Issuu

A NEWâ€ˆFLAVOR FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

Vol. 2

I ssue 4

August 2019

RED INK MAGAZINE

* R E D I N K S TA F F *

CAPTIONS

A Short Reflection: * About Us: MISSION STATEMENT

CEO / Publisher:

Chief Editor

.................................................Bibi S. Khan {Naz) Editor-in-Chief :

Like a Phoenix from the ashes, RED INK ......................................................Michael Devine

Magazine has risen once more. It is here again

Contributing Editors: ............................................Sheldon Riley (2wist) ...............................................Fazia Khan Parmar ........................................Linda Cocochynna Ford

RED INK Magazine will always represent the

esting people and culture from the rest of the

Graphic Designer:

..................................................Bibi S Khan (Naz)

lifestyle news from the Caribbean and beyond.

Indies, but we will not hesitate to include inter-

.................................Kenneth C. Randall (Hakim)

Art Director:

favorite artists, singers, bands, events and

people and culture of the Caribbean and West

...........................................................Heidy Ardon

................................................Bibi S. Khan (Naz)

to deliver incredible images and stories of your

world from time to time.

RED INK Magazine will once again become the trendsetter when it comes to delivering Caribbean entertainment and lifestyle news to the people. We will provide updates on con-

Photographers:

certs, events and music festivals. There will be

..........................Raymond Taylor - 516.375.3987

introductions of new and upcoming artists from ..............Marlon Ajamu-www.ajamuphoto.com

Reggae, Soca, R&B and other genres. And let’s

........................................Salim Khan (Freelance)

not forget interviews and bios of all of your

Marketing Team:

favorite performers that you know and love.

....................................................................Althea ...................................................................Naisha

.................................................................. Aaliyah

format; the times have changed and so have we. You can now enjoy short video clips and links within the pages of our publication. Yet,

EMAIL: REDINKMAGAZINE@ YAHOO.COM

know that even though the magazine is online,

INSTAGRAM: Red.Ink.Magazine

it is designed to be read like a traditional maga-

TWITTER: @Redgrafix

zine, turning pages and enjoying incredible, visually stunning spreads, and let’s not forget

FACEBOOK: Red Ink Magazine

We invite your comments regarding our issues and reserve the right to edit your response for content and space. All responses must be sent with the writers full name, address and contact number. All advertisers assume responsibility for the content of their advertisements. RED INK Magazine assume no responsibilities for any misprint images.

We hope you all love the new internet based

about our beautiful centerfold models that will grace the center spread of the magazine each month. RED INK Magazine is here to stay and we aspire to be “THE” Caribbean entertainment magazine providing all of our readers with the stories and interviews they crave, the beautiful imagery they desire, and the design standard

- RED INK Magazine C RED INK O

that we refuse to compromise. ~Michael Devine

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Maxi Priest

ed INK Magazine had the privilege of a phone interview with Maxi Priest. It was an absolute honor to speak with the Legend himself.

Red Ink: I Just wanted to ask you about your new album, “It All Comes Back to Love.” I’d like to know who or what inspired you to do this album? MP: “The people inspired me, my artistry inspires me, my creativity inspires me, my life is inspirational. My love for what I do inspires me, my want and my need to achieve to evolve to grow, to move to another level so that the next generation after me can find a more clearer road.” “What inspires me in particular about this song here, the inspiration of working with my good friend Shaggy and his crew. Shaggy played a great part in inspiring this album our friendship goes back many, many years. We have always written and create together with the goal of making an album, now with BMG we had a sense of urgency to create it. God is love and love is God and that is really what inspires the title of the song and also the album “It All Comes Back to Love,” because everything always comes back to God and God is Love. Red Ink: You have been at this for decades making great music, hits after hits, and your songs have never failed us. MP: “…chuckles…” “I laugh, but not because it is funny, but because I appreciate. I never really sit and think about making a hit, music is just in my DNA and it just makes me want to create every day. When I was a kid and figured out that I could sing, it became like a partner, a sanctuary, a place I could go to whether I was happy or sad or puzzled or just trying to find something to answer the questions of life as they faced me as a child. And I always looked at my singing as my friend and partner. And that “person” still exists today.” Red Ink: That’s wonderful, it shows that you are truly blessed and we thank you for sharing your gift with us over all this time. MP: “Thank you, and it’s emotional for me too. You know people don’t realize that when you sing, you have 5

