Tru / Issue 10

www.coldsteelvodka.com

TABLE OF CONTENT

13 ON BLAST WITH B.JUDIS KEYS 27

45

UP & COMING STARS AVA AND JANEL

TRU TALKS WITH PRODUCER/ AUTHOR LANCE ALEXANDER ON: INDUSTRY BEEF, TELL ALL BOOKS & MORE! FEATURE

56 ROCK AND ROLL NOMINIES PUBLIC ENEMY ROCK THE STAGE IN MINNEAPOLIS TRU ENTERTAINTMENT MAGAZINE

www.facebook.com/Truentmagazine

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B M A D I G I TA L C H A N N E L 9 3 7 - M I N N E A P O L I S / S T. PA U L , M N B M A D i g i ta l C h a n n e l 9 4 6 - L O N G B E A C H , C A E N T E R TA I N M E N T C H A N N E L S A Division of The Urban Mass Media Group

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Sophisticated Soul food that will make your mouth water!!!!

www.pinkdivacatering.com jima@pinkdivacatering.com

On Blast w/Brandan Judahl Keys; Known as

B. Judis Keys

Brandan Judahl Keys; known as B. Judis Keys first burst on the scene in 2007 with a performance in New Orleans, Louisiana. With a background stemming from the roots of Neosoul/jazz/funk/ & soulful gospel grooves Brandan feels that he has always been a different type of artist. He’s a; singer, musician, producer, and lyricist. His latest project entitled “SoulQuarian Flight” has a sound influenced by; Erykah Badu, Chaka Khan, and Prince with a hint of Al Jarreau. Let’s check him out!

TM: What do you hope to achieve in the music industry, do you consider yourself a pioneer?

BJK: My artistic Vision to achieve within the music industry is to transcend beyond all genre’s , race/color/sexuality/people and hangups in general, to appeal to a broader audience of listeners that understand and appreciate true musicality. As far as considering myself a pioneer....ummm I wouldn’t say that, although I have been in the musical realm a long time, I like to consider myself a very well versed/rounded artist “who is still being fine tuned” TM: Are you working with any celebrities currently?

BJK: I have worked with a few celebs in the past whether in the neo soul/gospel /jazz realm ie.badu (an experience I will never forget), n’dambi, roy hargrove, eric darius, but actually right now I am just focusing on me and perfecting my craft and bringing it to a new heightened expectation!

TM: Do you have any tour plans, if so, where and with who?

BJK: I do have some tour plans in the works (south by southwest, nu-soul jazz festival,)and there are some other big tours I am actually in the works of with my management team, I cannot speak of it all right now but looking into overseas action and touring.

TM: What inspires you to write?

BJK: What inspires me to write Is actually just writing from experience, even society issues and also being inspired from my own creativity , whether when I put my hands to the “Keys” and bring up a new soulful groove , it’s like the words just flow right along with whatever comes from the groove I make!

TM: How do you feel your music impacts your listeners?

BJK: I actually feel how my music impacts my listeners is by the musicality and true nature in my music. People can relate, people can enjoy great musicality record label and bring new artist under my belt! So (which is what is missing this day and much I aspire to do. time with so much commercial music out now) One thing I just don’t push the vocal aspect of my creativity I also push the envelope of the musicality as well and show my creative nature in that.

TM: What’s on your 5 year plans personally and proffesionally?

BJK: My Plan is to exceed way far beyond what I am doing now, and really keep growing my fanbase and make heights in music that will brand me that people know me all over nationally . In 5 years I want to be able to be in a position where I can totally manage my own music to where I can pick and choose the direction driven by my own heart. I want to be able to leave a stamp of approval with each and every listener that comes my way.

They can truely say “that B. Judahl Keys is really something special musically.” Maybe even 5 years from now own my own

www.facebook.com/brandon.branchbooker

SUE ANN CARWEL TAKES MINNEAPO

LL OLIS By. Danielle Svobodny

Production house, Tru Image Group partnered with Recording Artist, Sue Ann Carwell in presenting an outstanding and vibrant concert at the Fine Line Music Café in celebration of Valentines Day. Sue Ann wanted to come back home, spend time with her family and spread some Valentines Day love with her friends and devoted fans. And that she did!

Local well known artists Chantel Sings and Ray Covington warmed up the crowd along with a hilarious Karen Larson who helped to spice up the night! Karen also co-hosted with KMOJ Radio D.J. Chaz Millionaire and KMOJ DJ Ray Richardson kept the groove going between intermissions.

Carwell couldn’t have picked a more perfect day to thaw out our winter blues. Serenading the crowd with “Blues in My Sunshine” then tantalizing us with sexy “Painkiller”, it was obvious that Carwell still has it! If you haven’t heard her perform live your definitely missing out on an artist who, intuitively, knows how to connect with her audience. It feels as if she is singing personally to you!

This explains why she remains a favorite to her devotees.

I sat down briefly with a trio of Sue Ann’s most loyal fans; who offered me an intimate recollection of their most fond Carwell memory. When I asked what they most vividly recalled about Ms. Carwell, they certainly shared more than I bargained for! It went something like this...“Janie” was getting ready to give birth to her first child back in the 80’s and her girlfriends (still in tow) dubbed a tape for her to take into the birthing room that tape, was Sue Ann Carwell. Janie is a testament to the kindred connection that Sue Ann Carwell is capable of evoking in her audience.

Many of Minneapolis’ musical veterans who have made names for themselves locally and abroad came out to hear the beautiful songbird and show their support; The Time’s, Jellybean Johnson, Prince Drummer, Bobby Z, Maserati’s Tony Christian and Craig Screamer, Craig Dion of MVP, The Peterson Bros. Jason (who backed Sue Ann on Key’s and Sax) and his brother Billy, and veteran D.J. Spider J. Hamilton and many more of the Minneapolis Royal Regime.

This was a perfect performance for a lovers holiday. The synergy of sound was just right. Love was in the air and it moved on the notes that these artist played. This was truly a night for love.

Photographer: Chris Holden

S H A R O N F O X

IN THE KITCHEN STRAWBERRY SHRIMP AND SCALLOPS 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup light brown sugar 3-4 large strawberries, stems removed and sliced (or quartered) 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots 6 cups (lightly packed) arugula or spinach leaves (large stems removed)-- I prefer spinach* 2 Tbsp. grape seed oil or light olive oil 4 extra jumbo scallops 6-8 uncooked jumbo (or larger) shrimp, peeled & deveined Coarse sea salt or Kosher salt

DINNER FOR TWO

In a bowl, stir together the vinegar and sugar until the ready to start cooking.

Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over me just a minute or two until all the leaves have wilted but Dry the scallops and shrimp well and sprinkle with the oil heat a moment, then carefully add the scallops and s Let the shrimp sear for about 1 minute per side until ju tom (about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes.) Carefully lift one scallo Cook for just another minute until the scallops are spri Remove the scallops and keep warm.

Wipe out the pan, then add the strawberries and vineg until thickened to a syrupy consistency.

To serve, place the green on a plate, top with the scallo Makes 2 servings

e sugar is dissolved. Fold in the strawberries, cover, and chill for at least one hour. Remove from the fridge when you’re

edium heat. Saute the shallots until softened, then add the spinach leaves or arugula and turn until well mixed. Cook are still fully green. Remove greens to a strainer and keep warm. e coarse salt. Heat a skillet or saute pan over medium high heat until quite hot. Add the grape seed or light olive oil, let shrimp (there will be some spattering.) ust opaque. Remove and keep warm. Don’t move the scallops until you can see a brown edge forming around the botop -- if the surface has a nice caramelized color, turn them over. ingy but not quite firm.

gar. Remove the strawberries after they are heated through (about 30 seconds) and let the balsamic cook down briefly

ops, shrimp, and strawberries, then drizzle the balsamic reduction over the scallops and shrimp.

INDIVIDUAL BETTER THAN SEX CAKES

1 box Devil’s Food cake mix + ingredients to make box mix 7 oz. sweetened condensed milk 6 oz. caramel sauce 1 fun size Heath Bar per cake, crushed Cool Whip

Preheat oven to 350 degrees . Grease 8 ramekins and place on a cookie sheet. Bake cakes according to directions on package, until done.

Cool cakes on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Poke various holes in cakes with fork. While cake is cooling, heat condensed milk and caramel over low heat; stir until combined. Pour over cakes and generously sprinkle with crushed candy bars.

After cake is completely cooled, garnish with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, and a few pieces of crushed candy bar.

Makes eight 10 oz. cakes

BROILED CRAB CAKES 1 pound Jumbo Lump Crab Meat, cooked* 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs (or regular bread crumbs or cracker crumbs) 1 Egg, beaten 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise 2 tsp Old Bay or Creole Seasoning 1 tsp Mustard 1 tsp Garlic, minced *You can steam and pick your own crabs, if you want. But, I always buy steamed jumbo lump crab meat, that’s been hand-picked and packaged. It’s a time-saving and mess-saving option, which in my opinion, makes very little difference in the quality of the final product.

Preheat broiler. Combine all ingredients, except the crab meat, in a bowl. Mix until well blended. Gently fold the crab meat into the other ingredients, taking care not to break up the chunks too much. Use your hands to form four equal sized balls of the crab mixture. Place the balls on a baking sheet and gently flatten into thick patties. Place under the broiler and cook for about 10 minutes until completely heated through.

TO ADD A CAJUN SLAW TO IT PLEASE REFER TO THE NEXT PAGE

Chilled Avocado Soup 2 Ripe Avocados, peeled and chopped 3/4 cup Chicken Stock (plus more, if desired)* 1/2 cup Creme Fraiche (or sour cream) 1 1/2 Tbsp Lime Juice 1/4 cup Parsley Leaves or Cilantro 1/2 Tbsp Garlic, minced 1/4 tsp Salt (plus more, if desired) Pepper, to taste 1/2 Jalapeno Pepper, chopped fine (optional) Slaw: 6 cups Cole Slaw Mix (Shredded Cabbage and Carrots) 1/2 cup Mayonnaise 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce 1 Tbsp Creole Mustard 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar 1 tsp Garlic, minced 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper 1/2 tsp Salt

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Taste. Add additional salt and pepper, if desired. Add additional broth to make the soup thinner, if desired. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. *Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian soup.

This is great paired with the crab cakes!

Combine the mayo, vinegar, Worcestershire, mustard, brown sugar, garlic, cayenne and salt. Taste and adjust seasoning, if desired. Toss with the slaw mix. Make several hours or a day ahead if possible so the flavors have time to “pop�.

Chipotle Remoulade for crab cakes

1/2 cup Mayonnaise 1 Chipotle Pepper (from can of chipotles in adobo) 1 Tbsp Capers 1 Tbsp Chopped Pickle 1 Anchovy fillet, optional 1 tsp Mustard

*Run your fingers along the anchovy, as you rinse it under running water to check for and remove any larger bones. If you choose to omit the anchovy, you may want to add a dash of salt to the

Tru. Beauty

Radiant Glow

By Lady Williams

If you have skin questions please email me at theessenceofladywilliams@gmail.com and check next month’s magazine for your answers.

Youthful, fresh, glowing, soft skin can be attained with proper maintenance. Do you use bar soap or liquid soap? Estheticians say creamy liquid soaps provide more moisture to dry skin. If you have oily skin bar soap is a better option for you because your skin doesn’t need more it needs less moisture. Is sunscreen needed? Yes, all skin needs it, especially to prevent sun damage and premature aging on your face. Make sure you choose the right SPF. If you are under 30 a face lotion with SPF 15 should suffice. Neutrogena has great facial lotion that will provide you with the right amount of protection.

