Jive Records Signs Rising Hip-Hop Star S Dub

New York, NY- Jive Records has signed the multi-faceted emcee known as S Dub “The Greatest.” The first single from the hotly sought-after artist, “Already Know,” was just released and is from his upcoming full-length debut album on Battery Records/Jive.

Ant Rich, A&R Manager for Jive Records states, “S Dub’s ability to make records that have an innate sense of commercialism without compromising any sense of integrity will no doubt lead to great success on the charts as well as in the streets. We are very excited to have formed this partnership and look forward to the continued success.”

S Dub adds, “I feel honored and blessed to show my talent to the world and look forward to cementing a foundation for myself. I hope to represent the best of what North Carolina has to offer.”

Signed to Earnest “Special” Brown’s newly formed New York based label, Special Entertainment, the Charlotte native, S Dub (Renardo Perry) recalls spending countless hours in the studio with his older brother’s rap group. Combined with an admiration for Tupac Shakur’s poetic license, it wasn’t long before he was writing his own rhymes on the back of bills for motivation, laying simple 16’s into a tape recorder, listening back and adding more until full songs were constructed. “Once I learned to add a hook and stay on topic, I was unstoppable,” remembers S Dub.

Battery Records is an imprint under Sony Music Entertainment’s RCA/JIVE Label Group umbrella formed in July 2008 to develop and nurture young urban hip hop talent, in an age where such development is more crucial and necessary than ever. Under the leadership of industry veteran Neil Levine, Battery’s mission is to uncover and cultivate organic young talent, thereby creating an indispensable niche in the marketplace.

Former Underground Music Award Winners AHMIR Sign Major Label Deal with Robbins Entertainment/Sony Music

From the streets of Boston, Philadelphia, and New York, AHMIR has become the premiere, up and coming male R&B group. In Fact in 2007, AHMIR won the award for "Best Male R&B Group" at Urban Threshold's prestigious 5th Annual Underground Music Awards. Moreover, they also took first place at Urban Threshold's acclaimed Urban Music Explosion Industry Showcase @ SOB's in NYC.

And After years and years of hard work R&B super group Ahmir have officially signed their first record deal with Robbins Entertainment/Sony Music.

Robbins Entertainment is one of the biggest Pop/Dance labels around and Ahmir is now their first R&B act! Notable hits from Robbins Entertainment include 2010 VMA Nominated Cascada’s “Evacuate the Dancefloor” and the Top 10 Billboard hit “Heaven” by DJ Sammy.

The president of Robbins Entertainment Cory Robbins is a 30 year industry vet who actually signed Run DMC to their first record deal under Profile Records. Robbins Entertainment A&R Stephanie Karten discovered Ahmir on Youtube and brought them over to the label. "I was impressed by their imense talent and their loyal fan base," proclaims Stephanie Karten

AHMIR is THE MOST POPULAR R&B GROUP on YouTube garnering millions of video views through their unique covers and remixes. Coming onto the scene a few years ago, their first single "Welcome To My Party" peaked at number 82 on the Billboard Hot R&B / Hip Hop Songs chart and became the number 19 Top Selling R&B Hip Hop Single. That same year, AHMIR won the annual "We Hear The Future" Competition at the Billboard R&B Hip Hop Conference in Atlanta topping the efforts by hundreds of new artists worldwide.

Recently, you may have seen AHMIR win the R&B group competition on BET’s number 1 rated TV show 106 & Park or as a Top 35 finalist on NBC’s hit summer show “America’s Got Talent”. AHMIR has even been featured in VIBE magazine as an artist to watch. The group’s popularity has catapulted them to performances in U.S. arenas such as the TD Banknorth Arena in Boston, MA, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA and the XL Arena in Hartford, CT. AHMIR has stormed the global market as well by headlining tours through 12 cities in Europe.

Click here to watch the Video of AHMIR's record deal signing at Robbins Ent./Sony Music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQXHhd4-p7g

Rapper BeeJay McLoyd signs deal with Sony Pictures

There has been very few rappers in the KANSAS CITY, Missouri area that can do what local rapper Tech N9ne has done, but one young man is paving the way for what looks to be a comparable future.

Blue Valley North alum, BeeJay McLoyd (aka B Double E ), recently accepted a deal with Sony Pictures to produce a single for the soundtrack of an upcoming movie.

His song, “To the Top” is on the soundtrack of "Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming," which was released on Blu ray/DVD on Sept. 21, 2010.

McLoyd’s most popular song, “Kansas City Say Yeah”, is currently climbing the charts on local radio station 103.3’s top eight at eight.

One of his biggest accomplishments to date has been opening up for popular recording artist 50 Cent at the Midland Theater on June 10.

“It was unlike any other show because I was performing at the biggest venue I had ever performed in at the time, and performing with one of the popular artists of all time”, says McLoyd.

