ISSUE #63 2020
CHEN TANG +
Keeya King. Sayge. Jourdin Pauline. Tristan D. Lalla. Gabriel Darku. Hallea Jones. JAED. #ripfredthegodson.
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This Covid-19 pandemic has been crazy but other than not wanting to catch the virus, quarantine itself hasn’t been that bad overall. Obviously, I’m only speaking for myself because others are not taking being ordered to stay at home so well and are going as far as flat out disobeying those orders and protesting in various states across America. With that being said, I’d like to give a shout out to everyone doing their part to keep themselves and others safe. We just lost NYC rapper, Fred The Godson (R.I.P.) to Covid-19 and that has bothered me a bit. My very first trip to NYC (around 2013), we attended an event that he performed at and I was super excited to not only be in the city but to also get an opportunity to cover a lot of the NYC entertainers I wouldn’t normally see in the Midwest or South. That brother was only 35 years old. I am a year older than he was. Appreciate life. I know I do. Tyrone Davis
Contributing Photography: Hollagraphy Mollie Pie Victor Jackson Jeremy Cabrera Megan Vincent Ryan West Vision PR Kiem Lam Rohann Agalawatte Styling/Grooming: Maxi (Chen Tang) Marketing/Sales: Jus Mi Luck Promotions Contributing Writers: Lucky Smith Corletha Norman, MSW, LCSW Joseph Pate Contact: twenty4sevenmagazine.com twenty4sevenmagazine@gmail.com youtube.com/twenty4sevenmagazine Twitter: @twenty4sevenmag Instagram: @twenty4sevenmagazine Facebook: Twenty4Seven Magazine Editor Contact: brightwoodentertainment@gmail.com Facebook: Tyrone Brightwood Davis Phone: 404-409-6553
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SAYGE JOURDIN PAULINE TRISTAN D. LALLA GABRIEL DARKU #FREDTHEGODSON CHEN TANG KEEYA KING HALLEA JONES PICS: ON LOCATION JAED
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WHO AM I AND WHAT I STAND FOR Corletha Norman, MSW, LCSW, Owner and Clinical Director of Bonhomie, LLC.
We are certified to provide Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to assist in your healing from trauma.
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COMING TO THEATERS? CATCH A FLICK...MAYBE.
Sayge q+A by lucky smith
PHOTO: MOLLIE PIE
Tell us about your single, “Toxic” and the meaning behind it. Toxic is about a girl I was very into that I screwed up with. My relationship before that one was very toxic and I remember feeling amazing after it ended. When I noticed my ex and I were going in that direction (because of me), it hurt like hell but I let her go. I had to work on my demons, get in the ring with them and figure out what the hell was going on. I wrote Toxic a few weeks later. I missed her even though I knew it was “wrong”, per se. If I had tried to get her back, it would have gotten toxic and after experiencing that once with the girl before, I never wanted to go through that again. The record I just released, Fade Away is kind of a follow up. It is missing the person after the relationship but still having to let them go. What is your idea of a perfect mate? Damn. That is tough. Honestly, I don’t know yet. She has to be cool, loyal, know how to dress, a little wild....I don’t know, haha! Everyone’s journey in life is different and we all have our own perception of “rock bottom”. What is yours? Mine was getting REALLY drunk and calling my toxic ex to tell her off while I was with that other girl. I was an idiot and I don’t suggest doing that. But, after that night, everything changed. My life turned around, I started working out every day and started really honing in on my music and team as a brand. It was a blessing. The next day was amazing. It didn’t feel like any sort of hangover. It felt like a fresh start, finally. The Internet/social media has been a gift and a curse. In your opinion, in what way has it had an affect on relationships and our self-esteem as a whole? Man, I feel like we have crazy standards because of social media. People wanting to be a certain kind of couple or look like a famous celebrity couple instead of just being themselves and finding their own journey in the relationship. It’s crazy. Social media can be toxic. Your partner is worrying about who you’re talking to or looking at and a lot of people don’t have the communication skills to bring it up and talk about it. It’s crazy. Social media is a gift and a curse. Communication is key. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way of life for everyone. How are you coping with it all? By staying in, helping my loved ones any way that I can and TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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SANITIZING. Everyone, please sanitize and stay in. This stuff ain’t a joke. My love and prayers go out to anyone who is suffering with it or who has loved ones who are suffering. Elaborate on the following Tweets: a. Secret society. It feels like a lot of life is some sort of secret society. For this, I was kind of referencing my team. My guys do amazing work and lots of stuff behind the scenes that many don’t see. Just wait till the videos drop! b. New york feels haunted. It’s crazy! It is empty but it is not. It is somber. So many people are losing their lives or getting sick because of COVID-19. Please, everyone wash your hands. c. Dale ¡dale is Spanish for “go ahead” but we use it for everything. It is slang at this point, I guess. It can also mean, “goodbye” or like 100 other things. Context is key. Name 5 things you plan to do when this quarantine is over? Press shoot, see my homies and my team, have a whiskey and cigar night in Toronto with my team and my cousins, shoot a video, go salsa dancing. Explain your problem with skits on albums. I really like listening to full bodies of work all the way through and skits throw off the experience for me. Maybe because every time I’m listening to music, I’m also doing something else. To me, save it for a short film or something on the album. But, that’s just personal opinion, no shade. What is life like for your home (Venezuela) at the moment? Authoritarianism by an idiot, Political corruption and shortages of food and medicine. This is a product of years of economic mismanagement and corruption. It is a beautiful country, yet the system is so ugly. In the words of Hendrix, “Once the power of love overcomes the love of power, that’s when things will change.” Any last words? Stay safe, wash your hands and stream Fade Away.
