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“Prepare to hear some real quality music that has an elegance to it……”
Apr (2015)
Our Blessings Come When We Least Expect It!
Pick Up the Damn Phone to Get More Clients!
14 The art of Turay Mederic
Kisha Green’s Literary Treasures Al-Saddiq Banks
Men’s Advice Designer: Seed the Poet
This is Pinky’s Westside Grill!
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If you thought,
www.tawandablake.yolasite.com “Through the Eyes of a Child” www.tawandablake.yolasite.com Left you wanting more ….
Pick up your copy at: www.amazon.com
- ESSENTIALS Life - Health - Beauty - Business - Finances Our Blessings Come When We Least Expect It! By CW Digsby On Valentine’s Day, Angela Bailey was involved in a car wreck. My dear friend and fraternity brother informed me of this, and asked that I share his sister’s story this month. Not for the accident, but what was found as a result of it. At the Davis Regional Medical Center, doctors discovered a large tumor on her brain.
Her jumped the curb and went across the parking lot at Arby’s, hitting a light pole in the rear of the parking lot then jumping another curb. At the hospital, they ran tests to see why she blacked out, finding a brain tumor. Fast forward to her arrival at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center for surgery. Surgery on March 6th, release on March 8th. Originally her position in life was taking care of people, but now it is apparent that a higher power is now taking care of her. That coupled with the support and strength of her family has kept her happy, and thinking , thinking that God has a plan for greater things, for additional work.
Angela was a three year breast cancer survivor, and last I saw her was at the beautiful renewing of Angela with her family vows in 2014. I had the To hear her brother Russell opportunity of escorting Mitchell talk about it, it her down the aisle, and makes one think of how during that time learned of this, as well as her important it is to take care of ourselves, not incredible, indomitable spirit. This was apparonly physically, but spiritually. ent when she was was on her way to pay her respects to a young man who died of brain Angela’s words of encouragement for those cancer just days before. that are facing trials… “With God, all things are possible. Just put your trust in him and it’ll be OK.”
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Living Fearlessly Loving Unconditionally “ When you decide to make a choice towards forward progression, you strangle fear.” (L.Long)
Living Fearlessly is a result of Loving Unconditionally. The person that you love first has to be yourself. So often we are looking forward to pleasing other people, but when we have not made good on our own promises, and goals, there is an inward struggle to correct that but often times comes out in poor ways towards others. When I speak of “living fearlessly”, I am not talking about being without thought, or being reckless, but I am implying that you make a decision to do something in the direction and results of your goals. Did you know that most people are held hostage by fear because they don’t make a decision about something? And it’s in the non decision that creates the panic because you have left so many options open, that need direction. But when you really love yourself, and understand that we have this one life to live, then we have to make a conscious choice to live better, and without the fear of what “might” will happen. Fear paralyzes the thought process and hinders the mind from being active in furthering visions and goals. It gives an inner tremor that if not recognized early, will become an outer manifestation of non-productivity, procrastination, and delay.
is not riddled about what did not happen, or dwelling on the negatives of what did happen, but being able to learn from every experience as a potential growth encounter. Your life even though you may live it for yourself, is really not your own. Even if you don’t have kids, or even a family, you are living to leave a legacy and you can’t do that if you live in fear, and love CONDITIONALLY. It is only when we love without limits, and hope without deferment that we reap the benefits and the rewards of living fearlessly and loving unconditionally. There is a flow and an inner glow and joy that resonates when you love deeply, and without reserve. Fear justifies why you should not love, but unconditional love hopes beyond the temptation to cut off the intimacy needed to create a successful connection. I am hoping that you are taking life in its everyday possession, but refusing to be held hostage by the fear that happens when you don’t make a decision to move in now, and go forward. There are always reasons why we stay where we are, I just pray that your reason is big enough to justify how you will respond 2 years from now, when you needed to be somewhere else, but choose to stay put? You don’t have to live in the
When you hear the words “living fearlessly”, what comes to mind? Do you see yourself living uninhibited by the “what could happens” and just being free to believe, go after, do it and see it come to full fruition? Well I believe that you can Inspired Blessings to you, live this life. It requires a mindset that is what Dr. Carol Dweck says is a Growth Mindset, one that Lakita D. Long, The Peoples Therapist
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Business
