www.blackcurrantpress.com
Not Just a House Party Written by Lou, Paul Anthony and Brian George ADAPTED BY BEVERLY A. BURCHETT
ISBN # 978-0-9817111-9-5 ISBN # 0-9817111-9-7 PUBLISHED BY BLACKCURRANT PRESS COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. COPYRIGHT (C) 2009 BY LOU, PAUL ANTHONY AND BRIAN GEORGE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ADAPTED BY BEVERLY A. BURCHETT; EDITED BY LOUISE MCNEILL, CHARLENE CURRY, AND CARMEN GEORGE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING, OR OTHERWISE, WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF BLACKCURRANT PRESS COMPANY. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
A NOTE
FROM
MOM
Sometime in ones’ life, there comes a time when you reflect on the best years that were given to you and you simply whisper, ‘Thank You, Thank You!’ Years ago Lucien’ Lou’ Jr., Paul Anthony and Brian George, born in love and harmony, have been and continue to be 3 wonderful blessings in our lives. This, I certainly know for sure, that with all of our sons’ imperfections while growing up, they have always given us genuine love, respect, caring, RESPECT and consideration. They also give the same and more to their children and grandchildren, to their only surviving grandparent - 100 years-young (6/6/2011) maternal grandmother, Mrs. Amancia Guerrero-Georges, to family members and their friends. I have always admired, respected and loved our sons implicitly. I am very proud and in awe of them and their vast talents. Sons, you’re an integral part of my life and I know that your father feels the same way as well. Dear Ones, as you read this book, I hope that you derive insight into the factual, loving, sometimes funny and ‘real’ parts of the 3 George brothers’ lives....Lives that are woven and interwoven with sincerity. -Your Mom, Carmen Amancia Georges-George
FORWARD BY GROUCHY GREG
CEO / Founder / AllHipHop.Com
The authors of this book, the Full Force brothers of Bowlegged Lou, Paul Anthony and B-Fine, as well as Full Force as a six member whole with Baby Gerry, Shy Shy & Curt, of course, hold a special place in the history of hip hop, as well as my own personal story. The year was 1985, and all I remember is sneaking out of my parent’s house and around the corner to the Projects, where I met one of my earliest childhood friends, Harun. We went to the back of an apartment building, where linoleum tiles and cardboard boxes had been strung out on the cement, with boom boxes lining each corner. The center of attention was the neighborhood break dancer, who was doing some nasty footwork. Sure, I had been involved with rap music prior to this experience, as I was a fan of Sugarhill Gang and the emerging sounds of Run-DMC. I live in Delaware, so as early as 1983 we were listening to Philly radio, which only played rap on Sundays, from 1-4, courtesy of Lady B. But, I fell in love with the culture of hip-hop at the age of 11-years-old, and I remember distinctly: It was winter, I was wearing a red and blue tracksuit my parents bought from the now defunct – “Zayres” department store, and the song that I remember playing was UTFO's "Beats to the Rhymes." Moving forward, I became one of the top B-Boys in the neighborhood, thanks to a soundtrack unwittingly powered by the guys in Full Force. Their records by UTFO and of course the classic Hip-Hop single “Roxanne Roxanne,” provided the soundtrack for myself, and many other young people who were just beginning to immerse themselves in this thing called hip-hop culture.
