BABYGRANDE
Aug 1, 2004 12:00 PM
Style: “Right now, it's mostly progressive hip-hop,” says label head Chuck Wilson. “But don't sleep: Babygrande will be making moves on the rock side of things — we just snatched Jesse Stone from Interscope Records to build that side of the company.”
Established: In 2001, by Chuck Wilson, former director of A&R at Priority Records, in New York
Artists: Brand Nubian, Canibus, Jean Grae, Jedi Mind Tricks, Supernatural
Essential Listening: Brand Nubian, Fire in the Hole (2004); Canibus, Rip the Jacker (2003); Jean Grae, The Bootleg of the Bootleg EP (2003), This Week (2004); Jedi Mind Tricks, Violent by Design (2004); Sharkey, Sharkey's Machine (2004); Supernatural, The Lost Freestyle Files (2003)
Manifesto: “My old boss Bryan Turner built Priority Records into one of the best indie labels of his generation,” Wilson says. “I want to do the same thing with Babygrande and my generation.”
A&R Philosophy: “We look for unique artists who have something to build on — a strong local following, a self-distributed album or single that's created a buzz, or a high-profile collaboration,” Wilson continues. “Our thing is that if the artist has absolutely nothing to build on, then they're probably not ready for a label. Of course, there are always exceptions.”
Upcoming: Look out this fall for new albums and national tours from Brand Nubian, Jean Grae and Jedi Mind Tricks. “It's gonna be a big year for Babygrande,” Wilson says.
Contact: Babygrande, Attn: A&R Department; 8033 W. Sunset Blvd., Ste. 1038, Hollywood, CA 90046; e-mail inquiries@babygrande.com; Web www.babygrande.com
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