Mayor Ras J. Baraka Welcomes The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards Back To Newark
The Lauryn Hill collaborator calls his city “America’s turntable for harmonic expression.”
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action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /wordpress-versions/6.7.2/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114The Lauryn Hill collaborator calls his city “America’s turntable for harmonic expression.”
The makeup/recording artist explains why he is a Material Girl.
Nicki Minaj will also perform at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, which take place at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on August 28.
“I want to be a catalyst for little Brown girls.”
“I still try to infuse a bit of my Patois in my music.”
This ain’t the fight you want, Colson.
Watch Redman’s classic segment from his Staten Island apartment.
Nick Cannon has been speaking his truth, but those word have him out of one of his jobs.
IT LOOKS LIKE THE RAPPER/ACTOR HAS A HIT ON HIS HANDS
(AllHipHop Features) Learning how hard Angela Yee has worked to navigate her way through the entertainment industry is nothing short of inspiring. As one of three on the dynamic nationally syndicated radio show, “The Breakfast Club,” she owns her expertise, integrity, and womanhood within the industry. Angela spent the majority of her free time as a child writing short, fictional stories and reading every novel she could get her hands on. When Angela graduated from Poly Prep in Brooklyn, she headed to Wesleyan University, where she graduated with a BA in English. After college, she utilized the relationships she secured through various internships at MTV, TVT Records, and Wu-Tang Management to obtain employment as an assistant to the CEO of Wu-Tang Corporation. Angela gained valuable experience dealing with multiple labels, artists, lawyers, accountants, and organizing special events. Angela realized she had a knack for marketing, and spent the next five years working with internet startups, Nile Rodgers’ record distribution label, clothing brands, and launching Eminem’s clothing line Shady Limited. Yee decided her ideal position would be merging her love of marketing with her love of music, and that was when her industry relationships and stellar work reputation placed her in a position to get hired at Sirius Satellite Radio. While looking for job opportunities online, she saw the company was hiring in their marketing department and immediately called Paul Rosenberg, the head of Shady Records. She knew they were launching Shade 45 at Sirius and he would be able to at least get her an interview. Never the type of person to wait for an opportunity, she soon pitched her own weekly nighttime show called “Lip Service,” which became an instant success. The show was the only female-hosted program on Shade 45 and allowed guests to engage in intimate conversations that were a refreshing contrast from the typical interviews with a promotional agenda. Soon enough, Angela took over the morning show as the main host and created “The Morning After with Angela Yee.” Angela continued to grind tirelessly at Shade 45, providing a platform for unsigned artists with her segment “Don’t Quit Your Day Job,” where artists like Drake, Machine Gun Kelly, and Big Krit were showcased before signing to major labels. She conducted standout interviews with Eminem, Nicki Minaj, Chris Rock, Birdman, 50 Cent, TI, and Wiz Khalifa among many others. Her talent and work ethic did not go unnoticed, and she was the only Sirius XM personality mentioned in the 2009 “The Source” Power 30 issue. Several radio stations in different markets began contacting Angela Yee and she soon decided to take a risk and leave her home of six years at Shade 45 for the station that was the underdog in radio’s number one market: New York City’s Power 105.1. The Breakfast Club was formed in December 2010 with DJ Envy, Angela Yee, and Charlamagne and for the past three years the show has been the number one radio program in “The Source” Power 30 issue, and in 2014 the New York State Broadcasters Association awarded “The Breakfast Club” with the 2014 OUTSTANDING ON-AIR BROADCAST PERSONALITY OR TEAM award. Currently, the show is syndicated in over 30 markets weekday mornings and over 70 markets on the weekend where listeners can hear Angela Yee’s Rumor Report, her advice segment “Ask Yee,” and current events with “Front Page News.” Angela also continues to expand her brand with her popular podcast “Angela Yee’s Lip Service” and freelance writing with Vibe Magazine, YRB Magazine, and her own website www.teamyee.tv. She has received a WEEN Mission Award, the “Shirley Chisholm Woman of Distinction” Award and donates her time and efforts to speaking at schools and on educational panels, working with