Culture | ProHipHop

January 09, 2012

Jive’s Jeff Sledge Speaks about Gang Starr and Hip Hop Markets

Jeff Sledge, the legendary Jive Records’ A&R talked about touring with Premo and Guru. He also shared his insights on keeping up with the different hip hop markets.

During a recent talk with Karmaloop TV, Sledge shared his thoughts and stories-worth-telling about his lengthy hip hop career, his stint with the now defunct Jive Records and the artists he had been lucky to work with.

Sledge had been in the industry for 22 years now. His career started in 1989 with Wild Pitch Records where he had the chance to tour with Gang Starr and other important hip hop acts and authorities. “The artists that I worked with at that point [while at Wild Pitch] were Gang Starr, Chill Rob G, Main Source, Lord Finesse,” he shared. “Gang Starr left and went to a label called Chrysalis Records, which was a rock that kinda decided to stick its foot in the rap game not because they like it but because it was making paper…” Sledge recalled how close he was with Gang Starr because of the numerous tours and travels they had to do together.

Sledge then spoke of his many years as an A&R with Jive. He believes that what made him different from the other A&R’s during his time was his willingness to always learn more about the different types and trends of hip hop across the U.S. This is the reason why Jive was composed of various artists with diverse expertise. “I did promotions when I first started out…and the difference between me and most of the A&R cats and the promotions cats at the time was that…I always had a real interest in radio,” he quipped. He recalled talking to radio DJ’s to ask them about their market. “I would always be asking them, ‘What’s going on in your market? Tell me what’s the hottest record is in Cleveland.”

Up until now, Jeff Sledge’s interest for the diverse hip hop market trend has not faded.

Posted by Karen on January 09, 2012 in Album News/Marketing, Artists, Culture, Hip Hop Albums, Hip Hop Business News, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink

January 06, 2012

Hip Hop Stars P. Diddy, Kanye West, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and More Perform at Various New Year’s Eve Parties

A lot of hip hop stars known in the industry today sure has a lot to be thankful for. And as they bid goodbye while saying thanks to the past year, they also welcomed the New Year by celebrating and performing in different venues and styles.

P. Diddy took his friends and talents to a star-studded New Year’s party held in South Beach. He hosted the year-end Miami party which also intended to hail Ciroc Vodka. Diddy teamed up with Train TV and Ciroc to film the Miami party titled Ciroc the New Year. The series composed of three party videos follow Bad Body mogul’s New Year’s party that featured celebrity guests Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Rihanna and many more.

Meanwhile, Kanye West deejayed under his DJ alias, Yeezy World Peace, during the opening of Mirage’s 10AK in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chicago, Illinois native played “N—as in Paris” where celebrity attendee Fergie rapped along. Big Sean, Foster the People and Kid Cudi, among others, were also present in the event.

Simultaneously, New York was being rocked out as popular music artists welcome the New Year with the rest of the city at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest.” Several artists performed including Nicki Minaj, Beyonce and Drake, among others. Nicki Minaj showed off “Romain in Moscow,” “Super Bass” and “Turn Me On.” Meanwhile, Beyonce offered her pre-taped version of “I Was Here.” Drake ripped through his songs “Make Me Proud,” “The Motto” and “Headlines.”

Cee Lo Green also gave his rendition of “Imagine” that caused uproar because of the changes he made in the lyrics. Cee Lo altered the last lines from “Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion, too” to “And all religion’s true.”

Posted by Karen on January 06, 2012 in Artists, Culture, Hip Hop Business News, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink

December 09, 2011

Uncle Luke’s Short Film Selected to Screen at Sundance Festival

The Life and Freaky Times of Uncle Luke, a short film based around the life of Uncle Luke, has been selected to screen at the prestigious 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

The film, which traces Uncle Luke’s life from being a hip hop icon to a Miami mayoralty candidate, has been selected for the Festival’s Short Film category. It is one of the 64 films chosen among more than 7,000 worldwide entries.

Luther Campbell, more popularly known as Uncle Luke, or plainly, Luke, started out in the entertainment business as leader and member of 2 Live Crew, a hip hop group that originated from Miami, Florida.

According to the hip hop icon, he sees it as a great honor to be recognized by the Sundance Film Institute, an authority in the industry. Being considered as a significant part of American pop culture is a great milestone for him. By adding the film The Life and Freaky Times of Uncle Luke to the Festival’s Short Film Program, it was just emphasized how influential a hip hop artist he is.

