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We are very excited to welcome our newest interview with the talented creative, podcaster, graphic designer Zu also known as BookofZu, @Ghetto004! We love everything about this feature and hope you enjoy it just as much as we do! ______________________________________________ 1) Tell us a little about yourself? My name is Zubair (pronounced zoo-bear) or Zu for short. I’ve said this before on the first episode of my podcast “Book of Zu” but during primary school, kids used to make the joke that I was a bear from the zoo because of my name. At that point, it used to bother me, but I was so young, so how could it not? Now, I use that to explain to people how my name is pronounced. But looking back at it, these times it was the kids that used to roll up to school in the morning with their mouths stained with wotsits (orange, cheesy crisps or chips, if you’re American). You come to school looking a mess, your mouth stained and stinking and you want to come and give me energy?? Tell your mama to brush your teeth and tongue; beloved. Your mouth smells like ass juice at 8 o’frickin-clock in the morning and you make teasing my name your first priority? Rotten mouts. But I’d be angry too if my mum hated me enough to not make me a proper breakfast, cereal is £1, beloved. I’m a Moroccan-Londoner, born and raised here in the U.K. The atmosphere is different in Morocco. I’m from Casablanca, which is a coastal city facing the Atlantic ocean. Casablanca means “white house” in Spanish because….colonialism but let’s not get into that before my wig flies off. Moroccans call it either “Casa” or “Dar L’bida” which also means “white house”. I’m also from Fes, which is an inner city, which means no beach, sadly but it makes up for that in rich history. A lot of my favourite childhood memories were made in Morocco, I’m one of 5 children, Allahumabarek. We used to drive to Morocco from London, in our seven seater, with enough stuff to give to a whole neighbourhood. You’re probably wondering “drive??? To Morocco??! From London??!”, absolutely. We’d either drive from London to Dover, get a ferry to Calais and drive from the north of France to the south into Spain, then after driving for almost 2 days, we’d arrive at Algeciras in Spain and get a ferry to Tangier, which is in northern Morocco. The other way we’d get there is, driving to Portsmouth from London and getting a 30-36 hour ferry to Bilbao in Spain and then followed by a 12 hour drive to the south and then getting a ferry into Morocco from Algeciras. I never used to appreciate the scenery as a child because I’d be fighting with my siblings telling them not to put their feet on my seat and then amidst all that fighting my mama would be screaming and then instruct my dad to pull-over, so she can get us TOGETHER and she did. Then she’d choose someone to sit in her seat, it was like being upgraded from where they store luggage in a plane to first class. If I got chosen, I’d give my siblings the devil stare and silently laugh, then they’d snitch and I’d put on my poker face. I’m petty like that, now stop being bitter and kickback into that cramped seat you’re in pretending to be luggage, whilst I stretch my legs in the front. But the last time we drove to Morocco was in 2015, this time just me and my dad. The scenery through France and Spain is breath-taking. Especially during sun rise, honey-golden amber rays of sunlight covering cascading mountains and rock formations. The air crisp, light and refreshing but pleasantly cool in temperature. But we have a big family Allahumabarek, so the car came in handy, we didn’t have to pay for taxi’s, coaches; nothing. But I’ll put a plug in this for now. 2) How would you describe your podcasts ? Good question. I don’t like to put myself in boxes but if I had to put my podcast in a category, I’d say culture and society. Culture and society is such an umbrella topic with endless sub-topics. If I had to describe it in three words, I’d say: unfiltered, eccentric and authentic. I feel like these days we lack genuine and sincere content, everybody wants to be a people-pleaser but truth be told, you can never please everyone. You left uni because your heart wasn’t in it? People will say you’re lazy and unambitious. You completed uni and got a good paying job that takes up a large portion of your time? People will say you think you’re too good for them and think you’re better than them. People are going to talk regardless, so you might as well do what you want. So when I record, I’m completely myself, how I talk in real life, is how I talk on my podcast. Whoever connects and resonates with my personality, amazing, whoever doesn’t…..moving on. I have more important things to worry about than dwelling on bitter b’s who don’t like me or my content. Important things like, whether I’d like 1 or 2 slices of toast for breakfast. I don’t think about it, don’t care about it, don’t worry about it. I have to be this way otherwise the smallest things would get to me and stop me from progressing. I’m not about to let someone’s dehydrated, ashy opinion lead me to become stagnant. If you follow me on twitter, you know I’ve been screaming “boss and level up, 2k18” with my chest. We’re elevating and uplifting ourselves and deserving others this year. Support your friends 2K18 and if you aren’t whole-heartedly supporting your friends genuinely, then I pity you, supporting and encouraging others doesn’t take anything away from you. But you’re so used to taking from people that the idea of giving back scares you because the only person you care and have ever cared about, is yourself. Now chew on THAT apple. Eat it up. You seem hungry. I’m all about supporting yourself but there’s a big difference between being unapologetically supportive of yourself and being selfish. Don’t, get it twisted. 