Man of Style || The Jeffrey Lee Interview

-By: Chanel Murphy

NXL21 Charlotte engaged in a session of Q&A with the CEO of HTDOGWTR- Jeffrey Lee. This clothing line is fresh and innovative, designed specifically for the “individual.” “My inspiration is to push people to be individuals. You set your tone. Make your own statement. I only make a certain amount of pieces,” said Jeffrey Lee.

NXL21 Charlotte: When did you start your clothing line HTDOGWTR?

Jeffrey Lee: I started my clothing line in 2006.

NXL21 Charlotte: The name of your clothing line is interesting. What’s the story behind the name "HTDOGWTR?"

Jeffrey Lee: When I was younger I grew up around my grandpa and grandma. They used to take us to the park and my grandpa would cook on the grill. He used to give us a hotdog and tell us to go to the water fountain. That’s where the name came from. I was trying to come up with a name for my line and that’s what stuck. People said it was something I couldn't do. There was a challenge within the name itself.

NXL21 Charlotte: What kind of products do you make?

Jeffrey Lee: I started out making women's handbags. But now HTDOGWTR carries hats, shirts, dresses, jeans, eyewear, etc. for men and women- a full line.

NXL21 Charlotte: When did you become interested in creating clothing?

Jeffrey Lee: I’m an only child and grew up with a single parent. My mom used to make my Halloween costumes. I learned how to sew at the age of five.

NXL21 Charlotte: You don’t create clothing based on the seasons -spring/summer and fall/winter- like most fashion designers. How often do you produce new clothing?

Jeffrey Lee: I design in collections and it depends on how I’m feeling at the time. I don’t believe in the ordinary trends of fashion. My clothing is not for the average person. Don’t let the clothes make you. Make the clothes. Fashion is about expression.

NXL21 Charlotte: What fashion trend do you foresee becoming popular soon?

Jeffrey Lee: Raccoon tails and fox tails. People are wearing them on bags, hips, and belt loops. I saw it during New York Fashion Week.

NXL21 Charlotte: What are some setbacks that you have encountered?

Jeffrey Lee: One setback is that I'm doing it by myself. I'm the jack of all trades. Marketing. PR. I have one person who does all the characters and his name is 2E.

NXL21 Charlotte: Have you had any recent initiatives?

Jeffrey Lee: I sponsored the clothing for the whole second season of Fantasia Barrino's show on VH1- Fantasia For Real. Also, we're coming out with Fantasia's tour shirt.

NXL21 Charlotte: Where can customers purchase your clothing?

Jeffrey Lee: They can purchase products online at www.htdogwtr.com or at boutique Boris and Natasha in Charlotte.

NXL21 Charlotte: What is your favorite experience with NXL21 Charlotte?

Jeffrey Lee: The networking event downtown at Aquavina. It was last year.

NXL21 Charlotte: Lastly, do you have any advice for other entrepreneurs?

Jeffrey Lee: Stay focused. Don't give up. Keep pushing. Some things may not go your way but keep pushing.

Be sure to follow Jeffrey Lee on twitter @htdogwtr.

Driven, talented, and beautiful, Courtnee Mason has graced covers of magazines, television stations, and received the title of Miss Black Charlotte NC USA® 2011. She was also the face of Charlotte, North Carolina’s First Annual Fashion Week, named Charlotte Style Magazine’s 25 Most Stylish, and appeared on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne. “I am constantly competing with myself and driven to become the best at everything I set out to accomplish,” said Courtnee Mason.

Courtnee Mason’s most recent accomplishment was being casted on VH1’s You’re Cut Off!, a reality show about nine privileged “princesses” who are stripped of their luxuries and forced to live life like “normal” people. They went through challenges to learn self-improvement, responsibility, and independency in hopes of graduating the Princess Program. Here is Courtnee Mason’s experience when she found out she was cut off:

Nxlevel Charlotte: Why did you decide to go on VH1’s You’re Cut Off!?

Courtnee Mason: All of the girls, including me, thought that we were going to be on a show called The Good Life…but little did we know! We didn’t find out that we were on a show called You’re Cut Off! until we got to the West coast. Regardless of what the show was called, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I would not change it for the world. It was a career move for me. So many others go on reality shows to jumpstart their career; it’s a chance to be seen on a national scale.

Nxlevel Charlotte: How does it feel having cameras tape your every move?

Courtnee Mason: (Laughs) It was weird at first, but I loved it!

Nxlevel Charlotte: Did you have a hard time living on a budget?

Courtnee Mason: It was not hard for me because I have always lived on some sort of budget. When you go grocery shopping with people who have never been, it is. I am from the south and one thing about my parents is that you have to know how to cook, clean, and grocery shop. That is a must in the Mason house. I am not talking about microwave dinners; I am talking about from scratch.

Nxlevel Charlotte: Describe your experience living in a house with all females.

Courtnee Mason: I hated the elementary school arguments. All I kept thinking was, ‘Are you serious or are you doing this for camera time?’ Let’s just say what you saw was real because it was like that when the cameras were on and off. You didn’t get to see the half of it. Just know that Jersey Shore had nothing on the girls in that house. (Laughs)

Nxlevel Charlotte: What was the most difficult part about the show?

Courtnee Mason: Of course living with the eight other females! It was worse than a college dorm room and we had four to five people in a room. Also, dealing with eight over the tippy-top personalities was difficult.

Nxlevel Charlotte: You went through several challenges on the show. What was the most important lesson you learned on You’re Cut Off!?

