L3 MAGAZINE | JULY 2012 | NO.013 by L3 Magazine

JULY 2012 | L3MAGAZINE.COM

R&B’S

KARYN WHITE ALWAYS OUR SUPERWOMAN TORONTO’S

SUSIE McLEAN ON JAZZ

MISSION CATWALK’S

GREGORY WILLIAMS

AND HIS WINNING FASHIONS

THE MUSICAL MASTERY OF

DON CORLEON

NEW ALBUM FROM DELLY RANX | BET AWARD HIGHLIGHTS TRICKS TO FINDING BARGAIN AIRFARES FOR SUMMER TRAVEL & MORE!

LIFE

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

WELCOME

007

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

016

LIFE

019

FASHION

035

BEAUTY

063

TRAVEL

067

TECHNOLOGY

075

LOVE

083

LYRICS

109

L3MAGAZINE.COM IS NOT JUST A MUSIC MAGAZINE IT’S LIFE, LOVE & LYRICS

ADVERTISE WITH US EMAIL L3MAGAZINE@HOTMAIL.COM | CALL 1.289.217.2800

LIFESTYLE NETWORK THEFAMOUSFACE.BLOGSPOT.COM TROPICALFETE.COM EDGE-AGENCY.COM MY.COM L3MAGAZINEBLOG.TUMBLR.COM BEHANCE.NET/L3DESIGNS BECAUSEIAMAGIRL.CA FFAWN.ORG iTUNES.COM REGGAE4US.COM HARBOURFRONTCENTRE.COM SOUNDCLOUD.COMBYZEONE CONCRETELOOP.COM WWW.DAFLAVARADIO.COM WWW.TOKYOTRINBAGO.COM

WELCOME

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

WELCOME

REMEMBERING DONNA SUMMERS

ideas brought to life 08

L3MAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 2012

L3DESIGNS@HOTMAIL.COM | 1.289.217.2800

@L3DESIGNS

LAWRENCE FISHBOURNE

LAWRENCE FISHBOURNE AND TATYANA ALI STAR IN CANADIAN MOVIES

aurence Fishburne is set to star in a Canadian sci-fi thriller that will begin shooting next March, 2013. Entitled “The Colony,” the flick will be directed by Jeff Refore, who also co-wrote with Patrick Tarr, Pacal Trottier and Svet Rouskov. It centers around a group of underground survivors fighting to get through the next Ice Age, while fighting off cannibalistic enemies. Another Canadian project set to begin filming soon stars Tatyana Ali. “Home Again” is about three adults whose childhood was quite lonely since they were outcasts. They were deported from Canada, the U.S., and England, back to their birthplace, Jamaica. But life at home isn’t easy and they’re forced to fight for survival.

CONTRIBUTED

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

WELCOME

THE AMAZING SPIDDER-MAN

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: FILM REVIEW JORDAN MINTZER OF THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

eaping back onto the screen with a new cast, crew, costume and a whole new array of daddy issues, The Amazing Spider-Man reboots the top grossing Marvel franchise to altogether satisfying results. Directed with emotional depth and plenty of comedic touches by Marc Webb (no pun intended), this somewhat darker depiction of your friendly neighborhood superhero inserts a touching portrait of adolescent angst into an otherwise predictable dose of CGI-fueled action, with stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone breathing new life into Stan Lee’s 50-year-old creation. With a stateside release set on the cusp of an extended Independence Day holiday, one hardly needs Spidey-sense to predict huge worldwide returns for Sony in the first frame, although long-term theatrical may be hindered by the arrival of Warner’s The Dark Knight Rises only two weeks later. Just a decade after Sam Raimi’s original Spider-Man propelled the wisecracking, web-slinging teenager into the box office stratosphere, launching a (some would say endless) wave of comic book blockbusters where visual effects tend to stand in for veritable character development, it’s encouraging to see Webb and screenwriters James Vanderbilt, Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves build up a convincing Peter Parker origin story here, combining tongue-in-cheek hijinks with a more downbeat tale of childhood trauma, and attempting to answer those viewers wondering why they ever did a remake in the first place. Opening with a flashback revealing how the young Parker (Max Charles) was suddenly and mysteriously entrusted to his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field) by his father (Campbell Scott) – a renowned scientist whose studies in all things arachnid give hints of what’s to come – the story quickly shifts to the present-day, where 17-year-old Peter (Garfield) is introduced as a brooding skater with bad posture and an eye for science, photography and his cute and clever classmate, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). After suffering a few obligatory high school humiliations and striking out at least once with Gwen, Peter comes across his dad’s old research papers, sending him on a stealth mission to the laboratory of Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), who runs the state-of-the-art biochemical facility at the all-powerful Oscorp. While snooping around the lab’s massive web-churning cylinder experiment – one of several impressive set pieces by production designer J. Michael Rival (Iron Man) – Peter gets bitten by a genetically modified spider, and when he’s assaulted on the train ride home his powers unexpectedly come out in full force. L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

WELCOME

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

Not unlike Raimi, Webb has much fun revealing Peter’s newfound capabilities early on, highlighted by the subway scene and a hilarious basketball sequence where he schools the class bully (Chris Zylka) with his superhuman court skills. But such playful moments soon give way to some more despair when Uncle Ben is abruptly – and perhaps all too conveniently for plot purposes – murdered by a fleeing street thug, sending Peter on a vigilante mission that eventually transforms him into the masked crusader, Spider-Man. It came as somewhat of a surprise when commercial vet Webb, with only one indie feature under his belt, was chosen to take the reigns of the billion-dollar commodity, but it’s clear in the film’s first half what the maker of (500) Days of Summer is bringing to the table here. Not unlike the forlorn greeting card writer of that catchy rom-com, Peter is depicted as a smart but downtrodden outsider who truly comes to life when he’s alongside his object of desire, and the scenes between Garfield and Stone have a witty and realistic edge to them that’s rare for a comic book romance. Such moments, combined with Peter’s eternal quest for the father he never knew, help carry the narrative through the mandatory denouement of fights, chases, mutant transformations, and a rather lengthy final showdown set – surprise! – at the top of a skyscraper, as if Marvel simply swapped out the Stark Enterprises sign of The Avengers for the Oscorp one here. An earlier action scene on a traffic-jammed Williamsburg Bridge shows more inventiveness, even if the visual effects (headed up by Jerome Chen, Beowulf) are top-notch, filled with POV shots of Spidey swinging down 5th Avenue or in combat mode with his high-tech web shooters – which, along with the more latex-heavy costume, reveal how our hero has been updated from previous installments. (The other update being that he relies a lot on his cell phone.) While the two leads deliver the goods and manage to combine a frisky sense of first love with the movie’s gloomier arc, they are well-served by a terrific supporting cast, with Sheen as Peter’s tough-loving guardian angel, Denis Leary as Gwen’s overprotective police dad and Ifans as an increasingly mad scientist whose reptile leather fetish yields disastrous results. The swooping score by James Horner blends well with the crime-fighter’s many leaps and bounds, while cinematographer John Schwartzman, shooting in 5K with the RED EPIC, gets plenty of mileage out of the film’s various night sequences. Beyond a few brief flourishes, the 3D hardly feels necessary here, serving no other clear purpose than to sling a few additional dollars into Spidey’s web of worldwide ticket sales. Opens: Tuesday, July 3 (Columbia Pictures) Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Irrfan Khan, Chris Zylka Director: Marc Webb Screenwriters: James Vanderbilt, Alvin Sargent, Steve Kloves, from a story by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel comic book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko Producers: Avi Arad, Laura Ziskin, Matt Tolmach Executive producers: Stan Lee, Michael Grillo, Kevin Feige Director of photography: John Schwartzman Production designer: J. Michael Riva Music: James Horner Costume designer: Kym Barrett Editors: Alan Edward Bell, Pietro Scalia Visual effects: Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc. Visual effects supervisor: Jerome Chen Special effects supervisor: John Frazier 3D special effects supervisor: Rob Engle Stunt coordinators: Andy Armstrong, Vic Armstrong PG-13 rating, 136 minutes

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

JULY 2012 | NO. 013 CEO & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VP & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER PUBLISHER ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

NATASHA VON CASTLE DOMINIQUE RAPHAEL L3 GROUP OF COMPANIES - KEVIN SMALLS PAIGE HARRIS

EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR & LIFESTYLE EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR & CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR & MUSIC EDITOR TRAVEL EDITOR MUSIC REVIEW EDITOR BEAUTY EDITOR TECHNOLOGY EDITOR COPY EDITOR SENIOR WRITER CARIBBEAN CORRESPONDENT CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

ALLIE MASON TRICIA SPENCE TRE CARN SAIDAH GOMEZ JILL MAHONEY LONDYN NIKOLE KEMARIO LINDO XAVIER RAPHAEL STARLETTAH BROWN NATASHA THOMAS HEIKE WOLLENWEBER, MARCUS WELLER, NIYAH MYC, KARLA ASHLEY, ANASTASIA SARADOC, AEYOLA GEORGE, MIMI MAMICHULA, MARCO, ZAKADA MILTON, LANRE DAVIES, KERRY K. TAYLOR, KENDON POLAK, JENNIFER MENSTER INTERNS EDWARD BISHOP, ALICIA KEMP, JONATHAN NEWTON ART

ART DIRECTOR SENIOR DESIGNER ART ASSISTANT RETOUCHER INTERACTIVE WEB DEVELOPER

SANDRA HERNANDEZ SANCHA DESIGNS JAMALL THOMPSON JEROME MABINI TENIKA JONES

ADVERTISING ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS MANAGER CHRISTINE HALL ADVERTISING ASSISTANT TERESA MAGLOIRE CIRCULATION CIRCULATION/MARKETING DIRECTOR RICHARD NEILSON SINGLE COPY SALES MANAGER NIGEL COLLINS “L3” (ISSIN 1020-2000) is published monthly (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec) by L3 Group of Companies, 123 blank street, Scarborough, ON L1R2H2. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Copyright © 2011. Title “L3” registered CAN Patent and Trademark Office. Printed in Canada. MANUSCRIPTS AND ART: The Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES (CAN) 1-289-217-2800 or l3magazine@hotmail.com. SUBSCRIPTION RATES and Possessions: 14.95 CAD/Year plus applicable taxes. SUBSCRIPTION PROBLEMS call 1-289-217-2800 or email l3magazine@hotmail.com.

WELCOME

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Don’t Believe the Hype! Greetings! Oh what a fool I’ve been! A sucker, and naïve all in the same breath! I believed the hype and now my eyes have been opened to the truth. Ouch … maybe I should say eye sore! The truth is that many people don’t want us to know who they really are so they create an illusion. The illusion is designed to make them look better than they really are, or hide their faults. The problem with the illusion is that it is not guaranteed to last forever; at some point in time, the truth is revealed and in that revelation people become disappointed. ‘This is not what I paid for!’ You most commonly see what I’m referring to, ‘the truth’ in Hollywood when you hear of stars cracking and going off the deep end. They could no longer maintain the illusion; they’re trying to live the illusion off the stage, unable to separate the two. Don’t be like them…. Turn your truth into your greatest gift. With truth you can build who you want to be without the illusion. If you strive to be the best artist, you set the standard and work towards that goal. When it’s show time, you turn on the hype machine and when you come off stage you maintain ‘build mode’ within your truth. With this operational setting, few people become disappointed when they get up close and personal with the real you! My truth is that I’m intensely shy. You wouldn’t know it based on my line of work but I am. I’ve been in the room with you (figuratively speaking) and you didn’t know it was me, however, when we kick it one on one, you know exactly who I am – no illusions! I won’t tell you it is, if it isn’t. By extension, treat the world the same way. This is the age of reality. Can you show it to us please?!

Natasha Von Castle

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LIFE

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LIFE

U S A I N B O LT TA K E S T I M E F O R T H E K I D S

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

U S A I N B O LT TA K E S T I M E F O R T H E K I D S

USAIN BOLT TAKES TIME FOR THE KIDS!

iven that he’s the world’s fastest man, and given that his schedule is jam packed with training for the 2012 Olympics, photo shoots, and interviews, you would think that Usain Bolt is too busy to make time for kids but not so!

Jamaica’s most recognized Olympian made time to visit kids at a local primary school in June where they enjoyed questioning the athlete and listening to his answers!

MARCUS WELLER

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LIFE

BLACK PANTHER

ANASTASIA SARADOC

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

BLACK PANTHER

BLACK PANTHER COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN

arvel comics is gearing up to begin debuting the first black superhero movie of the company’s character, Black Panther. The Black Panther character is the king of the resource-rich fictional African nation of Wakanda, who becomes a superhero. He first appeared in Marvel’s Fantastic Four comic book in 1966 during the height of the American civil rights movement, and his name is coincidentally the same as the militant AfricanAmerican political organization created the same year. According to reports, Mark Bailey was hired to write the script and allegedly it’s “fantastic.” Marvel has been pretty clever at placing little hints here and there about the rise of Black Panther. In “Iron Man 2” the nation of Wakanda showed up in a map. Captain America’s shield is made up of Vibranium, a rare fictional material found in Wakanda. The story was actually in development at Columbia in the early 90s with Wesley Snipes to play the main character. But things changed over when Marvel absorbed the rights in 2005. But for this version, there’s no word on who will play the superhero.

