training routine do you follow? My routine is constantly changing based on my goals at the time. What I mean by that is if I am trying to build my endurance and strength I focus more on athletic/performance training. Right now, I am training for a NPC bodybuilding competition, therefore I am lifting more for aesthetics. I am doing a lot of circuit training and with lots of supersets. I have a trainer as well named

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Lee Murphy (@legionfitnesselite IG). He has helped me develop shoulders and back. What is your favorite cardio exercise in order to cut body fat? I would say sprints cut body fat without going into muscle. I also use the stair master a lot for steady state cardio (also a great way to burn fat and maintain muscle). What kind of music do you listen to when working out? My music selection changes a lot because I use rock my run app for music. Could you outline your basic daily diet? I follow the 5 to 6 mini meal plan as of right now (contest prep). I consume a lot of fats to use for energy versus carbs. High protein and lots of veggies.

FI TNESS LI FE

List the top 5 foods we would find in your kitchen. Egg whites, Spinach, Ground turkey, Tilapia, Chicken. What supplements do you take and recommend to others? I have a supplement line named Selfie Nutrition that I use for my supplements. It focuses on skin, digestive system and energy. What is your favorite motivating quote? ÂŤLife is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to getÂť - Forrest Gump. I love this quote because you have to be to adapt to survive in a constantly changing world. My biggest fitness influence? My mother is my biggest fitness influence. When I was growing up, she worked out consistently every morning. We had a treadmill in the house and she would do workout videos. Lately, I have become a big fan of Kai Greene. His message and determination is incredible. He drives to keep going and to stay focused.

What magazines have you been in last year? Local DC online magazines and blogs. Connected with Frame magazine recently. Any advice for beginners or anyone looking to get into fitness? To all beginners research before you start your journey. There is always so many easy fix routes proposed to weight lost and weight gain but you have to remember not to be a consumer. Maintain a regular fitness regiment and clean up your diet. What are you short and long term fitness goals? My short term is to compete and take over all in my division and my long term is to own a franchise of gyms.

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Instagram @Dev1fit

F ASHI ONI STA

“

I plan to remain open to any opportunity I may be offered! One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that you never know what kind of opportunity may present itself but when an opportunity does come up, don’t be afraid to grab on with both hands!»

KATIE MCDONALD Interview by B.B bouk Instagram @Katie.Model.Dancer Photos by @Gregsino

What is your definition of BEAUTY? I believe that beauty comes from within a person. I have met many people who are not “beautiful” in any traditional way but who become more beautiful to me the more I get to know them. Perhaps it’s a kindness or generosity of spirit or humour that is at the core of some people that makes them beautiful. In modeling, I think that those models that can project their inner beauty through their pictures or on the runway are truly the most captivating How long have you been in the modeling industry? My modeling story is not a long one, yet, but more like a fairytale really. I am a dancer and last year I competed in a 5678 Showtime competition where I was invited to participate in

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the 2015 Paris Dance Tour. As part of this tour I had the opportunity to work with International Fashion photographer Greg Sino. During the photo shoot he encouraged me strongly to explore further modeling opportunities. Once I returned to Canada, I kept in touch with him through Facebook. In September he was in New York City for New York Fashion Week and he offered to create a modeling portfolio for me. So I flew down to NYC and spent the day with Greg, stylist Erika Degraffinreaidt and makeup artist Jennifer Green. It was an absolutely surreal experience to spend a day taking pictures in Times Square with such an incredible group of people. When I came home, I created an online portfolio through Instagram and really things have just kept happening since then. I have had

FASHI ONI STA

several more photo shoots, walked for 2 designers in Atlantic Fashion Week and have been signed by City Models. Tell us how you are unique compared to other models. what do you bring to the modeling industry? I think that models are visual artists. Working with the designer, make up artist and photographer, they create images that tell a story or cause an emotion. I think my training as a dancer gives me the body awareness needed to create beautiful images and the ability to tell a story and project emotion in a more realistic way. The fluidity of body movement that is so important in dance is also important in runway modeling. On the runway, I think that my dance training allows me to showcase the designer’s work with added poise and grace. Plus not every model is able to touch their bum to their head so I imagine that makes me a little unique too! How is the modeling industry in Nova Scotia (Canada)? Do you feel that there are a lot of opportunities for young upcoming models? The industry in Halifax offers everything the larger centres offer just on a smaller scale. There are many talented and

