Urban Image Magazine Thanksgiving 2014 Issue by Urban Image Magazine

My Future, Your Choice pg27

Managing Your Diabetes in the Holiday Season pg48

We're Not Black pg36

#teamnaturals: DYING YOUR HAIR NATURALLY pg56

Addressing Issues Involving Our Children pg40

Top 10 Toys For this Christmas Season

12 Tips to Keep Your Skin Moisturized this Winter pg62 Life is Too Short to Wear Boring Shoes pg74

Pg45 10

Fashion Victims

UIM’s Round the Way Girl

pg82

pg102

Sexual Expressions

The Old Fashioned

pg85

pg111

Ask Emaij pg88

SEVEN THINGS A WOMAN SECRETLY LIKES FOR HER MAN TO DO

How To Avoid An Argument With Your Girl After Coming Home At 5:30 In The Morning pg112

Sex Facts pg118

pg91 11

What Women Wish We Knew

Deszion’s Star Design pg140

pg124

Dumbest Shit in the History of Dumb Shit

Born Into the 90s

pg128

pg146

Bill Cosby... American Iconic Father or Sexual Predator?

It’s Official pg130

pg154 SolFuzion’s Asian Pineapple & Pork Skewers

The American Music Awards

pg134

pg161 12

Thug Orchestra pg166

Behind the Lyrics pg174

UIM’s Author’s Showcase features Author Julia Blues

Meet our Staff

My name is Richarh Aswanu AKA Daddy Rich. I am the CEO and founder here at Urban Image Magazine and GangstatLit. Writing is not a phase in my life, it defines who I am. I’m a man on a mission. I want my freedom! This is why I write! I have been locked down for 8 years but have published 3 books thus far. I have my own style that separates me from other authors. I created Urban Image to serve as a publication you can be proud of. It is our aim to dissolve the negative stereotypes associated with the “Urban Community”. We will inform, educate, entertain and inspire our readers. In addition to providing you with thought provoking content, Urban Image Magazine will showcase talents who haven’t had the opportunity to reach mainstream media outlets. Urban Image Magazine was founded as a life changing movement for all that are involved in our mission. We are a stage for those without a platform to have a spotlight. Published to be accessible online, this magazine is designed to serve as a catalyst to success, a place where you can network with like-minded people who are in pursuit of their dreams.

Hello, my name is Denetra Key better known as D Queen or Boss Ladii. I am the president here at Urban Image. I am a mother of three and also a 15 year nurse by profession. I also am our magazine layout designer… so I hope you enjoy my art. My articles and blogs are to shed light on issues that are dear to my heart! I apologize in advance if I offend. But my pieces are based on my opinion. Our opinions reflect that we are individual children of God. One promise I can make is that I will report on the topics in as accurate fashion as I can. I welcome you to leave your comments good or bad in regards to my work. I actually appreciate it! Your views give me insight. Thank you for visiting our page. While your here please take the time to browse around and look at our past magazines and blogs. Thanks again and God Bless! 16

Deszion Amani Nasir was born in raised in Hampton, VA, where she penned her first novel in the 6th grade when her simple ideas were read by others and she was told "Wow... this is good. You should be a writer." The light bulb clicked on and never turned off. In 2012 Nasir debuted her first novel, "Untrust," the strange tale of an unusual set of twins with no family, yet more family drama than oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ever deem possible. Then she released, "Dragonflies & Demons," part one of a short series about a couple stuck in a vicious cycle of domestic violence that blurs the lines between victim and abuser. After that, the follow-up of "Untrust" entitled "Wicked Blues," dropped in November. She is currently writing her first paranormal/sci-fi novel, "Sariah," which is due to be released in the Spring. This excitingly eerie novel will come out in the Spring. Nasir is currently in the works to drop an Anthology with two other authors that will be released in June. The next installment to her series, Uncommon Devil, will be released in the Fall. KIM BERLEY R. J ASPER was raised in Jamaica Queens, New York and still describes herself as a true New Yorker through and through despite currently residing in Humble, Texas with her family.

After self-publishing her first

novel, she is now fulfilling her purpose and passion as a writer.

From horror fiction with a

mystical twist to erotic thrillers, this author can do it all with well-seasoned finesse.

Emiaj Ahdai is from

Greensboro, North

Tiffany (Dishman) Jasper, a Chicago native, from the Englewood Community raised with both parents and two brothers. A blessed mother of two children and leader of her world, continues to be passionate about

Caroli-

her craft and the online business that she is building.

na. She

Receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Jus-

is our

tice in 2001 and a current graduate student of Organi-

Fashion

zational Leadership at Argosy University, Tiffany was

and Arts also formerly certified as an Early Childhood Education Blogger, our Managing Editor and recently promoted to Vice President. She is cur-

teacher in Chicago and have returned to the classroom in North Carolina.

rently working on her first novel, and Over the last decade, Tiffany has continued her joy of is a contributor to LAID: Young Peo-

editing manuscripts, articles and the like all online. She

pleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Experiences with sex in an easy

has begun and thoroughly enjoys writing as a profes-

access culture. She brings us a unique sional blogger and advocating for new writers and aulook on love and relationships through her Single and Ready to

Mingle blog and her column Ask Emiaj. This little woman wears a lot of hats but she has a big heart. You

thors. Her future professional endeavors include teaching at the post secondary lev-

would never believer that she started el and runout just blogging with us in her spare ning her time. She believes in hard work and

own pub-

dedication will pay off in the end.

lishing

Look for her name among the stars.

company.

Larrod Evans was born in Baltimore, MD but bounced around from state to state. He takes pride in his cultural diversity and his biggest influences are his mother, Hip-Hop and traveling. His interest consist of music, art, sports, reading, the outdoors and cooking. He also has a degree in culinary arts and makes a mean pizza! Despite being incarcerated, Larrod maintains self-discipline, is optimistic and works hard towards his goals. He is currently working on various T.V projects and will be launching his publishing company Chapter 34 later this year.

SolFuzion was created by Chef Jonathan Ivy in 2012. Chef Ivy, a graduate of L’Ecole Culinaire St. Louis, has blended Traditional Soul Food flavors with various other cuisines, while using a Classic French Presentation style. Chef Ivy is determined to unite cultures through the culinary experience. Jonathan Ivy is a personal chef that has a passion for cooking and takes that passion into his clients' home. He shares his love of food, simplifies the lives of his clients and improves and expands upon their nutrition and experience with food. Whether a lifestyle choice with a personal chef cooking for them regularly, or for special occasions or parties, Chef Ivy's clients enjoy the taste of the good life. BLESSEDselling Author E. N. Joy is the writer behind the five book series, “New Day Divas” and the “Still Divas” three book series, which have been coined “Soap Operas in Print.” She has written women’s lit and erotica under the name Joylynn M. Jossel and street lit under the name JOY. When she's not penning these addictive series for her adult Christian fiction readers, she's penning children's and tween's stories. Her children’s story, The Secret Olivia Told Me, received the American Library Association Coretta Scott King Honor. Book club rights were acquired by Scholastic Books and the book has sold almost 100,000 copies. Elementary and middle school children have fallen in love with reading and creative writing as a result of the readings and workshops Joy performs in schools nationwide. Currently, Joy is the acquisition editor for Urban Christian, an imprint of Urban Books in which the titles are distributed by Kensington Publishing Corporation. In addition, Joy is the artistic developer for a young girl group named DJHK Gurls. Joy pens original songs for the group that deal with messages that affect today’s youth, such as bullying. You can visit Joy at www.enjoywrites.com. 21

My Future, Your Choice By: PJ Fleming

Hey there mommy, It's meI'm a part of your conscious- and I respectfully request a moment of your time. Do you remember the days when you first found out that you were pregnant with me? I do! That is the very day you made what you viewed as the hardest decision in your life. My conception was initially seen as a mistake, something that shouldn't have happened, a problem and even viewed symbolically as a ball and chain. However, at the hospital my arrival was regarded with joyful elation. With the doctors making a mistake with earlier ultra sounds, my arrival brought with it a little surprise for everyone in the operating room especially for you. With genuine happiness and tears of joy, you cradled your healthy baby boy. My childhood years were kind of rough, being raised by just you with no help. It hurt me so bad to watch you struggle to provide for us, trying to make ends meet. With no 25

family support-no support system at all really-we had to make it on our own. My eyes watched you work some dead end jobs while battling life situations and still trying to get ahead all to no avail. We moved around so much it was hard for me to make any friends. Every place we settled in I always felt like the outcast amongst my peers. I never fit in because I was not from where they were fromdidn't talk or act like them. However, we made it Mommy.

