The moderator for the Scion Hypeman contest auditions is none other than legendary photographer, Ricky Powell.

Ricky Powell aka The Lazy Hustler, is from NYC and is a freelance bohemian. He is from the school of having several hustles at the same time and his photos, writings, and video are world renown. His career began in 1985, touring worldwide with many of hip hop's greats during the genre's golden age. Since then he has published 4 photography books and is releasing his next, "Illy Funksters" (a classic collection of colorful characters), this September via aNYthing Press. As said of him by the New York Press, "Ricky Powell is a cosmopolitan b-boy extraordinaire, with social skills so on point as to suggest an art and science of human interaction which only a New York bike messenger/b-boy/busboy can fully master..."

As you're reading this he's already making his next big move, so to catch up with him, you can peep him on myspace or at www.rickypowell.com

Born in the Republic of Panama, Central America, DJ Clark Kent is proud of his heritage and equally as proud to be a die hard Brooklynite. This super producer and turntable superstar has earned the respect of the ever growing, ever changing music industry. There's much more to this creative force than just turntables, though they are the foundation of which his successful career was built. Clark has had the opportunity to be at the career beginnings for many of rap's most talented stars. He has been responsible for, or played a key role in, the signing of major label recording deals for artists including Das Efx, Jay-Z, MC Lyte, Sauce Money, and YoYo. Clark also founded the Supermen Entertainment's "DJ Battle for World Supremacy", a DJ competition that drew both domestic and international support.

He began his mastery of the wheels of steel at the tender age of nine. "My uncle got me started as a DJ in the late '70's just before my 10th birthday. He was a friend of Kool Herc (the Father of Hip-Hop), and many other old school heads. So by being around these pivotal people and going to all the places where the music was evolving, I learned how to deejay and move the crowd."

Hip-hop conclaves like The Fever, The Black Door, T-Connection, The Audubon, The Funhouse and The Latin Quarters were Clark's stomping grounds. It was in these historic nightclubs that he began building his reputation as a turntable terrorist. As his popularity grew, he eventually gained enough exposure to give his talent an international focus. Performing as an exhibition deejay, Clark then toured Europe, Japan, Africa, Australia, North America, and the Caribbean.

As the times and music changed, he realized he also had to adjust. "It may have been because I was so young, but I was able to adapt to changing times, and evolve with the music, instead of falling behind, like a lot of people who refused to grow." Those early experiences made Clark realize that it was not just about keeping up, but staying ahead of the game, as well, that causes one to successfully achieve career longevity. Attempting to capitalize on the respect earned within the music industry, Clark began to set his sights on music production. Remixes seemed like the natural route, and his career took off in the late 80's, when he was commissioned to remix "Spread My Wings," a major hit for the then hot R&B group, Troop. The commercial success of that remix opened many doors; enabling Clark to begin producing records for other recording artists.

Clark eventually became more involved creatively within the structure of the major record labels. He was hand picked by Timmy Regisford, the then Vice-President of A&R at Motown, and convinced to take his talents to the next level by becoming an A&R man himself. Since then, he has served as Sr. Vice President of A & R at Motown Records, where he found and signed the Grammy nominated boy band 98 Degrees, of which pop star Nick Lachey was an original member. He's also been Director of A&R at Atlantic Records, Sr. Vice President/Head of Music for Roca-Fella-Records and later held this same position at Damon Dash Music Group. While in the latter position he signed reggae sensation Sizzla, and executive produced the late Old Dirty Bastard's (O.D.B.) forthcoming album, "A Son Unique".

Most recently, he has served as a consultant for various brands, and launched his own record label, Clark World Entertainment, while simultaneously traveling across the world to DJ at numerous notable clubs, star-studded private functions, and movie premiers.

Clark was one of the spokesmen for the MTV Air Force 1 25th Anniversary special, and was given the title "King of Air Force 1s", as he is known to own over 4,800 pair.

