April 29, 2008
Miami, FL – After signing with the label J Records, Smitty and the label, which was founded by Clive Davis, have parted ways after three years.

During his time with the label he released the single "Diamonds on My Neck" which accompanied a video and recently "Died In Your Arms" which was shelved. His debut album "Life of a Troubled Child" also was put on the backburner.

Through an interview with Southern Hip-Hop website www.WordofSouth.com Smitty expressed why he chose to depart from J Records.

"A lot of money was spent, but it just wasn’t spent the right way. When it was time to believe in the artist and believe in the record I think that people just stepped back and really didn’t believe like I needed them to."

Smitty also went on to say when he reached the breaking point with the label.

"After "Died In Your Arms" it’s been pretty much a wrap for me. I’ve seen so many individuals that smiled and looked at me in the face and told me this was gonna be a hit and they were gonna make things right this time. Based on the fact that my records were done badly I just felt that this was the last time that I was gonna be lied to and promised this and couldn’t be delivered. After "Died In Your Arms" failed it was too much of a slap in the face and it was a slap in the face to the whole label."

Even though he is departing J Records, he however had linked a deal with Blackground/Universal who will be releasing his debut album soon. No date has been revealed, but Smitty is certain that you will hear one from his sooner than later.

"I’ve done put out hundred of freestyles and it’s just about the time to bring that to the light so I can get the same reviews as the greats like Jay and Wayne’s. I spit and I go a thousand bars, it ain’t nothing to me at this point. The point is for the world to get a piece of it and for the world to recognize it. that’s what happens when you put an album out and I just want the album to be put out the right way. I’m not worried about the numbers and all of that because I done been in the system too long to let the politics hold me back. I’m at the point where I want to put out some music."

For more information on Smitty, please visit his website www.myspace.com/smitty.

For More Information Contact: (Media Only)

DJ Quest
Email: DJQUEST@ATT.BLACKBERRY.NET

When the temperature drops below a certain degree people are quick to run to the medicine cabinet, for the baby oil or the Jergens or the Vaseline Intensive Care. for one reason, don’t nobody wanna be ashy, well correction nobody except these dudes. Deeno Snuff and Triple X are collectively known as the Hip Hop Group The Ashy L Bows and have been recording mix tapes and performing live together in New York City Hot Spots like Speed, Pyramid, Cheetah, Remote Lounge, Bowery Poetry Club and Joes Pub since their teens. Now in their twenties the duo think they know enough of the business side of music to really make their mark on Hip Hop.

The 2007 Underground Music Award nominees for best and most original rap group released their debut album "No Lotion" on February 6, 2008 (Ash Wednesday) The disk also features VHI commentator, comedian and now guest starring actor on HBO’s "The Wire", Donnell Rawlings better known as Ashy Larry from the Dave Chappelle show. As funny as this all sounds this group is no joke when it comes to talent. With hard hitting lyrics and left field song concepts the Elbowz are sure to take their place amongst the greats of Hip Hop music.

It’s often very hard to stand out in the music business especially within the genre of Hip Hop, but with a name like Ashy L Bowz its hard to blend in. Their lead single "2 Step" shows how talented and un-conventional they are and is currently making its way through the college radio scene. Their album "No Lotion" can be purchased on cdbaby.com/ashylbowz their myspace page, (myspace.com/ashylbowz) and e-bay….. now that’s Ashy.

Contact: Patrick DeLisser 917-734-2418 or email patrickdelisser@hefnaz.com
www.myspace.com/ashylbowz

Britney Spears and 50 Cent have helped Summer Stars Camp for the Performing Arts launch a national fundraising campaign, Who Is Your Inspiration?

Northridge, MA – (PRWEB) April 29, 2008 — Summer Stars Camp for the Performing Arts has launched a national campaign, Who Is Your Inspiration?, to raise both funds and awareness to support future camp sessions by appealing to celebrities that the campers view inspiring. As Summer Stars Camp for the Performing Arts reaches out to economically disadvantaged youth at no cost to their families, the camp relies solely on the generous support of individuals and foundations. This program serves to fulfill the dreams of those who do not have access to quality arts education, and would not otherwise have access to a residential summer program.

