BIG HOUSE RECORDS
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Biography
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
-Victor Hugo
Eighty years ago G.Dot would have been the main attraction at a speak easy on Harlem’s
infamous 125th street. He would have written novels like Iceberg Slim and Mama Black Widow.
He would have painted graffiti street paintings under the pseudonym 'SAMO' like Jean-Michel
Basquiat. Years ago, G.Dots’ music would have rivaled The Bitches Brew of Miles Davis. He
would have spoken of revolution alongside The Last Poets.
At its’ most powerful, music transcends barriers, uniting people who on the surface may seem to
have little in common. Such is the case with G.Dot, the Harlem born lyricist whose background is
no barrier for music lovers. On his debut release, The Gold Rush Volume 1, one can hear the
power and dedication to a genre of music recently referred to as ‘dead’. Hosted by Cleveland,
Ohio’s DJ Steph Floss, G.Dot takes his listeners on energetic, witty and authentic musical
journey.
Born Shawn Ivory McKnight, G.Dot’s restless childhood and adolescence were spent in Harlem,
New York. Raised by his grandmother, G.Dot navigated his way through a less than perfect
childhood. He recalls, “My parents weren't really around. I lived with my grandma since 1985. My
parents were in the streets a lot. Overall they were good people but they had their priorities
messed up at the time. They chose the streets first, that's why we went to live with my grandma
in ‘85. She became my mom and dad.”
By 16, G.Dot began feeding his artistic hunger by securing internships that exposed him to
industry aficionados Harve Pierre, Mase, the Lox, David Linton and Malika Thompson. Learning
from the ground up, G had no problem promoting and serving artists as he knew every moment
spent was a moment earned. “Arista humbled me. I used to think it was all about beats and
rhymes. I thought music was a cakewalk, until I got to see all the behind scenes action. When I
started out I just wanted to get signed. I was lucky, I had record execs willing to stop and give me
good advice. I am grateful for that. They helped me understand that once your business is right,
everything will fall into place.”
In the face of his music, G. Dot entered South Carolina State University as a freshman in 1998.
Despite a successful college career, G’s love of music prevailed. “If there was one thing I wish I
could do over again I would have stayed at Arista Records instead of going to college. I think I
would have been much further in my music career by know if I had. Don’t get me wrong, I don't
regret going to college. I met some of the best people in the world at college.”
After leaving SCSU, G.Dot immersed himself completely in defining his sound and honing his
skills. As an artist, G.Dot wanted to maintain anonymity, and still pay homage to the lyricists who
paved the way for him. “I don’t feel that my music parallels anyone. I feel that there is only one G.
Dot, there will be no other. People tend to compare me to Fabolous and Jadakiss. I’m cool with
that because those are two of the most influential artists in my life right now.”
To date, G.Dot’s music is infused with an air of delayed fulfillment. Focusing on the harsh
realities of life, G.Dot creates music that is not only honest but engaging. “ I think my music will
attract a cross culture of listeners because my music is universal. I create songs that everyone
can listen and relate to. I try to make my listeners feel as if they wrote the song.” And that he
does. With titles like Forever, a song that confesses his lifetime devotion to hip hop &
Remarkable, a personal proclamation to his own esteem, he plans bring a long awaited addition
to the culture of Hip Hop.
With a lifetime of stories told using gifted lyrics, G.Dot is positioned to express what cannot be
said; for it is impossible for him to remain silent. G. Dot was introduced to Tony Arrington
CEO of WAenterprises/Big House Records located in Irvington NJ by Timothy Odum of Hott Trax
Recording Studio in Johnstown PA, and the rest is history.
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
-Victor Hugo
Eighty years ago G.Dot would have been the main attraction at a speak easy on Harlem’s
infamous 125th street. He would have written novels like Iceberg Slim and Mama Black Widow.
He would have painted graffiti street paintings under the pseudonym 'SAMO' like Jean-Michel
Basquiat. Years ago, G.Dots’ music would have rivaled The Bitches Brew of Miles Davis. He
would have spoken of revolution alongside The Last Poets.
At its’ most powerful, music transcends barriers, uniting people who on the surface may seem to
have little in common. Such is the case with G.Dot, the Harlem born lyricist whose background is
no barrier for music lovers. On his debut release, The Gold Rush Volume 1, one can hear the
power and dedication to a genre of music recently referred to as ‘dead’. Hosted by Cleveland,
Ohio’s DJ Steph Floss, G.Dot takes his listeners on energetic, witty and authentic musical
journey.
Born Shawn Ivory McKnight, G.Dot’s restless childhood and adolescence were spent in Harlem,
New York. Raised by his grandmother, G.Dot navigated his way through a less than perfect
childhood. He recalls, “My parents weren't really around. I lived with my grandma since 1985. My
parents were in the streets a lot. Overall they were good people but they had their priorities
messed up at the time. They chose the streets first, that's why we went to live with my grandma
in ‘85. She became my mom and dad.”
By 16, G.Dot began feeding his artistic hunger by securing internships that exposed him to
industry aficionados Harve Pierre, Mase, the Lox, David Linton and Malika Thompson. Learning
from the ground up, G had no problem promoting and serving artists as he knew every moment
spent was a moment earned. “Arista humbled me. I used to think it was all about beats and
rhymes. I thought music was a cakewalk, until I got to see all the behind scenes action. When I
started out I just wanted to get signed. I was lucky, I had record execs willing to stop and give me
good advice. I am grateful for that. They helped me understand that once your business is right,
everything will fall into place.”
In the face of his music, G. Dot entered South Carolina State University as a freshman in 1998.
Despite a successful college career, G’s love of music prevailed. “If there was one thing I wish I
could do over again I would have stayed at Arista Records instead of going to college. I think I
would have been much further in my music career by know if I had. Don’t get me wrong, I don't
regret going to college. I met some of the best people in the world at college.”
After leaving SCSU, G.Dot immersed himself completely in defining his sound and honing his
skills. As an artist, G.Dot wanted to maintain anonymity, and still pay homage to the lyricists who
paved the way for him. “I don’t feel that my music parallels anyone. I feel that there is only one G.
Dot, there will be no other. People tend to compare me to Fabolous and Jadakiss. I’m cool with
that because those are two of the most influential artists in my life right now.”
To date, G.Dot’s music is infused with an air of delayed fulfillment. Focusing on the harsh
realities of life, G.Dot creates music that is not only honest but engaging. “ I think my music will
attract a cross culture of listeners because my music is universal. I create songs that everyone
can listen and relate to. I try to make my listeners feel as if they wrote the song.” And that he
does. With titles like Forever, a song that confesses his lifetime devotion to hip hop &
Remarkable, a personal proclamation to his own esteem, he plans bring a long awaited addition
to the culture of Hip Hop.
With a lifetime of stories told using gifted lyrics, G.Dot is positioned to express what cannot be
said; for it is impossible for him to remain silent. G. Dot was introduced to Tony Arrington
CEO of WAenterprises/Big House Records located in Irvington NJ by Timothy Odum of Hott Trax
Recording Studio in Johnstown PA, and the rest is history.
G Dot Single (OHH)
