Issue No.5 Pellau Magazine
Meet The Enginear
Embrassing Your Baby Bump
Très Belle Modelling Agency May , 2010 Pellau.cjb.com
Life Story
Autobiography of Nicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj was born on
Carter Edition’ of Young Money’s The Come
December 8th, 1984 and is known
Up DVD series where she
as Nicki Minaj, a female American
caught the eyes of Lil’
rapper from the Southside Jamaica,
Wayne who ensured that a
Queens, New York.
meeting with Minaj was arranged.
She is of mixed Afro-
He was impressed
Trinidadian and Indo-
by her different style of
Trinidadian descent. She
rapping and her ability
grew up in a trouble
to write her own material
home, with a father on
and decided to place
drugs and alcohol and a
her as the face of his
struggling single mother.
Young Money label.
Minaj graduated from
Nicki and Wayne
La Guardia High School
collaborated and
in Manhattan where she
remaked some tracks such as, ‘Sunshine’
studied singing and acting.
and ‘Big Spender’.
She worked as an administrative
Musical History
assistant
In April 2007, she
and dedicated all her
released her first
free time to pursing a
mix tape, ‘Playtime
potential music career.
is Over’ with Lil’ Wayne also appearing
She began her career
on the tape.
in 2004 singing background
A year later, she released her second tape,butterfly, Fragile little
vocals and
‘Sucka Free’. She appeared in the July issue
hooks for local rappers. She was noticed on
of XXL magazine where she gave a brief
MySpace by Dirty Money CEO Fendi, who
review of her life thus far. Further down that
signed her and put her on the front of his
year, she won Female Artist of the Year at
Dirty Money label and she appeared in ‘The
the Underground Music Awards.
In 2009, Nicki released another mix tape entitled, ‘Beam Me Up Scotty’, she was also featured on Jeffree Star’s 2009 album, ‘Beauty Killer’. On March 30th, 2010 Minaj released her first single ‘Massive Attack’. The song features Sean Garrett, who produced the song along with Alex Da Kid. The song is the lead-off single from Minaj’s untitled debut album that is set for summer 2010 release. She does not see the need to rush the album and to ensure excellent quality; she plans to take her time to get everything right and in order. She said, ‘I really want this to meet or surpass everyone’s expectations…I feel like I have to make this a masterpiece.’ Nickname’s Origin Nicki started calling herself Minaj because she started ‘eating chicks’ with her vicious rapping skills. Other nicknames she uses are Nicki Lewinsky, Harajuku Barbie and ‘AKA Sit on your favourite rapper’s face’. She says the
think now I’m kind of proving myself, but before, people
Lewinsky came from Monica Lewinsky, the intern who
thought I was more of a sex symbol
was caught in an affair with former president Bill Clinton.
or wannabe sex symbol. That’s why
She uses the nickname because Monica had a huge
I make the goofiest faces; I don’t
opportunity to have much power and control but she
want people to think I’m up here
let it all go. The name reminds all women to hold onto
trying to be cute. I’m trying to entertain.
their power and never lose it. She calls herself Harajuku
I’m trying to show my true
Barbie because she loves the Harajuku culture, where
personality. I think when personality
girls would dress up in costumes and wear pink blush.
is at the forefront, it’s not about
She felt like the way they dressed reflexes the way she
male or female, it’s just about, ‘Who
was on the inside, free- spirited and just wants to have
is this weird character?’”
fun. She merged the two words, Harajuku and Barbie together because she said all girls are Barbies, they all like dressing up and looking cute. Harajuku Barbie just fits her personality. Nicki – On being a Personality In an interview with Fadar Magazine, Nicki said: “I think it’s… important that people get accustomed to seeing a female rapper again. People don’t even know what a female rapper does. We’re so not used to seeing it. I
article by: Orielle Jeffrey
Meet Darcel
article by Chris Jennings Fun, Love and Sprit, three words you think of when you hear the name Darcel Bradshaw.
Darcel, born 30th September 1988, knew she was going to be a star and so too did her mother. At an early age, she was always placed in the forefront; her mother always supported her craft so after graduating Malik Secondary she focused on her dancing being an all rounded entertainer. Darcel is a professional dancer; she has performed in Soca Monarch, music videos and various clubs. She performed with Flare Magic (dance group) and even at one point had her own dance school. To date her latest venture in dance is her new girl group Unity; they are taking the world of dance by storm.
