B-Ward profile picture

B-Ward

HIP-HOP HEAD FOR LIFE!

About Me

Born in 1970 into a pretty strict but loving military family. Have lived and travelled all over the world. Grew up living and breathing Hip-Hop under the influences of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, The Cold Crush Brothers, Rock Steady Crew, Phase2, Lee, Revolt, Futura, Dondi, Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force, DJ Lovebug Starski, DST, Jam Master Jay, The New York City Breakers, Wild Style, Beat Street, Breakin, Style Wars, and the list goes on and on. A true b-boy, but I loved every minute of learning how to write rhymes, break-dance, write graffiti, and spin records at house parties and community centers. I have no idea where or what my life would be like without the military, and especially without Hip-Hop! A true love that has been with me all my life, and I hope that she stays with me for another 35 years and more. I have been so blessed as to develop close working and personal friendships with many of the pioneers that i grew up watching and listening to (Peace Caz, Kurt, Starski, Guru, Masta Ace, Evil Dee, Tracy168, Phase2!!! Love all you cats!) I have to thank Russell (Simmons) for my break into the Def Jam and Phat Farm/Rush family. Thanks Russ! Even though you're now my ex-boss, I still f**** with you. Lol! Def Jam and Phat Farm will always be my industry family, but Hip-Hop in all it's genuine elements, and especially the old-school pioneers, will always be my biggest love first. They are the reason why I am here today, and why I am giving back that same love for Hip-Hop's tomorrow! Brian is the current Licensing Manager at Sean John, founded by Sean "Diddy" Combs. Hip-Hop culture today serves as a cross-cultural and global multi-billion dollar industry. Previously, Brian has served as marketing rep under Russell Simmons for Phat Licensing (Phat Farm, Baby Phat, Phat Farm Footwear, Phat Farm/Baby Phat Kids), Rush Communications, Rush Philanthropic, DefCon3 Energy Drink, Hip-Hop Summit, and Audience Development/Marketing Coordinator for the 2003 Tony Award winning Broadway show and HBO series, “Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry Jam.” His responsibilities at Phat Farm included working with over 200 specialty store accounts, Phat Licensing Legal Dept, all other corporate licensees and manufacturers. Additional appointed duties from Russell Simmons included attending special events, and working with A-list celebrities, other VIP industry personnel, and company executives. He also served as intern and coordinator in the Mixshow Radio/College Promotions and Marketing, and Video Promotions at Def Jam Recordings/Island Def Jam Music Group. A few of the multi-platinum artist projects that he has been involved with include Jay-Z, DMX, Ludacris, Musiq, and others. While serving as Tuskegee University’s very first College Marketing Rep for Def Jam Records, he also assisted other brands, such as Roc-A-Fella Records, Cornerstone Promotions and Fader Magazine, and Elektra Records, in their college marketing efforts. Brian has established and maintained an active and extensive industry contacts list from all throughout the industry at all levels. He regularly attends special industry events, and keeps his finger on the pulse of both the music and fashion industry trends. Brian is one of the busiest and most connected people involved with the ever-changing industry, and has learned a great deal about marketing and building multiple branding projects while under the direct tutelage of marketing master, Russell Simmons. Before entering a career in the fashion and music industries, Brian served in the U.S. Army for six years, and is a decorated combat veteran of Desert Storm. EDUCATION: B.A., Liberal Arts and English, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee Institute, AL Always a True Hip-Hop head for life! .. "Hip Hop Lives" music video

