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August 19, 2008 - San Jose, CA - Freedom Press and 5th Column Records are proud to announce the September 2nd release of Hasan Salaam single "Angeldust" for his forthcoming LP "Children of God".

Hasan Salaam was hypnotized by the power of the mic at a young age, prompting a rap style that has been in the works since the age of 11. His first live show, at the age of 14, was the beginning of a rap phenom. Hasan officially grabbed the mic with authority in 2002 and hasn't put it down yet. His independent debut album "Paradise Lost" hit the streets in 2005. Songs like "Prayer of a Sinner" and "Tales of the Lost Tribe" soon set the internet on fire.  Hasan soon found himself in high demand, traveling across 38 states within North America as well as ripping stages in Canada and United Kingdom.

But after he returned, he realized that there was still much work to be done. "I work with kids. I got tired of the kids calling one another n*gga. I told them, "There are no n*ggas and b*tches here. You are children of God. We're forgetting why we're here in the first place. I felt it was time to reinstill the strength thats inside of us, and inside of our children."

"Children of God" upholds the lyrical and quality of Hip-Hop's Golden Era, while simultaneously pushing the music forward. This is heard most noticeably in tracks like "Angel Dust" produced by Brand Nubain's Lord Jamar (who also sings the hook) outlining the painful story of a stripper who is destroyed inside a web of her own escapisms. The funk laced, organ infused "15 Minutes" tells of the chaos of the entertainment industry with an infectious hook. Tracks like speaker knocking "Uprock" featuring Masta Ace bangs with the concrete grit and flow that made the east coast the cornerstone of Hip-Hop. "History of Violence" highlights the lack of security we all feel trying to make it through the day. The horn blaring "Insomniac" might well be remembered as an urban anthem for future freedom fighters. Production credits for this full bodies LP go to Lord Jamar, Craig Rip, Impaq, Iron Braydz, Kasim Kato, Def Dom, Rugged N Raw and Hasan Salaam himself.

"My approach to choosing is if I can see whats happening over the beat when it drops" says the reflective Salaam. "Then the writing process is just that I have stories that I already want to tell. 'Angel Dust' is a story about my homegirl. 'Kingdom of Heaven' just makes me think of peace. To me its what heaven on earth sounds like- so I wrote to that."

"Children of God" was created to be musically seductive and informative for the listener. Melodically rich without blurring the line of real block music, Hasan Salaam illustrates the power and pain of the inner city. He does this effectively, without celebrating the undeniable darker elements of street life. "Children of God" drops September 2nd 2008.

CLICK HERE NOW TO HEAR "ANGEL DUST" & "15 MINUTES":

http://www.shinkenpublicrelations.com/hasansalaam

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In the wake of an alleged assault that took place August 10, 2008 at the Ozone Awards, rapper Rick Ross has been slapped with a $4,000,000 lawsuit.

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Los Angeles, CA – August 16, 2008- UrbanWorld Wireless' newly formed digital music label, UDub!Music, has teamed up with powerhouse Bad Boy Records to release the latest mixtape, "Bad Boys: We Run This", hosted by Elephant Man.  Known for his raw energy, Elephant Man put his stamp on what is anticipated to be this summer's hottest reggae mixtape to hit the streets.  The "Bad Boys: We Run This" mixtape, executively produced by Los Angeles based producer  Mexican'Ye West, features over 30 tracks guaranteed to make the listeners move. Mexican'Ye West skillfully blends reggae with hip hop to deliver an all star cast of new music as well as classics from Bob Marley, Elephant Man, Mavado, Tupac, Tweet, Foxy Brown and 50 Cent.  The mixtape also spotlights UDub!Music artists 40 Glocc, Jay Rock and more.

"Bad Boys: We Run This" is a promotional follow-up to Elephant Man's latest LP, Let's Get Physical.  The album topped Billboard's reggae album charts, and was released collaboratively through independent reggae label VP Records, and Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records.  The new mixtape is an added benefit for Ele's fans and dancehall lovers across the globe, and is a perfect mix of dancehall and hip hop, specifically spotlighting the West Coast community. "You don't see many reggae mixtapes coming out of L.A. It is truly a unique project. Not only does this mixtape feature some of the West's best talent, but the producer is Mexican," Big Jay, Music Promotions, UDub!Music. 

"Bad Boys: We Run This" also introduces some of UDub's new reggae artists, including CNC, Teacha Dee, and Rasta King. "Working with UWW has been great.  Having a quality mixtape produced for Elephant Man is a great strategic move for us," says Kwasi Asare, New Media Manager at Bad Boy Records. 

The digital project, featured on MTV's Mixtape Monday http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1589727/20080620/nas.jhtml, is available for free download at http://www.sendspace.com/file/p5j7t2.   

