NEW YORK (Universal Records) - Universal Records artist and Derrty Entertainment CEO
Nelly is adding to his stature as hip hop's most prolific/multi-talented superstar with the release of The Longest Yard soundtrack. The upcoming soundtrack for the highly-anticipated movie, in which the versatile rapper makes his motion picture debut as an actor, hits stores on May 24th and the movie will be in theaters on May 27th.
For the soundtrack, Nelly assembled an all-star line-up of popular artists such as D-12 featuring Eminem, the platinum-selling St. Lunatics' ace Murphy Lee, Lil Wayne, T.I., St. Lunatics' member Ali & Gipp, of Goodie Mob, Akon and David Banner. The soundtrack also showcases new talent signed to Nelly's Derrty Entertainment imprint including Jung Tru (pronounced "young true") and King Jacob (who are featured on the lead single, "Errtime"), and other up-and-coming artists with strong regional followings such as the Ohio-based duo 216 and the Texas "mix-tape king," Chamillionaire.
Nelly holds down the executive producer mantle on the 13-song disc, adding another feather to his Derrty Entertainment entrepreneurial crown, which currently includes his clothing lines Vokal and Applebottoms, an energy drink called Pimp Juice, and a sold-out U.S. tour. Still sizzling from his most recent record-breaking double multi-platinum releases Sweat and Suit, Nelly's Midas touch continues on the first single from The Longest Yard soundtrack, "Errtime," produced by Jazze Pha.
Nelly co-stars in the remake of the 1974 comedy The Longest Yard with an all-star cast that includes Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Burt Reynolds. In his first major movie role, he plays a convict/football player named Earl Megget. The Longest Yard is the story of pro quarterback Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler) and former college champion and coach, Scarborough (Burt Reynolds), who are doing time in the same prison. Asked to put together a team of inmates to take on the guards, Crewe enlists the help of Scarborough to coach the inmates to victory.
Nelly is currently on the Sweat/Suit Tour with Fat Joe, T.I. and the St. Lunatics, and will launch an international tour later in the summer.
More Information On The Soundtrack
The soundtrack's unique lineup makes full use of Derrty Entertainment's knack for scouring talent as well as Nelly's keen ability to draw other superstars into the collaborative fold. The disc features up-and-coming Derrty forces like Jung Tru and King Jacob on the explosive "Errtime." King Jacob, who also appears with Derrty vet Murphy Lee and newcomer Prentiss Church on "Stomp," first gained notoriety on the Training Day soundtrack (2001), with his collaboration with The Professor on "Let Us Go." Hailing from St. Louis, he also appeared on Ali's 2002 debut album Heavy Starch, and is featured with St. Lunatic alumni Murphy Lee on "Jungle Gym," from DJ Envy's The Desert St orm Mix Tape: Block Party Volume 1. King Jacob is also featured with Nelly on "Da Grind," from the classic Nellyville disc (2002), and has toured extensively with Nelly and the St. Lunatics.
Jung Tru is one of the founding members of the burgeoning hip hop trio Taylor Made. Born in University City, Missouri, he credits influences such as N.W.A, Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. for inspiring his love for hip hop. An accomplished piano player, Tru wrote the hook for Taylor Made's buzzed-about anthem "Whirlwind." The two other members of Taylor Made, rappers Ghost and Gube, join Jung Tru and Nelly on another blistering track on the album, "Datz My Mama," produced by David Banner.
Prentiss Church("Stomp") has an extensive underground resume, and was featured on Murphy Lee's platinum selling album, Murphy's Law. Lee, one-fifth of the hip hop arsenal that helped forge the entire Derrty empire - the St. Lunatics - is one of the signature artists in the Derrty camp. The multi- tasking Ali is a key contributor to the soundtrack himself, teaming up with Goodie Mob star Big Gipp, with the duo featured on the raucous "Let 'Em Fight," produced by noted hip hop producer Fury. Ali & Gipp have also joined forces to make a new album for Derrty Ent./Universal, the appropriately titled Kinfolk, and will release the new disc later this year.
Hip hop's mix-tape/underground faction is also well represented on The Longest Yard soundtrack, with Atlanta underground hero T.I. blowing up "Bounce Like This," and the Texas mix-tape king, Chamillionaire, collaborating with superstar producer David Banner (Nelly, T.I.) on the rippling "Talking That Talk." Houston mix-tape artist Chamillionaire recently signed with Universal after being pursued by several major labels. Famous for his cutting elocution and 'dirty south' no-holds-barred style, his breakthrough CD Get Ya Mind Correct helped put the North Houston hip hop scene on the map.
Established stars are also fully accounted for on the soundtrack with the infectious Lil' Wayne bringing up the Jazze Pha produced "Shorty Bounce," and Akon - whose current smash single "Lonely" is soaring to the top of the charts - trading verses with Blewz on "So Fly." The Eminem-launched D12 also put in a rousing effort with "My Balls."
