WikipediaPlaya Fly, a native of Memphis, Tennessee represents his hood, South Parkway Village. He was raised by his beloved grandmother, Minnie Mae, a member of the Church of God in Christ, and his father, Bill Chill, a devoted Muslim. As a child, Playa Fly was dealt the teachings of both religious ideologies.
In the early 90's, Playa Fly hooked up with a local DJ in the city, who was making mixtapes and releasing them on the underground scene. He mentions, "At that point in time, there were many rappers popping up and representing different parts of the city, but the south didn't have any representation. Therefore, Gangsta Blac and I began to rep for our part of the city."
Cultivating rhymes in the form of poems since an early age, Playa Fly quickly became one of the most popular rappers in the city of Memphis and through out the South. With the success he garnered from his captivating rap style, it directly influenced a cult following of rappers that emerged mimicking his flow. Jealousy and envy soon took pursuit due to the notoriety and popularity he received from the masses.
In 1996, the self-proclaimed, "King of Funkytown," signed a three album deal with Super Sigg Records and released his first solo album, "Fly Shit." The album featured "Crownin Me" and a venomous blast off that was the equivalent of Nas' "Ether" diss record to Jay Z, to his Memphis rivals. One year later, Playa Fly released his sophomore opus "Movin On" which sold over 80,000 units. The lead single, "Nobody Needs Nobody" featured his SPV comrade, Gangsta Blac and his belated father, Bill Chill continues to garner modest radio spins to date.
In 1999, Playa Fly released his third solo album, "Da Game Owe Me" which ended his three album deal with Super Sigg Records. The album was critically acclaimed and established him as one of the premier underground artists in the South. "During that time in my life, things were really crazy for me. I've just about had every major including approach me in one way or the other. I opted not to sign, because I was enjoying the freedom of being an independent artist. To be honest, it's more money being an independent," recalls Playa Fly.
After serving two years for a probation violation, the free agent opened up his own indie label, Minnie Mae Muzik in the honor of his late grandmother. In 2002, the upstart imprint released Playa Fly's fourth solo effort "Fly2K." With the release of this album, he became the epitome of the struggle and gave a voice to have-nots everywhere. People from all walks of life have embraced his music because they can relate to the everyday struggles that this world has within its possession. Playa Fly emphasizes, "I keep my music down to earth and gutter. I don't try to candy or sugar coat it. I also don't feed into the new trends or fads. You know what I'm saying? I enjoy looking fly and fresh, but I feel there's more to music than rapping about diamonds and rims. And I'm not knocking anybody. I keep it easily accessible for everybody to relate too. It's reality music."
The next two years, Playa Fly spent time building his label into a talented musical empire. Therefore, after securing a joint venture, in 2004, with Dee Money Entertainment he reached out and signed his faithful mafia members Thaistik, Miami Maine, Mista Tito and Stone Kold to the Minnie Mae Muzik imprint. Soon thereafter, he and his click relocated to Atlanta for a few months and started recording on his fifth solo project, "Mafia All Day."
With the majors still knocking at his door to sign, he's aiming to take his campaign to the next level by dropping his biggest selling album to date. Optimistic about his now foreseeable future, with his past in the rear view mirror, Playa Fly is presently in preparation for a more than successful chain of events to come in his direction. During a recent interview, he reflected, "I try to use all efficiencies and obstacles as a stepping stone. I try not to let them hold me down. Everyday you wake up isn't gonna be sunshine and blue skies. Some days it gonna rain and storm. But out of them stormy days, I look forward to the sunshine. And when the sun finally decides to shine on me again, I'm a put the utmost effort in trying to make my life and career come full circle."
As a proud father, when he isn't recording, performing or promoting, he often spends time with his son and daughter on his off days. For leisure and relaxation, as a fan of the old school, Playa Fly regularly listens to some of his musical inspirations that range from Marvin Gaye, David Ruffin, Bobby Womack, Willie Hutch, to his father, Bill Chill. On a personal note, he also continues to study both Islamic and Christian beliefs from the Holy Koran and the Bible respectively.
Since achieving legendary status, as a pioneer of the South, the music mogul currently has set his sights on further creating a brand for himself and Minnie Mae Muzik. In 2009, the label plans to drop Minnie Mae Mafia's untitled group effort, another solo album from Playa Fly and series of mixtapes for the streets. In conjunction with the release of the "Mafia All Day" album, the project will be packaged with an exclusive DVD that features behind the scene footage from performances, interviews and a never seen before video from Playa Fly.
For the most part, over the past decade, Playa Fly has given every inch of his very own blood, sweat and tears to the game. With a legacy written down in southern history, the people's champ look forward to continue bringing quality music, to legion of fans, that will ultimately stand the test of time. As a southern icon, in the eyes of many, he has faced many obstacles and hurdles in the becoming of a man. "I've made great strides and persevered through the hard times in my life. I'm truly thankful for the blessings God has bestowed upon me. In the near future, I want to sell as many records that I possibly can and provide for my family. I also want to aid and assist the guys in my circle in their careers and just take my campaign to the next level," says Playa Fly.
In what many historians may categorize as a rite of passage, Playa Fly has finally moved on.