A promise to you when I was eight set me on a course in life that would mold me into something great. Do you remember what I promised you Mommy? We were staying in South Carolina and as usual we were on hard times. We barley had a roof over our heads and little to no food to eat. I remember that we had a barbecue grill in the back yard that we cooked our food on because we didn't have any electricity or gas. You would have me pull wood off Do you remember when I first fell this old telephone poll that fell in the back yard that we used for coal. It was in love? In the sixth grade, I meet a beautiful girl, a girl that made my heart during this time that I saw you cry for pound every time I saw her. Before I saw the first and only time. Seeing that broke my heart and I promised you that her the idea of going to school was a when I got old enough I would get me a headache. But, once I saw her-before we even shared any words -school be- job and I would help you out. came the best thing in my life. She was a When I turned thirteen I got my beautiful chubby girl with puffy cheeks, first legit job. Before I got that job I was gorgeous jade eyes, long jet black silky doing odds and ends to get a little monhair, with golden skin and so shy it made ey. You raised a little hustler, so I was her that much more pretty. She was raking, shoveling, mowing, cleaning, born in India and her family migrated to dumping...whatever to help you out the States. The very first time that I laid with the bills and food. You taught me my eyes on her, I was hooked, and I how to work hard and go and get what knew we were destined to be. All it took it is that I wanted. You taught me not was one conversation and we were in- only how to articulate myself, but how separable. to sell myself. With these skills I sold my26

self to an employer and got the job that I needed-that we needed. We will not talk about how I was not legal enough to work that type of job. However, with me working we got on our feet a bit and the constant moving around had finally come to an end.

the tutoring of my first love ,I kept the type of grades that made you proud and cry every time I received my report card. I remember you even asking me one time, how was I able to maintain a 3.9 G.P.A. and work a full time job. My hard work paid off and my grades and school No matter our circumstances you attendance got me noticed by some stayed on my trail Mommy about focus- good colleges. To your delight when it came time for me to graduate from high ing on school and getting the grades that I needed. With your motivation and school, I received a full four year scholarship to college.

You were the happiest woman in the auditorium when I graduated from college. Do you remember how you were acting? You were like a big bag of marshmallows out in the audience crying like a big baby when they called my name to receive my degree. I graduated from college Magna Cum Laude with the highest distinction at the top of my class. With my bachelors' degree in Business Administrative Management and minor in Educational Training, I already had job offers on the table. All I needed to do was research the companies, and figure out which job offer was best for us.

To your delight my first love and I stuck together from our adolescent years through college and thereafter. You were ecstatic to hear that I was planning to propose to her and finally make her my wife. You made me smile by your reaction, because all you were speaking about were grandchildren. You forced me to make you another promise, totally opposite than the one I made to you when I was eight. Mommy, all you wanted me to promise was not to wait too long to give you those coveted grandchildren.

Two years after my graduation from college I went on to become the youngest vice-president for a Fortune 500 company. I also became a pillar in the community, being a mentor for the local Boys-N-Girls club, a published author, and also volunteering at the County Jail. The only thing that I did that mattered the most to me was buying a house for you and finally being able to know the

struggle had finally come to an end. You were as happy as could be, and we had a house warming party for your new home. With your help, we transformed that party into both a house warming party and a surprise engagement party. With you present and my family's love, it is going to be the perfect occasion and surprise to the woman that you had embraced like your own daughter.

We had the grill fired up, family laughing, and the weather was perfect. I had rehearsed for hours over and over again just how I was going to kneel and take her hand into mine. With a smile you stood off to the side and watched approvingly as I got everyone's attention and took her left hand into mine while taking the traditional knee. Just as I got ready to utter the words I spent rehearsing, reality hit. I stared into the absolutely gorgeous; tear filled jade eyes of the love of my life thinking that I wish this was real and that she'd marry me. But it wasn't real, none of it was.

My life is but a mere what could have been, what should have been. I will never be great, my love and I will never get married, and we will never have any children. Do you know why mommy? Do you remember my life? Mommy do you remember my successful career and our bright future? Do you remember my deep love for you and your love for me? No, I suppose you wouldn't. Because twenty-seven years ago, you made the hardest decision you would ever make in your life. Mommy, not too long after my conception-you decided not to carry me!!!!

Addressing Issues Involving Our Children By: Tiffany Jasper

As we grow, we are always put to the test. Learning as an adolescent can be especially difficult. They’re no longer a little kid but still just in the early teen stage. This time of development brings on an array of emotions, self-image, conflicts of that “devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other” moments. Though we trust that the positive and our cultural values that we instill in our children are vivid, we hope when they are required to make life’s vital decisions, they are able.

nute to think about the current issues that our children face. How are they different from the issues we faced when we were their age? How are they the same? Beginning this thought process doesn’t excuse the decisions our children make, however, it gives us a clearer insight to what our children may be going through emotionally, socially and physically and how we should or not respond.

Oh wait Mom and Dad! Don’t go too far with pointing that finger! Before the war begins, we as parents should at least look back on our own experiences and recall the choices that we made (or wanted to make or should have made). Take a mi-

Parenting, as we know, is relative. We normally parent the way we were raised or we use some child-rearing strategies that we have read about or given advice about. Here are a few suggestions when issues arise with your child and you feel as if you might just lose it, OMG!

1). Take a quick minute before responding. Make sure you breathe and be hesitant before responding. Decipher that you are responding to your child and not necessarily the issue. Sometimes we have deeper issues of our own about the topic and indirectly respond to that issue but we can forget that it is our child we need to be addressing, first.

2). Clearly and calmly talk about the facts. Children tend to talk about irrelevant points of a situation, in many times as an avoidance tactic from facing the truth/facts head on. Of course, once you have established the facts with your child, feel free to let them elaborate on those supporting (or not so supportive) details, you decide. 39

3). Your child needs to know of your disappointment and why. When your children understand how it affects truly effects you, they tend to connect a bit more (from my experience). It is up to you how much information or examples you give your children at this time. Disclosure is definitely opening doors to other conversation but individual parents will be able to know how much or if any details of their own life they want to reveal.

Managing Your Diabetes in the Holiday Season By: Denetra Key

November is National Diabetes Awareness month, and boy should it be! With all of the upcoming Holiday feasts that are approaching it is especially hard to stay on track with a healthy eating plan and even more challenging for someone who has diabetes. The National Center for Disease Control reports that 29.1 million people or 9.3% of the U.S. population have diabetes. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. For every 6 white Americans who have diabetes, 10 African Americans have the disease. This is some pretty alarming statistical data! There is someone in every â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black familyâ&#x20AC;? that is effected by this often time deadly disease. Though a definite life style change is mandatory for survival it is very possible to live a healthy fulfilling life with Diabetes. In doing my research for this article I found some pretty helpful tips for how to enjoy your holidays with this life altering disease condition. 46

Six Holiday Tips Want to enjoy the holidays and the food and still stay healthy? The six tips below can help guide you through your next Holiday event:

Focus on Friends and Family Remember, the holidays are a time to SLOW down and catch up with your loved ones. Focus on friends and family, not food. Play games, volunteer, or spend time outdoors enjoying the weather together.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Party, But Don't Overdo It Eat slowly, and really enjoy the foods that you may only have once a year.

If the meal will be served near your usual meal time, try to eat the same amount of carbohydrate that you normally would for a meal. If you plan to have a portion of dessert, cut back on another carbohydrate food during the MAIN course. Make sure your portions are reasonable and resist going back for second helpings.

Bring What You Like Try not to worry about what will be served. Offer to bring your favorite dish to share. If you count carbohydrates, check your recipeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nutrition facts so you know how many carbohydrates are in one serving and the size of a serving. 47

Drink in Moderation If you drink alcohol, remember to eat something beforehand to prevent low blood glucose levels later. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a glass of red wine or a beer, holiday DRINKS can add a significant amount of calories to your holiday intake. Keep it to no more than 1 drink for women and 2 drinks for men. Avoid drinks that have high calorie mixers like regular soda, tonic, juice or margarita mix that are all packed with carbohydrate and calories. Opt for sugar free mixes instead.

Stay Active One reason that we have problems MANAGING DIABETES and weight during the holidays is our lack of physical activity. Sure, the holidays are busy, but plan time into each day for EXERCISE and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t break your routine. Make the holidays an active time! Off from work or school? Use this extra time to do some physical activity. Train for and participate in a local holiday run or walk (like a turkey trot or Independence Day run). Start a game of pick-up football, soccer, basketball or play other GAMES in the yard. Go for a walk with your loved ones after eating. Offer to help clean up after a meal to get you moving around! 48

Overindulged? Get Back on Track If you eat more carbs or food than you planned for, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think you have failed. Stop eating for the night and focus on spending the rest of your time with the people around you. Include extra exercise, monitor your blood glucose levels, and get back on track with your usual EATING HABITS the next day.

