I AM WEST PHILLY by TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE

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TRAP DOOR ELICIA’S HOUSE OF HAIR ………………………………....pg 12 100 BARS & RUNNING……………………...pg15 SUM REAL NICCA ISH……………………..pg26 DREBABES….. ………………...pg30 SAMPLE DAT………………….pg38 THE BEAUTIFUL MIND 2…...pg 48 JAZZY ………………………….pg 60 JONJON THE SON…………….Pg74 KEY TO LIFE PUBLISHING…Pg78 4

TRAP DOOR

President/Founder Russell “Trapp” Tucker

Editor Alexis Ortiz

Contributing Writers Delroy Hill Alexis Ortiz KiaSample

Graphic Art AKBAR ENTERPRIZES

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TONE TRUMP

remember back when I was incarcerated a brother asked me, why did I talk about myself so much; without even thinking of a response, I simply replied I had to because the mass majority of things that come out of people’s mouth is always something negative, so if I didn’t tell myself I was capable then, I would never get anything done. A person will tell another what he/she is not capable of doing because that particular person is not capable of doing it. . So I learn not to listen to people a long time ago. (Smile) a lot of people have told me that I would never be capable of doing a lot of different things. They told me I wouldn’t be capable of owning a successful publication…as one can see I told myself I

was capable. The thing that makes this issue history is not just the fact that I have Tone Trump in it…[pauses] it’s the fact that I have Tone Trump in my magazine and I did his interview right from the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (men’s emergency shelter) in Rockville, MD. I would like to thank the God of my understanding for opening my eyes to my own strengths. I would like to thank Alexis Ortiz for helping me with anything that I have asked her to do. I would like to thank Mr. Dan for printing my issues. I would like to thank Angie “Ms. Pepper” Davis for being like a big sister to me in this business, Kay from KAY’S MARKETING FIRM, the big homie, Tone Trump, Ace Capone, Delroy Hill, Skarr Akbarr, JonJon The Son, Lil Jazzy, and the beautiful Ms. Elicia Moore. I would like to thank Eric “E.B.” Brown, Asia Burrs, and every single one of my supporters (it’s not many). With that, thank you and enjoy. Sincerely, Russell “Trapp” Tucker

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he magazine was a very good read. Very intriguing and keeps your attention. I think it appeals to more than one type of person or race. It's educational to the real struggle of the streets and gives young people a insight on the truth of the streets. Thanks for the read let me know how it progresses my apartment is k and my girl loves to read and is very interested in it â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Jamie

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and mild, I've been writing for years. So, I figured now is the time to try, you only live once, so do what you can do. Lexxi: Do you have a studio home or specific producers you work with? Elicia: No, I work with different engineers, being somewhat of a celebrity I've been lucky to work with different producers in the industry. Elcia Moore

rap Door Magazine's new Editor-in-Chief, Alexis "Lexxi" Ortiz, recently got a chance to chat with one of Baltimore's premier hair stylist, Elicia Moore of Elicia's House of Hair (located at 4614 Eastern Ave. Baltimore, MD). When we caught up with her she was just leaving the studioâ&#x20AC;Ś Lexxi: So, you're just leaving the studio, are you referring to your salon or an actual recording studio? Elicia: Yeah, a real studio. Lexxi: Are you an artist...what type of music do you do, rap, hip hop, R&B? Elicia: I'm a Jazz, Neo-Soul artist. I love rap and hip hop, but I'm meek

Lexxi: Do you have any finished work or a recorded single you're pushing? Elicia: Yes, my single is called "Ponytail" it's about me and my crew, my girls going out looking fly, with our ponytails swinging in the club 13

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ists on this project, however her collaboration with Monarch Entertainment’s "Caddy Da Don" could prove to be one of the hottest tracks on the album; they showed no mercy when they recorded the track entitled “I NEED IT ALL”. In conclusion, I’ll have to agree with the executive side of BALTIMORE’S CITY PAPER by voting that Si Notes is no doubt the "Queen of the Mic." Why? (shrugs shoulders) Well, it’s like she said she’s "gutter like the place between the SI -Notes

ierra “Si Notes” Carter is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and reps THE GRITTY GANG. In her latest mixtape (album) entitled “CASH ON DELIVERY” she embarks on a lyrical assassination of over 16 different tracks. She starts off with an intro entitled “Real Shit.” Out of the 16 tracks (which can be downloaded on http:// www.allbmorehiphop.com/), my personal favorite is “CAN’T STOP MY SHINE,” in which she includes a skit from the 2001 John Singleton film, BABY BOY featuring Taraji P. Henson and Tyrese Gibson. In this track, Si Notes CONCLUDES, "I got ballers trying to holler, but I cut that short, now I’m smacking white bitches, thought you don’t like pork.” I mean the album is a classic; however this particular song speaks to me. With explosive verses that describe her relationship with a former boyfriend, I could easily relate. When I shared with her that I liked that particular song, she responded by saying "it's crazy, but a lot of men like that song." She collaborated with a few local art-

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Tone Trump Figure 1

one Trump is from P-h-i-lA period. Born Abdul Salem and raised by a Muslim family, Tone Trump grew up with aspirations of being a basketball player, but those aspirations where later abandon due to him being expelled from school. As of recently, Tone Trump has just signed two major deals with Young Jeezy’s CORPORATE THUGS ENTERTAINMENT

(C.T.E) and with Kay Harris, Celebrity Publicist's PR Marketing and Public Relations Firm. He also is co-staring in a movie titled Hard 6; which is a movie based off of a book written by CASH MONEY AUTHORS, Ashley Antoinette and Jaquavis Coleman (which sources say is sure to meet the expectations of the streets). Tone Trump has also released a brand new mixtape entitled “THE NEW FRESH PRINCE”, and has a hot single in rotation with the big homie Young Jeezy called "AFGHAN."

11:00 AM EASTERN TIME So there I was ….it was about maybe an hour or so, before I was to do the phone interview from the Montgomery County Coalition Shelter (I’ll explain later). I must have had about 12 cups of coffee before 9 o’clock that morning and his interview wasn’t until 12pm. 21

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So I’m going about my routine with making sure I got everything in order….tape recorder… check, cup of coffee…check….note pad...check, so as I’m going about my routine the brother who’s standing besides says “ I hope you aren’t nervous.” I hadn’t thought about it until then, but then he was right, Tone Trump interview... (smile) I’m suppose to be nervous.

minutes. Ace is from the West, Freeway from the South West but I’m definitely from the West. Trapp: You knew Ace before he caught his time, correct? Tone Trump: … [Pauses] yeah.

