EXCLUSIVE---What Dj From da A.N.D. Is Chillin With Legends Like Dj Jazzy Jeff?

djtuc999TheMobileApp Podcast Dj Mix Show is Now Live also in the iTunes Store..

If there ever was a guy to be labeled as an unsung Dj icon from Anderson who played a significant role in the earlier stages of my musical upbringing. 

This enigmatic guy by the name of N’gai Christopher Wardlaw comes to my mind immediately. Many are unaware of him and the powerful influence he made in my life and the hip hop comradery we shared as youths.  Good chemistry is a valuable asset in any situation, Job, friendship, relationship on forth into marriage so it is said. So why not in the area of music, entertainment, and Dj-ing right? During this introspective glimpse back into a pivotal moment of my life I share some insight inside this article on one of the A.N.D.’s top early talented and prolific Dj's that probably most are not familiar with. The Jam Master Dj Hi-Five hails originally from the West-side of the city of Anderson, straight off the hard knock block of Owen’s Dr. during the latter 80’s.

Jam Master Dj Hi-Five

We met by a strange twist of faith I guess some would say, please allow me to give a bit of context in order to give you an idea of how these turn of events would go on to manifest back then. The story goes as such! I would visit my beloved grandmother on the weekends, which as my past recollection would have it, she happened to be related to the Wardlaws of Owens Dr. on my Daddy’s side or vice versa. Forgive me folks if my memory appears to be somewhat clouded on this subject, you have to remember I was in my early teens during this time. But that’s not really important at the moment, but what is, is how Dj Hi-Five and M.C. ADE would eventually partner up and form. I would spend much time on that road due to the fact it was only two streets over from my grandmother’s house. N’gai and I drew on our family kinship initially only to find out in due time we both shared a deep love for this “Fly Girl” named hip-hop! Yeah that pun was intended yall, because that actually use to be the name of a hit record by a group referred to as the Boogie Boys. True story!

 Look it up because true skool heads KNOW, but I digress. We spent much time going back and forth to this dudes house who brought all the dope records, cloths, hats, B-Boy styles that nobody else would have back then. He made the dopest mixtapes on (TDK, BASF Chrome & Metal Tapes) and showed us the first pair of Technic 1200 turntables that our eyes had ever seen, I mean other than on music videos on T.V. folks. Yeah you laugh now, but back then that was the equivalent of seeing Justin Bieber shopping in the Anderson Mall. It just wasn’t the norm in those days. So who just was this mysterious and influential figure we looked up too? None other than the tall subdued colored Lee Jean suit, Kangol wearing renowned B-Boy mixologist from Dooley St.--- Dj ANDREW GOOSBY!! We love you bro.

Myself and Dj Andrew Goosby 2013

 Based on growing-up in a climate of Golden Era hip hop, listening to REAL cassette mixtapes this naturally intrigued and motivated us to attempt our hand at forming a rap duo. There shortly after in the womb of the hallowed halls of McDuffie High, the name Dj Hi-Five and  ADE was conceived. And how did I get my name as A.D.E. you may ask? By none other than my Miami Vice dressing classmate J.O. known as one Jamal Oliver.

 There it is, the short background version of how far we go back and again why it doesn’t bother me to have microphone in my hand or in front of my face at a show to this day. I’m not certain for sure but I think Christopher aka Hi-Five name was influenced and derived by a Classic Mantronix record called “Fresh Is the Word.” Don’t hold me too it, but he’ll surely correct me if I’m wrong.

Hey JM Five blame my mind not my heart as the popular saying goes. I remember him best for harboring that insatiable love of music, especially Hip Hop Culture, Dj-ing, and still today he carries a huge respect for the Emcee icons and Dj’s icons who help shape us with their influences from mixtapes to vinyl records, on into who we are today as Dj’s. Legends like Jam Master Jay, may he rest in paradise, The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff, Dj Cash Money, Dj Tat Money, Marley Marl, Dj Magic Mike and Dj Red Alert just to name a few. While he now resides on the other side of the planet in Japan and has since become a proud family man I will never underscore the instrumental role he played personally in my life even up to this day.

