with a young, rich and dangerous ceo
I had a chance to sit down with one of the greatest promoters in the ATL entertainment district, Mr. Johnathan McGuire. Many of you may know him as the Infamous YRD CEO. You may have seen him at one of your favorite clubs or events with a mic in his hand, calling shots. Many of you have encountered this young mogul so often, you feel a personal connection. However, as I discovered upon sitting down with this budding entrepreneur, there is much more to learn about the businessman we all know as SLIM!
Sit back and relax as yours truly takes you on the journey through the life and times of Slimothy McGuire!
Turtle: 10 years ago, did you imagine you would be this successful? Why or why not?
Slim: “I mean, yeah I knew I would be successful; but I had NO idea I would be doin this! [laughing] Most people don’t know bruh, I just turned 20, meaning 10 yrs ago I was only 10. I was always real big on sports, music, and just the regular stuff but I had no idea I would be a promoter! Ambition and determination have been two of my strongest attributes, so I knew whatever I chose to do I would be successful!”
Turtle: How did u get into the entertainment industry and what about it intrigued you?
Slim: “In high school I used to run with a camp called A.O.R Entertainment (a dude named Justin Khaler's entertainment label; he produced War With God on Ludacris’s Release Therapy). I was their official DJ. The group that he was pushin was called the Street Goons aka Da Squad, so I was their DJ too. I dropped their first mixtape as well as hosted for them and all. They really kinda put me into the game. From there I went to Morehouse as a DJ. I interned at 107.9 in their promotions department. Later I joined a company called CEO (Chief Entertainment Officials) as the Street Team Director and worked my ass off for about 2 months. I Left CEO because I wasn’t making any progress and Prophecy Events took me in as a host. I did my thing for a while as a dj and hosting and ended up the dj and host at 714 with a guy named Chad Hampton (now CEO of Black Executives). I saw that I was becoming the driving force and had the freshmen in the AUC on lock so I broke off and started my own company! That’s the abriged version [laughing]…A LOT OF DRAMA WAS INVOLVED!!! Trust me!"
Turtle: What would you tell others who aspire to follow in your footsteps?
Slim: "DO NOT do it for the cash, the street cred, the fame, or the girls, cuz all that comes with HARD ASS WORK…but do it for the passion. That cannot be made, its something that has to be there from the beginning. Don’t get into this industry and play around cuz you will lose a lot of money, time, and respect. If you are serious, take your time and do what it takes to make sure you and your company are ready to handle the rigors of this industry. Consistency, Perception, Timing, and Quality are the 4 things you must focus on!"
Turtle: Who do you look up to or take advice from?
Slim: "I definitely look up to DreamTeam Entertainment, Plush Blue, AG Entertainment, Jay-Z, Michael Jordan, and Bill Gates. Those last 3 are the undisputed, absolute best at what they do and that is what I aspire to be in the industry."
Turtle: Who and/or what keeps you focused?
Slim: "My son, Jadyn Elijah Latimore, my father, fear of failure, my addiction to this industry, my team, my brand, the vision I have for myself, and the everlasting pull and drive to be able to sit at the top!"
Turtle: Where did the name [Young Rich and Dangerous] come from?
Slim: "I was sittin in my room bruh [laughing] and I was listening to my all time favorite rap group as a kid, Kriss Kross! I was actually trying to think of a name for my company and I came across their song, “Young Rich & Dangerous”, and I just went from there!!! [LOL] Oh yea I definitely had the name BEFORE Jermaine Dupri’s book, just in case people were wondering! [LOL]"
Turtle: What are your goals for the future?
Slim: "My main goal for the future is to become the Nation’s #1 Concert/Tour Promoter as well as the host of a major network TV show (i.e. BET’s 106 & Park, MTV’s TRL…). I will continue my parties forever though. That is my stepping stone and passion that got me into the industry!"
Turtle: I understand you have various groups under YRD Ent. Who are they and what are their roles?
Slim: "Yezzir! I have the flyest dance group in GA, Motion Sickness Entertainment, and Snap Squad which is like my street team. I have an official street team also but Snap Squad (as well as Motion Sickness) are their own entity. They work beside YRD in helping with promotion, execution, and holding down the events. If it weren’t for them I DAMN sure wouldn’t be where I am now. They are great additions to the YRD empire!"
Turtle: Are you looking for any additions to your team?
Slim: "A few interns who are willing and ready to learn the game are ALWAYS welcome, but right now im not looking for any members to add to the roster! Nevertheless, I am always open and ready to catch that next young gunna with the heart and spirit just like mine to take under my wing. I'll say this, I'm not looking, but if you find me then “IT IS WHAT IT IS!”
Slim: "I'm not even gonna say all that cuz we will be here forever…I'll do it like this – Emails, Texts, Contracts, Pickin up flyers, Delivering flyers, paying people, meetings with club owners, radio stations and labels, celebrities, facebook, myspace, phone calls, team meetings, eating (most of the time), zero sleeping, parties, spending time with my baby boy and my girl (even tho she hates the time everything else takes up) and answering everybody's questions about parties! Non-stop!!"
Turtle: Who are you voting for in the 2008 election? 
Slim: "Obama all the way! Not cuz he's black…but because of his platform and what he can do for our country…(do your research and stop watchin BET yall)."
Turtle: Whats is your favorite alchoholic beverage?
Slim: "I actually stopped drinking recently because I like to be in the correct state of mind at all times. My status has just sky rocketed this summer to the point that any moment can be a networking or business opportunity. BUT, when I was getting down like that…PATRON ALLLLLLL DAMN DAY SHAWTY!!"
Turtle: What are three things people probably dont know about you?
Slim: "Unlike just about any black person I know, [chuckles] I played soccer for 12 years of my life and if I wasn’t promoting, I would probably be in the MLS (Major League Soccer). I was a private school kid up until high school (I'll keep it real wit ya). I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania [lol] not GA…but I moved here with my family right after I turned 2 so I'm a DSGB till death!!!"
Turtle: Name one of your talents not related to your profession.
Slim: "I’m a mean ass cook! [lol]"
Turtle: I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down with me, but before I let you go, do you have any shout outs or special thanks?
Slim: "Oh yeah, most definitely my parents, all former and present YRD members, God for keeping me alive and healthy no matter how many crazy situations I get into, Grand Hustle/TrenchWerk, Durrty Boyz, Hot 107.9, all my fans, supporters, and loyal party goers, my son Jadyn Elijah Latimore, my beautiful down 4 life love, Ayonna, DreamTeam, and these streets for making it crazy hard for me! OPM Design Lab & Devlin, Aftermoney, Kream, Skyy High, Prophecy, & ALL THE DJ’s…FREE MY NIGGA DJ BLU!!!"
So there you have it ladies and gentlemen. If this interview was not enough, you can get to know Slim on a more personal level by visiting his Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/onemanarmy88 or look him up on Facebook under Slimothy McGuire. You can also visit YRD Entertainment's Myspace page at http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/yrdent.
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