Street Consequences Launch

Hip-hop and the streets are a combustible mix, which invariably lead to prison, but sometimes from prison an idea that becomes tangible is born. From the inside out as opposed to from the streets to the penitentiary. Everybody has heard about throwing bricks at the penitentiary, but what about those who throw them back out. Some dudes strive to be heard from behind these fences. They do everything they can to have a voice. Their impact is such that it doesn’t mean nothing if they are out of sight and out of mind. They refuse to let the time do them and they strive to prepare and construct something concrete, something that will help them lead a law abiding and legal life when they leave the confines of prison. Myron “Big Gum” Armstrong is one of those men. From the Bureau of Prisons he has founded and started his own magazine Street Consequences. Here is the Gorilla Convict interview.

Please introduce yourself to our readers, who you are, your background, why you are where you are and where you are from?

My name is Myron “Big Gum” Armstrong a.k.a. BG. I’m currently serving a 15 year sentence in federal prison on marijuana and gun related charges. I grew up in East Memphis with both of my parents, but I got my claim of fame hustling through all of Memphis. For me coming up in Memphis is no different from than anybody else city around the country. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t go through my struggles in the confines of my city. I named Memphis little Mexico because of the constant drug violence and high crime rates. There are things that you think you’d only see in a foreign country, that you see in Memphis every day. So for me I take the bumps and bruises that I had in my upbringing and try to apply them to my everyday life in all that I do.

Why did you decide to start Street Consequences magazine?

I wanted to start a magazine when I was on the streets showing all the aspects of the game and the lifestyle, but at the moment my lifestyle didn’t permit the time. After I became incarcerated I had more than enough time to become productive, so I choose to use my time wisely and turn my negative into a positive and build the Street Consequences brand.

What type of stuff will the magazine feature?

Street Consequences is Don Diva, F.E.D.S, ASIS, King, Rides, Ebony, and Essence in one with the same content of Entrepreneur and Black Enterprise. Can you imagine that? Well, imagine no longer because that’s what Street Consequences embody.

Who is writing the content or where did you find your writers?

I started off with the people around me who I associated with first and gradually expanded my reach to other up and coming journalist. Once my mother (Norma Armstrong, CFO) became involved she has done a great job at finding featured writers.

What magazines influenced your decision to start Street Consequences?

Don Diva and F.E.D.S. mostly because at the time when I first decided I wanted my own magazine they catered to my lifestyle.

What is your goal or what are you trying to accomplish with the magazine? Or do you have a mission statement?

My goal is to create a movement behind the Street Consequences brand, built around informing people about the reality of life and the consequences that are associated with living various lifestyles. I want to create opportunities and open doors for those to come after. I don’t want to get boxed into one lane, our movement is contemporary and built to stand the test of time and encompass the uplifting and betterment of society. Plus I wanted to create an avenue for those close to me.

Who is your audience and why?

My audience is anyone who ever struggled and made it through, anyone who felt the walls was closing in on them but overcame, and anyone who has an open-mind and ear to read a Street Consequences magazine.

What kinds of stories do you hope to feature in the future?

No story will ever be too large or too small for Street Consequences. But hopefully the opportunities that the future holds for us are limitless.

How does the website tie in with the magazine?

The website correlates to the magazine in more ways than one. You will find online interviews, pod-cast, music videos, photo shoots, etc. Plus you can purchase the Street Consequences t-shirts & hats, the DVD magazine and jewelry from the custom jewelry line with Dave, The Jeweler.

Explain the difficulties of running and starting the magazine from where you are at?

Being in federal prison communication is limited to a certain extent. You only get 300 phone minutes a month and it’s only so much you can do through visitation, email, and postal mail. So at times it is very complicated and frustrating. I’m blessed to have a wonderful mother and two great friends in Sabrina Tiller and Tuppie Davidson to help me out. Between the three of them they have helped me build a very strong and supportive street team!

Is this something you are doing for the future, to build upon or just something you are doing now?

I’m in this for the long haul. I feel like this is my calling and I’m very passionate about the Street Consequences movement.

What other ventures like the magazine have you been involved with or do you plan to be involved with?

I’m partnering with various different people on multiple ventures. I have some things going on with Jay (VP) and General from ghettomillionaires-records.com, Will C. CEO of streetheattv.com, Thomas Freeman of sleepeyeEntertainment.com on the DVD magazine, Lisa Banks of the dearlisafoundation.org with the dearlisa newsletter, Dave, The Jeweler of DAVETHEJEWELER.COM on the custom jewelry line, and Darron Howard of SWAGZONE INC. I’m collaborating with all of them on different projects, so stay tune cause it’s much more to come from Street Consequences. I’m constantly networking trying to strengthen the movement, so I’m always looking for new partners. Hopefully in the future Street Consequences and Gorilla Convict will collaborate on some things. Shout out to everyone who read this interview, everyone who supports the Street Consequences brand, and everyone who knows me.