HICKSON
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CELEBRATING 8 YEARS OF HOTNESS AT GHETTOHEAT® IN CONJUNCTION WITH BLACK MUSIC MONTH, I SAY THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN AND BEING DOWN WITH THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT, AS I PUMP AND BUMP THIS BLAZIN’ GHETTOHEAT® HOTNESS STREET MIX, PRODUCED BY DJ SLICE, YOU KNOW: THE OFFICIAL DJ FOR MIKE JONES!
AIN’T-NO-PARTY-LIKE-A-GHETTOHEAT®-PARTY, SO IT WOULDN'T BE ANY FUN IF YOU COULDN'T ROCK WITH ME, ALSO. DOWNLOAD THE MP3 BY CLICKING ON THE LINK http://bit.ly/SCK0lcl AS I PROUDLY DO THE TWO-STEP AND SHOUT:
"GHETTOHEAT®!
GHETTOHEAT.COM®!
GHETTOHEAT® HOTNESS!
GHETTOHEAT® IS RISIN’!
GHETTOHEAT®, WRITTEN BY HICKSON!
A GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTION!
HICKSON: CEO OF GHETTOHEAT®!
THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT!
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!"
PEACE & GHETTOHEAT®!
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, DIRRRTY, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, THICKNESS, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | GHETTOHEAT.COM
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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GOD IS GOOD!
GOD IS LOVE!
GOD IS EVERYTHING!
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, THICKNESS, DIRRRTY, TATTOOED TEARS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | GHETTOHEAT.COM | @GHETTOHEAT | @HICKSONHOTNESS
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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6.4.09: THE GHETTOHEAT MOVEMENT
Courageously creating my independent publishing company, GHETTOHEAT® on June 4, 2003, my main objective was to solely become an entrepreneur, self-publish my poetry/prose book (proudly titled after the company), and control the marketing, sales and distribution of my works; with hopes of obtaining other talented authors in time. That initial concept quickly changed during the second week of my first book tour in September 2003.Being a new writer who was beyond ecstatic to present GHETTOHEAT® to any and all readers, I met this teenaged girl in Philadelphia during my book signing at Borders Express; inside the Gallery Mall. I was immediately drawn to her big, beautiful brown eyes: they narrated a sad, short story of pain, trouble, confusion and despair. An intriguing story I read within seconds. Understanding the young lady’s personal saga and nervous energy, noticing her being reluctant and awkward with meeting me, I quickly struck up a warm, friendly conversation about the process of how I’d penned my poems, before introducing the girl to my work. As she slowly thumbed through the pages of prose, she inquisitively raised an eyebrow while reading a selection, gave me a once over look from head-to-toe; then took a fresh copy off from my table to the register to purchase, before allowing me to autograph a book for her. I sloppily scribed an inspirational message of empowerment to the teenager.
A few days later, I surprisingly received an e-mail from this same young lady, thanking me immensely for saving her life. Instantly, I became quite perplexed…. As I continued to read on, she boldly confessed to me that, minutes before our meeting, terrible thoughts of committing suicide had entered her mind, and that the positive conversation we’d had, diverted the initial plan of total self-destruction. Further into the body of the note, the teenaged girl also revealed that, after reading the many messages within GHETTOHEAT®, she’d no longer felt alone within her personal struggle; she now realized that someone else had shared a similar plight. Revelations of a newly discovered inner-strength emerged, one that she didn’t know existed prior; and caused this young lady to view life, its challenges, and situations that were placed before her, differently. This brave, new soul also assured me that, I too, wouldn’t be alone in my journey. She vowed to follow me continuously on ghettoheat.com, and read the new works to come, admitting that she totally identified with me, the vibe of my company, and the new, positive “movement” that I’d created.
It wasn’t until after reading that e-mail that I fully understood the power of words—my words…. From that day forth, I’ve felt an urgent need to be responsible when producing my works, as well as to teach people through my messages. I now realize the major impact and influence I may have on readers, when they absorb my words. Looking back, I honestly can say that, I absolutely had no clue as to what movement the big, beautiful, brown-eyed girl had made reference to. That changed one day when I received my first international letter in the mail, from a new reader and supporter from South Africa, full of enthusiasm and asking: “How can I be apart of the GHETTOHEAT® movement?” I then thought to myself, w-o-w…you already are!
People strongly relate to the thought-provoking works of GHETTOHEAT®, especially within my urban fiction and hardcore street-lit categories (I also publish poetry, contemporary, sci-fi, politics, self-help/relationship books, as well as bilingual works), because of the gritty social commentary thoroughly addressed throughout the books. Many contact me worldwide, showing appreciation of the realness of the works, and how at times, they see themselves within the storylines, totally identifying with scenarios, and often, becoming as one with the characters. Whether the topics touch on education, race relations, teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS awareness, or other socio-economic factors that ultimately affects family and community, GHETTOHEAT® brings forth these issues. I purposely do so to stimulate intense dialogue regarding these important matters while finding solutions to problems at hand, with great hopes of bringing about social change.
Six years later, seven books produced, and twelve authors now signed to my company, I’ve personally been on a crusade promoting literacy: THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT. Whether at literary events, through letter writing, or by connecting with individuals worldwide via Internet, I constantly encourage readers to read more; and show the importance of educating, empowering, enlivening, and elevating through entertainment. The beauty of the movement is connecting with all types of people from various backgrounds. Race, sex, color, creed, income status and sexual orientation don’t matter. What really matters is our universal commonality: a profound love for books, a true love for literacy, and our great love for GHETTOHEAT®!
Occasionally, I think back to the young lady who sent me the enlightening e-mail, thinking how our paths crossed, how literature literally saved our lives, and how her story-telling eyes, actually forced me to restructure my business, and fully realize my sense of purpose in the process. I thank her for that! Today, I thank you for allowing me to share one of the many stories of my journey—THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT continues….
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT® & GHETTOHEAT® TV!
GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS:
GHETTOHEAT®
CONVICT’S CANDY
HARDER
AND GOD CREATED WOMAN
LONDON REIGN
SONZ OF DARKNESS
TANTRUM
HICKSONBELIKE...
LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY
THICKNESS
GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS
BANJEE CUNT
ULTRAFABNABULOUS
BROTHERS BEHIND BARS
SO SEXY
TOUGH
MR. GHETTOHEAT®
SKATE ON!
GHETTOHEAT® EATS
TURF
GHETTOHEAT® MAGAZINE!GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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#THEHOTNESSINTHESTREETS
#HICKSON
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#TEAMGHETTOHEAT
#HICKSONHOTNESS
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GHETTOHEAT® LOVES THE HARLEM BOOK FAIR! SO MUCH THAT, GHETTOHEAT® WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE HARLEM BOOK FAIR 2011--GHETTOHEAT® BLAZING THERE CONSISTENTLY, RAIN OR SHINE SINCE 2003. HICKSON: CEO OF GHETTOHEAT® WILL MEET AND GREET EVERYONE AT SECTION R8 WHILE SIGNING COPIES OF CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS & TANTRUM. THE HARLEM BOOK FAIR 2011 WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, JULY 23RD FROM 11AM TO 6PM, ON 135TH STREET BETWEEN ADAM CLAYTON POWELL & MALCOLM X BOULEVARD (7TH & LENOX AVENUE IN NEW YORK CITY).
GHETTOHEAT® LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL AT THE HARLEM BOOK FAIR 2011--PEACE & GHETTOHEAT®!
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, THICKNESS, DIRRRTY, TATTOOED TEARS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | GHETTOHEAT.COM | @GHETTOHEAT | @HICKSONHOTNESS
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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#GHETTOHEAT
Are you fully secure within your loving relationship, to give your significant other permission to sleep with another?
THICKNESS—A GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTION.
THICKNESS, a sexy, steamy, sensual love story written by ANPU—the newest member of GHETTOHEAT®. A dramatic tale, THICKNESS opens at “Explicit”—an upscale gentleman’s club in Texas where main characters, Angel: a beautiful, driven exotic dancer, and Knowledge: a sharp, charismatic businessman with many dealings, intimately cross paths. They deeply connect while encountering interesting and scandalous characters, where the storyline’s plots and subplots lead into a whirlwind of events traveling through Texas, Atlanta, Mexico and Jamaica. THICKNESS, filled with sex, suspense and substance is a wonderful, well-written read you’ll soon enjoy.
Wise, intelligent, soulful, and a native from Kingston, Jamaica, ANPU is a gifted, talented writer who’s a vital factor of THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT. Contact him at ANPU@GHETTOHEAT.COM
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT® & GHETTOHEAT® TV!
GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS:
GHETTOHEAT®
CONVICT’S CANDY
HARDER
AND GOD CREATED WOMAN
LONDON REIGN
SONZ OF DARKNESS
TANTRUM
HICKSONBELIKE...
LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY
THICKNESS
GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS
BANJEE CUNT
ULTRAFABNABULOUS
BROTHERS BEHIND BARS
SO SEXY
TOUGH
MR. GHETTOHEAT®
SKATE ON!
GHETTOHEAT® EATS
TURF
GHETTOHEAT® MAGAZINE!
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GHETTOHEAT® reviewed by Simone Carlene Porter, The Flow Magazine, 6/05
Chillin’ on the front stoop on a hot summer day with a glass of “Red” Kool-Aid, watching the people; watching the events unfold. It’s amazing just how much you would see. HICKSON’s GHETTOHEAT® is just that. GHETTOHEAT®. The topics of his raw, unpolished poetry are of the ghetto and its people. The heat, is clearly his unique way of placing the words together in different rhythms and style. HICKSON’s poetry sheds light on subjects that would never come up during a conversation at the dinner table. His collection is not something that has been diluted and edited to appeal to a wider range of readers.
He keeps it “gully”, as we at The Flow Magazine would say. With his words, we’re packing our bags and heading to the realness of the neighborhood. GHETTOHEAT® is a one-way ticket to wake up and smell the coffee, forcing you to come down from whatever pedestal you’ve built for yourself and be confronted with real-life situations, epidemics, and states of mind. In the beginning, the reader is given just a sample of what is to come. As you read on, the temperature is sure to rise and you might even need to go inside and flip the switch on the air conditioner, just to get through the rest of the book.
The characters we meet along the storyline and the struggles they must endure prove to be “too real” for some. Simply stated, if you can’t handle the heat, then get out the damn kitchen. HICKSON is an amazing writer; a true poet. Many have a way with words, but HICKSON has the ability to use his dynamic style of writing to bring forth what people try to cover up and ignore. This book can definitely be used to drop knowledge on those who think they know, but in fact have no idea. Pick it up and be prepared for a ride through the ghetto you’ll never forget. Remember your sunscreen ‘cause it’s hot. Real recognizes real. The Flow recognizes HICKSON.
HICKSON: BRINGIN’ THE HEAT! by Tionne, The Flow Magazine 6/05
There’s always difference...and change comes in an amount we’re not always able to get with. However, when it rains it pours...and when HICKSON decided to pursue his outlet, he created an ingenious way to write and be heard. With GHETTOHEAT®, he’s intended to do what many writers strive for...keep it alive. June 4th 2003, HICKSON became a published writer…and coming next spring, HICKSON will release his sophomore effort, SKATE ON! to continue this vision with much success and further welcoming. With a real voice and a real way of producing what is - he’s here...he’s strong...and he’s bringin’ the HEAT!
ASSED OUT
My money’s tight - shit ain’t right
Don’t know if I’m gonna make it tonight...
Stomach growlin’ - fridge empty - landlord’s howlin’:
“NIGGA AIN’T GOTS THE RENT!”
‘Bout to be homeless - livin’ in a tent
YO, I’M BENT!
Light and gas cut - fucked up in a rut
Shit gots to get better
Son, I need some cheddar!
Can’t get no job
Doors slammed in my face
“Sorry, I can’t help you,” says “MISTER CRACKER”
Mind cluttered and sketchy
Thoughts all over the fuckin’ place
Do I gots to rob and steal to pay these bills?
Get a lil’ meal?
DAMN!
What’s the deal?
Clothes mad dingy
Lookin’ crazy, shabby and poor
Gonna rob and steal tonight
CAN’T TAKE THIS BULLSHIT NO MORE!
Nigga gots no clout
Feelin’ trapped up in this heat
SON, I WANTS OUT!
Ready to scream - ‘bout to shout:
“SOMEBODY TELL A MUTHAFUCKA WHAT THIS SHIT’S ABOUT!”
Now a nigga evicted from home
Gots no place to go
Out on Eighth Ave. I roam
Sleepin’ on the street
Pocket full of nuthin’
Still no grub to eat
Shiverin’ in the cold
Prayin’ for shelter
A meal - SHIT, SOME HEAT!
“CAN I LIVE, SON? CAN A MUTHAFUCKA JUST BREATHE?”
Mmmph, mmmph, mmmph...
The agony of defeat
Tionne: So HICKSON...what is your definition of poetry?
HICKSON: To me, poetry is a creative expression that consists of wordplay, rhythm, emotion and messages, personal and non-personal, which interpreted and delivered properly, others can gain valuable knowledge from. There are many poets who discuss matters such as politics and war, love and other issues that may affect us globally—and that’s great. Personally, I like to discuss what’s going on in my own world, right here in the streets of the ghetto. I write about my life as well as people and their experiences, good and bad within my own community—mainly everyday life situations that pertain to me, and people who are indigenous to me, living in Ghetto-America.
Tionne: In YOUR words, what sets you apart from Hallmark but can league you with Langston?
HICKSON: For one, my language is hardcore at times, being extremely raw, real and riveting. It’s not the typical material about the stars, moon and the universe in which you would normally find when reading a “Hallmark” card. I talk about life—the good, the bad and the ugly! Although I’ve been recently compared to Langston Hughes by a book reviewer, which I feel was an honor and a great compliment, the thought of me being put in that same category as Langston, doesn’t sit well with me, as I feel that he was a genius! Langston is my all-time favorite poet. He was an excellent writer, writing plays, essays, novels, short stories and poetry, the most beautiful, creative and complicated of works; yet he made then all seem so simple—which is very hard to do. It takes a lot of work to make a complex piece seem easy to compose—in which Langston was the master of this technique.
Yet, I can see the similarities between us two. We’re both from Harlem, New York—Langston being apart of the old Harlem Renaissance and me being apart of the new. The social issues that Langston wrote about back then, I’ve also written about today in GHETTOHEAT®—meaning that the matters addressed in the past are still relevant and sadly to say, ongoing; even in modern-day time. We love to write about the beauty of everyday people, our struggles, joys, pains and love for one another—real issues.
Tionne: Trials & tribulations, what was growing up like? And how would you describe bein’ grown?
HICKSON: I come from parents who were teenagers when they had me. My mother was pregnant at 14 and my father was 15 at the time, so you can imagine how scary life was for them in the ‘70’s—“babies having babies”. Although I lived with my mother and visited my father, it was my grandfather who practically raised me, being that my parents were so young. My mother was too young to work, my father was still a kid himself, unemployed, probably unsure of life and who he was going to become back then, therefore, outside of my grandfather’s assistance, I was born a “welfare baby”; in which my mother relied on Social Services to survive. Although I was considered poor, I can always remember being showered by love from my family. My grandfather, knowing early on that my parents couldn’t afford certain things, made it his business for me to want for nothing! He spoiled me very early, giving me the best of everything. He loved me dearly. I was even told that it was he who carried me out the hospital, shortly after my mother was discharged from giving birth to me.
