MAYOR OF RATCHET CITY

Name: Anthony Mandigo Age: 28 Hometown: Shreveport, LA Owner and Artist of Lava House Records The Ratchet King's Motto: "Stay prepared so you will not have to get prepared." Born Anthony Mandigo, the 28 years old Shreveport native has a promising career ahead of him and he's keeping it gangsta. Unlike his label mates and other counterparts, The Real Ratchet King didn't have dreams of becoming a rapper or a CEO of a record label. Lava House Records is a product of dreaming someone else's dream. He could not deny what the world saw in him. It was his destiny and what is meant to be will surely come to pass. Early on he had all the characteristics of becoming a successful record label exec. He knew and loved good music, he was a hustler by nature, he possessed charm and wit, and he already had street creditability. The streets have love for him because he is a good dude and he is as real as they come. To sum it all up he was thrust into an industry that eventually captured his heart and engulfed his every essence. Anthony reveals that in the mid to late nineties everybody was doing their thing on the independent rap scene, Cash Money and Master P for example. He was feeling their flair for entrepreneurship so he wanted to support them to the fullest. He would go out and buy all the new music that hit the streets. This was his effort to support the cause. One day he walked into one of the local record stores and DJ Spike Mike asked him why don't he start his own label. Instantly an interest was sparked, Anthony walked away with something on his mind, he could not shake the notion of being his own boss and putting more dope tracks on the streets. He felt that he knew the streets and he had something to say also. His motivation was to keep it gutta and give a voice to a people that may other wise go unheard. From then on he knew this was his mission in life and he was on his way. He was drawn to it like a moth to a flame, awed, mesmerized and enamored by an art that can not be duplicated. He got on the grind and scoured the neighborhoods of Shreveport looking for talent. It was not an easy task. He encountered a lot of negative response from people trying to deter him from following his dreams. He also dealt with infrastructure problems and financial problems. It started to get the best of him until one day someone told him that if he quits then it's over. That struck a nerve because he could not see himself doing anything else. The whole music thing lived deep inside of him and attached itself to his DNA. It had become apart of him. He stayed focused even though his funds were limited. People saw the dream that was living inside of him. As a result a lot of things was donated to him studio time, beats, and advice. With his money problems looming in the distance, he concentrated on getting the right combination of artists and the right producer. With that in tack, he hit the pavement running and he hasn't looked back. He has been full steam ahead ever since. Later everybody started asking him to rap and he kept telling them that he was not a rapper but he felt that he had a whole lot of sh*t to say. The pressure got to him so he got on the mic and did his thing. The Real Ratchet King has had the opportunity to work with known artists such as: Bun-B (UGK), Lil Boosie, Young Bleed, Webbie, and Spice 1. He was impressed with their skills and style. He is eager to work with other artists such as: Snoop, B.G., and Juvenile. He likes their style and they