Screenwriting, Producing and up and coming Filmmaking
Owner: Maya Hooks
Chicago, IL,
Contact: joyahooks@gmail.com
Author: GO BANG MAG
Maya Hooks is a child actress, known for Apartment 101 (2017), Growing Pains (2019), Demons (2018) and A Society of Signatures (2020). A naturally bright, funny, and enthusiastic child actor, screenwriter, producer and up and coming filmmaker who has the ability to serious roles, and loves fake accents.
GO BANG! Magazine: How long have you been acting and how did you get started?
Maya Hooks: I have been acting since I was nine years old. I started taking classes at The Beverly Arts Center and the Salvation Army Kroc Center where I started participating in Community theater. Two years after participating in community theater projects, I was cast in my first professional theater project, “The Wedding Band”, and then I started taking “On Camera” classes at Second City Chicago and Chicago Actors Studio to learn how to act on camera.
GO BANG! Magazine: How did you get involved with “A Sisterhood of Signatures?”
Maya Hooks: I was referred to Director Seven Okema Gunn’s project by zctor Harold Dennis. I auditioned and ended up being cast as the lead role character, Tiyah.
GO BANG! Magazine: What about “A Sisterhood of Signatures” attracted you to want to be a part of it?
Maya Hooks: A Sisterhood of the Signatures was a tween project that centered around a group of friends who started a cursive letter writing club, and the fact that two of my friends, Jada Hamilton and Hailey Alexander, were cast made it very exciting!
GO BANG! Magazine: You are the star and main character of the film. How would you describe your character in the film?
Maya Hooks: Tiyah is a leader, very bossy, inquisitive, and very passionate about her family traditions and history. She was determined to get her friends interested in starting a letter writing club and they did just that!
GO BANG! Magazine: How important is it to you, to preserve the art of cursive writing?
Maya Hooks: Cursive writing is very important to me now. Prior to being cast in the film, I had just transferred to a catholic school, where they made us learn cursive. Prior to sixth grade, I had never written anything in cursive, because my school didn’t teach cursive, but I learned just in time for the casting of A Sisterhood of the Signatures! I didn’t realize that our ancestors, their identities, were tied to their signature and letter writing. At one point in time writing was a main source of communication, especially before a telephone or computer. Signatures are part of our identity. No one has the same signature. I found letters from my great, great, grandparents after my great grandmother died last year, and I could actually read them! This was really cool! It’s so important to preserve cursive writing! I believe it’s really part of our history and who we are!
GO BANG! Magazine: I understand that you want to do more than act in the film industry. What type of behind-the-scene work are you interested in?
Maya Hooks: Most definitely! I am a new screenwriter and producer. I have a new project I wrote and produced called Black Girls Versus Ambiguous, which will be completed by mid April/May, so stayed tuned! I can’t wait to share my film with the world! I’m also in the process of writing a new screenplay for my first feature film. I’m studying screenwriting and filmmaking at Beverly Arts Center and Chicago Academy of Arts. I’m also continuing to work on my craft as an actor at Actors Studio Chicago. I am learning how to be a director and want to write, direct, and produce projects that will make a statement and tell great stories.
GO BANG! Magazine: So currently, you’re an actor, screen writer and producer. Of those talents, which one do you love the best, and why?
Maya Hooks: I love writing sooo much! I always thought I would never love anything more than acting, but when I write I feel “Powerful!” I get a feeling that I can get in a space and just be free to create!
GO BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?
Maya Hooks: Oh my gosh! This Covid-19 situation has me homeschooling, but I’m still in production meetings for my new project, working hard on my new script, and I’m taking my acting classes virtually because my acting school is closed. I hope this will end soon, but I’m keeping busy.
You can follow Maya on IG @hooks.maya & Facebook @Maya Hooks
Facebook @Black Girls Versus Ambiguous, for updates, trailer, and screening dates.
Follow her career on Actors Access: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/Mayahooks?fbclid=IwAR39PLGc2Lb1iGD9fUpHx2RpUmdPPCZ_Dhyr1KK9eM4RLv1iBxvp-uk6j1E
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 and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans
Owner: Harold Dennis
Chicago, IL
Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1815557/?fbclid=IwAR0TMyU63_w45IU9h47frppsRoGoaBOK9hNJujUXqV9fsLXBXG8_WLsaoa8
Beginning his acting career in 1997 in Chicago, Harold started with two acting classes taught by the late Okoro Harold Johnson, beginning and advanced acting, studying the Stanislavski Method which ran on Tuesday and Wednesday nights for a whole school year. He repeated the advanced class for an additional six months. Harold, during that time, in February 1998, also formed an acting troupe with twenty-five other actors, whom met religiously on Saturday mornings from 10am to 2pm for a year, in which they actively participated in honing their acting abilities.
He was cast in his first play in June of 1998 as the lead. The play was called “I Was There When the Blues Was Red Hot”. It played at the former Gerri’s Palm Tavern and at colleges. Mr. Dennis performed in one hundred and seventy-one shows, often playing two roles in a show, often signing autographs, on Friday and Saturday nights until June of 2000. There was a 9pm show time, “It was free to get in and $10 to get out!”
