By: CEO Shakez From The Talent Firm Inc.
Adrian Sapka AKA “BIG BROTHA A’ is a Yorktown Heights native with Ukrainian and Polish parents. His love for Hip Hop started at a very early age for him. Since Adrian was young growing up he’s pictured himself being a recording artist. Watching Video Music Box with Host Ralph McDaniels is what inspired him to become a recording artist. What really sparked him was seeing the “Top Billing” video by the group Audio Two which was very popular at the time. At 12 years old he memorized the lyrics to TOP BILLING and it was officially on from there, Hip Hop and the culture became a part of Adrian’s everyday life.
Really examining the art and what it had to offer he started to slowly become interested in becoming a recording artist. His favorite Rap Duo is “EPMD” and “ICE CUBE” is his favorite solo Rap artist. He was an everyday listener to 98.7 Kiss FM so you know his favorite DJ was Kool DJ Red Alert. His favorite Rap Duo’s were EPMD, Pete Rock and CL Smooth. He also liked when Method Man & RedMan paired up to put out hits. He also loves R&B Artists Mary J. Blige, Monica, Brandy and Tony Braxton.
His love for Reggae music came years later when he visited a staple record shop called “Jam City Music in the Bronx, NY. There he listened to Greensleeve Rhythms Series featuring various artists. His inspiration came from his favorite Reggae artists like Bob Marley, Capleton, Wayne Wonder, Luciano, Yami Bolo, Busy Signal, Cecile and Popcaan. He feels Adidja Palmer and Movado are both influential artists to his career when they sang together on “Ghetto Living”. Adrian’s favorite Reggae Djays are Father Bentley International, DJ Rondon from World Beat, DJ Kenny, Cash Money Sound, Reggae Hot Spot DVD, Caribbean Roots Culture and Dancehall DVD also inspired him. He prefers to listen to contemporary culture and dancehall and 1990s hip hop music.
Photo Courtesy: Christine Sapka
Graphics by NDGFX
The mixture of both genres of music is what inspired his career in music. A mixture of Hip Hop and Dancehall music is what describes Big Brotha A’s style of music as an artist. Starting his journey in the year of 1999 he had his first session with Jerry Wagreich in Millwood, NY at Buddy Boy Records. He became truly involved in 2000 when he produced his first demo. Meeting Steve Washington from the group “SLAVE” who was the engineer along with Shakez who produced the track. Since his beginnings in the music industry Adrian’s dream is to get a record deal but that’s been challenging due to some learning disabilities he faced growing up. He never let that stop him.
Currently he is building up his music catalog with tracks that have positive messages embedded in them. His social media platforms are thriving and growing organically. His YouTube channel has almost 8k subscribers and his Instagram page has almost 7k followers. He knows you have to have a strong presence on the internet to drive traffic to all his platforms so he’s constantly putting out content. He hopes to bring attention to his talents so a record label would consider signing him to a recording contract. Expect to see and hear more from Adrian Sapka AKA “Big Brotha A” in the near future! Adrian’s social media links: Instagram Youtube Bandcamp
Business Spotlight: HOUSE of NKOLI
HOUSE of NKOLI is Nigerian/West African American influenced lifestyle brand of beauty and fashion – for men/women, founded and created by first generation Nigerian American Princess, Mangy-Nkoli. The “NKOLI SKIN FOOD” beauty division’s basic premise is simply to go “back to basics” to what Mother Nature originally intended it to be. Our natural products – made from Nigerian ancestral ingredients, recipes, and remedies are derived from the earth {shea soap, shea butter, mango butter, cornmeal, herbs and roots}s. Restoring your skin confidence to a soft, brightened, clear, even-toned, smooth, radiant, youthful looking skin!
The “NKOLI” fashion division provides fashionable accessories designed to encourage inner power and confidence. Our fashionable, unique, royalty inspired standout pieces of du-rag sets, and choker with matching armbands sets – curated to bring out your inner celebrity, exude that confident aura, and ensure you are always center stage. Some of the more well known beneficiaries of the House of Nkoli brand products have been Karen Taylor Bass, Kyrie Irving, Keith Nelson Jr., Kindred the Family Soul, Kimora lee Simmons, NBA legend Rod Strickland and American Writer/Editor/Journalist Susan L. Taylor.
For more information, testimonials, and products visit www.houseofnkoli.com.This play was put together by CEO Shakez of @thetalentfirminc for Adrian Sapka.
Published by: Martin De Juan