Posted by jamesjohnson at 08:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

NEW YORK--Epic Records is proud to announce that 23-year-old rapper, entrepreneur and music producer, Yung Berg will release his debut album, "Look What You Made Me," on August 12. After exploding with his 2007 debut hit "Sexy Lady," Berg continues to establish himself as one of the hottest new stars of 2008. His second consecutive top ten smash, "Sexy Can I (with Ray J)" quickly surpassed the platinum digital single sales mark and has sold over half a million ringtones. The current single, "The Business" feat Casha, is already at the top of the charts with much success.

"The Business", continuing to prove as a solid hit, has sold over 80,000 in digital singles and over 180,000 in Ringtone sales to date - #8 on the Ringscan chart; Top 100 on the digital singles chart. As the #3 artist on MySpace, Yung Berg states, "I've learned to be consistent" earning accolades for the lead singles' record and video. The sultry duet is at Top 50 of the Hot 100 (#49) Billboard charts and remains in the top 10 at urban radio while continuing up the Rhythm charts.

A multifaceted hip hop mc, songwriter, music producer and entrepreneur at heart, Chicago native, Yung Berg discovered a love of the business side of the music industry and created the Yung Boss Music Group (with his partners Rob Holliday and JFK) while writing his debut album. "Look What You Made Me" features three developing artists from this venture - singer Casha, who is introduced on the single, "The Business," and MCs Hunit Grand and Cap-1 and the entire album features production by his Yung Boss in house production team.

Berg states, "I titled the album "Look What You Made Me" as a tribute to everybody – my mother, my father, Jay-Z, DMX - all the rappers in the game, who have been a blessing to me whether I know them personally or their music has just touched me." This debut LP features all-star talent including Twista, Eve, Trey Songz, Lloyd, Amerie, Shawnna, Collie Buddz and Ray J, with universal appeal - music for everyone from the streets, to the clubs, to the car.

Now his goal is to inspire others to achieve their own success through his participation with several non profit organization organizations, as he proclaims, "I want to let everyone know, as long as you're determined, focused and keep God first, your dreams can come true. Look at me. I'm just like you." As a supporter to get the message out to vote, Yung Berg is a registrant of the "Declare Yourself" campaign which has helped register well over 1.2 million people and is growing. Now with "Look What You Made Me," Yung Berg is realizing his dreams and he's boldly announcing he won't be denied. Berg has also signed on as a national spokesperson for the "Life's Real Get Smart" Campaign dedicated to motivating kids through education and to exposing kids to unique opportunities and to support initiatives that reinforce the importance of education of all forms. www.streetsci.com Continuing his effort to encourage his fans to make the right choices, Yung Berg most recently joined hip hop star T.I. and the "Hip Hop Caucus" to launch a voter registration and "Get Out the Vote" campaign that combines the power of celebrity and media with 21st century grassroots organizing tactics targeting adult between the ages 18 – 29 to vote in the upcoming Presidential election.

The video for "The Business" was shot in Los Angeles by director Rage. The video is currently on BET's 106 & Park countdowns. It's the #1 video on BET rotation and is in significant rotation on BET, MTV's TRL, MTV Hits, MTV Jams and Fuse among other video networks.

Upcoming Yung Berg live appearances and performances include BET 106 & Park, August 12th, MTV TRL on August 14th and BET 106 and Park for the 2000th Episode Special on August 20th.

Posted by jamesjohnson at 08:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

New York, NY (August 16, 2008) – Female rapper Diamond, formerly of the group Crime Mob – which spawned the platinum single "Knuck If You Buck," and certified gold single "Rock Yo Hips" – signed a multilayer solo deal with Warner Bros. Records Inc. Warner Bros. Records Inc. will be investing not only in the growth of Diamond as an artist, but also as a brand, building off of her recent campaign with FILA. Together, Diamond and Warner Bros. Records Inc. will also be tying in various endorsements, which include TV and film opportunities, setting her debut solo album up to be one of the biggest releases of 2009.

"Diamond is an incredible talent," said Kevin Black, Head of Urban Music at Warner Bros. "She has what it takes to succeed not just in the rap game, but all areas of the entertainment business."

Diamond says of her new venture "I'm so excited about my new solo deal with Warner- it's been a long time coming! It's important for me to give my fans the Diamond they already know, but to also give them something new from me! I hope to work with a few of my favorite people in the industry, from Timbaland to T-Pain on my new album, so there's definitely going to be a few surprises in store!"

An Atlanta native, Diamond became a member of the group Crime Mob in 2003, and in 2004 the group signed to Crunk Incorporated. Their self-titled debut album was released through Crunk Incorporated/G's Up/Reprise Records and featured the hit single "Knuck If You Buck," and in 2006 the group released their sophomore album Hated on Mostly, spawning the smash "Rock Yo Hips." Diamond has a new management team consisting of Bryan Leach of Polo Grounds Music as well as Amy Johnson and Keke Smith of Cookies & Milk. In Spring 2008, FILA featured Diamond in their new ad campaign - How Do You FILA - which was included in several national magazines including XXL, Blender, and Giant.

Posted by jamesjohnson at 08:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)