Grinding: Nikki NTU

(Photo by King Texas)

1. Name/Alias: Nikki NTU

2.Where are you from/ Where do you currently live?: Brooklyn, NYC

3. Where did/do you go to school and your major?: I attend Fordham University. I major in African and African American Studies.

4. What is your Grind? I'm best known as an emcee, writer, musician, teaching artist, facilitator, and speaker.

5. How did you get into what you're doing now?: I had a love for writing and speaking at a young age. I started rhyming when I was a teen and got into artist development and workshop facilitation around the same time through a mentor of mine. It just grew from there.

6. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?: My mom brainwashed me into thinking I wanted to be an Entertainment Lawyer for most of my childhood, ha! But I always loved writing and drawing. I grew up around that creative environment and got to see a lot of that lifestyle so I knew whatever I would be it would have something to do with expression and cultivation.

7. What are some contributing factors that shaped the life you live now?: Being around folks who push beyond their limitations has been a great influence. Having the opportunity to be exposed to what the world has to offer and understanding how I can contribute.

8. Any specific people that mentored or helped guide you to your current path?:Absolutely. Toni Blackman for one. She was key in me being and doing what I do today.

9. What motivates you?: Other artists. Being around them, speaking with them, enjoying their vibe. Learning about artists and figures who've come before me and the things they faced. I think learning or experiencing inspires me in general. Seeing what is missing and working to fill that gap.

10. Your favorite author and why?: That's a hard one... Right now I'm on D.J. Conway and Ra Un Nefer Amen. Subject wise, they are some of the best. But when it comes to tone, Pierre Stephen Robert Payne brings so much heat to a his writing.

11. What are 3 goals you want to achieve within the next year?: Hmmmm.....
1. Tour 2. Have my organization up and running 3. Map out a space and place of my own where I can put roots

12. One person that continuously inspires you and why?: It's hard to pick one...I'd really have to say MeLo-X. I've always admired his ability to keep moving. His vision and work ethic is crazy. I just sit back sometimes and smile. Gives me a great sense of pride.

13. 3 Indie brands you LOVE to rock?: ALIEN, Vane NYC, Open Ceremony (if my pockets are right), and though I don't have any pieces yet, I stumbled on Loza Maleombho, which I think is a really fly brand.

14. What annoys you the most?: Ha! Constant sneezing and coughing! I can't STAND it! Sounds like they can't breathe and then I feel like I can't breathe and then we're both weezin'. And it's nasty. Get ya immune system up mang!

15. Your best quality?: My sincerity. From anger to complete joy it's always raw passion. Sometimes a jerk...but always honest.

Check out Nikki's blog & download her latest EP Medulla Dinner, its wicked ya'll!

Grinding: Sigourney Salley

1. Name/Alias: Sigourney Salley / Signature Style

2.Where are you from/ Where do you currently live?: I grew up in between Harlem and Brooklyn, New York. I currently live in the East New York section of Brooklyn, New York.

3. Where did/do you go to school and your major?: I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology (located on 7th and 27th street) last May with a dual degree in Advertising and Marketing/Fashion Merchandising Management. I do plan on going back for my certification in Wardrobe Styling next year :).

4. What is your Grind? I consider myself a Renaissance woman with many hustles under my belt that all lead to my personal ideology of what success is.

• TRACE MAGAZINE: Since my Sophomore year of F.I.T. I have been with this transcultural magazine. I started as the Special Events personal assistant - throughout my first two years with TRACE, I was taught how to properly plan and execute a successful industry special event. Some highlights are planning the annually popular Black Girls Rules; Product Launches (Rimmel Underground); and planning events for Issue Covers which included Iman, Kelis, Keri Hilson, Mya, and Spike Lee to name a few. Presently I continue to be their Marketing Coordinator and the Online Trace Magazine supplement in the version of a blog Editor in which I manage bloggers, interview extraordinary individuals, set up photo shoots and try my best to update daily with such a hectic schedule.


• WARDROBE STYLIST: Under my upcoming Styling House - Signature Style - I set up interesting fashion-forward photo shoots with some minimal personal styling for specific clients. I have worked personally with Nikki Ntu (DJ Melo X's artist) for her now released mix tape and was recently published in the UK's Anatitude Magazine (Photography: King Texas).


