Aman Magazine 2023 Collector's Edition Ft Venita McCollum

Collector’s Edition

Venita McCollum

speaks about Lil Yachty and sequel to “How to Raise a Rapper”

MAY 2023

SKYE SAYS:

“Feeling like I am falling behind”

Miu Haiti Releases

New Song and Music

Video “Is This Love”

SAYS...

The Mother of hip hop

Miu haiti Releases new song and music video

“is this love”

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Mothers believe in us more than we believe in ourselves, do more for us than they do for themselves, and love us more than anyone else can! This issue is for the mothers! I was honored to have interviewed one of the illustrious mother’s of hiphop, Ms.Venita McCollum. She is the mother of Grammy nominated Lil Yachty! I can’t wait for you to read all about what she has coming up for the 3rd quarter of the year. Thank you for continuing to support the magazine. Because of you and your continued support we are able to continue interviewing some of the most influential voices of Atlanta and beyond. .While you’re reading about Ms. McCollum and others be sure to message us on social media to tell us which article was your favorite.

-‘’I always hate the winter months as I feel like I have seasonal depression or something, but every year when Sumer approaches I end up feeling so self conscious about my body and what people may think if I was to wear a certain style of clothing. What can I do to embrace my body and finally start enjoying summer like I want to?’’– Phoebe

Skye says… Of course I would love to wave a magic wand and make you feel more confident, but it doesn’t work like that. Whenever I have felt like that (which I have), I tend to wear a piece of clothing which I feel comfortable in and then gradually start wearing things here and there which I am afraid too. For example, I’d wear my favorite pair of jeans with a crop top, then next time I may wear that top with shorts and piece by piece start putting an outfit together.

When you start realizing that nobody actually cares you will feel so much better! Because that is the reality of it…no one cares. It some times takes a while to get there but when you do you will feel amazing! Have fun and enjoy your summer!

-‘’Recently I have felt a lot of pressure to be at a certain place in my life, I am approaching 26 and have never received so many wedding, engagement and baby shower invites! Normally I feel like it doesn’t bother me but after the influx of invitations I cant help but feel the slight pressure to be on the other side of these events but also don’t feel ready. Any advice?’’ –Rachel

Skye says… Everything that is meant for you will be for you no matter when that happens or how it happens. I think it is important to remember that not everyone has the same timeline and what works well for one may not be what another person is ready for or even wanting. Are you happy? Do you feel fulfilled? Do you enjoy life? These are way more important questions to reflect on instead of should I be having a baby? Or a wedding?

Having those things doesn’t necessarily mean happiness. Do you even

want those things or do you feel the pressure because ‘everyone’ else is doing it? I think you are fine where you are, wherever that may be. And if you don’t feel happy find something that makes you happy, not SOMEONE. Plan more solo dates or trips. Explore and romanticize the little things.

THE MOTHER OF HIP HOP

MS. VENITA MCCOLLUM

Venita McCollum does it all! She is a CFO, a best selling author, an entrepreneur, and a mother to grammy nominated Lil Yachty. In this interview she discusses the sequel to her best selling book “How to Raise a Rapper”, season 2 of her podcast “The Wrap-Up with Venita”, and advice she has for other mothers’ in the industry.

Interviewed by: Amani Sams

MS. VENITA MCCOLLUM

What sparked your decision to write the book: How to Raise A rapper?

Let me just be clear, a lot of people look at the title and see, “ Raising a Rapper”, but the book is for any parent that is raising a young person these days in any industry and [they’ve] overnight made a bunch of money or want to make a bunch of money and become a star. So i just said “Raising a rapper” because my son is a rapper but it’s for youtubers, dj’s, producers, anyone in any industry that’s a young person. I wanted to write the book because I wanted to give parents a blueprint. When we started no one gave me a blueprint. I had to wing it and find out things for myself so I wanted to give other parents a head start so that they wouldn’t make some of the mistakes that we made. So that was my whole purpose, to help other parents coming behind me.

In the book you discuss the transition of Lil Yachty going from the college dorm room to making the Forbes list in just 2 years. What was the transition like for you as his mom?

It was interesting, it was overwhelming. It was a whole lot of things, but you know we just had to step back, organize and get in place for the move because it was going to happen whether I was ready or not. So it was just about preparing [and] getting everything together. When he said he was not going to school, he was leaving school and he was going to be an artist. I didn't really understand that. I didn’t really know how to process it, but I think it just took its course. He came home and he was in Kanye’s fashion show and then he was signed to QC, then he was signed to Capital. The rest is history. He’s still doing it today.

Do you have mother’s that come up to you that ask to manage their kids?

Alot, not as much as I used to because I’ve kind of been off the scene a little bit because

we’ve been doing some other stuff. In the very beginning a lot of parents would come to me and ask me “should they hand their kids over to different people to manage”, would I manage them, and ask for advice {such as] should they let their kids drop out of high school, should their kids drop out of college. That’s another thing that inspired me to write the book to be able to help them when they have to make those hard decision. Should I tap into my 401k that I’ve been saving for my whole corporate life, What should I do?” So that was part of the inspiration.