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innovative designers, photographers, and makeup artists in Eastern Canada and having the opportunity to work with them as they build their business is very exciting! This fall, I walked for surface designer Dee Wilkie and “Wear your Label” clothing company in Atlantic Fashion Week and most recently I have been working with Halifax based photographer Brent McCombs to create a dance photography portfolio. As a young model who is new to the industry, I think Halifax is the perfect place to gain knowledge and skills I will need to be successful in the bigger National and International Centres. For you, what characteristics are the most important to succeed in this industry? Dedication to achieving my dreams and a belief that I can succeed! Hard work – always. The ability to accept criticism and learn from my mistakes. Working well with others and respecting every person I meet for their skill and knowledge. The ability to block out negative people who do and say things not to be helpful but to be hurtful. The ability to laugh…especially at myself.

URBAN STORY

THE MAN IN THE MIRROR BY voyce* Interview by B.B Bouk & Winnie M.C / Photos by Sookz Photography.

is more to us that we are yet to uncover and the man in the mirror is a reflection of that truth. The distance that separates us and the barrier that divides us only reinforces the reality that we are strangers to ourselves. But it also sets us on a course of self-discovery.

«The distance that separates us and the barrier that divides us only reinforces the reality that we are strangers to ourselves. But it also sets us on a course of self-discovery.» - @Voycemusic

During your bad days, when you wake up in the morning... What do you see in the mirror? That’s a great question. On the bad days I see insecurity. I see my faults, the decisions I’ve made that I wish I could change. I see myself, raw and vulnerable. But I only see inspiration. I see a need to be better, to work harder. I see the hole I should be climbing out of. I see myself, raw and vulnerable. That ended up sounding like a poem. During your best days, What do you see in the mirror? If I had read this question before I answered the previous one, it may have changed the answers to both, so I’m happy I didn’t. On my best days I see a quiet peace, a sense of purpose. I see my dreams come

true. But I only see the dangers of complacency, of falling victim to my own success. It triggers the need to keep moving, to keep digging deeper for answers to questions I haven’t even started asking yet. I see the reminder that I am a split mind. Do you think you really know that man in the mirror? The man in the mirror is both a reflection of me and a stranger to me at the same time. He is connected to this world and in the same breathe separated from it. He lives in a world that looks like my own, a world I can only see but never touch, a world that vanishes once I’ve moved out of its way. If the man in the mirror is my reflection then it begs the question, do I really know myself? I think the answer to that is no, there

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Why Is your music the mirror of your soul? I think my music is both a window and a mirror to my soul. I say window because I let people into my mind through my music, I let them see me in my raw and vulnerable state. At the same time, it’s a mirror because even with that openness there is a barrier. That barrier is birthed from a solitude I crave, that need to be alone in my world. It’s from that loneliness that I can create the world that I invite people to inhabit. What do you ask to your mirror? MIRROR mirror tell me who is the most ...? I wish I could go as far as asking myself that question, but there’s a certain amount of certainty in oneself you need to possess to do so. Instead I find myself asking my mirror ‘Are you real, and if you are then am I?’ I think artists that really dive deep into themselves edge on the brink of madness. Why is listening to your music the best way to penetrate your mind? Music has always been an outlet for me to free my emotions, a form of therapy, even more so after the events in the last 5 years of my life. I was gifted with this natural talent but honestly, it’s the talent that has kept me alive, without it I would fallen victim to my own thoughts. Despite my public persona, I am a very reserved person and very rarely open up with my interactions with others. Music lets me break that wall. On stage, that is when I truly feel one with the world.

