Legends – Street Line Video

19 Naughty Three: The 25th Anniversary

After the celebration of their 25th anniversary of their debut album two years ago, New Jersey’s very own DJ Kay Gee, Treach, and Vinnie aka Naughty By Nature’s second album “19 Naughty Three” has now reached the big 2-5. To give y’all a recap, I was invited to a Naughty By Nature/Cypress Hill show for free by Kay Gee himself two years ago during Halloween weekend and that night was definitely one of the greatest nights of my life. Hit after hit, classic after classic, Naughty tears the stage up and it certainly felt like 1991 all over again. Now fast forward to now, February 23rd, 2018. It’s now the 25th anniversary of their second album and it’s my favorite album from Naughty. At 2:18 this morning, I wanted to revisit the album and give it a listen and it’s still timeless hip hop. Every fast rhyme, every hard beat, every sample, this album is a definite banger and a must have for a hip hop fan. Besides the three singles “Hip Hop Hooray”, “Written On Ya Kitten” and “It’s On”, my favorites are “Ready For Dem” featuring the late great Heavy D. Rest In peace. “The Hood Comes First”, “Hot Potato”, “Sleepin’ On Jersey” featuring Queen Latifah and “Sleepwalkin’ II.” No skips on this album for me at all. Something rare for me with albums nowadays. That’s another story I won’t get into but back to the main topic. Naughty By Nature have definitely put in work and have solidified themselves as hip hop legends. They’re still doing show left and right, up and down and making sure they’re shows have the same exact energy as when you listen to their albums. They’re a true hip hop group that never changed who they were to sell records or to be accepted by mainstream standards. They continued to stay their true selves and keep it real. The same three guys from the streets of New Jersey. It’s as real as it gets. Nothing watered down. The best part about our hip hop legends doing shows is they’re doing better and looking better than most of the young guys my age. It’s like the young guys can’t keep up with the OG’s but claim to wanna be like them or they learn from them. Which part? But this is no diss. Just keeping it real. After all, that’s what hip hop is all about and Naughty have definitely done that.

Jalen Hemphill

Jalen Hemphill is an aspiring singer/songwriter, dancer, DJ, actor, hip hop enthusiast, and blogger. He has been entertaining his whole life but didn’t decide to want to do it professionally until he was 14 years old. He is currently a student at Hostos Community College working towards his associates degree in Liberal Arts and after graduating, he will be working towards his dreams of becoming a professional entertainer.

One of Jalens’ attributes is his clothing line. A true Hip Hop Fan, Jalen aka Jay-Doggz wardrobe represent true 80s and 90s hip hop. Look out for this young aspiring talent actor/singer/songwriter. With many hats on his head theres no telling what he has to offer. He is a brilliant individual with an amazing, headstrong attitude. His fashion style and just the way he promotes himself as a person reveals how socially structured he is. He sticks to his own style, he doesn’t care for opinions against it because it makes up who he is. His charm when speaking brings many in, as he is generally a nice guy and is always willing to help whenever possible. He’s a down to earth young man and to be within his circle of friends would be the best choice anyone has ever made.

His motivation will drive you, just as much as it drives him to become the best version of himself.

He will be great.

Reflections of Hip Hop

When Hip Hop was born I was only 6 years old living in Marlboro projects in Brooklyn New York. As I got older, I would write rhymes and perform at the skating rink. When I was feeling down I could always count on Hip Hop to lift me up. I would go to all the shows and sneak backstage to meet my favorite artists. In Brooklyn, In the 70’s we we’re listening to James Brown, MFSB, Chic, and other soulful artists before Rappers Delight hit the world by storm in 79′. After that it quickly became a “Domino effect“, everybody wanted in. The rest is history. The first Hip Hop song I fell in love with was Planet Rock, I got lost in those drums. I played it over and over and my mom use to scream at me “Iris, turn that sh** down!!!!” I remember like it was yesterday. The first years of Hip Hop were the best years of my life with park jams, skate jams and parties. Hip Hop brought everyone together and formed a bond that can never be broken. After 44 years Hip Hop is still in my blood and always will be. I can go on and on but I’ll leave it as “Long Live Hip Hop!!!!”

Jadakiss takes over the Bronx

“SummerStage”? Well, over 7,000 park goers and residents from the Bronx can. Sunday, August 6th, 2017 in Tremont park in the Bronx, the weather was mellow, the people was eager. Originally, the concert was suppose to take place in Crotona park at the Amphitheatre in the Bronx, but was moved to a bigger stage a few blocks down the street. Signs were posted “Jadakiss concert moved to Tremont west Crotona park.” People scurried and packed up their chairs and ran over to the other side of the park.

It was old timers day and everybody was there – old, young, family and friends. This was the day every year when people got together from different states or different boroughs. They came from everywhere just to see one another. Crotona park was packed. At 4pm, park goers got the word that the Jadakiss concert was being moved to the Tremont. Why? The Amphitheatre that was going to hold the concert wasn’t big enough to handle the massive crowd. It was already 4pm on the west side of Tremont of Crotona park – a packed crowd of about 5,000 was already there. Jadakiss was not even on stage so it made sense that they moved the concert to the other side of the park especially with all the cookouts and parties that was happening on the other side of Crotona Park. The crowd was still gathering, the DJ spun music for the crowd to dance and cheer to the music. The concert started a little after 6pm. A 14 year old rapper from the Bronx took the stage and turned the crowd on. He was the opening act. Now, the crowd needed some exercise – a local workout group call Bartendaz came on stage to explain how important physical fitness was.

