Distinction! In an industry swarming with independent labels all boasting the most talented, yet invariable underrated artist on the scene, finding a company that truly embodies uniqueness in not only arduous, but nearly impossible. And while Fi Records certainly possesses similar characteristics to other independent labels, there’s something about the company that embodies distinction. That eccentric element is an unbridled sense of purpose.
Established in 1997 with the release of rapper Pretty Tony’s debut album. Over the years, Fi Records has established itself as one of the most prominent labels rising out of the depths of the Atlanta music scene. Founded by Bill and Gloria Davis as a means to realize their daughter’s dreams of becoming a professional singer, Fi Records is dedicated to bringing visions to fruition.
Since its inception, the label has experienced numerous successes – including the release of Memphis rapper Lil Blunt’s Bluntnatized (2001) that sold over 10,000 records in less than four weeks. Despite receiving no radio play and only regional promotion, the album reached 47 on the Billboard Independent charts. However, it was the release of the Hitman Sammy Sam’s Album, Still Intoxicated that propelled Fi Records into the limelight. The smash hit, Call For Backup received a great deal of regional air-play, in cities such as Chattanooga, Memphis, Birmingham, Albany and of course Sam’s hometown, Atlanta.
Boasting a strong relationship with several major record companies, Fi Records has a working relationship with numerous celebrated artists throughout the nation, including Too Short, Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twinz among others.
Bottom line, Fi Records has not swayed from their purpose. In fact, as time has progressed, they’ve only become stronger in their vision – and that is a rarity within itself.
Calyssa
Best of Both Worlds
In today’s digital age, versatility is priceless. It’s a concept that 19 year-old songbird, Calyssa, both understands and embodies.
Born in South Carolina and raised in Atlanta, Calyssa is not only a talented singer, but has been dancing since she was only four-years old. Conquering ballet, modern dance, jazz, West African dance, salsa and belly dancing, Calyssa’s love for dance is a manifestation of her natural performer instincts.
“I was very active as a child,” she smiles. “My mom kept me in all kinds of dance classes, I was a very active child. That’s pretty much all I did every day was dance and cheer, I didn’t go out a lot.”
When she realized as a youngster that she also had knack for singing, she decided to blend the best of both worlds. Being of mixed heritage (she’s half Latino and half black) Calyssa was able to soak up all kinds of sounds as a child. Whether it was country, pop, rap or alternative, she listened to it, and learned to appreciate the musical mixture.
“My mom kept me in diverse schools,” she remembers, adding that her mother often moved depending on what school she attended. “So I listened to everything. That’s why my music is so different. I love music, so getting into music was just a natural progression.”
Her high-energy sound is part pop and alternative infused with the spicy musical stylings of her Latin background. Whether she’s singing in Spanish about having the guts to approach guy she really likes on the lively, “Yo! Que Pasa” featuring Atlanta rap vet, Sammy Sam, or about exposing her alter ego on the sassy, “Bad Girl,” Calyssa bubbly personality brings her music to life.
“I want to make good music you can dance to,” she maintains, listing J. Lo, Mary J. Blige, Kelis and Alicia Keys as her favorite performers.
Her yet-to-be-titled upcoming debut, due out on Fi Records will not only showcase Calyssa’s knack for making energetic music, but her scope on life in general. Demonstrating maturity beyond her years, Calyssa is focused on making great music, but also being an example for young girls.
With a wealth of talent, charm and charisma, Calyssa’s journey has only just begun.
Trouble
The Introduction
With a nickname like Trouble, you wouldn’t exactly expect good things from Ronnie Baker. But the moniker, given to him by his grandmother before he was even born, is fitting—is deceiving, except where lackadaisical rappers are concerned. For them, Trouble is exactly that.
A ferocious emcee with a knack for penning piercing lyrics, Trouble knew he was going to be rapper from the moment he turned his Easter Sunday speech into a rap as a kid. From there the Atlanta native formed the gospel group, God’s Little Angels, and toured around the southeast, Chicago and South Carolina, eventually landing on BET’s Francis Martin show twice.
