THIS IS YOUR FREESTYLE BLAST #18
In this Issue of The Blast we perform for a house packed with Buffalonians, then reminisce about a Freestyle Summer I never had!
Blasterds and Blastets, what’s happening?
Heading into the Summer has me sort of reminiscing on some of the good old days that I, unfortunately, didn’t get a chance to participate in. Sounds weird huh? But don’t worry, once you read the article, you’ll see what I mean.
Also, if you’ve been noticing, I’ve been trying to incorporate at least one Behind The Scenes article in each newsletter, to give readers just a little peek into what it’s like on the road. Now mind you, it’s according to my POV, therefore these trips will be with some of my personal artists, (Lil’ Suzy, Angel OCG, The Cover Girls, or S.A.L.)
The good thing about this though is that I have been blessed to align myself with artists who are able to work ALL of the Freestyle markets. This is great for the readers as I will be able to give a pretty good look at what Freestyle is like around the country.
Oh, and please, don’t forget to join our New Freestyle Blast Facebook Group. Don’t just be a consumer of our newsletter, become a contributor!
So anyway, if you’re ready to do this… Then let’s get into it!
Summertime Summertime
Yes, we all remember that feel-good hook by legendary Freestyle artist, Nocera. But what was Summer time really like during Freestyle’s heyday?
For me, it was weird, and to be totally transparent, it isn’t as clear as I would’ve liked it to be. In fact, it was quite blurry. But of course… It was the 80’s
Mom and I migrated from The Bronx, NY to Jackson Heights, Queens around 1976, and as far as she knew, it was the best move for this single mother and her ten-year-old son, and she was right, well, at least we thought she was.
Shit sort of changed by the end of 1983 and into 84, when the movie Scarface, starring Al Pacino premiered. I can still remember going to the Colony Movie Theater on 82nd Street with one of my friends and watching this movie as if it had been made just for me.
I even remember bragging about watching it like ten times, as back in those days, sitting in a theater to watch a movie more than once was typical, and though I did that, it wouldn’t have been for the full ten, which tells me that I definitely paid to see it more than once.
I remember stepping out of that theater with my friend, and him and I excitedly making some serious plans as we walked home. Hey, to this day I still love that movie and in no way am I blaming it for the influence. I’m sure many of you reading this now also saw it and didn’t become inspired to sell drugs.
Cocaine was already easily accessible in my neighborhood, and though neither of us had yet indulged, we were able to get our hands on the first batch pretty easily.
For the next couple of years, I slang quite a bit, but at the same time, I was also indulging, and though my brain failed to process the tragic outcome of Tony Montana, the universe instead had me star in a version of my own.
By this time, I had already entered the music business, opening up as a rapper for a then very Little Lil’ Suzy… unbeknownst to her parents, the double life I thought I could hide, I couldn’t, ‘cause just as my own career was beginning to gain traction, my life slipped out from under me, and my entire world came crashing down.
Through the revolving door of the penitentiary I was sent, and for the next couple of years, my Summers were merely a blur, until January of 1987, when I unknowingly befriended a couple of undercover police officers… I wouldn’t be released until the end of 1990.
The reason I’m sharing this is that before all this took place, music was my life, and the only thing I ever wanted to do. My summer memories growing up come with an array of music soundtracks, many of which I probably share with you… all except for Freestyle! That’s right, Freestyle was never one of them!
It was Rap of course, and the old school icons such as Kurtis Blow, UTFO, Doug E Fresh, Roxanne Shante, and so many other pioneers. I didn’t have a Box, couldn’t afford one, but I hung out with guys who did, and every week it seemed like these machines got bigger and bigger, with twelve fresh batteries that kept it thumping as we chilled, at least a dozen deep, on the corner of 88th street and Roosevelt ave.
And so my regret is… that I was never able to have that same experience with Freestyle. Never did I ever stand on the corner with my friends listening to Show Me, Take Me In Your Arms, or any of the other great Freestyle hits. That opportunity I screwed up.