About a year or so later, I actually discovered the group, Full Force. I had an old JVC turntable that I thought was cool, because LL Cool J had a JVC boombox. I scrounged up enough money and one of the first pieces of vinyl I purchased on my own, was “Alice I Want You Just For Me” on Columbia Records, with the red label. I would sit in my parent’s house for hours, scratching the sound effects that were on the B-side to the remix for “Alice I Want You Just For Me” featuring ECrof. Fast forward many years later, and who would think that I would be lucky enough to actually know the members of Full Force! When I first met Bowlegged Lou, he played one of his classic practical pranks on me, by sticking a funky sticker on my back during the Source Awards, just as I was trying to be cool, as I strutted down the aisle with Russell Simmons! Once I learned that was Lou's way of showing people love, we became pretty close friends. Lou took me on several tours of his recording studio in the heart of Manhattan and I even got to watch UTFO record some of their new material. During the course of these meetings with the guys, they told me numerous stories spanning their amazing careers. From their days watching Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 at the Apollo, to their groundbreaking work with James Brown in the 1990s, to their roles in culture-shifting movies like "House Party," the guys have truly seen it all: Hit records, celebrities, wild parties, and countless other tales. But through it all, one thing is definitely certain - the brothers in Full Force, and their extended family were raised with great values and morals. Don't let their big "buff" exteriors fool you, these guys are as cool as they come and that's why the ladies love them. I'm honored to have been a small part of their wonderful, illustrious career. -Grouchy Greg Watkins CEO/founder/ AllHipHop.com
Not Just a House Party WRITTEN BY
LOU, PAUL ANTHONY AND BRIAN GEORGE ADAPTED BY
BEVERLY A. BURCHETT
Not Just a House Party
PROLOGUE Dancing with the Animal I’ve never been an advocate of “would’ves, could’ves, or should’ves.” Life is now, so live it, because one never knows what tomorrow brings. I’ve energetically preached that for years in our music, while on tour, doing seminars, interviews or simply speaking and inspiring hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Five years ago, I was training in the gym one day, when my training partner Colin Burgan noticed a small bump on my neck. When I checked it out, I was diagnosed with an incurable disease. I remember taking out my Blackberry to look up its meaning. Upon reading what I had, I clearly remember saying two things. “Wow….” Then 60 seconds later. “I ain’t changing Shit!” I can’t really explain that reaction, except that I will not allow anything to change the core of who I am, and I’ve ALWAYS been this way. I received confirmation of that diagnosis from Sloan Kettering Memorial in New York 1
written by Lou, Paul Anthony and Brian George
City. I remember my brothers, Lou, Brian and I were told by one of the leading Oncologist in the world that for what I have, the life expectancy was two years past diagnosis. My immediate response was, “Well, Doc, let’s go! You better get to work on me, because I can write a whole lot of hit songs in two years!” I looked him directly in his eyes when I said it. And I meant it. My Brothers and I went to some the leading cancer research hospitals in the country in search of the best treatment for my rare disease. Often my wife, my children and parents would join us as well. What made me choose Sloan Kettering was in a ‘message’ sent to me. When the doctor introduced himself to us he said, “Hello, my name is Dr. Paul Anthony Hamlin...” I looked up to the ceiling and said; “Thank you…” This was the very first time I EVER met another Paul Anthony. The Creator ALWAYS sends his messages; we’re just not paying attention. I do. Always have. I began chemotherapy, which was eventually followed by an autologous 1.5 million stem cell transplant. It was fairly extensive and pretty intense, but throughout I would still train and work out, both in the gym and in my hospital room. I also stayed consistent with my 15 minute combination routine of meditation, breathing exercises, and definitely staying “prayered up.” This all came as a shock to many, since I’ve been physically fit all my life and no one would ever think the muscle bound guy from “House Party” would have something like this. Hey, it goes to show, you never know what’s going on inside. The funny thing is that if this would have fallen on my Brothers, I know I would have felt helpless. But since it’s me, all I can think of is, ‘Ok, no worries. I got this! Let’s dance. I’m built for this shit!’ I can recall while in reverse isolation1, a few fellow patients didn’t make it through the night. That’s just how fleeting life is. Doctors all around the world are still working diligently to find a cure for my disease. In the meantime, I’m doing my job, which is to stay locked in my “P.A- All The Way” mentality which is the “Paul Anthony 2
Not Just a House Party
mind-body-spirit connection,” in addition to mastering the transferring of energy from what I call “loving life savers” such as my Mother, Father, Wife, parents in-laws, Brothers, Sisters, Children, Friends, The Universe and so on. Life is interpretation, my people. Make it as you wish, then make it do wut’ it do. To learn more of my continuing journey, as well as the Full Force Brothers journey, you have to read on folks.
1
Reverse isolation is when there is positive pressure in the room, clean filtered air is brought in the room and allowed to vent out of the room into corridors. Visitors must wear masks and gloves when seeing patients.
Paul Anthony in meditation
3
written by Lou, Paul Anthony and Brian George
Paul Anthony and Lou in front of their many music plaques.
