Street Cred Magazine - April 2018

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2018 - Page 17

Music fashion Film Gadgets holiday education health and fitness

APRIL 2018

K2 THE HUSTLER

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ENTERTAINMENT

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THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLEMENT

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Editors note

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his month was another superb one for entertainment as I have gone to events that have personally interested me.

There is nothing like doing work you love, I mean some of us do jobs we hate just imagine what you will achieve doing something you love.

For me job satisfaction is very important and that you make time for whatever is your therapy.

For me I love to entertain and go to the studio. I have been to the studio to record a new

song for a big performace i will be doing at Shardfest.

In this issue we take a look at how it went down at Stefflon Don’s and Mist’s Headline show and Michael Jackson Thriller Live which took years of me being convinced to attend.

Front cover is Brummy boy K2 who supported Mist on his whole tour and has his own clothing line called Pretty Face Hustler which is making big noise out there.

Loving seeing that my brumtown artists are smashing it in the scene and reading his you will see how we are.

performing new single

'BACK IT UP'

www.streetcredmagazine.com

/markdwaynemedia Sadly Ant has had to go back to rehab, and we wish him the best, but didn’t Dec do well on Saturday Night Takeaway. I’ve known these guys for years, so I hope everything works out

STEFFLON DON PERFORMS IN HER HOMETOWN I managed to grab Stefflon Don with her fans backstage of her 02 show and even had a chat with her trendy mother she always talks about in her songs. These artists are really showing that Birmingham is up!!!

Cardi B Is Pregnant!

Due for her baby in July, she got proposed to on stage and now there is baby on the way. Well done to the brother who wanna lock it down!

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HEADLINER Mist @ O2

Yes our Brummy went all out for his headline show at 02 Academy. Mist Diamond In The Dirt tour is promoting his new massive selling EP. Never have I seen someone smash it like this off just selling EP’s alone.

The concert was a masterpiece and it was awesome that he brought through his homies Mowgli and Lotto Boyzz to the stage.

No doubt that Mist is a superstar.

The crowd was hanging off his every word even the famous its M I S to the F***in T. I see a big star right here. There is no difference to going to see 50 Cent live in his prime. The energy of Mist is next level!

Thriller Live: I finally did it.

B eing the biggest Michael Jackson fan I really wasn’t sure of what to expect, I mean come on you want to do take off the biggest entertainer of all time, the man that had sky rocket talent and had million dollar budget videos.

Oh my god, the pressure, but these guys did him proud. The visuals were very impressive and the shocking thing was seeing them do the famous Smooth Criminal lean as you can see pictured.

As a kid that was like the most amazing thing to see. The singers and dancers really captured all the iconic moments of MJ. Singing songs from Off The Wall, Thriller Dangerous and even the early Jackson 5 tunes.

All of the songs were strong but Smooth Criminal and Dirty Diana were outstanding for me.

If you are an MJ fan you will absolutely love this and if your’re critical like me you will be pleasantly surprised as it’s a very big production and will have you on your feet.

ENTERTAINMENT

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ENTERTAINMENT

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BIGScreen

review

wORDS by antony brown

W

hen the creator of a virtual-reality world known as the OASIS passes away, he leaves behind a video in which he announces that he has hidden an Easter egg deep within the simulation and the first person to find it will inherit his entire fortune and complete control over the Oasis itself.

Steven Spielberg is a master of his craft and has carved a career out of making game-changing movies.

From Jaws to E.T and Jurassic Park to Schindler’s List, Spielberg is the man behind so many benchmark movies that oftentimes it’s easy to forget just how pivotal of a figure he is within the world of cinema.

Well, at the tender age of 72, Spielberg is showing no signs of slowing down, delivering one of the most exhilarating, heartfelt and important blockbusters in recent memory.

Tye Sheridan plays Wade Watts, a young man from the slums of Columbus, Ohio who uses the Oasis as an escape from his home life.

In the Oasis, he is known as Parzival and he, along with his virtual friends Aech (Lena Waithe), Daito (Win Morisaki), Sho (Philip Zhao) and Art3mis (Olivia Cooke), are on the hunt for the hidden clues that will lead them to the elusive “Easter Egg” left behind by OASIS creator James Halliday (Mark Rylance).

This cast of young up-andcomers is fantastic and you are immediately hooked in to their journey and care about what happens to them.

With great chemistry, jovial

Ready Player One personalities and playful banter, every moment spent with these characters is an absolute blast.

Once Spielberg has finished setting the stage and the plot begins to take on new and surprising layers, the film moves at a breakneck pace, going from strength to strength as it hurtles towards it’s exhilarating finale, which is equal parts action-packed and downright insane in its scale with so many pop culture references you’d literally have to pause every frame of the movie in order to take them all in.

One reference in particular, involving everybody’s favourite murderous ginger doll Chucky, caused the audience to erupt with laughter and it’s just one of many

crowd pleasing moments littered throughout Ready Player One, which brings us to the man himself — Mr. Steven Spielberg.

As he always does, Spielberg brings his A-game here, never half-arsing his way through anything he does.

However, what sets Ready Player One apart from the vast majority of his more recent work is a sheer sense of fun and wonder.

This is quite easily the most playful we’ve seen Spielberg in over two decades and it really shows — its like he poured every ounce of his heart and soul into this project with the single goal of delivering a blockbuster so big and heartwarming that it would take audiences back to the way we

felt the first time we watched some of his earlier works.