His first role in a film came in October 1998, cast as the lead male. It was a Columbia College film directed by Amber Washington. In 1999 he was cast as Ernest in “Impromptu”, which ran for a short period at the former Excalibur Shakespeare Company of Chicago, The award-winning, multiracial, Professional Chamber Theatre in Residence at the Harrison Street Galleries Studio Theatre in Oak Park, Illinois.
His first indie feature film role came in 2001, he was cast as the lead. The film was called “The Seventh” or “The Seventh Stone”, filmed in Louisville, Ky. He had the opportunity to perform at Actors’ Theatre also in Louisville, KY in 2001, in “A Raisin in the Sun” as Joseph Asagai, in which he received applause.
On Wednesday January 7, 2004 he began training with Ted Sarantos, who has been teaching for over 45 years, also in Oak Park, IL, and continues to study with him weekly, to date. October 2004 Mr. Dennis was cast as the title character in the feature film “Pieces Of A Dream”. The film received praise from individuals from all over the planet and Roger Ebert said it was “an extremely interesting film”.
While filming Pyrite (2008), the Chicago, IL-based Harold Dennis earned the nickname “the hardest working man in show business”, a reputation he still lives up to.
In 2011 Harold received training in the Sanford Meisner Acting Technique, levels 1,2,3,4,and 5 which took 15 months to complete, at Green Shirt Studio also in Chicago. For over nine years he has trained and worked as a Standardized Patient for ECFMG, Loyola, Northwestern and The University of Chicago Medical Schools. He serves as a trainer for Future Doc Enterprises.
To date, Harold has taken on many characters. He has performed in over one hundred and twenty-five film productions, including feature films, shorts, commercials, infomercials, training videos, music videos, and television. He has been a member of the “Chicago Actor’s In Film Meetup, is a member of the Chicago Independent Artist Network for six years, Chicago Actors Meetup Group, The Filmmakers In Action and The Chicago Female-Focused Film Meetup Group.
He has volunteered at the Midwest Film Festival, monthly for four years. He facilitated acting workshops at the Bronzeville Film Festival and for two years at The UNA Global Wake-Up Festival of Film, Literature and Creative Arts, and has hosted film screenings during the Black Harvest Film Festival for the past 6 years and was brought on as a member of the Gene Siskel Center’s Black Harvest Film Festival Community Council. Harold sat on the “How To Break Into Film” panel at the Englewood Film Festival in 2012 and 2013.
In 2012 received a nomination for Best Actor for his role in the film “Englewood” from the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago. He has appeared on the red carpet at multiple film premieres and screenings. Films have screened in France, Africa and in many other counties. He has taken on the role of mentor to people wanting to act. His mentors are his aunt (actress) Marian Rolle, (musician/ actor)the late John Watson Sr., Ted Sarantos and the late Okoro Harold Johnson.
In January 2013 Harold reprised his role as Jackie Robinson at the Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration held at the DuSable Museum. Also in January 2013 he was selected as one of RollingOut Magazine’s Chicago’s 50 Most Wanted Men Of Substance And Style.
While filming Pyrite (2008), the Chicago, IL-based Harold Dennis earned the nickname “the hardest working man in show business”, a reputation he still lives up to.
GO BANG! Magazine: How did you get involved in Acting?
Harold Dennis: When I decided to seriously look into trying out acting, I began doing “background” work. In 1997 I heard an ad on B96 fm radio, saying “Be an extra in the movies.” I signed up and my first gig was as a “featured extra” on the t.v. show “Early Edition”. I did that show a few times and realized very quickly that I wanted to do more. A buddy suggested that I take a class. By August, I started beginning an advanced acting class on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at Eta Creative Arts Foundation. They ran weekly for a school year. By February 1998 myself, along with other actors, came together to form “The Actin’ Up” performance troupe. We worked on honing our abilities weekly for a year. By October of 1998, the play “I Was There When The Blues Was Red Hot” opened at Gerri’s Palm Tavern. I played the main character. I left the show in June 2000 after 171 performances. That’s how I got involved in acting. I jumped in with both hands and both feet.
GO BANG! Magazine: When did you get bitten by the “acting bug” and knew that you wanted to pursue acting as a career?
Harold Dennis: I remember the moment I was bitten. It was August 1998 after that very first class. During the class, our teacher (mentor) Harold “Ocoro” Johnson gave us a non-verbal exercise. I was nervous and sweating with a slight tremble. It was a simple exercise that affected me so much that I said to myself that I was going to do this the rest of my life. I’m still at it.
GO BANG! Magazine: You’ve played some very interesting characters over the years. What type of characters are you personally drawn to?
Harold Dennis: I’m personally drawn to playing heroic characters. That encompasses protagonists and antagonists, in my opinion. Villains can do good deeds too, right? The characters I’m drawn to gets the audience to empathize and follow the ups and downs of their journey. These characters will get what they want and lose something valuable or not get what they want and gain glory. That type of character I have found to be satisfying for most people.
GO BANG! Magazine: Are you only interested in film acting, or are you also interested in television and stage?
