Lofton's eager, young and talented associates -- music producers and rappers -- have joined him at the sprawling complex at 2544 73rd Ave. once occupied by Soul Beat Television, which went off the air last year.

"We wanted to come here to show the community that this place is coming back. This building has a proud history," Lofton said.

At 41, Lofton is considered an "O.G." a term of endearment in the hip-hop culture that means "original gangster." That doesn't mean that he has been involved in criminal activity. Rather, he knows and has survived the streets and is learning more about the business world and the music industry, which can also be ruthless and unforgiving.

Oftentimes, Lofton said, rappers from North Oakland or West Oakland are reluctant to come to East Oakland. He hopes a new recording studio will eliminate geographical barriers in the in- terest of music and creativity and mutual respect.

Plans call for the building to be converted to the Burning Flame Complex, and owned by a Nigerian. The structure will include a retail clothing store, cafe, space for private parties and a pool area. Keep It Tight Entertainment will operate a recording studio specializing in professional music production, engineering, mixing and mastering.

The entire complex should be completed by next summer. However, the recording studio is expected to be operational in several months.

There's a lot of renovation to finish. Cans of paint are stacked in the patio, where the pool has been drained. "Some neighborhood kids broke several windows three weeks ago," said Qraun Animos, 28, the studio manager and an artist.

Among many local youths, especially African Americans, KMEL-FM (106.1) and Black Entertainment Television with its music videos are entertainment mainstays.

Now, the neighborhood is buzzing about other possibilities. Locally produced music videos and CDs. New talent. Creativity in the hood.

"The challenges have been funding and getting commitments from people, the workers and the artists," Lofton said.

One artist, "Bop Bonifide," is 35. "I'm working on a CD that will have 12 or 13 tracks. I'm still trying to come up with a title."

Another rapper, "Beethoes," is 21. "My CD will have 15 tracks in a couple of months," he said.

Lofton, a 1981 graduate of Berkeley High School who grew up in North Oakland, wants to give Oakland artists the break they need to show their skills.

"I'm doing this because I love music, and I had to find the artists. There's hundreds of labels in Oakland," he said. "We're unique because we want to give back to the community. We want to see some changes out here on the streets."

Lofton said too many other upstart Oakland music enterprises "don't have a building and a plan for growth. For them, it's only about making money."

Sitting nearby is 17-year-old "A-1," who is a producer and engineer. "This is going to give me an opportunity to do some things with music," he said. "I started playing drums in my church and then I went to keyboards."

Another producer/engineer, 23 years old, calls himself "Du Damage." He wants to find more talent in Oakland. "We are not trying to make a lot of money," he said. "The guys who used to run the streets ... these artists are their sons." Young rappers who call themselves "Crime" and "Lil'D" arrive at the building.

Seventeen-year-old rapper "Little C" is also working on a CD. "I was raised around music and rapping," he said.

Nodding in agreement is 19-year-old "Fat Tone," who wants to make his mark as a producer and an artist. "Making CDs is hard but it's also fun," he said.

For more information, call Keep It Tight Entertainment at 472-6842 or keepittight1998@yahoo.com .

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
(510) 208-6447
(510) 208-6477 Fax##
lmclaughlin@angnewspapers.com Email