After the release of the classical french hip hop album Les princes de la ville (The prices of the city), 113 no longer needs an introduction in France. Their first album sold over 250.000 copies and the single Tonton du bled (The oncle from the country) became a true phenomenon (over 500.000 singles sold). The following album Dans l'urgence (In case of emergency) was less successful but yet sold 120.000 copies. 113 have always been present at all radio frequences in France through different hits but also thanks to projects like the Raï & B Fever (150.00 albums sold).

The latest album “113 Degrées” was released in November 2005 and went right up on top charts in France (over 200.000 albums sold). Border-Blaster introduced the group to Christophe Rocancourt. Together they recorded the single “Un trou dans le ventre”, produced by Border-Blaster International.

After the riots in French suburbs in 2005, the French government accused 113 to have encouraged the violence through their lyrics. Rim-K from Algeria, A.P from the West Indies and Mokobé from Mali answers that “we have a responsibility since people listen to us., in a society where dreams are shattered for the kids from our neighbourhoods, we have to show another way through our words and our consciouness”.

Border-Blaster has supported 113 for their music to cross several borders. Border-Blaster booked their first show in Scandinavia, introduced 113 to Swedish producer Soul Supreme, helped them to book shows in Spain etc…

Chords has been on an almost constant tour throughout Sweden and Europe for the past two years. He has made himself an impressive reputation with his strong punch lines and flowing rhymes.

Chords natural talent for vocabulary and writing skills is recognized. But although he was accepted to a University of journalism in the States, he chose the music career.

Like most creative people, Chords strives for inspiration and says he has always written rhymes because it has felt good and not because he has been on the search for a record deal. But when a deal was offered him, he accepted.

”Nobody does Hip Hop albums anymore” says Chords. “Instead everybody has been doing gangsta rhymes or strange ‘R&B collabos’. I wanted to do an album with just hard beats and lyrics. You can have attitude at the jam without trying to shoot up the club. You can have fun on an album, without being a clown” And that’s exactly what Chords accomplished.

More info on www.jujurecords.com and www.myspace.com/chordsonline

In the United States and throughout the world, hundreds of articles have been written about
38-year-old Frenchman Christophe Rocancourt. When he was released from Federal Penitentiary in Pennsylvania, a crowd of journalists was waiting, hungry for a fabulous scoop: his life story.

Abandoned at the age of 5 by his mother (he later found out she was a prostitute), his alcoholic father left him in an orphanage in Normandy. From being a runaway teenager sleeping on a bench in the Paris suburbs, he turned into the darling of jet set in Hollywood where he made himself known as the French Rockafeller among with many other names. He posed as an Italian mobster, a race-car driver, a producer, a vineyard owner, the nephew of Sophia Loren and an heir to the Rockafeller fortune.

This dangerous game ended with escapes from FBI and Interpool and, in 2001, he was arrested. In jail, Christophe wrote down his life story that later captured the large crowd. Released in February 2006, his book “My lives” went straight up as the French number 1 best-seller in a couple of weeks.

When Christophe met with Border-Blaster in 2005, they convinced him to cross the musical border and express himself musically. This turned into several recordings with some of the biggest artists of the French hip-hop scene. The single “Un trou dans le ventre” produced by Border-Blaster, reached the top-charts and sold a lot.

After being part the legendary French hip hop group « Les Sages Poetes de la Rue », Dany Dan now finally releases his first solo album.

Dany Dan grew up in the Paris suburb Boulogne. The discovery of hip hop artists like LL Cool J, NWA and Rakim inspires him and he starts break dancing and doing graffiti. The French hip hop scene is small at the time and when he meets up the rapper Zoxea, they start hanging out and rhyming together. Together with Zoxea’s brother Melopheelo they form SPR, Soul Pop Rock, and starts performing on small scenes and parties around the neighbourhood.

The buzz spreads and soon they become known as « Sages Poetes de la Rue » (the Wise Street Poets). The first album “Qu’est ce qui fait marcher les sages” is released in 1995. The album is a success, but Dany Dan sees rapping more as passion than something to develop more seriously.

