Nile Style: More than your expected Barbershop & Business Experience
By Mercedez McIntyre
Interview Conducted by Ai Brown
The C.E.O of Nile Style Barbershop, Shanile Shakoor, in an interview reveals how he lived with a lie that he told daily by his positive reply when asked if he feels good to have his own personal business. The one out of six children grew up in Jersey City and described himself as a natural born leader following a verdict from his mom sequel to his leading roles in academic, performances and play.
Nile Style Barbershop: 6622 Harford Rd #1 Baltimore, MD Credit: Distinct Eye Photography
Shanile started his entrepreneurial career as a youngster selling kool-aid which was fueled by the entrepreneurial mindset of people around him and further lead to the entrepreneurship concept instilled in him. The inception of his business was surrounded by challenges but with commitment, sacrifice and focus, the Nile Style boss believes that its erstwhile reply was no more a lie.
When asked about how he financed his dreams, Shanile explained that he did a research on how much capital is required of him. He revealed that he had saved a lot of money, tried to curb his spending and still got a loan from his parents which he has never missed a payment for the first 18 months which have helped him live a credit healthy life.
C.E.O of Nile Style Barbershop, Shanile Shakoor
The Nile style boss revealed that his biggest risk was leaving a huge client at a shop where he was working considering the consequences which actually paid off for him. He further disclosed that he starts his day with prayer and when asked how he balanced love and business, he replied that he considers himself romantic enough to include his wife in his business dealings but confessed that his hardest part was staying attentive. “I am learning to be more present/ in the moment,” he says. He advises upcoming and current entrepreneurs to stay focused and guard their energy from distractions. Shanile currently plans to have a gathering of men on a monthly basis in 2017 to discuss daily issues as part of his authentic manhood series on how to reject passivity.
Be sure to head down to “Nile Style” for a new barbershop experience of class & relaxation the next time you are in the Baltimore/ Maryland area!
Nile Style Barbershop:
6622 Harford Rd #1
Baltimore, Md 21214
(410) 444-9411
Credit: Distinct Eye Photography
Speak Your Mind: Sekani
Artist: Sekani Brghtn
Music has changed so much over the years, but does it still have the same impact as it did in the generations before us? Of course NOT! Born in St.Ann, Jamaica and raised in Portmore, Jamaica, artist like Sekani is proof that Hip Hop is still very alive and relevant. Sekani makes the type of music that gives you something to relate to but it can also stimulate your mental.
We asked the rising artist to inform us on how his childhood has influenced his passion for music, and he stated the following:
"As a child, growing up I witnessed all of the different sides that life had to offer, the good and the bad. It all played an essential role in my passion for music but I would not realize this until my teenage years. High school was the main factor that officially awakened the inner passion for music, I would skip classes with my brother and his friends just to write."
The passion drives the hunger, the music is survival and the form of an intelligent movement based off of the relationship that an artist has with their surroundings. When all you can think about is creating, we tend to be more persistent in building connections with like minded individuals.
Sekani was also asked what his largest challenge was as a growing artist and he gave the most honest answer possible:
"My largest challenge would have to be finding the optimal individuals to work with towards furthering my craft to the level I know it can be."
The art scene has a very supportive group of individuals and there is always an event to attend. With Open Mic and shows a few times a week it seems like things could get a little costly for any artist. Not to mention studio sessions, traveling back and forth, promo and advertising, etc. We were interested in how Sekani manages to fund his dreams and the response was:
"Terribly I might add, it's hard funding a craft with little to no money at times. Friends play a large role into helping me fund my dreams to be honest. Luckily, I've met friends whose dreams actually run linear to mine so we help each other out where we can."
Friends can play a major role in an artists growth and so can the support of a significant other. Some say that it's a little difficult to date an artist because at times their spouse tends to feel like they're second best. So Sekani was asked if there was anyone special in his life and if so, how does he manage love and business?
"I actually do have someone and she's one of the main driving factors that helps me towards my goal, a pillar I might add. It's kind of difficult to balance the two, in senses where I might tend to drift away when dealing with one or the other but at the end of the day we both know where we stand in the boat. She's at most times at all my events supporting in the crowd so I'd say managing can be both difficult and easy as long as there is common ground."
There's something very unique about Sekani and we are looking forward to hearing more from this artist. While some of his latest tracks can be found on SoundCloud and YouTube, Sekani is currently working on not one, but three different projects! The first project to be released is titled "Fragmented", with another project in the works, he will also be announcing the initial release of his first LP!
Website: http://sincerelysekani.com
Music Links: https://soundcloud.com/sekaneye
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mCjvMbqErHc (compilation of performances)
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/sekaneye/
Artist to Watch Dev Dapree
Dev Dapree was born in Florida and moved to Washington DC at the age of eight. She was quickly attracted to the go-go music she commonly heard and learned to incorporate its style with her southern roots that were founded on soul blended with Hip-Hop. Being a southern kid growing up in DC and Maryland help create a unique style along with life experiences.
Dev Dapree
Her approach to the game comes with wordplay, a lyrical foundation and soulful roots attached. Music has always been where the heart is for Dev and she loves to inspire a crowd.
Dev Dapree began her study of music at Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts where she saw her craft from a different perception and used those teachings to better herself. Her curiosity grew as she learned that music itself was its own language and broad in style. Dev began recording in 2005 and has continued to try to spread her music to the world.
*Check out her featured music on our website*
Official Website : www.devdapree.com
Youtube : www.youtube.com/devdapree
Soundcloud : www.soundcloud.com/devdapree
Speak Your Mind: Kevin Icon Ben
By: Roosevelt Andlove
Kevin Icon Ben
With a humble understanding that God is the Alpha & Omega. He has named himself as an indication of his talent.