Who Is Your Inspiration is a national, grassroots campaign that uses camper-created video messages to raise awareness about the benefits of the camp. In these inspiring and heartfelt videos, former campers touch on how camp impacted their lives and why it is so important that others be given the same opportunity. Campers speak directly to their celebrity inspirations, making an appeal for their support of the arts in the form of a donation to Summer Stars Camp for the Performing Arts. Some celebrities have already responded! Britney Spears and 50 Cent have issued grants totaling $55,000 to help jumpstart the fundraising efforts.

Who Is Your Inspiration will be launched through social networking sites and e-mail campaigns. In addition to celebrities, Americans everywhere will be asked and empowered to make a difference in the lives of kids through a variety of interactive donation opportunities at www.whoisyourinspiration.org.

"This is truly an exciting time for Summer Stars," said Camp Director, Donna Milani Luther. "By engaging our alumni in the campaign, we know America will get a genuine glimpse into how the camp changes the lives of those that attend. It is quite a remarkable transformation. We are hopeful that this new campaign will shed some light on the vital need for arts education and development in our youth today, and raise the funds necessary to continue touching the lives of children who do not receive this education in schools, or are unable to pursue their passion outside of school."

The camp, whose past supporters include 50 Cent, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Blue Man Group and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, also affects the character of each camper. In addition to the opportunity to hone existing talents and acquire new ones, campers develop essential life skills: confidence, creativity, problem solving, leadership, team building, and risk taking. They take these standards, this work ethic, and a renewed sense of self-worth into all facets of their lives.

"Before camp, I was very self conscious and uncomfortable in my skin. But being around other kids like me, that loved to sing, I felt confident for the first time. And I took that confidence home with me. Summer Stars camp changed my life," said a fourteen year old camper of her experience.

"I built a high wall around myself so I can’t get hurt. But, here everyone was just looking to be themselves. Everyone was so relaxed…I learned I don’t need that wall. I think this camp is the best thing you can do to find yourself," said another twelve year old camper.

To support the camp and make a contribution of your own, please visit www.whoisyourinspiration.org

About Summer Stars Camp for the Performing Arts: Summer Stars Camp for the Performing Arts is a non-profit organization devoted to providing economically disadvantaged 12-15 year-old kids with an opportunity to discover themselves and their potential through the arts.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Brittany Hill
Summer Stars Camp for the Performing Arts
http://summerstars.schoolfunder.org/summerstars/
805-265-6331
Email us Here
http://www.prweb.com/emailmember.php?prid=899154

NEW YORK, April 29 /PRNewswire/ — Despite controversy surrounding hip-hop music, it has become part of mainstream American culture. This newly updated report from Packaged Facts, The Young Urban Consumer Market in the U.S., finds that Young Urban Consumers form a highly influential consumer segment that plays a major part in setting trends and determining fashion.

Although originally formed in the inner-cities, hip-hop culture has crossed over into suburbia. More than half, or 57%, of Urban Youth, age 12 to 34, are white, although the proportion of African Americans and Hispanics who are Young Urban Consumers is greater within their own ethnic segments than is the case for non-Hispanic Whites.

This group is important to the U.S. economy. Aggregate income of these 37 million young urbanites will grow from $594 billion in 2007 to $684 billion in 2012, much of which will be spent on luxury items. At the core of the trendsetting power of Young Urban Consumers is their ability to influence the consumer choices of their friends. This demographic is among the first to try new things and spend their income on favorite product brands.

"Urban Youth shoppers put a high priority on brand loyalty, and brands achieving the greatest success have formed a connection with hip-hop artists," comments Tatjana Meerman, Publisher of Packaged Facts. "Significant sales can be attributed to products prominently featured in lyrics, spontaneously embraced by the hip-hop world and products that appear to be genuinely used by an artist prior to the relationship."

