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!
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"Hip Hop Lives" music video
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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)
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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)
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