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CHECK OUT THESE HOT ALBUMS
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From the Editor’s Desk These past few months have been wonderful. We have met some really talented people from all over the state and the country. I have even been in touch with artists in Canada and the U.K. G-Entertainment Magazine is well on its way to becoming a household word. I feel that we are truly blessed to be able to share the talents of others through my vision. Since its inception G-Entertainment Magazine has grown from Birmingham throughout the Southeast. We have big plans for the future of the magazine and we always look forward to the feedback from you the readers. We would also like to thank all of the artists, promoters, and venues that keep inviting us to your events. If we haven’t been to your event or venue yet we are on the way. For those of you that keep asking for a hard copy of the publication...don’t be surprised if you find GEntertainment Magazine in a store near you.
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HAROLD “G” ABRAM, JR. MARKETING/PUBLIC RELATIONS LA’TOYA FLETCHER-ABRAM CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS PAUL H. FRANKLIN KENNY LUK D. JEROME SMEDLEY DELANI MAKE UP ARTIST LA’TOYA FLETCHER-ABRAM
FOR ADVERTISEMENT INFORMATION CONTACT US @ g-entertainmentmagazine@hotmail.com Join our mailing list at
www.g-entmagazine.net Follow us on Twitter @g_entmag Follow us on Myspace @www.myspace.com/gbone_ent www.g-entmagazine.net
G-Entertainment Magazine can not accept responsibility for claims made by it’s advertiser. 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 GEntertainment Magazine are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the management, staff or advertisers.
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Contents Features Gospel Entertainers
Sanchez Tanniehill…………...……………………12 Priceless Productions……………………………..14 Fashion & Style
Guest Model …………………...…………..…….20 G’s Angels (G.E.M. Girls)………….………….24 Gerald (Bonzaiii Unleased)………...…………30 Art
Curtis Patterson…………………………………...36 Hip Hop
GEM Girl Crystal……………………...………...40 Naimah………….……………..…………..……....44 Joseph Clark aka I.N.O.V.I.A.……………..46 GMC Facuilty………...…………….……….…...54 T-Manic Records………………………………...60 R&B
Ree’Al………………………………….……..…….64 What’s Going on in Birmingham?
G-Scenes…………………………………..……...68
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“You can sit
down and drink a cup of coffee to it.”
ftÇv{xé gtÇÇ|x{|ÄÄ
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`r. Tanniehill suffered with Spinal Meningitis at the age of six weeks old. He stayed in the hospital for three months and the doctor said that he would never walk or talk. He says that he made through due to the prayers of his mother and he thanks God for her. He has been singing since he was three years old.
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GEM: What style of music do you have? Sanchez: Gospel with a R & B style to it. You can sit down and drink a cup of coffee to it. GEM: How has the music and radio industry treated you so far? Sanchez: Its been great. You have your ups and downs. You got to keep going and striving to do your best.
GEM: Where were you born?
GEM: Have they played you on the radio yet?
Sanchez: Birmingham, AL (Children’s Hospital)
Sanchez: I have been on the radio in Calera.
GEM: How did you get started in the music industry?
GEM: What are you thoughts on the current state of the music industry?
Sanchez: One day my cousin keep begging me to record. We have our own studio in Alabaster and I recorded my first demo since then the Lord has been blessing me. GEM: Who influenced you to make music? Sanchez: My cousin. GEM: Who or what inspires you to make your music? Sanchez: The Lord… Jesus.
Sanchez: There is a lot of talent out here. GEM: How do you separate yourself from other Gospel singers? Sanchez: I pray and I interact with the fans on facebook. GEM: Who would you really like to work with? Sanchez: Morris Sapp, The Clark Sisters and Kryst Lyke
GEM: What type of vibe should the listener expect when he/she hears your music? Sanchez: A mellowrelaxing sound. GEM: How did it feel that first time that you heard your music on the radio? Sanchez: It was late at night and it felt good. GEM: What should fans expect from you in 2011? Sanchez: Great things and something new. GEM: What project are you working on now? Sanchez: I’m pushing the “Work of an Artist” now. They are selling it in a couple of stores in Alabaster (Come to the Waters and Amen Corner). GEM: Do you have a website? Sanchez: www.justmesanchez.co m www.facebook.com/ sancheztanniehill www.twitter.com/ musicman
GEM: Who would you lie to give a shout out to? Sanchez: Kryst Lyke, my mom, the whole Birmingham family, and Shelby County.
