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“GLITTER IS THE HERPES OF ARTS AND CRAFTS”: EVA ‘MAGAZINE’

CONGRATS TO KAITLYN FROM BAYVILLE WHO WON TICKETS TO SEE CHELSEA HANDLER @ PNC BANK ARTS CENTER COMPLIMENTS OF LIVE NATION & TheBPlot!

The beautiful Eva “Magazine” Magdalenski is one of the most under-appreciated side-kicks to comic Chelsea Handler. Her musings are featured in one of the best summer 2011 beach books, “Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me.”

I spoke with Eva last week about her life as an alcoholic celebrity comic’s personal assistant and her renowned scrapbooking trends…
TBP: Your chapter was one of my top favorites for a number of reasons, including that you turned the tables and played a great joke on Chelsea involving her family! Have you ever been able to “get her”?

Eva: No, I have never met someone who is as hard to “get” as Chelsea is. Every time anyone tries she always turns it back on them. A joke for a joke makes the whole office cry.

TBP: You write a lot about scrapbooking in New York Times bestseller “Lies.” What are your scrapbooking tips for Summer 2011?

Eva: Primary colors are so hot right now, and new on the scene is an eye of the tiger color theme. And glitter. Always glitter. Who cares if people call it the herpes of arts and crafts?

TBP: Have you ever been to the Jersey Shore, specifically the Asbury Park area (home of Springsteen) or would you like anyone from the “Jersey Shore” to be in you? I can see you running off with Ronnie or Pauly D.

Eva: No plans to run off with Ronnie or Pauly D anytime soon… but don’t count “The Situation” out just yet. I admire a nicely maintained set of spiked curls.

TBP: In “Lies” you say you know tons of trivia about comics. What is the most useless, yet important, bits of trivia about some comics that we should know?

Eva: Chelsea likes Belvedere Vodka and Josh Wolf puts his balls on everything in the office (or, always know what a woman likes and stay as far away from everything in the green room as possible. There may or may not lingering ball sweat residue).

TBP: Do you have any great, overlooked summer movie suggestions to rent on rainy days?

Eva: Of course you have Steve Martin in “The Jerk,” John Ritter in “Problem Child,” & always an inspirational favorite “The Secret.”

TBP: As a gay guy, I am only pretty sure that women don’t say “my clit is burning for you” to straight guys they work with via email. That was the beginning of one of the jokes Chelsea played on you over the years. What kind of straight guy is this Rick (guy who received the email) to fall so hard for the joke?

Eva: In real life he’s a great guy and overall I’ve learned a lot by working with him.

TBP: You are gorgeous. What was the best pick up line you have heard recently?

Eva: Ryan Basford taught me this one… “Excuse me, do you know how much a polar bear weighs?” (No) “Enough to break the ice. Nice to meet you…”

TBP: When I worked for Howard Stern I was so lucky to meet so many amazing people. Some I loved (LaToya Jackson, Carol Leifer, Richard Belzer) and just one, not so much (Roger Daltrey). Who has impressed you during your time with Chelsea?

Eva: I get to meet a lot of interesting celebrities, and typically I don’t “fan out” but I got to meet Will Ferrell and shake his hand. I love and adore him so that was a pretty big deal for me.

TBP: What has been life like for you after “Lies” published? Like are friends and strangers concerned for your safety? I was expecting you to headline the Gay Pride festival with Roy driving you in a short bus, last weekend! Smile.

Eva: As a New York Times #1 best-selling author…men are constantly throwing themselves at me. It’s a lot of work. But I’m always ready with a pink Sharpie ready for all my autograph requests.

TBP: You graduated with a business degree from the University of Denver. Do you think the recession is over? What are your thoughts on the economy? Any advice for Obama?

Eva: The cycle of an economy has peaks and valleys. You can’t have the peaks without the valleys. I love the valleys as they make it possible for us to have the peaks.

TBP: Some people say that it’s difficult to see the humor in “Lies” in between the painful jokes all for the amusement of a bored multi-millionaire. What do you think?