Harold Dennis: Acting in film is my passion. I started off my career saying I wanted to be in movies. Over time I have evolved my thinking. Now I want to have my audience (to) feel. I realized a long time ago that I am one piece in the process of bring a movie to an audience. The first story is what the screenwriter wrote. The second story is what the director makes. The third telling of the story is what the editor cuts together. And the fourth story is what the audience interprets. I have fully invested my time training for 20 years. Sixteen of those years, with Ted Sarantos, have been classes for acting on camera, working to find how I fit in. Now I teach Acting On Camera at The Second City Training Center Chicago, showing other actors how to fit in.
I enjoy acting in Television as well. Stage…community plays demand a lot of time that I am investing in film. I’m busy living the dream!
GO BANG! Magazine: You have worked with, and participated in, various community arts events, where you volunteered your time to causes and events that you believe in. Why is “giving back” important to you.
Harold Dennis: I have gone into schools and talked with our youths about dreams, desires and achievement. I have volunteered with The Chicago International Film Festival. I’ve been a member of the Black Harvest Film Festival Community Council for eight years. I’ve volunteered at the Midwest Film Festival monthly for 11 years, acting as the Volunteer Coordinator for the last year and a half. I’m an Ambassador for the Various Artists Film Festival. I’ve put on free acting workshops at the Various Artists Film Festival, the Black Harvest Film Festival, United Nations Chicago Film Festival and the Bronzeville Film Festival. And I have given online coaching sessions freely. Giving back is important to me because I remember what it felt like to be a novice and wanting the information that would give me an idea of how to discover and pursue my dreams.
GO BANG! Magazine: Do you have an interest in working behind the camera writing, producing, directing movies, tv shows, or plays of your own? (If so, please elaborate. If not, why not?)
Harold Dennis: I have produced, directed and acted in a few projects with my friend Bradford Stevens. We met when we formed the acting troupe back in 1998. He’s an alumnus of Second City, so our pieces lean toward the abstract and comedy. I was the A.D. (Assistant Director) on a short film directed by my friend Edi Mehana called “The Pride”. “The Pride” won a couple of film festivals and it was one of 80 films in 2020 being considered to make the short list for the Academy Awards. We didn’t make the short list but Shorts TV, that distributes the winners and nominees, distributed “The Pride”. It’s like we won anyway. What an honor. I’m currently taking the screenwriting course at Second City. I’ll eventually produce that film.
GO BANG! Magazine: What type of role would really show the range of your acting skills, and have you had an opportunity to play that role?
Harold Dennis: There are a number of films I’m in that show different aspects of range. I have a couple of “demo reels” on YouTube that people can watch to get an idea of what I mean. I did an episode of “Pear Shaped: WBLS” written by El Arthur Bey. It’s on Amazon Prime. It’s just me, in a car for 15 minutes dealing with PTSD and (DWB) Driving While Black. The feedback from the performance is rewarding. I did a short story in the “Paradigm Grey” anthology, created by Chris Adams, called “Reset”. I’m the sole survivor after the apocalypse in search of my last remaining robot nemesis. The project screened a couple times and the feedback again was rewarding. When I say rewarding, I mean the audience mentioning how they were moved by what they saw in my performance. “Paradigm Grey” is close to having a distribution home. I did a series pilot directed by Kenneth Stevenson and Andrew James Bennett called “Rapture”. I played a one eyed recluse living in the forest. The pilot won a Telly Award in 2019 and Kenneth gave me the framed certificate, saying I deserved it for the work I added to the project. To demonstrate range, I use things that I’ve learned over the decades. Range can be developed.
GO BANG! Magazine: What projects are you currently working on?
Harold Dennis: During our current situation dealing with this Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, I’m not filming anything. I have a few projects that I’m waiting on. But I have learned not to talk about films that are not in the can. You can go to YouTube, Google, Amazon Prime and IMDb.com to find projects I’m in.
GO BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?
Harold Dennis: Since March 16th, I’ve been in the house, 98% of the time for the last 11 days, since flying home from Florida, in a face mask and rubber gloves. I was wondering if the flight was going to be canceled, preventing me from getting back. UC (University of Chicago) canceled face to face Standardized Patient encounters until they can figure out how we can work with the medical students online. Screenings and other networking events have been canceled. My screenwriting class I’m in is being held online, and so is my Acting On Camera class. I’ve been watching a lot of movies and I’m online a lot of the time. I’m talking more with family. I need to catch up on reading. I’m doing things that I’ve heard are preventive. It seemed impossible to keep “Social Distancing” in the grocery store today. I showered when I got back in. I’m attempting to relax during this “Stay at Home” Order the Governor has ordered.
You can follow him on social media and view some of his film credits by visiting www.imdb.com/name/nm1815557.
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 and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.
Shannon “DJ Skip” Syas has gained worldwide acclaim as a dance music producer, remixer, and promoter. DJ. Skip hails from Chicago, where he contributed to the Chicago House music genre that quickly spread to the rest of the world and remains a vibrant sector of the dance music scene on every continent.
Go Bang Magazine: As a resident of Chicago, the home of House Music, what influence, if any, do you feel you have brought to House music and how has House music influenced you?