Hi Five poses with the Legend Dj Jazzy Jeff..

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 Any and all success that I have achieved in part, is due to him being the first dude to push and entrust me with a mic in my hand since high school. His baby sister Tisha use to often distract and annoy us at his house during our practice sessions much like younger siblings are prone to do. All in all we both have some great memories to always reflect upon coming up as boys and growing into the men we have become today. It’s so surreal folks when I ponder the thought that a guy from the A.N.D. (Anderson, S.C.) that I came up musically with and still kool with, now is taking pictures and chills with one of the best known Dj’s on the entire planet. 

The rapper turned actor Will Smith knows him as Jeff Townes but we bought their records as The Fresh Prince and Dj Jazzy Jeff. Not bad for a Dj who originally came from Anderson. I must admit as a fellow Dj my brother Tuc is still so envious when I look at that pic of you and Jeff. Ha! Ha! Much continued success in everything you do, I cannot describe the huge part you played in that segment of my life, during those moments we shared coming up as teens. But atleast I can show you how much it meant by penning this article about you. Dj Hi Five the one from da A.N.D. who hangs out with Hip Hop legends, now that’s an achievement I celebrate with you.

Peace M.C. ADE aka Dj Tuc aka da A.N.D. Representa

ABOUT DJ TUC:
Dj Tuc is a well known legendary respected ground breaking dj, producer, promoter, remixologist, writer, freelance photographer, emcee,businessman from the city of Anderson,SC and is the founder and publisher of  djtuc999.com the website and djtuc999 the mobile apps which are available on Google Play  and the Apple app store also visit our Official facebook page at Facebook/Djtuc999TheMobileApp.com and djtuc999TheMobileApp Podcast is now Live in the iTunes Store.

Erick "Easy E." Maddox--- The UnOfficial Untold Story..Until Now! "EXCLUSIVE"

Erick (Easy E) Maddox

 Once upon a time during my school days (not the Spike Lee version) as a Scotsman or for those unfamiliar with the term this means those of us who graduated from McDuffie High. Most were not Scottish but we were the few the Proud,  from a High School that basically resided smack dab near the center of Anderson’s South-Side, where most of us late eighties alumni can remember two things that will go down in infamy.

Easy E performing at the VFW 2015

 One being the popular-packed Friday Night lunchroom jams provided by Cedric Patterson also known as my mentor slash Dee-Jay legend Dj Dr. C and the other is this light-skinned off the dome freestyle rapping dude named Erick Maddox that moved from up north down to the A.N.D. in August of 1984 along with his brother at the threshold of the GOLDEN ERA. This probably doesn’t amount to any significance in the minds of trap rapping millennial's by today’s standard but in those days not many were gifted with that ability. Freestyling I mean of course.

This is where the forgotten untold story of Erick “Easy E” Maddox takes its roots and becomes my primary motive for penning this short blurb after bumping into him recently.  Yeah we have all heard of many urban ghetto legends and hood stars from various documentaries spanning from the Eastcoast to the Westcoast right? But this time I wish you to focus on one of the many we’ve had here, either passing through or home-grown right here in the city of Anderson. Infamous names like Delacey and Fitzgerald Rice, Fred Smith, Walt Johnson, Doc Webb, Baby Hulk, Willie (Chill Will) Martin, Daquan and Bae Boy two talented brothers who both played B-Ball at South Side park, Dj Andrew Goosby, Sandy (Dj Superman J) Henry just to name a few. The list can go on and on as I reminisce, bringing to mind a Pete Rock and CL Smooth classic song. Mr. Maddox whom we dubbed as Easy E before the famous Eric Wright of N.W.A. fame that most are familiar with from Compton California, who rose to prominent stardom. No! No! No! Don’t get me confused yall.

Chill Will and I recently 2017...

 Most folks in Anderson are simply just unaware of the cream history of the music scene here in the A.N.D. and not to mention its many urban street legends. It’s sad to say but most don’t even care but that’s where I find my lane, my niche, in its storied history which I attempt to document on my website. With his primary influences being iconic hip hop artist such as Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash, Shirl the Pearl on down to RUN-DMC in his early youth, how could he not be reared in the finer arts of Tru Skool Hip Hop? At the tender age of eight Erick shared with me that he was inducted into his first group titled the Cut Up Crew. Raised in the Tru SKool era he learned much about the art of hip hops key components like break dancing, writing your own lyrics and battle rapping which he claims to have never lost to any opponent. True or not we may never know!