Eva: I love Chelsea with all my heart, and being her wingman for a few office pranks are some of the best experiences and memories that I have. Chelsea makes work fun. She’s taught me that you have to be able to stop and laugh at yourself.

TBP: For those who don’t know, how did you get your nickname “Eva Magazine”? My polish mother loves your last name.

Eva: Shout out to your polish mother! Roy Handler, Chelsea’s brother, came up with the nickname “Eva Magazine.” He has a big head but can’t remember a lot of things.

TBP: What do you want people to know about you that might not come across in “Lies”?

Eva: Good question. I guess I would like people to know how grateful I am to Chelsea for giving me the opportunity to be in her new book. I’ve been really lucky to work with such a great person like Chelsea.

TBP: How do you want to end this interview?

Eva: Chelsea rules!

Visit Eva’s website, EvaMagdalenski.com and learn what’s on Chelsea Lately tonight by clicking here. - The B Plot

By Dan Kane
CantonRep.com staff writer
Posted Jan 07, 2011 @ 07:00 AM
Ryan Basford & Eva Magazine

Ryan reached out to Eva on MySpace to book an interview with Chelsea Handler for an upcoming Ohio State apperance. Eva set the interview & Ryan ended up getting himself a job during with Chelsea during the call. Ryan & Eva now share a close friendship & work together at "Chelsea Lately." Eva likes to call Ryan her little brother.

QUOTE FROM RYAN BASFORD-
"Back at college, Basford heard that the up-and-coming comedian Chelsea Handler was coming to campus to do a show. “I wanted to interview her, and I wasn’t going to take no for an answer,” he recalls. “I found one name who led me to another name, and finally a girl named Eva said, ‘Chelsea will give you a three-minute interview.’ It was on-camera for the school TV station.”
- Canton Rep

Successful and potty-mouthed, Chelsea Handler takes on the boys club
By John Wenzel
The Denver Post
Posted: 05/06/2011 02:30:06 PM MDT

Handler isn’t just helping raise other comics’ profiles: She’s also erasing old notions of what it’s like being a female stand-up in that frequently male-dominated world.
Eva Magdalenski worked as a publicist for Comedy Works in 2006 when she first met Handler backstage before a gig.
“I clicked with her right away, as we both have the same sort of twisted humor,“ said Magdalenski, now director of operations at Handler’s Borderline Amazing Productions in L.A. and a character on Handler’s spin-off mockumentary show on E!, “After Lately.”
“She speaks out for herself, but she does represent that segment of the population who feel like they don’t have a voice,“ Magdalenski said. “She has basically told America, ‘Look, this is who I am. I drink, I like to have fun, I date rappers. Deal with it.’ She doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her, and I really admire it.” - The Denver Post

The Honolulu Star Advisor - THE PULSE
BY JOHN WENZEL / Denver Post

Handler isn’t just helping raise other comics’ profiles: She’s also erasing old notions of what it’s like being a female stand-up in that frequently male-dominated world.
Eva Magdalenski worked as a publicist for Comedy Works in 2006 when she first met Handler backstage before a gig.
“I clicked with her right away, as we both have the same sort of twisted humor,“ said Magdalenski, now director of operations at Handler’s Borderline Amazing Productions in L.A. and a character on Handler’s spin-off mockumentary show on E!, “After Lately.”

“She speaks out for herself, but she does represent that segment of the population who feel like they don’t have a voice,“ Magdalenski said. “She has basically told America, ‘Look, this is who I am. I drink, I like to have fun, I date rappers. Deal with it.’ She doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her, and I really admire it.” - The Honolulu Star Advisor

By John Wenzel
The Denver Post
POSTED: 10/03/2008 12:30:00 AM MDT

Article from 2008- Eva worked at Comedy Works Comedy Club- Denver Colorado
Eva started her own own PR company with club owner, Wende Curtis.
The company was called "Comedy Works Publicity." Chelsea Handler was one of Eva's first clients.

