p reacher is a common name heard in the streets of Orlando, especially recently. After releasing several singles, Preacher is preparing to further spread his street gospel via his first album.
How did you make a name for yourself in Orlando? Hard work and a lot of grind. I started getting on every show I could possibly get. I actually did a lot of shows with just about every major artist you could think of. I just took the money I made from my business – I own a tattoo parlor – and started pushing myself. I’ve featured Rick Ross and Jacki-O. I made a big dent in Florida. I was trying to do the unity thing so I went to every artist here that was doing something and making a name for themselves and I collaborated with them and let everybody know who Preacher was. Have you tattooed any famous people? Yeah, I did the driver Grave Digger; I did Shahiem from Wu Tang. I’ve done a lot of basketball players. A lot of people know me from doing tattoos. That’s something I also wanted to tie into my music career. Paul Wall brought the gold grills to the industry so I want to bring tattoos to the music industry. As far as your music, what are you most known for? My energy. I believe when you hit the stage it’s about showmanship and energy. I don’t think there’s nobody out there that does a show the way I do a show. I bring a lot of things to the table, a lot of energy. I think that’s what’s missing in the industry right now. How would you compare the music scene in your hometown to other cities? It’s a lot more gangsta. Instead of the dirty South we normally hear, in Orlando it’s a little bit more gangsta. The thing I’m bringing to the table is that I’m mixing the two – a commercial feel and gangsta – so that I got a new genre of music. I actually have a genre of music
that can be played on radio but still give you the sense of masculinity. Tell me about some of the singles you’ve had success with. The first single I released was called “Die For Me.” I got a big up North fan base. My first single hit the charts and I was getting about 200 or 300 spins on radio up North. My second single was “We From Florida” featuring Rick Ross and Jacki-O. My third single was “Don’t Push Me.” It featured Shahiem from Wu Tang. I’ve been working on some big projects. With my fourth single, I wanted it to be only me so I can show people what I can do and they don’t think the artists that I’m featuring is what’s carrying me. I want to show people that I can hold my own. My new single is called “Paperchasin’.” I just released it. It’s already tearing up the stations.
With radio play and your buzz, have any major labels been seeking you out? From what I’m hearing through the grapevine, I got four labels that are interested – Interscope, Def Jam, Universal and Atlantic. We got a couple of people that’s also promoting us in New York and New Jersey. We get a lot of feedback and they was talking about they wanted to see how much I really want it. I’m looking forward to signing with a very big major. It’s going to have to be somebody big, especially with my creativity. What significance does your name have? How do you live up to it? I got the name Preacher from my father when I was four years old. My father always told me I would be preaching a lot of things people could learn from. A lot of times people get my name mixed up with gospel. It’s not that I don’t want to preach the gospel, but I want to do God’s work in the streets. If I see somebody doing something wrong, I tell them how they should do it right. I tell them how important school is and there’s other ways to make money than selling drugs. I’m an entrepreneur myself. I’m always preaching something positive. I’m from the street so I give them the street perspective. It’s hard for somebody from the streets to listen to somebody’s who’s never done it. I’ve done everything. I’m a positive role model in the community; I’m always giving back. I didn’t get into music just for money, I got into it because I want to voice to the people and make change. Tell me about some of your plans for the future. I’m sitting on tons of music and I realize you can make music all day, but you got to get out here and make something happen. I have a pre-album I’m about to release. When a major label comes, I’m going to be a full package for them. // Words by Ms. Rivercity // Photo by Shang Media LLC OZONE | 13