Kaliq “Southside Stiks” Wares is one of those that deserves that “moment”.  A music producer dedicated to good music and not genre’s, has proven his versatility by producing for EDM, Gospel artists and a few Rock bands.  Living in a city that is flooded with legendary producers and artists, such as T.I., Ludacris, Jeezy, one would think the road to success would be easy.  Nothing is ever easy, dues have to be paid.

Having been in the camp of Polow Da Don, promoting for his artists Rich Boy and Keri Hilson, Stiks is not “green” to the industry and how it works.  “It’s all about who you know, and if you are willing to play the game” he says.  “I have the talent and the skills, I just need the avenue”.

I met “Stiks” as he is called, at an industry function some years back and we kept meeting at various functions that highlighted his artists and his music. Having lived in different areas of the country, his sound is definitely influenced by his travels.  It gives his music an edge that is hard-hitting and contagious.  So it comes as no surprise, to hear that his music was being sought after by acts here in Atlanta, as well as Houston, Chicago, Harlem, and his home state of Indiana.

Atlanta Kings sat down with Stiks for an interview, which will be the first of a series.  We will be interviewing artists and producers from around the City of Atlanta, paying their dues in this highly competitive industry of music.

Atlanta Kings: How long have you been making music?

Stiks: I have been doing this for about 20 years.  I have a studio in my home and another studio near Downtown Atlanta.

Atlanta Kings: Who is your target market for your beats?

Stiks: Any person that likes music.  When I’m in the studio, I do not really make music for a particular genre.   I just make it and find out where it belongs. As a producer you know what beats fit best with what artist and you let them choose.  Hip-hop, gospel and whomever else,  I do not turn them down, I just go all out and tweak it for a better fit.  There is no discrimination in music, I love it all, Nancy Wilson, Frank Sinatra, Thelonious Monk, Bob James, Deep Purple, Antonio Vivaldi.

Atlanta Kings: Who would you compare your style to and which artist would you like to work with?

Stiks: As far as comparisons go I would say, Premier, Kanye and Rockwilder.  There are so many that I wouldn’t mind producing for, but if I had to pick one it would be Kendrick Lamar.

Atlanta Kings:  So tell us about a few of the acts you have worked with and who the people need to be on the lookout for.

Stiks:  That is hard to answer because I work with some really good artists.  Like, Bill Money, Yung Roski, Jus L and my boy  Quincy .  Bill Money is my business partner, he’s been in the game for a minute.  I definitely respect his style, he writes all of his material and is one THE best lyricists, I have heard. He is working hard out here, performing, promotions.  That’s my go to guy when promoting is concerned, a definite master at that.  Yung Roski is out of Jacksonville, a real beast.  He sings, raps, and also writes all of his material.  My dude Jus L, is a young cat up top and hits hard with it.  I like his flow, his style, he’s a true artist. A perfectionist no doubt.  You hear his music and there is a wisdom there, something unique.  Now Quincy from Payroll is a jack of all trades, type of dude.  Music, promotions, management, he goes hard, always about that bottom line.  He has brought me a few artists that he was managing and they were all good.   I like how he is dedicated to his artists, and his brand Payroll.  He has a cousin I deal with as too, Chico Montana.  He does a gang of successful promoting in Atlanta and has a few artists that he manages.  All of which are definitely worth the time to get to know.  I have many more I could name, but we would be here all day!

Atlanta Kings: Where do you want your brand to go?

Stiks: I want it to go, where I know it has the potential to go; to the top.  I’m not being arrogant, I am just confident in my skills as a producer.  Why be in it, work hard at it and not trust your talent?  I’m just ready for the opportunity to make that leap and I believe that it is around the corner.  If this guy and that guy made it, there is no reason why I cannot, so I am not worried;  just waiting my turn.

Atlanta Kings: What do you do to promote yourself?

Stiks: Word of mouth and referrals brings in the most business but I network as much as I can.  Networking has afforded me many opportunities to meet and connect with a people in the game.

Atlanta Kings: What do you want the readers of Atlanta Kings to know about “Stiks”?

Stiks: That I am talented, versatile, hungry and ready to work with anyone that is ready to a make a hit.  I’m here.

Atlanta Kings: Thanks for the sit down.  Much more success to you.

Stiks: Thank you for the interest.

To connect with or hear any of the music of the people within this article, their names are linked to their respective social pages.

To read more writings of Taqwetta C. go to www.atlmaryj.blogspot.com

The beautiful part about being a child is the whole world is open to them, which gives them the power to control their own destiny.  This is exactly what 8 year old, Amir and 4 year old Ace are doing, with their illustrious Rich Boys clothing line.

Rich Boys is a high end, yet affordable clothing line with accessories designed for young men.  The line is beyond adorable and allows for individuality without lacking style. It is definitely refreshing to see original styles and the brains behind them, being just as original as their brand.  Now do not misunderstand, these boys have an integral role in the clothing that is put out and how it looks.  They approve the fabrics and put their approval on every piece of clothing.  This is not a front for mom or dad’s line, this is their company and it represents their own sense of style.

Amir and Ace have already received the stamp of approval from the King of ATL himself, T.I. “The King” clothed his son Major with the Rich Boys line and endorsed it to over 19 million of his Facebook followers.  Look, these boys are the real deal, and this is definitely being noticed and appreciated.  To have a line launched, celebrity endorsed and this amount of buzz in less than a year, is a testament to Amir and Ace and the quality of their brand.

These little boys are on their way to changing the face of this industry, with their originality, and their fashion sense.  To be so young and on the road to building an empire for themselves, these boys are to be respected and admired.  If I had little boys, I would definitely adorn them with this line.  So I urge you to visit the site because one visit will definitely draw you into their charisma, as it spills out the screen. To make a purchase from the Rich Boys clothing line, visit www.shoprichboys.com.

