Hey hey yall. Ahhhh Thursdays...I love em to death. Only have one class in the morning and then chill day. Made some posters for Loyola's gospel choir's concert, did a little cleaning, and now putting in work for the degree and the blog. All in all, good day!

Today, I'm excited to present Miss Laudy, an upcoming designer, who I had the pleasure to talk to and look at one of her designs. First designer ever on In The Spotlight! Hand clap for branching out! Read more about Laudy after the jump!




* What's your name, age and hometown?

I'm Alisha. I go by the name of Leesha or Laudy (pronounced Lodi). I'm from Lauderhill, Florida, and I'm 19 years old.

* How did you get started in fashion? Was it always a passion?

I actually started earlier this year. I knew it was always for me; it just came down to me being dedicated to it. I've always loved fashion but no one would have ever thought LOL

* Is there any designers out there that you draw inspiration from?

I actually have my eye on a few designers that are absolutely dope to me. To name a few, I would have to go with Vashtie Kola, Nina Ricci, Sheila Rashid, Beau.coup

* Has there been anybody in your personal life that has had an impact on your fashion?

YES! Most def! MY MOTHER!! She has had a tremendous impact on it, just by watching her do her thing with her fashion shows, events, interviews and all. It motivates me to the fullest. She is a swimwear designer. [Her line] is called VIP Swimwear and honestly, her swimwear is the NEXT best thing. Can't wait for her to expand in that department.

* What was your inspiration behind the dress that you designed?

It wasn't much of someone who inspired me to do such a piece, I just wanted my first piece to be worth 'jaw dropping' and unique...I know the puffy arms and shoulder pads are back in style, and that's something I will continue to specialize in.

* What other work have you done/are working on besides the dress?

I'm working on major projects with a fellow upcoming designer, Ashley Chin. as well as some shoots until my release date early 2011. I won't give too much away but I do have more sketches/designs...just won't be revealed as of yet =)

* What plans do you have in the future to continue your designing? Where do you see yourself in the future? Pursuing fashion full time or is it just a side thing?

As of now, I'm doing so much at once, so I'm just taking it one day at a time. I'm enrolled in college right now, 2nd year. But in the near future, fashion will be a FULL TIME thing for me. I have big plans for my line and can't wait for the world to see...I see myself being SUCCESSFUL in the future.

* What do you love so much about fashion?

I'm in love with fashion AND style: DIFFERENCE. I feel like style defines who you are alone and fashion is more of a year to year trend, which is cool. I love them both. It is a way of expression to me, as well as one of my main stress relievers. Fashion to me is a part of life and LOVE. It's a way to tell you apart from everyone around you and it's a form of art. How different you get with it or even how simple you remain, it paints a picture that everyone tends to judge- good and bad. And that's what I love about it too. I think everyone that's into fashion and/or style, kind of feels the same way about it only because it's the truth.

* What keeps you going in pursuit of this dream?

My friends and my mom. I watch them making moves, creating a name for themselves. I feel like it's a must that I do the same. I only surround myself around "somebodies" because being a nobody gets you NOWHERE in life. I can't afford to waste any more time..I have talent that no one including my friends were aware of. It's time for me to be seen.

And that you will Miss Laudy! She has great potential to make in the fashion industry. She promised to keep me updated on other designs she puts out for publicity, so be on the lookout!

PEACE.

12:22:00 PM

It's Wednesday and World AIDS Day! Several of our celebrities have been digitally killed on Twitter lol for a serious cause: to raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS. You can go to BuyLife.org or research other websites and donate money towards education on the virus! And get yourself tested!

I need the week to keep on keeping on! I'm officially counting down til I leave Loyola (7 more days of classes, 19 days til I actually leave LOL). So I'm focused on school and the blog right now. Working on a good number of spotlights on upcoming artists. Even have a rising designer for yall to look forward to so be on the lookout!

Today, I'm doing a review. Which I rarely do. The only one I did before this was my short critique on Chris Brown's Graffiti and Rihanna's Rated R (in favor of Chris, still love RiRi though). Today, I'm doing a review on upcoming rapper Supreme General's EP, The Supremacy, which he released last week. Read more after the jump!



This six-track EP has definite fire all throughout. Supreme boldly starts and stands his ground as a rapper with the first track "The Supreme General." "I'm the Supreme General / There is no chance of survival / I'm out here killin' 'em," the main chorus says. You can tell from this intro track that this is Supreme's passion and he's gonna reign supreme over the competition. Respect the hustle.

