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Who&rsquo;s Leonardo?
There are many answers to this question. The easy one will be that I am a french-mexican musician and producer that looks for unity in life. I started music with Mexican folk songs, after I went into classical guitar then rock n roll, blues and metal. When I was 14 years old I was sent to India to do my high school in an international boarding school. There I discovered Sitar which I studied for the next 4 years. After India I started my professional life as a musician right away, I guess that having an exotic instrument helped. so I went from folk latin american music to jazz, to flamenco, to west African music, to new age, etc...
Now seans I have started the Leonardo Prakash project I look for that union between worlds and styles. And all of this previous explanation brings me to this new facet which is singing. I released my new singer-songwriter album last October and I am now exploring and sharing this new "thing". How did you get into music and discovered your talent?
I&rsquo;mpretty sure I started singing before I started talking Both of my parents are music lovers. I grew up with music everywhere. I had my first epiphany when I was 9 or 10 years old listening to Metallica haha. In a second I saw my life as a musician, meaning my whole life. So I knew how I would be seen at that age. I spotted my talent early. I could see that it was easy for me to understand music, especially because it was the only thing I was good at.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Your new Album &hellip;. Tell us more about it, what inspired you? 
Well yes, I have just released this new singer-songwriter album which is something I never did before. In the past, I have only done instrumental music but 2020 triggered something in me, a very deep call to share my world of music and emotions in a more intellectual way or in a much more clear and concrete way. Instrumental music talks straight to the emotions, but lyrics talk to the intellect and the mind (at first) This was a need to open parts of me that I was not even aware of, and maybe inspire some others to do it.&nbsp;
This album was my first solo production and it was beautiful to discover hidden talents or unused talents that gave refreshed all of my motivation and inspiration in music. I am very proud of "Dry Leaves", my new album and I can't wait to get back in the studio to create more music.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Do you only do medicine songs? 
I think that this album has a little bit of all. Some medicine, some rock, some world music, some pop music. So no haha I don't, but In the singer-songwriter department I'm just getting started and I don't want to get stuck in a genre. I feel I'm going to explore some more.
What Makes Your Soul happy?
Uffff...many things for sure. But to say one or two I can tell that a good concert is one of the best, both, as a musician and as a listener. When the spaceship takes off and we are all together in the same space uffff that makes my soul fly. Also spending time with my daughter, especially on simple stuff like making breakfast, taking her to school and picking her up, going to her afternoon activities, going for a walk with her, and putting her to sleep. All of those day to day stuff makes my soul happy and good food of course.&nbsp;&nbsp;
How does it feel to play in ceremonies with other artists? 
Playing with other artists is a gift. It gets you out of your comfort zone in music and awakens creativity in a different way. It opens me to trust in the other musician and to open the space in silence so that we can create together.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Tell us about your spiritual journey. Does it relate to your music and performance?
Yes, it does on a personal level for sure, my spiritual journey has been removing myself from what wants to happen with the energies in my life, and is almost exactly the same with music. Is actually so simple that it gets complex, you just have to let the music do her job, with you and with the audience, let her go through us. So all you need to do is trust, fully trust in yourself your musician colleagues, and the audience so that this can be. And many times being on a stage teaches me about my life.
What&rsquo;s next for Leonardo? 
Well, my intentions are to define my two projects a bit more, maybe giving them different names under the same artist. So that I can be free in both worlds. I will start releasing new singles that I sing by the end of the summer. And also I will be working on a new experience with my Sitar. A deeper musical journey that I will be hopefully sharing all over this beautiful glove.
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Leonardo Prakash is a French-Mexican musician classically trained in his youth in guitar and sitar, and later in harp, flute, and jarana jarocha.  His unique musical voice has transcended his traditional foundations.  His music experiments with the fusion of the intrinsic sounds of these instruments into classic rock and roll, flamenco, Indian raag, and the folk music of Latin America, Turkey, Japan, the Middle Eastern and East Africa.


