By C D Frazie

Those that filled the Masonic Hall at Baruch College last weekend weekend were treated to some vintage Hip-Hop as some of the pioneers of the culture were acknowledged at the fourth annual Team Fearless Hip Hop Honors, hosted by the legendary Grandmaster Caz (Cold Crush Brothers) and Devastating Tito (Fearless Four).

“This year we went straight to the essence of Hip-Hop. I started in Harlem and in the 70’s with DJ Hollywood,” said  Devastating Tito, the creator of the Team Fearless Hip-Hop Honors Awards IV. “The program represented three decades of hip hop, the seventies, eighties and nineties,” he noted. Tito explained that the honors are not about profits, or bragging rights but about educating the young generation about the true elements of Hip-Hop.

DJ B. Fats presented the first award to DJ Hollywood, whose history as a DJ dates back to the early seventies. It was a pleasurable throwback to the days of Disco, playing hot peas & butter and shopping at Woolworth department stores. “Tonight it honors me to take it back to the beginning,” said B. Fats. “The original godfather of Hip-Hop, the blueprint of originators. From 1971 to the present, he [DJ Hollywood] is still getting it in.”

Rapper Spooney Gee and Cheryl the Pearl (Sequence) rounded out the 70’s era with their award receptions. From there, it was on to the eighties and awards presented to MC Sha Rock (Funky Four plus One), Kool DJ AJ, Sweet Tee and the group Super Lover Cee and Casanova Rud.

DJ Mel Starr, Dj Echo and Dj Quick entertained the crowd in between presentations and performances.” Hakim Green (Channel Live), Freedom Williams, Nice and Smooth, Black Rob, Chubb Rock and Dres (Black Sheep) were among the award winners who represented the nineties.

“Tears fell from my face today. I am honored to be here,” Andres ” Dres” Titus told the AmNews. He and William “Mista Lawnge” McLean make up the rap duo from Queens better known as “Black Sheep.” Their album, A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing is considered one of Hip-Hop’s classic records. “I am like a kid in the park,” he continued. “It’s amazing. A lot of these cats were before me. There weren’t many videos of them, so I am putting the faces to the record for the first time.”

The Team Fearless Honors wouldn’t have been complete without a surprise guest and some social commentary. Public Enemy legend Chuck D paid homage and spoke on the lack of integrity in urban radio and how executives in the industry delegitimize the fact that New York is the birthplace of Hip-Hop. “First, I salute these Hip-Hop gods,” Chuck D said referring to the honorees. Then the rap superstar expressed his dissatisfaction over the state of rap and radio stations that play and brand themselves with the music.

“We have to fight to eliminate the urban business model that portrays an image that says they represent people in our community, but are not responsible for the culture that they claim to have a home for,” he said. “Its like someone saying that this is your home but there is a toilet in the kitchen and they are expecting you to be comfortable with that.”

The evening was a celebration of a genre of music that is represented all over the world, powered by the innovation of inner-city kids. The continuity of the show was impressive as emcees Caz and Tito, who were masterful, kept the show moving. Performances by Chubb Rock, Black Rob and Sha Rock really accentuated the evening.

Supporters say that each year the event grows stronger. “Devastating Tito is like a brother to me. I have always admired his grind,” said Mikey Destruction, co-sponsor of the event and member of the group Elements of Hip-Hop. “Every year the event gets bigger. This is the best award show because it’s peers recognizing peers; unsung heroes getting their due.”