DATE: Friday, September 26, 1997            TAG: 9709260072

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: The Spotlight Crew 

SOURCE: BY THYSHA SHABAZZ, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   73 lines

BOODAH BROTHERS KNOW HOW TO TURN IT UP

If you like hip-hop and live in Hampton Roads, you should know who the Boodah Brothers are. Their deep urban voices and mixing skills penetrate thousands of radios in the area from 6 to 10 Monday through Saturday evenings on 103 JAMZ.

That's why Spotlight Crew member Thysha Shabazz headed to the station in Norfolk recently to rap with the duo.

AS I MET the Boodah Brothers, D.J. Law gave me a handshake and Big B gave me a Big Boodah hug - and I do mean big.

The two are warm and friendly. Big B sports a mustache and a fade. No mustache for D.J. Law, but he keeps a short fade too.

As they sat in the radio station's conference room, they looked very professional, yet very cool. Big B, also known as Horace Belcher, had his hat turned to the side as he reclined in a chair. His partner, D.J. Laws, also known as Lawrence Brown, took a seat near the window. His large charm with the letter ``L'' glistened as the sun shone through the window.

``I started making radio tapes,'' D.J. Law answered after I asked how they got their start in the entertainment business. ``I had two stereo sets and two separate sets of speakers.''

``I would just be emceeing,'' Big B jumped in, just like he might do on the air.

The two have known each other since they were children. Together, Big B, 29, and D.J. Law, 27, have grown as friends and radio personalities.

But how did they meet, I wanted to know.

``We met in North Carolina,'' said D.J. Law. ``We both came from military families.''

They both attended Hampton University, and together they headed over to 103 JAMZ in 1992 to do a mix show. Their show was popular with the hip-hop crowd, so, in 1996, managers at 103 moved the duo to the 6-10 p.m. slot. Currently, the show's Arbitron rating is No. 1 in Hampton Roads for the 12-to-34 age group.

On the air, the Brothers are known for their non-stop jokes, critical look at songs and new artists, and the Hood Check, where they take calls from listeners.

They told me their styles are influenced by a number of things, including older music and other deejays. It's not that the Boodah Brothers try to copy other folks, they just appreciate a good show when they hear it.

They also value work in the community.

``Yeah, we speak to youth all the time,'' said D.J. Law. ``We tell kids that education is important and to respect your elders. Your people have been here longer than you.''

The Brothers also work with groups like the Job, Education and Training Program.

Watching them, it's easy to understand why their show is successful. They work well together. But I thought it would be good to ask about the future. Did they see a breakup coming?

``How could we?'' asked Big B. ``We're like family. We even spend Christmas together.''

They accept their place as role models. ``We are the voice for millions of blacks,'' they said together. ``That's why we stress positivity.'' MEMO: Thysha Shabazz is a junior at Indian River High School in

Chesapeake. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Ian Martin/The Virginian-Pilot

Horace Belcher, left, and Lawrence Brown are known as...

Photos

Thysha Shabazz

Angie D'Antonio

Lamont-DeAngelo Ferebee

Hattie Brown

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu