ProHipHop: Hip Hop Marketing & Business News

DJ Wits Passes

Bumsquad DJz note the passing of David M. D'Agostino aka DJ Wits:

"David M. D'Agostino aka DJ Wits, passed away as a result of a heart attack suffered this past Friday, at his home in Albany, NY at the age of 25. Wits was a member of Hustle Squad DJs, Bum Squad DJZ, Team Afficial, as well as being a Justo Mixtape All-Star. Featured on the nationally broadcast Music Choice network, his weekly mixshow was heard by up to 35 million listeners, not to mention his numerous creative and unique "mixtapes" that garnered the respect of mixtape connoisseur's around the United States.  His dedication and creativity won him the honor of being nominated "Best New Mixtape DJ" at the 10th Annual Justo's Mixtape Awards at the end of 2006."

"Despite losing his sight to tumors at the age of 15, DJ Wits, by the age of 17, achieved the much aspired goal of purchasing his own set of turntables and has since polished himself within his craft as a disc jockey.  DJ Wits believed that it was his tireless commitment and hard work that set him apart from the many other up-and-coming DJ's and not his visual impairment."

R.I.P. DJ Wits

Stephen "Static" Garrett Passes

Blackground Music issued a statement today regarding the passing of Stephen "Static" Garrett.

In addition to writing a wide range of songs for RnB and rap artists Static intended to introduce his "alter ego" Major on his debut album Suppertime.  I Got My featuring Lil Wayne was intended as the first single.

Remembering Tony Silver, Director of Style Wars

Style Wars - Directed by Tony Silver

Tony Silver, director of Style Wars, the first and best documentary on the early days of the graffiti movement in New York, passed away this weekend.

Folks are sharing their memories and I'll update this as more post.

Mare 139:
Tony Silver - R.I.P 2008

Vibes and Stuff:
R.I.P. Tony Silver [includes Del's interview]

Jesse Thorn:
RIP, Tony Silver, director of Style Wars

WHATYOUWRITE.COM:
Tony Silver - R.I.P 2008

At MySpace:
Style Wars 1982

Remembering Dr. King: Quotes, Music & Murals

Jay Smooth - Ten OTHER Things Martin Luther King Said

Che Sing The Cool has a musical tribute to Dr. King that's quite nice due to both the selections of images and music and the overall design of the post.

The Rap Up has the hookup for J Dilla Meets MLK - I Have a Dream and asks, "Who would King vote for?"

The New York Times has a slideshow of Dr. King murals found in "America’s poorest ghettos."

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
On the Execution of Martin Luther King Jr, Counter Revolutionary American Gangsters & Poverty Pimps 2.0

Matt Gonzala on the Passing of O.G. Style

Matt Gonzala remembers O.G. Style who passed on January 3rd.

He follows with an even more personal statement that expresses some of his feelings about the industry and also about artists who make a living without getting all the shine:

"Maybe a feature on the unhearalded legends of rap who somehow always kept a career is in order. K-Rino, C-Bo, Young Bleed, half the Bay, Point Blank, Bobo Luchiano, Psycho Drama, E.C. Illa, man there's just so many. SO MANY artists who have lived on beyond the hype. Artists who have paid mortgages for their entire adult lives without the help of the Source, XXL, Vibe or Clear Channel (or Clear Channels equally evil cousins). Maybe it's time to shine light on some of these other living artists outside of the blogs and Murder Dog."

HoustonSoReal: Damage Control Tribute to Pimp C

HoustonSoReal's Matt Sonzala returns to Damage Control radio for a tribute to Pimp C.

Via Vibes and Stuff.

Pimp C Passes in LA

Pimp C was "found dead this morning (Dec. 4) in his room at the Mondrian Hotel on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip. He was 33. Police found the rapper, whose real name was Chad Butler, dead in his bed after responding to a 911 call."

Update:
More from MTV with official statements and some history as well as a biographical feature.