Pick Up the Damn Phone to Get More Clients! Kim Kirmmse Toth I realize that's a pretty bold title but I am serious about this. Attempting to build a business only doing things on-line will be like taking that "Slow boat to China" I know it feels hard. You know it feels hard, but do it anyway. Most people don't pick up the phone, which is why it is so powerful. It's like most people don't send mail through the post office, which is also more powerful than an email. The reality is, when you DO get the guts to call someone, you will most likely get a voice mail. So, do you hang up? Do you leave a long message about what you are calling them about? Here is something I have learned. Say your name and your business name and say it s l o w l y. I get so many messages where people talk so fast I have no idea who they are or what their business is and I don't like to have listen to messages over and over to understand. When this happens I usually hit 7 for delete. Say in a sentence or two what you are calling about. Tease them about something you have that you think might be a perfect fit for them. Your message should be no longer than 2 minutes. One minute is best. Next you want to give them a 'call to action'. You want them to call you back. Then say your name and business s l o w l y and do the same with your phone number. I would do this twice, especially the phone number. No one likes to go back
and have to listen to a message again to get the phone number. And as you know many people leave their phone number at the beginning of the message which means you always have to go back and listen again. Now, I know you are probably thinking, Kim, this is so simple, everyone does this. And I am here to tell you, no they don't. Practice, practice, practice this! You want to come across professional, strong and confident. The chances of someone getting back to you after one call is pretty small so be prepared to have 2 or 3 follow up calls Feature Articles, each different. You can leave another message after 3 - 5 business days. This helps the likeliness of them calling you back much higher. Don't wing these calls! You need to have a series of voice messages all written out and practiced. You will feel much better about making the calls and will come across on the phone with much greater confidence. My mother always used to say 'phone voices are very revealing' and she was right. This is just one small piece of how to increase your clients and fill your groups by picking up the phone but I hope it's enough to get you started. You WILL grow your business if you do this properly!! @2014 Kim Kirmmse Toth / All rights reserved ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kim Kirmmse Toth LCSW, PCC mentors entrepreneurial 'women after 50' on how to build a business around your life, in parttime hours, to ensure your financial freedom & safety in your retirement years. Get her FREE series on how you can do this also at http://positiveaginginc.com
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- URBANITY -
Born in 1979 in Ivory Coast Turay Mederic was only 4 years old when his parents moved to the USA, with a normal learning. His secret dream is to devote himself to art. In 1995, his family returned to live in Africa and enroll in a school of fine arts. He received many awards at various competitions of fine arts. In late 1999, he was elected the best young artist from West Africa His unique style, "Trace", consists of an assembly Sign and symbol and word Cubism or reminiscent of the painter Basquiat and Picasso. His language is not intended to narrative: he enlisted in the way of a rhetorical metaphors or sign feeds allusions to better tell Africa and the world. His works are recognized by African and European critics. They recognize this young artist a great value. They confirm the growing talent of this artist with a bright future whose signature retains the attention of collectors
http://www.turaymederic.com/
“Trace� by Turay Mederic i Need absolute sobriety, deprivation, need to go to the elemental form, the parameters restricted to the essentials; with the building blocks of our African roots land, plants, and minerals. My Basic research on the signs in simplified form as well as in the choice of materials, collected during trips, in chance encounters. Approach agenda methodical ritual. Polysemic signs tending towards a universal reading, writing graffiti registering as fixing the trace of the pass, any traces of humanity on cave walls or walls of cities. Paintings, assemblages, objects of various origins, each piece is part of a whole , elements of a game, that can come together, jutaposed. Combinatorial in various staging’s. the traces also invites you to travel mentally to other places, other stories, in history. I repeat my signs, signal, words in my works, I belong to the world and I am part of her breast. yes I defy time I managed to immortalized things yes I defeated time I managed to immortalized things most simple to complex, Turay Mederic
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Literary Treasures-
Kisha Green
Allow
me to introduce you to one of the most under-rated yet hardest working African American author‘s in the literary industry, Al-Saadiq Banks. Throughout the years upon the release of his novels it is clearly without a doubt that after this introduction of his work, that you too will be a fan. Al-Saadiq has written and published nine novels and is the co- founder of True 2 Life Publications. He is an independent publisher, motivational speaker and bestselling author with over 600,000 books in print. Mr. Banks has successfully patterned his company behind the same very major publishing houses that he shares shelf space with. A quiet and reserved man that is quite knowledgeable about the publishing industry and so much more. Allow me introduce to Mr. Al-Saadiq Banks…
character, in the beginning stages I get so deep into developing that character that I feel as if I know him. If I know him well enough, I can make my readers know him as well.