Shannon DJ Skip Syas: I brought my own flavor to the table. I said what I had to say and drummed to my own beat because of my personality. I did what I had to do and was unapologetic about it. I’ve never taken a common approach to much of anything, so to get an opportunity to express myself authentically, whole-heartedly and creatively was/is special.
Chicago is a part of me, home grown. When you’re from there, you’re FROM there. You live and die that place. That’s what makes Chicago DJs special, gives us our sound, our edge. We’re just cut a bit differently. You can just TELL when a Chicago DJ walks into a room. It’s about vibe and flavor.
House Music gave me a sense of hope. House Music allowed me to see beyond my circumstances and surroundings and dream bigger. When I heard it, it was infectious. Listening to it made me feel happy. It gave me positive vibes, presented the right kind of energy. That was exciting to me. In turn, I just wanted to provide that same influence to everyone else I crossed paths with.
Go Bang Magazine: You’ve had the opportunity to travel around the world, in the name of House. How would you describe House’s acceptance in other countries, in comparison to here in the States?
Shannon DJ Skip Syas: I started at a time when dance music didn’t enjoy wide appeal in the US. There were no festivals, the marketplace was still all underground. Think of rave parties back then. Clubs weren’t accepting of the music. But over in Europe, throughout the world, that was the predominant sound. We had to go other places just to get a look—to be appreciated. London had U.K Garage, France had the French touch with disco dub filters; Italy had Vocal House. It was fly. Spain was real groovy vocally with a Latin feel. So all of those areas embraced it because of the authenticity we were bringing to it. But that’s not to say that any country I don’t mention now doesn’t mean that they didn’t have a significant role. I’m not trying to exclude anyone, anywhere.
We can travel anywhere in Europe and turn on the radio and hear House Music all day and all night. Top 40 artists are doing House Music. It’s on the television: it’s the backdrops to the commercials, even some soap operas and sitcoms. Dance music is the predominant genre of music. It’s what the people want to listen to. It makes you feel good, feel happy. That’s good for business. That provides a fantastic atmosphere.
But here, House Music is treated like it only belongs in clubs or Friday night sets on the radio. It’s disappointing that corporate interest never really caught on in the US the way it has outside of the US until recently. It’s the number one grossing genre in the world. But there was/is more weight given to perceived character and personality than the music and the artistry. Truthfully it may not be so much lack of corporate interest as much as corporate control issues. How could House Music be controlled, monopolized, rebranded, and sold back to the very people they took it from? So House Music remains a niche in the US.
Go Bang Magazine: As a DJ, producer, remixer and promoter, you’ve performed or worked with several legendary artists, from various genres of music. What was it like working with them?
Shannon DJ Skip Syas: It was FANTASTIC working with them. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible, creative minds from all around the world. To be able to sit in a room full of geniuses and ideas, experience that type of energy and force, you get to see what people really bring to the table. Everyone’s idea adds value.
Imagine sitting in a room and I hand you a bunch of puzzle pieces and Steve gets puzzle pieces, I have puzzle pieces. We’re all putting our pieces of the puzzle together until we come together to see if our pieces fit. By time we figure out the puzzle, some of the pieces may not fit. But that’s how music is really created in a group setting. It’s an honor and a pleasure. I’m blessed in abundance to be in a position to say that I’ve worked with some living legends and iconic figures who have passed away. I’m still here, able to share the memories and state, “I was in the room.”
Go Bang Magazine: After working with so many artists, is there anyone that you have yet to work with, but would love to?
Shannon DJ Skip Syas: It’s SO many fly people that I respect on different levels, in different genres. Everyone adds something different. If I started naming people I’d be here all day, all night and well into the next day. Just thinking about all the dope talent out here makes me excited.
Go Bang Magazine: You are known to have an inspiring personality, always motivating others. Where does that come from and why is that important to you?
Shannon DJ Skip Syas: It comes from LIFE. Positive thinking leads to a positive outcome. What defines people is how they process life’s challenges and push it back out. Sometimes just the acts of stopping and being still helps a whole lot in determining how to be the change you want to see — in the world, in the room, in your own life.
It starts with self, but it’s important to pay it forward, to be a light, give peace of mind to people. Hopefully they will pay it forward and influence someone else in return. You just get more out of life being happy. There’s no substitute for it and you should never sacrifice your happiness for NOTHIN’!
The moment I ain’t happy, I’m out.
Go Bang Magazine: S&S Records consists of two international DJs, you and Steve “Silk” Hurley. How did you guys meet and why did you decide to form a company?
Shannon DJ Skip Syas: We started hanging out because of a chance connection in a grocery store, but we weren’t strangers. We’d run in the same circle for years. We knew each other. We knew OF each other. We’d followed each other’s career and were well familiar with each other’s work. We’d purchased each other’s music. We’d performed on the same platforms. We’d pass each other in the airport, him going when I’m coming or vice versa. We had each other’s number, but never had a reason to call.
The universe moves you in the direction you’re supposed to go. We were supposed to be in the frozen food section at that grocery store on that day at that time to connect. It wasn’t about the groceries, but what came after the groceries.
