Swagga Digital Magazine Spring 2012

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LOOK GREAT ❇ DRESS SHARP ❇ LIVE WELL

VOLUME 3: ISSUE 10

Evoli Fac’cion THE COLLECTION Emerging Designer

HANGING OUT IN THE STICKY WICKED PLAYGROUND

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ART BY PETER RICCI

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ROGUE SO IN STYLE

❋FASHION culture

ON THE RADAR

LIFESTYLES

Music& ART

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SPRING ISSUE 2012

$20.00 USD

MAR/ APR 2012

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SPRING ISSUE 2012

CONTENTS #swaggadigital magazine.com 02 SWAGGA DIGITAL MAGAZINE

FASHION ONE TRUE SOUL EMERGING DESIGNER EVOLI

CULTURE

ROGUE COLLECTON FADE TO BLACK ROCKER FRINGE COLOR IN CULTURE

LIFESTYLE THE LEGENDS 49er Faithful Gather to Remember the “Catch”

ART MUSIC PETER RICCI

ARTIST ON THE VERGE GLASS THE TRAMP

SPRING ISSUE 2012 VOL.3 ISSUE 10

CONTRIBUTORS / PHOTOGRAPHERS /MODELS / STYLISTS

RON FULCHER TIMBRE ROGERS

JINGGO MONTENEJO ANTWORKSTUDIOS BOUSA CONCEPTS STUDIO BT IMAGESBYGRACIE FLOYD D. HOBSON DELVIN WILBORN

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

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RJ RIVIERA ROGUE USA ONE TRUE SOUL H&M NYC MARLENE CAMPOS TRAVIS STANSBERRY CHRIS COFFEY SAXTON PITTS EMAD QASEM FILIP KHARON MIKE HILLEBRAND BRANDON PARIS EVERTON TARPEH JONATHAN STODDARD SKIP PAS ROB BRUGLIERA WEST COAST STARS MANAGEMENT JAHI’ FITZGERALD “EVOLI” CHRISTIAN A. GEORMEL BENSON SHAI’LA YVONNE MCNEIL STAFFORD ZECHARIAH MAYS PETER RICCI GLASS MCADAMS PATRICK POWELL “COVER PAGE” WEST COAST LEATHER BERNARD HENDERSON APPLE COMPUTER ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY SONNY AUSTIN ELIZABETH VAN DYKE BRADXY CHENEQUE AHYOKA RODRIGUES TEKAY DESIGNS

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LOOK GREAT ❇ DRESS SHARP ❇ LIVE WELL

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VOLUME 3: ISSUE 10

Evoli Fac’cion THE COLLECTION Emerging Designer

HANGING OUT IN THE STICKY WICKED PLAYGROUND

SWAGGA DIGITAL MAGAZINE

ART BY PETER RICCI

✛

ROGUE SO IN STYLE

❋FASHION culture

ON THE RADAR

LIFESTYLES

Music& ART

✛ SPRING ISSUE 2012

$20.00 USD

MAR/ APR 2012



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COVER PAGE PATRICK POWELL ©2012 IMAGES BY GRACIE

CONNECT WITH US

BRANDING & STRATEGY

ADVERTISING MANAGER | PETER RICCI GRAPHIC DESIGN ~ CREATIVE SERVICES | SDM PUBLISHING CO. PHOTO EDITOR ~ ART DIRECTOR | RON FULCHER/ SONNY AUSTIN COMMUNICATIONS & PR | ARCHIE BRUMFIELD

DIGITAL MEDIA

WEB DESIGNER | RON FULCHER VIDEO ON DEMAND | GRAB NETWORKS

CREATIVE CONTRIBUTORS

PHOTOGRAPHER | RON FULCHER EQUIPMENT RENTALS | CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHER | DELVIN WILBORN PHOTOGRAPHER | BOUSA CONCEPTS PHOTOGRAPHER | STUDIO BT STYLIST | RJ RIVERA PHOTOGRAPHER | ANTWORKSTUDIO PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE | ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY PHOTOGRAPHER | IMAGESBYGRACIE PHOTO EDITING | IMAGESBYGRACIE PHOTOGRAPHER | FLOYD D. HOBSON PHOTOGRAPHER | DELVIN WILBORN

