DL Publications

Be CreativeL’ART

Issue 6

February 2012

Editor’s LetterL’ART

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Hi all and welcome to the sixth issue of L’ART; the ‘An-niversary’ issue.

Wow, has it been a year already?! L’ART has had an amazing first year being a published publication for the first few months and then moving online. Since becoming an online publica-tion we have gained a worldwide fanbase, with up & coming and successful artists approaching us to share their music and new projects with the world.

We feel that we definitely made the right decision in grouping music, fashion and performing arts in one publication because the people we have featured prove how much they comple-ment each other.

Join us with this anniversary special as we have even more local talents to share with you, including a fashion line, a Bir-mingham musician and the UK’s biggest dance event, you won’t want to miss! Also look out for the US band Day 26 and Got To Dance act Alleviate.

Thanks for your continued support.

Letisha & Daniella

ContentsMusic16 Chyna wants his music to reach an even greater audience,

so that’s what we aim to do.

20 They’re back! Day26 return with their third studio album A New Day. Find out what member, Willie had to say to L’ART.

Fashion4 Why Not? Clothing Co. Three College friends introduce

their way of living to combine with your fashion needs. 23 Fashion designer and stylist Amanda Brown goes back in time this Valentine’s Day. Ladies, get inspired by her

vision.

6 Got To Dance contestants, Alleviate fill us in on their lat-

est achievements and future prospects.

9 Move It; the UK’s biggest dance event is back.

11 L’ART’s Best Bits. We look back on Issues 1-4 for those memorable L’ART moments. 18 Word on the Street

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Reviews

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Be the laid back individual with the let’s do it attitude

“With our company, we said from the start it’s not

just a clothing brand. It’s a lifestyle,” Chad explains, as he introduced us to his next venture with friends Ben and Josh, creating the birth of Why Not? Clothing Co.

You will remember Chad as 1/5 of entertainment group Heavy Duty Promotions. He has not left his HD family be-hind, but is taking an everyday saying, ‘Why Not?’ to its lim-its, creating a line males (and us females in the near future) can not only wear, but live as a lifestyle motto.

Not only realising the popu-larity of the saying, but know-

ing its potential as a branded product, Ben’s idea to put this question on a t-shirt sealed the deal in what they hope to be a successful fashion conquest.

“Whenever you go to events, the first thing people see is what you’re wearing,” Ben says. Admittedly, if the phrase ‘Why Not?’ was on a tee, immediately you are getting attention.

With plenty of research and publicity ahead of their launch, this trio are eager to produce a product that will preserve and live up to the samples that have been receiving such

amazing feedback.

When it comes to promo-tion and publicity, these guys are as spontaneous as they come. “Ben literally writes ‘Why Not?’ on a white t-shirt and goes out with it,” Chad laughs. In fact the company has Ben’s outings to thank for the buzz created from holiday makers who the slogans will prove to be a huge hit with.

Offering Vintage, symbolic styles, slogans, classic images and the original ‘Why Not?’ style for £10 per tee, the boy’s aim is to create daytime and evening garments with classy logos that can be part of your everyday wear, but also be ad-mired on seasonal catwalks.

“It’s a saying as well so it won’t get old,” Ben reminds us. And the fact that the meaning behind their slogan, of throwing yourself into any given activity can be used in everyday life, this further

strengthens their vision and their reasons as to why they think they differ to KandiK-ing, another local featured fashion line in L’ART Maga-zine.

With each design reflecting three different personalities, the guys have even created a special for their large number of House music fans. We got an exclusive preview of the fitted tee that pays homeage to the music genre and this time next year who knows, their dream to incorporate the brand regionally as well as nationally may just be on the brink of coming true. Why not?

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A year later, we caught up with the sensational duo,

Nicolette and Renako, to talk all things Alleviate.

