Author: GO BANG MAG

Business: President Obama meets with South Side Chicago business owner Eric Williams

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Video courtesy of Obama Foundation/YouTube:


President Obama met with South Side Chicago business owner Eric Williams, founder of The Silver Room and the upcoming Bronzeville Winery.

In conversation, Eric talked about his passion for creating opportunities in his own community and President Obama discussed ways to leverage the expected boost in tourism from the future Obama Presidential Center to help small business owners like Eric.

To learn more about the Obama Presidential Center, visit http://obama.org/the-center

Musicbed SyncID:
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Eric Williams comments courtesy of The Silver Room: 

“It was an honor (and surprise) when I was contacted by The Obama Foundation a few weeks ago and told the President wanted to speak with me. He acknowledged the positive impact the Silver Room has had on the Hyde Park community and greater South Side as a whole and wanted send a personal thank you. We also talked in length about small businesses and how the Obama Presidential Center can play a role in supporting entrepreneurs on the South Side.”

“I’d like to thank President Obama and The Obama Foundation for their commitment in seeking allies and partners to insure the Obama Presidential Center will have a positive impact in our community.” – Eric Williams

Film: “THE WALK OF RUFUS” WORLD PREMIERE 7/21/21 / Billy Ray Valentine

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“The Walk of Rufus” , premiering on WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021 through Maverick Movies, and Singles Film & Music Entertainment, is a film based on two brothers from South Carolina growing up in Chicago. It’s about the Jones family, Rufus Jeremiah Jones and Theodis Pierre Jones, trying to make their family name legit and do away with the footprints that their father left in the streets of Chicago. Set on the south side and west side of the city, the high-octane film takes you on the roller coaster ride through the streets of Chicago.

The film stars Billy Ray Valentine, Cedric “Mr Whoa Boi” Collins, Shanta’ Renee Smith, Keith “K-eezy” Paige of The Mercenaries and Corey “Cold Hard” Johnson of Crucial Conflict fame. Written, produced and directed by Billy Ray Valentine, who also directed “Lil Ceasar” and “Magic”, and also released through Maverick Entertainment group.

Billy Ray Valentine is producing, writing and directing the upcoming film “United Nations”, a story about all the gangs in Chicago coming together as one to create accomplishment, scheduled for release in mid to late 2022.

Bio:
Mark Anthony Mathews aka Billy Ray Valentine, was born in 1967 and Cook County Hospital in Chicago Illinois. He grew up on the south side of the city in the Robert Taylor homes and in the late 70s moved to the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

In 1986, he lived in the Roseland community and that’s where he got his start in the entertainment business writing and producing music as an artist as well.

In 1990, Mark went to Hollywood and appeared on the television show “A Different World” alongside of Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy.

In 2009, Mark started Singles Film & Music Entertainment. Fast forward to 2019, Mark started producing full-length feature films, which includes “Magic” and “Lil Ceasar.”  From there he started creating more content, including “Roseland”, “The Walk of Rufus”, “A Masquerade Trapp” and now the upcoming, highly controversial “United Nations.”

As of today, Mark Anthony Matthews aka Billy Ray Valentine, is still creating content and entertainment for the streaming audience around the world, with streams in excess of millions in households across the world!

Click HERE for the WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021 Red Carpet premiere of “THE WALK OF RUFUS” & “ROSELAND.”
Facebook link:

EVENT INFO:
Event by Billy Ray Valentine, Eric Mayes and Cedric Collins
Group · 104.7 FM GHETTO RADIO
Location: Wild Blossom Meadery, Winery and Brewery
9030 S. Hermitage Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60620
Price: $20.00

Come join Singles Film & Music Entertainment, as we premiere the new films produced written and directed by Billy Ray Valentine, “The Walk of Rufus” & “Roseland.”



Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram.

LORI LIGHTFOOT’S 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY AS MAYOR OF CHICAGO

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Photo courtesy of ChicagoTribune.com

 

Dear Pierre,

Two years ago, you elected me to bring real reform and a progressive path forward in a city that had for too long been rife with corruption and systems that weren’t inclusive, equitable or fair.

Little did we know that you’d also be electing me to guide Chicago through the biggest crisis in its history–a global pandemic that has killed more than 5,000 Chicagoans and ground our entire city and society to a halt.

At my inauguration, I talked about the need for good government, transparency and accountability. “PPE” and “mRNA vaccines” weren’t in my vocabulary yet. I never dreamed we’d be worrying about making sure we had enough ventilators in local hospitals. I never dreamed we’d be thinking about classroom ventilation, or distributing face coverings to thousands of City workers, let alone turning our sports arenas into mass vaccination hubs. I never dreamed we’d be thinking about how to use our reverse 911 system to find homebound seniors who might need a healthcare worker to show up at their door with a vaccine, or how to turn CTA buses into mobile vaccination sites for our Black and Brown communities.

Together, we mobilized every resource we had in the fight against this virus, with an eye toward racial equity. We mobilized the Racial Equity Rapid Response Team, working with community organizations, houses of faith and local leaders on the ground in the most impacted communities to help stop the spread of the virus. We worked with local hotels and unions to provide quarantine and isolation rooms for first responders, and for Chicagoans experiencing homelessness. We worked with local organizations to distribute thousands of meals to folks who were going hungry.

Two years in, I’m humbled by all that we’ve gotten done. We’ve increased the minimum wage–it’ll be $15 an hour this coming July. We’ve passed the most expansive Fair Workweek law in the country, ending years of abusive treatment of hourly workers in Chicago. We passed sweeping ethics reforms to limit aldermanic prerogative and rein in corruption in City government. And we’ve taken on police reform, forcing major contract concessions on accountability from the unions representing our sergeants and lieutenants, overhauling the way CPD conducts search warrants, and making huge changes to the rules that officers must follow when using force. This work isn’t even close to done–but I know we won’t back down until it is.

Even in the face of this deadly pandemic and unprecedented civil unrest, we’ve stayed focused. We haven’t been afraid to take on the tough fights–but there is still much more to do. I’ll be announcing my priorities for the second half of this term in the coming days, and to get the rest of our agenda done, I’m going to need you standing with me every step of the way.

