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Photography by Paul H. Franklin Make up by LaToya Fletcher-Abram Models: Khalieyah (left), Zsamia (right) To purchase or for more information contact Kyoka @ kyoka.akers@gmail.com Crochet classes are $15 per hour for one person $20 per hour for two people.
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CONTENTS
G-Entertainment Magazine
May/ June 2012
Cover Story
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FEATURES Artists [12] Toni Devon [18] Sativa [28] The Devil Killer [54] K-Rahk [56] Shurlock [58] Tig Knight EDITOR’S PICKS [16] What’s Hot at the Movies & New on DVD FASHION [44]Simply Fashions ARTICLES [30] To Be or Not to Be… Relaxed or Natural that is the Question?
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[36] Hardships of a Mother [42] Sizzle Your Summer with a Haute Cut & Color G-SCENES [60] What’s Going On In The City
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From the Editor Music, Fashion and everything else has and will grace the pages of this publication. I have found that many have constantly tried to down us, but we keep those squares out our circle hahahaha. Like I said in one of my facebook posts… I was told that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Well, they can keep on imitating because there is only one “G” in the alphabet and I got that covered. With all that has gone on in the last couple of months, I can really say we have made our mark in this industry and we are growing everyday. There are promoters trying to steal our ideas for events, other publications stealing our photographs and ideas, and those that keep saying that we are local. Although the storm is rough my vision isn’t blurry. We have done what many have tried to do and have failed. Others have been in the industry for well over a decade and are trying to do what we are doing, so I say this with all jokes aside what God has for me and mine is for us. Harold “G” Abram, Jr.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HAROLD “G” ABRAM, JR. PUBLIC RELATIONS LA’TOYA FLETCHER-ABRAM CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS PAUL H. FRANKLIN D. JEROME SMEDLEY BARRY NOACK MARIKA MAKE UP ARTIST/ STYLIST LA’TOYA FLETCHER-ABRAM RANDALL WILDER TRACIE DAVIS HAIR STYLIST DEVON WOODS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS STORMI BODDIE BRITTNEY MCMOORE
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Advertising in G-Entertainment Magazine compared to regular printed magazines, you can access both the latest & back issues of G-Entertainment Magazine 24/7 year after year for FREE online. That means more exposure for your advertisements and more access by your target market. Any questions related to advertising can be directed to g.entmagazine205@gmail.com
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G-Entertainment Magazine can not accept responsibility for claims made by it’s advertisers. Advertisers who place ads in G– Entertainment Magazine do so understanding that G- Entertainment Magazine will not accept responsibility made by them in their ads; nor will the publisher be held financially accountable for errors in advertising, regardless of fault, beyond the partial or full cost of the ads themselves. Opinions expressed in G- Entertainment Magazine are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the management, staff or advertisers. No part of this magazine can be copied with out written consent from the Editor-In-Chief.
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gell us about yourself. I was born and raised in Birmingham. I’ve been here my whole life. I’ve been in Atlanta for two years now. I moved there for my music. Right now doing music is my passion. I feel like it’s God’s gift to me. That’s the reason why I’m doing music...another reason that I do my music is I want to start an organization to help kids with cancer and help homeless people. I feel that it’s a blessing to be a blessing to somebody else. How did you get into music? I’ve been writing since I was like seven or eight years old. I was a big fan of Tupac. That’s who really inspired me to do it. It was the death of my boyfriend that really pushed me to get out there and going to studios knowing that I could really do it. Was your boyfriend an artist also? Yes. What type of style would you say that you have? Honestly, I’m undefined. My style is versatile. I really can’t just pinpoint just one style. What artist can you closest compare yourself to? Tupac. When you were in school were you into the Arts or anything? Yeah, took music. I was singing then, but I’m not a singer. I did a lot of talent shows at school. Was there anybody else that influenced you in the music game besides Tupac and the death of your loved one? My kids influence me a lot. My mom pushes me like crazy, so she can get credit for a lot of it...God...me having faith in God and knowing anything is possible. Who would you say your music is geared towards? It’s for everybody. I want my children to be able to hear it and everybody else too. Do you write all of your own lyrics?
