INTERVIEWS
marcela Duarte | Aerial Artist | Brazil
Marcela Duarte is a movement artist, aerialist and choreographer based in New York City. A native of Brazil, she grew up studying ballet, contemporary and Brazilian folk dance. Currently, Marcela is performing in the hit show “Allura Cabaret” in Miami, Florida and taking her talents around the world with her one of a kind talent.
Nick UDG$ | Record Store Owner, DJ | France
Nick UDG$ is the owner of the UNDERGROUND STORE (https://www.undergroundstore.fr) a record store in Villefranche, France located in a small storefront six feet underground. A vinyl historian and disc jockey, Nick chats about his passion for records, and why he wants to share his love for analog music with the world.
Mix master Mike | DJ | Beastie Boys
Named as “the world’s greatest DJ” by USA Today, Grammy Award winner Mix Master Mike’s status as a premier, award-winning DJ and producer has allowed him to maintain his rank as an influential musician, and become a household name. Mix Master Mike’s many accomplishments include a 3 time consecutive win of the DMC World title, a win of the 1992 New Music Seminar DJ Battle, and being inducted into the Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 with the Beastie Boys. His skillful, hard-hitting scratch work has rightfully earned him the status of a pioneer in the hip-hop and DJ communities.
Heywood gould | screenwriter | cocktail
Heywood Gould is an American screenwriter, journalist, novelist and film director. He has penned screenplays for such films as Rolling Thunder, The Boys from Brazil, Fort Apache, The Bronx, Streets of Gold, and Cocktail
Donald Thompson | CEO & Entrepreneur | USA
Donald Thompson is an accomplished business leader, entrepreneur, and CEO of The Diversity Movement. With a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Thompson has dedicated his career to helping organizations create inclusive cultures and drive business growth. As the CEO of The Diversity Movement, Thompson focuses on providing organizations with the tools, resources, and training needed to foster diverse and inclusive workplaces. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Thompson shares his insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and diversity through keynote speeches and media appearances. He continues to inspire and empower individuals and organizations to embrace diversity and harness its transformative power in today's rapidly changing world.
Mazzi | Hip Hop Artist, Activist | Iran
Mazzi has shared stages with Eminem, Big Pun, Sean Price, G-Unit, Ghostface, RUN DMC, Mos Def, Common, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Immortal Technique, Erykah Badu, Dialated Peoples, Aesop Rock, Jedi Mind Tricks and many more. A portion of proceeds from all S.O.U.L. Purpose albums go to charity, and Mazzi regularly travels to Africa and Palestine for humanitarian work, bringing medical supplies and conducting workshops, talent shows and live performances for youth in refugee camps.
Miladic | Hip Hop Artist, HIstory Teacher
History Teacher and Rapper, Miladic explains how Nas and the classic hip-hop record Illmatic influenced him to educate young people.
From political songs about Iran and coming of age stories, to creative tracks using personification and songs paying homage to hip-hop, the listener can easily pick up on the depth of thought behind every idea that is conveyed through his lyrical style and alluring flow.
Steve Sola | Record Producer | NYC
Steve Sola may not be a household name like that of those he has worked with, but when you check out just who he has worked with and the projects he has worked on, you take a minute to educate yourself.
From The Notorious B.I.G. Duets album to Nas’ It Was Written to multiple Mobb Deep credits, this Italian born, New York adoptee has solidified himself as perhaps one of the industries best kept secrets, that is, of course, unless you read the liner notes.