Music was always apart of my life. Real music, not this synthesized, processed garbage that hits the charts these days. I’m talking about real instrumentation, singers who performed live with bands. Legends like Aretha, Marvin, Blue Magic, Miles, Smokey, The Delfonics and many others, played throughout my apartment. This is one of the reasons why music plays a great part within my writing. So, to answer your question, yes, there were many adversities, struggles and hardships, yet I experienced a lot of love as well. As for being grown, it’s when you think as a man/woman, do as a man/woman. It’s when one fully takes care of their responsibilities and handles real business. It’s when one totally knows who they are, are comfortable in their own skin and truly accepts the person that they’ve become—that’s a big part of being grown, in my opinion.
Tionne: With GHETTOHEAT® up and rising, it was 9/11 that inspired you to create the publishing company, how would you describe those times?
HICKSON: A few months prior to the tragedy of 9/11, my grandfather, who I truly loved, respected and considered “my rock”, had passed away. His death had left me terribly depressed and in a state of devastation. Back then I was dealing with a lot of personal issues. Between running back-and-forth to the hospital, visiting my grandfather as he was fading away on his death bed, right before my eyes, dealing with shady relatives whose disposition changed drastically towards me when they’d discovered the inheritance my grandfather left me, one which I never received…being in a co-dependent relationship with a person who didn’t love himself, whose concept of monogamy was much, much different from mine, and working in the fashion industry as a young Black man where racism is prevalent, feeling that no matter how hard I’d worked, they would never allow me to be equal to them, all of this made me become physically, mentally and spiritually drained.
By the time 9/11 came about, I became extremely dark, my state of depression took the best of me, and I literally gave up on myself, wanting not to continue on…. Yet, I fought my demons and did a lot of soul-searching; I dug deep within and found inner strength. In the midst of sending out 473 resumes and only getting one callback, only to find that I was overqualified for the job, I found myself one day, picking up a notepad and beginning to write. “Assed Out” was the first poem I wrote. It was based on my experience of living during this bad time, dwindling my savings, not being able to find a job, becoming homeless, angry and frustrated with life. I would write something new every day out of frustration, whether it was something I was going through, had experienced, witnessed, etc. Basically, frustration was the main root of my motivation. Six months later, I realized that I’d written 84 poems, some being three to six pages long at times, in which I decide to put into book form. Wanting to become an entrepreneur, I decided to self-publish, rather than trying to get signed to a big publishing house or getting rejected by them in the process. I self-published GHETTOHEAT® with the money I received from a settlement I had against the NYPD, when I was falsely arrested by the cops in November of ‘96.
Tionne: Although everyone gets to see the outcome, after you were motivated to publish, what is the process of starting from scratch and getting out there?
HICKSON: It first starts with the writing process, which can be intense. It became exhausting for me to tackle so many of the issues within my book and deal with the complex characters and racy subject matter, because I actually become “possessed” when I write. I actually become each character, in which they can be exhausting and haunting—being hard to shake them. For example, I have a poem titled, “Hustleman”, which deals with a male prostitute. Of course I’m not one and never had been, but I wanted to write about how it would be being an urban, gay male whore—so I had to become one, mentally. I had to take on the mindset of a male prostitute in order to write about such a character in its truest form.
From there, one must do research—tons of it. Whether it’s research for the work or for the creation of your product. Seeking quotes from printers, filing your manuscript and obtaining the copyright for your work from the Library of Congress. Getting barcodes and ISBN numbers. Creating a well-designed website that would be informative and customer-friendly. Marketing and promoting yourself, and your product, which for me wasn’t easy—poetry being a limited market. Although with the rise of poetry events, venues and the success of Russell Simmons’, “Def Poetry Jam”, poetry is not flying off the shelves in stores—it’s the novels! Most readers want a continuous story. Yet, the way I edited GHETTOHEAT®, it actually reads like a novel, which takes you on a mind-boggling journey. Each scenario links together as if you were reading a novel—sort of like R. Kelly’s, “Trapped in the Closet” song. Each series connect together to create a story. I didn’t plan it that way, yet that’s how it worked out.
Tionne: How would you like to respond to the feedback from your work?
HICKSON: Most of the feedback has been positive. Others have been negative. Some folks don’t like to, or just can’t deal with the truth. I write about real people—real scenarios. I get a lot of slack from religious groups who don’t appreciate profanity, or from others who hate slang/ebonics. I have to write about things in its truest form. At times, in the urban streets, people curse, people use slang—I’m guilty of this myself, yet I’ve also found a way to cleverly create scenarios in which people also find themselves within my works, making them ponder about their own actions and hopefully, making them want to change their ways. Recently I had a married woman who expressed her anger towards me in an e-mail, for writing the poem, “Maskerade”, which deals with a gay man living a double life; having a beautiful family at home, yet a secret gay lover on the side. She was irate by my words, wanting to know why would I write about such a thing. Later within the e-mail, she then told me that she’d recently discovered that her own husband was gay and didn’t want to admit it. Reading that poem from my book, I guess was the salt added to the wound. She then apologized to me and thanked me for helping her deal with her issue. The truth hurts, but it will also set you free….
MASKERADE
Secrets and lies about the company I keep
Double life I live
Truth mustn’t seep
Meander in dark shadows
Head held down low
Never to be caught
No one will know
SugahDaddy’s sweet candy
A treat so fine and dandy
Arm-n-arm wit’ trophy-wife, Sandy
For public’s eye comes in handy
A three-story house
Filled wit’ much love
Family portrait of wife and kids
Proudly mounted above
Still…I tango wit’ he
Intense passion I can’t shake
Yet I meringue wit’ she
For goodness sake
Dancin’ wit’ both
A risk I take
One for the other
A choice I won’t make
Masculine
Big and strong
A reputation to uphold
To act as a FAGGOT
Not quite that bold
Men-on-men: an evil, disgustin’ taboo I was once told
Once false move leads me out to the cold
Didn’t ask to be this way…
Why was I born gay?
To be honest about my sexuality
Will there ever be a day?
The mask I wear
A price I must pay
Tionne: Many of us are rejected for not “fitting in” to what mainstream publishing companies see fit as “publishable work”. For poets and other writers of prose today, what would you bring to the table that would inspire them to keep writin’?
HICKSON: I don’t cross over to the mainstream, I let the mainstream crossover to me! There was no way I could’ve written my book with it being watered down. This was one of the main reasons why I self-published, opposed to going to a big publishing company. By doing so, I was able to control the content, marketing and distribution of GHETTOHEAT®. I had total freedom to do what I wanted. I wasn’t, and I’m still not interested in fitting in with the masses. It’s great to be appreciated by everyone, but my work isn’t for everyone. Real recognize real—period! As for the book reviewers, they didn’t have to give me great reviews for me to be satisfied with my work, it’s the critique from everyday people who I value immensely. They’re the ones who are going to be honest with you, as well as help you become successful in the long run anyway. Does it matter if I get on the “bestsellers’ lists”? It helps, but what’s really important is the everyday people and how they view my works. For the record, I’m not interested in a joint venture or getting a big deal from a mainstream publishing house. I’m more interested in ownership.
Tionne: What writer(s) or people have inspired you to do what you, and why?
HICKSON: Well, as I mentioned, I love Langston for his realness, beauty and honesty in his work. As a marketer, I’m impressed with Michael Baisden and Omar Tyree for their hustle—those brothers really know how to promote themselves and their products very well. Yet, I was really impressed with the works and success of Teri Woods’, “True to the Game”, and Sister Souljah’s, “The Coldest Winter Ever”. Those two really wrote groundbreaking, powerful and real stories about people I know, see and relate to everyday. When I saw how successful they were with their projects, it definitely made me think about doing my own. Yet, 9/11 was what really forced me in the direction of publishing.
GHETTOHEAT®
S-S-S-S-S-S-S!
Can you feel it?
Scaldin’ breath of frisky spirits
Surroundin’ you in the streets
The intensity: S-S-S-S-S-S-S!
That’s GHETTOHEAT®!
The energy - electric sparks
Better watch ya back after dark!
Dogs bark - cats hiss
Rank smells of trash and piss!
Internalize - realize
No surprise - naughty spirits frolic in disguise
S-S-S-S-S-S-S!
INTENSITY: CLIMBIN’-CLIMBIN’-CLIMBIN’!
GHETTOHEAT®: RISIN’-RISIN’-RISIN’!
Streets is watchin’
Hoes talkin’ - thugs stalkin’
POW-POW-POW!
Start speed-walkin’!
Heggies down - rob these clowns
Snatch the stash - jet downtown
El Barrio: Spanish Harlem
“MIRA, NO! WE DON’T WANNO PROBLEM!”
Bullets graze - I’m not amazed
GHETTOHEAT®!
Niggas-start-blazin’
Air’s scathin’ - gangs blood-bathin’
Five-O’s misbehavin’ - wifey’s rantin’-n-ravin’!
My left: THE BLOODS - my right: THE CRIPS
Niggas start prayin’ - murk-out in ya whip!
Internalize - realize
No surprise - naughty spirits frolic in disguise
S-S-S-S-S-S-S!
INTENSITY: CLIMBIN’-CLIMBIN’-CLIMBIN’!
GHETTOHEAT®: RISIN’-RISIN’-RISIN’!
Mean hoodlums - plottin’ schemes
A swoop-down - seems like a bad dream
Thugs around - it’s goin’ down
‘BOUT TO BE SOME SHIT!
But I’m ghetto - know how to spit
Gully mentality - thinkin’ of reality of planned-out casualty
I fake wit’ trickery: “ASSALAAMU-ALAIKUM”
“STICK ‘EM UP!”
“YO, DON’T FUCK WIT’ HIM: HE’S MUSLIM!”
Flipped script wit’ quickness
Changed demeanor: the swiftness
Not dimwitted - felt fierce flames of evil spirits!
Hid chain in shirt - I don’t catch pain - don’t get hurt
No desire gettin’ burnt by the fire
Thermometer soars, yo, higher and higher!
In the PROJECTS: fight—protect ya neck
Gotta earn respect - defend ya rep
Or BEAT-DOWNS you’ll collect!
The furor - the fever: my gun - my cleaver!
Bitches brewin’ - slits a-stewin’
Sheets roastin’ - champagne toastin’ - gangstas boastin’:
“The ghetto: nuthin’s mellow
The ghetto: cries in falsetto
The ghetto: a dream bordello
The ghetto: hotter than Soweto!”
Internalize - realize
No surprise - naughty spirits frolic in disguise
S-S-S-S-S-S-S!
INTENSITY: CLIMBIN’-CLIMBIN’-CLIMBIN’!
GHETTOHEAT®: RISIN’!-RISIN’-RISIN’!
Red-hot hustlers broilin’ at the spot
Boilin’ water roars: the lucky crackpot
Streets a-scorchin’ - crackheads torchin’
Stems ignited - junkies delighted
Money’s flowin’ - Pusherman’s excited
The first and fifteenth: “BLOCK-HUGGERS’ JUNETEENTH!”
Comin’ ya way - take ya benefits today
Intoxication - air’s dense - self-medication
Ghetto-suffocation
Volcanic maniacs attackin’
Cash stackin’ - niggas packin’ - Daddy Rock’s mackin’:
“The ghetto: nuthin’s mellow
The ghetto: cries in falsetto
The ghetto: a dream bordello
The ghetto: hotter than Soweto!”
BedStuy - do or die: BUCK-BUCK-BUCK-BUCK!
They don’t give a FUCK!
The Bronx - you’ll fry - tossin’ lye: “WATCH YA E-Y-E-S!”
Walk straight - tunnel vision
False move - bad decision
So hot - starts to drizzle - steamy sidewalks begin to sizzle
HOT-TO-DEF: intense GHETTOHEAT®!
“DO-YOU-FEEL-IT? DO-YOU-FEEL-IT?”
“THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™”
So hot—got ya mase?
Too hot: PEPPER-SPRAYIN’-IN-A-NIGGA’S-FACE!
The madness - sadness
Don’t you know the flare of street-glow?
OH!
Meltingly - swelteringly: S-S-S-S-S-S-S!
HOOD IN-FER-NO!
Internalize - realize
No surprise - naughty spirits frolic in disguise
S-S-S-S-S-S-S!
INTENSITY: CLIMBIN’-CLIMBIN’-CLIMBIN’!
GHETTOHEAT®: RISIN’-RISIN’-RISIN’!
INTENSITY: CLIMBIN’-CLIMBIN’-CLIMBIN’!
GHETTOHEAT®: RISIN’-RISIN’-RISIN’!
S-S-S-S-S-S-S!
Tionne: Where do you see GHETTOHEAT® and yourself in the next 5 years? Do you want GHETTOHEAT® to grow as a publishing company and add additional poets/writers to its roster?
HICKSON: Funny that you asked. I’ve just signed two authors last month. Damon “Amin” Meadows and Jason Poole are the newest artists at GHETTOHEAT®. They collaborated on a book while being incarcerated together in federal prison titled, CONVICT’S CANDY. It’s about a young, beautiful, pre-op transsexual named, Candy who gets arrested for credit card fraud. Because of the technicality of still having a penis, Candy is forcefully housed with men in the prison. While there, Candy maintains romantic relationships with hardcore men, ones who have girlfriends and wives at home…. CONVICT’S CANDY is based on a true story, which will be out this winter.
GHETTOHEAT® started out as a publishing company, yet has progressed into a multimedia company, in which I plan to produce CDs and DVDs, also. I’ll also be working towards turning my novels into movies, as well as producing plays. I’m in the process of producing GHETTOHEAT® on stage, so I’ll be looking forward to that, also. I’m always seeking new, innovative and risk-taking writers, in which I encourage them all to contact me at GHETTOHEAT.COM. Look forward to seeing GHETTOHEAT® change the game!
Tionne: What piece of your own do you think exudes your passion?
HICKSON: That would be the poem, “Ev’ryday Is A Struggle”, because that’s what I do everyday, struggle. Even on a good day, there’s always a struggle. As a Black man, one will always be faced with adversities. No matter how rich, wealthy and successful one may become, in the eyes of “them”, most will never respect you—one will still, and always be considered, a NIGGER….
POCKETBOOK CROOK
No need to worry, dear
“I’M NOT GONNA ROB YOU!”
“MS. WHITE WOMAN” in fear
She persists to rudely stare
Lookin’ at me funny wit’ shifty eyes
“I DON’T WANNA STEAL YA MONEY!”
Just ‘cause I like hip-hop
Wear hoodies, boots and baggy jeans
Doesn’t equate to bein’ violent and mean
She continues to clutch her pearls
Like I’m gonna snag her bag
Embarassin’ me in front of my gurrrl
So busy to size me up
She didn’t bother to use discretion
Of the well-dressed WHITE MAN
Nor question or flinch
When he snatched her bag out her hand
It was easy—a cinch!
“HEY, YOU STUPID BITCH, TAKE A GOOD LOOK…
…NOW WHO’S THE REAL POCKETBOOK CROOK?”
Tionne: What motivated you to write it?
HICKSON: Hunger, passion, 9/11, wanting to be heard.
Tionne: Now, forthcoming is your second unpublished work, SKATE ON!. Coming from the man himself, what will you project this time? Tell us about it.
HICKSON: As you know I’ve written a novel called, SKATE ON!. SKATE ON! is a coming-of-age tale of three teenage girls from the Polo Grounds projects in Harlem, New York, learning life in the streets while going to The Rooftop Roller-skating Rink. Although the skating rink is used as a backdrop for the story, it’s really about life in the 80s and how the three girls grow up and interact with each other. I’m actually releasing SKATE ON! shortly after the launching of CONVICT’S CANDY.
