Rodney J. Simpson Partner/Co-Editor-in-Chief Twitter: akshunceo Instagram: akshunceo simpson@fametheexperience.com
Fame The Experience September 2014 Pullout
William M Floyd Partner/Co-Editor-in-Chief Twitter: kingpopdesign Instagram: kingpopdesign Floyd@fametheexperience.com
Designer: Gayla Rogers Collection
(http://gaylarogerscollection.com)
Cover Graphics by William M Floyd Cover Photography by Justin W. Robinson Models/Talent: Havok Jones
Staff
Styled by: Clay West MUA Sherri Brown
(The Diva Makeup Artistry)
Sponspored by Mulah Cosmetics
Executive Editor
Taronda Gibbons
Photographer
CO- Editor
Lila Ruth
Photographer
Writer
Victoria Hasty
Photographer
Justin W. Robinson
Writer
Ashlei Baines
Photographer
John Bills
Writer
Milli M
Photograper/Videorgrapher
Writer
Tracey Suggs
Photographer
Writer
Jordan Carter
Production Artist
Writer
Delphanie Hutchins
Operations Sales sales@fametheexperience.com Advertising advertising@fametheexperience.com Careers career@fametheexperience.com
Derek Hightower Robert Deem
Travis Christian Retro Chris Tavone Amore
Knowing James Worthy In today’s world we almost never acknowledge the mastermind behind the artist. Well I had the opportunity to sit down with celebrity music producer James “Jdreamz” Worthy where we talked about his musical success and upcoming debuts. Jdreamz has worked with infamous artists such as Bobby Brown, Jr., Yung Berg, Kesan, and many more. His musical career started as a young man looking up to artists who stuck to their individual sound, such as a Tribe Called Quest and Queen Latifa. He developed a love for various types of genres: neo soul, R&B, hip-hop and all the in-betweens. He develops his musical talents, as he states in “his own space where he can create his own sound.” Kind of reminds you of someone right? Well Jdreamz did make it known that his fav artist, Kanye West, influences his visionary talents whether it’s his music or his stage performance. Creativity at its highest level. For new upcoming artists, take it from Jdreamz, with five years in the game, he recommends that you make your talent show and create your individual sound, then the world will follow. So what’s next for producer Jdreamz? We’re just going to have to stay posted for that. He’s continuing to live out his dreams as the next new hot artist/producer from Jamaica Queens, New York by way of Hot ‘Lanta, Georgia. Find James on Twitter @DreammusikGroup, on Facebook and on Instagram @Producerjamesworthy
IT’S MSNICKEE, BABY!!
Even with her towering height and statuesque physique, there’s much more to MsNickee than meets the eye. Her unmistakable laugh and boisterous spirit fills the space when she enters the room. MsNickee is the walking, talking, breathing definition of fabulous. Her modeling career began at the tender age of 13. As the tallest and biggest, she always stood out as a plus sized model. At times, fashion show coordinators had to borrow clothing just to dress her. Instead of shrinking from that reality, she embraced it. “When I come out, the audience goes crazy. Oh, we’ve got someone that matches us,” she reminisces. The exact thing that made her different... made her successful. Armed with the confidence to take on the world, MsNickee did just that. Diva Day International is her full service agency that provides runway training, model management, event hosting, makeup, styling, and much more. Her company represents men and women of all sizes. She describes her students as a family as she teaches them to love themselves, inside and out, a lesson that applies to all aspects of life. “Anything you step into, you should be able to face your fears and say I can do this!” But leave your ego and insecurities at the door because MsNickee is always real...even brutally honest at times. “There’s a difference between fat and plus sized. My job is to find clients that want you. It’s about image. People are visual. So if your stomach don’ lapped over your special places, I can’t sell you.” Since its inception, Diva Day and its CEO have won numerous accolades including the Industry Professional and Event Specialist of the Year Awards for 2013-2014. Her most recent client, Australian jean company Kiss My Curves, has taken her literally around the world and back. MsNickee is constantly traveling to host events and promote the expansion of full figured fashion. Despite all of the strides the fashion world has made to accommodate a variety of body types, MsNickee believes it has a long way to go. She appreciates the efforts of celebrities like Melissa McCarthy and Monique but criticizes them and other designers for not offering enough cutting-edge, trendsetting styles in plus sizes. “Designers want to be new, now, next. A lot of designers have been brainwashed to believe thin is in forever but you’ve gotta be ahead of the curve. You need to adjust to what’s going on in fashion. Everything is moving. If you don’t move with it, you’ll get left behind.” For more information on Diva Day International, log onto divadayinternational.net Written by MILLI M.
