Nest

MyGen Profile Generator It was 1985. Russell Fontaine would walk to Jabby Fresh’s house with a stack of mom’s classic, funk and soul records. Jab was the first
Disc Jockey in the neighborhood to own a sampler. Fontaine loved how this new technology could digitally record a small segment of a song, then play it back. Jabby also had two turntables and, of course, a microphone in his possession. Russ (known as DJ Ell Ski at the time) spent hours in his friend’s basement-studio, putting together a variety of rhythms. DJ Ell Ski used the instrumentals as back-drops for aspiring rappers, when spinning popular tunes at parties and talent shows in his hometown of Lawrence “Lawtown”, Massachusetts.
In 1990, Ell was fortunate enough to display his talent internationally. He was a guest Disc Jockey at Droopy Drawers in Tokyo, Japan,. Later that year, he attended Lafayette College, in Easton, Pennsylvania. In his second year at Lafayette, Russell (known as Ell Dog in his campus days) clinched a Saturday night time-slot at the college radio station, WJRH, 104.9 FM. Ell Dog loved and cherished his new responsibility of providing approximately 30,000 regular listeners in the Lehigh Valley with the hottest Urban Music.
The following year, Ell Dog's radio show gained popularity. It wasnt long before he was promoted to Program Director for Hip-Hop and R&B, The new position provided opportunities to be the featured DJ at many college performances, including the Black Sheep (Mercury Records) and comedian Reggie McFadden (Def Comedy Jam).
In May of 1994, Russ Fontaine returned to Lawtown with a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts. A few months later, he met Rizzo Freeman, from Asbury Park, New Jersey, at an audition for a demo deal. Ell learned that Freeman was not only an emcee, but Rizzo also produced his own tracks, as well as had the experience of hosting a radio show, at Hesser College, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The two Hip-Hoppers had much in common and both were eager to continue working as Disc Jockeys. They also desired the experience of collaborating with artists in the studio. So, in 1995, E. Russell and Mic Freeman (Rizzo's new alias) formed Nest, and began promoting various local performers, including Scientifik (Chemistry/Mercury Records), Krumsnatcha, (Wolves Entertainment) and Hoffa (Gravity Entertainment), via their signature Boogie Blend Mixed Tape Series.
In 2000, Russ Ell (Fontaine,s latest alias) and Freeman hosted the Summer Breakout (Breakdance Competition), featuring The Floorlords and other crews. After a short hiatus, Nest went into the studio in 2003, to start recording songs for a variety of upcoming projects. The duo completed production of their debut, seven-song EP in the fall of 2006 and began promoting the project in February of 2007.
Currently, the members of Nest reside in the Boston area, where they have acquired their newest member, Yann Black, from the Congo, Africa. Black is a talented musician, who can play multiple instruments, including piano and drums. His melodic chords and seasoned percussions enhance the teams ability to work with artists from a wide range of genres and styles. The newly diversified trio is eager to integrate their well-rounded brand of Hip-Hop into your next project. Russ Ell, Mic Freeman, and Yann Black are presently in the studio with a variety of singers and emcees, laying down a full-length album (untitled), as well as the debut DJ Russ Ell Mix Tape.
The Latest Nest Productions:
The EP
Russ Ell and Mic Freeman provide creative word-play and addictive rhythms for their innovative seven-song debut.
Cover Art by Nice Dreams Studio