Trapp: So how was it coming up around the big brother Ace and Freeway? Tone Trump: I mean…the only thing “LET’S WIN” I can I say is seeing people where I THE INTERVIEW WITH come from be successful was definiteTONE TRUMP ly motivating, you know what I’m saying. Ace had an independent record TRAPP: From what I understand label and you know…he’s known for you’re from West Philly, correct? what he's known for. He inspired me in a lot of ways, as far as, being a Tone Trump: Absolutely. business man. He coached me through successful events. His movie was suTRAPP: So you came up around Ace per successful. He showed me that it Capone and Freeway? can be done as far as running your Tone Trump: Well Ace is from West own label. That was something that I (Philly), Freeway is from South West took a lot of pride in and as far as (Philly). It’s pretty close though, Freeway… Philly is small man. You know like any other city, we have our sections and shit. I can get to south west in 10 23

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seeing Freeway before he got signed right back with us, and you didn’t and seeing him as a young dude come have to do that. Where did you get that up, was definitely inspirational too. part of your character from? I’m in contact with both of them. I speak to both of Tone Trump: Man.. them on a daily [pause] that comes from basis. Me and my mother. My mother Freeway have always instilled in me to worked in the treat people the way you studio together. I wanted to be treated. So definitely try to if you meet somebody hold Ace down and they say I was and show my supcocky, then that’s beport for his new cause they were cocky book “GO with me. If you treat me HARD." Shit, I with respect, then I’ll was talking to his treat you with reTone Trump son yesterday. spect...you know what I mean? You put your TRAPP: You hand up to shake my know what’s crazy….I seen some of hand, then I’m going shake your hand. the footage of you online and I’m a If you put your hand up to harm me, good judge of character, and I can tell then I’m going harm you. . I’m about that you a real humble dude, I mean humility…but you know at the I’m confident that your cocky when same time we stunt and we talk you have to be, but the thing I love big shit too about you is your attitude …because T when we reached out to you, you got CON 8 PG 5 24

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ou have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law. Now I can include the rest of the Miranda rights, but I personally believe this is the most important part...In the streets we have become accustomed to using terms such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;snitch and ratâ&#x20AC;? when referring to someone that leaks infor26

mation to law enforcement officials. In late 2004 a brother from Baltimore, released a DVD entitled "Stop Snitching!" In some footage, a number of men claiming to be drug dealers address the camera, and threaten violence against anyone who reports what they know about their crimes to the authorities As the DVD spread across the country, corresponding shirts became

popular in urban youth fashion. The shirts typically show a stop sign emblazoned with the words "Stop Snitchin'." Some shirts bear bullet holes, implying that snitches should (or will) be shot, thus referencing its associated catchphrase "snitches get stitches". The shirts have been more widely circulated than the original DVD

The Diplomats, a Harlem, New York-based rap group, made their own version of the Stop Snitchin' shirts, with their logo on the end of the short sleeves. Another such shirt says "I'll never Tell." A new breed of shirts appeared for sale in flea markets and bazaars in south Dallas, Texas in mid 2010. The new shirts extolled the benefits of "keeping yo' mouth shut" in regards to a trial involving one "Fifi/Lisa" and one "Baldy/Red". Further details of the trial, including a list of various charges set forth on the couple, are listed on the back of the shirt. The video's creator, Rodney Thomas, a.k.a. "Skinny Suge," pleaded guilty to first degree assault on January 17, 2006, in

Baltimore and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with all but three years suspended. National examples of violence due to "snitching" include Angela Dawson of Baltimore, who was killed along with her five children and husband on October 16, 2002, when their house was firebombed after she alerted police to illegal activities in the area. Another example is Terry Neely of Phoenix, Arizona, a 46year-old man confined to a motorized wheelchair that was tortured for days and then killed by Angela Simpson in August 2009. A third example is Michael Brewer of Deerfield Beach, Florida, a 15-year-old who, in October 2009, was doused in rubbing

alcohol and set on fire after assailants yelled, "He's a snitch, he's a snitch." -following excerpt was

taken from http://en.wikipedia..org/ wiki/Stop_Snitchin’

IT WAS ALL GOOD JUST A WEEK AGO “Who ever thought you would get popped one time and rat?” were the words spoken by Sean “Jay-Z” Carter in “A Week Ago” released back on September 1st 1998. Ratting, telling, etc., are all terms that have roughly plagued our community since the civil rights movement

TRAP DOOR . The term actually originated as a positive slogan for the black community back in those days. During those times police brutality was at an all time high… so the brothers created their own protection brackets for their own people. These people’s reason for doing this was because they were not being protected by the U.S government, who were being paid by tax payer’s dollars to protect them. In response to the government not protecting them, these individuals aligned themselves with other individuals; created

their own legislative branch (which made the laws), created their own judicial branch (which interpreted the laws), and created their own executive branch (which executed the laws). The phrase," stop snitching” was then born. These gangs/ organizations created this phrase (that a lot of young people use today) because they took on the responsibilities that the U.S government had for so many years neglected, when it came down to African Americans. It wasn’t created as a term to be associated

with what it is being associated with today. The word “rat” comes from the early days of the mob. The Italian mafia used the term rat to describe some one who cooperated with law officials to escape sentencing; when a rat or a mouse is captured it will do anything to get free, including squeal .Trapp’s Conclusion I personally got out of breaking the law years ago because I understood back then that I couldn’t beat the pigs .(Police)

(Shrugs shoulders) They have too much money, technology, and manpower. I guess I wanted to publish this article because I wanted to explain to my readers the history of the term “stop snitching”. So with that I’ll conclude this, in the history of organized crime there are two types of informants; there are those who inform the officials because they are scared for his/her safety, then there are those who inform because they are just selfish. I’m a firm believer that most people are taught what to think rather than how to think; so if I come across a person that is selfish or frightened, then I already consider that person as a potential candidate for cooperating with law enforcement, if anything

was to ever get ugly. Usually the ones that cooperate with law enforcement, because they are concerned for their safety, are law abiding citizens. They are usually residents who live in the area…and believe it or not they have the right to cooperate with law enforcement officials, if they are law abiding citizens. So, I don’t personally think they are wrong for informing the police of anything, if they feel uncomfortable with what’s going on in their community. The selfish informant on the other hand, is something completely different; all I can really basically conclude in reference to him/ her is be care-

ful. The police only know what people tell them (directly and indirectly) whether that be through evidence one has left on a scene of a crime or what people open up their mouths and say. One can’t tell the officials anything if he/ she doesn’t know anything. “Now that’s sum real nicca ish.”

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owadays everybody wants to be a rapper and who could blame them? Just take one look at the Top 10 countdown on BET and you'll see why. Multi-million dollar homes, jewelry, the price of cars, that's just the tip of the iceberg. The allure of this lifestyle is irresistible, especially to young black men coming from a place like West Baltimore; the home of DREBABES. Not only an artist, a dedicated father, motivated by making a better life for his loved ones, he's the definition of a grinder. One mistake that a lot of artists seem to make is not investing in themselves, not only from a financial standpoint, but also in the form of connecting with the people and building their brand. A mistake that Andre Tyler refused to make. He realized that in order for him to be successful in

such a competitive field, he had to focus on two things: separating himself from the rest of the pack and building a grass roots relationship with people. Not only the dope boys and people from the hood, but people from all walks of life. Why limit yourself to only catering to a certain crowd, when music is so universal and can touch so many lives? With the release of his latest project, "Public Announcement: The Prelude 2012" behind him and the follow up already underway, Dre's diverse style and broad appeal allows his fans to continue to grow with him. . The feedback from "The Prelude" has been "overwhelming at times" in his own words. With nearly 2000 downloads and 1000 physical copies in the streets in less than a month, the numbers speak for 31

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Drebabes themselves. His belief in a strong work ethic is already showing dividends, coupled with his personality, seems like a winning combination.