JOURDIN PAULINE Jourdin Pauline is a singer, songwriter and actress from Los Angeles, CA. Since age 10, she has written and co-produced songs that have been featured on television shows including Ant Farm, Shake it Up (Disney Chanel), Love and Hip Hop (VH1), America’s Next Top Model (CW), Bad Girls Club (Oxygen), Keeping up with the Kardashians (E!) and CSI Miami (CBS). She has worked on several projects with multi-platinum producer Donald “XL” Robertson Jr. (Master P, Juvenille, Snoop Dogg). Jourdin is currently under the direction and production of Grammy nominated producer, Brian “Killah B” Bates (Chris Brown, Jay Z, Seven Streeter), Grammy award winning producer, Chauncey “Hit Boy” Hollis Jr. (Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Drake), Grammy award winning singer/songwriter/producer, Leon Thomas III as well as Grammy award winning writer/producer, Vincent Berry II (Beyonce, Tamar Braxton, Nico & Vinz, Akon, Mary J. Blige). Jourdin is a strong believer in philanthropy, using the power of her voice to make a difference in the community. She has been involved with A.W.A.R.H.E. (Artists Wanting AIDS and HIV Related Education) performing to spread AIDS awareness. Jourdin Pauline is truly an all-around entertainer and every one of her performances takes the game to a whole new level. She continues to build a strong fan base with her remarkable charisma and stage presence. She recently released three singles called HEY Hi, WHET? and Big Bandz. Check them out on all digital platforms. Connect with Jourdin Pauline: Instagram: @jourdinpauline Twitter: @JOURDINpauline Website: www.jourdinpauline.com For additional information on Jourdin Pauline and or to arrange for an interview, please contact Victor Jackson via his email at jackson.victor1987@gmail.com. Photo submitted by Victor Jackson.
CORLETHA NORMAN, MSW, LCSW
is Owner and Clinical Director of Bonhomie, LLC. She has over ten years of experience in the world of social work. This includes mental health therapy, intensive in home therapy for high risk, foster and DFCS/DCBS clients, family and individual therapy, couples therapy, trauma focused therapy, juvenile justice intervention, case management, advocacy, and mentorship. She can be reached at www.bonhomiellc.com.
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A MOMENT WITH
TRISTAN D. LALLA Words + Interview By Corletha Norman, MSW, LCSW PHOTO: JEREMY CABRERA
Integrity, longevity, gratitude and focus. All are key adjectives found within the works of Tristan D. Lalla. Mr. Lalla shares his experiences of incorporating these adjectives within the sets of “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”, the “Assassin’s Creed” video game franchise and the new medical drama, “Nurses”.
Mr. Lalla, in reflection of your lifetime thus far, are there any items specific to you as an individual that you are particularly proud of? Integrity sometimes seems hard to come by. I know that I can look myself in the mirror daily and know that I lived my truth. My circle of close friends is over 30 years strong. They don’t make them like that anymore.
The casting process was a great one where I really clicked with writer, Darby McDevitt and director, Kama Dunsmore. They fully trusted what I brought to the table and it was really a collaboration bringing Adéwalé to life. The character is from Trinidad (like my entire family) so I got to bring a love of my roots to the performance more than I ever have. I love being in a MoCap suit. I’ve done about 45 or 46 games to date.
What was your reaction when you learned that you had been granted the role of Mr. Jordon Green in the film, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”? I was really happy when I got word. Although the film was shot in Montreal, not many Canadian actors had roles in it so I was grateful to be part of the mix!
Are you a gamer? If so, Playstation or Xbox and why? Yes. I have been my whole life! I currently prefer Xbox but for no particular reason.
Who is Billie Holiday to you personally? I have always loved Lady Day’s music. I’m a big lover of the blues and jazz. Her voice was so connected, yet so haunting. To hear her sing Strange Fruit gives me chills to this day. What was it like working with Lee Daniels? It was a great experience! Lee is so detailed and meticulous. I definitely enjoyed how focused the environment on set was. Overall, I’d definitely put it in my top 10. You have quite a few roles under your belt. Thus far, what would you say has been a major highlight in your career? So far I would say my top three highlights have been: Playing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in The Mountaintop by Katrina Hall, (for which I earned a META - northern equivalent of a TONY award), playing Agent M in LONG SHOT alongside Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen and my work in the Assassin’s Creed games. Doing voice acting is amazing and very different from acting on film. What is the significance of your role in the video game, “Assassin’s Creed”? In the Assassin’s Creed franchise I play Adéwalé (AC IV: Black Flag, AC: Freedom Cry, AC Rogue), I play Taharqa (AC Origins), I play Agaté (AC III: Liberation) and I play Jumao (AC: Pirates). Adéwalé has become a favorite of the fandom. How did you approach this role in particular? Explain the process. Adéwalé was and will always remain a huge gift in my life. TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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You have a role on the original medical drama series “Nurses”. How has this role changed your perspective of the medical field? Yes, I play Damien Sanders on the new medical drama Nurses. I have always known that nurses are real life heroes but having the chance to embody that on set daily has really brought to light how amazing they truly are and (sometimes, sadly) how unappreciated they are as well. No hospital can function without the incredible nurses who are on the frontlines. We all owe them so much! Speaking of the medical field, how are you maintaining during this Coronavirus matter? What is your take on it, overall? It’s really important that we as a society do everything that we can to stop the spread and flatten the curve. Stay home, wash your hands and do whatever you can to be as responsible as possible. Also, when “leadership” looks like it’s dwindling, think about this: Our grandparents and great grandparents were being called to war. We’re being called to stay home. I think we can do this. Mental health is both a very important and popular topic these days. What do you do to keep your mental health in tip top shape? If it brings you joy and you aren’t harming anyone else then go for it. I don’t believe in guilty pleasures because I refuse to feel guilty for that which brings me pleasure. Not everyday is a bright one. But, when it is dark it is good to have some light to reach towards. Follow Tristan D. Lalla on Instagram and Twitter @tdlalla. TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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GABRIEL DARKU G R AT E F U L Words + Interview By Lucky Smith PHOTOS: MEGAN VINCENT
Gabriel Darku is an actor who has appeared in a few TV series such as “Shadowhunters”, “Reboot: The Guardian Code” and “Impulse”. During our conversation, we spoke about what he learned while attending the Toronto Film School, his career, working on the TV series “Slasher” and more. Gabriel can currently be seen starring as Geoff Allen in Netflix’s “October Faction”.
