A production company that steers toward an alternative crowd is none other than Simple…But Dope Productions.
Simple… But Dope Productions, LLC was started Jan. 2002 by Donney “Brasco” Rose and Ronald “Knowledge” Nicholas.
Donney Rose also known as Donney Brasco da Ghostwriter, is a Baton Rouge native with a bachelor’s of science in business and marketing from Southern University. Ronald Nicholas also known as “Knowledge” is a 24-year-old graduate of SU, receiving his B.S. in Sociology in the summer of 2002.
“We had been doing poetry readings together so we decided to do it on a larger scale,” said Nicholas. “We came upon the name ‘Simple…But Dope’ from one of our friends. He was a Rakim fan and Rakim had this song where he said “simple but dope.”
The motto for Simple…But Dope Productions is “The cool alternative for cool alternative people.” Their goal is to provide the best in urban entertainment in the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. With a specialty in hosting poetry readings, jazz nights, networking parties and soirees, Simple… But Dope Productions main mission is to revolutionize the way progressive, young people enjoy themselves in the Baton Rouge area, by creating and organizing a multitude of different events that center heavily around the arts and that deviate from the monotonous club and party scene.
“When it comes to hosting an event you have to be alert and be able to make quick adaptations or adjustments,” said Rose. “Hosting requires precision. Make sure you have a structure or format that keeps the audience enjoying what’s going on.”
Simple…But Dope Productions is a leading force of entertainment with Southern University students as well as Baton Rouge residents.
“We are constantly on an incline,” said Rose. “Wherever there’s demand there’s always going to be a supply. As long as we have a few people coming and tapping us on our shoulder, that’s pretty much enough driving force to keep it going.”
With Simple…But Dope Productions growing every day, Baton Rouge is just the first step.
“Home is where the heart is,” said Rose. ” As long as we broaden our horizons in Baton Rouge there’s no limit to where we can go.”
Simple…But Dope Productions recently held a Valentine’s Day event where they collaborated with Perfect 10 Productions.
“T.J., the founder and owner of Perfect 10 Productions, has a Friday night event at Philippe’s called a ‘swing out,’ said Rose. “We had been in search for the proper venue for our Valentines Day event. Between Knowledge, T.J. and myself we have a very healthy business relationship. He pretty much gave me a call one night and was like I have Philippe’s every Friday and I know yall were looking to do your Valentine’s event on a Friday, what’s up? We were like of course. Perfect 10 is an extremely huge entertainment entity in Baton Rouge and we knew it would be a good situation not only for us but also for Perfect 10, so we definelty jumped on that situation.” For more information you can go to www.simplebutdope.com.
