Winter issue by Theron Cook

PA / W i n t e r I s s u e

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PUBLISHER Mute Media, LLC.

co-founder / CREATIVE DIRECTOR Theron Cook

editor-In-chief David Nazario

writers Eleesha Ferguson Tracy Olivieri David Nazario

photographers

Tania Pineiro-Colamarino Jenea Hall Theron Cook Andre Wright Jr. Tyrone Smith

............................................. CONTRIBUTORS Edna Garcia-Dipini – Public Relations Tracy Olivieri – Public Relations & Advertising Ashlee Chanelle - Public Relations & Marketing

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Welcome Mic Ekko Chill

A M A P h o t o g r a p h y. c o m

Mic Stew

Ekko

Chill Moody

s ou nd c l oud .c o m/mi xe d g i r l p r o duc ti o n mi xe d g i r l p r o d u c ti o ns1@ g mai l .c o m

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MuteHead letter We l c o m e to a n o t h e r p r i n t i s s u e o f M u te M a g a z i n e ! We h o p e t h a t yo u a r e a l l i n g o o d s p i r i t s a n d s t i l l f e e l i n g exc i te d a b o u t w h a t ’s to c o m e i n 2 014 . T h i s i s s u e , l i ke a l l i s s u e s o f M u te M a g a z i n e i s ve r y s p e c i a l to u s . A f te r r e l e a s i n g a “ B r o o k l y n” t h e m e d i s s u e a f e w m o n t h s b a c k , t h i s t i m e a r o u n d we d e c i d e d to f o c u s o n o u r h o m e s t a te o f Pe n n s y l va n i a . I n t h e s e p a g e s yo u w i l l s e e a n u m b e r o f c i t i e s r e p r e s e n te d , i n c l u d i n g: R e a d i n g , We s t C h e s te r, P i t t s b u r g h , B e t h l e h e m a n d P h i l a d e l p h i a , j u s t to n a m e a f e w. W h i l e we f e e l we d i d a g r e a t j o b at highlighting some of the “under the edge” music, f a s h i o n a n d a r t i n PA , we d o r e a l i z e t h a t we m a y h ave m i s s e d a g r e a t d e a l o f t a l e n te d p e o p l e w h o r e s i d e i n t h e s t a te . W i t h t h a t b e i n g s a i d , t h i s i s s u e r e p r e s e n t s a s m a l l p e r c e n t a g e o f w h a t Pe n n s y l va n i a h a s to o f f e r ! W i t h t h i s i s s u e , o u r f i r s t o r d e r o f b u s i n e s s wa s to d e c i d e w h i c h g e n r e o f m u s i c we wa n te d to r e p r e s e n t o n t h e c ove r. B e i n g t h a t i t h a s b e e n ove r t wo ye a r s s i n c e we f e a t u r e d a H i p H o p a r t i s t o n o u r c ove r ( M e e k M i l l p g . 17 ), we f e l t l i ke t h i s wa s t h e p e r f e c t o p p o r t u n i t y to h i g h l i g h t n o t o n e , b u t t h r e e o f H i p H o p’s f i n e s t w h o a l s o r e p r e s e n t Pe n n s y l va n i a . S o we p u l l e d o u t a l l o f t h e s to p s - we r e a c h e d o u t to R e a d i n g , PA’s ow n “ R e s p e c t D a G r i n d ” a m b a s s a d o r, E k ko o f A n c i e n t M u z i k , M r. # N i c e t h i n g s h i m s e l f, C h i l l M o o d y a n d M i c S te w to g r a c e t h e c ove r. We a l s o c o n n e c te d w i t h o n e o f o u r f avo r i te p h o to g r a p h e r s , Ta n i a P i n e i r o - C o l a m a r i n o ( p g . 3 8 ). W i t h Ta n i a’s h e l p, we d e ve l o p e d o n e o f o u r m o s t i n n ova t i ve a n d f a s h i o n f o r wa r d c ove r s to d a te , w h i l e a l s o exe m p l i f y i n g t h e c o l o r l e s s c u l t u r e t h a t H i p H o p h a s become. T h i s i s s u e h a s a l s o a l l owe d u s to p l a c e a s p e c i a l e m p h a s i s o n t h e a r t s i n Pe n n s y l va n i a a n d i n te r v i e w s o m e

a m a z i n g a r t i s t s w h o r e p r e s e n t t h e M u te b r a n d to t h e f u l l e s t ! We m e t u p w i t h a c t i v i s t a n d ow n e r o f t h e A .C.O. R . G a l l e r y, E d Te r r e l l ( p g . 28 ), a n d a l s o l e a r n e d a b o u t a c o m i c b o o k s e r i e s c a l l e d M e t a S a b i a n ( p g . 3 0 ). We a l s o c a u g h t u p w i t h t h e ow n e r o f t h e G a l l e r y A b ove Pe n n S q u a r e , L a u r a C o o p e r ( p g . 12) a n d Fu s e T V h o s t a n d P h i l l y n a t i ve , E s te b a n S e r r a n o ( p g . 14). W i t h e ve r y i s s u e we a l s o s h owc a s e f a s h i o n a n d te c h n o l o g y a n d t h e i n f l u e n c e t h a t t h e s e c u l t u r e s h ave o n m u s i c . S o b e s u r e to t a ke a l o o k a t S D J Fa s h i o n’s f e a t u r e o n p a g e 8 . T h e c r e a to r s o f S D J Fa s h i o n b e l i e ve t h a t i t d o e s n’ t c o s t m u c h to d r e s s we l l , a n d f o c u s o n h e l p i n g p e o p l e b e f a s h i o n a b l e w i t h o u t g o i n g b r o ke i n t h e p r o c e s s . O n t h e te c h s i d e o f t h i n g s , we p r e v i e w a o n e o f a k i n d M P 3 p l a ye r ( p g . 27 ) a n d t a ke a l o o k a t t wo d i f f e r e n t we a r a b l e c a m e r a d e v i c e s ( p g . 15 ). A s we b r i n g t h i s # M u te h e a d L e t te r to a c l o s e we wo u l d l i ke to t a ke t h e t i m e to t h a n k a l l o f t h e g r e a t a r t i s t s i n Pe n n s y l va n i a w h o h e l p e d u s to m a ke t h i s i s s u e p o s s i b l e . L i ke a l wa y s , t h e f o l l ow i n g p a g e s a r e p a c ke d w i t h p o s i t i v i t y, good people and good vibes. As a brand and l i f e s t y l e , M u te i s wo r l d w i d e; h owe ve r, we a l l k n ow t h e r e’s n o p l a c e l i ke h o m e . S o, w i t h o u t f u r t h e r a d o, we l c o m e to # T h e PA I s s u e !

Publisher's Music Title: Sober Artist: P!nk

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Cover Story

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RATE photography by A M A P h o t o g r a p h y

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FEATURES

Jenifer Kinder

photo by Tyrone HEAD MESSAGE

Smith

Lorens Chuno

photography by Theron

Cook

Deja Ellison

Buy What is ar t if no one sees it?

“A r t i s e v e r y t h i n g a n d e v e r y t h i n g i s a r t ” - Theron Cook

theroncook

Artwork by visual artist Theron

Cook

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V i s i t m u te m a g .c o m a n d click on the ar t tab for more a r t by T h e r o n C o o k .

Dress

S D J Fas hion Tr i b a l p r i n t h o o d y ( $ 16 . 9 9 ) J e a n s ( $ 12 . 0 0 ) G A P b o m b e r j a c ke t ( $ 19 . 9 9 ) Creative Recreation b o o t s ( $ 16 0 . 0 0 ) Rings ($4.00) B r a c e l e t ( $ 1. 0 0 )

N a u t i c a c h i n o s ( $ 19 . 9 9 ) Old Nav y striped b u t t o n - u p s h i r t ( $ 14 . 9 9 ) Mossimo sweater ($6.99) H & M B l a z e r ( $ 19 . 9 9 ) Polo Ranger boot ( $ 15 0 . 0 0 ) H & M c o a t ( $ 19 . 9 9 ) Scar f ($5.00) Ring ($2.00)

Fashion

S d j fas hi on photography by Theron Cook

Fashion

Forever 21 jeans ( $ 19 . 9 9 ) B l o u s e ( $ 16 . 9 9 ) Forever 21 knee-high boots ($24.99)

Forever 21 sweatshir t ($9.99) Black tuxedo pants ( $ 14 . 9 9 ) B l a c k s n e a ke r w e d g e s ( $ 19 . 9 9 )

S D J Fas hion

HEAD MESSAGE

Wr i t t e n b y E l e e s h a F e r g u s o n A l t h o u g h P h i l a d e l p h i a i s k n ow n f o r i t s r i c h A m e r i c a n h i s to r y, s wa n k y e a te r i e s a n d m a j o r r e t a i l e r s , t h e r e’s a l o t m o r e to b e d i s c ove r e d o n t h e f a s h i o n s i d e o f t h i n g s . S i n c e t h e r e’s n o l a c k of clothing boutiques in the city or its neighboring s u b u r b s , i t wa s n’ t h a r d f o r m e to c o m e u p w i t h f o u r s h o p s t h a t a r e e d g y a n d u n d e r s o m e p e o p l e s’ r a d a r, a n d a l s o w i d e l y p o p u l a r to o t h e r s . Fo r a l l o f t h e s h o p s m e n t i o n e d I l o o ke d a t t h e q u a l i t y b e i n g o f f e r e d , af fordability and style. F i r s t u p, s t a r t i n g i n M e d i a , PA n e s t l e d j u s t outside of Philadelphia is P e r L e i B o u t i q u e, w h i c h c a te r s to m y h i g h e r e n d fashioinistas. Owned by C a n d i c e C a p r i c e a n d Bruce Middleman, both r e s p e c te d a n d ex p e r i e n c e d b u s i n e s s p e o p l e w i t h ye a r s o f f a s h i o n i n d u s t r y k n ow l e d g e , P e r L e i B o u t i q u e c a r r i e s h a n d s e l e c te d m e r c h a n d i s e t h a t m a ny l a d i e s d a yd r e a m o f ow n i n g . P e r L e i B o u t i q u e o f f e r s d e s i g n e r s s u c h a s R a c h e l Z o e , Fr e e Pe o p l e , A l i c e + O l i v i a , H o u s e o f H a r l ow a n d D i a n e vo n Fu r s te n b e r g . A n d n ow t h a t Pe r L e i a l l ow s c u s to m e r s to s h o p a n d m a ke a f i f t y p e r c e n t d e p o s i t u p f r o n t , t a ke t h e i te m s h o m e a n d p a y t h e r e s t o f f ove r a p e r i o d o f t i m e , i t i s e a s i e r to t r e a t yo u r s e l f to t h a t b a g yo u’ ve a l wa y s wa n te d . N ex t o n m y l i s t i s P h i l a d e l p h i a’s ve r y ow n P N K E l e p h a n t l o c a te d a t 5 t h & S o u t h S t r e e t . I t i s c e n t r a l l y l o c a te d o n t h e s t r i p a n d e a s y f o r s h o p p e r s to f i n d . A l t h o u g h P N K E l e p h a n t i s f a i r l y n e w to t h e f a s h i o n s c e n e t h e y h ave t a ke n ove r i n e ve r y c i t y t h a t t h e y h ave a s to r e i n . E n t r e p r e n e u r s a n d c o - ow n e r s Kijafa Vick and Blair S a n d l a i n h ave d e f i n i te l y h u s t l e d to m a ke t h i s d r e a m a r e a l i t y w h i l e s h ow i n g p a r t y g i r l s t h a t i t ’s n o t n e c e s s a r y to s p e n d a for tune on a cock tail dress or the most fashionable

a c c e s s o r i e s . I f yo u a r e l o o k i n g f o r a f f o r d a b i l i t y, g r e a t designs and par ty attire PNK Elephant is the place f o r yo u . G u y s , I d i d n’ t l e ave yo u o u t , h e r e i s a l o o k a t t wo o f t h e b e s t p l a c e s to g e t t h e l a te s t k i c k s o r yo u r c o n te m p o r a r y ye t c l a s s i c d e s i g n s w i t h v i n t a g e i n s p i r a t i o n . B o t h o f t h e s e s h o p s a r e l o c a te d i n P h i l a d e l p h i a a n d c a r r y w h a te ve r yo u n e e d . T h e s e b o u t i q u e s h ave s t a f f e d u c a te d o n t h e i r p a r t i c u l a r shop of ferings and are ultra-helpful for those men w h o l i ke to c o m p l e te t h e i r s h o p p i n g q u i c k l y. W i t h t wo l o c a t i o n s i n t h e c i t y, U B I Q™ h a s b e e n a r o u n d s i n c e 2 0 0 2, a n d a p p e a r s to b e a s t a p l e i n a l l u r b a n m e n s we a r. L o o k i n g f o r t h e n e we s t R e e b o k K a m i k a z e , N i ke A i r Fo a m p o s i te s o r t h e Ew i n g G u a r d s? D i d yo u a n s we r ye s? I f yo u d i d , yo u r b e s t b e t i s U B I Q. W h i l e yo u’r e t h e r e m a ke s u r e to g r a b a m a t c h i n g D i a m o n d S u p p l y C o. s we a t s h i r t o r a H a l l o f Fa m e te e . With no shor tage of clothing, accessories or brands, b e s u r e to a d d U B I Q to yo u r b o o k m a r k s a n d l i s t o f p l a c e s to s h o p w h e n i n P h i l a d e l p h i a .

Yo u r f i n a l d e s t i n a t i o n i s S u g a r c u b e. N o i t ’s n o t a n e a te r y, b u t i t i s o n e o f P h i l l y ’s m o s t p o p u l a r p l a c e s to s h o p f o r m e n’s c l o t h i n g . L o c a te d i n t h e c i t y ’s O l d C i t y s e c t i o n , S u g a r c u b e wa s e s t a b l i s h e d i n 2 0 0 4 , a n d h a s b e e n a c k n ow l e d g e d by va r i o u s p u b l i c a t i o n s i n t h e P h i l a d e l p h i a a r e a . T h i s c o n te m p o r a r y s h o p o f f e r s a l i s t o f i n d e p e n d e n t designers and has a feel of the All-American male w i t h a v i n t a g e to u c h . W i t h n a t i o n a l l y r e c o g n i z e d b r a n d s l i ke L e v i ’s , R e d Wing Heritage and Rag & Bone, they still carr y a list of independent designers including C OA L , S te ve n A l a n a n d A l te r n a t i ve A p p a r e l .

Makeup By Ter esa Te r e s a c r e a te d t h e s e eye l o o k s u s i n g N y x a n d Coastal Scents brands.

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Venture T he G alle r y A b ove Pe nn Squa re

“ T h e r e’s s o m a ny t h i n g s o u t t h e r e to d a y that are troublesome in our economy a n d a r o u n d t h e wo r l d , a n d i n t h e c i t y here in Reading. The ar ts and the culture o f t h e a r t s w i t h t h e m u s i c c a n ke e p u s w h o l e . I r e a l l y f i r m l y b e l i e ve t h a t - ke e p u s b a l a n c e d , ke e p u s w h o l e , ke e p u s p e a c e f u l ,” ex p l a i n s L a u r a . “ I t h i n k m o r e and more people are looking for an o p p o r t u n i t y to d o t h a t a n d a p l a c e to g o w h e r e t h e y c a n f e e l t h a t wa y.”

photography by Probe

Wr i t t e n b y A s h l e e C h a n e l l e

photography by Theron Cook

To most p e o ple wal ki ng thr ough an ar t gal le r y b efor e e nte r i ng a law of fic e sound s absur d . But to L aur a Coo pe r, at tor ney, tr ai ne d mus ic ian, for mer model , lover of the ar ts , and owne r of The G al le r y A b ove P enn S quar e , s he would have it no othe r way. Written by David Nazario

Venture

o c a te d i n t h e c o m m e r c i a l c o r e o f R e a d i n g , Pe n n s y l va n i a , G . A . P. S . s i t s c o m f o r t a b l y o n a h i s to r i c s t r e e t i n t h e C a l l ow h i l l D i s t r i c t o f t h e c i t y t h a t wa s o n c e k n ow n a s t h e “ 5 t h Ave n u e ” o f R e a d i n g . T h e m a s s i ve b u i l d i n g , w h i c h s p a n s a c i t y b l o c k , i s a l s o h o m e to C o o p e r ’s Liber ty Law Group and the Star ving Ar tist W i n e r y ( O w n e r o f S t a r v i n g A r t i s t W i n e r y, Pe te r S t a n i s h i s L a u r a’s p a r t n e r ), a n d w i l l n ex t ye a r h o u s e “ S t u d i o s A b ove Pe n n S q u a r e ”, a n ex te n s i o n o f t h e g a l l e r y i n c l u d i n g o f f i c e s p a c e s a n d a c o - wo r k i n g e nv i r o n m e n t f o r e n t r e p r e n u e r s , a r t i s t s a n d m u s i c a n s to u t i l i z e . T h e s p a c e w i l l a l s o i n c l u d e a r e c o r d i n g s t u d i o. D e s p i te a l l o f t h i s , t h e m o s t a p p e a l i n g t h i n g a b o u t G . A . P. S . i s t h a t i t i s t r u l y a o n e o f a k i n d s p a c e . O n m o s t d a y s , t h e wa l l s a r e d e c o r a te d w i t h a r t wo r k c r e a te d by L a t i n o a r t i s t s f r o m t h e c i t y w h o n o r m a l l y wo u l d n o t g e t t h i s t y p e o f ex p o s u r e . Fo r t h i s r e a s o n , a n d a h o s t o f o t h e r s , G . A . P. S . a n d i s s i n g l e h a n d e d l y c h a n g i n g t h e wa y t h a t a r t g a l l e r i e s o p e r a te a n d c e l e b r a te b o t h t h e a r t s a n d a r t i s t s o n t h e E a s t C o a s t , w i t h a m i s s i o n o f u p l i f t i n g r e s i d e n t s by c e l e b r a t i n g t h e a r t s i n a c i t y t h a t i s ove r f l ow i n g w i t h u n d i s c ove r e d a n d u n d e ve l o p e d t a l e n t . L i ke t h e g a l l e r y, b o t h wa r m a n d i nv i t i n g , L a u r a C o o p e r exe m p l i f i e s t h e p o s i t i v i t y t h a t t h e s p a c e ex u d e s . W h e n s h e s p e a k s a b o u t G . A . P. S . t h e r e’s o n l y p a s s i o n i n h e r to n e a n d s i n c e r i t y i n h e r wo r d s . “ T h e r e’s s o m a ny t h i n g s o u t t h e r e to d a y t h a t a r e t r o u b l e s o m e i n o u r e c o n o m y a n d a r o u n d t h e wo r l d , a n d i n t h e c i t y h e r e i n Reading. The ar ts and the culture of the ar ts with the m u s i c c a n ke e p u s w h o l e . I r e a l l y f i r m l y b e l i e ve t h a t ke e p u s b a l a n c e d , ke e p u s w h o l e , ke e p u s p e a c e f u l ,” ex p l a i n s L a u r a . “ I t h i n k m o r e a n d m o r e p e o p l e a r e

l o o k i n g f o r a n o p p o r t u n i t y to d o t h a t a n d a p l a c e to g o w h e r e t h e y c a n f e e l t h a t wa y.” L a u r a a n d Pe te r o p e n e d t h i s s p a c e , h e r e i n w h a t m o s t c o n s i d e r a d ow n t r o d d e n , p ove r t y s t r i c ke n c i t y b e c a u s e t h e y b e l i e ve i n R e a d i n g a n d t h e c i t y ’s i n h a b i t a n t s t h a t m u c h . “ Eve n t h o u g h i t ’s i n t h e m i d d l e o f a n A c t 47, a n d t h e c i t y i s s t r u g g l i n g , i t h a s r i c h c u l t u r e , a n d i t h a s r i c h h e r i t a g e to i t . I f e l t w i t h t h i s u n i q u e b u i l d i n g b e i n g l o c a te d i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h a t , t h i s wa s a n o p p o r t u n i t y t h a t wa s wa i t i n g to h a p p e n . W h e r e o t h e r p e o p l e s e e p ove r t y a n d u n e m p l oy m e n t , a n d a r e ve r y d i s c o u r a g e d a n d c y n i c a l a b o u t t h e a r e a , I s a w o p p o r t u n i t y,” ex p l a i n s L a u r a , w h o s t r a te g i c a l l y c h o s e to b e a b i g f i s h i n a s m a l l e r p o n d . W h i l e s h e c o u l d ’ ve ve r y e a s i l y o p e n e d a g a l l e r y i n a b i g g e r c i t y l i ke N e w Yo r k o r P h i l a d e l p h i a , i n L a u r a’s e ye s , t h e d e c i s i o n to o p e n G . A . P. S i n t h e c i t y o f R e a d i n g s e e m e d l i ke a n o b r a i n e r. “ I f I we r e i n t h e m i d d l e o f N e w Yo r k C i t y we’d b e c o m p e t i n g a n d i t wo u l d n’ t b e a s h a n d s o n . I t wo u l d b e a w h o l e d i f f e r e n t ex p e r i e n c e , a n d t h e ex p e r i e n c e t h a t we a r e c r e a t i n g h e r e i s a r o u n d t h e n e e d .”

