By Silent_Ron
The Black Urban Times
To survive in the concrete jungle (New York City) one has to have confidence, street smarts, thick skin, and be from BROOKLYN. Well maybe not that last part; however these are the characteristics of an entrepreneur-(CEO of StarStatus Ent. & StarStatus Publishing, Author, Hip Hop artist, Motivational speaker and Mother) name Natoka "Mack Mama" Williams from Brooklyn. Mack Mama is an around-the-way-woman who is making her transition from the streets to the entertainment industry. With her new autobiography out right now entitled "Tales of an Original Bad Girl" she gives her readers an in-depth look inside her life and she also has a soundtrack/album called "Mack Mama" which coincides with the chapters in her book. Learn about her roots and how she turned her dreams into a reality.
Where did you grow up?
Brooklyn, New York
What was your childhood like growing up?
I was born addicted to Heroin, and taught to shoplift at five years old by my mom who suffered from a heroin addiction. When my mother was arrested and sent to prison I was sent to live with my beloved godmother Louise Alma Robinson. Who raised my sister and I in a great loving environment.
Unfortunately, she was a paranoid older woman from the south who kept us in the house all the time. I was never allowed to go out and play with my friends and it caused me to yearn for my freedom. I was an A student and valedictorian of my Junior High School and thought I knew it all. When I reached fourteen I had had enough of my decent life in the suburbs and demanded to live with my mom who had been clean and home from prison for some time. I can't remember how long. I moved to Fort Green Projects in Brooklyn, NY, which at that time was notorious for the murders and drug dealing that took place inside the Housing Projects. That is when all hell broke loose in my childhood. I went from being an innocent fourteen year old to living my life like a forty year old street thug. The rest you would have to read my autobiography “Tales of an Original Bad Girl”.
How did you get the name 'Mack Mama'?
Some of my friends started calling me that because I had Girls that were "working" for me now again you will have to read the book to get the elaborate details...
When and what made you start rapping?
I started rapping in prison because I saw the late great Notorious B.I.G on tv. I lost my mind because I saw dudes I knew like Justice and Azar Big's mentors in the Juicy Video. I said to myself "If my homies are on tv, I know I can start rapping and blow up too" well maybe not that direct quote but you get the drift. I was a bit more graphic like screaming jumping up and down in the dayroom "OH SHIT!! MY NIG ARE ON TV!!!!!!
Who are your some of your Hip Hop influences?
The Notorious B.I.G, 50 Cent, Styles P, Jadakiss, Da Brat, Eve, and Queen Latifah.
What steps did you take to become the CEO of Star Status Entertainment?
I called the I.R.S and requested my EIN number and got my business certificate. That is the technical part the rest was passion, desire and being a Boss Chick! I always wanted to run my own company and call my own shots.
What is the objective of Star Status Entertainment?
The objective was to bring my music to the masses, now I am kind of focused more on StarStatus Publishing, which is my company that I publish my novels through.
How do you wear so many hats from being a CEO, motivational speaker, and artist?
It is exhausting but I am a bit of a perfectionist. Anything with my brand attached has to be stellar, so I wear all my hats well. I give my all and love what I do, so if I am writing it will be 5 star, if I am speaking I will be heard and felt. When I am in the booth I am spitting pure FIREEEEE.. oh sorry let me calm down lol. As for being the C.E.O I am a natural born leader and a great boss. I know how to bring it, oh and you forgot to mention radio host. I have an online show I host every Sunday called Mack Mama's World Radio www.blogtalkradio.com/mackmama that I love. I get the chance to interview great people in all areas of entertainment, and hold riveting discussions about every topic imaginable, I bring the Mackiness to online radio. My show is off da meter, HILARIOUS, OUTRAGEOUS and plus I get to rock my music.
What do you discuss in your autobiography, "Original Bad Girl"?
It is Tales of an Original Bad Girl and it talks about the insanity of my life in the underworld. I dissect the insanity and share with my readers the choices bad and good that I made in my life. My mom died from the AIDS virus when I was sixteen and I lost my mind. I was determined to destroy my life, I shot, I robbed, I dealt drugs, used drugs and ultimately did thirteen years in total incarcerated.
The same message in your autobiography, do you share that in your motivational speeches?
I do, I break my life down and depending upon who I am addressing I either tone it down or spit it as raw as possible. The youngsters running around wildin' need to know the real and hopefully after hearing my testimony say to themselves "If Mack Mama can change so can I." I also like to inspire people who are struggling. I will be stopping by the Covenant House New York on Dec 11th which is located on 460 west 41st st NY,NY. This is a Shelter that services the youth. I love giving back to the children especially when they are in dire need. I will donate a case of books and have some fun with my sweeties. This is what I was meant to do make folks happy if it’s only for the moment. I have to give back!
What types of artist are you looking for on your label?
None I am on pause with my music label right now, but when I get back on my music swag I want only FEMALE MC'S because it is too damn hard for females to get into the game.
How can an artist get in contact with you to be on your label?
I'm not into signing artist right now because I am super focused on my publishing company and taking it to the next level. Books pay me instantly, Music is my lover who rocks my world but Books are my sugar daddy who keeps me laced. ;-)
Are you going to put the same type of pressure that you look for in other artist, on yourself?
When I get into my music I am super focused, a total assassin on the mic, and anybody on my team has to be better than me.
Now you released your debut album, which is also the soundtrack to the book, Can you explain what makes your album hot?
It is called Mack Mama and it is the soundtrack to my life, the title of the songs on the tracks are the titles of the chapters in my book. So when you read the chapter called "Don't turn out like me" that I dedicated to my daughter Velvet, you can pop in the soundtrack and hear the song that may bring you to tears, and know where I got the inspiration. It is a very personal album it is Mack Mama.
You also released a mixtape called "Nicki Minaj," and many female rappers tend to disrespect each other and not show support for each other. Are you trying to break that cycle? Why did you name your mixtape after Nicki Minaj?
It is called "Mack and Minaj" hon I definitely wouldn't name any cd after another female without including myself lol. I simply love female mc's and she is the queen of mainstream right now and I am the self proclaimed queen of the underground. So it made since to merge the two sexy queens. I took her old underground music and my old underground heat and made a masterpiece. I show love to all the females in the game, except the few that don't know how to show love back. They 'gets' it..ebonic swag!
What is the message you want people to receive from your music?
WOW that is "the" question I am too versatile to have one message, I have 7 mix cd's plus my soundtrack "Mack Mama" I would love for people to listen to all of my music and hear the growth, I have raunchy songs that I don't want anyone to judge just love the mackiness. I have hard core joints where I spit pure gangsta ish, I definitely don't want anybody to take those songs seriously because I bust my bangers for real and I am totally against that now, but when I wrote those songs I was angry and very Hood. I am now on my grown and sexy swag hard and my message in most of the songs on the soundtrack is more about change and growth. I have songs talking about my experiences with Thug Love, Domestic Abuse, and Inspirational songs like "Blow." I am just Mack Mama a lady who has been through a life that many couldn't imagine. I made it through and I am not complaining it made me who I have become, An Author/Motivational Speaker/Radio Host/Entertainer. A true Boss Lady who loves everybody who loves me! Muah..
What advice would you give other aspiring entrepenurs?
I am currently in a great Entrepreneur class that is taught by both the Morrison Group and Wealth Capital Group. Google them if you really want to get to the top of your game. I have learned so much about finances and business in two weeks than I have in the twelve months that I attended college for business. Research your craft surround yourself with thinkers, winners and positive over achievers. Never sleep I work twenty four seven, you have to go the extra mile when you have your own business.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
On top of the World, Definitely listed on the Forbes List. I promise you this when I get there I will be giving back to the "HOOD" I despise how some Celebs get on and forget where they come from, but give to other parts of the world because the "Media" is watching and reporting. What happened to your old neighborhood? Why aren't there community centers with free computers and resources to assist the youth in achieving their dreams.
Contact:
Websites: MackMamaworld.com & Star Status PublishingFacebook: Mack Mama Fan Page
Twitter: Mack Mama
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