Peripheral Magazine Jan Issue by Peripheral Magazine

SEE THE VISION...BE EXPOSED TO REAL

PERIPHERAL MAGAZINE

SEE THE VISION...BE EXPOSED TO REAL

THE PERIPHIRAL VISION

“Raw footage is shown, but only showin’ scenes of my own / Leavin’ your PERIPHERAL vision in a zone; But not the twilight, from the insight that I write...” Rakim, When I’m Flowin’ I couldn’t find a more fitting way to open my letter to all of you, but by quoting the “God MC”.. It’s been a long time coming, but Peripheral Magazine is here, and we have no intentions of going anywhere.. The brainchild of Rochelle Sims, I’m proud to be the Editor-in-Chief of this visionary publication.. Having tried my hand in this industry before (as an inspired college graduate looking to provide a voice for my generation), I realize how difficult this endeavor is.. During a time when print publications are dying off as quickly as blog sites are being created, the internet has provided Generation Me with numerous ways of being heard and seen.. Peripheral Magazine combines those two dominant senses, but doesn’t stop there.. The touch points are felt through the social networks and casual Skype conversations.. The various brands are now developing the tastemakers of a new generation, while a fresh perspective is provided in a manner that is rarely seen.. That’s what Peripheral Magazine is all about.. It’s unique.. It’s real.. It’s current.. It’s the future.. It’s now our reality.. A team of aspiring writers, current bloggers, inspired brand loyalists and those looking to provide an unobstructed view of their reality make up the team that is Peripheral Magazine.. If I didn’t believe in their vision, I wouldn’t be a part of this.. This issue is just the start.. Our goal is to gain momentum by acquiring insight from THIS experience.. If you’re looking for current New York Times, Washington Post or The Economist writers, then you need to stop now and log-on to their sites.. This magazine is about building talent THROUGH experience.. How can we engage our youth without letting them be a part of it? Ok, ok, I’ll stop there.. No need for me to rant.. You can find that within these virtual pages.. But the goal is for you all to have an open mind while taking a look at our inaugural issue.. We all have room to grow, and it’s our hope that you will grow with us, while also learning from us.. We will combine the voices of this generation, with the voices of the individuals that this generation looks up to and/or aspires to become.. Some of your favorite athletes, artists and entertainers will grace the pages of this magazine, as they show support to a movement of individuals looking to help in building their individual and collective brands.. So, this is more than a glorified blog.. This is an experiential movement, and I’m honored and proud to be a part of it.. Our vision is beyond 20/20.. Our vision is Peripheral.. As my FAM, Mikkey Halsted says, “get right or get left”.. This is a movement.. We are Peripheral Magazine.. Q. Quency Phillips Editor-In-Chief

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PUBLISHING CEO Rochelle Sims

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Quency Phillips

EDIITORS

Lance Aiken Amber Aaron

Creative Directors Johnny Phresh SadĂŠ Robinson Rochelle Sims

Writers

DJ Slam Jason Ortiz Marvin Morgan

Contributors Angel Robinson Robert Harris

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REAL ARTISTS. REAL R&B. REAL MUSIC WORDS: DJ Slam

YOU KNOW I GOT SOUL

TANK: NOW OR NEVER

When an r&b singer is looking for someone to write or produce a hit for them, who is one of the first people they might look to for that song? I’m pretty sure that Tank’s name would be one of the first to surface in that type of discussion. Even if you don’t take into consideration the fact he’s written and produced a countless amount of hits for other artists, many coming in the last few years, Tank has accomplished so much as a solo artist himself. Now just over three years removed from his highly successful “Sex, Love & Pain” album, Tank returns with “Now or Never” which is the next step in his journey to placing his very large stamp on r&b. In this interview, Tank discusses the recent acting he’s been doing, his style of fusing commercial and classic r&b, the happier tone we can expect to find on “Now or Never,” and his opinion on r&b returning to the fore front. YKIGS: I want to start out talking to you about the play you’re currently featured in “Marriage Material.” Tell me about how you got the opportunity and how the experience has been? Tank: Well you know I’ve done different plays with these guys before, I did “Gold

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diggers” with them back in like 2006.” So they were very familiar with what I do and the characters I like to get on stage and have fun with, that type of thing, it was really easy. Most importantly, the cast is really cool. I’m out here with Allen Payne who’s been a good friend of mine for years, Jill, just meeting T-Boz, I’ve been knowing Michael Colyar for years. It’s super easy to get on stage and have fun with these guys.

“I think that now is the time to take that stand, take that stand for the real musicianship, the real lyricist, the real vocalist; people that work really hard to do this thing. And we have to take that stand now or we’ll lose it forever.” YKIGS: Do you see yourself getting into more acting in the future? Tank: Well I mean I have a movie just coming out, “Preacher’s Kid,” on DVD right now. So yea, top of the year going to we’re going to start going into a whole, whole lot more stuff. YKIGS: I want to talk to you about the new album ,“Now or Never,” your forth studio album. Where did you come up with the title for it? Tank: It just hit me one day, I just got a little urgent to really make a project to really fight for my genre of music which is r&b. YKIGS: I was pretty happy when I heard “Sex Music” and “Emergency” because they are good, solid r&b songs and you never tried to stoop to any gimmicks to try and make pop/commercial r&b for the radio. How important is it for you to make that kind of music? Tank: Well I look at it in two ways, I mean you have to be entertaining, and in order to be entertaining there have to be people there for you to entertain. Unfortunately maybe the popier or maybe the more straight ahead your music is the more people want to hear it. And then you get more people to come and you’ll be able to introduce them to things. So far my approach has been to try and fuse the two without totally compromising, just try and find the balance between current and classic r&b. SEE THE VISION...BE EXPOSED TO REAL