Dany Dan writes all the time. He finishes high school and starts college, but creating new lyrics takes all his time. He plays with the language, invents new expressions and creates his own style. His rhymes is an ego-trip full of parties but with a humble, positive and non-violent message that represents the Sage Poetes de la Rue.

It’s with the release of the 2nd album “Jusqu’à l’Amour” that Dany Dan becomes conscious of the fact that rapping has become his profession – something he never could have dreamt of. Their music is suddenly all over France and they become one of the most respected groups of French hip hop.

Together with NTM, IAM and MC Solaar the Sages Poetes de la Rue are one of the legendary groups that created French hip hop. Today, Dany Dan stays the best lyrics-writer of the French rap scene. For over 10 years people have waited for his solo album.

Doshermanos is the legendary pioneers of Spanish hip hop in Spain. With more than 15 years dedicated to music, they represent Spain worldwide. Their first album “Format c:” sold out in Spain and a special double cd edition was released, followed by The Bonus Cd and La Mixtape.

The duo (Doshermanos means 2 brothers in Spanish) has worked hard to unify the Latin Hip Hop Scene internationally. Projects like RAPLATINO gathers the biggest Latino artists from all over the world (from Spain, USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Puerto Rico, etc.). The international touch is specific for the group.

They have collaborated with artists such as Makiza (Chile), Supremo (Puerto Rico), Full Nelson (New York), Lalcko and Arsenik (Paris), Mc Ceja (Puerto Rico), Triptik (Paris), Maestro (Puerto Rico) Delosiple (Mexico), and Sindicato (Argentina). To create the Doshermanos sounds they work with producers like Phone (Spain), Echo & Beat Slapers (Puerto Rico) and Ren Hook (France).

Doshermanos are now bout to finish their new album called NUESTRO MUNDO that will be released during the fall of 2006.

If you want to listen more to Doshermanos, you can get the free album La Mixtape in this link.

For more information, check out www.myspace.com/2hermanos  and their label site www.estachungo.com

Known for his captivating R&B and the wonderful melodies in his love songs, Douty is now moving towards a more Dance Hall sound. His up-tempo hit «Tout le monde dit» was widely played by radio and TV channels around France a few years ago.

His new album has a more tough touch, with producers like French Mike (from the group Organics, with several mega hits on his conscious), Danish Remee (known for hits for stars like Robyn and Jamilia), Ren Hook (known from working with The Game, Rohff, Ogb, La Fouine, J-Ro from Tha Alkaholiks, Oxmo Puccino), young talented Swedish Mustodamus and American Brendon Bell and Pharaoh Williams (brother to Pharrell Williams from the Neptunes and N.E.R.D.).

Even more surprises are waiting among the fresh recordings produced by BorderBlaster. With a message of peace, tolerance and brotherhood, Douty sings about love with rhythms that fills the dance floors and makes your hips move. Watch out for this album!

www.myspace.com/doutyfeenixx

As a kid, everybody was convinced she would be a dancer. Music has always been a big part of Evelyne's life. In 1999 she started as a DJ around the south of Sweden and since 2001she has worked as an all-around artist with everything from dance to theater and song.

Evelyne has always written a lot and have thoughts of making a book. The idea of making a record came three years ago. Since then, expressing herself through music became a natural thing. With a little help from El Sheriffo and Border-Blaster recordings and preparations for the first album is now happening.

The lyrics is the most important part for her. She raps mostly in Swedish, but also in English and sometimes in French. "Working in the studio is like sewing… being on stage is more like a parachute jump" she says.

While waiting for her coming album you can tune in the radio show "Din Gata 100.6" to listen to Sweden's upcoming Lady of Lyrics Evelyne. She's got a lot of things to tell you.

”The Swiss revelation, more precious than a Rolex.”

At the age of sixteen, Harry G has already written over 30 hip-hop songs and there‘s no stop to his creativity. Harry G came to Switzerland at the age of 12 for his mother’s marriage with a Swiss man. For the first years in Europe he mostly stays inside, listening to rap and writing his own texts. When his mother opens an African restaurant and starts inviting artists, Harry discovers the fascinating show business and develops the dream of becoming an artist.

