For over three decades, Gary Gee has been a driving force in the Southern entertainment industry. From humble beginnings in Bennettsville, South Carolina, he’s built an empire, Big Life Entertainment, that includes concert promotions, artist management, and his own label—Big Life Music Group. In an exclusive conversation with So FN Dope Magazine, Gary takes us through his journey, sharing insights into his career, his vision for the Carolinas, and his plans to take his influence nationwide.
Gary’s start in the entertainment business was inadvertent but transformative. "I started doing parties with a local DJ, and they introduced me to Petey Pablo. My DJ became his DJ, and every time we would throw a party or event, Petey would pop up," Gary recalls. From there, things moved pretty fast. Petey asked Gary to be his manager, and soon, the two were taking the music scene by storm, traveling the world and giving fans the unforgettable live experiences Big Life Entertainment is known for today. "We weren't going to turn anything down. We planned to really elevate this thing and take all the opportunities that we could get from it," he said.
Over the last twenty years or so, despite the industry’s constant evolution, Gary’s ability to adapt has been crucial. When asked about the differences between promoting artists like Petey Pablo back in the day and newer artists like Trap Dickey, Gary notes the shift that social media has caused. "Social media has definitely been a big change for all artists. Now, you really can get your buzz yourself. But even after Trap hit social media, we geared back to the things that me and Petey did on radio runs," Gary explained. Despite the digital shift, Gary stays grounded in the tried-and-true methods of building relationships with DJs, hitting the road, and connecting with people in different cities.
One of Gary’s latest ventures, managing rising artist Trap Dickey, exemplifies his commitment to his roots and the Carolina music scene. "We’ve got a new single called ‘Blue Devil’ featuring Da Baby, and it has over two million views right now," he shares proudly. Trap’s rise is part of a broader movement Gary is championing, a united Carolina music scene. “I always tell Trap, it’s always been North Carolina and South Carolina. Now I just say the Carolinas, because I see it all as becoming one."
Looking ahead, Gary is determined to create platforms that will elevate Southern talent. His new freestyle platform, I AM CAROLINA, is set to launch this November, with Da Baby as the first guest. "I put a lot of work in, and I have a lot of favors out there. I’m going to call in my favors and stack up about 12 to 15 episodes. When I drop, I’m going to come out hard," he promises.
Gary’s story is one of persistence, vision, and a deep-rooted love for his home state of South Carolina. As he continues to build Big Life Entertainment and push the Carolinas to new heights, his influence in both the Southern and national entertainment scenes is undeniable. "Our main goal right now is to take over this Carolina situation because I feel like it is wide open," he emphasizes. With his experience, network, and passion, there’s no doubt Gary Gee is well on his way to achieving that goal.
Check out So FN Dope Magazine’s full interview with Gary Gee in issue 23 of So FN Dope Magazine scheduled for Fall 2024.
Stay connected with Gary Gee on IG: @garygee843 and @biglifeentertainment.
Proud of my brother dj Quick big life entertainment