Urban Image Magazine Valentines Day Issue 2015 final by Urban Image Magazine

Valentines Day 2015 Issue

Black History Month Tribute….pg22

Black Women+ No Respect...pg25

The Firsts...pg40

Did You Know: Interesting MLK Facts...pg28

#teamnaturals: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR DOING SENGALESE/HAVANA TWISTS

Qsymia: The Newest Weight Loss Craze...pg 45

...pg54 4

Fashion Victims...pg70

Undergarments 101...pg61

6 Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship & Finances...pg81

Ask Emiaj...pg77

Off the Air with Mr. & Mrs. Râ&#x20AC;Ś pg 86

UIM’s Round the Way Girl...pg106

SolFuzion’s Beef Fajita’s...pg114

The Sazerac...pg117

UIM’s Sex Facts...pg118

What Women Wish We Knew…

Dumbest Shit...pg123

pg 120 6

Deszion’s Star Design...pg125

Survival of the Fittest...pg130

UIM’s Movie Reviews...pg138

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! 14

Deszion Amani Nasir was

Emiaj Ahdai is

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.

from Greensboro, North Carolina. She is our Fashion and Arts Blogger, our Managing Editor and recently promoted to Vice President. She is currently working on her first novel, and is a contributor to LAID: Young Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Experiences with sex in an easy access culture. She brings us a unique look 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

would never believer that she started out just blogging with us in her spare time. She believes in hard work and dedication will pay off in the end. Look for her name among the stars.

KIMBERLEY R. JASPER 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.

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. 16

SolFuzion was created by

Chef Jonathan Ivy in 2012. Chef Ivy, a graduate of Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

Angela Williams is just now beginning to explore the possibilities opened to her. She is an avid reader who sometimes lets her imagination run wild. A lover of animals she shares living space with two dogs and a cantankerous cat. No stranger to being told what can’t be done she tries to empower those around her. She believes that you’re never late for your dream, you always arrive right on time. At the present time she is residing in Chesapeake, VA and working on a book of poetry. 18

"Africans who have been renamed Colored, Negro, or Black are still Africans. The first humans to walk the Earth and develop language, law, science, architecture, and god concepts, were also African. To be African is to be."

"...We let our names go. The first step in disorientation is to surrender your name. ...We have a general loss of memory. Few of us can tell the story our people without beginning it with slavery. It is as if slavery was the only thing that happened to African people..."

Pieces Of Our History By:David Brim-El III

John Hope Franklin "The Academic" (1915â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2009) He stood up against racism and spoke out about it. "If the house is to be set in order, one cannot begin with the present; we must begin with the past. -John Hope Franklin

Charles R. Drew "The Blood Man" (1904-1950) He discovered how to prevent blood going bad during storage and he was the first African-American surgeon to serve as an examiner on the National Medical Examination Board.

Jimmy Winkfield "The Jockey" (1883-1974) Jimmy was the last of America's great black jockey's. Only three other jockey's, white or black have ever won back-to-back Kentucky Derby's.

How well does your family know our history?

Order your copy today! 24

Black Women = No Respect By: Angela Williams

I had planned on writing on the topic of domestic violence in the wake of Janay Palmer/Ray Rice incident. However, I changed my mind when I listened to and read some of the comments. To say that I was appalled at the comments would be a lie. To say that I was hurt would be the truth. When I saw comments like “The bitch shouldn’t have hit him first. She got what she deserved.” It hurt me to the core. These comments resounded from white and black alike. Why is the Black woman continually seen as less than?

ry our accomplishments have either been made light of or just not acknowledged. Throughout the history of the United States we have been called every negative name in an attempt to make the wrong done to us seem of our asking. We were constantly raped by plantation owners and their seed, raped by our own and raped by society. No matter what we do it’s not good enough and we aren’t considered important enough to matter.

Freedom for the Black woman is nonexistent. Many call us angry, cold, It goes without saying that we demouthy, nasty, bitches, hoes and whatscended from Queens, but we’ve had a ever negative description you can conhard and treacherous road to travel and jure up. It is painful and sad to know we still haven’t gotten respect. In histo- that the majority of our own would ra25

ther tear us down instead of fight for us, support us and protect us. It hurts when many say itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s okay for us to be a punching bag. It pains me to know that instead of deserving the best many think we deserve the worst. And it breaks my heart to see so many of my sisters forgoing the beauty that God gave us in an

attempt to fit into an image that is not us nor will it make us acceptable to this society. As I watch television today I see how they relentlessly searched the missing UVa student who just happened to be white, yet our women and girls go missing every day and their faces arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

plastered on the news constantly. The only time we get face time on the news is when we’re twerking, stealing, sexing or killing. Even when we do remarkable things instead of receiving accolades we are met with people trying to dig up a negative incident in our past. The reality is that being a Black woman

in the United States isn’t freedom. True we may have it better than others, but we’re still not free. The color of our skin makes a decision for many before we even speak or show our intelligence. So many of us have been beat down into thinking we are unworthy. When we feel as if we’re unworthy we buy into society’s negative stereotypes. Once we do that we become helpless and hopeless. Then there are those who don’t believe in the labels that society tries to bestow on us. These women are considered uppity, forgetting where they came from and trying to be white. The depressing fact is that we can’t help each other because society has done its best to make us distrust each other. So today instead of posting that video, picture or article that presents the Black woman in a negative light, post something that shows her in a positive aspect. Before you put down those we call “ghetto fab” speak to the Queen in them. Don’t turn your back on the Black woman because society doesn’t respect us, instead turn your back on us to protect us and give us a chance to reach our true potential. I got my sisters’ backs, do you? 27

DID YOU KNOW? INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER KING JR By: Deszion

1) His name was originally Michael, not Martin. His father was also Michael King, hence why Martin Luther King Jr. was originally named Michael King Jr. However, after a trip to Germany in 1931, Michael King Sr. changed his own name in homage to historic German theologian Martin Luther. Michael King Jr. was two years old at the time and King Sr. made the decision to change his sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name to Martin Luther as well. 28

2) At the age of 12, he seems to have tried to commit suicide. It was May of 1941 when his grandmother passed away after a heart attack. At the time of this event, King Jr. was off disobeying his parents by going to watch a parade when they told him not too. When he came home and learned his grandmother had died, he went upstairs and jumped from the second story window of his house.

3) King wasn’t the only one to die at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on April 4, 1968. After he was killed, one of the hotel workers, Lorraine Bailey (who was also the wife of the motel owner and who it was named after), upon seeing King get shot, had a heart attack and later died from this. This was partially why there was such a delay in getting an ambulance as Lorraine was also the switchboard operator and so when Reverend Samuel Kyles attempted to call an ambulance using the phone in the motel room, nobody was at the switchboard to make that happen. In Rev. Kyle’s own words, “I ran into the room and picked up the phone to call an operator or to call an ambulance. But, the operator had left the switchboard. There was nobody on the switchboard. I was saying, “Answer the phone, answer the phone, answer the phone.” And there was nobody on the switchboard. So the phone was not answered. (I learned later that the operator had gone out into the courtyard to watch Dr. King. When she saw what happened, she had a heart attack. She was the motel owner’s wife, and she died subsequently.) The police were coming with their guns drawn, and I hollered to the police, “Call an ambulance on your police radio. Dr. King has been shot.” They said, “Where did the shot come from?” … While waiting for the ambulance to come, I took a spread from one of the beds and covered him from his neck down. … I cannot tell you the feelings I had seeing my friend there on that balcony bleeding to death. Finally the ambulance came and took him away.”

4) Also on the day King was killed, he was out on the balcony for a smoke. While you’ll be hard pressed to find a picture of him smoking, he smoked regularly, though had a habit of hiding this partially due to the stigma, particularly within the church at the time, but also because he didn’t want his kids to take up smoking, and so didn’t like pictures of himself doing it, nor did he like to smoke when they were around. According to Rev. Kyles, after King was shot but before he was taken away by the ambulance, Kyles removed the package of cigarettes from King’s pocket and got rid of the cigarette butt, partially to attempt to hide the fact that King was smoking. at the time he was shot.

