ALLENTOWN, Pa. — D.J. Prince Hakim grew up in a celebration.
As the son of Robert "Kool" Bell and nephew of Ronald Bell — the founders of 1970s and '80s chart-topping soul, funk and disco band Kool & The Gang — he was surrounded by music, such as the group's monster 1980s hit "Celebration."
He later toured the world as the group's rapper and hype man, brought on stage for such hits as "Jungle Boogie," "Hollywood Swinging," "Too Hot," "Ladies Man" and "Get Down On It."
Now, D.J. Prince Hakim is a disc jockey who has toured with Kid Rock, performed for Whoopi Goldberg's birthday on TV's "The View" and the Oscars recap party on "Good Morning America."
On Wednesday, June 19, Hakim (nee Hakim Bell) will be the musical entertainment from 2-8 p.m. for Allentown's downtown Juneteenth block party along Hamilton Street.
“Yeah, well, I’m a product; I’m his son. I am his son and I am Ronald Bell’s nephew.So the energy’s there — I was born into it, you know? I grew up in amazing music and naturally transitioned into DJ.”DJ Prince Hakim
“Anytime I can perform on Juneteenth to lift some spirits, it’s amazing," Hakim said in a phone call from his studio in Montclair, New Jersey. "I love that.”
But when it comes to his music, Hakim says every day is Father's Day for him,
“Yeah, well, I’m a product; I’m his son," he said. "I am his son and I am Ronald Bell’s nephew.
“So the energy’s there — I was born into it, you know? I grew up in amazing music and naturally transitioned into DJ.”
From influence to the stage
Hakim said that at an early age, he already was hanging out in the studio, on tour buses and on stage, and learning and absorbing the music.
He noted that while his father was the leader of Kool & The Gang, it was his uncle who "was very instrumental and kind of the writer and creator in the band — all of the writing and producing.
"He was a really, really powerful man when it comes to Kool & The Gang," Hakim said.
Hakim said that he would practice making beats and spinning records with his brother and cousins, and spend summers with music producer and record executive Jermaine Dupri.
"We’re talking arenas around the country. And a rapper with Kool and The Gang? The place went nuts, you know?DJ Prince Hakim
As Hakim found his love in disc jockeying, he helped Kool & The Gang represent hip-hop on stage.
“Oh yeah, I did that for about 10 years, man," he said. "I would come up and be the hype man/rapper on [the song] ‘Jungle Boogie’ and went on tour with that."
He said a highlight was the band's 2012 tour, opening for Van Halen, and he took the stage to crowds of 20,000 or more in Madison Square Garden and L.A.'s Staples Center.
"We’re talking arenas around the country," he said. “And a rapper with Kool and The Gang? The place went nuts, you know?
"And then after that, Kid Rock called us and said, ‘Hey, I want you to do mine!’ And it was crazy. But yeah, that took me around the world. Like Kool and The Gang, they’re all over the world.”
In 2016, Hakim even executive-produced Kool & The Gang's 2016 Top10 single "Sexy," the group's first Billboard charting in 10 years.
Making his own way
He has since made his own success, spreading what he said is his message to “Celebrate Life.”
He's performed at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, DJ’d for the Clinton Foundation and headlined some of the hottest clubs in New York.
He also has released his own music — much of which carries the distinctive R&B sound of his father's band.
"I kind of, like, say it’s a DJ anthem. But it’s a break-up song — a break-up song that makes you feel good."DJ Prince Hakim
But his new single, “I’m Good," is a dance record.
"I kind of, like, say it’s a DJ anthem," Hakim said. "But it’s a break-up song — a break-up song that makes you feel good.
"So you may say, ‘I’m good,’ you know? Things happen, I’m good. As long as that DJ can play that music tonight when I go to the club, and it makes me feel good, I’ll be all fine. Won’t be worrying about you, buddy," he said with a laugh.
“It has an energetic beat, positive vocals. So it’s a fresh, EDM-type summer dance playlist.”
He said his plan is to this summer release three dance records.
"I'm gonna move a little away from R&B beats and just do three dance records — with R&B vocals," he said.
But if you listen to his music, "more of my records are R&B, ‘80s-influenced.”
That's his father coming through, Hakim said.
Allentown's free Juneteenth block party will be 2-8 p.m. along Hamilton Street. The celebration will feature stands where guests can purchase merchandise, food and art.