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In Atlanta? Both places...my producer is here in Birmingham. His name is Babycord. I’ve been working with him since I started. Are there any other artists or producers that you work with in the city? I work with several artists. I did songs with The Chop-Up Boys, Babycord & Swagger G. Out of all the people that I’ve worked with I have always been the the only female. I would like to work with another female. With you being a female has the music industry been hard on you? Very...I think that they expect a female to always come sexy and unrevealing and all that type of stuff. I feel that you don’t have to do that to be an artist. I don’t think that I have to come that way for somebody to listen to me. I just put it in the hands of God. Do you have any words of wisdom that you could pass on to any other up and coming female artists? Yes, keep your faith and don’t change for anybody. Just keep pushing forward. Tell the readers about the album that you just released. There are different songs on there to show you that I am versatile. I can come in many different ways. I also pushed myself to bring it out on the day of my boyfriend’s death. It was dedicated to him. Where can people get the album? The name of the album is Toni Devon...This is What I Do. It will be on Itunes soon. Check me out on youtube. Its in the streets now.
Yes.
How can people get in contact with you?
Is your producer in Birmingham or are the people that make your music I
They can contact my manager Ms. Debbie
McMoore @ (205) 902-8784, contact me on youtube or email debbiemcmoore@yahoo.com Do you have any shout outs that you want to give? I want to give a shout out to everybody. First, I want to thank God for making me as strong as I am to keep going. Like I said it’s a struggle.
Check Out These New DVDs
EDITOR’S PICKS The Avengers will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they’ve ever faced.
Aliens, known as The Regents, arrive on Earth to build a power source in the ocean when they come in contact with a navy fleet.
The MIB duo of Agent Jay (Will Smith) and Agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) are back in action. When the world is threatened by an evil alien, Agent Jay travels back in time to 1969, where he teams up with the younger Agent Kay to stop an evil villain named Boris (Jemaine Clement) from destroying the world in the future. Emma Thompson will play takecharge MIB operative Agent Oh, who is monitoring a prison breakout.
A man who, after his investment company goes belly up due to embezzling, is put in witness protection with his family, which is forced to move from a wealthy Connecticut neighborhood to Madea’s home in the South.
A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.
Red Tails
When Cobra spy Zartan has most of the Joes assassinated, the remaining Joes band together to strike back.
Wrath of the Titans
Underworld Awakening
The Grey
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a S
a it v
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Would you tell the readers something about your company? Well, Postura International Booking Agency was founded last year in April. It’s my baby. I was with another company that wasn’t doing right by people, so I wanted to start a company and do right by people. I wanted to start a company to help people get to where they wanted to go. How long have you been in the modeling industry? I’ve only been modeling for about six or seven years and I’ve been acting all my life. Since you have been acting what have you been featured in? I’ve been featured in “October Baby”, “Half Way”, “The Reader” & “Lost in Reality”. These are all indie films. Where all of these films directed by the same person? No Who were some of the directors that you’ve worked with? Don Weezy with Rough Squad TV, Beverly (I’m not sure of her last name) and Gerald Ware. Where can these movies be seen? You can always go to youtube and look up “Half Way” and Google “October Baby”. John Snyder from Smallville actually starred in that one as well. You can also go to my website and check out the links on there. The website is www.posturainternational.webs.com What does your agency do and how can people get in contact with you? They can always give me a call at
(205) 400-1785 ask for Sativa Banks. We accepts clients from six weeks to eighty. We do more than modeling. We have acting, dancing, rapping, poetry and we even allow animals in our agency. What are some of things that your agency has done? We’ve done some awards shows in Atlanta, hair shows, car washes, car shows, fashion shows & show cases of local talent. What makes your agency more desirable than another agency? We come fully equipped with more than just talent. We have photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists and tattoo artists. We train as well, we don’t jut put you out there. Who have you worked with? (laughing) G-Entertainment Magazine, QueeN, Rough Squad TV, Inglewood Family, Contri Boi Studio, Ms. Mayhem, Queen of Eyes, Ace Da Future, Ten Hundred Shorty and the list goes on. Do you have any shout outs? Shout out to God, LaToya & Harold Abram, Jr., everybody who I’ve worked with, my mom, my assistant LoVe...everybody.
