Will rap artists start to improve the way they do concerts to make up for the lack of administration Chuck D says is hurting the genre? 

James Lindsay, the founder of RapSnacks and hip-hop mogul Master P talks about the 2024 Disrupt Summit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida last week. The summit is in its second year and the conference is a place for sharing and building marketing strategies for cultural consumers. In this interview, they share why they started the summit and some of the issues entrepreneurs face getting started with their own culturally conscious brands. 

Detroit funk legend Joseph “Amp” Fiddler died Sunday at age 65 after a battle with cancer. Fiddler’s legend was built from his years as a keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic, album credits, solo work, and mentoring J.Dilla. Fiddler’s work as a musician and songwriter was heard across genres among various artists. He racked up more than 400 credits with Cheryl Lynn, George Clinton, Seal, Was Not Was, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Warren Zevon, Prince, Maxwell, The Brand New Heavies, Primal Scream, MC Breed, Moodymann, Raphael Saadiq, Sly Dunbar, Corinne Bailey Rae and more.  Solo albums like Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly and Afro Strut showcased his soulful, raspy vocals and funky keyboard playing, infusing a bluesy melodic stillness into the music. 

As a live performer, he was a capable showman, always at his sartorial best and fully engaged with his audiences worldwide. In his Detroit hometown, he was a local legend and a point of nurture for many artists. This sense of community was seen in projects like The Detroit Experiment, which included an eclectic group of artists from the city. He famously taught J.Dilla how to use an MPC and arranged the life-changing meeting between the young producer and Q-Tip. His humility and accessibility belied a resume of extraordinary achievements and his status as a well-respected industry secret. Earlier this year, Fiddler collaborated with London house music DJ and producer Luke Solomon on the single “Come On Over.” 

Little Brother is having free nationwide screenings of their documentary, May The Lord Watch: The Little Brother Story, this month. The film will screen in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, GA, Los Angeles, and New York, New York. The movie is accessible to the public, and those interested are encouraged to register immediately because space is limited. Fans can donate to the film via the Southern Documentary Fund. The group celebrated the 20th anniversary of their debut album, The Listening, with a year-long celebration, a four-city tour, and their Made In Durham: A Little Brother Block Party. 

Filmmaker Holland “vacay” Gallagher directs, and “Yoh” Phillips wrote the documentary about the friendship between Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh and their experiences in the music industry. There is commentary from Questlove, DJ Drama, industry executives, cultural critics, and more. 

Screenings

11/9 @ Eaton DC in Washington, DC
11/10 @ Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, GA  
11/12 @ Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw in Los Angeles, CA 
11/15 @ New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in New York, NY  
11/16 @ Carolina Theatre in Durham, NC