New Orleans, Louisiana
based rapper Juvenile has entered into an exclusive long-term worldwide contract
with Atlantic Records, which will distribute the rapper’s record label,
UTP (Uptown Projects).
The first release
from the union will be a new solo album from Juvenile. His group UTP, which
features Juvenile, Skip and Wacko are also preparing an album under the new
deal.
“I am thrilled
that we were able to bring Juvenile and UTP into the Atlantic fold.,”
Atlantic Records Group Co-Chairman/COO Craig Kallman told AllHipHop.com in a
statement. “Juvenile is the real deal – an uncompromising artist
of phenomenal talent who has only scratched the surface of his creative potential.
A pioneer in the fertile southern Hip-Hop movement, Juvenile put New Orleans
on the national rap map. Now, with these companion deals, we not only welcome
Juvenile to Atlantic, but we have the great bonus of bringing his whole crew
on board through his own UTP label. Juvenile has long been a signature artist
in the Hip-Hop community, and he now becomes the latest high-profile artist
to join Atlantic’s rapidly burgeoning urban roster.”
The signing comes
at a high point in Juvenile’s career, as his latest single “Slow Motion”
which features the late Soulja Slim, is #1 for a third week in a row on Billboard’s
Hot Rap Tracks chart. The single is taken from his 6th solo album Juvie The
Great, his final release for Cash Money Records
“Signing
Juvenile sends a clear message that the new Warner Music Group is committed
to being a dominant force in the Hip-Hop community,” Warner Music CEO
Lyor Cohen said. “The fact that Juvenile has put his trust in Atlantic
Records to guide his career is a testament to the incredible leadership of Craig
Kallman and the entire Atlantic urban staff.”
Juvenile’s untitled
solo project is due out on Atlantic/UTP in early 2005.