Priceless Productions
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GEM: How long have you been in the music game? T won: I’ve been in there about 17 years now. Debra Price: I’ve been singing since I was a little girl. GEM: Have you been doing Gospel music the whole time? T won: I was doing completely secular music Hip Hop-R & B and everything until I got to a crossroads where it wasn’t brining me any joy anymore. I just got convicted and the Lord told me to do something creative don’t do the same thing that everybody else
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is doing rap to a music that’s going to bring life instead of death. I talk about something more than flashy cars, women, money and all this other negative stuff. Debra Price: Gospel always Gospel. My mother raised us on that “Oldie Goldie” Shirley Ceasar, the Wonder Boy and The Five Blind Boys of Alabama. GEM: Where were you born? T won: Flint, Michigan Debra Price: Sylacauga, Alabama GEM: How did you get started in the music industry? T won: I was playing football at Flint Northern and my aunt had me go to an audition for this group with 3 other guys. I didn’t have any experience, but when I got there it seemed like a lot of fun. I got into it had to learn some dance moves. I went
home that night and stayed up until I had them down packed. Since then I bought my equipment and learned to produce my own music Debra Price: My mother had us thinking that we were going to be the next Jackson 5. we would come home from school and practice. We had little talent shows in Sylacauga as well, but it was mainly churches. GEM: Who influenced you to make music? Debra Price: The Clark Sisters and Shirley Ceasar (I was one of her opening acts). I was raised in an interracial church, so when I came to Birmingham people would tell me that I was so country. I had to realize that this little voice of mine is God’s gift to me to minister to everyone, not just to a certain group of people. T won: I love ballads, I love slow songs… I’m old school. Give me some Baby Face, give me some 112, De La Soul and Heavy D they
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they had a big impact on my life when I was growing up. GEM: The music and the radio industry can be hard on new artists. How has it (the industry) treated you so far? Debra Price: We speak blessings...we speak blessings… It seems like we get more invitations out of town. We can go to Georgia...Florida...Tennessee and its just crazy praise. When we come back home we don’t get as many invitations, but we know things are in God’s timing. It’s best to speak blessing upon everybody regardless of what’s happening in Alabama for us. T won: She put that very eloquently, but we don't get any love from the local DJs. The ones here have their favorites and that’s cool, but if your going to do that at least be across the board for everybody. When we first came out (Gospel rap) all we had was the SYF Family, Mr. Rich, Priceless Camp, and just
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just a few others. Me personally, I like to do things over seas. I like to do things outside of the box. I’ve done some things with some people in Nigeria, Cincinnati, and Florida all online. GEM: How do you separate yourself from other artists? T won: I think that our walk and the way that our lifestyle is does that for us. There are certain venues that we will do and certain venues that we won’t. We have morals and there are certain things that we will not compromise on when it deals with music and ministry. We know the difference between the business aspect of it and the ministry side. Those that are not really for the ministry side weed themselves out. When it comes time to really minister to someone, talk to them about God for real, or quote a scripture from the Bible that would do it. We really don’t have to do anything God weeds them out for us. That’s what separates us. Debra Price: I think also being a gospel, Christian, saved-sanctified couple. Don’t get me wrong there are struggles in everything. We’re
learning to gel and to really put God first. Our goal is to be a blessing to other married couples. GEM: Who would you really like to work with? Debra Price: Richie Righteous, Detrict Haden, Ms. Shirley Ceasar, and The Clark Sisters, T won: Timberland, Baby Face, Smokie Norful, the list just goes on and on with the people that have had an influence on my life. GEM: What type of vibe should the listeners expect when they hear your music? Debra Price: The word something that I am saying to touch them. T won: Urban Gospel, Rhythm and Praise, Hip Hop, a big giant melting
pot, Pop, East Coast & dirty South Hip Hop, but talking about the word of God. Mostly, testimonials, GEM: Do you have a website? Debra Price: www.sonicbiz.com/twon www.sonicbiz.com/ debraprice www.reverbnation.com/ t_won www.reverbnation.com/ debraprice GEM: Who would you like to give a shout out to? T won: God, my wife, my family, you guys for doing what you do and all of the local Gospel artists. Debra Price: Daddy God and like my husband said you guys. It really mean a lot to us that you reached out to us.
