Some college students dream of breaking into the music business and Northwestern State offensive lineman Michael King, a Natchitoches native, has turned that dream into a reality.
King, a 22-year old senior who wears No. 73 for NSU, not only hits the books and the football field, but is CEO of 3:16 Records (www.316records.net). The independent label, which was founded in 2003, promotes positive messages through gospel rap. The label released an album last October, including tracks "Holy Ghost Rider" and "Ballin' in Jesus' Name" can be found at the Natchitoches Sam Goody and www.cdbaby.com/bigfigga.
Along with King being the head of the label, his voice can also be heard on several tracks. Always having an interest in rap, King accredits his friend, Jody Bush, for giving him his start.
"I have a good friend that is a gospel rapper and he took me under his wing," King said.
The road to success wasn't an easy one for King, who took a year off of school and made a living by driving a truck. After making a successful return to football last fall, earning a starting job at offensive tackle, King suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in October. With rehabilitation on the schedule, King had more time to lend to his rap career.
Chris Truax, the offensive line coach for the Demons said, "Michael was always where he was supposed to be in regards to recovery. He met with rehab two times a day."
Now that King is established on and off the field, he's looking to give back. With his senior year starting, King has little time to spend behind the microphone. He has now turned his musical attention to producing. Having paid his dues, King wants to help those who are up and coming, including his godson.
King's 15-year-old prot?©g?© is starting to work on his solo album. Considering a schedule of high school, band commitments and recording, a release date has yet to be set.
The label's sound has hit a chord with today's youth and King says the local teen scene has given 3:16 Records the audience it desires. He is frustrated to some degree with the lack of response from parents, which he says limits the effectiveness of his positive musical messages. And with the mindset of rap being negative, 3:16 will have to work twice as hard to remove the stereotype and get their music accepted in the mainstream.
The task should be easier since King has had support and strength his whole life. He has labeled his grandfather as his role model. "His lifestyle was to make sure his family was taken care of and to have a positive thinking," King said.
Change is nothing new for King. King has had three head coaches at NSU and played three positions. First, he was recruited as a tight end from Natchitoches Central High School to play for legendary Demon coach Sam Goodwin. After Goodwin's retirement, King moved to defensive line for new coach Steve Roberts. Finally, with the arrival of Scott Stoker in 2002, King found his niche and made his mark on the offensive line.
Knowing the road to the future is a short distance away; King is keeping an open mind, and hopes to seek other avenues after college.
"There is more to life than football. You need a college degree to make quality decisions," Truax said. "Mike is preparing for that day. The year away, driving a truck, really was great for him. He's come back with a great work ethic and a determination to succeed."
King, who will get his first start of the season Saturday against Texas Southern, will finish college in May, earning a degree in criminal justice. His future plans hope to include the NFL, high school coaching and perhaps becoming a U.S. Marshall.
Whatever the future holds, King has already achieved one record no one can take away.
This fall, he's hoping to help the Demons improve their record and win a Southland Conference championship, which would surely be a feat to rap about.