YKIGS: Even when I heard the song you did with Drake, I was a little skeptical at first when I heard you did a song with him, but it was actually I felt that was a good r&b song as well. Tank: Yea, it’s an r&b record! That was the point, the point of it was to bring Drake to my world, not necessarily to try and run all into his just because he’s hot right now. But to find a happy medium between the both of us that makes sense. YKIGS: Very good approach on that. How would you compare this album to your “Sex, Love & Pain” album which did very well on the charts. Did you stick with the same formula? Tank: No I think I’m a lot happier on this album. *Laughs* No more “Heartbreakers” and “I Hate U” and all of those songs. I’m appreciating and celebrating a whole lot more on this album. YKIGS: I want to ask you a little more about your songwriting and working with other artists. How do you switch gears between working on a project with another artist and then focusing on yourself? What’s the balance like there? Tank: When I write songs for other people, I literally write songs for other people. I don’t write what I’d want to hear me sing, I listen to their projects, I listen to things they’ve done, and I say what can they do and where have they been, and can I stretch them a little bit creatively just to take what they do to the next level. I don’t sell anybody me, I’m not out there trying to make a bunch of Tank clones when I’m writing and producing for them, I want to make them, them. My music, when I do my music for me, it’s just automatic, I have a thing that I do for me that’s just me, and I just don’t give that away. YKIGS: I want to ask you about a song you did a few years back, the song “Strip Club.” I was reading you sold that song to Marques Houston and eventually it didn’t make his album. Does this type of thing usually happen? Tank: Yea I took that song back from him. It did not make his album, it was on his album but I took it. *Laughs* So we thought it would be a great record for me once we finished and I was like “Hey if yall think it would be great for me, let’s keep it!” And we smashed it back, Timbaland remixed it, and we went from there. YKIGS: And then it turned into “I Luv Dem Girls” on “Sex, Love & Pain” right? Tank: Yep.

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YKIGS: Does that ever happen where you would give a song to an artist and doesn’t make their album. Does that ever happen to you? Tank: Yea, but most of the time I don’t use the songs. *Laughs* Because I tailor make records for artists and sometimes it just has their thing on it. I don’t want to be nobody else, and I don’t want nobody to be me. YKIGS: I want to ask you about a personal favorite artist of mine that you worked with years ago and that’s Static Major. What was your relationship like with him and what was it like working with him? Tank: That was my guy, it was family so it was easy to make magic with Static, that’s what he knew how to do. I came up listening to songs that Static…my first tour, I was singing songs that Static wrote, big hits that he wrote for Ginuwine and he wrote for Aaliyah. So it was an honor and then it turned into family and from there it’s just what it was at that point. He’s sorely missed, great writer, great entertainer, great everything. YKIGS: On your second album “One Man” he was credited in the writing credits for “Unpredictable” and “So Many Times” and I was just wondering, because they sound like more of your style than his, did we co-write those with you? How did that go down? Tank: No he wrote those himself! I produced “Unpredictable” but he wrote it, and he wrote “So Many Times.” That’s all Static and that was probably maybe Static maybe coming into my world. We had an appreciation for each other’s craft so it worked perfect going into the studio with him. I didn’t second guess anything he wrote or anything he told me to sing, I just did it. YKIGS: I also want to know what you remember about working with Aaliyah on the songs “I Can Be” and “What If” from her “Aaliyah” album. What do you remember most about those sessions? Tank: Well unfortunately with those sessions, she was shooting “Queen of the Damned” over in Australia, and that was just when I was getting ready to start a promo, so I didn’t get to make the trip. But she told me specifically what kind of records she wanted, and she kinda wanted a little dangerous, a little sexy, that type of thing. I got to go in the studio and tailor make something for her, that was amazing that she called me from way overseas like “Tank, I need these kinds of records, I know you can write them for me.” And I was happy that I was able to deliver, that they were records that she actually loved them when she recorded them, she did her thing.

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YKIGS: I want to ask you about TGT. Do you feel if you guys had remained as a group and it would have worked out, the sound you guys had as a group would have worked on radio today? Because there are not many male groups doing music these days. Tank: I think our three voices on anything would have worked on any radio station, on any TV station, in any arena or venue you could think of. That was a magical thing that I hope it still has action in happening. We’ve been talking about it and hopefully this thing could still happen. YKIGS: Yea I’m hoping it does too. It’s been almost ten years since your debut “Force of Nature.” What major differences do you see since you came into the industry in r&b and the shape of the industry now with r&b? Tank: It’s not at the forefront. Rap has kinda come in and kinda taken over. We get mainstream by singing a rap hook whereas back in the day they weren’t mainstream unless we were on their record. I mean the roles have just kinda changed a little bit and we gotta fight a little harder to survive but working hard, you just got gotta get out on the street and and get a campaign, just like they out on the streets campaigning. It’s running for president now, it’s no longer just about selling records. YKIGS: Do you think it’s coming back soon, r&b to the forefront? Tank: Yea, definitely. It’s getting ready to make a charge right now. You got a bunch of r&b albums and things like that getting ready to come out at the end of the year. Keyshia Cole, and Jamie, and myself and Trey is already out, Usher is doing well, Chris Brown getting ready to put out another mixtape, Drake getting ready to do an r&b mixtape. YKIGS: Tell me about an artist you’d like to work with that you haven’t got the chance to already? Tank: You know I’m trying to, me and Brandy keep saying we’re going to get together and really do something, and I’m hoping I can. Then I’m hoping I can work with somebody of the likes of Josh Groban or Celine Dion that type, just make some crazy music like that. YKIGS: A lot of your material has leaked on the internet over the past few years and demos and all of that. How does that affect you, does that bother you?