Microsoft Perimeter Store Grand Opening
On June 1, 2014, Microsoft opened its Perimeter Mall location in Atlanta. There was an executive meet and greet on May 29,2014, which I was invited to attend along with my partner William Floyd and staff photographer John Kelly. This event was hosted by The EMERGING 100 of Atlanta. The evening began by signing in at a special booth setup by their staff in the mall near the food court and outside of the new location, which was still covered until the ribbon cutting the following Saturday. The maze to enter the store led us around corners through passages then BOOM there it was. The room was bright and clear, which made us feel at home and comfortable enough to ask questions and get involved in the soiree. It was decorated with informative images and slogans that further build on all of Bill Gates plans for the company. We were greeted by enthusiastic employees ready to give us all the great information on the products and services this location would offer. The staff was extremely knowledgeable on all levels, which is a really great thing for someone that’s really not tech savvy. The guest list included former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo, US Olympic Gold Medalist Gail Divers, former FSU and Atlanta Falcon star Warrick Dunn and Adrian Stewart, CEO of the Stewart Brand. We were treated to a wide selection of hors d’oeuvres and spirits to complete the evening of education and networking. The opening weekend was closed out with a Concert by 4x Grammy award winner Macklemore & DJ/ Producer Ryan Lewis in the Perimeter Mall parking lot for some of his young and old fans to enjoy. If you’re in the Atlanta area and are in the market to purchase or upgrade your electronics, I recommend taking a trip to the Microsoft Perimeter Mall location for great products and a staff ready to go that extra mile to serve your needs. TELL THEM YOU HEARD IT FROM US. Written by: Rodney Simpson
Jason Geter Presents, “Strivers Row”! Atlanta fashion and cultural scene embraced Jason Geter, CEO of Striversrow during his show room opening coining it “Adventures of Vintage America”. The name alone rings bells about historical dates and imagery that develop a since of proud that our nation’s foundation was built . Popular Culture highlights iconic figures, brands and facilities offend forgetting the environment from which it originated, giving it the authentic essence that it embodies. Furthermore, the journey that one takes to gather ideas eventually ending in a product or services, that individuals critique. AVA (Adventures of Vintage America) embodies elements of life happenings from the early 1900s to now, that include live entertainment, sports, natural resources, and regular house whole goods that were use daily. The evening at AVA was filled with celebrities, established designers, multiple levels of creatives, promoters and any other type of person that you would expect to see from such an astute brand. In the main area holding, you could see the like’s of hip hop rapper T.I and family laughing enjoying the prestigious atmosphere and in the draft room you could catch Jason with the entire marketing and creative team taking group pictures. The showroom mood was very calming, those among the crowd were drinking cocktails, eating horderves, just enjoying the moment with like minds. And Let’s not forget about the clothing!! Each hand crafted garment was put together with attention to detail. Known for their denim apparel Strivers Row opened up the market using different fabrics such as flannels with leathers, pushing the envelop on urban fashion. The clothing was seamlessly embedded with in the overall decor of the showroom as if you were in the top jockeys closet. With there being so many different aesthetically pleasing visuals surrounding you from hardwood floors to vintage gas signs, I think it’s safe to say that it’s quite the Adventure of Vintage America walking through Strivers Row showroom floor!!
Nathan Kingston Adams, Cedric King ,William Floyd, And Jason Geter
Ryan Cameron, And Jason Geter
Written by: William Floyd D.J. Toomp, Rodney Simpson, And Jason Geter
Model: Monique Holmes, De�Anka St.Cyr, Monique Jay
Photography: Derek Hightower Designer: Gayla Rogers Collection Accessories provided by: Youneak Designs
Styled by: Nu Vizions Intl and Rodney ( akshun) Simpson MUA Sherri Brown
(The Diva Makeup Artistry)
Sponspored by Mulah Cosmetics Hair: Raw Suga Hair Ent
Model: Tia Alicia Photography: Derek Hightower Designer: Gayla Rogers Collection Accessories provided by: Youneak Designs
Styled by: Nu Vizions Intl and Rodney ( akshun) Simpson MUA Sherri Brown
(The Diva Makeup Artistry)
Sponspored by Mulah Cosmetics Hair: Raw Suga Hair Ent
Model: Lakethia Harris Photography: Derek Hightower Designer: Gayla Rogers Collection Accessories provided by: Youneak Designs
Styled by: Nu Vizions Intl and Rodney ( akshun) Simpson MUA Sherri Brown
(The Diva Makeup Artistry)
Sponspored by Mulah Cosmetics Hair: Raw Suga Hair Ent
Models: Monique Holmes Photography: Derek Hightower Designer: Gayla Rogers Collection Accessories provided by: Youneak Designs Styled by: Nu Vizions Intl and Rodney ( akshun) Simpson MUA Sherri Brown
(The Diva Makeup Artistry)
Sponspored by Mulah Cosmetics Hair: Raw Suga Hair Ent
Models: Monique Jay Photography: Derek Hightower Designer: Gayla Rogers Collection Accessories provided by: Youneak Designs Styled by: Nu Vizions Intl and Rodney ( akshun) Simpson MUA Sherri Brown
(The Diva Makeup Artistry)
Sponspored by Mulah Cosmetics Hair: Raw Suga Hair Ent
Aire B. : “We ‘bout to take over!”
MaiDai: “[We are] going against the grain. Not blending in. Not tame.”