to put yourself out there, you lay yourself out there and you are vulnerable. What I mean is that you put so much work and time into something and someone can just say, “eh, I don’t really like that.” Yeah, it’s just emotional.” Red Ink: Well I will tell you this much, seeing all of your fans going to your shows, it affects everyone, all of your music. MP: “Well there’s your answer to the first question, that is what keeps me going and that is why I do what I do. My true motivation is just that, the people, when they come to my show and express emotion over something I have written on a piece of paper; It is very impressive, it’s a high. It is part of what keeps me going.” Red INK Magazine have much love and respect for the Legend himself. We all thank you for continuing to share your talent with the world. Your new single “I’m Alright” with Shaggy is hot hot hot, and not forgetting your new song and album of the same title “It All Comes Back To Love.” May your love and music continue to Bless your fans for many years to come. u

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Top

ALBUMS this month 1- Local Motion Pepper 2- Ways Of The World The Movement 3-Rapture (EP) Koffee 4- Everyday Life, Everyday People Slightly Stoopid 5- Free Rein Rebelution 6- Reggae Now! The Aggrolites 7- 44/876 Sting & Shaggy 8- Iration Iration 9- Mass Manipulation Steel Pulse 10- Walls Of Jerusalem Yabby You Meets King Tubby

1 0 MOVIES Top

this month

1- The Lion King (2019) 2- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 3- Spider-Man: Far from Home 4- Toy Story 4 5- Crawl 6- Yesterday 7- Aladdin (2019) 8-Stuber 9- Annabelle Comes Home 10- The Farewell

EVENT toVISIT Saturday August 10th Majah Hype Live @ Coral Springs Center 2855 Coral Springs Dr. Coral Springs, FL 33065 Get your tickets online @ WWW.THECENTERCS.COM

More info call 954-344-5990 6

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HOTSPOTS Caribana Weekend 2019 Thursday, August 1st Sunday, August 4th 2019 aribanaToronto.com advertises and sells tickets to the majority of Caribbean inspired events and parties taking place over Caribana 2019 w e e k e n d . T o r o n t o ' s Caribbean Caribana festival has grown exponentially since its start in 1967 and is currently N o r t h A m e r i c a â€™s largest cultural festival. What was once a three-day event has now grown into three weeks of celebration, absorbing most of the city with its infectious feel-good vibes. Over a million tourists are expected in Toronto during the August long weekend to experience everything Caribana has to offer. The beauty of Caribana in Toronto is the varied audience it attracts: everyone from families across Canada and the U.S, young singles looking for a good time, to celebrities throwing Caribana themed parties in clubs across Toronto.

HOTSPOTS this month Check

OUT 1. Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar Orlando Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA 2. BĂ˘oli Miami Night club 1906 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 3. The Normandie Club 3612 W 6th St Los Angeles, CA 90005 4. Lavo Nightclub 39 E 58th St, New York, NY 10022

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PROTOJE UNLEASHES NEW VIDEO FOR “NOT ANOTHER WORD”

FEAT. LILA IKÉ AND AGENT SASCO (ASSASSIN)

RAMMY-nominated artist, songwriter, and philosophical thinker Protoje takes his message to the streets of downtown Kingston, Jamaica, on his new video for “Not Another Word.” On the call-to-action anthem (out April 26 via In.Digg.Nation Collective/Easy Star Records) he recruited fellow Jamaican comrades Agent Sasco (Assassin) and Lila Iké. “Not Another Word” is Protoje’s first new material since his GRAMMY-nominated album A Matter Of Time. On this visually-stunning guerilla street rally (directed by RD Studios), the trio bands together to address hypocrisies and encourage people to take responsibility for their actions. “It was important to me that we touched on everyday scenes that aren’t uncommon to see when we take a look at happenings in Jamaica. I wanted the video to be grounded in our everyday reality. The video director Ruption really understood the vision and came up with the idea to capture a lot of the scenes using a ‘God’s Eye’ point of view. It was a vibe,” Protoje says about the visual. Protoje will kick off his Summer 2019 Tour spanning North America and Europe in mid-June. In the U.S., he joins fellow GRAMMY-nominees and Easy Star label mates Rebelution for 20+ city tour starting in Albuquerque on June 13. He will also headline a free NYC concert at Prospect Park for BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! on June 27 and wraps the tour on September 1 at Dry Diggings Festival in Placerville, CA. Amidst these dates, he has a series of solo shows and festival spots throughout Europe as well as a coveted slot on Jamaica’s annual music festival Reggae Sumfest on July 20. See schedule here: u