During repetitions in the restaurant, Harry plays the American star and people start discovering his talent. Several producers from Geneva come to visit the restaurant to see Harry G perform. He starts participating on different castings.

It’s when Harry G meets Swedish production company BorderBlaster that his dream of making a solo album finally comes true. Harry is now recording for his first album and debut single “Harry G” will be released internationally on June 7. The music video is now being recorded in Stockholm.

Known from the group Tha Alkaholiks, J-Ro is now breaking borders solo. On the coming solo album, produced by Juju Records and BorderBlaster International, you will see a new face of “the funniest rapper in hip hop”. Tight rhymes and humor is what J-Ro often finds himself spreading amongst his peers, fans and family. He’s been around and knows the game. "I saw the whole L.A. hip-hop scene happen," muses the elder of Tha Alkaholiks. "I was young, but I was around everywhere. There were a few of us who were really into hip-hop and all hung out." After a lot of touring and traveling around the world, J-Ro now more experienced. This album will make you discover one of the legendary elites in West Coast hip-hop from a new perspective.

Together with Tha Alkaholiks, he has been on the hip hop scene since 1992, with five albums released:

• 21 & Over (Loud Records, 1993)
• Coast II Coast (Loud Records, 1995)
• Likwidation (Loud Records, 1997)
• The X.O. Experience (Loud Records / Columbia, 1999)
• Firewater (Koch Records, 2005)

With hit singles such as the Neptunes produced track “Best U Can” feat. Pharell Williams, “Hip-Hop Drunkies” feat. Ol’ Dirt Bastard, “Alkoholik” feat. Xzibit and Erick Sermon and of course the classic “Only when I’m drunk” (also notable that the band Crazy Town made a cover of the song that also became a hit worldwide.) Tha Alkaholiks have been a household name with legendary status on the hip-hop scene for more than years.

Besides recordings with Tha Alkaholiks, J-Ro has been featured on three albums by Xzibit - an artist that J-Ro and Tha Alkaholiks discovered and developed in 1993. Tours with Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Wu-Tang Clan, Tha Dogg Pound, Ice-T and others has occupied J-Ro’s scheule for the last decade. Also studio work and collaborations with Xzibit, Tha Dogg Pound, Kurupt, King Tee, Ol’ Dirty Bastard (Wu-Tang Clan), Defari, Loot Pack, Dilated People, Eric Semon, Masta Ace, J-Zone, Busta Rhymes and Nate Dogg to name a few, has kept him busy the last couple of years.

In June 2006 J-Ro made a historical move in Africa when performing at the CAMERHHA pre-show as the first American artist in the country’s history.

For more information, check out

Junior Natural

Only 10 years old, Junior Natural makes his debut on the big stage of the largest reggae festival in Scandinavia. He plays the drums. Short thereafter he changes the drumsticks for the microphone. Little Junior has a Natural talent for music. At 12, his first single « Number 1 Girl » is released. Mastered by Bob Marley’s former Jamaican label Tuff Gong, he dedicates the love song for his mother. “I thought of her all the time when I was recording. She was really happy when I gave it to her as a Christmas gift.” His father Daddy Natural has a history as musician and wrote the song. Junior Natural dreams of living on his music. He just needs to finish school first. Junior Natural’s international carrier starts developing through the compilation « Scandinavian Hip Hop Invasion » where he represents as the reggae artist with the song « Fallback ». That’s when he meets with BorderBlaster who becomes interested by his talent and dreams of working with music. Fallback is a real reggae classic that makes a great impression - not only because of the artist’s young age but also because of his feeling and the authentic sound. Several new songs are being prepared for the EP that will be released during the spring 2008. More info on www.myspace.com/juniornatural Media