Next step is modelling, she was a runner up in a Miss Elite contest and crowned Ms Model Image, by Richard Young. Along with that are her other titles which are Miss Congeniality and Miss Photogenic. Darcel modelled for Mannequin’s Model Agency for two years and currently she is with GreyStar model agency. Darcel is young and vibrant a joy to be around and always willing to help, she is a great teacher and a wonderful friend and with a personality and presence she has a positive future and a long career to come.
Chris Jennings Photography
Très Belle Modelling Agency This modelling agency represents models to work in the fashion industry in Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the world. We at Très belle help to train our models, get test shoots, layout portfolios and put together comp cards and other printed materials models need. We also work round the clock for maximum productivity in order to keep up with the fast pace and competitive business of modelling. Our modelling agency handles all details so that the models concentrate on modelling. Très Belle watchwords- Class, fashion and Sophistication
Follo
http
Beco
http Schi pres Agen
Cont
Jelan
Kale
E-ma com
Offic --
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Très Belle is geared towards the wants and needs of the model and expects total dedication and professionalism in return.
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Jelan Cumberbatch Managing Director Tres Belle Modeling Agency Contact: 701-8795
Class, Fashion & Sophistication~
Toffy’s Thoughts DON’T MISS OUT ON LIFE…. Do your days feel empty? Do you ever feel like there’s something missing or like there’s more you can do? DON’T MISS OUT ON LIFE…. Do your days feel empty? Do you ever feel like there’s something missing or like there’s more you can do?
Well… GET UP and get going!!!!!!!!! I use to feel that way and trust me; I maybe one of the laziest persons you’ll ever meet. I was always in front the television, on the net, on the phone, that kind of stuff, you know, didn’t really require much “movement”. Yeah it was cool… but I became bored and felt… I don’t know… Unfulfilled… So one day my friend/ boss and I were talking and she was saying that she did West African dancing and was showing me pictures. I stated feeling jealous because I could hear the thrill in her voice as she went on about how she felt when she danced. I always wanted to do something like that but never knew where to begin or even if I could, and as I said before I was pretty lazy too. And now there was - ‘THE OPPORTUNITY’- staring me in the face, “hmmmm…what to do? What to do?” The only thing I could… GRAB IT!!!! I won’t lie, it’s the most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life. After the first class my legs hurt like hell. I felt pain in places I didn’t know I had muscles in. I didn’t think I was going to be able to walk. But it was great!!!
Even in all my anguish, and the fact that now had a new walk, I couldn’t believe it I had so much fun that I couldn’t miss the next week or the week after that. Plus I’m getting one of the best aerobic work-outs EVER! WOO HOO!!!!!!!! This has been such a blessing in disguise for me. Now, I find myself being more social because I’m normally really shy when meeting new people. It has helped me become more mature. It has built my confidence and my self-esteem and I’m a better person because of it. West African dance or dance on the whole may not be your thing. Hey! Go out and try new things till you find what it is. Play a sport or join a cooking class and create a delicious work of art. You will never know your abilities unless you apply yourself. I’m doing something I never thought I could or would do and I’m really enjoying it and you can too.
So I urge you, no, I challenge you to do something you won’t normally do or that you always wanted to do but have been putting off. You never know what it may do for you in the journey of life
Thought If we just sit around home doing nothing saying, “I want to do this or I want to do that” or consumed by television and “Facebook” how fruitful are our lives really? I could answer that… NOT! You only have one life live, live it to the fullest.
