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( 0 ) Join the I-Squad!!!! Join the I-Squad!!!! Hey are u serious about hip hop? Love being online? Have the gift of networking well? Need industry experience? Then Imperial Records are looking for YOU! Get free CDs, a heads up on the concerts, autograhped posters, stickers, t-shirts, banners, etc. Send us an email here : ImperialSquad@gmail.com Let us know where you represent! Plus leave us your myspace page, aol page, etc. I'll be in touch! Feb-21-2007 15:49:55 Comments( 0 ) Add Comments

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( 0 ) GOT DEMOS???? GOT DEMOS?! Want us to listen to your music? Imperial Records now (as always) is accepting demos!! It's GREAT that so many of you are requesting us to listen to the music you post on myspace!! You can also send us a demo: 1) Please send your music in CD format. 2) Please include any pertinent information including your group name, track titles, names of members, bio, background, successes and any contact info. 3) NO PHONE CALLS. We like you but we can't possibly have the time to talk to every artist. 4) Our address is: Imperial Records ATTN: A&R Department 101 6th Ave. 4th Floor New York, NY 10013 Please keep in mind that we are a busy label, so do not expect immediate feedback. We will contact those whom we are excited about. Bear in mind that as long as you believe in what you do, you need to keep at it whether we "get it" or not. After all, someone passed on signing Jay Z. Thanks again, IMPERIAL RECORDS Feb-21-2007 15:45:50 Comments( 0 ) Add Comments

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( 0 ) Penalty Recordings/D-LIFE The legendary record label, Penalty Recordings is scheduled to re-launch this year with the release of the CD/DVD album DLIFE Presents Extreme Soca Volume 1 on March 20, 2007. The album offers songs from some of the hottest Soca artist around, Kevin Lyttle, Bomani, and as a special bonus the DVD disc contains the video of Alison Hinds’ smash hit, “Roll It.” Penalty Recordings began operations in 1994 as a joint venture between Neil Levine and Tommy Boy/Warner Music Group. The company, which started with a staff of one, eventually emerged into one of the top hip-hop labels in the U.S. Penalty Recordings specialized in finding some of the best up and coming talent and developing them into superstars. Penalty’s small staff was responsible for some of hip hop’s biggest success stories, hip hop legend, Lord Finesse, the thugged out trendsetters, Capone-N-Noreaga (CNN), Noreaga (NORE), The Beatnuts, J-Live, Skull Duggery, Crooked Lettaz (with the platinum plus producer David Banner), AND 1 Mixtape DVD series and many more. Penalty was also the launching pad for some of the hottest producers and artists on the scene today including The Neptunes, Just Blaze and Nelly. Now poised to create a new generation of hit-makers Neil Levine President/Owner of Penalty Recordings explains why this is the perfect time to re-launch the label, “With the re-launch of EMI’s Imperial Records and our new situation within the Caroline/EMI system we have the freedom to continue to push the envelope as an independent with the muscle and assets of a multi-national, major record label.” DLIFE is a HOT 97 (New York’s WQHT) on-air personality and the ambassador for the emerging Soca movement. Soca (the Soul of Calypso) is the most popular music in English speaking Caribbean islands and Soca forms the theme music to the annual “Carnivals” in each country and the 25 major cities across the world. Every Sunday DLIFE spins with Bobby Konders and Jabba of Massive B with the hour long show, “On The Reggae Tip.” DLIFE is known for breaking such international hits as “Turn Me On” by Kevin Lyttle and “Soul On Fire” by Rupee. “Soca is entering a new stage” DLIFE says, “It has the potential to be the English-language reggaeton and to fill the niche left by the hardcore nature of dancehall reggae. I’m excited to be involved with a music that has the power to transform American culture.” DLIFE Presents Extreme Soca Volume 1 comes out March 20th, 2007 on Penalty Recordings. This project is actually a production deal with Raptivism Records. Raptivism’s earlier releases include landmark albums from Dead Prez, Zion I and Shabaam Sahdeeq. DLIFE Presents Extreme Soca Volume 1 will not only bring DLIFE into the forefront as a DJ and personality but also contains “Don’t Stop” by Shurwayne Winchester, “Wet” by Bomani and “Woman By My Side” by Peter Ram. This album is the first of many releases heralding the exciting, re-launch of Penalty Recordings. Feb-21-2007 15:38:05 Comments( 0 ) Add Comments