Jadakiss got on stage and the crowd went wild. The rapper brung out his special guest to perform BlackJunior M.A.F.I.A performed some of his greatest hits. The mini concert was like being at Madison Square Garden. Jadakiss began performing his top hits. The crowd rapped along with him. This was a great day for the Bronx Thanks to SummerStage.

SUMMERSTAGE 2017: Jadakiss

Summerstage had yet another incredible and dope show. Jadakiss with guests Lil’ Cease, Black Thought and Tek from Smif-N-Wessun. A scattered crowd that quickly turned into a frenzy with hip hop and hardcore Jadakiss fans bum rush to the front with excitement and their phones in their hands as Jadakiss approaches the stage and his raspy voice is clear and loud on the mic. DJ Technician on the 1’s and 2’s, gives us a medley of old school hip hop classics back to back as he spins, reminisces on the glory days of hip hop. Lots of energy and excitement, everyone has their phones out, going live for Facebook, recording for the Gram and getting as many pics as possible. Jada gives us a lineup of his hits including “Why” and “We Gon’ Make It.” Lil’ Cease then comes out and does his version of “Crush On You”, Black Rob comes out and does his classic “Whoa!” and Tek comes out to do gives us a classic or two as well. Can’t forget about the over excitement after the show of the people hopping over fences and banging on the car windows as the legends make their exit. Another incredible and exciting show for the people. The Bronx always knows how to represent. After all, Jada did say that The Bronx and Yonkers are cousins, well Yesterday let us know that Jada is definitely that cool cousin who when he comes to town, it’s a frenzy.

The Life and Celebration of DJ Scott La Rock

Yesterday on May 19th, 2017, the legendary DJ Scott La Rock finally gets his dedication and respects right here in The Bronx. Right on Kingsbridge Road, which is way Uptown on the 4 train, there was a street name celebration for the legend himself. DJ Scott La Rock was part of one of hip hop’s dopest crews who goes by the name Boogie Down Productions. Boogie Down Productions had its members The Teacha himself, the Blastmaster KRS-One and another DJ, who is also doing photography as well today, named D-Nice. 30 years ago, back in March, the group’s debut album “Criminal Minded” was released and five months after its release, Scott La Rock was tragically killed which changed everything within the group. KRS-One eventually went solo and even started going by “The Teacha.” BDP’s debut album not only had the combination sounds of both hip hop and reggae music but the album touched on subjects about the conflict of Where hip hop first derived from in the 80’s, which is where the classics “South Bronx” and “The Bridge Is Over” talks about. Being at that celebration was just something that was definitely an iconic moment for me just like so many other moments in my life. It was also something that made me proud of being from The Bronx. Made me proud as a hip hoppa. Even though I’m not from that particular area in The Bronx, it’s still something that was well overdue for the fallen legend. So nice to see fans, his family and other hip hop legends like Kool DJ Red Alert again, hip hop’s very own first MC Coke La Rock, Jazzy Jay, who is incredible on the turntables, and later on Popmaster Fabel, who is a dope pop locker and dancer. Hip hop is definitely deserving of so many things and more. I’m just happy I’m alive to have these experiences instead of the ones when it All first happened long ago.

Haunted Hill 2016 Presents: Cypress Hill & Naughty By Nature

On the night of October 28th, 2016, I had one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was the Naughty By Nature/Cypress Hill Haunted Hill 2016 show downtown at Terminal 5. Last week, DJ Kay Gee himself direct messaged me inviting me to the show for free. I was so hyped and pumped about the show. Fast forward to yesterday. Last night, I got there around 5:30, the show starts at 7 but the show really started around 8 or 9. I spoke to the supervisor about me not buying ticket and instead I was invited for free. I got a wristband, went inside, told the lady behind the glass window that I got a free invite by one of the guys in the show. I hand her my ID and she pulls out an envelope and gives it to me. The envelope had my ticket already inside with another wristband written “VIP” on it. I go upstairs and wait probably another 30 minutes to an hour and then we go to the place where the show was gonna happen. I get there and Naughty by Nature merchandise was set up so I knew they was gonna perform first. Kay Gee walks out, notices me, points me out and gives me a peace sign. Then one of their men came up to me and gives me another wristband but this one was an invitation to actually get on stage right beside them during the show but I decided to stay in the audience because I didn’t want to lose my spot way in the front. I could’ve kissed the stage, that’s how close I was. Then, Kay Gee starts spinning a couple of classic hip hop joints and out comes Vinnie and Treach and we went ballistic in the crowd. They came out on “O.P.P” but I knew they was gonna perform that joint before Kay Gee played it because he played “ABC, 123” by the Jackson 5 and that’s the sample on “O.P.P.” Hit after hit, classic after classic, Naughty was tearing down the house. Treach even threw “You Down Wit O.P.P.” stickers and his sweaty towel and I caught both. I was too fucking hype. LMAO! At the end of their performance, Kay Gee walks up to me and shows me more love and I pointed at him and yelled “Yo, Thanks Kay Gee!” and then Cypress Hill came out. They tore it down too but to be honest, I don’t know too much about their stuff except for the usual joints. I was 100% turned up with Naughty, with Cypress, I was in and out but regardless I enjoyed the show. My boys Todd and Ashanti from school came through too and we us three left together. I left that show with a O.P.P. sticker, Treach’s sweaty towel and NBN skully hat my boy Todd copped for me. I also left wanting to cry so bad, I had the greatest time of my life. For my first hip hop concert, I got more than I expected and that’s what made it all so amazing to me. I still can’t get over all the love I was given by Kay Gee. Feels good to know that I’m being recognized for my love of hip hop culture. Real definitely can spot the real and I can always say that what Kay Gee did for me was more than real. This is definitely another hip hop moment for me I’ll never forget.