Tatoot! Holler And Shout – Graffiti Is Outlawed No More

TATOOT has created a new mobile art movement. What started out as a competition on DrawLoud.com (www.drawloud.com) has turned into a revolutionary brand! TATOOT is giving talented street artists an opportunity of self-expression in order to reach the masses through their ground-breaking brand of bag products.  Launching in mid-July of 2008 and just in time for the “Back To School” rush, TATOOT will unveil it’s initial backpack and messenger bag collection in select street & boutique retailers like Michael K. in Manhattan, FootSoldiers in Mi ami and in all Dr. Jays locations in New York.

 

All TATOOT products will also be available for purchase beginning in Mid-July through their online store at:

 

www.TatootBags.com

 

About TATOOT

TATOOT is a graffiti-street lifestyle brand. TATOOT is a revolutionary and unconventional brand in that it expands upon more than one’s typical perception of graffiti and street art. TATOOT employs the very same concept of self-expression, delivering social and political messages, and serves as a form of art appreciation – but, TATOOT is bringing street art & graffiti to the worldover through a new fashionable and exciting product line of TATOOT messenger bags and backpacks. TATOOT will give street artists a new outlet of expression, making their art OUTLAWED No More.  TATOOT Bags are visually stimulating, fashionable, functional and downright Hot! The name TATOOT is a combination of two words meaning ‘DRAW LOUD.’ Talented artists can now express themselves on a new platform.  From subways to bags, TATOOT is indeed the new mobile art movement.

KOCH Records to Release Long-Awaited New Album by Virginia Lyricist Skillz

KOCH Records announces the release of “Million Dollar Backpack,” the new album by renowned Virginia lyricist Skillz on July 8th, 2008.

“Million Dollar Backpack” is Skillz’ first new album of all new material since 2005’s “Confessions of a Ghost Writer.” The album features guest appearances by Common, Kweli, Freeway and The Roots, and finds Skillz rapping mostly about the reality in which he lives.

KOCH Records General Manager Alan Grunblatt comments, “Skillz is one of the greatest MCs in the country and is the spearhead of our burgeoning hip-hop roster.”

Skillz is well known for his highly anticipated Year-End Rap Up freestyles, in which he sums up the year in hip-hop and beyond with the wit and skill that only he can conjure up. He got so much attention from these freestyles that star director Chris Robinson shot a music video for Skillz’ 6th and most recent 2007 Rap Up.

The first single off of “Million Dollar Backpack” is “So Far So Good” feat. Common. The track finds Skillz reflecting on how far he has come and what he has to do to keep pushing ahead. On “Crazy World,” he ponders on the many injustices we all face every day. Touching on the hysteria he feels has been creeping into the hood for some time now, Skillz spits: “There’s kids on my block with pockets full of rocks/They used to think that school was cool but that came to a stop/The madness setting in, I know a veteran, sh** he fought for his country and can’t afford his medicine.” The video for “Crazy World” can be seen online and was featured on MTV2’s “Sucker Free” in late winter.

With an album chock full of substance, style and of course skill, “Million Dollar Backpack” promises to fill the creative void that’s plaguing hip-hop. “Originality is missing in music,” says Skillz. “You don’t have to be a gimmick, just be yourself. I’m not mad at the state of music or what ain’t happening, I’m just making my music and anyone who wants to listen to it I’m greatly appreciative.”

Skillz just completed a tour with Jazzy Jeff in Europe, and will tour with The Roots on select U.S. dates this month.

For more on Skillz, go to www.myspace.com/yourghostwriter or www.kochrecords.com.

About KOCH Entertainment

KOCH Entertainment, founded in 1987 and now in its twenty-second year, is the leading and fastest-growing independent music company in the U.S. KOCH’s operations encompass record and video labels, music publishing as well as distribution companies in the U.S. and Canada. KOCH Entertainment is the market leader among independent labels and distributors in both the U.S. and Canada. Its record label KOCH Records is the # 1 independent label in the U.S. and had the largest number of Billboard charting albums among independents for seven years in a row (2001 – 2007). KOCH Entertainment is a subsidiary of Entertainment One Ltd. which is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market (ticker symbol “ETO.L”).