Governor

Resonating in the tradition of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Marvin Gaye,
Governor Washington, Jr. Known to most as just Governor, his musical style mixes hip hop with Rhythm and Blues to deliver a timeless sound on his (Grand Hustle/Atlantic Recordings) debut Son of Pain. “Governor’s suffering is the listener’s reward, “ says XXL Magazine, “the honesty of his experiences-from his mother taking her life shortly after he was born, to the highs and lows of a true artist in the music industry resonates in every word he sings.” VIBE Magazine calls Son of Pain, “70’s inspired soul fit for both Saturday night and Sunday morning.”

Born and raised in Charles City, Virginia, Governor the son of a Minister, who still calls Virginia home says, “I tell the stories of things that have actually happened to me, I write about everyday struggles.” The streetwise southern gentleman who proudly refers to himself, as a “country boy” likes his music being characterized as “Soul Folk” and reveals in his passionate tone that “Folk music is about the story and the message, Soul music is about relaying emotion.

Governor who was accepted into the Berklee College of Music after high school chose instead to serve his country by joining the Navy. After serving two years of duty, he decided to pursue his music and moved to New York. Shortly after his arrival he formed a partnership and released an independent record entitled Another State of Mind (Warlock Records). While in New York, making a name for himself and his talents he recorded tracks with 50 Cent, LiL Kim, Trackmasters and also appeared on the WyClef Jean-produced single Since Supernatural for the Carlos Santana album Shaman. It was a relative of WyClef, Jacques Agnant who introduced Governor to Atlantic Records Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman where he was quickly offered a recording contract. While signed to Atlantic Governor and Dr. Dre started working together on his first major release which though fate and industry red tape is unlikely to to see the light of day. At the suggestion of Atlantic Records CEO Craig Kallman Governor and Grand Hustle Records owners T.I. and Jason Geter formed a joint venture that would later form the Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records 2006 release Son of Pain.

Son of Pain Executive Produced by Governor along with contributions from; Just Blaze (You Got The Power) – Wyclef Jean (Make Love to You) – Scott Storch (Destiny) – TrackMasters (Blood Sweat and Tears) – Raphael Siddiq (Never Wanna Leave) - Khao (Slow Down) – Rico Lumpkin (I Can’t) and Eddie Scoresazy (Forgive Me and Out of My Hands). Writing all thirteen songs Governor has created a soulful journey to be enjoy over and over again. Billed as Atlantic Records next important voice, Source Magazine says, “Putting the blues back in R&B with his album Son of Pain, Governor is in a lane of his own. His passionate voice, convincing execution and dedicated spirituality all make for a triumph story…a 70’s inspired sound that seeks to rebirth the soul of R&B.”