Add to My Profile | More Videos Miss my time at Def Poetry Jam on Broadway! Peace out to all my fellow heads in cool-ass Hollywood and greater Los Angeles. Had a kick-ass time out there on the West Coast! Peace and a huge ZULU chant to the Godfather of Hip-Hop Culture, Afrika Bambaataa, and original B-Boy, Pee-Wee Dance! Big shout to the Father of Hip-Hop Culture, DJ Kool Herc! Big ups to Grandwizard Theodore, Chief Rocka Busy Bee, and Grandmaster Caz Much Zulu love and respect for the original DJ Jazzy Jay! Peace goes out to my big brotha, the Legendary DJ Lovebug Starski! Starski is credited as the man who gave Hip-Hop it's very name! Love you Starski! You are one of the illest party rockers that I have ever known! A very heartfelt and sincere RIP goes out to the general, Jam Master Jay! It was a pleasure to know you brotha. You were my inspiration to want to be a DJ, and I will carry your music and your memory with me always! Can't say enough love I have about my big brotha and rap superhero, "the grandest of them all," Grandmaster Caz! Cold Crush' own Grandmaster Caz live in action with KRS-One and Busy Bee Much love and huge amount of respect to the Mighty Cold Crush Brothers! You cats put it down first on the dopest rhymes and sickest rap group routines. All new jacks to the game, study your history and get your game up! Cold Crush are true legends and Hip-Hop superheroes! www.joeconzo.com www.borninthebronx.co.uk The Man Who Took Hip-Hop's Baby Pictures Another shout to Grandmaster Caz, Rahiem(Furious Five), Teddy Ted, and Special K (Awesome Two)! Had a blast chilin with you brothas at the show for Rakim Peace goes out to Lord Finesse from DITC crew! Big shout goes out to my big brotha Kurtis Blow! The one and only DJ Grandmaster Flash! Peace out to Chuck D! Yo Chuck! "It Takes A Nation of Millions.." still my number one Hip-Hop album of all time bro! Love you man! Much love goes out to my big brotha Hank Shocklee of Public Enemy/Bomb Squad! Peace to my big brotha DMC! "Jay's like King Midas, as I was told, everything that he touched turned to gold. He's the greatest of the great, get it straight he's great. Claim fame cause his name is known in every state. His name is Jay to see him play will make you say: "God damn, that DJ made my day!" Peace and so much love and respect for the God, Rakim! You are THE NICEST MC! The MC's MC! You definitely changed the game big brotha. Shout goes out to the legendary Hip-Hop photographer, Joe Conzo! One of the coolest dudes on the planet. Even though KRS won the war on the bridge, I got nothing but love and respect for my man Mc Shan! That joint, "Marley Scratch" is still my shit to this very day brotha! lol! Peace to the "World's Greatest Entertainer," Dougie Fresh! The man still got it on that sick-ass beatbox style! Much love always to the "poo poo" man himself, Kool DJ Red Alert Peace to my brotha Pete Rock, "Soul Brother Number 1!" Much love to one of the coolest dudes, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, from A Tribe Called Quest. Peace to the legendary Diamond D (DITC)! Yo! That classic "Stunts, Blunts, and Hip-Hop" will forever be on heavy rotation in my cd player bro! Thank you! Big shout to my big brotha and legendary DJ Disco Wiz! Thanks for all the love and support man. Much love to my big brotha, Guru(Gangstarr)! Always respect to my man "Gifted, Unlimited, Rhymes, Universal!" Big ups to two of the illest producers and DJs in the game, DJ Premier(Gangstarr) and DJ Scratch(EPMD) .. Me and Jigga at Def Jam holiday party Much love goes out to DJ Evil Dee(Blackmoon/Beatminerz), Mr Walt(Beatminerz), and my girl, Heather B! Crazy shouts to my brothas Wordsworth, Mr. Walt, and DJ Evil Dee! Much love to my brothas D-Nice, Dana Dane, and DJ Wiz(Kid N Play)! Be sure to peep Dana's website at www.danadane.com My old desk at Def Jam! No other spot at the label was as decked out as my spot. You should see the label now! lol! Much love and respect to my big brotha and ex-boss/mentor in the game. He's known as the CEO of Hip-Hop, Russell Simmons Much love and respect to Dr. Ben Chavis, Kelis, Nas, and Hassaun Smalls! Hassaun you know I was supposed to be in this damn pic! lol! Peace to my old homeboy from VA, Blair Underwood! We both grew up in the same church at Gillfield Baptist. Don't pay any attention to the pink polo I'm sporting. I had to wear it at Russell's crib in the Hamptons! lol! The SICKEST show at BB Kings that I have seen so far! Kane killed it! Long Live the Kane! Big ups to Big Daddy Kane and DJ Kool V! Coolin' out backstage at Rock Steady Anniv Concert The 2ND MOST ILLEST AND WILDEST show that I've seen at BB Kings, NYC! Peace to my big brothas Eric Sermon and Parrish Smith of EPMD! Peace to DJ Scratch, Das Efx, Redman, and Keith Murray who all ripped it at this show! BANANAS!!! Luda and DTP live on tour in DC! Peace to Fate, Jeff, BJ, Shawna, Chaka, and Cris! Had a blast! On the set with Luda for the "Southern Hospitality" videoshoot in Atl Huge shout to my two big brothas in the Hip-Hop game, The Awesome Two! Much love to my Brooklyn brotha and MC legend, Masta Ace! Big shout goes out to DJ legend, Grandwizard Theodore(Inventor of the Scratch!) Peace to legendary graffiti artist, James Top! R.I.P. to Dondi Big shout to my big brotha, and the legendary lord of graffiti, PHASE2! Big shouts to my brothas The Large Professor(aka the mad scientist, extra p, large pro) and Q-Tip(Tribe Called Quest) Crazy shouts to Wise Intelligent(Poor Righteous Teachers), Tedd Ted(Awesome Two), JoJo(Original B-Boy & RSC), and my girl Sweet Tee! Shout to Boston's finest, Ed OG! "I Got To Have It" is still my joint! Much love to Ft Greene's finest, Dana Dane and my man Stezo Much love for my brothas Lakim Shabazz(Flavor Unit) and Lord Jamar(Brand Nubian) Peace to my boy, Pete Rock and the GZA (Wu-Tang) Peace to Crazy Legs, the Rock Steady Crew, the NYC Breakers, and all extended B-Boy and B-Girl crews! Reppin hard at Rock Steady Anniv! Peace to true legends in the game! Craig G, Marly Marl, and Mari(Rock Steady Crew) Get Your Own! | View Slideshow Get Your Own! | View Slideshow .. Home | Browse | Search | Invite | Film | Mail | Blog | Favorites | Forum | Groups | Events | Videos | Music | Comedy | Classifieds Home | Browse | Search | Invite | Film | Mail | Blog | Favorites | Forum | Groups | Events | Videos | Music | Comedy | Classifieds

