Words

The Herbert Hollar

Word To Herbert
Okay okay okay. So I messed up. So it's not Ft. Greene I'll be living in. So what. Technically, it's Clinton Hill. But whatever! That's what you get when you let white people into the hood. They start saying

Word To Herbert
Okay okay okay. So I messed up. So it's not Ft. Greene I'll be living in. So what. Technically, it's Clinton Hill. But whatever! That's what you get when you let white people into the hood. They start saying crap like "historic district" and talk about "mansions" and "charm," and they think they're in Brooklyn Heights when they're actually in the middle of Bushwick, and then all of a sudden roti is the hip new food, and ... and ... whatever. Local BK'ers thought they could keep us out by putting a Crown Fried Chicken on every corner, confusing navigation, making every newbie think he's going in circles (where the heck am I?), but no no no. I ain't paying Manhattan prices. Brooklyn here I come! Dun dunna daaaaa!

I'm sure y'all know that Hollerween is the most bestest time of year for Herbert. I love Hollerween, I love trick-or-treating on All Holler's Eve, and I love joyous occasions fulled of damned debauchery. Though this year I won't be making any late night trips to haunted houses or carving any pumpkins (I've been up to my neck in this apartment crap), I will get my usual overdosed fix of scary movies. I kicked it off with probably one of the scariest movies I've ever seen: "The Grudge." It would have made scariest if it wasn't for a hand in my face the whole time. My hand, that is. I couldn't watch the dang thing! It was just too much. At one point I was like "I gotta just watch this scene. Let me get my money's worth and watch this scene without hiding behind my fingers." So I forced myself to watch this scene, and this ghoul jumps out and rips the babysitter's jaw right off, and I screamed. Boy did I scream. It was like "AARRRGHH." Like I was afraid the ghoul was about to jump out the scream and go for my jugular, like screaming that loud would scare it away. I was embarassed. But it was scary. Sooo scary. Go see it ... if you dare! (Wa-ha-ha-ha. Dork.)

This Friday, in honor of All Holler's Eve, Freedom will comp those people wearing costumes before midnight, and let ladies drink free punch till midnight. It's gon' be extra crunk this week, and you know how good it always is, so you can't miss it. Speaking on how good this party is, here's a little something written to me by a Freedom regular (it brought a tear to mine eye):

"Friday Night Freedom" by Maisha, Freedom Party supporter

friday night freedom
revival of New Jack Swing
hip hop's sanctuary
and I jump in
hips first
past cliques of eyeballs and attitudes
anchored in the boom of the jam
I don't skim turbulence
searching thresholds for scooting in
but rather lively up
by way of uninhibited
rip-roar

25 October 2004

Dang. What promoters out there can say their patrons have been inspired by the Muses to write poetry? To speak in spiritual toungue and confess their love and gratitude for being able to come to the event? None. What deejays have even been honored with a poem inspired by the music they play? None. Freedom is the ish. And really? There ain't nothing better.

Tonight, Herbert throws down alongside Daddy Yankee, one of the biggest stars in Reggae-Ton music. He's got that hit "Gasolina," plus a slew of others released in the last year. Umbrella is a crazy spot, and this is indeed a crazy gig, but the people who come are cool, positive, and they love to party. That's all you need to know. Come through tonight and support Jewish/Dominican peace and love. Free arroz con gefilte fish for the first 100 patrons!!! (Just kidding.)

Big shout out to Wyclef who just informed us all that he has an army in Haiti with roughly 10,000 soldiers on its roster. Now excuse me for the outburst, but what the f do you need that for? Aren't there people dying in Haiti with no food, and you pay 10,000 men to serve in your army? The money you use to pay them could most definitely buy 'nuff oxtails and rice and peas to feed a nation of Haitians. I'm totally confused. This calls for immediate clarification. call me up, Wyclef!

Big shout out to my brother. He's a hustler, like me. He's got this website where you can buy all sorts of gifts for the holidays, not-to-mention good stuff for just about anytime. Check him on his grind at jkhwarehouse.com.

Last but not least, if you're going out this weekend, call up the dang venues and make sure you don't have to wear costumes. Or visa-versa. It would suck if you were the only idiot in the club wearing a mask. You'd be like that dude in Nelly's crew.

Peace, love, light and good health,

DJ Herbert

Herbert's Hot Picks
wed(27): umbrella - herbert/daddy yankee live - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/reggae-ton
wed(27): frying pan - small change - rare ish/weird stuff - "burning man" movies
wed(27): open air - neil armstrong/rolando - 80s/olskool/hiphop/rock - BYE NEIL!
wed(27):apt - rih medina - old school/soul/funk/afrobeat/80s
wed(27): 6s + 8s - tony touch/j. period/eli/scene/hosted by smooth b!! - hiphop
wed(27): bOb - rholi rho/5th platoon - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
wed(27): madame x - jon oliver - soul/rock/rare grooves - 8pm to 1am
wed(27): cherry lounge - clue/kay slay/camillo/sussone - hiphop/r&b/reggae/olskool
wed(27): lotus - ani quinn - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
wed(27): speeed - live show = jean grae/dstroy/lord have mercy/rise+shine - 8 to 2
wed(27): cielo - kevin hedge/louie vega - soulful house - masquerade ball
wed(27): belmont lounge - obah - soul/afrobeat/funk/old school/neo soul/reggae
wed(27): bb king's - de la soul live!/pete rock/masta ace - real hiphop!
wed(27): serena - d nice - hiphop/r&b/reggae/old school
wed(27): afterwork/coda - guest djs - soul/r&b/hiphop/reggae
wed(27): afterwork/rumor - snatch 1/kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics

thu(28): guernica - selly/ian friday/guests - house/old school/classic r&b/soul
thu(28): table 50 - q tip/mark ronson/guests - hiphop/rock/soul/funk/classics
thu(28): ruby falls - guest djs - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s
thu(28): black betty/bk - monk one/emskee - soul/funk/classics
thu(28): suede - ani quinn - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
thu(28): marquee - reach - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock - bottles/models/mr. wonderful!!
thu(28): discotheque - tony humphries - "zanzibar classics"
thu(28): crobar - larry t/josh wood/gbh - rock/house/electro/80s/whatever
thu(28): quo - crooked - hiphop/80s/rock/reggae
thu(28): splashlight studios - cosmo baker/scott melker - soul/hiphop/oldschool
thu(28): triple crown/bk - eleven/ayres/cosmo baker/catchdubs - soul/funk/olskool
thu(28): na - stretch armstrong/mateo/exacta - hiphop/soul/rock/80s/house
thu(28): mission - big kap/sussone - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(28): negril village - dj m.o.s. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(28): afterwork/guernica - blessed/mocha/sanaqui - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(28): afterwork/cherry lounge - dee whiz - soul/hiphop/r&b/classics/old school
thu(28): afterwork/kanvas - dj sweets - hiphop/70s/80s - 6PM

fri(29): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs above!
fri(29): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/small change - soufloul house/world beat
fri(29): janella - stimulous - soul/hiphop/classics/rock/80s
fri(29): lot 61 - dj soul - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(29): coral room - mada/finesse - hiphop/rock/house/classics
fri(29): crobar - pete tong - house
fri(29): delancey - small chizzler/geral mcboing boing - rare records/weird ish
fri(29): show - crooked - hiphop/reggae/80s/rock/house
fri(29): cherry lounge - dj ivan - merengue/salsa/bachata/reggaeton/freestyle/etc.
fri(29): larry lawrence bar/bk - synapse - reggae/soul/rock/funk/etc.
fri(29): na - lee kalt/riz/mateo - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s/house
fri(29): gstaad - jus ed/dj afro - house
fri(29): satalla - dj beto/live guests - current african music dance party
fri(29): cellar bar - lottie/mutiny uk - house
fri(29): spirit - big ben/shadee/sheldon romero - house/trance/hiphop/r&b/reggae
fri(29): sullivan room - blade/jason hayer/bruno garvis - house/futr dans
fri(29): quo - disciple/dove (rotation) - house/live percussion
fri(29): table 50 - qool marv - house/soul/international/classics/funk/olskool
fri(29): afterwork/the city - dj kitchen/guests - reggae/soca/r&b/hiphop/salsa

sat(30): social club - herbert/slinkee/cel - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/old school
sat(30): mission - stormin normin - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(30): 5 spot/bk - ABSULOOT/mansingh/candice wilson/dj sanaque - live - 8PM
sat(30): southpaw/bk - dj eleven/mark ronson/ayres - hiphop/reggae/rock/80s/olskoo
sat(30): na - mark ronson/q tip/vanjee/massi moto - hiphop/classics/house/olskool
sat(30): pm - crooked - hiphop/reggae/rock/80s/house/disco/classics
sat(30): puck building - john davis/noe/true/tease - olskool/hiphop/rock/house
sat(30): 40/40 - rahlo/k.o. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
sat(30): etoile - goldfinger/precise - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(30): shelter - timmy regisford - soulful soulful soulful soulful (deep) house
sat(30): sullivan room - francis harris/david hollands/guests - house
sat(30): starfoods - osiris/big guests - soul/afrobeat/funk
sat(30): crobar - boris - house/haunted festivities
sat(30): viscaya - ani quinn/aphrodita - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
sat(30): cherry lounge - sussone - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(30): boogaloo/bk - shane digital/synapse/data/live performers/vsuals/fire
sat(30): perk's - dj chris love - hiphop/r&b/reggae/old school/classics
sat(30): vue - dj m.o.s. - hiphop/r&b/80s/funk/house - pajama party/vip room
sat(30): louis - jd allen trio - live jazz
sat(30): nublu - mkl - house/soul/afrobeat/funk/classics/dub
sat(30): milieu - frank delour - hiphop/r&b/house/80s/classics/rock
sat(30): strata - big ben - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock

boooooo: fez uptown - marc smooth/dallas green/dan.ce - classics/hiphop/r&b/reggae
boooooo: quo - crooked - hiphop/reggae/rock/80s/classics/house
boooooo: spirit - small change/justine d/michael t/dave p/more - rock/electro/punk
boooooo: 1073 atlantic b/w franklin + classon/bk - ruben toro - house + classics
boooooo: lotus - goldfinger - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
boooooo: flow - big ben/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house
boooooo: piano's - scratch famous/selector JD/guests - reggae/reggae
boooooo: room 203 - smooth c - hiphop/roots-rockers-dub-reggae/r&b/soul/classics
boooooo: pravda - obah - old school/soul/funk/afrobeat/80s

mon(01): cielo - francois k/carl craig - future dub/space vibes/house
mon(01): apt - eli escobar/bobbitto/spinna (rotation) - soul/funk/disco/olskool
mon(01): sway - guest djs - hiphop/rock/soul - very funk/fashiony/on the late tip
mon(01): 9 1/2 - sussone/mos/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
mon(01): blue note - somi live - www.bluenotejazz.com

tue(02): joe's pub - guest djs/live soul performances - soul/classics/hiphop
tue(02): union square lounge/coffee shop - emskee skittles - soul/funk/old school
tue(02): suite 16 - big ben - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s/house/latin/rock
tue(02): sapphire - eman/lola - deep house/future grooves
tue(02): vela - crooked - hiphop/reggae/rock/80s
tue(02): justin's - sussone/bobby trends - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - bad boy
tue(02): afterwork/aubette - snatch 1 - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/classics

Herbert's Heard!!! (Now in order of hotness!)
1. "Drop It Like It's Hot (Remix)" -- Kardinal Offishal (Toronto stand up!)
2. "1, 2 Step" -- Ciara feat. Missy Elliot
3. "You Got the Love" -- Source feat. Candi Stanton (Maybe it wasn't meant to be?)
4. "Jump" -- Kris Kross (Don't front.)
5. "Mosh" -- Eminem (Video is outta-this-world.)

Herbert's Gigs
every wednesday - umbrella new york - 440 w. 202nd (10th ave)
daddy yankee performing live tonight -- gasolina!!
you gotta come uptown! these cats know how to have some fun!!!
hip-hop/r&b/reggae/reggaeton by dj herbertowitz all night long!
free!!!!! - new hot venue!!! - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

every friday - freedom - starfoods (64 e. 1st b/w 1st+2nd aves)
#1 funnest friday night dance party in nyc, son-n-n-n!
this fri: free b4 mid w/costume - free punch 4 girls till 12!
classic hiphop/soul/dancehall/80s/house/classic r&b/funk
$6 peach punch - food till 2am - dancing - come as you are!!
$5 before 2am, $7 after - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

every saturday - social club (14 e. 27th st b/w 5th + madison)
the HOT HOT HOT new saturday weekly - NO MORE LOT 61!!
hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house/classics by me - main floor
a mix of the same sort of music downstairs by slynkee and cel
look sharp - ladies free b4 12 - $15 - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

Message DJ Herbert and tell him what you think

Tech Sessions #19

Sacrifice
Allow me to go way off the beaten path here. The word of the day is sacrifice. The closer we get to our goals the more both the word and the action creep into the picture

Sacrifice
Allow me to go way off the beaten path here. The word of the day is sacrifice. The closer we get to our goals the more both the word and the action creep into the picture.

