ALBUQUERQUE (Stacked Game Records/ www.stackedgame.com) - Artists in New Mexico's thriving rap and hip-hop scene are creating an original sound that is unique in the industry. Not easily identifiable as "
West Coast", "East Coast", "
Dirty South", or any other existing genre, one of the style's pioneering labels has described it as "Badlands Rap".
Stacked Game Records Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer Bugsy coined the term in September 2004. "When decribing our music to others I just didn't feel that it fit comfortably into any of the traditional categories," he said. "These artists draw inspiration and influence from a variety of genres but add something that makes it unique; a Southwestern flair, if you will."
The music displays influence from each of the major existing genres but adds elements ranging from classical to Spanish flamenco and even Gregorian chant. It is also fairly common for the lyricists to alternate between English and Spanish while rapping.
Stacked Game Records Co-Owner and Chief Executive Officer Trece agrees. "I grew up listening to everything from Earth, Wind, and Fire to Metallica." Trece's music reflects his diverse tastes. A talented rapper and producer, he has worked with many big-name artists. His next album "Reign" features multi-platinum-selling rapper Kurupt and many others.
On November 23rd Stacked Game released it's latest album "Badlandz Legion", featuring many of the artists forging this style of music. "We expect this album to be the first in a series defining Badlands Rap and its artists," said Bugsy. The album features Trece, Alires, EXC, D Dog, Jayel Imperial, Gambino, Lil Blame-O, Speed, Vice 7, Cruz, and Rico.
The thirteen songs on "Badlandz Legion" are diverse and appeal to a wide range of rap and hip-hop listeners. Songs such as Trece's "First Date" and EXC's "Lyfe Stylez" discuss sex and dating, while Lil Blame-O's "On One" and Gambino's salsa-inspired "Thug Cumbia" are dance club favorites. In Jayel Imperial's "Take Me Back" he reminisces about a simpler time. Trece reflects on infidelity in "Ain't Right" and takes a more serious tone in his examination of alcoholism in "Run". The album also includes anthem-type tracks with Vice 7's "Smoker's Anthem" and Stacked Game's title track "Badlandz Legion".
Stacked Game Records is a subsidiary of Round Table Entertainment, LLC, a holding company founded by Trece and Bugsy in 2003. The company now has five subsidiaries including two record labels (Stacked Game Records and Grandiose Records), a publishing company (Friday the 13th Muzik), a promotions company (Checkmate Promotions), and an urban apparel company (Run Game Apparel). www.stackedgame.com
