The business of music has to be the most phenomenal, magnificent, poisonous and disastrous machine in history. From its earlier, more talent driven time, to the Berry Gordy paradigm where he molded and formed talent into superstardom, to what we now have, which most would agree is the equivalent to music’s microwave dinner. Convenient, looks great on the box, but tastes like shit. There’s no point in me delving into the details of today’s music only because we [...]]]> by Jason Reynolds

The business of music has to be the most phenomenal, magnificent, poisonous and disastrous machine in history. From its earlier, more talent driven time, to the Berry Gordy paradigm where he molded and formed talent into superstardom, to what we now have, which most would agree is the equivalent to music’s microwave dinner. Convenient, looks great on the box, but tastes like shit. There’s no point in me delving into the details of today’s music only because we all live with it. Instead, for a moment, let me wander back to my childhood, where my mother would play Barry White, The Commodores, Percy Sledge, The Ojays, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, and on and on. The sixties and seventies, filled with angst and every kind of freedom possible, produced some of the most amazing music ever (though I’m only focusing on Soul, Rock was equally as brilliant.) But what was just as stunning about this time and the music that accompanied it, is how the singers looked.

Barry White, an overweight, night-skinned man, bellowed in a way that liquified women. Today, he never would’ve touched a stage. Not a chance. The Commodores, had no physical standouts. Though Lionel Richie was, and still is the man, I wouldn’t exactly say he’s an adonis. Aretha and Patti, arguably two of the best singers in history, aren’t Beyonce, or Alicia Keys when it comes to all around sex appeal (which matters now.) But they still had amazing careers, and they were huge stars. Their talents and personalities won audiences over in an undeniable way.

Somewhere there was a switch. A change. The industry started to reverse the “talent first” paradigm, inverting it to a “physical-centric” paradigm. It seemed as though labels started to seek out sexy, instead of soulful. And from that point on the flood of less talented sexbots came, taking over our radios, our televisions, and ultimately (dare I say it) our minds, to an extent. Now, this isn’t to say that Trey Songs and his contemporaries don’t have a place in music, or that they are talentless, because they are not. But what I will say is I’m not sure he’d be where he is if it wasn’t for a six pack. And as I get older, I don’t know if I’m comfortable making love to a song where the singer sounds like a child. (Where is K-Ci’s voice?) I don’t know if I want to hear words like “beat it up” or “twirking it out.” I think I’d prefer “Secret Garden,” when I’m in the throws of passion. Sure, I probably wouldn’t be paying attention to the music anyway, but still.

But there are a couple who somehow make there way to the forefront without spending half the lives on a weight machine. There’s one in particular that comes to mind:  Cee Lo Green. This strange cartoon of a man, is, to me, one of soul music’s saviors. He’s got the stage presence of a star, the voice of choir soloist, and the look of…well, who cares what he looks like. That’s the point. He is one of the rare few who’ve broken through the pretty paradigm, and his music is doing the same. His style is unmistakable, and his voice is unforgettable. He can as smooth and romantic as Teddy Pendergrass, and also raucous as Clarence Carter, all under the umbrella of class and maturity. He is what we need more of.

So this is a charge. Enough with these pretty little boys singing their sandbox sex songs. Lets bring back the men, the ones who may be less attractive. The ones with hair on their chests, and gaps in their teeth. The ones with bellies, and bald spots. The ones who women may not want one night stands with, but will want to marry. Music that lingers, classic and thoughtful, without ever mattering what the singer looks like.

Recently I sat down with Mr. Inspirational himself, Jullien Gordon to talk about goals, motivational speaking and life. Tucked away in a home in Brooklyn, I had a chance to learn a lot about Mr. Gordon and myself.

Find out more about Jullien and his programs here

by Jason Reynolds

I used to love coffee. Three cups a day easy. Americano, with a splash of milk and a pinch of sugar. Perfect. I used to love to walk into my neighborhood coffee shop, the smell of roasted arabica beans floating through air dancing to the music. I loved putting my two dollars on the counter and nodding to the barista who whipped up my regular. Then I would sit down and sip it slow. Life. 

And like life does, [...]]]>

by Jason Reynolds

I used to love coffee. Three cups a day easy. Americano, with a splash of milk and a pinch of sugar. Perfect. I used to love to walk into my neighborhood coffee shop, the smell of roasted arabica beans floating through air dancing to the music. I loved putting my two dollars on the counter and nodding to the barista who whipped up my regular. Then I would sit down and sip it slow. Life. 

And like life does, change came and for medical purposes I was forced to quit drinking coffee, a reality that annoys the hell out of me even as I type this (I probably need some caffeine). I wasn’t prepared for that kind of blow, but as I let go of my beloved bean, cold turkey, drinking water and juice in the morning, and of course doing my best to substitute tea in its place, I realized that it really wasn’t the coffee I missed. Sure I missed that morning jolt, but of course, in the era of energy drinks and designer drugs, that could be easily replaced. It wasn’t the lack of coffee that left me bummed. It was the lack of coffee shop.

I realized that the coffee shop was what was so special about my morning. The way it smelled, the way it sounded, the familiar faces and the bonding that took place over other people who were hanging out in the coffee shop getting whatever fix they needed. There’s an art to coffee shops, an art, I think, that’s just as important than the coffee they serve. There’s a reason I prefer to sit in certain coffee shops, and why I almost never want to sit and drink my coffee in Starbucks, or Dunkin’ Donuts. There’s a reason that most coffee shops look alike. The rust and burnt colored walls, smothered in independent art. The music, jazz, blues, soul, folk. The hodgepodge-ness of the whole place, the mismatched chairs, and sidewalk couch, stained and wobbly. The designated area for the sugar and cream, always a mess (honey and sugar water containers are always sticky, and sugar is always lumpy.) The feeling that this place has been lived in, and that it isn’t for tourists, but for family.

