DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2010

CheekiPowPow’s long-awaited first project is here! As of 11:59 on May 30th. “Hear Me Roar” has been available for free download via various media outlets, particularly: Reverbnation, and Datpiff.com. This album is the perfect marriage of mixtape she-mixes and original songs, which is why Cheeki often refers to it as her Malbum (mixtape/album) This started with her re-mix of Kid Cudi’s ‘Day N Night’ which has accumulated approximately 30,000 listens/views via myspace and youtube.

Although she can be considered a rookie when it comes to "the business," shes been at it her whole life and her singing and unique writing ability compensate greatly for what she is still learning. Cheeki is independently releasing “Hear Me Roar” but has help from credentialed producer Skyz Muzik and popular up and coming rapper GreggSelf. Producer/graphic designer Prophecy, is also responsible for producing some of Cheeki’s best records. She is currently being guided by a number of reputable moguls but is still seeking a manager that fits her style, energy, drive and vision.

WEEKEND AT ONESTROKE TATTOOS from JOHN ANTHONY on Vimeo.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, I was first attracted to graffiti immediately after watching the movie BeatStreet and couldn’t be caught without a piecebook, marker, or can of paint until one day I was and vowed to take a different route with my talent. At the age of 17 I knew without any doubt that I wanted to design products. After earning my BFA in Industrial Design from The Cleveland Institute of Art, working for and with many world-renowned companies such as Motorola, Pitney Bowes, and Nike, I learned to silkscreen and developed an Information Apparel company that ran successfully for 5 years. Then, feeling the need to return to my very first love of painting and working with letters I found tattooing to be the first perfect fit.
I’m also a Capricorn and my favorite color is baby blue.

What drew you into getting tattoos in the first place?
Initially, my attraction was to have something visibly permanent that had significant personal symbolism, then later as I acquired more, some of the focus, had become more decorative.

Which tattoo was your first? Why did you get it?
My first tattoo, which was an original piece, I had designed and got when I was 24 as a college graduation present symbolized where I had been, where I was, and where I wanted to go in my life to help focus me when life’s path becomes blurry.

Which tattoo would you say is the closest to your heart? Why?
My daughter’s portrait. No explanation needed is there?

What would you say is your motivation for getting your tattoos?
Although I am continuing to add portraits of family and close friends to my right arm, lately I’ve been wanting to decorate and graphically balance my body with impressive, well thought out images. No impulse stuff. Besides, my daughter says I don’t have enough tattoos to look like a tattoo artist.

What made you want to become a tattoo artist? Why?
Oddly enough, as someone who was formally trained as a product designer, I had no intention of ever even imagining myself as a tattoo artist until a fellow graffiti artist (Twig - Inked) who had been doing well in Las Vegas came home to visit and blessed me with a custom machine telling met that it was my calling, that I became excited about tattooing.

Which tattoo you would say hurt you the most and then which one hurt you the least? And Why?
The artist that taught me the craft (Gus Turner), that does all my portraits is somewhat heavy handed, so they hurt the most. The least painful was a back of the forearm piece from my man, D-Tatstar at OneStroke. I think because he just has the touch.

If you could choose any tattoo artist to tattoo you, whom would you choose? And Why?
There are so many good artists out there now that I would love to get ink from, but for me, getting ink has to have spiritual connection. Otherwise, no matter how good the work is, if I’m not feelin’ you then your work means little to me. However, if I had to choose, it would be from all my Cleveland peoples who sling ink right now all around the country.

What's next for you in the future?
As for the immediate future, I plan to learn as much as I can about my craft, develop my style and grow closer to my N.Y. family. As for the long term? Hell, I might run for president. Who knows.

Any last words for the people that are reading this right now?
Find at least one of many gifts given to everyone by the Creator that speaks to your soul, develop it relentlessly, continue to learn and grow all while sharing it with the world. Oh, and tip your tat artist.

The name is Terrell Middlebrooks. I’m from Queens, New York town of Laurelton and Rosedale, covering and representing hard! I’m 20 years of age at the moment, and I tattoo at OneStroke tattoos 233-10 Merrick Blvd. I ride BMX and chill every now and then. I've been doodling on paper and anything else you can write on since i can remember. I was always in art class in middle school so after that I decided to go to the High school of Art & Design. There I took classes in graphic design and graduated in 2007. That summer was when I started apprenticing at OneStroke and learning the trade from Derrick Verley.

Question: What drew you into getting tattoos in the first place?
Terrell: Well one, my pops was always coming home with new tattoos for a while when I was a kid. That’s what drew me into tattoos back in like ’94. When I got to high school in the city I would always go to the village checking out the parlors down there getting some ideas and trying to get them to tattoo me even though I was underage. I now know how much that bothers the artist to actually consult a person on a tattoo then find out there not even old enough to get the tattoo but I didn't know any better. But I would always bother my mom and tell her I was getting one and there amazing and like u get to choose that permanent outfit.

Which tattoo was your first? Why did you get it?
Terrell: My New York City token, prior to that I tried tattooing myself. I got it because I grew up riding the trains and buses…it’s a part of me. If I could remember anything from my childhood is riding the E train to the 7 train. Plus dropping my grandfather off at the train yard. I used the whole day on the bus, driving around with my aunt because she drives the buses. I just remembered that, wow.

Which tattoo would you say is the closest to your heart? Why?
My New York City token, because it was my first. Most of my family works in the MTA and I’m from New York, how can you go wrong? Best city on Earth.

What would you say is your motivation for getting your tattoos?
Scenarios, scenes pretty much scenarios. Having a good idea I like to capture movement. I like the way movement looks on the body. I like to consider myself an open canvas to good art.

What made you want to become a tattoo artist? Why?
Before I went to high school, I saw this episode of national geographic where this guy was traveling around the world researching tattoos and getting tattooed in the jungle and I thought that was pretty epic. So I made it a career choice at the time, not knowing that I would be doing it four years later.

Which tattoo you would say hurt you the most and then which one hurt you the least? And Why?
The one on my penis hurt the most. I have Godzilla tattooed on my penis. The one in my armpit hurt the least. Its a spaceship abducting a chick.

If you could choose any tattoo artist to tattoo you, whom would you choose? And Why?
I’m bad with choices but I usually go with good artwork, style and individuality of the artist.

What's next for you in the future?
Balancing the artist and business aspect of tattooing and blending my other interest.

Any last words for the people that are reading this right now?
thank you to everybody great appreciations…keep yahh head up like pac said!


onestroke tattoo gallery
233-10 merrick blvd
queens ny 11422
(718) 276-7151
www.onestroketatgallery.com
www.twitter.com/relishedink
email: terrellink@yahoo.com

My name is Richard Parker. I was born and raised in Queens, NY. I currently attend Wagner College on Staten Island where I major in art and play on the football team. I have also been a tattoo artist for almost 3 years now and continuing to work to perfect my craft.

Question: What drew you into getting tattoos in the first place?
Richard Parker: Tattoos are a very interesting form of art. They are a way for an artist to make his/her work come to life. Personally my tattoos are a way for me to express myself. I was never well with words so images spoke for me.

Question: Which tattoo was your first? Why did you get it?
Richard Parker: My first tattoo that I got was my theater mask, comedy and tragedy. I placed a quote with them that reads "One day a smile, next day a tear" At the time I got the tattoo done I was going through the football recruit process and it was very stressful moment for me with many ups and downs.

Question: Which tattoo would you say is the closest to your heart? Why?
Richard Parker: The tattoo that I feel is closest to my heart is the flipping coin that I have on my ribs. It means, "You take a chance with every choice you make". I did not incorporate the words with the tattoo because I rather let my images explain themselves. I got this tattoo during a critical decision making time of my life when I decided to re enroll myself into school after a year of leave.