Packaged Facts’ the Young Urban Consumer Market in the U.S. analyzes the consumer choices of the tens of millions of 12- to 34-year-olds that connect with hip-hop. This report provides an in-depth look at market size, trends and opportunities as well as the core values driving consumer behavior. It identifies all aspects of Young Urban life, including where they live, race, education, employment and income. For further information on this report from Packaged Facts visit: http://www.packagedfacts.com/Urban-Youth-Trendsetters-1692747/

About Packaged Facts

Packaged Facts publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer industries, including consumer goods and retailing, foods and beverages, demographics, pet, and financial products. Packaged Facts also offers a full range of custom research services. For more information visit http://www.packagedfacts.com/, or contact Jenn Tekin at 240-747-3015 or jtekin@marketresearch.com.

Source: Packaged Facts

CONTACT: Jenn Tekin of MarketResearch.com for Packaged Facts,
+1-240-747-3015, jtekin@marketresearch.com

Web site: http://www.packagedfacts.com/
http://www.packagedfacts.com/Urban-Youth-Trendsetters-1692747

Rapper/Actor Bow Wow and R&B Vocalist/Actress Tiffany Evans in Appearance

Youngblood Timepieces boasts of the numerous internationally known celebrities who wear its stylish designer wristwatches. Among the superstars who own Youngblood timepieces are Paula Abdul, BabyFace, Cedric the Entertainer, Hillary Duff, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, Cal Ripken, Jr., Antonio Sabato, Jr., Carlos Santana, Serena Williams, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith.

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) April 29, 2008 — Youngblood Timepieces, Inc.–an African American-owned watch company–designs and markets original and uniquely elegant mid-priced designer wristwatches for women and men of discerning sophistication. Macy’s jewelry buyers agree. Select Macy’s stores in Georgia and Texas will host trunk shows specifically to showcase Youngblood Timepieces’ 75 exquisite watches for women and men. The trunk shows will give Macy’s customers and store personnel an opportunity to preview and purchase the watches before they are officially available in stores. Youngblood Timepieces CEO and Chairman Patrick Martin will be on hand at the stores to introduce and talk about his company’s fine line of wristwatches. Rapper/actor Bow Wow and R&B vocalist/actress Tiffany Evans will be on hand for photo opportunities and CD signings.

Youngblood Timepieces Trunk Shows at Macy’s:

We are grateful to Macy’s for this advanced opportunity to showcase our product, and establish the Youngblood Timepieces brand. We are proud that ours will soon be the only minority-owned fashion watch brand in Macy’s stores.
Thur, May 8 | noon-9pm
Macy’s Deerbrook Mall
20131 Highway 59 North
Humble, TX 77338
281-446-6626
104.1 KRBE radio

Fri, May 9 | noon-8pm
Macy’s Southlake Mall
1000 Southlake Mall
Morrow, GA 30260
770-261-1050
Tiffany Evans
V-103.3 WVEE-FM

Fri, May 9 | noon-9pm
Macy’s Town East Mall
2063 Town East Mall
Mesquite, TX 75150
972-270-2363
106.1 KISS- FM

Sat, May 10 | 9am-5pm
Macy’s Lenox Mall
3393 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-233-6767
V-103.3 WVE-FM

Sun, May 11 | 11am-5pm
Macy’s Lenox Mall
3393 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-233-6767
Bow Wow/Tiffany Evans
V-103.3 WVEE-FM   

Martin said, "We are grateful to Macy’s for this advanced opportunity to showcase our product, and establish the Youngblood Timepieces brand. We are proud that ours will soon be the only minority-owned fashion watch brand in Macy’s stores."

Though a relatively new entrant into the watch industry, the Oakland, California-based company already boasts of the numerous internationally known celebrities who wear its stylish designer wristwatches. Among the superstars who own Youngblood timepieces are Paula Abdul, BabyFace, Cedric the Entertainer, Hillary Duff, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, Cal Ripken, Jr., Antonio Sabato, Jr., Carlos Santana, Serena Williams, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Bow Wow said of his striking Youngblood timepiece, "I’m feeling this!"

