Lovelace Magazine™

natural beauty ft. natural beauty.

model: Tiara Marie (tiara.mariee on instagram)

It’s 2019, and you’ve been waiting months and months for the Lion King remake to arrive in theaters. You and your friends go to see a live action remake of one of your favorite animated movies. You go into the movie excited, and then the next thing you know you leave just disappointed. But how? The original lion king was so good, and this remake was essentially shot for shot, not changing much of the story. So why did this one feel so dull? Well the answer is just plain and simple. The freedom and power of animation over live action. The Lion King (2019) is an amazing spectacle, showing just how far technology and CGI in movies has become, but still it just doesn’t have that same energy, vibrance and heart that the original had. 

Now this is not a direct attack on the Lion King (2019), but rather just a perfect example of why traditional animation can easily top live action in terms of vibrance and emotion. When you compare key scenes from both the Lion King movies, it’s so easy to see how animation takes the easy victory. Just look at Mufasa’s death scene. The 1994 version had kids crying their eyes out, begging their parents to take them home. So how did the 2019 version fair? Well, let’s just say that a death as impactful as Mufasa’s shouldn’t have kids in the audience giggling. This was a scene that was supposed to be impactful and emotional, but yet it just ended up dryer than a pair of lips in the winter. The fact that the lion’s facial expressions didn’t change, hurt the emotional depth of the scene. When Scar said his famous line “Long live the king!” in the live action version, it just didn’t hit me like it did in the animated version. The animated version sent chills down my spine, it was like someone was standing behind me saying “Mufasa.” in my ear. (Oooooh say it again!) The voices actors killed it, but it was the expression behind it that made the difference. Scar’s expressionless face in the live action version just made me feel like “Oh no! This is easily the most devious lion I’ve ever seen!”. Sarcasm aside, the animated rendition of this scene had an entirely different feel to it. The other version had me in the theater like “Yo, this dude really about to off his brother, thats crazy..” Now of course, when I first watched the Lion King (1994), I was just a little kid and those words didn’t flow through my head. But now as an adult watching that scene, all I can think of is how devious this animated lion looked. Expressions aside, there was also one other place where animation dashed across the finish line, taking first place over live action. 

Animation has always had this sense of freedom that comes with it. There’s so much you can do with animation since it’s obviously not real. Just look at the musical number “I just can’t wait to be King. Which is easily the best song on the Lion King soundtrack, next to Hakuna Matata of course. Right as Simba slaps his paw on the ground, the whole scene changes color. It’s so vibrant and colorful and it just helps to convey the colorfulness and playfulness of a young Simba. Throughout the musical number Simba goes around singing and dancing with other animals. By the end of the musical number he gets giraffes, elephants, zebras and all these different animals to work together to create an animal mountain where he stands on top. Not only does this symbolize Simba’s future dominance over the pridelands, but it makes for a beautiful musical number the lends itself to infinite rewatches. So once again we ask, how does the live action version fare? Spoiler alert… Not that well. The colors don’t even change for the musical number. Rather having Simba play around in his colorful surroundings, the live action movies just had him running around. If I wanted to see a lion cub running around, I would have just went to the zoo, for free. Besides the point, animation clearly wins here again. Not only does the animation allow for the animals to express themselves, but it allows for the backgrounds to really pop. The animation allows for all the vibrant colors of the sunset to dance off the screen, and while the live action movie does contain beautiful imagery of nature and the sunset, it pales in comparison to the power and beauty of animation. 

Both films have aspects that make them unique in their own way. But animation just seems to present so many more advantages to live action. It’s fluidity, and freedom allows animation to trespass the realms of reality and create worlds that are not only colorful and vibrant but expressive as well.

Max Goof and Cptn. Swim came together to create The Color Palette EP, which released this past summer but serves as the perfect soundtrack for any season. This set of four songs almost go by too quickly for my liking - hence why its been on repeat. The EP was extremely well produced, shoutout to Cptn. Swim for keeping it fun and creative. I know it sounds cliche, but the whole EP was definitely a vibe! 

The cover art is just as amazing as the EP itself - shoutout to Briana for being the model and designer! Everything about this EP is so well put together and I am sure its going to be the vibe for many summers to come. Check it out here!

Wanna Keep Up? I Know. 

IG: maxgoof3

 IG: cptnswim

Karly Driftwood is building quite the buzz on her debut country album titled Too Mean to Die. Karly has a fire and fight in her music that can be felt in every song. The country artist, representing Nashville, Tennessee by the way of Richmond Virginia, adds a twist to the genre by incorporating mature and funny realness into her lyrics. 

