Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 July 2002 — Page 22

PAGEC2

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2002

Rap pioneer Kwame delivers innovative music that fans have come to love

Electronic Urban Report NEW YORK — After topping the charts as a rap pioneer, Kwame (aka K I Mil) makes an imprint on music as a producer for Mary J. Blige, Lady May, LL Cool J and K Slay. On the double platinum album on MCA Records, “No More Drama,” Kwame and partner Ron Lawrence teamed up with Mary J. Blige on the song “L.O.V.E.” Creating the hypnotic debut single “Round Up” on newcomer Lady May’s album “May Day” on Arista Records, Kwame’s catchy banjo performance is the perfect bed for Blu Cantrell to lay the melodic, brassy hook. With songs appearing on the up and coming albums of LL Cool J and K Slay, Kwame delivers innovative music that fans have come to love. Kwame’s single, “10 Million Stars,” on LL Cool J’s new album has already garnered a strong street buzz. The still untitled track featuring Camron on K Slay ’ s “Street ‘ Sweepers” album on Def Jam/Violator is set to hit stores soon. Making a name for himself with the release of “The Boy Genius” on Atlantic Records in 1989, Kwame changed the landscape of rap music with his humorous, goodnatured yet intellectual rhymes. The album and its first singles, “The Man We All Know & Love”

and “The Rhythm,” made Kwame a household name. With his signature style of wearing polka dots, Kwame launched a new fashion trend along with a new album, “A Day in the Life” in 1990. That same year, Kwame produced the remix of “Lies” for the platinum selling group Envogue. Again, Kwame found himself working behind the scenes in ’91 where he wrote the rhyme on the platinum BBD track, “Poison,” for MCA Records. His third album, “Nastee,” was released on Atlantic Records the Kwame (aka K1 Mil) following year. In 1994, his forth album “Incog- film “Drum Line” due out later nito” on Ichiban Records produced this year. the infectious single “What’s It Bom in Queens, N.Y.,Kwame’s Like (Like Butta Baby).” Taking a musical influences came from few years off, Kwame redirected close family friends: Stevie Wonhis talents to inspiring young chil- der, Lionel Hampton and Abdullah dren across the country through Ibraheem. music education. Receiving his first musical inAdding films to his list of musi- struments as a child (a drum set cal contributions, Kwame wrote from Lionel Hampton and a harand performed songs for Dancing monica from Stevie Wonder), in September/HBO Films and Kwame has gone on to master Ghetto Dog/Spartan Films in 2001. many instruments such as the piKwame also produced “Scared of ano, trumpet and guitar. Today, You” by Nick Cannon on the Kwame can be found in his studio soundtrack of 20th Century Fox in Harlem producing some of today’s hottest music.

Rappers go after a new audience

• LL Cool J and Doug E. Fresh are bonafide veterans in the rap game, but the duo will be looking for a new audience when they drop a little :something for the lil’ folks. Book publisher Scholastic is scheduled to launch a new book and CD series titled “Hip Kid Hop.” A children’s book, aimed at kids 4-10, paired withji two-track CD that incliiiH tapversionsofthe stray performed by a popular hip-hop art-

ist as well as a music-only track so the children can rap along as they read. The first two releases in the series, due in September, feature LL Cool J and Doug E. Fresh. LL Cool J’s story is titled “And the Winner Is,” and follows a young basketball player learning life lessons through the games he plays. The music was produced by “Amen-Ra” Lawrence, who previously worked with LL Cool J on his 1997 international hit

“Phenomenon.” Doug E. Fresh’s story, “Think Again,” tells the story of two kids of different races who overcome their differences to form a friendship. Veteran producer Prince Paul (De La Soul, Gravediggaz), laced the tracks for “Think Again.” After the initial September releases, four more book-and-CD packages are planned for 2003, including contributions from Shaggy and Common.