Leonardo Prakash 

Leo Leo 02

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-Tell us more about yourself, how did you start?
I am Carlita, a half Turkish half Italian DJ, and producer currently living in New York. As you may or may not know, my musical journey started at a very young age back home in Istanbul, Turkey. I was a classically trained musician and have always played the Cello, this then naturally led to me being interested in a wider range of instruments and I learned the Piano, Guitar, and some other percussion instruments. This is where it all started for me and where my love for music began. Naturally, as I got older my music tastes changed and adapted and I started to discover many new genres from all over the world.
- Why did you want to become a DJ?
I&rsquo;ve always absolutely loved music and wanted to somehow work in the music industry (much to my parent&rsquo;s horror). There wasn&rsquo;t an exact moment when I suddenly thought, yes I have to be a DJ. It was a gradual process that took a bit of time. Obviously living in Istanbul back then the electronic music scene wasn&rsquo;t quite what it is today and therefore the opportunities were limited especially at 18 years of age because the rules are much stricter there. I moved to Boston to study and it was here that I got more involved in the electronic music scene. I saw how happy people were when they were out listening to music and I always felt like I would be great at bringing this emotion out of people and making them happy through music what better way to do that than DJing.
 - Who do you wish to collaborate with or work with in the future?
So one of my biggest guilty pleasures is that I am a huge Dua Lipa fan and listen to her music a lot. It would be a dream to be able to work with her in some way, maybe making a remix of one of her tracks :) I would also love to work with Romy, the singer for the XX.
- What skills do you think DJs need to be successful?
Some of the most important skills to being a good DJ are reading the crowd and reacting to what they are enjoying. Sometimes you plan in your head what you want to play and then the crowd doesn't react the way you were expecting or like the music you're playing so you always have to be able to adapt to each crowd.Persistence is very important and doesn't give up just because one person doesn&rsquo;t like something you do also don&rsquo;t just expect to be able to mix tracks and then get gigs. You have to get involved with your local scene (artists, DJs, promotors, producers), make as many contacts as you can, and always be willing to get involved, and eventually, opportunities will come your way.
- How do you stay up to date with the latest music trends? Do you follow trends, or do you keep your own consistent style? 
I try not to follow too many trends as then you get stuck playing a lot of similar stuff to a lot of other people. I will always make sure I spend some time digging each week for new music (if you want to become a DJ, digging is one of the most important things). I travel a lot and have lots of hours on planes, this is when i usually get stuck into new spotify/soundcloud/bandcamp tracks. I am also very fortunate that a lot of people now send me their own productions which I love listening to because it&rsquo;s always a surprise what you&rsquo;re getting sent and i&rsquo;ve discovered so many amazing artists i would have never heard about if they hadn&rsquo;t reached out to me asking to send music.
- How would you describe your style? 
Good question, I'd like to think that I have my own individual style and don&rsquo;t want to copy anyone else&rsquo;s style. When it comes to fashion I'd say my style is quite minimal and understated. When it comes to music I like to surprise people by playing things that they wouldn&rsquo;t necessarily expect to hear from my sets. 
- What inspires you the most?
I get inspired by so many things, and new cultures around the world influence my style and production in so many ways, I get to meet lots of super interesting people from all walks of life who constantly inspire me and make me push myself to always get better.
- Currently, you are traveling everywhere! Where do you see yourself in a few years? 
Still traveling everywhere but with a little more time off in between :)
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Carlita is a half Turkish half Italian DJ and producer based in NYC, her musical journey started at a very young age back home in Istanbul, Turkey. 