5) Martin Luther King Jr. was nearly assassinated a decade earlier than his ultimate death. While on a book tour, signing copies of his book Stride Toward Freedom, on September 20, 1958, King was approached by Izola Ware Curry who asked him if he was Martin Luther King Jr., which he of course replied affirmatively. When he said he was, she said “I’ve been looking for you for five years.” She then pulled out a letter opener and stabbed him in the chest. It took three full hours to remove the blade. The reason? The sharp point end of the blade was pressing against his aorta and the doctors had to be extremely careful while removing it because of this. The doctor, Dr. Maynard, told him after, “If you had sneezed during all those hours of waiting, your aorta would have been punctured and you would have drowned in your own blood.” 6) King Jr. skipped two grades in high school, 9th and 11th, and entered college (Moorehouse College) at the tender age of 15 in 1944. By 19, he received a bachelor’s degree in sociology. 7) He almost didn’t become a minister. After graduating from college, he still had serious doubts about Christianity and the Bible and told his father (who was a Baptist minister, as his grandfather had also been) that he didn’t want to be a minister and instead was considering becoming a doctor or a lawyer. He later decided that the Bible had “many profound truths which one cannot escape” and chose to become a minister, entering seminary at Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania. He graduated with his PhD at the age of 25. 32

8) Although King today is often remembered as being an amazing public speaker, he got a C in public speaking during his first year at seminary. This likely isn’t because he was actually bad at public speaking at this point. His father noted that even before going to seminary King Jr. was one of the best public speakers he’d seen. Whatever caused his professor to give him a C, by his final year King had straight A’s, was the valedictorian of his class, and the student body president. 9) His honeymoon was spent at a funeral parlor… not because someone died, simply because a friend owned the parlor and offered to let him use it for his honeymoon. 10) King convinced “Uhura” on Star Trek, Nichelle Nichols (who incidentally later went on to work for NASA), to continue on with the role after the first season. Nichols stated he told her not to leave the show because she was not only playing a black person as a main character on TV, but she was also playing a character that didn’t conform to the stereotypical black person of the day, usually portrayed. Rather, Uhura was portrayed as an intelligent member of the crew and an equal to those around her. 11) King donated all of the $54,123 (about $400,000 today) he received for his Nobel Peace Prize to the Civil Rights movement. During his acceptance speech, he stated “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant.” 12) King won a Grammy and was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal and a Medal of Freedom. The Medal of Freedom and the Gold Medal make sense, but how on Earth did he win a Grammy, you say? He won it in 1971 for Best Spoken Word Album for “Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam”. 13) His house was once bombed. This was during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted a total of 385 days. 14) His mother, Alberta Williams King, was also murdered. She was killed while attending church in Atlanta in 1974 by a 23 year old man, Marcus Wayne Chenault, who believed “all Christians are my enemies”. He shot and killed her while she was playing organ at34the church.

15) King Jr.’s autopsy revealed that stress had taken a major toll on his body. Despite being just 39 at the time of his death, one of the doctors noted that he had “the heart of a 60 year old”.

16) It wasn’t until the year 2000 that all 50 states officially observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The last states to join up where Arizona in 1992, New Hampshire in 1999, and Utah in 2000. The holiday itself was originally signed into federal law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, with the first MLK holiday on January 20, 1986.

17) His “I Have a Dream” speech painted an even bigger target before on his back, not just with certain people in the general public, but with the FBI. This was a memo circulated throughout the FBI offices after the speech: In the light of King’s powerful demagogic speech yesterday he stands heads and shoulders over all other Negro leaders put together when it comes to influencing great masses of Negros. We must mark him now, if we have not done so before, as the most dangerous Negro of the future in this nation from the standpoint of communism, the Negro, and national security. Many of the FBI’s surveillance records, written and audio records, concerning King are currently held in the National Archives, but are sealed from public access until 2027.

18) There are only two other people in American history that have a national holiday in their honor, George Washington and Christopher Columbus. As such, Martin Luther King Jr. is the only native born United States citizen to have a national holiday in his honor. (*note: While Washington was born in Virginia, obviously the United States did not yet exist. For reference, the first President to be born in the country of the United States was Martin Van Buren. He was also the first President not of Irish or British ancestry- his ancestors were Dutch.) 19) Today over 700 streets in the Unites States are named after Martin Luther King Jr., with one such street in almost every major city. This is not even counting the amazing number of buildings, schools, and the like named after him. 36

The First!!! By: P.J.Fleming

My Great G. Ma' is "the" definition of a strong, intelligent, beautiful black woman,

with fierce tenacity and determination. With her knocking at the backdoor of 90, she has been around for some of the most remarkable pinnacles in history. She was around for marks in history such as; The March on Washington, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and even the Malcolm X era. We converse often about our history, and those that shaped it, even those who are labeled "The First".

The First: Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas, Dominique Margaux Dawes, and William DeHart Hubbard (1903-1976). Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas was born December 31st, 1995, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ms Douglas is an American artistic gymnast also known as Gabby Douglas or the Flying Squirrel, standing at a whopping 4'11", weighing only 90 pounds. She is "the first" black woman in Olympic history to become the individual all-around champion, and "the first" American gymnast to win gold in both the individual allaround and team competitions at the same Olympics (2012), as well as being the only American all-around champion to win multiple gold medals. She was also a member of the gold-winning U.S. team at the 2011 World Championships. Dominique Margaux Dawes was born November 20th, 1976, in Silver Springs, Maryland. Ms. Dawes is a retired American artistic gymnast, known in the community of gymnast as 'Awesome Dawesome', and she was a 10 year member of the U.S. national team, the 1994 U.S. All-round senior National Champion, a three-time Olympian, a World Championships silver medalist, and a member of the goldmedal winning "Magnificent Seven" at the 1996 Summer Olympics. 41

Dawes is most known for being "the first" African American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics, and "the first" black of any nationality or gender to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics. She is one of only three female American gymnasts to compete in three Olympics and was part of three medal-winning teams.

mitting a foul on his sixth and final jump match from stepping too far over the line bruising his hell. However, on his last jump operating at full speed, he leaped 24 feet 5 and 1/2 inches, propelling him to become "the first" African American to win a gold medal as an individual in the Olympics

Who was the first Olympian gold medalist??? William DeHart Hubbard was born on November 25th, 1903, in Cincinnati, Ohio and he attended Walnut Hills High School. Hubbard was a track star in school, excelling in academics, graduating with honors, and on the track field, setting records and winning numerous championships for the Wolverines. In the 1924 Olympics Mr.Hubbard became "the first" African American to win a gold medal at the Olympics as an individual, placing first in the running long jump. He struggled initially, com-

Admittedly, I was not one who was fascinated about the discussions of history. In my earlier years in school, I had no interest in history--period. I believe motivation to become something great is like taking a bath; you can't do it one time and expect it to last. I also believe for one to become great he/she needs 42

to learn from those who became great and how they got to such success. It is in our history of greats that our children learn of the power they truly possess, gaining motivation from these inspirational lives which teaches them they can do anything.

My Great G. Ma' and G. Ma' has been this motivation for me. Check me out next month and see who else I have for you that have been labeled as "the first".

QSYMIA-THE NEWEST WEIGHT LOSS CRAZE: WHAT IS IT AND WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Deszion Amani Nasir

First off, let me be accurate, Qsymia isn’t entirely new. It was approved in 2012. But lately, I’ve seen it pop up more and more in the news, which means its gaining more and more ground. And that means people are using it. A lot. It’s a weight loss pill approved by the FDA, and I think our community needs to be informed about it. Contrary to popular belief, we DO watch the news, but the news doesn’t give us enough information to really make a uniformed decision on new drugs. But when it comes to weight loss, a lot of African Americans have issues with obesity and diabetes, so before we jump on this bandwagon, let’s read some facts first: This info comes from the press release on Qsymia when it was first released in 2012: 45

What is Qsymia? Qsymia is a combination of the appetite suppressant phentermine (the safe half of the diet drug Fen-Phen) and the antiseizure/migraine medication topiramate. It is manufactured by the pharmaceutical firm Vivus, Inc. and was formally known as Qnexa. How does Qsymia work? Phentermine is an appetite suppressant. It is thought to trigger the release of the chemical norepinephrine in the brain, which increases blood concentrations of leptin, an appetite-regulating hormone. Topiramate, commonly known as Topamax, is prescribed as an anticonvulsant and migraine medication. It can aid in weight loss by increasing the feeling of being full, making foods taste less appealing and increasing calorie expenditure.

while using Qsymia, they should discontinue the medication immediately and contact their physician. Who should NOT use Qsymia?

As you can imagine, together these two drugs can pack a powerful punch against the battle of the bulge. Who is Qsymia designed for? The drug is approved only for adults who are obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI of 27+) and who also suffer from conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol. It will be available in a standard dose, but also a higher dose for select patients. Women using Qsymia must consistently use an effective method of birth control. If a woman becomes pregnant

Women who are pregnant, people with eye problems (especially glaucoma), people who have an overactive thyroid, people taking a type of antidepressant called MAOI, or people who are allergic to phentermine, topiramate, or any of the ingredients in Qsymia should NOT use the drug. 46

Mandated by the FDA, Qsymia will be packaged with a special Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), which includes an education guide for patients, providers and pharmacies.

Once you begin this regimen, you will have to continue it for the rest of your life, unless you develop a side effect or another reason to discontinue usage. What, if any, are the side effects? The most common side effects are tingling in the hands and feet, dizziness, change in taste, trouble sleeping, constipation and dry mouth. Qsymia can also increase your resting heart rate, affect how you think and is associated with difficulties concentrating. Topiramate can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, initiate new or worsening depression, or cause other mood/behavior changes in some patients. Be aware of such changes and call your health care provider immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. If you have type 2 diabetes, weight loss may increase the risk of low blood sugar. Speak with your physician about this, because he or she might have to adjust your diabetes medications.

What have clinical trials shown? Last year, a study funded by Vivus, Inc. found that obese patients taking Qsymia How should Qsymia be used? Qsymia is designed to be used in combi- lost an average of 22 pounds over a year, nation with a healthy lifestyle, including while also lowering their blood pressure a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. In and cholesterol levels. In a placeboclinical trials, Qsymia was only effective controlled clinical trial, those who took Qsymia lost an average of 8.9 percent when combined with this kind of lifeversus those taking the placestyle. How long do you have to take Qsymia? bo. Seventy percent of those taking 47

Qsymia lost at least 5 percent of their body weight compared to only 20 percent of those on the placebo.

