Member Profile: Arno Latimer Written by Diane Machado

Arno Latimer's program Thug TV encompasses all of his passions, like collaborating with other artists to write lyrics, and creating beats in order to perform a “Thug” sound. Most of all, his interest lies in producing and putting hip-hop from his home town “on the map.” Although Boston has a thriving hip-hop music scene, Arno feels that large record companies and radio stations favor other cities like NY or LA. He knows too well that the mainstream media, through replays and selective advertising, favors the music industry by determining the “best seller” in the public's mind. Unfortunately, the Thug sound without a major record label receives little, if any, time on major airwaves, whether it's MTV or an FM radio station. Monopoly and control over what is essentially a popularity contest in the music business has sent Arno seeking self promotion through alternative venues like Public Access Television and the World Wide Web.

In Arno's own words, SCAT provides “access, media, and freedom,” both for the artist and the viewer. Fans can tune in to Channel 3 on Wednesdays at 11:00 PM to enjoy music by Arno Latimer as “DC Pump” or access the web site at www.thugsound.com, as often as they like at any time. The result of watching Arno perform on Thug TV, or listening to a couple of tracks from the web site, exposes the sound to a much broader population, while generating potential fans who will buy the music or trickle into one of his “gigs” regardless of the opinions of corporate TV or radio. Arno stresses that “entertainment should be about choices and freedom to choose, and `Big Box' record labels take away that choice.”

If you haven't tuned in yet, Thug TV highlights several hip-hop artists from Boston. Ultimately, Thug TV strives to create a network of producers, engineers, and musicians as a resource to benefit everyone in the hip-hop scene. Arno's production somewhat mimics any other independent record label. He intends to use Thug TV as a launching ground for up and coming hip-hop artists, and as a gateway to success. Arno attends various club venues in an attempt to connect with similar artists interested in Thug TV. Once they've met, he invites “guests” to perform in the studio at SCAT. The studio shoot enables him to record video and sound and, at the same time, produce a video as a possible tool for outreach and media. Thug TV becomes a platform to perform and strengthen support among artists in Somerville and the greater Boston area going up against the harsh standards from record companies.

Arno's experience at SCAT opened the door for him in his quest to introduce rising hip-hop artists to the public. After completing Basic Portable Production at SCAT, he shot a music video as his certification tape. His next step? Basic Studio Production, which taught him how to produce programs in the studio. Arno credits SCAT's Production Coordinator, Rich Howley, director of the studio shoots, for contributing to the creation of Thug TV.

I can't finish writing this article without including Arno's “shout outs” and thanks to his girlfriend Danielle, Anthony, Gina, Nuzz, BGM, DG RIP, BANK and Indy Pro Promotions.

Somerville Community Access Television
90 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143
Phone: 617-628-8826 | Fax: 617-628-1811
Email: info@access-scat.org
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