dividuality and that's why I kept it and ran with it. TD: When did you start pursuing a career as an artist... DB: After graduating high school is about the time I decided to purBetween his "late nights and early sue music as a career. About a mornings, Dre found the time to sit year or two after graduating is down and talk with Trap Door when I really began to take it seriabout his plans for the futureâ&#x20AC;Ś ous and began to utilize my resources in order to achieve or obTD: Where did the name "DREBABES" come from... tain a goal. DB: Back in high school a lot of TD: Describe yourself as an artpeople used to call me "Dre istâ&#x20AC;Ś In just two words I'd say I'm Babes", but my lil' sister made it eclectic and diverse. Those two DREBABES. She put it on a shirt words sum it up, because you and from there I just ran with it. A can't put me in a box, you can't lot of people question it, but that's categorize my music. really where it came from. But if you look it up, it's just one name, it's just me. So it gives me that in32

My voice can go over any type of beat or rhythm and my selection in production is the same way. I just try to be different from other artists and I'm not discriminate towards anything in regards to music itself. TD: How did you go about building your brandâ&#x20AC;Ś DB: I built my brand from the ground up. Over here, we don't have no funding or nothin' like that at all. Don't nobody invest in us. It's just me and my brother, we invest in ourselves and do what we gotta do. On "The Prelude" we took it back to the old school. Due to all the outlets that are available for artists now, it's rare to see artists actually puttin' in the foot work. That's the way we chose to do this one. Instead of just uploading it on various websites, we let the people take it to the internet. We pressed up the CDs and took 'em to various venues and began building relationships with people. A lot of people just wanna feel like they a part of somethin' and when you speaking to them and comin' thru

their speakers if that connection is there, they "feel" your music and it grows from there because they can relate. At that point the people actually build your brand for you. A lot of artists fail to realize that when people wanna unite with you and become your fans, they are your foot soldiers, you just gotta give 'em the work and make sure it's acceptable. That's what we did, we went around the city to various artists' performances and supported them. We had conversations with artists and producers... not only about music, but just general conversation. Relationships is the key, it ain't what you know, it's who you know. Just 'cause you speak to someone don't mean they wanna work with you and you can't always be about business. When you always about business, you're like a machine and a machine will always, eventually break down.

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. If you build relationships, when somethin' does break down or go wrong, people know you from who you are and the music don't even matter at that point. When they ride with you like that, that's when they grow with you and you do, musically. It ain't just about uploading music and gettin' YouTube views. In this day and age you can pay for those fabricated numbers, but when you lay that ground work, it speaks for itself. Just be patient all the while perfecting your craft. TD: What's the response been to your latest effort, "The Prelude 2012"â&#x20AC;Ś DB: The response has been good, very positive. In some cases phenomenal and in some, overwhelming at times. A lot of heads are accepting the project for what it is. It's hard to win people over in Baltimore and you can't blame them from a consumer standpoint, but as an artist it can be frustrating at times. But, when you start winning people over and they actually be34

come a part of your team per say, that's when it's worth it. A lot of us as artists fail to realize that if you gonna make music you have to make music for the people. Even though it's your story you tellin', you gotta make it relatable. You gotta meet the people 50/50. From the response to this project it seems like I'm actually meeting the people maybe 70/30, 'cause they are gravitating to it. Even dudes!! I got a phone call the other day and had a conversation with a dude who said he didn't know where the CD came from, but it was in his car. His girl said she got it from somewhere, but long story short, he said he was fuckin' with it and he really enjoyed it. That right there lets me know that all the hard work and dedication is paying off and we makin' progress. I'm just layin' back and lettin' time tell, but at the same time I'm workin', perfectin' my craft TD: What's next...

DB: The next move is gonna be a short EP called "Late Nights, Early Mornings". I work all night but at the same time I'm a father in the day time, so I barely get any sleep. So that's where that title came from and the actual music is catered to those who work towards achieving their goals and dreams or anything they are inspired to do on a daily basis. 'Cause they realize that no matter what that is, it usually takes a lot of late nights and early mornings to accomplish that. So it will be very easy to relate to the music, if you have any type of goals, dreams, or mission in life you are working towards. It's not gonna be some of this nonsense music that you hear, it's gonna be music that people will gravitate to, that people can play in the car, in the house, or if they just goin' thru something. TD: What's holding all the talent in Baltimore backâ&#x20AC;Ś DB: I think what's holding us back is us as individuals. You hear a lot of artists say they don't get the

support and this and that, but for people to really listen to you and fuck with you, you gotta make it look like something. Too many of us looking for a hand out or looking for help. If you have faith in your brand and put in the work, then it shall prosper. bring the best out of each other, cause we goin' compete. Workin' with somebody that already got a name is like piggy backing' a lil' bit to me. If you work with people I think the brands need to be built to a similar level, that way it's a real collaboration and it can be beneficial to both parties.I could pay a major artists to work with me, but if I'm not doin' nothin' even here in my own city then it's a waste of money. I would never wanna go to no other man in a situation where I can't hold my own weight.

When you always about business, you're like a machine and a machine will always, eventually break down. 35

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So until it comes to that, I just grind it out. But I'd rather work with underground, underdog type artists. TD: What are your thoughts on working with other artists... DB: I can't really name drop on that. I prefer to work with the underdog artists. Somebody that's never been heard of, don't have a name, 'cause they hungry like I'm hungry. We can bring the best out of each other, cause we goin' compete. Workin' with somebody that already got a name is like piggy backin' a lil' bit to me. If you work with people I think the brands need to be built to a similar level, that way it's a real collaboration and it can be beneficial to both parties. I could pay a major artists to work with me, but if I'm not doin' nothin' even here in my own city then it's a waste of money. I would never wanna go to no other man in a situation where I can't hold my own weight. So until it comes to that, I just grind it out. But I'd rather work with underground, underdog type artists. 36

TD: Any parting words... DB: I just wanna say to the fans that at the end of the day, if it's anything that you wanna do in life, whether it be out the box or not,there's gonna be trials, tribulations, and struggles. But in the midst of all that, if you keep a strong mindset, focus on your goals, and stay positive, it will eventually come. Patience is a virtue and you have to be patient for the things you want to come to you Whatever road blocks you run into, use it as a learning experience and try to flip it into something you can grow from, to benefit your future. My grandfather told me that some people are successful . being a jack of all trades, but most of us need to focus on that one thing that is special to us, to make it happen. By focus I mean perfect it, so when your name do pop up, nobody can question you 'cause you show and prove, you piss excellence.

