About The Staff

This collective of creatives makes Mic Life Magazine possible. In an effort to understand how they think, we asked each one the question: “If you were the last deejay broadcasting on the last radio station on Earth, and the Earth was about to end and you had ONE LAST SONG to play for the world to hear, what would that song be, and why?”

 

FRED KEENE

Fred Keene is Publishing Editor of Mic Life Magazine. A true Gemini and native Baltimorean, Fred has always aspired to bring his love of all things creative, specifically through writing and fostering a sense of community throughout Baltimore’s vibrant and eclectic performance arts scene. Mic Life Magazine is his labor of love that seeks to elevate all those things. Since its creation in 2006, Mic Life Magazine has grown from a free digest-sized publication to a larger, unconventional-sized magazine to allow increased coverage of local, regional and national talents who are part of the “microphone culture” scene. Fred attended Towson University majoring in Communications, and has worked with several non-profits as a workforce development professional, helping hard-to-serve and at-risk populations find workforce training, education, and employment.

“If I were broadcasting the last song this world would ever hear, I would ask everyone in ear shot to tell the closest person to them that you love them, thank God for bringing us this far, take a deep breath, be at peace with all you have done and listen as I play, “Jesus is Love” by the Commodores. I’ll see you on the other side.”

PETULA CAESAR

Petula, a native of New Jersey and a Leo/Virgo cusp baby, is an author and journalist, a performance poet and a recording artist, and the Managing Editor of Mic Life Magazine. As a journalist, her work has appeared in every major Baltimore publication from The Baltimore Sun, to Baltimore’s City Paper, and other publications in print and online. As an erotica author, her work has been featured in New York Times Best Selling Author Zane’s erotica anthology Caramel Flava. As a performance poet, Petula has appeared with The Punany Poets, and has travelled with her own show up and down the East Coast. Petula is also a recording artist; she is responsible for the underground house/dance music hit, Sex Shoes.  Sex Shoes has been released in the States and in the UK.

“I’d play “We Are The Champions” by Queen. Queen is my favorite rock band of all time. I love the iconic status the song has. I love its simple, powerful, hopeful message, and its one I’d want to impart even in the face of the world’s demise. I love the way the power of the music matches the message, and I think it would be a great song to rock out to as we move into the afterlife, whatever that may be.”

ZAYAAN

Zayaan is a native Baltimorean, vocalist, writer, poet, editor, CEO of Epiphany Ink Publishing, and owner of Nubian House Resource Center—a non-profit organization. She has worked as a marketing and promotional assistant, amateur photographer, greeter, co-host, and social media coordinator for various popular open mic events. She currently hosts a weekly venue called “Wordology.”

“It would have to be ‘Jah Live’ by Bob Marley. This song to me is an embodiment of the knowledge of The Most High and the ones that strive to live their lives as a reflection of that, paying reverence and understanding that trouble won’t last and the love of The Creator is everlasting.”

ALEX ALEXANDER

Alex Alexander, an Aquarian, is a Washington, DC native and a graduate The Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Maryland Institute College of Art. She is also an alumna of the “Brave New Voices” DC Youth Slam Team. She currently resides in Baltimore. Alex is both a literary artist and a fine-art photographer. She is also an alumna of the “Brave New Voices”  D.C. Youth Slam Team. She also hosts a monthly venue, “The Bolton Hill Open Mic Series.”

“I’d play “If 6 Was 9” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The first few lines are as follows; “If the sun refused to shine, I don’t mind, I don’t mind. If the mountains fell in the sea, Let it be, it ain’t me.” I’d choose this song for its simplistically expressed understanding of the inevitable. The song is heavy and packs a bluesy punch that only Hendrix could deliver. I could envision this song playing over the airwaves and missing not one ear of a single generation, delivered like an anthem of sorts as we make our way out of here.”

SEVON JOHNSON

Sevon Johnson, native Baltimorean, started his journalism career as producer and host of the Sound Lab on WMUC 88.1 FM. Upon returning home he was named Senior Editor of the Coppin State Courier. A lifelong lover of words and the media, Sevon has also held positions as Editor of Expressions Magazine, Managing Editor of VS Magazine and Marketing Director of Live and Direct Magazine. He’s currently the Director of Communications and Design at Spectra Inc and. Executive Director of Umoja Period.

