Fate? or Predetermination?

#SOUTHBENDHIGHLIGHTS

By Joselyn Ellington BA

July 7, 2019

SOUTH BEND – On Monday, July 1, at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair, U93 :: Today’s Best Music and Big Perm U93, hosted Local Fix Live; a showcase among 16 local performing groups competing for a grand prize: one week of radio play during prime hours, a Fort Wayne getaway (dinner and resort), and gift card to Sweetwater Music.

Sixteen performing groups were selected after U93 received an outstanding number of submissions months into a search to add local music to their Friday playlist.

Hundreds of submissions came in; however the accepted and set entries for the 2019 Local Fix Live’s had talent that showed through above the rest and rose above the noise to receive their final congratulations and showtime instructions.

Performing The Teddy Bop FunkHop, Anthony “T-Swang” Gullens made U93’s final five cut, and competed in an intense final round for the number one spot, won graciously by singer and guitarist Lauren Mckie.

All in all T-Swang shared the exciting news with Facebook.

Some contestants were not completely thrilled.

“Yeah. I think as far as the rap acts they may have been predetermined. I feel like I should have at least been a finalist; but on the other hand, it was great exposure and I made awesome connections, and met some dope artists,” contestant Marcel “Flostorm” Jones said.

Performing artist Britty MoMo, who shared a set with Travis TravGod Lottie, spoke highly of Tswang.

“I’ve known him for a very long time he’s been doing this forever, probably as long as me and I think he’s a phenomenal performing artist.”

She continued, “I think his overall performance was very good! His dancing helped draw in the crowd and that is key to a good performance, especially being a solo artist when you’re performing alone! He’s a beast in the game and he has been for years, his voice is nothing short of beautiful and I loved his song choices! He deserved to make it through and I think the judges recognized his talents as much as we did! He’s a great representation of South Bend’s talent!”

T-Swang is a middle-aged African American man with brown skin color, fair height and medium build. Performing he wore dark shades, a humble smile, comfortable white clothing and a black cap. A soulful, rhythmic and funk style soared through his voice, his body and, and his music as he captured the crowd on stage all on his own.

Being voted into the Top was a huge achievement for me. I’m not physically were  I want to be. But reaching past the pain of it all enabled me to do something I didn’t see happening; so that was a great ordeal for me. I really enjoyed it and all the artist show casing their awesome talent.  It was so nice to have a totally different audience of all genres giving you that feedback. I Love it win or lose. 

Anthony “T-Swang” Gullens

U93’s Local Flow Live judge Lwan Easton was contacted for feedback about the top five cut but chose not to respond. “Nah I think Imma fall back simply because I was a judge and all. Thanks for reaching out though,” Easton said.

Upcoming T-Swang Performance

T-Swang will be performing The FunkHop Mix of Teddy Bop and Roc on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019 at Mix 106.3 WUBU FM's Mixer at Century Center, South Bend, Ind.

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MIXER

So, Who is T-Swang?

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After all the fuss many of you may still be wondering, “Who is this guy?” Don’t worry, you are about to find out.

Anthony “T-Swang” Gullens was born in Chicago, Ill, and moved to South Bend, Ind. in the 1980’s. “South Bend raised me,” he said.

He has been making music since he could walk. “I would always try to make the sounds I was hearing with my mouth or by beating on the floor or walls. I imitated Michael Jackson and anyone who was a showman.” 

Gullens was truly inspired by his grandmother who would show him and his older brother chords on the organ, as well as his mother and her brothers who all could sing and play instruments.

“While spending the night or visiting they would always be singing, playing guitar, keyboards, piano, etc., It was truly and amazing time.”

T-SWANG IS THE NAME

In the early 1990’s Gullens heard the “New Jack Swing” sound and became hooked, he said ever since.

New Jack Swing is a mix of rap, dance-pop, and R&B with a little bit of disco, soul, and rock and roll; a style that originated in Harlem, N.Y. according to Chris Daly and Zilla Roccca on the Oral History of Swing.

It was made superior by American singer-songwriter, platinum producer, and two time over Grammy award winning artist Ted Riley.

