CONTENTS5. Editorial 6. Ask Shante Love

7. WHO’S FAULT IS IT by POETCENTRIC

8. anthony david: Interview by Smitty Jay

10. ferneasa cutno Interview by Smitty Jay

12. The Minority Report: zaccheus miles

14. MAHOGANY TOMORROW: SASSETT WEST by NIQI CORLEY

17. lounging

18. we got soul the new soul movement

The M. LoungeMachine

The Mahogany Lounge is a soulful, poetic experience developed in Augusta, GA. The event embod-ies the finest in Spoken Word Poetry, Live Music, & Great People all under one roof. After over a year of successful events, we would like to in-troduce The M. Lounge Magazine, a bi-monthly tabloid publication that introduces “Art Through Entertainment For the Urbane Lifestyle”, with over 15,000 readers experiencing the latest news, re-views, and info on Art, Fashion, Music, Entertain-ment, & Lifestyle for today’s urbane generation.

For info

404.783.4485 OR

email: mahoganyloungemagazine@

gmail.com

RalishaCOPY EDITOR

KelzCOLUMNIST

Jeanine NicoleWRITER

Smitty JayEDITOR / DESIGNER

KeithPROMOTIONS

KariADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Kydd JoeCOLUMNIST

Cliff C. BoydMAHOGANY POET

London MonroeWRITER

Billy ReeseWEB EDITOR/COLUMNIST

JayologyPHOTOGRAPHER/COLUMNIST

Shante LoveCOLUMNIST

Pro StylezPHOTOGRAPHER

NiqiMAHOGANY POET

E d i t o r i a l

2011 has been a very interesting year. The M. Lounge family has wit-nessed so many ups and downs but with the love and support of people such as yourself, we continue to progress. From the venue changes to introducing the Mahogany Poets, it’s been a real rollercoaster ride. In May we launched our first issue of the magazine, and were humbled by the great response it received. In October we hosted our final Mahogany Lounge monthly event. It was a very, very difficult decision but our goal is to bring the best entertainment to the city and in order to grow some things had to change. I know it was plenty of speculation as to why we did it; but trust me in early 2012 you will see. We’re really preparing to push the envelope on our events, and raise the bar on the quality of what we do. Honestly, when we started the Mahogany Lounge in 2010, we were only looking to give the city a new platform for poetry and enter-tainment. Two years later, it has become a household brand and staple in the city of Augusta. But one thing is for certain, without you there would be no us, so on behalf of The Mahogany Family, Thank you for a wonder-ful year and stay tuned because there is much more in store.

Smitty Jay

In October 2009 Business Week’s list of the “40 Strongest Metro Economies in the United States” ranked Augusta it’s 23rd pick out of 40 U.S. cities. If that statistic doesn’t impress you, I’d like to point out the fact that Atlanta, Savannah, nor any other Georgia city even made the rankings. That same year, Business Week also listed Augusta in sixth place out of “America’s 10 Strongest Housing Building Markets.” Forbes’ December 2009 issue titled Augusta, the fifth out of ten U.S. cities for “Best Bang-For-The-Buck Cities.” Still not impressed? Augusta is both the second largest city in Geor-gia, and the second largest city behind Atlanta. Have you ever heard some-one call Augusta “The Little A”? Well, It’s not because we strive to mirror any other cities. It is simply because locals have watched Augusta grow exceed-ingly over the last decade!

The Medical College of Georgia is the second best medical school in the state, behind Atlanta’s Emory University School Of Medicine. MCG also ranks in the top 50% of the best Medical Schools in the Nation (www.residentphysician.com).

There are only four major championships in professional golf, one of which your local city hosts, The Masters Tournament. This single tour-nament stimulates the local economy annually. Although the traffic may become a bit unbearable for most locals, overall the economy here is always pleased to invite an assortment of entertainers, athletes, and visitors to this homegrown event.

