By Ismael AbduSalaam
Platinum selling hit-maker T-Pain is moving his digital-only label Nappy Boy into the realm of philanthropy, as the songwriter has formally announced a licensing partnership with the community-oriented Stadium Entertainment.
Stadium Entertainment is a full service entertainment company founded in 2006 by industry veterans/producers Gary Katz (Steely Dan, Chaka Khan, Steppenwolf), Camille Barbone (Madonna, Grace Jones, Gladys Knight), and Jerome Mas.
The first project from this partnership is the CD compilation True to the Game, which is helmed by the lead single “Beam Me Up” featuring T-Pain, Rick Ross, and Nappy Boy artist Tay Dizm.
A portion of sales from the album will be used in fundraising initiatives for the Kansas City-based Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Though T-Pain is not normally associated with socially conscious endeavors, Stadium Entertainment founder Gary Katz feels that this new partnership will give T-Pain the opportunity to reveal another side of his personality to fans.
“We’ve created a new business model,” Katz detailed to AllHipHop.com. “Where the artists, their music and worthy charities can come together to participate in projects that have a profound impact on the lives of others.”
Nappy Boy co-founder David Abram agreed with this, stating that philanthropy can be practical and have a place in today’s urban music market.
“We embrace out-of-the-box thinking, and we felt that Stadium Entertainment exemplifies this,” Abram explained. “Gary, Camille, and Jerome have developed an incredible vision that calls upon their collective intellectual currency and practical experience. We knew, almost from the start, that working with them and helping further Stadium’s philanthropic thrust would result in creating an exciting new business model and we’re excited to be a part of it all.”
The single “Beam Me Up” is currently receiving almost 500 spins each week on urban radio.
Its distribution is solely through digital sales and Nappy Boy has agreements with major online retailers iTunes, Napster, LaLa, and Liquid Digital.
Also, additional revenue from the single is being created through ringtones and licensing agreements such as the one with Stadium Entertainment.
True to the Game will be available October 21 and features additional appearances from Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Akon, Big Boi, Chingy, Talib Kweli, and Yung Joc.