“Since being on GTD we have performed for the Queen at Buckingham Palace,” said Nicolette. “That was 450 VIP guests and we performed alongside dance troupe Flaw-less. We got to meet the Queen and some mem-bers of the Royal Fam-ily. That was a real honour.

“We also did Latitude Festi-val over the summer, which had the English National Bal-let and Ballet Rumba. Ashley Banjo also hosted a Michael Jackson tribute concert that had different acts from GTD and Britain’s Got Talent.

“We did a team piece to Michael Jackson songs and we’ve been doing other small-er gigs and teaching work-

shops too.”

Renako said: “Being on the show was an absolute dream come true. We just not long graduated, so to be on TV and get that type of exposure was great. Everyone was really friendly and it was a great at-mosphere.”

“Even now, I feel a bit nerv-ous before go-ing on stage,” said Nicolette. “I guess it’s

something that you never quite get out of. I think it’s the same for Renako as well, he was really nervous on GTD.”

Speaking of GTD, where did Renako get the name ‘Allevi-ate’ from? “I looked up the meaning and it means to re-lieve and make things easier to bear.

“You can soothe an audience with your movement and with different types of dance, so

ALLEVIATE

“We met the Queen, that was a real honour.”

“Alleviate captured the nation’s hearts when this beautiful dance duo reached the final three in Sky 1’s Got To Dance (GTD) TV competition. The two friends met whilst studying dance at Paul McCartney’s performing arts school (LIPA) four years ago.

“They will be performing their own show on a cruise in late March before starting work on a new show that is planned to launch at this year’s Edinburgh Festival. They have an ambition to follow in the footsteps of Hollywood’s great dance couples.”

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that’s why it stood out to me. I like to think that we live up to the name.

“Our GTD style was contem-porary with a fusion of other styles and we continue to work hard and improve.”

The pair also have Move It and an international gig wait-ing in the near future.

Nicolette said: “Move It will be a great performance and workshop but meeting other acts and Alleviate fans is the best thing. Also to show how far we’ve come from GTD as well. We’re always pushing to grow within what we do.

“In March we’re going on a cruise where we’ll be per-forming a 25 minute set each evening. We’ll get flown out to Mumbai for a week and fly

out to Dubai. It will be amaz-ing to experience a new coun-try and see a new place.”

“And to say that we’ve per-formed internationally,” add-ed Renako. “To take Allevi-ate out of the UK is something we both want,” said Nicolette. “We want to travel with our work. It’s a big thing on the priority list.”

If that’s not determination, then what is? There’s a chance you might see them on TV again. They have been approached for guest judge spots on talent shows so look out for these possibilities.

Which show would they choose? “So You Think You Can Dance,” said Renako. Nicolette said: “Mine would be Dancing On Ice.” You never know, it might happen!

“Meeting our fans is the best thing.”

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The Move It weekender (Friday March 9th – Sunday March 11th 2012 at Olympia London) is promised to be one amaz-

ing festival of dance that can be enjoyed by dance students, parents, teachers, professionals, fans and even trade visitors.

Although there is a schedule for each day, you are in charge of how you spend it. Classes include a whole variety of dance styles which range from cheerleading, disco, contemporary jazz, ballet, zumba, flamenco and more. ‘Watch performers, take classes, shop for dancewear and meet the experts all in one place’.

Plus this year’s added bonus is the Dance Teachers Conven-tion. For the first time teachers will have the chance to attend a series of seminars and practical workshops to help boost your career/involvement in dance to the next level. You will need a valid entry ticket to attend these classes so simply look online at www.moveitdance.co.uk/content/dance-teachers-conven-tion/9/ for more information.

Come and join the UK’s biggest dance event where you’ll be spoilt for choice in the world of performing arts!

with... Akai, Flawless, Alleviate, Kimberly Wyatt, The Urdang Academy

& more...

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L’ART’s Best Bits

As we celebrate our first year as a publication, we take a look back at those who featured in

issues 1-4, reveal our best interview, favourite rising talent and find out just what a select few

have been doing this past year...