KG: Who is Al-Saadiq Banks? What makes your writing different from everything else being released? ASB: Al-Saadiq Banks, let’s break it down, Al-Saadiq means The truth, the truthful, voracious, the friend, man of his word. I didn’t choose this name. My name is family given. All my life I been mindful to stick to my name. I’m a straight shooter that will never bullsh** the people, not in real life and not in books. When you get a book from me although it’s fiction it will be based on events that can take place in real life. No bombs in your boots, no secret islands that your pilot flies you to nurse KG: Your publishing company is called True 2 you back to life after you been shot a million times, none of that. Get a book from me it will Life, what made you choose this name and what does this mean to you and the stories you be as close to the truth that you can get. write? KG: With over twelve years in the industryASB: True 2 Life to me isn’t just about books you've seen the good, bad and ugly. What are and a logo. It’s a brand and a lifestyle that I been repping since I was a kid. As a kid I could your thoughts on the current state of literary? ASB: Honestly, I was starting to feel like the always spot a spot a fake or a phony a mile away, long before I even knew anything about book game was dead for our genre but after doing some research on the whole digital maranything. I was rarely impressed with the b.s. that others seemed to be obsessed with. I was ket, I feel like there’s more life and opportunity now then it was with paperback. I just started more into the behind stuff that most overindulging in the whole digital world but I’m fired looked, like morale, character, pride and dignity. So when writing I’m more apt to glorify up! a guy’s code of honor and not necessarily his KG: At what point in your career did you say "I money. Or I may have a stone cold killer who breaks all the laws but won’t cheat on his wife. might be able to make money with books?" ASB: I have been blessed from day one in this The little things like that that most overlook. book game. Honestly I had no doubt in my mind that I if I ever chose to write a book about KG: Readers all over rave about your stories the streets that I would sell and that’s for two being realistic and emotionally accurate, how reasons. For one as I played those streets I do you pen such novels with true to life watched and analyzed everything about the characters? streets so I knew I could go deeper than most ASB: Because as I writer I’m always working. I do and always did study people. I believe my would even think of going. The second reason is around the time that I came into the book calling in life should have been something in game, the key players who were writing and the psychology field because of the way I get making the most money off of street books into people and their behavior patterns. I’ve dealt with all kinds of people in life and I watch were not even street folk. I told myself at that point if people who have no idea about the them close enough to almost determine the streets can write books about the streets and next move they will make. It’s like simple get rich, no way in the world I shouldn’t be able arithmetic sometimes, one plus one equals to steal me a few dollars then. LOL two. If you do this and that then it’s possible that you will do this too. So when I write a
KG: You are well mannered and respected entrepreneur and as result you have ventured into mentoring and assisting those trying to selfpublish. What made you want to do this? ASB: I feel that there are so many in the book game that are clueless to the business side of it. The blind leading the blind. As a veteran in the game it’s easy to say as the others do, let them find their own way, but the reality is the game has suffered so much due to the lack of education of the business. With so many publishers not understanding the business, they have made moves that destroy the business instead of helping it. I feel that by educating them we can proceed to build and make this business more lucrative and profiting then it’s ever been for independents.
As an independent the distribution that’s been available for us has always been a catch 22. A bunch of people who know we are desperate to sell books and they capitalize off of that.
KG: What was your biggest obstacle you confronted being a self-published author? ASB: The biggest issue I confronted as a selfpublished author has always been distribution.
For more on Al-Saadiq Banks Visit his website at
KG: What is next for Al-Saadiq Banks? ASB: For me it’s all about books, movies and comics. I call this publishing house three-tier. The books are the first tier, the structure. On the second tier, we bring the characters to life in cartoon form, giving you the visual and to get you in the mindset of seeing these characters on the screen. Then on the third tier is the movies and further bringing those same characters to life. All in all building and enhancing the brand with each step.
www.true2lifeproductions.com
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http://www.divabooksinconline.com
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Style and Fashion
Reigning From Los Angeles California, Seed the Poet has always been an all around artist from her poetry, to her paintings and now designing. She embraces all sides of her creativity shamelessly. Seed has been making jewelry for the past two years. "Hail of a jewel" (her line)has been on consignment In a Los Angeles boutique "Mama Sunshine treasures for one of those years." Seed is now taking her line into a different direction with Urban Tymes magazine, hoping to gain exposure. “ I want to launch my line with a new attitude,� she says. "My style now is like a boss chick eclectic style, feathers and chains wire and thangs." Seed expects her line to go very far this year, becoming synonymous with creativity and uniqueness. If you would like to check out her vivacious eclectic line go to www.Hailofajewel@etsy.com or email seed at seedofpoetryink@yahoo.com
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GUESS WHAT??