SPECIAL THANKS H&M CLOTHING ROGUE SAN FRANCISCO WEST COAST LEATHERS ONE TRUE SOUL OXFORD WAY CLOTHIERS SKIP PAS & WESTCOAST LEATHER Published Bi-Monthly Printed in the USA In Print | Online | On Your Mobile | On Your Ipad® All Rights Reserved ©2009-2012 SDM PUBLISHING® VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.swaggadigitalmagazine.com NEED TO SEND A LETTER TO EDITOR? information@swaggadigitalmagazine.com SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION? subscribe@swaggadigitalmagazine.com

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WWW.SWAGGADIGITALMAGAZINE.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | RON FULCHER

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Where you can buy products. . .

What’s Inside this Issue

MAR - APR 2012 Volume III Issue 10 C O NA D V E R T I S E M E N T TENTS

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FIND US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/SWAGGADIGITALMAGAZINE EDITORS NOTE

This issue is dedicated to my mom whose courage, strength, tenacity and love has been a rock for me in the production of this issue. There were so many people who were instrumental in the production of this issue, and I could not possibly name them all in this writing, but I just want to thank all of you and you know who you are for assisting me with this issue. Many thanks to all of the wonderful and talented models, MUA’s, and Hair Stylists.

Reproduction of any material within this publication, in whole or in part is, prohibited without expressed consent of publisher.

The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party of the information, claims or ads herein to include errors, inaccuracies or omissions. By advertising the advertisers agree to indemnify the Publisher against all claims relating to or resulting from said advertisements.

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THEATRE

TECH

BOOKS

ART

MUSIC

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LEFT TO RIGHT: DULE HILL, MEKHI PHIFER, ALICIA KEYS, LYDIA DIAMOND, AND KENNY LEON

THEATRE

STICK FLY Alicia Keys and an all-star team bring the drama in a new Broadway play directed by Kenny Leon.

By Deena Campbell Photography by Ashley Sky Walker

The play, directed by Kenny Leon–who recently directed Oscar nominees Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett on Broadway in The Mountaintop— tells the story of the LeVays, an affluent family vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard. Tensions flare when the two adult sons introduce their girlfriends to the family, and as class distinctions appear, family secrets are revealed. Stick Fly stars Emmy Award nominee Dule Hill (Psych, The West Wing); Tracie Thoms (Rent, Cold Case); Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Lackawanna Blues); and Phylicia Rashad’s daughter, Condola Rashad (Ruined). It also serves as the Great White Way debut for both veteran actor Mekhi Phifer (ER, 8 Mile)— “I feel like the new kid on the block,” he says–and Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys.

“Being in place that’s new to me is only going to make me grow and learn,” says Keys, who work with Leon during her 2008 As I Am global tour and serves as both the show’s producer and its composer. “The music reflects the mood of the scenes,” she says. “But it doesn’t take over everything; its subtle.” Besides the chance to work with Keys again, why did the in-demand Leon choose this piece to direct? “I haven’t seen anything quite like it–especially on Broadway,” he laughs. “I can afford to say ‘no’. But this I had to say ‘yes’ to.”

[ ] STICK FLY

is now on Brodway at the Court Theatre in New York City 138 West 48th Street

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ROC NATION over-the-ear headphones

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C O L L E C T I O N

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The heartbreaking portrait of a large, rural southern family’s attempt to grapple with their mother’s desperate decision to make her newborn son into the daughter she will never have. When the seventh child of the Peace family, named Perfect, turns eight, her mother Emma Jean tells her bewildered daughter, “You was born a boy. I made you a girl. But that ain’t what you was supposed to be. So, from now on, you gon’ be a boy. It’ll be a little strange at first, but you’ll get used to it, and this’ll be over after while.” From this point forward, his life becomes a bizarre kaleidoscope of events. Meanwhile, the Peace family is forced to question everything they thought they knew about gender, sexuality, unconditional love, and fulfillment.

Have you ever been called "too black" or "not black enough"?

Have you ever befriended or worked with a black person?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, this book is for you.

