HHC caught up with Steve Rifkind while he was out in London. The founder and CEO of Loud Records reflects on RZA’s line in ”Duck Seazon”, meeting Mobb Deep, Melanie Fiona, and a cocky 16 year-old Dame Dash. He also recounts two incidents where things got violent over a Wu record and his company refusing to sign Jay-Z.
Sep 17
Lil’ Fame and Billy Danzenie formed hardcore rap act M.O.P. The duo’s debut single, “How About Some Hardcore,” became popular and led to the release of their first album, To the Death, in the spring of 1994. Two years later, they delivered Firing Squad. Third record First Family 4 Life was released in March of 1998; Warriorz followed two years later. The success of Warriorz helped raise M.O.P’s profile and garnered some mainstream radio attention. Label issues left the band adrift around 2002 until they were picked up by Roc-A-Fella Records and appeared on Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse. Although the band stayed active recording and making appearances on soundtracks, Rock-a-Fella did not release a full-length album from M.O.P and the band parted-ways with Rock-a-Fella in 2005. They then signed with G-Unit Records and released the compilation M.O.P. Salutes the St. Marxmen. M.O.P. next released Ghetto Warfare — recorded and shelved by Rock-a-Fella — in 2006. In 2008, the band released The Legends Underground, Vol. 5 and announced they had ended their deal with G-Unit Records. In 2009, M.O.P. released The Foundation on E1 Music
Get New Album On
Rhapsody Music
Apple iTunes
Amazon.com
Zune
Send All Drop And Interview Request To
billydanze@eastcoastdigitalsolutions.com
M.O.P. feat. Termanology"Crazy" -(prod. by Statik Selektah): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (16)Dec 29
Capone-N-Noreaga – On Our Grind
C-N-N
http://www.myspace.com/caponennore
Capone
http://www.myspace.com/caponefromcnn
Nore
http://www.myspace.com/nore
For Interviews,Drops, Etc. Contact
info@ateamentertainment.com
Aug 26
The Record Label For All Of Your Passion Alternative, Ambient, & Trans-Urban Needs…
Web Site
http://www.supplerecords.com
Supple Records email:
SOUNDprogs@aol.com
Business Phone:
(516) 822-9863
Studio email:
PhatManStudios@aol.com
Mailing Address:
Supple Records Inc.
PO Box 212
Hicksville, NY 11802-0212
Aug 25
Controversial Hip Hop Artist Smoove, born in the city of Seoul, South Korea, immigrated with his family to Queens, New York at the age of 4. It would not be for another several years until he would identify his path in music through Hip Hop. Smoove began his journey in Rap when he found himself listening to “Until the End of Time” by 2Pac.”While listening to Pac’s posthumous releases over and over again, I started freestyling behind His tracks”.
That was four years ago; This is N O W “Who do you believe in…”
Listen to Smoove’s “Die 4Me…the EP” with the title track outlining his inspiration as an MC. Stay tuned bitches.
Smoove Nation Records
smoovenation@gmail.com
718 730 5827
myspace.com/smoovenation
"Die 4Me"-Smoove [4:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (11579) "In Postion" Smoove: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1416) "Ten"-Smoove [4:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1453)Aug 21
Kenny P-”Work It Out”
Album-It Is What It Is
Label: A1/Street Ready/Lightyear/Caroline/EMI
Contact
J Norman Dore Spivey
bigdore@lightyear.com
Aug 21
Mr Serv-On-”T.S.G.”
Album-Heart Muzik
Label: Lifetyme/ Lightyear/Caroline/EMI
Contact
J Norman Dore Spivey
bigdore@lightyear.com
For press kits, show booking, mixtape features and station/DJ Drops please contact Mr. Servon: 1(214) 664-7837 Or email Servon directly @ servon15@aol.com
Jul 03
Dipset Member Hell Rell to Release Long-Awaited Debut Album “For The Hell Of It”
Via Diplomat Records/KOCH Records on Tuesday, September 11, 2007
New Album to Feature Jim Jones, Cam’ron, Juelz Santana and the Rest of the Dipset Movement Plus Young Dro and Styles P
NEW YORK, NY — (Market Wire – Jul 02, 2007) — Diplomat member #### Rell is set to release his eagerly-anticipated debut “For The #### Of It” on September 11, 2007 through Diplomat Records/KOCH Records.
