By C Fraz

Team Fearless plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the early icons of Hip-Hop are acknowledged and remembered each year with its annual awards ceremony. Now in its second year, the popularity of the Team Fearless Honors continues to grow without a major sponsor and a buzz-based, almost entirely word-of-mouth promotion. Fans and supporters including Hip-Hop heads, B-girls and boys swarmed Mason Hall at Baruch College this past weekend to pay homage to some of Hip-Hop’s pioneers.

The audience was treated to a memorable evening of entertainment complete with deejay tricks and performances from the golden era. Positive

K, Peeblee Poo, Grand Daddy I. U., Cold Crush and the Fantastic Five were among many groups that took the stage. “This was a fantastic evening. Last year we had about 16 honorees. This year we had 38,” said Tito Dones, show founder, Team Fearless CEO and member of the legendary rap group, the Fearless Four. Tito told Planetill.com that he wanted to give awards to the artists that he thought encapsulated the true essence of hip hop and its culture. “ We had contemporary artists that wanted to come out and present to veterans like Saigon did with Big Daddy Kane.”

“This show here is for real. This is the beginning. There wouldn’t be any Hip-hop, if it wasn’t for us,” Spooney Gee told Planet Ill right before he hit the stage to accept his award. Spooney Gee was one of the original members of the Treacherous Three until he was repelaced by Special K and went solo. “Today’s young people will get a chance to see where it all came from. Before there were records, we were in the parks performing for free.” Then he hit the stage, and the crowd jumped to their feet as he took them back to the seventies with Love Rap.

After his performance, Spoonie spoke with conviction about the the good ole days and the jams in the park. “Before records there was Grandmaster Flash and the Funky 4 Plus One. “I use to go to St Nicholas Projects (Harlem, NY) to see the Funky 4 Plus One,” he said. “I was a rap fan. It was about having fun. I started rapping because of DJ Hollywood. A lot of young people don’t know what the history is about. You see, I go way back. So far back you can’t call me a rapper. I’m an EMCEE.”

The host of the evening, legendary femcee and Juice Crew All-Star Roxanne Shante, kept the show on course all night with her wit, humor and improvisations which were indicative of her vast knowledge of Hip-Hop and its history. The Queensbridge native still has that young, high-pitched, spunky and spry trademark voice that made “Roxanne’s Revenge” a classic.

Other honorees for the evening, included rappers Big Daddy Kane, Freddie Foxxx, Kid N’ Play, Biz Markie, and Leaders of the New School. T La Rock, Big Jeff-Zulu Nation, Johnny Famous, Disco Twins and DJ Red Alert joined the list of presenters. Before Red presented his award, he took time to thank all of the fans for their support throughout the years.“Thank you for participating, dancing and enjoying the way we expressed our love for this music. You gave people like myself the inspiration to do what I have been doing so long,” he said.

This year marks Red’s 30th year in commercial radio, a remarkable achievement. He presented the award to Tat Money, one of Philadelphia’s most renowned Hip-Hoppers, deejays and producers. Tat Money was instrumental for hits from acts like Steady B, Cool C and Three Times Dope. “He may not be remembered for talking a lot,” said Red, ” But when he is on the turntables, he is about his business.” Former DMC World Deejay champion Cash Money also from Philly, won an award

New York deejays were honored, including Grand Wizard Theodore and Johnny Juice.“As a member of Public Enemy, I have received many awards. This one means more because it is from my peers. It’s one thing to get an award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That’s great. But to be recognized by the pioneers of Hip-Hop means a lot more than getting it from someone counting money in a boardroom all day,” said DJ Johnny Juice. He added, “The thing about it is that everybody wants to do this for money. We have gone from doing this for love, which is what the pioneers did, to doing it for money. Today’s hip-hop artists never did it for love. So as far as them coming out to show some love, it doesn’t equate to them.”

At the end of the show Marley Marl, who also received an award, took time out to acknowledge the effort that Team Fearless put into the event. “Team Fearless is incredible,” said Marley. I see a lot of people that’s in this rap game making a lot of money. They don’t do anything like this. Hats off to Team Fearless.