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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
10 CONTRIBUTORS 12 IT’S ME, IT’S YOU, IT’S BLEU 14 THE 20: TRIED AND “TREU” 16 GADGETS: APP MAN 18 CAR: THE 2015 LEXUS RC F IS AT THE TOP OF ITS LEAGUE 20 TREND AVE: SUMMER’S BEST 28 BODY: YOUR GYMLESS SUMMER 30 FUEL: BON VIVANT! 34 GROOMING: SMELL LIKE A MAN 38 TRAVEL: CANCUN - A SPRING GETAWAY 42 THE CREATIVES: TRANSFORMATIVE AND TRANSCENDENCE
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CON TENT 46 FASHION: SPRITED WILDCHILD 62 FEATURE: DESTINED FOR GREATNESS 68 FASHION: EVENTUAL ESCAPE 78 PROFILE: THE HUMANS 82 FASHION: KICK ASS LOOK COOL 88 SPOTLIGHT: THE GREATS AND ELEVEE 90 SCORE: LA’EL COLLINS LSU FOOTBALL’S STYLISH BLOCKING MACHINE 92 ON THE RISE: INKMONSTARR BEFORE THE INK DRIES & THE ROBBIE NOVA EFFECT 94 BLEULIST 95 ICON: ICE CUBE 96 STOCKLIST
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CONTRIBUTORS
LENOX FONTAINE PHOTOGRAPHER
Originally From: The Commonwealth of Dominica (West Indies) Living In: NYC Occupation: Photographer In This Issue: It was a pleasure working with Sebastian Mikael for this issue of Blue. Sebastian is a true talent that the world is about to discover I am happy and proud to be one of the hands to help usher him into the spotlight! Reading: The Alchemist Latest Obsession: Modern Art!
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MAGAZINE
CLIFF WATTS PHOTOGRAPHER
DOMINIQUE CARSON WRITER
AJ CRIMSON MAKE UP ARTIST
Originally From: Northern California
Originally From: Brooklyn, New York
Originally From: Northern California
Occupation: Fashion Photographer/Director
Living In: Brooklyn, New York
Occupation: Entrepreneur/Beauty & Lifestyle Expert
Watts discovered his passion for photography as he traveled the West Indies after art school. He is most widely known for his ad campaigns for Hugo Boss, Revlon and Armani as well as his work for Vanity Fair, Vogue, Bazaar, W, Elle and Esquire. Watts also directs short films and is preparing his first collection of nudes for a gallery show and a book.
Occupation: Freelance Music Writer/ Editorial Assistant/Market Vendor/Education Reporter In This Issue: I interviewed actor/ singer Shameik Moore and he stars in the movie Dope, directed by Forest Whitaker, premiering in summer 2015. I also wrote an iconic page on Hip-Hop legend, Ice Cube. Reading: I’m not reading anything specific but I am working on a book with a friend of mine entitled The Black Bubble. It’s about African Americans experiencing discrimination and how it affects their everyday living in regards to employment, education and housing.
Equally noted for his savvy business sense and charisma, AJ is the CEO of BLACKBOARDGROUP Management, overseeing the careers of some of today’s hottest talent within entertainment and the worlds of health & beauty (wardrobe stylists, makeup artists, hair stylists etc). AJ is also the creator of two successful makeup ranges: Kissable Couture Lip Gloss and AJ Crimson Cosmetics.
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IT’S ME, IT’S YOU, IT’S BLEU
DJ For A Cure Art & Mix Show Nylon Guys Magazine’s “Top 5 DJ’s To Watch,” DJ Quiana Parks and contemporary lifestyle brand Puma present their 2nd annual DJ For A Cure Live Art & Mix Show. DJ For A Cure aims to raise awareness to the seriousness of cancer by highlighting the world of popular DJ culture infused with the element of art.