We share a love of basketball. He invited me to his crib to shoot. We had a vibe.We started playing ball together almost every day and still do. We became genuine friends, not having anything to do with the music or the industry, for over a year. We did music for a living. We did basketball to get AWAY from the music. Those neighborhood games in the suburbs took us back to our youth in the city.
But we realized that we both add something fresh and real value to one another and a collaboration could and would be BIG! Both of us were doing big things in our respective businesses, traveling, making money. We were together every day, but traveling every weekend. We decided to put out an album for Chicago, for our city, with every willing producer from Chicago. It was a labor of love. From that S&S was born.
Go Bang Magazine: What is the mission statement and goal of S&S Records?
Shannon DJ Skip Syas: Truthfully, we’ve never had a mission statement. We knew what we wanted to do and be and bring to the music industry, House Music, in particular. And we’ve been faithful to an unwritten mission. But you asking this now means that we need to put pen to paper and solidify for the world what our inherent vision has always been, who we are, what we believe. We created a record company with professional integrity and leadership, to market quality talent on a greater platform, with no strings attached. We help other artists and producers expose their talent to a wider audience of tastemakers and consumers. It’s never been about blowing up Silk and Skip.
Go Bang Magazine: Having two international music industry moguls working together has got to be an exciting venture. How does the individual notoriety of each of you complement each other and enhance your business.
Shannon DJ Skip Syas: I think it’s fly because we both bring cool things to the table. It goes back to the puzzle. We’d been putting our own puzzles together forever. But being able to focus on the parts that speak to your individual strengths brings all the pieces together faster.
Go Bang Magazine: Are you currently working on anything or would you like to mention anything that you’d like our readers to check out?
Shannon DJ Skip Syas:
Our new initiative is S&S Brand Apparel. We want people to feel like they are a part of who we are and what we do, wear the same clothes that we wear—the ones you see us wearing in pictures. We’re not selling anything we don’t support ourselves.
It’s sporty and sexy, high quality merchandise that we are proud to have the S&S Chicago name on. The line is still growing but offers a lot in the way of variety.
https://sns-chicago.myshopify.com
S&S Records still consistently puts out fantastic music, on a day-to-day basis
We encourage our supporters, fans and customers to join our Facebook group, S&S Records Inc. Global Family, an entertaining and interactive platform to highlight S&S Records, Inc. artists and producers associated with S&S Records, Inc. music, as well as foster open communication between artists, producers and supporters from around the world.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/snschi/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snschi
On Twitter: @snschi
On Instagram: @snschi and @snschibrand
Go Bang Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?
Shannon DJ Skip Syas: I can’t really tell how I’m dealing, but I am. My family and I are adhering to the social distancing mandate and encourage everyone to do the same. Developments change rapidly, but we’re doing our best to stay on top of it and act responsibly toward our fellow human beings. I definitely feel moved to express more love and compassion, though I am profoundly disappointed by political divisions that seem to negate the fact that we, the world, are more connected than we EVER knew or admitted. People need people. And S&S plans to B+ (be positive) in the face of this ongoing tragedy.
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 and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.
Steve “Silk” Hurley, a Chicago native, is a producer, songwriter, DJ, and 4-Time GRAMMY® Nominated Remixer. He began his career as a DJ, artist, producer, and pioneer of Chicago’s “House Music”. After creating several No. 1 hits with RCA, London, and Atlantic Records as a recording artist, Silk shifted his focus to songwriting, producing and remixing. He has since worked with hundreds of various artists including Prince, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, CeCe Peniston, R. Kelly, and Mary J. Blige. While maintaining a successful production career in which he has sold several million records, Silk has still remained true to his DJ roots. He is an international DJ, and has been featured since 1994 on the nationally-syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, which has over 8 million listeners. Hurley has managed to build a reputation as “The Mashup King” with his mixshow segment called “The Old Skool New Skool Remix”, which is featured 5 times weekly.
As a member of the “Dream Team” for Oprah Winfrey’s “Pop Star Challenge Contest”, Silk produced the music tracks for the 8 contestants’ performances, as well as Oprah’s Pop Star Challenge 2004 Cast Album on Epic/Sony Records.
Silk’s new company S&S Records was formed in 2005 with fellow international DJ Shannon “DJ Skip” Syas. They released “The Chicago LP”, a double DVD/double CD featuring an All-Chicago, All-Star cast of House Music Pioneers and Hip Hop stars. S&S has also been responsible for major House Music events in Chicago that have averaged an attendance of 4,000 people.
In addition all of these accomplishments, Silk has always given back by moderating and /or speaking at countless panels and at schools across the country. He has also served the GRAMMY® Organization, NARAS, for years. He was the Chicago Chapter President from 2004-2005, National Trustee from 2000-2004, and was an instructor for the GRAMMY CAMP® in 2006.
Influences includes Quincy Jones, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Gamble & Huff, Norm Whitfield, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Debarge, Switch, Shep Pettibone, D-Train, Colonel Abrams, and Arthur Baker.
Go Bang Magazine: As a resident of Chicago, the home of House Music, you are recognized as one of the pioneers. What influence, if any, do you feel you have brought to House music and how has House music influenced you?
