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Brought to you by FUNKNSTUFF.NET and hosted by Scott Goldfine — musicologist and author of “Everything Is on THE ONE: The First Guide of Funk” ― “TRUTH IN RHYTHM” is the interview show that gets DEEP into the pocket with contemporary music’s foremost masters of the groove.
Featured in TIR Episode 74: Son of funk, R&B and jazz legend Robert “Kool” Bell — he of course of Kool & the Gang — Hakim Bell, whose stage name as a disc jockey and recording artist is Prince Hakim. This is the second of a two-part series featuring both generations of the Bell family, with Kool’s segment having already been posted. The two of them recently respectively lost their mother and wife, Sakinah Bell, who had fought a long battle with illness. TRUTH IN RHYTHM sends heartfelt condolences to the entire Bell family.
Hakim, having grown up in a rich musical and funky environment, caught the D.J. bug at an early age. He would practice making beats and spinning records with his brothers and cousins, and spent summers with music mogul Jermaine Dupri. who DJed in his garage, selling tickets for a dollar a pop. Most heavily influenced by the sound of the 1980s and current music, Hakim has traveled from New York to Tokyo sharing his passion and spreading his message to “Celebrate Life.”
Having rubbed elbows with a who’s who of upper-echelon celebrities and musical heroes, Hakim toured with Kool & the Gang as a featured rapper and more recently has been DJing scores of high-profile events. As he continues to build up his following and brand so too does he continue to expand his musical foundation, including becoming a recording artist in his own right. He recently teamed with vocalist Walter Anderson and other talented musicians on the infectious dance single, “R.O.Y.A.L.T.Y.” That video, which also features Kool & the Gang, is included in this episode.
In the interview, Hakim provides lots more details on his budding recording career, his D.J. endeavors, what it was like growing up in the musical Bell household, the thrills of meeting music superstars, what his famous father is really like and much more. In boxing, it’s all about answering the bell; go a few rounds with Prince Hakim, questioning the Bell.
RECORDED DECEMBER 2018
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