21
Oct
09

Cassandra Renee//PRO Makeup Artist

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Cassandra-Renee believes that true beauty, stems from a place of authenticity deep within the soul.  Her unique “second-nature” for producing healthy looking skin, defines her as a makeup artist. She is an artist with a flare for the inner glow.

 

 Her makeup formulas [for prominent fashion designers, performing artists, magazine layouts, professional headshots, supermodels, music videos and international magazines] have greatly impacted and contributed to our day’s industry standard.

 

“Ms. Renee is a pleasure to work with.” – Q Tip.

 “She is a delight.” – Mikola Taminzic/Page Six Magazine.

 “Cassandra catches things that I miss, and I love that.” – Juelz Santana.

 

Her specialties: Natural/clean makeup for high definition (HD); makeup for all skin tones/ethnicities; beauty makeup for headshots and photoshoots; makeup for fashion shows and designer lines; makeup for bands (i.e. music videos, photo shoots and live shows); character makeup (e.g. geishas, barbies, ethnicity and gender transformations, etc.); body painting/designing; temporary tattoos; bruise, scar and scratch application or concealment.

 

For information on her services, contact Hana Associates PR directly, or visit www.dripbook.com/cassandrarenee .

 

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17
Sep
09

Bitter Sweet

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Bitter Sweet is a plethora of vivid, urban short stories that leave nothing to the imagination. From the first to the last story, author Clifford Brown will abduct you and hold you hostage to the drama. Brown taps into his sub-conscious and feminine ego to authenticate the human experience of love and sexuality, while maintaining his masculine point of view.

Brooklyn native, C. Brown, is the type of author who is not afraid to venture into realms of existence that most people dare not go. He is skilled in the intricacies of the contemporary, human condition and lends credibility to his fictional stories with the depth of reality that exists in each of us. Readers will identify with one of his many works, if not all.

 

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04
Sep
09

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2

Hip-Hop Legend Raekwon the Chef, celebrates the release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, at Santos with “Diddy.”

New York, NY – August 25, 2009 – fans and friends of Raekwon the Chef will gather on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at Santos Party House, to celebrate the release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II.  Sean “Diddy“ Combs will host this long awaited event, and HOT 97’s morning personality Peter Rosenberg and DJ Kid Capri, will be on the wheels. 

 The album release party [presented by Ice H20 Records and Littles] is expected to be one of those legendary moments in New York City Hip-Hop history.  Easily considered one of the most influential Hip-Hop albums of it’s time, Raekwon’s 1995 smash solo project “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx” remains at the top of every Hip-Hop “Best of” list.  After a brief recording hiatus and years on the road as both solo artist and member of the ground breaking Wu-Tang Clan, “The Chef” will release his new album on September 8th on his Ice H2O Record label.

Raekwon says of the project, “I’m excited; this is a true evolution from where we began. I’m also overwhelmed by the love and support that I’ve received. My long time friend and Hip-Hop veteran, Diddy reached out to offer his support and agreed to host the event. All of the artists involved, extended themselves for the release of my long-awaited album because we all feel Hip-Hop as a whole, is in need of unity. Magazines are closing; online storefronts are struggling because music sales are down. It’s time for Vets like myself to set the trend and strengthen the lane. Dinosaurs like myself are supposed to create the blue print for the new breed to follow.”

The cast of attendees include Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Lyfe Jennings, Talib Kweli, Beanie Siegel, Ghostface and Slick Rick. The stars will align and converge on the hottest red carpet of the summer. Invited guests include: Kanye West, Fabolous, Jay Z, Swizz Beats, Naughty By Nature, Ice T & Coco, Anthony Anderson, Felicia “Snoop” Pearson, and many more.

For additional information, media inquiries or to RSVP your celebrity clients, email RSVP@trioent.com or nakia.hicks@gmail.com.