American Association of Diabetes Educators has provided a helpful online toolkit with tips to keep you on track!

Sources: American Association of Diabetes Educators, CDC.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf,cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/ statsreport14/national-diabetes-report-web.pdf, American Diabetes Association

- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/holiday-meal-planning/six-holidaytips.html#sthash.bLZPABlj.dpuf 49

Lightening Hair Naturally

before

after

Yes, the same cinnamon that can be found in the supermarket spice isle. Some persons use the sticks or the powdered version. Who knew that this sweet smelling spice was a mild hair bleacher and to top it all off it smells very good. How To Use Cinnamon To Lighten Hair After trying several versions of this recipe, this one seems to work the best. Ingredients: 1-cup deep conditioner (moisturizing) 1-cup honey (optional)

1 tsp lemon juice 2 Tbsp. Cinnamon (organic) 55

Directions: Mix together all the ingredients and apply to damp hair, concentrate on the areas that you want highlights or just apply all over. Cover the hair with a plastic cap and leave on hair for 3 to 4 hours or overnight. Wash out thoroughly; little cinnamon granules can be caught in the hair so washing will take a while. After three to four applications the hair will be noticeably lighter. Honey is optional because without using it, the hair is still lightened, however, honey adds moisture and it hastens the lightening process. Expect the mixture to smell really good. For Red Highlights This will involve the use of hibiscus or Jamaica sorrel. This is sold dried in health food stores or ethnic stores. In October to March, persons living n tropical countries can get this flower fresh. The color is a rich red and it can give you beautiful red highlights when used in hair. Jamaican sorrel prevents hair loss, enhances hair growth, discourages split ends and thickens hair. Ingredients: 2 cups Jamaican sorrel (dried or fresh)

2 cups water 2 Tbsp honey

Directions: In a small saucepan bring the water to a boil pour it over the sorrel and cover the container (preferably non-aluminum). Let it soak for three or more hours or overnight. Strain off the water, it should be a rich red color. Add the honey to the water. After shampooing hair, pour the liquid over the hair, massage in the scalp ensuring that all areas are covered. Wrap with a plastic cap and leave in hair for an hour or more. Variation: Add a tablespoon of cinnamon to the mixture, for quicker red highlights. Caution: This mixture can stain your counter tops or clothes so make the necessary preparation to avoid this. 56

12 Tips to Keep Your Skin Moisturized this Winter By: Denetra Key

Winter months can really take a toll on all of our skin. Between the bitter cold air and the use of our furnaces on a daily basis our skin really dries out during this time. In our endeavors to keep our baby soft skin and beautiful glowing complexions we go to the stores and try product after product that may or may not work. This can also take a toll on our wallets. This time of year ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t no body got time for dat! We need to save our money for the countless amounts of Christmas gifts we are going to go out and fight through the crowds to get on Black Friday! So here are some tips to help you keep that glow (some of which that wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cost you a penny)! 60

Moisturize More You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in spring and summer. But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine. Find an "ointment" moisturizer that's oil-based, rather than waterbased, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labeled as "NIGHT CREAMS" are oil-based.) But choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for "nonclogging" oils, like avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil, or almond oil. Shea oil -- or butter -- is controversial, because it can clog facial pores. And vegetable shortening is a really bad idea. You can also look for lotions containing "humectants," a class of substances (including glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy acids) that attract moisture to your skin.

Hydrate for Your Health, Not for Your Skin If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times: Drinking water helps your skin stay young looking. In fact, it's a myth. Water is good for your overall health and "the skin of someone who is severely dehydrated will benefit from fluids. But the average person's skin does not reflect the amount of water being drank.

Give Your Hands a Hand The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it's harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear gloves when you go outside; if you need to wear wool to keep your hands warm, slip on a thin cotton glove first, to avoid any irritation the wool might cause. 62

Protect your Assets Get used to wearing gloves and scarves to protect skin from cold winds, rain, and snow. Also, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the sunscreen. Winter sun can be just as damaging as summer sun, so apply a safe option like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to any exposed areas.

Ban Superhot Baths and Showers Sure, soaking in a burning-hot bath feels great after frolicking out in the cold. But the intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. A lukewarm bath with oatmeal or baking soda, can help relieve skin that is so dry it has become itchy.

Hook Up the Humidifier Central heating systems (as well as space heaters) blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home; they help disperse the moisture more evenly.

Grease up Your Feet Yes, those minty foot lotions are lovely in the hot summer months, but during the winter, your feet need stronger stuff. Try finding lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerine instead. And use exfoliants to get the dead skin off periodically; that helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper. 64

Avoid Wet Gloves and Socks Wet socks and gloves can irritate your skin and cause itching, cracking, sores, or even a flare-up of Eczema.

Don't Forget about Good Nutrition A balanced diet with healthy types of oils and fats will help you to retain moisture in your skin for long periods of time.

Pace the Peels If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcoholbased toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, A toner with no alcohol, and masks that are "deeply hydrating," rather than claybased, which tends to draw moisture out of the face. And use them a little less often.

Exfoliate We often forget to help the skin slough off dead cells in the winter, particularly on our hands. Yet moisture canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get in if the dead cells are too plentiful. Find an exfoliating mask and use it on your face and your hands, as well as gently on your lips, then follow immediately with moisture to truly see a smoother difference. Exfoliating body washes are also helpful in the winter months. 66

Use DIY Masks Homemade hydrating masks can provide needed moisture in the winter months. Use natural moisturizing ingredients like honey, avocado, yogurt, olive and Jojoba oils, almond oil, bananas, and aloe. Mix what you like together to create a cream or paste, and leave on skin for 10-30 minutes for lasting hydration.

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Any type of boot can look sexy. As long as you pair your favorite boots with the right outfit, you can turn your look from drab to fab instantly! Because boots are more noticeable than shoes, (after all, they come halfway up your leg), you want them to have an appearance of high quality and style, which means you have to spend a little more. Classic boots are worth spending on.

Miley's. Make up...Ariana barely wears any, because she doesn't' need it, yet. Miley, in the other hand looks like a sophisticated stripper, ouch. Finally, they both need urgent help with their fashion sense. But let's look at the bright side...learn what NOT to wear by looking at what they choose to wear... Oh, Ariana wins, not because she can sing a little better than Miley, but because she still has a little decency left...Cesar Sosa.

Sexual Expression with Deszion By: Deszion Amani Nasir

I have been married for 4 years and for 4 years our sex life has been down hill. I've tried everything from laying out sexy clothing to buying oil and even sex toys to spice things up. I know we can't do these things all the time but there is no heat in the bed room. What do I do? I love my wife but I'm just tired of the same things over and over again! Help me please.

Hmm, sounds like you guys have hit a slump. When a woman stops wanting to be intimate, there can be soooo many things wrong, a lot of which either her partner may not understand or he simply doesn't know how to care about. But if you love your wife, you're going to have to break that wall and get to the root of what the problem is. You say your sex life has been getting worse since the beginning? Something has been off for a long time, then. Is she over-stressed? Have marital demands been rough on her? Hell, let's keep it real, is it you? Is she not attract-

ed to you anymore? There are a lot of things you need to converse with her about. Now, of course there's always the possibility that her interests are elsewhere. I don't know many women who have a sex for 4 years and make no attempt to change it unless they don't know how to talk to you bout it or there's another dude on the side. HOPEFULLY this isn't the case, but since you have no idea, all scenarios can be considered. My best advice to you is to start dating your wife again. Make her realize why she fell in love and why the sex was great in the begin 83

Dear Emiaj,

because she thought I was cheating.

I am writing you because my ex- Where did I have the time to cheat? girlfriend has me going a little crazy. I We both have kids, if I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t with her am trying to understand her thought

I was working or with my kids. Then I

process. She told from the beginning

would still include her with my kid's

that she was needy. (I understood) She time. How do I deal with her and her then told me of her trust issues. (Again trust issues? I do still want to be her I understood). For the last 8 months I

but how do I get pass this? Please help

was everything that she wanted me to

meâ&#x20AC;Ś

be. I was in her face as much as I could Trust worthy boyfriend be. I work from 1pm to 11pm every night. I would talk to her majority of

Dear Trust worthy Boyfriend, My oh my, this is a doozy but I

the night while working; either on the

phone or via text message. I would get think I can help you. If you know my off work and o to her house and stay

work you know I am all for talking out

there. Here is the issue; we broke up

things and not giving up so easily. I be86

lieve you two need to talk this out about her trust issues. As a woman I will tell that a lot of us take baggage into our next relationship. I for one am team take a break and get back to back to you before you jump into anything else. If her trust was abused previously; then I suggest you be a little patient with her. I will also say to that “Don’t be stupid or lap dog”. If she can’t get over it and then it may be best to go separate ways. I know that is not what you wanted to hear, but it is honest.