“Havok Jones” Wreaking Havok!
Forget everything you think you know about girl groups. Havok Jones is determined to blaze a trail in the music industry like none other. These young ladies have distinguished themselves from their predecessors in one major way: there’s no “Beyonce” of the group. Wait. They’re ALL “Beyonces” Atlantans Kea Aleis, MaiDai and Neiko, along with Chicago native, Aire B., met through their vocal coach, Ms. Queen, who understood the strength of what four lead voices would bring: a powerhouse female group for the new millennium.
Neiko: “We want to take what they started and put Havok on it.”
Kia Aleis: “I used to sing for fun. Now I sing for purpose.”
Aire B. came out of the womb with a song on her lips... “Even when I cried, it sounded like singing,” she giggled. And she hasn’t stopped since-- performing, modeling, and acting from a very young age. It’s no wonder. Born to a mother who sang, an artist grandmother, and a great grandmother who was an opera singer, she’s truly a performance artist by blood. Neiko also grew up in a house filled with music. What we might consider quality time between a father and daughter turned out to be the life-changing influence that led her to this moment. Her father wrote jingles and would often include her in the creative process. “I would stay up all times of the night with him, singing about anything and everything.” Neiko realized at four years old that she, too, would use her voice to impact the lives of others. MaiDai had something to prove. The typical teenager’s singing around the house would aggravate her mother. It became MaiDai’s mission to convince her mom she was good enough to be a professional. Mission accomplished when one day her mother mistook her for Mariah Carey. “She told me to turn down the radio. I said ‘That’s not the radio. That’s me!’ She said, ‘Oh, you sound good.’ I was like, ‘YES!’ Once I got my mother’s approval, I knew singing was my destiny.” And then there’s Kea Aleis...never considered herself a lead singer and admited singing was something she just did for fun, not realizing her gift could propel her into stardom. Ms. Queen helped her realize her untapped potential. “She really pushed me.” That push landed her right in the spotlight as the finishing touch to the group. And in just 2 years, Havok Jones has made their mark, not only around the Atlanta circuit but across the country with hard-hitting beats, sharp harmonies, and strong vocals with relatable lyrics. Viral single, “Where You At?” describes a scenario many of us are familiar with, an unresponsive, possibly cheating lover. “We’ve all been there. Calling and calling and calling...they don’t answer the phone and you’re like, Where you at?!!” exclaimed Aire B. My personal favorite, “Who You,” featuring Young Thug, is a confident yet gritty statement for boss chicks who have no time to waste because they’re all about handling business. You’ll be snatched up as soon as the beat drops and it won’t let you go until you hear the echo...’HAVOK JONES...HAVOK JONES...’ Put that on repeat and take the ride all over again. You cannot be a female quartet without being influenced by industry leaders like En Vogue, SWV, Destiny’s Child, and Xscape. Havok jones is no exception. As the leaders of a resurgence, their EP, Rededication, is totally devoted to paying homage to their idols and inspiration, 90s girl groups. The pressure of taking on such classics as, “Rain” by SWV and, “Who Can I Run To?” by Xscape, was not lost on them. “[We were] highly scared!” said Neiko. “But what we wanted to do was take what they had started and put Havok on it.” Apparently, the covers caught the attention of some original performers and the Havok was 90s approved. Both Kandi Burruss and LaTocha Scott of Xscape reached out to say they love the new version. “It was an honor and a blessing. It was unreal,” explained MaiDai. The ladies have had the pleasure of meeting many more of the artists they grew up listening and singing along to, including Latavia, formerly of Destiny’s child, Meelah from 702, and Coko of SWV. Each of them had some advice to share with the budding starlets. “They talked to us about communication, sticking together, and education on publishing our music,” said Kia Aleis. We’ve seen a lot of musical groups split over the years. With four lead singers, how will they prevent people leaving to pursue solo efforts? “It’s really about putting our ego and selfish ways to the side for the betterment of our careers and it’s easy to do. Communication and unity is something we work on daily,” said Aire B. Watch out. Havok is about to ensue... Be sure to check out Havok Jones’ new single, “Who You” on SoundCloud. You can catch them performing at ATL Live on the Park and Young Thug’s birthday party in the month of August. For additional performances and booking information, contact: Email: Havokjonesmusik@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @havokjonesmusik Www.youtube.com/user/havokjonessing
Model: Dionne Reeves Photography: Derek Hightower Designer: Gayla Rogers Collection Accessories provided by: Youneak Designs Styled by: Nu Vizions Intl and Rodney ( akshun) Simpson MUA Sherri Brown
(The Diva Makeup Artistry)
Sponspored by Mulah Cosmetics Hair: Raw Suga Hair Ent
Model: De�Anka St.Cyr Photography: Derek Hightower Designer: Gayla Rogers Collection Accessories provided by: Youneak Designs Styled by: Nu Vizions Intl and Rodney ( akshun) Simpson MUA Sherri Brown (The Diva Makeup Artistry) Sponspored by Mulah Cosmetics Hair: Raw Suga Hair Ent