Over 30 Spf 30 will give you great protection, as woman of color I’ve used Neutrogena spf 15 in my 20’s and now that I’m in my 30’s I used ambi spf 30 for smooth, glowing, even toned skin. Sunscreen keeps your skin young, fresh and soft. Lotion is a key factor to having soft skin. All lotions do not work however. One cannot buy dollar store or cheap lotion and expect soft glowing skin. Palmer’s cocoa butter lotion, Vaseline cocoa butter lotion, and my new favorite Jergen’s crema “Deep-Conditioning Oatmeal Avena Nutriente) is amazing! It comes in a jar and it’s thick and creamy and works wonders for extremely dry skin. I recommend it! Most important know your skin type, so u can get right moisture for your skin. Also exfoliation is needed to remove dead skin so new youthful skin can show. Buffing pads are great for your whole body including your face, target sales them with 10 or 12 in a bag. Use it and dispose of it, never reuse them because it can cause breakouts. In addition get a good scrub such as ambi facial scrub; also St. Ives oatmeal and shea butter body wash are also magnificent products for your skin. We all want youthful, fresh, glowing, soft skin, so take care of it! Try these great products that can be found at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Target, etc.

Until next time, Remember to pamper your skin, so you can have that radiant glow Yours truly, Lady Williams

Bisexuality refers to sexual and/or romantic attraction to both males and females. A significant percentage of people do not fit neatly into either of these categories, because they experience sexual and emotional attractions and feelings for people of different genders at some point during their lives.

For lack of a better term, they are called bisexuals.

Many people hate this term, for a variety of reasons, and prefer to call themselves “pansexual,” “non-preferential,” “sexually fluid,” “ambisexual,” or simply “queer.” But how do you know if you are bisexual or just confused about your sexuality? Most people find it a safe haven to say that they are “bi”, that they are just having fun, being young and experimental when all the time covering up what they really feel about a person of the same sex. It is easier to say “bi” to save face. For a very small percentage of people they may really be straight or gay and claim they are bisexual for any number of reasons. However because of the pressure put on us to choose one or the other, many bisexuals have tried identifying as gay/lesbian or as straight. Many have found that they still have strong feelings for people of both genders. This can be a confusing time as little information has been available on bisexuality or “coming out Bi”. It can be a painful process to identify as bisexual because in the past there has been little support for people trying to assert a bisexual identity. This is changing slowly. Whether a person comes out as bisexual after previously identifying as straight, gay or lesbian, the bisexual community can offer a safe place to discuss their issues and fears. The bisexual community has for a long time offered this support to those that do go on to identify as gay men and lesbians everyone accepts that it’s possible for a person to be attracted

BY KEITH KING

Bisexuality…Am I one? to people of more than one height, weight, hair color, or race. For bisexuals that openness also includes gender.

That may hold water. But does it? We are not talking physical make-up but that of two totally different species of human beings, with two totally different mind frames, feelings, views and gender parts that affect what moves them emotionally and mentally. Others are attracted to masculinity and/or femininity, regardless of a person’s sex. Some of us who identify as bisexual are in fact “gender-blind.” For others—in fact for me—its androgyny or the blending of genders that compels. Sex is sex no matter the physical body, and the concept and or action of intercourse. But the mental stimulation of being with a person of the sexual gender is what holds the key as to what a person desires more. Without a doubt if you really narrow it down, men and women have very different physical make-up and sexual mannerisms they can stimulate senses in a person that will lead them to gravitate that person to either the same or opposite sex.

In my opinion, one or more distinct features stand out more than the other in most cases that will allow one to peruse one sex over the other and be with them on a more frequent basis. So how do you do on a personal level if you are straight, gay or bisexually? I think that is going to require a person to look deep inside of them to determine what they are really feeling emotionally and physically toward a person of the same sex or the opposite. Can you equally be attracted to both sexesYES? But which one do you see yourself ending up with for the rest of your life?

Diva Rags & Suavé Clothing

by Ashley Lauren My name is Ashley Lauren, Owner/Designer of Diva Rags & Suavé Clothing, Founder of the Diva/Suavé Project and College Graduate (Metropolitan State University; Individualized B.A. Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Community Outreach). I am also a Print Model (Lynn Steele Casting).

I have a passion for fashion, helping cancer patients, making change in my community and inspiring youth to live their dreams!

I started ‘Diva Rags’ when I was fifteen years old.

At the time I primarily designed head scarves, but as time passed I added Suavé Clothing.

I specialize in customizing scarves, apparel, shoes and accessories!

Diva Rags & Suavé Clothing offers signature items; ‘Diva Rags’ (Unique Scarves), a clothing line featuring the ‘Diva’ & Suavé logo, Customized Licensed apparel (Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, John Lennon, etc.), “AVID EVAUS” unisex body oil geared toward relieving stress & unique customizing service for customers!

I place positive messages on scarves such as “Live Your Dream” and “Peace” to combat against words that objectify young girls/women. Incorporating uplifting messages on clothing and accessories helps me reach the masses, thus enabling me to fulfill my purpose which is a humbling experience. I also donate scarves to cancer patients and offer complimentary scarf tying demonstrations.

Social Responsibility: I created the Diva/Suavé Project in April 2007 in an effort to educate children about leadership, entrepreneurship, job skills, college preparation, and introduce youth to options in life. Since then, the project has expanded its efforts to help those in need by hosting relief drives (northside tornadovVictims) and donating scarves, books, etc. to children across the Twin Cities.

I also mentor youth and try to help them gain resources, information, the support they need in order to be successful. We must work as a collective to make long lasting change in the community.

Why I am compassionate: Diva Rags & Suavé Clothing is more than a business, it is a dream come true. I am thankful I am able to live my dream and inspired to do all that I’m doing due to my grandfather’s plight.

I am carrying on a torch my grandfather “Danny Davis” ignited who was a former boxer, businessman and leader. He taught me about the importance of perseverance, kindness and making change in an effort to

make this world a better place than the way we found it.

I also design to inspire the youth; our future lawyers, doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, etc., because I want them to realize Links: Lauren aims to inspire, uplift community http://insightnews.com/business/7529-lauren-aims-to-inspire-upliftcommunity Diva Rags Profile: Ashley Lauren uses fashion to make change http://www.womenspress.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=20&ArticleID=3690 CBS 2013 Spring Tips from a MN Fashionista: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/ top-lists/2013-spring-fashion-tips-from-a-minnesota-fashionista/ Websites: www.divarags.com www.divaragssuaveclothing.com Blog: www.divasuave.blogspot.com

www.btyliskintherapies.com

Spring Summer Heat Fashion Explosion 2013

ATLANTA GA

I truly believe in “re-purposing” food. Leftovers can really be your friend. Here is the “re-mix” for a whole baked chicken!!

1 (2 - 21/2 pound oven roaster) 1/4 cup Olive oil 1/2 cup Rotisserie seasoning rub (Recipe to follow) 1/2 cup diced sweet onions 2 Tablespoons minced garlic 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper Asparagus, chopped up into 1-inch pieces (including tops) 2 Tablespoons of salted butter 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, diced small into 1-inch pieces 1/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar 3 Tablespoons white sugar 2 Tablespoons Pure Vanilla

Chef Jima Ali Greetings, I am Jima Ali. Executive/ Personal Chef and Owner of Pink Diva Catering located in NYC. Having a family of four with two growing children ( ages 14 & 10 ) time management, money savings and peace of mind are extremely important to me. As a caterer and Personal Chef, I advise my clients on ways to make their dollar stretch and still have great tasting, quick homemade meals for their families.

DAY 1 Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning 3/4 cup Sea Salt 1/4 cup smoked paprika 1/4 cup onion powder 1/4 cup garlic powder 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup ground cumin 2 tsp dried thyme 2 tsp dry mustard 2 tsp cayenne powder 2 tsp black pepper

Mix all the above seasonings together. There is no need to go out and buy expensive rubs when surely you have these ingredients right in your cabinet.

Clean and dry Chicken. Then rub entire chicken with olive oil. Then generously apply Rotisserie rub to both sides of the chicken. Place chicken into a gallon size ziplock bag or an airtight container and let marinade for at least 24 hours.

Time to “Burn”.....

Set oven to 375 Degrees and let the fun begin!!

Place the chicken in the oven (covered with aluminum foil ) for 45 minutes. The foil will create a “sauna” like environment for the chicken and help to cook it evenly.

While the chicken is in the oven, we will prepare the side dishes.

The best way to optimize time is to prepare all items before you begin to cook. Chop

all your ingredients so that all you need to do is to add them to the pan.

DAY 2

2 Tablespoons Olive oil 1 ~ In a medium pot, add the sweet potatoes to cold water 1 large onion, chopped and bring them to a boil. Add salt to the water to season Sea salt the potatoes. Boil until tender. Drain and add to a bowl. Pepper Add the brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla and 1/4 heavy 1 pound Sweet potatoes, peeled cream and mash the potatoes to the consistency that suites cut into 1/2 inch cubes you. Set to the side.

Shredded chicken ( approximately 2 - 3 cups ) 2 ~ Heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over 1/4 all purpose flour medium heat. Add onion, stirring occasionally for 4 1/2 cup dry white wine minutes. Add onions, garlic and salt and pepper, stirring 2 cups low sodium chicken broth occasionally until onions are translucent for 3 minutes. 1 cup frozen peas Add the asparagus and sauté for 4 minutes. Add the butter 1 cup fresh sliced white mushat the end to finish off the dish and set aside. rooms 1 cup chopped fresh parsley 3 ~ Take the chicken out of the oven and let it rest for 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg about 15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, throughout the chicken. Cutting it to soon will make sure thawed that the bird is dry.

1 large egg, beaten Your dinner is now ready to plate and serve. Baked chicken, sauteed asparagus and mashed sweet potatoes. They are going to love it.

So now, dinner is done and bellies are full but you still have this picked at chicken looking at you. Do not worry, we are going to “re-purpose” that bird into a great meal that your family will smile about.

1 ~ Shred the chicken that is left from the night before. You can cut it into 1-inch cubes or shred it by hand. We are about to make pot pies, yes that’s what I said...Pot Pies!!

2 ~ Heat oven to 375 degrees. Oil 4 ramekins or a 9-inch pie plate (if you don’t have ramekins) 3 ~ Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, 1/2 tsp each sea salt and pepper and cook covered, stirring occasionally for 5

minutes. Add sweet potatoes and cook covered until tender, stirring occasionally, 6 - 8 minutes.

4 ~ Sprinkle flour over vegetables and cook (this will help to thicken the mixture), stirring for 1 minute. Slowly stir in wine and broth and bring to a boil. Add chicken, peas, parsley, and nutmeg. Stir to incorporate all ingredients.

5 ~ Divide mixture among prepared ramekins ( about 3/4 cup each). Place ramekins (or pie plate) on a rimmed baking sheet.

6 ~ Using a 4-inch cookie cutter, cut out 4 pieces of puff pastry. Place pastry on top of ramekins ( or pie plate) 7 ~ Brush pastry with egg and cut 3 small slits into the top of the pastry with a small sharp knife. This will allow the mixture to vent. Bake until the puffed pastry is golden brown 20-25 minutes.

Your meal number two is complete. You can accompany this meal with a side salad of your choice.

You have now graduated from “I don’t know what to do” to “ I am a Diva of the kitchen”

www.pinkdivacatering.com

Cooking does not have to be hard, it should be fun and an experience. We talk to our friends and family through our food and nothing says love like a great meal made by your hands....Buon Appetite!!!!

