Bad Boy South with
Block Entertainment renew partnership
Bad Boy Takes Another Spin
Around the Block: Block Enterprises & Bad Boy
South Renew Pact
NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- November 17, 2006
-- Block Enterprises and Bad Boy South have
renewed their highly successful joint venture, it
was announced today by Bad Boy CEO Sean "Diddy"
Combs and Russell "Block" Spencer.
The Atlanta-based Block Enterprises and Bad Boy
South first joined forces for the 2005 release of
the hit debut album from Boyz N Da Hood, which
premiered at #1 on both Billboard's Top
R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts,
while entering the Billboard 200 at #5.
With the success of Boyz N Da Hood under their
belts, the two labels formalized their partnership
in early 2006. The new joint venture made an
impressive premiere with the smash debut album
from Yung Joc, "NEW JOC CITY," which also scored
the #1 spot on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
and Top Rap Albums charts, while debuting at #3 on
the Billboard 200. Now nearing the RIAA platinum
mark, "NEW JOC CITY" includes the #1 singles,
"It's Goin' Down" and "I Know You See It."
Block Enterprises/Bad Boy South are working on new
albums from Boyz N Da Hood and Yung Joc, as well
as the solo debut of Boyz member Big Gee and the
first album from Gorilla Zoe. Block/Bad Boy
releases will continue to be marketed and
distributed by Atlantic Records, a division of
Warner Music Group.
In making the announcement, Sean "Diddy" Combs
said: "As we have continued to expand the musical
scope of Bad Boy, we knew we had to be plugged
into the creative and vibrant Southern scene. When
Block and I first met, I realized he had an ear
for the streets of the South and that he would be
the perfect person to be our partner in developing
and breaking new talent. The success of Boyz N Da
Hood and Yung Joc proves that our instincts were
right, and there is much more fantastic music in
the pipeline from the Block/Bad Boy South team. I
am thrilled that we have renewed our commitment to
this great relationship."
Russell "Block" Spencer commented: "As the South
market grew, Diddy and Bad Boy realized they
needed to be involved. I was looking to take the
music we make in the South to another level, and
the collaboration between Block Enterprises and
Bad Boy South was the perfect avenue for both of
our companies. Look at the success we have already
attained. When the machine is working
successfully, you don't look to fix it, but to add
to it to make it better. The renewal of our deal
is going to make the Block/Bad Boy South
partnership even bigger."
Bad Boy Executive VP and General Manager Harve
Pierre commented: "Our joint venture with Block
Enterprises has given us the opportunity to reach
out to a broader audience base as we move forward
with the evolution and re-invention of Bad Boy.
Looking back to when we first started with a
handful of people in 1992 and fast forwarding to
2006, we have truly grown as a label, family, and
industry. We now have the manpower to get more
done in less time. After seeing the success of
Boyz N Da Hood and Yung Joc on their debut albums,
I can say with conviction that this is the
continuation of a beautiful relationship."
A native of Atlanta, Russell "Block" Spencer first
made his mark at Suave House Records, where he
oversaw projects for 8Ball & MJG, Tela, and Crime
Boss. Following a lengthy stint as head of A&R for
Noontime Records, he and producer Jazze Pha
established ShoNuff Records, home of crunk R&B
sensation Ciara. Block's impeccable ear for new
talent and boundless creativity in artist
development caught the attention of Diddy as Bad
Boy set its sights on the South. Block soon became
Diddy's right hand man below the Mason Dixon line.
The success of hip-hop super group Boyz N Da Hood
introduced Block Enterprises to the mainstream and
also catapulted the career of rapper Young Jeezy,
who has enjoyed phenomenal success since the
release of Boyz N Da Hood's debut album in 2005.
Diddy Artist Page
Credit:
MarketWire/Atlantic Records PR
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