Urban Youth Baseball Initiative to Launch in NYC during the spirit of MLB All Star Week:: Latin Legends from the Baseball Hall of Fame to participate

 

R. Paniagua Inc. announces the launch of The Urban Youth Baseball Initiative, a seven city tour to distribute baseball Spalding baseball equipment to hundreds of Inner city youth baseball teams, (Ages 10-13) in the key U.S Hispanic markets. The program celebrates the Latino Legacy in Baseball and supports the continued growth of the sport within the Latino community.

The tour is schedule to launch in New York City on Sunday, July 13th, from 10am-3pm at Murphy Field Complex, located at Fordham University’s Bronx Campus, during the spirit of New York’s pinnacle All Star Week.

The citywide youth baseball tournament allows these youth to play organized baseball with teams from each borough in New York, in a safe and fun environment. The Initiative, sponsored by State Farm Insurance, will donate 3,600 gloves, baseballs and 2,000 wooden bats to teams in need across the United States, during the month of July and September.

RPI has gathered some major players from on and off the field to help support this effort. One of the individuals, César Presbott has worked as an area scout for the Yankees for the past 15 years. The Parkchester, Bronx resident is something of a baseball icon in his own right. Local ballplayers of all ages put on their game face when they see him in the stands, as Presbott has helped scout and groom baseball talent into the path of the pros. César and his team of coaches will implement special clinics for the young players, that will include instruction in Infield, Outfield, Hitting and Pitching.

On July 13th, these youngsters will get a chance to slug with Latino Legends Juan Marichal and Orlando Cepeda. Dominican Republic born Marichal and Puerto Rican born Cepeda are both inductee’s to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Their presence is a reminder that the history of Baseball cannot be told without mention of the influence of the Latino players.

“Having César, and Latin legends such as Juan and Orlando participate in this event, demonstrates that the Latino traditions in baseball will continue through our youth. These known individuals are committed to preserving this rich history and we appreciate their presence,” said Ralph Paniagua, founder and CEO of RPI.

In addition, The UYBI will present 50 equipment bags to the local little leagues during a 4-hour program. There will be a home run derby and two teams will play the Championship tournament.

“State Farm is a proud sponsor of the Urban Youth Baseball Initiative. By supporting this event, we are showing our commitment to providing youth the opportunity to engage in team sport activities in our communities. We are very excited to help hundreds of inner city youth by donating baseball equipment as part of the 7 city tour”. said Diana Rael, Director Multicultural Markets for State Farm Insurance.

State Farm Insurance presents the Urban Youth Baseball Initiative tour and is co- sponsored in New York by Spalding, US Army, NY Presbyterian, Pepsi, Wise Snacks, US Army, Pepsi Cola, SBS Broadcasting and LatinoBaseBall.com.

UYBI Tour Schedule:
(7/13)- Yankees – Bronx, NY
(7/20)- Astros – Houston, TX
(7/27)- Marlins-Miami, FL
(8/03)- Cubs-Chicago, IL
(8/10) Rangers- Los Angeles, CA
(8/24)- Diamondbacks- Phoenix, AZ

About State Farm Insurance-
State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. State Farm’s 17,000 agents and 67,000 employees serve over 77 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.9 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 32 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. In addition, State Farm has been recognized by Black Enterprise magazine as on of the Top 40 companies for diversity and Latina Style 50 as one of the Top 50 companies for Latinas to work. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®

About LatinoBaseball.com-
The premiere on-line website known as LATINOBASEBALL.COM, the most complete website for Latino Baseball fans. The success of Latino Baseball.com, in promoting the positive images of Latino Image in baseball has given way of creating events such as the Hispanic Heritage Day at the Ballpark; at key US Major League Baseball stadiums, Hispanic Achievement Awards program; honoring excellence in education and to be the first to broadcast The Caribbean Baseball World Series (CWS) in the U.S. Market.

About RPI-
R. Paniagua Inc. (RPI) is an integrated marketing and events firm, that since 1985 has provided TV, online and print content targeting the U.S. Hispanic market. RPI Inc. is one of the most unique marketing firms in the U.S. specializing in sports and entertainment grassroots programs for the Latino community.