Raised by a pro-black, Pan-Afrikan single mother during the crack years of 1980s Washington, DC, and educated at Sidwell Friends School and Harvard University, Baratunde Thurston has over thirty years' experience being black. Now, through stories of his politically inspired Nigerian name, the heroics of his hippie mother, the murder of his drug-abusing father, and other revelatory black details, he shares with readers of all colors his wisdom and expertise in how to be black.

By day, the Duncans are an upstanding family who run a thriving car dealership in Queens. By night, they live a dangerous secret life! Carl Weber and Eric Pete deliver a thrilling underworld drama in The Family Business.L.C. Duncan, patriarch of the family, is at the age when he’s starting to think about retirement in sunny Florida.

In the latest and most surprising novel in the bestselling Leonid McGill series, Leonid finds himself caught between his sins of the past and an all-too-vivid present. Seven years ago, Zella Grisham came home to find her man, Harry Tangelo, in bed with her friend. The weekend before, $6.8 million had been stolen from Rutgers Assurance Corp., whose offices are across the street from where Zella worked.

Zella didn't remember shooting Harry, but she didn't deny it either.

The district attorney was inclined to call it temporary insanity-until the police found $80,000 from the Rutgers heist hidden in her storage space. For reasons of his own, Leonid McGill is convinced of Zella's innocence. But as he begins his investigation, his life begins to unravel. His wife is drinking more than she should. His oldest son has dropped out of college and moved in with an exprostitute.

Bernard's B-List Top 20 Bernards B-List is the A-List for Black Books

Hardback Fiction 1. Twelve Gates to the City By Daniel Black 2. The Family Business By Carl Weber, Eric Pete 3. All I Did Was Shoot My Man By Walter Mosley 4. Power & Beauty By Tip "T.I." Harris 5. Salvage the Bones By Jesmyn Ward Paperback Fiction 1. Perfect Peace by Daniel Black 2. Mama Ruby by Mary Monroe 3. Guilty Gucci By Ashley Antoinette 4. Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies By Trice Hickman 5. Passing Love By Jacqueline E. Luckett Check out the FULL Bernards B-List at alexanderbook.indiebound.com/storepicks Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Bernard-TheBookseller/338948384326 Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Uwantmyblist

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Paperback Non-Fiction 1. The New Jim Crow By Michelle Alexander 2. African American Firsts By Joan Potter 3. Negropedia By Patrice Evans 3. Black Cool By Rebecca Walker 4. Panther Baby By Jamal Joseph

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Hardback Non-Fiction 1. Our Black Year By Maggie Anderson 2. How to Be Black By Baratunde Thurston 3. Life Upon These Shores By Henry Louis Jr Gates 4. Let It Go By T.D. Jakes 5. Death of the Cheating Man By Maxwell Billieon, Ray J

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ART

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Up and coming artist, Peter Ricci sat down with SDM magazine to talk about his newest art creations, “Popcasms,” which Peter calls a sarcastic and comical look at todayʼs societal flaws. The Northern California Italian native told the editor, Ron Fulcher of SDM that art is meant as a reflection of the times. “It can be emotional, impressionable or humorous. I try to find the humor in the darkness.” “Art, music and film is a huge part of my life,” said Peter Ricci. “I like to take a little bit of everything in my life and express my thoughts and emotions on canvas with color.

Iʼm addicted to all colors; donʼt get me in a paint store, because itʼs like heaven to me. I love to create something out of nothing. I like to provoke thought with my art, which brought me to my latest series.”

SDM: What made you start painting?

PR: “Wow, Iʼd have to say I started drawing when I was a little kid. I used to love to color in coloring books and draw. In school, I would draw cartoon characters and band logos. I used to go up the street from my familyʼs home to take lessons from a locally known artist Marion Minnelli of Sonoma County…I loved it. It was there I learned how to drawn shapes, dimensions and shading and all the basic formats of art.”

SDM: When did you know art was your calling?

PR: “I didnʼt really think like that, I just love doing art. I love art as much as music and since Iʼm not a great singer, I recently took much of my poetry and combined it with my off centered art, as I like to call it.”

SDM: When did you say, “Iʼm going to take my art serious”?

PR: “Honestly, I have to give credit to a friend of mine who lived in in San Diego who saw something in me.” He said, ʻYou should be selling your work,ʼ and ever since then I have been doing that. He was my original driving force. Since then, I have one very close friend who completely believes in my work. We talk about everything from music to entertainment, so I pull from everything; conversations, peopleʼs reactions, and daily life,” said Peter. He went on to day that he is inspired by life, the simple things, and the things people take for granted and even abuse.