Rianne Brown

I am about to start a pattern room intern at Cos, sixth months paid

near Oxford Street (London). I’m really excited to put all that I’ve learnt to good use and learn lots of new skills.

Cos is an amazing brand and I re-ally love the design style and tradi-tional silhouettes with a twist.

“Good luck Rianne!”

Other highlights include performances from Got To Dance winners Akai, Chris & Wes and contenders Allevi-ate, Twist & Pulse and James Hobley from Britain’s Got Talent and a Flawless & Eng-lish National Ballet collabora-tive performance.

And if you find yourself want-ing to do a little performance of your own, you’ll be pleased to hear that there is a free-style stage for you to show off your tricks and extraordinary dance skills. You’ll have a lot

of spectators at hand but you shouldn’t let that put you off. If you’re likely to jump at the chance simply turn up at the freestyle stage with your mu-sic, book your three minute dance slot, plug in your music and dance away! You never know who will be around to catch your talent!

Visit www.moveitdance.co.uk to plan your fun-filled dance weekend today.

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Where are they now?...

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We have got our own brand BootyBea,

which we are growing and expanding. We are getting involved in TV programmes more, we are now stocking ClaireaBella bags, which are huge and have a celebrity fol-lowing. We feel more free to get involved in other events and the website is doing re-ally well.

2012 seems to have gone off with a bang! My own drop-in classes at Pegasus on Monday nights are very busy. I feel

a lot stronger as a choreographer and dancer and have even released my first concept video, which can be found on my YouTube page www.youtube.com/emj246 I am still working hard at improving my own artistic knowl-edge and skill and I’m jetting off to LA soon to get some seri-ous training under my belt. I’m also training once a week with the Rare Faction girls - Oxford’s new female troupe. We will

be performing at Dancin’ Ox-ford’s Dance Bytes events on February 18th (12pm - 3pm) in Oxford’s city centre. In March I will start a Satur-day class at Oxford Brookes University Centre. There is a FREE taster session on Febru-ary 18th (3:30pm - 4:30pm).

This year I have been able to host my first International Street Dance Workshop with Jerome Esplana (Canada) and Darren Baldric (Germany). It’s an incredible achieve-ment and I hope to be able to continue to bring such inspi-rational and talented artists to Oxford. I hope to continue building a strong dance community in Oxford. Watch out for Sep-tember 2012. Pegasus will be hosting The Biggest Urban Choreography Showcase in Oxford; an evening celebrat-ing some of the hottest street

BootyBea

dance acts in and around Oxfordshire. Plus, there is a chance to share the stage with one of London’s hottest dance crews! More informa-tion will be out very soon! Lastly, Parasol will be per-forming again this year. De-spite a rocky year with fund-ing, the ever-resiliant parasol dance carries on. We will let you know as soon as a date is set!

EmJ’s Classes & The Parasol Project

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Licia Conn and speak-ing to her about her

role as a music video pro-ducer was a great way to see how other graduates experience life after Uni, especially in the media sector and the amazing opportunities to do something they love and have achieved honours in. The fact that she had worked for one of my fa-vourite up and coming music artist’s (Bluey Robinson) also helped. Her infectious personality and interesting insight into a day of video shooting was fun and exciting to hear. - Daniella

Kyron Anthony - the world’s number one dancer in electric

boogie. He’s achieved so much with his dance career and he’s only 14-years-old. He comes to life when he’s performing but he’s such a shy and down-to-earth boy when you catch him outside of his profession. During the interview you could tell how proud he was of his achievements so far and we couldn’t help but feel happy for him. - Letisha

That would have to be The Breakfast Club.

