CHICAGO, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- "In the entertainment industry, the real
work starts with a lot of people who don't even perform," says Drew Lee Hines.
"Many of these people have no talent at all but they know the business of
entertainment. They know what's real. They know the difference between the show
and the plan. They know the difference between illusions and realities. The
problem is many young, up and coming artists don't have a damn clue. That's
where I come in."
Hines, aka D'Purest Lee is owner of P.U.R.E. Underground and founder of
Pradagi-Foundation, NFP. Pradagi is committed to guiding youth through the
oftentimes difficult world of entertainment. From the fashion industry to the
music industry, Hines has witnessed many promising young talents fall victim to
their own ignorance of the entertainment industry's unforgiving
idiosyncrasies.
"Many young people see the products but not the process," says Hines, a
native of Chicago's legendary South Side. "They don't know anything about the
lawyers, the contracts, the protocols or even the technology. Too many of them
think this scene is all about looking good or sounding good. That's not the
beginning or the end of this game." In August 2006, Hines -- a single father of
three -- received $1,000 from celebrity disc jockey, Tom Joyner. Recognized by
Joyner as "a real father, real man," Hines birthed the Pradagi-Foundation just
weeks after receiving his award money. "That's how I got Pradagi up and
running," said Hines. "I received a check from the hardest working man in
radio." I believe every child is a prodigy. What they need is good support to
bring out what's already there."
Pradagi-Foundation and Malcolm X College are proud to announce the first
event in the "Keep Success PURE" Music Seminar Series. The seminars are a
partnership between Malcolm X and Pradagi and are designed to give Chicago
musicians, music consumers, and aspiring industry professionals a time and place
to explore the many issues that affect those working in the music business in
today's ever-changing marketplace. The seminars will be held monthly at Malcolm
X College (1900 W. Van Buren, Chicago, IL, 60612, ph: 312-850-7000) beginning on
August 22, 2008. They will feature interactive panel discussions with Chicago
music industry insiders as well as live performances by select area artists. The
goal is to empower all those who attend to attain educational, economic, and
career success. For more information, go to http://www.keepsuccesspure.eventbrite.com/