Tank: Well if it wasn’t good music you’d probably hear me. But it’s good music so I see on Youtube and all of those things and people are saying that they love the music, and when is Tank coming out, that type of thing. It’s almost kinda helped PERIPHERAL MAGAZINE

create the anticipation for this album. I will say that it was wrongly done and the people that are responsible for that, legal action will be taken, but as an artist and from a present standpoint it’s kept my voice alive. YKIGS: Is there anything else you’d like to add? Tank: “Now or Never,” is out right now

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REAL ARTISTS. REAL R&B. REAL MUSIC

YOU KNOW I GOT SOUL

YouKnowIGotSoul: I just want you to know I’m a big fan of r&b, and when I was preparing for this interview, I was thinking about your music and r&b over the last ten years and I don’t think many artists besides yourself, well there have been a handful, have put out more solid r&b and good music over the past ten years. Can you comment on that? Avant: Oh man, I just try to give the truth to people when it comes to r&b. I was raised on the Babyface’s of the world, the Luther Vandross, where these people they taught us how to be gentleman, or they taught us how to approach a date or a relationship with a woman. And that’s all I’m trying to do is bring it in a different light, a 2010 type of light. I understand the young kids move and shake a different way, but I’m just trying to give them a blueprint on how to deal with this thing. YKIGS: Very good! I want to talk to you a little about the new album, I’m excited to hear you’ve got this new album coming out. Originally it was going to be titled “Wake Up,” but then you changed it to “The Letter.” Where did you get each of these titles from? Avant: Well the reason I changed it because I know the Roots and John Legend had an album coming out with that whole “Wake Up” situation so I just wanted to change it up. “The Letter” is really basically, the reason I named it “The Letter” is because you know when you write a letter you try to put all the juicy information inside the letter, keep people’s interest. So that’s what I tried to do with this album, I wanted to make it real interesting and juicy and I tried to put all of the good main ingredients inside of this album. YKIGS: Can your fans expect the same quality r&b they’re used to hearing from you? Avant: Oh most definitely, I can’t change that! *Laughs* Great topics and great angles, different angles to go with how to deal with relationships. That’s what I try to do, I try to bring the fresh, aint nothing new under the sun, but something fresh for the people to hear. YKIGS: What producers did you work with and what features do you have on the album? Avant: Well actually I worked with this guy named Kajun from Chicago, he’s a songwriter as well, he produced a joint on there, actually two joints, one is called “Had Enough,” he wrote a joint called “Body Police” on the album as well. I have Marshall, who used to be in The Architects on the album. I also have Tony and Eric and Damon from The Underdogs, we did a couple of records together. I have a couple of big named cats on there when it comes to that, but I try to focus on not really having too many features and just keep myself on there. Six albums in now, I think my name holds a little water. *Laughs* So I don’t really try to feature it up too much. YKIGS: When I heard the first single “Kiss Goodbye,” I was happy to hear you stuck to the same formula you have on your previous singles and I’m just happy you never stooped to gimmicks and pop, commercial r&b like that just for the radio.

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Avant: I appreciate that because I think through all the other gimmicky records you still need real records for people to grow to and that’s what I’m about. When I turned on the radio coming up, I had records spin that helped me to get to the next level, if it was the professional level, if it was a conversation, or just meeting a young lady, I had a record I could put on and put me in the right mind frame for that, and I think that’s what’s missing right now. That’s why the kids now have no direction because you speak to people through music and I think that we’re not doing that right, we’re really just free with everything and it’s no substance there. YKIGS: Yes, and I think another thing is the type of music you put out is timeless, and the music on the radio now people are going to forget about it in a few years. Avant: Yea for sure! I don’t like to bring nobody down but I try to do my timeless music and not try to be cliché but I think that’s what people really want to hear, I think that’s the truth. That’s why people bought albums before, that’s why they went out and bought your record. Now you don’t know who is who, everything sounds the same, so you don’t know whose album to buy! YKIGS: *Laughs* Exactly! I want to talk to you a little bit about your last album, the self titled album “Avant,” I thought it was a good album, it didn’t maybe perform as well as your previous albums, what do you attribute that to? Avant: Well you know there was a transition in companies, I was with Capital Records and there was a lot going on in that period of time. My thing is it’s hard to say I don’t think about selling records, I do, but I want to be pleased about my music regardless. At the end of the day, I want the people to be pleased, whoever did pick it up. It might not have been heard as much as I wanted it to be heard, but as long as I was pleased with the product that I put out there because a lot of times people put out products and they go triple platinum or even diamond but they’re not pleased with their product because it’s not a product of themselves, you see what I’m saying? I think that you being happy with what you’re putting out on the street is more important. I’m not saying I don’t want to go triple platinum or diamond, but I want to be pleased with my product and what it sounds like. As long as I can do that, I’ll continue to do great music for you guys! YKIGS: Definitely, that’s a very good approach, we appreciate that. What’s the transition been like going from a major label, Capital, now to your new label Verve Forecast. What are the major differences? Avant: Oh it’s a difference, it’s a good look now because I worked a great deal out with the guys and we have some great business and it’s all about the grind, everything to me is about the grind. Now it’s about getting this record out here and letting it be heard the way that the previous albums were heard and just beating the pavement and that’s what I’m here to do. YKIGS: Really quick I wanted to ask you about a song from your last album, “Sensuality,” that was a personal favorite of mine. I felt like you were trying to do something a little different, a little more uptempo on that than I was used to hearing from you. What was the reception like from your fans on that one? Avant: Oh they loved that record! I think it was a good record too, and the way I try to do it is, like I said there is nothing new under the sun, but everybody out there got a nice up-tempo record, but how many people are using the word sensuality? That’s the thing too, I’m trying to teach kids new words to use and a good word, it’s not just sexual, it’s sensual, so there’s a lot of different meaning behind that one word. So to me it’s about teaching the people and also coming up with a nice groove. SEE THE VISION...BE EXPOSED TO REAL

YKIGS: Definitely! What is your favorite album that you’ve put out over the years? Avant: Awwww c’mon man, that’s hard! That’s six albums, so I would have to say one, two, three, four, five, and six! *Laughs*I gotta be fair to all of them, because you know I wrote all of the records on them and it’s all different moments and emotions. Even though some sold more than others, it still was a period of time that I was feeling and that’s why I put the material down the way I put it down. So it’s hard for me to shut one album down, it really is. YKIGS: Ok that’s fair! You mentioned that some sold more than others, your first one went Platinum, the next two went Gold, and the last two didn’t receive a certification. Did that disappoint you in any way? How did you feel about that? Avant: Well at the end of the day it’s very disappointing when you don’t go where you believe it should go. So yea it’s disappointing, but I believe it’s not the material more than it is the business behind the material. It’s all about me getting with a company that understands, and also right now the recession, it’s a whole bunch of stuff going on in this generation that’s rough for every artist out here, not just myself. We are in a different time, a different era, but it’s all about getting people to believe in music again, because I think they lost that whole belief in music. People can just download records for free, so it’s a lot going on that attributes to what you’re speaking on, but to make no excuse, it’s more getting people to believe in r&b again, that’s what I think it is. YKIGS: I agree, and I’m just glad it never discouraged you from continuing to make that good music and you’re still doing it. Avant: As long as you’re a fan of mine I’m good. *Laughs* The most important part is to get the people that’s real r&b heads that want to go out and support an artist, that’s the most important to me. YKIGS: I want to talk to you a little about your acting now, because I know you made your debut in a stage play earlier this year. How was that experience? Avant: Oh it’s always beautiful. I came up in Cleveland School of Arts so I had a little acting background, I did a couple of plays when I was coming up in high school. It’s definitely a different energy, but it’s an energy. Every night you have to come out with the same energy because these people haven’t seen the play. Like when you do an album, in a lot of cases, once it gets out there and people are familiar with it, you could go out and they are going to sing the song, you

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still want to bring the same energy, don’t think you shouldn’t. But there’s a lot of different aspects that goes on with that, with this play and stage plays, you have to bring off the same energy because these people haven’t seen it and these people paid their money to see you perform. So it’s challenging, but it’s very fun. YKIGS: Do you plan to do more acting in the future? Avant: Well yea I want to be on the big screen, I want to go ahead and get on the flat screen on your wall. *Laughs* So that’s the most important thing that I’m focusing on right now. I’m really focusing more on my music because I love music but if that opportunity presents itself I’m not going to shut it down. YKIGS: You mentioned the Cleveland Performing School of Arts, but do you feel that your music videos further prepared you for an acting role? Avant: Oh yea, that’s all the same thing, turn the cameras on let’s get it going, and then shut it down. Yea I think that it prepared me for that and also not only that, the great teachers that I had in that school as well. The discipline was perfect there. YKIGS: Back to your music, I want to know what collaboration for you over the years, because you’ve had some great ones, which one has been the most fun or memorable? Avant: Well I have to say I worked with Keith Sweat, I’ve worked with Ron Isley, I’ve worked with Lil’ Wayne, Jermaine Dupri, I’ve worked with Puff Daddy, all of them really because you get a different feel from every one, every individual is totally different. I remember being in the studio with Puff and everybody else was going out to the club but we were the only two in there banging out. I remember being in the studio with Jermaine Dupri with the isolated situation where he just came in and put the beat together within nothing, not time at all. And Ron Isley, being in there for hours with him and we just spending time and him giving me history on what happened when he first got into the industry. Charlie Wilson, oh my God, just the opportunity of a lifetime to be with a great like himself. So I’m telling you I cherish every moment and I appreciate all of those guys for spending all of their time with me. 50 Cent and doing the Lloyd Banks thing, it was unbelievable man. These guys are extremely talented, I appreciate them for just taking the time out with your man Avant, it was fun! YKIGS: I was going to mention “Secret Lover” the one you did with The Isley Brothers, I love that one. Avant: Aww yea, that was much fun right there! Ron was like “Yo I like this man!” And then when you’re doing records for people in their vein, that’s the most important part because they feel like “Wow this guy, he really understands our music and he’s a part of us right now.” So that was fun. YKIGS: I picked out some of my favorite songs of yours I’ve had over the years, if you could just share a memory with me you have of making that song. The first one is “Get Away.” Avant: Wow, “Get Away” was fun making because my man Steve Hough was like “Yo man I got this tune, I have this song,” you know this was the first album too I remember it. He’s like “Me and a couple of my guys from Indianapolis was putting that song together.” And just recording the song, and the feeling behind the song, I felt like I was part of that whole…like I saw the video played out within doing that record, and that’s the vibe that I had with that record. YKIGS: The next one is “Phone Sex (That’s What’s Up)” SEE THE VISION...BE EXPOSED TO REAL

Avant: *Laughs* “Phone Sex” was fun because we had just left the club and went back to the studio and it was like one of those scenarios like wow, it was red light special time, we all got the vibe from the club and we went in and did that record, it was fun. YKIGS: “Everything About You.” Avant: “Everything About You” wow man, that right there, I think it was more about giving women props, it’s not just one part about you. A lot of times people look at, oh she got a nice body, but if her attitude sucks, it’s a turn off, or vice versa, she could have a beautiful attitude, but if her body sucks, ehhh. But once you find that one person that everything fits who you are, because everybody doesn’t have the same likes, we all have different dislikes, so when you find that person that makes everything perfect for you, then that’s the record for you right there. YKIGS: The last one is “Now You Got Someone.” Avant: Wow. *Laughs* You know in a lot of cases…my sister was going through some stuff with her ex boyfriend, he used to abuse her, and she was always saying “Well I can’t find that guy, the guy that wants to be with me and not put his hands on me and the whole nine.” And was like wow, I gotta write from this scenario and try to portray how she feels and say “There is a guy out there for you.” And this guy who was on the record that I portrayed was that perfect guy, this is exactly what you’re looking for basically. And I’m blessed to be able to write from emotions and feelings like that, I thank the lord for that. YKIGS: Very cool, thank you for sharing those stories with me. Avant: Thanks man. YKIGS: At the end of the day, for your fans, how long do you intend to continue recording music? Avant: How long do they want me to record? I mean this is what I love to do. Certain questions like that it’s hard for me to answer because I’m like as long as you accept me, I’m here, and I will always be here! YKIGS: Perfect! That’s all I had question wise, is there anything else you’d like to add? Avant: Oh just I love you guys man, and can’t wait to come to your town and just enjoy your presence and hopefully get more music to write from just by you being in my presence, because that’s the whole nature, it’s all about you guys, you guys make me who I am.