How did you catch the acting bug? When I was in high school I had the opportunity to enter a contest for McDonald’s employees to star in their next commercial. I ended up being one of the winners and found myself working on a set for the first time. That’s definitely where I caught that bug. Once I started film school I fell completely in love with the craft. Name 3 things that you learned about the film industry or life while attending the Toronto Film School. Right away I learned just how collaborative the process of filmmaking is. There are so many different departments and roles to play by so many different people, which makes the final product that much more special. I also learned that the film industry is harsh and can easily chew you up and spit you back out. But, I believe the most important thing I learned was the importance of empathy, not just for the work but for life in general. Empathy is what truly connects us and allows us to relate to someone else’s emotions in a given situation. I’ve come to cherish this sense within myself and further understand what the world could do with more empathy. What has been the hardest thing for you overcome in the world of Hollywood and what advice would you give other aspiring entertainers? Rejection and unemployment are absolutely the biggest struggles most aspiring entertainers will be dealing with from the get go. Never hearing back from casting no matter how great you thought your audition was. Not knowing where your next pay solid paycheck is coming from, let alone when. During times like this, it’s very important to make sure you’re attentive of your mental health because that sense of rejection can be very hard to handle. Something I did was learn to view the audition as the job. Get in there and show them what I got then on to the next one. This keeps me looking forward to the next audition, continuously excited to show what I can do rather than continually waiting by the phone just eating away at my own emotions while I wait for a callback or an offer. Another piece of advice would be to create your own content! We live in an era of unprecedented technology and there are so many ways to create your own content and get it out to consumers. If you’re struggling to find work then make your own work! We’re not just entertainers, we’re creatives. So create! Tell us about “October Faction” and your role as Geoff Allen. TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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October Faction is a story about a family of monster hunters, based on the graphic novel series of the same name. In the show, Fred and Deloris are career monster hunters, hiding their true identity from their children Geoff and Viv who are now dealing with yet another relocation and attending a new school. My character Geoff is the more boisterous one of the group, very charismatic. Also very blunt — he’s definitely not afraid to speak his mind about whatever is bothering him. Still young and developing, he’s fairly self-absorbed at this point in his life, ready to finish high school and take on the world, yet at the same time he’s dependant on the relationship he has with his family, specifically his sister Viv. This is the reason I love the show so much — despite all the fantasy elements, it’s really a show about family, these characters and the relationships they have with each other, and how they navigate the waves through all the turmoil they’re about to face. In real life would you or have you ever tried a “real life séance”? I don’t think I am brave enough to try something like that, lol. I may not be religious but I definitely believe in the supernatural. Very much like Viv expressed in a scene with Cathy, just because we don’t yet understand it doesn’t mean it can’t be explained. That being said, I have no interest in disturbing the dead. When I was much younger I once expressed interest in trying a Ouija board and my mother warned me not to do it. She had apparently tried it with some friends when she was a teen and it didn’t go well and that’s all I needed to hear to keep me away from that stuff. Speaking of Sci-Fi, monsters, zombies and things of that nature, one thing that is happening in real life right now is this Covid-19 issue. Being that it has gotten pretty serious, what are your thoughts on it? It’s definitely got me worried. Not for the end of the world, we should all know that humanity will live through this just fine. But the impact will undoubtedly be huge, especially in terms of confronting all the broken parts of our social and economic system currently being exposed. A lot of low-income citizens are going to really struggle through this and beyond that I’m obviously worried about the health and safety of everyone exposed to this virus. I myself have asthma as well as multiple members TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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of my family, who also happen to be immunocompromised. The idea that you passing on the virus could mean someone else’s suffering is a terrible truth and it’s one of the many reasons why social distancing at this time is so very important. If we want to lessen the impact this will have on us all, we need to be taking the warnings from health officials seriously. If everyone stays inside and does their part to follow the proper protocols, we should be just fine. To be honest, I’m looking forward to seeing how to governments of the world will act after this is all over. Will they better prepare themselves for the next inevitable outbreak? What about climate change? Will they start taking the warnings from professionals seriously? Probably not, but it’s worth hoping for. The NBA has just announced that they are cancelling the rest of the season for this reason. As a former athlete, how do you think it will affect the fans? As much as I love playing sports and competing, I’m not huge on watching sports through the television or following entire seasons. For me, I won’t even notice it. I know it’s going to affect a lot of people simply because now they’ve got my free time than ever to sit at home and watch a game, so its absence will be even more noticeable for them. But, it’s a necessary move. We can’t have players infecting each other, let alone pack a stadium with thousands of people. That would just be irresponsible. Let’s talk about “Slasher”. Break that down for us. Slasher is a horror anthology series on Netflix which I was fortunate to be a part of for its third season, Solstice. The story is about a young man who was murdered on the property of an apartment complex and a lot of his neighbors were, at some point, witnesses to what happened. Then, on the one year anniversary of that attack, the same killer reappears and begins to pick off the witnesses. If you’re a fan of the classic horror genre (and not at all squeamish) then you’ll love this show. I myself am a fan of horror and had been wanting to do a horror project, so getting this role was a big check off my career bucket list. Something I’m particularly proud of about that show, specifically our season, is the diversity. The representation is awesome and it’s exactly what we need to see more of in this industry. Was it a conscious effort to work in the Sci-Fi and Horror genres or did that just happen? Are those your preferences? That’s something that just happened. We’re seeing a lot of fantasy and Sci-Fi material being made right now so I do get submitted to audition for a lot of these projects. That being said, my favorite genre is undoubtedly drama. But, despite the fact that I can turn down any job I don’t want, I’m not going to turn it down based on genre. I would have to really be sick of doing it for that to happen. If I like the story and the material, I’m more than happy to get working. When I reach a point in my career TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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where I have multiple offers on the table at once, then I can be picky on what genres I want to focus on. Netflix has made a lot of great strides and has become a household name. How do you feel about the programming it is producing overall? Netflix has been doing a phenomenal job of creating content that people want to see. They’re making serious efforts when it comes to representation and telling stories from perspectives other than a white American. They’ve also been giving a lot of opportunities to new talent in the industry, which is a far cry from studios constantly recasting the same faces for every movie. I’m very proud to have been a part of many of their shows and look forward to working more with them and watching how they continue to evolve from here. What are your “Top 5” Netflix Originals? Man, I’m terrible at picking favorites. Let’s see. Altered Carbon definitely makes the list. I am very excited to watch season two. I also LOVE Explained, such a genius concept and VERY educational. The Seven Deadly Sins is an absolutely favorite, as well as the much loved Stranger Things. Also, literally last week I finished The Witcher and I’m HOOKED so that has to go on the list as well. What are some of your other hobbies? I love music. I can play both drums and guitar. I don’t have a drum kit but I do own multiple guitars, although I admit I haven’t been practicing lately. Perhaps I’ll get back into it now that I’m stuck at home for a while! I also have a thing for fitness being a former athlete and all. I also enjoy the Yi-Gi-Oh card game. I collect cards when I can and I’m fairly interested in competing in tournaments at some point. A hobby that I would love to get more into would be photography. I recently got into it and found that I have a pretty decent eye for photos. Cameras interest me a lot and that’s definitely an area of filmmaking that I would love to explore in the future. What is your favorite video game of all time and why? Oh man, that’s a REALLY tough question. Like I said, I’m bad at picking favorites so let’s go with my favorite I’ve played in the last year; Red Dead Redemption 2. The production quality is absolutely insane. It’s just so well done and it all looks and feels so real and immersive. The story is well written, the dialogue is INSANELY well executed and the amount of attention to the details are what really made me fall in love with this game. Lastly, what are the 3 things that you will never understand? Racism, sexism and homophobia. Follow Gabriel Darku on Instagram @gabrieldarku.
