Left: NoLimit Larry, Center: Jay Love, Right: D.J. The Dance King
On August 30, 2016 BET’s One Shot aired on television, sending hip-hop lovers across the globe into an excited pandemonium—it was all that anyone could talk about on social media.
For our readers that don’t watch cable or tune-in to BET, just know that the One Shot succession is a lyrical competition devoted to the enthusiast of rap music. Contestants from around the world battle it out in front of celebrity judges and millions of viewers, for their chance to win one-hundred-thousand-dollars, in addition to obtaining a concrete record deal with a music executive.
Now, while many caught the airing on television, others from the city of Charlotte, met up at La Revolucion (North Carolina Music Factory) for the viewing party that was hosted by NoLimit Larry of WPEG Power 98, and Jerrick Grier (also known as Jay Love).
Jay Love and a hip-hop artist by the name of 3[also known as S. Dub] auditioned for the show [some of the filming took place in Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami and Chicago].
3 [S. Dub] prevailed during the tryouts, and actually moved into the semifinals, which arrived him in New York City. [show airs at a later date].
3 [S.Dub] pictured with daughters
Each emcee from Charlotte, gave it their best, and if nothing else, it was a fantastic opportunity for the both of them to gain national recognition on television by other industry heavies.
“Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
We didn’t talk with 3 [S. DUB] at the event, but we were able to speak to Jay Love right before the merriment began.
Jay Love told us how he was able to get onto the show. “They messed around and opened the door, and I ran and snuck inside,” he said.
Undoubtedly, Jay Love wasn’t leaving unless they gave him a chance. “While security was chasing me, I yelled for them to turn the camera on so they could give me one shot,” he laughed.
“They turned the cameras on and I performed. Later that night, I got a call from them and I came out again. I didn’t hear from them until a year later. They said that they wanted to do a backstory on me and I said, “Wow.” I built a relationship with them and that’s where I am now,” he remarked.
Jay Love is the founder of the local dance group called “The Fellas.” The faction was a hip-and-happening thing from the 80’s until the late 90’s.
“I think all these seeds that I planted a long time ago of helping people dance, and giving them a platform, an avenue of somewhere to go instead of running the streets—you know, we had good clean fun while I was growing up. We were in a structured environment. People knew where we were, whether it was the skate palace, or the structure. The structure came from being able to have something to do, looking forward to a show, and looking forward to the practices,” he said.
Jay Love is a consistent entity that remained in the public’s eye. He marched for slain men in women, and he danced during the annual parades. He performs till this day, at community events. Jay Love has an unfailing talent for entertainment that he kept long after “The Fellas” dismantled. His palpable passion for helping others is commendable.
“Listen, I’ve been blessed,” he said. “I got someone that really believes in me [Mike Smith]. He reached out to me. He saw something… So we’re going to take it and run with it,” Jay Love finished his statement.
Jay Love articulated those last words with enthusiasm. He had every right to be proud, especially since he was one the men of honor being recognized at the event, and speaking of the viewing party; it brought out all sorts of recreational enjoyment and performances throughout the evening, and although we didn’t get to catch any of the cabarets, we were still able to speak with one last person-- the host of the hour, NoLimit Larry.
NoLimit explained how he got involved with “BET’s One Shot. “Of course, my big hommie, Jay Love, reached out to me and told me about it,” he said.
“I’ve known 3 [S.Dub] forever-and-a-day. We grew up a street over from each other, in the same neighborhood, and around the way. He told me about it as well. Mike reached out to me and told me that he wanted me to be part of it, and that’s basically how I got involved,” said NoLimit.
NoLimit stated that he looked forward to seeing all the new talent coming out, including Jay Love and 3 [S. Dub].
“They were on national television and when you look at BET— that’s an accomplishment. I’m just going to keep it hype [the event] as people watch and enjoy the show.”
NoLimit isn’t just a radio personality, he owns a car dealership, and not to mention, he functions as an adviser for his company “Mims Enterprises (brand management and artist development).”
It seemed fair to ask NoLimit, since he has about 18-years’ worth of experience in the industry, what he thought about the talent circulating around Charlotte. “We’re probably the biggest city, with the most talent, that nobody has ever seen on a national level,” he said.
“When you talk about R&B, there’s so much R&B that came from the city, and they went on to do it big. When you talk about the rap—nobody took the rap scene, and jumped on the rap scene, to do it nationally. There are a lot of kids from back when I was coming up, to the new school (This generation). You have some young talented guys that haven’t been seen yet, and you have some older guys that haven’t been discovered yet. I look forward to seeing what’s going to happen next.
I think that people tapped into the music industry, but they didn’t necessarily do the right thing when they got to that big point, and it left a bad taste in a lot of executives mouths when it came to the business. I believe that Charlotte as a whole, has a whole lot of talent. We just got to get the business in order first,” said NoLimit.
“There’s one thing that’s for sure, it’s the music business. You have the music first and then it's still the business part, which is where you make the money. So, when you approach executives and they don’t see any way that you can make money, they just aren’t going to mess with you.
I think these artists should be professional. In fact, be beyond professional cause you’re not only representing Charlotte, you’re representing everyone else that’s trying to get into the industry,” he affirmed.
“My advice to up-and-coming artist is that they should be patient. If you really feel like you have talent, be patient. It takes about 2-years to become an overnight success,” he said.
NoLimit seemed very optimistic about the national resurgence of artistry coming out of Charlotte. “I think that tonight is a game-changer for Charlotte, and with Jay Loves energy and S. Dub’s lyrical content, with his character and professionalism, they are going to see that Charlotte isn’t anything to play with,” he said.
Whelp, that kind of sums it all up. The only thing left to say is… May the best man win, cause after all, they only have “one shot” at becoming a star.
