Last night, I was witness to a true once in a lifetime event. Industry Influence 22 (aiight it happens once a month, but not like this) was totally off the chain. There was the usual hobknobbin and networking goin on, and Go DJ EF Cuttin on the ones and twos...but the moment of the night was when "The Biggest Mama" Mia X showed up and showed out for the spotlight section.
Mia (a personal friend for at least 21 years) told her story... from New York Inc. (Shout out to Denny, Mannie, Wop, and Shorty) to her recording The Payback with Diamond and DJ Bigg Cheez (Psychoward DJ's), to her non commital relationship with Master P and No Limit Records. Did you know that she was a major part in over 60 MILLION records sold worldwide? A true showstopper out that 7th Ward. How many female emcee's can say that huh?
She went on to discuss her future plans, she has a reality show with R&B Singer (and my cousin) Monica, a show of her own that she is developing where she goes out and finds those with talent. This isnt an American Idol type deal but the twist is... these folks are addicts. She wants to get them treatment, get em clean, and offer the oppty to record a song and maybe get outta that rut they are stuck in. She also, spoke on her activism as the need for Federal Aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina and the way tables turned when other tragedies in other parts of the country had "disasters" and what they felt like when they needed help...
Mia also spoke on her place in Hip Hop and how she and the genre broke up several times but she always went back to it..now thats love. My highlight of the event was photographing a mini No Limit Reunion with Mia, KLC and Moby Dick (from Beats by the Pound) and Mr. Serv On. And even though I have connections with all of them that span at least 15 years, its always like the first time with them. Now if I could only get them in front of my camera on a location and shoot some images, I can kick off this book project just the right way... Shouts out to Wild Wayne and Sess 4-5 for continuing to put on these events and helping in the progress and archiving of New Orleans music, culture, and legacies
At anyrate pictures to come...
photo courtesy of fotogrphx photography ©2009
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