Sacrifice comes in many shapes and sizes but none more harmful than what happens to your relationships with friends and family. I'm not going to call anybody out within my circle but more than a couple of times lately, as we try to get a few spec projects done, I personally am going to battle with people over issues such as how much time we spend together and how they may feel in regards to all of that.

These are all more than fair statements and reactions but more times than not I do believe that people tend to dump how they feel upon me without getting my side of things because technically I am always wrong.

After-all, I'm the one who is always away, too busy to talk or so tired at times that I am horrible company. So by default, yeah I suppose I am wrong but when you are fighting to not so much build a career but cement the circumstances that define who you are as a person how can you be wrong?

There have been days where I have just laid my head to the pillow at 3 a.m. after a 15 hour day of writing tracks, taking and setting up meetings and doing vocal sessions and the phone can rings from someone who will not understand why I really don't feel like explaining to them at that time why I am not out with them doing whatever it is that they are doing.

Obviously, if it's that late there's a large dose of fun up in that mix somewhere and I missed it because of the word of the day: sacrifice.

So forgive the diary entry but yo, if you are coming into this at the entry level think about the dramatic change your life is about go under.

Sometimes some shit as simple as taking 20 minutes to play Madden 2005 is not a possibility.

Now, it feels really easy to say that because we are still on the come up that we still have to outwork the cats that are going for the same spots we are. I suppose there is some truth to that.

But then again, I can see how the sacrifices are definitely going to get greater because if you are really born to do this the right way, then the bigger the demand, the bigger the sacrifice is going to be.

We understand, accept and in a fucked up kind of way look forward to it because everything that we achieve will feel that much more deserved. But the question you have to ask yourself is, is it really worth all that?

Messege Glover and list some of the sacrifices you have to endure to get where you want to be

AAPRC Weekly: Marcy DeVeaux

Marcy DeVeaux
DVG Communications

Marcy DeVeaux is, to put it in the vernacular, "all that." The public relations veteran is also fairly

Marcy DeVeaux
President and CEO
DVG Communications
Los Angeles CA

Marcy DeVeaux is, to put it in the vernacular, "all that." The public relations veteran is also fairly modest, so she'd probably argue the point. It's an argument she'd likely win because, in addition to being president and CEO of her own West Coast public relations firm, DeVeaux is also working on her doctorate in philosophy and depth psychology. That combination of PR salesmanship and academic profundity would win the argument, but it wouldn't change the facts. She has twice been elected to the board of governors of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, representing more than 300 public relations professionals. As head of DVG Communications, the public relations firm she founded in Los Angeles 11 years ago, DeVeaux has shaped campaigns for most of the world's largest entertainment media brands, from Disney and Touchstone Television to CBS, ABC and HBO.

Amazingly enough, DeVeaux's long list of accomplishments started with, as she puts it, a complete fluke. "I would love to say I had this great plan and had this incredible desire to be a publicist and work in television, but none of that was true," says DeVeaux. "My undergraduate degree is in art history and philosophy."

Throughout her college career at a small, multidisciplinary school in Massachusetts, Bradford College (the 197-year-old school went out of business in 2000), DeVeaux's family regularly asked, "What the hell are you going to do with that?" whenever the topic turned to her major. DeVeaux considered both photography and short story writing, but in the end, could not decide. By the time she graduated, she wanted to know what the hell she was going to do too. Luckily, she landed a position as an assistant at a notinsignificant public television station in Boston––WGBH.

DeVeaux's boss was the vicepresident and general manager of the station and took an interest in her career path. He suggested she might be interested in producing, but she disagreed. "He said 'well, I think you need to be exposed to television. So if you agree to spend a year as my assistant I will expose you to every aspect of television and then in a year come back and tell me what it is you don't want to do,'" DeVeaux says recalling that first conversation with the man who would become her mentor. "At the end of the year as the assistant I went in and said 'David, I really like the public relations team.'"

Her boss was incredulous. He knew nothing about public relations other than it was a line item in his production budget. Still he supported DeVeaux's decision and she applied for a job in publicity. She was told her chances were slim, that there was rarely turnover in the department. "About two months later they started a new series on the Vietnam War ['Vietnam: A Television History']," says DeVeaux. "I interviewed and got the job and immediately following that they started a new series called 'Frontline.'"

DeVeaux spent seven years working on national campaigns for the documentaries of "Frontline," one of the nation's most respected news programs and winner of countless awards over its 20-plus-year run, including some 29 Emmys and a Pulitzer Prize. "It was a great, great time to cut your teeth, to really learn about down-in-the-gutter publicity because we had no money," says DeVeaux. "When I took the job in publicity, I knew I had a lot to learn but I knew it was right and I could do it and it was going to be a big transition and stepping stone for me."

Her intuition proved correct. Starting as a publicity assistant at WGBH in 1982, DeVeaux worked her way through the ranks––to publicity associate, junior publicist and senior publicist. Along the way she ran the gauntlet. "I think the biggest challenge for me was learning the politics," she remembers. "We were working on a show that had an enormous spotlight on it…Because investigative journalism had kind of left television and was only being done with print, to start a new series of investigative pieces was pretty wild."

She also had to acclimate herself to pitching. "I was very green but I was always a good talker…That part of it wasn't so difficult once you make those first couple of cold calls and you get a really grumpy journalist on the other side and you just keep talking and they don't hang up. Then you think, okay, I can do this."

In 1986, in the midst of her tenure at WGBH, DeVeaux was handed a project of historic proportions, one of her career highpoints––"Eyes On the Prize." WGBH was the presenting station for the acclaimed 14-part series on the American Civil Rights movement, but the project was being produced by Blackside, Inc., one of the country's oldest minority-owned film and television production companies. Producer Henry Hampton and the team at Blackside worked on the series for 12 years, and when it was time for the publicity campaign for "Eyes On the Prize" to get underway, WGBH and "Frontline" loaned DeVeaux to the project. She spent a year with Blackside leading up to the program's 1987 television debut.

DeVeaux recalls the biggest moment for her on the campaign, during the television critics' press tour in Los Angeles: "There was this big dinner with Julian Bond and all of these high powered people…all these civil rights people and people who had been out on the front lines and on the streets and the journalists who had covered it and I thought 'Wow! This is amazing.' That was probably one pivotal moment when I was struck, absolutely struck by the great fortune I had to be in the room."

"Eyes on the Prize" went on to make history as well as document it, receiving more than 23 awards, including two Emmys. By the time DeVeaux left WGBH in 1988, she'd worked with everyone from astronauts to legendary New York Times journalist Seymour Hersh. She loved the work, but the weather in Boston had worn her down. After one particularly brutal winter––she recounts shoveling her car out of the snow four times in one day––she applied for a position at KQED, the PBS station in San Francisco.

DeVeaux had fallen in love with San Francisco during a business trip the previous winter, and happily moved to the West Coast. In her new, warmer, life, she was public relations manager for two television stations (KQED had a VHF and a UHF station), a radio station (KQED-FM) and a monthly magazine called San Francisco Focus. "I only stayed there a year, but it was an incredible year," says DeVeaux. "I learned a lot, mostly about myself and grace under pressure. San Francisco was a wild town in that it's probably the only town I know where a group or an organization can pull a picket line together at lunchtime. Literally, every day we had pickets."

DeVeaux enjoyed her stint in San Francisco but the station was having financial issues and when an opportunity arose for her to work directly for PBS, she took it. DeVeaux moved to Los Angeles as director of corporate communications for PBS' West Coast office. For five years she directed campaigns for just about everything PBS aired, from "Masterpiece Theatre" to the fuzzy animals of "Sesame Street." There was also a good deal of corporate messaging and rubbing elbows with Hollywood. After five years, DeVeaux realized she was comfortable––too comfortable. "Everyone I reported to was on the East Coast. I pretty much had carte blanche to do what I wanted. I had a budget. It was so comfortable it was scary," says DeVeaux of the decision to start her own firm. "I was afraid that I would wake up one day and realize I hadn't had any new experiences…that I wouldn't grow professionally or personally without the challenge."

In 1993, with her first client in hand, the Walt Disney Company, DeVeaux gave notice and struck out on her own with DVG Communications. "I didn't know anything about running a business, but I have really good instincts," says DeVeaux. "Those first couple of years, while they were a little dicey, it was very challenging and an enormous amount of fun. It was also very successful."

From that first project for Disney, a television series called "Where I Live," DeVeaux and DVG went on to build a world-class client roster: Columbia Tristar Television; "Moesha;" ABC; CBS; UPN; The WB; HBO; Lifetime; PBS and many more. DVG launched the first season of the popular drama "Soul Food," and corporate projects included Nike, UNCF and the opening of the first Magic Johnson Starbuck's in Los Angeles. Currently, DeVeaux is most excited about DVG's work with a staff diversity initiative started by the networks.

After 11 years, though, DeVeaux is preparing for the next thing. She is a full-time doctoral student at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and eventually hopes to teach and work as a diversity trainer. Not only does DeVeaux feel the pull of academia, she also feels the strain of certain economic realities. "The television industry has changed dramatically…There are so many companies now that have absorbed each other…There's still X amount of PR companies but not a lot of work," DeVeaux points out. "I did not marry and did not have children. I consider this company as my baby, and I'm about to send it off to college."

DeVeaux, who remains close with her parents and a sister and brother, lives in Los Angeles and relishes the time she spends traveling with close friends. "We travel together. We go to exotic locations and hang out. I have a great life and I truly enjoy it."


AAPRC's Mission
The African-American Public Relations Collective (AAPRC) is an assemblage of professionals who provide communication conduits among clients, journalists, media and our communities. We come together as a collective because we recognize the importance of building those same conduits amongst ourselves.

A great deal of what we do is professional development––updating our skills, keeping pace with technology, refining and streamlining processes, providing a forum to tackle the issues that impact our work environment––but we believe our professional lives benefit most from the forging of effective alliances. Connected to one another, we possess the power of a nationwide body of committed, knowledgeable practitioners with an eye on the future.

As we move into the 21st century at lightning speed, mass media and its potent messages occupy an ever-larger part of our daily lives and our collective psyche. The AAPRC is focused on helping our members gain a deeper understanding of media's force and supporting their growth as powerful participants in the global communications network.

AAPRC's Contact
GQ Media & Public Relations
1650 Broadway Suite 1011
New York NY 10019
1212 765 7910
1212 765 7905
aapublicistcoll@aol.com

Message Marcy DeVeaux and the AAPRC and tell them what you think

Divine Intervention #2

Industry Advice From The Divine Miss M

Peace Miss M, I'm an aspiring hip hop producer who is located in a city where hip hop doesn’t really thrive. It's a small town with a lot of small town thinking. I'm

Industry Advice From The Divine Miss M

Peace Miss M, I'm an aspiring hip hop producer who is located in a city where hip hop doesn’t really thrive. It's a small town with a lot of small town thinking. I'm trying to come up with the best means of getting my music heard and building with some people in the business that want to make something happen. I'm just not sure how to get to reach these people and through what medium. My initial intention is to put out a beat sampler CD of my work, hit a couple shows in a nearby college town - hip hop thrives there. But if you can suggest any other means that may be more productive, I would definitely appreciate it. Thanks.
-Trez260

Peace Trez:
I wonder where you’re located, because you may not be as bad off as you think. If you are one of only a few people in your market that’s making beats, you have the potential to shine there without any competition. Does your market have a commercial or college radio station? You may be able to catch people as they come through town by building a relationship with the on-air personalities and DJs in your market. They may be able to use some of your beats as instrumental beds when they do their station IDs, announcements, and celebrity interviews. That may get your name out there, and you never know--an artist might just like what he’s talking over and may want to hear more. Your initial intention is also a great idea. I would suggest that you follow the same steps--build relationships with the key people in that nearby town, and visit them often, especially to deliver new beat CDs and meet new people. It may take you a while to build up a name for yourself and to reach your ideal targets, but you’ll learn a lot along the way. I would never suggest blindly sending your beats to any record labels--remember rule #4080. By the way, I listened to your beats--you’ve definitely got potential. If anybody else wants to check out this brotha’s beats: soundclick.com/bands/6/trez260music.htm.

Hey Miss M, I took a meeting with an ad agency about an upcoming promotional project. They were spelling out the scope of the project when out of the blue, the guy asked about a kickback if I got the account. Since no actual numbers had been discussed, I replied that a kickback could certainly be available depending on the size of the budget. Any guidelines on what's a suitable percentage kickback for a $5000 project? Thanks.
-Naive Freelancer

Peace Native Freelancer:
If the person at the agency asking for the kickback is the one setting the price, the two of you should be able to negotiate something that is fair for everyone involved. I would recommend 10-20% of the price, which from $5000 would give this person $500 - 1000. You can give anything in that range depending on what you can afford to spend, but 10% is the lowest you should go. A 1% kickback would be regarded as insulting and may cause the contact at the ad agency to never hire you again. When you get that check, let’s get together and have some coffee – your treat :).

The Divine Miss M has survived the ups and downs the entertainment industry for 13 years and is here to share that insight with you.

So if you need advice on dilemmas within the music industry, hit her up at thedivinemissm@thecrusade.net.

Message The Divine Miss M and tell her what you think or chime in with your take on the situation

Eye Spy: Lingerie & Swimwear Affair

Lingerie & Swimwear Affair
Check out Jewel Shannon's latest creations and let us know what you think! Enjoy

Lingerie & Swimwear Affair
Check out Jewel Shannon's latest creations and let us know what you think! Enjoy.

The Ru Report #147

In This Weeks Report
Ray Charles Renaissance, Jazz At Lincoln Center Discovers Columbus, Essence Takes On 'Our Problem' and More

Ray Of Light
An all-out renaissance celebrating the artistry of the late, great musical genius Ray Charles is in full swing.

And you'd literally have to be under a rock not to feel it.

Just this week, it was announced that his critically acclaimed duets album, Genius Loves Company, was certified platinum, signifying sales of more than one million copies. The excellent opus, which was released posthumously in late August, features collaborations with such world renowned artists as Natalie Cole, Elton John, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Michael McDonald, Johnny Mathis, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor.

The album is said to be the very first platinum selling record in his entire five-decade career. Genius… debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart with first week sales surpassing 200,000 copies. According to a spokesperson for Concord Records, who released the album, this set marks the very first time that Mr. Charles had been in the Top 10 since 1964.

"Getting to record with Ray has been a lifelong dream and being part of this project has been one of the proudest and most moving moments in my life," shared Ms.Raitt, who collaborates with Mr. Charles on the track "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind." Mr. John offered: "It was amazing to sit in the studio and sing with him. It's so incredibly impressive to be with someone to whom music had meant so much. It was a very emotional experience." The British rock & souler collaborated on "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word " from the Genius… set.

The considerable sales of the album were facilitated in part by a unique distribution and marketing relationship between Concord and Starbucks Coffee Company, who was responsible for nearly 30 percent of the total sales of the album. More than two million albums were shipped to retail.

And next week, the hugely hyped Ray, a new movie based on Mr. Charles' life that is distributed by Universal Pictures and starring Jamie Foxx will open nationwide in 1800 theaters. The two-and-a-half hour biopic is a poignant and heart-wrenching story that follows most of the highs and lows in Mr. Charles' extraordinary life.

Filmed on location in New Orleans last year and originally titled Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Story, the film is directed by Taylor Hackford, who helmed the critically acclaimed An Officer and A Gentleman.

"When I read the script I realized that this was a really phenomenal story, not just about music, but about a man who overcame all kinds of difficulties to become a real leader of the culture," Mr. Foxx said in a recent interview. "The way he intertwined everything he experienced in his life to make this amazing music, it was really something special."

For many people, the birth of American Soul music can be traced directly back to 1954 and the incendiary Atlantic Records single "I've Got a Woman," performed by a rising young artist named Ray Charles--born Ray Charles Robinson in Albany, Ga. This was followed by a string of unforgettable smash hits, including "What'd I Say," "Drown in My Own Tears," "Unchain My Heart" and "Hit the Road Jack." By his early 20s, Mr. Charles was being described by those in the business with a word that was then rarely used: he was called "the genius."

"You hear it in all those great songs," added Mr. Foxx, who spent weeks during rehearsal and production walking around with his eyes sealed tight for 12 hours a day, to gain an intimate understanding of what it really means be blind. "Now, I look at Ray Charles' legacy and I realize that he was so necessary…necessary for all of this music he helped create, for all the inspiration he brought, for the moment he carved out of history. He left behind a real mark and it's exciting to have gotten to know him as I did."

Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Charles earned 12 Grammy Awards, as well as a 1988 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He placed 76 singles on the best-selling charts and recorded more than 75 albums. He was a Kennedy Center Honors recipient, received the National Medal of the Arts and was an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame and the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.

As a humanitarian, he raised more than $20 million for Black charities, education and arts. His influence can be heard nearly every time a song plays on the radio, as his musical inventiveness washed over generations of Rock, Soul, Jazz, Gospel and Country artists.

"From the minute I first heard Ray Charles sing, I knew there was an extraordinary fire there," offered Mr. Hackford, "and I followed his career from then on. His place in the pantheon of culture is monumental."

Though Mr. Hackford was eager to bring the gripping story to the silver screen, the film project languished in development and pre- production phases for more than 15 years – with several high profile studios passing on it. Universal Pictures eventually picked up the project –which stars a stable of Hollywood's best Black talent including Kerry Washington, Clifton Powell, Aunjanue Ellis, Bokeem Woodbine, Regina King, Harry Lennix, Larenz Tate and newcomer Mary Ann Fisher--repackaged it and threw some huge marketing machinery behind it.

Oscar buzz is already heating up for Jamie Foxx's undeniable performance in this remarkable work of cinematic art.

And to coincide with the Ray blitz, CBS will air "Genius: A Night for Ray Charles," a special tribute on October 22 featuring performances by Mary J. Blige, Kenny Chesney, Al Green, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Reba McEntire, Usher and Stevie Wonder among others. Hosted by Mr. Foxx, himself, the special will also trace Ray's rise to superstardom from his poverty-stricken roots, as well as celebrate the major influence he had on several generations of music fans. His longtime friends and co-musicians Quincy Jones and David "Fathead" Newman will reminisce about Ray's life.

Such a deserving celebration.

Serious Business
ESSENCE, which is arguably the best-selling magazine for women of color seems to be on a serious mission. For its December edition, the publication has launched a special HIV/AIDS awareness campaign called "Our People. Our Problem. Our Solution."

Teaming up with The Black AIDS Institute (BAI), the only national HIV/AIDS public policy, training, and mobilization center in the United States focused exclusively on Black people, ESSENCE has agreed to donate 100% of the net proceeds from every new subscription ordered from November 15 through December 31 to BAI.

The objective of this awareness campaign is to expose the devastation HIV/AIDS is causing among African-American women in the U.S., and to raise $250,000 for Black AIDS awareness efforts.
"ESSENCE always seeks to educate our readers about HIV/AIDS, and we are proud to partner with BAI in this critical effort," said Diane Weathers, editor-in-chief of the magazine. "It is our hope that people will support this campaign by giving the gift of life during this holiday season."

On October 23, PacifiCare's African American Health Solutions (AAHS) and LLuminari, Inc., a national health firm with doctors known as O, The Oprah Magazine's, "Dream Team," will roll out a community health initiative to volunteer leaders in Los at The African American Firefighter Museum. The program, called "We Matter," will deliver life-saving diabetes information, prevention techniques and teaching tools to African Americans, a group disproportionately affected by this deadly disease.

Hot Stuff
Last night, Jazz at Lincoln Center kept the grand opening celebration of Frederick P. Rose Hall swinging with the organization's inaugural gala. Hosted by Ed Bradley, the gala featured the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, with special guests Patti Austin, Michel Camilo, Eldar Djangirov, Roy Haynes, who was joined by his grandson Marcus Gilmore, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Liza Minnelli, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Dianne Reeves. The concert was followed by a festive dinner throughout Frederick P. Rose Hall, the first performance, education, and broadcast facility devoted to jazz.

"This is a joyous occasion as we commemorate the opening of our 'House of Swing' with great jazz and great company," said Mr. Marsalis, who serves as Jazz at Lincoln Center's Artistic Director. "The inaugural gala celebrates everything that we intended Frederick P. Rose Hall to be; a welcoming place where people can come together, feel at home, and get into the spirit of swing."

Designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, Frederick P. Rose Hall marks the return of jazz to the area where it was first heard in New York City--at Reisenweber's on 8th Avenue and West 58th Street. In 1917, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band from New Orleans performed at this multi-faceted venue. The Frederick P. Rose Hall is located in the heart of a newly renovated Columbus Circle--home of the brand new AOL Time Warner center, and a recently opened shopping destination and luxury hotel.

It's a spectacular 100,000 square foot integrated performing arts facility that can accommodate dance, theater, opera, classical music and more. The facility extends the campus of Lincoln Center to Columbus Circle and features three main stage performance spaces: The 1,233 seats Rose Theater, The Allen Room, a 500-seat performance space that provides an elegant and intimate setting with views through a 50-by-90-foot glass wall overlooking Central Park, and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, a 140-seat jazz club providing a down-home, yet sophisticated atmosphere against a backdrop of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The facility also houses The Irene Diamond Education Center, The 3,500 square-foot center that contains education, rehearsal and recording studios will house classes, workshops, demonstrations, lectures and student performances, as well as educational opportunities in jazz performance and history. And the Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame, named for Nesuhi Ertegun and a gift from Mica and Ahmet Ertegun, is a multi-media installation featuring a 14-foot video wall, interactive kiosks, touch-activated virtual plaques and the great sounds of jazz.

"Frederick P. Rose Hall affords us new opportunities to further our mission of collaboration and integration with all the arts through the spirit of jazz," said Mr. Marsalis. "The breadth of our performances reflects both tradition and innovation and celebrates the complete integration of ideas, generations and feelings."

Along with a traditional New Orleans second line parade down Broadway led by Mr. Marsalis as an opening kick-off earlier in the week, festivities will be culminated by concerts performed by Cassandra Wilson, Dianne Reeves and Freddy Cole throughout the weekend.

Rumination
Accidentally, I stumbled upon UPN's "New" Wednesday night line-up a few weeks back--and I am so addicted. The Tyra Banks-helmed "America's Next Top Model" is currently my guiltiest pleasure. I hope the Los Angeles-bred Eva, who channels the spirit of a pre-plastic surgery Lil' Kim (circa 1996, Junior Mafia era), gets a chance at the gold. And "Kevin Hill," the small screen TV debut of Black Romance Film star Taye Diggs is great television. One question though. Is it I or has the child cast as his adopted child changed three times over the first three episodes? What's up with that?

"You don't have to live next to me. Just give me my equality."

©2004 The Ru Report™. All Rights Reserved~~P.O. Box #25 Bushkill PA 18324

Message Karu F Daniels or email him directly at therureport@aol.com

The Herbert Hollar

Word To Herbert
Hello Holler fans! I love ya! Herbert and his little shorty shorty have put a bid in on an apartment and it's been accepted! The process will take a minute or so, but when it's done, and we're victorious, we will be

Word To Herbert
Hello Holler fans! I love ya! Herbert and his little shorty shorty have put a bid in on an apartment and it's been accepted! The process will take a minute or so, but when it's done, and we're victorious, we will be some fly-a** homeowners no doubt! And do you wanna know where? Yeah? You do? "Where, Herbert? Where you gonna move to?" Okay, okay. I'll tell you.

BROOOOOOOKLYN!

Wifey and me, we found us a nice little apartment, "Just the Two of Us," in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill neighborhood of BK, which they designate as "historic." I expect a full revamping of all the landmark signs to mark the residence of the famed New York City disc jockey DJ Herbert, a.k.a. Dr. Hyman, a.k.a. the Casino Kid. It'll go something like this:

"In the early part of 2005, legendary club wrecker and dance floor denizen DJ Herbert moved into the neighborhood with his wife and became a vital, active part of the community, spending what little time he had between big gigs mixing fly-ass music for neighbors at local barber shops and Chinese food joints."

You know I'm gonna be the first mothersucker in the club to start screaming, too, when a Biggie song comes on. Believe that. I'll keep y'all informed of the process no doubt. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

In other news, Freedom was off the hook as usual last week. Big shout out to all the people that came true. The system and new space is crazy, and so are all y'all that come down and sing "Poison" together. And lets not even talk about Social Club. Dang that place was crazy. They must've stuffed 1000 people in there at least. Good party folks, too. Singing and dancing and drinking and wilin' out. Mad fun. Don't sleep.

And still in other news, Nas continues to remind us who won that legendary battle (in my opinion) with his new work. Ridiculous. Hip-hop. Real ish. Out of control.

