special issue #12010
GENETERRTCAIHNMENT = JIGEMREC.HMBAOCYZ MTAAYCLMOARNBPOAYCMAN CHAZZ
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TAYLOR BOY
CHAZZ Who is Chazz and what do you do? I’m a singer and a female representer. I represent the struggle of a hungry artist.
Introduce yourself. Taylor Boy, the Gerch Entertainment Lieutenant. How long have you been in the game? I’ve been in maybe about 7 years, but serious for about three. What type of style do you have and is it comparable to anyone in the game now? I’m more of a motivational, straight from the struggle type person with Midwest swag. When people hear your music what can they expect? They can get self-motivation and empowerment. You will be able to overcome anything; your self-esteem goes up. I’ll pick you up off the ground. Who inspired or influenced your sound? I listened to all kind of music, basically good music as a whole. It makes me want to present my story. Can we expect anything from you anytime soon? My mix-tape “Nothing to lose, Everything to gain” will be coming out. Plus, I’m on Jim E. Macs’ “Rat Poison” CD. Would you say you’re universal? Yes very, I can touch any topic and become a different person every time. What’s the name of your single? I’m still working on picking my single right now. I have a lot of good music to choose from. Do you have major collaborations planned? Yes with my camp and some of the top artist in my city. Do you have any last words? Keep your eyes on me. I’m about to present the city to the world.
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Where are you from? Decatur, IL How long have you been singing? Since I was very young. What do you feel you have to offer to the game? I try to empower women with strength, sexiness and everyday struggles. I have a raw edgy new era of hip-hop/R&B that comes hard. How do you feel being the only female in the camp? It feels great being first. I’m learning a lot and growing, plus making my presentation stronger. Do you feel as a female it’s harder on you to crack the door? I feel like females need to come together, and if we do we can take the world by storm. Females are power. What can we expect to hear from you soon? I have a couple of joints I’m working on now; one is called “Money Bag”. There are also a whole lot of sexy and trendy songs as well. Is your style more sexy or hard-core? Its definitely not hard-core, I’m a women before anything, so most definitely sexy. Do you feel like your sound compares to any other artist? You have to respect those that are out doing it now. I would say yea, its like Keri Hilson and Trey Songz, hot and sassy. For all the guys and ladies who want to know. Are you single or looking? LOL, No, I ‘m content. I think I found someone…..???? Anything you want the world to know about you? Just know I got a lot to say and I’m about to express it. Don’t take offense to it just listen.
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Jim E. Mac. Where did you get that name and how old were you when you started rapping? My mother (R.I.P) gave me that name. She used to sing the song “Jimmy Mack” (by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas) to me when I was a child. As far as my start, I recorded my first song when I was around 12 over an “Earth, Wind, and Fire” instrumental in Union Station (Downtown Indy). Did it in one take too, lol. Describe your writing process. I can’t really say I have a “process” because I just pick up a pen and go. I don’t need a beat, but if I do have one and its hard, I will have a verse within 10 mins. If you aren’t writing your verses to beats, how do you make them fit to certain tracks? I’ve been doing this for a long time and writing music has always been a passion of mine. Its in my DNA. When I was a child, I didn’t have beats to write to so I played the beats in my head. I learned to manipulate a verse to a beat, therefore I could make it go to 5 different songs and make it sound right. Lack of proper utensils made me a better artist. Fast forward to what most people know you from, your biggest hit, “Raw”. How did you manage to get that on the radio being that people say its so hard getting support from Indianapolis radio? It IS hard getting on radio in Indianapolis. Nobody is lying when they say that. However, with me I think it was a combination of talent, timing, and connections. We didn’t pay any money. I know other people pay, but we didn’t. It was God’s doing. How did the fans take to it? The fans went crazy. It was the city’s song. I don’t think the city has had a song since that they want to represent them. That’s the city’s theme song. It has been 5 years since “Raw”. Where have you been? I’ve been doing several things. I had to go on a search for my inner self and see what type of message I wanted to put out. What do you mean by finding your “inner” self? I got tired of the way I was living and wanted to find a way to become a better example for my children. So, I went on a search for truth and knowledge about religion. I found “Islam” and it made me a better, wiser, and sharper person. I’m making the best out of it. There were rumors that you had retired. What made you come back? I did retire. However, watching what the business had become, I felt a void needed to be filled. Elaborate please. Also, How do you feel about the music of today? I like some of it and some of it is irritating. I think a lot of the young boys rapping today are feminine. I don’t want to offend anybody but if you get offended, I’m unapologetic about it. Now, I don’t think there is a problem with dancing, but when you move your body like a woman and wearing tighter pants than my woman, its a problem. Also, there is no authenticity, no honesty. Everybody acts like life is a game, like it isn’t real. Party, Party, Party, Let’s all get wasted. What happened with “The Merger” (a joint project with Indiana’s Ric Jilla and G-Stack) project? The Merger project was an idea I came up with. I was thinking about how I could take the best Indiana had to offer and bring it together. I called Lil Nut, G-Stack, Ric Jilla. I can’t say it doesn’t get any better than us, but I feel like we paid our dues in this game. Our verses were worthy of being heard together and I wouldn’t trade that in for the world. Lil Nut Had a lot of obligations. He did what he could and that was appreciated. What can we expect from your new project “Rat Poison” and what is the theme behind it? I named it “Rat Poison” because of what I’ve seen in the community. It has gotten weak. The morals and standards we grew up on have been compromised. People are not willing to take responsibility for themselves and are jeopardizing others. Nobody seems to be doing anything so expect for me to teach these youngsters what their daddy’s should have. This is my dark side that has some right attached to it. “Internet” vs. “Street Grind”. Which do you prefer? I think the street grind is needed and is a lost art. I love it. Thats my favorite part of releasing a cd. Its one thing to write someone, but its a whole different thing to talk to me and my face and look me in my eye, shake my hand and make physical contact with me. If I can contact you in both ways, we have a better relationship.