• JEWELRY DESIGNER: When you deal in artistry you are always drawn to specific items that make a person stand out. I have recently started a small jewelry line Sequins, Pearls & Cigarettes - that I am completely excited about. It is still in the beginning stages so I don't want to say too much yet!

5. How did you get into what you're doing now?: All three of my hustles are important to me and make me who I am as a person. I feel that as I grew into who I am at this point in my life; each one presented a new challenge to me. I don't believe that anything is impossible unless you stop yourself from accomplishing something.  My main focus is Wardrobe Styling - it has been a love of mine for a long time. It is the essence of curating a look with every intimate detail that keeps me striving to be one of the best. I was introduced to it from helping on a set at the magazine - ever since then its' been a part of my life!

6. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?: A Lawyer because I always had to give my opinion to every situation.

7. What are some contributing factors that shaped the life you live now?: Living in Public Housing (which made me want to be the opposite of my environment); Mentoring Programs - Team  Revolution + Hip Hop Project (where I learned to not be scared of my potential and to enjoy being a creative being); My Mother and Grandmother (for always supporting me); Amazing Friends (for encouragement-creativity sessions) + Fearlessness (mostly not being scared of failure - without failure there is no growth)!

8. Any specific people that mentored or helped guide you to your current path?: Divine Bradley (Team Revolution) taught me a major lesson "The best way to predict the future is to create it". I live by this mantra and know that without me striving -- I will never accomplish.

9. What motivates you?: Fashion motivates me. It is ever changing and with that I have to be quick on my toes to know the Yes and No within this industry when it comes to clothing, brands, it, length, colors, etc. It is hard core but I can handle it.

10. Your favorite author and why?: Anna Wintour - she's the face of Vogue and an inspiration to strict discipline with your craft.

11. What are 3 goals you want to achieve within the next year?:

• Being published in another major /  indie fashion magazine with my Styling Credentials.


• Travel to a country - either Africa or the UK.


• Finding a booking agent to assist in my career as a Stylist.

12. One person that continuously inspires you and why?: My core group of friends inspire me - without them I wouldn't have the motivation to keep it pushing.

13. 3 Indie brands you LOVE to rock?:

• Princess Of The Posse (P.O.P.)


• GoodWood NYC


• Melody Ehsani

14. What annoys you the most?: Individuals who are scared to be themselves and hold their endless potential back.

15. Your best quality?: A tie between Time-Management / Over The Top Creativity

Visit Signature Style to see more of Sigourney's work!

Grinding: Vash Luv

1. Name/Alias: Naivasha Colette Thomas by birth. Vashluv by vocation.

2.Where are you from/ Where do you currently live?: Spent most of adolescence in Stockton, California. Lately I've been a bit of a vagabond, residing in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and now New York City.

3. Where did/do you go to school and your major?: Obtained my Bachelors at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Theatre Studies and Design. I entered college with a deep desire to study film but quickly drifted back to my thespian roots.

4. What is your Grind? My grind is limitless. I think being well-rounded with the ability to flex all muscles is key for dubious success and longevity. I am constantly working as a make up artist, concept / art director, and set builder. Overall, I'm a crafty gal and good with my hands. J My heart moves me, capturing emotion and evoking its complexities.  This is expressed through several medias; such as photography, retail, film and lives stage. Currently I am doing visuals for a major global retailer and preparing some uuber fun shoots with great minds in the NY area.

5. How did you get into what you're doing now?: I jumped into this head first, immediately choosing to swim and not sink. I grew up entertaining and worked vigorously in dance and theater. As I engulfed more in the arts my aesthetic opinion and conceptual curator inside began to evolve. I grabbed influence from my education, work experience and strong upbringing to channel my own path.

6. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?: I always wanted to be a flyy girl, the outfits and knee pads. So sassy-street. And the biker shorts… but that dream quickly vanished. So I made a commitment to become an incredible well-rounded person.

7. What are some contributing factors that shaped the life you live now?: Patience of the heart, power of the mind, faith in the Almighty, security in the unknown.

