Photo by Seth London
JORDAN RELEASE One of my many hobbies besides collecting vinyl records, video games and comic books is and always will be collecting sneakers. Let me preface this by saying I was years ahead of the instagram sneaker curve ever since I got my original Air Jordan IV Fire Red back in the early 90’s and then got the Air Jordan VI two years later. I will confess though I love many sneaker brands my loyalty throughout the years has remained with Nike and Jordan Brand. I still seek other shoes as well for instance the Adidas Superstar Low aka the “Shell Toe”, the Adidas Stan Smith and the Adidas indoor soccer sneaker the Samba. I remember being extremely hyped to get the Reebok Preseason when I was a kid as well. You see sneakers have always been a part of my life I even had to let go of nearly 20 pair over the last two years because my collection had outgrown my closet. I’ve slowed down a bit since I had my daughter 3 years ago and she has become a bit of a little sneakerhead herself her preferred shoe is the Converse “Chuck Taylor” All Star low in a variety of colors. There has been a subtle awakening for me recently though as Jordan Brand about two years ago decided to add the “NIKE AIR” branding back to the classic early models I-VI. I may dip my toe back in the water without further adieu here are my top upcoming Jordan Brand releases for 2017. Air Jordan 13 “Black Cat” Black/Anthracite-Black Release Date: January 21st, 2017 $190
The Air Jordan 13 is an iconic sneaker worn during the 1997-98 NBA Season and Postseason which was also Michael’s last season as a member of the Chicago Bulls which was capped off by the franchises 6th NBA Championship and Jordan’s 6 NBA Finals MVP though this wasn’t the sneaker he wore during the iconic last shot that ended the series.
Air Jordan 8 “Sequoia” Sequoia/Black-Wolf Grey-Max Orange Release Date: January 28th, 2017
The Air Jordan 8 was one of the most interesting designs Tinker Hatfield ever blessed Michael with though it was mocked when first released it went on to be one of the greatest in the Air Jordan line. The Aqua 8 is still one of the most sought after colorways of this model. Air Jordan 13 OG “Chicago Bulls” white/black-varsity red Release Date: February 18th, 2017 $190
The second Air Jordan 13 release of 2017 is the White/Varsity Red and Black aka the “Chicago Bulls” colorway. Still one of the most elegant colorways in this model this is definitely on my release calendar.
JORDAN RELEASE Air Jordan 12 Low “Playoffs” black/varsity red-white Release Date: February 25th, 2017 $170
Air Jordan 12 OVO “Black” Black/Black-Metallic Gold Release Date: February 25th, 2017 $225
Air Jordan 4 Retro “Bred” Black/Cement Grey-Fire Red Release Date: 2017
The entire retail year for me will be building toward this release no pricing info yet however I don’t even want to describe the amount I’m willing to pay for these I simply can The Air Jordan 12 is still one of my favorite silhouettes. And the playoff colorway is my favorite next to the “Bred” (Black/Red) for $170 this is an easy pick up for me.
Air Jordan 1 Retro “Royal” Black/Royal Blue-White Release Date: May 2017 No price yet
Do I even have to explain this one? I mean the Air Jordan 1 is iconic it’s the true reason the sneaker endorsement really took off. I missed this retro in 2013 so this is an easy pick up choice for me stay tuned for more info.
Another Air Jordan 12 silhouette however this one has the distinction of having the OVO (October’s Very Own) branding due to a partnership that Drake struck up with his Airness himself. Don’t expect this to be a general release they have quickstrike written all over them and they won’t appear in most retail stores. Air Jordan 13 Retro “Flint” French Blue/University Blue-Flint Grey-White Release Date: September 17th, 2017
Another classic 13 colorway the “Flint” is always one of the most sought after when release schedules are announced. It’s been years since this shoe was retroed on Black Friday and I’m insanely happy it’s coming back again easy pick up no question.
Champion Queen MC of Buffalo, NY: Shanta She goes by the name of “Shanta Fanta” from Buffalo NY #716. She considers herself to be an MC. Her 1st mix-tape is called “Who is She” simply because no one knew she rapped. So when they finally listened to her music, she knew they would want to know who she was. Her second (latest) mix-tape is called “Time Machine Vol 1” because she did all throwback beats. She writes all her own music, yet she collaborated with people from her hometown and as well as with well-known Artists such as Nizzy Straws from Philly and Yummy Pearl from Atlanta. In her starting moments and throughout her career so far, the best advice that she was ever given was to: “NEVER GIVE UP.” She started writing songs because music is her passion. But, when her son was born, she decided to go full throttle with her music. She did so because wanted him to have the life that she never got to have. Her freestyle to “One Mic” which hasn’t been released yet is her favorite because she says it goes deep into her life and it’s the realist she believes that she has ever written. She lost count of how many concerts that she has performed at, but at one point she was performing all and every weekend. When asked what was her most memorable stage performance she remembers performing at the “Luck Luciano” show at one of the venues in Niagara Falls. There were so many people in attendance and it felt good to turn the stage up! If she could perform with any popular Artist in the industry today, she said that it would be Meek Mill. He is her favorite because he really started from the bottom. He’s one of the few Artists she looks up to. When asked what makes her stand out or different from other Artists she responses: “I’m not like other Artists that try to act like there something they are not!” It’s right that everything she raps about is real and plus she really has bars. She is currently working on a lot of visuals that she will be dropping and she will soon release another project. She is always working on music. She also plans to travel a lot more and currently she is putting together a big show in her city. By Jalyssa Dalmida
UP NEXT 7 www.upnextmagazine.com
The Ambassador of R&B: Mr. Chenier
He was about five years old when he first discovered that he had a gift for singing. In his very young years he us to watch a show that used to come on TV called the Ed Sullivan show. They were showing a Jackson 5 performance and from that point he started learning their songs and he thought he was Michael Jackson, he even sounded like him...till puberty hit.. LOL! He started singing seriously publicly in his high school choir, high school gospel choir, College choir, College gospel choir and also his home church choir. He shares a story about his first stage performance recalling this event: “My first stage performance I had to be about ten years old. I was bragging about how I can do this, and do that on stage to my cousins, and when it was my turn to perform on stage at the talent show, I froze. Classic stage-fright!! So I did what most kids would do in that situation. I ran off the stage and into my mothers arms...Every now and then when I get with my family, my cousins always say...”Remember your first talent show?”
What are your thoughts on the music industry today? “I want to bring the love songs...Back to the radio!!!” I think that answers that question. SMILE!!
His name is Chenier Wilson. He goes by Mr. Chenier the Ambassador of R&B. He was born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens but now resides in Raleigh, NC. He considers himself the Ambassador of R&B because he feels that he represents R&B to the fullest from music, to videos, to live performances. He represents the Grown & Sexy Sound!
He doesn’t just sing, but he also reads and writes music too. He does it all. He learned in school the art of reading music and writing came natural for him because he used to want to be a rapper at one time when LL COOL J came out. We’re from the same home Boro of Queens. So rhyming was somewhat easy. His first music award was the Golden Music Awards in 2009. He took home Male R&B Artist of the Year. He was with Team Grown & Sexy; a Team that he and his friend of his put together to represent that Grown & Sexy Sound. His first EP was called In The Beginning. The two popular singles that came from his first album he says are: “My Place and The International Love song” made popular by the people called One Fantasy. His first concert as a solo artist and as a adult was at the Cumberland County Fair in Fayetteville, NC. A group that was out back then asked if he wanted to open up for them. It was a great experience. He remembers as they were leaving, one of the vendors listening close by made a comment saying that the “opener, was better then the main act”. He loved it!! That was when the stage became his second home. The advice that he would give to any up and coming artists would be to Eat, sleep and drink this business. He says learn the business side of music and have a passion for it. Also be willing to take criticism, not everyone is going to like you