Right now, it’s expected to become available in September, but will only be sold through certified pharmacies -- not your local, family-owned pharmacy. Didn’t I read that Qsymia was not ap- The overall consensus is that the best proved by the FDA a few years ago? way to keep off unwanted weight is Qsymia was initially denied FDA apthrough a healthy lifestyle, including proval in 2010 because of potential side proper nutrition and exercise. Qsymia effects, including heart palpitations and offers benefits to some of the estimated birth defects if taken by pregnant women two-thirds of obese or overweight Amer(such as cleft lip or palate). After the icans who aren’t losing weight with lifecurrent approval process, Vivus agreed style changes alone. to conduct further testing to show that Qsymia does not have dangerous cardio- Qsymia can act as the jumpstart that vascular side effects. Clinical trials have many people need to get on the road to already shown that Qsymia can lower weight loss. As always, speak with blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart your doctor before beginning any diet or attack and stroke. exercise regimen. When will Qsymia be available for use? For Obesity: I tried this med and I cant Now here are some user reviews as resay I had a good experience. I guess it cent as this month: did suppress appetite but it also made me feel really down and tired. I wasn't even Reviews for Qsymia able to work out when I was on this Review by Dee6459: med. I took it for 3 days and could not For Weight Loss: I am losing quite a bit tolerate it any longer. My doctor of weight 65 pounds, but I do not want switched me to Belviq and I love it its to lose my hair in the process of it. It is wonderful. really falling out and I don't know what to do. I went to a dermatologist and after December 23, 2014 5:20 PM a few treatments and a biopsy she told Review by KD32 (taken for less than 1 me there was nothing she could do. month): January 10, 2015 12:56 AM Review by WeightLlossExpert (taken for For Weight Loss: I've been on it for less than 1 month): 11days so far and I've lost 22lbs. I start 48

ed out at 301lbs and now I'm 279lbs. That's just with the free starter dose. I completely cut out carbs, sweets and soda. I went for a weigh in today and my doctor almost didn't recognize me. Most people lose an average of 5-7lbs their first 2 weeks but my 2 weeks isn't up until Monday. I haven't exercised at all due to my 10-15 hour work days. I told my doctor I think I lost it this fast because I have no desire to eat. All I do is drink water. I try and force myself to eat but all I get in is a few bites of a protein bar all day. I have severe dry mouth. I'm going to try the next strength up next week and see how that goes. My goal is 199lbs. November 14, 2014 11:35 PM

Review by Sweets64 (taken for less than 1 month): For Obesity: Medication did not work at all. Taking 2 pills caused irrational behaviour, but no suppression of appetite. November 11, 2014 12:54 PM Review by Lakegirlfromfl (taken for 1 to 6 months): For Weight Loss: Lost 20 lbs in three months side effects were tingling feet, insomnia , irritability and metallic taste of soda. Side effects were worth the weight loss that I was unable to lose otherwise . I am mid sixties and thirty lbs overweight . My doctor gave me another three month prescription and I hope to 49

about a year ago, and needed some help losing the weight this time. Diet soda definitely tastes flat and gross now, and I used to love it. I have also noticed that I seem to space out, and forget November 7, 2014 10:11 PM things a lot more than I used to. I do Review by Tired Momma (taken for less work full time and have an infant that doesn't sleep well to take care of, but I than 1 month): (and my husband) definitely notice a For Weight Loss: I began taking change since I've been on it. I also get Qsymia about 3 weeks ago and I am down a little over 10lbs already which is the dry mouth, but usually only notice it in the mornings when I wake up since I awesome! I am 5'5'' and weighed 184 when I began taking it. Had my 3rd child reach my goal. I have more energy and am exercising for the first time in 15 years. It is expensive, but worth it.

from your physician. My copay is only make sure to drink plenty of fluids dur$15 ing the day. Really not hungry at all love it!! October 10, 2014 6:11 PM November 5, 2014 8:02 AM

Review by Happygrandmother:

Review by Pigmom (taken for 1 to 6 months): For Weight Loss: I am 62 years old and I have been taking Qsymia for 2 months and have lost 22 pounds. Qsymia does require me to drink alot of water and has controlled alot of my "sugar" eating. I was a Diet Dr. Pepper addict and cannot stand the taste of one now. Water has totally replaced all diet drinks. I was very hesitant to start this medication for fear of side effects, but have not had any issues other than dry mouth. Because of some orthopedic issues, I am not able to participate in physical exercise--my weight is still dropping. I have also seen a definite drop in my blood pressure with this medication; therefore, requiring changes in my blood pressure medication. I hope to continue on this medication for two or three more months. October 31, 2014 10:14 PM Review by Libra_ladee81: For Weight Loss: Just wanted to let everyone know that many insurance companies are starting to cover Qsymia (if you have insurance) with prior authorization 51

For Obesity: 59 yr old female 5'6 195lbs. Been taking Qsymia for 10 weeks down 26 lbs. Feel fantastic! Minimal side effects. Kicked a long standing diet coke habit due to the metallic taste. Making healthy choices and very satisfying to work at weight loss and see progress. This has been a wonderful experience! October 4, 2014 9:38 AM Review by LeslyeRanG: For Obesity: The MIRACLE pill! I can't thank my doctor enough. I've tried every diet you can think of. Could never lose weight, I've always been obese. I started taking Qsymia on September 30/14 and lost 5lbs already. I feel with lots and lots of energy and my weakness (bread, sweets) gone! I'm not following any diet. Just exercising at least 30 minutes a day. Only side effect dry mouth and tingling in my fingers but I completely love it.

#teamnaturals TIPS AND TRICKS FOR DOING SENGALESE/ HAVANA TWISTS By: Deszion Amani Nasir

Okay, ladies, its winter and we all know that this is the time when we have to keep those tresses protected from those harsh winds and winter weather, right? Old Man Winter is NOT the friend of wash-n-gos! As I type this, my hair is resting in a lovely, curly versatile sew-in that I can part four ways but usually just wear loose because I love big hair. But many many ladies are choosing to wear their hair in those awesome Senegalese twists or those chunky Havana twists. I do a lot of them in the colder months. They’re great protective styles and if installed and maintained correctly, can give you a few months of nearly maintenance free relief while you get to look fabulous in these chilly times. But there are do’s and don'ts to these styles just like there are to any great style. DIYers, these styles aren’t difficult! I’ll include some tips and tricks to keep your frustration down if and when you attempt to do these on yourself and/or your mini naturalistas (I recommend it!) And I’ll also include a method that is easier for newbies to get the same results and seems to be taking off around the natural community. Here we go!

#1 TIP: MASTER HOW TO ROPE TWIST! This is the fundamental base to your twists remaining intact for either style. You may have seen it referred to as “Twisting while twisting.” This makes the twist nice and tight on its own without the need to pull the hair super tight. If you have this method down, you won’t need to pull the hair super tight and your edges won’t suffer. Below is a link to an awesome tutorial of Senegalese Twists that explains what I mean. Watch it carefully and repeat as many times as needed until you feel comfortable with your twisting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvBR9ZiqvAE

SENGALESE TWISTS Dos Use smooth braid extensions for installation Always use a smooth braid extension for Senegalese twists. However, if you haven’t perfected a twisting technique, then they will unravel. Use Kanekalon hair as it is considered as the best choice for the Senegalese twists. Using Marley hair, or a kinkier brand, will be easier, but will be considered Kinky twists and will not give you the smooth twists you are looking for. Always seal your ends Failing to secure the ends properly can

cause your hair to untangle. In order to seal the ends, dip the length of the extension in boiling water for about 30 seconds. If you are still unable to unravel your hair, use a curl rod to secure your hair. I personally tie a small strand around the end of the twists, but not everyone does. It’s just a habit I’ve picked up from doing micro braids. Redo the edges If you want Senegalese twist for a long time, then you can get your edges retwisted. After getting your edges done, take extra care to untangle and deep condition your fragile edges.

