Model Life: "The Stoop Sessions: Part 1"

Her name is Saliyah Itoka. She was born and raised in Queens, NY but is currently living in Albany, NY.

She's been singing since she was really little. But she didn't start taking her music career seriously until January 2015 when she also started modeling.

She's been writing since she was 11 years old. Her creative passions come from working with other artists, sharing in their positive energy and learning from them. She has collaborated with other singers and rappers on her project and is very excited to hear the results. Her current project is in the works and the name that she's chosen for it is "The Stoop Sessions: Part I". She's inspired by singers from the 90's such as Aaliyah, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Toni Braxton, Anita Baker, Tank, Rihanna, Brandy, Whitney Houston, Drake, and The Weeknd. In full light she wanted to create a project that represented her on all levels. 

 One of her favorite songs on her new project is called "Loving You". It has a Tevin Campbell sample and has that feel good vibe that she loves about R&B. 

She's done 8 shows since she started her music career. But her most memorable experience as an Artist was her very first showcase because it was the first time she had ever performed her original music. She was nervous but it felt good knowing that people really liked what they heard. As a model she performed at the February 2015 Atlantic City Fashion Week. It gave her that boost of confidence that she needed to confirm that she was runway model material.

Future Events of Music and Modeling

Right now, her debut project is in the works. She is working really hard to complete it and make it perfect. In her modeling career, she just finished a show during NYFW and she's just grinding and pushing for the next show and next casting. As far as the future she just wants to continue to pursue what she loves to do and prove her doubters wrong.

For Booking and Features

For both music and modeling contact her at: saliyahitoka@gmail.com 

Facebook and Instagram: Saliyah Itoka and Instagram is: saliyah_itoka. 

FireWater: "Swisher full of Gunsmoke"

They call him FireWater... 

He was born and raised in Decatur, IL. That's right smack in the middle of the Midwest. 

He considers himself to be both an Emcee and a Lyricist for the simple fact that all his hooks will change the mood depending on how he delivers his message. It is all about the delivery which is unique and emotional, and plus his audience might even learn a thing or two if they listen closely.

Vision of Me Photography

Megan Hernandez-Tillmon is from Milwaukee Wisconsin. She and her family decided to relocate to North Carolina in June of 2016.

When she first started photography she had a business called Amelia's Illuminating Shots and Creations. She started that business in 2013. At the beginning of 2017, she decided to re-brand her business and with that she changed the name to Vision of ME Photography.

She received a dslr camera as a gift and started taking pictures in 2011. Her first pictures were of her four kids. She wanted her photos to look better so she started watching YouTube videos and reading books on photography. A year later she had family members asking her to take pictures of their children. They began posting the pictures online, and from there her friends started asking her to take pictures for them. The demand for her photography skills became popular and increased from there. 

Her first real photo shoot experience was actually with another photographer. She was asked to tag along with the other photographer to her shoot. Megan was super nervous because she had never met the model that she was doing the shoot for and she wasn't sure of they would be okay with her taking pictures of them. She remembers laughing about some of the poses that didn't come out quite like they envisioned. She had never worked with another photographer before so she recalls having to adjust to working around another person so that she didn't mess up her shots nor the other photographers'.

Her favorite type of photography is portraiture, especially when it involves kids and pets. She thinks kids are fun and they really allow their personalities to shine through in their photos. She also loves doing head-shots and has developed a love for boudoir photography as well. She thinks that it is important for women to love themselves and appreciate the greatness that they are as women. She, personally feels every woman should do a boudoir shoot at least once in their life time.

She took an online class a couple of years ago at Shaw Academy. They had a beginners and advance photography course and she decided to take both.  Prior to that she just read books and watched videos and of course practiced, practiced, practiced.

She thinks the biggest challenge that comes up is getting models to change their facial expression. Some people are super serious and others want to smile and laugh in every photo. She found that it makes things a little easier if she gives them an emotion to think about because that automatically changes the expression on their face, which gives their images more variety.