“I Shall Proceed” will be the first single from “For The #### Of It.” The track is shipping to radio now. To preview new music, click on www.MySpace.com/HellRell.
About the new album, #### Rell comments, “Dipset is back. We back at it like a crack addict. ‘I Shall Proceed’ will get it started!”
A video for “I Shall Proceed” is already in pre-production and will be directed by Dale “Rage” Resteghini (who also directed “We Fly High” for Jim Jones).
Refering to himself as the “hardest out, hungriest out,” “Rugger” Rell gained notoriety on the underground mixtape circuit, releasing favorites like “Streets Wanna Know” (2005), “New Gun In Town” (2006) and also co-starred in Cam’ron’s controversial ‘hood flick, “Killa Season.”
Rell was also prominently featured in the “Get ‘Em Daddy Remix” and “The Best Out” videos, both Dipset favorites.
Over the years, #### Rells also appeared on many of Dipset’s releases, including: “Diplomatic Immunity 1 and 2,” “DukeDaGod Presents: More Than Music 1 and 2,” “Dipset The Movement Moves On,” Jim Jones’s “Harlem: Diary of a Summer” & “Hustler’s P.O.M.E.,” Cam’ron’s “Killa Season,” also J.R. Writer’s “History in the Making.”
Dipset has sold over 3 million albums collectively. This Harlem-bred crew has been heralded by many as a modern-day Wu-tang Clan; in recent years, Dipset has become synonymous with street culture, leading the trends in rap music, hip hop slang and urban fashion.
Jul 03
***INDEPENDENCE DAY MEGA MIX PRIORITIES***
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SHONUFFATL
#1. Da Fam- “Dat Good” (ft. Fabo of D4L)
#2. Hoodlum- “Somewhere In Ya Hood” and/or “Big 4oe’s (Chevy)”
#3. Lloyd- “Killing Me”
Download Links:
Da Fam- “Dat Good” ft. Fabo of D4L
- Clean- http://www.mediafire.com/?dzxwybnvpjt
- Main- http://www.mediafire.com/?cmsqlxclin3
- Inst.- http://www.mediafire.com/?blxegjhvv2a
Hoodlum- “Somewhere In Ya Hood”
- Clean: http://www.mediafire.com/?ejmgcd49mtb
- Main: http://www.mediafire.com/?ev3bbejdwdm
- Inst: http://www.mediafire.com/?3zqsyogmn3u
- Accapella: http://www.mediafire.com/?22zqdducyzl
Hoodlum- “Big 4oes (Chevy)”
- Clean: http://www.mediafire.com/?0vax2xdf4a7
- Main: http://www.mediafire.com/?0ntqzwxtzdw
- Super Clean: http://www.mediafire.com/?8xxrembtwxo
- Inst: http://www.mediafire.com/?0otmmmwavim
- Accapella: http://www.mediafire.com/?eemjrhev0cz
Lloyd- “Killing Me”
- Clean: http://www.mediafire.com/?2zlizzxr1xb
SEND FEEDBACK & DROP SCRIPTS!!!
To see all available Sho’nuff downloads,
Click Here
HAVE A SAFE 4TH OF JULY!! LET’S BREAK RECORDS!!!
Donald “D-DAY” Albright
donald.albright@shonuff-records.com
Sho’Nuff Records
433-A Bishop Street
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 876-0033 x29 Of./(404) 876-6166 Fax
Jun 10
Downtown Records, the independent label behind 2006’s album of the year, Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere, is proud to present Kevin Michael. Kevin, a 22 year old vocal prodigy with an incredible voice and persona, is from Chester, just outside Philadelphia. Kevin’s influences include Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Prince. He has previously recorded and performed with the Roots. While Kevin has a unique voice and style in a world all his own, fans of artists like Jon Legend, D’Angleo, Justin Timberlake, Akon, Black Eyed Peas and Usher will love Kevin Michael. The album features top urban producers including: Wyclef Jean (Fugees, Shakira), JR (Dr. Dre), The Clutch (Usher, Mary J. Blige, Omarion), Brian Kidd (T.I., Nappy Roots), Shea Taylor (Ne-Yo, Jay-Z), L-Rock (Lil John, Usher, Mariah Carey), Mike McHenry (Will I.Am, Fergie) and Bloodshy (Madonna, Britney Spears). Kevin Michael’s debut album is available Spring 2007 on Downtown/Atlantic Records.
