THE OTHER SIDE OF HIP-HOP
THE SIXTH ELEMENT
For
NJPAC INTERNATIONAL HIP-HOP
FESTIVAL
April 4, 2009 @ 3:00 p.m.
Curated by: Egypt
& Natasha
DION ASHMAN
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PANELIST of
“OTHER SIDE OF HIP-HOP”
Dion Ashman is founder and CEO of Our Gang Productions
(OGP), a multifaceted communications production company whose program format is
designed to entertain and inform the public about African American issues.
"We are working to develop our own media source, so people in the
community can have an attainable medium of outreach," says Ashman.
OGP developed a following through party
promotions, but under Ashman's leadership garnered a faithful audience of
300,000 people in radio and the popular video talk show-NY VIBES/ VIBES. Ashman
grew up in the Crown
Heights
section of Brooklyn
.
A former student athlete, he graduated from NYC Tech with an associate degree
in Liberal Arts and Pace
University
where he
obtained a Bachelor's degree in speech communication with a concentration in
Mass Media. He then went on to play semi-pro basketball for the Syracuse
Shooting Stars of the International Basketball Association.
A s a Youth Coordinator
for community board number 9, Ashman had the opportunity to make a difference
in the community by working with government agencies and community based
organizations to find ways to improve the quality of life for youth in the
Crown heights area. " Being legitimately community oriented is important because
it helps an individual or organization build character," Helping others
and being involved in the community is the philosophy by which Ashman lives. In
keeping with this philosophy Ashman also hosted talk shows on both WLIB (1190
AM) and WBLS (107.5 FM) called Youth Line and Just Vibing respectively, where
he discussed important issues with teenagers in the metropolitan area.
Ashman
has now led Our Gang into the fashion industry with the launch of their own
custom made varsity jackets. For more information click on the Our Gang
Clubhouse link through the Merchandise section of the navigation menu. "We
had a long run," said Ashman, but we had to re-tool and get ready for the
opportunities in the 21st century. "Real Life, real people, real problems
and real solutions..... that's OGP in a nutshell."
CEO & President
FEATURE FILM
THE OTHER SIDE OF HIP-HOP
ERNIE PANNICIOLI
Ernie Paniccioli
By: Gregory Mannino
Little more than three
decades ago an energy was beginning to form. It was found
increasingly in the suburbs of the cities and in essence part of a culture that
can be found even today. The energy was and still is, Hip Hop. No one has
helped to launch its awareness to the world better than the legendary Hip Hop
Photographer himself, Ernie Paniccioli. Before rap and hip hop videos
adorned screens and airwaves all over the world, Ernie with the use of his
endless drive and intuitive style of photography, was beginning to help
mainstream hip hop legends like Slick Rick, Grandmaster Flash, Rock Steady
Crew, Doug E. Fresh, Ice Cube, Queen Latifah, Public Enemy, Salt-N-Pepa, and so
many more. He helped let loose the soul of hip hop and make it happen on
the world.
A Native American
growing up in a white man's society, Ernie broke the barrier of
stereotypes… As a young man growing up in Brooklyn
in areas such as Park Slope, Bedford Stuyvesant and Flatbush in the 1970's,
Paniccioli picked up a camera for the first time and instantly converted his
interest and abilities from painter to photographer. Inspired by his feelings
of being cast as a second class citizen and perhaps through a gift from above,
he started out by taking photographs of the graffiti that embodied the
borough. Unaware to Paniccioli, he had stumbled upon his unforeseen
destiny.
No one has mastered the
art of photography better than Paniccioli. His work has decorated such
illustrious publications as Rolling Stone, Vibe, The New York Times, Newsweek,
Life, Spin and Ebony, to name a few. He has also shot for MTV and VH1 and
has photos published in books, on album covers and posters throughout the
globe. Paniccioli's work has also been displayed in various exhibits such
as, The New York City Urban Experience Museum where 110 pieces from his
Hip Hop Gallery were displayed making it the largest one man photography show
in New York City history. Some of the most famous caught by his lens include ,
John F. Kennedy, Jr. , Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Carter, Liza Minelli, Andy Warhol,
Michael Jackson, Minister Louis Farrakhan, Michael Jordan, Britney Spears,
Aaliyah, Snoop, Jay Z, Run DMZ,
and The Dalai Lama, the list is endless. When asked which of his
photographs is his favorite, Ernie responds… "My favorite photograph is
my next one."
