local storiesJuly 17, 2023

Daily Inspiration: Meet Chico Burns

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chico Burns.

Chico Burns

Chico, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I hope readers who haven’t read my 1st interview. Will go check me out. Which I’m proud to say was here in these articles. Thank you again. I started off as a teen but never took my music seriously until 2016. I joined a group with two legendary West Coast Artists. Tray Deee from the group THA EASTSIDAZ (SNOOP & GODLIE LOC). And ConiYac from the group SNOOP DOGG PRESENTS: DOGGY’S ANGELS. Myself and the new Long Beach artist EsCrow who we lost last year ( R.I.P ). We recorded lots of music as a group called C.E.R.Tified. I released a few songs myself, “DR. KING/MONEY DREAMS” featuring Tray Deee, ConiYac, and EsCrow. You can hear them on my 2023 independent release titled: ONLY GOD KNOWS WHY. Available on all platforms.

In 2016 Onset of the film CITY OF LIES alongside some high public figures, who later became my brothers. Canadian actor SHAMIER ANDERSON who plays the role of DAVID MACK. I have to mention how he immersed himself deeply in the community of Compton with the Eastside HollyHood Piru’s, to be the most authentic role I’ve witnessed thus far. It was so inspiring to watch this magic happen. Shamier Anderson is a beast at what he does. I’ve seen the dedication he puts into his roles. He doesn’t play. This man goes hard. And I love to see the end results. It’s such a blessing to have met DJ SHAM GOD (He also moonlights as a DJ) And I love this guy dearly. I’m lucky to have his brotherhood. Director Brad Furman as well. Brad has taught me so much about this business. I wouldn’t have thick skin without all his knowledge and information he provided me with. He’s one of my biggest supporters. And he’s not just all talk. I could go on and on of situations he’s shown how authentic he is. I love these guys.

After being onset of City Of Lies, I was motivated to study screenplay writing. I just wrote up my own short. I can’t wait to get a budget for it. This is going to be a good one. So anyone reading who can connect me to someone who can take a read and see if they want to invest in my vision, please connect us. I’m also looking for a camera person to join my team. Writing these shorts have been very inspiring. I’m writing more shorts more than music these days.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish it could’ve been a smooth road. I still like to think the struggles along the way build character and made me more humble. I personally went through a lot of doubt from people around me. I was passed up and watched others be more successful. I always allowed it to encourage me to do more and want more. When I started off as an artist I had zero dollars. And my deal wasn’t about money. I was just being loyal to the movement with the faith we would ALL become successful together. So I never seen any money from Music until I released it independently. It was hard to hear my voice on YouTube and know that I would NEVER receive anything for it. I never had a legal team. I faced a lot of struggles from just not having a legal team or making sure I protected my music in a legal way.

So I lost everything I ever recorded. I mean all of it. That was a huge L (lost) for me. I kind of gave up on music after. I felt betrayed after being so loyal. And the struggles came because I didn’t do my homework like others should do before giving up your rights to whatever art you bring. I struggled hard financially after of course. I was left for dead by the same ones I was there for always. The struggles that we face doesn’t have to taint us though. I like to think these struggles made me stronger. Made the hunger in me grow even more. It’s been a smooth ride now only because I choose to view my struggles now as just another ride to my final destination. We all know there are bumps along the road. So even my struggles feel like wins. They say you can’t spell Millionaires without a few L’s. (Meaning a loss or 2)

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
These days I’m still recording from time to time. (Hoping to be booked more for shows or hosting) But the MY REP MEDIA podcast is a place I try to keep layers. Speaking about the industry. New films released. Q&A with actors, actresses, Costumes designers and Directors. On these shows, we’ll talk about many of the things My Rep Media offers. It’s more just than just a media outlet for the community. I provide local services as a casting associate and location management, I can get a camera in places it may be hard to film in the inner city. I make sure those locations are safe while filming. I provided the background for the City Of Lies. I employed over a dozen authentic men & women really from the inner city. I will always be proud of that. Just helping someone make money to provide for their family makes me smile more inside and outside. It’s such a great feeling. I’m best known for that. Getting extras to be in the background. And getting these directors into hot zone locations in the inner city. We offer many local services with My Rep Media. Lately, I have been making my own apparel. We still have the MY REP HAIR stylist April Panteau, my empress. If you’re in the LA county area and need your hair done or your locs re-twisting. For booking, contact @dawn_p_styles. The best on the West Coast. The shop is located in SoCal. My Rep Hair Hoodies and T-shirts also available.

What sets me apart from others is the many layers of services I provide. From casting, location, feeding the homeless plus more.

Soon I’ll have a security team available for artists, actors, actresses or anyone who just feels uncomfortable or just wants to feel safe. My Rep Security is coming soon

The main things I specialize in are getting authentic backgrounds men & women. Providing safe locations in the inner city to film. Especially independent films. I feed and clothe the homeless. Any donations can be sent to CASH APP: $aniahdawnburns.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice would be always stay a student willing to learn. Brad Furman mentors me and sometimes in the end, even I’m shocked by how much I just learned or how much more understanding I have after. I like to think Shamier Anderson and I mentor each other. He’s about the only guy who will call me and just keep it real about how he’s feeling. That made me love him more as a brother. It takes a real friend to pick up a phone and reach out. But for the most part, he mentors me. He doesn’t need much from me on that level. We are real with each other like real brothers. So it’s forever Bulletproof love. It’s very healthy to have a mentor in your life. I think we should be very picky about who we choose to mentor us, even more than just one person can too. Don’t block out a great potential mentor. I think a lot of people would like to consider me lucky to have the mentors I have. I agree. I got actor Cory Hardrict in my ear with mentorship and encouragement for the future goal. But networking is what made these relationships grow and last.

I love when I’m in the type of environment where everyone is trying to network. It’s so cool to see all that love in one place. Networking is also knowledgeable. You never know what you’ll learn. What has worked for me is just remaining my authentic self at all times in all environments. I come as me. And I leave as me. I don’t care who is judging me. I think I took this approach in my business approach. I don’t care about the judging going on around me. I tend to keep good people around me. I try to have more healthy, meaningful, inspiring, uplifting or able to produce results types of conversation. I have my mentors and I am a mentor to others. If you don’t, feel free to reach out to me. I also have a good friend Coach Cooley who’s the event director at DGK in LA. We just left the Berrics skatepark in LA. Coach Cooley does free skateboard giveaways for the youth. I think that’s what it’s about in this mentorship. Each one should teach one.

Pricing:

If you want to purchase a my rep media hood(proceeds feed the homeless) Hoodies $45
Help feed the homeless (my rep media T-shirt $15
Cash app $aniahdawnburns to help feed and cloth the homeless
Personal my rep media painting (exclusive) $250
Custom my rep media hoodies $70-$85

Contact Info:

Image Credits
My Rep media Christopher Evans April Panteau Brad Furman

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