Youngblood Timepieces, Inc. develops unique blueprints for its fashionable wristwatches, combining style, creativity and sophistication for the elite urban market. Paul Youngblood is innovative in his designs, crafting styles for every occasion at price points compatible with most income levels. Youngblood timepieces retail from $79.95 to $259.95. The wristwatches reflect such elegance and refinement, you’ll want to flaunt yours like fine jewelry. Currently, there are 75 Youngblood timepieces within a dozen distinctly creative lines.

About Youngblood Timepieces, Inc.
For several years, Paul Youngblood dreamed of creating unique watches that combined style and elegance. Having shared his dream with a friend, he was inspired to team with fellow founder Patrick Martin to produce a brand of unforgettably sophisticated timepieces. The two young men coalesced to bring about a revolution in business and style. They employ innovation in the design and creativity in marketing mid-priced dress and casual wristwatches for men and women with discriminating taste.

Patrick Martin is CEO and Chairman of the company’s advisory Board of Directors. As Chief Design Officer and Creative Director, 28-year-old Paul Youngblood designs all of the watches and is the name behind privately owned Youngblood Timepieces, Inc.

Youngblood Timepieces is making a clear and distinct mark on the watch industry. The company has already proven its product can compete successfully with the world’s most popular mid-priced watch brands. Youngblood is well on its way to reaching its goal of worldwide leadership in the wristwatch industry, acquiring a significant segment of the fast growing and lucrative global urban market. Youngblood Timepieces, Inc. operates from its headquarters in Oakland’s Jack London Square. www.ybtimepieces.net

CONTACT INFORMATION

Patrick Martin
Youngblood Timepieces, Inc.
(510) 710-6838+
Email us Here
http://www.prweb.com/emailmember.php?prid=895764

(209) 832-8020
Email us Here
http://www.prweb.com/emailmember.php?prid=895764&e=1

on-Air, Online, and on-Demand Signed and Unsigned Artists – 5000 Songs Strong

Creatively Produced by Eric Szmanda from ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’

April 29, 2008
SAN ANTONIO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Clear Channel Radio today officially launched erockster – a vast collection of on-air, online and on-demand content for music fans of all genres. The collection will reach some 5000 songs over the next month, adding 1000 songs per week. From music to blogs to a social network and user-created content, erockster is created for 13- to 34-year-olds with hopes of appealing to music lovers of all ages.

Helmed and produced/inspired by Eric Szmanda, along with his childhood friend and business partner Tyler Malin, erockster brings a remarkable level of listener involvement and interaction. Listeners can sign on to www.erockster.com, register their preferences, and influence the content that erockster features.

"Our main focus will be on quality and we’re going to give a lot of bands that don’t have a chance to be heard on the radio that opportunity," said Szmanda, best known to audiences as Greg Sanders on ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’. "We want to be playing everything from indie rock to hip-hop to classic rock to soul to dance rock."

The wildly diverse group of artists already being featured include Radiohead, the Ramones, My Morning Jacket, the Rolling Stones, Grandmaster Flash, Johnny Cash, Hot Chip, Prince, the Beatles, T Rex, Al Green, Jane’s Addiction,, Daft Punk, Pink Floyd, the Kinks, Bjork, the Who, Arcade Fire, Ray Charles, the Verve, Air, Otis Redding, Pharcyde, Velvet Underground, the Clash, Pavement, the Roots, The Police, David Bowie, and Kraftwerk.

The erockster content streams online at www.erockster.com; and starting May 2nd, it will also stream from Los Angeles (KYSR-FM), Washington DC (WWDC-FM) and Philadelphia (WRFF-FM) as well as broadcast as an HD2 channel. As additional stations are added, the show will also be syndicated as a two-hour program on FM stations.

Coachella Pirate Radio

This past weekend, erockster previewed at the Coachella music festival, pirating independently-owned station KAJR FM 95.9 in Indio/Palm Springs and streaming online at erockster.com. The preview included more than 1000 songs over the three-day festival, with no repeats and no commercial interruptions, focusing on current and past Coachella artists. To add to the pirate theme, and to place the focus of the broadcast on music and the festival, Szmanda used a vocoder to disguise his voice and allowed exclusive artist and fan interviews to tell the story of the weekend.

