We recently connected with FNM $hoota and have shared our conversation below.
FNM , appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Recently I just dropped my latest Independent project #WhyStopNow. As many don’t know I was in major car accident leaving a show, where we were hit by an eighteen wheeler and flipped over totaling the vehicle. Through the grace of God I survived with few bruises. 2022 being a tough year for me losing almost everything even several deaths in the family. I persevered. My vehicle was vandalized the week I was supposed to drop the project originally. Resulting in my whole laptop and phone being stolen along with other possessions. Losing all my music, all my content, and designs I been working on for past years. Still being in pain from my accident I was not about to throw in the towel. Starting everything over was a new challenge cause I never in million years predicted as many things to go wrong as they did. So I end up re recorded my whole project. Feeling overwhelmed with everything I just dropped it with no promotion and organically up today one of my biggest projects I released up to date which is Doing really well still until this day. The cover meant a lot to me because I was real Flizzy chilling in wheel chair. With basically everything on fire. Symbolizing for me when everything is burning and falling apart never lose faith. Remain calm, trust God and yourself. Because if you don’t believe in yourself no one else will. It’s going to be those tough days and moments where you wanna give up or quit. Everything you could think of going wrong. But at some point of self consciousness you got realize what you stand for and i knew I came to far to stop now. So that was the moral behind #WhyStopNow. I also released the deluxe version of this project where I had features from my sons 5 and 12 and just being to create with them and all of us having fun doing it was the most priceless moment for me.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Going by stage name FNM $hoota aka Lord Flizzy. Born in New Orleans, La I was displaced to Houston, tx during Hurricane Katrina. Growing up in single family home I graduated high school a year early and attending U of H for year at age 17. As many black men in America I had to deal with the injustice of the judicial system early on which hindered my abilities for hire. I had my first son at 18 and would nearly lose my life the next year. Few months after that I would lose my best friend and older brother to violence. After trials and tribulations I would eventually get my associates degree for architectural design. Always having a niche for creating and an interest in real estate. I figured I would land a job easy creating floor plans. which failed due to no one wanting to hire me due to my record. I experienced rejection after rejection until I just knew the only way I’m survive is if I boss up and become the job. I always had a connection with music and that was the start of how my passion for art clothes and music became my life. From being an hobby and seeing the potential it had I immediately turned it into a business. What set me apart from others is my drive and originality. Part of my creative process is always thinking outside the box. Setting that next trend but also being true to self No matter what. I also don’t believe in taking off because hard work always beats talent. Plus I actually like creating.I’m most proud of my determination. Being able to Not let anything stop or discourage my vision. At times I’ll be working on music then trying to get deadlines for projects could b frustrating at times. Especially when you’re dealing with samples from manufacturers and have to typically be patient. But timing is everything. My brand is Family & Money which started as an movement which became an cultural ethic for urban streetwear expressing morals through fashion. Im gearing up to release my first shoe Under our brand FNM apparel in collaboration with local Houston brand death dreams at johhny dang inside the closet October 22nd. Merchandise, food, and giveaways will be available. Family & Money Entertainment being the hottest Independent record label look forward for my upcoming projects “weekends in Houston” and “still on that hype s###”. Featuring great aspiring artist As well as our other artist projects. Focused on growing and also navigating avenues to create jobs for not only ourselves but also for the community to create generational wealth. Me and my partner created FNM Exotics where we serve a community with quality French bulldogs and exotic bullies. We offer quality registered dogs along with the integrity of serious breeders to be apart of our franchise program. For the past few years my brand has been sponsoring school drives along with Off Da Hook creole catering and we have our annual food drives in New Orleans and Houston where we feed over 500 residents in areas of need for the past 3 years for Christmas and thanksgiving. Eventually I see us growing and being able to corner other areas of need and being able to reach the masses. I plan on being able to hire more creatives like myself or enthused individuals to create jobs and also being able to attain information to help others who experienced diversity like me grow and reach beyond their potential. Most importantly being a dad who leads by example and having that financial freedom to have more time for my family for they’re my drive to be successful. Anyone who believe in me or my brands. I’m highly appreciative. I would like you all to check out my teenage entrepreneur lost ones lemonades where he has several flavors of homemade lemonade like no other. As well as his clothing brand lost ones design, which he creates all his designs himself.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me it’s therapy. When I’m creating it’s helping me evolve and express my ideas to the world. It’s like when I’m riding four wheelers and dirt bikes. It’s my relief from the world honestly where I feel free and happy. Also I get to wear items early that no has unless you get It from me. Lol.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
It’s so many things I wish I knew from marketing. Being able to promote on social media properly, engaging with audience and finding target audience. Manufacturers etc. I can keep going but I realized I learn the most from trial and error from not know anything. Pretty much learning as I go. Any unknown to creating a task list and executing everything a step at time. Honestly if you don’t have a mentor giving you the ropes or around someone in that field of work. I literally had to figured it out on my own but I couldn’t see it no other way. Everything played out how it was supposed to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: familynmoneyent.com
- Instagram: @Fnm_shoota
- Facebook: @Fnm_shoota
- Twitter: @Fnm_shoota
- Youtube: Fnm Shoota
- Other: @fnm_apparel @fnmexotics @fnmbuggy @lostoneslemonades