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Contents 14 32 FELON 5 10 48 Knowledge..............................8 54 Droppin’ Jewels, When Dealing with Police 40 Prequel to Hisstory .............10 Harlem’s own behind enemy lines The Price Of Loyalty...........14 Lloyd Reid clears the air about Dudus Coke Stickem Up! ..........................22 CTFU Ent’s Stickem is blowing up! Felon On the Scene .............24 Kronicals of Keys ................26 Another installment of urban drama Freeway Rick Ross ..............32 The legend speaks on life and progress Money & Violence ..............40 The creator of the hit show opens up MOCCAA .............................45 This new clothing line pushes positivity Lolaa Smiles .........................48 Get to know this rising reggae songstress Lo-Lifes .................................51 Legendary Clothing/Hip hop crew Hot Flicks..............................54 Johnnie Floss........................60 The self proclaimed Prez of BK rap Presidential Nitti .................62 The BX native looks to the future Comrades ..............................65
We, the FELON Magazine Staff, want to give a Publisher R.A.M. LLC special thanks to all of our supporters and readers. Founder Jule Rutledge We are finally back from a hiatus nearly a decade Creative Director Nell Hernandez long, and we used that time to truly understand the full meaning of Honor, Loyalty and Respect. Editorial In this comeback issue of FELON, we’re going to explore those three principles in many different ways while we take you on a journey Editor-in-Chief Jule Rutledge with articles and interviews we’ve collected in the last few months. Managing Editor Nell Hernandez Music Editor Whether it’s about HONORing your talent and neighborhood like Contributing Writers Lloyd Reid upcoming rapper Presidential Nitti (p62) and comedian Stickem M.Fields (p22), showing LOYALTY to your team like Lloyd Reid (p14) and Mo Verneau (p40) or RESPECTing your legacy and looking toward Nick Zakharov the future like Freeway Rick Ross (p32), this issue is a reminder Ray Ray Fanon that FELON is the voice From Every Level Of Neighborhood- for the streets, the music industry and for those wounded behind enemy Tasheena Lee lines. Jeshaze Remember that Liberty continues to shine her light upon us and give Art us the right to voice our opinions. Liberty gives our readers a chance for their stories to be heard. Liberty will continue to stand up and Layout/Design Mercury Soapbox fight until our voices can be heard, till our cases get vindicated. It was once said by one of our country’s founders “Give me liberty or Director Of give me death”. Justice wasn’t mentioned. We also want all of our true comrades to know to NEVER give up on their fight for freedom! Photography David Shellman Your actions must seem natural and executed with ease. Stay sharp. As long as you continue to have determination within you, you will Contributing be successful in any thing you set your mind on. Photographers Derrick Bailey Lastly, we want to take the time to thank all the other new and old magazines that are still being a voice for urban communities, FELON David Shellman magazine salutes you! Thank you and enjoy the issue! AIM 2 PLEAZE PS: Look out for for exclusive sneak peeks to the next issue, including my SainCity own personal story, on our website and on our instagram page @felonmagazine Hasan Of Pikture Perfect Marketing And Promotions Promotions and Special Events All Star Felon Family Sales and Distribution All Star Felon Family DeSona “Onion” Welch Keiston “KD” Shackleford Contact Information6 FELON
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8 FELON This month our friend Jimmy Blue Eyes imparts his knowledge on us. I’m 68 and grew up in a neighborhood with tough kids, but serious older guys who told us the score, and we lived by these standards and grew to understand the meanings of important lessons in life they told us. I remember them till today. “Honor, is a mans gift to himself” A man is the same even when he is alone, in the dark, in his own room. Better a thousand enemys outside the house than one in it. True Loyalty must prevail through rough spots. tests of time, differences of thoughts and opinions, like, dislikes, arguments ect. I think loyalty is the honoring of all these things and also being constant, trustworthy, faithful and there for each other in times of trouble, sickness, dispair ect. even when these arguments or opinions come between you, “Loyalty is not simply the enjoyment of similarities.” Almost Obsolete! You cannot shake hands with a closed fist. Respect is earned, respect is deserved, respect is a gift. but, in nature there are neither rewards or punishments, there are consequences. I think respect comes with time, time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils. Maybe that is why so many die, for lack of respect.
PREQUEL TO HISSTORY hey say prison is a its clutches, can still wind up in its grave yard; filled with belly. the walking dead. It is a place allocated for those It wasn’t until he finished his reps and walked over to me that Twho lived a reckless life I woke out of my daydream and realized that I was caught staring. in the streets until being claimed “What’s up, home?” He nodded his by the reaper (police), labeled a head, not like someone who was FELON (dead) , brought to the looking for problems but rather cemetery (prison), placed in a someone who was looking for coffin (cell), and buried under understanding. feet of dirt (years). It’s a place where the walking dead learn From first glance he didn’t fit to lay down…but what about the mold of someone who left those who don’t lie down; those behind three properties, four cars, who reach their fist through the four businesses and an unfinished dirt and refuse to die… Those movie deal from his first book. are the men who stories are told Judging by his medium build, of… doo rag and gray sweat suit (the standard federal prison attire) he I heard about Jule Rutledge, a could’ve been anyone who did born and raised Harlem native, anything to put him behind these days before actually seeing him. bars. His name was uttered by two women who thought their job as I went straight into it. “What you federal correction officers was only in here for?” relevant when someone came in worth gossiping about. His answer was simple. “Not having the right sense of direction” He’s best known for publishing books and helping to upstart other “You get a lot of time for that?” magazines until creative differences He smiled. “Anytime away from persuaded him to separate and your family and loved ones is a lot create his own magazine: FELON. of time”. That initial interrogation Although the name is an acronym would’ve been uncomfortable for that means From Every Level anyone, but especially for someone of Neighborhoods, its meaning who wrote 70% of the content in connotes so much more than that. his earlier magazines and was used FELON is a word that describes, to being on the other side of the haunts and destroys millions of interviews. However, Jule didn’t men and women who fall victim to seem upset. In fact, his actions set the streets. him apart from most people… Despite a well toned muscular Recognizing the need for a structure, he didn’t carry himself magazine that satisfies the urban with an exaggerated bravado that market’s thirst for knowledge, most men in prison adopt, or an entertainment and societal realism; ostentatious braggadocio because a mouth was opened and a voice he could afford to skip the prison (that sounds much like our own) is “chow”, or even an arrogant heard. self importance because people still cared enough about him to Being that I know, as well as regularly visit. He was confident most, what it’s like to be a felon, but approachable, which was why I was skeptical of anyone who I felt comfortable listening more, claimed to empathize with the talking less, and absorbing the Jule struggle of the streets. Even after (Jewel) that certain individuals reading a New York Times article, have to give. which not only detailed his own Within the next few months “felonious” past (a year long I tried to pick his brain on juvenile sentence and a three year every topic imaginable. Besides stretch as an adult) but highlighted expressing love for his wife and his passion to challenge an unjust three daughters, “who’s my prison system, I was still hesitant strength and focus to bear prison to crown him; at least not before and drive towards a better future,“ speaking to him for myself… he mostly avoided discussing family and instead steered our A red tingle pulsated under conversations towards what he felt the flesh of Jule’s knuckles as he others needed to know. continuously raised his chin to the “As long as you’re dedicated, pull-up bar. I stood next in line to anything you do in life you will conquer the bar, but my mind was be successful” he told me on somewhere else. I was wondering how someone one who came from the streets and manage to escape
