Company

What stared out as a dream many years ago has blossomed into a full-fledged record label, poised to make moves in the music industry. Tightwork Records, the brainchild of Chicago Bears tight-end Desmond Clark, opened its doors in April 2002 while Clark was still a player for the Denver Broncos. Clark’s brother Paul moved to Denver from Lakeland, Florida to become Vice President of the label. He was later jointed by Isaac Hawkins to help with label development. Together they set out to build a company that would not only be a successful business enterprise, but an outlet for hungry, talented artists as well. In September of 2002, Clark’s football career moved him back to his home state of Florida to play for the Miami Dolphins and the two brothers, in turn, relocated the label to Lakeland. It was there on their native soil that they signed the first Tightwork artist, Bay. Bay enjoyed success with his solo album, Southern Drama, which was released in 2003. That next year Tightwork Records built Studio ‘88, a state of the art music studio which also serves as the label’s headquarters. Studio 88 is open to the public for studio bookings and has a full time engineer on staff. In 2004, Tightwork signed its second artist, a young Florida rapper named Flyy. That signing was followed by the 2005 signing of the rap duo, ABM. The label’s 2005 Tightwork Mixtape Vol. 1 effectively showcases the skills of the label’s talented artists and gives fans a sneak preview of what to expect from Tightwork Records in the months to come.

DESMOND CLARK President/CEO

Chicago Bears Tight End Desmond Clark knows how to be a tough guy on the gridiron. But off the field he knows how to tap into his inner artist. The seven-year NFL veteran has his hands on more than just the pigskin. He also indulges his passion for rap music as the owner of Tightwork Records, a label he formed back in April 2002. A native of Lakeland, Florida who has also played for the Denver Broncos and The Miami Dolphins, Clark began his foray into music back in 2002. “I got into doing shows first,” he recalls. “And then I started going to studios and seeing artists. I always like music so I decided it was something I could be good at.” But Clark’s passion took root long before he put on his first show. “Ever since I was young, I always wrote raps, but I never pictured myself being a rapper.” Instead, he says, he wanted to work behind the scenes and to this day, he still writes raps with some of the artists signed to his label. Those artists, he says, are people who represent a mixture of intelligence and street appeal. “I knew that I wanted to have artists with an edge,” he says. “I wanted them to be street, but not that ignorant type of street stuff. They had to be guys with something on their minds, something to say. I also want to do a lot of R&B, but I haven’t had a chance to do that as of yet.” In addition to his athletic and music careers, Clark also finds time to lend a hand to those in need through his Save the Kids, Save the World Foundation which hosts a football camp for 200 kids ages 8-15 each year in his hometown. Clark stays busy balancing the many aspects of his life, but admits that he devotes most of his time to football. “I don’t have a lot of time to devote to music, so I’ve entrusted the day to day operation of the label to my brother, Paul, and my associate, Isaac Hawkins. “There are a lot of things that I’d rather do myself, but I don’t have that luxury. Football has allowed me to be able to do this label and create this opportunity for others.”