Don’t s Do go for twists without practice Without practice, it will be a difficult task to make Senegalese Twists. Plus, if you don’t master this hair style, it will require much time to complete the look. Don’t pull too tight when styling It’s important to be gentle while twisting your hair. Pulling too tight on the twists can cause pain to your scalp and damage your hair permanently. Remember that if the braid’s base where the extension hair connects to your real hair is heavy, it will start to pull. I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THAT IF DONE PROPERLY, TWIST DO NOT EQUATE TO PAIN. Don’t make your twists too large or too small While you are twisting your hair, don’t go overboard with too small or too big twists. Although it is better to make them small or miniature than big twists because big twists tend to frizz faster, it is best to avoid both of them. HAVANA TWISTS The main difference in Senegalese twists and Havana Twist are the size and hair used. The method is exactly the same. The hair used is usually Marley hair or Cuban Twist Hair. I STRONGLY suggest brushing the hair out a bit before installing or you’re going to end up with a VERY heavy head of hair! Another awesome tutorial for Havana Twists:

DON'T put too much pressure around your edges. Havana twists are much larger in size, thus, there is a greater chance of them being too heavy around your hairline. To prevent breakage, uninstall the twists every two weeks and have them redone. This not only keeps your twists looking fresh, but it's also a way for you to keep close tabs on your fragile edges. DO keep your twists moistur ized. Right now, in my spray bottle is a combo of aloe vera juice, water, Goivanni direct leave in, grapeseed oil, peppermint and tea tree oils. I mist that on my hair daily no matter what style I have in my hair and it keeps my hair from drying out. I also make sure to moisturize

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-giiVB8mAVQ 56

as I install my twists, usually with a tiny prevent mold, mildew or odor from bit of Shea Moistureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Curl Enhancing forming in the extensions. Smoothie over a good mist of my spray DON'T leave them in too long. Sixcocktail. This in combination of daily eight weeks is the maximum I would misting ensures moisture protection and recommend with touch-ups. says. Any when I take the twists down my hair is longer than that could compromise the never dried out. health of your own hair or lead to scalp infection from lack of cleansing the DON'T get your twists done too tight. Most breakage and traction alope- scalp. cia is caused by too-tight extensions. DO be gentle when styling your When you're applying your moisturizing twists. Those buns/topknots are cute but spray, your natural hair will naturally ex- deadly, ladies! This essentially means pand and swell up. Synthetic hair does that you're bending the hair root in a dinot exrection it pand doesn't natuso if rally grow in the which could twist is cause the intoo dividual hair tight to literally be but pulled out of your the hair follihair cle and lead wants to mild or to exmajor baldhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itgsNNjlxw8 pand ing. If you inside of that twist, your hair becomes want to rock a topknot, do so periodicalmore susceptible to breakage. ly and let your twists down each night DO keep your scalp clear of buildup. before you go to bed. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMNickola Websterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tweaked RubberPORTANT. band Method: Since the twists are chunky, you'll have This method involves using rubberbands plenty of space in between each twist to to secure the synthetic hair inside a secclean your scalp. You can use Apple Ci- tion of hair, then beginning your Senegader Vinegar diluted with water or just lese/Havana twist this way. A lot of add the diluted mixture to a bit of your women who have trouble starting twists cocktail spray in a separate spray botthe regular way are doing this method. tle. When rinsing out your scalp and twists, make sure they air dry fully to 57

The care tips are basically the same, but when using the rubberbands, there is no need to band the hair super tight to the scalp. I suggest banding no more than four times. The hair is going to be secure and once you start twisting, the hair is going to stay put. I recommend leaving these in no longer than four weeks or

so. So there you have it! Three methods for lovely twists! Get out there and have a ball! And send us those pics! We wanna see our naturalistas! <3, Deszion

Undergarments 101 By: Cesar Sosa

've been talking fashion, what to wear and what not to wear. But let's not for-

get undergarments. It's what's inside that counts just as much as the outside. The reason: The wrong bra can ruin a smashing outfit and let's not even go into what horrendous panty lines can do to a fab dress! In this fashion section I show you a few tricks to mastering the world of undergarments so you can avoid fashion calamities. It doesn't matter what body type or size you are, wearing the proper undergarment makes you look even better in your clothes.

How many times have you seen a woman in a great outfit and said to yourself, "I love that dress, but how could she let those bra straps hang out like that?" You never want to be the girl in the great outfit with the wrong undergarments.

Hosiery Women have a wide variety of choices when it comes to hosiery; stockings, pantyhose, tights, knee highs, or nothing at all. But what is considered appropriate and accepted has definitely changed throughout the years. Warmth, office decorum, and what flatters your body best are just a few of the issues to consider as I take you on a journey into the world of hosiery.

If you want to appear taller or leaner, wear a darker color or one with a simple seam up the back of the leg.

Lighter colors, especially ones with patterns, draw more attention to your legs and can make them look wider.

The right hose or some great tights can really make an outfit. But hosiery isn't just a fashion statement; some women wear it to cover up parts of their legs they aren't fans of, like veins, blemishes -you name it. In addition, covering your legs is appropriate or required in certain situations, like in many offices or events. The following section takes a look at pantyhose and stockings.

Stockings Stockings cover the foot and lower part of the leg and end mid-thigh. Formerly made of woven cloth, they can now be found in knitted wool, cotton, nylon or silk. Choose stockings to pantyhose for these reasons: They're not as restrictive: stockings can be more comfortable than pantyhose or tights, especially in

They're sexier: Stockings allow for some bare skin on the upper thigh that could inadvertently (or not) be exposed. 63

Here, some of my tips to keep your stockings up: A garter belt: A garter belt is a piece of lingerie that goes around the waist that has "suspenders" that clip on top of the stockings.

An elastic garter: Have you ever been to a wedding and watched as the groom pulls a garter of his new wife's leg and everyone laughs? Of course you have! Well, garters aren't just wedding souvenirs. You can actually use them to hold stockings up.

"Stay ups": Here, the inside of the top of the stocking has an elastic band added to it that allows it to, well, stay up. (Duh, hence the name!)

Pantyhose When women began to wear miniskirts in the 1960's, stockings which up until then had been kept up with the garters, proved to be too short. So, onepiece pantyhose came to the forefront (interestingly, dancers were the first to come up with the idea of sewing stockings to the leg bands of their briefs). Shortly thereafter, the majority of hosiery sales were in the form of pantyhose.

Do you want to know what so many women love about pantyhose? 1) They don't have to worry their stockings are sagging or attached. 2) Pantyhose provide extra warmth when it's cold outside. 3) Because pantyhose use stretch material, they provide extra support, which has a slimming effect on the legs (and, if the pantyhose are control top, to the tummy as well).

Hosiery Rules Manufacturers have come up with a wide variety of hosiery textures and designs, including fish nets, fence net (which has wider webbing), stripes, checks, and other woven designs You can find them with bows, lace panels, and in rainbow colors. They can be opaque, medium sheer, or completely sheer. Other advances include a seamless toe or sandal-foot that you can wear with sandals and other open-toe shoes. The following list offers a bit of guidance to help you decide what style looks best on you and some pointers on how to wear them: 66

Create a slimming effect: to get a slimming effect, wear dark hose. An alternative is to wear medium sheer, which is more slimming than very sheer or opaque because it allows for some shading on the leg. Also, wear hose that echo the color of your outfit -a navy skirt or dress with navy hose and navy shoes, for example -to elongate the appearance of your body.

Using hosiery as an accessory: Wearing a simple black dress with a patterned pair of tights or stockings made your legs the centerpiece of your outfit.

Getting a dressier look: Hosiery with a sheen is considered dressier and makes your outfit fancier.

Get Fashion Smart! Stocking thickness is measured in denier. The lower the denier number, the sheerer the garment. Stockings knitted with a higher denier are less sheer but more durable. For comfort and style be sure to keep these tips in mind: 

If you wear flesh-colored hosiery, make sure it matches the color of your flesh: Having legs a different color than your arms, either because they're too dark or too light, looks funny.



Knee highs, a variety of hosiery to be worn under pants, leave marks on your legs that show for some time: if you wear them during the day and intend to go barelegged at night, take them off well ahead of time.



If you wear a garter belt to hold up your stockings, make sure the belt matches the color of the stockings: Also, adjust the straps so that the front straps are two inches shorter than the back ones. That way, they don't show if your skirt gets hiked up, such as when you sit.



You put the garter belt and stockings on first and your panties on last: Otherwise, you have to remove everything when you go to the bathroom.



Never, and I mean never, wear hosiery with open-toe shoes or sandals: No exceptions! In fact, I'm getting hives just thinking about it.

I hope you find my information helpful, my plan is to give you knowledge about fashion to prevent you from becoming a Fashion Victim. In my next article, I will be talking about bra, panties, and accessories. Stay tuned for the next issue. Dress to be happy! Cesar Sosa

By: Denetra Key

The First Fashion Victim I want to discuss today is

! I don’t know what kind of statement Rhi Rhi was trying to make in this hideous dress. The bottom of it reminded me of a bad float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade. The color was beautiful on her skin. But no wonder girlfriend didn’t have time to get her hair done. It probably took her all day to find her way into all that dree and then walking in it was a whole ‘nother task at hand. LOL! I think she get’s the award for this years worst dressed. 70

I demand to know who

stylist is right now! I say they get fired right immediately. WTH! How do you take a dress that was so awesome and elegantly fit for Taylor and then mess the whole ensemble up with those UGLY hot pink sandals that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t match ANYTHING? She went from being one of the best dressed to one of the worst dressed just due to the error in her shoes. If she had have had on some nice silver sandals or something like that she would have been rockin that red carpet!

Ok let me first say that I am SO tired of seeing

with this DAMN pony tail. OK girlfriend your off of Nickelodeon. It’s time to grow up. All that hair she has look like her stylist could come up with something more creative tan a “pony tail” for red carpet events. Arianna say it with me, “The only time it’s acceptable for me to wear a pony tail is when Big Sean is pullin it while hittin me from the back!” Ok now that I’m done with that let’s talk about her dress. Explain to me why she would come out in a dress that looks like it is two sizes too big for her all over. And shouldn’t her heels be silver instead of white? I don’t know I say “off with her stylist’s head” as well! 72

You know you have to have one big damn ego to sport your bath robe to the Grammys. Really Kim? Really?? I think her and Kanye came high off that X or something because between her garb and the way they were makin out on the red carpet (you know when he grabbed her cakes) they had to be on something. In her case I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even think it was a stylist fault at all I just thing it was a case of bad damn taste!