numerous occasions, as if we were to only better use ourdedication is a key that we all resources. To make his pointknow works but are too lazy to he used one of the benefits ofuse. prison. “It’s a huge networking venue!” He said excitedly. He Jule wasn’t particularly loud then went on to demonstrateor loquacious, unlike most how prison put men in a uniquepeople who know they can position to not only experience,capture an audience, but there but to learn from other menwas one topic that could rile him of all different nationalities,up. cultures, religions, ages and ideals. “To be honest, the wholething is over-rated.” He said This lesson wasn’t just for myangrily while we watched a “no benefit. “I used this networkingsnitching” campaign unfold venue to prepare my upcomingon CNN. “If people wasn’t internet mini -series andsnitching then the jails wouldn’t magazine award show”, he toldbe this crowded and law me proudly. It was obviousenforcement would have a much he had a path to success and ifharder job, if they was able to others were willing to jump inkeep a job at all.” the car he would show them the way, provided they didn’t want That wasn’t the first or last to be passengers their entiretime I witnessed him speak lives.vehemently against snitching.At first I assumed his disgust No man is completelytoward informants was due imperious to adversity, and heto his close interaction and was no exception to the rule.comradeship he built with The politics of prison aggravatedthe prisoners (prior to his him as much as anyone. Heincarceration) who were locked hated being “trapped behinddown because of snitches. It enemy lines.” But for somewasn’t until later that I learned people, God placed mountainsthat his own federal prison in their path as an impasse andnumber was the effect of a for other people; God placed“piece of shit” who decided mountains as hurdles that onlyto trade in his values for his the most driven can cross over.freedom and point the finger atsomeone else, anyone else, to My time with Jule endedtake the case. abruptly, with the C.O. telling me to pack up so I could move During interrogations, on to the next graveyard. Wefederal agents are quick to traded numbers, said ourdepict criminals as men who goodbyes and that’s where oureither snitched or wish they story ends so far.snitched. This isn’t true. Thereare many men who accepted the To this day I can say thatconsequences of their actions I never hear him speak asand never thought twice about eloquently as Michael Erictheir decision. “I don’t live with Dyson, he never made a millionregrets…I take everything as a black men atone at the samelearning experience.” Jule stated time like Farrakhan, his celebritybefore turning the channel away status still hasn’t reached thatfrom the blurred image of a of Jay-Z. In fact, let him tell itman confessing his crime on the and he’ll say he’s just a humblescreen. business man. That’s cool… Everyone is a million different Out of everything we spoke people – to a million differentabout, business was the topic people. All I know is that Julethat he showed the most is still out there giving a voiceeagerness to engage in. Jule to the voiceless. As far as me, inpossessed a clear understanding those few months he showed meof our power as consumers, if the path to success, and FELON 11 I’ve been driving ever since. By M. Fields
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14 FELONby Ray-Ray Fanon Lloyd Reid went to jail for his devotion to Dudus, the man they called Jamaica’s “President.” Now he’s sworn off crime to manage Presidential Nitti, a hip-hop artist who’s taken on Dudus’ Bronx legacy.
FOR THE full articleget the full issue!! [email protected] orask your localnewsstand!!
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Steve “Stickem” Johnson is an up and coming entrepreneur, writer, actor -- all around entertainer. Hailing from the DMV, 28 year old Stickem is the President and CEO of the social media empire CTFU Entertainment. Growing up, Stickem always had a natural ability to make people laugh. Gaining notoriety as the class clown, he quickly realized that comedy could be more than a hobby. With the help of his team CTFU ENT., Stickem began using social media as a platform to showcase his talent. Creating memes caught the attention of over 3,000 instagram followers. Soon after, CTFU began writing and producing 15 second skits. Bringing their fan base from 3,000 to 40,000 followers, in a matter of months. Stickem does not label himself as a comedian. He doesn’t “tell jokes”, he’s an entertainer. His skits are based off of the highs and lows of his life and relationships. In November 2013, Stickem was shot 3 times outside of a local nightclub, sustain- ing serious injury. Instead of taking a hiatus he capitalized off of this tragedy. Soon after being discharged from the hospital, he created 50 cent and “Paid In Full” parodies, increasing his following base even more. Since then, CTFU Ent’s skits are seen worldwide. Even garner- ing the attention of celebrities such as, Rihanna, Trey Songz, Cam’ron, Bobby Schmurda and more. And this is only the beginning. Stickem aspires to be in fea- ture films alongside the biggest names in his genre. Through improv classes and minor acting roles, he is perfecting his craft, in hopes to take his instagram game to another level and gain longevity in the industry.22 FELON
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We had the pleasure of running intosome of the beautiful women of theentertainment industry, like Beyonce,Jennifer Williams, Ms. Yeyonce,Breanna, Imai, Liris Crosse,Ms. Banket and Shay to name a few... FELON 25
Paranoid Friction BY Nick Zakharov This probably wasn’t how I pictured just waiting for a moment like this his me here? I’m up” middle age as a kid. As a boat whole life, I bet. He always noticed “Do you even know where you need rowing, spelling bee winning, for when I was using but now he sizes to be today?” some reason Civil War obsessed kid, me up as an errant stranger ready “Yeah, I’ll be fine.” I go through my I had hoped I’d at least be able to to hurt anyone even though I never pockets and put on my jeans. own businesses like dad. Perhaps really stole from him or anything “Yeah?” she knows I don’t. I wouldn’t live this haphazardly when I had plenty of chances. “Downtown. Looking for work. First without the comfort of a more or Bill and Dad never saw the irony of to a Kinko’s to print out resumes.” less certain end. This makes the idea me being busted on a gun charge. “Your parole officer, dummy. Kevin, of my own vanity or clinginess to They thought it was the natural result god c’mon you know you’ll get into this glamorous gomorrah as being of advanced drug addiction. Once I shit for that.” She hands me my my biggest enemy in later years got out, of course only mom would wallet and an empty baggy. pretty laughable. I mean yeah, at see me. That’s how moms do. When “No thanks, I’m stuffed.” I wave it twenty, my night was all about you’re lucky. She still offered me away and she slaps it in my hand. getting ass and powdering my nose money for a place but that didn’t feel “And what the fuck? What if you get frozen and absolutely no one could right. tested today, huh? In the event you argue. But heh.. now…. I’m part of So for the meanwhile, I’ve been were planning to show up, anyway.” a smaller class of fuck ups. Trapped splitting up sleeping time between She reminds. in primal arrogance, with nowhere friends’ houses and a former “Yeah, whatever, he made it clear near the stamina to support it and classmate who I’ve been seeing, that a positive just will go on unfortunately not damaged enough