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Davey D's FNV Newsletter
======================== Red's reputation really grew during the now infamous 'Bridge Wars' where he went head to head with former radio rival Mr Magic and the Juice Crew. Red backed an emerging KRS-One and Scott La Rock and could be heard in the background on some of their records with his now famous 'yeeeeaahhhh'... Red also established a reputation for being versatile as he was one of the first commercial radio djs to come out and start playing reggae on the air. In addition to putting out several Hip Hop compilation albums, Red also released some well received reggae compilations. Lastly Red is also credited with introducing the Hip Hop world to the his nephews who made up the Jungle Brothers. When 98.7 Kiss switched formats and came under the ownership of Emmis Broadcasting which also owns Hot 97, Red Alert moved as well and began doing their noon time old school mixes.. It was here that Red enhanced his reputation even more..But as of Friday, Hip Hop's legendary DJ... The guy who was on radio longer then anyone else is stepping off... Currently Red has been getting lots of offers, but as one long time associate pointed out, Red deserves his own radio station. He should ideally be programming some sort of station thaqt caters to an old school format.. We'll keep our fingers crossed to see if that happens. Inj any case its shame that Hot 97 let one of Hip Hop's true pioneers who's been on radio for almost 20 years, walk out the door.. Folks may also want to look out for Red's upcoming album 'DJ Red Alert Presents Beats, Rhymes and Battles of Hip Hop Volume 1' on Loud Records In any case I was in New York, this weekend and got a chance to run into DMX at the premier. He wasn't on crutches that evening. After the movie DMX did an hour long performance at the posh Rainbow Room. It was good to see him ripping the mic. The man has incredible energy and great charisma. he left everyone hyped. He closed the show by reciting his prayer in which he gives thanks to God. With him being out of prison and on the verge of having what will easily be a number one movie, the X man has lots to be thankful for.. So how was Exit Wounds? How was Steven Segal? How was DMX? And how was fellow Ruff Ryder Drag On who is also in the movie? It was exciting. DMX held is own on the screen as did Drag On. Don't expect DMX to beat out Samuel Jackson or Denzel Washington for Best Actor, but do expect this movie to do quite well and be quite appealing to Steven Segal and DMX fans.. I got a chance to interview Segal after the movie and he explained what it was like working with DMX. He said he put 110% effort into his film. He also explained that he hurt DMX's shoulder when filming their fight scenes. I won't ruin the picture or give away the plot, but DMX does get busy with some martial arts... On a side note Segal is about to put out his own album. Its not a rap album, but it was produced by Wyclef.. We'll keep you posted on that... It looks like Eminem can not escape controversy. The latest incident involves an elementary school teacher in Iowa named Cassie Johnson. Ms Johnson quit her job the other day after being reprimanded by school officials for leading a research project on Eminem's lyrics. The school officials felt that the language these students were being exposed to were too harsh and as a result they canceled the project. Ms Johnson obviously felt strongly about the issue. She noted that the class presentations did not focus on the lyrics. She also felt it was unfair to cancel the hard work students had already put into the project. Her concerns fell on def ears and Ms Johnson wound up quitting.. As for Eminem, his wife Kimberly just filed for divorce stating that the reconcilation didn't work and there's no way the pair could get back together.. Oh well..life goes on.. One week later, in the February 27th, 2001 issue of the Daily News, a cover story headline reads: "Foxy vs. Lil' Kim - DIVA DIS SPARKS RAP WAR." In addition to that, a chronology from 1995 - 2000 was printed on page 3 entitled "Hip Hype & Rival Rap," only listing acts of confrontation in Rap music. Given the blatant defamation of Hiphop's kultural character, it is obvious that the Daily News has positioned itself as part of the problem and not of the solution. Speaking in New York City in 1906, Mark Twain once said "there are only two forces that can carry light to all corners of the globe - the sun in the heavens and the Associated Press". But what happens when the press fails to illuminate the light of truth to its readers? What happens to a nation when its daily news becomes imbalanced and one-sided? What happens when journalists who are sworn to objectivity and accuracy, deteriorate into blood-seeking storytellers? The answer can be found in Nazi Germany where the sacredness of the printed word deteriorated into propaganda and the criminalization of an entire sect of people. It would not have been such a big deal, however, the Daily News' refusal to attend the press conference raises suspicion as to their intent. It seems a political position has been taken by the Daily News, as it pertains to Rap, Hiphop and Black youth in general. A story should have been printed about Hiphop Appreciation Week being the precise strategy needed to prevent