Michael Neely Founder Kandi Dales Co Founders Iris Perkins writter Misty Lynn Senior Writter Ronne WALKER Graphic design Rachel Music lingo Katherine Peterson Business advisor Tomeka Lockett Business Advisor Michael Neely Reporter John “ DoughBoy “ Albert Music Advisor Cheri Simmons Music submission Tara Thomas Tara Thomas Agency Talent Scout Xs10magazine is owned and operated by Aidem Media Group, LLc 2016 - 2017 Xs10magazine want to thank it’s staff and the readers for keeping the magazine going and seeing into the future. We want to give thanks to a few family and friends, Kani. D, Ronne WALKER, Rasheed.N, Aaliyah.N, Nathan.N, Joshua.N, Lorenzo.N, Tomekia.L, Wise Mcgriff, Florina.K, John.A,Leonard.A, Cheri.S,Lexis.M, Misty.L, Mom,Bud, W.Synthis.M, Tootie,Humphrey,Angie.B, Jackie.B,Lucien.B, Iris.P, God, Allah, Rachel J,
XS10 INDEX PG
RAVEN 04 SCOOBY SMITH 06 RACHEL JOHNSTON 08 PAULI CARMAN 10 NYIA DREAM MARS 12 THE GIZZY STORY 16
RAVEN CONTACT: YouTube: Mjsraven Facebook: Mjsraven Twitter: Mjsraven7
Whe had a chance to catch up with the lovely MJRAVEN female Michael Jackson impersonator. Can you introduce your self to our readers? A: Hello I’m Mjsraven. The only celebrity female Michael Jackson impersonator. How long have you been impersonating MJ? A: over 25 yrs What age was you when you got started? A: 15 What made you to decide to impersonat him and why? A: first being a fan. Then realized my talent and gift for copying him and performing. Was or is it hard being a woman doing the dance moves like MJ? A: Not at all How did your friends and family take you being a male impersonator? A: Some support others don’t and think its weird. What is your favorite song From MJ long library of songs? A: Music and Me And being a big support of the king of pop was it hard for you to build a fan base? A: not at all. Very blessed for my supporters. Now can you do the tilt like MJ did in smooth criminal? A: yes Now sense you start doing the MJ movement ? A: Can you be more specific...? Do you get a chance to travel has how has it affect your personal life? A: yes. I don’t have much of a love life if that’s what your asking. Lol What is your future goals concerning being a MJ impersonator? A: that’s my secret. Youll have to keep your eyes on me for that. Have you ever meet MJ in person ? A: no but i spoke with him at 15 yrs old. And if you did or could have what would be the first question to ask him? A: no questions just letting him know how i cared for him and honored that he knew of me and my dedication Doing what you in a man’s world what obstacles have you come across? A: no obstacles Doing what you do in a man’s work do you feel you face more obstacles then men? And why A: once again. No obstacles
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We just caught up with Wisconsin own artist Scooby Smith and asked him about his new single Bag It Up. Q. Introduce your self our readers please? A. My name is Scooby Smith, I’m a rising Hip Hop artist out of the state of Wisconsin Q. Age? A. 24 years old Q. Pet Pete?
A. People not coming through on their word Q.Coke or Pepsi? A. Coke Q. Married, single,dating? A. Single Q. How did you come up with the name scooby smith?
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A. When I was young I ate everything in site, didn’t matter how much or what it was so my mother started calling me scooby at the age of 9. I hated it at first, all my friends haven’t called me by my real name since i was like 12. Now i love it, and the Smith part comes from my last name.
low in your foot steps? Never stop no matter how hard it seems or slim your chances may look. If you put in the WORK,
Q. How long have you been in the music industry? A. I’ve been working music since the age of 13, started doing shows around 16 but never took music serious enough to consider it a career until about a year ago. Music runs through my blood but the business part of it was far over my head until this past year, when i met Michael Neely and his guidance is when things really kicked off.
Q. What are you plans for the future when it comes to your music career?
Q. What made you get in the music? A. Music was always an escape for me, soon as the music turned on all my problems faded away. I grew up in some pretty rough situations and music literally got me through them. My father died when i was 18 months old, so i was close to all my mothers boyfriends. One of them so happened to run a studio and once i stepped inside of it i never felt more at home, i never looked back.
