Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1527947
82 maconmagazine.com | October/November 2024 Dupree's business acumen is on point, too. He co- owns VIBEZ Brunch, Bar & Grill in Downtown Macon and founded Guap Records in the historic Tybee community, near the storied Greenwood Bottom neighborhood. An article by Candice Dyer on Guap Records (see our 2023 Music Issue) reveals the reach of this music and recording company, which handles artist management as well as bookings. Its specialty is hip-hop, with 2win and Baby Jungle as two of its most successful artists to date, but R&B singer T. Royal and Southern soul sensation Mike Clark, Jr. are becoming wildly popular. Clark made news last summer after dropping "Auntie Outside" - a Middle Georgia summer anthem and family get together favorite. "There is so much talent in Middle Georgia, so many resources," Dupree told Dyer about Guap. "This all started simply enough as a way to give opportunities to my friends, to help them succeed, to lift them up, and help them achieve some major goals." Dupree was extending that ethos under a mercifully overcast Macon summer morning sky at the camp. He picked a crew of former high school, collegiate, and pro football players at his side, possessed with an infectious passion similar to his own. Following workouts and prior to topping off the event with a group photo, Dupree led a huddle that was part critique of the players' eff ort, part pep talk, part church. "You got to put in the work," said one camp coach. "Social media can be helpful and hurtful at the same time. Stop posting dumb stuff ," suggested another. "You have to do the right thing," said Macon native and Houston Texans wide receiver Quintez Cephus. "Let God lead you. Don't try to lead yourself. Let everyday be a God Day," stated another camp assistant, before Dupree commended the young attendees for sacrifi cing sleep and other appealing youth activities to attend. Ray Wilson is president of Guap Records and on the executive team at VIBEZ. The former basketball standout at Mary Persons High School was on hand to help with workouts during "Skills and Drills." When asked about the endeavor, Wilson couldn't compliment " D u p r e e l e d a h u d d l e t h a t w a s p a r t c r i t i q u e o f t h e p l ay e r s ' e f fo r t , p a r t p e p t a l k , p a r t c h u r c h ." Students received a comprehensive day of training from multiple professional football players.