WIDEawake Death Row Releases Crooked I
WIDEawake- Death Row Entertainment LLC announces Hip Hop artist Crooked I’ s first solo release. Crooked I “Hood Star” set to hit shelves June 15 features 15 unreleased tracks with guest appearances by, Juvenile, Too Short, Sisqo, Danny Boy, Eastwood, Kurupt and Ray J, just to name a few. When first signed to Death Row, Crooked I appeared on a number of compilations such as “Too Gansta For Radio,” “Dysfunktional Family,” “Tha Dogg Pound’s 2002,’ and Tupac’s ” Nu Mixx Klazzics.” The Hip Hop artist also took time out to work on sound tracks for the movies, “Ride” and “Caught Up” collaborating with such artists as Snoop Doggy Dogg, Tha Eastsidaz and The Luniz. In 2005, Crooked I created an Internet buzz for himself with “Boom Boom Clap,” with the video receiving almost 500,000 hits on youtube. In 2007 he took a different approach to the game with the creation of his Hip Hop weekly internet series, that got him voted the MC with “the best shot of taking over the game” and landed him on the cover of XXL magazine in the fall of 2007. In 2009, Crooked I, along with MC’s Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden and Royce Da 5’9″ created the group Slaughterhouse and went out on a successful nationwide Rock the Bells tour last summer. Crooked I’s popularity has sustained over the years, with over 2.5 million Myspace views and 21,000 followers on Twitter an over 5,000 friends on Facebook, Crooked I has proved he is here to stay.
The force behind Crooked I “Hood Star” and a mentor of Crooked I, is music producer, Big Hutch aka Cold 187um from the multi-platinum group Above The Law. Big Hutch was a producer at Death Row Records in the late 90s, overseeing projects such as 2Pac’s album ” Until The End Of Time.” The multi talented producer works with independent artists helping them find their place in today’s Hip Hop community. Big Hutch will be available to discuss the music and the process behind Crooked I’s “Hood Star”
Death Row Records and Danny Boy “It’s About Time”
WIDEawake-Deathrow Entertainment LLC announces their next release of 2010, Danny Boy “It’s About Time” set to hit shelves, April 20, featuring songs produced by DJ Quick and Devante. . Danny Boy Steward a.k.a. Danny Boy, signed to Death Row Records in 1994, debuting his soulful vocals on the Murder Was The Case soundtrack with R&B Charter “Come When I Call.” Danny Boy’s vocals also appeared on such hits as “I Ain’t Mad At Cha” on Tupac’s multiplatinum selling album All Eyez On Me as well as “Toss it Up”, “Picture Me Rollin” and “I Can’t Get Enough” from the Gridlock’d Soundtrack. Most recently Danny Boy was featured on Death Row’s 2009 sampler and Death Row’s Ultimate Collection box set. April 20, is Danny Boy’s time and “It’s About Time”
Death Row Records Gets Down and Dirty with Kurupt
WIDEawake-Deathrow Entertainment LLC announces their first release of 2010. Kurupt “Down and Dirty” is set to hit shelves, February 9th. Hip Hop artist, Kurupt keeps the underground faithful. After appearing on such classic albums as the “Murder Was The Case” Soundtrack, “Doggystyle,” “All Eyez On Me,” and his group effort “Dogg Food” with long time co-conspirator Daz Dillinger, Kurupt set a high bar for West Coast verbal assassins. Praised by both 2pac and Biggie, Kurupt kept the politics at bay always moving forward releasing four solo albums between 1998 and 2005. The tracks on “Down and Dirty” were recorded in 2002 and 2003 during “Tha Row Era”. This collection includes 17 rare recordings and 4 never before released tracks including collaborations with Kokane, Danny Boy, and Petey Pablo affirming that Kurupt’s talent and influence is undeniable. There is only one Kurupt and he has proven over the last two decades to be not only a survivor but undeniably one of the most important hip hop artists of our time. Don’t be left out. The first hit single off this album is “Stalkin”
BRING SNOOP DOGG, TUPAC SHAKUR, AND DR. DRE HOME THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
The late Tupac Shakur, Snoop Doggy Dogg, and Dr. Dre and many others join Death Row to help celebrate the holiday season with The Ultimate Death Row Collection, out on November 24, 2009 through WIDEAwake/E1 Music Canada. The 3 discs set features 60 tracks from Death Row artists packaged with a DVD of popular music videos, unreleased footage, and a limited addition Death Row T-Shirt. The box set boasts 20 unreleased tracks from Snoop Dogg, Danny Boy, Kurupt, Dogg Pound, OFTB, The Lady of Rage, Crooked I and more. Legendary hits from the nineties such as “How Do You Want It.” “California Love,” and “Nuttin But A G-Thing,” show up amongst other Billboard topping tracks. This release follows this years highly anticipated albums The Chronic Re-Lit and Snoop Dogg’s Lost Sessions Vol.1.
“I am especially excited that we are bringing to the forefront Danny Boy, Jewell, Rage and many of the other brilliant artists who were shadowed by Snoop and Tupac at Death Row in the past. There are some real gems in this collection. I have spoken to so many of the Death Row artists now and they trust me to bring their music to the fans. I don’t take that trust lightly despite the challenges.” said Lara Lavi, CEO/President WIDEAwake Death Row Entertainment LLC.
