EDITOR-IN-CHIEF– KANEKIA SIMPKINS PUBLISHERS– MAGCLOUD PUBLISHERS CONTRIBUTING EDITORS-KANEKIA SIMPKINS CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS– CHRIS DOWELL PHOTOGRAPHY, KEITH SCOTT (STRONGTOWER GRAHIC DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY), PIXEL GRAPHICS, TEK SUPPORT PHOTOGRAPHY, D. LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY, O.E.W. PHOTOGRAPY, LARRY MOSLEY LASTING LOOK PHOTOGRAPHY, MAGIC CITY PICS, & KANEKIA SIMPKINS CIRULATION-TREMAYNE HORTON SENIOR LAYOUT AND DESIGN-KANEKIA SIMPKINS ASSOCIATE LAYOUT & DESIGN-ALPHONSO SMITH
4. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
5. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
ynomite Kid has been making a huge impact on the music scene in the South. His catchy records, passion and talent all make for an interesting artist. Although his music is nothing less than amazing, the man behind the beat is even more so. You may know him as Dynomite Kid but his family and friends know him as “L-Jay.” Lajers Wheeler’s life began in Mullins, South Carolina on September 1,1983. His childhood was complex. In the small town of Mullins where everybody knows everybody, his father was the main attraction. Affording his family the good life by means of hustling, there were secrets inside their household. Lajers had a great father, but he was not a good husband. Infidelity and physical abuse got the best of his parents relationship. After the split of his mother and father at age 6, Lajers and his siblings moved to Huntsville, Alabama. Their now single mother was struggling to make ends meet, working two or three jobs at a time. Lajers and his small family bounced around from one project housing to the next. Even though his life was crazy this obviously inspired Lajers because at the ripe age of 12, he began writing. Throughout the years of trials and tribulations he learned that writing turned into more of a coping mechanism to release the stressors of daily life. Writing gave him a sense of freedom that he could not find anywhere else; a sense of sanity. Though this was an outlet, the stress was too much for this young dreamer. Between the divorce, moving, lack of financial support and a dismissive father, by the age of 15 he was kicked out of the house, school and landed himself in prison by 17. Being sent to prison was a volatile time in his life. This did not stop him from getting knocked with another 3 year sentence just shortly after. During his time in prison he learned that all of his “mingling on the streets” was not worth it. Through family deaths and friends losing their lives, he had a bit of a wake up call. Even when everyone around him didn’t believe in him, his grandmother did. She never judged him for his past, all she wanted was to see him successful and happy. Lajers used this as motivation to make it. Now that his grandmother is gone, he always remembers her inspiring words. Music was always calling his name throughout those turbulent years. Dynomite 6. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
Kid’s story is truly a testament to any young boy who is trying to follow their dreams. Through his music, he wants to show the world that you can do what he did . “If you are still here today and you’ve been through anything, you can change and make a difference. Shake it off. I’m a criminal, it’s hard to get a job, I’m a felon, I know. It’s hard to do anything unless you make it yourself.” He hopes that by sharing his story with young dreamers like himself, that others can steer away from making mistakes ahead of time. “Being a thug is not what’s cool anymore”, he says. He has been through it, he knows where he has been and he knows how to get out of it. Throughout all of his struggles, success and failures he has learned that life is too short and is now on a hell-bent mission to make it. With inspirations such as Wu-Tang Clan, Billy Ocean, Cameo and KRS One, you can hear that his music has to be a mix of greatness. Everything in his life from his children to his fans drives him to keep making great records. Lajers will continue to use his music to inspire the ones who were alone just as he was at one
