Zahir Basir
zahir@goodtasteinternational.com
Article List for this author
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Good Business: Devyne Stephens
There’s so much going on for Akon right now. He’s already out sold super mega-star artists like Jay-Z & Nas with two million plus records under his belt, making him one of the most popular recording artist in the world today. His vocal tone is so distinct that he has worked with almost every major Rap artist, as well as produced hits for... Read more...
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Good Choice: Jazsmin Lewis
Beauty is only skin deep. Brains and beauty go down to the bone. But brains, beauty & talent…that’s the stuff that dreams are made of. In this case, the woman of our dreams is Jazsmin Lewis. This Cleveland born bombshell has been a working actress in Hollywood for years, but it wasn’t until she appeared alongside Ice Cube in the hit... Read more...
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Edese Doret - Private Plane and Yacht Interior Designer
In a world full of excess, from clothes, to houses, to cars, to planes, to boats…someone has to be responsible for designing some the things that the world’s affluent enjoy. Enter Edese Doret, custom interior designer of luxury private planes and yachts for some of the richest people in the world. Here, Edese tells us what his journey was like... Read more...
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Sophia Stewart, Mother of the Matrix
Picture this; you write a body of work. You break down a portion of that body of work into a screenplay. You then shop and submit that screenplay to the big production houses in Hollywood with dreams of having it converted into an epic film, only to receive no response. That would be fine, considering that 90% of the film industry is based on... Read more...
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Clout: Lamont Pete; MTV Casting Director
With the world becoming smaller and more advanced, people are starting to want to be entertained differently, and that includes television. Gone are the good old days of TV when you could sit down and watch a funny episode of ‘The Cosby Show’ or ‘Family Matters’. People want to feel much more connected to what they’re getting their kicks... Read more...
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Good Advice: Jay - Faith; On Approaching Women
Ok fellas, I know, I know. You already know everything there is to know about women right? Think again. Even the most seasoned mack of all macks understands that even his knowledge is only a small fraction to understanding the complex dynamics of a woman. How she thinks, how she feels, her different moods, etc… At any rate, we’ve brought to... Read more...
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Warner Music Group VP Exec: Kevin Liles - Photos by Ivanhoe
Not too long ago, I was watching Wil Smith’s movie ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ and I learned something. It’s not enough to just dream about what you want, you have to have the courage, discipline and diligence to attain it. When you want something bad enough, the world will make you earn it. In this world, to be rich and powerful is what... Read more...
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Good Spirits: Al Duncan
With all the day to day pressures of life constantly over us, it’s hard sometimes to come up for air and just get a moment to think. If we had that moment to think, maybe we would go back to certain moments in our lives when we were more compelled to dream about what we really wanted to do in life, what really fulfilled us. One of the top killers... Read more...
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Good Guy: Gary Sturgis
Upon meeting actor Gary Sturgis, right away you get the feeling that you’re speaking to someone who may one day run for President, or at least Mayor. Very charismatic, articulate and opinionated in his views on life, this New Orleans native has a lot on his mind he needs to express. Before this interview, I found myself in an open candid... Read more...
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Good Health: Herman Smalls
Before you take on the great task of conquering the world, you first have to conquer yourself. There’s no better way to conquer yourself than through good nutrition mentally, physical and spiritually. Meet Herman Smalls, one of the best physical trainers in the business for the last 20 years. Trainer to the stars, and to the average person with an... Read more...
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David Mills On Caviar - photos by emperors roe
Good Taste International is about excellence on every level, in every field. So what better food to profile in our first issue than the high end delicacy known as Caviar. With that in mind, we caught up to an expert on the subject. David Mills, C.E.O. of Emperors Roe, and online store for fine foods, wines, and champagnes for people with exquisite... Read more...
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Welcome to Good Taste International
When I was thirteen years old, I was at that pivotal point where many young men decide which road they’re going to take in life. I was fortunate enough to have a father, who sat me down to have a talk with me. He asked me which road did I want to choose in life, because whatever it was it would begin at this critical point. Being thirteen and... Read more...
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Places to go: The Alhambra Ballroom - New York, NY/Photos by Leonard Washington
Located in the heart of Harlem right off of 125th street on Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., is one of the most upscale, elegant ballrooms in New York City. Titled “The Alhambra Ballroom”, it makes accommodations for Birthday parties, Corporate functions, Black Tie Affairs and many other types of upscale events. Owned and operated by an African... Read more...
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Places to go: Harlem Lanes Bowling Alley - Harlem, NY / Photos By Leonard Washington
Harlem, NY is definitely beginning to make its mark again. There was a time, only a few short years ago, when no one wanted to invest in to Harlem real estate. Today you see beautifully renovated brownstones and condos, a much more diverse ethnicity and a wealth of attractive new businesses. One of these new businesses is Harlem Lanes, a modernized... Read more...
