WELCOME
Hello there, SLEEK People! Well, it’s been a busy couple of months in the world of SLEEK, and we’re sure December and January were very busy and also very fun for you guys, too! With so many events over the Christmas period and New Year, we’ve got a jam packed issue for you guys this time around. As you can see from the gorgeous cover, this is a super-SLEEK edition of a magazine that we really love putting together so you can enjoy it. You are a part of the SLEEK family! So...what are you waiting for? Turn the page and enjoy... C.E.O. Andrew Bellamy EDITOR William Greenwood
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CONTENT 04. You can call me by my name... 06. Colour Me Happy 10. Tahira Redwood 19. Mus Know Tings 22. Bacchanal Jamaica 2014 26. Wayne Marshall 28. Valentines Ideas 32. Royanne Desilva 39. Black History Month
DESIGN DIRECTOR Daniel Ford SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Dominic Bell MARKETING MANAGER Staci Smith COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Lance Brown COVER CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dexter ‘3D’ Pottinger MAKE-UP BY Dexter ‘3D’ Pottinger PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Bellamy Oneil Grant Daniel Ford William Greenwood Lance Brown Athelstan Bellamy Osbourne Chin COVER OUTFIT Flower Child by Kaysian Bourke
SLEEK is published by
CREATIVE FACTORY.
To obtain a copy contact us at: 876-277-4258 email:besleekja@gmail.com
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WHERE TO FIND YOUR ISSUE!
Cuddy’z, Muffin Top, Fit Farm, Spartan Health Club, South Beach, Avery’s Beauty Concept, Whitebones, Base Kingston, Tracks & Records, Truck Stop, Cafe Blue, Cannonball (all 4 locations), Salon Splurt, The Spot (UWI), Student’s Union Office (UTECH), Little Tokyo (Sovereign), Pita Grill , Susie’s, Giscombe, Texaco (Liguanea & Mary Brown’s Corner), Petcom (Dunrobin), Shhh Boutique, The Pub (Mayfair), Alter Ego Fashion Oasis, Toss and Roll and Ribbiz Lounge.
SLEEK MAGAZINE | 4
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SLEEK MAGAZINE | 6
C
olour Me Happy is a shining example of what happens when charities, charitable companies, and kind-hearted people come together to create an event that turns out to be a roaring success. In the eyes of the organisers, that word “success” would only ring true if the event ticked the correct boxes, which would be primarily to raise money for charity, but also for all involved to have an amazing time. Alongside Brush Up Jamaica - an oral health education campaign – was Kingston running club, We Got the Runs. With that in mind, participants turned out in their hundreds for what was not only a relaxed 5k, but also a cute, indirect buildup to carnival season, with paint being the theme and inviting people to finish the 5k in full colour. Even before the race began, the J’ouvert-hungry runners couldn’t hold back the paint bags they’d been provided with, and the colours started to fly at the starting line, making for a very colourful start and finish to the race!
TAHIRA REDWOOD Tell us about Tahira Redwood; doctor and all-round gorgeous girl...
Hmm... I’m just an average woman who happens to be a sports medicine doctor. I love to enjoy life whether it’s chillin’ with my friends or dancing till the sun comes up. But I also like to just lay in my bed reading a good book. Three words to describe you. Funloving counts as two because it’s hyphenated, so no cheating...lol.
Nonjudgemental. Sociable. Real. Let us know a little about your work and what it involves...
I love my job/jobs. Currently I work fulltime as an internal medicine doctor at a hospital, but I also work with athletes as a sports medicine physician. I also teach. My new found love, and my friends claim that I’m a party promoter, Lol! I love work and helping people and seeing them get better or perform well, that is the ultimate reward. Which genre of music do you spend most time listening to, and why?
Depends on the season, usually alternative/rock but right now it’s straight soca.
“I love to enjoy life whether it’s chillin’ with my friends or dancing till the sun comes up.”
OUTFIT BY:
With carnival on the way in 2014, are you an active participant, or an ‘innocent’ bystander?
a Jamaican hero, a sports hero, charismatic, entertaining, and a winner in all aspects.
