STEP INTO THE RHY THMIC WORLD OF J-Z “L A MELODÍA MUSICAL,” OUR SEPTEMBER COVER STAR, WHOSE REAL-WORLD BEGINNINGS ARE AS COMPELLING AS THE MELODIES HE WEAVES TODAY.
IN THE EVER-EVOLVING MUSIC WORLD, JOEL’S STORY STANDS AS A BEACON, ILLUMINATING WHAT PASSION MARRIED WITH PERSEVERANCE CAN MANIFEST.
Introducing compelling life-changing stories in our June issue! First up is Javonte Rose, an exceptional musical, acting, and modeling figure. We also feature Alejandro Jimenez, a Santa Fe poet whose moving immigrant story and accomplishments will inspire you.
Jay Watts, a singer-songwriter known for his soulful music, discusses his artistic journey. We also delve into the life of Michael Monsivais (Chino Mike), a symbol of resilience who overcame adversities and is now leading the non-profit “No More Locked Doors”. Singa B also makes an appearance to let us know about his journey.
When I began to think about my 2021 L.A. Fashion Week outfit, I knew I wanted something different. Although there were several options for a suit, I wanted this Covid era trip to the L.A. Fashion show ceremony to be extraordinary. The remarkable thing about Fashion is it accepts us to experiment and move outside our contentment zones, to attempt new things. Keeping that in mind, I wanted an appearance that was associated with Fashion’s future. A suit company named xSuit came to mind, they are as striking as any of the better-known designer’s garments, but it is powered with cutting-edge technology, from the way the fabric is produced to the way it’s put together.
I honestly felt good wearing my xSuit for several hours as I enjoyed my evening during one of the Los Angeles fashion show installments. xSuit’s Thermo Fusing Technology allowed me to be comfortable after the show ended. To my utter surprise, I learned that Thermo Fusing Tech allows the garments to be machine washable!! To be more specific, their garments include proprietary Infinite Flex fabric that makes the material stretchier, lighter, and more breathable than ever before. Can you imagine throwing your traditional suit in the washer? What a disaster that will be very quickly!
Historically, attending a Fashion show can expose your garments to many “accidents” during the Fashion Show, or at the after-party when your shoes will be stepped on, or even a spilled drink on you. xSuit’s USA-Developed Nanotechnology protects the fabric from stains and odors; I tested it; water rolled right off the xSuit!!! Amazing.
Did I mention that it is wrinkle-resistant? Yes, my xSuit’s proprietary pattern provides resistance against wrinkles. xSuit fabric uses your body heat to activate its shape memory and return to its default state.
My xSuit has quickly become my favorite! It is so comfortable and multi-purpose; it feels casual but can be worn with almost anything. I thoroughly recommend this xSuit and all their products.
Here is their Mission Statement available at their website: www.xsuit.com
Mission
We believe that you should never have to sacrifice comfort for the sake of style. The clothes you wear should complement your looks and your lifestyle, not just your looks. We seek out and develop the most cutting-edge technology in order to make the most comfortable clothing that keeps you looking your best all day long. Join us on our mission to create modern clothing that’s comfortable, stylish, and easy-to-maintain for men all over the globe.
The X Symbol:
We chose the letter X for its technological, scientific, and intellectual meanings. It’s always been a powerful symbol, just as powerful as the garments we wanted to create. X represents the crossing of two things, which has the basis of xSuit- crossing sartorial workwear clothing with performance wear to create a new category – Smart Wear.
For more information about how they got started, I encourage you to click on their website listed; I found their entire products and operation so encouraging because they are indeed the future in Fashion.
We are happy to bring you another set of amazing stories, leading the pack is Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles, Houston’s talented thespian!!! We get to further document his amazing career.
In our lineup, we also bring you, Megan Stough, a multiple sclerosis survivor, with the heart of the biggest lion, her story is inspiring. Via @globevisioninc, Coming from north Dallas we introduce a young talented artist Archie Lee making a mark in his industry. We bring you an exclusive on Fluffy’s Sno-Balls Shop out of Long Beach, CA. Michigan’s very own CrazyLuck also makes a visit to Boss Mann to chat about life.
Boss Mann magazine had to do a Jermaine Carter follow-up story. An artist known as J Young MDK, we thoroughly enjoyed his story; we had to go a second round, this time for our coveted magazine cover.