these kinds of disputes in the future. Is responsible journalism being practiced? Has the Daily News joined in a conspiracy to criminalize black youth for the purpose of feeding our children to the prison system? Or what? What is really at stake, is the minds of our children, and that of the public at large. If the Daily News was really reporting community news and issues, it would have ran a story about the Bronx Borough President, Fernando Ferrar, who has issued an official proclamation declaring May14th-21st, 2001 Hiphop Appreciation Week in the Bronx, New York. Nothing was mentioned about Rev. Al Sharpton opening the Hiphop Appreciation Week Press Conference with a prayer; nor about his call for Hiphop's unity. Instead, the Daily News ignored our call to unity and declared a "war" in Hiphop that didn't exist until they announced it! It is these imbalanced and sensationalistic stories that lead to more violence. It further promotes the justification for law enforcement to label all Hiphoppas criminals! Don't believe the hype! The leaders of Hiphop Kulture are well aware that all journalists are not unprincipled sensationalists. We know that responsible journalists will not sit back and allow irresponsible journalists to promote an image of journalism that includes deception and lack of integrity. In the same breath, responsible Hiphoppas will not allow irresponsible Hiphoppas to promote an image of Hiphop as being exclusively criminal. Just as all Hiphoppas are not criminals ...all Hiphoppas are not on trial, and all Hiphoppas are not subjects of violent incidents and/or non-violent disputes. The true and original Hiphop Kulture shall keep its door open for only a short time longer, hoping that the journalist community and the Hiphop community can finally resolve this issue. In the meantime, our advice to all true Hiphoppas, and those reading about us in the press is: "DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!" In Recent Shootout In any case Lil Kim has released a statement denying that her entourage had any involvement in the shooting..She maintains that her security had no involvement and she had no idea about any argumentleading to the shooting. Ocasio who was actually shot, claims that he had no idea as to who the shooters were.. This whole incident has to be extremely troubling for Lil Kim who has been as of late has been securing movie roles and lucrative deals as a spokesmodel for various products. No company in their right mind wants to be associated with anyone who is involved in gun play. Furthermore just the idea that she was some how connected just further cements in people's minds why investing in rappers may not be such a good idea. When you consider the hoopla being made about the Sean Puffy Combs trial and the recent controversy surrounding Eminem, many will read the proiverbial tea leaves and simply stay away. Adding to all that is DMX who is featured in an upcoming major motion picture-'Exit Wounds'. He had to turn himself in yesterday and start serving a two week sentence for some prior run ins with the law. For many people Lil Kim, Puff Daddy and Eminem are Hip Hop's brightest shining stars. If they can't hold it together.. who can? Thats how a lot of folks are thinking. This whole saga is bad and hopefully it gets resolved. Hopefully there is no lasting drama that results in more violence and gun play. The unfortunate thing is that someone got shot and sent to the hospital and fingers are being pointed and people are being accused.. In today's world that can only spell trouble as cats more times than not seek to take revenge... ======END OF NEWSLETTER================ FNV February 12 2001 FNV January 23 2001 FNV January 21 2001 FNV January 16 2001 FNV January 12 2001 FNV January 9 2001 FNV January 5 2001 FNV January 2 2001 FNV December 19 2000 FNV December 15 2000 FNV December 13 2000 FNV December 11 2000 FNV December 4 2000 FNV November 30 2000 FNV November 22 2000 FNV November 17th 2000 FNV November 6th 2000 FNV October 26 2000 FNV October 24 2000 FNV October 18 2000 FNV October 16 2000 FNV October 2 2000
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It looks like Hip Hop is about to lose on of its legendary DJs. We're sad to learn that Kool DJ Red Alert of Hot 97 is leaving the station. Apparently the management decided to cut his hours as well as his pay to the point that Red thought it would be best to bounce. What a shame when you take into account that Red was recently inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and was the recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from Impact Magazine..You simply don't come across people of Red's stature. He's Hip Hop premier radio deejay who has been on the scene from day one. He came up under Afrika Bambaataa and is cousin to the legendary Jazzy Jay. He started wrecking turntables back in '76-'77 at many of the early Hip Hop block party community center gigs. He later went on to put in work with his cousin Jazzy Jay on a show called Zulu Beats which aired on independent radio station WHBI. Red graduated from there and really began to blow up the spot in October of '83 when he was hired by commercial urban giant Kiss FM. It is here that Red established his world wide reputation. There wasn't a Hip Hop fan from here to Japan that didn't have a Red Alert mixtape. 
