Model Mondays Feature: Sashia Summers

Originating from the beautiful reggae island of Jamaica, Sashia has relocated and now resides in the UK. The recent years have seen her growth and maturity in the modeling industry with her recent signing to Femelle, one of the UK's leading Urban Model Agencies. With her portfolio boasting an ever expanding array of shoots and assignments with video features including Tinchy Stryder's 'Rollin' and Millionaire Boyz’ 'She's a Hustler', Sashia is heading for nothing but success. An independent, reliable, focused yet easy-going individual Sashia goes for what she wants. With her Barbie-Doll figure, sensual looks and bubbly personality Sashia brings glamour, professionalism, and diversity to every assignment.

DJ Grain: What’s your name?
Sashia: Sashia Summmers.

DJ Grain: Where are you from?
Sashia: Montego Bay, Jamaica but I reside in London, UK.

DJ Grain: How many years have you been modeling?
Sashia: Years (LOL). A relatively short period.

DJ Grain:What are the misconceptions people commonly have about models that are untrue?
Sashia:That we’re all airheads or shallow, and rely purely on our looks, we’re all the same in real life as we are on print or in videos (they don't understand that in front of the camera we’re in character mode), and that we are all available.

DJ Grain: What shows, videos, magazines, etc. have you been featured in?
Sashia: Tinchy Stryder's 'Rollin' and Millionaire Boyz’ 'She's a Hustler'.

DJ Grain: What photographers have you worked with?
Sashia: Kosher of Femelle Studios, Vic Morley, Daniel Rachev of Juice Magazine UK and Sean Hickey.

DJ Grain: What photographers would you like to work with?
Sashia: David LaChapelle, Matthew Jordan Smith, Frizzy Q, Maya Guez, Marques Klinko... the list is endless.

DJ Grain: Can you describe the grind of a model trying to break into the industry?
Sashia: HARD, NON-STOP HUSTLE. Continuous networking and trying to connect with the right people in the right places. Swimming through the smoke-screens and mirror operations of all these fraudulent so-called agents, managers and artists that want to feature but for no pay. It’s important to build your brand and let people know that you’re out there, so initially you have to do a lot of free jobs to build a profile and then you must start to withdraw and only work on select high profile projects. At the same time you’ve still got to continue to direct traffic to your own website. That’s the hustle.

DJ Grain: Any words for the ladies out there that have aspirations of entering the modeling industry?
Sashia: Yeah, sure. I’m always happy to offer help or advice. Stay focused, be original and have a clear understanding and knowledge of what kind of modeling it is you want to get involved in. It’s very easy to get exploited in this industry and get side-tracked from your original goal. Do your research and get an insight on what other models have to share. Also I think its very important to invest in yourself in all areas of self nails, hair, skin, physique and attire. You need to be on point in these areas so take time on your appearance and how you conduct yourself. Some of these things may cost money but remember you have to spend money to make money.

DJ Grain: How can people contact you for booking?
Sashia: Hit me on my emails: sashi2nice@hotmail.com and kosher@femelle.co.uk. WEBSITE COMING SOON

Model Mondays Feature: Arkeedah McCormick

This week it is my pleasure to present Ms. Arkeedah, reppin the ATL to the fullest. She represents a different type of model that a lot of folks may not be so familiar with. Besides doing runway shows and promotional events, she is a 'hair model'. These fearless young ladies that are hair models are a unique group, they have to trust that the individual doing their hair will do a good job and not have them looking jacked up in front of audience. Ms. Arkeedah took some time out of her busy schedule to chat with me about the modeling industry and drop some knowledge for young ladies thinking of being models. Check out the interview below.

DJ Grain: Where are you from?
Arkeedah: Atlanta, GA.

DJ Grain: How many years have you been modeling?
Arkeedah: 3 years.

DJ Grain: What are the misconceptions people commonly have about models that are untrue?
Arkeedah: The most common one I deal with is people automatically assume I have an attitude, but when people get to know me, they find out I’m a pretty cool person.

DJ Grain: What shows, videos, magazines, etc. have you been featured in?
Arkeedah: Maxim, Online Bonus Babe 2007, MTV’s Yo Momma Extra 03-2007, Aanaya Couture Fashion Show July 19 2007, Bronner Brother’s FHI Heat Hair Show Technical Model 8-20-2007, Milky Way Hair Battle Model 8-04-2008, Mychael Knight Model for Fall Line Presentation 2008,Karl Kani New Face Top 20 Finalist, and Hotlanta Hair Directory Volume 5.

DJ Grain: What photographers have you worked with?
Arkeedah: Reggie Anderson, Sta'fon Shamayim, and Precise.

DJ Grain: What photographers would you like to work with?
Arkeedah: I would love to work with Derek Blanks and Leo Marshall.

