Born and raised in the music industry, Elle Varner was made for this world. Harkening back to the sounds of ’90s R&B artists like En Vogue, Varner is a vocal powerhouse with a sound and image to match. Anticipating the early 2012 release of her debut album, Perfectly Imperfect, Life + Times caught up with the bicoastal singer/songwriter to talk about everything from how she first met J.Cole in the dorms to her impressive shoe game.

Life+Times: What was it like growing up with parents in the industry?
Elle Varner: It was great. My dad was a producer and my mom was a singer/songwriter; both in R&B. My parents let me be whatever I wanted to be. They let me explore when I wanted to play this instrument or that instrument, or when I wanted to dance. When I got really into science, they bought me a microscope and slides. They never pushed me to do any one thing, but I think we all knew that it was inevitable I’d end up making music. I was in it since the day I started talking. From watching my parents in the studio to seeing my mom go on the road with artists like Barry White, it’s just always been my life.

L+T: I read that you were only 13 when you wrote and recorded your first song. What’s the story behind that?
EV: Well sort of. I was 13 or 14 and my dad was in the studio producing a song for someone and I said something along the lines of, “Dad that sucks.” He said, “You think you can do better?” And I said, “Yeah I do!” But I really had no idea what I was doing, I was just really prideful. So he left me alone with the engineer for like an hour and when he came back I had written and recorded the entire song, background vocals and everything. It was my first time.

L+T: You attended the Amazing Grace Conservatory in LA. How has music education informed you as an artist?
EV: At Amazing Grace Conservatory, we got a lot of life lessons. For example, one of the things they would always tell us was, “You have not arrived.” Like check yourself and know that you have not arrived. Another one that stuck with me is, “To thine own self be true.” No matter what’s going on or who is around, to thine own self be true. What helped me even more than being able to take acting or singing classes was that they treated us like young artists. I wouldn’t exactly say professionals, but we weren’t treated like children. My parents never treated me like a kid either. My dad would have conversations with me about anything and everything. I was always there, I was always in it.

L+T: You write all of your music. Can you talk about what the writing process is like for you?
EV: Before writing was just something I did out of passion and a need to get my emotions and feelings out. Now that I’m a professional, quote un quote, it’s a different process. There are deadlines and demands that need to be met. Writing is the glue between yourself and your song. For me it’s all about finding how to still be creative and pure with music, while adapting to the idea that writing is a job.

L+T: What was the concept behind your single, “Only Wanna Give It To You?”
EV: That song has actually been around for a minute. It’s taken so many forms, oh my goodness. When I wrote it initially it sounded like a French folk song. Now it’s a hip-hop 90’s song with a rapper. I just can’t even believe how far this song has come. I wanted to challenge myself to be as clever as possible with the lyrics. It wasn’t necessarily about a real story or a real person.

L+T: How did the collaboration with J.Cole come about?
EV: Both of our stories are crazy—how he got signed and how I got signed. I met him in college through a friend. Really random! I didn’t know that he rapped, I just knew that he went to St. John’s University and that we had mutual friends. We had seen each other here and there a couple times, but we weren’t BFFs or anything. And then I saw him at the Sony building. I was like “Hey.” He was like “Yo whatsup? What are you doing here?” I said, “What are you doing here?” He said, “I just got signed!” and I said, “I just got signed too!” So when it came time to do the rap for the song, I hit him up and he was totally receptive. He loved the song.

L+T: What was it like to work with him?
EV: I think the dynamic between us really makes the video. Knowing myself, I would not have been able to be so comfortable if it was somebody I had never met. Honestly if it had been anybody else, I would have been in a different mindset. But to me, it was like he’s that kid I met in the dorms. Regardless of where he’s at in his career, he’s the kid I met in the dorms.

Roc Nation #grammys

J. Cole covers RESPECT magazine. The issue hits stands November 29, 2011.

#ambition

#coleword #lostones

Detroit’s sports history is almost as rich as its car and music heritage. From Barry Sanders to Isaiah Thomas, Motown’s legendary athletes have provided as much soul as Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5, and as much acclaim as the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro. Now, in 2011, after years of mediocrity, both the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Lions are firing on all cylinders. The Tigers kept the New York Yankees on their toes during the American League Divisional Series, while the Lions are one of two undefeated teams in the NFL. A large part of the Lions’ success has been their staunch defense. Life + Times recently caught up with Linebacker Justin Durant, a key member of their D to talk about the team’s newfound success as well as his personal interests. Off the field, Durant, a five-year veteran and played his college ball in Hampton, is an avid music and movie buff.

