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men's fashion + entertainment + fitness + culture
ISSUE 28 bleumagazine.com
who IS:
eric west?
Man cave:Skip the bar and
drink at home
B.o.Bthe great
(Yup, we said it.)
22pages of
winter fashionStay In StylE From
CoaSt to CoaSt
PLUSrUn DMCniCK YoUngro JaMesLeigh BUsh&JereMY LUKe
gaMe UP!the Big Boys are Back with new toys: xBoxplayStatIonnIntEndo
BOMBSHELL #3 inside
Does siZe Matter?Compact SUvs built for any terrain
Color FadeThe rise of Black male skin bleaching
DO YOU BEDLOO?
www.bedloo.com
bleu magazine
Contents
4
10 It’s Me, It’s YoU…thE JaCkEtS and CaptaIn phIllIpS
12 tHe 20Up yoUr gamE wIth thESE BookS
14 GAGDetsgamE on
16 rIDethE pErFECt FIt
20 BoDYFlU rEmEdIES
22 GrooMInGwIntEr SCEntS
24 FUeLholIday happy hoUr
30 trAVeLa walk throUgh hIStory
34 FeAtUre: erIC westStylE wIth a SmIlE
36 ArtFUL LIVInGthE art movEmEnt
40 trenD AVe.wIntEr FaShIon
46 FAsHIonon trEnd
60 sPotLIGHtnEw BEgInnIngS
62 oP-eDdon't hatE yoUr SkIn
78 FeAtUre: ro JAMesFrom thE pUlpIt to thE StagE
80 ProFILesEdUCatIon gamE ChangErS
86 sCore: FootwEar mvp
88 on tHe rIsewho got nExt?
90 MAn CAVenot yoUr CornEr Bar
93 ICon: rUn DMC thrEE StrIpEd BandItS
FEATURES50 B.o.B
thE atl rappEr CarvES hIS own path
70 BoMBsHeLLJUSt a pInCh oF SUgar
CoVer storY: B.o.B
bleumagazine.com@bleumagazine
fashion health culture entertainment interviews
MAstHeAD
on the cover: B.oB. photography by Elton andersonStyled by apuje kalugrooming by aJ CrimsonBarber raphael lavon
Bleulife Media & entertainment Inc. | 262 West 38th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10018 | e-Mail: [email protected] | online: bleumagazine.comPrinted in the USA. Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists, feature writers or other contributors are not necessarily the opinions of Bleu Magazine or its staff.
All advertisements, photographs, text or illustrations are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized to have secured proper consent for the use thereof. Bleu Magazine shall not be held responsible for any errors, loss, expense or liabilities on advertisements accepted after the deadline. Publication of the name or photograph of any
person or advertisement in Bleu Magazine is not to be constructed as an indication of sexual orientation of such persons, advertiser or organization. Partial or complete reproduction of an advertisement, news article, feature or photograph from Bleu Magazine is strictly prohibited as Bleu Magazine is a registered trademark. A $25 or 1.5% (whichever is greater)
fee will be charged for all NSF checks. All rights reserved.
teAM BLeU
Publisher & Creative Director
dévon Christopher Johnson
editor
rae holliday
Managing editor
reginald larkin
Art Directors
raphael davison, nia Blackmon
online Managing editor
Erica vain
Grooming editor
Cataanda J
Copy editor
namisha Joiner
Assistant to the Publisher
gary dickson
Contributing editors
terrell allen, regi Booker, larrsye Brown,
owen duckett, dorielle Jackson,
kwasi kessie, patrick neree, rich philip,
dex rob, Shawn thomas
Contributing writers
kiarra gillette, amber kennedy, kirsten lewis,
ryan lyons, Janine mitchell, kent olden,
priscilla ward
Contributing Photographers
Elton anderson, desmond Faison, Sierra
prescott, naj wareham
Interns
miyori alexis, Janelle allen, antonio Jackson,
yisreal richardson, Edric robinson
BLeULIFe MeDIA &
entertAInMent
Ceo & President
dévon Christopher Johnson
Legal & Business Affairs
thomas J. wilson, Esq.
golenbock Eiseman assor Bell &
peskoe llp
Accounting
aaron t. Smyle
Smyle & associates, llC
Account Managers
todd Evans
rivendell media
908-232-2021
kenyon Clemons
917.500.1331
Integrated Brand Partnerships
kim J. Ford
Brand whisperer
973.580.4476
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bleumagazine.com
PUBLIsHer's Letter
7
PHoto BY eLton AnDerson
there comes a time in life to assess your surroundings. In the best-case scenario everything is
fine and needs no adjusting. But, more realistically, there are going to be a few changes. there
will be people occupying spaces better suited for others. the wrong business partner, disloyal
friend or underperforming employee may require immediately dismissal and/or replacement.
It is okay to let go and move on. why waste time in a toxic environment. don’t worry about hurting
anyone’s feelings. If they were truly meant to be in your life, then there wouldn’t be a reason to
dismiss them. But if the survey says no, then out the door they must go.
2013 was much better than 2012 for most of us. It looks like 2014 will be even better. So don’t
carry over unnecessary baggage into a new and exciting year. If you need a little help getting
started, take a moment and read through this issue of Bleu. we have books you can read, drinks
you can sip, furniture to buy and plenty of fashion options. plus everything else you love about us.
thank you for being a loyal reader. we accept the challenge of fighting against stereotypes and
old definitions of who we are. Stay awesome! and be BlEU!
DéVon Christopher Johnson
@devonisbleu
“Airplanes” by B.o.B.
Yeah, I could use a dream or a genie or a
wish/ To go back to a place much simpler
than this/ 'Cause after all the partyin' and
smashin' and crashin'/ And all the glitz and
the glam and the fashion/ And all the pande-
monium and all the madness/ There comes
a time where you fade to the blackness/ And
when you starin' at that phone in your lap/
And you're hopin' but them people never
call you back/ But that's just how the story
unfolds/ You get another hand soon after
you fold/ And when your plans unravel in the
sand/ What would you wish for if you had
one chance?
bleumagazine.com
eDItor's Letter
9
Sometimes we find ourselves on the wrong road. Sometimes we figure this out after traveling a
few feet and sometimes we figure it out after a few grueling miles. In both events, we have the
power to either turn and go back to square one, or pave a new road and follow our hearts. as
the year comes to a close we must start to analyze the road we are on and insure that it's the
right one, because the new year won't start a new road, it will only add new miles to the one we
are currently on. don't wait for a new year to do what you can do today.
this issue is full of innovators who have re-energized and come back stronger than ever, from
our cover artist, B.o.B. to our Spotlight, leigh Bush, these talented artists have found their
respective roads and are driving in their own lane. pull up a seat as we take you on their journey,
we promise not to drive too fast!
rae Holliday
@raeholliday
PHoto BY nAJ wAreHAM
ContrIBUtors
kIrsten LewIs, writerKirsten lewis is a howard university John h.
Johnson school of communications alumna.
she uses her sassy and personable writing
style to engage readers. "my interview with Jer-
emy luke was very pleasant he was having a
great morning and was in a joyful mood." lewis
caught up with Mob City star to discuss a varity
of topics from luke’s role in Don Jon to what
the future holds for the budding actor.
JAnIne MItCHeLL, writerJanine mitchell graduated in 2011 from emerson
college in Boston with a Broadcast Journal-
ism degree. her first position as an editor at
foster’s Daily Democrat where she became a
finalist for the new england news and Press
association’s Best entertainment Video in 2013.
following a passion for people, Janine is now
communications coordinator at nh children’s
trust, a child abuse prevention nonprofit.
in June, she was named one of concord’s
“young professionals to watch” by the concord
monitor.
eLton AnDersonPhotoGraPherelton anderson is a la based photographer
who loves to travel for the perfect picture!
anderson is a nikon user, an apple lover and
nike fanatic! "there is beauty in everyone and
everything.... my goal is to capture it." anderson
shoots captures the eclectic sensibilities of
B.o.B.
rYAn LYonswriterryan lyons is a maryland native with a passion
for the unadulterated fun of the 80’s. a free-
lance writer, whom enjoys providing coverage
of music and fashion. his love for all things hip-
hop is highlighted in his interview with rapper,
B.o.B. lyons’ explores the atlanta native’s cre-
ative direction and process on his new album,
Underground Luxury.
PrIsCILLA wArD writerPriscilla ward is a D.c. native keeping an active
pulse on art and culture, as a means of cele-
brating the african american experience. she
is a contributing writer for madamenoire.com,
essence and ammo magazine. she works for
Dailycandy.com, as a web editorial assistant. in
her free time she enjoys exploring her Brooklyn
neighborhood.
kwAsI kessIe, stylisthis name resonates in the fashion industry.
serving as the resident men’s stylist for Bet’s
106 and Park, Kwasi has styled everyone from
Bow wow to terrence J. not limited to the
realm of television, Kessie’s work can be seen
in campaigns for sabit and rocksmith. a multi-
faceted stylist, Kessie has permeated the upper
echelon with his eye. check out his contribu-
tion in this issue’s fashion spread on page 78.
