May 2012

MAY 2 0 1 2 / / M u s i c

A r t

C u l t u r e

CARLLEENA

PERSON new artists

REBECCA NAZZ 28 GRAMS LOVERS & LIARS JEVY ovaground mogul magazine

CEO // Curtis Stokes CO-CEO // Jasmine Wallace PRESIDENT // Andre Hayden V.P. & CREATIVE DIRECTOR // Rashaad Bilal

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Curtis Stokes

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Melissa McCallister Hogan // SilverShadowsPhotography Stephanie Hightower Knolig Works Savior Production D.Gabriel SEPH Photography Michelle Meesh Flowers

CONTRIBUTING VIDEOGRAPHERS Andre Hayden

Rebecca Nazz // P A G E 7 28 Grams // P A G E 1 1 Lovers and Liars // P A G E 1 5 Jevy // P A G E 1 9 Carlleena Savnac Person // P A G E 2 5

Hi Readers!

LETTER FROM OVAGROUND MOGUL

Thanks for checking out our May issue of Ovaground Mogul Magazine.

OGM is all about the wide range of independent music , art, and culture.

In this 2nd issue we hope you enjoy our colorful, interactive and exciting features and artist like “savnac and many other great musicians. We at OGM would love to hear your input. Follow us @Ovagroundmogul and tweet about your favorite feature of the month.

Thanks in advance, Enjoy!

- Ovaground Mogul Magazine

- CO CEO Jasmine Wallace

Sony ECMMS907 Digital Recording Microphone

Image Line FL Studio Fruity Edition V10

Electric guitars 5

social media power for all

by Curtis Stokes

We want to thank all of you for “Subscribing” and “liking” us - But we still need your help. We are asking people to ask everybody they know to hit the “LIKE” BUTTON AND SUSCRIBE TO

US

Our goal is to reach 2 million people...Some have said it can’t be done but you are all Facebook, Y’all have the power. Not Facebook themselves.

There are over 800 million from different parts of the world and we dictate how this system ran. If you are not news savvy, it’s ok just to let you know FACEBOOK IS ON THE VERGE OF GOING PUBLIC , which means they will be one of the most powerful social media sites ever in history...And they WILL end up taking over Google as the top search engine or SEO in the world...

Social media is six degrees of seperation, like in life we

THAT’S BIG!!

are all connected in some way or another since the beginning. By the way, let me give you some infoon what this magazine is about. It’s about all of you! Everyone who wants to be a Writer or maybe a Model or an Artist or a Photographer...we have dedicated this magazine to YOU the people. If you check out our page(s) you will see that we are, as I write this, looking for people like you to fill our pages. But the question is

WILL YOU

take

advantage of this opportunity to be seen, to be heard and to make yourself a little money on the side if you set up your links to our digital format magazine online. But you also be able to recieve a printed version of the magazine as well. See, the more people that Subscribes to us, Subscribes to you as well. And you as an Artist, Model, DJ, Writer or Photographer will get to have millions of people here on Facebook at your beckon call, but again I say to you....WILL YOU HELP US PUT YOU IN A POSITION TO DO THAT

THE CHOICE IS YOURS!!

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P

op and Acoustic music is what you’ll think of when you first hear this fun spirited bright artist, Rebecca Nazz. Growing up in South India, Canada and Kuwait, this Indo Canadian multi-talented singer/songwriter entertains with an intimate acoustic performance on guitar and an energized club performance backed by dancers. Coming up from the underground she writes her own material, offering a poignant blend of lyrics and thoughtful melodies. She quickly became part of the local music scene in Canada through open mic venues in Toronto and Halifax with performances at at C’est Wat, Mitzi Sisters, Holy Joes, Gingers Tavern, Roogues Roost and Pogue Fado. She was invited to perform at the Toronto’s largest South Asian Festival, Masala Mehndi Masti, (MMM) and has also performed at the El Mocambo, Harlem, The Rivoli and The Opera House. Her single “Indian Boy” garnered

the attention of world-renowned reggae artist Apache Indian, known for his hits “Boom ShackA-Lak” and “Chok There” who she featured on the track on her EP “Intimate”. “Intimate” released in Canada Sept 2011 and is being released in the UK and India in 2012. Electrifying from start to finish, her material can be defined as upbeat pop songs with Western/East Indian influences and a lyrical message for everyone. In light of her recent EP release, she was profiled on OMNI TV with Bollywood Boulevard, Masala Canada with CBC radio, Brit Asia TV, UK, Desi Fashion Magazine, South Asian Generation Next, Anokhi and Star Buzz Weekly. As well she rocked the crowds with energized performances at the largest South Asian Festival in Canada, desiFest 2011, World Partnership Walk, Carrasauga Festival of Cultures and more.