Peace, love, good health, much success,

DJ Herbert

Herbert's Hot Picks
wed(20): umbrella - herbert - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house
wed(20): apt - rich medina - old school/soul/funk/afrobeat/80s
wed(20): bOb - rholi rho/5th platoon - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
wed(20): lotus - ani quinn - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
wed(20): duke + duchess - jus ske - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/80s/soul
wed(20): white rabbit - smooth c - hiphop/reggae/roots/r&b/classics/80s
wed(20): cielo - kevin hedge/louie vega/alex alvarez/mr. v - soulful house
wed(20): happy ending - cosmo baker/bam margera hosts - hiphop/rock/reggae/soul
wed(20): triple crown/bk - language/james friedman/razel wonder - soul/reggae/rap
wed(20): anatomy - synapse/i cue/oddyssey/vandal - rap/soul/rock/funk/whattheywan
wed(20): m-1 - dead prez/a-alikes/dj butta/dj wise/dj supreme - celebrity guests!
wed(20): belmont lounge - obah - soul/afrobeat/funk/old school/neo soul/reggae
wed(20): 17 - ody rock - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock - models/bottles/etc.
wed(20): madame x - jon oliver - soul/rock/rare grooves - 8pm to 1am
wed(20): serena - d nice - hiphop/r&b/reggae/old school
wed(20): cherry lounge - camilo/kay slay/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
wed(20): afterwork/coda - dj chase - soul/r&b/hiphop/reggae
wed(20): afterwork/rumor - snatch 1/kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics

thu(21): guernica - blessed/selly/monica pineda/guests - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(21): avalon - stretch armstrong/pf cuttin/n'dea davenport - hiphop/reggae/80s
thu(21): table 50 - q tip/mark ronson/guests - hiphop/rock/soul/funk/classics
thu(21): ruby falls - guest djs - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s
thu(21): black betty/bk - monk one/emskee - soul/funk/classics
thu(21): suede - ani - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
thu(21): marquee - reach - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock - bottles/models/mr. wonderful!!
thu(21): discotheque - tony humphries - "zanzibar classics"
thu(21): cielo - eman/jo jo flores/keith blackstone - deep soulful house
thu(21): crobar - greg k/loveleigh/geo/jon jon - rock/house/electro/80s/whatever
thu(21): triple crown/bk - eleven/cosmo baker/ayres/nick catchdubs - soul/funk
thu(21): apt - language/lindsay/duane - 80s/soul/dance classics/bboy/"smart music"
thu(21): na - stretch armstrong/mateo/exacta - hiphop/soul/rock/80s/house
thu(21): quo - crooked - funky house/hiphop/80s/rock/reggae
thu(21): negril village - dj m.o.s. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - HAPPY BDAY!!!!
thu(21): cherry lounge - dj wreck (97.9) - latin/hiphop/reggae - models - martinis
thu(21): sobs - rekha/maathan mapilla - bhangra against bush!!!! bhangra bhangra!
thu(21): afterwork/kanvas - dj sweets - hiphop/70s/80s - 6PM
thu(21): afterwork/suede - k.o./rahlo/free buffet - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics

fri(22): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs below!
fri(22): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/guests - soufloul house/world beat
fri(22): union square ballroom - marlon d/jellybean/live guest - deep house
fri(22): na - stretch armstrong/jus-ske - hiphop/80s/rock/old school/reggae
fri(22): luahn - mary mac/XX guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/deep house/classics
fri(22): lot 61 - dj soul - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(22): joe's pub - snatch one - caribbean/hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/old school
fri(22): hiro - vanjee - house/mix/stuff/high fashion
fri(22): suite 16 - rholi rho - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
fri(22): supper club - guest djs/miri ben-ari live - hiphop/r&b/reggae - puffy!!!
fri(22): spirit - cipha sounds/shadee/alex kofman - house/trance/hiphop/r&b/reggae
fri(22): crobar - junior jack/kid creme - house
fri(22): show - crooked - hiphop/reggae/80s/rock/house
fri(22): larry lawrence bar/bk - synapse - reggae/soul/rock/funk/etc.
fri(22): janela - soulfinger sam/boodhakan/don welch - soul/funk/old school/house
fri(22): satalla - big joe - soukous/ndombolo/zoblazo/mapouka/makossa/mbalax/etc.
fri(22): roxy - hud - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - big tings!
fri(22): b'lo - camillo - hiphop/r&b/reggae/reggae-ton
fri(22): pepper's - spinna - funk/soul/old school/classics
fri(22): coral room - mada/finess - hiphop/rock/house/classics
fri(22): table 50 - qool marv - soul/classics/world beat/house/old school
fri(22): quo - disciple/dove (rotation) - house/live percussion
fri(22): fuelray - d nice - hiphop/r&b/soul/funk/old school/classics
fri(22): afterwork/the city - dj kitchen/guests - reggae/soca/r&b/hiphop/salsa
fri(22): afterwork/vue - cipha sounds/tijeras/jinx - hiphop/latin/r&b/house/reggae

sat(23): social club - herbert/slinkee/cel - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/old school
sat(23): mission - stormin normin - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(23): 40/40 - rahlo/k.o. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
sat(23): etoile - goldfinger/precise - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(23): shelter - timmy regisford - soulful soulful soulful soulful (deep) house
sat(23): mercury lounge - liftkid - house/funk/nu jazz/soul/old school
sat(23): route 85a - andy "redlox" katz - soul/hiphop/classics/good!
sat(23): sullivan room - francis harris/david hollands/guests - house
sat(23): starfoods - osiris/big guests - soul/afrobeat/funk
sat(23): na - vanjee/massi voto/q tip/mark ronson - house/hiphop/classics/olskool
sat(23): viscaya - ani quinn/aphrodita - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
sat(23): time hotel - dj harry bellyfonte - soul/hiphop/r&b/reggae/old school
sat(23): plaid - big ben/peter parker - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/house/old school
sat(23): crobar - roger sanchez - house
sat(23): china club - guest djs - pimps n' hoes ball - hiphop/house/reggae/latin
sat(23): louis - jd allen trio - live jazz
sat(23): pm - crooked - hiphop/reggae/rock/80s/house/disco/classics
sat(23): cherry lounge - sussone - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(23): joe's pub - dj eleven - hiphop/r&b/reggae/old school/soul/80s
sat(23): ida mae - snatch one - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(23): plaid - ody rock/peter parker - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
sat(23): public - qool marv - soul/funk/house/world beat/classic r&b
sat(23): strata - big ben - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock

sun(24): fez uptown - marc smooth/dallas green/dan.ce - classics/hiphop/r&b/reggae
sun(24): 1073 atlantic b/w franklin + classon/bk - ruben toro - house + classics
sun(24): lotus - goldfinger - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(24): flow - big ben/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house
sun(24): piano's - queen majesty/scratch famous/selector JD - reggae/reggae
sun(24): 32 newark st/hoboken - lou gorbea/great guests - house music
sun(24): pravda - obah - old school/soul/funk/afrobeat/80s
sun(24): deep - camillo - hiphop/r&b/reggae/reggae-ton/latin

mon(25): cielo - francois k/carl craig - future dub/space vibes/house
mon(25): apt - eli escobar/bobbitto/spinna (rotation) - soul/funk/disco/olskool
mon(25): joe's pub - si*se/dj sabo - live brazilian future dance ill ish
mon(25): sway - guest djs - hiphop/rock/soul - very funk/fashiony/on the late tip
mon(25): 9 1/2 - mary mac - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
mon(25): 323 lounge - stretch armstrong/king - hiphop/80s/rock/old school
mon(25): show - dj s&s/big guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - football!!
mon(25): afterwork/coda - live soul/djs/comedy - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/old school

tue(26): joe's pub - guest djs/live soul performances - soul/classics/hiphop
tue(26): union square lounge/coffee shop - emskee skittles - soul/funk/old school
tue(26): table 50 - swamy/john creamer/david vasquez/guests - house
tue(26): lobby - will/self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(26): suite 16 - big ben - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s/house/latin/rock
tue(26): plan b - dj omi - hiphop/rock/80s
tue(26): sapphire - eman/lola - deep house/future grooves
tue(26): company - redlox/fuddy knight - soul/funk/old school/rock/rap/80s/etc.
tue(26): belmont lounge - qool marv - soul/funk/world beat/house/classic r&b
tue(26): afterwork/aubette - snatch 1 - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/classics
tue(26): afterwork/the city - chris love/live bands/comedy - soul/r&b/laughter

Herbert's Heard! (Now in order of hotness!)
1. "Drop..." -- Snoop Dogg + Pharrell (Though I ain't feeling Pharrell's verse.)
2. "Bridge the Gap" -- Nas feat. His Pops (Thanks, Neil Armstrong!)
2. "1, 2 Step" -- Ciara feat. Missy Elliot (Something about that old break ish.)
3. "You Got the Love" -- The Source feat. Candi Stanton (Closer!)
4. "Oh" -- Ciara feat. Ludacris (Sick beat.)
5. "I Used to Love H.E.R." -- Common (Please don't ask. I'll stab you.)

Herbert's Gigs
every wednesday - umbrella new york - 440 w. 202nd (10th ave)
you gotta come uptown! these cats know how to have some fun!!!!!
hip-hop/r&b/reggae/reggaeton by dj herbertowitz all night long!
free!!!!! - new hot venue!!! - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

every friday - freedom - starfoods (64 e. 1st b/w 1st+2nd aves)
#1 funnest friday night dance party in nyc, son-n-n-n!
classic hiphop/soul/dancehall/80s/house/classic r&b/funk
$6 peach punch - food till 2am - dancing - come as you are!!
$5 before 2am, $7 after - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

every saturday - social club (14 e. 27th st b/w 5th + madison)
the HOT HOT HOT new saturday weekly - NO MORE LOT 61!!!
hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house/classics by me - main floor
a mix of the same sort of music downstairs by slynkee and cel
look sharp - ladies free b4 12 - $15 - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

Divine Intervention

Industry Advice From The Divine Miss M

Miss M, I’ve been working at a marketing firm for 7 years, and I’ve had it. I’m ready to start my own business and get some clients of my

Industry Advice From The Divine Miss M

Miss M, I’ve been working at a marketing firm for 7 years, and I’ve had it. I’m ready to start my own business and get some clients of my own. I’ve already gotten my business name and all of the technical stuff, but how do I go about getting clients as soon as possible? I’d like to start working right away so I can get some money coming in and keep the business afloat. What should I do?

The first thing you should do is figure out exactly what you want to do in the marketing field. You should figure out exactly what kind of marketing you’d like to do based on your duties and experience from your job, then think about how you’ll stand out from the rest of the people in your immediate field that are also doing forms of marketing. Check around your neighborhood and see if there are any local businesses that might need some marketing ideas. Start talking to associates and friends about your plans – you may have some friends that have their own businesses and may be able to use your expertise. Be aware that working with friends can be risky. If a friend has a marketing venture that you feel may not turn out how they’d like it to, you should definitely make them aware of your feelings as opposed to taking the money and trying to make it work because you don’t want to let them down, or because you want to prove yourself as a legitimate business person. In the end, you’ll lose both business and friends.

Miss M, I currently own and operate my own consulting firm. I have employees that work under me, but I’m having a problem. I am very passionate about what I do, and I feel as if no one that I hire is passionate as me. It’s understandable, because they don’t own the company, but how can I depend on them to work for me if they’re not as dedicated to the job as I am? Please help!

Honestly, I don’t know what to tell you…because I am the same way! I love what I do… and I don’t think there’s anyone else in the universe that loves what they do as much as I do. I also get frustrated because some of my assistants don’t know how to talk to clients like I do, or they don’t deal well with people in general, which results in a bad reflection on me if they decide to have an attitude or not take a situation seriously. The only suggestion I can give you is the one that I used in my situation. I sat my assistants down and explained to them exactly how I got where I am – through my relationships. I tried to make them understand that building a solid relationship gives you a good rapport with the client – especially in the case where your campaign is unsuccessful. Some of them understood, and some just shook their heads and carried on in the same manner. Now I know that I can only use certain people for certain projects, because everyone isn’t universal. I hope I was able to help you…let me know how it turns out!

Yo Miss M, Check this out – I’ve spent the last 8 months building my database of contacts that I’ve had since I first got in the music business 5 years ago. Yesterday, I found out that my boss went into my computer, got a copy of my list and gave it to a VP at another record label. I know it’s my database because I saw it at the other office in the promotion department, and I’m the only one that uses that particular format of FileMaker Pro. One of the cats over there told me that he saw more than one copy over there, which means it could be all over the building by now. What can I do to protect my relationships with those people in that database?? It also has home numbers and private info that shouldn’t be out there like that, and I don’t want my contacts to think that I just handed their info out without respect for their privacy.

Yikes. Well, all I can say is, if you’ve known those people for 5 years, they should be able to understand your situation. Your privacy was violated and your list was taken without your permission. The list was on company property if I’m not mistaken, so your boss had a certain amount of rights to access your computer. One thing I have learned is that something that is gained easy goes away even easier…another thing I know for a fact is that relationships don’t exist on paper – they’re real. No one can build that five years of conversations, conventions, concerts, jokes, emails, drinks, and dinners that you’ve had with that person by having your database in their hands for a day, a week or even a year. You should lock your database with a password – FileMaker allows you to do that. You should also make a dummy list so that if that happens again, your boss ends up with a list of all of the Red Cross Centers across the country instead of your database… :)

The Divine Miss M has survived the ups and downs the entertainment industry for 13 years and is here to share that insight with you.

So if you need advice on dilemmas within the music industry? Hit her up at thedivinemissm@thecrusade.net.

Message The Divine Miss M and tell her what you think

Perspective: Kimatni D. Rawlins

Kimatni D. Rawlins
Automotive Rhythms

Job history
My very first job was manicuring lawns for the

Kimatni D. Rawlins
President
Automotive Rhythms
Burtonsville MD

Job history
My very first job as a teen was manicuring lawns for the neighbors in Voorhees, NJ. At the time I was thirteen; so I was always a hustler so to speak.
From there, I learned the Colonel's secret while frying chicken at Kentucky for all four years of high school.
In college I really didn't work since I played D1 football; only for one summer during the Olympics in Atlanta. We drove the athletes around in passenger vans.
After graduation, I went on to corporate America, landing a position with Jaguar Cars in Mahwah NJ. That lasted all but a year.
Then I received a call from my father to come help run his car magazine, African Americans On Wheels. I ran the special projects division for five years.
I then left to start my own company, Automotive Rhythms, a one-stop gateway for up-to-date information on new cars and trucks, customization projects and the community issues within the auto business.

