Rock The Bells (RTB), the global platform dedicated to elevating Hip-Hop culture from its roots to the modern day, announced the lineup for “Rock The Bells Cruise: A Hip-Hop Experience” in partnership with Sixthman, the industry leader in unforgettable music and lifestyle festivals at sea.
The lineup features Hip-Hop’s most notable icons, including Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Big Boi, DJ Jazzy Jeff, MC Lyte, Ghostface Killah, Trina & Trick Daddy, Just Blaze, Big Daddy Kane, Too $hort, Slick Rick, DJ Spinderella, Mannie Fresh, Pete Rock, DJ Quik, Rah Digga, EPMD, Bun B, Bahamadia, Grandmaster Caz, DJ Scratch, The Finisher Mister Cee, DJ EPPS, DJ Nina 9, Grandmaster Dee, Technician The DJ, and DJ Critical Hype. Hosted byRoxanne Shanté&Torae, attendees will also experience a pool deck party series presented by world-renowned party rockerKid Capri.
Commenting on the cruise, legendary Hip-Hop artist and host Roxanne stated: “How could I not Rock the Boat with the Goat? LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells keep the culture afloat. Please believe it.” Too $hort added, “Rock The Bells is Hip-Hop History, and they’re working to MAKE history!”
While the cruise is “sold out,” fans can still go to the website rockthebellscruise.com to sign up for the waiting list, where rooms are offered as they become available.
The sold-out Rock The Bells Cruise: A Hip-Hop Experience lineup is here! We’re bringing the celebration of Hip-Hop turning 50 to the high seas with @SXMLiveLoud & bringing some of the greatest DJs, MCs, & producers with us. Visit https://t.co/W5Gi4ShOfe to join the waitlist pic.twitter.com/bR5ojA21sz
On this date in 1965, Jeffrey Townes, better known to Hip Hop and television fans as “Jazzy Jeff” was born in the City of Brother Love and has become one of the best to ever place their hands on a pair of Technics 1200s.
Originally known as the DJ for rapper/actor The Fresh Prince aka Will Smith, Jeff’s claim to fame was his seemingly innate ability to play the wheels of steel like instruments, popularizing the “transformer” style scratching sound which was mimicked by many DJs who succeeded and preceded him. The two-time Grammy Award winner later became an established producer, sitting behind the boards for artists like Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, The Roots, Floetry, and many more. Just last year, Jazz worked on the Straight Outta Compton film, doing scratch overdubs for the classic flick.
Happy born day and salute to one of the pioneers of the 1s and 2s of Hip Hop culture!
DJ Jazzy Jeff opened up about his experience with COVID during a new interview with AllHipHop. For those who might not remember, he was one of the first public figures to contract the disease at the start of the pandemic. It also hit him harder than fans might have known.
“I was one of the first people to get sick, and I almost didn’t make it,” Jeff said. “I got sick the day the world shut down. That was the day it hit me. I actually did a ski resort in Ketchum, Idaho, which was the nation’s first hot spot. I came home and realized the world wasn’t right.”
“We kind of looked at each other like, ‘OK, the store is going to be crazy tomorrow,’” he continued, telling a story about his wife. “The next words that came out of my mouth was, ‘Babe, I don’t feel good.’ And she was like, ‘What is it?’ I said, ‘I’m just a little achy.’ She said, ‘OK, we have everything we need. Let’s go home and you can take a hot shower.’”
“Long story short, because I was in the first wave of people to get sick, I knew how serious this was very, very early,” he also shared. “I was like, ‘I know the world is not going to be in a place like we know it for at least two years.’ I knew that in April 2020 just because of how sick I was.”
Given his early experience with Covid, he appeared in a “town hall” type discussion with Dr. Fauci and LL Cool J to speak to the importance of vaccines in 2021.
As the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have died down over the last year or so, we are still very much still feeling its long-term effects. Some people who contracted the virus still face health problems caused by the virus, many lost family members, and many have PTSD from their experience with the virus.
DJ Jazzy Jeff was one of those people who struggled with the virus but made it through and still talks about his experience with it. The legendary DJ talked about his experience in a recent interview with AllHipHop.