Krotal

Discovered during the first rap festival in Cameroon in 1989, Krotal (then called Polo) then left for France for four years. There, he collaborated with artists such as TRU, Ultimate Paradoxe supported by Joe Star from NTM. Krotal released his first album “Vert rouge jaune” (“Green red yellow) after 13 years in the hip hop game. Paul Edoulard Etoundi a.k.a. Krotal was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon. He was one of the pioneers of the Cameroon hip hop scene. As a musically talented artist and sound engineer he has worked with Anonyme and Magna Fusion. The creation of the studio MAGIX in 1998 where he worked as a sound engineer was a turning point in his life. That’s where he started to work on the ambitious project to produce his album. Four years later, the album was finished with the support of the organisation Osmoz who works to support innovative artistic projects, the label Mapane Records and the promotion organisation Axes Jeune. In 2004, Krotal released the 14 songs that would reveal his maturity and his musical talent. Through his music, Krotal speaks about the situation in his country. The album tells the story of his life with a lot of happy and dramatic episodes. It’s easy to relate to Krotal’s strong and deep lyrics. The long work behind the album gave Krotal the opportunity to catch the real colour of hip hop music in Cameroon. The album contains elements of big Cameroonian artists such as Ak Sang grave, Teek, Fulaw, and especially Funkiss who sings, plays the guitar and the djembé. www.myspace.com/krotal Media

La Fouine

Laouni, a.k.a. La Fouine, is one of the best French artists today. His first album sold over 100.000 copies and the hit “Unité” was no.1 on all radio and TV channels for several months in France and French-speaking countries internationally. At the moment, La Fouine is preparing his second album. It’s expected to change the codes of French rap and contains collaborations with producers such as French Ren Hook known from working with The Game, Rhoff and Dray (Das EFX), American B.Bell & P. Williams (Pharell Williams’ brother) whose credits include Beyoné, Paul Wall and Freeway and beats from Dr. Dre’s label Aftermath. La Fouine was born in the Paris suburbs. Originally from Morocco, he was raised in a musical family and at an early age he started taking music lessons. As a teenager he was inspired by different musical styles such as rap, French songs and classical music. In 1997 he started recording his first songs and very soon he started to do things more seriously and being present on different compilations. In 2004 La Fouine signed with Sony BMG.     Media

Lalcko

Lalcko’s first contact with hip hop was established in 1990 when he lived in France. But it was when returning from France to his home-country Cameroon when he started to develop his rap in several local groups. With song such as "C'est la même pour ghettos de France, Yaoundé et les Yonkers" he wanted to show that the ghettos are the same all over the world. Back in France in 1998, Lalcko and the groups La Pieuvre and later Battle Mode Click, enters the rap game more seriously. His music is put on mix tapes (Poska, Cut Killer, Smoke) and on compilations (Offensive, Débarquement, Les Oubliés, 2 Source Sûre,..). With more experience he now goes solo and produces his own maxi “Blow”. The confirmation of his talent is later shown on the second maxi from the album “Sang d’encre”. He signs with the independent label 45 Scientific. With the release of his first maxi with them ("Les oiseaux se cachent pour tuer ") a larger public discovers his particular style with strong and violent lyrics. Lalcko a.k.a. "El commandente" is the "Black Rabah Madjer" of rap For more information, check out www.myspace.com/lalcko Media

Lazee

Swedish newcomer Lazee has an energy that brings a new level to hiphop. Lazee discovered hiphop at a young age and wrote his first lyrics at 10. After having spent several years in London, Lazee is now back in Sweden where he is recording with producers like Ishi, Sebastian Ingrosso, Ren Hook and others. He delivers a sound where hiphop meets electro and rock.   His hit “Rock Away” quickly became an international hit and has been broadcasted in over 50 countries.  More info on www.myspace.com/mrlazee   Media