Coats for Kids, Dress for Success, Makeover Your MS, Children Making Strides Against Pediatric Cancer, The Bowery Mission, and various other charitable organizations. From her humble beginnings booking studio time and running payroll for Wu-Tang Management, to working with Eminem at Shady Limited, she’s packed her resume’ with targeted experiences that made her extremely marketable, with hosting successful radio shows, managing clients such as GZA and Jay Electronica and cultivating a voice in the music and Hip-Hop industry. Angela took some time to connect with AllHipHop to discuss her journey, the importance of having a backup plan and the life of being a woman in radio and in the hip-hop and entertainment world: AllHipHop: How would you describe being a woman in the hip-hop industry? Angela Yee: I mean, as a woman, when people walk the room, they will give everyone a pound but not say anything to you. They won’t automatically think you’re an executive in the first impression. That’s typically how it is but you maintain yourself, build great relationships and hustle. AllHipHop: In situations like that, what keeps you from giving up? Angela Yee: I’ve never felt like giving up and have always had a strong foundation. But what kept me mostly from giving up was that I knew I always had a backup plan. With that, you can do anything and to have that security was key. AllHipHop: That’s real, because not only do you work in radio, you’ve done marketing, writing, distribution right? Angela Yee: Yes, and you get put in different situations that can be opportunities and if you get your foot in the door, you got to bust the door wide open. AllHipHop: How do you find balance in work, personal life, health, etc.? Angela Yee: You have to find a way to find that balance. I always put work before everything, but I had to learn to find that time to be balanced. AllHipHop: As women, we sometimes deal with certain scrutiny if we have children, or are married or serious relationships, but still living within the industry. How can we combat that stigma? Angela Yee: I think the biggest thing to remember especially being a woman in the industry is that you have to be with someone that understands what you do, and RESPECTS what you […]
(AllHipHop Features) “Being focused on success wasn’t a choice it was a need. It was literally a need to succeed.” -TT Torrez Within minutes of our call with Music Executive, TT Torrez, we felt the vibe and an understanding of the grit and determination that this powerful woman embodied. The multi-media personality and music executive at HOT97 humbly made it clear that she’s worked very hard to be where she is. From a rocky start, being on her own since she was 14-years-old, she dealt with the harsh realities of many inner city kids. It wasn’t until she got to college that she discovered her love and passion for radio. Torrez made it her mission to make her way into the radio world and locked in her first professional role at WCHH Hot 92.7 in Charlotte, NC as a part-time radio host. She then moved further south to WSSP Power 94.3 in Charleston, SC to be a midday personality and producer for the esteemed Russ Parr Morning Show. After her time at The Russ Parr Morning Show, she spent four years traveling for Music Choice, writing and producing for television shows, and hosting on-camera interviews with celebrities. She even found time to work weekends as an on-air talent for the legendary WUSL Power 99 in Philadelphia. Torrez worked full-time as the afternoon personality and Music Director for WCDX iPower 92.1 in Richmond, VA prior to moving to New York’s Hot 97. Given her humble beginnings, Torrez ensures that she makes time to give back to the community through philanthropic efforts including her “Pink Birthday Party” charity event benefiting breast cancer research and the “I Will Wait Until I Graduate” campaign which was founded by Torrez to encourage young girls to graduate before parenting a child. Torrez recently received the award for “Best Community Service” from the VA Association of Broadcasters for her “Prom-A-Thon” campaign that provided over 500 girls with prom dresses, make-up and hair to attend their high school prom. Despite being an exclusive media source in her own right, Torrez has also been featured in various media outlets including The Source, Star, and VIBE magazine, television’s Nancy Grace, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, and blog sites like necolebitchie.com, bossip.com, and globalgrind.com. She also continues to cover the red carpet at the MTV VMA’s, the BET Awards, the BET Hip-Hop Awards and The Grammys. Ms. Torrez says the radio world can be a bit of a “boys’ club,” but through hard work, knowing what she wanted and successful networking, she’s managed to land her dream job. With the hustle and bustle of curating what hits