Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Young Bleed’s Once Upon a Time in Amedica album in stores today

By Edward "Pookie" Hall of Urban South

DALLAS — Okay, so there is all this big hype about Kanye West & 50 Cent's albums dropping today, which are marketing stunts for the industry to boost 4th quarter sales and hopefully increase the percentage of actual units sold this year. Let me turn your head down here for a minute. Let me turn your head down South where a living legend independently releases his album today.

If you didn't know, artist Young Bleed drops his Once Upon a Time in Amedica album today. Yes, today! I know what you are thinking right now. You are thinking about those other two albums dropping today. Well, there is a big difference between "Major Release" and "Independent Release," but enough about that.

Young Bleed, who is originally from South Baton Rouge, LA, now resides in the DFW metroplex where most of his new album was recorded. Once Upon a Time in Amedica is Young Bleed's greatest work since the gold-selling classic, My Balls and My Word. This album immediately takes you back into the 90s era of South rap music with "Bac Road Mississippi" featuring DFW locals Money Waters and Ol'Mann. It continues with for-your-ride sounds and seasoned lyrics on songs like "'N' Da Street" and "Top Back," featuring 8 Ball and produced by MJG. The veteran also keeps the industry feed with street bangers like "Shake Sump'n" featuring Choppa, "Doin' ME" featuring Rich Boy, and "Tear It Down" featuring DFW locals Ol'Mann and Loaded.

If you really have been under that rock and/or are now admitting to yourself that for some reason don't know Young Bleed, let me give you some history.

In 1995 the South Baton Rouge veteran teamed up with artists C-Loc, Max Minelli, and J Von forming the group 'Concentration Camp'. Young Bleed's song "How You Do That," featuring C-Loc, was remixed by Master P of No Limit Records and went #1 on Billboard R&B/Hip Hop album charts in 1998 in addition to making the top 10 Billboard 200 when released on My Balls and My Word. He landed a deal with Priority Records and released his 2nd album in 1999 entitled My Own.

Under his now independent label Da'Tention Home Entertainment with partner Uncle Pauly, Young Bleed has released albums such as Vintage, Family Business and last album before today called Rise Thru the Ranks, which teamed him up with West Coast Mafia and legend C-Bo. The West & South coast legends collaborate on the song "Gangsta + Ballas." Da'Tentention Home Ent. have also aligned themselves with Shug and the Hindu Mafia Family record label, certifying Young Bleed's West coast affiliation.

With the support of WCW, RBC, Body Head Ent., and Koch on the distribution, I see Once Upon a Time in Amedica being Young Bleed's most successful independent release to date. This album is not only what the South needs but it's what the entire music industry needs right now. Support this veteran, this living legend, and more importantly support good classic music. This album is in stores now! Can't make it to the store? Buy it online.

TexasGigs content partner - Urban South Entertainment

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