The Best of 2Pac - Part 1: Thug; Part 2: Life

The Best Of 2Pac, Part 1: Thug

The Best Of 2Pac, Part 1: Thug and The Best of 2Pac, Part 2: Life are due December 4th from Interscope Records.

The Best of 2Pac, Part 2: Life

At Hip Hop Press:
New 2PAC CDS Captures the Complexity of a Lyrical Genius

Eazy-E - Featuring Eazy E

Eazy-E - Featuring Eazy E

I hadn't seen the album cover art for Featuring Eazy E coming December 4th from Priority Records.  It's really quite nice.  Almost like he's laid out.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton 20th Anniversary Edition; Plus, Featuring...Eazy-E

Donda West, Kanye's Mom, Passes

Just heard the news about the passing of Donda West at the age of 58.

My condolences to her friends and family.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Donda West's Raising Kanye Better Sell [Or It's All Kanye Will Rap About]

Screwed Up Click Member Big Moe Passes

Houston So Real and The Rap Up pay their respects to Big Moe, newly departed member of Houston's Screwed Up Clik.

KRS-One's Son Commits [Apparent] Suicide

Dutch radio station Juize.fm is reporting that KRS-One's son Randy committed suicide.

I'm marking it rumor because I haven't found further coverage.  Let's hope it doesn't pass out of the rumor category.

Via Pay.

Update:
I'm not getting any real confirmation of this and may pull the item in just a bit.  I guess that really makes it a rumor but I thought the source was a bit stronger or I wouldn't have posted it.

Update 2:
The Megatron Don clarifies that this would be KRS-One's stepson.  Not sure where he got the news.

Temporary Takedown:
I'm taking this off the site but it should still be available at the individual url until some confirmation or denial appears.

It's Official.  Our condolences go out to friends and family:
Randy Hubbard Parker, KRS-One's Son, Dead At 23 In Apparent Suicide

Eric K. Arnold & Adisa Banjoko Remember Dream

Adisa Banjoko remembers Dream, a Bay Area graffiti artist murdered 7 years ago and recently profiled in the East Bay Express by Eric K. Arnold.

Disco D: Remembering a Unique Artist & Businessman

CNN Interviews Disco D About His Biz

URB took a brief look at the career of Disco D [David Shayman], a hot young producer who took his own life last week.  In addition to his work with famous artists from Usher to 50 Cent, Disco D was championing artists from Brazil and both promoted the rap group BRAZA and "oversaw the marketing for aLeda, a line of transparent rolling papers" from Brazil.

Hustle Harder Production Trailer 1

On the dshayman YouTube channel are a handful of promos and music videos including these two production trailers for the yet to be released biz oriented documentary about Disco D called Hustle Harder:

HIGHLIGHTS: Studio Equipment Configuration > Acoustic Treatments > 360° Beat Production Workflows > Ringtone Production > Remixing > Disco D Pro Tools Sessions on ROM layer of DVD > Choice Samples bounced from Disco D's catalog of beats > Disco D MPC Sequence Data > Live - Disco D Biz Negotiations > Managing Business Affairs > Strategies for Success > and an inspiring glimpse inside the life and times of David Shaymen aka Disco D aka Gringo Louco!

Hustle Harder Production Trailer 2

Here are some of the responses to this loss from folks in the Detroit area.  Please forgive the no doubt accidental confusion regarding Disco D's age from a writer who obviously cared:

'Disco D' remembered for his edge and grit
Adam Graham, Detroit News

Disco D dead at age 26
Kelley L. Carter, Detroit Free Press

Dave Shayman, aka Disco D ‐ Dead at 27
Robyn Vincent, The South End

Related Coverage:
Real Detroit Weekly ran a nice Jay Dee bio and discography after his passing last year.

DJs Passing: DJ Carl Blaze, Eban Doss

Early this month DJ Carl Blaze was shot multiple times and eventually died on Dec. 23rd.

Though Eban Doss passed in less dramatic fashion, Houston So Real notes his passing.

Saying Goodbye To James Brown

James Brown's getting so much press that I can't really sort it out so I'll let Ian do it since he's got one of the best hip hop blogs to which I rarely link.

