Editor’s Note: No story I have ever written caused as much controversy as one I wrote on Kenny Burns.  While it began a fruitful relationship, it effectively ended another.  Why, because we (black folks that is) are anchored in our own self hate. Case in point, a joint I did on Burns was butchered by an editor of my same race because they folded under pressure from a mainstream publication who found it hard to comprehend Burns’ success was really real.  It became clear that why this publication could celebrate black folks at their worst, cover stories on brothers getting locked up or runnin’drugs, it would never fully embrace us at our stereotype crushing best. Success can ignite the insecurities of others.  So I did the unthinkable at the time, gave them the two finger holla (PEACE OUT) and never looked back.  So for your reading pleasure, peep the joint below free from editorial shackles.-- Peace Ed G.

The following joint is an exclusive excerpt from award winning writer Edward M. Garnes, Jr.’s long awaited collection Other Side of The Game: Rare Testimonials On Music & Black Cultural Production to be published by Home Grown in 2009.

The New Black: Tastemaker Kenny Burns Reps A Hip Hop Aesthetic

By: Edward M. Garnes, Jr.

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Whether you call it power, juice, swagger, or confidence, savvy businessmen Kenny Burns wields the kind of influence that not only cuts checks, but also leaves him wide open for criticism as value police question the opulence and character of a hip hop generation under fire like never before.  But being flashy does not mean the young father absolves himself of social responsibility.

“The negativity should be exposed.  But I am more than just some dude who throws parties.  I understand struggle and the need for inspiration.  Money can’t be the goal ( I left a fat check at Roc A Fella). It has to be about passion.  My goal is to provide a cool ,relevant, and approachable role model that youth can aspire to…and use my power and influence and educate a new generation. I’m not a greedy dude…I share with my people,” says the love machine whose personal mantra centers on a simple credo “hate is the new love.”

In many ways, his intrinsic value of self assurance, that has industry heavy weights like Tracy Edmonds taking notes, has become a critical adaptive strategy necessary for traversing a fickle industry where individuality and forward thinking often breed contempt.

“There aren’t many leaders in the world; that is why there is a lot of hate. Hate is the new love because if folks are paying that much attention to you that is a sign of affection.  I’ve been hated on since high school, and it’s taught me a lot about people.  You have to reverse it.  Hate can’t stop luv. That is why love is tattooed on my back.  If I could attribute anything to my success, it’s the luv I had from my mamma and aunties,” replies the head strong visionary whose success regularly ignites the insecurities of others.

The 15 year industry tastemaker, fashion fresh prince, and music mogul known for being the flyest and smartest cat in the room, could have easily taken that good government job many baby boomers saw as the ultimate freedom pass to self sufficiency.

“People are out here living for other people. I suggest you live for yourself and nobody elses.  If I had listened to my grandma when things got rough, I would have been working at Fedex or UPS right now,” says the D.C. native.{/column1}

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But Burns is hard headed, in the most progressive ways possible, and trusted his unshakeable instinct to ascend to VP of Roc A Fella records mentoring Kanye West, launch a clothing line with Ryan Glover, Ryan Kenny, allowing hip hop heads like Common and Jay Z to get their grown man on in French cut button down shirts, found his own record label Studio 43, and become the leading spokesman of a “new money” consortium remixing popular culture.

For the uninitiated, Burns is a “lifestyle specialist” adept at forecasting trends well before a hibernating status quo has a clue.  Just as Harlem Renaissance artists, businessmen, activists, and politicians appropriated the term “New Negro” to challenge conventional notions of black identity, Burns represents a cooler offspring “The New Black,” a cultural armor defining a new space of creative expression and personal agency. He’s a dream merchant who brokers deals on Madison Ave, throws A list  parties at Miami’s Versace Mansion, yet never loses cool points at the local barber shop.

“My new lifestyle coffee book (featuring photography from Johnny Nunez, Ben Rose, Midnight Socialite and art direction from  DL Warfield) is called “The New Black.”  In society, they are always looking for “The New Black.”.I am that voice.  I don’t think there is anyone who carries the weight I carry in the community where there is no voice from a black man’s perspective.   If I can make a nation of throw back jersey wearers change there clothes (I had hood dudes wearing salmon colored button ups) that’s self motivation on the highest level…imagine what I could do with my face on TV everyday,” quips an animated Burns detailing the impact of his latest intellectual property, a frank television program named The Kenny Burns Show, poised to give late night talk an ultra hip hero.

Besides the highly anticipated Kenny Burns Show, hosting the Black Poker Stars Invitational, featuring celebs including Nelly, Fazion Love, Kevin Hart, Eva Pigford, just may provide the quick witted personality his latest cultural quo; television star.
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