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unwelcoming in my eyes. I then turned to my wife and said that I was going to start my magazine on my own. She smiled and said go for it. We started working on the first issue in December of 2010. At the time several of the people that we talked to about the publication acted like we were out trying to rob them, or they treated us like pariah. We had a few people that saw my vision and decided to help us. Kenny Luk & Paul Franklin became our photographers. We interviewed Mz. Joi, Laura Luke, CJ Tha Sticman, Erica B. and Kenny Luk. We will be eternally grateful for these people that saw worth in my vision. I also featured my wife’s dance team Fye Swagga in the first issue, which helped to get the publication noticed by other artists in the city. When we started the magazine we planned on working only with the artists in Birmingham, but that changed quickly. It only took two issues before we started getting noticed outside of Birmingham, Alabama. Honestly, when the magazine first started I didn’t have any intentions of working with models on the scale that we do now. It was Toya that wanted to have models...thank God I listened. When we got our first models we started doing promotional work almost instantly. We have been featured in almost every video that has been shot in and around the city. We started getting noticed by other publications and I started getting emails from artists from all across the country. The buzz about the magazine was growing and we became overnight celebrities in the industry...at least that’s the way we felt.
A A Dream Deferred By Langston HughesI What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore-And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over-like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? Like all things G-Entertainment Magazine started as a Dream, but unlike the great poem written by Lagston Hughes this dream was not deferred. LaToya & Harold Abram, Jr., the brains behind the publication, constantly thank God for bringing this dream into fruition. G-Entertainment started as a promotional group during ’06-’07. The concept of the magazine came about during the Fall of 2011. “I wanted to work on a magazine for a long time, but I couldn’t get anybody to really help me out with my idea.” (Harold) Due to the lack of people backing my concept Toya asked me to work with others already in the industry. I was so eager to work with people in the industry and share my ideas, I emailed a magazine and expressed interest. To my dismay the response that was given to me was cold and
“No one knows what it means, but it’s provocative… it gets the people going.”
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For those of you that have been following G-Entertainment and know me understand why I chose Watch the Throne as the main title for this issue. For those of you that don’t know let me explain. This publication is still in its infancy stage and what we have done in a year and a half others haven’t been able to do in a decade in the music industry. We have had meetings with the real movers and shakers, made a world-wide name for ourselves and we have remained respected business people amongst our peers. We strive to continue to uphold a certain level of dignity and commitment to the artists and businesses that we serve. I can’t say that we are the best, but we are the kings of the hill right now. We have been truly blessed to have worked with so many talented people. We have some of the best photographers, videographers, models and staff around. I am appreciative of everyone that has called or emailed wanting to work with us. I am also thankful for those that have been out there hating on us. You have given my team and I the zeal to be the pinnacle of the entertainment business. We have stayed grounded through the good and bad times and are constantly striving to become a household name. At the rate that we are going we will be all that we strive to be and much more. More often than not I get asked “what does the ‘G’ in G-Entertainment Magazine stand for”. Well, the answer to that is no one knows what it means, but it’s provocative...it gets the people going. The people that know me already know what it stands for, but for the public at large you will have to continue reading the magazine. Thank you for your continued support. Harold Abram, Jr.go getter, responsible and like things in order.
I
Twisted Optics Photography 205.447.1324 bano@twistedoptics.com Make up by LaToya Fletcher-Abram Model: Brittney
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THE DEVIL KILLER
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Would you tell the readers a little something about yourself? My full rap name is God’s will The Devil Killer. My original name is William Wesley. I thought I belonged to the streets...I thought I belonged to the game; but as God began to move on my heart he changed my life. Once I found out that Jesus died on the cross for my sins I became God’s child. Now I don’t belong to the streets, I don’t belong to game I’m God’s will. I’m his personal child. When he did that he changed my name as well. Instead of doing warfare against people and things in the streets...I started against the Devil himself . That’s why he calls me The Devil Killer. Everywhere that I go I carry a sword to symbolize the word of God. Which is my official weapon. I don’t carry a 12 gauge. I don’t carry a 9mm because my enemy can’t be fought with that. You got to fight him with the word of God. Gospel Hip Hop is something that I’m a part of because I believe music is one of the ways that the Devil comes against our children and everyone else. I’m trying to infiltrate it and meet him on his own ground and destroy his kingdom.