“My great grandfather was a preacher, so I was raised in the church,” he explains.
It would seem that with his gospel background doing secular music, Hip Hop no less, would be a stretch. But Trouble shrugs off the notion.
“I know that God is real, but life is real,” he says. “I just write what I live.”
His life course has led him from being a in a gospel group to the Marine core—an experience that he says helps out now in his music career. Using the discipline he learned in the military to navigate his way through the music industry, Trouble’s agility behind the pen has led him to work with everyone from Grand Hustle’s Young Dro (“Blood Line” to Sammy Sam (“Father Save Me”) and the Diablos under his old rap name, Col Baker.
“One thing the Marine Core taught me is with nothing you can make something,” he says. “It taught me my drive. It keeps me mentally fit because I feel like I’m more disciplined. I know that life is bigger than the picture that most artists paint these days. I got a chance to learn and respect other people and learn how to live in other people shoes. It exposed me to a lot of different things and when you get exposed it can help you learn how your life is supposed to be lived.”
That self-reflection and worldview is really what drives Trouble’s sound. Lyrically, he easily outshines the rappers saturating the busy Hip Hop scene, driven by a desire to showcase his skill. Putting what he learned after years in the business to use, in April 2007, he released his upbeat single, “So Fi,” positioning himself to build an audience not only in his native Atlanta, but throughout Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, St. Louis and Texas as well.
Currently working on his solo project, his lead single, the story-telling “Body Talk” is a creative take on being sidetracked in an argument with your girl because you can’t hear anything but her body talking.
“I think my audience is the world,” Trouble says reflectively. “I think everyone will be interested in my music because it’s universal. I’ve almost mastered the art of writing without using any profane language. I try to make songs that people appreciate.”
Shawn Payton
The Experience
Shawn Payton knows a lot about change. Born and raised in Jamaica Queens, NY, when he was 18 he decided to pack up and forsake the concrete jungle for the land of red clay. Setting in Atlanta, GA at the height of rap crews like the Dungeon Family, Shawn didn’t have a hard time adjusting.
“I came down hear with an open mind,” he says in his deep baritone. “My pops is from North Carolina, so I came to Atlanta knowing I was gonna see something different. When a lot of New York cats were coming down here talking crazy, like ‘oh this ain’t New York’ I aint do that. That’s why I came—cuz it ain’t like New York.” He pauses then chuckles.” Plus it’s so many fine women down here you can’t go wrong.”
His music is a reflection of his easy-going personality. On the mic, he’s relaxed, emitting a cool energy that compliments the complexity of his lyrics. Like most rappers, he came up listening to the genre, identifying with Hip Hop’s unique ability to grasp trends, yet speak to the tradition of young people.
“I’ve always been a fan since I was a kid, but I started really rapping when I first heard Redman’s Whut? Thee Album,” he says. “That’s how I became the monster that you hear now.”
While his showmanship in the booth is undeniable—he flips easily between styles and subject matter like a true rap stalwart, it took a while for Shawn to reach his level. He went threw a trashcan full of rap monikers and styles before finally settling into the beast he is on the mic now.
“I went from being a conscious rapper to trying all kinds of different looks,” he admits. “I was just trying to find my way into the game.”
But now things are different. The go-to emcee on Atlanta-based label, Fi Records, Shawn more comfortable than ever with his sound, which mergers the best elements of raw, street emceeing with melodic production courtesy of the label’s in-house team and close affiliates. With his upcoming album, tentatively titled the Experience after Jimmy Hendrix’s classic record, Sean hopes to show his range.
“I’m feeling good now,” he says confidently. “I’m trying to come out just as me, no gimmicks. I’m feeling real good with the music and the production and just the team in general. It feels like a good match.”
His lead single, “Blood” featuring Trouble and BigYo and produced by DJ Dana (Yung Joc, Gorrila Zoe) is a prime example of where Shawn is heading with his sound. Gritty and lyrically savvy, Shawn finds his place on the track easily over Dana’s bounce-heavy production.