In September 2006 at the CTIA Wireless IT and Entertainment Conference, Kevin Michael played a stripped down set for select new media and mobile company representatives, who were blown away by Kevin’s performance. They view Kevin and his music as something very universal and multi-platform in the way that Gnarls Barkley is. Kevin was accompanied by Akil, a BET freestyle champion who beatboxes, plays acoustic guitar and raps.
Following up on the incredible response Kevin Michael received from all the mobile and online companies, Downtown took him to northern California where he met and performed for YouTube, Second Life, iTunes, Sugar Publishing and several key off line partners (The Gap, Old Navy ect).
The plan that has emerged from these meetings was designed to take advantage for new models of media consumption. Downtown is archiving as much content as possible (audio and video) in order to serve it to media and social networking communities in a way that is consistent with how they are consuming music – a deliberately Long Tail approach to creating a stockpile of Kevin content.
Forty songs have been recorded for Kevin’s album, most of which are published by Downtown. In addition, six acoustic versions of Kevin’s key songs backed by Akil on acoustic guitar and beatbox were recorded.
Kevin Michael’s image will be introduced through a series of inexpensive yet real, raw, and compelling viral videos to the Youtube audience, building up his own site and blowing up his MySpace page etc a la Gnarls. Initial videos will include in-world performances in Second Life and Doppelganger (in which Downtown has an equity investment); as well as series of live action video shorts including Kevin Michael busking Philadelphia, performing in his bedroom and singing to the ladies at Victoria’s Secret.
These videos will be distributed everywhere – You Tube, a Downtown Brightcove channel (in which Downtown has an equity investment via Allen & Co.), Revver – even experimenting with some ad-supported digital distribution platforms like intent to tap into Gnarls’ audience, create new fans, build awareness and capture all the data – without giving avay final versions of the songs (i.e. The Wyclef & Jerry Wonder produced single and video for “It Don’t Make Any Difference To Me”).
These events will all be news stories. Fortune ran a piece in their December 11th, 2006 issue on Downtown and how aggressively the label is contextualizing Kevin. Downtown will continue to take advantage of all the interest in Second Life and community-based consumption to connect the dots between the organic Gnarls Barkley on line experience and the more strategic way Downtown is creating the awareness for Kevin, utilizing these sites’ need for content.
At the same time as Downtown is building an on line community for Kevin Michael, a range of strategic on line partnerships are being pursued. These including Karmaloop (#1 urban online retailer), VW, The Gap/Old Navy, John Varvatos, Amp’d mobile, Nike, Oxygen and major ad agencies, including Crispin Porter, Wieden & Kennedy, Ogilvy etc.
Downtown will also develop Kevin Michael regionally in the Philadelphia market. Kevin Michael and his song “Philadelphia” are the stars of a million dollar campaign in January 2007 promoting Philadelphia and The Philadelphia Enquirer’s Phillycars.com.
All of this activity builds towards Kevin Michael’s single and album release, post Entourage. Fully produced songs and broadcast TV-ready videos will be monetized in traditional and non-traditional ways. The second layer of content rolled out via conventional radio and video outlets will capitalize on a pre-existing community of Kevin fans created with layer one of video and audio content. Setting up Kevin Michael prior to release in the digital, strategic and regional realms will give the context for his record to reach a significant audience and have traction.
AIM DJBIGSTEPH
djbigsteph@sbcglobal.net
NastyMixx Productions/Marketing/Promotions
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DJBIGSTEPH
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/KEVINMICHAELSMUSIC
WWW.DOWNTOWNRECORDINGS.COM
WWW.JAMMIN1077.COM
Downtown Records-Kevin Michael-We All Want the Same Thing feat. Lupe Fiasco [4:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6432)
Jun 10
Video Links
Foreign Heights – Get Yours Remix
Mystro – Who You Gonna Blame?