Directions to Murphy Field Complex, Bronx, NY (at Fordham University’s Rose Hill Campus)
The D subway line stops at Fordham Road and the Grand Concourse, a few blocks from the University.

For local bus service, take the Bx9, Bx12, Bx22 or Bx61 to the University

For more information please visit www.latinobaseball.com

For further information, please contact Ralph Paniagua at 212-679-6755.

For Media Request, please contact Janice Torres at 212-363-0140

AZ & DJ Absolut Present N.4.L.

Only a few months after his most recent full-length, Undeniable, the legendary lyricist, AZ, is set to bless fans with an mixtape of historic significance, AZ’s N.4.L (Niggaz 4 Life) hosted by Heavy Hitter affiliate and HOT 97’s (WQHT-FM, New York) award-winning mixmaster, DJ Absolut, and produced by Absolut, Frado and Street Radio (Styles P, G-Unit, Joell Ortiz) hits online etailers and retail shelves August 5, 2008.
 
The guiding voice of hip-hop for nearly 14 years, AZ has connected the street-lore and mystique of the past with guidance and wisdom for the future. His newest album, N.4.L. is an edgy, controversial, yet relevant 16-track rap thesis on the word “Nigga” and what it means to be Black in the world today. The concept album expands on the movement started by his long-time collaborative partner, Nas, whose controversial album, Nigger, now Untitled, received so much backlash.
 
“I’m not doing N.4.L. to be in Nas’ shadow,” explains AZ.  “I was inspired by the message behind the movement.  I’m just adding to the concept because the message is so powerful. It’s about our culture and our people. He and I are cut from the same cloth, so I understood where he would have gone with it if the forces hadn’t intervened.  The closest thing to us rhyming together for now is the N.4.L. mixtape.  You’ll get him burning the candle from one end, [and me] burning the candle from the other end, [and] at the end of the day we gotta meet up in the middle.  What you didn’t get from Nas, you can get from AZ.”
 
The historical significance of N.4.L. transcends the music and is reflected even in the shocking cover imagery, a historic B&W image of civil rights protestors violently hosed by firemen and the inside jacket’s illustration of AZ hanging on a noose, an obvious suggestion to the historic lynchings and the present day lynching of black men and hip-hop artists. Even a cursory glance at the track titles “Knowledge Freedom,” “Runaway Slave,” “Conspiracy,” “Negro Spiritual,” and “Self Savior” evoke reaction and provoke thought. 
 
“The title N.4.L. has a dual meaning for me. The first suggests that no matter what you achieve in life, as a Black Man, even if you become President Of The United States, in someone’s eyes, you’ll always be looked at as a ‘nigga for life,’” explains AZ. The second he explains is a reflection of the generational divide, “I’m from the ’80s era and our experiences with the ‘n’ word are different.  Growing up, ‘nigga’ was just our way of communicating and acknowledging each other.  You might roll up on someone and say what’s up my nigga.  Depending on who is saying it, you may not be offended.  Although I understood what my mom and grandparents felt about the word, it’s not the experience of our generation.  Hopefully N.4.L. will engage more dialogue, so both generations can listen to each other and understand how we both perceive the meaning behind the word differently. I express that meaning in N.4.L. from both a street and historic perspective.”
 
Absolut adds, “After the intro, you’ll hear the whole ‘nigga’ concept brought to the table. The first record is called ‘Knowledge Freedom,’ which sets the tone for the whole mixtape. It gets deeper CD moves along. I wanted to challenge AZ’s flow, so we created certain beats and used different interludes that would compliment his skill out a lyricist,” explains Absolut who compiled the beats, coordinated the tracks, and hosts throughout. Raekwon and Charlie Rock guests on the leak track, “The Secret” as Sheek Louch and Trey Songz guest on the first official single, “I Just Wanna”
 
Omar “Ice Man” Sharif, founder and CEO of Ice Man Music Group (IMMG) who is releasing N.4.L. as part of a joint venture between Absolut’s Addicted 4 Life and AZ’s Quiet Money shares, “AZ is one of the best lyricists hip-hop has to offer. On all his albums, he mixes the message with the music in a way that speaks to the streets and teaches us something new. If we’re gonna use the word, then we should understand the history behind it and why the generations before us have such a problem with it!  DJ Absolut was the perfect person for AZ to link up with to spread this message because he’s on their favorite radio station everyday breaking new records, keeping his ear to the streets.  The kids love him!  He’s a star!”
 
After a decade and a half of lyrical mastery, AZ says he’s truly finding his stride, “I worked hard to get to this point in my career, going from the majors to independent.” He quotes Tupac Shakur’s popularized acronym ‘Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished,’ and says with optimism, “As proven in the past, niggas will prevail!”
 
About DJ Absolut – Host, Producer, Mixer of N.4.L.
 
Award-winning mixmaster and Heavy Hitter affiliate DJ Absolut is never far from the beats.  Expanding his audio empire from DJing the hottest parties all over the club, to hosting a radio show on New York’s #1 Radio Station HOT 97, and linking up with the Heavy Hitters, the most connected DJ franchise world-wide, DJ Absolut, has his hands on the turntables, but his ear to the streets.  Rising up from humble beginning as a intern at Stress Magazine (now defunct) in 1997, Absolut was eager to make his mark on the industry.  While there he learned the importance of networking, the value of forging relationships and built a series of connects that helped him get bookings at the hottest hip-hop clubs in New York. Not long after, we secured his first on-air gig and an affiliation with The Heavy Hitters, the most connected DJ collective world-wide with the power to make n’ break artists. An award-winning mixtape producer & DJ, Absolut inked a joint venture through his production company, Addicted 4 Life, to produce a series of mixtapes released by Iceman Music Group and distributed by Koch Entertainment.  The first of which is AZ’s N.4.L. album.  Absolut has been featured on BET MTV, The Source, Vibe Magazine, XXL Magazine.
 
About Ice Man Music Group, Inc. (IMMG)
 
Founded by Omar “Ice Man” Sharif, Ice Man Music Group (IMMG) distributed by Koch Entertainment (parent distributor for Koch Records) dedicates itself to raw original hip-hop and includes Spider Loc, AZ, ONYX (Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz, Sonny Seeza), DJ Absolut and new artists Young Hustel and Bad Luck.  Under IMMG  is a coalition of labels: Onyx Records Presents 100 Mad Niggaz With Gunz. Baymacc, Onyx Records,Quiet Money, Addicted 4 Life, and many more to come.

Bushwick Bill Gets Ready For New Controversy

Bushwick Bill, long recognized for his classic work with the Geto Boys, is slated to return with what many of his fans will consider to be his most shocking album to date.  This musical chapter of Bushwick’s life will see him send his “Chucky” AKA “Chuckwick” persona to his final resting place. His upcoming release, “Testimony Of Redemption,” is a skillfully crafted work, intersecting deep spirituality and reality rap.

Bushwick’s life has been both one of the most highly publicized and unusual in hiphop, landing him a spot on “Vh1’s Hiphop 30″ and “Vh1’s Most Shocking Moments In Rock.” Bill, who was born in the country of Jamaica as Richard Shaw, is set to release his entirely autobiographical album, “Testimony Of Redemption” later this year. He calls it a gospel hiphop rap album, and from beginning to end, its messages are as hard as the tablets that Moses slammed down in the desert.
     
Using the Isaac Hayes sample, “Hung Up On My Baby,” which was the foundation of the Geto Boys platinum song “Mind Playing Tricks On Me,” Bushwick’s track “Renewed Mind” offers new revelations—not just from Bill, himself, but revelations from the Bible. Discussing his new mindset expressed in the upcoming album, Bill raps, “Well, it’s a new year with my past behind, No more playing tricks on my renewed mind, Geto Boys is the crew where I claimed my fame. Much respect to them, but I gotta push Christ’s name.”  Although Bushwick may be holding an exorcism on Chuckwick, the song clearly warns, “Don’t take me for a person who’s too religious, I didn’t come to separate the sinners from the Christians.”  Bushwick says is not here to judge, but to offer an alternative point of view for fans and fellow rappers alike to ponder.

