Author: Bria Simmons

Categories
All Art Q&As

Jada Imani M ~Q&A

Jada Imani M

Age: 21

Hometown: PG County, MD

Twitter/IG: @JadaImaniM

Tumblr: jadaimanim.tumblr.com

Website: jadamosely.wixsite.com/jadaimanim
Craft(s): Photography
1. What affect did going to a performing arts middle school have on you?
Attending a performing arts middle school motivated me to pursue a career in acting. I have been told since I was little that I should act and have my own tv show, so that became a dream of mine.
2. Who are some of your favorite actors/actresses? 
Viola Davis is definitely one of my favorite actresses. I also love Issa Rae, she’s a big inspiration to me. Leonardo Decaprio and Samuel L. Jackson are my favorite actors.
3. How do you feel about the 2016 presidential election?
Honestly I was sick to my stomach the whole day after he was elected and it still seems unreal. It’s crazy because he didn’t even win the popular vote and so many people are terrified because of his “plans” that they are protesting day after day. I try to not think about the election much because it still makes me feel sick. I guess the feeling will go away eventually.
4. What separates you from the average photographer?
I think every photographer has their own signature style and mine is creating unrealistic images. I have came across a lot of photographers in the DMV area and I can honestly say my work differs from theirs in various ways. A lot of female photographers capture venture off into film photography, which is cool, but I’m not like that at all. I love digital photography and what I love most is the editing process. Even though I am a digital photographer I find myself being interested in capturing nature, buildings, etc. vs just capturing people all the time. I would rather capture my surroundings.
5. How would you define love?
Love is waking up in the morning knowing that your significant other isn’t going anywhere. Love is a kiss on the forehead, holding hands, and all the corny mushy stuff. Love cannot be forced… it is something that comes natural, or it doesn’t come at all. Love is the key to surviving in a country that doesn’t love me. Basically love is a big cliche, but it’s necessary lol
6. You seem to be obsessed with drastic photograph edits. Why is that?
Creating “drastic” photograph edits is my way of creating my own reality and inviting viewers into that reality. Just imagine if the sky was yellow or pink instead of blue? Art is the closest thing we have to actually seeing something that we can only imagine. The sky will never be yellow or purple, but if viewers broaden their imagination after seeing my work then I know I’ve done my job.
7. What message do you try to communicate with your art?
Ah I guess I said too much in response to the previous question, but overall my message is to create your own reality.
Categories
All Music Music Videos Q&As Videos

Se7en Eli ~ Q&A

Artist Name: Se7en Eli

Age: 28

Hometown:  Takoma Park, MD

Social Profiles: @se7eneli

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Craft(s): Recording Artist / hip-hop

1. What is your fascination with the number seven?

Biblically, the number seven represents completion. For me, the number has popped up repeatedly – my apartment number growing up, my high school football jersey number, and a symbol for the positive light I look to bring to the rap game.

2. What do you hope to achieve in L.A.?

LA has already begun to open doors for me that were not present before. I look to broaden my base, become more internationally recognized, and continue to grow my business endeavors as far as merchandise and manufacturing, as well as starting a non-profit organization serving high school students in inner cities.

3. How do you overcome self doubt?

I overcome self -doubt by being disciplined and focusing on myself, my craft, and my service to those in need. It’s usually good to block out nonsense or outside forces that don’t coincide with my bottom line. Patience and having a true love for the process of being a hip-hop artist keeps me humble but still full of belief in my abilities.

4. How was Bunkeridge established?

Bunkeridge The Label LLC was established as an independent record Label and started as a collection of rappers in 2013. Producer Juskiondabeat had experience making quality radio sounds so my label mates and I started a movement with some of our 1st tracks, “MD Lingo” and “Big Bank Roll” which received 4.6 million views on a Worldstar debut. The group eventually went separate ways and in 2015 I transitioned into President of operations as well as a solo artist with full creative control. The Label now has non-profit as well as for-profit platforms that will last for years to come.

5. What moment solidified your pursuit to become a rapper?

The moment I started getting genuine inquiries about my music and community service efforts from people who had been doing those respected crafts for years previous to me coming onto the scene. The content has allowed me to reach audiences from children to Senior Citizens through my music. I received my 1st paid gig this year solidifying my pursuit to become a rapper.

6. What do you think about the future of the music industry?

I believe the future of the music industry is solely in the hands of the independent artists. Social media has changed the scope of the industry and with information traveling at unforeseen speeds, people can get their music fix other places than just the radio and store shelves.

Check out his new EP “Progress Report” on soundcloud

Categories
All Art Q&As

Lola Luxe ~ Q&A

Artist Name: Omolola A Akinrimisi

Age: 20

Hometown: Laurel, MD

Social Profiles: IG’s- @lolaluxe_ , @___aaashley , Twitter- @_AskAshley

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Craft(s): Makeup and Hair

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1. What made you want to not only become a makeup artist but make a business out of it as well?

Beauty sort of runs through my veins, my mother was a cosmetologist and she had a salon in our basement so I was always hanging around her admiring her many abilities. I started to notice that hanging around her everyday really paid off, when in sophomore year of high school I got the nickname “brows” LOL. It definitely had a bad connotation, but people noticed my interest in makeup and that was enough for me. I spent a lot of time perfecting my craft, to the point where I was ready to start practicing on other people. I started with my modeling team and they got so many complements during shows, that teams from other schools were texting me asking about my availability. Instantly I knew that this could become a business, it started to grow and “Lola.Luxe” was birthed.

 

2. Do you ever struggle to come up with content?

Content was definitely a struggle in the beginning, because it’s natural to compare your work to others especially on such a huge social platform like Instagram. But I knew had something different to offer, and I wanted to be able to document my growth so I started with posting my clients. I later found out about the “31 Days pf Makeup Challenge” hashtag, and I just knew October would be the best month to explore my creativity. I had so much fun with it.

3. What’s your favorite color starburst?

The pink starburst is my all time favorite!

4. Where do you see your business in five years?

In five years I see my business expanding to a beauty bar, with all my own products being used and sold. I’m talking billboards, commercials, franchises, the whole shebang.

5. What’s your favorite season and why?

Winter is my favorite season, because I was born in the winter so its only right. Not to be superficial or anything, winter is the best time for hair and makeup summer’s cool but the heat kills everything! Also winter fashion is awesome, coats, scarves, hats, boots, I really love bundling up.

6. Who is your greatest influence?

My mother is my greatest influence, she’s hard working, talented, strong, and God fearing. She’s currently an actress in Nigeria, she started from the ground up and is now an award winning actress. She’s my inspiration, she exemplifies that hard work can pay off.

7. Does your ethnicity have an impact on your art?

I love this question <3 My ethnicity definitely has an impact on my art, it’s one of the reasons that I never run out of inspiration and why I’ll never stop doing makeup. The colors from my native cloth inspire me to be bold and different. Also, black women are beautiful however we’ve been left out of the enjoyment of high and low end cosmetics simply because companies didn’t carry our many skin tones. Just recently did we begin to get noticed, as if we haven’t been here hundreds of years, and that’s very unfortunate. So I hope to one day change that, by giving black women a bigger variety to choose from.