Their ability to remain different in a competi-tive dance world with their 80’s influences and retro style is great to see. Their decisions to per-form for organisations they support such as Gay Pride and produce mini films that show creativity and infectious moves through great angles is always an added bonus with me. - Daniella

For me, it’s got to be Shaliek Rivers be-

cause he instantly won me over with his single ‘Spoke Too Soon’. It must be because I love the sample he used but it’s also a feel-good song, I liked what he did with it. With his interview we also got to know a bit more about him as a person and not just Shaliek as an artist. I imagine he will be successful with his career. - Letisha

Best interview and why?... Favourite upcoming artist and why?... Licia Conn

The Breakfast Club

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Who remembers having an old school record

player? Chyna sure does.

“I would hide behind the set-tee, sit there and enjoy the mu-sic,” said Chyna. “I liked the whole vibe in the room even though it was pitch black.

“I’ve done music for a long time and I know if enough people hear it, it will take me somewhere. I want it to take me as far as it possibly can.

“At 15 I started out with a

Dictaphone and I would hook it up to the hi-fi system. Then my friend G Franchise got a keyboard, learnt to play the keys and I would rap. We would record songs and get really excited when we played it back.

“I never started doing it as a career. It was more of a com-mon interest between myself and G Franchise; he produces my music now.

“It’s a way to vent and express myself. I want people to hear

something different and not know what I’m going to say next. Everything I do tends to have a tinge of hip-hop but it’s generally a fusion of anything I like from rock, dance and drum & bass.

“I remember Biggie Smalls’ first album case. My Dad had it on cassette and I took it and put it in my walkman. I was like: ‘Wow this guy is swear-ing and he’s allowed to’. That’s one of the first album’s I’ve ever listened to.

“The first record I got was Michael Jackson’s. I used to play it all the time and watch him on stage thinking he was really cool. Then 2Pac is my next musical influence as well as some current people.

“Everyday I make a point of listening to what the radio competition is like and if I have to write, I will play an instrumental on repeat until it comes to me.

“I’m also doing videos for a YouTube channel called 33TV and my video ‘On My Own Now’ is on there.

“This year I want to drop the first tape - Dark Days & Bright Nights. I want to shoot a multitude of videos, write more and get my name and music out.”

Chyna Fact: “I used to sit next to two children in second-ary school and in class, one of them said: ‘We’ll call him China because his eyes look Chinese’. So it was Chyna from then on. That’s what my friends call me who’ve known me from back in the day.”

So there you have it, the sto-ry behind Chris aka Chyna’s music (so far). Share and lis-ten to his music online, leave some positive feedback and who knows, he just might be the next big thing to come out of the UK!

Twitter: @Chyna615

Chyna’s album is due February 28th 2012

Find Christopher ‘Chyna’ Dawkins on Facebook

Sound Cloud:http://soundcloud.com/chyna615-1

“I’m a writer, so I’m good with

words. Creative writing is my

hobby.”

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Check out his latest YouTube video for Black Hoodie

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WORD ON THE STREET

For L’ART’s one year anniversary, we thought we’d give you a WOTS with a difference and what better way than to share the career of another talented journalist? From TV presenting, radio shows and

promoting the undiscovered, Bianca Clayton is a name you need to remember. Here’s her story...

When did you know you wanted to be a journal-

ist?I loved English at an early age at school and I was always creative and loved writing stories. My love for writing adapted in me writing songs.

Why journalism as a career choice?

A f t e r s t u d y i n g English at A-Level, I wanted to pursue this and went to study Media and C o m m u -nication at University. At Uni I

was given a choice of which classes I wanted to take. I knew Journalism would be one and TV and radio seemed fun so I gave that a try too.

Talk us through your journal-ism career to date.At University I was given projects to do in TV, radio and journalism such as creat-ing my own live TV shows in the TV studio, launching ra-dio stations and writing and reporting stories for newspa-pers. I applied for and took on as much work experience as I could. I worked with lots of local radio stations (Muslim, Caribbean), presented and produced my own live radio shows for three years, worked with the BBC, Channel 4, Sky News & local live shows in

Birmingham.