G.A.P.S.

N e e d l e s s to s a y, e ve r y d e c i s i o n t h a t G . A . P. S . m a ke s i s c a r e f u l l y c r a f te d to t a ke v i s i to r s o n a f u l l b o d y ex p e r i e n c e t h a t w i l l e n t i c e a s m a ny o f t h e i r s e n s e s a s p o s s i b l e . “A s yo u c a n s e e , t h e a r t i s r i g h t w i t h yo u w h e n yo u a r e o u t t h e r e . S o yo u’r e ex p e r i e n c i n g t h e ar tists vision along with the music, a n d t h a t c a n a c c e n t u a te o u r s e n s e s - t h e ex p e r i e n c e o f o u r s e n s e s .” A n d a n ex p e r i e n c e i t i s , w i t h a m p l e r o o m to h o s t f l o o r a n d p l a t f o r m m u s i c i a n s a n d a p i a n o c o r n e r to o f f e r a m o r e i n t i m a te a n d p e r f o r m a n c e s t y l e s e t t i n g . “ W h e n yo u’r e h e r e ex p e r i e n c i n g t h e m u s i c a n d t h e a r t , yo u c a n a l s o g o d ow n to t h e l owe r l e ve l , h ave s o m e w i n e t a s t i n g , b r i n g u p a b o t t l e , a n d s i t a n d l i s te n to t h e m u s i c ,” s a y s L a u r a exc i te d l y. N ow we’r e i n c l u d i n g t a s te a n d s m e l l i n t h e ex p e r i e n c e . S o w i t h t h e m u s i c a n d t h e a r t o n t h e wa l l s , n ow we’r e i n c o r p o r a t i n g a l l o f o u r s e n s e s i n to a n ex p e r i e n c e t h a t h o p e f u l l y p e o p l e w i l l r e m e m b e r, a n d e l e va te t h e m i n t h e wo r l d .”

photography by Theron Cook M: What advice do you have for aspiring T V hosts looking to be in the position that you are in now?

Que s t ions w it h Fuse T V Hos t E s teban S e r rano M : Te l l u s h o w y o u g o t y o u r s t a r t i n the entertainment industry?

E: M y d a d t r i c ke d m e i n to g o i n g to c o l l e g e . H e s a i d , “ I d o n’ t c a r e w h a t yo u d o, j u s t d o n’ t s to p e d u c a t i n g yo u r s e l f. N e ve r s to p l e a r n i n g .” S o I d e c i d e d t h a t i f I wa s g o i n g to c o n t i n u e to l e a r n s o m e t h i n g I n e e d e d to l e a r n s o m e t h i n g I wa s i n te r e s te d i n . A t t h e t i m e I l ove d t wo t h i n g s - m u s i c a n d te l e v i s i o n , s o I we n t to s c h o o l f o r t h a t . I f o u g h t m y wa y i n to a n i n te r n s h i p p r o g r a m a t M T V, b e c a m e a va l u a b l e a s s e t to a s h ow c a l l e d T R L, a n d t h e r e s t i s h i s to r y. M : S o w h a t i t i s l i ke t o b e a h o s t o n a m u s i c t e l e v i s i o n c h a n n e l t h a t a c t u a l l y f o c u s e s o n m u s i c? E: I t ’s h e ave n o n e a r t h ! I h a d a r e g u l a r j o b o n c e i n m y l i f e s o I k n ow t h e f e e l i n g o f d r e a d i n g g o i n g to wo r k f o r a c h e c k . T h a t ex p e r i e n c e m a d e m e a p p r e c i a te t h e c a r e e r t h a t I h ave n ow. I g e t p a i d to b e a f a n o f m u s i c ! I f I wa s n’ t a T V h o s t I ’d s t i l l b e a t c o n c e r t s a n d l i s te n i n g to a l b u m s a n d I ’d s t i l l h ave q u e s t i o n s I ’d wa n t to k n ow a b o u t t h e a r t i s t s a n d m u s i c I ’m l i s te n i n g to. f u s e g i ve s m e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to a s k t h e q u e s t i o n s f a n s wa n t to k n ow, a n d I c a n s h a r e m y f a n ex p e r i e n c e s w i t h o t h e r m u s i c l ove r s . M: Who has been your favorite musician to inter view a n d w h y w e r e t h e y y o u r f a v o r i t e? E: M y f avo r i te m u s i c i a n s to i n te r v i e w a r e t h e o n e s I d i s c ove r e d e a r l y a n d wa s a b l e to s u p p o r t b e f o r e t h e y “ b l e w u p” - A $ A P R o c k y, Ke n d r i c k L a m a r, P u s h a T (a s a s o l o a r t i s t), L e c r a e , M G K . T h e s e a r e a r t i s t s w h o I r e a c h e d o u t to a n d wa s a b l e to e s t a b l i s h a r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h b e f o r e t h e y ex p e r i e n c e d h u g e s u c c e s s; t h e y k n ow I ’m a g e n u i n e f a n o f t h e i r m u s i c , n o t j u s t s o m e o n e t r y i n g to c a p i t a l i z e o n t h e i r f a m e . B e c a u s e o f t h i s , i t m a ke s o u r c o nve r s a t i o n s d i f f e r e n t . T h e y a r e c o m f o r t a b l e w i t h m e . T h e y k n ow I ’m a l l a b o u t t h e m u s i c a n d I ’m t r y i n g to g e t g o o d c o n te n t f o r t h e i r r e a l f a n s a n d g i ve t h e m w h a t t h e y wa n t to k n ow.

E: D r a ke s a i d i t b e s t , “ I ’m t h e t y p e to s a y a p r a ye r a n d g o g e t w h a t I j u s t p r a ye d f o r.” T h a t ’s h ow I l i ve m y l i f e . I p r a ye d f o r t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to b e a c o n t r i b u to r to t h e H i p H o p c u l t u r e , n o t k n ow i n g i t wo u l d l a n d m e o n T V. I t h e n p r e p a r e d m y s e l f a s b e s t I k n e w h ow s o t h a t w h e n t h e o p p o r t u n i t y p r e s e n te d i t s e l f I wa s r e a d y. E d u c a te yo u r s e l f a n d l e a r n a s m u c h a s yo u c a n a b o u t t h e c r a f t . I m p r ov i s a t i o n c l a s s e s , te l e p r o m p te r c l a s s e s , w r i t i n g c l a s s e s , p u b l i c s p e a k i n g c l a s s e s , f i n d s o m e o n e yo u i d e n t i f y w i t h o r a d m i r e w h o i s a T V h o s t a n d s t u d y h ow they do it. M : Te l l u s a b o u t t h e w o r k t h a t y o u d o w i t h t h e R I Z E p r o g r a m? E: I n m y o p i n i o n t h e m e a s u r e o f a m a n i s h ow m u c h o f a n i m p a c t h e h a s o n h i s c o m m u n i t y. I wa n t to h e l p t h e n ex t g e n e r a t i o n g e t f u r t h e r t h a n I wa s a b l e to g e t o n m y ow n . R I Z E i s d o i n g t h a t . We g e t to i n s p i r e a n d m e n to r k i d s w h o h ave a m a z i n g t a l e n t a n d i d e a s w i t h l i m i te d resources. M: Being that this is our Pennsylvania themed issue we have to ask you about your upbringing in Philadelphia. How has Philly influenced the person that you are today ? E: P h i l l y h a s i n f l u e n c e d m e i n s o m a ny wa y s . To s t a r t , t h e r i c h h i s to r y o f m u s i c t h a t c o m e s f r o m P h i l a d e l p h i a i s e ve r yo n e f r o m P a t t i L a b e l l e to M e e k M i l l . I f e e l l i ke e ve r yo n e i n m u s i c h a s b e e n i n f l u e n c e d by P h i l a d e l p h i a . A l l t h e n e w S o u l a n d R & B a r t i s t s to J a y -Z h i m s e l f. P h i l l y i s a ve r y m u s i c a l l y t a l e n te d c i t y. I g e t m y l ove f o r m u s i c f r o m P h i l l y a n d I a l s o g e t m y wo r k e t h i c f r o m P h i l l y a s we l l . I t ’s a h a r d wo r k i n g b l u e c o l l a r c i t y s o I ’ ve a l wa y s s e e n t h e p e o p l e a r o u n d m e wo r k h a r d , s o I ’ ve j u s t a s s u m e d t h a t ’s h ow e ve r yo n e wo r k s . M : W h a t ’s n e x t f o r E s t e b a n S e r r a n o? E: I d o n’ t k n ow w h a t ’s n ex t . I n e ve r k n e w I ’d b e h e r e . I j u s t t r u s t G o d t h a t i f I p u t h i m f i r s t i n m y l i f e t h a t h e’d t a ke m e s o m e w h e r e o n l y h e c o u l d . I ’m ve r y h a p py w h e r e I a m a n d I ’m j u s t g o i n g to wo r k hard at being the best I c a n b e a t d i s c ove r i n g emerging talent and g i v i n g t h e m a p l a c e to s h owc a s e t h e i r t a l e n t .

HEAD MESSAGE

Google Glas s Vs. Chip SiP

TECH

A l t h o u g h G o o g l e G l a s s wa s one of the original and most popular p r o to t y p e s f o r we a r a b l e c o m p u te r s t h a t c a n c a p t u r e v i d e o, Ta i wa n e s e O D M C h i p S i P i s l o o k i n g l i ke i t h a s d e ve l o p e d a p r o to t y p e t h a t i s f a r m o r e a d va n c e d than Goggle Glass.

HEAD MESSAGE

Google Glass

Fe a t u r i n g a n H D s c r e e n , 10 8 0 p video capture capabilities, and a full A n d r o i d 4 . 2 o p e r a t i n g s y s te m , t h e s m a r t we a r a b l e g l a s s e s m a y b e t h e b e s t o p t i o n f o r t h o s e l o o k i n g to b e o n e o f t h e f i r s t p e o p l e to c a p t u r e t h e wo r l d a r o u n d them using glasses armed with smar t te c h n o l o g y. T h e C h i p S i P m o d e l a l s o h a s a R o c k C h i p 1. 2- G h z d u a l - c o r e p r o c e s s o r w i t h 1G B o f R A M a n d 4 G B o f s to r a g e , i n a d d i t i o n to a n a c c e l e r o m e te r, g y r o s c o p e , light sensor and compass. Although the ChipSiP is still i n i t s d e ve l o p m e n t s t a g e s i t s e e m s a s t h o u g h i t m a y g i ve G o o g l e G l a s s a r u n f o r i t s m o n e y. A c c o r d i n g to te c h ex p e r t s , t h e 72 0 p d i s p l a y a n d A n d r o i d c a p a b i l i t i e s o n t h e C h i p S i p m a ke the image quality and colors s u p e r i o r to t h o s e o n G o g g l e Glass. Both models come equipped with a 5-MP camera.

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ChipSiP

T h e C ol orfu l Wo r l d o f

Deanna

O f te n t i m e s , i n t h e a r t wo r l d t h e r e i s n o s u c h t h i n g a s a d i s a b i l i t y. W h a t s o m e c o n s i d e r a s a a n o b s t a c l e o t h e r s u s e a s a s te p p i n g s to n e to c r e a te o n e o f a k i n d m a s te r p i e c e s . Ta ke f o r ex a m p l e yo u n g a r t i s t , D e a n n a R o b l e s w h o h a s u s e d w h a t m o s t wo u l d c o n s i d e r a d i s a b i l i t y (a u t i s m) to p u t to g e t h e r h e r l a te s t s h owc a s e , “ T h e C o l o r f u l Wo r l d o f D e a n n a”. T h i s i s D e a n n a R o b l e s’ f i r s t ex h i b i t a n d i t wa s h e l d a t t h e A .C.O. R . G a l l e r y l o c a te d i n s i d e o f t h e G o g g l e Wo r k s i n R e a d i n g , PA . P i c t u r e d h e r e a r e a f e w o f o u r f avo r i te p i e c e s f r o m t h e ex h i b i t !

photography by Theron Cook

EVENTS PAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fine st Cale nda r Audition Hoste d by K it t y Cavas

B r o ok l y n I s s u e Re l e a s e M i xe r

Dear Mar tha & Jonathan Monument at T h e G a l l e r y A b ove Pe n n S q u a r e

m u t e m a g . c o m

#Mute he ads

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Rewind With M r. Ph il ad e l p h i a Eve r wo n d e r w h a t a n a r t i s t i s t h i n k i n g a s t h e y a r e “ u n d e r t h e e d g e ” p a t i e n t l y wa i t i n g to t a ke ove r t h e m u s i c i n d u s t r y ? We l l , i n c a s e yo u we r e wo n d e r i n g , we p r ov i d e d a f e w q u o te s f r o m M r. P h i l a d e l p h i a h i m s e l f t h a t j u s t m i g h t g i ve yo u a l i t t l e i n s i g h t . M u te h a d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to i n te r v i e w M e e k M i l l b a c k i n 2 010 , a s h e wa s o n t h e b r i n k o f s u p e r s t a r d o m . H e r e a r e a f e w o f o u r f avo r i te q u o te s t h a t we h o p e w i l l i n s p i r e a l l o f yo u aspiring ar tists out there! “ I n P h i l l y e ve r y b o d y g o t h e b e s t l y r i c s , b u t i t ’s a b o u t m a k i n g s o n g s . I t ’s a b o u t m a k i n g t h e h o t te s t s o n g . T h a t ’s w h a t we l a c k h e r e i n P h i l l y. I ’m t r y i n g to b r i n g t h a t b a c k a n d o p e n t h a t d o o r s o p e o p l e c a n g o b a c k to m a k i n g s o n g s .” “ I d i d e ve r y t h i n g o n m y ow n - exc e p t f o r o n e p h o to s h o o t t h a t we d i d w i t h M a y b a c h M u s i c . I g o t m y m u s i c to t h e r a d i o s o n m y ow n , p u t i t o n t h e i n te r n e t o n m y ow n , m y ow n s t u d i o t i m e ...e ve r y t h i n g .” “ I b e e n wa i t i n g a l o n g t i m e to g e t i n t h e g a m e , s o i t a i n’ t n o t i m e to s l ow u p o r c h o ke n ow.”

photography by C o l o r O f L i f e P h o t o g r a p h y

“ I d i d n’ t m a ke o n e m i l l i o n d o l l a r s o u t t h e r a p g a m e ye t . I ’m i n t h e p r o c e s s o f g e t t i n g m y m o m a h o u s e r i g h t n ow. I w i l l f e e l l i ke I m a d e i t w h e n I d i d e ve r y t h i n g f o r e ve r y b o d y t h a t c a m e u p w i t h m e - m y m o m , m y s i s te r, m y n i e c e s , m y n e p h e w s . I d o n’ t f e e l I ’m a t t h a t p o i n t ye t .”

Artwork by Rohan Cambridge

Contact info: rdcambridge@hotmail.com

conquestart.com

m Not A B W h e n l o o k i n g f o r a r t i s t s to g r a c e t h e c ove r o f t h i s i s s u e a n d r e p r e s e n t t h e g r e a t s t a te o f Pe n n s y l va n i a i t wa s p r e t t y e a s y to c h o o s e o u r t h r e e c ove r a r t i s t s . M i c S te w, C h i l l M o o d y a n d E k ko e a c h r e p r e s e n t H i p H o p i n i t s t r u e s t f o r m w i t h t h o u g h t f u l l y r i c s , p o i g n a n t m e s s a g e s a n d a b u s i n e s s a c u m e n t h a t h a s a l l owe d t h e m to f a s h i o n t h e i r c a r e e r s a f te r s o m e o f t h e b e s t to e ve r d o i t . L i ke t h e t i t i l e s u g g e s t s , t h e s e a r e b u s i n e s s m e n w h o j u s t h a p p e n to b e H i p H o p a r t i s t s a s we l l . M u te’s E d i to r- I n - C h i e f s a t d ow n w i t h t h e s e t h r e e to f i n d o u t j u s t h ow t h e y h ave b e e n a b l e to t r a n s f o r m a p a s s i o n f o r m a k i n g wo r d s r hy m e i n to s te a d y i n c o m e s t r e a m s , c l o t h i n g b r a n d s , a n d p a r t n e r s h i p s w i t h M T V a n d R e d B u l l . L u c k y f o r u s , t h e f e l l a s d i v u l g e ke y t a c t i c s f o r b u i l d i n g a b r a n d a n d s u c c e e d i n g a s i n d e p e n d e n t a r t i s t s . S i t b a c k a n d p a y a t te n t i o n w h i l e t h e s e f u t u r e H i p H o p m o g u l s p u t u s a l l o n to a l i t t l e g a m e .

Wr itten by D avid Nazario

M u t e : T h e t h r e e o f y o u m a ke music that is ver y highe n e r g y, p u r p o s e f u l a n d passionate. Where does that energy and passion c o m e f r o m? C h i l l : Fo r m e i t j u s t c o m e s from living life. My life is filled with all of those things t h a t yo u n a m e d. Yo u g o t p a s s i o n a te t i m e s , yo u g o t high-energy times, and the t i m e s t h a t yo u wa n n a g e t o u t t h o s e p e r s o n a l s to r i e s . S o i t ’s j u s t t h e u p s a n d d ow n s o f l i fe a n d eve r y t h i n g t h a t ’s g o i n g o n , yo u j u s t p u t i t i n to t h e music. M i c : I t h i n k w h e n yo u g e t a g o o d s o n g i t ’s a l way s a we i r d m i x o f we i r d t h i n g s t h a t influence that moment when yo u w r o te t h a t s o n g . W h e t h e r yo u c a m e f r o m a g r e a t s h ow a n d yo u wa n t to c r e a te s o m e t h i n g to g e t t h e c r owd l i ve , o r s o m e t h i n g h a p p e n e d i n yo u r l i f e a n d yo u wa n t to g o ve n t . I t h i n k i t a l l s t a r t s with the obsession of music and using music as an outlet. I r e a l l y c a n’ t d e s c r i b e w h e r e eve r y i n d i v i d u a l m e s s a g e comes from. E k ko : J u s t l i ke M i c a n d C h i l l i t ’s p r e t t y m u c h t h e s a m e

t h i n g f o r m e . A l o t of my s t u f f c o m e s f r o m p a i n t h o u g h . I n eve r r e a l l y t h o u g h t I wa s g o o d a t to o m a ny t h i n g s s o w h e n I f o u n d o u t I wa s p r e t t y g o o d a t t h i s i t k i n d a g ave m e t h e e n e r g y t h a t I h ave i n t h e s o n g s . I n eve r r e a l l y h a d t h a t f e e l i n g b e f o r e . B u t a l o t of p a i n , yo u k n ow. L o s i n g a l o t of p e o p l e i n my l i f e m a d e m e k i n d of m o r e m o t i va te d to d o t h i s a n d g i ve s m e t h e e n e r g y w i t h t h e way t h a t I p r o d u c e t h e m u s i c n ow. T h e e n e r g y t h a t I g e t i s u s u a l l y f r o m a l o t of s t r e s s a n d s t u f f l i ke t h a t . Mute: How did you guys get your s t a r t w i t h m u s i c? W h a t m a d e y o u want to pursue this as a career? M i c : M y f i r s t t i m e r e c o r d i n g wa s b e c a u s e of a f r i e n d of m i n e w h o had a studio in his basement. He wa s f r o m Ph i l l y b u t h e m ove d to my n e i g h b o r h o o d s o a l l of h i s b u d d i e s f r o m t h e c i t y wo u l d c o m e o u t f r o m t h e c i t y a n d r e c o r d o n t h e we e ke n d s . O n e d ay t h ey we r e r e c o r d i n g i n t h e s t u d i o a n d I wa s l i ke , “ Wow, I n e e d to d o t h a t .” I h a d r a p p e d f o r f i ve o r s i x ye a r s prior before thinking, “Oh shit, I can r e c o r d t h i s s h i t .” I ’ve b e e n r hy m i n g f o r a ve r y l o n g t i m e , s i n c e I wa s l i ke e l eve n o r t we l ve , s o t h e m o m e n t t h a t oppor tunity arose I just jumped on it. It wa s k i n d of n a t u r a l . E k ko : I a c t u a l l y s t a r te d w r i t i n g w h e n I u s e d to l i ve i n F l o r i d a . I wa s a b o u t f o u r te e n ye a r s o l d. I d i d n’ t t a ke i t s e r i o u s l y u n t i l I c a m e to R e a d i n g a n d

I g o t i n to t h e V i l l a b a t t l e s a t S n e a k e r V i l l a. I wo n l i ke f i ve b a t t l e s i n a r ow, a n d I wa s l i ke , “a l r i g h t I ’m a d o t h i s .” A l o t of people star ting recognizing w h o I wa s a t t h a t p o i n t , s o I wa s l i ke , “ ye a h t h i s i s i t ,” b u t i t s t a r te d w i t h b a t t l e s . C h i l l : I c a n’ t eve n r e m e m b e r. I wa s t h e k i d t h a t h a d s t u d i o equipment in his basement t h a t I b o u g h t a n d p e o p l e wo u l d j u s t c o m e ove r a n d r e c o r d. A n d eve n b e f o r e t h a t we we r e r a p p i n g i n t a l e n t s h ow s a n d s h i t l i ke t h a t . I t h i n k w h e n I d e c i d e d to t a ke i t a s a p r of e s s i o n wa s w h e n I g r a d u a te d c o l l e g e i n 20 0 9. T h i n g s s t a r te d p i c k i n g u p, p e o p l e s t a r te d to k n ow m e f o r r a p p i n g , s o I wa s l i ke , “ I m b a c k h o m e , I ’m b a c k i n Ph i l l y n ow, I c a n a c t u a l l y t r y to m a ke s o m e t h i n g of t h i s .” S o I to l d my p a r e n t s , “G i ve m e l i ke a ye a r a n d i f i t d o e s n t wo r k o u t I d o h ave a d e g r e e .” T h i s i s n o t w h a t I p l a n n e d to d o b u t i t s e e m s l i ke t h a t ’s w h e r e eve r y t h i n g i s l e a d i n g r i g h t n ow. M u t e : W h a t i s y o u r d e g r e e i n? C h i l l : Pu b l i c R e l a t i o n s , S p e e c h C o m m u n i c a t i o n s . S o I ’m l i ke , “ I c a n b e a p u b l i c i s t , I c a n wo r k i n t h e e n te r t a i n m e n t i n d u s t r y o r w h a teve r,” b u t m u s i c s t a r te d to

usinessman . . .

