Sixty days ago the functionality of our society seemed natural. The trials of everyday life were the element of our motivation, unbeknownst of the tribulations that soon lied ahead of us. With the instability of our world at the mercy of this pandemic, many famous figures genuinely humbled themselves in efforts to paying it forward and nothing soothes the soul better than the power of music. Legendary pioneers DJ Nice and LL Cool J have paved the way for urban culture and the world of Hip-Hop making their contribution to the cause using their Instagram platforms as a source of divine connection with people from all walks of life.
Disc Jockey, rapper, producer, and photographer Derrick Jones better known as D-Nice began his stardom in the mid-’80s by way of producer for Hip-Hop group Boogie Down Productions. Born and raised in Bronx, NY, Derrick was the creative genius behind some of Hip-Hop’s most eminent rap songs “The Bridge Is Over”, “South Bronx” and controversially powerful “Self Destruction”.
After discovering a young talented “Kid Rock”, mentoring him to his first record deal with Jive Records, D-Nice seized his moment with his debut album “Call Me D-Nice” birthing the self-titled infamous Bronx classic earning a #12 spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts. The success paid its price with his sophomore follow up “To Tha Rescue” causing some life-altering hardships for the musical ace but true to his Bronx breed, you can’t keep a good man down.
In 1998, Derrick’s fate took a miraculous turn when kismet brought him the impeccable photographer Gordon Parks in alignment inspiring him to unveil his newfound talent. D-Nice began the journey on his second love, photography. His resume included photo shoots of fellow music comrades De La Soul, Slick Rick, Carl Thomas, and Kenny Latimore to name a few. With his brand regaining momentum, D-Nice’s artistry snagged a roster of A-listers labeling him the bishop of the one’s and two’s opening for Billy Joel to POTUS Barack Obama.
On March 21st, he revolutionized the world of music as we know it launching “Club Quarantine” on his Instagram Live as a way of genuinely enlightening our chaotic crisis not realizing that it would become a prevalent influential therapeutic source reaching 100k viewers worldwide from Hale Berry, Jody Watley, Lenny Kravitz, Tyrese, Janet Jackson, Donnie Wahlberg, and FLOTUS Michelle Obama running nine hours non stop making it a viral success.
Hip-Hop icon, record producer, actor, and author James Todd Smith, also known as LL Cool J, has joined the crusade using his Instagram Live to video chat with everyday people engaging in real talk real conversations urging the importance of utilizing the lockdown as a time for self-reflection and exploring constructive outlets to improve one’s individuality.
With each acquired over two million followers, these two New York City dignitaries have accomplished what many others are superseding, aiding the sentiments of the world through the healing and restoring power of humanity.
You can follow D-Nice’s “Club Quarantine” on Instagram @dnice and LL Cool J’s “Low Down-Real Talk, Real Conversations” @llcoolj.