Can we define innocent? Lol, I’m blushing! I’m definitely an active participant and I believe it’s very good exercise. Once I hear the music it’s just vibes... I don’t need anything or anyone else, I just get lost in the feeling.
Favorite movie of all time?
Who’s your biggest influence?
My mother. I’ve seen how hard work and kindness has paid off and can only hope to be as amazing as she is. As you know, sports are a big part of Jamaican culture. Do you have a favourite team or athlete? Usain ‘Bestie’ Bolt. The Legend,
These questions are pretty hard! The Matrix, ‘cause I could watch it over and over again. Your three pet peeves? What irritates you the most...in order...
Lying, fake people, and drama. Finally, what is your motto for life? Let’s end with a Tahira quote...
Work hard, party harder!
Work hard, party harder!
SLEEK MAGAZINE | 19
I
t’s on its way to us again! That time of year when your Facebook and Twitter feeds are jam-packed with posts about going to the gym, pictures of salad bowls, and all your Soca-mad friends are posting the latest mix from their favourite DJ and sharing info on the new costumes; yes, Bacchanal is due to take over again this year, and like every year, it looks set to be bigger than ever! There are so many reasons why Bacchanal such a highly-anticipated series of events; that sense of freedom of expression, breaking out of yourself and letting your alter-ego take control, taking in that unexplainable energy that completely captivates all patrons; yes, Bacchanal is an institution, and one that Jamaicans have fallen in love with. As ever, Bacchanal will kick off with the launch of Bacchanal Fridays, then onto the ever-popular Beach J’ouvert
for some paint up, paint up, wine up, wine up revelry, and continuing the colourful theme will be Bacchanal J’ouvert, before the climax, Road March, squeezes the last of our carnival energy from us leaving us tired but counting the days until 2015! We caught up with Bacchanal’s Charmaine Franklin for some insight in what to expect from this years bacchanal ‘We are pleased to again present carnival and have this year enhanced the parade with more frontline costumes and plan to have a king and queen costume’ ‘Carnival is always a time that allows people to have a ‘feel good’ time and express themselves. It is indeed a pleasure to see how they wear their costumes and provide a show for spectators on the road’
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WAYNE
MARSHALL TRU COLORS
ry good
“I feel ve
at was a busy Colors will be a stepping e songs th about th ther put toge year for Wayne stone towards taking s we have or ol C ve Tru Marshall, with the my career to the next and belie ping stone step multi-talented singjay level”, said Wayne in a will be a my ards taking xt w to spending many an recent press release. the ne career to hour in the studio level” recording his first full With undeniable swag, album since 2008. The the man goes in upcoming five-track Tru Colors harder than ever on EP will give fans a taste of what to new track ‘Go Harder’, a remix expect later on in the year, and it’s of 2012’s smash hit ‘Go Hard’, fair to say that Wayne’s album is a highly anticipated piece of work. With Damian Marley behind the production desk, the EP promises to showcase Marshall’s range as dancehall deejay, songwriter, and smooth vocalist. Freshly linked with Ghetto Youths International, the Marley Family-founded record label, Wayne may be feeling it’s time to introduce himself to a wider audience, and that 2014 could well be his year. “I feel very good about the songs that we have put together and believe Tru
2013
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and displays his romantic side with ‘Good Ole Wife’, included on the EP, from the catchy Matrimony Riddim of 2011. A real standout track, and a favourite in the SLEEK office, is ‘Stupid Money’, featuring Assassin, which sees Marshall show us he hasn’t forgotten where he came from (from bully beef to lobster bruchetta), and gives a real indication of a subject that he feels quite passionately about whilst being intelligent, funny, and sniping all at the same time. The EP gives a feeling of some real crossover reggae/ dancehall/hip-hop tunes to come in the future, with Wayne’s sound really evolving in recent times. We at SLEEK can’t wait fi di full album to drop!