With the major succes of this book, can readers expect a sequal to the book soon?

It will definitely be a sequel. In the sequel I think that I’m just going to add some of those most needed things about the industry. Those things can also be heard and found on my podcast because I do have a podcast that follows the book. And I talk to a lot of experts in the industry. That’s what I want to put in the second book, a lot of experts that people can rely on whether it’s a lawyer or a jeweler or

Tell us about your podcast, “The Wrapup with Venita”. Who has been your favorite guest thus far?

I probably would have to say someone that I have become very good friends with [is] my friend Cleo. Cleopatra Bernard who is the mother of XXXtenxion. She and I have become really good friends. So I would have to say [her]. A friendship that cultivated from that interview. [Actually] A little bit before the interview because my son actually introduced me to her. Her son passed and he was at his funeral and met her. He said “Mom I want you to meet her” and so we met and have been friends ever since. Dear friends!

What’s next for Ms. Venita McCollum?

Oh my gosh that is a good question! Growing my followers on the podcast and the book. Growing the brand, just getting more parents involved and giving them more information. Maybe doing a tour with other moms [and] go

around the country and we bring other professionals into the industry and just provide parents with a little bit of hope. There is so much competition in this industry a lot of times parents don’t know where to begin. Oftentimes kids are really young and parents don’t realize that. In this industry a lot of people take advantage of you. The tour would be a way for us to give them information and for other moms to tell their stories. These moms and dads have got some amazing stories about how these kids have said that they’re going to be famous and you kind of just brush that off when your child says that. And then it happens and you’re like “wow”! What good is it to you if you’re not helping someone.

Raising A Rapper is now available for purchase on Amazon and RaisingARapper.com in paperback, ebook and audiobook versions.

SONG AND MUSIC VIDEO “IS THIS LOVE”

Genre-bending singer-songwriter Miu Haiti draws her eclectic musical influences from Pop and R&B with a Hip-Hop edge. She was born and raised in Haiti, but is now based in the United States. Music has always been in her blood, being the daughter of a saxophonist. Miu Haiti is a renaissance woman - her versatile artistic expression is influenced by her love of fashion, makeup artistry, performing arts, and interior design. Her ability to compose music and sing in various languages (English, Creole, French, and Spanish) allows her to connect with a global audience, and has driven collaborations with arrangers, talents, and artists from Saint Lucia, Puerto Rico, Tanzania, United States, Canada, France, and Haiti. Miu Haiti has remained very prolific since the release of her debut album, “Unexpected," in 2014.

As winter comes to a close, the new beginnings of spring are upon us; thus, making it the perfect time for Miu Haiti to make her 2023 debut with "Is This Love." Miu Haiti kicked off this year with a new single, "Is This Love," accompanied by a music video. "Is This Love" is a change of pace from her previous hard-hitting records, "Real Ones" and "In 'Em Face," which collectively amassed about 200,000 streams and views. "Is This Love" demonstrates her versatility and puts her vocal range to the forefront.

"Is This Love" is fairly self-explanatory through its title; however, matters of the heart are rarely that simple. Miu Haiti dives deep into the raw emotion of love and pragmatic idea of love. She perfectly depicts the complex feelings and thoughts that come after the honeymoon phase of a relationship. "When you're dating someone that you really like who is playing all the right cards, you are subjected to many feelings." Miu Haiti continues, "The initial curiosity, lust, and infatuation soon give way to admiration, and one seeks to break away from this bewitchment

to ponder, in a state of confusion: 'Is this love?'"

Her booming, sultry voice compliments the eclectic Pop and R&B/Soul ballad well. Not only does she wow listeners from a vocal performance perspective, she also must be given her flowers for her penmanship in "Is This Love." From the catchy chorus to the melodious harmonies, Miu Haiti showcases her songwriting prowess. Her previous single, "Real Ones," was self-produced, but for "Is This Love," she reunited with Haitian producer Nice Beat (Andy Irwin Charles). She enlisted her former tourmate, Zach Hughes, to mix the masterpiece. The simple yet captivating music video was the artistic vision of Canadian artistic director Ralph Leroy. His vision was carried out by videographer Ryan J. Ardito. The music video was filmed in Purfek TV's studio, and video director Storm provided additional directorial guidance and was the final piece of the international dream team that Miu Haiti assembled. The sensual, serene visual encapsulates the fluttering feelings expressed within the track and fits the overarching theme of the record.

"Is This Love" is set to open the floodgates for more music from the songstress. Miu Haiti has a lot more in store for the rest of the year. "Is This Love" is a prelude of what's to come as she plans to release an EP later this year. For the time being, fall head over heels in love with "Is This Love."