TOUR DATES: AUGUST 2 - PORTLAND, OREGAN (USA) - BUY TICKETS * AUGUST 3 - NEW YORK, NEW YORK (USA) - BUY TICKETS * AUGUST 4 - ASBURY PARK - NEW JERSEY (USA) BUY TICKETS * AUGUST 8 - OYAFESTIVAL - OSLO, NORWAY BUY TICKETS AUGUST 9 -CENTRALSTATION - DARMSTADT, GERMANY BUY TICKETS AUGUST 11 - SZIGET FESTIVAL - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY BUY TICKETS AUGUST 14 - ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA (USA) BUY TICKETS * AUGUST 15 - ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA (USA) BUY TICKETS * AUGUST 16 - COCOA, FLORIDA (USA) - BUY TICKETS * AUGUST 17 - BOCA RATON, FLORIDA (USA) - BUY TICKETS AUGUST 18 - ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA (USA) BUY TICKETS AUGUST 20 - ATLANTA, GEORGIA (USA) - BUY TICKETS * AUGUST 24 - MORRISON, COLORADO (USA) BUY TICKETS * AUGUST 29 - MESA, ARIZONA (USA) - BUY TICKETS *

AUGUST 30 - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (USA) - BUY TICKETS * AUGUST 31 - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (USA) - BUY TICKETS * SEPTEMBER 1 - PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA (USA) BUY TICKET

NOT

ANOTHER

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WORD

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LILA IKE ila Iké (pronounced Lee-lah Eye-kay) is one of the freshest new voices on Jamaica’s music scene. As the latest addition to In.Digg.Nation Collective, a record label and talent pool for Jamaican creatives founded by reggae star Protoje, the fast-rising singer is gaining attention at home and abroad with her distinctive delivery and old-school sensibilities. Born Alecia Grey, the future Lila Iké grew up in the cool hills of Manchester, Jamaica. She first developed her love for music in high school, where she was affectionately dubbed “class clown” by schoolmates. She would often be asked to create jingles on the spot for class presentations, or get caught freestyling in class with her friends, and after winning the “best talent” award in her high school pageant and writing her class’ graduation song, she knew she had found her calling. It was while attending Northern Caribbean University when she first began signing up for open mics and putting herself out there as an artist. In Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city, Lila began connecting with artists like Jah9, Kabaka Pyramid and Protojé, key figures and leaders in what’s been called the reggae revival — each of whom she now considers her advisors. True to her love of freestyling from her days in high school, Lila records all of her vocals spontaneously, relying on her vibe and energy to provoke creative thought. She applies this same principle to her relationship with the people around her, only working with people with whom she has an organic connection, and who have a clear vision and her best interest at heart. Having appeared as a featured guest on tracks by Protoje (“Flight Plans”), Royal Blu (“Believe”) and Koro Fyah (“Got it For You,” “Raggamuffin”) and on mixtapes by Addis Pablo and Yaadcore, she is now building her own catalog of impressive solo material. “Biggest Fan,” her 2017 debut single, was a tribute to her mother who, despite initially disapproving of her daughter’s career choice, has ended up becoming her “biggest fan.” Her second single, “Gotti Gotti,” likewise acknowledges the wisdom of elders, taking her generation’s predilection for greed to task on a vintage reggae riddim. Her third single “Second Chance,” was released July 27, 2018, and has steadily grown to become a crowd favorite in the dancehalls and reggae spaces. On “Second Chance”, Iké once again taps into the past while revealing a sound that is fresh, new and all her own. With heavy drum and bass instantly familiar to long-time reggae fans, Iké gives the rhythm a fresh coat, delivering a rub-a-dub love song for the ages. Ike also features on Protoje's latest single ‘Not Another