INTERNS!
Are you
have a flair for
, or have your pulse on the latest info?? Then this may be for you!! Journalists (Intern) Explore the ins and outs of working on the editorial staff of a positive generated, lifestyle, entertainment and fashion magazine. During the internship, editorial interns will gain valuable experience working with senior journalists and the Editor in Chief on specific subject matter, businesses, and more. As they learn what is required to produce a publication that reaches not only the Charlotte area, but across the country via print and digital presence. Ideal candidates will be knowledgeable in use of the English language, working in Word, Powerpoint and other software specific to the trade. Excellent writing, spelling and communication skills are required. Please submit resumes and inquires for internships at urbantymes@hotmail.com
Carey W. Digsby Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Photographer (Intern) The use of a camera is akin to an artist with a brush. Urban Tymes is looking for an emerging artist that revels in various settings, from runway, to artist photo shoots, to editorial layouts. As an intern in the photography department you’ll work closely with journalists to help tell the story with your camera, and interact with exciting people on assignment at on location photo shoots. Ideal candidates must own digital SLR equipment and have a good understanding of digital photography and lighting. Candidate must submit digital portfolio samples.
Apply here: urbantymes@hotmail.com
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Born in Houston, Texas, Atlanta- based R&B singer B sharp has set the tone for the resurgence of R&B music. With humble beginnings at the age of ten, the son of a pastor listened to gospel greats such as Thomas Whitfield, James Cleveland, Andre Crouch and others. Immediately afterwards, he was writing songs and singing in the church choir. As each year came, he honed his craft and wrote numerous songs, solidifying himself as singer, composer and talent source for all to know. Now returning to his music career after a hiatus, B. Sharp’s "Erotic Adventure" video released in 2011, has gained over 15,400 hits on You Tube, ushering in to many fans and others what to expect from this talented brother!
B Sharp is currently in the studio working on his debut album, "Especially Now" which is scheduled to be released in July 2015. UT grabbed the opportunity to speak with him in between time with his music, family and work with the Bryn Kennedy Foundation….. UT: B Sharp..Can I call you B? BSharp: Sure you can call me B everybody always did and at least every other Sunday back in the day in San Antonio, I would step into church and my friends would say, "B... sharp!" to compliment my suit or whatever and it just stuck with me. UT: Brother, you exude a smooth vibe that is akin to some of the seasoned R&B greats. How important is that, with today's music? BSharp: Thank you! It's crucial honestly. I did my homework and studied quite a few "crooners" and great writers from back in the day. There's a void in the music industry; at least the mainstream music industry that someone or several up and coming artist have to fill. People want to hear good music and good original songs! With today's music it honestly feels like the popular big artist have to go through this filter or through a template of what the song/album has to be in order for it to have mainstream success and if you don't fall in line and meet that criteria they won't market it. I'm sure it's really hard for some music executive types that really love music and want to see an artist blossom, but on the other hand, there's several that look at a spreadsheet and just see artists as a number and what numbers they can produce. It's a cutthroat business but I remain steadfast in my endeavors to make music you can feel. UT: Your live performance you say “is reminiscent of a back in the day, basement party filled with upbeat music” Is that a lost art amongst performances today? BSharp: I would not say it was a lost art. I would you say it's just not mainstream anymore. There are several artists that embody this skill, but for me, it's my standard. So branding R&B in my view is what has become a lost art. R&B has basically been rebranded to mean Old School and in some regards Hip Hop. UT: Paint us the picture..the creation /concept of “Erotic Adventure.”
