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Vor drei Monaten veröffentlichte Houston-Rapper Mike Jones über Swishahouse Records/Asylum/Warner Bros sein zweites Solo-Album "Who is Mike Jones?". Momentan arbeitet er bereits an seinem neuen Longplayer "American Dreams", welcher gegen Ende des Jahres erscheinen soll.

Bevor sein Solo-Album erscheint, wird Jones mit seiner 7-Mann Crew "Da Ice Age" das Mixtape "Ice Age Volume 2: The Takeover", sowie eine offizielles Crew-Album releasen. Desweiteren plant der Rapper eine eigene Mode-Linie zu entwerfen und nebenbei noch in das Schauspielgeschäft einzusteigen.

In Deutschland erscheint "Who Is Mike Jones" offiziell erst am 29.August.

Today I have some good news and some bad news for everybody.

THE BAD NEWS:

There’s really no easy way of saying this, so I feel it best that I just stick to my usual no nonsense, no bullshit ways and get straight to the point. I have decided to shut down Street Level Records indefinitely. This is not a decision that I made lightly and is something that has been on my mind for about 8 months now. My intentions were to wait and see what developed for SLR during the 2005 year, but it has become apparent to me that it’s going nowhere fast.

WHY?

I’m sure that’s the big question that most of you are going to ask and there are literally dozens of reasons I could give you all. The funny thing is that I can’t give you one reason why I would want to continue running SLR.

So what’s the major reason? It’s simple, money. A wise man once said that if it don’t make dollars, then it don’t make sense. I’m tired of putting my money into something that doesn’t produce any financial rewards and many times I end up taking a loss. Not only because an album may not recoup (most of the time I’m happy if that alone happens), but because of the literally hundreds and thousands of hours I have spent in the studio working on them. Most of the time, I don’t even get paid for all of my hard work in the studio, nor for all of the beats that I make. But all of that is ending today. I have literally developed carpal tunnel syndrome from working on my computers so much and have decided that if I’m going to be in pain and suffering, then I BETTER be getting paid for it.

Another reason is that as most of you know, I run 2 companies, SLR and my production company Not 2 Sane Productions. Well my production company is what’s paying the bills around here these days. The problem is that I could be making more money with it, but I can’t because half of my time goes to SLR. Ultimately I feel like I’m half-assing both of my companies and am spread too thin. I want to focus on one thing and excel at it as best I can. It’s been said before and I have never been the one to deny it, I am one person trying to do too many people’s jobs at this record label. It’s time I step away from the madness.

Another reason is the artists I work with. I’m not going to sit here and point fingers and blame specific people for the decision that I have made, but it is indeed a result of the experiences that I have had with many of the artists I have worked with, both past and present, that have driven me to make this choice. I have put 7 years of blood, sweat and tears into this record label. I have put thousands of dollars into this only to have people not care or appreciate what I did for them. I have been accused of lying, been called “shady” and had my GOOD NAME ran through the mud by ignorant children when in reality I’m one of the most honest, stand-up cats you’re ever going to meet. In reality I’ve done nothing but help people and further them in their musical endeavors, only to have them shit on me. Funny thing is where are they now?? Those that know me personally know how driven I am and have been to make this thing be successful. But the problem with this machine is that it depends on other people to make it function properly. It’s a machine full of different parts, and when these parts are not all functioning together correctly, the machine doesn’t work. Well, I’m basically tired of trying to get the machine to work and have decided to take my destiny in my own hands.

SO WHAT NOW?

So what am I going to do now you ask? It’s simple. I’m going to do what I love to do most – make music. I’ve never really enjoyed running a record label and selling records. It’s hectic and time consuming. And the rewards have been minimal. Let’s face it though, I am and have been the driving force behind Street Level Records throughout all these years. I feel that my music and production is what has gained SLR the name it has, and hopefully that will carry over to my production company. One of the main reasons I really even started SLR was to promote myself and my production abilities. I think I have proved what I am capable of doing and I feel like I am far from a failure in the NW music scene. I have released 10 albums. 12 if you want to count the underground stuff and 14 if you want to count the other ones I have been affiliated with. There aren’t too many people around here who can make that claim and I’m happy to be one of them. I was also a MAJOR factor in bringing NW Hip-Hop to cyberspace and am one of the reasons so many of you are able to enjoy our music.