Word’ along with Agent Sasco, released April 2019, which has been featured on Spotify playlists 'Dancehall Queen' and 'Dancehall Official' as well as on iTunes Reggae AList, premiering at number 2. For her next release, aptly titled “Where I’m Coming From”, Iké reflects on her journey thus far, acknowledging her humble beginnings and expressing gratitude for the blessings she has received. “Where I’m Coming From” drops June 14th via In.Digg.Nation Collective/Easy Star Records. Ike has toured with Protoje in the United Kingston and the United States of America as an opener and has performed main stage at some of Europe’s biggest festivals such as Uppsala Reggae Festival (Sweden) and Reggae Geel (Germany). She takes on her debut solo tour insummer 2019 in Europe.u Follow Lila Iké on social media https://www.instagram.com/lilaike/ https://www.facebook.com/LilaIkeJA/ https://twitter.com/lilaikeja https://www.soundcloud.com/lilaike 11

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ZIA BENJAMIN fter cutting her teeth in the industry as a songwriter and featured vocalist for mega stars like Sean Paul and Major Lazer ("Jet Blue Jet" - 100m+ views), Zia Benjamin emerges onto the scene with her own soulful bohemian island gyal sound, which she dubs "rum shop blues." Over the past few months, Zia released two new singles including "Mr. NeverMan" (produced by the legendary Jamaican selector/DJ RoryStoneLove) in December 2018 and "Rudie" in April 2019. These songs follow her debut solo effort "No Fame." BILLBOARD premiered the visual for "Mr. NeverMan," raving "Zia's brand combines her resonant, soulful voice with genre-blurring songs that fuse smoky jazz, retro dancehall and bubbling roots reggae." Her latest single "Rudie"(produced by Grammy-nominated Loudcity Music and DJ Sparks) landed her on the cover of TIDAL's Reggae/Dancehall playlist #TidalRising. On May 6, the song was selected as EBRO's Beats1 Apple Music Discovered track. To accompany the single, "Rudie" also has two remixes, "Party Shot" and "Dub," to give fans every reason to play the track no matter what the occasion may be. A music video for "Rudie" will drop in June. Zia will continue to release new material this summer with XXXtentacion’s producers, Andre ‘Vibez’ Chevolleau and JonFX. Her debut EP Love In A Plastic Cup is slated to drop later in the year. In the meantime, here are 7 things to know about Zia. 1.) Of Black Carib-Indian and German descent, Zia (Christina) Benjamin was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica to immigrant parents. Her mother, who was from a small village in Germany, woke up one morning to Bob Marley’s song “Wake Up And Live” on the radio and it changed her life. She left her fiancé and flew to Jamaica without any connections or fluency in the language. She met Zia’s father, Dr. Bernard Benjamin, who had migrated from the small Caribbean island of Dominica. Fast forward through a dramatic love story and Zia was born. 2.) Zia is a poet and songwriter. She has written for the likes of Major Lazer and Sean Paul and more recently was commissioned for a writing camp for an international pop star (which remains undisclosed at the moment) who is currently prepping a reggae album. “As a kid I always had ink on my hands, all over my school books – lyrics everywhere. I'd drive to the country with my parents and because I had no paper I'd chew up all my bubble gum and write lyrics on the wrappers – just so I wouldn’t forget them. I’d leave the car with lyrics all over my arm’s because bubble gum wrappers can only hold so much,” Zia states. 3.) Zia found a passion for documentary production,

“RUDIE” (2019 SINGLE) which was inspired by the tragic killing of her father. Dr. Benjamin was shot by teenagers close to his home in 2005. To find solace, Zia dedicated her documentary work to social justice and human rights issues. Her feature on grief won an award for Documentary Producer Of The Year presented by Fanshawe College and Western University in Ontario, Canada, where she attended and studied media/journalism/film. Today, she directs all of her own music videos (she lists Quentin Tarantino as an influence) and continues to pursue her love for visual media. She also represents Kingston, Jamaica as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper. 4.) She currently lectures on resisting gender-based violence and working through trauma using art at post-secondary schools and homes for girls across Jamaica. Zia isn’t afraid to point out the shadiness of the sleazebags in the industry. Her debut song “No Fame” shed light on a personal #MeToo moment, and it has allowed her to share her story with young females in the Caribbean where it is a prevalent issue. “On the outside looking in, the industry seems so glamorous, but when you’re in it there’s a lot of pressure from the people guarding the doors – ‘bow down and I can make your dreams come true’ – it’s so stereotypical, but it’s fact,” Zia says.