By Toffy
Chris Jennings Phtography
“Here comes baby” So after you’ve become aware of your pregnancy and all the awkward notifications are made, most expectant mothers take to staring at themselves in the mirror just willing that flat stomach to grow. At first the image of yourself sporting a baby bump is all that consumes your every waking thought but when you finally see the proof that your body no longer belongs to just you, everything changes. As your new resident grows, its now time to retire that favourite pair of jeans, you are probably still trying to fit your new body into and those loose fitting tops you’ve been wearing for the last three months, they have to go as well. Congratulations! It’s time to embrace the strange world of ‘ Maternity fashion’. Every period of time has its own standard of beauty and luckily for us 21st century gals, ours’ has more options. When your mother was pregnant she wore only dresses but thanks to the creativity of various designers if you’re not the ‘ dress’ type you can experience your entire pregnancy without ever having to put one on and still look appropriate. Throughout the last seven months of my pregnancy, the one aspect that has stayed constant is my dislike for maternity shop-
ping. I found myself thinking, “ If so many women making babies everyday, why is it I have to search high and low to find a decent pair of maternity pants?” My physical appearance began to slowly engulf my entire being and truth be told, I believe, a lack of ‘proper fitting’ clothes caused my mind to play tricks on my sense of self worth. Was I really the only woman experiencing these feelings? Despite my mother’s constant,
“What wrong with you? Girl behave yuhself eh!� I highly doubted it! My growing sense of paranoia inspired a mini questionnaire, see I knew that it was only logical to assume that just like there are those of us who were consumed with frustration and nagging insecurities about our new shapes, there just had to be others, some where out there that were exuding absolute confidence and totally comfortable. All I needed was this proof! 10 questions with Charisse Contant
Did your pregnancy make shopping frustrating? Of course it did! Shopping is frustrating in Trinidad as a whole, I had to travel ! Did you buy clothes based on style or comfort? Style is always uppermost in my mind baby bump or not What was the first maternity garment you purchased? Jeans Jeans Jeans!!!!!
Mother and Model Why? How long did it take you to embrace your baby bump? Right away I loved having a bump
Needed the stretch front! Was there any particular style you found most
flattering? Cute baby doll tops... What was your problem area? Had none the tummy was manageable On a scale of 1 to 5 how much did your wardrobe change during pregnancy? 2... I didn’t do many changes. Did you wear heels during your pregnancy? Yes until month 8 Did you feel attractive in your maternity clothes? Very! Clothes don’t make you attractive. You make the clothes look smashing :)
10 Questions with Asha Mc Pherguson Mother and Model How long did it take you to embrace your baby bump? Mines took 6 months to show, so it was not bad living with it for three months. I survived!
Style....well I’m lucky because I found comfortable stylish pregnancy clothes. What was the first maternity garment you purchased? A baby doll dress. Why? It was cute at that time.
Did your pregnancy make shopping frustrating? Yup but I still wore sexy comfortable clothes.
Was there any particular style you found most flattering? Nope
Did you buy clothes based on style or comfort?
What was your problem area?
So journey on all expectant mothers! Smile through the weird clothes, hysterically huge underpants, swollen feet, aching back and new found curves. Pretty soon we’re going to be just like Charisse and Asha, carrying around tons of photos of our pride and joy and telling anyone who will listen, “That’s my child!”. .....My belly. On a scale of 1 to 5 how much did your wardrobe change during pregnancy? 2.... I got a lot of clothes borrowed. Did you wear heels during your pregnancy? No it made my back hurt. Did you feel attractive in your maternity clothes? Hello No! (Lol) I just wanted to lose all the weight and wear my normal skimpy outfits. Both Asha and Charisse, two extremely different personalities have helped me form this conclusion; even the most intelligent, beautiful and sexy of women can at times feel not so attractive during pregnancy. However, this insecurity flees your mind when you think of your bundle of joy. During pregnancy you are radiant simply because of all the wondrous works taking place inside of you. No matter how awkward we may feel, the general consensus is that carrying a child is the most beautiful time of your life....next to the actual delivery- pain and all!
article by Khadija Williams
Pellau Magazine would a happy Mo
like to wish all mothers other’s Day
Meet the Enginear Anton Blackman was born and raised in Trinidad & Tobago before successfully pursuing a degree in Structural Engineering at Howard University, Washington DC in 2001. He returned to his homeland in the summer of ’05 with a new appreciation for its natural beauty and culture. Reunited with his roots, in 2006 he began pursuing his professional career in engineering, as well as his childhood passion for Hip-Hop, and gave birth to the lyrical engine in your ear - enginEAR. After 4 years of writing songs and performing at various open mic locations, The Enginear has perfected his style to better represent who he really is. His seamless blend of Hip-Hop and Kaiso is now poised to become the new sound to represent Trinidad. His first single “Doh Interfere” off his debut album “Foundation” features The Mighty Sparrow and has set a standard on which The Enginear is set to “build” a strong career. “taken from “The Enginear’s Reverbnation page: http://www.reverbnation.com/theenginear”
1.What genre of music do you?