SMITTY THE TRAINERS THE WORKOUT

BETTER SEX WORKOUTS Get it right, get it tight with these exercises ladies. Forget the operations and tightening gimmicks, lets get it done the Healthy and Natural Way. Just do these workouts on the regular in the comfort of your own home and watch the magic happen in the bedroom.

Pump Up Your ‘Sex Muscles’ Building a body for amazing sex has little to do with how much weight you can lift or curl. It actually depends on how well your body can push and thrust, explains Dr. Lynn Anderson, author of the While it doesn’t take much to tap into these ‘sex muscles’ (like your abs, back and pelvis), you do need to train them for strength, stamina, and flexibility, she says. To boost your experience in the boudoir, here are 10 simple, sex-enhancing exercises. For best bedroom results, do these moves in a circuit (consecutively doing one after another without rest) working up to three sets in a row, three days a week.

Sex Sizzler: The African Fly Sex Sizzler: Kegels Kegels specifically strive to strengthen the pelvic floor (also known as PC) muscles, which support your bladder, uterus and bowels.

How it Helps: While the reason is still being studied, research has shown there is a direct correlation between well-toned PC muscles and the intensity of orgasms in both women and men.

Many people find that keeping their PC muscles toned also increases the length of their orgasms, and some men find that their erections are also much firmer.

DIY Directions: To locate your pelvic floor muscles, imagine that you are trying to stop the flow of urine, and try holding that sensation. Once you’ve identified how to contract these muscles, hold your contraction for five seconds, and then relax. Try repeating this process five times in a row. Work up to three sets of 15 repetitions daily.

Here are the 10 exercises that are going to get you to your, “PRE PROM TIGHTNESS”.

How it Helps: After childbirth, there is automatically more slack in your vagina and uterus. The African Fly helps get your pelvic flexibility and strength back. How? In order to reach all of the nerve endings around the cervix during

sex, you need the control, strength and range of motion to tilt and move your pelvis as much as possible. In addition to developing your ability to position your pelvis the African Fly also helps improve circulation throughout your entire pelvis and core. Meaning, when it is time to have sex, your body will be quicker to respond, boosting sexual stimulation and lubrication.

DIY Directions: Stand with your feet hip width apart, knees slightly bent. Shift your weight into your heels, and move your tailbone behind you until it is past your heels, arching through your back. Keep your torso arched, but your chest lifted and shoulders relaxed. Then, bend your elbows and bring your arms in front of your torso, with your palms open, facing forward. Shift your weight into your right heel, pushing your right buttock back and to the right, on a diagonal.

Keep your hips steady as you turn, looking over your right shoulder, as far to the right as you can, twisting through your rib cage. As you twist your upper body, bring your left palm to the center in front of your body and your right palm behind you, keeping your elbows bent. Alternate from the right to the left in a pulsing rhythm.

Repeat for one minute.

Sex Sizzler: Pelvic Swings

How it Helps Strengthening your pelvic region, with moves like the Pelvic Swing, can help intensify your orgasms. That’s because this move helps develop lower back flexibility and stretches and strengthens the muscles surrounding your pelvis to allow you the muscular control and precision needed to stroke the full length of your partner at every possible angle, increasing sensation and heightening climax for both partners.

DIY Directions: Stand with your feet hip width apart, knees slightly bent with your weight in your heels. Rest your palms flat against your ribcage (above your belly button, under the bra line), and look straight ahead. Without allowing your ribcage to shift (your hands should help you feel any movement), bring your belly button into toward your spine and then swing your pelvis forward and up in an arc, and then backwards and up (following the same curved arc), using your abdominals to control the motion. Go back and forth, starting with a small curve, and then slowly try to increase your range of motion (without moving through rib cage). Try to do this for a full minute, varying the speed while keeping your movements smooth, and without allowing yourself to “skip” any of the arcs. Do this for 1 minute.

Sex Sizzler: Low Pli Squats How it Helps: This pose mimics straddling, which helps open up the groin and hip area and builds endurance so you don’t tire when you’re in on-top positions. This exercise also strengthens the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and inner thighs, all key muscles that allow a woman to adjust the depth of penetration and position to her liking.

DIY Directions: Standing, back straight, feet wide (12 inches apart), hands on your hips, look straight ahead. Turn your toes out about 45 degrees and bend your knees out over your toes. Then, lower your hips to knee level. From that position, lift up about 6 inches, and then lower back down quickly (one rep). Perform one rep per second for 45 seconds total.

Sex Sizzler: Hovering Hip Rotations How it Helps: This move helps you learn how to control your hips with your abdominal muscles, while simultaneously loosening them up, which can help a woman better find her ‘G Spot. The ‘G Spot’ is located more toward the front of the body, and typically requires more pressure to stimulate since it is located inside of the vaginal wall.

Developing a larger range of motion with your hips, as done with this move, can help you control the amount of pressure, penetration and stimulation you may need to reach your ‘G spot’ during sex. It also works to strengthen your core, back, pelvic floor and triceps, building upper body stamina (for holding yourself up during spicier sex positions).

DIY Directions: Sit in a chair with your legs bent at a 90-degree angle. Place your arms behind your back, with your hands holding the side edges of the chair. Keeping your arms straight, pull your abdominals and pelvic floor in and slightly lift your pelvis up and forward, bringing your hips off the chair about five inches away from the chair’s seat. Then, trace a small, controlled circle with your hips to the right five times, and then reverse the circle to the left five times. Add a balance and core challenge by lifting your right foot 6 inches off the floor while circling to the right (left foot for left circles).

Sex Sizzler: Uijayi Bridge How it helps: When you tilt your pelvis during this exercise, you train your body to lift your clitoris upward so that it has more contact with your mate’s penis. So, being able to get into and hold this position greatly enhances the stimulation to your clitoris and probability of orgasm. Plus, combining a bridge with yogic Uijayi breathing boosts its benefits by deepening your body awareness and calming your mind -- something that is emphasized often during tantric sex. It better tunes you into your body, the sensations of sex and your partner, all of which are essential to reaching an incredible orgasm.

DIY Directions: Lie down on the floor, on your back, with your knees bent and your feet flat against the ground. Begin to focus on breathing in and out through your nose. Continue to breathe deep-

ly, following your own natural rhythm.

Next, as you exhale, lift your hips off the floor into a bridge position (your entire spine should be off the ground up to your shoulder blades). Hold this bridge for one minute while continuing your Uijayi breathing, and then gently roll down through your spine to lower your hips and rest

Sex Sizzler: Goddess

How it Helps: Tight hips can put a damper on sex. When the hips are flexible it is easier and far more satisfying to receive penetration. The more open they are, the deeper the penetration, the more enjoyable the experience, explains Dr. Anderson.

DIY Directions: Lie down on the floor, with your knees bent and together, with your arms straight by your sides, palms pressed into the ground. Next, let your knees drop open to the sides, as close to the floor as possible, while keeping the bottoms of your feet pressed together. Then, perform a Kegel while simultaneously squeezing your legs back together, hold for 1 count, and then relax. That’s one repetition. Repeat this 8 times

Sex Sizzler: Kneeling Core Plank

How it Helps: It can be hard for women to maintain doggie style sex positions for a long period of time, especially on a bouncy mattress. Men have shared that they’ve experienced having almost reached climax, only for their partner to collapse onto the mattress because it was hard for her to find the strength to keep going. Fortunately, moves like the kneeling core plank (directions below), help build upper body strength to provide you with the extra stamina you’ll need to not only maintain the position, but allow for full sexual arousal. It’s also a great move for engaging the core, which research has shown may help some women orgasm more quickly and intensely.

DIY Directions: Try Start by kneeling on your hands and knees, with your fingers spread wide and pressed into the mat to engage your arms. Keep your hips square to the floor, inhale and extend your right leg behind you, pressing out through a flexed foot, while reaching your left arm out and up by your left ear. Then, as you exhale, sweep your right knee in towards your chest rounding your back and engaging your abs, and hold for 1 count. As you do this, squeeze and lift your pelvic floor muscles into a Kegel contraction. Repeat 15 times, then sit switch sides. Repeat 15 more times on the other side.

Be sure to get at me with anything you would like me to elaborate on, or any fitness questions you may have. My email is Titaniumfitnessusa@gmail.com This is SMITTY THE TRAINER SIGNING OUT.

Tru. with Producer/Author Industry Beef Lance Alexander might me one of the fortunate ones, but that isn’t easily discernible when one hears the trials and tribulations the great music producer and hit maker has endured.

In a book Alexander is working on, much is expected to be revealed about the Minneapolis music scene that turned out such heavyweights as Morris Day, The Time, Apollonia, Vanity, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and, of course, Prince.

It all began at First Avenue, where amidst the many bars and nightclubs, stood the frozen but favorite Minneapolis hot spot.

A club that opened its doors on New Years Eve in 1981 with a set by Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and the Englishmen.

But, of course, it was just a few years later that Prince would forever change First Avenue, filming his iconic and quasi-autobiographical film, “Purple Rain,” there.

The film featured the power of Minneapolis Music, Jam, Lewis, Jellybean Johnson, Jerome Benton, Apollonia Kotero, and The Revolution.

But the glitz and glamour that came with the Hollywood attention, quickly turned into reality as cold as a February ice storm in the heart of Minnesota for Alexander, who would work with and ultimately have an ugly split with Jam and Lewis. Lance Alexander has mostly kept the many secrets that the superstars and those they worked with , such as Janet Jackson, Babyface Edmonds, and others close to the vest.

But, his new book potential could more than freeze the hottest of blood and cause First Avenue to want to forget even the best of its past.

Tru Entertainment Magazine caught up with Lance Alexander for an exclusive interview and a sneak peek into his workin-progress memoir.

Tru: Where did your interest in music begin and how did you end up migrating into the Mpls music scene?

Lance: My interest in music started at a young age, when I used to lay on the floor in front of my parents stereo and listen to everything from Jazz, to Soul, R&B and Funk. By the time I got into junior high school, I’d put my first band together; eventually, I hooked up with The Grand Jury Band in Kansas City. I was a BIG Prince fan and was digging everything he touched or was connected to him in some sort, from: The Time, Jill Jones, Vanity 6, Madhouse, Sheila E, Alexander O’Neal, The Family, Jesse Johnson’s Revue, Tamara and the Seen, Morris

Talk Minneapolis and see fruition to my r Lance Alexander on; in vision.

By Stacy Brown I’d always heard about “The Clique” in &tell all books Day, Mazerati, and that list goes on. When my band, The Grand Jury Band broke up, I headed to Minneapolis alone in search of becoming a record producer. That was in 1985.

I was also determined to have my own group to join the list of groups connected to the Minneapolis sound mentioned above. Only I was seeking to be the producer of my own group; not Prince, Jesse, Brown Mark or Terry and Jimmy.

It was my girlfriend at the time, the legendary songbird Sue Ann Carwell that arranged for me to move to Minneapolis about two months after she and I met in 1986. She was one of many that I met in Minnesota that believed in me; But I knew I had my work cut out for me, if I were to get in with a camp

Minnesota back then. I was told that the only way a person could get into the Minneapolis Sound Music Scene, was to get into this infamous clique. I never quite figured out what the clique was, but I had my sights set on Flyte Tyme from day one.

It was heavy in my spirit that I was on the right track if I stayed tenacious with my efforts and continued to hone my craft as a music producer. That day at the MBMA’s when I asked Jimmy Jam for a job and a Flyte Tyme jacket with my name on it; moved Jam to give me his business card, as he also invited me to send him my demo tape. I sent him my tape and the rest, as they say...is history.

