Dee Barnes made history in the late 1980s and early '90s when she became the first woman—make that first Black woman—to host a music video show on a major network—Pump It Up! But in 1991, while attending an album release party in Hollywood, she was brutally assaulted by Dr. Dre. The incident would prove to have disastrous consequences, and slowly but surely doors started slamming in her face.
In March 2019, Barnes revealed she had fallen on unbelievably hard times and was officially homeless. Despite her aversion to it, Barnes reluctantly asked for Hip Hop's help and launched a GoFundMe. While it was a huge success, it was never quite enough to get her back on her feet.
But that all changed on Barnes' birthday. On January 31, Barnes shared some good news with her Instagram followers and revealed she'd finally secured a place to live.
"JOY (noun) a feeling of great pleasure and happiness," she wrote. "'Tears of joy' I’ve had a really rough couple of years. THREE long years of being unhoused! I have finally moved into an apartment, and it was not easy. I am grateful. It’s been many, many years since I have been able to work consistently as a journalist and I am now part of the @blackstarnetwork hosting a new show called “The Frequency” #TuneIn Higher vibrations! About to educate and elevate the culture! I am grateful. What a beautiful birthday full of blessings. #BlessUp!"
Barnes is currently looking for a producer to help bring a Pump It Up! documentary to life using her archives. She's holding on to early footage from Ice Cube, Beastie Boys and much, much more.
