Hen-Gee [Rhyme $yndicate]: Uplifting The Culture #HH50

Raised in Brooklyn, New York, rapper-producer Henry ‘Hen-Gee’ Garcia later relocated to Los Angeles, California, in order to pursue a career in music.

Once out West, Hen aligned himself with Ice-T’s Rhyme $yndicate organization. And in 1991, along with his sibling Eric, p.k.a. (Ice’s longtime DJ) Evil E, the duo released their one and only album, Brothers [Pendulum/Elektra].

First things first, last year (August 11th 2023 to be exact) marked the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop — What exactly does that mean to and for you?

The 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop, August 11th, 2023, meant the world to me. An industry where only the strong could survive [Grandmaster Melle Mel voice]. I’ve met the greatest and worst people whom I’ve stayed cool with for 4 decades.

To quote the late, great Notorious B.I.G., “You never thought that Hip Hop would take it this far!” — Was this something that you ever could’ve imagined?

When Biggie said, “You never thought that Hip Hop would take it this far!,” I imagined that it would after pushing it through the “Golden Era,” introducing the West Coast flava all over the world with Ice-T and my biological brother, DJ Evil E.

What are some of your fondest, most stand-out moments / memories during your lengthy tenure in this thing called Hip Hop?

Most fondest, most stand-out moment during my lengthy time in Hip Hop, is when they stopped the War in Kuwait for a day when we, Ice-T and Public Enemy, had a concert. The second fondest memory in Hip Hop was when I was on the Lollapalooza Tour when opening for Body Count, being intro’d to ultimate stage diving and slam dancing.

That said, what are your future plans and / or goals throughout the remainder of 2024 and beyond?

My future plans are to continue making history, with talent under Ice and my https://finallevelmusic.com brand. Developing and distributing great talent [artists, writers, producers] internationally.

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

From my music, I want people to get me; my cadence, lyrical delivery and lyrical content = HEN GEE Rhyme Syndicate Artist / MC. Along with the modern day Hip Hop, Bi-Lingual, Afro Latino, Executive Entrepreneur, y que hablo ingles y espanol.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

If I could collaborate with any one artist, it would be Fabolous. Because Fab continues to put in work that I relate to and love. And, he is an Afro Latino from Brooklyn just like myself. If I could have collaborated with any one artist that’s deceased, it would be Biggie. Simply because I produced 2Pac and Eminem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0_Vy_LrSuo and would have loved to have worked with Biggie, which probably would have been kinda awkward since I was, and am out West, but A+ with all coasts though. Politricks {smh}.

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

It would be the Crypto Arena, since it’s 7 minutes from my spot and has dope Hip Hop award shows and live performances.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?

I am not happy with the state of Hip Hop. When coming up, we were able to feed our family, but now many need side hustles to pay their own marketing, promo, tour and operational expenses. The state of Hip Hop is great for Spotify, iTunes, major labels and associated brands. It wouldn’t happen without the creative side who gets paid the least and the last.

What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?

The key to my longevity is staying healthy first off, staying connected spiritually and loving your family through good or bad times. Last but not least, is to keep a successful and trustworthy circle.

Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from entertainment?

My additional future aspirations outside of the entertainment business is to represent the Los Angeles inner city communities. Bringing resources to our youth. Continue teaching them that there are different opportunities in the entertainment space – stylist, choreographer, barber, publicist, marketing, promo, management, tech, accountant, graphic designer – outside of the artist / producer on stage limelight.

What’s an average day like for you?

An average day for me is “6 ‘N The Mornin’” [Ice- T voice] when I put Ice up on the track [Ice-T “6 ‘N The Mornin’” voice], I respond to my texts and prepare my social media post before getting up, 8am start receiving calls on my way to my 8:30am to 10:30 am gym appointment. A quick breakfast, then to work managing (business relationships, my relationship, family, artist and producers) a.k.a. my LIFE.

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…

The way I react to fans is by letting them feel and hear the appreciation, by giving them a homie shake / hug, signing autographs, taking photos and slang’n merch, if their energy is positive.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?

The most favorite part of Hip Hop, is that it’s a lifestyle I co- forefronted out West and am still relevant. It’s the culture that keeps you youthful, fo-sho. The least favorite is that the business has been taken over by greed and demonic practices that is finally being exposed. It leaves room for the culture to go back to the essence focusing on real talent and the creatives having the knowledge of getting their money for creating it.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

The footsteps I followed were health is wealth, work your ass off, don’t complain, delete toxic relationships, and network with your industry’s greats and up and coming.

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

10 years from now, I see myself chill’n, at my Villa two hours from L.A., or at my place in Honduras off the beach play’n with my grandkids, grandnephews and grandnieces; eating, having intellectual conversations about family and life, getting money, and how to keep it.

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?

Yes, here are a few plays that I was involved in coming up in the Hip Hop Game…

EPK On Latin Nation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoEqgJ1jsgQ

OG KDay Mixmaster / Hen Gee:

https://medium.com/@briancoleman/1580-kday-and-the-beat-goes-on-9dab5b6c55e6

Hen Gee on Arsenio Hall w/Ice-T/Same Gang by West Coast All Stars:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX1biCbrS7A

Associate Producer / 6th best Hip Hop Movie Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap Write Up:

https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/top-10-best-hip-hop-movies-ever-474260/#/column/the-juice/top-10-best-hip-hop-movies-ever-

Trailer:

https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/qrm6fg/something_from_nothing_the_art_of_rap_official/