Artists featured for the Coachella weekend were those currently or previously playing the festival, including Fatboy Slim, Raconteurs, LCD Soundsystem, the Breeders, Cut Copy, Tool, Chemical Brothers, Coldplay, NIN, the Pixies, Justice, Kanye West, Beck, Oasis, Portishead and MGMT.

"Eric has an unparalleled love and appreciation for a vast array of music," said Evan Harrison, executive vice president of Clear Channel Radio and head of the company’s Online Music & Radio unit. "His talent will absolutely resonate with like-minded fans."

"Clear Channel came to me with the chance to be a kid in the candy store," added Szmanda. "Now, erockster is giving all fans an outlet to listen to a wide variety of music, discuss bands, concerts, and really anything that we have an opinion or comment on that’s music-related."

About Clear Channel Radio

Clear Channel Radio is a leading radio company focused on serving local communities across the U.S. with more than 110 million listeners choosing Clear Channel Radio programming each week. The company’s content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, on the Internet, via iPods and cell phones and used via navigation systems from BMW, Volvo, TomTom, Garmin and others. The company’s operations include radio broadcasting, syndication and independent media representation. Clear Channel Radio is a division of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (NYSE: CCU), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at www.clearchannel.com.

Contacts

Brainerd Communicators, Inc.
Scott Cianciulli, 212-986-6667
Cianciulli@braincomm.com
or
Jennifer Gery, 212-986-6667
Gery@braincomm.com

Atlanta, GA – MiBlox jumps into the urban footwear game with the launch of their first shoe, the "Representa." Inspired by hip-hop culture and a unique design idea, the shoe will share retail real estate with urban icons like Phat Farm and Sean John and target young urban customers ages 13-34. What sets this shoe apart from other casual sneakers is its design, which is unique to every state. The Atlanta customer who purchases the "Representa" will "rep" his home town with a map of Georgia emblazoned on his shoe’s uppers, while the Brooklyn customer will wear the map of New York. The "Representa" is currently designed exclusively for Georgia and Tennessee, with Florida, New York, California, Illinois, and a host of other states in production.

MiBlox was born as a result of overwhelming enthusiasm generated over a single pair of shoes. This shoe, now officially called the "Representa," was originally created by Mareo Harris, youth group founder and now President of MiBlox, as a prize to be given away to the winner of the M.V.P. award at a charity basketball event organized through his youth group P.E.N.N.I.E.S. Drawing from his personal experience and empathizing with the difficulties and temptations faced by urban youth, Mr. Harris created the group, an acronym for Positive Encouragement Now Needed In Exceptional Success, to provide activities to keep kids off the streets and out of trouble. Reaction to the shoe was so positive, that Mr. Harris received countless requests from community members to produce more shoes. Mr. Harris, the creative force behind the design, united with Andree Hepburn, marketing coordinator and now MiBlox Vice President, to set the wheels in motion for mass production.

In keeping with Mr. Harris’s commitment to positive role-modeling and youth development, a portion of every shoe sold will be donated to charitable organizations supporting programs for urban youth. In addition, he has imprinted the following inspiration on the outsole of each shoe: 1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

www.miblox.com

For more information, please contact Andree Hepburn at 706.483.8499 or andree.hepburn@miblox.com.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) April 29, 2008 — On Tuesday, April 29, 2008, Grammy Award Winning Rapper/Actor T.I., will release a single from his highly anticipated album, "Paper Trail" on Hip-Hop Social Network StreetCred.com. The song will be digitally streamed across the network to more than 185 countries and territories. It will be released April 29, 2008 at 7 a.m. ET on StreetCred.com

T.I.’s release is a historic event as it marks the first time a major Hip-Hop artist has released a single on a social network. This allows T.I. to the ability to harness the power of new media while releasing his single seamlessly.

The song can be accessed at www.streetcred.com. Media outlets, which stream the song, from StreetCred.com, must provide mandatory on air credit to "StreedCred.com".

So what can fans expect from the new track, "No Matter What"? While T.I. says we’ll have to wait a little longer for his next banging club hit, he does want fans to "hear my resilience; hear my diligence to overcome any and all obstacles. I hope they know it ain’t over like some thought. I’m far from finished and all but done."

About StreetCred.com:
StreetCred.com is a social network for the Hip-Hop culture that offers interactive connections between Hip-hop celebrities and web users. Subscribers are able to access chat, personal profiles, videos, photos, music, blogs, as well as upload user generated content and more. StreetCred.com, which was launched in July of 2007, is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga.

Among the celebrity Hip-Hop artists already associated with StreetCred.com are Diddy, T-Pain, Nelly, Fat Joe, Kid Rock, Common, Snoop Dogg, and Lil Kim.

As of April 2008 StreetCred.com has more than 1.4 million unique users and web traffic from more than 185 countries and territories worldwide.

The CEO/Founder of StreetCred.com is Rocky Williform, an ex-hostile takeover investment banker and Co-Founder of Atlanta food and beverage company BodyBlocks Nutrition Systems Inc.

Media Contact:
Rocky Williform
404-767-4000 ext. 320
rocky @ streetcred.com

"Pete Rock is one of the most legendary producers of all time"  – Kanye West

"Pete Rock, he was the man; to me he still is the man" – Timbaland

"Among the most in-demand producers in hip-hop" – XXL Magazine

New York, NY – The name Pete Rock is synonymous with hip-hop history. He has earned platinum plaques from working with hip-hop’s elite, and is credited as being the driving force behind the explosion of soul influenced hip-hop production. Recently, his critically acclaimed album "NY’s Finest", which boasted a line-up of all star MCs, has taken the hip-hop world by storm.

Now, as a special bonus, Pete is set to unleash the instrumental versions of his newly crowned classic album. Stripped of the MC’s, Pete Rock purists will get the chance to hear what they’ve been yearning for – the raw musical masterpieces that have made him such a legend. The collection also includes two exclusive beats not heard on the vocal version of the album. "NY’s Finest" Instrumentals exemplifies the definition of classic hip-hop music, so sit back and take a listen to The Soul Survivor, The Chocolate Boy Wunda, Pete Rock at his best.

The full instrumental album is available upon request, for now, please enjoy the instrumentals for "914", "PJs", "We Roll", and "Till I Retire."

Download here:
http://www.justvinyl.com/naturesoundsassets/peterock/Music/instrumentals/

Also avail from Nature Sounds, Instrumental album versions of Havoc’s "The Kush" and Big City’s "The City Never Sleeps".

kim trick / manager, new media marketing
kimberly@theorchard.com

Don’t Miss Connie Price and the Keystones and DJ Eleven

Live in Minneapolis, Columbus, St. Louis and Chicago

Scion’s "Live Metro" tour is excited to announce the addition of legendary rapper Too Short, also known as the undisputed Godfather of Bay Area hip-hop, to its May concert series. Funk-experts Connie Price & The Keystones are also set to perform while DJ Eleven mixes and scratches the hottest hip-hop, soul and reggae beats.

Scion invites music lovers in Minneapolis, Columbus, Ohio, St. Louis and Chicago to join the excitement as some of today’s greatest talents perform live on one stage.Scion "Live Metro" concerts are free and open to the public. In order to gain access to these events, attendees must RSVP at www.scion.com/livemetro.

"Live Metro" events signify Scion’s commitment to the urban music-minded community through live tours that travel to select markets nationwide. Each event brings artists together from different genres of music – hip-hop, funk and live remixes – to create a unique and complimentary experience for audiences, while supporting the innovative collaborations between music’s best emerging and established talents.

Up-coming Scion "Live Metro" dates and locations:

·       5/26, 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. – Minneapolis at the Varsity Theater 1308 4th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

·       5/27, 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. – Chicago at The Metro   3730 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60613

·       5/28, 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. – Columbus at Skully’s 1151 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43201

·       5/29, 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. – St. Louis at Old Rock House 1200 S. 7th St. Louis, MO 63104

**Talent interviews are available. Please contact me if you are interested in exploring editorial opportunities.

Press Contact:

Rebecca Naysan

Bender/Helper Impact

310.473.4147

rebecca_naysan@bhimpact.com