but not everyone is going to hate you either. What makes him stand out from other Artists is that he is not just an artist, he is an entertainer. He gives 110% on the stage, whether he singing one song or a full show. He was groomed on how a show should be, by watching acts like the Temptations, Boyz II Men, Charlie Wilson, R. Kelly and of course the Jackson 5. When they hit the stage they give you a show. If he could change one thing about the currently music business he would go back to when an artist had to have REAL TALENT to make it, not just a pretty face. He knows sex sells but what if an artist was SEXY and could sing their ass off? The celebrities that Mr. Chenier would like to perform with would be: R. Kelly because he patterned his career after him. Michael Jackson because he grew up listening to him and he inspired him to sing. Charlie Wilson because somewhere down the line he believes that they are family and Beyonce because he feels a powerful love ballad could be created between them two (He says: Call me Jay so we can set that up...lol). The list goes on and on...He is currently working on my new CD called City Of Love. Just a few more songs to go. The goal is to release it in the 1st quarter of 2017. He is kicking off 2017 with his monthly Night Of Soul concert series on January 14th 2017. Where he gives artists an opportunity to perform in a concert like setting. He opened up for Kelly Price and Avant back in November 25th so he is looking for more opportunities to expand the Mr. Chenier brand and the Team Grown & Sexy movement. - Lady Remedy upnextmagazine.com | 19| JANUARY 2017
Make up: Dommi Cole Model: Fab
Photo by Seth London Model: Blizzard Barrett
upnextmagazine.com | 23| JANUARY 2017
Barrett Blizzard
Barrett Blizzard
Barrett Blizzard
Barrett Blizzard
Barrett Blizzard
Jerm Dope
S
ometimes your personal calling will be evident to you from a young age, other times you may have no idea what you’re meant to do. For Jerm Dope hip hop had always been an influence in his life he just had to figure that out for himself. Coming from the Frankford area of Philadelphia Jerm Dope was trying to discover his voice now he’s just trying to get everyone else to listen. Jerm started rapping at the age of 13, please don’t be confused this was not an overnight transformation from junior high student to rapper it’s 5 years in the making. Credit goes to his brother for bringing out his affinity for music, from hobby to job. “My brother started me off, we was back in the room, we was just playing around but I kept pushing and kept going. I seen the talent in me, I felt it in me”. Growing up everything he saw within his area in the realm of pain struggle and hustle, anything, it was all in his mind. “It comes to me, practice makes perfect, and I kept practicing and practicing”. Jerm admits when he started to hear himself getting better he started taking it serious and started releasing songs and that’s when people started getting back to him with feedback. He has quite the following across the nation. “I got people listening to me in different states I got my one man from Louisiana his name is Josh Simmons he just dropped an ep, that thing mean”. Jerm’s music, little by little is getting more plays, he insists he just needs to keep on working to achieve ultimate success. “I see the progress; the progress is there. No struggle no progress, I came from the struggle and I’m still here. But imma keep on grinding until I get hot, I keep it gee in every situation, I never sugar coat nothing.” - Jerm Dope Jerm’s brother was such a huge influence to him, he had other rappers he considered his idols but most of the credit goes to his brother for putting the mic in his hands. His brother unfortunately got locked up. This turn of events just made him push more and ultimately go harder, when his brother was released he noticed the growth. “He was like you better! And it’s like every time I write I just got better, I see progress in every way”. Another influence musically for Jerm also came from within his own family his brother in law also known as Tony Cash. Initially JD was crafting his sound on his own until Tony lent his younger brother in law a helping hand. The two started just writing but eventually the process turned into a full out plan to produce an entire project. “We started out as going to do a 4/4 EP but as we wrote song by song we continued & decided to do a Mixtape Called “Dedicated To Money” we recorded & mastered the mixtape for 3 months & finally released it this past month” The chemistry between J and Tony couldn’t be ignored obviously as they already have music ready for the top of the year. A new EP to be released in February titled “No Love” featuring six main tracks and one bonus for a total of seven. Jerm plans on also releasing 2-3 singles before officially releasing the body of work just to
upnextmagazine.com | 30| JANUARY 2017
