Posts Tagged ‘Jam Master Jay’

Sonny Seeza: It’s Sonny SeeZon! @MrSonnySeeza | The Hype Magazine 24/7 News

Posted: December 30, 2012 by jdobypr in Hip Hop, Music, Music Videos, News
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By: Todd Davis (@MuzikScribe) for The Hype Magazine

As co-founder, as well as one-third, of the South Jamaica, Queens, New York hardcore rap trio Onyx, founded by the late great Jam Master Jay, Tyrone “Sonny Seeza“Taylor may be the least visible of his more well-known fellow group-mates; Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz, but that by no means takes away from the fact that Sonsee’s as equally skilled as his musical brethren when it comes down to rockin’ the microphone. The HYPE recently sat down with the 41 year old emcee to discuss his past, present and, still promising, future in Hip-Hop…
First things first, it’s been well over three years since the release of your first and only solo collection,Tytanium, so where have you been and what exactly have you been up to, both personally and professionally, during this lengthy musical hiatus?
I was, at that time, not doing much music at all, really, and just wanted a little leave from the music scene. And, focus more on life, not just music. It wasn’t until I met my woman and manager, that I really found the inspiration to record again.
Although a solid set, Tytanium, basically flew under rap’s radar, at least commercially, where many people, myself included till semi-recently, were even unaware of its very existence, why do you feel that was the case?
Big distribution, small promotion, I would say. Not good.
Which brings us to now…You’ve presently aligned yourself with the Switzerland based Empire Music company — Tell me how this connection even came to fruition?
Bridges album came about, after I was flown to Switzerland by Soni Keomanyvong of Loyal Unity Booking and Management, to do several live show performances around Switzerland. She booked and also managed me.
She then introduced me to Mattieu Siegenthaler, who was interested in doing an album project with me through his startup label Imprint, Empire Music. We talked it over, and after some weeks we made it official, and started recording.
The first project that you’re actually involved with is this upcoming Billboard Blackmarket Mixtape, a collaborative effort with HipHop.org, which you’re also hosting — What all can you reveal and/or divulge about this forthcoming compilation CD?
I was approached about the mix-tape to host it, we thought which was a good time and opportunity to start buzzing in the public’s ears again, so I came on and we got to work.
The track-listing for it unveils a who’s who of Hip-Hop heavyweights; i.e., The Game, Daz Dillinger, Killah Priest, Trina, Styles P, Jadakiss, Joe Budden, Project Pat and, of course, yourself, to name some — So, what all did it actually entail in regards to getting all of these well-known emcees involved?
I’ve known Killah Priest since childhood, and met I Jada, and Styles years back. I didn’t do a lot of the legwork to get the artists honestly…But, I guess live people like to rock on the same train. And, they got slots. It was a good line-up of artists.

Sonny Seeza of ONYX – Doc Help (Official Video)

via thehypemagazine.blogspot.com
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Ode To Jam Master Jay « WELCOME TO THE HIP-HOP CAFE

Posted: November 17, 2012 by jdobypr in Hip Hop
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As I rode the bus a few days ago, searching Twitter on my phone to pass the time, I came across a tweet that caught me off guard. In part, because I had completely forgotten about it. Mainly because I couldn’t believe it’s been 10 whole years since Jam Master Jay was murdered.

Born Jason Mizell from Brooklyn, bred in Hollis Queens, Jam Master Jay was introduced to musical instruments very early in life. At the age of 3, he began to play the trumpet, bass and electric guitars (Spin Magazine named him the 10th greatest guitarist of all-time), and the drums, prior to discovering turntables at the age of 13. His experience with music helped him catch on to DJ-ing quick, and soon he began playing for other people.

Mizell just “wanted to be a part of the band”. He played bass and drums in various garage bands, going by the name of “Jazzy Jase”, a flashy b-boy with minor legal troubles. He would often hang around Two-Fifths Park in Hollis and entertain, and it was there that he met two guys going around rapping trying to find a DJ, Joseph “Run” Simmons and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels. The two would rap for Jay and in 1982, he agreed to be their DJ. Their “band”, Run-D.M.C., would become arguably the most important group in hip-hop history.