Having been at hip-hop's epicenter for over two decades, his mission is to continue elevating the power of urban music. DJ Clark Kent is a confident, multi-talented individual who seeks out new challenges. This man has the passion and an ear for great music. His talents and contribution to this phenomenal industry can not be discredited. Whether being recognized as the King of Air Force 1s, Brooklyn's Finest turntablist, being sought after for production of blazing tracks, consulting services or wearing the hat of CEO~ one thing remains evident, DJ Clark Kent is dedicated to the music.

"Whether I'm on stage, working in the studio, or in the office, I know I have to stay true to myself, the artists, the public and the game. That way when I go to bed at night, I know I did my best, and nobody can ask anybody for more than that."

DJ Clark Kent production credits include:
Busta Rhymes, "This is War ft. Ozzy Osbourne", off the album Extinction Level Event
Canibus,"Can-I-bus", off the album Channel Zero
Capone & Noriega, "Closer to the Paper", off the album War Report
Ice Cube, "We Be Clubbin' Remix feat DMX", off the Player's Club Soundtrack album
Jay-Z, "Brooklyn's Finest", "Cashmere Thoughts", "Coming of Age", off the album Reasonable Doubt
Mariah Carey, "Loverboy feat. Cameo", off the album Glitter
Rakim, Guess Who's back, The Finest Ones, The R, Light It Up, Remember That, Stay A While, off the albums The R and The 18th Letter
SWV, "You're The One Remix feat. Jay-Z"
The Fugees, "Ready Or Not Remix", off the album "The Complete Score"
The Notorious B.I.G., "Sky's the Limit feat. 112", "Come On", off the albums Life After Death and Born Again

While hip-hop has always revolved around passing fads, it's nice to know some things always stay the same. Since first signing with Atlantic Records in 1992, Skillz has sustained a solid reputation as an MC who can stay relevant no matter what the current trend may be. "I'm trying to show that there's still regular guys making music," says the Virginia rapper. "I don't talk about all of the things that most cats talk about. I'm not a thug, I'm not a gangster. You don't have to have a hidden agenda to make good music."

Skillz has spent nearly half of his life making music. Growing up in Richmond, VA he knew he wanted to be involved in hip-hop in some capacity, but didn't know where he fit in. "I tried all the elements of hip-hop," he says. "I DJed before I was rapping and I tried graffiti, but I sucked at all of them except for MCing." After rapping for just one year, he was offered a record deal with Atlantic after placing second in the NYC's New Music Seminar's MC Battle in1993.

Aside from dropping two critically lauded full-length albums, '92's From Where??? (Atlantic) and '02's I Ain't Mad No More (released internationally on Rawkus Records), Skillz has collaborated with Timbaland and penned a bevy of hard hitting singles—including 2005's candid "Confessions of a Ghostwriter" and five consecutive "Year-End Wrap-Up," tracks where the talented wordsmith summarizes each passing year's events into a witty collection of verses. His coveted "Wrap-Up" joints take the internet by storm every year for the simple fact that Skillz will say what most MCs won't.

"I'm a type of person that when you hear me you're gonna want to know what is he gonna say next," he says. "I'm the 'Wrap-Up' guy so when you hear my records you're not just listening to the beat."

In order to make sure his music hits the wide audience is deserves, Skillz has spent the past couple of years waxing poetic live alongside Jazzy Jeff and The Roots, an experience that is reflected on his new KOCH distributed album, Million Dollar Backpack. "When people hear 'backpack' they automatically think underground music," says Skillz. "But with this album I went in a different direction. I've been experimenting with a lot of live music. A lot of my beats were made using live instrumentation."

With production partners like Jazzy Jeff, Questlove, Karma Productions (Musiq, Freeway, Raheem Devaughn), Khari Ferrari and Dice Raw (The Roots), Jake One (G-Unit), Bink (Jay Z) and Kwame, Skillz created a slew of fresh sounds to rap over. As far as his vocal direction, the famed MC who is known for his measured rhyme consistency is as lyrically sharp as ever. "I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel or anything of that nature," he says. "I know what I'm good at and I'm gonna stick to my guns instead of trying to be something that I'm not. I really tried to get that point across on this album."

