Preston A. Dent, a man of profound talent, is known in the industry as E.B.M Thuggy, a super quadruple threat with music, books, acting, and movie writing. The free world has been mesmerized by his exhilarating talents.
From stopping traffic in the streets selling his music and books, to building a music conglomerate Early Bird Mob (a click under Post Up Productions) there’s no stopping this high-energy, highly entertaining music force. Industry insiders and music heavyweights all agree this guy is what’s happening now, today, and in the future.
He’s worked with many major artists in the industry, opening for acts such as Styles P, Young Gunner, Cassidy, Tierra Marie, Fabulous, Trey Songs, Young Jeezy, Yo Gotti, Nikki Minaj, Remy Martin, Dipset, Chris Brown, and the late DMX. Preston Dent has also done collaborations with DJ Holiday, Pastor Troy, and Ar-Ab.
With many albums under his belt, Preston established his own publishing company entitled Early Bird Writers Group. Under his publishing company, he has released three novels “David 1 and 2 and Katya- Rise of a Sex Slave.
He has also released the first short film that he wrote and starred in as the main actor titled “Twisted Morals”. E.B.M Thuggy is stamped, sealed, approved, and will be around for the next generation to come.
Eman: Did you always want to become an artist/musician? Did you stumble upon this career by choice or was it a beautiful coincidence during a moment of epiphany that made you realize that THIS is what you’re meant to do for the rest of your life?
Preston Dent: I was the little kid in elementary school writing the girl’s poems and love letters, so I always knew my writing talent was natural. Once I found that my fallen father was a musician, I decided to follow his dream! Even though the streets held me captive I still chased education, played sports, and dreamed of becoming rich and famous. So once the life of the streets brought hurdles, and roads of Destruction, the next best thing to a street guy was being a rapper, so I became motivated to pursue the artist dream and I jumped in it headfirst.
Eman: Throughout your career, did you face any hurdles? If yes, then how did you overcome them?
Preston Dent: I faced many obstacles, jumping multiple hurdles to be able to stand with the ground beneath my feet! From all of my friends going back and forth to prison, to risking my life and jeopardizing everything I built by hustling to afford studio time and videos. Where I’m from, it’s controlled by a commonwealth state, so there is a limited opportunity or a market for Urban artists to get ahead! I faced people not believing in me, they laughed at me when I told them I was gonna be the next megastar!
They told me to get a job, work at a warehouse because rapping wasn’t paying the bills! If I would have stopped when they told me to, I wouldn’t have five published books, been on three news stations, wouldn’t have been on a billboard, have 5 filmed movies, or wouldn’t have the longest-running record label in the history of central Pennsylvania!
Eman: When you first started out in the industry, did you receive support or criticism from your friends, family members, or the ones who surrounded you?
Preston Dent: I would say Ar-Ab when we did a song together in the mean streets of Philly, he embraced me like a brother! He was real, authentic, and I could feel the nature of a street person. We looked each other eye to eye and talked about many things, from the game to entertainment! He will always have my respect.
Eman: You have worked with many major artists in the industry, opening for acts such as Nicki Minaj, Late DMX, Chris Brown, and more. What has been your most memorable moment throughout your career?
Preston Dent: The most memorable moment was when Jeezy was in his prime, we opened for him! At the end of the show, he had to walk past us to exit the building. We were like 30 deep and everybody had on our record label shirts, Jeezy got in front of the camera and started yelling to the lens telling the world to respect us, show us love, and that we were up next!
Eman: If you could change something negative about the music industry and turn it positive, what would it be?
Preston Dent: I would change the outlook on age limits for artists, I would change the fact that you mainly have to be controversial to sell.
Eman: Other than being a talented musician, you are also a best-selling author. Can you tell us more about your book?
Preston Dent: I have 5 books total, my book David 1 and David 2 is about a kid going through foster care and eventually contracts HIV, my third book Katya is about a family living in Moscow Russia, the two daughters get kidnapped and sold to a human trafficking ring in America.
My fourth book is about a young black female that gets disowned by her mother because of her sexuality! She becomes a savage killer, killing everything that comes in her path till eventually seeking revenge and kills her own mom.
My 5th book is called Calgon the evil fairy, it’s my first fantasy and was my most challenging creative writing.
Eman: Any projects you’re currently working on that you would like to tell us or is it confidential until further notice?
Preston Dent: Yes I am working on a movie called Harrisburg and currently is in the casting stage! I’m working on an album called progression and releasing music from my female artist.
Eman: Can you tell us about the movies you’ve written and produced to date?
Preston Dent: I have a movie called Twisted Morals, Alcoholic Bruce, Know So Bad, Champion, Progression, Window Seal, and a book trailer called Claudette Heart of Atlanta.
Eman: What advice would you like to give to all the young musicians out there who dream of making it big one day but are afraid of failing or not being good enough?
Preston Dent: First, I would say, never lose yourself while pursuing this game and be prepared for the long haul because success isn’t made overnight! Always think to create your next writing better than your last, take English classes, writing and sentence structure will take you a long way in the literary game. Make sure you fill your obligation of making sure your business is straight.
Copyright everything, before you let anyone know your vision or read your work make them sign something. People will tell you everything you shouldn’t do, can’t do, those are the ones that failed! Never let anyone tell you you’re not good enough, strong enough, and always remember they hated Jesus and he walked on water. They hated Michael Jordan, the best basketball player to ever dribble a ball, they hated Michael Jackson and he walked on the moon!
Eman: If you could meet your younger self right now, what would you tell him?
Preston Dent: I would tell him I’m proud of him!