One West Magazine had a chance to speak with the CEO of Faverite Entertainment, Lafaven Adams. Better known as “Big Fave” to his family, friends, and associates, he grew up on the Eastside of Long Beach side by side with his close friends Warren g and Snoop Dogg. While growing up Big Fave took interest in music and sports then began playing little league football at Long Beach Poly High School and eventually at Woodrow Wilson High School, which is also located in Long Beach.
His music interest developed early on from listening to Rap pioneers such as Kurtis Blow, Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, Sugar Hill Gang, Slick Rick, Kool Moe Dee, and Run DMC. Not only did Big Fave develop an early sense for music but business as well. By age twelve Big Fave was planning, scheduling, and hosting events in the local community where Snoop Dogg would freestyle and Warren g would DJ. It was at these events and others like them where Big Fave showed his business sense by charging crowds a fee to gain access to his popular events.
By the late 1980's life in Long Beach began to change drastically. Gangs and drugs began to proliferate the city and like so many youth in the inner city Big Fave got caught up in the whirlwind. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit Big Fave sought financial gains by partaking in the drug trade on the West Coast. He then began distributing cocaine throughout the city and eventually in Las Vegas, Texas, and Alabama catching the attention of local and federal authorities. At the age of 18 Big Fave was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) for drug trafficking.
While incarcerated Big Fave met the likes of Michael "Harry-O" Harris and Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff who quickly took a liking to the youngster and became his mentor. "It was like hanging around college professors", Big Fave elaborated when asked of his experience with the infamous pairing. Also while incarcerated Big Fave's childhood friend Snoop Dogg inked a deal with Death Row records through Warren g's half-brother Dr. Dre. After hearing of the news Big Fave became inspired by Snoop’s accomplishments and began to follow suit by pursuing his career in the music industry. Snoop’s successes inspired Big Fave to want to change his life and motivated him to advancing his education. Big Fave was successfully able to earn an Associate’s Degree in Business Management from the federal prisons college system. So with his time remaining in prison, he focused on preparing himself to build a music label. "I saw Warren & Snoop was doin it & I realized what kind of contribution I could bring the table", explained Big Fave.
After being released from federal prison Warren g provided Fave with an A&R job for his G-funk music label. Fave quickly learned the inner workings of the music business & corporate environment. Fave begin to network with other artist, executives, and industry insiders gaining the knowledge of what it takes to operate and manage a music label. Catching the attention of producer Soopafly, he was offered the position of manager which then landed him a home at Snoop Dogg's Dogghouse Records. He helped secure Soopafly a publishing deal with Famous Music worth $450,000. In 2000 while managing Soopafly, a local rapper going by the name of E-White caught Big Fave's interest and a recording contract was brokered between the artist and Dogghouse Records. Big Fave was also approached by owner of DaDa Foot wear Lantz Simpson and was offered a position as a marketing rep. While working for DaDa Big Fave brought Snoop Dogg to the company as a rep and brokered a Shoe deal between DaDa and Snoop. During the 2001 "Up In Smoke" tour Big Fave was the official DaDa representative charged with providing all the artist with clothing and shoes. "You need those people in your corner". "It's essential that you have that." "The only focus an artist should have is creating music & performing", Big Fave continued to explain.
During the same time period Big Fave re-connected with his longtime friend and mentor Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff and worked with him on a film called "Crime Partners". "Supreme came up with that idea, I just helped him bring it to life", Big Fave elucidated. Through his association with Supreme he met the likes of DMX, Irv Gotti, Ja Rule, and Jay Z. Through his influence with West Coast rapper Kurupt and his affiliation with Supreme a beef between Kurupt and DMX was peacefully resolved.
Recently Big Fave launched Faverite Entertainment, a Hip Hop based label with diverse artist such as Dallas, Texas MC Devante Fields, D3 Tha Rocstar & Indian Blue both whom are local artist from Long beach who have made their mark in the city. Big Fave has secured a digital distribution deal with Gangster Gangster Online Distribution/ Empire Distribution thru his affiliation with Snoop Dogg. "Say It To My Face" a Soopafly produced track featuring D3 tha Rockstar and Indian Blue and "Who Dat Is" a Firewood production featuring P8, Pilot P, and D3 tha Rocstar are currently on itunes for sale through the distribution deal. " I wanted to do something for my artist just like Harry- O & Supreme did for me", Big Fave says while reflecting on his mentors.
Big Fave finalized a deal for Snoop Dogg to play the role of Filmore Slim in an up-coming movie about the urban icon's life. Acting as Warren g's manager Big Fave has placed two tracks on rapper Young Jezzy's current album entitled “The Recession”. R&B artist Neo is featured on the second single and rapper Nelly is on the other track. Big Fave has that same entrepreneurial drive he has had all his life and is putting it into his current endeavors. For more updates on Big Fave & Faverite Entertainment keep it locked in right here where the "West Coast Unites" One West Magazine. To contact us send an email to OneWestMagazine@gmail.com
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