PRESENTED BY URB, HIPHOPDX.COM, METROMIX.COM & THE COMEBACKS
Prince Paul, Ralph McDaniels and Dres (Black Sheep) to Judge Hip Hop Karaoke Championship January 25th – Highline Ballroom, NYC
Hip Hop Karaoke is honored to announce the addition of Prince Paul, Ralph McDaniels and Dres as special guest judges for the 1st Annual Hip Hop Karaoke Championship January 25th at Highline Ballroom, New York. The contributions of each judge over the past three decades have made each of them legends in the game, and all three are excited to be a part of this unique and historic event. Judges will be available for select interviews.
Prince Paul
One of hip-hop’s most legendary producers, Prince Paul began his career as the DJ for Stetsasonic, the first hip-hop group to employ a live band, before delving full-on into production. As the man behind the boards for De La Soul’s first three albums, Paul’s kitchen-sink mentality for sampling and hilarious interludes set the blueprint for generations of up-and-coming hip-hop producers. Under the name Handsome Boy Modeling School (with Dan the Automator), the duo released two forward-thinking and innovative albums featuring everyone from Mike D to Cat Power to Mike Patton. On the solo tip, in 1999, he released the critically-acclaimed hip-hopera Prince Among Thieves, featuring Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie and Xzibit and returned with 2003′s Politics of the Business. Paul’s latest project is Baby Elephant, a collaboration with Don Newkirk and P-Funk’s Bernie Worrell.
Ralph McDaniels
Before Yo! MTV Raps, before Rap City, there was "Uncle" Ralph McDaniels’ Video Music Box, the first television show to feature hip-hop videos. Still going strong after more than 20 years, the show became a springboard for countless rappers including Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Black Sheep and De La Soul. Chances are, whoever your favorite rapper is, they made their debut on VMB. McDaniels is also the host and creator of The Bridge, a weekly show focusing on classic 90s hip-hop videos. An active member of the hip-hop community since it began, McDaniels can be credited for breaking some of hip-hop’s biggest names. An accomplished director as well, Ralph was behind the lens for some of hip-hop’s most unforgettable videos, including Nas’s "It Ain’t Hard To Tell," Wu-Tang Clan’s "C.R.E.A.M.," Black Moon’s "Who Got Da Props?," and Raekwon’s "Ice Cream." Ralph can be heard every Saturday afternoon as a DJ for New York’s Hot 97. Watch Ralph and Mister Cee do Hip Hop Karaoke and take on Big Pun and Fat Joe’s "Twinz" at Hot 97′s studios here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOa1uAtheTk
Dres
As a founding member of Black Sheep, Dres helped pioneer the witty, clever side of emceeing in hip-hop. The group’s debut album, 1991′s A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, has long been in the canon of hip-hop’s favorite albums, with tracks like "Strobelite Honey," "Similak Child, "Flavor of the Month" and the classic "The Choice is Yours" fixtures of countless compilations and DJ sets. As part of 90s hip-hop collective Native Tongues (with De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest and Queen Latifah among others), Black Sheep’s eclectic samples and concepts helped foster in a new era of hip-hop that continues to influence to this day. Most recently, Dres can be heard on Handsome Boy Modeling School’s "First…and Then" and 2007′s 90s remix of Nas’s "Where Are They Now?".
Never been to Hip Hop Karaoke? Forget "Baby Got Back" in the back of the sushi bar. Check out K-Dot, Axiom, Shawn J, and Scooter, four contestants in the Championship, take on Wu-Tang’s "Protect Ya Neck" (with some friends) here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDAAefhIuU4
HHK Founded in December 2004, Hip Hop Karaoke (aka HHK) has given thousands of people the opportunity to witness and participate in this unique celebration of hip-hop. HHK has been visited by such luminaries as Jeru the Damaja, Rhymefest and Big Daddy Kane (among many others) and has spawned affiliates all over the globe from London to Toronto and even as far as New Zealand.
It all started here in NYC at a humble Lower East Side club but soon upgraded to a bigger venue due to its astounding popularity. Knitting Factory soon became the home of HHK and now for the 1st Annual HHK Championship, it’s coming to Highline Ballroom in NYC on Jan 25th.
"Hip Hop Karaoke is an idea so good you’re shocked it hasn’t been thought of earlier…Best of New York" – New York Magazine
"Rap might have come late to the karaoke party, but it’s making up for lost time." – Guardian
"Knowing all the words to ‘Ice Ice Baby’ isn’t considered ironic or humorous here. If you can spit every word to Big L’s "Put It On" without missing a beat, you’ll fit right in." – Newsday
"While hip-hop karaoke nights have been held across the U.S…the most successful and consistent event is New York City’s Hip-Hop Karaoke. HHK’s foundation is an eclectic song list that runs the gamut from classic favorites…to more obscure gems." – XXL
"Trendsetting" – Allhiphop.com
"The party has gotten pretty big, with everyone from meek secretaries to wannabe Snoops busting bling, dropping rhymes and flowing crunk. Even more than a sound to hear, it’s really a sight to see." – AOL Cityguide
"America’s Wildest Parties" – Spin
"Wildly popular" – URB
"Exhilarating….Rewarding…Another stint on a stage is definitely coming." – Vibe.com First Person Review
"One of the Big Apple’s most innovative and talked-about nights." – TNT
For more info, contact Siouxz @ Magnum PR – siouxz@magnumpr.net
Jason Newman
Co-founder, Hip Hop Karaoke NYC
http://www.hiphopkaraokenyc.com
914.582.0682
jason_newman44@yahoo.com