Event location: Santos Party House, 96 Lafayette St. New York, NY 10013

Media Check In: 6pm. Red Carpet: 8pm

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04
Sep
09

The Most Fashionlanthropic Industry Event of The Year

Fashion Preservation:Luxe

Press RSVP to  pressRSVP@jarluxe.org
 
For Immediate Release
 
(New York, NY) Tuesday, September 15th 2009 JarLuxe Foundation hosts Fashion Preservation:Luxe during NY Fashion Week: a high profile cocktail reception and fundraising benefit providing business academic programs and scholarships for aspiring minority youth. JarLuxe debuts the Luxury Fashionlanthropist Award (LFA), presented to a highly distinguished Fashion Designer who immeasurably gives in the arena of Charity in front of over 600 of Luxury Fashion’s industry executives, millionaires and celebrities. The LFA Award, designed by UK Diamond Designer Amosu (Luxury Product Designer of Bentley, the Oscars, Canon, and recently- the World’s Most Expensive Diamond Suit), will be presented. 
 
JarLuxe is proud to announce the Honoree of the event: Maggie Norris with the Luxury Fashionlanthropist Award. A former Director at Ralph Lauren, Maggie Norris has elegantly draped socialites Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn, Kiera Chaplin, and recently, First Lady Michelle Obama. Maggie is a current board member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and supports numerous charities including Dressed to Kilt, Fight Against Cancer, Design Cares, and Operation Smile.
 
Fashion Preservation will be hosted by international supermodel, Debbie Dickinson. A Couture Presentation will include Jaslene Gonzalez from America’s Next Top Model, Elite Agency models and socialites. Special musical performance by solo artist Josh Charles (a collaborator with Wynton Marsalis and Tony Bennett), who will be performing the hit song “Healing Time” that’s been featured on CNN, Fox, CBS, & NBC. The VIP reception is an opportunity for the echelon to interact with the Honoree, celebs, and media’s elite.
 
Fashion Preservation is one of the most Fashionlanthropic industry events of the year, and as the pioneer of its kind – the most highly distinct accolade in luxury Fashionlanthropic history. This Fall, $16,000 in fashion academic scholarships will be given to underprivileged minorities attending LIM College. This reception serves to reinforce an elite fashion executives’ success, and also to motivate others to deliver service to a very high standard. By celebrating the best, the LFA Award reception encourages the Luxury & Designer Fashion industry to constantly raise its standards in all of its executions.
 
Jarluxe’s mission is to serve as a reputable resource in support of minority youth with educational expertise by increasing opportunity for future fashion executive careers. Students involved with JarLuxe Foundation represent Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (LIM), Pratt Institute, Parsons the New School for Design, and the School of Art Institute of Chicago. JarLuxe Foundation will constantly work with the New York Department of Education’s high schools and the luxury fashion industry to facilitate impacting events and conferences.
 
For more information, please visit www.jarluxe.org
 
 
6:00pm: Doors Open
 7:00-7:45pm Press Op:  Elite Press Only.
Press Registrants  submit editorial contact information to pressRSVP@jarluxe.org   for further instructions.
Press Pre-Approval Required:  RSVP Deadline Friday, September 11, 2009
 
8:00pm Honoree Program 
 
For Detailed Information on Fashion Preservation: Luxe visit http://www.jarluxe.org/luxecharity.html

04
Sep
09

Model Employees

STAFFING 911

dosEmploys professional models, who are represented by top agencies around the world. Their models work as doormen, cocktail servers, bartenders, butlers and other unique positions customized to meet your needs. Their staff stands out and adds to the ambiance of any size event.

Their client roster includes ambassadors, fashion icons and large coperate entities, as well as the world’s most prestigious brands including Prada, Miu Miu, Martha Stewart, Harry Winston and Jil Sander.

 

The 911 staff has a strong work ethic, sharp attention to detail and friendly personality to make your event truly memorable for clients and guests.