"I'm a G" is also a track that stands out on this EP. Supreme speaks of getting respect in the streets. Again, nobody can touch him. He's a beast, so haters and nonbelievers can fall back! "Stacks" was also a powerful song, very open and real about hustling in the streets. You do what you gotta do to take care of your own. That's why I can't judge anybody that makes their money dealing or stripping, what have you. I'm not saying everybody jump on board to the dope life, but you do what you gotta do to survive. Life is like that...

The Supremacy EP also features songs "Puffin' on That Good Sh*t," "Money Talks," and the final track "Supreme Dreamin," in which Supreme recognizes he has dreams of something more, really making a name for himself in the rap game. All in all, a great EP! Real and honest, you definitely want to pick this up! You can buy The Supremacy on iTunes now! The full album comes out Friday!!! Support real artists!!!!

PEACE.

11:37:00 AM

I'm back. Hiatus, I know. But I'm here! Happy Monday :)

Kim Kardashian is dead, says her new ad.

According to OMG! Yahoo, Kim's new ad is to raise awareness for World AIDS Day which is Wednesday Dec. 1. "Kim Kardashian Is Dead," the ad reads, explaining that she has sacrificed her digital life "to give real life to millions of others affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. Visit BuyLife.org or text ‘KIM’ to ‘90999’ to buy her life now."

Other stars like Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake are participating in the Digital Life Sacrifice event, in which they are quitting Twitter and Facebook until $1 million is raised for those in Africa suffering from this disease.

The event is organized by Alicia Keys. I think it's a great and creative idea to raise money for a great cause. Kudos Miss Keys and everybody else participating. Go to BuyLife.org now to donate to those affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

PEACE.

6:19:00 AM

Morning yall! Happy Sunday. I'm headed to church but had to post this for yall. Ne-Yo is officially a daddy! According to People, his girlfriend, Monyetta Shaw, had a baby girl last night. Coming in a little earlier than her January due date, Monyetta gave birth to Little Miss Madilyn Grace Smith. "I've been in love before but this feels like nothing I've ever felt," said Ne-Yo on Twitter. "Like I'm in love for the first time."

Ne-Yo was at a charity event for his foundation when word reached him that Monyetta had went into labor. He did make it to the hospital for the birth. Both baby and mommy are fine according to Ne-Yo's reps.

Ne-Yo has another due date to look forward to! His brand new album, Libra Scale, will hit stores Nov. 22. I'm too excited!!!!

PEACE.

6:00:00 AM

Hey hey everyone. I know I said this week was my self-proclaimed "Get My Life Together Week" (see last post below). And I have been. I've been meditating a lot about my life, on things that I always say I need to work on, but never do. A passing of a friend at my church shook me up. I'm focused on living my life to the fullest, just like he did in his short 17 years of life {RIP DeAndre...we miss you <3}

But on to the post for today. I am proud to spotlight another artist. Been promising him this forever lol I need to get on my stuff. Hailing from Dallas, we got Jarrel Needum, aka B.E.Z. (prounounced "Be Easy" not bez lol). This 21 year old has been doing music since he was 8. He started playing drums at church, and then eventually picked up producing at the age of 14.  I'd say I realized music was for me when I started producing," B.E.Z. says."Everything came so natural to me. Music has always been my dream. I love it." Though he says he is a producer first, he is branching out into "the artist realm." Read more after the jump.



Like I said, B.E.Z. is a producer first. He's produced tracks on rapper Ni Taylor's "Take No Prisoners," Braysonic's "Sonic Boom," and J. Rhodes' "The Talented Mr. Rhodes." Other artists include The Jett, Supa, Dre Hitz, Lewis Contra, Starr K, Cris Cash, amongst many others. He is currently working on releasing his EP Extraordinary Gentleman in December.

Currently, B.E.Z is not officially signed to a label, but he works closely with 80's Baby Entertainment in Dallas. "I'm working towards being signed, but not being owned. If I EVER sign, it'll have to be a contract to where I have complete control of my project," B.E.Z. said. Completely understand. Artists ought to be able to have control over their work, but it doesn't happen as much on a major label, especially not when you first sign. 

When asked about his greatest inspiration, B.E.Z. says he draws inspiration from everywhere. "I just go with what speaks to me at the time," he admits. He wants to make his own mark in music, "but when it''s all said and done, I wanna mean to music what Quincy Jones, Issac Hayes, Dr Dre, mean to music," B.E.Z. says. He is different from other artists in that he makes his own beats. "I'm [also] versatile when it comes to ideas as far as lyrical content, and I try and branch into every type of genre of music," he continues. When asked what keeps him going in his pursuit of music, B.E.Z. says, "I would have to say the love that I have for music keeps me going. It's my passion."

Check out his song, "I'm A Star" below!