If you can remember when The Sitel Shopping Plaza was just a Food Max, then you have seen our city grow. If you can recall Target, Old Navy, and the Theater being uncharted forestry, then you have seen the city expand. Did you go to Glenn Hills High School before the Stadium was built? During that time many local high schools used Butlers and Richmond’s athletic facilities because each high school did not have a stadium. A decade ago Cross Creek didn’t exist, and two decades ago the Regency Mall was the first stop on a Saturday mall trip. This city is really under development! Stay tuned for changes!

nu augusta:Words by Kelz

Your ad wouldlook really good

herefor info 404.783.4485

is augusta growing?

www.themahoganylounge.com :: Pg. 5

Pg. 6 :: www.themahoganylounge.com

Ask

Shante Love

In the famous words of Rodney King, “Can’t we all just get along?” I find this statement very fitting for us as a Black community. Why does the idea of unity leave such a bad taste in our mouth? I had always heard of the crab in the barrel mentality, but until moving out on my own and actually living solo, I never realized how truly submerged we are as a people in that way of life. If we are all working towards the same goal of being successful, why can’t we work together to achieve as a people? Sadly, we are the only race that refuses to work together, and most times when we do, it’s for personal gain and glory. Whatever happened to being your brother’s keeper, or being a shoulder to lean on? Does lending a helping hand disgust us so much that we take delight in the downfall of another? Are we so focused on competing and being better than the next, that we fight and destroy each other? I find it so ironic that we talk of change and improving our place in society, when we refuse to improve in our own community. Healing begins from within, repair begins with us.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH US?

I know you all heard the saying, “You get what you pay for?”, and this saying encompasses masses in a few words. Why is it we LOVE to Hurt? LOVE to HURT? HUH? Or is it more about falling into that category of comfort and becoming complacent. I’ve met many women who settle just to avoid begin-ning a new relationship just to be let down.

“Shoot, if I’mma deal with that, I might as well stay with my ex.” When it comes to men, we become weak. Even the strong willed women and men give in a little. Over the years I have learned if you give a little, they WILL take a little…then a little more…then A LOT more. Next thing you know, you’re lying in bed, eyes wide open wondering how you ended up in this relationship and more importantly why are you still there? All while your significant other is sound asleep. I’m not going to go on about what other thoughts you might be having while you stare unblinkingly at them, but needless to say, you’re miserable. Ignoring the multitude of blatant lies, enduring the disrespectful and degrading treatment, accepting the situation because…YOU...ARE…the only one in love. But hey, I’m going to let you in on a little secret, but SHHH, don’t tell NOBODY else: People (man, woman, and children) will treat you the way YOU LET them treat you.

To get to where you want to be in your love life, you have to let go of old habits. Meaning the ex who keeps coming around, the disrespectful treatment you ALLOW, the constant complacent attitude you have fueled with thought that you can actually change him/her. Letting go isn’t easy, I know, but sometimes it is necessary so that we can move forward and receive what we really deserve out of life. A Blessed Love. The hurt and disappointment are the brakes in life. But the good news is it teaches us who we ARE, what we NEED, and what we WANT. Within all of that we discover exactly what it is we deserve, not what others think we deserve but what we KNOW we deserve. Letting go to live again is your mission for the conclusion of 2011. So pack it up, ship it out, and let’s go!

If you have an issue that you want some “outside” advice on contact me, Shante Love at ask.mlounge@gmail.com.

And in the subject line, type “Shante Love”.

Hope to hear from you soon and until then, Go on…Live a lot, Laugh often, & Love always.

DISCLAIMER: Shante Love is not a license counselor or psychologist. Responses are the personal opinion of Shante Love and should not be taken over the medical/legal advice of a license practitioner/lawyer.

LOVING TO HURT

NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR OUR 2012 ISSUESEMAIL ALL ENTRIES TO MAHOGANYLOUNGEMAGAZINE@GMAIL.COM

WORDS BY JEANINE NICOLE

www.themahoganylounge.com :: Pg. 7

Much talk has been had about the quality of men when seeking a relationship.  Many women say, “there are no good men left.”  There is a laundry list of complaints by women in relationships with men.   This list includes not working, lack of ambition and motivation, no vision, and letting their woman take care of them while not contributing to the household financially.  There are complaints about men not wanting to commit, not wanting to define relationships, cheating, not taking care of their children, not paying bills, immaturity, and the list goes on and on.  Yet there are women that get into and stay in relationships with these men every day. 