Also from Ian:
A Legend Remembered
James Brown: 1933-2006

From Beats and Rants 2.2:
Rest In Soul Power

From Fear Of A Brown Blogger:
REST IN POWER: GODFATHER OF SOUL

From the NY Times:
A Loud, Proud Send-Off for an Icon of Soul
Godfather of Soul, and C.E.O. of His Band
James Brown, the ‘Godfather of Soul,’ Dies at 73

Remembering Skeeter Rabbit, Big Hawk, Philant Johnson

I've decided to begin noting the passing of well known figures in hip hop at Hip Hop Logic.  That's where I started blogging and it's always been a more personal space for me.  As I clarify where I'm going with ProHipHop, I'll be posting more personal and political material at Hip Hop Logic.

The Passing of a Dancer: Skeeter Rabbit

Houston So Real Remembers Hawk

DJ Drama Remembers Philant Johnson

One of my regrets is that in attempting to enable comments at Hip Hop Logic, I discovered that it will change all the urls of my individual posts.  I hope to find a solution because remembering those who passed should include the opportunity for everyone affected to share their feelings.  Please feel free to add comments to this post if you wish to pay your respects for those who've passed on.

Katherine Dunham Passes

There are a number of figures in hip hop who passed recently that I need to note, however, I feel it's also important to recognize the passing of Katherine Dunham on Sunday at the age of 96.  Dunham was a major figure in American 20th Century dance whose work set the stage for the emergence of choreographers such as Alvin Ailey and Chuck Davis.  She combined her early training as an anthropologist with her dance and theater activities to become one of the major connecting points for African and European traditions in modern and theater dance on stage and screen.

Dunham's involvement in trance/possession rituals and related Afro-Haitian spiritual traditions is not warmly embraced by many of those Americans who prefer to focus on her artistic and activist contributions.  However, she fully describes both her induction into various vaudun groups and her struggles as an anthropologist in Haiti in the autobiographical volume Island Possessed.

PBS has a nice essay on Katherine Dunham and Pearl Primus drawn from their Free To Dance series.

J Dilla's Mom Encourages Lupus Awareness

Maureen Yancey, aka J Dilla's mom, recently attended a benefit for Lupus LA with Hustle & Flow actress Taraji P. Henson (both pictured above). In the wake of her son's death from lupus, Ms. Yancey has been encouraging the hip hop community to educate themselves about lupus and to become involved in fighting this disease that disproportionately affects black women. Because most of the folks struggling with this disease are women, men may be even less aware, but the passing of J Dilla aka Jay Dee should be a reminder that men are also affected.

My own mom has struggled with lupus for many years, though she's really doing great right now. But, along the way, there have been some dark years. Lupus is a weird disease. I've understood it as an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks oneself but it's more complicated than that. For something more scientific on an introductory level, you can read What Is Lupus? to get a sense of how little is still understood about this disease.

One of the big problems with lupus is that there isn't a test one can take to see if one has it, though there are many symptoms and indicators. Unfortunately, many of the signs of lupus are also associated with other diseases and so misdiagnosis has been a big issue. Lupus can also come and go, with symptoms appearing that destroy one's ability to function, then disappearing, sometimes to go into remission, sometimes to return at a later date.

Lupus also doesn't necessarily display symptoms that are visible, so someone struggling with lupus can be feeling incredibly bad to the point of not really being able to function and folks around them will just have to take their word for it. Such a situation can get really weird as my mom discovered in the work force where saying she was having a bad day, which for her means she's having an incredibly bad day to the point of almost not being able to function, would get treated by coworkers as a mundane experience.

I'm not saying this well, but it's really difficult for folks with lupus to not only be struggling with the disease but also with the incomprehension of those around. In my mom's case, at work, it was particularly weird because she was a nurse dealing with the ignorance of other nurses! Fortunately, awareness has advanced since that time, but we've got a long ways to go.

For more information, the National Institute of Health's Medline Plus on lupus is a great resource for introductory material, some of which is in Spanish.