“I was one of the first people to get sick, and I almost didn’t make it,” Jeff said. “I got sick the day the world shut down. That was the day it hit me. I actually did a ski resort in Ketchum, Idaho, which was the nation’s first hot spot. I came home and realized the world wasn’t right,” he added.
He went on to say that he told his wife that they needed to stock up on supplies, seeing how many were rushing to grocery stores to stock up on food and other items before they quarantined. “We kind of looked at each other like, ‘OK, the store is going to be crazy tomorrow,’” he said. “The next words that came out of my mouth was, ‘Babe, I don’t feel good.’ And she was like, ‘What is it?’ I said, ‘I’m just a little achy.’ She said, ‘OK, we have everything we need. Let’s go home and you can take a hot shower.’”
Jeff didn’t know he had COVID, and said that he contracted it so early that nobody knew the symptoms. He stated that doctors diagnosed him with double pneumonia, not knowing that pneumonia was a side effect of COVID. “I didn’t know I had COVID. I went to the doctor and they said I had double pneumonia. They sent me home to sit perfectly still,” he said. “That was so early, we didn’t know symptoms and things like that. I didn’t know pneumonia was a side effect of COVID. Like, I was really, really bad. It was bad to the point where Lynette started making phone calls.”
He added in the interview that his wife had been contacted by a journalist to see how he was doing becuase 15 people had died at a party he DJ’ed at. “Long story short, because I was in the first wave of people to get sick, I knew how serious this was very, very early. I was like, ‘I know the world is not going to be in a place like we know it for at least two years.’ I knew that in April 2020 just because of how sick I was.”
We have heard plenty of opinions following Will Smith’s viral slap at Chris Rock at the Oscars months ago. Now one of Smith’s best friends, DJ Jazzy Jeff, is giving his insight, noting that it didn’t matter who was in front of him, the result would have been a slap.
DJ Jazzy Jeff was a guest on the Gaq Podcast and revealed Smith would have stuck up for Jada Pinkett Smith regardless of the situation.
“People say, ‘Oh he wouldn’t have done that to no gangsta,’ let me tell you something about Will. Will is somebody that cliff dove in Jamaica and couldn’t swim,” Jeff said. “Will was the person that whatever he’s afraid of, he runs to. I ain’t got that in me. I don’t have that in me at all. I’ve watched Will almost die numerous times.”
Jeff added, “Will would’ve slapped Mike Tyson. It did not matter who was there. Will would’ve got his ass beat, but he was going to do what he was going to do regardless of who it was.”
You can hear it from Jeff below.
This marks the second time that DJ Jazzy Jeff has spoken about his friend’s Oscar moment. You can hear it the first time here.
— DJ Jazzy Jeff the Tutor (@djjazzyjeff215) March 28, 2022
Jazz has since expanded on his thoughts during an interview with Chicago radio station 107.5 WCGI (via People). “Don’t get it twisted that it was something he was proud of. It was a lapse in judgment, you know?” The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor said. “I think the thing that I’ve realized is I don’t know too many people that has had the least amount of lapse of judgment than him. I can name 50 times that he should’ve smacked the sh*t out of somebody and he didn’t.” Unfortunately, that 51st time was during Hollywood’s biggest night when 15 million people were watching at home.
Jazz continued:
“So, for him to have a lapse in judgment, he’s human. And I think a lot of the criticism comes from the people who don’t think people like that are human.”
Here’s a dramatic reenactment of DJ Jazzy Jeff protecting Smith from criticism:
Others (not named Billy Crystal and Jim Carrey) in the entertainment industry who have worked with Smith have also come to his defense. “To me, it’s just like, enough of it. All right, so a dramatic thing happened, but I just think we’ve got to get our priorities straight,” Bad Boys director Michael Bay said about the Slap. Would he work with Smith again? “Absolutely, 100 percent,” he replied. “He’s a very even-keeled guy.”
