Salute To DJs: Grandmaster Flash

When it comes to DJing, you have to pay respects to the pioneers in order to really appreciate the culture. Grandmaster Flash is the key figure in both Hip-Hop and DJ culture that innovated the DJ techniques back-spinning, punch phrasing and scratching (although Grand Wizzard Theodore originated scratching, Flash perfected it and popularized it) in the 1970's that are still used by DJs of today.

In the late 1970's, Grandmaster Flash started his own group The Furious Five, that featured himself as the group's DJ. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five initially singed to Enjoy Records, then released "Superrappin'" in 1979. The following year the group signed to Sugar Hill Records. 1981 brought about the release of "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels of Steel", a seven minute mix of Spoonie Gee's "Monster Jam," Blondie's "Rapture," Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band's "Apache," Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," Chic's "Good Times," and the group's own "Freedom." Flash is the first DJ to ever do a record that was strictly for a DJ to showcase his skills. He credits his influences as Grandmaster Flowers, DJ Kool Herc and Pete Jones.

Salute To DJs: DJ Kool Herc

Just last month Hip-Hop celebrated 40 years since it got its start in the Bronx, NY by Jamaican born DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy C when they threw a back to school party in the recreation room of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue on August 11, 1973. The playing style that Herc thought of that night changed the way music would be played and laid the foundation for a culture that eventually took the world by storm. The video below is an interview of him explaining how it all came about.

Official party invitation.
Not long ago, the Father of Hip-Hop fell ill and had surgery for kidney stones. After a couple of operations he's currently doing ok, but donations will still help in further recovery. Like many others who live here in America, Herc didn't have health insurance. For those who have already contributed, he sends his sincere gratitude through the website that was created to help collect donations from the Hip-Hop community. We salute you DJ Kool Herc, the DJ of all DJs!

www.DJKOOLHERC.com

Salute To DJs: DJ Lady Love

For our first post, we salute one of the first two ladies to represent for Hip-Hop on the wheels of steel, the legendary DJ Lady Love. After moving to Queens at a young age, she got her start in DJing by learning the craft from DJ Davy DMX of the funk group Orange Krush, who also did production for Run-DMC. As time progressed, her skills and record collection improved. She would then be referred to as "New York's #1 Female DJ" who did a series of parties, shows and other special events.

Photos courtesy of DJ Lady Love
In 1981, she took a hiatus from DJing, but returned some time later and has been rockin' it in full force since. DJ Lady Love often refers to herself as a "Hip-Hop fiend" and continues to delight audiences with her blends at clubs around the country, cruise ships and hosts her own radio show called The Love Shack, that airs Sundays at 7:00 pm (EST) and is produced by DJ Charlie Rzock on FONYE Radio. We salute you queen!

FONYERadio.com

Happy Birthday: DJ Lady Love

Happy Birthday to a pioneer in Hip-Hop, DJ Lady Love! She's been rockin' beats non-stop from way back and continues to blaze it on the 1's and 2's with her radio shows on Fonye Radio (Sundays), Flex 103 FM (Fridays) and plenty of parties and live shows. Time to grab your headphones or turn up your speakers for her Strictly Hip-Hop podcast. ENJOY!

Farewell Contro' Versy

Contro' Versy
(September 10, 1977 - October 14, 2011)
The Hip-Hop community mourns the loss of another powerful activist in the community who's work spoke volumes. Contro' Versy (also known as Miss Electric Blue) was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa and eventually made her move stateside to Bronx, NY. For a more extensive bio and her contributions, read more on her Contro' Versy Facebook page.