THE
BARBERSHOP
TWEET DAT! @Pour_Life_N2U: I Want Sports Back!
@FarrahGray_: STOP calling Black women “angry” for putting you back in your place when you disrespect them. @AddyStarr: I just spent $47 at Taco Bell. @mama_mia_09: Sudanese people do have beautiful skin @NittyScottMC: u ever been embarassed by thoughts you ain’t even express? @karenhunter: I can’t imagine that grown folks have to be told not to ingest disinfectant. We have bigger problems than this pandemic. @marcrebillet: Guys, when all this shit is over we need to recover HARD. Hold each other, visit each other, spend more time making eye contact. We’re gonna have to come strong with that love.
#FREDTHEGODSON
@BrianELogan: My new @wikipedia article on #FredtheGodson is on the front page right now - sad because it took his death by #coronavirus to get such recognition. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page @lourencocange: RIP #FREDTHEGODSON I MISS YOU ALREADY... @Pointz4Thought: THE RONA OUTTA POCKET FOR THIS REAL SHIT. FOREVER A LEGEND NY REST IN PARADISE #FredTheGodson @MarcShyst: Rest in Heaven bro! You gave us lyrics to last a lifetime. #fredthegodson @cache1123: I’m from the era that bars mattered. He was a reason that I still loved Hip Hop. The city and his family lost a Legend. #RIPGordo #ripfredthegodson #FredTheGodson @skyzoo: Damn, RIP my man Fred The Godson. Since like 2001 it was always great vibes and bar fests when we were around one another. Lyrical swordsman of the highest order for the city. Smh. #FredTheGodson @Higgaman22: Wake up to see #fredthegodson died smh. FK Trump and this Coronavirus @LaydiiiSoul: Yo...what is up with the month of April? April is canceled! Another sad day for Hip-Hop! #RIP #FredTheGodson #RhymeInPower
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TJ JACKSON SPEAKS ON THE JACKSON FAMILY LEGACY, HIS LATE UNCLE MICHAEL JACKSON, ADAPTING TO SOCIAL MEDIA, NEW SINGLE “INSOMNIA” + MORE. VIEW OUR INTERVIEW VIA OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
@Kazeem: Don’t procrastinate. If there’s something you want to accomplish out there, don’t operate like you have all of the time in the world. This thing goes fast, these years go fast. If you’re going to fail, fail spectacularly because those where the best lessons lie. *ALL CONTENT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED EXACTLY HOW IT WAS WRITTEN. SUBMIT MATERIAL FOR THE “TWEET DAT” SECTION TO TWENTY4SEVENMAGAZINE@GMAIL.COM OR @TWENTY4SEVENMAG IN YOUR TWEETS.
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CHEN TANG DESTINY Words + Interview By Tyrone Davis
PHOTOS: RYAN WEST
Over the last few years, Disney has released a few live action versions of its classic animated films. “Mulan” will be the latest release, tentatively scheduled for this summer. Actor Chen Tang plays the role of Yao, one of Mulan’s soldier buddies at a training camp. He and I discussed the process of him landing the role, the differences between the animated version and the live action version, working with the daughter of the late and great Bruce Lee, his upbringing and more. Very dope conversation and one of my favorites to date.