CONTRIBUTED

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LIFE

LL COOL J LAUNCHES MY CONNECT STUDIO

HARMONLEON CONTRIBUTED

L Cool J announced yesterday that he’s bringing the block party to your computer. The rapper (and star of Rollerball) announced the launch of his new virtual studio recording software, My Connect Studio. With this partnership between LL and Sony, the web-based software allows artists and musicians to record, edit and produce new music together; simultaneously in realtime from anywhere in the world. The Future Sounds Bundle combines the software with a VAIO E 14” laptop – which is wrapped together with Dolby surround sound and a pair of Sony DJ-style headphones.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LL COOL J LAUNCHES MY CONNECT STUDIO

“It’s the next level of music creation, if you connect with someone online, you can make music,” LL told the room. Currently, artists have to email tracks back and forth, which delays the creative process. My Connect Studio changes the whole game: “A kid in New York and a kid in L.A. can now go online and create music in real-time. This is something a lot of artists have been waiting for, for a long time.” Think of My Connect Studio like the Facebook of music collaboration – a social network where musicians can meet and lay down tracks. As a teen growing up in Queens, there was a limited amount of ways for LL’s neighborhood to share music. “Back then, the closest thing you could get to this product was a block party,” LL said. “That was like the only way someone else was going to hear your music unless it was on the radio.” He added, “We’re bringing the block party to your computer.” LL isn’t just a spokesman for My Connect Studio; he’s actually going to create his next album using the software. “Nothing beats going into the studio,” LL said. “Now you can go into two studios.” The excited sea of reporters hung on LL’s every word. In case you’re wondering, this is what the reporters looked like as they furiously scribbled notes:

Though embracing technological developments, LL kept to his roots – and made it clear that the most important thing is maintaining hip-hop culture. The Sony My Connect Launch ended with the legendary (or god to some) Grandmaster Flash bringing the block party downstairs and spinning in the Sony store. It seemed appropriate that one of the lead pioneers of Hip Hop DJing, cutting, and mixing concluded an evening that marked the future direction of music collaboration. Welcome to the era of My Connect! My Connect Studio is available for PCs and will soon be compatible for Macs and mobile devices.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LIFE

2012 BET AWARDS

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

2012 BET AWARDS

2012 BET AWARDS HIGHLIGHTS: JAY-Z, KANYE WEST AMONG NIGHT’S BIG WINNERS KIMBERLY NORDYKE THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

ay-Z, Kanye West, Beyonce and Chris Brown were among the big winners at the 2012 BET Awards, each taking home two nods at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Jay-Z and West, aka The Throne, were given the first award of the night, best group, presented after a performance by West. “I’m bad at losing, and I’m bad at winning,” West said in his acceptance speech. “I’m already saying the wrong thing. I wish Jay-Z was here to say something politically correct for me.” Jay-Z then suddenly appeared from backstage (he later explained he had gotten held up by “L.A. traffic,” causing him to miss performing with West). “We worked really hard on this album,” Jay-Z said. “We didn’t take anything for granted. We didn’t rely on our name. We’re going to just keep making the best stuff ever.” Meanwhile, Jay-Z and West beat out the former’s wife, Beyonce, for video of the year. Of the couple, who welcomed a baby girl in January, presenter Jamie Foxx joked that “there’s gonna be an argument at the crib, trying to see who’s the hottest in the household.” In accepting the video of the year award for “Otis,” Jay-Z also had fun with West, interrupting the latter as he was trying to give his acceptance speech (you may recall West famously interrupted Tayor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards to declare his belief that Beyonce should have won the award for best female video). “Excuse me, Kanye, I’m gonna let you continue, but ....” Jay-Z joked. West laughed at the jab, as did Beyonce from her front-row seat in the audience. Beyonce also took home two awards, including best female R&B artist. She gave a shoutout to fellow female singers in her acceptance speech. “I fell in love with music by listening to R&B, and it’s at the core of who I am,” she said. “I want to thank BET for giving R&B a home and also the talented women before me, Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige, and I dedicate this to Whitney Houston, my angel.” L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LIFE

2012 BET AWARDS

Beyonce and Alan Ferguson also won the video director of the year award. Chris Brown won best male R&B singer and also performed during the show, but he made no mention of the recent altercation with fellow Hip Hop star and Canadian MC Drake at a New York club that left at least eight people, including NBA star Tony Parker, injured. Brown also took home the ‘Fandemonium’ Award for a third consecutive year, meanwhile, Nicki Minaj, who performed during the show, was named best female Hip Hop artist for the third year in a row. “I don’t take it for granted,” she said in accepting the award. “Thank you BET for keeping this category alive and appreciating all the female rappers for doing their thing; past, present and future.” Big Sean, who performed during the show, was named best new artist, while Yolanda Adams won for best gospel artist. Best collaboration went to Wale featuring Miguel for “Lotus Flower Bomb,” meanwhile, Think Like a Man star Kevin Hart was named best actor. “First of all I knew I would win,” Hart quipped in accepting his award. “I was a shoo-in, much better than [fellow nominees] Denzel [Washington] and Don Cheadle, a little better than Idris [Elba].” Hart then turned serious, thanking his fans and saying the honor was “unexpected.” During the show, Whitney Houston was remembered with a tribute that featured Mariah Carey, Brandy, Monica, Chaka Khan and Houston’s mother Cissy and Gary, among others. Chante Moore performed a tribute to the late Donna Summer, while Valerie Ashford sang “Ain’t Nothing but the Real Thing” in honor of her late husband, Nick Ashford. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, whose hits include “Happy Feelin’s,” “Lady of Magic,” “Travelin’ Man,” “Feel That You’re Feeling,” “Joy and Pain” and “Look in Your Eyes.” Tyler Perry, Tyrese and Faith Evans were among those taking part in the tribute to the band. Meanwhile, the Rev. Al Sharpton was presented with the Humanitarian Award by BET Networks chairman and CEO Debra L. Lee for his work in bringing awareness to Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old who was fatally shot earlier this year by a neighborhood watchman. The Coca-Cola viewers choice award went to boy band Mindless Behavior, who beat out the likes of Beyonce, Brown, Jay-Z and West, Drake and Wale.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

2012 BET AWARDS

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LIFE

MOHAMMAD ALI FOR LOUIS VUITTON

MOHAMMED ALI NEW SPOKESMAN FOR LOUIS VUITTON! CONTRIBUTED

egendary boxer Muhammad Ali got a new gig as a “spokes-model” for Louis Vuitton’s latest ad campaign. He is among several iconic individuals including soccer star, Pelé, Mikhail Gorbachev and Angelina Jolie. The stars will be spread across magazine pages in 60 countries which began in June. Ali is photographed looking relaxed and surprisingly fit, keeping a watchful eye over a young boy with gloved fists, and a high priced Louis Vuitton “Keepall 50” bag lies by his foot. In case you’re wondering, the three-year-old little guy in the photo is the son of Ali’s daughter Laila and her husband, Curtis Conway, an ex- NFL player, now football commentator for Fox TV in LA.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

MOHAMMAD ALI FOR LOUIS VUITTON

LIFE

JENNIFER HUDSON’S FASHION LINE

JENNIFER HUDSON’S FASHION LINE DEBUTS ON QVC THIS FALL CONTRIBUTED

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

JENNIFER HUDSON’S FASHION LINE

ennifer Hudson will cement her foray into the fashion business with an appearance on QVC this fall. The singer, 30, will introduce the Jennifer Hudson Collection for QVC in September. The line includes pieces that range from her former size 16 to her latest look, size six. ”I feel like I represent every woman. I’ve been on both sides of the fence,” she told WWD. ”I’ve been a big girl and now whatever this is, the average size, whatever you want to call it. But I wanted the clothes to be where any girl could wear it – no matter what size you are – and you could feel comfortable in it.” The Oscar winner says she’s ”looking forward” to her collection drawing in the multicultural market, as well as music and film fans. Hudson added that she would wear every single item in her 14-piece collection, noting: ”It has to be true to me. I would not sign off on it if I would not wear it.” The line features of a $75 sheer maxiskirt with a discreet lining, a $74.50 body-hugging knit dress and $50 leggings, of which she confesses to owning 300 pairs. ”I’m the legging queen,” she said. “What I love about a legging is, again, it’s a piece you can dress up or down and it’s still comfortable.” The Chicago native added coats to her collection for those in cold weather climates, the priciest being a charcoal grey coat that flares out into a full skirt –priced at $170. ”It’s cut like a dress. It’s very structured [and] very classic,” she said. Doug Howe, QVC’s executive vice president of merchandising, planning and sales, added: ”She has this great Cinderella story, an aspiration for different women. We don’t overtly go out to target someone who is Hispanic or African-American. We never look at it that way. It all starts with the person’s story and product. That dictates who buys it.”

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

TRAVEL

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

M I S S I O N C AT WA L K : G R E G O RY W I L L I A M S

GREGORY WILLIAMS RULES THE CATWALK AND HEADS TO LONDON FOR FASHION WEEK! AYEOLA GEORGE

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

M I S S I O N C AT WA L K : G R E G O RY W I L L I A M S

wenty eight year-old Cross Roads Jamaica resident Gregory Williams is the mission Catwalk Season 2 winner and will be heading to London Fashion Week later this year as part of his wining package valued at $3 million Jamaican dollars. The designer, who won one prior challenge on the show, had a tearful reaction to the announcement made on the show’s finale episode. “When I heard my name, I couldn’t help it. This was a competition and I had worked hard so it was just a relief to get to the end.” He was judged on 12 looks he presented at Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW) 2012 in June. Though he has a penchant for high fashion, Gregory made a strong effort to present ready-to-wear pieces. For Novia McDonald-Whyte Jamaica Observer’s lifestyle editor, “Gregory got the nod at the end of the day because he is truly a designer! One who’s not only capable of thinking outside the proverbial box, but one who makes a woman crave his designs,” aptly summing up the views of fellow judges Keneea Linton-George host and executive-producer of the series and menswear designer Carlton Brown. Guest judge Kay Davitian, a former head of quality control at Jones NY and Ralph Lauren gave Gregory some sage advice. “You are a true designer and you will go far if you put your head to learning the trade.” His learning has already begun with advice on running a small business from NCB who will contribute JMD$500,000 to his HOD Designs clothing line. Gregory will also receive industrial sewing equipment valued at JMD$200,000 courtesy of Singer Jamaica, a contract to sell his designs at SOHO boutique, a six-page fashion editorial in Ocean Style Magazine, a scholarship to pursue fashion program at London College of Fashion, an apprenticeship with Master Savile Row Tailor Andrew Ramroop and the chance to show a new collection at London Fashion Week in September accompanied by his Mission Catwalk model Sydia Valentine. Fellow Jamaican Crystal Powell came a close 2nd, but a lack of cohesiveness in her collection of beautiful pieces cost her the win. “Her passion is evident and her precision will put her in good stead in what is undoubtedly a fickle fashion market,” predicts McDonald-Whyte. In third place was Rebecca Stirm of Belize, a strong contender throughout the show, whose final designs were not “aspirational” according to Linton-George. Rounding up the top four was Trinidad’s Ryan Chan who did have an impactful collection but lost points for “slapping on” ready-made beading. This is the first time that casting for the show was open to designers from around the region. Mission Catwalk’s first season, won by Shena Carby, consisted of Jamaican designers only. Linton-George says requests are coming in from every island regarding season three.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

M I S S I O N C AT WA L K : G R E G O RY W I L L I A M S

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

M I S S I O N C AT WA L K : G R E G O RY W I L L I A M S

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

TRAVEL

M I S S I O N C AT WA L K : G R E G O RY W I L L I A M S

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

M I S S I O N C AT WA L K : G R E G O RY W I L L I A M S

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

YA H D I E C O N S C I O U S

THE FASHION OF YAHDIE CONSCIOUS

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

YA H D I E C O N S C I O U S

J HEIKE DEMPSTER

amaicans love fashion and Jamaica has been one of the main driving forces in the development of a strong Caribbean fashion industry. One of the young forces to be reckoned with is Kingston based designer James Black. With her incredibly cool personal style James has been a favorite of event and fashion photographers herself and her line of clothing, Yahdie Conscious, has become synonymous with trendy Jamaican style. Why the name Yahdie Conscious? “I wanted a name that was distinctly Jamaican. ‘Yahdie’ is a term used to refer to a Jamaican and ‘Conscious’ came from the rise in popularity of that type of music at the time, so I fused the two. These days I tend to just say ‘YC’ to represent the evolution of the brand into something more mature and sophisticated.” With her own fashion and style blog, appearances in music videos and on TV as well as a new line of headbands called GlamHead, James has taken the next steps to being a household name in Jamaica. James says she admires confident and edgy women whose style is laid back and sexy at the same time. She adds, “Rihanna, Rita Ora, Katy Perry and Solange Knowles are top on my list’” Inspired by the work of Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang as well as Jack McCollough, and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, James started Yahdie Conscious in 2004. Initially YC started as a t-shirt line but now incorporates accessories, swimsuits, dresses, pants, jackets and more. GlamHead added a ‘new clientele’ to YC attracting girls and young women who are very style savvy and like to stand out. According to James “GlamHead is a line of funky and unique headbands.” She adds “I started in 2010 and the response has been amazing since then. It carries the same ‘look’ as YC. I use a lot of animal print, African prints and anything bold and unique. I have the girly, understated pieces and then there are the ones that will always get you recognized.” The woman who wears YC is definitely a lover of fashion, knows about the latest trends but at the same time has her own unique style. She likes to stand out from the crowd, is confident and does not like to be tied to conventions when it comes to expressing her personality. James adds “I consider the line to be ‘casually sexy.’ Our pieces are edgy and perfect to take you from day to night. They are stand out pieces without being loud and over the top. We also offer a variety of items that I think appeal to a wide range of women.”

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

YA H D I E C O N S C I O U S

YC is an eclectic line combining many elements into a recognizable brand. YC keeps the Caribbean climate in mind with light fabrics. African prints appeal to a Caribbean color aesthetic and punk and rock elements keep the Jamaican party scene in mind. Details often hint on Jamaican dancehall while never leaving the realm of fashion. James says she loves pieces with an element of surprise and details are as important as matching the right design with the right print. After “Glam Rocksteady and Dancehall Circus,” “Flowers A Bloom” and “Stargaze N Shades” the latest collection available is called “With Love, 25 (WL25).” The new collection represents the surge of maturity in design that came along with being 25 and a bold statement of defining YC’s style, explains James. “WL25” includes swimwear, funky prints, flared dresses and form fitting silhouettes which will have you ready for the summer. Currently YC and GlamHead are available at Style Savvy, shop #16 in 7th Ave Plaza (Half Way Tree, Kingston, Jamaica) as well as via the website www.yahdieconscious.com and YC will expand and be available in more outlets across the Caribbean in the near future. James has also started a comedic series called James Black Fashion Crimes. The first episode was released through Facebook and Vimeo and new episodes are in the making for the summer of 2012. Of course we had to ask James about her hottest fashion tips for the summer 2012. Her prediction: “The hottest trends are tail hem dresses and skirts, cropped tops and color blocking. There is also more of a focus on colors like neons and pastels. Tribal print will also still be big, chiffon and lace as well.” Follow James Black on Twitter and check out her blog for style tips as well as the latest designs form YC and GleamHead! @jamesblackyc @yahdieconscious

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

YA H D I E C O N S C I O U S

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

WADADA MOVEMENT

WADADA MOVEMENT A LIFESTYLE OF LOVE FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO!

