Washington, DC (ONE DROP PROMOTIONS) - In an effort to give the world a 'panoramic' view of the Capital City's bustling Hip Hop arena, leading D.C. based imprints recently put their money where their mouth is by joining forces to launch the landmark project, "Joint Venture," a collaborative CD, which features some of the area's premiere Hip Hop artists.
After the owners of three recording imprints and a production company including Mad Power Unit Records, One Way Records, Block Boss Entertainment and One Up Entertainment periodically converged on the nightlife scene and at talent showcases over the years, the entities realized that they had common goals and desires for D.C. Hip Hop that were worthwhile and viable.
For year's, D.C.'s thriving underground Hip Hop circuit has been a best kept secret. D.C. has been mostly recognized for its dynamic cityscape and gritty politics, rather than its plethora of talented artists, who should be mainstream acts; labels that deserve recognition and distribution deals; and producers who set unparalleled trends.
'My vision is to bring Hip Hop to D.C., as Mayor Williams did with baseball. With a field of the best players that the arena has to offer, the "Joint Venture" project will put all eyes on D.C. Hip Hop,' says Tupac D, Mad Power Unit Records.
'Certainly, the goal is to establish D.C. as a mega force in the music industry and to unite the city,' adds Rich Nieze, One Up Entertainment. 'One Up has been a -part of a number of platinum and multi-platinum projects. Yet, we always felt we were on an island - far from other people that shared the vision, until now.'
Each of the imprints' featured artists saturates "Joint Venture" with explosive tracks. The project will surely provide listeners with a zesty and flavorful taste of D.C. Hip Hop. The artists pegged for the collaborative CD include: D.E.B.O., MPU and Tone (Mad Power Unit Records); Hots (One Up Entertainment); The Oy Boyz and The Young Farmers (Oneway Records) and Kingpin Slim (Block Boss Entertainment).
'Hots boasts an equal mix of street credibility and lyrical skill. His inner-city personna permeates his music,' says Rich Nieze, One Up Entertainment. "As a producer that has worked with artists from Ice Cube to Beanie Segal, I can truly say Hots is ready to shine."
'While Hots is recognized for his street sense, Kingpin Slim's smoothed out flow is representative of his Uptown, D.C. roots,' indicates an official of Block Boss Entertainment.' 'Slim's top notch lyrics and distinctive voice make him the perfect addition to the already blazing 'Joint Venture' project.'
In addition to being a well-respected contributor to "Joint Venture," Kingpin Slim's debut album, Kingpin Slim, Block Boss Entertainment and Narcotics Present Save The City will drop soon. And the rising artist will be featured on Block Boss 2, the Re'd Up LP, a follow-up to the critically acclaimed release Block Boss the Street LP.
Manuel 'D.E.B.O.' Reynoso is Mad Power Unit Record's first draft pick artist. In the newly formed label's exploration of the city's Hip Hop scene, D.E.B.O. has become their greatest invesent. 'We thought that D.E.B.O. was perfect for "Joint Venture," as he is young, hungry, lyrically gifted and most importantly, loyal,' says Tupac D, Mad Power Unit Records.
Finally, One Way Records brings two phenomenal acts to "Joint Venture," Oy Boyz and The Young Farmers. Made up of artists including Boobe, Don Choo, Midnight and BDR, the Oy Boyz and Young Farmers shine on tracks with a larger-than-life 'real street' braggadocio.
The highly anticipated "Joint Venture" will ultimately set standards for the Hip Hop industry. The project, born from the desire of bringing D.C. Hip Hop to light, will skillfully zoom in on the city's finest artists. The project will be heavily promoted until its early March release.
As the contributors' goals of providing D.C. Hip Hop with ultimate exposure unfold, an explosive collaborative effort awaits the industry. Inevitably, "Joint Venture" will thrust D.C. into the position of other Hip Hop epicenters like New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, St. Louis, etc.
For more information on "Join Venture" or interviews, please contact Flair Lindsey at (202) 277-8191.
