As Chief Operating Officer of Shaman Work Recordings, Lamar Gilliam is a man on a mission. "The goal has always been releasing quality music with substance to the world."

The mathematical genius (literally-- NASA, magna cum laude, Star Trek kind of genius) admits he had 'no clue' what his life's work would consist of until he began college at Morehouse in 1997 (on scholarship of course). It was there that he met Christopher Craft, another brainiac with a passion for production and hip-hop. They began dabbling in music by making beats in their spare time and eventually garnered a reputation as the 'campus 'hitmakers'.

"The first time that we got back our vinyl single release (Aptly titled, Forever), I knew that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."

It was only a matter of time before the 'fun and games' turned to real- life success, when the 'Triad' was completed with the addition of John Robinson in 2003.

Since the official emergence of Shaman Work Recordings in 2003, Robinson, Craft, and Gilliam have solidified a partnership between each other as well as with the artists they work so hard to educate, motivate, and empower.

"The toughest part has been working with artists who just don't get that the work is never ending," he says. "I'm drawn to hard-working, humble artists who are committed to creating quality music on a consistent basis."

Gilliam and his partners maintain a genuine interest in their artists' careers and successes that supercedes any financial benefit. Over ten years of experience in the independent music game, coupled with the means and desire to share that knowledge offers an invaluable advantage to Shaman artists.


Gilliam and his partners also pride themselves in maintaining accessibility. "We're accessible and available not only to our artists, but to the fans," he says. "Our driving force is the passion and energy that we feel for the music and the culture that we represent. We share that love for the music with our fans and can identify with them on that level."

Gilliam is focused on bringing great music from extremely talented artists to the forefront. "The world can bank on the fact that Shaman Work will become one of the biggest independent music companies in the industry," he says.


"Shaman Work will continue to push boundaries whether it be on the technology end, the diversity of the music we release, or our resistance and redefinition of what 'successful', profitable urban music is supposed to sound like."

"The Shaman is the perfect symbol of the label's commitment to heal a people by providing an alternative choice to the way hip-hop culture is represented today," he says. "Aside from the esoteric, my main motivation is getting to work with artists whose music I really like and having a hand in bringing success into all of our lives."

The Carson, California native resides in Villa Rica, Georgia with his wife and three children.