SDM: Tell me the concept for “Popcasms.”

PR: [laughs] “Itʼs actually a funny story….I was at this real famous restaurant bar that overlooks Beverly Hills. I was out having Jalapeno Martiniʼs with a friend of mine and I could not help but to look around the room. There was so much plastic surgery and so many people who I could tell were injected with Botox, I started doing one of my thinking out loud moments laughing to myself. My friend asked me what the hell was I laughing about and I said everything. I knew I was inspired that night, so when I got home I started drawing out my painting on a sketch pad. They sat for a couple months to marinate on my brain and then it all came together after I was at LACMA over hearing two women talking about their friend.”

“Anyways, one thing led to another and then I put the final ingredient to the paintings, a movie. I decided to go with a classic style so I watched Dog Day Afternoon, Scarface and Taxi Driver to name a few and I came up with the concept of this series.

Lots of celebrities have a tendency to look like bobble heads so I played on that. Next, I added the social aspect of vanity and insecurity. Finally, I said to myself it had to be funny yet truthful to an extent, so I took from personal dramas in my life and wrote sarcastic remarks, almost like double standard of friends. Like when you love your friend but there is something you donʼt like about them, but you never admit to them, hence, “Popcasms.”

SDM: How do you think people will perceive them?

PR: “Personally, I hope they get it. I am making fun of all of us. I feel we all have to laugh at ourselves or life is just boring. There is so much negative in the world that I wanted to turn the negative into a positive so we all can just laugh at Botox, drinking and addiction. I know itʼs a touchy subject, but I feel art should point out everyday flaws, so I made this series. Itʼs the beginning of 5 at this point. I plan to do 6 in each series of “Popcasms” touching on various aspects. This one is addiction and substance abuse.”

“I have always had a knack for in your face art.

It's a forward style, as some of my friends put it. I just feel itʼs another part of me at this juncture in life.”

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| ON THE RADAR | M U S I C HANGING OUT IN THE STICKY WICKED PLAYGROUND WITH THE NEXT ARTIST ON THE VERGE...

GLASS MCADAMS aka GLASS THE TRAMP By: RON FULCHER

In our interview with Glass McAdams an artist on the verge, who goes by Glass the Tramp , says that’s my stage name. I want to set the record straight tramp actually means “ total revolutionary always mad passionate”. Glass chose not to use it as an acronym with the periods in between each letter. “Because it is a good conversation piece and it always gets the party started”. People always ask wow! You call yourself a tramp. “I am like yeah”!

“Jesus was a tramp, and tramp means to trample all over the earth. If someone walks over your f lowers, they just trample over your f lowers”. That is my crusade. I travelled the earth and try to spread love, peace, and passion, that is my mantra so that’s why I call myself Glass the Tramp.

How would you define your music? My music is super funkaliscous love. I was inf luenced by of course the ones who came before me, and paved the way,i.e. George Clinton, David Bowie, Bootsy Collins, and Shalamar with an original twist of my own. I write all my music, so I am definitely inf luenced by the funk sound.

Are you working on an album right now?

Yes, I am currently putting the finishing touches on my album entitled, Sticky Wicked Playground, produced by Young Trey. “I came up the concept, that originated back to when I grew up in London.

In the UK when you have gotten yourself into trouble, it is said you have gotten yourself into a bit of a sticky wicked”. I have always liked the way it sounded, so when I moved to the United States, most people could not comprehend what it meant. The Sticky Wicked playground is my interpretation on an album full of songs that makes you think about life situations. Whether it was pain or joy I wrote about my situations. Alternatively, possibly the right situation at the right time. Therefore, when I came up the album title, “I really like the power of the Sticky Wicked playground.”

Which means, a playground full of life situations.

What can people expect to hear on your album, i.e., the type of music, genre etc.?

It is a touch of everything but it is going to be more pop, funk, r&b with a splash of rock. What I wanted to do was create a project that would be timeless. The music you will hear sounds like it could have come out in the 70’s or it could have been relative today. My musical influences are very worldly, because I have lived all around the world, and I have taken elements from each place that I have lived, and fused it all together musically. I am telling a story that actually makes sense. “I think I have done a pretty good job of it.”

