PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED TO AXS.COM
Scorpios are known for their transformation and ability to master just about anything they lay their hands on. For this reason, you tend to see them evolve and become truer to “self” the older and more established they become. In fact, Scorpios are known for putting all their heart, soul and passion into whatever they encounter on their journey to the top. The same is no different for George “Gutta Slim” Hannah, Jr. of West Palm Beach, Florida.
Today, AXS sat down with Gutta Slim to get a little more personal on his progress and journey as an independent artist.
As a youngster, born in the country town of Pahokee, Hannah lived, ate and breathed baseball. He was an All-Star since the age of 5, mastering his pitch and earning a plethora of MVP trophies, most of his world believed that he would one day go on to play in the majors. But into the excitement of all his wins, he totally lost interest and instead became dedicated to the trumpet, playing all through high school and in the marching band.
During his high school years, he became distracted and learned that his true passion was, in fact, the skill of lyricism. He realized that Hip Hop was flowing through his veins and breathing life into his system.
While he stayed involved in the high school band, his love and dedication switched to the Hip Hop scene, where found his talents to be strong. From the tenth grade, audiences crowded around to catch the now known, Gutta Slim, battling it out with other rappers during the lunch period at his school. There was always someone humming or beating on surfaces to accompany the developing style of such a young talent.
At this time, Gutta Slim was inspired to create a rap group, “Platinum Boyz,” that went on release three albums. But soon after, the group parted ways. Slim decided it was time to start a solo career… one in which he had more say in important matters, more hand in creative control and no bad recording contract to get in the way.
Striving hard to manifest his desires, he spent hours upon hours in the studio, recording a solo project – and setting the bar for the future of his music career. With a sound above industry standard, Gutta Slim decided that he only wanted the best for his debut project. And as complex as this Scorpio is, he wanted to show all sides of his personality, creating universal music by reinventing himself each time he stood behind the vocal booth window. He recorded at various studios around the city and hooked up with local producers that would shake up his career in a very profound way.
Hooking up with Ron Mentor and Izzy changed the game for Mr. Hannah, Gutta Slim. These two producers were responsible for the success of Lake Worth’s legendary rap group, Deathstruck.
Showing major promise, the production duo began to focus on this young solo artist. In fact, after a few years of working together, Gutta Slim was offered a deal with Atlantic Records. Refusing to leave the team that molded him into what he is today, he quickly turned down the deal. Scorpios are loyal until the end, and the end of Gutta Slim is nowhere in the focus.
Instead, he signed with Izzy as his new manager. Together they sold thousands of albums on the underground circuits, touring the Southeastern United States, including stops throughout Georgia, Florida and as far up as South Carolina. Gutta has also worked his way throughout the Deep South, blessing stages in states like Mississippi and Alabama, as he opened up for major recording talents, such as Ciara, Avant and Field Mob. The list does go on.
Harmonizing with the track or bringing out the grit, Gutta Slim tells his story to all that will listen. Growing up in a good home, he found himself in some very intense situations the older he got and the more independence he found.
Finding a family at 3rd World Music Media, he also found a big brother in mentor, producer and manager, Izzy. Under Izzy’s wing, he developed a versatile style that allows him to connect with a plethora of audiences.
“I’m not afraid to be different,” this artist proclaims. “My music is a bio of my life from perspective my own perspective. People can relate to it.” He goes on to speak about how he sticks to the theme of each track – a skill we see many artists struggling with in this day and age.
Slim writes all of his own music. And, while he hasn’t produced any of his own track, he has engineered quite a bit it from his home studio. Izzy and Hennessey, a “fye producer,” according to Slim produces all of his beats and produces his music.
To be noted, Slim recorded over fifty different tracks for his “2 G 4 TV” mixtape project, selecting only 26 for release – a mixtape hosted by Raylo of Dem Damn Dawgs.
The “2 G 4 TV” mixtape has earned him heavy rotation on Dem Damn Dawgs’ radio show on WJFP FM with his track “Gutta Go Live.” He is also receiving heavy airplay on WJFP’s Playas Mob Radio for this hot single. Radio stations around the country are quickly catching on with fans reaching out from as far as Alaska and even Australia!
Gutta Slim likes to “find old records and bring them back to life,” adding his own sound and style. He may be inspired by others. But, he is definitely his own soul. That’s the stuff true Hip Hop is made of. And with a Florida sound, he definitely brings back the meaning of “Hip Hop” back to the South.
Humble and in the end-game to better the world, Gutta Slim plans on starting a non-profit in the near future that will allow him to give back to the community – helping the less fortunate. “Whatever it takes,” he says, “to make a difference in someone’s life. That’s what it’s all about. What’s the point of having all the money in the world, but you have people who need help?”
This same selfless nature shines through him when he speaks about his daughter, “She’s the only person that pushes me to go harder when I feel like giving up. She ain’t ask to be here. So, I can’t be selfish and not give her something that I had. That’s a providing father. My goal is to be the best artist that I can be and use my music to help people in different times and situations.”
This attitude, ladies and gentlemen, is just why “Gutta go live, Gutta go live, Gutta go live…”
Make sure to check him out on Soundcloud: http://www.soundscloud.com/guttaslim
Download the “2 G 4 TV” Mixtape on DatPiff: http://www.datpiff.com/Gutta-Slim-2-G-4-Tv-Mixtape.747300.html
