Chante Allen works on Patricia Talford's hair at Pure Essence Salon in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Talford was at the salon getting a haircut to celebrate her new job.
"It makes you feel confident, strong, and it gives you a sense of self. It was a stigma in our society to wear our natural hair and people looked down on it," Dennisa Smith said while getting her hair done at Pure Essence Salon.
Patricia Talford wanted a change with her hair, she said, "and so in order to have a change I have to come to the best." Talford found out about Pure Essence Salon through her daughter and is thankful for owner Chanta Barfield's ability to make customers feel comfortable in the chair.
Andre Bryant, owner of Burger Boys, peeks out of the service window of the restaurant's patio on Chapman Highway in South Knoxville. When a bag of food goes out the window, Bryant has all the confidence in the world. "Every time I deliver that burger, it's the best of me," he said. "It's a burger that I would eat — that I want somebody to make for me."
Building the perfect burger is an art form to Andre Bryant, who believes every condiment should be tasted in every bite. Each burger ordered at the Burger Boys drive-thru comes with the restaurant's signature "free fries," which are hand-cut, hand-seasoned and fried fresh.
Pamela Harrison ordered 10 wings on this visit to Burger Boys restaurant. She typically orders 20 at a time. She sometimes skips breakfast to save room for the food, which she enjoys eating with hot sauce on the drive home.
These days, James Brown spends most of his time diagnosing cars more than working hands-on. It’s hard not to get involved when you can tell a part is too tight or too loose just by the sound of the tool. Brown has been repairing cars for over 45 years, 25 of those years in Knoxville. His business, Mr. Cool’s, was one of the first black-owned business in West Knoxville.
Pam Brown works in the lobby at Mr. Cool's AC Transmission & Brake Service in Knoxville. Pam answers calls and checks in customers at the front desk, but she has naturally picked up mechanic talk over the years. “Don’t sell me short,” she tells customers when they ask to speak to a mechanic. She takes pride in being able to help all people, especially women who have been ripped off at other businesses.
Aaron Brown works on a vehicle at Mr. Cool's. The elder Brown hopes the world will become a more equal one during his children’s lifetime. In the meantime, he’s doing what he can to set up his family for success. “It will feel good knowing you can turn over the torch,” he said.
Balloons were always around Britnie Davis growing up, even if she didn’t always notice them. They were there to bring joy in times of celebration and optimism in times of sadness. But not once did she think balloons could become a career; until a balloon display caught her eye in 2016.
In her workspace, Davis can create arrangements for any type of occasion, from celebrating a birth to honoring a person who has died. Her mind is always racing while she creates, and she plays music if her machines aren’t blaring. Most notably, she always works fast. “I even talk fast,” she said.
Britnie Davis remembers starting her balloon career with a "dollar and a dream," relying on YouTube tutorials and $1 supplies from Dollar Tree. Today, she's a one-woman show, delivering her colorful arrangements in a former high school football van she purchased with money from an entrepreneurship competition and business pitch class.
While customers rely on Davis to celebrate their special occasions, she relies on their support to keep her business running. "I've been delivering smiles and happiness for the last six years," she said. "It's pretty awesome.”
Gosh Ethiopian Restaurant owner Terri Woldemichael often works alone in the kitchen because finding good help has proven difficult. Constrained by time and lack of workers, the restaurant only operates for dinner four nights a week.
A dinner crowd packs the dining room at Gosh Ethiopian on a recent Saturday. The unique flavors from "The Land of Origins" are the only one of its kind in Knoxville, and a loyal following of repeat customers have built friendships with the owners. Not everyone loves the food, but many first-time customers leave questioning why they had not visited earlier.
The bountiful "Gosh Combo" features a choice of meats and vegetarian specialties. Ethiopian meals are traditionally served from a communal plate and eaten with the hands. Injera, a flatbread made of teff flour, seen in the bottom left corner, is used to grab and scoop the food.
When Jayden Barrett (left) played competitive soccer growing up, much of the focus was on the physical game. Realizing her mental and emotional needs were not being met, Barrett is now giving back to the game by training young athletes as a person first, including to have true “belief in self.”
Supporting a Black-owned business in Knoxville today could create more local jobs tomorrow, said Damon Rawls, founder of the Black Business Directory. "People have said it as, 'Your ice is not as cold.,'" he said. "It's still weighted. ... I can't control the other side of that. I can't control the image. I can control the output, which is my product that I give, which will be the best."
Jayden Barrett never walks into a training session with a coaching plan and often finds creative inspiration in the moment. This approach to coaching was inspired by Greg Baker, her childhood trainer, who would find teachable soccer moments everywhere, from the foosball table to the golf course. She never saw herself as a coach but now finds happiness in watching her players perform on the field.
Alongside Colby Earles (left), Jarius Bush performs at The Pilot Light to promote "Peach Fuzz," the first installment in his three-part series of albums about growing up. Hip-hop, however, has been plateauing in Knoxville for years, Earles said, leaving local artists scrambling to find ways to promote their careers and the overall scene.
Jarius Bush, left, works with rappers Terrence Price, aka TP, center, and Ashante Price, aka Swoo, during a recording session in the Good Guy Collective space at the Birdhouse in Knoxville.
Colby Earles believes words are important, and he feels a responsibility for what's said through his music. "As an artist, there's no better feeling than that just knowing that your music affected somebody and made them think differently or feel something," he said.
Niya Goins walks through the Lonsdale neighborhood she grew up in, stopping to talk to fans who recognize her for the music she's been creating since last year. But recognition does not equal rewards, and Goins has since moved on to Atlanta to start her career in a city with more musical resources and a higher level of acceptance for the rap and hip-hop genres.
