Chuck Mays and Jeff “Jsong” Henderson founded the Beatmites Productions and Namawu Records LLC, based in San Francisco, six years ago. The two label heads met as starving college students, through an associate who got them jobs at the same location. They would soon learn that they both shared a strong passion for high quality music, a hard work ethic, and a never-die, never-give up attitude, but most important they both possessed music production talent. Chuck Mays and Jsong come from a musical background from playing instruments as well as family and friends that play instruments.

Chuck Mays has a vast background in soul and jazz music, and plays the drums. Chuck’s mentor was the late great jazz musician Billy Higgins who gave Chuck his first drum kit. Chuck did not learn to read music until he entered middle school and became a part of the Bright Moments Music Lovers Program. He attended San Francisco School of the Arts high school and majored in music and visual arts. During high school, Chuck formed his first rap group with classmates and neighborhood friends called the No Cents Crew. At this time, Chuck really immersed himself in rapping and the art of battle rapping. Not wanting to be stuck in one aspect of hip-hop, he immersed himself in rhyming, at the same time he worked at perfecting his skills as a B-boy and graffiti artist.

Jsong also has a long background and passion for music. In elementary school, Jsong’s mother suggested he join the choir where he developed a strong interest in music, because of its creativity and universal language. He also began playing the recorder, violin, and clarinet, which forever sparked Jsong’s interest in music. During middle school, Jsong received a Yamaha keyboard and would create original melodies and would write songs to these melodies and sing them. In high school, Jsong took a piano class and picked it up very quickly, because of previous music classes, he took and realized music was something that would always be in his life.

Over the past six years, the Beatmites Productions and Namawu Records have experienced many changes and much growth. Chuck Mays and Jsong originally named their record label Foundation Records, because all music and everything dealing with life starts with a foundation. Unfortunately, the name Foundation Records was already taken, so their record label name was changed to Namawu Records. Everything achieved by Chuck Mays and Jsong is for a bigger reason and greater purpose. Therefore, through extensive thought and research they looked to the motherland to find a new name for their record label that would be catchy and meaningful. Ultimately, they chose a name by looking at the West African Adinkra Symbols. The name Namawu comes from a longer phrase, NYAME NNWU NA MAWU, which means “god never dies therefore I cannot die.” Using the last couple of phrases, they took that meaning and applied it to their music and label lifestyle “music never dies, therefore I cannot die.” Additionally, the label’s logo comes from the same Adinkra symbol the “X-Mics.”

Chuck Mays and Jsong took the time to learn the music business by purchasing equipment, reading and researching music related materials and promotional items, and building strong networks. In 2004, they surveyed approximately 450 teenagers and college students in the Bay Area to determine what was considered popular music, what influences music purchases, and how much money is spent on music. They eventually developed relationships with various individuals and groups to ensure the long-term success of Namawu Records. Currently, they have a legal team at a Bay Area law firm, which has helped to ensure that their work is legally and contractually sound. They also had a manger that started strong, but they ended up parting ways due to mutual differences.

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