Looptroop Rockers

What makes a great band? A unique sound, a characteristic style and visual image, the strength to influence several generations, hits, a message, durabilty?? To me Looptroop encompasses all the essential ingredients of a great band. Since their formation in 1992 through 16 uncompromising years of pioneering the global hiphop movement, the freedom writers are back! With their fourth installement Good Things, Supreme, Embee and Promoe continue to prove the fact that they are one of the most international hiphop bands on the map. World class production and rhymes, strong messages and a live experience only comparable to the likes of Public Enemy, Rage Againts The Machine and the Saian Supa Crew. Fourth member CosM.I.C. has found a new love in web design and has decided to sit this one out to concentrate on the upkeep of www.looptrooprockers.com The first time I saw a Looptroop show was in 1997 in the small town of Lund in southern Sweden. At a time when hiphop was not yet the global movement that it is today, most swedish artists in the genre were nothing but bleek copies of American bands. Looptroop changed that. I was utterly blown away by the looks and sounds of these cats. Relentlessy spitting meaningful, revolutionary cadences over Embee’s thick productions they won the hearts and minds of every one in the building. I remember a sunny day back in 2000 when the Rockers had squatted a Stockholm subway car to record the video for Looptroops anthemic hit ’The Long Arm Of The Law’. The beats, the rhymes, the melodies and THE MESSAGE had all the 150 kids in the train car in a total frenzy. That’s what it’s always been about for Looptroop, do it yourself and let the people KNOW! Being pioneers of the budding independent movement, they started releasing their own records and tapes in 1996 on their aptly named David vs Goliath imprint. After years of grinding the European tour circuit the band relased their 2000 debut Modern Day City Symphony shedding all doubt of who the new kings of the european underground were. Having shared tours with Xzibit, The International Noise Conspiracy and Atmosphere among others the Looptroop Rockers are masters of bringing their unique sound, look and attitude to whatever stage they’re standing on. Good Things shows many sides in the evolution and maturity of Looptroop, the ever broadening musical explorations of Embee and the continous message laden lyrical depth of Promoe and Supreme. From tracks like The Building showing a new direction for the band, to tracks like Ginger and Lemon displaying the Looptroop roots, Good Things has the makings of yet another classic. And yes my friends it’s still all about the beats, the rhymes, the melodies and above all the message. Jason ’Timbuktu’ Diakité More info on www.myspace.com/looptrooprockers, www.looptrooprockers.com Media

MAMONEY

Mamoney is one of Switzerland’s upcoming rappers. Originally from Cameroon, he came to Europe for a music festival in November 2006. His talent was rapidly noticed - his extraordinary writing and his energy on the scene was the distinguishing characteristics that made the difference. Mamoney is now established in Switzerland where he’s working on his first solo album together with BorderBlaster International. Mamoney has also joined the Swiss group Brandhärd who are releasing their album “Le meme sang” on April 20. Media

Manhitoo

Stéphane BEYAK a.k.a. Manhitoo is one of the artists that established the hip hop scene in Cameroon. He started rapping as a student in France. When he returned to Cameroon at the end of the 1980’s, he became active on the African hip hop scene together with his group Doi Hope. They were the first to record an entire hip hop album in Cameroon. When he returns to Cameroon, he settles down in Biyem-Assi in the capital Yaoundé (similar to the Bronx in New York). He becomes the spokesman for the rough neighborhood, where street violence and gang fights (with bare hands and machetes) separates the territory. The biggest criminals in hood encourage him and tell him not to follow their way of life. They keep repeating “we don’t have the choice… we’ve got to feed our families who are dying of hunger and deceases. Our political leaders have sacrificed us on the altar of crime. We don’t have another choice than steeling, robbing and even killing if we have to survive. You on the other hand, have the talent to write.” In 1995 Manhitoo leaves the streets of Biyem-Assi to settle down with his friend Gervais Ebongue, a.k.a. Geny Z in the much calmer Bali in Douala. That’s where the group Doi Hope is formed. Doi Hope means The way to Hope (Doi means “way” in Douala). In 1998, Simon Njami, who works for contemporary art internationally, contacted Doi Hope and Manhitoo to participate on the soundtrack for the movie LOOBHY, co-produced by Revue Noir and ARTE. The movie was a success and was distributed in countries around Europe, Africa and Asia. Convinced by his talent, the French production companies Le studio 57 and Terres Africaines contacted Manhitoo to make commercial for he beer company Amstel. A campaign with posters (3x4 meters) all over Cameroon was made. The TV commercial was broadcasted on all TV channels all over Africa. In 2006 Manhitoo started to work on his first solo album called MAN HI FI SCIENCE. The album will be made in collaboration with several producers with an international background, such as Ren Hook who has worked with artists like ROHFF, THE GAME, LA FOUINE, JANGO JACK, SOLANO, DRAY (ex DAS EXF) and J- RO (from THA ALKAHOLIKS). You’ll also find music made Soul Supreme, the Swedish producer who has won several Grammy Awards in Scandinavia and who has worked with artists like RED MAN, PETE ROCK, KRS ONE and 113. Pharoah Williams (Pharell Williams’ brother) and Brandon Bell, whose credit include BEYONCE, PAUL WALL, FREEWAY and many others, have also made a song for Manhitoo’s coming album. Many other surprises will also come with the new album, for example featurings with international artists like J-Ro (Tha Alkaholiks), Solano, La Fouine, Douty, Ikenna, Lalcko, and rappers from Cameroon like Krotal, DJ Bilik, Sumalek, Leotik, Djobolos, Danielle Eog and Billy from the group Moonkutchoo. The abum has been supervised by Damon Williams and will be produced by Border-Blaster. The album will be released on February 11 2007. For more information, check out www.myspace.com/manhitoo Media

