Day: May 31, 2021
Houston native TJ Boyce is a “Jack of all trades” when it comes to the entertainment industry. He sings, raps, writes, produces and directs, not only music videos, but also movies. The multitalented artist’s song, “Black Woman,” is racing up the charts, being the most “added” single on Urban AC, but his latest production, “Mr. Officer” is a piece screaming out for justice and demanding an end to racism against African Americans. Last year, the devoted father released a music video, “Ghetto America,” which received national acclaim. The piece is a stirring “twist of fate” depiction inspired by the death of George Floyd, and stars Boyce, his children (TJ III and London) and actor Omar Gooding. Ghetto America gives us a look at what “could have happened” if Floyd was white and the officer who killed him – Derek Chauvin – was Black. And today, still inspired by the country’s continued social unrest, his production, “Mr. Officer” is a extended length music video / short film that tackles the ongoing issues of police brutality against Blacks. The “how they see us” theme will leave audiences with jaws dropped and eyes wide open. Vibe Houston caught up with Boyce to get his thoughts on parenting, Houston’s entertainment scene and how, despite it all, we must keep striving to reach the top. [WATCH]: Check out trailer for Mr. Officer, premiering on Juneteenth. Vibe: How did you get started in the entertainment industry? Boyce: I turned down a recording contract when I was attending high school in Midland, Texas, but while attending Texas Southern University, I started doing some modeling after meeting people who worked with Cicely Tyson. I worked briefly in Los Angeles and from there, I started to expand my gifts, which included writing songs for other artists. Vibe: How did your kids become involved? Boyce: I noticed that my kids were exceptionally talented very early on. I put my son in local theater and started taking him to audition at a very young age. It brought tears to my eyes when I noticed the talent that God had given him and I decided to put my career on hold in order to nurture his dreams. Later on, I noticed that my daughter was following her big brother’s lead and so, it became a family affair. Vibe: What are your philosophies on parenting? Boyce: I believe that we must put our children in positions to be successful. If you see a talent, do all that you can to nurture it, and it doesn’t have to be about money. If you can’t pay for a certain training for your children, look into community programs that your children can participate in for free. There are all kinds of acting and artists workshops out there. And whenever you can, volunteer your personal services as a parent to help out with those community projects. The more you are involved, the more it can help your children. I can proudly say that TJ III has landed several commercials, has been on a comedy kids show with the amazing Wayne Brady and is beginning this month to film a Disney movie. And London has starred in “Antebellum” playing Janelle Monae’s daughter, is the face of the Blue Bell Ice Cream Sandwiches and just finished shooting with Tichina Arnold and Vivica A. Fox in her own movie, in which I’m producing, “Wonder London: I Hate My Curly Hair.” Vibe: What do you teach your children about entrepreneurship? Boyce: I teach them that being an entrepreneur, you have to put in twice as much work. I teach them that a great entrepreneur must have the ability to communicate well, strategize, focus, and sell. That is why the children have their very own ice cream truck, Boyce Kids Cream Machine, in which they actually operate themselves. We go to festivals and various outdoor events where the kids can make money while learning the value of hard work, investing and profits. And when it comes to the entertainment industry, I teach them to not wait on Hollywood. They can create their own projects. TJ III, at age 15, has already released a single and is a published author, and London – at only 8 years old – has also released a book, which is what her movie was created from. Vibe: What do you feel about the Houston entertainment industry? Boyce: I’m optimistic about it. Houston has a lot of talent. And I believe so much in it, that I am outlining plans to build a music and movie studio in Houston where we can continue to create our own projects, on a larger scale, in addition to bringing outside money from other industry leaders right to H-Town. Vibe: How did you come up with the concept of Mr. Officer? Boyce: Mr. Officer was originally inspired by the Breonna Taylor story. We all know what happened there. I just felt “enough was enough” and it made me start to think about “how do they see us?” I realized that some officers really think Blacks are nothing more than animals. You will see what I mean in the production. Vibe: Who stars in Mr. Officer? Boyce: We have a great lineup of talent. Tyrin Turner, best known as “Caine” from “Menace to Society,” is the lead actor in the film, and the music video portion features myself, Scarface and Trae tha Truth. Vibe: What is the biggest takeaway you want audiences to get from Mr. Officer? Boyce: I want them to think. I want them to be physically moved and inspired. I want police to realize that we ARE human! Vibe: Do you believe CHANGE is really coming to America? Boyce: The politically correct response would be to say “yes,” but sadly, I don’t. The recent election should be an indicator that we’re a country divided right down the middle. Vibe: What is your philosophy on giving back? Boyce: I believe that it’s a blessing to be a blessing. Giving back