Carlita

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Anastacia, aka Ana Whiterose has been singing covers and writing her own songs since her teenage years. Summer 2019, Ana signed with a Swiss label The Hana Road Music Group.
Her debut single <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1E6q50kVJwWTeJNjBvkG86" target="_self">Behind the Moon</a> entered Swiss radio charts #62, and was picked by the biggest Swiss, German and Italian radio stations. January 2020, Ana released the second single <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/5BYxxGACvD9BLSwS2AS50R" target="_self">Wanted to Tell You</a>. Along with the streaming success, it was featured in such magazines as Cosmopolitan and OK! Russia with Ana's big interviews. The music video for single "Breaking" was nominated for Silver Screenings at Berlin Music Video Awards 2021. Ana and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/1f8fcJKFSNuogk4vUi6g63" target="_self">Rudenko</a> released a remix on her latest single <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2e6LRJ89LfJjLqjKzHI1SO" target="_self">Stone Cold Heart</a> in July 2021.
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Tell us about you and how did you start this Journey in the Music industry
I enjoyed music ever since my childhood! At the age of 4 I started singing and performing in front of my family with a toy-mic. I attended various dance classes, as well as piano lessons and sessions with a vocal coach. In 2015 I participated in Swiss Kids Voice contest and made it to the finals. It was the first proper performance of mine, and I loved being on a stage. So, once I turned 18 I decided it was time for me to do music professionally, and I was lucky to be signed with one of the most progressive record labels in Switzerland, The Hana Road Music Group. So, from there on my journey in the music industry has started. And so far, it&rsquo;s been great!&nbsp;
How did you discover your talent? andwho supported you?
I believe I really must say thank you to my parents here. They supported me all the way in my career. And they helped me to turn something that I simply enjoyed doing as a kid into my life path.&nbsp;&nbsp;
What kind of music do you like?
I could call myself a melomane. I listen to all sorts of music depending on my mood. I enjoy jazz, especially in the evenings or during Christmas. When I&rsquo;m with my friends I listen to French rap/trap. I do listen to my own songs&rsquo; and they are mostly pop. I also love techno when I&rsquo;m in the car, so it can be really different for me depending on how I feel and what I do.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Who's your favorite singer that you would like to make a Duo with?
There are a few artists I admire. But if we talk about making a duo with someone - my dream would be to perform with Billie Eilish. I love what she does, how she acts. Her energy is crazy, and the message she conveys in her songs is something very close to my own thoughts. She is truly the icon of the current music scene and it would be an honor for me to get on stage with her one day.&nbsp;
Tell us more about your new Song and what's behind it?
The song is titled &laquo;Call Me&raquo;, and this is almost a supplication. I believe that many people can associate themselves with this song, if they ever experienced non-reciprocal love. &laquo;Call Me&raquo; describes a certain state of mind when you are desperate and in pain. Even though it sounds calm, it&rsquo;s very emotional, especially in the bridge. &nbsp;
We would love to know about your experience filming the Music Video
Every music video we shoot with my team is a unique experience for me. I always learn something new or have an exciting experience, and this shooting was no exception. We tried to recreate the vintage mood and 80s vibe in the video, so we found and used various attributes of that era, such as Nintendo Console, the TV set, the car, the newspaper in the intro etc. If you pay attention to the details you&rsquo;ll see how many of them are in the video. The colors we used at the post production do also bring us back in time. At this shoot I was lucky to Wear from the biggest fashion brands such as Celine, Dior, YSL, Loewe. Touching and wearing their pieces of art was a dream come true.
What's your dream? and where do you see yourself in the Future
The older I become the harder it gets to dream. There were a lot of difficulties in my life in the past 2 years, and music is what brings me peace, clears my mind and helps me abstract away from all the problems in the world. My dream is to reach the artistic level that will allow me to share my songs with more people. And I hope that those people will be able to find an emotional escape from whatever burdens them in my artistry&nbsp;
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Ana WhiteRose