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URBAN STORY

KILLA DUNN

MY STORY... I’m originally from Savannah,Ga. I grew up on old school music listening to Rick James, Marvin Gaye, Isley Brothers, Earth Wind And Fire and many others. The first time I felt in love with Hip Hop was when I listenned to Chubb Rock «Treat Em Right» and LL Cool J «Jiggling Baby». The songs and albums that really get me deep into hip hop was listening to Nas «Illmatic». My favorite song «It Aint Hard To Tell» represents memory lane and life’s a bitch, Rakim moves the crowd and melody off paid and full. Of course 2pac «If my homies calls», «Lord Knows» and «Pain» and many other singles Pac released before 97 or 96 and Biggie’s last 2 albums. 90’s Hip Hop and Old School music, that’s what I was raised up on. I began writing rhymes in book spitting flows in the class back in 1999 or in 2000 then I started to record myself on casset tapes round 2002. I was 13, my brother heard my flow and sent it to Florida and lost my tapes. and I began doing acting again and then I start writing rhymes wanting to perform. I use to battle rap in the streets when I was a teenager. My 1st performance was when I was 20 or 21.

KRAZY... The most incredible story has happened to me plenty but I think as an artist I have more to come, but there is this one story when me and my homie got stuck on the road cause we ran out off gas and we were walking in the dark in the middle of the road in Ricon,Ga. We were planned to perform that night, and one of the Harlem Ballers came, stopped and helped us and I was shocked, SUPPORT... In Atlanta, I went with my partners, my other emcee who also rap, to record some songs back in 2014, at lil Jay crib from Crime Mob. He is a producer . When he saw me, he thought that I was a producer cause I didn’t have no shine, no ice, no bling bling. «Just not my kind of thing» I told him. I’m a MC, a real rapper! he said «Ok, spit something» so I did, and he said my approach was like Kendrick Lamar. I have many styles! People try to compare me to other rappers BUT I’m just ME. I got different styles, born with bad struggles, I’m trying to get out the struggle. I had many local performances from 2008 to 2013 and now I’m trying to go global. Trying to travel with my music, I have met other artist

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like Slim from 112, Pastor Troy, Princess from Crime Mob and Joseline Hernadez. NEXT... Besides Hip hop and Rap, I also had a dream of becoming an actor. Since my childhood, I used to put on a performance for my mother. I took drama in elementary and had lost a role in a movie called «The Gift». later on the years i was still trying to become an actor cause my favorite actors are Robert Deniro, Al Pacino, Bernie Mac, Eddie Murphy and many others. I wanted to be on that screen! i had got an audition to be on Fox, Mtv and CBS. I look forward to being in hip hop industry. INSPIRATION... Kendrick LAMAR «Stay real, stay loyal or stay away from me». The reason why i like that tweet is because I’m real! That simply means if you’re not real or not loyal as i am, I can’t trust you, you should move and stay away from me! I’m all about trust and respect. Twitter @THATHUGPOET

URBAN STORY

moka blast adrenaline rush that I have never experienced before. I was so hyped that after my performance, I lost my voice. What made it even more special was being on stage with my label mates Chuk Burnz and ShuaibTrue while thousands of people look on. My best experience in studio was... every time I work with my engineers P Breezy & Dupree at Preedom World Recording Studios in Elmont, Long Island. Every time I get in the studio with them, we create the best memories as our working synergy is undeniable. It has been 8 years and we have created magic and there is no slowing down now! My best meeting was... Meeting up with Lamont «Renzo» Bracey back in 2006 out in Alabama as he was the first promoter who booked me for paid gigs. I really appreciated the fact that he took a chance on me and it’s because of his belief in myself and my performances that I revel in destroying stages no matter where I go. We kept in touch throughout the 10 year span and just recently, we reconnected and thanks to him I am going on a major tour. Working with him showed me that people who genuinely care about your craft are the ones who you make lasting relationships with. My best video was... ‘Does This For Real’ feat Jadakiss was my best video, we brought out 2 jets, a speedboat, and a few other toys. Much love to John Fairchild from Live Fabulous Entertainment, he went above and beyond for me to put everything together.

