Jay Funk Dawg

Grandmaster Flash www.grandmasterflash.com

There are lots of stories about the birth of jazz and the beginning of rock n’ roll, but hip-hop has founding fathers: one of them is DJ Grandmaster Flash. In the early 70’s Joseph Saddler was living in the South Bronx and studying electrical engineering. However, Saddler, a native of the Bronx, had a much deeper passion for music; he had been experimenting with his father’s vinyl since he was an toddler. His knowledge of audio equipment led him to an idea that would revolutionize the way he Played music: the turntable would become his instrument.

The career of DJ Grandmaster Flash began in the Bronx with neighborhood block parties that essentially were the start of what would become a global phenomenon — the dawn of a musical genre. He was the first DJ to physically lay his hands on the vinyl and manipulate it in a backward, forward or counterclockwise motion, when most DJs simply handled the record by the edges, put down the tone arm, and let it play. Those DJs let the tone arm guide their music, but Flash marked up the body of the vinyl with crayon, fluorescent pen, and grease pencil—and those markings became his compass

He invented the Quick Mix Theory, which included techniques such as the double-back, back-door, back-spin, and phasing. This allowed a DJ to make music by touching the record and gauging its revolutions to make his own beat and his own music. Flash’s template grew to include cuttin’, which, in turn, spawned scratching, transforming, the Clock Theory and the like. He laid the groundwork for everything a DJ can do with a record today, other than just letting it play. What we call a DJ today is a role that Flash invented.

By the end of the 70s, Flash had started another trend that became a hallmark around the world: emcees followed flash to the various parts and parties to rap/emcee over his beats. Before long, he started his own group, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Their reputation grew up around the way the group traded off and blended their lyrics with Flash’s unrivaled skills as a DJ and his acrobatic performances—spinning and cutting vinyl with his fingers, toes, elbows, and any object at hand.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five went Platinum with their single, “The Message.” Meanwhile, the single “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel” introduced DJing to a larger listening audience than it had ever known before; it became the first DJ composition to be recorded by a DJ. The group’s fame continued to grow with “Superappin,” “Freedom,” “Larry’s Dance Theme,” and “You Know What Time It Is.” Punk and new wave fans were introduced to Flash through Blondie, who immortalized him in her hit, “Rapture.”

The rock n’ roll hall of fame also recognized Flash with an honor no one else in hip hop has received: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five became the first hip hop group ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Flash is the first DJ to ever receive that honor.

By the time the 90s rolled around, Flash was hand picked by Chris Rock to spend five years as the music director for his groundbreaking HBO series, The Chris Rock Show. More recently, Flash has played for audiences as large as the Super Bowl and as elite as Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.

On top of his induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Flash has been the recipient of many awards, including VH1 Hip Hop Honors; The Icon Award from BET in honor of his contribution to hip hop as a DJ; The Lifetime Achievement Award from the RIAA; and Bill Gates’ Vanguard Award.

Although Flash has been in the business for many years, he shows no sign of slowing down: this year he has released a new album, and he will began his descent from the analog vinyl world of DJing to enter the digital world of DJing. His DJ application of choice is “Traktor Scratch” by Native Instruments.

Grandmaster Flash’s memoirs, The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash – My Life My Beats was released in bookstores worldwide. The book is penned by David Ritz, author of both Marvin Gaye’s and Ray Charles’ biographies. In this extraordinary book, Grandmaster Flash sets down his musical history, sharing for the first time his personal and difficult life story—along with no small amount of wisdom and experience.

The Smithsonian Museum of American History in honor of Black History Month has opened its exhibit RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture that Grandmaster Flash along with other hip hop artist such as LL Cool J, Erykah Badu and Common will be featured.

Afrika Bambaataa – The Ahmen Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture

Named by LIFE Magazine as one of the MOST IMPORTANT Americans of the 20th Century, Afrika Bambaataa is a Musical visionary, DJ extraordinaire,living legend and founder of the Zulu Nation. Bam, as he’s affectionately known, has done more for the culture and music of hip-hop, funk and electro than most could dream of. In fact, he’s even the person responsible for coiningthe term “Hip Hop” in reference to the movement.

The man behind Hip Hop/Electro Funk classic ‘Planet Rock’ over the years has co-produced and performed with the likes of James Brown, George Clinton, Fortknox Five, Leftfield, Uberzone and Tribe Called Quest among many others.

Bam’s futuristic soundscapes became a major influence in the development of not only hip-hop, but have been instrumental in laying the foundation for Breaks, Electro, Freestyle, Techno and House music as well. “Planet Rock” has become arguably the most sampled song in music history, having been remixed and sampled by the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Westbam, George Acosta, LL Cool J and countless others. Bam’s track “Renegades of Funk” was also famously covered by Rage Against The Machine.

Still extremely active, Bam continues to record, tour and educate, maintaining his status as a living legend and forefather of the art. In 2006,Bam was honored for his incredible achievements by VH1 at the annual ‘Hip Hip Honors’ show. In 2007, he was nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2012 Bam accepted an appointment at Cornell University where he will speak to classes, meet with students, community groups and perform the music he helped create and expand.

The Soul Motivators
www.soulmotivators.com 

Spread the word – The Soul Motivators are here to restore your faith in funk. This tight 9-piece ensemble digs deep, mines a rare groove and elevates your soul. If you’re not nodding your head by the bar, you’ll be motivated straight to the dance floor by a visceral live experience.