Is this your first album?

This is my first album that will be released to the world. When I was working on my first album, entitled Liquor in Life, I did not complete it because I had taken ill from black mole poisoning which prevented me from completing it. It has been almost 4 years since that incident happened to me. During that time, I’ve written new material, and I am now telling my story from a different place. The first album will come out one day, but now I am focusing all my energies on Sticky Wicked playground.

The album is going to be telling a story about my journey, of love peace and passion which was the genesis for this project. There is also a connection to an organization I started which is called “Love, Peace Passion”. In order to love you have to be at peace with yourself. With inner peace comes passion for you, and others and the things that we do! I was taught at an early age you really cannot love others until you can love yourself. It is my goal with my music to project that to the world. I hope my album will take you on a journey of discovery through music. Recognizing the cause and effect of our actions. Sometimes making a mistake and knowing that you did. However, you do it again and sometimes its fun is the irony of the whole damn experience.

When someone listens to your album, what is it that you want him or her to walk away with?

What do you think they will walk away with?

I think they will walk away, and say, “Wow what a refreshing sound”. People who have sampled it already have said, “You have put a twist on an old sound, your redefining that era.” It is like how Amy Whinehouse redefined the old Motown sound, but made it very modern and her own niche.

In final, Glass wishes up and coming artists, give some props to artists who has come before us. “I look at many new artist today, not naming names, but it is definitely obvious that the people who have paved the way and who have influenced many, aren’t getting enough respect and acknowledgement by the person who they were influenced by”. Glass says, “It really bothers me.” Because we would not exist, it is a lot easier for an artist today, with all the social media, digital recording, tablets, etc. “I just would like to see more respect given to artists who have paved the way from the new up and coming artists today”. OMG, I definitely would have to thank Jody Watley who has been my inspiration and mentor throughout this musical journey.

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C O L L E C T I O N IAHMH@K:IA>= ;R3 KHG ?NE<A>K

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FADE TO BLACK

THE LEGENDS

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To any 49er faithful, those two words evoke the memory of a fantastic play which clinched the 1982 NFC Championship game on the teamʼs march to Super Bowl XVI glory. A reception of a different sort was held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – on the 20th anniversary of that play – for a select group of fans to meet five of the legends of the game.

Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Ronnie Lott and All Pros Roger Craig and Dwight Clark were on hand for photos, signings and a special informal discussion of The Catch as well as their days in the game. Moderators Matt Maicocco and Eric Davis from 95.7 THE GAME kept the discussion flowing. San Francisco Legends Live! was produced by HighPoint Sports and Entertainment and benefitted the 49ers Foundation.

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The VIP Reception 75 attendees noched hors dʼoeuvres while awaiting the arrival of their football idols. Several signed items of memorabilia were displayed and available for purchase – with proceeds going to the 49er Foundation. The pros shook hands, signed autographs and posed for candid shots with their fans.

The Auditorium Discussion The players agreed that Bill Walsh was the greatest influence on the success of their team – his knowledge, discipline and the way he was able to structure the game to make it possible to understand and execute. Next of course would be the bond that they all shared – there were no egos – they desired to shun personal achievement in favor of being and working as a team. It is clear that the unity developed during their time in the game is still present today.

PHOTOS: CAREE GRACIE SLEGERS

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BASIC BLACK PHOTOS BY: RON FULCHER MODEL: FILIP KHARON

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F A S H I O N

The New 64

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“I WANT TO DRESS MICHELLE OBAMA” Father’s Death, Give Designer Strength to Take Part in show, for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week,

New York, NY (February 14th, 2012) – Two days preceding the death of his father, designer Jahi’ Fitzgerald of Evoli Fac’cion received news that he was one of six designers selected to unveil his fall 2012 collection at the Emerge Fashion Runway Show, during the much anticipated Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, NYC. “The death of my dad gave me a lot of strength to move forward with doing the show” tearfully said Jahi’-- when asked how he dealt with receiving the best news ever for an up and coming fashion designer while expecting the worst news ever for a son watching his dad fight a losing battle against Alzheimer’s, that ultimately took his life on the morning of November 25th, 2011 in Jahi’s home town of Maumee, Ohio.