I â&#x20AC;&#x2122;m A Busines s Man! â&#x20AC;?

Mic Ekko Chill

photography by A M A P h o t o g r a p h y

t h i n g s l i ke t h a t . S o Ph i l l y i n f l u e n c e s a l o t o f t h e way t h a t I c o m e of f ; I g o t t a s ay t h e m o s t c l eve r s h i t . I g o t t a b e a b l e to r i d e t h e b e a t t h e b e s t way c a u s e I ’m f r o m Ph i l l y. M u t e : S o y o u h a v e t o s h ow a n d p r ov e . . . C h i l l : Ye a h , a l way s .

p i c k u p a n d t h a t wa s i n M ay o f 20 0 9. T h e n by J a n u a r y o f 2010, I wa s o n t h e r a d i o i n Ph i l l y. T h e n I s t a r te d g e t t i n g s h ow s , a n d I s t a r te d m a k i n g m o n ey o f f of s h ow s , m a k i n g m o n ey o f f o f m i x t a p e s a n d t h i n g s l i ke t h a t . I wa s p ay i n g my b i l l s a n d e a t i n g from rapping, so it just kind of made sense. Mute: Being that this is a Pennsylvania themed issue, h ow m u c h d o e s P h i l l y a n d Reading influence your st yle of rap and the type of music t h a t y o u m a ke? C h i l l : Ph i l l y i n f l u e n c e s eve r y t h i n g I d o, t h e way I t a l k , yo u h e a r m e s ay “ j o n”, yo u h e a r m e s ay “ b u l l ”, t h e way I d r e s s . Pr e t t y m u c h eve r y t h i n g I d o i s i n f l u e n c e d by my u p b r i n g i n g , a n d I ’m ve r y p r i d e f u l i n t h e f a c t t h a t I ’m a Ph i l y M C. Yo u k n ow t h ey s ay Ph i l l y i s t h e h o m e o f t h e s p i t te r s . I ’m ve r y p r i d e f u l t h a t i f yo u p u t m e i n a c y p h e r w i t h a ny o f t h e s e p e o p l e t h a t ’s o u t t h e r e , I ’m g o i n g to s h i n e i n t h a t c y p h e r, a n d a ny b o d y f r o m Ph i l l y i s g o i n g to d o t h a t . I t d o n’ t m a t te r t h a t i f w h e n we’r e a l l to g e t h e r a n d I m i g h t n o t t h i n k t h a t g u y c a n r a p to o m u c h , i f yo u p u t a Ph i l l y g u y i n a cypher with a bunch of other c a t s , yo u c a n te l l t h a t g u y i s f r o m Ph i l l y c a u s e t h a t ’s w h a t we l i ve o f f o f, T h e C o m e - U p S h o w,

E k ko : R e a d i n g , PA wa s c o n s i d e r e d t h e m o s t p ove r t y s t r i c ke n c i t y i n A m e r i c a aw h i l e b a c k s o t h a t k i n d o f i n f l u e n c e d m e to t r y to wa n t to m a ke a d i f fe r e n c e o u t h e r e - f r o m t h e c l o t h i n g , to t h e m u s i c . I d i d a s o n g c a l l e d “ B a c k To M y C i t y ” t h a t g o t p o p u l a r o u t h e r e . T h a t ’s w h a t k i n d o f m a d e m e wa n t to p u s h a n d i n f l u e n c e d m e i n a way b e c a u s e I d o n’ t wa n t p e o p l e to l o o k a t R e a d i n g a n d t h i n k i t ’s j u s t t h i s p o o r c i t y a n d s h i t l i ke t h a t , s o I e n d e d u p t r y i n g to b e a l i t t l e d i f fe r e n t f r o m a l o t of p e o p l e i n R e a d i n g . I ’m s t i l l i n f l u e n c e d by a l o t of p e o p l e i n R e a d i n g t h a t r a p, b u t I g o t my ow n l a n e a n d I g o t my ow n p e r s p e c t i ve on things. M i c : Fo r m e , I h a d a s i m i l a r ex p e r i e n c e . I d o n’ t i d e n t i f y w i t h Ph i l l y a s p e r s o n a l l y a s C h i l l a s h e wa s b o r n a n d r a i s e d t h e r e . A n appreciation for straight bars came f r o m Ph i l l y. T h e i r l i ke t h e k i n g of t h e mixtapes. Thousands and thousands o f m i x t a p e s c o m i n g o u t of Ph i l l y, a n d i t wa s b e a t s a n d b a r s f o r l i ke f i f te e n ye a r s n ow t h a t t h e m i x t a p e a n d DV D c i r c u i t h a s b e e n o u t t h e r e . S o i t ’s l i ke , t h a t s h i t r e a l l y s h a r p e n s yo u r s k i l l s , b e i n g i n a c i t y w h e r e , l i ke J a d a k i s s s a i d i n a n i n te r v i e w o n e t i m e , “ Ph i l l y g o t t h e m o s t r a p p e r s ,” c a u s e eve r y b o d y r a p s a n d t h ey a l l g o t l i ke 3 2’s a n d 6 4’s yo u k n ow w h a t I m e a n? N o h o o k s . Chill: Nope Mic: Just raps. ( A l l t h r e e b e g i n to l a u g h) M i c : I h ave n’ t a d o p te d t h e s t y l e f o r my s e l f a s m u c h . I ’m s t i l l t r y i n g to find a comfor table musical space f o r my s e l f, b u t t h a t m e n t a l i t y of b a r s i s d e f i n i te l y a p r o d u c t of b e i n g f r o m Ph i l l y. A n d t h e m u s i c a l h e r i t a g e to o, l i ke t h e s o u l a n d T h e R o o t s . Wo r k i n g o u t of T h e R o o t s s t u d i o, j u s t t h e h a n d f u l of t i m e s I wa s i n t h e r e , j u s t wa tc h i n g t h e way t h ey t a ke a r e c o r d f r o m a b e a t a n d

a r hy m e to w h a t yo u eve n t u a l l y h e a r o n a R o o t s s o n g , t h a t wa s really inspiring. The musicality a n d t h e p r o c e s s , t h e g r ow t h of a r e c o r d , w h i c h I d o n’ t t h i n k I wo u l d h ave h a d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to ex p e r i e n c e i f I wa s n’ t i n Ph i l l y. Mute: Who were some of your b i g g e s t i n f l u e n c e s g r ow i n g u p? M i c : I t wa s a l l i n wave s m a n . At d i f fe r e n t t i m e s i t wa s dif ferent people. Probably t h e e a r l i e s t I c a n r e m e m b e r.... Ye a h I d o n’ t k n ow, t h i s i s h a r d. R i g h t n ow I c o u l d n a m e t h e m ... C h i l l : I d o n’ t h ave a l o t of i n f l u e n c e s t h a t m a d e m e wa n t to r a p. I l ove d R a k i m g r ow i n g u p a n d I l ove d Wu -Ta n g , b u t t h ey d i d n’ t m a ke m e wa n t to r a p. T h ey j u s t m a d e m e wa n t to b e a p a r t of H i p H o p. G r ow i n g u p I d i d n’ t n e c e s s a r i l y wa n t to r a p. I j u s t wa n te d to b e p a r t of t h a t , w h a teve r i t wa s , a n d I j u s t l ove d i t . I ’m a f a n f i r s t , s t i l l to t h i s d ay I ’m a f a n f i r s t . I j u s t l i ke to l i s te n to t h e p e o p l e t h a t i n f l u e n c e d me. Nobody really influenced my s t y l e a n d I c a n’ t s ay I l i s te n to a ny b o d y a n d t h i n k I wa n n a r a p l i ke t h e m , o r d o t h i n g s l i ke t h e m b u t , p e o p l e

to a l l of t h a t . I ’ve h a d r a p s s i n c e t h i r d g r a d e . M e wa n t i n g to b e a r a p p e r c a m e l a s t to m e wa n t i n g to wo r k i n t h e m u s i c i n d u s t r y. S o I l e a r n e d p r e t t y m u c h eve r y t h i n g e l s e . I s t u d i e d eve r y t h i n g e l s e . I wa n te d to b e a m a n a g e r a n d I wa n te d to b e an A&R. M u t e : Wo u l d y o u s a y t h a t i s a bet ter way to do it? C h i l l: I t d e p e n d s o n w h a t yo u wa n t to d o.

l i ke 5 0 C e n t , D i d d y, H ov, t h e m ove s t h a t t h ey ’ve m a d e outside of music is who I m o d e l my s e l f a f te r. A l o t o f the things that I do I model a f te r w h a t 5 0 C e n t h a s d o n e , from reading the 48 Laws of P o we r, a n d s t u d y i n g t h a t a n d a p p l y i n g t h a t to eve r y t h i n g I do in music is something t h a t I a d o p te d f r o m 5 0 C e n t . I t ’s a l o t o f t h i n g s o u t s i d e o f m a k i n g t h e m u s i c, l i ke t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e m u s i c, o f t h e b r a n d a n d b u i l d i n g yo u r b r a n d , I ’m i n f l u e n c e d by t h a t . M i c : D e f i n i te l y A n d r e 3 0 0 0, B u s t a R hy m e s , B l a c k T h o u g h t , E m i n e m . A ny b o d y t h a t ’s te c h n i c a l l y d o p e , b u t yo u d o n’ t t h i n k to m e n t i o n t h e m n ex t to a nyo n e e l s e . Then I think of the Big Pu n’s , T h e B i g L’s , B i g g i e , t h ey r e a l l y g ave m e a n a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r w h a t yo u c a n d o w i t h r a p, l i ke a s a p i e c e o f r hy t h m , yo u k n ow w h a t I m e a n? U s i n g yo u r vo i c e a s a d r u m . B i g P u n and Big L - nobody had a c a d e n c e l i ke t h a t , t h a t s h i t wa s c r a z y. I n te r m s o f s t y l e a n d i n f l u e n c e o f my s t y l e , i t wo u l d b e a l l o f t h o s e l e f t f i e l d m o t h e r f u c ke r s l i ke O u t k a s t . T h a t ’s w h a t I s h o o t f o r c r e a t i ve l y, w h e n yo u d o n’ t t a l k a b o u t m e n ex t to t h e n ex t a r t i s t . E k ko : M y b i g g e s t i n f l u e n c e i s a c t u a l l y my b r o t h e r. M y b r o t h e r wo u l d j u s t c a l l m e u p to t h e a t t i c w h e n I wa s l i ke te n ye a r s o l d . R e c i t i n g

s t a r te d w i t h h i m . H e wo u l d j u s t b e r e c i t i n g H ov r hy m e s i n my f a c e d o i n g t h e h a n d g e s t u r e s a n d a l l of t h a t , a n d I wo u l d b e l i ke , “ W h a t t h e f u c k ? ” I u s e d to r e c i te B i g Pu n , J ay, B i g g i e , E m . I wo u l d j u s t w r i te t h e i r r hy m e s d ow n , l i s te n to i t a n d r e c i te i t b a c k . A l o t o f t h a t h e l p e d m e a n d i n f l u e n c e d my r hy m e s c h e m e s n ow. J u s t r e c i t i n g t h e a r t i s t s t h a t we r e o n t h a t I t h o u g h t we r e dope. Mute: How impor tant has building your brand been to your success so far ? Being that you all are not only rappers, but are also forming partnerships with companies and g e t t i n g s p o n s o r s h i p s , ow n i n g clothing lines and get ting your v i d e o s p l a y e d o n M T V. H ow d i d a l l o f t h i s h a p p e n? M i c : Fr o m w h e r e I s t a n d , I t h i n k t h a t ’s s o m e t h i n g t h a t I d o a c t u a l l y ve r y p o o r l y. T h a t ’s a c t u a l l y t h e m o s t c h a l l e n g i n g a n d l e a s t r e wa r d i n g p a r t o f b e i n g a n a r t i s t f o r m e . T h a t ’s s o m e t h i n g t h a t I t h i n k a b o u t eve r yd ay. H ow d o p e o p l e e n g a g e w i t h n o t o n l y t h i s r e c o r d , t h i s we b s i te , t h i s p h o to. Eve r y t h i n g i s n u a n c e d a n d i t ’s a l l sy m b o l i c to t h e v i e we r. T h ey d o n’ t r e a l l y c a r e a b o u t yo u a s a n a r t i s t . W h e n t h ey ex p e r i e n c e yo u r a r t a n d h ow t h ey ex p e r i e n c e i t . T h a t s h i t w i l l ke e p yo u u p a t n i g h t m a n . I ’m n o t ve r y g o o d at it. C h i l l : S e e a l o t of t h a t w i t h m e c a m e from a few things, one, me being a f a n f i r s t a n d p ay i n g a t te n t i o n to w hy I l i ke G h o s t f a c e s o m u c h . W hy a m I s o h o o ke d o n G h o s t f a c e’s l y r i c s? I s i t j u s t w h a t h e’s s ay i n g? I s i t h i s s t y l e , t h e way t h a t h e’s p u t t i n g i t o u t ? I s i t h i s d e m e a n o r i n h i s i n te r v i e w s? A l l of t h o s e t y p e s of t h i n g s . I p ay a t te n t i o n

Mute: Should a person who wants to be an ar tist do what you did - study all of those things first before becoming an artist? M i c : I t ’s n e c e s s a r y to b e a p r of e s s i o n a l . E k ko : T h a t wo u l d h e l p. T h a t wo u l d d e f i n i te l y h e l p. C h i l l : I t ’s wo r k i n g f o r m e , b u t t h e n yo u m i g h t h ave t h e g u y t h a t we n t a n d l e a r n e d a l l of t h a t a n d d i d n’ t t u r n o u t to b e a r a p p e r. H e i n t u r n c a n b e yo u r m a n a g e r. T h e n yo u c a n j u s t f o c u s 10 on being an ar tist. I 21 wo u l d l ove r i g h t n ow to just focus on rapping. T h e r e’s s o m u c h o t h e r s t u f f g o i n g o n , a n d I ’m l ov i n g i t . I h ave “ N i c e T h i n g s” a s a b u s i n e s s n ow. I ’ve ex p a n d e d a n d I h ave c l o t h e s i n the Villa and all those things. S o i t ’s d o p e t h a t I ’ve b u i l t t h i s b r a n d , b u t i t wo u l d b e r e a l l y r e a l l y c o o l to s ay “ yo u h a n d l e t h a t p a r t of i t , yo u h a n d l e t h a t p a r t of i t ,” a s o p p o s e d to m e b o o k i n g t h i s s h ow o n t h i s l i n e and closing this clothing deal on another line. M u t e : S o wo u l d y o u s a y t h a t the business aspect of things s o m e t i m e s t a ke s a w a y f r o m the art? E k ko : I g e t a n x i e t y s o m e t i m e s fe e l i n g l i ke I g o t to o m u c h to d o o n t h e c l o t h i n g e n d. I g o t t a m a ke s u r e s h i t i s s t r a i g h t i n t h e s to r e a n d m a ke s u r e t h e s e i te m s i s c o m i n g u p. We s p o n s o r b oxe r s; I g o t t a m a ke s u r e t h e b oxe r s g o t t h e i r

clothing. So sometimes that k i n d o f t a ke s away f r o m w h a t I got going on at the moment. I g o t f i ve a r t i s t s o n my te a m t h a t I a l s o wo r k w i t h . I t ’s h a r d to k i n d o f b a l a n c e t h e c l o t h i n g , t h e a r t i s t s , a n d my s e l f. I d o n’ t k n ow h ow a r t i s t s d o i t . I wa tc h m a i n s t r e a m a r t i s t s a n d I ’m l i ke , “ W h a t t h e f u c k ? ”. B u t i t ’s a b l e s s i n g to eve n b e i n t h e s i t u a t i o n . I t k i n d o f f e l l i n my l a p. I d i d n’ t p l a n to h ave t h e c l o t h i n g t h i n g g o i n g o n . I ’ve been messing with The Villa for aw h i l e a n d t h ey k n e w m e s i n c e I wa s yo u n g s o I d i d a s o n g f o r t h e m o n e t i m e t h a t p l aye d o n t h e i r p h o n e w h e n c u s to m e r s wo u l d c a l l a n d b e p u t o n h o l d . S i n c e t h e n t h ey ’ve ke p t g o o d t i e s w i t h m e . M y s i s te r wa s actually the assistant manager a n d s h e e n d e d u p g e t t i n g i n to the situation with the clothing a n d s h e t h r e w a p i tc h to m e . S o I wa s b r a n d n e w, f r e s h to t h e clothing and business aspect, s o I d i d n’ t r e a l l y k n ow... a n d I ’m s t i l l c l i m b i n g . I t ’s b e e n a b o u t a ye a r a n d c h a n g e , a n d I ’m s t i l l t r y i n g to g e t c o n t r o l o f i t . I t ’s a b i g o r d e a l. I t ’s n o t e a sy a t a l l . C h i l l : I t d o e s n’ t t a ke away f r o m the fun of it for me.

