Artist description Hip-Hop with a mid-west flavor

Music Style RAP

Musical Influences Notorious B.I.G, Jermaine Dupri, MA$E, & Lil' Kim

Similar Artists Notorious BIG

Albums Get At Me "The EP"

Press Reviews Rapper's work ethic comes from dad By Thomas Conner/ World Entertainment Writer 9/4/98Timothy Henderson was busy last week, during the primary election. His dad, Jack Henderson, was running for the District 73 legislative post, and Tim was hectic with chores in support of the campaign. Not to mention his own musical career. His father -- a former president of the local NAACP -- was unsuccessful in this bid for the legislature, but his lengthy career in public service is hardly over. In fact, one of its greatest results may have been the inspiration of son Timothy, who has channeled his father's lessons in supporting the community into a burgeoning career in hip-hop and rap music. And Tim's sights are set on a much larger community. "I've seen a lot of friends become unsuccessful with their lives because they did not set goals for themselves," Tim Henderson said in a recent interview. "I feel I'm successful thus far because my dad taught me not to quit ... My dad loves the community, and he doesn't do his work for it to get a pat on the back. I learned from that. I don't make music because I want fame and glory. I do it because it's a way to get a positive message out to the community, to help bring up the community." Tim -- who raps under the moniker Takin' in $$$ -- has earned a chance to deliver his positive messages through hip-hop to a nationwide community, if all goes well. The young rapper and his own local production company, Off Tha Head Entertainment, just last week finalized an agreement with LyonsKing Management, to manage, develop his act and secure a recording contract. Henderson started rapping as most performers begin their craft -- on a bit of a dare. Some friends put him up to getting on stage at a club one night a few years ago, and to his amazement his freestyling (improvised rapping) was well received. "That really sparked my curiosity," he said. "With musical talent, I realized, you can reach a lot of people, and it's a positive way to express your ideals. I had been told I had talent, so I pursued it." Last year, Henderson drove to Dallas to perform at a club called Lakeside, where he performed his original raps for a crowd of about 2,000 people. They, too, loved him, and the comparisons to the late Notorious B.I.G. began coming. "People were telling me how much I reminded them of Biggie. Our styles are similar, and I guess we do look alike. It's great to get that comparison because I love him. He's a mentor to me. But, of course, in no way do I intend to try and replace him. That can't be done," Henderson said. The Notorious B.I.G. was killed a couple of years ago in a shoot-out. "I remember the way he moved a crowd," he continued. "He was going through some hate and hurt at the time, and the emotion was incredible. We're alike in that phase, because I'm going through some emotional pressure now, too. I've lost three graduating classmates in one week this summer (two to asthma attacks, one in a car accident). It's been hell, and I thank God I've got the music to keep me going." With the assistance of Battman, a DJ at KJMM, 105.3-FM "Fresh Jams," Henderson next traveled to Atlanta to mingle with the music moguls at an industry convention. There he met Shareen King & Leann Lyons -- known as Lelee in the hit R&B vocal group SWV -- and rapped for them on the spot in the phone area of the hotel. They offered to manage him, and the deal was done. Now Henderson begins work on the debut Takin' in $$$ album, which is definitely too hot for label not to pick up. He also hopes to connect with the current King of Hip-Hop & R & B, Jermaine Dupri, platinum selling producer/artist of So So Def Recordings. He hopes to drop a new single by Christmas. Takin' in $$$ has released a single, "Opportunity Knocks," which sold around 22,000 units, and is still available in some Tulsa-area record stores and is in rotation on KJMM. He also appears on an upcoming album by another KJMM disc jockey, Big Juice. Henderson is also currently working on a compilation of Tulsa-area hip-hop artists to be titled "Middle of the Map" and featuring local artists such as Playya 1000, 918, Ill Elements and Medu-Netr. "Hanson called their album `Middle of Nowhere,' but this ain't nowhere," Henderson said. "We need to put out a collective effort to let people know that there is hip-hop in Oklahoma and where it's at." Takin' in $$$ will be on the bill of another lengthy hip-hop line-up Sept. 19 at the Fur Shop, 320 E. Third St. Numerous other rap and hip-hop artists will join him on that bill.

Location Tulsa, Oklahoma - USA

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