My best (own) song was... ‘I Don’t Need Em I Delete Em’: this track has been the catalyst for my success! This is the song and video used for my debut on MTV. I landed my Vevo channel and started the process of establishing my own station on Pandora all courtesy of this smash. The beat was produced OP Beats from Kentucky, who I met while playing Gears Of War on Xbox Live. Since then we have been on a tour together and it all seems like a dream. My best verse was... from my Fly Guy Committee cypher that we just finished recording. I went back to the old school punch line format and we are getting ready to shoot the video. Be on the look out for it when it drops on my LadiesLoveMoka Vevo channel. The track features Shuaib True, The Hippie, & Chuk Burnz who complete my movement. Just know that we are unstoppable, so get ready for greatness!

Best way to define myself is... the new King Of New York. I have patiently waited for my turn and 2016 is time for my Committee. Whenever I say something I make sure and get it accomplished. 2015... the best year because... I have finally established my label and myself as a brand. I inked a distribution deal with Bungalo Records and I signed with Lisa Finelli from Xperience Creative, a powerhouse of a booking agency in the New England area. I also have the best team behind me, my publicist Rose Ducharme from Rose Consulting makes sure that everything I want, we go after. I am blessed and honored to be surrounded by people who share similar goals and go after them with no excuses. Tell us more about your new projects for 2016... All I can say is just go to www.blastthebeautiful.com and get ready to watch history unfold! Make sure and follow my journey on snapchat @MokaBlast.

My best memory as a performer was... performing at the Selland Arena with Big Sean, Kid Ink, & Omarion just to name a few. Performing in front of so many people was a complete

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Instagram @mokablast Interview by Joha Brown

URBAN STORY

self xplanatory

Twitter @SelfXplanatory9 How can you define your music background? Experienced, New, Real. Experience comes from over 20 years of practice, writing and creating lyrics that simply show that music is an art form that should express every part of your being. I’m student and fan of all genres of music so this aspect of myself is what makes my platform so versatile. The fact that real artists and musicians are actually fans of me, which is awesome and humbling at the same time, helps my experience grow. New is because of my lyrical style, voice and image are completely opposite of what is expected or accepted in the music industry. I will never sound or write any music that sounds like what is currently acceptable because I love being me. Real listeners of hip hop music always want something new whether they realize it or not so I purposely studied the industry for years and created a style unlike any other which also sets the branding for my own spot in the game. Real is not being afraid of who you are, what you say in your lyrics or the concepts you choose to portray musically and standing your ground by staying determined, persistent, humble and good at what music you develop.

Concerning the highlights in your career... If you could only keep only the 3 best ones? When I did my video called the Laws Of Power. It was my first real official video. When I did my first album release party back in 2010. When my first official mixtape was released and hosted by Coast 2 coast mixtapes. Can you tell us more about your recent project called «Almost Famous»? ‘Almost famous’ was mainly just my verses from collaborations with other artists who requested me through the past years to feature on their projects, so I came up with the idea to make it a mixtape which was perfect to fit my project release dates. It needed a cover song so I wrote the song ‘Almost Famous’. It shows the different levels of my style from old to new. A lot of the flows on there are newer than others so I’m pretty sure my fans can see some differences. Almost because I’m going hard right now with releasing an album every quarter so it’s all just a matter of time before I build up a great fan base. What can we expect from you in 2016? You can expect to be surprised, caught off guard and overloaded with the presence of a great new hip hop artist. I’ve just finished the album entitled O.G.O.D. Self Certified which drops February 2016. This album has an ancient egyptian styled cover which I used to represent the resurrection of my style because during that time I wrote all of the lyrics I had finally found myself in the music and felt like this is it right here, ya know, I’m really killing it now. Along with that will be albums dropping in the summer, fall and winter season. You can check out the graphics for each one of them on my website selfxplanatory.com. Also I will finally be able to work on music videos a lot more so I can expand my digital territory. I’ve been tied down with so much life bs that i’m finally free so i’m ready to have fun.

