Editor’s note: The following piece was published in the November 2011 edition of The Source magazine. Copp that! Word to Combat Jack…
If you asked DruHa, the CEO of DuckDown Records, Hip-Hop’s longest lasting independent music label, how he has maintained his foothold in the music business for the better part of 17 years he will tell you that he sees the music game as a marathon and not a sprint. DruHa doesn’t push his artists to deliver music that they don’t feel is right. While this methodical pace may not resonate with pop music stardom it has helped DuckDown Records garner a loyal fanbase which continually supports their artists.
With the idea of being built for the steady pace that wins the race DruHa signed up to run in the ING 2011 NYC Marathon. This isn’t the kind of publicity stunt that your favorite rap impresario might pull off, but an honest and sincere effort to raise money and awareness towards Alzehimer’s disease. DruHa’s father, Harvey Friedman, passed away earlier this year after struggling with the disease for nearly a decade.
In DruHa’s own words, “I wanted to do something extremely challenging in memory of my father and to raise awareness about this compassionless disease. To properly train for a marathon, I’m quickly learning it takes dedication, perseverance and sacrifice of your personal time. All qualities my father exemplified; it’s a fitting way to pay tribute to him”.
After 17 years of the most real, most raw rap music you may have ever heard you should open up your wallets to support DruHa’s efforts in completing this grueling challenge. You can make your donation here: http://2011teamr2r.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=467404&supid=333503565
Consider this the karmic value for all the DuckDown music you’ve illegally downloaded.
i remember getting digging in the vaults the remixes 15+ yrs ago and some of them are still the best. sorry blackmoon fans but da shinning is the best record to ever come of duckdown followd by ogc da storm then enta da stage actually digging in da vaults was better. knocturnal was ayt. but godam they still making good music i always wanted mobb deep to get on there label(besides you da man). havoc alc and the beatminerz would be classic. thanks duckdown, ive put couple bucks in ya pockets.
the vid was hilarious good job guys
props to pmac for recogizing OGC– that first run of Black Moon, Smif N Wessun and Heltah Skeltah is tough to beat, though all have done worthy work since. I’m kinda over Buckshot solo though the KRS-One collab was nice.
What’s interesting about Duck Down is how often they fuck up and still keep on coming: I’m thinking of the first three Boot Camp Clik albums for starters, all of which pale by comparison to the individual groups’ best as well as Wu Tang (of course). The ‘comeback’ BCC album, “The Last Stand” was fine, however, and the COVER of “The Chosen Few” is fucking classic.
Most boring Duck Down MC ever: Skyzoo = unlistenable on the mic, especially the embarrassing Jay mimicry.
Most disappointing Duck Down signing: Kidz In The Hall, who lost whatever promise they had pretty quickly it seems– a shame too.
re: Coach Penn and Coach Price, 1000% respect to your boy Dru Ha but I gotta say his time was waaaaaaaay slower than his training and physique would have suggested.
To give a comparison, Lance Armstrong’s ** girlfriend ** (babymoms) ran 3:30-something off not much training. She’s younger than DruHa but still. Not to take anything away from the cause but just ** finishing ** 26.2 is no dig deal for any man or woman anyone in decent condition. RUNNING it is something else.
p/s– I chafed my nipples Saturday doing 5 laps on the perimeter trail at Fort Greene, it ain’t no joke.
100…
I don’t dl no DD music…can’t even embed on the ‘files so I respect
I will never forget trading some candy to my friend for a Heltah Skeltah tape when i was like 9-10 years old… Had no idea who they were at the time but played the SHIT out of that tape till it popped.
I found out years later that id pretty much been listening to Sean Price since i was a little kid… Growing up in brooklyn >