By now everyone knows that DMX was released from prison after a tumultuous two week stay. He was able to get out in time for the special premier screening of his new movie Exit Wounds which was shown at the Zigfield Theater in New York. Apparently when he got out, he was on crutches. The injuries were attributed to rough treatment from correction officers who claim that they did nothing wrong except constrain an 'out of control' DMX.... Other reports state that from the moment he entered the facilities, prison guards were targeting him and trying their best to break him down.. Unfortunately he will have to appear in court before the end of the month to answer some of the felony charges these correction officials have levied on him.. 
Phife Dawg dropped through the Bay Area to spread some good cheer and hang out at the Lakers vs Warrior Game. The Warriors lost again but, for those who don't know, they have been seriously holding it down for Hip Hop. Phife was the half time performer as the sold out arena celebrated Shaquille O'neal's birthday. This performance from Phife is coming at the heals of a recent half time performance featuring DJ Apollo and the Triple Threat DJs.. As for Phife, we chopped it up a bit and he said he's working on a new album called 'The Keys of Phife'. He noted that this album will be more varied and a bit more introspective as compared to his last album, 'Ventilation' which he described as 'personal'. Phife also noted that he's hard at work making the transition into becoming a sports agent. For those who don't know Phife has long been a sports fanatic. He's now taking that love and channeling it into something that can earn him a living. He cautioned that he's taking his time to learn this trade and that he will definitely take time to crawl before he gets up and walks in the new endeavor. 
Is it me or is the Blastmasta KRS-One making a comeback of sorts? He deserves major props for stepping up and trying to hold things down for Hip Hop over the past couple of weeks. Last week he came out and blasted the NY Daily News for not being more responsible in their Hip Hop coverage. He felt they were being to sensationalistic while simultaneously ignoring some of the positive people and activities going on. He was particularly miffed that the media ignored the press conference he and numerous other Hip Hop luminaries had to declare Hip Hop Appreciation Week.. As a result he showed up again in a column in the Daily News. He also showed up on BET last night to state his case and to discuss Hip Hop and its potential to cause violence.. If thats not enough KRS is set to drop a new album called 'Sneak Attack'. He has another song that is off the hook. Its a latino flavored reggae cut called Balumbalang which he did with new comer Mexicano 777. This is the type of song most people would've never thought KRS would get down with.. Not only did he come through, but he seriously represented.. On a side note..Source Magazine publisher Dave Mays was supposed to appear on BET with KRS. In the past he and KRS have had differences. KRS attempted to repair the strained relationships but according to reports Mays hung up on him and backed out of the show... Wassup with dat??? 
Speaking of people trying to resolve beefs.. Foxy Brown has made attempts to reach out to Lil Kim and immediately sit down and end any quarrels they have with one another. She asked Russell Simmons to act as an intermediary and noted that they have to be bigger then their beefs. She even suggested to MTV News that the pair should do a collaboration together. Foxy deserves a PHAT Award for that. It's a mature approach and something that hasn't been heard over the past few weeks with all this drama swirling about in Hip Hop. So far there has been no response from Lil Kim's camp. With the 4th year anniversary of Notorious BIG's tragic death coming up, Let's hope Lil Kim pulls herself together and agrees to Foxy Brown's peace offering...
Last week, the leaders of Hiphop Kulture extended an invitation for the NY Daily News to attend a press conference wherein Hiphop Appreciation Week (May 14th thru 21st, 2001) was being announced. Their refusal to attend clearly stated a lack of interest to be informed of the positive steps being taken by the leaders of Hiphop Kulture. Hiphop Appreciation Week has been established by Hiphop Kulture as a time for Hiphop unity and self-reflection. Why was this call for unity disregarded?