We previously introduced you to Jermaine Carter, an American actor, rapper, singer, songwriter, and eminent entertainer who created music history through his revolutionary album projects; he released two albums from two different genres on the same day, a feat that was a first of it’s kind in the music industry. Jermaine dropped a Hip-hop and R&B project called Aqua and Black.
Jermaine Carter has also introduced us to his 50/50 musical campaign, which consists of releasing 50 songs over 50 weeks; Jermaine’s 50/50 project shows how much of a pioneer he is in the music industry. Jermaine’s projects are up to one million downloads/streams.
He’s been co-signed by mainstream entertainers such as Fat Joe and has worked on projects with Young Thug, his mentor – Jamie Foxx, and other world-renowned artists. Jermaine Carter is featured on the hit single, “Drunk Mess” with Young Thug, which exceeded 500,000 streams within the first two weeks. J Young’s record, “DRIP” featured R&B crooner SAMMIE, gained over 100,000 spins the first week. He was named the ‘Freestyle Champion’ of the ‘Roc the Mic’ tour led by Jay-Z after winning a rap battle against rapper Cassidy in 2006. Jermaine was invited to become a host/artist on a popular DVD series entitled Cheddar volume 9 in 2008.
Shiggy was born in Queens, New York, on March 30, 1993.
Late 2019, we recall seeing that Shiggy would be in Los Angeles working on a few projects; this became the perfect opportunity for Boss Mann magazine to reach out and document Shiggy’s story. Boss Mann magazine is about storytelling, and Shiggy has one heck of a story to tell.
Shiggy, mostly known for “The Shiggy Show” over the years, is a comedian turned Actor. In 2018 he gained astronomical fame after he posted an Instagram short video dancing to Drake’s hit single “In My Feelings.” Although the video went viral with several million views in a short amount of time, Shiggy was no stranger to popular Instagram videos. Before June 2018, Shiggy had been on his grind for over two years posting funny skits covering current popular topics in life.
Shiggy’s “In My Feelings” challenge was life-altering; it solidified him as a star in the making.
The Shiggy challenge went on to become a global sensation; the entire world took on the challenge by creating their versions of the dance. The world was mesmerized with Shiggy’s positive vibes that it inspired creativity in others, although never endorsed by Shiggy, doing the Shiggy challenge with a moving car (ghost riding) became popular in its own way.
During his interview with ABC News, he acknowledged not every “ghost riding” video went as planned -– the attempts were, after all, dangerous. “You gotta challenge yourself; you gotta do crazy things and take it to the next level,” he said. “Some people took it way too far, but some people did it smoothly,” he said. “I really, I like the effort, you know.” “Dancing to me is all about having fun and being free and expressing yourself,” he continued. “Those people they tried expressing themselves in an amazing way… you could see the smile in their face and the dedication in their eyes as they do this, you know.” Hashtag #inmyfeelings is up to 786K posts, while Shiggy’s popular video as accumulated 7.4 million views, and in 2020 it continues to draw people to the original post.
After being interviewed several times since the video went viral, Shiggy has shared with many media outlets that the video was definitely organic and with no intention to go viral with it, he danced to a heartfelt song, and his life changed forever. Several celebrities also became a factor in spreading love, Will Smith, Ciara, and Kirk Franklin, in naming a few. Will Smith’s interpretation on top of a bridge in Budapest, shot with a drone, became his favorite. He told ABC News that he is still amazed that the pure dance reached millions around the world, including Dubai and Pakistan. “All different types of countries just sending me videos… All the crazy places that you would never think.”
In August, Drake released the much-anticipated music video to accompany his single –- not only did it feature a cameo from Shiggy, but dancers also mimicked the now-viral dance he created. That video has over 165 million views on YouTube.
GRAMMY-nominated R&B soul singer, songwriter, and pianist Marsha Ambrosius graces the November 2019 cover of Boss Mann Magazine’s Boss Women issue.
Hailing from Liverpool, England, Ambrosius, the multi-talented artist responsible for co-writing Michael Jackson’s hit single, “Butterflies” off the King of Pop’s Invincible album is truly one of the most respected artists in the music industry. Marsha’s third album, NYLA, named after her daughter, Nyla, is a critically acclaimed masterpiece. It is considered to be one of her boldest body of work to date.