OraQuick_Bleu_Ad_8.25 x 10.875_Due 10-xx-13_Runs_10-22-13.indd 1 10/8/13 6:56 PM
bleumagazine.com 11
bleu magazine
Its Me, Its YoU, Its BLeU
12
ro James and Friends Jam session Highline Ballroom
november 4, 2013
Melanie Fiona
Ro James
Stacy BartheThe Jackets and friends
Bridget Kelly and Ro James
bleumagazine.com 13
Captain Phillips Premiere New York Film Festival, Lincoln Center
september 27, 2013
Producers Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca
Producer Michael De Luca
L-r, Barkhad Abdi, Mahat Ali, Tom Hanks and Faysal Ahmed Tom Hanks
Joanna and Director Paul Greengrass
Andrea Phillips, Captain Richard Phillips and Director Paul Greengrass
bleu magazine
tHe 20
14
Knowledge is power; there is no doubt about that. whether you at-
tend class or learn from the street, a knowledge base is key to your
survival. the literary works compiled in this issue are sure to provide
you with a cultural foundation that will allow you participate in the
most diverse conversations. its getting cold, so why not crack open
a book. after all its in a book, take look it’s the Bleu book club!
to Get Your Life together
on this page (left to right) How to Be a Man by glenn o'Brien; Letters to a Young Brother by hill harper; Black Boy by richard wright;
Another Country by James Baldwin. on the next page: (clockwise) The Alchemist by paulo Coelho; The Dream Giver by Bruce wilkin-
son; Nigger by dick gregory; The Tipping Point by malcolm gladwell, The Autobiography of Malcolm X by malcolm hale and alex
haley; The Zahir by paulo Coelho; The Life of Pi by yann martel; The Lord of the Flies by william golding; How to Get Out Your Own
Way by tyrese gibson; Tears for Water by alicia keys; Make It Happen by kevin liles; The Colorado Kid by Stephen king; Buck by
mk asante; The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours by Jill Scott; The Ways of White Folks by langston hughes
reaD theSe
bleumagazine.com 15
bleu magazine
GADGets
16
nintendo U$299.99nintendo.com
amE tImE
playstation4$399.99us.playstation.com
ipad air$499.99apple.com
xbox one$499.99xbox.com
work hard and play twice as hard is a motto we cling to dearly at the Bleu office. whether its popping bottles at 40/40 or making rain at the strip club the Bleu guy has to blow off some steam. For the more introverted man why not release your inner child with these consoles and games that are featured below.
bleumagazine.com 17
xbox one$499.99xbox.com
Must Have Games:
1. grand theft auto online X P
2. Call of duty: ghosts X P C
3. need For Speed: rivals X P C
4. angry Birds: Star wars C5. nFl madden 25 X P
6. nBa 2k14 X P C
Key:X: XboxP: PlaystationC: Pc
1
3
2
4
5
6
bleu magazine
rIDe
18
MIDDLEIn tHe
Being in the middle has never been better than these new mid-size SUVs. Usually bought for efficiency and affordability, the mid-size SUV is getting major face-lifts! Jam-packed with standard options that could only be found in luxury Tonka trucks, these smaller, yet larger than life vehicles are mak-ing it hard for the gas-guzzlers out there. So struggle no more & ride in the middle lane.
Starting at $42,29028 est mpg
Features·gpS linked Climate Control·lane keepind assist System·multi-view rear Camera
safety·4 wheel disc break with anti-lock brake system (aBS), Electronic Brake distribu-tion (EBS) and Brake assist
2014 Acura MDX
bleumagazine.com 19
Starting at $23,30024/31 est. mpg
Features·reclining rear Seat·dual zone Climate Control·Steering wheel mounted Controls
safety·Enhance vehicle Stability Control with an anti-lock break system (aBS) Break assists (Ba) Smart Stop technology.
2013 Toyota RAV4
Starting at $37,50517/24 est. mpg
Features·Ultraview Sunroof·heated and ventilated Front Seats·adaptive Cruise Control
safety·Side Blind Zone alert, when changing lanes radar sweeps both sides of Srx. when vehicles approaches close a red light will flash on your rear view mirror.
2014 Cadillac SRX
bleu magazine
BoDY
20
2
1
Fight the Flu!Catching a cold sucks! point! Blank! period! when the temperatures fall we all at some point or another catch the flu. dealing with the runny nose, scratchy eyes, and throbbing heads may sound like natural progression, but there are ways to fight the flu. the fight against germs may sound futile, but Influenza is a tyrant that you can combat with these five tips.
Washing Your Hands manners are not a universal concept, proof of that can be found in the subways of new york City. often times peoples hands have been in places you dare not imagine. avoid the mis-steps by carrying hand sanitizers and washing your hands when you can.
Drinking Orange Juice the body is only but so strong and can fight but for so long. give your immune system a
boost by drinking some oJ. the vitamin C is what the doctor ordered.
bleumagazine.com 21
5
43Soup
mom’s recipe is the homie! warm soup is the key to opening up your sinus palette and lib-erating your senses. any flavor will do as long as the soup is warm.
Gargling With Salt Water Sore throat? no problem. gargling warm salt water will sooth your sore throat and clean your pearly whites. to be clear I just made the part about the teeth cleaning up.
Vapor Rub when throats get scratchy, the vapor rub gets handy. Struggling to communicate with a chronic cough is not sexy. why not tame the beast by applying a little vapor rub.
The influenza virus is extremely hardy. The flu virus can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours. During the flu season, 59% of surfaces in home can be contaminated with the flu virus. The Flu virus can travel up to twelve feet through the air at 100 mph.
sourcesVital statistics: centers for Disease control and Prevention (cDc)surface statistics: the occurrence of influenza a virus on household and Day care center fomites”; s.a. Boone,c.P. Gerba, Journal of infection, 2004
bleu magazine
GrooMInG
22
The Scent of Blackthere is nothing like great smelling cologne. you know the kind that lingers as you exit the room? Usually making heads turn and prompting questions such as, " what is that dude wearing and where can I pick up a bottle?" your cologne is a telling sign of the kind of man you are. are you the dapper dude with the tupac mantra, All Eyes on Me? maybe you're the man who enjoys a simple and fresh look. are you the ladykiller whose intelligence is coupled with innate swag?
If any of these personas resonate with you - I’ve got good news, finding the perfect cologne for any occasion will put the “I” in your image.
Burberry Brit rythym
A sexy, provocative scent inspired by the exhilarating adrenaline rush of live music and the electric energy of the crowd.
$32-$80
bleumagazine.com 23
Bottega Veneta Pour Homme
Fresh, intriguing and understated- BVPH enchants with woody and aromantic notes woven into a sensuous scent that evokes the brand’s signature leather creations.
$80-$110
Tom Ford Noir
An Oriental, sensual fragrance that captures the twin facets of the Tom Ford-man. The
refined, urbane sophisticate who everyone gets to see and the intriguingly sensuous,
private man they don’t.
$90-$125
Nordstrom atomizer
An empty spritzing container tiny enough to fit in your suit jacket or hidden pocket when you need to refresh.
$5
I love New York for all by Bond No. 9
An easy-to-wear; easy to love fragrance. A velvety smooth java infusion where full bodied geranium meets sandalwood with street smarts.
$105-$175
bleu magazine
FUeL
24
Winter ales
Sierra Nevada Celebration ale
ABV 6.6%
Widner Brother Brewing Company ‘Pitch Black IPa”
ABV 6.5%
allagash Black ABV 7.5%
Innis & Gunn “rum Cask oak
aged Beer” ABV 7.4%
deschutes Jubelale
ABV 6.7%
bleumagazine.com 25
North Coast Brewing Company
“pranQster” ABV 7.6%
Kona Koko Brown ABV 5.5%
Brooklyn Winter ale ABV 6.1%
Uinta “labyrinth Black
ale” ABV 13.2%
odell Isolation ale
ABV 6.1%
Inebriation is good for the soul, well at least that is the philosophy of #teamBleu around the holidays. what
better way to warm up than to chug a beer! Forget that fancy shit and get turnt!
bleu magazine
trAVeL
26
ARKANSASLITTLE ROCKLITTLE ROCK
bleumagazine.com
LIttLe roCk, Ar
27
the South is not all the same. however, there is a common deep
sense of pride and desire for progression that I have found while
traveling south of the mason-dixon line. From rolling hills of lush
green to smiling faces from full stomachs, arkansas, the land and it’s
people, are charming and inviting.
to be fair, there was some hesitation to attempt this journey. after all,
(arkansas was a Confederate State) this is a place that many have fled
from in search for freedoms and liberties once denied. there is no way
I, the son of school principal and descendent of slaves, could deny the
scars placed on my ancestral legacy as I boarded the plane at new
york’s John F. kennedy International airport.
In the week leading up to my trip, I shared with many friends and family
that I was headed to arkansas and my first stop was going to be in little
rock. “why on Earth would you go there” was often the response. Some
didn’t even bother to utter a word, just eye rolls and shoulder shrugs.
regardless of what they said or didn’t say, I was not going to cancel my
trip. the chance to walk in the footsteps of history was far too enticing.
the added frequent flyer miles didn’t hurt either.
I slept most of the flight. that always happens when luck provides an
empty row and a window seat. with a few eye blinks before I knew it we
had landed in little rock. the heat greeted my exit from the plane with
a faint breeze. I hit the ground running. there was a lot of ground to
cover and very little time in my 3-day visit to cover all on my to-do list.
my first destination was little rock Central high School. talk about
heavy! this is the place that on September 30th 1957, nine afri-
can-americans, known to history as the "little rock nine", were denied
entrance to the school by an angry mob and school officials. president
dwight d. Eisenhower had to order troops in to escort the students
safely inside the school. the structure is beautiful and looks just as
grand as it does in all the pictures and documentaries I have seen. what
is also inspiring is that the school is still an active school. the students
are full of passion and desire to learn. I had a chance to sit and speak
to a few of them about being in this atmosphere and learning in such
a significant place in american history. Education is something that is
taken for granted in this country. however, seeing the students of all
races and ethnic backgrounds working together and filling the halls with
laughter and friendship cements why it was so important for those nine
children to enter.
next up on my journey was the mosaic templars Cultural Center. Quan-
tia Fletcher, assistant director and Jennelle primm, director of public
programs, gave me a tour of the space and an oral history of the mosaic
templars. the organization was founded in 1882 and played a signifi-
cant role in african-american culture in little rock. From life insurance
to economic support the organization helped the community grow and
prosper until the great depression.
day one was rounded out at the Clinton presidential Center. though,
not necessarily a place of african-american history, president Clin-
ton has deep roots in arkansas as well as the Black community. the
Where History Runs Deep And Culture Abounds
Words by DéVon Johnson
little rock Central high School
bleu magazine
trAVeL
28
structure is awesome and sits on over 30 acres of land. there is even a
replica of the oval office from the Clinton years in the white house on
the third floor. there are photos on the president and many of the world
leaders he met while in office cascading every wall. gifts from foreign
dignitaries are on display also.
my visit flew by faster than I expected. I fell in love with arkansas in
just three days. with my personal destinations checked off my list, I
spent the rest of the days crisscrossing between little rock, north
little rock, and Bentonville. there were so many amazing people that I
met that helped affirm that arkansas has moved forward. history is still
respected. however rather than a crutch, it is the fuel to move forward.
without moving forward the cultural advances would be overshadowed
and unnoticed. From art to fine dining, arkansas has it all. Following
are a few places to eat, visit and lodge while planning your trip to this
amazing place. ★
who to ContaCt BEForE yoU go:
Arkansas Department of Parks & tourism
tourism division
1 Capitol mall
little rock, ar
(402) 471 1558
www.visitnebraska.gov
Bentonville Convention & Visitor Bureau
104 E. Central
Bentonville, ar 72712
(479) 271- 9153
www.bentonville.org
whErE to Eat- Little Rock
Crush wine Bar
318 n. main Street
north little rock, ar 72114
(501) 374-9463
ristorante Capeo
425 main Street
north little rock, ar 72114
(501) 376-3463
www.capeo.us
starving Artist Café
411 main Street
argenta arts district
north little rock, ar 72114
(501) 372- 7976
www.starvingartist.net
whErE to Eat- Bentonville
eleven
Crystal Bridges museum of america art
600 museum way
Bentonville, ar 72712
(479) 418- 5700
the Hive
21c museum hotel Bentonville
200 nE a Street
Bentonville, ar 72712
(479) 286-6500
www.21cmuseumhotels.com
tusk & trotter
110 SE a Street
Bentonville, ar 72712
(479) 268-4494
www.tuskandtrotter.com
Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
bleumagazine.com 29
William J. Clinton Presidential Center
attraCtIonS- Little Rock
Clinton Presidential Center
william J. Clinton Foundation
1200 presidential Clinton ave
little rock, ar 72201
(501) 374- 4242
www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org
Hearne Fine Art
1001 wright avenue, Suite C
little rock, ar 72201
(501) 372- 6822
www.hearnefineart.com
Little rock Center High school national Historic site
national park Service
2120 daisy gatson Bates drive
little rock, ar 72202
(501) 374- 1957
Mosaic templars Cultural CenterDepartment of Arkansas Heritage
501 w. ninth Street
little rock, ar 72201
(501) 683- 3593
www.mosaictemplarscenter.com
attraCtIonS- Bentonville
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
600 museum way
Bentonville, ar 72712
(479) 418- 5700
ww.Crystalbridges.org
walmart Visitor Center
105 north main Street
Bentonville, ar 72712
(479) 204- 6565
whErE to Stay- Little Rock
the Capitol Hotel
111 w. markham Street
little rock, ar 72201
(501) 374-7474
www.captialhotel.com
Double tree Hotel Little rock
424 w. markham Street
little rock, ar 72201
(501) 372- 4371
www.doubletree.com
embassy suites Little rock
11301 Financial Centre parkway
little rock, ar 72201
(501) 312- 9000
www.embassysuites.hilton.com/littlerock
Holiday Inn Presidential
600 Interstate 30
little rock, ar 72202
(501) 375-2100
www.hipresidential.com
Little rock Marriott
3 Statehouse plaza
little rock, ar 72201
(501) 906-4000
whErE to Stay- North Little Rock
Holiday Inn north Little rock
120 w pershing Blvd
north little rock, ar 72114
(501) 758-1851
Holiday Inn express
4306 mcCain Blvd
north little rock, ar 72117
(501) 945-4800
www.hiexpress.com
wyndham riverfront
2 riverfront drive
north little rock, ar 72114
www.wyndham.com
whErE to Stay- Bentonville
21c Museum Hotel
200 nE a Street
Bentonville, ar 72712
(479) 286-6500
www.21cmuseumhotels.com
bleu magazine
oP-eD
30
Photo by Menshealth.com
bleumagazine.com 31
This past august, the nation celebrated the 50th anniversary
of famed Civil rights leader martin luther king, Jr.'s "I have a
dream" speech and the march on washington. many used the
time to reflect on king's words and how far the country has
come. while the election of Barack obama is indicative of that progress,
we are still a long way from race not being an issue. rapper J. Cole
made that apparent in an interview published by the huffington post,
expressing his thoughts on colorism in the United States. Cole argued,
"Barack obama would not be president if he were dark skin... I might
not be as successful as I am now if I was dark skin. I’m not saying that
for sure, I’m still as talented as I am and obama is still as smart as he is,
but it’s just a sad truth."
a sad truth it is. while not racism, colorism is still prevalent, prompting
many within and without the black community to ask which skin is the
right skin. Colorism is a form of discrimination in which a person is
discriminated against based on the color of their skin. oftentimes, this
discrimination occurs on a subconscious level. during slavery, lighter
skin was bridled over dark. having lighter skin equated a better chance
of survival as slaves of a fair complexion were less likely to be forced
into hard labor as they lived and served in the master's house. Since
the time of slavery, there exists an unspoken hierarchy of sorts within
the black community as a result of colorism many blacks continue to
believe that life is better when one's skin is lighter. Studies would seem
to confirm this as, according to the Bureau of labor Statistics, the unem-
ployment rate among Black americans for august of this year was 13.5
percent, while white americans experienced an unemployment rate of
5.5 percent; and according to Cnn, Black men continue to suffer a 10 to
12 percent difference in income when compared to their white counter-
parts. this isn't just the case within the job market; the same inequality
exists within the penal system. a 2011 study conducted by villanova
University, published in the Social Science Journal found that among
black prisoners, those considered to be of a lighter skin tone received
more lenient prison sentences and served less time behind bars. these
ineffectuals prompt many dark skin blacks to resort to drastic measures
to improve their social standing.
Enter skin bleaching. Commonly considered to be an issue that solely
affects black women, skin bleaching is becoming popular among black
men too. the most notable black men to partake in this trend are
baseball player, Sammy Sosa and reggae artist, vybz kartel. the latter
produces a line of skin bleaching creams, called vybz Skin and Body
Brightener. men tend to engage in skin bleaching for many of the same
reasons as women, believing lighter skin to be socially acceptable, as
well as accepted aesthetically by the opposite sex. many Blacks liken
the trend to tanning among whites; but just as tanning has harmful
effects so does skin bleaching.
Skin bleaching products reduce melanin, the main determinant of
pigment, in skin. most skin brighteners and fade creams contain cor-
ticosteroids and hydroquinone, a skin bleaching agent often used to
treat some skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, and to fade dark marks
caused by scarring from acne, age spots, or sun damage. however,
too much of these agents can lead to permanent skin bleaching, skin
thinning (making it difficult for skin to repair itself and heal), redness,
irritation, and even acne. So in the end, the quest for what's socially
acceptable becomes more trouble than it's worth.
It's been 50 years since king's iconic speech. while we continue to
make strides in certain areas of race relations in the nation, colorism is a
deep wound that continues to affect black and brown communities and
the nation as a whole. most wounds require air and a little time to heal.
By exposing these societal ills, we begin the healing process. how long
will it take? only time can tell. ★
skin bleaching is becoming more prevalent among black men. what’s the cause?
SKIN MATTERS words by: kiara gillette
bleu magazine
ArtFUL LIVInG
32
theBlue Print
bleumagazine.com
JoHn-PAUL
33
the
At A rUn Down tAttoo sHoP in a small new hampshire
town, a hopeful kid sat without a fear. the clients waiting next to him
shook and fidgeted in their seats, imagining a tiny needle stabbing their
skin thousands of times. he held a wrinkled piece of scrap paper and it
didn’t take a forensic handwriting specialist to know a different person
wrote each word in the two-word phrase. From behind a thick, dark
curtain, a bearded man called the confident, kind of “Bro-ey”-looking kid
into a tiny, closet-like room. the fidgeting of waiting clients kicked into
high gear as the buzzing began.
when the buzzing stopped, John-paul Zarba left the tattoo shop with a
life-long token never to sell his dreams short.