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around that were around him and that’s all they listened to. So I try to make something that they can respect and not sound cheesy or corny...something that was real and from the heart. Who influenced you to get into the music industry? I listened to a lot of UGK, Notorious Big, Tupac, N.W.A. all of them. When I wanted to make the trip to Gospel Hip Hop I really didn’t have anyone to lean on. A few people tried to mentor me, but I couldn’t feel it. I tried to pull from the things that I learned from the world but not be like it. Have you worked with any artists here in the city? Yes, I worked with Short T, Forgive, DPB, Kent Jones and some other guys. If someone wanted to reach you for a show how can he/she get in contact with you? (205) 215- 8129 thedevilkiller@yahoo.com The devil killer on myspace, facebook and cd baby
Where were you born? I was born in Birmingham, Alabama. In Tittusville… the West End area in the inner city close to the projects. I spent a lot of time there. I’ve done everything from being in a gang to selling dope...all that stuff. That was just a part of life. God saved my life a couple of times. I got shot at and bullets were whizzing past my ears and things of that nature and God still preserved me. That’s why I want to reach kids that were like me...reach kids that are still out there. I feel that I have the voice that they can respond to and make a difference in their life. How long have you been making your music? Going on nine years now. What was it that made you want to do Gospel rap and not secular rap? I did a lot of secular rap for a long time. It was underground kind of freestyle. I had to ask myself a question am I getting people closer to God or away from God. I really didn’t think that I had a gift in it. I just did it for fun. I looked at my son’s life and I looked at the kids
Do you have any shout outs that you would like to give? Pastor Michael Wesley Sr. at Greater Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, family, friends and all the people that support me. I give a shout out to them they help me to continue to grow. Shout out to G-Entertainment Magazine for helping me to get the message out.
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Photography by Paul H. Franklin Make up by LaToya Fletcher-Abram & Tracie Davis Models from left to right: Devynn, Amber & Brittney
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To Be or Not To Be… Relaxed or Natural That is The Question?
Growing up it was the norm for little black girls and black women to have Relaxers to straighten their hair. So now that years have gone by and times have changed I ask you all… Why do some of us as black women still feel that we need to relax our hair? Black women have natural curly or kinky hair, which most people would call “nappy” hair. At one time in the work place it was frowned upon or considered unprofessional to not have pressed or relaxed hair, as a result many black women resorted to the chemical relaxer. The relaxer would straighten our natural curl making us look a little more “corporate.” So then comes the typical day at the salon, long, hot, and expensive. When you go in for your relaxer you may be in there anywhere from eight in the morning and won’t get out until about five or six that evening. That visit consists of the relaxing process, washing, a trim, setting, and last but not least the styling. That’s done every six weeks at around $75-$100 dollars, but that’s not the end of it. Once your hair is relaxed, because the chemicals can cause the hair to become dry brittle and break off, you have to make sure you can maintain your do. A trip to the salon every two weeks is a must, it’s going to be a wash, set, and style it’s still going to run you about $45-$55 dollars. Now you ask yourself, with all that money being spent on getting your hair done, is there any other option for black women nowadays? Yes there are weaves and braids. “The best thing they ever thought of for a busy black woman!” Patrice Dorsey. Now while getting weaves and braids may be helpful they can be very expensive. Along with getting the braids and weaves you are still in the relaxed hair category. You typically want to get you hair relaxed when you have either or so that your hair blends well with the extensions. Once you have gotten your hair relaxed you are ready for the braiding or weaving process. This process usually takes about as long as being at the salon just to get a relaxer or a wash and set. As far as how much money you may have to spend, well that depends on who does it and where
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set. As far as how much money you may have to spend, well that depends on who does it and where you are. It could cost anywhere from $250-$500, however you don’t have to make that costly two week visit. Your weaves and braids, if done correctly and well maintained can last a couple months. While most women are constant with getting their hair relaxed or getting braids and weaves done on a regular, it becomes a pain. They began to grow tired of the damage that the chemicals from the relaxers cause and the pull and tug of braids and weaves, now we are starting to become more comfortable with our natural selves. Corporate America is a little more exceptive of the natural look. Before I go any further let me say that natural doesn’t always mean the mini afro or the dreadlocks. I have come across women that have that long flowing hair that you would think has been relaxed but it hasn’t, it’s just the good old fashion hot comb. Now there are those of us who have the locks, and that’s what comes to mind when you mention going natural to someone. “It depends on the individual’s style, shape of their face, and their personal swagger.” La`Toya Flecther- Abram. Because transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair is a process one has to have patients. Locks take anywhere from eight months to a year to actually lock. You may have to go to a locktition to get them started, it’s going to cost you about $45 dollars to get them started. However if you decide to maintain them yourself, as I did it will cost you no more than $25 for the products and things you will need. The best part about this process whether you are in the salon or in the comfort of your own home is it takes a little over an hour to complete.