Now, we are safely beginning to reopen our city and get people back to work. Arts and culture are coming back to every neighborhood. All because people like you stayed home, wore masks, got vaccinated, and helped yourselves, neighbors and our city to show kindness and empathy. It is that spirit and our resiliency which will carry us forward as we enter the next chapter of our shared destiny together.

What we’ve just come through hasn’t been easy for any of us. But I am profoundly grateful to you for continuing to put your faith in me through this incredibly trying time. And I am so proud of what we achieved together, persevering and staying focused on our north stars of equity and justice, even under the worst circumstances imaginable.

Thank you for all that you do.

Sincerely,

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot

OneMicNite Podcast w/ Marcos Luis:Journalist PierreAEvans PT 2 History: Chicago HouseMusic

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Jump on in and get your soul fed full of information in Music/Entertainment and most importantly Life! As a staple in the scene of Chicago, Journalism, and The Culture the dynamic personality of the author of the new book “Inside The Mind Of Entertainers” (available on www.Amazon.com asks the questions you want to hear. Pierre is a complicated man…a renaissance man. He is a singer-songwriter, musician, poet, author, DJ, entrepreneur, model, journalist, and a House head. A man with high ambitions and a wonderful sense of humor, highly spiritual, intelligent, protective, multi-talented, God-gifted, provocative…and yet humble.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEW (PART 2)

Catch the incredible conversation Part 1 with Marcos Luis. You won’t be able to wait for Part 2 Episode coming soon!!

Guest Follow Him: IG : @Pierre_andre_evans Twitter: @PierreAEvans

Fb: Pierre.Andre.Evans www.GoBangMagazine.com

Show Follow: @OneMicNite All Social Media www.OneMicNite.com

Host Follow: @MarcosLuis on All Social Media www.MarcosLuis,com

Abstract Art Courtesy of IG: @AzulesEn Artwork for sale and commission


Thank you

OneMicNite Podcast w/Marcos Luis: How Artist/Journalist/Author Pierre Andre Evans Plans His Work & Works His Plan PART 1

Posted on by GO BANG MAG

Jump on in and get your soul fed full of information in Music/Entertainment and most importantly Life! As a staple in the scene of Chicago, Journalism, and The Culture the dynamic personality of the author of the new book “Inside The Mind Of Entertainers” (available on www.Amazon.com asks the questions you want to hear. Pierre is a complicated man…a renaissance man. He is a singer-songwriter, musician, poet, author, DJ, entrepreneur, model, journalist, and a House head. A man with high ambitions and a wonderful sense of humor, highly spiritual, intelligent, protective, multi-talented, God-gifted, provocative…and yet humble.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEW (PART 1)  

Catch the incredible conversation Part 1 with Marcos Luis. You won’t be able to wait for Part 2 Episode coming soon!!

Guest Follow Him: IG : @Pierre_andre_evans Twitter: @PierreAEvans

Fb: Pierre.Andre.Evans www.GoBangMagazine.com

Show Follow: @OneMicNite All Social Media www.OneMicNite.com

Host Follow: @MarcosLuis on All Social Media www.MarcosLuis,com

Abstract Art Courtesy of IG: @AzulesEn Artwork for sale and commission


Thank you

Business: TANISHA CONLEY / IAMFACEBYGRACE &HONEYGIRL BROWS

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Photo credit:  Chloe’ Wallace

 

Tanisha “FaceByGrace” Conley, is a multifaceted entrepreneur, licensed esthetician based out of the Chicago suburb of North Chicago. Affectionately known as “Grace,” she was engulfed by the beauty industry at a very young age. It was just as difficult then as it is now to try and not focus on every detail of the face, from brow shapes and finishes, to the texture of skin and makeup during simple encounters with people. She began doing makeup for family and friends while in high school.

In 2012, Tanisha added “Entertainment Management” to her entrepreneurial resume, which became a great networking tool as a makeup artist. She’s worked with Reggie Wells, who was Oprah’s makeup artist for over 20 years, Demi Lobo and Red Carpet for the Soul Train Music Awards. Tanisha has also taken classes with renowned celebrity makeup artist Reny Vasquez (Vanessa Williams, Brandy) and Sir John, whose biggest clients include Beyoncé (Coachella) and Mary J. Blige.

In 2015, she received her estheticians license and it’s been a purposeful journey ever since. “IAmFaceByGrace” Makeup Skin and Body was official! In 2018, she decided she wanted to be a part of a team and learn more about the beauty industry so I joined Ulta Beauty as an “Arch Expert” at their Benefit Brow Bar.

Shortly after, “HoneyGirl Brows” was founded by her daughter Vavi and herself. New scheduling allowed Tanisha to offer brow service to her local community, one day a week. She’s now expanded those services, and offer laser free hair removal, body waxing, facials, and chemical peels for women and men. She also offers two special services, vajacials (pubic facial) and honey buns (butt facials).

In 2020, Tanisha stepped outside of her comfort zone and launched her own skin care line of products. Although she loves make-up and freelancing as a make-up artist for many years, her passion for skincare is eminent. She’s intrigued by the components and ingredients in products and what it takes to maintain and achieve healthy skin.

Tanisha is so fascinated with anti-aging. “I feel like the bridge to beauty…enhancing what God graced women and men with. I am so happy to be able to share my products with the world.”


GO BANG! Magazine: What originally attracted you to the entertainment industry?

Tanisha “Face By Grace”: I’ve always had some type of attraction to the entertainment industry. It wasn’t until my oldest son (1 of 3 creatives) was graduating college, that I jumped into managing with both feet and it has been a journey ever since.

GO BANG! Magazine: What does an Entertainment Manager do and why did you decide to become one?

Tanisha “Face By Grace”: As an Artist Manager, the focus is the success of the client. Managers play a key role in helping shape the career of an artist, from marketing, booking gigs, to planning album releases and touring.

I birthed three creatives, so in my head they were going to be my main focus. I was going to manage my kids. I genuinely have a soft spot for the youth and wanting to help them anyway that I can. Word spread about what I began doing as a manager. I started out with a nice size roster of young new talent. I loved it, but it became a bit overwhelming, having so many starting out while learning more about the industry. I wouldn’t change anything because I met a lot of great people and learned a lot.

