(AllHipHop News) Because of label politics and the current overall state of the music industry, Chamillionaire has decided to drop a new 18-track mixtape entitled Major Pain.
Despite a previous declaration not to make any further tapes, Chamillionaire realized that mixtapes serve to give him the creative freedom denied him in a structured, major label environment.
“I felt it was time to take it back to the original grind that made these major companies pay attention in the first place,” Chamillionaire told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “I don’t think there is any reason why any artist with real knowledge of independent hustle, should sit and wait for any major system to work for them, but, because I am signed to a major recording label, there are still a lot of things that I would like to be able to do, that I’m not really allowed to do. Politics in this business often stand between a creative mind and the grind but I’m gonna try my best to feed my fans without getting into too much trouble.”
Part of that independent hustle will be a long-awaited tour with early collaborator Paul Wall.
The duo released several popular albums early in their careers, such as the Source Award nominated Get Ya Mind Correct.
“The lack of marketing and promo budgets in a weak economy isn’t going keep me from touring to different cities and releasing music to fans that still demand it, “he explained. “That’s why I decided to start the Major Pain series and tour with Paul. It’s what the fans want.”
Paul Wall’s first appearance will be in Austin, Texas as headliners on March 17 for the South By Southwest tour .
Other emcees slated to appear at SXSW include Trae the Truth, Dorrough, and Chalie Boy.