What are you currently working on?

Organizing sponsorship opportunities for automotive companies to brand their products within urban markets.

Your day-to-day responsibilities?

Connecting with decision makers, delegating authority; or traveling the globe test driving a new vehicle.

What inspires/motivates you?

My one year old daughter MiKaiya Maat. Ever since she arrived I have been refreshed with new energy and flavor. My thoughts are broadened, my mind is focused, and my heart is kinder. Plus there's no time for kidding around. She has to eat healthy, dress accordingly, and travel the world with her father and mother.

What are your biggest challenges or the downsides of what you do?

I'm always on the road. Sometimes that causes too much interaction with unstable energy. When home, I'm at peace.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

My wife takes care of that. I work long hours. When she sees that I'm pushing it, she rescues me from my Dell.

What career achievement are you most proud of?

Starting the only automotive test drive media company for young urban consumers. No one is doing what I'm doing because it's more than jumping into fancy cars and cruising the block. Automotive Rhythms is creating a platform for young students to aspire too. So the fact that the message is being caught is what makes me most proud.

What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from the experience?

Well, it's not just one mistake because each instance, you work with a different individual or company. I believe they may have mistaken my kindness for weakness. In the past, individuals from these companies either have run with our automotive sponsor ideas and tried to cut us out of the picture or they failed to deliver quality product. Most of the time it's all hype just to pick our brains. So now, I'm all about the contracts. No more gentlemen agreements for me.

Was there ever a time where you thought you might not succeed in what you're doing or if this was the right thing to do with your life? Please explain.

No. I'm born for this business. The industry loves what we're creating and I love what I'm broadcasting for the industry and the urban market.

Guiding principles?

I have a few. Mostly Eastern philosophy with the Most High leading my spiritual crusade.

Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?

My birthday is November 11, 1973. I grew up in the rough city streets of Camden NJ. I went to Eastern High in Voorhees NJ. And the attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta, where I lettered in football. Yellow Jackets baby!

Message Kimatni D. Rawlins and tell him what you think

1st Annual Crusade Community Awards

Best Poster Overall
Dilligaf456

Check out the rest of the results!

Crusade Community Awards
A special thanks to Womeninnetworking, The Gamma, Dilli, Ace for running with this idea and the entire Crusade community for wholeheartedly participating. Congratulations everyone!

General:

Best Poster Overall
Dilligaf456

Best Male Crusader
Froglips

Best Female Crusader
Kounslor

Best Topic Starter
Candy4U

Post of the Year/Thread of the Year
Grammynominated’s smackdown to Johnny Neumatic

Most Passionate Crusader
Erban

The Coolest Crusader Award
Womeninnetworking
Deka

The Newbie of the Year Award (under 250 posts)
Brooklynsis

Ambassador of the Crusade
Ray Tamarra

Best 'News'/Most Informed Crusader
GrammyNominated
Candy4U

Best Crusader of Cool Info
Froglips

The Saddam Hussein Award (ousted dicktator)
Dr. Wigglesworth

The Most Religious Crusader
LarryLove

The Most Conservative Crusader
LarryLove

The Most Liberal Crusader
Rogerone

Fun:

Most likely to smoke you under the table award/Most blunted Crusader
Wally Sparks
Acevac

Best Retirement Post Crusader
LarryLove

The Feud of the Year ______ vs. _______
Johnny Neumatic vs. Rogerone

Most Opinionated
Dilligaf456

The Big Mouth of the Board Award
Johnny Neumatic

Most Passionate About Future Career in Music
CheckMate Muzik

Most Annoying Crusader
Johnny Neumatic

Most Dramatic Crusader
Johnny Neumatic

Most Political Crusader
Hollywood Cole

The Crusade Cynic
Sergeant Waters

“Let’s Look on the Bright Side” Crusader
Womeninnetworking

Best Comedic Crusader
GammaRays

Most Fashionable Crusader
Deka

Most Neglected Crusader
Burnt Orange Crusader

Date Story of the Year
SHarris

The Prodigal Son/Daughter Award
LarryLove

The Crusader who hardly posts but says a lot
Grammynominated

Publicity & Promotions:

Best Avatar
Hollywood Cole

Best Signature/Best Signature picture
Acevac

Best MPEG/Live Action Signature clip
Dead Wrong

Best Promotion (of self and projects)
Osk

Best Shameless Promotion (of self and projects)
Johnny Neumatic

Journalism/Music (From Crusade members)

Best Written Article
AudioAssassin

Best Remix
Checkmate Muzik

Best Compilation
Wally Sparks
OSK

Most Talented
Deka

Most Semi-Accomplished
Grammynominated

The "SHarris" Award
Ray Tamarra

Message The Cruade.net and tell us what you think

The Ru Report #146

In This Week's Report
Billy Porter Unleashes 'Power', White Chocolate Is Delectable, LL Cool J Gets Upscale, Diana Ross Returns and More

Power Moves
Tony Award winning theatrical wizard George C. Wolfe and Public Theater Executive Director Mara Manus recently announced that the 2004-2005 season of "Power Plays" will include the American premiere of Billy Porter's "Ghetto Superstar."

The Power Plays will offer a provocative combination of theatrical works that showcase political intrigue, villainy, clever manipulation, and outrageous wit, often befitting the times in which we live.

Just the thought of it was music to my ears.

Now, all of you avid readers of the column know that there are only but a few people who can get me in a tizzy--and the incomparable vocal powerhouse of the Broadway stage, big screen and recorded music genres is one of them.

Last May, during a sold-out run at New York's downtown performance space, Joe's Pub, I nearly had an out of body experience watching the Pittsburgh native belt out his brew of rhythm & blues. In the immortal words of Reverend C.L. Franklin (father of the great Aretha) from the classic "Amazing Grace" recordings: "I was about to bust wide open!"

So you could only imagine how I've been jonesin for more of his vocal bravado and sheer stage showmanship. Like crack.

According to early production notes, "Ghetto Superstar" is a spiritual, sexual, and musical odyssey in which the teachings of the Pentecostal church collide with the gospel according to "Dreamgirls." Yes. As in the legendary musical that keeps eluding the new generation of Broadway theatergoers. In the show, Mr. Porter will reveal with song his own take on what it means to be a man.

Directed by Brad Rouse and presented by The Public Theater in association with City Theatre in Pittsburgh, the show is expected to open during February 2005.

"I don't want to talk about it really. I want it to be a surprise," Mr. Porter quipped when asked about the subject matter. "Are you f@#%en kidding me?" I thought out loud. But after some prodding, he came together. "It's about growing up Black, gay and Christian in America. Those are the themes."

Alrightee then.

Mr. Porter, who has dazzled theater-goers far and wide with performances in Broadway musicals such as "Miss Saigon," "Five Guys Named Moe," "Grease," "Smokey Joe's Café" and "Dreamgirls 20th Anniversary Broadway Concert" over the past decade, will finally get a shot at doing a one-man-show. And he couldn't be in better company than to have Mr. Wolfe watching over the production.

"We have an amazing relationship," he shared about the out-going Public Theater leader, who cast him in "Radiant Baby" last year. "He's like a mentor and he's like a father to me in many ways. It has been so powerful to me because I've not really had that. I've never really had someone to mentor me in a way that is challenging me to be better, challenging me to grow in other directions as a writer, as a director and as an artist in general. So it's been really good and I've been very blessed to have him in my life."

In the late 1990's, the Carnegie Mellon University alum recorded his debut album for A&M Records, through an ill-fated association with President Clinton filthy rich gal pal Denise Rich. The stunning set, which was critically acclaimed, yielded the powerhouse ballad "Love Is On The Way," subsequently used as the theme song for the blockbuster movie, "The First Wives Club." Since then, Mr. Porter has shared the stage with Rosie O'Donnell, Aretha Franklin and The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. He even appeared in a few TV and film projects--all while juggling stage stuff. He recently completed a run of "Dreamgirls" in his hometown, alongside ex- "American Idol" contestant Frenchie Davis.

More about "Ghetto Superstar":

"People are asking me what's it going to be about," Mr. Porter explained. "I say, it's like 'Elaine Stritch: At Liberty' for a Black fa@#%t forty years younger."

Here's the Why factor: "I'm doing it because it needs to done. I'm speaking up because someone needs to. I think that gay people have been marginalized and we've been misunderstood for long enough and we've been sort of ignored by our own community, especially black gay men. We've been ignored, we've been sent to burning hell, exorcized from our church and our community. And I'm over it. I'm over it. I really am."

"And going through what I've gone through in my life emotionally, and in terms of the business, has just led me to this. And I've tried to run away from it for a long time. And I've tried to not be the one, and I've tried to not be the person and I didn't want to take on the responsibility and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And this is what came out. I sat down to write and this is what came out. So I have to tell my truth."

So is he really ready for his close-up?

"I'm ready. I'm terrified and horrified. I'm excited and scared," he revealed--sounding like an old Alanis Morissette song ("Hand In My Pocket"). "But, ya know," he continued, "it's been a long time coming and I've been very patient and have waited for the moment to try to figure out how to express what it is I need to express."

Ditto.

In addition to the preparation for the big show, Mr. Porter just signed on to perform at the upcoming "Black: 2 Broadway," taking place on November 7 at New York City's Birdland Jazz Club. For tickets, call: 212.352.0255. Meanwhile, his eagerly anticipated live album, tentatively titled "At the Corner of Broadway & Soul" is expected to bow at the top of the year.

White Hot
Run! Do not walk to go see the hot new Off-Broadway play "White Chocolate," created by noted "New Yorker" magazine illustrator William Hamilton and starring the multitalented Lynn Whitfield and Reg. E. Cathey. Directed by David Schweizer, the satirical tour-de-force revolves around two hoity-toity New York City socialites who wake up one morning to find out that their skin color is Black overnight. It is utterly outrageous, and hilarious beyond belief.

White Chocolate sounds sweet and paradoxical, a tone I wanted to flip the unfunny into funny," Mr. Hamilton told "The Ru Report" of his choice of the title. While some may consider it controversial, the sharp dialogue is courageous and the timing is dead-on. "I have been disappointed to find social prejudice so close to where it was before we realized how pernicious it had become in America," he continued. What I wanted to make of 'the controversial subject matter' was hay."

Through the course of the day, Brandon Beale struggles to seal the deal on his new position as Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art while his daughter returns home to announce her surprise engagement to an Asian man they've never met. The wife, Deborah Beale just works on finding a good fit for her new Black self. I think it is casting genius to cast the Emmy Award winning Miss Whitfield in the role of an uppity Jewish woman. (I hope I can still write "Jewish" – e.g. "The Apprentice" controversy) "Lynn Whitfield is a gift from the gods," Mr. Hamilton stated, while also adding, "Audiences have been our salvation--especially the growing--laughing Black audience." "White Chocolate" is playing at the Century Center for the Performing Arts in the east Chelsea district of New York City.

Stages
Two Broadway shows to be on the look out for bring two of the theater world's most gifted artists back to the Great White Way.

On November 4, previews start for Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright August Wilson's latest masterpiece "Gem Of The Ocean," starring Tony Award winners Phylicia Rashad and Ruben Santiago-Hudson with LisaGay Hamilton and Anthony Chisolm. Directed by the brilliant Kenny Leon (who revitalized Broadway this past spring with the Tony Award nominated revival of "Raisin In The Sun"), "Gem of the Ocean" arrives at the Walter Kerr Theater, fresh from a critically-acclaimed run at Boston's Hunting Theater Company.

"Gem" is the ninth play in Mr. Wilson's extraordinary ten play cycle chronicling the African American experience through each decade of the 1900s. Set in 1904, it becomes the first play chronologically in Wilson's odyssey through the 20th century. Citizen Barlow, a man who in spiritual turmoil, arrives in Pittsburgh's Hill District and is soon set off on a spiritual journey leading him to startling discoveries and setting him on a course of duty and redemption. The cast also includes Eugene Lee, Raynor Scheine and John Earl Jelks as Citizen Barlow.

Entertainment Everywoman Whoopi Goldberg returns back to her roots in "Whoopi, The 20th Anniversary," which opens for previews on November 6. Presented by Mike Nichols, Tom Leonardis, Hal Luftig, Leonard Soloway and Steven M. Levy, "Whoopi" is a new production of her eponymous Broadway show, which launched her extraordinary career in October of 1984. Prior to the Great White Way, the production will play a one-week engagement in Philadelphia at the Merriam Theatre beginning October this week, with a limited engagement playing New York's Lyceum Theater through January 30.

Since her auspicious 1984 debut on Broadway, Ms. Goldberg--and her trademark dark lips and dreadlocks--have taken the entertainment world by storm with forays in film, television, publishing and advertising. The Academy Award winner appeared on Broadway for a brief spell in the ill-fated revival of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." As a producer of another revival, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (which was more mainstream appealing), she netted a Tony Award.