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SOLE SEARCHING

January 2011 Releases Marvin Morgan Jr. (@snkrkingofmphs)

“To any sneakerhead, the Christmas season is a great time, or horrible time, depending on how you look at it (or how your money is flowing at that time). Just to run down some of the past, you had the XII/XI pack in 2008, which saw plenty of lines outside of your Foot Lockers and Finish Lines; 2009 saw the re-release of two high profile sneakers (White/Red XII and Space Jam XI), as well as the Flu Game XII and much anticipated “Gucci” RESN SB Dunk Hi; and 2010, well, probably one of the greatest sneaker Decembers I’ve seen in a long time – Doernbecher Jordan III, Altitude XIII with a 3m treatment, White/Red XIII, Cool Grey XI, Cranberry ½ Cent, and not to leave out Black Friday, the releases of the Bin23 VII, and Flint XIII. Me personally, I say there are some I may pass on, but I know they’ll eventually make it to my closet. With that being said, January is usually a break month for a lot of us, we usually catch up on the clothing side, or maybe come up on some sales to cop something we didn’t’ get on release day. Well, looking at the releases coming up, you may not get that chance to take a break just yet. Here are some shoes that I know most of you just can’t pass on, and some that you may want to take a second look at. Believe me, I am trying to budget around buying some of these next month as I’m typing this.”

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Most Anticipated:

Jordan III White/Cement – The one that everyone probably already knows about. Before I got the XX/III Pack, I wasn’t a big III fan. I’m sure a lot of you got the gas face reading that, but I never was really that big on them. Well, it’s been two years, and the Black/Cement has made it into my regular rotation, and I wish I had a backup pair to this day. I also bought the anniversary pair, and the Doernbecher III as well. The III is such a good pair to wear with a jean, and it’s an instant head turner. Some shoes just make you love them when you look at them in the mirror, this is one. The White/Cement might be even cleaner than the black, because the elephant print stands out more on them. Release Date: 1/22/11

Most Surprising:

Air Jordan CMFT Viz Air 11 Anthracite/Black-Volt – I’m not going to lie, when I saw Jordan Brand making a fusion shoe from the XI and Air Max platform, I almost puked in my mouth. I saw the shoe, and I said ok, I get it, but still not gonna buy them. Then, I caught a glimpse of these. All I had to say, was, “I’m sold”. That easy. The volt on the midsole and inner trim, black lace upper, and by the way, anthracite elephant print; that’s a win every time. Release Date: 1/15/11

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Worth A Second Look:

Jordan Six Rings Winterized Cool Grey/Chlorine Blue-Black-Spark – First of all, the Winterized Six Rings may be the best fusion Jordan to come out to this point. Not only that, but to use this color way, to look at the description, you’d think, “What the hell?” The shoe colorway is crazy in the best way. Chlorine sole and inner trim, cool grey upper, black mid, and spark and black laces and pull tab, it was like they just threw colors at the shoe and they went to the right places automatically. May not be the easiest to pull off, but if you do, necks will be broken. Release Date: 1/11

The Shoe That You May Not Know About:

Air Max Penny I “Suns” Black/Club Purple-Bright Mandarin – As I researched to get dates for January, I came across a shoe that usually doesn’t make me go crazy. Even being from Memphis, the Penny I is a shoe that I have never owned (I know this is another gas face moment). Not that I don’t like the shoe, it’s just one I’ve never jumped to buy. However, seeing this shoe reminded me of how purple and black go so well together on a shoe, when it might not on anything else. It also reminded me of the Sacramento Jordan X, which may be one of the sickest colorways in the X. All black upper, black/purple Nike sign, and purple laces, and you’ve got a new supporter of the Penny I. Release Date 1/11 Well, that’s all I got for January for the shoes to definitely look for. I hope to bring many more releases to you, because like many of my fellow sneakerheads, I don’t just love this, I live this. Whether you got 5 pairs or 500, it’s not about the number, it’s about the knowledge and love for the culture. If you are about that, then you can rock with me anytime. Signing off until next month, @snkrkingofmphs.

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What’s the craziest thing a fan has done? Well other than chasing us, having us jump from car to car, I think it’s has still been a few the lies told to get in places You and a few artists are pretty tight. How is the bond with Currensy? We all have different personalities but the same goal in mind trying to reach the same people while remaining G keeping it cool How has touring been for the camp? Just been receiving tremendous love ever since with videos/radio play etc. did about 60 shows with 57 soldout What sets Wiz As I’ve said I’m well the best,

Khalifa apart on this upcoming album? before anybody that knows me knows rounded/versatile. I’m trying to make most creative music I possibly can! Words: Amber Aaron

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BEI MAEJOR WORDS: AMBER AARON

How challenging was it to balance school work with your production work? As far as the college thing, that was the best time of my life. It was just the craziest experience, because on one end, I was at the University of Michigan, which is a prestigious school with all of these kids coming from around the world to go there. Then I had a whole other life of doing music. So I literally would be coming off a plane from Vegas to L.A. and going to midterms. Like leaving after school, going and working with some pretty big artists. So that was cool. I had to practice in my dorm room. I had all of that. It was like two worlds meeting at once! What role did music play in your life before the age of 16, the age you started producing? Before I really got into that, I would say I liked music, but I wouldn’t say more than the next kid. I think that music is something that touches everyone. I remember sitting down and listening to music with my dad, and I was playing with my mom when I was playing music, but I don’t think I had any stronger connections, really, to it than anyone else. Once it became a creative type of thing for me, that’s when I really caught on. I’m into anything creative. It doesn’t even have to be music. I love doing music, but I’m starting to do videos. If it’s art, if it’s pictures, if it’s visual art, graphic art, anything like that, I’m into it. I think the creation of music at about sixteen is what really sparked me into really getting into it. Before I enjoyed it, and I liked it, but I had no clue I would ever be doing this. No way. I didn’t grow up singing or playing any instruments like that. I was more into sports generally. Once I got that creative aspect, I was like, Oh, man, this is it and I just ran with it. What was the craziest studio moment you’ve ever had? Good question, I would have to say being in the studio with Trey making Black Roses One project of yours that often goes unnoticed is “Never Knew I Needed,” which was featured on Disney’s Princess and the Frog. What was this experience like? A lot of what I learned came from Disney movies. I find myself hearing melodies and stuff that I heard from The Lion King. Back in the day, like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and all of those other movies, when you go back and listen, the songs were just crazy. So I always wished that I could contribute something like that. When I heard that Ne-Yo might be doing something with The Princess and the Frog, I was always running around like: “Yo! Let’s do this Disney!” And he was looking at me crazy, like: “All right, cool. You don’t want to work on Mariah Carey? You want to work on Disney?” So after the song came out, his reaction was one of the main things I remember. From the production side, is there a particular artist with which you have developed or experienced a strong connection? Well, I’ve worked with Trey Songz on all of his albums, so I would say Trey is really one I do a lot with. I learned a lot from him, just in terms of how he does it, how he records. I learned a lot from Trey. And then also Ne-Yo, truly, just because his talent is just so amazing that it makes it easy to work with. You can just do whatever. He’s just so dope. Bei Maejor released two mixtapes to the public, Upside Down and Upside Down 2. We look to hear much more of this illustrious artist as he continues to please ears all over the world.