“I got tattoos on my middle fingers - “nothings” in my mother’s hand-
writing, and “Impossible” in my father’s - as a constant reminder to
keep on giving it everything you have,” the self-proclaimed “culdisac
kid” explains.
now, an engineer in the Big apple with a serious knack for artistic ex-
pression, John-paul admits life is a little rushed in his new surroundings,
“I love the tenacity and persistence in the air, but in order to be sustain-
ably successful I have to apply the lessons learned from [new hamp-
shire] and blend them with the pace I find my self surrounded with.”
taking the leap to live by new york City never intimidated John-paul.
From the age of 16-years-old he knew he wanted to pursue an art ca-
reer but refused to live a struggling artist’s lifestyle. his undergraduate
degree in Civil Engineering and Business was merely a stepping-stone
to put food in his mouth and pay the nagging landlord. after a few years
staggering through the modeling industry and upholding a personal
standard of “all-natural” body building, his pace changed. now, John-
paul has notebooks stuffed with inspiration for future works of art, a
living space cluttered with nearly 50 finished pieces and room corners
with remnants of inspirations lost.
John-paul lives in a one-bedroom apartment – but sleeps in the living
room, “I needed a studio,” he laughs, “you gotta have your priorities in
check.” this shouldn’t be a problem given John-paul’s non-committal re-
lationship status and linen closet full of disney bath towels he claims his
mom bought so he wouldn’t lose them. But, don’t bash the no-girlfriend,
disney prince, workaholic just yet. he’s got some gentlemanly defenses
behind the lady-less lifestyle.
Blue Printof Dreams
wItH noteBook In HAnD, FILLeD wItH InsPIrAtIons, ArtIst JoHn-PAUL Is PAIntInG tHe town tHe wAY He sees It.
words by Janine mitchellphotography by owen duckett
bleu magazine
ArtFUL LIVInG
34
he claims, “I have been in serious relationship in the past … I know what
a girl deserves and while trying to secure a future my self, present and
future loved ones it’s just not the right time.”
and, to provide his future dream girl the life she deserves, he envisions
an art gallery rolling cohesively from one piece to the other. John-paul’s
artwork has no boundaries. he paints murals and large-scale wall piec-
es and sculpts using wood and stone. to him the medium of art is not as
important as the expression behind it.
“I classify myself as an expressionist … I’d love to do more custom piec-
es. Clients can come to me with a thought, image or color scheme and
we’ll talk about it, about the feelings. From there I’d pull different pieces
and create based off of that,” John-paul says.
he envisions his extravagant work in lobbies of grandiose hotels, madi-
son Square garden or public gardens.
of his future artistic displays, the young artist says, “I want people to
look once to judge it and come back and look again to feel it.”
John-paul pushes through days and nights, literally, without a doubt in
his mind, “a dream to me is not a fantasy, it is an obtainable idea.”
It’s evident the young man has creativity shooting through his bone
marrow as he explains, “Every piece I bring to life had a specific inten-
tion or inspiration. having the ability to communicate through images is
beautiful. Stating something with complete silence allows for the viewer
or the client to create their own opinions and attachment.”
For most of us, an uncertain goal is hard to stick to. But, in John-paul’s
mind, which is sculpted by an ideal combination of analysis and creativi-
ty, the dream is the blue print.
the artist concludes, “as an engineer looking at a set of blue prints it
is a path to completion, no matter how tall the building is. these blue
prints are directions to see that the building starts and finishes.” ★
To contact John-Paul, look him up on Facebook or Instagram by the
name of CuldisacKid. Check out his portfolio at www.CuldisacKid.com
or shoot him an email at [email protected].
bleumagazine.com
JoHn-PAUL
35
A dream to me is not a fantasy, it is an obtainable idea.
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CoVer storY
B.O.B raPS withoUt LiMitSB.o.B isn’t setting out to change the way we listen music, instead he is expressing himself through experimentation.
words by ryan LyonsPhotography by elton andersonStyled by apuje Kalu
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bleu magazine44
I’m thinking about doing a rock album next; I really don’t
give a fuck what the rules are, but I’m finna pull out the
guitar on y’all niggas,” responds Bobby ray Simmons Jr.
the rapper also known as B.o.B. seems to have slipped
into a few of the boxes the industry has created for his
art. nevertheless, he appears to be eager to escape
them after his most recent and most mainstream project.
after listening to a selection of songs from his upcoming lp,
Underground Luxury, it’s clear where he has found inspiration-
somewhere below the Southern belt where the pole reigns
supreme. Few may recognize the one time collaborator with
Bruno mars as his music makes him sound more like a magic
City regular than the love sick lyricist he portrayed in his
mainstream debut.
the demanding bass line of his hit single “headband” could
easily convince miley to assault robin thicke with twerk yet
again. “headband” leans on mainstream radio’s current fixa-
tion with 2 Chainz-esque frequent 808 claps and consistent
whistles. It’s reminiscent of Bubba Sparxx’s “miss new Booty”
and trillville’s “Some Cut.” In other words, it’s projected to be
a hit.
B.o.B acknowledges his current club scene inspirations and
remarks that he’s been letting his current work marinate
before it hits shelves. It’s not unheard of for atlanta rappers to
find solace in the a’s well-known strip clubs. atlanta’s classic
lp’s like outkast’s Stankonia and ludacris’s Back For The
First Time have clear influences. But this reliance on gentle-
man’s club culture is unexpected from an artist like B.o.B. who
was once regarded for his poignant cultural observations.
anyone who tuned in for his earlier work like “generation
lost” and know his eloquent thoughts about the plight of
american youth would question what’s changed him.
Fans enthralled with his previous sound compared him to leg-
endary atlien, andre 3000. It’s a fair comparison considering
their shared hometown of atlanta, penchant for the guitar, and
a way of nonchalantly spitting cold truths. But day-one fans
caught a tough break with the release of his debut album,
The Adventures Of Bobby Ray. the album sounded more pop
than the mixtapes that contributed to his initial fame- an all too
familiar narrative repeated time and again over these past few
years in hip hop. despite the criticism, B.o.B. went on to sell
more than 84,000 copies during the album’s first week and
nab a grammy nomination. apparently, he was doing some-
thing right with collaborative singles like “nuthin’ on you” with
Bruno mars and “airplanes” with hayley williams.
It’s clear a lot has changed since t.I. brought the conscious
artist into his hustle gang empire. B.o.B has toured the world
only to return to atlanta’s signature sound. when asked about
“
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crew neck by Parish-nation;
watch by Adidas; jeans by Zara
B.o.B
Southern music’s influence abroad, B.o.B mentions australia’s
love for trap music. “I think it’s funny how atlanta influences
people around the world, and no one realizes it. I ran into
these white girls, and they were like we’re just getting on to
Future and 2 Chainz.” despite this, B.o.B has always avoided
a de facto alignment with black radio. ray describes his mu-
sical expression when he says, “music is entertainment. a lot
of what’s on Underground luxury is unfiltered thoughts. I got
the more cerebral records. I like to go the strip club and I like
to do research. It’s all on there.”
his attempt to defend his lyrical ability on his retort to kend-
rick lamar’s verse on Big Sean’s “Control,” took an interesting
twist when the rapper was on a guitar before the two minute
mark. moments such as these showcase the artist’s diverse
musical sensibilities. the atl bred rapper continues when
he says, “It’s a competitive sport, and that was me getting
on the court and letting them know what I can put on the
scoreboard.”
his new tunes reflect a smorgasbord of things he’s learned
from collaborations with pop stars and rappers. It’s not quite
street anthem music, but it’s not pop’s top 40 either. the
variation is evident during a live performance of his single
“ready” at Fader’s vitamin water Uncapped, a concert col-
laborative series that turns ordinary places into music halls.
this time, at the new york City general Society library, grand
hustle label mates, Future and B.o.B relish in the bass-rid-
den, hook driven format that’s hot internationally. a crowd of
Brooklyn hipsters nod their heads in agreement. this single
is both an affirmation of Future’s popularity despite his low
key personality and how street music has expanded beyond
a strictly street fan base.
B.o.B embraces the balancing act that his music has created.
Following his performance with hot 97’s peter rosenberg
and Ebro, B.o.B stated, “I’m glad rappers are starting to
realize we’re rock stars.” he’s dressed the part in all black
"A lot of what’s on Underground Luxury are unfiltered thoughts. I got the more cerebral records."
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bleu magazine
CoVer storY
46 bleu magazine
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bleumagazine.com
B.o.B
47
attire, leather pants with zippers, a beanie and Jordans (6-
black and gold edition). he follows up saying, “I don’t really
care anymore because I just want to make something that’s
jamming.”
his casual remark speaks volumes about where rap is head-
ed and echoes kanye west’s recent sentiments about his
own limits within rap culture. during a recent interview with
Zane lowe, west was doubtful that hip-hop artists would ever
realize the genre’s full potential to change the world. artists
have to choose to either hold on to the concrete substance
or begin to make music that makes black people more social-
ly accepted in the public eye. Is Jay-Z’s yelling, “twerk miley,
twerk” truly the entirety of our culture’s substance?
artists are constantly juggling their responsibilities to stim-
ulate wealth and keep it real. as a result, an ipod shuffle
playlist of recent rap hits demonstrates a genre in a constant
state of evolution. the ebb and flow makes it difficult to pre-
dict future directions or sounds. It would appear that B.o.B is
the musical personification of the current state of hip-hop.
