Gator's in the house: April 2007

Saturday, April 28, 2007

My Final Thought...

At the end of this week dedicated to the memory & legacy of our brother Duane Francis, I would like to say Rest In Peace to our other brothers that have passed on - Mike Grip, Snoop, Sean (Prince), & Tommy. They will never be forgotten as well.

So why did we dedicate a whole week to Duane?

We acknowledge Diamond D because of the MANY lives that he's touched in so many positive ways. Going back to the 80's at the Love store & Rickey's, whenever there was a job opening and he would hire someone from the crew. Duane was never a person who said,"I got mine, you go get yours." His motto was always, "I got mine, now let me help you get yours." That winning attitude & giving spirit was the foundation of every move he made. Whether it was managing a store or as CEO of Gator Productions. And I speak from my personal experiences with the brother. Not from hear-say. When I came back to NY a week after 9/11 Duane put me under his wing like a big brother should. He didn't have to, he wanted to! He introduced me to the major players in the promotions game as an original Gator & one of his representatives. So seeing me at the front door of your party was the same as seeing him or Derrick. He taught me the ins & outs of the game. Everything from how to make your customers feels like family, to managing the flow of the party. After a year or so I decided to branch out on my own using the knowledge Duane blessed me with and I got a slot doing Fridays at a club in New Rochelle. Now at that point D could've been like,"Yo, I gave you the game to help Gator Productions, not yourself." But that's not Duane! He asked me who I was dealing with and when I told him, he said,"When you negotiate the deal make sure you let him know that you're with Gator cause he knows me." That was love! And he didn't stop there. The next week he introduced me to DJ Knuckles and said, "Yo Knuck, this is my man Ant, he got a hot spot up in New Rochelle. You gotta do his joint." And he did. That also was love!

That's just one of many reasons I have for ackowledging my brother. I understand that everyone remembers him in their own ways. Some of you may not care to share your memories of him. And that's cool. But I will. I want anyone who happens to land on this blog by accident to know who Duane Francis is, and that he had a profound impact on my life. And he still does because I STILL apply the lessons I learned from him even though I don't do parties anymore.

They were life lessons. I love you, my brother.

Ant Black

Friday, April 27, 2007

Part 2 for Duane - since it's Friday... RIP my dude!

Duane flexing for the camera while security (Big Biff & Brian) got his back, along with DJ Hollywood in his B-Boy stance and some pointy-headed fellow in the back.

Poobah & Duane on one of many successful Gator Productions trips.

Ant, Duane, & Poobah taking a break for a flick at Roseland.

Duane, Corey, & Mr. Slate.

Why we call him "Diamond D"...

Party time for Duane, Derrick, Troy B, Damon, & House.

One of the happiest days of Duane's life - his wedding to Charmaine.

Ney Ney & Duane

Joe, Duane, & Troy B with Chris Love on the wheels.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

HardCore is outta town, but he left the keys with your man... AAAANT BLAAAAACK!

Memory Lane with Duane... LET'S GO!!!

Sean-O, Nikki, Ant Black, Baby George, Corey B, Tyesia, Diamond D, Susan, House, & Monique chillin' in front of Gator headquarters (Ms. Joanne's house).

The Steak & Troy Boogie
The illest "WHAT WERE THEY THINKING" flick in the collection.

Duane & Shawn on their way to The Player's Ball (in AFRICA).

Duane waxing on, waxing off with Monique's ass-ets.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Question....

Who do ya'll think was the biger celebrity,

Diamond D or Carl Thomas?

Monday, April 23, 2007

It's a CELEBRATION!!!!!

Diamond D - doin his thing!

Diamond D, Michi(elle) & Big Troy

Scotty G, Cadillac & The STEAK!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

More Gator News

Today in the Gator News:
We will be celebrating the life of our brother Duane Francis aka The Steak aka Diamond D! What this means to you guys is, if you have any old pictures of our brother, please send them in to me ASAP! This past weekend marks the 3rd anniversary of his passing. I know we all mourn in our own way, but we all celebrate the same - so lets Celebrate his LIFE!

Also in the news:
Here is the address for the company that will be custom making the Gator Blazers,
GET FITTED TODAY!!!

Creative Fashions 58 W. 125th Street New York, NY

That's all of the news I have for now......We now return to our regularly scheduled blogging!

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Gator News

In the news:
Just in case you hadn't heard, Gator Productions is hosting a Gator Reunion for ALL ORIGINAL GATORS and 21 JUMP MEMBERS this July 21, 2007 at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan. It's going to be an all white event. Comp tickets will be provided for each OG and 21 member as well.
A couple of things that you'll need to know:

1- I need updated photo's of all OG's to put on the flyer-If I do not get an UPDATED picture by MAY 1, 2007, I will forward Gator Productions what I have, which will probably be an old-school pic of ya'll with busted shoes, and nappy heads! So get me a picture IMMEDIATELY.
(I also need a picture of Hughes Boy Tom)
coreybw2@hotmail.com

2- It has been suggested that we all dress a like( i.e. All white outfit with Gator Green Linen Blazers) We will be taking suggestions....we definately wanna look fly! The blazers will be custom made and cost only $75 each. We will have to get fitted of course.

3-It has also been suggested that we all, and I mean ALL, arrive at the same time!! We all walk in as ONE! I happen to agree with this suggestion. Details soon to follow.

That's all for now. Now back to our regular scheduled blogging.......