My Interests

My interests are Hip-Hop culture and history (love learning more and more about the old-school than I knew before). I love music collecting and my library of vinyl and cds is pretty sick! lol! I even still have my 12" of the original B-Boy Records/Boogie Down Productions "South Bronx" and "The P is Free." Other interests besides all the networking, travel, and parties are all the really genuine and good people in the industry. There are too many fakes, snakes, and sheisty and gutless asses in this game, and its because of them that I keep close to me the people who actually mean something and who actually have the love of Hip-Hop with them always. I'm also an avid scuba diver and skydiver (thanks to the Army). I try to make at least 1-2 divetrips a year someplace around the world. This year was Belize for the second time in a row, and hopefully next year will be Tahiti and Bora Bora. I love to excercise and workout. Love swimming my laps too.

I'd like to meet:

Well, there aren't too many people that I haven't met already from my time in the industry. My wishlist is pretty much complete! lol! Krs-One, Rakim, Nas, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Big Daddy Kane, Caz, Starski, Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Guru and Premier, Chuck D and Flavor Flav, DJ Scratch, Jazzy Jeff, Jazzy Jay, Flash, Melle Mel, Kurtis Blow, etc, etc, etc. I would have been honored to have met Malcolm X and Dr Betty Shabazz. They made a huge impact on me in college and during my time in the military. I got the chance to meet their daughter at Zulu Anniversary this year and that meant alot to me. I would have liked to have met Booker T Washington and George Washington Carver as well. The Tuskegee Airmen also. They all made tremendous and outstanding examples of excellence for themselves and I'd like to live up to their example. As far as Hip-Hop and the industry goes, I've pretty much met everyone, and continue to meet new people everyday.

Music:

Love my true-blue Hip-Hop! Can't stand the crap on radio (sorry to all my friends at Hot97, Power105, WBLS) LOL! I listen to all the Hip-Hop classics and breakbeat records from the past and "Golden Era." Throw on some Ultramagnetic or some Pete Rock and CL Smooth and you got my attention. I love me some classic Dancehall and Roots and Culture too. Also a little Salsa and Merengue from time to time. Classic Jazz and Blues are great too when I'm on chill mode. Sorry, but Country Western, Bachata, and Hard Rock don't do it for me. Classic Rock is cool though. Love me some Jimmy Hendrix. Miss all my jams from the 70's and 80's. Where has all the good music gone? Where is the creativity and the love?"THEY REMINISCE OVER YOU (T.R.O.Y.)" -PETE ROCK & CL SMOOTH T.R.O.Y.

Add to My Profile | More VideosA Tribe Called Quest "Electric Relaxation" a tribe called quest

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Movies:

Watch Video:

WILD STYLE B-BALL BATTLE (Cold Crush v. Fantastic Five)

Video provided by ClassicHipHopLLC.Com

Beat Street Rock Steady crew VS New York City Breakers

Add to My Profile | More VideosNot the biggest movie head all that much. Keep all the Hip-Hop classics on dvd, and peep about 1-2 movies a month. My favorites are "Wild Style," "Style Wars," "Beat Street," "The Freshest Kids," "Hip Hop Immortals-We Got Your Kids," "KrushGroove," and "Scratch."