Lastly, fresh on the heels of a successful open house event held last month, InnerAct Productions, a Brooklyn-based theater company dedicated to producing quality theater of color, will continue the celebration of its fifth anniversary season with the return of the charming play "Plenty of Time," now playing at the 28th Street Theater (TADA!) through October 31. The two-act, two-character drama--inspired by the classic American drama, "Same Time Next Year"--is a poignant work that follows a thirty-year relationship that begins when a spoiled, Black southern debutante and a Black militant fall in love during the late 1960s in Martha's Vineyard. Written by InnerAct Artistic Director john shévin foster, PhD and directed by Jackie Alexander, "Plenty Of Time" stars the beautiful April Walker, who originated and received critical acclaim for her performance in the role of the debutante, and the debonair Jay J. Jones, a veteran of over 20 stage productions and numerous television appearances.

Davinci Code
Ageless rap legend LL Cool J graces the October 2004 edition of the Atlanta-based "Upscale" magazine. Writer Aliyah S. King opens the cover story, titled "Strictly Business," with a subtitle describing the versatile entertainer as 'Hip-Hop's Leonardo da Vinci.' The Def Jam Records rap veteran, who is all suited up in the photo spread shot by Mark Mann and looking better than ever, doesn't take the term lightly.

"Leonardo did a lot of things well," the former "In The House" star shared about the oft-celebrated painter of the most popular masterpiece The Mona Lisa. "That's what the Renaissance was all about--people were inventing, writing, painting…today it's acting and rapping. There's more to me than what you see. I'm not the guy with the contract who makes records. I'm an artist who expresses himself through acting and rapping."

Always exemplifying the embodiment of a seasoned pro, LL Cool J really knows his stuff. His 11th album, "DEFinition" has sold close to 500,000 copies within its first six weeks of release. He's currently on tour with fast rapping rapper Twista and chart-topping R&B starlet Ciarra as openers.

Music Notes
The "2004 Seagrams Gin Live" Tour blew into the Grand Apple last night, nearly bringing down the rafters of Times Square's BB King Blues Club & Grill with former Goodie MOB front-man Cee-Lo as the headliner, along with the beautiful southern hummingbird Tweet and rising recording star Teedra Moses as openers. It was one hell of a show. Comedian Dante Carter serves as the comic host for the 24-city jaunt, which culminates in Miami on October 23. This year's tour marks the sixth anniversary of a show that showcases the talents of urban music's hottest recording artists, while also continuing the tradition of supporting critical community issues. Proceeds from this year's tour are going towards the Russell Simmons-helmed Hip Hop Summit Action Network, which is a nationwide urban voting initiative. Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige, Jaheim and Mystikal are past headliners of the tour.

Diana Ross, who reinvented the term diva during her reign of the charts in the 60s, 70s and 80s, is on the road again. According to her rep, the 60-year-old entertainment legend will embark on her North American "Forever Diana Tour" beginning November 5 in Atlantic City. The 11-date run will include performances in Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis, among others. The limited engagement was personally routed by the former Supremes front-woman and the venues were selected for their intimate atmosphere.

This week saw the release of Shanachie Entertainment's Soul Satisfaction, a stellar compilation of neo-soul artists being the first to feature emerging talents alongside some of the genres most beloved notables. The 14-track disc provides aural pleasuring from the likes of Rahsaan Patterson, Zap Mama, Rosie Gaines, Eric Roberson, Me'Shell NdeGeOCello, Olu, Ledisi, AMP Fiddler and Rachelle Ferrell who unveils the live stand-out track, "Nothing In The Middle, " from her forthcoming CD. She pees! This opus will be music to the ears of fans of Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and D'Angelo.

A new rapper from Atlanta named AlfaMega, may be causing a war--a bidding war that is. Atlanta radio personality DJ Nabs has been dropping AlfaMega's debut hit single, "The New South" over the airwaves and record executives are listening up. AlfaMega's controversial lyrics--sharing the same sentiment as Jadakiss' "Why?" about President Bush knocking down the twin towers and taking jabs at other politicos like Colin Powell, and even conservative/liberal Fox News personality Bill O'Reilly--are heating things up between two major labels, which are both vying for him to sign a deal.

"I ain't about to be non-violent, honey. Oh no!"

©2004 The Ru Report™. All Rights Reserved~~P.O. Box #25 Bushkill PA 18324

Message Karu F Daniels or email him directly at therureport@aol.com

Tech Sessions #18

Usual Suspects
Yeah I know it has been a second but I got a blockbuster Tech Sessions this week with production superstars The Unusual Suspects. The pair of Big D and Jim Jonsin have held it down for a diverse

Usual Suspects
Yeah I know it has been a second but I got a a blockbuster Tech Sessions this week with production superstars The Unusual Suspects. The pair of Big D and Jim Jonsin have held it down for a diverse group of acts ranging from Boys II Men to igniting the airwaves with the new Trick Daddy banger "Let's Go."

Their resume speaks for itself with recent contributions to both the Cee-Lo and Pitbull projects also coming to mind. Here's a few of the more intriguing Q&A swings.

I recently did a pair of back-to-back columns about the difference between a true producer and a beat maker because I feel that there is a huge difference between the two. How do ya'll feel about that?

BD: Yeah man, you right. We are real producers. We work with the artists on the whole song. A lot of times we have ideas before the artists even gets involved. The easiest way for me to put it is… it's like this. A beat-maker can start a song but he may not be able to finish it.

JJ: That's it right there. Definitely.

BD: But a real producer can hear a song before you really even put it together. Like the whole song. And he or they can execute it with the artist. A producer can see the song from start to finish. A beat-maker can't do that.

It's all about vision to me like just knowing where to go.

JJ: You right about that. We can do so much more because of that. It is a real good position to be in. You can get into these music industry and make a lot of money and God will bless you. But you have to respect it and really it comes down to knowing your craft.

Well, it seems to me like somewhere along the way things got dumbed down because maybe I'm crazy but it seems like a lot of us on the come up just are not trying as hard as producers used to.

BD: Nah, man you are not crazy. You know it's not really even they're fault because the industry is sending that message that you don't have to do a whole lot. You get some of them that just learn to program a little bit on their drum machines and they get a Triton and they think they set. And sometimes they are. Just the way that it is.

Well, what is your respective musical backgrounds/ where are ya'll coming from with that? Do you know theory or did you start in the church?

JJ: I come from a scratching background. Way back there I got started. I used to DJ and all of that so that's what I did and I got into engineering and mixing and I just worked my way into it from there. I tried a lot of things, I rapped, I did it all. It all really helped me grow in all ways. I know D started in the church and played in bands and all that.

BD: Yeah, music is a really big part of my family. I play five different instruments. I really like and respect real musician (ship) so with us we always come with something different and really use our experiences and what we think works best for a song to make it Unusual Suspects.

We can have a real booty bass song. But there's going to be all kinds of different elements in there. You are going to have that rock sound and everything else. It's not going to be just that typical booty bass. That's what we do.

I know ya'll must get a lot of demos what's the biggest mistake you hear on them?

JJ: Aww man, you know… I think people really need to work on their craft more. That's big right there. Save up your money and get in the studio and learn as much as you can. Just get in there and work. That's the big thing because a lot of times, you will hear something and it sounds really bad but maybe the idea was good or vice-versa and you need to really learn your craft and master it.

In looking for that one undiscovered MC to work with that's fire, I have met a lot of rappers that always ask us shit like "oh ya'll can fix it with what's that a uh…plug-in right?" And I'm like "no man."

BD: Well, if you are not ready to get in the booth then you should not be anywhere near the booth. That's plain and simple right there.

JJ: You have to have that delivery that sets you apart to get in the booth. Plug-ins and cutting up takes can't save you. Well… ok… sometimes a new mix can help you. It really can. Especially if it's the track. You can go back in but the vocal delivery has to be right.

That's another thing, the whole leave it to the engineer thing. Do you think producers should at least have a basic working knowledge of why frequencies clash and all that? We do and we learned but a lot of people seem to think you don't have to know. You don't have to go to Full Sail, you can read a few books and all that.

JJ: It's part of your job to learn that stuff. Absolutely, you have to be well rounded. I didn't go to Full Sail I just got into the studio and learned right there. We work with young producers all of the time and we love to do it. We feed our families off of this but we like to help young people as well because we feel as if more young people need to pick up musical instruments to express themselves.

Very good, ya'll it was a pleasure. I know we'll see you on the charts again very soon.

JJ: Thanks a lot.

BD: Appreciate it.

Glover is one half of the Atlanta, GA based production squad The Audio Assassins which are founding members of The Elements. You can find them both at Audioassassins.com and theelementsinc.com

Message The Unusual Suspects' Big D and Jim Jonsin and Glover tell him when you know a track is done!

The Herbert Hollar

Word To Herbert
"Let's go!!! " Daa-nuh, daa-nuh, daa-nuh! Daa-nuh, daa-nuh, daa-nuh! That new Trick Daddy song makes me wanna fight somebody. I almost did yesterday. These freaking shiny plastic people in a Range Rover

Word To Herbert
"Let's go!!! " Daa-nuh, daa-nuh, daa-nuh! Daa-nuh, daa-nuh, daa-nuh! That new Trick Daddy song makes me wanna fight somebody. I almost did yesterday. These freaking shiny plastic people in a Range Rover with their circus-act sunglasses started talking crap while I unloaded my stuff out the trunk of a cab. They dun talked ish about the Chinese cab driver, telling him to "go back to Chinatown," and then they dun told me to "go on a diet!" (You better not be laughing right now. Heheheh. Alright. Fine. It's funny.) Of all the things I could have said, all the things I could've and maybe even should've done, I said ...nothing. I just somehow wasn't able to say anything. It wasn't like I didn't want to. For some reason, my mouth wasn't working. After the fact, I thought to myself, "why don't they take all that money and go take a class or something" (ooooh, Herbert, calm down now). Honestly. That's the first thought. The second thought was "what if I threw my record crate through the back window?" (That's more like it.) But ... I did and said nothing.

Whatever. I got too much ish to do. I got money to make. "Let's Go!!"

Freedom this past Friday brought a record-breaking 503 people! That's right. According to the doorman's clicker, we had 299 girls and 204 guys. That's wassup right there. And the biggest song of the night was Alicia Meyer's "I Wanna Thank You." A very big extra special shout out to YOU for coming down and lending your support and helping to make this the illest party in town right now. And big shout to the Starfoods staff for renovating the place and making it hot. Freedom is ridiculous, unique, extraordinary, something different, something fresh, something with staying power, and it's because of all the dope party people that come down. Now, with that said, please understand that while Freedom continues down the final lap at our current home (yeah ... I said it ... we're getting too big for this space), we have to be very sensitive about crowd control. We don't discriminate on anything (clothes, money, political association) ... except
And that doesn't happen. They come outside to smoke, but then they go back in, which doesn't count if you're somebody waiting to get in. Please come down a bit earlier and party with us. Be a part of it now, from the start! The Freedom Party is going to go down in history, or else my name ain't DJ Herbert! And a big shout out to Cosi for kicking me in the arse on Friday. I was a little bit rusty, and he sonned me. A "son," for the deejays that don't know, is when you play "Eric B. for Pres," and it doesn't go over too well because it was the wrong time or the wrong mix or whatever, and then another deejay plays it a little bit later and the crowd goes freaking wild. I was sonned. Cosi sonned me. I was so angry, I ganked one of his mixes shortly after!!! HAHAHA!!

Big shout out to Steve and Noah, my groomsmen who ended up having a wee bit too much fun the night of my wedding back at the Marriott. You know what goes on at a Marriott. I don't need to get into it. (Let's just say I call them the "British Bulldogs" now. Haaaa!) Also big shout out to Marc Smooth for keeping his cool Friday (or at least trying to).

Peace and love,

DJ Herbert

P.S. -- Ben ... I'll be a little bit late today. Sorry.