First inspired by watching his parents dress in their 1940’s tailored, refined, classic couture looks, later in his fashion career Jahi’, would become inspired by couture preeminent designers such as, Christian Dior, Valentino Garavani, Alexander McQueen, Hubert De Givenchy, Stephen Burrows, Willi Smith and Gian Franco Ferre, said Jahi’.

Evoli Fac’cion the collection, spelled backwards says I Love Fashion, and expresses just how deep Jahi’s passion for fashion and his love for family run in him. EVOLI the name, carefully woven together embraces both, with each initial being that of the name of his mother and four sisters.

“Evoli Fall 2012 Collection caters to the fashion conscious lady taking on the professional scene, and the trendsetting Social-Lite that live for the spotlight. EVOLI the show will feature couture classic pieces that can be worn for years to come without missing an in style beat no matter the current year” said Jahi’s publicist, Christian Ruart of RC Productions and Public Relations firm, New York, NY. “It humbles and excites me to see my sketches come to life on the runway and hear others say they can see my clothing in the same stores I envision them in” says Jahi’. In closing when asked what did he hope to gain from this exciting opportunity to participate in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Jahi’ replied, “The chance to work in the fashion business, to gain exposure (and in an overly exciting tone said) oh, and I want the chance to dress Michelle Obama!”

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Photos: Keith Claytor Www.timefrozen.com

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Patrick Powell on the cover...

Photos by: Gracie Slegers

SDM: What is your profession? Shootmedia your training kids etc. modeling “I am currently the Director of the Pro Football division for SHOOTMedia Unique marketing and consulting agency.

We have worked with clients such as Vernon Davis TE from the 49ers and Brent Grimes CB from the Atlanta Falcons. We specialize in Fractal lifestyle video productions that help to build “media portfolios” for our players as well as help acquire exposure and sponsorship opportunity for our clients.

I also am a Program counselor at Achieve Kids in Palo Alto where I work with “at risk” and autistic youth. Lastly I am a personal trainer (part time) where I work with people of all ages for body cosmetology as well as train young, aspiring football players with my sports performance training.

Guess you can say I like to keep myself busy.”

SDM: Your age?

“I am 27 years old” SDM: Where are you from originally? “ I am originally from Richmond, VA - born and raised. In case anyone didn’t know, Virginia’s state slogan is “Virginia is for Lovers” - that’s why some of the best R&B singers of this generation have come from there Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Deangelo to name a few”.

SDM: College/academic history?

“I originally attended the University of Maryland in ‘03 on a full athletic football scholarship (I was the first in my family to go to school). I began to study Criminal Justice at first (like everyone else on the team) and then I ended up switching my major to Philosophy. I grew up in a very religious family and Philosophy just seemed very interesting to me. I ended up transferring to the University of Massachusetts after suffering a terrible knee injury and received a second full scholarship to play football and attend school at Umass. I graduated from Umass in ‘08 with my Philosophy degree (I was the first football player in over 20 years to receive a degree in philosophy from Umass!). I guess you can say I am a bit of a deep thinker…or just a weirdo, both works.

SDM: Community involvement?

“I try to do as much as a can for my own and other communities because I have a true passion for philanthropy work and I always have. My most recent contribution to the community was a program that I became affiliated with by the name of Urban Champions. This program was created by Vince Mcastle and super bowl winning 49er Guy Macintire. These two gentlemen had heard about my sports performance training from the grapevine and invited me to come out and act as Lead trainer and Director of coaches for Urban Champions. It was an honor to be a part of something so beneficial for the youth. Urban Champions provided social skill building, tutoring for all school subjects, as well as health and nutrition information along with advanced sports performance training by me which really seemed to transform these young men into different people it was amazing to see the process.

SDM: Are you currently dating someone?

“No, I am not currently dating someone. Honestly, I have not dated anyone in quite some time. I think the football injury really shook me up a little and it made me realize that nothing is promised and that you have to make the most of every opportunity and leave no stone uncovered. I just honestly feel that a real relationship takes a lot of effort, commitment, maturity, and most of all, the right person. I think right now I am so caught up in trying to develop myself into the best man I can be as well as establish a career of abundance success I just don’t have the time to date.