E k ko : Ye a h , n o t t h e f u n . C h i l l : B u t i t k i n d of t a ke s away f r o m t h e t i m e . I wo u l d l ove to j u s t ....l i ke w h e n I g o to t h e s t u d i o t h a t ’s w hy I s t ay ove r n i g h t b e c a u s e I d o n’ t g e t to b e i n t h e s t u d i o l i ke I n e e d to b e . I wo u l d l ove to j u s t b e i n t h e s t u d i o c r e a t i n g a l l t h e t i m e , b u t i t ’s s o m u c h o t h e r s t u f f t h a t I g o t t a d o. B u t t h e n o n t h e f l i p s i d e , i f I wa s i n t h e s t u d i o c r e a t i n g a l l t h e t i m e , w h o wo u l d d o t h e o t h e r s h i t ? I t g o t t a l eve l o u t , s o i t ’s a g i f t a n d a c u r s e t y p e of t h i n g . M i c : Ye a h , i t n eve r t a ke s away f r o m t h e f u n o f t h e r hy m e s . E k ko : I t h i n k yo u wa n t to s u r r o u n d yo u r s e l f w i t h b u s i n e s s p e o p l e , yo u k n ow, g o o d p e o p l e t h a t a r e i n yo u r c i t y to o. I g o t i nvo l ve d w i t h H e c to r R u i z f r o m S o f r i to s a n d h e k i n d of h e l p e d m e wo r k o u t a b u s i n e s s p l a n . H e’s t h e o n e t h a t h e l p e d m e to s t a r t g e t t i n g m o n ey f o r s h ow s . S o I t h i n k yo u wa n t to s u r r o u n d yo u r s e l f w i t h s o m e g o o d p e o p l e a n d ow n e r s a r o u n d yo u r c i t y, and people that can possibly sponsor yo u a n d s h ow yo u t h e r i g h t d i r e c t i o n s o yo u c a n s t a r t p u l l i n g i n s o m e i n c o m e . Mic: And the frustrations are inspiring to o. Eve r y t i m e yo u h ave to d o s h i t t h a t yo u d o n’ t wa n t to d o o r t a l k yo u r s e l f i n to l i ke ... s t i l l b e i n g a r a p p e r ( l a u g h s), yo u b e l i ke , “ yo u k n ow w h a t , I c o u l d g e t a f u c k i n g j o b a n d j u s t p a r tt i m e g o to t h e s t u d i o”. Eve r y t i m e t h a t t h o u g h t h i t s my m i n d I h ave to g r ow a s a p e r s o n i n o r d e r to m ove f o r wa r d a n d t h a t s h i t m a ke s i t s way i n to t h e r e c o r d s to o.

c a l l e d , “ M o s t Pove r t y S t r i c ke n C i t y i n A m e r i c a”. M i c : M y o n e b a r i s l i ke , “ H ow h e f l ow s o c l e a n b u t h e l o o k s o f i l t hy ?/ C a u s e I c o m e f r o m Ph i l l y, w h e r e i f yo u l o o k l i ke m o n ey t h e n yo u l o o k l i ke a t a r g e t / Yo u o n a h i g h h o r s e g e t of f i t / S t i c k u p k i d s d o n’ t k n ow n o b e t te r, a n d a r i c h m o t h e r f u c ke r i s a wa l k i n g t a r g e t / H a l f of t h e s e yo u n g b oy s h o m e a l o n e , M a c a u l l y C a u l k i n’s .” L i v i n g i n t h o s e e nv i r o n m e n t s r e a l l y d o e s c h a n g e t h e way t h a t yo u t h i n k a n d t h e way yo u wo r k . I t ’s n o t eve n r e a l l y c o o l to b e f l a s hy. I t i s c o o l b u t ... a n d p e o p l e l ove to i m a g i n e t h a t l i f e b u t , yo u’r e c o n s t a n t l y r e m i n d e d l i ke .... E k ko : I t h i n k yo u s h o u l d d e f i n i te l y a l way s m a ke t h e g o o d o u t of b a d s i t u a t i o n s , l i ke w h e n Pa c t a l k s a b o u t b a d t h i n g s t h a t we r e g o i n g o n i n t h e h o o d s a n d s t u f f l i ke t h a t . T h a t wa s o n e of t h e r e a s o n s w hy I d e c i d e d t h a t i f t h ey we r e g o i n g to c a l l u s t h i s [ t h e m o s t p ove r t y s t r i c ke n c i t y i n A m e r i c a], t h e n I ’m g o i n g to m a ke p e o p l e l i ke t h e s o u n d of i t ( l a u n g h s). Mute: Right.

Mute: Nice.

M i c : I d o n’ t m e a n to c u t yo u of f, b u t i f t h e r e’s a p o i n t t h a t I ’m t r y i n g to m a ke , i t i s t h e r e a s o n w hy I d o n’ t p a n d e r to a w h i te a u d i e n c e . Yo u k n ow w h a t I m e a n? C a u s e I c o u l d M a c M i l l e r a m o t h e r f u c ke r...

M i c : A l l of t h a t f r u s t r a t i o n .

E k ko : ( l a u g h s)

Mute: Get ting back to the areas that you guys represent, Philly and Reading, PA , b e i n g t h a t b o t h p l a c e s a r e p ov e r t y s t r i c ke n , l ow i n c o m e areas, as Hip Hop artists, do you feel a responsibilit y to rap about some of these things or not rap about certain things because of the environment that you all are coming from or representing?

Mic: Rap about Jordans and we e d , c u t my h a i r, a n d j u s t p a n d e r to s i x te e n -ye a r- o l d w h i te g i r l s .

M i c : I g o t a b a r t h a t k i n d of s u m s t h a t u p... E k ko : I w r o te a w h o l e s o n g

Mute: So you purposefully do not... M i c : H e l l n o m a n . I fe e l l i ke I g o t a r e s p o n s i b i l i t y. H i p H o p is Black music and that is a va l i d t h i n g . Yo u c a n’ t r e m ove t h e h i s to r y of t h e g e n r e f r o m i t . S o ye a h , I c a n’ t p a n d e r to t h a t a u d i e n c e . I d o n’ t eve n really identif y with those p r i v i l e g e d l i fe s t y l e s . A n d i n

s c h o o l I s t u d i e d wo r l d h i s to r y, t h e h i s to r y o f o p p r e s s i o n , t h e c r e a t i o n o f t h e t h i r d wo r l d , t h e c r e a t i o n o f p ove r t y s i t u a t i o n s . Mute: I can tell by listening to your music that you have t h a t b a c kg r o u n d . M i c : S o I h ave a h a r d t i m e letting go and just making a p a r t y r e c o r d. I ’m a l way s k i n d of p i s s e d o f f a b o u t s h i t t h a t i s g o i n g o n i n Ph i l l y. Mute: How much has social media played a par t in ex p a n d i n g y o u r b r a n d s? C h i l l: Eve r y t h i n g . I owe eve r y t h i n g to t h e Tw i t te r s a n d I n s t a g r a m a n d s h i t l i ke t h a t . I l e a r n e d e a r l y h ow to m a n i p u l a te t h o s e s o c i a l n e t wo r k s a n d t h e way t h a t t h ey c o u l d b e b e n e f i c i a l to m e . I ’m b u i l d i n g w i t h a r t i s t s o n t h e r e . Two a l b u m s a g o I d i d a n a l b u m c a l l e d We s t C h i l l y a n d I g o t J . I v y o n t h e r e . J. I v y i s t h e p o e t o n K a nye a n d J ay-Z ’s “ N eve r L e t M e D ow n”. T h a t wa s j u s t s t r i c t l y w h a t i s n ow d e e m e d “ s p a m m i n g ” o r “phishing” cause people just d o i t s o h e av y, b u t i t wa s l i ke a g e n u i n e , “ Yo, I ’m a f a n o f yo u r s h i t , c o m e c h e c k t h i s o u t .” H e c h e c ke d i t o u t a n d wa s l i ke , “ Yo, I f u c k w i t h yo u , boom, boom, and that man h a s a G r a m my, a n d I g o t l i ke $ 4.0 0 i n my p o c ke t , b u t h e’s o n my a l b u m . I t wa s c r a z y. T h e

clothing line thing came from m e t r y i n g to h ave s o m e t h i n g to s e l l a t t h e s h ow s s o p e o p l e c o u l d h ave s o m e t h i n g t a n g i b l e to t a ke h o m e w i t h t h e m , s o I c o u l d m a ke s o m e m o n ey. Yo u c a n o n l y b u y my C D s o m a ny t i m e s; yo u’r e n o t g o i n g to c o m e to a s h ow a n d b u y a C D eve r y t i m e . A l r i g h t , s o l e t ’s h ave a s h i r t , l e t ’s c o m e u p w i t h s o m e s ay i n g s , l e t ’s m o n e t i ze t h i s “ N i c e T h i n g s”. T h i s i s s o m e t h i n g t h a t we’ve b e e n s ay i n g s i n c e I wa s l i ke te n ye a r s o l d . I t wa s n’ t n o t h i n g l i ke a s c h e m e , b u t p e o p l e l i ke t h a t we’r e d o i n g t h i s s o we l e t t h e m fe e l a p a r t of i t . H e r e’s s o m e m e r c h a n d i s e , t a ke t h i s home. Expanding it really h a p p e n e d b e c a u s e of s o c i a l n e t wo r k s . Pe o p l e f e e l r e a l l y c o n n e c te d w i t h yo u b e c a u s e t h ey c a n s e e eve r y t h i n g t h a t yo u’r e d o i n g r i g h t w h e n yo u’r e d o i n g i t . L i ke a s s o o n a s I g o t h e r e I p u t t h e a g e n d a f o r to d ay r i g h t o n I n s t a g r a m . N ow eve r y b o d y ’s l i ke , “ O h , C h i l l i s d o i n g a p h o to s h o o t , h e’s g o i n g to b e o n t h e c ove r of a m a g a z i n e .” T h ey ’r e t a k i n g t h a t j o u r n ey w i t h m e a n d t h ey wo u l d n’ t b e a b l e to d o t h a t w i t h o u t s o c i a l n e t wo r k s . N o n e o f u s r e a l l y h ave t h a t h e av y r a d i o a i r p l ay o r v i d e o a i r p l ay r i g h t n ow w h e r e we a r e i n t h e p e o p l e s f a c e s a l l t h e t i m e s o we h ave to p u t o u r s e l ve s i n t h e peoples face. E k ko : I to t a l l y a g r e e w i t h t h a t . M i n e s t a r te d p r e t t y m u c h w i t h M y s p a c e d ay s . T h e r e a r e a l o t of l oya l f a n s t h a t c a m e f r o m t h e r e t h a t to t h i s d ay te l l m e t h a t t h ey k n ow m e f r o m M y s p a c e . S o

s o c i a l m e d i a wa s a b i g o r d e a l f o r m e to o. P r o b a b l y l i ke n i n e t y p e r c e n t of my f a n s c a m e f r o m that. M u t e : S o l e t ’s t a l k a b o u t t h e i n d e p e n d e n t r o u t e - n ow t h a t you all have built your brands and you have a buzz, is the plan to stay independent? Has the independent route been an a d v a n t a g e o r a d i s a d v a n t a g e? E k ko : I t h i n k i t d e p e n d s . I f I ’m i n a g o o d s i t u a t i o n by t h e t i m e I g e t of fe r e d s o m e t h i n g t h e n I p r o b a b l y wo n’ t t a ke i t - i f I fe e l l i ke I ’m d o i n g g o o d e n o u g h o n my ow n t wo fe e t . B u t i f I ’m s t i l l i n t h i s s i t u a t i o n t h a t I ’m i n n ow a n d I ’m s t i l l c l i m b i n g a n d s t u f f, I ’d p r o b a b l y...f o r t h e r i g h t s i t u a t i o n , I ’d p a r t n e r u p w i t h s o m e b o d y. B u t I d o n’ t wa n t n o 3 6 0 s o r n o n e of t h a t b u l l s h i t t h o u g h . T h a t ’s my m a i n t h i n g . Mic: I think the perception of r e c o r d d e a l s i s g e t t i n g a l i t t l e d a te d a s i n t h e s h i t d o e s n’ t eve n c h a n g e yo u r l i fe a ny m o r e . E k ko : ( l a u g h s) M i c : T h ey s h a r e ser vices and shit. T h ey ’l l t r a d e yo u distribution for a p e r c e n t a g e , l i ke t h a t t y p e of s h i t . I m e a n a ny b o d y t h a t yo u wo u l d eve n l o o k a t t h a t ’s a m a j o r

indie ar tist probably has sy n c h r o n i z a t i o n d e a l s , l i c e n s i n g d e a l s . L i ke h e s a i d , the 360 deal is a thing of the past and independent ar tists n ow a r e j u s t s u b c o n t r a c to r s . A ny i n d i e a r t i s t t h a t yo u s e e d o i n g we l l h a s a to n o f d e a l s , yo u k n ow w h a t I m e a n? T h e r e’s r e a l l y n o r e a s o n to s i g n a 3 6 0 u n l e s s yo u m a ke Po p m u s i c, yo u k n ow ? E k ko : I k n ow s o m e r a p p e r s though that are getting o f fe r e d t h a t s h i t , 3 6 0 s . M i c : Ye a h . Fo r i n s t a n c e , I got a record deal with R e d b u l l , o n e s i n g l e . I ow n t h i r t y-t h r e e p e r c e n t o f t h e p u b l i s h i n g . I f t h ey l i c e n s e o r s e l l i t , I g e t t h i r t y-t h r e e c e n t o n eve r y d o l l a r. T h a t ’s a r e c o r d d e a l; g o t t h a t i n 2012. I got a recording deal with a s t u d i o i n N o r r i s tow n , d o n’ t wa n n a m e n t i o n i t b e c a u s e I h ave n’ t s i g n e d a ny t h i n g . I ’m wo r k i n g o u t o f t h e i r s p a c e . I f a n d w h e n we s e n d a ny t h i n g to m a r ke t , we’r e g o n n a t a l k about the profit sharing t h e r e . T h a t ’s h ow b e i n g a n i n d e p e n d e n t a r t i s t wo r k s . Yo u just find services and causes t h a t f a l l i n l i n e w i t h yo u r s a n d yo u h i t yo u r s t a l l to e a c h o t h e r. E k ko : I k i n d o f l e a r n e d w h e n I wa s yo u n g e r to wa tc h t h e s te p s yo u t a ke w i t h t h e l a b e l s to o. I wa s m e s s i n g w i t h t h i s one label from California a n d t h ey f l e w m e o u t t h e r e to g o wo r k . T h ey o f f e r e d m e s o m e t h i n g b u t I d i d n’ t t a ke i t b e c a u s e i t wa s s o m e s i x album type deal shit, which wa s p r o b a b l y g o o d b e c a u s e a t t h e t i m e I wa s n o t k n ow n o r a ny t h i n g , b u t I d i d n’ t t a ke i t . T h ey we r e t r y i n g to n o t i nvo l ve a l o t o f t h e p e o p l e t h a t we r e wo r k i n g w i t h m e a n d g o t m e i n t h e b u i l d i n g . T h e n t h ey we r e l i ke , “ C o m e c u t s o m e r e c o r d s w i t h o u r p r o d u c e r s”. T h e n t h ey d i d n’ t wa n t to l e t m e t a ke t h e m u s i c w i t h m e b e c a u s e I d i d n’ t s i g n t h e d e a l .

A n d I wa s l i ke , “ M o t h e r f u c ke r s , p ay my f l i g h t b a c k , t h a t ’s i t ” ( l a u g h s). Mic: Get me home! E k ko : G e t m e h o m e t h e n ! S o wa tc h yo u r s te p s w i t h t h e l a b e l s , yo u k n ow, c a u s e t h ey ’l l p u l l t h e r u g f r o m u n d e r yo u r f e e t ...f a s t . M u t e : Yo u w a n t t o a d d a n y t h i n g Chill? C h i l l: I g o t n o t h i n g m a n . I m e a n , I ’m d o i n g we l l, I ’m n o t , yo u k n ow m a k i n g a ny m o n ey, b u t I ’m s t ay i n g a f l o a t a n d

I ’m ke e p i n g t h e i n te g r i t y... M u t e : A n d t h e m o n e y ’s c o m i n g right... C h i l l : I t ’s o n t h e way ; I c a n’ t c o m p l a i n . I d o n’ t n e e d m u c h a ny way. Mute: What has been the hardest par t about coming from Pennsylvania as opposed to coming from a place l i ke N e w Yo r k C i t y ? C h i l l : T h e r e’s n o b u i l d i n g s , yo u h ave to g o to L . A . o r N e w Yo r k i f yo u’r e l o o k i n g to s i g n a d e a l. Ph i l l y i s n’ t a s m a j o r of a m a r ke t a s i t s h o u l d b e . S te w s p e a k s a b o u t t h e s o l d o u t s h ow s . T h e r e wa s a p o i n t w h e r e yo u h a d Ke n d r i c k i n L . A . s e l l i n g o u t s h ow s , a n d yo u h a d C h i l l M o o d y i n Ph i l l y s e l l i n g o u t s h ow s , s a m e s i ze ve n u e s , a l l t y p e s of t h i n g s . B u t I a l way s d r aw t h e a n a l o g y, i t ’s l i ke Lebron dropping sixty at the Garden

a n d t h e n s i x t y a t t h e We l l s Fa r g o C e n te r. N o b o d y r e a l l y cares about what he did at t h e We l l s Fa r g o C e n te r, b u t sixty points is sixty points, so it should get that type of l o o k b u t i t ’s n o t c a u s e we i n Ph i l l y a n d Ph i l l y i s n’ t a s m a j o r of a m a r ke t a s i t s h o u l d b e . B u t i t ’s b u i l d i n g a n d i t ’s c o m i n g u p, b u t yo u h ave to t h e n t r ave l. I h ave to g o to N e w Yo r k to t h e H o t 97 ’s a n d to u c h t h e m p e o p l e . I t ’s n o t l i ke I wo u l d n’ t wa n t to d o t h a t a ny way, b u t i t ’s l i ke , yo u d o n’ t s e e a l o t of t h e N e w Yo r k a r t i s t s c o m i n g d ow n to Ph i l l y b e c a u s e t h ey h ave to. T h ey d o i t m o r e b e c a u s e t h ey wa n t to ex p a n d t h e i r b r a n d s . I n Ph i l l y yo u h ave to g o u p t h e r e to d o i t . Mic: I think a large obstacle for the city is that a large p a r t of t h e c o n s u m e r b a s e is in the suburbs. So if someone is selling out a s t a d i u m i n Ph i l l y, i t ’s p a r t Ph i l l y a n d t h e n h ow m a ny d oze n s of b o r o u g h s s u r r o u n d i n g Ph i l l y. A l l t h o s e suburbs, and the only people to u c h i n g t h a t w i d e of a n audience are the mainstream a r t i s t s . S o yo u n e e d a S o ny endorsement, Columbia e n d o r s e m e n t , yo u n e e d m a j o r d i s t r i b u t i o n to p u l l t h o s e s u b u r b a n p e o p l e i n to tow n . I n t h e c i t y i t ’s a l l p o c ke t s , yo u h ave a h o o d c u l t u r e , a r e a l h a r d r a c i a l l i n e b e t we e n d ow n tow n c u l t u r e , c o l l e g e culture and the locals, and i t ’s a l l s e g r e g a te d a n d s h i t . I t ’s n o t r e a l l y a g o o d m e d i a n e t wo r k t h a t ’s to u c h i n g a l l t h o s e a r e a s of t h e c i t y a t once. And the people coming i n t h e tow n o n t h e we e ke n d s to s p e n d m o n ey wa n t mainstream shit. Their going to t h e s t a d i u m s a n d g o i n g to the domes, their not coming and checking the little clubs w h e r e we’r e r o c k i n g a n d s h i t c a u s e t h e i r s c a r e d to d e a t h of t h e c i t y. T h ey d o n’ t eve n l i ke g o i n g t h e r e .

E k ko : T h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t p a r t f o r m e wa s g e t t i n g k n ow n o u t o f R e a d i n g . Reading is so small that i t to o k d o i n g t h i n g s l i ke g o i n g to N e w Yo r k a n d doing competitions, music s e m i n a r s , C a l i f o r n i a , yo u k n ow, t r y i n g to p e r f o r m a t s p o t s l i ke T h e R ox y a n d S O B ’s . T h e r e’s d e f i n i te l y less in Reading than there i s i n Ph i l l y. I c o u l d n’ t te l l yo u w h e r e to g o o r w h o to t a l k to h e r e i n R e a d i n g . S o a s f a r a s g e t t i n g k n ow n , i t wa s t h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t t h i n g f o r m e to t a ke my m u s i c o u t s i d e , a n d t h a t ’s where the media helps, the we b s i te s a n d s o c i a l s i te s .

to c o m e q u i c k . A n d i f i t c o m e s q u i c k t h e n i t ’s n o t r i g h t . A ny t h i n g t h a t c a m e that quick, something is wrong with it. S o ex p e c t to s t r u g g l e a n d r e s p e c t i t a s a beautiful struggle. Use that struggle to f l i p t h a t i n to s o m e t h i n g l i ve r w h e n i t c o m e s a r o u n d. J u s t ex p e c t to b e b r o ke , r e a l l y. M i c : A l s o, b e r e a l i s t i c . W h e r e’s yo u r m o n ey c o m i n g f r o m? I f yo u n e e d yo u r j o b to p ay yo u r b i l l s a n d yo u d o n’ t h ave s h ow s t h a t c a n p ay yo u r b i l l s , d o n’ t l e ave t h e j o b ye t . Yo u k n ow w h a t

M i c : T h e o t h e r t h i n g I wo u l d s ay i s , r e a d a b o u t t h e i n d u s t r y.

M i c : I t h i n k i t ’s d o p e t h a t yo u r e p R e a d i n g , PA .

C h i l l : Ye a h .

E k ko : A l o t o f p e o p l e a r e s c a r e d to d o i t . S o m e b o d y j u s t g o t t a b e b r ave e n o u g h man.

Mic: Read books about h ow h ow p u b l i s h i n g wo r k s , f i n d o u t h ow l i c e n s i n g wo r k s a n d to u r i n g wo r k s . F i n d out what a manager is, what an agent is, w h a t a n e n te r t a i n m e n t l aw ye r i s . K n ow h ow t h e b u s i n e s s wo r k s .

