by Lazarus Lynch 
​WATCH FULL EPISODE ON YOUTUBE. 

Kennedy (a.k.a. Prez) of The Kennedy Administration isn't all that new to the New York City music scene. After moving from her hometown of Detroit, Michigan a few years ago, it wasn't long before the artist broke through the saturated industry, introducing a new vocal sound reminiscent of iconic predecessors Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, and Chaka Khan.  Her instrumental trio band is comprised of band leader and award-winning recording artist, Ondre J, Nat Townsley (drummer), and Cheltune Grey (bass player). The band has a weekly residence every Wednesday night at The Groove, a performance venue in New York City's Greenwich Village. The Kennedy Administration excells in a number of musical genres ranging from covers to originals with variations of contemporary jazz with a flair of R&B, hip-hop, and pop. Not to mention the occasional elements of funk that spontaneously enters in an improvisational performance. 

Here is a snippet of my Soul Food Talks Interview with Kennedy (PREZ): ​

LL Prez, you're such an incredible person, first of all, and you're also an amazing artist. Tell me about your journey in music. How did it all start for you? 

KENNEDY OMG... I believe I was probably singing since I was in the womb. My mom was the praise team leader at this small church [my grandparent's church], my dad played bass. From as long as I could remember, my earliest memories I've been singing and bopping around with barettes in my hair, and just kicking my feet to the music. It's always been there. I just didn't realize how important it was to me until I got to the amazing age of six. I was at a funeral actually for an organ player.  People were crying and stuff but the music sounded so good. I remember holding the back of the pew and just rocking to the music and just feeling overwhelmed with this (makes a gasping expression), and I knew I really liked it. I tried to explain it but I scared everybody. 

LL What did you say to them? 

KENNEDY I was like, "I got all this feeling..." and she [my mom] was like 'what?' She just thought I was filled with the spirit. I was like, "No. It wasn't Jesus this time, it was something else." So, I've continued having that feeling. 

LL I've watched you at your show you do every Wednesday night at the Groove, here in New York City. What is it like being on that stage? 

KENNEDY For me, it feels like that's the one place I'm supposed to be. I feel like I'm flying. I feel like I throw the notes out and I place them amongst the stars. That's how it feels to me. It just feels natural, like that's where I'm supposed to be. 

LL Tell me about your EP? 

KENNEDY It's so weird to see myself on that [cover], I'm like, "oh it's me."  It's been an incredible journey just putting it together... Being more than just a singer. Writing and being creative and coming up with real concepts and ideas for the music. It's been great. It was a little terrifying at first, because you're trying to come from a perspective, at least for me, where people 'get it.' We [as people and artists] have all these internal conversations, but it's like taking all those internal conversations and actually putting them down on paper and them making sense. Then, singing those conversations out loud. It was great. I had a couple moments when I was like, "I don't know what I'm doing." 

LL You're working with some amazing people: Ondre J Pivec, Jordan Peters, Jay White, Chelton Grey, Nathaniel 'Nat' Townsley... Amazing people; people who's music I respect. What was it like working with them? 

KENNEDY Honestly, I'm the baby in the group because they all have years of experience. Nat Townsley has worked with Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, his resume is incredible. So, just to be around that energy... it was awesome just watching them give themselves and watching them chime in like "on that next verse, let's try this." I was able to just learn, you know. You can't pay for that... My friend/bandmate/producer, Ondre J Pivec, did such an incredible job. So, it's been so incredible to be in the studio and they're like, "does this sound good, Kennedy?" And I'm like inside [squealing] "oh my God, I love it," and I'm like "oh it's cool, whatever you want to do." It was just incredible.

LL Favorite Artists?

KENNEDY I can't say that I have like a favorite artist. I draw some from different people. I guess people who are really influential to me it would be Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Dave Matthews. You know Dave would just start screaming or yoddling and at first when I heard it, I was like, "what is this? This is crazy," but it inspired me. Some of the liberties I take, musically, are from listening to his music. Kim Burrell, Chaka Khan -- she's was just flat-footed and sang. No autotune. Nobody like, "huh" [struggling to get her on pitch]; she was dead on the note and I love her. Michael Jackson. Michael, for me, was huge. His album, "Off The Wall," you could just feel the energy. You could feel how excited he is [was] to do it. 

WATCH FULL EPISODE ON  YouTube. 

You can follow The Kennedy Administration on Instagram.
Check out The Kennedy Administration EP. 

by ​Lazarus Lynch 

As I strolled through New York's East Village Easter Sunday morning, I discovered a brick wall that immediately drew me in. It was unlike any other brick wall I passed by that morning; it was a wall with a message. The message was powerful, yet subtle enough that I almost kept walking. I stopped to take a closer look at the wall. I studied it as though I were standing in front of a classic art piece at the Museum of Modern Art. The wall was covered in beautiful colors that made the shape of a heart. The brightly covered heart was huge covering up the surface of that black wall. 

I decided to take a picture of the wall and share it on my Instagram Stories. I pulled out my iPhone, stepped back, and took the shot. I looked at the bottom of the wall and for the first time noticed those six letters: HEKTAD. I typed the letters into my stories and there it was: @HEKTAD._OFFICIAL. I mentioned him and posted the picture. Hours later, I got a message from HEKTAD saying, "Awesome shot." I quickly responded, "Dope art." HEKTAD sent me an invitation flyer promoting a recent mural at 39 Spring Street. I responding that I would try and stop by -- and I did. 