Although, artist Kevin Ben, aka, Icon Tha God, is very tangible, physically anyway. Hailing from the West Baltimore neighbor of Lexington Terrace, Icon has carved a niche out in the Baltimore rap scene, being declared as one, if not the best, emcee’s around.
Surprisingly, Icon attributes his love to rap by one of Wu-Tang’s members Method Man. He had, “…not a lot of emotion, but still this raw person…,” Icon states. Hoping to carry the unavoidable bravado that Method Man achieved, Icon still looks to him as a mentor of sorts.
Traveling around the art scene in Baltimore you can see how popularity doesn’t mean skill, and as Icon proclaims, “…being a Baltimore artist, you’re overshadowed by the trap rappers, the gangster rappers, the party hip hoppers…. So for me to be different in a town where there’s so many clones and I don’t have the recognition that these guys have, I have to step outside the box…”
More than a rapper, Icon has founded a graphic design and production group within the conglomerate Mass Natives, and with money in short supply for artists, having multiple backgrounds is the way to fund yourself, and as Icon states, “…you gotta grind..”
It goes without saying that Icon is destined for greatness, so I asked, “After everything was said and done, and you can look back on your career and feel accomplished, what word would you want to be used to describe yourself?” And as quickly as I asked, he answered, “Under Rated.”
God is underrated.
If you don’t already, follow Icon on all social media platforms @IconThaGod, and check out UnderRated 2 which features Icon, alongside some very talented local artists.
Fix Baltimore: Urban Farming & City Rejuvenation!
Our community highlight feature this issue goes to #FixBaltimore. An organization that has not only helped with repairing the beauty to Baltimore city but hands on teaching the community. Fix Baltimore is an urban community empowerment group. Specializing in community program development through group activities that yield immediate results. On August 29, 2016 members Maurice Ashby and Keith Cooper took their efforts to make Fix Baltimore not only a community project but official enterprise. From creating community gardens to teaching how to grow your own food. Lead by passionate young men and women Fix Baltimore has opened our eyes to a new form of change. Fix Baltimore has not only shown us what entrepreneurship looks like but how to be self-reliant. Urban Freedom Magazine is excited for what’s to come! Be sure to follow our Journey with assisting Fix Baltimore in the year of 2017!
If you would like to assist as well please find all contact information below.
(443) 961-7FIX
208 South Pulaski St.
Baltimore, MD 21223
The Merge: "Walking my Path" Web Series Creators Larry Harris & Michael Wiggins
Larry Harris & Michael Wiggins “Walking My Path” Series
Walking My Path web series founders, Mike and Larry share their voice in an interview revealing how this merger began. They both met each other at a point where they needed each other; Larry was writing a book and Mike was already an author and that meeting sprung up the Web-series-walking my path. Their drive was to show and expose that African American gay men are living and along the line, they both found out they were walking the path and it popped up. Mike and Larry, who were raised by their respective grandmothers who fought for them to have the best outcome in life no matter their start. With this foundation, they both revealed that their only anxiety with the series is exposing themselves completely as this series is not scripted. On the same note, they are both excited for the amount of liberation that will ensue by being openly candid for the advancement of sincere success.
Larry Harris
A quick peep on business budgeting revealed that Mike is a free spirit spender while Larry is more of a financial adviser thereby creating a balance. Since Mike knows what is needed and Larry makes sure it is around the budget the two are not opposites but a balance. Their lifestyle is seen to be a real show of what it is with no aorta of pretense as they both aim for their success and not for fame. Their idea of no boss when working collectively greatly depicts the relevance of great communication between both parties. Both young men stated when choosing your entrepreneur partner its vital to choose someone who has similar visions of drive and creativity. Both being ambitious they flow well. They use their ideas to create instead of dispute! It is draining to be with people that don't know how to build your dream but instead pull down. There is NO BOSS when working collectively. That is where ego comes into play. There dynamic harmony was clearly seen as I conducted their interview. With such a great flow we ended up talking long over our scheduled time enjoyably.
Michael Riggins
As this is our Black Love incorporated issue we had to delve deeper. Mike with a bursting personality has elegantly explained he is open and ready for love although single. With great focus he puts a huge emphasis on timing and being whole within himself. Larry also giving a beautiful perspective of his own, shared he Larry is married, with a supportive husband having known each other 10 years before they tied the knot together. Larry shared that the key to his marriage is that him his husband set the ground for a strong foundation that gives them both the support they need with each other. Along with maintaining the importance of still dating long after the wedding bells ring.
With the arrival of 2017 Mike his current book “Reflections of Me” his first memoir on Amazon. Larry has just finished a book called “The Mask” where he touched subjects he never wanted anyone to know. (Find More Information in our Support Black Owned Media section)
Mike and Larry enjoin other entrepreneurs to work with people who have similar visions and creativity seeing it as their own strength.
Advice:
Mike: “Walk Your Own Path! Put in the work no matter how hard it gets. If you can't do it on your own, find a friend with a similar vision. What is the point of just talking about it.
Larry: “A lot of people look for validation in other people which stops them from their dreams. YOU MUST BELIEVE IN YOURSELF otherwise who else can. Your dream can’t be built on if people like you or your work otherwise you have nothing. You have to be ready for a hundred no's and know all it takes is that one yes. Help is great but never being dependent upon anyone making your dream come true. When you get that one yes build on it!! Do it for your passion not instant gratification!”
Slogan:
#YouWillKnowMyName
Contact Info:
MichaelGWiggins.com Walking my Path 2017 on youtube.
@MikeGWiggins Twitter and Instagram.
Larry: IG: @ariesforlife twitter