“It was definitely an eye opener that I'm doing something right considering the fact that 50 cent/G-Unit management chose me out of 100 or more acts”.

He also opened up for one of his role models, Tech N9ne, this past January.

McLoyd started rapping when he was in fifth grade, and could freestyle by eighth grade.

The 24 year-old was born in Homewood, Alabama, then later moved to Overland Park at age 11 and now resides in the KCK area.

“I feel like my story is very unique compared to many other artist considering all my different life experiences," McLoyd said. "I never thought I'd cross paths with so many different cultures and people coming from the south."

BeeJay McLoyd is in the works of getting his song, “Kansas City Say Yeah”, to be played at Arrowhead Stadium on Chiefs game days.

Philly Rap Duo Chiddy Bang Inks Lucrative Deal With EMI

EMI is delighted to announce the signing of new artist Chiddy Bang to an exclusive worldwide deal.

Chiddy Bang is composed of 19 year old MC Chiddy and DJ/producer Xaphoon Jones from Philadelphia.

It wasn’t long ago that an introduction from a neighbor brought together Anamege and Jones, both freshmen at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Jones was studying music and Anamege, business.

Anamege says with a laugh that from that first introduction, the two just “fell into a groove.”
That “groove” being Jones’ eccentric choice of sampling -- he turns to indie rock just as much as electronic as a source of inspiration – paired with Anamege’s spitfire rhymes.

In typical college band tradition, they took their burgeoning act to different campus basement parties around the city. They soon unveiled their first mixtape.

Released in 2009, “The Swelly Express” showcased their brand of hip-hop, electronic, pop and afrobeat musings. The mixtape took off thanks to the success of the single, “Opposite of Adults ,” a slick mash-up of MGMT’s “Kids.” Originally released in Britain, the track debuted at No. 11 on British charts.

In its first month of release, the mixtape logged a staggering 100,000 downloads and was named one of the “Three Mixtapes You Must Own” by Blackbook Magazine, alongside Drake’s “So Far Gone” and Donnis’ “Diary of an Atlanta Brave,” transforming the genre-bending rookies into hip-hop’s next big thing – just like Drake and Posner before them. Fans of the band include Kanye West who praised the band on his blog.

With the record deal from Virgin Records/EMI Music, the freshmen have gone from playing Philadelphia parties to touring Europe and scoring slots on high-profile gigs like Lollapalooza.

Chiddy Bang’s strength lies in their fresh approach to Hip hop. Combining electronica and indie samples from artists like MGMT, Passion Pit and Sufjan Stevens with Chiddy’s indisputable talent for MCing. The duo completely alter the tracks turning them into something of their own.

As the two prep for the release of their debut album, “Here We Go,” they have released a remix of "Opposite of Adults" featuring none other than Jim Jones.

For up to date, confirmed information on the upcoming album, tours and club appearances please visit www.myspace.com/chiddybang.

Universal/Republic Signs Rapper Spose

A month ago, 24-year-old Wells rapper Ryan Peters, known as Spose, was sitting in an English class at Suffolk University in Boston, about to give a presentation on a poet when he noticed he’d received not one, but 15 phone calls from a New York phone number. He didn’t recognize the number.

Then he got a text from a person named Imran Majid who said he was from the artist and repertoire department with Universal Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group, which represents artists such as Amy Winehouse, Jack Johnson and Owl City.

Peters freaked out.

“What do I do? What do I do?” Peters said he was thinking as he sat in his English class.

He called Majid back and learned that Universal Republic Records was interested in picking up Peters’ single, “I’m Awesome,” a rap song that has been in heavy rotation on local rock radio stations WCYY (94.3 FM) and WJBQ (97.9 FM).

Peters traveled to New York City to meet with Majid and others at Universal. Two weeks ago, he officially signed with Universal Republic. The label has taken his single to radio station across the country and listener response is so good, Peters said, the label told him it wanted to make a record with him.

“I just got the call,” Peters said on the phone Wednesday afternoon. “They’re picking up the album, so I’m skipping classes today and I’m going to buy a keyboard because I have to write a hit song.”

Peters has been writing songs for years and has some to use on a new album. He began rhyming in eighth grade but really got serious about hip hop as a career in 2004-2005, when he felt he knew who he wanted to be as a rapper. “I wait tables, and every second between asking ‘Do you want fries or a potato?’ I’m writing a rhyme.”

“It never was for fun,” he said, “If it was for fun, I’d be doing it in my room and showing it to my buddies.”

Peters self-released his first album, “Preposterously Dank,” in 2007. Mark Curdo, host of the radio show Spinout on WCYY, supported him then, so when he finished his mix tape, “We Smoked It All,” last fall, he reached out to Curdo again. Pretty soon, the single, “I’m Awesome,” was getting a huge response from listeners. So much so, that when the A&R folks at record labels saw that Peters was getting as many spins on radio stations in Maine as Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift and was a top seller at Bull Moose Music stores, they took notice.