Question: What would you say is your motivation for getting your tattoos?
Richard Parker: All my tattoos I have I get done are done during times of my life that I feel are very significant for me to remember and reflect on because they helped build my character.

Question: What made you want to become a tattoo artist? Why?
Richard Parker: I never set out to become a tattoo artist but I am grateful that the opportunity was presented to me. My friends played a big role on my decision to pick up the craft.

Question: Which tattoo you would say hurt you the most and then which one hurt you the least? And Why?
Richard Parker: The tattoo that hurt the most was probably the one that I have on right side. Ironically the tattoo that hurt me the least was my first tattoo, which is on my left bicep.


Question: If you could choose any tattoo artist to tattoo you, who would you choose? And Why?
Richard Parker: If I could choose any artist to tattoo me it would either have to be Miya Bailey or Mr. Cartoon. I am moved by their work and as well as their drive to uplift urban art.

Question: What's next for you in the future?
Richard Parker: As of now my main focus is to improve the quality of my work and branding my name as an artist. My work speaks for itself but marketing my name is essential if I want to continue to be successful in this business.

Question: Any last words for the people that are reading this right now?
Richard Parker: I appreciate the fact that you took the time out to read up on me. Thank you.

onestroke tattoo gallery
233-10 merrick blvd
queens ny 11422
(718) 276-7151
www.onestroketatgallery.com

Derrick Verley aka Dtatstar is the owner and head artist of OneStroke Tattoo. He considers himself a student of this game. “I don’t think I can reach the end or top of my game; with me there is always room for personal improvement.” He is easy going and doesn’t take anything to serious because in his eyes “life is life.”

Question: What drew you into getting tattoos in the first place?

Dtatstar: Honestly I got my first tattoo when I decided to quit my actual job, it was a sign of freedom; I knew in my head I wasn’t going back!

Question: Which tattoo was your first? Why did you get it?

Dtatstar: My first tattoo was a large scorpion on my left bicep! It is my zodiac sign as well as my version of the typical "I want something but don’t quite know what to get" tattoo. I later ended up covering it up with a sleeve of dragons.

Question: Which tattoo would you say is the closest to your heart? Why?

Dtatstar: If I had to choose I would say its my whole back tattoo, mainly because it was the first tattoo where I knew what i wanted and it came out exactly how i pictured (even though it is a cover up piece) it was my choice, my design, and my vision.

Question: What would you say is your motivation for getting your tattoos?

Dtatstar: I really don’t have a specific motivation for going under the needle. I’d be lying if I said it was some soul searching purpose behind me getting tattooed.

Question: What made you want to become a tattoo artist? Why?

Dtatstar: On the other hand as far as giving them my motivation is putting out the best artistic interpretation of my clients’ ideas. I feel if you've been giving tattoos for any amount of years and your style, creative flow, or mindset doesn’t grow or change...what are you really in this business for?

Question: Which tattoo you would say hurt you the most and then which one hurt you the least? And why?

Dtatstar: The hand tattoo that I did myself possibly hurt me the least, but my back piece was the most painful... it was a collective of 17 hours and it took a lot out of me!

Question: If you could choose any tattoo artist to tattoo you, who would you choose? And Why?

Dtatstar: This is a hard question for me, I respect a lot of artists work but I don’t have any specific artist that I would say I have a need to be tattooed by. There are many talented men and women in the game and I send kudos to them all but I would be lying if I said I had 1 personal favorite.

Question: What's next for you in the future?

Dtatstar: Whatever the lovely Ms. BGirard puts in my lap!

Question: Any last words for the people that are reading this right now?

Dtatstar: "They say I’m alright, so come get tattooed by me, and you be the judge!" - D.Verley

Onestroke Tattoo Gallery
233-10 Merrick bBvd
Queens, NY 11422
(718) 276-7151
www.onestroketatgallery.com
www.twitter.com/dtatstar
www.facebook.com/derrickverley
www.facebook.com/onestroketattoos
email: dtatstar@gmail.com

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