Original A.N.D. Tru Skoolers..

  Erick gained his reputation swiftly at McDuffie High it appeared to seem as soon as he arrived. I remember Easy E battle rapping against other dudes on the bleachers’ before the start of basketball games in the gym or either beating rhythmically  on lunchroom tables while simultaneously reciting head bobbing dope freestyle raps. As my recollection would have it Erick has always demonstrated a natural innate competitive zeal to be the best in whatever he indulges in. Even to this day when we talk I still detect behind that nonchalant smile the spirit of competition that made him a fierce and feared emcee back in his hay day. These were the days when verbal raw lyrical skills were highly respected, unlike the gimmicky mumbling commercial rap era we live in today. 

McDuffie High The School Where we first Met

 Easy E and I hit it off from the start back in school because of our unequivocal love and appreciation for hip hop music and its culture of learning to hone ones fundamental emceeing skills. Yeah for those that can remember and to set the record straight. I started spitting lyrics as an emcee using the alias M.C. AD (Awesome Daryl) after hooking up with one Jamal Oliver and Christopher (Ni’gai) Wardlaw aka Dj Hi-Five, which I will detail in an upcoming article soon. Erick strolled the halls of McDuffie flamboyantly navigating between classes popping fly off the head lyrics drawing crowds, akin to what this generation refers to as swag today. McDuffie High was a trade school and E brought down with him his own naturally gifted curriculum hard-knock verbal trade. Called how to be an E-M-C-E-E! In today’s music climate of get rich or die trying artist, kicking freestyles is considered antiquated and a useless forgotten craft. Little do they realize early word-smiths such as Easy E  with fundamental skills of the craft or art form whom preceded  their generation, just happen to lay the cement for the foundation they stand-upon today.

 Erick Maddox is just one of a plethora of unsung talented folks whom just may have been ahead of his time. You may know folks who come to mind of whom you went to school with just like myself. A person of immense talent, whether in sports, dance, singing etc. It makes you wonder just what if they had all the technology of today back then. Such as Facebook, YouTube, Snap Chat, Instagram etc. Would they have achieved the success of other artist we hear on the radio whose talents are clearly inept compared to raw unbridled talent! That is a question we may never know if we are to be honest. But E is one of those special type people you feel fortunate to have met early in life.

A brother who will always keep me pondering in the back of my mind, that illusive notion---WHAT IF? Thanks for the priceless memories at McDuffie..

Da A.N.D. Representa Dj Tuc

ABOUT DJ TUC:
Dj Tuc is a well-known legendary respected ground breaking dj, producer, promoter, remixologist, writer, freelance photographer, emcee, businessman from the city of Anderson, SC and is the founder and publisher of  djtuc999.com the website and djtuc999 the mobile apps which are available on Google Play  and the Apple app store also visit our Official Facebook page at Facebook/Djtuc999TheMobileApp.com

Go Ladies "Exclusive" --- Celebrating an Anderson Food Service Legend..

In this SPECIAL "Go Ladies" Edition (originally posted on my Official app Fb Page) on behalf of djtuc999TheMobileApp & djtuc999.com, and the whole City of Anderson (aka da A.N.D.). It brings me extreme pleasure to pay homage, respect & recognition to this local food service soul food legend who has served the urban community for over four decades from Church St. to W. Market St. faithfully. From tasty cakes to fish sandwiches etc. You inspired me & many others around the city when it comes to operating a successful business for so many years here in the city of Anderson.

 Thank you Ms. Dessie for the years of wonderful food and do enjoy your retirement. You have truly earned it. Upon your graceful exit you have definitely left an indelible impression of what hard work can achieve here in the urban community and beyond. I ask that you accept this small acknowledgement as a personal token of my gratitude and appreciation.    

