Kenny Burns has remained a force in the entertainment and fashion industries for nearly two decades. Known as the “lifestyle specialist,” Burns made a name for himself by promoting unforgettable parties, creating the RyanKenny clothing line, and serving as the vice president of Roc-A-Fella Records during the company’s most successful years. Burns can now add filmmaker to his list of achievements. With his new documentary B.U.R.N.S. (Be Ultimately Realistic and Never Sellout), he takes viewers on a journey through his life and inspires future entrepreneurs on how to grab success without asking permission. –amir shaw
Take us back to when you first began to make a name for yourself in hip-hop. What was the vibe like back then?
My energy started when I went to college and I became a party promoter in the AUC [Atlanta University Center]. I was the first to bring what would become the icons of our generation; Jay-Z, Puff, Biggie, etc. This was the beginning of Kenny Burns, the personality.
You also took the fashion world by storm with your RyanKenny collection. What were the best and worst parts about that business?
The best part about RyanKenny was actually becoming the second black designers to ever grace the racks in Saks Fifth Avenue. The story of how it happened is even better. I was shopping in Saks and buying a bunch of clothes, when the manager at the time, Teri Zimmerman, was ringing me up and asking what I did for a living. I told her I was a serial entrepreneur. She then began complimenting me on the shirt I had on, so I told her I was a designer who made it. She then took my information and said that she’d be in touch. That night she saw RyanKenny being featured on VH-1 and called me the next day and said she was going to get RK in Saks. The American dream right! But the worst part was seeing it end.
As the VP of Roc-A-Fella, you saw the company at it’s highest level. Did you ever think that Jay-Z and Dame would part ways?
I never thought Jay and Dame would split. We come from a different cloth. We were raised to stay loyal and unfortunately that didn’t happen with them. That’s why I left the music business. I couldn’t fathom their breakup after so much success was created as partners.
Why did you decide to create the documentary B.U.R.N.S.?
I initially wanted to create a piece of art that told my story. Then as the director Phil Reid and I began piecing it together, it became more of a blu print on how not to walk to Brooklyn for cheesecake. It’s now everybody’s story.
What will people get from the film?
Inspiration. I show some of the darker moments in my career to show that you are in control of your life. And through anything, you have the power to create a fulfilled life.
Where will it be seen and how can it be purchased?
We have been selected in the ABFF Visions category and will be premiering B.U.R.N.S. on June 25 in Miami. We will also be doing private screenings July 12 in Washington, D.C., and July 20 in L.A. After that, I’ll be going on the college circuit to do screenings and motivational speaking in the fall.
