Ex-Ruff
Ryders affiliate Drag-On is creating a new buzz with the establishment of his
own record label, Hood Environment. The
rapper, who has sold more than a million albums over his 10-year career, will
release his first album since 2003 under the new label."HE
is Hood Environment and the reason I named my label that is, I mean, nine out
of ten times we gonna keep the ‘hood involved," said Drag-On, who serves
as the label’s CEO. "HE the movement is serious and…the music is just
as strong as the movement."Although
he’s been absent from the mainstream for awhile, Drag-On has kept busy with the
release of five mixtapes and multiple projects with artists such as DMX and Baby
of Cash Money.The
rapper first emerged in the late ’90s on Ruff Ryders compilations and projects,
including Ryde or Die Vol. 1 and 2 and DMX’s "No Love for Me",
"For My Dogs", and "D-X-L (Hard White)."Drag-On
also made cameos on Eve’s "Let’s Talk About" and "Scenario 2000,"
as well as "If You Know" from the Lox’s "We Are the Streets."Those
appearances resulted in the early 2000 release of his debut album Opposite
of H2O, which went on to sell 800,000 units. The rapper later expanded his
résumé with film roles in Exit Wounds (2001), Cradle 2
the Grave (2003), and The Hustle (2003).