Tionne: What have you learned in the industry that some may not have thought to be?
HICKSON: That it’s not easy selling books! It’s hard work, especially for a new author and most definitely for a poet. As I said, poets don’t get a lot of love in the stores, in reference to sales. If you’re an unknown/up-and-coming poet, you have to literally be in the stores to sell your work. I suggest being very personal at book signings. I also suggest that you do whatever it takes righteously to promote yourself, because you will get lost. Bigger authors, no matter what, will always gain attention, and at times, overshadow a new author’s project. So promotion is key. Persistence helps, also. I learned not to take or accept “no” as an option, when being turned down. Stay in the people faces—eventually you will wear them down. Also, that there isn’t always unity amongst other Black writers, mainstream and urban. Due to competition, tension comes into play. First you have writers who compete against each other, period. Then, you have some contemporary writers who dislike urban writers, due to them not respecting the material being produced by urban writers, as well as with being jealous of the large amounts of money urban writers make from the same material, not being respected by some contemporary writers.
At one time it was a wave of contemporary writers who ruled in the late ‘80s, early ‘90s. Writers like Terry McMillan, Walter Mosley, and Alice Walker, whose works dominated the shelves. Now, you have writers such as myself, and others who are really changing the game, and have shifted the focus a little. Personally, I don’t consider myself as an urban writer—I just write, but due to my subjects, I’m often pegged as so. Yet, there will always be a time when the trend will change, perhaps the focus will shift back towards contemporary writers. Either way, I’m ready! I intend to stand amongst them all.
Tionne: So as a writer...what is the goal of your lyrical voice?
HICKSON: The writing process is still very new to me as I’m self-taught, and have never gone to school for journalism, or have taken any creative writing courses. My goal is to always be honest, no matter how great or ugly the truth may be. To convey messages that one would gain insight from and to hopefully, empower a person. I don’t write to necessarily please people—I just write. I document what’s going on in my world or what’s happening within my community—I discuss real social issues. Whether it’s teen pregnancy, AIDS awareness, domestic violence, homosexuality within hip-hop, love, drug abusive, obesity or sexual addictions—I write about it. A person may not always agree with the subject matter that I bring forth, yet he or she will gain lots of insight from my words.
The only way to write is to just write! He’s made moves, he’s becoming known up & down the East Coast and is recognized nationally. HICKSON is proof of dreams & innovation. The Flow Magazine thanks HICKSON for allowing us to shine light on his journey, and we support him in his endeavors to bring the heat to the literary world.
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT® & GHETTOHEAT® TV!
GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS:
GHETTOHEAT®
CONVICT’S CANDY
HARDER
AND GOD CREATED WOMAN
LONDON REIGN
SONZ OF DARKNESS
TANTRUM
HICKSONBELIKE...
LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY
THICKNESS
GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS
BANJEE CUNT
ULTRAFABNABULOUS
BROTHERS BEHIND BARS
SO SEXY
TOUGH
MR. GHETTOHEAT®
SKATE ON!
GHETTOHEAT® EATS
TURF
GHETTOHEAT® MAGAZINE!GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
#GHETTOHEAT
#THEHOTNESSINTHESTREETS
#HICKSON
#CEOOFGHETTOHEAT
#TEAMGHETTOHEAT
#HICKSONHOTNESS
#PEACEANDGHETTOHEAT
#HICKSONBELIKE
#GHETTOHEATBOOKS
#GHETTOHEATMAGAZINE
#GHETTOHEATTV
#GHETTOHEATMOVEMENT
#INSTAHICKSON
#MAMAGHETTOHEAT
#HOUSEOFGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATSALUTE
#PAZYGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATHOTNESS
#IAMGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATPRODUCTION
#MOVIMIENTODEGHETTOHEAT
#BABYGHETTOHEAT
#INSTAGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATWORLDWIDE
#SALUDODEGHETTOHEAT
#MRGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATGLOBALGROUPHUG
#LACASADEGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATEATS
#GHETTOHEATCOM
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"HOW YOU D-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-I-N'?"
HICKSON: CEO OF GHETTOHEAT® WILL BE KICKING OF GAY PRIDE 2011, AS HE ATTENDS PHILADELPHIA BLACK GAY PRIDE 2011. HICKSON WILL BE SIGNING COPIES OF CONVICT'S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS & TANTRUM AT THE CELEBRATION SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2011 FROM 5PM TO 10PM, AT THE GERSHMAN Y, LOCATED AT 401 SOUTH BROAD STREET.
ON FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011, FROM 6PM TO 9PM THE FUN CONTINUES, AS HICKSON DOES IT AGAIN AT THE DOUBLETREE HOTEL, LOCATED AT 237 SOUTH BROAD STREET--ANOTHER AUTOGRAPHING EVENT. SEE YOU THERE!
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, THICKNESS, DIRRRTY, TATTOOED TEARS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | GHETTOHEAT.COM | @GHETTOHEAT | @HICKSONHOTNESS
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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HICKSON WAS SENT TO RIKERS ISLAND...
HE WAS RECENTLY COMMISSIONED TO PROMOTE LITERACY TO CONVICTS DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2011.
THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT CONTINUES...
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, THICKNESS, DIRRRTY, TATTOOED TEARS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | GHETTOHEAT.COM | @GHETTOHEAT | @HICKSONHOTNESS
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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GLOBALIZATION: GHETTOHEAT
Q & A WITH KRISTINA GRAAFF & HICKSON: CEO OF GHETTOHEAT
& GHETTOHEAT TV, JULY 2010
KRISTINA GRAAFF: What were the reasons for naming your company GHETTOHEAT?
HICKSON: I named my independent company GHETTOHEAT
for identification purposes. It was important for myself to be recognized by readers, writers and everyday people from the inner-city streets as a publishing house that created great quality works, material they could relate to, by one of their own—a Black man from their urban world. There’s always been a negative connotation of the word “ghetto”, yet I’ve put a spin on it, showing everyone that greatness can come from such an “unexpected” place. The ghetto is a location as well as a state-of-mind, but me being a product of it doesn’t mean I’m limited in any capacity. My range is broad, and it reflects in my works and operations—GHETTOHEAT producing material on the level as the major publishing houses, if not better.
GHETTOHEAT
is intensified energy from the urban streets spreading rapidly worldwide. It’s ambition, creativity, desire, excitement, force, hotness, love, lust, passion, power, strength, and at times, trouble; all wrapped into one. It’s extreme, unexpected, and rises at any given moment without warning—existing before, during and after the fire. But, at all times, GHETTOHEAT is what remains.
KRISTINA GRAAFF: What would you say are the major differences between your company and others that are currently publishing Urban Fiction/Street Lit?
HICKSON: For one, GHETTOHEAT
isn’t an urban publishing company, it’s a publishing house that creates works of different genres: poetry, urban fiction and street lit, contemporary, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender tales, science fiction, politics, relationship issues, and books on spirituality and wellness, to name a few. Many have tried to sum me up, because of the name chosen for my company, not realizing it’s much more than what they’d assumed—like judging a book by its cover.
Although I’m happy that other independent publishers are producing urban fiction and street lit, genres that have grown phenomenally since Donald Goines, Chester Himes and Iceberg Slim works in the 70’s, I’m not thrilled about the lack of quality in content and packaging, the explicit imagery, and poor editing at times. I feel that a lot of the stories have become redundant, and some publishers have become complacent and extremely irresponsible, opting solely to produce books for capital gain. I have a greater role and responsibility at GHETTOHEAT
. It’s not just about making profits, it’s about dealing with the issue at hand, finding solutions, and relaying important messages to the masses, in hopes that the messages will help people deal with certain life situations.
KRISTINA GRAAFF: Do you want to see your company as part of the Urban Fiction/Street Lit movement?HICKSON: GHETTOHEAT
is a movement! It’s about educating, empowering enlivening, and elevating everyone through entertainment. At GHETTOHEAT, it’s beyond great storytelling, it’s about reality, social awareness and a search for a better outcome and quality of life.
KRISTINA GRAAFF: You point out your former career in the fashion industry. To what extent are these experiences necessary to/helpful for GHETTOHEAT
?
HICKSON: My indicating working in fashion prior to publishing was basically showing the transition I made from one arena to the next. It wasn’t a goal I’d always dreamed about—situations forced the career move. I’d become unhappy with certain elements and “politics” within the fashion world, and had quit the day before 9/11, being booked for 89 shows stemming from London, Milan, Paris and New York. Of course the tragedy wasn’t foreseen, yet, it led me to a different path in life, to become a business owner, one who’s now a publisher of a great publishing company.
I went into publishing blindly, having no real knowledge of it. I mainly learned by doing research and through trial and error, but I’d learned the basics quickly—the rest is history. One thing that has definitely traveled over from me being in fashion to publishing is being highly recognized for individualism—I never follow the cattle. Ever.
KRISTINA GRAAFF: You mention that you are fighting illiteracy worldwide, what are the countries that the program covers?
HICKSON: My online marketing and promotion allows me to reach many across the globe, as well as the use of various social networks. I always encourage all everywhere to read more, and do my best to get others excited about reading GHETTOHEAT
books in general. Due to having worldwide distribution, my books are placed in stores internationally, which is another way of being part of the solution to fighting illiteracy.
KRISTINA GRAAFF: How do you select your authors? What are the criteria?
HICKSON: I handpick all of my artists. I have a reader who reviews the manuscripts I receive, they tell me which ones are great and those who have potential, and I review and make the final decision. They must all produce works that are fully relevant, intriguing and purposeful, ones in time, will become classics. They must also write them as if their lives depend upon them, if not, the material isn’t accepted at GHETTOHEAT
. If my writers don’t believe in the work, I won’t believe in it, nor will the world whom I introduce it to. So producing well-written works is key with me. As I said before, it’s about having vital messages—I’ve turned away tons of thousands of dollars, due to not printing typical, mediocre material, which in turn cheapens the name of GHETTOHEAT.
Yet, you have to also have drive, personality, a great sense of business, a need to be better than the day before, and wanting to make a difference in life—yours and with others. Again, it’s not about being a revolving door-structured company—many of my artists have lifetime contracts, the writers wanting to be housed here, permanently. If they don’t identify with me or with the philosophy of GHETTOHEAT
, then potential writers can’t be signed here. Simple. If I solely sign writers just to make profits, then I’m no different than the others who do.
KRISTINA GRAAFF: What are the advantages and disadvantages of working with incarcerated authors (in terms of production, marketing etc.)?
HICKSON: Most of my clientele come from state and federal correctional facilities, and in my opinion, they’re the most brilliant and dedicated of writers. I think it’s due to their focus, routine, and desire to achieve while being incarcerated. I work closely with all writers, so the process is easy for me—I get to know them all on a personal and professional level. I edit all the works in addition, so I always know all artists’ writing styles, characters and storylines.
One disadvantage is when an incarcerated artist can’t tour, due to their situation. But, I’ve toured for all of my authors whether imprisoned, or civilians who aren’t able to tour for whatever reason. I’m fully involved in every aspect of my company, so nothing is foreign to me.
KRISTINA GRAAFF: What are your particular distribution/marketing practices that are related to the streets and prison? (which areas do you cover? how do the daily practices vary from commercial publishers and book distribution firms?)
HICKSON: There aren’t any marketing practices that differ from any other I normally use, just because some of my writers are incarcerated. I push books—period! Whether doing street marketing, handing out flyers to people one at a time, posting posters, e-mail blasting, sending out my newsletter via postal mail or online, or using social media networks to spread the word. It’s all the same approach. Yet, I have a huge base and following throughout the male and female prison system: state, federal as well as correctional camps. I keep in touch with my “CONNECT” (convicts) regularly. We hand write each other often, in addition to them receiving my newsletters and announcements. Weekly, I receive approximately 50 to 100 letters, depending on where we’re at in life with each other, which stems beyond business. Having worldwide distribution, also allows my products to reach places that I, nor my writers wouldn’t normally, whether being incarcerated or a civilian.
KRISTINA GRAAFF: I saw that one of the vendors on 125th Street carries a GHETTOHEAT
banner. Is that the street representation of GHETTOHEAT? How is the cooperation with street vendors in general?
HICKSON: Yes, that’s one aspect of street representation of GHETTOHEAT
. Another form is myself being on the streets. If you’re not actively advertising, marketing and promoting yourself or your product, than how do you exist on the streets or within the industry as a whole? You don’t! So, yes, I remain visible on different levels.
I have great relationships with different street vendors, due to my professionalism, and them knowing how much business I draw. They understand my work ethic, and normally allow me to do street signings and marketing as I wish. I’m at a point in life and business where I pick and choose whom I’m doing business with, oppose to being forced to deal with certain individuals. So I only deal with those who are reputable and upstanding—all aren’t, including certain independent storeowners, also.
KRISTINA GRAAFF: You use the term ‘Hip-Hopreneur’, how would you define it? What are the differences to other entrepreneurs? What is ‘Hip-Hop’ about it?
HICKSON: Joe Connelly, Stephen King, David Balducci and Patricia Cromwell wouldn’t market their products the same way I would at GHETTOHEAT
. I don’t just do book signings at traditional bookstores and settings, I go where the people are, many of them being from the urban streets, but not limited to, also. “Hip-Hopreneur”—me being hip-hop and an entrepreneur simultaneously. Hip-Hop isn’t just music: it’s life, a way of life, a culture; mainly starting from the pure essence of the hardcore, gritty streets. Hip-Hop is my life, I am Hip-Hop, and GHETTOHEAT is my world.
Kristina Graaff is a Doctoral Fellow at the Transatlantic Graduate Research Program Berlin – New York at the Center for Metropolitan Studies in Berlin. She is writing her PhD Thesis on Street Literature.HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT® & GHETTOHEAT® TV!
GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS:
GHETTOHEAT®
CONVICT’S CANDY
HARDER
AND GOD CREATED WOMAN
LONDON REIGN
SONZ OF DARKNESS
TANTRUM
HICKSONBELIKE...
LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY
THICKNESS
GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS
BANJEE CUNT
ULTRAFABNABULOUS
BROTHERS BEHIND BARS
SO SEXY
TOUGH
MR. GHETTOHEAT®
SKATE ON!
GHETTOHEAT® EATS
TURF
GHETTOHEAT® MAGAZINE!GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
#GHETTOHEAT
#THEHOTNESSINTHESTREETS
#HICKSON
#CEOOFGHETTOHEAT
#TEAMGHETTOHEAT
#HICKSONHOTNESS
#PEACEANDGHETTOHEAT
#HICKSONBELIKE
#GHETTOHEATBOOKS
#GHETTOHEATMAGAZINE
#GHETTOHEATTV
#GHETTOHEATMOVEMENT
#INSTAHICKSON
#MAMAGHETTOHEAT
#HOUSEOFGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATSALUTE
#PAZYGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATHOTNESS
#IAMGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATPRODUCTION
#MOVIMIENTODEGHETTOHEAT
#BABYGHETTOHEAT
#INSTAGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATWORLDWIDE
#SALUDODEGHETTOHEAT
#MRGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATGLOBALGROUPHUG
#LACASADEGHETTOHEAT
#GHETTOHEATEATS
#GHETTOHEATCOM
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"IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!
IT'S TIME FOR THE PERCOLATOR!"
GHETTOHEAT® HOTNESS TOUR 2011 PERCOLATES FEBRUARY 5TH THROUGH DECEMBER 24TH WITH HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®, AS HE SIGNS COPIES OF GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS: CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS & TANTRUM.