BSharp: Paint a picture, huh??? That's a great question. This song was inspired by one of the most exhilarating real life experiences that I have ever had and I had to figure out how to express it in song. When I first sat down to write this song, I was in a Denny's sipping coffee and was brainstorming writing on a napkin words like Erotic, raging lust, spontaneous etc. this is what happened. I will never forget when I worked at bank in a tall office building in San Antonio, on East Houston street. One day I rushed to catch the elevator just as it was closing, stepped in and there was a pretty lady across from me. I said morning under my breath and she nodded and did the same. She looked like an executive type with a nice kneelength plaid skirt and a fitted designer jacket that was above her waist line so you see the matching thin black belt that popped against the classy white blouse. Her shoes clashed with her outfit though and had a square toe with a thick heel and she had a black briefcase. I figured she was the soccer mom or Sunday school teacher type but her hips were a bit thicker than your average, so I knew she was a mom. As I was contemplating my day, rubbing my hand down my face and trying to get my mind right, I noticed she was staring at me. I didn't think anything of it, but shortly thereafter I glanced in her direction and she was staring at me again so I stared back until she bowed her head and she must have taken a deep breath because I heard her exhale. That cleared away any doubt in my mind.... This woman was feeling me. The third time I looked at her, her head was down and she looked up at me biting her bottom lip and her body language said basically kiss me and I looked back at her and my body language said for real and she looked away grinning. I don't even remember stepping to her I was upon her so quick. I grabbed her by her jacket and pulled her to me and just as we were about to kiss, " bing!" The elevator stopped and I felt her breath in my mouth and boom! she gone!!! Bolted! Never looked back or nothing. I sat there for a second tripping, because I couldn't believe the experience I just had. I felt high; not like "horny" but literally like I took a hit of some drug. My coworkers asked several times what was wrong with me when I got to work but I never said anything. So now, when you listen to the lyrics of Erotic Adventure again, you will hopefully appreciate it a little more!
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UT: Taking some time away from the industry, do BSharp: Actually most the credit should go to the you think doing so has honed your repertoire International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF), the even more so? Rett Syndrome Research Trust and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) BSharp: Absolutely!!! I had a chance to grow peras these entities are paving the way for a cure as my sonally more than anything, and I am so grateful for daughter, Bryn, is one of many grappling with the the time looking back. As far as my repertoire, it's condition. These groups and others like them take kinda funny some of my favorite songs weren't as basic science and create medicine and then they appealing to me as others before the hiatus and take that medicine and create clinical trials with the some songs I wrote that I really wasn't fond of grew goal of developing a cure. We need a cure. Mothers on me. That completely is a result of my growth and and fathers that deal with Rett carry the weight of maturity. I am settled now in who I am and my caring for a special needs child/adult daily, and my sound. goal is to bring a greater awareness of Rett Syndrome to the world and to provide relief and encouragement to the families in some regard. UT: Your fans are eagerly anticipating the release of your album "Especially Now", how do UT: Music you mentioned, has healing you feel about this album? What should power….. please share. people expect out of this album? Really excited! BSharp: Sure! The first thing that BSharp: I'm very excited and even a little nervous at times. This album is a lot like a biography for me. You should expect to hear classic tones and chord progressions you recognize from R&B in its purest form. Prepare to hear some real quality music that has an elegance to it. I even have a Reggae style song. You will hear a little jazz, an inspirational song, and a couple intimate ballads. All encompassed by A-List musicians. I have a few surprises as well. UT: You mentioned that you learned key elements from several musical greats…… BSharp: This a very loaded question for me! I could go on and on so I will just mention a few briefly. First I would say Barry White because of the ability to set the tone and his use of orchestration. Smokey Robinson because of his ability to take simple words and make them powerful and Marvin Gaye simply taught me to mean what you're saying or singing. UT: You formed the Bryn Kennedy Foundation to bring awareness and help families dealing with Rett Syndrome. You have to tell our readers about this and the incredible work you do and how it has personally touched you.
comes to mind is the late great song writer Pete Seeger who wrote or cowrote and arranged "We Shall Overcome," and "Turn, Turn, Turn". To this day, just humming the melody to "We Shall Overcome" gets inside my soul and gives me peace and or hope. I hope in my own way my lyrics have the same effect because words speak life. UT: If you could perform at specific place and time, along with an artist in a duet…when would that be, and with who? BSharp: I would say in Australia on New Year's Eve with Lionel Richie. I've always had an affinity for Australia. Even in my early days starting out on Myspace, people in Australia showed me love. I would choose Lionel Richie because I really admire him. Who else can say they wrote and had commercial success in Funk, Soul/R&B, Pop, country, and gospel? I would stay close to him in hopes of garnering as much wisdom as possible. That wisdom has the ability to groom me to do my thing in the same manner.