“The song I’d play if the world was about to end would be “Another Lonely Christmas” by Prince.”

REUBEN GREENE

Reuben “Dubscience” Greene was born in July of 1981 in Brooklyn New York and is a Cancer. He’s a second generation photographer. At SUNY @ Purchase College, Purchase, NY – The Conservatory of Visual Arts & Design Technology he studied photography, sculpture & theatrical lighting design, He is branching into the field of videography and music video direction/production under the business name “Dubscience Films”. He is also the proprietor of “Dubscience Photography.”

“My song would be “All Along The Watchtower” by Jimi Hedrix. Why? Because this is just one of my all time favorite songs! Let’s end all civilization with a face melting guitar solo from one of the greatest rockers known to man.”

PHILLIP WATERS

Phil Waters, Baltimore County resident, is a Morgan State University graduate, with a background as a hip hop commentary writer. He has written for Morgan’s news website, and has worked with the Afro Newspapers’ sports department.

“The last song the world would hear from ‘DJ Fatboy’ is AZ/Nas’s “Life’s a Bitch” from Illmatic. Since we’re all going out, some comic relief and irony seems appropriate. Plus it’s amazing hip hop, with a soulful trumpet solo at the end that would soothe everybody.

DANA LEE

Dana Lee was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Along with maintaining her own personal blog, she makes a living as an astrology coach. Music has been her first love and she is currently working on her own project.

“If the world were to end, I would play “Always” by Stevie Wonder.”

DAWN LEMAY

Dawn Lemay is a Baltimore native and a Capricorn. She is a writer, interviewer and independent columnist for Shockwave Magazine and other publications including national and international outlets. She is also creator of the column “Dawn Of The Underground”. She’s worked on air with Matt Davis and 98 Rock and with their local independent artist spotlight concert series, Noise in the Basement.

“…if you can hear the sound of my voice YOU ARE GOING TO DIE, now sit back ponder your waning existence and listen to “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen as the world you know DIES…’till next time this has been Dawn of the Underground, goodbye and goodnight!”

CHIN-YER

Chin-Yer, born September 22 is a self-described “Vibra” (Virgo/Libra cusp). She was born in England, and raised in New Jersey by Afrocentric Jamaican parents. She has a B.A. English: Literature and Language Arts from Morgan University, and is currently pursuing a Graduate Degree in English with a Creative Writing Concentration and completing UCLA’s Creative Writing Program. She is also a Battle of the Bands champion, vocalist, poet, book addict, and belly dancer if you catch her on a good day. She is the Founder/Director of “The Baltimore Scene”, creator of “The Baltimore Crown Awards”, “Word War Poetry Slam Series”, “Baltimore Beat Academy”, “The Movement” open mic and several other events and projects.

“I’d play anything by Fela Kuti because his songs are long as shit. We can get our dance on and postpone our end by at least 15-20 minutes.”

VANCE BRINKLEY

Vance Brinkley, a Leo from Landover, Maryland, is a music writer with a unique ear. Vance is a Morgan State graduate. He was formerly a hip hop writer at the MSU Spokesman as well as a field reporter and media coordinator at Strictly Hip Hop. As a reporter, Vance has interviewed several artists from ScHoolboy Q and Big KRIT to superstars like Lupe Fiasco. He also became lead editor for several publications. His ear for music has also lead him to collaborate with film majors and direct musical scores for popular web series and short films.

“The last song I would play on Earth would be Hiii Power by Kendrick Lamar.” This song is a classic to me it sends a message to be your own stand out and create your own revolutions against society and its obstacles.”

TALBOLT JOHNSON

Talbolt Johnson is a Cancer and a multi-faceted artist who attended Maryland Institute College of Art, and is most noted in Baltimore for his work in Dance — specifically “street dancing” (popping, locking, etc.) He has performed at most venues in the city and at many dance studios and companies around the DMV. His is also involved in visual arts and creative writing.

“My apocalypse deejay song is “Can You Feel It” by The Jacksons.  It just feels like a good song to go out to! Go out with a SMILE :D!”