From left, hip-hop artists Alonzo Rodgers, Mr. Kobayashi and J.Bu$h perform their song "Sprout" during a livestream concert pre-recording at the Birdhouse.
Niya Goins returns to Lonsdale for a showcase in the community that inspired her music through the "street stories" she experienced growing up there. The community looks different these days, with the "projects" now comprised of newer buildings with siding, opposed to the brick buildings and "prison yard" windows she was accustomed to.
Community members sing along as Niya Goins, who performs under the name Niya G from Tennessee, performs in a talent showcase at a M.O.V.E in L.O.V.E rally at Lonsdale Homes.
For artists who choose to stay in Knoxville, like Alonzo Rodgers, resources are limited. For the time being, those in the Good Guy Collective lean on other members for support until a venue dedicated to hip-hop is created or someone's music grows big enough to put Knoxville's scene on the map.
Niya G performs during her album release party at Alibaba's in West Knoxville.
A crowd sings along as Niya G performs at her album release party at Alibaba’s.
Hip-hop artist Mr. Mack, an Alcoa native, has released dozens of mixtapes over the years and has worked alongside some of Tennessee’s top talent, including “Down in the DM” rapper Yo Gotti. But the scene in Knoxville has been overshadowed by the signature sound of Memphis hip-hop and the widespread taste for country music throughout the Volunteer State. Many local rappers talk about the “glass ceiling,” the point in which hip-hop artists reach their peak in Knoxville without much recognition beyond their peers.
For years, Jay Harris has provided a place for performers and fans of musical sub-cultures to gather at The Concourse, a former downtown music venue that recently moved to a shopping center on North Broadway. While hip-hop is mainstream, Knoxville artists don’t feel the same support performers receive in other cities. Harris saw similarities between the genre and the underground music the venue typically hosts. Mainly, hip-hop performers in Knoxville feel like they have no place to go – no venue large enough to help young artists grow.
If Harris was going to begin hosting hip-hop show regularly, he knew the Good Guy Collective was the group to call. The collective has relied on community center The Birdhouse and small venues like The Pilot Light to share their art and message. But the low capacity of these venues have limited artists’ reach. Selling a handful of tickets at The Birdhouse could mean a sell-out show, but it doesn’t help artists gauge their success. The Concourse, on the other hand, has a 1000-person capacity with state-of-the-art equipment, a full bar and a longstanding reputation for hosting quality shows. The sky is the limit.
The first hip-hop showcase at The Concourse took place Jan. 20 and also served as a tribute to 30-year-old Alonzo Mackcell Rodgers, a member of the Good Guy Collective who was shot and killed in November. The collective sang tracks featuring Rodgers, who performed posthumously through music videos and livestreams recorded for past projects. His explosive voice, described by friends and family as angelic, still resonated with those in attendance as they shouted praise each time his chorus boomed through the speakers.
The Good Guy Collective will host hip-hop showcases at The Concourse each month under the working title “Flight School.” The group also plans to host a larger hip-hop event featuring a popular artist from outside the city four times a year. Colby Earles, who performs as Mr. Kobayashi, is an experienced member of the collective who has seen Knoxville artists come and go without fully learning the strategies to find success. “Flight School” will focus on teaching techniques to help young artists thrive – everything from how to hold a microphone to how to communicate with venue owners about why they deserve to be in the spotlight.
Today’s hip-hop doesn’t always share the same positive message the genre was designed to promote. The Good Guy Collective’s independent sound isn’t the most popular among today’s listeners, but their focus on unity and community empowerment serve an important purpose in their hometown. Rodgers’ death is a reflection of Knoxville’s recent uptick in gun violence. The collective has remained a close-knit group of like-minded creatives who support each other on tracks and from the side of the stage.
The first showcase allowed those who knew Rodgers to share memories of the talented big guy with a big heart. His mother, Rachel Rodgers, is thankful her son had the opportunity to experience the joy music can bring. Rodgers, the son of a preacher, brought joy to others through his infectious humor and devotion to his gospel roots. “If you met Mackcell, you met somebody great,” she said.
It’s no secret Rodgers also had a big appetite. Carrick Taylor and Rodgers, self-described “East TN fatboys,” co-hosted a YouTube series dedicated to some of their favorite food from Knoxville and throughout the region. “Hanger MGMT” featured lighthearted reviews, back-and-forth banter and inquisitive conversations with chefs. Rodgers also liked to cook, which runs in the family. While his mother was known for her baking skills, Rodgers had a passion for barbecue and experimenting with his own sauces. Another friend, Aj Branner, said Rodgers was smoking a turkey the night he was shot.
An intimate group of family, friends and music lovers showed up in support for Rodgers and the greater hip-hop community Jan. 20. The showcases have room to grow, as do the artists. Music has the power to bring people together, and Rodgers was a people person. He was a dedicated family man and a Freemason, who was in the process of planning a Valentine’s Day ball for the fraternal organization. While the showcase featured somber moments of reflection, it also was highlighted by energy and joy as those in attendance celebrated the legacy he left behind.
Good Guy Collective member Jarius Bush, who performs as J.Bu$h, has spent years dedicated to helping other artists master their sound. While Bush is known for his production skills, he also is a performer in the process of releasing his “Full Beard“ trilogy of albums. But his performance on Jan. 20 wasn’t quite the same without Rodgers singing in person. He might not have noticed, Mr. Kobayashi said, but Rodgers seemed to pull fans closer to the stage when it was his turn on the mic. While Bush will miss sharing the studio and stage with Rodgers, the music must go on. Hip-hop is entering a new chapter in Knoxville, and The Concourse is its home.