Jam Master Jay was a huge part of the success of the Hollis Queens trio. With his extraordinary scratching and mixing that helped usher in a new  era of hip hop, matched with the harder aggressive rhymes from his rap counterparts, Run-D.M.C.’s self-titled debut album would break new ground in the music industry. Jay not only brought unbelievable, hard-hitting beats to the table, he brought his rock influence and created a rock-rap fusion unlike any heard before. Tracks like “King of Rock” and “Rock Box” incorporated heavy guitar riffs and solos, which was so influential that the latter song became the first rap video to be aired on MTV.

It was their third album, “Raising Hell”, that shunned the critics who believed hip hop and rap music were a fad that would eventually die out, in large part by their cover of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way”. While recording “Raising Hell” with producer Rick Rubin, who’s worked with Run-D.M.C., the Beastie Boys, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others, Rubin broke out Aerosmith’s “Toys in the Attic” album and explained to the group who they were. He thought it would be a good idea for them to cover the song, which Run nor McDaniels agreed with. Jam Master Jay believed the cover could work, and because of that, they agreed to do the song. “Walk This Way”, which featured Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry guesting on vocals and guitar, would become the first rap song to hit the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100, and helped rap break into the mainstream music scene. On the strength of “Walk This Way” and fellow hits “My Adidas” and “It’s Tricky”, Raising Hell would peak the Billboard Hot 200 at no. 3, earning triple-platinum status, and is one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.

via Ode To Jam Master Jay « WELCOME TO THE HIP-HOP CAFE.

The Breakdown with Scratch DJ Academy

Posted: July 25, 2012 by jdobypr in DJs, Hip Hop, Learning, Music, Music101
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“The turntables might wobble but they don’t fall down”- Run DMC’s “Peter Piper”

As Run DMC ignited a revolution in music by breaking barriers and bringing hip-hop to the front lines, Jam Master Jay, who originally joined Joseph “Run” Simmons and Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels because he just wanted to be a part of the band, pioneered the art, and established the legitimacy, of the DJ as a true musician in mainstream music culture.

via The Breakdown with Scratch DJ Academy.

#Interview – Hip Hop Mixtape Royalty: Da’ Hitman

Posted: March 2, 2012 by jdobypr in #DJ
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Da' Hitman says: No Wack DJs AllowedAmong the current members of the Hip Hop DJ royal family is one of the South’s most prolific mixtape and touring masters of the mix and his name is…Da’ Hitman.  With multiple RIAA certified gold records and having hosted mixtapes for some of the new music elite, this Hip Hop celebrity mixer stays true to the real calling of the title. Da’ Hitman breaks records, gives artists the needed exposure to new fans and uses his radio platform as well as his social media presence like a true magician.

Music Industry changes have created a niche for DJs who specialize in the new version of the album…Mixtapes.  While there are several divisions of mixtapes, i.e. celebrity hosted compilations and single artist projects hosted by the mixing DJ, the overall effect is the same, Long Play (LP) albums are making a return albeit in a different format.

DJs who specialize in producing mixtapes and spinning live mixes to audiences are once again being considered music industry royalty.  Real DJs paying homage to the creators of the mix, cut and scratch elements of Hip Hop are now the one’s breaking records…again.

I was blessed to have Da’ Hitman carve out some time and give me one of the best interviews I have conducted with a Hip Hop personality in quite some time.

Who are your musical influences and why? As a DJ I give credit to Kool DJ Red Alert, Marley Marl, Funkmaster Flex – the DJs that kept me glued to a radio growing up.  I think I get my drive to be the first to break a record from their shows. They always broke new records and that was their draw (for me).  I would also have to mention Kid Kapri, Jazzy Jeff, Jam Master Jay and Scott La Rock…

When did you know you wanted to be a DJ? Every since I was 14 years old.  The reaction I got as a kid making mixtapes and spinning house parties then graduating to youth center dances and finally club gigs.  It’s that reaction I get from hearing a dope record for the first time and the reaction I get from people when they hear my twists to a mix.

