Dante Ross recently held a book signing and podcast at D.C.'s National Hip Hop Museum. While promoting his new book Son of The City, he recalled the first time that he met 45 King, Queen Latifah, and The Flavor Unit.
"45 King was killin it on Red Alert with the promos. He had the 'Givin Up Food For Funk' and 'This Cuts Got Flavor' promos," he remembered. "Red would drop the voiceover: 'This is a 45 King special' and he would just play the instrumentals and I was like who is this guy? I was in Latin Quarters and this guy walked up who was dressed more like a janitor than a Hip-Hop guy with these big ass headphones. He asked, 'Was I Dante Ross' and he introduced himself as The 45 King."
Ross says that 45 King offered to play some music for him, and they proceeded to the VIP booth near DJ Red Alerts set up.
"He pulled out a walkman that a had label on it that said 'Property of The 45 King.'" he remembers. "He played me some joints, and I told him to come to my office on Monday and bring the whole Flavor Unit. He didn't show on Monday, be he called and played me Queen Latifah over the phone. It was 'Wrath Of My Madness' and that shit sounded good. He came on Wednesday with Lakim Shabazz, Latee, Marky Fresh, Double J, and Latifah. She looked like a million bucks, she had on door knocker earrings, floppy socks gym shorts and a dashiki. It was ill, she just had mad style. She just had it. Monica [Lynch Tommy Boy Records President] came in my office and said, 'We have to sign that girl.'"