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Tell us about “Gerch Entertainment”. Its been around for years. The word “Gerch” came about when associates of mine and I were living a life less than legitimate. Its a term used for us to out maneuver outsiders. A replacement word. As far as entertainment, we started off in filming and increased our roster with Mac Man Pac Man (son), Gerch Boyz, Taylor Boy, and Chazz. What does the future hold for Jim E. Mac and Gerch Entertainment? New projects from each of our artists. As far as me, you’ll see my maturity and growth as an artist with my project following “Rat Poison”. I’m transitioning from a “rapper” to a “musician”. Its going to be different and people are going to love it. Its my favorite project thus far. Any last words? God bless everybody reading this. Believe in yourself and you can do anything you set your mind to. www.facebook.com/jim.e.mac317 www.myspace.com/jimemac317 www.twitter.com/jim_e_mac
MACMAN PACMAN
GERCH BOYZ
Where did your name come from? My dad (Jim E. Mac). People used to call me “Lil Mac”. Also I was a fan of Pacman Jones growing up. He was eating boys up so I put the two together. What made you pursue rap and how old were you when you wrote your first rap? Watching my dad’s progress. I was maybe about five or six when I wrote a whole song. Do you feel pressure being on the label your father owns? Not at all. I like to challenge myself against him. He’s a good rapper, and watching him helps me. Who is better, you or him? Not to toot my own horn, but when it comes to metaphors and punchlines, I crush him. As far as the street stuff, he’s got that. Its a close one tho. Does he monitor your raps? No, he lets me express myself with no limitations. He’s the type of parent anybody would love to have. You are a solo artist and a part of the “Gerch Boys”. Is working on your solo project more fun than working in a group? I wouldn’t say that because I want everybody to shine. I do go harder on my own personal projects. I toned it down to do the group thing, but I let loose on mine. I have more freedom on my own project tho. Where do you see your career going in the next five years? On top of the billboard charts, and the whole label doing major things. Do you have any other interests other than music? Yes, I plan on going to college and getting a business degree, then see what else life has to offer. Any last words? Look out for my 2 mix-tapes, one with remakes and the other all original. Also, Gerch Boys project on deck. I’m only 14 and killing the game for someone my age or older. I’m only getting better and I’m going to give the game the business before I’m done.
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What is a Gerch Boy? Macman Pacman – It’s someone with swag, but we call it “juice”. It’s somebody that carries themselves with high confidence. How many members are in the group? Pee Wee – Its Mac Man, Banx, Kodak, Main Man, Malik, and myself. What are the ages of the members of the group? Malik: 9 - 17 How was the group formed? Banx – At Shortridge Jr. High in the school auditorium. It started as a battle rap competition between Macman and me. I asked him about an artist named Jim E. Mac and he said it’s my dad, and I said he knows my cousin. Then we linked up afterwards and started recruiting the other members. What makes the group different from other groups out here? Main M.A.I.N.E – We are well rounded, talking about everything from school, to partying, to women. Since the members of the group are so young do you all feel you are role models for the younger kids? Banx – To a point, sometimes we are and sometimes we aren’t. Macman – We are still young ourselves, so we have our own role models we are following. Do you do all of your own writing? Macman – We are open to suggestions and we listen to what people have to say, but we do it our way. What influences your music? Banx – Its like battling, but to build up not destroy. What would you tell someone about the Gerch Boyz they don’t already know? Banx - We from the same area and we all grew up together, so we are like real family. Do you have any last words? Kodak – We will be hitting the scene real soon, harder than a freight train.
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GENETERRTCAIHNMENT = JIGEMREC.HMBAOCYZ MTAAYCLMOARNBPOAYCMAN CHAZZ
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