Lyricist Lounge

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For the compilation albums, see Lyricist Lounge, Volume One, Lyricist Lounge 2 and Lyricist Lounge: West Coast

Founded in 1991 by Hip Hop aficionados Danny Castro and Anthony Marshall, the Lyricist Lounge concept was birthed as a series of open mic events hosted in a small studio apartment in the Lower East Side section of New York City. Even though the maximum capacity of the apartment was 25, this did little to deter them from their dream of creating an unprecedented incubator for raw talent and unsigned hype throughout the five boroughs of the city and beyond. The pair suffered countless closed doors and closed minds as various venue managers, stating that an open mic Hip Hop event would never prove successful in a nightclub environment. But their die-hard adherence to this vision would soon pay off. In years to come, the pair would take The Lyricist Lounge to various venues throughout New York City and go on to develop consistently successful events for a steadily blossoming fan base.

Since that winter night in 1991, Lyricist Lounge has matured into an internationally recognized and respected brand name and company. With the faith of a wealth of sponsors and supporters, Lyricist Lounge continues to retain its relevancy in Hip Hop. In addition to a multitude of New York City-based showcases, Lyricist Lounge has facilitated three (3) full-length album releases, seven (7) domestic tours, two (2) seasons of the MTV sketch comedy series "The Lyricist Lounge Show" and two (2) DVD releases: "Lyricist Lounge presents Best of Hip Hop Videos" and " Dirty States of America".

From the beginning and to this day, the artist has remained the main focus. For this reason, The Lyricist Lounge has bore the honor of being the springboard of development for several of today’s biggest Hip Hop stars. Past up and coming Lyricist Lounge artists include Mos Def, Eminem, Talib Kweli, Foxy Brown (14 yrs old), Sean "Diddy" Combs and The Notorious B.I.G. These acts have all since gone on to secure recording contracts and label deals with major record labels. It is through these accomplishments and many more that Castro and Marshall have become true mavericks in Hip Hop. It is also necessary to note that Castro and Marshall were never alone on their mission. Numerous partners and affiliates have also played very important roles in bringing the Lyricist Lounge to light.

Fifteen years in the making….

Winter ’91/45 Orchard St, NYC
Performances by Educated Rapper, Bush Babees, Moptops, Doug E Fresh, Jamal Ski and many others. Attendance: 25

Fall ‘92/The Muse, NYC
Notable performances by Mos Def, Foxy Brown. Att: 275

March 24, 1993/Village Gate, NYC
Hosted by Doug E. Fresh. Notable performances by Da Bush Babees, Eight Off the Assassin, Cella Dwellas and Mobb Deep. These groups were all unsigned at the time. Att: 300

May 20, 1993/Village Gate, NYC
Hosted by Sean “Puffy” Combs. Notable performances by a then unsigned Notorious B.I.G., Champ MC, Fat Joe and Freddie Fox. Att: 600

August 24, 1993/The Supper Club, NYC
Hosted by Bobbito and Kool Keith. Sponsored by Echo Unlimited Clothing. Notable performances by M.O.P., Cocoa Brothers, Lord Finesse and King Sun. Att: 1000

December 9, 1993/The Marc Ballroom, NYC
Hosted by Masta Ace and Bonz Molone. Sponsored by East West/Elektra Ent. Notable performances by Bushwackass, S.I.N., and Supernatural. Att: 700

April 29, 1994/The Grand, NYC
Hosted by Guru of Gangstarr. Sponsored by Steve Rifkind Company. Notable performances by Mad Skills, Bahamadia, Stick & Move and UTD feat; Mos Def & John Forte. Att: 800

July 21, 1994/The Sheraton Hotel, Grand Ballroom, NYC
Hosted by Krs-One. Sponsored by the New Music Seminar ’94. Notable performances by Channel Live, Mobb Deep, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Das Efx, Supernatural, and Craig G. Att: 2000

November 25, 1994/Aristocrat Manor, Brooklyn, NYC
Hosted by the Cella Dwellas. Sponsored by Kalodge Projects. Notable performances by the Alkaholicks. Att: 1000

November 11, 1995/New Yorker Hotel, NYC
Hosted by Q-TIP of A Tribe Called Quest. Sponsored by Kalodge Projects & The Universal Zulu Nation. Att: 1500

March 28, 1996/SOB’s, NYC
Hosted by Q-TIP. Notable performances by Rah Digga, Talib Kweli, Problemz, Natural Elements and Non Phixion. Att: 600

April 30, 1996/Tramps, NYC
Hosted by De La Soul. Notable performances by Medina Green, Killa Klownz, The Last Emperor, Shadows in the Dark, Mop Tops and MC Babee Power. Att: 850

