Flava’s Lounge | Lady Flava News

cropped-flava-news1 I know at times people don’t understand who I really am and what I do. In my early days on social medial we all came up together as we felt our way through, what this engaging online experience was all about. Many of us started this online journey, going back to the days of MySpace.

My followers back in the early days, pretty much understood who I was and my interest in the independent creative soul. In 2008 I joined Facebook and had no interested in having tons of people following me or I them. So I thought 200 people was a doable number, as my brand grew and as I became involved in a variety of areas of the arts and entertainment industry, it was suggest that I move towards going for the maximum on Facebook, which the theory was I would open myself up to have more “real” followers. 27337050_10215300285969199_5314973132446348466_n What a challenge that was and still is when I am trying to build a brand for myself as Lady Flava, while trying to figure out what people were buying into. But I kept trudging through the social media challenges and intrigue. I became known as the Independent Artist Cheerleader nationally and internationally going back solidly to 2007. I started doing online radio shows which I changed the name several times, with the last show being called FCH206 Radio on BlogTalkRadio featuring only music from Indie Artists to Featured Interviews with Indie Artists on The Leopard Carpet with Lady Flava.

One thing I came to realize early on, is that I am a person who thrives on supporting others. And through my coffee house Flava, I found my love for the arts and creative souls. My Daddy, Rev. Peter T. Koshi who now has passed, told me several times, “Susan, your Ministry is with Artists, it won’t be easy but it is your calling.

Let me share with you some of my background, so you can have a better understanding of my brand as Lady Flava in the Arts and Entertainment industry:

Owner/Operator of Flava Coffee House-Seattle, WA 2003-2008
I was involved with hosting an even in 2004, Grown Folks Cruise on The Spirit of Puget Sound as a member of a group, known as One Tha One Producitons.
At Flava Coffee House (2003-2008) I showed my support to local music by playing it during working hours to eventually selling it at Flava.
From MySpace I became connected with a variety of independent/self-published authors and soon found myself being drawn to reading their books.
2006 started working with Spoken Word Artist, Lamont Carey who is now a national speaker, mentor, facilitator, activist for at risk youth and prisoner re-entry, author and of course spoken word artist.
I became a book reviewer for the Literary Review Team, APOOO BookClub.
Founded Flava Coffee House Book Reviews 2007
Hosted Wagfest National Literary Conference 2008
Closed Flava Coffee House 2008
Found FCH206 Radio in 2009 with LA Johnson (It was know as The Mosaic Show with Flava & LA)
Started working with Black Stax Hip Hop Soul Group-Seattle, WA in 2009
Dope Emporium Seattle Hip Hop Festival Team 2010
2011 started working with recording artist and global entertainer, Marc VanClaggett of Marlex Records
2012 became Business Manager of Marlex Records and then VP of Marlex Records/Marc VanClaggett’s business partner
Director of A&R for Spectra Music Group National and International R&B/Hip Hop/Jazz 2012
2012 started FMarlex Artist Consulting business, now known as Lady Flava News Artists Consultation and Coaching business.
2013 Representative for TRIBUTE, A Salute To The Temptations global entertainment group
2014 began making promotional flyers for a variety of artists
2015 Co-Found of the Sherry Gordy Presents Take The Stage Global Cyber Parties
2017 moved to Las Vegas to further my brand and to establish the foundation to host my own Independent Artist Showcase in Vegas
2017 established Flyers by Flava
2017 Promotions Coordinator for Vegas Entertainment Group, N’Demand
2017 continue to work behind the scenes for a variety of Independent Artists and now Vegas Entertainers doing promotions, publicity and administrative support in updating bios, fact sheets, one sheets, websites, blogs and creating EPKs.

During the years working in the Arts & Entertainment industry I have had the pleasure of working with or being connected to a variety of industry people from music producers, engineers, song writers, composers, singers and performers. Working for the major indie record label, I learned so much about what it takes to be considered for a contract signing and national and global distribution. I am also a co-owner and business administrator of a indie record label…so I understand the hard work that goes into creating and producing a quality product and the hard work that goes into promoting and marketing of the final product.

I am very big on the EXPERIENCE OF ART…So I pay attention to things that the average fan many not pay attention to. The visual and arrangement is important to me…The sound and clarity of the mics and stage equipment to the actual singing, musicianship, stage presence and crowd reaction/participation. I approach a book in the same fashion…the book cover appeal, the layout and font choice and size…to the story-line and did it capture my attention and why. I am connected to a variety of authors, publishers and literary industry persons.

Although my background in the music industry is with recording artists…I love the challenge on how to experience live entertainment in Vegas…can I judge it the same as recorded music or not? I am still working on defining this for myself.