Tru: Your career really took off once you relocated to Mpls. who was involved in making that happen and what was it like to work with moguls like Flyte Tyme’s Jam and Lewis?

Lance: The very first person that I can credit by creating a format for dreams such as mine to come true in Minneapolis? That would have to be Pete Rhodes and his annual event: The Minnesota Black Music Awards. However I could never forget a guy named Cedric Sanford.

He was a Bassist that allowed me to sleep on his couch instead of in the van I drove up to Minnesota during one of my many mission trips to make it in Minneapolis.

Starting between the years of 85 and 86; and he’s just one member of my Minnesota family tree.

Mark Brown used to invite me over to Bar BQ’s to eat and to hang out in his studio while he worked; I was taking notes.

Germaine Brooks put me in her band after I was only in town for 2 days, I was set up playing keyboards next to Kirk Johnson; her drummer who later played for Prince.

Lydia Marie (King) gave me a place to stay during many of my visits to Minnesota, she even moved to Kansas City for a short period and played in one of my bands; she

was also responsible for introducing me to Sue Ann. Terry Jackson became the big brother I never had, that always encouraged me to keep trying and reassuring me that I had what it took to make it to the big time. He really believed in me. Lori Wagner allowed me to stay with her until I got a job at a gas station and got my own place...that list could take up this whole interview. These are just a few that helped me make things happen; But one must understand that I love and care about people and all those named here and more, I love them dearly as my family and friends.

As far as working with Jam & Lewis is concerned? Whoa...it was indeed a dream come true! I can still smell the scent of the Fahrenheit cologne that I bought myself from Saks Fifth Avenue the day before Terry and Jimmy flew me back to Minneapolis. Once I was there they gave me a 7 year contract to write songs and produce records for Flyte Tyme Productions. I felt like I was on my way to being a huge success so I figured I run up in Saks Fifth Ave and spend a dollar or two.

They inspired me. I wanted to be Jimmy Jam, the man behind the beats and the music. The inspiration began when I was a sophomore in high school. At 16 years old, I was sitting in my den with my girlfriend the first time I heard “Tell Me If You Still Care” by The SOS Band. I was blown away by the sound of the record.

The vocals, the bass line, and that first time I heard the boom of a Roland 808 drum machine.

Once I read the credits on the back of that SOS Band album, and saw that the song was written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis after they were fired from one of my favorite bands, The Time, I decided at that moment that I was not only going to be a record producer and songwriter; but that I was also going to work with Jam & Lewis one

day.... Thinking back on it, it’s still surreal.

Tru: You’ve worked with a lot of the known “music heavyweights” from the music scene and well as those unknown. Who do you admire and respect in the industry and why?

Lance: My admiration and respect for folks like Quincy Jones, Jheryl Busby, Louil Silas Jr, LA Reid, and Clarence Avant, fall into my mogul category. I respect these people for being pioneers and leaders in the music game. The ones that were running things. I’m sure seeing the “spirit of running things” in MY spirit was a big part of the reason some Flyte Tyme folks may not have cared to see my flourish. In the department of artist that I’ve worked with, I’d be remiss to not mention Michael Jackson and his sweet soul of a sister Janet Jackson. Working on the song “Scream” was an amazing experience to say the least.

Then there is The Sounds Of Blackness, to whom I created just a drum beat for and a few days later, I heard the completed song “Optimistic” over my drum track. That song is one of the most amazing records recorded in our time and how blessed I was to have inspired the title by just laying down a

working with them could have definitely went in a brighter direction. Lo-Key... I have no beef with them brothers either. They had beef with me; behind a song I did called “Doing His Thang @ The White House” done over the music to “I Got A Thang 4 Ya” I presented the idea to them and they were gung ho to record it. Then I did not hear from any of them. So I called in some other vocalist to record the idea God gave to me, to release just before election time. So, Lance didn’t have beef with them, they had beef with me; so much that they called themselves putting me out of the group that I worked hard to get discovered.

This is why I did not join them on stage during the recent Lo-Key shows done in Minneapolis. God bless them. As for me? It was just time to move on. The group was stagnant and they did not have the ability or willingness to recognize who made things happen for them. If there was a leader in that group? It was me...they hated that! Loyalty is so overlooked and not respected in the music industry. That’s just like the issues that went awry with my involvement with my other group/protégées NEXT. At the end of the day however, I love all of them, every last one of them.

You forgive and you keep it moving when it comes to business in music. You don’t hold on to bitterness and UN-forgiveness! That will take a dangerous toll on your body.

Tru: Where are you now with you career and where are you headed? drum beat. Jimmy and Terry did their thang on that song.

Unbelievable!

My work with Alexander O’Neal falls into the “speak things into existence” category. I told an old girlfriend of mine when I was 18 years old that I was going to work with Alex one day.

He was my favorite male voice back then, even more than Luther Vandross. God blessed me to work on the “All True Man” album and “Love Makes No Sense” which the title song was one of the hits I produced that made it to the Alexander O’Neal Greatest Hits Album. Not bad for a Kansas City boy with dreams. God is really amazing...

Tru: Equally, we’ve heard it through the grapevine that you’ve’ worked with some people that you no longer respect and have beef with, care to tell us about it?

Lance: That could easily fall into two categories, either Jam & Lewis or Lo-Key. The Flyte guys I will always love and respect; even though some of the experiences I had while

Lance: I have learned to get out of God’s way when it comes to our lives as humans. So as far as where I’m headed, he has blessed me to stay creative, to keep writing songs as well as books. I’m a photographer that loves to shoot anyone that gets in front of my camera, I am a film maker as well, Directed my first film in 1998. Therefore my career could end up at an incredible place. God has showed me some things that I’ll be working diligently to bring to the masses soon.

He’s in control... I follow his lead and only his.

Tru: Tell us about this blockbuster book you’re about to release.

Lance: My book? Well, it’s called, “Good King Bad” sub title “Testimony...R&B Pimp” You can take that anyway ya want LOL...

I pour my soul out on the pages in the book. Cover-

ing the many facets of my life; from music, to hustle, to near death experiences, betrayal, you name it, it’s there.

Speaking on my incredible; yet sometimes tumultuous Flyte Tyme days. The unexplainable head bumps with Jam. You’ll see how I took chances, one of those chances resulted in the signing of the group NEXT. How I was never respected from my brothers in Lo-Key even as I pioneered the group into being relevant.

How one woman opened up my mind when she encouraged and inspired me into a very profitable part-time job; and my uncanny ability to connect with the opposite sex, at any age; yes, I was mannish. My ultimate goal is to make a movie about my life; and oh boy is it a motion picture worthy story.

Tru: Lance, you mentioned that you took chances, which help lead you to signing Next. Can you talk a little about some of those chances, specifically what were they and why were they considered so risky at that time? The chances were risky moves, because I continued to move forward due to my belief in the group NEXT; regardless of my mentors disbelief and requesting that I no longer work towards making them successful. That’s all I’ll say about that for now. It’s one, of many of what I call “Book Bombs” in “Good King Bad”.

Tru: Was the lack of respect afforded you that you mentioned due to some kind of jealousy? If so, can you elaborate?

Lance: As a leader, anytime you don’t receive the respect you deserve from group members that are right in your face every day; that group will eventually see its demise created in whole by the ignorance and lack of respect that’s given by those members. Aaron Hall should never lose respect for the ‘Guy’ that got him there for example, no pun intended. Yes, it was...LOL! Jealousy will be present in the midst of ignorance; meaning, you can be, Teddy Riley for example, and bless artists around you, singers, musicians, and etcetera. It is, however, that very artist that will silently envy you. They become the jealous hearted towards you; because they are not you. The hate is there.

However, really hating themselves. Mad because they needed you. This is something known by few as the “Kansas City Mentality”. You’d have no idea how I’m used to such behavior. Been dealing with hate from peers since high school.

They want your gifts of song, your creativity, your favor, your blessings, your determination, your tenacity, your connections and your results; but not willing to put in the work it takes for these things to manifest within themselves; and at the end of the day, will find any reason to throw ya ass under a moving bus. They’ll find a flaw, or flaws about you to tear you down and discredit you! “Lance did this! He did that!”

Never will they say, “If it hadn’t been for Teddy,(or in my case Lance), I wouldn’t be here in the first damn place!” They’re not going to say that. Never... No man blessed to lead and favored by God to be a blessing to his band members, is going to remain in an environment that stunts his growth and chokes the life out of his creativity. He will excuse himself and move on, following that voice of God as he moves forward to be a blessing to someone that will appreciate his gifts as he shares them.

See how I mentioned people that let me sleep on their couch during my quest for success?

Something that simple most folks wouldn’t mention; but that was big to me! Cedric doing that for me meant a lot and I’ll never forget him, nor forget to mention him when asked about my journey. Now, on the other hand, ask the members of my group the same question of who helped them and my name will never come up.

Part 2 will be in March Issue of Tru Magazine

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELBRATES AND HONORS

TO THE

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

2013

The Past, Present, and Future: Classic Hip Hop By: Alysha “AP” Price of Hell Yeah F’n Write for Tru Magazine With fickle faith some may argue hip hop has lost its intellect and integrity, that half of the culture has been asphyxiated by women with inflated body parts; leaving the other half to overdose on molly and codeine. I’d argue it hasn’t been lost at all; however, one must look and listen beyond the surface. Those whom lack loyalty to hip hop never truly knew it. Deprived is the one who hasn’t felt the bass from a Roland TR-808, wore an African medallion, shell toe adidas, did the wop or wanted to be Benita. Hip hop is more than the way we speak, dress, and party; hip hop has influenced how we spend our hard earned money, who we vote for, and it’s also become the career aspiration of many inner-city youth.

Where sports once dominated the fresh minds of young African American men now dreams of making it out the hood are cultivated in make shift studios. Admittedly somewhere along the way on this cultural journey of hip hop we’ve lowered our standards and expectations. In efforts to better comprehend that hip hop is more than a hustle; one must trace hip hop back to its roots. Put your carhart and timberlands on… we’re digging in!

Learn that this art, way of life and attitude is not only hip hop but a reaction to poverty, police brutality, failed school systems, absent parent’s, etc. It is a form of activism, a platform for being heard and raising awareness. Over the past decade or more hip hop’s been confused as a fools playground and place where showboating is the norm. We’ve allowed it to become deficient in balance; the time has come to restore that balance. Join AP as she ventures off into the depths of some of hip hops great minds, exploring African American families, the future of our children,

Chuck D: The Past Minneapolis was one of the twelve fortunate cities to be blessed by the HIP HOP GODS and its ambassador, Carlton Douglas Ridenhour best known as Public Enemy’s guiding force, Chuck D. In a small but momentous start Chuck D brought together some of hip hops greats to demonstrate what classic hip hop is all about; bringing back unity, showmanship and camaraderie into the art of hip hop. Recently inducted into the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Public Enemy, who better than Chuck D to summons artist from the early 90’s to the call of duty? A true activists at heart, it didn’t take Chuck long to get involved in grassroots labor once he touched the twin cities soil.

Reaching out to Minneapolis own ‘Brother Ali’ Chuck participated in a rally to take back foreclosed homes. He marched with the citizens of South Minneapolis as they took over a vacant home for a veteran who was made homeless by foreclosure. All this before the nostalgic 3 hour concert and he didn’t stop there!

He also made time for an interview. AP speaks with Chuck D on behalf of Tru Magazine, getting his take on current issues that shape the African American and hip hop communities alike.

Q&A

Tru: You were once quoted saying “Rap is CNN for black people” Do you still believe in that statement?

