DECISIVE ISSUE 3
The Let Out | Stay Streaming | Worth the Watch | #BBCC
The Let Out
Network, network, network” is what they say, but let’s be honest the real opportunities and advice come when the networking events let out. The Let Out section of the DECISIVE newsletter features three media professionals who offer their unique perspectives as they answer the same three questions. For this issue, I caught up with a publicist and two journalists, respectively — Jzon Azari, Jaelani Turner-Williams and Nicolas-Tyrell Scott.
Jzon Azari
Known to push the boundaries in interviews and writings with pure directness, he captures more than just flavor in his eye candy content. His work has been acknowledged by supermodels Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks, music legends Mariah Carey and Charlie Wilson, and many notable Hip-Hop figures including Trina, LL Cool J, Mya, J.J. Fad, and countless others. He has since used his platform to usher clients onto popular media outlets including GQ, Glamour, Food Network, VH1, Good Morning America, BET, Essence, Marie Claire, CBS, ABC, Entertainment Tonight, Yahoo!, Allure, and more for his immaculate vernacular on pop culture topics and life-altering lifestyle angles. Building a foundation for others to benefit from, especially those of color, everything he does is a stepping stone in a masterclass that can inspire and motivate.
Connect: https://solo.to/jzonazari
Q: How did you get your foot in the door in the media industry; what was the defining moment for you?
Jzon Azari: I originally got my foot in the door back in 2012 — at the end of 2012, at the beginning of 2013. I was on Twitter just tweeting and stuff, and somebody from the rapper Trina’s social media team found me, and they recruited me to work with her. And by working with her, you know, I learned how to do social media, create content, reach out to like blogs, and stuff like that. And when I exited like a year ago, I just took what I learned and pretty much became a publicist, I had all the tools.
Q: What would you say has been your most meaningful or favorite piece of work thus far in your career? Explain why.
Jzon Azari: It would probably have to be when I got my client Thaddeus Coates on Good Morning America. It all goes back to Twitter; he was just a person I followed on Twitter, and one day he tweeted like ‘I just want to be a model, if anybody can just help me.’ And I was like, I know a couple of people let me try. And I sent him on this random casting call. They didn’t give me much information, so I told him, “let me know you get there so I know you’re safe.” Even though he’s six foot six, anything can happen. He gets there and says he call me when it’s over, so I go about my day. And then he called me back maybe four hours later. He tells me how it went and that this lady really liked the jeans on him and got the job. Once confirmed, they told him it was for American Eagle. And I’ve been working with him for the last three, four years. He’s also an illustrator. When everything happened with police brutality and George Floyd this summer, he started making more meaningful digital arts. And I just saw a story, I pitched it to somebody I knew at ABC, and they were like, ‘we’d love to have him on Good Morning America.’ Now everybody knows who he is.
Q: What does your dream job role look like? Explain why that role is ideal for you.
Jzon Azari: I’m kind of living half of it now because I help people. But my dream job, I guess, would be like a video director because I started outside of social media. I was like a writer in Hollywood, and it didn’t pay well. But I had ideas. You know, I just gained the context while I was there, but along the way, I get to help people, and seeing people win, makes me happy. So, my end goal is to be a director, whether it’s a short or long documentary of people’s lives. I want to share that kind of content with people. Some people I work with you would never even think they lived, for example, out of their car, and now they’re somewhere totally different. I want to be able to tell those types of stories and hopefully inspire those in similar situations. I want to motivate people by letting them know ‘don’t give up this can be you. I know things might be bad right now given the circumstances but it only takes one person to come in and change everything.’
Jaelani Turner-Williams
Jaelani Turner-Williams is a monthly contributor at (614) Magazine in Columbus, Ohio, and has written for various publications such as Billboard, NYLON, MTV News, Genius, and others. While her concentration generally lies within cultural pieces such as music, race, feminism, and social criticism, she has recently segued into covering brand content, technology, and politics.
Connect: https://twitter.com/hernameisjae?s=21
Q: How did you get your foot in the door in the media industry; what was the defining moment for you?
Jaelani Turner-Williams: I would say through DJ Booth, it was challenging because I had pitched them like twice before. And one of the editors there, he called my writing basic. So for a while, I was a bit broken and offended after that. This is actually kind of personal, but I did have a mental breakdown in late 2017. But an album that I was listening to a lot during that time was the “Bucket List Project” by Saba. I would listen to that daily during that time because it was very soothing, and it helped me heal. I ended up writing about that, and I pitched it to DJ Booth, and they were like, ‘okay, this is better than what we saw before.We can put it on the website, literally tomorrow.’