Have women lowered their standards? And as a conse-quence they are enabling this behavior?  One com-mented:

“Women have lowered their standards because there are so many sorry men.  The cause being babies raising babies, the abundance of fatherless families...”

This would suggest that women are just accepting what’s out there because there isn’t much of a choice due to the social environment boys are raised in, in our society.  The behavior is already there.  Many men say that it’s the woman’s fault for allowing or putting up

with the behavior.  They say men do it “because they can”.  Many women agree that if women would not accept the behavior, men would stop.  A commentator stated:

“...it’s up to us (women) to force the change in the status quo.  As long as a man can find a woman who will put up with  him, he has no reason to change his behavior.”

My question is, how many women are actually going to take that stand?  Many of us are so needy that we’ll continue to put up with it just for the sake of saying we have a “man”... and the men know that.  So it just makes it that much more difficult for those of us who will take a stand because he can always find a woman who won’t.

While I wholeheartedly agree with the woman’s respon-sibility not to accept the slacking behavior, I also see this another way.  Who is it that tries you to see what they can get away with??? Children! And in this case boys!  As an adult, do you just do things because you can get away with it? No, you do what’s right.  If some-one left their keys in a car with the doors unlocked and no one was around to catch you, would you steal it because you can get away with it? Most adults would say no. If you say yes, check yourself...  That’s child’s play.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11 empha-sis added)

So if a man cheats just because he can, if he is not work-ing just because he can, if he is not taking care of his kids just because he can, then that says to me he’s a boy in a man’s body who needs to put away childish things and grow up.  If you feel the need to cheat, then be honest with your woman and tell her you’re not ready for a committed relationship right now.  Let her go and go do your thing.  Instead of living with a woman and not contributing financially to the household, go get a job, even if it’s at McDonald’s.  Women do it every day, we just don’t stay there!  Go to school and move out and up. Do the adult thing.  Have the adult response.

In my opinion, the blame doesn’t fall solely on either gender.  The blame is to be shared.  Yes, women need to stop enabling the behavior.  However, a man is an adult and as such he is responsible for his own choices, actions and inactions whether a woman puts her foot down or not.

So you tell me, whose fault is it?

Whose Fault Is It?By Poetcentric

I was just having a discussion yesterday, where this guy was like, there’s no more good music. And I was just like,

“Dude, you’re just listening wrong.”

ANTHONYDAVIDSmitty Jay: I know you wear a lot of hats. Did you start as a musician, a songwriter or an artist?

Anthony: Started as a songwriter – I didn’t even think much of the singing part. I was singing, but I didn’t grow up singing, so I was really only singing enough to get the song out – ?—stuff that’s really personal in nature – like people just tend to tell me, “Oh man, you could do this.” You know what I mean?

SJ: So you’re originally from Savannah, relocated to Atlanta to start your career, and bumped into India Arie. Tell me about that experience.

A: She was the first person I met in Atlanta. Neither one of us did music at the time. She seemed like a cool person. We hung out – listened to the same music. We always said that we liked to do music, but we didn’t show each other what we could do, until probably three years into it, when I started hitting the poetry scene and I took her to an event. I was like, “I’m a do something that I wrote and I want you to sing.” And that was sort of how we demonstrated our talent in front of a room full of people. And it kind of grew from there, because people liked what we did. So we just kept going.

SJ: You did some songwriting for her on the first album, correct?

A: Yeah, yeah... I wrote “Part of My Life”. The sec-ond album too, one called “Butterfly”. And actually a third one, “There’s Hope”.

SJ: Okay, cool... Now you’re on your fourth album?