GO BANG! Magazine: One of your clients musical career in particular, Justin Ruff, has been on the steady rise. What is it about the Justin Ruff brand that keeps you supporting and managing him?

Tanisha “Face By Grace”: Justin Ruff is such a unique and super-talented individual. I’ve seen Justin’s growth as an artist and I am very proud of him. He is definitely in his own lane. His work ethic is undeniable as a singer/songwriter. Justin spin on R&B infused with his love for Jazz and Hip Hop. I have not heard anyone like him. Over time, Justin and I built a great working relationship. I will always support him. I’m so excited about Justin’s new music. Be on the lookout for it. You can find him on social media @JustinRuffMusic.

GO BANG! Magazine: What drew you to the beauty and skin care industry?

Tanisha “Face By Grace”: The Beauty Industry had me hooked at a young age. I have always been fascinated with makeup. I started doing makeup for people when I was still in high school. I was just passionate about how a great makeup application can enhance one’s features and make them feel good as well.

When I got older, my skin began to turn on me. I had acne flaring up like a teenager. In my frustration, I went to esthetics school to figure out how to cure my own skin issues, which fueled the fire for this new found love, “skin care.” Today my skin is beautiful. I work hard to maintain a youthful look. I want to encourage your readers to know that with commitment to a great skin care routine, you will see results.

GO BANG! Magazine: Please explain to our readers what an esthetician is and when you knew that you wanted to professionally pursue it as a career.

Tanisha “Face By Grace”: An esthetician evaluates the condition of the skin, determine which treatment will be best for that skin condition, and skin goals of the client. The question always asked, “What does your best skin look like to you?” That gives an esthetician an idea of where to start.

Once I graduated from esthetics, I felt deep down inside I wanted to pursue esthetics professionally. I love the connection I have with my clients and how I make them feel after a service.

GO BANG! Magazine: As a Makeup artist, I’m sure you have witnessed people’s lives transformed after your artistry on their face. Please describe one example that stands out the most.

Tanisha “Face By Grace”: Makeup can definitely transform anyone. I have had clients who had lost their eyebrows due to chemotherapy. As I educate and guide through on how to recreate the best look for them, these clients share their journey with me and how they won’t let and didn’t let cancer win. The happiness and the smile on their face is so heartwarming, after I finish and hand them a mirror. I’ve cried tears many times. Nothing compares to that.

GO BANG! Magazine: Congratulations! “IAmFaceByGrace” has been in business for six years. Please describe how difficult or challenging it has been to successfully run beauty and skin care businesses.

Tanisha “Face By Grace”: Thank you so much! There have been some challenges. Having to decide what my main focus would be was challenging. For the longest I struggled with what services I would offer and what products to offer, when my ultimate goal was to create my own formulations. Also, having the right location, making sure I have the proper liability insurance, and follow esthetic guidelines as far as client care. If I could turn back the clock a little bit, I would do some things differently, like not second guess myself. Just Do It!

GO BANG! Magazine: With “HoneyGirl Brows”, you joined forces with your daughter as a co-founder. Please explain why it was important for you to work with your daughter in business.

Tanisha “Face By Grace”: My daughter Vavi is one of my biggest supporters, and I am hers as well. We attended esthetics school together. She is passionate about the beauty industry. While I perform my craft mostly with wax, Vavi uses thread to shape brows.

We both, as entrepreneurs, felt it was time for the mother/daughter duo to link up. Brows are that one thing we really connected on, although she has so many other talents and is successful as an artist (canvas/mural), as well as a tattoo artist. It was important for me to work with Vavi because it gave me an opportunity to observe my kid and interact with her in a different space. It also allows me to stay connected to a different demographic that I may not have had the opportunity to reach. Vavi actually came up with the name which is very sentimental to me because my grandmother called me HONEYGIRL.

GO BANG! Magazine: What is some advice that you could give to our readers to help them in achieving healthy skin?

Tanisha “Face By Grace”: First I will say healthy skin starts on the inside. Drink water too! Second, cleanse your skin every morning and every night. Add a toner and serum to your routine. Use moisturizer and SPF during the day and moisturize before going to bed. I recommend you exfoliate, use masks, and peels weekly. I definitely suggest you get a facial done by a professional, at least twice monthly, if not more. As I stated before, staying committed to a good skincare routine will result in great looking beautiful skin.

YOU CAN FOLLOW TANISHA “FACE BY GRACE” CONLEY:
http://www.IAmFaceByGrace.com
https://www.facebook.com/facebygrace
IG: @1facebygrace
https://www.facebook.com/IAmFaceByGrace
IG: @IAmFaceByGrace




Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Poetry/Literature/Radio: AUTHOR QUENTIN WRIGHT “ECLECTIC DREAMS”

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Que Wright, born in Chicago, IL, found his love for poetry attending Gwendolyn Brooks Junior High and it continued in high school, while on the verge of failing Junior year English at Thornton Township High School. The poetry unit saved his semester and grades when his teacher, Ms. Milsap, allowed him to perform his poetry for extra credit.

Enrolling in honors Speech, the following semester gave him the confidence to keep writing and keep performing. Que would go on to attend an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), Bowie State University in Maryland, obtaining his Bachelors of Science degree in Communications Broadcast Journalism. He also holds a Masters in Secondary Education from GCU.

Que currently teaches Creative Writing at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School and is an award winning DJ/Radio Personality on Dash Radio, based out of Los Angeles on the “Big Heff Radio Show.” It’s nationally syndicated in over 23 markets.
Recently, Que Wright published his first book “Eclectic Dreams” on March 25, 2021 under the Absolute Author Publishing House. It is currently available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.


GO BANG! Magazine: Congratulations! You published your first book of poetry “Eclectic Dreams.” Please tell our readers all about your book and what inspired you to write it.

Que Wright: My book “Eclectic Dreams” was inspired by everyday life. I consider it a poetic memoir.

GO BANG! Magazine: When did you realize that you had a gift for writing poetry?

Que Wright: I realized my gift for writing poetry years ago when I was still in high school. I started performing my poetry in my high school English class for extra credit.

GO BANG! Magazine: What is it about poetry that ignites a fire in you?

Que Wright: It allows me to write exactly how I feel and describe my inner thoughts in so many ways.