And that’s what I missed the most. The conversations with my friends behind the counter about politics, and gossip, and sports, and drunken nights. My daytime bartenders, serving me up a shot of wakeup, had become embedded in my daily routine. A ten minute experience that for one reason or another helped me feel better, more alive, more adult, apart of a community.

And suddenly I didn’t I didn’t have that. And I missed it. So I went back to the coffee shop. I perused the menu, written on a chalkboard hanging high on the wall. I had never even looked at the thing before, smattered with colorful chalk and abstract drawings. And then I saw it. Tea.

“Let me get a tea, man,” I said.

I put honey in it. Sometimes a splash of milk. Steep it short and stirred it long. Then I sat down, and took a sip, while telling myself, “It’s not the coffee, it’s the coffee shop. The coffee shop is my caffiene.”

 Well, not really. Not even close. But you know what I mean.

In today’s economic situation jobs are often hard to come by, let alone keep. So if you are an employee, employer or business owner the best thing to do is keep your work environment stress free. It almost seems impossible and not easy to do but creating a stress free workplace is obtainable.

Creating a inspiring and easy working environment can be done in a few steps. Why not make your place a business and place that people really [...]]]>

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by Kia Chenelle

In today’s economic situation jobs are often hard to come by, let alone keep. So if you are an employee, employer or business owner the best thing to do is keep your work environment stress free. It almost seems impossible and not easy to do but creating a stress free workplace is obtainable.

Creating a inspiring and easy working environment can be done in a few steps. Why not make your place a business and place that people really want to come to?

Communicate

Lack of communication is a major cause of stress related to work. Opening the lines of communication among senior staff and and other employees will make a huge difference. A great way to do this is to find someone who will give you honest answers about what is going on with your business. This person can provide feedback about what employees feel are lacking in the company. This then leads to an open discussion amongst executive staff and their workers.

The Encouragement Box

We all know about that little box called the complaint box, but what about a box for encouragement? This can be used to let your co workers know what an exceptional job they are doing. At the end of the month or during company wide meetings a name can be drawn from th box and a prize can be given to that person. How’s that for a good deed?

Play Together

One of the fondest memories of me working in a corporate environment was the time spent working as a team putting together a talent show to raise money for charity. Participate in something as a team. This could be sports or anything. Creating a common goal and working together will not only bring your employees closer but help everyone see each other on a different level.

Take A Break

No one is capable of working for 24/7.  Allow yourself, co workers and employees private time to think, sit in silence and reflect. This time can be spent taking a 15 minute walk, stretching or even playing ping pong. I’ve known some offices who offer a game room to their employees. This room is used to release stress while still using your mind. Some companies go as far as providing yoga and massages to their employess after work. It helps to unwind after a long day at the office and there is nothing wrong with unwinding at work.

Stress management in the workplace is the key to success. Happy employees equal a profitable and successful business.

Photographer: J Quazi King

Hair: Joanne Petit-Frere

Wardrobe: Brze and Alkhemi- 9.0

I’m still trying to find someday on the calendar. Its not a day of the week and its not a month so saying you will complete your goals “someday” is clearly not an option.  I was once an abuser of someday. The day used to describe when I would begin to live my life. Well guess what, someday is today.

oneyearbibleimages.com

Change is inevitable. Life will continue to move and the universe will continue to align things in order [...]]]> by Kia Chenelle

I’m still trying to find someday on the calendar. Its not a day of the week and its not a month so saying you will complete your goals “someday” is clearly not an option.  I was once an abuser of someday. The day used to describe when I would begin to live my life. Well guess what, someday is today.

oneyearbibleimages.com

Change is inevitable. Life will continue to move and the universe will continue to align things in order for your dreams to come true. But nothing is given. We must work alongside the universe and our dreams and make change today. It is never a better time than now to move forward, to step out on faith and grasp what is yours. Imagine sitting in a dead end job hoping your boss will give you a promotion “someday.” That day will never arrive if you don’t go for it now.  If you deserve that promotion, make your action plan and carry it out. Let your boss know why you deserve it and why you are capable. If he or she doesn’t see your full potential than move on today. It’s possible. Is your dream is to become a dancer, painter, writer or circus clown? Then do it. It’s your dream and happiness lies within them. Let’s break the cycle of work-retire-die. Let’s start to teach people to aspire to dream, pursue and to live the life they desire.

Today is the only day that we are promised. Tomorrow doesn’t exist until we get there and we all won’t make it. So make today count. Let’s make yesterday count and inspire to live your lives. You only get one. It’s never to late to start anew. It’s never to late to begin the life yo always desired to live. Trust me, you are not alone and the people around you may feel the same way. Start by holding yourself accountable for the goals you set for yourself. Plan your escape from the life you hate to one you love.

Deets: Blouse- Mary Katrantzou Alcatraz Blouse, $1,250.00 barneys.com/ Bracelet-Lakshmi, $258.00 damijo.com/ Printed linen and silk Blend Skirt, $390.00 Net-a-Porter/ Laser cut leather shorts, 3.1 Phillip Lim/ Wool, silk and leather dress with skater skirt, David Koma/ Jefferey Campbell Ivory suede skate bootie

Architecture is one of the greatest forms of art. Think about the buildings you visit everyday, the sky scrapers that catch your eye and the bridges you drive across. All beautifulworks art that was formed in someones mind then laid brick by brick and wire by wire for our everyday use. I decided to list some of the worlds most amazing architectures, bridges!