Asikulu Shange, the owner of the Record Shack Inc. on 125th Street in Harlem, sat behind the counter at the shop eating an orange, the juices running down the corner of his mouth on to the counter. The music was neatly organized in alphabetical order. The store felt full of life as the voice music of Kirk Franklin filled it. As I began to approach Shange, I glanced at the various posters filling the walls of the store. Brandy, Tu-pac, Swiss Beats, Tweet, Foxy Brown, and many more brilliant artists covered the walls and ceiling of the store.

The sixty-year-old man was about 6 feet 1 inch African American with a gray and black beard with glasses. He was dressed in a forest green and blue African cultural gown. His voice was very deep and clear. He had a pair of brown open toe sandals with his hair wrapped in the same material as his African gown. He was very prepared to be interview and was more than willing to be. The 125th Street Record Shack was bought as an existing shop fifty years ago. “The future is for the young people and not for the old people.” Shange quotes. There are few workers at 125th Record Shack. The reasons for that are the bad economy and the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Shange also focused on the fact that big corporation won’t allow as many blacks work in their businesses.

He quotes, “Those big corporations won’t get rid of the white kids to hire the black kids.” Shange doesn’t appreciate that very much. The music is for the new generation that’s why Shange has brought up points of other corporations allowing children opportunities to better themselves. The music industries allow kids to distant themselves and to find out they’re own uniqueness.

Rap, Gospel, R&b, are popularly sold as well as many other types of music. The only type of music that is not sold in this music establishment is rock music. Many of the customers Shange has are between the ages of 13-25. The interview wasn’t really a tour because the store was small enough for your own personal tour.

Shange has the desire to see other succeed and develop more. He was very pleased with Harlem live and it’s development so far. He is very happy to see young people strive for greatness and hopes to see more from us and other organizations as well. In interviewing Mr. Shange I concluded that he was a fine gentleman to interview. He gave me precise information and had no hesitation to say what he felt was needed to say. He was an elder that had a lot of experience in his lifetime and want to see good things for the new generation.

In conclusion, interviewing Mr. Shange was very interesting and educational. He is a very wise man and just by interviewing him for a few minutes I learn a lot about how the economy needs to be fixed. He is just an elder citizen trying to draw kids to a positive outlook towards the world. Being that kids most likely buy more music than adults Shanges’ business helps a lot in his community. Though Shange isn’t as young as the people whom support his business he tries to do as much as he can to guide they’re future positively.