The Flok”
The beginning of the Flok was totally spiritual. Nature Boy and Ice Lajuan were in the studio working and talking. They began to have a conversation about God and the Bible. They began to reflect on the change they had been hearing about their friend Deadly who had recently became a preacher, who they had not spoken with after several months. As the two friends conversed Deadly had a strong desire to go visit his long time friend Roderick. Terrance was greeted warmly and with astonishment. Kendall and Roderick began to explain to him how they were just talking about him and he popped up. To say the least they were all happy to see each other. Nature and Ice began to ask questions about the Bible and the mystery of change. Roderick not knowing that God had been dealing with Kendall and he was trying to find the words to tell him that he was considering not to do hardcore hip-hop no longer. But before he could get the words out of his mouth, Roderick said he wanted to go in another direction with his music and serve God. To Terrance’s surprise it was like his prayers were being answered. They talked and laughed until early in the morning. The long time friends agreed to pray and allow the Lord to lead them. They eventually began to work on music focusing on God and saving soul. Always trying to keep their individuality they coined the phrase for their music Hip-Hop Substance. They believed because of their strong modern day stories of spiritual struggle and peer pressure it would be fitting.
Name: Rodrick Mcbee
Stage name: Ice Lajuan
Age: 31
Founder and CEO of 53 Funk Entertainment Roderick Mcbee aka “Ice Lajuan” first was influenced by hip-hop at the age of nine. His love for music began when his big brother let him play around on his friend’s keyboard. In later years “Ice” began to acquire bits and pieces of used music equipment from pawnshops with dreams of breaking in to the hip-hop industry. In high school he was introduced to another hip-hop artist who went by the name of “Merlin”. Together they released several local rap tapes throughout the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. Toning his skills and his ear for the music during the late 80’s and early 90’s all the while never giving up his hopes and dreams he eventually moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma and teaming up with a local rapper by the name of Shawn “N:Doe” McCrary at the time the only remaining member of “The Westside Hustlers.” Mcbee had an idea to create his own independent record label where he would not only rap but produce original music for himself and other aspiring local talent called “53 Funk Entertainment”.
Hobbies/Interest: reading bible, making music, watching movies, weightlifting, stock market, black history, science, and spending time with family
Name: Terrance Reed
Stage name: Deadly
Age: 32
Former hardcore gangster rapper Terrance Reed aka “Deadly” was the first artist to rededicate his life to Christ and leave behind his beloved 53 family to serve God. Deadly has been involved in hip-hop since the early 80’s during the break dancing era. As his love for the music grew he and his friends formed The Westside Hustlers. But before their dreams of making it could be reached, Deadly began to get involved in gang activity and drug dealing which eventually landed him in prison. During his time in prison one of the members was killed. After being released and reuniting with the remaining member. They were reacquainted with their childhood friend Roderick “Ice Lajuan” Mcbee founder of 53Funk Entertainment and began to once again try to fulfill their dreams 1998. Deadly has featured in several 53 Funk productions, peaking with his solo project “ Toxic Chocolate” in 2001.
Hobbies/Interest: preaching, reading Bible, TV, Church, movies, cars, drawing, and raising son.
Name: Kendall Johnson
Stage name: Nature Boy
Age: 23
The youngest but may be the rawest and purist lyricist. Kendall “Nature Boy Johnson grew up surrounded around the hip-hop culture. Hip-hop was an escape for “Nature” due to the constant drug and gang influences. Sports was another huge influence in Kendall’s’ life. After graduating from Okmulgee High School. Nature Boy teamed up with his childhood friend Lonnie “Man” Collins aka L.C. and formed the group “Southern”. Southern’s first Cd was a huge local success. But with most successful rap groups there is always an individual who stands out. That individual was The Nature Boy. After gracing many 53-Funk productions, he eventually ventured off into his own solo project “The Instrument”.
Hobbies/Interest: Reading Bible, Writing songs , Weight Lifting, movies, Church, Jokes, Video games,
Name: Rodrick Mcbee
Stage name: Ice Lajuan
Age: 31
Founder and CEO of 53 Funk Entertainment Roderick Mcbee aka “Ice Lajuan” first was influenced by hip-hop at the age of nine. His love for music began when his big brother let him play around on his friend’s keyboard. In later years “Ice” began to acquire bits and pieces of used music equipment from pawnshops with dreams of breaking in to the hip-hop industry. In high school he was introduced to another hip-hop artist who went by the name of “Merlin”. Together they released several local rap tapes throughout the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. Toning his skills and his ear for the music during the late 80’s and early 90’s all the while never giving up his hopes and dreams he eventually moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma and teaming up with a local rapper by the name of Shawn “N:Doe” McCrary at the time the only remaining member of “The Westside Hustlers.” Mcbee had an idea to create his own independent record label where he would not only rap but produce original music for himself and other aspiring local talent called “53 Funk Entertainment”.