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`ÉÇ}t e|ÅtÇ|
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Zâxáà `ÉwxÄ `ÉÇ}| e|ÅtÇ| Irion Lane (Monja Rimani) was in born in New Orleans, LA. She is of African American and Native American decent. Growing up in some of the roughest areas of the city, she stayed focused on family and her education. As a child, Irion participated in local fashion shows and talent shows. At 18, she was scouted by Whilemina Modeling Agency while working in Lakeside Mall. She followed up with the agency and decided that her son and attending college were more important than one of her life's aspirations. She attended college, majoring In Business Management with a minor in Marketing. Now living in Birmingham, AL, after losing everything in hurricane Katrina, she is a working mother, wife and model. She has rebuilt her life through hard work, dedica-
tion, and faith. She enjoys traveling, shopping, learning new things, and spending time with her beautiful family. She began working on her modeling career in January of 2010 and that is where her alter ego “Monja Rimani” was born. She has made a name for herself as a classy, sexy and professional model. She is always looking for opportunities to further her modeling career and always interested in new business ventures. Now managed by CC JonesThe J Group/J. Allure
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Management, her brand is sure to be in demand. Height– 5’6” Weight– 140 lbs Hair– Black Eyes– Brown Age– 25 Measurements34-26-40
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Bonzaiii Unleashed Bonzaiii Unleashed Clothing the concept is trends die culture is birthed. Basically, it was created in 2001. a friend of mine saw some of my artwork and dared me to put it on some shirts. I did it and it’s been fun ever since. I’m working with a few artists. Jafaar has done an ad for me. We are working on a hip hop artist’s album. His name is South Paw. GEM: Has it been extremely hard to get your clothing out there? Gerald: Yeah, believe it or not. The easy part is designing it and the hard part is knowing how to market it. A lot of time is used up actually learning it or doing it wrong. I learned the value of trade shows. GEM: What made you start designing cloths? Gerald: I would say that it was a vision, of course, Fubu kind of sparked it and my friend poured gasoline on it. It was a real simple almost graffiti style. When I did it everybody liked it. I promoted it in Mobile, AL too. I connected
with some people in Atlanta, Georgia. GEM: Where did you grow up? Gerald: Birmingham, Alabama (where East Lake connects with Tarrant). GEM: How does it feel to own your own business? Gerald: I love it. I love the headaches. I love the heartaches. GEM: What do you see in the future of your company? Gerald: I’m going to definitely merge my clothing company with media. I’ve been running into to people that have been writing movies, people that own record labels, and many of my clients at my barber shop are film makers. GEM: Do you have a webpage? Gerald: www.bunzaiii.com GEM: Do you have any shout outs that you want to give? Gerald: Definitely, shout outs to the Ware family,
the Thomas family, a big shout out to South Paw (he’s an up and coming artist here in Birmingham), Jafaar (he’s a good humble dude. He’s going to go far. I heard his single is the most downloaded in the U.K.) Jona Crooner has some good work coming, it’s a bunch of them I can’t even name them all. “The easy part is designing it and the hard part is knowing how to market it.”
Bunziii May/ June
Photographed by Delani Newton Makeup by LaToya Fletcher-Abram Women Bunzaiii Ts available @ Cultures 615 Matthews Ave Bham, AL 35215
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Trends Die Culture is Birthed
On her: vest by Bunziii May/ June Opposite page on her: T-shirt by Bunziii On him: shirt by Bunziii Collection
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Photographed by Delani Newton Makeup by LaToya Fletcher-Abram
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Photographed by Delani Newton Makeup by LaToya Fletcher-Abram
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I am a painter, more of a teacher and have been an artist all of my life. My mother was an artist. I went to Ramsey High School and was an athlete. I did really use my gift until I got to college. No one tells a Black kid that you can take the talent that you have and make a living at it. I’ve been painting for 30 years now. I’ve just made the transition from being an Art Teacher in the Birmingham School System to being an Art Therapist in middle Georgia. GEM: How long have you been teaching your craft? Kurtis: I started teaching in 2005. I was teaching in the Birmingham School System K5-the 8th grade. Right now I’m teaching grown ups. Veterans that are down on their luck that are trying to make the transition back into society. GEM: What made you want to teach art? Kurtis: Actually, the way that I became a school teacher was I was working for Medicade in the
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Birmingham regional office. One day I was on break and I went down to the Board of Education and I asked the recruiter what did I need to do to get into a class room. Long story short, after talking with the recruiter for about 50 minutes by the end of that day I had an offer to be the Art Teacher at Putnam Middle School and Wilkerson. Two weeks later I was working at Putnam. GEM: Where did you grow up? Kurtis: Birmingham, AL. I was part of the first integrated head start class. I was also part of the first integrated group that attended Ramsey High School. GEM: Who influenced you to become an artist? Kurtis: I was an only child. I didn’t get encouraged or discouraged from doing it. After I got out of the Navy I took an art appreciation class at the University of North Florida. After seeing some of the work that my teacher had done I knew that I wanted to
pursue art. GEM: outside of this particular art teacher. Who have you worked with? Kurtis: Paul Ladnier (former art teacher) is the best artist that I’ve seen. Lois FreshmanBrown… There are too many for me to name off the top of my head that I have studied with. A couple of good painters at the American University and they presented it when I was in the Navy. I picked up a lot here and there and I majored in Art History at the University of Montevallo. GEM: How does it feel to own your own business and for people to buy your art? Kurtis: The humbling part of it for me is I never think that my work is good enough. I can do a painting, be at a show or post it and whereas you or somebody else can look at it and be enthralled by what you see. When I see it I see one brush stroke that I should've done this way or one brush stroke that I should've done that way.
