Actress and comedienne
Yvette Wilson has launched a new record label, Fat Daddy Records, with husband
her Jerome Harry.
In addition to
having roles in “Friday” and “Poetic Justice,” Wilson
is known to millions as Andell on UPN’s “The Parkers” and
“Moesha.”
According to Wilson,
her background in the entertainment industry and her husband’s enthusiasm
for rap led them to start the label.
“My work
has always been rooted in Hip-Hop,” Wilson said. “To be more direct
about it, that goes way beyond my work. Both my husband’s and my entire
life are rooted in Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop is 30 years old, so it’s been around
since we’ve been around. It’s not a choice of genre of music that
we picked, it’s a lifestyle. We have always lived that lifestyle. It’s
just evolving. The kids who used to listen to Hip-Hop are now adults that listen
to Hip-Hop. My family is what I consider second generation Hip-Hop, my husband,
myself and my kids.”
The first release
from the fledging new label will be Oakland-born rapper Habitt. The company
is preparing his debut, Talk Of The Town, which will be available early
next year.
Wilson explained
that her work with Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam cemented the direction
in which she wanted to take her life.
“Russell
Simmons and Hip-Hop brought us new possibilities and a new outlook with that
show, which was a Hip-Hop vehicle that exposed us to what dreams and aspirations
could be reached,” she said. “Hip-Hop is a state of mind that is
freedom from a certain type of oppression. We have ‘hoods all over the
world now. Although we are from the‘hood, it’s not really a location,
but a place in your heart, and what holds you to a certain place.”
Partner and husband
Jerome Harry, who has guided the careers of Knock’Turn’al and 4th
Avenue Jones added, “This is where we are going to get our artists, and
we look forward to discovering new talent. We very much want to help other people
achieve the lifestyle that we enjoy.”
Fat Daddy Records
will be distributed by Penalty/Ryko/WEA Distribution.
