About The Filmmakers
Mike D - Director
Mike D was born and bred in Philly. Went to Central High School when Jazzy Jeff used to DJ the afterschool parties. He owned several pairs of Filas but never wore Cazale frames. Author of several screenplays, his short films have screened all over the US and England. He holds a BFA in Film from New York University and an MFA in Film Directing from The American Film Institute in Los Angeles. His fondest hip hop memory is seeing LL perform "I Need Love" at the Spectrum with all the house lights up (cause brothas kept fighting) and he still rocked it. His most prized Philly Rap memento is an original pressing Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince's first album, with the fake Run-DMC cover that he bought afterschool at Sound of Market II for $5.49.
Tito Irizarry - Associate Producer/ Cameraperson
Tito grew up in the quiet town of Browns Mills, NJ. Studied Television at Burlington County Community College and Temple University, from which he holds a BA in Communications. His love of Hip-Hop goes way back. He Produced and Directed a documentary short for the "Rottin' Razcals", who recorded for Naughty By Nature's Illtown Records label back in the day. He helped promote rap shows at Whispers Nightclub where he worked with Philly/NJ rap acts like Ruggedness N' Mad Drama, Da Naughty Shorties and CYCO..
While at Temple, he coordinated many Hip-Hop staged fundraising events including the memorable "When U-N-I-VERSE" which helped raise money for disaster relief fund for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Since college He's worked with Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men, Wise Intelligent (Poor Righteous Teachers), Freddie Fingaz, SuperNatural, MomSugDojo, poet Bassey, The Vanguard, and Musiq SoulChild in various capacities.
Funk Wizard Snow - Technical Advisor
Snow is the proprietor of Phillyhiphop.com. He is down with Bring The Beat Back to make sure we get the story straight and get it right. We're proud an honored to have Snow on our squad. You can check out his official bio here.