M.U. 7 Panelist Profiles: Big Jim Wright

Record Producer/songwriter/keyboardist/vocalist Big Jim Wright of the famed Flyte Tyme Productions (Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis) came to prominence in the early 90’s co-writing and producing a string of hits with the production dynasty. Big Jim is often referred to as Flyte Tyme’s secret weapon.

Working out of Jam & Lewis’ state-of-the-art facilities Flyte Time studios in Minneapolis, Big Jim undertook a busy schedule of writing, producing and performing. Over the next several years, he would work with a virtual Who’s Who of modern musical greats including, Sounds of Blackness, Janet Jackson, Sting, Elton John, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, The Isley Brothers, …the list, as they say, goes on. Among his latest undertakings: a creative collaboration with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis in executive producing, writing, and scoring the Beyoncé Knowles and Cuba Gooding Jr. feature film, Fighting Temptation, the end title song “Definition of Love” performed by Deborah Cox from the film Akeelah and the Bee, “Ne Me Laisse Pas Seule Ici” and “Nobody Cares” for the soundtrack from the biographical and historical drama film Hotel Rwanda. He has won several other awards throughout his career including: ASCAP, NAACP, and DOVE awards, along with numerous Grammy Award nominations.


To find out more about Big Jim Wright register for IdOMusic® Weekend 2010 and M.U.7 at Patchwerk Recording Studios HERE.

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M.U. 7 Panelist Profiles: Tweet

As a young girl, Tweet was inspired not only by her family, but also by larger-than-life divas Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston (whom she later worked with). Tweet's first steps into a career in the music industry first began when she enrolled in Rochester's School of the Arts

In the early nineties, Tweet joined the female quintet Sugah. Sugah was composed of Tweet, Susan Weems, and Rolita White, and was a part of Devante Swing's Swing Mob collective. While there, she met Timbaland, Magoo, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott (who at the time was a part of Sista), Playa, Ginuwine, and Renee Anderson who were also all apart of the Swing Mob collective. During her time with Sugah, Tweet formed a close friendship with Elliott.

In March 2002, Tweet entered the charts with her debut solo single, "Oops (Oh My)", a risqué song about self-loving and appreciation. The song was produced by Timbaland and featured guest vocals by Missy Elliott. The single hit number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, with the help of a remix featuring Fabolous.




To find out more about Tweet register for IdOMusic® Weekend 2010 and M.U.7 at Patchwerk Recording Studios HERE.

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M.U. 7 Panelist Profiles: Johnta Austin

Austin grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1989, at the age of eight, Austin hosted the daily television show, Kid's Beat on CNN. Covering current events, sports and the entertainment world, Austin went on to become the Atlanta Bureau Chief for the CNN weekly news program, Real News for Kids and the reporter for the TBS half hour weekly, Feed Your Mind. Austin grew up singing in church choirs and wanted to become an actor, and he interviewed such celebrities as Michael Jackson and Michael Jordan, among others, and in 1993, made his television debut on The Arsenio Hall Show, where he admitted he loved singing and was offered to sing with Arsenio Hall's band.[1]

A songwriter, arranger, producer, and vocalist, Atlanta's Johnta Austin initially stepped out on SWV's Release Some Tension, broke out as the songwriter of Tyrese's 1998 Top Ten hit "Sweet Lady," and, by 2004, hit a hot streak that involved collaborations with Mary J. Blige ("Be Without You"), Mariah Carey ("We Belong Together"), and Janet Jackson (much of 20 Y.O.). Signed to So So Def, the label founded by close associate and Virgin urban head Jermaine Dupri, Austin released his debut solo album -- Ocean Blue -- in late 2006. At the time, he was only in his mid-twenties. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide




To find out more about Johnta Austin register for IdOMusic® Weekend 2010 and M.U.7 at Patchwerk Recording Studios HERE.

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M.U. 7 Panelist Profiles: Mistah F.A.B

One of the most prominent and colorful figures of the San Francisco Bay Area hyphy movement in the late 2000s -- sometimes hailed as the scene's "crown prince" -- North Oakland-based rapper Mistah F.A.B. presents a somewhat exceptional combination of street credibility, social consciousness, and astute introspection. Mistah F.A.B. is an acronym for "Money Is Something to Always Have - FaEva Afta Bread.

Mistah F.A.B. began his musical rise in the Bay Area as a young artist signed to Straight Hits Entertainment, where he dropped his debut album, Nig-Latin in 2003. Although this album garnered some success and recognition, the majority of FAB's recognition came from his skills as a battle rapper. Mistah F.A.B. has battled many MC's in the Hip Hop world. Some of whom include, Clyde Carson of The Team, Killa Keise, Lil Al, Spade, and Locksmith of The Frontline. FAB is most known for his freestyle battles with Jin of Ruff Ryders, and Royce Da 5'9. Fab has the uncanny ability to freestyle for long stretches of time. Specifically, he is known for freestyling, or rapping "off the top of the dome" on a whim, that is he is able to do it anywhere at anytime. This is evident when he did a freestyle from his hospital bed after his car accident.



To find out more about Mistah F.A.B register for IdOMusic® Weekend 2010 and M.U.7 at Patchwerk Recording Studios HERE.

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M.U. 7 Panelist Profiles: Big Bank Black

As founder and CEO of Duct Tape Entertainment out of Atlanta, GA; Black has helped open the doors to new artist Alley Boy. You may be familiar with street anthems such as “Label It Gutta”, “Look at My Charm” and “Dis Flip.” Now the songwriter and producer is ready to take the streets to the next level with rap and R&B hit singles such as “Try It Out” and "Stop Playin”. It’s time to show music lovers what the real ‘A’ is about. Black and the Duct Tape Family are on their way showing the industry how it can be done.

Known for taking care of their homeboys on lockdown and their families, Duct Tape Entertainment is truly a family affair; like brothers from another mother. What started off as a hustle has turned into a legitimate career move that helps employ friends who ordinarily would choose the detrimental path often traveled. “I almost feel like a missionary,” says Black. “I figured if I could get all these people to follow me doing the wrong thing, I could turn that around into something positive and still put money in their pockets.” Spoken like a true boss.


To find out more about Big Bank Black register for IdOMusic® Weekend 2010 and M.U.7 at Patchwerk Recording Studios HERE.

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M.U. 7 Panelist Profiles: Craig King

Craig King was hired to be musical director on the most ambitious tour that Will Smith had ever been part of…it was called “The Greatest Hip-Hop Tour in the World.” The tour featured Public Enemy, supported by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Naughty-by-Nature, Kid & Play, Queen Latifah, A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, and the Ghetto Boyz.

"I remember talking with Latifah at great lengths about her dreams of becoming an actress, this was a time when anything was possible in Hip-Hop,” King recalls. I was wanting to break into the musical mainstream and start working with artists determined to grow roots in the hip-hop game.”

King was introduced to hip-hop mogul, Eddie Farrell. King found himself working with a monster development company, “The Untouchables”, responsible for the careers of Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs, Heavy D, Mary J. Blige, and Donnell Jones, to name a few. King has also provided instrumentation for Kanye West’s grammy award winning hit song “The Good Life” from his Graduation album.




To find out more about Craig King register for IdOMusic® Weekend 2010 and M.U.7 at Patchwerk Recording Studios HERE.

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