Since your last feature in Mr Dreamz magazine, how has your music evolved? Extensively in the right direction! I can tell you that. My come from has changed. That come from is like my feelings, my spirit and my mind. I write more about knowledge and truth like a rebel for the cause of righteousness but still will throw my middle fingers up like F the world. The beats are 100% me now whereas in the past I was recording on old beats that I had written to just to play catch up in my career. I had a lot of hardships through the years that kept me in financial burdens but I had to step my game up and live in the studio for 7 years and polish up my style, the way I apply my style and perfect the production that’s behind it. Last time I still wasn’t on the cover of Mr Dreamz magazine but that will all change with one of my future releases in 2016.

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POP CULTURE

and premiered

love to dance so eventually a great uplifting dance album. Something to move to.

sweet caroline Kansas City (Kansas)... How can you describe this area in three words for our readers? Gorgeous river separating Kansas City, Missouri from Kansas City, Kansas with a vibrant arts scene that includes fine arts (as seen on my cover of One More Right a Painting by Teresa Magel), fashion, dance (both underground and mainstream companies) and music.) «Gorgeous beautiful city.» How is the POP/Folk music industry other there? It is sweet! There are tons of acts here in KC who perform both cover bands of pop acts and originals like me. Of course, we are not the city of industry... but popalicious! Do you live from your passions? Yes, as a fashion model I developed a marketing name for myself and had the opportunity to meet and work for very superstar athletes such as MLB, NASCAR, and my all time favorite, Major League Soccer. I have screened a few short films of my own including Teresa Magel’s documentary for her paintings, named «Violet Wish» and «American Beauty Myth.» Since the release of my first album Skye, I have been asked to star in films screened such as «Epic Space» with my song Flight (that was not yet made into a longer film or music video)

and premiered in film festivals such as The One Night Stand, 48 Hour Film Festival, and the 3,5,7 Shorts Festival. I also was lucky enough to act in one appearing in KIFF(Kansas International Film Festival). Music though is my main passion. As a dancer, I was injured to critical injury while auditioning in the Los Angeles area, and so music as my concussion lifted gave me the steps to learn to walk and talk again (although at first mainly through religious music) and then the music and dance scene in the USA bit me. Largely. If you could be in the studio working on music and have anyone from your country in your corner, who would you have in your team? For bass, I’d choose Flea, for guitar I’m unsure but most like Lenny Kravitz or Sting, drums I’d choose Virgil Donati, and saxophone and horns as well. Pharrell Williams in the studio. Ultlimate dream. The ideal band would have more females in it though and I mustn’t forget my San Francisco roots where i studied music. Getting to work with world musicians there got me hooked on music much like the songs that Peter Gabriel created after So with his African rhythms in Passion. I heart Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, and Ella Fitzgerald for their strength and passionate vocals, but I also

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Can you introduce us Sweet Caroline... Who is the team around you and your movement? I am Caroline Baehner, or Caro for short, and I am a poetry major from Kansas City and San Francisco who attempted to minor in music and theater, with a love of voice straight through school and into the recording studio. At first I worked with an old timer blues musician, native american in origin, and he is Robert Thursday. Next, the Delta Dogs and then the Dave Shields jam band, (most famously with the Blues Brothers introductions), one billion open mic jams, and wound up at the Fringe Festival (later dumped by my band) as the Sweet Caroline & The Deja Voodoos. Currently I recorded Next, Please! featuring the brilliant and utterly romantic saxophone sounds of Frank Stinson at Weights & Measures Soundlab. I have taken on a lot with this next recording but hope to rework both «Sacrifice» and «Mi Corazon» musically. My goal is to stir you. What are your projects for 2016? I am currently writing my third album, it is laced with gospel sounds and R&B and I’m still unsure what direction my rock album will go in. I am on the radio worldwide through an award for my album «Next, Please!» through the Akademia in Los Angeles, California July 2015, and after radio play we’ll see what is next! Largely though as an independent artist I have gotten my word of mouth out through Reverbnation, CD Baby, Number 1 Music, Jango, and my own website (though it is being revamped by Kloud 9 Agency this year) at www.carolinebaehner. com, and it takes years to garner any attention besides a few downtown gigs for an artist such as myself. Get connected: Twitter: @SweetCarolineSk Reverbnation: sweetcarolineskye