top of page

Editor's Note - Issue 07

  • Aug 1, 2023

The world is literally on fire.. and this month, so is 47. It seems to be fading away while politicians continue to ignore our urgent global climate crisis.


August: Leo season, hot, fiery, fierce, and all the things that make you sizzle. But this is also a time of record-breaking heat, wildfires, and the burning presence of the end of the world. What can we do, besides burn with it?


For our 7th issue, 47Magazine is lighting up the pages, sparking conversations, and feeling the heat. We celebrate the accomplishments of some outstanding influencers, artists, and creatives in NYC. Being a fun and fresh fashion magazine, we also present topics that keep our spirits high during this summer season.


Start your August off with flaming issues and sexy photoshoots that remind us we all start and end in ashes and dust.


We have some more articles on the way and hope that you enjoy the issue! Thank you for being part of our community and supporting the next generation of voices.


- Sophia Querrazzi and Mark Bluemle

Jordan Smikle: Creating Worlds That Are Hot on Your For You Page


Jordan Smikle is a prominent internet personality with a following on TikTok, Youtube, and Instagram. Jordan began his social media journey in 2019 as a joke and now has accumulated over three million followers on TikTok. He gained this following by posting story-telling POVs, comedy sketches, and get-ready-with-mes. One TikTok user commented on a recent post of his, “One of the only people that post povs that are actually funny” and I couldn’t agree more. With his natural humor and quality acting, Jordan Smikle is a name you will want to remember.


Continue reading to hear from Jordan about his social media journey, his experience as a black creator, advice, and so much more!


When did you begin your social media journey on TikTok/Instagram? What has that journey been like?

I began my social media journey back in late 2019 as a joke after one of my close friends pressured me to download the app. I made a few amusing videos that I assumed would only be watched by a small number of people, but they ended up going viral, which is how my love for TikTok and content creation began! My social media journey has definitely been crazy! As a black creator, I’ve experienced some interesting things these past few years and it made me realize that we as black creators need to change the behind-the-scenes aspect of social media when it comes to brands and even people we work beside. Even though I could go into more depth, I want to focus on the positive aspects of this and explain how my experience on social media has helped me become the person I've always wanted to be! I adore the chance to share my skills and concepts with the public, and social media has given me this possibility. I really feel that this is just the beginning of my journey because I'm constantly learning and growing. Hopefully, in the coming years, I'll be able to look back and proudly reflect on all the successes I've already achieved and how they've shaped my future self into the even better version of who I want to be.

Your TikToks focus a lot on acting. Would you ever see yourself pursuing a career as an actor?

Without a doubt, I intend to pursue a career in acting. I regularly participate in my acting classes, and my managers constantly submit me to different projects! However, I must admit that the acting I display in the audition room is quite different from what is exhibited on my TikTok! Consider my TikTok acting to be a completely watered-down version of my own personal acting for my younger Gen-Z audience!


Has having a platform on TikTok given you any opportunities for acting?

Having a platform on TikTok has given me an opportunity to not only acting but attending industry events and be involved in the entertainment industry! I’ve been able to showcase my social media to different casting directors which has allowed me to further work with the projects presented to me! I actually received the incredible opportunity to work on a shoot that will soon be placed on billboards as a result of my Instagram!

Do you have any advice for people trying to start out on TikTok/YouTube?

My advice is to start NOW! Don’t let the feeling of embarrassment or the thought of your hometown peers seeing it affect your content creation! If you truly want to get into social media, please remember that it takes time and effort and nothing will happen immediately overnight. Your content will ultimately reach the audience it was intended for if you simply post to post without worrying about it going viral or the number of views it gets. When you notice that your page is expanding, consider monetizing and always have a strategy!


What is your creative process like? Where do you get the inspiration for your videos?

My creative process for my videos is quite long. I generally start with a prompt for my story-telling POVs and then consider how I should start it and conclude it. I start writing the plot in my notes after I come up with that, including the actions and dialogue I want to use as well as the other "characters" in the story. I then film it and share it for those interested to see! I occasionally get inspiration for my videos from random thoughts, or from my mutuals, who I always credit in the caption. I always make sure to rapidly jot down any fresh content ideas so I don't forget them.

What do you see for yourself in the future?

It's a good thing you asked because I have no idea! I'm just riding the wave right now and allowing whatever the future has in store for me to unfold. Everything has been positive so far, and I anticipate more of the same in the future.


Are you in school? If so, what do you study? How do you balance your time?