I have people that I meet and I share special times with, and that helps me figure out what type of woman I really need in my life. But as far as there being anyone with a title of “my girl”, that is probably not going to happen for a while…plus I am having wayyyy too much fun in the Bay Area right now.”

SDM: How is dating in California different than where you are from?

“Dating in California is very different than in Virginia. Back home you have to do a lot more to get a woman’s attention. I think the old school southern way of going about things still holds pretty true in Virginia. There, the man almost has to jump through hoops to win a woman over and then to be able to take her on a date, get her number, or become intimate with her. Out here was a big shock to me because everything is so fast. I’ll meet a girl Saturday night and by Monday morning she is calling me nick names like “babe” and “love”. I just feel like people skip the whole “middle” process of getting to know someone out here and just automatically puts the “next one” in the place where the last girl or guy left off, so it just seems like one long continuous relationship just with different names.”

SDM: Worst date story?

“Oh God!!! Worst date ever happened to me about a year ago when I first moved here. I had met this beautiful girl at a night club in San Francisco and we had made dinner plans for the week after. Earlier in that week I had lost my bank card at Golds Gym so of course I called in and cancelled the card out and ordered another one. I ended up finding the card later that week a day before the dinner. For whatever reason I held on to the card (even though I had already cancelled it) not thinking anything of it. The day of the date I had sooo much going on I had totally forgot to stop by the bank and get cash for the date.

Long story short I rush down to the city to meet my date we ate at an amazing restaurant beautiful scenery only thing was I had forgotten that my card no longer was activated. WOW….if you could have seen the look on my and her face when the waiter brought my card back and told me that the card was reading invalid. The dinner had came up to about $120 bucks and she had to pay for it. Of course I told her the story and promised her I would pay her back but it would have to be on Monday because that’s when bank opened back up.

You can imagine the look on her face and how the night ended. Soooo embarrassing.

SDM: Do you believe in love at first sight?

“I would have to say yes and no to that question. I believe in love at first sight because some people love to be physically intimate. When two of this type meet, they may fall in love with what they want to do with or to that person. I would also say no because I don’t think that you can understand the complexity of a person and all they are about and if you really want to be a part of that just from one look. I think everyone has their idea of what the “perfect person“ would look like, however love takes time, effort, dedication, most of these things that not a lot of people are willing to do now a days. I think “love at first site” is a big reason for the crazy high divorce rates.

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"FLOYD D. HOBSON" PHOTOGRAPHER, MODEL “CHRISTIAN A”

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“Homme Boy”

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Onetruesoul.com

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ONETRUESOUL stands for a unique lifestyle of the hungry, driven individuals. Such determination gets rooted deep into a mixture of pop culture and ethnic uprisings that defines us as artists. ONETRUESOUL designs with the thought in mind of soul exploring experiences. Our outcome and product result pushes aside all barriers and consequences that would disturb the desired meaning of ONETRUESOUL.

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JUST living

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Geormel Benson Shai'La Yvonne McNeil Stafford On Location at the Neo Nightclub Pleasanton, CA.

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"Rocker Fringe" With Festival Season Fast Approaching, A Few Things Instantly Come To Mind: Music, Sun, Fun And Fashion.fussing About What To Wear? When In Doubt, Fringe It Out. Whether You Take A Subtle Approach With Minimal Details, Fringed Accessories Or Rock A Full On Fringed Dress, Inject Some Cool Edge Into Your Wardrobe This Festival Season With Fringe! Here We Give You Four Looks To Surely Truly Turn Some Heads.

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Fashionable Color in Culture 90 SWAGGA DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Once again e spring season is upon us. It's customary for all creatures to respond to e change of seasons. Color in culture is a natural phenomenon!

Plants, insects, birds as well as our furry friends, will take pa in e celebra on is spring by flaun ng exuberant colors at lift one's spirit and dazzles e onl kers. You t are invited to take pa in seasonal celebra ons styled wi colorful fashions. For everyone who works in e fashion business, it is important to be able to recognize and to foresee any social, cultural and seasonal trends at pe ain to colors. TeKay Designs salutes colors wi an exci ng array of fashion l ks at display exuberant hues for is spring. The Houston, Texas fashion house is retailing its new collec on for 2012.

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