Whether it’s a cocktail party, launch party, after party or celebatory party of any form… Staffing 911 is the perfect solution.

Contact Staffing 911 directly at:

Office: 646-964-6472 Ext. 718
Fax: 866-652-7205
email: hauke@mintstaffing911.com
Website: www.mintstaffing911.com

References:

Heather Kirkland at Martha Stewart – HKirkland@marthastewart.com
Hannah Soule at Bloomingdales – Hannah.Soule@bloomingdales.com
Brenda Welch at Takashimaya – bwelch@takashimaya-ny.com
Alexandra at Tastings by Payard – alexandra@tastingsnyc.com

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16
Jan
09

AKUA TAYLOR

 

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“Akua” means precious messenger and is a name given to girls born on Wednesday in Ghana, West Africa.  Akua Taylor was born in Milwaukee, WI and was raised with Midwest values: She is opinionated, outspoken and regal. 

Akua is the daughter of retired news anchorman Bill Taylor.  Before reporting for almost 30 years at WTMJ4, Bill Taylor was a disk jockey.  He had a basement full of classic soul records, a sound system to match, and frequent get-togethers that were legendary.  Bill instilled the love of music in his children - the fundamentals of which stuck with Akua. 

Classically trained in piano and vocally rooted in choral music, Akua set her sights on Fisk University in Nashville, TN to be one of the world’s renowned Jubilee Singers.  Not only did she sing with the group, but she also reigned as Miss Fisk University 2004-2005. 

Between classes, Akua wrote, recorded and produced her first album “Reach Higher,” selling it out of her dorm room, bookstores and everywhere she traveled.  She promoted independent music on her campus radio show and performed regularly with area bands.  Upon graduating Magna cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Akua recorded her EP “Just Tryin’ to Live,” and moved to New York to pursue her music and acting career full time.   

It officially began for Akua at the Food 4 Thought Café in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.  She sang at a “Liberation Friday” open-mic night and was enthusiastically embraced by the community.  She has since performed at AIDS Walk 2008 in Central Park, and has opened for Emily King, Brand Nubian and M1 of Dead Prez. 

Precious Messenger Productions - an appropriate name for her company - houses all creations of the singer, actress, dancer, songwriter, playwright, composer and motivational speaker.    

People say she is refreshing, a breath of fresh air because she embodies manners that seem almost extinct with today’s youth.  Many are amazed to see a young lady embrace her African culture so earnestly.  Akua says, “I wear my heritage like it’s going out of style; it’s up to us to keep who we are alive.”

For information on this artist, or to hear her music, visit www.myspace.com/akuataylor and www.akuataylor.com

19
Sep
08

JOE DROPS “NEW MAN” 9/23/08

Seven-time Grammy Award nominated R&B legend, Joe, is back. The multi-platinum selling crooner is set to release his seventh album, Joe Thomas, New Man on September 23 on Kedar Entertainment Group/563 Entertainment.

Over the course of Joe’s 15-year career, he has released nine top-ten singles on Billboard and R&B charts.  His new single, “E.R. (Emergency Room),” is already shooting up the charts.
Hana speaks candidly with Joe about his career journey.

Q) How do you marry the right music to the right lyrics?
A) I go with a feeling… a vibe.  Executive decisions usually determine which records get pushed. I definitely write my records and a lot of it comes from within.  It’s also about having the right team; I went from a major label to an indie, and picked an impeccable team.

Q) What’s your most successful album to date?
A) Success for me is having an album that’s so good, the fans are eager for the next one – such as was the case with my first album, Everything.

Q) You incorporated hip hop into your 2007 album Aint Nothin Like Me unlike past projects. Why?
A) The rap world has been a part of my whole life. I was a fan of Erik B and Rakim. People like Nas wouldn’t be on a record unless he could feel the essence of what I was doing.  It was a pleasure working with all the artists that came to the table to be apart of this project; there was a respect there that only exists with a certain caliber.

