By Tai Saint Louis
West Coast veteran C-Bo is gearing up to release two new projects in August, one with an unexpected rhyme partner.
C-Bo’s West Coast Mafia Records will release a new collaborative effort which finds the Sacramento rapper spitting alongside actor Omar Gooding, younger brother of Oscar Award winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr.
Trading War Stories, will mark West Coast Mafia’s second release through a new deal with Koch records and the debut of Gooding’s rap persona as West Coast Mafia recording artist “Big-O.”
The 31-year-old actor, whose acting credits include the Tyrese Gibson led movie Baby Boy and the short-lived, controversial ESPN drama Playmakers, has been honing his Hip-Hop skills, he says.
“It was a couple episodes [of Hangin’ wit Mr. Cooper] where I was spitting," the former child star told AllHipHop.com. "But I been doing my thing for a little while, below the radar, done had a few deals and what not. People that do know I spit have been waiting for it for so long, and I had a nice little break between films. I linked up with the West Coast Mafia, and we tryna make things happen.”
Trading War Stories finds the two artists and guests like Chino XL and Denver underground phenoms Young Doe and Hawk Man swapping street tales over West Coast beats.
Throughout the new project, C-Bo says, his latest recruit exceeds the expectations most may have.
“It’s a West Coast album for sure, the sound and everything,” said C-Bo, who is also signed to Young Buck’s Cashville Records. “O is not like no new rapper. Man, this n***a act like he got like 50 albums out already. The way he control the mic and his voice. He’s very experienced with that, so they gon’ love that shit man, for real.”
Big-O is featured on West Coast Riders 4, C-Bo’s compilation series showcasing his well-established indie label’s impressive roster of young talent.
This time around, the compilation includes new music by West Coast Mafia’s Killa Tay, Young Bleed, Young Chaz, Spade and C-Bo’s son Streets, with assists from C-Bo’s Thug Lordz partner Yukmouth and his Cashville labelmates the Outlawz.
West Coast Riders 4 hits stores August 5.
C-Bo is also in the pre-production stages of a new film entitle No Warrants, which will also feature an on-screen appearance by Young Buck.