DJ Grain: Can you describe the grind of a model trying to break into the industry?
Arkeedah: One word, HUSTLE. Webster definition: promote energetically and aggressive. You have to know where you want to go, and have a plan on how to get there.

DJ Grain: Any words for the ladies out there that have aspirations of entering the modeling industry?
Arkeedah: Stay motivated and if you have the drive to pursue it, then do it!

DJ Grain: How can people contact you for booking?
Arkeedah: I can be reached via email @ Arkeedah McCormick

Model Mondays Feature: Ms. Hollywood Don Diva

It's my pleasure to introduce to you all Ms. Hollywood Don Diva. She represents the streets and D.C. to the fullest in a classy way that only a diva could do. To her, grindin' isn't a thing and is in the game to win. Ms. Don Diva has big plans in 2009, with movie appearances, videos, and much much more. So don't be surprised if you see her on TV or hosting a party at your favorite club. Read below for the interview with Ms. Hollywood Don Diva.

DJ Grain: What’s your name?
Hollywood Don Diva: My name is Janese a.k.a HOLLYWOOD DON DIVA.

DJ Grain: Where are you from?
Hollywood Don Diva: Im from UPTOWN D.C.

DJ Grain: How many years have you been modeling?
Hollywood Don Diva: I've been modeling just for a couple of months, and its been great so far.

DJ Grain: What are the misconceptions people commonly have about models that are untrue?
Hollywood Don Diva: Well, the misconceptions people may have about models like us, especially in the Hip Hop light about it, they may say we fuck to get ahead which many of us don't. We work just as hard as the next person. They may say modelling isn't nothing or it's easy. Well it's not, it's very hard. You have to learn about your face and what looks good and what doesn't. How to hold your pose. Photo shoots that start at 1pm or 2pm, and last all night until 2am or 3am in the morning. It ain't easy, but this is what I do, I love it.

DJ Grain: What shows, videos, magazines, etc. have you been featured in?
Hollywood Don Diva: Well I have not stamped anything just quite yet. There were a couple of big projects I was supposed to have done sometimes business ain't together. Right now I'm just still building my business, and everything. Getting ready to do this big website, where all fans and viewers can come and check up on your girl, read about me, chat with me, purchase some lovely products featuring "The Diva", but right now I'm just updating my Myspace. Which I'm getting so much love from. I've got some videos, and movie parts I'm looking at. For these updates just keep checking my myspace.com/hollywooddondiva. Check out these sites as well.
eyehoney.com/hollywood-don-diva,topmodelprofile.com, royalbluedimes.com/dimes/hollywood_don_diva, urbmob.com/hollywooddondiva,modelmayhem.com/873888

DJ Grain: What photographers have you worked with?
Hollywood Don Diva: I have worked with Photographer Kennedy the best in D.C., Cody @MkDk MEDIA in MD, Jeffery Martin in Baltimore, and Mike Styles my manager who has also shot me twice in Uptown D.C., and many more.

DJ Grain: What photographers would you like to work with?
Hollywood Don Diva: I would like to work with Photographer Mark Robert Halper, Block2Block magazine, there are a lot of photographers I would love to work with, especially Ed Hardy.

DJ Grain: Can you describe the grind of a model trying to break into the industry?
Hollywood Don Diva: Well, to all young women trying to break through, my advice never let no one take advantage of you, always build a solid foundation which could be a business that you can hold as your own. Stay focus and confident because this is a tough industry.

DJ Grain: Any words for the ladies out there that have aspirations of entering the modeling industry?
Hollywood Don Diva: To any women who love modeling, live it everyday, breathe it, sleep it, eat it. Do it...with class, pride, self dignity, confidence, strong head, focus, and determination. Know your place in this game, and never say I can't.

DJ Grain: How can people contact you for booking?
Hollywood Don Diva: I can be contacted through management team Styles Entertainment Agency - Mike Styles - (202) 277-4283 and/or my email hollywooddondiva@gmail.com, or hit me up on http://www.myspace.com/hollywooddondiva.

Hollywood Don Diva Myspace

Legendary Freestyle Battle - Serius Jones vs Moonface

This has got to be one of the greatest battles I have ever seen, period.

Shouts from Hollywood Don Diva Next Week's Featured Model

D.C.'S BOSS DIVA

Be on the look out for the interview with her next week.

Lykke Li @NTBR Part 4- "Hustlin"

I just recently found about about this artist Lykke Li after hearing her on a track with Drake. She is pretty good, more after the jump.

Lykke Li @ NTBR Part 4 - "Hustlin'" from Drew Innis on Vimeo.

The Movement Fam Model Feature: Regina Ross

The grind-a-holic Ms. Regina Ross has taken a minute out of her busy schedule to chop it up with ya main man DJ Grain. Not only is she a model but she also a student and CEO of a magazine publication that focuses on spoken word poetry.