HEIKE DEMPSTER

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

yanna and Asha Diaz are spreading a message of love from their native Trinidad and Tobago across the Caribbean and the world with their clothing line “Wadada” and movement of positivity. “We don’t just consider ‘Wadada’ a clothing line. It’s more than that. It’s a lifestyle of peace, love, giving and positive energy. It’s a Movement, hence why we have the word Movement to accompany ‘Wadada.’ The name “Wadada” means “Love” in Ethiopia’s official language, Amharic, and it can also can be used as a greeting translated into “Peace and love be onto you and I.” Asha shares that the name originally came up when Ayanna was pregnant and contemplating baby names. Since Wadada was the option for a boy and Ayanna was blessed with a daughter the name went to their clothing line, the brain child and “baby” of both sisters. They got started in 2010 after designing their own clothing for years as they could not find clothing that fit correctly on their tall and very slender frames. Positive comments and requests for pieces eventually led to “Wadada.” Trinidad has a very strong and successful fashion industry and, alongside Jamaica, is known to produce some of the top designers in the region. The local fashion scene in Trinidad has been growing tremendously and the overall interest in fashion has grown as well with many young people starting to take risks exploring their style and expressing their individuality. Ayanna and Asha each bring their own style and personality to “Wadada.” “Ayanna is a bit more militant while Asha’s style is a little more ‘bo-ho’ so the combination of the two styles give us a little edge on other designers as ‘Wadada’ may appeal to many different markets,” explain the sisters who also share that becoming designers wasn’t so much a decision they sat down and discussed but rather a natural progression of life. “We just wanted to share part of ourselves with the world. We want other women to feel the way we feel when we get dressed to step out - like Royalty.” And which woman does not want to feel royal, special and beautiful when getting dressed and ready? Ayanna and Asha always keep those feelings in mind when designing their line. The sisters really got started with a major project styling the music video “Rasta Love” by Protoje featuring Ky-Mani Marley in Jamaica. Ever since they have been working hard to establish the brand via fashion shows, photo shoots, events and by creating beautiful clothes that women want to wear, all while getting involved in charity projects and events to assist the less fortunate to keep the spirit of “Wadada.”

TRAVEL

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

WADADA MOVEMENT

The style of “Wadada” is about embracing womanhood. The designers create pieces accentuating a woman’s figure by using fabrics that are flattering to all shapes and sizes. The sisters say they design for “the working woman who wants to feel comfortable and sexy while not showing off too much of her body. The woman that wants to feel like she is a queen,” and add “ The woman that wants to silence a crowd by simply walking into the room with a certain kind of confidence that only comes from being comfortable in what she wears.” Ayanna and Asha embrace the Caribbean and Africa in their designs and aesthetics and interpret their visions with a contemporary international fashion sensibility. The new collection, entitled “Nous Sommes - We Are” is now available and features fashionable yet conservative cuts, colors and prints, staple pieces with exquisite details and form fitting pieces in twill, cotton and silk lycra. Unique and simple is also the ‘subcollection’ entitled O.N.E. - ‘One Natural Energy’, which was created for us to be able to give back to our community. The pieces in this sub-line are what they call “Rasta pieces.” All the pieces are solid colors, with a red/yellow/green stripe running along the left side of the garment, because your heart is on the left of your body. Twenty percent of the profits from this sub-line are to be donated to a local charity. “Wadada” is available worldwide directly from Ayanna and Asha who continue to design while spreading the Love! Check out their latest collection on http://www.wadadamovement.com/ and follow them on Twitter @wadadamovement Twitter with Heike @axesmedia

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

WADADA MOVEMENT

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

YGB CLOTHING LINE

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

YGB CLOTHING LINE

YGB CLOTHING LINE CONTRIBUTED

BG is excited to launch their 2012 Collection of Young Black & Gifted™ Clothing that is fresh, hip, and trendy with the introduction of the official YBG Signature Summer Tees. Available in popular and exciting assortment of colors and sizes, this fashionable T-shirt features the brand YBG™ signature Logo and design. Young Black & Gifted™ is a grass roots youth inspired social enterprise aimed to showcase and inspire the undiscovered, young rising stars, the young black professional, while celebrating, The People, Fashion, and Culture of our community. With the success of the organization’s annual event during Black History Month to honour Young, Black and Gifted individuals, they look forward to the future.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

BUTCH DIVA

FEMALE EXPRESSION THROUGH BUTCH DIVA! CONTRIBUTED

iffany Rhodes has been designing and catering custom fashion pieces for over a decade through her brand, Butch Diva. Over the years Butch Diva has grown to be an underground female empowering phenomena mainly through the visuals of the blog (www.butchdiva.com) and Butch Diva photoshoots, special events, fashion shows, word of mouth and references. Since their exclusive launch in the Patricia Field boutique, and the launch of the Butch Diva online shop, this fashion powerhouse has collaborated with stylists who have been getting their pieces out and on the right influential artists. To date, the brand has been featured on Lil Kim, Patra, Amy Winehouse, Elle Varner, Kelis, Jonte, Tokyo Diiva, and a handful of other emerging artists. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also been seen in music videos, and fashion shoots around the world. Shipping product to clients all over the world; from online store orders to custom requests, Butch Diva has made its way to girls in Paris, Japan, Singapore, across the Caribbean Islands, Australia, and beyond! In North America, they are very popular on the streets of Los Angeles, Miami, and Atlanta because of their bold color, graphics, prints, and patterns, and mixing of textures! The collection Spandex & Chaos has become well known for its jumpsuits, leggings, dresses and custom options. The pieces are knit / spandex based so very comfortable, easy to travel with, and most importantly affordable which allows todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading females to make a statement with their wardrobe without going broke! Make sure you visit www.butchdiva.com for more info!

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

BUTCH DIVA

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

O LY M P I C A P P A R E L

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

O LY M P I C A P P A R E L

THE JAMAICA OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION AND PUMA UNVEIL OLYMPIC APPAREL FOR LONDON 2012, DESIGNED BY CEDELLA MARLEY CONTRIBUTED

he Jamaica Olympic Association and PUMA launched the Jamaican Team uniforms for the London 2012 Olympic Games™, including podium and ceremony wear with the help of Jamaican Track Athlete and World’s Fastest man Usain Bolt. Fashion designer Cedella Marley, daughter of Reggae icon the late Bob Marley, unveiled her designs alongside Usain Bolt at the launch in London. The designs will be worn by the entire team (men and women), including three-time Jamaican Olympic gold medallist, fastest man in the world and PUMA athlete Usain Bolt. PUMA’s partnership with Marley, the eldest daughter in the Jamaican family dynasty, underscores the brand’s longtime commitment to the Caribbean nation, with its rich cultural heritage, global music contributions and its unparalleled dedication to Athletics.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

O LY M P I C A P P A R E L

“It is truly an honor to design this collection for my home country and my home team,” said Cedella Marley. “It’s not even a dream come true because it’s something I never dreamed would be possible. I ran track in high school in Jamaica and I’m still a huge fan of Jamaican Athletics, so to have a role in creating the outfits for our Olympians is a thrill. I admire what PUMA has been doing in Jamaica over the years and the Marley family has the same type of give-back philosophy. I think this partnership is going to be legendary.” Staying true to PUMA’s DNA of sport lifestyle, the collection incorporates high-tech fabrics and silhouettes engineered to enhance the performance of the athletes hailing from the fastest country in the world— Jamaica. Taking inspiration from the vibrant colors and patterns of the Caribbean nation as well as the African influences that have come to characterize that country, Cedella Marley’s unique designs are sure to make the world take notice in the summer of 2012. “I can’t think of a better person to design our Olympic outfits than Cedella,” said Usain Bolt. “PUMA got that right…hooking up with a legendary Jamaican. She’s a great designer but also carries on the spirit of our nation through the legacy of the Marley family. It’s going to be inspirational to run in London with that energy surrounding me.” PUMA’s Olympic wear will be accompanied by a lifestyle collection of apparel, footwear and accessories which will be available at PUMA retail stores globally in June 2012. “We’ll go through a rigorous process of material selection and design to ensure the performance singlets, in particular, meet the needs of Jamaica’s world-class athletes,” continued Marley. They have to fit and feel like a second skin.” “Cedella, the Marley family and their fun and laid back Jamaican nature are a perfect fit for the PUMA brand”, said Franz Koch, CEO of PUMA. “Cedella’s vibrant style and unique design will bring an authenticity to the Olympic PUMA collection for the entire world to see in London 2012, boosting the visibility of our brand significantly.”

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

O LY M P I C A P P A R E L

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

O LY M P I C A P P A R E L

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

O LY M P I C A P P A R E L

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

FASHION

O LY M P I C A P P A R E L

Cedella Marley began designing clothes while she was on tour with Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, a band comprised of her brothers and sisters. Her fashion brand, Catch A Fire, named after her father’s first album, debuted in 2001 and encompasses a tailored bohemian style with vivid colors and prints. Her collections are available in upscale department stores throughout the United States. In addition to fashion design, Marley is a children’s book author and the CEO of Tuff Gong International—the record label founded by father Bob Marley in 1965. She is also the director of Marley and Company which manages Bob’s image and music rights and helms the merchandising conglomerate The House of Marley. A life-long philanthropist, Marley is currently overseeing operations for The Bob Marley Foundation and 1Love.org, which aligns well with PUMA’s own commitment to giving back. PUMA’s investment in Track & Field in Jamaica is far and wide, with Usain Bolt being undeniably one of the brand’s greatest ambassadors. Since 2002, PUMA has sponsored the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), which is the governing body for Track and Field in Jamaica, and the Jamaica Olympic Association. In addition to this, PUMA helps to foster young talent through sponsorship of seven high school track and field programs. This partnership also drives the annual ISSA Boys & Girls Track and Field Championships, dubbed “The Champs” which is lauded as the most popular sporting event in Jamaica and the place where many of the world-renowned sprinters got their start. PUMA is a partner of pre-Champs meets including the Gibson Relays and various Invitationals. Outside of the high school sphere, PUMA is the main partner of the Reggae Marathon, which takes place each December in Jamaica and draws distance runners from all over the world. The world will be watching Usain Bolt in London 2012 to see if he will break his own record in the 100m and 200m relays, clad in Cedella Marley’s unique designs. At 25, Bolt has emerged as one of the world’s most talented Track and Field athletes in the modern era, winning three gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and smashing two world records in the 100m (9:58) and 200m (19:19) at the World Championships in Berlin in 2009. PUMA, like many Bolt enthusiasts, believes the best is yet to come.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

O LY M P I C A P P A R E L

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

TRAVEL

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

TRAVEL

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

BEAUTY

SHOWERTIME

SHOWERTIME?

WE HAVE A PLAYLIST FOR THAT

BELLA

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

hat are your absolute essentials when having a shower in the morning? For me, its hot water, awesome body wash, my favorite face wash….and music! I can’t think back to a time when music wasn’t part of my shower experience. When I was younger, I used to sing. Around high school, I started finding ways to listen to music while in the shower. Whether that meant leaving the door open and my boombox blasting, or bringing a portable cassette player into the shower with me…whatever I had to do to get my tunes. The girls in my college dorm got used to hearing me coming and going every morning. iPods and mp3′s have made getting my morning shower music even easier. I have an iPod docking station in the corner of my bathroom, and every morning I choose a song that helps to set my mood and the eventual course of my day. What determines my shower soundtrack? I choose songs based on my mood, but the length of shower I can take is an even more important factor. Timing my shower to just the right song makes the world of difference for my morning. What makes a perfect shower song? That depends entirely on your musical taste. I find that I love slow, to mid-tempo soul music best, songs that build to a lush bridge I can sing my lungs out to, and songs that include a shift in tempo to lift my spirits and get me ready to face whatever lies ahead. If the song is too slow, or too monotonous, it doesn’t make it into my regular rotation. Here are some of my current favorite shower songs, to give you an idea of how I start my day.

SHOWERTIME

AIN’T NO STOPPING US NOW By McFadden and Whitehead At 4 minutes long, this could be the perfect length for a shower song. The message makes it so inspiring and ideal for getting ready in the morning. Just be careful with those dance moves in the shower. TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS By Otis Redding I enjoy the Kanye and Jay-Z version a LOT, but nothing comes close to Otis himself. This man was soul personified. Singing along with this in the shower brings me so much joy. REASONS By Earth Wind and Fire At 4:59, Reasons is a great jam for a good, long morning shower. Gives you time to use your favorite exfoliant, or shave your legs if you’re so inclined. “Reasons” is on the slower end of my preferred shower song scale, but it sets such a romantic tone to the day, I can’t resist. AS By Stevie Wonder As might be my #1 favorite Stevie Wonder song, and that’s saying a LOT. At 7:15, As makes for a more decadent shower, perfect for weekends where you want to do a quick co-wash on your hair and don’t have to be somewhere in a hurry. PURPLE RAIN By Prince The long version is 8:46. Purple Rain has all the ingredients for a perfect shower song - few things are more awesome than coming home from a long day at work, a hot day outside, or a good workout, and then taking an epic Purple Rain shower before bed. It’s like shower therapy. Trust me. Try it and tell me how you feel. I’m putting myself out there on this random post…but I’m hoping I’m not alone! Bellas, do you listen to music while you shower? Or is it just me? For more from Bella visit www.afrobella.com L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

TRAVEL

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

TRAVEL

WORLD’S SMALLEST ISLANDS

THE WORLD’S TOP 10 SMALLEST COUNTRIES ROBIN ESROCK

1. VATICAN CITY

At just 0.2 square miles, Vatican City is the world’s smallest nation, with a population of just 770 people, none of who actually reside in the country permanently. Completely surrounded by Rome, the Vatican is the spiritual centre for over 1 billion Roman Catholics, and is protected by the smallest and oldest army in the world, the Swiss Guard. The official language is Latin and Italian (even the ATMs offer Latin), and for the world’s smallest country, it receives more mail per inhabitant than any other country in the world. It’s also the only country in the world with a non-commercial economy, supported by charity contributions, postage stamps and tourism.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

WORLD’S SMALLEST ISLANDS

2For. theMONACO world’s second smallest country (0.7 square miles),

Monaco still manages to pack in over 30,000 residents, giving it first prize as the world’s most densely populated country. Only 1 in 5 are actually Monegasques however, the result of the fabulously rich relocating to take advantage of no income tax (the French government, which mostly administers Monaco, has since changed that policy). Since the 13th century, Monaco has been ruled by the Grimaldi family, a monarchy with origins in Genoa, Italy. Located on the French Riviera not far from Nice, Monaco is synonymous with glamour, high-end gambling, and its annual Formula 1 race.