You can follow B.E.Z. Twitter, on Twitter, and check out his other websites on Bandcamp, ReverbNation, MySpace, and YouTube.

PEACE.

2:26:00 PM

Morning yall....Happy Monday. This week is "Get My Life Together Week." Emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually and academically. Oh, and journalistically (which is a word despite what Firefox says). As you have seen, I haven't written on here in a while, and I'm sorry :( This past week was not a good one, and honestly, Spotlight was one of the last things on my mind. But I'm back, and here is the spotlight on KaPo Mann. Read more after the jump!


Born in Jamaica and raised in Miami, KaPo Mann is an upcoming rapper. "Life [in Miami] was fast paced...South Beach was cool," KaPo said of his area. He was always around music growing up, even playing the trumpet in middle school. Although sports was his main thing, he began rapping over other artists' songs for the fun of it, and began taking the game seriously.

His mixtape The Southwest M.D. dropped in 2008, and he has also released Seen Alotta Faces with DJ Knight and Flame Up with DJ Anonymous KaPo is presently working on Seen Alotta Faces Vol. 2 which he said should be out late January. "My dream [is] to become the hottest mixtape artist in Florida," he said.

Music obviously has a great impact on KaPo, and serves as an outlet for him. "I like to get what's on my mind of my chest sometimes and that feels better than anything," he said. His friends serve as inspiration to him, some feeling his music and others not, inspiring him to push forward and make better music. T.I. (I love him!), 50 Cent, Fabolous, and Cam'Ron are some of KaPo's biggest musical influences.

When asked what makes him different from other artists, KaPo believes he's different because he sounds like himself, instead of trying to imitate another rapper. "I've done a lot in my life...good and bad so i have a lot to touch on," he said. As of now, KaPo is not signed to a label, still creating that buzz around his music. However, he wouldn't mind being an indie artist. "If show money is good I could stay as an independent artist because I love music naturally and like my own creativity," he admitted. He keeps going in pursuit of music. "This is something I wanna do, I can do, and even if I don't make it I still will make music," KaPo said. Definitely seems to be an artist with drive and plenty of potential! You can listen to more of Kapo on his ReverbNation page! Check out his video for "Flame Up" below!




PEACE.

11:21:00 AM

Afternoon everyone! As you see, I've been slacking for the umpteenth time on the blog! Can I say again how ready I am to leave Loyola and get my career started?! Anyways, I want to apologize to the upcoming artists that I have interviewed and haven't gotten your posts up yet. This week, I hope to redeem myself starting with Supreme General. Had the opportunity to talk to him a few weeks back, to get his story on the blog so check him out after the jump!



Born David Adams, Supreme was raised in Buffalo, New York. Though he lived in what he called a "gang environment," he knew his block as home. After a stint in the Air Force, Supreme tried his hand at rapping, just playing around in a studio with a friend. He admitted to writing some poetry before, in an effort to get girls (lol good tactic), but seemed to understand then that words had power. "Literature and anything releated to the English language fascinated me," he said. After discovering that he had a bit of skill, Supreme continued writing and rapping, and has been going full time for about five years. He released his mixtape, The Prelude 2: A Classic!!!, about a year ago, and it can be downloaded here

He also founded his own label, Hustle Game Enterprises, after getting shut down by other labels. "I couldn't get signed. The only offers I was getting was from independent labels," Supreme said. The offers not being up to his standards, the 28-year-old rapper went on to research into starting his own label. "It seemed like the most intelligent thing to do considering I didn't want to sell my soul or be told what to do," he stated.

When asked who are his greatest inspirations in the game, Supreme went with two favorites--Tupac and Nas. He claimed that Nas' rhymes were very detailed and Tupac's lyrics had real emotion that he could connect with. He admits that he can't get with the newer rappers out now. "When you're in hip hop, [music] is based on authenticity," Supreme claimed. Which is true. Different artists out now lack the emotion, the realness that artists before them had. I'm writing a paper for my media class on that now BUT that's a story for another time LOL. Supreme feels like he could see a lot of rappers in the game right now, and that pushes him to keep going. He's inspired to make it from "seeing guys not as skilled as me have more." Listen to some of his music below! Does he stand a chance in the industry right now?




I gotta say, I've done not a lot, but quite a few, spotlights on upcoming artists, all of which have amazing talent. But this dude right here? His flow and lyrics FLOORED me. Everybody got their own tastes so you may not agree, but after watching this video below I was hooked!

"Show Me What You Got Freestyle"-Supreme General


I admire his flow and his boldness. Yall think he could make it? I say yeah. Be sure to check out on his website and Twitter, as well as iTunes and ReverbNation.

PEACE.

9:22:00 AM