Do you remember the first time you watched E.T and how you felt when E.T and Elliot had to part ways? Do you remember the first time you watched Jurassic Park and how you felt when the T-Rex saved the day?

Do you remember the first time you watched Raiders of the Lost Ark and how you felt when Indiana Jones took out the acrobatic swordsman with a simple, no-nonsense pull of the trigger?

Well, Ready Player One is a movie full of moments like that.

Moments that make your eyes well up or the hairs stand up on the back of your neck or moments that make you want to punch the air in

sheer delight.

It’s fitting that in a story so consumed by nostalgia that Spielberg would take a nostalgic approach to his direction, too.

It’s a true credit to Spielberg’s genius. He truly is one of the best to ever do it.

Now, the film is set predominantly in a virtual world, so for obvious reasons there is a hell of a lot of CGI, but because Spielberg and company do such a good job in establishing the OASIS and what it is, it never feels like a chore to sit through.

You’re never left thinking; “this is just too much” because in the context of the film, it makes total sense…because the OASIS isn’t real.

It’s a credit to the film as a whole that it can immerse you in both the real world and the virtual world, sometimes simultaneously.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the visual effects on display here are cutting edge and will leave your eyes widened and your mouth agape on more than one occasion.

It’s an absolute visual feast.

In the hands of a lesser filmmaker, Ready Player One could have been an exhausting, overstuffed and incoherent mess.

But in the masterful hands of Mr. Steven Spielberg, Ready Player One is something truly quite special.

By finding the emotional core of the movie and never losing focus of it, Spielberg takes us on a weird and wonderful journey through a world where anything is possible.

A world where you can be anything you want to be, but at a cost.

You see, what Spielberg does so remarkably here is striking a perfect balance between depicting both the beauty and the perils of nostalgia and social media.

The beauty of what we can achieve through a virtual world, but the perils of what we can lose in the real world because of it.

Ready Player One is an unexpectedly timely allegory for modern life - a life so consumed by the internet and by social media that people often lose sight of who they are and why they are here.

By obsessing so much over what we see online, we forget to stop and take a look at what’s going on around us in the real world.

By focusing so much time on building relationships with people you have met online who live half way around the world, you forget to stop and appreciate the people who are right there in front of you.

Spielberg urges us to disconnect, even if just for a moment, in order to take in the beauty of the world around us because, after all — “reality is the only thing that’s real.”

That Surreal Feel

F

rom the 22nd to the 24th March, the Afro-Caribbean Millennium Centre presented “Dissonance Cognitive - The Surrealistic Works of Paul Burke.”

With some absolutely stunning

pieces by Paul and guest artists up for sale, and a fair few snapped up by the end of the exhibition, including one for the ACMC itself, it just goes to show that that Surreal Feel is something that many of us truly enjoy.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Brighton Rocks Yungen Teams With Birmingham REP Jess Gylnne For Summer Fresh

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latinum-Selling, UK Rap Hit-maker Yungen, returns with his second official singleMind On It, featuring award winning, Multi-Million Album Selling artist, Jess Glynne.

Produced by Yungens longterm collaborator, ADP, the pair go back to back, capturing the songs summer essence in all its glory.

Since selling out his headline UK tour at the end of 2017, reaching Top Ten with the Yxng Bane assisted Bestie (the video now sitting on 29 million views) & performing across the world, Yungen has been locked in the studio working on new music.

Revealing how that time in the studio brought about the chemistry that created Mind On It, Yungen says, “ADP, let me know he was working on a sick idea for me, so I went in the studio late that night and he’d already started the beat.

“I laid my verses really

The Weeknd's New Album about Selena Gomez?

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he fan-based rumour-mill is running overtime, searching for connections between The Weeknd’s new songs and his break-up with Selena Gomez.

After subtly teasing the release of new music, the 28-year-old Canadian GRAMMY winner dropped a six-song EP titled ‘My Dear Melancholy’ just months after his high-profile split from the ‘Bad Liar singer.

Fans took to social media after the songs came out to point out how many of the lyrics sounded

like they could be related to their failed relationship.

There's even a lyric in ‘Call Out My Name’ that fans are suggesting could be a direct reference to Gomez' kidney transplant, which occurred a few months before the couple broke up.

On the surface, several of his songs clearly paint a negative image of relationships and love in general.

Despite rumour and conjecture, any connection between his new music and their break-up remain unconfirmed.

quick, which is always a good sign! We didn’t have the hook on it for ages because we knew it sounded potentially like the next single and we wanted it to be perfect. Then I finally got in with Jess and she absolutely nailed it straight away!”

Maintaining his domination of UK rap’s commercial space, the South Londoner showcases effortless charm and witty punch lines that drive home his maturity and rise through the ranks of the UK undergrounds hierarchy.

From grafting in his earliest freestyles on SBTV, Link Up & GRM, to now conquering the charts, being nominated for a MOBO and performing at the O2 for Jingle Bell Ball, it’s fair to say Yungen’s ambition to sit in pole position is solidified in his teaming with Jess Glynne.

With Mind On It set to take over clubs, radio and festivals across the year, Yungen smoothly delivers the line “wanna know where I’ve gone, tell ‘em that I’ve gone clear” ...and based on his last 6 months of succes, it’s hard to argue that statement.

