THE RUNDOWN: I had the beautiful privaledge to interview Lathleen Ade-Brown. She is a phenomenal entertainment journalist up in New York. She is young and full of ambition and drive. Lathleen has done numerous interviews with some of the entertainent industry's biggest celebrities such as: Common, Olivia, Sammie, Teairra Mari and a few others. Lathleen and I met (via Twitter). She sent me a tweet telling me that she loved my blog, and that she had friend that was hosting an event and that she wanted me to help spread the word. From there on, we stayed connected. F.I.A. is beginning to reach new levels and I am getting into doing more interviews and using my creative skills to advance in my craft. Okay, enough rambling, below is an exclusive interview with my girl Lathleen. Check out and let me know what you think.
(KS)What inspired you to become and entertainment journalist? And what did it take for you to get your name out there?
(LA)I’m in love with words and obsessed with letters, as weird as it may sound. I’ve been writing ever since I was a child, it’s definitely a gift from God that I have, I’m so thankful for it. I wrote short stories and plays throughout my teenage years but I never really pursued my writing career in college because as you now it’s not really the career you want if you want to start making BIG bucks after graduation, so instead of writing I majored in Nursing. I was NOT interested in it at all and realized I was just doing it for the money. And as a result of that I did not excel in my nursing courses at all. Eventually, believe it or not in my senior year of college I quickly switched gears and changed my major to Journalism and English. I graduated in the spring of 2009 with my Bachelor’s Degree and I can’t explain how HAPPY and satisfied I am with my degree. I’ve learned NEVER do anything JUST for the money, EVER!
Although some may feel that my name is “out there”, I don’t in a sense, I feel that I still have a lot more hard work to put in, not to mention a lot more to learn. But to answer your question my senior year of College I interned EVERYWHERE, Radio stations, magazines, and even record labels. Internships are VERY crucial; you will not make it far without one. While interning I’ve met a lot of valuable people and they have helped me A LOT on my journey.
(KS)What is your favorite genre of music? And why?
(LA)My favorite genre I would have to say is R&B, Hip Hop, Rap because I can relate , but I am open to others.
(KS)What music artist inspires you the most? And how?
(LA)Michael Jackson and Kanye West inspire me beyond belief, Michael because he exceeds what the meaning of great is. “Of all time” is what I think of when it comes to Michael, he loved his craft and worked his ass off to be THE best “of all time”. He is an example of what happens to you if you work hard. Kanye West is just a genius as well as a hard worker. I’m attracted to hard workers.
(KS)Do you plan on working for a magazine label? Or have your own entertainment magazine?
(LA)I would love to work with a magazine but my ultimate goal is to finish my manuscripts (a lot of people don’t know) but I’m an author at heart. Eventually my debut novel will be very soon. I’ve let myself down by straying away from my ultimate goal with other things.
(KS)What is your favorite entertainment reading? And why?
(LA)I live in Barnes & Noble, I read anything good it’s very hard to say but I can tell you what I’m reading RIGHT now. The first sitcom mom that played Vivian Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-air, you know the original one. Her name is Janet Hubert and she wrote a book called Perfection is Not a Sitcom Mom. She talks about getting fired from the show and gives an inside look on what Hollywood is all about. What glitters is not gold.
(KS)How would you describe the music today, vs. the music from previous decades?
(LA)I could write a book on this, I am stuck in the 90s, my mp3 player has nothing but music from the 90s, the music that plays today vs the music from previous decades….it makes me scared for the future. I really don’t listen to it much.
(KS)Do you feel that the music from today’s generation corrupts the minds of young people in a negative or positive why? Explain.
(LA)I don’t consume much of today’s generation’s music to really have an opinion on it but I do know that the artists of today really have an impact and a huge influence on the youth and I hope that these artists take that into consideration while putting out new music.
(KS)Out of all the interviews that you’ve done, which one was your favorite? And why?
(LA)I would say Common only because it was such a genuine interview; I felt I was talking to my friend. He left valuable messages with me and that’s what I admire.
(KS)Who haven’t you interviewed, that’s a MUST for you?
(LA)Kanye West, and This is a stretch but Barack Obama
(KS)As you know, I’m a fashion blogger, so how do you think music & fashion collaborates?
(LA)It’s all art…I just think of one word..creation.
(KS)How would you describe your sense of style?
(LA)My style is based on my mood for the day, it changes. I can be preppy I can be natural I can be girly..depends.
(KS)Of all the other entertainment journalists, what is it that makes Lathleen stand out?
(LA)I don’t mix my career with fear. Success and fear don’t mix, without fear I ask whatever question that comes to my mind, which could be a good or bad thing.
(KS)How would you describe the entertainment industry in New York?
(LA)Shady.
(KS)Where are some of your favorite spots in NY where you go and listen to new music?
(LA)I don’t go out much but the last place I went to in New York to hear new music was Santos Party House.
(KS)Do you only interview celebrities?
(LA)I interview newsworthy folks, relevance is more than important. I’m open to anyone I can learn from.
(KS)What is hip-hop to you? And how has hip-hop changed your life?
(LA)Hip hop to me is a culture that I certainly love and admire, I mean real hip hop, I can date my admiration through the years of 1990-1999 everything after really doesn’t move me as much.
(KS)What advice would you give to young aspiring entertainment journalists?
(LA)I’m in love with words and obsessed with letters, as weird as it may sound. I’ve been writing ever since I was a child, it’s definitely a gift from God that I have, I’m so thankful for it. I wrote short stories and plays throughout my teenage years but I never really pursued my writing career in college because as you now it’s not really the career you want if you want to start making BIG bucks after graduation, so instead of writing I majored in Nursing. I was NOT interested in it at all and realized I was just doing it for the money. And as a result of that I did not excel in my nursing courses at all. Eventually, believe it or not in my senior year of college I quickly switched gears and changed my major to Journalism and English. I graduated in the spring of 2009 with my Bachelor’s Degree and I can’t explain how HAPPY and satisfied I am with my degree. I’ve learned NEVER do anything JUST for the money, EVER!
Although some may feel that my name is “out there”, I don’t in a sense, I feel that I still have a lot more hard work to put in, not to mention a lot more to learn. But to answer your question my senior year of College I interned EVERYWHERE, Radio stations, magazines, and even record labels. Internships are VERY crucial; you will not make it far without one. While interning I’ve met a lot of valuable people and they have helped me A LOT on my journey.
(KS)What is your favorite genre of music? And why?
(LA)My favorite genre I would have to say is R&B, Hip Hop, Rap because I can relate , but I am open to others.
(KS)What music artist inspires you the most? And how?
(LA)Michael Jackson and Kanye West inspire me beyond belief, Michael because he exceeds what the meaning of great is. “Of all time” is what I think of when it comes to Michael, he loved his craft and worked his ass off to be THE best “of all time”. He is an example of what happens to you if you work hard. Kanye West is just a genius as well as a hard worker. I’m attracted to hard workers.
(KS)Do you plan on working for a magazine label? Or have your own entertainment magazine?
(LA)I would love to work with a magazine but my ultimate goal is to finish my manuscripts (a lot of people don’t know) but I’m an author at heart. Eventually my debut novel will be very soon. I’ve let myself down by straying away from my ultimate goal with other things.
(KS)What is your favorite entertainment reading? And why?
(LA)I live in Barnes & Noble, I read anything good it’s very hard to say but I can tell you what I’m reading RIGHT now. The first sitcom mom that played Vivian Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-air, you know the original one. Her name is Janet Hubert and she wrote a book called Perfection is Not a Sitcom Mom. She talks about getting fired from the show and gives an inside look on what Hollywood is all about. What glitters is not gold.
(KS)How would you describe the music today, vs. the music from previous decades?
(LA)I could write a book on this, I am stuck in the 90s, my mp3 player has nothing but music from the 90s, the music that plays today vs the music from previous decades….it makes me scared for the future. I really don’t listen to it much.
(KS)Do you feel that the music from today’s generation corrupts the minds of young people in a negative or positive why? Explain.
(LA)I don’t consume much of today’s generation’s music to really have an opinion on it but I do know that the artists of today really have an impact and a huge influence on the youth and I hope that these artists take that into consideration while putting out new music.
(KS)Out of all the interviews that you’ve done, which one was your favorite? And why?
(LA)I would say Common only because it was such a genuine interview; I felt I was talking to my friend. He left valuable messages with me and that’s what I admire.
(KS)Who haven’t you interviewed, that’s a MUST for you?
(LA)Kanye West, and This is a stretch but Barack Obama
(KS)As you know, I’m a fashion blogger, so how do you think music & fashion collaborates?
(LA)It’s all art…I just think of one word..creation.
(KS)How would you describe your sense of style?
(LA)My style is based on my mood for the day, it changes. I can be preppy I can be natural I can be girly..depends.
(KS)Of all the other entertainment journalists, what is it that makes Lathleen stand out?
(LA)I don’t mix my career with fear. Success and fear don’t mix, without fear I ask whatever question that comes to my mind, which could be a good or bad thing.
(KS)How would you describe the entertainment industry in New York?
(LA)Shady.
(KS)Where are some of your favorite spots in NY where you go and listen to new music?
(LA)I don’t go out much but the last place I went to in New York to hear new music was Santos Party House.
(KS)Do you only interview celebrities?
(LA)I interview newsworthy folks, relevance is more than important. I’m open to anyone I can learn from.
(KS)What is hip-hop to you? And how has hip-hop changed your life?
(LA)Hip hop to me is a culture that I certainly love and admire, I mean real hip hop, I can date my admiration through the years of 1990-1999 everything after really doesn’t move me as much.
(KS)What advice would you give to young aspiring entertainment journalists?
(LA)Never ever give up, I’m still trying to find my way. Learn your craft, breathe your craft, never stop writing. I can spend hours in Barnes and Noble in the Writing/Editing section reading every book and just falling in love with my craft.
(KS)What do you do on your spare time when you’re not writing or interviewing?
(LA)I watch A LOT of movies, I really want to take things to the next level one day and write a few scripts for movies. With God’s grace everything is possible.
(KS)What is your favorite quote that you apply to your daily living?
(KS)What do you do on your spare time when you’re not writing or interviewing?
(LA)I watch A LOT of movies, I really want to take things to the next level one day and write a few scripts for movies. With God’s grace everything is possible.
(KS)What is your favorite quote that you apply to your daily living?
(LA)“You can make me cry, but you can not make me quit,” People can say some foul stuff or try and insult you, I’ll probably feel it for a minute but that’s not going to make me quit at all.
“I don’t kiss ass, I kick it,” a lot of people in the industry look forward to kissing the next person’s ass to get ahead, I don’t believe in that. Hard work pays off, your talent will always shine through, there’s no need to kiss anyone’s ass.
“I don’t kiss ass, I kick it,” a lot of people in the industry look forward to kissing the next person’s ass to get ahead, I don’t believe in that. Hard work pays off, your talent will always shine through, there’s no need to kiss anyone’s ass.
Check out more of her work at http://www.lathleenwrites.com/
Contact Lathleen www.twitter.com/lathleen
xoxo,
Key ♥
Email me: keyia@fashioninaktion.com
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