DJ Statik - J. Dilla Tribute - May 2006 - Part 2

Biography of DJ Statik

From: South Philadelphia
Resides: West Philadelphia
DJing since: 1991

A soon to be legend in the field of Djing, Statik wins the most quality mixtapes ever award. With a true knowledge, skill, and understanding of djing Staik has exploded locally, nationally and internationally unleashing a barrage of perfect projects along with DJ force the Illvibe Collective (DJ’s Phillie Blunt, Panek, Lil Dave and Skipmode). The blueprint of the DJ is symbolized by Statik’s keen awareness of all types of music, aptly mixing and blending these types of music, and presenting the finished product in a way that each one who listens feels like the product was produced exclusively for them. Statik’s skill is also present in performance as being summoned to DJ for the likes of J- Live, Bahamadia, Schoolz of Thought, Grand Agent and a host of others.

Since its founding in 2000, ILLVIBE COLLECTIVE has been solidifying its eminence as Philadelphia’s most prolific, well-respected DJ crew. An amalgam of partyrockers and turntablists extraordinaire whose combined experience totals over a half-century, this five-man family, comprised of Statik, Panek, Phillee Blunt, Lil Dave and Skipmode, has been making an indelible mark on the Illadelph music scene, both individually and as a team. Pick your poison: dance floors, mix tapes or radio airwaves, and its guaranteed that ILLVIBE COLLECTIVE will rock ’em well -- with their loyal, worldwide following as co-signers.

As master showmen, ILLVIBE COLLECTIVE has collaborated and shared stages with groundbreaking artists including Gang Starr, King Britt, Jazzy Jeff, Q-Bert, Cee-Lo, Les Nubians, Public Enemy, Prince Paul, The New Deal, Zap Mama, Nelly and countless others. Here at home, their unmistakable ill! turntable logo is as recognizable and omnipresent on Philadelphia’s nightscape as Batman’s Gotham City skybeam, exemplified by the roster of successful parties and special events they’ve either hosted or headlined. The appropriately titled Bodyrock, ILLVIBE COLLECTIVE’s hugely popular bi-weekly dancefest, is an undeniable fixture in the city’s club community.

In 1998, Statik (James Peterson III), Panek (Cliff Humphreys) and Phillee Blunt (Phil Lee) were humble students at Philadelphia University, brought together by their respective love of hip-hop and, more specifically, hip-hop turntablism and its show-and-prove mentality. Part of the thing with every self-respecting DJ is, “You’re not the man until I say you’re the man,” laughs Statik, expounding on how the trio connected via WPUR, the campus radio station where all three served as both internal staff and show hosts/creators. Not only were he, Panek and Phillee deft turntable craftsmen, Statik says, but “we were on a mission to really make this station happen.” And happen it did, certainly for the two years that preceded the official formation of ILLVIBE COLLECTIVE.

DJ Jay-Ski - J. Dilla Tribute - May 2006 - Part 2

Biography of DJ Jay-Ski

DJ Jay-Ski fell in love with Hip-Hop in the early 80's. He went from growing up on Van Halen and Led Zeppelin and playing guitar, to trading that in for breakdancing and eventually two turntables. After messing around with an early record that he purchased (Jam Master Jay by Run-Dmc), he fell in love with way it sounded to scratch 'Jayyyyy' on his father's stereo. After risking the record condition as well as his dad's needle, Jay was eventually given a set of beginner turntables as a gift. From that point on, there was no looking back. After practicing day in and day out, and eventually buying a set of the standard Technic's 1200 turntables, Jay-Ski entered a local DJ battle that consisted of about 25 DJ's. He made it to the second week, and remained on the stage all night as he defeated all competitors in his path. This landed him a local radio guest spot as a prize, which then led to a gig on Philly's Q102 in 1992 doing a weekly hip-hop show. One year after that he also entered the Battle for World Supremecy in New York City. He made it to the second round and was defeated in the semi-finals (By DJ Sinister, formerly of the X-Men). However the experience gained him notoriety and also the confidence to go in front of any crowd.

