Only The Best!
Hey media friends!
I know I slowed up on the Tygereye blog a while back, but your persistent urges to get this popping again convinced me to sit down for a few. It was a busy Summer, a busier Fall, and I saw so many of you out and about that it was more fun talking to you in person! Well, we’re back, and we’ve got more great talent to talk about than ever before! Let’s set this off alphabetically – just click the name on the menu to the left to hear new music, see new videos, check the bios and press links for your researching pleasure!
9th Wonder – Most of you know this North Carolina native as a new champion of the boom-bap record. For a change of pace, 9th is preparing a fresh mix of R&B and Hip-Hop for his upcoming album The Wonder Years, slated for release on January 26 on Asylum Records. Guest spots on the album include Erykah Badu, Teedra Moses, Talib Kweli and Mos Def. We’ll have more info on that soon. In the meantime, be sure to keep an ear out for 9th’s work on Erykah Badu’s new single “Honey.”
Bake Up Boyz – This fearsome foursome hails from Michigan, and their new video with Jim Jones is getting pretty crazy on MTV. Please note that their Fharmacy Music Group label mate MC Breed (yes that MC Breed!) is also on the track, and will appear on some other songs on the upcoming album Fresh Out Da Kitchen. Bake Up Boyz have teamed with Phase One Communications/EMI for their Spring ’07 album release. More on the release date is forthcoming! Check for the page for their newest single “Gucci’s On My Feet” coming to radio in January!
Bar-Bee – We sent out the press release on Bar-Bee last month, just before her infamous video shoot with Beenie Man. Turns out that just as Beenie’s song “Give It Up” featuring Bar-Bee was rising to #1 in Jamaica this month, Beenie came to New York to do Bar-Bee’s video shoot for her new single “Paddy Cake.” The rumors were true – there really was an arrest warrant issued for him that day for missing a court date. But then again, Bar-Bee is more than worth it! Check out her page for some new tracks!
C-Murder – We just let everyone know about C-Murder’s upcoming DVD, The Movement, which will be released on December 11 on Asylum. He’s been hard at work in the studio prepping his album (coming February ’07 on Asylum). The Movement DVD gives you some behind the scenes insight on the recording process and all of the things he’s been doing since he came home, and you’ll meet the entire Tru Records roster.
Couture Ink – This Brooklyn bred MC is on a mission to bring back strong, competent songwriting. Couture’s current song “Ghost Town” is picking up steam with college radio, and Corporate Ken of Marmah Records is working with Couture to deliver a solid independent project in 2008. In this fast paced time of easy hooks and dance records, Couture Ink is amongst those who are keeping the storytelling aspect of Hip Hop alive. “Ghost Town” is on his page, so take a listen!
Dipskate – This year has been big for the DipSkate team! Since we launched the official publicity campaign in April, a lot of our media friends have taken notice of this multi-talented team. As most of you have figured out by now, the team is comprised of skaters who do professional extreme rollerblading, or as they call it, Freestyle Rolling. Check for them in the new issue of Trace Magazine, and the upcoming issue of Bombin’ Magazine!
First Cousins – You may have heard of Genovese through his work with The LOX or from the publicity he received a couple of years ago for his Universal debut album (which never got released) but the Yonkers MC is back in the saddle with a new vibe. He’s teamed with his childhood friend Gustapo (a Queens native) to create the duo First Cousins. They just released their new single/video for “Oh No” featuring Reka, and are preparing for a Spring ’08 release of their album This Ain’t Friends It’s Family on Illseed in association with Phase One Communications/EMI. The album will feature guest appearances by Ali Vegas, Joell Ortiz, Uncle Murder, The Outlawz, Tre Williams, PSC’s Big Kuntry and more.
J-Money – You might remember J-Money from his work with Cadillac Don on last year’s hot single “Peanut Butter & Jelly” and their album on Asylum. This time around, J-Money is back with his 35*35 camp for a new solo album. He’s got a hot new single with Lil Boosie “She Bad” that you can find on his page. More info on the album will be coming soon!
