Jesse Boykins III

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Photos by Mike Rousseau

Where are you from?: I was born in Chicago, Illinois and my childhood was spent in Jamaica, then Miami and New York. Now I’m here, in Los Angeles.

What do you do?: I sing and went to New School University for Jazz where I also taught myself how to produce. 

What is your dream creative project?: I believe firmly in collaboration. I feel like that’s what the art of music is; being able to have a band and have different energies combining to make this one entity. I don’t have a problem producing my own stuff; I just never want my voice to be the only thing that’s expressed. I have a lot to say for sure but not only do I learn in the experience of collaborating with someone, but we definitely bring things out of each other. So although I have been collaborating with some people since 2007, I still love to bring in new talent.

Is there something you wish you knew earlier?: I did all right early on; I was an independent artist, shooting all my own things but would have videos on TV and was getting awards for things I didn’t even know I was nominated for. The main thing I wish I knew earlier on in my career is the art of collaboration with brands, like I did last year. It started by just taking a lot of pictures and conceptualizing ideas and then they’d meet me and I’d have more to talk about besides the music. 

Tell us about the female project you’re doing and why did you decide to, instead of putting in the music, give women a direct voice with that project?: I always go back to my childhood and think about how certain situations were handled. I felt like most men didn’t necessarily take the time out to understand women. So I thought that was how you’re supposed to be as a man. And then growing older and having to deal with my ego within relationships, I realized that’s not how you should be as a man (laughs). Often when a man and woman have a conversation it feels like a show because of the concept of attraction. So with the women’s project I interviewed women ages 17-65 and asked questions that I felt they were probably never asked before. The questions were: ‘What do you love about being a woman?’ ‘Long term lust or short term love?’ ‘Tell me the first time you experienced love and the feelings that come with it?’ ‘Beauty or danger?’ ‘Climax or balance?’ ‘Chaos or structure?’ ‘All the things you hate about a man?’ ‘All the things you love about a man?’ ‘What’s on your list of a paper perfect man?’ ‘When I say Love Apparatus what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?’ And ‘do you like smiling?’.

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Sapier Behr

You can follow Sapier here.

Where are you from? 

From New York, still living in New York. For now...

What do you do? 

I manage a luxury cosmetics store, but my passion really is helping people create their aesthetic through skin care and makeup. I feel like the term "makeup artist" has become synonymous with "beat to the gods" over the top instagram work. Once you really involve the wellness aspect of healthy skin care and lifestyle, and really work hand in hand with your customers on a regular basis, you can really help people form themselves into a representation of what they want to be. That's my passion. 

What is your dream creative project? 

I've always had this idea of being a "life-stylist". Basically, with all that I've learned in both the cosmetics and fashion world, I would love to help people get their whole life in order. From how they dress, what they put on their face, how they conduct their lives. Be involved in their entire lifestyle. Mostly I feel like people look to all these people on instagram to simulate what they believe is the ideal lifestyle, and I think there's room to find it within yourself. I'd love to help people be their own best self. 

What are your go-to tunes for: 

Getting ready to leave the house in the morning? - Duh, Whitney Houston everything. Can't start the day without Whitney. 

When you’re exercising? - Beyonce, the entire Lemonade album. It's literally the only time I can listen to that album the whole way through. Beyoncé really takes you on a journey! 

Going out for a night on the town? - Well it all depends. I have one playlist called "R&B Boyz" with old Trey Songz and Lloyd and Usher when I'm feeling sexy lol. But I also have one called "Pick Up The Phone" which is basically a compilation of trap music when I'm trying to be lit. 

In your city, where is your fav place to: 

eat? - Ciccio in Soho and no one knows about it but it’s literally one of the best Italian restaurants ever. 

dance? - 205 Chrystie (when I don't want to see anyone I know and just shake my ass) 

drink? - Flower Shop 

shop? - There’s a string of small shops in Williamsburg on Bedford Ave between N4th and N5th that I buy everything at. (Trying to support those local businesses especially the women owned ones!) 

Is there something you really want to do in your city that you haven't yet? 

Go to the Statue of Liberty! I'm a terrible New Yorker and never do any of that cool stuff. But I'm trying to see the views from her crown! 

Kindly recommend 3 people that inspire you…

Suzy Tamimi

Hunter Schuon  

Daniel Duran