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In conclusion, it all comes down to your personal preferences. Being that I have had both the relaxed and natural hair I prefer to be natural. There is nothing wrong with you embracing the natural you.
By. Brittney M.
Photography by Paul H. Franklin Make up by LaToya Fletcher-Abram & Tracie Davis
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Crawfish Broil 2012 Photography by Paul H. Franklin
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Hardships of a Mother
Photography by D. Jerome Smedley Make up by: Randall Wilder Model : Stormi
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Jameshia Allums is a 22 yearold Fortis State Institute student, trying to get her associates degree, and mother to her younger sister. Carolyn Hudson, Allums mother, believed Allums was responsible enough to take care of her daughter. Allums has five siblings Makebra Allums (28), Justin Allums (20), Michael Allums (19), Joshua Allums (14) and Cleneshia Seymone Gordon (12). Out of all of her siblings, Allums was chosen for the biggest responsibility of her life. February 17, 2009 Carolyn Hudson was sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole. Hudson is serving time for first degree attempted murder. The day Hudson was sentenced, Allums assumed the role of mother for her younger brother and sister, Joshua and Cleneshia. A few months later the state awarded custody to Allums of Cleneshia but it would be a battle for Joshua. Nineteen year-old Allums had to take care of an eight year-old girl and a twelve year-old boy. With school, work and now child care on her plate; Allums was overwhelmed. March 2009, Joshua Allums father, filed a petition of custody for his son. Allums filed a petition as well. Allums fought for custody for four months before Joshua decided that he wanted to live with his father. Now, Allums get him two weekends a month, on spring break, and a month in the summer. Losing custody of her brother made her feel lost, but it also relieved her. Allums was able to work part time at little Caesars in
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Trussville, go to school and take care of her sister. She completed her freshmen year of college okay, but she began to get tired. Why me? After two years of custody of her little sister, Allums wrote a letter to her mom asking “why” she had chosen her to take care of her younger sister. Allums wrote: Mom I can’t handle this, Cleneshia is mean, has a nasty mouth and doesn’t listen to anything I say. I can’t do this anymore. Bills are getting hard to pay and I am tired. Her mother replied to her in
a series of letters. One of Hudson letters replied to her daughter saying: I know it is a lot to handle, but you are the only family your little sister has. If she could be with her father, she would be. But, that is not the place for her to be. If you can’t handle it I will make arrangements for her to be somewhere else, but I would like her to be with you, because she looks up to you. in a series of letters. One of Hudson letters replied to her daughter saying: I know it is a lot to handle, but you are the only family your little sister has. If she could be with her father, she would be. But, that is not the place for her to be. If you can’t handle it I will make arrangements for her to be somewhere else, but I would like her to be with you, because she looks up to you. “The first two years of custody was hard, I had to stop school twice.
Trying to pay bills and maintaining my grades in school was hard, because I had never done this before,” said Allums. This letter from her mother encouraged her and many agreed that she was the most fit for this job. Jonathan Macon, Allums boyfriend of eight years said, “Even though she wines and complains a lot, she does use her better judgment, that’s why I believe she is fit for the job. Plus she is a psycho Kong fu wolf chick, she can handle her little sister.” Adjusting “This was a big adjustment for the baby girl of the family, so I did complain a lot,” said Allums. It was a big adjustment from just thinking about herself to thinking about her and her sister. Macon says “Allums has grown up a little since she had custody of her sister but she still is the same old Jameshia who loves to party.” Allums and her sister still clash at times but they work through their problems like any other mother and daughter would. Allums is now expected to receive her Associates degree from Fortis State Institute August 8, 2012. She says her little sister is doing well even though they had to move. “She doesn’t have as many friends as she is use to, but she is doing well,” said Allums. “I loved living with mese –Allums- at first, but now she get on my nerves. She tries her best to take care of me and that’s all I care about,” said Gordon. Allums does try her best and adjusting to Gordon can be kind of her
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because she is her little sister and not her daughter. Allums has set a routine for them to follow every day. They wake up at six thirty to get ready for school; Gordon leaves out to catch the bus at seven thirty, and Allums is up for the rest of the day preparing for school. When Gordon gets out of school she does her homework and then goes to her brothers home until Allums get out of class at ten. When Allums get home Gordon picks out her clothes for the next day and goes to bed. “That routine has helped us keep order, she knows what to do already and she does,” said Allums. Thinking about Mom Hudson is currently in the Wetumka prison. This prison is approximately three hours away from Birmingham. Every first and third Saturday the Allums family takes a trip to Wetumpka to visit their mother. Each time they visit they tell on each other. “I have to be carefully around that little girl, she tells my mom every bad word I say and every bad thing I do,” said Allums. Their mother disciplines each one of them. “Yup, I told on her. She is mean to me sometimes, and I don’t think it’s fair,” said Gordon. This trip gives the Allums family hope each time they go. They don’t like seeing their mom in these conditions, but it gives them hope to keep doing the right thing. They help each other out a lot when problems arise.