A: Yeah, pretty much. “As Above So Below” is technically my third real album. What happened is I did two independent albums. And then Universal wanted to compile the two of those together and call it “Acey Duecy”. Some people look at that as the third album – And some people look at it as the first, because it was the first major label release. So it depends on how you look at it. I’ve got 2 or 4 albums *laughs*

SJ: I think the first album I heard was “The Red Clay Chronicles”

A: Right, and that was the second independent album compiled with my first album, which was “3 Chords & the Truth”. When I did the deal with

Universal, they took those two together and called it “Acey Duecy”. That’s how “Words” got heard on the radio, and we got a Grammy Nomination for it, from the exposure we got with a major label. I just got off of that label, and I’m now on E1 Music, that’s where this latest record came from.

SJ: Is the single or the album named “Locations”?

A: Well, when you include that, I guess you can con-sider it five albums. That’s a new compilation com-ing out for the winter. Basically that’s the remixes from the latest album plus some live stuff, and I wrote three new acoustic songs, which the title of that is “Locations”.

The album is in stores right now, called “As Above So Below”. “Locations” will be coming out in the winter (December).

SJ: So it’s mainly a special edition with remixes and stuff from previous work..?

A: Yeah, plus three new originals.

SJ: What should the people expect from that proj-ect?

A: I think the focus on that one sort of showcased the singer/songwriter side. I play the guitar, and I write to the guitar a lot of times. I mean, on stage I perform with that a lot – So, in my first album, it was all acoustic, but the other two albums there was less of it. So there’s emphasis on the live stuff. It’s a little eclectic, really. It’s kind of an expansion on what I do...

SJ: What I’ve of kind of noticed, is that there’s starting to be a strong independent-soul move-ment, with artists like yourself. Eric Roberson, Foreign Exchange – What do you think is the cause behind that? I have conversations with people who say there’s no more good music – And I intro-duce them to all of these records and they’re like where is this stuff coming from?

A: Yeah, I hate when people say that kind of thing. I’m glad to hear you say that, because I feel like there’s probably more good music out than ever in a lot of ways because people have more ways to present themselves. The core of where most people get their music from, that is losing its power. And more people are able to do things on their

own. You know what I mean? And it’s up to people to search out that good music - that music that is made by people who really care. And also even art-ists that you would have seen in a label situation or whatever before, that didn’t get certain parts of the exposure are able to do that. It’s really good to hear you say that, because I was just having a discussion yesterday, where this guy was like, there’s no more good music. And I was just like, “Dude, you’re just listening wrong.” And I say this as a fan of his too. I mean not just like, “Oh you got to listen to me,” but there’s so many artists that I respect out there. And that’s who I listen to; the radio is just one portion of what you should do in a day. I won’t say that you won’t have to listen to it at all, but 10% of every-thing is really good. So you should check out some of the radio stuff, then if you really get off into the net, blogs and that kind of thing... That’s where you’ll find the rest of it.

SJ: So what do you have on the table for next year, as far as your music and projects that you have going?

A: I’m trying to now. I just left the Soul Train thing yesterday, and you know that was a good thing. I just feel like putting some more stuff out. I feel happy that people are open and receptive to what I’m doing now – they kind of get what I have to of-fer. Like, they get it. So now it’s just a matter of stay-ing consistent and paving that road for me and for other artists... That’s what I like about my partners, Eric and Phonte and all of them. They’re out there showing people successful models and the next generation will be even more successful and it’ll be even easier.

SJ: Will you be touring anytime soon?

A: Yeah, I’m pretty much always doing it. I’m get-ting into a mode now in this phase of my career where—where, first of all I can say I have a career *laughs* And where I’m able to plan things out a little bit better. Like I don’t just have to take every show – I can back up and record when I need to. And then make the shows a little bit more meaning-ful and intentional. Yeah, I’m always kind of out, but this time, this winter I’m trying to – I work in Nashville a lot. Shannon Sanders, a producer I work with is there. So I’m going there for Thanksgiving, and probably a lot of the holidays I will be up there. At least for the last two records – I respect his writ-ing and production—him and Drew, and his team there. And the atmosphere is where I can go there and really get things done. I also have a project called All Walks of Life (AWOL), which was started in Savannah. It’s a non-profit youth organization that teaches kids theatre, drama, music and video as well. It’s definitely going to change their lives for the better – So we brought it to Atlanta.