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omeo & Juliet meets Peaky Blinders in this gripping tale of crime and romance in Graham Greene’s iconic novel ‘Brighton Rock,’ brought to Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Directed by Pilot Theatre’s new Artistic Director Esther Richardson and featuring a soundtrack composed by the acclaimed singer, musician and composer Hannah Peel, it’s the story of two seventeen-year olds, Pinkie and Rose, who get embroiled in a vicious gang war in Brighton.

One brutal murder leads to the next, the police are impassive, but the courageous and life embracing Ida Arnold wants the truth. Nothing scares her. Whatever the cost, she'll see justice is done.

Written in 1938, the classic novel of good and evil was first adapted for the stage at the Garrick Theatre with Richard Attenborough playing Pinkie, a role he resumed in the iconic 1947 film version.

In 2010 Greene’s novel was remade, setting it in 1964, with Sam Riley, Andrea Riseborough and Helen Mirren.

In 1993 Vicky Featherstone

directed David Hurlock’s stage adaptation of the novel at West Yorkshire Playhouse and in 2004 John Barry and Don Black wrote a musical version which ran at the Almeida Theatre.

Speaking of the new adaptation, playwright Bryony Lavery said: “Why adapt Brighton Rock for the stage? Because it is such a treasure chest of narrative delights. It has got everything...It's a love story, a revenge tragedy, a small-town murder mystery, an array of smalltime gangsters and a middle-aged woman who knows no fear and who will stop at nothing to do right.”

Composer Hannah Peel said: “The menacing aspects to the 1930's story are even more resonant today so I am really excited about working with Pilot Theatre for this incredible stage version of Brighton Rock.”

Returning to The REP’s stage is Gloria Onitiri in the role of Ida, the cast also includes Jacob James Beswick as Pinkie, Sarah Middleton as Rose, Angela Bain as Spicer, Marc Graham as Cubbitt, Jennifer Jackson as Crab and Colleoni, Dorian Simpson as Dallow, Shamira Turner as Sylvie/ Prewitt and Chris Jack as Phil.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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EXCLUSIVE: K2

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t can be hard as a young man from the streets of Brum, drug dealing is the only for survival for many but as you know most of the youth have major talents and thankfully there are platforms to push our up coming artists.

K2 is one artist and

hope for our city who has been through a lot of trauma losing friends and family members.

Since the age of 17 this bright hopeful has been selling his story and he has gone from being a local to nationally known MC who recently did his own sold out headline show at the 02.

The Beautiful & Damned G-Eazy

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ulti-platinum selling rapper/producer G-Eazy’s latest track from his album ‘The Beautiful & Damned’ impacts April 20thand features international music sensation Charlie Puth.

The track has already had over

39 million streams on Spotify.

This is the third track from the extremely personal 20 track double album which also features the likes of Halsey, A$AP Rocky, Cardi B, Kehlani,E-40, Anna of the North and more.

The track follows the huge success of ‘Him & I’, which has had over 220 million streams on Spo-

tify to date and made it into the top 10 US iTunes.

G-Eazy has already begun his The Beautiful & Damned Tour with special guests Trippie Redd, Phora, and Anthony Russo. He will kick off his UK dates in Glasgow on May 29th.

Check the story of a man that has gone from strength to strength in the music scene and who shows that you can truly go from negative to positive.

Where does the name come from?

Being young I had the nick name hustler, it’s because where I have come from and all I’ve ever done was hustled. Going from negative to positive and its been hard Sacrificing things and putting my energy into just music but I like to embrace the hustle, this is just me and everyday life really and alot of people can relate too as its just how it is.

We all go through struggles no matter what angle you are in life we all hustle. What ever your hustle is it’s just about getting paid.

Has your street lifestyle help you bring you amazing content for your music?

Doesnt matter how you live it will be good music anyway because its real, everyone has their own audience it aint just an audience for what I talk about, I’m just rep-

Disney On Ice: A Wond

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very year we look forward to Disney's spectacular. This year was no exception. Genting Arena was this years venue for a unique masterclass of fun fun fun.

At the meet and greet the kids went wild as Micky Mouse burst unto the scene. He brought the high

fives and a big cuddle for those eager beavers.

This is an amazing time for mums and dads to get into the world of make believe and dream innocently of all that is out of this world.

Frozen stole the show for me.

It was just magical breathtaking pleasure.

Every child was at the edge of their seat with some being held

back from wanting to leap the barriers and join the cast during the performances.

Its their world of total pleasure and fairytale. Our lucky family thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

We would like to thank the team at Disney on Ice team for making us all become dreamers, seeing the magic through the eyes of innocence is a joyous privilege for everyone attending.

Birmingham City Stars Michael Morrison and Harlee Dean and their families also caught the show.

Disney On Ice continues around the country on its whirlwind tour bringing the bright lights and stunning music to little dreamers everywhere.

Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment takes you on an action-packed adventure featuring four much-loved Disney stories; Cars, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story and of course not forgetting #1 Animated movie of all time Disney’s Frozen.

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ENTERTAINMENT

2 The Hustler resenting my way of life.

It’s helped me to write a story but really we all have a story to write about.

You have gone through a lot

Its all factual and when I listen back to my music I like to see the journey of where I have come from, and I know so many people relate to what I go through.