Official site: Lupus LA

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Jay Dee Passes On
Hip Hop Bloggers Pay Their Respects to Jay Dee
More Bloggers On Jay Dee With Audio/MP3 Posts

Black-I Passes

Toronto MC Black-I recently passed away, possibly due to problems related to multiple sclerosis. Black-I is described as:
an all-around b-boy who dropped a few underground tracks in the late '90s . . . While he never attained a high level of visibility as an artist, those who knew of him, knew that he was an important figure in the Toronto scene.

Big Hawk Murdered

Big Hawk, a Houston rapper and Screwed Up Click member, was shot and killed last night.

D12's Proof Murdered

D12's Proof was shot and killed in a Detroit nightclub early this morning.

Apparently there was a rumor that Bizarre was also involved but he was in Georgia.

Jay Dee: MTV Profile, Roots Concert

MTV.com has a nice profile on Jay Dee by Corey Moss with links to music videos covering a range of artists with whom he worked.

The Roots are organizing a concert at Radio City Music Hall in May that is, in part, a benefit for Jay Dee's family.

DJ Swing Passes

On Wednesday, March 22nd England's Brian Daley, better known as DJ Swing, died from a rare blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma.  The African Carribean Leukaemia Trust has more on the life and final struggles of DJ Swing including this background information:

The former MOBO winner & ex Boogie Bunch member, Brian (DJ Swing) Daley was one of the most popular, humorous and familiar personalities on the UK's black music club and party scene. Originally a member of the 'Live to Break' breakdance crew. His popularity grew throughout the 90's doing parties for artists such as Bobby Brown, Mary J Blige, Lennox Lewis, Jodeci etc. He worked 4 years at BMG/RCA Records heading their R&B/Rap Promotions Dept (TLC, Notorious BIG, Wu Tang Clan etc.) before being head hunted by legendary hip-hop label Tommy Boy Records (De la Soul etc). He also hosted a radio show on Londons Choice FM, doing a 1 hour mastermix show every Saturday afternoon. In 1998 he collected the 'Best Club DJ' award at the MOBO awards (other nominees being Fat Boy Slim, The Dreem Teem and Trevor Nelson).

You will also find further information on British campaigns to increase the number of registered Bone Marrow donors in the UK.

Hip Hop Bloggers on the Passing of Professor X

A lot of folks were shook up by the death of X-Clan's Professor X.  Here's what some hip hop bloggers and their readers had to say in remembrance.

IMAGEYENATION.COM:
He's driving that pink caddy to the crossroads in the sky... with a KEY!

Oh Word:
r.i.p. professor x

Lyrical Swords:
The head hangs heavy. The heart aches. Professor X, has passed away....May Allah bless him.

Nah Right:
Professor X R.I.P.

hiphopmusic.com:
Lumumba "Professor X" Carson

Hip Hop Blogs:
Lumumba Carson aka Professor X of X-Clan, R.I.P.

Hashim also links to a Technorati search with even more bloggers, many of which I've never heard, who also pay their respects.

Plus, Davey D with:
Breakdown FM: Tribute to Professor X of X-Clan

Professor X's dad was the controversial activist Sonny Carson who died in 2002.  I actually was more familiar with the activities of Sonny than the music of Lumumba, but now they're both gone.

Gordon Parks Passes On

Photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks died today at the age of 93.  I usually think of him as a photographer but he wrote and also directed both The Learning Tree and Shaft.  Really, one of the giants of his time.

"Nothing came easy," Parks wrote in his autobiography. "I was just born with a need to explore every tool shop of my mind, and with long searching and hard work. I became devoted to my restlessness."

Jay Dee Tribute Tees & Rhyming Contest

Late last week blogger Rafi Kam announced a pair of Jay Dee tribute shirts with the proceeds benefiting Jay Dee's mom to help cover the late J Dilla's medical expenses.  Apparently the shirts are already a hit and I'm thinking I better order one of the "J Dilla Changed My Life" tees before I post this bit of information.