Q. If you could do a callabo with any artist who would it be and why?
Q. What is your biggest influence in the music industry? A. My biggest influence are people like J cole, Kendrick, Future these artists have mastered their craft to a perfection. To me thats what music is all about, not always about where your from or who you are, but its what you can do in your craft. Q. How long have you been rapping? A. Freestyle rapping since age 13 but actively recording since age 16 Q. As being a artist in a competitive market do you feel than, there is no love between indie artist? Q. What part of the state do you reside in? A. Sheboygan, its about 45 miles north of Milwaukee Q. What feed back can you give other artist who fol-
TIME, and make smart investments no one can stop you from achieving your dreams.
To keep moving forward like a Freight Train, I have tunnel vision for success when it comes to the team and I. I wanna bring my own original twist to Hip Hop and Leave an everlasting mark.
Easily Anthony Hamilton, That mans music got me through a lot of tough times growing up, His voice is incredible! Q. What are your social media links for our fans can touch bases with you? https://soundcloud.com/scooby-smith-back2basics Facebook: Shelton Smith Twitter: @scoobysmith1992 Ps, Ps, Please submit 5 high resolution pics please for the magazine Thank you Issuu.com/xs10magazine
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Rachel Johnston
We had the chance to catch up with Ms Johnston. Who have been in the music and entertainment side for some time now. Q. Introduce your self to the readers? A. I am a music and pop culture enthusiast who happens to be an entertainment attorney that is licensed in New York and Washington State. I am also a California licensed talent agent, that work with independent artists! Q. How long have you been in the entertainment industry? A. I have been involved with the entertainment industry for 10 years. Q. What were you doing when you first got in the music business? A. My music business career began in 2006, I began representing an indie female artist who needed a personal manager. I recall traveling with her to an out of town (Los Angeles) gig and sold all of her CDs from the moment we exited the plane to the moment we
returned our rental car just prior to boarding the plane to return home. Q. What advice can you give an artist who want to get into the industry? A. Believe in yourself, commit, focus and be determined! You must make your music career your number # priority. Imagine how determined you would be to catch that next breath of air if someone held your head under water and you could not breathe. You should be that determined to succeed in your music career! Q. Steps to building a successful music career: 1) Develop the right mindset. Think of yourself as already being successful and as a great and prosperous enterprise. 2) Adopt an excellent business and talent work ethic. Be diligent, integrous and arrive on time to band rehearsals, gigs and appointments with music professionals.
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3). Continue to perfect your talent. Practice, practice and practice!
There is a significant amount of mistrust and lack of collaboration because of deception or fraud.
4) Build the best team that you can afford. Start with your present budget and grow your team as you make more money.
Should you have a entertainment lawyer when dealing with contracts? Yes, you should have an entertainment lawyer available to draft, review or negotiate your contractual deals to insure that your rights and interests are protected. Also, to assist with protecting your intellectual property rights (i.e., copyright and trademark registrations).
5) Build a strong brand with social media and marketing strategies. Remember, you are a great enterprise and you must brand and market yourself! 6) create and keep a positive reputation, which will produce positive outcomes. You are only as great as your reputation. Music industry professionals will know of your reputation before they meet you!
How do you know as a artist if you have the right team in your corner? You will know when you start to see positive signs of progress, such as booked gigs, CDs produced and released, touring opportunities, favorable deals, the creation/sale of your merchandise and income profit.
Q. On the business side of the music industry what should artist do first? A. Develop a great work ethic and build the best team that he/she can afford. For example, recruit a personal manager, who can help you hire an entertainment/ What are some of the down falls of being in the inmusic attorney, and booking agent, publicist/market- dustry? ing professional and business manager. The more successful you become in music, the more you become susceptible to becoming self-centered or Q. Do you feel it’s important for artist to get there prone to forget your humble beginnings. Stay humbusiness in order and why? ble and reach back to help others who are striving to A. Yes, the artist must see his/her music career from a become successful like yourself! business perspective. The artist should have an entertainment attorney inform the Artist of his/her rights Do you have any social media pages or website? Yes, in regards to contracts, deals, intellectual property see below. rights and registration. Many artists have been taken advance of because they did not know their rights. www.thejohnstonfirm.com Q. What are some of the pros and cons of the music business? Pros: The music business can be very rewarding and lucrative. Music can inspire and unite individuals. It can be a stepping stone to a great career in the entertainment industry in general Cons: The music business has some corruption; therefore, you must be careful and investigate before leaping into a deal, contract or business relationship.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelyjohnston www.Twitter.com/youarevictorius Michael, I can provide phone consultations to Artists who want more information on “Artist Preparation and Development�. However, I will charge a reasonable fee for the information! This is nonlegal but valuable information.
