2 :: www.MinorityReporter.
net - Week of July 18, 2009
“Day of Edutainment”
“The event will be the closest thing to American Idol and the Grammy’s
that Rochester Sees”
BY RAJESH BARNABAS
Before Shawn Corey Carter, Dwayne
Michael Carter Jr., and Faheem Ra-
sheed Najm became, respectively,
Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and T-Pain, they
had to be discovered. Rochester,
though the birthplace of a fair share
of entertainment stars, rarely been a
launching pad for the industry. Art-
ists have had to travel to New York
City or Hollywood to be noticed.
Doug Gallant and Laura Lee of Dia-
mond Dougs Inc. are making plans
to change that.
In Midtown Plaza for 32 years, now
located inside the Sibley Building,
Diamond Dougs Inc. has become
more of an institution rather than
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street – at the heart of NYC’s dia-
mond district and factories in New
York, L.A., and Houston, Diamond
Dougs is a national player in the di-
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the founder Gallant had something
unique to contribute to the trade.
“I was getting from Europe these
colored diamonds – blues, greens,
reds,” said Gallant, “ and no one in
the US was making those.” Carving
out a niche creating custom cuts,
Gallant’s work eventually caught
the eye of some pretty big names in
the entertainment industry.
As Diamond Doug’s business was
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the cultural phenomena of hip hop
emerged to position diamonds at
the forefront of all things bling. In
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by Smitty got regular airplay on hip
hop stations. Diamond Dougs was
well situated to meet the increased
demand for diamonds. He already
possessed gangster swagger with
his business logo a straight repur-
posing of Scarface graphics: Dia-
mond Doug is the black and white
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commercial for Diamond Dougs, lo-
cal artists rap about the “iceman”
Diamond Doug. For instance DJ
Bacspin states, “when I need that
iced out chain, when I need them
iced out rings, I hit up my man Dia-
mond Doug.”
So at his downtown Rochester loca-
tion, along with The Godfather and
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now framed pictures of Diamond
Doug with various hip hop and r&b
singers - most notably Lloyd, Patti
Labelle, and Rihana. When asked
if the hip hop crowd makes up a
The People’s Jewler:
major part of his business, Gal-
lant replied, “that is our business.”
Through the years relationships de-
veloped between Diamond Dougs
and the local and national hip hop
community, to the point where he
can now call out favors.
“I know so many people in the hip
hop industry,” said Gallant. He has
recruited a number of these friends
in what is dubbed the “Diamond in
the Rough” talent contest. But this
is bigger than your run-of-the-mill
talent show. It will take place at the
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been sold, Gallant has hired pro-
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show, there will be an actual red
carpet for arriving guests, and na-
tionally recognized artists such as
Levert II will be panelists. Yes there
will be panelists, not simply judges,
and they will be discussing topics
important to those trying to make it
in the industry.
“Everything is way deeper than what
is on the cover,” said Luara Lee –
Marketing Specialist for Diamond
Dougs. “The event is to entertain
but also to educate so we are call-
ing it ‘a day of edutainment.’” Panel
discussion topics will range from
publishing to how to get airplay.
For years local hip hop artists have
descended on Diamond Dougs to
drop off music CDS, transforming
the store into a mixed-use jewlery/
music distribution site. Diamond
Dougs has also sponsored numer-
ous musical events in the area, but
has never taken on as grand a proj-
ect as next month’s Diamond in the
Rough show. Gallant has pumped
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contest prizes.
“There is incredible raw talent out
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Gallant. “It is just a matter of get-
ting these kids exposure.” He says
the event will be the closest thing
to American Idol and the Grammy’s
that Rochester sees. Diamonds in
the Rough will take place at Water
Street Music Hall on August 1. You
can view samples and vote online
for Rochester’s best artist, produc-
er, video, model, rap song, DJ, etc.
at diamonddougscontest.com.
ARTISTS PROFILE:
CHANISE REED
a.k.a: Queen of the Rock
Age: 34
Genre: Contemporary Gospel
Background: Grew up singing at Salem Baptist Church, Thomas St.. Her moth-
er was also a singer in the choir. “It’s in the genes, I have no choice,” said Reed.
Her inspiration is her mother, who passed away four months ago. She’s per-
formed at Venu Resto Lounge and starred in the musical “Hot Mama Blues” at
Café Underground Railroad. Reed describes her intentions with Contemporary
Gospel as this: “When I am in the Church, I try to take em’ to the streets. But
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the church think they are so holier than thou.” At the “Diamonds in the Rough”
show Reed will be performing an original song “It’s You” – a song she has not
performed publicly yet. Reed is nominated for the “Female R&B Most Voted
Song” award.
KEVIN RANGER
a.k.a.: Christian
Age: 22
Talent: Dancing
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his church – Truth Ministries Fellowship, Scottsville Rd. Ranger also contributes
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Brown, James Brown, and Michael Jackson. “I create visuals of what is going
on lyrically in a song,” says Ranger. He will be fusing multiple styles into one
artistic expression to a gospel number “Wave Your Banner.” Ranger is up for the
Hottest Dance award.
D-WILL
Genre: Rap Gospel
Background: D-WILL describes himself as the typical street hustler until No-
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self back to Christ and now attends Mt. Sinai International Ministries. D-WILL
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he says “even if you think you’re having a good life, that’s when you need Je-
sus: Jesus is the Lord of the hood.” His music label is Double Edge Ministries –
owned by Kre8tor – a former producer for The Game. D-WILL’s style resembles
no other rapper. He is nominated for “Best New Artist of the Year,” “Banging
Video of the Year,” and “Best Motivational Rap Song.”
Link: http://www.doubleedgeministries.com/
M. DOT
A.K.A.: Mr. Moore Or Less
Age: 23
Background: M. Dot rises from the west side of Rochester. His motivation is
“the hood.” M. Dot was locked up for three years, yet only some of his songs
are about the gangster lifestyle. “My songs are aimed at the masses,” says M.
Dot. “I try not to be put in any one category. I want everyone to at least like one
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spring and is working on a mixed tape compilation of Rochester’s best hip hop
artists. He will be performing “Didi Bop My City Hot,” nominated for Best Rap
Song. M. Dot is also nominated for Best New Artist of the Year.
Link: http://www.myspace.com/mr_more_or_less
4ORTY
Age: 19
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but his wordplay should not be dismissed. He just came out with a mixed tape
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nominated for “Best Swag Single” and “Best Artist,” awards.
Link: http://www.myspace.com/keldiese