I love the education and my continued growth through my new experience in the Entertainment Capitol of the World. It so exciting to me…not always easy, but is has truly captured my attention which as given me a new sense of drive and determination to create a lane for myself with impact.

When I step out to out to experience any form of Art & Entertainment…I see it through a different view and standards than the average audience and fan. I recognize that not all industry people, artists and entertainers are comfortable with me, along with my honest thoughts and opinions of my experience of their art or performance. Honestly, I am okay with making people uncomfortable and I am okay with being called out, and people not agreeing with me. It’s a beautiful thing to be respectful in disagreeing and trying to understand where someone else is coming from…to me this is growth!

One of my passions and part of my brand in Vegas is writing show reviews. So far I keep is kind and on a whole honest, I will not writ a review unless I can say something positive…I may in the future be more honest in my critiques as my brand grows in recognition and respect is established. Otherwise, if I cannot write a favorable review, I simply don’t write on. My main goal in Vegas, is to put the wheels in motion to host my own Indie Artists Showcase, that I will call, “Flava’s Lounge.” So, I got a job to help fund making this a reality! Stay tuned for more information. You can follow Flava’s Lounge on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/flavaslounge/

Please keep in mind I am one person and I come from my own feelings and experience when I share my thoughts. I am honest with my thoughts and opinions and try to always present my sharing from a place of integrity and fairness.

Lady Flava of Lady Flava News

Flava Coffee House News

14344678_167200017054114_3322610379642491515_n I have been working in a varieties of ways to support the underground, independent, unknown artists since the days of Flava Coffee House 2003-2008 to now the days after Flava. Before closing the doors of Flava I got into online promotions and marketing for a variety of artists but heavy in the literary industry. In 2008 I hosted a literary conference at Flava Coffee House and it was a great success with Authors and Fans of Literature flying in for a 3 day weekend event including folks and Authors from Seattle.

The literary conference was a success because there was a team that was created by the co-host of this event and everyone put in the hard work to promote and invite people to pay attention, to join the event and to take part in the excitement of the whole experience. This took place back in the days when MySpace was the place to hangout and Facebook was just being created.

Fast forwarding to 2017, a new year in the game of creative soulz, I have decided to embark on a new beginning for myself personally and professionally. I made the decision to move to Vegas, the Entertainment Capitol of the World. I have colleagues there along with a “following” from my great connection to Sherry Gordy (Berry Gordy of Motown’s daughter) and Lillian Rice of The Love The Muzic Entertainment and Productions. Plus my business partner, Marc VanClaggett Owner and CEO of Marlex Records relocated to Vegas with our Indie Record Label.

I had come up with what I believe is a great concept for an ongoing Indie Artists Showcase where there would be no more that 3 acts spotlighted. The goal was and is to fly artists in from around the country, provide lodging for them and an professional showcase to be featured and paid for their performance. After processing if I could do this in Seattle with my business partner Jace ECAj of Black Stax, we decided that Seattle struggles in supporting the culturally diverse art seen and artists walk away disappoint more often then not. So I had a grand idea, why not do it in Vegas…So Flava’s Lounge is birthed and will take place in Las Vegas< NV with the support of my colleagues who also loves the concept.

Now how do we fund this concept and get if off the ground. Every business needs money to build from, and I am not a person with a lot of money, so where will the MONEY come from or where SHOULD it come from. I feel that anyone that believes in the concept that I come up with and the artists I support in a variety of ways on my radio shows and promoting to my networks a several social media sites…they should come on board with me and help me raise the funds to support the beginnings of Flava’s Lounge. I feel we the people should be our own investors…But They Don’t or very few have stepped up to support the concept and need. I am so extremely grateful to those that have give and in-kind gift and I am still hopeful that others will come on board.

Before my Daddy’s passing last year, he gave $100.00 a month towards Unity Through Arts Exchange/Flava’s Lounge because he believed in it and wanted to show his support in hopes that will encourage others to join in. I have tried to encourage especially Indie Artists to join me in building by everyone giving a $1.00 to $5.00/$10.00 a month and we could raise a significant amount in a short amount of time…What a struggle, the numbers will not come on board with this concept and join me in building a foundation for ARTISTS.

I have wondered is it because they do not give because there is a lack of trust in me? I have been consistent over 10 years in doing the work…shouldn’t that be proof that I am sincere in what I want to do in support of great talents. I shake my head in disbelief and with lack of understanding on what I need to say and do to get people on board with Unity Through Arts Exchange/Flava’s Lounge.