Steve Silk Hurley: When House Music officially became a genre in 1984, it was the result of a culmination of events that led to original music being pressed up and sold commercially. House music as a culture started many years before that, as in Chicago we loved all of the Disco, R&B, Funk, Philly soul, and Garage music from New York, not to mention Italio Disco and other music from Europe, such as Kraftwerk, from Germany, and we embraced it all as “House.”Not the Genre of House, but the Culture of House. I was part of this culture, but as a DJ, I wanted even more. I wanted to create my own music that would set me apart as a DJ. So I experimented with re-edits, and then moved on to adding drum machines to my DJ sets, and that evolved into me re-creating disco and soul music with synthesizers and drum machines.
I have to also mention that although Jamie Principle’s bedroom-created music was only being played from cassettes and reel to reel tapes at the time, his influence on House Music (and on me) was one of the greatest. His song, “Your Love” was created in 1982 and was played by Frankie Knuckles exclusively before copies leaked and before long, it was being played by all of us DJ’s. So although Jamie’s music wasn’t Officially released until 1985, he was already a Legendary Pioneer of House Music in Chicago before the rest of the world even knew what House was.
Jamie’s legendary status in Chicago made me raise my bar for what I wanted to accomplish musically. I started getting my own original ideas, and “Music Is The Key” became my first actual release. I created that song and many others in 1983 and 1984, but “The Key” wasn’t released until 1985. I wanted it to be right, since it was my first official release. So I hired Keith Nunnally to replace my voice on the demo with that of a real singer. Keith did his thing on the record, and we became the group, “JM Silk.” We toured all over, and that was a great experience.
Go Bang Magazine: You’ve had the opportunity to travel around the world, in the name of House. How would you describe House’s acceptance in other countries, in comparison to here in the States?
Steve Silk Hurley: I find it amazing that outside of the United States, the appreciation for our genre is elevated to another level. I think this is due to them educating themselves to where the music came from, and the fact that the next generations since the birth of House Music have also maintained that same curiosity and hunger for the new House Music that is released every day. This is why Skip and I continue to release new house music on S&S Records, because abroad there is still a very captive audience.
In the United States, although there is still an appreciation for House Music, and there are true die-hard fans in every state, there are younger generations that chose to gravitate to other genres of popular music over the years. House music was the music of teens here in Chicago when it was born, but around the late ‘80s, Rap/Hip-Hop, exploded and became the music of most teens, followed in subsequent years by other urban genres such as New Jack Swing, and now Trap Music. So here in the State’s it’s more of a Niche market, but the parties still have the same intensity. Also, there is starting to be more and more curiosity for house music from the millennials now.
Go Bang Magazine: Over the years you morphed from being only a DJ. You’ve accomplished great success as an artist, producer, and remixer. You’ve worked with many icons in the music industry as well, including Prince, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, CeCe Peniston, R. Kelly, and Mary J. Blige. How did it feel, to be requested to remix songs from artists of this caliber?
Steve Silk Hurley: What’s great is that I didn’t just jump right into working with Michael Jackson, Janet and Madonna, etc. I had an opportunity to learn my craft and “earn my stripes” so to speak. I had the opportunity to work with Byron Stingily and Ten City early in his career, plus at ID Records we developed Chantay Savage, Kym Sims and many others early in their careers. We built a great writing team at ID with all of the singers, plus E-Smoove, Maurice Joshua, M. Doc, Jere MC, Manny Mo and Jamie Principle among others. This allowed us to write songs for CeCe Peniston and have her come to our “Mini-Motown” early in her career.
So by the time I got to MJ, Janet and Prince, I had the confidence of knowing my craft. I was honored of course to work with my idols, but Thank God I was also prepared!
Go Bang Magazine: After working with such high ranking artists over the years, are there any other artists, current or classic, that you would love to work with?
Steve Silk Hurley: I always wished I could have worked with Whitney Houston and Luther. But maybe Mariah Carey and I will work together one day. I love Drake. I think my music would work great with his melodic tunes. Ella Mai, Beyonce and many other new artists that come along every day.
Go Bang Magazine: You are a 4-Time GRAMMY® Nominated Remixer. Many that know you personally and/or professionally, including myself, describe you as a down to earth, humble and considerate person. When others in the entertainment industry reach the level of success that you have, some of them go “Hollywood” and become arrogant and cold-hearted. You seem to have not gone down that path. How have you maintained your level-headedness and why is that important to you?
Steve Silk Hurley: Once you feel like you have “arrived,” Your career is over. I just think that remaining humble is the right thing to do. And you can’t learn if you already know everything. I’ve always been a student of the game, no matter what the game is at the time. Every morning I study something that I don’t know, or reinforce my knowledge on something that I want to improve on. It can be music theory, engineering, DJ skills, marketing, business, merchandising, or even self-help audio books like The Secret, or The Power.
Go Bang Magazine: In addition to being a creative and a business man, you’re also “Married with Children.” Has business or the music bug rubbed off on your children, or are they not interested in the entertainment industry?