3I confess . NAURU I knew little about the world’s smallest island nation, just

8.5 square miles located in the Western Pacific Ocean. For example, who knew an entire economy could have been based on crap? Formerly known as Pleasant Island, the island’s 13,000 inhabitants benefitted from the sale of thousands of years of highly lucrative bat droppings. Once among the world’s wealthiest nations, this disappearing natural resource and political corruption left Nauru in hard times - a poverty stricken nation with extreme unemployment and for some odd reason, obesity (blamed on high fat diets and alcohol). The country flirted with off-shore banking, attracting billions from Russian money launderers, but that idea has since gone to the cleaners as well.

4Ever. TUVALU visited a website that ends with .tv? It’s not short for ‘television’ but rather the tiny Polynesian nation of Tuvalu, capitalizing on its fortunate country code. Consisting of 9 coral atolls and just 9 square miles in size, the highest point of Tuvalu is just 5 metres above sea level, with the population of around 10,500. An important allied base during World War II, the country now derives most of its income from selling those .tv domain names. But the combination of rising sea levels, population growth and erosion means Tuvalu is on the endangered list.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

TRAVEL

WORLD’S SMALLEST ISLANDS

5Formally . SAN MARINO known as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, the 24 square miles that make up this European state is located on Mount Titano Italy, near the Adriatic coast. Founded in AD301, it holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest republic. With around 30,000 residents, San Marino’s constitution dates back to the 1600s, and considering the pull and push of European empires, the tiny nation has fared remarkably well (conquered briefly just twice in its history). Once among the poorest countries in Europe, a bustling tourism industry has revived its fortunes and San Marino’s citizens are now among the world’s wealthiest people.

6On.theLIECHTENSTEIN Rhine between the Swiss and Austrian Alps are the 62 square miles that make up the Principality of Liechtenstein. This little country has a population of 35,000, recording the highest gross domestic product per person in the world, along with the world’s second lowest unemployment rate (first prize to Monaco). Although it once resorted to selling off the art treasures of its royal rulers, Liechtenstein has prospered due to offering the lowest corporate tax rate in Europe, and its current prince is the world’s sixth wealthiest world leader. In fact, the country has more registered companies than citizens. With no military and one of the lowest crime rates in the world, you’re probably asking why more people don’t live there. Due to its size, Liechtenstein upholds a principle of limited admission and high requirements for admission. Speaking German is a must.

71225. MARSHALL ISLANDS islands and atolls make up the Republic of the Mar-

shall Islands, just north of the Equator in Micronesia. Technically, there are only five actual islands, the rest are coral atolls that make up one tenth of all the atolls in the world. It’s a nation of squeaky white beaches, palm trees and turquoise seas, no doubt enjoyed by the 67,000 people who live there. In its history, these 70 square miles have been claimed by Spain, Britain, Germany, Japan and the United States (who gave it formal independence in 1986). The US left some serious damage with their nuclear testing program. Three atolls in the Marshall’s Bikini chain were bombed into non-existence.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

WORLD’S SMALLEST ISLANDS

8Two. SAINT KITTS & NEVIS islands connected by an ampersand ocean make up this

tiny country in the Caribbean, stretching 104 square miles between the two of them. It’s the smallest sovereign nation in the Americas. Saint Kitts housed the first English and French colonies in the Caribbean. With tourism driving the economy, those who want to stay and enjoy the island life can actually do so. Saint Kitts offers the oldest Citizenshipby-Investment program in the world, allowing foreigners to effectively buy their passport (good to know its highly regulated). Visitors to Saint Kitts visit an old British fort, hike an extinct volcano, eat, sleep and play. As for Nevis, famed for its geothermal springs, tourists enjoy sailing, snorkelling, and historical tours of Charlestown.

9When . SEYCHELLES Prince William and his lovely bride Kate needed the ultimate

honeymoon getaway, they chose one of the world’s tiniest nations, the Republic of Seychelles. Located in the Indian Ocean 1500km east of Africa, the Seychelles is blessed with beautiful weather, endless beaches, a stable government, and resorts to make you feel like royalty under the coconut trees. The couple spent 10 days in a $9000 a night villa on one of the 115 islands in the archipelago, complete with private butler. They could be assured of absolute privacy. Not only does the Seychelles have the smallest population of any country in Africa, it’s also far away from any nosey paparazzi

10 . MALDIVES There are 2000 islands in the Maldives, but the 310,000

people who live in this island state choose to pack into just a few of them, most notably the crowded capital Male. Highend luxury resorts take up dozens of others. Tourism drives much of the economy, creating an interesting dual society. 99.4% of Maldivians follow Islam, and the practice of any other religion is forbidden (they even confiscate Bibles at the airport). There are no bars in Male, and everything is strictly Halal. Once on an island resort however, you’ll find an ‘anything goes’ situation complete with booze, pork, and spider web thin bikinis. Located 250 miles south of India, the Maldives is the nation most at threat by climate change. The President has even announced plans to buy land in India to relocate his population as environmental refugees. L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

TRAVEL

BT RA RA VG EA LI N A I R F A R E S

TRICKS TO FINDING BARGAIN AIRFARES SCOTT MAYEROWITZ

o snag the best airfares, travelers need to be adventurous and willing to pick up at a moment’s notice. OK, now let’s be realistic. Most people making summer travel plans need just that: plans. They get a week off, maybe two, and aren’t going to spend hard-earned cash on a last-second whim. But great deals are still within reach for those who have even a little flexibility in choosing where and when to travel. “Airfares are high but there are pockets of cheap out there,” says Seth Miller, an information technology consultant who writes a U.S.-based blog under the name The Wandering Aramean. Miller does his best to beat the system by connecting in strange cities, flying at off hours and taking advantage of sales often offered when an airline adds a new destination. Here are some tips from Miller and other expert travelers on how to combat rising airfares.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LAST MINUTE WEEKEND FARES When airlines don’t fill planes for an upcoming weekend, they slash prices. Each Tuesday, they email offers for that coming weekend or the following one to fliers who have signed up online for the deal alerts. Travelers have to depart late Friday night or anytime Saturday and come back Monday or Tuesday. An added plus: weekend getaways save precious vacation days. Air Canada sends out a weekly email that outlines the highlights of its latest sales as does www.Orbitz.com.

B A R G A I N A I TR RF A VR E LS

TWITTER AND FACEBOOK Airlines are experimenting with sales on Twitter. At the forefront is JetBlue, which tweets last-second fare sales and vacation package discounts from @JetBlueCheeps. Some deals apply to just a few seats and are gone within hours. “If you find something, jump on it,” says John DiScala, who each year flies around 150,000 miles, visits 20 countries and writes about it at JohnnyJet.com. Airlines like Calgary-based WestJet announce special sales to those who “like” their Facebook pages and sites like AirfareWatchdog offer fare alert emails airfarewatchdog.com/fare-alerts. There are also frequent fliers who search for and post cheap flights in online discussion boards. Two of the better discussion boards are: www.flyertalk.com/forum/mileage-run-deals-372 and milepoint.com/forums/forums/mileage-runs-mattress-runs-travel-hacking.6

DATES Looking to go to Paris for a week but don’t care when in the 3. FLEXIBLE next few months? Both Expedia.ca and ITA Software’s airfare search matrix.itasoftware.com provide a calendar of the lowest fares. Just enter the departure and destination city - nearby airports can even be added - and then how many nights to spend there. It will find the cheapest prices for a month out from a given date. The length of the trip can even be a range, say five to seven days.

THE FARE, NOT THE DESTINATION 4. CHASE Want to know the cheapest fares from a departure city to anywhere? Check out Kayak’s explore tool kayak. com/explore. It allows travelers to search multiple airlines at once this way. A map pops up with all the destinations under a set budget point. Searches can be done for a particular month or for all of summer. The query can be narrowed by activity - beach, golf, gambling, skiing - or by continent. Porter Airlines offers frequent deep discounts on many destinations, and advertises online.

CONNECTIONS Fares to Hawaii might be steep. But connecting though another city with a sale to 5. ODD Hawaii, could save a lot of money. Use AirfareWatchdog’s “fares to a city search”

airfarewatchdog.com/cheap-flights/to-a-city to see if there are any less expensive indirect routes to your destination. Instead of flying from, say, Boston to Honolulu, it could be a lot cheaper to book two separate tickets - the first between Boston and Houston and the second from there to Hawaii. “If you can save $1,000 per couple and get two cities for less than the price of one, it’s a no brainer,” says Georgia Hobica, founder of AirfareWatchdog. L 3LM3AMGAAGZAI ZNIEN. EC .OCMO M| J|UJLY U LY2 021021 2

TRAVEL

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

TECHNOLOGY

T E C H N O L O G Y

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

TECHNOLOGY

MICROSOFT

MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES THE SURFACE 76

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

M I C R O S O F TA

CONTRIBUTED

et to be released in the fall, Microsofts new device called the Surface features a 10.6-inch HD screen, dual USB ports and a built-in stand. Microsoft announced its own iPad competitor tablet computer called the Surface at a press event in Los Angeles in June. Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer unveiled the device, which features a 10.6-inch screen, two USB ports, a magnesium case, Corning’s flexible breakresistant Gorilla Glass screen and a built-in stand packed into a 1.5-pound halfinch package for the base model. Users can add a magnetically connecting touch cover that features a multitouch keyboard or can input data using a digital pen. The Surface can display content in 1080P HD resolution. The base model runs Microsoft’s new Windows RT operating system. A pro model will run the forthcoming Windows 8. Both operating systems were designed with touch-based and mobile computing at their core. Surface, Windows RT and Windows 8 will debut simultaneously in the fall, though Microsoft has not announced an exact release date. The new tablet will be available in 32GB and 64 GB models (similar to the high end iPad), with the 64GB and 128GB pro models debuting about three months later. Ballmer declined to specify pricing, only saying it would be comparable with ultrabook PCs. The new entry-level VIzio ultrabook is priced at $900. The entrylevel iPad is priced at $399. Surface is clearly designed to challenge Apple’s dominant iPad by adding options USB ports, better Wi-Fi reception, a pen input that some users thought lacking in the industry’s standard-setting device.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

MISS JULY 2012

AVAILABLE ON iTUNES NOW!

GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY! http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/life-too-short-single/id514485055

LOVE

L3MAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 2012

LOVE

D I G I TA L D OW N L OA D S

DOWNLOAD

L3’S

CHAM FT. O 1 “Tun Up” 2 “AhKONSHENS So Mih Tan” CHAM FT. O 3 “Back Way”

4 “Like Mih Mate” LADY SAW

COURTNEY JOHN 5 “Like Magic” POTENTIAL KIDD 6 “Yah Suh Nice” ALI BABA FT. 7 KING OCTAYNE “Superstar”

I-BRILLANCE 8 “Greatest Lover” GYPTIAN FT. TIDAL 9 “Give It To Me Baby” CHARLY BLACK 10 “Claaaaaty Again” RAYMOND WRIGHT 11 “Sunshine” STEPHENS FT. 12 TANYA MARCIA GRIFFITHS

PATEXX FT. LIQUID 19 “More Rum”

J LOGIX FT. FIRE LION “Party Hard”

ALISON HINDS 16 “Baddy” TIFA 17 “Hold On” HEZRON 18 “Those Days”

“Want Love”

JAH BAMI FT. PRESSURE BUSS

“Poppin”

14 “Wine N Guh Dung” PATEXX

Charts are based on the most active DJ downloads via the L3 Music Distribution service.

