The Father of Hip-Hop: KOOL HERC

Everyone in hip-hop should know the father of beatin’ beats, as it was known in the beginning. However, some have no clue how cutting or scratchin’ vinyl began in NY and spread from town to town.

In 1997 at a Vegas party I got my first taste of Herc. He was doing shout outs to NY while on stage with my friends from Lyricist Lounge. If you know anything about being at a party where there’s shout outs, know matter who’s doing them, when the DJ says, ”New York’s in the house,” New York outdoes any other city. Plan on the place going nuts-oh.

Herc knew I was out of place. He knew I wasn’t like the gang members from school, nor was I filled with anger using the beats to channel my aggressions that night. I stood out like a flamboyant blonde should. Herc came off stage and walked right up to me. He put on the warm self he had in those days. We developed a friendship.

In 2000 Herc ask for my clients Like Dat and Olivia Alive to perform for his birthday party hosted by Hot 97 at club Leviticus. I’ve watched Herc model for lines and develop his own clothing line. I’ve watched his looks change as well as his attitude. And, over the years I’ve watched him choose his friends more wisely.

Praise to Herc the man who contributed to hip-hop. He’s the man who kept vinyl hot a lot longer in the marketplace and made a hell of a lot of money for vinyl companies.

Eve

I was there the first time Eve entered the Ruff Ryders booth at Magic. Although, she was new to the industry of clothing she entered the place in style and captured her audience. She was the Queen of the event. It was later that evening at an event that I got to see her in action, the other side of Eve, few get to see. Although, she was groomed by her managers, the Dean's, her label and DMX, to be rather tough, coming from Philly wouldn't be that hard to accomplish.

At the events and conventions I watched this young girl surrounded by men, mature into a feminine lady. I have many bags she gave me from her clothing line Fetish. I've enjoyed many of her songs and I'm proud of her many accomplishments.

Diddy

I sorta believe Puffy, P. Diddy, Diddy, Combs, Sean Combs, whatever he wants to be called today, believes he is a good person. He's been known to say, he wears white because he thinks he's an angel. However, I've never met anyone who spoke about him using such terms. In case you didn't know, in every city, in dim lit alleys, a thing called street sense. Sometimes street sense makes perfect sense. The streets could care less about Diddy's white suit attire.

Although, I haven't been in Diddy's company much, my dear friend has. She was in the club the night of the event in which there was gunfire. I did however, go through security with Diddy during his trial over the gunfire issue daily. Each day he would wave to the teeny boppers outside the court house sporting his white suits. The only thrill I felt was to meet his powerful team like Johnny Cochran lawyers.

Over the years a numerous amount of beat maker and artists have shared their experiences working with Diddy and Bad Boy Records. Most people will agree Diddy got his start from the streets and learned how to rap and produce through the help of Biggie, Mace, and many other artists. One thing is for sure; Diddy is a business man.