Sparrow”...was he an influence?
I am a Rapso artist. However, presently for this song and this album (Foundation) I am exploring a fusion of Kaiso and Rapso - Call it KaiRapso if you like.
My father is probably the biggest Sparrow fan I know, and so I grew up hearing all of Sparrow’s songs. As I said I started off being inspired by Hip-Hop artists like Wu-Tang, Jay-z, Tupac, Nothorious B.I.G., etc. but its probably impossible to be an artist from Trinidad and Tobago and not be influenced by great legends like Sparrow and Kitchener.
2.What made you decide to choose this Genre? Well I started off being inspired by Hip-Hop music and slowly grew into Rapso as it was more representative of who I really am. The kaiso element was added to pay homage to those who lay the “Foundation” for local artiste today. At the same time it was done in an attempt to keep our culture alive and by fusing the Kaiso with Hip-Hop, it becomes more relevant and more palatable to the younger generation. 3.Who inspired you to do music, in “Doh Interfere” you worked alongside “The Mighty
4.Who is your favourite international star? I would want to say anybody from the WuTang Clan but they haven’t done anything in a while. So if I had to say somebody now I would have to say Jr. Gong. I really admire his lyrical content and the way he has created his own style of music by fusing elements of Reggae, Dancehall and Hip-hop. 5.Who is your favourite Local star? You probably never heard of him but its a lo-
cal rapper called Make it Hapn. His style is original and he clearly stays true to himself. 6. What struggles did you go through or are going through to come out into the world of music? Well its always difficult when nobody knows who you are. You know they say its not about who you know, but who knows you, and I think that I can definitely testify to that. Also, in my case doing a different style of music that does
tive of me and my country and now I’m ready to speak to the world. 8.What gave you the encouragement to move on? I would say the support of friends and loved ones around me. You know you always face obstacles and set-backs in this music industry but once you have a good support system around you, you can be strong enough to withstand the forces that try to keep you down. Of course as an Engineer I definitely understand the importance of support. 9. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
not fit into the boxes that the industry creates, definitely becomes challenging sometimes. Furthermore, coming form Trinidad as a rap artist is always difficult but hopefully songs like Doh Interfere will help to change that and open up some “ears” for the Engine.
In the next five years, I see myself on tour in Europe, the US, London....everywhere really, spreading our culture and representing Trinidad and Tobago on a global scale.
7.What were some of your turning points?
Well you can search for the video on youtube by typing in “Doh Interfere” and you can also check out my fan page on facebook by searching for “The Enginear.”
I think for me changing my style from more American Hip-Hop to a more Trinidadian Rapso sound was the biggest turning point for me. I felt like a was imitating a style before and facing a lot more resistance to it as well. Turning to a more rapso style, really allowed me to find my voice as an artist; A voice that is better representa-
10.What have you done thus far to market yourself?
11. How many songs have you written or released? Well I have written over thirty songs but this song “Doh Interfere” is the first to be
released. So keep on the look out because there’s a whole lot in store and there’ll be alot more to come. 12.Who do you hope to do collaborations with in the future? For the “Foundation” album I hope to be working with a lot of calypso and kaiso artists who paved the way. Legends like Calypso Rose, Singing Francene, Sugar Aloes, Baron, Chalkdust just to name a few. Beyond that internationally I would like to work with artist like Jr Gong, Nas, Jay-z, Eminem, Mos Def, or anybody from the Wu-Tang Clan.
13. Do you produce your own music? No I don’t. Most of my songs are produced by Simon Fortune aka DJ SIO as well as Keshav Singh aka Lazabeam. However, I would like to become a producer and “sound enginear” in the future. 14. If someone wants to book you for a show, how can they contact you? They can contact Blair Gopeechan at 7320808 or they can email me at theenginear@ gmail.com
article by Dexter Tittil
Being different is never out of style & Being you is never a flaw I am Not a person who hates plastic surgery, or people who have it done to their self, because at the end of the day to each their own. However we live in a world where people tell you, that if you do not seem flawless you’re not good enough and I ask myself what message are we sending to our young women?...u need to be plastic to be beautiful?....if we spent more time appreciating women, rather than pointing out flaws maybe we would not have this plastic generation...Why is it easier to put down than uplift? And why is it so easy to send a dis than a compliment? The self-esteem, of the young men and women lie in your hands. The hands of the critics and the verbal abusers, the people who think it’s so nice to bash a person on things that make them who they are. Do you that every time you point out a flaw on someone else you are disrespecting God? If we are all made in his image and likeness telling a person that they need to fix their nose or enlarging their breast, is like says “God... You made a mistake on this one, she is not good enough” Well just so you know, no one is defective or flawed. You are who you were, meant to be.
