Monthly Feature: Under 40 & Changing The Game (6)

 

 

 

Who is…?
Nelle Rose is a Singer/Songwriter who was born in Mount Vernon, NY and raised in Freehold, NJ. With her family hailing from Jamaica in the 1980s, they instilled in her the value of education, hard work, and the importance of obtaining a skill. At the tender age of five, under the direction of her mother, she began her musical journey by singing in the church choir. Influenced by the likes of Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, and more, she set out to add her name to a group of artists who march to the beat of their own drums. She integrates mystique and raw emotions into her music and stage performances. She plans to continue to build momentum for her livelihood, let her authenticity capture her audiences, and follow the advice of living in the moment. She has adopted a “now or never” mindset: living to fulfill her purpose of touching the world with her gift.
What has contributed to your personal growth?
My journey has been an interesting one, to say the least. I came from a wholesome upbringing with two strict West-Indian, religious educators as parents. They wanted nothing more than for my brother and I to have everything that they didn’t have growing up: the American dream. We were pushed to participate in sports, learn instruments, and become active in our schools and churches. We both were sent to attend college at Rutgers University and graduate with degrees. Although we were expected to obtain typical jobs, the love of music could not seem to leave us because it is in our blood. 
My older brother, Akene “The Champ” Dunkley, graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering and decided to pursue music full-time as a pianist and producer. I graduated with a double major in Psychology and Africana Studies, and dabbled in various music industry internships or miscellaneous jobs. Somewhere along the line however, I realized that NOTHING made me happy besides singing; it had been the only constant thing in my life. I believe that the loss of loved ones, the failures, my parents’ divorce, and heartbreak have made me stronger and more determined to make it.
My growth can also be contributed to my brother. He was never a “yes man”. He always told me if a song I wrote was “whack” or if a note I sang was “off-pitch”. The value of honesty has allowed for me to expand my gift tremendously. It is so important to have a supportive and loyal circle around you.
In the next 5 years where do you see yourself going?
If I stay focused on improving my skill set, consistently make music, and increase my fan base, I WILL BE HAPPY. I need for music to be my full time profession. There is nothing greater than waking up in the morning and doing what you love. It is essential for the world to know and feel my emotion through my music.
What are the 3 images that best describe your growth?

 

 

                                                      
What message would you like to provide those people who have hit a road block with their personal growth?
It is never too late to chase your dreams. The world is yours, but it is UP TO YOU to go get it. We are meant to be rejected and have failures; nothing that we want comes easy. Life is short. Don’t be the person that says, “I wish that I would have followed my passion”. The time is NOW.
How would you like to be remembered?
I want to be remembered by my voice and my personality. I am a very caring person and wear my heart on my sleeve.
What are your current ventures?
I just released my first EP on April 1st, titled “Fool for Love”. It is available everywhere: iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Google Play Music, Spotify, Tidal, and more. I am currently my own manager, but I do have a strong team, Young Kings Productions, working with me to create and dominate. Keep an eye out for us because we aim to take the world by storm!
To monitor my journey, please follow me everywhere at @nellerosemusic
 

Fuckboy

A fuckboy has many definitions but let just keep it easy. Fuckboy is someone who is about self without a second thought to your well being. They always put their need above anything and don’t care who they have to fuck over to reach their goals. This can also apply to women and not generalized to just men.
    My thing with this word is that I think people use it so freely when they don’t get their way. They just call someone a fuckboy without a second thought. I was called a fuckboy twice and took great offense to it. I am the type of person to go above and beyond for whoever I’m with. For someone to call me a fuckboy I felt so disrespected. I know I didn’t deserve to be called a fuckboy because of the type of person I am. After I was called a fuckboy I was compared to the other dudes they dated. That’s when I felt another level of disrespect. At no point have I ever disrespected a female. I was raised the correct way. No matter what a female says to you, be better and treat them how you would treat your mother.
    In one case, I had to ask why she thought I was a fuckboy and why she considered me like these other dudes she dated. Her answer was that I didn’t want to go to an event with her. That was the logic in her calling me a fuckboy. I had to remind her who she was calling a fuckboy. The guy that buys her flowers, just because, takes her out of her comfort zone, pushes and supports her with all her endeavors, provides a shoulder when she needs it and even fixes her bonnet when she is sleeping. I don’t know what fuckboy goes out of their way to make sure you are good before he is good, but okay. She apologized for calling me that, but it’s one of those things you can’t take back. Second person called me and called me a fuckboy while I was at work. I was upset, told her I would talk to her after work because she messed up my entire mood for the day. I was in a positive mood and it sank, because I was called a fuckboy. Of course I drove to her house and had a deep conversation about it. Her response was that she was emotional and on her period, that’s why she said it.

