Article Courtesy: Overtime Media
Hip-hop lovers and practitioners recently gathered to pay tribute to renowned DJ Jus Jase (Jason Alleyne) as he celebrated the 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking appearance on B.E.T.’s “Rap City: Tha Basement” program back in September of 2004. Having explored and tried his hand at all of the five elements of hip-hop culture over time, Jus Jase eventually settled on being a deejay and started his radio career on our sister station, 95.1 fm, which was the first independently owned radio station in T&T since its inception in 1976.Fans, friends, family and supporters of Alleyne assembled at The Burg TT Record and Clothing Store on Robert Street in Woodbrook and at the Xtreme Dance Academy’s studio on Stone Street for two nights of peace, love, unity and enjoyed hip-hop classics played by Jase-himself, alongside DJ Romie Rome and DJ Carbon.
On the first night held at The Burg, Alleyne was presented with a special plaque by local Emcees, Marcus “Braveboy” and “BDangerous” of Spotrushaz, as well as a limited edition bottle of Hennessy Cognac’s 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop edition (courtesy AS Bryden & Sons) in tribute to his long-standing, groundbreaking and overall inspirational representation of and amongst the local hip-hop community for over four decades.
Then, on Independence Night, the full celebration was held on the rooftop of the XDA Studio on Stone Street which offered a special viewing of the annual fireworks display and featured fun games, champagne and cocktails prepared by the Love The Pour bartending service. The Lollabee Group provided special ambience lighting and decor with their L.E.D. rooftop furniture with delectable cutters from the Iron Chef food truck delivered in sobering fashion late courtesy Michelle Borel Media.
The local hip-hop community is being called to action henceforth as a special committee was formed following discussions at these two events with a monthly series of meetings and activities being planned and scheduled to commence with a Roll Call session on Friday September 27 at XDA Studio on Stone Street in Port of Spain. Jus Jase started his career in Trinidad as a rap artist back in 1983. By 1988/89 he had won major rapping competitions, which lead him to key opening gigs alongside the likes of Naughty by Nature, Queen Latifah, C&C Music Factory and Crystal Waters to name a few.
Alleyne eventually ended up being the “emcee” or “hypeman” for one of the top DJ groups in Trinidad at that time “Downtown Outlaws” in ’90/’91.Jase first hit radio in late ’91 doing The Other Side of Midnight on Monday nights (12am-5am) on 95.1 FM. This is how he got formally introduced to the turntables and after showing rapid growth and potential, 95.1 FM management decided to give him a daytime slot and by ’93 he established 3 top rated weekend mix shows. Since then he gained more experience working on-air at other top radio stations such as 96.1WEFM; he was Music Director at Power 102 FM and Program Administrator at THE VIBE CT 105FM, as well as Head of audio production at 98.9FM and a top radio personality at Ebony 104.1FM at different times, but much like the hip-hop music he loves to listen to and play for others: it didn’t stop there.
He was a member of one of the leading soca bands of Trinidad and Tobago – SURFACE (on VP Records) – the world’s only Caribbean band that appeared on stage with a live DJ. Jus Jase always complimented Surface’s performances with classic cuts, scratches and mixes from his turntables. In the group’s live act Jase was even singing, rapping and chanting at different intervals.At present Jus Jase is on-air 6 days a week on Hott 93 in Trinidad (93.5 FM) and remains heavily in demand on the party circuit (both locally and internationally) as well as in the advertising industry.
He produces, voices and stars in countless television and radio commercials, jingles, voice-overs, CD samplers and promotional programs, MCs major concerts and corporate events, produces beats and remixes for local and international acts and runs his own recording studio: Jase Jam Productions.Alleyne was most appreciative of the commemoration and celebration, saying:”It’s not often we hear people say thanks in this industry and over time, you almost forget all the things you’ve done, so it’s nice to be able to hear thank yous while you’re still alive and well and to remember and be remembered for the work you put in and the things achieved over time.
“People today may not be aware of the fact that hip-hop music and culture began here in Trinidad at the same time it started in the US,” he added, “so we have a rich history of proponents and practitioners who have contributed to the music and culture in various ways, not to mention the many Trinis and those with T&T and Caribbean heritage who have been – and some who still are – at the forefront, in the midst or even in the background of different entities within and continuously contributing to the culture as it continues to grow and evolve.”Follow Jus Jase on Twitter and IG @jusjase868 and the Jus Jase YouTube page.