July 29, 1996/Tramps, NYC
Hosted by the Jungle Brothers. Sponsored by URB Magazine and Q-Ambient Clothing. Notable performances by The Outsidaz, Akineyle, The Last Emperor, Lord Have Mercy More and Saul Williams (recording artist/actor/poet). Att: 800

September 24, 1996/Tramps, NYC
Hosted by The Roots. Sponsored by Girbaud Jeans, ASCAP and URB Magazine. Notable performances by Mumms (Poet), Maestro Manny, Mega Lord, Non Phixon, Dead Prez and Last Emperor. Att: 900

December 9, 1996/Tramps, NYC
Hosted by Jeru Da Damaja. Sponsored by Mecca Clothing, Correct Records, URB Magazine and ASCAP. Notable performances by Sarah Jones (poet), The Xmen, Junior Wonder, House of Reps, Al Tariq. Att: 800

March 31, 1997/Tramps, NYC
Hosted by Biz Markie. Sponsored by Backbone Ent. and URB Magazine. Notable performances by Jessica “Care” Moore, Problemz & Blackattack, Thirston Howell III, Punchline & Wordsworth, and many more. Unfortunately Biz Markie wasn’t able to attend, but luckily Q-TIP was present to take his place. Att: 700

May 26, 1997/Tramps, NYC
Hosted by Buckshot of the Boot Camp Click. Sponsored by Rawkus Entertainment, Rudeboy Clothing, and Urb Magazine. Notable performances by Survival Sounds, Company Flow, Teflon, Natural Elements, Building Block, Supernatural, Cru, & Mr. Complex. Att: 750

August 22, 1997/El Flamingo, NYC
Hosted by Common. Sponsored by Urb, BMI, and Relativity Records. Notable performances by Beatnuts, Mos Def, Cipher Complete, Royal Flush, and Rah Digga. Att: 875

December 10, 1997/Club Kaya, Atlanta, Georgia
Hosted by Goodie Mob. Sponsored by Rawkus Records. Notable performances by Eternal Reflections, Company Flow, BHA Enterprize, Mass-Influence, Micronaughts, Ghetto All-Stars. Att: 700

December 16, 1997/Latin Quarter, NYC
Hosted by Lost Boyz. Sponsored by ASCAP, Stress Magazine. Notable performances by Word of Mouth, P-Dap, Jesse West & Nine, Large Professor, Dead Prez, Destruct & Icon. Att: 1500

January 27, 1998/Latin Quarter, NYC
Hosted by Fat Joe. Sponsored by Mecca Clothing, Stress Magazine, and Relativity Records. Notable Performances by M.O.P, Big Punisher, Fatal Hussein, Eminem, Tony Stanz. Att: 2000

February 12, 1998/Club Kaya, Atlanta, Georgia
Hosted by Cocoa Brovas. Sponsored by Loud Records, ASCAP. Notable performances by Dead Prez & Cocoa Brovas. Att: 750

February 17, 1998/Club Rio Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Hosted by Guru of Gangtarr. Sponsored by Rap Pages, Willie Esco, Spiewak and U.B.Tuff Clothing. Notable performances by The Roots, Whoriders, M.O.P., Medusa & Bushwick Bill. Att: 1200.

May 5th-23rd, 1998/Record Release Parties for Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1
Featuring performances by Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Lord Have Mercy and D.V. alias Khrist, Rah Digga & Bahamadia, and Thirstin Howell the 3rd and Master Foul. (New York-May 5th, Philadelphia-May 8th, Atlanta-May 14th, San Francisco-May 21st, Los Angeles-May 22nd, San Diego-May 23rd).

September 1998 - Lyricist Lounge Tour #1
The Lyricist Lounge embarks on its first National tour. Hosted in 11 major U.S. cities. Sold out tour dates include shows at venues such as the House of Blues (LA/Chicago), The Tunnel (NY), Cameo Theater (Miami), Maritime Hall (SF) and Electric Factory (PA). Sponsors include EXSTO XXIV VII clothing, Blaze Magazine, 550 Music/ Sony, Relativity Records, Loud Records, Rawkus Records, Tommy Boy/Black Label Records, and Open Mic Records. Rotating line up of headlining performers include Slick Rick, Black Star, Big Pun, Krs-One, De La Soul, Kid Capri, The Roots, Common, The Last Emperor, Defari, Dead Prez and future superstars like Eminem and 50 Cent.

February 1999 - Lyricist Lounge Volume 1
Lyricist Lounge: Vol. 1 is released on Open Mic/Rawkus Records. Double disc release features live elements from the first tour along with studio recordings. Features such artists as Common, Black Thought (of The Roots), Mos Def, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, KRS One and Zach De La Rocha (of Rage Against The Machine). Sales to date: 350,000 units. Reaches #52 on Billboard’s R&B/ Hip-Hop Album chart and #167 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart.