I could go on for days about all the ratchedness that hit the red carpet at this year’s Grammys but I have to give credit where credit is due. Ms. KILT it this year! The Queen of Young Money came out lookin sexy and sleek! And did I mention fierce! Her sexiness oozed all over that red carpet as she wore the perfect black gown for her figure accompanies by a simply but sleek swept back hairstyle and flawless face. The days of the “Barbie” Nicki have come and gone. I’m loving the more natural and mature look! 74

Own your copy of 2015â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grammy Award Winning Album of the year!!

Dear Emiaj,

the problem; my sister recently confided in me that her husband is expectI am writing you on behalf of ing a child with someone else. They my sister. She says that she is too emhave 2 kids together and he does other barrassed to reach to anyone for help kids outside of her. This comes in the so I decided to write you myself. My middle of the marriage. She has been sister has been in a relationship for 14 going back forth with herself if she years and married 6 of those. Her and should stay or go. What would you husband recently separated because tell my sister to do; I am not sure if I they were having some problem. They can give her a proper answer. have been talking about back and forth and going to counseling. This is â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Concerned Sisterâ&#x20AC;? 77

Dear A Concerned Sister,

will need to create a coparenting situation for this child . In this situation someI am sorry that your sis- one has to be the adult. ter is going through this; I can only imagine what this Please keep me up to date on is like . Please let her know this situation . that she shouldn’t be embarrassed by this; there a plenty of women in this world who Emiaj just may share the same story. She is going to have to take a look deep with in herself for this answer. What is she willing to deal with in this marriage? This is something only she could decide . Here is my honest opinion , if she wants to work things out with her husband , and then do so. No one else has a say so in that marriage but them. I do suggest counseling if they stay together.

This edition of Ask Emiaj is going to be a little different. Lately I have been receiving so many email and inboxes about cheating. “Why do men cheat ” or “I feel like am about to cheat ”. So I have decided that I will not answer those questions individually I will share just my thoughts.

I do not condone cheating in any form. If you feel as Now there is another life you are about to cheat, then I to come into play, this baby. suggest you have a conversation with your mate . DeterThis child didn’t ask to be mine why you feel this way. here and didn’t ask for this situation . I hope he is plan- Fix whatever is going on in ning on supporting and help- the relationship. Now if things don’t go the way you ing with this child . I don’t want them to, I don’t want want your sister to be bitter you to stay where you are untowards this child . She has happy. I find that a lot of other kids with him as well people will stay .They stay beso this is still her children’s brother or sister. Again if she cause they love something about that person , but does stays I think she needs s to talk to the other mother and love really keep you happy. find a common ground . They Love is only a piece to a 78

I have sat down and talk to each person who sent me a letter to try to determine the reason why they stay if things are so bad . One even said they stay because they really do love the person they are with . They have even talked about their issues; the other party continues to say they will work on it. Well that was few months ago and still no change . Yes change doesn’t happen overnight, but at least show them you are trying. You have people in marriages masturbating daily because their spouse won’t give them sex (male or female). If you knew you married someone with a high sex drive why would you cut them off?

writing this “Chocolate High” by India Arie and Muziq Soulchild come on; let ’s just say that they give a lot more meaning to love . They want to love with their entire being. I suggest to this couple to get back to loving each other properly and remembering the reason you fell in love in the first place I hope the couples that I have mentioned really do get back to loving each other. Emiaj

Another person I talk to states that they stay because they are waiting for the person they are with to fall back in love with them, and their happiness doesn’t matter. Again I asked what have you done to get them to come back around? They stated that they are trying to show them daily how much she loves him. That leads me to think can you really make someone fall back in love with you after they fall out of love . As I am 79

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be the last one on the planet to miss the HEAT!

SIX WAYS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP & YOUR FINANCES By: Kimberley Jasper

How are things on the financial horizon between you and your love? Are you two making the right choices regarding your finances, or are you struggling with the same old issues? Many people look to the new year as an opportunity to make changes in their lives for the better. Check out these money-saving tips couples can start to put into action right now for a better financial future together. 81

1.PRIORITIZE FINANCIAL GOALS Ideally, everyone would love not to be in debt, but what are your top financial priorities? Sit down with your partner to discuss pressing matters along with things you would like to achieve in the near and distant future. It’s even a good idea to make a list and prioritize your efforts. Doing this together can dispel any financial fears or concerns and alleviate surprises in the future. 2. ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER TO SAVE In order to reach your money goals together, you’re going to need to save. Many relationships get into trouble when one person saves and the other spends. Both of you need to make the commitment to invest in your financial future by putting away what you can today, setting firm goals and sticking to them. Help each other by coming up with creative ways to save money. Dine in or hit up the Red Box instead of the movies or eating out. Sex is always free. If you do it right, you won’t even remember where you wanted to go and spend that money you’re trying to save. Make it a game both of you will want to play. 82

3. BE TRUTHFUL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL STATUS The truth hurts, but it will set you free. All couples need to have honesty in their relationships, that goes without saying, and that includes your financial status. Financial transparency is non-negotiable so you and your love need to be honest about your income and debt. It simply cannot work without it. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to tackle any situations that come your way. Note: This “rule” is most important for married individuals and those in a seriously committed, long-term relationship, especially when sharing financial responsibility.

4.ESTABLISH A STRONG FINANCIAL STRUCTURE To piggy-back on my last point, if you’re a couple who has joint bills, you might want to establish a firm financial structure. Who will be in charge of making sure the rent or mortgage gets paid? Who pays the utilities? Daycare? The truth is that some people are more reliable than others when it comes to taking care of business on time. It is ok if it’s not you; discuss it with your partner and make a plan to compensate for it. You can even give the more responsible partner your share of the bill money on payday. This way, your financial flaws do not interfere with the future you’re trying to build together. 83

5. SIMPLIFY AND CONSOLIDATE Are there any bills that you and your love share that can be consolidated? Check your cell phone provider for family plans that will help reduce the amount you both pay each month. Contact your cable provider to see if there are any deals or promotions that you can take advantage of. Get rid of any frivolous or unnecessary expenses. The more expenses you can consolidate into a lower monthly payment, the more you have to add towards your financial goals. 6. HAVE FREQUENT FINANCIAL DISCUSSIONS At least once a quarter, if not every month, the two of you should be discussing your finances. Maybe a talk over dinner and wine with a promise of â&#x20AC;&#x153;dessertâ&#x20AC;? afterwards will make it more enticing, but it cannot be avoided. Get into the habit of making time to assess your goals or make changes if necessary. Are you both saving enough? Do you need to rethink any of your goals? Cut back more? This is your time to go back to the drawing board should you need to make edits to your plan. 84

Off the Air with Mr. & Mrs. R ...a Power Couple Rockin that Thang On and of the Airways! By: Richarh Aswanu and Denetra Key

Being partners not only in business but in a relationship is a task that not many people can successfully achieve. So many things can intermingle in the relationship and the business side of things. Emotions can take control and totally destroy the business aspect of the relationship. However on the flip side a relationship can be over ran by just business and totally ruin any romantic chemistry that a couple has. It is very hard to find a happy medium.

We ran across a power couple that have found the secret to success, love and happiness. Mr. and Mrs... R have found that magic to “rock” their relationship on and off of the air ways. Over the last month I’ve personally gotten to know this couple a little more and when I say a match that God himself created I do not overestimate at all with these two. So in honor of Valentine’s Day I’m pleased to introduce you to Mr. & Mrs... R… a couple that have their love game in check, their visions within reach, and their business minds on the prize.

Richarh: So, how did the two of you meet? Mr. R: We met at a sports bar and it’s funny because I went there with some friends but I didn’t want to go and Mrs... R didn’t want to go there that night either. So we were both there and I saw her and immediately knew she was going to be mine. So we danced then went outside to talk and I asked her was she seeing anybody and she said no but she would go on dates from time to time and I told her not anymore, that’s over, she probably thought I was crazy for saying that and the rest is history and now we are Mr. & Mrs... R. R:Who pursued who? Mr. R: I pursued her you can say it was love at first sight because when I saw her I wasn’t leaving until I had her phone number. R:What was it that initially drew you to one another? Mr. R: She was sitting at a table with her friends and she stood out and I had tunnel vision just focused on her; even though one of her friends told her that I was looking at her first, but no cause Mrs... R lit up whole room. That’s why she’s Mrs... R.

Mrs... R: Well you see there was this handsome man by the name of MR. R that would not take his eyes off of me and he had the biggest and sexiest smile in the whole wide room. And yes I 88

did take notice because he would not take his R: What is something, goofy, just silly that ya'll eyes off of me, even while I was on the dance floor. Then he came and told me I was beautiful love about each other that the other might not and the rest was history. even realize? R: Thinking back on the earlier years of your re- MRS.. R: Well I guess you could say every time

I jump on MR. R about being lazy he states you knew I was lazy when you met me, and I am MRS.. R: MR. R of course was the first to say I like wow is really like that he laughs it off while love you. You know women that are a little I steam it off. Lol more mature would first want the man to say I MR. R: Mrs... R is so OCD about cleaning love you so you know you have it locked in and the floors and it makes me laugh cause I aldonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like a fool. Smile but we were both ways tell her what are we supposed to do feeling the love I was just a little reserved. lationship, who said "I love you first?"