3) What do you hope to teach others through your podcasts and what inspired you to start ? It always blows my mind when people message me or tell me that my podcast has taught them something or that my words impacted them, because I don’t feel like I’ve done enough for them to deserve that credit. I started my podcast because I felt there was a lack of genuine and authentic content in general. The things I say on my podcast are things I say in my everyday life, If you know me personally, you know I’m this way. I’m not pretending or changing myself so others can like me, because pretending to be someone you’re not is extremely mentally draining. I’m just me, the way I talk, my personality, it’s all me. So to me, all these things that I say are standard for me, it’s not going out of my way, it’s normal for me. The advice I give, is the advice I give to my friends, it’s not extraordinary to me. I just give people the advice that I would have appreciated getting when I was in those situations. What goes around, comes around and Allah SWT is the most fair and if you’re out here being fraudulent and giving people insincere, bare minimum advice, when you’re in that predicament, you’re going to have nobody to turn to. When someone reaches out to you, how you do them, is how you’ll be done. Standard. Don’t give out, what you wouldn’t appreciate receiving. I’m so humbled when people message me and talk to me about how my words have given them strength. That to me, is everything. I’m glad that people feel like they can get from me what they can’t get in the environment they’re in. The first mentions of me starting a podcast were suggested to me by two talented individuals. Hanine, aka @hanxine on twitter, she’s the founder of Nerdy POC, a writer among other creative crafts. She DM’d one day, I still remember, it was while ago and she told me that she thinks I should start a podcast because my personality would be a good fit for it. These times, I didn’t pay much attention to social media but I was so flattered because I was thinking “me?”. Then, Cari aka @cari_artist, a close friend of mine, she’s an amazing singer, her voice is so good it’s disrespectful. She told me, you should really make a podcast, your personality is so entertaining and infectious and again I was like “me?” LMAOO. Please, go and check out their pages on twitter and support!! But if you’ve been following me on twitter, you know that I’ve made threads on things people necessarily may not want to talk about, I say what I want, how I want and I’m not sorry about it. I also have had my curious cat open for ages because people reach out sometimes wanting advice on things and the fact it’s anonymous makes it easier for them. But all those posts get lost in a sea of tweets. So, I thought, I’m already speaking about these things, why don’t I immortalise these views and make them into something permanent that’s easily accessible. Then, Book of Zu was born. 4) Tips for anyone who’d like to start ? Creating podcast episodes or content in general is a commitment and takes dedication. I don’t think some people understand how much work goes into creating content and building a platform because all they see is the finished product but don’t see the struggle behind the scenes. If you’re going to do it, do it because you’re passionate and want to create quality content. Do it for you, nobody else. Don’t do it solely because people have told you “OMG! You totally should!! JSDKFKDJFKJ” because they’re not going to be doing it for you and that initial excitement is going to wear off. Motivating yourself to keep going isn’t easy because sometimes you’re so drained that you don’t want to do it but you push through because it’s something you’re truly passionate about. You don’t need to have fancy equipment in the beginning, I’m ballin’ on a budget and record my podcast on my iPhone. Make the best out of what you have. The hardest step, is the first. 5) What do you hope for in the future with your podcasts ? I hope that it continues to grow into something amazing and brings amazing opportunities Insha’Allah. I strongly believe that representation is so important, especially if you’re an ethnic minority and if you’re ethnic you know damn well we’re not represented out here. Even within ethnic minorities, all parts of the community aren’t represented in your home country’s mainstream media but that’s another story for another day. *sip* 6) Any podcasts that you are currently listening to? YETH! Podcasts made by small content creators? YETH PLEATHE!!! VANILLA SWIRL WITH COOKIE CRUNCH PLEATHE! - Inspyre Reads (@inspyre_ent) literary banter, the break down of books and discussions centred around them. Season 2, EP 1, they discussed Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone, they even had a segment where they did Harry Potter centred impressions. - Her Thought Crimes (@whytrustme), she articulates topics that are difficult to put into words so eloquently. EP 2, she discussed redefining success and how it means something different to everybody, and it makes you question what you’re currently using to measure your success. - I’m Afraid It’s Terminal (@serriusbleck), he