www.AWOLinc.org

THE NEW SOUL MOVEMENTiNTERVIEW BY SMITTY JAY

www.themahoganylounge.com :: Pg. 9

Smitty Jay: Tell me about why you started Ms Southern Essence

Cutno: I grew up doing pageants - knowing the benefit of being in the pageants. I actually was Ms. Black Louisiana, the year after Mike Tyson had his fall-out with the Black Ms. USA Pageant. I came out to represent Lousiana. And 15 years ago, when I first moved here, I thought that I would be doing pageants alongside of the school. But the school really took off. That’s where all the focus ended up being over the past 15 years. What really pushed the envelope was – my son auditioned for a con-tract in the mall. Im sure everyone is familiar with the mall modeling agency. And he made it to the finals and was offered a contract. But after sitting there, seeing all the different kids come through – Actually introducing themselves and present a talent, I said, “There’s something missing.” And I know that everyone cannot get into Davidson Fine Arts. Everyone’s parents cannot afford lessons every month for piano, or drama, or dance. This is one way that I can really reach a group of kids who can’t afford that revolving bill. And it was mainly the little girls that stuck out – To really empower these little girls. They have no confidence, they’re looking down. Its to give them something to do, in a positive manner. Something they can grow on and build on.

SJ: What all does it embody? As far as the dif-ference between your pageant and a typical pageant.

C: Most pageants, you show up the day of and you’re on stage. You pay your money ahead of time. You prepare at home with your talent, with your makeup, with your stage presentation. This talent is totally different because we’re actually training the pageant participants over a four week period. Spending three hours each Saturday with us leading up to the pageant. Training them in etiquette, public speaking skills, dance, natu-ral makeup tips. The biggest thing is that we’re training these kids and empowering them to use what they have - To really allow their star to shine brighter. That’s the difference.

SJ: If I was a parent, and I asked what my child had to gain from this, what would you tell me?

C: The very first thing is the training aspect of the etiquette. We go out and we’re eating at fast food restaurants, but once or twice a year we prob-ably find ourselves in a situation where we’re in a formal setting, with four forks and two spoons and you look around and everyone is waiting on the first person to figure out what fork to pick up. Something as simple as that - Proper table

etiquette, properly answering a phone, proper tea etiquette. Little girls love to play dress-up and drink tea, but theres a way to do things. And we’re actually losing these traditions. Because we live in such a microwave world. That everything is fast and everything is just the way you want to do it. But when you go beyond high school and youre going into college and you find yourself in professional settings, people look at the wholistic person, not just his or her education. And we all know for example, Mary J. Blige, was put through a training program – How to speak, and I’m sure, what to say, when to eat and what to eat with. The other thing that they can look forward to getting is the public speaking aspect. We have a profes-sor from Paine College, named Dr. Honaray that will be leading the public speaking portion of our training. When we meet someone, we should look them in the eye. Male or female, give them a firm shake. Wait for a door to be opened – And we should expect these things from young men. But if we don’t know it, how can we expect it from them?

SJ: Why do you think we’re losing that?

C: I think that, here in America, we don’t find it to be important. Because we’re losing that human one-on-one communication. Facebook, Twitter –

Ferneasa Cutno:Preparing our daughters fortomorrow with a littlesouthern essence

Pg. 10 :: www.themahoganylounge.com

that human touch, that human interaction – we’re losing it because we don’t make it important. That’s not the most important thing in our lives right now. Its seeing someone and thinking, “let me meet you.” No its, “let me facebook you or send you a text message.” We want our kids in this pageant to know that the world is much bigger than Atlanta, much bigger than America. And other cultures still hold up these principles of being somewhere on time, meeting for dinner, spending time to talk after dinner, having a four-course meal and how to have that four-course meal. Those things are important.

SJ: I just put a post on facebook a few days ago because I had a conversa-tion with a young lady that was telling me that she has no intentions of getting married because all men are going to cheat. And I just started to think about it and ask around, so I put the post up, “Is Marriage Impor-tant?” And a lot of them feel like its not.

C: Wow..