KAYLA BLISS

“One More Chance”

CROSS CARIBBEAN

TOP 10 CHARTS

INDEPENDENT TASH TOP 10 REGGAE MUSIC CHART Compiled by Independent Tash

RDX 1 “Jump” GYPTIAN FT. TIDAL 2 “Give It To Me Baby” BUSY SIGNAL 3 “Missing You” VEGAS 4 “Bruk It Down” DAMIAN MARLEY 5 “Affairs of the Heart”

POPCAAN 6 “When Mi Party” CHAM 7 “Tun Up” KONSHENS 8 “Bubble Gyal A Bubble” GYPTIAN 9 “My Number One” RKG 10 “Private Wine”

LOVE

SOCA CHART

TOP 10 CHARTS

SOCA

INDEPENDENT TASH TOP 10 SOCA MUSIC CHART Compiled by Independent Tash

Contact Tash direct at IndependentTash@gmail.com

LIL RICK & BUBBA 1 “We Want Drinks” DRU & 2 RICARDO EDWIN YEARWOOD “Throw Me Out”

VEGAS & ALISON HINDS 3 “Bruk It Down” Remix KES THE BAND 4 “Stress Away” RED EYE CREW 5 “Ting Deh” ROBERTS 6 “APATRICE Little Wine” 7 “ILILLikeRICKMuh Self” MONTANO 8 “GoMACHEL Down” DUTTY ANDROID 9 “Conduckta” GORG 10 “Cozy Corner”

*All songs on this chart reflect the most played hits as confirmed by Program Directors (PD’s) throughout the Caribbean via reporting radio stations and night clubs.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

CARIBBEAN ARTISTS

BREAK OUT

*Photography by Mark Lyndersay

BREAK-OUT CARIBBEAN ARTISTS

CRUZ ROCK

CRUZ ROCK 1 “People Ah Cry”

DERWIN VALLIE 6 “Deep”

SHARA 2 “Not OK”

BLESSED 7 “Reggae Time”

Anguila

Trinidad

Toronto

SMOOTH T 3 “Jovert”

RITICAL 8 “Wish You The Best”

NYNE 9 “Je-taime”

Turks & Caicos

FABION

“Wear My Name” Miami (Jamaica)

NHAKENTE 5 “IBUGGY See Them” Barbados

Tortolla

Anguilla

STUART WILSON

“Rule the World” Cayman Islands

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LOVE

TOP 10 CHARTS

EXCO LEVI

RICO VIBES TOP 10 VIDEO PICKS FOR JULY Compiled by Rico Vibes

DAMIAN MARLEY

CHAM FT. O

JEMERE MORGAN

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

“AFFAIRS OF THE HEART” “TUN UP”

“SUNSHINE GLOW”

KONSHENS

ELEPHANT MAN FT. LADY SAW

JAH SUN FT. PEETAH MORGAN

“AH SO MIH TAN” “SIDDUNG”

“HEART OF A LION”

WYRE FT. GRAMPS MORGAN &. PEETAH MORGAN

ROMAIN VIRGO “I KNOW BETTER”

“GUARANTEE”

D. MAJOR “THAT’S WHAT LOVE’S ABOUT”

EXCO LEVI “STORMS OF LIFE”

“STORMS OF LIFE”

T H E A LT E R N AT I V E B E AT

THE ALTERNATIVE BEAT ALLIE MASON

ZULU WINTER

“WE SHOULD BE SWIMMING” It’s no doubt why this song has been receiving tons of radio play; it’s got a great beat, catchy chorus, and mesmerizing guitar combo. It’s one of those songs that really doesn’t matter what they say between choruses because you’re already so hooked by the first 30 seconds that you really don’t care anymore. And this UK quintet has more where that came from. Their debut full-length album boasts more of the same pop-y, rhythmic, gets-into-your-veins kind of deliciousness that you only get a taste of with this single.

ANYWHERE

DEAF LEAF ECHO

STEPDAD

DAUGH GIBSON

There are few things I enjoy more than when great minds come together to produce something beautiful, innovative and best of all, coherent. And that’s exactly what happened when Cedric Bixler-Zavala (The Mars Volta, At The Drive-In) and Mike Watt (The Stooges, fIREHOSE, Minutemen) came together with a few others to produce this Bollywood-esque inspired single. Between the enchanting guitar and haunting vocals, the song has the ability to transport you into a musically invoked trip, to India and beyond.

At first listen, you’d think that this Brooklyn-based band has been drinking from the same cup as fellow Brooklynite indie band Real Estate, but where Real Estate has been stepping up their rhythm and vocals, Deaf Leaf Echo is bringing it down—way down. This ethereal dream, dream sequence track could actually lower your blood pressure, it’s that chill. The sound is barely there and deeply rich, thought-provoking and mind-numbing; it blurs the lines between genres like a melting pot of gooey musical goodness.

This song fills you up like a cool refreshing jug of sweet iced tea. And if that doesn’t sound like pure delight to you, then I don’t know what will. The staccato keyboard melodies, entrancing drum machine beats, and howling vocals of ultramark and Ryan McCarthy, both selfproclaimed “songwriters/ producers/college dropouts/ solid bros,” sucks you in and spits you back out covered in glitter and magic. The now four-piece band based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan walks the line between art and amazing.

Landing somewhere between classical, reggae, pop, and old time balladeer, Mr. Gibson (as I feel obligated to call him after listening to this single) has the debonair, deep vocals to layer effortlessly over his minimally perfect instrumental backing without making you think twice about his seemingly oddball musical combinations. Using piano, live percussion, drum machines, synth, strings, guitar, and humanoid backup vocals, charms its way from your speakers all the way into the depths of your soul.

“RUG ROSA”

“ACT OF TRUTH”

“MUST LAND RUNNING”

“LITE ME UP”

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LOVE

NEWS

NISHA B

PROMISES UNFORGETTABLE EVOLUTION FOR 2012

ven with numerous achievements and Caribbean music accolades under her belt and after having earned the respect and approval of her industry counterparts including Soca King Machel Montano, Nisha Bissambhar continues to strive for further creative excellence in 2012. This year will see new developments and evolution in the Chutney-Soca Princess’ career and unique entertainment brand. From her formative years as a little girl watching her late father singing on stage to her present period of headlining shows in cities such as Barcelona, Holland, Toronto, New York and Orlando (many times as the sole female act on a predominantly male cast), this East Indian beauty has always been on a constant mission to learn, grow and re-invent herself. Even with the very daunting task of juggling a hectic performance and touring schedule with her band Karma along with her late night radio presenter duties on 90.5fm and her position of host for Synergy TV’s Chutney Island, Nisha is still able to balance her personal and professional life and still bring forth new ventures and music releases for her beloved fans and supporters (who she considers her inspiration and motivation for succeeding in this industry). Nisha B who is known for her mastery and fusion of musical genres, having pioneered the trend of mixing and infusing Soca, Hip-Hop, Reggae and Dance/Pop into her band’s Indian Film song repertoire, has released 4 new Indian film remixes produced by Big Rich of the ‘The Punkalunks Factory. Most notably, just in time for Carnival band launch season, she will be unleashing some new original songs written and produced by Klase Gonzales of First Klase productions and has plans for some Pop music productions as well as a Bhajan CD entitled “Karma Mangalam 2” later on in the year. She also promises accompanying videos for her new music.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

CONTRIBUTED

In addition to keeping it versatile and stylish on the music front, Nisha recently started a line of jewellery called ‘Crown Jewels’ which features materials sourced from various places around the world. She plans to expand on this line and to also open a clothing boutique. This busy bee who has performed and recorded with artistes the likes of Beenie Man, Allison Hinds, Anil Bheem, Ziggy Rankin, Kees Dieffenthaller and Busy Signal guarantees more collaborations and surprises and shared, “I am aspiring to be a leader in my industry so that my music, my performances, my fashion, my life would be not only be memorable but serve as positive examples for others when I retire. And of course my ultimate goal is motherhood; I cannot wait to have a mini me, a little Nisha B”. She encourages her fans to keep up to date with the evolution of her brand on social media by accessing the The Nisha B Page on Facebook, by following her on twitter via @ NishaB1 and by utilizing the Ravi B and Karma app for new music, updates, photos, tour info and much more.

NEWS

MARY J. BLIGE

TO PLAY THE ROLE OF BETTY SHABAZZ CONTRIBUTED

he Queen of Hip Hop soul landed a huge gig to play the role of the wife of Malcolm X. Portraying Dr. Betty Shabazz in the upcoming TV film, “Parallel Lives,” the film captures the lives of Shabazz and Coretta Scott King and the relationship they shared as the wives of two slain civil rights icons. The singer is serious about her developing job in drama and told the press that she’s studying Mrs. Shabazz. Beginning her acting career in Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself,” Blige has grown significantly on screen. Since deciding to become competitive in the drama industry, she’s taken acting lessons, and has equipped herself with an acting coach, piano coach, and dialect coach. In a recent interview with Chelsea Handler, Blige spoke on putting the work in to grow as an actress. “Even though I was given the part in ‘Rock of Ages,’ I wanted to prepare myself so I went to work for it,” said Blige. “I just didn’t want to get the part because I was Mary J. Blige. I went and did the work, I got an acting coach.” In addition to “Parallel Lives” which will begin filming in September, Mary J. Blige is also scheduled to play jazz and blues legend Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LOVE

NEWS

NEW THURSDAY NIGHTS AT BEACH ROAD BOND CONTRIBUTED

aunching ‘Champion Sound’, ‘Knitty Gritty’, and the Opening night of ‘Love is a Four Letter Word’ exhibition. With so much going on at the Beach Road Hotel at the moment, we thought a separate email just about our Thursday nights in The Camera Club was necessary to keep you all in the know. Tomorrow we kick off Champion Sound with Dj Frenzie – responsible for ‘Groove Therapy’ on community radio station 2Ser. He’ll be bringing us the best new and old hip-hop, soul and funk, and will be joined by different guests each week. First up is Ology, who’ll be sharing the mix ups with Frenzie from 8pm. Bringing something different to the room are the amazing local girls from Hoot & Howl, who are behind the huge upcoming mini-festival Winter Warmers (June 30th). They will be unveiling all the incredible photographs donated to their Love is a Four Letter Word exhibition, with images received from both professionals and amateurs around the globe. These works will be auctioned off in two weeks at the Winter Warmers gig, so make sure you head down for a peruse and pick the image you’d like to see on your wall at home. All proceeds go to Bondi Youth Accommodation Charity for homeless youths, and you get a complimentary 42 Below inspired cocktail on arrival. Warm and fuzzys all round. Speaking of warm & fuzzy, in addition to the exhibition Hoot & Howl open their arms and invite you to join them for Knitty Gritty, their new weekly knitting night. It’s an opportunity to sit and natter away with other crafty types, over a nice glass of red and some good tunes in our big comfy seats. The heaters will be on, and with needles, wool and instructions provided, it’s the perfect place for young and old, new and advanced knitters to kick back and enjoy. All the above events are free, and kick off from 7pm. We hope to see you down there. facebook.com/loveisWinterWarmers Winter Warmers Festival facebook.com/loveisbeachRoad Love is a four letter Word Exhibition facebook.com/knittygrittysydney Knitty Gritty Weekly Knitting Group

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

NEWS

TORONTO SINGER

TIKA SIMONE

RELEASES SOPHOMORE SINGLE

CONTRIBUTED

he “Shallow/Deep” mixtape which is slated for an early August sees artist Tika Simone release her sophomore single “My Dream” which comes with a very interesting story.The singer states, “My sophomore single [My Dream] is simply about someone who I liked very much but was very afraid to say something, thus, I dreamt, and still dream. He has no idea. And I’m probably going to keep it that way forever. Even though I am a seemingly huge extrovert, I am in reality very shy.” She goes on to say “I hope you (fans) identify with this song as it was difficult to record much less release. This is an extremely vulnerable track made into a fun track to lessen the heat of the honesty.” The music was produced by Larry Gates Jr., son of Roger Troutman. You can download & listen to “My Dream” on Soundcloud here --> http://soundcloud.com/tikasimone/mydream and Tweet with the songstress @TikaSimone

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LOVE

NEWS

CUTTY RANKS

IS ON FULL BLAST

utty Ranks has released his new single, video and digital EP Full Blast under his own Philip Music Label in partnership with US based Independent Distribution Collective. Industry leading digital music outlet iTunes has given Full Blast a spotlight feature on the front of its Reggae page.

CONTRIBUTED

The veteran artist gives a gritty take on the reality of living in the urban streets of Jamaica on the song “Full Blast” with Cutty bringing a strong message of non-violence and justice. “When I wake up in the morning I see dem….a pass. And when dem reach down the road I can hear the full blast. Then me hear another life lost….” Lyrics from Full Blast. Other tracks on the EP include the Lover’s Rock track “In My Place” with up and coming singer Hyh Volume plus the high energy dance infused “Take It Away.” These three tracks are a sample of this evolved artist’s journey in music and full album to come later this summer. Extensive schedules of live performances are set and will be announced soon. Over his storied career, Cutty Ranks got his start at the famed Techniques and Penthouse labels where he dropped hits such as “Press the Trigger” and collaborated with other gifted artists including Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths and Wayne Wonder. He then released his greatest hit single, “The Stopper”(off the album of the same name), on the UK based Fashion label. The Stopper album became a certified gold selling record, and was picked up by Profile Records. He also released his classic hit singles such as “Limb by Limb” and “The Return” and “A Who Sey Mi Dun.” Cutty also produced his first album, Six Million Ways to Die, which got him signed to Priority Records, after which he went on to form his own label, Philip Music. In 2000, he released the album Back With A Vengeance produced by King Jammy that saw Cutty Ranks venture into other musical styles, including Hip Hop and Dancehall.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

MUSIC REVIEW

KARDINAL OFFISHALL A.M.T.R.I.M. MARCUS WELLER

L3’S RATING IS 4.3 OUT OF 5

isten, you have Rap and you have Hip Hop. You have personalities rapping and you have Artists who represent for their craft. I’m telling you that Kardinal represents the latter of the two. This is not a d&%$ riding editorial wanting to score points with an artist whom I’ve rightly admired since the original pressing of Eye & I, with art work designed by Ojore ‘Stats’ Carrington. No, this is an editorial that sticks to the truth like how Guru repped for the genre right through to the end. Not wasting a minute of studio time, Kardi gets straight to the heart by asking how do you separate friends from associates? Giving you the answer on track one “Invention of Truth,” the veteran MC breaks down the answer completely, and in two lines, while the soul infused joint “Love is Gone” is a reminder that yes Kardinal is out of the hood, and yes he can afford more than before, but no, he hasn’t forgotten those who can ‘only’ push a Honda Accord; classic lyrics. For the repeaters, as in the heads that want the one joint to keep on repeat, all songs would fall into that category, but, maybe because of some of my experiences of late, I would say “Motivation” is a good one as Kardi explains that when he was away, it wasn’t because he was ‘away,’ it was because he was down and lost his motivation. I don’t care how you want to spin this, that ish right there is real. Look out for “Take it There,” “I Wish I Could Talk to You” and “Murderah.” Link Kardi on Twitter @KardinalO

INSPIRED MUSIC PRESENTS MIND CHANGE RIDDIM CONTRIBUTED

L3’S RATING IS 4.3 OUT OF 5

nspired Music is known for releasing fantastic Reggae projects, and they are also known to be a favourite record label by fans and definitely by Team L3! The Mind Change Riddim came as a surprise! With a lineup of Warrior King, Lutan Fyah, Teflon, Fanton Mojah, Jessie James, Joey Brooks, Shamrock, Ricky Teetz and Phantom, we thought the riddim was going to be Reggae, but to our surprise, the Riddim is Dancehall to the core. All of the artists listed show up to the microphone and do what we would expect. All lyrics are on point, including the lyrics from the duet / collaboration between young artists Jessie James (featured in the May edition of L3) and Joey Brooks (sister of Dancehall hit maker Mavado). The brilliance of the Mind Change riddim is the music itself. Phantom, the riddims producer, fiercely combines the drive and pulse of Dancehall, with the sounds of the Native American flute which reads like an oxymoron but sounds like genius! L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LOVE

