"Mz. B. the Great"A couple months back I met Mz. B the Great, and she is definately a grinder.From being a single parent, to designing clothes for many major rappers, and NFL players. She is very talented and her work is amazing, so I took the time out to interview this artistic designer. If you haven't heard of her, I introduce to you Mz. B. the Great!
-Who is B. the Great?
* B the Great is a strong, independent, hard working woman that tries to live by her name everyday being great in every aspect of my life from being a mother,to a designer, to a friend
-Where are you originally from?
* I was born in MN- but moved to St. Louis then Atlanta now I reside in Nashville
-How long have you been designing clothes?
*Roughly around 4 years
-If you weren’t designing clothes, you would be?
* I would be a Graphic Designer, I attended school but had to put it on hold to follow my dreams.
-Who are some artists you have designed for?
*I have just about every Major rapper in Nashville and surrounding counties. But outside of here I have designed shirts exclusively for Anthony Hamilton, Ray Cash,The Kickdrums, Young Buck, 50 Cent,Lil Scrappy, Eminem, Rick Ross, Block (founder of Boyz N Da Hood), Nappy Roots, Yo Gotti, DJ Don Cannon, Katt Williams, and David Banner, the legend "Crazy Leggs" of the infamous "Rock Steady Crew" .I currently have some NFL players added to my clientele such as Mr. & Mrs. Culpepper, Clint Hart and Roman Oben ( San Diego Chargers)
-Are your clothes in stores? If not, do you plan on putting them in stores?
* Currently I am in the process of putting a plan together to sell my clothes in stores, but as of right now I only do orders for people who place them!!
-Describe how you felt when you won SEA 2008 Clothing Line of the Year Award.
*Well, I was actually in my room at the hotel working on an order, I had not slept in 2 days and I stopped to take a break and read about the weekend festivities and realized they gave my award out that night. So I called my friend and he said " Congratulations" YOU WON!!!! I didn’t believe it at first, this was my first time ever trying to win. So, I jumped on the shuttle bus and got my award.. I felt like people finally recognized my GRIND and SKILL!! It felt and still feels great!!
-What does the future hold for B. the Great?
*I hope to have launched my official clothing line by 2010, I will still offer exclusive designs- but I will begin mass producing my hottest ideas for stores to sell!!! Hopefully everyone will be inspired to be the great!!!
-Is there any particular artist you would like to design for?
*I would love to put Idris Elba (Daddy Lil Girls) in my designs. I would Love to do something for Lil Wayne, and Alicia Keys
-Who is your inspiration?
* MY MOMMIE!!! As I grew up I watched her paint, design American Indian clothing and jewelry, but she had to stop and put her dream on the back burner to raise me and my sister. She was a strong single mother and everything I am is because of her. Til this day she is the reason I keep going.
-How did the hook-up with you designing for All Star come about?
* The first year I started I created a crazy buzz in the streets. I took a flyer to a local record store by the name of Platinum Bounds and he saw it and his boys told him to holla at me- and well- we've worked together ever since.
-Describe your clothing line.
* B. the Great is not just a clothing line, I encourage people to GREAT in everything they do. Don’t just "be"... Be Great!! With that being said, I don’t wanna do what everyone else is doing- I wanna do what their not! I help the customer’s vision come to life- Unlike of custom designer’s today- All of my designs are different. If you have 5 of my customers side by side you will never know the same person designed their clothes. B. the Great is the true meaning of original. If you bring me an idea I WILL NOT LET ANYONE GET THAT IDEA OR ANYTHING CLOSE TO IT... IT IS THAT INDIVIDUALS DESIGN. I also specialize in color matching. A lot of my customers like to match their design to their shoes- or hat- or jeans. I match them exactly! Everything is DONE BY HAND... No screen printing machines, so I put my all in every article of clothing I touch.
-Do you feel that the way a person dresses, say a lot about them?
* That’s a good question!!! A lot of my customers want to look like they spent thousands- but don’t want to pay 20 dollars. So I don’t believe their clothing says much about them as an individual. On the exterior they might have $200 Jordans, $150 Jeans, $300 Sunglasses, but what does that say about them as a person? People form their own opinions about people just by lookin at them. Me, personally, I look at a man that spends all that money and energy on appearance and it makes me think they are insecure about something and have to make up for it with materialistic objects. I mean, some of the wealthiest people shop at the Goodwill on 50% blue tag days..lol
-What sets B. the Great aside from other designers?
* My ability to study my customers and learn their personal style. I Google my customers before I design for them or look at their Myspace page and get a good idea of their style and design according to that. Most designers just pass out pre-made shirts and its nothing like anything the artist will wear. I consider that a waste of time.
-Any advice for upcoming designers?
* DO YOU!!! Don’t look at what other designers are doing and try to do it better. Do something that sets you apart from everyone else, Take chances. A lot of people ask me the "HOW TO" questions and even though I don’t mind sharing my techniques, I found out to tricks on my own thru experimenting with different methods. YOUR GONNA MESS UP ALOT- BUT IN THE END YOULL FIND A SOLUTION THAT WORKS FOR YOU. Quit cheatin and askin for short cuts. lol
-Any Shout outs?
* Of course, I wanna shout out my management team, K. Wright mgmt Group, All Star I really respect his grind, Hi-C and Lil Murda, Cashvilles Ace and GLUW Ent., DJ Rage, Nappy Roots, Hangtime Clothing Store, Executive recording artist Paper, 101 the Beats Dolewite and Scooby, my best friends Wise, Kjuan, Vita, Evonne and Cheryl, Shout out to all my single mommies out here doing it regardless of the odds against them. And last but not least, My beautiful daughter, Karina.. I love you baby!!
Off Da Wall Questions:
-Favorite store?
*Dollar General
-Sneakers or Stilettos?
* Sneakers
-You couldn’t live without…?
* My family and friends
-Chicken or Ribs?
*Chicken
-Your dream car?
* Cadillac CTS for now
-You would say no to…?
* Designer replicas and spinach