Kia Sample

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hen we meet a man for the first time, the last thing we think of is his HIV status. We find ourselves attracted to his outer appearances, what type of job he has, does he have his own place, how many kids he has, even how many baby mamas he has. But the status of his HIV test does not cross our minds until after we have had that one night of unprotected sex that " just happened" or we put all of our trust into the man in our life and never think that he would disrespect us let alone himself and have unprotected sex with another woman knowing that he has you and maybe even his children back at home. Things like this happen, whether we like it or not. Thousands of women have been infected by men who they either just met or have been in a long term relationship with. With loads of information out here on how we must protect ourselves we find ourselves with new HIV cases every day. We know you can't look at a person and tell what their status is. I have seen plenty of young healthy looking men and women die of HIV that turned into full blown AIDS. 38

Both men and women still go out and sleep with other people unprotected knowing that they have a positive status. I've seen married men infect their wives. Marriage cannot save you from being infected but being in a monogamous relationship can. The new HIV cases age range is 15-25 and that's most likely because this is the age that you are exploring your new found sexuality. It's something new to teenagers going through puberty, getting attention from the opposite sex, and that first time feeling that you're doing something that makes you feel grown, and maybe even loved for the little girls. In our early twenties, we are nowhere near thinking about settling down, having a family, two cars and a dog...we're in college, just being legally allowed to drink, and partying like we're rock stars getting a taste of our new found freedom because at 21 you think that you are grown. The "Talk" our parents should give us about the birds and the bees have been left up to the under-paid teachers who are dictated what they can and cannot teach in the classroom. No person thinks that

HIV will ever happen to them, they believe that they are lucky because they haven't turned up positive...yet. Now here is the BIG one, ask yourself, when was the last time you heard any man say, I have a doctor's appointment today? RIGHT....hardly ever. The most men who do go to a doctor are those who are sent for a physical because of where they work or where they are trying to work. I have heard numerous amounts of times from different men, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know I'm ok because my girl just had a baby and the baby is fine.â&#x20AC;? Newsflash: a woman can be positive and give birth to a healthy baby, it happens all the time. Black women are the highest ethnicity to be infected, which means that black men must be coming in close to second place. . How do we fix this? Raise the awareness? Well I believe the awareness is definitely out there it's; how do we get people to take their lives more seriously? When I found out that my kids were sexually active, my biggest concern was not teen pregnancy my biggest concern was sexually diseases. 39

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I'm what you call a young mother, I know that there is nothing that I can do to stop my kids from having sex, it's their bodies, and it's their lives. They will find a way to experiment and have a bunch of first time encounters with different people, the same way I did when I was growing up. We throw our daughters on birth control hoping that will keep us from becoming a grandparent too soon, but what about STD's? Or better yet, what about morals? We tend to be lenient on our sons and encourage their sexual habits opposed to being over protective of our daughters. Tell me, what's the difference? It's nothing for an older man or woman to sexually seduce a younger male or female, and that older seducer can be HIV positive. It's real easy to slip up after having a number of drinks out on the town with friends and get caught up in the heat of the moment leading to an unprotected sexual encounter and then left praying that you didn't catch something. Men think after three days if they feel ok, then he's not burning. Which also means he can do it again 40

in his mind? As many Maury shows that we watch every week, it don't cross your mind that women sleep around unprotected all the time. Imagine a show where women and men are infected and have slept with so many people that instead of not knowing who their unborn child's father was, they didn't know who infected them with HIV. That how real it is, the proof is on TV every week day, when will we learn? Usually we get into our early thirties and start to slow our lives down, but some of us don't even make it. It's up to us to save our own lives. If we are not going to commit to one person and have a long term monogamous relationship, we are still at risk, and even after doing that if you both haven't been tested prior to sleeping with each other you're still at risk because everyone has a past. If you know how many times you have been cheated on in the past relationships you have been in, you know how many times you could've been infected. The ONLY way to lower the new case rates is to educate each

other, protect ourselves each and every time, and go into a doctor's office and get tested. It used to be every 6 months but now that has even changed due to rapid rises, it's now every three months. The HIV test is free at all health departments and they offer a number of different testing methods. Some health departments do the original blood testing with a butterfly syringe, some use a mouth swab, and the newest one is the finger prick. It's a 15 minute wait for your results to come back, the longest 15 minutes of every man's life, followed by a what if speech from a HIV counselor who advises you of your next test date and a month worth of free condoms. If your test comes back positive the health department asks for the name, number and address of everyone you have slept with protected or not in the past year. A counselor is sent to the homes of these individuals, who if they are not found at home when they come out, they leave a large yellow card on their door or window for the whole neighborhood to see. Imagine

how many people gave the wrong names and addresses or better yet, imagine how many people lied and said they only slept with one or two people. I don't even think they ask for identification at the health department so imagine how many people have used a fake name. It's real. This is going on in your world whether you know about it or not. Things like this are what is keeping those new cases coming in. People are not up front with themselves.

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As a woman, I know that other women make a big fuss about when a man cheats on them without looking at themselves as a cheater. It's ok when they do it but if it's done to them it's a problem. It's a problem when you do it also ladies, you're a part of the problem not the solution, which is why we black women are the leading infected. It's our mindset; we want to be bad bitches. We want to be independent and not need a man; we want to be the one he picks, and not leaving us dying from something he gave us. Men, you think because she looks good her health is good too, uh uh, it don't work like that, you cannot look at her and think just because she isn't skinny she is ok, I know people who weigh more than two of me that are HIV positive. You can't get yourself a younger woman thinking you are going to tame her into the woman that you always wanted neither, chances are, she just started living so she is

doing her too, you just don't know about it. Oral sex should also be protected, not only because of HIV but other STD's that are out here. You can't tell when a person has herpes anymore because some folks have herpes and no symptoms, no visible bumps, no discharge, and there are times when they can and can't pass it on to someone else, doesn't mean you won't get it. If you don't see any bumps how in the heck you are supposed to know if you got it. The answer is to use protection and get checked more often. I recommend that everyone gets checked out periodically, every three months as advised by the Centers for Disease Control, or my favorite, every time you get a new partner you should go together, if not together you should still go. The time to change is TODAY. Think first, you only get one life, let's try to live it as long as we can and as healthy as we can..it starts with YOU!

STD QUIZ:

Test Your Sexual Health

1. Condoms are the best protection from sexually transmitted disease (STDs). a. True b. False 2. The early stage of STDs (without symptoms) is not contagious. a. True b. False 3. It is estimated that ____________people in the U.S. have genital herpes. a. 1-2 million b. 15-20 million c. 25-30 million d. 45-50 million 4. Which of the following is a possible symptom of an STD? a. bumps, sores, or warts near the mouth, anus, or vagina b. painful urination c. painful sex d. All of the above 5. How many people in the U.S. are living with HIV?

a. b. c. d.

about 1 million about 3 million about 7 million about 10 million

6. Kissing is the safest sexual activity. a. True b. False Answer Key 1. Correct answer is False. Kind of a trick question, condoms provide good, but not complete protection against only some STDs or STIs (sexually transmitted infection) especially gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, and trichomoniasis. Some STDs such as

TRAP DOOR Answer Key herpes, HPV (genital warts), and syphilis can still be transmitted through contact areas not covered by a condom. Only abstinence will prevent 100% of STDS 100% of the time. 2. Correct answer is False. You can have an STD in the early stages with no symptoms and still pass it on. Many STDs don't have symptoms at all or can seem like symptoms of other problems that aren't STDs, like stomach pains. That's why it is important to get tested. 3. 3. Correct answer is D, 45-50 million. Believe it or not herpes is a common condition effecting people in the U.S. 44

60% of all sexually active adults carry the virus. Nearly half of all African American women between 14-49 years old are infected with genital herpes, for which there is NO CURE. African American women have the highest rate of in infection and the rate is nearly twice as high as men. 4. Correct answer is D, all of the above. Sometimes there are no symptoms present, but if they are present they could include all of these in addition to weight loss, night sweats, aches, pains, fever and chills, discharge, bleeding, or severe itching.

