From the studio to the radio
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/181/1/From-the-studio-to-the-radio/Page1.html
Ashley G. Woodson
By Ashley G. Woodson
Published on 08/2/2006
In the generally male-dominated hip-hop industry a female shot-caller is a rarity and even more so in Pittsburgh, but flying in the face of convention isn’t unusual for Kay Bey (better known as Da Button Pusha).
Bey is the CEO and founder of Just Pressin’ Buttons, Inc., a locally-owned hip-hop production company. Although best recognized as a sound-spinner and entertainer, she doesn’t want any confusion as to what she is about.
“I am a MC, producer and business woman, but I am not a rapper,” explained Bey. “There is a big difference between a rapper and an MC. A rapper talks about anything to make a buck while a true MC writes and flows about real issues and can do it well. We make truth music from the soul whether you like it or not.”
Bey has been in the hip-hop game for 10 years, starting out as a DJ and mixing tapes to sell. While a lot of people didn’t purchase her product, enough people did to provide the impetus to push forward.
Bey credits her 14-year-old son Aubree as her inspiration and the reason for creating her business and becoming a local hip-hop phenomenon. “My son can be easily influenced by anything that is around him, especially me,” she said. “I need to show him persistence on something positive.”
JPB is based in a studio called “Slum Palace,” a homegrown, “straight-from-the-gutter” operation that draws artists from Pittsburgh and across the country. Bey wants to help talented but struggling artists who would not be heard on radio or who lack financial backing. Promoting artists from her studio is just one way she gets the word out about area talent. JPB not only makes music and showcases it’s own clients, but also works with the local underground music scene.
Additional exposure is generated by three TV shows on Pittsburgh’s local access channel PCTV Channel 21 (Comcast) that showcase talent throughout the city. JPB also has its own radio show, “JPB RADIO,” heard on WNJC 1360 AM in New Jersey (which streamed live via Internet to www.wnjc1360AM.com. The show begins airing Aug. 6 on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. until noon.
“This is a life-changing movement that I am glad to be a part of,” said Bey. “I am following in the footsteps of hip-hop veterans such as Roxanne Shante, KRS-ONE, UTFO, A Tribe Called Quest and MC Trouble,” said Bey. “These veterans put it down for hip-hop in order for us to have guidelines on how to make good music and uplift our people.”
The latest project is called “The Hip-Hop Buffet” a series consisting of nine shows that run from April until December every year. The next installment is Aug. 12 at its regular venue, the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty, jumping off at 10 p.m.
Bey said, “We plan to continue building a stage for real hip-hop talent from the city of Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas to be showcased.”
The Hip-Hop Buffet will be a few specialty shows such as an All Female Rapp Talent Showcase and a “veterans” show. This series provides the performing artist with an array of extras just by performing at the venue treating its performers with respect that underground artists deserve. Every show in the series will be video recorded and DVD’s will be available for purchase.
“We are looking for investors in the community and not from grants,” said Bey. “Our people can help us without help from the government. There are steps and layers to this game. Stack your money and use what you have by investing in yourself. Russell Simmons is a person I respect in the game from a hip-hop standpoint, but Oprah Winfrey really knows how to play the game and get paid.”
While Bey minds the store, her alter ego, Da Button Pusha, is busy packing the floors. Under the JPB, Inc. banner along with her crew, she rocks live on stage. The energy level is so high that folks are just moved to vibe with them.
“Keeping with the true spirit of real hip-hop, my stage performance is as live as it gets,” she said. “I use a lot of energy and the vibe is not different when I am in the both.” JPB, Inc. music is available at their events or online at www.cdbaby.com/dabuttonpusha
In the generally male-dominated hip-hop industry a female shot-caller is a rarity and even more so in Pittsburgh, but flying in the face of convention isn’t unusual for Kay Bey (better known as Da Button Pusha).
Just Pushin’ Buttons makes waves
| KAY BEY—Better known as Da Button Pusha. |
In the generally male-dominated hip-hop industry a female shot-caller is a rarity and even more so in Pittsburgh, but flying in the face of convention isn’t unusual for Kay Bey (better known as Da Button Pusha).
Bey is the CEO and founder of Just Pressin’ Buttons, Inc., a locally-owned hip-hop production company. Although best recognized as a sound-spinner and entertainer, she doesn’t want any confusion as to what she is about.
“I am a MC, producer and business woman, but I am not a rapper,” explained Bey. “There is a big difference between a rapper and an MC. A rapper talks about anything to make a buck while a true MC writes and flows about real issues and can do it well. We make truth music from the soul whether you like it or not.”
Bey has been in the hip-hop game for 10 years, starting out as a DJ and mixing tapes to sell. While a lot of people didn’t purchase her product, enough people did to provide the impetus to push forward.
Bey credits her 14-year-old son Aubree as her inspiration and the reason for creating her business and becoming a local hip-hop phenomenon. “My son can be easily influenced by anything that is around him, especially me,” she said. “I need to show him persistence on something positive.”
JPB is based in a studio called “Slum Palace,” a homegrown, “straight-from-the-gutter” operation that draws artists from Pittsburgh and across the country. Bey wants to help talented but struggling artists who would not be heard on radio or who lack financial backing. Promoting artists from her studio is just one way she gets the word out about area talent. JPB not only makes music and showcases it’s own clients, but also works with the local underground music scene.
Additional exposure is generated by three TV shows on Pittsburgh’s local access channel PCTV Channel 21 (Comcast) that showcase talent throughout the city. JPB also has its own radio show, “JPB RADIO,” heard on WNJC 1360 AM in New Jersey (which streamed live via Internet to www.wnjc1360AM.com. The show begins airing Aug. 6 on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. until noon.
“This is a life-changing movement that I am glad to be a part of,” said Bey. “I am following in the footsteps of hip-hop veterans such as Roxanne Shante, KRS-ONE, UTFO, A Tribe Called Quest and MC Trouble,” said Bey. “These veterans put it down for hip-hop in order for us to have guidelines on how to make good music and uplift our people.”
The latest project is called “The Hip-Hop Buffet” a series consisting of nine shows that run from April until December every year. The next installment is Aug. 12 at its regular venue, the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty, jumping off at 10 p.m.
Bey said, “We plan to continue building a stage for real hip-hop talent from the city of Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas to be showcased.”
The Hip-Hop Buffet will be a few specialty shows such as an All Female Rapp Talent Showcase and a “veterans” show. This series provides the performing artist with an array of extras just by performing at the venue treating its performers with respect that underground artists deserve. Every show in the series will be video recorded and DVD’s will be available for purchase.
“We are looking for investors in the community and not from grants,” said Bey. “Our people can help us without help from the government. There are steps and layers to this game. Stack your money and use what you have by investing in yourself. Russell Simmons is a person I respect in the game from a hip-hop standpoint, but Oprah Winfrey really knows how to play the game and get paid.”
While Bey minds the store, her alter ego, Da Button Pusha, is busy packing the floors. Under the JPB, Inc. banner along with her crew, she rocks live on stage. The energy level is so high that folks are just moved to vibe with them.
“Keeping with the true spirit of real hip-hop, my stage performance is as live as it gets,” she said. “I use a lot of energy and the vibe is not different when I am in the both.” JPB, Inc. music is available at their events or online at www.cdbaby.com/dabuttonpusha