M i c : I a l way s t h o u g h t of i t a s a p a r t o f Ph i l l y R e a d i n g , We s t C h e s te r, K i n g o f P r u s s i a - we’r e a l l j u s t Ph i l l y. B u t I t h i n k i t ’s c o o l h ow c o m m i t te d yo u a r e to b r i n g i n g t h e l i g h t h e r e and making something real h e r e . T h a t ’s r e a l l y d o p e . E k ko : Ye a h , t h a n k yo u I a p p r e c i a te t h a t . I t ’s r e a l l y h a r d , i t ’s d i f f i c u l t m a n . I t ’s n o t a n e a sy t a s k . Mute: What business advice do you have for musicians looking to break into the music industry? C h i l l : E x p e c t to b e b r o ke for a nice amount of time. M i c : ( l a u g h s) C h i l l : A n d d o n’ t ex p e c t a ny t h i n g o t h e r t h a n to b e b r o ke a n d to n o t h ave m o n ey, a n d to m a ke a l o t of s a c r i f i c e a n d d e p e n d o n p e o p l e , a n d t h i n g s l i ke t h a t . C a u s e i t ’s n o t g o i n g

r e a l l y h ave to s p e n d to o m u c h m o n ey, a n d I d o n’ t r e a l l y c a r e a b o u t c l o t h e s a ny way. I ’l l we a r t h e s a m e swe a t p a n t s , I d o n’ t g i ve a f u c k , I ’m i n t h e s t u d i o a ny way s . B u t p e o p l e s e n d c l o t h e s a n d s n e a k s to yo u c a u s e t h ey wa n t yo u to we a r i t o n yo u r s o c i a l m e d i a s i te s , a n d t h e n yo u s t a r t m a k i n g yo u r ow n c l o t h e s a n d c a n we a r a l l t h a t s h i t . S o I d o n’ t r e a l l y h ave a l o t of t h i n g s to s p e n d m o n ey o n a ny way o t h e r t h a n my b r a n d a n d b u i l d i n g my b r a n d. S o I j u s t wa s l u c k y t h a t I d i d n’ t n e e d m u c h a ny way, s o w h a t I d o m a ke i s c o o l f o r r i g h t n ow... I l i ve i n s i d e my means.

E k ko : T h a t ’s g r e a t advice. I m e a n? J u s t b e r e a l i s t i c . T h e o n l y r e a s o n I ’m n o t wo r k i n g i s b e c a u s e I ’m g e t t i n g e n o u g h m o n ey to n o t wo r k . I h ave a l a r g e e n o u g h n e t wo r k to m a ke my m o n ey, b u t u n t i l yo u’r e r e a d y to t a ke t h a t l e a p... M u t e : H o w l o n g d i d t h a t t a ke? M i c: O h , ye a r s ... E k ko : I j u s t s t a r te d m a k i n g m o n ey to b e a b l e to s u r v i ve of f t h i s s h i t m ay b e a ye a r a g o. I t wa s n eve r a c o m f o r t a b l e thing. C h i l l : S e e I wa s l u c k y e n o u g h t h a t my p o p s wa s l i ke , “A l r i g h t , yo u s t ay h e r e , yo u p ay t h i s r e n t ,” a n d i t ’s n o t to o m u c h t h a t I c a n’ t a f f o r d. T h e n yo u g o t r e n t , s t u d e n t l o a n s , yo u r c e l l p h o n e . W i t h m e m a r ke t i n g my s e l f, I d i d n’ t

M i c : Pe o p l e t h r ow a r o u n d t h e l a n g u a g e of t h e i n d u s t r y a l l t h e t i m e a n d h ave n o i d e a w h a t e a c h a s p e c t i s . Yo u l e a r n ove r t i m e a n d I a m by f a r n o t a p r ofe s s i o n a l, b u t I c a n s i t d ow n a n d s p e a k to a l a b e l h e a d o r a l aw ye r i n te l l i g e n t l y a b o u t t h e p o i n t s of l eve r a g e a n d t h e p o i n t s of p o te n t i a l c o n f l i c t i n a ny c o n t r a c t c a u s e I understand the language of t h e m u s i c b u s i n e s s . “ Eve r y t h i n g Yo u N e e d To K n ow A b o u t T h e M u s i c I n d u s t r y ”, t h a t ’s a n a m e of a g o o d b o o k . E k ko : J u s t ke e p a g o o d c i r c l e a r o u n d yo u , g o o d p e o p l e t h a t ’s w i l l i n g to h e l p yo u p u s h to g e t w h e r e yo u wa n t to g o

a n d b e w h e r e yo u wa n t to b e a n d yo u s h o u l d b e a l r i g h t . W h e n yo u d o n’ t g o t , yo u’r e te a m s h o u l d b e a b l e to h e l p yo u . S o yo u wa n t to ke e p a g o o d c i r c l e a r o u n d yo u . Mute: What are some of t h e b i g g e s t m i s t a ke s t h a t you all have made on the b u s i n e s s s i d e o f t h i n g s? M i c : R u n n i n g my ow n s o c i a l n e t wo r k s . E k ko : ( l a u g h s) M i c : I s h o u l d n o t b e a l l owe d to s p e a k i n p u b l i c . I s h o u l d o n l y b e a l l owe d to f u c k i n g r hy m e ( l a u g h s).

my ex p e c t a t i o n s t h a t I d o n’ t t a ke to o m a ny s e r i o u s h i t s o n t h e b u s i n e s s s i d e . I f I c a n d o a ny t h i n g b e t te r i t wo u l d b e s av i n g m o n ey s o I c a n d o t h i n g s l i ke p hy s i c a l l y to u c h t h e s e f a n s a n d t r ave l a n d p hy s i c a l l y b u i l d my b r a n d i n o t h e r places. Social media can only do so m u c h , p e o p l e s t i l l n e e d to s e e yo u r f a c e a n d s t i l l n e e d to s e e yo u a r o u n d i n t h e i r c o m m u n i t y. S o s av i n g m o n ey wo u l d b e o n e of t h e o n l y t h i n g s t h a t I c a n d o b e t te r. M i c : Ye a h , e s p e c i a l l y f o r yo u n g a r t i s t s . I d o n’ t k n ow a b o u t t h e l a b e l h e a d s a n d s h i t b u t i f yo u’r e a n a r t i s t r e m e m b e r t h a t j u s t c a u s e yo u g o t c a s h d o e s n’ t m e a n t h a t yo u h ave to s p e n d t h a t s h i t . We t h i n k we’r e r i c h a s f u c k c a u s e we j u s t h a d a $1, 5 0 0 d o l l a r n i g h t .

E k ko : I t h i n k ove r l o o k i n g the situations I had with labels and not looking at the p a p e r wo r k a n d t h i n g s my s e l f. I had people doing it for m e a n d I fe e l l i ke I c o u l d’ve m a d e a b e t te r d e c i s i o n i f I wo u l d h ave l o o ke d ove r i t . Mute: So being more hands on from the gate... E k ko : Ye a h , f r o m t h e g a te , cause the labels are quick to te l l yo u , “ j u s t s i g n t h i s”. I f yo u’r e m o r e o n yo u r s h i t l i ke , I wa n t to s e e w h a t t h i s s h i t i s a n d I wa n t to l o o k a t i t to p to b o t to m , r e a d t h e s h i t , l e t m e g o h o m e w i t h i t f o r t wo d ay s , m a t te r o f f a c t , t h ey m i g h t l o o k a t yo u a n d r e s p e c t t h a t . Chill: I been pretty careful. O t h e r t h a n l i ke , m ay b e .... I d o n’ t k n ow c a u s e I d o we l l a t m a n a g i n g ex p e c t a t i o n s s o I d o n’ t ove r s h o o t w h e n I ’m o r d e r i n g h o o d i e s o r h a t s . L i ke , “ l e t ’s o r d e r three hundred hats cause eve r y b o d y c l i c ke d ‘ l i ke’ o n t h i s”, n o. I k n ow t h r e e h u n d r e d p e o p l e a i n’ t b u y i n g h a t s to d ay. I d o p r e t t y we l l a t n o t s h o o t i n g my s e l f i n t h e f o o t to o o f te n . Yo u t a ke a c o u p l e o f l o s s e s b u t a t t h e s a m e t i m e yo u ex p e c t t h o s e l o s s e s a n d yo u ex p e c t t h a t t h a t ’s a p o s s i b l i t y s o I f e e l l i ke I d o we l l e n o u g h a t m a n a g i n g

E k ko : ( l a u g h s) M i c : A n d t h e n we r e m e m b e r, “ O h s h i t , I ’m n o t g e t t i n g p a i d f o r s eve n m o r e we e k s”, a n d t h e n we g o d r o p $ 5 0 0 t h a t we e k , s o j u s t r e m e m b e r, yo u d o n’ t h ave to s p e n d i t j u s t c a u s e i t ’s c a s h . C h i l l : Ye a h . M u t e : H o w wo u l d y a’l l c l a s s i f y Pennsylvania Hip Hop, and what is the future of Hip Hop in Pennsylvania i n y o u r o p i n i o n? C h i l l : I t h i n k we t h r i v i n g . I s ay i t a l l t h e t i m e , I c a n s p e a k f o r Ph i l l y m o r e t h a n a ny o t h e r p a r t of t h e s t a te , b u t j u s t m u s i c a l l y, yo u l o o k a r o u n d , yo u see Lady Gaga who has a drummer f r o m Ph i l l y a n d r e p s Ph i l l y. Yo u s e e T h e R o o t s a r e s t i l l to u r i n g c r a z y, t h e i r o n L a t e N i g h t eve r y n i g h t w i t h Fa l l o n

n ow. Ph i l l y i s t h r i v i n g . Pe o p l e l ove Ph i l l y a ny way ; p e o p l e l ove Ph i l l y ’s c u l t u r e p e r i o d. A n d yo u k n ow t h e a r t s i n Ph i l l y i s j u s t c r a z y, a n d n o t j u s t r a p, t h e ar ts all around M i c : I t ’s c r a z y. E k ko : I t ’s n o t g o n n a b e t h a t e a sy f o r m e c o m i n g o u t of R e a d i n g , PA c a u s e t h e r e’s n o t r e a l l y to o m u c h m u s i c o u t h e r e t h a t h a s to o m u c h l i g h t ove r it. Probably the only person t h a t h a s c a m e o u t of h e r e i s D o nye l l M a r s h a l l a n d a c o u p l e of o t h e r p e o p l e . B u t t h e r e’s not really music out here that r e a l l y s h i n e s o r a ny t h i n g s o I d o n’ t k n ow w h e n t h e t i m e w i l l be that Reading gets noticed f o r m u s i c . I j u s t k n ow t h a t I ’m g o i n g to ke e p p u s h i n g u n t i l i t does. Mic: I think Chill said it pretty we l l . Ph i l l y i s a g r e a t i n c u b a to r f o r t h e a r t s . L i ke h e a n d I c a n p ay o u r b i l l s of f of l i ve s h ow s o r w h a teve r. I f yo u t h i n k a b o u t i t , l i ke , w h a t ’s Q -T i p u p to? H e just did the record with Busta, b u t i n a l l t h e m o n t h s o r ye a r s s i n c e we’ve h e a r d f r o m h i m , w h a t ’s h e b e e n u p to? H e’s b e e n i n N e w Yo r k b e i n g a n a r t i s t i n N e w Yo r k . H e’s b e e n doing production shit and djing s h i t . Ph i l l y ’s a g o o d p l a c e to d o t h a t . T h e r e’s a l o t of g o o d ar tists, great visual ar t, and yo u k n ow, o n c e i n aw h i l e yo u g e t t h a t b i g t r a i n . I h a d my Red Bull shit, Chill sold out h i s s h ow a t t h e T L A , h e’s b e e n t r ave l i n g to N e w Yo r k d o i n g s o m e M T V s t u f f. T h o s e t r a i n s c o m e a n d g o, i n t h e m e a n t i m e , Pe n n sy l va n i a’s a g r e a t p l a c e to b e i f yo u’r e a m u s i c i a n .

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C r e a te d by c o n c e p t d e s i g n e r, A i s e n C a r o, t h e to n g u e - c o n t r o l l e d M P 3 p l a ye r, a l s o k n ow n a s t h e “ P l a y- A - G r i l l ”, m i g h t j u s t b e t h e c o o l e s t a d d i t i o n to t h e t r a d i t i o n a l M P 3 p l a ye r t h a t we h ave s e e n ye t . A c c o r d i n g to G e e k .c o m , t h e P l a y - A - G r i l l a l l ow s yo u to l i s te n to m u s i c u s i n g b o n e c o n d u c t i o n . A p p a r e n t l y, t h e g r i l l s s i t o n l i s te n e r s’ te e t h , a n d a l l ow s o u n d to t r ave l v i a b o n e s i n t h e s k u l l s i n c e t h e r e a r e n o h e a d p h o n e s o r s p e a ke r s a t t a c h e d to t h e d e v i c e . A l t h o u g h we a r e n o te e n t i r e l y s o l d o n h ow f a s h i o n a b l e t h e s e g r i l l s a r e , k u d o s a r e d e f i n i te l y i n o r d e r to C a r o j u s t f o r t h i n k i n g o f a n i n g e n i o u s a n d n e w wa y to l i s te n to m u s i c . A s o f r i g h t n ow t h e r e i s n o p r i c e o r r e l e a s e d a te f o r t h e P l a y - A - G r i l l . Fo r n ow, yo u’l l h ave to j u s t s t a y t u n e d te c h h e a d s !

D r a y a M i c h e l le B e f o r e D r a y a wa s t h e r e a l i t y T V s t a r t h a t t h e wo r l d k n ow s a n d l ove s h e r a s to d a y, s h e wa s A n d r a y a , a s m a l l - tow n g i r l f r o m R e a d i n g , PA w i t h b i g c i t y d r e a m s a n d a n e ve n b i g g e r d r i ve . Fr o m h e r h u m b l e b e g i n n i n g s m o d e l i n g f o r m e n’s m a g a z i n e s , to n ow b e i n g t h e f a c e o f R o c a we a r a n d a b r a n d a m b a s s a d o r f o r C i r o c , l ove h e r o r h a te h e r, D r a y a h a s c l i m b e d h e r wa y f r o m u n d e r t h e e d g e to m a i n s t r e a m d i va s t a t u s . N o t to m e n t i o n h e r f a s h i o n h a s e vo l ve d a l o n g t h e wa y a s we l l . Ta ke a l o o k a t a f e w o f o u r f avo r i te D r a y a f a s h i o n m o m e n t s p i c t u r e d b e l ow !

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O n a c o l d S a t u r d a y m o r n i n g I m e t a r t i s t , M r. E d Te r r e l l f o r b r e a k f a s t . I wa n te d to l e a r n m o r e a b o u t t h i s g r e a t , t h r i v i n g , s o m e t i m e s m i s u n d e r s to o d a r t i s t w h o s e a r t wo r k h a s p r o d u c e d e n o u g h m o n e y f o r h i m to l i ve c l e a r a c r o s s t h e g l o b e i n va r i o u s l o c a t i o n s s u c h a s I n d i a , I s r a e l , Eu r o p e , A f r i c a a n d M o r o c c o, w h i l e c o n t i n u a l l y t r ave l i n g b a c k a n d f o r t h to S p a i n w h e r e h i s m a i n a r t s i te o n c e wa s . B o r n i n P h i l a d e l p h i a , Pe n n s y l va n i a , n ow 6 5 ye a r s o f a g e , M r. Te r r e l l g o t h i s s t a r t a s a n a r t i s t i n e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l by d o o d l i n g c a r to o n c h a r a c te r s d u r i n g c l a s s r o o m q u i e t t i m e to a b s t a i n f r o m g e t t i n g i n to t r o u b l e . H e c a l l s t h i s “ n e r vo u s d o o d l i n g ”. A c c o r d i n g to Te r r e l l , a s a yo u n g b oy h e h a d a l o t o f e n e r g y, a s m o s t c h i l d r e n d o. E n c o u r a g e d by h i s te a c h e r s , h e wo u l d s ke t c h Wa l t D i s n e y c h a r a c te r s , c o m i c b o o k f i g u r e s , o r i m i t a t i o n s o f w h a t h e s e e n i n t h e We s te r n wo r l d a n d g i ve t h e s ke t c h e s o u t to h i s f r i e n d s . C r e a t i n g i m a g e s t h a t p e o p l e l i ke d f u n n e l e d h i s c r e a t i ve e n e r g y a n d h e l p e d h i m to p e r f e c t h i s a r t i s t r y. L i t t l e d i d h e k n ow t h a t t h i s t a c t i c f o r ke e p i n g o u t o f t r o u b l e , c o m b i n e d w i t h n e r vo u s e n e r g y wo u l d g r ow i n to a n e n j oy a b l e c a r e e r t h a t wo u l d p r o d u c e f i n a n c i a l s t a b i l i t y f o r m a ny ye a r s . W h i l e i n h i g h s c h o o l , Te r r e l l wa s s t i l l g i v i n g a wa y h i s a r t wo r k f o r f r e e a s h e d i d i n e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l b e c a u s e h e d i d n o t k n ow h ow to m a r ke t h i s a r t i n exc h a n g e f o r m o n e y. H owe ve r, a s m o r e p e o p l e b e c a m e i n te r e s te d i n h i s wo r k , h e r e a l i z e d t h a t h e h a d t h e a b i l i t y

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to m a ke a m a te r i a l exc h a n g e f o r m o n e t a r y b e n e f i t s . L e a r n i n g f r o m h i s ow n ex p e r i e n c e , h e a d v i s e s u p c o m i n g a r t i s t s to b u i l d i nve n to r y o f t h e i r p r o d u c t s i n exc h a n g e f o r m o n e y, “ p r o d u c i n g s o m e t h i n g t h a t h a s wo r t h ,” s a y s Te r r e l l . “A r t i s t s h ave to t a ke t h e i n i t i a t i ve to g o s e l l t h e i r wo r k .” A t a g e s i x te e n E d ’s l i f e s t a r te d to c h a n g e . H e h a d t h e f r e e d o m to c o m e a n d g o b e c a u s e h e d i d n o t l i ve u n d e r s t r i c t a u t h o r i t y. H e wa s h i s ow n p e r s o n . A f te r h i g h s c h o o l Te r r e l l wo r ke d i n a f a c to r y p a r t- t i m e w h i c h wa s ve r y b o r i n g to h i m . S e e i n g n o t h i n g f o r h i m s e l f i n R e a d i n g , h e d e c i d e d to l e ave a n d f u l f i l l h i s d e s i r e to s e e t h e wo r l d . H e p r o d u c e d c a p i t a l exc h a n g e by s e l l i n g h i s a r t wo r k , p a i n t i n g h o m e s , s e t t i n g u p a t l o c a l ex h i b i t s a n d d o i n g c o m m i s s i o n wo r k . T h i s g ave h i m t h e c o n f i d e n c e to t r ave l o n h i s i n c o m e a s a n ar tist. A t n i n e te e n , h e d e c i d e d to p i c k u p a n d g o o n t h e r o a d . H e wa l ke d a wa y w i t h t h e f r e e d o m to ex p l o r e d e e p e r t h e p e r s o n h e wa s , t h e o n e h e wo u l d b e c o m e , a n d t h e wo r l d t h a t wo u l d o p e n h i s m i n d to n e w c o n c e p t s o f t h o u g h t s a n d i d e a s t h r o u g h t h e m e a n s o f d i ve r s i t y, s p i r i t u a l a n d c u l t u r a l i n f l u e n c e s . T h e s e ex p e r i e n c e s wo u l d i m p a c t h i s a r t wo r k t r e m e n d o u s l y. “ Tr ave l i n g e n h a n c e s a p e r s o n’s k n ow l e d g e by c r e a t i n g a b r o a d e r c o n c e p t o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e wo r l d a r o u n d t h e t r ave l e r,” ex p l a i n s Te r r e l l . D u r i n g h i s t r ave l s , Te r r e l l b e c a m e a b o n a f i d e d e vo te e to V i s h n u o f t h e H i n d u r e l i g i o n . “ R e l i g i o n i s a l l t h e same, just the language is dif ferent. There is only one God,

Olivieri Photography by Theron Cook

f o r t h e A r t s . O ve r t h e c o u r s e o f h i s c a r e e r, Te r r e l l h a s d o n e s t r e e t s ke t c h e s , o p e n m a r ke t s , j e we l r y w i t h s o f t s to n e s , m u r a l s , a n d a f i ve f o o t r o b o t m a d e o u t o f g i n g e r a l e c a n s t h a t i s d i s p l a ye d i n h i s g a l l e r y. I n a d d i t i o n , h e te a c h e s a r t i s t s h ow to p r i c e a n d m a r ke t t h e i r a r t , n e t wo r k , a n d t h e p r o p e r wa y to p r e s e n t t h e i r wo r k f o r s u c c e s s f u l s a l e s . Te r r e l l a d v i s e s a r t i s t s to h ave a r t wo r k r e a d y f o r t h e b u ye r i n a f r a m e . “ D i s p l a y t h e wo r k by l e a r n i n g h ow to h a n g a r t . H ave e a c h p i e c e c u s to m e r r e a d y by a t t a c h i n g a w i r e o n t h e b a c k o r yo u c o u l d l o s e c u s to m e r s .” H e a l s o recommends that ar tists record images on their phone o r c r e a te a DV D p r e s e n t a t i o n w h e n l o o k i n g to s h owc a s e i n a g a l l e r y ( A .C.O. R c h a r g e s $ 3 5 a m o n t h to d i s p l a y 4 - 5 p i e c e s).