Mustodamus

Born with music in his veins, Mustodamus knew his path at an early age. Producing music was not only a choice but a lifestyle. With a musician father and a painting mother the artistic genes would soon show. In 1997 Mustodamus started producing professionally. He brought a soulful and unique sound and in 2003 he signed with independent label Basecamp Group, owned by producer/songwriter Sören Von Malmborg. Mustodamus is currently working with upcoming artists/songwriters like I-Kay, Paula Lobos, Douty, Solano, Helen Hagos, Parasto and many more. For more information, check out www.myspace.com/mustodamus           Media

Parasto

Artist/songwriter Parasto is new in music business but has already got us hooked to her soothing voice. She’s a self taught singer with natural born song writing skills and this 20-year old upcoming star claims that there’s more to come. And who can fail to believe that her ambition will prove the fact that she’s right. She started playing the piano at the age of 6 and has been in love with music ever since. With her playing mostly classical music she learned to appreciate different styles of music and sees the construction of a tune more than just the layer, which often shows in her way of writing and creating. Although Parasto is very versatile, the genres that influence her the most are soul, r&b, hip hop and jazz. She got in contact with producer/ beatmaker, Mustodamus, in aug 2006 and started collaborating with him right away. Parasto is now in the process of creating an album, so be on the look out for more from this Swedish/Persian artist! For more information, check out www.myspace.com/parastos Media

Prominent

Sweden’s finest modern soul- and hip hop group is now blasting borders and going international. Prominent consists of Alex K., Castelo and Colossos who met 10 years ago in their hometown Malmoe in the south of Sweden. Already then they were sure that their music would reach the crowd one day. Colossos tight flow combined with Castelos amazing "God of Soul" voice, and everything directed by Alex K. made it unsurpassable since day one. 2002 Prominent struck with the single "She" and the group was rewarded at the Swedish Hit Music Awards by taking home the price for best R´n B/Hip hop of the year. They have opened up for several international artists including Destinys Child and Wyclef Jean. When their latest album “42 Grams” came out, they were ready to blast borders and go international. Prominent describes “42 Grams” as a more honest and personal album. “We have developed both musically and in our songwriting. We are older now, that's all there is to it! Pure feelings, unrefined, uncomplicated, complicated - here is my soul, do what you want with it...!" For more information, check out www.prominentonline.com Media

P. williams & b. bell
The American producers Brandon Bell and Pharoah Williams (Pharell Williams’ brother) produce lots of great music. More info to come… For more information, check out www.myspace.com/pharoah3rd and www.myspace.com/bellzdaproducer             Media