GHETTOHEAT® HOTNESS TOUR 2011
12.24.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
12.23.11 @ 9AM - 4PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
12.22.11 @ 9AM - 4PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
12.18.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
12.17.10 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Forest Village Park Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3383 Donnell Drive, Forestville, MD
12.16.11 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
12.11.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
12.10.10 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
12.9.11 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
12.4.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
12.3.11 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Forest Village Park Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3383 Donnell Drive, Forestville, MD
12.2.11 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
11.27.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
11.26.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
11.25.11 @ 10AM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Forest Village Park Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3383 Donnell Drive, Forestville, MD
11.23.11 @ 9AM - 4PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
11.20.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
11.19.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
11.18.10 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
11.12.11 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Prince George’s Plaza Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3500 East West Highway (Route 410), Hyattsville, MD
11.11.11 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
11.6.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Springfield Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1200 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, PA
11.5.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
11.4.11 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
10.22.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
10.21.11 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
10.15.11 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Prince George’s Plaza Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3500 East West Highway (Route 410), Hyattsville, MD
10.8.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Springfield Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1200 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, PA
10.1.11 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Forest Village Park Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3383 Donnell Drive, Forestville, MD
9.30.11 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
9.24.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
9.23.11 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
9.17.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
7.23.11 @ 11AM - 7PM Harlem Book Fair 2011, Booth R8
THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT Book Signing
West 135th Street, New York, NY
6.25.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
6.18.11 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Prince George’s Plaza Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3500 East West Highway (Route 410), Hyattsville, MD
6.11.11 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Forest Village Park Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3383 Donnell Drive, Forestville, MD
6.4.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
6.4.11 GHETTOHEAT® Celebrates 8 Years of HOTNESS
5.21.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
5.14.11 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Forest Village Park Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3383 Donnell Drive, Forestville, MD
5.13.11 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
5.7.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
5.6.11 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
4.30.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
4.23.11 @ 1PM - 6PM The Literary Joint, Forest Village Park Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3383 Donnell Drive, Forestville, MD
4.16.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
4.9.11 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Prince George’s Plaza Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3500 East West Highway (Route 410), Hyattsville, MD
3.26.11 @ 11AM - 6PM The Literary Joint, Prince George’s Plaza Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3500 East West Highway (Route 410), Hyattsville, MD
3.19.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
3.12.11 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Prince George’s Plaza Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3500 East West Highway (Route 410), Hyattsville, MD
3.5.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
2.26.11 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Forest Village Park Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3383 Donnell Drive, Forestville, MD
2.19.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
2.12.11 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Prince George’s Plaza Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3500 East West Highway (Route 410), Hyattsville, MD
2.5.11 @ 1PM - 7PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, THICKNESS, DIRRRTY, TATTOOED TEARS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | GHETTOHEAT.COM | @GHETTOHEAT | @HICKSONHOTNESS
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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GHETTOHEAT®
JAN ‘10 – APR ‘10 PREVIEW
“OH…YEAH, GIRL…
SAID A SMALL BOY ONCE ASKED, WHEN WILL I GROW UP?
WHEN WILL I SEE WHAT, GROWNUPS DO SEE?
…IN HIS FIGHT TO COME OF AGE, HE WOULD HAVE TO KNOW THE AGE
TO BE RECOGNIZED IS WHEN I’M NOT UNMASKED
AND MAMA USED TO SAY: TAKE YOUR TIME, YOUNG MAN
MAMA USED TO SAY: DON'T YOU RUSH TO GET OLD
MAMA USED TO SAY: TAKE IT IN YOUR STRIDE
MAMA USED TO SAY: LIVE YOUR LIFE…
AS THE YEARS WENT RUSHIN’ BY, HE WOULD CUT DOWN ON HIS AGE
HE WOULD TELL HIS GIRL OF HOW IT USED TO BE…
HOW HIS MOMMY PASSED AWAY, BUT THESE LINES SHE WOULD SAY
AND AT THE TIME HE COULDN'T UN-DER-STAND
MAMA USED TO SAY: TAKE YOUR TIME, YOUNG MAN
MAMA USED TO SAY: DON'T YOU RUSH TO GET OLD
MAMA USED TO SAY: TAKE IT IN YOUR STRIDE
MAMA USED TO SAY: LIVE YOUR LIFE…
…YOU’RE YOUNG, SO YOUNG, DON'T HOLD ON BACK
DO ALL YOU WANT TO DO…
NOW IS THE TIME, FOR YOU TO STRIDE
FOR YOU TO GET BETTER. IN WHAT YOU ARE DOIN’…OH!
…NOW IS THE TIME, FOR YOU TO STRIDE
FOR YOU TO GET BETTER, IN WHAT YOU ARE DOIN’…OH!
…A SMALL BOY ONCE ASKED, WHEN WILL I GROW UP?
WHEN WILL I SEE WHAT, GROWNUPS DO SEE?
…IN HIS FIGHT TO COME OF AGE, HE WOULD HAVE TO KNOW THE AGE
TO BE RECOGNIZED IS WHEN I’M NOT UNMASKED…
…AND MAMA USED TO SAY: TAKE YOUR TIME, YOUNG MAN
MAMA USED TO SAY: DON'T YOU RUSH TO GET OLD
MAMA USED TO SAY: TAKE IT IN YOUR STRIDE
MAMA USED TO SAY: LIVE YOUR LIFE…LIVE YOUR LIFE…LIVE YOUR LIFE—OH!
HEY, MAMA USED TO SAY: TAKE YOUR TIME, YOUNG MAN
MAMA USED TO SAY: DON'T YOU RUSH TO GET OLD
MAMA USED TO SAY: TAKE IT IN YOUR STRIDE
MAMA…USED…TO…SAY: HEY, HEY…HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY!
…OH…OH…MAMA USED TO SAY: OH!
…MAMA USED TO SAY: OH!
…MAMA USED TO SAY: OH!
…MAMA USED TO SAY: OH!
…MAMA USED TO SAY”
—JUNIOR, MAMA USED TO SAY
HICKSON: BORN FEBRUARY 4, 1970
GHETTOHEAT®: BORN JUNE 4, 2003
*HICKSON rambunctiously removes “wretched weeds” from his beautiful rose garden outside the House of GHETTOHEAT®.*
I remember the first time I’d fired off a gun (.44 Magnum). I’d just turned eighteen in ‘88, and my father had taken me to his favorite shooting range, he being a huge collector and lover of firearms. My pops frequented this spot on Saturdays, shooting off rounds as a hobby, and wanted me to go with him on this particular day; my father’s way of wanting us to bond. I had absolutely no interest of going there! My favorite sport back then was “getting fly” and doing Saturday shopping at Bloomingdales, my store of choice in the mid 80’s. I was great at my hobby and did it well, spending $500 easily on an outfit or two at full retail price (it was the 80’s, I was young, I worked and had excellent financial support—money flowed freely like roaring rivers back then!). Yet, I s-t-r-o-l-l-e-d along with dad to the range, knowing that me going would really make him happy. *Eyes towards the sky, shaking my head quickly* :0|
When we arrived, he’d shown me the different components of his pistol, how to load/unload the chambers with bullets, and how to hold the gun carefully. Although extremely bored, I’d paid close attention to my pops’ demonstration before sliding a headset over my big ears to muffle the blast, and aiming at my target…. BOOMP!!! After I shot it, my father slowly retrieved the pistol from me before brow-beating intensely. Confused by his gesture, I’d asked, “What’s wrong?” “Who’s gun you been shooting?” pops snapped. Surprised by his question, I’d replied, “Huh? I never fired a gun before.” My father followed curiously with, “Well, how did you manage to shoot the target so easily between the eyes?” I’d shrugged my shoulders, “I just focused and took my time.” Piercing eyes intensely tore into me—pops hadn’t believed me. I knew I should’ve just gone shopping for that off-white Willi Wear 3-piece fleece set instead!
The point I’m making is, if you’re inexperienced in something, all you have to do is focus, take time with preparation before execution, and accomplish the goal. I’ve been doing so in many aspects of life for years. In publishing, I’d learned early on by trial and error, quickly jumping in headfirst in 2003, yet gained greatly when taking time applying the 5 P’s concept: proper preparation prevents poor performance. Each time I rushed things I’d made minor mistakes, ones that could’ve easily been avoided, hadn’t I been so eager. Nowadays, I don’t rush any processes (especially editing my authors’ works), or am I gung ho to quickly seal deals, especially during these trying times of the recession. One false move and you can drastically lose it all in an instant: here today, gone today! Many companies globally are seriously struggling or have folded, forcing me to take heed, regroup and be wiser about all decisions. Times are crucial now and I’m not losing GHETTOHEAT® for any reason, whatsover. I’ve worked very hard since 2003 and have come too far to ruin my business because of others being eager and anxious. Many writers often try to rush me into signing them and publishing their work quickly, due to pressing financial situations, personal hardships, or worse: them racing against the clock. Yet, since when did writers’ personal issues created before encountering me, become my own? They’re not, and can’t ever be. I’m in a serious zone right now, totally focused, people—focus now being on “house inspection”; taking my time while examining all thoroughly. There’s definitely no need for me to rush: I’m not running out of time. Actually, my 7-year anniversary is approaching, yet I’ve just begun. Stay tuned….
Hey, Worldwide! Happy 2010! How are you all doing across the globe? I hope that you’re feeling great and at a peaceful state of mind. Myself, I’ve been keeping cool, putting all in proper perspective while on my spritual journey. Much has occurred personally and professionally, and it’s best to relax now—the calm before the storm (GHETTOHEAT® is risin’!). Yet, I’m at a great place in life spiritually and have tons to discuss with you, in addition to me highlighting “events” since 2003 in upcoming newletters (newletters are evolving), yet we’ll cover everything in time. Right now, I want to give a special shout out to my “Connect”: my beautiful diamonds and pearls within the correctional facilities nationwide who contact me regularly! Thank you all for the wonderful holiday cards you sent me, which were many! They’re lovely: I placed 20 each per window throughout my entire place. I noticed some were even handmade with fancy elaborate decorations. Thanks again, “Connect”! You’re my biggest supporters! LOVE YOU ALL! :0) Continue following and supporting GHETTOHEAT®! I’ll write you all back soon, but please, don’t send multiple letters before I contact you. Save the trees!
As for the creative submissions, I’ve asked many of you who’ve mailed me, time-after-time, not to rush the writing process of your projects, and to take time on completing them. I’ve received many mediocre manuscripts as of late (truly disappointed), ones clearly composed quickly. People, I’m the hardest independent publisher to please…having the most critical analytical review process. Knowing this, you should never chance being easily rejected for sending your first draft to GHETTOHEAT®. This is happening often, writers forwarding me their first attempts, believing that the material is “mind-blowing”. Big mistake! The art of writing is re-writing, and honestly, should be re-written multiple times. The works should be well-executed, highly impressive and created as if your life depends upon them! Writers, p-l-e-a-s-e stop being so eager to be published, to become famous overnight, or overzealous to get rich fast. For those reasons alone, you shouldn’t submit material to GHETTOHEAT®. That’s not why I sign talent. I specifically seek wonderful writers who actually love creating fascinating works of various genres, professionally (not as a hobby). It’s utterly refreshing when receiving material that ultimately leaves me in awe, being totally engrossed in the works and not wanting them to end! Those are hits, projects I definitely desire—some recently acquired and signed to GHETTOHEAT®, and I’m very excited! It’s also thrilling when I find smart writers who fully identify with GHETTOHEAT® and its philosophies, being passionate, responsible, career-oriented, driven and devoted authors who are not only loyal to me, the company, its movement and supporters, yet here to make a real difference in life through writing. That’s what I absolutely love, respect, admire, favor and invest in. Anything less is not for me or GHETTOHEAT®.
“Connect”, unfortunately several of you send projects and contact me by mail for the wrong reason, also: to finance legal expenditures toward your cases—some even offering to sell manuscripts at flat rates. That’s not how I conduct business, people. I offer contractual agreements and pay royalties. Although fully understanding your issues, writers should never outright sell their projects to publishers, unless fully planning to ghostwrite. Even that becomes a sticky situation, as you may feel that you haven’t been compensated properly (or ego later allows needing recognition), after the success of the book you’ve written. Some of you have offerred me manuscripts for as low as $300. So what happens when it fully becomes successful and I net $3,000,000 later, then what? Folks, the industry has already experienced such devasting travesty in 2007…I’m definitely not willing to repeat history. Please take heed. I’ve also suggested that you all learn as much of the industry as possible before venturing, as business is the most important aspect of publishing, moreso than the creative aspect. Some writers conjure up fantasies, believing that they can just create a great book and it will easily fly off the shelves. Are you serious? It takes much more than that! Even the greatest of writers need a plan before the book is published—so what’s yours? Whatever it is, it shouldn’t start with contacting me, have one mapped out prior, even if I change it. Do your research! How do you expect to win inside the arena if you don’t understand “the game” or how it’s played? Again, GHETTOHEAT® has no interest in signing ghostwriters, free agents, or other writers who aren’t serious about producing great quality works within one publishing house. There are many other publishers who are willing and more than happy to deal with writers as such. I wish you well with your search for publication—please continue following and supporting THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT! Peace!
Everyone, there’s been a lot of transitioning going on within the industry, including store closures. On January 16, 2010, all B. Dalton stores will close and be replaced by Barnes & Noble, and all of their smaller shops within the malls will phase out, leaving only free-standing Barnes & Noble stores remaining. Yet, most of their super stores hold events mainly for celebrities/high-profile artists and well-known authors signed at major publishing houses, not independents such as myself. Also, 200 Borders Express shops and 60% of Waldenbooks stores will close, leaving fewer Waldenbooks and smaller Borders stores operating in select mall locations, but larger Borders stores will remain, unfortunately sharing the same philosophy as Barnes & Nobles in regards to events. So more challenges to deal with, people, in addition to what I’ve already endured prior (you’ve all read in my newsletters) and dealing with presently. But, I’m a very powerful person full of strength, ambition, tenacity and determination, so never worry, beloved. I’ve learned over the years how to make the most sweetest lemonade out of sour lemons. Sadly, these large corporations have been knocking most independent book stores and mom-and-pop shops nationwide, out of their game since 2005, and recent recession makes matters worse for many.
September 12, 2003 was when I first introduced my poetry book, GHETTOHEAT® (re-released soon). I vigorously toured up- and-down I-95 to many cities and states, from New York City down to North Carolina, promoting and selling copies at various independent book stores, music and specialty shops, as well with street vendors; doing local events in New York City on weekdays before venturing on the road every weekend. I favored this for a few reasons: as a brand-new artist having a limited budget and no mainstream distribution back then, it allowed me to travel and do business with others who were indigenous to me—connecting with other independents who owned stores (paying me immediately after each book signing). Some were very friendly and inviting, others apprehensive and pessimistic of me coming to do signings with a poetry book (poetry being the least-selling product among books), yet when they met me in person, felt my energy, saw my professional salesmanship and how I quickly sold my book, dispositons changed. The word quickly spread about my work ethic to others within the industry, and when I’d call other stores to book signings, before I could fully introduce myself to new store owners and managers, they would say, “Oh, we’ve heard about you and how you quickly move books. What day you would you like to sign on?” From there, I began to readily ride the wave: passionately and aggressively!
