Last night [Tuesday, May 31] was a celebration at Slate Restaurant in downtown Manhattan as Ruff Ryders presented a viewing of their episode from BET’s new music-themed series, Inside The Label. The atmosphere was filled with love as many of the movement’s key players came together to celebrate the legacy of their label, movement and most importantly, the strength of the Dean family.
The Dean family created Ruff Ryders as a powerhouse that influenced Hip Hop for generations to come. Brothers Joaquin “Waah” Dean, Darrin “Dee” Dean and sister Chivon Dean were able to take the world by storm with dynamic artists like DMX, Eve, Drag-On, The Lox, Jin and Cassidy, combined with hitmaker (and nephew) Swizz Beatz, whose unique sound help develop the formula that propelled the label to its legendary status.
Londell McMillan (attorney who worked with Ruff Ryders and owner/publisher of The Source Magazine) with Waah and Dee.
The special gave viewers a behind-the-scenes perspective and inside look into how things all started for the New York-based crew, including the highs and lows the Ruff Ryders faced. It also showed what many believed to be the “beginning of the end” for the label, the tragic moment when Dee was involved in a major motorcycle accident. He accidentally ran into a parked tractor trailer on his motorbike, and from there went into a coma that lasted three months. Doctors believed he wouldn’t make it, but thankfully he did.
Inside the Label: Ruff Ryders is truly inspiring to watch, bringing back many fond memories of this legendary time in Hip Hop history. If you love the culture, it’s must watch television.
Lil Waah [second from right] with Murda Mook [far right] and friends.
Event Images: Fabian Pacheco
