FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLLIE BUDZ, SHONTELLE, GRAVY AND DEMARCO TO BE FEATURED ON “THE NEW ERA” DIGITAL EP
Available In July On Digital Outlets including iTunes, Amazon and Rhapsody
New York – June 2009 – I.R.T. Media Group LLC, the production house behind the IRT Ryddimz DVD series, is preparing the release of its first Digital Compilation, “The NEW ERA” EP. Shortly after signing with leading digital distributor IODA last August, The FADER Magazine hailed I.R.T. as “a homegrown media outlet just hitting its stride.” Partnered with DJ Shortman Movements of the Heavy Hitters for this project, I.R.T. continues to push the envelope by releasing a compilation of innovative and cutting edge Caribbean-influenced artists and producers. Coinciding with Caribbean American Heritage Month, I.R.T. will debut “The NEW ERA” EP to media on June 25th.
“We’re trend-forecasters and this project is a musical extension of that,” explains Executive Producer Kamau Edwards, who co-founded the brand and played a key role in I.R.T.’s establishment. “As a Caribbean American immigrant who has had the privilege of working with an icon like P.Diddy, I’ve realized my culture is very influential in music. From Kool-Herc to Billy Ocean, Caribbean influence is in the fashion, language and entrepreneurial spirit of New York.”
Slated for a July 2009 release, I.R.T. and Shortman Movements began the project in late 2008, when local artist Fats recorded the street anthem ‘Round Here.’ Sampled from a previous IRT Ryddimz DVD sound bite, Antiguan producer Jus Bus played the riddim for Fats while visiting Miami and the tune was created right then and there. ‘Round Here’ is the essence of Brooklyn,” says Shortman. “It’s one of the reasons we selected ‘Sunglasses’ by dancehall legend Bruck Up as the next single. It’s unique, but catchy in a way that appeals to a widespread audience.” Within weeks ‘Sunglasses’ had DJs both stateside and abroad eager to add to it to their playlists.
Despite a hectic tour schedule, Collie Buddz took time to contribute the single ‘Eyez’, about needing to have a pair in the “backa ya head”. Listeners will undoubtedly relate to ‘Pieces’, a song about picking up after heartbreak, by emerging group J.Status (production-mates with Rihanna) and SRC/Universal artist Shontelle (currently touring with Beyonce). Newcomer Ishawnna sings the enchanting ‘For You’ alongside the track’s producer Demarco (E1/Koch), which is already a favorite in the dancehall community. Perhaps the most interesting collaboration on “The NEW ERA” took place between “Notorious” star Jamal ‘Gravy’ Woolard and dancehall hit-maker Mavado. The resulting ‘Grudge,’ produced by Dangerous, LLC (50 Cent, G-Unit), is poised to become a New York anthem.
As Edwards notes, “we owe it to Caribbean music to continue raising the bar. That’s what NEW ERA is about, sophisticating the genre while maintaining its authenticity.” Fans can view the video to Fats’ ‘Round Here’ on the I.R.T. website http://www.NYC456.com. The video for the project’s next single ‘Eyez’, by Collie Buddz, is currently in production and should hit airwaves some time in late June. For more information, the I.R.T. team can be reached on Twitter @IRT_Ryddimz or Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/ojacgn.
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If you would like to speak directly with the production team or attend “The NEW ERA” listening party to be held in lower Manhattan on June 25th, please send your information and credentials to: rsvp@nyc456.com
