 According to Allhiphop.com and ballerstatus.com, Carmelo Anthony has launched a New Label. * This is great news....but keep on reading........ * NBA superstar, Carmelo Anthony, may be successful in the world of the basketball, but can he cut it in music? Well, that's a chance he is now taking, with the launch of his own label, Kross Over Entertainment. The label's first artist will be Atlanta native, Berg, who is already bubbling in the underground with his single, "Hold Up," featuring UGK legend, Bun B. In addition to Berg, Anthony has signed artist/producer Soundz and an R&B singer by the name of Alesia Miller. Although the ball player will serve as company president, he enlisted the help of industry folk like Whop of 354 Entertainment, who will handle the day to day operation, and Parrish Johnson of Inde First (who is known for his effective marketing skills). Aside from the new label venture, Anthony has recently invested heavily in a forthcoming wireless communications firm. And is slated to play for the 2008 Olympic USA basketball team, along with other NBA stars such as Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade, and Gilbert Arenas, among others. * * * I didn't see anything in that story about Baltimore..LOL! should I have expected more? I know ima dreamer. *
I am so torn right now about how to feel about this news. There are so many examples of people that make it out of Baltimore only to overlook us when there is an opportunity to help us rise above the stigma associated with this city.
* The stigma:
Crabs No ambition No business saavy Content with mediocracy Followers Crooks etc...........please add your own *
This not just concerning music either *
Now please do not misunderstand me....I am not mad at Mello. As an investor...he no doubt looked over the facts surrounding his first acts (the numbers, track record, grind, team) and figured that these artists would prolly give him the best return on his investment...BUT DAMN! it still hurts to see it in black N white. Can B'More get a lil love? I know that if people with money came looking they would be blown away by the level of talent here. Plus we got madd variety...from conscious rap to horrorcore....and everything in between. *
I'd been hearing about Mello starting a label like 2 years ago. At that time it was said that he he was feeling Los. But after the Bloc disbanded....I didn't even hear anything about Los anymore. So to be honest...I hadn't given it anymore thought. Los is hot, but got daaaaaaaaaaaaam how is it that he wasn't feelin Skarr (I just don't get that one?) *
Speaking from a marketing perspective....Baltimore is on the come up and has made considerable gains (musically) during the last year [alone]........blowing up an artist from B'more (& he's from B'more) would have been too easy for his PR/Marketing team to push. He knows the city..the slang...he has the city behind him in a way that no rapper has ever had from Bmore. *
I must give him his props, Mello since day one has repped B'More....IMO goes out of his way to acknowledge his Ballermore roots. I wish I could find the image, but Bmore was on the bottom of his first shoe (may be on all of them, but I am not 100% sure).
He comes back more than a lot of people.... *
From the Nike Commercial shoot that the po po tried to shut down (simple cause they didn't "get" it) to the Stop Snitchin DVD fiasco that had important & extremly busy people like Elijah Cummings taking the time to go on radio and talk about how this man is not giving the youth the best role model. *
Uuuuuuum skuuuuuuuuuz me....politicians crack me up....that is why the youth do not identify with them and one of the reasons they don't vote....... *
The kid is a professional athelete, engaged to a beautiful woman, has a multi-million dollar endorsement deal with Jordan...etc....what more do the people want from him? ...plus...isn't he still under 21? How many 21 year old black men from B'more have jobs...LMBAO! ........j/k there are a few! 2 or 3 *
No disrespect to EC (who I vote for without reservation every election), but Mello really wasn't even in the movie...I wonder did the politicians and news reporters even watch the entire movie...prolly not! FYI: his part is not what made the movie so polarizing. He was on their talkin shit. No he prolly should not have been there, but at the end of the day...we all live and learn. *
The media is always looking for a sound bite and Mello's name provided the vehicle that took the (what should have been) undergound DVD global (CNN mentioned Skinny Suge- Gots to love dat!) *
Mello should get a few royalty checks from that appearence....oh but then again...did anyone get any checks off that movie...LOL!? Just a wondering? *
What does this story say to Baltimore artists:
There are people out here with money & they are looking to sign the next best thing. Its not always about being discovered by a big label...some people do quite well taking the indie route. Mello is making a statement.....its time for Baltimore acts to make their own. No doubt...he will be out here looking for MORE talent...this time be ready. I want to be able to come on here and proudly announce B'more's first Kross Over signee. He's already proven he has love for B'more...now its time to show him you are already making money...& you just need a lil of his to take you over the top! *
He's tellin you step your game up! Start making money off your art and I promise more people will want in on the action. He's already demostrated (TO THE WORLD) that WE are a talented bunch. Baltimore is a city from which great people arise- DO YOU BELIEVE? CONGRATS MELLO! Keep on making us proud. Keep on keeping B'more on the tips of people's tongues. photo courtesy of carmeloanthony.com |