To read more of Taqwetta C.’s writings follow her blog, “All I’m Saying Is….”  www.atlmaryj.blogspot.com

Follow her on Instagram (@atlmaryj) and Twitter (@atlmaryj)

Usher has been working out tremendously in an effort to prepare for the role.

Usher had the following to say in a recent interview with Huffington:

“He had such incredible discipline, and he was flashy and classy at the same time. I want to be as passionate and dedicated in preparing for this role as he was every time he stepped into the ring.”

Usher then went on to say:

You couldn’t find a more stylized boxer than Sugar Ray Leonard. He was an
incredible motion guy, the way he moved around the ring, and I think my dancing
will make it easier for me to pick up his moves. I’ve been working on
familiarizing myself with the ring, sparring and just understanding how to move
in the ring.”– Usher

We recently did an article on the Rapper about how he continues to dress “Totally Krossed Out” in 2013.  The post was meant to be humorous, but right now it serves as a reminder of just how true to his artistry Chris Kelly was and always has been.  He never swayed from the style of hip hop he knew and loved as a child, into his adult life.  No matter what people thought of him, he appeared to continue to live his life, his way.

His Mother, Ms. Pratte, left this statement:

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that our beloved Chris Kelly has passed away on May 1. To millions of fans worldwide, he was the trendsetting, backwards pants-wearing one-half of Kris Kross who loved making music. But to us, he was just Chris – the kind, generous and fun-loving life of the party. Though he was only with us a short time, we feel blessed to have been able to share some incredible moments with him. His legacy will live on through his music, and we will forever love him.”

So we at Atlanta Kings would like to take the time out now to Honor the life and memory of Chris Kelly, whom we recently saw this past weekend in Atlanta full of life and still in true ”Kris Kross” style.

Keep Jumping Chris…And Thanks For Showing Us How.

His temper tantrum and lack of consideration for his team upset one of the greatest players to ever wear a Lakers jersey, Magic Johnson.

Magic Johnson took to his twitter account in order to let Dwight know exactly how upset he was by his behavior:

Wow.  You don’t piss of Laker Alumni unless your looking to get traded.  (and rumor has it that Dwight wants to be traded to Houston).

2 Chainz dodges a bullet as he was found not guilty on marijuana charges on Wednesday (April 25).  According to the Rolling Stone, there was no clear evidence that could place the illegal substance on the Atlanta Rapper.

The Rolling Stone reports:

The van the MC was riding in was stopped for speeding on the way to a show at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore campus on February 14th. According to Maryland’s Star Democrat, police officers smelled burning marijuana coming from the vehicle, and searched it under probable cause. The search turned up a grinder inside a gray bag inside another camouflage-colored bag. The rapper told police the camouflage bag was his, but denied responsibility for the gray bag.

2 Chainz was asked by the officers who arrested him to take a picture.

Talbot County District Court Judge William H. Adkins III since there was no evidence proving 2 Chainz owned the grinder there was no case.

“It belonged to somebody in that room. As for who, I don’t know,” Adkins said.

Ludacris has come back with a record of his own.  Though our Atlanta MC has been on a few features here and there, he has released his new single “If I Ain’t F**ked Up.”

“I been drinking all night, if I ain’t f-cked up I don’t feel right,” goes the song’s chorus.
Luda is working to bring us the DTP Presents: I Don’t Give A F-ck’ – The Mixtape project.  His album Ludaversal will be out later this year.  Check out the cut below.

Video: YouTube

Lil Scrappy and family got their wish as he walked out of jail as a free man yesterday (April 24).

During TMZ Live today (April 25) it was reported that Lil Scrappy’s urine sample was cold, which gave his probation officer the conclusion that the urine was not his and somehow he snuck clean urine to past the test.  When the officers confronted Scrappy to take another test, Scrappy told them off and walked out.  Obviously he wasn’t thinking because this qualified as him violating his probation and a warrant was issued.

Fast forward to now, Scrappy thank God and his lawyer who was the one who had the court dismiss the warrant.

I’m out biznyee #wityofaceass lol thanks too God my Lord n savior Jesus Christ n the lawyers he used… instagram.com/p/YgESrvzMSb/

— Lil Scrappy (@reallilscrappy) April 24, 2013

Lil Scrappy is known for smoking weed but man, put the blunt down and get it together.  If you going to cheat a piss test, at least make sure the pee isn’t cold, sigh.

The interview started with Rocko talking about making “good checks” off of rappers like Sammy Sam, Future and Young Dro.  When T.I. got his self in the position, Rocko put Young Dro on game and the rest is history.  When it comes to Future, he was rocking with the Astronaut since Dem Franchize Boyz days.  Rocko gives himself credit in putting him together and packaging him up for pickup in the industry.

Rocko address that he wasn’t feeling T-Pain took a shot at Future.

I have respect for T-Pain, he came into the game, he did this thang, made his money and milked the game.  I just didn’t understand why he felt he needed to take the low blow.

Now things got serious for a moment when DJ Envy asked the rapper why he took Rick Ross off the controversial “U.O.E.N.O.” song.  Ross got in trouble with his lyrics about date raping a woman and since then Rocko Da Don added other artists to the track.  Roc tells the morning show he never took the MMG boss off the track.

I would never take him off the song but in the situation I had to audible.

Rumor has it that Rocko was thinking about joining the Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta cast.  The Atlanta King instead said he was in talks with VH1 to have his own show.  In regards to reality TV, he says he is always open to it but only in the right time.

Watch the full two part interview with Rocko below.

Video: YouTube

Video: YouTube