Alongside his phenomenal
career in photography, Paniccioli has found a way to inspire others. Portraying
hip hop as a communication tool, he has lectured on the art and nature of hip
hop at numerous universities and other forums throughout the nation.
He has also been a dynamic guest speaker on hundreds of radio stations.
Although some might say that Hip Hop today has fallen off its base, according
to Ernie, "We need not look further than the world that surrounds
us…. Hip Hop is a mirror of Society. The problem is not Hip Hop moving in
the wrong direction, it's us. We are the ones moving off
track". Paniccioli is scheduled to speak at Yale
University
in March 2008 and Harvard
University
in April 2008.
Although his success in
photography has brought his talents to remarkable heights, Paniccioli has never
set boundaries on his ability to branch out into other fields. "Who
Shot Ya", his first book and the only hardcover photo book to
display three decades of Hip Hop photography by one photographer was packed
with 210 full page color images. It earned praise from around the world,
winning The New York Public Library Best Book For Teens Award 2003.
Paniccioli's
overwhelming drive and determination has lead to his most recent accomplishments:
In November 2007 his 90 minute film, "Another Side of Hip Hop", which portrays his
life, art, work, photography and politics was screened for the first time at
The Big Apple Film Festival and won Best Documentary 2007. It has also recently
screened at The San Diego Black Film Festival. In December of 2007 he
appeared in the Oscar winning Phillip Seymour Hoffman's play, "The Long
Red Road", at the Public Theatre. Amazingly, in January of 2008 he
self published five new books: "Rap Pop and Soul Headshots" Vol
1; "Rap Pop and Soul Headshots" Vol. 2; "Four
Decades of Artwork By Ernie Paniccioli 1967-2007"; "Ernie
Paniccioli 4 Decades of Color Artwork 1962-2007" and his latest, "Deeper",
which contains 80 of his most powerful and astonishing
pics ever, each stirring the senses with their own diverse meaning.
The accomplishments
Paniccioli is most proud of encompass being chosen by KRS1 to be the spokesman
for The Temple of Hip Hop at The United Nations during the Hip Hop Peace
Conference in May of 2001, as well as being invited to be on the steering
committee of the Federation for The Preservation of Hip Hop Culture when
he appeared alongside Afrika Bambaataa, KRS1, Melli Mel, Kurtis Blow, Cold
Crush, Joe Conzo, Crash Crew, and many other pioneers.
Paniccioli sums up his success as follows: "Creativity can be
defined as creating or unleashing something different on the world.
Limitations should never be set, and as an artist you must constantly strive to
reinvent yourself. "
As for his upcoming
plans, Paniccioli aspires to publish another five books within the next two
months, hoping to become the first person ever to publish ten books within one
year. You can find information and purchase all of Paniccioli's books
exclusively at www.lulu.com
From Dion
Here is a brief synopsis
regarding the documentary project:
The Other Side Of Hip Hop, The
Sixth Element is an effort to decriminalize the art form. Through the eyes of
long time Hip Hop Photo Activist Brother Ernie Paniccioli we take a look at his
life, work in Hip Hop and his activism. Beginning in a time when Hip Hop was
not called Hip Hop (1973) Brother Ernie was there utilizing his weapon of
choice. Packing a Cannon AE-1 this photo soldier of the night set out capturing
the many graffiti images that graced subway trains and the wealth of New
York City Parks. With an ever present love for what was quickly becoming a
culture of its own Brother Ernie could not stop there. He would later mature
into marriage with the spirit of the culture that was consummated by capturing
every aspect that it had to offer.
