Urban Entertainment

Caught with some free time I decided to make a link with Foe of Urban Entertainment and do a quick interview to find out from the new kids on the block how they do what they do. Their perspective on the Atlanta Reggae scene and what's in store for the future. Nuff jokes and vibes we break it down to get the Full Hundred.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

For all those who do not know, give us a brief summary of how Urban Entertainment (UE) got started, who's involved in the group etc.

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

Well UE actually started while I was attending Oglethorpe University.  I got bored on campus so we started throwing some small parties off campus just to have fun.  Also I was already DJing on campus so it was a natural transition. 

We were just a group of friends who wanted to party...that simple.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

When you refer to "We", who are u referring to?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

UE consist of Foe (advertising and marketing), Yves (street promotions), Siham (Operations) and Newal (Operations).  Then we also have many reps throughout Atlanta representing every school and location you can think of.  Big up to the street army!

Being that our group consists of a diverse background, our flavor is totally different.  I was born in Nigeria and left when I was two.  I was then raised in NY.  So I'm used to the mix of the African and Caribbean culture.  Then you add the NY hip hop influence and you have a UE event. 

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

Zeen. Zeen.

The reason I ask is because a lot of people seem to get UE & Twin Towers mixed up. What do you think about that?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

I think the reason people get us mixed up is the success of All-City last fall.  It was a well promoted event, so in people's mind they link us together.  Both companies are young and have a NY/African-Caribbean influence.  But there is a difference.  We family but two separate companies.  I think lately though people know the difference.  People know when they step in a UE event they gonna get there monies worth and leave satisfied.  Even though we been in the game for a short time, we have made a space for ourselves in the market.  Pure energy is how I describe it.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

Understood

With the Caribbean party scene the way it is, being so competitive, so fragile, why did Urban Entertainment believe there was room for their brand of parties?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

The funny thing is that people thought when we threw Exposed w/ Massive B last summer that was our first event.  We have thrown plenty of events on the smaller scale and learned hard lessons.  So we know the business side of things.  It's not luck like some people in the market thought.  We know we have a distinct flava to our events that a certain market likes.  In our parties you'll find people from all cultures.  That's a beautiful thing.  That's what makes dancehall, reggae and soca so powerful.  It pulls people together.  From the Caribbean to US to Africa to Japan, people listening to this music.  It's deeper then we think.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

Yeh I hear you.

Well since you say UE is not a new thing. Before Exposed what you are known to the Caribbean Community for, what have you done previously?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

Well we did a weekly thing called Flirt Fridayz...we threw a New Year's Eve party @ Fuel...we had a weekly  reggae Thursday event for a quick month b4 gal farm bust @ Club Taste...LOL It wasn't much but it taught us many lessons.  We are a young company in terms of age, so we plan to be in the game for a minute.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

What would you say was your biggest lesson learned?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

Probably being that you have to do what you love.  If you don't like the product you giving your customers, you shouldn't do it.  I love what I do and I love the scene.  Everything about it.  If I can't enjoy my own dance, why should the next man.  We take time to make sure the events we throw are quality and it's something people actually want.  We have a close connection with our crowd. 

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

That's true and a good point.

Do you think it means more to the party goers when you are more connected with them? Does it really make a difference?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

Yes it makes a big difference.  What a lot of promoters don't understand is word of mouth is a big part of building hype for your dance.  If you're not connected or interact with your crowd you have no brand.  You need to keep in touch with your crowd or you won't have a crowd.  We are big on email promotions and website promotions.  It definitely helps secure your crowd. It's a new age. LOL

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

Lol ... deep

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

I mean people wonder why some of the younger promoters are getting so many people out to party.  We use different avenues of promoting besides laying a flyer on your car...which I'll neva admit to doing...LOL

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

Alright ... you have a lot of people who do come to Atlanta to promote. That say I have x amount of dollars and have x amount of links, but can't show that they really have what it takes. Why do you think that is and what set's u apart from them?

I guess what makes u a Promoter vs. a Provoker? Lol

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

I think it takes more than money...this is a business as well.  And with everything you need to be prepared and treat it like a business.  You need to know your market and treat people like any respectable business would.  People lose a lot of money thinking this thing is easy.  To get 600+ people to spend money to have a good time is not easy.  It takes a lot of sleepless nights and hard work. 

We pride ourselves on hard work, customer service and preparation.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

Why do you think a lot of new folks believe it's easy? Especially Atlanta Reggae scene?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

They think it is easy cause all they see is the final product.  I don't blame ‘em.  If they saw the sleepless nights, the occasional lost event, bad politics and hard work it took to put a dance together, half of them would never do it. 

They see dollar signs, instead of the big picture.  Success rarely comes easy.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

4 real!  So as an upcoming promoter here in ATL, what has been your hardest obstacle to overcome?  Especially dealing with a scene that seems to be constantly moving but can seem to find a destination?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

That's a tough one.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

Lol. Still thinking?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

I guess the hardest obstacle would have to be communications between promoters.  We came on the scene quick without too many people knowing us.  We kind of snuck up on people.  So it's taking sometime but we have improved on the communications issues.

That answer kind of stunk...LOL

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

So you’re saying basically earning respect from peers in the industry?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

Exactly.  But people always respect hard work and all the promoters know bout our work ethic. 

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

True. What do you think of the current state of the Reggae Scene in Atlanta?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

I know I hear people say that the scene is kind of dead right now but like any other market it goes through cycles.  All I can say is it seems to be picking up with this last month.  I have no question in my mind that this spring and summer will be crazy.  We will definitely do our part.  There are a handful of quality promoters our there that I trust with throwing quality events so I know it will pick up.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

If I were to ask a regular party goer what they thought about UE events, what do you think they might say?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

They would say they partied their ass off...can I use that language...LOL...watching people leaving our parties is like they went to work out or something.  We definitely try to bring energy and vibes with everything we do.  Sometimes promoters forget the main purpose of a party.  People wanna release their tension during the weekend.  What betta way then to party ya ass off.  Big up to the straight partygoers.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

lol. Good stuff

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

What has been your favorite moment in a party you have thrown or through your experience promoting?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

Well the best moment has to be our first party Exposed.  I was in NY and flew in that same day.  I was inside starting bout 10 pm and to walk out like at 11 pm and see a long line that early was like whoa.  After all that hard work it all came together. 

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

Any last words of wisdom for up and coming promoters out there?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

Yeah make sure you enjoy what you throwing and prepare your self.  You're only as good as your last party...chea

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

What can we expect from the UE camp in the future? What goals do you guys want to achieve?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

We working on the second installments of successful events like Exposed, Girls of Summer "Short Shorts vs Mini Skirts" and All-City.  They will be big, watch out!  Our goal as a company is to continue to build our following and take this thing cross boundaries.  The market is bigger than Atlanta, GA...lol

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

So for the people who are learning about UE for the first time where can they find out more information about what you have coming up, etc?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

They can go to www.ueatlanta.com or call the infoline @ 404.840.1142.  We have plenty of pics of past events and info on future events.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

Anybody you want to big up?

Foe (Urban Entertainment):

Big up to the UE fam, promoters, DJs and everyone who has helped and assisted UE to make our mark on the scene.

Milo (AtlantaReggae.com):

Zeen. Thanks for allowing us to do this interview man!

Milo ... milo@atlantareggae.com ...

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