VORDUL MEGA SET TO RELEASE SOPHOMORE SOLO-LP, MEGAGRAPHITTI

Vordul Mega is one half of Cannibal Ox, a group that despite releasing only one album (2002’s essential classic Cold Vein) remains amongst the most heralded rap groups of this millennium. After the titanic success of The Cold Vein, Vordul began work on a solo album, then suspended that record after signing a deal with Nature Sounds for what would become his first solo LP, 2004’s Revolution of Yung Havoks. While his name was now cemented in the annals of underground rap, Vordul was still struggling against the poverty and deprivation, the despair and hopelessness that hang in every corner of the ghetto. A Harlem resident since birth, he still lives and breathes uptown, the source of both his inspiration and his personal struggles.

 

Of course, Vordul also remained a much sought after collaborator in the underground, appearing on Wu-Tang Meets Indie Culture, Vast Aire’s Look Mom, No Hands and Dueces Wild, Aesop Rock’s Bazooka Tooth, DJ Ese’s Side: Two, among many, many others.  Vordul’s association with Backwoodz Studioz goes back to 2003’s cult classic Camouflage and has remained steady over the years with Vordul playing a major part in the Reavers super-group as well as releases by the Super Chron Flight Brothers. So it was only natural that they come together and make Megagraphitti a concrete reality; after years of working together and stashing away tracks. Vordul’s heartfelt rhymes and stream-of-consciousness flow combined with top-notch production that matches the intensity of its subject matter is the foundation of Megagraphitti.

 

Although Vordul has never sought out the spotlight, he has also never stopped making music, or working on this album (which has seen many different titles and incarnations over the years) and all the while, Vordul laid down tracks for what would eventually become Megagraphitti (which will be released on 8-19-08). The album became a chronicle of sorts, telling the story of a boy growing into a man inside a ghetto that is determined to dehumanize him; while also spanning and documenting the breadth of an era in the New York underground. The result is an extremely personal record made with the blood, sweat and tears of an artist who has gazed into the abyss and come back to tell the story, as Vordul relays “Megagraphitti is me trying to capture the last six years of my life on record, show where I’ve been at and where I am trying to go. I put it all out there and just tried to make the record that is true to me and what I’ve been through.”

 

Featuring production from El-P, Bronze Nazareth, Sid Roams, Bond, Ravage as well as features from Vast Aire, Tommy Gunn (Monsta Island Czars), Billy Woods and the Invizzbl Men (Marq Spekt & Karniege), Backwoodz Studioz is proud to present Vordul Mega’s sophomore solo-LP Megagraphitti.

 

Tracklisting and credits for Vordul Mega’s Megagraphitti:

 

1.) Stay Conscious (produced by Zach One)

2.) AK-47 f/ Vast Aire (Cannibal Ox) (produced by Opto)

3.) Opium Scripts f/ billy woods (produced by Bond)

4.) Hattori Hanzo (produced y DJ Marmaduke)

5.) Air Battery f/ Tommy Gunn (Megalon of Monsta Island Czars) & billy woods (produced by Bond)

6.) Trigganomics (produced by Bronze Nazareth)

7.) Broken Halo f/ Invizzibl Men & Hi-Coup (produced by Lex Boogie)

8.) Light (produced by Bond)

9.) In the Mirror f/ Vast Aire (Cannibal Ox) (produced by Sid Roams)

10.) Beautiful (produced by Armyfatigue)

11) Learn (produced by Ravage)

12.) Peanut Butta Up’s (produced by DJ Marmaduke)

13.) Keep Living f/ billy woods (produced by El-P)

14.) Imani (produced by Essex Dogs)          

15.) Megagraphitti (produced by Zach-One)

 

Web link to view Vordul Mega’s “Megagraphitti” video: http://www.backwoodzstudioz.com/moving/VordulMega_Megagraphitti_MV.mov

GREG STREET TO RELEASE “GREG STREET CERTIFIED WORLDWIDE” ON INTERSCOPE RECORDS

Perennial radio personality and hip hop hit-breaker Greg Street is primed for the release of “Greg Street Certified Worldwide,” his long-anticipated compilation for Interscope Records. The compilation’s first single is the upbeat, feel-good track “Good Day,” featuring Nappy Roots which is currently airing on BET’s “106 and Park,” features Street with a classroom of singing school children interspersed with scenes of members of Nappy Roots.  The compilation also features appearances from Lil Wayne, Game, Soulja Boy, Kardinal, Rich Boy, Wale and more.

 

Street says he’ll promote the compilation, which is primarily geared towards the south and the Midwest, through a series of specialized promotions and events including a “Good Day” cookout tour. “I want to plan a giant cookout for the listeners of radio stations in different cities and invite their families out. I want mothers, grandmothers and kids to come out and have a good time,” he says. “The food and the beverages will be free. Then at night we’ll do a party so we’ll touch on both levels of what’s going on: the family thing and the party thing.”