DORIAN GREGORY Continued from Cl

DG: Just one sister. Yeah, that’s it. And she’s actually my best friend and my music partner. We’re working on a CD right now. How’s that going? DG: We’ve already got some interest from an indie producer. But what we’re trying to do is hold out for a major recording label. So we’ re shopping it around right now. What type of music do you play? DG: It’s sort of neo soul fused with hip-hop. When did you get bitten by the show-biz bug? DG: That’ an interesting question. (Sighs and breathes deep to reflect) I think it’s always been in my blood. I started out writing poetry when 1 was very young. I think all facets of entertainment are all kind of intertwined. I don’t care if you’re a writer, a musician or an actor. The mission is to try to get inside of people, in order to touch them and move them. Didn’t you do some commercials early on? 1 know I remember your face from some ads. DG: I did the Chevy Geo campaign for two years straight. I did a number of them Bally’s, LA Gear, a series of Dockers commercials, some beer commercials. I did the whole gamut. How did you make the jump from commercials to TV shows? DG: It was a natural progression, because I was already involved in other aspects of the industry. My first gig was with a soap opera. I did “The Young and the Restless” and also “The Bold and the Beautiful.” And after that, things just started flowing. Where do you find the time to wear so many hats? You’ve got “Charmed,” “The Other Half,” your music, movies, etc. DG: People ask me thSt all the time. But I so thrive from all this because I enjoy what I’m doing. And when you’re getting that posi-

tive vibe back from people who appreciate your work, there’s no better rush in life. That’s the best way I can describe it. How did you manage to make such a smooth transition to “The Other Half,’’ given the fact that it was already established? DG: It’s been an interesting ride thus far, and we’re still learning each other’s rhythms. These guys had been doing their thing forquite a bit of time before I came on board. They’ve embraced me, but I’m dealing with some strong and very different personalities. So, I had to find my niche, because if you don’t find a space, you’ve got to make a space. It's all good. What’s it like to talk live in front of an all-female audience every day? DG: It’s a dream come true. What man wouldn’t die for this opportunity? I’m getting paid to be myself and to be surrounded by women. It’s nothing but love, man, it’s just a wonderful situation. It seems that there’s a real appreciation for what we’re doing. I can’t even second guess as to why. I’m just glad it’s there. Is there any way a fan can get in touch with you? DG: They can visit DorianGregory.com. I read all my e-mail, although I can’t answer them all in a timely fashion. I never want anyone to think I’m ignoring their correspondence to me. I answer as many as I can. I really appreciate people taking the time to say, “Hey, what’s happening!” And should we let the ladies know that you’re single and available? DG: (Shouts) I’m single, Kam! I am so looking for the future one. Dorian, I hope you’re still available to me for another interview when you break real big. DG: Listen, you’ll always have this availability. And you can call me on it. You know what I’m saying?

BOOKMARK Continued from Cl nological approach, starting with the prophet Muhammad, helping the reader to understand not only how the religion got its start, but its long history of conflict with Christians, Jews, Persians, Indians and others. We see how their holy book, the Koran, does extol the virtue of jihad, or holy war, against the infidel in the-name of Allah. Yet we also learn that there are several different definitions of exactly what jihad means. Where we get into trouble seems to be with those sects who have come to rationalize a very literal interpretation of the Koran’s mandate, “Whoever transgresses against you, respond in kind.” Fortunately, we learn that the vast majority of the world’s Muslims are peace prone, just as Christians no longer read the Bible as an ongoing call for a crusade in the name of Christ. That being said, Esposito still points out that though most Muslims do not advocate the use of violence, many harbor a simmefing, lingering resentment against America primarily for its decadent materialism, godless secularism, animalistic sexual promiscuity and fanatical racial discrimination. And they blame the West for the cultural decline of many Muslim nations, which has led to departures from Islam and inclinations towards the above vices. Esposito expertly separates the extremists from those merely frustrated by the slow creep of our way of life into their countries. In the end, he recommends, rather optimistically, that it become everybody's business both to fight terrorism and to teach tolerance of others. That's really what’s needed at this juncture in history, with the world rattling sabers and suitcase bombs, teetering on the brink of an all-out religious rampage.

IT'S VEGAS, BABY!

SHBHMooT

Lr ^

Rli&v rW&fr*

piss

Mail any non-winning $5 Scratch-Off Ticket for a chance to V WIN 1 OF 45 TRIPS TO

WIN UP TO $40,000!

DOUBli

! ’V) )

DOWN

CAESARS PALACE IN LAS VEGAS 1 (SEE YOUR LOTTERY RETAILER FOR DETAILS)

hoosier lottery

J J (. {

*> > ; ■»

“fgKsr- p s"o' ES .

^ f

* * v

HOOSIER (I) LOTTERY