Logo

Meet rapper Willie the Kid: His isn’t the common rap tale, although it bears some resemblance. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is two hours west and east of Detroit and Chicago respectively, Willie The Kid’s (WTK) mid-western roots didn’t offer much of a creative outlet for his musical ambitions. Yet unlike many talented but frustrated artists in his situation, WTK didn’t fall prey to the convenient access to drugs and violence. Instead, he used the bleak landscape of his childhood stomping grounds as inspiration for his music and motivation for his career.

The son of a DJ who was down with the culture from its onset, WTK grew up in a home where Hip-Hop was the ideology of choice. “My father never did anything else,” he says. “He wasn ’t big on anything but the music. We never got in trouble for throwing footballs in the house; we got in trouble for scratching a record or playing a rap record and saying the cuss words.” The result was a young kid who became king of the playground by memorizing the rhymes of his favorite rappers, knowing that none of his friends would have ever heard the music to which he was exposed to at home.

It was only a matter of time before he and his brother, La The Darkman started coming up with their own rhymes, making microphones from a pair of broken headphones, which they connected to a boom box. While his brother got his industry break through a deal with Wu-Tang Clan, WTK got his first notebook and filled every page. Citing legendary influences such as Rakim, KRS 1, NWA, Scarface, Outkast, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and Jay-Z, the young street visionary has made standout appearances on every Aphilliates’ mixtape release from DJ Don Cannon's 28 Grams to DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz series.

On his debut disc "Drama Presents Willie The Kid: Absolute Greatness," the rapper/songwriter mixes imaginative narratives, clever word play and flawless production with brilliant results. On the lead single “Love for Money”, the sophisticated rhymer explodes over a sonically-blessed track with assistance from R&B crooner Trey Songz, which creates the perfect backdrop for guest appearances from rappers Yung Joc, Flo Rida, La The Darkman and Atlanta trapper Gucci Mane, who all deliver classic d-boy verses. “Hip-Hop is a beverage of choice for a thirsty people,” says WTK. The status quo, as he sees it, offers to quench that thirst with no more than tap water. However he heralds a return to quality, something which he believes begins with allowing artists to express their own voices. With the support of the streets, as well as DJ Drama and the Atlanta-based Aphilliates crew, WTK continues to bypass the norm with the independent release of "Drama Presents Willie The Kid: Absolute Greatness," building his very own brand in the process. Armed with lyrical finesse, common sense and book smarts (he graduated from Clark Atlanta University), this powerhouse MC is the perfect candidate for the peopl e’s choice.

In addition to reclaiming artistic rights, WTK feels now is the time for Hip-Hop culture to return to the communities. This comes from a belief that artists, as well as the Hip-Hop culture at large, must now accept the responsibility long left vacant by the civil rights leaders and revolutionaries of the 1960s and ‘70s. “With all the attention you get, all the stardom, all the influence and power you have as an artist, you’re being selfish not to turn it around and make something good happen for your people,” he asserts. “Everyone looked up to Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, John F. Kennedy and now Barack Obama. As artists, we have the same influence and responsibility; it’s just a shift in who it goes to. I'm here to make the future of hip-hop absolutely great.” The revolution is here: Pay Attention!

Atlanta rapper Carlos "Shawty Lo" Walker will be participating in the American Diabetes Step Out and Walk to Fight Diabetes, where he will serve as team captain of the Diabetes Destroyers. The event takes place on Saturday, September 20th at Historic Grant Park in downtown Atlanta. Step Out is the ADA's signature fundraising event that raises funds to find a cure for diabetes. The ADA will also have a Health & Wellness Festival, a high-traffic, interactive arena with sponsor and exhibitor booths that provide information, products and services for children and adults affected by diabetes. Throughout t he event, children of all ages can have fun in the Kid Zone.

Shawty Lo was diagnosed with diabetes in 2001 and in spite of his diagnosis, continues to maintain good health while balancing his rigorous music and entertainment career through proper diet and exercise. Shawty Lo hopes that by sharing his story, which he blogged about on Vibe.com and his myspace page (myspace.com/therealshawtylo), he will inspire others who struggle with the disease, as well as raise awareness of its dangerous effects, especially among the African-American and Latino communities.

"Anything I can do to help raise awareness about diabetes, I will be there," says Lo. "Everybody knows at least one person that has it, so it’s like when we participate in events, walks and things of that nature, we’re really helping somebody we care about, as well as ourselves because you never know when or how it can affect you."

To register to join Shawty Lo's team or to make a donation, please click [HERE] or for more information, please contact: Tamiko Hope of Word Ink at hope4miko@aol.com.