Jay eventually started spinning full time on the station, until 1994 when the station changed it's format. Being a true fan of radio since 1980, Jay-Ski wasn't giving up that easily. He later moved to the Washington D.C. area and became the lead mixshow DJ at WKYS, Kiss F.M. He had two great years there and helped the station reach number one in the ratings. Radio-One, who owns WKYS, then bought WPHI in Jay's home region of Philadelphia. Without hesitation, Jay left to go back home and blaze his hometown airwaves. He was spinning full time 6 days a week, sometimes 7 and was also the mixshow coordinator as well as creative services producer. After 8 years there and feeling the need to grow, Jay moved on and took a small break from radio to focus on music production as well as recording and performing with his current supergroup , Bunjii.

Over the years Jay produced a few records, including a remix for Coolio on Tommy Boy records, as well as classik cuts for Baby Blak, Last Emperor, and others. Also in that time, he linked up with long time friends DJ Excel and Sat-One and they formed the Skratch Makaniks DJ crew. The group of top-notch DJ..s has since expanded , and has set out on a quest to spread turntablism and knowledge of the DJ culture wherever they go. The Makaniks have recently toured with Busta Rhymes as well as the Roots and the Gap Band, and Jay and his crew maintain residencies at all of the Philadelphia hotspots. The sky is the limit for Jay-Ski and the Skratch Makaniks, and with 20 years behind the turntables and drum machines, this Jersey native is just gettin' warm!

IF YOU NEVER GAVE J DILLA A CHANCE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE, IT'S NEVER TOO LATE. R.I.P JAY DEE!

Monie Love - J. Dilla Tribute - May 2006 - Part 2

Biography of Monie Love

Simone Wilson or Simone Gooden (born July 2, 1970, in London) known by her stage name Monie Love, is a female, English rapper and former radio personality in the United States. Love was a well respected figure in British hip hop, and made an impact with American hip hop audiences as a protégé of female American rapper Queen Latifah, as well as through her membership in the late 1980s/early 1990s Native Tongues Posse. Love was one of the first BritHop artists to be signed and distributed world-wide by a major record label.

Early years:
Love was born in the Battersea area of London on July 2, 1970. She is the younger sister of techno musician Dave Angel, and was a daughter to a London-based, jazz musician father.

Musical career:
Love began her hip hop/BritHop career as a rapper in the British Jus Bad crew, which featured DJ Pogo, Sparki, and MC Mell'O'. The group released the single 'Free Style/Proud' on the indepedent Tuff Groove record label in 1988.

Love first gained critical and commercial notice in the United States 1989 for her cameos in Queen Latifah's Grammy-winning and pro-feminist single 'Ladies First', in the Jungle Brothers' well-received single 'Doin' Our Own Dang', and in De La Soul's hit single, 'Buddy'. The acclaim led her to a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records, making Love one of the few British rap efforts released by a major label.

Love also has a place in hip-hop history as a member of the Native Tongues Posse, a positive-minded rap collective which included Queen Latifah, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, the Jungle Brothers, and a number of other acts.

Love's debut album, Down To Earth, spawned two, Grammy-nominated hits, 'Monie In The Middle' (a high school-set track dealing with a woman's right to determine what she wants out of a relationship), and 'It's a Shame (My Sister)' (which sampled The Spinners' 'It's A Shame' written for the band by Stevie Wonder). The album reached #26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Love was featured on her brother Dave Angel's remix of Whitney Houston's dance hit, 'My Name Is Not Susan', in 1991. Love's 1992 single, 'Full Term Love', from the Class Act movie soundtrack, reached #7 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.

Love collaborated with Prince and Marley Marl for her 1993 second album, In A Word Or 2. In A Word Or 2 featured the Prince-produced single, 'Born To B.R.E.E.D.' (which reached #1 on the Hot Dance Music chart and #7 on the Hot Rap Singles chart), as well as a re-release of 'Full Term Love'.

Love's last musical release was the EP 'Slice of Da Pie' in 2000.

Radio career:
From 2005 until the week of December 11, 2006, Love was the morning drive host on Philadelphia's WPHI-FM 100.3. The December 22, 2006 edition of the Philadelphia Daily News confirmed that Love left WPHI-FM on amicable terms after contract negotiations stalled.[4] Love's departure from WPHI followed soon after her December 7, 2006 interview with Young Jeezy, where the two argued over whether hip hop is dead.

Love currently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is the single mother to three children.

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