Follow B Sharp at : www.bsharptheartist.com
Photo by Mike Eaton
Written By Tawanda Blake
FEATURE‌.DJ FADELF
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My conversation with DJ Fadelf was quite the casual and uproarious dialogue. You know, full of jokes and realism. He’s exceptionally articulate, and offered a great deal of introspective wisdom on the “Iyanla, fix my life” level… He was a solemn individual altogether. I asked him a series of questions back to back, and he notes a few times that he speaks on panels, and does interviews all the time. Well! My little nosey radar went off after the 5th declaration. Heck, and with good reason! The information that I originally read about Fadelf was a blurb, a small blog as one might say that went a little like this: “Fadelf is a “world traveled tour/lifestyle disc jockey. He is the official disc jockey for 3x Grammy winners.” He is a songwriter, model, as well as a fitness trainer, and in addition to being the Owner-Operator of Luxe Sound Entertainment: a professional entertainment company that provides DJs, bands, and photographers for all occasions. His company has arranged celebrity & political events, private birthdays, and sweet 16 parties. Fadelf is a guest DJ on several radio shows: Hot 97 and 107.5 WBLS He’s been featured in several notable magazines and websites. He is also a philanthropist that stays involved in the community.” So, I didn’t put a whole lot of deliberation into who this “guy” really is because my sole reason for the interview was to highlight his attributes as one of the authors to the very successful manuscript, “Married Guy, Single Guy.” Cool your heels; we shall get to that amazing read, shortly. Aaaany who—I got online and did more research about the fella, and there was this whole Google database full of information. As a journalist, ya gotta dig 10-feet deep to get to the juice and the nectar of an individual—the good stuff. We can’t rely on one blurb or paragraph to dispense a person’s life or acclaims. That’s why are gonna right here: DJ Fadelf is a native of Hempstead: Long Island, New York. He began his career as a singer, and songwriter at the age of 9-years old, while in a musical group with his cousins. That fruitage propelled him into being a Disc Jockey at 11-years –old. His mother supported the young maestro, and allowed him to mix at one of her get-togethers. Picture that, an 11-year-old with two tape decks and crowd control. His passions flourished from that point on. Although he could not afford the standard disc jockey set, he still
practiced dedicatedly with the resources he had without an interval. He studied other crafts from the pioneers of hip-hop for instance, “Kool Herc,” “Jam Master Jay,” “Kid Capri,” “Larry Levan,” “Jazzy Jeff,” and “Grand Master Flash.” Fadelf broke out of the local circuits as a DJ, and traveled with his business to the Bahamas, Japan, Paris, Germany, Jamaica, Spain, Kansas, Berlin, Belgium, Switzerland, Brussels, Las Vegas, L.A, Miami, Kuwait, Chicago, Canada, Atlanta, Detroit and is birth place, New York. He’s not just touring for the subpar entertainment. He’s a renowned and multicultural personality that DJ’s at Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, and etcetera. DJ Fadelf, is a member, part owner, and lead song writer, and in addition to being an artist of the HipRokSoul band Guitars N Bandanaz, as well as the official D.J for Three time Grammy Award winning group,” The Product G&B” (known for the hit “Maria Maria” with Carlos Santana and several other gold hits). He has supported other DJ’s for platinum producers such as, “The Heatmakerz,” “HipRock Muzik” artist “Mitsue,” Platinum Producer “Boola,” “Ourbit,” the Label recording artist “Shalone,”and “Black Hand Hip-Hop Artist NAT.” Fadelf is a songwriter, personal trainer, and model; his billboards and print ads are displayed in New York. Guy is also a licensed barber. Fadelf agrees that being able to balance his lifestyle is the reason he’s so darn good at pretty much…everything. Fadelf’s fraction on the music scene is large. The celeb DJ is a member and creator of the A-TEAM DJ’S, and A-TEAM LIVE radio show via DTFRADIO.COM, THE FLEET DJs, and Elite Sound Entertainment DJ’s. “He is one of New York’s and Atlanta’s hottest, buzz worthy, forces to be reckoned with.” Fadelf has been highlighted in popular publications like Vibe Magazine, Source Magazine, N.Y Newsday, Essence.com, Signature Hits Magazine, Cross Roads Magazine, VocabMagazine.com, Heightmagazine.com and CremeMag.com This granted him guest spots with M.T.V, VHI’S Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta, Late Night with Carson Daly – NBC, New York Radio Stations HOT 97, and WBLS 107.5 fm. He has also been heard on Party 105.3 FM, DTFRadio.com, PNC Radio.com, and this is a spectacular few. DJ Fadelf is also a contributing writer for Fashion and lifestyle magazine Blanco Bleu as a columnist, “Ask Fadelf.