Driving down Highway 288, you can either smell the good food cooking at Alfreda’s Soul Food, or your mind is just playing tricks on you from the delicious memories, forcing you to take a detour to stop at the small eatery on the corner of Almeda servicing the largest of appetites. Here, you can savor the homemade grits with butter (salt and pepper, or sugar left for you to debate over), in addition to eggs made fresh your way and toast prepared before your eyes in an old-school toaster reminiscent of grandma’s kitchen. Or, in true southern style, you can dine on lunches and dinners fried or smothered “every which way.” It was a true pleasure to “Vibe Out” with the Alfreda’s family who is still serving old-fashioned soul food from the heart of Third Ward. Vibe: What do you feel is the best feature of your restaurants…the food or the atmosphere, or is it something else? Alfreda’s: Alfreda’s Soul Food has been a staple in the mind of Houstonians for almost 60 years. Alfreda’s bridges the generational gap. The chicken and waffles served with collard greens and yams bring the Baby Boomers and Millennials to a common ground for community and conversation. Alfreda’s bridges the ethnic divide. The savory smooth smothered oxtails are the number one favorite for all ethnicities. Alfreda’s eclectic Christian playlist helps to create a place of refuge and bridges the music genre chasm. Our friends enjoy eating and nodding their heads to the hard beats of hip hop. They like swaying to the soulful sounds of RB and feeling the raw lyrics of Country Western. They appreciate clapping to the joyful notes of pop and even chilling to the silky sounds of Neo Soul. When our friends come to Alfreda’s, they know that this is as close as it gets to Grandma’s kitchen table. And there is no recipe for all of this. For these reasons, we always say, “Alfreda’s Soul Food is a family reunion every day. Come back home!” Vibe: How have you adjusted during COVID? Alfreda’s: As with many local restaurants, the pandemic presented some challenges. Adding to a difficult year, we also were affected by a nearby explosion for months and the Texas Winter Storms for days. Ultimately, though, we were able to adapt and find ways to keep serving good food to good people. We used our online ordering and delivery systems and created a socially distance environment that still feels like home. Most recently, we were named one of 25 recipients in the nation – and the only Black restaurant in the state of Texas – to be awarded a grant from American Express for their “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” grant. This inaugural program supports historic small restaurants such as Alfreda’s. Alfreda’s is a keeper of the culture and a reminder of the legacy of African Americans’ contributions to culinary creations. We are excited to use the funds and this experience to continue Alfreda’s legacy. Vibe: What do you do to give back to the community? Alfreda’s: Community is of the utmost importance to us at Alfreda’s because, for over 50 years, it has been the community that has made us successful. We owe it to the community to not just sell a product, but to consider their lives. That is why we have found unique ways to make our soul food healthier without compromising the taste. We offer 12 fresh vegetables each day, such as our hand cut greens and yams. We also use our very own kitchen to serve up more than just food. Alfreda’s offers second-chance employment by giving minority men and women a chance to reclaim their lives in a family-oriented environment. Vibe: How do you feel about the renewed interest or national push of supporting Black businesses? Do you think it will be short-lived? Alfreda’s: Regardless of trends or what is going on in the media, we have to prioritize our businesses and our communities. It is important that Black people and all people make it less of a trend and more of a tradition. Historic Black Houston was extraordinarily successful because we patronized and supported one another. Today, more people from all backgrounds see the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses. Vibe: Any advice to entrepreneurs or small business owners fighting to stay afloat during these challenging times? Alfreda’s: Be faith-driven to fulfill your God-given purpose. Study yourself to become the best version of yourself. Do more of what you do best. Use your God-given gifts and resources to diversify a product or service that is already the number one seller. In other words, give your customers more of what they want in different ways. Our customers love our savory food. So, we blended all the flavors into one bottle, called it “Cuisine Seasoning,” and sold it to them. As a top priority, always seek to provide the safest possible way of serving your staff and customers. Work with your customers on new ways of getting the product or service that they have grown accustomed to getting over the years. Many of our customers are Baby Boomers, so we spend time training them on how to order their favorite dishes online. We give our customers a heart-felt, genuine experience to keep them coming back. More information on Alfreda’s Soul Food Restaurant: Address: 5101 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77004 Phone: (713) 528-0020 https://www.alfredassoulfood.com/ Facebook: @AlfredasSoulfoodCafe Instagram: @alfredassoulfood Alfreda’s Soul Food – It’s a Family Reunion Everyday…Come Back Home…
Described by others as a combination of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton,” the “Soundtrack to the Revolution” is a gritty, in-your-face call to action to stand against every atrocity created against African Americans, including racism, social injustice and police brutality. The project was led by Smackwater, aka the “Realest [expletive] on the Gram,” and Cornel Grant, the creator of Music Monopoly Media Group. “The single ‘Juneteenth’ is a feel good, family reunion, ‘make you want to get up and dance’ song that still touches base on the social issues today,” said Grant. “When we shot the video, which will be released on Juneteenth, everybody at MacGregor Park was smiling and having a good time, forgetting it was a video shoot. Everyone says this is their favorite song on the album.” Grant and Smackwater were on the phone with each other when they learned George Floyd had died. The two discussed how people were angry and “tearing sh** up out there,” so it was time to make a “soundtrack to the revolution.” And just like that, they had the title to their album. The duo called all of their trusted industry friends and everyone came ready to write and record on the spot. The album was complete within 27 hours; two 10-hour sessions and one seven-hour session. “We were just trying something and it came out interesting. We did it for the culture,” Grant said. Featured rappers on “Juneteenth” are Smackwater, 44 B. Young (who was recently released after serving 25 years in prison), and D.E.V.I.O.S. Kidricc James and Sudari Scott sing the hook. Click here to find album on all platforms. STAY CONNECTED: @Musicmonopoly @Smackwater790
-
Pages