show his fans he is coming into the new year very hungry but intends on feeding his fan base. Jerm has grown as an artist over the past 5 years and much of that credit goes to his close support system. In the past 5 years he states his vocabulary has grown by leaps and bounds which he attributes to his brother. When he first started he was cursing more than he was giving lyrical content until his brother approached him one day about reading the dictionary. Once Jerm began to explore the dictionary for the meaning of words it influenced him to start exploring other forms for help with his songwriting. “A lot of rappers be saying anything nowadays. But I like to make sense in my music, if you can say my whole song to me and I can hear it and it’s clear then that makes sense to me. Now if you singing somebody song and only I understand 3 bars out of the whole song then it’s pointless. Nowadays people just like the beat.” Let’s be clear JD wants to set his own path he doesn’t intend on following in the path set forth by the current up and coming generation. There are a few artists he enjoys like Dave East and Don-Q. He credits these two for pushing back against “mumble rap”, there are a lot of rappers JD really doesn’t understand he even states he has had to look up their lyrics just to understand what they are saying then also being totally surprised when he finds out what the content of the lyrics was. Within the last few years “mumble rap” has become very popular and with digital outlets it has become increasingly easy for artists to get their music heard which has led to oversaturation. The game is now full of “one trick ponies” or “one hit wonders” Jerm is definitely trying not to be put in that realm with his music. He doesn’t want to just focus on one sound overall allowing himself to be heard by a much more broad audience is the key to success. “All around, I don’t have one sound. And that’s why I basically do on a mixtape, I use different beats and different flows to show how gifted I am. It’s a lot of rappers that make music but every song will sound the same. They will have a mixtape and have 8 tracks on it and 6 out of 8 songs sound the same” JD takes his time while crafting his songs, often studying the beat for a substantial length of time before even writing or laying vocals. His ultimate goal is to find the pocket of the beat knowing when and where to hype his vocals or to add someone else’s vocals to fit the song. Ultimately JD just hopes that when the music is heard that people can acknowledge the time, effort and energy put into it anyone can have bars he insists but will the have a lasting effect when the song fades out? “I always keep it real. I’m not going to say nothing that’s not true. everything I’m saying I’m saying it for a reason, I’m hoping I can catch people that can relate to some of this stuff. Because I’ll talk about the struggle and then I’ll talk about the money. Me talking about the money is like when the future come and I get to that y’all gone look back and be like he been said that he been said this. It’s going to be all true to y’all eyes because I BEEN SAID IT. When I’m talking about the struggle, everybody goes through a struggle, no matter what the situation is everyone goes through a struggle. So as I’m talking about the struggle the pain I bring up 9xs out of 10 I know somebody is gonna feel me.”
upnextmagazine.com | 32| JANUARY 2017
upnextmagazine.com | 33| JANUARY 2017
upnextmagazine.com | 34| JANUARY 2017
upnextmagazine.com | 35| JANUARY 2017
50. Hero Check - “Cut the Check”
25. Phlox - “Crazy (remix) to Kehlani”
49. Snook Lindross feat Aye Dot - “Effen Vodka”
24. Peeb Legend - “Tales of a Hustler”
48. ADHD - “Chasing Paper”
23. Lee Mazin & Brianna Perry - “TOB”
47. Calogero - “Let me Be” 46. Rico Hundo - “Ouuwee” 45. Velcro feat Merc - “Re-Up” 44. G.H. Moody - “520” 43. Young Famous feat Reese Rel - “Right Now” 42. D Marie - “Down” 41. Dynamite Corleone feat JuLo, Young Pooh & Sheed
22. NTG & Yung Draw - “Don’t Shoot” 21. Ted Pool - “All Blaq Everything freetsyle” 20. Jerm Dope feat Tony Cash - “Numbers” 19. MTB - “Do Your Thing remix” 18. Jodi Hendrix - “Damn you Jenny” 17. PGet Blizze - “El Chapo”
Racks - “Duffle Bag”
16. Yalee - “Kick Up”
40. Reda feat Krush K - “Money is the Mission”
15. Ricardo Grimm - “Suicidal Thoughts”
39. Rnb Boss - “Talk to Me”
14. Shawn Archer - “Warren Buffett”
38. Nov Mulla - “Diddy in the City”
13. Cyffa Leyenda feat RK-5 & NB - “Africa”
37. Dub Best Kept Secret - “Delicious ( Bruce Wayne)”
12. Privaledge - “Work it”
36. Janna - “Starship”
11. Tone the Voice feat Pnb Chizz - “Selfie Stick”
35. Je’Juan Antonio - “Hurricane” 34. Stand in Cannon - “Choosen” 33. Young Aye - “Been There Done That” 32. Rick Rula - “Hate to Love” 31. J Riley - “Believe Me” 30. Chef Karlo - “Too Late” 29. Nizzy Strawz - “Mad Rich”
10. Lajan Slim - “Future Hendrix” 9. Trel Mack feat Shawn Archer - I Hate These Rappers 8. Blaqstone - 1159 7. Sic feat A.Y. - “Black Angels” 6. Suzann Christine - “Save Me” 5. Mr.HoodMuzik - “Wavey”
28. Andrew Meoray feat Nasty Na - “White Vans (Damn
4. Reality Child’s - “Swurvvv “
Daniel)”
3. Chloe Caroline - “Indian Summer”
27. DreisBlessed - “Heavenly Plug”
2. Dell P feat Mel Alston Jr - “Love & War”
26. Rawstein Family - “Unity”
1. Marc ILL - “My Soul”
upnextmagazine.com | 36| JANUARY 2017