GO BANG! Magazine: How would you describe your poetry to someone that may not be familiar with you?

Que Wright: My poetry is abstract realism.

GO BANG! Magazine: Who are some of the poets, past and present, that inspire and/or motivate you?

Que Wright: Some of the poets that inspire past and present would have to be R.H. Sin, Rupi Kaur, Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, Tupac, Jhene Aiko and more.

GO BANG! Magazine: Some people categorize poetry and spoken word as the same. Others say that there is a definite difference. How would you describe the two and are you a spoken word artist?

Que Wright: I think the act of performing poetry is spoken word. I would not consider myself a spoken word artist, just an artist. I think poetry is my safe space to design culture, however I see fit.

GO BANG! Magazine: In addition to being a published author, you’re also an award winning DJ/Radio Personality. Please tell our readers about your DJ career.

Que Wright: I have been a DJ for over 10 years. I have been on one of the best syndicated Hip Hop shows on Dash Radio, based in Los Angeles the “Midwest Monsters Radio Show” and I have been a DJ on the Big Heff Radio show. I also made my national Radio debut in 2018 on The “Sway In The Morning Show” on Sirius XM as a guest mixer.

GO BANG! Magazine: Please describe your role as a Radio Personality on Dash Radio.

Que Wright: I interview artist and help “indy” artist have a voice on my new wave artist segment.

GO BANG! Magazine: Obviously education is important to you. You attended an HBCU where you earned your Bachelors of Science degree and then went on to GCU and earned a Master’s degree. How do you describe your passion for education and why was it important for you to attend an HBCU?

Que Wright: Attending an HBCU was one of the most important decisions I made in my life. Bowie State University in Maryland is one of the best colleges and places. I was able to attend and obtain my bachelors. I would recommend an HBCU to any young Black person on their educational journey to attend.

GO BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?

Que Wright: I’m just trying to stay healthy and keep my family safe by following mask mandates and just staying home and not putting people at risk.

You can purchase Quentin Wright’s book of poetry “Eclectic Dreams” on Amazon


Follow Que Wright on social media at: @QWrights and @DJQueEleven

 



Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Music: DJ LATANYA “LADiiBUG” BRYANT-CALAHAN

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LaTanya Bryant-Calahan, who is better known to the House community as LADiiBUG, is a Chicago native who has been making a name for herself as a DJ on the Chicago House music scene.  LADiiBUG inherited a strong love for music from her parents and her involvement in award-winning choirs and multiple music groups.

Under the watchful eye of her husband and many other talented DJ’s, LADiiBUG began her quest and has become a unique DJ with an eclectic style of her very own. Since 2015, LADiiBUG has been spinning at a variety of venues throughout Chicago, which also helped her become a resident DJ on DaBooth 312, that aired on WIIT 88.9. 

Now, her goal is to continue gaining a better understanding of the history and culture of House music by infusing her sets with the “Sounds of Mother Earth” and taking her followers and fans on a musical journey that will leave them wanting more!

 

GO BANG! Magazine:  When and how did you get started as a DJ?

DJ LADiiBUG:  In the 90s, I always wanted to be a Hip Hop DJ, but I never pursued it. So in 2013, I was attending Olive-Harvey College and I was taking a Music Appreciation class. The class was assigned to do a project with partners of different music genres. I was assigned House music. I discovered so much about the culture and was enlightened on more than I thought of the genre and I discovered the artist Black Coffee.  So in 2014, I met my husband and he just happened to be a House music DJ. I gained the interest to learn on his equipment in 2015 and now here I am. 

GO BANG! Magazine:  You describe your style as eclectic and the “Sounds of Mother Earth.”  What exactly do you mean by this?

DJ LADiiBUG:  My style is for everything, I love music period! When I became a House DJ, I learned to bring what I love to this genre and play all of its styles. It’s what separate me from other DJs and allows me to show my ear or sound for music. It allows me to stretch and push myself to stand out. This is who LADiiBUG is.

The term “Sounds of Mother Earth” is the sound of African drums and beats of this culture. I love bass, drums, instruments and harmonious sound. The blending of two songs is like a group or choir.  Every sound has to be in place for it to deliver and this why I fell in love with African House and Soulful House.  That’s how I started coming into my own. 

GO BANG! Magazine:  What DJs inspire or motivate you?

DJ LADiiBUG:  My very first DJs were my parents. (laughing) I listened to Jazz, Gospel, Funk, Disco, Soul, R&B in my house growing up. I learned to play records like they did.  

My husband motivated me to be the DJ I am by taking me to parties early in our relationship and discovering other DJs/Producers that I admire a lot.  To name a few from Chicago and abroad would include Mike Dunn, Tony T, Terry Hunter, Glenn Underground, Anthony Nicholson, Joey Negro, Louie Vega, Kenny Dope, Vick Lavender and a few of my fellow female DJs. 

GO BANG! Magazine:  In the past, female DJs were more of a novelty, and not taken as serious as their male counterparts.  Do you think that image has changed and why or why not?

 DJ LADiiBUG:  Great question!  Well seeing as how I didn’t come into the House culture until 2015, I’ve heard so much about how women DJs were not considered equal to men.  Back in the past I watched and followed the legends like Celeste Alexander, First Lady Khris Hutchinson, Lori Branch, (Pyscho Bitch) Valerie Schein.  Now, Dee Jay Alicia, (CZ Boogie) Czarina Mirani and Nicky D’Vine, just to name a few.  I asked questions and listened to some of their stories personally or from a far.  I believe women have changed the image and have made a huge pathway for newer DJs like myself to be appreciated more. Can I say we are equal? No, but because the ladies put in the work over the years, the image has changed and we are holding our own. 

GO BANG! Magazine:  There are several DJ’s out there with mad skills. Which do you personally like, which ones would you love to DJ with and which events would you love to spin at?

DJ LADiiBUG:  This question is a difficult one because there are several DJ’s with mad skills that I like, familiar and underground ones.  But the ones I would personally love to work with, DJ with and just learn the business from are Mike Dunn and Terry Hunter.  

The events that I would like to play at is definitely the Chosen Few Picnic, The Silver Room Block party main stage and Mi Casa Su Casa. Others would include the event in Amsterdam and to have my own Boiler Room set. Lastly, wherever God wants to send me! I’m just his vessel anyway. 