R:Who gets on whose nerves the most?

hover over the floors? And she says yes with a serious face because she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want the floors dirty. Lol She states fly over them.

MRS.. R: Well in answering that MR. R would say that I get on his nerves the most because I R: In a perfect fantasy world, we would like to want everything right the first time and he is more laid back. So in saying that I would say he believe that love is all roses. No arguments, no would say me. What say you MR. R? fights. When you two have an issue, what is a Mr. R: I agree totally 100% lol

proven tactic ya'll use to work it out?

82 90

8391

MRS.. R: For me I go to my space and find my girl time to love just me. Then I look at him and look at me and realize that something has to give and it darn sure should be him. However, life doesn’t always work that way so, in a relationship you must understand that there will be differences and his wrong is not your right and your right is not his wrong so, as Rodney King would say Can’t we just all get along. & I realize he is my perfect. Mr. R: In a perfect world yes we would want everything to be roses but ya'll know it’s not like that. Yes we have our disagreements and arguments like every other couple but what I do is when we get to that point I just go in another room to calm down then after a while we just come back like nothing ever happened that’s how I know that Mrs... R is the right woman for me.

R: What are the key ingredients to a successful marriage?

MRS... R: I would say the success to a perfect marriage is not think of it as a marriage but a great loving relationship where you are excited about seeing your "perfect" every time you get home, and realize that you are going to have good days bad days and in-

between days, but guess what, it’s still your "perfect" and if you realize that God has given you a "perfect" meaning MR R is my "perfect" which is my husband however, if you just look at you mate as average then you will keep searching until you find your perfect fit. So, the key to a happy marriage, to me is, understand that making your partner your "perfect" means you will not throw in the towel so quick and the marriage has a chance of being successful. Make your partner your best friend then your marriage has a chance of being successful because your best friend laughs with you, cries with you and talks about everything under the sun. That’s the key! Mr. R: I agree with Mrs... R, but I also feel that communication is the key to a successful marriage, I said earlier that when we get into our disagreements I go into another room. But after a while we talk then everything is ok. I’m going to take a quote from Chris Rock, "You have to love the crust of your wife or husband", and accept them for who they are that way you will have a stronger bond like Mr. & Mrs... R.

85 90 93

change each other.

R: Alright, now I'm trying to start some mess;

R: How long have you guys been married?

who runs things in ya'lls marriage? Mr. R, I un-

MRS... R: We will be married 4 years on February 26, 2015 however, it seems as it’s been a life time. (Smile)

derstand if you choose not to answer.

MRS... R: Well I will say that I do due to the fact that I am very opinionated and I have been in charge of my own life for so many years that it just came with the territory and I expressed to Mr. R in the beginning that I am a very aggressive person meaning I am a go getter I don’t sit back I take charge. The beautiful thing about this is MR R is a more reserved person which it allows me to be myself and I think that is why we have such a great working relationship because it allows me to be who I was when he first met me. I would say that makes for a happy relationship when you allow and respect the personality of the individual you are with. Don’t change the person or, expect them to be who you want them to be but let them remain to be themselves.

R:When did you know, I mean really truly know that you were in love? Mr. R: I would say about a couple of weeks after we met and I know that because we were married within six months of meeting and we are still going strong no slowing down!

Mrs... R: When I decided to give up my freedom and not have my own surrounding but a man surroundings within my household. Lol I was doing my thing loving life and living it and then I fell in love with MR R. the rest is history. Lol R: How did it all come about, you guys deciding

Mr. R: Now fellas I’m sure ya'll with me on this. Lol. The woman will always say she is in charge and is the one running things and we want to make our wives happy. But in my house I’m the boss. Lol. We often go back and forth about who is the boss, and I’m sure you guys will agree; we will never get the last word, so this topic will be a never ending debate in our household. But seriously, it’s about compromise not who is the boss and we both are great at it. That’s why our marriage works so well because we don’t try to

to work together? Mr. R: When I met Mrs... R I was doing radio and doing radio takes up a lot of your time. I was really into her and didn’t want to lose her due to doing radio so I thought about how I could make her a part of my show. She has a very nice voice so I asked her to do the news for me that way we can still spend time together and I still got to do radio. At first she didn’t want to do it, then she gave it a try and I said thank God because she was good at it lol. From there she fell in love with ra-

R: Tell us about ya'lls shows, what's the message, THE MR R SHOW~ Where MR R gives you

the best independent and unsigned Hip Hop what's the format and what are you guy's trying and R&B Artist from around the world. to accomplish?

WHAT’S UP WITH MRS.. R~ a talk show MRS.. R: I would say we are wanting to make bringing you topics from around the world about anything. our shows bigger than life. We are trying to bring radio back to the happy stage again where it’s fun, entertaining and worth listening to more R: How do you deal with the pressures of living than just radio but a rarity of radio and that’s together and working together? what our shows bring. We do it with a love a passion, and a smile we give you the best of us MRS... R: I don’t feel it. For me it’s love happiness work and if I am tired of him I go shopon each and every show from: ping. LOL and he knows I must have my cofTHE CLASSICS WITH MR & MRS.. R~ fee in the morning before the show starts or, where we bring the hottest classics from the else it’s pressure. Lol 70’ and 80’s 96

Mr. R: We don’t have pressures and I’m glad to say that our personal life doesn’t interfere with our work life and a lot of people don’t understand how we make it all work but the answer is simple, God put us together, evenly yoked. R: Do you ever feel like you see "too much" of each other?

MRS... R: LOL No!!Sick huh, we just have fun together... best friends. Mr. R: DITO!!

R: With everything going on in your lives, with your busy careers and marriage, how do you find "time", time for ya'll to just be married, be a couple?

MRS.. R: You know the way our show is designed we date right there in the studio. We laugh, touch, feel, and stroke each other minds. So in dating we are so busy working that we make it happen in the studio. But I am looking forward to a real date soon. (Smile) Life is busy right now with all of shows. As Will Smith states "Pay now and play later." I hope later comes real soon. Lol Mr. R: I love being with Mrs... R that’s why like she said our couple time right now is in the studio and for the amount of time that we spend doing our shows I never get tired of being with her and I feel blessed that we are together. R: Between the two of you, who pushes new projects and ideas?

MRS. R: MR. R pushes the projects. His whole life is radio. I believe that’s what he was born to do. He is always looking for greater ideas to bring the radio shows to be bigger than life. He is actually my producer for WHAT’S UP WITH MRS. R. and he makes that baby work. So, please believe when you see a new project MR. R is somewhere in the mix. Along with MRS. R. (Smile) R: What are some of the things you do to inspire each other? 98 90

91 99

Mr. R: I always tell Mrs.. R I Love her every day and how beautiful she is and do the things that the old school man would do like; open the door for her, hold her hand when we walk. I can’t remember a day I have not opened the door for her.

each other's back.

Mr. R: I feel it’s very important because if you don’t support each other then it will feel like you are competing against each other so supporting each other will help each other grow.

ties, or do you feel limited? And I ask because

MRS. R: When Mr. R is on his grind I try to give him ideas and advise him that he is the very best talented, skilled, and has it going on. This is what he was called to do. Mr. R has been doing radio for years and he brings the very best to radio land. He does it like no other R: How important do you feel it is to support out there, so I push him to succeed in every each other in your individual goals and dreams? aspect of radio, so that we succeed as a whole. MRS. R: The main ingredient is to support He gives me the support I need to be MRS.. R each other's individual goals. They are who the on the air and makes sure that I have everyperson is and will be. Never stand in the way of thing I need to be hot! Lol I guess that’s why I the success of your mate. You will find if you am called MRS.. HOT R, just joking. do not support their dreams and goals someone is around the corner waiting to support it R: Do you guys feel that being married has enbefore you even wake up to realized that it was hanced your careers, and given you opportunisimple. No competition just support! alot of people, claim to feel limited and chained

down by commitment. Mr. R: I feel it has enhanced our careers because we are a husband and wife duo that’s R: What are some of the things you do to sup- making it in the entertainment field where a lot of couples fail. Our chemistry is allowing port each other? us opportunities to showcase us as a couple Mr. R: When we started doing the shows such as hosting concerts, which we will be together Mrs.. R came to me and said she doing soon and our ultimate goal is to have wanted to do a talk show and she asked me our own TV talk show. So we don’t feel limto produce it. So I had her back and now she ited. We feel blessed to have the opportunity has her talk show. When I asked her to do of working together while maintaining our the news on The Mr. R Show she had my marriage. back and tried it, even though she really didn’t want to do it at first. We always have 100

101

MRS. R: I definitely feel that our marriage has enhanced our careers and given us opportunities that have opened a lot of doors. We have a great chemistry that people actually feel when we are on the air. They know that it’s not fabricated its real. We enjoy each other ultimately and we vibe with each other on a constant, bringing entertainment to the world. So, there is no way we feel limited but we feel as there is no limitations to where we can go and how we can reach the ultimate of being bigger than life. (Smile) We are the R’s. MR. & MRS.. R & THAT’S WHAT’S HOT!