How did you get into the music game?

Started from a young age. My close friend Shamz was alive, you looking at 13 to 14 years old just doing my own videos, low budget not big channels like today, but I took it serious from 2017.

How has it been since last year?

Mad! I’ve had headline show, a manager, booking agent, radio play on BBC 1xtra, New Style Radio, and sponsorship deals.

I’ve always had a buzz around my name but when my EP dropped in November it all went crazy then the Behind Barz features with Mist

Do you see yourself as the voice?

Most definately, I’m not the main voice but I certainly contribute to being one for people coming from my background.

Your fellow Mist you supported on his tour, this the first time performing?

Yes twice already I supported him this is my third time round.

How has response been at the Mist shows?

I did Leeds Bristol, Leicester and Nottingham, even leaving the place the car gets crowded ha its like a movie, in the moshpits girls gripps me up on stage and all sorts.

I been performing from 17 when I never even had an ID for clubs, I was a mad performer jumping off the stage.

I had confidence from a young age so when it came to performing I always known I got it in the bag not being boasty but experience helps.

Was great to have my own headline show and bring people up.

Who do you like working with?

RM Lemz I done who I want to work with, I’m satisfied who I have featured with. I’m really about focusing more on my own music and getting better.

Whats your thoughts of Birmingham are we there yet?

It’s strong to me, it’s like how it used to be. We are active, when grime went dead Birmingham was the grime and London was coming here.

Skepta was remixing Birmingham artists, Stormzy too, so Brum was already active we just went quiet.

Where would you like to see yourself in a years time?

Be nice to be nominated for an award, rated MOBO, any but yes just the recognition be nice.

I can make it off my own back, I don’t want to be relying on features and riding on someones back.

I aim to make it off my own content, talent is talent at the end of the day.

What was the process like making the Hustler Season EP?

It was long and deep as I really wanted to explain who I was as a person. It was impoirtant for people to know who I was, thats why from track one to the end you can hear the transition of being on the road to where I am now.

I wanted to show it was all road mentality and I came away to make better of my life.

Whats the message?

It’s all about showing how you can grow as a person and make it in your talent

derful Spectacle

l Birmingham City Stars Michael Morrison (top) and Harlee Dean (below) and their families caught the show in Birmingham

Lil Yachty

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il Yachty, aka Lil Boat, aka “King of the Youth” is a 20-year old Atlanta native, a Grammy-nominated singer, rapper, producer, creative designer, branding genius and fashion icon who smashed ono the scene two years ago with his debut mixtape Lil Boat.

In May, 2017, he released Teenage Emotions which entered The Billboard Top 200 at #5 and re-

mained on the charts more than four months.

Since then he accumulated nearly 3 billion streams, found himself on the covers of Paperand FADER magazines, as well as landing the cover of The New York Times Men’s Style section and a XXL Freshman cover.

Rolling Stone said his album ‘Teenage Emotions’ is a “landmark moment that may change the way people rap,”while The New

York Times Magazine dubbed him as an artist “that tells us where music is going.”

Lil Yachty reflects young lives right now: from social media-saturated heartbreak to self-acceptance to the dance floor. Lil Yachtyunleashes a sound that effortlessly and constantly bounces between rap to pop creating something entirely his own.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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A Murder Mystery Brilliantly ‘Murdered’ Superstar, Babbu, ready to Wow UK Fans

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‘murder mystery’ play that is so leftfield of its genre, that by the end, it does a complete 360-degree – with a lot of bumps and barges along the way.

Playing at the Birmingham Hippodrome 'The Play That Goes Wrong' tells the story of Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s ‘Murder At Haversham

Manor’ - while well established in its narrative – was refreshingly unique in its execution as everything that can go wrong, went brilliantly wrong.

With its Crossroads-esqe fragile and (in this case deliberately) wobbly sets their ‘Murder At Haversham Manor’ was a complete joy to watch – especially as its execution by its young, vibrant and ‘on-the-ball’

cast was so spot-on.

From the minute it was introduced by the arrogance and self-abasement Henry Shields, you knew were going to go on a ‘bumpy ride’ that, so much so, would leave Agatha Christie herself in the dark although chuckling in the aisles.

A typically Christie-style country-house whodunnit, but, in this case, you could well be

leaving the theatre typically questioning; ‘Who actually did what?’

Such confusion, which began with the corpse of Charles - who couldn’t lie still – as a line-up of suspects; which included cast and crew, who so brilliantly put together this offbeat and very often very physical slapstick satire.

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ttracting over 1 million in audience figures in a single India concert, Babbu Maan is making a return to UK The internationally acclaimed music mega star returns to British soils to perform a one-off concert at Arena Birmingham that’s guaranteed to leave audiences breathless.

Winner of the ‘World’s Best Indian Male Artist’ in the recent World Music awards, Maan will perform a mix of old school classics alongside his latest songs from his new album, ‘Ik C Pagal’

0121 643 2047 www.thehatman.com

info@thehatman.net

outletstore@thehatman.com

54 Stephenson Street, Birmingham City Centre, B2 4HD

with a full live band.

Speaking about his return, he said: "I'm really excited to be coming back to the UK, and I promise my UK fans that Babbu is back, bigger than ever and ready to rock Birmingham!

“I receive messages every day from my UK fans showing their support and now l will reply to your messages to show you how much they mean via my music! l look forward to meeting and seeing you all soon."