MUSIC REVIEW

COURTNEY JOHN GOES FROM LETTERS TO WORDS

MARCUS WELLER

L3’S RATING 4.6 OUT OF 5

ast year July (2011), L3 sat down with Courtney John to talk about his music, and the music of others in terms of his contribution. Courtney was very candid and open in his answers (read the July, 2011 interview here) and explained that music is a journey, as in, his fans may learn about him today, but will ‘journey’ to his past productions. He also explained that each song he releases tells a story, and for the complete picture, we need to buy the album. Excellent marketing! This month, Courtney releases his highly anticipated album from Letters to Words which is an instant classic about Love. Painting the picture accurately, Mr. John explains from track 1 that his lady’s love is “Like Magic.” With lyrics “you’re like magic, you’re like heaven, so complete, nothing is missing,” there is no doubt about the journey the artist is about to take us on. Not just laying on the sugary side of relationships, Courtney addresses cloudy days in the song “It’s Gonna Be Alright” which is a soul expressing song that pours out every ache and pain a person feels about a situation or life, and makes it right. It’s as if Courtney carries the listeners pain to the Almighty, fixes the problem, and hands sunshine back. It’s that powerful. Musically, fans who are true appreciators of classic Reggae riddims from the Treasure Isle and Studio One era will appreciate the entire album. For radio jocks complaining of content that lacks, Courtney silences that argument giving a ‘press play’ production that doesn’t need to be paused – just call it the Courtney John hour! Hands down the song all ladies will love, and all men should dedicate (and livicate) to their Queen is “Cleopatra.” This acoustic track has elements of country music expressed with the voice of a man with soul and a dash of spice. This ode to a Queen is my personal favourite because it gives honor to the Queen in a man’s life – an honor all women deserve. A great twist to the album, is the outro cong, “Hey Jamaica” featuring Mr. Lexx. The pride-full single calls to all Jamaicans (whether living in Jamaica or abroad) to take pride in the island and country referred to as the rock! Yes, the album is a story about Love, of which Jamaica, the beautiful island, is included!

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

MUSIC REVIEW

DELLY RANX

THE NEXT CHAPTER

L3’S RATING IS 3.8 OUT OF 5

CONTRIBUTED

here is no doubt that Delly Ranx new album, The Next Chapter, is a release for his fans. The diehards that no matter what will support Delly and every note he performs. Here’s the catch: Delly is about to attract new fans!

To date, Delly has entertained the masses with Dancehall hits such as “Toppa Toppa” (a 1990’s classic), and recent hits “Bruk It” on the Summer in Paris Riddim and “World General” on the Hot Water Riddim. ‘The Next Chapter’ in Delly’s story does not include Dancehall in the musical sense, instead, the artist goes 100% Reggae. Honoring the genre that nurtured the artist from conception to birth, and from birth to adulthood, The Next Chapter covers a range of topics as seen through Delly’s eyes, with a few songs that stand out for reasons that must be noted. First, “Life After Lifetime” is a collaboration with the living legend, Bunny Ruggs (of Third World). Beyond the basic yet important message that life is what you make it, Delly, by example, shows the younger generations that it is important to embrace the elders and work with them not only for the sake of doing the right thing, but for the fact that we can actually learn from each other, and sound good in the process. Second, on the topic of taking musical risks, I find it quite brave of Delly and successful too that he would include Dub on the album. The Dub genre is one that is waning in North America and the Caribbean, and only holds true stature in Europe and the South Asia’s. Including Dub on the album and exposing his core audience to this often forgotten piece of our roots, likens Delly to that of a music teacher who wants students to pass the test when this genre is included on a pop quiz. Fans will note that “Good Friend” produced by Flava Squad is refreshing to ears that have been dominated by Island Pop and loose Dancehall. Finally, the song “Cry Baby” is one that will be a forever classic. Singing words that a true lover of children can sing, listeners hear about the joy of watching a baby grow from the viewpoint of an artist who is concerned about a baby’s nurture! This hasn’t been done in some time which makes me applaud Delly for remembering our future. Make sure you purchase Delly’s album The Next Chapter via www.dellyranx.com L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LOVE

ON BLAST

THE STORY OF LENORA JAYE CONTRIBUTED

HE STORY...it’s the music that moves you” Born and raised in the legendary Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, LeNora Jaye grew up in a household where she was exposed to everything from Gospel, to Bebop and Motown, to Opera, Cabaret, and even Broadway show tunes. As a featured vocalist for the funk-rock band Rhythm Republik, she performed at a host of venerable NYC venues including B.B. King’s, House of Blues, The Blue Note, S.O.B’s, Tramps, The Wetlands, CBGB’s, Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar and many others. A series of session jobs followed, including performances at the St. Lucia Jazzfest as a vocalist for saxophonist Robert Zi Taylor, appearing as a featured artist on the 2011 KZCT OZCAT Radio 89.5 FM’s Caribbean Jazz Cruise, as well as live performance vocals for Purpose Records artists Angela Johnson, flautist Monet and Anonka recording artist Lisala. Proving to be an in-demand artist, LeNora is a staple on the independent Soul and Jazz music scene and her recent songwriting and vocal contributions can be found on the TransPhatt Records release compilation project “Imperial” with the songs “Do You Wanna” and “A Silent Prayer” as well as UK’s SoulUnsigned compilation project “The Contemporary Soul Songbook” with her Contemporary Jazz single “Living For Today,” the SoulAndJazz.com compilation release “The Hurst Selection, Vol. 1” with her soulful house offering “Always Get Away.” This single reached Top 20 status on the UK Soul Charts with her soulful single “Giving It Up” as featured on the Universal Records UK “Street Sounds, Vol. 1” Compilation. Selected cuts from her new debut cd THE STORY have been in rotation on Atlanta’s 91.9FM WCLK with DJ’s Brian Hurst, Jamal Ahmad & Morris Baxter spring and summer of 2011. Upcoming LeNora releases include her new video for the soulful house single “Always Get Away – Astral22 ReWork” and a soulful/jazzy single with legendary R&B/Soul producer Herb Middleton for his international U-Turn music project. Take a listen to one of our favourite songs from LeNora here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJCuCi9Pstc Connect with the artist on Twitter >>> @lenorajaye

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

NEW RELEASES

LOG ON NOW!

REDESIGNED, REFRESHED, VARIOUS ARTIST

Penthouse Riddim

VARIOUS ARTIST

Jump for Jamaica

RELOADED & RELAUNCHED

CONNECT WITH L3 VARIOUS ARTIST

DARQ

Pennie Wallie Riddim

So Manry Times Before

MIRIAM SIMONE

VARIOUS ARTIST

Follow My Dreams

Sexxs Tape

L3MAGAZINE.COM

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

LOVE

ON BLAST

DERWIN VALLIE GOES “DEEP” WITH DEBUT SINGLE!

CONTRIBUTED

100 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

ON BLAST

fter years of honing his talents working with the likes of Machel Montano, Destra Garcia, Bunji Garlin and Alison Hinds, Derwin Vallie is stepping out boldly on his own. The Trinidadian musician/producer released his debut single “Deep” last month. The single is a collaboration with Lyndon “Stone” Livingstone’s Razorshop Studio and in it, Derwin applies a Rock/Reggae vibe to accompany his smooth, bluesy vocals. Embodying the craft of local storytelling, Derwin sings on the universal theme of love as “Deep” explores the strength of that emotion with yearning and sensuality. This is a song for lovers, rainy days and lazy evenings. Though he is now carving his niche as a solo artiste, Derwin is a veteran in the local and regional entertainment industry. He has worked behind the scenes for many years as a musician, composer and producer for some of the biggest names in soca. He started in Montano’s Pranasonic Express as a keyboardist, later joining OC Blackman and Upstream as a keyboardist, vocalist, composer, producer and musical director. He also composed, produced and performed “Style Nuff Wining,” the first version of Reggae Calypso or what is now considered Ragga Soca. Derwin continued his exploration into Reggae with Shaman, Trinidad’s first Reggae band as keyboardist and vocalist, providing background vocals for stars such as Tony Rebel, Cutty Ranks, Gregory Isaacs, Dirtsman, Supa Cat and Junior Demus. As a member of Shaman, he opened for Shabba Ranks on his maiden performance in Trinidad 1999. After a stint with a variety of cruise ships in the Florida-based cruise ship industry as a musician and vocalist, Derwin returned to join Montano in Xtatik as a keyboardist, composer and producer. He worked on four of the band’s albums, Any Minute Now (1999), Here Comes the Band (2000), Same High (2001) and On the Cusp (2002). Post-Xtatik, Derwin continued to rack up an impressive résumé, composing and producing “Saucy Baby” for Denise Belfon, “Sassiness” for Destra Garcia, and “Boom Boom Tonic” for Alison Hinds as well as producing “Fiery” for Bunji Garlin, which won him the Soca Monarch title, “I’ve worked so hard for others and while I enjoyed contributing to the musical landscape, I believe it’s now time to show the world that I can do more. It’s my time to shine,” says Derwin.

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

101

LOVE

ON BLAST

LADY CHANN’S FORMIDABLE PRESENCE

102 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

ON BLAST

F CONTRIBUTED

rom The Worlds End (estate in Chelsea), to Dancehall royalty; Chanelle Williams aka Lady Chann is a formidable female presence in the world of Dancehall and Bashment in the UK. Having moved around from Chelsea to Harlesden and Stonebridge as she was growing up, it was in the NW10 fold in 2004 that Chanelle befriended a group of male MCs who would help her carve out her musical persona. As Lady Chann, Chanelle joined The Suncycle Crew. Led by Dolamite, and consisting of Gappy Ranx, ReddMan, Lante and Booji, ‘we were a Dancehall version of the Black Eyed Peas’ says Chann. Taking inspiration from the artists she looked up to (Lauryn Hill, En vogue, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Boyz II Men, Madonna, So Solid Crew, Phill Collins), the ferociously fast-chatting Chann recorded her own version of Beenie Man’s ‘HMM HMM’ which took off as a hit around North West London. When Choice FM picked up the track via Master Steps, it suddenly became hugely popular across specialist and local radio stations, culminating in a chance meeting with Beenie Man himself. Upon visiting London for a gig, Splakavelli, played the track to him live on air. He was so impressed he invited Lady Chann to perform with him that night at Stratford Rex, and what happened next? ‘We smashed it!’ she shouts. Since that memorable run in with fame in 2006, Lady Chann has evolved as a solo artist in her own right, working with the best names in Grime, Dancehall and Dubstep, including Sticky, Toddla T, Durrty Goodz, Manga, Gappy Ranx, Skibadee and Maxsta, to mention a few. A staple London carnival favourite, Chann has been responsible for some Bashment classics over the past few years including 2009’s Your Eye Too Fast and 2010’s Sticky Situation and Feel Calm. The former she released as part of the Sticky Situation EP, on Toddla T’s Girl’s Music label which earned her plaudits from the The Guardian, The Fader, and The Clash amongst others. Selecting Switzerland, Austria and Sweden as her favourite rave-destinations, her unique, outspoken style has secured her fans across the continents and Chann regularly performs in Europe and beyond. Most recently VICE TV caught up with the MC to record a ‘Story So Far’ short film following her back to her roots in North West London, and later jumping on the tour bus to film Chann tearing down a club night in Brighton. A new mixtape Dun Dem Season Vol.2 was released in December 2011 and is, in her own words: ‘60mins of mash ups and quality Lady Chann tunes. Her newer double a-side single ‘Equilibrium / Informer’ featuring Glamma Kid was released in early 2012 to rave reviews. Lady Chann is definitely one artist you don’t want to sleep on, no matter which side of the Atlantic you’re on! Stay connected >>> @LadyChann L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

103

LOVE

ON BLAST

RANKIN RUFF CONTRIBUTED

fter nearly twenty years in the game, Organized Noize doesn’t get their due respect. Their prolific works still manage to be overlooked despite the three-man production team playing an instrumental role in the creation of widely-accepted classic albums, number one hits and Grammy-winning records, as well as breaking some of the most important artists in Hip-Hop. Growing up in LA, Rankin Ruff had the luxury of being musically exposed to the likes of the best and most groundbreaking hip-hop artists, from Eric B. & Rakim, to Run D.M.C. and the bravado of LL Cool J. Rankin, like many rap enthusiasts around the mid 1980s, listened and recorded the onslaught of Hip Hop from the only Hip Hop radio station stateside, KDAY. When KRS One and the late Scott LA Rock made their debut with the album Criminal Minded, and others such as Just-Ice incorporated their Jamaican style of toasting and beat patterns into their Hip Hop music, Rankin Ruff was captivated instantly. Taking a special interest in artists such as Shinehead, Asher D. and Daddy Freddy, Ruff also discovered the music of Bob Marley, Yellowman, Barrington Levy and other classic Reggae artists. Thanks to VP Records, Ruff, went on to become influenced by Shabba Ranks, Ninjaman, Flourgon and even El General through compilation releases, one of which being House of Music. Club Flex, a hotspot for Dancehall and Reggae in Hollywood, CA became Rankin Ruff’s resident home for entertaining, emceeing and introducing crowds to various artists passing through. The venue has also given the artist a chance to build his local fame and fan base. With elevation, later he became involved with event productions and promotions, radio promotions, artist publicity and all aspects of entertainment marketing, at the same time paving his artistic way with some of his material and songs being featured in movies and television. In 2009, Ruff released “Mi Naw Done” in 2009 which told the world he’s been on a break, but he’s not done yet. The single was featured on KPSC and college radio nationwide thanks to Rapattacklives and Record Breakers (#2 Chart Position), BBC Radio and throughout Asia. Ruff later collaborated with Nick V. from The Baka Boyz on a Drum & Bass and Hip Hop remix for the single. The original single is still currently on rotation to this day on Joint One Radio and Love-1 Radio on InterFM 76.1, Tokyo Japan. Other recent projects include writing and production for Stevie B., king of freestyle music. The single, “It’s On Tonight” was written at the request of Stevie B. and features Ruff with a Dancehall hook. Ruff also cowrote “Cry Die” for Korean Reggae Sensation, Skull and is credited with writing and production work for Sonny. He is also a co-founder of Mixdown Bangers, a recently formed dance production team based in Europe with 25 years of dance music production experience. You can continue to expect new and innovative music from Ruff and Mixdown Bangers this summer. Connect via Twitter @Dancehallkid