Steve Silk Hurley: All my children love music. My son Steve Jr. works in marketing and coaches basketball, and my youngest Kayla is studying Nursing, and does hair and fitness videos, but only one is a professional singer, B. Laurén. She’s appeared on a few tunes we’ve released on S&S with Marshall Jefferson and K-Alexi, plus some in France with the group Superfunk. We’ve also got a collaboration coming out on S&S with B. Laurén, Bad Boy Bill and Steve Silk Hurley. My other daughter Jai Nicole has a poetry book releasing this year. She can really play the guitar, and can sing and write also.
Go Bang Magazine: S&S Records consists of yourself and international DJ Shannon “DJ Skip” Syas. How did you guys meet and why did you decide to form a company?
Steve Silk Hurley: Skip and I knew each other through mutual friends and always passed each other in French Airports! One day we ran into each other at the grocery store (Ultra Foods) and decided we would hoop together one day. We did that for about a year, and then started talking about doing something with our music, since we both owned record companies. We wanted to join forces and take Chicago to the next level, so our first project was “The Chicago LP”, a DVD / CD project featuring 33 new house music records from Chicago House music pioneers, plus interviews with each pioneer.
Go Bang Magazine: Having two international music industry moguls working together has got to be an exciting venture. How does the individual notoriety of each of you complement each other and enhance your business.
Steve Silk Hurley: Skip and I are 15 years apart in age, so first of all, our perspectives are different 99% of the time. But the key to our success is the respect we each have for each other and the open mind to each other’s opinions. We will argue it out and figure out a happy medium every time, and it doesn’t affect the friendship. That’s the key.
Go Bang Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?
Steve Silk Hurley: I’m just staying self-quarantined and using this opportunity to purge, organize, and enrich my mind. Also it gives us the opportunity to reach out to those that we love, whether it’s family, friends, colleagues or acquaintances.
Of course I’m also creating music, and we are launching a clothing line, so we are putting the finishing touches on that as well.
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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 and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.
Event/Music Production
Promotions
Publishing
Marketing
Event Coordination
DJ Services
Business Consultations
Artist Management
Network Connector
Catering
OWNER: Pierre Andre’ Evans
Hyde Park, Chicago, IL
Log on Facebook @Pinnacle Entertainment Productions: https://www.facebook.com/PINNACLE-ENTERTAINMENT-PRODUCTIONS-172225029239/
Pierre Andre’ Evans, a graduate of Chicago’s prestigious Columbia College, possesses a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management. He is an accomplished Freelance Writer with published articles, high profile interviews and event recaps, which currently appear in numerous publications and websites including the legendary and iconic New York based SoulTrain.com, Chicago based Ndigo.com, Dallas based UrbanMuseMag.com, D.C. based TheSOULetter.com, and London based EmpireRadioMagazine.com. In 2018 he authored his first book “Inside The Minds Of Entertainers,” which is available on Amazon. In 2020 everything came into focus and he became a publisher, with the launch of his online magazine “GO BANG! Magazine.” Log on at https://gobangmagazine.com/. Coming later in 2020 he will reveal his House dancing alter ego, Andre’ Pierre, when his House dance class, “Gotta Have House” kicks off!
As a freelance journalist, he has interviewed television and movie legend Eric Monte´ (creator of Good Times, The Jefferson’s, What’s Happening and Cooley High,) theater legend Shelly Garrett (Beauty Shop), the rising star Richard Pryor, Jr., legendary jazz/soul/fusion recording artist Roy Ayers, and various R&B singers including O’Bryan, D’Wayne Wiggins (founder of Tony, Toni, Tone´) and Karyn White. He’s even interviewed legendary DJ Herb Kent “The Kool Gent.” In the House music world, he has interviewed 4x GRAMMY ® nominee DJ/Remixer Steve “Silk” Hurly and DJ Jesse Saunders and his 30th Anniversary of House Music Tour. His tribute to the late DJ, Producer and House music legend Frankie Knuckles was well received, worldwide. Although his primary beat is Entertainment, he is well-versed and passionate about Community Affairs, Cultural Events and Educational topics, as demonstrated by his coverage of The Soul Train Impact events and his attendance at the 2014 Soul Train Awards show.
In addition to writing, he is active in several other artistic endeavors, including acting, performing, DJing, modeling and spoken word. As an Actor, he has appeared in numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including both Home Alone II and Richie Rich with Macaulay Culkin, The Negotiator with Samuel L. Jackson, Never Been Kissed with Drew Barrymore and Road to Perdition with Jude Law, Tom Hanks and the late Paul Newman. Performing under the moniker Playerre, he’s a well-known singer/songwriter with a loyal fan base and several self-produced and released recordings, including the dance hit “Mind Groove” and the stepping classic “Guaranteed Love”, which is available on all music platforms. He’s been a DJ for the past 40 years, since he was 12, and is known in the House community and clubs as DJ Playerre. Modeling and Spoken Word are also passions that he performs professionally.