STYLING/GROOMING: MAXI
For the newer generation and those who may not have seen Disney’s 1998 animated version of “Mulan”, what is this film about? At its heart, the Ballad of Hua Mulan is about a young girl who disguises herself as a man to take the place of her ailing father in the army, during a war against invaders. In essence, it’s about a girl who, driven by her love for her family and her duty to protect them, finds the courage and strength to lead her people and fight for what she believes in. This is a sweeping, epic story of her journey. Other than the obvious, in what ways is the live action version of “Mulan” different from the animated film? This version is a spiritual successor in many ways to the cartoon version. It’s quite different but still has so much of the iconic parts of the cartoon in its DNA. We wanted to tell an emotionally grounded version of the cartoon while incorporating a big part of the original Ballad of Mulan in an epic, sweeping backdrop. Tell us about your character, “Yao”. Also, explain the process in landing the role. I’m one of the soldier buddies Mulan befriends in the training camp. Every group of guys needs a tough guy. Yao is that tough guy. He has got a beard for God’s sake! He is full of machismo and thinks he knows what it means to be a man by throwing his weight around and sometimes bullying the weaker people around him to prove he’s a real man. But throughout the film, he finds out that being a man means to really fight for and take care of the friends around him. The casting process for this film took a while. I heard it went on for almost two years! They wanted to make sure they found the right people, especially for Mulan obviously. My own audition process was actually pretty straightforward and I think out of the whole cast I got the easiest road in terms of how long it took. I know that some of us had multiple rounds that lasted a period of a year and a half with months of waiting in between. I, along with what feels like every other Asian TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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actor in LA, first went in for the role of the love interest Chen Honghui (played really nicely by Yoson An). That was like in 2016! I didn’t hear back for coming in for my role until early 2018 and Debra Zane (our casting director) explained to us that they wanted to add a final guy to the squad and they needed a manly man kind of character. They brought back a bunch of us that they remembered from the initial audition. I did my first audition then got a call back with Niki Caro and felt like I really gave them what I wanted to give for this role. I found out I landed it shortly after. Overall, it was a little less than a month so I feel really fortunate about that. You look a lot different than animated Yao, lol. Was that a conscious effort by this version’s creators or will costume, make up, etc. be a factor? Lol, they have to give you a black eye, at least. Yeah, everybody has said that so far, haha! Don’t judge before you see me in it though! Wait till you see what I look like in the film, lol. Long story short, physically I think they wanted to keep everybody more on the real side but we DEFINITELY got tons of help with the look of our characters from costume and make up and hair. The team did such a fantastic job of making us look really “roughed up” and you really can get a sense that we could be this bunch of young farmer-laborer-soldiers. I think people might be pretty surprised at how different I look and feel in this film. We are actors after all...We don’t necessarily have to look like the character ;). In the live action film’s trailer, I saw Mushu (the red dragon voiced by Eddie Murphy in the animated version) but I read that this character won’t be involved in that way. Being that the character was special to the animation, do you think it will matter this go round? Yes, as much as I too loved Eddie Murphy’s Mushu, he won’t be part of this iteration. But the truth is, I’m not sure that the vibe of our film would have fit it exactly. The humor and companionship is present in a couple of other characters now. TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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What moments stood out to you most while on set of this film? Who did you bond with or learn from? I’ll never forget the epic battle scene we shot in the South Island of New Zealand. They assembled a real-sized army of extras who actually all trained and marched together in their own training camp! Everything was there, drums, archers, spearmen, horses...everything. Also, we were shooting the part where we face off against the Northern Invader horde. I remember being there and we were all freezing since the mountainous highlands of the South Island was still really cold. Then, they put these huge industrial-sized fans in front of us all and turned them on to make the flags and stuff fly and every single person groaned out loud as if on cue! I remember just looking around that day, mountains and glaciers all around us and then being a part of this army and getting ready for battle and just feeling the epicness. It was thrilling and you really felt like you were in it. I personally bonded so much with the guys in the “Squad” (Mulan and soldier buddies) that I ended up knowing everybody’s little quirks and idiosyncrasies and I just added that to the relationship we had as characters. Stuff like, Honghui (Yoson An) would totally try to take the lead in all our training or Po (Doua Moua) would DEFINITELY sneak to go get donuts on breaks even the night before battle. It made it so fun to add all these little but very real details for me. Overall, what do you think is the message of the film? Never let anyone tell you who or what you should be. If you believe in something strongly enough, if something like your family and protecting them matters enough to you, you can do things you never thought possible. The trailer looks amazing and I see quite a few Asian actors I am either a fan of or familiar with. What does the climate look like for Asians in Hollywood right now from your perspective? I think we finally made it! Hopefully it sticks this time. Honestly, the world now is so open and receptive finally to diversity and it’s so encouraging for my fellow Asian brothers and sisters in the industry. We need our own truthful stories now more than ever and it’s so wonderful to see more opportunities open up for all of us out here. I grew up a huge fan of martial arts films but it wasn’t until I became an adult that I started to see a few Asian actors being represented in roles other the what would be considered cliché’. The film, “Crazy Rich Asians” was considered a breakthrough. Do you hope to see more films like this and if so, what genres do you wish to see most? I loved Crazy Rich Asians not only for the diversity and representation but also because it was a really fun movie! Of course, I hope to see more films with Asians in the forefront. I’d love to see more Hollywood films in the vein of The Farewell or Parasite; indies and character-driven dramas where they aren’t afraid of fully embracing the truth of their unique stories and culture. I really liked “Train to Busan”. I saw it on Netflix a few months ago and although I haven’t seen it yet, I’m very interested in “Parasite”, which won an Oscar this year. Are there any Asian films that you know of that I should be looking out for? Name your “Top 5”. You have to see some of the older classics from Asia. There is a whole world out there beyond just the Hollywood or Westernworld films. Some of those classics are truly masterpieces. Akira Kurosawa, Wong Kar-Wai or older Zhang Yimou are fantastic places to start. Top 5 would be hard with so many to TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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choose from but a sample platter might include Ran, Ikiru, In the Mood for Love, Raise the Red Lantern, and Infernal Affairs. Don’t forget Indian films, and Japanese anime either! One of my favorite movies of all time is Akira. I’d better stop talking since I could go on and on. Speaking of martial arts and dope films, you appeared in “Escape Plan 2: Hades” as Yusheng Ma. In what way had Sylvester Stallone impacted your life prior to filming and what was working with him like? I told him the first day I met him that he helped me learn English by watching his movies when I came to America. He laughed pretty hard and shook my hand. That was cool. He is really down to earth and actually surprisingly low key and a bit reserved. But overall, it was pretty fun to get to meet and work with an icon. Tell us about the Bruce Lee Entertainment and Cinemax series “Warrior”. What is it about and how did you become involved? Our show Warrior is a pulpy period martial arts drama that is set in 19th century San