I didn’t have any children when I went away, and thank God, as I would’ve had to watch them grow up through photos and phone calls. But with Freestyle I did, as radio and videos were my only experience during the heyday.
By the time Freestyle, as we now know it, began to once again make an impact on my life, I had already been through the system, and vowed never to go back, therefore life was different, and certain things (like hanging out anywhere) was no longer an option.
Until I started writing this article, I never gave any of this much thought, and now that I did, it seemed to have uncovered a bit of emptiness I had never before noticed.
I wonder how it would’ve been back in the day, had my Summers been filled with Freestyle? What memories would be summoned upon hearing certain songs? I guess that’s one Freestyle experience I will never know.
And though in my heart, there will also be a void. I’m hoping that within the last thirty-plus years of being in the Freestyle Music business, that I somehow someway… made up for it!
If you’re one of the many who have had the great fortune of experiencing Freestyle Summers, boy do I envy you, and would truly love to hear whatever stories you may have, so please, do so in the comment section below, and thank you for reading this article!
BUFFALO GIRLS
So on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, Lil’ Suzy and Angel OCG (aka Original CoverGirl) were booked to perform at The Showplace Theater in Buffalo, New York.
This is a show that was actually booked before Covid, but due to obvious circumstances, had to be postponed. It took a while for us to finally coordinate a date, and finally, we did!
Sometimes, when you haven’t performed in an area for a while, you can’t help but ask yourself, why?
There are usually just two reasons for us having not performed in a particular area in a while and that is #1, there are no promoters interested in putting on a Freestyle event, or #2, there are no fans interested in coming to see one!
The first reason can easily be fixed, and it’s a topic that I have talked about many times, in fact, I even published a book called
Freestyle Promotions and The 7 Simple Steps to Getting Started, and for this particular event, we were about to find out.
Though we usually fly in the night before, Buffalo isn’t far at all for Angel and me, and even closer for Suzy, therefore we all decided to get in the morning of. It was a smooth flight, and the weather was great.
They picked us up from the hotel around 3:00 PM for soundcheck, which would also be the first time meeting Joe Roxbury, promoter, and owner of The Showplace Theater.
The guy was just as gracious in person as he was while dealing with him over the phone for the past several months. he was excited about the show and accommodated us to the fullest.
The soundcheck was perfect, thanks to DJ Devious who I got to meet for the first time. This guy sure knows his shit!
After the soundcheck, the girls took a few behind-the-scenes photos with the promoter and signed a couple of blown-up copies of the flyer, one that would be given away at the show.
We ran into our old buddy and promoter, Brian Marciniak who was at the soundcheck. Brian had booked Suzy for a show a while back, and it was great seeing him again.
What was really cool though, was that on our way out, we noticed parked outside the venue was Kit… you remember him, the dope computerized car from the hit TV show Knight Rider. Yup, Joe built his very own Kit, complete with a bouncing red light and all.
And so it was Showtime!
Devious had the house jumpin’ by the time we got there. We hung out backstage for a bit, mingling with the promoter and a few of his VIPs, until it was time to take the stage.
We opened up with Angel OCG, a solo show that she does often, and a performance that usually calls for her to return with the rest of her group.
As always, Angel lit the crowd, performing all of her Cover Girl hits. There wasn’t a song that she performed that the crowd didn’t know the words, and along with her, they sang.
Next up was The Little One, aka Lil’ Suzy, headlining the night, and of course, she killed it. You know, Freestyle fans are Freestyle fans, and they love these artists and their music, but with Lil’ Suzy it’s a bit different, and I don’t think anyone would notice it the way I do.
And so the show is over, and the roar of the crowd continues as I thank my partner in sound DJ Devious, and head backstage.
A little cool down time, a few drinks, and the much-anticipated meet and greet session where one lucky fan got that poster the girls signed earlier.