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( 0 ) Imperial Records Imperial is a full service artist/label development group that will offer promotions, marketing and digital services for the independent urban music market. Neil Levine is the Senior Vice President/General Manager of Imperial Records. Levine and Imperial will also provide additional resources for developing urban artists within EMI’s major labels including, Capitol and Virgin Records, and EMI’s independent company, Caroline Distribution. Imperial Records began operations in June of this year and the music industry is already buzzing with news of the recently launched company’s projects. The label group is designed to be on the cutting edge of the urban music scene by discovering and nurturing the most exciting music emerging in the clubs, streets, and on line. Imperial Records has a small, hard working, staff that handles the vital functions of a music label; Product Management, Radio Promotions, Publicity, Coordinating Street Teams, Sales Management and On -line Marketing and Promotions. Some of the newest acts that Imperial has signed deals with include hip hop icon, Fat Joe and Terror Squad Entertainment. This is going to be a monumental album because after an impressive, 13 year long career, Fat Joe has managed to remain one of the most relevant artist in the game and he has collectively sold over 4 million records world wide. Fat Joe’s latest endeavor is Me, Myself & I which will be one of the first projects released through Imperial/Virgin. The album includes appearances by two of today’s’ hottest MCs, The Game and Lil Wayne with tracks from hit making producers, Scott Storch, DJ Khaled, The Runners, LV and Nujersy Devil. The single and video “Make It Rain” featuring Lil Wayne, is already receiving over 800 spins at radio. The video garnered an “All Access” segment on BET and MTV Jamz selected it as the “MTV Jam of the Week”. In a statement released to the press, Fat Joe comments on signing the deal with Imperial Records, “Terror Squad Entertainment is so happy to be in the independent world right now and we’re going to do amazing things.” Imperial also signed a deal with the cutting-edge, hip hop label, Raptivism Records. Raptivism is an independent urban label founded in 1998 by Vincent Merry and Rishi Nath. They are known for discovering underground artist and releasing critically acclaimed music rooted in social and political consciousness. Raptivism’s earlier releases include landmark albums from Dead Prez, Zion I and Shabaam Sahdeeq. Raptivism has an existing catalog of over 25 CDs and DVDs. The label plans to release over 20-30 projects within the year including, Oddisee (Jazzy Jeff’s prodigy), Wade Waters and Akrobatik. Raptivism will also release DVDs through Imperial, “No Sleep ‘Till Shanghai” a documentary starring former Ruff Ryders recording artist Jinn, as he travels through Asia performing, battling and rediscovering his roots. Also, “Extreme Soca v.1”, from DLife of Hot 97 which will be the first Soca mix CD and DVD magazine to ever be released through a record label. Another addition to the Imperial Records roster is Skeleton Key Entertainment. Skeleton Key is comprised of several divisions, publishing, talent, new media ventures and recorded music. The rapidly, expanding entertainment company has just signed R&B singer, Case, the former, platinum Def Jam artist delivered the hits “Touch Me, Tease Me” with Mary J. Blige and “I’m Missing You”. Skeleton Key also has Rap Hustlaz, a duo of talented producers that had a huge impact at urban radio with “Stuntglasses @ Nite (Stunna Frames)”. The duo is known for producing tracks for Ludacris, Juvenille, T.I. and Mike Jones, the Rap Hustlaz are currently in the studio completing their debut album. Along with over twenty-years of experience in the business Levine also brings Penalty Recordings to EMI. Penalty Recordings was founded by Neil Levine in 1994. The company started with one employee and went on to emerge as one of top hip-hop labels in the United States with gross sales of over $15 million annually. Penalty was the launching pad for some of the biggest stars in hip hop, Capone N Noreaga (N.O.R.E.), the AND 1 Mixtape DVD Series, David Banner, Lord Finesse, multiplatinum producers, The Neptunes and Cardan (writer for Nelly’s hit single “Hot In Here”). Feb-21-2007 15:35:00 Comments( 0 ) Add Comments