Francisco, dealing with Chinatown gang wars and race relations in that time. It is sort got the feel of Peaky Blinders with badass kung fu in a crazy mashup story and backdrop. It is such a fun, exciting show with great writing and character drama. I had the good fortune to be able to land the role of Hong in the second season and join the cast almost immediately after we wrapped Mulan. I was still over there in New Zealand at the time and I did several rounds of auditions through self-tape and then Skype. I thought I would have to end up flying back to LA to go do a network test but I was floored when they told me that the folks at HBO and the producers just really liked me and my performance and wanted to go ahead and cast me. I flew back to LA shortly after, got all my stuff together and then a couple weeks later I was in Cape Town, South Africa where we shot it. Honestly, needless to say it was a hell of a year and I’m so grateful to have gotten the chance to do it! I’m ashamed I’ve never heard of “Bruce Lee Entertainment” until now. I was just saying to one of my best friends that the 5 films Bruce Lee is most known for will forever be in my rotation. I still watch them regularly till this day. Funny story: My senior year of high school (2001-2002), this same friend had just discovered 4 of those 5 films and fell in love with Bruce Lee. He hadn’t seen “Game of Death” yet so he didn’t know that Bruce had only filmed certain parts of it before his death. When I took the VHS tape over to his house to watch it, he was CRUSHED and with a disappointed look on his face he kept saying, “That ain’t the REAL Bruce!” We still joke about that and the last time I mentioned it to him he said, “Bro, that s**t broke my heart, fam.” Lol. You should be ashamed! Jk. Bruce Lee’s daughter Shannon Lee runs the company and she is dedicated to making sure that his legacy lives on. She was also one of our Executive Producers on Warrior and is just the coolest person. When I first got to meet her I was starstruck and it was kind of jarring to hear her say stuff like, “Oh yeah, dad was just like this or that” so casually. I’m like, “Dude...’dad’ was freakin’ Bruce Lee!”, haha! I love Shannon and she is unbelievably down to earth and kind. Being a part of a show that is so linked to Bruce Lee was a dream that I never wanted to end. OK, let’s take it back and talk about your background for a moment. Where were you born and what was your childhood like? TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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I was born in Kobe, Japan to Chinese parents. I was raised in the south of China and then we immigrated to Memphis, Tennessee where I grew up and gained a natural Southern accent, lol. It was a very international childhood with a whole mix of cultures honestly. But the truth is, when you’re little, I think you don’t really think about it too much and just accept and absorb what is around you. I just grew up being steeped in Southern culture, African American culture, the blues and country and everything in between and then going home and speaking Mandarin. It is actually interesting looking back and realizing how big of a cultural mix I had growing up. I feel like it gave me a lifelong love of different cultures and languages and it helped a ton with my acting work by just being able to be open to, accept and flow into different lives. What made your family choose Memphis, TN over other cities when immigrating to the US? I grew up in Tennessee, by the way. Shout out to Clarksville, TN/Ft. Campbell, KY! Oh, nice! Shout out to the South! I miss it every day. We settled in Memphis because that’s where St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is headquartered and my parents got jobs as medical researchers there. Thank God, because I love being from the South, lol. What made you want to become an actor and how did you get started initially? When I graduated high school, I actually didn’t know what I wanted to do. Believe it or not, I had serious thoughts of joining the military. My mom ended up convincing me to try college instead. In her words, “You could always try it for a year and then if it isn’t for you, you could reconsider enlisting”. I was a business major at the University of Miami (FL) and had to take a fine arts class and I chose acting thinking it would be an easy A. Boy was I wrong! Acting was actually harder than it looked, lol. But my teacher at the time was like, “Hey, you know you seem to really enjoy this and you’re pretty good at it! Why don’t you try out for one of the school shows?” I ended up actually getting a role in a musical (my first time on stage) and really falling in love with it. I remember during one rehearsal, I realized I had so much fun that it didn’t feel like work. I literally woke up in bed one morning and decided that I can do this and I would be an actor. So, I transferred schools to Emerson College in Boston where I majored in Drama and started doing professional auditions and gigs there. Name your favorite: A) Actor Daniel Day-Lewis B) Book Lord of the Flies by William Golding. C) Film Impossible to say...too many to list. But, if you put a gun to my head and forced me to choose, I say I could watch Gladiator any day of the week. D) Quote “You got no guts, but you do have courage.” My Grandmother! In Chinese, of course. Meaning, I was scared of everything but I would do it if I believed in it. TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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E) Musician BB King Being someone who supports the preservation of nature and the oceans, what did you think of the wildfires in Australia? I love animals but prior to that, I hadn’t paid a whole lot of attention to those types of issues. Seeing all of the news coverage of the injured koalas did it for me though. Oh, it was heartbreaking! I’m glad that people started becoming more aware and it was a terrible natural tragedy but there is SO much more that people just don’t pay attention to. Like the dying of the Great Barrier Reef or the daily loss of the Amazon Rainforest. These things are continuously happening but I’m honestly kind of sad that it has to take media coverage of cuddly animals to make people care. I think we can do so much better. Speaking of the news, the Coronavirus is a big issue at the moment with big events like the annual SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas being cancelled as a result. With panic setting in amongst the general public, what is your take on the issue concerning Asians being treated unfairly due to people being ignorant to the facts surrounding the virus? It reminds me of how people from the Middle East were treated post 9-11. Hate is the strongest disease. You want my truth? Here it is: I can’t say that people don’t have a right to feel angry or upset. I can accept that but accepting it does not mean I like it. I obviously don’t like it. But, I simply believe that whatever emotions a person has is valid because it’s human. But, you do have choice of action. You can choose to act with hate and negativity or you can choose to act with love and empathy. It’s a choice to care but it also demands that we be vulnerable with one another. What do you think would be more useful in bringing people together? I grew up a military brat so I was introduced to diversity at an early age growing up living in different countries and with people from all cultures. As a black man living in America specifically, I definitely agree that “empathy” is the word of the day. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Martin Luther King Jr. Explain your relationship with social media. I’m not going to lie. I’m not the biggest fan of it. I do enjoy posting about what I love to do for people who I know but it is because I love what I do and want to share it. But, I have to be really careful not to spend too much time on it. I can get addicted to things pretty easily and it is SO addictive! Gimme dem likes. It is a rush. A dangerous rush, lol. What can we expect from you next? My season of Warrior drops sometime in the fall on Cinemax. Have a gander! Lastly, how can we connect with you via social media, lol? So after my comment about getting addicted to social media, you put me back on that slippery slope, huh? My instagram is @ChenLovesYall, lol! TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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KEEYA KING SHARING KEYS TO HER GROWTH IN THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRIES Words + Interview By Corletha Norman, MSW, LCSW Keeya King is a self-made member of the villages of film and television. Here she shares about her experiences in these industries, her most recent role as Peaches in the Netflix series “Self Made: Inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker” and how that role has colored her life.