Also grateful to have local distributors who sold my books to these same independent stores and shops, I was very fortunate in 2004 to land mainstream distribution, enabling me to sell and do book signings with GHETTOHEAT® at chain stores nationwide—starting with Borders Express in Philadelphia’s Gallery Mall (so much love received there!). I took full advantage of doing signings at chain stores (still do), adding Waldenbooks and Barnes & Noble immediately to the list. By 2005 though, I personally began witnessing some independent bookstores and mom-and-pop shops struggling, due to the presence and power of mega chain stores, forcing few out of business, and the lack of support from local customers. The larger chains have more resources and capitol to draw upon, and can easily afford to often offer special discounts and promotions to customers, even having “buy four books, get the fifth book free” specials during Black History Month. Who wouldn’t take advantage of a great deal like that? Yet, customers opting to support chain stores and capitalize on huge discounts, instead of continuing their purchases at local independent book stores, seriously affected smaller store owners, and the decline of independent stores started to rise rapidly. But, I remained loyal to everyone: me supporting street vendors, smaller shops and chain stores simultaneously while touring, doing multiple signings; events easily lasting up to 8 hours. THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT continues! I will keep you all posted on future developments as they arise.
So it’s a new decade: 2010—the year to win, are you ready? Even with transitions going in effect, I’m still very excited and have that winning spirit, forging ahead confidantly into the future! So much that I’m thrilled to announce that GHETTOHEAT® is launching eBooks! Yes! For all of you who enjoy reading works on Kindle, Sony, Nook, ipads, iphones, and other eBook reader gadgets, you will soon be able to read GHETTOHEAT® titles on them. The first title to be released digitally will be GHETTOHEAT®, and you’ll be able to read my “Hotness” in English and Spanish! Other titles will be available soon, as I’ll be doing major quality control checks, updating, revising and proofreading all titles before going in production (thumbs up!). I’m very busy behind the scenes as usual, in addition to starting my tour in February (scheduled until Christmas), yet this is what I do, people: and I l-o-v-e it! Thank you, again, everyone for your continued support throughout the years. I can’t believe it’s almost 7 years! Where did all the time go? HUSTLING! :0) I have several other projects perculating, people, (expanding) and I will inform you all about them as I get closer to launching.
As sequels/follow-ups of other GHETTOHEAT® artists’ works that you’ve read, ones created from 2006 to 2008, a memo has been sent to all about my plans of releasing these projects during 2013. Prior to this, I will be editing manuscripts of other writers (who’ve been waiting patiently while producing newer material for you), then finally completing my own long-anticipated novel, SKATE ON! (was to be completed and released in 2006). After the release of my novel, you’ll be able to read the follow-ups and works of the newly-signed artists recently acquired. So look forward to more intense “Hotness” coming your way (patience, folks…)!
…W-O-R-D?:
GHETTOHEAT® books: available online at Amazon.com, BlackandNobel.com, BN.com, Borders.com & GHETTOHEAT.COM.
GHETTOHEAT® books: bought at select street vendor tables and mall kiosks nationwide.
GHETTOHEAT® books: purchased at most independent Black bookstores.
GHETTOHEAT® books: sold at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Borders, Bretanos and Waldenbooks nationally.
GHETTOHEAT® books: distributed to independent Black book stores and outlets exclusively by Black & Nobel.
GHETTOHEAT® books: heavily dispersed through reputable mainstream distributors: Baker & Taylor, Ingram and NBN.
GHETTOHEAT® print books are now distributed internationally: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, China, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.
GHETTOHEAT® eBooks: available in various formats and distributed in over 110 countries, Fall 2010.
GHETTOHEAT®—solely owned by HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®.
DROPPIN’ JEWELS…
Everyone, as always, it’s a pleasure spending time with you all, but now I have to roll out and take care of other matters. GOD willing I will be back shortly. In the meantime, check out the material on GHETTOHEAT.COM and see all that’s posted. Did you read all the wonderful GHETTOHEAT® titles yet? You better stop playing! :0) On a more serious note, there’s much going on right now globally, and I hope you all are taking note and preparing for the future, as more changes will take place. Some things I will discuss openly, others I won’t go into full detail with, due to the “powers that be”. Yet, I will offer subjects occassionally for you all to have open forums with while on my journey. Feel free to continue e-mailing me at HICKSON@GHETTOHEAT.COM, or with sending me letters to my P.O. Box below. People, be safe and take care. Stay strong, and never let a little cost you a lot. Peace and GHETTOHEAT®!
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, THICKNESS, DIRRRTY, TATTOOED TEARS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | GHETTOHEAT.COM | @GHETTOHEAT | @HICKSONHOTNESS
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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HICKSON yells, hands at mouth: “A-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-E, YO!”
“A-I-I-I-G-H-T!!!” The GHETTOHEAT® Movement replied.No backer, assistant, intern, tour manager, agent, editor, publicist or street team: Just HICKSON, a computer, a database & a Nextel—who’s really doin’ the business? Three years & countin’, people, worldwide, thank you all for helpin’ me keep the lights on! Because L-O-R-D knows bein’ the “ultimate hustler” isn’t easy—no sir! I’m just great at “magically” makin’ it appear to be. Yet, I’m not into performin’ wit’ smoke & mirrors, nor do I use gimmicks & tricks. What have I been doin’? Shakin’ & bakin’! It takes a great amount of effort, patience & at times, blood, sweat & tears to get to the level where I see GHETTOHEAT® bein’: at the top! Folks, I’ve been hustlin’ hard since 2003…hustlin’ hard like the rent is due—today! But it’s all good. As others are content wit’ just doin’ enough, cutely workin’ towards havin’ things easier, I’m lookin’ forward to havin’ my hustle HARDER.
“YOU WANT FAME? WELL, FAME COSTS! AND RIGHT HERE IS WHERE YOU START PAYING…IN SWEAT!”
—DEBBIE ALLEN, FAMEJune 2003: sweat pourin’ from my forehead as I trekked in the hot, blazin’ sun in Harlem, 125th Street, handin’ out 5000 “GHETTOHEAT®” flyers by myself in Grant Projects on Broadway—only to have ignorant busters & chickenheads try to play me out; laughin’ in my face while throwin’ my promos onto the ground. Sweat then runnin’ down my face while pickin’ up those same flyers, handin’ them out to other folks on 125th Street that afternoon; migratin’ all the way across to Lexington Avenue—gettin’ rid of each flyer. Ten minutes later, jumpin’ on the number “4” train downtown to Brooklyn—handin’ out 5000 more flyers on Fulton Street, wearin’ a Harlemade “Harlem” T-shirt, stickin’ out like a sore thumb; cats on the block shootin’ me dirty looks, wonderin’ why I’m “reppin’” Uptown in BK.
T-shirt drenched wit’ more sweat that day, carryin’ ten, 42-pound boxes of “GHETTOHEAT®” books to a local distributor, before headin’ cross town to do my first book signin’ at a “mom-&-pop” neighborhood bookstore; learnin’ within the first 5 minutes that I wasn’t goin’ to sell any books sittin’ at a table wit’ my hands folded, thinkin’ I’m cute. More sweat beads appeared, solicitin’ people from off the streets, convincin’ them to enter the bookstore to buy my book. Later that evenin’, sweatin’ feverishly in front of Club Envy, handin’ out the remainin’ flyers until 4 AM that mornin’.
I sweated in the swelterin’ heat while doin’ a book signin’ on Jamaica Avenue in Queens for 10 hours wit’ street vendor, Massamba, as two girls nearby, started arguin’ over some dude, as “po-po” (the cops) ignored them, bein’ more interested in harassin’ the man who double-parked his BMW, only to purchase my book for his girl. Wet wit’ sweat, meetin’ & greetin’ many folks that day, givin’ hugs & handshakes to all, even to dope fiends, cleverly avoidin’ gettin’ oozin’ pus on my hands from raw open wounds.Sweatin’ early the next mornin’ while quickly draggin’ a pull cart packed wit’ 100 books, racin’ to Greyhound’s bus depot to do two events in Philly, before rushin’ back to New York City to perform at a poetry open mic in Harlem at Nubian Heritage, within moments apart; finally eatin’ breakfast at 11 PM that night. Hours later, goin’ to every hair & nail salon straight across Flatbush Avenue that next mornin’, still dealin’ wit’ the unhealthy humidity, tryin’ to sell books to customers while bein’ an “unknown artist”, would definitely cause you to sweat, especially when no one cares about an unknown new jack…
“YOU WANT FAME?…”
“Hello, ladies. My name is HICKSON—”
“HICKSON???”
“Yes, HICKSON…I’m a new author & publisher from Harlem, & I have a new book out called ‘GHETTOHEAT®’.”
“Ghetto what?”
“‘GHETTOHEAT®’”. It’s a book of poetry—”
“Poetry? (Sucks teeth wit’ disgust) Don’t nobody up-in-here read no damn, poetry! Son, yo, you got that new joint by Zane?”
“Ladies, have a nice day.”
“Whatever, son!”“WELL, FAME COSTS…”
Costs you plenty if you don’t maintain your integrity, pride & self-respect while comin’ up in the game, as you may even be “propositioned” by “the powers that be”…in order to receive better recognition, the proper tools of trade, or to excel in your career faster. Fame also attracts low-life leaches who sometimes pose as writers/publishers, deceivingly tryin’ to befriend, wit’ goals to suck you dry like a black widow spider for your knowledge & resources, as they foolishly covert what you have. In addition, fame costs dearly when you acquire overzealous, obsessed book-groupies & stalkers, who not only show up at most of your signings, in state & out-of-state, but ones who, no matter how well you stay tight on your game keepin’ a low profile, purposely not providin’ your business cards, phone number or address, find you…late at night…. Yet you get another chance to “properly” introduce yourself to such folks: “Taser, meet stalker, stalker, meet taser…S-S-S-S-S-S!!!”
Doin’ somethin’ positive like promotin’ literacy worldwide also has costs. See for yourself, the “love” that people send me:
Look you bastard, your fucking nigger ass better be gone by the time I'm done taken a shit; And when I get back, you better fucking wipe my ass you slave, Forever love,
“Crispy KKK”, 7 April 2004 - Florida
I wasn’t feeling the book dawg, a book is supposed to keep the reader involved in the reading. I read a lot and I only read African American authors, this book is by far the worse book I have ever purchased. Stay positive and work on your skill.
“Anonymous”, 11 May 2004 - PhiladelphiaHICKSON, stop sending me your stupid shit!
“Glamour Girl”, 15 June 2005 - HarlemStandards of excellence in literary skills, like spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc. are still followed by some of us who also happen to be retired history professors. And you wonder why there is a generation gap? Some of us still respect and prize the education that we struggled to obtain that got us out of “the ghetto”. That does not seem to be the case in the way that you have chosen to express yourself with an attitude of hostility and rudeness, which is “why you are where you are”.
Why is it that when you are questioned about who you are and what you are all about that you decide that the response is “negative?” That is your own point of view and if you don't get that then you don't seem to understand that a part of marketing yourself is to be ready for such questions? That emotional outburst and the poor grammar, syntax, etc. is how you are choosing to hold yourself back. The words and style with which you choose to present yourself provokes a judgment which is perpetuated by your own anger and rage. No one has attacked or judged you. I'm still asking what you have to say that makes it worth my time and energy to pay attention to you. After living in a foreign country for several years and working in West Africa, one thing I have discovered as a major cultural difference which has not been transferred across the waters is a respect and reverence for the elders who could teach you something about how to present yourself in a positive light, but you are not willing to learn that from me, which is “why you are, where you are”.
HICKSON, you are very rude and do not seem to understand how to have an intellectual discussion or accept a question that challenges you to think beyond the limited boundaries which you seem to have set for yourself. The very fact that you don't seem to know how to spell properly indicates to me that there cannot be much of an interesting subject matter to read about in your work. Bad spelling, punctuation, lots of grammatical errors. You decide to use them, therefore, you decide to keep yourself trapped where you are. Consider me the person in the crowd who tells you that you “have spinach in your teeth” when none of your friends have mentioned it, but since you don't want to know the obvious flaws that are holding you back and have made the choice to resist any directions improving your chances to succeed, then, you are the one who has to live with the results of those decisions.
“Stephens NN”, 3 July 2005 - ChicagoFuck off, Bitch! Remove me from your email list NIGGER!!!!!!!!! Remove me from your email list immediately if you have brains enough to accomplish this. I do not want any additional emails from you or your business. You know, I've thought this thing over and I've changed my attitude. I think the Government should continue to subsidize you folks. They should send you all back to Africa and issue you each your own Banana tree, just when you get there - Don’t come back!!! And since you think you walk on water, if you decide to come back - WALK BACK.
Everywhere in the world that blacks have governed themselves you have failed miserably. I rest my case. Bill Cosby, J.C. Watts, and several others have tried to tell you this but you refuse to listen. Look at the State prisons and you'll find an 80 to 90% black population as well as the welfare roles. My opinion is based upon the actions and lack of accomplishment of the black population in our society. Even Jesse Jackson, the absolute fool that he is, said if he saw black teenagers walking toward him he would walk on the other side of the street. I want nothing to do with you, HICKSON.
“David McMinn”, 18 April 2006 - Out of SpaceRecently, I discovered that the cost of fame, also results in me receivin’ several death threats from folks. “Peace, haters!”
“AND RIGHT HERE IS WHERE YOU START PAYING…”
Payin’ lots of money on: a business license, trademarks, legal fees, accountants, book printers, graphic & website designers, photographers, models, hotels & travel expenses, office equipment and supplies, warehouse fees, advertisin’, promotion & marketin’, promotional items, copies, shippin’, postage, booth/table rentals, literary services, etc., etc., etc. You’ll spend a small amount on Advil headache pills, which you’ll unfortunately, begin to eat as you would M&M’s—yet, you’ll pay even more for not doin’ the proper research on business, the industry, the players, especially the bad ones, or on how to achieve the professional goals you desire, losin’ a great deal in the long run.Let’s not forget, payin’ your dues, makin’ appearances at places/events for free at times, at early/late hours, knowin’ that you would rather just catch up on sleep/work, or have fun elsewhere. Yet, because you’re a new artist, & “the powers that be” insisted that you show up, because if you don’t, it may ruin your business relationship wit’ them, you arrive to the function wit’ a “big smile” on your face instead, while cursin’ them out silently in your head. How about callin’ up certain bookstores to clear invoices, only to have the store owner/manager try to disguise their voice, or lie & tell their co-workers to say that “they’re not in the office today”, while you’re actually callin’ from your cell phone, lookin’ at both of them within their own establishment….
What about actually bein’ paid a large debt from a book distributor, in which they broke the checks up in two, yet they’re unsigned? You’re told to come back in an hour to pick them back up, only to return, havin’ those same two checks voided out, now bein’ presented wit’ 10 new checks…all postdated wit’ three weeks in between each check…what do you do? I’m not sure what you would do. What did HICKSON do? BLACK OUT!!!
I raised my voice violently, called them everythin’ in the book but “GOD’S CHILDREN”, ripped up each check in their face & threw them up in the air like confetti, began slammin’ my left hand on their desks, re-arrangin’ paperwork while pointin’ my finger in faces wit’ the right. Told them to, “Print out another check wit’ the full amount postdated today, or create a problem for yourself…NOW!!! No one is leavin’ this office until I get my money—ALL OF IT!!! Oh, what? You thought I was some stupid idiot who would be more than happy to accept scraps off the table? WELL, I’M NOT!!! I make way too much money for you & yours in this piece, don’t you ever try to play me or undermine my intelligence. Disrespect me like this again, & you will feel it! People, you have three minutes to properly accommodate me: 180, 179, 178…” is what I counted down while pacin’ back-&-forth in their office, as they began to scurry. I then reached into my knapsack…
“HICKSON, PLEASE, SIT-DOWN-SIT-DOWN! BE CALM!”