“I never aspired to be a pop star, but it kind of just happened
that way because of the music I got into when I got older. as
a kid, I didn’t have the palette for it. now, I think it’s like no
matter what the music is perceived as, it’s still going to have
my signature. It’s still going to have that Bobby ray sound on
it.” after a few seconds he proceeds to say, “when you grow
as an artist, you’re always going to have a wide perspective.
I can’t say the way that I make my records has changed, but
the place that my records have come from has evolved. I
don’t really make music from a judgmental place like when I
first started. I was really opinionated, and I still am, but now in
a more free spirited way I think.”
as the interview drew to a close, I left understanding that
B.o.B is expressing himself as an artist. Since his music
comes from a place of exploration, it provides the listeners
with a chance to grow with the rapper. maybe B.o.B has a
lot more in common with fellow rapper andre 3000 than we
thought. only time can confirm if our suspicions are true. ★
"I like to go the strip club
and I like to do research."
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Styling by @Dexrob
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FeAtUre
54
Be sure to follow Eric West on Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram: @EricXWest. For
more info, check out www.eric-west.com.
Photo by click click by Georgia : elizabeth Georgia Jury
bleumagazine.com
erIC west
55bleumagazine.com
Fe
At
Ur
e
w hen he was cut from his high school
basketball team, michael Jordan
locked himself in his room and cried. walt
disney was fired from a local newspaper
because he “lacked imagination and had no
original ideas.” after being turned down by a
recording company that said, “we don’t like
their sound,” the Beatles went on to become
one of the greatest music acts of all time. what
do all these celebrities have in common? they
let absolutely nothing stop them from pursuing
their dreams, and they all achieved greatness
just by being themselves. now, in a world
where everyone is trying to be the next big
thing, one Brooklynite is assuming that throne
quite naturally…simply by being himself.
ON YOUR MARK…
Born and raised in Brooklyn, new york, Eric
west (born Eric rosa) has been invested in
the industry since he was just 13. delving into
the music world, west found out quick what
all it took to stay afloat. “I started doing music
around 13 or 14,” says west. “I had to take time
away from it [though] because I was missing a
lot of school, and my life and schedule were
just crazy.”
Understanding the importance of education
to any career field, Eric took a step back from
finding his place in the spotlight until after he
finished high school. Slightly wavering from his
first love of music, Eric began to develop an at-
traction to another art form. “around 18 or 19 I
thought about acting. It wasn’t my first my love,
but the more I researched and rehearsed, the
more I got into it [and] loved it,” says west. “I
work so long every day [with acting], but each
day is better than the last because of the new
experiences I constantly encounter.”
…GET SET…
In between rehearsals and tapings and
costume fittings, Eric west makes sure to find
time to just be himself. Be it a stroll around
Central park or a saunter down time Square,
Eric takes in every day and just uses it. with
his everyday life being a direct reflection of
his personal style, Eric has caught the highly
respected eyes of the fashion gods, as they
cosign his threads and throw him into an arena
of classic, coveted style. “I’ll wear anything,”
says Eric. “I grew up in new york City. you see
so many people wearing so many things…I just
get inspired by everyone.” Inspired by what
he sees on the street, Eric is self-sufficient
with his style. “I don’t really have a stylist, so
it always works out because what you see is
actually me. It’s a good representation of what
I like.”
with his personal, stylist-less style set, Eric
west has been awarded a number of acco-
lades in fashion and entertainment. this year
alone, Eric was ranked one of Cosmopolitan’s
hot actors of 2013, and he was named one
of mtv’s top Five Breakout Stars of 2013.
In 2012, he was named a Style Innovator by
Conde nast, the mount olympus of fashion
publishing (that’s GQ, Vogue, and DETAILS, to
be specific).
with plenty of television and movie appearanc-
es already under his belt, Eric remains humble
in every opportunity that comes his way.
“Everyone sees me as the next big thing, but
there’s so much more I need to do,” says west,
touching on his rapidly rising star. “I don’t even
feel like I’m halfway there.” his next project,
however, can certainly send Eric into orbit…
GO!!!
“It’s like the Snl for the MTV generation,
mixed with a little bit of girl Code.” giving a
good one-liner for his newest project, Eric
west is now a part of the cast of MTV’s new
sketch comedy show hey girl. giving a mod-
ern millennial twist on talking head comedy,
Hey Girl takes ammo from social platforms and
current web culture, and fires shots at topics
like dating, friendship, fashion, body issues,
and embarrassing moments (among others)
through musical parodies, animated shorts,
sketches, and man-on-the-street segments.
premiering the same night as the 2013 vmas,
the show’s four-episode sneak peak gives way
to regular weekly airing starting october 2013.
not wanting to give too much away before
the official premier, Eric west shared a few
tidbits to look forward to with Bleu magazine.
“there’s this one funny skit where I play an
American Idol / X-factor-esque judge. that
episode has to be my favorite episode of the
season.” pair that with an ensemble cast of
comedians, bloggers, and online personalities,
and toss in a slew of celebrity guest appear-
ances, Eric says “It’s just really fun, and I think
people will like it.”
PHOTO FINISH
Just a kid from Brooklyn living a good life,
Eric west’s story can be that of any and every
up-and-comer. whether he’s relaxing at home
as Eric rosa, or strutting his stuff on the red
carpet as Eric west, his journey to where he is
now serves as inspiration to many. In a world
where everyone is trying to be the next best
thing, all Eric west wants people to see is him
for who he is. mission: accomplished. ★
how the weSt waS wonRising Style Icon Eric West Stars in MTV's Hey Girl
words by kent olden
bleu magazine
sPotLIGHt
56
LeIGH
BUsH
who is leigh Bush? If you’ve been
a fan of r&B music his voice should
sound familiar. leigh is an industry
vet who has seen his share of up
and downs. though he’s been in
the industry all of his life, he has
this humbleness about him that is
refreshing to hear especially with
today’s celebrity culture. “I’m just a
normal dude blessed with extraor-
dinary gifts.”
at the start of our interview I
couldn’t get over my initial excite-
ment about his new project. after
all, how brave is it to shed the only
identity that your fans have come
to love over the years for someone
they won’t know at all? “leigh Bush
is an expansion of myself,” says
the black molasses vocalist. once
again we ask...who is leigh Bush?
leigh is the middle name and Bush
is the last name of Sammie, r&B
crooner who rose to popularity
in 1999. millions of teenage girls
grew up singing his songs. leigh
is poised to take his career to the
new heights by experimenting with
a new sound, look and even namE!
when I asked him what inspired the
change , Bush responded “I want
my fans to hear the new side of me,
one who is more transparent on
this album than he was on the last.
transparency is important. I believe
all artists should be transparent.”
with excitement in his voice he
described to me how he and leigh
are one in the same. as leigh, he
sings about falling in love for one
night, and finally opening up about
the challenges he faced in the
music industry. Bush presents an
opportunity to release “beautiful
music with no gimmicks,” as of late
the r&B formula consists of heavily
produced tracks and rap features.
leigh wants to return to smooth
melodic sounds which he enjoyed
as a child. his musical yoda’s
marvin gaye and Stevie wonder
inspired the smooth and simple
approach to his Ep.
the new Ep leigh Bush boasts
singles “dancer” and “Free Falling.”
“dancer” finds the Florida born
singer exploring the paths that
leads women to become exotic
dancers. “Some do it for the mon-
ey, others for the lifestyle. Some
receive the attention as a form of
love or reassurance,” croons Bush
over a sultry beat.
leigh probes the subject further
when he inquired about why she
enjoys the attention.
he follows up with “does she ever
get nervous? I thought it would be
dope to write a record that was
thought provoking as opposed to
the typical stripper records that
consume the airwaves today.”
Free Falling is a record with Bush
really gets into the spirit of idol
Stevie wonder. he carols about
a man falling in love first in the
relationship. It happens often, the
subject is not often discussed from
man’s prospective. “Free Falling
is derived by a conversation I
was having with a friend of mine,
it is rare that a man falls harder
and first in relationships. I found it
refreshing.” leigh’s sound isn’t the
only thing maturing. his look is also
getting revamped as well. “I want
to go back to the days when men
sang r&B in a suit and tie.” leigh is
a business man who understands
the business and loves his fans.
hopefully his fans who sang with
him as a pre-teen will now sing with
him as a man. leigh is also taking
his knowledge of relationships and
putting them into a book called
“good to know.” he wants to write
from the point of view of a younger
guy. “I’ve read [think like a man
by Steve harvey and manology by
tyrese and rev run, they are awe-
some books, I feel we need a book
for our generation.” It’s obvious that
leigh with his new look and sound
is looking to take his fans on a new
journey. one question remains
though, is the name leigh Bush
here to stay? “It is up to the fans,
I’ll let them decide.” ★
the evolution of sammiewords by Amber kennedy
Ph
oto
by s
ea
n H
ow
ard
bleumagazine.com 57
JereMY
LUke a man on a missionwords by kirsten Lewis
arriving at your moment. that
moment you waited for patiently,
worked for relentlessly and imag-
ined endlessly finally arrives. all of
that and more can be said for the
multi-talented, Staten Island native,
actor Jeremy luke. Co-starring in
Joseph gordon-levitt’s directorial
debut film Don Jon, and snatching
up the starring role in the new tnt
drama Mob City, it is safe to say that
luke is quickly becoming a breakout
star for 2014.