I am the face of FLAVA’S LOUNGE #VEGAS, but the project is for Quality Indie Artists that have Mastered their Craft and ready to hit a stage in Vegas. I came up with Flava’s Lounge based off of conversations that I have had time and time again, with disappointed Indie Artists from here in Seattle where I am, to across the United States to even around The Globe…Indie Artists are treated like the industry’s step children, than with the support and respect that many of them deserve. I want to make sure everyone that needs to and deserves to gets paid, to be apart of Flava’s Lounge. I do not want to base the responsibilities on what is made at the door, and I don’t want to seek any investor who I will need to payback with interest, immediately after the show. I have heard horrible stories about both ways.

Tell me, am I wrong for believing that we can united to create our own lane? Am I wrong for wanting to raise the funds to pay for the venue, light & sound person, pay the band and DJ and pay 3 amazing featured performers? It feels like I am wrong to want to do this, or I am not famous enough for people to come on board.

So I face a great challenge in supporting Indie Artists. Everything that I do in support of Indie Artists, I pay for from my own money with no reimbursement from anywhere. Does it make me bitter, no just frustrated. I want to build with others and give others, I would like to have a planning committee to help make the decisions of how this will come together and who should be chosen for the event. It would be awesome to build this to the point, where I can hire staff and turn it into a profit making business that grows and grows in it’s capabilities.

We live in an era where people feel “entitled” and want this handed to them verses working hard with the right people to created opportunities. I personally and professionally feel that the digital era has taken the value away from paying for Art…Once upon a time you knew when a new album, 45, book or movie was going to come out and you saved the money to purchase the product and the experience. Now it’s all about digital downloads and everything needs to be purchased online verses an actual store. I also believe the digital downloads looses sales because not everyone has the capability to buy online or they do not feel comfortable in buying online. So how does that dilemma get resolved?

How do we come together and make success stories for many in the Indie Artists Community…Can we build it together, or is that just out of the question? I thank my Daddy and the few that have given to Unity Through Arts Exchange/Flava’s Lounge…Together we have raised $724.00 ($500.00 of it was gifted from Unity Through Arts Exchange) I have set up a CD Account for the money that has been raised through www.gofundme.com/flavaslounge along with in-kind gifts I receive in person, and through paypal and square.

I have been given information for an arts grant that I am going to apply for. So send me good vibes that I will be among the ones selected. It will help expand my radio show, host Flava’s Lounge and develop a strong promotional and marketing program for everything I do in support of local, national and international indie artists. And when I speak about Artists, I am speaking about Artists of all genres and all art forms.

At times I feel like giving up, but then I wake up and continue to promote and encourage people, Artists, Industry People, Fans and those that Follow me on Social Media to join me in building this foundation for Indie Artists, I am pulled into my purpose and mission…I am Grassroots but effective in so many ways and I want to keep this concept and project grassroots.

For Us By Us (Daymond John FUBU) We really don’t need anyone but ourselves to build. Think about it…Jace ECAj and I have had a conversation many times over the years that goes like this “if everyone we knew and everyone on our social medias gave $1.00, that would amount to a great foundation to work from.” When I speak to my business mentor she gets frustrated and says, Susan, you should be asking for $100.00 and not $1.00.” I understand why she says this and I believe that it will get to that point where I can and will be able to request more…Today, my request is based more on united than the actually amount donated.

I have had the opportunity to have a matching funds sponsor. The requirements was to raise a certain dollar amount and by a certain number of people and they would match what was raise. Well, you can guess that, that didn’t happen.

I would love some feedback from people on what I am trying to do in support of creating an Indie Artists Platform and Foundation of Financial Support.

We are living in a time where our country is falling apart, not coming together based on the person that somehow was voted into our presidential office.

People still don’t understand that we have power in uniting together to effect change. I am here to advocate in making a change and placing value on Indie Artists and allowing them to be financially compensated for their creativity. Could you imagine if ART did not exist? No music, no books, no visual art, no creative chefs, no clothing designers…no colors and designs, no textures…Art is all around us every single day, I think we take that for granted.

I fight for Underground, Independent Artists, The Unknown Artists…I see them as amazing soulz that need a leg up for mass exposure. I will continue to advocate for Unity Through Arts Exchange/Flava’s Lounge. Several times before my Daddy passed in 2016, he told me that my ministry was with artists, and I take this very seriously, this is not a game nor pass time for me.

Again, I hope you will post your thoughts, I appreciate your feedback.

Learn more about Unity Through Arts Exchange and Flava’s Lounge by clicking the links below.

Unity Through Arts Exchange www.gofundme.com/flavamarlex Building a support foundation for Artists from all art forms and genres.

unity through arts exchange