RANTOBOKO

Born in Rhodesia at the peak of the Zimbabwean liberation guerilla war, Rantoboko was raised on a farm plot in the outskirts of Harare. Building his own drum set from rusty olive oil tin cans where he amazed his surroundings with prodigal understandings of rhythms and melodies. In 2001 Rantoboko met a Swedish filmmaker who was amazed by his talent. A year later Rantoboko found himself in Sweden recording his debut album Urban Africa. During his stay in Sweden, Rantoboko also collaborated with Looptroop and featured on Embee’s grammy winning album “Tellings From Solitaria”. This album is a one of a kind fusion of accoustic afro soul, reggae and R&B. Rantoboko’s Chimurenga inspired guitar style and poignant voice tells tales about the hardships of day to day life in modern African megapolises. “Urban Africa” is as much about raising awareness about the growing social injustices as it is about celebrating the beauty of music. In 2006 Rantoboko recorded a song for the soundtrack of the forthcoming Hollywood feature film “Hotstuff” - an apartheid epic featuring Tim Robbins. Rantoboko lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. More info on www.jujurecords.com and www.myspace.com/rantoboko Media

Ren Hook

Ren Hook AKA "Chameleon" started music as a teenager playing the guitar and the bass in several rock and funk groups. At that time he already was into hip hop but as a dancer and as a graffiti artist. Playing the piano, he started to compose songs but really got into producing when he acquired a MPC 2000. That's when he started attending Music Conservatory and learned music theory and composition. His aim was to get rid of the use of sampling in his music "I try to keep it original. I mean I love sampled hip hop too, Primo, Kanye or Hi Tek, they are really hot, but I feel I can express myself better in playing". In 1999; Hook met up with Damon Williams, his manager. He later moved to Paris to work with gold selling rapper Zoxea. But Ren aka "Chameleon" background also allowed him to wok in many other fields. As matter of fact, his school credits (master degree in business marketing and foreign languages) gave him the ability to speak 3 different languages fluently (English, Italian and French) and the opportunity to do internships all over the world in the music business ("The best one was in San Francisco where I was working for Kmel Radio, I met all the artists I used to listen to in my room as kiddo, that was crazy» As a musician, Ren is able to work on any kind of music "whether it's classical, soul, reggae, crunk, rock, pop or dance music, I'm in it"." Hip Hop is my life of course but I don't want any barriers. I can listen to Juvenile or Jay-Z and then switch to Alanis Morrisette, Coldplay or The Police. As Richard Strauss said, there are only two kinds of music: good and bad ". Music is like a language; you can learn the basics, the grammar and read a lot in order to make sense but you gotta love it to make it beautiful. Ren credits includes now The Game, Solano, Dray (from former group Das EFX), Won G, J-Ro (from Tha Liks), Remo Conscious, Dos Hermanos (Spain), Evelyne (Sweden) and certified gold French artists such as Rohff, Rim K(113), FactorX, La Fouine, Mamoney (Switzerland)HOOK'EM!!!! For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/renhook Media

Solano

Solano, the heavyweight rapper of the Caribbean Hip Hop Community, has just finished his recording sessions around Europe and in the US. Starting out at the age of 15, Solano is now 25 and masters the art of free styling in the studio and on stage. Thanks to his innovative way of writing and his smooth and rapid flow, he has created his own musical environment which is a mixture of party songs and street anthems. Solano’s first album has been executive produced by the independent label SME Ltd in New York, Paris, Copenhagen, London, St. Martin and Stockholm. His first single “How you like me now” was released in May, 2005 and the EP “Risin’ Sun” came out in November 2005. His forthcoming album will be released internationally in 2006. Solano has worked with various producers internationally. In Copenhagen he joined forces with Danish producer Ezi Cut whose credit include 2pac, Kurupt and Outlandish. Recordings were also made with Havoc of Mobb Deep who is currently working producing for Mobb Deep, The Game and 50 Cent, with English Wayne Beckford whose credit include with Fabolous, with the French producer Ren Hook, known from cooperation with The Game, Rhoff and Dray (Das EFX), with Swedish board master Soul Supreme whose credits include Pete Rock, Redman, Krs One, and with B. Bell & P. Williams (Pharell William’s brother) whose credit include Beyoné, Paul Wall and Freeway. Method Man, Redman, Fat Joe, DJ Premier, Slum Village, DMX, Jemaine Dupri and Fabulous are some if the artists that Solano has opened up for. His first concert in St Marteen was sold out with more than 30.000 people attending the show. For more information, check out www.ilovesolano.com and www.myspace.com/rapcode Media