As in the past, Million Dollar Backpack finds Skillz rapping mostly about the reality in which he lives, a refreshing change from all of the thug posturing that runs rampant in hip-hop today. On "Preaching to the Choir" Skillz spins a superb narrative that details the ups and downs of relationships. He then flips the script on "Where I Been" to explain the wild ride that has been his career and gotten him to the honorable position he now holds as one of hip-hop's most respected lyricists. The album features guest appearances by Common, Kweli, Freeway and The Roots.

The first single off of Million Dollar Backpack, is "So Far So Good" feat. Common. The track finds Skillz reflecting on how far he has come and what he has to do to keep pushing ahead. On "Crazy World," he ponders on the many injustices we all face every day. Touching on the hysteria he feels has been creeping into the hood for some time now, Skillz spits: "There's kids on my block with pockets full of rocks/They used to think that school was cool but that came to a stop/The madness setting in, I know a veteran, shit he fought for his country and can't afford his medicine." The video for "Crazy World" can be seen online and was featured on MTV2's "Sucker Free" in late winter.

With an album chock full of substance, style and of course skill, Million Dollar Backpack promises to fill the creative void that's plaguing hip-hop. "Originality is missing in music," says Skillz. "You don't have to be a gimmick, just be yourself. I'm not mad at the state of music or what ain't happening, I'm just making my music and anyone who wants to listen to it I'm greatly appreciative."

Passion, Dedication, Resourcefulness, Leadership - these are qualities which make an entrepreneur successful. At the young age of 16, Anthony Marshall had already proven all these things true by creating the Lyricist Lounge. What started out as five emcees hanging out in a rehearsal room soon turned into one of the most respected showcases for new underground talent, and a blueprint for discovering emerging hip-hop emcees. Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Notorious B.I.G., Mos Def, Eminem, Foxy Brown, Talib Kweli, Slick Rick, Q-Tip, Common, Guru, The Roots, Fat Joe and the Black Eyed Peas are just a few of the artists that have been a part of the respected Lounge history.

In 1998, Mr. Marshall decided to expand upon the successful showcases and co-founded Open Mic Records, partnering with Rawkus Records to release the critically acclaimed, Lyricist Lounge Volume 1. Music lovers responded to the album by wanting more. That same year, the Lounge launched its first national tour with artists like Eminem, De La Soul, Q-Tip, Common, The Roots, Black Eyed Peas and Wyclef.

In 1999, Mr. Marshall brought his vision forth and developed, "The Lyricist Lounge Show". Based on the idea of a hip hop musical and comedy sketch show with a cast of Lounge-based emcees, the concept of the show was sold to MTV. A year later, the show became one of the highest rated programs on the music video channel.

In November of 2000, Open Mic Records and Rawkus dropped its follow-up release, Lyricist Lounge Volume 2, selling over 450,000 units worldwide, which was followed by another Lounge tour featuring Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Xzibit, EPMD, Scarface, and many others. Along with the release of two (2) Lounge DVD's, the tour proved to be a huge success and helped to continue the Lyricist Lounge legacy.

Amongst all his success with the Lounge, Mr. Marshall has also been the Urban Representative for Midem, a 39 year-old international music trade show that takes place annually in Cannes, France, with 9,000 participants and 90 countries being represented. With his experience in television, he most recently helped to launch Current TV, the groundbreaking, independent cable and satellite TV network co founded by former vice president Al Gore. In front of the camera, Mr. Marshall hosts on-air segments for the station and behind the camera he has aggregated user generated content for Current's VC2 (Viewer Created Content) initiative.

If there has been one thing consistent in his career, it has been his involvement in always giving back to others. Whether teaching a film course to teenagers, creating "work hard" incentives for his interns and employees or inspiring local communities to make their voices heard, Mr. Marshall is committed to enabling others to grow and build their dreams.