Hobbies/Interest: reading bible, making music, watching movies, weightlifting, stock market, black history, science, and spending time with family
Name: Terrance Reed
Stage name: Deadly
Age: 32
Former hardcore gangster rapper Terrance Reed aka “Deadly” was the first artist to rededicate his life to Christ and leave behind his beloved 53 family to serve God. Deadly has been involved in hip-hop since the early 80’s during the break dancing era. As his love for the music grew he and his friends formed The Westside Hustlers. But before their dreams of making it could be reached, Deadly began to get involved in gang activity and drug dealing which eventually landed him in prison. During his time in prison one of the members was killed. After being released and reuniting with the remaining member. They were reacquainted with their childhood friend Roderick “Ice Lajuan” Mcbee founder of 53Funk Entertainment and began to once again try to fulfill their dreams 1998. Deadly has featured in several 53 Funk productions, peaking with his solo project “ Toxic Chocolate” in 2001.
Hobbies/Interest: preaching, reading Bible, TV, Church, movies, cars, drawing, and raising son.
Name: Kendall Johnson
Stage name: Nature Boy
Age: 23
The youngest but may be the rawest and purist lyricist. Kendall “Nature Boy Johnson grew up surrounded around the hip-hop culture. Hip-hop was an escape for “Nature” due to the constant drug and gang influences. Sports was another huge influence in Kendall’s’ life. After graduating from Okmulgee High School. Nature Boy teamed up with his childhood friend Lonnie “Man” Collins aka L.C. and formed the group “Southern”. Southern’s first Cd was a huge local success. But with most successful rap groups there is always an individual who stands out. That individual was The Nature Boy. After gracing many 53-Funk productions, he eventually ventured off into his own solo project “The Instrument”.
Hobbies/Interest: Reading Bible, Writing songs , Weight Lifting, movies, Church, Jokes, Video games,
Shows and Performances
Place Year
Skate Jam/Tulsa, Oklahoma November 1999
The Baha Club/Muskogee, Oklahoma May 2000
Club Genesis (Jive Records)/Tulsa, OK. July 2000
Funkfest/Okmulgee, Oklahoma November 2001
Superfest/Tulsa, OK. July 2002
Krunkfest/Okmulgee,OK. March 2003
Oklahoma Street Party/Taft, Oklahoma June 2003
St. Matthews Baptist Church/Okmulgee, OK. Feb/April 2004
New Jerusalem Baptist Church/Midland, TX May 2004
Wayland Baptist Church/Eufaula, OK April 2004
Radio Exposure
105.3 Fresh Jamz
Tulsa,Oklahoma
Show: Make it or Break it. Received 25 makes and 3 breaks
DJ: C-Fox
Song: “Never Alone”
Date: September 2001
Show: Flavor in tha Hood
DJ: Dangerous Dawn
Song: “Certified Pimpin” and “Westside Ridaz”
Date: May 2000
Show: Flavor in tha Hood
DJ: JB Smoove
Song: “Never Alone” and “Twist the Top”
Date: November 2001
Show: Flavor in tha Hood
DJ: JB Smoove
Song: “Do tha Damn Thang” and “Makes no Sense”
Date: March 2000
Show: Flavor in tha Hood
DJ: JB Smoove
Song: “Echoes” and “This”
Date: January 2003
53 Funk Entertainment Production History
Prior Cd Releases
Conversations pt. 1 (N:Doe) 1999 release
Ice Watah Compilation (Ice Lajuan) 2000 release
Chapter 1 (Southern) 2000 release
Do My Thang (Ice Lajuan) 2000-01 release
Toxic Chocolate (Deadly) 2001 release
Watah on Rokks Compilation (Ice Lajuan) 2001 release
Instrument (Nature Boy) 2003 release
Haters Antidote (N:Doe) 2003 release
Schkimmin Game (Big PZ) 2004 release
On Line Releases: www.mp3.com
Thawaythawestwuz (N:Doe)
The Family/Producers Edition (Ice Lajuan)
Commercials
105.3 Fresh Jamz/Tulsa, OK. “105 to The 53” JB Smoove theme song
Coast2Coast/Oklahoma City, Ok Background beats TV commercial
Funkfest on Fresh Jamz/ Okmulgee, OK “Toxic Chocolate” samples for radio commercial
Skate Jam on Fresh Jamz/Tulsa, OK “Conversations pt1’’ samples for radio commercials
Haters Antidote Promo on Fresh Jamz/Tulsa, OK “Haters Antidote” samples for radio commercials
Press Releases
Okmulgee Daily Times November 21,2001 1st Annual Funkfest Concert and the release of “Toxic Chocolate” Album
Tulsa Star September 11, 2003 “Ice and Crew Are Hot Into The Rap/R&B Music Scene”. A candid interview with Ice Lajuan on the history of 53 Funk Entertainment.