Exclusive interview with recording artist Dre Gainezz
@DreGainezz
Give us some background info as to who you are.
My name is DeAndre Gaines, AKA Dre GainezZ. I was born in raised in Oklahoma City/Oklahoma County. I’ve been doing music since I was 16 years old. I decided to take the music to a business level a few years ago. My Momager put me in touch with Cavin Yarbrough, of Yarbrough and Peoples, and he produced some tracks for me along with giving me some valuable advise on the industry.
I’m a father of one 2 year old son. I attended Langston University right after high school, then I attended Guthrie Job Corp Center. I worked in the family vending business, GF Vending, off and on for a couple of years. Now the family business is GBI of O-City, an aspiring record label.
What is the significance of your name?
My name, DeAndre/Andre is common. I wanted something where I could use my nickname, Dre, and my last name but I wanted it to be different, so Dre GainezZ.
Who is your target market?
My target is teenage to about age 34, all races and sexes.
What is your USP? (Unique Selling Proposition) and what sets you apart from other Hip Hop artists?
I’m unique because no one thinks the way I think. People don’t hear the beats like I do. I don’t want to sound like anyone else. I have my own style that some people will love and some will hate and I’m alright with that as long as I love what I’m doing.
I plan to use a live band for some of my tracks on future projects.
What single or project are you currently pushing?
I’m pushing my CD, A Step Up From The Rest, available for download from Yo-Hits.com
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What is the philosophy by which you live by?
Treat people the way I want to be treated. My word is my bond and when my word comes into question, my bonds are in jeopardy. I’m not a gang banger, not a thug, I spent most of my time growing up in the suburbs. I was in the hood until I was in the 5th grade but the hood in Oklahoma City is probably not the hood by the standards of LA, Chicago etc. My mother is a college graduate, former state probation and parole officer and current special education teacher. My father attended college and worked with a company that installed modular furniture. My father had other children other than the ones with my mother and we lost our father when I was 15th years old. He had high blood pressure and had an aneurism in his head.
I grew up in church. When I don’t go to church I feel like I missed something. I haven’t been lately but I still have my connection to the church and I know how to get back to it in my time of need.
Which artists have inspired you?
DJ Quick, Ludacris, Snoop, Jay-Z, The Temptations
Who does your production?
My mix and masters are from various producers including myself. My main music producers are Calvin Yarbrough. JS Reyes and CL McCoy
What is your opinion of the current state of the music industry?
Everyone seems to be making the same music, it’s not as diverse as it use to be.
If you can change one thing about the music industry what would it be and why?
If I were a label executive, I would diversify the types of music/artist on my label. No gimmick rappers/artist. People are tired of hearing music that sounds like everybody else music.
Are there any singers that you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Jagged Edge, Tyrese, Ginuwine, Alicia Keys, Missy Elliot, Marsha Ambroza. I know you said singers but I would love to work with DJ Quick as well.
What producer would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Dr Dre, Timberland, Big Krit, Swizz Beatz, Pharrell
What is your favorite movie and favorite book?
The Temptations
Harry Potter and Goals
What are some major misconceptions that you think people have of you?
I feel like because I don’t have a certain look ( or because I have a certain look ) and I don’t have large circle that I hang out with that my music may not be as good as their music.
What is your favorite part of your live show? How has it evolved?
I have more stage presences than when I started. I’m more interactive with the crowd.
What is your LP going to be like?
A Step Up From The Rest has a bit of a 90’s feel. There are some tracks on there that you can play at a backyard barbecue and then there are tracks with more of an edge to them.
What is your website?
Currently, I’m promoting through www.Yo-Hits.com
Any final words for the people?
We are operating on a budget called “ Whatever we can get together this month we’re putting toward the project.” It’s been rocky but it’s the commitment of the family that it getting us through the famine times. We see a time where we will eat from the profits of the music, and maybe even feast. When we start to eat, we will start our long term plan to become more diverse in the industry so the feast can continue for years to come. This is long term for me/us. There are so many opportunities on stage and behind the scene and we are going to make that happen and make Oklahoma a place that’s a player in the entertainment scene.
Executive Summary
Company Name: GBI of OCity
Artist Stage Name: Dre GainezZ
Focus Single: Love it Most ft Zay
Album Name: A Step Up From The Rest
Mission: Let the world know Oklahoma can make good music.
Goals: I want to be an artist that has longevity is this business. There is a plan in place to be involved in more than just the performance end of the music and beyond music in general. I want to have longevity in entertainment as a whole.
