Officially launching Add Ventures Music in 2015, Chris “Gotti” Lorenzo, Vice President of the iconic Murder Inc Records, had one goal in mind, to help undiscovered artists learn about the mechanics of the music business while also providing them opportunities based solely on their talent. Serving as a digital distribution platform that also provides marketing and promotional services to their members, Chris took AVM on the road in 2016, touring through 30 cities across the U.S. At each stop, AVM set up educational seminars and artist showcases, which yielded hundreds of artists. AVM also hit all of the most prominent local venues in each city, allowing them to get a feel for each market.

While on tour, Chris began taking local artists from each city to the studio and allowing them to showcase their talents and whoever laid the best hooks and verses would be left on the records. Serving as the executive producer, Chris oversaw the formation of the projection which culminated in the form of “Independence.” The 10-track compilation project showcases the best of the previously unheard artists across the country. The album also features Cleveland Cavaliers basketball star Iman Shumpert and rising Chicago rhymer Rico Recklezz, both of whom connected with Chris while in their respective cities. Also featured is AVM’s first member and artist, DC native Boogiie Byrd, who recently signed to Irv Gotti’s newly relaunched Murder Inc Records/300 Ent joint venture.

Now, fresh off of another tour, Lorenzo unveils the first official music video from “Independence” titled “Process.” The clip, which is premiered via VEVO, finds Chris providing the platform for Baltimore natives EJ Warwick, Nefertiitii and T-Zander on the hook. Directed by Kingdom Come Media, the visual finds the trio lamenting about their struggles and going through the process of overcoming the obstacles hurled in their direction.

Independence is currently available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and all streaming platforms.

All independent artists can sign up for distribution via Lorenzo’s website AddVenturesMusic.com. And be sure to check out the dates for Add Ventures Music’s upcoming west coast tour below.

Sept 28th – San Diego, CA
Sept 29th – Anaheim, CA
Sept 30th – Los Angeles, CA
October 1st – San Luis Obispo, CA
October 2nd – Bakersfield, CA
October 3rd – Fresno, CA
October 4th – Modesto, CA
October 5th – Sacramento, CA
October 6th – Suisun City, CA
October 7th – Oakland, CA
October 9th – Portland, OR
October 10th – Seattle, WA
October 12 – Stockton, CA
October 13th – Long Beach, CA
October 14th – San Bernardino, CA
October 15th – Palm Springs CA

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The post #PeepTheVisual: Chris (Gotti) Lorenzo Presents: Baltimore – Process appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

We’ve all heard the stories of record labels and the ups and downs being contracted with one may cause.  Here and now BET network is taking us all behind the scenes of some of the greats.  Tonight, May 17th at 8:00 ET and 9:00 ET make sure to tune into the first part of the eight-episode-docs-series.  Uptown Records is the first up in the spotlight to dig into all the dirt, good and bad with a Part I and Part II episode of the journey.  Some of Hip Hop’s most iconic labels will be featured  in the eight-week series for one-hour long like, Grand Hustle, Loud Records, Slip-N-Slide, Terror Squad, Ruff Ryders, Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP), and Murder Inc.  

Founder, Andre Harrell will be among the industry insiders like, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Guy’s Teddy Riley and Damion Hall giving they’re unique takes on Uptown’s success, legacy, and so much more.  We can expect to see some never-before-seen footage in an up close, first-person narrative kinda way.  The series is executive produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions and DTP co-founders Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Bridges’ manager Chaka Zulu, and Jeff Dixon.

“The dreams and visions; the successes and failures … we want young aspiring entrepreneurs to have a blueprint as to what really goes on in this business and understand how much work it takes,” says DTP’s Dixon of the inspiration behind the series. “We [as African-Americans] also want to document our own history, especially in this industry. This is like our natural resource. No one can tell these stories like us.”

According to Billboard, these are some of the other power players that will be “playing” in each episode of Inside the Label:

Uptown Records: Andre Harrell, Diddy, Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, Babyface, Teddy Riley, Damion Hall, Brett Ratner, Laurieann Gibson, Robin Thicke, Sanaa Lathan, Doug E. Fresh, Al B. Sure, Eddie F, Kim Porter, Father MC, Jeff Redd and Monifah.

Grand Hustle: T.I., Jason Geter, Young Dro, Kevin Liles, Lil Duval, Killer Mike, DJ Toomp and B.O.B.

Loud Records: Steve Rifkind, RZA, Xzibit and E-Swift.

Slip-N-Slide Records: Ted Lucas, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Trina and DJ Khaled.

Terror Squad: Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Noreaga, Cool & Dre and Jesse Terrero.

Ruff Ryders: Joaquin Dean, Darren Dean, Chivon Dean, Swizz Beatz, Eve, The Lox, Irv Gotti, Drag On, DJ Clue, DJ Kool Herc, Lyor Cohen and Jimmy Iovine.

Disturbing Tha Peace: Ludacris, Chaka Zulu, Jeff Dixon, Chingy, Bobby Valentino, Shareefa, Lil Scrappy, Bangladesh, Lil Fate, I-20 and Poon Daddy.

Murder Inc.: Irv Gotti, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Charlie Baltimore, Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen.

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The post BET Network Takes us ‘Inside the Label’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The lawsuit was brought only a week after rapper Ja Rule’s 2 1/2 year prison sentence began.  His sentence, which began June 11th, came as a result of an arrest in July 2007 for possession of a .40 caliber handgun.

See more HERE

The post Irv Gotti vs Richard Kid Music Inc. appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.