    My assumption is that you always thought of me as fuckboy once they said it honestly. Something that was already brewing in their heads before they said it. When you say how you really feel about someone they will always remember it. People don’t understand the power of words and sometimes never think before they say things.

Monthly Feature: Under 40 & Changing The Game (3)

Who is . . . .?
Lance Sanders but better known as LGburna or Simply Burna

What has contributed to your personal growth?To be honest ,my parents,  my fiance and my mentors. My parents raised me to be self sufficient, although they separated they both taught me valuable lessons to help me develop into a man. My fiance she was able to center my focus on my career and not other trivial things.  My mentors have shown patience throughout my process, weather it be frustrating nights or long phone calls.  I appreciate the kind and harsh words they have given me to make sure i see success! Special thanks to Maurice Harris, Tiwa Works, Phil Fuller, Donyel Stewart, Keithan Watkins and more.
 
In the next 5 years where do you see yourself going?
5 Years … I plan to be completely self sufficient in event planning. I want to have 5-7 staple events a year averaging at a minimum of 2,000 people per event.
What are the 3 images that best describe your growth?
 
A Full Court Press in basketball (I believe you always apply pressure) 


The beginning of The Movie Lucky Number Slevin (Kansas City Shuffle baby) 
Bane from Batman The Dark Knight Rises (Formulate a plan , beat the competition , talk junk while you’re doing it)

 
What message would you like to provide those people who have hit a road block with their personal growth?

Losses come with wins. Be able to bounce back from your short comings. Do not compare your journey with anybody else’s. Everyone’s path is different, don’t get discouraged and continue your path. I’ve lost $4,000 on one event and cried like a baby, I promised myself it would never happen again. IT HASN’T!

How would you like to be remembered?This was a tough one. I’m big on having a positive reputation in business. So that may be it, I want to be remembered for always being a straight shooter.  My business reputation has taken me far, so that’s how would love to be remembered.

What are your current ventures?

My Current Focus is my Alma Mater Elizabeth City State University. I would love to be their immediate outsource company for events. As far as events I am Focused on Weekend At Burnas July 27-30th in Durham , NC ! It’s growing into a major festival in NC.

Monthly Feature: Under 40 & Changing The Game (4)

Who is . . .?

DioMara is a Singer/Songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. She was born to two parents native to Colon, Panama thus having been influenced very strongly by Latinx/West Indian culture. Empowering, virtuous, provocative and stirring the affections and senses of the individual are all descriptive of DioMara’s disposition, sound and image; the qualities of her emotion filled music. She believes in living outside the norm, embracing her flaws as beautiful, and letting her voice be heard despite adversity. DioMara is a fighter to say the least. A budding revolutionary.

What has contributed to your personal growth?
Adversity and failure. I have learned so much about myself over the past 5 years than I’m sure many people do in a lifetime. I have undergone extraordinary experiences that opened my eyes to many things. Not only that dealing with the trials and tribulations of this life as a person dealing with depression, I’ve been forced to sharpen my awareness and mature at a quicker rate in order to preserve myself. I believe my God has blessed me with everything I need to win in this life and so I am very self reliant. Exploring all of the corners of who I am and taking the time (selfishness I suppose) to hone my talents has allowed creativity to flow. The amount of time I give myself has also contributed to my personal growth.

In the next 5 years where do you see yourself going?

If I remain on this path of self preservation, honing all of my talents and loving as deeply as I want to be loved I see myself being incessantly happy. Having the world feel what I feel in my music/art is also my goal. The platform that music allows will also be a vessel for the messages that I would like to get across and it is my belief that through that I can make my mark on this world and contribute to it being a little better. Outside of that who knows what the universe will bring.

What are the 3 images that best describe your growth?

 

 

 

 

 

 

What message would you like to provide those people who have hit a road block with their personal growth?

 

Don’t be afraid to step away from everything and everyone you know to get you right. I value self preservation. Sometimes the happenings in this world can suck you of all life and happiness and so many feel like they have to stay around and deal with it at all times. Understand that you have choices in this life. Many more than you probably realize and the only person you are obligated to is yourself. Take time for you.
How would you like to be remembered?

 

For being 100% authentic and true to myself regardless of how it may be perceived. For invoking emotions through my art that many suppress or feel like no one else could understand.
What are your current ventures?

 

I am currently working on my EP, which will be released late Spring as well as with a collective called AV8TED to propel creativity and entrepreneurship amongst the youth. The youth being ourselves. Being that example of strong individual brands collaborating to achieve a common goal; success.
For anything additional visit my website DioMaraD.com !