GO BANG! Magazine:  Our readers want to know more about your residency. Please tell us more about your time at DaBooth 312.

DJ LADiiBUG:  The opportunity came when Derek “Smokin” Jones put up a post on Facebook and he tagged me in it. DaBooth was looking for a female DJ to audition. I wasn’t going to do it at first but God lead me. I reached out to him, came in the studio, played my set and he reached back and invited me back to the Studio. He asked me did I want to be apart and I said Yes! 

The crew of DaBooth Mix 6/DaBooth 312 consisted of myself, Bobby Q Bobby, Derek, Rob Waite, Ron Tinsley and Jesse Velasco. It was such a great opportunity, especially being able to play for a broader audience on the Southside and Northside.  

GO BANG! Magazine:  Besides being a DJ, you are also involved in the arts, being involved in award-winning choirs and music groups.  Please tell our readers about your other musical talents and experiences.

DJ LADiiBUG:  I used to sing with Walt Whitman and The Soul Children of Chicago for 5 years and later sang with other various choirs and groups.   

GO BANG! Magazine:  By being gifted in music as a performer and a DJ, have you ever considered putting those skills to use as a music producer and produce tracks or songs?

DJ LADiiBUG:  Yes! It’s funny because I thought I had to go to school to become a DJ, so I enrolled into Columbia College and took up Sound Engineering. What I didn’t know is this major was teaching me how to produce music. I always have sounds and ideas to make tracks.

My desire is to have creative control of my brand, LADIIBUGMUZIK LLC.  I want to connect with various musical geniuses from this city and the culture, to make great House music and continue to keep it alive. 

GO BANG! Magazine:  What is it about the House community that attracts you to it, as a DJ?

DJ LADiiBUG:  What attracts me most about the community is dance, the love and the sound of House music. It speaks to your soul and demonstrates such versatility for all people. It unifies us!  There are many DJs and many different genres, and those who play the sounds that they like, they stay in their lane.  

GO BANG! Magazine:  In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard.  How are you dealing with it?

DJ LADiiBUG:  By staying home with my sons, staying masked up, playing music on social media and keeping away from close knit parties until it finally over. God has been Faithful to me and my family during this pandemic. 

 

YOU CAN FOLLOW LADiiBUG:

Facebook: @Ladiibug Bryant

Twitch tv: @ladiibugtheeclecticdj

Instagram: @ladiibugmuzic

Mixcloud: http://www.mixcloud.com/latanyasbryant

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/ladiibug1974

For booking information:  ladiibugtheeclecticdj@gmail.com

 

 

Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com,  NDigo.com,  ChicagoDefender.com,  EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions.  Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Music/Radio/Business: DJ MICHELLE “MeMe” HUGHES

Posted on by GO BANG MAG

“From Miss Gucci to Mizz MeMe to the infamous FoxXxy!”

THE LOVE FOR THE MUSIC STARTED AT 13 IN 8TH GRADE. LISTENING TO ANYTHING SHE COULD GET HER HANDS ON AND THEN GOING TO THE PARTIES @ 14, SNEAKING IN THE POWER PLANT (HOT CLUB IN CHICAGO EARLY 80’S) TO EXPERIENCE (NOT HEAR) FRANKIE KNUCKLES PLAY SHE WAS TOTALLY HOOKED.

IN 1986 SHE WAS TAUGHT AND BROUGHT UNDER THE WINGS OF JOHN HUNT & STEVE POINDEXTER WHICH TOGETHER WERE “GUCCI PROMOTIONS”. “MS GUCCI” BECAME THE HOSTESS FOR ONE OF THE TOP YOUNG ADULT PROMOTIONS IN THE CITY BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 1986-1991. BEST KNOWN FOR PARTIES @ HIGH SCHOOLS SUCH AS HALES & LEO AND ON TO THE CONGRESS HOTEL, POWERHOUSE, AND OF COURSE THE RACKETBALL CLUB, GUCCI PROMOTIONS WERE KNOWN FOR HAVING THE HOTTEST YOUNG DJ LINE UP AND KEEPING THE HOUSE PACKED.

DJ’S THAT STARTED WITH GUCCI PROMOTIONS WERE ANDRE HATCHETT, PHARRIS THOMAS, GENE HUNT AND TERRY HUNTER, TALENTED YOUNG MEN THAT GREW TO BE NOT JUST DJ’S, BUT PRODUCERS & RECORDING ARTIST AS WELL. GUCCI PROMOTIONS LIVED ON THROUGH HER, MIZZ MEME MANAGEMENT & PROMOTIONS. HOSTING PARTIES AS WELL AS PROMOTIONS AND BOOKING FROM 2007 TO PRESENT, SHE IS ALWAYS INTERESTED IN DOING DIFFERENT THINGS AND HAVING SUCCESSFUL EVENTS.

IN 2009, SHE WAS FAVORED TO DO AN INTERNET RADIO SHOW WITH CHICAGO HOUSE RADIO/LLOYD DEV “THE DEEP DIS” RETRO HOUSE SHOW WHERE SHE CO-HOSTED WITH TWO WONDERFUL PEOPLE (MIKE HOTT/NOSHALUV) WHERE THEY TALKED ABOUT DJ’S, PARTIES, MUSIC AND CURRENT EVENTS.

IN JANUARY 2010, JUS MUZIK (THE SHOW) WAS BORN ON A PUBLIC SITE (STICKAM.COM). A SPIN-OFF FROM BEING ON “THE DEEP DIS”/CHICAGO HOUSE RADIO IT CONTINUED WITH STILL THE SAME SUBJECTS; INTRODUCING TALENT, MUSIC EDUCATION, PROMOTIONS, ETC.

BEING A TALK SHOW HOST AND HAVING SOME OF CHICAGO FINEST DJ’S AS GUEST GREW AND JUS MUZIK THE SHOW BECAME THE #1 INTERNET RADIO SHOW IN CHICAGO WITH OVER 100,000 VIEWERS IN 6 MONTHS (FROM 2010-2014).
MOTHERS DAY 2010 JUS MUZIK (THE SHOW) WITH CYBERJAMZ .COM (2ND SHOW) WAS ADDED WHERE “FoxXxy” WAS BORN. JUS MUZIK- CYBERJAMZ , SHOWCASED HER KNOWLEDGE OF MUSIC AS WELL AS EDUCATING HER IN HER ABILITY TO PLAY.

