The latest project from Thug Life Army Records titled 'In the Shadow of an Icon' is a collaboration of artists who all learned and grew out of the words and teachings of the hip hop Icon Tupac Shakur (2Pac).
The project contains no music by Tupac, but it does reveal artists who grew out of the shadow of the hip hop Icon.
As Tupac did in his short life, Thug Life Army Records looked for hip hop and rap artists who could use a 'hand up' to get their talent noticed. The VP of Thug Life Army Records, RB says "We hope this project will do just that. Our hope is this project will bring 'light' to those artists who have participated out of love for Tupac and what they learned from his lyrics. Hip Hop is not 'Dead' as many people believe; most people are just not looking in the right places."
When asked about the artists on the CD RB explains "On the project there will be some artists names that you will recognize, while others may be new to you; but the artists represented on the CD 'In the Shadow of an Icon' are some of the best conscious hip hop and rap representatives from all over North America – 'Coast' to 'Coast' and Canada."
When asked about the direction the music takes in the CD, RB explains "The various sides and teachings of the 'man', Tupac Amaru Shakur are represented on this CD - from his street side, to his political side, to his deep inner self. A total look is taken at the course Tupac had traveled in his short life. A picture of Tupac's life is a picture of many of our lives. His up's and down's are roads many of us have shared along the way. That is why Tupac gained the respect of almost everyone in the hip hop community - we could feel his pain and joys, as he felt ours. His words and teachings remain relevant today because the situation has not changed since Pac first started exposing the real truth of hood life, and the artists on this project continue with Pac's message of 'keeping it real' thru real talk. No spinning rims or drinking in the club, just solid true about the reality of being raised in a society that does not understand you or your situation."
"Violence has touched many in this country, not only the hip hop community. This is not only a requiem for the life of Tupac and for all the fallen 'souljahs' who have died needlessly or have found themselves in situations they cannot control, but it also emphasizes why the lyrics that Tupac spit and the knowledge he put forth is still relevant today; because nothing has really changed over the last 11 years since Tupac was murdered, and the artists on this project came together to put out a hip hop album with a 'meaningful message'."
With over 25 different artists participating in the project, there are many backgrounds and each artist has their own region where they rep from and their own experiences in life.
The official 'leak' song titled 'Speed of Life' by K-Loron, was released on MySpace (at http://www.myspace.com/intheshadowofanicon ) this past week-end.
VP of Thug Life Army Records, RB says about K-Loron "K-Loron was picked for this project for not only his uniqueness as an artist but as an individual. Here is a smart black man who is not your mainstream hip hop artist. His head is on straight and he knows and is dedicated to the direction he wants to go in. K-Loron is good for hip hop and that is something hip hop needs now more than ever. We need people in the industry who understand hip hop and understand the power the mic holds and who can put that 'power' to good use with good positive music and it is coming from a good role model; K-Loron fits this bill".
The artist K-Loron is the featured artist of Rising to the Top Records, a record label based out of Akron , Ohio . His real name is Kaleb Loron Singleton, and he was reared in Canton , Ohio by his parents Ronald and Emma Singleton.
At the age of twelve K-Loron started rapping, and continued his love for music by participating in every available talent show. He continued honing his craft in local studios amassing an extensive catalog of material.
Among recent works, K-Loron has performed in numerous venues, including the Agora in Cleveland , Ohio . He has also appeared as a guest on the talk show 'A Womans Point', hosted by Stephana Caviness.
K-Loron keeps it real; NO venue is too large or too small. 1 fan is just as important to him as 1,000,000 fans. K-Loron has also featured in numerous television commercials, among which include the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Ohio Lottery. He also has a major role in up and coming movies, the names of which can't disclose at this time but you will surely hear of them.
With a distinct delivery and extraordinary wordplay, K-Loron is poised to become the next icon in the music industry. K-Loron is a social poet, and a lyricist with a fierce desire to portray his talents to the entire world. He has the ability to appeal to a wide range of audiences, and to evolve and adapt to leading edge musical ideas. His mind is NOT in a box. K-Loron plans to change the direction of hip hop by creating music that has substance and meaning. He has something to say. K-Loron is a high powered hip hop artist who definitely is in the shadow of icons such as Tupac (2Pac) and the like.
K-Loron is affiliated with a host of producers and label execs including: 2-5olid Records, Weezie Productions and Thug Life Army Records.
**Special Thanks goes to Frank Miranda, Robert (aka RB), and Bani Chapman.
Artists from these camps to look out for include: Concrete Souljahs, Black, Binky Mack, L.O.P., Lil Akright, Dia-Mendz, and Leah "Kola" Wright.
Here is the track list for 'In the Shadow of an Icon' and more information can be found at http://www.myspace.com/intheshadowofanicon or on the Thug Life Army Records web site at http://thuglifearmyrecords.com . The album will be distributed thru Universal/AMG on Thug Life Army Records. Street date is forth coming.
Track list for 'In the Shadow of an Icon'
Disc One
1.) Boo Kapone - KNOWLEDGE
2.) Concrete Souljahs - Walk wit me
3.) allfrumtha i - Everywhere I Go (good and evil)
4.) SUPe – The System
5.) Hustle Creed - We Live and We Die
6.) Purple Lounge "H.O.P.E"
7.) Nolan – PEOPLE
8.) 1223 - Wish I Knew
9.) Jasiri X and Franchise - 2 Pacs More
Producer: Paradise Gray (X Clan) and GM3
10.) Page 1 - Fallen
11.) Ebony Burks – Choice
12.) G Luv - Revelation
13.) FAME – Next 2 Kin
14.) U.N.D feat. Teeka – Understand
15.) binky mack - Conflict Of Interest
Disc Two
1.) Kemo the Blaxican - Breathe
2.) Celly Cel - No Tomorrow
3.) Dolo - So Much Drama
4.) Qwiccshott - Never
5.) Sammy B feat Big Dee – No Half Steppin
6.) 3RDegree – Broken Home
7.) allfrumtha i - Me & My Dawg
8.) K – Loron – Speed of Life
9.) Concrete Souljahs - Related to the Undergroud
10.) Tommy Danger - Run for Cover
11.) Wize-Fool – DANGEROUS FREE THINKER
12.) binky mack - Taken Over
13.) Malign20 - Hopes and Dreams
14.) Queen Josie - Young Men of Today (Spoken Word)
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