Filmmaker Michael J. Payton, an Oakland, California native, attended San Francisco State University and earned his Bachelor’s degree in radio and television broadcasting.
“Hip hop is one of those things that really gave my life meaning,” LL Cool J, perhaps the greatest of them all, stated during the ceremony that included Nas, Lil Kim, Fat Joe, Grandmaster Flash, Slick Rick, EMPD, Naughty By Nature, and other superstars and trailblazers.
“Earl Simmons was a wonderful, caring father, and a sensitive, thoughtful man. Unfortunately, Dark Man X took over and ran amok, tormented and struggling to find the light. … DMX gave me the inspiration to keep going at Def Jam when rap became soft and silly,” Lyor Cohen, a former executive at Def Jam, said in a statement.
The Library of Congress announced Wednesday that Labelle’s song “Lady Marmalade” and Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration” are some of the titles tapped for preservation this year. The national library chose a few more memorable titles including Kermit the Frog’s “The Rainbow Connection.”
In a recent interview with The Associated Press, D Smoke talked about the pressure of finding success outside “Rhythm + Flow,” how being a teacher matured his lyrics and his thoughts on why Grammy voters nominated him and other 35-and-up rappers in the best rap album category.
Every year the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list highlights the year’s most influential music executives and leaders in the industry.
“What does it mean to have a seat at the table?” was the theme for The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce’s virtual Women in the C – Suite conference on November 4. Décor Interior Design Chief Executive Officer Ronda Jackson moderated the hour-long discussion that centered on the topics of what it takes to maintain a successful career, open doors for other women and propel the next generation of women leaders. Panelists included Sydney Kamlager, Assemblywoman, 54th District; Kim Carter, partner, Kelley Drye, LLP; Christine Keith, resident, Elite Auto Network; Tameka Raymond, founder, Cult De Jour; and Halleemah Nash, founder, Rosecrans Ventures.
UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance (CAP UCLA) presents The Soul Rebels, revolutionizing and modernizing traditional New Orleans brass, with special guest Big Freedia on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m. at The Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles. Tickets for $29–$59 are available now at cap.ucla.edu and theatre.acehotel.com, 310-825-2101 and The Theatre at Ace Hotel box office.
A pioneer within the 1990’s East Coast rap scene, the lyricist is one the most influential rappers in the industry who is respected among his peers, fans and still sells out arenas.
I think it truly challenges the perspective and it has opened a lot of conversations about the Sandra Blands, Trayvon Martins, and Philando Castiles,” he states.