Publicist Eva Magdalenski, for example, takes the talent around to their press interviews and is always at the ready for anything else.
"She knows that Kevin Nealon likes a sausage McMuffin with no cheese for breakfast," Curtis said of Magdalenski, who has lately done tour publicity for Chelsea Handler. "Those little touches don't take that much, but she's so good at it."
- The Denver Post

"Chelsea Handler's in town - get the vodka" (Eva on Chelsea 2008 Vodka Book Tour)

By the hundreds they come. Young women and their mothers, teenage boys and buff dudes with tattoos. They bring their books and chant the name of their goddess.

"Chelsea! Chelsea! Chelsea!"

You'd think the Dalai Lama had showed up to offer blessings.

But it is people in the crowd who have brought offerings: bottle after bottle of Grey Goose vodka.

It is the favored drink of the one they come to worship. Her name is Chelsea Handler, and she is a very funny woman.

Handler is a stand-up comic who wrote a book about her sex life, got famous, got a nightly talk show on E and now has written another book. Its title is appropriate to her life and her comedy, "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea" (Simon & Schuster, 2008).


The book is a series of stories about Handler's life that reflect a lot of the humor she brings to her stand-up act and the TV show, called "Chelsea Lately."

It's well written and articulate, and appears to reflect Handler's true personality, as opposed to the personae some celebrities try to affect through books or appearances. She is intelligent and well read. She seems to delight in the fact that she has written two books and that the second one made its debut at the top of the New York Times nonfiction best-seller list.

"I can't imagine going to a book signing myself," she tells the crowd at Book Passage, a store in Corte Madera, this past weekend. "But I'm glad you're all here."

Handler is a brutally honest comedian who is as willing to make fun of herself as she is to rake the celebrities she finds boring, pompous and full of themselves, like Tyra Banks.

That seems to hit a chord with her fans. They don't just want to have a book signed, they want a photo with the woman they think of as a friend. Women ages 25 to 35 especially seem to feel a bond with Handler, 33, and they squeal in delight as they lean in to get a photo with her.

"I just wanted you to know I spent a year in a wheelchair and the only way I made it was by watching your show every day," one woman gushes as Handler takes the stage.

Another woman wants to know if Handler really does drink as much as she says.

"What kind of bookstore is this?" Handler says, looking at the store manager as the crowd erupts in laughter.

She signs copies of her book, personalizing each one. People come individually and in groups. One woman is with her teenage son.

"You're not old enough to read this," she says. "Anyway, don't do anything you read in this book, OK?"

Then she signs it with a phrase she uses a lot on her show: "Suck it."

People bring her gifts, baskets of goodies and T-shirts. But mostly they bring her bottles of Grey Goose.

"I gotta get rid of some of these," she says to herself as her publicist takes a moment to figure out a fan's camera. Handler removes six or seven of the dozen bottles on the desk. "It's starting to look bad."

Later, after she's signed about 200 books, she goes into the bookstore office. She gives the vodka bottles to the manager and asks her to distribute them among the staff.

"I love it that people bring me Grey Goose, but, really, how am I going to drink 30 bottles of the stuff in one night? Not that I haven't tried," she says.

for a drive into San Francisco, where she is performing a stand-up act at the Warfield.

On the drive into the city, Handler fixes herself the first cocktail of the night: vodka with sparkling lemon water. She'll have a couple more before the night is over - but not enough to get loopy.

In person, Handler is not only funny, she's also smart. She uses the word "disparate" appropriately in a sentence and without being self-conscious about it. She knows newspapers and can hold up her end of a discussion about their relative merits.

She says she never imagined that her book would sell so well, and that clearly is a source of pride for her, as is the loyalty of her fans. Handler has been up and she's been down. A couple of years ago, no one knew who she was. She's been fat and skinny, popular in school and unpopular for reasons that become clear when you read her book.

All of that, she says, has served to remind her of the fleeting nature of fame. Fans know sincerity when they see it, and that's why people seem to connect with her. She comes across as your best girlfriend, the one who will make you laugh or feel better about yourself by telling you the stupid, weird or funny things she's done in her life.

"I'm not someone who holds things close to the vest," she says in the biggest understatement of the evening. This is someone who, in her stand-up act, will tell a long and funny story - with gestures - about ... self-love, a term that would probably make her gag.