Babbu Maan stops-off at Arena Birmingham on Saturday 29th September 2018

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F-Pace Gets The SVR Treatment T he Jaguar F-PACE, 2017 World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year, gets the SVR treatment to make it the fastest and most powerful F-PACE yet, with an enhanced chassis and aerodynamics for maximum driver reward in all conditions.

Engineered by Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), with a 44% uplift in power, the F-PACE SVR’s 5.0-litre V8 supercharged petrol engine produces 550PS and 680Nm, enabling it to reach 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds (0100km/h in 4.3 seconds) with a top speed of 176mph (283km/h).

“The F-PACE SVR delivers the handling and agility to match its performance.” explained Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, Jaguar Land Rover.

“Everything from the steering to the bespoke suspension set-up has been tuned

Melissa ’Motoring’ Towards Making a Difference in NASCAR

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ringing an extensive diversity to motorsport is Melissa Harville-Lebron, as the first Black woman owner of a NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) team franchise.

The 47-year old, who started her career in the entertainment industry when she worked as an intern at Sony Music, already launched her own music label in 2005 while working for Department of Correction Office in New York, before she had to retire early through ill health.

Undeterred, in 2014, she took the risk and opened a multifaceted entertainment company, W.M. Stone Enterprises, Inc. before then creating E2 Northeast Motorsports before signing a deal to own a NASCAR team.

l Melissa Harville-Lebron

It’s a move that started unexpectedly for her, as she explains; "I got invited to a NASCAR experience and I brought my boys (Eric and Enico) along thinking that it would discourage them from driving."

They loved it so much and she, in turn, love their passion. As she got more involved in the sport, she noticed the lack of diversity since it is dominated mostly by white males. So she decided to bridge the gap and create her own team.

Her E2 Northeast Motorsports team is the first multicultural team to race competitively in NAS-

CAR, as well in the Camping World Truck Series the Whelen All-American Series - two members of whom are her sons.

"This team truly exemplifies diversity that is sure to attract a younger multicultural fan base," Melissa said.

And in emphasizing the relevance of her endeavours, she went on; "It's important for our culture to push generational wealth to our children and it's important to lead by example and for people of our culture actually succeeding in business."

specifically for our performance SUV and the result is a vehicle that lives up to the promise of both the F-PACE and SVR names.”

Aerodynamic enhancements include larger air intakes at the front and side fender vents that lower pressure in the wheelarches, reduce lift and provide additional cooling while also optimising high-speed stability.

In addition, unique wheel arch extensions and lower body mouldings provide a low-slung muscularity that sets the SVR apart.

An exclusive SVR bonnet features vents to help extract hot air from the engine bay and provide visual evidence of the SVR’s dynamic intent.

At the rear, a unique spoiler is joined by a new bumper housing the quad tailpipes of the Active Exhaust system.

The bumper incorporates side strakes that aid aerodynamic performance by smoothing airflow away from the rear of the vehicle.

MOTORS

Jenson Joins JD Classics

Jenson Button will be competing in two races with historic motorsport experts, JD Classics this year, racing at Le Mans Classic in July and the Goodwood Revival in September.

Jenson will be driving two cars expertly prepared by the team of 75 engineers and craftsmen at JD Classics’ 155,000 sq/ft facility, including an XJR-9 at Le Mans Classic.

The JD Classics-prepared XJR9 is chassis #688, the car that was built by Tom Walkinshaw Racing in 1988 to replace that year’s Le Mans-winning car, and which has a number of incredible competition results to its name.

In July 1988 chassis #688 placed third at Brno, driven by Johnny Dumfries and Jan Lammers, while in September that year it was driven to second at the Spa 1000km

by Dumfries, Lammers and Martin Brundle.

Jenson Button and the JD Classics XJR-9 will line-up on the Le Mans Classic Group C grid against a number of other motorsport legends of the same era, including the Porsche 962C, Peugeot 905 EV1 and Nissan NPTi 90.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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MOSTACK MoStack saw huge success in his music in 2016 as he toured with Wretch 32, made BBC 1Xtra’s A List with his club banger “Liar Liar” (remix), became a MOBO nominated artist and sold out his second headline show in under 3 hours (the first venue was upgraded to a bigger 1100 capacity venue when it sold out in an hour).

Track “Block Popping”racked up over 1.5 million views in a week and “Liar Liar”reached over 8 million views.

Recent ILL BLU produced track “Let It Ring”has amassed over 9 million streams and ‘Screw and Brew’ taken from MoStack’s ‘High Street Kid’ has over 10 million plays on YouTube to date, as the rapper continues to cater to his ground-breaking fan base with catchy energetic tracks.

Continuing to engage his growing audience MoStack has an unrelenting force of big tracks and has a talent far beyond the Internet.

Last year the young star has already had headline shows in Sweden and Denmark on a mini European tour, cementing his journey as an international talent.

Known for his unique flows, imagination, stylish charisma and creative visuals, Mo has built a core and loyal fan base from the ground up.

Named by BBC 1Xtra as one of the hottest artists to look out for in 2017, this year is set to be an astounding breakthrough year for MoStack.

l Dua Lipa is set to rock the Genting Arena

BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY

Don’t Cry For Me Birmingham

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hen you think of iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, your mind is instantly drawn to the wonders of Cats, Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat, Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar, but you would be forgiven for forgetting that he is also the man behind the impeccable Evita.