Chuck: That’s giving CNN too much credit (laughs). No, I’ve enhanced it. Ever since the turn of the century traveling to 85 countries all over the world hip hop is a cultural world wide religion.

Tru: What has that cultural religion of hip hop had to do with Barack Obama being re-elected as president?

Chuck: Well, it was one of those “Yes I Can” types of attitudes, saying that you can actually do different things other than being an athlete or entertainer; you can aspire to greater heights by your mind, body and soul being in synced. Or especially showing young people that there are other things out there when you’re black; my inspiration being older than the president, happens to be looking at all he does. I’ve got no excuse to say I’m tired. Can you imagine? I think about him when I get tired.

Tru: Dr. King’s Holiday is approaching and many youngsters don’t know that Public Enemy has a lot to do with the citizens of Arizona being able to recognize the holiday...tell us what that was like for you? (By the time I get to Arizona) Chuck: Hip hop’s my military, so I’m of service and our service as grown folks is to be able to make it understood for young folks. I don’t blame young people for not knowing, old folks have to bridge the gap and teach

them. You have to really fight to teach, we can’t accept that young people don’t know and leave it at that. I think there’s never been an area of 25 to 50 powerless black adults like we have today, we need to step up… from 0 to 25 they need all the guidance and help that we can give them.

Q: We’ve talked about the people let’s talk about the black family, the couple. In your language how does the black woman support the black man today?

A: Well the black man seriously has to be able to not be individualized; they have to be more of a collective because I realize that fatherless black women have lead to a decay of our structure as well. So women’s recognition of what a black man should be has been really kind of skewed. I think black men, when we’re together in positive spaces it helps young black men and boys see something that they have to gravitate to. That’s one thing, in the Latino community…because they’re ostracized from a lot of working environments they’re held on the outside because they might not be documented, they do a lot of medial tasks together, they work together, eat together and so you see a lot of Latino men in packs like 10 or 12 deep because they work together. So their boys come up and they see that their fathers out posse and out number them so they fall in line with them. They may have their own gangs but they don’t seem to out number the men. When it comes down to black man, #1 when you take self-empowerment away and the area of being able to work for self and do for self and know that we aren’t going to get the job anyway, there are all kinds of other areas that black men fall into that take them off into the prison industrial complex. Sometimes they say I’m going into the military and their still scattered from their families, so with all of that distraction and disillusionment when it comes down to bonding with a woman who nineteenths of the time is at least groomed by their mother it’s that void that hurts them when they

come together. Like the tragedy that happened in Kansas City, the football player gets mad, his girl goes out and he gets mad, he can’t control myself and now look. In order for the black man and black woman to get together they have to be solid within themselves, you have to be 100% with yourself. The biggest fallacy is thinking, ‘I need them so I can be a complete person,’ you should be a complete person coming into a complete person making a complete union.

Q: Speaking of unions, we see you and Flav and it appears that there’s an opposite’s attract thing with the two of you…

A: Nah, nah, nah…Ain’t no opposites attract. We come from the same town and everybody got a Flavor Flav in their family, if not one there are two! We’re showing people that we’re not cookie cutter, we all work together; we all have different personalities and different Flavors about ourselves as a family.

Being brought up during the adolescences of hip hop I

“Ever since the turn of shared with Chuck D what an honor and privilege it was the century to be in his presence and to speak with him. I briefly remitraveling to 85 countries all over the nisced on my first moments witnessing Public Enemy and world hip hop is a how empowered I felt; without blinking an eye Chuck D cultural world wide turned to me and said, “that is the job of an adult.” Immereligion”.

Chuck D diately I understood, he was saying that as adults we have a responsibility to empower those who watch us. I took that away as my mission and once more I was empowered. This is what hip hop breeds.

Chuck D/ with Tru Reporter

Professor Griff : The If you’ve ever watched a live Public Enemy performance you know that it’s an experience, a movement, a revival of sorts. There is no way humanly possible to stop yourself from rocking to the blazing beats, pumping your fist and rapping along. However, the presence before the music is what commands your undivided attention. Setting the tone for the unforgettable catalogue or hits that will forever be embedded into your memory; here he comes not a single word spoken yet he dominates the stage with calculated moves and piercing eyes. Undoubtedly when you see Professor Griff you know it’s about to go down! Professor Griff is no fixture on the stage; he is an educator, a passionate man, a father, the 7th son and the 12th of 13 children. AP talks with Griff about his contribution to Public Enemy, the importance of social responsibility within hip hop, and his take on how the African American community can increase its unity.

Q & A

Q: You can’t see a Public Enemy show without Professor Griff; the expectation is that you will be on that stage.

But we don’t hear from you…tell us what you bring to the Public Enemy performance?

A: I bring all of the things we tend to love, respect and honor about groups like Public Enemy, but there very seldom written about or reported on. And for you to start off like that with the first question is almost ground breaking! No one asks that, no one says to Earth, Wind, & Fire’s saxophone player, ‘we don’t hear from you but who the hell came up with the kinetic look that you’ll have?’ When he could be the dude! It may not even be Verdine or Maurice White but because they are the voice and they’re out front, we tend to say they have to be the ones to come up with all this stuff…that is not the case. Aesthetically when you look at Public Enemy that is the Professor Griff concept; you talking about the Black Panther look, the military bergalia and coming across to set the tone. Before you even hear Chuck and Flav, you hear a siren and military boats stomping.

That gets you into a certain mindset…hell if you go to the movies the theme music that comes on in the beginning sets the tone. These are the things that allow us to speak outside the music.

Q: What does social responsibility within the hip hop community look like, how will we know it when we achieved it?

A: We have achieved social responsibility but it’s not recognized or pushed out in front more than the deviant behavior. TMZ will never cover a Professor Griff lecture, teaching young black men and women social responsibility. Instead TMZ will track down some ignorant nigger or rapper looking at a white woman’s ass and put that on TV. They dedicated and build billion dollar industries and million dollar shows pitched around foolishness. Because of the Million Man March we’ve been in places and situations that show social responsibility.

Especially Black Dot and myself, we’ve written books, we’ve talked to young people over and over again and young people are successful because of these things but is it written about? Nope. So it’s there we’ve achieved

Present it, but you won’t hear about it, your children won’t be affected by it as long as we have these fake ass reality shows in our faces. We have to appreciate that there are educators in hip hop.

Q: With over 20 years experience in this industry what has been your greatest accomplishment, what gave you a feeling of pride?

A: Hmmmm…that question is probably one of the most difficult questions and I think I’m kind of intelligent and quick-witted (laughs). Well, someone brought to me at a lecture the advertisement that Public Enemy did in the 80’s for The Final Call newspaper, promoting the Clean & Fresh products…how major is that?! We’re talking about changing dynamics of a chemical that black people are putting in their bodies brought to you buy The National of Islam sponsored by Muammar Gaddafi. The loan that was given to Mister Farrakhan via Muammar Gaddafi which financed that whole thing, now that is critical. I can mention being on stage with Stevie Wonder, having a conversation with Prince, meeting Anita Baker, Regina Bell and Earth, Wind & Fire…I could go on and on! But even now to stand on stage, this may not mean anything to anyone but for me to stand on stage today, look out in the audience and I see in the first couple of rows white men that are grandfathers there with their son’s, passing this information onto their son’s. Not black people! I’m showing you the dynamic of this; it affected white people so much to the point where they’re bringing their children to experience this. For them to pass the torch down to their children, that’s speaking volumes!

Q: You’ve written a book titled, “Music Business RIP: The Resource & Information Publication,” tell us what inspired that piece of literature and why was it important for you to write it?

A: That piece of literature is very instrumental simply…in my life it actually took the weight off my shoulders because I’m a people person and I don’t mind being approached but at 3:30 in the morning at the grocery store having long drawn out conversations, I’m like Nah. So I actually designed the book to fit easily in the back pocket. We measured the back pocket and designed the book to fit, that’s way I call it a resource and information publication. Its short, written in block letters, its bold and it hits you right in the face. There’s no nineteen syllable words, there are graphs and charts and when someone comes up to me I can say here you go brah, and what you want to know is right here on page 108. That allows me to share without the long drawn out conversation.

Q: What would you say to a young black man who is feed up with his circumstance, and wants to be an activist to create positive change?

A: I would tell that young man that it starts with self. Everything starts with know thy self…to know self is to know GOD. You are not going to do anything without being GOD centered and that may sound religious or spooky to some people but its really not. I don’t choose religion over spirituality, I chose spirituality over religion. If you aren’t spiritual you can’t possibility be religious. That’s what the young man would have to put in place that is the first brick in the foundation of the house that he has to build. Then you connect with elders that are still in the community. They need someone to tell them that the move they made over there wasn’t good or ask how your family is or what you doing about these sisters out here…don’t be dating 2 and 3 of them. You have to get checked on all that. We need to create a virtual African community, although I’m not on your block or in your hood I can still be there. Reach for me, call me…this is why I give out my phone number. If we do this these young men would have no excuse. These things that have been put in our community that have become vices, we have to let them go. Elijah Muhammed said there are three things that the slave masters children will never teach us, science of business, science of warfare and the science of mating and these are the three things that young man would need to know. Also you have to treat women as though you would want another man to treat your mom. These are things he should be taught.

Q: Now we can’t leave out the young black women, what advice do you have for them?

A: I tell people all the time Katt Williams was right, “You may not be a hoe but you’re wearing a hoe’s uniform.” What are you doing sleeping in the lobby waiting on some dudes autograph? No! Let me tell you something in my 52 years, there are so many women that I have had interest in who leaped right over my little ass and then I see them later on with the men that they’ve chosen and I’m like for real?! They don’t want to be held accountable for their ways and actions. Like women out here with child support cases asking for money that won’t allow the brother to live, that’s not reasonable.

Don’t do it out of hurt or because the man is with the next woman.

Someone has to say that…this is the type of integrity we need. It’s critical that our elders check our actions.

Q: What’s next for Professor Griff, what do we have to look forward to?

A: Well I’ve almost completed The Acapella Revolution and what The Acapella Revolution in a nut shell is…I’m not saying this because this brother is on tour with us but Wise Intelligent personifies it. The Acapella Revolution is exactly what you see Wise Intelligent do every night.

He spits the lyrics, talks about it and then he gives it to you acapella so you can really get it. He personifies The Acapella Revolution which is my next book.

“I would tell every young man that it starts with self. Everything starts with know thy self”

Shawn K. Carter

“The Enemy Strikes Again” Public Enemy’s Mouthpiece tells it like it is

By Stacy Brown

Shawn “The Interrogator” Carter knows all too well where rap music has come from and where the genre is headed.

Most importantly, he knows what has set Public Enemy apart from all the other superstars of hip-hop and Carter, Chuck D., Flava Flav, Professor Griff, Terminator X, and the rest of the crew are still giving audiences what they as headliners of the Hip Hop Gods tour.

“The number one thing that sets Public Enemy apart is there is nothing fake about us,” Carter tells Tru Entertainment Magazine.

“Everything is real. What Griff, Chuck, Flava set out to do was very serious. This was never about making money, it was about what you saw us doing in the community,” he said.

Indeed, PE rapped about things such as “Fight The Power,” and the group just didn’t leave those words in the studio or shout them from a concert stage.

“They were there, at the protests, and in the community,” Carter said. “What was important to the guys was that Public Enemy practiced what they preached.”

And, they group preached from a pulpit that caught the ears of a world inside and outside of hip hop. Chuck and Flava were at the forefront of the group when it released its very first single, 1982’s “Check Out the Radio,” which ultimately influenced the creation of Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys.

