Host DJ Clark Kent EVP, Artist & Repertoire, Damon Dash Music Group
Peter Thomas has been a true visionary of what hip hop culture really is.
He has been instrumental in the pioneering of magazines, showcases and awards, leading the growth and cultivation of the urban market into Miami’s restaurant and club district.
In 1990, Peter helped to integrate Hip-hop to the UK with Russell Simmons Rush Management with various tours, including Snoop Dogg, Dr.Dre. ONYX, Public Enemy, etc. This gave him the insight to all of the unsigned talent that is present around the world.
In 1993, Peter’s brainchild How Can I Be Down? [HCBID?] was created to provide industry insiders and outsiders a venue to network and connect with business opportunities in the urban entertainment and lifestyle industry. HCIBD? has experienced unsurpassed growth registering approximately 10,000 participants, many of whom have moved on to become major forces in the music, marketing, fashion film and televion industries.
In 1996, Peter brought the largest outdoor concert to Miami with a world class roster of artists like the Fugees, Run-Dmc, the Wu Tang Clan, Debora Cox and Faith Evans, as well as the Great Notorious BIG’s last live performance. In 1998 Peter also created the Source Television Show and the Source Music Awards, which have made their own imprint in the history of hip hop culture, creating a platform and blueprint for many urban award shows that have followed.
2005 was a pivotal year when Peter Thomas re-vamped, re-imagined and refreshed HCIBD? and brought it to Toronto, Canada. Peter’s natural business acumen is keeping up with the pace of new media technology by strategically providing insightful and pivotal information on music downloads broadcast and broadband video - podcasting is advertising and fashion branding.
Presently, Peter is introducing [as subsidiary to HCIBD?] Step 2 the Mic - a series developed to produce the ultimate urban star. Step 2 the Mic is a talent search, showcase broadband and reality based TV show that will be searching 11 Canadian cities to find the one that is ready to Step 2 the Mic. In this exciting new venture, artists of the urban market will be able to set free there talents and be heard by some of the top American Urban Music Executives.
DJ Clark Kent
EVP, Artist & Repertoire, Damon Dash Music Group
DJ Clark Kent is one of the industry’s hottest and most recognized producer and turntable superstars. To date, he has served as a Sr. Vice President of A&R at Motown Records, worked as a Director of A&R at Atlantic Records, and now heads his own record label, ClarkWorld Entertainment. As the CEO of Supermen Entertainment, Clark co-manages the music careers of five record producers, two songwriters, a stable of new artist and has produced and remixed an impressive list of hits for some of the music industry’s biggest stars. His discography includes gold and multi-platinum hits for, The Notorious B.I.G., Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, SWV, Ice Cube, Rakim, The Fugees, Jay-Z, Lil’ Kim and Junior M.A.F.I.A.
Clark is the founder of the Supermen Entertainment’s “DJ Battle for World Supremacy”, a DJ competition that draws both domestic and international support. Recently, Supermen Entertainment has partnered up with Cornerstone Promotions, one of the leading music promotion companies, to put the " Supermen DJ Battle for World Supremacy" back into full swing. In addition, Clark has been the Show DJ and music coordinator for numerous major tours such as P. Diddy, Jay-Z, Faith, Fabolous, Nas, Bubba Sparxx, and The Notorious BIG, just to name a few. Clark has performed (DJ) for the biggest and elite engagements, from Mariah Carey’s “American Music Awards” Parties, P. Diddy’s “MTV VMA Awards” After-Parties, P. Diddy's MTV New Years Soiree, Grammy Awards Parties, Usher Multi-Platinum Party , Stevie Wonder's Achievement Award Party, to the Infamous All-Star Basketball Parties, Miami, FL. Memorial Weekends and NFL Superbowl Parties, to name a few. His incredible ability to motivate party-goers has giving him the aptitude to performed for thousands stretching to the far corners of the world, Europe, Africa, Japan.
DEREK 'L.A.' JACKSON
Derek 'L.A.' Jackson is one of the few people in this industry who shines in both the executive boardroom and in the recording studio with artists. Even before he graduated from college, he started working with Grammy award-winning, super producer, Marley Marl, who was head of the mighty Cold Chillin' record label, which Chuck D, Biz Markie and other trailblazing Hip-Hop artists called home. In the Hip-Hop community, Marl is referred to as one of the most influential producers in Hip-Hop history whose pioneering use of sampling techniques was credited with increasing rap's accessibility in the early 1990's.