Telling the true story of Eva Perón, Evita showcases her rise from poverty stricken Los Toldos resident to a radio, film and stage actress before eventually becoming the First Lady of Argentina.

With a boldness, yet fragility, coupled with strength and determination, Madalena Alberto brought Eva to life on stage, ef-

fortlessly performing the challenging numbers throughout the evening.

Showing the different sides of Eva, both in her almost saint-like role and her less than perfect personal life, allowed the brilliance of Madalena to shine through.

Topping off a wonderful performance all round was the iconic ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ sung from a balcony addressing the Argentinian people, moving many in the audience to tears.

Of course a musical is not just based on one performer, and more than ably backing Madalena was Gian Marco Schiaretti as Che. With his rugged good looks and great physique he had the audience waiting on every word.

His impressive vocal range

was showcased from Santa Evita to High Flying Adored and everything in between, and with each cheeky wink the audience was putty in his hands.

As Eva’s husband, and President of Argentina, Juan Perón, Jeremy Secomb’s gloriously rich and deep voice was a stark contrast with that of Eva, further emphasising the unconventional relationship.

Culminating in a standing ovation on opening night, Evita was on at Birmingham’s Hippodrome until the 24th March and is one not to miss, even if you may unfortunately be unable to adhere to Eva’s words, “Don’t cry for me….”

O2 INSTITUTE

Say Cello to Ayanna

A

head of her Symphony Hall solo debut on the 12th April, we caught up with Ayanna Witter-Johnson to get a bit of an insight into the person behind the name.

How did you get into music?

At the very beginning I started learning the piano at 4, and I later picked up the Cello around 12/13 years old. Music was always in the house, my father was a DJ and an actor, and I always played an instrument.

What made you choose the Cello?

I was quite advanced at Piano and I wasn’t learning anything at secondary school and my teacher thought I should start something new so I had a bit of a challenge!

I had a long instrument list, and I took it home one day and my mum was like “No drums, no brass, no woodwind in the house. Just strings.”

So I was like okay, the double bass seems a bit big, I don’t know what a viola is really, and

my hands seem a bit big for the violin!

How would you describe your style of performance, and your style of composing and arranging?

seen a cello played before. Very kind of soulful and blues-led, bluesey cello playing. A rich sonic landscape of emotional textures.

Have you had a standout performance?

I had the privilege of being part of a very special show at Southbank at the Royal Festival Hall to commemorate the life of Maya Angelou. I met her in New York one New Years Day. That meeting was life changing for me, and playing at that event was amazing. That show was everything.

What can people expect from your show?

They can expect powerful songs, you will probably see me play the cello like you’ve never

Have you got any words of advice or encouragement for people looking to break into the creative arts?

I would say focus on cultivating your authenticity, explore who you are uniquely and embrace that!

I would call it kind of eclectic orchestral R&B, very much singer cellist, percussive soulful songs.

Arrangement wise, a hint of reggae, contemporary classical, and elements of Jazz. It is a fusion and a half!

What is next for you?

Anything exciting you can share with us?

It was celebrating 100 years of Ella Fitzgerald last year, and I just released an EP of remixes of my favourite songs of hers. I am releasing my debut album this summer, and I’ll be back in Birmingham more importantly on the 14th August for the Flyover Festival!

April 02 Game Grumps Live!

03 Philippa Hanna 04 George Ezra 06 Catapult Club feat. Operation Guillotine 07 The Verve Experience 07 The Vaccines 08 Macklemore 09 Night Riots 09 Lil Uzi Vert 11 Black Aces 12 Everything Everything 13 3 Generations of Ska 13 Catapult Club feat. Echo Beach 14 The Wonder Stuff & Ned’s Atomic Dustbin 14 Blast Off 15 The Wonder Stuff & Ned’s Atomic Dustbin - Love From Stourbridge 16 Taylor Bennett 17 Trivium 18 Savage Messiah 19 The Streets 21 Coasts 24 Akala 27 Plan B 27 Ivory Wave 28 Netherhall 28 The Smyths... Unite and Take Over Tour 2018 28 Mo Gilligan 29 Emma McGann April 04 Romain Virgo 05 Embrace 06 En Vogue 06 Biggafish Presents 06 Sketch 07 New Hope Club Fanfest 07 Walk The Moon 08 Tokio Myers 10 Aston Merrygold 13 Not3s 13 Nuns of Tundra 14 Little Comets 15 Andrew W.K. 16 Aquilo 17 The White Buffalo 17 IAMDDB 19 Ugly Kid Joe 20 Isaac Gracie 20 Lotto Boyzz 21 Faith Evans 21 Lost Horizons 22 Rejjie Snow 22 Calum Scott 23 Barenaked Ladies 24 Will Heard 25 Of Mice & Men 26 Sharon Needles – Battle Axe Tour 27 The Clause 28 EDEN 29 Skindred

NEC

April 05-08 Antiques for Everyone Spring Fair 2018 06-08 Kidtropolis Come & Play 20-21 National Engineering & Construction Recruitment

25-26 Naidex 2018 29 Toy Collectors Fair

ARENA BIRMINGHAM

April 13-15 Torvill and Dean’s Dancing on Ice 20-22 Fast & Furious Live 24 Russell Peters 27 Manic Street Preachers 29 The King Is Back - Ben Portsmouth is Elvis