EPOK MAGAZINE: What's happening with Dynomite Kid? How are ya? DYNOMITE KID: MAN, I'M WORKING, POUNDING THESE STREETS,TRYNA DO MORE THAN ENOUGH. WE ALL IN. WHEN I SAY WE, I MEAN STAK OR STARV, MY TEAM IS MY MOTOR. REAL TALK. WE HARD ON EACH OTHER BUT WE IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL AND WE IN THIS TOGETHER, SO WE OUT HERE. EPOK MAGAZINE: I believe that an artist name or names period are very important that we use. Your name comes from a wrestler. What significants does Dynomite Kid mean to you? DYNOMITE KID: WELL TO BE HONEST MY NAME COMES FROM MORE THAN JUST THE WRESTLER, BUT I DID SEE THAT THE WRESTLER "DYNAMITE KID" WAS A LIL SIZE DUDE, BUT HE WASN'T SCARED.. LOL,, BUT I REALLY DUG THE JJ EVANS CHARACTER IN THE OLD T.V. SHOW "GOOD TIMES".. HE WAS FUNNY, FLY, AND HE WAS SMART ALL AT THE SAME TIME. HE WAS TALL AND SLIM LIKE MYSELF. SO I KINDA JUST WAS LIKE DANG, THAT'S ALL ME .. LOL.. BUT THEN I BE POWERED UP ALL THE TIME TOO.. I BE LIKE "BOOM" ALL DAY .. EPOK MAGAZINE: Now in Athens and Huntsville, Alabama everyone is familiar with the term Slumping. Could you kind of explain to the rest of world and the rest of Alabama what South Side Slumping is all about? DYNOMITE KID: YEAH AND I WANNA GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO ATHENS TOO, THEY SHOW MAD LOVE, AND OF COURSE YOU KNOW HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA DOWN, BUT YEAH SOUFSIDE SLUMPING IS MORE SO LIKE A MOVEMENT. I GOTTA GIVE SHOUTS OUT TO THE ORIGINAL SLUMPERS FOR REAL. CARTIE, LIL BONE, BIG BONE, BOOCHIE, JAMICHEAL, AND THE REST OF THEM BOYS. THEY REALLY OUT HERE WIT THIS SLUMP MOVEMENT. WHEN I SAY OUT HERE, I MEAN THEY LIVING THAT SLUMP LIFE. THEY THE TRUE SLUMP TEAM. SO I WANNA SALUTE THEM BOYS. I’M JUST A VOICE. BUT TRUST, MY FACE GOOD IN THE HOOD WITH THIS SLUMP LIFE, LOL.. SLUMPING IS PRETTY MUCH WEIGHING YO OPTIONS. LIKE YOU CAN LOOK AT YO CURRENT SITUATION AND SAY, "I'M FINNA MAKE THIS BETTER," OR YOU CAN SAY "OH WELL , I DONT CARE." AND STAY IN THAT FUCK UP SITUATION. YOU CAN EITHER GET MONEY OR WATCH OTHER FOLKS GET MONEY. IF YOU SLUMPING, YOU OUT HERE. YOU GETTIN IT IN. AIN'T NO SPEED BUMP OR NOTHING GONNA STOP YA. THATS SLUMPING. EITHER YOU GONNA STACK OR YOU GONNA STARVE... EPOK MAGAZINE: The song to date that no doubt gained you popularity is "Haters." This song has incredible energy and flow to it. Did "Haters" come about easily for you? DYNOMITE KID: YEAH HATERS EVERYWHERE WAS CRAZY, CUZ I WAS INSPIRED TO WRITE THAT SONG. AT THE TIME, I WAS JUST GETTING A LIL BUZZ IN THE CITY FOR MY SONG "RUNNIN TO DA MONEY." AT THE TIME, THAT SONG WAS BANGING. ALL THE DJ'S WAS SPINNING IT IN THE CLUBS, AND I HAD THE SINGLE ON CD'S FLOATING AROUND THE CITY. NOTHING MAJOR JUST DOING ME.. LOL.. BUT A LOTTA GIRLS WOULD GET MY CD AND COME RIGHT BACK OR SEE ME LATER OUT SOMEWHERE AND BE LIKE, "I NEED ANOTHER CD, CUZ MY DUDE THROWED IT OUT THE WINDOW/OR HE BROKE IT." OR I HAD SOME OF THE HOMEBOYS THAT BUMP MY MUSIC BE LIKE, "BRA YOU GOT SO MANY HATERS." SO I JUST TOOK ALL THAT IN AND I STARTED WRITING IT PIECE BY PIECE. I DIDNT SIT DOWN AND WRITE "HATERS EVERYWHERE" IN ONE DAY. IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE I WENT THROUGH. SO YEAH, IT WAS EASY TO WRITE, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING I WAS GOING THRU. I WAS AT THE POINT WHERE FOLKS WAS STARTING TO ROCK TO MY MUSIC, AND ALL THE FOLKS THAT ONCE TOLD ME "GO RAP, YOU GOOD YOU SHOULD TRY TO CHASE THAT RAP DREAM" WAS NOW DOGGING ME BEHIND MY BACK, AND TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO BRING ME DOWN, ETC... ETC... YOU KNOW ALL THE B.S. SO I WAS TRYING TO GIVE MY HATERS MY POINT OF VIEW. SO I GOT WIT BEN FRANK. SHOUT OUT TO HIM FOR THE TRACK. HE MADE THAT TRACK FOR ME AND I DROPPED IT AT HITMAKAH STUDIOS WIT CJ. GWAPO ENGINEERING IT AND IT TURNED OUT AS A BIG TRACK. I GOTTA THANK ALL THE FOLKS THAT REALLY SUPPORTED IT LIKE 103.1W.E.U.P. DJ 808, DJ ILLIE ILL, DJ MAJESTY, DJ YELLABOY, DJ CZA, DJ FRANK WHITE, AND 97.9 JAMZ IN MONTGOMERY,AL. AND ALL THE DJ'S IN ALABAMA THAT GAVE THE RECORD A CHANCE. I AM GRATEFUL REAL TALK I AM ,, EPOK MAGAZINE: Does Dynomite Kid have many Haters? DYNOMITE KID: OH YES.. LOL BY THE TON.. MAN IT BE LIKE EVERYDAY I GET AH NEW ONE. BUT I'M ON MY SHIT. LOL, SO I'M SUPPOSE TO HAVE HATERS BY THE TON. LOL…. BUT I DONT CARE ABOUT THEM . THEY DOING THEY JOB. I GET SO MUCH LOVE OUT HERE. AND I GOTTA SHOW THE ONE THATS SHOW ME LOVE APPRECIATION. I DONT HAVE TIME TO CATER TO THE HATERS. LOL ...THAT SONG "HATERS EVERYWHERE" WAS ME PAYING THEM ATTENTION, SO THEY ARE NOT A FACTOR. I LOOK AT IT LIKE THIS; IF I GET MAD AT THEM, I AM BEING A HATER. AND DYNOMITE AINT NO HATER . LOL... THEY JUST DOING THEY JOB SO I WILL DO MY JOB AND THAT IS TO KEEP THEM ON THEY JOB. WIT THEY HATIN ASSES.. LOL. SLUMP