So they published it, and Saba’s team reached out to me and thanked me for writing it. From there, we started a friendly relationship, and they invited me out to Chicago for the release party for his second album, “CARE FOR ME.” And it came out a couple of months after the piece I wrote. It was like divine timing after that article came out. I was getting a lot more opportunities. I felt more competent and pitching other places such as VIBE magazine. That was the most prominent place during that year that I had written for, and then things accelerated from there. So you know, it was growth.
Q: What would you say has been your most meaningful or favorite piece of work thus far in your career? Explain why.
Jaelani Turner-Williams: Again, divine timing. I’m not sure if this is like my most important piece, but it’s something that I wanted to write about for a long time. And that was interviewing Luck Daye. First of all, he is amazing. I went to his concert in Cleveland back in October of last year. And I don’t even know what it was like of course, you know, when you see like a male singer, he interacts with like women in the audience and stuff like that. But I think he was performing “concentrate,” and he like grabbed me at one point, like, not my hand but my entire head and he was like singing in my ear. It was definitely a fangirl moment. Then after that, well actually before that, an editor at VIBE asked me if I wanted to interview him. But during that time, it didn’t pan out because he was doing press and touring doing promo for his album, “Painted.” I believe he was touring with Ella Mae and Khalid. So he did not have time to sit down and do an interview. However, right before the Grammys, we finally got to do a phoner together. So I had to tell him I’m like, ‘Listen, I was a huge fan of “Painted” when it came out so I’m sorry if I sound nervous.’ Luckily, I didn’t, and it was a very comfortable conversation. That same editor that had me do the article. She ran into him at the Grammys, and I still have the voicemail she left, ‘Lucky Daye said aww that girl was so cool. That was one of my favorite interviews I’ve ever done.’ So, to hear that from one of your favorite artists, that was special. He’s iconic to me.
Q: What does your dream job role look like? Explain why that role is ideal for you.
Jaelani Turner-Williams: Dream job? Well, first, you know, after doing freelancing for about two years now, I think I’m ready to transition as a staff writer somewhere ultimately. I haven’t chosen specifically where, but my ideal place when I was younger was always the Fader. Things change. I’ve adapted to whatever industry I can fit into, especially having written for so many platforms. So I could do any platform really like that will be fine. But starting as a staff writer somewhere, maybe an associate editor a little bit later on.
But the goal is to one day have at least one book, something on the New York Times bestseller list. That’s definitely the goal, because one of my mentors is Hanif Abdurraqib, and we work together fairly often. I’m actually doing a piece for him now. But where he is, like his platform is crazy. He’s definitely like one of my idols, and I hope to reach his level eventually.
Nicolas-Tyrell Scott
Nicolas-Tyrell Scott is a music and culture journalist, critic, writer, and podcaster based in London. He has written for Paper, Complex UK, Okayplayer, Highsnobiety, Hypebeast, NME, and other publications. With a focus on the contemporary cultural happenings within the music industry and what’s informed them, Scott has a passion for telling niche stories and covering emerging artists. Outside of work, he enjoys travel, movies, and trying new foods.
Connect: https://linktr.ee/iamntyrell
Q: How did you get your foot in the door in the media industry; what was the defining moment for you?
Nicolas-Tyrell Scott: I would say that a defining moment for me was Jason Dike, who was the Features Editor at HYPEBEAST at the time, giving me my own bi-weekly feature, which spotlighted underground UK acts to watch. I had little experience formally practicing journalism and coverage, so him reaching out and cold emailing me will always be truly appreciated. Prior to that, I’d been at university while providing commentary about music and culture online on panels, blogs, etc. Jason helped me to shape my voice and penmanship, especially in relation to shorter features. Overall, I’d say that I’m still growing and finding my feet; the thing with media and journalism is it never stays the same — online that is — there’s been so much transition, even with COVID-19, so with that in mind, I’m always re-adjusting.
Q: What would you say has been your most meaningful or favorite piece of work thus far in your career? Explain why.
Nicolas-Tyrell Scott: That’s so hard. I had to look back at my Linktree to answer that one. It’s a toss-up between my Hologram Tours piece for Okayplayer and Sam Wise profile for Crack Magazine. I’ll explain why.
Hologram Tours piece - At the time, I had wanted to have my work showcased on Okayplayer for a while. It’s such a quintessential platform in the Black diaspora. Peers I look up to, such as Ivie Ani and Elijah Watson, had helped bring a new life into the platform with engaging interviews, investigative journalism, and op-eds. When Elijah saw my pitch and immediately accepted, I overthought everything and spent hours crafting it, thinking that it would get ripped to shreds when he took a look at it. It only went through one edit and was up the next day after submission. That experience proved that my work is valid, and I am getting better at what I do. The topic is so relevant today and how we look at technology and death in music. I really enjoyed the research and writing process.
