True Hip-Hop Stories - Dana Dane

[d-nice]

http://blog.d-nice.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/dana-thumb.jpg

In this edition of True Hip-Hop Stories, Dana Dane takes us on a journey through Fort Green Projects and discusses what motivated him to write his classic 80's rap recording "Cinderfella Dana Dane." I shot this with the HPX170 and a Cinemek G35 adapter.

http://vimeo.com/3351430


D

[PerroneFord]

How did you come to choose the nickname D-Nice....

[d-nice]

It was given to me in 1986 when I started my rap career with a group called Boogie Down Productions.

[Richard J. Johnson]

D, I hope you know what you're doing. You're treading on sacred ground. : )

I've been Hip-Hop since 1980.

And the original D-nice was a rapper down with BDP. He was nice too, but only has one real hit, "my name is D-nice" that I can remember.

If you are the real D-nice. Then much respect. I still have the single on vinyl!

Why the hell did you stop rapping?

Man I wish someone would start a good hip hop trvia thread.

[d-nice]

LOL. I guess I dont need to be reminded how many hits I had. I may have only had one as a soloist, I did produce quite a few, including Self Destruction.

[markyf]

I almost REALLY love the look of this. I like the documentary film look a lot but there's some weird movement in the stuff where he's outside (0:20-1:03), almost like the autofocus was tripping itself up and near the end I could kind of see the flatness of the screen (4:53->) or whatever it is the 35mm lens is focused on.

Just nitpicking but I'm very curious because I'm starting to think about this setup... HPX170+adapter (maybe Cinemek) for more of a run and gun thing like your'e doing.

So what exactly is your set up? Which rails for the Cinemek and do you have shoulder support? Have a pic?

[Richard J. Johnson]

LOL. I guess I dont need to be reminded how many hits I had. I may have only had one as a soloist, I did produce quite a few, including Self Destruction.

LOL! Don't make me dig in the crates. I was D-nice fan homie!:) You were still nice. Maybe you can answer a question that no one has been able to for years? why the Hell was LL taken off of Self Destruction? People think I'm full of it when I tell them that he was on that song. I still remember part of his verse.

Just an off topic question. You dane video looks great.

[Ian-T]

Yeah the look is nice. But the elevator scene was kind of dark.

Man...D-Nice...Dana Dane...bringing back some cool memories.

[Richard J. Johnson]

How long have you been doing these!? They are great! I miss real hip hop.

[Richard J. Johnson]

Yeah the look is nice. But the elevator scene was kind of dark.

Man...D-Nice...Dana Dane...bringing back some cool memories.

What you know about that Cinderfella?:beer:

Where did he find YZ?? That was my joint>

[PerroneFord]

I'm glad I asked the question, because I was curious if you were THAT D-Nice. Too bad more didn't come from the BDP collaboration. It was a different world in the rap game back then. I lived in Englewood, and went to school with the Sugar Hill guys. Way back in 1979. We had a discussion on the board here last year about those times. I miss it in a lot of ways.

Nice to see you doing some good work now. Give a shout some time. I'd love to hear what you have going on.

[Richard J. Johnson]

The video looks good, some parts seemed a little dark. Especially in the elevator. But project elevators aren't exactly known for their lighting. The G35 must have some really fine GG for it not to show up in those situations.

But The subject matter is so personal to me you could have shot it with a fisher price PXL2000 and I would have liked it.

I would like to see some narrative work with that setup. I'm still deciding on my next camera adapter combo.

[Ian-T]

Where did he find YZ?? That was my joint>Ha Yeah YZ had the master plan. It's still ringing in my head today.

[cinebuddy]

"My name is D Nice although I hate to admit it
Taking out you suckers and you don't know how I did it
See every episode remains in this mode
Very cool very calm there's no sweat in my palm
I just pick up the mic, precede wit a song"

That was my sh*t! Man I just watched your interview with Buckshot for how many emcees and the Masta Ace jawn on Vimeo. I loved that you've graced the board you and those cats were the sound track of my youth. I'm glad to see all of you acquire the longevity you deserve. Keep us posted on the project as I hope to snag it when its for purch hint hint.

[Jay Rodriguez]

ok, at first I doubted if it was really you but with a little research I see that it is. Besides, my man worked for mona scott and I remember him telling me that you were doing some video work these days so I guess it makes sense.

Welcome to the forum homie.....

I used to bug out over my dana dane tape back then..... Video looks good as hell man.


EDIT: Yeah, that buckshot and masta ace videos got me trippin'. I'm feeling what you're doing D.

[d-nice]

Yeah bro. It was extremely windy and cold outside. every time the wind blew it caused that weird movement. I forgot to turn out the OIS when it was on the tripod. That could have been the reason. The dark scenes just kind of happened. we didnt plan on shooting in the elevator. I just turned it on and allowed Dana to talk. All good.

[ESTEBEVERDE]

A+++

[Spartacus]

Cool vid and interview!
How is your sound set up? Boom? Wireless? On camera?

[Mickey Munday]

the quality looked great man, what was your audio setup and crew like? or was it all just you?