the HOT 97 air-waves, AllHipHop got a few moments of her time to discuss her world as a female music executive: AllHipHop: Please explain what your job entails: TT Torrez: I am responsible for developing, coordinating, and supervising all music programs, production and overall day-to-day operations of the station. I also plan and produce special musical concerts and/or workshops and coordinate fundraising efforts. The main job of a radio station’s Music Director is to find the right music for the station, but it’s more complicated than just picking quality music. It’s making sure out of the music that’s available to us, we’re finding the right music our audience wants to hear, which generates the best ratings, which in turn helps our sales department sell airtime.” AllHipHop: What’s the most enjoyable part of the job and your duties? TT Torrez: Interacting with the community AllHipHop: What is the hardest part: * TT Torrez: Balancing work life and personal life AllHipHop: Do you remember and can describe a time of adversity in your career? TT Torrez: I remember the first time I got fired from my first radio gig. It was in Charleston, South Carolina, and I was producing The Russ Parr Morning Show. The company said they were selling their station and as of tomorrow, you no longer have a job. I remember crying wondering what I was going to do. I wasn’t making that much money, but one thing I’ve always been good at was networking. Russ Parr and I became really good friends –he became a mentor to me, and I told him ‘Hey I’m out of a gig,’ and he said there weren’t any positions available, he created an opportunity for me to connect with the program director and see what happens. So I packed up my Honda Accord, put my furniture in storage and drove to D.C. This taught me that you really have to humble yourself and be open to doing other things. I went from literally having nowhere to stay to gaining a great gig in Connecticut. You have to go through the trials and tribulations to get to where you want to be. AllHipHop: How do you express the pride of being a woman of color in the industry, being humble but owning your position and how does that transpire within the music and entertainment industry? TT Torrez: I mean, it’s very easy to get lost in this business. You have to be strong-minded and have a strong personality. Black women already face so many stereotypes when it comes to reality television and from what others perceive us to be. I think for me it was all about me being authentic to who I am…and I had a lot of people on the way that tried to change that or turn me into things that I’m not. I always had to stay strong to who I am while still maturing. You can’t get caught up in what this industry can do to you. You always have to strategize and not always wear your heart on your sleeves. You are smart and you can be on the same level as men. AllHipHop: How do you balance work and personal life? TT Torrez: I definitely I have the situation, but I have a 6-year-old son and I raise my nephew, and you really have to find what you want and how […]
“If you do the work and the grind, the person that you want to talk to is going to find you” –Kelly Jackson Very early on, music executive, Kelly Jackson, also known as Kelly Kinkaid, understood her purpose. When taking the leap of faith into the entertainment industry, she made the decision to never compromise who she was or take shortcuts to get to where she wanted to be. The Michigan native symbolizes what the power of experience, knowledge, and networking, can do to create your own lane and how always staying true to yourself is the best form of power. Through faith and fearlessness, Kelly developed an extensive resume working for companies like Columbia Records, Epic Records, TreMedia, V.Brown & Co., and StepSon Music/Tommy Boy. She’s also amassed a client list that includes the legendary Paul Mooney, Deborah Cox, Lil Scrappy, Jim Jones, OJ Da Juiceman, Saigon, Locksmith, DJ Jazzy Joyce and MTV news senior correspondent & SiriusXM personality, Sway Calloway. Jackson is currently the supervising producer for Sway In The Morning Show and Managing Partner at Overdeliver Ent. Allhiphop.com had the pleasure of speaking with Kelly about her journey through the industry with the highs and lows of owning her power, womanhood, and expertise within the intense male-dominated world of entertainment and Hip-Hop. AllHipHop: Could you describe your journey a bit? How did you get to where you are now? Kelly Jackson: Well, I’m a native of Flint, Michigan. I went to Jackson State University, which was a great experience, so I always knew more was to come in life. I had an opportunity to move to New York, although it was never in my plans– it was in God’s plan. Since I’ve always been a go-getter and entrepreneur at my core, I got a full-time job and