Diamond Inks Solo Deal With Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Female rapper Diamond, formerly of the group Crime Mob – which spawned the platinum single “Knuck If You Buck,” and certified gold single “Rock Yo Hips” – signed a multilayer solo deal with Warner Bros. Records Inc. Warner Bros. Records Inc. will be investing not only in the growth of Diamond as an artist, but also as a brand, building off of her recent campaign with FILA. Together, Diamond and Warner Bros. Records Inc. will also be tying in various endorsements, which include TV and film opportunities, setting her debut solo album up to be one of the biggest releases of 2009. 

“Diamond is an incredible talent,” said Kevin Black, Head of Urban Music at Warner Bros.  “She has what it takes to succeed not just in the rap game, but all areas of the entertainment business.” 

Diamond says of her new venture “I’m so excited about my new solo deal with Warner- it’s been a long time coming!  It’s important for me to give my fans the Diamond they already know, but to also give them something new from me! I hope to work with a few of my favorite people in the industry, from Timbaland to T-Pain on my new album, so there’s definitely going to be a few surprises in store!” 

An Atlanta native, Diamond became a member of the group Crime Mob in 2003, and in 2004 the group signed to Crunk Incorporated. Their self-titled debut album was released through Crunk Incorporated/G’s Up/Reprise Records and featured the hit single “Knuck If You Buck,” and in 2006 the group released their sophomore album Hated on Mostly, spawning the smash “Rock Yo Hips.”  Diamond has a new management team consisting of Bryan Leach of Polo Grounds Music as well as Amy Johnson and Keke Smith of Cookies & Milk. In Spring 2008, FILA featured Diamond in their new ad campaign – How Do You FILA – which was included in several national magazines including XXL, Blender, and Giant. 

VIBE’S 15th ANNIVERSARY ‘JUICE’ ISSUE TO FEATURE SPECIAL FASHION TRIBUTE TO NOTORIOUS B.I.G.

VIBE’s September 2008 issue is set to feature a special tribute to late rapper Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace (aka Biggie) as part of the magazine’s 15th Anniversary “Juice” issue.  This special anniversary edition – on newsstands August 19th — features an exclusive first-look at the cast from the upcoming film NOTORIOUS, the story about the late rap legend rising from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most influential hip-hop artists of all time.

NOTORIOUS is scheduled for nationwide release on January 16, 2009 by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

This month’s fashion spread features celebrities from the film, including Jamal Woolard (Biggie), Derek Luke (Sean Combs), multiple award winner Angela Bassett (Voletta Wallace), Antonique Smith (Faith Evans), and Naturi Naughton (Lil Kim).  The spread also includes Biggie’s real-life family and friends Faith Evans, their son Christopher “CJ” Wallace, and his mom and film producer Voletta Wallace, and members of Junior M.A.F.I.A.  

As part of the fashion feature, VIBE re-creates its memorable October 1995 cover featuring Biggie and his wife Faith Evans in the back of a 1968 Cadillac DeVille.

The spread showcases styles from luxury brands such as Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada, which Biggie helped make popular within the hip-hop community through his music.

To celebrate the rapper’s legacy, most of the magazine’s exclusive photos – styled by veteran VIBE Fashion Director Memsor Kamarake – were shot on St. James Place in Brooklyn, NY, the site of Biggie’s childhood home.

On September 1st, VIBE.com will post exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from VIBE TV on the set of the magazine’s May photo shoot (http://www.vibe.com/vibetv).  VIBE TV will update the footage each day through September 5th featuring new episodes from behind-the-scenes of the fashion shoot.

To complement the site’s coverage of the 15th Anniversary “Juice” issue, Fox Searchlight Pictures and producer Wayne Barrow will share an exclusive first look on VIBE.com into the production’s wardrobe department where a costume designer pulls together a ‘Show & Tell’ for the filmmakers, Jamal Woolard, and Antonique Smith. 

VIBE highlights the 15 most definitive sportswear brands of the last 15 years in this month’s special anniversary issue.  From original trendsetters such as Karl Kani, FUBU, Mecca and Enyce, to today’s most popular sportswear brands like Sean John, Rocawear, LRG, and Akademiks, VIBE speaks to the founders and creative professionals behind these innovative companies to discuss their greatest inspirations. 

VIBE’s Fall Fashion coverage continues with a tribute to celebrity Glam Squads as this month’s issue recognizes the professional stylists, hair stylists, and groomers to the stars.  In part one of a three-part series, this month’s VIBE salutes veteran stylists June Ambrose, Tameka Raymond, and Misa Hylton, along with a set of newcomers on the rise. 

About NOTORIOUS:
NOTORIOUS is scheduled for nationwide release on January 16, 2009 by Fox Searchlight Pictures. For more information, please visit www.Notorious09.com (official movie site) & www.NotoriousBlog.net (producer’s blog).

About Vibe Media Group:
VIBE Media Group, an affiliate of The Wicks Group of Companies, L.L.C., is a leading music/lifestyle media company that publishes the award-winning VIBE magazine, the preeminent brand in urban and music culture, which was founded by Quincy Jones in 1993, now celebrating its 15 Anniversary-year.  Additional VIBE Media Group properties include VIBE.com; The VIBE Awards; the wireless content service mVibe; and VIBE Books, which published The New York Times-bestseller, Tupac Shakur.