104 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

ON BLAST

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

105

LY R I C S

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

REPPING TRINIDAD! CONTRIBUTED

n 2000, as a member of the Wizard Sound Cartel, Rossi Khempis Gray (RKG) produced his first recorded track, ‘Hail Gyal’ featuring Dawgy Slaughter and Ghetto Flex at Nylon Project Records. He later formed Legacy Sounds with his friend, Aaron Edwards, where they began playing in popular Arima clubs such as Fifth Element, Déjà Vu and Club Castle. RKG performed this track at several school bazaars and even had the opportunity to perform at Water Colours event which is one of the most highly attended on the island. Throughout this period, RKG worked with several producers namely Alan Brizan, Selcris Husbands, Cherry Ince, Jason Lee, Joe Miller and Rod Steel. It was then that Mark Abouhammed, of Trendsetter Productions, encouraged him to pursue formal training in broadcasting at the IBC Institute in Port-of-Spain, where he displayed great promise as a Radio Presenter. Upon completing his qualification in broadcasting, RKG accepted a position at Vibe CT 105 fm, where he worked for 3 years. In August of 2008, RKG joined the CNMG family where he was introduced to Darryl Braxton. The following year, he recorded with Braxton what he considers to be his first big hit, ‘Buss a Wine’ on the ‘Stush’ riddim. At that same time, he also recorded ‘Haterz’, a song well received by the masses. In 2010, fans heard the chune ‘Rhumba’, a catchy vibe with Latin and African undertones which became popular up the islands. Additional favourites to his catalog include ‘Lap Dance’ featuring Jason ‘Fro Hummer’ Reyes. ‘Hold me Tight’, a favourite among the ladies, was released in 2011, which was followed by 14 track album ‘D Man Behind D Mic’ which is readily available at Reverbnation.com. RKG currently works at Next 99.1 fm, Mondays- Thursdays 1pm-5pm, Fridays 12pm-3pmand Saturdays 1pm-5pm. Log on and listen!

106 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U N E 2 0 1 2

ON BLAST

ith the release of his new album With Your Love, Juno Award winning Reggae artist Korexion (pronounced correction) makes strides to be the voice of the people. Korexion first came to fame after joining forces with Kornerstone Productions. He released his debut single “It’s All Bless” which was an inspiring song with a deep message, and propelled the single to high rotation on radio in Canada. This hit single went on to climb the charts in Canada, Japan, U.K., U.S., and the Caribbean. The success of his debut single led to Korexion’s first 3 song compilation disk titled “X-Rated” which included “It’s All Bless” and two additional songs “Don’t Go” and the title track “X-rated” featuring Jamaican artist Danny English. The collaboration was a hit and charted out at #3 in the Top 100 Reggae Songs in Canada. Korexion received three nominations from the prestigious Canadian JUNO Awards; one for “It’s All Bless” and the one for “Don’t Go” going on to win the highly sought after award in 2007. Korexion’s professional attitude, solid stage presence, smooth musical delivery and creativity have allotted him a roster of awards and nominations. His talents stem from being musically educated and inspired by some of Jamaica’s Reggae pioneers. As a regular traveler and performer, Korexion has shared the stage with Sean Paul, Luciano, Gyptain, Sizzla, Shaggy and Damian Marley just to name a few. Korexion also appeared singing ONE LOVE in the motion picture titled MARLEY; a documentary film based on the life and times of Bob Marley. With the recent release of his EP titled “With Your Love,” the Reggae vocalist gives fans 11 songs with a mix of Reggae, Dancehall and R&B sounds. Armed with clean lyrics and inspirational messages on life and love, the disk was created for all to enjoy!

THE ART OF KOREXION CONTRIBUTED

Connect with the artist on Twitter >>> @korexion L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

107

LY R I C S

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

108 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U N E 2 0 1 2

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

L Y R I C S

L3MAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 2012

109

LY R I C S

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

110 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U N E 2 0 1 2

DC THE MASTERY OF

DON CORLEON TRICIA SPENCE

ven though I had set the interview months ago with one of the busiest producers in Jamaica, on the day of the interview it was still a task fitting into his schedule. I suppose a ‘Don’ can’t be that accessible. The Don I’m referring to is not the mafioso type, though he has the look. A name he got from Vybz Kartel, he is a master at his craft and Donovan ‘Don Corleone’ Bennett (@doncorleonie) is quite a character. His success in the game is no secret and is worthy of capturing. The summer sun was raging high in the Jamaican skies when I got a hold of him, so we had to take the discussion inside the studio a.k.a his office. As we sat down in his well appointment lair, he was humming something which was inaudible, so I asked ‘what are you singing?!’ A mischievous grin comes over his face and he sings more clearly and louder, “mek mi teach you sumn, mek mi teach you sumn” (Translations: Let me teach you something). I recognize the lines immediately, they were from a song on his most recent project (at the time of writing) The Peenie Wally Riddim and we both had a laugh!

LY R I C S

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

TS: Since you’re singing, let me ask you how did you come up with the name Don Choppa (this is the name he uses now for singing and deejaying)? Liquid (ZJ from Zip FM) and Da Professor actually gave me the name, I was humming the lines and they both said ‘Wah dat Don Choppa, you a chop’ (Translation: Wow, Don you have a wicked flow). Is this the first time that you have actually recorded a song? Actually, no this is not the first time. The first time was actually on the High Altitude riddim on a song I did with Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel. How did that combination come about? We were in the studio and Baby G (King Jammy’s son) found the hook, Kartel wrote Killer’s part and that’s how the song was born. When did you burst on the scene? In 2002 with the Mad Antz riddim. How did you get involved in production? Just from me having a dub studio, doing remixes and building mixtapes, I was able to build

good relationships with artistes. As it turned out Baby G was working on a project and he knew that Sizzla and I were friends so he asked me to make the linkage, which I did and the result was Sizzla on his Mexican Riddim. Baby G was impressed with the result and encouraged me to get involved in music production. At first, I was hesitant, but his constant mentions that I could and should do it made me think seriously and that is how my journey began. You have built many riddims since then, your work rate is high and that has to take discipline. What is a typical day for you like? Many persons think that producers don’t even really work. It depends on the vibes really. Some days we hang outside the studio and play the guitar or just build a vibes. The most important thing is to keep working, have fun with it and keep learning. You have worked with many big artistes, Rihanna included, what was that experience like? It was a good experience. I met her through Sean Paul. We started playing some riddims and High Altitude connected; so Kool Face (a writer in Don’s camp) wrote the hook and that was that. (I laughed remembering that Kool Face had told me he had put my name, at the time ‘Wildchild’ in the song, guess he wasn’t joking)! Since you started in music, the sounds have changed with many persons saying that Dancehall and Reggae have changed; what is your take on that? Yes, the sounds have evolved and every day you have new beats; that’s natural and nothing is wrong with that. However, at the end of the day, we have Reggae and Dancehall and they have a certain signature that people look for all over the world. You have produced one of the most timeless Reggae Riddims in recent times, the Drop Leaf Riddim, which still gets a lot of play worldwide. Unlike a number of producers at the moment, you seem to be putting out quite a bit of Reggae Music (a peek on Facebook, Twitter and iTunes would reveal this), yet many producers nowadays are veering towards Dancehall, why Reggae for you? It’s just a phase that I am going through. As a past selector I actually love and appreciate all genres, but I love Reggae especially Lovers Rock. Since Drop Leaf though, I have garnered a certain level of respect from people worldwide and had a number of opportunities present themselves, besides if you are going to do Reggae you might as well leave a good stamp on it. You want to make sure you leave a solid catalogue. At the end of the day, it is a choice; that is not to say that I don’t do other genres. Alot of people have said that producers are selfish and all about themselves, yet you are all about team. Who are the members on your team? No man is an island or a mountain. The team is very important and the team I work with constantly are Kool Face, Sean Roberts, Da Professor, Protoje and Danny Bassie from Fire House Crew. I also recently signed Da Professor and Shawn Roberts aka Mo’Zhai who are two amazing writers. Put it this way, when you are going to build a house you have to have a good foundation and that requires a team to set it. No one person knows everything. There will be times where you don’t hear something and someone else will, well that can only happen when you have a team and it can really bring a difference to your work, leading to perfection. Talking about perfection, you are one of the producers that many artistes would like to work with yet fear working with because many say that you are miserable and are a perfectionist, forcing them to do many takes. Were you always like this or were you influenced by certain producers? I was always like that, even from my Dubplate days recording artistes like Wayne Marshall, Assassin, Vybz Kartel and Sizzla. Recording is a fine art. A lot of people often call me asking what I put on a vocal (s) to make it (them) sound so good, when actually it’s not a load of

LY R I C S

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

off on the right start. I am not difficult (to work with) I just want the best out of the person. If I know a person can’t deliver exactly how I want it, I’ll allow them to run through and just fix it via mixing. That, however, is not a good thing because let’s say that song blows up and the artiste starts getting stage shows, if that person cannot deliver their song exactly or near to how it sounds on a record then that causes problems. You have to push the artiste, give them that exercise and the know how; you have some who grasp it quickly and others who take a while. The important thing is to take pride in what you do. Protoje is your cousin and he told me he asked you for such a long time to voice him, yet you were hard even on him, why? He wasn’t ready. To have voiced him then would be like lighting a bomb and not knowing what to do with it. How do you know when an artiste is ready? You have to be prepared as an artiste; you have to be physically, vocally and mentally ready. I see many artistes who have emerged and cannot go beyond one year and that is because they are not ready. Look at Tarrus Riley for example; he was ready and so even though “She’s Royal” has been out for quite a while now, he can still tour because he was and is ready, he’s an amazing performer. You have to be ready; you have to have the whole package. It’s like you going to war; you cannot join the Army and train for a week and go to war, you wi dead (Translation: you will die). You have to perfect your craft. When I heard Protoje’s song “Arguments,” I knew he was ready and look at where he’s at now. His career is taking off quite well.

114 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U N E 2 0 1 2

Speaking about Protoje, you are both heading to Europe for the Summer; where will you be going? Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, quite a number of countries. That speaks volumes as to how seriously you take your craft. Many persons are probably wondering how is it that Protoje is going to all these places and a number of the major festivals already, when he only really burst on the mainstream scene recently (despite him toiling for a number of years on the live music circuit), yet many don’t realize it took you a long time to give him any attention. What advice would you give young artistes and producers in trying to make a career and not a hustle out of this business? Don’t rush, you have time to do everything. Make sure you are improving over a period of time. If that is not happening make an extra effort. Europe is a high performance market in which the people are very judgmental of how people perform. If you sing a bad note, the crowd will speak about it the next day. (He does an impersonation and goes into a faux European accent) “ah ah I like him, but he sings off key and has no energy.” They really pay attention. This is because they are accustomed to seeing great Reggae acts with amazing vocals like Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear throughout the years and they want to see more of the same thing reoccurring from Jamaica. Even just the other day Gentleman was saying to me “Corleone mi nah lie enuh, you know why mi like work fi you, yuh wi jus tek back the ting a hundred time, yuh wi tell mi no mi nuh like dat, mi like dat ….” (Translation: Corleone that is why I like working with you, you will do however many takes is required to get it right and you are forthright and honest) even Sean Paul said the same thing. They appreciate my work ethic because I’m truthful to them, even though I am not always right. Some of the stalwart producers in the business complain that too many of the young producers are using too many synthetic sounds and as such undervalue the importance of real musicians and a lot of the producers don’t even know music and musical arrangement. Can you play any instruments? Yes of course! I play the piano and the guitar. I don’t play live drums, I program mine and I also work with a lot of musicians. I fuse everything, it depends on the vibe I am looking for. I work with Dean Fraser alot, I include a lot of musicians on my projects. Ah, I know you had started a talent search, how did that go? It went pretty well, I found alot of acts, but most of them were not from Jamaica. I thought I would have found more from my homeland.