Because the Houston, Texas based recording artist has so much to say, he has already recorded more than twenty unpredictable tracks on the album. Bill is currently taking offers from both labels and distributors.

In the song’s lyrics, Bushwick acknowledges his wild past, and concedes, “To have longevity in the rap game is kind of hard, but I’m still here rockin’ the mic, and praise God. ‘Cause I should have been knocked off with all I did.” This admission is clearly a lyrical departure from his past works. The album proves Bushwick’s diversity, and his ability to make listeners think. Bill stands tall with his unexpected messages he brings, as he raps, “You can say it won’t sell with a message in it. I say it’s all hell if Christ ain’t in it.”  Bill’s rhymes offer a lot of advice, and he urges, “If your mind’s playing tricks on you, follow Me, while I take you through my life and my testimony. Everybody want to know if Bushwick’s for real. Keep watching, you’ll see, I ain’t poppin no pills.” Bushwick not popping pills you ask? Unbelievers and naysayers will surely change their mind by the time they hear the rest of the album.

During the discs’s outspoken title track, Bushwick raps, “I met a man who say he’s about to make me a rap superstar. The rest is history, peep the next sixteen bars. I’ve seen the fame, seen the fortune, but felt nothing inside, to seeing clearly now, ‘cause I’m walking with Christ.”
 
After an in-depth, graphic rap about his eye being shot out, he raps, “I’m trading Chuckwick then into being a Jesus freak,” and “Kanye gets more press for talking about Bush than Jesus.” He comments that this is his own path he has chosen for himself, explaining, “Now I ain’t trippin. I know rappers have to make it out the hood, and if rap can keep you from crime, and keeps your family, good. I can’t knock a man’s hustle, but the problem is when we fraud, when we make these albums full of sin, and then we thanking God.”
 
In “Spiritual Warfare,” Bushwick spits, “For Christ you will ride, for him you will never die,” as he points out “how many fell victims to pipe dreams.”

Bushwick, who countless times has been labelled “sexist and misogynist,” also comes through with the song “Praise Of A Good Woman,” in which he raps, “I used to look at a woman with a “B” in front of the itch, but my mind had a glitch in it, got a Holy Spirit fix, then God put a stitch in it, away, then I became a man, and put away childish things.”  Your mind’s not playing tricks on you. This is for real.

Tired of the divisions in hiophop, Bill makes a stand on the track “God’s Side Is The Best Side,” where he rhymes, “I ain’t gotta be drunk off Kris, I’m drunk off this, rippin’ it raw. Ain’t no North, South, East or the West side. Ain’t no Bloods, no Crips where I’m from, just the blood of Jesus, believe it son.”  Bushwick says that what he’s talking about are many of the things that weaker rappers have been thinking about, but their record labels have not wanted them to. This is Bill’s first album working with George Uscanga’s G-Spot Productions.

Bushwick pulls out “The Thorn In My Side” with partner in rhyme, Tray Nine, rapping, “And we all fall short, body’s cursed from birth. That’s a lame excuse for Bushwick, it won’t work.” A song about controlling anger, he spits, “But the wise hold it back, Proverbs twenty-nine eleven, you can go cop that, better yet, I’ll adopt that, ‘cause I need it the most. Lord pull this thorn from me, fill me with your Holy Ghost.”

Throughout the album, Bill spits Bible verses, showing his vast knowledge of the Word, and it is good.  He points his always accessible Glock at Satan on “Pull The Trigger On The Demon,” a song that will make other rappers think twice. “You’re killing the South, rap about something realer than the grill in your mouth,” he challenges MC’s. Those are fighting words. However, Bill says he is not dissing other rappers, he is dissing the Devil.

Bushwick is one rapper who has seen it all. Born in Jamaica, he lived in Brooklyn, and in Houston, where he first found fame with his Rap-A-Lot label mates Scarface and Willie D. The Geto Boys have stirred controversy many times, including once when recording their now legendary St. Ides commercial, a campaign that promoted buying forty-ounce bottles of alcohol.