Handler's limo glides through the Tenderloin and onto Market Street and past the Warfield marquee with her name on it as the driver pulls around to the back entrance. She looks at the crowd on the sidewalk in front of the theater and laughs.

"I was just thinking, 'I wonder what's going on there? Who are those people waiting to see?' " she says. "Then I saw the sign and I was kind of shocked to see that they came to see me."

For more on Chelsea Handler, including video clips, go to www.myspace.com/chelseahandler. - SF Gate- Eva pictured in article with Chelsea

Humor in workplace is part of student’s job
By: Doug McPherson
August 12, 2008

Eva Magdalenski loves to laugh. And that’s perfect — because now she gets to laugh, even at work — especially at work. And oh, what a cool job that is.

Magdalenski, a DU senior who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration on Aug.15, handles publicity at Comedy Works, the local haunt for national comedians.

“I have a passion for jokes and it comes from my Polish family and their heritage,” she says. “Comedy is wonderful. There’s not one person on this earth that doesn’t like to laugh.”

As part of her job, she handles publicity for Josh Blue, a Denverite who won “Last Comic Standing,” an NBC reality show that featured a competition among comedians. Today he performs to sold-out crowds around the country.

“Josh is a total blast to be around and keeps me entertained every second I’m with him,” she says.

Magdalenski, from Evergreen, Colo., says after high school she enrolled in an out-of-state college and took a summer internship working with comedians. She even ended up with a job offer from a comedian. But the school wouldn’t let her take the job and earn a degree at the same time.

Then she discovered DU.

“It felt like I hit the jackpot,” she says. “DU let me work a 45-hour week and earn a degree,” she says. “There’s no other program out there that sets you up for this kind of success.”

Magdalenski’s advice to her fellow students: “Find your passion. Then put every ounce of effort you have behind it and good things will happen.” - University Of Denver Student Paper

Come and visit one of our classes to see if The Women's College is the right fit for you. It was for Eva and look where she landed. - University of Denver

Chelsea Handler's "After Lately" re-newed for Second Season

And the Chelsea Handler Comedy Dominance Train continues to roll!

The comedian’s newest project to hit the air, After Lately — a mockumentary series centered around her staff at Chelsea Lately — has been re-upped for another season on E! “This series is comedic to its core and showcases Chelsea and her hilarious team in a fun and innovative way,” Lisa Berger, E!’s president of entertainment programming said in a statement. - Laugh Spin

Eva Magazine at 2011 G-Star Raw Women's Night at Kitson studio - Style Spotting

"LIES THAT CHELSEA HANDLER TOLD ME"
Released May 2011
NY TIMES #1 Best Seller
Author- Eva Magdalenski & Chelsea Handler
Chapter Nine- "Eva Is My Name. Comedy Is My Game" - Hachette Book Group

Game Changer Fan Club - Top Eva Magazine Fans

http://twtrland.com/update/profile/evamagazine - Twtrland

AFTER LATELY- Season 1 Geri Jewell - E! Entertainment

After Lately Season 1 Episode 5 - Fired Up Part 3 - E! Entertainment

AFTER LATELY- Season 1 Episode 101"The List" - E! Entertainment

Official Eva Magdalenski Profile on IMDB - IMDB- The internet & movie database

Official Eva Magdalenski Who Say page. - WhoSay

Eva Magdalenski on Linked In. - LinkedIn Profile

The Official Blog of Eva Magdalenski - Blog Spot

Website for E!'s After Lately - E! Entertainment

Eva Magdalenski You Tube Page - You Tube

Eva in Chuy Bravo's Book Commercial - "Little Nuggets of Wisdom" - Grand Central- Amazon

Eva Magdalenski aka Eva Magazine Author profile on Amazon - Amazon

Chelsea's 2010 4th of July House Party - TwitVid

By Katie Shapiro, The Cannabist Staff

About Shop Sesh: Every month (or so), I’ll visit the curators, artists, builders and designers who enjoy a little kush to help them push their creative boundaries. It just so happens they’re all also doing pretty impressive things to cultivate the arts community in Colorado and beyond. We’ll have a smoke and a chat in the spaces that often inspire them most — their own. If you’d like to request a sesh or have one to recommend, e-mail me here.

