LUPE - WORDS I NEVER SAID

Rick Ross ft. T.I. "9 Piece"

TREY SONGZ IS "READY" TO RELEASE ALBUM NOW

Responding to intense popular demand, Songbook Entertainment/Atlantic recording artist Trey Songz has moved up the release of his hugely anticipated third album.  “READY” – which includes the hits “I Need A Girl,” “LOL :-) (Feat. Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em),” and “Successful (Drake & Trey Songz)” – will now arrive in stores and online on August 31^st.

Hailed by the late, great Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun as “among the most promising R&B artists we have had on Atlantic since we started the company 60 years ago,” “READY” officially establishes Trey Songz among the pantheon of R&B greats.  The album – which follows 2007’s breakthrough sophomore set, “TREY DAY” – sees the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter teaming with an array of accomplished collaborators, including Eric Hudson, Bryan-Michael Cox, Johnta Austin, Carlos “Los DaMystro” McKinney, and Trey’s longtime producer, Songbook Entertainment founder Troy Taylor.  From the player’s anthem, “Neighbors Know My Name,” to the Mary J. Blige-inspired “One Love,” Trey draws on a range of styles to craft an extraordinary album guaranteed to thrill his already fervent fanbase while happily surprising all newcomers.

Pre-orders for “READY” are available now at http://treysongz.com/preorder.  A variety of extras are on offer, including an exclusive newsletter featuring Trey webisodes, a poster featuring the “READY” cover art, a special “Yuuup!” t-shirt, and a digital download of the entire album 24 hours before street date.  Best of all, both the “Limited Edition” and “Connected Experience” bundles come with an autographed Limited Edition photo booklet that will feature personal photos by Trey alongside the customer’s name in the “Thank You’s.”  As if all that weren’t enough, 25 fans purchasing the “Connected Experience Bundle” will be selected at random to receive a five minute phone call from Trey himself. 

“READY” is highlighted by Trey’s top 5 rap smash, “Successful (Drake & Trey Songz).”  Originally found on Drake’s hit mixtape, “SO FAR GONE,” the track now includes a brand new verse from Trey and is first available for purchase on “READY.”  A companion video is currently in post-production, with a premiere date to be announced shortly.

“LOL :-),” the album’s most recent single, is blowing up now at Urban Mainstream radio outlets nationwide.  The track follows Trey’s recent smash single, “I Need A Girl.”  Produced by the Grammy Award winning team, Stargate (Flo Rida, Ne-Yo, Beyoncé), the track remains a top 10 Urban radio favorite, currently holding strong at #6.  What’s more, the “I Need A Girl” companion video has just been added at MTV, while remaining in major rotation at MTV2, MTV Jams, MTV Hits, and MTV Tr3s.  The clip is also a top 5 video at VH1 Soul, where it is currently in “Power” rotation.

Recently named the “Hottest R&B Singer In The Game Right Now” by BallerStatus.com, Trey will celebrate the arrival of “READY” with a day-of-release MySpace Music show at New York City’s Canal Room on Monday, August 31^st, presented by Hot 97 and MySpace as part of the popular “The Release” concert series.  Then, on Tuesday, September 1^st, the superstar singer will take the stage at New York’s Highline Ballroom for an eagerly anticipated intimate performance.  A full scale U.S. concert tour is currently in the works, with details to be announced later.

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Trey Songz first burst to the forefront of modern urban music in 2005 with his critically acclaimed debut, “I GOTTA MAKE IT.”  “TREY DAY” followed in 2007, entering Billboard’s “Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums” tally at #2, while also exploding onto the Billboard 200 at #11.  The album found the Virginia-based Songz teaming up with a stunning selection of studio superstars, resulting in a number of hit singles, including “Missin You,” “Last Time,” and the #1 Urban Mainstream smash, “Can’t Help But Wait.”  The latter track established Trey as a true sensation, earning him his first-ever Grammy Award nomination, for “Best Male R&B Performance.”

Songz – a 2008 BET Award nominee for “Best Male R&B Artist” – celebrated “TREY DAY” with a long list of TV appearances, including live performances on BET’s 106 & Park and It’s Showtime At The Apollo, not to mention a featured spot on BET’s annual Rip The Runway extravaganza, modeling fashion created by some of today’s hottest designers.  Trey – aka “the Prince of Virginia” – was also among the VA-based artists showcased on MTV2’s My Block, alongside such like-minded musicians as Timbaland, Pharell, and the Clipse.

In December 2008, Gap enlisted Trey and Flo Rida to write and produce a street-smart rendition of a Christmas classic for its annual holiday promotion.  The unique “Jingle Bells” spot proved a marketing sensation throughout the holiday season.

What’s more, Songz has been profiled in a variety of national publications, highlighted by cover features in Right On!, Floss, and Black Beat.  Other magazine appearances include King, Sister 2 Sister, WordUp!, SBH, Blackmen, XXL Presents Hip-Hop Soul, Giant, Hype Hair, and Rap Fanatic.

For additional information, please visit www.treysongz.com, or www.myspace.com/treysongz.

MULTI-PLATINUM RECORDING GROUP NAPPY ROOTS HUMS A COMEBACK AFTER ALMOST DROWNING IN THE ATLANTIC...

After years of being at Atlantic Records and launching their own record label, the multi-platinum recording group, Nappy Roots, stages a comeback. Today, the group announced the re-release of the chart- topping album “The Humdinger” this coming September through their own imprint Nappy Roots Entertainment Group (NREG) and distributed by Fontana/Universal. 
 
The quiet release of “The Humdinger” debuted at # 7 on the Billboard Rap Charts and sat at # 13 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Charts. The group’s second single “Down ‘N Out” featuring Anthony Hamilton was officially released last week, and is already in rotation in key markets.
 
In September, “The Humdinger” will be available with a bonus mixtape entitled “Southern Slang."  The album features guest appearances by Anthony Hamilton, Greg Nice, and the remaining five group members, Skinny Deville, Scales, Ron Clutch, B Stille, and Big V. 
 
Lead group member and label CEO, Skinny DeVille, says “The single “Down ‘N Out” is reminiscent of the group’s sudden demise at Atlantic Records, label politics, and losing group member R Prophet.” He further went on to say “Nappy had to take some time off to get back to our roots, we started out independent and that’s where we belong. We’ll never let another situation like what happen to us at Atlantic happen again.  We maintain control over our destiny and stay loyal to our fans.” 
 
This news comes as a precursor to the southern rap group preparing to release a 7-part online mini series entitled “The Half Truths: The Lost Nappy Roots DVD”, amidst preparing for the 2010 release of the album “Pursuit of Nappyness”.  
 
 
The Bowling Green, Kentucky bred rap group started their careers in the mid 90’s on the campus of Western Kentucky University. Following the release of their first independent debut Country Fried Cess, Atlantic Records went on to sign the once then sextet of students that consisted of Skinny Deville, Scales, Ron Clutch, B Stille, R Prophet, and Big V. At the peak of their careers, Nappy Roots comfortably sat on top of the Billboard Charts with the two major releases of Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz and Wooden Leather, while earning a Grammy nomination for the record Po Folks in 2003.   The group eventually left Atlantic and went on to start their imprint in 2008, Nappy Roots Entertainment Group (NREG). NREG is headed up by lead group member, Skinny Deville, and headquartered in Atlanta, GA with an office in New York, NY.  Throughout their career, the group has been recognized by MTV, the American Music Awards, Soul- Train, and others for pioneering Southern conscious rap to the mainstream. For more information on Nappy Roots please visit www.myspace.com/nappyrootsmusic or on twitter at www.twitter.com/nappyroots.