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Gansevoort Hotel, Meatpacking, NYC
February 13th, 2015 (1) Sponsor PUMA Clyde Sneaker (2) DJ For A Cure Atmosphere (The Chester) (3) DJ B-Hen (4) Rap Artist Maejor Ali + DJ For A Cure founder Quiana Parks (5) Rap Artist Maejor Ali + Santos Garcia (A&R) Compound Entertainment (6) Samantha Chin + Guests (7) L to R - Nikki (Quiana Parks Manager), DIMY (DJ For A Cure Host), SYLVSTR (Artist), Ashley Outrageous (DJ For A Cure Host)
(8) Ashley Outrageous, DJ Quiana Parks, DIMY (9) Artist Ruthy Valdez + Guest (10) DJ Quiana Parks w/ sponsor Hennessy VS. (11) Hennessy VS. Atmosphere (12) DJ B-Hen (13) Renaldo Vines (The Chamber Group)
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photographer: Tayo’s Creation
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Da Sweet Blood Of Jesus Dinner Celebration Descripition: During the all-star festivities in NYC at the newly opened posh restaurant Red Stixs, famed Emmy-Award winning director Spike Lee and executive producer Monica “Dollphace” Floyd hosted a private dinner with VIP friends, cast members and selected media for their new stylized thriller film Da Sweet Blood of Jesus.
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At The Red Stixs, New York
February 9th, 2015 (1)Spike Lee and EP Monica “Dollphace” Floyd (2) Angela Simmons (3) DeVon Johnson (4) L to R - Karen Civil, Claire Sulmers, Angela Simmons (5) Spike Lee (6) DeVon Johnson, Yomi Desalu, Tahiry Jose, Po Johnson (7) L to R - Spike Lee, Zaraah Abrahams, and EP Monica “Dollphace” Floyd
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photographer: A. Turner
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Tell us about the movie Dope and about your character Malcolm. The movie Dope is a new classic, especially for young adults. It’s a “coming of age” film. The movie comes out in June and is directed by Rick Famuyiwa. It will leave everyone with a new perspective on life and growing up in the hood. Malcolm and his two best friends live in Inglewood (CA) as geeks trying to survive in a ‘bad’ neighborhood. Basically, they learn how to overcome every situation that comes their way. I don’t want to tell you the entire movie but the message behind the film is that it’s up to you to persevere in life; a person can seek another way out and not be limited to the environment.
What was it like working with Forest Whitaker and Zoe Kravitz? Forest Whitaker is a great actor; if you counted on your hand the A-list actors, Forest Whitaker is one of them. It was great working with him; he has inspired me so much. Forest has this positive vibe about him and I’ve received so much knowledge about acting from him--it’s a blessing. Zoe has a beautiful spirit; she makes you feel comfortable and at ease. I mean she was just herself--cool and calm and she wasn’t standoffish. When I introduced myself to her on the set, she was really down to earth. Zoe is so pretty [laughs]. I am just thankful that I worked with Forest, Zoe, A$AP Rocky and everyone else on this film because they are all extremely talented.
How does it feel to have a lead role in the film? You worked with Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, and Dolly Parton in Joyful Noise but this time you are the main star in the film. Is it exciting? Do you feel pressured to exceed in the role? I don’t feel pressured at all because I can only do my very best. I try not to think about it too much because these are the opportunities that I’ve been praying for and now that they are here, I have to do what I have to do. I have to do what’s expected of me and make it happen. Every opportunity that has come my way has been a blessing and an amazing experience. Which one do you love more: music, dancing or acting— and why? I can’t really answer that question because I can’t separate the talents that God has blessed with me. Each gift, whether it’s music, dancing, or acting, allows me to express myself freely. I can watch television shows and find inspiration behind them because I can picture [things] in my head. It’s hard to say, but I truly support and embrace all three. I get to present each one of them at different times and stages in my career. 64
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"I don’t feel pressured at all because I can ONLY do my very best."
suit & shirt BURBERRY pocket square PAUL SMITH belt MARC JACOBS shoes DIRK BIKKEMBERGS belt (worn as bracelet) GIVENCHY
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