A disc jockey at WBAU radio on Long Island, Chuck put out a tape called “Public Enemy #1,” which caught the attention of the masses.

“The brothers have always been deep,” said Carter, who is unabashed in humbleness over joining the group after they had made a name for themselves. “No, it’s not about me, it’s about what Chuck, Griff, Flava and those guys did and are still doing,” Carter said.

The group wasted no time in tackling social issues as an opening act for the Beastie Boys 1987 tour, “Licensed to Ill,” Public Enemy released the groundbreaking “Yo! Bum Rush The Show.” That were followed by such masterpieces as “It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back,” “Fear of a Black Planet,” and “Apocalypse 91…The Enemy Strikes Black.”

Last year, the group released two albums, “Most of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear on No Stamp,” and “The Evil Empire of Everything.”

The 2012 Summer Paralympics paid homage to the group by featuring its song, “Harder Than You Think,” which shot to No. 4 on the UK singles chart.

PE went back to its roots in July, 2012 with a free concert in Brooklyn to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The concert featured SaltN-Pepa and Kid ‘N Play.

This year, Public Enemy gained entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“The definition of rock and roll means different things to different people, but as broad as the classification may be, they all share a common love of music,” said Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.

To be eligible for nomination, an individual or group must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.

“I think first and foremost you hear a lot of artist talk about drugs, guns, police brutality and that’s not where a lot of artists today come from,” Carter said. “Do your homework and none of them ever picked up a gun or sold drugs, they are fake. You have to be accountable and you have to go out and deal with the real people and, again, that’s what sets Public Enemy apart.”

Carter said Public Enemy uses its music as a source of educating the masses.

Wise Inte The F

In less than 15 minutes you will hear more from Wise intelligent than you will hear from most of the popular artist of today in an entire album. If it’s inspiration you seek, Wise Intelligent will not fail you. From the early days of Poor Righteous Teachers to his current work this brother is ready to school those who are hungry for knowledge. Dedicated to the further development of African American youth and the culture as a whole, Wise brings the gut wrenching truths and reality to hip hop. He isn’t looking for acceptance nor is he shaken by non-believers; he is on a mission to educate. What was meant to be an interview turned into a much needed lesson in African American history and cultural awareness. Perhaps you remember the magical bag of beans from the story Jack and the Beanstalk…each word from Wise Intelligent is equivalent to the value of one of those beans. After a moment with him you are rich with wisdom. AP discusses the state of hip hop, the plight of the MC and the future of our youth with Wise Intelligent.

www.wiseintelligent.com

elligent: Future

Q: What is progressive hip hop, what does it mean to you if anything?

A: It’s not really a term that I use…I am deliberately and unapologetically conscious. I’m aware of certain things and I like to make people aware of those things. I’m more of a clerical, investigative journalist MC; interpreting the world from a ghetto political vantage point. So for me being progressive, I’d have to ask a person what are we progressing from or progressing toward. Hip hop has always had its conscious MC’s or groups, as well as its gangsta’s, self proclaimed pimps and ladies men, or hustlers and money makers…you know its always had all of these different perspectives.

For me hip hop has been consistent, it’s just that now we have this mainstream perception of what hip hop is. Mainstream is the biggest influence on public opinion, they are largely responsible for shaping the publics opinion…radio, video, news and even movies and so forth. The perception that is being projected is that hip hop is static and in a state of death, you know frivolousness, party bullshit and clothes and that’s not really the case. It’s just that mainstream has chosen to only propagate a particular brand of hip hop. As my brother would say, “your favorite rapper didn’t fall off he was taken off.”

Q: Your latest book talks in detail about this mainstream rapper, “3/5 an MC: The Manufacturing of a DUMBED DOWN RAPPER,” tell us where this title comes from and how you came to creating this book?

A: The title speaks to how the MC is not being allowed to be anything other than sub-human in the mainstream lane. In order for him to sign to a major corporation, get his music played on mainstream radio, get his video’s played on Viacom, he has to portray himself as a sub-human feeble minded imbecile and this demotes him to sub MC status in my mind…this makes him 3/5 an MC. He is not functioning at full MC potential because he’s not allowed the autonomy to express the true interest, concerns, and issues of the population from which he comes. It’s like the 3/5 compromise, when they said a black person is not a full human being, they counted each black person as 3/5 of a human being. In order to concretize this concept they had to make the black man, woman and child sub-human beasts; which is when the black man became the buck, the woman became the winch and the mammy; blacks became the pickaninny and the sambo. So they had to dehumanize you in order to justify the 3/5 compromise. See their gangsta’s and killers therefore justifying the prison industrial complex. The models have changed but it’s the same agenda.

Q: I recently watched a documentary called, “Planet Rock: The Story of Hip Hop and The Crack Generation,” where the connection was made between hip hop and dealing cocaine. How do you respond to rap artist speaking about selling drugs as a way of getting on, paying homage to the drug game because that’s what they grow up around?

A: They should, that’s what art is about. Art is about painting a picture of the world through the window from which your looking and that’s what your painting; however, what type of frame you put that painting in is just as important as the painting itself. The frame is the context, how do you frame the story…this is what’s lacking. We’re all saying yeah I sold crack, I was making money, I was sleeping with all the women, I was driving fancy cars, fast life fast money, did a bid, got out in 5 years now I’m back on my grind…this is everybody’s story. When you make a record like ‘Genocide’ which was on my 2007 release titled, “The Talented Timothy Taylor,” in that record I document crack, how it got into the hood from a petty street dealers perspective. I been there I grew up in low income housing projects in Trenton, New Jersey. My entire entourage was crack

dealers but we didn’t have any type of social-economical or political orientation around the environment in which we were embedded, we didn’t know how crack got into our communities because we didn’t even know how we got into these low-income houses. We didn’t really know how to interpret our environment until Public Enemy or KRS-One came and shed some light on our community before that there was no context. Chuck D was right when he said rap was the CNN of black culture because that’s what hip hop was for us. Hip hop is not responsible for America’s drug culture; America’s drug culture was facilitated by the government, by government agencies like the CIA. Q: Do you ever regret painting such a vivid picture of what needs to change in African American culture for audiences that are majority Caucasian? Some might say they don’t need to hear about the black person’s struggle.

A: That’s one of the things we’ve been wrestling with in recent years, like the last decade or so…because every where we go the audiences reflect America, and what I mean by that is there is a 76% white audience and they represent the dominant presence in these places. As far as what I’m saying, my message is for them as well because I need them to know what they’ve been responsible for. They’re the dominant culture so in that instance I am speaking truth to power. Like in my song, ‘Underground Spiritual Game,’ I’ll say, “Neurotoxins plaguing the hood and the way black babies in the hood behaving/ Can’t save’em, actin all savage, this is what happens when your ruled by cavemen…” I need them to hear that, I them to hear that they’re responsible for environmental and economic racism as well as a racialistic power structure that deems them superior than everyone else. I need them to hear that.

Q: If you well tell us about your work with the youth, what is Intelligent Seedz and what projects are you working on?

A: Intelligent Seedz is a youth media organization founded by myself and a sister named Stacey Muhammed out of Brooklyn, New York. We put this program together to put cameras in the hands of urban youth to give them the ability to tell their story, to interpret the world from their vantage point and not wait for someone else to come in and tell their story for them. Like Winston Churchill said, “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it,” we have to be writers of our own history. We want the youth to tell their stories because I know a lot of youth that come from the inner-city and go off to college, get degrees and go on to live prosperous and productive lives and be very active in their communities at the same time but these particular youth are never highlighted. This gives them an opportunity to say no I’m not a kingpin, drug dealer; I’m not wearing a shiny suit with a platinum grill. These films will be distributed through resources like media matters and we’re going hard with it. The first documentary that they’ve worked on is called, “Dying Too Learn” and it covers the high levels of lead in the public schools in Trenton, NJ but we pulled it back because it was a short film, 35 minutes long, but the content swelled when we found that this was a crisis across the country and in every inner-city. We found that Johns Hopkins University was doing an experiment on black kids in the projects in Baltimore, intentionally contaminating them with high levels of lead, poisoning the

youth to see how it was affecting them neurologically. So we wanted to add that content into the film. We also have the Garvey School/ Egun Omode Shule, children of the ancestor’s school; which is an independent African school in Trenton, NJ. It’s not a charter school and doesn’t receive any funding from the government or any government sources or agencies. The school is 100% funded by the parents, donations and a lot of what I do goes back to the school. The school goes up to 6th grade; it grows with the children so each year we add a grade.

Q: What do we have to look forward to from Wise Intelligent?

A: Musically, I have the 3rd installment of my 7 CD box set which is called ‘Back to School ‘ and this is 3rd period…its called, “ Wise Intelligent is El Negro Guerrero (The Black Warrior) and that should be out 1st quarter sometime in February.

I also have another CD I am working on called, “The Black Earth Project” which is a full length album. The Black Earth Project: A compilation of dedication to the mother of civilization. It’s a dedication album to black women and it features all female MC’s, singers, poets and myself.

To get up close and personal with the artist featured follow them on twitter @MrChuckD @RealProfGriff @wiseintelligent

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

THE GRE

By Stacy Brown

THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

Muhammad Ali

TRU. MAGAZINE SALUTES YOU By: Stacy Brown

With conflicting reports about the health of one of the world’s most prominent figures, there is no better time than Black History Month to recall the life and times of ‘The Greatest.’

Muhammad Ali, who dominated most of his ring opponents and whose star soared far above any that sports, entertainment, politics, Hollywood or other genres have ever had to offer, will ultimately leave a legacy like nobody else in both American and world history.

A boxing champion at 22, a philanthropist, goodwill ambassador and broker of peace, it has been noted that Ali has had more books written about him than Jesus Christ.

Born Jan. 17, 1942, Ali burst on the boxing scene as a brash, young fighter out of Louisville, Ky. Long before wearing the championship belt, the ultimate boxer/promoter had already trumpeted himself as ,“the greatest,” something that angered ring opponents and drove sports writers and boxing fans to dub him, “The Louisville Lip.” Eagerly anticipating and openly hoping that heavyweight champion Sonny Liston would soundly defeat Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, the young challenger came into their Feb. 25, 1964 title fight as a heavy underdog.

Las Vegas had Liston an impenetrable 7-to-1 favorite over Clay.

Though Clay had won the light-heavyweight gold medal in Rome four years earlier and his foot and

hand speed w sport, writers zations didn’ Liston victor Or, because L unlikeable to ers pined for clearly drew about the wo “It will last al the New York Lester Bromb Jim Murray o even compar of Adolph Hi be the most p and Stalin wi rooting for a wrote.

It was report writers with dicted Liston Battered and rounds, Listo for the seven the hated you responded by pointing at p ous times, “I Shortly after

EATEST

were unprecedented in the s from various news organi’t hold back their lust for a ry by knockout.

Liston had been nearly as o the media as Clay, writr blood from both men and the line on how they felt ould-be champ. lmost the entire first round,” k World-Telegram writer, berg, wrote before the bout. of the Los Angeles Times red Ali’s villain role to that Hitler. “The faceoff …would popular fight since Hitler ith 180 million Americans a double knockout,” Murray

ted that 43 of the 46 sportscredential for the fight pren to win by knockout. d bruised by Ali for six on failed to answer the bell nth round, ceding the title to ung upstart who famously y running around the ring, press row and yelling numeram the greatest!” the Liston triumph, Clay

joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. His ring victories would continue, often with Ali calling out the round he’d knock his opponent out.

The champ often teased and played with his opponents before and during fights, but two of Ali’s bouts became personal after he joined the controversial Muslim group.