Hannah Burell, now a paralegal for my record and will unlikely add to revert ways. a small business attorney. The type anything.” I coax her. that fights class action lawsuits aimed “Did he? Did he make that explicitly Thirty is the more realistic mid life at private companies. Starting out in clear? What a nice guy.” Her sarcastic point. It follows your Saturn return, corporate, he found trouble securing sulk is too quick for me as I haven’t meaning that Saturn has returned a position and instead decided found my shirt yet. to its point at the time of your to prey on legally illiterate small “I know what I’m doing, believe birth(every 29.4 years), marking a companies that by way of cutting me.” I find my button down smelling pivotal point in life. The first sheds corners gain litigious mobs after their a little alcoholic and spotted with youth, the second achieves maturity heels. And Hannah was becoming hopefully my blood. and the third, sage clarity. Most don’t well groomed in this sinister brand of “Yeah, that doesn’t settle me down, make the third one. Many of the law as she was studying for the bar. trust me. That you KNOW what weak barely see their first. All those A later start than she’d have wanted you’re doing. Yes look at your shirt. celebrities that can’t make thirty but she was still well ahead of a lot of It’s disgusting and kinda creepy.” without ODing. I guess with the our graduated class. “Yeah.. can I borrow a shirt?” money, what else is gonna happen? “C’mon Kevin…this isn’t funny.. get She doesn’t look sure. “I guess, I up!” she nudged repeatedly with the don’t know if any will fit.” And I’m pretty sure the most remote heel of her slipper. It must be scarier “I can be surprisingly slender when of relatives will be by your side if you with a pill or dope head, fearing I want. You have some t-shirts, need recovery for drugs, pretending they nodded off forever. But in my right?” I at least try to keep her from to be a sit-in saviors since you don’t condition, she knew that I was just imagining me wearing her manliest trust those that have been by you all being an asshole. blouse down to the police station, as along. “Yeh.. I’m up. Look.” I open my eyes she has a quite manly view of me I’d and reseal in an instant, pained by be dumb to tarnish. The rest of us, there’s no excuse for excessive light. “Please, let’s go. Just go home and fucking up so heavy. Drug abuse. “C’mon I’m going to be..fuck.. I’m change the bloody shirt.” Home, Divorce. Family estrangement. late already..” she sees its 8:12. I’m unknown to her was a storage stall26 FELON Prison. You get out, back to the assuming she’s good on time. She’s pretty far uptown or Al’s house streets, or worse, back home and not the late type. Not even to teach no one will look at you the same. me a lesson “Get up, please..” Before you were just unreliable, but , I sit up and ask “Can’t you just leave now, a foreign liability operating on an extra-judicial strength. And my brother, this fuck being a cop. This middle kid, angry and armed was
almost as far uptown. business. I mean I do have some pressure. You’ve gotta be feeling“Tell me this isn’t your Madonna serious concerns but we’ll get to it in more pain than you’re letting on.”shirt.” I find one that could fit. a minute.”“Yeah, who’s could it be?” she wants Fucking asshole! What does he “No, doctor, I’m fine. Heh, I mustto defend madonna, I bet. know? look pretty weak to you guys. I’m“I don’t know an ex’s. Maybe you “Dr. Houghton is under pretty way cleaner than I was before my..went out with a jockey or otherwise heavy investigation by his hospital’s mandatory resort vacation.” Sheershort dude.” review board right now on…. several bullshit, my habit had a reason to“A horse jockey? Who the fuck runs counts and wishes to end any extra- expand as soon as I got out. Mainlyaround with jockeys?” ` curricular activities until it all blows that my original p.o. always told me“Jockeys know how to party, believe over. Which I’m pretty sure won’t but days before tests and would provideyou me.” I inform her. “I used to um we’re better off laying low.” me clean plasma since I’d never heedknow a couple when I fucked with “What the hell are you talking his warnings.the races.” about?” my pulse increases in fear of“You hang out with the weirdest a new sort: oblivious complicity. “So I’ve got….” I try to lead.most unseemly circles, you know “Alright, I’m just assuring you,that? Where and why do you meet don’t pass by for any script pickups. “…what?”these idiots? Some drug dealers or You won’t be a welcome face if theMafioso thugs. Saying how they have investigations reach authorities.” He “What do I have to live? How muchthe best stories. Yeah the only bad starts getting annoyed. time?”part is they tell you this important “Look, all I do is pick up a few bottlesshit and now you’re a liability to a month of tranqs or relaxants. What “Time? This isn’t a terminalthem.” are you warning me.. I’d actually diagnosis. I’m saying you can save“C’mon you know some of these rather hear the test results.” I grow yourself.” That didn’t suffice.guys. They wouldn’t reveal more agitated.than made sense to them.” I assuage His eyes change and he looks “Okay, then assuming I would“Yeah, you’re right. Trust a grunt’s down. “So you understand, all the disregard this little pity plea to trydrunken judgment. So we’re going paperwork and pickups either here and make you look human, howwith Madonna?” or in Jersey are done?” much time would I have?” I was“Yeah I’ll just take my shirt, I guess. Is this some cheap setup? I doubt serious.The blood will make me look like a these lengths would be taken forbad ass.” I squint as we step out of some minor user…. And I doubt Al “Look I’m not the bad guy here.her lobby. was planning to stay in blow forever. I’m telling you what you wanted to“Yeah nothing impresses an office What a fuck. His guess was at worst, know.” He now flushed all warmthfull of cops like a shirt that tells an I’d get caught. away.unsettling story of the night prior “Whatever gets you to open thosewith a stench around you that files, please.” “Yeah, about that. How long wereassures you have no recollection. Just “Okay now I don’t want you to you gonna wait to tell me mychange and shower before you go worry. Do you have a history of heart goddamned results?”down there, please.” problems in your family?”I was hoping to shower at her place. “I don’t know. Maybe. My parents “Well it all depended on your“I know, I know.” are in their seventies and both of reaction to the Houghton business.“And I’m not going to be home their parents were dead by the time I If you had stormed out or even triedtonight. I’m staying at my mom’s. was born.” to get physical, then you wouldn’tGimme a call tomorrow.” “Well that’s good, I guess.” he nods have gotten a chance to find out. But“Okay, later.” I peck at her and along. I see you’re worried. So to answerheaded grocery-bound, in need of “Is it really?” I’m not really offended. your question, the idea you haven’tstrong coffee. “No, sorry I meant that your parents dropped dead from a serious cardiac“Bye..” she seemed like she was are still fine.” He smirked even episode is astonishing but hardlyexpecting more. Fuckit uglier. allays any concerns.” “Also debatable.”3 coffees and 1 gram later in Dr. Bob “You don’t have a great relationship “All I hear is hypotheticallyFeng’s office with the folks?” invincible.”