GENTING ARENA

April 03-04 Sam Smith 05 5 Star Wrestling 07 Harry Styles 09 Roy Orbison In Dreams 14 Nashville 15 Arcade Fire 17 Dua Lipa

TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL

April 01-03 Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales (TH) 04 ASTONish on Stage (SH) 04 Sun Ra Arkestra (TH) 05-06 Gregory Porter (SH) 07 NYO Teen Hang Out (SH) 07 National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain – Unleashed (SH) 07 Foil Arms and Hog (TH) 08 Beauty and the Beast (SH) 10 Justin’s Band (TH) 10 Jethro Tull (SH) 11 JAWS in concert (SH) 12 Rudolf Buchbinder: Schumann (SH) 12 Ayanna Witter Johnson (SH) 13 Our Finest Hour (SH) 14 The Amazing Bubble Man (TH) 14 Marillion (SH) 15 Ilker Arcayürek – Schumann and Schubert (TH) 17 Lisa Stansfield (SH) 18 Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony (SH) 19 Joan As Police Woman: Damned Devotion Tour 2018 (TH) 19 Magnum (SH) 20 Alexander O’Neal (TH) 21 Remembering Fred (SH) 21 Kim Wilde (TH) 24 Daniel O’Donnell (SH) 25 My Dad Wrote A Porno (SH) 27 Hollies (SH) 28 Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall (TH) 30 G3 (SH)

SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON

06 AC/DC Experienc 07 Mayor’s Rock Fest 2018 14 Bigfoot 15 Raymond Froggatt 24 Wayward Sons 27 Richard Herring 28 UK Guns & Roses 29 Tiff Stevenson

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2018 - Page 27

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Spotlight: Sonia Meggie eurs’.

We have held over 80 events, with one taking place every two months since we launched. We have held events in the UK Supreme Court, House of Commons and Channel 4.

What inspired you to create FunkyNChunky?

I

By Camara Fearon

n this months’ Spotlight, I would like to introduce you to a woman I met six years ago! Intelligent, uplifting and a breath of fresh air… This lady continues to inspire me and I hope that reading this will inspire YOU.

Who is Sonia Meggie?

I am a London based entrepreneur and mother of a 14 year old daughter. I am passionate about progression, empowerment and supporting women and young people via my platforms.

I am driven by legacy and knowing that there is change and movement in the workplace and local communities.

What inspired the creation of Inspirational YOU?

Inspirational YOU was started in 2010 as a result of me organising live shows and comedy events. I met incredibly talented artists who performed to sold out audiences and

left everyone feeling euphoric and joyful.

I wanted to focus on how that feeling could last beyond the night and have a positive impact on their lives and communities.

I quickly increased my online following and had an audience who were supportive of my community aspirations.

We then formed Inspirational YOU to bring together senior leaders in settings across London. In 2010 we experienced economic decline and the tech boom was starting to burst.

Many of my friends found themselves looking for a new role and had to rethink their career choices.

I knew a lot of young people and adults who wanted to focus on their entrepreneurial pursuits but needed insights’ and encouragement to do so.

I like to walk the talk and provided a platform for professionals and start-ups to connect with senior leaders and successful entrepren-

I started FunkyNChunky after a visit to Ghana and meeting local entrepreneurial and creative women. I wanted to work with local creatives partner with them to make African fabric products.

I also met the Founder of girls project and now support her organisation to mentor and provide educational resources to their students.

My slogan Empowering Through Fashion is a result of working alongside females in West Africa and connecting with fashion conscious women here in the UK. Every woman that I have met via FunkyNChunky has a different story and the colours and boldness of my jewellery brings out a new side of their personality as a result of the product. Seeing women be bolder in their fashion choices and styles is a continuous highlight.

I know you support various organisations – who is FunkyNChunky currently supporting?

I am supporting an organisation called Revolutionary Underground in Ghana and am also starting a Saturday School in the borough of Lambeth. We do not want to be solely reliant on grants and this will aide us to provide a bursary.

What are some of the struggles in business that you have had to endure?

I try not to focus on the struggles as this is part of business. I look at the end goal and seek to be solution orientated.

It is important to have a sup-

Stones Still Rolling

T

hey’re arguably one of the most successful acts of all-time in any genre, let alone their natural habitat of rock and roll – and they are back once again!

The Rolling Stones celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2012, with a series of massive gigs and intensely attended performances across the globe.

In 2013, they returned with a US tour and a gig in London’s

Hyde Park, which sold out in record time.

Their eponymous debut album - the first in a long line of multi-platinum, international chart-topping and undeniably iconic records - came out in 1964 and instantly shot straight to the top of the charts, remaining there for a total of 51 weeks.

They head out on the ‘Stones No Filter’ Tour of Europe, the UK and Ireland this year, with

extra dates already added due to demand – with venues including; London Stadium, Coventry Ricoh Arena, Cardiff Principality Stadium and Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, before international dates which include; Dublin, Berlin, Prague and Warsaw’s Stadion Narodowy.

So, find out where you can see them – No Filter!

portive network around you and someone a mentor/sounding board.

My challenge is time and wishing I could do more in Africa and the Caribbean.

What are some of your most memorable projects to date?