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So I’m always self critical to the point where a while back I would do my work and end up throwing it in the dumpster and my partners would jump on me. Because they knew that was good...to good for me to be throwing it in the dumpster. GEM: What do you see in the future for you and your paintings? Kurtis: Right now I want to do work that people appreciate. You don’t have to look at my work and say that it is as good as Picasso’s or this artist or that artist. It doesn’t have to be considered an important work. The thing that I found with art is that the viewer whomever that viewer is finds something that speaks to him/her it is an important piece. It doesn't have to be an important piece for the critics, but it is an important piece for you. As an artist you only have to speak to one person and that one person is the viewer right then. GEM: What would you say has contributed to your success so far?
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Kurtis: Being surrounded by good people and art work. God places you in a position to be around people that can make a difference in your life. The job that I have now caters to the vets that have served their country but have fallen. We need to thank the vets for the lifestyle that we have. If you have the help then help them and that’s what I try to do.
“No one tells a Black
GEM: Do you have a webpage or site where the readers can see your work?
kid that you
Kurtis: www.kurtispatterson2@ artspan.com www.facebook.com/ curtispatterson
you have
GEM: I want to give a shout out to my coworkers, the people that have worked with me, thank my teachers, and I hope to inspire people to do things that touch your fellow man.
can take the talent that and make a living at it.”
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Art by Kurtis Patterson
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ZX` Z|ÜÄ VÜçáàtÄ
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Photographed by Paul Franklin Makeup by LaToya Fletcher-Abram
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What’s your ethnicity? African American
What do you look for in a guy? A good personality.
What’s your Zodiac sign?
What is the first thing that you notice about a guy?
Taurus
His shoes.
Where were you born?
What turns you on?
Birmingham, AL
A good kisser.
What’s the craziest thing that you have ever done?
What turns you off?
I never really did anything crazy.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
What’s your favorite hobby and why?
Body oder
Singing. What’s your guilty pleasure? Shopping. Who do you admire? My mom. What’s one of your personal goals? To become successful, so I can take care of my son. What do guys compliment you on the most?
No education...no job.
What super models do you aspire to be like? Tyra Do you plan on modeling for the rest of your career or are you using this as a stepping stone to do something else? Yes, I plan to model. Are you willing to travel great distances for a job? Yes
My smile...my teeth.
Would you be comfortable becoming a video vixen?
What’s your favorite body part on yourself?
Not really, I don’t want to show everything.
My face.
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Photographed by Paul Franklin Makeup by LaToya Fletcher-Abram
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Photographed by Paul Franklin Makeup by LaToya Fletcher-Abram
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GEM: Where did you grow up?
Na’imah
Na’imah: I grew up here in Birmingham, AL an area called Wylam from ‘93 on up until I became an adult we moved to Hueytown always on the west side. GEM: How long have you been in the music game? Na’imah: I’ve been rapping since 1996, but I’ve been into music since I was about five playing the piano. My mom got me enrolled in this project at Birmingham Southern when I was younger. I played clarinet in the band and I played drums too. GEM: When did you record your first song? Na’imah: It was in 1996. I was in a group call Threat 2 Society (T2S) back in the day me and another child-hood friend. She had a studio in her attic and my mom was like Na’imah there is a girl across the street that raps. I was like really!!! So, I ran across the street and knocked on the door introduced myself. We kicked it off
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and in about ten minutes were recording our first song. It was called “Playa Hating”. GEM: That person that you recorded with does she still make music? Na’imah: Yeah, her name is Kane Carter. You’ve probably heard of her. She’s a producer, rapper and she has a couple of artists on her label now. GEM: What are your thoughts on the current state of the game? Na’imah: It’s real rocky, but my main focus is...female. Like I always say the males are going to get into the music game regardless. It’s hard for women because they don’t look at us as rappers. They look at us as a women that are supposed to be at home doing other stuff. I think it’s the year of the female. We need to get out and let our voice be heard. We don’t have to talk about guns and violence. We can talk about anything really, but you have to say it in a way so they will listen. GEM: Who influenced