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5.) Zia is inspired by 1950's and 60's jazz bar vocalists, retro dancehall and old Hollywood and obsessed with classic James Bond films. Music and style icons include Billie Holiday, John Lennon, Elizabeth Taylor, Sade, Nina Simone, Marilyn Monroe, Lady Saw and Shabba Ranks. “I think my style is a mix of opposites: I’m like Shabba Ranks meets Marilyn Monroe, with a Nina Simone soul and a few shots of Appleton rum,” Zia adds. 6.) If Zia didn’t pursue her dream of music, she would have been ...“I think if I didn’t pursue my dream of music, I would have been a journalist, although my dad wanted me to follow in his footsteps as a doctor – once, when I was a little girl I helped sew someone’s finger back on after an emergency,” she recalls. Zia was accepted into the prestigious McGill University for sciences, but being the non-conformist that she is she declined at the last minute, without telling her parents, to pursue her passion for journalism at Western University instead. 7.) Zia was a finalist in Miss Jamaica World, and won the award for Beauty With A Purpose. “I spent the month eating Wendy’s in the bathroom wondering wtf I was doing in a pageant– it was also probably the only time in my life that I was consistently in the gym… to work off the Wendys, but I met a ton of dope chicks and I’m still conquering the world with them, we’re still close.” u

“NO FAME” (2017 SINGLE)

Folllow ZIA BENJAMIN social media: https://www.instagram.com/ziabenjamin https://www.facebook.com/ziabenjamin https://twitter.com/ziabenjamin

(2018 SINGLE)

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The Legend Gregory Isaacs: MR. ISAACS VP Records continues to celebrate its 40th anniversary with the definitive, deluxe reissue of an early title by Gregory Isaacs, one of Jamaican music's icons and VP Records' marquee catalog artists. When it comes to sheer volume of output, Gregory Isaacs was one of Jamaica's most prolific singers, with more than 125 albums to his credit in a 40-plus year career. His 13 albums with VP rival that of Dennis Brown. VP was the first to press and distribute the touchstone LP Mr. Isaacs, the singer's third full-length release and one of the first LPs the company handled in the US. It was originally pressed on Ossie Hibbert's Earthquake label and entitled simply, The Greatest. In Jamaica, the album was also pressed on Trevor "Leggo" Douglas' Cash & Carry label. The current reissue pays homage to the first edition - and VP Records' 40th anniversary - with the return to the original artwork and labels. Remastered by Kevin Metcalfe, the album is reissued on vinyl concurrent with the closely related dub album, Leggo Dub, and also package together on an expanded 32-track, double CD, including bonus tracks such as the 12-inch mix of "Mr. Know It All." These are housed in a 6-panel digipack with 16-page booklet. The 2019 edition is the most expansive since the 2001 reissue on Blood and Fire. The album includes the enduring hit "Slave Master," later popularized through the live performance in the film Rockers, as well as "Set The Captive Free," and "Storm." The latter would become a widely reused 'riddim,' a rhythmic framework that was the basis of dozens of versions by different artists, including hits by Tappa Zukie ("Oh Lord"); Tristan Palma ("Spliff Tail"); and Pinchers ("Bandelero"), among others. VP will issue "Storm" b/w "Leggo Dub" on 7inch single for this first time, in conjunction with the full release. Isaacs' catalog would grow to well over one hundred albums by the time of his death in 2010. Released in over two dozen different editions, Mr. Isaacs is second only to his iconic Night Nurse album in terms of its influence. VP Records will celebrate the life and music of Mr. Isaacs at multiple events in 2019 in tandem with the label's 40th Anniversary. Mr. Isaacs will be released on July 19. His 68th birthday would have been July 15.

