River

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MySpace Generators Click Here for Free MySpace LayoutsRiver “Kia” — Biography —The River’s trademark is a flair for unique fashion, limitless supply of ideas and tenacity for expanding exposure for local fine and performing artists. The wealth of entertainment industry and media contacts in Williams’ arsenal makes her a tremendous asset to numerous St. Louis area artists’ efforts to stand out above the crowd, including Steve West, Soul Tyde, Bradd Young, Coco Soul, Isis Jones, and The Beataz…just to name a few. Williams embarked upon her first entrepreneurial endeavor in 2001, with the formation of Skin Deep LLC. Together with business partners Jamila Bush and Erika Williams, River “Kia” Williams fashioned an image and consulting company geared to provide make-up, wardrobe and fitness tips to entertainers and the general public alike. The business was a natural step for Williams, who had previously done wardrobing and make-up work for several large fashion shows by Famous-Barr, a subsidiary of The May Department Stores Company. Skin Deep marked Williams event planning debut, as she successfully launched an open call for a fashion show with Dandelion modeling agency and Door5ive. Skin Deep also handled wardrobe/make-up for the Cavvon Fashion Show and landed a wardrobe consulting deal with St. Louis area R&B and hip-hop artist Steve West.In the fall of 2002, Williams planned a city-wide art show in the Soulard area to promote local artists, including painters Chris Burch and Keith Yulk, photographer Cheeraz Gorman and sculptor Kovazi. The 200 spectators also enjoyed music by D.J. Needles and spoken word by Chicago poetry group Thick Roots. The St. Louis Argus newspaper spotlighted the successful exhibition in its pages. Williams soon assumed an even greater role in managing the career of Steve West and various fellow members of Soul Tyde. The collective of song-writers, producers and rappers’ eclectic fare blended hip-hop, R&B and soul. Williams planned a listening party for West’s LP “Chapters from The Book of Steven” at Nick’s Wine Bar in St. Louis. Her efforts and West’s sound drew 150 attendees and media from Q 95 FM; 100.3FM The Beat; FM Bethalto; the St. Louis American; St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Flipside. The event also generated interest from the Diamonds & Gold jeweler and Diesel clothing company in conducting a product promotion with West. The live shows just kept coming, as Williams landed West performances at Mississippi Nights, Red Sea, Missouri Black Expo 2002, Spoken Word Expo 2002, Club Isis, Saint Louis University Fall Fest, Washington University Sound Stage, and the Kastle. She also negotiated a deal for two of West’s songs to be featured on the Hot House Sessions EP on Slang Records.In 2003, Williams spearhead a listening party for Soul Tyde at Rue 13, and subsequently gained performance opportunities for various group members to promote their double CD, “Soul Tyde: Hip Hop & Soulful…ish.” Williams helped secure articles in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on West, Bradd Young and the overall group. West’s solo LP went on sale at Euclid Records, Vintage Vinyl and Culture Vibe and his efforts were spotlighted in write-ups on Blue Fortune, CD Baby and Eklektika internet music sites. Thanks to Williams, West also was interviewed on a newblackcity.com web cast.Williams was back to working her entrepreneurial magic in 2003, as she co-founded the Soigne Music Group, of which she’d serve as the vice president of artist development. Other partners in the group were Lindsay Murray, managing partner of Schmoo Creative ad agency and Soigne’s vice president of marketing; Michael Walton, an area attorney and Soigne’s general counsel; Blu Bolden, director of promotions at for Radio One and Soigne’s CEO; and Harold Guy, Soigne’s vice president of A&R and a songwriter/manager for national recording artist Toya. Soigne managed a number of artists, for which it implemented successful strategic planning and marketing campaigns. Williams and crew gained hip-hop and R&B songwriter, producer and performer Bradd Young shows at the Adam’s Mark opening for Glenn Lewis and for Vivienne Green at the Ambassador. Williams efforts were instrumental in getting Young on the airwaves of Q95 for an interview to promote his new demo financed by Soigne. The group also put Coco Soul on the map with an appearance at the prestigious 2003 US Bank Jazz Festival, headlined by Al Jarreau. Soul’s CD was sold at the festival and her performance was covered in the Flipside and a front-page Entertainment section article by the St. Louis American. Soigne marketed the demo for radio personality and recording artist Isis Jones, attaining her a feature in the Riverfront Times and show as the opening act for Virgin Records recording artist Dwele at Club Candelas. The group also helped producers DJ Beatz and Reace shop their demo packages to different companies and drew up contracts to provide musical contributions for the NBA star Jahidi White’s record label. The accomplishments of Williams and Soigne in promoting local artists were spotlighted in the Flipside, World and Spoken Vision magazines. After two members of Soigne decided to pursue other ventures, Williams, Bolden and Guy spun off GBW & Associates in early 2004. GBW also were instrumental in securing a deal for DJ Beatz and Reace, now known as The Beataz, to contribute two songs on Chingy’s Jackpot album. GBW & Associates have a close working relationship to help develop the music side for The Alliance, a partnership between Eric Rhone, actor/comedian Cedric The Entertainer’s manger; Rocky Arceneaux, manager for NFL running back Marshall Faulk; and Tony “T-Luv” Davis, rap superstar Nelly’s manager.Williams was born in Mt. Bayou, Miss., on January 1975 and moved to St. Louis at the age of 3. The Ladue Horton Watkins High School graduate has taken classes at Washington University and began her entertainment career singing in the Greater Fairfax Missionary Baptist Church choir at age seven. She is an active volunteer and former Sheer Elegance Fashion Show Girls’ Program Honoree at the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club in St. Louis.Soul Tyde: This is Soul Tyde

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