juggled multiple record labels internships when I first moved to New York, just for the experience. One thing I had to realize on my journey was to understand that it’s not a sprint, but it’s a marathon and when I finally realized that and understood everything happens for a reason…I was good. Today, I know I am still a student and still learning, but everything I’ve experienced on this journey has made me who I am. AllHipHop: What was your childhood like and how do you feel that prepared you for this career? Kelly Jackson: Being from the midwest, I believe we have the best ears because we are able to embrace music from all coasts without being bias, plus we bring the soul. But just particularly where I’m from, I was able to have a balanced life. I came with a different lens. AllHipHop: Throughout your career, can you describe a moment adversity? Kelly Jackson: Everyone deals with adversity in this industry, but for me, it happened when the change of the label structures occurred. The jobs weren’t as plentiful and that made the record industry not as fun anymore for me because it became more competitive. So, I left New York with the intention of going to law school and started working in radio in Flint, MI as an on-air personality. I did begin to miss New York. I loved it there and loved the music industry on the executive side. Although going back, it was a lot more competitive, leaving New York helped me appreciate the industry and the privileges I had within it. Many strive to just get their foot into the door, and it was important for me to get back and live out my dreams and aspirations I had in the entertainment industry. AllHipHop: Through that moment of adversity, or just in general, what kept you from giving up? Kelly Jackson: I’m not a quitter, and the great thing about the industry is, that there is always something, you can find to do. I am a marketer and can market an orange if I need to. People have to understand, if you want to be in the mix, there is a process to this. Many want the easy route, but I’ve always looked at the bigger picture. Some people will only look at the immediate circumstances instead of looking at the long term benefits. AllHipHop: How does family play a role in your journey through this industry? (parents, siblings, marriage, kids, etc.) Kelly Jackson: In 2011 my father was dying and I was literally home weekly. During that time, I had to truly realize that this is just a job and if the people I work with don’t get it, then I don’t need to be working there. I just made sure my work was done because nobody wants to hear your excuses. AllHipHop: No matter what the excuse is right? Kelly Jackson: Exactly. So if I have to stay up 4 hours later than the next person…then I have to do it. AllHipHop: What about any relationships? That is a major factor that sometimes women in this industry definitely have to think about. Kelly Jackson: As far as my personal life, you won’t see on my social media 50 million pics hugged up with someone, but if you respect your private or personal life, you make other people respect that side too. As women, we definitely are held at a different regard, especially when it comes to image, and significant others. AllHipHop: Do you see much woman empowerment and support within the industry? Kelly Jackson: There are pockets of supportive women. We support each other in small ways. You don’t have to be someone’s best friend to support them. You can say hey, I really liked what you said right there or anything uplifting. It’s ok to give compliments, we actually need to continue to encourage each other. We as women need to continue to be secure in ourselves and to understand what’s for you, is for you. The men do it… AllHipHop: Balancing work, family and health can be crazy especially as women, what tips would you share with other women? Kelly Jackson: On […]
With more than a decade of experience in television production and journalism, Emmy Award-nominated producer, Elon D. Johnson has facilitated in the creation and execution of some of the most critically acclaimed and highly rated shows on several networks including syndicated channels (ABC, NBC, FOX), and cable channels BET, VH1, MTV, and FUSE. As a journalist, Elon’s work has appeared in Essence, Giant, Honey, Jewel, Juicy, King, Latin Girl, Long Island Village Voice, Mixmag, One World, Poz, Request, Set, Suede, The Ave, The Source, Unleashed, Uptown, Vibe, Vibe Vixen, XXL, XXL Presents Eye Candy, XXL Presents Hip Hop Soul, and on AllHipHop.com, Amazon.com, AOL.com, Barnes&Noble.com, BET.com, Hookt.com, MartiniPink.com, MTV.com, Papermag.com, VH1.com and Vibe.com. As the grandchild of immigrants, Elon and has maintained close ties to her family roots in Barbados, working on a number of international projects including entertainment TV shows and the marketing and advertising of women-centered and empowering tourism events. As you can see, this powerful woman is one to be reckoned with. AllHipHop.com got a moment to ask Ms. Johnson a few questions: AllHipHop: please, explain what your job entails? Elon Johnson: There are several levels to being a producer in television depending on the network or production company, but my job, essentially, is to manage, execute and produce an event, worthy of being on television. While there is no easy way to explain it, my job is really to make sure all elements of getting a show from conception to air are complete. Typically I start with a proposed creative perimeter, source out the right production team for said content, brainstorm ideas, and work with several departments – from legal, to clearance, to standards and practices, to sales and branding, all while making sure the content tells a full story, is entertaining and engaging and nothing is left unaddressed. AllHipHop: What’s the most enjoyable part of the job and your duties? Elon Johnson: The most enjoyable part of the job is having the ability to create television about things that interest me. I started in music news and had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in entertainment. It was a regular day at work to interview Destiny’s Child, Wu-Tang Clan, Britney Spears, Nas, Ja Rule, 50 Cent, Outkast, Christina Aguilera, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, U2, The Fugees, and so many more. I moved on to talk television which was more lifestyle, women-centered and centered on A-List TV and movie stars, and now, the content that is before me can be anything from a large live awards red carpet show to developing a cult web series into a TV series, so being able to keep my finger on the pulse of pop culture is very much a dream job in many ways. AllHipHop: What is the hardest part? Elon Johnson: The most difficult part, currently, is viewer engagement. The face of television, how television is viewed and what keeps the viewer’s attention is ever changing and it is my job to not only stay abreast of those changes but to also be ahead of the TV trends. AllHipHop: What advice do you have to offer people that want to be where you are or aspire to make it in the business? Elon Johnson: Channel your passion, present your ambition, and most importantly let your reputation precede you. So if you’re an intern, be the standout intern. If you’re a production assistant (an entry level TV position), be sure to offer more than your job requires while at the same time, staying in your lane. I find the people who ask the most questions, seek out counsel to get ahead, and pay close attention to all the moving parts of production, often have the best success in moving forward fast. And if you’re DIY, take it seriously. Study the craft and elevate your idea. You have the audience, keep them. AllHipHop: Can you describe a moment of adversity personal and in your career? Elon Johnson: Who can’t? Nothing about the work force is easy. I have storiessssssss…. Especially in the uber emotional industry of entertainment. I once had a very popular female rapper threaten me because she found out I interviewed her former fiancé as part of her cover story for a magazine. I felt terrible that she was so angered by this but it was part of my job to get all sides of the story. I was once in a car with a very popular male rapper who decided to drive full speed ahead down the sidewalk because the cops had blocked off the street. I honestly thought my crew and I might lose our life that night behind his aggression. I’ve had hardships in the workplace just dealing with people wanting to pigeonhole me as a Black woman, despite the fact that I have seamlessly transitioned between producing a hip-hop news special that looked a beef between Nas and Jay-Z, to a talk show with top model Alexa Chung, to a show that required a full-fledged house renovation with Nate Berkus to producing 11 hours of live television in less than a week, all celebrating the BET Awards. As for the personal, I have freelanced as a producer and showrunner for over 10 years now. This lifestyle is not for the faint of heart. It is essentially a business you’re running as an individual so YOU are responsible for marketing yourself, staying relevant, and making sure people know that you are capable of doing this job in various mediums and doing it better than others. So that can weigh on your personal life as the hustle tends to take precedence. AllHipHop: What keeps you from giving up working within a male dominated industry… Elon Johnson: One thing I don’t focus on is gender in the workplace. I know I’m damn good at what I do period. I’ve had so much experience in so many facets of media that it is a gut sensation for me to produce. I deal with men […]
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