Courtnee Mason: I have learned to appreciate the little things so much more. I also realized that I need to step it up and give more of my time to those in need. PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) was my favorite challenge on the show.

Nxlevel Charlotte: Has attention from viewers been negative or positive after the show?

Courtnee Mason: The attention from viewers has been more positive than negative. Of course you have a handful of people who base their reality on reality shows; to them I am a spoiled brat. All I can say is- it’s TV!

Nxlevel Charlotte: Has your lifestyle changed or remained the same since being on the show?

Courtnee Mason: It has changed. I am ready to take over the world like Pinky and the Brain. I am ready to lead by example. So many people tell me they admired me for the way I carried myself on the show which is surprising because ratings come from the drama-filled people. It means the world to me that although I was not front and center, I was noticed for my character. I am more driven than ever before!

Nxlevel Charlotte: Is there any advice you would give women in the same situation?

Courtnee Mason: Your habits are a reflection of your insecurities. Your excessive spending or vanity is a cover-up for something deeper that is hindering your progress in life. Dig deep and find out why you do, act, or believe what you do. Know that everything can be taken from you at any given time. Be thankful and if you can afford to give, do so. ‘Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.’

Nxlevel Charlotte: What have you been doing career-wise post-show?

Courtnee Mason: I am a blog writer for Russell Simmons' Global Grind and I have also been getting ready to compete for the title of Miss Black NC USA® 2011. The pageant is this November. There are so many more projects I have been working on but I cannot reveal what they are until they are finalized. For anyone who wants to keep up with my journey, go to www.courtneemason.com and check out my weekly blog posts on www.globalgrind.com.

Nxlevel Charlotte: Last but definitely not least, what was your favorite Nxlevel experience?

Courtnee Mason: GHOE (Greatest Homecoming on Earth) 2009. I love the VIP treatment no matter where I am in North Carolina. Nxlevel takes great care of me!

Be sure to follow Courtnee Mason on Twitter @CourtneeMason.

*Image above from You're Cut Off!

*Above: The Mirror Challenge

A Brotha with Soul || The Harvey Cummings Interview

-By Chanel Murphy

Above: Harvey Cummings

Often described as being a musical genius, Harvey Cummings became interested in music at the age of three. “We had a piano in the house and I would always bang on it. My parents never seemed to mind but I actually got in tune and started to play for real,” explains Harvey.

“I’ve been playing ever since.”

The talented musician attended performing arts schools in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina from elementary to high school. He also had many recitals and was able to perform his first written song in the fourth grade concert. “My parents didn’t know what was going on. They were shocked,” says Harvey.

-Nxlevel Charlotte: What other instruments do you play besides the piano?

-Harvey: I play the saxophone. That’s my other main instrument. I can play band instruments also. I sucked at the French horn though.

-Nxlevel Charlotte: Who are your musical influences?

-Harvey: My musical influences are John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, Nas, Jay-Z, and the Roots. Also, Thlonious Monk. He’s a pianist from Rocky Mount. I like Monk because he plays outside the box.

-Nxlevel Charlotte: What inspires your music?

-Harvey: Whatever I’m feeling at the time- good or bad.

-Nxlevel Charlotte: What genre does your music fall under?

-Harvey: Hip-hop jazz.

-Nxlevel Charlotte: The rumor out there is that you may be performing with Hootie and the Blowfish.

-Harvey: That’s true. I’m opening up in September for Hootie. It’s a blessing! It opens up another audience for our music.

-Nxlevel Charlotte: Congrats. What other bands have you worked with?

-Harvey: The band I’m apart of is Beatnam and the Vets. We formed this band back in college. But I’ve worked with other bands including Peace and Love, The Company Band, and Betty Pride and the BP Ride Blues Band. I was also one of the featured pianists on the Boondocks- the second season. I got a call from 9th Wonder asking to play the background music for the show. It opened a lot of doors.

-Nxlevel Charlotte: Where is one of your favorite places to perform?

-Harvey: My favorite place to perform is a restaurant in the South Park area in Charlotte called Café Monte. It’s a nice French-inspired restaurant. The food is bangin'. The people love the music. I also play every Friday at Sadie’s Soul Food. Their food is great. They won the Steve Harvey Hoodie Award.

-Nxlevel Charlotte: So when did you become involved with Nxlevel Charlotte?

-Harvey: Well, I’ve always been a fan of Nxlevel. I used to go to the parties in Greensboro, North Carolina. My first party was the Black Party in 2008 for my 25th birthday. I got involved in Nxlevel Charlotte when I received a phone call about bands performing for the New Year’s party.

-Nxlevel Charlotte: How do you feel about the presence of jazz in Charlotte?

-Harvey: I’m interested in bringing jazz to Charlotte, especially to our audience- young black professionals. There’s not really a niche for pure jazz in Charlotte. I’m not really fond of the music people are hearing.

-Nxlevel Charlotte: Do you have any advice for other upcoming artists?

-Harvey: My advice is to stay true to yourself. Don’t play what other people want you to. In music, we’re losing individuality. Be creative. Be an individual. Make your music remembered. Standout. I feel like my gimmick is real music.

-Nxlevel Charlotte: Is there anyone you would like to acknowledge that helped you in this musical journey?

-Harvey: I’d like to thank God. My family. My father- rest-in-peace. My friends. My girlfriend who is my biggest supporter and my manager. She keeps me grounded. I would also like to thank Nxlevel Charlotte for putting this interview together. I’d like to thank the people.

Be sure to follow Harvey Cummings on Twitter @brothawitsoul.

*Above: Harvey Cummings playing at a nearby music store.