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Single Man, Married Man was a publication, and a collaborative effort written by 8 factual gentlemen, Jean Alerte, Jickael Bazin, Frank Gateau, Rae Holliday, Zangba Thomson, Fadelf Jackson, Kel Spencer, and Pervis Taylor. The book has already grabbed the attention of “Essence Magazine,” “Vibe,” ”Glamour,” and “The Pittsburg Courier.” Unfortunately for our Boos, we-- women rely heavily on our male friends, and besties for wisdom, or in better terms, “the game book,” “the black book,” and the “play book” about the opposite sex. We do. We really do. Most women will go to another man for advice about their staunch relationships. 9 times out of 10, the male besties will almost, always giveaway the “playbook,” what to do, and “what not to do- dating rules.” And that is exactly how this book took a form of its own No. No. No. This is not another “Think Like A Man—I’m gonna fix your relationship right up!” type of text. These are different instances, and different scenarios, written by 8 different men. There are so many layers to a man’s heart, especially when it comes to marriage. And more importantly, these guys want to tell it like it is about those unique layers, and they want you to know the reason you aint the one.
yet. And now that you’ve said this, I need your point of view.” And literally, within a matter of hours, I get to writing. I already had combined stuff that I had previously written from my workshop. So, I had pulled it all together, and turned it in. He was like; “you already wrote it?” I was like, “yeah, I’m done.” And within a matter of time, he called all the other authors and was like, “Yo, he beat the deadline. Let’s rock!” It went just like that. It was a done deal. It was a blessing and it was a timing thing. I say timing because it was not something that I was looking to do. It’s not just about the book, it’s about being with the right group of men that I actually say, “You know what?! I don’t have a problem attaching myself to these names because I know what they are all about.
There are 8 contributors to this manuscript. What is about the standout fable that makes this self-help book on a different bracket than “Think Like A Man?” What can we expect from the novelty that we haven’t already heard before? Then I have a side note, “What if stroking his ego isn’t enough? “ Ha!” That’s more than a side note. Every interview, we’ve gone over thus far, that’s the question that everybody puts on front street. One of the interviews How did you get involved with Single Man Married Man? The funny thing about that is that drop today in Hello Beautiful.com, and in one of their promos, it says it right there, “Ladies, if you the book was written by 8 authors that all were pretty good friends. I actually came in on the tail think this is anything like “Think Like a Man,” think twice cause it’s nothing like it.” What we tell end. The main man person behind it, Dr. Jean Alerte, is a very good friend of mine, and he also everybody is that we’re gonna get that. Steve Harvey was the last person to come out with a used to be my manager in the DJ realm. I had interviewed one of the other authors by the name relationship book. Our thing is that we aren’t telling women what to do. We’re telling you to take of Rae Holliday. Rae Holliday is a very well perspectives from 8 different men on 8 different known blogger from New York City that has a levels, from 8 different criteria’s, “Married, Single, website, “Stuff Fly That People Like”. So, I was working on a pilot called “The Blend.” The Blend Divorced, Bachelorism, and a plain overview. It’s more of a thing for men and women. It’s what we is a TV show, and on the show, Rae comes in consider a self-help tool that can be used for self and gets a haircut, while we do the interview. evaluation; and to be used as a reminder to do After the interview, Jean sees that I post it on some self-reflecting, to create communication social media and goes says “Hey! You know, within your relationship, to read the book and go Rae, is in my book.” And I go, Book! “What “Wow, I haven’t done that in a while!” And that book? I know you’ve written a book before, but goes back to the stroking of the ego thing. Strokwhat book are you talking about?” He says, ing the ego may not be as strong as it may seem “Yeah. it’s a book about relationships.” As soon self-titled. It’s okay to compliment your significant as he says that, I chime in and says, “Bruh, you other, male or female. That’s the thing too. The know I am like Mr. Dr. Phil/ Oprah or whatever when it comes to relationships. How can you not book is about relationships. If you’re in a relationship, no matter what your denomination is, no reach out to me?” And he goes, “Oh my God, matter what your ethnicity is, this book is for you. you are so right, Yo! The book is not turned in
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With creating a book of this magnitude, did you challenge each other’s opinions? Why shouldn’t you change your relationship status on FaceBook before the engagement or the marriage? Is that a silent cry to end your relationship, or is it really nobody’s business? Here’s the thing, none of us read each other’s wording before it was put together. We didn’t know what the other author wrote until it was put out. We didn’t get to say, “Hmmh.! He wrote that and I’m gonna write this.” We never saw it. From where I come from though, I give an overall on relationships. I don’t pinpoint anything. I do a lot of talking to women. I do a lot of panels, and whenever I speak, I never claim a side. I just come from a standpoint of life in general.