“I GOTTA GIVE SHOUTS OUT TO THE ORIGINAL SLUMPERS FOR REAL. CARTIE, LIL BONE, BIG BONE, BOOCHIE, JAMICHEAL, AND THE REST OF THEM BOYS. THEY REALLY OUT HERE WIT THIS SLUMP MOVEMENT. WHEN I SAY OUT HERE, I MEAN THEY LIVING THAT SLUMP LIFE. THEY THE TRUE SLUMP TEAM. SO I WANNA SALUTE THEM BOYS. I’M JUST A VOICE. BUT TRUST, MY FACE GOOD IN THE HOOD WITH THIS SLUMP LIFE, LOL..SLUMPING IS PRETTY MUCH WEIGHING YO OPTIONS. LIKE YOU CAN LOOK AT YO CURRENT SITUATION AND SAY, "I'M FINNA MAKE THIS BETTER," OR YOU CAN SAY "OH WELL , I DONT CARE." AND STAY IN THAT FUCK UP SITUATION. YOU CAN EITHER GET MONEY OR WATCH OTHER FOLKS GET MONEY. IF YOU SLUMPING, YOU OUT HERE. YOU GETTIN IT IN. AIN'T NO SPEED BUMP OR NOTHING GONNA STOP YA. THATS SLUMPING. EITHER YOU GONNA STACK OR YOU GONNA STARVE…”
EPOK MAGAZINE: Another song that was a huge lady's anthem earlier this summer was "So Sexy" which demonstrates an independent woman who has her head on right, making her own strides and not waiting on anyone. Who did you have in mind when you wrote this song? DYNOMITE KID: LOL…. NO I DIDNT HAVE A PARTICULAR GIRL IN MIND. ITS IS A GIRL THAT I SEE IN EVERY WOMAN. I DONT CARE WHAT SHE DO, OR WHAT SHE BEEN THROUGH. IT DONT MATTER WHAT FOLKS THINK ABOUT THAT GIRL. I BETCHA SHE IS SO SEXY TO HER, AND THATS ALL THAT MATTER. A LOTTA SONGS TODAY IS EITHER DOGGING A FEMALE OR INSTRUCTING HER TO DROP IT, OR SUCK IT, OR BRING YA GIRLFRIEND IN THE ROOM. LOL... AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. I JUST WANTED A SONG THAT WAS BUILDING THE WOMAN UP; PRAISING HER. EVEN GIVING HER MOTIVATION TO BE THAT SO SEXY LADY I AM TALKING 8. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
ABOUT IN MY SONG . BUT YEAH IT WAS AIMED AT THE LADIES, AND IT TOUCHED THEM. BUT TO BE REAL, I SWEAR I DIDNT THINK THAT SONG WAS GONNA POP LIKE THAT. I MET UP WITH THE GUY THAT PRODUCED THE TRACK THRU TWITTER AND YOUTUBE. HIS NAME IS P.R. AND HE HAS A PRODUCTION COMPANY "FORETELL FUTURE PRODUCTIONS." BUT ME AND HIM ARE NOW LIKE BROTHERS FROM ANOTHER MOTHER. BUT HE HAD THE BEAT AND I HAD THE HEAT . SO THE REST IS STILL BEING WRITTEN AS YOU CAN SEE. PRETTY MUCH HISTORY IN THE MAKING IS WHAT I AM SAYING .. LOL …. EPOK MAGAZINE: You also work with Dj Ilie Ill of WEUP 103.3 and you get a lot of airplay on WEUP as well. What is your relationship with DJ Ilie Ill? DYNOMITE KID: LLIE ILL IS LIKE ONE OF THE BEST BLESSINGS I HAVE RECIEVED IN MY STREAM OF BLESSINGS THIS PAST 2YRS. I ACTUALLY MEET ILLIE ILL THRU DJ 808. 808 IS ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE THREE MAN DJ SQUAD "DA HITSQUAD DJ'S." BUT 808 TURNED ME ON TO ILL AND I WE HIT THE STUDIO THE SAME DAY WE MET. HE LIKE A FATHER FIGURE, HOME BOY, ETC... HE GOT THAT JAM MASTER JAY SPIRIT, AND I REALLY TAKE HIS OPINION TO HEART. HIS HOUSE IS ALWAYS OPEN TO US YOUNG CATS OUT HERE RAPPIN AND SINGING OR WHATEVER. HE IS JUST A BLESSING REAL TALK.. EPOK MAGAZINE: One thing a lot people don’t know about Dynomite Kid is that you're also a family man. How important to you is it to be apart of your kids life? DYNOMITE KID: MY KIDS IS THE WHOLE REASON YALL SEE DYNOMITE KID, REAL TALK,, IF I DIDNT HAVE MY KIDS I KNOW I WOULDNT BE RAPPIN .. I BEEN RAPPIN BUT I AINT TAKE IT SERIOUS TIL I LOST MY BABYMOMMA, SHE WAS MURDERED IN AUGUST 2009. SHE USE TO BE LIKE "IF YOU WAS TO RAP FOLKS WOULD LISTEN TO YOU" CUZ I USE TO PLAY AROUND AND FLOW FOR HER. WHEN I WAS IN PRISON I USE TO SEND HER LIL POEMS AND SONGS I WOULD WRITE HER. BUT AT THE TIME SHE WAS TELLING ME ALL THIS I WAS IN THESE STREETS DOING NOTHING WITH MY LIFE.. RIDING RIMS, JOCKING ON THE GIRLS BEING THE AVERAGE YOUNG JIGGALOW..LOL. BUT WHEN SHE GOT MURDERED I LOOK AT LIFE DIFFERENT, I WAS LIKE I DONT WANNA DIE AND I AINT LEFT NOTHING FOR MY KIDS, I WANT MY KIDS TO HAVE SOMETHING, I KNOW WHAT MY BABYMOMMA WANTED IN LIFE, AND SHE NEVER GOT TO ACCOMPLISH IT, SO I SAID I AM ALL IN FOR MY KIDS, GOTTA GIVE THEM THAT LIFE I AINT HAVE, THEY WORTH IT . THEY AINT ASK TO BE HERE BUT THEY HERE I BOUGHT THEM HERE