He’s also an astute businessman. He’s been a Board member of Friends for Life Resource Center, Inc., a non-profit organization. He was also the Booking Agent for The Chicago Talent Factory television show, which debuted locally on Chicago’s WCIU, “The U,” the Media Director for The Soul Train Impact team, as well as the host of A Taste of Theater television show which highlights screenwriters and their plays and broadcasts nationwide. He also hosted the annual A Taste of Theater Festival, which occurs in October, and has been conducted in the past thru a collaboration with “The God-Father of Black Theater,” Mr. Shelley Garrett, where playwrights showcase their plays to a live audience and competed for the coveted Shelley Garrett Award.
He’s an entrepreneur and the CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions, which produces a wide variety of events including networking events, dance parties, fashion shows, plays, and concerts. He served as Co-Host on Herb Kent’s “Battle of the Best” radio show, which airs on Chicago’s V103. He served as Host and Master of Ceremonies (MC) of Anita Jefferson’s original stageplay “Jackie’s Secret Life” which was held in Chicago at the Harold Washington Cultural Center.
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 and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.
Reality TV star, Author of “Memoirs of a Bitch”,“Suga” “Confessions of a Street Figure.”, Screenwriter, Core DJ 547 Blogger, BlokClubDjs Official Blogger, Producer/Director of the Chicago movie “Hood Cheaters” and “Hood Cheaters 3.0”, Former Radio Personality and Artist Management, and Owner of Open Mic Productions.
Memorable Quotes: “I feel that being humble is a must…. but mastering how to shut a person the fuck up is a must as well.”
“I pray early and grind late.”
GO BANG! Magazine: What is the name of your show?
Cecelia Robinson: The name of my Show is “Bricks of an Empire.”
GO BANG! Magazine: How did you come up with the concept of the show?
Cecelia Robinson: Coming up with the concept was super easy. I just used my everyday life.
GO BANG! Magazine: What is the show about?
Cecelia Robinson: Bricks of an Empire is about my process of getting my life back together after my release from prison as well as showing me create my movies and books.
GO BANG! Magazine: Why did you create the show?
Cecelia Robinson: I created my show because I got tired of waiting on other people to give me a chance. So I created my own chance.
GO BANG! Magazine: How do our readers see the show?
Cecelia Robinson: The show can be viewed on Amazon Prime in a few weeks.
GO BANG! Magazine: When did you know that you wanted to be an author?
Cecelia Robinson: Being honest, I don’t think there was EVER a time when I wanted to be an author. Believe it or not… my very first book was actually my homework assignment in the GED program.
GO BANG! Magazine: How did you know you were ready to write a book?
Cecelia Robinson: I didn’t know. I’m just naturally a descriptive story teller.
GO BANG! Magazine: What inspired you to write Memoirs of a Cold Blooded Bitch!?
Cecelia Robinson: What inspired me to write “Memoirs of a Cold Blooded Bitch” was a letter that I received in prison about one of my daughters. I took two of the sentences and created a whole storyline.
GO BANG! Magazine: What prompted you to title the book Memoirs of a Cold Blooded Bitch!
Cecelia Robinson: Being honest… no other title would do this book justice.
GO BANG! Magazine: What message are you trying to get across with this book?
Cecelia Robinson: The message I’m trying to get across is love all but trust none.
GO BANG! Magazine: Have you written any other books? If so, what are their titles?
Cecelia Robinson: Yes I have. “Memoirs of a Bitch” was my first book. I wrote that in 2007 and my second book is titled “Suga”. That was released in 2010. At the time, I was signed to La’Femme Fatale Publications. Now I’m signed to Freeway Rick Ross Publications.
GO BANG! Magazine: Do you have any other talents besides writing books?
Cecelia Robinson: Actually I do. Currently, I’m a radio personality. I have a talk show called “Trill Talk in the Morning“, that airs Monday thru Friday on YouTube. I’m also a screenwriter. I have two movies being filmed, this coming May.
GO BANG! Magazine: What advice would you give to a writer that may be interested in writing their first book?
Cecelia Robinson: Go for it! The hardest part about doing it is thinking that you can’t. Follow your dreams because they do come true!
Go BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off-guard. How are you dealing with it?
Cecelia Robinson: I’m writing. Because I know once this is over… there’s success waiting on me!
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.
Cecelia Robinson is….Reality TV star, Author of “Memoirs of a Bitch”,“Suga” “Confessions of a Street Figure.”, Screenwriter, Core DJ 547 Blogger, BlokClubDjs Official Blogger, Producer/Director of the Chicago movie “Hood Cheaters” and “Hood Cheaters 3.0”, Former Radio Personality and Artist Management, and Owner of Open Mic Productions.
Memorable Quotes: “I feel that being humble is a must…. but mastering how to shut a person the fuck up is a must as well.”
“I pray early and grind late.”
“Bricks of an Empire” is about my process of getting my life back together after my release from prison, as well as showing me create my movies and books.
GO BANG! Magazine: How did you come up with the concept of the show?
Cecelia Robinson: Coming up with the concept was super easy. I just used my everyday life.
GO BANG! Magazine: Why did you create the show?
Cecelia Robinson: I created my show because I got tired of waiting on other people to give me a chance. So, I created my own chance.
GO BANG! Magazine: How do our readers see the show?
Cecelia Robinson: The show can be viewed on Amazon Prime in a few weeks.
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.