“Kevin, hi. Hope the wait wasn’t “No, we’re not on speaking termstoo bad.” the doc finally got here, right now. I’m sure my father’s had He lets out sighing chuckle.holding some brightly hued folders heart attacks. He’s been a business “Seriously, take care of yourself.and a can of some unknown ginger owner for forty or more years.” We’ve got several new medsale. Probably manufactured right “Well I’m assuming you sniff and to temper withdrawal or lesserhere in the hospital. all.” stimulants to bring you down,“No I’m good. I was enjoying “Every flower I trample.” anything you want. Take a littlesome light reading.” I put down “You gotta stop, despite the irony of break away from the home life. Allthe cholesterol drug pamphlet. “So our meeting, I’m merely expressing the ‘friends’. A vacation even. Comewhat’s the good news?” grave concern. You are at clear risk back and patch things up with your“Not much, really. Listen, we may for myocarditis right now and from family. Maybe even get some realhave to put our arrangement on hold your accounts of lung spasms and work.”for a bit.” He sat down and pulled hemoptysis, bloody coughs, alsoout a cigarette. show risk of pulmonary edema. What the fuck is this guy’s problem,“You can smoke in here? No sh… You can make a dangerous situation like he’s writing out my upswingwait, what arrangement?” I’m a little deadly here and mixing the sniffing mortal motility itinerary.puzzled. with drinking and smoking, you will“I know you came in here to follow die…. I cannot say any other way. It “Real job? That’s a thought. Get outup on genuine health concerns but isn’t natural for a grown man of your of the pill game, right?” .the whole point of the referral was thinness to have such high blood “Yeah.” He nodded along absently. “Maybe I could even go to med school, end up here. Away from dealing? And I bet doctors are never addicts themselves.” Now he felt uncomfortable and FELON 27 reached for the door. “You’re probably right.” Knowing I was joking. “No, you meant like cleaning up after you or your doctor buddies after your useless social functions just to show off what kind of ass your money allows.” “You couldn’t imagine. I really just
28 FELON can’t give a shit about this, all my for a couple of things and need to vocational strategies for ex cons. You words are of concern, take them or change.” realize you aint held a steady job or leave. And leave. Whatever just.. get “Yeah no doubt, come through..” he ever been locked up for a fucking the fuck out already!” now he put up hangs up abruptly, fucked up habit. day?!” a little tough act. He was at least four On the way back up I get a lot “Ease up, bro. I’m just telling you inches shorter but intimidated well of muted stares but hardly more what it is bro. We’re in a recession, enough, beyond his medical lordship than the usual. On the walk over you know.” here. to his building, I’d usually incur “Not all of us.” I take the last few “Thanks for good and better news, 10 different dealers, making drags off the blunt, it having canoed doc.” My pulse retreats to a pony it impossible to walk through beyond smokability. gallop. immediately after my decarceration. “Yo, I gotta tell you… I was “My pleasure..” he exited abruptly... People never would’ve expected, contacted by some fucking chinese least of all family, my efforts at doctor about the whole pills thing, Back on the street, I’m minding multi level rehabilitation. An auto that it’s off. You know the whole meticulous malice, wondering deterministic, not state imposed thing.” what the fuck Al’s been doing. I nanny counselor getting paid to keep “What pill thing?” it’s hard to read tell him once, twice a month, pick me from easily regressing. It lasted someone permanently zoned out of up some pills for yourself. He’s a all of a few weeks and felt more mind. god damning coke dealer, who of futile than anything. Even when I “You know, that black Houghton his feeders would even want these. attempted to go to the counselors, dude that I hooked you up with. I He never went in, all a big fucking their programs all included think he’s laying low.” joke and now he used… I always methadone and anti depressant “Ohh, yeah, no doubt. I only went pause in contemplation, before I treatments which were never my once to get some fucking…valiums rile myself up too heavily, when the flavors, especially after chris, and for Jill. I don’t know why you do that pulse is in full fury I force myself obviously only served as a form of shit, anyway.” out of my head for a minute. It’s pharma-welfare to remind us which “Same reason we do any of this. called metacognition: the thought way dependence works. I can get my None at all. But you understand, of thought. Trying to figure out own drugs, thank you very much. . though, no more.” I reiterate. the roots and understand elements “Yoo.. its me.” I gain access to the “Dude, it’s all you. I told you I went of your rambling ruminations. It building. Al’s 22 story project is once.” He seems insistent enough. may be able to get you past vast one of 3 buildings housing the bulk “I’m just telling you what he told emotional barriers. Hopefully the of contraband traffic in the area, me,” I reveal some tin foil which he key to non-spiritual transcendence. anything you needed. Al had an instantly notices “I was gonna stop Anything to get me out of here. A apartment which was by far the that shit anyway.” What was I thinking anyway, give biggest and, being on the south “Yeah you got a fucking orange an opportunist an opening, a fucking face, had an unrestricted vista of a city on your desk from all of those crack dealer prescription strength, good amount of upper Manhattan bottles. I think you got a problem.” what the hell else will he do? and Harlem River, at this height. I He jokes. And let’s not forget Hannah and her walk in and the apartment is empty “Yeah and I think that problem has “mother’s” she’s always going to. excepting Al. some jealous siblings. You want She needs to be rid of me, Al’s trying “What’s good kid, how you?” he’s some ketamina?” to get me locked up again and now smoking an L and passes it. “Finish “Whatt? Where did you get that? I this guy tells me I’m dying. Fucking that, man. I’m sure you need it.. haven’t had any k in..” liars all around. I bet I’m fine and oh wait you gotta go see your p.o., “Yeah, yo. Try it..” I pass it over. they’re just trying to get me to flee. right?” He looks at it, takes two small bumps I’m not taking part in a forced exit… “How does everyone remember in a row and then closes up his nose, my heart’s systolic countdown better than me? This girl had to pressing it to the right, flattening fastens step to my antsy pace, I can remind me.” it against his face. It was funny to feel a sweat forming, wondering how “You went?” he seemed more watch people of such specific habits I’ll get him to confess, wondering concerned than ever. attempt to dabble in others. whether or not to even try. It could “Yeah everything’s fine. No tests. “It’s nice right?” mean my life. Usual bullshit rundown.” I figure “Damn, yeah its alright. Cut, We trust each other, I think. Over he’d have no way of knowing where probably.” thirty years of acquaintance, there I went anyway. He could be keeping “That’s not really how k works, man. should be some trust. He entrusts tabs on me. It’s proper, believe me.” me to stay in his house, with his “That’s good, you been looking for I knew how he was, anyway. girl and kids and whatever other work?” what the fuck is he asking Anything new in his life had to be family would occasion by their five for? exhausted for maximal effect. bedroom apartment. Fuck all that, “Uhh yeah, I mean.. what you need “Lay me out a line or two,” he gets the only reason he trusts me around me to throw you rent?” the fucking up and heads towards the half his wife or material possessions or nerve. kitchen peeking into the dining nook, investments can only come of pure “Nah not like that. Just they’re gonna his second weight room. To say he presumption of pusillanimity. You be on you about that.” would do something in one sitting can’t rely on someone’s weakness to “I’ll get work. Most of my jobs have could only be a figure of speech. The keep them forever restrained. been off the books so no matter what only things he’d sit still for more than _ they aint need to know where I’ve a minute for was fucking or lifting. “Yo, what’s good Al?” been.” Either way it would be in front of a “Same, bro. What you doing.” Al “Hood aint really growing, man. mirror, to check himself out, I guess. says through a suppressed breath of People know, everybody knows. His hyper hedonism here has to halt. some smoke. You got a lifetime cop target on your I’m pretty much fucking homeless “Just leavin the old lady’s now. head. And your fucking jobs, if they and he’s definitely trying to get me What’s up with you? You gonna be can still trust you, they’ll trust you sent back up. So I can’t even consider there?” but don’t bet on anyone taking any it a strike of preemption, he’s “Yeah for a bit, you need to pass by?” real chances.” “Yeah I just have to go into the city “Damn, Alvin Demo on fucking