I interviewed Jeff Brazier, Jagged Edge, Richard Black-wood and Eddie Kadi. I was the host for live events; a premier and movie awards show, live music showcase & children’s live debate in The Drum Theatre.

What aspect do you enjoy most?TV presenting! I love to com-municate with people from all backgrounds and walks of life, the buzz of a live TV stu-dio show and being a part of that. At University I produced three television shows and the launch of a new channel and I absolutely loved it! My dream is to produce and present my own TV chat show, Friday

Night with Bianca Clayton.

How do you find the competi-tiveness of it all?The difficulty only makes me want to try harder and be more unique and really impress if you’re in the same room as the right people.

What has been a highlight of your experiences so far?Interviewing some amazing people and putting them in the hot seat! Also when a show comes together and all the hard work is shown in the live studio show.

Who do you admire in the me-dia world?Jonathan Ross, Davina, Ri-chard Branson – I admire the empire he has built!L’ART

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A NEW DAY COMING SOONthe wait is over as Atlantic records music artists day26

prepare to release their third studio album for 2012

Formed on Diddy’s Mak-ing the Band back in 2007,

Robert, Brian, Willie, Mike and Que came out on top to form Bad Boy record label’s Day26. The group went on to win Black Entertainment Tel-evision’s Best Group Award 2009 and saw both studio re-leases Day26 and Forever In A Day go to number’s one and two in the US and UK album charts. Today, these multi-Platinum selling artist’s return as a quartet, working hard on their third studio album A New Day. We speak to group member Willie about their on-line series, new material and his new role as the founder of his own music label.

What was it about single ‘Made Love Lately’ that you believed made it a great re-lease?We loved the song at first lis-ten and we knew that with us being gone for so long, we needed to come back doing exactly what the fans love

most from us and that’s really singing.

Do you have any favourite tracks on the album?I can’t really say as of right now because we are not fin-ished just yet, however I can

say the album is so amazing that it would be hard to pick even if it was done. In my opinion it’s our best work to date.

What’s it like to have your own web series?

Having our own web series is really fun. It’s almost like Making The Band 4 but with much more creative control. Just like that show, it’s all real!

How would you say you have grown as a group since Forever In a Day?We have grown a lot since Forever In A Day. I think mostly because we have ma-tured so much over the years in the music industry and in our personal lives, that we have a stronger focus now than we have ever had before.

What can fans expect from Day26 this year?Sky is the limit. This is the entertainment business so we just want to entertain, whether it be on stage, in movies, TV or where ever we are going to do it.

Tell us more about Noivak Music.Noivak Music started because I wanted to help other artist’s

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reach their dreams. Being from Chicago, as an artist I didn’t have many outlets to be seen or heard, but yet really talented, so I just want to be that bridge from the city to the industry. Not to say I’m only looking in Chicago, because I’ll gladly be that bridge from any city! (Laughs).Be on the look out for Noivak Music (www.noivakmusic.com) with our artist Avrey Smith (@avreysmithmusic ) and Fresh-boy.

Are you involved in any other projects?With the help of our manager Joseph “Screwface” Charles, we all are working on side ventures. Willie; Noivak Music, Acting- A Fool & His Money (David Talbert Teleplay), Note To Self (movie) modelling in 2013 Calender & writing songs. Brian Angel started his own label (AWE) with his first artist G Ron & writing. Mike & Rob have been in the studio writing as well. How would you sell A New Day to the public?If you’re looking for great music, look no more. We came pre-pared for war and we are not leaving without a win. Ladies & Gentlemen, we bring to you, A New Day! (Laughs).

Above: The new single is a hit with fans requesting for air play on American radio stations.

French Vintage Love

By Amanda Brown

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Valentine’s Day 2012

@Miss_ABrown

This Valentine’s Day why not bring back the old school French love

feel with inspiration from this special mini womenswear collection? The

glamorous head wear, tassles, vintage patterns and shoulder detail are

bound to get heads turning this A/W 2012.

autumn/winter 2012

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