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C

urrently she is working on promoting her EP material. In 2012 she will be releasing a music video for “Indian Boy”, acoustic singles and a much anticipated national song for Canada titled “Canada-EH!” which will make her the first Indo-Canadian to pen a national

“NAZZ writes her own material, offering a poignant blend of lyrics and

thoughtful melodies.” song for Canada. Look out for this talented and opi ionated artist! In her own words, “Music is art that can create a movement.”

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Shows 2011-Present May 28: desiFest, Yonge and Dundas Square May 29: World Partnership Walk June 3: Carrasauga Festival of Cultures June 19: IIFA Buzz Week July 1: Toronto Ribfest (1.30pm) Centennial Park July 16: South Asian Festival, Ottawa July 23: Raise the Roof Women’s Festival September 22: Mirage, Toronto October 20: Six Degrees, Toronto December 6: Drug-Free Marshals, Yonge/ Dundas December 13: St.Charles College, Sudbury February 8:Lambadina Lounge, Toronto March 8: International Womens Day, Community Toronto

INVESTinART \ PEACE \\\

704\391\3698\\\SAVNACMURALDESIGNS@YAHOO.COM

CARLLEENA PERSON \ SAVNAC MURAL DESIGNS \ WWW.SAVNAC.WORDPRESS.COM

11

B

orn Graham A. Carter in Manhattan, New York On Monday December 11, 1989 to a single mother of one from Buxton, Guyana. After living in Brooklyn, NY for three years and later Washington, DC another three.

Six year old Graham moved with his mother and brother to Capitol Heights, Maryland where he grew up. In elementary school Graham would constantly get suspended for fighting. Having a hot headed nature when teased by other children for his heritage and darker skin tone he would retaliate. Always having a love for art and its soothing qualities, at age twelve he would dream of making music while listening to jazz in his aunt’s art class. During middle school he would make parodies of songs on the radio, and recite them to his best friend Kevin and others when walking to school. In Suitland high school, always cutting classes he would join in on the ‘’freestyle sessions’’ beating on the lunch room tables.

Graduating military school in 2006, after being sent there for disorderly conduct in public school. He then decided to further his education and attend college in Charlotte, North Carolina. Majoring in Graphic Design & Digital Illustration he started school in the summer of 2007. In 2009 eagerly motivating long time friend Kevin and college buddy Gustavo in there musical pursuits, he was persuaded to ‘’jump on the track’’. Helping create his first joint song called ‘’Just passing by’’ to Pharcyde’s ‘’Passing me by’’ instrumental. Going by the name BlaQ shortly after creating his first mixtape P.O.W! (play on words) he changed his alias to 28 Grams. April 20, 2012 is the one year anniversary of his second mixtape, first and surely not his last as Twenty Eight Grams presents R&R: Reefer and Rhymes.

- Twenty Eight Grams

Interview

REEFER AND RHYMES

13 Twenty Eight Grams

Why do you do what you do?

I do what I do because I love it. I don’t do it for the fame I don’t do it for the money. I do it because I enjoy it, it has become on of my greatest passions, and when you passionate about what you do nothing else matters.

How would you describe your style?

To sum it up, I am who am because of the decisions I’ve made, some good some not so good. I’m just a soul who’s intentions are good, not to be cliche but I’m doing the best I can with what I can. I grew up a screw and as I grow some more I know I’m going to screw up some more. I just try to right my wrongs and proceed through life with a head held high and good intent.

What inspires you to continue going through the rough struggle of an up and coming artist?

To sum it up, I am who am because of the decisions I’ve made, some good some not so good. I’m just a soul who’s intentions are good, not to be cliche but I’m doing the best I can with what I can. I grew up a screw and as I grow some more I know I’m going to screw up some more. I just try to right my wrongs and proceed through life with a head held high and good intent.

What type of story would you say your music tells?