CURRENTLY FOXXXY NOW HAS GROWN HER SHOW “JUS MUZIK”, INTO “JUS MUZIK RADIO”(2015) WHERE SHE STARTED TO SHOWCASE DIFFERENT DJS EVERY WEEK DOING LIVE SHOWS (AUDIO, VIDEO.) SHE TOOK A LITTLE HIATUS UNTIL 2020 WHERE JUS MUZIK RADIO (WWW.JUSMUZIKRADIO.COM) WAS LAUNCHED WITH A WEBSITE.

SHE IS THE ONLY AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN OWNING AN INTERNET RADIO STATION! IT IS BUDDING INTO SOMETHING GREAT. JUS MUZIK RADIO WILL SHOWCASE DJ’S AND MUSIC FROM AROUND THE WORLD LIVE, GIVING ARTIST A PLATFORM TO SHOW THE WORLD THEIR MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE, AS WELL AS THEIR CREATIVITY, ARTISTRY AND EXPERIENCE.

SHE CONTINUES TO PLAY MUSIC LOCALLY IN CHICAGO, STILL DOING HER INTERNET RADIO SHOW AND STILL TEACHING AND MENTORING.

SO STAY TUNED…

GO BANG! Magazine: When did you first get that spark in you to want to learn to DJ?

Meme Hughes: I first got that spark back in 2008. I was meeting so many people at the time. I was just hosting, throwing and promoting parties and I tried it a couple of times and was discouraged. Years later, it fell on me as I was doing my show because some of my guest DJs did not want to play my intermission music, so I was forced to play my own to keep the show in its format. Once I started doing a show on CYBERJAMZ in May 2010, I pretty much started then.

GO BANG! Magazine: What was it about the House scene that made you want to be a part of it as a young teenager?

Meme Hughes: It was the music and the people. To this day, throwing events and being a part of other events, I love to see people dance and have a good time.

GO BANG! Magazine: You and I grew up in the same South Shore neighborhood in Chicago and know many of the same people. DJ Steve Poindexter and John Hunt formed Gucci Promotions and you were a part of it, as Ms. Gucci. This was your foundation and beginning in the Entertainment industry. How did this time in your life influence the woman that you are today?

Meme Hughes: It brought me joy. I learned so much from them and I took that knowledge with my own twist and made it something different and great from a woman’s point of view. Watching them, it just seemed like things flowed because even though they had people they looked up to and learned from, most things for them came naturally from using their own ideas and moving in their own way and I am like that. I have taught myself most things from doing research and reading to experiencing blessed ideas. I say blessed ideas because they come out of nowhere and I just do it.

GO BANG! Magazine: Gucci Promotions was the foundation for several people, who later became great DJs of today. Is there anything that you would like to say to Steve Poindexter and John Hunt that you can share here with our readers?

Meme Hughes: I would like to say thank you and I love you guys forever! You were a part of my youth and didn’t realize how much you taught me and raised me to be the lady that I am today.

Thank you John Hunt!
Thank you Steve Poindexter!

GO BANG! Magazine: You’ve had the opportunity to share the turntable stage with several prominent DJs over the years. Is there any DJ or DJs in particular that you want to DJ with or any events/venues that you’d love to spin at?

Meme Hughes:OMG YES! Everybody knows how much I Love Louie Vega! I would love to open up for him and it doesn’t matter where it is. To open up for him would be epically incredible! Is that even a word? LOL

I have played locally in many places from north to south of Chicago, places that I’d never imagined that I would play at. It’s been a super incredible ride!

GO BANG! Magazine: Who are some of the DJs that you admire or who inspire you, past and/or present?

Meme Hughes:I was crazy about Frankie Knuckles. He did parties for Gucci Promotions but I first heard him when I was 14 at the Power Plant. I got in twice, but the third time they got me at the door. I was not old enough to get in at that time, but I did get that club experience at an early age. I like Ron Hardy too. His energy was atomic! I was around Pharris Thomas a lot. He was amazing. Watching Terry Hunter and Gene Hunt grow… these were the young men that I used to watch when I was younger, even though I am older than them. The Fantastic Four (Celeste Alexander, Khrisse Henderson, Kenya Lenoir) SheJays back then, let young women know that they too can play music too, just as well as the fellas.

I taught myself how to play and I am still learning. The learning never stops with all the different equipment that is used these days. It’s never ending education.

GO BANG! Magazine: Your talents range further than just being a DJ. You are also an entrepreneur, owning Mizz MeMe Management & Promotions. Please share with our readers more information about your business.

Meme Hughes: Mizz MeMe Management & Promotions was formed in 2007. I was hired to promote their events. I would go “old school” going to different parties and promote with flyers and small banners as well as host them. As time went on, I got into booking different talent for parties. This only lasted a few years, because I got my hands into other things.

GO BANG! Magazine: Then there’s even more talent flowing out of you, being an internet radio host. Tell us more about “The Deep Dis”, “Jus Muzik” and “Cyberjamz.com.”

Meme Hughes:I first started being a radio host with Chicago House Radio (Lloyd Dev) which was an “up and coming” radio station at the time (2009). This started me on my journey to radio. I always knew I was different and I do love radio. I was asked to do a show “The Deep Dis” with two other co-hosts, Noshaluv and Mike Hott. Every Tuesday night at 8pm, we would discuss and debate the music scene here in Chicago, along with a guest DJ playing music after our discussions. It was great and we did that for about a year. I woke up one day and said, “I want to do my own show.” I had so many ideas and I just put them into fruition.

January 18, 2010, Jus Muzik (The Show), was born. I would invite DJs from all over the city to interview and play a set. At the time, I was using a free LIVE streaming site called Stickam.com that became very popular at that time for many. I taught myself the ins and outs of audio/video. Jus Muzik W/MizzMeMe was the #1 Internet Radio Show for three years, reaching over 100,000 viewers in its first six months of airing.