Q) As an R&B artist, what’s your opinion of what an ideal woman is, and what’s your opinion of what a man should be to that woman?
A) It’s a lot of things: I look at my family, how we were raised, how difficult things were. I respect someone who can look at my story and be inspired, and know that my life is incredible and respect my grind. I hustled, took the back seat at times when I should have rode the front. I respect women who can see what the end result will be.
A man’s role to that woman is to provide security, be reliable and trustworthy. A woman doesn’t want a thug, but she doesn’t want a punk either.

Q) For all the romantics out there, what’s your current relationship status?
A) I’m solo, taking my time with life and taking things as they come. If it’s right, then it’s right.

Q) What are your upcoming projects?
A) Aside from the new album releasing September 23rd, I just signed my family to a gospel album scheduled for release next year.

Q) All artists have a signature sound and style. What’s yours?
A) I’m classic. It’s about making something that will last for a long time, and that young and old folks can listen to. It’s important that people get a feel for who I am, so I keep it as honest as possible – and show respect. You can be nice and cool at the same time; you don’t have to be one of these artists that get into the industry and act like they’re too good to talk to people. Treat people the way you want to be treated, that’s the golden rule.

12
Aug
08

OUT THE BOX

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Dayton, Ohio emcees Thrill Nova and Flamboyant embody the aura of a city rich with art and innovation. Ohio has been home to such legends as Paul Lawrence Dunbar, the soul-funk classics of Gem City Natives, The Ohio Players, Roger Troutman and Zapp.  Drawing from this inspirational blend of artistic talent, Nov and Flam plan to leave a distinct mark on the rap industry.

The duo took hip hop to a professional level three years ago with mixtapes, branching out with DJ Meech – who assisted in building their buzz. DJ Meech along with Big Makk of Syam Productions, and J.R. Exclusive [-J.R. did production for Lil wayne, R. Kelly, The Diplomats and Stack Bundles] contributed their production expertise to Nov and Flam’s project.

Nov classifies the duo’s style as “care free” and wants people to know that it’s cool to do whatever it is that you do; if Nov wants to wake up one day and listen to classical music, The Beatles or the early 90’s, than that’s what he’ll do. He doesn’t cooperate with limitations, and he encourages others to partake of the diversity that exists in the world.

“I’m out the Box,” says Nov. “I watched hip hop grow, so I like to incorporate the diversity that I witnessed growing up, in to our music. I don’t want to be viewed as the artist that just makes club songs, or street songs. I want to do a little of everything.”

Nov and Flam are referring to their upcoming album as the 1903 Project. 1903 was the year aviation was invented by Ohio’s own Wright Brothers. Ohio has been deemed one of the fastest dying cities in America; Nov and Flam have put the city on their backs and intend to revitalize it and give it a stable place on the map once again. This is the duo’s way of paying homage, while giving rise to the re-birth of the 1903 Project – the incarnation of greatness and vision.

The 1903 Project is expected to release 2008 – 09. Major distributors and record labels are vying for the opportunity to initiate the new group into the industry, as the mixtape they currently have on the streets, Flyy is a Way of Life is generating a serious buzz, with tracks fit for success.  This mixtape is downloadable at myspace.com/thrillnova and myspace.com/flamfever, and will be downloadable at datpiff.com and mixtapetorrent.com this fall.

Nova’s word of advice to the masses is “Stay Flyy.”

30
Jul
08

BLACK WATCH PRODUCTIONS: YOUR ONE-STOP

New York-based film and TV company, Black Watch      Productions, is your one-stop, full-service visual communication company, specializing in post-production, graphic design, 3D and 2D animation and much more.  Black Watch Productions – highly innovative and creative visual managers on behalf of their clients – is located in the heart of Manhattan’s downtown Tribeca district, and is among the more cost-effective solutions for your production and post-production needs.