5. Correct answer is A, about 1 million. AIDS has killed 25 million people since 1984. 1.1 million Americans are among the 33 million people now living with HIV the virus that causes AIDS. 6. Correct answer is False. Most people think kissing is a safe activity, unfortunately syphilis, herpes and other infections can be contracted through what seems to be a relatively simple and harmless act. For information on STDs or STIs go to http://www.cdc.gov/std

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Elicia Moore

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girlfriends catching up, anyways back to the interviewâ&#x20AC;Ś Lexxi: So, I read your bio and it said that you had been doing hair since you were eight years old, wow, really?

Elicia: I used to sit on the front porch and comb my doll's hair all the time. The neighbors would come knocking on my door and ask for the "lil' girl who always messing in them doll's hair" they told me I would be a great ...I hope they'll be playing my song in stylist and I used to do their hair all the club and I'll be swinging my ponythe time. The ladies from the church tail to my own song...It's going to be would always say "get that lil chocohot. late girl from down the street to do your hair." Most of my first clients While I was chatting with Elicia I were the elderly. I burned a lot of couldn't help thinking about how much fun it would be to hang out with people, but I learned a lot...like how to you use paper bag rollers, and just her. Her personality is bubbly and how close I could get to the client's inviting, I wish you all could have head to press them out straight. been listening on the phone; it was like I'd known her for years, just two Lexxi: You've found lots of success... 52

Elicia: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve owned my salon for seven hair shows. I don't just go to the comyears now; I think that's why I haven't petitions to compete, I go to seminars, arrived yet. I still have a long way to learn new techniques...can't nobody go. I'm very competitive, I work well out do me, but myself. Being nomiwith others and I am a team player, nated (even though I but people don't want to I'm very competididn't win) for Maryland work with me because tive, I work well High Fashion Stylist for they are afraid...intimidated. No with others and I am 2012 makes me know one wants you to get a team player, but I'm good. ahead of them. people don't want to Lexxi: Do you feel like work with me be- Lexxi: You've traveled there's a lot animosity all around the country to cause they are amongst your peers? participate in over 40 afraid...intimidated. hairs shows and competiElicia: Always. It's the tions, like The Internasame with any competitional Beauty Show, tive business; we are all doing this for Bronner Bros., and Milkyway Hair. our children, for their future. I'm alYou've won over 14 awards; most ways on edge and feel like I have to recently you were named the winner do more to reinvent myself. of the 20th Annual Golden Scissors Awards in DC. You don't think you Lexxi: Reinvent yourself? How do have success? you reinvent yourself? Elicia: Constantly! I reinvent myself Elicia: I'm modest, I don't brag, it's through education, competitions, and not in me to do that. My success speaks for me. 53

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As a professional student (I've been going to school trying to get sometime type of degree since I graduated high school 20+ years ago, I'll be finished soon, this time with B.S. in Social Work...come on May 2013), I understand Elicia's need to constantly reinvent yourself. Learning new techniques, brushing up on old skills, and testing your own abilities is what makes you valid. In a highly competitive field you have to stay on top of not only the freshest cuts or fabulous new color, you've have to keep up with fashion, business, and the expectations of your clients. Elicia is on top of her games, she is business savvy and passionate. Sorry for the interjection just food for thoughtâ&#x20AC;Ś Lexxi: You're the owner of Elicia's House of Hair, do you have any employees? Elicia: I work solo; I've found that people don't respect your passion, so I work alone. Lexxi: I see you offer mobile services in addition to your storefront; who does this service cater to? Elicia: My mobile service is for celebrity clientele...I pack up my conversion vehicle with all my tools and go to their, homes, business, or hotels. It gives them the privacy they may require so they don't have to worry about being approached in the salon (I do have a private room in the salon too, in case they want to come to the shop). It's also for my disabled clients, who have to depend on MTA for transportation, which takes too long and can be frustrating for my clients to wait. Being mobile allows me to service my elderly and shut in clients who can't get around as easy anymore. Lexxi: Are there any more clientele you cater to? Elicia: I provide services for the deceased too. I'm not scared, I figured if I can provide service to all kinds of living people, why not people at peace.

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Lexxi: Speaking of Celebrity clientele, can you tell us some of the celebrities you work with or would that be breeching confidentiality? Elicia: Well...I work with celebrity designer Stevie Boi, he dresses people like Amber Rose, Miguel, Lady Gaga, and many more, and he's also the designer of SBShades a high end line of sunglasses... you should look him up. We did, Stevie Boi specializes in high fashion, runway, ready-wear shades and accessories, and now you can check him out too Elicia: And as for the other's I can't really disclose at this time. Lexxi: I know you create custom wigs and hair accessories, what inspired you to do that? Elicia: All my creative works, I do in my down time and sometimes they come to me in my dreams. Sometimes I'll see something my children are wearing and create elaborate pieces to

go with their outfits. Lexxi: Are these pieces for sale? Elicia: Yes, they can be found on my website at http://www.stevieboi.com/ #!start/mainPage Lexxi: I see you specialize in "Avant Garde" styles...what is that? Elicia: Avant Garde is a test of creativity, high fashion art. It's hair art, and not seen on a daily basis, but it's making its mark on the entertainment industry with stars like Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj wanting to go wild-ncrazy. Lexxi: Do you have a signature style or trademark color you use? Elicia: I rock it all well, I love all colors, no limits to color, one color compliments another. As for me I love big hair; my hair stands at least 3 1/2 feet off my head. It matches my features, my beautiful body and all this hair...a beautiful person, that people take notice of when they see me.

I know what you ladies want to know...when can you get an appointment, right? How about prices, times are tough, can we even afford to go to an award winning celebrity stylist? Here's what I found out... Lexxi: Being a celebrity stylist, it must be hard to get and appointment with you, especially if you're not a celebrity. Elicia: I have to tell the truth, yes, you have to book an appointment with me at least 3-4 weeks in advance. In some cases I might be able to fit you in sooner, some seasons are busier than others, so it depends on the season. Lexxi: I had a stylist I went to for years, but with this economy (and I think she got a little too scissor happy) I had to stop going because I really couldn't afford it. What do you say or do for clients that may be in my same situation. Elicia: I have no animosity towards any of my clients or former clients, I know times are hard and they have to

schedule their appointments around their finances. I provide weekly specials, because I know times are hard. Didn't I tell you business savvy, compassionate, and passionate about her craft and her clients!!

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Lexxi: With high fashion hair (Avant Garde) comes makeup. I know you love makeup too, have you ever thought of coming out with a line of makeup? Elicia: I don't want to overwhelm my clients, but I do have a line of makeup called "Candy Paints." It's only available at my salon; I'm working on marketing it now. It's 100% mineral powder, all natural and it can be used either dry or wet as body paint. Lexxi: What are your ultimate goals? Elicia: I never told anybody this... (WAIT FOR IT, *TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVE*) I want to be a famous jingle writer. I'm a commercial junky. I want to be famous for writing or producing jingles. Lexxi: Never expected that, that's great though, anything else you want our readers to know about you? Elicia: I'm just me, not trying to be like anyone else. I'm inspired one head, one wig, at a time. Thank you this was great, you have a great personality, not stuffy and hard. Lexxi: Thank you so much, can I tell 58

you something? Elicia: Yes Lexxi: This was my first interview! Elicia: Really? I felt like I was on Oprah Winfrey. We both chuckled and then hung up. You can always read facts about someone in their bio and admire their accomplishments, but there's nothing like sitting down and chatting with someone. After speaking with Elicia, all the facts that I read about made since. There's no wonder why she's so successful. She's modest, determined, inventive, positive, appreciative and just an overall beautiful person. I'm sure we'll be seeing much bigger things on the horizon for Ms. Elicia Moore, mark my words this lady is a superstar.

