Meet Theonlyejose (The • only • E • Jose) | Community Developer & Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Theonlyejose (The • only • E • Jose) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Theonlyejose, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always been an advocate for community. As black people, we steer culture and economics, however, the systems we’ve operated under for so long tends to rupture any consistent efforts toward creating self sufficiency. We make the mistake by playing victim and allowing frivolous “peace offerings” to temporarily cover the damage instead of demanding what’s ours . Our “leaders” always profess equity amongst “their” table, but I oppose that idea—we should have our own. We should feel protected, confident and joyous around one another. Lending a hand or having a conversation or providing service in exchange for a service shouldn’t be such an asinine concept as it is seen from us today.

Hence, where the concept of “199X The Village” comes from.

Our mission: “A generation of kids looking to be the X factor. Working with each other, for each other and never without each other. Recreating the concept of Community— cultivating culture.”

We focus on exponentially growing networks one handshake at a time and make sure we bring back the old phrase “it takes a village” and modernize it towards our needs and goals of today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Going against the grain in a world full of trappers and popstars, I wanted to represent preserving the vision and relaying the message HIP HOP began with — the black plight AND advancement of the people. A soulful upbringing of the Temptations, Curtis Mayfield and Anita Baker blended with influences like ATCQ, Das EFX and Lauryn Hill, it was inevitable ’a message’ would be the focus of young producer turned emcee’s music. My movement, G. A. W. D. (GAWDs) — Gain All Wisdom Divinely — embodies the forbidden knowledge of the Black man and woman as the beginning and the infinite.

“The Melanated children of the Earth are not only products of the universe but we are all interconnected. And if we ever realize it, we will be unstoppable.”

They say history repeats itself, and it’s safe to say I’ll be front and center when the next era of GAWDs take their rightful place in the game.

Moreover, being able to develop my sound and message has led to being able to host shows at the Atlanta Underground Market on Sunday evenings from 7-11 with my 199X collective— called Love at the Underground.

It’s a curated show where we have hand-picked hip hop/RnB acts perform for an intimate crowd. Then after we make our way to Daiquiriville for the “after party”. So make sure if you ever get the time on a Sunday, come where the Love is always.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I grew up in Gwinnett County. So I couldn’t tell you the Go To spots for ATL, but some spots that have become familiar in the city is a Ramen spot called “Hotto Hotto”, a wing spot called “Goodfellas” would be the 2 food spots.

If anybody wanted to walk around n see the different vibes of the city i would send them to Ponce City Market, Little 5 Points or the Underground.

If you’re looking for Live music, come to Love at the Underground (@loveattheunderground on Instagram) on Sundays and Daiquiriville to indulge in the best mixed drinks in the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Big s/o to God & Moms:understood the vision. Supported from day 1

Kaliyah: My Woman/My Moon. Has helped with social media/organization with the business.

¢lark ¢ounty: has supported since Day 1/music collaborator/ everyday activist

K!D: day 1 support/ worked with me in marketing the brand/music collaborator

TGN prod: day 1 support/music collaboration/ helped put together first shoot

All my “Love U” family y’all know who you are

Makayla Miller for referring me for this opportunity

Instagram: https://instagram.com/theonlyejose?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-white-a29570167

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theonlyejose

Other: Love at the underground Instagram: https://instagram.com/loveattheunderground?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ== Tik tok: www.tiktok.com/@loveattheu YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LoveattheUnderground?si=qIXNolAyWldVMkyK

Image Credits
Aaron Goolsby (Insta: @g.boogi ) Red shirt Damn2Cellphonezzzz (Instagram) Black and white photos Zellathealien (Instagram) Group photo at night Live Photo of artist rapping with 199X t shirt Valiant Lyte ( Insta: @katoblue_) Graphic design Myself Photo of Kaliyah K in the shopping cart. Group 199X shot