 

Known for coining the phrase “It’s 6 o’clock, it’s 6 o’clock, time for Greg Street to rock,” Greg Street has been a mainstay at hip hop radio, spending the last 14 years at Atlanta radio station V103, where he currently holds down the 6-10 time slot. His show continues to boast the #1 rated Arbitron spot in all demographics.  The Hattiesburg, Mississippi native is also at work on several other projects, including a documentary entitled “How We Did It: The Movie,” which features several hip-hop notables sharing the secrets to their success.

 

Video Link to Greg Street f/Nappy Roots “Good Day” video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=1t3Ltarqxn4

GYM CLASS HEROES ROLL OUT “THE QUILT”

Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen recording group Gym Class Heroes has announced the upcoming release of their eagerly anticipated third album, “THE QUILT.”  The collection – which follows 2006’s RIAA gold-certified breakthrough, “AS CRUEL AS SCHOOL CHILDREN” – arrives in stores and at online retailers on September 9th.

“THE QUILT” will be preceded by the album’s first single, “Cookie Jar.”  Produced by The-Dream (Rihanna, Usher, Chris Brown), the track will be available for digital purchase on July 8th.  Gym Class Heroes recently wrapped production on a companion video for “Cookie Jar” with director Dale “Rage” Resteghini (Jim Jones, Lil’ Wayne).  The clip will premiere later this summer.

For their new album, Gym Class Heroes teamed up with a number of extraordinary collaborators.  In addition to The-Dream, producers include Cool & Dre (Yung Joc, Young Jeezy, The Game) and the Geneva, NY-based band’s longtime friend and collaborator, Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy.  What’s more, “THE QUILT” features special guest contributions from the one-and-only Busta Rhymes, UK soul sensation Estelle, and the legendary Daryl Hall. 

Gym Class Heroes will spend their summer busting out the new material as headliners on the just-underway Vans Warped Tour (see attached itinerary).  In addition, the band will also join fellow Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen recording groups The Academy Is…, Cobra Starship, and Four Year Strong for summer shows in New Orleans, Montana, and Oregon.

* * * * *

            Acclaimed for their unique approach to alternative hip-hop, Gym Class Heroes became an international sensation in 2007 with their #1 blockbuster hit, “Cupid’s Chokehold/Breakfast In America.”  The track was a multiple chart-topping crossover smash and catapulted “AS CRUEL AS SCHOOL CHILDREN” to RIAA gold certification for sales exceeding 500,000.

The band was named “Best New Artist” at 2007’s MTV Video Music Awards, beating out such stars as Amy Winehouse and Carrie Underwood.  GCH were all over music television, with live performances and videos for such tracks as the anthemic “Clothes Off!” appearing on MTV, its affiliated networks, and FUSE.  Additional Gym Class Heroes TV appearances included performances on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

A remarkably dedicated live act, Gym Class Heroes have toured nearly non-stop in recent years.  In addition to headlining a number of packed-out tours, the band played at countless festivals and radio-sponsored shows, and shared stages with Fall Out Boy and Gwen Stefani.

For up-to-the-minute news and tour information, see the official Gym Class Heroes website, www.gymclassheroes.com, or the band’s MySpace page, www.myspace.com/gymclassheroes.

Gym Class Heroes are:  Travis McCoy (lead vocalist), Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo (guitarist), Eric Roberts (bassist), and Matt McGinley (drummer).

 

(TOUR ITINERARY ATTACHED)

 

 