Jackson’s innate timing is impeccable, as he positioned himself to be one of Hip-Hop’s business pioneers; learning finance, project management, and client relations, right from the start. He has over 16 years of solid responsibility dealing with the in’s and out’s of this volatile recording industry and has carved a determined path to success.
Upon earning a BA in Radio, Television & Film from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he continued to work with Marly Marl. Jackson co-managed Marley Marl with Francesco Spero (current Bad Boy Records Sr. Vice President of Management).
Jackson and Spero became co-owners of Rush Producer Management (RPM) which fell under the Def Jam umbrella owned by Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen (Chairman and CEO of US Recorded Music, Warner Music Group). At RPM, Jackson was involved in the making of great songs for producer of Public Enemy, Hank Shocklee, and stars such as Ice Cube, Jam Master Jay, The Bomb Squad, and Q-Tip and Easy Mo Bee -- who were infamous for doing records for The Notorious B.I.G., as well as Tupac.
In 1993, Jackson spotted and signed The Roots and immediately began developing a relationship with the band’s keyboardist, Scott Storch. Jackson became interested in the talent that emerged from Storch and strategically developed Storch's incredible talent as a keyboardist, gifted producer and songwriter. Encouraging and motivating him, Jackson told Storch, “If you don't believe in you, I can't make you. I can't do what I need to do.” Jackson has guided Storch’s career growth with deliberate focus and business acumen that has brought him to the status of super producer and writer, which he is today.
While Jackson served as Vice President and General Manager for Suave House Records, a label that put Southern Hip-Hop on the map, he single-handedly secured a multimillion-dollar distribution deal with Universal. Suave House Records then began releasing commercially viable records by the likes of Eightball and MJG, whose 1998 solo double album, Lost, went double platinum. Jackson was Executive Producer for Coolio, managed Warren G. and A&R’d W.C. for Def Jam. Jackson’s meticulous management, business savvy and passionate drive provided the leadership needed to create a successful record label. L.A. Reid, Chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group says, “Derek is one of the most dynamic and compelling individuals in this industry, but that’s not the secret to his success. He simply outworks everybody. If he were an artist, I would sign him. He’s simply a star.” Derek Jackson has become synonymous with the word success.
Jackson also served as executive consultant at the start-up internet company, UBO (Urban Box Office). He helped UBO raise $16 million in second round private equity financing from Flatiron Partners, Chase Capital Partners, the New York City Investment Fund and an investor group led by Clarence Avant, the former chairman of Motown. With this project, Jackson also worked with co-owner, Frank Cooper, who is currently Vice President of Pepsi World.
Jackson has consistently kept his eyes on the prize with determination to reach his goals. He is uniquely capable of being the driving force behind a label that will become one of the, if not the brightest stars, in the industry. Scott Storch turns music into platinum and Jackson transforms the platinum into millions of dollars. He has been on all sides of the table as a manager, executive producer, and record label executive. His superb negotiating talents and irreplaceable inside knowledge of how the music business works guarantees his success.
Jackson’s experience has taught him the potential pitfalls and he’s learned his lessons the hard way. He knows that perseverance, patience, and attention to details is what enables creative talent to shine and produces winning products. Jackson has been fortunate to see his visions turn into reality and is ready to take the next step with his strategic creativity to exploit opportunities and make the right choices.
SCOTT STORCH
They call Scott Storch, the boss of the beats because his unbelievable musical talents have propelled artists as diverse as Dr. Dre, Britney Spears, Eminem, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera and 50 Cent into sales chart stratospheres. His resume reads like a Who’s Who of Pop, R&B and Hip-Hop chart toppers and there is a long line waiting in hopes that Storch’s magic touch will turn their CDs platinum. Aftermath CEO, Dr. Dre, says this about Storch, “Scott is the only producer to co-write with me that went on, without me, to become great.”
He’s a five time Grammy Winner, three time ASCAP Music Award Winner, two time Source Award Winner and has just been named ASCAP Writer Of The Year for 2004. His chart sales have exceeded 150 million units; in the album department: 12 Gold, 20 Platinum and 18 Multi-Platinum. Earlier this year, Storch achieved two amazing accomplishments. One, he wrote and produced the number one and number two songs on Billboard’s Hot 100: Mario’s, “Let Me Love You” and 50 Cent’s, “Candy Shop” featuring Olivia. Second, three consecutive tracks that he produced and co-wrote have reached number one. Terror Squad’s “Lean Back” was #1 for 3 weeks beginning August 21, 2004, then, Mario’s, “Let Me Love You” moved into the top spot for nine weeks on New Year’s Day, 2005. 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop” has since replaced that hit, at number one, where it has been for nine weeks.
