Janday Wilson

by Janday Wilson

If Philly is the DJ Capital of the World, it’s fitting that our mayor was a former DJ. If you don’t believe it, the proof is in the photos snapped during the first Philly DJ Day on Sept. 24, 2008.

There is Mayor Nutter, formerly known as DJ Mix Master Mike, in a gray suit and scarlet tie mingling with Philly DJ legends of the old and new school. There he is again decked out in a t-shirt bearing the face of the late DJ AM and throwing up the peace sign alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Organized by Jonene Taddei and Kamau Stanford to honor the city’s notable turntablists, the first Philly DJ Day brought together a multitude of hip hop DJs to spin, break bread and bond. In 2009, Mayor Mix Master Mike  signed a proclamation written by Taddei and Stanford that made Philly DJ Day an official annual event on Sept. 24. The document contained a brief list of DJs that Taddei and Stanford say put Philly on the map for DJing: DJ Jazzy Jeff, the late DJ AM, DJ Drama, Schoolly D, ?uestlove, King Britt, and Rich Medina.

There was just a slight problem.

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by Janday Wilson

Tayyib Smith used to be a bully lurking in the halls of Cheltenham High School with the sole purpose of picking on those who were bigger than him. You would not guess this from his subdued demeanor. Perhaps he has channeled this Napoleon complex into his creative agency, Little Giant.

“I was small but I never really acted like I was a small guy,” Smith says.

Based in Northern Liberties, Little Giant only has three official team members — Smith, logistics and strategy specialist Meegan Denenberg and creative director Irving Navarro. But, guided by Smith’s quiet confidence, the agency has no problem attracting the attention of behemoth corporations. His team, which also boasts countless freelancers, is thriving in the city’s creative ecosystem. Founded about six years ago as the parent company to two.one.five magazine, the lifestyle publication he started with his partner Matthew Bacine, Little Giant has positioned itself as the company that can connect brand-name companies to Philadelphia’s arts and culture community and trendsetting youth market.

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