Q&A with Bryant McKinnie

Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie is a beast of a man at 6-8 and 335 pounds, but he's hoping to become larger than life off the field as well. McKinnie is budding music executive under his label "Swagga Entertainment." He recently answered some questions from the Star Tribune's Michael Rand about that part of his life.

Q What's the essence of Swagga -- why did you put this together?
A I've been interested in the music field for a long time, since I was in college at the University of Miami.

Q Is it just kind of taking off now?
A Yeah, it started a couple of years ago. We're trying to build up a buzz. ... Sidney [Rice] is actually playing one of our songs right now [in the locker room]. When you actually are there when the songs are recorded and you're putting together, and you hear them on the radio, it is fun. I got with Pleasure P a couple of years ago, and his album came out, "The Introduction of Marcus Cooper," on June 9 [this year]. From there it's sold about 100,000 copies.

Q Sounds like you have a good feel for it. Is this something you want to do for a long time?
A Yeah, I grew up around music through being in church. I played piano when I was young and I did a lot of other stuff with music. It's been something I've wanted to do for a while. There's another hip-hop artist, a female rapper named Trina from south Florida. Me, her and Pleasure P are working on a joint venture with a group called Pretty Money. ... I also have a rock band. [The label] is pretty versatile. They're called Another Day. They're based out of Texas.

Q A rock band? You ever talk to Chris Kluwe about that? [The Vikings punter is also in a rock band.]
A Everybody keeps saying that!

Q Sounds like you're really into music. Do you ever think about it when you aren't supposed to, like when you're supposed to be blocking?
A Nah, not on the field [laughs]. I listen before games, though, to get me hyped and motivated. It plays a big role in my life and probably a lot of other people's.

Q Do you guys talk music in the locker room a lot?
A Yeah, we talk about who's new. Guys know I'm in the industry and they ask me a lot about that. ... Sidney is big on music. [Anthony] Herrera asks about music a lot. E.J. Henderson. Pat Williams asks about music a lot.

Q I read you had some big thing in Miami over the summer.
A Yeah, it was something called Miami Standup. It was special to the label. We wanted everyone in the industry to learn about the label. One year we had a bowling event. We had a boat party.

Q Whoa, a boat party. Better watch out!
A [Laughs] My bad! No, not that kind of boat party!

Q Last thing: You're on Twitter all the time. Is that business, pleasure or both?
A Yeah, it's pretty much business. I'm trying to promote the artists I'm working with or myself. I'm just interacting with fans who are helping us with all of this.



(startribune.com)