“I would listen to everything Teddy Riley had his hands on or in musically. That’s how my name was given to me by an old band mate of mine, T-Swang. It was because of my love for the New Jack Swing sound and the way I would dance.”

Side Note

According to mentalfloss.com/hardcore facts about New Jack City, the soundtrack for the 47.6 million dollar 1991 motion picture and classic, starring Wesley Snipes as villain “Nino Brown”, was heavily influenced by the New Jack Swing genre of R&B.

What else has T-Swang done?

T-Swang is the proud owner of FunkHop Production LLC, formed March 22, 2001, in Dowagiac, Mich. He currently operates as a consultant, and administrative and recording company (more on this later).

From 1992-1997 Gullens was in a group called N.I.N.E, which represents the number of completeness.

According to Gullens, N.I.N.E was the first group to give local artist’s their own platform on WSMK Smoking 99.1, known today as the Local Flow.

“Yep I was part of starting that whole thing.  I do a lot of guest appearances with Darryl Buchanan and the Dream Team Live band. I have a few band members that I play with, some of the members of the Black Pepper band also.”

Dreams and Achievements

“I have been very blessed to have opened for Drake, Lyfe Jennings, Jeremiah, Carl Thomas, Genuwine, The Notre Dame Football Pep Rally, Trina, Sonya D, Michael Colyar, Bizzy Bone, Jagged Edge, Usher, The Whispers, Rome, and Public Announcement,” T-Swang said.

More Achievements

• Held the number one position on the Reverbnation R&B/Soul Charts for 56 weeks straight, according to Gullens.
• Hit single Teddy Bop was released globally through The DinahLynn Biggs syndicated Radio Show across 29 different countries. 
• Wrote and co-produced I Ain’t No Quit Ta with multi-platinum producer J-Styles of the American R&B group Black Street.

One of the best moments of Gullens music career was getting to meeting his idol Teddy Riley and working on a couple of projects with him.

“Teddy Riley has worked with the best; Michael Jackson, Jay Z, Lady Gaga, M J Blige, Keith Sweat, Heavy D, Blackstreet (BS2), Girls Gen, EXO, Shinee, KPOP and so many more,” he said.

Gullens also enjoyed meeting and working on projects with J-Styles, as well as the lengendary platinum group 69 Boyz, on Back Yard Party scheduled to be released in 2019.

BEING A VOICE AND GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

One of Gullen’s greatest achievements has been a more humbler experience: helping feed many families across Michiana, using his talent and soul in his Michael Jackson Tribute concerts, where he advocates for FeedingAmerica.org.

Gullens also takes pride in being a voice for the young upcoming artist by teaching the business side of the music industry and seeing that artists get the tools they need for success.

From 3-6 p.m. every Wednesday at the Charles Black Center 3419 W. Washington St., South Bend, Gullens gives Music Business Workshops.  

Gullens formed FunkHop Production LLC to help recording artist reach their musical goals, and teaches about music writing and publishing through Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI).

“Most Artist have a lot of talent but lack the self artist management side of the business,” he said.

INSPIRATION

Gullens loves making music and shares it with anyone who will listen.

“I know what it feels like to be looked as strange, doubted by others, and cast out from the cool bunch. I have learned to use my music to express my love, pain, and anger to get my point across. Being told you are not good enough is only going to do one or two things to you: make you stop or more determined to prove them wrong. I know what it feels like to have self doubt, but that don’t make you any less of a human being. I’ve learned to give my all in what I do, and will continue to make progress in this land of music. I’m a voice for the artist and for the people and I’m hear to tell you. You can do it, just don’t ever give up!”

A WORD FOR UPCOMING ARTIST

“I would always tell young people to save for a rainy day, study your craft so that when that push button is not working you still can create from within and not by what you hear on the radio. Give back by helping another artist on the come up, and understand you have ownership on absolutely nothing that is God has given to you to share with your fans. It can always be taken and given to someone else, so never take it for granted! Study your craft, learn from the ones who paved the way for you and be humble.”

T-Swang

Keep up with T-Swang by visiting his Electronic Press Kit (EPK) Learn more about his biography, music, watch live video clips, and more.

https://www.sonicbids.com/band/tswang/