Founded in 1989 under the leadership of Executive Producers John and Monica Anderson, Black Watch Productions has created award-winning commercials, high-end corporate films, documentaries, TV specials, children’s programming and much more.

Their list of distinguished clients include Grey Advertising, Merck, Scholastic Entertainment, Toys R Us, ESPN, Fisher Price Toys, CNN, Pfizer, PLAYMOBIL, Prudential, Chase Manhattan Bank, CBS Sports, Atlantic Records and Endemol Germany.

Black Watch Productions has reliable production contacts in cities across the US, Canada and Mexico, as well as throughout Europe, Asia and South America.

As an international service provider, they make sure their production team speaks the language of their clients, literally and figuratively; their personnel are fluent in German, Spanish, Italian and Swedish, among others.

Please consider them to be your partners in production. Whether you are in need of support
nationally or internationally, feel free to contact them through info@hanaassociates.com.

Check out a link to their latest work-

http://www.blackwatchproductions.com/cms/index.php

15
Jul
08

CHANI CHRISTIE’S DREAM

Talent runs in the Chrystie family. Just ask Chani Christie, daughter of power couple Doug and Jackie Chrystie (Doug – a Former NBA player for the LA lakers and Sacramento Kings, and Jackie – a former runway model) produced an entertainment mogul in the making.

Chani is versed in dancing, modeling, singing and rapping, but is passionate about her music career. Having gotten started only a year ago, the 15 – year – old is already making headlines.  She officially kicked off her career working alongside producers DJ Black, The Major and multi-faceted musician, Bobby Tinsley [label-mate and producer]. She considers her self a mini version of MC Lyte and female T.I.
While Chani has embraced her musical side, her mother Jackie steered her in the modeling direction early on; when she was just five, she booked her first Macy’s commercial, and went on to do work for M & Ms and other major brands. Chani was born for a career in the spotlight.
There are many components to Chani’s musical persona and she effortlessly combines them all to produce a uniform, yet multi-dimensional presentation of her self. All of this with a mean stride for any stage she performs on – be it the catwalk or at Madison Square Garden with other music legends!
The track titled “Who Is That?” off her My Dream album, was inspired by her producer Bobby Tinsley, who noticed the recognition that followed Chani wherever she went. Chani imagines her parents have assisted to some degree, in this recognition as they are highly scrutinized figures in the media. But collectively speaking, the general consensus when it comes to Chani is one of curiosity because of her in-born relationship to the industry and natural mystique as an artist.
Chani looks up to Andre 3000, Eryka Badu, Luther Vandross, Allycia Keys, Kanye West and Chris Brown. While she appreciates their contributions to music, she has honed her own style [with the assistance of singing coach Nick Cooper, who also works with Jordyn Taylor and Beyonce], taking the best elements of their artistry to expound on her individualism. After all, a good artist might attempt to sound like the musicians they admire, but those with true talent adapt the best materials from them to build their own empire, thus Chani.
Rapping, singing and modeling are all synonymous with Chani’s success, and at her impressionable age, she’s always watching and absorbing to learn and further personify her artistry.
Chani made her debut appearance with Atlanta rap group, Small Change on BET with their track “Don’t Be Shy.” She didn’t know what to think when she saw her self on tv for the fist time: She said “It’s on!” Their video will air on BET’s top-ten.
In upcoming months, Chani will embark on her radio tour in select cities throughout the US promoting her album. She has never been on tour and is looking forward to it.
The album was released through indie label Jean Rah Fyah Records, and is available for download at www.myspace.com/myshani. The first single “Here We Are Again” is on Amazon.com and ITunes under the album “My Dream.”
Chani says of the album title that, “Everybody has a dream of what they want to do, so I thought it was really fitting to call it that, because it’s my story, and I’m so thankful to everyone that was on board to support me – from make up artists, stylists, photographers, producers, friends and family.”
Remember the name Chani, it’l be big. Soon.
Get more info on this artist at chantalchristie.com