Royalty in the Flesh: GBOY MostRequested

I don’t listen to a lot of rap, but when I meet guys like this… I can’t help but listen. This guy come from the Windy City, and really has a grasp on what it takes to build a polished personal brand. I don’t really understand the meaning behind his name… but we will get to that. He has a new single called I’m Blowin Up, and while he isn’t actually blowing up in the song, the tune carries a solid beat with some professional lyrics that demand attention. He is getting attention to. I have been connecting with several rap artist in the Windy City, and they all seem to have similar goals in mind… success. It’s good to see. Like I said, I don’t follow this scene very much, but I am glad that I am able to meet and work with guys like this. It is my pleasure to introduce you to GBOY MostRequested.

Where does the name GBOY come from? Why are all of the letters capitalized?

The name GBOY came from a nickname people called me in the neighborhood “Glennboy”.  Glennboy sounded a bit lame to me, so I took the G and the BOY and came up with GBOY. The letters are all capital because via search on the Internet most of the GBOY’s I have seen are lowercase or a dash between the G and B. Therefore I did the opposite, and it’s been working for me! (Laughs.)

Where are you originally from?

I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. I grew up on the east side.

You have some pretty polished beats. Who does all of your production?

The production you hear is all me… I produce everything my friend! I have been making beats for 9 years. I have grown over time listening to some great producers such as Timbaland, Swiss Beats, Ryan Leslie and Dr. Dre. I also listen to some new producers doing their thing at the moment such as David Guetta and Lex Luger. Producing is fun and challenging staying true to the craft. Most of the time you want to stay in your lane but, to make some money and get a better experience throughout your career, you have to make a variety of beats. I wouldn’t say I step out of my lane because I love and do all types of music.

This Trayvon Martin stuff is crazy… how did you react when you heard the news? What will bring him and his family justice for what happened?

Well, when I first heard about the Trayvon Martin incident I was in shock that someone could get away with murder; even though O.J. got off the hook as well but, that’s another story. (Laughs.) I was more hurt at the fact it takes an incident like this for a nation to come together. It’s almost like they are saying its OK for a black man to kill a black man but, when it comes to a white man etc. we all are about to start a riot. I feel it was morally wrong and George Zimmerman should be punished for his crime. I also feel that this should not be the cause of a nation coming together.

There are two professional baseball teams up there. Are you a Sox fan or a Cubs fan?

I have never been to a Cubs game. Everyone in my family are White Sox fans, especially my uncle. He has taken me to 6 or 7 games. I really do not care much for baseball, but if I had to choose it will be White Sox. All of you Cub fans don’t be mad at me… take it out on my uncle who is the die hard White Sox fan!

I love Chicago. I am up there all the time. What are some of your favorite spots to perform?

I have performed at several venues throughout my career. I have played at The Ultra Lounge (formally known as the Tini Martini), The Funky Buddha, the Green Dolphin, Crush, Adrianna’s, The Zone and Reggie’s Rock Club. I have performed at a couple other places as well, but the experience at Reggie’s Rock Club was awesome. The energy was magnificent. The crowd was different from the usual crowds I performed for in the past.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations?

My son and my daughter.

What is 16 Barz?

GBOY MostRequested’s 16 Barz is a web series that I came up with to give unsigned artist the opportunity to show their skills to the world. The show is dedicated to rappers, singers and producers. It was kind of crazy thinking about the process of creating the show. My intentions were to just have an episode or two and put it on the Internet for fun. I never knew the buzz would go as far as it did. There were rappers and singers all over sending me videos and request for their artist to be featured on my series. All the requests made me realize that my web series could generate attention needed to gain exposure for me and other artist on the come up. Therefore, I am taking the show to another level and the episodes will be more intense and worth watch so stay tuned in.

I am digging your logo. Who designed that?

I actually design all of my own logos and mix tape covers. I attended Kennedy-King College for graphic communicates and media communications. The experience was great… but they didn’t teach me anything I didn’t already know. I dropped out because my main reason for going was to learn how to create my own website. I felt that purpose turned into me wasting time. I taught myself to design a website… and it will be public very soon.

Who writes all of your lyrics?

I write everything. It is actually easier coming up with the concepts to songs because I produce my own beats. In the process of making the beats, the ideas for the songs are being created as well. When I am done with the beat, I already have a chorus for the song. After the chorus is there, everything else falls in place.

You are on Facebook and Twitter. How have these social media sites allowed you to share your work? 

I feel Facebook and Twitter have a purpose. They are there to be a tunnel to your own domain; your website. I feel all artists should have a website with everything to feed the fans. Social networks are very important because you have to get people to your website. The best way to do that… go where the people are. I hear a lot of older rappers saying it is much easier now than it was back in the day to get your music to the masses. The Internet is the most powerful tool this generation has. You can start a label, sign artists, create a demo, make videos, pay for marketing or learn marketing and do it yourself, gain a buzz on the Internet and start making money.  This is happening everyday by the overnight YouTube sensations. The struggle is still there but, the opportunity is yours for the taking.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?

The most embarrassing thing that has happened to me on stage is a common error for many artists. I was behind the curtains ready to be called and my adrenaline was going. I could hear my heart beat and my hands were sweaty. I always get sweaty hands when I am nervous. (Laughs.) The performer before me ends the song and says, “Alright everybody, thanks for the support. I’m out of here”. The host comes to the stage and grabs the microphone and calls my name. I come from behind the curtains and my song comes on and I forgot every single word to it. The show must go on, so I still performed and the energy was so strong that the fans didn’t care that I forgot the lyrics.