d i f f e r e n t l a n g u a g e s to c a l l o n G o d a n d ex p e r i e n c e h i s p r e s e n c e a n d b l e s s i n g s ,” s a y s Te r r e l l . Fr o m t h e f o u n d a t i o n s o f s p i r i t u a l i t y t a u g h t by h i s f o s te r p a r e n t s a n d t h e r e l i g i o u s d i f f e r e n c e s h e e n c o u n te r e d i n h i s t r ave l s , s p i r i t u a l i t y c o n t i n u e s to p l a y a h u g e p a r t i n Te r r e l l ’s wo r k . H e c r e a te s p i e c e s b a s e d o n b e l i e f s a n d i d e a s o f o t h e r s , r a t h e r t h a n j u s t h i s ow n . H e p a i n t s w h a t h e d e s c r i b e s a s l e a r n i n g to o l s a n d p i e c e s t h a t h e wa n t s to b e a p p r e c i a te d by o t h e r s , w h i l e a l s o p a i n t i n g w h a t p e o p l e l i ke to b u y a n d w h a t w i l l s e l l . To d a te , Te r r e l l h a s p a i n te d i m a g e s o f B u d d h a , p i c t u r e s o f I n d i a n d e i t i e s , a s we l l a s p i c t u r e s o f f a m i l i e s r e a d i n g a b o o k to g e t h e r, w h i c h h e a l s o f e e l s i s s p i r i t u a l . “ Pe o p l e wa n t t h e s e i m a g e s i n t h e i r h o m e s .” M r. Te r r e l l c e l e b r a te s h i s A f r i c a n - A m e r i c a n h e r i t a g e t h r o u g h h i s a r t wo r k a s we l l , s o m e t i m e s te l l i n g a s to r y t h r o u g h t h e u s e o f m a te r i a l s , w h i l e o t h e r t i m e s p a i n t i n g h i s to r i c a l a n d p r e s e n t d a y f i g u r e s i n A f r i c a n A m e r i c a n h i s to r y. A c c o r d i n g to M r. Te r r e l l , b l a c k p e o p l e l a c k h av i n g a t r u e i d e n t i t y a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f s e l f. B e c a u s e o f t h i s h e t r i e s to e d u c a te p e o p l e t h r o u g h h i s a r t . A f te r t r ave l i n g f o r m a ny ye a r s , M r. Te r r e l l h a s b r o u g h t b a c k to R e a d i n g , Pe n n s y l va n i a a l l o f h i s k n ow l e d g e a c q u i r e d t h r o u g h o b s e r va t i o n a n d ex p e r i e n c e . H e o p e n e d A .C.O. R ( A f r i c a n A m e r i c a n A r t C o a l i t i o n o f R e a d i n g) e i g h t ye a r s a g o a t t h e G o g g l eWo r k s C e n te r

M r. Te r r e l l b e l i e ve s t h a t a r t c a n c h a n g e 10 t h e wo r l d a r o u n d u s b e c a u s e c o l o r s a n d v i s u a l s 29 a l te r p e o p l e s’ m o o d a n d c a n t r a n s f o r m a c i t y by p r ov i d i n g h o p e . W h e n Te r r e l l a s ke d R e a d i n g , PA o f f i c i a l s to a d d a n o t h e r m u r a l i n t h e c i t y o f R e a d i n g i t wa s f r ow n e d u p o n a n d i t wa s ex p r e s s e d to Te r r e l l t h a t a n o t h e r m u r a l wa s n o t n e e d e d i n t h e c i t y. S o Te r r e l l h a d to t h i n k o f a n a l te r n a t i ve . “A r t i s t s s h o u l d a l wa y s t h i n k o u t s i d e t h e b ox .” T h i s l e d h i m to h i s m o s t r e c e n t p r o j e c t , T h e G a r d e n o f G o o d T h o u g h t s, l o c a te d a t S c h u y l k i l l Ave n u e a n d Wa l n u t S t r e e t s i n R e a d i n g , PA , a s p a r t o f t h e 6 t h Wa r d P u b l i c A r t I n i t i a t i ve . T h e G a r d e n o f G o o d T h o u g h t s i s a m e d i t a t i ve g a r d e n w i t h wo r d s o f i n s p i r a t i o n p a i n te d o n r o c k s a n d a l i f e - s i z e f i b e r g l a s s c ow w h i c h r e p r e s e n t s t h e c o n c e p t o f nur turing through motherhood. “ I f yo u h ave a p a s s i o n a n d d e s i r e f o r a r t , i t i s c o m i n g f r o m a ve r y s p e c i a l p l a c e . N o t j u s t a v i s u a l concept of painting and drawing - whether a musician, s i n g e r, a w r i te r o r p o e t - i t i s c o m i n g f r o m a s p e c i a l p l a c e i n s i d e o f yo u . Yo u h ave to f o l l ow t h a t b e c a u s e i t i s r e a l . I t i s n o t s o m e t h i n g w h i m s i c a l ,” Te r r e l l ex p l a i n s w i t h c e r t a i n t y. “ Eve n i f i t m a y b e h a r d c o m p a r e d to o t h e r o c c u p a t i o n a l e n d e avo r s , yo u s h o u l d p u r s u e yo u r p a s s i o n i n a r t b e c a u s e a s yo u g o a l o n g a n d u n d e r s t a n d , i t d e ve l o p s i n to s o m e t h i n g ve r y f r u i t f u l .” Te r r e l l d o e s n’ t b e l i e ve t h a t f i n a n c i a l r e s t r i c t i o n s s h o u l d h o l d a n e w a r t i s t b a c k . H e r e c o m m e n d s u s i n g r e c yc l a b l e p i e c e s a n d g o i n g to g a r a g e s a l e s a s t wo ave n u e s to b e u s e d to o b t a i n m a te r i a l s a t a n a f f o r d a b l e c o s t .

Meta Sabian H ave yo u e ve r p i c t u r e d yo u r s e l f a s a s u p h e r h e r o i n a c o m i c b o o k , s av i n g t h e wo r l d a n d u s i n g yo u r s u p e r p owe r s f o r t h e g o o d o f a l l m a n k i n d? I f s o, l o o k n o f u r t h e r t h a n M e t a S a b i a n , a c o m i c b o o k s e r i e s c r e a te d by a r t i s t s J e a n E s t h e r, D. L . a n d B r u c e J o n e s t h a t a l l ow s e ve r yd a y p e o p l e to b e a p a r t o f t h e M e t a U n i ve r s e a s M e t a S a b i a n c h a r a c te r s . “ Tu r n i n g r e a l p e o p l e to s u p e r h e r o e s wa s t h e f i r s t i d e a ,” ex p l a i n s J e a n . T h e t r i o, w h o m e t a t t h e Pe n n s y l va n i a C o l l e g e o f A r t & D e s i g n h ave b e e n wo r k i n g o n t h e M e t a S a b i a n b r a n d s i n c e 2 0 0 8 , w h e n f o u n d e r, J e a n E s t h e r f i r s t c r e a te d A k i n . A k i n i s t h e f i r s t c h a r a c te r we a r e i n t r o d u c e d to i n t h e wo r l d o f A te m ( M e t a s p e l l e d b a c k wa r d s), a n d wa s c r e a te d i n J e a n’s l i ke n e s s a n d l o o s e l y b a s e d o n l i f e l e s s o n s t h a t J e a n h a s ex p e r i e n c e d in his lifetime. Described as a post apocalyptic, ear thl i ke , G e r m a ny s t y l e wo r l d w h e r e p e o p l e d o n’ t t r ave l , A te m i s a place where real people are superheroes a n d a r e o f te n e n s l ave d by t h e circumstances of t h e i r e nv i r o n m e n t . The first book begins with Akin a n d t h e n m ove s i t s f o c u s to B r u c e J o n e s’ c h a r a c te r i n b o o k t wo. Book three will be released in A p r i l o f 2 014 , a n d finds all of the c h a r a c te r s s to r i e s linking up in what

Jean describes a s a c l i f f h a n g e r. A f te r b o o k t h r e e is released the guys plan o n l o o k i n g to ex p a n d t h e M e t a Sabian brand by p a r t n e r i n g with people who are more recognizable to t h e g e n e r a l public than the three of them are. They feel t h a t t h i s w i l l m a ke i t e a s i e r f o r M e t a S a b i a n to r e a c h a w i d e r a u d i e n c e . “ We wa n t to c o m p e te w i t h M a r v e l a n d c r e a te o u r ow n M e t a U n i ve r s e a s n o t o n l y s u p e r h e r o e s b u t c h a r a c te r s t h a t a r e b a s e d o n p e o p l e i n t h i s wo r l d a n d i n t h i s u n i ve r s e . S o a ny b o d y c a n c o l l a b o r a te w i t h u s a n d p r o d u c e c o n te n t l i ke n e ve r b e f o r e .” B y u s i n g s o c i a l m e d i a , c r owd s o u r c i n g a n d s t r a te g i c m a r ke t i n g s t r a te g i e s , t h e y p l a n to wo r k to g e t h e r w i t h c o l l a b o r a to r s to f u n d the four th and future installments of Meta Sabian. A l t h o u g h t h e t h r e e f r i e n d s we r e n o t a b l e to c o m p l e te t h e i r c o l l e g e d e g r e e s d u e to f i n a n c i a l r e a s o n s t h e y h ave s o m e t h i n g t h a t s o m e wo u l d c o n s i d e r m o r e va l u a b l e t h a n a college degree - an ar t based business t h a t a l l ow s t h e m to s h a r e t h e i r a r t i s t i c g i f t s w i t h t h e wo r l d , w h i l e d r o p p i n g a f e w g e m s a l o n g t h e wa y a s we l l . B e c a u s e t h e t r i o h a s c o m p l e te c r e a t i ve f r e e d o m , t h e y a r e a b l e to m a ke c o n s c i o u s d e c i s i o n s to i n c o r p o r a te t h e m e s o f s c i e n c e , g e o g r a p hy a n d s e l f-

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We wa n t to m ake t h e wo r l d f u l l of ac t i v i t y s o t h a t we c a n h e l p c h a l l e n g e p e o p l e s’ m i n d s

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d i s c ove r y w i t h i n t h e s e r i e s , a l l s u b j e c t s t h a t t h e y h ave a n i n te r e s t i n p e r s o n a l l y. “ We wa n t to c r e a te a wo r l d t h a t a l wa y s h a s t h i n g s g o i n g o n i t , t h a t ’s o u r b a s i c g o a l ,” ex p l a i n s J e a n . “ We wa n t to m a ke t h e wo r l d f u l l o f a c t i v i t y s o t h a t we c a n h e l p c h a l l e n g e p e o p l e s’ m i n d s . We wa n t to te a c h p e o p l e o t h e r c o n c e p t s o f r e a l i t y,

o t h e r c o n c e p t s o f s c i e n c e a n d g e o g r a p hy.” I n a d d i t i o n to ex p a n d i n g a n d o p e n i n g m i n d s , J e a n , B r u c e a n d D. L . a l s o h ave p l a n s to ex p a n d i n to f i l m a n d a h o s t o f o t h e r ve n t u r e s i n c l u d i n g M e t a K i d s , w h i c h w i l l a l l ow t h e g u y s to c r e a te c h a r a c te r s b a s e d o f f o f r e a l l i f e c h i l d r e n a n d t a c k l e i s s u e s l i ke b u l l y i n g . T h e y a l s o h ave t h e i r e ye s s e t o n t h e b i g s c r e e n a s we l l . A c c o r d i n g to J e a n , t h e b o o k s’ f r a m e s a n d p a n e l s a r e c u s to m i z e d to r e f l e c t a m ov i e by u s i n g d y n a m i c h e a d s h o t s a n d s t r a te g i c a n g l e s a n d l i g h t i n g . S o w h a t d o yo u t h i n k , d o yo u l i ke w h a t yo u’ ve h e a r d s o f a r ? D o yo u h ave w h a t i t t a ke s to b e M e t a - f i e d? V i s i t a r e yo u m e t a .c o m to l e a r n m o r e a b o u t h ow yo u c a n b e c o m e a p a r t o f t h e M e t a S a b i a n U n i ve r s e ! !

T r i -St at e I n die J amBan d o f t h e Ye ar

Fl u x Ca p ac i to r Fr e s h o f f o f t h e i r w i n f o r Tr i - S t a t e I n d i e J a m B a n d o f t h e Ye a r, F l u x C a p a c i t o r h a s h a d a g r e a t 2 0 13 , and is gearing up to do even more great things in 2 0 14 . T h e b a n d , m a d e u p o f b r o t h e r s , J a s o n , P e t e a n d M i ke , c a l l S c r a n t o n , PA h o m e a n d h a v e t o u r e d the mid-west , Canada, and overseas, spreading their electronic vibes wherever they go. Visit f l u xc a p a c i t o r b a n d . c o m t o l e a r n m o r e a b o u t t h e g u y s a n d f i n d o u t w h e n t h e y ’l l b e h i t t i n g t h e stage in a cit y near you!

3 Most Popular Articles on C

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m i n d wo r ke d m u s i c a l l y d u r i n g t h a t t i m e . I n ow h ave ove r t h i r t y o r i g i n a l s o n g s t h a t I h ave d o n e o n m y ow n . The Mute Minute allows us to profile ar tists that w e f e e l o u r r e a d e r s ( o r # M u t e h e a d s a s w e l i ke t o c a l l t h e m ) n e e d t o h e a r. T h e s e a r t i s t s h a v e been selected to be featured in the Mute Minute because they are currently producing (M)usic (U)nder ( T )he (E)dge. This music deser ves to be heard by the masses! This is where we come in; we amplif y the ar tists before you hear em! So sit b a c k a n d t a ke a M u t e M i n u t e t o g e t t o k n o w. . . .

Je n i fe r K i n d e r REWIND M: REWIND back to your childhood and teenage years, w h a t w e r e t h e y l i ke? J: I wa s a l wa y s ve r y i n to t h e a r t s . I s t a r te d t a k i n g d a n c e l e s s o n s a n d g y m n a s t i c s a t a g e t wo. I h ave b e e n s i n g i n g s i n c e b e f o r e I c o u l d t a l k i n f u l l s e n te n c e s . M y m o m h a s c a s s e t te t a p e s o f m e s i n g i n g t h e e n t i r e G r e a s e S o u n d t r a c k a c a p e l l a . M y te e n ye a r s we r e d i f f i c u l t a t t i m e s , b u t I c o n t i n u e d to s i n g . I wa s a l wa y s s u p p o r te d by m y p e e r s a n d m y te a c h e r s . W h e n I wa s f o u r te e n , I m e t a l o c a l p r o d u c e r w h o m a d e c o m m e r c i a l j i n g l e s . We e ve n t u a l l y d e c i d e d to p u r s u e a p r o f e s s i o n a l c a r e e r f o r m e . We s e n t o u t d e m o a f te r d e m o, f o r m a ny ye a r s a c t u a l l y. A t t h a t t i m e i t wa s ve r y h a r d to g e t t h e a t te n t i o n o f a r e c o r d l a b e l . I t wa s a l wa y s a “ N o”. L o o k i n g b a c k , I a m g r a te f u l f o r t h a t b e c a u s e i t t r u l y h u m b l e d m e , b u t i t n e ve r s to p p e d m e f r o m wo r k i n g towa r d s m y g o a l . M: REWIND back to the first time you discovered your passion for making music, how did you know this was s o m e t h i n g t h a t y o u w a n t e d t o p u r s u e? J: W h e n t h e m ov i e A n n i e c a m e o u t i n t h e e a r l y 8 0 ’s , I k n e w I h a d a r e a l p a s s i o n f o r s i n g i n g . I wo u l d s i n g a ny w h e r e I c o u l d; I wo u l d h o l d c o n c e r t s o n m y f r o n t p o r c h . Eve n t u a l l y m y n e i g h b o r s a n d f r i e n d s wo u l d g e t a n n oye d by m y l o u d , n o n s to p s i n g i n g . I f I wa s n’ t o u t s i d e p l a y i n g w i t h m y f r i e n d s , I wa s i n m y b e d r o o m s i n g i n g . I s t a r te d to i s o l a te m y s e l f a l o t b e c a u s e s i n g i n g wa s m y r e f u g e . I wo u l d s p e n d h o u r s a n d h o u r s s i n g i n g a n d r e c o r d i n g m y s e l f o n m y l i t t l e b r ow n F i s h e r P r i c e c a s s e t te p l a ye r. I b e c a m e i nvo l ve d i n l o c a l t h e a te r a n d I l ove d i t . I k n e w i n m y h e a r t t h a t I wa n te d to b e a p r o f e s s i o n a l s i n g e r. I a c t u a l l y n e ve r w r o te a s o n g u n t i l A p r i l 2 010 . I h a d s o m e ve r y t r a u m a t i c t h i n g s h a p p e n i n m y l i f e t h a t ye a r a n d i t s o m e h ow f l i p p e d a s w i t c h - I b e g a n w r i t i n g a n d c o m p o s i n g m u s i c o n m y ow n i n m y l i t t l e m a ke s h i f t s t u d i o i n m y b a s e m e n t . I d o n o t p l a y a ny i n s t r u m e n t s a n d I r e a d m u s i c ve r y p o o r l y. B u t s o m e t h i n g c h a n g e d t h e wa y m y

M: Who were some of your favorite ar tists growing u p , a n d w h y w e r e t h e y y o u r f a v o r i t e s? J: I l ove d W h i t n e y H o u s t o n f r o m t h e f i r s t t i m e I h e a r d “ T h e G r e a te s t L ove o f A l l ”. S h e h a d a r a n g e t h a t I s t r i ve d to a c h i e ve . I q u i c k l y l e a r n e d t h a t e m o t i o n s we r e d i r e c t l y c o n n e c te d to s i n g i n g . Eve r yo n e wo u l d s a y I wa s a l i t t l e g i r l w i t h a ve r y b i g vo i c e . S h e wa s t h e p e r f e c t ex a m p l e f o r m e to f o l l ow. I n m y te e n ye a r s I a l s o l ove d T i f f a ny a n d N e n e h C h e r r y, w h o wa s wa y a h e a d o f h e r t i m e m u s i c a l l y. S h e wo u l d b e s o r e l e va n t i n to d a y ’s m u s i c s c e n e . M i c h a e l J a c k s o n o f c o u r s e . I n t h e l a te 9 0 ’s , M a r i a h C a r e y b e c a m e m y b i g g e s t i n f l u e n c e . I l e a r n e d to u s e m y vo i c e i n a c o m p l e te l y d i f f e r e n t wa y f r o m l i s te n i n g to h e r. I a l s o l ove d C l u b, H i p H o p a n d H o u s e m u s i c . I l i ke d to g o to r e c o r d s to r e s a n d f i n d 12 ’ v i ny l r e c o r d s by a r t i s t s m o s t p e o p l e d i d n’ t k n ow a b o u t a n d m a ke m y ow n r e m i xe s w i t h a t h r e e c a s s e t te b o o m b ox . T h i s wa s h ow I s t a r te d to d e ve l o p m y ow n s o u n d . I b e c a m e ve r y g o o d a t c o py i n g s i n g e r s vo i c e s . I wo u l d t a ke w h a t I l i ke d f r o m e a c h p a r t i c u l a r a r t i s t a n d i n c o r p o r a te i t i n to m y ow n s i n g i n g s t y l e . T h e n c a m e A m y W i n e h o u s e i n 2 0 0 4 . S h e c o m p l e te l y t u r n e d m y m u s i c wo r l d u p s i d e d ow n . I c a n’ t ex p l a i n i t b e c a u s e i t ’s s o m e t h i n g I j u s t f e l t a n d s t i l l f e e l . I h ave a d e e p c o n n e c t i o n to h e r a n d h e r m u s i c . I t ’s s o m e t h i n g I h ave n e ve r ex p e r i e n c e d w i t h a ny o t h e r a r t i s t in my life. P L AY M : W h a t p r o j e c t s a r e y o u c u r r e n t l y w o r k i n g o n? J: I a m c u r r e n t l y wo r k i n g o n a s e c o n d a l b u m w i t h T h e U p t o w n B a n d , a b a n d t h a t I a m l e a d s i n g e r o f. I a m also finishing up my second solo album which will b e r e l e a s e d i n e a r l y 2 014 . M y s o l o C D w i l l b e a ve r y d i f f e r e n t s i d e o f m e . I w r o te , a r r a n g e d , s a n g , r e c o r d e d a n d p r o d u c e d e ve r y s o n g . I t ’s r e a l l y a n a u to b i o g r a p hy o f t h e p a s t t h r e e ye a r s o f m y l i f e . I d i d n’ t w r i te w i t h t h e i n te n t o f m a k i n g a h i t s o n g . I w r o te a b o u t h ow I wa s f e e l i n g . I s a n g h ow I f e l t . I t ’s n o t g o i n g to b e a p e r f e c t , p o l i s h e d C D. I wa n t to ke e p i t a s r a w a s I p o s s i b l y c a n . M : W h o’s P L AY i n g i n y o u r c a r, a n d o r i P o d r i g h t n o w ? J: We l l , n o s u r p r i s e to a nyo n e , A m y W i n e h o u s e o f c o u r s e . I l ove L i l ’ Wa y n e . I t h i n k h e i s a l y r i c a l g e n i u s . C o r r i n e B a i l e y R a e, D o n ny H a t h a wa y, E r y k a h B a d u , N a s . I s t i l l l ove l i s te n i n g to o l d e r M a r i a h C a r e y a l b u m s . M : W h e n i t ’s t i m e t o P L AY, w h a t d o y o u l i ke t o d o f o r f u n? J: Yo u k n ow, I a m r e a l l y a h o m e b o d y. I e n j oy r e a d i n g . I c a n s i t a n d r e a d a n ove l i n o n e n i g h t . M y d ow n t i m e

i s w h e n I g o i n to m y h o m e s t u d i o a n d w r i te . Eve r y t h i n g i s u s u a l l y m u s i c r e l a te d . I l i ve i t a n d breathe it. FA S T F O R WA R D M : W h a t o n e t h i n g a r e y o u l o o k i n g F O R WA R D t o the most at this moment? R e l e a s i n g m y s o l o C D. I h ave h a d s o m u c h to s a y a n d s h a r e f o r s o l o n g n ow. I h ave f u l l c r e a t i ve freedom on this album. I think a lot of people will b e s h o c ke d to h e a r w h a t t h e r e a l J e n i f e r K i n d e r f e e l s a n d e ve n s o u n d s l i ke . I a m k n ow n f o r b e i n g i n a c ove r b a n d , s o I a m r e a l l y exc i te d to j u s t l e t

go and be the real me. M: What shor t term career goal(s) do you plan to accomplish nex t? J: I a m r e a l l y f o c u s e d o n h e l p i n g m y s t u d e n t s r i g h t n ow. I te a c h p r i va te vo i c e l e s s o n s a s we l l a s d i r e c t T h e G l e e C l u b f o r T h e O l i ve t ’s B oy s a n d G i r l s C l u b. T h e r e a r e s o m a ny t a l e n te d k i d s o u t t h e r e . I wa n t to h e l p t h e m f l o u r i s h i n a ny wa y p o s s i b l e . M : FA S T F O R WA R D 7 y e a r s , w h e r e w o u l d y o u l i ke t o b e a n d w h a t w o u l d y o u l i ke t o b e d o i n g ? J: I h o p e to s t i l l b e d o i n g w h a t I l ove a s a c a r e e r, s i n g i n g . I w i l l a l wa y s b e i nvo l ve d i n m u s i c o n e wa y o r a n o t h e r ; i t ’s i n m y b l o o d , m y h e a r t a n d s o u l .

