By: Mical. J. Roy, Entertainment Editor

Main Stream music is typically accepted due to its ability to sound and act as the masses often do. Walk a straight line, but seem larger than life, within your own bubble of do’s and don’ts! There are of course, artists who demand to push the envelope by adding the “Imma do me” theory to there list of mantras. Hip Hop loves an artist to give them the REAL, and we (the fans) don’t like to have to wonder what our favorite stage performer is really like when the screams of fans have withered, and the stage lights fade. WE WANT REAL!!! Wait no more chic readers, reality is merely within reach.

Pinc Gator, born to the world, Carl Henderson is certainly to some an enigma of sorts. Perhaps it’s his confusing clothing and shiny gold football helmet, often adorning his head that makes us think he’s nothing like the rest of us. Would it be his gold boots, often symbolic of his beloved organization, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.? These are the things that actually address how down to earth he really is. When you sit down for a second with this College graduate and recently married family man, you quickly realize what assists him in maintaining his drive.

Gator, who was recently featured on rapper Lil KeKe’s “Traffic Slowed Down”, is abrupt in letting you know his individuality is something easy to breathe, as it should be. His difference in appearance, showmanship and thorough image is what has sent him spiraling into the music industry. He’s appreciated by Hip Hop hands down, and his moment of clarity is just up ahead.

TCM: Tell us about Pinc Gator vs. Carl Henderson? What are the similarities vs. the differences?

PINC GATOR: Lol!! Well for the most part, the two are completely opposite people. PG is the entertainer, mingler and wooer. There is only so much I can tell you about PG, he is really his own person and most of all love’s reaching people through his music and spontaneous conversation. Carl…that dude there is married and has an 8-5. Pinc Gator cares nothing about an 8-5; he’s just in the streets all the time pushing his music.

TCM: How did you develop the name, is there a story behind it?

PINC GATOR: Look here homey, the name Pinc Gator originated in High School in 1999, no lie. I can’t spoil you with the meaning. Nobody knows but a few people that gave me that name back in the gap. It’s not related to anything derogatory or offensive. I told my wife I’d let her know what it meant when we got married. I haven’t told her yet, maybe when we renew our vows in 25 years.

TCM: If anyone knows you, or has seen you perform, they know you definitely bring the energy! What helps you keep that positive energy?

PINC GATOR: Joe DiMaggio had a saying that went something like this… “Give your all every moment, because that may be the ONLY time they ever watch you, and you MUST make an impact on them”. I just stay fired up. I’m actually at peace and extremely high (not substance influenced) when I’m on stage. Some people ask me what I need to perform, and I tell them straight up, all I need is a mic and some water if that’s not too much to ask…and to cut the check! It is extremely important to maintain enthusiasm in your field, if you don’t do so, there is no reason for spectators to follow or buy into you at all.

TCM: Tell the chic readers something they may never have known about you?

PINC GATOR: For some reason, I have been diagnosed with insomnia, but put in a car as a passenger or pop in any DVD and I’m sleep…straight up! Oh, I got that dance fever…that Chris Brown type of dancing…straight up art work. I only let my wife see that…haha…man I’m trippin!

TCM: Name 2 things you absolutely cant live without (excluding laptop and cell phone).

PINC GATOR: I can’t live without my radio or some type of music device. I’m constantly recording or brainstorming, it’s a MUST!

TCM: Aside from your own music, what are you bumpin’ really hard right now in your ride or on your IPOD?

PINC GATOR: Lil KeKe “Hated by Many, Loved by Few” and not because I’m on track 11 “Traffic Slowed Down”; I actually bang 12 out of 13 songs on that album. I jam Z-Ro, Scarface “Made”, Prince (the old stuff), Outkast, some old 2 Pac, Ludacris, Mordecai, T.I., Ryan Leslie, etc. It’s crazy, my musical rolodex has no order at all.

TCM: Is there anyone in your circle that keeps you grounded? What makes you admire and respect him/her?

PINC GATOR: Just about anyone in my actual circle keeps me grounded. Although I’m outgoing, my circle is extremely tiny. Realistically it’s not even enough people to make a circle. My folks mainly grew up with me, so they know how to get their point across and vice versa. Each person close to me has different qualities that I selectively admire. The admiration ranges from spiritual, wisdom, education, and is rarely financial because that’s on the way. I’m claiming that along with my canary yellow Lamborghini with “Roo” stamped on the back…IT’S REAL!

TCM: If you could do anything else in this lifetime, in terms of occupation, what would it be?

PINC GATOR: LOL, man I’d be the illest singer. I’m always singing a song. I may not know the words, but I rock out. You know how it is when you don’t know the rest of the words and you fill in and keep it movin’? I briefly sing on my music. Check out a track of mine called “A FIX”, I sing on the whole joint. www.isound.com/pinc_gator

TCM: Who’s your stylist, or how did you develop your style? Is it a culmination of many people, originality, or both?

PINC GATOR: No stylist. If I ever had a stylist, we would not get along because I honestly wear what comes to mind. I may change Gator gear 38 seconds before going on stage. My get up is emotional and I follow no trends. I just wear what I like. I have been wearing a vest with no shirt, cut off jeans and cowboy boots since I was in Elementary, that’s been my groove and I would even sleep in it. I don’t think twice about what’s hot. What’s hot doesn’t fit Pinc Gator.

TCM: Where do you see yourself in 5 years with your music?

PINC GATOR: Musically, I should be at least 4 to 5 major albums deep with a humongous following and constantly on tour making that great cake. Also, I should have some classic bangers under my gator skin belt. To make it plain, this (music) gotta work out ASAP; I’m not impatient, just hungry.

TCM: Where can we hear more of your music?

PINC GATOR: Pincgator.com, isound.com/pinc_gator, youtube.com/pincgator, Best Buy and anything other store that has Lil KeKe “Hated by Many, Loved by Few”. Google.com and search Pinc Gator. If you say you can’t find me, go slap yourself with both hands.

TCM: How do you feel being apart of this Presidential history? What can you tell Chic readers in regards to this political turning point?

PINC GATOR: It’s definitely a major move for American in regards to progress racially. I honestly never thought this would happen in my lifetime. I believe there will be numerous positive jumps in education, and employment. The ladder will take place just on people making an individual effort instead of making excuses. An African-American as the President is enough to motivate people of all races, because it is clear that anything is really possible. We as people tend to look for a scapegoat when we are in an unpleasant situation.

Obama, whether you support him or not had a few strikes against him to start in my opinion. His name Barack-strike, Hussain (are you serious)-strike, Obama-strike, Black-strike, lack of military experience-strike. In all these things, the brother still won without sabotaging a whole state. POWERFUL, whether you’re with him or not.

TCM: What are your thoughts on the importance of a good education?

PINC GATOR: You must strive to get a good education. That alone can potentially put you in places you couldn’t previously imagine. Education is essentially more than what the teacher shows you. It is going beyond normal measures to seek knowledge of what’s important and what strikes your interest. Some say if you don’t know, don’t go. I say, if you don’t know, find out and stay prayed up while you are seeking, so that you will know the truth when you find it. Man, I just love life and the adventures that come and gone as well as the unknown which lies within us.

I greatly appreciate you all taking the time to talk to little old me. You too are my motivation. Until we meet again, stay prayed up and go to www.pincgator.com.