A hip-hop stageplay?
“Foshizzle.”
After all, Hot 104.1 FM on-air personality Tony J isn’t one to limit his vision, ambition or cap collection.
Personality, comedian, awards show creator – and now he’s rocking a producer’s hat for the what he’s calling the first-ever hip-hop stageplay, My Daddy’s a DJ, written and directed by his longtime Henry L. Davis.
Tony J purposely dodged the writer’s hat and director’s chair on this venture, but the concept and storyline are his brainchildren. And he’ll be trying on an actor’s hat in lead role of the deejay.
He tapped Davis to write it, because he had starred in local and national plays and possessed the energy that Tony J sought in a writer for the hip-hop play, loosely based on his life.
Tony J met Davis 15 years ago on the set of the locally produced film Super Brother, by director Darnell Singleton.
Davis’ passion for acting resonated with Tony J.
Davis also worked with local playwrights Lisa Reynolds and Marty Casey in five plays that cast national recording artists Gerald and Sean Levert, Peabo Bryson and Dave Hollister.
After the death of Gerald and Sean, Davis said he was wondering what his next move would be since his anticipated future play dates with them were dead.
He was raring to go when Tony J approached him and explained the play in October 2007. Davis was so ready to get back to work that he penned it in three weeks.
Davis then pressed Tony J to start production immediately after, but the enterprising deejay was busy setting the stage for his inaugural and highly successful Traffic Music Awards earlier this year.
Davis had actually thrown Tony J out of his house when he told Davis his focus was on the TMAs.
“We fuss and fight, but it’s because we both have so much passion, but our main goal is to get it done,” Davis said.
What they have done is produce the first hip-hop play, they say.
“You can make songs, do clubs and concerts and throw parties, but we’re trying to bring a message to the hip-hop community,” Davis said.
“They don’t want to go see a gospel play, but we have God in it – you have to – but we’re teaching them about love, family, fatherhood and respect. And it’s funny.”
The play goes a little something like this: The deejay has to sometimes takes his children to work as he strives to make ends meet and keep his commitment to his kids and their livelihood.
“You have to do what you have to do when you are a parent – even if that means taking your kids to work,” Tony J said, noting that it could have gotten him fired.
Davis is also acting in the play. His role is based on Jackie Porter, the longtime, syrupy-sweet but no-nonsense Radio One receptionist, who Tony J said often kept him from losing his job.
The play also puts some hip-hop talent to work onstage. The hip-hop players consist of Hakeem The Dream, Ruka Puff, Nikko Smith, Jibbs, Gangsta Grits, Da Fam and Thyck Clyck.
“They aren’t just rapping,” Davis said. “They’re acting in the play, because rappers like Hakeem The Dream doesn’t just rap – he has values and goals.”
My Daddy’s a DJ will be performed 7 p.m. Friday, June 13 at Visual and Performing Arts High School, 3125 S. Kingshighway. Tickets are $15 at the door, $10 with student I.D. Call 306-7740.