When Ali fought former champion Floyd Patterson in 1965, the champ had several opportunities to knock Patterson out but unmercifully let him survive brutal rounds because, prior to the fight, Patterson said a “Black Muslim champion disgraced

the sport and the nation.” When ring referee Harry Krause stopped the fight in the 12th round, Krause told the media that Ali’s beating of Patterson was “hurting me to watch.”

In 1966, Ali fought Ernie Terrell, a fighter who refused to acknowledge Ali’s conversion to Islam and thus kept referring to the champ as “Clay.” Sports Illustrated writer, Tex Maule, called the 15-round beating a “barbarous display of cruelty.”

But the champ was benevolent to most. On an airplane home from London where he had beaten Britain Henry Cooper, Ali was told that referee Teddy Waltham had lost his $2,400 pay from the fight to a pickpocket. Without hesitation or questions, Ali kindly gave Waltham $2,400.

Despite having failed a qualifying test two years earlier, Ali in 1966 was reclassified as1A and ordered entry into the Armed forces over his objections.

“No, I am not going 10,000 miles to help murder, kill, and burn other people to simply help continue the dominate of white slave masters over dark people the world over,” Ali said.

“This is the day and age when such evil injustice must come to an end,” he said.

“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?”

Ali was forced to stand trial on June 20, 1967, and was immediately found guilty of draft dodging. An appeals court upheld the conviction and the case eventually went before the U.S. Supreme Court, which ultimately reversed the decision.

Still, Ali lost three years in the prime of his career as his boxing title and license was stripped from him and he was forced to earn a living doing speaking engagements at colleges around the country.

Ali’s career was punctuated by his three epic battles with rival Joe Frazier. The first, at New York’s Madison Square Garden, was dubbed “The Fight of the Century.”

It lived up to its hype. Frazier proved to be the

greatest challenger to ever face “The Greatest.”

The Philadelphia-born Frazier won a 15-round decision but would go on to lose the final two fights between the two titans, including a 1975 battle in the Philippines dubbed, “The Thrilla in Manilla” in which Ali set the tone by boasting that “It’s gonna be a killa and a thrilla and a chilla, when I get that gorilla in Manilla.”

The pace of the fight and the sheer brutality of it had not been seen in heavyweight boxing history.

Frazier refused to answer the bell for the 15th and final round and the match was later cited by actor Sylvester Stallone as the impetus for Stallone’s Rocky movies.

Perhaps Ali’s most memorable victory was in 1974 in Zaire, Africa where he defeated a Liston-like favorite in George Foreman. Ali introduced Africa and the world to the “Rope-a-dope” tactic that led Foreman to punching himself tired until Ali unleashed a furious flurry of combinations that decked the hulking young Foreman amid chants of “Ali bomaye” from the tens of thousands in attendance.

The chants meant “Ali, kill him.”

Though far from Camelot, Ali was as much American royalty as John F. Kennedy.

He was more than that, Ali was a prince.

While the world came to recognize Ali as “The Greatest,” he also was an ambassador of goodwill and, often at his own expense, traveled to nations far and wide to push messages of peace.

When militant students in Iran took 444 Americans hostage in 1979, Ali asked to visit the country and called for the release of

“It’s h be h when as Gr am

those captive. Though, Ali’s request was denied, the country’s leader, the Ayatollah K In 1984 Ali announced that he had Parkinson’s syndrome, a degenerative neurologi help those in need. In 1998, he was chosen as a United Nations Messenger of Peace Whether his health is as bad as had been recently reported, Ali’s legacy is unmatche “When Muhammad Ali dies, a light will go out in this world and it will be the brigh final battle, locked inside the silent world of Parkinson’s disease, it is not too soon to was the greatest of them all. He was a big man who moved like a dancer, a fighter w er,” Parsons said.

Nobody could look at the young Muhammad Ali and ever again believe that black p “I am an ordinary man who worked hard to develop the talent I was given,” Ali said

“The Man Who has no Imagination has no Wings”

“A Man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20, has wasted 30 years of his life”.

hard to humble n you’re reat as I m.....”

Khomeni, ordered the release of all women and black hostages. ical condition that causes, among other things, the limbs to shake. Still, he traveled the world over to e because of his work in developing countries. ed. htest light that I have known in my lifetime,” said columnist Tony Parsons. “As he prepares for his o remember what he’s meant to so many people. In the 60s, a decade of supreme entertainers, Ali who made the cruelest sport seem like an art. In a racist world, Ali changed hearts and minds forev-

people were somehow inferior to white people, Parsons continued. d recently. “I believed in myself and I believe in the goodness of others.”

Jeff Rector, Breaking Traditions & Forging His Own Path By: Matthew Fleegel

TRU. Magazine had the opportunity to see Jeff Rector in action during the World’s Toughest Rodeo at Excel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. Jeff is the one & only African American pick-up man currently on the professional rodeo circuit. Rector’s background is not a typical country up bringing; in fact the majority of his childhood was spent in urban settings.

Jeff’s initial exposure to horses came from his Grandfather in Kansas City. After seeing the amount of enthusiasm young Jeff displayed during that time, his Grandfather bought him a horse that stayed in Kansas City. As a result during the summer months Jeff would have the opportunity to spend time on the Benjamin Ranch, and he developed a friendship with Bronc Rumford and his family.

From 1995 on, Rector worked with the Rumford family as he began on the path toward his future career as a pick-up man. Evan though he was not brought up on a farm, his love for horses and for the sport of rodeo was apparent, and his skills were at as high of a level as his desire to participate.

TRU. got the opportunity to speak to Mr. Rector prior to the World’s Toughest Rodeo event.

TRU. “ Are you excited to be a part of the World’s Toughest Rodeo? ” Jeff Rector: “ Absolutely, it’s a great tour and a great venue to come to St. Paul, so I’m really looking forward to it. ” TRU. “ You’re a pick-up man, so for our readers not too familiar with the rodeo, what exactly does that mean? “ Jeff Rector: “ Basically a pick-up man’s job is to get the cowboys safely off of the bucking horse and safely escort the animal out of the arena, that’s basically it in a nutshell. There are two mounted guys within the arena at all times with the title of pick-up men. “ TRU. “ How did you get your start in the rodeo business? “ Jeff Rector: “ Growing up as a kid I really liked horses, I was always totally infatuated with them. When I was younger in Kansas City I basically talked my grandpa into buying me a horse when I was in 7th grade. We used to board that horse at a facility that had a big 4th of July rodeo. When I started going to the rodeos I really enjoyed what I saw, the horsemanship and the competition of it, and I started thinking that it would be really cool to do. Then I started hanging out with some friends that worked rodeo and one thing led to another eventually landing me a job with a prominent rodeo company out of Kansas and started traveling with them across the country. I’ve been doing that ever since. “ TRU. “ Who was your biggest inspiration during that time? “ Jeff Rector: “ My biggest inspiration is a guy I’ve been working for, basically taught me everything I know, his name is Bronc Rumford. He’s the one who discovered me, been my mentor, taught me how to ride, how to rope, how to break a horse. Basically taught me everything. “ TRU. “ What are the biggest challenges facing a professional pick-up man? “ Jeff Rector: “ When your first started out is simply getting hired, because pick-up men are hired by the rodeo committee or the rodeo company putting on the show. The biggest thing would be getting jobs and staying busy. Once you’ve gotten your name out there, it becomes more about keeping good horses under you. The traveling gets a little bit rigorous, but that would be the main issues. “ Photographer:Matthew Fleegel

TRU. “ What is your favorite thing about being involved in

rodeo in general? “ Jeff Rector: “ The coolest thing is that I’ve been able to take a hobby and turn it into a career. Made a lot of money over the years.

It’s definitely great to be able to do something that I would do for free. Being able to be around horses every day, and getting to travel and see lots of places I normally would never see. That and the cowboy culture, how the cowboys get along, it’s a big family and everybody has each other’s backs. “ TRU. “ As the only African American pick-up man in the sport, do you consider yourself a pioneer in that regard? “ Jeff Rector: “ I consider myself a pioneer in what I do as far as being a pick-up man.

Because I’m the only African American pickup man there is or ever has been. There have been other African Americans in the sport of rodeo, but they’ve done other events such as bull riding and calf roping. As far as being a pick-up man in the professional ranks it’s pretty cool to say I’m the only one, and definitely something I’m proud of. “ TRU. “ As you should be. Do you hope to be an inspiration to future generations? “ Jeff Rector: “ Absolutely, it doesn’t have to be a pick-up man per sea, just to show that no matter where you come from, or what your background is doesn’t matter. I’m a city slicker; I wasn’t born and raised on a ranch like a lot of the people I work with, who generally have family that has history within rodeo. I’m the only one in my family that does this, so I come from a little bit different background. It really doesn’t matter what your background is, so long as you’re passionate about something. If you put the work in, you can pretty much do anything you want to, as long as you’re serious and don’t mind sacrificing. “ And That’s the TRU.th

A CUT A

ABOVE THE REST

Justin Rumford: This Cowboy turned Rodeo Clown Knows How to

Entertain By: Matthew Fleegel

TRU. Magazine was on hand during the World’s Toughest Rodeo at Excel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. In addition to watching the dramatic contests between man and beasts, there were moments of laughter and physical comedy provided by one of the best rodeo clowns in the business, Justin Rumford.

TRU. “ How do you feel about being involved in the World’s Toughest Rodeo at Excel? “ Justin Rumford: “ It’s a great deal, this is my third year doing the World’s Toughest.

It’s so cool, cause it’s not your old traditional rodeo; it’s closer to a rock show. This show is so much different then it used to be, but it’s fun to be a part of. “ TRU. “ When did you get your start in rodeo? “ Justin Rumford: “ My family has raised horses and bulls since the 1940s. I grew up in a rodeo production family, my grandfather started our company, so I been in rodeo my whole life. I’ve always been kind of a joker…playing around and having fun.

About four years ago I had some friends say I should try being a rodeo clown. Even though I’ve never been a fan of regular clowns, my friends talked me into doing it.

So I borrowed a barrel and a microphone and went to bull riding, and after the show I found out it paid a thousand dollars. I was like wow, I just graduated from college and I was looking for a good job, so I just fell into it. “ TRU. “ So the middle of the TRU. “ That’s pretty awesome. How much did it help that you were already well versed in the rodeo scene and already you knew your role before you stepped into it? action is fun, but it’s definitely safer in the barrel? “ “ Justin Rumford: “ I gotta say Justin Rumford: “ That helped a lot. The great thing about it is that I don’t have to mess with no bulls. Bulls can scare me, so the less time I spend with them the better the barrel in a lot more comforting.” for me. “ TRU. “ What is the scariest moment you’ve experienced since switching from a cow- TRU. “ What is your favorite part about being involved in boy to a clown? “ rodeo? “ Justin Rumford: “ Generally it’s not too bad. A lot of times during the bull rides I’ll Justin Rumford: “ Just to travel be inside of the barrel. The barrels are very heavy duty so there is a lot of padding around and meet new peofor him and for me, so it usually doesn’t get too wild. There was one time I got out and I was getting the crowd to really start clapping, and the bull in the arena tried to ple. My wife travels with me get me. I got away, I’m kinda chubby, but I put on the afterburners and got over the full time, and we travel ten months out of the year. We get fence. “

to choose where we go, and negotiate our own price, work with the producers.