Sincerly Dj Tuc aka anpu aka Da A.N.D. Representa

ABOUT DJ TUC:
Dj Tuc is a well known legendary respected ground breaking dj, producer, promoter, remixologist, writer, freelance photographer, emcee,businessman from the city of Anderson,SC and is the founder and publisher of  djtuc999.com the website and djtuc999 the mobile apps which are available on Google Play  and the Apple app store also visit our Official facebook page at Facebook/Djtuc999TheMobileApp.com
 

Onpoint Gives Back To the Community In A Major Way Over the Weekend!!

Well now the official Onpoint Productions 10-year Anniversary Customer Appreciation Bash has come & gone and now in the annals of the South Main Street block party history books. If there is such a thing. I know what you’re probably thinking right, Tuc and his sarcastic journalism.  On April 29th 2017 Mr. Kenny Fredric Benson aka BKS (Big Kuntry Slick), did something that not a lot of African American young businessmen in Anderson can claim. He successfully hosted a community block party in the South-East Anderson district on a busy main business thoroughfare without any incident whatsoever.

Yes I overstand (standing over not under for inquiring minds) there have been many other folks that have done similar events in South-East A.N.D and this includes myself back in 2015 at the Greenly Institute known to many as South-Side Park. My point is though, how many have actually put on a block bash/party on S. Main St. that started at 3pm on a Saturday which continued well after 9pm. Envision party streamers, huge inflatable castle slides, four to five tents sprawled across a business strip parking lot in the heat of the midday. Now just add to that scenario a dj (myself) atop a 3ft high platform stage with 3000 watts of booming music pumping well into the night and the smell of food from a huge grill which permeated the atmosphere for miles. Again folks I stress this because this is like an eclipse of the sun, it just doesn’t happen that often if ever in this part of the electric city. I think we may have been the first actually to pull it off!

Onpoint Post Celebration Message On S. Main St. from Derrick Diamond on Vimeo.

I repeat there were no reported incidents of violence at this laudable gathering as the newspapers and evening news seem to have a lust on reporting lately, about negative events that take place in the South East Anderson community district. There were children playing and dancing as were the adults, all having a ball and the time of their lives. We raffled off Beats by Dre. Earbuds, had a lip sync contest, dance contest, and we provided free food, water, soda’s, games etc etc. Kenny Benson took a special effort to make sure all the kids who participated walked away with a miniature gold trophy just for being brave contestants. There were no losers this day. He should be commended and thanked by all, that he would celebrate his ten years in business by giving back to the very same community that has supported him for a decade. Cars slowed down and people looked on at the event on S. Main as if they thought it might have been a carnival of sorts.

Thanks to long time A.N.D. recording artist K Trik E for checking in and sharing some words of unity and positivity with those who attended. My fellow friend and Dj by the name of Dj Smash pulled up on the scene later that evening and was kind enough to bring a brother a big bottle of water on this humid day. Shout out to Douglas Foshizaleo Smith for sharing his talents by getting busy on the grill all afternoon. Superb job Doug we thank you so much for donating your time. Special shouts out to Saddiyaa  Benson for bringing her camera talents to the table making sure those memorable moments were captured while the kids were having so much fun. This sista is definitely on Onpoint in my opinion! 

And to everyone I didn’t mention, (its a lot of yall) thanks you all for the support and time you rendered to Kenny and myself. We simply attempted to provide a positive image of black men, doing something good in the community by giving back. It wasn’t about money, fame, nor our ego’s its about coming together, laying a path by example and hoping others will follow. It was an honored and pleasure to be apart of this magnificent event working in tandem with the On Point Productions family.  Creating a legacy and controlling our own destiny is what intelligent people do! Duplicate that formula and you will always find yourself ON POINT in whatever you do.

Love yall Da A.N.D. Representa- aka Dj Tuc

ABOUT DJ TUC:
Dj Tuc is a well known legendary respected ground breaking dj, producer, promoter, remixologist, writer, freelance photographer, emcee,businessman from the city of Anderson,SC and is the founder and publisher of  djtuc999.com the website and djtuc999 the mobile apps which are available on Google Play  and the Apple app store also visit our Official facebook page at Facebook/Djtuc999TheMobileApp.com