SJ: A lot of them feel like their own personal goal and what they want in life is more important (which I have nothing against). But I understand that your community’s backbone is the family. So if you don’t have family, your community is falling apart, so therefore, whats in the future for the children?

C: Wow, Nothing. Nothing.. This individual way of life. Its all about me, I can do It by myself – There’s no God. I really don’t need my mom and dad, I don’t need a man, I don’t need a woman. We’re human, and we’re put here to con-nect with each other. So, what’s in store for them if we don’t change? Nothing. Or there’ll be pockets of these special communities I see all over the United States or the world, where people are trying to keep that traditional way alive. You see some communities actually are springing up throughout the US and in Mexico where they’re growing their own food, women are making plenty babies, there are husbands and wives and families depending on each other. We’re going to lose that.

SJ: It’s a very frightful thought. What else is involved in the pageant?

C: Some of the other points for the pageant, there’s a segment that we’re going to hit called Thriving Women Around the World. We’re going to look at a group of women in Africa and third-world countries that are basically living on a dollar a day. And introduce these young ladies, especially our teen girls – what we have we have to be very very thankful for what we have. And how in an in-stance things can change in America and how we’re going to survive. And not only looking at it from that perspective, but understanding our responsibility to women as whole. Ten percent of the funds from the pageant will go to this organization to help these women. And for us to partner up with these women - to look at their lives and see how things are changing for them, through our help. So that’s one of the other aspects, it’s the educational component. Some of the staff that’s not on the web that I’d like to mention is Dr. Cheryl Honaray. Dr. Nancy Bookhart is heading up something that we’re calling Gold Mapping, where we’re going to do this collage. If you, visually, cannot see what you want – There’s no way of even grasping it. So we want to make this collage of what they want so they can hang in there bedrooms. We have Symphony Lipscomb, who is the associate producer. Samantha Bass is over the talent portion of the competition. And Olivia Pontoo, that will be working as an assistant. When we say natural (referring to press release), we don’t mean you have to have a natural afro to do this. Natural, as in no false enhancements, no weave. If your kids are missing teeth, don’t put any in. No tanning, no bathing suits. Very very light make up, so the lights don’t wash you out.

For more info log onto: www.southernessencepageant.com

Cutno (cont’d)

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Smitty Jay: What made you decide to start bow-ties?

Zaccheus: I’ve always been into fashion, like since I was five. And I’m actually now, becoming a designer – trying to get into the whole designing field and everything. So, when I started off designing I was more into female clothes, designing gowns and couture dresses. But the thing was, being like 16 and 17 drawing it, you really had no one to show you how to sew it and make it. So I was teaching myself how to sew. And then I always wear bowties – I’ve been wearing bowties since I was 6 or 7. One day, I was like, I’m tired of going to the store buying bow-ties that I cant find, because I like to stand out and look different. And I just went fabric shopping and bought the fabric and decided that I was going to try to make my own bowtie. I took apart one of my bow-ties, and studied how they actually sewed it.

SJ: What’s the name of your brand?

Z: Miles by Zaccheus Miles. Pronounced (my-lez). The brand, eventually is going to grow into an actual men’s collection. Its going to have t-shirts, fedora hats, and Im trying to get suits. Then, I also want to bring it to the women again – but I really want to focus on the men. Especially around here, I feel like the men need they’re on type of trend going on.

SJ: How old are you?

Z: Twenty-two

SJ: What was the inspiration as a child? What made you say, I want to wear a bowtie instead of wearing t-shirts to school?

Z: I blame it on my momma. Because I used to always have on suspenders, t-shirt with shades. And I guess, growing from a baby – always being used to that – I just became a custom to me. But then, I even tried to branch out. I started wearing jerseys and Jordans. Not saying there’s anything wrong with that, but it just wasn’t me. So I had to go back to home.

SJ: What are some designers that inspire you?

Z: Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen. I like his (Mc-Queen)collection the best because he brings out the difference in everything. He could take a pair of shoes for men and women- and bring it to life. To where your normal guy would not want to wear it, but once you see it – youre like, ok that’s hot. Imma try it out.