walking further into the crib talking I slowly advance and realize that went.” I assured. FELON 29on the phone, telling his minions there’s no shaking him. At this “Amazingly. It all went well. Whenthat the prescription fix is restricted moment he could be dozing into we came in, he didn’t resist likeor talking to some cop that they deep overdose, hypersleep. But if he most do and he was reacting calmly.can finally take me in and I was the wakes up and sees me with a knife, Drugged out, of course, but he wasfucking ring leader and maybe even he’ll definitely get it. What the fuck leading us through and when wepin all his coke dealings to me. Fuck, am I doing?! got to that armoire that you saidI could just fucking bash his head in His key was dangling right near his he’d freak about, he got real coldhere, right? But that’s too easy and cross, on an even brighter chain. I and said not to touch it. As if thatineffective. twist the key ring off of it, all the wasn’t enough once we smashedI imagine me hitting him in the head while jabbing him with the edges up the bottom, we needed most ofwith… with the fire poker and it as he’s not waking up for shit. He the agents to restrain him becausedoesn’t even faze him with all the always lifts while and during using he was ready to kill. I was about‘neck strength’ the moron works on thinking it would increase the high to let him go just to get an assaultto be able to take punches so instead but I’m pretty sure that’s why this charge there but it could’ve becomehe just beats me mercilessly. depressant helped fatigue him to aggravated homicide real quick.”I take out the wax papery bundle and shit. I imagined him. It made sensemix in what could be 100 milligrams _ because that armoire was all they’din with a lesser amount of the Al regains some consciousness, the salvaged from his dad’s burnt upketamine and carve out some thin rush still placating him. He doesn’t apartment. He couldn’t even fuckinglines, two sets of two. notice the missing key or anything bring himself to open it or anything.When he comes back, he looks except for the unease in his belly and “But we found the kilos and the gun,steamed and hardly affected by the a burning urge to micturate. After both of which surprised the shit outbumps from before. just a few seconds in the bathroom, of him. No money, though. He must“That’s it?” he has a disgusted look his head lunged for the toilet and have that protected well cause evenon his face. expelled all the pernil and rice he his gun safe was bone dry. That gun“I aint trying to run through it,” had as a heavy brunch so many definitely has a history but providedin another account, all addicts aint hours ago. Once the heaves ran he works with us, we won’t focusacting as arrogant, but keeping dry he relaxed and saw through on that. That whole pill scheme youme on a fixed income of product nearsighted opacity that only a cross clued us in to, there wasn’t reallyentitles him to any and all medicals I dangled from his neck. anything there.”encounter. “Kevv!” Is he fucking gone? “What do you mean? You looked up“Muthafucka, run through? How “What…where this fucking shit is..” Grey Houghton and all?” I askedmuch of my shit you run through he sluggishly stands and heads back “Yeah he was involved in a pill ringsince you been staying here? Talking for the couch. Nowhere in sight, but as far as we know, Alvin onlyabout you afraid I’m gonna start of course. He fucking took it. How picked up once and had no realcharging you rent? I pay you rent, would he even know where the safe connection. You were frequentlynigga. You don’t owe me shit! I told is? He started tallying up the amount spotted but don’t worry, we don’tyou that from the starting..” of product and money holed up in give a shit. It looks like he’s going to“Here, fucking sniff it, I don’t give his daughter’s floor and prayed Kev cooperate and we’re releasing hima fuck. It’s just that this is an exotic never found it. No one had ever back in the wild.”flavor right here, you know, and I tried to rob him. Ever! Especially by “You mean you don’t have him inleave it to you, you’ll fucking..” dosing, partial poisoning, presuming custody?” I’m not too surprised.“I’ll what?” he’s staring up at me, that he wouldn’t have had a “No we can’t do so much with thatreconfiguring the four lines into tolerance for it. That was a gamble amount, you know. I mean his kidstwo and taking the rest into two only a sorry animal like Kevin would are all in child services’ custodyequally as big lines, his neck veins all take. and now we’re investigating anexposed like he’s dead lifting… His safe was missing three keys that immigration scheme he was using to“Dude, I aint even stressing it.. I’m all had prospective buyers for the bring in family from DR but againgonna go take a shit..” I head off next few days, all his broken up bags all of it such small time. But youtowards a bathroom. for his boys in the blocks around. helped open the door for a possible“Don’t be telling me..” I hear him And a vacuum sealed bag with bars international drug op. I just want youinhale sharply twice and then after a of palladium and gold meant to be in to take care of yourself. Making anminute in the bathroom, I hear two a safety deposit box in his girlfriend’s enemy like that, kev’s gonna be shortmore meaning the full amount I laid grandmother’s name a week ago. for Kevlar from now on heh he!” heout was gone. The only thing of worth left was the guffaws through corn colored teeth.Fuck. Now what… he might die. 9 milli semi automatic, useless to “Well at least if you find my body,He’ll definitely nod into an unreal Kev, of course. He ended up locked you’ll know who to look for, right?” Iexperience but he may fucking die. up because he didn’t know how to depart from his desk.I could clean all the prints I’d want possess one. But knowing him he left “Yeah, but that’s a whole ‘notherbut his family will definitely give me it for Al as a test of restraint. To see department..” he slyly smiles andaway. Fuck, It was weak stuff but how far Al will go to finish it. retreats into his cherry throne,he doesn’t touch smack. Neither do _ finishing off his mug.I, if he had asked me to do it first, After hiding out in Staten for a fewI could be in the same boat he’ll be weeks, I returned to the narcotics What do YOU think ofin, or worse we’d both be high and bureau office to follow up, against our man Keys? Writeconscious. But his ravenous appetite the requests of the officers. to us and let us know!obviously wasn’t unexpected… “Hey, Kevin, come in.” Warburt Felon MagazineI wait ten minutes to come out. He’s leads me into his room. 430 W. 125th St. Suite 8Iknocked out cold, hands reaching “Yeah I know you guys are worried New York, NY 10027for his crotch, what a freak. I hope for my safety but I’ll be alright.”there isn’t a piece there. I approach “Yeah, most informants don’thim with a kitchen knife behind my really seek out too many moreback. All in case, always be prepared, meetings unless they have follow upright? information.” “No, I just want to know how it
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32 FELON By Tasheena Lee Tasheena: Good Morning! I want to first take the time out to thank you for speaking with me today. I realize that it’s a bit early on the west coast as it is only 10:38am on the east coast. What is a typical morning like for you? Freeway Rick Ross: I usually get up around 5:30, 6:00am, get my day started; start out by fielding phone calls from around the country, around the world. Make my plans for the day, you know how I move; start my takeover. T: Well, I decided that I was going to come from somewhat of a different perspective with this interview. I want you to briefly tell us who you are and for what you most are recognized in case some of the readers aren’t familiar. Then I am going to go into some questions that are less about who you were and more about whom you are today and what you’re trying to accomplish now. So briefly tell the readers who you are. FRR: Well I guess I am most recognized for my past; for selling drugs. Most people remember me from hearing about me making a million dollars a day and sometimes three million dollars a day and most people are fascinated by the numbers and the money that I have touched in my life. But today I am trying to rebuild my life. I do Motivational speaking, trying to educate the youth about how not to make the same mistakes that I’ve made in my life. You