"Too Mean to Die is a country record that’s scarred, jagged like shards of a broken beer bottle but also sugary sweet – if your idea of puff pastry is laced with arsenic." - Karly Driftwood  

There are so many elements in this album that make it golden. First would be the sweet, and occasionally melancholy ,voice of Karly that engulfs you in every song, in the best way possible. The album talks about the real, difficult, aspects of life that we usually don’t like to talk about - heartbreak, struggle, perseverance. Songs like Settled For Being Used and Dodged a Bullet tells stories of (all too relatable) relationship drama and triumphs, while songs like Stripped My Way to Nashville gives us a look into the struggle and sacrifice it takes to be on top. You can sense the rock influences throughout her music, making it multi dimensional (which is always a win in my book). Too Mean to Die is an album with songs for everyone and every situation.

Listen to it below!

Spotify

Ricky Righteous, representing Herndon, Virginia and the independent label Pneumahaus Studios, presents us with his latest album. Purple Cloudz is the first album to surface from the independent label, making it a testament for what is to come in the future.

  "The kid is special. He is all about dropping knowledge with all of his songs, doesn't really care if its understood. He says those who get it will understand when listening." - Marcus Cook, Chief Creative Officer

Ricky Righteous is a bold artist whose music is a direct reflect of that. Purple Cloudz is proof that Ricky Righteous has what it takes to keep us entertained and on our toes.

 Purple Cloudz is about channeling your chakras and battling worldly distractions in order to be your best self. I personally loved the album because of the versatility. Along with that, there was incredible lyricism and metaphors to keep you alert. Purple Clouds served as an amazing introduction to the album, using double entendres in order to allude to elevating higher. From the summer day party vibes in Pool Party, to the beautiful piano and chill vibe in Jah, I was truly amazed at how well this album was constructed and executed. The production was wonderful - shout out to all of the beautifully talented producers who created the magic. The album has a great balance and amazing features that tie the project together with a bow on top. This album proves that we need to be on the look out for Ricky Righteous and, if he is an accurate representation of his label, the rest of Pneumahaus Studios.

Find the album here!

Want to keep up with the artist? I know. 

Ricky Righteous:

Twitter

Representing Woodbridge, Virginia, and doing it well, Sakyi released his single and corresponding video titled Cake in May of this year. Just like the song, the cover art is creatively done. Not only is the song fun and refreshing but the video was beautifully executed. Sakyi uses colorful metaphors and playful imagery to paint a vivid picture of the perfect birthday gift, because who doesn’t like cake?

Watch the video below! 

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Introduction

I have had the pleasure of having a one on one talk with rapper and producer known as PlvXid. We discussed his new single, as well as his upcoming album, going solo, working with Noname and more! Lets start off by diving into who PlvXid is behind the music. Born Craig Vincent Jr in Chesapeake, VA, PlvXid (pronounced placid) created a rap persona for himself that directly reflected how he saw himself. Placid means not easily upset, or in other words, easy going. This name carries weight not only in his personal life, but in his music. PlvXid began to explore music with his longtime friend Ryan Luc, as they formed a teen rap group title Dope Kidz in high school. This group really gave PlvXid the platform he needed to truly navigate through music, and encouraged him to begin to make music of his own. With the people close to him encouraging him to release some of his solo projects, PlvXid eventually did go solo as the group gracefully ended. He embarked on what is now his amazing solo career in 2013 with his debut song, Le Capricorn 1.5, produced by Carigamist.

Going Solo

Over the years in music, we have seen our favorite group acts transition to solo careers. Some proved to be wildly successful and some did not. But most times, whether the artist is successful or not, the transition is difficult. Surprisingly, for PlvXid this is not the case. He describes his transition into his solo career as very easy and exciting. It was very convenient as well. 

"We would do sessions at my house so I had all the equipment… I just recorded extra music in my spare time and all my friends liked it."

To add a happy ending to the transition into his solo career, PlvXid and former DopeKidz member, Ryan Luc, remain great friends and continue to make music together.

Working With Noname

Going into his solo career in 2016, it was important for PlvXid to stay on top of his music and make sure that he stayed relevant. His first EP after he decided become a solo artist needed a feature. 

"Instead of using my refund check for paying back my loans like you’re supposed to, I took it and spent it on a feature… I contacted a lot of artists and Noname's manager got back to me first." 

