We had the good fortune of connecting with Eddie Meeks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi EDDIE, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am originally from Memphis, TN. My background and upbringing impacted me by providing and instilling within me my work ethic, my unique swagger, my southern drawl (that could only come from a Memphian), my undying love for Hip-Hop and just overall outlook and comprehension as it pertains to life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The artform that I am most drawn to and utilize the most in terms of expressing myself and recharging my battery when needed is Hip-Hop/EMCEEING.

What sets me apart within this particular culture is the fact that I was born and raised in Memphis, TN and that I was fully influenced by East Coast Hip-Hop…a rare combination to say the least.

Currently, the thing that I am most proud of and equally excited about is my most recent, and much needed, Long Playing audible offering to the world entitled “TOXIC MASCULINITY” which was released globally July 23, 2024.

The path and journey to this most recent accomplishment has been hard, fair, eye opening, unregrettable, and very rewarding…and for that I am grateful. Any challenges that I faced during my journey were met head on with fearlessness, patience, and the will continue no matter what.

From those challenges, I’ve learned a countless amount of lessons ranging from humility, respect, honor, failure, success, love, hate, disrespect, and that operating on some Wisdom-Knowledge type shit will kill you faster than a bullet!

The one thing that I would like the world to know about me is that I’m here and that I exist for reasons beyond the mundane and comprehension and that I will continue to do so until someone decides to turn the lights out on this small planet.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Great question! I would start in Old Fourth Ward because it is historically and culturally sound at it’s best. The Atlanta street car makes it thoroughly accessible to everything O4W has to offer. You can get a history lesson at The King Center. walk in the footsteps of heroes and icons on Auburn Ave., or access The Beltline for an adventure off the beaten path. Please don’t get me started on the food scene here because there are far too many places to name or pinpoint. Just know that there are countless choices to cover whatever your taste buds desire. A really great place to catch a drink, and possibly some entertainment , is in the biergarten at Halfway Crooks Beer located in the Summerhill neighborhood, 529 EAV is my live venue of choice and EAV in general is a great place of enjoyment here in the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes…I would like to dedicate my shoutout to the book entitled “Smithsonian Grade: The Story of Southern Vangard Radio”. I would also like to shoutout two great Brothers of mine…Jon Foster(DJ JON DOE) & Jeffrey McManus( DJ POCKET).

Website: EddieMeeks. bandcamp.com

Instagram: @SouthernVangard

Other: https://SouthernVangard.bigcartel.com

Image Credits
KOOP, PAT “Pecue” Quinn, Kyro Wolf, Jacqitta A. McManus

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