Urban South Interview Series - Kuwn Dalini

by Lil' Phil , Edward "Pookie" Hall of of Urban South

Tomorrow (July 20th) marks a special day for the local music scene in Dallas, TX. Promoter 'Kuwn Dalini' will celebrate the 3rd anniversary of Metro Muzik’s Operation Phoenix Showcase at Club Nairobi's (Deep Ellum), which is one of a few places in Dallas for local artists to perform at. Urban South's Dallas music rep. ‘Lil Phil talked with Kuwn in an 1-on-1 interview about the anniversary showcase, why artists are paying for shows, and what's next for the rap artist turned promoter.

Interview by ‘Lil Phil

1. First off, tell us how u got your name?

Well to be honest, I used to go by another name. But I didn't like it because it didn't fit who I was. Then I started to use Coon, because since I am a little bit more educated than the average, I wanted people to listen to what I had to say. I knew everybody would want to know why I called myself Coon because of the negative reference to blacks. But through reading books by different authors like Malachi Z. York, I eventually found the name Kuwn, which means "to exist" in Arabic. And eventually through even more reading I found the word kundalini and just kept the "w". I am the positive form of that word, unless you agitate its essence.

2. When did you decide to start doing music?

When I started seeing that all my friends were selling drugs, not because they wanted to be big time drug dealers, but because they had jobs that they had been working for years that wouldn't give them a decent raise in comparison to the increase in inflation They were starting families and barely able to keep the lights on you know what I'm saying?

3. When I first met you a couple years back, you were with a group called the Ferrows, correct? Tell me about that.

The Ferrows was a collective of artists like Wu-Tang. It still exists, but I am redefining it right now. There were some members who needed to be let go and some that just quit, so now it's all about 7 PM, INC. That's a company that I started with my business partner Brandy Garner. You need to interview her. She's the president and there's good reason why. The Ferrows can't be what it needs to be right now. But I'm still the first Ferrow. I'm the leader. PERIOD.

4. Now you promote for two night clubs in Deep Ellum (Nairobi's and Tom Cats) where you invite local artist to come out and showcase their skills. What was it that made you decide to break into promoting clubs and artists as to promoting your music?

It came about from me being an artist and trying to get shows for my group and I felt like no one would give us the time of day. We would do little talent searches and what we had to say wasn't what people were ready to hear. We even got booed once. So I just decided to start throwing shows to help ourselves. Then I found out that I wasn't alone in the struggle, and it went from there.

5. Since then, the flow of underground artists from all over the DFW to Houston and god knows where else have come down to do a show for you in one of the two clubs, if not both. Tell me what you think an artist must bring to the table to have a good performance?

A good mix on your show cd, good music, and some damn stage presence. If the only way you can get krunk at a show is if all your homeboys are on stage with you, then you need to step your game up. Watch DMX or LL Cool J concerts and you will know what I'm talking about.

6. Now your 3rd Aniversary for Metro Muzik's Operation Pheonix at Nairobi's is July 20th, tell me what to expect when I come? ‘Cuz i will be there!

It's actually just a celebration party because our anniversary was actually June 18th, 2006. You will see some of the hottest acts in DFW that I have had come through over the past couple of years. Along with our special guest, Thyra from Swisha House. We also, will have The Run Ya Mouf being filmed and a couple of other special surprises because my brother is getting married the Saturday after so we doing a lil sum'n sum'n for him for a bachelor party. Rolling Out Magazine, Quick Magazine, and hopefully Ozone Magazine will be in the building. Just a lot of good exposure for the artists here in DFW (Dallas/Ft.Worth). I don't want to spoil the details, you just have to be there.

7. The fact that you have been doing this for 3 years, and have dealt with so many artists – I’m sure you've seen a lot of crazy stuff pop off! Can you get give me a short list off good and bad situations you've been in while on the job?

Man, the good part is that I have seen so many artists gain confidence in their skills. Also, they believe a little more in the possibility that they can actually attain some sort of success as long as they take care of business. Even a couple of artists have got deals and investors just from performing at the showcases.

The worst part is that it's not only a lot of haters, but a whole bunch of lying ass artists. They act like they grinding and half of these cats be grinding in all the wrong ways and then want to blame the system. There's no way any Program Director, Radio Personality, DJ, etc, can stop hundreds upon hundreds of artists. The fact of the matter is 95% of them don't take care of their business and then want to blame it on somebody else instead of looking in the mirror. As a promoter, I run both of my weekly events at 2 different venues and currently I don't even have my own vehicle. A lot of these cats aren't hustlers. They just want to be what they see on TV.

8. Now, paid shows! Do you do paid shows and under what circumstances if any?

They can get paid under these 3 options.

1. You prove that you are worth getting paid. In other words, if you have over 75 people that actually show up to watch you perform. I say 75 people because there are only about 5 artists that could even put a show together by themselves and get that many people to come see them. And when I say by themselves, I mean NOT getting somebody else with a name to come and perform with them.

2. You actually invest in yourself. You put up some type of investment in promotions of $300 or more. I know what kind of money it takes to make some money. You invest and plan properly, you make money. PERIOD.

3. I actually think that you are worth the investment for what you are asking to get paid. There are some people that I pay because I believe they are worth putting money behind because of their value. In other words, I know if I pay them $50, they are going to draw $150 worth of business. Now that doesn't mean that I have them perform all the time, it may just be when the time is right because this business has it's ups and downs and yes, even I have to stay back from investing money into situations that aren't a good look due to circumstances.

9. If an artist reading this wanted to come perform, how can they get in touch with you?

They can call me up directly – 972.897.2086.

They can email me – kuwn_dalini@yahoo.com.

They can hit me on MySpace

10. What is the biggest problem you have to deal with when it comes to promoting performing artist?

There is no biggest problem. There are PROBLEMS! Everything from showing up late, artists not having IDs to get in the club/venue (which is a STATE LAW), artists trying to go over their time limit for performing, to artists performing good songs and then don't even have a copy to leave us so that we can have our DJs play in the club/venue. I would name more but I don't want to start a book report.

11. Besides the 3 year anniversary, what else do you have coming up?

All types of stuff. A mini-Texas Back 2 School Tour for college age folk and up. A show with Devin The Dude. I'm working on a show with Big Tuck of DSR as a special guest. A new DVD magazine called The World Iz Mine DVD Magazine that drops this month. A new compilation CD called Street Flames Volume 1. I'm working on a solo CD project. Just check out my MySpace account. It's going down!

12. Is there anything else you want the people to know about you and what you do for DFW artists?

I am the cure. I not only let them come out and perform, I put their music on the net, refer them to other promoters, put them on DVDs, play their music in the clubs, advise them on how to promote their music, book them on other shows through 7 PM, INC. Hell, the only thing I probably don't do is sign them.

13. I'll see you the 20th?

Yep! METRO MUZIK!

• Staff
• Verified User
• Anonymous