“People probably think I’m a linebacker from the way my voice sounds,” he says, laughing at his signature dark baritone. “I feel like I’m an equipped spitter and I just want ot bring the fun back into the game. I’m not a thug, I’m not a super player, I’m just a guy that’s out there rapping the song with you right before I jump on stage. I’m a fan of the music as well.”
With a range of life experience that includes everything from working at an adult toy store to attending art school, Shawn’s flexibility has given him notebooks full of things to rap about. Previously a member of the local rap group, Adult Film Stars, the group released the mixtapes, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and The Casting Couch between 2006 and 2007, earning a small legion of fans with their live local and regional performances.
“The best part of performing live is the interaction with crowd,” he says. “I like to holler at the people. I like to bring energy to what I’m saying. I might end up taking my shoes off or lifting my shirt up like a wrestler.”
His outgoing nature is exemplified on the witty, “Check-Out Line” where he shares an experience about trying to holler at a girl at the grocery. Considering himself the average Joe rapper, Shawn’s willingness to laugh at himself makes him that much more familiar to listeners.
“I was the smart ass kid,” he acknowledges. “I was always the one trying to challenge the teacher. I guess that’s why they kicked me out of the Art Institute.”
Now infinitely more focused, Shawn’s attention has shifted from teasing teachers, to pleasing Hip Hop heads with his artful lyricism.
“I feel like success comes when everybody knows who I am,” he says. “The success will come with recognition and that’s what I’m pushing for.”
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DJ Stealth (Beatology Music Inc./U Can Fly Holdings DJ Dense (KDAY/Clippers DJ) and DJ Phyz Ed
Saturday March 7th, 2009
@
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RSVP/INVITE ONLY (You will not get in without it) You Must RSVP before 6PM on Saturday February 28th, 2009 Dress To Impress GET THERE EARLY, USUALLY WE ARE AT CAPACITY BY 12:00AM NOBODY WILL BE LET IN AFTER THAT
On the tables:
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Artist/Singers...Stop Boring us!! IMPROVE YOUR SHOWS!
Artist, hire my dancers and choreographers to help you rock the crowd!! First impressions are a lasting impression! Last thing you want to do is go to a showcase (where important A&Rs are) and BORE THEM!! Focus on your song...singers...focus on your vocals! MY DANCERS will rock the crowd and will spice up your show!! Stop investing in BLING BLING that doesnt do ANYTHING FOR YOU! Invest in what will make your show stand out!!!
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Mr. Davis was, is, and will always be the epitome of what TRUE MANHOOD is!! Ghandi most of the time, but Gotti enough when he needed to be!! His word was ALWAYS good and his HEART was always open!! He never judged me for my hustle (illegal or legitimate), but he told me that time waits for no one to get right though. I'm glad that I got the opportunity to tell him face to face that HE WAS THE FATHER THAT I NEVER HAD!! Many (who were my age) called him Bill (he even told me to), but I couldn't fix my mouth to call him ANYTHING other than MR. DAVIS!! No matter where I was, he would ALWAYS take the time to talk or call me back so that I could resolve music and/or life issues! MR. DAVIS, I know you looked down and saw me crying when Deanna called me and gave me the news!! That was rare for me, but I had to let it out so that I could SMILE about all the things that we talked about over the years. I had to cry so I could SMILE like you would smile when I came to see you man!! I had to cry for a minute as I ALMOST questioned God about why He chose to take you away from this world...THEN I SMILED as I thought about all the young brothers and sisters in HEAVEN who have just gained a gaurdian of their souls....just like you guarded my soul and showed me that AUTHENTICALLY BONAFIDE REAL MEN REALLY DO EXIST!!! R.I.P.
RIP BILL DAVIS, man i learned alot from you. Man you welcomed my family into the business and always encouraged everyone around you. I just thank God that i was able to be in your presence for the few years we worked on varies projects. It was such a shock when spyda called me this morning. I will remember that cool swag you have always had....
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