discusses idea, concepts and theories that engage you and make you think. EP 15, he spoke about Venezuela and how their wealth lead to their demise. You know when you watch a crazy documentary and you want to discuss and really break it down with someone, that’s how I’d describe his podcast. - Abwaan Chronicles (@abwaanpodcast), in EP 14 , they discussed whether they have a duty to Somalia. It was interesting to hear in one group of people how different their opinions were. Being a ethnic minority, and coming from country that isn’t fully developed yet, sometimes you can be made to feel guilt about not doing enough for your country. So this episode definitely drew me in. __________________________________________ Follow his socials to stay upto date with him Twitter- @Ghetto004 Instagram- @Bookofzu ____________________________________________ Stay up-to date with more interviews and features and follow us on our Instagram and twitter! Instagram- @_theeastcollective Twitter- @theeastcollect Contact admins @149lanets or @fvrdosa on Instagram to feature!!

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For this next interview we had the honor of interviewing the kind, talented and dope artist, Mohamed! He’s based in Seattle, WA and is a very unique videographer/creative. We’re very excited to have him for our next interview and hope you all enjoy it as much as we did! ____________________________________________ 1. What do you shoot with ? I shoot with a super 8mm camera and occasionally a Sony A7 2. What are your best angles? My best angles are usually from below the subject, as I like tic capture a different aspect of videography. Usually that's not the orthodox way of filming 3. Where would you place yourself in terms of videography? Like what type of work do you do ? I would place myself in a different category. I'm more old school with my films, as you can see I use the Super 8mm. I would love to be in Hollywood one day and change the game up and make a super 8 feature film on soemthing that has to do with black people. 4. Does your work have a message? I usually have a message within my work, I don't like being random. I don't see the point of doing soemthing unless it means something. I usually send a message from things I see happening that are related to me. 5. Who inspires you ? I am inspired by artists such as Donald glover. His representation in Hollywood makes it possible for people like me to be able to shoot for that. 6. What inspires you? Films? YouTube videos? I'm most definitely inspired by films. I'm a big movie guy so all of that inspires me. After I watch a movie I get the urge to go and make a movie myself. 7. What’s your advice when it comes to people starting out with videography ? My advice is be patient and take your time with it. When I first entered the field, it was so difffcult and I was all over the place, I didn't know how to film, edit or even write well. But through trial and error you get better and I'll always think I can do better when I look at my work. 8. Do you edit? If so what do you like about it? I love editing. I always edit my work. I love editing because if it's my work, I have a certain vision different from someone else. Editing is the most important aspect of it all, anyone can film or shoot anything, but editing makes it perfect, you can add so much. 9. What do you hope to learn in terms of videography ? Well I hope I can learn how to get noticed and how I can make shorter masterpieces. 10. How did you get into videography? I got into videography from just my love for movies. I've always been a big movie guy. A huge film critic. So I thought to myself, I love it so much, and it pertains to me, so why not try it yourself? 11. How do you learn from criticisms? I always take criticism well if it's professionally given to me, especially by someone in the same field. People see different things than you do. It's always good to have another eye. Everything is subjective to us. 12. Are Criticisms important? Criticisms are important because it can improve your work. Only having our opinion will make us think that this is perfect, but often it is not because we do not criticize ourself due to our egos, that is why you need someone who is in the same field as you's opinion to see how it is. Art is subjective and obviously you have an eye for your work, but it never hurts to get an opinion. 13. Any advice for videographerswho want to start? Well I would just say, be patient and honestly, I'm always learning you know. Even if I get big one day let's say. You're always learning. I'm not even half as good as I want to be, but I would say just be patient. I mean you start stuff and you will think it's an abomination, but you'll get better with time that's how life works. But I would say start off with easier cameras like the beginner camcorders, and start on editing softwares like iMovie. iPhones have high quality cameras and easy to use, I continue to use it. 14. Describe your videographic journey in three words? The long run 15. Do you carry your camera/ phone with you ? I always carry my cameras and phone. My phone is with me every second, and my cameras are in my backpack, usually with me 95% of the time unless I'm at work. 16. Anything else you’d love to say? I hope black excellence continues forever 17. Do you agree with the statement that’s it’s the vision rather than the device you have when taking creating? It's always the vision. I know people with devices and equipment a million times better than me but don't know how to be creative. I know Hollywood stars with big budget films and shows and state of the art equipment who continue to recycle the same ideas all the time. It's never the device it's the vision. There's kids out here with no access to technology or anything and they have the biggest vision and tend to create the best things. If you a born into millionaire family, how will you learn to continue to double that profit? You won't because you didn't start at the bottom. Having less makes you better when you have more later. ________________________________________ Here are some links to Mohamed’s work and his socials! We can’t wait to keep up with his amazing work!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrQGL1Nm758 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBwPjIGkuNo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmyODdYspeU IG- @mohamedabdullahi Twitter- @mohamedafilms

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For our second interview we got the chance to speak with the amazingly talented, eloquent and powerful writer, Furqan! She is a creative writer who focuses on social justice, politics and feminism. Furqan is located in Canada and we are very honored to get to interview her! 1. What’s your favourite book? This is quite possibly the most difficult question ever. But it’d have to a tie between The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and White Teeth by Zadie Smith 2. What is a book you’re currently reading ? How We Get Free by Keeanga Yamahtta Taylor 3. How old were you when you first started taking writing seriously as a creative thing?? I’ve been writing ever since I honestly can remember, entering writing contests, participating in school competitions, and what not. Social justice issues were my favourite thing to write about as a kid. I think I started taking writing creatively as a serious thing when I was about 12 years old. Writing about everything sweatshops in Bangladesh to racial profiling, I thought I was going to save the world. 4. What type of writing do you do? Poetry and prose + opinion/analysis pieces. Social commentary on political happenings have also been my favourite to write. 5. Who inspires you ? Nuruddin Farah, Ta Nehisi Coats, Roxane Gay 6. What’s your advice when it comes to writing a book or a blog ? Comparing yourself to other writers with their book/blog is useless- writing comes from a certain vantage point, and you don’t share vantage points with others! it’ll be difficult, but in the end you’ll be proud of what you wrote because it came from you. take it slow! set aside time in your day to write. make a commitment to complete a certain amount everyday, and before ya know it- whatever you were working on is on its way to go! 7. what do you write about? Politics, social issues, feminism, culture 8. What do you hope to learn in terms of writing/blogging? How to further my thoughts, and not water myself down. Also, paying attention to healthy discourse. (Ex. Different 👏🏽 Somali 👏🏽 Writers 👏🏽 Won’t 👏🏽 See 👏🏽 Things 👏🏽 The 👏🏽 Same 👏🏽 Way). White writers are very much allow to differ in opinion. Expecting every Somali blogger, or opinion writer to see every situation is not only inherently wrong but a disservice to intellectual conversation. 9. How do you learn from criticisms ? Not everyone is going to digest what you write easily, so taking in criticism is important to me. I do so by reminding myself that 1) it’s (usually!!) not personal, and 2) there’s always room to grow! having someone critique your work allows for your writing to reach places that weren’t possible before because your perspective is only so wide. 10. Any advice for writers who want to start? feel free to refer to my answer for 6!! this, of course, depends on what your style of writing is. + one thing my father really ingrained in my head when I was little was that “no one is in my brain”. You are the only person who knows what your thinking, your job as a writer is to invite people in there. expand your sentences! don’t be afraid to lay everything on a page! be clever, let your personality shine through. 11. Describe your writing journey in three words? So Many Adjectives 12. Do you carry a journal with you ? To put your ideas in? I quite literally will write on anything if and when inspiration strikes. On a napkin, stray paper, my hand (yikes I know). Thank the Lord for the note app on my phone. I do have journals, and a few smaller notebooks to store my ideas in. 13. Anything else you’d love to say? There is a true need for fresh perspectives and analysis from groups, especially in this climate of selective outrage and occasional censorship. Words are incredibly powerful, and I’m grateful for the little space I take up on the Internet. ____________________________________________ Here are some links to her work https://seafoaming.com/2018/03/08/reverse-racism/ https://www.amaliah.com/post/41577/white-privilege-works-way-school-shootings And a collection of her work with Teeneye Magazine http://www.teeneyemagazine.com/search?q=Furqan%20Mohamed&f_collectionId=5583952be4b08f78c1dda44d ____________________________________________ Follow her social Insta and Twitter- @HeyFurqan

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Please welcome our the lovely Maryam, a 21 yr old photographer based in Leicester, England. We are excited and honored to have her as our very first interview! ____________________________________________________ 1. What lens do you like to use? 