Borscht Corp. produced the film in collaboration with Rakontur, a production company in Miami. Lucas Leyva, founder of the Borscht Corp., stated that they are honored to be chosen for the Sundance Short Film Program. This is their second consecutive year of making it in the Festival. Leyva added that this shows how much support Borscht is being given and that their hard work is given notice. Borscht is dedicated in creating more projects that could give Miami tales the justice they deserve.

Uncle Luke also added that The Life and Freaky Times of Uncle Luke lets the industry and the whole world know that Miami offers great creative talent that can match any from other parts of the world.

Posted by Karen on December 09, 2011 in Artists, Arts Fashion Film, Culture, Film/DVD, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink

September 14, 2011

Freddie Foxxx: Revisits When The Angels Sing And Honors 9/11 In Music

Freddie Foxxx, also known as Bumpy Knuckles expressed his recent thoughts about hip hop music, specifically on using them as a vehicle for commemorating 9/11. Born James Campbell, the well-known emcee is best known for his unique style and content in the Hip Hop industry, and was one of the performers who contributed to honor 9/11 in music.

In an exclusive interview with Hip Hop DX, the 25-year-old rapper opens up on how he buried his own emotions in his song “When the Angels Sing”, a hopeful album cut from 2003’s The Konexion. Freddie Foxxx is one of the musicians who offered thoughtful songs in line with the memorials to the fateful events of September 11, 2001.

It is undeniable that Hip Hop has honored that day by means of sympathetic lyrics, songs and verses. One of the most memorable songs wrote for that momentous event is from a rapper, who to the culture, personified strength under fire: Bumpy Knuckles or Freddie Foxxx. The fiery lyrics of Bumpy’s albums are engraved with introspection and intimate songwriting. That’s why fans gravitated to his heartfelt song ‘When the Angels Sing,” which is a sincere gesture of support and sympathy to the mournful public.

Bumpy Knuckles spoke about his 9/11 song just three hours before the decade anniversary of attack. The rapper and music producer disclosed that on the weekend prior to the landmark tribute, he visited the city of one of the attacks. He said: “I took the train, ’cause I wanted to take the train.”

The Street Triumph performer believes that music is a journey, and has subsequently made songs inspired by and referencing issues including the Iraq War and the devastating Hurricane Katrina.

Posted by Karen on September 14, 2011 in Artists, Culture, Hip Hop Albums, Music Industry | Permalink

June 27, 2011

Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years of The Last Great Record Label

Def Jam has been home to so many great acts, from LL Cool J in the 80′s to icons like Rick Ross in the present. But what about so many stories and ancedotes that you might have missed from the inception of Def Jam up till now? According to Hypebeast-

“Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label is a celebration of the first twenty-five years of the label that defined hip-hop music and culture. This is the story of Def Jam in the words of its artists and top executives, taken from interviews and seamlessly told as a narrative of no-holds barred recollections and anecdotes, made even more compelling by the fact that Def Jam is one of the last great record labels to enjoy the widespread cultural influence that it does, in light of the increasing digitization of music. Def Jam celebrates a label that defined hip-hop and whose impact extends beyond its incredible roster of recording artists to all areas of culture–fashion, lifestyle, cinema, art–impacting the music business and pop culture forever. In 1984, Def Jam introduced a new kind of music and lifestyle–hip-hop–through aspiring record producer and punk-rocker Rick Rubin and party promoter/artist manager Russell Simmons.”

Book publisher Rizzoli plans to have this historical piece done by September of this year. So ProHipHop reader, is this something you’ll be checking for?

Posted by Andre on June 27, 2011 in Books, Culture, Uncategorized | Permalink

February 22, 2011

Black History Legend Ralph McDaniels Birthday Party

In this month of February the Black History Month is not the only significant event to celebrate but also Ralph McDaniels’ birthday which falls on the 29^th. Ralph McDaniels who is better known as “Uncle Ralph” is a true legend and a pioneer in the hip-hop culture who is an entrepreneur and a visionary who created Video Music Box, the first music video show focused exclusively to an urban market – broadcast on public television. McDaniels influence in hip-hop culture stems from the astounding success of his 20-year hip-hop music show and spans over 25 years through the millions of viewers, fans, and consumers who have supported him throughout his endeavors in radio, television, and the fashion industry.

Today, there are not a lot of hip-hop figures who work on their third decade. Have you ever thought about what Uncle Ralph means to hip-hop? How many artists got there first shot on Video Music Box? How many people create a format that is so visionary that it becomes the catalyst that is the foundation for a multinational corporate juggernaut like Viacom? How many directors got there start there? Where did Jay-Z, LL, Puff , etc …dream their music would end up on? Who invented the term ‘Shout Out’?