know, that is where I am at now. T: How does it make you feel when people associate you as being the culprit that helped ruin black communities despite the fact that you feel that you tried to help others in your community to better their lives and become more financially stable being that blacks were not as solvent as they are now? FRR: Well, you know, I understand their point of view. What I try to do in life is not just look at things from my perspective but to also try to understand another person’s perspective. And I can totally understand people’s feelings about me selling drugs and being involved with drugs, and perpetrating a crime in our community that I played a part in. T: So what would you say your train of thought was at the time? Because it seems as if you felt you were trying to help our culture by employing others and making a way for them to make their own money, so what exactly was your take on what you were doing? FRR: Oh, absolutely! Absolutely! Well, you know, I thought that when I was selling drugs, I thought that it was giving my people a piece of society that they were denied from having. And I didn’t look at drugs as being something that destroyed the people. I looked at it as being another part of society that they didn’t want us to be a part of. T: When you hear stories about the young men of today fighting and going to war with each other over blocks that aren’t making a fraction of what you were bringing in a day, how does that make you feel? FRR: Well, I understand that most of these young guys don’t really understand how to make money selling drugs. Because it takes more than just getting a “stack” or somebody giving you a “stack” and going on a block, and standing there to make money and to do what I did. You know, you have to sit down, think and analyze what you are doing. At least that is the way that I did it. T: Well, I think a lot of that comes along with the fact that our struggle was completely different than the struggles of today. FRR: Absolutely! I never would have had a pair of $200 shoes. I remember when I wanted a
pair of shoes that cost $12 and my mom wouldn’t get them for me. So, it was definitely a different time. T: I know that Maxine Waters was one of the individuals that spearheaded the investigation of the CIA’s involvement in your case. Did you reach out to her at all once you were released? FRR: I was with her yesterday. T: Nice! And how is that relationship? FRR: It’s wonderful! That is my girl. Some people had put some stuff out trying to slander her and they talked bad about her and put up a lot of posters, so I went and took them down. T: That’s really good to hear. I also know that you speak at different colleges and I’m just curious as to the message that you deliver coming from a person who was once illiterate & had no high school diploma. How do you deliver your message and how do you feel the message is being received? FELON 33
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40 FELON We recently caught up with Moe aka Moise Verneau, the writer and director of the hit web series Money and Violence. He talked to us about his life and how he and partners of his production company, Cloud9tv, helped this small budget project get mainstream attention. Sheen: Good evening and thank you for taking my call. I’m so excited to get the chance to speak with you today as I am such a big fan of your work. What was your childhood like? Are you an only child? Were you raised by both parents? Moe: I’m actually the youngest child of 3 boys. I have 2 older brothers. I am of Haitian decent which means I grew up very disciplined, but when I got to my early teens, I kind of broke free of all of that and basically did what I wanted to which caused me to be the black sheep of the family because I got into quite a bit of trouble when I was young. I was raised by just my mom. The funny thing is that my father actually lived in my building. We lived on the second floor and he lived on the first. But I didn’t find out that he was my father until I was around 14 or 15. Sheen: It seems you have a close relationship with your daughter. How does that motivate you? Moe: My daughter is basically my main motivation. And when I say main motivation, it isn’t even as far as what I do; she just also makes me a better person because I strongly try to be the type of man that I would like to see my daughter walk through the door with. And a lot of people don’t know this, but I have two daughters. I have an 11 year old and a 16 year old daughter. But I haven’t seen my daughter in a little over 3 years. Sheen: What’s a typical day for you?
Moe: I always get up at the crack of dawn. No matter FELON 41how late I get in, I am always up at like 7 or 8 in themorning at the latest. So the first thing I do of course ischeck my phone for emails and anything as such. So Iwould check messages and answer my emails right frombed which would take me about 30-45 minutes. Next Iwould go wash up; from there I would probably go tothe gym, work out for about from 1 ½ to 2 hours. Comehome to shower and jump on the computer. We have awebsite which is www.cloud9tv.net that I handle. So,I go on the website, upload content, write blogs whichI do for about 3 to 4 hours. My day usually consist ofmeetings and press as of late. A couple of interviewswhether it be with radio stations or magazines and blogs.Sheen: That doesn’t sound too exciting. You don’t doanything for fun? Or do you not have time?Moe: Believe it or not, I’ve lived. I am 38 years oldbut I have lived A LOT. I mean, I’ve done a lot in mylifetime and I’m just at the point where I am not im-pressed by much. Like the whole club scene and thingslike that, I am not moved by it at all. I find it boring! I’vebeen doing it so long that I am bored by it. And anyonethat knows me can tell you, I am the type of guy that willfall asleep at the club. I’m dead serious. It doesn’t exciteme. You know, every single time that I go out whetherit’s for appearances or whatever, like now being that Ihave to go out more because of appearances, I convincemyself that I’m going to go and I’m going to have fun,but there is nothing fun about it. I’m just standing therewith a drink in my hand. No, seriously, what is fun aboutthat?Sheen: So, what are the biggest similarities and dif-ferences between Moe and your character Rafe?Moe: Moe and Rafe are very similar. The biggest simi-larity is that we are very principal based and that loyaltyis something that is very near and dear to our hearts. Oneof the greatest things that I have ever taught my daughteris to value people and not money. Because when youvalue money you will do anything for it. And in mylifetime, I have gone through so many experiences wherepeople have put their principles, their loyalty and theirlove for others to the side for monetary gain and becauseof that it is something that I myself would never do.Me and Rafe are the same as well because we are bothsurvivors. We are both very “by any means necessary”when it comes to surviving. You have to understand that Rafe is based on myself years ago, so Rafe is still at the stagewhere I was in the streets and as wise as I was, I was lost because I wasn’t really looking for a way out. I was wiseand I was smart but at the same time, mentally, I was trapped. So the biggest difference between me and him is that Iam always looking to get to the next level where as with him, he is kind of content with where he is right now. And Iwouldn’t really call it content because Rafe is miserable, but he is content with being discontent.Sheen: What is your level of education and do you feel book smarts and street smarts go hand in hand? Moe: I went to college for one semester. And the funny thing is that, I don’t remember what my GPA was but it was really high and I never went back be- cause I was bored with school. As far as book smarts and street smarts, I don’t think they go hand and hand. Book smarts is just being able to retain information. It’s all memory. There is a huge difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is the ability to retain information and wisdom is the actual ability to apply that information to your life. A lot of people are smart but they are not wise. And I think that street smarts has a lot to do with common sense and a lot of people that are book smart don’t have common sense.
