With today's emerging sounds, genres, and advanced music technology, a recording artist has to be up for the vocal challenge and lyrically equipped in making a hit song. Today's reality TV and other online mainstream media left no room for the singer, rapper or lyricist to be just "OK" and as the rules go, hit or miss.

Major music producers are not looking for that voice already heard, or someone who just wants a break at their expense. They thrive on finding a new sound every day and record labels only sign a rare new brand who is ready to perform, totally packaged and not an emulator.

It's smart business, and singer/songwriter/producer Kyle Owens was a wise choice for State City Music. From being featured on various projects with artists like Yung Texxus, City Haze and Keri Hilson, to name a few, his first project The Hook Killa Volume 1, mixed by DJ Whut It Dew, is sure to be an R&B heater in heavy rotation.

Owens hooked up with us to debut this first tape exclusively on BallerStatus.com.

Click here to download the mixtape, including artwork.

For more info on Kyle go to StateCityMusic.com or MySpace.com/KyleOwensGemini.

Below is the official tracklisting:

01. "Hook Killa Intro"
02. "The Reason", ft. Chris Skillz
03. "Down"
04. "Have You Seen Her", ft. Intense
05. "Irise"
06. "Clap For Me", ft. Yung Texxus
07. "So Fly", ft. J. Lex & Money
08. "Thing For You", ft. Yung Texxus
09. "Change", ft. Chris Skillz
10. "Forever Young", ft. Alphaville
11. "Bria's Interlude", ft. Omarion
12. "She Got Me Bad", ft. Cashus Cream
13. "Hustlin", ft. Nish
14. "Lil Mama", ft. K Wal & Yung Texxus
15. "Ridin' Out", ft. Yung Texxus
16. "Tidal Wave"
17. "Take My Soul"
18. "Angel Tears"
19. "Kyle Owens Outro"