He’s been getting local notice, too, and not just from listeners. He was named Best Hip Hop Act two years in a row at Maine’s electronic music community’s wepushbuttons Awards and last month was selected as one of 10 Maine artists to watch by the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram.

The song creating all the buzz, “I’m Awesome,” causes a strong response in people, Peters says. Listeners either really, really love it or really, really hate it. (Listen to the song.)

The song itself is really the antithesis of the self-aggrandizing title. In it, Peters celebrates all the things that make him “awesome” – back zits, driving his mother’s “ride”, talking to himself on Facebook, a bulging belly. Except for the occasional use of the word “mother---,” it hardly resembles what most of us think of when we think of the rap songs that top the charts.

“Everywhere we play it – it’s one of those weird songs – it gets calls,” said Majid, the director of A&R for Universal Republic Records. The phone lines at radio stations get jammed and thousands of text messages are sent.

That this tongue-in-cheek song is enough to get him a major label deal and lots of local and national buzz is mind blowing to Peters, whose biggest ambition was to get radio play on WCYY. “For it to get to this point is not only unfathomable, but completely unexpected,” he said. He knows other Maine artists like himself have gotten major records deals that fizzled, so he’s taking it one moment at a time, he says.

“I’m not going to go out there thinking it’s rainbows and smiley faces,” but he’s going to make the most of it. “I want to be able to present social commentary,” he said. “You can be saying some deep stuff while getting a chuckle out of people.”

Battery/Jive Records Signs Rapper Mickey Factz

After releasing six mixtapes independently and landing spots in advertising campaigns with Honda, the 24-year-old New Yorker signed with Battery/Jive Records because of the label’s “creative vision.”

“My career as an artist has been a grand journey up to this point for my team GFCnewyork, and myself,“ Mickey Factz told AllHipHop.com. “Battery is the greatest compromise as they understand my vision and where we will be taking it. I’m glad to welcome them as a part of my team and The Black Apple experience. Truthfully, let the games begin.”

Mickey Factz was one of the most sought after unsigned artists before inking his deal with Battery/Jive.

According to Neil Levine, GM and Senior Vice President of Battery Records, Mickey Factz is a complete artist.

“He’s really put the work in to be a real star and Battery is very pleased to welcome him as our newest signing,” Neil Levine said of Factz’ independent hustle.

Mickey Factz left NYU Law School in order to pursue his career as a rapper.

According to Jeff Sledge, Battery’s VP of A&R, the rapper has developed his skills considerably while honing a unique sound.

“I have been working with Mickey for four years now. He has grown as an artist and developed a sound that separates him from other artists,” Sledge said. “I am excited to sign Mickey and have the opportunity to show the world the amazing artist that he has become.”

Chicago R&B artist John Blu signs to Jive Records

Chicago R&B artist John Blu has officially dotted the i's and crossed the t's on a deal with Jive Records! With an incredible start to his year, R&B artist, songwriter, producer, and composer John Blu, has just announced that he will be joining the Jive Records family. Blu, the self-pronounced R&B Bully, has bullied his way to the top with the release of his current sexy sophomore single, " In Love Wit Yo Booty" that is making waves across the country with its infectious beats and catchy lyrics.

It is no surprise that this single is playing in over 15 markets, including Chicago and Atlanta. Blu is currently in the midst of shooting the much-anticipated video for the single, and has enlisted master choreographer Andrea Kelly to lead with the creative direction. In addition, he is in the studio working on a remix to his single with a hot R&B artist from Chicago that will be released in April.

YelaWolf Confirms Signing To Interscope

YelaWolf has signed a deal with Interscope Records after interest in the 30-year-old Alabama rapper surged at the recent SXSW music festival in Austin, Tex.YelaWolf will release his major label debut album on Interscope through his current independent label, Ghet-O-Vision Entertainment. "I've probably been through every label in the past couple of years," laughs YelaWolf (real name: Michael Wayne Atha), who was also courted by Atlantic and Island Def Jam Records before choosing Interscope. "I don't think we missed any. But after SXSW, it just got really heated, you know? Prior to that we had taken a few meetings, but we decided to just hold out and go knock it out there, see where it took us."

Yelawolf played nine shows over the course of SXSW, including a Saturday night gig at the Levi's FADER Fort. It was the MC's first time at the festival, and he says, "I had no idea the impact it was going to make…I really tried to keep my head down, for real, because it keeps me in the right place creatively. But it was phenomenal."

YelaWolf says there's no timetable yet for his debut album, but he plans to release a new mixtape in June entitled "Trunk Muzik 0-60," the follow-up to his acclaimed January mixtape, "Trunk Muzik," which featured Bun B, Raekwon and Juelz Santana among others. "It''ll have five to seven new records, he says. "We're gonna remix and remaster some of the existing records on 'Trunk Muzik' and add a couple of new features, and we'll let that warm up everybody for a bigger album release."