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Merical Joy is Naturally Glam!

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Greetings Curlfriends! My name is Merical Joy (pronounced like Miracle) or just plain ol’ MJ. I currently live in Atlanta, Georgia! I am a mother, daughter, sister, auntie, and amateur photographer. I love r&b music, writing and all things creative.

How long have you been natural?
I’ve been natural a little over 2 years. I did my big chop in April of 2011 and another big chop/style cut in April of 2013. I started my natural hair transition in Nov 2010. It wasn’t a big stretch to do the big chop because my hair was already in a short hair cut. I was impatient and couldn’t wait to start my hair journey.



What motivated you to go natural? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?
Doing the big chop was one of the most liberating things ever! There is nothing about my hair that I don’t love. It’s easy to manage and maintain. My routines are simple and easy. Don’t mean to brag 🙂

Read On!>>>


What has been the most memorable part of your journey?
Most memorable moments for me include participating in other women’s natural hair journeys. I’ve been there for big chops, doing two of them myself, shopping for products and meeting some amazing women in the natural hair community.

It’s an incredible journey. I have enjoyed every bit of it and I wouldn’t change or go back to a relaxer for anything in the world. I don’t see the “natural hair movement” as a fad or trend. To me it’s simply being the woman God intended for me to be.

What are some of your favorite hairstyles? 
Since I’m currently rockin a tapered twa, I LOVE wash and gos. When my hair was longer, my go to style was twist outs. I also wore puffs, bantu knots, and finger coils. I believe in having fun with my hair. I am not afraid of color and trying different hair styles.

Any memorable reactions from family or others? 
My son and significant other love my natural hair! My support system is awesome and even my sisters are natural haired beauties! Before returning to natural the running joke was that I was apart of the “Hair Witness Protection” program! Not much has changed because I’ll still switch it up in a heart beat 🙂 You never know what to expect with me and my hair!

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I wore a blow out last summer to a family function and I was surprised by the reaction of my family. They are used to me constantly changing my hair so “returning to natural” wasn’t a surprise to them. The surprise came from them seeing how big my hair was and how much it had grown.

My stash includes Herbal Essences Hello Hydration shampoo and conditioner. Shea moisture curl defining smoothie, and deep conditioner. As I Am Twist Defining Cream, Ecco Styler Gel, Argan and EVOO Oils.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?
CurlyNikki.com is my favorite website for all things natural hair related. On YouTube you can catch me watching Natural Chica, Ariel Sansaricq (hair cut inspired by her), My Natural Sistas, and many, many more!

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
My hair journey coincides with my journey of life after death. I lost my mom April 7, 2012 and she was the epitome of what being a strong woman was all about. After her passing I learned about an inner strength I didn’t know I had. Returning to natural allowed me to not only fall in love with myself all over again but to also not be afraid to step out on faith and walk the path that God has laid for me. Family, friends and my faith are important and are a vital part of who I am and what keeps me grounded. I believe in sharing my journeys because so many have shared theres. At the end of the day “If you’ve been blessed then it’s your responsibility to be a blessing to others.”

Where can people find you for more information?
Kinki_Gyrl@yahoo.com
KinkiGyrl on Instagram
KinkiGyrl on Twitter
http://blog.elledanielle.com/2013/05/07/merical-atlanta-portrait-session/
www.trulyblessedmom.wordpress.com

Global Couture is trying to spread the word about embracing your natural hair. Love your HAIR, if it is wavy, curly, kinky or coily.
Are you naturally fierce? Email us to share your hair journey at globalcouture@aol.com.

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Artist

Dee-1 Calls Raheem DeVaughn To “Purify My Eyes”

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Fresh off his Breakfast Club appearance after having “Lines Drawn” with help from Billboard and successfully migrating From The Hood To Harvard, NOLA native Dee-1 taps Soul singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn for “Purify My Eyes.” Continuing his theme of counter-culture centered messaging the timely track, which was produced by Anonymous, urges listeners to replace images of corruption and cynicism with lifegiving content to reprogram our thinking for the better.