Jamie Jones – We’ve been rocking with Jamie Jones for a while now, and appreciate all of you checking in on her. We’re happy to announce that not only does Jamie have a new single “2 Daddy (So Ova U)” but she also has a song on Mr. Collipark’s new Christmas EP! We’ll get that track out to you as soon as we get it. In the meantime, check Jamie’s page for “2 Daddy” and for her video “Hustler’s Krush” featuring (and produced by) Kwame’.
Jin – Thanks to everyone for your amazing support of Jin’s retail release of his album I Promise (Phase One/EMI). We’re still waiting for Jin to get back from China, so hang tight if you’ve put in an interview request!
John Cook – Over the Summer we sent out “Pain,” John Cook’s collaboration with Serius Jones and Wynter Gordon. Thank you to all of you who supported the record, and to everyone who has given Gospel Hip Hop a chance! We do still have a few copies of John Cook’s album Heaven’s Pen available for review. Hit me up if you’d like a copy!
Light A Match – As a premiere design service, Light A Match does some wonderous things with websites, album artwork and more. Rick Joseph is the man behind the magic, and he’s ready to talk to you about your design needs.
Midi Mafia – Congrats to Midi Mafia for sparking a #1 hit in Europe with Jennifer Lopez’ latest single “Hold It Don’t Drop It” – which is also her new single in the U.S. After sweeping the charts earlier this year with Fantasia’s “When I See You,” Bruce Waynne and Dirty Swift have been in high demand. They are still developing several of their own projects via their indie label Family Ties Entertainment, including Shiré, who is also a current Tygereye client!
Pimpin’ Ken – If you haven’t taken good read of Pimpin’ Ken’s book Pimpology: 48 Laws of the Game, then you’re missing out! I read this book myself (before PK teamed up with Tygereye) and I found a lot of great, logical advice in it that pretty much anyone can learn from. As you can probably imagine, Ken’s experiences in his younger life factor in to the wisdom he’s able to provide, although it’s his business sense and natural hustle that makes this book truly interesting. You might remember his HBO classics like Pimps Up Hoes Down and Pimpology Uncut, and that was just the beginning. After the release of his Best of Both Worlds DVD/album with Pimp C this past Fall, Ken is poising himself for some more major television moves!
Sam Scarfo – Many of you probably know New Jersey’s Sam Scarfo best for his standout wings at the notorious Fight Klub battles. He gained an incredible buzz, and as people learned more about his apt songwriting abilities and lyrical firepower, Jay-Z and L.A. Reid signed him to Def Jam. As things progress with the album, Sam is making some super self promotional moves with his latest mixtape Free Lunch and his upcoming DVD/Mixtape project, Scarlito’s Way. We have the full version of Free Lunch (featuring the street singles “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Where You From”) available on his page for you to stream/download. Keep an ear out for Sam Scarfo’s upcoming single “Money In The Bag” too!
Shiré – In October we sent out information on Shiré’s new prelude album Baltimore’s Daughter, and we’re happy to say that the project has created quite a buzz for her! With the team of Hot City Music Group and Midi Mafia’s Family Ties Entertainment at her side, Shiré inked a deal with Steve Rifkind’s SRC label at Universal. A lot of people were surprised to find out that she was the key member of Sisqo’s (Dru Hill) girl group Luvher a few years ago, but it just goes to show what talent and persistence can bring. Shiré is focused on finishing up her debut album Picking Up The Pieces, which will drop in Spring 2008. Be sure to take a listen to the full version of Baltimore’s Daughter on her page!
Well folks, I think this was enough for one newsletter. If I can leave you with any good thoughts right now, it’s just to take time to really appreciate the day. Show some love to the people you love, because tomorrow is not promised. Say a prayer for our soldiers still out in the middle east… say a prayer for all the people losing their homes in this fading economy… and really, just appreciate what you have. Every day is a blessing.
Much love and best wishes for the holiday season!
Your most darling,
Dove