Why do you do it… what is your motivation to keep rapping every day?

I have come too far and sacrificed so many things in my life. I have always been entertaining people. I use to dance and win talent shows. I also was a class clown in school. I can remember my friends having a conversation when the substitute teacher walked in. They where looking around for certain people who made the class fun and I was amongst the names they called. I have also been making music since I was young… there were no CDs, only cassette tapes. All of my friends were out partying and enjoying being a kid. I was in my room making songs and demo tapes. I always had a girlfriend, but I never had time to make it serious. I started working at the age of 12 with my uncle and took everything I made and invested it into the music. People called me crazy… and many other names for being as dedicated as I am. I have been doing music for 13 years and for me to stop now would be insane. I stutter when I talk, and that was one of the reasons friends and family said I wouldn’t be able to become a rapper. I feel I have to make everyone believe me. Not only the people that doubted me, but the people out there with the same struggles as me.

What’s the deal with the “most requested” piece? I am seeing GBOY and GBOY MostRequested. How are they different?

Well, if you go on Google and type in GBOY you will see a bunch of people with that name. Now, go type GBOY MostRequested and you will find me. You will see me and all the things I am associated with. People make MostRequested two words… but it’s together. That is what also makes the name more unique. Whoever has the name GBOY… you better go hard because I’m on my grind everyday.

You have had over 40,000 downloads. How does that feel? Do you ever wish you could meet every person that has downloaded your work?

Sounds like an NLP question. (Laughs.) This makes me feel like I am succeeding. I am winning and all of my hard work is starting to payoff. I do wish I could meet every person that has downloaded or purchased one of my singles or ringtones.  I would like to let them know how much I appreciate the love and support.  A lot of times when people do things for me I reply, “Thanks a lot, I appreciate it”.  Some of my friends used to say they hated that phrase because it sounded like I was being sarcastic. I explained to them that I never really got any hand outs or support for anything. When I say I appreciate it, I really mean it. It means a lot to me when someone helps me out.

This happens with everything… but not everyone likes you or your music. How do you deal with people who disrespect what you are and what you are trying to do?

You see, everyone has a reality. Everyone just does not realize it yet. This is why majority of the people in the world result to a job and school. This is the reality they where told and they go by. If you are not doing either or, you are not doing anything so said. I create my own reality and I walk my own paths. We all live off emotions and feelings. If I let emotions and feelings dictate my decisions in life, I would be living the life someone else told me to live. So to answer your question, I feel everyone is entitled to an opinion. I do not deal with it. It does not matter to me because when I am gone from this form, nothing will matter anyway.

Tell me more about “royalty in the flesh”.

I am a king. I am not a gang banger. I wear purple a lot, which represents royalty. I feel if Alfred the Great or one of the famous kings in history would’ve had the privilege to be face to face with me, they would have wanted to hang me. But, looking into my eyes seeing that I am royalty, they probably would have stepped down and let me take over. What you think? (Laughs.)

What’s your favorite drink?

Water… all the way. I don’t drink pop.

Have you ever heard your work on the radio?

Yes, I have heard my work on the radio. My single Time to 2 Get Paid was played on 107.5 WGCI local artist segment called GOILL Radio hosted by DJ Timbuck2. They played the song about 4 weeks straight. It felt good to hear my art being appreciated while driving in my car.

What are you doing on a typical Friday night?

Well, my Friday nights are basically in the crib (house) eyes glued to a computer screen making beats, networking, designing a cover or doing research.

You have so much energy on stage… where does that energy come from?

The energy comes from the love of music. There is no other way to describe it. When I am on stage I think about all the stress and problems I have everyday and it’s like a go hard or go home feeling that I get.

Who are some of your favorite bands… what is on your iPod right now?

I am a huge fan of Kanye West. On my iPod I have Kanye West, Outkast, Ludacris, Mike Posner, Nicki Minaj, Flo Rida, Future, Drake, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Travis Porter, Roscoe Dash, GBOY MostRequested… there are some oldies on there too.

What is “The Package”?

That is my first and second mix tape, “The Package” and “The Package 2”. They are available on datpiff.com and any other website that features independent artist mix tapes. They also will be available on my website when that is done.

I haven’t seen you live… but how is a live show different than what I am seeing online?

You might have to just stop by one of my performances to see for yourself. I would be spoiling the experience if I told you! (Laughs.)

What would you be doing if you were not rapping?

I would be miserable working a boring job.

What’s next for GBOY? What does the rest of 2012 look like?

I think this is the year my mark will be made. I have a new mix tape dropping, which in my opinion will be an eye opener to everyone. The mix tape will be the biggest move in my career since the major magazine features. If you love real and good music that makes you feel good my website is going to be the place to be. The website will have everything from videos to beats and merchandise. Also GBOY MostRequested’s 16 Barz is about to go national this year.

Where do you see yourself when this is all said and done? You can’t rap forever!

I see myself owning multiple business ventures and providing work for others. Through music I was able to capture the hearts of billions. I will have my own label signing artists that are motivated and have the same drive as me at an early age.  I see me living the rest of my days out happily ever after.  I will go on cruises, vacations, shopping sprees… making money at the same time. I really don’t agree with you… I can rap forever. A lot of rappers are proving that gray hair doesn’t mean anything! (Laughs.)

Thanks for taking the time to do this buddy… I appreciate it. In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.

First off, thank you for having me. I was honored to be apart of your famous blog. Also thanks to my manager at Manatee Records “Doc” for all the things he has helped me achieve in my career. A gigantic thank you too all of my fans who stay supporting the movement no matter what.

GBOY MostRequested

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