In an effort to promote and
develop a strong perceived value for this project Our gang Productions has made
the decision to develop their own film festival route and to allow
community organizations to screen the documentary as a supplementary component
to their existing programs.
To date The Other Side Of Hip
Hop, The Sixth Element has won the 2007 Best Documentary Award for the Big
Apple Film Festival At Tribeca, The project has also been an official selection
in the San Diego Black Film Festival in February
2008. Other screenings that have taken place are as follows: A community
screening at Brooklyn Exposure Restaurant, Medgar
Evers
College
, County of Baltimore Community
College, Harvard
University
and the Harlem Premiere fundraiser for the Zeta Zeta
Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at the Harlem
State
Office
Building
.
We are now preparing the
documentary for the Hampton International Film Festival,
The Chicago International Film Festival, an
engagement at the Brooklyn
Museum
and a Black
College Tour, All being scheduled for the Fall of 2008.
To assist in the promotion of
the documentary after every screening there is a question and answer period
with Brother Ernie and others who are in the film. Our panel normally will have
Kangol of UTFO fame, Lin-Que formerly of the Blackwatch Movement with X-Klan
and writer, producer & director Dion Michael Ashman. With this team of
people we have been able to help several organizations with their efforts. We
also provide signage in the form of posters to aide in the promotion of the
event and send out the information to out network.
When a community screening is
hosted we only ask that our travel expenses are met and the host organization
provide nourishment for our bodies in the form of a meal.
STAY STRONG
&
HOLD TIGHT
LIN-QUE
PANELIST
Lin Que (born Linque Ayoung in Queens
,
New York
)
is a female hip-hop
artist. Lin Que was a member of hip hop group X-Clan as Isis
.
She released her debut album Rebel Soul while affiliated with X Clan in 1990.
Lin Que left X-Clan to work with MC Lyte. No
longer Isis
, she rhymed as Lin Que and
released a couple of singles for SME Records and Elektra
Records. She eventually went into A&R work and graphic design, and she
appeared briefly in Spike Lee's He Got Game and Ted Demme's
Who's the Man?
She has collaborated with various artists
such as Will
Downing, Mary J. Blige, Queen
Latifah, MC
Lyte, Smif-N-Wessun, The
Beatnuts, Monifah,
Ce
Ce Peniston, and more.
Her last venture was a brief stint as a
member of the Wu-Tang Clan-affiliated group Deadly
Venoms. After leaving the group for business reasons shortly after its
debut album was recorded and never released, she remained writing and creating
music with producers Sugar Al Cayne, Azteknique, and Ayatollah. She has written
for MC Lyte and has been producing music as well.
Just
when it seems as though the icy-coated, flashy, stereotypical elements of the
“Rap Game” has strangled the last breath out of the Hip Hop culture, a
springing forth of new artist seem to be catapulting out of the woodwork with
their authentic sound and innovative lyrical content. We’ve seen it happen over
the last decade. Starving Hip Hop fans are forced to huddle, like scavengers,
over crumbs that symbolize hope for anything that remotely sounds like “True
Hip Hop“. With the success of highly creative artists such as Kanye West,
OutKast, Ludacris, Common, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli, the door has opened ever
so slightly to allow “True Emcees” to squeeze in and make their mark. Pushing
through the male-dominated world of Hip Hop comes just what you’ve been waiting
for and missing, Lin Que.
This Queens New York native takes it back to the original feel and grit of True
Hip Hop with an up to date twist, on the rocks, that you can knock back for
your pleasure. You might remember her as Isis
when she was down with the messenger group X Clan and a vital part of the Black
Consciousness Force called The Blackwatch Movement. There was no question as to
how she ended up with the nickname “Lady of Thunder.” Her powerful yet graceful
technique in shedding light on the state of where our black youths were heading
at the time was both moving and inspiring. The Blackwatch Movement played an
essential role in helping them learn more about their roots and thus causing
Black Pride to shine through the young eyes of the community.
As she progressed further in her career, she teamed up with MC Lyte and Pam
Wilder and opened up a management & production Company called “Duke Da
Moon.” She was then able to help others with making their dreams a reality. She
understood the importance of marketing and promotion and was able to pass on
that knowledge to the various artist they had on their roster. Duke Da Moon
would also act as a vehicle for Lin Que to get her music back in the ears of
her listeners. She was then signed to Ruffhouse Columbia and shared a roster
with artists such as The Fugees, Nas, and Cypress Hills. The underground loved
what they were hearing. “This Is It” & “Rip It Up” was just a small taste
of what she was capable of and would lead to her moving from Sony Music into
her next major record deal with Elecktra Records. This is where and when she
dropped the classic "Let it Fall." This track featured MC Lyte and
was produced by Caspa. The video was directed by Hype Williams and is
considered a classic underground portrayal of the last days of true Hip Hop.
The fiends kept their eyes on her just waiting to get more acquainted with this
multidimensional lyricist.
Although there is so much that Lin aspires to do, she has already passed
several landmarks in her career that many would be considered lucky to have
obtained. She has collaborated with various artists such as Will Downing, Mary
J. Blige, Afrika Bambaataa, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Joi Cardwell,
Steele/Smif-N-Wessun, The Beatnuts, Monifah, Ce Ce Peniston and more. Her last
venture was a brief encounter with the Protect Your Neck group "The Five
Deadly Venoms". After leaving the group for business reasons, she remained
writing and creating music with producers such as .0 (Point Zero), Azteknique
and Ayatollah. Lin’s uncanny ability to write blazing lyrics landed her a
writing gig with MC Lyte on her “Ain‘t No Other” album. In 2005, Lin started to
dabble with music production. She has produced many tracks in her arsenal.
Check out the first single, GODspeed, off of her new album which happens to go
by the same name. The single was released on 7/25/07
. Those music lovers who have been
waiting for some real substance can now take a seat at the table and feel
secured that they will be satisfyingly fed. "Godspeed” is finally here.
Her no-nonsense lyrical delivery sets the foundation for this long awaited
album.
In addition to the many tracks that will keep any “True Hip Hopper” happy, she
captivates the listeners with her take on the state of Hip Hop. The track
titled "Hip Hop Holy War" speaks for itself… It’s the True Emcees vs.
The Rappers. "Let Um Know" explains her journey through the music
industry while simultaneously elaborating on her inner voyage regarding her
loyalty to the Hip Hop Artform. "Last Call" sheds light on her painful
struggle with alcohol and marijuana. She explains how her mind and body worked
when she was in the grips of her addiction. "GODspeed" reeks of her
obvious Love for Hip Hop and her courageous attempt to save it's culture.
"Someone has got to do it. We can no longer be mere spectators and
onlookers neglectfully watching a very important part of our community loose
it’s mind."
Her music, while still preserving its marketable appeal, portrays her struggle
being a strong female in a male-dominated industry which seems to rather depict
woman as “scantily dressed video hoes”. Lin Que is a breath of fresh air and
has a lot to offer the Hip Hop Community. It would be nice to add a female to
the roster to help relieve the growing desire for something “REAL”.
"Fan, for real, before I had my first deal, Love of the art form, respect
for the field, I’m bringing back to life what this industry kills, True
Emcee's, the Certified Artist with skills..."
KANGOL
From the group UTFO
PANELIST
I am professionally known as “Kangol
Kid”, a member of one of the first nationally recognized rap groups.
The group is called UTFO (UnTouchable Force Organization) and was made
popular by our mid 80’s hit song “Roxanne, Roxanne”. As for why I am
considered a legend? Several answers apply:
First dancer for a rap group (Whodini)
First rap/breakdance group (UTFO)
First rap group to perform at the World Famous Apollo Theater
First rap group to record an R&B love ballad (Fairytale Lover)
First artist to have over 25 remakes done in one year (Roxanne Answer Records)
First Haitian-American artist in Hip-Hop . . . and more.+
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