LL Cool J ‘I Need A Beat’ was the first single on the Rick Rubin/Russell Simmons collaboration we now know as Def Jam. Rick actually released T La Rock ‘It’s Yours’ the first single to actually rock the Def Jam logo, months before joining Russell.
Hip-Hop History lesson aside, when you plan a Def Jam 30th Anniversary Concert without LL Cool J, your first artist, a hip-hop icon and a very important piece of the Def Jam legacy, it’s just disrespectful.
LL recently spoke over the phone with Mina SayWhat of Power99’s “Rise And Good Morning Show” and when she asked his reaction to not being on the bill, this is what he had to say:
They didn’t reach out to me. They know my phone number — it ain’t too late. We’ll see what happens. If they want to call me, I’m cool. If not, then it is what it is.
Equally disturbing I didn’t see Public Enemy, Slick Rick, The Beastie Boys on the flyer either. Sure the flyer says more to announced, but artists like LL, PE, Slick Rick and Beastie Boys are not some one hit wonders you add to line-up later, you start with them. Flyer says ‘Celebrating A Dynasty,’ there wouldn’t be a dynasty without these artists.
We will see what happens before the concert and who else is added to line up. But right now Def Jam gets the gas-face! Def Jam’s 30th Anniversary Concert will take place on Thursday October 16 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
8 comments
Def Jam just tied it’s shoes together and tried to run without including Public Enemy, Slick Rick, & LL Cool J to celebrate.
That’s like trying to take a road trip with no tires or Build a House with no foundation.
If it wasn’t for LL, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, & Beastie boys opening doors along with others like KRS-ONE, MC Lyte, Bid Daddy Kane, Rakim, Kool G Rap, and so many more, doors would not have been opened for others.
I have to agree with the article. Def Jam gets the gas face for this along with a Big smirk and thumbs down. More like Def Dumb & ind Jam after excluding Public Enemy, LL, Slick Rick, & Beastie Boys and other quality artists that came later.
Rick Ross is a fly in the apple sauce like all the other Lamestream Rappers today.
Where are the legends that built Def Jam??
No 3rd Base?!
So disrespectful to the fans and the business.
For real A!!! LL practically made Def Jam and PE helped take them to the next level.
Disrespectful!
Rick Ross’s name is 1st. Guess he’s the pioneer artist of Def Jam now.
#Blasphemous
I personally cannot be there cause I live in the Netherlands but when I saw the line-up without LL, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, Beastie Boys and T La Rock I was stunned and I know alot of Def Jam music followers and lovers with me!! I know it could be all a surpise that some of the names I’ve mentioned will come up on stage and have to keep it quiet but I guess If ya have a 30th year anniversary you want to put THOSE names on the flyers to sell those tickets! We’ll just have to wait and see but it would be sad if those groundbreaking legends of Def Jam won’t be there!!!
How can you have a Def Jam Anniversary without PE, LL or Beastie Boys without those guys Def Jam would not be the company they are today.
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