4
Not Just a House Party
Chapter One THE PRESS ull Force comprises of three brothers and three cousins: Bowlegged Lou, Paul Anthony and B-Fine are the George brothers and Baby Gerry, Curt-t-t and J-R aka Shy Shy are the cousins. With Bowlegged Lou on vocals, Paul Anthony on vocals, B-Fine on drums and drum programming, Baby Gerry on keyboards, Curt-T-T on guitar, and Shy Shy on bass guitar, they gathered together to create chart stomping, heart pounding, make you want to dance and sing music. The actual recording and chart-production history of Full Force began in November 1984, with the release of the Hip Hop classic, “Roxanne Roxanne,” performed by the multitalented rap group U.T.F.O. Incidentally, The Guinness Book of World Records lists the song “Roxanne” as having spawned the greatest number interrelated or “answer/response” recordings - almost 25, that started with Roxanne Shante’s song Roxanne’s Revenge, which was also co-written by U.T.F.O. and Full Force. Some legal issues cropped up regarding this song, but were handled swiftly by Full Force, Steve Salem(Co-Manager), and Fred Munao (President of Select Records; the label that U.T.F.O. recorded for). Continuing on with U.T.F.O., Full Force produced their next four Rap albums, including the ground-breaking, Lethal. It went to #2 on the R&B charts, and featured the Rock group, Anthrax on the title cut. Prior to that, Full Force cowrote and played on Kurtis Blow’s classic hit, “Basketball” as well as other Kurtis Blow songs. Kurtis, at the time, was produced by the talented duo
F
5
written by Lou, Paul Anthony and Brian George
Robert Ford, Jr. and J.B. Moore, who co-produced along with Full Force, their first three albums on Columbia Records. Rob and J.B. were early believers of the ‘Force’ and invited them to collaborate on Kurtis’ albums. Lou says, “Kurt even took us on the road with him, touring with Rick James and New Edition. Kurt is a great guy and we are so happy for him with the Christian change in his life as he is Rapping for and about the Lord within his hip hop church movement.” Shortly thereafter, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam were discovered by Full Force, for whom they wrote, produced and performed on their multi-million selling platinum and gold hits, which include: “I Wonder If I Take You Home,” “All Cried Out,” “Head to Toe,” “Lost in Emotion,” and others. It should be noted that Lisa Lisa was the very first Latin female to perform Hip Hop, Dance, R&B and Pop all woven into each other - courtesy of the Full Force writing and producing team. Sadly, they also were the last American producers to work with Selena on her multi-million selling album, “Dreaming of You,” before her un-timely death. Additionally, belonging to Full Force is the distinction of writing, producing and performing on the last two top 5 R&B hit singles by James Brown. According to Billboard Magazine R&B Charts, “I’m Real,” peaked at #2, and “Static,” reached #5. Both songs were from Mr. Brown’s album, also entitled I’m Real and were solely and entirely produced by Full Force. Full Force received many Gold and Platinum records, resulting from their work with such artists as: Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, and N’Sync, Britney Spears, Lil Kim, Backstreet Boys, etc. The Backstreet Boys’ “All I Have to Give,” which charted at #5 on the Pop Charts was written and produced by Full Force. It was included in the The Backstreet Boys debut album and sold over 25 million units, worldwide. Full Force holds the distinction for being one of the last production teams having not only Gold and Platinum plaques, but also Diamond plaques as well. This counts as ten million sellers in the United States alone. They received two Diamonds for their writing and production work on NSYNC’s, and The Backstreet Boys’ albums. We loved being amongst the first chocolate flava to produce music for the pop music teen phenomenon that swept the country in the late 90’s (The Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and ‘NSYNC, LFO, M2M and all those young teen white acts). Full Force’s multimillion selling collection honors also include receiving a plaque for, “Don’t Phunk with My Heart,” by the Black Eyed Peas, co-written by Full Force. The 2011 collaborative effort on Jill Scott’s successful album The Light of the Sun included Full Force co-writing one of 6
Not Just a House Party