Shop: Undisclosed location

Interview with: Eva Magdalenski, DJ, self-proclaimed “game changer”

Sesh: Pre-roll ($11), L’Eagle

Right after Eva Magdalenski greeted me with a huge hug in the lobby of her downtown hotel, she handed me a pack of Juicy Fruit with a hundred dollar bill taped to it. For a second, I thought she was giving me weed money — I was there to pick her up and take her on her first-ever Denver dispensary visit.

But then she quickly explained that it was her business card (I was not high), and we were off to Denver pot shop L’Eagle.

Fresh off of her DJ debut on Friday night at Red Rocks Amphitheatre for Icelantic’s 4th annual Winter on the Rocks, her adrenaline was still pumping. It was a dream come true for the Colorado native, 31, who got her start in the entertainment industry as an assistant to Comedy Works owner Wende Curtis.

Magdalenski quickly rose through the ranks to handle publicity and marketing for the legendary stand-up venue. But after seven years of paying her dues and a chance bonding moment with a then-fairly unknown Chelsea Handler, Magdalenski headed for Hollywood.

Magdalenski started as Handler’s assistant in 2007 and went on to produce the wildly successful “Chelsea Lately” (along with “After Lately”) on E! until its final episode in August 2014. Since then, she’s thrown herself into a new career as a DJ and also has a project with her parents in the works to transform their barn in Evergreen into a grow house. Post-dispensary, we headed to the Terminal Bar in Union Station to talk about changing the game with loud beats, big smiles, chalk graffiti and Mary Jane.

Cannabist: How did you land your first-ever public DJ show at Red Rocks?

EM: I purposely did it this way because I’m a self proclaimed “game changer,” and it’s also my DJ name. You can’t be a game changer without being a game changer. I dream big and I think big, so I just said it out loud, “I want my first show to be in a 5,000-seat arena.” I didn’t know how it was going to happen, but I knew it was going to happen.

One of my homies who I grew up with happens to be Sam Warren, one of the co-founders of Icelantic Skis, so I knew about Winter on the Rocks. I was so busy with the end of “Chelsea Lately” this past summer, but it just hit me one day. So I picked up the phone and said, “Sam! Hi, I want my first show to be with you guys. I’m rapping and I’m DJing now.” He was like “done.”

Cannabist: It must have been surreal.

EM: It was epic. I walked up to the entrance with my mixer and all my gear, and I see the sign that says “The Biggest Rocks in Rock ‘N’ Roll.” I see Chuck Morris, the CEO of AEG Live (Rocky Mountains), and then I see what Icelantic has built. I started jumping up and down. It was insane.

But probably one of the best moments was seeing Sam and looking at him eye to eye. I wanted to give him a hundred thousand high fives. To have this friend that you have such a long history with by your side was like everything coming full circle. He’s so positive, and the vibe of Icelantic is just quality. Purely happy people that are huge game changers with their company. This all coming together how it did is overwhelming — to be able to come home to Colorado and celebrate it with my community.

Cannabist: You killed your set.

EM: I was after Holy Ghost and before Damien Marley, so I was just focused on building the energy. When I turned around from my booth and saw Damien ready to go with his whole band waiting for me to pass it over to them was incredible. But just hearing my music at Red Rocks — such a legendary venue — was beautiful.

Cannabist: Were you nervous?

EM: I’m still a little bit surprised about it, but no. I worked so hard and was ready, so I made a point to just enjoy it. But I definitely didn’t sleep for two days before the show. I was always nervous performing in class though. It’s actually a really cool thing to feel your nerves. It’s uncomfortable, but it means you are doing something … you’re pushing yourself. (My mentors) can tell you epic stories of me bombing over and over again. Bombing is part of the process!

Cannabist: You had lucky shoes though, too.

EM: My sister got me gold Adidas for Christmas two years ago, and I saw them in the box and said, “I’m going to wear these at my first show.” I kept them in the box until I busted ‘em out in my hotel room. My sister was there, and I made her have a ceremony with me — they were a part of my dream that I held onto.