Just fun to see new sites and meet new people…I just love it. “ TRU. “ Do you prefer being an entertainer to being a cowboy? “ Justin Rumford: “ Yeah, being an entertainer is awesome. I competed for six years professionally. The way that rodeo is now you can win a lot of money, but the thing about competing is that you’re never guaranteed a dime. When you compete in rodeo if you don’t win…you don’t get paid. The great thing about my job is that I know what I’m going to make before I go. So it’s more a job you can count on. Rodeo is fun, but I like that sure thing buddy. “ And that’s the story, straight from inside the barrel.

Keep it TRU

Photographer: Matthew Fleegel

WWW.TRUENT The very soulful Ray Covington sings

Minneapolis radio show pioneer, D.J. Spider J. Hamilton and comedian Karen Larson laugh it up

Kmoj Radio D.J. Ray Richardson kept it sexy during the intermission

Above: Gentlemen of style; Leland Copeland, Earl Stewart and Kmoj’s Chaz Millionaire. Below: Chantel Sings burns up the stage

Guitarist, Craig Screamer and his lovely guest

TMAGAZINE.COM

Craig Dion, Craig Screamer, David TC Ellis, Jelly Bean Johnson, Mark Webster, Boddy Z, Tony Christian and Chineta Ellisse,

Tru. Image Group videographer Keynon Starks and Songstress Chantel Sings. On left, Sue Ann Carwell headlines 1-Night 4-Love at the Fine Line.

UP TOWN AND AROUND THE WORLD WITH TRU MAGAZINE

On s Cast and Crew from new reality show “Bo$$ Ladies” take a break on set in Chicago. Left to right; background, Kristopher Plencner, Carol DiMatteo, Jack D’Amico, Franky Mustari Forliano along with Tru. Image Group CEO ‘s Lydia King and Seth Neblett

Below: Michelle Parenti Luciano and Husband Dominic Luciano on the set of BO$$ Ladies

Lights, camer Filmi "Bo$$ Ladies"

Middle: during the Righ poses w Valerie

reality t.v. never looked s

Cast members: Michelle Parenti Luciano and Husband Dominic Luciano

set

ra, action! ing in chicago

: Leah DeSimone filming a scene. To ht : Leah DeSimone with longtime friend Amato-Schiller

New Film Prduction House Tru. Image Group was in Chicago this month shooting a pilot for new reality show Bo$$ Ladies.

All of Chicago’s elite came out to see what all

of the buzz was about!

so good!

The Cast of Bo$$ Ladies; Franky Forliano, Eddie Strong, Dana Marie Marchese, Leah DeSimone, Natalie Gerasimchuk, and Michelle Parenti Luciano pose with Valerie Amato-Schiller and Tru. Image CEO, Seth Neblett with crew members ; David Booker, Mike Holmes & S.J. Hassan Center & Right: Franky and Michelle’s family take a walk through the old neighborhood.

Photographers: Kevin King and Joe Parenti

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HOW TO GET OUT OF THE FRIEND ZONE

By Tru Teen Reporter Justin Andrew

The friend zone. Everybody hates it, and I think its fair to call it the “Rikers Island” of society! The friend zone is like jail, your only getting out if the person who put you there lets you out. And, if you try to break out your going to be put on death row. Meaning, your probably going to ruin your friendship and your potential to be with that person in the future.

The friend zone is the worst position someone can be in, if they have feelings for someone. Being in the friend zone is when a guy develops feelings, but the other person only sees the relationship as just being friends. There is a big difference between being just a friend and dating. A friend is automatically supposed to be there for you, hang out, etc. A dating relationship is supposed to start off much slower. The way I see it, if your in the friend zone its very very hard to get out. But you know who’s fault it is that your in that predicament? Yours!

As i was saying its very very hard to get out of the friend zone, but there are a few risky moves you can take.

Like...STOP being her friend! I know that sounds harsh but just listen. In order to truly get out of the friend zone one has to stop being perceived as a friend. As soon as that happens the gate is open for the relationship. Stop always being the one she can talk to, that can wait until your in the relationship and the gates are sealed. And don’t misinterpret what I’m saying. I’m not saying be mean to her, I’m just saying put a friend barrier up so that she doesn’t see you as a friend, but an acquaintance. Once your an acquaintance you can start proceeding and moving towards a relationship becomes an option. Once your there it’s up to you to make sure she knows that your NOT her friend, your something more.

Tru. Young Talent in the Making Tru. Talent; We found out about these two beauties and knew that we just had to do a feature on them. They are young, talented and oh so ready to take on the world! Meet Janel and Ava....

Janel and Ava are both very outgoing, energetic, fun-loving bright girls that truly love to make everyone around happy. Their passion lies in Acting, Modelling, Swimming, gymnastics, dancing, softball and Basketball and soccer. Janel began modeling when she was about 3 years old, she then time off and decided to get back to into it 2 years ago. Ava started modeling when she was only age 3 . Both girls have an amazing ability to memorize scripts and are a natural in front of the camera. Their mother (also their manager) remembers when they were given a long monologue by a director who cast appropriately cast them in a film and on the next day. By then, they knew all the lines by heart!

They have an energy that fills up a room and has made them favorites for commercials, films, and print ads with Twin Cities Agencies. They’ve starred in plays, such as; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”, and were both cast in “Pinocchio”. Ava wants to be a doctor and Janel wants to be a lawyer- we can only image what the world has in store for these two very talented young ladies.

Tru Entertainment Magazine Talks to these two young talented ladies

JANEL, FROM MODEL, and ACTRESS TO DISNEY TM:What does it feel like to be in front of the Camera?

JJ: It feels really COOL to be able to express myself on camera and it feels like I’m in a different world.

Are you Scared or nervous?

JJ: I have been involved in several theater shows. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, and Pinocchio which has prepared me to be comfortable on stage, so I’m not scared just a little bit nervous, sometimes.

TM: What makes you want to do Acting and Modeling?

JJ: I love being in front of the camera so much I look up to the disney Stars on Nickolodean and I really admire them so much. I love taking modeling pictures and seeing them in different Catalogs.

I also love memorizing the lines and showing my acting skills on Camera.

TM: What’s the funniest job you’ve ever had in the entertainment industry?

JJ: Well, I can’t pick one since I love them all but I love being in fun and outgoing projects which showcases who I am. I was involved in this project called “Break Through” with my sister and some other friends that was showcased at a convention in L.A and it was really fun on set.

TM: Do you ever work with your younger sister?

JJ: Yes and I love it because we bring out the best in each other and we have worked on 3 different projects, 2 short films and 2 commercials.

TM: What do you want to do when you grow up?

JJ: I still want to be involved in the entertainment industry because I love acting and entertaining people a lot.

Janel loves and enjoys her school very much, she has many friends that look up to her and loves her company she continues to do very well and she shocked us this year by making it to the finalist in the spelling bee competition which she did fantastic.

www.janeljustin.net

Photographer: Sarah Morreim

AvA, FROM MODEL and ACTRESS TO DISNEY TM: What does it feel like to be infront of the audience or camera?

AJ: It feels great because it allows me to show what I can do as a model and actress.

TM: Are you scared or Nervous?

AJ: Well, I’m not scared while infront of the camera, I do get a little bit nervous before the director says “action” but after that when I’m saying my lines, I feel really confident and comfortable.

TM: What makes you want to do acting and modeling?

AJ: Since I was a little girl, I always wanted to pose for pictures and entertain people so it has really grown on me. I also love watching disney shows like “Dog with a blog” and “Jesse” those shows make me really want to pursue this even more.

TM: What’s the funnest Job you’ve ever done in the Entertainment industry?

AJ: The funnest job was being cast in a national commercial for Stuffies and seeing it on Nickelodeon T.V and also a commercial I did with Andrew Zimmern where he was eating warms on set.

TM: What do you want to do when you grow up?

AJ: When I grow up, I want to still be involved in the entertainment industry as an actress and I want to be a doctor and save lives just like my daddy does.

Ava also loves her school very much. She’s very smart, a go getter and demontrates great leadership quality in all she does. She’s also in the accelerated program for the gifted students in her school, due to her high performance scores.

www.avajustin.net

Photographer; Tony Cane-Honeysett

JANEL Janel is a very outgoing 9 year old, who loves to make everyone around her laugh and happy. She enjoys fashion and has been involved in various kids fashion shows, print shoots, music video, and stage productions like Pinocchio and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. She enjoys working in front of the camera so much that she has done several commercials, short and feature films. She’s also very patient and takes directions well, and really enjoys working to the best of her abilities, which many directors have noticed.

A V A Ava is a very spunky and precious 7 year old who’s very outgoing and eager to learn personally at the age of 3, started stealing the spotlight when she was introduced to the world of Print Shoots and Kid Fashion Modeling.

She has done dozens of different in store signage shoots as well as for companies like Target, ABC catalogs, LifeTouch, Manhattan Magazine and Play With Purpose catalogs.

www.facebook.com/pages/Sisters-Janel-and-Ava-Justins-ModelActressEntertainer-page

Tru Magazine REMEMBERS

Baltimore Native and Temptations lead singer Damon Harris, nicknamed The Voice’ by Michael Jackson, dies

By Stacy M. Brown July 17, 1950 - February 18, 2013

The falsetto was unmistakeable. “…And when he died, (all he left us was alone),” Damon Harris belted out on one of the most popular songs ever in the megahit “Papa Was A Rolling Stone.”

Harris, a Baltimore native, was a member of the Temptations during the 1970s when the group and its label, Motown Records, were the hottest entities in music.

Harris, 62, died Feb. 18 in his native Baltimore after a long battle and courageous battle with prostate cancer.

“It’s a major loss for all of us,” said Billy Wilson, president of the Motown Alumni Association. “Everyone remembers that voice, but he was a great person, too,” Wilson said.

Television news personality Diane Dimond, who met Harris several years ago, said Harris was “a sweet man.” Social media outlets including Facebook and twitter were abuzz with messages of sorrow for the fallen star.

Photos of Harris with the Temptations were posted on the websites as well as instagram and other outlets. Also, video tributes surfaced immediately on sites such as Youtube.

Harris was born July 17, 1950 in Baltimore. He was tabbed by the Temptations to replace Eddie Kendricks, Harris’ idol, when Harris was just 20.

While at Motown, Harris met a young man named Michael Jackson, who was so smitten with Harris’ talent that Jackson nicknamed the Temptation lead singer, “The Voice.”

Wilson said most mistakenly credited Kendricks with some of Harris’ vocals. “People thought it was Eddie on songs like ‘Cloud Nine,” and “Psychedelic Shack,” but that was Damon Harris,” Wilson said.

Last year, Harris released a new single, “Your are my woman,” on CDbaby.com and the song immediately earned rave reviews from music critics, some who opined that the industry had been lacking such great sounds for decades.

Harris was hospitalized at Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in October shortly before he was to perform a show in Carlisle, Pa. That prompted telephone calls and messages from those throughout the music industry, including Temptations founder Otis Williams.

Williams contacted Harris at the hospital and, in an effort to lighten the mood, kiddingly challenged his former pupil to a race.

“Cancer maybe a death sentence, I know that’s what most people say, but for me it means learning how to live all over again,” Harris said shortly after being hospitalized.

The singer, who once dated actress Goldie Hawn, had been working on his memoirs which he said he wanted to use as a platform to continue to spread his message of cancer awareness, particularly in the black community.

Following a long stay at Johns Hopkins, Harris was transferred in December to a nearby rehab center but, despite his determination, his 15 year battle against prostate cancer ended at 7:17 p.m. Feb. 18.

Harris had developed a Damon Harris Cancer Foundation and had worked with Stand Up To Cancer in an effort to spread the message about the dreaded disease.

Harris’ family are expected soon to announce funeral plans.