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

So where did you find the talent? New Zealand, Hawaii, Sweden; all over

Even before your talent search competition, you were and are one of the few Jamaican producers to have voiced and who voice quite a bit of non Jamaican talent, did they seek you or did you seek them? The first one I worked with was Gentleman from Germany and I sought him out, I saw him on a local television program either on Hype TV or RE TV singing ‘dem guys so far away’ bad piece a tune (Translation: a great song) and I said to myself ‘dah yute yah bad’ (Translation: And I thought to myself, this is a good artiste) and I couldn’t get the song out of my head; then I heard ‘you tink dem a go run away’ which I saw on Hype TV and I knew I just had to voice him on my One Drop Riddim, so I asked a girlfriend of mine to make the connection. Since then, I have gone on to work with a lot of acts worldwide. Alot of Jamaican producers are complaining about lack of sales? Nothing stays the same; everything changes and so should your thinking. One has to constantly improvise and decide how to approach this business; it requires constant analysis. Ask a lot of questions and listen. Music is still selling, some artistes are selling phenomenally, for example Gyptian and I am proud of him. He did an amazing song called Hold Yuh which did well on iTunes and was a good look for Jamaica. I would like to see more of that happening. We need to make more music that the world wants to hear; when a song breaks really big, it is not Jamaicans who are purchasing music, it’s the people who are interested in Reggae music. Look at the songs that broke Sean Paul, Shaggy, Rupee, Kevin Lyttle, those were songs that people right across the world could relate to; now I’m not saying make one kind of music, but it is obvious that there is a formula that works. Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years? (He gives a shy grin then bursts out laughing) “Sitting on a beach with Corona” then he belts through the loud laughter saying “I’m jokin!” Just making music, enjoying life and doing what I love, which is Music! Music is endless, you can keep doing it forever. What general advice can you give our readers on Life, Love and Lyrics? Live good, try to do right and do what pleases you. If driving a taxi makes you happy, be the best taxi driver; if being a gardener makes you happy, do it to the best of your ability! Connect with the Don at www.twitter.com/doncorleonie and www.doncorleonrecordsonline.com L3MAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 2012

115

LY R I C S

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

116 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U N E 2 0 1 2

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

KW KARYN WHITE IS OUR SUPERWOMAN NATASHA VON CASTLE

uperwoman! According to DC Comics, she’s a woman with superhuman powers who fights evil for the good and betterment of mankind. As we don’t live in a DC Comic book, our Superwoman is found proudly standing in our Urban landscape, still fighting for the good and betterment of mankind, and doing so with her superhuman power of song! Karyn White is one of the most phenomenal women you will ever hear. Her voice sings truth for the women and people who can’t sing for themselves. In case you’re wondering, 20 some years after her spotlight with the mega hit “Superwoman,” Karyn is still performing and touring and speaking to and for women… L3MAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 2012

117

Hearing your voice we can only conclude you never left. You may have been away for a while, but you never left. You are soul-full. (Karen’s smile is bright and wide) Thank you so much, but I left for a while, as a matter of fact it was for more than 17 years. For some of your fans, time stopped in the late 90’s when they didn’t hear as much from you musically. You decided to leave music for a while and fans will be surprised to know what you worked on while away. Well there was a lot going on; my mother died, my daughter was growing and I had fallen out of love with music, so it was a combination of things that made me decide to take a step back. But caring for Ashley (Karyn’s daughter) and becoming a good mom was definitely a top priority. You’ve been in the business since you were sixteen which means you have experiences few other artists have. What would you say has been the best lesson learned in the past which you are able to apply to your career today? When it’s in front of you seize the moment and seize the day, don’t take for granted that success is going to be yours. There are people all over the world reaching for the same prize you’re reaching for which is success, a great career and a hit record! L3: We were surprised to hear you say ‘I thought people would forget about me.’ How does it feel to know that not only have you not been forgotten, younger generations of fans are discovering your music thanks to the song “Superwoman?” It is really very overwhelming and humbling, I am so thankful to God. I know it didn’t have to be this way for me, so I am doing the work to make it happen again. I am still young & energetic and my love for music is burning strong. Re-entering the music business after so many years can be a challenge. Why now and what’s the strategy? Well first of all, Ashley is in college, she’s at Howard University and Mom can’t just sit around doing nothing (again, Karyn’s laugh is bright and infectious!) and the strategy is to take advantage of my past legacy, use the new music business model, the internet and social media to recreate my brand and open up my vision to see myself as a world artist. Because of the internet and technology the world of music is getting bigger and smaller at the same time. Bigger because music is alive and selling in more countries than ever before and smaller because the internet can bring any continent, country, state, city or neighborhood right in your computer monitor, it’s really exciting to watch the growth. Your new album, Carpe Diem (Seize the Day), is somewhat of a movement. You have the album and you have an e-book which fans can access online at www.karynwhite.me. Tell us about the project. Like I said, I didn’t expect all the love and support I’ve been getting, but once I started feeling the love, I thought I’d better seize the day and do everything I thought I might want to do and writing a book was on my bucket list. As for it being a movement, that’s what we’re trying to create, we want people to know there is good music out here, you don’t have to buy it in six months or it’s outdated, of course I want people to buy my music now, but if they discover it a year from now we believe it’ll still be hit music. Derek ‘DOA’ Allen is a bad boy and he produced the whole Album along with Bobby G as co-producer so I had real music lovers working with me, there’s a lot of love in this project.

LY R I C S

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

120 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U N E 2 0 1 2

One of the things we like about your website is the level of interactivity fans can have with you. Are you really open to being that open? One thing I told my team was that I wanted to be able to touch my fan base and I wanted them to be able to touch me, so you’ll find that on every platform I use I am hands on and interactive, so I love it. You are very passionate about making music and performing lyrics that the world needs. In fact, you expressed that people need to understand that they are going to ‘go through some things’ in a recent interview. Can we say you’re making ‘together’ music? I’m making gospel music because it’s the truth, I’ve had wonderful parts in my life and painful parts and that’s what I write and sing about, things that I can connect with because they’ve happened in my life. A part of your attitude with the release of this album is you didn’t want to do it like you did it before. What are some of the changes you made that you think your fans will appreciate? First of all this Album is on my label KWE (Karyn White Enterprises Inc), I’m the executive producer, I A&R’d the project and there aren’t a bunch of walls. I am totally transparent in what I’m doing, letting people see the hard work it takes to be in this business and encouraging others to take charge of their careers and to live out their dreams. When it comes to the recording process, and creative process, you are very connected to your team as in your engineer, manager, producer etc. Why is that connection so important to you? Because music is real, it’s a love, it’s a vibration and people can feel if it’s authentic or not. It’s like food, when you eat at Mc’ Donalds you know it’s not good for you, you know it’s not a quality meal but you eat it because you’re on the move, you don’t have time to eat a quality meal or you’re eating it to hold you over, but when you eat a quality meal you savour it, you take part of it to go, you bring it home and eat it later because it’s that good, probably better once the seasoning has sat in. When you’ve got the right team, making the right music for the right reasons, nothing can go wrong and the quality of the meal (because good music is like that) is undeniable.

“

LOVE WHAT YOU DO, WHO YOU ARE AND THE LIFE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU.

If music could be a colour for you, what one colour would it be and why? Black (she answers with a big laugh)! I just like black, it’s classic and I want to be classic. Female fans learn through your music that we are all connected. If it happens to you, it happens to me. Is this your way of using music to unite women and end the ‘she’s over there and we’re over here’ thought process? Absolutely, I think women need to start loving on each other more, being more uplifting of one another and get back into the habit of building a sisterhood. What general advice can you give fans on Life, Love and Lyrics? Be true to yourself, trust God, pray, do the work and love what you do, who you are and the life that God has given you. Stay connected to all things Karyn White www.karynwhite.me

LY R I C S

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

CATCHING UP WITH THE QUEEN OF THE PACK

P PATRA

NATASHA VON CASTLE

f absence makes the heart grow fonder, Patra sits in a very good position as her fans have waited 4 years for a new album and new energy from this Queen! For 4 years they inquired by way of general discussion boards on music industry forums, publicly by way of Twitter, and most vocally by way of YouTube. Breaking down barriers and crossing over into the American market while keeping her home audience of Jamaica happy, Patra achieved what few other artists, especially female artists have been able to achieve within their careers: she remained in control of her culture, and turned it into a vehicle through which the world could learn more about Jamaica. That strategy worked and continues to pay dividends for Patra even until today.

122 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U N E 2 0 1 2

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

L3MAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 2012

123

LY R I C S

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

124 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U N E 2 0 1 2

L3: You have been away for years, and for years your fans have missed you. How has the ‘welcome’ been in welcoming you back? It’s been fantastic. It’s as if nothing changed that’s why I love my fans so much! Musically, your background is ‘chartville’ as in your name was significantly on the charts at your peak. Is that your focus with your comeback, or does that topic not even phase you? (Patra laughs) I only make hits so I really don’t think about that and for me it’s not a comeback but a continuation and I am sure it will be much better now! You’re one of the few Reggae/Dancehall artists who have been up close and personal with Tupac. Does that memory cross your mind since his passing? All the time. He was so cool to me and I want to leave it at that! Your discography has 4 albums released (Queen of the Pack, Scent of Attraction, The Great Escape and Where I’ve Been). Are you focused on an album release, or are you focused on singles? My main focus is and always will be albums. That’s the way my career starts so I love keeping that way. Getting deeper into your music, you’re a singer and a DJ. Will we hear this same style from you in your upcoming releases? Yes, for sure! I love being sexy, so both works very well for me. Who are some of the producers you worked with to, or are working with in this next phase of your career? Dameon Gayle, Track Master, Bobby Treasure, European producers and some from the small islands. The rest I’ll keep as a surprise for now! You are known for Dancehall and crossover Island Pop such as “Pull Up To The Bumper.” Will you explore different musical roads such as Gospel or even Country? Well, I love all kinds of music. As for Gospel its more personal for me so I would not tell you that as in I won’t be performing it. Country music have its place but not sure I want to do that genre now. I’m happy with my island flavor. Are there any lessons you learned from the music industry the first time around that you plan to implement this time around? Yes for sure, learn how to read if you can’t and if you can, then ask questions … simple! It feels good being in control of my own business. What general advice can you give readers on Life, Love and Lyrics? Life should be spiritual! Love is the foundation of all things and last but not least Lyrics, is something I use to connect Life and Love! Patra is on Twitter! @RealQueenPatra

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

LY R I C S

FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2012

126 L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U N E 2 0 1 2

SM SUSIE MCLEAN ON JAZZ JENNIFER MENSTER

think it’s hard for a musician from this era to get Jazz right. It’s hard because we don’t have Jazz nurturing, ie, we don’t have ‘Cotton Clubs,’ men dressed in Fedora’s and suits, or ladies dressed in dresses and pearls. With that came a certain mindset which was drawn to the infectious genre. Today, we have a handful of artists who are able to get the genre right, and one of those artists is Susie McLean. With Susie in play, there is hope for the genre through the eyes of the younger generation. Right now we’re talking Susie McLean on Jazz…!

LY R I C S

L3: Jazz is a serious genre to be a part of; getting the genre ‘right’ means being in the history books with Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Josephine Baker, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and more. Critics feel you have it right so does that put pressure on you to keep getting it ‘right?’ To be honest I’ve never looked at it that way. I’ve just embraced who I am and allowed the music to flow through me. I think each artist brings something new to the table and of course I want to honor the greats before me but I also don’t want to put any pressure on myself to live up to someone else’s status or fame. Your voice is the equivalent to the sunshine that warms the earth after a thunderstorm. Do you come from a family of Jazz vocalists? What is your background with music? Wow, thank you! That was so poetic! I don’t come from a family of Jazz vocalists but I do come from a family that loves music. There was always music playing in our home. My fondest memory as a child was waking up each morning to my Mama singing her favorite gospel tune. She loved to sing. My background in music started at an early age when I started taking piano lessons at the Ontario Conservatory of Music. I also played the cello (which I adored) but soon my Mama said I had to make a choice so I chose to continue with piano. My piano playing has helped me immensely with songwriting. I later went on to continue my education at Etobicoke School of The Arts majoring in Musical Theatre. I am so grateful to my parents for investing so much into me and encouraging me to pursue music. When fans visit your website www.susiemclean.com, they’re first greeted by an image of you sitting in a red chair on the train tracks. You look calm and happy. Is that image a metaphore of your music as in ‘we’re going to take a journey, so while on that journey I’m going to sing ….” Yes, it speaks of my journey and enjoying it each step of the way. There is so much more to learn and experience but the best part is the “now” and being content at where you’re at as the story of your life unfolds. I truly believe that it’s the journey that counts. Not the arrival. Some describe Jazz vocalists as being ‘old souls with stories to tell.’ Would you say you have

a lot of stories to tell through your music? Definitely! I think that’s the best thing about music. Being able to communicate your personal stories through a song and then to see other people touched by it. Where there are stories there’s heart and where there’s heart, people are moved. Your first album, ‘Til The Morning Comes’ was released in May. What was that creative process like for you, and how hands onwere you with the recording and packaging of the album? The creative process was an awesome journey and taught me so much about myself. This whole creative process made me look deeper into whom I truly was and to be sincere about that. To be open for criticism in regards to the ideas I brought to the table with my producer, but not to sell myself short by compromising what was in my heart to do. I was extremely hands on with the packaging of the album which was so much fun! I loved it. Brainstorming different ideas along with the colors and the layout. I am so pleased and happy with it. I worked with an awesome team. Photography: Viktor Radics (www.vikpic.com) Website Design: Marek Kowalsky (www.mettlecreative.com) Graphic Design: Craig White (www. motive1.com) Producer: Roy Oommen (www.silentstonemusic.com) They all made working on this project such memorable one.

“

LYRICS...WRITE FROM THE HEART AND THE REST WILL TAKE CARE IF ITSELF.

You’ve been busy with performances for high profile events such as the Toronto International Music Summit, as well as a Bullying Awareness fundraiser recently. Are these types of events important to your artistic mission as well as your musical mission? Yes, it’s very important. Events that bring awareness to a cause that is close to my heart will always weave into my music. I think music should make a difference and be a resounding echo of hope for the ones in silence or that feel they don’t have a voice. So if there are ways that I can bring more awareness to an issue in order to make a difference, I want to be apart of it. Will we see and hear you perform across Canada and the US on a tour? Yes, in due time. At the moment I am really focusing on getting myself established here in Toronto as a new artist. Performing at more festivals across the GTA, doing gigs and getting more involved in different causes is where I’m starting. I love my city and looking forward to what’s to come. If we could revive a Jazz artist who has passed, who would you most like to work with and why? I would choose Lena Horne. She had such a presence and strength about

her. Her perseverance to never give up in the face of adversity and to carry such a burden of social responsibility back in those days is unbelievable. Her story of survival in a time of racism, being the first African American women on the cover of a movie magazine broke down so many barriers for women of colour. So, to work with someone like that would be a real honor. If I were to meet her today Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d say thank you for paving the way so that I too could pursue my dreams. What are some of the things that entertain you? Is it reading, listening to other artists music (may in other genres), painting? Well, I love interior decorating and photography. I love design and choosing different fabrics for an old chair or window covering. I also love hands on stuff like beading hand crafted necklaces and earrings and giving them away as gifts. What general advice can you give listeners on Life, Love and Lyrics? My advice for Life is to live it to the fullest. Advice for Love is to cherish it and to do everything from out of that place. Advice for Lyrics is to write from the heart and the rest will take care if itself. Connect with Susie via www.susiemclean.com

IN THE MIX

I N

T H E

M I X

ROCK STEADY Balooba

DOWNLOAD

L 3 M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 2

131