Since he graduated from New York Institute of Technology in 1982, Ralph McDaniels has been putting in work. From being nominated for an Emmy for his documentary on Rahway prison to being an associate producer to the Hip Hop classic Juice, who has put it down flatter. Ralph was promoting voter registration drives way before anybody ever Rocked the Vote. And try walking down Flatbush Ave, Fordham Road, 125^th St, Merrick Boulevard with the man. Don’t be in a rush for you will get stopped by a community that he continues to embrace. Has anyone captured more footage of his people than Mr. McDaniels? He’s interviewed everyone from Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandella, Russell Simmons to Pookie and Dem. Arthur Schomburg would be proud.

On Saturday, February 26^th, Uncle Ralph will be having his birthday party at the Sanders Studios on Waverly between Fulton and Atlantic in Downtown Brooklyn. Supporting him on the wheels of Steel will be luminaries Red Alert and Clark Kent. Of course Video Music Box will be taping and the special surprise performances will be off the hook. Come down and give some love to one of hip-hop’s trailblazing pioneers.

Posted by yodee on February 22, 2011 in Culture, Events | Permalink

August 02, 2010

Gil Scott-Heron in The New Yorker & the False Claims of his Role as an Inventor of Hip Hop

The upcoming issue of The New Yorker features a profile of Gil Scott-Heron [abstract, sub required] that reveals his surprisingly open use of crack. It makes me want to f*cking cry. This man is an American treasure and we've lost so much by not giving him the support he needed whenever he first needed it.

Yet, at the same time, he hasn't given up and is enjoying what I hope will be more than a short resurgence of interest in his work including new projects involving other artists. I haven't had time to check out the whole article but it's definitely worth reading from what I see. Lots of background as well as current information.

I received an advanced copy because they're apparently reaching out to hip hop media based on the fact that Gil Scott-Heron is one of those guys who is sometimes referred to as a creator of hip hop as are The Last Poets and even Muhammad Ali!

But the obvious reality, if you step back and take a historical view, is that Gil Scott-Heron, The Last Poets and, yes, Muhammad Ali are part of the rich African-American verbal arts from which hip hop emerged but they weren't the creators. The thing is you could make an even stronger argument that the creators of hip hop were the folks from the 1800s who developed such practices as the ring shout or other examples of the forced merger of African and European culture to which Africans and African-Americans responded by taking uptight traditions and bringing new life to them through rhythm, voice and instrumentation.

But I wouldn't make that argument either. Hip hop emerged as a distinct art form in the 70s in the Bronx. And I have yet to encounter a convincing argument to the contrary cause the logic of such arguments immediately points to precursors that are even more credible and wishful thinking will not change that historical reality.

Besides, do you really want to get into an argument that would inevitably lead to the conclusion that hip hop was invented in the South? I thought not.

Posted by Clyde Smith on August 02, 2010 in Community, Culture | Permalink

October 01, 2009

So In Style Black Barbies: As Cliched as the White Ones

The fact that the video accompanying a NY Daily News article uses runway models to illustrate the growing diversity of Barbie dolls pretty much keys into my response to the introduction of the new So In Style black Barbie dolls. They still don't represent real women's beauty and they tie into unattainable standards of beauty that contribute to social ills such as anorexia and bulimia.

I'm not on a crusade and I do believe there's room for all sorts of fantasy figures in people's lives, but I have to ask, where are the women I've known and loved, whether up close or at a distance?

The big girl at the club who dances better than all the skinny chicks.

The nerdy scholar whose thrift shop style represents a new cool for emerging generations.

The tattooed and pierced bad ass who shaved her head and has no regrets.

The paint spattered artist who doesn't mind dirt but cleans up real nice.

I think the discussion that's happening around these dolls is important and I'd like to think the Barbie cliches help open up space for various efforts at alternative dolls. I just hope that, in those discussions, folks don't forget that all these Barbies are cliched fantasy figures that have their place in women's lives but should not be allowed to become the sole definition of beauty.

Note: If you want to dig into deeper Barbie analysis, one thing you might consider in the video mentioned above is that, as the commentator describes a boombox, the violin actually seems more prominent and any serious critique should take such complicating details into account.

Over at Hip Hop Press:
Barbie Launches a New Line of Black Dolls Called So In Style

Posted by Clyde Smith on October 01, 2009 in Arts Fashion Film, Community, Culture, Fashion, Gender | Permalink

April 03, 2009