Dear Not ready for marriage, That conversation is never an easy one but it can be had. Let him know that you do love him but just not ready. If he knows you well then he would know you want to finish school first. My suggestion is this; don’t get engaged until after graduation. Then have a long engagement no longer than 18 months. This way you are able to get into the career you are want, and finish school. Kids do not have to come in the beginning you can wait on them. Set a time period for you all to have kids. Example: say you want to travel the first 5 years of your marriage and not have to worry about kids. Also prevent it from happening, it is good to practice but still be safe with it. Only do things when you are ready and you never know what God’s plan is for you .

Emiaj Dear Emiaj, I have been with my boyfriend for three years and lately he has been talking about getting married. I don’t

Emiaj

think we are ready for it. I am still in school and want to finish before I get married. With marriage comes kids and more. I feel like I am not ready, and

still unsure of things. Now don’t get me wrong he is an awesome guy and I am in love with him. I just want to take my time. How do I tell him? Not ready for marriage

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SEVEN THINGS A WOMAN SECRETLY LIKES FOR HER MAN TO DO By: Kimberley Jasper

All women shout their independence from the rooftops, but there are still areas that she appreciates her man taking the lead on. She may not voice it, but secretly, a woman wants to be “handled” in a way that makes her feel “owned” in the right way. Take charge, own it, take it…women like that. Respect and equality are important parts of any relationship, but sometimes a woman just wants a man to be a man and pull one of these secretly sexy moves. 89

1. WHEN HE DOESN’T ASK There is something about asking a woman for permission that really takes the momentum out of the mood. Sometimes a woman just wants her man to go for it. Just take it. This goes for sex as well. Take charge, take control, act like you already “own” it. A woman will gladly give it to you, no permission necessary. 90

2. WHEN HE ASSERTS HIMSELF Ok, don’t take this out of context. Women love assertion, not control, there is a big difference. A woman knows she can get out-of-pocket at times and if a man gives a verbal intervention with a lot of bass in it, she ain’t mad. There’s just something sexy about a man who’s not afraid to put his foot down. A woman wants that same assertion with the check after dinner as well. Going Dutch may be a popular trend nowadays, but there’s something real unsexy about a man who sits back and waits for a woman to pull out her wallet. A woman wants to feel like a woman at all times and can’t always do that if a man takes the backseat. She won’t always admit it, but sometimes it’s cool to tell a woman what to do. That goes double if those instructions happen behind closed doors.

3. WHEN HE STANDS UP FOR YOU When a man stands up for his woman’s honor in every situation, whether she can handle it herself or not, he’s probably going to get a big “thank you” later on that night. Anytime a man acts protective, it shows that he genuinely cares. This applies even for something as simple as killing a bug. If given a gas mask, some bug killer and a Timberland, a woman could handle it herself. But just because a woman can, doesn’t mean she wants to, it’s always nicer when a man

comes to the rescue. There’s just something sexy about a man who makes sure there’s air in the tires or calls to make sure his woman made it home safely.

4. WHEN HE WANTS YOU TO STAY AT HOME Feminism was about the right to go to work, if a woman wanted to. There is something so sexy about a man bringing home enough bacon to support whatever choice a woman makes in that respect. Being a woman can also mean that she is allowed to love staying at home if that’s her thing. It’s all connected to a man taking charge and asserting himself as the head of the household. A woman loves the feeling of being “taken care of” whether she admits it or not. It’s what makes her a woman. 93

5. A GOOD SMACK ON THE ASS This is one of those things with no explanation, a woman just likes it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an old school move that has never really gone out of style.

Probably dates back to the caveman days. Although a man is no longer allowed to drag a woman by her hair, she still loves a good smack on the ass. This is especial-

New Sex Toys Easy Access Unisex Portable Thigh Restraint Sling

ly effective in the bedroom. 94

6. WHEN HE’S GOOD WITH HIS HANDS A woman knows that not every man is going to be mechanically inclined and some women can even fix it themselves with Google’s help. But sometimes there’s just something about watching a man put something together with his hands that makes a woman fantasize about what else he is going to do with those hands. Women like to be handled a little rough at times. The best thing a man can do is become “Mr. Fixit” for his woman and be at her beck and call

for “tune-ups”.

7. WHEN HE WANTS TO SHOW HER OFF A woman knows that she’s more than property or a trophy and even that she’s loved for more than just her looks, but it’s always nice to know that her man gets excited by the way she looks and wants to brag. It’s a delicate balance. We don’t want to feel like a trophy, but if a man puts his woman on display for all to see, it shows pride and a woman likes to know that she is appreciated in that way.

UIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Round the Way Girl By: Richarh Aswanu

Richarh: Hey beautiful, what's goin down wit ya? Lyricallashea DeMarrco: Lol more like what's going up, my career. I've just signed with an agency called Flash Talent and Promotions and I love them. The models are great the gigs are fun and most importantly we look good and get paid for it. On music side it is a lil slow but ill be heading back to Cali December 18 (if anyone wants to book me ill be there for a month) and linking with my producer Damon Knox of Calibread Music to make some more magic. 100

Name:

Lyricallashea

Social Media Info: Https:// www.soundcloud.com/ lyric-aka-lyricallashea Https:// www.Facebook.com/ lyricallasheathemodel Https:// www.Facebook.com/ lyricallashea Https:// www.reverberation.com/ lyricallashea

Location: Boise Idaho / Anaheim Ca Zodiac Sign: Leo Favorite Drink: Buttery Nipples

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RA:: I say alright, I see you got the sexy nets on. Is that the outfit you wore to catch your man? LD: Oh no actually I was wearing jeans but the nets are one of the perks he gets to enjoy. RA: Okay, I heard that you're a Leo. I'll take it for granted that you're a sexy lioness in the bedroom. What does it take to make you purrrrr? LD: Have you heard that song if you kiss me on my neck... that's definitely the trigger to get the juices flowing . RA: Do you like to lay back and let your man do the pleasing or do you like to take charge? LD: Lol am I drunk in this situation or no. Things get a little out of hand when I 102

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but usually I get too impatient and want control to just lay there. Well, not unless he's killin it then I take all that. If I'm sober then I'm more tamed so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll let my man do whatever he want.

place you ever had sex?

LD: We once parked in front some apartments and got in the backseat. But then we got too hot. I'm sure you know how it gets. So we just got out and did it RA: I notice that you like to go hiking, on the side of car. It was like 2 in the hmm adventurous. Where's the wildest morning so we figured no one would 104

just want to have sex in them before anyone else has a chance to... Just sneak in there do the do and when someone moves in there I’d always have a little smirk like I did it before you. RA: I understand that you are an aspiring artist. When did you realize you want to sing? LD: Oh I rap and maybe do a little singing here or there. I realize I wanted to rap when I was a senior in high school. I did my first remake to “Mother F***** I'm Ill” by Lil Wayne, terrible quality I might add, on Cakewalk 5. RA: Describe your sound. I mean are you a mix of Pop or Hip-Hop? LD: My sound is more like Missy Elliot meets Foxy Brown with a sprinkle of Lady Rage. I try to make all types of music. I do kind of struggle with soft songs but my man sings so it all works out. RA: What's your favorite song to make love to? LD: “Thinking Bout You” by Frank Ocean. walk by, which thankfully no one did.

RA: What song do you listen to when RA: Name a place that you would like you're in the mood for some freaky to have sex, but you haven't had the sex? opportunity. LD: “Pull My Hair” by Ying Yang LD: I don't know why but they're Twins. building apartments across the street from my house and for some reason I RA: Which do you prefer, making love 105

or freaky sex? LD:I guess either way. Sometimes I just want to be fucked long and hard. Then there are those times when I seek a warm embrace. RA: What's your favorite part of the male anatomy? LD: A chiseled chest is so sexy. RA: What the favorite part you have on your body?