Sam Wise profile - I always say that profile pieces take so much skill to write. This piece was my first long one for a publication in print. When the editor Rachel Grace Almedia, reached out to me about it, I was again shocked that she wanted me to do it. That piece taught me the art of story-telling and that having significant edits isn’t bad. Writing is a process, and editors have a crucial purpose in helping writers to craft the bigger picture. Rachel was and is excellent, one of the best editors I’ve had in my career so far. Crack is also dope at covering cultural happenings in the UK; definitely check them out.
Q: What does your dream job role look like? Explain why that role is ideal for you.
Nicolas-Tyrell Scott: I don’t think a singular role is where my dreams lie anymore. As I grow up, I’m interested in so many things. I’d love it if I could still freelance in the music and culture space as a journalist. Then, I’d love to consult with streaming platforms on behalf of artists and in the sense of brand and cultural evolution and help with artist development that’s so needed in the industry. Fundamentally, wherever I’m able to help shape, talk about, or influence music and the cultural happenings within, that’s a bit of me. I’d say I like the work that Ivie Ani, Karlie Hustle, Carl Chery, Brandon Jinx, Scottie Beam, and Austin Darbo do.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
Stay Streaming VOL. 3
Stay Streaming is a collection of music that has been getting nonstop streams from me as of late. Some artists featured you'll know and love, while others you soon will. Of course, some songs may be old but hidden gems, but one thing's for sure they're all tracks I stay streaming.
Worth the Watch
I’ve been a big film and TV buff since the first time I opened my eyes. To escape into a world with a little box as I gaze on the screen is my favorite pastime. I grew up watching old black & white films with my grandmother and clung to every line of these fictional worlds from “A Streetcar Named Desire” to action films like “Planet of the Apes.” And TV was no different, binging classics like “I Love Lucy,” “Good Times,” and “Knight Rider.” Since growing up, not much has changed, and I still love a great film or TV show; and in this section of the DECISIVE newsletter, I’ll share what’s worth watching.
Of course, I don’t want to cause sensory overload, so I’ll be recommending two TV shows that are a must-see. And I understand how too many options can leave you scrolling for hours instead of watching.
P-Valley
The Pynk is a popular strip club in Chucalissa, Mississippi, where intrigue abounds when the mysterious Autumn is welcomed by Mercedes, the club’s top dancer, and Uncle Clifford, the club’s discreet owner. The series is a must-watch and is the perfect weekend binge. It was recently announced the drama is getting a second season.
Where to watch: Starz | Season 1 now streaming
Lovecraft Country
This series is my latest obsession! Based on Matt Ruff’s novel of the same name, Lovecraft Country follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) as he meets up with his friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollett) and his uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) to embark on a road trip across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his missing father (Michael Kenneth Williams). This trip begins a struggle to survive and overcome both the racist terrors of white America and the terrifying monsters that could be ripped from a Lovecraft paperback.
Where to watch: HBO Max | Episodes every Sunday, the first five episodes are streaming now.
Building Blocks of Content Creation
A media brand wasn't built in a day — or was that Rome? Either way, both apply. I've learned my fair share of creating an independent media or personal brand through trial and error, and I want to share the best tools and how to use them. In this section, you'll find my recommendations for apps, tech, and overall basics you need to build your foundation. For the third issue of DECISIVE, I'll share some of the best affordable audio equipment to have as a journalist, producer, creator, etc. Because of the nature of wanting to be as accessible as possible, I'll share two audio equipment options.
Blue Yeti X Professional Condensor USB Microphone
The Blue Yeti X is a USB microphone for professional-level gaming, Twitch streaming, podcasting, and YouTube productions. With a four-capsule condenser array inside, Yeti X offers quality Blue broadcast sound with greater focus and clarity than ever—in four versatile pickup patterns. An illuminated multi-function smart knob lets you monitor and adjust your voice level in real-time, providing precise control over your audio stream. I've been using this microphone for about two months now, and I love it. I use it for voice-overs and podcast interviews. The microphone is so simple to use and works great with Zoom, Adobe Audition, and Premiere. I do recommend getting a pop filter for the microphone; I purchased one from Amazon.
Price: $169.99 (before tax)| Where to buy: https://www.bluemic.com/en-us/dealers/
Shure MV88
The Shure MV88 is a great portable mobile microphone for iOS users. The MV88 records video with crystal clear sound. It's perfect for journalists out in the field and will catch the interview with clarity. This multi-directional mobile microphone tilts, rotates, and can withstand demanding conditions such as music festivals and influencer meetups. I've used this microphone for Youtube, concerts, interviews, and working red carpet events and awards shows.
Price: $149.00 | Where to buy: https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/microphones/mv88