¡Mayday! Signs With Tech N9ne's Strange Music Label

Here at Hooked on That, we've always been supportive of master hip hop musicians ¡Mayday! so we are very happy to report of their signing to the biggest indie label around Tech N9ne's Strange Music. Congrats guys!

via XXL

The crew, which consists of Wreckoniz and BernBiz on vocals, Plex Luthor on guitar and keys, Gianni Cash on Bass and keys, L.T. Hopkins on Drums and Nonymous on percussion, have recorded with a handful of big acts like Cee-Lo Green and Devin the Dude and worked with Lil Wayne in the past. Their music also got placements on such popular TV shows as Entourage and Lincoln Heights.

Fat Joe Signs With E1; Preps 'The Darkside' New Album

via the press release

NEW YORK, NY -- 03/29/10 -- E1 Music is thrilled to announce the addition of hip hop icon Fat Joe to its burgeoning roster of artists.

Fat Joe will release a new album, titled "The Dark Side," on June 28th, 2010. The first single, "Slow Down" features Young Jeezy and was just serviced to urban radio.

Fat Joe states, "It's been a long time coming. I have a long history with Alan Grunblatt and everyone at E1. Although it's a small label, they have the best marketing and promotion staff in the hip hop game and I'm looking forward to working with them on my new album, 'The Dark Side.'"

Alan Grunblatt, President of E1 Music, adds, "I originally signed Fat Joe to his first record deal and was blown away by the new material Joe played me. Fate has brought us back together; trust me when I tell you he's got bangers for days!"

Joseph "Fat Joe" Cartagena has sold over 2.5 millions album as a solo artist and has taken the hip hop world by storm since his 1993 debut album "Represent." He followed this impressive debut with success after success. His album Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.) was a critically-acclaimed, platinum selling album that spawned the hits "What's Luve" and "We Thuggin."

In addition to being a highly successful solo artist, he is also the founder and current C.E.O. of the collective Terror Squad. Joe also had a monster hit with Terror Squad, "Lean Back," which became a summertime anthem when it was released.

Spose: 'I'm Awesome' Rapper Signs With Universal Republic

via the Portalnd Phoenix

A few weeks ago, we marveled at the reality of Portland's Top 40 radio station, WJBQ, playing a song by local rapper Spose called "I'm Awesome," an ironic, self-deprecating piece of pure hilarious ear candy. Sure, it fit the format, except for that fact that, well, it's pretty hard for a local to be considered "Top 40," which sort of implies you've got a top-40 record on your hands. Now, however, Spose may very well get that opportunity. Last week he signed a record deal with Universal Republic records, a label that knows how to break hits. Just ask Owl City or Cobie Caillat or Tori Amos.

For Ryan Peters, who's probably put in equal time at local hip-hop open mics developing his Spose persona and schlepping lobster rolls at Barnacle Billy's in Ogunquit, it's a dream come true that he's not letting get to his head. "I've had the whole Spose vision in my head since I was 16," says Peters, who'll be 25 in July, "and if I can just purvey that for a national audience and build a garage studio in my driveway and crank out albums, that's what I want to do. I want to be able to work full-time doing music. I want to wake up every morning and have my job be making music. I've got that job right now, and it's up to me to maintain that job for the rest of my life."

WCYY's Mark Curdo, who gave Spose's "I'm Awesome" its first commercial radio spins and who has helped Peters find legal representation and other advice as he evaluated the deal with Universal, says the news of Spose's signing is a shot in the arm for Portland as a whole. "But it always comes with that feeling of, 'Let's put on our seatbelts,'" Curdo cautions. "With the music industry, no matter how confident you are, you just don't know. He's going to get a shot. If it doesn't hit, it is what it is."

Read the full article here:
Portland Phoenix - The most famous rapper from Wells signs with Universal

Cypress Hill: Snoop Dogg Signs Group To EMI/Priority Records

via Hip Hop DX

This morning it was announced that pioneering Latino Hip Hop group Cypress Hill will release their April 6th album RISE UP through Priority/EMI Records. This is the group's first album in six years, and the first Priority signing since Snoop Dogg assumed role of Creative Chairman of the historic Rap label presently celebrating its 25th anniversary.

"My role as Creative Chairman of Priority Records has put me in the driver's seat to help revive the most important west coast hip hop label," said Snoop in a statement this morning. "As such, I'm excited to announce my first signing as Cypress Hill. Cypress Hill is undeniably one of the most important Hip Hop groups in music history, not only are they incredibly talented and the first Latino Hip Hop group to go platinum, they are also from the west coast-so this signing is the perfect marriage."

RISE UP was recorded over the course of the past three years at B-Real's studio, The Temple, in Los Angeles. "Making this record was so much fun," said Sen Dog. "It felt like the first record we ever made together. We recorded whatever we wanted to with no musical boundaries. And having the chance to work with one of my favorite guitar players of all time, Tom Morello, was amazing. I always knew we would make some kickass music together." Morello is best known for his work with Rage Against The Machine, though he's played with Rap acts dating back to KRS-One and Run-DMC.

"We took a little break after the last record to work on individual projects," added B-Real. "Both Sen Dog and I wanted to put out our own solo records, which we had been working on for some time. And though we were doing other things, we each kept ideas in mind for Cypress Hill and would go into the studio periodically to record. It was great to work at our own pace and without a deadline hanging over us. We'd get together at my studio and record whenever we felt that burst of creativity. It was an amazing way to work and resulted in what I think is our best record yet."