Christopher Craft is the man with the plan. In 1998, the Houston native conceptualized a record label while he was studying science at Morehouse College, alongside friend and future partner, Lamar Gilliam.

After enjoying surprise success around campus for the music he dabbled with, Craft and Gilliam decided to make it official in 2003, when they officially established Shaman Work Recordings.

As CEO of Shaman Work, Christopher Craft bears the brunt of the business side of running the label. Aside from his talents in the production room, Chris handles most of the contracts and financial decisions.

Don't let the brains fool you-Chris is more than just the paper pusher of the "Triad" (a nickname used to describe Craft and his partners). Craft is instrumental behind the scenes as well. The songwriter/ producer takes pride in his own musicality and regularly contributes to artist's work. His commercial debut occurred when he produced a track for his other future partner, John Robinson, and his group Scienz of Life. "God Core" was featured on their album, Coming Forth By Day in 2000.

Craft's passion for hip-hop continues to fuel his motivation. "We're doing our duty to heal the industry," he says. "We want to continue to blaze our own path and to show the world that quality independent music has a place in this industry."

Craft also takes pride in Shaman's diverse, eclectic talent roster. "I like artists that are leaders and that push the envelope," he says. "I respect an artist that challenges me and challenges him or herself to be a better musician."

The eternal entrepreneur, Craft owns numerous companies including Aljera Music, Inc. (a label dedicated to his late parents), a real estate investing firm, and AMDG Holdings, LLC which he has used to open a string of Planet Smoothie stores in South Carolina.

Standing confidently alongside his partners, Craft is ready, willing, and able to take Shaman Work to the next level.

He resides in South Carolina with his wife and daughter.

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.

John Robinson aka Lil Sci is known for making things happen as one half of What's The Science? Turns out this talented lyricist makes even bigger moves behind the scenes as President of Shaman Work Recordings. A true hip-hop fan to the core, this Bronx, NY native has truly found his life's calling. After he joined the label in 2003, he quickly became the face of Shaman Work and has been instrumental in positioning the label as a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop industry.

Q: What the motivation for Shaman Work?

The motivation for SW was all of the passion that we all felt for good substance filled quality music. Along with dreams to one day run a company of our own that would be a force in the industry realms we all followed coming up.

Q: What's the primary goal of the label?

To continue to build a roster/catalog of quality, substance and integrity and be that choice to the listeners out there who are tired of the same ol'.

Q: What's been the biggest struggle?

The greatest obstacle in my opinion has been matching the overall passion with the monetary resources. We are well on our way. The bottom line is the moment we give up the dream is the same moment we lose the battle.

Q: When did you know this was worth pursuing?

The day I left school after 2 years of college to pursue a career in music. At this time it was only from the perspective from an artist but as things grew and I grew as a person I began to develop a great passion for the business as well as creative side of this business.

Q: What role do you serve as an executive?

As President of Shaman Work, I'm the face man who is doing most of the face to face networking and pollying. I deal heavily in artist affairs and communicate directly with all of our artist to assure all is being handle in a professional timely manner.

Q: Explain the dynamic between you and your partners.

It's a supreme balance. We all play our roles and naturally work well together. It's definitely good chemistry between us and we only get better and wiser with time. Although we're all in different states, we communicate as if we see each other all the time. It's a great space to be in when dealing with something you love and have passion for.

Q: What do you value in an artist?

I value drive and vision! Take me somewhere I can't easily go with your music. Not really a fan of the straight away everyday thing that your used to. I value true passion in order to go far in this you must truly have genuine passion and love for the music.

Q: Who are you looking for?

I am looking for the Illest female emcee, I truly feel that there is a void in quality female emcees in hip-hop right now and I want to fill that void and show the world that the female perspective on the mic is very powerful!


Q: What can artists get from you?

Experience, insight and motivation, I have a great deal of experience throughout the U.S and internationally. I can speak as both an artist and an executive and understand each vantage point. I am very open minded to great ideas and visions. I offer artists guidance on how to navigate this business. As they say, experience is the best teacher.

Q: What do yu provide fans that other labels don't?

A direct true love perspective of the music. Very rarely do you find a label whose executives have created music and sincerely love music itself. Although this is a business we are diehard fans of a lot of different styles of music and keep in tune with who's who and what's what? This outlook and respect for the art itself is what's missing in the game today.

Q: What can the world expect from Shaman Work?

Always expect pure quality entertainment as well as a purist perspective of integrity and substance. It is extremely important that the music we release and support is of next level quality and adds dimension to the listener's catalog of music. Also know that we are positive driven professionals who come together for a common cause to manifest our destinies and all that we set out to do by any means! We are ideas manifested!

Q: Describe your international fan base.

We've got worldwide love baby!! I have been traveling internationally since 1998 and have performed in London, Tokyo, Paris, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Rome, Belgium and more. Shaman Work Recordings has released music internationally for five years and we are gearing up to take what we have built to soaring new heights! The brand that we have built is a lot more popular and respected abroad than here in the states.

The beautiful thing is we are just really getting started!!

Let's GO!!

Shaman Work Recordings, who secured industry notoriety with The Alpha Projects releases in 2002 and 2003, have relaunched with a new site and new releases from exemplary artists across a broad range of music genres, including hip-hop, soul, jazz, and dance.

Shaman Work is the braintrust of founders Chris Craft, Lamar Gilliam, John Robinson and Gerald Watson who believe that integrity in music and business can be achieved through versatility, creativity, positive energy and strong relationships within and outside the boundaries of the company itself. Shaman Work aligns itself with artists and business partners who share this same philosophy. "Shaman Work is a culture that cultivates and nurtures creative and positive people from all walks of life; we are 'culture scientists,'" notes Gerald Watson.

"Shaman Work is just that!," says John Robinson, "Doing the work of a Shaman via music and other forms of entertainment and media. Shamans are the medicine men of the village who care for the health of the community and oversees that all is well and healthy. We are releasing music with substance and integrity that has healing power when exposed to the mind, body and soul."

"Shaman Work represents the culture of the thought-provoking hip-hop we grew up on; artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, De La, Brand Nu, Ice Cube, Scarface and so on," adds Lamar Gilliam. "We release music that stands up to other respected art forms. We feature a versatile mix of genres and artists, from hip-hop to jazz to afrobeat to electronic, not seen in many independent labels, especially those that specialize in hip-hop."

Shaman Work relaunched with a newly designed website as well, showcasing a variety of web features such as Shaman Work Radio, photo-sharing, artist blogs and tweets, polls and quizzes and click-thru merchandise and album purchasing. "Shaman Work embraces technology as a means to not only market and reach the fans of the artists in our label family but also to discover new avenues of expression, communication, art and commerce. We explore all innovative methods to promote and sell, especially online, our artists' music, merchandise and live shows while reaching existing and potential new fans in smart, fun ways," says co-founder Chris Craft.

Shaman Work's active family of artists include: Carlos Nino and Lil' Sci's What's The Science?; Blackberry Jones, Build an Ark, Chris Craft, DJ 2Tone Jones, DJ K.O., John Robinson, K Banger, Scienz of Life, Sene, newcomer Tiffany Paige, and Wale Oyejide. Upcoming artist releases from Shaman Work include Elevation from What's The Science? and DJ K.O.'s Picture This.... which features an array of respected talent including Talib Kweli, Skyzoo, Royce da 5'9, Phonte (Little Brother), Elzhi, Kaze, Silent Knight and more. Both albums street on September 23, 2008.

Shaman Work Executives: