So FN Dope Magazine

So FN Dope® Magazine is a quarterly digital publication highlighting exceptional artists, entertainers, athletes, actors & entrepreneurs throughout the United States.

So FN Dope

So FN Dope

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDERS

[TREY LORENZ : BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT] • Initially beginning his career in song as a member of not one but two short lived musical collectives, Players and Squeak & the Deep, Flo-Town’s [Florence, South Carolina] own Trey Lorenz met by happenstance, then future, global superstar Mariah Carey forever changing the trajectory of said profession. In 1990, Mimi would take the, now, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter out on her first promo tour, which ultimately led the four octave range tenor to provide backing vocals on Carey’s second studio album, Emotions. Lorenz’s self-titled debut solo set, featuring its lead offering, “Someone to Hold,” arrived in September ‘92.

ANEESA STRINGS NO LIMITATIONS • The Bright Side of the Bay bassist, vocalist and composer Aneesa Strings initially began playing professionally and recorded her first Jazz album at the tender age of 13. In 2014, Strings would then receive her Bachelor of Music [BMus or BM] in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California, where she also unleashed her Patrice Rushen - in collaboration with SFJAZZ - produced composition, “Simpin’,” taken from her premiere solo outing, A Shift In Paradigm. ‘The Bass Queen’ would later go on to earn her Master of Music [M.M.] in Jazz Studies, and has since toured around the world with artists such as Duckworth, Jose James, Kandace Springs and many other reputable acts.

GOALDEN CHYLD & THE UNITY MOVEMENT • Chicago’s hip-hop scene has always been a reflection of the city’s pulse—gritty, resilient, and unapologetically real. But while many artists use their platform to highlight the struggles, Goalden Chyld is actively reshaping them. More than just a rapper, he is a movement, a voice for the trenches, and a beacon of hope in a city that often finds itself divided.

HONEY BXBY THE NEXT ERA • Currently gearing up for the release of her eagerly awaited Extended Play, which arrives May 30th, The Garden State’s own R&B chanteuse, Honey Bxby, is the genuine article. Her just unveiled latest offering, “Think I Might,” is only further proof that this rising songbird is definitely here for the long haul…

9 OF OUR FAVORITE PODCASTS OF 2025 • In 2025, the podcasting landscape continues to flourish, offering a diverse array of content that caters to various interests.From sports and comedy to finance and candid conversations, these nine podcasts have captivated audiences with their unique perspectives and engaging hosts. Here’s a closer look at So FN Dope Magazine’s top podcast picks of the year.

ABSTRACT MINDSTATE • It’s no secret that hip-hip has undergone some major changes over the last few decades and nowadays it seems that authenticity sometimes takes a backseat to virality—But there’s something grounding, something necessary, about hip-hop duo Abstract Mindstate. The Chicago-based duo of Olskool Ice-Gre and E.P Da Hellcat emerged in the late 90’s with an energy rooted in truth, raw lyricism, and artistic integrity. Now, decades after their formation at Jackson State University and their 2001 debut We Paid Let Us In!, Abstract Mindstate is not just back—they’re making the kind of music that heals, uplifts, and pushes the culture forward.

ANSLEY THERAPY...WITH MELODIES • From the creative forces of Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum songwriter-producer Dallas Austin [TLC, Boyz II Men, Madonna] and Emmy-nominated choreographer-director Fatima Robinson comes this rocketing ATL based Pop starlet; who’s boldly fierce, unabashedly fearless and unapologetically Ansley.

JON FIELDS: THE VISIONARY SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HIP-HOP • In an era where...