If she could do a shoot for a celebrity it would have to be Alicia Keys. She just loves her attitude. She says she seems very down to earth whenever she sees her doing interviews. She is beautiful inside and out. She loves that she is comfortable with or without makeup and she encourages young women to love themselves and to follow their dreams. She is also an inspiration to her daughter who plays piano, so she thinks it would be an amazing opportunity to just see her face to face and take pictures of her.

There are many beautiful destinations all over the world to do a shoot. But, If she could do a shoot anywhere in the world, she would want to shoot at Komodo Island in Indonesia. The sand there is pink and she thinks she could get really creative with the right model and the right swimsuits.

Advice that she gives from the heart: 

She says if photography is something you love don't give up on it. Also don't make shooting just about the money; make sure you are having fun and know that its okay to just shoot for fun. It gives you extra practice time but it allows you to truly tap into your creative side. Lastly, don't be afraid to ask other photographers for advice; like any field ,there will be some photographers who won't want to share information with you but there are so many that will.  

Contact and Gallery Information

Instagram: @visionofmephotography

Facebook : Vision of ME Photography

Website: http://visionofmephoto.wix.com/mysite

Cell Phone: 919-295-2685 or 

Email: atvisionofmephoto@gmail.com

D.E.M.E- Straight From The Kitchen

Other Artists Just Can't Cut It...

An inspiration to many what separates him from other Artists is his personal story. Due to a medical mistake, he was born with cerebral palsy. He was told that because of his condition, he would be unable to walk, talk, or perform many essential tasks relative to daily living, without assistance. But thanks to the power of prayer, help from his family, and belief in himself, he was able to not only live normal life, but do amazing things. He wants people to feel like they can also overcome adversity. For that reason, he uses his music career to inspire. 

Lit With Opportunities!

Introducing

Ludazh 

Savage aka Bandit

Kada From Darlington

They are known among their fans and supporters as: 

Camp Lyfe. They currently reside in Columbia, South Carolina. 

Also check out the "BOUT IT" video on YouTube

Career Woman (Red Dragon Promotions)

Her name is Ebony Tyson. She is from Nashville, NC. 

She started her promotional company called: "Red Dragon Promotions" from a place of passion and desire to help other people with gifts and talents be seen and heard. She offers promotional packages for Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

Comedy Coming Up From The South: Darren Brand aka "Big Baby"

Darren Brand is a multi-faceted individual with great taste in style and comedy. He is from Southern Pines, NC. He was twenty-five years old when he realized that he wanted to be a comedian. A lot of people know him as "Big Baby" from the WildnOut cast season 7&8.

He became be a boss, comedian, and host just through his everyday interactions. It kinda just happen. He really didn't know you could make a living being a comedian and not have a huge name, but he had business partners in "nxlevel" who later inspired him to become an entrepreneur.

He drove from Charlotte NC to NYC for his first 15 minute audition. He later recalls that his first time meeting NICK CANNON was at his second audition in NYC. His adventures continued with him recording live and some of his most memorable moments he had on WildnOut were smoking with Snoop Dogg , the hype vibes of the Travis Scott and Waka Flaka episodes.

He has been busy making boss moves with hosting and and co-hosting homecoming step-shows, Women's empowerment, Joking Off, and being the opening comic for Comedy Central. He found that audience love him on stage and he has performed stand up comedy all over the world. He does it full time now. It's how he makes the majority of his living.

When he isn't on stage making money off his jokes and witty comical style he enjoys listening to all types of music. He shares that some of his favorite artists are Drake, Big Sean and Wayne. He gets to hang out and party with Music Artists, but when asked if he could party with any famous celebrity he joking replies that he would choose President Obama and his reason was "cause I know he turn up behind closed doors."

When asked If he could give advice to his 15 year old self he said he would "Start doing stand up now and take it serious." In all his success he still has goals for himself. The two goals that he would like to accomplish in let's say the next 5 to 7 months are to be apart of a theater or arena show of 2500 or more people. He is always pushing himself to achieve greater and when asked what was the hardest thing he had to do in his career he told us that it was when he quit 9-5. He jumped out there and started depending solely on his talent and it was scary but it had to be done.

He can be reached through social media at:

darrenbrand.com ig : darrenbrand_ snapchat : darrenbrand5