Yungun + Mr Thing – Forget Me Not
Foreign Heights – It Goes On
Kohndo – Stick To Ground
Move.meant – Higher
4 Corners – Now I Know
4 Corners – On The Downlow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc6g-oprFvE
Grindin’ is a hip hop record label based in Sydney, Australia under the Central Station banner. Central Station has enjoyed over 30 years in the music business as an independent label / retail business and been a strong supporter in bringing hip hop music to Australia for many years.
Grindin’ was established with the aim of getting quality hip hop music from both local and overseas artists released in Australia and across the globe.
This is reflected in the releases put out so far which include ‘Diggi Down Unda’ that saw UK artist Mystro being the first international MC to record an enitre album featuring all Australian / New Zealand artists and producers. Guests included Hilltop Hoods, P-Money, Macromantics and many more.
Other releases on the label have been Yungun + Mr Thing (UK), Kohndo (France), 4 Corners (NZ), Move.meant, Splash, Dasan Ahanu + Picasso (USA) and Australia’s own Foreign Heights.
Look out for future releases from Grindin’ throughout the year.
www.MySpace.com/Grindinmusic
Sam@centralstation.com.au
Jun 09
TPG Productions "Crisis" [2:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (529) TPG Productions "Do What It Do" [3:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (497)Jun 03
Tyger Vinum’s highly anticipated sophomore album “Sinister Ambitonz” features collaborations with Planet Asia of the Cali Agents, NLZ of the Wu-Tang Clan and others. He recently did an interview on Juize FM promoting the second single off the album “Welkom 2 Amsterdam,” featuring R&B sensation Chappell from Atlanta and Dutch MC Misstrezz. He has been the number 1 artist on the U.S /U.K Pulse Rated Top 40 charts.
Tyger Vinum is one of the best lyricists in the music business. He makes high octane lyrically driven music that holds the listener to the last note. He performed at club Movida in New York City on November 14th for the HipHop Uncensored Vol. 7 DVD release party. The DVD features interviews, show footage, new music and the “Mary and I” video as a bonus track. He will also appear on the HipHop Uncensored mixtapes and Vol. 8 DVD, coming in 2007. He performed in Miami South Beach during Memorial Day weekend, then toured Chicago, Springfield, New York, and Las Vegas, before returning to Holland. “I Maintain” was the first single off the “Sinister Ambitionz” LP. It received spins by over 5000 DJ’s worldwide and is accompanied by a visually alluring video clip. This video, shot in Houston, Texas has been played on The Box. Tyger Vinum can be found on 2 of this years’ Triple F Unlimited “Unsigned Hype” mixtapes (the #1 mixtape in the U.S.) and the “Best of 2006” mixtape. Tyger Vinum once again displayed his musical diversity by featuring in a new video with rock band “The Flying Camels,” performing a verse from the hit single “We Keep It.”
Tyger Vinum is distributed through the BENELUX (Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands) by Pitar distribution. He has U.S. distribution through CDBaby & Super D in over 2400 physical stores. Tyger Vinum is distributed independently through stores in the U.K., Asia, Australia, Spain, and several other locations. He attended the Popkomm Music Conference in Berlin, Germany and exhibited at the Midem music conference in Cannes, France in January 2007. To date, Tyger Vinum has shot 4 video clips and sold over 40,000 albums worldwide. For more information on Tyger Vinum, Poizonous Pen Publishing Company or Vinumous Records log onto his website www.tygervinum.com, www.myspace.com/tygervinum, or go to www.redmountainblack.com/tygervinum to appreciate the rest of his artistic expressions.
For booking and contact information:
Vinumous Records
Tel: +31-630-175-940 (Europe)
Tel: 01131-630-175-940 (USA)
Fax: +31-206-374-664 (Europe)
Fax: 01131-206-374-664 (USA)
Postbus 17464
1001 JL Amsterdam
The Netherlands
May 30
Well let me tell you!!!!!
Starr Media Group is what the games been missing. Consisting of three emcees, a female R&B singer and four producers from across the United States. Starr Media Group is hitting on all cylinders.
The youngest out of the bunch is Joe Clark born in Naples, Italy. Joe Clark is a 17 year old resident of Maryland by way of Oxnard California. This young man is going to rejuvenate the meaning of being an emcee. His lyrical skills will keep even the most seasoned vet on their toes. There is no bubble gum lyrics for this seventeen year old, Joe Clark spits lyrical venom along with his witty wordplay and Cali Swagger delivery, this young man is destined for greatness.
