Los Angeles Rapper Damani Inks Deal With Sony Urban Music
Published: Friday - October 13, 2006
Words by Allen Starbury
Damani (Photo: Sony Urban)
More and more labels are beginning to put their money behind rappers from Los Angeles. You had The Game with Aftermath, then Guerilla Back on Virgin, G. Malone with Sony Urban and now you have Inglewood native, Damani, who just inked a deal with My Block/Sony Urban Music, where he will release his debut album. "Damani is an important new voice in West Coast hip-hop, combining the truth and soul of the streets with hypnotic rhythms and an incredible musical sophistication," said Lisa Ellis, President of Sony Urban Music. "Sony Urban is proud to welcome him to our label family and look forward to working with him in creating a new chapter in hip-hop history."
Coming up in Los Angeles, the rapper began to gain a buzz at local hip-hop club, which soon turned into radio airplay, when stations like Power 106 and KDAY began putting his tracks -- "Inglewood" and "Gotta Stay Paid" -- into heavy rotation.
As his name began to spread through the L.A. area, Damani released his breakout mixtape, Congratulations Playa, with DJs Reflex and Skee, which made him one of the most sought-after artists on the West Coast.
With his fanbase growing, the rapper earned the respect of a number of West Coast rap pioneers, whose work had first inspired him to go into music, including Dr. Dre, Mel Man, and his biggest influence, Snoop Dogg, who called Damani an artist "... I could pass the torch to and watch it burn."
"Damani brings a new perspective to West Coast hip-hop," said Kawan "KP" Prather, Executive Vice President of A&R for Sony Urban Music. "As much as he was born and raised in Inglewood and has the respect of the streets, he has also seen other parts of the world. And he's able to let people know, through his music, that it's ok to represent your hood, but it's also great to experience as much life as possible. To me, that's gangsta, for real."
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