Brooklyn-bred
rapper Joell Ortiz has signed to Aftermath Records according to representatives
for the rapper.Aftermath
is the label producer Dr. Dre founded after he departed Death Row Records.In
a prewritten statement, Ortiz expressed his desire to be mentioned among the other
greats in the rap game."So
far it’s been great and I’m glad people are feeling me now but I know I have a
long way to go before I’m running with the big boys like Jay-Z or 50 Cent,"
Ortiz said in a statement. "That’s where I’m trying to reach, nothing less."Prior
to his signing, the rapper had been recognized in AllHipHop’s Breeding Ground,
The Source magazine, XXL and other Hip-Hop media outlets. Additionally,
he’s recorded material with rap legends like Kool G Rap and KRS-One and newer
artists like Sha Stimuli, another rapper from Brooklyn. Ortiz
landed a song called "I Mean Business" on EA Sports’ NBA Live 2005 and
a mixtape called Who the F**K is Joell Ortiz?Joell
Ortiz joins rappers like Eminem, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Eve and Philadelphia newcomer
G.A.G.E., who are all included on Aftermath’s roster.