Next up is Ox Pro (James Boccuzzi). OxPro might have been abandoned at birth, incarcerated from the tender young age of 13 until 17. Even with this rough start on life it did not hinder this young man in the least bit. It just made him stronger. When you listen to OxPro you can’t help but to hear his rocky childhood in his lyrics and in his delivery. With his deep deliberate voice and his in your face style OxPro is going to put pressure on all emcees that stand in the way of him and his dream. Reigning from Toms River, New Jersey Oxpro is going to show the world that he is and will always be the white M.J. from N.J.
Gutta (Chardell Holman). Gutta from Neptune New Jersey was raised by his mother and grandmother. They tried their best to keep their only son out of the streets by keeping him in church. Introducing him to the Church Choir and getting him to play different instruments. Gutta was a natural, he learned to play instruments and he developed a knack for singing. As we all know BOYS WILL BE BOYS. Gutta incorporated his roots in the Church choir, his early hardships , a few street doctrines that he picked up and coupled that with his sheer desire to be an artist and make it in the industry. He has developed a unique mix of all of these and Gutta will definitely be making a name for himself. With the gift of hearing a beat and being able to instantly create a catchy hook and drop lyrical jewels on top of that. Gutta has the ability to bring a very deliberate and focused swagger into the rap game.
Rita Tyler now this is where it gets crazy. Rita is the First Lady of Starr Media Group. She hails from Neptune, New Jersey and she is the epitome of true R&B. While a lot of R&B/hip hop singers don’t write their own songs this young lady has a mirage of complex life situations to draw from .With her Mother passing away when she was 14 and her father not being there she had to make it on her own. Instead of rebelling and taking out her frustrations in a negative way she put pen to paper and created some of the most beautiful lyrics that I’ve ever heard. When listening to this 19 year old songstress it is not hard to hear the star quality in her music. Not only can the girl write but man she can blow. God has given Rita a gift and Rita is prepared to share it with the world. Be on the lookout for Rita Tyler, her music is real it is honest and its R&B.
Now finding a DJ to support unsigned hype can be a difficult task but not for SMG. They have enlisted the (Justo’s mixtape awards) ROOKIE OF THE YEAR and Street Sweepers own Mr Sold Out, DJ Radio. A DJ gaining some serious recognition for getting the unsigned signed. Dj Radio received a few tracks from Starr Media Group and before you know it. Stars where born. With the release of THE CITY OF STARRZ hosted by Dj Radio. This Street Album has it all from top production by the Presidentz ( Rocbeats.com winners 06) Entyce and Smallz the engineering skills of Evan Scott Smith (50 cent, Jessica Simpson, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige and many more) these guys have done it the way its supposed to be done. Street albums such as this one are one in a million. You can actually feel the quality and the hard work that was put into this piece of art. I must stress this is their first release and has already sold 3000 copies within 4 weeks, which is a milestone. It never stops in the SMG offices, its business as usual, with the rumor of another street album to be released within the next couple of months. So make sure you keep your ear to the streets for that one.
For a newly formed Independent label I have never seen such hype. Their myspace page started in December 06 and they have accumulated over 15,000 friends and nearly 25000 views with over 300 plays a day. That is some serious fan base for a label so new to the music industry. With features on Wordsntunes.com, Hiphop.org and a video clip about to hit the TV screen on Video City and many interviews coming through the pipeline SMG is on a constant daily grind. If there is any A&R’s or Record Excec’s checking out this article you should take note of this major independent business and check out www.myspace.com/starrmediagroup and also coming soon www.starrmediagroup.com .
This company has it all. From the time I opened their press kit and put in their cd I knew these guys were going to be stars. I’ve never witnessed a seemingly unknown independent label with such a professional and focused outlook and keen eye for detail. Now to answer my previous question when I sat down to write this article
WHO THE HELL IS STARR MEDIA GROUP?
They are Professional, dedicated, talented and THEY ARE HOT. Starr Media Group the next big thing in the industry.
www.myspace.com/starrmediagroup