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Places to go: Club Fusion 215 - New York, NY / Photos By Leonard Washington
As much as we all like to go out to eat or just to have a drink socially, every once in a while we want to go out and dance. However, for many of us, we want to party with our peers in a mature, sexy atmosphere which can sometimes be hard to find. Well say hello to the latest hip night spot Club Fusion 215. Located in midtown Manhattan on 28th street... Read more...
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Good Music: Neyo
In this era of controversial music, leaving many women feeling disrespected and slighted by hip hop recording artists, it's good to know that there are a few artists out there that just want to make good clean music. Born Shaffer C. Smith into a family of musicians out of Arkansas, 22 year old Neyo has always been far beyond his years in talent and... Read more...
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Good Laugh: Tracy Morgan
As a cast member of long time legendary sitcom 'Saturday Night Live' since 1996, Tracy Morgan has made his mark in the entertainment history. Born and raised in New York City, Tracy has stood through the test of time and achieved success in what has become known as the hardest profession in the world. As a stand up comedian and sketch comedy player... Read more...
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Good Personality: Steve Harvey
What is the definition of a man? One who is responsible? One who carries himself with respect? Perhaps it's someone who stands in the face of adversity and his personal fears, but yet still manages to overcome his obstacles, or at least stand up to them. Long time stand up comic, television and radio personality, Steve Harvey has managed to encompass... Read more...
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Good Chance: No Play - Photo By Wil Reed
In the ever increasing competitive field of hip hop it seems as if the odds of promising new talent actually becoming successful are beoming less and less. In hip hop music, there are certain ingredients that it takes to become a successful artist. One is originality, whether it's in the rap artist's style or in his tonality, he has to have a... Read more...
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The 2007 New York Urban Fashion Show - photos by Ivanhoe
So, you’re trying to break into the fashion industry right? You have all the talent but you don’t know that right person to help you break into the game right? Meet designer Billy Badass, C.E.O. and creator of ‘
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Against The Wind
Although it thrust against me, attempting to push me opposite my direction, I press strongly forward still, in spite of it's oppression, Born through the womb of a woman my same complexion, Into this judgemental world of immediate rejection, I emerge still, out the deepest pits of pain and ainguish, Only those from the same place understand my... Read more...
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IMG/ UNIVERSAL HEAD OF A&R: C-STYLES
I recently had the chance to catch up to a rising star. He’s not a rap artist, an actor, or an R&B singer. Well, at least not yet anyway. He’s a young A&R music executive, the head of A&R at IMG/ Universal to be exact. He goes by the name of C-Styles and if you ask about him, his name is as good as the American Express Black Card. In a... Read more...
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ATL’S ‘THE ALLIANCE’
Atlanta has become the new ‘mecca’ for hip hop. Before any new dance, song, or slang becomes popular nationwide everyone is checking to first see if ‘Atlantiens’ accept it. The same holds true for any new groups as well, people want to first see how the city of Atlanta takes to the new act. So quite naturally, when new rap super-group out of... Read more...
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ZAIRE BAPTISTE; FILMMAKER
The entertainment industry is full of images, fantasies and illusions. Actually, that’s the backbone of what makes entertainment what it has become…a form of escapism. The differences between reality and the images portrayed through cameras are controlled by the imagination of the directors who bring scripts and ideas to life on screen. One such... Read more...
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Ray Lavender: The New Face Of R&B
Goodtaste International recently caught up with new up and coming R&B crooner out of Atlanta, Ray Lavender. Nicknamed ‘Ray-L’, Lavender has the distinct position of potentially becoming the next solo R&B sensation to come out of ATL, being signed to Convict Muzik, a music label headed and ran by the hugely successful R&B artist/ producer Akon. In... Read more...
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Fashion Forward: Unspoken Passion
Photography By Mark Sanders/ Make up by Picasso/ Styling by Z. Basir & Nathaniel Smith
1 - On Tammy; White Dress, Knee Length; Designer-Esteban Cortazar; $1, 188.00; Shoes by Delicious On Zi’er; Top; White Dobby shirt cotton; Designer-Julian Guthrie; $245.00 Bottom; White stripes... Read more...
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Big Business At 'Fashion Forty': C.E.O. Steve Nixon
I love it when dreams come true. It doesn’t happen everyday, so when you see it, or experience it, you have to appreciate it. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with two movers and shakers by the names of Steve Nixon, who happens to be the C.E.O. of NYC’s exclusive ‘Fashion Forty’ lounge, along with it’s general manager Mary Ann... Read more...
