Emmai Alaquiva
Founder | Executive Director
Beth Snyder
Program Director
Chassity"Yah Lioness"Cheatham
Creative Coordinator | Instructor
Luqmon"B Tree"Salaam
Artist | Mentor | Instructor
Jordan Beckham
Photographer
Shane Pilster
Graphic Designer
Paul Dang
Manufacturing
Cory Gale
Engineer | Instructor
DJ Hank D
DJ Instructor
Mario Dones
Artist | Instructor
Emmai Alaquiva, an Emmy Award-winning producer, entrepreneur and mentor is known for his strong presence in the music and radio industries. Alaquiva holds multiple prominent positions in the field of sound. In addition to having served as the Director of Production for 7 years for WAMO 106.7FM, Alaquiva is also the CEO of Ya Momz House, LLC, an award winning full-service recording & production facility. His great work in the community place him in the position as one of Pittsburgh Magazines 40 Under 40 and countless other awards. His passion for his work, and love of the people that create art with him, will continue to inspire us all to live Alaquivas personal mantra, "the sky is NOT the limit".
Beth Snyder, Program Director for Hip Hop On L.O.C.K., graduated from La Roche College in Pittsburgh, PA holds a B.S. in Marketing with a concentration on Public Relations and a minor in Professional Writing. She has worked with the likes of well-known artists and organizations including Mike Lange, Malik Yoba, Eaton Corporation and The August Wilson Center for African American Culture. Snyder was awarded the Marketing Student of the Year Award in 2007 and was one of the youngest inductees to La Roche's Delta Mu Delta Business Honor's Society. She truly believes that each student has what it take for success and reminds them to "Shoot for the moon; even if you miss you will land among the stars."
Yah Lioness Borne is a Creator, mentor and recording artist. She has shared the stage with such notables as Amiri Baraka, Ursula Rucker, The Last Poets and Bahamadia. This highly sought after Mistress of ceremonies, and three-time Pittsburgh Hip Hop Awards nominee has been featured on a variety of albums, and mix-tapes. Yah Lioness Borne has served as an Arts Education Coordinator for the last 8 years. She is one half of the Hip-Hop/Soul duo, SolSis. She is currently working on her memoir, I Manifest, A Handbook on Becoming.
Luqmon abdus -salaam is a poet, writer, essayist and educator. In addition to working with community organizing at various organizations throughout the tri-state area for years, Luqmon was the first poet in Pitsburgh to put out not only 1 but 2 albums combining spoken word & Hip-Hop. He brings his considerable knowledge of the music industry as well as youth and artistic development
Jordan Beckham is a photographer, video director, and designer who works in the music, fashion, and fine art fields of photography.
Beckham attended the Point Park University and Pittsburgh Film Makers in Pittsburgh where he received a B.F.A. in Photography. Beckham has worked on over 53 album/mixtape releases for various artists such as Wiz Khalifa, KRS-One, S Money, GirlTalk, Boaz, DJ Roc Raida, Pharell Williams and more
"Get Beckhamized!"
Originally from the SF bay area, shane pilster relocated to pittsburgh in 2004 where he began building a strong local presence in the design & art world. having since developed a wide range of abilities and experience, shane's worked with a variety of freelance clients spanning the music, gaming, and non-profit industries, from smaller-scale local artists to large corporations. His passion for art and design resonates through Hip-Hop On LOCK for he designs all of the graphic elemnts for the kids.
Paul Dangs first recollection of Hip Hop music was seeing and hearing Rock It by Herbie Hancock in the early 80s. The thing that stood out the most in the song was the dj (Grandmixer DST) scratching to the beat. There began the lifelong love and interest of hip hop music and culture. It was not until his freshmen year at college did he made his greatest investment by purchasing a pair of Technic 1200s. Today, Paul sees djing as a personal and spiritual journey into the inter-connectedness of music, playing the balance of all genres and styles while searching for the perfect beat. He is also deeply passionate about film making, multi-media, meditation, and Charlie Brown books.
Cory Gale is an award winning engineer and producer. Having a natural talent for producing, mixing, and mastering music, Cory quickly gained respect locally and nationally working with the likes of Ryhmfest, Lil Scrappy, J Spoolz, Chen Lo and the BET motion picture titled, "BLACKOUT"
Hip-Hop On L.O.C.K strives to take youth to new heights through music throughout Western Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. For all questions or comments please contact us at info_hiphoponlock.org
"Taking Youth To New Heights Through Music"
