Adrian Provost

Adrian DeShaun Provost (born August 30, 1987), better known by his stage name, Provost, is an American rapper, actor, and businessman. He co-owns the restaurant The Venue (Atlantic Station), is part-owner of the American Basketball Association's Southeast Power and is also the creator of the clothing line Benefit Arno. He is the founder and CEO of Provost Living & Entertainment, LLC, the president of The Provost Group, and a realtor at Keller Williams Realty - Buckhead of The Rawls Group. Along with his financial and musical success, Provost is known for his philanthropy.
Early life
Adrian Provost was born in Long Beach, California where he lived with his mother, older brother, and three sisters. When he was five years old, his parents separated and he, his siblings, and his mother moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He attended JC Booth Middle School in suburban Peachtree City of Fayetteville before moving closer to the city and enrolling at Mundy's Mill High School in Clayton County, Georgia. Provost attended art classes at John Cassablancas in Dunwoody, and also enrolled at Georgia Southern University, but dropped out to focus on his music career and other business ventures. While attending school, Provost produced for local artists, including himself, and gained notoriety by hosting events in Atlanta in which he networked with artists and DJs such as Nelly, Big Boi, Jermaine Dupri, and DJ Green Lantern who was the tour DJ for Jay Z and Nas at the time.
Entertainment career
Provost wrote his first rap when he was six, and began recording professionally at the age of twelve. On February 14, 2010, Provost was involved in a near fatal car crash while driving to the recording studio with Tiye Cochran and Darius Glover. The crash provided inspiration for Provost's first album, "Life Juice" which was released on iTunes and Amazon on his birthday that same year. The accident left him with no feeling in his hand and wires in his knee. Adrian Provost's first career productions came on Atlanta rapper Low Key's 2002 debut album Low Down. Provost produced every track on the album. While the album didn't attract much attention and would be the only album released by Low Key, Provost would soon be producing for higher profile artists. In 2005 he enlisted the services of Low Key's brother Mike Patron who has created the bulk of Provost's production since their first collaboration. Provost has also pursued an acting career, appearing in the feature film Life Juice set for release in 2011, the independent film Felix Gold in 2010, and Memories of the Future set for release in 2012. Provost got his big break in the year 2011 however when he released his first official single Show Stopper.
Life Juice, Vol. 1 (2010)
From the beginning of his professional recording career, when no major label gave him a record deal, Adrian Provost created Bilderberg Music Group and Smoke Mouf Entertainment as his own independent label and publishing company. After striking a deal with Universal to distribute his material, Provost released his 2010 EP Life Juice. Provost later explained that the album was made during the worst period of his life. He was still trying to cope with losing the feeling in his hand and barely being able to walk. He stated that he also felt responsible for his passengers being severely injured. The album was a personal revelation for Provost as he spoke about his upbringing and lifestyle. The album's glossy production stood as a contrast to his mix tape releases, and some dedicated fans felt he had "sold out". However, Provost looked at it as "crossing over" and being more profitable. Multiple record companies felt he was not as marketable as rappers who portray the "street image" prominent in hip hop culture, but with the commercial success of such acts as Will.i.am, Kanye West, and Andre 3000 the major labels had no choice, but to take notice.
Influences
Provost states his earliest exposure to music was through his mother's record collection, which was a wide range of artists from Michael Jackson to 2pac. He grew up around music, listening to all types of genres. Provost expressed that his brother and sister are his biggest musical influences and that he wouldn't be recording if they never did. He stated "I just wanted to be around them and they were always around the music."
Other ventures
Business ventures
In September 2010, Provost purchased the American Basketball Association's Southeast Power along with Mark Williams and became the youngest owner ever of an ABA or NBA franchise at age 22. He partnered with several investors and developers to open The Venue (Atlantic Station) upscale lounge and tapas restaurant in the Midtown Atlanta area. In 2010 Adrian created Provost Living & Entertainment, LLC as well as the realty company The Provost Group which is affiliated with Keller Williams Realty - Buckhead and The Rawls Group. Additionally, Provost planned to launch his fashion career, and purchased property in Italy to open his fashion house in Milan. He is due to release his own clothing line called Benefit Arno in 2012. He has also collaborated with Adidas to design and release his own shoe.
Philanthropy
Provost started the non-profit organizations "Life Juice" in Atlanta in 2010. On August 24, 2010, Provost hosted the inaugural benefit concert to launch the foundation's partnership with Charity Water. It is focused on helping provide clean water for every human being throughout the world. The foundation has also been called the "Adrian Provost Foundation". Adrian Provost has appeared and participated in many fundraisers, benefit concerts, and has done community work for natural disaster relief, the Adrian Provost Foundation, Charity Water, and Soles for Souls.
Politics
Provost got actively involved in politics during the 2008 presidential campaign, where he supported increased voter participation and helped send voters to polling stations. He was an early supporter for the candidacy of Illinois senator and subsequent US president Barack Obama. In 2010 Adrian Provost began running for local office in Georgia, but decided his schedule was far too busy to focus on his district in an acceptable manner.

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