I would say my music only tells a fraction of the full story, but of the fraction I hope to inspire and change at least one person’s life. At the end of my career maybe then you could have a clearer view of who I am and what I stand for but even then the story will be incomplete. A story of tribulation and triumph, a tale of a man who intends to turn his wildest and most vivid dreams into reality.

What is it you dislike the most about the music industry?

O.k, I would say I dislike the fact that most popular music isn’t necessarily the best music. I dislike the lack of substance in today’s music, if it’s promoting ignorance and chaos it’s at the top of the charts but if it promotes knowledge, tranquility, and unity and speaks on the injustice of today’s society and how we as individuals need to stand and make a difference in our own way its frowned upon.

What would you like to see different?

I for one would like to see creativity and uniqueness amplified. I would like to see what an individual is all about what he or she is capable of, what that individual them self brings to the table. There’s no progress in music if everyone does what everyone else does.

Which artists most inspire you?

Wow, that’s a tough one, I listening to all types of music and pull inspiration from all of it. I couldn’t say one influenced me more than another but if I had to guess I’d say: Linkin Park, Outkast, and Bob Marley.

If you could work with any artist who would it be? Why? If I could work with any artist it would be Toro y Moi. He is an incredible artist, his music is so different with great sound!

Together with his creativity and my own I feel we would create some phenomenally amazing sounding music.

What’s your favorite album of all time?

Beside being a difficult question it is almost impossible, I love music with a passion. It is my life so to pick just one album as my favorite is pretty damn difficult, if you know what I mean. To absolutely choose one isn’t possible because as I mature my tastes are subject to change. Although growing up I would have to say Ludacris’ ‘’Word Of Mouf’’, it was one of the reasons I even decided to become an artist.

Any shout outs?

I’d like to shout out my hometown Capitol Heights, MD, the whole Green Team, Street Religion records, and my entire family and friends, one love all.

TWENTY EIGHT

GRAMS 14

Presents

B

orn in a small town called Cairo, Georgia. I grew up playing in my parent’s band. Both my mom and dad were musicians. They completely embraced the idea of me becoming one.

I got an early start and began writing songs and playing the piano when I was 2 and a half. When I was 5, I saw the movie “Amadeus” and began learning the soundtrack by ear. It was at that point people started to pay attention to what I was doing. Pretty soon I was playing recitals, talent shows, and by age 11, was touring around the southern states opening up for artists like EmmyLou Harris.. just playing piano as a solo act.. though by this time I was playing 50’s rock a.la Jerry Lee Lewis.. playing with my feet, and all that fun stuff. Then I got turned on to Nirvana and it changed everything. Picked up a guitar, and started producing my own stuff ever since. I had a rock band called SPOUT which got some national attention but fizzled out. .. then I started a piano-fronted rock project where I played all the instruments... it eventually

Lovers & liars

became a full band/live act called “Lovers and Liars” in 2008. After only two showcases, we landed a deal with Universal/Republic. After a year went by, we realized they had already moved on to other things. Rock bands don’t keep people’s attention these days like they used to.. especially in the record-label frame of mind.. there’s no “give them a release.. see how it does.. build the band over the next album or two”… it’s literally “have they already done all the work for us? ..do they have thousands of pre-orders ready to roll.. is this a sure thing?..” .. they’re signing bands for 2 songs at a time these days.. instead of 4-5 albums like they used to..... Funny thing..they were putting us up against top 40 dance acts like Beyonce and Jesse J.. and then came to the conclusion our music wouldn’t fit the genre they selected for us.. they didn’t even release it to see how it’d do, even though everyone was really excited about the finished product.

lovers

liars &

17 Lovers and Liars

Why do you do what you do?

It’s all I’ve ever done.. I was pr grammed from birth to do this. Oh, and it’s fun to have people pay you to be creative.

How would you describe your style?

Post modern rock meets Alternative pop.. (no wonder our record label was confused).

I’ve been told it’s “Coldplay with massive balls”… I hear Nine inch Nails, Muse, Blue October, and Peter Gabriel as influences in the songs I write for this project.

What inspires you to continue going through the rough struggle of an up and coming artist?

Honestly, just the satisfaction of creation.

Aside from this project, I’m produce a lot of other projects for people all year round. Labels, buzz, attention.. it all comes and goes.. and I’d hate to feel it was the backbone of my drive to move forward with my art. The best feeling ever is when you finish that final mix on a new song you’re proud of. Other people digging it is just an added bonus which I’m very appreciative of.

