PEMBROKE — Felony Fame, a rapper from Pembroke, stole the spotlight so quick, it should be criminal.

The 20-something, also known as Feli Fame, rose to fame after moving from Pembroke, where he was raised since the age of 3, to his birthplace in New Jersey.

Now the rapper, who’s real name is Cliff Powell, is coming home to the Carolinas for a concert on Friday to kick off his tour for his newest album, “Everything Starts From Now.”

Although Powell tried to book a location in Pembroke for his concert, the venue fell through, so he chose to host the concert in a location he knows Pembroke residents like to visit on the weekend — The Stables, a club in South Carolina.

“Before I knew it, I had all these people who knew my name,” Powell said. “I said I wanted to go back home and do a concert and I am doing it.”

Powell said he knew he was on the right track with his music career when he met Cam’ron, a hip-hop artist active since 1993 who is known for hits like “Hey Ma,” “Killa,” and “Oh Boy.”

Cam’ron was a fan.

“I’m coming from an area where there aren’t any outlets for music,” Powell said. “So when someone liked my stuff, I knew it wasn’t because I had connections.”

In 2009, Feli acted opposite of actor and hip hop artist 50 Cent in “Before I Self Destruct,” a 2009 coming-of-age story about an inner-city youth with a dream of becoming a basketball player. Powell played the character Sean in the movie.

After acting in “Before I Self Destruct,” Feli Fame made his own short film titled “Dirty Laundry: Greed Has No Face,” which can be viewed on YouTube, and will debut another film that will share the title of his new album, “Everything Starts From Now” during his homecoming concert.

Aside from his time in front of the camera, Feli Fame also toured with Ice Cube, a rap mogul most noted for his solo work and music with N.W.A. Feli Fame’s music videos, including “Big Face Hunnits,” which was filmed at a Pembroke gas station, have appeared on MTV and BET.

He credits Gmoney, a radio DJ at Foxy 99, a hip hop and R&B station in Fayetteville, with being the first DJ to play his music on live radio. After that, Feli says his music starting playing on stations across the country.

The rapper says his next objective is to get signed to a label. As of now, the independent rapper is self-funded and self-promoted. He said being signed to a label will bring recognition to Pembroke and Robeson County.

“I want to get recognition for my area because there are no outlets here,” he said. “I had to leave and I don’t want people to have to worry about that or to worry that their dreams won’t come true if they stay. I’m starting to build my accolades up. Things are going in my favor.”

A general admission ticket for Feli Fame’s concert, will be held at The Stables, located at 2722 S.C. 9 in Dillon, S.C., is $10. The show will begin at 10 p.m and will feature Feli Fame as well as opening acts B Hill, Woorich, Young Fella and Boog.

VIP packages, which include a T-shirt and a copy of the album “Everything Starts From Now,” can be purchased for $25. The album is also available on digital media sites like iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and more.

For information on Feli Fame, visit Facebook.com/FeliFame or find him on Twitter and Instagram @FeliFame.

Feli Fame
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1__IMG4537-1-.jpgFeli Fame
Pembroke-raised rapper to host S.C. concert

By Gabrielle Isaac

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Gabrielle Isaac can be reached at 910-816-1989 or on Twitter @news_gabbie.