“It’s really a great feeling; this is the
place in my career that I prepared
for five years ago,” says luke about
his recent major roles. assuring me
that although nothing has changed
drastically in his life in the way of
material things, he has definitely
taken notice and appreciates his
recent career success.
luke ‘s indie film Don Jon begins as
what seems to be a movie about a
very superficial and surface group of
friends, don, danny and Bobby, yet
it actually blossoms into a hilarious,
risqué, coming of age love story
for lead character don, played by
writer and director Joseph gordon
levitt. luke plays danny, best friend
to don.
danny’s character can be easily
described as a man on a mission,
the ultimate wingman; always down
to party and content with don’s
leftovers. If you’ve heard of the term
“taking one for the team,” danny is
the type of guy that would just take
one for himself. “danny is a week-
end warrior, partying and picking up
girls. I’ve prepared for this type of
role from the time that I was 15.”
having worked as a club promoter
in new york City for most of his early
adult life, luke found it easy to relate
to danny’s character. “definitely a
movie anyone 17 and older could
enjoy, it has a lot of heart and a great
message, and it’s hilarious.”
the 2013 Sundance Festival film
premiered to arousing approval.
holding off and making this his first
appearance at the festival, luke
talked up the great time he had
with fellow actors but admitted the
reaction the film received from the
festival-goers was the most fulfilling.
“Being at Sundance and watching
everyone react and laugh hysterical-
ly was awesome. It really felt good to
witness that first hand,” says luke.
the early success of Don Jon could
only be matched by ending the year
with another career high. thirteen
years in the acting business and a
laundry list of television show ap-
pearances later, luke will be depict-
ing 1940’s gangster, mickey Cohen
in his first lead television role.
Mob City, set to premiere december
2013, written by academy award
winner Frank darabont is based on
the true crime events of the 1940’s
and the rift between mobsters and
the l.a.p.d. under the leadership of
Chief william parker.
luke describes his character, mickey
Cohen, as a 5’3” poorly educat-
ed ex-boxer turned crime boss,
obsessed with being in the spotlight.
not the easiest to relate to but there
was one quality about mickey that
luke could attach himself to. “In
researching mickey,, I realized that
he was a likeable guy with good in-
tentions. he did his dirt, but he didn’t
really mess with anyone unless they
needed to be messed with.”
“not to get too method, but some-
thing just happens to me when I
change into my wardrobe. It’s kind
of strange. I just transform a little bit,
and I’ve never had that experience
with costume,” says Jeremy luke.
approaching the end of a busy year
and accomplishing such great career
success, you would think one would
be overwhelmed, but luke still
has his personal project turbo and
Joey in the works. loosely based
around his life in la with fellow actor
and close friend Joey russo, the
youtube web series has caused
quite a stir.
there is no sign of stopping for
Jeremy luke. to become involved
and support his success, be sure to
watch Don Jon and tune in this de-
cember to the tnt drama Mob City.
you can also subscribe to the turbo
and Joey youtube channel to get a
taste of the independent genius of
Jeremy luke. ★
Ph
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Photography by keith major // Fashion styling by alisha Crutchfield for Stylewise,
www.style-wise.com // Assisted by ndey touray // Make up by Suzana hallili using
makE Up ForEvEr and perfekt Beauty // Hair by hos hounkpatin
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lEFt:
Carven dress
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beaded bodysuit by MYM Collection
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top:
lace gown by Christopher Lamont;
Adrienne Landau fur
rIght:
custom patent leather dress by Christopher
Lamont; peplum skirt belt by Dramatk Fanatic
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ronnie “ro” James is the son of a preacher
man. however, you will not find him
cloaked in a robe nor seated in a pulpit. the
r&B rebel, prefers to exude “bad boy” with
his staple motorcycle jacket and cowboy hat
as he insightfully delves deep to prove he is
not just another r&B singer on the come-up. a
new york- based crooner, James uses life as a
resource, pulls from his travels, and romantic
relationships to generate emotions that fuel
his ballads.
ro’s musicianship stemmed from the yearning
to voice his emotions after a failed relationship
with his girlfriend. the result is his newest
three-part Ep, Coke, Jack and Cadillacs. the
Ep, takes us on an unabridged journey of nos-
talgic experiences which reveal his thoughts
on relationships and personal growth. It also
contains a few elements of symbolism. “Coke
stands for the woman, Jack stands for myself
and Cadillac is about my first car- an El dorado
Cadillac, my father gave me,” he reveals.
ro gave us a teaser this summer with the drop
of pledge allegiance, the debut single from
Coke, Jack and Cadillacs. the song is a prom-
ise to his woman as well as his fans.
James’ sound is a coming of age soliloquy.
he artistically gives listeners a blueprint for
listners to understand his growth, where he
has been, and where he aspires to go. he has
been compared to the likes of d’angelo and
miguel. despite the epic chatter surrounding
the artist, James shares “I was a little fearful of
my voice. I had to grow. I had to evolve.”
growing up ro had no aspirations to be a
singer. he just knew he wanted to leave India-
napolis, Indiana and move back to new york,
where he spent the majority of his childhood.
teaching or social work was ro’s original plan,
not singing. It appears that you can’t fight your
nature as the urban goth soon yeilded to his
love of music.
his father, a military man and non-denomina-
tional preacher, could sing. ro’s upbringing
played a tremendous role in helping him to
forging his artistry. he knew he had the sensi-
bilities of a musician, picking up the drums at
the age of 9 for a short time. But motivation to
use his natural instrument was lacking. ro re-
counts, “It was more so a thing where I felt like
I was being forced to do it.” ro’s father would
have him sing in church.
“my parents weren’t really strict, but they were
firm in their decisions about the type of music
we listened to.”
despite the musical restrictions growing up
his father supports his aspirations to become
an artist. “he never said don’t do r&B music.”
although the relationship had its give and
takes, he was always encouraging. “I was shy
because it’s what made me most vulnerable.
he would put me on the spot in church,” he
admits. nevertheless James always felt he
could sing and stuck to his guns in pursuit of
his ambitions. “I set out to prove them wrong
and prove them that I can be original.”
James’ approach to music is rooted in story-
telling. “Sometimes I’ll write a song without
a track and build around it. Sometimes I can
hear something and it puts me in a particular
mood.” James explains that his newest album
is about ‘the journey.’
“It has allowed me to interact with different
people from different places and different
states. I was exposed to…different genres of
music. It has helped me to adapt.”
of course being a pastor’s kid, prompted
rebellion. “I always did what I wanted to do.
It gave me balance, because it allowed me to
know the difference between right and wrong.
I’m bad but I’m good.” the embrace of his
instincts encouraged the singer to pickup the
drums, while attending a church in hawaii. his
dad then went out and bought him his first
pearl drum set. the encouragement from his
family let the dance to a beat of his own drum.
living in new york one encounters many
different people. you are lucky if you encoun-
ter people who “get you.” James has found
such a bond through building a collaborative
relationship with a group of other artists; their
union is called “the Jackets.” Comprised of
rnB upstarts luke James, Bridget kelly, wyn-
ter gorden, leah labelle, and olamide Fasion
the collective was birthed by ro’s insperation
of his motorcycle, he started the collective.
“I am inspired by every single person in this
journey, it hasn’t been an easy one.”
although James is apart of the Jackets, he
remained unaffiliated with a record label.
he currently is the only Jacket to boast and
independent lifestyle. “I think in the beginning
it was very important to be independent artist
and set the tone for how my art should form.
I think being independent really allows artist
to be artist,” says James of his current label
status.
It would appear that singing and being flipping
cool are all in a days work for ro James.
whether he is pushing out hot tracks or blaz-
ing the stage in a city near one thing is clear.
whatever ro is selling, we are buying. ★
the Son of a Preacher ManRnB’s Devout Disciple
words by Priscilla ward
bleumagazine.com
ro JAMes
65
Fe
At
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ProFILe
66
whoever came up with the term, “those who can’t do, teach” have
never been more ridiculously wrong. I’d like introduce to you the pro-
fessors who have sparked and shaped the minds of the youth in their
respective colleges and universities for years. they continue to teach
subjects that impact our culture and continue in their quest to change
world. these are the innovators, the writers, the teachers, the speakers,
the philosophers and the modern day greatthinkers of our generation.
oh yeah, and they are oh so damn cool. >>
the
new coolof
SchooLWords by Larryse Brown
bleumagazine.com 67
he’s an author, a radio show host, a father,
a community leader, a husband and he
attempted to run as a nominee for the 2007
presidential election. all that he has done is
just a humble day’s work for morgan State
University professor, dr. Jared Ball. Chatting
with dr. Ball and listening to him-really hearing
him speak, (that if you’re not listening to care-
fully, could bare a dangerous resemblance to
the sound of intellectual jargon) reminds me
that I’m speaking with a revolutionary mind.
he’s a whole hearted believer in the african
american community living up to its potential.