In the last four years, she met her husband, married, and gave birth to Nyla. “Bringing a daughter into the world just added to the size of my heart and music,” she said. “Playing the piano and writing are not one-dimensional anymore. I channeled something completely foreign to me. It is real love. I let go, fell in love, and became a wife and mother.”
It is impossible not to feel her music. In this cover story, Marsha opens up to Boss Mann Magazine about her journey as an artist, songwriter, mother, wife, and businesswoman. The beloved multi-faceted artist continues to set new goals for herself while inspiring others along the way to be their very best!
During our interview with Marsha, it was straightforward to see how humble she is as a person. We spent an entire day doing a photoshoot with Marsha on a sunny day in Los Angeles, California. The time spent at Lavish studios was magical. Marsha shared with Boss Mann that she wanted to keep shooting more outfits; she felt fabulous throughout the entire production. Marsha demonstrated her natural modeling ability, and the images shot display her talent.
Our very own Princess Fortier sat down with Marsha to discuss a few topics right after the photoshoot ended. Marsha shared with Princess how glamourous she felt throughout the day, being a mother, she does not always have all the time in the world to treat herself because she is busy watching over her daughter Nyla. She appreciated the fact that she could relax and have a good time on set. As a proven talent, platinum-selling artist, and sought-after songwriter, her schedule is very hectic and fast-moving, so we appreciated the time she gave The Boss Mann magazine to get to know her a bit more.
Princess touched on Marsha’s “Old times” video, which went viral once it dropped. In the short film, Marsha’s husband Dez Billups plays the leading character; in the video, he is seen walking down the street enjoying life while having a good time with a group of neighborhood kids. Dez’s character depicts a man showing love to his community and is well respected. At some point during the video, inexplicably and without provocation, he is suddenly stopped by the police. A series of events take place after getting stopped, these events speak to the song’s lyrics, which talk about praying for a safe return home, and referencing “Those red and blue lights flashing.” Not only did her husband Dez play a main character in the video, but her daughter Nyla also started in the video. To Marsha’s utter surprise, baby Nyla did exceptionally well on set and was a natural in front of the camera.
Marsha’s social narratives always play a significant factor in her music; in the “Old times” video, she brings awareness to social injustice and police brutality. Marsha’s music makes her a Boss Lady by pressing on topics that people are hesitant to discuss openly.
After having discussed a great topic from her “Old times” video, Princess asked Marsha how she chooses to relax from her ever-evolving schedule, Marsha went on to tell us that she is a dedicated fan of Oculus, a virtual reality game. Oculus can be played almost anywhere with a virtual reality headset and a pair of controllers, the game is set-up effortlessly, and it works with any environment so she can play it standing or sitting in most spaces. Before playing, she has to set up her space, so she does not accidentally hit anyone around her, including her daughter Nyla. Marsha truly enjoys shooting games and plugging herself in this virtual reality world is a stress reliever. Marsha shared with us she is globally rated #7 in the zombie game she plays and can probably rank #1 if she had more time to play. Marsha wins in everything she touches!!
Boss Mann Magazine is fortunate enough to bring you yet another powerful story that changes lives.
We are blessed to bring you Mike Peele’s story.
Who is Mike Peele?
First and foremost, Mike Peele is a Boss Mann by any standard.
Mike Peele is a blessed and multi-talented individual, a man dedicated to this craft, self-motivated, and while he admits of being a bit impatient at times, he is always looking for the silver lining in any situation. Mike is also a lover and no longer a fighter but does fight through adversity with such ease.
Based on Boss Mann Magazine’s experience, we discovered that Mike always comes from love, which sets him apart because people will always gravitate to love, and love always wins. There is no doubt about Mike Peele’s love energy, but we also found out that he equally possesses the same energy for health & wellness and entrepreneurship.
Mike Peele is a fitness athlete/content creator influencer born in Brooklyn, NY but raised in Detroit, MI. Mike started a movement called “Hip Hop Fit”. Mike’s program is one of Los Angeles’s top dance/fitness workout classes; due to COVID-19 pandemic, it currently runs on YouTube, and it has accumulated a total of 154,000 subscribers with multiple thousand views per video drop. Mike’s class consists of a high energy dance class and addicting dance moves anyone can follow. Mike’s Hip Hop Fit class burns at least 300 calories with up to 1000+ calories per session; it also helps build a toned body and push your mind and body to the next level. A great thing to point out about Hip Hop Fit is that it makes sure nobody feels judged, and everyone is welcome to take the class from beginner to advanced fitness. Reaching fitness goals and committing to a new and improved lifestyle is Hip Hop Fit’s goal. Mike’s program came from a place of love as he wanted to instill his passion for dance and fitness. While people get so much out of Hip-Hop Fit’s program, Mike shared with Boss Mann Magazine how rewarding it is to see people connect with others right away, friendships, and relationships have come from these dance workout sessions. It has also allowed him to see how so many different people from all backgrounds come together and share the same passion, health, and wellness. Mike is most proud of people’s lifestyle changes knowing they will live a happier and healthier life.