Please share a bit about your role in the Netflix series “SELF MADE: Inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker”. My character Peaches is a jazz singer from Harlem who befriends Madam C.J. Walker’s daughter Lelia, played by Tiffany Haddish. Were there any aspects of preparing for your role as Peaches that you found to be fun? One of the most exciting aspects of preparing for this role was putting together Peaches’ “look”. The costume designer brought out a bunch of jazzy dresses, skirts and pants. We ultimately decided on a sleek suit. I wanted Peaches’ outfit to embody the likes of Bessie Smith or Ma Rainey on stage. A woman wearing a suit during that time was a bold statement! PHOTO COURTESY OF VISION PR
What could you say is “self-made” about your own accomplishments? My entire career path is self-made. There is no one in my family that is an artist or working in film and television. Being a working actor is a journey I paved on my own over the years, starting from guest spots to series regular. However, I have come across so many teachers and mentors who have guided me and given me such great advice. It truly takes a village. As a black woman, how have the inventions and accomplishments of Madame C.J. Walker enriched your life? I’m a black woman who wears her naturalPHOTO: hair every day and GYASI C. while working on set. I’ve been making concoctions to help grow and protect my hair. Right now, I’m mixing Shea butter, olive oil and lavender oil. Madame C.J. Walker’s desire to find solutions to care for black hair is woven throughout my everyday life. Working on Self Made allowed me to see that Madam C.J. Walker was constantly trying to find ways to help black women feel empowered and fall in love with who they saw in the mirror. When it comes to the business practices of Madame C.J. Walker, were there any jewels that you kept in order to implement yourself? There are so many jewels! Especially if you look closely at how she moved in her society! My biggest take away is if you have an idea, keep moving forward, even if others do not share your vision. We often wait for others in our lives to be on board with an idea. Don’t wait for people! YOU received the vision. One of my favorite excerpts from A’Lelia Bundles biography
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is the revelation that Madam C.J. Walker’s husband and peers often discouraged her, but she still persisted. This is one of my favorite quotes: “It was C.J. who could see nothing ahead but failure […] she was discouraged by her husband and many patrons who said she would not be able to make her expenses from one town to another […] However she was determined and inspired to do so.” What has been your most challenging role to prepare for thus far? Each role that I play brings about new challenges, experiences and things I didn’t anticipate. Tiffany is an amazing actress with super high energy. It is so easy to get carried away in between takes with her storytelling. I constantly had to remind myself not too get too carried away because the director wanted my character more somber and laid back; the complete opposite of where we are in between takes. What did you learn about PTSD that you didn’t already know from your role in the film “RESIDUE”? With time and the proper support system, one can recover from their trauma and find a new normal. Residue is a film directed by my incredibly talented friend, Leighton Alexander Williams. He wrote it in response to the violence black men in America so often face at the hands of police. What advice could you give to aspiring actors or actresses that may not come from the most privileged backgrounds? I’m still on a path of learning, but I think one of the best things to remember is that you are your most valuable resource – and education in any form, life or academic, is always an asset to help you achieve higher. What career goals have you yet to accomplish? I would love to work with Ms. Viola Davis on my next film project. What other works can we look forward to seeing you in later in your career? Season 5 of Van Helsing is slated to come out later this year; if you’re interested in seeing a black woman slay vampires, go on a mystical journey and kick ass on screen – literally - because I be whoopin’ ass! Run Up Netflix/Syfy! Follow Keeya King on Instagram and Twitter @keeyaking. TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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HALLEA JONES KEYS OPEN DOORS Words + Interview By Lucky Smith Meet actress Hallea Jones. The Toronto native comes from a family of talent and currently stars in Netflix’s “Locke & Key”. Our chat consisted of her love for music and creation process as well as her experience filming the show and what to expect from her after quarantine due to Covid-19 has ended. Enjoy!
We understand you come from a very talented family. Break that down for us. My dad is a professional pianist who played in bands his whole life, eventually teaching music at several different schools in Toronto. My mom played the alto sax and piano. My brother Kai Austin Jones is a multi-instrumentalist and producer who went to University of Toronto for Jazz trumpet and has been in many different bands his whole life. I also have half siblings from my dad’s first marriage who are both incredibly musical and their kids as well. The Jones music genes are definitely strong!
PHOTO: KIEM LAM
Considering entertainment is in your bloodline, was taking that route something you always wanted to do? Definitely. I’ve always been very loud and out there. Performing has never been an anxiety inducing experience. I did a lot of plays and musical shows when I was younger. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I started doubting it as a possible career path but luckily that idea didn’t last too long! Explain your experience auditioning for the television show, “Degrassi: Next Class”. Why was that audition significant? When I was in grade 11, Degrassi came to hold open auditions for anyone at my arts high school who wanted to try out. I hadn’t been accepted into the drama program at my school and was just a collegiate (I was a local to the school, not an arts student) so I had always felt like whenever I auditioned for school shows, I wasn’t considered talented enough to be a part of them. This was finally a professional audition where they didn’t care if I was in the arts program or not. Long story short, I was 1 of 4 who got a callback! I didn’t get the role but it definitely made me feel like I could in fact pursue acting as a career. Netflix has been killing it for quite some time now. Tell us about “Locke & Key” and your role as Eden Hawkins. It’s a dreamland honor to be working for a major production TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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house like Netflix and to be a part of such a well done show as Locke & Key is even more mind blowing. Locke & Key is this story based on comic books by Joe Hill, about the Locke family who after their father is mysteriously murdered, move back to his ancestral home where the kids start finding these incredible magical keys. Just as they’re starting to have fun with them, a demon named Dodge becomes ruthless in their desire for their keys and will evidently stop at nothing to get them. The kids deal with this demon at home, then go to school and deal with miss Eden Hawkins - the school’s Queen Bee. She’s a powerhouse who likes to have things her way and doesn’t have much of a filter. We are introduced to her as a spacey gets-what-she-wants popular girl and as the season grows, we find her subtle sides to come through, making it seem like she’s turned a corner and has become