LD: Well I was born with six fingers on both hands, so it's a little weird but, the place where my sixth finger used to be. I like to imagine if the doctors never cut it off then I might have special powers. Lol. RA: Okay, before I let you go. What turns you on in a man? LD: What turns me on is sincerity and humor, and then it helps if they got a lot of muscles and are tall. For some reason all my life Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve either ended up with athletes or musicians, and with my man now I have both. 106

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The Old Fashioned By: Denetra Key

Ingredients: 2 oz of Bourbon (or Rye Whiskey)

2 dashes of Angostura Bitters 1 splash of water (or club soda) 1 tbsp of Sugar 1 Maraschino Cherry

1 Orange Wedge

Pour your sugar, water, and bitters in. Place your cherry and orange wedge. Use a muddler of the back of a spoon to work the ingredients into a paste. Once this is done, pour your bourbon and use a few ice cubes. Stir. Wallah. The Old Fashioned ready for consumption. 109

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2 Minute Brother? Get your facts straight ladies. 75% of men bust the big one in 3 minutes...

Only 5% of adults have sex once a day. Now that's dog gone shame... 117

The average person will have sex in their car six times during their lifetime...

Just scandalous! Over 50% of women who cheat on their husbands choose married men as their lovers...

70% of men and women admit to fantasizing about someone else while having sex. That's why I make my woman look at me, (through gritted teeth) "Open your eyes up"... 118

1% of woman can reach an orgasm by having their breasts licked, sucked and fondled...

68% of men and 59% of women has had sex with someone they will NEVER tell their partner about. Hmm. Their lover's best friend, close relative, or an ugly duckling maybe? 119

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Aight now this one takes the cake. Dude done spazzed out and pulled a gun on his 17 year old daughter cause she beat his ass in Battle Ship. Yeah, John Richard Valenzuela, of Utah was arrested for suspicion of intoxication and aggravated assault. On November 18th, it was reported that John Richard Valenzuela suspected his daughter of cheating him in a game of Battle Ship. He became irate and broke the game. She tried to leave but he drug her back into the trailer and held her at gun point with a shot gun. Shit! She called 911 and authorities tracked her location with the GPS on her cellphone. Now, my Pops just kicked my nephews out of the house because they were cheatin him in Monopoly, but this? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the dumbest shit in the history of dumb shit.

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Alright here we go; in Oxford Mass, Caterina Froio-Chaput got pissed off because the bartender wouldn't give her another drink. Obviously home girl was already tore up. She punched the bartender in the face, then she hit her in the chest with a bottle. Somehow, throughout the struggle, she ended up snatchin the bartender's dentures out. To top it off, the lady suspects the bartender of having an affair with her estranged husband. Hell naw... â&#x20AC;&#x153;She won't be smiling in her husband's face no more.â&#x20AC;? Damon Williams Lead Correspondent Seriously Ignorant News

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(Serves 15-20) Ingredients:

3lbs large cubed red onion

zucchini

Salt & Pepper tt

Sliced Green Onions

4oz Honey

3oz Soy sauce

1 TBSP Sesame Oil

3 medium sized pork 3lbs large cubed red tenderloins bell peppers 16oz cubed yellow 2 pineapples large zucchini diced 16oz cubed green 132

Granulated ginger Lime juice

Sauce Directions: Combine soy sauce, sesame oil, chopped scallions, minced garlic, pureed pineapple, rosemary, fresh ginger and honey in small sauce pan and heat to simmer. In a small bowl combine the cornstarch and water to make a slurry and add the mixture to the heated sauce. Set aside 1/3 of the sauce to baste pork skewers while grilling. Directions: Trim the tenderloins of any fat or silver skin. Cut the loins into cubes of desired size. Marinate cubed loins with Soy, ginger, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, salt, pepper, green and pine apple juice for 1 hr. Presoak skewers in warm water to prevent burning when grilling. Assemble skewers by alternating onion, peppers, zucchini, pork and pineapple. Place skewers on hot grill and cook 他 of the way done while basting with sauce mixture and finish in oven or low heat grill.

3oz Pineapple Juice Sesame Oil to taste SolFuzion Asian 6 Spice

Chopped Scallions Minced Garlic

Sauce: 6oz Soy Sauce

1 can pureed Pineap- 2 TBSP Cornstarch ple Rosemary 2 oz cold water 2oz brown sugar

Fresh grated ginger to taste

2oz Honey 133

Sesame Seeds for Garnish

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Rather than let it frustrate you, though, why not use this as an opportunity to practice being as cool as a cucumber. Practice breathing deeply. Practice staying calm. Practice being nice, just because. Do things suddenly seem a lot less complicated? By the oh-so-intense 6th, 7th and 8th, you might feel like you just don't know which way is up, emotionally-speaking! Think of it as a superfun amusement park ride (if you can). Go to yoga and get those toes good and grounded on the 11th and 12th. You are in a super happy, super lucky, super fantastic place on the 19th, 20th and 21st. Yay! Forge some alliances on the 27th and 28th. You'll appreciate them, . GEMINI A little light debate will really get your creative juices flowing on the 1st. An out -and-out, drag-down, knockout fight could leave you feeling a little depleted, on the other hand. So get into all kinds of debates. But don't get involved in any battles. You're in a pretty observant kind of place on the 6th, 7th and 8th. So keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. Who knows what you might find? The 11th and 12th are great days for seeing things for just exactly what they are. So see them. Then tell it like it is, if needed. You and they are going to be giving each other some pretty excellent advice on the 17th and 18th. Well, what are best friends for, if not for knowing

one another so well? By the pretty terrific 22nd and 23rd, get ready for things to be pretty terrific! Yes, sometimes it is all just that simple. By the 25th, you want to definitely double check all those pesky finances. Is it all adding up? Give yourself plenty of quiet time on the 29th, 30th and 31st. After all, communications could be a little tiring right now

CANCER Ah, humility. It will take you so far in this world. This is particularly true on the 1st. Now, don't confuse humility with being a doormat. Don't think being humble means you let other people walk all over you. No: Humility means recognizing that no one knows everything, that everyone has something to bring to the table, and that you and your co-humans are all incredibly valuable, in your own, very personal, ways. Have you done something to ever-so-slightly irritate your live-in partner or your live-in roommates? If so, they will let you know, in no uncertain terms, on the 4th or 5th. If you want general bliss, you'll pay attention to what they have to say. Give yourself a serious break from the rat race on the 9th and 10th. Even if that just means spending an hour staring at the ocean by yourself out in the dunes. Money is on your mind on the 13th and 14th,

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and if it's not, it should be. Your ideas someone you trust what they think of a deserve to be broadcast, so broadcast situation, and you'll be pleased with them using whatever means are at your what they have to say on the fabulous disposal (Facebook? Twitter? Your brand 27th and 28th -new blog? The closest street corner?) VIRGO on the 19th, 20th or 21st. Some fabuBe the opposite of rigid on the 1st. Be lous developments show you a whole new horizon on the 24th, 25th and 26th. the reverse of brittle and unbending. That's right: Be loose, be cool, be flexible. Seriously! Going to yoga or to the LEO Your month is starting off with a great pool or to the gym will really help with big bang! Yep, on the 1st, it's kind of like this project. And getting bendy will someone decided to throw you a great make everything happening on the subig surprise party. Bang! There are pre- per wonderful, super exciting, but eversents, there are friends, there are big so-slightly-exhausting (in an exhilarating surprises that are oh-so-positive. There way) 2nd and 3rd that much easier to are bells, whistles and fireworks! Bang! unreservedly enjoy the heck out of. Yay! Have a blast right now. You definitely Talk to your buddies on the 7th and 8th want to do a thorough job researching -- they have your best interests at heart. whatever it is you're researching on the Talk to some experts on the 11th and 6th, 7th and 8th -- from dog toys to rea- 12th -- they know more about it than sons it's been hard to let go of certain you do, in all likelihood. Get a teensy tiromantic attachments. After all, a super- ny bit selfish on the 17th and 18th! After ficial understanding of the situation is all, if you give away all your resources, going to be anything but enlightening. If and totally deplete yourself in the proyou are totally, totally, totally set on cess, as you sometimes have a tendency getting something, the high-energy 9th to do, how will you get the job done? and 10th are likely to be days when you Make the 22nd and 23rd good days. Secan be almost sure you're going to get riously, it is all up to you! Get to yoga on it! Woo-hoo! Don't get tricked by some- the 28th. The 29th, 30th and 31st are all thing super-shiny that isn't, in the end, about you! Make the most of it -- and the real thing on the 15th and 16th. have a great time while you're at it! After all, what you want is real gold. Don't quit 'til you find it. Your friends are a fantastic resource, and never more so than on the 22nd and 23rd. Ask 140