What type of story would you say your music tells?

Lovers and Liars deals with the pain of losing love.. finding love again.. and the rollercoaster in between. It’s all very relatable stuff because it’s all things we as humans go through.

What is it you dislike the most about the music industry?

Stupidity and greed…. Though that seems to be the trend in many industries right now.. but it’s sad that mentatily has made

Stacy Hogan

INTERVIEW WITH OvaGround LOVERS & LIARS it’s way to the music industry as well… it’s always been a for-profit industry, but now those dollar signs literally control and mass produce the same 4 chords at us over and over to the point we buy the same old recycled song 50 times a year. The only way to get your music on MTV is to have them play your songs behind a pregnant 16 year old (16 and Pregnant) What would you like to see different?

I’d love to see a true creative entrepreneur start a label or radio station that is centered around artists and not puppets. It’s sad when you literally hear the singer shout out their own name at the beginning of the song just so the listener knows who they are. We need a revolution! Every once and a while a great artist will break through.. that will always be the case.. and I’m happy to see that each year there’s someone who could be a potential game-changer.

Which artists most inspire you?

Muse, Nirvana, Trent Reznor, Blue October, Phil Collins, Mozart!

If you could work with any artist who would it be? Why? Trent Reznor would be killer.. on an album, a song, or even a movie score.

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“MY STYLE IS UNIVERSAL AND SOMETHING THAT CAN’T BE PUT IN A BOX.” - Jevy

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Why do you do what you do?

I do what I do with music first and foremost because I am passionate about it. Right now, like most up and coming artists I am trying to put myself in a position to be able to wake up everyday and have my job be to make hits. I have always been passionate about being creative. In addition to that, I do what I do because I think that reaching a certain level of success with music will allow me to expand and also do some of the other things that I’m passionate about, like motivational speaking for example. Obviously music is a huge part of pop culture so reaching a certain level of success will give me a lot of credibility to speak to youth all around the country and the world and know that my words will be taken seriously with that crowd.

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as universal. Which to me means that I have a style that appeals to everyone. I pride myself on trying to make music that everybody can feel, like, or relate to in one way or another. I think my style is lyrical, yet trendy. I have songs that will make you reflect and then I have songs that will make you want to party. My style is universal and is something that can’t be put in a box. r relate to in one way or another. I think my style is lyrical, yet trendy. I have songs that will make you reflect and then I have songs that will make you want to party.

My style is universal and is something that can’t be put in a box.

What inspires you to continue going through the rough struggle of an up and coming artist?

My team at TOMEG inspires me. This process is rough and there are many times when you need to be re-motivated. But seeing how hard my team works every day, and being able to share all of the small victories with them remind me of the most important thing of this whole process, which is that the struggle is what will make winning in the end that much more enjoyable.

What is it you dislike the most about the music industry?

I think one thing that I dislike the most as far as hip hop goes is the fact that hip hop is one of the only genre’s of music that gets put in a box. For example, there are a lot of people out there who believe that up and coming hip hop artists should only be young teens. When there are many artists coming from various backgrounds that have amazing music. But some people still view hip hop as a kid only genre. Whereas if you look at genre’s like rock or country, you don’t see those limitations.

Therefore you get great music from artists in those genre’s for years. But I can say that over the last 5 years or so, that has been changing as hip hop as a genre continues to mature.

What would you like to see different?

To be honest, I would like to see more R&B artists emerge!

I have always been a fan of dope R&B music. We do have a few heavy hitters right now, but I would just like to see more variety in that area.

Which artists most inspire you?

Aside from the legends and the people who paved the way, I will step outside of the box and say that someone who really inspires me is singer/rapper/producer/writer Kevin McCall.

I remember working with him at WSU and recording songs in a small room at a frat house on campus. Seeing him go from that to being on national tours with Chris Brown and working with some of the biggest names in music has been more than inspirational. Anything is possible.

If you could work with any artist who would it be? Why? For me this is a multi-part answer. Hip Hop wise I would love to do a song with Rick Ross. I have always had a lot of respect for his talent and I feel like as far as presence on a track he is one of the most consistent. A producer i would love to work with is Kanye, mainly because I think his creative ability is out of this world. R&B wise, I definitely would love to work with Kevin McCall mainly because I have heard this brotha sing and put together harmony in a recording session and I think we would come up with something historic!