I don’t have a specific lens I like using at the moment. Generally speaking I tend to use any lens that’s accessible to me. So that could be the lens on my phone or on my camera. 2. What are your best angles? 
For the most part I like to make sure my subject is centred perfectly in frame. I haven’t experimented that much with angles but I do want to start messing about with low angle shots in the near future. 3. What camera do you use? iPhone 7 camera, Canon 1300D and a Chinon CE-4 film camera. 4. What camera is in your wish list?
My dream camera is the canon 80D. 5. What type of photography do you do?
I like to focus specifically on portrait and bridal photography but I take photos of anything that I find beautiful. 6. Who inspires you ?
I think everyone knows how much I’m inspired by Gamada Ali, he’s a wedding photographer. We’ve actually shot the at wedding before! The angles, colouring and lighting of his photos are amazing. 7. What’s your advice when it comes to taking pictures of people?
Sometimes people are comfortable with being in front of the camera but it’s also important to think of those who aren’t as comfortable. Whenever I’m taking people’s portraits I like to make my subject feel at ease, gearing their mind away from the fact that I’m taking a photo of them. You could maybe ask them how their day has been going or ask them to explain one of the happiest moments in their life. When I do this I feel like my photos come out more candid and less forced. 8. Do you edit? If so what do you like about it?
Yes, I love to edit but I do it on my phone most of the time instead of using editing softwares like lightroom or photoshop. I like that editing can in some way fill in the blanks of a photo. 9. What do you hope to learn in terms of photography? 
This links to the previous question but I think I’m going to start learning how to properly edit. I’ve never really given editing on the computer a try but that’s definitely something I need to give time to. 10. How do you learn from criticisms ?
If criticisms are constructive and you can see why you’ve been given that criticism, take it in and work on it (if you want because it is YOUR art at the end of the day) but me personally? I welcome criticism especially if I know I can learn from it and improve my photography in some way. 11. Are Criticisms important?
Yes 12. Any advice for photographers who want to start?
Just start. If you have a phone, take photos on there, if you have a camera, use it. Any device with a built-in camera that you have will do. 13. Describe your photographic journey in three words? Colourful, happy and fun. 14. Do you carry your camera/ phone with you ?
Carrying my camera around can get really tiring because it is big and bulky but I do take it with me when I know I’m going to be taking photos that day. I carry my phone EVERYWHERE like anyone else would do and I take photos on there too. 15. Anything else you’d love to say? Just a little advice and this is a note to self too: try to be consistent in your art. 16. Do you agree with the statement that’s it’s the vision rather than the device you have when taking a photo? Completely! I never want anyone to think that you have to have this big, chunky DSLR camera to be a photographer. A lot of people I know have started out using their phone and still continue to use their phone to take photos. I used an iPhone 5 for years before I shifted to using a camera. It’s all about your eye and how you pay attention to beauty. 
____________________________________________________ Please follow all of her socials to keep up with her amazing work!! Can’t wait to see her grow and prosper! Much love from the East Collective Family ♡ Twitter- @Maryam_713 
Insta - @yram.3

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A page to support one another, shine a light on underrated creatives and more! —- Tweet us your work or message us on Instagram : @/_theeastcollective to share your work!#theeastcollective to our first post!

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More to come. Wishing you all love, growth and prosperity!