LIBRA Creativity is the task of the day for you on the 1st. You sometimes pretend like you aren't a creative type, like you don't really know what to do with a colored pencil, like you don't care if your bed sheets are beige or periwinkle blue. But deep down, you know better: You have great instincts and an impressive urge when it comes to making things beautiful. Heck, when it comes to making things, period! You just have a knack. And going for it really makes you feel good. By the super wonderful 4th and 5th, you feel good doing just about anything. Even boring things! How's that? Well, it could be that you're doing those boring things (like the dishes) in the company of a very romantic someone. By the bluesy 11th and 12th, you might need a break from it all. Take one! Focus on relationships on the 17th and 18th (seriously). Friends and family should climb to the top of your priority list on the 24th, 25th and 26th. After all, you need them! And they love being needed by you. SCORPIO Do you have the feeling on the 1st that you could figure out exactly how to turn this whole organization around, if only your boss would get out of the way? Well, you may very well be right. But there's not a heck of a lot that you can do about it, at least, not right now. So

bide your time, and look for ways in which you can make smaller-scale changes for the better. A series of super fabulous days afford you exactly the kinds of chances you want and need to make some big splashes on the 6th, 7th and 8th. Wow! Strive to re-establish harmony in every aspect of your life on the 13th and 14th. These efforts will definitely pay off! By the powerful 19th, 20th and 21st, your bravery will take you far. And your strength will bring it home! Some deep conversations could lead to romance on the 24th, 25th and 26th. So don't hesitate to get really, really into this heart-to-heart. It could turn out to be a real turning point! You get some good news on the 29th. Use it. You see a good friend on the 30th. Be glad of it. SAGITTARIUS As your month gets going, you will probably notice a lot of smiles directed your way. On the 1st, the skies are smiling, the cute barista is smiling, heck, even fortune is smiling on you. Well, what could be better? Smile back! And be glad for all these good vibes. A little moodiness can be turned into some very interesting dream time, if you listen to your body (which is saying, 'I'm cranky because I'm tired!') and take a couple of naps on the 6th, 7th and 8th. You're in super good shape on the extremely excellent 9th and 10th. The world's

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your oyster! So slurp! By the slow-toin a big way. Some new ideas are a start 15th and 16th, you might need an breath of fresh air on the super intriextra shot of espresso (or, better yet, an guing 24th, 25th and 26th. Tread careextra hour in bed). Take good care of fully at work on the 27th and 28th. yourself! You and they are communi- Someone might not be quite what they cating like a super awesome communiseem cative team on the 19th, 20th and 21st. AQUARIUS Wow! Stay busy on the 25th. By the So on the 1st, if you find yourself resomewhat challenging 29th, 30th and 31st, it's important that you give your- peatedly stuck in various power strugself plenty of time to do what you need gles and disagreements and you are usto do. Don't worry: In the end, you'll get ing all your energy fighting fights that you don't really care about, don't you it all done, and well done, at that think it's time to re-prioritize? Just a little? Maybe you should focus less on CAPRICORN It wouldn't hurt to be ever so slightly on getting your coworkers to agree with your guard on the 1st. Don't be overly you and more on getting to the gym on guard, of course, but just add a every single day. Maybe you should healthy dose of skepticism to your daily spend less time complaining about your regime. It never hurts to ask a few more partner and more time spending time probing questions, particularly if some- with them. And so on. It's something to one is trying to sell you something that think about, anyway. By the 5th, you're sounds, to be perfectly honest, way too itching to experience something new. good to be true. You know? By the initi- Go for it! What about a Swedish masative-oriented 4th and 5th, your pro- sage? You and they are in a pretty fabujects are looking very, very ready-forlous kind of place on the 9th and 10th. takeoff. Yay! You are moving along at Wow! Can you feel your lungs and your top speed on the 10th. Prepare for emotional horizons expanding? Enjoy some amazing days on the super roman- the awesome days coming your way on tic, super successful, super creative, su- the 13th and 14th. Don't overspend on per exciting 11th and 12th. Wow! What the 15th. By the slightly boring 20th, try with all this business success on the to embrace being slightly bored. How 17th and 18th, you could feel a little bit do you really feel on the 25th? like you don't have any extra time for friends and family. And your friends and family might really be feeling that way, 142

PISCES Your top concerns on the 1st should be your diet and your health. Are you getting to the gym? Are you eating potato chips more than once in a blue moon? Are you taking care of your emotional health? Are you happy? Sure, you can ignore the nagging little signs that all might not be quite right. But it isn't a good idea, not by any stretch of the imagination. Get proactive! If your partnership has a problem, address it constructively on the 5th. If you have a

problem, speak up on the 10th. You'll be in super great shape to enjoy all the wonderfulness that is coming your way on the supremely lucky 15th and 16th. Life isn't always this good, and when it is, well, wow! Savor every single minute. By the lovely, super loving 19th, 20th and 21st, you are in a pretty spectacular kind of place, emotionally. What could be better? Some love letters? You'll probably get those on the 24th, 25th or 26th. How nice!

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Born Into the 90s By: Torrie Essex

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You can't have a legitimate discussion about 90's R&B and its influence on today's R&B without mentioning R. Kelly. For over 20 years the Chicago born crooner has found his way into countless bedrooms, dance floors, personal stereo systems, and into our lives with his soulful sound. Emerging on the scene in '91, R. Kelly & Public Announcement had an aim to show us what it's like when you're "born into the 90's." And did they, with hits like, Slow Dance (Hey Mr. DJ), Honey Love, She's got that Vibe, and Dedicated. Remember; you and your crew all packed into somebody's mama's car, on the way to a house party? And everyone's talkin about who they like and that special someone they wanted to dance with? For me, it was Nina King, this chocolate fly girl from around the way that I had been checking out since school started. We had finally got to the level where she would speak to me after ignoring all of my efforts for the last three months. Earlier that day, on my way to English class I caught her in the hallway and asked if she was going to be at the Twins' house party. She answered, "Yea, why" in an annoyed tone. And I shot back, 145

"Because I'm thinking about saving a dance for you -if you act right." I just knew the little mack I tried to put down worked. So I just stood there and smiled. She laughed in my face, "What makes you think I wanna dance with you?" Then, she walked off. My pride was wounded. But nevertheless, I was still determined to get a dance with my girl. So the party is packed, music is pumpin', refreshments are plentiful and the mood is right. All night I had been trying to get a moment of Nina's time. I mean, I had danced with a few honeys but they weren't Nina and the night's winding down. It's pushing 12 and I gotta be home soon. So, I'm feel-

ing kinda down when I hear the beginning of Slow Dance come on. I was kinda salty 'cause that was my jam. At this point I just put my head down and started walking to the door. Then, I heard a "hey" and felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and it was like an angel from heaven appeared. It was Nina! She asks, "where you been all night, I been waiting on my dance." I was speechless I can't believe we ended up dancing. I went home on cloud 9 and "Slow Dance was embedded in my mind as one of the greatest songs in the world. "Born into the 90's" had moderate success even though it was a solid album. It was mostly ignored by critics and mainstream audiences. In 1993 it spawned a tour called "60653" named after the zip code of Kelly's neighborhood. A few years later, R. Kelly would return. This time without his group and a whole new image and sound. In '94, "12 Play" stunned critics with its raw sex themed songs. However, "12 Play" turned Kelly into a bonafide superstar with songs like, "Sex Me", "Your Body's Calling" and Bump and Grind." I can remember when it hit, that's all anybody was talking about. "Did you see that video?", "Did you hear what he said?" There was this girl named

Keisha who I was kickin' it with. She was in love with R. Kelly. She would go on and on about his bald head and how sexy he was. To tell you the truth I was kinda annoyed because she talked about him more than me. Her birthday was coming up and I had just heard on the radio that the Very Necessary Tour was coming to Ft. Wayne. Keisha's birthday was in two weeks and the tour would be right after. So, I hustled hard doing odd jobs to get the money together. Finally, I got the $120 we needed for the tickets and refreshments. Her birthday came and I had copped her a small gift that was quite insignificant to the tickets... When I surprised her with the news of the concert, she was so excited she started crying. The night of the concert I had my mother drop us off. We had the time of our life singing along to "Bump an Grind", "Your Body's Calling", "Homie Lover Friend" and all

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world and made me really appreciate R. Kelly as an R&B superstar.

and adopted a more vulnerable approach. He had hits like, "I can't sleep", "Down Low" and "You Remind In 1995, R. Kelly dropped his selftitled album "R.Kelly" garnering more of Something." He was at the top of success an artist and as a song writer. his game, all three singles became platinum. "R. Kelly" would be his first With this album, Kelly switched up 148

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The American Music Awards By: Richarh Aswanu

I still don’t know how the hell I got stuck covering the fakest award show in America. I ended up flipping through the channels so I really don’t have much to say about the American Music Awards. Here goes!

Lord is still the ugliest forty year old lookin 18 year old little girl I have ever seen in my life. And she’s weird. 159

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I don’t care what TI or anyone else says Iggy is hot but she don’t run Hip Hop.