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<h3>A girl that&rsquo;s trying to make her mark on the world. Slimi Magazine goes on a journey with Leona Moore, better known in her home country of Monrovia, Liberia, as Lady Mouthphy and how she overcame the innumerable obstacles in her life. After fleeing Liberia with her mother and father to escape the Liberian Civil War, they found refuge in Ghana, where Leona discovered her voice of song. Little did she know that this talent would transport her onto the world stage.</h3>
Leona was especially keen to begin our interview discussing her challenging upbringing in a war-ravaged country.
I was very young but one thing that I do remember vividly is that there was a lot of death. Girls were being raped by soldiers, whole families were being killed and I had friends that were ruthlessly murdered. I was scared at every moment of the day. I would not wish that kind of life on anyone; that&rsquo;s not living. As a result of the Liberian Civil War, my family, in the middle of the night, fled Liberia to find refuge in Ghana. Coming to Ghana was terrifying in itself and some days we went without food or water. My primary goal was to work out a way to escape the refugee camp but, at that time, the Ghanaians were somewhat reluctant to accept outsiders. However, to facilitate our integration, my mother made sure that we all learnt the local culture and language. Eventually, we were able to leave the camp and develop strong links with the people of Ghana, who were very good to my family. All in all, we spent ten years there. <img src="https://cms.slimimagazine.com/uploads/slimi/resources/2017/08/LEONAMOORE-2.jpg" alt="" />
Our conversation then segued into Leona&rsquo;s passion for music. She was explained to us how she first got involved.
In Ghana there was a church that was always filled with music with kids singing. All the people passing would stop and listen and I can still remember, when I was a child, the joy on their faces. The people were really enjoying what they were hearing. This got me hooked, I wanted to make people feel the emotions I saw on their faces with my own voice. This is exactly what I did! I started singing with the church and I learnt everything from breathing techniques to note control.
But it was not all smooth sailing from there for Leona.
It&rsquo;s crazy how you remember certain moments in your life but I&rsquo;ll never forget the day my father came to my mother and me to say &ldquo;the Liberian Civil War is over. It&rsquo;s time to go back home.&rdquo; I remember having this strange feeling of sadness wash over me: I was preparing for my last year in High School and I had created a life in Ghana: I was even in a girl group called &ldquo; G&rsquo;Girls&rdquo;! Why did we have to leave now?. But we eventually returned to attempt to rebuild our lives. Who would have thought that soon after, my music career would&rsquo;ve taken off? Hindsight really is 20/20! By the time we moved back, my parents were in full support of my musical aspirations: my father was my first manager! After what felt like a million meetings, I finally signed with a very ambitious manager named Dr. Kimmie. He was a no-nonsense guy and from the moment the ink on the paper had dried, the real work started. They flew me to South Africa to complete my debut album and I felt like everything was moving extremely quickly. A few weeks after my 1st single, &ldquo;Falling&rdquo;, dropped my 2nd single, &ldquo;Brand new girl&rdquo;, was launched. The complete album was translated for the people of Ghana, where I did some of my first collaborations with other artists I really admired, including Sugar Kwame and one of my still good friends, Yapoo. The album did very well. We were all extremely happy. With this album, I performed all over Africa. I knew what was coming next but the thought of going to the United States scared me. <img src="https://cms.slimimagazine.com/uploads/slimi/resources/2017/08/LEONAMOORE.jpg" alt="" /> <a href="https://boutiquemags.com/products/slimimag">Read more in our print issue</a>

Leonamoore 2

Leona was especially keen to begin our interview discussing her challenging upbringing in a war-ravaged country.

Leona Moore

<h3>With a career that begun online, Sky Ferreira is ILLICIT personi ed. Sky&rsquo;s Californian spirit, rock style and fearless attitude made her a natural choice for ILLICIT, a con dent woman who lives the life she dares. Sky perfectly portrays these qualities with her uninhibited personality and appetite for fun.</h3>
Sky, what does the brand Jimmy Choo evoke for you ?
Well, it&rsquo;s been around ever since I was a kid. My mum wore it so I guess I relate it sort of to my mum, being a woman. More so than girl, I feel like, it&rsquo;s the essential high heel for women. A few things you know, my mum had them growing up. So I wore them around when I was a little kid. I&rsquo;d go through her closest, wear her clothes, wear her high heels. My shoes would be this small and hers would be this big. And then I don&rsquo;t know, suddenly I woke up and I&rsquo;m wearing them doing this.
Are you more of a stiletto girl or a at shoe girl ?
I think it depends how I&rsquo;m feeling but most of the time I do wear ats. But you know, maybe sometimes at night or on stage or if I go to an event or something I&rsquo;ll wear a heel.
Do you believe in the seductive power of shoes ?
Yeah definitely. I definitely believe in the seductive power of shoes. I feel like it&rsquo;s not so much the seductive power of shoes, I feel like it&rsquo;s the confidence it brings you when you wear heels or a good shoe.
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Where do you usually find your inspiration ?
I think just sort of I find it everywhere. It&rsquo;s something that my inspiration sort of for like music or anything comes to me randomly in my head you know ? I&rsquo;ve never really had like a set way of doing things and I think that&rsquo;s why its, it works because it&rsquo;s always exciting, it&rsquo;s always different. <a href="https://boutiquemags.com/products/slimimag">Read more in our print issue</a>

Sky Ferreira Cover

With a career that begun online, Sky Ferreira is ILLICIT personi ed. Sky’s Californian spirit, rock style and fearless attitude made her a natural choice for ILLICIT, a con dent woman who lives the life she dares.