by vprecords.com u 15

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MISS AUGUST

HAZEL

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Photo by BabyWattson 17

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Swing into summer AT THE HEART OF THE MATTER by Fazia Khan Parmar

elcome back dear readers to my health and wellness segments. I hope you are enjoying the fun and healthy recipes and tips. Have you ever woken up and felt like having a filling breakfast but don’t want to load up on the carbs and fat associated with a traditional breakfast? There is a satisfying alternative that will leave you feeling full and rejuvenated while providing your body with essential “superfoods.” Having a fuel filled breakfast is like a jump start for your metabolism and gives you that extra pep in your step. I ’m sure you have all heard the word superfoods and may have seen tons of new products on supermarket shelves and health food stores that promise to deliver various health benefits. Superfoods are foods that are rich in nutrients and offer lean protein that are associated with greater health benefits. Some examples are blueberries, acai berries, kale, flax seed, and quinoa. Superfoods are also known for being power packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants literally assist the body with naturally removing free radicals from the body. In this way, antioxidants are said to ward off cancer. Now that you have a little more familiarity with superfoods, let’s make it a little less intimidating by talking about a quick and easy way jump start your superfood journey through smoothies! Whether you are a chocolate fan or fruit fan, there is a smoothie that can be part of your breakfast routine. Try out this tropical inspired breakfast (or anytime) smoothie….

Get SUMMER Ready

T RY O U R M E N U Bon Appetite

RECIPE: Tropical inspired smoothie Ingredients:

1 cups of almond milk 1 frozen bananas (peeled and sliced) 1 scoop of quality chocolate protein powder ½ cup of frozen blueberries 1 cup of fresh spinach 1 tablespoon of almond butter Ice Instructions:

Blend until smooth and enjoy! The banana and almond butter will keep you full and satisfied while the blueberries and spinach packs in the vitamins and antioxidants. Enjoy in good health! Voila…you’re done! Enjoy and stay healthy, my friends!Bon Appetite!

*Disclaimer: I am not a physician or medical professional. If you have any medical issues or concerns, please always consult your doctor before committing to a challenge. The challenges are intended for introducing small lifestyle changes in a fun and easy format.

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Harlem Native Makes A Dream Reality - Get the scoop on fashion, see what’s in & what’s not. Are you in? Charles T. Massey, Jr. was born and raised in Harlem USA where he graduated from the New York City Public school system. After taking courses in business school and college, he eagerly jumped into the “real world” arena known as Corporate America and accumulated over 30+ years of experience working for a few prestigious Fortune 500 companies. With a bright personality and always very social, Charles connected with some like-minded individuals and was always around the entertainment scene. Whether dancing or just networking, it was inevitable that he would become affiliated somehow. He began working with Angela McKenzie of Initiative Radio (shows that presented awards to the legendary DJ Ralph ”Uncle Ralph” McDaniels, Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Gordon Chambers and young rapper The Astronomical Kid, now known as Stro. From there it was onto Benny Negro & Frankie Bonez (who co-hosted a successful internet show that featured celebrity guests and also provided a platform for unsigned artists). On the flipside of that, he was able to manage a couple of those unsigned talents: R&B/Neo-Soul singer & actor Hassan Farrow and singer Nabrigs (Amit Inderdeo). When opportunity arose through business relationships, Charles was offered the position of Lead Publicist at Dipstick Magazine, an online and print Men’ magazine that catered to beautiful women, the hottest music and exotic cars. During that tenure, you could find he and Exec. Producer/A&R Will Stylz at almost every celebrity event in NYC nightlife with the Who’s Who in entertainment! One of the highlights for Dipstick Magazine was being invited for Media coverage of the Urbanworld Film Festival, which was sponsored by HBO & BET. Standing on the Red Carpet interviewing actors/actresses such as Nia Long, Evan Ross, Roger Guenveur and the legendary DJ Kid Capri was an amazing experience that took Charles and the magazine’ credibility & confidence to another level. Around this time, he was also approached by author/baseball historian Daryl Grigsby to participate in his book, “Celebrating Ourselves” about African Americans in baseball. Their love of baseball and conversations led to a chapter being written about Charles’ boyhood baseball dreams in the book. Active in his community early on, it carried over as his love of philanthropy grew and now works with high profile

organizations such as Dr. Oz’ HealthCorps, The James Brown Foundation, Harlem Arts Festival , The Urban Action Showcase Expo (presented by HBO/Cinemax) and BecauseWeCare, a group of his friends that donate and serve the homeless around New York City. Recently resigned as VP of Sales & Operations of The Alexander Pezo Collection (an Atlanta-based haberdashery and accessory brand), there's been no let up for Charles. He has pursued his desire for an acting career, booking several castings and taking classes. Also expanding his CMass Enterprise brand to get back into the entertainment field and working on some great collaborative projects that are in business development. Charles will also be staying within fashion by launching a line of CMass footwear in late June 2019.