As I was growing, I didn’t realize the growth. I was just enjoying doing it, as well as the music education that I was presenting with all genres of dance music. People from all over the world were tuning in faithfully every Monday night at 8pm. I had people telling me that I was part of their Monday night football regimen, with Mizz MeMe on one screen and football on the other.

Sammy Rock owner and founder of CYBERJAMZ was one of my many viewers who loved the show, reached out to me and asked me to bring Jus Muzik to CYBERJAMZ. I was so honored because at that time Sammy Rock and CYBERJAMZ was the hottest station moving with all dance music broadcasters. Everybody wanted to do CYBERJAMZ, so for me to get a prime-time slot on his station was everything. The way my show was formatted and the way the broadcasters were on CYBERJAMZ, I was a little timid about bringing my format to his station, so I switched it up and just played a 2 hour set. At that time my mixing was not the greatest but my programming made up for it. He pretty much let me be me and I taught myself to mix just by doing his show.

It was great to be encouraged so much and the east coast gave me much love and nickname “The FoxXx That RoxXx the BoxXx.” Right after, I changed my name to FoxXxy in credit of Greg Gray who was already a programmer and one of the first to do shows when the CYBERJAMZ station was growing. FoxXxy came from me doing my shows on CYBERJAMZ. I did two shows a week for years, Monday nights, producing my own show and Tuesday nights Jus Muzik on CYBERJAMZ.

GO BANG! Magazine: More recently, you launched “Jus Muzic Radio.” This accomplishment places you in a class by yourself, being one of the only African American women to own an internet radio station. Please tell us about the station and describe to our readers how that makes you feel.

Meme Hughes:As I said before, I have always felt different from others. I wanted to take this show to other levels, knowing that years ago dance music mixes were taken off the FM dial for a long time. I wanted to bring that back, but with a new flavor and that was internet radio.

I started the station back in 2014 with 15 broadcasters on another free LIVE streaming site which took more than I could even imagine. It was put on hold for a bit and now Jus Muzik Radio has an actual seven page website which is growing, but still needs a lot of work to be where I feel it should be. I am honored and pleased to know that I am the first African American woman to build an internet radio station, bringing some of the best and up to date music there is. I am still in the growing process and looking forward to the future.

GO BANG! Magazine: You also are passionate about teaching, mentoring and giving back to the community. Please describe some of the things that you do, for the love of your people.

Meme Hughes: I love music. I feel that every time I play a set, even if sometimes it’s not received, I am teaching. The radio station is a platform for people to express their talent. Whether you want to add to your resume, give knowledge with your view (talk), express your knowledge of music (broadcaster), Jus Muzik Radio is the platform to help you live your dream and add on to your future.

My future plans are teaching and mentoring some of the youth who are interested in becoming talk/music show host, as well as having pop-ups to spread the word in the community and giving back with different functions to bring the neighborhood together in unity. I feel that it is important that people who love music and have the talent, to be able to express and show their talents to the world. I feel that I have a platform just for them.

GO BANG! Magazine: Are there any projects that you are currently working on that you can share with our readers?

Meme Hughes:I’m still growing and building the station. There will be an annual festival coming at the end of July. “Jus Muzik Radio’s 1st Annual Festival” where there will be music all day for the community. We will be also celebrating our first year anniversary in September as an actual radio website. Then there’s Breast Cancer Awareness in October, Thanksgiving Food giveaway in November and a Clothes & Toy drive for the children in December.

Stay tuned…

GO BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?

Meme Hughes:It was so scary, but I have learned to cope and just continue living and accomplishing my goals and dreams safely.

Peace & Blessings to everyone and Safely Social Distance.

Thank you so much!

GO BANG! Magazine: You’re soooo welcome!


FOLLOW MeMe Hughes AT:
MeMe Hughes/FoxXxy Email: jusmuzikradio@gmail.com
FoxXxy Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/foxytriplex                                                                                                                                Jus Muzik Radio Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jusmuzik                                                                                               Jus Muzik Radio Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/JusMuzikRadio                                                                                                    FoxXxy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jusmuzikradiofoxy                                                                                                                  Jus Muzik Radio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jusmuzikradio                                                                                                         Jus Muzik Radio Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jusmuzik_radio                                                                                                        FoxXxy MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/FoXXXy/                                                                                                                               Jus Muzik Radio MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/Jus_Muzik_Radio/                                                                                                  Jus Muzik Radio SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jusmuzikradio

 

 

Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Music/Business: DJ GREG GRAY & NU BANG COLLECTIVE

Posted on by GO BANG MAG

Photo courtesy of Emmett V. Nicholas

 

Music is one man’s expression to the world. As a DJ, we convey that message to the masses.

Greg Gray was exposed to a variety of music at a young age. Growing up in the ‘70s, Disco, R&B, Funk and Blues were the foundation from which his love of music would be built upon.

Greg started playing records at age 12 and has been playing ever since. As mixing became more popular in the ‘80s, Greg began to take DJing seriously. While in high school, the mixes he would hear at parties turned him on to the music scene. With his DJ crew, Greg began playing at high school events and house parties. “We weren’t old enough to get into the clubs, but we would get tapes from some of the older heads who were regulars there.”

When asked about his style, Greg would say his style of playing music was influenced by Frankie Knuckles (R.I.P.), Ron Hardy (R.I.P.), and Farley Keith. “Farley’s skills on the tables were unmatched when it came to DJ tricks. Ron Hardy was awesome. He could play for days on end, cut after cut after cut. I was a Box-Head (Music Box regular) until I met Frankie Knuckles. I was fortunate to spend two summers as an intern at Frankie’s club the Power Plant while I was in college. I give much love and respect to Frankie because he showed me how music could touch a person’s soul.”

As president of the Attic Music Co. (AMC), Greg was able to establish himself in the industry as a DJ, sound engineer, and business owner. Armed with a crew of DJs, Greg and his AMC crew provided complete package of DJs, sound equipment, and producers at a moment’s notice. As one of the founding members of the Nu Bang Clan/Nu Bang Collective, Greg was recognized as one the 100 Most Influential DJs in Chicago. Live musicians, percussionists, tribal rhythms, broken beats and electronica are all a part of his musical sets.