Everything that he does is in service to a kind
of enlightenment, one that upsets and threat-
ens american traditions. dr. Ball is a living
symbol of enlightenment chalked full of nerve
and audacity.
dr. Jared Ball began his journey to becoming
a professor after his own college experience
proved vital to him. “It was what I thought I
could do as a career. It was my contribution
to do for other students what had been done
for me. today, education is not something
designed to inspire but to impose norms and
I’m redefining what education looks like.”
professor Ball believes that hip hop is just one
of many essential tools for the face lift of edu-
cation but preaches that before fellow educa-
tors begin teaching hip hop whether that be in
the form of the ideas and concepts or lyricism,
we have to get back to the basics. “hip hop for
me has demonstrated that it can be a part of a
process that encourages people to think and
behave. It should be used in educational prac-
tices for young black and brown individuals
who already interpret hip hop. But if we really
want the youth to be properly educated then
we need- we have to ensure that they have a
decent place to live and sleep, that there are
small amounts of students in the classroom
and that students are trained and educated
by teachers who are genuinely invested in the
community. we need to see to it that teachers
have the skills and knowledge about the sub-
ject. I struggle with this idea of hip hop being
the special solution for dealing with black kids,
or some oppressed group without facing the
environment that created the problem in the
first place.”
a crash course to some of the ideas breeched
in dr. Ball’s classes cover the general topic of
the media’s control over the mass population
and the population’s ignorance to this. the
doctor speaks with conviction as he gives us
a verbal excerpt to a college lecture. “media
today is more pervasive with very rich, very
white, and very male individuals determin-
ing the world view of projection that comes
across. the ones featured usually have Euro-
centric features and that is what is considered
beauty. within the media, there is a grand
promotion of money and over consumption, it
is the weapon to secure ideological victories
over targeted populations. Free will is erased
and replaced. let me tell you, it’s not just a
movie, a song, a commercial, an advertise-
ment. It is the world view of people in the
business of producing these things, a world
view that we are buying into.
For a brief moment, Ball had his sights on
becoming the president of the United States
in the 2007 Election as a representative of
the green party. “I would never vote for a
democrat or a republican”, says the professor
who chastises obama for traveling to africa,
telling them that if they’re looking for someone
to blame for their disparities blame their own
african government instead of European
colonialism.
Ball continues, “what we’ve seen from him
(obama) is good from what we might expect
from any democratic president. the truth is,
much of what Barack is doing is worse than
george Bush. he spent more on the military
than Bush did, his affordable care act doesn’t
cover most of the african american working
class and he’s hiring the people who created
the debt problem in the first place.” he sums
up his earnest concerns in the guise of a
rant, to say boldly, almost too boldy, “obama
represents a false politics of what multiracial
existence in this country has meant.”
with the creation of his book “I mix what I like
(a mix tape manifesto)” dr. Jared provides a
broader range of what he calls the black radi-
cal tradition. what is the black radical tradition
you ask? anything to the left of the republican
party. “I promote afrocentricity.” Ball speaks
in such a way that the listener feels dared to
challenge him. the fact that you agree with his
statement is of little consequence. “I promote
the militancy of malcolm x. I promote anti-cap-
italist, anti-white supremacy and self-defense.”
Ball credits the Black panthers for their role
in advancing the struggle within african
american history. “I’m not saying that I agree
with the mindset, I am saying that its history
needs to be acknowledged. our community is
getting worse. I say, let’s study these histories
as we look to figure out how we are going to
improve our world.”
when asked about ways to promote improving
our world the mass media theory professor
calls Instagram, twitter, Facebook a means of
alienating ourselves from each other regard-
less of its intentions. “Studies have shown that
we are only really engaging in email, porn and
search engines. we use twitter to broadcast
every thought that we have and make other
people billionaires while we learn very little
about each other.
For his wit; for his intelligence, and mastering
the perfect combination of grit, brashness and
sense, dr. Jared Ball has gained our esteem.
Dr. JareD BaLL
the teacher of media vs. man
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this tenured professor’s resume includes
harvard’s graduate School of Education
professor and forerunner in Social policy, and
visiting Faculty member at the Indian School of
Business in hyderabad, India. dr. Blake-Beard
has match her accomplishments with top notch
education that includes a hefty accumulation
of a BS in psychology, an ma and a ph. d. in
organizational psychology from the University
of michigan.
Since 2002, she’s maintained her spot as
professor in the Simmons College School of
management where in her classes she lectures
on organizational behavior and cultural diversi-
ty in organizations.
“I examine mentoring relationships in the
context of gender and workforce diversity.”
her research has been published in the
Journal of Career development, the academy
of management Executive, the psychology
of women Quarterly, Journal of management
development, the Journal of Business Ethics,
human resource management Journal and
the diversity Factor. more than her published
work, what makes Blake-Beard’s our profile
pick is her focus on the role of gender and
leadership. For her project “Exploring the Im-
pact of mentoring on the Career Experiences
of Indian women” Blake-Beard challenges age
old dynamics between men and women in a
place where women still face the suppression
of a glass ceiling in the workplace and their en-
vironment. Blake-Beard reinforces her beliefs
in her graduate course, gender, diversity &
leadership in organizations.
“I see the work that I do as critical to helping
people to connect with one another in ways
that expand business opportunities and in-
crease organizational effectiveness. working in
organizations today requires a level of connec-
tion and interdependence in order to be effec-
tive. yet if one looks at how organizations are
constructed, employees are socialized and the
status quo is tolerated, we can see that there is
much about how we work today that fractures
relationships and undermines connections.”
Blake-Beard is candid in her philosophy that
success, in some ways, is more about the
connections you establish and the people
skills you acquire, than the hard work put in for
success. whether you agree with her or not,
Blake-Beard makes no apologies about spe-
cializing in the politics of people. She’d much
rather provide her students with frameworks
and competencies that build bridges between
people for what she calls “connection and
inclusion.” her ideas of inclusion are direct-
ed towards, african americans, women and
groups that might be looked at as separate
from white american society so that they can
flourish in the professional world.
putting her inclusion into motion she uses the
always classic but never outdated, mentoring
technique. “mentoring is a critical develop-
mental relationship that has impacted multiple
levels of interaction. It has the potential to pro-
vide a path for people across different groups
to find a path to one another.” Blake-Beard
continues, “oftentimes, when we are working
across dimensions of differences, we are not
sure what to expect and we sometimes rely on
stereotypes and other common (mis)informa-
tion to help us navigate relationships. men-
toring can be a powerful tool to give people
across different groups a roadmap to find one
another, to create meaningful relationships,
to delve beneath the surface to understand
your mentoring partner. In fact, the case for
mentoring is built on that one point – this is a
relationship that can impact individuals at mul-
tiple levels.” according to Blake-Beard the first
step to chasing your dreams (a step universally
applied to anyone and everyone) is picking out
the perfect mentor. Splashed on Blake-Beard’s
website is a reiteration of what she teaches.
according to her research individuals who
have been mentored are more likely to report
greater satisfaction, higher organizational com-
mitment, more promotions and higher salaries.
have you found your mentor today?
professor Blake-Beard teaches her students to
establish the courage to do what is necessary
to create a culture that allows for all to be
included. this commitment allows her students
to maintain their most valuable resource, what
she calls “human talent.”
Stacy BLaKe-BearD
A Mentor to many
bleumagazine.com 69
“don’t expect me to concern myself much with
what is trendy (in journalism) at this moment in
time. I’ve lived through eight-track tapes, Beta
recorders, and laser discs; I’ve heard how infi-
delity can keep a marriage lively and cocaine
isn’t an addictive drug. trendiness is overrated
when it isn’t outright wrong. my concern is
with tradition,” says Freedman. as a veteran
to the power of the proverbial pen, Freedman
is an award-winning author many times over,
a columnist for the new york times (where
he writes the column, “on religion”), and a
tenured Columbia Journalism School profes-
sor. he is all these things, and yet it takes a
careful kind of acknowledgement to bring
tribute to a man who professes that some of
what makes journalistic education fail, is when
it “settles for being a bunch of hero-worship-
ping students fawning over a star writer’s war
stories.” although his “war stories” scream
out in protest and insist that they be revered,
we’ll do our best to keep the hero worshipping
at a minimal. truthfully, Freedman’s sample
bibliography followed by his credentials don’t
begin to portray the success of his deeds and
get to the soul of the writer and teacher that
he is.
what makes dr. Freedman our profile pick
is precisely this: he is tragically human and
makes no apology that he should be anything
else. From the success of what is now his
seventh book tour and the maintenance of
a steady and heightened career, he doesn’t
pretend his accomplishments are an im-
pervious feat to all. In fact, he pretends at
nothing. growing up as a Jewish american his
passion is race in a historical context which
he advocates in his books “Upon this rock:
the miracles of a Black Church”, “Jew vs.
Jew: the Struggle for the Soul of american
Jewry” and his latest work, “goal to go: Black
College Football and the Struggle for Civil
rights” (which highlights american football
as an important attribute for the buildup of
black Colleges. this book is Freedman’s take
on how black colleges became engines of
intellectual and athletic achievement as well as
black advancement).
Freedman realized a simple truth at the age
of 13 that he wanted to be a writer and this
has been his truth ever since. Since then,
professor Freedman has built up a rapport that
instilled in him a mentality unlike many of his
students have ever seen before.
“I remember the weakest student in my first
Columbia class asking if he could skip a ses-
sion so that he could hear a speech by david
halberstam. “If you go to hear halberstam,”
I told him, “you’ll never be halberstam. I'm
interested in excellence and I'm only teaching
those who aspire to excellence.”
how Freedman materialized his success is
simple. "I was affirmed in my belief that intel-
lectual curiosity and a relentless work ethic
matter infinitely more than a natural ability in
achieving excellence."
while Freedman doesn’t believe in hero
worshipping, and would rather pride himself
on his ability to disillusion than dazzle, with his
in work ethic, moral ethos, integrity, intellectual
curiosity, and concern with the human condi-
tion he has gained our esteem and admiration.
