Club Envy Promotes Local Arizona Talent: An Interview with its Owner

As you may know by now, Club Envy has hit the Tucson Club scene with command. Over the last year Envy has created on of the hottest clubs in Tucson, Arizona. Club Envy also features 18 and up nights for the younger crowd. But don't let them stop there; Envy has reached into the hip hop community with Sunday nights where they promote local Arizona rappers giving them a chance to perform their own music live. This sets a stage for AZ's growing talent to shine. I got a chance to catch the scoop on Club Envy from Manager Ricardo "Skyy" Garcia. He shared his feelings on the current hip hop industry and Arizona's need for a platform to perform.

Andrew Bess-With starting Club Envy, how does it relate to the hip hop community in Tucson, AZ?

Ricardo "Skyy" Garcia: Well hip hop is really, to me, the #1 music right now and to me its mainstream... and Tucson wants what Tucson wants.

Andrew Bess-Sunday night's feature local hip hop artists around town. How did this come about?

Ricardo "Skyy" Garcia: Sundays came from a lot of artists asking to perform during our other busy nights, I know a lot of people asked so I thought "you know what, this is a great opportunity to get local artists voices heard." We get a lot of artists from Phoenix, Scottsdale calling to come perform and asking if they can be apart of that scene. So I feel like it is growing and we got Digital Underground coming April 22^nd. We are going to also feature the bigger Tucson Rap artists that night as well. So it's going to be a crazy night.

Andrew Bess-As the development of hip hop progresses, how does the negative connotation with press relate to the future of hip hop? What do you see in the future as far as growth is concerned?

Ricardo "Skyy" Garcia: Well, in the light of what's happened recently, you know Don Imus and things like that, there is going to be a lot of backlash from you know people like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. I think things might change in a little bit as far as how they treat their women in the future in light of as what happened.

Andrew Bess-What would you say to a Tucson artist who is trying to get their career off the ground?

Ricardo "Skyy" Garcia: To me, what I have noticed is that the most successful artists are the ones who are clear and the ones that articulate their message. When you sing your song make sure you sing it clear and articulate and you are understandable. I think those are the ones that are more successful, instead of the ones who get up there and mumble and all you can hear is swearing; not that swearing is bad, it's expression. I think the ones who articulate are the most successful.

Andrew Bess-Do you feel that Phoenix and their popularity of their club scene over shadow Tucson Clubs?

Ricardo "Skyy" Garcia: Not as far as local rap because we are really the only ones that are doing it.

Andrew Bess-What did you do before owning a club? What got you started in this kind of industry?

Ricardo "Skyy" Garcia: I am a drummer and choreographer and I just kinda like to party as well you know and I like to dance and there were certain things that I didn't think clubs were doing here. And I started with a promotional company doing promotions. First I was doing it in Las Vegas and California. And I had a flare for it and it was just a good vibe and it felt like this was something Tucson needs. So far I have been successful with it.

Andrew Bess-What would you say your next step would be as a business venture? Are you going to settle with just Club Envy? What's next?

Ricardo "Skyy" Garcia: Well promoting different events pay packages, murder mysteries, children's age events, umm and I did promotions in Las Vegas so everything is new and everything is different. There are clients that need that. A lot of the promotions I do are different, but each client needs different things so it keeps my schedule fresh. So I enjoy doing that.

Andrew Bess-What are the nightly scheduled events Club Envy has to offer?

Ricardo "Skyy" Garcia:

Tuesday-Phat Tuesdays 18 and up 21 to Drink featuring a hot body contest

Friday-18 and up 21 to Drink

Saturday- 21 and up- Grown and Sexy Saturdays

Sunday-Local hip hop night with live performances by local Arizona artists

For More Info Contact:

Club Envy

6211 E. Speedway Blvd.

Tucson, AZ 85712

520-733-1231

PHAT TUESDAYS
THE ONLY 18 & OVER EVENT HERE IN TUCSON!! COME IN EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT AND SIGN UP FOR THE HOT BODY CONTEST FOR CHANCES TO WIN CASH AND PRIZES. ENJOY 2 FOR 1 DRINK SPECIALS. TWO DANCE FLOORS SPINNING TODAYS TOP DANCE AND CLUB MIXES. V.I.P. LOUNGES ARE AVAIABLE, TO RESERVE CALL 733-1231

SATURDAYS CLUB ENVY

CHECK OUT THE PARTY EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. DANCE TO THE NEWEST DANCE, HIP HOP, CLUB MIXES, AND R&B WITH MTV's DJ BLADE & YOUR HOST DJ LOVE GROOVE. THIS IS A STRICTLY ENFORCED DRESSED TO IMPRESS EVENT. TUCSONS PREMIER ULTRA LOUNGE AND NIGHTCLUB PROVIDE VEGAS STYLING WITH A TUCSON TWIST. TO MAKE TABLE OR LOUNGE RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL 733-1231