Jill’s songs entitled, “All Cried out Redux.” Full Force was hailed by former Billboard Magazine Editor, Havelock Nelson, as the original hip hop vocal band. Some of their hit recordings are: “Alice I Want You Just for Me,” “Temporary Love Thing,” “Unselfish Lover,” and “Ain’t My Type of Hype,” which was the dance battle theme song from the hit movie “House Party.” Their entrepreneurial spirit has been displayed in many areas such as, acting, fashion design, and in health and fitness promotion, celebrity charity basketball events, and motivational speaking which doesn’t only pertain to music but also pertains to everyday real life and never giving up on anything no matter how many doors are slammed in your face or no matter how bleak things look. For over 25 years, they have maintained Forceful Enterprises, Inc., as a base for many of their projects. The George brother’s Mom and the ever valuable Executive Assistant, Charlene Curry, continue to be a main stay. Musically, they’ve worked with a wide range of recording artists, from various genres: Fergie, Lil Kim, Bob Dylan, Anthrax, Usher, Nicki Minaj, Lou$tar, Hall and Oates, Method Man, Doug E Fresh, Whodini, Scarface, Colby O’Donis, Nina Sky, Patti LaBelle, Da Brat, Ashanti, Brick and Lace, Jasmine Guy, Fat Joe, Raekwon, B.B King, Gerald Levert, Ginuwine, Wanda Dee, Siameze, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, Doctor Ice, Isaac Hayes, George Duke, Najee, Samantha Fox, Allure, Naturi Naughton, The Force MD’s, Montell Jordon, Kevon Edmonds, Me’lisa Morgan, Vesta, Regina Bell, Nile Rogers, Bobbi Humphrey, The Floaters, Latoya Jackson, Ex-Girlfriend, The Weather Girls, M2M, Howard Hewett, Philip Bailey, etc. Clive Davis brought Full Force in to work on the debut album of the talented vocalist and gifted songwriter, LaLa, the writer of Whitney Houston’s first smash hit, “You Give Good Love.” In 1993, Full Force joined with producer, Teddy Riley in his Virginia based studio to co-produce three songs for R&B artist, Monifah. Full Force provided back-up vocals on two of Bob Dylan’s songs recorded during sessions for Infidels: “Death Is Not the End,” released on Down in the Groove (1988), and “Tell Me,” released on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3 (Rare and Unreleased) (1961-1991). They also wrote “Try Me,” for actress Jasmine Guy, her first and only big hit which was a Top 20 R&B record. “I was excited about meeting Jasmine after seeing her on the hit television show, “A Different World.” I had a big crush on her. She actually picked me up from the airport in L.A. That’s how I first met her and we 7
written by Lou, Paul Anthony and Brian George
became great friends. We are still friends to this day” remarked Bowlegged Lou. In 2007, on their Sony release Legendary, they have a song dedicated to Oprah Winfrey entitled “We’re Feeling You Oprah.” It’s also on the digital album entitled Full Force of Course. It was inspired by their mother’s love of Winfrey. In addition to continuous collaborations with established artists, Full Force excitedly extends their reach to develop and record young, new, acts. Seventeen-year-old Cristal Guel aka Cristal Cleer is a beautiful and multitalented young Latino girl whose personality will immediately capture the world’s attention, along with her singing, songwriting and dancing abilities. Lucien George, III a/k/a “Lou$tar,” son of Bowlegged Lou, and his Diamondz in the Dirt Hip Hop and R&B group, is another on-going project that Full Force works on diligently. Lou$tar has grown up in the music business since he was 4 years old. Lou$tar has a huge gifted talent for rapping and writing witty punch lines and metaphors. He and fellow rappers, Joaquin Royall a/k/a “Svn-Up,” Safaree Samuels, and Nicki Maraj (now famous as Nicki Minaj) formed a dynamic group called, The Hoodstars, in 2002. Group members Lou$tar and Svn-Up feel they collaborated and helped to push Nicki to express herself through writing and delivery back then. Safaree was a favorite of Bowlegged Lou. He pushed for Safaree to be a part of the group though Lou$tar, Svn-Up and even Nicki wasn’t feeling him at first. As The Hoodstars, they were groomed by Full Force and as a foursome that grinded and collaborated together in pursuit of success. Ironically, Safaree today serves as Nicki’s hype-man but it was Lou$tar who introduced them, as Lou$tar and Safaree were best of friends at that time. Later Full Force signed Nicki to a solo deal with Forceful Enterprises. That association ended amicably in 2006, after the Force took Nicki to meet with many record labels such as Jive Records, Sony Records, Atlantic Records, Roc-A-Fella Records (Jay Z’s label), Warner Brothers (where Nicki had a face to face meeting with Kevin Liles) and many other labels. At that time the recording industry was not so favorable to interviewing female rappers as being viable additions to their rosters. One prominent executive at Atlantic/Warner Brother’s wanted to use a ghost writer for Nicki. Bowlegged Lou and Nicki decided at that meeting to pass up that situation because Nicki was so adamant at never having anyone write for her. Full Force supported her 8
Not Just a House Party