From reality star to businesswoman, Shay Johnson sat down with Boss Mann Magazine as she shared her life-off-camera journey and the importance of spreading health wellness and fibroid awareness.
As a well-known cast member on Love and Hip Hop, you can catch this boss woman filming in Miami, but most do not know that she was born and raised in Hawaii. With having a father in the military, Shay Johnson adapted quickly to the constant move and change of scenery. Along with her mother and two brothers, the family traveled coast to coast, exploring the sights of San Francisco, New York, Milwaukee, and Atlanta. Being exposed to the different environments and walks of life presented her a chance to see the world but played a part in who she is today. The constant push to try new things propelled Johnson to follow her heart, leading her right onto our television screens. The world got introduced to Johnson during her appearance in VH1’s Flavor of Love 2 by the nickname of Buckeey. After tearing off her name tag on Flavor of Love: Charm School, we said our good-byes to Buckeey, and the reality star had a fresh start to present who the real Shay Johnson was. In 2013, we gained a new perception of Johnson as she joined the cast of Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta. Dedicated to telling her true story, she separated the persona of Buckeey and the real Shay Johnson by addressing the two upfront.
It has been a long time coming, but I can finally present another round of marvelous individuals. On this issue, we bring you a group of Southern California natives covering cities from Long Beach, CA, up north to Palmdale, CA, and everything in between. I am incredibly proud of this issue – I have been involved in 29 out of 31 BOSS MANN published issues, and this one, by far, was the hardest to complete. I have struggled through many issues that made this very difficult to complete, but I am grateful for the end result. This issue is a tribute to the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and I hope it inspires others to never give up on their dreams. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you enjoy the issue.
Jewellz Creations is owned and operated by Shavonne Cantrell, she provides excellent gourmet food, a flawless presentation, and special attention to detail. Jewellz Creations will always cater to your design and preference and execute your dream event. In addition to food catering, they are also a full-blown event planning organization. They can provide food, desserts, all types of decorations, video and photography services.
They’ve been in business for over five years and have catered to over 175 + events from corporate, weddings, parties, and fashion shows. Jewells Creations dishes are made with the finest ingredients. Jewellz Creations list of clients include The Melody Trice Show, iLondon Fog Studios, Boss Mann Media, The Movement LA, and House of Yere.
To paint a better picture of Jewellz Creations owner, Shavonne Cantrell, we decided to do a quick interview with her. To start, she gave us her definition of a boss, a boss is defined by their work ethic and determination. A boss is someone who doesn’t quit and is always willing to learn from mistakes. Being a Boss doesn’t come without a sacrifice, during her time as an entrepreneur her biggest sacrifice has been time that she can’t get back. In addition to losing time, the biggest obstacle in her industry she has faced is procrastination, but she has been able to overcome it by learning from her experiences. Procrastination, less distraction and opportunists are something she can do less of in life.
Shavonne has raised her children to always think of others and be considerate for the less fortunate. In addition, Shavonne has also thought her daughters about generational wealth, to the point where four of her daughters have their own businesses. Shavonne’s family is her motivation to keep building.
Advice Shavonne gave Boss Mann magazine was to break the power of bad habits. An example you always hear from people is that “they aren’t morning people”, meaning they can’t get up early, but what if you started to watch your “before you go to bed patterns”, people will eat late, stay up late watching TV, drinking coffee, etc. Shavonne’s point is that breaking the bad night patterns can potentially change how you feel when you wake up the next day. Shavonne wants to give advice to give back so others do make the same mistakes she has made in the past.
We are thrilled to be able to document Shavonne’s story, and see it grow over time. We know many blessings are coming to her business and family, she gives more than she receives and that is a great quality that not too many people have these days.
THE BOSS MANN MAGAZINE 