Red Ink: How did you get involved with doing a shoe line? CM: Well, I actually came about doing my own shoeline while doing research for something else. I kinda played around with my logo colors and developed this first shoe in less than 2 hours. Red Ink: How long were you trying to get into doing something in Fashion? CM: I've always loved fashion and have been around it most of my life. My uncle Al Jordan was a designer, lived in Newark, NJ and used to work with celebrities. Dressing up was a big deal for me and I modeled, too. I also recently worked for a men's custom designer in Atlanta for 3 years so that was definitely helpful. Red Ink: How did you get to having a finished launched collection? CM: The CMASS6 is my signature show and I made this one Unisex. I have 3 other shoes that I have designed and strategically going to release this year. I hope to tap into everyone' love for fashion with my footwear, but more importantly my own. u By Linda Cocochynna Ford 26

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FASHION CORNER

www.cmassenterprise.com

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... A NEW FLAVOR FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

F O R U LT I M A T E E X P O S U R E O F Y O U R B U S I N E S S / C O M PA N Y

Place Your Ads With Us Send Email Att: Marketing Depâ€™t

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S I G N

Ch e c k Your

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F o r Yo u r P l e a s u r e You’re known as the pioneer of the Zodiac, dear Ram. Lead, follow or get out of my way is your mantra. Once you’ve met (Mar 21 - April 19) the challenge, it’s on to the next thing.

Aries

You finally have clarity about what you really love, value and appreciate. It’s been a long haul, dear Taurus, and has taken every bit of your (April 20 - May 20) patience, persistence and determination to hang in there with yourself.

Taurus

Po e m

“THE ROSE FAMILY” The rose is a rose,

As an air sign, you usually prefer to keep things on the light side, dear Gemini, and digging deep into your partner’s psyche and feeling the inten(May 21 - June 21) sity of them wanting more from you is not really comfortable for you..

Gemini

And was always a rose. But the theory now goes That the apple’s a rose,

You’ve been learning a lot about where your true security and safety come from, dear Moon child, and that it’s high (June 22 - July 22) time to be your own very best mommy and daddy.

Cancer

And the pear is, and so’s The plum, I suppose. The dear only knows

This is your month to shine! You are the star, the producer and the director of the Zodiac. No one knows more about their magi(July 23 - Aug 22) cal inner child than you, dear Lion. GO FOR IT… whatever it is.

Leo

What will next prove a rose. You, of course, are a rose –

You know you can sometimes feel inadequate and that you’re not doing it right when despite your every effort things don’t (Aug 23 - Sep 22) seem to turn out perfectly.

But were always a rose.

Virgo

By ROBERT FROST

August 2 is a special day for you, as Venus, your ruling planet, returns to where she was when she retrograded on May 17. It (Sep 23 - Oct 22) should be crystal clear now what is important in your relationships.

Libra

Even though Pluto, the planet of power and transformation and your guardian angel planet, doesn’t move forward again until August (Oct 23 - Nov 21) 30, you’ll be feeling the magic of rebirth all through this month..

Scorpio

Riddle

No matter how much it rains, it never gets any wetter. What is it? by Mikayla Water

Solution: The adventure for you is in the details now. And with Pluto in your sign moving forward on the 30th, you’re really feeling your oats now and are (Nov 22 - Dec 21) unstoppable as you become more comfortable with expressing your power.

Sagittarius

Guess Who ?

1 Venus enters your relationship arena, on the 7th, when she flows into emotional Cancer. Normally invulnerable and reserved by nature, dear mountain goat, (Dec 22 - Jan 19) your relationships require you to show your feelings and your sensitivity now.

Capricorn

The focus is on relationships for you this month, oh rebel of the zodiac, as the Sun in fiery Leo cycles through your 7th house. There are (Jan 20 - Feb 18) probably lots of folks pulling at you and wanting your attention.

Aquarius

Answer: 1- jennifer aniston 2- Brad Pitt 3-Angelina jolie

With expansive, benevolent Jupiter, one of your two guardian angel planets (Neptune is the other one) transiting your 7th house for (Feb 19 - Mar 20) the last year, the spotlight has been on your connections with others.

Pisces

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