From there, PlvXid sent Noname the song and she loved it enough to grace it with a verse, which you can check out on his song titled Found My Flow. The single soon took flight with over 47k lays on Soundcloud alone.

 "It was a great experience… it took a lot of networking but it was worth it."

New Single: Breathe

Breathe, released on August 1st of this year, is the newest single from PlvXid’s debut solo album, Eastside. 

"Its about loss. Its relatable because its about losing people close to you… Life is so short and we don't even realize it. Embrace every moment.”

The song incorporates the obvious rap elements as well as hidden elements of jazz, r&b and funk. The combination of instrumental elements and lyricism intertwine to create a musical experience that is calming and fulfilling. According to PlvXid, the beat itself is called Exhale. It fits perfectly with the theme of the song and carries the message well. "I hope that people can vibe to it."                                

Eastside

The single Breathe is only a sneak peak of the talent and hard work that will be showcased in his upcoming album, Eastside, set to release in September. I asked PlvXid about his experience creating this album and allowed him to expand on what it means to him. He described the session as very "high energy".

 "It was a lot of staying up late and high energy all the time."

The album itself is meant to tell a story. "Its personal." The east side is where PlvXid is from, therefore its what he relates to. The personal touch on this album is evident. Its been a work in progress for years, simmering until it was just perfect enough for release. That’s what makes this album release so special. It is a large introduction not only as a solo artist, but as a artist with something to say, period. PlvXid describes this album as "in home", meaning that in some ways, it’s a lot deeper than just rapping.

Finding Your Balance

All hardworking artists understand the struggle of balance. Between music, social life and more, it can be hard to stay centered. As stated previously, PlvXid was in college during his Noname feature, and now he works on something other than his music for a living. So the question then becomes, how does he find a balance? According to the artist, a balance between social life and musical aspirations comes easy. 

"My social life revolves around my music." 

PlvXid states that his friends are all in someway involved with his music or they also make their own music. This allows for his music life and social life to be virtually the same thing. The challenge comes when its time to balance work and music. Both a truly full time jobs, but PlvXid is still finding the time in between to buckle down on his passion.

Whats Next?

So whats next from PlvXid? Along with the album dropping next month, collection 4 of his clothing line will be dropping. There will also be more shows, events and music to expect so stay tuned in and be on the look out!

Advice For The Lovelace Family

As always, I asked the artist for some advice because at Lovelace, its all about helping others and constantly pulling each other up. 

"Be yourself in whatever you’re doing… don’t show off. Be level headed and find that perfect balance for yourself. Most importantly, keep the peace, love and creativity."

Keep in touch with the artist, stay up-to-date with upcoming music and events and vibe with PlvXid anytime through his social media!

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Soundcloud

Rashaann & Poetic Junior Release Music Video for Random Thoughts 2

                             📍 Senigallia/Falconara, Italy

Lovelace Magazine featured the alternative rock band, The Groots, sometime last year, but its past due for an update. The band has simmered down to a duo consisting of lead singer, Giorgia Di Feo, and drummer, Luca Saja. After restyling their band, they decided to also restyle their old album Personal Cliches by creating a synth pop version named Electric Cliches. 

“We decided to keep the project alive under the same name and turn The Groots into an electronic pop-rock duo, with synths from the 80’s and samples from cult movies. We spent a year working on the new sound, now we’re finally ready to go live and the aim of this brand new version of our band is to make people dance and have fun at our shows while we play a new kind of music that has always been our “guilty pleasure”. It’s a new chapter and we’re constantly experimenting and challenging ourselves.”

Just as i enjoyed the original band, i thoroughly enjoy this dynamic duo. I love and respect how they consistently stay true to who they are while also taking on new challenges, and reaching new heights. I cant wait to see whats up next for The Groots!

Wanna keep up? I know. 

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Facebook

Twitter 

                                                      📍 South Florida

Artist Bio:   Cameron Dietz is a singer, songwriter, and producer from South Florida. Often, but not limited to writing about heart break or relationships in general, Cam is normally no holds barred about letting out his emotions through lyrics and smooth, soul vocals on all of his own productions. His mellow tone mixed with catchy melodies and word play is the perfect combination of Pop and R&B. He has been featured on radio stations. He has also been featured in various music magazines and blogs.

Cameron Dietz, kicked off the Valentine's Day weekend with a new single titled, Goals. Goals is an upbeat, uplifting song about love, self-worth, and hope.

 "I really wanted to release my first single of the year on a special occasion or holiday. Valentine's Day couldn't have been more perfect for a song like this."