SJ: How can the contact you now? Are you avail-able for now?

Z: Yeah, when they order bowties, they contact me on my phone or facebook. I’m working on a web-site right now but its not up officially. I want to do a launch party for that, so that’s why Im waiting. Because I’m coming out with a spring collection of bowties in April. So once that comes out, I’ll have the website fully loaded. I actually go shopping for the fabric. Say, if you wanted a red bowtie and you wanted me to hook it up – I’ll actually go looking for

special type of fabric for your bowtie.

SJ: So you do custom bowties

Z: Yeah, custom. I go to church at New Beginning in South Carolina and I make a lot for local artists – and I just made one for someone doing a concert this Saturday.

SJ: Other than fashion, what else? Or is this what you do all the time?

Z: Fashion is my life. It’s the main thing. I’m into mu-sic, because I work around a lot of gospel artists. And I have styled for some gospel artists locally.

SJ: Whats someone you’ve styled for?

Z: Laura Wilson, I styled with her, locally. I’m now getting into styling models, and different people on photo-shoots. But as far as designing, I love fashion. But I will branch out into music and art.

SJ: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Z: Definitely as an actual local designer, who is completely settled with everything. And also having my own retail store for men. Selling men’s suits and of course, my bowties and things like that. And the name of my store will be MLS, which is an abbrevia-tion for Miles.

Follow Zaccheus @fashion_miles

For bowtie orders: zaccheusmiles@yahoo.com.

minority report:zaccheus milesInterview by SMITTY JAY

After seeing an awesome performance at The Mahogany Poetry Slam, most would be in absolute awe to find that the performer is actually quite bashful and very humble. But that’s exactly what you get when you encounter the brilliant and youthful Sassett West. A normal kid with glowing eyes and a bright smile. She generally shies away from the spotlight off stage, but on a rare occasion you can catch a glimpse of the girl behind the artist. Find out what she had to say in a recent interview.

How did you first discover your interest in poetry?

Well, my mother is a writer so I get a lot of my interest from her. But it didn’t really start until I was forced in the 9th grade to do a Shakespeare poetry contest.

How would you describe your writing style?

My writing style is definitely personal, but at the same time my poetry is not all about me. Everything I talk about is not something that I’ve witnessed or been through. Sometimes I do step out of myself and tell experiences of someone totally different. My style is very intimate, I talk about the real world, and it’s mostly negative. I’m a very serious person, so trying to step out of myself and do funny poetry or poetry that makes people smile; I have a slightly harder time with. But I’m working on it!

Who inspires you?

My mother! And my best friend Chelsea, she definitely sticks with me. I don’t know, they keep me going. My mother definitely inspires me, wow; I just can’t even explain it.

How does your family feel about your writing?

They feel that it’s good. (laughing) I come from a family where some of their support is kept on the down low. We’re not outward. It’s not like ohhh my goodness you did soooo good. When I get off stage they might know I just killed it, but their like you did alright. (laughing) But seriously, they think its good especially my mother. They definitely feel that I’m going somewhere.

Based on your other answers I guess the answer to this question is pretty obvious but, who are your biggest supporters?

(laughing) My mother and my best friend Chelsea.

You’re a junior at Davidson fine arts high school, what are your plans after graduation?

I want to either become an artist and go to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) in Atlanta, or become a forensic scientist; and I’m still trying to decide on a college for that. More than likely I’ll probably end up going to SCAD.

That’s two totally different ends of the spectrum.

It is! But one is my passion but I’m destined to be a forensic scientist. I don’t know, how you choose between a dream and a passion.

Because you have a background in the arts, I assume creative expression is very important to you. However, recently many school districts have been cutting budgets due to the economy and other factors; and it would seem art programs are the first to be eliminated from schools. What are you thoughts on the subject?

If they did that, it would definitely directly impact me in a very negative way. But at the same time because art is my dream, it’s not going to stop me. There is always something out there.

So you feel like you would take other routes to pursue your art forms?

Yes! School shouldn’t be my only avenue for what I do. But we need the arts, especially here in Augusta.

