We are delighted to introduce a 23 year old, Rosebud Sioux, entrepreneur, Mr. Gabriel Night Shield. He is the CEO of Night Shield Entertainment, a record label. With some native ingenuity and determination, Mr. Night Shield accomplished his goals in a short amount of time.

RN: High school?

GNS: St. Francis Indian School

RN: Highest Education attained?

GNS: AAA in Audio Production, Art Institute of Seattle, 1999

RN: Brief Description of Night Shield Entertainment- Mission, Vision, Services and Products?

GNS: Night Shield Entertainment is a South Dakota based record label. We are Native American owned and operated, as a label we have released 2 albums, The Nation Compilation in May of 2001 and The Hostile Takeover in July of 2002. Cinista Cin’atra and myself are the only artists officially on the label at the moment.

RN: What motivated you to start NSE?

GNS: I've always loved music and I always wanted to start my own little business, when I was in high school my dream for Night Shield Entertainment was that it would be like a traveling DJ type of thing, cause I used to DJ parties and high school dances and things like that. When I started college in Seattle and started making my own music. my idea for Night Shield Entertainment changed and became a record label.

RN: How long did it take you to get where you are now?

GNS: Night Shield Entertainment began officially in 2000 when we started creating our first album, "The Nation". I have been creating music for roughly 5 years now but we've been in business for a little over 2 years now.

RN: What were some of the challenges and sacrifices in starting NSE?

GNS: We were faced with a lot of challenges starting out, at first folks didn’t really take us seriously, because we had no real credentials, no albums out and no one had ever heard of us before, then when folks found out I was from South Dakota, where at the time not too much was going on in the hip hop scene, they really had doubts. I think we've started to prove ourselves now and people are realizing we aren’t just messing around.

RN: What are some of NSE's accomplishments?

GNS: We've released 2 albums, been featured in several on & offline publications and have been featured on several albums outside our label as well.

RN: What do you enjoy most from NSE?

GNS: I enjoy meeting the people that like our music, It's always a trip to me to run into someone you've never met before but they know the lyrics to one of my songs. It really makes you feel like your making a difference and make all the struggles of this business worth it.

RN: What are NSE's goals?

GNS: Night Shield Entertainment's main goal is to become a successful and respected record label, not only in Native American circles but also with any audience regardless.

RN: When do you expect to achieve these goals?

GNS: In a way we have already achieved our goals, I would consider both albums we've released a success. We made money, had fun and worked with a lot of artists that I look up to. Even if we never release another album and just fade into oblivion I know I achieved something I set out to do, BUT we always strive for higher goals and expectations with each and every project we drop, constant improvement is a must.

RN: What do you have in store for us in 2003?

GNS: 2003 will see the release of at least 2 albums from us; Cinista Cin'atra "Cin'atra Status" which will be released in the Spring and my solo album "Kataztrophik" is tentatively scheduled for Summer 2003. We are also toying with the idea of either a Triple Crown album or a new compilation as well. I’ve done songs with other artists who have albums that will be released next year.

RN: Where do you see NSE in 3 years and 5 years?

GNS: In 3 years I'd like to see us with several successful album releases under our belt as well as a few artists signed to the label besides Cin'atra & myself. I would also like to begin branching outside the music industry, like maybe into movies or clothing. In 5 years, I wanna be the native Bill Gates, lol!

RN: What's holding back Natives in general?

GNS: Motivation, and I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s just natives but people overall, a lot of people have goals and things they would like to accomplish but they just don’t have the motivation to get up and do it.

RN: What's holding back Natives in the Music industry?

GNS: Knowledge, a lot of folks don’t realize how difficult this game is, they think you drop an album and all of a sudden you’re on MTV and your records are available in every store in the world. Again, I wouldn’t really say this is just natives but pretty much anyone in the music business. This game is cut throat and if you aint on the ball you’ll get left behind quick!

RN: I'm sure you've seen a lot of Native talent go to waste. What are your thoughts on that?

GNS: It’s a shame, That’s one of the reasons I decided to have the talent search contest thing that I’m putting on right now, the winners will be featured on my upcoming solo album. I would like to give a few folks the opportunity to get in this game and live their dreams. The chance is there for anybody to enter, the only thing they need to do is get motivated enough to submit a demo. There will be a winner, even if I only get 1 demo then that person will be appearing on my album.

RN: What are your personal goals?

GNS: I would like to one day be able to live solely off of music, no other jobs or anything, just me & music. We’ll see…

RN: Hobbies?

GNS: I have a ton of little hobbies, I have huge collections of DVD’s, CD’s Artwork & Comics, I’m a fanatic, lol.

RN: Any suggestions or comments on improving Native online resources?

GNS: More of it and more informative, I think your website is one of the best I’ve come across online! I was really impressed when I first stumbled onto it.

RN: Thank you! Any shouts?

GNS: My beautiful wife Tanya Rose, Cinista Cin'atra, Overflow, Mobius, The NobleMen, Mr. D-Sane, Yaiva, Chad Sharp & Christina Bulatao, Wizi Garriott, Silver Shadow D, SupaMan, Bullet and everyone who has given there support to us!!

Mailing Address:

Night Shield Entertainment
PO Box 90745
Sioux Falls, SD 57109