Goals is likely to be a track featured on Cameron Dietz's upcoming EP, Lake Destiny, which is set to be released mid 2019.

“ Goals will definitely have you on your feet and singing along. The lyrics are relatable and will resonate with music fans across the globe. Cameron Dietz is back in the studio writing and recording songs for his upcoming EP, Lake Destiny. Cameron Dietz is also planning to tour soon. 2019 is sure to be a huge year for Cam Deezy.”

I enjoyed this song because not only does it have an energetic and upbeat feel, but it gives me a breath of fresh air. Although this is originally a Valentine’s Day release, i think it can organically slide into our summer playlists! Be sure to check out the artist and stay tuned for his new EP!

Wanna keep up? I know.

by J. Geronimo

Okay, so it wasn’t a letter, it was most definitely an unsolicited comment on a relatives Facebook status. But now that we’re passed how washed I am, I invite you to try on this mental model for just a moment. Remember, this is not to be taken literally. The function of a mental model is not to change the facts. Instead, a mental model is designed to change the way you see the facts, which can make a world of a difference should you choose to use it.

If you find that it fits you well, it is yours wear like shining armor should you ever find yourself battling depression—whether it’s your depression or that of a loved one.

. . .

Dear Loved One,

I try to think of it like this, there are different levels of mind state that we exist in throughout out the days, months, years, etc. Think of the [mind] states like radio stations.  When you're in a high state, the creativity flows, you want nothing but the best for those around you, generosity is like your first language, you see all the opportunity that other people are blind to, you're more proactive, etc. In this state, you hear all your favorite songs. The songs that sing life into you, make you feel love and power and all of those positive emotions. When you're in the lowest of states, like depression, you're tuned into a different frequency. People might try to speak logic and love into you, but you can't receive that because they're coming from a higher frequency. Sometimes what they say will sound like judgement and criticism because even though you can literally hear their words, emotionally you aren't receptive to them. It's like being tuned into the country station trying to hear the latest Trap record being played on HOT 97.  The quality of a depressed persons thoughts are LOW because while they're TUNED into that LOW state, they can only produce pessimism, isolation, regret, shame, guilt, hopelessness, etc. The things that they say and think will form LOW beliefs. And because they BELIEVE low things, they will unconsciously LOOK FOR (AND FIND) reasons to keep believing these self-destructive things.  It sucks because you can give them sure-fire ways to improve their physiology, which will improve their emotion, which will improve their thinking, which will solidify more empowering and liberating beliefs, which will reinforce their emotions again, but they may not receive it at first. They may not receive it for a long time. And that'll frustrate you, you'll take it personal sometimes, and it can also discourage you--especially if you love this person--but you have to remember you're dealing with a person who is trapped in their own emotional bubble and they simply can't pick up the positive emotion signals that life and loved ones are trying to send them. All you can do is be present and treat them, not like a depressed person, but like their best self. Like the version of them that you love the most. You'll want to guard your own energy and not be pulled down by them. Best way not to be affected by someone else's energy is to forgive. Forgive constantly. To a level that seems irrational. The low-quality thoughts they think and behaviors they execute at times are not true to the person, those behaviors are simply qualities of the STATE that's consuming them.  Look past their behaviors at who they are at their core.

https://youtu.be/-uK1PxoMa54

Manassas, VA

Fresh off of his newly released projected, "(This Is A Cry For Help)," rapper / producer Ceo reflects on the process of creating such a sonically and thematically strong work of art. The production is so polished, the story is so cinematic, and the technical level lyricism is so precise, one can easily forget that one man single-handedly crafted both the music AND the monologue.

   Ceo uses vulnerability as his vehicle, driving directly into the heart of listeners who may—at times—feel as if their cries for help fall on deaf ears. Listeners can hear Ceo’s “(This Is A Cry For Help)” on all streaming platforms. (See link below)

   Interview was conducted by Geronimo at the “Beware The Ides of March” event presented by Lovelace Magazine at the CVL store in Manassas, VA on March 15, 2019.

This Is A Cry For Help (Link): https://linktr.ee/canteveroutdo

https://youtu.be/HlVmeS7Q7qM

Manassas, VA

Beware The Ides of March, the latest in Lovelace Magazine’s string of live events, was a vibrant celebration of music and creativity in general. On the stage and off, there were many talents in attendance. In this interview, Geronimo chops it up with Rex McKinnis, a content creator whose portfolio is diverse to say the least. The perspective given is as raw as it is thoughtful, touching on mental health on the individual level and on the NoVA seen as a whole on the macro level.