You can also compete for a free J Dilla tee in the Rappity-rap contest: best rhyme over a dilla beat.  Entries accepted until March 20th.

More Bloggers On Jay Dee With Audio/MP3 Posts

I really dug the above photo which is in larger form at warrickisarobot.  I wish there were more photos of hip hop artists looking happy and playing with children.  Seriously.

Bloggers continue to express their condolences and reflect on the loss of Jay Dee including Nathan Rabin at The A.V. Club and benhigh of Metroblogging Los Angeles who led me to some of the following tributes.

Bloggers present audio/mp3 tributes along with their words about Jay Dee:
Soul Sides - JAY DEE: R.I.P.
hiphopmusic.com - AUDIO: Two Hours of J-Dilla on MP3
sophisticated and coarse - jay dee tribute mix
MENTAL COMBAT - A MENTAL COMBAT DEDICATION
Music for Robots - Yancey, pt. 2

For those of you unfamiliar with Jay Dee, the above will be a great introduction and an opportunity to find out more about yet another hip hop artist who doesn't fit the stereotypes currently so prevalent in rap music.

Hip Hop Bloggers Pay Their Respects to Jay Dee

Hip hop bloggers and their readers respond to the death of Jay Dee.

Vibes and Stuff - J Dilla R.I.P.
Hip Hop Blogs - R.I.P. Jay Dee aka J Dilla (1974-2006)
hiphopmusic.com - James "J Dilla" Yancey Has Passed Away
It's Been Time!! - R.I.P Jay Dee
Hardly Art, Hardly Garbage - R.I.P. Jay Dee
cocaine blunts & hip hop tapes - R.I.P. J-Dilla (1974-2006)
We eat so many shrimp - RIP Jay Dee
Nah Right - J Dilla R.I.P
Notes from a Different Kitchen - A Fantastic Loss

Jay Dee Passes On

Rapper/producer and member of Slum Village Jay Dee/J Dilla passed away Friday morning from kidney failure.

Many are expressing their feelings at Okayplayer.

Wikipedia: Jay Dee

Radio Tributes to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Adisa Banjoko shares a classic Hip Hop tribute mix to MLK Jr. (sounds like he's talking to BUSH) from One Mic Radio, in New York Radio remembers the activist King and NPR has the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert commemorating both King and Rosa Parks.

Justo Faison: Memories, More Details and an Interview

Pyramids 2 Projects' Miranda Jane gathers responses to the death of DJ Justo.

MTV.com shares a few additional details.

SOHH's Player Watch column features an interview with Justo Faison conducted just a few days before his death.

Mixtape Awards Founder Justo Faison in Fatal Car Crash

Mixtape Awards founder Justo Faison is reported to have died in a car crash on Saturday, though details remain sketchy and only a handful of hip hop sites seem to care.  No doubt, as folks return to work on Monday, we'll be seeing more reports.

Though the Mixtape Awards have been a unique event which helped give djs more attention for their crucial role in the development of hip hop and the marketing of artists both new and old, ironically the Awards themselves were plagued with marketing difficulties and the official site suddenly went "under construction" right before the last Mixtape Awards event in March and remains in that condition.  MTV.com ran a brief report after the Awards and Sasha Frere-Jones shared his unique impressions.

In addition to the personal loss, Faison's passing comes as mixtapes are assuming ever greater prominence in hip hop.  MTV.com has a special section on mixtapes and a weekly feature called Mixtape Mondays.  A variety of mixtape websites and special sections on hip hop sites exist, some of which can be found through the link list at mixtape blog Mixtapes Etc.  In addition, Mixtape Magazine seems to be in the process of relaunching.

Fans and Bloggers Remember ODB

Fans worldwide have been expressing their feelings at the ODB tribute site, Rest In Peace ODB.  Hip hop bloggers are also sharing their perspectives and creating artistic responses from Hardly Art, Hardly Garbage's personal comments to Jay Smooth's ODB Memorial John McLaughlin Mashup.