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Executive Film Producer Roger Bobb: Tyler Perry's Secret Weapon
When you think about achieving success in Hollywood, most people think about becoming a major film actor or a major film director. Film producers are among the most powerful executives in the film industry. As the first and the youngest African-American to be accepted into the prestigious ‘Directors Guild Of America Assistant Training... Read more...
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Innovative & Legendary VJ/ DJ Host: Ralph Mcdaniel
We all want to be good at something in life. To be good at something signifies a sense of personal accomplishment for most of us. In fact, if most of us could be good at just one thing we could die as happy men. However, for some of us ‘good’ is just not good enough. For these people being good is just where it all starts, but you’re... Read more...
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LOU MEYERS; ACTOR
Many of us, including myself, run around so much day to day that we can easily forget about the little things. When I say little things I mean things such as taking long walks to absolutely nowhere, just to enjoy the day, and taking out the time to acknowledge what we do have in life, instead of worrying about what we don’t. Another thing that... Read more...
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Innovative & Legendary VJ/ DJ Host: RALPH MCDANIEL
P> We all want to be good at something in life. To be good at something signifies a sense of personal accomplishment for most of us. In fact, if most of us could be good at just one thing we could die as happy men. However, for some of us ‘good’ is just not good enough. For these people being good is just where it all starts, but you’re still... Read more... -
STEVE HARVEY: Does It On Stage & On Air
What is the definition of a man? One who is responsible? One who carries himself with respect? Perhaps it's someone who stands in the face of adversity and his personal fears, but yet still manages to overcome his obstacles, or at least stand up to them. Long time stand up comic, television and radio personality, Steve Harvey has managed to encompass... Read more...
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ACADEMY AWARD WINNER; FOREST WHITAKER
Forest Whitaker has come quite a long way in his life to achieve his dream. Long before he accepted the most prestigious award in Hollywood, and hearing the roar of cheers from the millions of fans that follow him, Forest Whitaker had very humble beginnings. Born in Longview, Texas to two middle class working parents, Forest Whitaker... Read more...
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IMG/ UNIVERSAL HEAD OF A&R: C-STYLES
I recently had the chance to catch up to a rising star. He’s not a rap artist, an actor, or an R&B singer. Well, at least not yet anyway. He’s a young A&R music executive, the head of A&R at IMG/ Universal to be exact. He goes by the name of C-Styles and if you ask about him, his name is as good as the American Express Black Card. In a... Read more...
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Clout: Lamont Pete; MTV Casting Director
With the world becoming smaller and more advanced, people are starting to want to be entertained differently, and that includes television. Gone are the good old days of TV when you could sit down and watch a funny episode of ‘The Cosby Show’ or ‘Family Matters’. People want to feel much more connected to what they’re getting their kicks... Read more...
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Warner Music Group VP Exec: Kevin Liles - Photos by Ivanhoe
Not too long ago, I was watching Will Smith’s movie ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ and I learned something. It’s not enough to just dream about what you want, you have to have the courage, discipline and diligence to attain it. When you want something bad enough, the world will make you earn it. In this world, to be rich and powerful is... Read more...
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Executive Film Producer Roger Bobb: Tyler Perry's Secret Weapon
When you think about achieving success in Hollywood, most people think about becoming a major film actor or a major film director. Film producers are among the most powerful executives in the film industry. As the first and the youngest African-American to be accepted into the prestigious ‘Directors Guild Of America Assistant Training... Read more...
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TRAX NYC JEWELER: High Quality At A Low Cost
I've lived in New York City practically my whole life. One of the best things that I love about my city is it's diversity. Not only in people, culture, fashion & entertainment, but in prices! There are so many different lifestyles intertwined in this wonderful city. We have something for the wealthy, the average everyday person, and everything in between... Read more...
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NEW FASHION: The Vintige Collection
I'm from New York City, the fashion capital of the world. So I guess there's no need to tell you how much of a skeptic I am when it comes to the introduction of a something new within the world of fashion. Every once in a while though, something catches my eye for being exciting and new. Based out of Atlanta, Ga. comes such a clothing line. The... Read more...
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Welcome To Good Taste International
When I was thirteen years old, I was at that pivotal point when many young men decide which road they’re going to take in life. I was fortunate enough to have a father, who sat me down to have a talk with me. He asked me which road did I want to choose in life, because whatever it was it would begin at this critical point. Being thirteen and feeling... Read more...
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ANTHONY CURRIE: Boston's Fine Jewelry
Up until now, African-Americans haven't been generally associated with the business of fine jewelry other than for the well to do who purchase it. Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Anthony Currie, who has chosen to put himself on the other side of the register, joining the ever-exclusive club of fine jewelry designers. I’ll let Mr... Read more...