“I AM CALM!!!” I then went to unzip my bag.
“HICKSON, W-W-W-WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
“Look, no one is goin’ to shoot you! I’m diggin’ in my bag for gum, my mouth gets dry when I’m tight! …Want a piece?”
“IN SWEAT!”Managin’, groomin’ & promotin’ artists, even difficult ones, dealin’ wit’ new prospective artists, tourin’ nationwide, writin’, readin’, editin’, proofreadin’ & typin’ up books, while bein’ an art director. Maintainin’ 100 e-mail accounts to date, makin’ phone calls to bookstores, both urban & chain stores from Alabama to Wisconsin, followin’-up wit’ book buyers, regional & district store managers, retailers & distributors. Maintainin’ website, payin’ royalties & expenses, executin’ administrative duties, bein’ an accountant, & dealin’ wit’ the media constantly. Makin’ drop-offs to stores & street vendors in all 5 boroughs of New York, shippin’ out boxes of books nationwide daily, maintainin’ mail-orders & online store accounts, clearin’ invoices strategically, writin’ 300 convicts to date nationwide—by hand, constant internet research, composin’/mailin’ newsletters, while promotin’ literacy worldwide. Teachin’ sales associates/managers how to merchandise products, havin’ meetings frequently, attendin’ seminars occasionally, handin’ out flyers constantly, researchin’ foreign markets, seekin’ new money, all while stayin’ “sucker-free”, & religiously dealin’ wit’ haters who attempt to make my situation HARDER.
*HICKSON’s soakin’ wet….*
“Magically”, I’m learnin’ more & more each day, how to bob & weave from the haters, as I SKATE ON! pass them. Haters can be so troublesome, yet I fuel from their negativity immensely, oppose to feedin’ into it. Haters will always exist, they’re not goin’ anywhere—they have a purpose: to cause conflict. But what are you goin’ to do, allow them to knock you out of your game? Not I! Haters actually keep me on my toes, as well as make me want to succeed even more. Yet, they stay busy, actin’ like crackheads, some even bein’ crackheads: functional crackheads. Those are the worst, bein’ cracked out while givin’ the illusion of havin’ it all together. People, please be aware of the “haters on crack”, & remember that, “Crack is wack!”“Crack killed ‘Apple Jack’!”
JUNE 2005: A GHETTOHEAT PRODUCTION!
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT® & GHETTOHEAT® TV!
GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS:
GHETTOHEAT®
CONVICT’S CANDY
HARDER
AND GOD CREATED WOMAN
LONDON REIGN
SONZ OF DARKNESS
TANTRUM
HICKSONBELIKE...
LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY
THICKNESS
GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS
BANJEE CUNT
ULTRAFABNABULOUS
BROTHERS BEHIND BARS
SO SEXY
TOUGH
MR. GHETTOHEAT®
SKATE ON!
GHETTOHEAT® EATS
TURF
GHETTOHEAT® MAGAZINE!GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
#GHETTOHEAT
#THEHOTNESSINTHESTREETS
#HICKSON
#CEOOFGHETTOHEAT
#TEAMGHETTOHEAT
#HICKSONHOTNESS
#PEACEANDGHETTOHEAT
#HICKSONBELIKE
#GHETTOHEATBOOKS
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#GHETTOHEATTV
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#GHETTOHEATCOM
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#GHETTOHEAT
GHETTOHEAT® HOTNESS: STUBBS
An excerpt from LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY—A GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTION
“IT TAKES A FOOL…
TO LEARN…
THAT LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY.”
—The Spinners
INTRO
“Love, when did you come home?”
“Who the fuck is this?”
“It’s Kiki! When did you come home?”
“I been out for four days, Kiki. Why?”
“…Why are you doing this to me, Love?”
“Doing what to you?”
“Love, you promised me when you got out that you were coming home to me. I took off two days from work. I even found that dude for you. Now, here it is you’ve been home for four days, and you haven’t even called to at least say thanks.”
“Yeah…thanks. Kiki, if you now want me to pay for those two days of work you missed, I’ll gladly do so,” Love replies, sarcasm slowly dripping from his words.
“Fuck you, Love! I don’t need your money! You think you can buy your way out of everything in life? That’s your fucking problem now—you’re letting the money get the best of you. Love, one day you’re going to fall in love with someone the same way that I love you, and they’re going to treat you just as fucked as you’re doing me now. Watch!”
CLICK!
STUBBS is author of the upcoming hardcore street thriller, LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY. A native from Cleveland, Ohio, STUBBS is contributing greatly to THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT. Contact him at STUBBS@GHETTOHEAT.COM
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT® & GHETTOHEAT® TV!
GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS:
GHETTOHEAT®
CONVICT’S CANDY
HARDER
AND GOD CREATED WOMAN
LONDON REIGN
SONZ OF DARKNESS
TANTRUM
HICKSONBELIKE...
LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY
THICKNESS
GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS
BANJEE CUNT
ULTRAFABNABULOUS
BROTHERS BEHIND BARS
SO SEXY
TOUGH
MR. GHETTOHEAT®
SKATE ON!
GHETTOHEAT® EATS
TURF
GHETTOHEAT® MAGAZINE! -
GHETTOHEAT® HOTNESS FALL TOUR 2010
12.23.10 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
12.19.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
12.18.10 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
12.17.10 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
12.12.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
12.11.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
12.11.10 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
CHARLES D. ELLISON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
12.10.10 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
12.5.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
12.4.10 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Forest Village Park Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3325 Donell Drive, Forestville, MD
12.3.10 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
11.28.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
11.27.10 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
11.24.10 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
11.21.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
11.20.10 @ 1PM - 6PM The Literary Joint, Prince George’s Plaza Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3500 East West Highway (Route 410), Hyattsville, MD
11.19.10 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
11.13.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
CHARLES D. ELLISON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
11.13.10 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
11.6.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
11.5.10 @ 12PM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
10.11.09 @ 11AM - 8PM Circle Of Sisters 2010
GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT’s Book Signing
Jacob Javits Center, New York, NY
10.10.09 @ 10AM - 10PM Circle Of Sisters 2010
GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT’s Book Signing
Jacob Javits Center, New York, NY
10.23.10 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
10.23.10 @ 1PM - 7PM Mejah Books, Tri-State Mall
CHARLES D. ELLISON’s Book Signing
333 Naamans Road, Claymont, DE
10.22.10 @ 12PM - 5PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
10.16.10 @ 1PM - 7PM The Literary Joint, Prince George’s Plaza Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3500 East West Highway (Route 410), Hyattsville, MD
10.15.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Ismaila (Street Vendor Signing)
HICKSON’s Book Signing
125th St. & St. Nicholas, New York, NY
10.9.10 @ 1PM - 6PM Urban Knowledge Bookstore, Eastpoint Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
7839 Eastpoint Mall, Baltimore, MD
10.8.10 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, Laguardia Airport, Central Terminal, Terminal B
HICKSON’s Book Signing
Space CSAR 1-3, Flushing, NY
10.2.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Borders Express, Green Acres Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1061 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY
10.1.10 @ 3PM - 6PM DC BookDiva (Street Vendor Signing)
HICKSON’s Book Signing
14th & I Street, NW, Washington, DC
10.1.10 @ 12PM - 3PM DC BookDiva (Street Vendor Signing)
HICKSON’s Book Signing
12th & H Street, NE, Washington, DC
9.25.10 @ 1PM - 6PM Mejah Books, Tri-State Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
333 Naamans Road, Claymont, DE
9.24.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Ismaila (Street Vendor Signing)
HICKSON’s Book Signing
125th St. & St. Nicholas, New York, NY
9.19.10 @ 2PM - 6PM Ismaila (Street Vendor Signing)
HICKSON’s Book Signing
125th St. & St. Nicholas, New York, NY
9.18.10 @ 1PM - 6PM The Literary Joint, Forest Village Park Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
3325 Donell Drive, Forestville, MD
9.18.10 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
CHARLES D. ELLISON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
9.17.10 @ 11AM - 4PM Borders, John F. Kennedy International Airport
HICKSON’s Book Signing
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY
9.11.10 @ 1PM - 7PM Waldenbooks, Dover Mall
HICKSON’s Book Signing
1365 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
FOR MORE INFORMATION, LOG ON TO GHETTOHEAT.COM
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, THICKNESS, DIRRRTY, TATTOOED TEARS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | GHETTOHEAT.COM | @GHETTOHEAT | @HICKSONHOTNESS
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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MEET HICKSON: CEO OF GHETTOHEAT®, AS HE PRESENTS ALL GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS AT THE HARLEM BOOK FAIR 2010, SATURDAY, JULY 17TH FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM. GET SIGNED COPIES OF CONVICT'S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SON OF DARKNESS & TANTRUM.
GHETTOHEAT® WILL BE AT BOOTH R8 NEAR LENOX AVENUE ON 135TH STREET IN HARLEM, NEW YORK.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GHETTOHEAT®, LOG ON TO GHETTOHEAT.COM
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, THICKNESS, DIRRRTY, TATTOOED TEARS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | GHETTOHEAT.COM | @GHETTOHEAT | @HICKSONHOTNESS
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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EVERYONE, PICK UP THE SPRING/SUMMER 2010 ISSUE OF BLEU MAGAZINE AND REVIEW THE ARTICLE FEATURED ON GHETTOHEAT®!
http://xa.yimg.com/k...TTOHEATBLEU.pdf
Outside the Box
The streets of Harlem are wrapped up in the Ghettoheat® wave, a movement of books surrounding urban erotica and personal triumph that is changing the literary world one novel at a time, and creating one of the largest indie publishing houses on the East Coast.
by tyrus townsend
Photographed by julie litrov
What started out as a simple book of poetry has grown into a movement boasting more than twenty authors signed and eight books on the market ranging from politics, science fiction and gay issues. Ghettoheat’s Commander-In-Chief, who goes by Hickson, seemed to be in the best of moods.
It’s not the everyday that a brother in charge of an independent publishing empire is being dumped via text message of which he says: “Hickson needs a man. Place that in the interview…! We were together for fourteen months but felt ourselves going in two different directions. Thus is life.” Nonetheless, the recent heartbreak did not stop up-and-coming book mogul from giving Bleu a firsthand account of life, success and current understanding of love.
Ghettoheat®
“My book, Ghettoheat®, allowed me to build the company. After the death of my grandfather and the devastation of September 11th, I decided to quit my job and focus on writing full-time. I lived off my savings and eventually found myself in a state of homelessness. Writing became that creative outlet to deal with the pain, the frustration and the anger I endured. After a brief stint in Delaware, I received a check on June 2, 2003 for $10,000 as part of a class action settlement from the City of New York for violation of rights; the incident involved me being strip searched during an arrest that occurred in 1996.
On June 4, 2003, the check cleared and Ghettoheat® was created. The purpose of Ghettoheat® was to gain independence and entrepreneurship. Ghettoheat® was dedicated to my grandfather who told me to make lemonade out of lemons. When the book first came out, I marketed as if it was a street mixtape. Going with the mantra ‘A closed mouth does not get fed.’ I took my first set of flyers during NYC Gay Pride 2003 and handed them out on Christopher Street from 8pm up until midnight. After those flyers were done, I got more flyers and headed up to the South Bronx to The Warehouse. I was so determined not to fail at this. A few months I would see the fruits of labor born. During a book signing in 2003 I encountered a young lady and I immediately saw trouble in her eyes; I had witnessed this look on many occasion from so many others in the community. Later that evening I received an email from the young lady stating she had contemplated suicide only moments earlier. Just knowing that I made a difference in someone’s life was priceless. …I ended up re-structuring my company in order to help others heal with my works. Hopefully it will all pay off in the end.”
Candy Girl
“A few years ago, I had the pleasure to receive a signed copy of a novel called Convict’s Candy. Published in early 2006, Convict’s Candy proved not to be just another typical street novel. One of few books on the market that addresses transgender individuals, Hickson admits, “I had a hard time selling the book because it deals with a transgender individual in the African American community and you know how we feel about the gay community. We shun them! All the major book retailers refused to have anything to do with me at all. I even had a few scuffles with people on the street.
“Back in April of 2005, I received a proposal from two convicts: Jason Poole and Damon ‘Amin’ Meadows. They exclaimed it would be groundbreaking and they were absolutely correct. I read the entire manuscript in three hours! I did not want to put it down! The concept of the book, written in a federal prison, tells the story of a pre-op transsexual who gets arrested exactly one week before her scheduled sex change operation. You have this beautiful person, who looks like a woman, forced to do ‘hard time’ with all these handsome men who become amazed and hypnotized by this transsexual. At first I thought the authors were bluffing about the story. But a few months later, I was at a book signing in Richmond, Virginia, and coincidentally ran into an individual who used to do drugs with Candy; he was her former roommate and was able to back up everything that was in the book. According to the roommate, the inmates used to fight over Candy day and night.”
Convict’s Candy, which involves the story of a well known rapper love affair with the androgynous character, has gone on to become critically acclaimed by such publications as Vibe and Essence magazine. It was also selected by Wendy Williams as her book club pick.
“(Wendy) Williams gave so much love to Convict’s Candy. I think, in part, it was because she showcased the book in a positive manner on her radio show that it gained tremendous exposure. I also learned so much about the prison population while reading and editing the manuscript. Most inmates are not tested for HIV/AIDS upon arrival and if they don’t ask (to be tested) then the prison does not have to test. Most men who engage in sex while in prison, which many participate, cannot win for losing. On one hand you have sexual activity going on and the prison does not supply them with condoms because that advocates sexual activity and homosexuality, yet it does occur. But you also have all these enormous cases of HIV/AIDS swimming in one pot and inmates have become rather crafty in protecting themselves against the disease by resorting to using latex gloves and Saran (plastic) wrap as a contraceptive.
The Ultimate Hustlery
“I first started out dressing the queen-of-the-catwalk, supermodel Naomi Campbell; I was personally chosen. For five years, I was in charge of coordinating her fast and intricate outfit changes; managing to meticulously dress Naomi amidst the fever, fierceness, and frenzy backstage at major fashion shows. Naomi is one of the most darling, determined, misunderstood business women that I know. One of the many lessons that she taught me was to never back down. Being the only black male on a team was difficult at times; I proved to be too smart for my own good and for the others. A lot of racism exists in the fashion world and (it) was one of the many factors in my decision to leave the industry on September 10, 2001. The months afterward, I sent out 472 resumes and only received one callback.
“My goal was to become the hood Andre Leon Talley. I never thought I would become a writer. Sometimes I would live off three dollars a day: a honey bun for breakfast, Doritos for lunch and rice & broccoli for dinner; thank God I am a vegetarian. It has been an extremely harsh world coming from fashion to publishing.
“Along the way, I’ve had tremendous blessings thrown my way. After watching Beyonce tumble down a flight of stairs, shake her head and proceed to hit the note higher I realized that we fall down but we get back up. Recently, I received an offer to sell Ghettoheat for an enormous sum. I told those executives that even during a recession they could never buy me out. It could have been easy money, but I am not an easy guy. I turn 40 this year, so I am learning to become more flexible in life and in love. I learned to compromise and that, my friend, is the greatest success of all.”