Yes some people may be born with mental illness and other birth defects or may need these surgeries for health reasons; this note does not apply to them. It applies to the people who sit down in front a mirror and judge everything on themselves, picking and pointing things they wish they could change. Then there are those who take a step further and say, “Ok I’m having plastic surgery so I can be perfect” If you want to get complicated don’t even approach the topic of body dysmorphic disorder, because it has nothing to do with vanity or the need to seem perfect. There are two causes of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which may be interlinked: neurological and psychological. The disorder is often grouped with Obsessive Compulsive-type disorders because of the constant obsessive thoughts and anxiety that sufferers experience. Most people can find something about their face or body that they don’t like, but people with BDD cannot stop thinking about whatever flaw they perceive until their actual perception becomes distorted. When they look in
the mirror, they don’t see what other people see. Eating disorders, drug abuse, isolating behaviour, and suicide occurrences are much higher among people with BDD.
because they do not see the value in you. Why would you want that type of negativity in your life? If we were all meant to look the same, we would have all been born that way, nowhere is it written that if you do not meet society’s standards that you must be surgically enhanced, to fix your problem because guess what nothing is wrong with you.
NOT NOSE JOBS OR SALINE BREAST!
Being different is never out of style and being you is never a flaw……………..by Chris Jennings
So please don’t go there and yes it’s hard for normal people to understand, especially if there is nothing wrong with the person’s appearance, why they could have BDD, it does not make it any easier when insecure people pass off their issues as this serious illness. So to make it better on everyone, Stop spreading hate, spend more time uplifting rather than degrading a person, so what if your nose isn’t completely straight, and if you can pinch yourself and it hurts then you are human, not plastic, therefore you can never be Barbie so aspire to be something else. Consider this, if everyone had big boobs would there be Varity? So if you have someone in your life telling you that you are not good enough, then guess what they are not good enough, simply Chris Jennings Photography
LETTERS TO LOU BACK TO BASICS It’s funny how we all think we can trust in someone, but the truth is that even though it feels nice to think we have friends, the reality is all we have is God. Anyone can hurt you if they have enough power over you (never give anyone your power). If u need a shoulder to lean on, lean on God’s shoulder because no matter how you try or think you have a friend somehow things always get messed up and we all mess up at times, it’s one of the rights of being human. The only person responsible for you is yourself so it makes no sense blaming others for our short comings. If you’re grown enough to make mistakes, then you are old enough to own up to your wrong doings and fix your problems.
things going south (because that’s just us being human). If you spent more time working on you rather than trying to meet up to what you think you need to be then you would have less problems. You cannot find love, love has to find you, and so stop wasting time that could be spent living. Nobody wants to be lonely, no one wants to be alone, but does anyone want to be hurt? The obvious answer is no, but it’s not the way people act. Too much people dive head first into situations thinking they can trust someone and build something with someone that they just met.
How could you love someone if you do not love yourself? And if you say you do love yourself, then why would you put yourself through these obstacles? Why do fools rush When all else fails go back to basics. You in? Why do we have questions we cannot were born alone and so too you will die answer? And why do we second guess 90% of alone, you do not need another half to make our actions? If we say we love ourselves then you whole. It’s nice to be noticed and loved why are we faced with these challenges in the and cared for but it does not matter if you’re first place? There are many reasons for why not. No one will ever have your back like you we are the way we are, but when all else fails, can and no one will ever know your inner when you can’t trust anymore and when you most feelings and thoughts like you can. are tired of being hurt, you go back to basics, So why do we look so hard for someone to You were born alone and so too you will die complete us? Why do we long for someone alone, you do not need another half to make to tell our troubles and seek advice? And you whole. When all else fails go back to bawhen we find people that do not live up to sics. our expectations we cry, we weep because we failed and then of course the blame game, someone is always responsible for
Chris Jennings Photography
Chris Jennings Photography
Chris Jennings Photography