Got the opportunity to work at Billboard Magazine right after college. It was only part-time, but it was the only magazine that I was reading on a weekly basis in 1989-1990.
First full-time job was in the PR department at Tommy Boy, which was kind of a dream come true, considering that in 1990, Digital Underground and De La Soul were hot and they were my favorite groups.
Started my own company (FAB Communications) in late 1996 and have developed PR campaigns for individuals and companies in music, film, theatre, small biz, finance, political activism, restaurants, and publishing.
Things I remember:
Going to a MC Shan/Biz Markie show in Central Islip in 87 and seeing Big Daddy Kane for the first time. He did a quick freestyle about panties and the place went wild. Some months later, he was a household name.
Cameo at Radio City Music Hall in 1987. It would be another 10 years before they performed in NYC again. And of course I went to that show.
Inviting Doug E. Fresh for a music symposium sponsored by my PR class at CW Post in 89. He came into my dorm room with his father, some dude, and a woman he introduced to me as his cousin Lisa (she later became Sistah Souljah). But the highlight of him in my room was when Slick Rick's "Children's Stories" came on the radio. I went to turn it off, since they had recently disbanded, and he said keep it on, cuz it was a good record. Thank you Doug for speaking and helping me get an A.
Making anti-plastic surgery signs for a Digital Underground video, "No Nose Job" in 91 or 92. Me and Kobie made those signs on a Friday night at the Tommy Boy office until midnight or 1am. Funny video, though.
Bringing De La Soul to an Easter Egg hunt in Paterson, NJ in 91. Run DMC was the big act at that park. Kids went crazy. It's a good thing I had a heavy duty Carhart jacket on because kids were tearing at me trying to get De La pix. They were promoting the De La Soul is Dead album. Oh yeah, I brought another group to the egg hunt as well. Kids didn't really give em too much love. Bunch of unknowns called Naughty By Nature.
Just before "OPP" blew up the world.
When Brand Nubian's All For One album came out.
When Tribe's Low End Theory album came out.
That fax in 94 from James Bernard and Reggie Dennis saying that they were leaving The Source and taking most of the staff with them in protest.
Expensing lunches with friends on the Tommy Boy amex, but reporting them as biz lunches with Kris Ex and Jeff Mao, 94-95.
My first Source cover...Coolio...in 95.
That Biggie Platinum Party at the Palladium in 95. Ballin outta control.
Partying at the D'Angelo shindig at the Armory when they announced that Tupac died of his wounds in September 96.
Getting fired from Jive in 96.
Working on Ill TV with Gabe Tolliver, Kimson Albert, and Reggie Osse in 97-98. Watershed moment in television.
Booking WC on the Keenan Ivory Wayans show and watching him Crip-walk on national TV in 98. This may have been the first time America witnessed such a thing.
Buying my first piece of real estate in 1999.
Not asking actress Bai Ling to dance at the 1999 Stony Brook Film Festival.
Shopping a book idea with Karen Taylor in 1999.
Casting a MTV PSA for director Joel Schumacher in 2000.
Working the locker rooms during the first/second rounds of the 2001 NCAA b-ball tournament at the Nassau Coliseum.
Ballin outta control at the 2001 NBA All Star Weekend in DC with Kevin Maxwell.
Syracuse winning the NCAA b-ball championship in 2003.
Producing my first short film, Aimee Dixon's "The Revolving Door."
Buying my second piece of real estate in 2005.
Being told that my good friend, Andre Blair passed away,
September 2005. RIP, fam.
