One Ohio University senior is making efforts to promote the underground hip-hop community by forming a new company.
Titled Element 9, the company strives to perform many functions of a record label without tying its clients to strict contracts. Stu Pflaum, aka DJ Xplosive, officially began the company in mid-June, though it has been in planning stages for a long time.
Five artists currently work with Element 9, including Pflaum. Also in the mix are former OU students Detrick Rhodes (L.I.F.E.) and Jim Korte (KRES), DJ Kut Nyce and Almighty Texas Boiz. Korte also designed the company's Web site, http://www.element9hiphop.com.
Korte, a recent OU graduate with a degree in visual communications, said he, along with Detrick Rhodes, were the trial runs for Element 9. Pflaum provided booking and press releases for Korte, services that will be available through Element 9.
Pflaum called Element 9 a promotional outlet and said the company's functions include helping artists secure royalties and publishing rights.
The company's impact on the local hip-hop scene should be positive and provide organization, said Korte, who performed at The Blue Gator and The Union, among other venues, during his time in Athens. He said he plans to stay involved with Element 9 and the Athens community.
Although the company currently is based in Athens, Pflaum hopes to expand it nationally. He said his major -specialized studies with a concentration in entertainment law and management -closely relates to the duties of running a company like Element 9. Pflaum, who has wanted to become an entrepreneur, said he would like to continue with the company after graduation. He currently is funding the company through his other jobs as an employee at Big Mamma Burritos and a DJ at Evolution.
Pflaum said that during the school year he hopes to organize hip-hop shows under the title of Element 9, and is currently working on getting more people involved with the company.
The company's name -based on a statement by KRS-One -was created by Pflaum, Korte said. The four major elements of hip-hop are MC, DJ, break dancing and graffiti art.
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Megan Chew