For more information on Freestyle shows heading your way, make sure to check out our Freestyle Club and Concert Calendar at the end of this Newsletter, and I hope to see you at one of our events.
A huge Freestyle shout Out to this year’s Madrina of the 2023 Puerto Rican Day Parade held in New York City. Freestyle’s Favorite Chica herself, Ms. Judy Torres.
As a Nuyorican myself, as well as a member of the Freestyle community, I am extremely proud of Judy, and can only imagine the pride and honor, not to mention that emotional ride down 5th Ave I’m sure she was experiencing.
Congratulations Judy, and thank you for representing us in this year’s Puerto Rican Day Parade!
Cynthia J Lazarte, Nathan Lockcuff, Adriane Lazarte, Michael Grasso, Rita Amilibia, Carmen Acevedo Hernandez, Joe “Old School” Trigiani, Gregory Batsch, Gioia Bruno, Joe Hanna, Tammy Zaakyaa Boxton, Tim Schommer, Phil Mario Muzzalupo, Yolanda Muzzalupo, Frank Webster, Michael Kidd Gomez, Yessenia Gonzalez, Edwin Ramos, Donna Serra, Will Cornish, Carmen Rivera, Albert Brandon Christopher Lopez, Melanie Lucci, Win Williams, Rose Guthrie-Dorvil, Sandro Mariano, Jason Nunez, Eliesel Serrano, Angelo Bermudez, Robert Duran, Sunshine A Wright, Gary Yancey, Chris Robinson, Judy Torres, Raider James, Harry Frank Towers, Bobby Drieslein, Al Perez, Victor Spinnin Lopez, Rodney Mayhan, Jazmine Davis Bligen, Michael Grasso, Jimmy Huerta, MaryJane Love, Michelle Ciocco Falzone, Carlos DjEskimo Perez, Eddie Hernandez, Kevin Thornton, A'Lisa Baker, Darling Jennifer,
To all our Subscribers, Readers, Subjects, and of course our Sponsor, for being a part of this month’s issue of the Freestyle Blast Newsletter, Thank you all so much!
and until next time…
This was your Freestyle Blast!
Latif Mercado has been a part of the Freestyle Music scene for well over 30 years, as well as an integral player behind the genre’s continued success.
As a Booking Agent with a who's who roster of Freestyle Greats, as well as his managerial involvement with such industry icons as Lil' Suzy, Angel OCG, and The Cover Girls, rarely would you find a Freestyle event happening without Latif somewhere in the mix.
Latif loves hearing from his readers, answering questions, and sharing whatever advice he possibly can, whether it be on writing, or maybe something Freestyle related, so be sure to reach out, even if it’s just to say hi.
So please Follow Him here @LatifMercado
If you enjoyed this Issue of The Freestyle Blast Newsletter, the only thing I ask is if you would please Share this Issue on just one of your Social Media pages… Thank you.
Awesome article bro. I remember hearing freestyle for the first time in the Lower East Side of Manhattan walking around with my dad. People would be blasting Show Me, Silent Morning, etc. in their boom boxes, Toyotas,😆 and at house parties. Long story short, I moved to Pennsylvania with my grandparents, stayed for a couple of years then moved to Bay Ridge with my mom. Came back to Pennsylvania a couple years later and the people were jamming to freestyle music. I became a corrections officer for 20 years, then retired. I’m working at a warehouse now and every day I listen to freestyle music. I’m always making my coworkers laugh and they tell me all the time to try stand up.😆.There’s a nostalgia about it that brings me back to NYC and the great memories I had going clubbing with my friends and dancing. Thank you for your contribution to this music. I am sure you are an important part of the music. We as fans can see your passion for it and it’s awesome bro. God Bless and keep up the great work.
Congratulations on your success in Buffalo! I hope the people there enjoyed Lil Suzy and Angel OCG's performances as much as I did back in August 2022.