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TRAP DOOR Lil jazzy Trap Door: Where are you originally from and where do you currently reside? Lil Jazzy: Born and raised in Houston, Texas and I currently still reside in Houston. Trap Door: How did you get started with modeling and how long have you been doing it? Lil Jazzy: I always wanted to model at a young age so, I decided 3 years ago that I would go ahead pursue my dream. Trap Door: Tell us a little bit about your hobbies? Lil Jazzy:I love going shopping, getting pampered, going out to eat, mov62

ies, and spending time with my family. Trap Door: What publications have we seen you? Lil Jazzy: Flava Girl Magazine, Eye Cavity Magazine , Vixens Magazine, UGFM coming soon, and now Trap Door Magazine, and I've been featured on many websites like Stunna Magazine and many more. Trap Door: What is your favorite part about being a model? Lil Jazzy: Being in front of the camera of course and also this gives me so many opportunities to network, travel as well , and meet new people. Trap Door: How do you see yourself progressing in this field? Lil Jazzy: Putting in hard work and networking... Trap Door: What are your goal as model? Lil Jazzy: Being very successful, taking my modeling further, and being a motivation for other women who want to get in the business.

Trap Door: What four fashion items should no model go without? Lil Jazzy: A splash of Victoria Secret perfume, popping lip gloss, 4 to 5 inch heels, and a eye catching outfit for a photo shoot.Trap Door: What is your sexiest physical feature? Lil Jazzy: My lips are gorgeous. Trap Door: What kind of man do you prefer? Lil Jazzy: A man that knows what he wants ...and also a man that is good with his hands Trap Door: What turns you on? Lil Jazzy: Nice teeth, a nice body, good hygiene, and a sense of humor.

Trap Door: Where can your new fans find you? Lil Jazzy: Twitter @ liljazzy1082 Instagram @liljazzy1082 and facebook.com/liljazzythemodel

Trap Door: What is a turn off to you? Lil Jazzy: #1 deal breaker..... Bad breath! Trap Door: What's the best advice given to you? Lil Jazzy: The sky is limit.Trap Door: Any last words? Lil Jazzy: Thanks to my supporters, fans, family and friends for all your support. 63

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…I mean don’t get it twisted, but at the same time a lot of these rappers were nobodies before they were rappers. I’m not one of those types of dudes. I always did what I wanted to do. I always hustled hard, always got to a dollar, always worked for mine. Whether it be, to travel or to date beautiful women…I did that shit before rap, off of hard work and that’s the same shit that I apply to this rap shit. These dudes get ego’s because they never had shit. One can always tell when somebody ain't never had money. That’s the difference between me and a lot of these dudes. I don’t trip off of none of this shit. Everybody is human man. I’m in the best position. I see a lot of these multi millionaires and they bleed just like the homeless bleed. These niggas ain't special. So you know if you walk around treating people like shit man… I mean the same mother fuckers you see on your way up is the same people your going to see on your way down. I’m just big on treating people with respect. That’s what my movement is 64

all about. Trapp: You know what’s crazy… [Pauses] you just said something, and what you just said was, “Niggas bleed just like the homeless people,” right? Trump: Yeah. Trapp: Guess where I’m at right now doing your interview? Trump: Where? Trapp: I’m at a homeless shelter homie. Trump: Wow…what you work there or something? Trapp: No, [laughs] I’m in here. I mean I’m like literally in here. I’m putting all my money behind this publication. I have been here about two weeks.

Trump: Yo, that’s deep.

pone Novel... [Pause] what’s your input on it ? Trapp: Man this magazine is that Trump: I mean…I don’t care if it’s a important to me gee. I’m going to re- movie, a CD, or a book when you lease this issue from this shelter. know it’s real, you have to respect it more. I just got off a 12 city tour and Trump: That’s some real shit right when I was on the tour bus I was there. Yo you fucked my smoking and reading. I just head up with that one; retold his peoples the other day spect man, continue to hold I see a lot that the book was amazing. If your head up man. It’s goone doesn't have it, for the peoof these ple that are reading this magaing make your story better bro. I salute you man. multi mil- zine, they need to go get it. It’s Keep staying strong brother classic. It’s a real story from a lionaires areal you feel me? dude. If you ever thought and they about getting in the game, or Trapp: Man shit, it is what it is…these people be look- bleed just have ever been in the game, or ing at me like I’m crazy, whatever, or a chic that have like the dated a nigga in the game then, because I be rolling. Car sitting out front, job, shit, I homeless it’s definitely a book you want be on the phone…I do me. read. It’s something in there bleed. to Radio interviews all that for everybody, it’s educational. shit; I just have to make Its Ace's first book, but it sure I’m in this bitch before 11 won’t be his last. So make sure y’all o’clock. Man I don’t be playing. But, support Ace Capone and go get that I’m not going make this interview "GO HARD" right now. about me I’m going make about you, my bad. So tell me about the Ace Ca65

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Trapp: Tell me about “THE NEW FRESH PRINCE” mixtape.

hustler in the game. My nigga fucks with my hustle and he fucks with me. Its family my nigga [pauses] it’s more Trump: Well, I put together a whole than just business with me and Jeezy. project, but my label wanted me to He’s my brother, my mentor. It’s a focus on the new project right now. So dream situation for me. He saw a nigwhat I basically did, was put together ga grinding. We met, linked up, and a pre-joint, just to feed the streets. It’s then we finally made everything offidope man. Niggas love it. My fans cial. It’s C.T.E. for life. And that’s wanted it to be more songs…so I’m what it is …I’m corporate thugging cooking up the C.T.E. World Compi- now. Where you from Baltimore? lation and I’m putting that out. I’m going give them a whole full CD, but "THE NEW FRESH PRINCE" is available online now at http:// www.datpiff.com/Tone-Trump-TheNew-Fresh-Prince-mixtape, it’s a street's classic. I got Jeezy on there, Beanie Segal on there, Freeway, Cassidy, Nore, all my C.T.E. brothers. It’s a dope project. Trapp: Well how did the situation with Young Jeezy take place…how did you make that happen, that’s a big move? Trump: I mean real recognize real, you know [pauses] he’s the realest trapper in the game. He’s the realest 66

Trapp: Yeah…I’m from Baltimore.

Trapp: (laughs)

Trump: I can hear it in your voice.

Trump: Man I’m fucking with you. Trapp: (laughs) Yo I ain't tripping bout that. Man I’m grinding. I’m putting everything I make behind this magazine. That’s how much I believe in it. I’m financing this joint by myself. Man I rather sleep in this shelter and do what I love to do, then to live in a house and not do what I love to do.