1 To Watch M a t t B a i l ey

i s a s e l f- e m p l o y e d m u s i c i a n and a regular on the Berks Count y music scene. On any given night (or day) you might find Mat t per forming at a communit y event or as the featured guest of the night at a nightclub or lounge. Matt is m o s t k n o w n f o r h i s c o v e r s i n c l u d i n g f a n f a v o r i t e s l i ke “ R e g u l a t o r s , “A i n ’ t N o S u n s h i n e , “ I t Wa s A l l A D r e a m ” a n d “ B i l l i o n a i r e ”. P u t t i n g h i s o n t w i s t o n e v e r y s o n g that he covers, Mat t is an ar tist in the truest form. He plays guitar and harmonica, and will oftentimes use a Boss RC-30 to accompany him during his live per formances, helping him to achieve the sound of multiple musicians on stage. Visit Reverbnation to h e a r s o m e o f M a t t ’s c o v e r s a n d o r i g i n a l s o n g s .

Pr o d u c e r s To Tu r n U p A . L e g e n d a r y , c u r r e n t l y r e s i d i n g i n P i t t s b u r g h , PA a n d o r i g i n a l l y f r o m R e a d i n g , PA , i s a b u s y m a n t h e s e d a y s . H e i s c u r r e n t l y wo r k i n g o n t wo p e r s o n a l m i x t a p e s , I s I t R e a l l y M e? d r o p p i n g o n Fe b r u a r y 10 t h a n d a f o l l ow - u p to h i s l a s t m i x t a p e , S o u l s & S o u n d s Vo l . 2, b e i n g r e l e a s e d i n M a r c h . A . L e e w i l l a l s o b e r e l e a s i n g a b e a t t a p e o n Fe b r u a r y 10 t h f e a t u r i n g w h a t h e c a l l s m a ny “a b s t r a c t s o u n d s”. B e s u r e to l o o k o u t f o r t h a t a n d v i s i t s o u n d c l o u d .c o m / l e g e n d a r y - s o u n d s -1 a n d r e ve r b n a t i o n .c o m /a l e e l e g e n d a r y to h e a r m o r e o f A . L e e L e g e n d a r y.

G e t t i n g h i s s t a r t a s a p r o d u c e r w h e n h e wa s o n l y s e ve n te e n ye a r s o l d , J r e a m B e a t z wo r k s a s t h e i n - h o u s e p r o d u c e r f o r H i p H o p c o l l e c t i ve , S t r e e t Ko r n e r M u s i k b a s e d o u t o f R e a d i n g , PA . S t a r t i n g o u t a s a n a r t i s t h i m s e l f, J r e a m s t a r te d p r o d u c i n g b e c a u s e h e n e e d e d o r i g i n a l b e a t s to r hy m e to. H e i s c u r r e n t l y wo r k i n g o n t h e S t r e e t Ko r n e r M u s i k c o m p i l a t i o n a l b u m , “ N a s t y N o b o d i e s”, a n d m u s i c f o r J a y D e v, w h o r e l e a s e d h i s “ L i s te n” m i x t a p e i n J a n u a r y o f 2 014 . V i s i t S o u d c l o u d .c o m / j r e a m b e a t z to h e a r m o r e f r o m t h i s u p and coming producer!

A p p r ov e d H i p H o p P r o j e c t s R e l e a s e d I n 2 0 13

photography by Theron

Cook

W h e n a m u s i c i a n i s a b l e to n o t o n l y d e l i ve r g r e a t m u s i c b u t a l s o a t t a c h i t to a n e ve n g r e a te r c a u s e we a r e m o r e t h a n h a p py to h e l p t h i s p e r s o n s h a r e t h e i r music with the masses. Hip Hop ar tist and member o f S t r e e t l a w z , T.O. P. w h o s e n a m e i s a n a c r o ny m f o r “ Tr i u m p h O ve r Pove r t y ” wa s b o r n a n d r a i s e d i n R e a d i n g , P. A . a n d u s e s h i s m u s i c a n d we b s i te ( w w w. t r i u m p h ove r p ove r t y.c o m) to r a i s e a wa r e n e s s a b o u t p ove r t y a n d t h e a f f e c t s t h a t i t c o n t i n u e s to h ave o n o u r s o c i e t y. O n e o f t h e t h i n g s t h a t we l i ke m o s t a b o u t T.O. P.’s we b s i te i s t h e “ T.O. P. N e w s” s e c t i o n a n d h i s b l o g w h i c h h e u p d a te s d a i l y. O n e p a r t i c u l a r b l o g e n t r y a b o u t a b oy n a m e d R a m o n s t u c k o u t to u s s o we wa n te d to s h a r e i t w i t h a l l o f yo u . R e a d b e l ow to s e e w h a t l i f e i s l i ke f o r R a m o n g r ow i n g u p i n t h e D o m i n i c a n R e p u b l i c .

1. “ V i t a l S i g n s ” b y Yo u n g C h r i s Eve r y t i m e s o m e o n e c o u n t s Yo u n g C h r i s o u t h e c o m e s b a c k w i t h a n o t h e r E P o r a l b u m to # M u te t h e n a y s a ye r s . I n N ove m b e r o f 2 013 , Chris released his Vital Signs EP featuring a p p e a r a n c e s f r o m N e e f B u c k , Pe e d i C r a k k a n d Fr e e wa y.

“Th is w a s m y th ir d tr ip to th e D o m in ic a n Republic, th is tim e it w a s to a c it y c a lle d L a Ro m a n a . I t w a s b o o ke d a s n o rm a l, 7 - 8 d a ys a t a fa n c y r e so r t. I a lw a ys m a ke it a p r io r it y to g o to th e c it y a n d m e e t th e lo c a ls. W ith a b o u t tw o d a ys le f t to sp a r e in m y va c a tio n , a n un c o n tr o lla ble fo r c e c a m e up o n m e to g e t o u t o f th e r e so r t a n d g o to th e c it y to m e e t th e lo c a ls. S o th e fa m ily a n d I g o t in a $2. 0 0 d o lla r va n th a t th e lo c a ls ta ke to th e c it y o f L a Ro m a n a , w h ic h is a b o u t th ir t y- f i ve m in u te s a w a y.

2 . “Dream Big, Grind Hard, Live Major ” by J Splash Creating a major buzz for himself in Reading, Pa a n d s u r r o u n d i n g c i t i e s , J S p l a s h’s , D r e a m B i g , G r i n d H a r d , L i v e M a j o r i s a we l l r o u n d e d album with a good mix of par ty anthems, street records, and radio friendly songs for the ladies.

Wh ile e xitin g th e va n a t o ur d r o p o f f, a yo un g b o y a pp r o a c h e d m e a n d a ske d to sh in e m y sh o e s. I w a s w e a r in g sn e a ke rs a t th e tim e, so I d e c lin e d. H e d idn’ t c o n tin ue to a sk m e like h is tw o c o m p a n io n s d id, bu t h e just sto pp e d a n d sta r e d a t m y c h ild r e n in a dm ir a tio n . W ith m y h o rr ible S p a n ish a n d a lit tle tr a n sla tio n , I a ske d h im if h e w a s hun g r y, h e sta te d “y e s, I h a ve n’ t e a te n sin c e y e ste r d a y, I d idn’ t m a ke a n y m o n e y. . .. .” 3 . “ M e n a c e M u z i k Vo l .1” b y C h i l l

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M e n a c e M u z i k i s t h e f i r s t a l b u m r e l e a s e d by S t r e e l a w z m e m b e r, C h i l l . Fa n s h ave c o m e to l ove C h i l l f o r h i s l y r i c i s m , q u i c k w i t a n d b e a t s e l e c t i o n s , L o o k o u t f o r M e n a c e M u z i k Vo l . 2 d r o p p i n g e a r l y 2 014 .

HONOR

Teddy Pendergrass

Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes

Keith Haring

1950 - 2010

1971 - 2002

1958 - 1990

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Hometown: Kutztown, PA

e lan e y “ L an e y”

B ro wn

W yo m i s s i n g , PA n a t i ve a n d Po p a n d C o u n t r y m u s i c s u p e r s t a r Ta y l o r S w i f t r e c e n t l y m a d e a d r e a m c o m e t r u e f o r a yo u n g g i r l n a m e d L a n e y B r ow n . B r ow n , w h o wa s o n l y e i g h t ye a r s o l d a n d r e s i d e d i n We s t R e a d i n g , PA s u f f e r e d f r o m a n u n t r e a t a b l e f o r m o f l e u ke m i a a n d wa n te d n o t h i n g m o r e t h a n to m e e t h e r i d o l Ta y l o r S w i f t b e f o r e s h e p a s s e d a wa y. O r g a n i z e d by A p p l e , L a n e y ’s w i s h c a m e t r u e w h e n S w i f t to o k t i m e o u t o f h e r ve r y b u s y s c h e d u l e to Fa c eT i m e o n e o f h e r b i g g e s t f a n s . A l t h o u g h t h i s H o n o r s e c t i o n i s u s u a l l y o c c u p i e d by a m u s i c i a n o r a v i s u a l a r t i s t , t h e M u te f a m i l y wa n te d to t a ke t h i s t i m e to h o n o r a l i t t l e g i r l f r o m Pe n n s y l va n i a w h o s e s t r e n g t h , c o u r a g e a n d s p i r i t h a s i n s p i r e d u s a l l . R e s t I n Pa r a d i s e L a n e y. Photo credit: Google Images

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4 Pl ac e s To S e e a Li ve S h ow i n PA

The Ele ctr ic Factor y T h e E l e c t r i c Fa c t o r y, l o c a te d i n P h i l a d e l p h i a i s k n ow n a s o n e o f t h e b e s t l o c a t i o n s i n t h e c i t y to s e e a l i ve s h ow. H av i n g b e e n a r o u n d f o r m o r e t h a n f o r t y ye a r s , T h e E l e c t r i c Fa c t o r y c e l e b r a te s a r t i s t s f r o m m a ny d i f f e r e n t g e n r e s a n d m u s i c a l b a c kg r o u n d s . V i s i t w w w.e l e c t r i c f a c to r y.c o m to s e e w h i c h o f yo u r f avo r i te a r t i s t s w i l l b e p e r f o r m i n g h e r e n ex t . Pe r f o r m e r s h i t t i n g t h e s t a g e a t T h e E l e c t r i c Fa c t o r y t h i s ye a r i n c l u d e: G Z A , Pe n t a n o i x , C h r i s t i n a P e r r i a n d m a ny m o r e !

S ofr ito G astr o Pub N o t o n l y i s S o f r i t o G a s t r o P u b a g o - to s p o t f o r l o c a l s to g r a b a n a u t h e n t i c L a t i n o I n s p i r e d m e a l , b u t t h e p u b h a s a l s o t u r n e d i n to o n e o f t h e b e s t p l a c e s i n t h e c i t y to c a t c h a l i ve s h ow o r s i t i n o n a l i s te n i n g p a r t y. L o c a te d i n t h e C e n t r e Pa r k H i s to r i c D i s t r i c t o f R e a d i n g , PA , S o f r i toâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s h a s h o s te d a c t s l i ke o u r c ove r a r t i s t , E k ko, M a t t B a i l e y, B o b H a s s l e r a n d Scotti Mann.

The N ote L o c a te d i n t h e h e a r t o f d ow n tow n We s t C h e s te r, PA , T h e N o t e i s a g r e a t p l a c e to s e e a l i ve s h ow f o r a r e a s o n a b l e p r i c e , c a t c h a s t a n d - u p c o m e d i a n , o r wa t c h t h e p r e m i e r e a n i n d i e o r m a i n s t r e a m f i l m . M u s i c i a n s p e r f o r m i n g a t T h e N o t e t h i s ye a r i n c u d e A n d y A l l o, O u r L a s t N i g h t , J a m e s D u r b i n a n d m a ny m o r e .

B e t h l e h e m Pe n n s y l va n i a , o n c e k n ow n a s t h e 2n d l a r g e s t s te e l m a n u f a c t u r e r i n t h e n a t i o n i s n ow h o m e to o n e o f t h e m o s t c e l e b r a te d p l a c e s to v i s i t i n Pe n n s y l va n i a f o r a r t s a n d m u s i c r e l a te d e n te r t a i n m e n t .

a m ov i e a t t h e c i n e m a , v i s i t a n a r t g a l l e r y o r wa t c h a l i ve s h ow a t t h e c a b a r e t s t y l e Musik fest Cafe (Musik fest Cafe is popular f o r i t s i n t i m a te s e a t i n g a n d r e a s o n a b l y p r i c e d c o n c e r t s). Fe a t u r i n g a f r e e k i d s s h ow e ve r y S a t u r d a y, A r t s Q u e s t i s g r e a t f o r t h e w h o l e f a m i l y o r a d a te n i g h t f o r t wo. W h i l e v i s i t i n g S te e l S t a c k s a l s o b e s u r e to m a ke yo u r wa y to t h e L e v i t t Pav i l i o n to s e e o n e o f t h e ove r f i f t y f r e e c o n c e r t s t h a t r u n f r o m M e m o r i a l D a y we e ke n d t h r o u g h L a b o r D a y we e ke n d . T h e m o s t exc i t i n g t h i n g a b o u t t h e L e v i t t Pav i l l i o n i s t h e d r a m a t i c b a c kd r o p t h a t t h e B l a s t Fu r n a c e s p r ov i d e w h i l e wa t c h i n g a s h ow.

A p t l y k n ow n a s S te e l S t a c k s , a n d l o c a te d i n t h e h e a r t o f B e t h l e h e m , t h i s te n - a c r e c a m p u s i s s t r i c t l y d e d i c a te d to the ar ts and celebrating culture, f a m i l y, c o m m u n i t y a n d m u s i c . Pa t r o n s f r o m a l l ove r t h e E a s t C o a s t f r e q u e n t t h e c a m p u s to visit the Ar ts Quest per forming a r t s c e n te r w h e r e yo u c a n c a t c h

I f a l l o f t h i s h a s nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; t c o nv i n c e d yo u ye t , t h e l a r g e s t f r e e m u s i c a l f e s t i va l i n t h e U n i te d S t a te s , M u s i k f e s t a l s o h i t s t h e S te e l S t a c k s f o r te n d a y s e ve r y A u g u s t , a n d h a s u n d o u b te d l y b e c o m e t h e p r e m i e r e m u s i c f e s t i va l f o r m u s i c l ove r s o f a l l k i n d s ( j u s t w h a t u s # M u te h e a d s l i ke). Eve r yo n e from the local band or Hip Hop ar tist t r y i n g to m a ke a n a m e f o r t h e m s e l ve s , to m o r e k n ow n a c t s l i ke M a r c A n t h o n y a n d

S t e e l S t ac ks Wr i t te n by D av i d N a z a r i o

O n e R e p u b l i c h ave g r a c e d t h e m a ny s t a g e s o f M u s i k f e s t .

MIN B y N a t u r e wa s m y f avo r i te g r o u p b e c a u s e o f h ow f a s t , ye t p a s s i o n a te l y Tr e a c h a n d V i n ny f l owe d . I l ove d Q u e e n L a t i f a h; I j u s t l ove d h e r vo i c e a n d h e r l y r i c s . I a l s o l i s te n e d to a l o t o f R - Ke l l y ’s m u s i c . I a c t u a l l y g o t i n to R - Ke l l y ’s m u s i c w h e n I r e a d t h a t h e w r o te s o n g s f o r m a ny o t h e r a r t i s t s , b u t t h e n I d i s c ove r e d h i s a m a z i n g vo c a l a n d h ave b e e n a f a n s i n c e t h e n . B e i n g N i g e r i a n , I c o u l d n’ t e s c a p e F e l a K u t i ’s m u s i c . A s a c h i l d I d i d n’ t k n ow t h a t Fe l a wa s a m u s i c i a n; I t h o u g h t h e wa s j u s t a ve r y g i f te d c o m m u n i c a to r w h o a l s o s a n g . L o o k i n g b a c k , t h i s wa s t h e q u a l i t y t h a t a t t r a c te d m e to h i s m u s i c . A n d w h e n I b e c a m e o l d e r, I o f c o u r s e d i s c ove r e d t h e m u s i c a l g i a n t t h a t h e i s . P L AY The Mute Minute allows us to profile ar tists that w e f e e l o u r r e a d e r s ( o r # M u t e h e a d s a s w e l i ke t o c a l l t h e m ) n e e d t o h e a r. T h e s e a r t i s t s h a v e been selected to be featured in the Mute Minute because they are currently producing (M)usic (U)nder ( T )he (E)dge. This music deser ves to be heard by the masses! This is where we come in; we amplif y the ar tists before you hear em! So sit b a c k a n d t a ke a M u t e M i n u t e t o g e t t o k n o w. . . .