Bushwick has had more public controversies than most other rappers, two of which have included engaging in a dis war with Sen. Bob Dole during his candidacy for President, and having the ending his “Ever So Clear” music video, during which he removed his glass eye and dropped it into a glass of Everclear, banned by MTV.

Having been a heavy drinker for many years, Bill may know all about spirits, but prior to that, he had also learned a lot about the Holy Spirit. Bushwick attended Bible college, intending to become a minister, but instead, he was discovered by DJ extraordinaire Lonnie Mac when he was dancing at Flames.  In 1987, he was encouraged by Ready Red, who was signed to Rap-A-Lot, to start rapping. Bill eventually became a member of the platinum and gold selling Geto Boys, executive produced by James Prince, owner of Rap-A-Lot Records.  Although Bill was on the cover of the Geto Boys’ 1986 release, “Making Trouble,” he didn’t rap on an a Geto Boys record until the 1989 release, “Grip It On The Other Level.” Their 1990 self-titled release generated national controversy, with just one of the reasons being that Geffen Records announced that it refused to manufacture or release the album, due to its lyrical content, which led famed producer Rick Rubin to move his record label to Warner Brothers. One of Bushwick’s most recognized lyrics is, “This year, Halloween fell on a weekend,” from the hiphop classic, “Mind Playing Tricks” from the Geto Boys 1991 release, “We Can’t Be Stopped.” Now, instead of haunting the streets, Bushwick is working on being a blessing in your ipod. He also appeared on the 1993 Geto Boys albums ” “Till Death Do Us Part,” 1996’s “The Resurrection,” and 2005’s “The Foundation.” I n addition to his work on discs by the Geto Boys, Bushwick, whose solo albums have included “Phantom Of The Rapra,” “Little Big Man,” and “No Surrender, No Retreat,”Bushwick is the only artist to have appeared on Dr. Dre’s quintessential work, “The Chronic,” who was not on Death Row Records.

On “I Know What You Might Think,” Bushwick chimes like a bell in a church tower, as he proclaims, “But without Christ you got no real happiness, only God can make you better, not Ne-Yo or Fabulous.”  Bill raps, “I might sit on Letterman to make my salary grow, or kick back, let Vh1 do my reality show. This the true flavor of love, straight from above, Jesus Christ the king, and Satan a scrub. You might see me on “Dubs.”

His upcoming release will feature his first metal track “No More Childish Play” on the album, as well.

KOCH RECORDS ENTERS NEW DEAL WITH BLACK HAND ENTERTAINMENT, FIRST RELEASE COMING THIS FALL FROM QUEENS RAPPER GRAFH

KOCH Records announces a new deal with Chaz Williams and his Black Hand Entertainment. 

 

The first release under this new deal will be the new album by New York rapper and Black Hand Entertainment President Grafh.  He is set to release The Evolution, on Black Hand Entertainment/KOCH Records this fall.

 

KOCH Records General Manager Alan Grunblatt says, “All of us here at KOCH Records are absolutely thrilled to be working with Grafh, he is truly a great New York artist.

This is the first big record we are doing via Black Hand and Chaz Williams. Chaz and I are pardners!”

 

Black Hand Entertainment CEO Chaz Williams adds, “KOCH Records has been at the forefront of indie music for some time. This is the perfect climate for what we do at Black Hand as an independent movement.”

 

 

The first single from Grafh’s The Evolution, “Like Ohh,” can be heard on urban radio now.  Grafh says, “’Like Ohh’ is the first in a succession of singles leading up to the release of my first commercial album, The Evolution.  It’s the perfect summer street record that recognizes the change in the climate of the music industry.”

 

The track is getting great reaction and attention from Mixshow radio as this past July 4^th jump off weekend proved.  New York’s Hot 97 played the track 30 times during the weekend alone!  Look for the “Like Ohh” remix featuring Busta Rhymes to hit radio shortly.

