Legendary turntablist, DJ Cash Money, calls out Pioneer DJ Company for it’s failure to give back to hip-hop culture. Jerome Hewlett, better known as DJ Cash Money is a Philadelphia-based DJ known for perfecting the transformer scratch and becoming the first inductee into the DJ Hall of Fame. For many decades, DJ equipment companies have built empires while failing to acknowledge the contributions of hip-hop culture. Today, DJ Cash Money has penned an open letter to let the world know who the true pioneers of the DJ world are. The full letter can be read below:
TO: PIONEER DJ COMPANY
FROM: DJ CASH MONEY
THIS IS AN OPEN LETTER
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Let me first start out by saying I have globally been building my DJ Brand for four decades now. Hundreds of thousands of hours practicing, trying and finding new ways to change the sound and feel of primitive equipment that we all were using back in the day. I went against the grain of what was being done in the mid 80’s and came up with my own techniques and styles that were comfortable for me at that time. If you turn the turntable around from its earlier days position to where the tone arm is now at the top. I revolutionized this turntable position and it is called “DJ Cash Money Style- Battle Style- Philly Style” turntable position. Even though I was DJing using this technique in 1984, this style has impacted the whole DJ community worldwide especially since I became a DMC World Champion in 1988. The whole DJ community worldwide knows this history and it is a Fact.
“Pioneer DJ Company” has just released a new hybrid turntable, PLX-CRSS 12. Its’ capabilities include switching between Analog and Digital. Additionally, the turntable is oriented in “Battle style” position that I pioneered and am responsible for. This is/was a DJ Cash Money innovation that the masses of the DJ culture utilizes today.
Recently, I was approached by a representative of “Pioneer DJ Company” to do an interview in regard to the culture and the PLX rollout. I agreed to do the interview in exchange for gear of my choice and further exploration of brand engagement. The terms were agreed to with the assurance “That I was a legend and this would be a no brainer.” I did the interview in good faith and without incident. Weeks passed until I received a bombshell of a message. The FREE gear of my choice had been reduced to an offering of a 25% off coupon for their products with free shipping…Huh?! So let me get this right, you can TAKE my innovations, use them to upgrade and enhance your product line, sell and make money and offer me a 25% coupon? Oh and let us not forget “Free Shipping” Huh?! No gear, no brand engagement, no money, no acknowledgment…simply no love.
Enough!! This is about principle. “Pioneer DJ Company” got what they wanted and then treated me as if I was disposable. For over the last 4 decades Hip Hop has been something I have lived. My speech, dress, profession all revolves around this art-form. I have represented it with dignity without stagnation, only innovation.
Pioneer DJ Company mission statement is as follows: “Our aim is to use our innovative technologies in sound and music creation to enable and enrich these peak moments. Central to our mission is our collaborative relationships with a worldwide network of DJs, artists, and creators who have helped shape our products…”
If this is indeed the case, the mere fact that you would treat a “Legend” like this shows me the value of your words in comparison to action. Frankly, you are not acting in the spirit of a Pioneer, more like a band of marauding pirates plundering the land of Hip Hop to leave the countryside burning without its wealth or history of itself.
Excellence is my brand.
You call your company “Pioneer DJ” but I am the “True Pioneering DJ”.
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