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Pauli Carman
Grammy nominated group Champaign feat original lead singer Pauli Carman
band “Champaign”… spelled like the city Champaign, Illinois where we were all living at the time.
We had the chance to catch up with Mr. Carman lead singer to the group Champaign.
Q. When was the group founded? A. The group “Champaign” was founded in 1979 and began performing in and around the Mid Western States… primarily Colleges and Show Case type Clubs.
Q. Please introduce yourself to our readers? A. Hello everyone I’m Pauli Carman Lead Singer of the group Champaign. Q. So how did you come up with the group name Champaign? A. I had actually started a group in 1978 named Champagne spelled like the drink… and in 1979, changed the members of the band, and named the
Q. When was the group found and why? A. The group was discovered by CBS Columbia in 1980 after submitting demo recordings to different major record labels… at that time in the music industry it was considered the normal way to try to gain the attention of any record label for a possible
recording contract. We invited several record labels who seemed to be interested in our demo’s… to a Show Case Club in Champaign, Illinois called Smilin’ Eyes. Of the labels that came to see us perform…CBS Columbia showed the most interest in signing the group. They were mainly interested in a singles deal with the song ‘How ‘Bout Us’.
heard your single on the radio? A. We were actually taking a break from recording new material for the next album when we heard the single being played on the radio. As a group we owned a studio in Champaign Illinois where we spent most of our time writing and recording.
Q. What the name of the first label you signed with? A. CBS Columbia was the first label we signed with and we were very blessed to be signed with a major label in the industry and very blessed to have our first single go Gold and then Platinum Internationally
Q. What advice can you give other who wants to follow in your footsteps? A. Make your own footsteps in this industry. Make sure that music is your passion and be a leader not a follower. Always believe in what you’re doing…Put GOD first and stay one with the Universe.
Q. Did you and the group ever expect to me a house Q. Are the entire original member still with the group? hold name? A. I am the only original member left from the group. A. We never had any idea that our group would be so The group disbanded in 1985 and my interests were to recognized not only locally but internationally… but continue my musical career with CBS Columbia. Since that is the power of a major record label and heavy I was the lead vocalist on all of the songs on every rotation on the radio. album…it only made sense for me to continue my passion in music with the major label CBS. Q. How many member of the current group is there? And there names please? Q. What was the name of the first song you put out as A. There are currently six members in the group a group? Champaign and at times for live performances we A The first song we recorded as a group that was include additional musicians horns etc. released on CBS Columbia was the Chart Topping Hit Pauli Carman, T-Bird, Noel, Carma, DC, Dean-o ‘How ‘Bout Us’ a beautiful love song. Q. So as a major player in the music business what is Q, And how did you come up with the concept of your your feedback on the direction that the music is taken first single? today? A. The song ‘How ‘Bout Us’ was first brought A. There is and always will be many different directo me by the keyboard player of the group (Dana tions in music which is a wonderful thing, because Walden) the original writer of the song…it had more music is an art form…and for me music will always be of a Country music style to me, and so he and I began a healing aspect of life…although the music industry to approach the song with a more Soulful feel and with has changed dramatically since my first hit “How ‘Bout the production of Leo Graham made it a hit. Us”.
Q. For your album entitle “Modern Heart” how did you come up with the title and why? A. Modern Heart was our second album for the label and was to be co-produced by Champaign and George Massenburg well known for working with “Earth, Wind and Fire”, “Little Feet”, and “Linda Rondstadt” to name a few and for Champaign we were known for our love songs..The idea of having a new love as opposed to an old love we felt meant a Modern Heart which spawned the hit single “Try Again”. Q. What were you and the group doing when you first