What would you like for your audience to know about you?

I’m 17, I attend Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School and I love it to death. I should not be anywhere else to pursue my talents and abilities. When it comes to poetry, I might not be talking about myself in every poem, but I do put myself in every poem. It is me, it’s the real me. Poetry is definitely my passion, it’s not for money, it doesn’t have to be an occupation, I do it because I love it. I would do anything for it, it’s my world. I don’t know what I would do without it. I love to perform poetry!

MahoganyTomorrow:

SASSETTwest

INTERVIEW BY

NIQI CORLEY

Pg. 14 :: www.themahoganylounge.com

www.themahoganylounge.com :: Pg. 17

L O U N G I N GA FEW OF THE CITY’S BEST FINE FOODS & SMOOTH GROOVES

IF YOU HAVE AN EVENT OR EATERY YOU WANT LISTED EMAIL USmahoganyloungemagazine@gmail.com

1. Sit-A-Spell Coffee Shop / 903 Broad St :: 706.305.3046

2. 209 on the River / 4 8th St :: 706.722.9692

3. The Pizza Joint / 1245 Broad St :: 706.774.0037

4. Jackie M’s / 3308 Milledgeville Rd :: 706.738.6055

5. Three Dollar Lounge (3DL) / 1524 Gordon Hwy :: 706.364.2924

6. Alter Egoz Sports Bar / 1721 Gordon Hwy :: 706.364.8326

7. Limelite Cafe / 1137 Ageraton Lane :: 706.731.0220

8. Roly Poly / 3626 Walton Way Ext #7 :: 706.736.1099

9. RhineHart’s Oyster Bar (Location 1) / 3051 Washington Rd :: 706.860.2337

10. RhineHart’s Oyster Bar (Location 2) / 305 North Belair Rd :: 706.868.6850

11. Miyako Japanese / 2801 Washington Rd Ste. 100 :: 706.755.2338

12. Teresa’s Mexican / 235 Boy Scout Rd :: 706.737.8917

WEGOTSOULin the late 90S, neo soul musicbreathed fresh air into the r&bscene. with only a few soul artists like jill scott, india arie, & erykah badu still currently releasing chart topping albums, in the mainstream it seemed like the genre quickly faded away. but we’ve found that, the genre hasn’t went away, just relocat-ed to the underground. here’s a few front runners of the new soul movement....

Pg. 18 :: www.themahoganylounge.com

ERICROBERSON

THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE LEDISI

The king of indie soul, Eric Roberson wears many hats when it comes to music. The New Jersey native, sometimes referred to as ‘Erro’, started out penning songs for soul singers Jill Scott & Musiq. Soon after, he landed a position on DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Touch of Jazz Production Collective, making contributions to Jeff’s 2004 “Magnificent” album. After founding his imprint Blue Erro Soul, Roberson released a string of critically acclaimed albums, with his most recent one 2011, “Mister Nice Guy”. Currently touring the country promoting his new release, Roberson already has and will remain a household name in the future of soul music.

Innovative, soulful, and genre-bending are a few ways to describe The Foreign Exchange. Group members, North Carolina native Phonte(songwriter/vocalist) and Netherland based Nicolay(producer) met via the internet. The two collaborated on several songs, which led to their first album in 2004, “Connected”. Following up with the critically acclaimed “Leave It All Behind” which featured the Grammy nominated single “Daykeeper”, The Foreign Exchange solidified their position in music. With a fresh blend of R&B, Electronica, and Hip Hop, their 2010 “Authenticity” further carves their own lane in music.

Soul singer Ledisi shares a story quite similar to many of her peers in soul music. After failed attempts at earning a deal performing with her group Anibade, Ledisi went solo forming her own label, LeSun Records with Sundra Manning. She released a couple of indie albums before singing with Verve Forecast Music in 2007. Her breakthrough project “Lost & Found”, leveraged two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist in 2008. She returned in 2009 with “Turn Me Loose” and in 2011 with “Pieces of Me”. With two more Grammy nominations in the upcoming year, Ledisi continues to blaze her trail in music history.