Mr. R: Think about it first to make sure you are both on the same page because if you are not on the same page it won’t work.

MRS. R: No your ambitions are driven in the same direction and you are looking for the same result at the end of the tunnel. Make sure you are friends and can stand to be with each other on a daily basis home, work, and at play. Because you will see your partner more than you see anyone else, that can make for a whole lot of us time and you have to be down with it. I’m loving mine. Make sure you will be able to love yours if you are thinking of running a business together. R: What advice, aside from the cookie cutter clichés, do you have for a long lasting marriage?

R: Before we go, tell our readers how to find your

Mr. R: Always stay real like when you first met. Don’t try to change each other and live for each other and don’t let others get in your marriage. MRS. R: Kiss your partner all the time, love with passion, and let each other know how much you love one another on a daily basis. That’s what we do I think each day we might say I love you three to fourtimes. Sounds corny... but hey it works. My family actually called us "the love birds" from day one. And we have continued to be just that love birds. Chirp, chirp. Lol

show, and how to contact ya'll on social media;

The listeners can hear our shows on Red Panda Radio www.redpandaradio.com The Mr. R Show airs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 4pm-8pm-pst. The Classics with Mr. & Mrs.. R airs Thursdays 4pm-8pm-pst and Saturdays 2pm-6pm-pst What’s Up with Mrs.. R airs Saturdays 11am12pm-PST. All shows air on Channel 600, when you go to the site (from your computer) click the blue download icon. Once you download a phone will be on your desktop, click settings fill in the info then you can listen to our show by clicking R: What advice do you have for couples who stations and we are channel 600. Follow us on Twitter @ MrR68 @Mrs.rhot choose to work, or run a business together? LinkedIn @ Mrs.. R Hot and @ Mr. R 102

103

104

105

Meet Nitara UIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Around the Way Girl By: Richarh Aswanu

With this new era of Facebook and social media; alot of women put on this elaborate prasad, acting uptight and extremely bougie. It's always refreshing to sit down and chat with a normal, level-headed woman with a sense of humor and just the right amount of sass... So every month, we are going to pick a sexy, down to earth girl straight from our Facebook page and have a nice, flirty little conversation filled with humor and sexual insinuations. Meet our Around the Way Girl... 106

Name: NITARA Twitter: NITARASOULMUSIC Facebook: NITARASONGSTRESS REAVES Facebook: NITARA'S LOVE NOTES Tumblr: NITARASOULMUSIC Instagram: NITARASOULMUSIC Location: CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA Zodiac Sign: AQUARIUS Favorite Drinks: FREE AGENT WITH THE DRINKS.... MARGARITAS, LOVE TO EXPERIMENT WITH NEW FLAVORS

107

Richarh: Hey Lady, how are you? Nitara: I am fine thank you. So excited to do this interview. R: Your name, Nitara, it's beautiful, what does it mean? N: My name is Hindi, it means deeply rooted. R: I hear you like to mix up different drinks. What's your latest creation? N:I love fruity margaritas but when I am open to try new flavors......exotic is always a good way to go!!!

R: I also understand that you like to experiment with different flavors. So, what do you like to pour over milk chocolate? N: I love to pour whip cream over Chocolate, and of course I love strawberries and bananas on top of chocolate as well. R: I notice that you're a singer. What makes you hit those high notes in the bedroom? N: The very thing that makes me hit high notes is being lifted by a strong man that can cause me to sing into the heavens as the gates open and Jesus, Buddha, Moses, and Hebrew boys are literally telling me you are on the mountain top .....Well done my child!!! Just sayin!!! It takes a special person to make all of that happen. Seriously all jokes aside....alot of mental stimulation is what it really takes. If a man can mesmerize my mind then it's a slam dunk.. Lol!!! R: Personally I am a fan of voluptuous women. And you are very sexy, juicy. I love it. Are you comfortable in your curves? N: I love my curves and I think all thick women like myself can live long productive lives as long as you are eating healthy and enjoy life then you are good!!! I love my curves!!! R: What's something new you'd like to try in the bedroom? N: THAT''S A GOOD QUESTION!!!! I am open to new things!!!! R: When it comes to sex, if you had to compare your behavior to an animal, what would you be? N: Mountain Lion

108

109

R: What makes a man irresistible to you? N: I love smart men. A man that's a great business man, and also that likes to have fun and can be adventurous. R: And what makes you run the other way? N:Bad breath, a man with no vision for himself and no direction, a man that didn't respect his mother, and a man that doesn't take care of his children if he has any. R: Use a line from one of your songs to say something to touch my heart. N: Wanna feel your heartbeat next to mine, when I wake with the morning sun. Just hear you call my name out loud makes me.............................HMMMMMM!!!! WOAAAAAAAA R: Use a line to tell me how you would want a man to love YOU. 110

N: I want a man to love me thru it all!! Flaws and all. To love me for Nitara the person, not just NITARA the ARTIST, CAREER DRIVEN WOMAN!!! R; Okay, now use a line to tell me what you would want me to do to you. N: I may need to plead the fifth on this one!!! LOL! R: Alright! Umm, before we go, tell us how to find your music. N:http://nitarasongstress.com/ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heartbeat-single/ id925730164 Nitara nitarasongstress.com 111

112

113

Directions: Cut meat into thin strips then coat with 1oz olive oil. Season with fajita seasoning and let marinate up to 1hr. Once marinated, place on grill and cook to 70% done and place in 300 degree oven to continue cooking until tender. While meat is cooking, combine remaining olive oil, red & green peppers and onions in a pan, then sautĂŠ until onions are translucent. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For salsa: combine all ingredients in a large bowl and gently stir together. Salt and Pepper to taste 114

SolFuzion Beef Fajitas with Black Bean & Corn Salsa Ingredients 1 pack of 40 soft burritos Meat 10lbs Beef Stew Meat (or Beef of your choice) 16oz julienne onions 16oz julienne red bell pepper 16oz julienne green bell peppers Fajita Seasoning (SolFuzion Style) Chili Powder tt Garlic Powder tt Onion Powder tt Ground Cumin tt Paprika tt Fresh Cilantro Chopped Green Chilies Black Pepper tt Salt & Pepper tt 1 TBSP Brown Sugar 3oz Olive Oil Lime Juice Salsa: 8oz kernel corn 8oz black beans 8oz small diced tomato 8oz small diced onion 3oz fresh lime juice 1 TBSP garlic 1 TSBP chopped cilantro 1 tsp parsley 2oz small diced pablano pepper 1oz picante sauce

115

116

The Sazerac By: Denetra Key

Recipe: 1 tsp Sugar 1-1/2 oz Rye whiskey 1 Dash Herbsaint, Pernod or Absinthe (to coat the glass) 2 dashes Peychaud bitters 2 dashes Angostura bitters 1 Lemon peel twist 117

UIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sex Factsâ&#x20AC;Ś By: Richarh Aswanu

Most women would rather have sex in the dark...

34% of men lie to have sex...

Women aren't innocent, 10% of them do the same shit...

118

Female masochist outnumber male masochists 20 to 1...

50% of single women give it up on the third date...

There's a direct link between how often a man has sex and his life expectancy...

White women are more likely than any other group to engage in anal sex...

119

What Women Wish We Knewâ&#x20AC;Ś By: Richarh Aswanu

that if she stays the night at your crib -you, owe her breakfast...

her breasts love to be licked and sucked...

they love it when we ask for their advice...

120

they need to know that we love them...

if we don't show and/or tell them we love them. They will find love somewhere else (See above)...

they love to see us all sweaty-n-shit...

they love it when we whisper sexy things in their ear in public...

121

122

I'm sorry you got to be the dumbest mutha lucker in the world... Robert Phillips, a 25 year old Florida man, nearly causes a wreck. So then the police follow him. While the police are following him they witness him do a drug deal . SO they lock his ass up.And on the parper work when they booked him in guess what he lists as his job occupation??? A DRUG DEALER! SMH. They found 22 grams of Heroine and 5.3 grams of Crack Cocaine and $2316 in cash . He remains in jail of $220,000 bond. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see how this shit plays out.

123

124

Ready, set, goal! You charge into the month, ever the ambitious Ram. The Sun is making its annual rounds through Capricorn, your lofty tenth house of long-term ambitions, until the 20th. You're a towering citadel of confidence, and your can-do candor is only fueled by the calendar turning with the moon in Taurus, your second house of security.

pretty psyched to greet the blank canvas of a brand-new calendar year. Midday, the moon shifts into Gemini and your second house of values, self-confidence and routines. Take those grand midnight declarations and map them into solid action steps. Set a few bold intentions for the year ahead. Write them down, Taurus, and keep your list somewhere visibleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for your sensory sign, "out of sight, out of mind" is especially true.