Trapp: [laughs] man you got that Philly accent as well. Shit nigga you got that Philly swag as well. That shit deep too…you heard me?

Tone Trump: I know you a B-more nigga cause when I hear that voice man, I know what it is. B-more the shit, man I fucks with B-more Trapp: Shit man niggas fucks with Trapp: So tell me about the you too. Man down here, you got that "AFGHAN" joint with you and Jeezy, much respect in the streets. because at first you did the "Afghan" joint by yourself. Tone Trump: You know why they Trump: Man that shit changed my fuck with me…because I'm in them life. The president of C.T.E. called me streets man. Yeah I’ll come and do a and let me know that "Snow" wanted show and the next day I’ll ride through to get on that record. And the rest is the hood. Speaking of which man, history. He got on the record, I got it shout out to my man, Rico Reed. I’ll mixed and mastered and I sent it to be down there around October 31st. Funk Master Flex. Funk Master Flex I’m hosting a day party down there, so put it on hot 97. I went on tour proif you can make it down there before moting it and that shit just turned up you have to get back to the joint, you like crazy. know what I’m saying. (Laughs) 67

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Trapp: Yeah, I see that the mixtape DJ’s really embraced you real heavy. Would you say that for an artist that’s coming up in the game that having a DJ break an artist in is the key, or an important piece to get in your position? Trump: Yo without the DJ’s you can’t do shit. If you don’t got DJ’s supporting you, then you can forget about it. I wouldn’t have gotten my deal without the DJ’s support. So yeah, big shout out to DJ’s worldwide. Trapp: From what I understand the mayor of Philly reached out to you. How did that make you feel? Trump: I mean shit, you have to look at it like this, how many rappers you know was ever asked to speak at City Hall. I’m the only rapper that has ever been asked to speak at City Hall, in my city. There are a lot of great rappers from the city of Philadelphia, but I did it twice. Not only did I speak at City Hall, but the mayor came to my block. He came to my hood to fuck with me. It’s an honor man. I mean he showed me respect not just as a 68

rapper, but as a man and as a leader in my community, as a man I take a lot of pride in that. Not to mention I wasn’t a big fan of his, you know what I’m saying. He didn’t have to do that. I haven’t always spoken that highly of the nigga. So I definitely have to salute him for respecting my voice in the hood. A lot of the niggas they trying to reach listen to me, so that was a smart move on his part, but at the same time I’m still honored by it and I’ll never forget it.

Trapp: I also saw that you went to all the schools in your neighborhood too. Niggas don’t do shit like that. Trump: Not just the schools, but I still go to the jails and the shelters; that’s just something my mother instilled in me. I’m keep it real with you my nigga, what you going through now, I’ve been through it. I know how it is waking up and not knowing what I was going to eat for the next day. I mean I’m saying, I use to go to the supermarket and fill up my cart and walk out the store with that bitch. My baby mother use to park by the corner, she use to have a little Dodge Neon and I would fill up that cart and I was getting big shit like snow crabs, all the cereals and we would ride out; but you know God is so merciful and so good that I’m able to do what I want whenever I want. Trapp: But you know what’s crazy, that shit shows in your character. It’s like I said to you in a text…you aint have to get back with me. You aint have to do no shit like that. Man you got a better attitude than a lot of theses artist that come from where I come

from and they aint even signed and you’re signed to a major label. That’s crazy. Trump: Man you have to understand that you can’t blame them niggas, you have to blame them old heads. Man I was raised right I came up under the right niggas. If I ain't did it, I heard it, or I seen it happen you feel me. I ain't impressed by these niggas. I am on the phone with Ace Capone who’s doing 55 years, plus life who’s giving me nothing but priceless jewels. When me and Ace talk, we not talking no illegal shit, we talking business shit. This nigga was telling me how he was bringing $20,000/ night running the clubs on some positive shit. I've politicked with the bosses of the hood, who done got RICO charges and yeah they did a lot shit to get them charges, but they did a lot of good shit too. They helped out in the hood and a lot of people forget that shit. Trapp: Don’t you have a book deal as well?

TRAP DOOR Trump: Yeah I do. I got a book called “30 SECS TO SHINE WHILE YOU ON YOUR GRIND" which is just a bunch of shit one needs to know about this business. Then I have a street novel too. We don’t have a title on that one yet because we finishing that one up now. Both of those books should be out this winter. I’m putting my pen to the paper on a lot of different things. I’m writing movies and I’m writing the novels. Trapp: You know it’s crazy, because I think the only nigga to have a buzz like your was, 50 Cent back in 2003? Trump: The biggest DJ in my city said something like that. 50 got like 400 million so I’ll take that comparison. I had a chance to talk to 50 too. 50, definitely a real nigga. I’m just doing me. I’m signed with one of the realist niggas in the game. Jeezy ain't fucking with me because I’m a fuck nigga. He is fucking with me because I’m a real nigga. 70

Trapp: How does it feel to be the main event…how does it feel to come from where you were at, to where you are now? Trump: Man I give it all to God. I just came back from a 12 city tour, seeing places I thought I would never see in my life. I’m rocking shows in Minneapolis, Detroit, and San Francisco. I just got booked for a show in Wisconsin. Now for a nigga to pay me to do a show in Wisconsin and for a nigga to even know me out there is big man. It's all a dream come true. I was just on a mother fucking beach with Young Jeezy, riding jet skies, with a bottle of Rozay on the beach, my nigga that shit crazy. I was just listening to Young Jeezy while my nigga was bagging up. Now I’m getting money with the nigga. It feels good to know that when my kids need something it’s no problem, they get it. Trapp: Yo, there’s a lot of artist that would take a nigga head off to be where you at…what advice would you give them to be the next Tone Trump?

Trump: First thing I would tell them is fuck being the next Tone Trump...be you, go hard. Second thing is believe in God, family third man, and believe in yourself. Just be your own number one fan. When niggas hated on me man, I loved Tone Trump. And I have to believe that because I can’t push my shit thinking, I’m ok…no man I think I’m great. Don’t let nobody, who ain't never did it, tell you that you can’t do it. If they ain't hating, then you ain't winning. Niggas know my slogans. "Let’s win.” If you don’t believe in yourself nobody else will. I’m going sign off on that note cause, I’m about mean literally it took 10 minutes once to pass the police.... I reached out to his staff to get everything that I asked for (press kit ,bio, etc.). To me that says a lot about his Trapp’s Conclusion: character as a person and a lot about Tone Trump has to be one of the very his upbringing as a child. Often times people allow his/her status to dictate few authentic people we’ve come across since this publication was first who he/she is…but outside of what one possesses, their character a lot of created back in the summer of 2001. the times, are raggedy. The brother in The brother has an array of major deals going on with different (major) my opinion, is many different things [pauses]: rapper, actor, street nigga, companies, but still managed to find the time to speak with me in reference but outside all that, the brother is humble. to what was going on with him. I 71