Storch has been playing since the tender age of 4, but decided to become a musician in the fifth grade when a friend’s father paid him $200 for playing the piano for five minutes. “That's when I realized I could make money making music," he says. Before Storch was crafting entire tracks for superstar rappers, he was a keyboardist. As a teenager, Storch became a session player for Philadelphia-area groups. In 1993, when Storch was 18 years old, he started to step into the spotlight while playing for The Root’s Organix LP. The album led to a major label deal for The Roots and solidified Storch's role as keyboardist for the group. Simultaneously, he was discovered by Derek “LA” Jackson, who became his manager.
Scott Storch's knack for laying down dazzling keyboard lines led to a burgeoning career as a musically blessed producer in the early 2000’s. One of Storch’s big breaks came when his keyboard riff laced "Still D.R.E." featuring Snoop Dogg -- the mammoth lead single to Dr. Dre's comeback album. Working alongside Dre, led him into production and soon, Storch found himself co-producing the lead single to Xzibit's Restless album, "X," and getting the opportunity to produce three tracks for Snoop Dogg's Tha Last Meal ("Brake Fluid," "Ready 2 Ryde," "Y'all Gone Miss Me").
Over the past five years, Storch has had a hand—as either a musician, producer, songwriter or something in between—in a long list of huge records including Beyoncé’s “Baby Boy,” #1, “Naughty Girl” #3, Eve and Gwen Stefani’s, Grammy Winning, “Let Me Blow Ya Mind,” #3 , Justin Timberlake’s, Grammy Award Winning, “Cry Me A River,” # 3. The Roots’ Grammy Award Winning “You Got Me” featuring Erykah Badu and 50 Cent’s current hit “Just A Little Bit.”
Storch’s finesse with multiple genres could have to do with his broad array of influences. He grew up in Philadelphia appreciating a wide range of music from his brother’s rap, Luke and Easy E, to his mom’s Gershwin and Sinatra. Gershwin's “Summertime” is still Storch's favorite record.
Storch identifies four elements for a sure-fire hit: realness, simplicity, a catchy hook and bounce. He says, Realness, “the artist has to be believable for the audience to take a song seriously.” Simplicity, “Everyone gets and understands it.” A catchy hook, “It's got to be something the listener will remember.” And bounce, “Every club record needs a strong beat that'll make people dance.”
The highly anticipated collaboration with Scott Storch and R. Kelly was just completed, creating phenomenal synergy. Fat Joe’s album, All Or Nothing, which is scheduled for release May 24th, the familiar touch to it. Storch is also producing the remix of Mariah Carey’s top single, “It's Like That”.
Storch masters the maxim that slow and steady wins the race. He has the workhorse mentality of a session player, focusing on revenue rather than fame, but his manager, Jackson, has readied him for the next chapter. Forming a label with Jackson, who has successfully managed Storch's career for 12 years, is the next logical step. Storch has proven that he has the magic gift of creating monster hits. By consolidating his efforts with a label he can think about the music while his trusted partner is managing the business, consolidating revenue, expanding distribution and developing their signed artists.
Eric Nicks
Mark Pitts
Dave Lighty
City
Early registration begins February 6th
Late registration at city counters begins
Late registration at city counters ends
Live city auditions start
Live city auditions end
Location
of city Registration
and
auditions
City showcases
Toronto
Finals
Online
28th February
1st March
28th February
1st March
Metro Toronto Convention Center, Room 101,
255 Front Street West
416-585-8199
2nd March
Halifax
Finals
Online
5th March
5th March
5th March
5th March
To be announced
6th March
Montreal
Finals
Online
8th March
10th March
8th March
10th March
To be announced
11th March
Ottawa
Finals
Online
13th March
13th March
13th March
13th March
To be announced
14th March
Kitchener
Finals
Online
16th March
16th March
16th March
16th March
To be announced
17th March
London
Finals
Online
18th March
18th March
18th March
18th March
To be announced
19th March
Winnipeg
Finals
Online
22nd March
24nd March
22th March
24th March
To be announced
25th March
Edmonton
Finals
Online
27nd March
28nd March
27th March
28th March
To be announced
29th March
Calgary
Finals
Online
30th March
31th March
30st March
31st March
To be announced
1st April
Vancouver
Finals
Online
3rd April
5th April
3rd April
5th April
To be announced
6th April
Grand Finale
in
Toronto
To be announced
15th April
* Dates are subect to change
* Location of registrations and auditions will be advertised shortly