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, THICKNESS, DIRRRTY, TATTOOED TEARS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | GHETTOHEAT.COM | @GHETTOHEAT | @HICKSONHOTNESS
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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http://xa.yimg.com/k...TTOHEATBLEU.pdf
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN A GREAT CONTRIBUTOR TO THE SUCCESS OF GHETTOHEAT®, AND ALL THOSE WHO LOYALLY CONTINUE ON WITH THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT!
THANKS FOR 7 YEARS!
STAY TUNED...
MORE HOTNESS COMING....
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, THICKNESS, DIRRRTY, TATTOOED TEARS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | GHETTOHEAT.COM | @GHETTOHEAT | @HICKSONHOTNESS
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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EVERYBODY, MEET HICKSON, CEO OF GHETTOHEAT®, AS HE WILL BE DOING A MEET AND GREET WHILE SIGNING COPIES OF CONVICT'S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN & LONDON REIGN AT PHILADELPHIA BLACK GAY PRIDE 2010. THE FIRST EVENT IS SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2010 FROM 7PM TO 11PM, AT THE GERSHMAN Y, LOCATED AT 401 SOUTH BROAD STREET.
ON FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010, FROM 6PM TO 9PM, YOU CAN ALSO MEET HICKSON AT THE LOEWS HOTEL, LOCATED AT 1200 MARKET STREET, WHERE HICKSON WILL ALSO BE AUTOGRAPHING COPIES.
ALSO CHECK OUT HICKSON IN THE NEW GHETTOHEAT® FEATURE IN THE SPRING ISSUE OF BLEU MAGAZINE, TITLED "OUT THE BOX". THE ARTICLE WILL BE IN PRINT AND ONLINE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HICKSON AND GHETTOHEAT®, LOG ON TO GHETTOHEAT.COM
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DAMON “AMIN” MEADOWS: TRUE TO HIS FAITH. TRUTH TO THE GAME
In what was Conversations’ first “jailhouse” interview, it was an honor to talk with bestselling author DAMON “AMIN” MEADOWS, the co-author (along with bestselling author JASON POOLE) of one of the most controversial novels I have ever read: CONVICT’S CANDY. After reading a book that intense, it was an honor to get the opportunity to speak with the author about the inspiration of the book, as well as why he felt it was important to tell the story of Candy. Conversations met at the Medgar Evers Library in Jackson, MS for this discussion. The original interview was set for 15 minutes, but it became so good that AMIN extended his time with our discussion group, and the result is here for you to enjoy.
AMIN, tell us about the person that is AMIN.
“I was a young brother from South Philly involved in things that many were doing at the time. In 1993—just seven days before I was to turn 21-years-old—I was given a life sentence. I was at a seventh grade reading level at the time and didn’t have a lot to look forward to. In time I made the best of my situation by getting my GED and became a mentor for others that were also incarcerated. I knew I was going to have to rehabilitate myself because I wasn’t trying to get caught up in the system.”
Thank you for your honesty, AMIN. What led you to writing?
“I knew I had to do something to help others protect themselves and face reality about the lives they are living. For me, I didn’t want to be just another writer. I wanted to educate and entertain, but above everything else, I wanted what I wrote to be beneficial.”
And the idea of CONVICT’S CANDY?
“It began in letters, keeping in touch with the women in my life. I was seeing a lot of things…and wanted to write something that would be of help to my daughters and those like my children. There was a reality that was going on that needed to be exposed.”
You are a Muslim. How did it affect you personally to graphically portray sex scenes between men and in effect get into the mind of a transgender?
“You’re right, it was hard. Again, I wanted people to face reality about what they are doing no matter who their sexual partner is. On the streets of Philly, being a Muslim is somewhat of a fad on the streets. For me it’s a real commitment. A lifestyle. Some of the stuff I had to stomach in writing the book was unreal, but had to make it real. We interviewed transsexuals that were locked up to make sure that authentic what we were saying. What they told us helped us to write the story. There is so much of a code in prison, just like on the outside. Some of the transsexuals I spoke to, told me that they prey on a certain type of individual to get what they want. It’s just like anyone who has a weakness, and is tempted.”
Getting through the book is one thing, but did you really believe that it would be accepted?
“I expected for it to be successful. In fact, I said to JASON: ‘We have a hit.’ I wanted to touch on topics other than just sex. The book deals with not just HIV but drug use and racism, too.”
The book that AMIN and POOLE have unleashed to the world through GHETTOHEAT® ignited much discussion during the interview with author. Laura Turner, the Librarian for the Medgar Evers Library remarked: “To me the prison system is part of the ‘Aggressor’. The system is the villain, a modern-day slavery.” Rose Wright—President of the Savvy Book Club in Jackson, MS and a school teacher for Jackson Public Schools—had this to say about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and “down low” lifestyle: “We love our men to death and stand behind them, and they are taking us to death.”
AMIN pointed out near the conclusion of the interview that POOLE and he were not the only men who kept their integrity and resisted the vices that come with prison life.
“The book is called CONVICT’S CANDY, meaning they are not the majority of those locked up, but the actions of a few can affect all of us.”
CONVICT'S CANDY
WRITTEN BY DAMON "AMIN" MEADOWS & JASON POOLE
CONVICT'S CANDY
EDITED BY HICKSON
CONVICT'S CANDY
A GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONEBOOK & PAPERBACK: SOLD & DISTRIBUTED EXCLUSIVELY AT GHETTOHEAT®!
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT® & GHETTOHEAT® TV!
GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS:
GHETTOHEAT®
CONVICT’S CANDY
HARDER
AND GOD CREATED WOMAN
LONDON REIGN
SONZ OF DARKNESS
TANTRUM
HICKSONBELIKE...
LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY
THICKNESS
GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS
BANJEE CUNT
ULTRAFABNABULOUS
BROTHERS BEHIND BARS
SO SEXY
TOUGH
MR. GHETTOHEAT®
SKATE ON!
GHETTOHEAT® EATS
TURF
GHETTOHEAT® MAGAZINE!GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027
GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™
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GHETTOHEAT® HOTNESS: A.C. BRITT
DC BOOKDIVA: Tell us a little bit about your current novel, LONDON REIGN.
A.C. BRITT: LONDON REIGN takes the reader through the emotional journey of London Walters: a sixteen-year-old “AG” (aggressor) who finds herself displaced from home by her own family—after suffering years of abuse from an alcoholic father. To most, London presents as a teenage boy from “around the way”. The father, embarrassed by his daughter’s extreme androgyny, presents his wife with an ultimatum, threatening to leave if she doesn’t tell London to leave their home immediately. When London is asked to leave, she boards the first train leaving Boston and ends up in Detroit. Although destine to start a new life and stray from the deceit of her physical appearance, London finds herself once again in multiple situations, where it’s the assumption that she’s male. A whirlwind of revenge by any means necessary erupts when London’s secret is revealed. Once again, London finds herself fighting for survival, and the desperate need for understanding.
DC BOOKDIVA: What sparked the idea? How long did it take you to write it?
A.C. BRITT: The initial manuscript was penned in a week. I was home from college on spring break, unable to participate in the vacation routines of my peers. At the time I was still trying to “find myself”, and many of my peers who identify as aggressive lesbian also fell into stereotypical roles. It seemed at the time that many felt that in order to be true to their own identity, they needed to dress and act like a man, in order to show their dominance. I found myself questioning the gender of some individuals quickly learning the difference between androgyny, transgender identity, and overall “AG” identity. As time went on, I eventually moved back to Massachusetts and found that this type of physical presentation was apparently evident across the nation, especially within the youth of the GLBT community. As a volunteer at a GLBT youth community center, the teens would tell me similar stories about enjoying the fact that people thought that they were males and would even go as far as stuffing their pants to resemble male genitalia. Their stories were compelling and inspired me to expose, modify, and elaborate on what some might call a subculture. I decided to include that abusive storyline, because again, many teens that I volunteered with were residing in shelters or entering Social Services, because their parents either kicked them out, or made life within the home too difficult to bare, due to their own sexual and gender identity.
DC BOOKDIVA: What kind of feedback are you getting?
A.C. BRITT: I've received mostly positive feedback regarding this project. Many readers are glad that I addressed such controversial topics such as physical and sexual abuse, alcoholism, gender/sexual identity and overall family dysfunction. Readers have expressed that LONDON REIGN kept them captivated and wanting more, causing many to read it in one sitting. I have come across some individuals who have questioned my religious and moral beliefs, as a result of my own openness with my sexuality, and the sexuality of the characters involved. All feedback is welcome and appreciated. All individuals are entitled to their own opinions.
DC BOOKDIVA: What can readers expect from you in the future? Are you working on anything now?
A.C. BRITT: I do have several works in progress, but readers can expect me to continue to address the important issues that society does not necessarily want to address or even recognize. It’s important that literature that depicts the lives of the GLBT community becomes mainstream. Society’s perception of the GLBT community still revolves around drugs, promiscuity, and the inability to commit, when in reality the GLBT community often comes from the same morals and ideas that heterosexual individuals live by. Readers can expect the release of PARIS SKY, and LONDON REIGN 2 in the future.
DC BOOKDIVA: Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?
A.C. BRITT: I just encourage everyone to spread the word about LONDON REIGN, A.C. BRITT, and THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT as a whole.
A.C. BRITT is author of the suspenseful, urban novel, LONDON REIGN. E-MAIL her at AC@GHETTOHEAT.COM
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT® & GHETTOHEAT® TV!GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS:GHETTOHEAT®CONVICT’S CANDYHARDERAND GOD CREATED WOMANLONDON REIGNSONZ OF DARKNESSTANTRUMHICKSONBELIKE...LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODYTHICKNESSGHOST TOWN HUSTLERSBANJEE CUNTULTRAFABNABULOUSBROTHERS BEHIND BARSSO SEXYTOUGHMR. GHETTOHEAT®SKATE ON!GHETTOHEAT® EATSTURFGHETTOHEAT® MAGAZINE!GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 | HTTP://GHETTOHEAT.COM/ | HICKSON@GHETTOHEAT.COMGHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™#GHETTOHEAT#THEHOTNESSINTHESTREETS#HICKSON#CEOOFGHETTOHEAT#TEAMGHETTOHEAT#HICKSONHOTNESS#PEACEANDGHETTOHEAT#HICKSONBELIKE#GHETTOHEATBOOKS#GHETTOHEATMAGAZINE#GHETTOHEATTV#GHETTOHEATMOVEMENT#INSTAHICKSON#MAMAGHETTOHEAT#HOUSEOFGHETTOHEAT#GHETTOHEATSALUTE#PAZYGHETTOHEAT#GHETTOHEATHOTNESS#IAMGHETTOHEAT#GHETTOHEATPRODUCTION#MOVIMIENTODEGHETTOHEAT#BABYGHETTOHEAT#INSTAGHETTOHEAT#GHETTOHEATWORLDWIDE#SALUDODEGHETTOHEAT#MRGHETTOHEAT#GHETTOHEATGLOBALGROUPHUG#LACASADEGHETTOHEAT#GHETTOHEATEATS#GHETTOHEATCOM -
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GHETTOHEAT® HOTNESS: JASON POOLE
REAL TALK
HICKSON: “GHETTOHEAT®!”
Recording: “This is a call from a federal prison. This is a prepaid call. You won’t be charged for the call from:
‘Jason Poole’. Press '5' to accept.” HICKSON accepts the call.
HICKSON: What’s good, playboy? How are you feeling today?
JASON POOLE: Ain’t too much. Still maintaining, staying focused on my legal situation, as well as my career.
HICKSON: Of course, of course. Jason, I know this call will cut us off in exactly fifteen minutes, so I’ll make this interview quick. Jason, how long have you been writing and what inspired you to do so?
JASON POOLE: Well, you know by me being incarcerated, I found myself reading inspirational stories of great men who led by example, such as Ruben “Hurricane” Carter. In fact, I would say his story gave me the inspiration and positive mindset to never give up, and to follow my dreams. His story showed me that even in the worst condition, a wise man will always find the means to do something positive. I always knew that I had a creative mind and a way with words, but it wasn’t until 2003 that I discovered my true talent as an author and screenplay writer.
HICKSON: Back then you wrote Larceny, one of the hottest urban books on the streets, while being held in a maximum-secured federal prison. Can you tell the people about that writing process? Jason, tell us about where you were in life at that particular time. What made you pick up a pen and begin writing the novel? Also, explain all that was going on around you within the prison facility as you were writing.
JASON POOLE: First of all, I wanna thank you for complimenting and recognizing my work as “one of the hottest urban books on the streets.” At the time I was writing Larceny, I was in my worst condition, as far as mentally. At that time, my legal matters weren’t being attended properly, as well as my financial status, due to the fact that I needed a lawyer badly. I had recently discovered that I was illegally sentenced. Also, I had found out that a childhood friend was the reason behind my arrest. I never knew that he’d given the FBI some false info on me, until seven years after I was in prison.
HICKSON: Hold up! You mean to tell me your peoples snitched and lied on you?
JASON POOLE: Yeah, it devastated me so much back then, that I picked up a pen and poured my pain on paper. (Pauses) I wanted readers to know what it feels like to be betrayed by someone you’d considered family, someone you’d risk your life for, ever since childhood.
HICKSON: Mmmph, those are the ones who would do you in the most, but continue, Jason.
JASON POOLE: I also wanted to show the readers the characteristics that a man needs in a wife in the book. I didn’t have too much interference while writing the novel, mostly because I stayed in my room at my desk all night.
HICKSON: Okay.
JASON POOLE: Then I’d bring my work with me to my job. I was working in the Law Library at that time as a law clerk and orderly.
HICKSON: You were constantly grinding I see. So how did you wind up being placed in prison? Do you mind sharing your story?
JASON POOLE: Nah, I don’t mind sharing that at all. It’s kind of a long story, but I’ll sum it up as best I can. First of all, I don’t deny that I wasn’t in “the game”, but I do deny my charges, simply because I’m not guilty.
HICKSON: Okay, well, let’s talk about it then.
JASON POOLE: In 1995, I was under FBI investigation and didn’t even know it, until one day I came home from New York, being at one of Puffy’s parties—
HICKSON: Puff Daddy at Bad Boy Entertainment?
JASON POOLE: Yeah. I found out that while I was out partying, the FBI had kicked in my mother’s door, ran up in my son’s mother’s home, and other family members places looking for me. They said I was a suspect in some murders, and they were trying to charge me, along with my best friend, Rat Man, rest in peace, with another murder. The whole time I was on the run, Rat Man was in trial winning the case. I knew that they didn’t have any solid evidence on me, but I still stayed on the run, mostly because I knew they were gonna railroad me to prison. At this time, I didn’t know that my childhood friend was cooperating with the FBI. Although it did seem strange that the FBI would run up in a spot looking for me as soon as I left. (Pauses) Anyway, one day me and another friend went to a neighborhood cookout, and when we got there, the FBI had the place under surveillance.
HICKSON: Sounds like a scene from The Wire on HBO.
JASON POOLE: As we left, they tried to pull us over and the driver pulled off in a high-speed chase. Throughout the chase, some drugs were thrown from the sunroof of the car. We got out and ran. I was the one who got caught, so they put the drugs on me and said I was charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.
HICKSON: Damn, playboy—madness!
JASON POOLE: Needless to say, I took the charges, went to trial, and lost. I have no co-defendants in my case. There were two females who were in the car with me that testified that they never saw me throw anything from the car. Yet, they still convicted me, because of the FBI agent’s testimony saying that he saw me throw it out the window.