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We spoke about his days of not being in the situation where he was able to feed his family legitimately, we spoke about the mayor of Philly respecting his voice in his community. We spoke about how a lot of these rap dudes act like they have never had anything, but most of all we spoke about the fact that his mother and the people, who have come from his environment, have equipped him with the knowledge and understanding to give back to his community; whether it's speaking at City Hall, going to jails, or homeless shelters to speak with the brother’s and sisters in less fortunate situations. I can’t begin to explain how hard the introduction of this article was….I mean damn this is Tone Trump the new edition to Young Jeezy’s C.T.E. empire…but then after I thought about what he said in the interview, about the "rich bleeding just like the homeless” the experience became a lot easier. So like the big homie Tone Trump always says, "Let’s win." 72

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Jonjon The son

must have thought to myself for staring back at me on the page. I had a good hour before I began to to speak to this dude. write this article. I wanted to get a feel for the artist formally known as JonJon. After listening to track after track, I finally came across the one that I was specifically looking for Tattooed & Weeded Up; it wasn’t that the other songs that I heard, weren’t good…it was just that I wanted to hear, if he fell into what is now the norm, in the hip hop music. You know just to see if he had the diversity he should have as an artist. After I read his bio, I noticed that JonJon wasn’t just a white boy that decided he wanted to be a rapper. No… JonJon is a rapper that happens to be white and has actually had his feet in the trenches for a while. With tours across the U.S. and in Europe with Prodigal Sunn, Cappadonna (WuTang), Wu Tang Clan, Rampage (Flipmode Squad), Spliff Star (Flipmode Squad), Brooklyn Zu (Wu Tang), Bossman (MySpace Records), JonJon Interview TAKE “1” COMP (former Def Jam artist), KRS Trap: JonJon… [pauses] 1, and more under his belt; I must say, what’s up homie ? I was really impressed with what was

TRAP DOOR JonJon: Ain't too much man.

name, that would be unique. For me ‘The SON” is “Stop on Nothing” Trapp: Damn, I didn’t know you there's no stopping me. If there was a were this active… [pauses] damn! stop I wouldn’t be around now. I tell JonJon: [laughs] I’ve been doing this people though, if the ball stops rolling for a long time now. All that stuff for ya, you can go ahead and get off goes back to like 2004. It’s been a the tracks. long ass journey. Trapp: How was it working with Trapp: How long have you been rap- Prodigal Sunn? ping? JonJon: He was the first experience I JonJon: Well I’ve been rapping since had as a kid. I flew out to California. I was a teenager, but when I got the He came walking up in the hotel room first deal with I95 Productions, I was and for like four straight days, we was still like a kid. in studios and going to radio stations. Trapp: From what I understand, you All the basics I come to learn, from got your name in reference to Method being in the music business, I’ve Man. learned from being around him. JonJon: Well yeah, growing up as a Trapp: How do you feel about the kid, me and my friends we all listened Baltimore market for music? to Wu-Tang. They were the inspiraJonJon: There are no finances in this tion to the guys that I rapped with or market for music. Therefore, it is very whatever. I ended up working with difficult to make money in this marpeople I listened to and that was a ket. very interesting thing. Trapp: What members of the WuTrapp: What made you adopt The Tang Clan have you worked with? Son? JonJon: I was just looking for some- JonJon: Well I’ve spent time hangthing, as an add on for a copyright ing out with Cappadonna a lot... 76

Trapp: How was that experience? JonJon: Well, Cappadonna is a cool dude. He’s really about what he does. Trapp: Didn’t you work with Bossman as well? JonJon: I don’t want to discuss him please. [laughs] Trapp: [laughs] Damn, it’s that serious? JonJon: Naw, I just ain't a particular fan of dude. We crossed paths a couple of times at personal sessions…and I just be like alright dude. Trapp: [laughs] What happened? JonJon: At the time that I met him, he was just coming off of his deal with Jermaine Dupri. I had got introduced to him through the dude that works with the Wu-Tang people and he just brushed me off like [pauses] … ok “yeah”…I ain't pressed on it. Trapp: So you're saying that homie is bourgeois then? JonJon: Yeah. Trapp: How many mixtapes/albums do you have out now? JonJon: Five or six...

TRAPP’S CONCLUSION JonJon the Son...reminds me of Chong from of one those old Cheech and Chong movies, where they smoke a lot of weed. Funny, laid back, with the demeanor of an average guy…he just so happens to rap. During the course of our interview I found myself thinking about the title to his song Tattooed and Weeded Up and I thought to myself, he stayed "Tattooed and Weeded Up.” JonJon has had the opportunity to work with several high profile artists and producers in the industry, allowing him to perfect his craft under the tutelage of his childhood idols (now mentors) and like he says “Stop on Nothing” there's no stopping him. JonJon the Son founded Infinite Visions Productions, LLC, a production, management company known as the IVP Click and is currently working on another mixtape...be on the lookout for Jon Jon's new mixtape, Optimal Zone, October 1st.

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ey 2 Life Publishing was formed in the winter of 2011. I (Teasha Coles aka Tea Capone) came up with the name while visiting my husband Ace Capone. Ace had asked me what would I name the book company if he decided to cancel looking for a book deal, and I tried to come up with a name that best fit his character--which at first I came up with "Deep Faith Publishing". Than I thought about a business name I already established years ago "Key to Life" so when I told him that name---he loved it and history was made. "Key 2 Life" represents that with Allah's---2 women: Myself "Tea Capone" (Ace's wife) and "Angie Davis" (Ace's Assistant) were guided to him Masha-Allah (by Gods Will) while serving his current Life sentence (in a positive direction). We have a very short staff which is a all family owned and ran the company.

strong meaningful messages. We hope to shed life on negative events--and explain why those events often happen. At the same time we look to show a positive message by increasing people's faith, cause when you put all your faith and trust in Allah (God) all things are possible. So no matter how hard the struggle is----if you practice faith and patience, along with the proper conduct (worship God properly, being faithful to your spouse, practice good deeds, raising children responsibly, etc.) Allah will make a way out of no way. InshaAllah (God-Willing). We actually learn more from our hardships (tragedies, illness, incarceration, death, etc.) than we learn from success ---and everything we endure is a test from God. My husband is very sincere / adamant about guiding others away from the street life, and we thought no better way do it than thru books and movies.

Key 2 Life Publishingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals are to bring the world true to life stories (even in fictional novels) only with 79

TRAP DOOR Go Hard (The Takedown of Ace Capone) is our first official project. (You can order the book thru Amazon...Ebook....or Author House) We are currently promoting "Go Hard" (The Takedown of Ace Capone), and we plan to push this book for the next 12-18 months. At the end of Go Hard we give up the first 2 chapters (as a teaser) to part 2---so we will bring out "Go Harder" (Caponeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cocaine Gang) as a sequel to that book sometime late next year. Insha-Allah (God-Willing) We have many projects planned for the future (a reality series on families who still function thru a hardship while the head of the family is incarcerated, a mini-series, and a movie on Ace's life). Ace is currently finishing up another book titled "Product of my Environment" (an explanation for the troubled youth, and a guide for the parents who has them) itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a positive influential book (self-help) that we plan to put out sometime top of next year 2013. Insha-Allah For more information on Key to Life Publishing: Website: http://newmediasourze.info/AceCapone/acecapone.html Twitter: @1acecapone Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/GO-HARD-ATCapone/198356196954152 For direct inquiries: keytolifepub@hotmail.com Key2lifepub@gmail.com 80

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