By Rodney Simpson, Publisher & Founder of FameLiveMagazine
Introduction
I first encountered the Waters brothers years ago, wondering who these enigmatic figures were. Their cousin, Andrew Prince III, introduced us casually, but life kept us from connecting further. Fast forward to 2024—I was brainstorming feature stories when a photo caught my eye on IG: the Pope, rocking a Keith and James hat. I immediately thought of Alvin and Calvin Waters, the masterminds who brought those hats into the limelight. These two have a captivating story, one I can’t wait for you to hear. Meet Alvin and Calvin Waters, two brothers from Macon, Georgia, who have made waves in music, fashion, and business.
Early Life and Music Beginnings
RS: Who are you?
AW & CW: We’re Alvin and Calvin Waters, serial entrepreneurs and musicians.
RS: What was it like growing up in Macon?
CW: Macon was all about family. We were five kids in total, with two sisters and an older brother. Our parents instilled in us the importance of finishing what we started.
RS: How did you two get into music?
CW: We joined our high school band—Alvin on trumpet, me on trombone. But it wasn’t enough. We dreamed of making records. Without public transport in Macon, we’d walk across town to jam with guitarists, only to find they weren’t home. One day, Alvin asked, “Why can’t we do this ourselves?” So we borrowed a guitar, my girlfriend pitched in for a bass, and we taught ourselves how to play.
RS: What sparked the desire to learn?
CW: Honestly? To impress the girls! (laughs) Horn players didn’t get much attention, but guitarists did.
The Move to Atlanta and First Record Deal
RS: How old were you when you moved to Atlanta?
CW: Right after high school, we started touring globally—LA, Tokyo, Paris, and eventually, Atlanta.
RS: What was your first music experience like?
CW: We saved up from odd jobs to make demo tapes. One of those tapes made it to Larry Blackmon from Cameo. He loved our song, “To Be A Mean Katz,” and signed us to his label, Atlanta Artist. That was our first record deal as AC BLACK and The Mean Katz.
RS: Who have you collaborated with over the years?
CW: Oh, the list is long! From Robbie Williams to Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and artists from Motown and Bad Boy Records. Each collaboration was unique and a learning experience.
Transitioning to Fashion
RS: How did the Keith and James collaboration come about?
CW: It started with a casual stroll in Buckhead, where I met James, the designer. I saw potential and suggested he aim for Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. After a little back and forth, we sealed the deal, and Alvin got him into those stores within hours. It was a historic moment, being one of the first Black designers in Neiman Marcus.
RS: And then you made a hat for the Pope?
AW: Yes, we gifted a Keith and James hat to Pope Francis, presented by boxer Deontay Wilder.
The Birth of WILDBOYX
RS: Tell us about WILDBOYX. How did that start?
AW: I accidentally bleached a black T-shirt, so I took a toothbrush and wrote “WILDBOYX” on it. We posted a photo, and soon Neiman Marcus was calling, asking how to get the brand. That’s how WILDBOYX was born.
RS: Who are some of your biggest supporters?
CW: We have a diverse following, including Guns N’ Roses, D-Nice, Josh Brolin, and Justin Bieber.
Venturing into Randy’s Donuts
RS: How did you get involved with Randy’s Donuts?
CW: We always stopped at Randy’s in LA, and one day, I called the owner about franchising in Atlanta. After a lengthy conversation, we secured the rights to open ten locations on the East Coast. It’s been an incredible journey.
RS: What makes this deal so special?
CW: Randy’s is iconic, like the Hollywood sign. To bring that to Atlanta and be the first minority franchise owners is a major achievement for us.
On Working Together as Twins
RS: What’s it like doing all of this with your twin brother?
CW: We argue like cats and dogs sometimes, but there’s an unbreakable trust. I know Alvin’s got my back, and he knows I have his.
RS: Would you change anything about your journey?
CW: We’d probably avoid some partnerships and deals that didn’t serve us well. But those experiences taught us resilience.
RS: Any advice on what not to do in business?
AW: Don’t try to be like everyone else. Innovate, elevate, and always add your unique touch.
Looking Forward
RS: Any other ventures or projects?
CW: We’re working on a Waste to Ethanol project in the UAE. We’re always looking for ways to expand and innovate.
RS: How can our readers connect with you?
AW: Find us on social media @TwinsAlvinCalvin on Instagram and Facebook.
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