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. Fun Times “Sometimes we need to do something fun to keep us from getting upset with one another. So every other weekend we have mese and me time. This helps us know one another better and grow a little better,” said Allums. Allums is still young so she does go out and have fun once in a while with family and friends. Macon says, “She parties like a rock star.” Hope for the Future The Allums family is hoping their mother will come home soon and that may be possible with overcrowding in Alabama’s prisons. April first through the tenth, prisoners will be holding a sit in to protest against overcrowding. Overcrowding in prisons has become a huge problem in the state of Alabama. Some prisoners will be released, and others will be moved to different states. Hopefully Carolyn Hudson will be up for parole sooner than 2024. By: Stormi B.
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FASHION
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Photography by Barry Noack Make up by LaToya Fletcher-Abram Stylist: Devon Woods Model : Stormi
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Sizzle Your Summer With a Haute Cut & Color By Devon Woods Haute Cut: Check Haute Color: Check Bangs: Check
These three elements scream "Ready for the 2012 summer". Strutting loud and saying nothing this asymmetrical cut speaks for itself sure to attract the attention of awed onlookers.
Spicing up your summer with a classic cut, harmonic hues and a banging bang will definitely make you the "IT" girl. Our model's mane is equipped with the latest trends for this summer.
Showcasing a sassy short cut inspired by the beautiful actress Meagan Good this coif compliments Stormi precisely with side swept bangs that accentuates her gorgeous eyes and high cheekbones.
What's a groom without his bride? What's a cut without color? This style is accented with a warm copper shade that is "Haute" for the upcoming season. The result; A defining dramatic splash of vibrant color to add an edgy perspective to a timeless classic shape.
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SIMPLY FASHIONS
Photography by D. Jerome Smedley Make up by LaToya Fletcher-Abram Model : Amber
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Photography by D. Jerome Smedley Make up by LaToya Fletcher-Abram Model : Amber (left) Avyon (right)
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Photography by D. Jerome Smedley Make up & style by LaToya Fletcher-Abram Models from left to right: Amber, Avyon, & Brittany
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SIMPLY FABULOUS
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FANTASTIC Photography by D. Jerome Smedley Make up by LaToya Fletcher-Abram Model : Brittany (left) Devynn (right)
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Photography by D. Make up by LaToya Models: Avyon (lef Bianca (right)
SIMPLY
Jerome Smedley a Fletcher-Abram ft)
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Tell the readers about yourself. I think I am a caring person that believes in brotherhood and I try to put 100% in everything that I do. Where were you born? I was born in Birmingham, Alabama…the Magic City. Who influenced you to get into music? One of my best friends his name is 4 Given. What type of style do you have? Well, everybody tells me I sound like 2 Pac, but I feel like that’s a little over the top (laughing). How long have you been in the rap game? Since I was thirteen. What are you working on now? My Deffmind team and I are finishing up the new mix tape Born into Legends. Do you have any shout outs? Shout outs to Birmingham and everyone who loves the “Art” and big thanks to GEntertainment Magazine for this interview.
