Giovanni “G.” Turner was named for a literary giant, so it’s only right that he became prolific with the pen as well. It was written. With a near perfect law entrance exam score, G. waltzed in the Ivy League Halls and emerged with a Juris Doctorate. Where others would’ve considered that their ultimate accomplishment, G. pushed forward. Writing the soundtrack of his life as he went through it, he pursued another degree while authoring his debut solo, The Chancellor. This time from the academic home of his mentor and the woman whom inspired his own birth given name: Nikki Giovanni. While studying under the legend, she too recognized his intellectual prowess, but with quiet humility she penned the poem “Chancellor.” Nothing is coincidence.
As his fan base grew and humanitarian duties increased, so did personal tragedies. A native of New Orleans, G. saw the destruction of his city and was only a building away as colleagues, fellow students and Hokies were gunned down on the campus of Virginia Tech. Perseverance is a constant for “The Chancellor,” now teaching at the Historically Black University, Johnson C. Smith, while still maintaining his duties as President of the independent recording company, RAHM Nation Recordings, LLC, he perfects is official sophomore album Metalanguage. In the meantime, RAHM Nation eyes May 10th (G.’s birthday) for the release of G. intermediary project, American Scholar (a play on the movie and Jay-Z album, American Gangster). The label’s 11th contribution to the world since its inception in 2004, this EP attempts to lessen the gap between the haves and have nots and fortify the bridge between the academic and absolute. With academic skill and musical agility, G. says he is not daunted by the people who proclaim, “I don’t get it.”
“The elites have always lead the masses,” he boasts. “Look at all of our great leaders – Dr. Che Guevara, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Atty. Mohandas Gandhi. Sure, there were figures in history that were ‘of the people,’ but the most revered leaders of our time and throughout time walked a different path and knew how to speak to all people while simultaneously speaking truth to power.” Staying true to form but exceeding his personal goals, G. is expanding his efforts beyond concert halls and sharing his knowledge with more than just his students. In a time of change, there is no time like the present for an Artist like G. Walking the walk and talking the talk have never been so vital!
Drawing comparisons to both Dr. Cornell and Kanye West, G. resides in a stratosphere all his own.
A handful of rappers can boast of advanced degrees and the occasional scholar will dabble in art, however, what tested genius has the world seen that so flawlessly transcends both arenas?
No label can hold him. No analyst can discredit him. Capture him if you can.
“This album speaks to a demographic mostly ignored by the mainstream.” – Ashok Kamal, Former A&R
“It is important what [G. is] doing. Black students in the university need hip-hop to speak to them as well.” – Nikki Giovanni, Author, Poet, University Professor
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