Cannabist: How did you prepare for such a big first gig?

EM: Three years ago, we got a call at “Chelsea Lately” from Scratch Academy — an unbelievable DJ school founded by Jam Master Jay. I already had decided I wanted to start DJing, so it was a total sign. So, I’ve been training with the world’s top DJs to learn everything I can. Out of respect for hip-hop culture, it was important to me to learn the art. These guys take the time to teach me how to understand it and believe in their students 100 percent. And I practice all the time. I sleep in a bunkbed with my desk and turntables underneath me.

Cannabist: Do you remember your first Red Rocks show?

EM: I remember my first show at the Fillmore! I was 16 and went to go see Wu-Tang Clan with my guy friends. I was so excited, you can’t even imagine, because I just loved them so much. I still do. I’ve always been a hustler, and I always tried to get backstage and become friends with rappers. I started shooting the shit with the body guard, gave him some Juicy Fruit and next thing you know I’m in. I still have the towel Method Man gave me. I once also offered to do all of Nelly’s laundry — and ended up at a laundromat on West Colfax [Ave.] dripping sweat to get it all done.

Cannabist: Why Juicy Fruit?

EM: It’s fresh and cool — I mean come on, it’s Juicy Fruit! It’s always been my thing. At Scratch it became my nickname, and whenever I got to class my teacher would always say “Juicy Fruit is in the house.” It’s really just about the ability to connect with people and break the ice. I don’t care who they are — the maid or the celebrity. I just talk to everyone like a normal person. No one is better than anyone else. It’s a happiness thing … just to give a gift, blow some bubbles and make someone’s day for a minute. Everyone loves it.

Cannabist: Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations?

EM: “The Tang” first and foremost. I am dying to do something with them. I love underground Atmosphere, Dilated Peoples and Evidence and NWA. KRS-One is huge for me, too, and one of my favorite lyrics is (KRS-One’s) “Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal/Emcees spit rhymes to uplift their people.” I think about it all of the time because I take responsibility for what I am saying, what I am putting out there — ultimately what am I giving that 13-year-old girl to think about?

Cannabist: How did you get into hip-hop?

EM: It’s seriously my biggest passion. I’ve been going to underground shows since I was 14 with Sam and our friends. As I got into it, I started questioning where the beauty was in the lyrics. I think that’s the feminist in me, but that’s where it got real for me, and it grew into how I could actually take it in a different, more positive direction. My mission is to use my hip-hop to uplift the message, empower women and support each other in business.

Cannabist: Mottos?

EM: The Atmosphere lyric, “When life gives you lemons, paint that shit gold.” I either give a 110 percent or I don’t do anything. Don’t tell people your dreams, just show them. I also made a rule that every day of my life is the next best day of my life. I wake up every morning and say, “Hello, best day of my life!” The most important one to me is charity.

Cannabist: How so?

EM: 50 percent of all of the money I make in music goes to Girls Inc. They’re truly change in action and work to empower inner city girls. I mean, I live in Compton so it’s all around me. I’m building it into everything I do. I want to be able to see where the money can help.

Cannabist: How did you end up in Compton?

EM: I was working full time and paying really expensive rent in Burbank, where the show taped. My friend Jackie needed a roommate, and I went for it. I was so excited because Compton IS hip-hop. As soon as I moved in, I ran to Scratch to tell them I moved to Compton, and DJ Verse asked me to show him where. He said, “That’s not Compton, that’s three blocks from Compton.” I looked at him and said, “Even better!” It’s the name of my first album. I love it. But it’s really such a perfect place for me right now — it’s helped me gain a perspective I was naive to and now that I understand it, I’m ready to make a difference.

Cannabist: Why the career change?

EM: After a bad breakup, my hairdresser told me about the Agape International Church. Actually it’s not a church, it’s a movement. It’s a huge part of my life, and it gave me the power to dream even bigger than I ever had. I already had vision boards up in my office at “Chelsea Lately” — it was scary to say out loud — white girl DJ/rapper/MC. But I had a board for each one, and that made it real for me. It was also time. I knew the show was ending, and it was time to just do it. Once my Red Rocks show was locked up, Chelsea had my back so fast. She literally bought my mixer for me, promoted Icelantic on one of our last shows — I’d never seen her move quicker to support me. Now I’m all in.