a friend to the Lockes…but then…. well, we know how things turn. How much of your character is similar to you off screen? No spoilers intended but there is a part in the series where your character is pranked in the cafeteria. How would you react to a situation like that in real life? I would say I’m not much like her at all now in my life but channelled a lot of who I was in high school into Eden. That cafeteria scene was really difficult (and fun!) because if we weren’t in control of our bodies, wouldn’t that be the scariest thing in the world? To be trapped within ourselves and unable to stop from doing things? That’s terrifying! So, I definitely felt that fear within me when we went through that scene. If you were able to choose a special power, what would it be? I would love the power to retain information really quickly almost like a photographic memory. I have a horrible memory so it would be incredibly useful to be able to retain anything I was educating myself on, even people’s names. I wish I had the special power to remember everyone’s name I meet. TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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What do you think viewers will love most about this series? There is so much more than just magic in this show. There is a lot of relatable storylines and themes - relationship troubles, loss, grief, coming of age, siblings, trust, alcoholism, love, forgiveness, revenge, teenage mischief… I think it’s easy for people to get caught up in the whole thinking it’s like a Harry Potter or Narnia kind of show, when, yes, it does have some of those elements, but there’s still so much more to discover beyond the fantastical. Which of your roles thus far has been the most challenging to date and why? Definitely Eden. This is my first recurring role so my first time to develop a character through more than just a scene or two. The physical work we did on scenes like the cafeteria scene in 1x05 and all the other fun jump scares and what not - Eden gets a fair bit of fun and challenging scenes throughout the show that I loved doing and learned a lot from. Let’s talk about music for a bit. We understand you have written over 40 songs in the past year. That is a lot! What type of subject matter are you writing about and what genre of music do you create? Yeah! I’ve become pretty obsessed with it. I can’t really answer that fully because each song is something new and I don’t ever really know what I’m writing about until I’m half way through a song sometimes. I definitely float within the Doris Day meets Amy Winehouse meets Lily Allen genre - whatever the heck that would be.
PHOTO: ROHANN AGALAWATTE
What does being a producer entail and how did you approach the creation of your upcoming project? Right now, it entails a LOT of learning. I’m just teaching myself how to use Logic Pro X so I start with the basics of what I know how to do and build on it as I go and desire different sounds and new challenges. I usually go through SPLICE. COM and find a loop or beat I really like and improvise over it. If I end up liking the improv, I’ll pick it apart and find the lyrics and melodies I like and then start recording it for real, adding as I go! Which artists inspire you musically? Amy Winehouse, John Mayer, NAO, Bruno Major, Carole TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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>> ON LOCATION
King and Elton John. Being from Toronto, are you a Drake fan at all? If so, what are your favorite records of his? I am a Drake fan! I’m still obsessed with Nice For What… brings back 2018 summer vibes. We are currently going through turmoil globally. How has the Coronavirus pandemic affected you and your loved ones in particular? The biggest effect it’s had on my life has been my social life, of course. Work hasn’t changed because I do almost everything at home, except filming (Season Two will have to wait until this pandemic is over which makes me sad cause that may not be for a while…) but I’ve been able to focus on all my music at home. My Mondays are quiet though, which makes me sad because that’s the social night of the week for musicians in Toronto. I’m definitely missing my music community. In the way of my family, they’re doing well. They’ve been keeping an eye on this thing since it was first reported, so they’ve been good, but I definitely miss them. What are you enjoying doing most while under quarantine? Absolutely anything and absolutely nothing. Whenever I want. It’s been really interesting having no commitments that need to be met or events to take my mind away from music. I luckily have a roommate I get along with well so we’ve been bonding a lot and playing cards, painting, dancing.. just having fun for the hell of it. What can we expect from you once all of this madness is over with? To be busy working on season two of Locke & Key and in the professional studio working on an album! Right now all my SoundCloud music is not mixed or mastered because I have no idea how to do that but I’m excited to get working with some really talented Toronto and LA producers to take my sound to the next level! Any last words? Stay inside & remember to sit down and actively listen to music once in a while! You can keep up with me on all my socials @halleajones.
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CHECK ME OUT JAED TELL ME
ghosting, fear of rejection and communication. For the track, JAED teamed up with music producer RRAREBEAR. “This record was super fun to create. We wrote this on Jazz’s bed as she was showing me some songs she recorded and the beat for this track,” says Eddy. “Jazz was writing something else to it but I was sold on writing something new together that focused on what we had just talked about at dinner. We started changing her first verse and when it was time for a pre-hook/ chorus I just started wailing ‘tell me you don’t want me, babe, tell me you don’t need me, baby.’” “We wrote the song pretty quickly,” states Jazz.“Eddy took it to the studio and added a bridge and some more things to it. He had it mixed and before we knew it, we had a bop.” JAED on the meaning of ‘Tell Me’ Jazz: “The song really talks about needing confirmation and people being open with their feelings even if it’s not what you want to hear.”
NEW YORK — R&B duo JAED (pronounced JA-DE) released their debut single titled ‘Tell Me.’ The track features Jazz Sanusi, a Nigerian-Belgian soul singer and pop recording artist Eddy Owoeye who records under the moniker Boyo. In the catchy heartbreak anthem, the two singers detail a troubled romance over the song’s catchy hook. Listen to ‘Tell Me’ on Youtube and SoundCloud. The situational duo formed months after meeting at a Samoht music concert in New York City and the single ‘Tell Me’ was written after a hangout in Harlem. The song discusses a broken relationship and touches on themes of modern dating, such as
Eddy: “I think that is so important in this current climate of dating where people ghost each other and are super emotionally insensitive to one another which makes it even more difficult to put yourself out there. We definitely wanted to portray this intimate, vulnerable song that people, especially those our age, could enjoy and relate to.” Jazz is based in Belgium and Eddy is based in the U.S. Despite their distance, JAED plans to create more music together in 2020. Contact JAED on Instagram @jaed. Contact Joseph Pate at jpate05@gmail.com or (443) 244-2911.
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BRAMPTON, CANADA
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ISSUE #63 2020
KEEYA KING +
Chen Tang. Sayge. Jourdin Pauline. Tristan D. Lalla. Gabriel Darku. Hallea Jones. JAED. #ripfredthegodson.