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Carllena “Savnac” Person

“Her art speaks to both adults and kids because of its free use of line and color. Mistakes are welcomed and appreciated because they prove that imperfections can be beautiful. Her art is a vivid story of the world thru her eyes. She has been commissioned by numerous private collectors and has provided work to non-profit organizations. She continues to grow and give back by teaching kids and adults that painting is liberating if you just break down all the rules.

Person’s work is currently on display in various locations along the east coast and Charlotte, NC. She is also bringing her work to large

“To dissect life and break it down to its simplest form so that all can understand at first glance is the power of my art. Through the use of vivid color and simple line I tell a story of life as I see it. As I live it. I create what I feel. My art is what my soul feels when it thinks of a subject matter.”

- Carlenna Person

scale by doing murals throughout the city of Charlotte. Charles Horton Cooley once said, “An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.” At the end of the day, painting has consumed Carlleena as she passionately heads toward her future as a “non-starving” artist. She currently teaches art/painting classes for various organizations as well as offers private one-on-one classes and is looking for more opportunities to share her knowledge with others. Feel free to contact her at savnacmuraldesigns@ yahoo.com or 704.391.3698. Or visit her website www. savnac.wordpress.com.

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OGM Interview

CARLLEENA “SAVNAC” OvaGround PERSON Mogul What is it you like the most about the art industry?

Learning and growing from other artist.

Sharing my work with others world-wide.

Which artists most inspire you?

I have a list of many different artist from all genres that I continue to add to but a few would be Mos Def, The Black Keys, Doze Green, Parra, David Ellis, Janelle Monae, Jeff Staple, Chip Kidd, MadLib, Pharrell Williams, Lenny Kravitz, Henry Moore, Converse art department, Stussy art department. It grows daily with each new discovery!

Working with any of these artist would challenge and reward my artistic journey.

It would open up many more opportunities to work with more artist on projects on a global scale.

What’s your favorite artist of all time any genre?

Of all time...that’s a hard one for me because I am learning about new artist everyday. They all add some sort of value to my life and that makes them each a favorite in some way. Maybe in a few years I will be able to answer this question but right now everything is too new to nail down a favorite.

Any shout outs?

To those who continue to invest in my artistic journey!

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Why do you do what you do?

I create because it is what I was born to do. It is my therapy.

How would you describe your style?

Imperfect perfection. Organized chaos.

A harmonic marriage of color and line.

What inspires you to continue going through the rough struggle of an up and coming artist?

Anything worth doing will have struggles and/or obstacles. I enjoy the struggle of becoming a worldwide recognized and sought after artist, designer and muralist.

The initial struggle just means I am doing something right and worth it. Planting a garden can be a struggle but once the crop becomes fruitful you realize all the hard work in the beginning was worth every drip of sweat, every aching muscle, every failure.

What do you think about social media and the platform that it provides for new artist coming up?

Social media allows any artist to be in one place physically and creatively live in many places. It allows you to reach a wider audience that one might not have had the resources to do before.

It allows you to creatively have a voice outside of your immediate city, state and even country.

What type of story would you say your art tells?

Life stories because Life = Art Which artists most inspire you?

I have too many to list! If I had to pick one I’d say mother-nature.

31 Taryn Dreu

Model of the Month

19 years-old, standing 5’8, with the ambition of 1,000 people, Taryn Dreu is striving to take over the Model scene. Some may call her a “Rookie”, though she’s young she works like a Vet in the game! “I conduct myself with the utmost professionalism while still allowing myself to relax and make the most out of a shoot. I believe that you either GO HARD OR GO HOME, so that’s exactly what i do.” Those are the words spoken by Taryn Dreu.

Strong, open-minded and AMAZING are 3 ways to describe her....

Focused, ambitious and beautiful are 3 more. The list goes on!

Growing up, Taryn always enjoyed taking pictures so striking a pose has never been an issue for her. Modeling is her passion!

Our Hearts and prayers go out to Carlleena Person and her Family. We are sad to announce that shortly after the release of this issue Carlleena Person Passed away. Not only was she a great Artist, but she was also a great friend and loving person. A side from blessing us with her presence on the cover we would also like to dedicate this issue to her - in her memory.

Carlleena We love you and your dedication to your craft, may your works of art bring us joy now and for years to come.

Carlleena Person Rest in Peace’ May 20, 2012