“This is easily one the most important songs I have ever done because it provides Hip-Hop with a solution-based perspective meant to combat some of the problems we face as a culture. It’s honest, raw, and transparent. I’ve been friends with Raheem Devaughn for a long time, so to finally collaborate on a song feels great. When I played the record for him, he fell in love with it and instantly added his parts; which took the song to another level,” say’s the David Found His Slingshot author in a exclusive statement to Medium Creative Agency.

Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana’s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career.

Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.

After addressing critics and fans alike in the official music video for the Danny Beats-produced single for “Lines Drawn” and following his viral interview on Sway In The Morning centered around industry hypocrisy, Emmy-nominated educator turned entertainer Dee-1 released his latest project to date From The Hood To Harvard. The 8-track body of work includes guest features from Skyy Brooks as well as P3RK and is anchored by supporting records “Impostor Syndrome” & “Dr. Freshh.”

Stream “Purify My Eyes” on your DSP of choice below and watch Dee-1‘s interview with The Breakfast Club | HERE.

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Chelsea Pastel Releases Motivative New Single “Price Going Up”

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To celebrate “Greener” pastures, following the announcement of her joining Kid Cudi’s ‘Insano World Tour,’ Cleveland native Chelsea Pastel releases the Cassius G-produced single “Price Going Up.” Marking CP’s explosive entrance into 2024, the empowering anthem resonates with anybody pushing forward with resilience and determination. With infectious beats and powerful vocals, she asserts her presence as a rising star to watch. Setting the stage for an exciting year ahead, the brand-new track is a bold declaration of Chelsea’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

“I jumped off that porch, I’m not going back to that house and I mean just that. I’m never looking back. I took a leap of faith and where I land is where I’m staying,” says the talented triple threat in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about her latest release.

Born and bred in Forest City, Chelsea found her passion for music early on, which led her to enroll in the Cleveland School of Arts. After graduating, Chelsea begin to make a name for herself throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her unique sonic style, catchy hooks, and lyrical prowess have earned her the title of Cleveland’s Next Up talent.

Apart from accolades, which include spotlight spots regionally on WKYC and Dirty Glove Bastard as well as national recognition on top-tier entertainment networks like BET, Chelsea is a self-taught instrumentalist who often handles her production, writing, and engineering. Her unique brand of ballads can be best classified as a fusion of Rap and Pop with a touch of Rock accented by old-school flavor.

Press play on “Price Going Up” on your DSP of choice below and watch the visual for “Greener” | HERE via Pastel Productions LLC / Vydia.

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Music

Chill Vibes and Sultry Melodies: Exploring iazY’s Latest Release “Pink Leaf”

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Hailing from the vibrant city of Irvine, the rising artist iazY is making waves with her latest single, “Pink Leaf,” released under her own label, iazY Music Ent. This track, produced by The Real Mapa and engineered by Troy “R8dio” Johnson, introduces listeners to iazY’s signature sound—a fusion of Urban pop rock melodies.

iazY shared her motivation behind crafting “Pink Leaf,” revealing, “I just had this vision of just a chill vibe, something for my ladies.” This intention shines through in the song’s laid-back groove and sultry lyrics, creating an irresistible atmosphere that invites listeners to unwind and groove along.

What sets “Pink Leaf” apart for iazY is not only its sound but also the emotions it evokes. She explains, “I think just how the song sounds and how it makes me feel. It just puts me in that ‘have fun chill’ vibe.” With its catchy hooks and lush production, “Pink Leaf” effortlessly captures iazY’s essence as an artist, marking a milestone in her musical journey.

As iazY continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of genres and infectious energy, fans eagerly anticipate upcoming shows and releases. To stay updated on iazY’s latest endeavors, follow her on Instagram @iazyofficial and keep an ear out for future announcements from iazY Music Ent.

Visit iazyMusic.com

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