GYM CLASS HEROES

Tour 2008

All Dates w/Vans Warped Tour Except

* w/The Academy Is…, Cobra Starship, and Four Year Strong

JUNE

28        Salt Lake City, UT                Utah State Fairgrounds

29        Denver, CO                            Invesco Field @ Mile High

JULY

1          Maryland Heights, MO        Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

2          Bonner Springs, KS               Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

3          Dallas, TX                               Superpages.com Center

5          Selma, TX                               Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

6          Houston, TX                           Sam Houston Race Park

8          New Orleans, LA                   House of Blues *

9          Atlanta, GA                            Lakewood Amphitheater

10        Orlando, FL                           Central Florida Fairgrounds

11        St. Petersburg, FL                 Vinoy Park

12        Miami, FL                              Bicentennial Park

13        St. Augustine, FL                   St. Johns Fair

14        Charlotte, NC                        Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

15        Virginia Beach, VA                Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

16        Columbia, MD                       Merriweather Post Pavilion

17        Cleveland, OH                       Time Warner Cable Amphitheater

18        Detroit, MI                             Comerica Park

19        Toronto, ON                          Downsview Park

20        Montreal, QC                         Parc Jean Drapeau

23        Mansfield, MA                       Tweeter Center For The Performing Arts

24        Darien Center, NY                Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

25        Camden, NJ                           Susquehanna Bank Center

26        Uniondale, NY                      Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

27        Scranton, PA                          Toyota Pavilion

28        Englishtown, NJ                    Old Bridge Township Raceway Park

29        Burgettstown, PA                  Post Gazette Pavilion

30        Cincinnati, OH                      Riverbend Music Center

31        Noblesville, IN                       Verizon Wireless Music Center

AUGUST

1          Milwaukee, WI                      Marcus Amphitheater

2          Tinley Park, IL                       First Midwest Bank Amphitheater

5          Saskatoon, SK                        Credit Union Center

6          Calgary, AB                           Race City Speedway

7          Missoula, MT                         Wilma Theater *

8          Nampa, ID                             Idaho Center Amphitheater

9          George, WA                           George Amphitheater

10        St. Helens, OR                       Columbia Meadows

11        Eugene, OR                            McDonald Theater *

13        Fresno, CA                             Save Mart Center

14        Chula Vista, CA                     Cricket Wireless Amphitheater

15        Mountain View, CA              Shoreline Amphitheater

16        Marysville, CA                       Sleep Train Amphitheater

17        Carson, CA                             Home Depot Center

Fred Williamson Teams with Quentin Tarantino on New DVD

FRED WILLIAMSON, QUENTIN TARANTINO & LEGENDARY ITALIAN DIRECTOR TEAM FOR DVD

‘The Hammer’ & Tarantino Join Enzo Castellari For Severin Films’ INGLORIOUS BASTARDS DVD Release on July 29, 2008

Fred Williamson

Williamson in The Inglorious Bastards

Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com) – Action movie icon Fred ‘The Hammer’ Williamson joins Quentin Tarantino and celebrated Italian action director Enzo G. Castellari for exclusive Bonus Features on the special 3-disc DVD of Castellari’s THE INGLORIOUS BASTARDS to be released July 29th by Severin Films. Williamson starred in the 1978 World War II adventure that has been called “the biggest and most badass war movie in EuroCult history.” Tarantino, a longtime fan of Williamson’s, has announced that his next project will be a remake of Castellari’s original film.

A former star Defensive Back with the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs (where he earned the nickname ‘The Hammer’ and played in SuperBowl I), Williamson made his movie debut in Robert Altman’s 1970 Oscar-winning classic M*A*S*H. Within two years, Williamson had become one of the biggest box office stars in America as the king of the ‘Blaxploitation’ genre. Williamson broke further new ground in the mid-70s when he became writer, producer and director of several of his own urban action hits. Today, Williamson continues to produce, direct and star in his own international hit films, as well as co-starring in such Hollywood blockbusters as STARSKY & HUTCH. “In America, I’m just a Black actor,” says Williamson, “but in Europe, I’m an action star. INGLORIOUS BASTARDS was a great example of that. It was a physically demanding and fun movie to make, and I’m proud of my work in it. Most of all, I’m glad that this special edition DVD will introduce it to a whole new audience.”

THE INGLORIOUS BASTARDS (aka: DEADLY MISSION and G.I. BRO) stars Williamson and Bo (WALKING TALL, KILL BILL) Svenson as the leaders of a gang of condemned criminals who escape from an Allied prison convoy with a plan to blast their way to the Swiss border, only to find themselves ‘volunteering’ for a suicide mission deep inside Nazi occupied France. Through it all, ‘The Hammer’ battles racist officers, vicious Nazis and naked fräuleins amidst some of the most explosive action and stunt work of the decade. “Fred brought a one-of-a-kind combination of fearless athlete and movie star charisma to the production,” says director Enzo Castellari. “Plus he’s a terrific, committed actor. Even when I insisted he use a stunt double for the most dangerous scenes — especially his jump from a bridge onto a moving train — Fred insisted on doing the stunts himself. He made those scenes spectacular.” Castellari, who has been called “The Italian Drive-In God” by L.A. Weekly, has been one of international cinema’s most celebrated writer/directors for more than 4 decades, specializing in all-star action hits that include STREET LAW, HIGH CRIME, 1990: THE BRONX WARRIORS and GREAT WHITE.

“I’ve been a huge Fred Williamson fan my whole life,” says Quentin Tarantino, who would cast Williamson in his and Robert Rodriguez’ FROM DUSK TIL DAWN. “He is always just so cool. I didn’t see INGLORIOUS BASTARDS until it aired on television in the late ’80s, but my friends and I loved it so much that it became ‘our’ movie. For the next 20 years, I showed it to everyone I knew. About seven years ago, I finally sat down and started writing my own version of it.” Tarantino has announced that his INGLORIOUS BASTARDS is already in pre-production and will premiere at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

Severin Films was formed in May 2006 with offices in Los Angeles and London, and is dedicated to releasing the most provocative and controversial features from around the world. The company’s previous successes include the Unrated Director’s Cut of GWENDOLINE starring Tawny Kitaen, Italian shock-maestro Lucio Fulci’s THE PSYCHIC and THE EROTICIST, and the two-volume limited-edition collections BLACK EMANUELLES BOX. www.severin-films.com