 

Click here to check out the hit single “Like Ohh:”

http://kochent.edgeboss.net/download/kochent/radiohits/like_ohh_clean.mp3 

 

Grafh acquired an early buzz on the mixtape circuit, and received early support from mixshow DJs in New York, and elsewhere. However, long before the public recognized his skill, lyrical finesse, and consistency, he became the flagship artist of Black Hand Entertainment, and his previous background at St John’s University eventually qualified him for double duty as president at the indie label Black Hand Entertainment. 

 

Grafh’s songs have been heard on HBO’s Entourage, Fox’s Meth and Red, BET’s Ultimate Hustler and numerous video games, including EA Sport’s NFL Streets, Saint’s Row, and 25 to Life.

LONG LOST ALBUM FROM BOSTON HIP-HOP PIONEER AND PERCEPTIONIST DJ/PRODUCER, FAKTS ONE, FINALLY SEES LIGHT OF DAY.

Although most of the details are sketchy, the one thing that’s certain is that the once highly influential underground hip-hop DJ/Producer and Perceptionist member, Fakts One, one day, simply disappeared.  Some blame problems with his record label that folded right before the scheduled release of his debut solo album. Others say the stresses of the unstable music industry led Fakts to turn his back on hip-hop as a profession. Whatever the reason, he decided to make a clean break from the music and many of his closest friends in the industry haven’t heard from him since.

 DJ Fakts One was a key figure in the Boston Hip-Hop scene for many years. He got his start djing parties and breaking local acts on WERS radio in the late ’90’s, through the popular “89.9 at Night” show. He dropped one of his first mix tapes (yes, on cassette) on the famed Brick Records titled “Heavy Hitters” and instantly started making noise throughout the state. Lending production to many releases by Mr. Lif and Akrobatik, it was inevitable that these three long-time friends would form a trio that was 100% pure hip-hop called The Perceptionists.

 Their album “Black Dialogue” was released in 2005 on Definitive Jux to critical claim. With great sales, and a tour that was ready to kick off, this powerhouse of a rap group was about to start taking things over! At the same time Fakts was waiting on his solo record debut to be released, but the label continued to stall, delay and eventually folded into the industry abyss. Then, in a sudden turn of events, Fakts up and left his partners “Lif and Ak” stranded with no DJ at the start of their tour and vanished off the hip-hop map altogether.

 Although Fakts One’s departure left fans and friends both frustrated and confused, no one could deny his musical talents. Most just assumed that his highly anticipated debut opus “Long Range” would just become another victim of industry politics. It would be yet another rumored release that nobody would ever hear or could prove actually existed…until now. Finally, five years after its completion, “Long Range” will be released EXACTLY how he had intended before quitting the business. The album has some of the best MC’s around (Little Brother, Planet Asia, Boot Camp Clik as well as his brothers in The Perceptionists; Mr. Lif and Akrobatik) and as one would expect, the beats are that classic boombap sound, drenched with his own blood, sweat and tears.

It’s a shame it took so long for this to happen but as they say good things come to those who wait. Hopefully when Fakts hears all his years of hard work finally coming to light, he can sit back (wherever he is), smile and realize it was well worth the journey.

Tracklisting and credits for Fakts One’s Long Range:

1.) Ridin’ Dirty
2.) Grown Folks f/ Little Brother
3.) Life Music f/ Rocklyn & Maya Azucena
4.) OK f/ Kingsize & Outerspace
5.) Born For This f/Chan
6.) Don’t Stop f/Boot Camp Clik
7.) The Showstarter f/ The Perceptionists (Mr. Lif & Akrobatik)
8.) Audiovisual f/  J Live
9)  U From The Q f/ Universal
10.) Set The Mood f/ Grayskul
11.) Moments Matter f/ Tajai (of Souls Of Mischief)
12.) Selfish f/ Akrobatik & Iyadonna
13.) Longevity f/ Rasco, Planet Asia & Shakes Da Mayor
14.) The Showstarter (Walkman Remix) f/ The Perceptionists (Mr. Lif & Akrobatik)