Lor e n s Ch u no REWIND M: REWIND back to your childhood and teenage y e a r s , w h a t w e r e t h e y l i ke? L : T h o s e we r e f u n t i m e s i n t h e 19 8 0 ’s a n d 19 9 0 ’s . I g r e w u p i n M a k u r d i , a tow n i n t h e m i d d l e b e l t r e g i o n o f N i g e r i a . I wa s a s c i e n c e a n d m a t h n e r d , b u t s t i l l h a d a n i n te n s e i n te r e s t i n m u s i c . I c l e a r l y r e m e m b e r m y f i r s t h o m e m a d e m i xe d t a p e; I wo u l d l i te r a r i l y wa i t f o r e a c h s o n g to c o m e u p o n t h e r a d i o a n d I wo u l d p r e s s R E C O R D a n d PL AY. A s o n e wo u l d ex p e c t , t h e t a p e d i d n’ t h ave t h e b e s t o f q u a l i t y, b u t I m u s t a d d t h a t i t a c t u a l l y t u r n e d o u t to b e a h o t t a p e t h a t wa s c o p i e d by m a ny g u y s i n m y s c h o o l . I t h a d N a u g h t y by N a t u r e’s “ O. P. P.”, Q u e e n L a t i f a h’s “ F l y G i r l ”, a n d a s o n g by B e l l B i V D e vo e , j u s t to m e n t i o n a f e w. M: REWIND back to the first time you discovered your passion for making music, how did you know t h i s w a s s o m e t h i n g t h a t y o u w a n t e d t o p u r s u e? L : I ’ve a l wa y s h a d p a s s i o n f o r m u s i c p e r f o r m a n c e , b u t g r ow i n g u p, I d i d n’ t t h i n k i t wa s p o s s i b l e f o r m e to p u r s u e a c a r e e r i n m u s i c . M y p a r e n t s a l wa y s s t r e s s e d the impor tance of a solid education in the sciences, s o m y s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l ye a r s we r e d e vo te d to m a t h , b i o l o g y, c h e m i s t r y, a n d p hy s i c s . I c a m e to t h e U. S . i n 2 0 0 0 f o r c o l l e g e . I g o t a B a c h e l o r ’s i n M a t h e m a t i c s a n d s u b s e q u e n t l y to g r a d s c h o o l f o r M a t h . A l t h o u g h t h e i n te r n a l p u s h to p u r s u e a m u s i c c a r e e r wa s a l wa y s t h e r e , i t wa s n’ t u n t i l m y s o p h o m o r e ye a r i n c o l l e g e t h a t I d e c i d e d to c o n f r o n t i t . T h i s wa s w h e n I g o t s e r i o u s w i t h t h e p i a n o, m u s i c c o m p o s i t i o n , J a z z a n d a l l t h a t g o o d s t u f f. M: Who were some of your favorite ar tists growing u p , a n d w h y w e r e t h e y y o u r f a v o r i t e s? L : G r ow i n g u p I wa s m o s t l y i n to H i p H o p, a n d N a u g h t y

M : W h a t p r o j e c t s a r e y o u c u r r e n t l y w o r k i n g o n? L : I j u s t r e l e a s e d a n a l b u m c a l l e d M y H o u s e. T h e s o u n d c a n b e l o o s e l y d e s c r i b e d a s a J a z z- f u s i o n w i t h e n o u g h We s t A f r i c a n to u c h . I a m c u r r e n t l y wo r k i n g o n t wo m u s i c v i d e o s . I a m a l s o w r i t i n g s o n g s f o r t h e n ex t a l b u m , w h i c h I p l a n to s t a r t r e c o r d i n g l a te 2 014 . M : W h o’s P L AY i n g i n y o u r c a r, a n d o r i P o d r i g h t n o w ? L : I j u s t l i s te n e d to s o m e E s p e r a n z a S p a l d i n g . B e f o r e t h a t I l i s te n e d to D i a n n e R e e ve s , A n g e l i q u e K i d j o, D o b e t G n a h o r e , Ke v i n E u b a n k s , a n d D r a ke . M : W h e n i t ’s t i m e t o P L AY, w h a t d o y o u l i ke t o d o f o r f u n? L : I l i ke wo r k i n g o u t , a n d wa t c h i n g r a n d o m v i d e o s o n Yo uTu b e . FA S T F O R WA R D

M : W h a t o n e t h i n g a r e y o u l o o k i n g F O R WA R D t o the most at this moment?

L : I a m l o o k i n g f o r wa r d to r e l e a s i n g t h e m u s i c v i d e o s f o r m y s o n g s “ B e a u t y R e m a i n s” a n d “ N wa n n e ”. M: What shor t term career goal(s) do you plan to accomplish nex t? L : I p l a n to r e l e a s e a t l e a s t t wo m u s i c v i d e o s a n d I a m a l s o p l a n n i n g to to u r t h e N o r t h e a s t r e g i o n i n t h e s u m m e r. I a m a l s o wo r k i n g o n a c o o l m a t h a n d m u s i c p r o j e c t t h a t i s s t i l l i n i t ’s f o r m a t i o n s t a g e . M : FA S T F O R WA R D 7 y e a r s , w h e r e w o u l d y o u l i ke t o b e a n d w h a t w o u l d y o u l i ke t o b e d o i n g ? L : M u s i c i s o n e o f t h e m o s t p owe r f u l m e d i u m s to c o m m u n i c a te d i r e c t l y with people and engender c u l t u r a l p o s i t i v i t y. S o a s HEAD MESSAGE a m u s i c i a n , I wo u l d l i ke to d e ve l o p a s o l i d p l a t f o r m w i t h w h i c h , i n a d d i t i o n to making great music, I can champion other causes I deeply care about. I happen to b e a m u s i c i a n w h o i s a l s o an applied mathematician, s o I a m n a t u r a l l y, a b i g proponent of quality early education and fearless i n te r d i s c i p l i n a r y e d u c a t i o n .

10. .

Ama Photography

M : W h a t i s y o u r b a c kg r o u n d ? H o w d i d y o u become a photographer? T: I a m o n e o f s i x c h i l d r e n a n d g r e w u p i n t h e S y l va n i a H o m e s i n R e a d i n g , PA . I g r a d u a te d f r o m R e a d i n g S e n i o r H i g h S c h o o l i n 19 9 6 . U p o n g r a d u a t i o n I wo r ke d f o r L’O r e a l U S A i n a retail division. I learned a lot about high end c o s m e t i c s , m a r ke t i n g , s a l e s a n d m o r e . T h a t job really came full circle when I became a p h o to g r a p h e r. M : W h e r e y o u ’r e f r o m y o u a r e a p r e t t y w e l l k n o w n w e d d i n g p h o t o g r a p h e r. W h a t i n y o u r opinion is the best thing about being a wedding photographer? T: I l ove b e i n g t h e p e r s o n t h a t c a p t u r e s t h e d a y - t h e d e t a i l s , t h e s to l e n m o m e n t s , t h e e ye s t h a t m e e t… a l l o f i t ! L o n g a f te r t h e we d d i n g c o m e s a n d g o e s , I r e l i ve t h e d a y w i t h t h e i m a g e s t h a t l i t t l e m e g o t to c a p t u r e . I a m a p a r t o f t h e i r l ove s to r y. T h e r e i s n o g r e a te r h o n o r t h a n to b e c h o s e n to b e a p a r t o f t h a t…I l ove i t ! M : Yo u a r e a l s o a f o o d p h o t o g r a p h e r. H o w d i d that come about? Do you have a favorite dish o r t y p e o f f o o d t h a t y o u l o v e t o p h o t o g r a p h? I n M a r c h 2 011, I a p p r o a c h e d A d y A b r e u o f A d y C a ke s L LC a b o u t t a k i n g s o m e p i c t u r e s o f h e r c u p c a ke s a n d c r e a t i n g s to r i e s w i t h t h e m . S h e a g r e e d a n d a f te r t h e f i r s t d o z e n i m a g e s w h e r e t a ke n , I f e l l i n l ove . B y O c to b e r 2 012, A d y & I we r e i n L o s A n g e l e s b a t t l i n g i t o u t o n C u p c a k e Wa r s o n Fo o d N e t wo r k . We wo n ! ! ! S e e , f o o d , to m e , h a s a p e r s o n a l i t y. Fo o d i s a r t , c r e a te d by a p e r s o n j u s t a s p a s s i o n a te a s I a m a b o u t p h o to g r a p hy ; i t ’s a p e r f e c t c o m b i n a t i o n r e a l l y. I h ave h a d t h e p l e a s u r e o f wo r k i n g w i t h s o m e a m a z i n g f o o d a r t i s t s a n d b a ke r s , i n c l u d i n g C a r l o’s B a ke r y o f T LC ’s C a k e B o s s. M : W h a t ’s m o r e f u n , t a k i n g p h o t o s o f f o o d o r p e o p l e? T: I l ove t h e m b o t h e q u a l l y. Fo o d i s e d i b l e a r t; i t h a s a l i f e o f i t s ow n . Pe o p l e s h a r e e m o t i o n s a n d l i f e s to r i e s . E a c h i m a g e I t a ke i s g i ve n t h e s a m e l ove , t i m e a n d a t te n t i o n . M: Who or what inspires you as a photographer? T: M y f a m i l y a n d m y b e l i e f s y s te m i n s p i r e m e .

I t a ke to h e e d to t h e c o u n s e l a t M a t t h e w 7:12 “A l l t h i n g s , t h e r e f o r e , t h a t yo u wa n t m e n to d o to yo u , yo u a l s o m u s t d o to t h e m . T h i s , i n f a c t , i s w h a t t h e L a w a n d t h e P r o p h e t s m e a n”. I a p p l y t h i s to a l l m y ve n t u r e s . I n e ve r t a ke o n a p r o j e c t t h a t I c a n’ t f u l l y g e t b e h i n d . I h ave to f e e l i t , p r a y o n i t a n d g o f o r wa r d k n ow i n g t h a t m y n a m e w i l l b e f o r e ve r a t t a c h e d to m e . M: Nowadays it seems as though ever yone with an e x p e n s i v e c a m e r a i s a p h o t o g r a p h e r. H o w d o y o u feel about the onslaught of “photographers” that seem to be popping up left and right? T: I t h i n k i t ’s g r e a t t h a t c a m e r a s a r e r e a d i l y ava i l a b l e a n d p e o p l e a r e a b l e to m a ke m e m o r i e s . T h a t b e i n g s a i d , I t h i n k t h a t i t ’s i m p o r t a n t to h ave a g r e a t b o d y o f wo r k b e f o r e yo u b e g i n c h a r g i n g c l i e n t s f o r wo r k . Eve r yo n e h a s to s t a r t s o m e w h e r e . We d o n’ t s t a r t o u t b e i n g c o m p l e te l y a we s o m e , i t t a ke s t i m e . I l ove to b a ke , b u t h av i n g a n ove n d o e s n’ t m a ke m e r e a d y to o p e n a b a ke r y ; t h e s a m e a p p l i e s to p h o to g r a p hy. M: What advice do you have for aspiring p h o t o g r a p h e r s l o o k i n g t o d o w h a t y o u d o? D o y o u think it is necessar y to have formal training in order to be a successful photographer? T: H o n e i n o n yo u r s k i l l s , b u i l d o n i t , l e a r n a l l yo u c a n and do free por tfolio building. Practice is the best te a c h e r. R e a d b o o k s o n p h o to g r a p hy a n d l e a r n yo u r camera; I cannot stress that enough. Manual shooting w i l l i n c r e a s e yo u r s k i l l l e ve l a n d yo u r c r e a t i v i t y. I d i d n o t h ave c o l l e g e t r a i n i n g . I t r a i n e d o n t h e f i e l d f o r ove r t wo a n d a h a l f ye a r s f o r f r e e b e f o r e I c o n s i d e r e d m y s e l f r e a d y to t a ke o n p a i d j o b s . I a m s e l f- t a u g h t , t h a t b e i n g s a i d , I h ave b e e n t r a i n e d by k n ow n l e a d e r s i n t h e i n d u s t r y, c o n t i n u e e d u c a t i n g m y s e l f by r e a d i n g , p r a c t i c i n g a n d c o n t i n u i n g to s u b m i t wo r k f o r c o n s t r u c t i ve c r i t i c i s m . T h i s i s t h e o n l y wa y to g r ow a n d b e c o m e a b e t te r, we l l r o u n d e d p h o to g r a p h e r. M: At Mute we are all about speaking dreams into existence. So tell us, what does your dream photo shoot consist of? Who or what would you be shooting? T: O h…I l ove t h i s q u e s t i o n . I r o n i c a l l y, I h ave a g o a l to s h o o t a c o n c e r t f o r M a r c A n t h o n y. I wa n t to b e f r o n t a n d c e n te r a n d c a p t u r e e ve r y t h i n g ! ! ! H i s m u s i c s p e a k s to m e a n d h a s b e e n a p a r t o f m y b a c kg r o u n d s i n c e t h e e a r l y 9 0 s . I p a r t i a l l y l i ve d t h i s d r e a m w h e n I we n t to h i s c o n c e r t i n S e p te m b e r a n d g o t s o m e i n c r e d i b l e s h o t s o f h i m ! I w i l l b e g o i n g a g a i n i n Fe b r u a r y o f 2 014…g e t m e i n t h e p i t- e h?!

photography by A M A P h o t o g r a p h y

Ama Photography

Deja Ellison Wr i t t e n b y Tr a c y O l i v i e r i

D o o r s ke e p o p e n i n g f o r D e j a E l l i s o n . S i n g i n g s i n c e a g e t h r e e , D e j a s t a r te d o u t l o c a l l y i n h e r h o m e tow n a c c e p t i n g t h e s i n g i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s t h a t we r e b r o u g h t to h e r. To d a te , D e j a h a s p e r f o r m e d a t m u l t i p l e e ve n t s i n N e w Yo r k C i t y a n d P h i l a d e l p h i a . T h e yo u n g s o n g s t r e s s h a s opened up for St yles P and Uncle Murda a t C l u b G r i f f i n i n N YC, a s we l l a s f o r R e g g a e a r t i s t S e r a n i a t T h e C l u b S i l o. D e j a h a s a l s o r e c e n t l y s t a r te d w r i t i n g h e r ow n s o n g s a n d i s wo r k i n g o n a C D and a mixtape that will both be r e l e a s e d i n 2 014 .

Photography by Theron

Cook

To ke e p u p w i t h D e j a’s u p c o m i n g e ve n t s a n d p r o j e c t s , yo u c a n “ l i ke” h e r Fa c e b o o k m u s i c p a g e a t w w w.f a c e b o o k .c o m / D e j a E l l i s o n M u s i c o r v i s i t h e r we b s i te a t w w w. D e j a e l l i s o n . c o m

Jay The S t ylist M: How did you get your star t st yling? J a y : I g o t m y s t a r t s t y l i n g by h e l p i n g p e o p l e p u t o u t f i t s to g e t h e r w h e n t h e y we r e s t u c k . Pe o p l e wo u l d a l wa y s h i t m e u p s a y i n g , “J a y h ow d o e s t h i s l o o k ? ” o r “ W h a t wo u l d g o w i t h t h i s? ” T h e n I r e a l i z e d , I ’m r e a l l y g o o d a t t h i s ( l a u g h s). I wa s t h e n a p p r o a c h e d by Yve t te R i ve r a w h o i s m y m e n to r a n d founder of The Elite Paris Agency about a client n a m e d , E g y p t S e l i n d a . I s t a r te d s t y l i n g h e r a n d t h e r e s t i s h i s to r y a f te r t h a t . M: What made you want to pursue st yling as a career? J a y : I a l wa y s h a d a p a s s i o n f o r f a s h i o n . S o u n d s c l i c h e , b u t i t r e a l l y i s m y p a s s i o n , s o w hy n o t m a ke a c a r e e r o u t o f s o m e t h i n g t h a t yo u l ove to d o? M: With more and more people embracing the ar ts and fashion nowadays, how do you separate yourself from other st ylists and fashion b l o g g e r s? J a y : We l l , to b e h o n e s t h av i n g a s i g n a t u r e l o o k to e ve r y t h i n g I d o i s c r u c i a l to m e . N o o n e wa n t s t h e i r wo r k to g o u n n o t i c e d , s o o n e s h o u l d a l wa y s k n ow h ow to p u t t h a t o n e p i e c e i n t h e i r wo r k w h e r e a

f a n , o n l o o ke r o r a nyo n e f o r t h a t m a t te r c a n s a y “J a yT h e S t y l i s t s t y l e d t h a t p e r s o n a n d o r p u t t h a t b l o g to g e t h e r.” I j u s t a l wa y s t r y to o u td o m e a n d n o t a nyo n e e l s e . M: What is your favorite thing about st yling? What is your least favorite thing about st yling? J a y : M y f avo r i te t h i n g a b o u t s t y l i n g i s h av i n g a l o o k I e nv i s i o n e d i n m y h e a d c o m e to l i f e . T h a t f e e l i n g i s l i ke n o o t h e r ! A l s o, m a k i n g s o m e o n e feel confident, look good and feel good about t h e i r s e l f. M y l e a s t f avo r i te t h i n g a b o u t s t y l i n g i s w h e n i t ’s a l l ove r. ( l a u g h s) I j u s t wa n t to ke e p going.

Photo by Theron Cook

M: What advice do you have for aspiring s t y l i s t s l o o k i n g t o b r e a k i n t o t h e b u s i n e s s? What in your opinion is the most impor tant t h i n g f o r a s t y l i s t j u s t s t a r t i n g o u t t o l e a r n? 10

J a y : M y a d v i c e i s to k n ow h ow to c o n g r a t u l a te a w i n n e r, b e c a u s e i f yo u c a n’ t c o n g r a t u l a te a w i n n e r yo u w i l l n e ve r k n ow w h a t i t f e e l s l i ke to win. A stylist just star ting out should also just l e a r n h ow to b e h u m b l e b u t s t i l l b e c o n f i d e n t e n o u g h to s a y “ I c a n a n d w i l l d o t h a t ! ” M: Who is your dream client and why would it b e c o o l t o s t y l e t h i s p e r s o n? J a y : M y d r e a m c l i e n t to s t y l e i s a n o b r a i n e r f o r m e . K a nye We s t i s m y d r e a m c l i e n t h a n d s d ow n ! I t wo u l d b e c o o l to s t y l e K a nye b e c a u s e h e i s a style icon who star ts new trends and is fearless w h e n i t c o m e s to h i s f a s h i o n . H e’s s i m p l y t h e s h i t , a n d w i t h J a yT h e S t y l i s t a d d e d to h i s m i n d , we wo u l d b e t h e s h i t to g e t h e r ( l a u g h s). I d o n’ t m e a n to to o t m y ow n h o r n , b u t I k n ow w h a t I a m c a p a b l e o f ( l a u g h s). M : W h a t ’s n e x t f o r J a y T h e S t y l i s t ? J a y : W h a t ’s n ex t f o r J a y T h e S t y l i s t ? Eve r y t h i n g ! L i m i t i n g m y s e l f w i l l n e ve r b e a n o p t i o n . I h ave a l o t c o m i n g u p I c a n’ t r e a l l y s p e a k o n , b u t j u s t k n ow I w i l l n o t d i s a p p o i n t a nyo n e ! Photos by Jay The St ylist

jayelite_

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Justin Bua

photography by Theron

Cook

Justin Bua Wr i t te n by D av i d N a z a r i o D i s to r te d u r b a n r e a l i s m a r t i s t J u s t i n B u a v i s i te d Ku t z tow n U n i ve r s i t y r e c e n t l y to g i ve a p r e s e n t a t i o n a b o u t t h e o r i g i n s o f H i p H o p a n d h ow h i s a r t h a s c h r o n i c l e d t h e c u l t u r e f r o m i t s i n c e p t i o n . B u a s p o ke to a c r owd o f c o l l e g e s t u d e n t s i n t h e s t u d e n t u n i o n b u i l d i n g a t Ku t z tow n U n i ve r s i t y g i v i n g t h o s e i n a t te n d a n c e a n i n d e p t h l o o k a t w h a t i t wa s l i ke to l i ve a n d g r ow u p i n N e w Yo r k d u r i n g t h e l a te 70 s a n d e a r l y 8 0 s w h e n H i p H o p wa s s t a r t i n g to g a i n m a i n s t r e a m a t te n t i o n . B u a s t a r te d h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h H i p H o p a s a b - b oy d a n c e r i n B r o o k l y n . H i s d a n c e c r e w wo u l d g o o n to h e l p i n t r o d u c e H i p H o p to t h e r e s t o f t h e wo r l d , o p e n i n g u p f o r J a m e s B r ow n a n d o t h e r s i n a n u m b e r o f d i f f e r e n t c o u n t r i e s . W h i l e b - b oy i n g , B u a c o n t i n u e d to c u l t i va te h i s p a s s i o n f o r d r a w i n g a n d p a i n t i n g a s a wa y to c o p e w i t h t h e p ove r t y s t r i c ke n e nv i r o n m e n t t h a t h e wa s b e i n g r a i s e d i n . H e b e g a n d r a w i n g t h e “c h a r a c te r s” i n h i s n e i g h b o r h o o d a n d wo u l d l a te r s t u d y a t t h e f a m o u s L a G u a r d i a H i g h S c h o o l . S i n c e t h e n B u a h a s we n t o n to c r e a te t h e f i r s t e ve r b - b oy p r i n t a n d t h e wo r l d f a m o u s “d j p o s te r ”, w h i c h i s o n e o f t h e m o s t p o p u l a r p r i n t s o f a l l t i m e . B u a h a s h a d h i s wo r k c o m m i s s i o n e d by e ve r yo n e f r o m f o r m e r p r e s i d e n t s to R & B s t a r N e - yo. T h e s e d a y s B u a c o n t i n u e s to te a c h a t h i s o n l i n e a r t s c h o o l a n d h a s m o s t r e c e n t l y b e g a n p a i n t i n g i m a g e s o f h i s o t h e r l ove , m i xe d m a r t i a l a r t s . Ke e p u p to d a te w i t h e ve r y t h i n g J u s t i n h a s g o i n g o n a t w w w. j u s t i n b u a .c o m .

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#MuteSalute What would a tribute to Pennsylvania be without highlighting one of the very best bands to ever come out of the keystone state? The Roots are undoubtedly the most underrated, highly appreciated bands ever, with a catalog that is just as impressive as the number of years that they have been in the business!

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