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School for love by Robert Harris I guess when I had to start school There was no “heart school” Cause I now understand the term “fool for love” And I missed the school for love But I attended the productive meetings That led to seductive greetings And when the feeling is mutual The feeling is beautiful But the hopes of a new love Are tied down with the ropes of a true love Because with infatuation, crushes, and flings You can get lost in the swing of things Thinking, “What once was” is “What once was not” And all the subplots Cause yes means no And yes means go But go Means stop When the plot Is hot Like them days in June And soon They be like, “It’s not you, it’s me” And I be thinking, “It’s me” But if we Think it’s she Then we Must see Through different eyes And through different tries I showed my boyfriend etiquette But now I have to edit shit Cause I was in love with someone who liked me And I hate to be a guesser thinking, “She might see” And then I went to class Hoping to pass The past But the last laugh Was a quote from the class Saying, “And your heart might be full Based on what you might feed it Since everything in love you want Wasn’t everything you needed” ~Poo-pie~

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Life is Short

by Angel Robinson

Work hard every day without complaining There are other people feeling the same way or maybe even worst Go out and travel the world You might find your special boy or girl Respect those people around you There are times in your life they will do the same to you Avoid being stress or dealing with depression Everything in life has a lesson Never settle for average in anything in life Even the small things have a price It may not be a huge deal to you But the small things in life can make your dream come true People come and go Life itself never gets old Always remember that you cannot buy time at any cost Live every moment like it is no tomorrow And live your life at the fullest

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WORDS: Amber Aaron

JERM JILLA

How did clay candy get started and what triggered the love for jewelry? Ive always been into art and fashion. Ever since i was young i was always into all the new gear that rappers were wearing Or new trends they wereey were setting. Ive always tried to stay on top of what was new Or hot at the time so i think that is where i gained a lot of my creativity from What has been the key to your success? Having a clever idea and staying humble. Keeping myself surrounded by good people Im easy going and dont ever rush my work. I always take my time and i think that shows With the finished product Where do you plan to take clay candy over the next few years? Hopefully one day i will be able to open my own store and continue to build up the “clay Candy” brand across the globe. The possibilities are infinite with hardwork,dedication and determination What are some of your inspirations to create unique art pieces? I like to think back to my childhood days - cartoons, comic books, sports teams, etc. I always try to come with something new that hasnt been done before. I guess You could say what inspires me is the response and reactions i get from fans or customers when They see my latest creations Do you have a favorite piece out of the collection? One of my favorite pieces ive done is a life size mask of my face. It is the biggest “Clay candy” i have created and i only bring it out on special occasions. Also another One of my favorites is the bombay saphire bottle i did for wiz khalifa and the elroy jetson piece i did for curren$y What is clay candy made from? What piece had the most difficulty? “Clay candy” is made of clay candy. I feel like nothing is too difficult for me as long as i have a visual or a concept for the piece im working on. For those who haven’t viewed your “day in the life” series on youtube, how would you describe a typical day?

Making dope chains & a lot of weed smoking! Im a real spontaneous person. It seems like everyday is another adventure. Who are your top 5 people you set a goal to make clay candy pieces for outside of the previous celebrities? Id really like to make one for rob dyrdek, p diddy, rick ross, lebron James, jay z and nicki minaj. Id say those are the top celebs i would like to work with right now Special thanks to my manager ramon of r54 photography, the whole taylor gang, utb lifestyle and definately peripheral magazine! Visit the website and place your orders at www.Claycandyshack.Com Check out all the â&#x20AC;&#x153;day in the life of jerm jillaâ&#x20AC;? videos at www.Youtube.Com/slims510 Follow me on twitter @jerm_jilla

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me inspired to do it again over & over for the rest of my life. After the discovery of your talents as a musician what was the very first record your first you wrote and recorded? The very first song I recorded was a song called Still Hustle. I had my whole middle school rocking w/ that joint. As far as written, prior to my first record recorded, I had at least 300 songs written & arranged. I used to fill my math notebooks w/ songs, maybe that’s why I wasn’t too great a math student lol. Once you made your way into the ears and hearts of more hip hop lovers what was the transition like? It’s a little weird honestly. I’m a very private person, & this business demands public interaction. For someone like me it’s a lot more difficult to become accustomed to, but I’ll manage. It’s definitely indescribable knowing that there are people who connect w/ my music mentally, physically, emotionally etc.. That is a blessing only the Lord could Deliver.