“If I speak to you about painting or music or
drama, and I’m certain that I will, then I want to
introduce you to art that will elevate your cul-
tural literacy and, if I may be so bold, enhance
your life. the greatest journalists never settled
for only reading or watching or listening to
journalism; they looked for their models and
catalysts in literature, film, jazz, every great
art.”
ProfeSSor SaM freeDMan
sticking to his literay roots
bleu magazine70
Photography by naj wareham
Styled by kwasi kessie and nakIm for gFCnewyork
Face Art by renee Sanganoo
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(right) top by parkChoonmoo; jeans by Black label ralph lauren; boots by timberland; jewelry by ne’
GOTHAMCITY
fASHION
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bleumagazine.com 79
sCore
photograph by Sierra prescott
bleumagazine.com 81
International Man of Style
young turns heads on and off the court with
his wide array of clothes from versace to nike.
young says, “I see other guys wearing their
clothes and I always wanted to try something
and I wanted to kill it with my outfits. Every
time I go to the mall I can point out an outfit
I know other guys can wear. I see shirts that
russell westbrook would wear in the mall.”
the Swaggy p persona isn’t just for his off-
court lifestyle, young has quickly become
a pop-culture sensation for his on-court
footwear. rapper trinidad James has said nick
“Swaggy p” young is a guy that he would most
likely be like if he had to be in the league as
far as style goes, young takes James’ atten-
tion to his style as a compliment, “I’m cool
with trinidad James and I’ve met him. he got
some style to him.” as for what we can expect
on the court this season from the rising star
young says, “the league likes how we dress
and they see our own style. I know they have
a little show about what we wear and being a
laker it’s hard to match the purple and gold,
but I got a few surprises this year. I got some
nike air Foamposites that will match our
jersey and some other things I’ll wear, but for
now it’s a secret.”
with the nBa season in full-swing, nick young
has shown us that he knows what’s at stake.
teaming with kobe Bryant and reuniting with
former high school rival Jordan Farmer, young
explains, “Jordan reminds me that they won
and he beat me but I’ll remind him of how
many points I scored on him. and kobe is a
cool guy he takes his craft serious and he
loves basketball, but he has a cool personality
laughs and jokes with us. I love it.” young’s
athletic talent and expert taste in fly footwear
have already made him an exciting player to
watch this season. ★
Traveling the world and switching teams has left quiet the impression the Lakers new addition Nick Young.
The NBA player is injecting style in everything he does.
words by lamont wilson
bleu magazine
on tHe rIse
82
the race for the top girl is on! the
hawaii bred lylaS are the next
group to put their bid in. the group’s
mantra is all in the name lylaS stands
for “love you like a Sister” and sisters
is what they are. presly, tiara, tahiti
and Jamie are the sisters who are
related to pop maestro, Bruno mars.
the lylaS’ want prove that their
brother Bruno is not the only member
of the family who can make it in music.
the musically gifted sisters grew up
together with their mother who was
a singer and their father who is a
percussionist. the music in their veins
makes the career choice seem more
instinct driven. “we love you Bruno
but it is our turn” tahiti can be heard
saying to the intro of the lylaS’ new
reality show on we tv. obviously
having an older brother in the industry
is helpful but it also means that the
ladies have to prove their talent.
when asked if they’d ever considered
coming out without mention of their
famous brother and the question was
met with silence, then a collective
“no.” “we love our brother and are
very proud of all that he has accom-
plished, people would have found out
anyway” says tiara. the challenge to
breakout of their brother’s shadow is
one they accept gleefully. their reality
show on we tv is the first step in that
direction.
reality tv has launched many a
career and the he sisters are hoping
for a similar experience. during the
show’s run the ladies allow us to peer
inside their lives as they cope with
transitioning to the mainland and well
as their day-to-day experiences as
new artists. when asked about the
difference between hawaii and Cali-
fornia? the sisters respond with haste
“the speed limit! In hawaii, the speed
limit is 35 mph and in California it is 55
mph. If you see a little woman driving
at 40 mph on the highway you know
it’s me!” tahiti laughs.
So they’ve made the big move, and
started their reality series. where’s
the music and what’s their sound?
“our sound is fun feel good music
with an island flavor,” says Jaime.
their newest single "Comeback" and
its accompanying video can be found
on youtube.
team Bleu is curious to hear what
other songs these ladies will release
given their diverse individual taste in
music. lyla’s inspirations include pink,
gwen Stefani, Beyoncé, Celine dion
and lauryn hill. all of these styles
together with a bit of island flavor
sounds like a good cocktail to us.
their brother has already proven he
can transcend traditional genre rules.
maybe the lyla’s can too. Either way
we are looking forward to it. ★
lylasThe Ultimate Sister Act
Words by Amber Kennedy
Currently airing on we tv.
left to right: tahiti, tiara, presley & Jaimie
bleumagazine.com 83
w ith biceps that shouted, “what
up yall,” before he uttered a
syllable, J. drew walked into Bleu’s
office in his camouflaged get-up,
shades, and his crew alongside him.
a warm smile and introductions later,
he took his seat, center stage so to
speak, and began to engage in far-
from-idle chatter.
the son of karen Clark Sheards of
the Sheards gospel dynasty, J. drew
has shaped his artistry atypical to ex-
pectations of some industry followers.
with r&B and hip-hop as his definitive
target, J emphasizes he is not a fresh-
man to rhythmic soul. “a lot of people
have been saying transition. It’s never
been a transition for me. I have always
did r&B, but I was more known for my
work in gospel.”
his ear for music and lyrical merit
rebukes confinement and the mass’s
genre limitations, as he is a die-hard
follower of beats from the street “I have
always been a fan of super hardcore
rap. rap has always influenced me, and
it’s a unique way of expressing yourself.
But you can’t express yourself and be
as creative in r&B as you can in rap. I
plan to kind of merge the two.”
In addition to bringing a new flavor to
his family’s name, J told Bleu that he
definitely wanted to bring a change to
the current state of r&B. he describes
how he flexes between the genres,
and the office burst with laughter as
he professes, “when you hear my
r&B stuff you won’t think ‘this same
nigga do gospel music! and when you
hear my gospel music, you won’t think
‘this same nigga do r&B!”
despite gospel industry pressure, the
23-year old college student maintains
his stance and remains firm in his
career decisions. “I am not a defiant
type. I don’t feel like I owe anybody
an explanation, and I don’t respond to
critics,” he stated.
what J. drew will do is show you
better than he can tell you. the man of
action allows his natural competitive
energy, discernment for the positive,
and loved ones guide his wisdom.
“I’m gon’ give you something to talk
about. I constantly spend time on the
phone with my team to come up with
ways to make things work. I never feed
into what the people say.” he pauses
momentarily, then continues. “I just lost
my best friend, and when you stumble
on these stumbling blocks you try to
figure out ways to get through, to look
for answers, to out think the average
person. If you get caught up, you start
to lose your own identity in this industry.
mad people got stuff to say, but I know
who I am. I stay true and I continue to
move forward.” ★
J. DrewHis Music, His Truth, His Destiny
Words by Namisha L. Joiner
Photo by elton anderson
bleu magazine
MAnCAVe
84
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bleu magazine
BLeU LIst
86
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Converse
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Ciara
Orange Is the New Black
The Wolverine
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Teen Wolf
Andre 3000
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S'mac (restaurant)
Trayvon Martin
Kobe Bryant
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Monsters University
CNN
Hennessy
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Michael B Jordan
iPad
Patron
Ray Ban
DreamWorks Animation
The Container Store
Google, Inc.
NetApp
Quicken Loans Inc.
Devon Energy
Camden Property Trust
QuikTrip
Starbucks
Mattel, Inc.
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bleumagazine.com 87
ICon
Born in hollis, Queens, Joseph "run" Simmons, darryl "d.m.C." mcdan-
iels and Jason "Jam master Jay" mizell formed run-d.m.C. in 1981. with
their street-savvy fashion and hard-hitting rhymes that matched the hard
timbre of rock music, run-d.m.C. is credited with hip-hop's crossover
success and global influence today.
Breaking down barriers, run-d.m.C.'s career is distinguished by a
succession of firsts. they were the first hip-hop group to have a gold
album with their self-title in 1984, becoming the first to gain a grammy
nomination. In 1985 and 1986, the group became the first to earn plati-
num and multiplatinum distinctions with King of Rock and Raising Hell,
respectively. Solidifying their crossover appeal, run-d.m.C. became the
first hip hop group to have videos played on- then predominantly rock-
mtv, and to grace the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine.
their iconic b-boy style, donning fedoras, tracksuits, and unlaced adi-
das gave hip-hop a new identity that was grounded in the streets. with
their single "my adidas," the group garnered the attention of the adidas
brand, inking a $1.6 million endorsement deal.
however, it was their cover of aerosmith's "walk this way" that elevated
the group to their legendary status. the song and video became one of
the biggest hits of the '80s, reaching number four on the Billboard hot
100 charts.
In 2002, the group experienced a great loss over the murder of Jam
master Jay. allowing faith to see them through, run and d.m.C. shifted
gears to more philanthropic efforts. run adopted the moniker "rev. run"
to show his religious conversion. In 2007, the group launched the J.a.m.
awards, which focuses on Jam master Jay's vision of bringing social
justice, art and music to his community and the world. ★
RUN DMC
words by kiara gillette
2014_Lexus_IS_LGBT_BleuMag_r01v06.indd 1 8/26/13 10:15 AM