November 1999 - Lyricist Lounge Tour #2
Second National Lyricist Lounge tour commences. Hosted in 13 major U.S. cities. Sponsors include MP3.COM, Tommy Boy Records, Priority Records, and Famous Artist Booking Agency. Rotating line up of headlining performers include Slick Rick, EPMD, Outsidaz, Royce the 5.9, Planet Asia and others.

February 2000 - The Lyricist Lounge Show
Nationally syndicated “The Lyricist Lounge Show” debuts on MTV. Groundbreaking variety show infuses sketch comedy with hip-hop and musical performances. Features guest appearances by artists such as Common, Erykah Badu, Mos Def and Snoop Dogg. Runs for two seasons (second season commenced in June 2000). Spawned cast member/ actress Tracee Ellis Ross of UPN’s “Girlfriends”. First season Nielsen ratings: 1.9 million.

September 2000 - Lyricist Lounge Tour #3
Third National Lyricist Lounge tour commences. Hosted in 16 major U.S. cities. Sponsors include SOHH.com, Truth.com, Rawkus Records, and ClickRadio.com. Rotating line up of headlining performers include Mos Def, Bernie Worrell (of Parliament/ Funkadelic), Slum Village, Bahamadia, Wordsworth, Piakhan, Will Calhoun (of Living Colour) and Dr. Know (of Bad Brains).

November 2000 - Lyricist Lounge Volume 2
Lyricist Lounge: Vol. 2 is released on Rawkus Records. Features such artists as Macy Gray, Beanie Sigel, Mos Def, Q-Tip, Redman and Nate Dogg. Over 450,000 units sold. Reaches #7 on Billboard’s R&B/ Hip-Hop Album chart and #33 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart.

December 8, 2000/Roseland Ballroom - Album release concert
Performances by Royce the 5.9, Punch and Words, Cocoa Brothers, Pharoah Monch, Xzibit, Talib Kweli, and Mos Def and the Jack Johnson Band. Hosted by Dave Chappell. Att: 4000

June 21, 2001/BB Kings, NYC
Special performances by Big Daddy Kane, Keith Murray, Ice –T, Smooth the Hustler, Mass Pkye, JaneDoe, Furin Kazan, and the history making battle between Boogieman and Masta Ace. Att: 1500

March 17, 2002/SOB’s, NYC
Performances by Keith Murray, Redman, and Word of Mouth. Att: 700

December 2002 – Lyricist Lounge Tour #4
Fourth National Lyricist Lounge tour commences. Hosted in 12 major U.S. cities. Sponsors include Crown Royal, Epic Records, Recon, and ArtistDirect Records. Rotating line up of performers include Scarface, Erick Sermon, Grafh, Killah Priest and Poverty.

January - March 2003 - Lyricist Lounge Club tour series
Lyricist Lounge Club tour series was launched. Hosted in 24 major U.S. cities. Three (3) consecutive tours with a rotating line up of guest headliners included Boot Camp Click, Dead Prez, and Big Daddy Kane.

July 2003 - Lyricist Lounge: Hip-Hop Video Classics
Lyricist Lounge: Hip-Hop Video Classics DVD is released (Distributed by Image Entertainment). Features a continuous mix of classic hip-hop videos by such artists as Run-DMC, Whodini, UTFO and Biz Markie. Approximate sales to date: 10,000 units.

June 2004 - Lyricist Lounge: Dirty States of America
Lyricist Lounge: Dirty States of America DVD and companion CD are released (DVD distributed by Red Distribution/CD distributed by Image Ent.). DVD-Documentary on Southern hip-hop featuring appearances by Cee-Lo, Devin The Dude, Scarface, 8Ball & MJG and UGK. CD - Features songs by artists such as B.G., David Banner, Willie D and DJ Jubilee. Approximate DVD sales to date: 15,000 units.

January 2006/BB Kings, NYC
Special performances by Albee Back, Ryan Perfect, Tru Life, Saigon, and a headliner performance by Rakim. Att: 1500

February 2006/BB Kings, NYC
Special performances by Ryan Perfect, Tru Life, Saigon, and a headliner performance by Rakim. Att: 1200

October 2006/BB Kings, NYC
Special performances by Masta Ace, Special ED, and Buckshot of Blackmoon. Sponsored by VH1’s Hip Hop Honors week. Att: 700

November 2006/SOB’s, NYC
Special performances by Freddy Fox aka Bumpy Knuckles and C.L. Smooth. Att: 650

In 2007, it is evident that Castro and Marshall’s joint vision of an unprecedented vehicle for undiscovered talent has successfully materialized. And our mission remains to continue the legacy of the Lyricist Lounge brand through the preservation of the hip-hop culture by further assuming the role as curators of quality Hip Hop events and products.