What do you want individuals to know Jay Beretta as? I want people to know Jay Beretta as a real person, Not a facade or a made up character. Jay Beretta is everything I go through, every feeling I feel, everything I see, all in one. Packaged up in a dope interpretation. When did you decide that music would be your path and what are your inspirations between then and now? I honestly don’t think it was a decision that was up to me. I believe there is a strong divinity in my music, something bigger than just rap. This is my destiny, & that alone is enough to keep

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Many don’t know that being an artist is extremely time consuming and attached to essential planned moves that require full attention, is it hard to draw back out of that mentality to focus on other things? It is hard, but it’s something I have been getting better with My daily routine is so hectic sometimes, & for a business that calls for precise decision making & exact timing it only makes it more difficult. Everyday is something new & I love it for what it is. From the incredible 17 Shots, C2T, and For The Wait, how would you say you’ve grown within each project? Those projects definitely show my transformation from a boy to a man. Each of those projects were mere stepping stones to bring me to the point I’m at now. At this point, I’m comfortable w/ who I am as a musician, as an artist,

& most importantly as a person. Those projects mean the most to me because they contributed to me more than I ever could have imagined. Being the cousin of Aaliyah, one of the greatest entertainers to take the industry by storm, and having a singing voice of your own, how has receiving advice from her musically merged into your music? Do you ever plan to do a tribute to her career? I have actually been working on a tribute for years now, That is something that HAS to be special. Receiving advice from her not only musically but personally was something that has stuck w/ me to this day. It made me such a passionate person, It taught me to cherish life, her advice, her aurora in general. She was such a genuine & wonderful person aside from her amazing talent. R.I.P Liy-Liy, I love & miss you. When will the fans get a chance to hear more of your vocals? Actually I’ll be premiering some of my singing tracks on my next mixtape entitled “Cuffing Season”. I’m aiming to drop it before the year ends! (it should be released at the time of this issue) *fingers crossed* After working with artists such as Huey, Masspike Miles, Tynisha Keli, and Big Herk to name a few, what lessons or expertise did you observe from those experiences? All of those people are incredibly talented & hard-working, just being around them provided lessons that are priceless to me. Being in the studio w/ them showed me the grind, it showed me what it took to meet any goal or reach any level of success. I’m thankful for that! It’s safe to say you embody such powerful lyrics with the ability to deliver the feeling of your expressions over any beat, do you ever feel this could let the world in too much? I used to feel that way, but at this point; every song is like

a journal for me. I write my personal experiences & others so that people can connect w/ it. The only thing I want is the world to enter into my life, Because my life is only a reflection of the world as it stands. Past. Present. Future. Being so young and making such a big impact, what pointers would you relay to an artist beginning their journey? Keep going! Never stop for the hardships life will bring, Even the achievements. It’s a long journey & it’s a journey that only the strong will survive. Prepare for the worst & Hope for the best, because at the end of the day that’s all you can do. What is your ultimate goal that you would love to achieve with music? My ultimate goal is for people to recognize the time & effort I put into this. Every song I record I put my heart, my soul, my everything into. I want people to see something deeper than just another guy that raps, because I’m a lot deeper than that. In conclusion, what can the fans expect from Jay Beretta in the future? Expect everything! I plan on being around for a VERY VERY long time so I suggest people get used to it!

“For The Wait” out NOW at jayberetta.bandcamp.com & “Cuffing Season” coming SOON! Make sure to follow me on twitter @Jayberetta!!!

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PROJECT REACH OUT

Explain the foundation of Project Reach Out, what does it aim to accomplish and how did the organization begin? I began Project Reach Out after I saw the Dateline special in March on Detroit. It really made me want to help change the city. We’ve been through so much. PRO is an organization working on not only the beautification of the city, but the spirit we want to inspire people to make change. What has been the primary focus of you and your teams mission? Our primary focus has been helping the less fortunate. Detroit is one of the most impoverished cities in the nation and we have been raising money for and volunteering at places that help those in need. Are there any inspirations behind your motivation for Project Reach Out? My parents definitely inspired me. They are retired military and had their own non-profit at one time called Veteran to Veteran. I used to volunteer all the time and just helping those people and seeing how much change my parents made really motivates me because I know it can be done. With a huge amount of adversity towards trusting organizations who claim to help, what would you say sets you apart from the negative? We are an organization helping other organizations. Detroit has so many great groups out there, but those are struggling because of the rough times the nation faces. We work to help them. All our time and effort goes to uplifting what already exists. Out of each event put together, has there been one that was perhaps mind blowing? Our first event at Capuchin Soup Kitchen by far. There was this man, he was homeless mid-40s, who came up to us and told us

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how he was the quarterback of his high school, had a lot of money, had all the girls, and how he had it all at once. Then one day it was gone and he was homeless. That just really let me know at anytime that person who you donate that dollar to could be you one day, Lord forbid.

How would you describe the challenge of being in school and running the organization meshing? Heartbreaking at times. I want to put my whole life into PRO, but being in school and doing so is hard. I can’t give PRO my all like I want to, but I’m in school so I one day can. It will all be worth it in the long run.

Are there certain issues Project Reach Out focuses on? What events do you plan to bring the world next? PRO pretty much focuses on any issues that the world faces, big or small. This summer we have projects planned that show our diversity in issues. We have a breast cancer awareness fashion show, “Legalize Gay” rally, and an anti-violence rally all planned for this summer. Also in April we have an Eco-Friendly Month campaign planned, and much more. We’re pretty much all around the map. Lastly, what can the people do to help? Follow our twitter page: @projreachout or email us projreachout@yahoo.com. We’re also on facebook: Project Reach Out. We always need members, volunteers, and sponsors.

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The Detroit native going by the name Young Scolla is that and some. This illustrious artist expands your ears with spine chilling vocals and story telling.

YOUNG SCOLLA

What is the story of Young Scolla? How did you step foot into the rap game?

