Just Blaze On Raising Funds For “Be Awesome Feed Somebody”
New York-based producer and DJ Just Blaze has been doing things at a high level for over 20 years. Shortly after landing his first major label cut via Harlem World in 1999, Blaze would have songs featured on releases by Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Killah Priest, Big Pun, Mad Lion, Memphis Bleek, DJ Clue and Busta Rhymes. He would ultimately wind up producing music that was recorded by Eminem, Rihanna, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, DMX, Nelly, Cam’ron, Snoop Dogg, Nick Cannon, Usher, Janet Jackson and The Game, to name just a few key artists within his extensive and still-growing discography.
Just Blaze has not only been successful as an artist, but also in giving back. Last night he was the co-presenter of a high-profile live event benefitting Be Awesome Feed Somebody. Featuring the likes of A-Trak, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Buck Rodgers, DJ M.O.S., Natasha Diggs, Craze, DJ Ferno and Just Blaze himself, this May 23rd event on Twitch saw 100 percent of its proceeds go to Be Awesome Feed Somebody. A non-profit take-out and delivery concept by Ani Ramen, the organization provides no-cost meals for its local community, also feeding COVID-19-related first responders and those in need in New Jersey.
Ani Ramen’s parent company, Montclair Hospitality Group, has also conceptualized temporary, nonprofit pop-ups — beyond its four established and popular New Jersey locations — that will not only provide guests with offerings of delicious pizza and Thai rotisserie chicken, but also a way to give back. Thus, “Rock City Pizza Co.” and “Bang Bang Chicken” were born. These temporary concepts will offer guests take-out/delivery at a lower than normal price point, along with the opportunity to do something for those in need. When they purchase their own meal, guests will be encouraged to add a little something extra to their tab to help cover a donated meal for someone less fortunate.
Also keeping Just Blaze busy is scoring a scripted podcast named Corner Wolves, as set in 1990s Harlem, for Brass Lion Entertainment and Marginal Mediaworks on the Luminary platform; it is due for release later this year. He regularly does live DJ sets on Twitch, Instagram and Facebook, as part of the series The Speakeasy, sometimes during afternoons and other times during late night hours. Tying things together, Just Blaze also happens to be a partner in the Jersey City location of Ani Ramen.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Just Blaze via Zoom on May 24, 2020 — one day after his work with Be Awesome Feed Somebody — about how the event went, his history as a producer, future plans and more. Additional info on Just Blaze can be found via www.instagram.com/justblaze, while more on Ani Ramen and Be Awesome Feed Somebody is online at www.beawesomefeedsomebody.org.
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About the Author
Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."
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