Established Mayhem Clothing (EMC) is the next great name in street wear. With a focus on urban chic and a flare for designs that encapsulate the artistic community, EMC is committed to covering the subculture and being a voice for the voiceless. Art|Music|Creation – the revolution is here. Join us.
Indiana bred artist, Rod Blaze, moved to Dallas, TX in 2010 with one goal: make music. Since then, he has worked to increase his net worth by expanding his net worth. In 2011, Blaze was the first artist officially sponsored by us, and in 2012, he inked a distribution deal with Island Def Jam for his debut single “All She Want”.
Rod Blaze is back with his the first of many projects. The Motivation EP shows Blaze delving into the issues he’s faced since moving and attempting to accomplish his dreams. From the highs of the distribution deal to the lows of disagreements with the mother of his child, and the implied rejection of a woman hurt one too many times, Blaze sets out to tell a story about struggle, passion and the need to be legendary.
Check out the 8 track EP and be sure to follow Rod Blaze as he continues to blaze trails.
The Chicago-born artist is Established Mayhem Clothing’s artist of the week. Take a look at the video “Classic Nights”. The video, released in January 2012, is from the project ‘First Class’ which offers a unique take on Jahzel’s life, music and shows loyalty to his crew – Black Key Collective. We haven’t stopped listening to the tracks since discovering him in December and hope he’ll have the same impact on you. Here’s to “Classic Nights” #StayElevated
by Latecia Shantrea
(CEO of Mayhem Media Group, founder of Established Mayhem Clothing)
By now you’ve heard the story, become enraged, enthralled and deeply saddened by Travyon Martin’s death. While communities call for change marching on his behalf, his parents simply want their son back. I, like many people watching on the sidelines, admire the strength of the parents to take a stand for their son even as they mourn his loss. The sad part is, they won’t have their son back, nor will they have peace, even if Zimmerman is jailed. Another sad fact about Travyon Martin’s death is the two nations impacted: America and Hip Hop. They are not the one in the same – Hip hop doesn’t know a color, but America does.
I’m 26 years old, an owner of three businesses, an investor in others. I have a development firm who’s impact is far reaching and am connected to people whose impact is far-stretching. I am a songwriter, a designer, an author, an artist and much more. I don’t say that to be braggadocios, only to paint a picture. I run my own businesses and exist in a world where I can truly make my own rules. I sometimes wake at noon, and take random days off in the middle of the week. I seldom ever put on full business dress unless it’s to go to a meeting or to church. Established Mayhem Clothing has a line of sweatshirts that I proudly wear to the gym, lounging around the house, on cold nights, etc. Sweatshirts are a part of my uniform. I’m also a black female, so I’m not seen as a threat by society. But, Travyon Martin could have been one of my brothers. I could have easily gotten that call about Brand Ambassadors Rod Blaze, Ammodaius or Cyfa Fix. I could have just as easily gotten that call about any one of my business partners and friends. Productive members of society and members of the hip hop nation, who feel more comfortable throwing on a sweatshirt and some jay’s to go to Uptown to enjoy their friends are seen as threats, simply because of the color of their skin. Even as they offer support to the women and families in their lives, attempt to build brands and chase their dreams – they are seen as threats simply for wearing a sweatshirt while being a black male in America. I was blessed enough to grow up in a suburban area and go to private schools where race was not an issue. I had, and still have, a mixture of friends who never saw race. I remember my Father sitting my sisters and me down to explain “the rules” – always be polite, never talk back, especially to cops, always be respectful, even if you’re mad, know your place, don’t be afraid to be indignant, but don’t let pride get you killed.
I remember being followed around the store by a clerk who forgot my money was green because my color was black, and I recall being outraged even then. I didn’t understand the contrast between the America I knew as a child and the reality of the America I lived in. The Hip hop nation because music isn’t racist, neither the integrated circles we exist in. The Hip hop nation has power to change the world, not just the American nation, and truly Ignite a revolution. By fighting back and fighting for Travyon Martin and the unnamed boys who are senselessly gunned down every day for the crime of walking while black we send a strong message: you can no longer have our brothers, friends, and sons. Geraldo Rivera was wrong, Martin’s sweatshirt didn’t kill him, Zimmerman’s ignorance did and the only way to combat ignorance is to match it with knowledge.
There is power in knowledge, we must educate ourselves on the laws that impact our communities and become active in changing them. While the Federal government does a lot, it’s up to us to take back our communities and we do that by voting in local elections, staying registered and informed. Even though Hip Hop doesn’t see a color, America still does. It’s like Kanye said so many years ago, “even if you’re in a benz you’re still a n***a in a coup” and Travyon Martin’s death is a stark reminder of the world we live in. Arm yourself and your communities by directing the rage to protect our sons, Fathers, brothers and friends. Get involved, stay involved. The revolution starts within.
For more information on registering to vote, see the links below:
At 24, Andre Burrell is a man of many words. So many words, in fact, he felt compelled to put them in a book. His first publishing fete, “The Fight Versus Reality: Combating the Circumstances of Life” written for all of those out there chasing dreams but combating the everyday trials of life. Established Mayhem Clothing sat down with Andre to pick his brain and do our 11 questions of conscience. We found was a man focused on helping his generation get a grip on some of the things that ails us. Check out his interview below and be sure to pick up your copy of Burrell’s book today.
