Easy Mo Bee

In the world of hip-hop beats, here’s a handle to be honored. Mo Bee’s instrumentation is the wallop for classic platinum.

Just a few artists he’s worked with: Tupac, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J., Biggy, Big Daddy Kane, Craig Mack, Miles Davis, and Bad Boy Records.

Spending time with Mo Bee in my office in NYC on 38th and 8th offered me the challenge to create music worth platinum. My skills were put to the test each time Mo Bee took a listen to my work. One night around 4:00 AM, my office staff went out on the 14th floor window ledge, in the name of hip-hop. The ledge was as wide as their feet and who knows how much weight the ledge could hold.

I thought if I’m ever gonna be accepted into the urban community, then I’ve gotta have some balls. Somehow I had enough bravery to climb out on the ledge with them. Mo Bee pitched a fit. He said, “I don’t want to be the cause of an old lady fallin’ to her death for the love of the game. Get the hell back in the office.” Then he offered me his hand. I was damn glad to accommodate.

That event elevated us to a new level of trust. Mo Bee got to visit me in my element on Spolar’s Acres. There he chilled; even tried cookin’ in my kitchen. That’s a no- no. He learned; in my house a guest is served. Lastly, Mo Bee is the kind of guy you don’t mind introducing to your Momma.

Mo Bee will go down in history as the beginning of a generation of rappers who became platinum by learning the art of spitting their feelings into verses, hooks, and life situations mixed with a beat. Just one of the reasons hip-hop took hold of me. I could let out my frustrations about the world in which I was cheated.

L.A. Reid

I met Antonio back when he was at LaFace Records. He respected me in the world of hip-hop. At the time I was working my first client, an R&B singer out of Memphis. Although he liked what he heard, money was tied up at the label. Working a deal at that point would be nearly, impossible. Antonio believed in honesty and laid it on my lap that Baby Face was hittin’ and he needed to keep it movin’.

Over the years I kept in touch with the label and it’s staff.

When Antonio left and came to NYC I lost contact with him. As you may have learned by now, if you’re looking to talk to someone important at a label such as Antonio, the assistant makes decisions for the boss, and he’ll never know you existed. That wasn’t the case at LaFace. Antonio ran the ship.

My gut feelings about Antonio remains the same that eventually L.A. (Antonio) Reid would suit up and maintain his image at Def Jam, as he has in the past with each of his endeavors. In 2006 I finally got the chance to meet his team at Def Jam.

Wyclef Jean

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a VIP guest of Wyclef? An invitation came for me to attend a Wyclef’s party in honor of his wife Claudinette on Mother’s Day, May 9, 1999. Try telling your children, and their eight children, you won’t be able to attend a Mother’s Day dinner in your honor. My children ask who the hell is Wyclef compared to us? They have a point, eh. After all they’re more than likely the ones who will be choosing my nursing home.

Choices are tough, however, I made mine. Wyclef sure knows how to throw a party. In addition to the food, drinks, floorshow, fashion designer Angel Claudio, and talent, was his beautiful wife. Lucky the man who has a gem at his side with such natural beauty.

Wyclef is one third of The Fugees, from the era of the 80’s. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to speak with the owners of Ruffhouse Records, Wyclef's first signing label. They were extremely grateful to Wyclef and The Fugees. Up to date you can hear Wyclef’s seasoned talent during his performances with Santana. It was my pleasure meeting Wyclef’s brother Samuel, who handles his legal matters. He and I have had many conversations over the years. What amazes me about Wyclef, while sitting in my office on 38th & 8th, is to see Wyclef driving through Manhattan, stopping at red lights to sign autographs without an entourage.

Wyclef is free spirited with a sense of values.