Q. What are your social links for our fans to follow and buy your music?
http://www.champaignband.com http://www.cdbaby.com/ Artist/ChampaignPauliCarman2 https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-kind/id735714383 https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/share-single/ id492476654 https://www.amazon.com/Eyes-Spirit-Pauli-Carman-Champaign/dp/B00K6AUS2Y https://www.facebook.com/champaigntheband/?ref=profile https://twitter.com/champaignband
NAME: Nyia Dream Mars HIEGHT: 1m78 MEASUREMENTS 3830 -44
Nyia Dream Mars
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Did you always see yourself as eventually being a model, or was there anything else you would pursue? I always wanted to do the picture, I would also like to create my line of clothing and under clothing.. Who or what made you want to be a model? I love the photo from my childhood is by discovering Melyssa Ford, Vida Guerra, GloriaVelez, NicoleRicca, Dollicia Bryan that I turned to the photos hip hop vixen Any advice you’d give women trying to follow in your foot steps? You have to be patient, have the character, ability to adapt to any situation in 1 word out to be a chameleon When you wake up and look yourself in the eyes, what motivates you to continue pushing forward? Love and passion that boost up every morning the life is full of dream, my dream to me is that the world see my photos #1 place you haven’t been to yet, but would love to travel to and possibly do a photo shoot? In France I try to impose my style to change the criteria of beauty that is not easy to see it are used as size 34-36 What type of music do you relax to? I listen to rap, rnb, soul What qualities and features do you look for in your partner? I’d like him to be faithful, patient, caring, protective, funny
What do you consider to be romantic? A man who every day shows me his love Favorite food? I love to eat I do not have a preferred dish I love everything Tell the readers the biggest irony in your life and career. Seeing people change their minds about my physical view that il mon spend On TV or on American sites, these same people who refused to give me his time back to me. Patience pays its Greatest moment in your career? When Americans are starting to take an interest in my work Describe yourself as a woman with 5 adjectives. 1. Patient 2. Gentle 3. Woman of character 4.Smiling What’s something you want more of in life and something you want less of in life? Accomplish my dreams, I do not want negative in my life that the positive How can your fans reach you? When he sends me the message that boosts me and gives me the strength to continue to fight,it is also thanks to them that my photos travel around the world, I like to see them publish my photos. thank you to you ( http://instagram.com/Nyiadream,https://twitter.com/NyiaDream)
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Gizzys
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I know some of these questions may be redudent, but when were you diagnosed with HIV? 01/16/2016 I know everyone symptoms are not the same, what symptoms were you having that caused you to be concerned? not everyone will have symptoms. Most common are flu like. I had high fevers (103), sore throat, swollen glands, night sweats. chills and body ache. I was also dehydrated Lets Go Back to that Day ,when you was told you had ben infected wth HIV,What was going through your head? Afraid that I would die, shame, fear of telling my family and friends, I was in disbelief Did your exboyfriend have any illness that you were concerned about ,? that you never questioned him about? no, none at all. He appeared healthy and was in good physical shape I know that there are alot of treatments/medications for HIV/AIDS. Are they helpful? Yes, they keep those of us positive and adhere to treatment undetectable and healthy. Only way to stay alive. How has HIV affected your LIfe overall? (sexually ,children etc:) I live a normal life. I have not allowed it to change it, its been altered. I can still have kids, ive had sex after my ex, protected of course, and the guys knew of my + status. I am now celibate, but nothing to do with my HIV+ status. Before You were diagnosed with HIV ,What was your perception of it? I felt bad for those living with it. I never feared anyone with HIV. I was educated on the subject, not as much as I am now, but I was The Stigma surrounding HIV/AiDS still exist.Why is it important to reduce this stigma?
so that those of us living with it can be honest about it, so that we dont live in shame and/or fear. Because we are still human, deserve love, we arent contagious. Of course, it can be transmitted, but if we are undetectable, the chances are extremely low. Do you think the Laws should change when it comes to people knowingly infecting others with this disease? if done on purpose, yes. I still think that my ex should be in jail for what he did to me. Anyone with an HIV+ status should disclose it. HIV isnt an immediate death sentence, but it still can be. What is your message for others that have been infected with HIV/AIDS and those that may not know how serious HIV/AIDS is? To those that are +, stay positive, dont live in shame or fear, adhere to Dr. orders and take medications. To those that arent positive, use condoms, even if married, committed relationship. People arent always faithful, only way to be 100% safe is to use condoms. Read up on it. What is your Facebook page for people so our readers can find out more about HIV/AIDS? facebook.com/gizzystory. When you decide to make a Facebook page to help educate people, what was the feed back like? 90% has been well received, of course, there are the online trolls. I think they are just jealous of me. Im still living life, im happy, positive, blessed. Miserable people cant stand to see others doing good. I guess some expect me to be miserable, sad and depressed. And how did you hand all the negative action you got when you make the Facebook page? I would close it down, now, I just block them. Ignore the trash, thats what they are. Im only trying to do something positive for the world, I dont see why anyone would hate me or what im doing. Is there Anything else you would like to share? No, not for now. Thank you.
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