DJ Grain: Where are you from?
Regina Ross: I am from South Carolina, born in a town called Sumter and raised in the capitol, which is Columbia.

DJ Grain: How many years have you been modeling?
Regina Ross: I have been modeling for 15 years.

DJ Grain: What are the misconceptions people commonly have about models that are untrue?
Regina Ross: Some misconceptions that people may have about models is we are not very intellectual and that we have to be a certain size or height. Models come in all shapes and sizes, I consider a model a person who has something to market physically or mentality wise. I myself have many talents. I write poetry and I am in the process of publishing my own magazine for spoken word artist. Poets Serenity is one of my biggest projects because I have been writing much longer than modeling. I am also going to school for Medical Billing and Coding, which is a stable career choice I have made to maintain learning something new in the medical field, as it consistently changes all the time.

DJ Grain: What shows, videos, magazines, etc. have you been featured in?
Regina Ross: Some of the shows I have been involved in was as a promotional model for a show Dungeon Family's own Backbone did back in South Carolina at the Coliseum; I was a featured model for a show UrbMob did at Lotus Lounge for new and upcoming artists. I also did a commercial for Pin Strikes Bowling Alley, MTV's Album release party for T.I. at the Velvet Room. Fashion shows by Elegante, House of Style By Monique, LaChic Hair Studio, BBK Apparrel, Ruff Ryders Film Casting for The System Within, Black Experience Magazine, and various modeling competitions by international model and talent search companies.

DJ Grain: What photographers have you worked with?
Regina Ross: I have worked recently with Thad Fauster, D. Divine, J.W. Enterprises, JandD Images, K. Jones, Glamour Shots Promotional Model, and the list goes on...

DJ Grain: What photographers would you like to work with?
Regina Ross: I would love to work with Essence Magazine, Elite, Sean John, Baby Phat, Whilemenia, Black Barbies, Sean Anthony Photography, Leo Marshall, Ms. B. Breezy, XOXO. I would like to work with so many people, it would probably take all day to just name them all. But I would most definitely love to work with some of the top marketing agencies.

DJ Grain: Can you describe the grind of a model trying to break into the industry?
Regina Ross: The grind of modeling is persistence and taking the time out to go out and network and market yourself, so people can get a feel of your personality because they are not always looking for that look - sometimes they want to see what your personality is like. And I feel like if you're a go getter than you can reach the goals you set. Going on photo shoots, open calls, networking, and just putting your foot forward to the work you have already invested time into. I feel like you can only do what God will allow you to do at that moment in your life, but patience and persistence will pay off eventually.

DJ Grain: Any words for the ladies out there that have aspirations of entering the modeling industry?
Regina Ross: Simply to just know God has your back and have faith. If you're a single parent and out here trying to do your thing, keep pushing and keep praying. I know what it's like, God is not blind and definitely not asleep. Stick with your dreams and don't give up when it gets hard you get stronger, and you learn to be thankful for the good and the bad to cherish and endure all the blessings he has in store for you as you go through all the trials.

Contact info:
Regina Ross Myspace
modelreginaross@live.com

The Movement Fam Model Feature: Ayanna G.

I have finally have been able to catch with my homegirl, Ms. Ayanna G, who is a behind the desk corporate lady by day, and by night she is a hardworking promo model that stays on the grind.

DJ Grain: Where are you from?

Ayanna: I currently reside in Atlanta , GA.

DJ Grain: How many years have you been modeling?

Ayanna: About 5 years.

DJ Grain: What are the misconceptions people commonly have about models that are untrue?

Ayanna: That models are stupid, lazy or incompetent. I’ve never really understood the reasoning behind incompetent. Sure, you may think that someone who doesn’t have a traditional job may be lazy or less than intelligent. But that doesn’t mean that they are totally incapable of having a 9 to 5.

DJ Grain: What shows, videos, magazines, etc. have you been featured in?

Ayanna: I have worked with Sophisticate’s Black Hair Magazine, various liquor brands and I was feature in an episode of the dating show “Elimidate”.

DJ Grain: What photographers have you worked with?

Ayanna: J. Knorr, Shawn Dowdell, Craig Sims, Drexina Nelson, Paul Lawson, DeWayne Hathaway, Leo Marshall, Gary McCutchins.

DJ Grain: What photographer(s) would you like to work with?

Ayanna: Derek Blanks.

DJ Grain: Can you describe the grind of a model trying to break into the industry?

Ayanna: Lots of rejection and standing in lines. Loads of photo shoots to practice, build your portfolio and network. You’ll meet some of the most interesting and fum people in this industry.

DJ Grain: Any words for the ladies out there that have aspirations of entering the modeling industry?

Ayanna: Stay positive. Know yourself and your boundaries BEFORE you get in front of the camera. Stay away from the scammers. Have fun and stay healthy.