your style? Na’imah: I would say growing up I was on that Cash Money. They are different. Every artist that they have is different and every time they come together they make hits. And my aunt she used to always tell me when I was little you can do anything that you want to do. She passed last year and after she passed I got a little push and I knew it was her. So, I’ve just been going. GEM: Who do you want to work with in the future? Na’imah: I want to work with a lot of producers and singers. There isn’t anyone in particular. I just want to work with a lot of people outside of the Hip Hop genre. GEM: Tell the readers about your writing process. Na’imah: Sometimes I write before I get the beat. I will be sitting in the car and I will start bobbing my head to no music. I get this rhythm flowing in my head and then I will start writing. Then I will go to the stu-
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do two songs in 30 minutes. GEM: What made you want to make a documentary? Na’imah: When I was in a group people will hear your music, but they need a face to put with that. I said that we were going to just film our everyday lives. Other artists started seeing it and feeling it. They started asking me could I do it for them. I started doing a lot of artists like Nova, Nina, Queen of Trill and Ms. Mayhem. GEM: If you could choose one rapper to say that who you would like to be like. Who would it be? Na’imah: Well, my top five are Lil Wayne, Jay Z, Diddy, Queen Latifah, M.C. Lyte and Roxanne Shuntae. GEM: What have you been doing to get your name out there? Na’imah: I put my name on everything. I put my name on cds and flyers. My name is Muslim/ Arab. Muslims and Arabians know what my
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name means, but a lot of other races don’t. So, when they ask me I say the bosom in paradise and then I hand them my music and they would be like ok that something different. That’s how I market… different. My rap name used to be the Joker that’s because I was so in love with the Joker. I have figurines and everything. I wanted to use my own brand, so I started using my own name. GEM: Do you have a website? Na’imah: www.revernation.com/ naimahelmore www.youtube.com/ naimahelmore www.myxer.com/naimah GEM: Do you have any shout outs? Na’imah: Yeah, first, I want to give a shout out to G-Entertainment Magazine doing something different, letting us get our shine on, its just another way to bring us to the forefront and let people know what we got here in Alabama , 95.7 Jamz with Alabama
Now, Goodfellas Radio who always plays underground artists they’re the ones who broke my record in “We the Crunkest” to #4 and from there people started listening and requested it everywhere, the stores, the whole hood of Wylam, my family, my friends, and everybody. I love you and thank you for supporting me.
“My rap name used to be the Joker that’s because I was so in love with the Joker.”
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JOE CLARK AKA I.N.O.V.I.A.
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Joe Clark aka I.N.O.V.I.A. raps with a group called Battle Cats. “We do music and our business is our music.” He is working on his on clothing line called Power Forward Music Movement. It’s basically a collaboration of music artists, drawing artists, and all types of people coming together using our talents to make it to the top. GEM: You mentioned that you’re an artists as well as a designer. Would you tell our readers how long you have been doing this on both sides. I.N.O.V.I.A. : As far as the music goes I’ve been doing this since I was twelve years old. I would lock myself in a room and write write write. That was a way for me to get my frustrations out and a way to get my thoughts out. As far as the fashion part it came after high school. I never really got all the clothes that I wanted to wear, so I came up with different styles and I saw people catching on. I felt that I should go to
go to school for it. I went to Alabama A & M and got my degree in Fashion Merchandising Design. GEM: Where were you born? I.N.O.V.I.A. : Birmingham, AL. GEM: Who and what influenced you to get into your business? I.N.O.V.I.A. : Since like the age of 6 I always listened to Hip Hop. I used to listen to the older men on Video Soul rapping and I thought that I was to young to rap. When I saw Kris Kross I saw that I could be young and rap. That’s when I realy started writing to myself. Around the age of 12 I was started doing it for real. GEM: What have been some of your ups and downs when it come to you being an entrepreneur? I.N.O.V.I.A.: Money...getting people to believe in you and believe in your idea. It’s just hard. When people are familiar with and just know you it’s hard to get them believe in what your trying to do. It takes someone from the
outside to recognize the talent that you have. Money is the ups & downs. Trying to have a job to fund your dream is hard. GEM: What do you see in the future of your company? I.N.O.V.I.A. : As far as the music goes I see me everywhere. Just changing lives with my music and to have a following that believes in what I say. As far as the fashion goes I want to do the same thing just open minds up. I don’t want any crazy clothing, but some of the things that I’m going to put on my shirts are going to be uplifting and open your eyes to everyday life. GEM: Are you presently on a record label or do you put your own music on wax? I.N.O.V.I.A. : We put our own music on wax, but I’m still signed to a label out in California call In the Earth Records. He has my first CD which is on I-tunes right now called Dreams. The group that I’m in again is called Battle Cats. We’re not really
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Really signed we're free agents for real, just entrepreneurs trying to make it to the top. GEM: How do feel that your business can contribute to the social growth of the city?
“I would call it reality rap. I talk about everyday life.”