“BUILT FOR MORE ”

I fell in love with hip-hop when I was 4 yrs old. My parents had MC Hammer tapes in the house and thats pretty much what was played everyday besides Makossa (Cameroonian music). I started singing in elementary school and stuck with it til I picked up rhyming around middle school. It was then that I knew that making music was what I’d being doing for the rest of my life. Around the 8th grade going into my freshman year of highschool I decided that I’d research as much as I could on the business of music. I took on the name Scolla because I’d always been pretty good at anything I set my mind to from school to various random talents and I chose to spell it as such because as a child I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis which play a big part in my life. I dropped my mixtape my 10th grade year of highschool and from there on I never looked back. Being such a talented artist with amazing vocals and lyrical content do you ever feel conflicted on which side you should bring on records? Surprising no. Both singing and rhyming come naturally. I never think “I’m gonna rap on this and sing on that”, I just go with what feels right. What would you label as the remedy to setting the mood for a session in the studio? Great beats and no time constraints. I work relatively fast in the studio in any situation but when I feel like I have to do something in a certain amount of time, its a pretty wack feeling and it ruins the mood. So put me in a chill setting with great production and a creative engineer and I’m GOOD! It doesn’t hurt to have some food and a little botany on deck too ha! Are there ever times or situations where you have to step back from Young Scolla the artist? All the time. I will forever remain an artist so I think like one but at the end of the day reality can kick your ass and you have to take a break from everything to just focus on yourself. Young Scolla is the entertainer. My job is to be relatively positive in the presence of my fans and followers but life isn’t always that way so I’ve had to find that balance. I think I do a pretty good job though. Being Scolla is an escape for me so I find it being something that I stand behind when shit gets difficult being Fred. Out of all of your mixtapes, which one would you choose as your favorite from an artist stand point? I feel like my projects are my children so I can’t choose a favorite but I will say that Built For More is the

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most accurate assessment of where I am musically and where my head is at in general. I like to think that I’ve grown with each project, so if you listen to “Sign Of Greatness” all the way to post “Built For More” records you can see my development. If you could define your music and portray your deepest message, what would it consist of? “Impossible Is Nothing”. Thats the message I stand for. I want people to develop a deeper understanding for one another and a deeper understanding for self. We have the will to be self-driven and motivated. You have the ability to do anything that you’re passionate about. Everything we undergo in life it to better us for something great at the end of everything and once you realize that, you’ll enjoy it so much more. What inspires the desire to maintain your humble mind and continuous work ethic after so many years? I’m not where I want to be and I’ve never been satisfied with mediocrity. I live by the saying, “Do what others won’t now, So you can do what other can’t later”. I understand that in order for me to fully live out my dreams and reach all my goals I have to be willing to put in 200% into my craft and do all of the hard work necessary to bear the fruits later. Its really what the basis of my album “Tears & Triumphs” is about. You’ve worked with a huge range of artists, and producers. Who do you look forward to working with in the future? I really want to work with Bun B and Erykah Badu first and foremost. Those are two artists that I’ve been fans of for years and I have some dope ideas in mind for records with them. There’s a lot of other people I really want to work with but something that I think would be crazy would be a Scolla x Big KRIT x J.Cole collaboration. I think it’d be interesting to see how we create from the production to our verses and hooks. Lastly, when is the album coming? I can’t release a date yet but it will most definitely be out during the first quarter of 2011. We’ve been working hard to make sure its the best work yet and we just want to make sure we have the right situation surrounding it. To check out more from Young Scolla check iTunes WORDS: AMBER AARON

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Mr Lover Man Misconception Of Man

veryone at some point wants an accomplished and successful relationship but in order to acquire this one must be wiling to learn more than the stereotype. In this article we tell you something about men one must consider in hopes of not only having a better understanding of men but women can of self. Men dig deep within after this and women please open your horizons. Enter The Misconception of Man. There has always been a misconception of the male species or the “Man” or whatever term you may choose. Sometimes the shoe fits and we tend to run with this and package it as a whole and mislead ourselves so much that we think we have it all figured it out until one gets their heart broken or never truly finds happiness. Open-mindedness is under-rated. Some of the things that men are expected to be held in high regard in order to be a “man” are things like income, status and sexuality. Let’s say one lacks, then his “Manhood” is in question, leading this man to face what has been gendered into a position pushed upon him, to force him to fight this alone. The position that society forces on him as his gender role makes him feel inferior if one lacks. Insensitive uneducated women or misguided women will agree easily. Uneducated Men whom have embraced these forced gender roles will also agree. However, the roles have shifted in the last decade. Men are now more so than ever (but not enough) seeking therapy and counseling independently without their partners knowledge or approval in a last ditch effort to be a “man” again. In the orgasmic department, a women who fails to achieve an orgasm may be upset, frustrated, pissed or whatever, but, not once is her “womanhood” in question. A man who suffers the same fate is categorized as less than a man. Sadly, a man’s identity derives from his penis, his societal status and his money. How could one expect a man to be open with his women about these issues if she categorizes her male partners “manhood” by these categories? This pushes the inferior male into a hole and makes him feel he cannot express himself to his partner to express his needs and ultimately the sex life fizzles, prompting both parties to venture elsewhere, her looking for sexual attention from a “man” and him looking to find his “manhood”. Nothing is resolved that way. Men have been forced to act as if they do not have these problems and if they do they have to resolve them by themselves and make sure it is done fast. Women say in a negative sense that men don’t communicate and aren’t willing to share their inner selves. This may be true to some instances but sometimes we have to dig deeper as to why. Men are forced to live that way, almost held captive within them, unable to express these problems that have stamped them as “men” in the fears of appearing less “manly”. These men feel that topics like the expression of love, fear, heartache, despair are off limits for fear of appearing less “manly”. The pressures to be a financial success are more burdening than the struggling journey to arrive at that plateau. Sadly, men in this situation do not even know what pleases them within. They tend to struggle with identity and try to fit what society tells them they are supposed to do and a part of their individuality dies. Ask a man what would please him or what gives him most comfort outside of sex, and the man in this category has to think for a long period of time. Let’s look deeper about this, men get negative flack for being the visual animals they are. Human

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males are the third most visual animals in the entire animal kingdom. Does that make it right? NOPE. Just follow me for a moment. Men who do not date women with flat asses, small breasts or woman with kids are looked at as insensitive assholes. I am not debating this, actually I will not say whether I agree or not because that is not where I’m going, now lets ask, what about the woman that wont date the man who isn’t a certain size in the penis department, or the woman who won’t date a man in a certain status, or a man who doesn’t make a certain tax bracket? What’s the difference? Absolutely nothing. Of course there are always exceptions to every rule, just something to consider. Jason “Mr. Lover Man” Ortiz www.AskMrLoverMan.Blogspot.com Follow on twitter @MrLoverMan925

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