Today we’d like to introduce you to Cross Rivera.
Glad to have you share your story with us, Cross. So, let’s jump right in and start at the beginning. Tell us, how did 80 Generations get its start?
“Hey, thanks a lot. It’s an honor. So, 80 Generations started off with Micheal Yonker, Dan and myself. We were friends at Littleton High School in Colorado. Mike was our camera guy; Dan and I were a couple of film history and theatre buffs. We three clicked right away. We had a great friendship which we thought would last forever, and a dream of doing something big together.
I knew Ninja – that’s what we called Micheal Yonker – and Dan were busy filming stunt scenes for a project they were putting together. And I was pretty much a whiz with computers and editing, so I offered to assist. At the time, I was already busy working on graphics for a cartoon I had in mind called “Faith and Fear: A Brother’s War”. I had gotten inspired by a letter I received on the idea from the late, great Stan Lee in early 2004, and I was eager to make this cartoon into an action-packed spectacle.” Having studied Chroma key compositing and 2D animation, Cross was looking to take his cartoon to the next level. So, he ventured out to learn 3D Animation and Marketing. After receiving his BA in Game Art/Design and Business Marketing, he turned to search for the perfect music and moves to enhance this cartoon.
Months turned into years and while the cartoon was eventually completed, it did not have the raving success that Cross had planned. Then, life took further heartbreaking turns. After a few failed ventures, there was the tragic suicide of Dan followed by Cross’ own mental breakdown. Thus, the three high school kids with a dream fizzled into something more like a pipe dream.
In time, Cross switched focus to his business degree, deciding to parlay into artist management. From Juggalo music to rockabilly to street rap, 80 Generations began building a solid name for itself. Ironically, with this jump into management, the youthful dream of creating something big now came too fast and with too much success. 80 Generations artists had toured with Yelawolf, Tech N9ne’s Strange Music artists such as Kutt Calhoun (at the time), Stevie
Stone, Prozak, Mayday! and even with artists such as Wu-Tang and NB Ridaz.
With success came problems and division and eventually Cross had to again take a step back, closing his company and radio station, to evaluate his life. Various achievements came and went through the years but it wasn’t until 2017 when Cross met Shawan Na Powell (later becoming Shawan Na Rivera) that changed the 80 Generations brand forever.
Cross worked diligently too on vocals, dance and song construction in order to make Shawan Na the Lead singer/vocalist he truly needed. Fresh with a new set of partners such as TTNT Studios out of Arizona, Mile High’s Talented (owned by Shawan Na) and the collaborative efforts of Jammin’ 98 radio and S.T.R Player Magazine, 80 Generations is now a growing leader in the music-, clothing-, video- and production industries.
The next few releases from 80 Generations will include Shara The Real’s double album along with labelmate Eyelezz; the new “Street Tape Vol. 1” Mixtape from resigned artist Who Else¿; the much anticipated solo album “pure eXtasy” from Shawan Na; and the much talked about and highly anticipated collaboration album with CRX/Cross (Cross Rivera) & Shawan Na, “Broken From Within”, being produced entirely by Wu-Tang’s very own DJ W.I.Z.
“This upcoming collaboration album will feature all 80 Generations artists as well as Heretic Klick, ZigZag of NB Ridaz, Judah Priest of Wu-Tang Affiliate’s, Corey Clark (cousin of Christian rapper Lecrae), DC RED, Chucky Chuck of IDGAF/Kottonmouth Kings and a few more I can’t mention.”
Besides the music angle, 80 Generations is also a one-stop shop for everything in clothing, sports and entertainment. It’s truly a company to look out for.
We’re always bombarded by people saying how great it is to pursue your passion and whatnot but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest struggles along the way have been the backlash from authorities and figures in the illuminati. They are real and have come for me and my team multiple times. We stand true in the light cause even though we are contemporary by nature we are Christian by faith.
In a nutshell, please tell us, what is 80 Generations all about?
80 Generations is a multimedia production company which specializes in graphic design and cinematography. 80 Generations have vastly become known for its 3D style and animation. We stand firm as being a family company, a company that talks to and cares about every single member.
And what about you personally, Cross? What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always either playing with toys or building them. I built my first working robot out of remote-control parts and boxes. Cartoons and TV ruled my life for sure.
- Address: 150 W. Grand Ave.
Englewood, CO 80110 - Website: https://80generations.wixsite.com/80generations
- Phone: 7205183985
- Email: 80generations@gmail.com
- Instagram: 80 Generations
- Facebook: 80GLLC
- Twitter: 80generations
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