What does your family say about your parts in the book, especially your wife? The interesting thing is, my wife brought the book without telling me. I come home, and she’s reading. She says, “yeah, I read it,” and doesn’t say anything else. The next day she says, “I love what you wrote.” She came from a point of not being judgmental and just very to the point. Another thing is that her manager. that is like my sister; her husband ordered 2 books. She said from where you came from in the book, you gave it an edge to where anyone can relate to it. She was very judgment free and open-minded. Nobody said anything negative about it.
What other projects do you have coming up? Like I said, I’m working on “The Blend” talk show. When you said you speak on panels, how of- Next month, I’ll be a certified licensed realtor. So, ten do you go out and speak on relationship I’m gonna be on my wife’s team cause she has views? I can honestly say that in 2015, I’ve been her own real-estate team. So, we’re gonna on about 10. Whenever I go out and speak to the double up on them and go full steam. There’s youth, and someone there says, “Wow! You some TV shows coming down the pipe that we’re always take control of the panel. You wanna working on and possibly part 2 to the book. On come and do this panel? You wanna come and top of everything else, that’s going to be like a do that panel?” continual perpetual thing. From this point on, everything will enhance. Something will attach What makes you the people’s choice celebri- itself to it, or I’ll reinvent it, and serve it again. ty DJ? When I look at being a DJ, I look at it as though it were a production, as a service, and Would you like to leave anything positive almost like an aphrodisiac, and the crowd with your readers and fans? Remember this: pleaser. I’m the DJ that plays everything and Your gifts will get you there, but your talents will have you dancing to songs that you never keep you. No matter how great you think you thought you’d like, and that’s why they call me are, if your character is flawed, no one will want the versatile DJ. I’ve DJ’d Latin parties, and they to deal with you, which transpire and roll over swear I’m Latin. I’ve DJ’d at Haitian parties, and into your relationships. Your relationship is worth they swore I was Haitian. I’ve done Indian more than anything else that you can put value parties, and they’ve sworn I was Indian. I think too. At the end of the day when the value is lost, being a songwriter allows me to be a different we always fall back into our relationships. And way. I listen to melodies. I listen to harmonies, our relationships become stronger depending on and lyrics. I’m not listening to what’s hot. I’m our character. listening to what makes me feel good and not even realizing that I’m still good. I take that with You can keep up with Fadelf and his activities, or me when I DJ. There hasn’t been anyone that get a signed copy of the book at I’ve who said,” Nah! I wasn’t feeling it.” It’s www.Djfadelf.com always, “Oh, wow! I wasn’t expecting that,” or “Man, you had me up all night!”
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Pinky's Westside Grille Satisfies With Incredible Food and Great Service! 1600 W Morehead Street in Charlotte NC (704) 332-0402 Our youngest ordered the Buffalo Shrimp tacos with fired pickles. Needless to say this filled the growing teenager easily. We tried their Spaugh Buffalo Wings, Crab puppies and a Camp Greene House salad. I ordered additional sides, the Black eyed pea salad, Honey cilantro slaw and black beans. Each of them was tasty. My only recourse would be a more definitive taste of cilantro in the slaw. Otherwise the meal was great!
eatatpinkys.com A weekend midday visit to Pinky’s was definitely the right choice! When you walk in, you can see that the restaurant is decorated with colorful art and nostalgic items. The fact that they placed a photo booth and pinball game in the waiting area was ingenious (saw at least three families make use of them during the wait for a table) the wait for our table was not long, and upon sitting, our menu review was just as entertaining. Their menu consists of favorites, such as appetizers ranging in price from 2.95 to 8.95, but the baskets and sandwiches are what they are known for. From popcorn chicken bites to fish tacos and buffalo shrimp tacos, to the Triple G burger or the Jive Turkey sandwich‌there was various options to sate our taste buds!
Constant refills of tea (opted not to try one of the drink and beer specials going on) and a server that was on point and very upbeat. This last minute visit to the west side of Charlotte turned out to be a great choice! Visit them at the West Morehead location, or their other location at 9818 Gilead Rd. Ste B-101 Huntersville, NC 28078 704.727.0142
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