BEING GROWN, SO ITS MY DUTY TO MAKE A WAY FOR THEM. KIDS ARE REAL LIFE.. AND THEY NEED US TO TEACH EM..ESPECIALLY THE FATHERS .. FATHERS ARE NEEDED BUT AT THE SAME TIME THESE YOUNG MOTHERS GOTTA LET THESE FATHERS BE FATHERS.. I'M GONNA BE A FATHER FOR ALL MINES.. EPOK MAGAZINE: Talk about Stak or Starv Records. What is that all about? DYNOMITE KID: STAK OR STARV IS MY LABEL. I OWE THIS LABEL AND WE ARE LEGIT .. LOL.. WHEN I SAY LEGIT I MEAN TAX I.D NUMBER AND ALL WE ARE A REAL LABEL. ALOTTA RAPPERS SCREAM A LABEL BUT THEY AINT GOT THE BUSINESS SIDE TOOK CARE OF YET, BUT WE GOOD ON THAT PART ALREADY. I ALSO HAVE BUSINESS PARTNERS THAT I WORK WITH AND THEY REALLY GOOD BUSINESS PARTNERS. LOUIS KOLE HE IS IN CHARGE OF MARKETING, BERRY WILLIAMS {B.WILL} HE IS MY PERSONAL MANAGER HE HANDLES ALL BUSINESS. AND I HAVE MY CLOSE FRIEND SMALL BLOCK. HE AND I CAME UP WITH THE LABEL I.D LONG TIME AGO WHEN WE WAS STRUGGLING TRYNA FIND OUR WAY IN LIFE AND WE SAID WHEN WE GOT RIGHT WOULD START THIS LABEL AND WE DID .. SO STAK OR STARV IS A LABEL.. BUT ITS A LIFE STYLE, ITS ALL TIES IN TO SLUMPIN. THE NAME SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.. THOSE ARE OPTIONS. YOU GOTTA CHOOSE UP.. EITHER YOU STACKING THE MONEY OR YOU OUT HERE STARVING.. EPOK MAGAZINE: Now I've seen different artist with fans but not fans the way Dynomite Kid has fans. I mean you really have a huge fan following! What do you think attributes to you having such dedicated fans and followers? DYNOMITE KID: I GUESS JUST ME BEING IN THESE STREETS MEETING FOLKS NETWORKING WITH DIFFERENT CULTURES, SHOWING INTEREST THERE LIFESTYLE, RESPONDING TO THEM WHEN THEY HIT ME ON TWITTER OR FACEBOOK, AND JUST TRYING TO GET OUTSIDE OF THE LOCAL AREA, YOU KNOW FOLKS LIKE TO MEET THE PERSON THEY HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT, I ALSO TRY TO SUPPORT OTHER FOLKS THAT GOT EVENTS GOING ON. BUILDING THAT PARTNERSHIP WITH DIFFERENT BUSINESSES. THEY JUST LOVE TO SEE ME AND GET TO KNOW ME, I AM A HANDS ON PERSON BY NATURE. I LIKE TO GET MY HANDS DIRTY, I DONT RESPECT RAPPERS THAT GOT FANS AND THEY CANT EVEN REACH OUT TO THEM AT A SHOW, I GIVE OUT CDS, POSTERS, ETC, WHATEVER IT TAKES.. I WANT MY FANS TO KNOW I AM GRATEFUL THAT THEY SUPPORT ME, ALOTTA RAPPERS FEEL LIKE THEY DONT HAVE TO APPRECIATE THE FANS, I AINT ONE OF THEM RAPPERS. I FEEL LIKE I DO IT FOR THE FANS, THEY NEED A VOICE I'M THAT VOICE, THEY NEED MOTIVATION I'M THAT MOTIVATION, THEY NEED THAT SONG THEY CAN SAY THATS MY SHIT.. LOL.. I GOT THAT .. AND I WANT THEM TO KNOW, JUST LIKE THEY GOT MAD LOVE FOR ME,, I GOT MAD LOVE FOR THEM.. SO I GUESS I AM A FAN OF MY 9. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
“MAN IT BE LIKE EVERYDAY I GET AH NEW ONE. BUT I'M ON MY SHIT. LOL, SO I'M SUPPOSE TO HAVE HATERS BY THE TON. LOL…. BUT I DONT CARE ABOUT THEM . THEY DOING THEY JOB. I GET SO MUCH LOVE OUT HERE. AND I GOTTA SHOW THE ONE’S THAT SHOW ME LOVE APPRECIATION. I DONT HAVE TIME TO CATER TO THE HATERS. LOL ...THAT SONG "HATERS EVERYWHERE" WAS ME PAYING THEM ATTENTION, SO THEY ARE NOT A FACTOR. I LOOK AT IT LIKE THIS; IF I GET MAD AT THEM, I AM BEING A HATER. AND DYNOMITE AINT NO HATER . LOL... THEY JUST DOING THEY JOB SO I WILL DO MY JOB AND THAT IS TO KEEP THEM ON THEY JOB. WIT THEY HATIN ASSES.. LOL. SLUMP” 10. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
FANS.. LOL EPOK MAGAZINE: I know a lot of your songs can be bought on ITunes. How is Dynomite Kid sales going? DYNOMITE KID:NOT ONLY IS MY MUSIC ON ITUNES, BUT IT CAN BE BOUGHT ON ALL DIGITAL MUSIC SITES.. MYXER, AMAZON,SPOTIFY,RHAPSODY,ETC ETC, BUT HATERS EVERYWHERE IS DOING NUMBERS AND SO SEXY IS RIGHT BEHIND IT .. REAL TALK WE GET IT IN ON THE ITUNE MAKE SURE YALL GO GET MY MUSIC ..I ALSO GOT MY WEBSITE UP AND ITS POPPIN SO GO CHECK THAT OUT WWW.DYNOMITEKIDMUSIC.COM. EPOK MAGAZINE: One thing I’ve noticed about Dynomite Kid is you just don't stop at one thing. You have an entire movement that's your own. You now have incorporated t-shirts into your promotions. What made you come up with the Slumping t shirts? Where can your fans purchase one of your Slumping t-shirts? DYNOMITE KID: YOU CANT STOP AT ONE THING, YOU GOTTA STAY THINKING YOU GOTTA STAY HUSSLING CUZ YOU GOTTA STAY RELEVANT. WE ADDED THE SLUMP SHIRTS JUST CUZ THAT WAS A GIVING .. LOL I BE SLUMPIN AND FOLKS NEED TO KNOW