When Hip-Hop posses, collectives and cliques are discussed, we often hear of The Juice Crew, The Native Tongues, The Flavor Unit, The Hit Squad or even The Hilltop Hustlers. Rarely is Idol Makers or the man behind that group of artists discussed in much detail.

But never forget Idol Makers. The crew consisted of Salt n Pepa, Kid n Play, Sweet Tee, Dana Dane, Kwamé and Antoinette. There have been moguls and producers since recorded Rap’s inception, but none were as synonymous with both titles as the man behind Idol Makers management: Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor. The Idol Makers roster was diverse and bursting with talent that represented some of the best output from Rap’s more lighthearted, fun and innocent side. Hurby is incredibly humble and appears almost unaware when I suggest that his legacy and the legacies of his artists are under appreciated; and that many considered him more of a mogul than a hands-on producer. Hurby is an extremely private person who hasn’t given many interviews throughout the years and it was the persistence of his right-hand man and Idol Makers manager J.P. Edmund that made this conversation a reality.

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