As of right now, I am taking a break from school! When I attended Pace University, I was studying to major in Arts & Entertainment Management! I of course hope to go back but as of right now, my main focus is my career and striving for what I truly want! I manage my time by making a calendar of the key responsibilities I must complete each day, whether that may be taking part in meetings, events, work, or content creation. Finally, I enjoy using my spare time to exercise, meditate, spend time outside, or hang out with friends in order to avoid stress or brain fog.

Where did you grow up? How do you think your hometown helped shape you into who you are today?

I grew up in Aberdeen, New Jersey! If you asked anyone from Jersey if they knew that town they would probably give you a blank stare because it’s that irrelevant. I must admit that because of how diverse my hometown was, I had the opportunity to engage with a variety of people and cultures, which further shaped who I am today by allowing me to develop a deeper appreciation for my own ethnic background. My hometown also taught me how to speak up for what I believe in and to not let anyone intimidate or walk all over me. Surprisingly, my hometown was and is still very encouraging of my content creation on TikTok, which is why I'm so appreciative for all the lessons and memories I have here since without them, I wouldn't be as confident as I am today.


What message do you have for your fans?

A message I have for my followers is that y’all are of course amazing because without each and every one of you guys and your support, I wouldn’t be where I am today! I also want to remind you, guys, that you only have one life to live, so please pursue your goals without letting anyone try to talk you out of them or try to change your mind. Strive to achieve your goals and don't let a poor day stop you from climbing the ladder of success. There are people that will always support you and remember you are your own best friend. With that said, daily affirmations can change your life drastically.

TikTok has many different sides: music, movies, news, acting, etc. What influenced your genre on TikTok? Would you ever consider moving into a different one?

My passion for writing and telling stories in general led me to mostly stick with story-telling POVs. After seeing my mutual friends make up various stories, it inspired me to try it out and ever since then I’ve been in love with it. Even though there have been instances when I've tried to take a break from it, I’ve always found myself returning to that particular genre on TikTok. I do think my content is varied. I now also concentrate on humor, fashion, get-ready-with-me videos, and other trendy material!


Thank you, Jordan for taking the time to talk with us! Make sure you check him out on TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube!


Written and Interviewed by Grace Bugin

Photography by Mark Bluemle

Production Assistance by Ryan Murray

Sun Edit by Khami Auerbach



Star Power: An interview on growth, connection, and music with MegaGoneFree


Are you ever scrolling online and get a song from your feed stuck in your head, and the whole day you’re wondering who it was that made something like that, lo and behold I introduce to you a peek behind the curtain into one of the most stylized and revolutionary sounds making their way to the top today, Mega.


You have such a unique style and vibe, not only in your personal essence but also in your music and the way you allow such freedom of expression to the things you create; what ways do you nurture this type of individuality? Well, I've always pushed myself to be unapologetically me! When I was younger, I was very different from my peers in school/ the neighborhood, so eventually, I just grew used to being the odd one out. I found escapism in being my most original self. Individuality is so important to me because why would you want to be someone else? I nurture my individuality by reminding myself, "Your uniqueness is your greatest strength".

In your Instagram bio, you have “you say singer, I say storyteller”, what does that represent for you and your journey in the music industry? Around 2021, I started to grow very popular on TikTok for singing covers of popular songs. However, I've been songwriting since I was 15 (2016). My message, what I have to say, is the reason I create music every day. I've struggled to get my following to notice more than just how my voice sounds. I love telling stories and sharing my opinions in my music. I think it comes from frequently being spoken over in the past.

Recently you played Rogue Music Fest, what was that experience like for you? IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE! I was so elated to have the opportunity to play. It was the first festival I've ever performed at and the biggest set I've ever produced. It was my first time with a full band and no backing tracks. Also, the first time, I incorporated dancers into a set. I met my Music Director and Guitarist "Marc LeGrand" a few gigs ago, and he introduced me to the rest of the band. Noah Amick (Bass), Kevin Murray (Drums), and Andrew Links (Keyboard). They are the most talented guys I've ever met. Also, my choreographer, Mike Gilbert, brought the whole second half of my set to life. Roni, Natalie, and Amy (Festival Organizers) were great to work with. The whole day went exactly how it was supposed to. Also, I got to meet some amazing artists! Overall a great experience, dare I say, the best day of my life lol.