1. How old are you? I’m 24 years old
2. Where were you born and raised? My mother was in the military, I was born in Augsburg, Germany….I was raised around the world but I claim the D.C. area as home.
3. What is your book about and who is directed at? My book, The Fight Versus Reality: Combating the Circumstances of Life (ebook version available through Barnes & Nobles and Amazon (Print version through Amazon only) is directed towards young people between the ages of 16-28 years of age who like myself are going through the difficult moments of living life in the 21st century as a young maturing individual dealing with family, friends, relationships, finances and all the while trying to find out our purpose in life and what we’re desiring to do to impact the world or at least our small piece of it. My book is about how to continue to fight against the adversities we all face in life as young adults because there are little to no information out there in books, magazines or even television on how young people, with the influence of technology and the lack of delayed gratification, how we are to realistically approach life now compared to how our parents and grandparents had.
4. What inspired your decision to write the book? I was inspired to do this project from hundreds of people who come to me for advice on a regular basis about life because I’ve dealt with so much at my young age. I’ve been homeless, been without money, dealt with the lack of a loving family and friends, the confusion of what to do in college, and I’ve been in relationship situations that were worthy of being on Jerry Springer or Maury yet I’ve survived all this and have a story worth sharing with others. This was a working project for over 3 years. I gave up actually a few times until about a year ago this random guy I’ve never met named Dale Clyburn called my phone. He said God told him to look me up and he found my old business page of Amway and my phone number it might sound stalkerish but i took that opportunity to speak with him. We spoke to one another and he felt a shift in his heart when I gave him words of encouragement and guidance for his situation and he was very appreciative and cried tears of joy that I took the time to hear him out and give him the words of confirmation he needed for his own life. It was here where I realized I needed to complete this project because so many people would be blessed from it.
5. What’s some advice you have for artists who are trying to get their foot in the door? I encourage everyone aspiring to get their foot in the door in whatever industry they desire to continue to pursue their course of action until they see it fulfilled. Your vision for life is your mental vacation. You should always continue to plan and work towards getting there until instead of it being just what you see mentally it is what you see physically. Your aspirations are not always going to be accepted by everyone but go after them anyway. Your dream ought to make people think your dangerous; don’t let anyone diminish your dream.
6. What are your influences – professionally and creatively? My influences are people such as John Maxwell who has used his leadership abilities to establish businesses that help others to successfully build their own and be effective in motivating and inspiring others to be great at what they do. Other notable influences creatively is Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes who are phenomenal poets who have challenged me in a way to produce metaphors and stories on paper to reflect a significant metaphor to be grasped by those who read it.
7. Where do you see yourself (and the company) in 5 years? In five years I see myself continuing my pursuit to help young people to help themselves through my efforts whether by writing another book, my book tours, speeches and even just leading young people as a United States Army Officer. My Non-Profit Parent Company, Project Forward Focus, will continue to be dedicated to supporting financially aspiring business owners and supporting projects around the world whom are dedicated to impacting the world through community service and other outreach methods. I also desire to expand our scholarship program to include giving out either 10 individual $1,000 scholarships and/or award one lucky high school student a $10,000 scholarship to help them offset the cost of school. Our community outreach has began in Colorado Springs, Colorado and is currently collaborating with students in the country of France in an American High School there to work in their community.
8. What’s your vision? My vision is to help and partner with those who have slightly more detailed and defined dreams than my own. My dream is to see others fulfill their dreams because I have an arrangement of goals that a lot of people desire to do and have more elaborate ways of getting there. It is my joy to help them reach their goal and the end result is both of us celebrating an achieved success.
9. What inspires you? I’m continually inspired by our generation who is daily scrambling through life searching for the next thing to do,to use, and to pursue; always changing, shifting and developing from all sorts of stimulus, whether technology, politics, world crisis, and the normal struggles of life. The greatest inspiration has been my nieces and nephews, Nyjahe, Asia, Isaiah, and Alyssa to whom i have the great opportunity to be their Uncle and model figure as they try to find their place in life as they soon will grow to inherit it. I’m inspired by their young lives to emulate the standard I want to see in them for they have the potential for so much and I have the esteemed opportunity to try and give them everything they need to succeed in life.
10. If you could work with any artist – living or dead – who would it be and why? If I could work with any artist living or dead that person would be Lupe Fiasco. Not only do I love his music because of the positive and transformative message it carries, but along with his music he has collaborated with numerous outreach groups to bring awareness to major causes. He also has his own non-profit organization that supports inner city students who desire to pursue all forms of arts that gets little to no coverage and I believe he has an interesting perspective to life and community service that would be great to hear about and learn from.
