Earl "The Pearl" Little
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Earl "The Pearl" Little (born January 31, 1974 in Cheraw, South Carolina), also known as DJ Earl The Pearl, is an American radio personality and promoter. Earl Little is most notable for being the youngest African-American to program a radio program on WYFX at the age of 18. Earl Little graduated from John I. Leonard High School in Lake Worth, Florida where he began his career in radio broadcasting and entertainment.
[edit] History
Earl Little was born in the racially segregated town of Cheraw, South Carolina where he was inspired by native Cherawian Dizzy Gillespie. Mr. Little moved to South Florida in 1989, where he began his career as an on-air broadcaster. Earl "The Pearl" Little was known as the youngest disc jockey to program his on radio show which consisted of funk, R&B, jazz, blues and contemporary adult music. Earl "The Pearl" Little is also known for producing many different music related events including concerts with Frankie Beverly & Maze, Confuncsion, Midnight Star, The Isley Brothers, Fresh Kid Ice, Eightball & MJG, Swizz Beats as well as the largest festival in the SE/ US entitled the Sweet Auburn Springfest. Mr. Little is also responsible for writing the proposal for the Henry County NAACP which later led to the reduction of jail time for popular American-rap artist T.I.[citation needed]. Mr. Little also served as first African-American team manager of the first African American owned NASCAR raceteam Bobby Norfleet racing #34 of the Craftsman Truck Series.
[edit] Controversy
Mr. Little, no stranger to controversy, received national attention during coordination of the first ever Hip-hop Music festival with music mogul Russell Simmons.[citation needed] The event entitled the "Urban Hip-Hop Music Fest" stirred much controversy and debate in the City of Atlanta when the much anticipated event was supported by the Mayor of Atlanta Shirley Franklin yet denied a special event permit by the city government. The event later took place at the Henderson Arena in College Park just outside the city limits.