I.N.O.V.I.A. : I think that it will bring more life to our city. If we go to other places like Atlanta we have more things to do. I believe that my clothing and music can bring life to Birmingham. GEM: What makes you vision different from other businesses or artists of your type? I.N.O.V.I.A. : I think it’s because everybody is different in general. I think that some of the things that I’ve been through will open the doors for other people that have gone through some of the same things. I believe that a lot of the things that I’ve been through have not been touched musically or fashion wise. I don’t hear anybody talking
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about what I go through everyday, so it’s different from the next man’s music or the next man’s fashion. GEM: Do you consider yourself an underground rapper? I.N.O.V.I.A. : Yeah, I do consider myself an underground rapper ‘cause nobody knows me yet. GEM: Do you consider yourself rapper, promoter, businessman or all three? I.N.O.V.I.A. : I think it’s all wrapped into one. It’s like Joseph in the Bible. I got a coat of many colors. I have a lot of talents. I don’t want to leave this Earth and God asks me why didn’t I use all of my talents. GEM: Musically, what type of style would you say that you have? I.N.O.V.I.A. : I would call it reality rap. I talk about everyday life. GEM: Musically, here in the city who have you worked with? I.N.O.V.I.A. : Big
Prophet, as far as being on stage with these guys, LP, 7even and many more. GEM: Who would you like to work with? I.N.O.V.I.A. : Sebastian, Jafaar, Merc Camp, Kenny Luk and Tig Knight. I will work with anybody. GEM: Do you have a webpage where people can get in contact with you? I.N.O.V.I.A. : www.twitter.com/ therealjoeclark www.facebook.com/ i.n.o.v.i.a. GEM: Do you have any shout outs that you want to give? I.N.O.V.I.A. : Shout out to 7even, Battle Cats, my dad Joseph Clark, Sr. (he’s doing his thing Joseph House, Inc.), shout out to my church More Than Conquerors, Pastor Green, Jo Jo, Jada, & Joshua (my kids), and everybody. Shout out to everybody.
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By LaToya F. Abram The rap group GMC Falcuity is made up of the following members: G, Tezzy, Ro, Twan T, Mr. B and DJ 2side. GEM: Where did you grow up? G: I grew up in different places. Ensley, 5 Points West, Bessemer, Brighton, West End, Wenonah, New Hill, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Tezzy: Free style...no writing. Mr. B: I just love music. Ro: Give it life. Twan: However it comes to me that’s how I give it. DJ 2side: I just spin records. GEM: How long has the record company been together?
Tezzy: Central City, Midfield, Wylam and now I’m in West End.
G: About three or four years. We are all like family, so we really been together our whole life.
Mr. B: Riley, Lugmond Village, and West End.
GEM: How long have you been in the game?
Ro: I was born in Houston, Texas and came here and grew up in Powderly.
G: About three or four years.
Twan: Bessemer, Brighton and Wenonah. DJ 2side: Bessemer, Ensley, 5 Points West, New Hill, Virginia and Norfolk. GEM: What type of style would you say that you have? G: All different types of styles. Lyrical, hip hop, dance but everybody in the group is a solo artist, so we got our own styles.
Tezzy: Two years. Mr. B: About three. Ro: On and off for about ten. Twan: About three or four. DJ 2sides: I’ve been spinning records for about six years now, but I have been dealing with music basically all my life. GEM: How would you describe working with a group vs. making music
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as solo artist? G: Being with a group you have more minds on a chorus or a hook. Everybody putting their input in is like making a Thanksgiving feast. Tezzy: I like doing something with everybody. Mr. B: I’m versatile. Ro: I wouldn’t mind doing some things solo, but I love my group.
GEM: Has the radio played any of your music? G: Yeah, Jukebox plays our stuff a lot. He is one of our biggest supporters, Goodfellas Radio, N Works and Street Slang. DJ 2side: Friday and Suday between the hours of 10pm and 1am. We are played live at the Foxtrap.
Twan: It doesn’t matter to me.
GEM: I know that you appreciate the value of a good beat. What makes a beat good to you?
GEM: Ro, what’s the significance of the bandana?
Twan: If I could feel it and I’m rocking to it that’s a good beat to me.
Ro: (laughing) surprise… when I feel like I’m ready I’ll take it off and present the face to the world.
Ro: It all depends on how much the producers loves his music. Many people say that they can make good beats, but only the ones who love it come out with the best results.
GEM: Do you consider yourselves underground rappers? G: Independent artist ‘cause we do everything by ourselves. We really don’t have anyone to help us out. People ask to help us out, but w only deal with the ones that we trust. Everybody: Our music is underground.