Life+Times: You guys have started the season undefeated. How does it feel?
Justin Durant: It feels great. I came from Jacksonville [Jaguars] and they’re a newer franchise so they don’t have the history that Detroit. You can feel the whole city buzzing. It’s crazy on Twitter all the time. It’s a good feeling to be a part of it and hopefully we can just continue this run.

LT: The team’s defense has been key. Coming into this season, what was the mindset on the mindset on that side of the ball?
JD: Coming off of last year, the team had won four games in a row. They wanted to build off of that momentum so they brought me and a few other guys in who they said were vital pieces that they felt like could be good additions to the team. So, we came in and its business all the time. You have to have a little swagger about yourself. It’s not cockiness, but you have to be confident in what you’re doing. So, we got the players and the coaches to have that type of feeling, so that’s what we’ve been about so far.

LT: What is it like playing in Detroit?
JD: This is a place that I wanted when I realized that I was going to be a free agent, just based off of the history of the team and the pieces to the puzzle that they already had. I just wanted to be a part of it. The city has been through a lot, the people have been struggling for a little while now and I feel like we’re turning that around. To want to go out and play for these people, you get that feeling that you’ve got to do good. And the sky is the limit for this team.

LT: Detroit is obviously known for its rich musical culture, and I hear that you’re also a hardcore music fan. Where did you get your love of music?
JD: I lived with my mom coming up and she used to have the radio on the oldies station, so I used to have to hear that every morning. So, that kind of kick started it. Then my oldest brother, who is thirteen years older than me, was into rap when it first started, so that’s where I get my old school rap from. And then my other brother, who is three years older than me, was playing the current stuff. So, it was passed down and I’ve been running with it ever since. I think the first tape that I ever bought was [Warren G's] Regulators in ’94, or something like that. That’s where I started and I’ve just been going on from there.

LT: What are you listening to these days?
JD: Right now, I’m real heavy on J. Cole. I really think he’s going to be that guy. Also, Kendrick Lamar… I think as far as the newer guys, they’re bringing substance back into it. I’m more of a lyrics dude, I need substance. I can’t really listen to guys that are rapping about nothing. I’m more into something with a message.

LT: What other genres of music do you listen to?
JD: R&B, Soul, Oldies… I am trying to get into rock a little bit. I started listening to Nirvana. I’m starting to branch out a little more. I’ve always liked songs here and there but I’m actually getting albums now and really listening to it.

LT: And your love of music has landed you a gig with the Detroit Metro Times?
JD: I’m really into movies and music. That’s basically what I do in my free time. When I get off of work, I just go home and get on the Internet to see what new songs are coming out and what the people are talking about. I’m learning to DJ as well. So, I thought that it would be interesting for me to do album and movie reviews. We’ll see where it goes. I’ll also be writing about what I listen to before games to get me ready, etc.

LT: What do you listen to when you’re getting ready on game day?
JD: I’m from South Carolina, so I grew up on a lot of southern hip-hop. I listen to a lot of Pastor Troy, Project Pat,- and a lot of the crunk stuff from back in the day. That’s what really gets me amped.

LT: What movies have you checked out recently?
JD: I just saw the one with Matt Damon [Contagion].  I didn’t really like that though. He usually makes really good movies. Actually, that was the first movie that I didn’t like that he was in. I’m going to check out Moneyball as soon as I get a chance. I hear that’s really good.

LT: Do you have a genre preference?
JD: I have to say my favorite is drama. I think [Martin] Scorsese is the best. All his movies are good. And I like [Quentin] Tarantino movies. Those are my favorite two directors.

LT: What’s next for you? Both on and off the field?
JD: Hopefully, our team continues to get better. Personally, I want to  make the Pro Bowl and do all those types of things but as long as our team is continuing to win, I’m happy with that. Off the field, I am just trying to get my name out there a little bit more. I have this thing with the Detroit Metro Times. I’m also trying to get more involved in the community out here. There are a lot of things going on in the city and I want to help out in any way that I can. I’m just trying to make myself a bigger brand.

On the eve of the release of his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story, Life+Times captures J. Cole waxing poetically about his music, his growth and what the future holds. J.Cole’s Cole World: The Sideline Story will be released on 9/27/2011.

One of the new kids on the East Village block, Jeff Laub’s Blind Barber is a salon by day and laid back bar by night. The crowds are flocking, and Laub, along with his dog Batman, have situated themselves as the Kings of Avenue B. Here’s his playlist, songs that will ease you into the dog days of summer. Earphones in, head high….let’s ride.

“My Boo (BALAM ACAB Remix)” by Ghost Town DJ’s

“This is hands down one of my favorite dance tracks of all time. This remix is the complete opposite of the original but still find myself just bouncing back and forth. Lately I have been really feeling this type of slow, distorted style”