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The brand MOCCAA/WOCCAA, was a mere thought for Lamoine Anderson, aka L.A., while at work driving the train. He FELON 45had been looking to get guys on the same mindset in terms of business and financial stability, as well as empower themto want to build something together. A group of 10 men began meeting in back of a barbershop two to three times permonth at which time dues were taken up, and investment opportunities were discussed. The group dwindled down overthe course of time as it was hard to get the men on the same level collectively. The group ultimately decreased from tenmembers to three, which included L.A., Bill Foster and Alphonso Frierson. It was then that a brand was born.MOCCAA, an acronym for Men of Color Can Achieve Anything, was originally a clothing line that targeted males and hadhopes of becoming another Karl Kani or Fubu brand for African Americans at the time. They entrepreneurs had decidedthat they were going to do a test run of about 200 t-shirts and set up a booth in Philadelphia for the Million WomanMarch which was approaching at that time. They sold out of the shirts within the first hour and came home feeling alittle defeated because they hadn’t properly prepared for the response that they were getting from the shirts. It was thatmoment that they decided to incorporate WOCCAA, Women of Color Can Achieve Anything, into the brand as well.After several events at which the shirts were showcased, the group decided that they weren’t going to be exclusive towho they would target but felt that men and women of color obviously would be the target market but also wanted toempower youth so without setting a specific demographic, they would look to capture the likes of individuals ages 14 tomid 40’s as the spectrum on empowerment is so broad. The hope is to inspire individuals with the meaning behind theacronyms and to give individuals thatpush that they may need to do better.There was a brief pause with thebrand for a moment as all of theoriginal creators decided to ventureinto other business opportunities.But most recently, L.A. discoveredthat the interest was still there andthe fan base was still inquiring aboutMOCCAA/WOCCAA clothing. Thisinspired him to re-launch the brandusing social network. He began byselling hats on Facebook and Insta-gram and helped to create a biggerbuzz for the brand. That promptedhim to move forward with shirtswhich eventually lead to planninga marketing campaign in which heexpects to have a few big namedartist and rappers to model some ofthe clothing with hopes of the brandgrowing to become as big as a RalphLauren clothing line and having thatsame longevity. But along with thedesigns, L.A wants to send a messageto his audience letting them know theclothing is just a vehicle to deliver themessage that despite all odds, indi-viduals of color can achieve anythingif they are persistent and motivatedand remain focused on their goals andaspirations. Sometimes individualsneed a push and MOCCAA/WOCCAAis looking to be the brand face to givethose individuals that push or incen-tive to motivate them to want and dobetter. Be on the lookout for the newwebsite to come for products and in-formative information from MOCCAA/WOCCAA. In the meantime, you canfollow the brand at MOCCAAWOCCAAon Facebook as well as Instagram.
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Lolaa Smiles, a Jamaican native that migrated to FELON 49New York in her childhood years, is looking to planther feet into the ground of the music industrywith her unorthodox music style and song writingtalents.Lolaa found an interest in singing at the ripe ageof 8 while listening to the sounds of artists suchas Toni Braxton and the late Whitney Houston,mimicking tunes from popular songs such as “TheGreatest Love of All”. When asked how she de-scribes her music style Lolaa told us that her musicstyle varies. “I like county music so I include a littlebit of that in it. I also like R&B. Sometimes I try toplay around with rap but not too much.” Some ofher musical influences include reggae artist TessaneChin which she considers to be one of her favoriteand Elaine along with British artist Jessie Jay andEmily Sandy.You can hear her thick Jamaican accent whenspeaking. She feels that her accent along with herCaribbean background contributes to her uniquemusic style and helps separate her from otherartist. As an upcoming artist attempting to make abreakthrough in the industry being unique is critical. “The music industry is just so clustered right now. Every- one kind of has the same sound. I think my style is a little different from what’s out there right now. Everyone seems to be trying to jump on the same bandwagon and do the same type of music.” She goes on to say, “I think my style is just a little different. I try to stay away from what everyone else is doing. Even if I am doing R&B it will sound a little different because I will try to put a country twist on it or a reggae twist to it.” Lolaa began writing songs and realized that writing was also one of her strengths. She is currently working on material with a few artist from Ghana, West Africa and is expected to release a few songs in the near future. In addition she has a webcast called “True Story” in which she partners up with someone and they interview random people that they feel would have an interesting story to tell or a misconception that they feel people would want to discuss and clear the air on and that would appeal to an audience. With everything that she has going on as far as her musical talent and her fun personality, along with the support of friends and family, I am sure we will be hearing a lot more of Ms. Lolaa Smiles. In the meantime you can find her on Facebook under Lolaa Smiles, Instagram as @LolaaSmiles, or Twitter at Lolita Smiles.
