Thursday, January 25, 2007

Jermaine Dupri, Air Force 25, Turf Talk, C-Rayz Walz

Producer Jermaine Dupri is in negotiations with Universal Music Group (UMG) about joining the Island Def Jam label as an executive The New York Post reported today (Jan. 25). The deal would reunite Dupri with Island Def Jam's CEO/Chairman, Antonio "L.A." Reid. Reid enjoyed success distributing Dupri's So So Def label, when it was distributed by Arista from 2000-2005. Dupri stepped down as President of Urban Music at Virgin Records, after disappointing sales of various artists, including Janet Jackson's comeback album 20 Y.O.
Nike will celebrate launch of the Air Force 25 in its birth place of Baltimore, MD. tonight (Jan. 25) at the Downtown Locker Room in Mondawmin Hall at 7 p.m. The lavish event will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Air Force 1 and will unveil the new Air Force 25. The event, which is open to the public, will be hosted by Big Tigger and will feature performances by Juelz Santana and DJ Biz Markie. Cast Members for HBO's The Wire will also be in attendance.
West Coast rapper Turf Talk and Sick Wid It Records are set to release West Coast Vaccine (The Cure) April 3, an album the rapper hopes will be a revitalization for the entire west coast. The release follows Turf Talk's albums The Street Novelist and the Turf Talk Brings The Hood. Turf Talk's famed cousin and mentor, E-40, will appear on the album. E-40 plans to release Turf Talk's album and other artists under his Sick Wid It record label.
C-Rayz-Walz is releasing The Dropping featuring Rahzel, Breeze, Poison Pen, 4th Pyramid, The Blizzard and others. The album is Walz's first release on the underground indie label Urchin Studios and includes the track "Childhood" featuring Matisyahu and Kosha Dillz. Only crafting 3,000 copies of the album will be produced and distributed and there will be no reprints. Walz has gained famed as an artist on the Definitive Jux record label and has worked with notable artists like Aesop Rock, Immortal Technique and Ghostface Killah.