As a DJ, Greg has played in a number of venues around the country and overseas. In addition to Chicago, Greg has played clubs in New York, New Jersey, Miami, Atlanta, Phoenix, Baltimore, as well as Manchester in the UK to name a few. In addition to his travel schedule, Greg has hosted a live 3 hour mix show every Wednesday night on Cyberjamz Internet radio since 2005.

GO BANG! Magazine: When and how did you first get interested and bit by the DJ bug?

DJ Greg Gray: I would say around 1975-76. My older cousin would make tapes from the stereo and play them. I liked the response he got from that. I wanted to get that same response from people.

GO BANG! Magazine: Please describe the DJ Greg Gray sound to our readers and what separates you from other DJs?

DJ Greg Gray: My “sound” is all over the place. I grew up in Disco, lived the House years of the 80s, found new music in the 90s and never looked back. I have a diverse playlist from Classics to Tech-House. What I feel separates me from other DJ’s is my ability to cross genres fluently while I am playing. I can go from Soulful to Disco to Deep to Afro seamlessly. Good music is good music. Why can’t I play it?

GO BANG! Magazine: Who are your mentors, who inspire you and who motivates you?

DJ Greg Gray: My musical mentors were Frankie, Ronnie, Farley and Lee Pearson. I studied under Frankie for a few years during the Power Plant days. Frankie taught me how music can touch people. We have the power to impact lives through music. Ron Hardy was a master at what he did. Ronnie was unafraid to take risks and somehow he would make that shyt werk!!! Farley was the DJ everyone wanted to be back in high school. He knew all the tricks, could scratch mix and all that stuff. He was unmatched in that arena. Lee Pearson introduced me to the Classics. He has been a mentor for most of my DJ career. We still sit and talk today about where the industry is headed, how we as DJs fit in and what’s next on the horizon. He is a great friend.

What inspires me? Music inspires me. Let me catch a tune that grabs my attention, I wanna play that! I also get inspired when I hear a DJ play a blazin’ azz set. It’s not to try to out-do anyone, not at all. A hott dj set will make you want to get up and connect to that vibe and want to be a part of it!

I am motivated by the people who support and love what we do just as much as I do. We are a community of House music lovers who convene to share our experiences on the dance floor. I am just honored to be able to share what I love with like-minded people.

GO BANG! Magazine: While you were in college, you had the opportunity to spend two summers interning with the late and great DJ Frankie Knuckles at the legendary Power Plant. Please describe how that opportunity came your way, what you did as an intern, how Frankie treated you and lastly, what you learned from that experience.

DJ Greg Gray: I was home for the summer in 1984. I was in Importes Etc. buying records. I met Craig Loftis, who was the sound engineer at the Power Plant. I was bugging him about what type of equipment they were using. He invited me down to check it out. I fell in love with 1015 (Power Plant). They couldn’t keep me outta there. I was helping out running some speaker wires, Frankie asked Craig “Who was that?” Craig said I was “the summer intern.” My primary duty was to help Craig with the sound system repair/maintenance and provide support to the lighting system. On party night, my job was to monitor the door to the DJ booth.

Working with Frankie was a once in a lifetime opportunity, you just don’t realize it at the time it is happening. I have learned so much just from observing how Frankie played such as, when do you bring in the mix to get maximum WOW factor? I got to see how music can really touch people and allow them to release their energy on a dance floor. That is what we DJs are always looking for. That energy from the dance floor when we drop something that’s hott and the crowd goes crazy!!! That’s what we live for!!!

GO BANG! Magazine: You’re not only a DJ, you’re an entrepreneur, as president of Attic Music Company (AMC). Please describe AMC to our readers as well as your role in the business and the goal of the company.

DJ Greg Gray: I started the Attic Music Company (AMC) back in 1991 with my business partner, Olumide Olupitan. AMC is essentially a musical consultant company. We provided DJs, performers, sound engineers, event planners to clients in the Chicagoland area. I manage the day to day operations of AMC and our other ventures. These days, AMC is more of a parent company. As we continue to expand globally, AMC will still hold the reigns.

GO BANG! Magazine: You’re also one of the founding members of the Nu Bang Clan/Nu Bang Collective. What exactly is this organization and who are some of its members?

DJ Greg Gray: Nu Bang Clan and Nu Bang Collective are both networks of DJs, artists, dancers, planners, and performers. Originally, we were 10 DJs here in Chicago who liked to play the new soulful music at the parties. We took the name because we were a “Clan” who like to “Bang” the “Nu” music. We currently have members in the US, Canada, Jamaica, UK, South Africa and Japan. We are striving to become a global entity.

GO BANG! Magazine: Over the years, you’ve worked with quite a few well-known DJs. Are there any DJs that you would love to work with now that you haven’t?

DJ Greg Gray: Sean Ali, Terry Hunter & Eric Welton, Jihad Muhammad, Big Logan

GO BANG! Magazine: You’ve experienced the House community as a DJ, from various cities of America and abroad. Could you please describe the House scene here in Chicago and compare and contrast the scene to other locations you’ve been?

DJ Greg Gray: As for other cities I have traveled to, I would say there are a lot of similarities. A lot of cities are saturated with DJs now. There is a lot of new competition out here now and they are getting some looks too. There are DJs who appear to get all the work in each city. There are vinyl vs. digital debates in each city. We are all passionate about our craft and we are expressive by nature.

The difference I see is that when we visit a city, we are only there for a day or two. We do our thing and then we are gone. We had a good time and we left. We didn’t get bogged down in the conversation about “how dead the scene is here.” We were too busy rocking your party to notice!!

GO BANG! Magazine: Please describe how you incorporate live musicians and percussionists in your musical sets.

DJ Greg Gray: If the percussionist is someone I know or have worked with before, we pretty much have a good understanding of each other’s boundaries. I will strip back a few of the songs so they can get some solo time. I don’t need a bongo solo over every song I am playing. I will give you some space to get loose and do your thing. Let’s compliment, not battle each other.

GO BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?

DJ Greg Gray: I have been doing my best to stay safe. Trying to find a little piece of happiness to connect with and share with the world.


YOU CAN FOLLOW GREG GRAY AND NU SOUL COLLECTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND CYBERJAMZ INTERNET RADIO




Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

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