When I arrived at 39 Spring Street, I saw a group of people standing around, talking in front of the mural. The front of the building was covered in bursts of paint -- highs of blue, pink, red, green, and yellow, similar to tie dyed tones. At the center of the wall were two doors with a heart painted on it.  Inside the heart were the words, I Choose Love. Inside the building were more paintings from HEKTAD both on the walls and in frames. Each pieces was signed by the artists name, HEKTAD.  ​

When I finally met HEKTAD, he was leaning against a car outside. He was dressed humbly with a baseball cap, a t-shirt, and jeans with dried paint on them. I congratulated him on his work and asked if I could interview him. He kindly agreed. Here's a snippet from our interview: 

LL: Where does the name HEKTAD come from? 

HEKTAD: HEK is my graffiti name. TAD is the crew I had growing up in the Bronx. TAD stands for Toy's Aint Down. We were artists (a.k.a. vandalis). I stood with the crew. We used to paint on everything. 

LL: When did you start making street art? 

HEKTAD: In 1982. I came back to it. I had children and stopped for a while but I'm friends with Banksy and he told me, "Man, now is the time." I would say he helped me get back to doing street art. 

LL: Where can people find your art? 

HEKTAD: It's all over... I put a piano at the bottom of the Brooklyn Bridge a few years ago. My work is at (former) Yaffa Cafe in the East Village, First Street and Houston, West 23rd Street Wall... it's all over. 

LL: What keeps you going as an artist? 

HEKTAD: It's an addiction. I just love it. I love painting, I love sharing my work with people... it's love for the work.

LL: What advice would you give to young artist? 

HEKTAD: Don't think about the money. Do it for the love. Whatever you do -- music, art, cooking -- do it because you love it. People loose it when they think about the money. Think about your craft. Also make a name for yourself. 

Follow HEKTAD on Instagram. 

I recently took my first trip to New Orleans, Louisiana in search for some of NOLA's best places to eat and drink. I arrived just the week before Mardi Gras and got to experience the parades, and of course, the great city. Truthfully, my trip was very short so I was determined to explore. Here is the list of my top five places to eat and drink on your next trip to NOLA!

1. SoBou: A Spirited Restaurant South of Bourbon 
Located in south of Bourbon Street in the French quarters, SoBou is a spirited restaurant serving up unique and inspired flavors and cocktails. Named the "Best New Restaurant in 2012" by Esquire Magazine, SoBou is New Orleans' modern saloon or tavern with crave-worthy dishes and drinks. The menu is curated by chef Juan Carlos Gonzalez and is a combination of authentic New Orleans street food with influences of his Spanish upbringing. And while you're grabbing a bite, you must try one (or more) of SoBou's incredible cocktails. 

LOCATION
French Quarter 10 Rue Chartres New Orleans, LA 70130
504-552-40953
http://www.sobounola.com/

2. Red Fish Grill 
If you're in the mood for amazing seafood, Red Fish Grill is the spot. The award winning restaurant in the French Quarters has an array of fresh seafood options on its menu including a raw oyster bar, shellfish, finfish, as well as classic creole seafood dishes. Two of their signature dishes are the BBQ Oysters, and the Wood Grilled Redfish and Louisiana Crawfish Tails. 

LOCATION 
115 Bourbon Street New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 59801200
http://www.redfishgrill.com/

3. Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits 
I nearly lost my mind when I showed up to Bacchanal. It is the ultimate food, drink, and music venue in the Ninth Ward neighborhood. When you first walk in, there is a wine and spirits shop. As you proceed through the shop, you enter into another outdoor bar. Just around the corner from the outdoor bar is an open outdoor seating area with live music. Upstairs, there is another bar and balcony area. You order all your food at the bar and your order is brought to you by the wait staff. I recommend starting out with some wine, a cheese board, olives, bacon wrapped dates, and several other small plates to share. 

LOCATION 
600 Poland Avenue New Orleans, La. 70117
(504) 948-9111
http://www.bacchanalwine.com/

4. Effervescence Champagne Bar 
Effervescence is one of NOLA's newest restaurant on the historic Rampart Street. Chefs Brenna Sanders and Evan Ingram designed a small plates menu to pair with champagne. Several sparkling and still wines are available on their and range in price. Wines can be sold by the glass, half glass, and prosecco is on tap. The inspired menu includes items such as pommes frites, caviar with creme fraiche and potato chips, and grilled octopus. The restaurant opens in the afternoons on most days and stays open until midnight or later. 

LOCATION 
1036 N. Rampart Street New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 509-7644 

5. Elizabeth's 
Bacon just got better!! The praline (pecan and sugar mixture) coated bacon is just a starter on the comforting menu, and a great way to whet the appetite IMO! The homey and neighborhood spot serves up classic dishes such as Italian sausage with red gravy, fried chicken livers with pepper jelly, and fried green tomatoes with remoulade sauce. If you're looking for NOLA's creole and southern classics with an elevated and modern spin, Elizabeth's is a great option. 

LOCATION 
601 Gallier St New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 944-9272 
http://www.elizabethsrestaurantnola.com/