Imagine a movin’, groovin’ record collection packed with funk nuggets – these guys hold the likes of James Brown and his associated acts in high regard, that’s for sure. But stay tuned and you’ll hear Fela and Budos inspired afro-funk and a wealth of classic hip-hop breaks. Chanking guitar riffs, crisp horns and a screaming B3 will recall 70s car chases, Blaxploitation soundtracks and the roots of acid jazz. Their explosive live show has moved crowds at theatres, clubs and festivals across Canada. A melting pot of influences has meant that these soul brothers – and sister – have been selected to open for acts across the spectrum such as Orgone, Escort, Lee Fields and Afrika Bambaataa.

Grandmaster Flash www.grandmasterflash.com

There are lots of stories about the birth of jazz and the beginning of rock n’ roll, but hip-hop has founding fathers: one of them is DJ Grandmaster Flash. In the early 70’s Joseph Saddler was living in the South Bronx and studying electrical engineering. However, Saddler, a native of the Bronx, had a much deeper passion for music; he had been experimenting with his father’s vinyl since he was an toddler. His knowledge of audio equipment led him to an idea that would revolutionize the way he Played music: the turntable would become his instrument.

The career of DJ Grandmaster Flash began in the Bronx with neighborhood block parties that essentially were the start of what would become a global phenomenon — the dawn of a musical genre. He was the first DJ to physically lay his hands on the vinyl and manipulate it in a backward, forward or counterclockwise motion, when most DJs simply handled the record by the edges, put down the tone arm, and let it play. Those DJs let the tone arm guide their music, but Flash marked up the body of the vinyl with crayon, fluorescent pen, and grease pencil—and those markings became his compass

He invented the Quick Mix Theory, which included techniques such as the double-back, back-door, back-spin, and phasing. This allowed a DJ to make music by touching the record and gauging its revolutions to make his own beat and his own music. Flash’s template grew to include cuttin’, which, in turn, spawned scratching, transforming, the Clock Theory and the like. He laid the groundwork for everything a DJ can do with a record today, other than just letting it play. What we call a DJ today is a role that Flash invented.

By the end of the 70s, Flash had started another trend that became a hallmark around the world: emcees followed flash to the various parts and parties to rap/emcee over his beats. Before long, he started his own group, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Their reputation grew up around the way the group traded off and blended their lyrics with Flash’s unrivaled skills as a DJ and his acrobatic performances—spinning and cutting vinyl with his fingers, toes, elbows, and any object at hand.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five went Platinum with their single, “The Message.” Meanwhile, the single “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel” introduced DJing to a larger listening audience than it had ever known before; it became the first DJ composition to be recorded by a DJ. The group’s fame continued to grow with “Superappin,” “Freedom,” “Larry’s Dance Theme,” and “You Know What Time It Is.” Punk and new wave fans were introduced to Flash through Blondie, who immortalized him in her hit, “Rapture.”

The rock n’ roll hall of fame also recognized Flash with an honor no one else in hip hop has received: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five became the first hip hop group ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Flash is the first DJ to ever receive that honor.

By the time the 90s rolled around, Flash was hand picked by Chris Rock to spend five years as the music director for his groundbreaking HBO series, The Chris Rock Show. More recently, Flash has played for audiences as large as the Super Bowl and as elite as Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.

On top of his induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Flash has been the recipient of many awards, including VH1 Hip Hop Honors; The Icon Award from BET in honor of his contribution to hip hop as a DJ; The Lifetime Achievement Award from the RIAA; and Bill Gates’ Vanguard Award.

Although Flash has been in the business for many years, he shows no sign of slowing down: this year he has released a new album, and he will began his descent from the analog vinyl world of DJing to enter the digital world of DJing. His DJ application of choice is “Traktor Scratch” by Native Instruments.

Grandmaster Flash’s memoirs, The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash – My Life My Beats was released in bookstores worldwide. The book is penned by David Ritz, author of both Marvin Gaye’s and Ray Charles’ biographies. In this extraordinary book, Grandmaster Flash sets down his musical history, sharing for the first time his personal and difficult life story—along with no small amount of wisdom and experience.

The Smithsonian Museum of American History in honor of Black History Month has opened its exhibit RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture that Grandmaster Flash along with other hip hop artist such as LL Cool J, Erykah Badu and Common will be featured.

Afrika Bambaataa – The Ahmen Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture

Named by LIFE Magazine as one of the MOST IMPORTANT Americans of the 20th Century, Afrika Bambaataa is a Musical visionary, DJ extraordinaire,living legend and founder of the Zulu Nation. Bam, as he’s affectionately known, has done more for the culture and music of hip-hop, funk and electro than most could dream of. In fact, he’s even the person responsible for coiningthe term “Hip Hop” in reference to the movement.

The man behind Hip Hop/Electro Funk classic ‘Planet Rock’ over the years has co-produced and performed with the likes of James Brown, George Clinton, Fortknox Five, Leftfield, Uberzone and Tribe Called Quest among many others.

Bam’s futuristic soundscapes became a major influence in the development of not only hip-hop, but have been instrumental in laying the foundation for Breaks, Electro, Freestyle, Techno and House music as well. “Planet Rock” has become arguably the most sampled song in music history, having been remixed and sampled by the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Westbam, George Acosta, LL Cool J and countless others. Bam’s track “Renegades of Funk” was also famously covered by Rage Against The Machine.

Still extremely active, Bam continues to record, tour and educate, maintaining his status as a living legend and forefather of the art. In 2006,Bam was honored for his incredible achievements by VH1 at the annual ‘Hip Hip Honors’ show. In 2007, he was nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2012 Bam accepted an appointment at Cornell University where he will speak to classes, meet with students, community groups and perform the music he helped create and expand.