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                                                        Jimmy Black Biography

Kendric Bedell aka Jimmy Black aka The Journeyman was born in Toledo Ohio, December 11, 1976.  At the age of two, he was sent to Monrovia Liberia. He returned to the United States at the age of seven. He started Rhyming in the 5th grade.  Born with a divine given talent to swiftly arrange vivacious and witty rhythmical word combinations; young Jimmy Black had not still reached his full potential. In 1993,he began writing rhymes and capturing most of his lyrical Compositions in notebooks and on audiocassettes. Heavily influence by his cousins, He began taking his art form, rap, seriously.  In 1995, he and his cousin began promoting shows. That following year, early 1996, Jimmy Black had been given the opportunity to perform at The McDonald Enterprise Winter City-Wide Fashion and Talent Showcase. Between late 1996 and 1997 Jimmy Black had been forced to take a short break from the music scene as a result of his traveling back and forth from Toledo Ohio to Silver Spring Maryland.  In 1998 it was time to get the ball rolling again, and he was even more determined as ever to make it all happen. He recorded his first solo debut, “The JOURNEYMAN”, which gave him much exposure and a shocking amount of street creditability.  In 1999, Jimmy Black felt like it was time to spread his wings a little bit, he then moved out to Richmond California. Fulfilling the exact goals he set out to accomplish in California. With even more songs under his belt. He headed Back East, this time, he was going back to Africa, to test out his yet unperfected skill. In the summer of 99' he performed at the Miss Liberia Pageant in Monrovia, Liberia.  In 2000, he's back on the east coast of the United States doing the Club scenes and different showcases, like The First ever Super Hip Hop talent showcase. In 2001, Jimmy Black, again had the chance to show his stuff at a Kemet Production talent showcase at Howard University Blackburn Center Ballroom. Also, he collaborated with another up and coming Liberian Artist name C-Alake, in the year of 2001.  Together they composed a conscience raising classic called “New Africa,” which was featured on C-Alake’s 2001 debut. Jimmy Black also had a great turnout at a Liberian club called Kendejah. He was given outstanding reviews by Caita with Liberian connection. During the summer of 2002, he performed at Fresh Flava Entertainment and Bliss Artist 4th Annual Music Festival at Ashanti land in Clinton, MD. In August of 2002, he performed at Brother Maniac CD release Party at Gee's nightclub in Cheverly, MD. Later that week, he knocks them out with his energetic performance at the B and K Talent and Comedy Showcase at the Public Playhouse in Cheverly, MD. Just days later, he amazed the crowd with his astounding stage performance at the CD baby Tour in Washington DC. He also graced the presence of The audience of the Cada-vez club in Washington DC. He has been on 92.3 rap attack in Baltimore, MD, Promoting his next hit Imagine featuring Brother Maniac.  In 2003, JIMMY BLACK was on the Doing Thangs Tour.  JIMMY BLACK has been featured and bless many albums, including a up and coming west coast hip hop sensation named Rinnessy. Rinnessy’s album ””All Iz Never Said,” was released in 04. And it features all three of the collaborations the duo completed. In 2005 Jimmy Black (The JOURNEYMAN’S) album “THE WOARTH” hit stores nationwide. His album features a heartfelt masterpiece he dedicates to his cousin, the Late Robert Neely A.K.A. Big Swol who past in April, 2000, and gave Jimmy Black the motivation to make their dream a reality. JIMMY BLACK is a star on the rise and is one of Mactivity Productions’s best kept secrets to be unleashed.

REVIEWS -
Industry Insights
08-16-2006
by Julie Pinsonneault, Syracuse New Times

Kendrick Bedell, alias Jimmy Black offers more than just a performance with his latest East Coast stopovers; he lends a helping hand. For what's billed as the "How to Make Money in the Music Business" tour, Black, his family and his crew came through Onajava Soul Cafe on August 3rd with a round of guests who spoke about their experiences in the industry plus local artists who showed their enthusiasm to enter the national market.  During the last decade Black moved from Maryland to
California to Africa, finally settling in Syracuse last year with his wife, Sheridonna, and two children. Using the Salt City as home base for his game plan to take over the commercial airwaves, Black is currently hopping from state to state to promote the sale of his
independent record The Woarth.  At Onajava, Black's invited industry professionals pointed to one word: perseverance. Al Somlo from Able Al's Sound Shop speculated that it takes the average artist 10 years to break into the bigger end of the business. That's not just 10 years writing songs and playing in your garage; it's promoting concerts, plugging into a local audience and then
moving sales to reach a countrywide fan base. "If people are aware that you exist in the local market," Somlo said, "it increases your chances of selling nationally." So for no charge, Somlo helps independent upstate and national independent artists sell CDs and direct digital downloads through http://www.yrbook.com/soundshop/ . Al Somlo lets musicians worry about making music rather than pitching sales of their records to music stores. Kevin "K-Luv" Owens, owner of the CD shop World of Music, addressed the lack of direction in today's youth: "Today, even filling up your gas tank, you better have a vision." Owens advances his hard-work ethic by giving discounted and free discs to kids who can present him with an impressive report card, as long as they are accompanied by a guardian. Black also hosted an onslaught of artists representing the variety of the local scene. From African drumming and dancing to soul piano and folk rock to rap, the groups revved up the room for the high-energy Black to cap the night with a few songs from The Woarth. Black also invited his wife to provide backing vocals for "Doing Things," a track about coming up in the business. ("We are doing things/ Everyday is a hustle man.") "Little things turn into big things," said Kevin Owens. "We in a little room today. We might be in the OnCenter tomorrow."


'Rap-Hip-Hop' Don't Stop
04-16-2006
by Mark Bialczak, Music Critic, Syracuse Post Standard

When Kendric T. Bedell moved to Syracuse with his wife in November, the Central New York hip-
hop community grew stronger.

Under his performing name Jimmy Black - he took it from a smooth-as-silk point guard for the
University of North Carolina basketball team in the 1980s - Bedell's got a hot album and an
impressive live performance slot to his recent credit.

In May, Jimmy Black will be part of the Hip-Hop Palooza Tour, joining The Indikator,
Tah Phrum/Duh Bush and Brother Maniac in New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington,
D.C. for four straight days.

The 14-song "The Woarth" shows that Jimmy Black raps with plenty of heart. The 29-year-old
built a style that encompasses his roots in Toledo, Ohio; Monrovia, Liberia; and Washington,
D.C.

"I'm a positive artist. We push righteousness and positivity," Bedell says. "We try to
encourage each other to build, not break down."

The message starts strong with his spoken word poetry in "Thanks for This Day." Black says, "Is
a lot of people who didn't make it to see their birthday, the next day, their kids play."

His raps carry an edge. "You Can See the Hunger in My Eyes" couples rhymes with a thick beat
churlish enough to satisfy the roughest hip-hopper.

And he has fun, too. In "I'm Addicted to Rap-Hip-Hop," Black declares, "I don't know how to
stop."