8. Any specific people that mentored or helped guide you to your current path?: My parent seeded and watered me with great morals and values I have just begun to bloom. As I get older I see more of them in my actions and decisions. Abundantly thankful for their guidance and progressive lenience as I travel down the road of the unknown. Learning from others advances and mistakes is how I segway through life. Number one rule is to give it all you got.

9. What motivates you?: Nature and my surroundings inspire me. Being one with the time, moment and space that you are in.

10. Your favorite author and why?: King Solomon. The wisest known to man. His philosophical and spiritual connection in scripture empowers me daily. The book of Ecclesiastes opened a new outlook on life and work as a whole.

11. What are 3 goals you want to achieve within the next year?: Be stronger. Work smarter. Luv louder.

12. One person that continuously inspires you and why?: There is never just one person. I am blessed because of that.

13. 3 Indie brands you LOVE to rock?: I adore Gas’d, Costume Dept, and Mayzani. They provide the essentials.

14. What annoys you the most?: Loud unnecessary noise. Loud unnecessary opinions.

15. Your best quality?: My best quality is my core commitment, living freely.

To learn more about Vash Luv & to view her portfolio visit HERE!

Grinding: Sarah White

1. Name/Alias: Sarah White aka Sarah White Black, The Black Sarah White or Artisticbling (for photos)

2.Where are you from/ Where do you currently live?: I was born and raised in the lovely city of Minneapolis, but reborn in Brooklyn, where I currently lay my head.

3. Where did/do you go to school and your major?: I stu
died Ceramics, Printmaking, Humanities and World Religions at a Community College in Minneapolis.. I've always been all over the place : ) I feel like I have learned most of my trades through the school of life. I learn thru living. I always practice/study to get additional skills thru internships, yoga schools, collaborations etc but I've been thinking about going back to get a degree in something soon. I just think it would be nice to have..

4. What is your Grind? Wow.. Well, I am a mother to a lovely 5 year old (Iza), a singer/emcee who dabbles in production, photographer (events, portraits, street, collage), writer ( I have a blog with artist and tastemaker Lichiban, called Wronglips, I have written also for Trace Magazine, Urb, and many other print/publications), and occasionally I work in fashion doing stylist work/personal shopping/casting. I currently work at a tiny organic italian spot in Noho, work-study @ Jivamukti Yoga and Im grinding hard on trying to make this music and spread my light/love into the world.

5. How did you get into what you're doing now?: I landed here. Fate/Faith has pushed me onto my path.

6. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?: Lol! I wanted to be an Obstretrician! I wanted to be like Bill Cosby on the Cosby Show. The babies just seemed to POP out with ease... Next I wanted to be in fashion, doing production, etc.. Now, I just want to be a kid again.

7. What are some contributing factors that shaped the life you live now?: Always having people around the believe in me (even when Im having a moment of doubt). I feel like whatever choices I have made, even the shitty ones, I have always had great support from my real friends and family.

8. Any specific people that mentored or helped guide you to your current path?: My Mom and Papi. Always made me feel that I was gifted and could do anything. Zach in Minneap taught me to transform my poems into raps, which began to push my musically journey. My man, Rico. Makes me feel like a Queen and always believes in me.

9. What motivates you?: My daughter and the love that was created to create her. Each day since has kept me on my grind and full of love.

10. Your favorite author and why?: It changes by the week, but I fall somewhere in between Paulo Coelho, who opens me up to mind-travel and worlds beyond.. and Mama Gena (Regena Thomashauer) who teaches me about using my "P" power!

11. What are 3 goals you want to achieve within the next year?:
1. Get all my music out
2. Get yoga teacher certified
3. Travel, travel, travel!!

12. One person that continuously inspires you and why?: My brother. He always gives, even when he has nothing left to give.

13. 3 Indie brands you LOVE to rock?: IF I had money, I would rock things by Camille Peace (Peace Images), Rabbit on the Run, Princess of the Posse (Lichiban just got me into them), 21MC, GoodWood, Melissa Shoes (Recyled plastic, but so hot), GAS'D (Sorry cant name 3..)

14. What annoys you the most?: Money. I repel it.

15. Your best quality?: My fiance says: I lift spirits. I like that.

To learn more about Sarah's Music & Photography visit HERE & HERE