RNS Entertainment

Grassroot grind
by Wes Flexner

PHOTO BY JOE MAIORANA
Every clown with a fitted hat, braids and a friend with a CD burner and Photoshop tries to convince you they're the next CEO of the R.O.C. While I, too, love the American dream of going from poverty to being a DIY music millionaire, you won't catch me buying wolf tickets when I'm still sitting at the Taco Bell drive-thru.

That dream has an especially hard time living in Columbus. With the lack of a prominent mixtape DJ here and little support for local hip-hop talent on the radio dial, it seems to me the only way a grassroots hip-hop act can break out is through the rock networks. And the urban networks that exist in Houston or the ATL—hell, even Mobile, Alabama—haven't formed in Columbus.

But someone may prove me wrong: Jerrid Hall, aka SauTa RNS, of RNS Entertainment.

The RNS crew is originally from grimy Youngstown. They started relocating in 2002 after Hall came here for school. They've been going strong for their five years of Columbus citizenship, packing clubs like the Obvious, Club Ice and Hypnotic, as well as High Five and Little Brother's—historically rock venues.

"The most we offer is promotions, and fans," Hall explained.

What: RNS Entertainment mixtape release party

When: Friday, March 30

Where: Pub 161, North Side

Web: myspace.com/rnsent

The crew attributes their victory over local music apathy to the diverse crowds they cover. RNS has a presence in various hip-hop communities—whether it's at fashion shows, club nights or on Internet message boards. It's a simple approach, but honestly, it's one that's often overlooked.

They also have a monthly base of ops for the communities they bring together—"RNS Nights" at Pub 161.

March's installment, happening this Friday, doubles as a release party for their mixtape We Are a Huge Deal. It features Hall's street hit "Weightflip" and "Hot Chips" by GK, which was produced by former Dipset collaborator B-Banga.

The tape spans various styles, from down South to West Coast to the New York sound. Hall and fellow crew member Intrigue think that's a strong suit of the Midwest, that people naturally internalize all hip-hop culture here.

Hall attributes RNS's success in Columbus to simple math. "People ask me about moving to ATL," he said. "Atlanta is one city. Ohio is the seventh-largest state. Georgia is, what, the 12th largest?"

Time will tell if they can take the steps to unify all of Ohio under their umbrella, but their vision, their work ethic and things like a recent slot opening for DJ Unk in Cleveland take a few steps in the right direction.
- Columbus Alive

The Spotlight on RNS Entertainment
Written by Patrice Morris
Thursday, 15 June 2006
The group I will be talking about today is called RNS. I must admit, I feel that this is one of the best interviews I’ve done thus far. This group is so focused and committed to their dream and I know they will make their dreams come true. This piece will not be just a spotlight, but our first segment to Behind the Glitz and Glamour. You will know first hand of this groups struggles as well as their on-going motivation to move forward and they will succeed.
RNS is a group that originated in Youngstown Ohio. Most of the group started out in 7th grade and was initially focused on fashion design, calling themselves R&S Fashions.


Music came into focus later as they begin rapping. During their time together the group not only grew in size but their music and style matured; the group realized they wanted to make sure the music they made was diverse, to connect with the younger and older generation.


By 2002 RNS formed their company and had their first performance in 2004 at Newport Music Hall. With the first performance, the group knew they needed to practice, but it was not the music, it was the stage presence. So they practiced until they felt ready to WOW the audience, which if you have been to one of their performances you know they have succeeded.


I asked the group what their goals are and what they want to accomplish with their music.


They want to “be at the forefront, always improving their music and they want to be a household name with their company and website. They feel they are a family and want to take care of each other” said Jerrid Haul, one of the group members. “We want to change the way Ohio Artist are perceived. Hip Hop is ready to make a change. Something new, different and versatile. We want to have a style for everyone to enjoy.”


What I love so much about this particular group is the focus is just not about them, but they want to make it easier for new artist in Ohio to be recognized and have their music heard. Tuffy Cochrance, Public Relations Person for the group said “nigga has always been a negative term in the black community, our definition for the term is Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished and we stand by this term.” This group is so inspiring and they also want to get doors open for all local artists through Ohio’s T.V., radio and advertising stations. They hope that this process will stop being so political.


The group also wants to give back to Youngstown. They described some of the problems of Youngstown, Ohio and they believe that it was a blessing for them to have escaped the troubled city. They want to open a performing arts school for the children there, and they want to help build Youngstown up again with opportunity and give the people still living there, hope that there is a way out.


Now don’t get me wrong they want to get paid instead of paying to do shows and they want to be on the cover of a major magazine. They want to be recognized as one of the top major companies in Forbes Magazine but the difference between them and others is, it’s not just about them it’s about the community, the city, and the State of Ohio.


RNS is working to help all up-coming Artists in Ohio and I personally commend them for this. Thanks RNS.


For more about RNS go to the website www.RNSentertainment.com. Also look for upcoming articles on the group.

For other aspiring artists and managers that are looking to increase their visibility in the music industry, send an e-mail to burnlounge@columbusblack.com and then click here.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 June 2006 )
- http://www.ColumbusBlack.com