Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Knox.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Johnny. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It started back in early 2009. When The “Rich Kidz” created their hit singles “My Partna Dem” & “Wassup” which was produced by super producer “KC Da Beatmonster” he took a liking to me and started to work with me personally and helped develop my craft which I had no previous experience with before meeting him. He showed me that I could be doing something different than just being in the streets with literally no purpose outside of just getting some money. At that time, I was at a crossroad in my life dealing with a close friend who was just killed so music really came at the perfect time because I know would have been dead or in jail by 21.
As I started to grow more interests in Hip-Hop and pretty much was in the studio everyday recording, we came up with a record titled “Go Wild” that started to catch traction for the both of us and started doing shows. We met a guy named “Nard” who had an independent label called “Grown Man Entertainment” we had signed to him summer 2009. The time we spend in that situation was definitely a learning experience for me to say the least because it turned out to be a bad deal but something good came out of it… well, somewhat! We met “Nitti Beatz” and started to be around him. He already had recording artists “K-Camp” who we already had a personal relationship with and “Myyko Montana” who we had mutual friends with. Long story short it turned out to be a bad situation as well but we never signed to “Nitti Beatz” just another great learning experience on how to move as an artist.
We kept working, then I got a call from “Atlantic Records” in 2010 and went out to California to meet with them, by then, I pretty much knew what I wanted out of the music industry and after 2 meetings, I didn’t sign with “Atlantic Records” because I didn’t feel that the situation would be right for my career. So, I came back to Atlanta feeling somewhat good because I knew from then, I was on the music industry’s radar, so I kept working. I released my debut mixtape in 2011 titled “Legend In The Making” which had put me on “Interscope Records” radar which I felt the situation they were offering wouldn’t be best for my career as well, but still, I kept working. But at this time, I founded “Guerrilla Mob Empire” and 2012, I released my second project titled “S.O.A.H.” (Story of A Hustler” which is still my favorite full body of work I have released thus far and that put me on “Def Jam Records” radar but with that situation, they offered me a situation that was the best out of any situations I been offered at that time, but with this one, I didn’t feel I was ready at the time, something I kind of regret to this day but everything happens for a reason.
At this point, I started to do my research on the business side of the music industry and early 2013, I met who I don’t want to name but he informed me he was a part of the team who helped started “300 Entertainment” and took me to Los Angeles for a few days to be around and meet other music industry execs and insiders. When I got back to Atlanta saying that I had a whole new perspective on the music industry is an understatement, so I took what all I have learned four years prior and started to really come up with this master plan of how I wanted to do this, how I wanted to be viewed in the public’s eye and continued to perfect my craft. Six years later of many ups and downs, more learning curves, I had to go through this makes my tenth year since I first started and is ready to put everything I’ve learned up to this point to great use and will be releasing my third project “The Black Charles Luciano Story EP” late summer- early fall 2019!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely, no smooth road in my experience because when the music industry first found me, I had no knowledge nor experience in what I was getting myself into, from going through shady deals, getting the short end in business moves. I have definitely paid my dues to have the knowledge I have and to be in the position I’m in now and will be in within the near future. It’s almost like it was supposed to happen this way so I will be one individual within and outside the industry.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Guerrilla Mob Empire – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Guerrilla Mob Empire was founded in 2011. Which I’m the CEO/Artist of the label. Authenticity is what set me apart from the rest because with fabrication, being the norm today’s climate, I try to stay close to my roots as much as possible because this goes beyond music. A lot of sacrifices has been to help shape what will become a billion-dollar company!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
To release great music which will lead me to other great ventures that I would want to do and to give other people chances on a fair playing field to help their families as much as I can!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: GMOBJOHNNY
- Twitter: RealJohnnyKnox
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/h9qdxR
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
