Pete Rock – NY’s Finest Album in February 2008

Pete Rock – NY’s Finest EPK: http://youtube.com/watch?v=AdPBWG6MbDU

HIP HOP PRODUCER PETE ROCK RELEASES FIRST ALBUM IN FOUR YEARS

“Pete Rock – NY’s Finest” LP drops in February 2008

New York, NY – Hip-hop producer/DJ/MC Pete Rock is set to release his first album in four years. Titled NY’s Finest, the album will be released in February 2008 in a joint venture between Soul Survivor Records and NY based indie label Nature Sounds.

The record features a roster of cult hip hop artists that includes Wu-Tang’s Raekwon and Masta Killa, Dipset’s Jim Jones, Papoose, D-Block and Redman amongst others. The first single “We Roll” features Jim Jones and Max B. The track shipped to radio in mid-October and it’s already getting spins at mix-shows throughout the Northeast. Other tracks currently available are “914″ featuring Styles P and Sheek Louch, “The PJ’s” featuring Raekwon and Masta Killa and “Til I Retire” featuring Pete Rock himself.

Born in the Bronx, NY by Jamaican parents, a teenage Pete Rock first hit the scene in the late 80’s when he joined legendary DJ/producer Marley Marl on NY station WBLS’ show “In Control With Marley Marl.” The popularity of the radio show soon led Pete Rock to experiment with production. In 1991, he was joined by up-and-coming rapper CL Smooth and released the debut EP, All Souled Out. In 1992, the duo dropped Mecca And The Soul Brother, one of the most critically acclaimed hip-hop albums of all time. Pete and CL eventually released The Main Ingredient in 1994. Although the album was very well received by critics and fans alike, the project marked the last effort for the duo.

Since then, Pete Rock has lent his production skills to some of the greatest MC’s. He crafted and remixed hits for Nas, Biggie, Jeru The Damaja, and, more recently, Jim Jones, Talib Kweli’s Ear Drum, Redman’s Red’s Gone Wild and Ghostface, for whom he produced tracks for Fishscale, one of music critics’ favorite hip hop albums of 2006.

Pete Rock is considered by most to be one of the greatest hip-hop producers. Following the split with CL Smooth, Pete has released a number of solo projects. In 1998, Loud Records released Soul Survivor; that was followed in 2001 by a collection of instrumental tracks aptly titled PeteStrumentals. In 2004, he released Soul Survivor II on his own imprint Soul Brother Recordings.

Nature Sounds is quickly becoming the indie home for classic hip-hop. During the last couple of years the label has released critically acclaimed projects by artists that include MF DOOM, Wu-Tang’s Masta Killa (Made In Brooklyn), and most recently, Mobb Deep’s Havoc (The Kush).

AZ to drop “Undeniable” on April 1, 2008

KOCH RECORDS TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM BY LEGENDARY LYRICIST AZ – HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM

“UNDENIABLE”

IN STORES APRIL 1st, 2008

NEW ALBUM FEATURES RAY J, STYLES P AND JAY RUSH

New York, NY—KOCH Records is excited to announce the release of Undeniable, the brand new album by celebrated lyricist AZ.  Undeniable will be released on February 19th, 2008.  The new album features Ray J, Styles P and Jay Rush, with production by Fame, Large Professor, Nottz, Street Radio and more.

The first single is the title track, “Undeniable,” which is hitting urban radio now.

AZ’s intelligent rhymes and impressive flow have long set him apart from the bevy of other New York emcees to emerge in the mid nineties. His lyrical power to paint vivid pictures of the gangsta lifestyle has long been celebrated by fans and critics alike.

The 10-year veteran first came to the greater rap community’s attention after his stellar performance on Nas’ track “Life’s A Bitch” in 1994. His debut album, 1995’s Doe or Die, showcased the talented emcee’s literate and thoughtful approach to gangsta rap and shook the New York hip-hop scene to the core.

He has released a string of classic bangers like 1998’s Pieces Of A Man, 2001’s 9 Lives, 2002‘s Aziatic and 2005’s A.W.O.L. that have sold an impressive 700,000+ units combined.  His skill has put him on the level above most, alongside his peers NAS and Jay-Z.

Undeniable showcases AZ at his best.  His descriptive and impressive lyrical flow is at the forefront of this new album.

About KOCH Entertainment

KOCH Entertainment, founded in 1987 and now in its twentieth year, is the leading and fastest-growing independent music company in the U.S. KOCH’s operations encompass record and video labels as well as distribution companies in the U.S. and Canada. KOCH Entertainment is the market leader among independent labels and distributors in both the U.S. and Canada and its record label KOCH Records had the largest number of Billboard charting albums among independents for seven years in a row (2001 – 2007).  KOCH Entertainment is a subsidiary of Entertainment One Ltd. which is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market (ticker symbol “ETO”).

Jay-Z “Pray” Video

JAY-Z’s video for “Pray (Live)” is Now Playing on the front page of the Roc-A-Fella website. Click here now to watch the video for the latet single from the critically acclaimed album American Gangster.

This video was recorded LIVE on the road during JAY-Z’s American Gangster Tour.