Mr. B: A beat to me is like a human. I want to feel it’s pain. I like to feel all that emotion from the beat. Tezzy: I like a full beat. More sounds… sounds, sounds, sounds. If you got different sounds in there I’m willing to buy
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GMC FALCUITY
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a beat. G: Like everybody said its all about the feeling. I like bass... Piano. For the harmony you can give me trumpets. I like the stuff that sticks out...snares and claps. DJ 2sides: I like to feel the boom and the bang. If I can feel it in my heart then I can feel it. If I can feel it in my soul I know everybody else can feel it. GEM: What should the listeners expect when they hear your music? G: The truth. DJ 2sides: Power. Tezzy: Reality and no fiction. Ro: A lot of the stuff that we see (pointing) and a lot of the stuff that you hear aint what I’m doing. I probably did it 2 or 5 years ago. You would see the same things if you stayed where we stay. Twan: Look for the message. Me personally, I’m trying to give out a positive message. GEM: Musically, who have you worked with?
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Coast 2 Coast DJs, I really want to hit the island DJs, Canada and Europe. They get more exposure than we do in the United States. GEM: Does the name of your group stand for anything? G: GMC stands for Get Money Clique ‘cause we get money by any means necessary. Falcuity, everybody always say we spell our name wrong, but we don’t spell it wrong. It’s Falcuilty. That means that we are falcons a whole bunch of brothers in unity. GEM: Do you have any shout outs that you want to give? DJ 2sides: Shout out to myself, the group, Dough Boy, Cuzzo, Jukebox, GEntertainment Magazine, Platnum, Playboy, and my DJs in ATL. G: Shout out to everybody that has something to do with GMC. Shout out to my mom, Jukebox, DJ CK, Sane, Voltron Productions & Firebird. Tezzy: Cane, Joker, Loyalty, Lo Key, Shank D, Wylam, Wenonah, & ROA. Mr. B: First and
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Foremost I want to give a
shout out to God because without him I wouldn’t be here right now. None of us would be here right now. I want to shout everybody else that’s supporting us. Ro: Shout out to God, the GMC family, Wenonah High School, Wenonah Elementary, Powderly Elementary, everybody that knows us and helped us. Twan: I want to shout out God, Mom Dukes and everybody that had an influence on my life. G: Shout out to GEntertainment Magazine. Mr. B: Shout out to G– Ent. Magazine for taking the time out to do this interview. DJ 2sides: Shout out to God. GEM: Do you have a website? G: www.facebook.com/ gmcfalcuity www.twitter.com/ gmcfalcuity2 www.youtube.com/ gmcfalcuity205 Www.myspace.com/ hillborn 205.545.6004 Check ‘em out on Black Opts too!!!
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TManic Records is a new label here in Birmingham, Alabama. The label currently consists of Go Hard Ent. Busta Free, Bama Sky, Vic, Brandon Alexander and Lashon Thomas. The label started in October 2009 as a recording studio and we had artist to come in that were really good and it progressed into what we have now.
Photo Slim: (Busta Free) we’ve been going for about 7 years.
GEM: Where did you grow up? Lashon: Tuscaloosa.
Lashon: (assistant) I’ve been with TManic since 2010.
Young Don: Memphis, Tenn.
Vic: (Busta Free) since about 2005.
GEM: What style would you say that you have?
B.A.: (CEO of Busta Free) we’ve been rapping since ‘05. I’m an artist myself, but I stepped back somebody had to finance and be the head of something. I got with Tre in 2010, we played ball together at UAB.
Frank Neddy: Unique. Photo Slim: We got a lot of different styles street style or corporate. We can take it either way. Mack: We come straight from the heart. Bama Sky: It’s just incredible. GEM: How long have you been in the game? Frank Neddy: about two years together (with the group).
Young Don: I got years under my belt, but I’ve really been making a name for myself for the last two years. Bama Sky: I’ve been rappin since I was about 12. G-Money: (A&R) I’ve been doing this about a year.