“Boomshakalaka” won’t just be another iconic line belted by NBA JAM announcer Tim Kitzrow because Michelob ULTRA is on fire and 1993 is in the air. Michelob ULTRA, the NBA’s official beer partner and a brand that always reminds us that joy is key, is bringing all the nostalgic feels to basketball fans around the world at NBA All-Star 2022, in honor of the league’s 75th anniversary.
Michelob ULTRA is encouraging fans to “Enjoy it Like It’s 1993” by bringing the excitement of the game to life both electronically and on the ground in Cleveland through a fire partnership with NBA JAM and some of the ’90s most renowned players, personalities, and musicians.
“There is something special about NBA JAM and the power it had to bring real joy to so many people over the years,” said three-time NBA champion and seven-time All-Star James Worthy. “I’m excited that Michelob ULTRA is giving me the opportunity to take a trip down memory lane with fellow legendary players and fans.”
To encourage people to ‘Enjoy It Like It’s 1993,’ the outstanding light beer is ready to take fans on a nostalgic voyage through the 1990s:
During NBA All-Star 2022, only select local bars in Cleveland, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and Boom Shaka Laka’s barcade will sell NBA JAM-inspired, limited-edition cans featuring memorable catch phrases and imagery from the game.
Fan photographs will be converted into their own 16-bit avatar inspired by the game by tweeting a selfie to @MichelobULTRA with the hashtag #ULTRAJAM.
Fans can get apparel from the NBA Jam ‘Time Capsule Collection’ and ultra-exclusive premium products that will be dropping throughout NBA All-Star 2022, including limited special NBA JAM x ULTRA arcade systems, by visiting EnjoyItLikeIts1993.com, an amazing 90’s styled website.
MUL x Homage NBA JAM Merch 1
MUL x Homage NBA JAM Merch 1
MUL x Homage NBA JAM Merch 2
MUL x Homage NBA JAM Merch 2
Michelob ULTRA has teamed up with original NBA JAM characters Clyde Drexler, Dikembe Mutombo, Dominique Wilkins, and James Worthy, as well as NBA luminaries Clyde Drexler, Dikembe Mutombo, Dominique Wilkins, and James Worthy, to remind us that ‘It’s Only Worth It If You Enjoy It.’
Dominique Wilkins Image
Dominique Wilkins Image
Dikembe Mutombo Image
Dikembe Mutombo Image
Clyde Drexler Image
Clyde Drexler Image
James Worthy Image
James Worthy Image
“No video game displayed the joy of basketball quite like NBA JAM, from its iconic catchphrases to 2-on-2 gameplay or flaming balls; as a brand that champions the joy of the NBA, it made perfect sense for us to team up with this iconic franchise during NBA All-Star that celebrates the history of the NBA,” said Ricardo Marques, Vice President of Marketing, Michelob ULTRA.
Michelob ULTRA will bring NBA JAM to life by transforming a local Cleveland pub into ‘Boom Shaka Lakas,’ a nostalgic ’90s arcade where fans can hang out during NBA All-Star 2022. Fans may look forward to seeing:
Musical performances by Grammy-nominated artist and hip-hop icon Fat Joe and a surprise guest appearance
Spin sets by hidden NBA JAM character and iconic DJ Jazzy Jeff
Meet & greets with NBA JAM legends throughout the weekend including:
James Worthy – 3:30 – 5:00p.m. on Saturday, February 19
Clyde Drexler – 4:30 – 6:00p.m. on Saturday, February 19
Dominique Wilkins – 4:00 – 5:30p.m. on Sunday, February 20
Dikembe Mutombo – 4:30 – 6:00p.m. on Sunday, February 20
Special appearances by the voice of NBA JAM, Tim Kitzrow
Limited-edition collab merchandise made in partnership with Ohio-based apparel company Homage, plenty of Michelob ULTRA, unlimited NBA JAM arcade plays and more
Boom Shaka Laka’s will be open to fans beginning Friday, February 18 through Sunday, February 20, 12 p.m. – 1 a.m. EST.
Head to EnjoyItLikeIts1993.com and keep those eyes peeled on @MichelobULTRA #ULTRAJAM on social media to stay up-to-date and see how Michelob ULTRA is heating up during NBA All-Star 2022.
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