Independent Artist Magazine October/November 2013 | Page 53

himself a home. Time, practice
and the brawn of rock classics (by
the likes Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd
and The Grateful Dead) playing
in the shadows shaped T.K.O. to
be one of the “beasty-est” in his
field. Rather than use his animalistic, badass persona to elevate
his own stature, T.K.O. Selflessly
applied his energy and skills
to become a mentor to today’s
youth by joining forces with
Atlanta’s Gateway Center—an
organization aimed toward ending homelessness—as an Outdoor Therapy Wildlife Counselor.
Teaching the enrollees priceless
lessons in self-defense, self-respect and personal conduct,
T.K.O. encouraged the many
children participants to become
responsible, well-rounded young
adults during his two-year tenure.
“Having gone through a lot
myself, giving back to the kids is
a way for me to step out of my
comfort zone and step back into
their circle---a place I’m familiar
with. I’m reminded of where I’ve
been and where I’m goin’ and
hope one day, they will do the
same—lead.”

“Being part of all them bands—
concert, marching, Jazz, Rock—
taught me that being part of
something is more than just
showing up. You have to respect
each other and work as a team.
It really opened up a loyal, protective side of me.”
While music fueled his mind and
stoked his creativity, T.K.O. still
ached for a more physical outlet
to annihilate his feelings of being a man of a different breed. In
a guy’s outing and an unexpected occasion, T.K.O. ventured out
along side his cousin to a local
sparring match. A fired-up T.K.O.
climbed into the ring and found

T.K.O.’s resume and work experience as a boxer and mentor
is weighted with time spent as
a bodyguard and bouncer. As
the “muscle,” his brute-like build
proved to be his greatest weapon and shield as the 6’3”, 240lb
wall-like man came face-to-face
with life and death ducking
punches and dodging bullets.
While some may have bowed
out, T.K.O. mustered his energies
to turn the experience to good,
walk tall and stand with a fist.
In 2000, seizing every ounce of
his being and street smarts, T.K.O.
made the decision to shift gears
and set his sights toward a music
career. Combining the physicality
of boxing and the intuitiveness
gained as a bodyguard with his
love of rhythm and rhymes, and
his desire to be a positive influence, T.K.O. speaks his voice with
his music. Although the transition may not seem the most
obvious, he believes the career
change was a natural progression.

“The similarities between what
I’ve done and what I’m doing
are sick. Boxing and rapping are
both a fight: your beginning
has to be tight or else you’ll
unravel before you ever get to
the end. Both are aggressive,
action-packed, and interactive.
So, you got to be light on your
feet when you do what you do.
Be ready to move, and in either
case, when it comes down to
it, words are a greater weapon
(than fists)—in a fight and in
song.”
Currently living in Atlanta,
Georgia, T.K.O. is ready to go
another round…and he’s not at
all concerned about being new
to the game.
“Stereotypes don’t define you.
You got to step outside those
lines and be the person you
know you can be. Just because
you’re from a bad neighborhood
doesn’t mean you have to sell
drugs or be a thug. You have to
push to shed that image. I’ve
waited ‘til the right time to come
out the box, and I’m here. Being
a rapper doesn’t make me a bad
guy and I aim to change the
image. I’m really just a big teddy
bear, but a bear that you do not
want to mess with.”
Just as the music of hip-hop
greats Tupac and Biggie did for
him, T.K.O. aspires to make his
music come to life for his fans
by writing genuine lyrics that
mirror everyday life, everyday
thoughts and capture just about
everyone’s feelings.
“I want people to see something
of themselves in my music. If
they can own a piece of what I’m
saying, that connection will be
there.”
A champion in athletics, the arts
and human behavior, T.K.O. dedicates his physical and artistic
field of energy to the creation
of a better world. In spite of his
imposing frame and intimidating presence, his formidable
strength makes it undeniably
clear there is beauty in the beast.

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