You’ve released two singles this year, one being hills you’d die on, which tells an emotional story of heartbreak and the impact of something so deep as letting go, The other being ” In the Kitchen,” an almost Dolly Parton-esque power anthem, that completely takes its own form of being loud, proud, and unafraid, I’d love to hear more about what these songs mean for you? Well, “Hills You’d Die On” is a story about a past relationship I had. It was the only time I’ve ever been in love. I mainly created this song to display my versatility as an artist. I usually make a lot of hard-hitting, loud, powerful music. However, I also have a soft soulful side, and “Hills You’d Die On” was the start of me sharing that with the world. I created “In the Kitchen” for a lot of reasons. As I mentioned, I love sharing my opinions and outlook on life in my music. In today’s media, it’s becoming very popular and normalized to talk down on women. Specifically with podcasts and among content creators. This song reflects how today’s rhetoric of women completely mirrors the ideals of those from the early 20th century. People are constantly putting expectations on women and telling them what they "should" be doing. This is very harmful for naive young girls using the internet. I’ve had experiences in the past with people, judging my character solely based off of my biological gender.

Bouncing off of that, both of these songs give complete whiplash from one another in comparison, I mean seriously I went from crying to partying almost instantaneously that’s how awesome they are, my question is, what was that like for you, creating such fine-tuned yet opposing tracks and releasing them within months of one another? I love experimentation. I’m always looking for something new. I truly write music around what I’m feeling the very moment that I’m writing it. I think part of my appeal as an artist is that you never know what you’re going to get next. I don't even know half the time haha. My audience has grown to expect the unexpected from me. I love creating such diverse music. It makes my live performances much more fun, thought-out, and interactive. I’ve been releasing different types of singles within months of each other for a while now. Earlier this year, I didn’t have a sense of direction as far as what I wanted to do with my music. Since starting live performing, I now have a better understanding of how to use music to grow on my particular path in the music industry Your earliest songs, broken flowers, came out five years ago, and U.V. Light amidst a life-changing pandemic, both incredibly good songs made what probably feels like lifetimes ago; how has ur style and sound evolved from where you started? My style and sound are honestly pretty similar to the way they were around that time. My biggest musical inspirations are MARINA (and the Diamonds), Melanie Martinez, old-school Billie Eilish, and 2015 dark pop. The only difference is that I’ve grown a huge interest in Jazz. The Internet raised me. I think my style of music roots in music that was popular from 2010s YouTube and 2019 Tiktok. Also heavily from old Disney Shows/Movies. My grandmother was a Disney adult. We had all the old VHS tapes, haha.

If I’m not wrong, you grew up in Baltimore, aka jazz city, one of the most iconic music scenes of all time, which brings up this idea of how many things can go into making us who we are; how has your upbringing influenced how you create now? I didn’t grow up in the part of Baltimore City that embraced Jazz Music/live music culture. My interest in Jazz came later in life after moving from Baltimore to New York. I’m from where the rappers of my city originate, which is why it’s so funny that this is the music path I chose. I plan on getting into rap in the near future, though.


You have a new single coming out later this summer, “Henrietta Hudson”, and I’d love to talk about the songs meaning and why it’s named after the long-running bar of the same name. When I first moved to New York City, I was only 20. The moment I turned 21, literally on my birthday, the first thing I did was check out the lesbian bars in NYC. I came across Henrietta Hudson and instantly fell in love. It had such a safe and freeing atmosphere. One of the bartenders knew who I was from the Internet, and we’ve been friends ever since. My entire 2022 experience was going to Henrietta Hudson every single weekend. I learned a lot about myself and my sexuality through going there. The staff there is like my second family. Henrietta Hudson is more than just a song to me. It’s a moment! It’s a marker of everything Henrietta Hudson has ever done for me. It reflects how secure I am in who I choose to love. I hope that the staff hears the song and really that they understand the impact that they make on the patrons that come through.

Regarding unreleased work, What else can we look forward to seeing from you soon?

I recently started the process of recording my debut album. Henrietta Hudson will be my lead single coming out on August 25. Which will be followed by another single, then the release of the album later this year or early next year. I’m currently planning a tour for the album's release as well. For right now, you can find me at one of my frequent live shows. The next big one will be August 16th, 9 pm EST, at The Bowery Electric in NYC! Links to all my next performances can be found in my linktree :)


If you’re not listening you’re behind, so catch up now with the links below:






Written and Interviewed by Toni Desiree

Photography by Mark Bluemle

Production Assistance by Ryan Murray

Sun Edit by Khami Auerbach


You reached the end! Make an account to get updated when new articles and interviews drop.

bottom of page