Nick Silva is a film director, actor, and rap artist. Silva is best known for directing and starring in the motion picture The Label . Silva also performed under his rap alias "Big" Mack "Money" on the soundtrack Cinematic Gangsta: The Label Motion Picture Soundtrack. Silva currently resides in the Virgin Islands.

Early years

Nick Silva (birth name: Nicholos Silvaman) was born in Chicago, IL on January, 23, 1971. Nick's father was a cameraman from Nigeria. Nick's father's birth name was Duna Oku Abidemi. Convinced his name was slowing down his ProgresS in film making, Nick's father changed his name to Nick Silvaman during the late sixties. Nick's father was right as he quickly made lot's of money working on many films as the lead cinematographer. Nick traveled a lot as his father had to work all over the country on different film projects. Nick's mother is mother was a wardrobe and costume maker who is of Greek and Italian decent. Silva got his start working with is father also as a camera assistant on feature films. Nick quickly learned AbOUT film making during the high film production era for African Americans know as the black exploitation film era. Silva's parents moved to Greece and Silva remained in the states polishing his skills working on a host of indie and experimental film projects. Silva really wanted to make films and was unable to get any support in the US so he worked on cruise ships where he wrote and developed acts to entertain the ship's guess. Silva's plan was to make International Friends and eventually shoot a picture some where in Europe where Silva believed his talent would be much more appreciated. Silva was working as an assistant director on a cruise, when he met Jason Jett, who was the show's lighting director. The two quickly became friends and later met Fia Starr Roan, who was working a dance instructor in Jamaica. This meeting proved to be important, as the three teamed up to form an independent film troupe which lead to "The Label."

Film Director

Silva has directed several experimental short films and music videos. Silva is the creator of Guerilla Film School In A Can, a progressive video learning series that teaches the art of filmmaking. Having trained many filmmakers, Silva decided that a self-study guide was needed. His innovative DVD gives step-by–step instruction on operating 35mm motion picture equipment.

Silva became fascinated with the world of hip-hop and its daily dramas. “Rappers are in the news everyday,“ said Silva. “Most of their press has nothing to do with music, but more about run-ins with the law, federal investigations, and their mysterious and untimely deaths. Their lives are as dramatic as their lyrics.” This fascination led Silva to helm the urban drama The Label.

Silva has helmed the 2 music videos for the movie, which are “The Label” (title song) and “Super Starr”.

During the process of making the film and performing as the rap artist "Big" Mack "Money", Silva discovered a wealth of material in the hip-hop world. Having more material than he could fit into one feature film, Silva decided to shoot the documentary Hip-Hop: The Business Behind The Music.

Actor

Silva is a jack of all trades. Silva has appeared in short films and commercials. When lensing the motion picture The Label, Silva was unable to find a lead actor who could commit to the long and demanding hours that the leading role required. Under a tight shooting schedule, Silva took on the role of hip-hop mogul "Big" Mack "Money", which is also the same rap artist persona he uses on stage.

Silva is also an accomplished stand-up comedian. He has performed in clubs all across the United States.

Rap Artist

Silva performs as the rap artist "Big" Mack "Money" on the album Cinematic Gangsta: The Label Motion Picture Soundtrack. Silva performs on all 14 tracks of the soundtrack. Silva also appears in the music video for the soundtrack, which are “The Label” (title song) and “Super Starr”. Both music videos will be released in 2008.

Trivia

Silva has a sister who is a state judge.

Discography

Albums

Cinematic Gangsta: The Label Motion Picture Soundtrack

Singles

Filmography

See also

The Label (motion picture)

Hip-Hop: The Business Behind The Music (documentary film)

External Links

Nick Silva at the Internet Movie Database

Nick Silva at My Space

The Label at the Internet Movie Database

Official Site for Hip-Hop: The Business Behind The Music, a documentary film about The Label

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