In the coming months I will begin to scale down the SLR website and will of course continue to support the catalog through the sale of CD’s via the online store, but there will be no further updates. All albums that were scheduled for release have been cancelled and if you would like to know if any of them are coming out still, you will need to ask that respective artist(s). There is a slight chance that I may be involved in some of the cancelled projects, but I would more or less only be playing consultant. I may at some point in the future decide to reactivate SLR and put out some more albums, but the situation would have to be right. I’m not saying it’s out of the question, I’m just saying that for the time being SLR will be on hiatus.

TO OUR FANS:

I want to personally thank everybody that has supported Street Level Records by buying our CD’s, coming to shows, calling the radio stations, campaigning for us and being just generally GREAT fans. I know this isn’t going to be easy for you all to understand, but I assure you it’s a decision that needed to be made and I am confident that I have made a decision that will be beneficial to all of us in the NW music scene in the long run.


SO WHAT’S THE GOOD NEWS?

I just saved a ton of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico! LOL!

Naw….the good news is that you haven’t heard the last of D-Sane. I will still be around and I have some big things I’m working on making happen. Stay tuned…..

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World heavyweight champ turns porn star
August 3, 2005

Mike Tyson is reportedly set to star in a porn film - with Jenna Jameson. The former boxing World Heavyweight Champion claims he is desperate for cash, after being hit with a tax bill for several million dollars, and a porn career is a tempting offer.

The disgraced pugilist, who retired from boxing last month, was approached by Jenna's representatives to star as her partner in the X-rated movie.

He is quoted by Britain's Zoo magazine as saying: "I just talked to a gentleman called Jimmy who's involved with Jenna Jameson. They said they were interested in getting me involved in the adult film industry
.
"I need the money up front."

Meanwhile, American boxing journalist Pedro Fernandez believes Tyson, who was jailed for six years in 1992 on rape charges, would triumph in the sex industry - with his alleged 14-inch manhood. (*See Link Below for Naked Picture of Mike Tyson)

He explained: "According to court documentation from Tyson's rape trial, his member is at least 14 inches long.

"If Tyson brings out some of the ferocity that made him a champion, he could definitely become a successful porn star."





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The duo of Deacon The Villain and Kno, better known as CunninLynguists, is looking to release their 3rd LP, A Piece Of Strange, in October on QN5 Music / LA Underground Entertainment / T.E.A.M. It features guest spots from Cee-Lo of Goodie Mob, Immortal Technique and Tonedeff and is entirely produced by Kno.

APOS is a concept album which CL is looking to release an accompanying, independant DVD for in late 2005 or early 2006. Meant as a companion piece to APOS, the film's entire dialogue and soundtrack will only be provided by playing the album from beginning to end simultaneously with the movie.

Also, at the time of A Piece Of Strange's release, an instrumental version of the LP will be made available as well as full size posters of the album's artwork, which was rendered by reknowned comic illustrator Becky Cloonan.

Also, make sure to check for the upcoming Omega One masterpiece, The Lo-Fi Chronicles (OUT OCTOBER 18!!). If the name sounds familiar, it's because Omega is responsible for Aesop Rock's early classics Music For EarthWorms and Appleseed, as well as contributing beats to Labor Days.

Street Boss

Mixtape featuring the best tracks from Queens-based rapper Royal Flush and showcases the raw street narratives and blistering vocals that have made Royal Flush a favorite amongst fans of hardcore hip-hop. This mixtape features songs with Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Twista, Infamous Mobb, M.O.P, Big Pun and Big L. Also includes the hits “Worldwide,” “Iced Down Medallions” and the previously unreleased song “Rotten Apple.”

In stores August, 2005