Herbert's Hot Picks
wed(13): 17 - herbert - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house
wed(13): bowery poetry club - black moon/a-alikes/chuck d!/flavor flav!!! - cmj
wed(13): eleven - ?uestlove/peanut butter wolf/language/9th wonder - soul/hiphop
wed(13): guerilla gallery - language/lindsey/damon bell - soul/80s - free beer!
wed(13): umbrella - mano - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/classics
wed(13): apt - rich medina - old school/soul/funk/afrobeat/80s
wed(13): sob's - slum village/ra the rugged man/masta killa - live hiphop
wed(13): serena - d nice/rob love - hiphop/r&b/reggae/old school
wed(13): bOb - rholi rho/5th platoon - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
wed(13): lotus - ani quinn - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
wed(13): duke + duchess - jus ske - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/80s/soul
wed(13): white rabbit - smooth c - hiphop/reggae/roots/r&b/classics/80s
wed(13): cielo - kevin hedge/louie vega/guests - soulful house
wed(13): pm - crooked - hiphop/reggae/rock/80s/house/disco/classics
wed(13): cherry lounge - camilo/kay slay/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
wed(13): joe's pub - camp lo/lone catalysts/brassmunk/flo fader - live ish/cmj ish
wed(13): madame x - jon oliver/ben allen - soul/rock/rare grooves - 8pm to 1am
wed(13): aubette - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world - 8 to 2
wed(13): afterwork/coda - dj chase - soul/r&b/hiphop/reggae
wed(13): afterwork/rumor - snatch 1/kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics

thu(14): guernica - blessed/selly/monica pineda/guests - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(14): avalon - peanut butter wolf/n'dea davenport/stretch armstrong - cmj ish
thu(14): apt - king britt/exile/starchild/more - future dance/future soul
thu(14): strata - john legend live/lyfe live/dj daddy dog - hiphop/r&b/soul
thu(14): table 50 - q tip/mark ronson/guests - hiphop/rock/soul/funk/classics
thu(14): ruby falls - guest djs - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s
thu(14): black betty/bk - monk one/emskee/cosmo baker - soul/funk/classics
thu(14): crobar - junior vasquez/ave d/jon jon - rock/house/electro/80s/whatever
thu(14): deep - dj will from da bronx - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/soca/calypso
thu(14): babalu - mister cee/big dris/jess - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(14): canal room - colder/circlesquare/dead combo/trevor jackson - cmj
thu(14): quo - crooked - funky house/hiphop/80s/rock/reggae
thu(14): cherry lounge - dj wreck - "everything under the sun" - mya party
thu(14): show - mada/finesse/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/old school/80s
thu(14): suede - ani - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
thu(14): marquee - reach - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock - bottles/models/mr. wonderful!!
thu(14): discotheque - tony humphries - "zanzibar classics"
thu(14): sweeth rhythm - claudia acuna sextet - live jazz - 212.255.3626
thu(14): afterwork/suede - k.o./rahlo/free buffet - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(14): afterwork/kanvas - dj sweets - hiphop/70s/80s - 6PM

fri(15): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs below!
fri(15): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/quantic/scribe/monkone - house/world beat
fri(15): fuelray - d nice - hiphop/r&b/soul/funk/old school/classics
fri(15): luahn - mary mac/XX guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/deep house/classics
fri(15): lot 61 - dj soul - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(15): joe's pub - kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/old school
fri(15): spirit - big ben/shadee/alex kofman - house/trance/hiphop/r&b/reggae
fri(15): etoile - ty boogie/legend sound - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(15): eugene's - self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(15): babalu's - dj creme/dj ish - hiphop/r&b/reggae/reggae-ton/latin
fri(15): show - crooked - hiphop/reggae/80s/rock/house
fri(15): moe's/bk - dj obah - afrobeat/afrofunk/afrohouse/afrorock - fela's b-day!
fri(15): sullivan room - dj true/miller cruz/live performances - brazilian beat
fri(15): satalla - dj beto/dj abou - african dance party
fri(15): hiro - vanjee - house/mix/stuff/high fashion
fri(15): piano's - small change/guests - blackcrack rare records crazy stuff
fri(15): avalon - hex hector/jason ojeda/louie corrales - house
fri(15): mars 2112 - rorie/steelie bashment/legend sound - reggae/reggae/reggae
fri(15): crobar - sasha - house
fri(15): afterwork/the city - dj kitchen/guests - reggae/soca/r&b/hiphop/salsa

sat(16): social club - herbert/slinkee/cel - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/old school
sat(16): rehab - dj cosi/stimulus - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(16): mission - stormin normin - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(16): 40/40 - rahlo/k.o. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
sat(16): coral room - dj reach - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
sat(16): etoile - goldfinger/precise - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(16): shelter - timmy regisford - soulful soulful soulful soulful (deep) house
sat(16): mercury lounge - liftkid - house/funk/nu jazz/soul/old school
sat(16): route 85a - andy "redlox" katz - soul/hiphop/classics/good!
sat(16): sullivan room - francis harris/david hollands/guests - house
sat(16): starfoods - osiris/big guests - soul/afrobeat/funk
sat(16): octagon - self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(16): viscaya - ani quinn/aphrodita - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
sat(16): 9 1/2 - rob-lo/dj em/PITBULL LIVE - hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin
sat(16): spirit - crooked/jonathan peters - hiphop/r&b/reggae/house
sat(16): cherry lounge - sussone/big guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae - big dawg hour
sat(16): nv - mada/finesse/sal morale - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/house
sat(16): b3 - corbin dooley/powder - house/trance - farewell!
sat(16): southpaw/bk - jean grae/medina green/wordsworth/guests - live hiphop
sat(16): joe's pub - dj eleven - hiphop/r&b/reggae/old school/soul/80s
sat(16): copacabana - snatch one - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(16): sob's - dj chocolate/mondo mundo - global dance music! - holler, phil!

sun(17): fez uptown - marc smooth/dallas green/dan.ce - classics/hiphop/r&b/reggae
sun(17): 1073 atlantic b/w franklin + classon/bk - ruben toro - house + classics
sun(17): lotus - goldfinger - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(17): flow - big ben/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house
sun(17): piano's - queen majesty/scratch famous/selector JD - reggae/reggae
sun(17): 32 newark st/hoboken - lou gorbea/great guests - house music
sun(17): cbgb's lounge - the duane eubanks group - live jazz
sun(17): pravda - obah - old school/soul/funk/afrobeat/80s
sun(17): lq - snatch one/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(17): room 203 - smooth c - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/classics/rock

mon(18): cielo - francois k/carl craig - future dub/space vibes/house
mon(18): sway - guest djs/stylish crowd/skateboard dudes - hiphop/rock/soul
mon(18): 9 1/2 - sussone - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
mon(18): afterwork/coda - live soul/djs/comedy - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/old school

tue(19): joe's pub - guest djs/live soul performances - soul/classics/hiphop
tue(19): table 50 - swamy/john creamer/david vasquez/guests - house
tue(19): lobby - will/self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(19): union square lounge/coffee shop - emskee skittles - soul/funk/old school
tue(19): suite 16 - big ben - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s/house/latin/rock
tue(19): plan b - dj omi - hiphop/rock/80s
tue(19): lotus - etienne - rock/80s/house/soul/hiphop
tue(19): sapphire - eman/lola - deep house/future grooves
tue(19): afterwork/aubette - snatch 1 - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/classics
tue(19): afterwork/the city - chris love/live bands/comedy - soul/r&b/laughter
Herbert's Heard!!! (Now in order of hotness!)
1. "Charlene" -- Anthony Hamilton

2. "Throwdown" -- Usher feat. D Block (You ain heard it cuz djs don't know how!)
3. "You Got the Love" -- The Source feat. Candi Stanton (I'm getting close!)

Herbert's Gigs<'b>
tonight - the rich bi*ch party - 17 (37 West 17th St b/w 5th + 6th)
herbert's hired again for the hottest hump-day party in nyc!!!
hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/classic house by herbert, ya herb?
very exclusive - look sharp - bring your credit card - models/bottles
10pm - $20 - free if ya get a table!! - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

every friday - freedom - starfoods (64 e. 1st b/w 1st+2nd aves)
#1 funnest friday night dance party in nyc, son-n-n-n!
classic hiphop/soul/dancehall/80s/house/classic r&b/funk
$6 peach punch - food till 2am - dancing - come as you are!!
$5 before 2am, $7 after - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

every saturday - social club (14 e. 27th st b/w 5th + madison)
the HOT HOT HOT new saturday weekly - NO MORE LOT 61!!!

hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house/classics by me - main floor
a mix of the same sort of music downstairs by slynkee and cel
look sharp - ladies free b4 12 - $15 - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

monday's are on hold for now ... stay tuned!!!

Message DJ Herbert and tell him what you think

Word To Herbert
I'm baa-aaacck. Hi everyone! How're things? Good? That's good. I'm doing good, too. My little honeymoon with my little shorty was beautiful, romantic and so quiet. It was wonderful. It was good for the soul. Today, I almost got a bike messenger stuck up my arse, but you know what? It's okay. He didn't hit me on purpose. It's all good. The other day in Chicago, I got screamed on by some guy trying to break the world-record for Razor scooter races. He had on a full uniform and numbers and tights and he yelled and foamed at the mouth like I just killed his dog when I accidentaly cut into his route. But now that I look back at it, it's really okay. It's all good. I f-d up his groove accidentally. My bad.

Ah. There. Isn't life grand? And speaking of grand, y'all should never take a trip out to Chicago. You know why? I'll tell you why. Because it's the most grandest, charming, peaceful, well-planned city I've ever seen. It'll make you feel like a jack-arse for paying all this rent and these taxes here in NYC. For what? Chicago has trees and zoos and beautiful buildings and nice people and none of the cars honk their horns and you can actually afford to live there ... comfortably. What do we get here? If we're lucky, 300 square feet for $1500 a month?

But you know what? It's all good. It's okay. I'm doing swell! I'm back in the middle of things, catching up, all the while getting used to this new ring on my finger. I've never worn any jewelry of any sort (except maybe in high school, when I rocked the crystal with the Champion sweatshirt, umbros and Adidas ...don't front like you don't know what I'm talking about ... you remember that fake soccer/lacrosse trend), so it'll take some getting used to. I heard that Cosi killed the Freedom party last week, and I heard from other folks that it was off the hook, but I need y'all to give me some feedback because I also heard that something was up with the bar. Lemme know, gimme a full report. I'd greatly appreciate it.

Big shout out to DJ Cosi and DJ Marc Smooth for holding down the fort. Big shout out to Cucumber Slice, too. Your Monday night joint at APT was 100% inspirational to the rest of us out there. The vibe in that spot was amazing, and it motivated me in my musical quests and reaffirmed my convictions that it's music, not fashion that makes a great New York City night. Best believe I'll support the new monthly schedule. Big shout out to Forrest and the Eclectic Ride folks for a very successful 2 years of good, quality weekly events (every Tuesday at Joe's, in case you were wondering). Y'all remember one of the illest nights they had, right? Anthony Hamilton on stage, DJ Herbert on the 1s + 2s? Well ... I remember it. It was bananas.

Peace to the world, love to all beings, good health and lots of happiness forever,

DJ Herbert

P.S. -- Rest in Peace, Rodney Dangerfield. Rest in Peace!

P.P.S. -- Big shout out to DJ Redlox for the phrase o' the day: "Spinning like the girl's head in 'The Exorcist.'"

Herbert's Hot Picks
wed(06): umbrella - crooked - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/classics
wed(06): apt - rich medina - old school/soul/funk/afrobeat/80s
wed(06): angel bar - scratch famous/teflon - reggae - closing for renovations!
wed(06): serena - d nice/special ed - hiphop/r&b/reggae/old school
wed(06): bOb - rholi rho/5th platoon - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
wed(06): lotus - ani quinn - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
wed(06): white rabbit - smooth c - hiphop/reggae/roots/r&b/classics/80s
wed(06): cielo - kevin hedge/louie vega/guests - soulful house
wed(06): cherry lounge - camilo/kay slay/talib kweli! - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
wed(06): madame x - jon oliver/ben allen - soul/rock/rare grooves - 8pm to 1am
wed(06): nuyorican cafe - live mcs/live jazz/spoken word/open mic - legendary!
wed(06): lotus lounge - southpaw/guests - rap/b-sides/soul/funk
wed(06): duke + duchess - jus ske - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/80s/soul
wed(06): aubette - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world - 8 to 2
wed(06): afterwork/coda - guest djs/pleasure's birthday! - soul/r&b/hiphop/reggae
wed(06): afterwork/rumor - snatch 1/kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics

thu(07): guernica - blessed/selly/mocha sun/ian friday - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(07): table 50 - q tip/mark ronson/premier! - hiphop/rock/soul/funk/classics
thu(07): ruby falls - dj am - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s - yom hooledet sameyach, bill!
thu(07): piano's - dj obah/dj greg caz - funk/soul/old school/afrobeat
thu(07): cielo - bugz in the attik/afronaught walters/daz-i-kue - future dance
thu(07): sob's - rekha/eddie stats/live visuals - bhangra/bhangra/and more bhangra
thu(07): black betty/bk - monk one/emskee/cosmo baker - soul/funk/classics
thu(07): eugene's - ody roc - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/old school
thu(07): spirit - dj kid capri/dj soul - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(07): avalon - stretch armstrong/wishbone/slick rick live!! - hiphop/80/olskool
thu(07): show - richie santana - hiphop/r&b/reggae/old school/80s
thu(07): crobar - larry t/guests - rock/house/electro - happy b-day, larry!!
thu(07): suede - ani quinn - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
thu(07): quo - crooked - funky house/hiphop/80s/rock/reggae
thu(07): marquee - reach - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock - bottles/models/mr. wonderful!!
thu(07): afterwork/kanvas - dj sweets - hiphop/70s/80s - 6PM