Television:

Stay on top of my news and favorite programming channels. For work purposes I have to stay on top of my music videos and shows. Love the new show called "The Bridge" with Ralph McDaniels on Saturdays and Sundays. Get to see all my favorite old-school hip-hop videos.AFRIKA BAMBAATAA & THE SOULSONIC FORCE "PLANET ROCK"KURTIS BLOW "BASKETBALL"LORDS OF THE UNDERGROUND "CHIEF ROCKA" ..JUST-ICE FET. KRS-ONE "GOING WAY BACK"JERU THE DAMAJA "CAN'T STOP THE PROPHET""STOP THE VIOLENCE...SELF-DESTRUCTION" .. width="425" height="350" ..NAS "HALFTIME"GANGSTARR "MASS APPEAL"NAS, RAKIM, KANYE WEST, KRS-ONE "CLASSIC"A TRIBE CALLED QUEST "SCENARIO"ERIC B & RAKIM "I AIN'T NO JOKE"ERIC B & RAKIM "MICROPHONE FIEND"ERIC B & RAKIM "FOLLOW THE LEADER"ERIC B & RAKIM JUICE (KNOW THE LEDGE)COMMON SENSE "I USED TO LOVE HER"HERBIE HANCOCK "ROCKIT"O.C. "TIME'S UP"

Books:

Subway Art, Life and Def, Hip-Hop Don't Stop, The Art of War, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success,

Heroes:

My heroes range from the Tuskegee Airmen and the Buffalo Soldiers to Grandmaster Caz and the Cold Crush Brothers!

My Blog

***NEW! UPDATED TOOLSOFWAR NYC HIP-HOP PARK JAMS 411***

shout to the whole toolsofwar camp! 2008 Turntablist Sessions front Closing Night!Turntablist Sessions: Queensbridge Park Thursday June 26 5pm - 9pm Queensbridge Park 41st & Vernon Blvd. LIC, Q...
Posted by B-Ward on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:49:00 PST

***FREE! CELEBRATE BROOKLYN CONCERT THIS WEEKEND***

Crooklyn Dodgers Reunion @ Prospect Park Bandshell Brooklyn (9/28) (FREE SHOW!!!!) ...
Posted by B-Ward on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:55:00 PST

***411 & PIX FROM QUEENSBRIDGE PARK JAM***

this is a little late, but getting the pix up now. first of all, thanks to christy and fabel from toolsofwar! another comeoff jam at queensbridge park! sorry i got there a little late to miss roc raid...
Posted by B-Ward on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:38:00 PST

***411 & PIX FROM RAEKWON & CAPPADONNA SHOW, NYC***

big big shout to my dudes, the awesome two (special k & teddy ted)good looking on the invite to the show! peace to slick rick and his beautiful wife!we all had a blast chillin in vip and watching ...
Posted by B-Ward on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:46:00 PST

***NYC SUMMER PARK JAMS SCHEDULE***

shout to toolsofwar!SEE YOU AT QUEENSBRIDGE PARK TOMORROW !!!2008 Crotona Park Jams, BronxThursdays, July 10, 17, 24 & 31, 20086pm - 9pmCrotona Park by Indian LakeCharlotte St. & Crotona Park ...
Posted by B-Ward on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:00:00 PST

***411 & PIX FROM SUMMER PARK JAMS IN QUEENSBRIDGE***

WOW!! what a way to kick-off the summer park jams!!!first off, i gotta say thank you for the invite from christy at toolsofwar!big shout to grandmaster caz (cold crush brothers), legendary hip-hop pho...
Posted by B-Ward on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:03:00 PST

***TOMORROW! NYC HIP-HOP PARK JAMS KICKOFF!***

SHOUT TO TOOLSOFWAR CAMP!2008 Turntablist Sessions front Turntablist Sessions: Queensbridge Park Thurs. June 12, 19 & 26 5pm - 9pm Queensbridge Park 41st & Vernon Blvd. LIC, Queens NYC 11101...
Posted by B-Ward on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:25:00 PST

Check out this event: World Series of Hip Hop

Hosted By: DJ X-MANWhen: Tuesday Aug 05, 2008 at 11:00 AMWhere: AmericasMart Building 1240 Peachtree Street NWAtlanta, Georgia|11 30303United StatesDescription:DJ X-MAN Click Here To View Event...
Posted by B-Ward on Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:55:00 PST

***NEW! TOOLSOFWAR GLOBAL HIP-HOP NEWSLETTER***

shout to toolsofwar crew! June 6 - 15, 2008Tools of War NewsletterFriday: June 6, 2008 DANCE TO THE MUSIC: FABEL, ADESOLA, BUDDHA STRETCH & more! (BRONX) FREE! 6-10pm. A Look at Hip Hop. Dance. C...
Posted by B-Ward on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:39:00 PST

***NEW!! NYC HIP-HOP SHOWS, CONCERTS, EVENTS***

***MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!**SATMAY 31STHOT 97 PRESENT'S "WHO'S NEXT" LIVE FEAT.KARDINAL OFFISHALL, MAINO, TYGA, HOSTED BY DJ ENUFFSOB'S204 VARICK ST @ W.HOUSTON STWEDJUNE 4THRAKIM, GZA, BLACKALICIOUS, ...
Posted by B-Ward on Thu, 29 May 2008 03:43:00 PST