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Chuck D has been named the official ambassador for Record Store Day 2014, organizers have announced. The next installment of the annual event — which promotes independent record stores and highlights vinyl records — will be held on April 19.
The Public Enemy leader discussed his appointment in a lengthy statement, in which he explains what his ambassadorship means.
“Over 27 years and 93 countries visited, as a professional lead vocalist of the RAP group Public Enemy, I don’t go 1 single day without emphasizing that the genre of hip-hop is spawned from DJ culture,” he says. “The founding members of Public Enemy were, and still are, DJs. The tool and fuel for DJs has forever been recordings. And where these recordings have long connected, with pros and fans alike, have simply been The Record Store, the connection point of listener and the recording.”
Chuck adds that “the record store made musicians listen beyond themselves.” He explained, “It both complemented and supplemented the radio, in fact the best radio stations in the past followed the vibe of the record stores of their regions, thus growing and nurturing each other. The fans and listener had everything to gain, and if they wanted to get into making music, the Record Store turned into their first school and sonic passport out.”
The rap veteran concludes, “In this age where industry has threaded the music sound with virtual sight and story I am honored to be called upon to be Record Store Day Ambassador of 2014. With the masses, neck bent into their smartphones, let all of us music lovers GPS our way into a reality that is the Record Store. It’s worth a great try, let’s do this.”
Chuck D takes over from last year’s 2013 vinyl ambassador Jack White, former front many of rock band The White Stripes. Other predecessors in the role included rockers Iggy Pop, Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica.
Record Store Day was launched in the U.S. seven years ago and features exclusive in-store performances and special releases. For more information, visit RecordStoreDay.com.
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio
