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Arcsin - Oculus Fang
Arc-wer?? OCULUS FANG?? Uncommon Records? Ah...okay... Wem Def Jux zu bieder, Rawkus zu Mainstream, Rap-A-Lot zu brav, Babygrande einfach nur peinlich und Def Jam zu sehr Old School ist, für den könnte das kleine Label Uncommon Records das ein oder andere Schätzchen bereit halten. Alles andere als angepasst, nicht immer leichte Kost, aber immer wieder innovativ. So dürfte auch das zweite Album des Produzenten Arcsin nicht gerade die Massen elektrisieren, aber wer hin und wieder mal eine kleine Auszeit vom täglich durch's Ohr ratternden Einheitsbrei braucht, ist bei der zweiten Instrumental-Scheibe des Produzenten aus California vielleicht richtig. Sicher, man braucht ein wenig Zeit um sich angesichts des - formulieren wir es mal vornehm höflich - gewöhnungsbedürftigen Covers zu überwinden, den Silberling aus seinem Pop-Art-verkleideten Gefängnis zu befreien, aber wer es ab dem 02.08.2007 wagen wird, dürfte nicht enttäuscht werden...

BABYGRANDE HEATS UP SUMMER ‘07: NOREAGA’s “NOREALITY” DROPPING IN SEPTEMBER


Renowned indie hip-hop label Babygrande Records, home to such acclaimed acts as Hi-Tek, GZA, Jedi Mind Tricks & more, is pleased to announce one of the hottest releases of the summer: Noreaga’s Noreality.

Streeting in September, Noreality heralds Noreaga’s highly anticipated return to hip-hop, after broadening his base (and showcasing his
versatility) with 2004’s reggaeton project Y La Familia… Ya Tu Sabe.
Now, with the release of Noreality, Noreaga takes it back to hip-hop and back to the streets where his last album scanned over 400,000 copies. Noreaga's resume reads like a veritable who's who of hip-hop elite, having both appeared and collaborated with the likes of Jay Z, the iconic Big Pun, R. Kelly, Swizz Beats, Pharrell, Cam'ron, DJ Clue and many more. One of hip-hop's most respected stalwarts, Noreaga's viability has consistently withstood both fluctuating creative and commercial climates, having sold millions of units throughout the past
8 years.

Noreaga is not only focused lyrically but he’s also focused on his own business and new label: Thugged Out Militainment. Produced under Thugged Out Militainment and released in partnership with Babygrande, Noreaga has officially gone independent for his forthcoming Album/DVD Noreality. Noreaga wants his fans to be clear that Noreality is not a mixtape; rather, it is an album he created while shooting his DVD reality show and that’s what it inspired it—his everyday life. Noreaga adds, “I just want to give the fans that something extra this time.”

Noreaga delivers on that promise, back at it again with 2007’s Noreality, featuring high profile, A-list guest appearances from Jadakiss, Three Six Mafia, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Prodigy (of Mobb Deep), Bun B, Tru Life, David Banner, Capone, Kurupt & more. With production by Swizz Beatz, among others, the album is the next chapter in a storied 10+ year career from one of hip-hop's most accomplished and respected emcees. The DVD version, which will be in limited quantity, features Norega’s reality show about his everyday life.

Chuck Wilson, Babygrande’s CEO added, “Noreaga is a legend and a pioneer. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him and even more thrilled that N.O.R.E. is back on that street sh*t we all love.”