GEM: How would you describe working with TManic Records? Frank Neddy: Easier, before we got with TManic we used to deal with a lot of people that were jiving with the stu-
dio time. Now, if we need to get in there we can and the quality is much better. Photo Slim: It gave me an outlet for my music something that I didn’t have. I record my own music at home and I let Tre do everything else as far as promotions, mixing it, mastering it so you deal with him you get everything. It’s just easier. Young Don: I’ve been getting the run around with a bunch of cats out here. Never walk but always talk! I don’t have to sweat no more. He will get your name buzzin. Bama Sky: I’ve been rapping a long time and I’ve been dealing with a couple of cats that aint on their thang like they are supposed to be. I was with a group Boys of the South (we still here). That’s when I was with my boy G-Money and a couple other cats, but they went their separate ways. G called me and put me to Tre...so, let’s work. G-Money: I looked at
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his record label is on another level and I like that. He is about business. I don’t mess with a lot of people here anyway. But, I know who’s real and I came to him. Vic: All I can say is that this is the most legit business going right now. GEM: Do you consider yourselves underground rappers? Tre: Some of the artists here are already mainstream. Some got stuff on the radio and playing in the clubs. In a couple of months all of the artists are going to be mainstream. GEM: What should the listeners expect when they hear your music? Frank Neddy: that straight drop. That music that makes you say I feel what they are saying. Photo Slim: we got that humorous music...we got that life music. We got whatever you want. Aint nobody rappin the same way. Young Don: Life...Pain...the
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Streets...Happiness. Just a variety of everything. GEM: Musically, who have you worked with? Frank Neddy: We have been working with each other. Photo Slim: I’ve worked with a few artists: P Stone, Birmingham Jay, Young Don (We’ve both done a track with Young Buck), it’s a few artists locally and in other states. Young Don: Slim (my right hand man), Stone, Buck, Pat, Chat, Shine... everybody just about. Young Don featuring Young Don : ) GEM: Who would you like to work with? Frank Neddy: Gucci...Webbie Don Deezy: Rocko. Photo Slim: Anybody that’s working hard. Young Don: Face Mob, Bun B, Pimp C & Pac if they were here and Jeezy. GEM: Does the name of your record company have significant meaning?
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Tre: When I was playing ball everybody use to call me T Man. I just put the “IC” on the end of it and that’s where it came from. GEM: Do you have a website? Tre: www.tmanicrecords.com GEM: Do you have any shout outs? Frank Neddy: G Money, the members of the group, and everybody working with Tmanic. Photo Slim: God for the blessings that we are going to receive. Lashon: They need to watch out for us ‘cause with God on our side we are rising to the top and not looking back.
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GEM: Where were you born? Ree’Al: Birmingham GEM: How did you get started in the music industry? Ree’Al: After I saw " The Five Heartbeats" music chose me. GEM: How long have you been in the music game? Ree’Al: Seriously about the music 5 years. GEM: Who influenced and what inspires you? Ree’Al: Great artist like The Roots, Eryka Badu, Pink, Stevie Wonder & many more. Being able to do a great work in my community inspires me." I LOVE My Community" The music industry opens many doors. GEM: The music and radio industry can be tough on new artists. How has it treated you so far? Ree’al: It’s really all about believing in yourself & getting outside your city. You have to KICK doors down & not wait on anyone to do anything for you. I will
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say this I work very hard & everything I have worked for. I have been blessed to be respected by radio executives & when you hear me on the radio it’s because I've earned the right to be on there. GEM: How do you separate yourself from other artists? Ree’Al: I'm a female hustling for every inch I get in this industry. My music is a mix of pop, hip hop, R&B, Neo Soul & Inspirational & since I'm an independent artist I wanted to show all my love for different styles of music. GEM: Who would you really like to work with? Ree’Al: I would Love to work with Stevie Wonder, Jermaine Dupree, Knarls Barkley, Brian Cox, Tyrese , Eryka Badu, Pink, Alicia Keys & more.... But if I had to pick one it would be Stevie Wonder. GEM: What type of vibe should people expect to hear on your album? Ree’Al: A fun vibe because of the eclectic mix of all genres of music &
style. It will make you wanna dance , rock out, fall in love, respect yourself, remember your family ties & make you think. GEM: I got to ask for all of the male readers... Is Ree'Al single? Ree’Al: Yes I am single & Thinking about doing a who wants to date Ree'AL show!!! GEM: What album have you been listening to lately? Ree’Al: Knarls Barkley & a lot of old Motown artist for inspiration to write for many artist that I’m working with. GEM: What should fans expect from you in 2011? Ree’Al: Collaborations with some great artist you will hear about soon & working as an A&R for Audio State 55. GEM: What is your ultimate goal by the end of your career? Ree’Al: To make an OUTSTANDING mark on history & a continuing growth in my career by stepping into movie roles & more..
roles & more. GEM: Do you have a facebook, myspace, or a webpage where fans can reach you? Ree’Al: REEALMusic.com GEM: Who would you like to give a shout out to? Ree’Al: My manager Ken Smith (205)2279096 , Orlandez & Patricia Pickett, B.Mason,Danny Mosley, James Bevell, Henry Panion,Chris Coleman , Bird (Durdy Muzik) DReaL& many others...
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G-Scenes‌ See What
Open mic in Stone Mountain GA.
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t’s Going On In The City
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American Turtle Association Mardi Gras Party
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