So another case of artists having a displeasure with the major label arises with the rap group known as Nappy Roots. A few words can fully express why the group was pushed away from Atlantic and resorted to launching their own record label.
“Awnaw, hell nah, man yall done up and done it.”
With that said, the group has parted ways with the home from which they lived at for years and has launched their own imprint known as Nappy Roots Entertainment to re-release their last album, The Humdinger. It will be distributed through Fontana/Universal this September.
Released August 5, the project has been heavily under the radar and for anyone that was unaware then yes, they have released an album. The album debuted at #7 on the Billboard Rap Charts and landed at #13 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Charts. Their single “Down ‘N Out” featuring Anthony Hamilton is currently in rotation as it was the second single put out last week.
Lead group member and label CEO, Skinny DeVille, says, “The single “Down ‘N Out” is reminiscent of the group’s sudden demise at Atlantic Records, label politics, and losing group member R Prophet.”
The re-release of the album will be accompanied by a bonus mixtape, Southern Slang and a collaboration with veteran MC Greg Nice from the 90s Hip-Hop group Nice & Smooth. The line-up of the group has been cut down to five members being Skinny Deville, Scales, Ron Clutch, B Stille and Big V.
“Nappy had to take some time off to get back to our roots, we started out independent and that’s where we belong. We’ll never let another situation like what happened to us at Atlantic happen again. We maintain control over our destiny and stay loyal to our fans,” stated Deville.
Along with the music, Nappy Roots is currently in the works of releasing a 7-part online mini series called The Half Truths: The Lost Nappy Roots DVD and will be prepping for the release of Pursuit of Nappyness which should hit the scene sometime in 2010.
