Hip-Hop
pioneer Kool G Rap has signed a recording deal with Stockton, Calif.,-based Back
Route Records and is set to release his next album Uncontrolled Substance.
The rapper,
who has released classic albums like 1988’s Road to the Riches, 1990’s
Wanted: Dead or Alive and 1995’s 456, decided on Back Route after
hearing about the independent label’s CEO Jamez "Jamez Bomb" Rosado.
"I first
linked up with my dude Jamez through doing a feature with one of the artist signed
to his label named Okwerdz," said G Rap. "My man [producer] Domingo
also spoke highly of how Jamez handles business. That’s basically how we connected
to lay down this street album. Uncontrolled Substance is definitely gonna
be a banger." The
signing concludes months of speculation about which label would sign G Rap, who
was rumored to be aligning with G-Unit. The
Back Route deal fell into place after much discussion between Rosado and G Rap,
who harbored respect for the West Coast independent scene. The
pair was introduced by a mutual friend, according to Rosado, who said that "everything
fell into place. Real recognize real." In
addition to the G Rap signing, Back Route is also working with DJ Green Lantern
for the release of the new mixtape Sneak Attack. The disc will feature
Back Route artists and offer songs from upcoming albums, including exclusives
with Too Short, Tech N9ne, and Goldie of Federation, as well as remixes.
Other upcoming
projects from the label include albums from Okwerdz and Young Collage.
Okwerdz’ Off
Season will feature collaborations with Juelz Santana, Bezel, and SAS of The
Diplomats, Tech N9ne, Mista F.A.B., Casual from Hieroglyphics, Kurupt, Sean Price
of Helta Skeltah, Copywrite. Production
will be handled by Needlz, Rockwilder and Domingo. Okwerdz just recently returned
from touring Australia with Supernatural and DJ QBert. Take
It or Leave It
, the debut album from Young Collage, will include the tracks"Everythang" and "Better Way" as well as cameos from former
Destiny’s Child member LeToya, Too Short, Devin the Dude, Kool G Rap, The Luniz
and Goldie. Uncontrolled
Substance is slated to hit shelves this year. Fans can download the Sneak
www.backrouterecords.com
and www.koolgrapsite.com.