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Money, Hoes & Clothes Imagine the unimaginable, hundreds of inner city youth coming together for a specific cause, “To get dipped”!* (fly, fresh, etc) which in Brooklyn it meant your clothes were new and usually from the most flashy designers with the illest colors. Tommy Hilfiger was still an amateur in the streets. Izod was past tense and Versace wasn’t even heard of in the Hip Hop fashion dictionary, niggers couldn’t even pronounce the word until Biggie Smalls came on the scene. The head honcho in labels and brands was Ralph Lauren’s “Polo”. In our eyes he was worshipped like God. It was even to the point where some of us would carry a picture of Ralph Lauren in our wallets. “MONEY, HOES, AND CLOTHES was our motto and “LO” was our life The name Lo-Lifes came about in ‘88 when Big Vic Lo (Thirstin Howl The 3rd) got caught talking to a girl after he just got another girl’s phone number. The girlsaid “you are a low-life” in a disrespectful manner. His reply, “you are right!” “I wear Lo everyday and “Lo” is mylife. Then everybody replied, “that’s right”, We are Lo-Lifes!”. It was never officially voted on, or anything it wasjust the name we lived by.The Lo-Lifes were originally composed of two boostin posse’s from different sections in Brooklyn. There was theCrown Heights half who were originally known as “Ralphies Kids” (Ralph Lauren’s Kids). That name being madeby G-George whom lived on St. John’s and Utica Avenue, which was also where Ralphies Kids could be found.Then there was the Brownsville half who were originally called POLO U.S.A. (United Shoplifters Association).That name being made up by Ski-Lo and Pumpkin (RIP). The Brownsville half were all mostly from the MarcusGarvey Village, with others from Van Dyke Houses.However, over the years the Lo-Lifes have expanded widely boostin it’s membership throughout the world.Yep, there are now Lo-Lifes in London, Norway, Switzerland, Spain, Tokyo, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden,�������������Germany, Amsterdam, and the list goes on. ����What Lo-Lifes represent is not only a love and lust for “Lo” or fashion in general, but they live Hip Hop culture. AsRack-Lo stated “they are trying to take this phenom from the streets to corporate suites, while staying affiliatedto the streets”. Having a distinct eternal relationship with Hip Hop is also what triggered us off to be fly andoriginal. I mean Hip Hop, is what this fashion institution is built on. And it gets no better than that. But now it’stime to really really capitalized off of all this shit. Rack-Lo, Thirstin Howl The 3rd and The Lo-Lifes are definitely aclassical breed about to take over the music industry on all levels.So alright, we have the Lo-Lifes which is seen by Rack-Lo as a “fashion institution”. But what the world maynot know is that we have a multi-media agenda. We have the fashion institution, then come the music, then thebooks, then the movies, then the street DVD’s, then the clothing line, then I won’t tell you rest. It’s a lot of bitersout there. I got to protect my intellectual property.But on the “fashion tip” Rack-Lo an original Lo-Life Founder has just released his 1st edition of the “Get Lo”custom designed vandal sneakers. These joints is hot and definitely making noise courtesy of Sneaker Addictand Dr Medzoo out of Paris France.The “Love & Loyalty” cookie T-shirt line is alsocoming very soon along with the Rack-Lo“LoLife4Life” T shirts. The Thug Bear T-shirt didwell for us and people really took a liking to them.So we are going to keep doing our thing.But overall, from a fashion standpoint we wouldlike to get to the point where we can have our ownline. And I mean this, the blue prints are alreadyin the works. We have a lot of great ideas and weare going to make sure they become a reality. So FELON 51look for the entire Rack-Lo & Lo-Lifes clothing linescoming soon.For more info on Rack-Lo & The Lo-Lifes go to:www.myspace.com/racklowww.lo-lifes.com98FELON
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A special thank you to our models FELON 55Qutanya McDonald (@_hollyyq),Coco Maggette (@popular_c), andNatalie as well as thier photogra-phers Hasan of Pikture Perfect andDerrick Bailey.
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JohnnieFloss!60 FELON Jeshaze: Why do you have the right to call yourself Well, Brooklyn Boy? Besides living in brooklyn, what makes I’ve you a real BK boy? been on two local Johnnie Floss: I can call myself Brooklyn Boy because not tours so far only do I rep for my city/borough but I know the cul- (might be a 3rd ture here. A lot of people say they’re from places just for this summer), recognition but not me. I know different neighborhoods, I I’ve worked know the slang, I know how people live etcetera. So when with fellow I say it, I mean it because I can back it up and other people Hip-Hop art- can vouch for me. ist Sha Stimuli on a song called What journey does your music take your listeners on? “Punish ‘Em”, I’ve worked wit It gives you the point of view from the positive side of Grammy Nomi- things. A lot of artists tell the negative side because of nated producers how they were raised and/or what they’ve seen, then they Jimi Kendricks explain how they reacted to those circumstances and for (Spread Your Wings) the most part it’s negative and they found a way from and Drawzilla that. My music is the opposite because my circumstances (Brooklyn Boy), were different even though I was around the negative side. just finished up film- That’s why I feel people gravitate to my music because it’s ing for two reality not the typical story. shows and I won an Underground Music Do you feel you make music just for BK heads or Award in 2010. people all over the world? What keeps you Definitely people all over. I feel that way because the same pushing to stay way I can tell a story that happened in Brooklyn, someone focused on a can have the same story but from Jamaica. So at the end of dream besides the day the location doesn’t matter, it’s the feeling or the money ? thought it gives you when you hear it. The love for What about you do you feel stands out versus your music. When average rapper? you have a love for something I feel the “good kid”, so to speak, doesn’t get a lot of love you can’t stop or shine in Hip-Hop but I represent that. Also I don’t curse until you or use the N-word in my music so that definitely separates accomplish me from any other rapper, but at the same time I don’t what you have corny or bumble gum type material so I’m definitely wanna ac- a rare breed. complish, and then Have you ever caught beef over any of your bars or once you do verses? that, try to Nah, not yet. I only say not yet because I have a lot to say on this upcoming project, so I might have some beef after people hear this album. Where has music taken you thus far in your career?
accomplish new goals.What’s your favorite track recorded and why? Whatdoes it mean to you?It has to be “Brooklyn Boy” because it’s my most recentand best song to date. I also feel like what I’m talkingabout represents me to the fullest so it’s a special connec-tion I have with that record.Knock on wood, if you do not make it as a rapper,would you still continue working in the music indus-try?Absolutely. I would probably end up as a song writer. Ifeel my pen game is the truth! Find him everywhere online by searching Johnnie Floss and on Youtube at Floss247 FELON 61
Up next for a chance at the spotlight is Presidential HEAL Nitti, a native of the uptown Bronx, New York, who RY F knew at the early age of 14 that he wanted a SIC career in music. He describes himself as a AUTO Hispanic troubled teen, raised around INSP Jamaican natives, who fell victim to the ENS street life. This landed him in a cor- GOLF rectional facility very young. After a 3 TERA year stint in jail for a drug conviction, FASH Nitti made the decision to get his life BUSI back on track and to put his head SPOR into the music business full throttle. BILE Within the last five years, Nitti TION has released 2 underground mix TATT tapes, done radio appearances ERS and made a name for himself as HAIR a winner of the 2014 Hot 97 Elite SWIM 8 cypher rap contest. He has NESS performed at numerous night- GOSS clubs in the New York area and TORC most recently had a release party AL S at Sue’s Rendezvous for his single TATT “One Time” which is produced by ERS Ron Browz. HAIR His musical influences include the SWIM Notorious BIG, Fabolous, Jay-z and NESS Tupac to name a few. But with being GOSS a young artist and being so lyrically TORC talented, Nitti feels that he gives his AL S listeners the feel of “real hip hop”. “I TATT can spit with the best of them when it ERS comes to lyrical ability as far as bars if HAIR people still want to hear that, and I can SWIM also do mainstream music that makes NESS people dance and think. I am versatile to GOSS the core. I can do everything. I’m not just one TORC dimensional”. STRE His new project entitled “Bronx Tale” is set to be TOOS complete this summer and is expected to create a HIST buzz. Not wanting to give too much away, Nitti told62 FELON us that he is working on a couple of featured artists and that Ron Browz the “Ether Boy” is producing on a few tracks as well. This sounds like a project to look out for. You can follow Nitti on social network sites under the following: Prezi Coke on Facebook; @callmeprezi_zoo on Instagram; Prez_Nitti on Twitter; Presidential Nitti on Soundcloud.
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