about the hip hop artists

Chuck D.

As leader and co-founder of the legendary rap group Public Enemy (PE), Chuck D. redefined rap music and hip hop culture with the release in 1987 of PE's explosive debut album, Yo! Bum Rush the Show. His messages addressed weighty issues about race, rage and inequality with a jolting combination of intelligence and eloquence never seen before. The group's subsequent seven albums were released over the next 13 years, all meeting with critical acclaim from publications as disparate as Time and The Source, and worldwide sales in the millions. Moreover, at the close of 1999, The New York Times named Public Enemy's music to its list of the "25 Most Significant Albums of the Last Century."

Through his career, he has been on 40 world tours, performing 1,200 concerts in 41 countries. To celebrate 15 years as one of the music industry's most heralded groups, Public Enemy released its newest CD, Revolverlution, in 2002.

The critical and commercial success of Public Enemy opened the doors for Chuck D. to deliver his message through a number of different mediums, extending his reach to all segments of the population. He has hosted his own segment on the Fox New Channel, published a best-selling autobiography, Fight The Power. He is also a highly sought after speaker on the college lecture circuit speaking at universities from Harvard to Howard. He is a prominent member of the music industry nonprofit MusicCares and board member for Rock the Vote. He has also worked with the National Urban League and the National Alliance of African American Athletes. For more information about Chuck D., please visit www.rapstation.com or www.slamjamz.com, or e-mail him at mistachuck@rapstation.com

La Bruja

Caridad De La Luz (a.k.a. La Bruja) is a multitalented performance poet, MC, singer, and actress, born and bred in the Bronx. La Bruja, or the "good witch," has been casting a spell over audiences in the New York underground scene since 1997. Armed with a spirit of good will and an uncanny ability to connect with people of all creeds, La Bruja has also enchanted audiences in Europe, the Caribbean, and across the United States. Her words invoke an eclectic mix of conscious, relevant, life-affirming emotions that pierce the inner soul of women, men, and children alike. At a recent taping for Russell Simmons's Def Poetry Jam, La Bruja mesmerized the audience with a stunning reading entitled "WTC." Simply using the three letters of this now historic acronym, she sifted through an array of engaging communal experiences that reminded us just how complex 9/11 is, and will continue to be. La Bruja's mission is to inspire young people to critically examine the world in order to create positive change. She uses a mixture of poetry, hip hop, and photography to shed light on the benefits of expression, reading, and writing.

La Bruja's artistic endeavors are grounded in the cultural legacy of her Puerto Rican descent and her Latino community. She recently performed at a major event commemorating Miramax's film tribute to Pinero starring Benjamin Bratt and Talisa Soto. In 2000, her natural Bronx flavor and charismatic wit landed her a speaking role in the Spike Lee film Bamboozled. La Bruja's spoken word theatrics are equally matched by her prowess on the dance floor, as she proved in the music video for the film Dance With Me starring Vanessa Williams and Chayanne. Here, La Bruja danced salsa and flamenco with kinetic poise and style. Her self-produced, one-woman show, Boogie Rican has taken theatergoers through a journey from the streets of the Boogie slide photography, original hip hop, and music from the Caribbean.

For more information on La Bruja, please visit www.labrujanyc.com

Al Shearer, "Hits"

Al Shearer, best known to BET viewers as "Hits," is the television host of the popular show Hits from the Street.

Hits began his humble career at BET as the host of a show titled, Game Room. Later, he honed his skills in front of the camera as the DC correspondent for the award-winning teen show, Teen Summit. He then hosted a morning hip hop show at WPGC-FM/AM (CBS Radio) in Washington, DC. However, it is his 'you so crazy' personality that draws attention to his very candid, yet comedic, persona, which he portrays easily on as well as off camera. Hits has also been featured in a Reebok commercial with NBA rookie of the year, Steve Francis.

Hits earned a B.A. in broadcast journalism from Howard University and presently resides in the Los Angeles area.

Marc Herbert Productions

Marc Herbert Productions was founded in 2001 by Lathan Hodge and Jon Marc Sandifer. Marc Herbert Productions is a television and film production company currently completing post-production on a documentary on Chuck D. The company is also in development on, The Untitled SDH Project, a feature film. Recently Marc Herbert Productions contributed its time to develop and film a public service ad for HIV/Aids prevention featuring New York poet Tantra. Marc Herbert Productions directed and produced the "Art. Ask for More. Hip Hop Series," public service ads featuring Chuck D., La Bruja, and Hits for Americans for the Arts and the Ad Council.

Jon Marc Sandifer, Director

Jon Marc Sandifer began his career at Spike Lee's Motion Picture Company, 40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks. Since then, his work has grown to include numerous television specials and film projects. Sandifer's television credits include a series of music documentaries featuring Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Mary J. Blige, and Whitney Houston. In 2000, he began work as the creative director of Quincy Jones's company, NUE-TV. There he oversaw the development of the network's core programming schedule as well as its branding. Having jump-started that network, Sandifer then took on the role of producer of Black Entertainment Television's hit music video countdown show, 106 and Park.

Sandifer has directed music videos for MC Hammer and The Poor Righteous Teachers, as well as having written, directed, and produced short films with music mogul Dr. Dre and spoken word purist Raquel. Most recently, Sandifer produced and directed a feature-length documentary entitled Knowing Richard Black. This film was premiered in London to a sold out audience. It has continued to sell out in special showings in theaters in Washington, DC, and Philadelphia. Sandifer is a recipient of the National Association of Minorities in Cable 2000 Vision Award for Excellence in Television Programming. As a creative force, he has developed original television and film concepts for Marc Herbert Productions. Sandifer directed the public service ads "Art. Ask for More. The Hip Hop Series," featuring Chuck D., La Bruja, and Al Shearer ("Hits") for Americans for the Arts and the Ad Council.

Lathan Hodge, Producer

Lathan Hodge is an experienced producer, having completed a number of commercials, public service ads and television shows. He has worked with all the major film studios, marketing films to the ethnic television marketplace.

Hodge has served as executive producer of the Children and Entertainment department for Black Entertainment Television (BET) and is an award-winning producer who was honored by the Chicago Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with two Emmy Awards. He began his career at CBS, Chicago.

Hodge is the winner of three NAACP Image Awards and two Emmy Awards. Hodge recently sold his script ESQ to Planet III and Evolution Films. He served on the advisory board of Rock the Nation, a Rock the Vote organization. Lathan Hodge served as the producer for the public service ads, "Art. Ask for More. The Hip Hop Series," for Americans For the Arts and the Ad Council.

For more information about Marc Herbert Productions, please e-mail Lathan Hodge at lhadji@earthlink.net.