Image is Everything!

The Hackensack African American Civic Association (HAACA) presented their 4th Annual Hip Hop Summit - Image is Everything: Is What You See Really What You Get! on Saturday, April 26^th at Hackensack High School.

The event began at 12:30 and ran to 3:30 p.m. and the purpose was to offer upcoming artists important tools and insightful tips on how to navigate through the entertainment industry at the same time keeping a positive image. The well-rounded panel included industry pros entertainment attorneys Ed Woods and Reggie Osse a/k/a “Combat Jack”, public relations rep and fashion model Whitney Bryant, and multi-winning Apollo Theatre hip hop tap dancer Cartier Conway who also performed at the end of the Q & A.

Hosts Jovan Jersey J Acree, Madison Jaye, KC Connect and Alexis helped navigate the Q & A session that ranged from public relations questions to social media, artist development and more. They revealed a world not easy to tap into but not impossible with guidance and lessons learned from those who came before them.

It wasn’t all talk, though. Young members in the audience wanted to show and prove that they had skills. Spin moguls DJ Pinnacle & DJ Dprizzy as seen on 106 & Park on several occasions provided the soul thumping sounds as 10 year old rappers “Lady J” & Christopher and 17 year old singer Jasmine performed.

When asked by co-host KC Connect what she would tell other young artists, Lady J eloquently responded “Make sure you can flow and stick to the beat.”

Insightful, encouraging and motivated, the panel could not have been more willing to share their expertise. If you don’t know you can’t say no one took the time out to tell you.