I love Mary J but I ain’t been feelin her for years—— like 10 of ‘em. Up there singin about Therapy lookin like she just copped 2 for 30.

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And Bang Bang my ass! How the hell Jessy J gonna wear a gold cat suit with the booty all saggy in the back. Nicki should have had that outfit on.

And Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m gonna be dreamin about Iggy and JLoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance for the next two weeks

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In 1994 the East and West Coast were in the pre-stages of a war over control of the Hip-Hop charts. On the Left, Death Row Records was the face of gangsta rap and on the right, Bad Boy was leading the East Coast movement. Being the music connoisseur that I am, I was heavy into both. At any given moment, there could be a Dogg Pound or Az cassette bangin from my speakers.

that I became an avid fan upon my first listen. "It's the thuggish ruggish Bone, it's the thuggish ruggish Bone." Their first single introduced a new the game to a new style some call speed rap that would soon be adapted by some of HipHop's most recognizable artists. But what set them apart from the pack was the way they incorporated Harmony into their delivery. You had Bizzy, Flesh, Krayzie, Layzie and Wish. Together they My first winter in New York was over and I was anxious to see what the next were an ensemble that used their few seasons would bring forth. Where unique voices as instruments. Think of the Knicks gonna win a NBA Champion- them as a thugged out version of Boyz II ship? How many honeys was I going to Men. Bizzy was the soprano, Layzie was pull? And of course, what albums were the alto, Krayzie and Flesh were midtenors and Wish was bass. And if you redropping? Needless to say the Knicks ally want to get techncal, the late Easy-E lost to the Houston Rockets in the finals. However, I had a successful season with the ladies and arguably the hottest group during the late-90 debuted with a classic EP. It was early spring and once again the ever reliable Rap City blessed me with its usual 3pm time slot. The setting was http://www.amazon.com/Creepin-Ah-Come-Bonemy man Brian Reilly's spot. (He still Thugs-N-Harmony/dp/B00000DHSD/ holds me down to this day. What up ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=urbaimagmag0b20&linkCode=w00&linkId=4Q64KWLBOGQZKCWK&cre B?) ativeASIN=B00000DHSD Though my mind is sketchy concerning the actual events, I can confirm 165

was the conductor! Signed to Eazy's Ruthless Records in 1993, Bone was in a great position to shine. Released in June, 1994; the Ep "Creepin on ah Come Up" peeked at #12 on the Billboard 200 album chart and #2 on the top R&B/Hip -Hop charts. Off the strength of "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" And "Foe tha Love of $", Bone became a mainstream success. Their beats were supplied by DJ Yella, Rhythm D, Kenny McCloud and DJ U-Neek who would create their signature sound for years to come. EasyE CONTINUED to mold the group by ex-

ecutive producing their material and teaching them the business side of the game. Still marinating in the success of their debut, tragedy struck. Easy-E died on March 26, 1995 from complications of AIDS. Though heartbreaking, Bone continued on and topped their previous sales and acclaim with "E.1999 Eternal. It included the singles "1st of tha Month" and "Tha Crossroads" which reached #1 on the Hot 100 and Hot Rap charts. E.1999 Eternal is the group's most commercially success-

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ful album to date. In fact, they won a Grammy for "Tha Crossroads" which was a tribute to their recently deceased friend and mentor, Easy-E.

and looked at him with disgust. That was my first experience of the bias within Hip-Hop, and music in a universal sense. During the summer of 95' at a party on All the while, I continued to support "The Hill", my man Brian shouted out, Bone as they continued to drop hits. "Ayo kid, play some Bone" at the top of One of my favorites was "Notorious his lungs to the DJ. Everyone just froze Thugs." The late great Biggie Small fea-

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tured them no his last album, Life after Death. "It's Bone-n-Biggie Biggie/ It's Bone-nBiggie Biggie." That joint was Krayzie! In fact, Bone Thugs is the only group that has worked with deceased artist 2Pac, Big, Easy-E and Big Pun while they were still alive. In 1997, they released the double disc, The Art of War. Yet another solid album, the accusations from other artist that Bone had stolen their style, along with tensions from inside the group overshadowed the project. The absence of Bizzy from video's, tours and public appearances fueled rumors of a break-up. Like many groups throughout the history of music, it was a challenge to balance business, friend-

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ship and creativity. Soon after, Flesh was convicted on weapons charges and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. It seemed as if the Skeleton was breaking its bones before it even had the chance to walk. Next came solo albums, then make-up albums and eventually the announcement of an album due for release in 2015. On July 15th, 2014, it revealed that Bone will only release one copy to be auctioned off with the bidding starting at $1 million. Also a 20 country tour is set to kick off this December and a reunion album titled E.1999 Legends is in the works. I'm anxious to see

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how these Cleveland pioneers do their thing this coming year. Any HipHop head must give all due respect to their contribution. Before there was Kanye, Drake, Future, Ty Dolla $ and any other "rap singer", there was Bone. Whether the topic was celebrating or struggling with their higher power, Bone created an atmosphere with their sound unlike anything rap had ever heard before. And like the genius minds of Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach, their symphonies will be timeless for centuries to come.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJt7gNi3Nr4

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Will he make it out alive? Alright, alright, no church in the wild Jay and ‘Ye have (over the last several projects) expressed a very humanistic point of view. They don’t disavow God per se, but they believe that they (and we) are in control of destiny, not some external God (see “I Am A God”, all of Yeezus, parts of Hov’s verse on “The Devil Is a Lie”. The disadvantaged person in the wild is NOT the non-believer. He has always relied on self. It’s the one who is waiting for help from an external God. VERSE 1: JAY-Z Tears on the mausoleum floor Blood stains the Colosseum doors These lines could compare the King’s death to the death of those beneath him. Kings have mausoleums built in their honor upon death, while men who die in Colosseums merely provide entertainment. Lies on the lips of a priest Thanksgiving disguised as a feast The clergy assisted other colonists in cheating and killing Native Americans in colonial times. Rolling in Rolls Royce Corniche Only the doctors got this, I’m hiding from police Hov’s whip is so expensive that it’s generally reserved for rich white folk working respected and established jobs, not black crack dealers-turned-rapper. Cocaine seats, all white like I got the whole thing bleached The “cocaine seats” are both literal and symbolic. Cocaine white is actually a designer color for automobile interiors, but it also clearly refers to Jay’s unlawful past, as well as the fact that he cleaned up his act by bleaching his ride and lifestyle. Drug dealer chic, Driving white cars with white interiors and dressing in all white is about as good as it gets for a drug dealer. I’m wondering if a thug’s prayers reach Hov wants to know if God even cares about what happens to thugs like him that have become labeled menaces to society — kinda like when 2Pac asked if heaven got a ghetto.

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Is Pious pious cause God loves pious? Probably a rap first: a reference to Plato’s Euthyphro. Okay, first: pi·ous WHAT IS THAT?! ˈpīəs/ adjective devoutly religious. synonyms:

Religious, devout, God-fearing, churchgoing, spiritual, prayerful, holy,godly, saintly, dedicated, reverent, dutiful, righteous

"a pious family"

making a hypocritical display of virtue. "there'll be no pious words said over her" Sanctimonious, hypocritical, insincere, self-righteous, holier-than-thou,pietistic, churchy; synonyms:

informalgoody-goody "pious platitudes"

(of a hope) sincere but unlikely to be fulfilled. The Euthyphro dilemma arises when Socr ates asks Euthyphro: Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?“ Socrates and Euthyphro both agree that the first is true, but Socrates argues that if the second is also true and something is pious because the gods love it then the first and second together would yield a self-perpetuating cycle in which the gods love the pious because it is the pious and the pious are only pious because the gods love it. Socrates asked whose bias do y'all seek? All for Plato, screech I’m out here balling, I know y'all hear my sneaks Plato was Socrates' prime student, and essentially all we know of Socrates is solely represented by Plato’s writing. Socrates was an infamous gadfly: one who attempts to gain the attention of society, no matter how annoying the controversial screech is. Jay has in the past called himself Plato to Biggie’s Socrates — it’s an idea he mentioned at the NYPL event supporting Decoded, but first came to him while visiting a Princeton seminar with Cornel West. 174

Jesus was a carpenter, Yeezy he laid beats Hova flow the Holy Ghost, get the hell up out your seats, preach Neither Jesus nor Yeezus were held in particularly high regard in their early days — Jesus worked manual labor as a carpenter and Ye hustled his instrumentals around in hopes to make it big. It wasn’t until the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost descended upon J esus at his Baptism that he was able to begin his ministry, and it wasn’t until Hov — the “Holy Spirit” in this comparison — cosigned Kanye that his rapping career took off.