What prompted you to venture into Mixtapes?  I was doing weekly radio shows and gigs and it just seemed like an easy transition to simply record what I was already doing and venture into another medium.  I started in late 2009, then built it up in 2010, but I think 2011 was really a breakout year for me.  I have to give a lot of credit to DJ Ykcor for grooming me in the mixtape hustle.  He basically mentored me through quite a bit of it.

What is your favorite part of performing/touring?  The crowds.  I love showing up at a venue and seeing a line at the door and knowing my name is on the flyers and the marque.  The REAL joy is getting it in on them turntables and hearing/seeing the reaction.  If I had to pinpoint a specific favorite of touring – crowd reaction, hands down.

What can your fans expect on the album you are currently pushing?  The total package.  I won’t endorse an album/artist unless I feel they are bringing something unique to the game and can deliver not only dope wordplay and lyrical acrobatics, but the production has to be the same.  If anyone see’s me cosign an artist/album they can be assured the music is honestly dope, but just as important – unique.

Where is the one place in the world you would love to perform at and why?  I keep saying this over and over but it still hasn’t happened – BRAZIL! I have to gig in Brazil before I die.  Everything I see and hear about Brazil just screams good times and great memories.  If I’m going to have women flashing their tits at me in the booth – I would LOVE for those to be Brazilian women lol

Tell us about the best part of what you do?  I dig in crates weekly to find breaks, clips, samples, etc. then twist those gems into the mix under today’s music.  I actually mix and I’m fanatical about that.  It’s disgusting to me when I hit play on a so-called “mixtape” and there is no MIX.  I embrace music from both Indies and majors and roll them side-by-side.  Actual real DJ skills I think is really my identity.  When I do drop a mixtape I get it in with promoting the mixtape and I think that separates me from a lot of other DJs too.  A lot of DJs drop a mixtape and just spam it out over twitter and Facebook.  I post all of my mixtapes to more than 10 different mixtape sites, then push it out to blogs, ning sites, music related websites, e-zines/magazines, newspapers, and apparently forgotten by man – THE STREETS.  You have to get those mixtapes actually out in the streets to really reach an actual audience as opposed to a huge following of other DJs and artists on the social networking sites.

What do you think of today’s musical trends?  I think there is a shift brewing from all the trap music.  People are beginning to open up to a more musical sound and finally unique styles are standing out.  I think female artists are seriously on a push to really make a mark in 2012.  Kalenna, Guyana, Jazzy, Nikki Grier, Yenkho Aiko, Cocoa Sarai, Precious Paris, Kim Joyce…  I also think that the more lyrical artists are FINALLY accepting production that is current and allowing their lyrical gifts to reach a broader audience.

Any upcoming appearances?  March 5th premier of my Unique Styles Show on IceBreakerRadio.com with my co-host Kittie (from VH1′s “Lets Talk About Pep”), March 7th SWAC Basketball Tournament (Eclipse is performing at halftime of the 8pm game), SXSW, Core DJ Retreat (now called MixShowLive 2012) in May.

Any advice for upcoming artists?  Be prepared to put in the necessary work AFTER you finish recording.  Make sure your music is labeled properly.  Get yourself set up so that you can record drops and do mixtape hosting right from your home (this really only takes a cheap desktop Mic and plain old windows media sound recorder).  Once you have your single picked out – get a full DJ service pack prepared and have it available at a moment’s notice.  Never deny a DJ’s request to push a record from your album because you had picked out a different record to push as a single.  Let those DJs do what they do best – break your records.  Network, network, and network EFFECTIVELY.  Twitter works great if used effectively.  SPAMMING DJS YOUTUBE LINKS IS NOT EFFECTIVE!  Last but probably most important, when a DJ puts your music in the mix on radio, a mixtape, or in the clubs – PROMOTE IT HEAVY.  If your name and your music is driving feedback and requests or even simple comments and tweets, a DJ is a LOT more likely to keep you in the mix.  You are good for business for the DJ which is good for the business of breaking YOUR MUSIC.

Where can your fans find more info?  I’m constantly adding content to my website www.dahitman.com with new mixtapes, new music, album reviews, etc.  I’m usually pretty active on twitter too (@DAHITMAN).

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