THAT ITS A MOVEMENT. SO LOUIS KOLE CAME WITH THE IDEA AND WE RAN WITH IT. LOUIS KOLE IS THE MASTERMIND BEHIND ALL MARKETING TACTICS, OF COARSE I HAVE MY INPUT BUT HE IS A BLESSING HE IS ALWAYS THINKING. WE ALSO HAVE ADDED THE SO SEXY T-SHIRTS FOR THE LADIES TO THE DYNOMITE KID T-SHIRT LINE UP. IF YOU TRYING TO PURCHASE ANY OF THE SHIRTS YOU CAN GO THE WEBSITE WWW.DYNOMITEKIDMUSIC.COM OR MY FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DYNOMITEKID7414 WE ARE ALSO ABOUT TO ADD SO SLUMP TUBE SOCKS TO TO THE LINE UP. I LIKE TO WEAR THE TUBE SOCKS . SO I AM GONNA GET MY OWN LINE OF SLUMP SOCKS, LOUIS KOLE IDEA. WE STILL WORKING OUT SOME PAPER WORK THOUGH. BUT ITS COMING SOON.. EPOK MAGAZINE: I love the camaraderie you have with other Alabama artist like Lady Lace, Gritty Boi, Mata of Xo, Katybug, Translee, just to name a few. How important do you feel it is for Alabama to unite in putting our music on the map? DYNOMITE KID: I CANT STRESS THAT ENOUGH.. IT IS VITAL, LIKE REAL TALK WE GOTTA STICK TOGETHER, ALOTTA OF US WILL BEEF AMONGST EACH OTHER. BUT FOR WHAT WE ALL AT THE SAME GOAL. I AM BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH ARTIST SUCH AS MATA, JACKIE CHAN, LADY LACE AND TRANSLEE CUZ THEY BEEN DOING THIS MUSIC, AND FOR THEM TO ACCEPT ME AS AN ARTIST AND WANNA WORK WITH ME MEANS A LOT TO ME, CUZ I AM A REAL FAN OF ALL OF THEM, I REMEBER BUMPIN THEY CDS AND NOW THEY BUMPING MINES, LOL AND THAT MEANS A LOT. GRITTY AND I HAVE YET TO COLLAB BUT WE TALK AND I SUPPORT HIS MOVEMENT, BUT WE ALL GOTTA STICK TOGETHER, WE GOTTA MAKE OUR STATE VALUEABLE, SHOW THE WORLD THAT WE CAN MAKE BANGING RECORDS AND THEY NEED TO HOLLA AT US.. CUZ WE COMING.. LIKE OR NOT EPOK MAGAZINE: What was it like working with Translee? DYNOMITE KID: REAL TALK TRANSLEE IS A REAL M.C HE IS A TRUE ARTIST, BUT WORKING WITH TRANSLEE WAS LIKE WORKING WITH WITH MYSELF, HE REALLY IS A STRAIGHT TO WORK GET THE JOB DONE BULL SHIT WHEN WE FINISH TYPE OF GUY, HE CAME IN LACE THE VERSE AND WAS NOT ALL DAY, HE A COOL ASS DUDE WE KNEW OF EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE BEEN ON PREVIOUS SHOWS TOGETHER BUT AFTER WE DROPPED "NO FRIENDS" WE STAY IN TOUCH AND HELL NEXT THING YOU KNOW LOUIS KOLE AND MY MANGER BERRY HAD DONE SET IT UP FOR US TO SHOOT THE VIDEO IN IN ATLANTA. SO WE WE IN ATLANTA WHEE TRANSLEE LIVES SHOOTING THE VIDEO. HE A GOOD DUDE . HE DESERVES TO BLOW ASAP. AND I SUPPORT HIM.. EPOK MAGAZINE: You shot the video for "I'm Focus" in Butler Terrace or Mason Court housing projects. Why shoot your video in Butler Terrace? What was it like shooting your video in Butler Terrace DYNOMITE KID: YEAH AND WE HAD A BLAST IN PULASKI,TN AT THE NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY. THEY SHOWED US MAD LOVE THEY BOUGHT CDS AND I GAVE THEM POSTERS IT WAS EPIC.. BUT YEAH WE FINNA START THIS TENNNESSEE STREET AND RADIO CAMPAIGN WE HITTIN CHATTANOOGA, NASHVILLE, KNOXVILLE, MEMPHIS, PULASKI, & FAYETTVILLE, THEN ITS THE ALABAMA TOUR WE PUTTING TOGETHER IS A FROM TOP TO BOTTOM FROM HUNTSVILLE TO MOBILE. SO THEY GONNA SEE OR HEAR ABOUT US .. SOUTH CAROLINA IS IN THE GAME PLAN AND EVEN TEXAS FLORIDA, AND GEORGIA.. SO WE FINNA BE OUT HERE ON THE ROAD ON THE WEB AND IN THEY FACE .. FOOT ON THEY THROAT TYPE OF GAME.. WE GOTTA BEAT THESES STREETS .. I GOTTA GET TO THE FANS.. I LIKE TO GO GET MY FANS .. THEY OUT THERE AND I AM GONNA FIND THEM .. LOL..
11. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
“MY KIDS IS THE WHOLE REASON YALL SEE DYNOMITE KID, REAL TALK,, IF I DIDNT HAVE MY KIDS I KNOW I WOULDNT BE RAPPIN .. I BEEN RAPPIN BUT I AINT TAKE IT SERIOUS TIL I LOST MY BABYMOMMA, SHE WAS MURDERED IN AUGUST 2009. SHE USE TO BE LIKE "IF YOU WAS TO RAP FOLKS WOULD LISTEN TO YOU" CUZ I USE TO PLAY AROUND AND FLOW FOR HER. WHEN I WAS IN PRISON I USE TO SEND HER LIL POEMS AND SONGS I WOULD WRITE HER. BUT AT THE TIME SHE WAS TELLING ME ALL THIS I WAS IN THESE STREETS DOING NOTHING WITH MY LIFE.. RIDING RIMS, JOCKING ON THE GIRLS BEING THE AVERAGE YOUNG JIGGALOW..LOL. BUT WHEN SHE GOT MURDERED I LOOK AT LIFE DIFFERENT, I WAS LIKE I DONT WANNA DIE AND I AINT LEFT NOTHING FOR MY KIDS, I WANT MY KIDS TO HAVE SOMETHING, I KNOW WHAT MY BABYMOMMA WANTED IN LIFE, AND SHE NEVER GOT TO ACCOMPLISH IT, SO I SAID I AM ALL IN FOR MY KIDS, GOTTA GIVE THEM THAT LIFE I AINT HAVE, THEY WORTH IT .”
12. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
DYNOMITE KID: IT WAS ACTUALLY BUTLER TERRACE PROJECT, AND I SHOUT MY VIDEO OUT THERE CUZ THATS WHERE I AM FROM, WHEN MY MOMMA MOVED HER FROM SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE EARLY 90'S WE HAD NO WHERE TO GO, AND WHEN WE DID FIND SOMEWHERE IT WAS IN THE PROJECTS, WE MOVED FROM HOOD TO HOOD , BUT BUTLER TERRACE (BT) WAS HOME FOR ME. AND I LEARNED EVERYTHING I KNOW FROM THERE, THAT IS THE HOOD ASK AROUND ABOUT BT AND THEY WILL HAVE A MILLION THINGS TO SAY ABOUT MY HOOD BUT I LOVE MY HOOD. THE PERSON YOU SEE, BT MADE THAT PERSON. AND I SHOW RESPECT TO MY HOOD. ALOTTA FOLKS DIED OUT THERE AND ALOTTA FOLKS DIED FOR THAT HOOD SO FOR ME TO SHOOT A VIDEO OUT THERE ITS MEANS MORE TO THE FOLKS LIKE ME AND THE FOLKS THAT BE OUT THERE DAILY. ITS LIKE THEY LOOKING FOR ME TO GET US THERE. AND I AM GONE GET US THERE. MY HOOD DESERVES TO BE SEEN. WE GOT SO MUCH TALENT OUT THERE. BUT ALL THE OUTSIDERS SEE IS THE BAD STUFF. WHEN I PUT THE WORD OUT THAT I WAS SHOOTING MY VIDEO IN BT. FOLKS FROM EVERYWHERE CAME OUT TO THE VIDEO SHOOT. WHITE FOLKS BLACK FOLKS AND ALL AND IT WASN'T NO B. S. NOW DONT GET IT TWISTED THEY DONT LET ANYBODY JUST ROAM IN THE HOOD. BUT FOR DYNOMITE KID VIDEO SHOOT IT WAS COOL. THEY UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS VIDEO AND THE MOVES WE TRYING TO MAKE AND WE ALL HAD A GOOD TIME EVEN OUTKAST MOTORCYCLE GANG WAS ON THE SET AND THEY GOT THEY CAMEO.. LOL SO IT WAS ALL LOVE AND SHOUT OUT TO MY HOOD B,T STAND UP BRAHAN AVE, CLINTON, HARDIN, INDIAN, SEMINOLE DR AND GOVERNOR DR ..THOSE THE STREETS IN MY HOOD. WE IN HERE YALL AND WE SLUMPIN SOUFSIDE.. EPOK MAGAZINE: Now you just had a show on November 17th at the National Guard Armory where you tore down the house as usual. What other shows does Dynomite Kid have coming up? DYNOMITE KID: YEAH AND WE HAD A BLAST IN PULASKI,TN AT THE NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY. THEY SHOWED US MAD LOVE THEY BOUGHT CDS AND I GAVE THEM POSTERS IT WAS EPIC.. BUT YEAH WE FINNA START THIS TENNNESSEE STREET AND RADIO CAMPAIGN WE HITTIN CHATTANOOGA, NASHVILLE, KNOXVILLE, MEMPHIS, PULASKI, & FAYETTVILLE, THEN ITS THE ALABAMA TOUR WE PUTTING TOGETHER IS A FROM TOP TO BOTTOM FROM HUNTSVILLE TO MOBILE. SO THEY GONNA SEE OR HEAR ABOUT US .. SOUTH CAROLINA IS IN THE GAME PLAN AND EVEN TEXAS FLORIDA, AND GEORGIA.. SO WE FINNA BE OUT HERE ON THE ROAD ON THE WEB AND IN THEY FACE .. FOOT ON THEY THROAT TYPE OF GAME.. WE GOTTA BEAT THESES STREETS .. I GOTTA GET TO THE FANS.. I LIKE TO GO GET MY FANS .. THEY OUT THERE AND I AM GONNA FIND THEM .. LOL.. EPOK MAGAZINE: When it comes to music in Alabama, What do you feel would help Alabama change and grow as a state? DYNOMITE KID: I THINK MORE UNITY FROM THE DJ'S TO THE ARTIST, EVEN THE RADIO STATION NEED TO EMBRACE THE ARTIST MORE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME I THINK ALOTTA THESE ARTIST NEED TO START DOING ALOT MORE THEN WAITING ON THE DJ .. WE AS ARTIST NEED TO START GETTING ON THAT ROAD PUTTING CDS IN OTHER MARKETS TRAVELING BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER CITIES, LOCAL SUCCESS IS COOL BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU WANT THE WORLD TO HEAR YA, SO ARTIST NEED TO PROMOTE MORE OUT SIDE OF THEIR CITIES, I THINK ARTIST NEED TO INVEST IN THEMSELVES MORE ALSO, THEY NEED TO GET OUT THERE IN THE STREETS AND SHOW FOLKS THAT THIS IS WHAT THEY TRYING TO DO, SHOW THEM "I WANNA RAP, I NEED YALL SUPPORT", AND THE STATE NEEDS TO SUPPORT THE ARTIST MORE, BUT IT ALL STARTS WITH THE ARTIST, CUZ I REMEMBER WHEN I AINT HAVE BUT MY BABYMOMMAS AND MY KIDS AS FANS. BUT NOW I GOT FANS I NEVER EVEN MET, AND THEY LOVE ME AND KNOW MY MUSIC WORD FOR WORD, BUT THAT WAS BECAUSE I GRIND. ITS A NEVER ENDING GRIND. BUT THESE ARTIST GOTTA STEP UP AND SAY HEY I AM GOING ALL THE WAY. AND WE GOTTA STOP TAKING NO SO EASY, I THINK NO MEANS YES AND YES MEANS YES,, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS NO, UNITY, DETERMINATION, COURAGE, GRIND AND GOOD QUALITY MUSIC IS THE KEY.. BUT ALABAMA COMING IF I GOT ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT IT..
13. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
R&B star Mary J. Blige was hit with a lawsuit on Wednesday alleging the Grammy winner and her husband defaulted on a $2.2 million bank loan. According to court documents filed in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, Signature Bank is seeking to recoup the original loan plus $58,000 in interest. Blige, 41, who has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, and her husband Martin Isaacs took out the loan in October 2011 and defaulted in July 2012, the suit alleges. Blige's publicist declined comment on the lawsuit. The singer's attorney did not immediately return a request to comment. The lawsuit also names Blige's production company, Mary Jane Productions Inc. The lawsuit is the latest financial headache for the New York City native. The "Family Affair" singer's charity, The Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now Inc, was accused earlier in this year of mishandling funds and cheating scholarship students. Blige acknowledged the problems in a June interview. "The lives of young women are at stake," the singer told Reuters when asked about the allegations. "I feel what they feel. I don't want them to suffer. I promised them something and I'm gonna deliver. Period." (Reporting by Eric Kelsey, editing by Jill Serjeant and Todd Eastham) Nicki Minaj says what you see is what you get. In an interview with the entertainment show Extra, the Barbie rapper, who is currently promoting the VIVA Glam makeup line with MAC, stated emphatically she “never had surgery” on her face.
“When people see my makeup, they think all types of crazy things that I'm doing to my skin, but it's makeup,” said Minaj. “It’s the weirdest thing. They'll see contouring and think you had surgery on your nose. No. No. No. Look at RuPaul’s Drag Race and you’ll
you’ll see... you can make your nose look... what ever shape you want it.” The first lady of Young Money also admitted, during the interview, that she will be toning down her appearance in 2013. “It's a bit more grown and sexy,” she explained, “like... less is more.” The change, if implemented, will be the opposite look from the rap diva’s loud and colorful image. All the money made from selling MAC’s VIVA Glam Lipstick will go towards helping women, men and children living with HIV/AIDS.
14. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
Ne– Yo has been keeping the kind of secret that could inspire another hit song. The sultry singer has been married before, he reveals to TMZ. Ne-Yo says he jumped the broom at the young age of 19, but that he
had the marriage annulled just a few months later. He claims his ex-wife was not supportive of his career and said he'd never make it as a singer. As for why he never before talked about the relationship, he replies, "nobody ever asked." The "Forever Now" singer was rumored to be engaged to longtime girlfriend Monyetta Shaw in 2011, which he denied. The couple have two children. Though he must have gone through heartbreak with the end of his marriage, looks like it's Ne-Yo who has the last laugh!
Terrence Howard, Taye Diggs, Nia Long and the rest of the cast of "The Best Man" will reunite for a sequel to the 1999 comedy, Universal Pictures said Thursday. The follow-up will hits theaters on November 15, 2013, and will follow the gang of college pals as the reunite over the Christmas holidays. The first film centered on the a group of young professionals, and examined their rivalries and romances as they gathered together at one friend's wedding. It grossed $34 million on the careers of Howard, an Oscar for 2005's stars on the show
a $9 million budget and helped establish who would go on to be nominated for "Hustle and Flow," and Diggs, who co"Private Practice."
Malcolm D. Lee will Daniel of "The Mummy"
write and direct the sequel, which Sean franchise will produce alongside Lee.
15. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
DELIA HT' 5'2 MEASURMENTS 36 D 24 40 SIGN CANCER FUN FACT HUSTLER BY BLOOD KING N BLACKMEN READY
16. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
CAKEZ IS A MODEL AND A FASHION STYLIST THAT HAS BEEN FEATURED IN ILLUSSIONS 2012 EDITION HAIR MAG. DELIA DOES PROFESSIONAL MODELING FOR CHRIS. DOWELL PHOTOGRAPHY & SHE WAS FEATURED IN JACKIE CHANS N BIG KRITS OLD SCHOOL CARS VIDEO. DELIA HAS ALSO DONE FASHION SHOW / HAIRSHOW FOR DEBRA AT BEYOND BEAUTY. HER PHOTOS HAVE BEEN USED FOR FLYERS IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT CITIES N BUSINESS CARDS AS WELL. DELIA’S PRESENT GOAL IS TO OWN HER OWN CLOTHING LINE TO EMPOWER YOUNG FEMALES N WOMEN. FOLLOW DELIA ON INSTAGRAM AT CAXEZ.
17. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
“My style I would say would b considered reality rap. I like to speak straight from the heart. If I had a boring life being the person I am, I prolly wouldn’t even b doing this and I want my fans to know that because of what I was taught. I’m a strong Godfearing man no matter what mistakes they see me make everyday. I love everybody and I love God and if the world was better I’d b a whole lot more peaceful.”
18. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
EPOK MAGAZINE: A lot readers probably don't know but you're originally from Chicago. What part of Chicago did you reside in? How did you end up in Alabama? GRITTY BOI: Well I was born at Roseland Hospital on the South side but we lived on the West side. See my Pops was a Preacher (a good man R.I.P.) but couldn’t stop cheating; and every time he got caught he’d get mad and hit my Mother. She didn’t put up with that long at all. So we moved in with my Grandmother who was in Alabama. My Moms was born here so it was only logical to move back. She met my Pops promoting his ministry here passing through; kinda like I do with my music. He was from Mississippi. EPOK MAGAZINE: How would you describe Gritty Boi's style of rap? What do you want your fans to know about Gritty Boi? GRITTY BOI: My style I would say would b considered reality rap I like to speak straight from the heart. If I had a boring life being the person I am, I prolly wouldn’t even b doing this and I want my fans to know that because of what I was taught I’m a strong Godfearing man no matter what mistakes they see me make everyday. I love everybody and I love God and if the world was better I’d b a whole lot more peaceful. EPOK MAGAZINE: Who gave you the name Gritty Boi? How did you come up with your name Gritty Boi? GRITTY BOI: The name Gritty Boi comes from my street affiliation. I was a gangbanger, a drug dealer, and jack-boi, and even a petty thief. So its kinda self explanatory. I’m everything “Gritty” in the streets not just one thing. EPOK MAGAZINE: How did u hook up with Alley Boy for your single Broke? What was it like working with Alley Boy? GRITTY BOI: Well I’m a really big alley boy fan. We’re so much alike. He’s just free to express himself a lil’ more considering I think he’s still got two feet in the streets wit me just having one. and I’ve calmed down a lot because of my other profession (Barber) and the fact that I just can’t let myself off the leash as much or I’ll run everybody away but yea, I just reached out to him. And alley don’t fuck wit a lot of niggaz but real recognize real and he see a lot in me in him, but we just got in the booth and spoke what we had on our chest that day and made a street nigga anthem. But Alley is my ATL brother, him and the whole Duct Tape I try to fuck wit them every chance I get. There a lot like my Artillery South fam. EPOK MAGAZINE: What is your affiliation with Artillery South? Are you signed with Artillery South Record Label? How long have you've known Artillery South? GRITTTY BOI: Well unfortunately I’m not officially with Artillery South but I am Artillery South. That’s my family to the end. We still kick it and no issues we just had a few bumps in the road and right now they holding it down on there end and I’m spread out holding it down on my end and when the check comes for whichever end we’re gone put the family back together on the business side. I’ve known them since ‘07, ‘08. EPOK MAGAZINE: What other artist are you currently working with and would like to work with? GRITTY BOI: Well right now me and Veli Sosa of Duct Tape are working on a project, a full mixtape, and I really just wanna work wit the niggaz like me at this point; Alley Boy Veli Sosa Trouble, Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy, T.I., Eldorado Red, Yo Gotti, Young Buck, Pastor Troy, Yukmouth, the Game, and just the niggaz like that. On the new mixtape W.I.N., I kinda just worked with one producer K.E. on the track he did the “Magic” song with T.I. and Future. EPOK MAGAZINE: Besides Zaytoven, what producers did you work with this time around for this mixtape? What other Alabama artist would you like to work with? GRITTY BOI: Like I said Eldorado Red, Rich Boy, or maybe Mr. Bigg and really just whoever serious ‘bout putting the state on the map. Roll tide! EPOK MAGAZINE: You've worked with legendary Cash Money rapper Juvenile for your single Boppers. How did the collaboration with Juvenile come about? GRITTY BOI: Well to make a long story short, Juevy is one of the rappers I grew up listening to and a mutual friend asked did I wanna feature and that Juevy was in town and you know I said, “Hell Yea” and the rest is history. Juevy is a real nigga and we gotta great friendship. EPOK MAGAZINE: Will you be teaming up with Juvenile in the future for any more collaboration? 19. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
GRITTY BOI: I haven’t really put it on my agenda but I’m sure we will sometime this year. EPOK MAGAZINE: What new mixtapes or projects are you currently working on? GRITTY BOI: Well I got War Is Necessary (W.I.N) the mixtape with Veli Sosa. Me and 6 Tre G, prolly gone drop this summer. Me and Alley gone hopefully do something after that. I’ma drop another mix wit Artillery South soon and when Young Buck gets out I got a few goodies in my bag I’ma drop with him. I got new videos dropping every month, so b on the look out for me on World Star and Youtube MTV2. I’m on my way!! EPOK MAGAZINE: Is Gritty Boi single or dating? GRITTY BOI: Well I kinda got someone special in the works but haven’t made it official. So until we do I’ma keep it on the low and just say I aint completely off the market ladies. Lol……... EPOK MAGAZINE: What does Gritty Boi do for fun in your downtime? GRITTY BOI: I really don’t have any down time. If I’m not recording or shooting videos I’m promoting or vice versus. When I can get free, I’ll go to the movies, watch some sports, or work out and stay prayed up and ready for the next opportunity. EPOK MAGAZINE: What do you have coming up in the new Year of 2013? What shows do you have coming up? Give out your Twitter and Facebook info. GRITTY BOI:2013 I’m trying to drop my Gritty Wear and Gritty Gul clothing line. I’m trying to network wit bigger names whether its music or just getting another link to complete this chain. And I’m trying to have the Gritty Boi name a worldwide household name so I can really make a positive impact on this crazy world. Right now, I’m on a promo tour in whichever city or club that wants to book me. So its a by ear kinda thing with the shows, but lately I’ve had a show somewhere at least twice a week. But shot out to Epok Magazine. I appreciate it. Shot out tho my Momma, God my kids my Artillery South, Mazarati, Ducttape, Big Boy Music Fam and all my supporters. Shot out to my promo team Michelle Garcia, Noonie Owens and my artists Leslie Boy and Buddy Rowe; and ya’ll follow me on twitter @grittyboi256 and on Facebook Gritty Boient and Thomas grittyboi Jackson and fuk wit my instagram Grittyboi256 I’m out. Soooo Woooop #W.I.N
20. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE
21. EPOK BHAM FIRST URBAN MAGAZINE