determined feelings on that subject whole-heartedly. As Nicki and Full Force were ending their union, it was Bowlegged Lou who suggested to Nicki that she go the route of MySpace to create a buzz. She took his advice and the rest is history. As for Lou$tar, new avenues continue to open as well as for other new artists who align themselves with Full Force. (Lou$tar has been featured in publications like The Source, Sister2Sister, and Vibe, along with various Internet sites). Full Force also has a division called AEG (Artist Enhancement Group), that is geared to the development and enhancement of an artist’s presentation, whether veteran or beginner. Group member, B-Fine indicates, that whatever the genre: rap, jazz, rock, reggae, classical, blues, etc., when an act is publicly presented, “They should not look poorly prepared or inferior.” Full Force’s support system started early on with the three George brothers, getting their start up with their father and uncle (Lucien George Sr. and their uncle, Elmando Juancito George a/k/a Uncle Cito, also with Steve Salem when they became the Full Force six). All in all, the group’s parents, Roy and Mary Charles, (Baby Gerry), Hugh Clarke Sr. (deceased), and Carmen Clarke (J-R aka Shy Shy) the late Herbert and Nella Bedeau (parents of Curt), and Lou, Paul, and Brian aka B-Fine’s parents of Carmen and Lucien George Sr. - all carried that parental support system. While Ms. Cee Gee (Carmen George), and Charlene Curry both headed up Forceful Enterprises (the office). In connection with Full Force on film, the George brothers (Lou, Paul and B-Fine) have, over the years, co-starred in or were featured in a number of film projects. Most notably, were the roles of the three (scene-stealing) bullies in the comedic, “House Party” movies both 1 and 2, starring Kid ‘n Play, Tisha Campbell, Martin Lawrence and Queen Latifah. These films, produced and directed by the Hudlin Brothers, are now considered cult classics. They also appeared in the Emmy Award winning HBO television movie, “Cosmic Slop.” Additionally, members of Full Force have appeared in, “Krush Groove” starring Blair Underwood; “Who’s the Man” starring Doctor Dre, Ed Lover and Ice T, and they have appeared on the television show “Martin” starring Martin Lawrence. Academy Award winner, Forest Whitaker was hired by Full Force to direct his very first music video for a song written and produced by Full Force, “Thanks for My Child.” The song was sung by another Full Force discovery, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, on Columbia Sony Records. “Thanks for My Child” went to #1 on the R&B charts. Led by group member, Paul Anthony, since the early days of their 9
1986
Not Just a House Party
careers, emphasis has been placed on physical fitness. Full Force still supports the ideas of health, non-smoking and anti-drug abuse. Paul Anthony and Full Force were one of the first in contemporary R&B/Hip-Hop music to showcase their physiques with marketing and promotional savvy. Paul led that attack and he continues to pursue exercise on a regular basis and encourages others to do their best in those areas too. He can always be counted on to speak out loud and proud on the topic, even with new challenges on the horizon. Forging ahead, the George brothers have recently joined forces with Gulpfish, a new exciting job search and social networking company, Gulpfish.com and Gulpfish Music.com. The brothers, and their partner, CEO, Ilya Reikhrud, and his team are looking to take the industry into the future featuring current and new technology. Do look to hear great things in regards to this new venture. On another note, Baby Gerry has added the skills of being a super talented DJ to his active resume. He goes by the nickname of DJ Geenius, and he spins everywhere, regularly at the famous Clevelander in Miami, Florida. In the meantime, Full Force continues to be in demand for live appearances, including motivational and business speaking engagements for all occasions including seminars, schools, universities, etc. They, also, sometimes pair with The Force MD’s to perform stage presentations (tracks and/or live instrumentation) at various venues to rousing, standing ovations. This partnership has rocked the Apollo Theater, and Foxwood Theatre in Connecticut along with Bell Biv Devoe, who together brought the house down. A Vegas-style stage show entitled: Forces Join Forces has also been a very popular attraction in Atlantic City and at colleges across the country. Yet, their hectic schedule has not stopped them from coming out with a new 2011 digital album entitled Forceful Mixture. When all is said and done, it must be understood, Full Force, true to their name; represent a power to be reckoned with, and is always in a position of progress and positivity, one that engages and encompasses all who are in their presence.
11
written by Lou, Paul Anthony and Brian George
1985
1987
1989
2004
1992
2007 12
Not Just a House Party
Full Force with their Lil Kim plaque.
13