HOOK BRIDGE: (THE DREAM) I live by you, desire I stand by you, walk through the fire This serves an intro to the verse of our Lord and Savior Yeezus Christ. Instead of allowing religion or public opinion to shape his life, Kanye lives for the pleasure of the moment and nothing war. And he stands by this philosophy despite the “fire” of criticism and moral judgment he gets because of it. Your love is my scripture Let me into your encryption These lines set up ‘Ye’s verse, which explores the idea of love replacing religious dogma, and of people in relationships forging their own rules rather than trying to live up to often unrealistic or unsatisfying expectations of monogamy. VERSE 2 : KANYE' WEST Coke on her black skin Made a stripe like a zebra, I call that jungle fever Kanye notes that a line of coke on a black girl looks black and white like the stripes of a zebra (an animal associated with the jungle, though it’s actually a plains animal). “Jungle Fever” is a derogatory/colonialist term for sexual attraction between blacks and whites. Kanye twists it around here, draining it of its hurtful racist connotations by instead making it about black-on-black attraction, mediated by (white) cocaine.

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We formed a new religion No sins as long as there’s permission And deception is the only felony So never fuck nobody without telling me Ye makes it clear that the type of love/affection that he needs is open, honest, ethical nonmonogamy. He has thrown off the shackles of traditional (or religious) expectations of what a relationship is, declaring that as long as everything either party does is consensual and okayed by their partner (i.e. there is permission) it is not a sin. Breaking the trust necessary for this kind of relationship to work is the only serious offense (orfelony). Sunglasses and Advil, last night was mad real Sun coming up, 5 a.m., I wonder if they got cabs still? Last night was rough: ‘Ye needs sunglasses to hide the outer symptoms of his hangover, and A dvil to cure the inner ones. Especially if he’s going to church after a night of partying. Now it’s so early that Kanye’s not sure if cabs are still running (there are often cab droughts due to 12-hour shift changes) and he’s also so disconnected from everything that for all he knows taxis don’t even exist anymore. Thinking 'bout the girl in all leopard Who was rubbing the wood like Kiki Shepherd. Kiki Shepherd is the long time co-host of Showtime at the Apollo. On Showtime, Shepherd, host Steve Harvey, and various guest performers would often “rub the wood” on stage for good luck. But Kanye wants this girl to rub a different type of wood for him. The combination of a Kiki Shephered reference along with talk about leopardprint clothing harkens back to an old line by Big Boi from Outkast on “So Fresh, So Clean”: So follow, it’s showtime at the Apollo / Minus the Kiki Shepherd, what about a ho in a leopard-print" 176

Two tattoos: one read "No Apologies" The other said "Love is Cursed by Monogamy" A perfect apostle for the Church of Yeezy. The tattoos spell out his new philosophy—there’s no shame in rejecting monogamy, as expectations of monogamy doom sacred love. That may not be what most Christian churches teach, but w/evs, ‘Ye’s not going to hell anyway. Remember the “Jesus Walks” line??? It’s something that the pastor don’t preach It’s something that a teacher can’t teach No, we generally must educate ourselves aboutpolyamory.

Polyamory: having more than one open sexual partner at a time. Some religions may (unofficially! At least in the US!) condone polygamy, but that’s a distinctly different arrangement with top-down rules from the man in the sky. ‘Ye makes it pretty clear that he and his ladies will make their own, thx. When we die the money we can’t keep But we probably spend it all cause the pain ain’t cheap: preach

It’s true that when we die we can’t bring all this outside material excess bullshit that we all lie, cheat, steal, and hustle for but we only do it to cover up the expensivepain (e.g. Kanye’s mother dying, stress, anxiety about continued creativity, mad haters) we feel on the inside… (this could also be heard as the (cham) pagne ain’t cheap).

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This stays true to the message of the song. The main theme here is that you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rely on God or any outside force to protect you and keep you happy, so you have to be self-reliant to get the money that will allow you to kill the pain youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling HOOK WHEW! That was a lot, but some of the best songs you need to really pay attention to. This track was basically a challenge to use your own brain to make your decisions about religion, and a big thumbs down to organized religion, which of course is where all the controversy comes in. What do you think about it all??? But then again... thinking is the POINT. Isn't it? UNTIL NEXT TIME.... source: rapgenius

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Amazonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 10 Selling R&B Albums http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Music-R-B/zgbs/music/39/? _encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&tag=urbaimagmag0b20&linkId=LG4AQ56UFZW24GI7

Beyonce (Platinum Edition) ~Beyonce

In The Lonely Hour

~ Sam Smith

Very Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances ~Whitney Houston

ART OFFICIAL AGE ~ Prince

~ Frankie Valli & Four Seasons

Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva... ~ Aretha Franklin

Promise To Love

The London Sessions

Holiday

Songs in the Key of Life

~ Kem

~ Mary J. Blige

~ Earth, Wind & Fire

~ Stevie Wonder

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Amazonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 10 Selling Rap/ Hip Hop Albums

http:// www.amazon.com/BestSellers-Music-Rap-HipHop/zgbs/music/38/? _encoding=UTF8&camp= 1789&creative=390957&l inkCode=ur2&tag=urbaim agmag0b20&linkId=7RNO5HFDM7 UMBLTV SHADYXV [2 CD][Explicit] ~Eminem

Globalization

2014 Forest Hills Drive

Reclassified

~ Pitbull

~ J. Cole

~ Iggy Azalea

Seen It All [Explicit]

Cadillactica [Explicit]

~ Jeezy

~ Big K.R.I.T

GIRL

~ Pharrell Williams

Hood Billionaire [Explicit] ~ Rick Ross

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The New Classic (Deluxe Explicit) ~ Iggy Azalea

Anomaly ~ Lecrae

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The Last Exhale by Julia Blues Review by Emiaj Ahdai

The Last Exhale by Julia Blues Review By: Emiaj Ahdai

Brief Synopsis For Sydney Holmes and Brandon Carter, love is losing its strength. Infidelity is the side effect of both of their broken marriages. Now, struggling to pick up the pieces, each is clinging to the hope that lasting love still waits for them, inside— or outside—of marriage. The Review Love is so fickle. One moment you can be so far in love with someone that you can’t even see the wrong. You could also love someone and they not love you back at all. Even worse be stuck in a situation that no 184

one wants to be in. See love is a strange thing. Sitting down to read â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Last Exhaleâ&#x20AC;? I wish I had something to prepared me for what love was going to do to my spirit. From the first few pages I was into the story. Brandon loved his wife; I could tell he would go to the moon for his wife and back. He tried to understand why it seemed that his wife didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to love him anymore. I felt sorry for him. I literally wanted to climb into the book and give him a hug. Rene treated him as if he was as stranger living in her house. I am talking cold shoulders, no words when she came up, all while her husband wanted nothing more than to love her. They had been dealt some cards in life that I person185

The Last Exhale by Julia Blues Review by Emiaj Ahdai

ally all to well, so I understood her need to withdraw from the world, but it still gives no one the right to treat people bad. Rene held in so many secrets from her husband. She didn’t want him to feel the blow of losing her after they had lost their son. She blamed herself for the death of their son. She blamed herself for her failed marriage. The way she treated him caused him to feel insecure about himself, pushing him into the arms of another woman. As a wife how do you say to your husband I never should have married you. Sydney is coming to terms with herself that she is not in love with her husband and never has been. She tries to make sense of the mistake she made years ago of saying “yes”. As she read 186

the letter she wrote her husband the night before they were to be married, tears began to fill with tears. My thoughts took me to people that I know in real life stuck in love less marriages. I could understand why she stayed, but I could also see the need to leave. Marriage is work, you have to want to be in it to win it, if both parties are faking their way through it what is the purpose. I could see why her friends kept saying she had a good man and that she needed to get herself together. Then as you read further you find out he has just as many secrets as she had. He also had reason for not wanting marry her but did anyway. He was still in love with someone else and saw her as the fall back chick. No one was bold enough to say no, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to do this. Now the kids are involved, what 187

The Last Exhale by Julia Blues Review by Emiaj Ahdai

does one do? As Brandon and Sydney take an unforbidden journey with each other they seem to forget about the consequences of their actions. How would this affect their families, friends, co-workers, etc.? When everything boils over who would be the left standing? This book left me with questions, would they really leave their mates? Would they eventually have sex? I am telling you will need to read this story to get the answers. My Thoughts As I stated before I feel like I needed a warning of all the emotions I was going to feel reading this book. I was mad, sad, angry, and sorry. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that I was upset at the characters; I was upset because I saw people that I know in real life all in the story. I saw 188

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