fri(08): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs above!
fri(08): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/sabo - house/brazilian/new dance music
fri(08): mouton - dj e love/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/old school/classics
fri(08): luahn - mary mac/XX guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/deep house/classics
fri(08): lot 61 - dj soul - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(08): joe's pub - snatch one/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/old school
fri(08): 5 spot/bk - obah/wonderland orchestra - live afrobeat/afrofunk/afrohouse
fri(08): gstaad - fabrizio/mike sharp/b sharp - future funk/soul/broken jams
fri(08): afrique/newark - earon/lou gorbea - house
fri(08): quo - disciple/reach - house/hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/80s
fri(08): eugene's - kulcha - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(08): cellar bar - steven lee (lee cabrera?) - house/rock
fri(08): spirit - big ben/shadee/sheldon romero - house/trance/hiphop/r&b/reggae
fri(08): sullivan room - lance desardi/sean holland/scottie b/guests - future ish
fri(08): crobar - angel morales/dj escape - house
fri(08): babalu's - dj creme/derrick spaulding - "party music" (go figger)
fri(08): coral room - mada/finesse - hiphop/rock/house/classics
fri(08): discotheque - junior vasquez/joi cardwell live!/liza - house
fri(08): frank's lounge/bk - eman/guests - house - happy b-day, lori/bye beyond!
fri(08): show - crooked - hiphop/reggae/80s/rock/house
fri(08): viscaya - ody rock - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
fri(08): hiro - vanjee - house/mix/stuff/high fashion
fri(08): afterwork/vue - dj tijeras/jinx paul/nina sky live - latin/reggae/hiphop
fri(08): afterwork/sequoia's - willie rodriguez/john sciascia - latin music

sat(09): social club - herbert/slinkee/cel - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/old school
sat(09): rehab - dj cosi/stimulus - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(09): mission - stormin normin - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(09): 40/40 - rahlo/k.o. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
sat(09): coral room - dj reach - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
sat(09): etoile - goldfinger/precise - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(09): shelter - timmy regisford - soulful soulful soulful soulful (deep) house
sat(09): strata - big ben/ody roc - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house
sat(09): el flamingo - self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(09): mercury lounge - liftkid - house/funk/nu jazz/soul/old school
sat(09): route 85a - andy "redlox" katz - soul/hiphop/classics/good!
sat(09): viscaya - ani quinn/aphrodita - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
sat(09): plaid - big ben/peter parker - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house/latin
sat(09): sullivan room - francis harris/david hollands/guests - house
sat(09): crobar - deep dish - house
sat(09): 9 1/2 - derrick spaulding/dj em - hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin/house/80s/soul
sat(09): cherry lounge - sussone/big guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae - big dawg hour
sat(09): starfoods - osiris/guests - soul/afrobeat/funk
sat(09): pm - crooked - hiphop/80s/rock/disco/house/reggae
sat(09): ruby falls - good rotating deejays/high fashion - hiphop/rock/house/80s

sun(10): fez uptown - marc smooth/dallas green/dan.ce - classics/hiphop/r&b/reggae
sun(10): table 50 - scribe/misbehaviour/brainchild - soul/funk/old school/80s
sun(10): 1073 atlantic b/w franklin + classon/bk - ruben toro - house + classics
sun(10): canal room - roy ayers/eric roberson/lizz fields/jessica moore - live!
sun(10): sputnik/bk - second 2 last live/djs/fashion show - sponsored by veuve!
sun(10): lotus - goldfinger - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(10): strata - self/miri ben-ari - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - live violin
sun(10): soho 323 - todd mallis/sal morale - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/house
sun(10): flow - big ben - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house
sun(10): vue - dj skribble/mike direkt/tonik/paul perri - hiphop/house - 18+
sun(10): eugene's - dennis da menace/ody roc/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
sun(10): duke + duchess - big ben - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s/house/rock
sun(10): piano's - queen majesty/scratch famous/selector JD - reggae/reggae
sun(10): cherry lounge - dj sussone - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(10): 32 newark st/hoboken - lou gorbea/great guests - house music
sun(10): lq - snatch one/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics

mon(11): trust - herbert - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s/rock/house/reggaeton
mon(11): cielo - francois k/carl craig - future dub/space vibes/house
mon(11): sway - guest djs/stylish crowd/skateboard dudes - hiphop/rock/soul
mon(11): show - s&s - hiphop/r&b/reggae/monday night football
mon(11): joe's pub - rob swift - hiphop/breaks/disco/funk

tue(12): table 50 - swamy/john creamer/david vasquez/guests - house
tue(12): 65 4th ave b/w 9th + 10th - jus-ske/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul
tue(12): joe's pub - guest djs/live soul performances - soul/classics/hiphop
tue(12): lobby - will/self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(12): odea - ali shaheed muhammed/dj uncle mike - soul/r&b/hiphop - congrats!!!
tue(12): union square lounge/coffee shop - emskee skittles - soul/funk/old school
tue(12): suite 16 - big ben - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s/house/latin/rock
tue(12): justin's - sussone/bobby trends - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(12): plan b - dj omi - hiphop/rock/80s
tue(12): afterwork/aubette - snatch 1 - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/classics
tue(12): afterwork/the city - chris love/live bands/comedy - soul/r&b/laughter

Herbert's Heard (Now in order of hotness!)
1. "Charlene" -- Anthony Hamilton
2. "Hush" -- LL Cool feat. 7 Aurelius
3. "Always and Forever" -- Heatwave
4. "Dangerously in Love" -- Beyonce

Herbert's Gigs
every OTHER wednesday - umbrella new york - 440 w. 202nd (crnr of 10th ave)
you gotta come uptown! these cats know how to have some fun!!!!!
hip-hop/r&b/reggae/reggaeton by dj herbertowitz all night long!
ladies free b4 12/$10 after - guys $15 - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

thursday - political jam - coda (34 e.34th b/w 5th + madison)
herbert's gettin' political ... sike ... i'm spinning from 10-12!
classic house/classic dance/disco/herbert's going to get nasty
10pm doors ... not sure about a cover ... ask for me!!!

fridays - freedom - starfoods (64 e. 1st b/w 1st+2nd aves)
#1 funnest friday night dance party in nyc, son-n-n-n!
classic hiphop/soul/dancehall/80s/house/classic r&b/funk
$6 peach punch - food till 2am - dancing - come as you are!!
$5 before 2am, $7 after - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

saturdays - social club (14 e. 27th st b/w 5th + madison)
the hot hot hot new saturday weekly - no more lot 61!!
hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house/classics by me - main floor
a mix of the same sort of music downstairs by slynkee and cel
look sharp - ladies free b4 12 - $15 - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

mondays - trust me mondays - trust (421 w.13th b/w 9th + washington)
a new monday night fire session in a sexy, cool, surprise location!
hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/classics/house/whatever they want

10pm to 4am - look sharp - no cover! - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

Message DJ Herbert and tell him what you think

Perspective: Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson
Groundrush Media

Job history
My first job was a board operator at a local radio

Mike Johnson
President/Creative Director
Groundrush Media
Atlanta GA


Job history
My first job was working as a board operator at a local radio station in the Virgin Islands my freshman year of High School. I would simply play music on the weekends Sat & Sun from 12am-6am. My Dad saw the love I had for the broadcast industry so he would drive me and pick me up from work every weekend. By my sophomore year I was promoted to being on the air from 12am-6am on the weekends. So now, if you can imagine a teenager actually speaking on the radio at that age, I was in heaven. I worked at that radio station throughout High School and once I graduated I decided not to go to College right away.
I continued working at the radio station in the V.I. and then became a Radio Disc Jockey working 6pm-10pm M-F. Two years after high school I was still working at the radio station and I decided to explore my options and take a shot at applying for a job at a Major Market station. In the spring of '94 I landed a job with WXYV Radio (V-103) in Baltimore Maryland, replacing one of their legendary Disc Jockeys Frank Ski who had just been promoted to Morning Drive on V-103. I spent 3 years in Baltimore and eventually also became the MD of the station.
I started getting bored with being On the Air but I didn't want to get out of broadcasting so I found an opportunity to become the production director at a Radio-One Station in Atlanta, Ga. Hot 97.5. My basic duties consisted of voicing and producing radio commercials for the radio station. I put so much of my energy in perfecting this craft that what happened was, clients of the radio station started contacting me directly to do their commercials. Now keep in mind, clients were suppose to get their commercials produced at no charge because they were doing business with the radio station, but people would actually pay me on the side to do their commercials because according to them I was really good at making commercials that were away from the norm. Long story short I did so much side business that my side hustle was making more money than my check, so I paid more attention to that than what I was actually hired to do. My wheels started turning and I started thinking that if I keep this up I can raise enough money to go into business myself and start a voice-over/radio production company.
I played both sides of the fence for quite sometime. I was getting a check from the radio station and getting crazy loot from my hustle. I took every penny I had and started to invest into recording equipment to build a studio in the basement of my home. I achieved the goal of getting my studio at my house and then it finally caught up with me, the radio station found out that I was getting paid by clients to do spots and that was not acceptable. The General Manager at the time, Mary-Catherine Sneed, fired me because of this, which she had every right to do, but I must say that was the best thing that ever happened to me. The day I got fired from Radio-One I sat on the couch in my living room for about 10 hours wondering if I had enough faith in myself to go into business for myself and something in me just snapped and said "If it doesn't work out you could always get another job, but you will always wonder what would've happened if you didn't try."
That was it. I was also very surprised that the client list I developed at the radio station kept coming back and the list kept growing of people that I did Radio commercials for. I decided I needed a name for this company and one of my best friend's girlfriend suggested I call the company Groundrush Media because it would totally signify the quality of work you produce, very high energy, adrenaline rush, creative type of work. June 1999 was the birth of Groundrush Media. Since then I moved the company out of my basement in McDonough, Ga. into and unbelievable property in the heart of downtown Atlanta. The company has grown to 17 employees and I have added on two other Departments to make Groundrush Media not only an audio company but also an unbelievable vibrant multimedia creative firm. We offer Audio imaging, TV/Post Production Imaging, and Digital Media Imaging (Web Design/Print Design/Illustration/Graphics).

What are you currently working on? Your day-to-day responsibilities?

Groundrush is currently working on numerous projects, just to name a few:
Usher's Confession Special Edition Album TV commercial
3 Days Grace TV Commercial
Jay Z and R Kelly's Unfinished Business Album TV Commercial
A web site design for a nightclub in Germany called Club Static
Radio Commercials for a new energy drink called N Motion for it's national launch
The list can go on & on & on……

My day-to-day responsibilities include one thing, come to work and be creative. I head up the creative at the company and my partner Michael Gidewon heads up the financials and office duties with the administrative staff. So my duties are kind of fun but can also be very mentally draining. I have to constantly stay ahead of who's doing what in every media facet that we are involved in and believe me, I always run across those days when I have a major creative block.
But I love what I do and my staff and I always manage to amaze ourselves every time so I wouldn't have it any other way.

What inspires/motivates you?

I have several mentors that have and always will inspire me. Pat Garrett one of the unbelievable Voice-Over artists of our day. He is also a very close friend who took me under his wing and showed me the ropes to this game. Mitch Faulkner is another Voice-Over Artist that always amazed me. Ted Turner, the fact that he built his empire on his own to become a Media Mogul. (which is where we are trying to get to.)

What are your biggest challenges or the downsides of what you do?

Our biggest challenge in what we do is the fact that we are not in New York or LA where most of the companies that do what we do are located. We are slowly overcoming that obstacle as we prove to clients that with the way technology is today, Groundrush Media can supply you with creative wherever you are in the world and chances are we will do it better and faster than the guy in your backyard.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

What personal life? (lol) Seriously, It's hard and I have to make a real effort to say when your at home your at home and work is work. I am always moving so it's hard for me to keep still and I am always thinking and there was a time in my life where work would fill the void of having something to do. Now I have learned to replace that with more recreational stuff like playing golf, now that's all I want to do. (Just kidding) I have learned that true success is learning how to balance your life because a very important part of the success equation is having time for yourself.

What career achievement are you most proud of?

Groundrush Media. Calling that my own.

What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from the experience?

I don't really look at anything I have done as a mistake, I look at it like this if, I had done anything differently, "screw ups" and all, I might be somewhere else.

Was there ever a time where you thought you might not succeed in what you're doing or if this was the right thing to do with your life? Please explain.

The first two years in business I felt like that. I feel like I set my expectations for being in business a little to high, such as going after clients I know I wasn't ready to tackle, and then falling on my face when I was denied the business and I never understood that it was about paying dues and realizing my newly found company was still in its infancy stage and that it would take some time for me to develop the credibility to get the bigger accounts so the company could grow. I was really trying to walk before I crawled. I wanted to quit several times, but I made a promise to someone very dear to me a long time ago that I would never quit; I would never give up, because they left me with an opportunity to be great and I continue to do this in their memory. (But that's another story)

Guiding principles?

Work hard. Never give up, because there is someone else out there that is trying to get to where you're at and if you allow it they will pull the rug from under you. Also, be humble and always practice doing good business.

Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?

My birthday is October 15, 1973. I grew up in St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands and went to St. Joseph's High in St. Croix. Then I attended University of MD College Park and continued at Georgia State but never graduated.

Message Mike Johnson and tell him what you think