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VALENTINES DID YOU KNOW? In medieval times, females ate bizarre foods with hypnotic effects in order to help them dream about their future spouse!
SLEEK TIPS
T
he best way to impress your significant other on Valentine’s Day is to be ORIGINAL. The same old predictable, clichéd gifts may get an “aww, thanks”, but won’t get much else. Guys, take into account that females remember everything. Search the files of your brain for the song you first kissed her to, or the first movie you saw together, things like that, and simply bring it into conversation. “Remember when we watched Twilight together that time? I was so nervous around you, but I kinda knew deep down I was falling for you”. Girls love that. Ladies, take into account that guys are quite simple creatures. Cook us a steak, and put something sexy on for, erm...later. Valentine’s Day belongs to you. *wink*
In the middle-ages, young men and women would draw names out of a bowl to decide who their valentine would be. They would then pin these names to their sleeves and wear them for a week. It’s said that this is where the expression “wear your heart on your sleeve” originates from. The Taj Mahal in India, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife – now that’s a real gift of love!
SLEEK MAGAZINE | 32
ROYANNE DESILVA
T
HIS MONTH, WE VISITED UWI CAMPUS AND CAUGHT UP WITH STUDENT, MODEL, VOLUNTEER, AND ALL-ROUND LOVELY YOUNG LADY, ROYANNE DESILVA, TO FIND OUT A LITTLE ABOUT HER... Tell us a little about yourself. Be honest, it stays between you and SLEEK!
Lol! Well, there’s nothing scandalous, but here goes... first of all I’m an Aquarius, born February 6th, the same as Bob Marley, and I always thought that’s why I’ve been so focused on greatness, and focused on people. There’s a saying that goes “give the heavens above more than just a passing glance”, and I feel like that sums me up as a person.
SLEEK MAGAZINE | 33 You volunteer a lot of your time to good causes. One in particular being Angels of Love. What are the benefits of all the volunteer work you do?
I’ve been with Angels of Love since I was about 15, I’ve been volunteering from quite a young age. It’s really important to me that the benefits are for the charity or organisation you’re volunteering for, as it’s not about you or what you gain from it, but all about others who benefit. What’s the best thing about campus life, and are there any ways you think the experience could be improved?
I would definitely say the best thing is the opportunities that you have. At UWI our motto is “Your Place to Shine”. From sports to different arts, you can literally do anything you want to do on campus; swimming, tennis, everything. As far as improvement, I’m a big believer in finding the best in something and finding ways to improve it even further. As UWI Guild EAC (External Affairs Chairperson), what does your role involve?
I’m a big believer in finding the best in something and finding ways to improve it even further.
Well, I’m in charge of all the outreach projects that we do, and the guild is really all the students that come together to be involved and be a part of the guild. My mission this year has been “Each One, Reach One”, you see it has “EAC” in both words, I came up with that! It’s so corny and cool, though! Lol! And last, but not least, when you finally get some “Royanne Time”, how do you like to spend it?
I love spending time with friends, my boyfriend, and I won’t lie...I love to sleep! My bed is a good friend to me!
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February is celebrated as Black History Month, dedicated to recognizing the hardships our ancestors endured for centuries; and honoring as well as celebrating the achievements of numerous black men and women throughout history.
T
he origin of Black History Month can be traced back to a gentleman named Carter G. Woodson. In 1912, he became the second African American to earn a doctorate at Harvard University. Three years later, he and four others created the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. By 1926, Mr. Woodson promoted the concept of ‘Negro History Week’ which was held during the second week of February. He chose this time as it included the birthdays of two very important men: Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglas (February 14). In 1976, Negro History Week expanded to Black History Month which has been celebrated for years since then.
It is of great importance that we embrace and celebrate black history month. In doing so, we honor our historic leaders who fought for racial equality Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, to name a few. We enable ourselves to be better stewards, our historic leaders paved the way for us today and understanding the struggles and hardships they had to face gives us a greater appreciation for the privileges we have. We should always highlight the numerous achievements of black men and women; as well as commemorate those who took a stand to make a difference.