HICKSON: Let’s go back in time a bit before that crazy moment. So you’re from Washington, DC—“Chocolate City”, as us folks call it, explain what life was like for you out there in the streets, without breaking street code, of course. Tell the people about your position, your set-up, and what you were dealing in.
JASON POOLE: Well, I don’t wanna dig too deep into my past and lifestyle to the point that I start glorifying it, let’s just say I was in “the game” to a point where I partied and mingled with stars, and whatever I wanted, I could get. I wasn’t a millionaire, but you would’ve thought I was from the lifestyle. Me and my friends were very respected in the city. Life was hard growing up, but that’s the lifestyle I chose back then.
HICKSON: For you to wind up in the Feds, it must’ve been a major case brought up against you.
JASON POOLE: Nah, it was a set-up. The FBI was angry that they couldn’t charge me with those other serious crimes. I’m the victim of a Homicide detective’s vendetta. This Homicide detective wanted me so bad, that he was deputized by the FBI to lead the case. Yet and still, none of the charges could stick, so they pinned the drugs on me. I guess he felt he’d send me to prison by any means necessary.
HICKSON: Jason, let’s go back to the topic of snitches for a moment. In your book, Larceny, which by the way, I’d purchased last spring and read it in two days. I really liked it a lot.
JASON POOLE: Thanks a lot. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
HICKSON: You deal with the act of snitching in the book. The character, “Jovan”, even discusses how a certain well-known, real-life drug kingpin from the ‘80’s is now working with the government, which in my opinion is disgusting. In Larceny, you wrote: “In Jovan’s eyes, “Po” was a bitch, he turned friends into enemies, he used real niggas for protection and he hid behind a mask. But when the mask was pulled off it was too late. Jovan found out that “Po” was down with the Feds, and this bitch-ass nigga emptied his brain to the Government, and turned State’s evidence on all those who held him in high regards To Jovan, “Po” had committed the ultimate sin.” That’s a very strong statement. Jason, how common is this in your opinion? Do you feel that most, when convicted, act as informants for a lesser charge? Or do you feel that most take the heat and continue living by the code of the streets?
JASON POOLE: Well being incarcerated in federal prison, me working in the Law Library, I read many cases, and noticed that the snitch rate is at an all time high. The Feds have a 92% conviction rate, mostly because someone gave up some info, so I would say it’s become common in Federal Court. In most cases, the only evidence they have is from a cooperating witness.
HICKSON: And you actually know the rat who snitched on you.
JASON POOLE: Like I said earlier, a childhood friend gave some false info on me, which put the FBI and Homicide detective on my trial. I never knew my best friend at the time, gave this info until seven years later, when the lawyer sent me the paperwork while I was in transit at Atlanta Penitentiary. His name is Derrick Reeds Miller. In fact, I mailed you a copy of that paperwork yesterday.
HICKSON: W-o-w. Snitches get stitches. Anyway, how long did it take you to write Larceny?
JASON POOLE: It only took me two months, mostly because I create my storyline before I even write it.
HICKSON: Your previous publisher—
JASON POOLE: Triple Crown Publications.
HICKSON: Yes. What made you initially publish with them?
JASON POOLE: Well, I felt that Triple Crown was the best place to publish my novel, due to the fact that they were leading in urban fiction sales, and my book was urban, yet with a mainstream appeal to it.
HICKSON: Interesting. (Pauses) By the way, Jason, I’ve been heavily promoting Larceny, encouraging people worldwide to get it.
JASON POOLE: (Laughs) Thank you. Now that’s what I call showing love. Here it is, HICKSON, you’re not even affiliated with Triple Crown Publications, yet you push my novel in every aspect of promotion, as well as promoting me as a partner and artist at your company. Thanks, Hickson.
HICKSON: Lightweight, playboy. You’re welcome. It is what it is, you know how I roll—it doesn’t take much for me to fully advertise and promote my people.
JASON POOLE: Thanks again.
HICKSON: So now you’re signed to GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™—
JASON POOLE: You better say it!
HICKSON: With the new controversial book, CONVICT’S CANDY being released shortly, that you’ve co-authored with “Amin”, being published by GHETTOHEAT®.
JASON POOLE: And within one year, I predict that we’ll be one of the leading publishing companies out there!
HICKSON: (Laughs) Okay, okay, playboy! Loving your confidence right now!
JASON POOLE: I have an arsenal of hit novels on subjects and styles no other author has ever touched on.
HICKSON: Jason, let’s discuss how you contacted me in April of 2005 about you wanting me to be your new publisher.
JASON POOLE: Okay.
HICKSON: People out here are very curious as to why you, Jason Poole, being an Essence best-selling author, would leave the leading urban publishing house, one having great success and a slew of writers, to come over to GHETTOHEAT®, in which back at that time, I only had a poetry book out. What made you contact me to be your publisher? What made you leave Triple Crown Publications? Care to talk about it?
JASON POOLE: I contacted you after reading your brief bio on the back of your poetry book, GHETTOHEAT®. I noticed that you were a marketing and advertising genius, mostly because I saw how well you sold a poetry book, which is rare in the urban book market. I realized you were just as hungry to achieve as I am. You were an established respected publisher, who at the time didn’t have an author. And I was a well-established author who needed a good publisher. I’d say it was ordained that we connected. Once I’d signed, I knew I made a home for myself as a business partner and friend. I’ve never felt so confident and sure of my career before. As for the reason why I left Triple Crown Publications, let’s just say I made a serious career move and a better business venture, as well as a confident and comfortable environment. For instance, I don’t have to worry if I send my manuscript to you, if it will get lost or not. (Pause) Whenever I call GHETTOHEAT®, before I can even say “hello”, you’ll be saying, “Hi, Jason, received your manuscript. It’s put up in the safe, etc."
HICKSON: Thanks for the compliment. I’m just a chief hustlin’ like and Indian, and I’m glad that you’re satisfied here, Jason, but what really made you decide to sign to GHETTOHEAT®?
JASON POOLE: (Laughs) Well, let me say it like this, I got a helluva contract deal. I’m feeling like Jay-Z right now! (Laughs louder) I hear there’s even talk about a presidential position being thrown in the air!
HICKSON: (Laughs) Easy, easy! (Laughs) Slow down, cowboy! (Laughs) None-the-less, we’re going to do big things together here at GHETTOHEAT®. Jason, how did you link up with “Amin”, and how did the writing process begin with CONVICT’S CANDY? Tell the people how you two put the project together while in prison.
JASON POOLE: I already had known “Amin” for a while. We were always cool from doing time in a previous U.S.P. (United States Prison) One day, I was at work in the Law Library, “Amin” was there studying, going through some papers on a rap artist. I came over and we got to talking about the industry and our careers, and that’s when “Amin” told me about his idea on writing the novel. He started pulling out a whole lot of research and titles for the novel. After he explained it to me more, I wondered if he had a particular writing style. So I threw in a few suggestions, and the light bulb went off in his head. That’s when he asked if I wanted to be a part of the CONVICT'S CANDY project. By me being a best-selling author and established, as well as a friend, it was the perfect opportunity. Now, I give total credit where it’s due, but I was the creative force in writing the novel in my own style. However, “Amin” added input as well.
HICKSON: So how long did you know “Amin” before writing CONVICT’S CANDY? What prison facility were you two in when you met “Amin”?
JASON POOLE: I’ve known “Amin” for almost ten years now. We first met in Allenwood Max Penitentiary. We both worked in the kitchen together, although we never really did any work (laughs), that’s where we clicked and became cool. Our friendship was established from respect. In prison, men respect each other for who they are, not for the sake of reputation and fame. It didn’t matter ‘cause I was a known hustler from DC, or that he was a known drug dealer from Philly. Our relationship developed from respect alone (pauses), then we became good friends.
HICKSON: I want to talk more about your personal experience in prison. First off, what you were thinking and feeling when you first entered the facility?
JASON POOLE: Damn, that’s a good question (pauses). Well, first of all, my mindset was full of anger because I was just sentenced to twenty-two years in federal prison, for some drugs that weren’t mine. Also, I was frustrated that everything in my life at that time seemed as if it was going downhill. But, I didn’t let those things dictate my actions. (Pauses) I still carried myself as a man with dignity, and most importantly, a man with sanity (pauses), although my tolerance level for bullshit was at zero. I just made sure I wasn’t involved with bullshit. I’m not saying I didn’t get into trouble, but the things that I got into were justifiable in my eyes.
HICKSON: Has being incarcerated changed your disposition and outlook on life? Tell the people how being behind the wall has affected you, whether spiritually, emotionally, physically or mentally.
JASON POOLE: Of course being here definitely changed my outlook on life, as well as my disposition. After being physically trapped in prison and realizing that this is all a government scam, I realized and learned that being a gangster has nothing to do with carrying a gun or pushing bricks (cocaine). The real gangsters are the legislators that create these gate-keeping laws that are design to ruin you, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. So yes, I’ve been awakened by being affected with these laws. It comes to a point in your life where you realize your life is worth than being an inmate number.
HICKSON: Real talk. (Pauses) I feel you. Jason, CONVICT’S CANDY deals with sexuality and people with alternative lifestyles. From your own words, honestly express to the world, what really goes on in the jailhouse.
JASON POOLE: In my most honest words (long pause), the deep reality of prison life in federal prison, is completely in the novel, CONVICT’S CANDY. We made sure that no stone was left unturned. So readers, if you have the courage to stomach the truth about federal prison, then I strongly suggest you pick up a copy of CONVICT’S CANDY, ASAP!
HICKSON: Physically, have you ever been tested? Challenged? Have you ever had to put someone in check for trying to test your manhood?
JASON POOLE: (Laughs) Strange that you ask that question, HICKSON. Well, I’ve never been sexually tested, but I have been disrespected to the point that I had to establish my respect amongst peers who didn’t know me, or knew about me.
HICKSON: Explain in details, if you can.
JASON POOLE: Throughout my ten years of being incarcerated, I’ve been the aggressor in three stabbing incidents and one assault. I had to beat a dude in the head with a tray. He had to get staples in his head.
HICKSON: Damn, Jason! Talk about taking it to the head, huh?
JASON POOLE: I’m known to hold my own, and it’s well established that I’m all man. Like I said earlier, whenever I got into something, it was justifiable in my eyes. Mostly because I was protecting myself and my manhood, as well as my reputation.
HICKSON: Yet, in spite of your environment, you’re making the best with your time in prison, creating more hits for GHETTOHEAT®. Jason, tell the people about your lifestyle in prison. What’s your daily routine like?
JASON POOLE: Basically, I’m a pretty busy man. I get up at 7 AM in the morning, do a small workout, then go over some things in my legal matter. Always studying. I then workout again after lunch from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, shower, then read and respond to mail. Afterwards, I then focus on my writing, going over things as well as constantly jotting down business ideas. I read a lot of business books on how to achieve and be successful. Right now, I’m really digging deep into the movie business, that’s something I’m very passionate about, getting deep into making movies, in addition to novels. I plan to make a movie to every novel I write.
HICKSON: And so you shall. The federal prison you’re in today, Jason, is it much different than being in the other state facilities you’ve been housed at in the past?
JASON POOLE: Federal prison is somewhat different from State. In the Feds, we don’t get the necessary things that State joints have. People think just because we’re in federal prison that we’re pampered prisoners. Nah, the Feds don’t care nothing about us. They care only about keeping these factories running (Unicor), prison industries. I call the Feds “organized slavery” (pauses), but all-in-all, prison is prison, no matter where it’s at. There will always be the same things going on in every prison, some more than others.
HICKSON: Have you ever had a 9-to-5 job? Also, tell the people more about your level of education.
JASON POOLE: Nah, never had a real 9-to-5, yet, as a teenager I had a summer job. I never had a full-time job for a certain period of time. As for my education, I dropped out of high school in the tenth grade. Although I was always intelligent, I never went back, I was too caught up in the streets. When I came to prison, you could say I furthered my education. I use to sit in the back of various college courses or real estate classes. I even took up “Money Smart” and an outside course in Paralegal studies. I was determined to learn as much as I could in prison, while working on my legal situation as well.
HICKSON: Very smart. Besides being an active member of THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT and it’s college scholarship fund, donating part of the proceeds from sales of your works to help the inner-city youth with money towards their college education, tell the millions of people who receive this newsletter worldwide, how else you plan to give back.
JASON POOLE: I plan to create a production company, so that we can create more jobs within the Black community. I’m also going to start-up a few foundations geared towards youth pursing careers in Creative Arts. If all goes well with my current legal situation and the judge grants me my freedom, I want to do public speaking at various urban high schools, to empower the younger generation.
HICKSON: I think it would be good for the younger generation to hear your story, especially males, those who get caught up in the glamour of street life. Hey, I know we’re about to get cut off from the phone soon, but quickly, what type of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors, whether urban and/or contemporary? Also, are there any other authors who have inspired you to write? If so, who?
JASON POOLE: Mostly, I like to read self-help business books and magazines, such as Black Entrepreneurs or Black Enterprise. As far as fiction, my favorite authors are Donald Goines, Sistah Souljah, Nikki Turner, anybody who can write a story with a good plot and twist. The urban authors who inspired me to write were Ruben “Hurricane” Carter and Teri Woods, just to name a few.
HICKSON: Without going deep, can you tell the people what to expect from you at GHETTOHEAT®?
JASON POOLE: The best novels yet to come, true masterpieces and classics, ones with deep plots and suspenseful twists.
HICKSON: When writing your novels, who exactly are you talking to? Who are you trying to reach and teach lessons to?
JASON POOLE: I’m trying to reach a certain person in the streets living the lifestyle that I’ve lived, as well as to inform those who aren’t. For instance, Larceny was geared to those in the drug game, focusing on trust and loyalty, as well as to females, showing how much her position is needed in a man’s life. My intention is to teach people by appealing to their intellect. My stories captivate readers, brings them into that world, only to have that message pounding in their heads at the end.
HICKSON: This phone call is about to be a wrap, but I have one last question. Jason Poole.
JASON POOLE: Yeah, what’s up?
HICKSON: Are you happy with your new deal and set-up at GHETTOHEAT®?
JASON POOLE: (Laughs) C’mon, what type of question is that?
HICKSON: A simple one.
JASON POOLE: I don’t think there’s a word that could ever describe how happy I am with my new deal and set-up at GHETTOHEAT®. Like I said earlier, I’m feeling like Jay-Z when he got the president position at Def Jam (Laughs).
HICKSON: (Laughs) That’s what’s up! (Laughs) Jason Poole, thanks again for phoning in.
JASON POOLE: Yeah, thank you, HICKSON. You know this is my very first interview, I’m glad you made it happen for me. You know, this really means a lot to me. My dreams are really starting to unfold.
HICKSON: It’s all good, playboy. Truth be told, this is the first interview I’ve ever conducted, so I guess we both just made history together. Jason, stay strong, keep your spirits up always, focus, remain positive and keep writing!
JASON POOLE: Okay, I’ll do that. Give Tre Black my regards, as well as the whole staff at GHETTOHEAT®.
HICKSON: (Laughs to himself, knowing that he hasn’t any staff members.) Yo, tell “Amin” to call me!
JASON POOLE: I will, one love.
HICKSON: I’m going to visit you and “Amin” on—
Phone automatically cuts off from federal prison.
JASON POOLE is co-author of Essence Bestseller, CONVICT'S CANDY. E-mail him at JASON@GHETTOHEAT.COM
HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, THICKNESS, DIRRRTY, TATTOOED TEARS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, CLUB AVENUE, SKATE ON!, SOME SEXY, & TOUGH.
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