We held an Inspirational YOU entitled ‘Leading women’ that featured senior professional women in 2014. One of the panel members spoke about her experience of overcoming cancer.

After her talk an attendee thanked her as she had recently found out that she was HIV positive and now had a new will to live.

We meet and hear from hundreds of people who have now changed careers, found a mentor, started a business or simply transformed their outlook as result of the seminars or talks that we have organised. Every thank you is invaluable to me.

What are some of your hobbies?

I am a fitness enthusiast and try to work out regularly. This is my space and time to clear with my mind. I also enjoy cultural events, theatre productions, travelling, live music and music festivals’.

What is the next thing on your bucket list?

Personally it would be to run a marathon and experience something new every month. I want to travel more and see much of Africa.

Business would be to expand both brands globally, to hold events in the US and Africa and open up a school.

I want everyone who attends our events to leave being focused on their professional progress and self-care.

What are some of the things most important to you?

I want my daughter and family to be happy and healthy.

That those around me progress and strike a balance in all that they do. That I can look back on life and say I did it or tried.

Are there any people you would like to thank?

I am thankful to my family and team for their continued support.

I have been able to expand and grow my business because of their encouragement and backing. I do everything with the grace of God and through him I am able to achieve all that I have.

Every speaker or customer is appreciated as their input and support shapes and guides my business.

I have an amazing business partner, Isaac Koranteng who shares my

vision and is equally as passionate about changing lives and giving a platform to those who would otherwise not have access. I have a fantastic team of advisors and mentors who keep me grounded and focused. www.inspirationalyou.co.uk www.funkynchunky.co @soniameggie @inspirational_U @FunkyNChunky A big thank you to Sonia for taking the time out to speak with me! I am continually inspired by her work and know that you – my readers will also be! Love, Cx

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 28 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2018

TEEN FLAIR WITH RHEA DEHANEY

www.streetcredmagazine.com

TRAINING IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Are you interested in working with prisoners or ex prisoners in probation, with police, in prison or even law courts?

WITH RHEA DEHANEY

Welcome to another edition of Teen flair where I give you advice, highlight real people and much more!

This month I was involved in a drama piece inspired by ‘The curious incident of the dog in the night - time’ which I performed at the town hall, This play is a murder mystery novel like no other. The de-

Fast Track To Success?

I want to earn fast money. I’ve tried online surveys, but they never work, and there’s nothing I’m really good at that I could make money from. I do upload Youtube content, but it takes a long while to get money, from subscribers and views… I’m really out of options.

— RY, 13

Dear Ry, I can definitely relate as I have been in that position plenty of times. Now today, we live in such a fast paced generation here a lot of young people are making money, starting business and Youtube which is great.

But my first advice to you is to enjoy being young! Focus on your path and if you continue to commit to your channel and

KEEP IN TOUCH

tective, and narrator, is Christopher Boone.

I encourage you guys all to go out and take part in something, take up a new hobby for this year of 2018!

create creative content then you will see results and change.

Think smart! I remember my father telling me a story on a young boy who would collect McDonald’s toys and sell them to kids his age, you could literally start small, buying sweets and selling them for a higher profit depending on the quality of the treat.

What are you passionate about? It’s all good and well making money, but if your not having fun whilst making it, especially at a young age then I would suggest trying something you like doing.

And don’t forget people are around to help! Mum, dad, a neighbour, they might need help with something.

And I assume you might be good with computers as you upload to Youtube… there are many elders who aren’t, you could charge a small amount to help them simply with work online, you’d be surprised how many adults don’t know much about computers. Keep trying, but have fun, you only live once! - R.Dehaney

As we are all aware there is power in social media, I will be using these networking sites, to promote this newspaper page, and #TEAMFLAIR which will not only advertise,

The next basic training in Prison work course begins in May 2018 at Birmingham City University. The course is already half full so booking early us crucial.

The course is run by Prison Link which is Community organisation with charitable status that was created in 1985.

We work with a variety of criminal justice agencies, deliver mentoring and workshops in prisons.

An ideal course if you want to work in any area of the criminal justice system including supporting prison chaplains.

Have a special prison project in mind? Probation or prison work?

Do you know about the government’s agenda called TRANSFORMING REHABILITATION? If you are even thinking about any of the above then contact Ricky Dehaney CEO of Prison Link. We run one of the most successful prison courses in the UK.

VENUE: BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY

8 sessions in the classroom, 1 session in the prison and one session in the police station. Cost; £120 which can be paid in instalments...

(£100 for unemployed people and students ) From the first session where we look at social characteristics of prisoners to session 9 where we give you a next step form so you tell us how we can help you to realise your goal in the CJ system, you will enjoy the the variety of guest speakers which include prison governors, probation officers, police, lawyers and ex offenders etc Call or text Ricky on 07949203280 or whatsapp to book

a place with £30 deposit.

THIS IS AN AWARD WINNING COURSE

The very least outcome you will get from the course is work experience. Many go on to get get jobs or use the experience to enhance and reinforce the work their doing already.

Go to our website at www.prisonlink.info Call Ricky before places run out 07949203280

Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely

by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

but will promote what to look forward to in the newspaper.

I’m not only hoping to create just another column, but a movement, for young people of all races.

To Advertise on my page, or to send me news, information and more, contact me at rhea.dehaney@thephoenixnewspaper.com