The Untold Story of Quincy Jones and the Secret Hip-Hop Summit
Before the east and west coast rap beef of the 1990s boiled over with the murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious BIG, legendary producer Quincy Jones called a secret meeting at which he appealed for an end to the violence.
The Rise of Hip-Hop in the 90s
As hip-hop rose from the streets to the mainstream in the 90s, the rappers and hustlers that broke through had few role models who had trodden that path before them. There was one man, though, who had been there, and done pretty much everything.
Quincy Jones had been in gangs and had been stabbed at the age of seven in 1930s Chicago, before becoming a major force in American music thanks to his work with legends like Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Jackson. He was at the heart of revolutions in jazz, swing, soul, funk, disco, and pop.
One aspect of his career that got less attention when he died last week at the age of 91 was his place in hip-hop.
Quincy Jones: A Champion of Hip-Hop
Jones was revered in all corners of music, including rap. Unlike most in the old guard and the media, he immediately realized the scene’s artistic and cultural importance. Hip-hop reminded him of the bebop jazz of his youth.
“I feel a kinship there because we went through a lot of the same stuff,” he said. “Quincy understood it and got it right away,” says pioneering artist, rapper, and presenter Fab 5 Freddy.
Jones worked with leading rappers in the 80s, and in the 90s he recognized risks including a volatile rivalry that had begun to erupt between competing labels and stars. So he brought artists, executives, and elder black American statesmen together for a secret summit in 1995, hoping it would be a turning point.
The East Coast-West Coast Feud
The east coast was hip-hop’s spiritual home. In 1992, Sean Combs – then known as Puffy and later as P Diddy – launched his Bad Boy record label in New York with artists including Notorious BIG, aka Biggie Smalls. Meanwhile, across America, Los Angeles was coming into its own as the capital of gangsta rap, led by menacing mogul Suge Knight’s Death Row Records, which had Dr Dre and Tupac.
In 1994, Tupac was shot and injured during a robbery in the lobby of a studio. He later implied that his former friend Biggie may have known about the attack in advance. Biggie then released the track Who Shot Ya?, which Tupac thought was about him. The beef continued at the Source magazine awards on 3 August 1995, when Knight goaded Combs and Bad Boy Records from the stage.
Quincy Jones’s Secret Summit
The brewing east-west beef wasn’t the only reason Jones called it – it was mainly intended to discuss the state of hip-hop and let the new generation hear life and business advice from a group of highly successful black executives. But rap’s negative image and the burgeoning tensions were a big talking point.
“He knew this was a bubbling issue, and so his idea was to bring together a symposium,” says Fab 5 Freddy, who was hosting Yo! MTV Raps at the time and was the event’s moderator.
Jones told the summit: “The thing that really provoked me to say it’s time to pay attention now is Tupac.” Tupac was missing, however – he was in jail for sexual assault at the time. Suge and Dre were there, as were Combs and Biggie.
Quincy Jones’s Message
Jones had already experienced his own beef with Tupac – the rapper criticized the producer in a 1993 edition of Source for marrying white women. “We finally hooked up, even though it was tension conditions in the beginning,” Jones said at the event.
“We finally talked to each other, and he said nobody had talked to him like that before. And I said, I can’t take it any more. Because we can no longer afford to be non-political, and I’m talking to the hip-hop nation now.”
The Influential Attendees
About 50 influential artists and executives were in the room, including Public Enemy’s Chuck D, members of A Tribe Called Quest, MC Lyte, Kris Kross, Jermaine Dupri, and Boyz n the Hood filmmaker John Singleton. Jones wrote in his now-out-of-print 2001 autobiography: “I had been concerned about the potentially volatile diversity of a group who’d never been in the same room together.”
They were joined by veteran executives Clarence Avant and Ahmet Ertegun, plus Colin Powell, the former national security adviser and head of the US military who would go on to become the first African-American secretary of state. Powell had presidential ambitions – that was why the summit was held in secret.
Conclusion
Quincy Jones’s secret hip-hop summit was a pivotal moment in the history of the genre, bringing together key figures to address the rising tensions and violence that plagued the industry. His efforts to bridge the gap between east and west coast artists and foster a sense of unity and collaboration continue to resonate in the hip-hop community today.
FAQs
What was the purpose of Quincy Jones’s secret hip-hop summit?
The summit was intended to address the state of hip-hop, provide life and business advice to new artists, and address the negative image and tensions within the industry.
Who attended Quincy Jones’s secret summit?
About 50 influential artists and executives, including Public Enemy’s Chuck D, members of A Tribe Called Quest, MC Lyte, Kris Kross, Jermaine Dupri, and filmmaker John Singleton, were present at the summit.
# Quincy Jones’s Secret Summit: A Legendary Encounter in Hip-Hop History
## Introduction:
In a rare and undisclosed event that took place in the 90s, music legend Quincy Jones orchestrated a meeting between influential figures in the music industry and the political sphere, aiming to address the escalating tensions and violence associated with rap music. This summit, shrouded in secrecy and exclusivity, brought together the likes of Colin Powell, Suge Knight, and other key players to discuss the impact of rap music on society and the need for unity in the face of adversity.
## The Summit’s Unveiling:
Jones, known for his strategic genius, took meticulous measures to protect Powell from the negative associations with rap music by changing venues last minute and confiscating recordings to keep the event under wraps. A letter found at Indianapolis University Library revealed Jones’s deep respect for Powell and his intention to shield him from the controversy surrounding the genre.
### The Hidden Conversations:
During the summit, Powell maintained his authoritative presence, engaging in discussions with rap industry figures like Suge Knight. Fab 5 Freddy recalled a notable exchange where Powell effectively asserted his authority over Knight, showcasing a rare moment of a four-star general addressing a music mogul.
## The Aftermath:
Years later, Jones released a clip from the summit in a Netflix documentary, shedding light on the emotional and urgent discussions that took place. Addressing the attendees, Jones emphasized the gravity of the situation and the need for unity in the face of real and metaphorical bullets that plagued the industry.
### Reconciliation and Tragedy:
Jones’s relationship with Tupac Shakur took an unexpected turn following a rocky start, culminating in a budding friendship between Tupac and Jones’s daughter, Kidada. The tragic deaths of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. in the years following the summit underscored the violent undercurrents that marred the rap industry.
## Lessons Learned and Legacy:
Despite the summit’s inability to quell the escalating tensions in the industry, Fab 5 Freddy believes that valuable lessons were gleaned from the discussions. The summit, though shrouded in secrecy, holds a significant place in hip-hop history as a pivotal moment where influential figures came together in pursuit of unity and understanding.
## Conclusion:
Quincy Jones’s secret summit remains a legendary and enigmatic event in the annals of music history, showcasing the complexities and challenges faced by the rap industry in the 90s. While unable to avert the tragedies that followed, the summit serves as a poignant reminder of the power of dialogue and collaboration in addressing societal issues.
## FAQ:
**1. What was the purpose of Quincy Jones’s secret summit?**
– The summit aimed to address escalating tensions and violence associated with rap music, bringing together influential figures to foster unity and understanding.
**2. What were the outcomes of the summit?**
– Despite the summit’s inability to prevent tragic events in the industry, valuable lessons were learned, highlighting the importance of dialogue and collaboration in addressing societal issues.
**3. How did the summit impact hip-hop history?**
– The summit holds a significant place in hip-hop history as a rare and legendary event where key players from the music and political spheres came together to address pressing issues in the industry. **Title: The Rise of E-Commerce in the Post-Pandemic World**
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