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Would you tell the readers a little about yourself? I am a music producer, engineer, Hip Hop artist, spoken word artist and I have a label called Big Dawg Records. I’ve been doing music production for the last twenty years. I was signed in Atlanta with EMI with Arrested Development. I enjoyed doing production with them. I did ghost work with Michael Seal and here Boss Man...Boss Gang...Big Bird and that’s about it. (laughing) Where are you from? I’m originally from Birmingham. I’ve lived northwest for the last fifteen years. I went to Woodlawn High School. I’ve been doing music since kindergarten. My mother got tired of me beating on her chitterling buckets, so I got started at an early age. Did you play in the band in school? Yes, concert band, Alabama Youth Symphony, All State, All City, Woodlawn Marching Band & I marched at FAMU for about a semester then I got a deal to go to Atlanta. What instrument did you play? I played snare drums. So, when you moved to Atlanta is that when your journey into Hip Hop began?
at that time. “Meet Me at the Dirty”, which was my third album. Everything on that one was personal. I know that you are a producer, but are there any other producers that you would love to work with? Well, that cats that I have worked with...I had the pleasure to work with a cat named Skoolie Escabar. I also worked with my mentor (the guy that taught me how to be a producer) he goes by the name Kevin Knight. I worked with a kid by the name of Quake. The other cats that I would like to work with or do collabs with are B-Flat, Izzy out of Atlanta and DJ Hurricane out of Texas. What would be your dream stage to perform on? I’ve opened up for people, so I would like to share the stage with some of my idols. People like Big Daddy Kane, Doug E Fresh, Whodini. If I got to share the stage with those cats I would be happy. Where would you like to be in five years? Right now the biggest thing that I’m working on is something called The Hip Hop Alliance. It is a nonprofit organization where we go into the community to help the kids. At the same time we will try to get the local artists better tour dates and better shows. The alliance will be set up to give its members certain discounts to certain stores etc. We are in the process of getting an event center.
Pretty much. Is Shurlock single? Tell us about that journey. Yeah, Shurlock is single. I started off as a studio technician at Coat Tails Productions and from that I got to work with a lot of different artists doing remixes and production. I was with So So Def for about a year. We did the remix to Funkdafied, Blackberry Molasses, Carry On by Sounds of Blackness and much more.
How can people get in touch with for shows etc.? www.woodgrain.com woodgrainent@gmail.com www.facebook.com/shurlockhubbert www.reverbnation.com/shurlock
Do you write your own music? Do you have any shout outs that you would like to give? Yes Do you produce your own music? I am always a producer first. Productions was always the key foundation for what I do. The only reason that I became an artist is because I got tired of working with artists that didn’t want to put the product out. Me and my sister started a group out in Seattle called Mahogany Brown. We travelled over seas doing shows. We did Amsterdam, Germany and the West Coast up to Canada. What inspired you to write and produce? Production is like a natural thing. It’s like second nature. As far as me being an artist that comes from my personal life experiences. My second album which was my first solo album “It’s Your Move” a lot of that stuff were things that I was dealing with
Yes, I want to give a shout out to Drizzy Dro (Press Play Hot Line), Crimson White, Ms. Shavon Clapp, Big Chuck, Nick Paul, Tig Knight, my assistant Kim and my baby brother Tray.
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Here is another G-Entertainment exclusive with the man...Tig Knight. Thanks for doing this with us. Would you tell the readers a little about yourself? I really do music, but doing the videos is just another back way into the music industry. I stared shooting the videos and I got pretty good at it. I never went to school for it...just doing it. It’s paying a lot more money than the rap is right now, so I’m doing this to feed my son. That’s what November 14 means. That’s his birthday. How can someone get in contact with you about shooting a video or a documentary? Mainly what I do is video. A lot of people try to book me for club stuff and parties...stuff like that. Which, really aint my thing. I primarily do music videos. I might do a documentary or a movie. My goal is to get into movies and big stuff like that. If you want to get in touch with me you can reach me at tig.11.14@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/tigknight www.twitter.com/ tigknight Hit me on either one of those and I will get right back with you. What projects has November 14th worked on? Well, we worked on the Naimah HD Life video. I got some other projects that I want to keep under wraps. I got a label New Cartoon...we are dropping Minthol Kings album, D Mack’s mix tape...I got a mix tape. We are trying to showcase Birmingham on another level. Do you have any shout outs that you would like to give to anybody? I want to shout out everybody that has worked with me. I try to work with everybody. Everybody in the city come work with me. There is no bias...If you want to work and your serious come get with me and we will go hard on it. If your playing don’t call me. You gotta be serious about what your doing. You gotta spend some money. You gotta invest in yourself…’cause I don’t do this for fun. I go hard, so you gotta be willing to go hard with me. Shout out to my son Cameron. I love you.
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G-Scenes… See What’s
These are a couple of photos from the G-Entertainment Magazine’s industry workshop.
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Going On In The City
Photography by Barry Noack
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