TAURUS

GEMINI

AIRES

Your month could get off to a sleepy We wrapped up 2014 with the moon in Taurus, and in most parts of the world, start, but the fog will lift soon enough. the month will open with la luna in your As the clock strikes midnight, the moon is in Taurus, your twelfth house of rest sign. As a result, you should be feeling 125

and endings. If you're not already snoring, you could be contemplating all the baggage you want to release, the situations you've outgrown and any painful memory that you want to leave in 2014. You might even want to do a little release ritual (e.g., writing down these items and burning the list) to cement your commitment to moving ahead. Onward and upward, Gemini. Then, it's time to celebrate!

brate, as the moon moves into Gemini, your fifth house of joie de vivre. While others might be done with the social gatherings (and requisite libations) you’re just getting started. You’re ready to keep the good times rolling, so don’t go down for the count just yet. As you’re flitting from brunches to bars, though, you may actually find yourself suppressing a yawn, thanks to the Sun visiting Capricorn, your sleepy twelfth house. Hmmm…maybe try a raucous, CANCER laughter-filled phone conversation from Your month opens with a yawn, as the the comfort of your bed? Gemini moon flows through your restful SCORPIO twelfth house for the first couple days of the month. Perhaps you had a rollickTake a look around Scorpio: who's standing beside you? As the clock ing celebration in January, but even if you didn't, you'll want to take it easy as struck midnight and the calendar flipped the month changes. Begin the year with to 2015, the moon was in Taurus, your seventh house of committed relationan aim toward rejuvenation. ships. Whether you're single or coupled, SAGITTARIUS the New Year began with your mind on Grab your partner! At the beginning of your closest ties—and possibly somethe month, the moon is in Gemini, your one rather special. It’s time to reflect relationship-oriented seventh house, and see if that connection was true. By putting you in a cozy, one-on-one mood. now the moon has divided into Gemini Bring your beau or BFF to a lunch, and your intimate eighth house, emphawhere you can bond over brunch and sizing a desire for deep and trustworthy make sprig goals together. bonds. You're keenly aware of who's on Team Scorpio—and who deserves to be AQUARIUS there. It's possible that not everyone Let the party rage on! Halfway through does, and one of your New Year's resothe month, you’re in the mood to cele126

lutions could involve an upgrade to VIRGO your inner circle. Or, maybe it's time to Ask, believe, achieve! The month opens cement your connection with one signif- with your tenth house of ambition, helpicant person. ing you set your sights on your most desired milestones for 2015. Around New LEO Year’s, you spent some time mapping The more, the merrier is your motto! The month opens with the moon mov- out your professional aims, or dreaming ing into Gemini, your eleventh house of up some "stretch" goals. NOW is the group activity. The cosmic lineup sugtime to think big; and don't be afraid to gests that you may have spent New soar beyond your comfort zone. Year's Eve somewhere small or exclusive. Maybe you were even working LIBRA (why not take advantage of the raised Get ready, world! The month opens with pay scale, right?), visiting family or just the moon in Gemini, your ninth house thinking long and hard about goals for of inspired possibilities, putting you in the year ahead. Either way, shake off any somber vibes and gather with your an expansive and optimistic mood. friends during these next couple months Sure, you may have had your share of of 2015. trials in 2014 (who didn’t?) but now you’re ready to start fresh by broadenIf you're in a relationship (and really, ing your horizons, in every way. Travel even if you're not), you might need to flex your independent wings, as expancould be high on your list of resolusive Jupiter in Leo forms a tense oppo- tions—but whatever you're planning for sition to stressful Mars in Aquarius, the coming year, you're going big. your partnership sign. Anyone demandCAPRICORN ing too much one-on-one attention from you could get under your skin. If a close Your month opens with the moon movperson is stressing you out, take a little ing from Taurus, and your hedonistic breathing room as the month begins. fifth house, into Gemini and your sixth You can get it all out into the open dur- house of wellness. Forget bingeing— ing the full moon, which governs clohead out for a brisk walk or a midday sure, compassion and hidden inforworkout. If that's too much, at least submation. All the subconscious motives stitute that Valentine’s Day Box of and buried resentments will be revealed Chocolate with a dipped strawberries. in this lunar light—and hopefully, it will Every little bit helps, right? bring a healing moment. 127

While you're ignoring that last sentence and happily feasting on Turtles, spend some time pondering that favorite Capricorn topic: your goals. The Sun is in Capricorn until the 20th, making it easy to focus on yourself instead of your duties to everyone else (a lengthy list for most Goats). This is no time for sacrifice, Cappy. So set your sights on one or two pursuits that would make your heart sing, and craft a plan of action for those. One step per dayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or even per

weekâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;will get you there. PISCES Stoke those embers in the fireplace, Pisces. Embrace 2015 in a sweetly domestic fashion. Hang out with your family, or your closest friends. You could feel especially nurturing or maternal, so you may enjoy cooking for loved ones or just puttering around, eating leftovers and putting your home back into post-holiday order.

128

129

"Survival of the Fittest" By: Larrod Evans

During the early 90's, Mobb Deep emerged as the epitome of hardcore East Coast Hip-Hop. In the era where street cred was often tested, the critically acclaimed duo endured the inevitable. "There's a war going on outside no one is safe from/ you can't run from these streets that we done took/ ya shook cause ain't no such thing as halfway crooks." These are the first few bars from "Shook Ones Part 1" that dropped in 94'. Upstate New York was cold, snowy and most definitely grimy. So, when my man Brian put me up on the track, it felt like the perfect time. The track was gritty, the rhymes were gritty, and it was a reflection of my life style. A bunch of young scuffed up timb rockin knuckleheads causin' ruckus. In 1993, Havoc and Prodigy released their debut album, "Juvenile Hell" of the strength of the single,

"Peer Pressure". Despite production by DJ Premier and Large Professor, the album flopped. A year later, they released "The Infamous", which pushed them to the forefront of the East Coast Hip-Hop scene. The album was raw. It was one of them joints you could play and bang

130

out. You had back at you "Back at You", "Temperatures Rising", "Up North Trip", "Eye for an Eye" and of course, "Shook Ones 1 and 2." Later on that year, Mobb Deep was still buzzing. However their newfound fame brought on new foes. The drama started when Snoop and Tha Dogg Pound dropped "New York, New York." Mobb Deep and their Queens affiliates Capone -n-Noreaga and Tragedy Khadafi responded with "L.A. L.A." At the time Tu-

pac was serving the final days of his prison sentence. A rumor surfaced that his group, The Outlawz were dissed at a Mobb Deep concert which provoked Pac to retaliate. Upon his release, he went at Mobb Deep on multiple tracks. Most notably, "Hit Em' Up" and "When We Ride on our Enemies" in which he shed light on Prodigy's battle with sickle cell anemia. This was the beginning of the historic East Coast-vs-West Coast rivalry. The beef continued on to 96' when Mobb Deep released their album, "Hell on Earth". "Drop a Gem on Em" was another shot at Tupac and the West Coast.Debuting at #6 on the Billboards, the album further engraved their legacy as street narrators. Also, Havoc's dark and sample heavy production catapulted them among HipHop's elite beatsmith's. By this time, it was a full blown war. Artists from both coast were heavy in the mix and we lost two of our greatest voices; Pac and Biggie. In the following years, Mobb Deep kept giving us that menac-

131

sound they were known for. Numerous collabo's, compilations and sound track appearances set fans up for 1999's "Murda Muzik". The new classic single, "Quiet Storm" quickly shot to platinum status. Shortly afterward, Prodigy dropped his solo album H.N.I.C. Alchemist's production on that project made him a household name and cemented him as an in house producer for Mobb Deep. In 2001, Mobb Deeps street image took a hit. Their fourth studio album, "Infamy" was highly criticized due to the single "Hey Luv (Anything)." The "R&B-ish" song featured 112 and was an attempt to gain a female audience. I thought the joint was hot. Thugs need love too. The album struggled, and eventually went cold. Next came a highly publicized beef with Jay-Z, label disputes, a brief stint with G-Unit Records, legal troubles and of course, more beef. In 2014, Mobb Deep released "The Infamous Mobb Deep". The album was considered one of the year's best Hip-Hop album throughout the 30 years Hip-Hop has been in rotation. Few acts have been able to deliver that unadulterated rawness like Mobb Deep. Their portrayal of the streets and its ills is none the less -cinematic. Prodigy's harsh and unapologetic narratives over

Havoc's haunting backdrops are still some of my most cherished soundtracks to this day. Regardless of the controversy that accompanies them, I truly respect these dudes. They had to fight the media and the streets for the majority of their careers. When I hear Mobb Deep, I picture a battle scarred veteran in the rainy woods eating MRE's while ducking for cover as Prodigy's bars run through their heads, "until my death, my goal's to stay alive."

132

133

134

135

UIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Movie Reviews By: Jeff Russell

Lucy -Starring Scarlet Johanson and Morgan Freeman. Lucy is exposed to a drug that let's her use 100% of her brain. Wow! The things she's able to do.... 3 out of 5 stars

Gone Girl -Starring Ben Affleck, Neil Patrick Harris, Rosamund Pike. When Amy (Pike) turns up missing, Nick (Affleck) is the prime suspect. As the mystery unfolds you think you have it figured out -but you don't. Don't miss this one! 4 out of 5 stars.

136

The Judge -Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall. Father and son legal drama. When the old man (Duvall) gets charged with murder, his son (Downey) rushes from New York to represent him. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Fury -Brad Pitt. Fictional WWII tank called Fury. Set in Germany. The Fury reaches a crossroads and has a battle of a lifetime. 2 1/2 out of 5.

137

138