11. How would you say you establish your own lane and push the limits when it comes to your art, business and life? I believe I’ve established my own lane in my business through not focusing on just one industry to be successful. What I’ve done with Project Forward Focus was turn it into a Parent Company that has numerous subsidiaries that focus on arrangement of products and services. For example we have our own Scholarship Fund “The Looking Forward Scholarship” available to High School Students. We are currently working with individuals trying to make a name in the movie industry as directors, supporting in efforts as executive producers and promoters. We are also working on partnering with start up service businesses in industries as food and medicine. I currently work as a motivational speaker, published author and youth group counselor. Our efforts are built on the momentum of working with those who are trying to build something from nothing.
At 22 Allie Jordan possesses a wisdom that belies her age. She’s currently blazing trails, taking names, passionately pursuing her goals and helping others out along the way. A multi-hyphenate entrepreneur with business, credits and connections that expand into the stratosphere, Allie, her company Genuine Promotions Management, and her group, BONA-FID3, are on a crash course for excellence.
After weeks of phone tag and busy schedules, EMC owner, Latecia Shantrea, sat down with Allie to discuss her business and her title of as “One of Atlanta’s finest”.
EMC: How old are you?
Allie: I’m 22.
EMC: Where were you born and raised?
Allie: Atlanta, GA.
EMC: When did you start being creative?
Allie: I started being creative when I was 3. I started out singing and playing the piano which evolved into singing in church and starting groups with friends. I would make them sing harmonies when we were about 10. I always told my Mother I wanted to have my own business and make my own money when I was around 8 years old. So, I have been “doing what I do” for a long time.
EMC: Yeah, I’ve been checking you out, what does your company represent and what was your purpose for starting it?
Allie: Genuine Promotions Management (GPM) represents everything underground. I try to help underground artists, models, DJ’s, actors and dancers get the exposure they so desire in their field. Not only does GPM handle marketing, promotion, and management, but we also do event planning and celebrity booking. We book everyone from KREAYSHAWN and ROSCOE DASH to MELYSSA FORD and KIMBELLA.
EMC: Whoa, sounds like you have a lot going on, your company is similar to what we offer at Mayhem Media Group, looks like you’re our Atlanta counterpart. So, I’m interested to know, what’s some advice you have for artists who are trying to get their foot in the door?
Allie: Never give up. Just because you receive a “no” from a label or another artist doesn’t mean you should stop trying. It takes most artists years to get to where they are today. Nicki Minaj was in and out of labels and doing her homemade videos for years before Wayne picked her up. Even Alicia Keys was playing an old piano on stage with no one to notice her for a long time before someone finally said “Hey, she has what it takes!” and 10 years later she is still here.
EMC: What or who are some of your influences – professionally and creatively?
Allie: Everyday life influences me. You can learn so much from the little things and be inspired by everything around you. Especially in hard times like these. That is why I created GPM to have affordable marketing and promotion to help struggling artists make it to the top. I know how it feels to not get to where you’re going in life, being in a group myself. So, I try to help other people like I would want to be helped.
EMC: Where do you see yourself (and the company) in 5 years?
Allie: I see myself not only still running the company, but being an artist as well. Things have been looking up in the studio as well as the business and we can only move forward from here.
EMC: What’s your vision?
Allie: Every one dreams of being the greatest. I can only say the same for myself, my group, and my company.
EMC: What inspires you?
Allie: My past. Everyone has a past whether it’s good or bad. You can always write and tell your story whether it’s in poetry or to an instrument. There is always a story to tell.
EMC: If you could work with any artist – living or dead – who would it be and why?
Allie: Oh, that’s easy: Alicia Keys. I play piano, so, to hear her play is astounding. Most of the time I close my eyes while I listen to her and it opens new doors to my imagination so i can write more creatively.
EMC: How would you say you establish your own lane and push the limits when it comes to your art, business and life?
Allie: I have merged most things people love into “one stop shopping”. BONA-FID3′s music combines hip-hop, R&B, rock, and pop. GPM combines marketing, promotion, management, booking, and event planning. Being Puerto Rican and African American, I have that “go getter” attitude that makes multitasking simple.
+Energy #StayElevated. Shop us online @ www.shopemc.bigcartel.com <— Establish a little mayhem and create your own lane. “Dreamers go to sleep, visionaries go to work”.
Productive members of society and members of the hip hop nation, who feel more comfortable throwing on a sweatshirt and some jay’s to go to Uptown to enjoy their friends are seen as threats, simply because of the color of their skin. Even as they offer support to the women and families in their lives, attempt to build brands and chase their dreams – they are seen as threats simply for wearing a sweatshirt while being a black male in America. I was blessed enough to grow up in a suburban area and go to private schools where race was not an issue. I had, and still have, a mixture of friends who never saw race. I remember my Father sitting my sisters and me down to explain “the rules” – always be polite, never talk back, especially to cops, always be respectful, even if you’re mad, know your place, don’t be afraid to be indignant, but don’t let pride get you killed.
Allie: Genuine Promotions Management (GPM) represents everything underground. I try to help underground artists, models, DJ’s, actors and dancers get the exposure they so desire in their field. Not only does GPM handle marketing, promotion, and management, but we also do event planning and celebrity booking. We book everyone from KREAYSHAWN and ROSCOE DASH to MELYSSA FORD and KIMBELLA.