Cannabist: Your positivity! Where do you get it from?

EM: For the record, I have the coolest parents in the world. They did everything for us, and they’re the reason I’ve done everything I’ve done. I’ve learned meditation through Agape and practice it daily. I’ve also been extremely lucky to work with two of the most inspiring women who taught me everything. I spent seven years with Wende at Comedy Works … that woman is so impressive and so smart. And I spent seven years with Chelsea — one of the most epic women of all time who is changing the entertainment industry for women and breaking doors down. My teachers DJ Revolution and DJ Hapa. Oh and Dave Chappelle. I met him during my third week at Comedy Works, and I went off. I busted my ass for him, and he’s the one who’s responsible for getting me hired full-time. I ran into him a few years later in the green room on one of Chelsea’s book tours, and he said, “I told you I would see you around in this business.” I love Dave. He’s very special in my heart and just a really good guy. With these kind of people in my life, it’s hard to be anything but positive.

Cannabist: Your graffiti is even positive.

EM: I could never bring myself to pick up a can of spray paint and deface something, so I decided to start doing it in my own way — chalking. I write positive messages everywhere I go. I’ve met so many great people just going out and doing it.

Cannabist: Was this the first time you’ve visited a dispensary since marijuana has become legal in Colorado?

EM: Yes. What I saw was on a level that I cannot even put it into words. All of the work (L’Eagle) is doing, perfecting this process so that it’s organic with so much care behind it, was impressive. It’s a plant — a very delicate plant that has powerful abilities. There’s a reason it’s becoming legalized, and I think the whole national mentality against it comes from a place of not understanding. Just taking the time to learn and ask questions like I was able to do today is something more people should do.

Cannabist: What are your thoughts on everything that’s happening in Colorado with legalization?

EM: The fact that I can talk about this now is the amazing part. My dad has smoked pot my entire life, and when I was a kid I picked up on it, I could smell it, but we could never talk about it. He had really severe medical problems, and I saw the way it helped him through so much pain. I am really grateful for marijuana because I love him so much. Weed is working here, and when it’s used in the right way it’s very powerful. I’m proud of my home state for being the leader of it.

Cannabist: When did you get high for the first time?

EM: I was in 8th grade, and my friend and I snuck some of my dad’s pot. We ate a ton of pudding with Golden Grahams and just cried laughing. We smoked it out of a soda can. I don’t even know how we knew how to do that!

Cannabist: What’s your weed life like in LA?

EM: I don’t smoke a lot of weed. It’s definitely not a daily thing for me. But I’m planning on getting my medical card in California because it’s a way for me to help control my crazy excitement sometimes. I also love it at hip-hop shows. There’s this epic moment when you walk up to an underground show. The first thing you hear is the bass, and then the smell hits you — I just got goosebumps. I love the smell of it, and it’s just an amazing part of hip-hop culture.

Cannabist: Do you worry about a negative stereotype — especially with some of the problems with drugs you see with your Girls Inc. work and where you live?

EM: Only because people abuse it, like anything else. When you abuse marijuana you’re not respecting it. And when you don’t respect something, that’s where stereotypes develop. If we all focus on the healing elements of Mary Jane and help contribute to the sophistication of it, that’s how the resistance will fade.

Cannabist: What’s next?

EM: My album, #3BlocksFromCompton, is coming out in June. I almost don’t even know what to say, because it’s kind of like nothing that’s out there. I am very fortunate to know a lot of amazing producers, and they’re the reason it’s going to be good. So I’m heading back to the studio full time in LA. But I like to say I’m retired because I am in love with what I do.

I’m also going to support my parents and their renovation project. They’ve recently sold their business and retired, so we are working on transforming a barn in Evergreen into their new house and marijuana grow space. I want to be really hands on, so I’ll probably be back in Colorado a lot more, which makes me so happy.

Follow Eva Magdalenski on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And keep an eye out for her chalk graffiti on the sidewalks of Denver. - Denver Post Cannabist