Soul Supreme

Born in the north of Sweden 1983, David started making beats at the age of 16. in 2003, he released the self-produced album “The Saturday Night Agenda” under the name Soul Supreme on the Boston label Grit Records. The album featured KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Pete Rock, O.C. and many more. Later the same year the mixtape “Soulmatic”, a remixed version of Nas “Stillmatic” with all production handled by Soul Supreme, was released through www.hiphopsite.com. Right now Soul Supreme is making beats for various artists in Europe and USA, as well as working on the follow-up to “TSNA”. Discography Albums (as Soul Supreme) Soul Supreme presents… The Saturday Nite Agenda (2003, Grit Records) (all production by Soul Supreme, guests include: KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, O.C., A.G., Pete Rock, DJ Revolution, L Da Headtoucha, Cali Agents and more). 12’’s (as Soul Supreme) The Message 2002 feat. KRS-One & Shuman (2002, Grit Records) Queen feat. A.G., Pete Rock & T-max/Still Searchin’ feat. Reks & Noel (2002, Grit Records) Come Get It feat. Big Daddy Kane, Checkmark & DJ Revolution (2003, Grit Records) Security feat. Shuman (2003, Grit Records)  Mixtapes SOULmatic (a remixed version of Nas “Stillmatic” with all production by Soul Supreme) (2003) Soul & Sense (a collection of Common remixes with all production by Soul Supreme) (2004) Other production 113 “Cercle Familial” (from the album “113 degrees” (2005, Sony BMG)) KRS-One “Let Em Have It” & “Everybody Rise” (from the album “Keep Right” (2004, Grit Records) Petter “Repa Skivan” (single, from the album “Ronin” (2004, BMG)) Baby Blak “Firewater” (from the album “Once You Go Blak…” (2004, Rapster Records) KRS-One “The Only One” (from the album Krisstyles (2003, Koch). Credited as “Inebriated Rhythm”) L Da Headtoucha “Evolution”, “Wartown”, “Sunshine” (from the album “Destined for Greatness” (2003, 7 Hill Entertainment) Electric (Company) “Respect Life” (from the 12’’ “Respect Life” (2002, Sun Moon Records) and album “Life’s a Struggle (2004, Sun Moon Records)) O.C “Starchild” (several tracks on the album) For mor info, check out www.myspace.com/djsoulsupreme Media

Spotrunnaz

One of Sweden's best hip hop duos are blasting borders and proving success from cold Sweden all the way to hot Africa. Spotrunnaz have opened up for acts like Nas, Tha Alkaholiks, 50-Cent, Xzibit, Common, The Artifacts, The Rascalz. They have been touring Scandinavia, South Africa and Cameroon. The new album "Spotless" features collaborations with J-Ro (Tha Alkaholiks), Timbuktu, Aaron Phiri among other heavy artists and colleagues. It all started when Miki and Moe hooked up in the summer of 1994. Their first release was in 1998 on the Swedish hip-hop compilation "Sidewalk Headliners"that led to a deal and the first 12" vinyl single, "Young Cats" followed by "Maintain". The first album "X-Marks The Spot" got great reviews and Spotrunnaz were labled as "one of Sweden´s best live acts". One of the videos for the second album "The Spotlight", was filmed in Moe's homecounty Zambia, which not only got heavy rotation here in Scandinavia but also over the continent of Africa. After the performance on Cameroon Hip Hop Awards in June 2006 the African crowd are now shouting for more.     Media

ZORO

Zoro came to think of himself as a soldier early on in life while growing up under the oppression and the violence of the apartheid system in South Africa. Being the first-born son in a musical family, music naturally became his weapon. At the age of six he started singing in choirs, but kept listening to his uncles banned reggae collection. When Zoro was shot by a policeman when he tried to stop the police from hitting a woman, he became paralyzed him from the waist and down. Through his strong determination and faith, he got the strength to leave the wheelchair and walk again. With his new power Zoro established himself as a major reggae voice in the Cape Province. Together with the Chronic Clan he created a trademark sound of conscious dancehall and R&B. His music is righteous and political with romance and respect to all the women of the world. No matter what color or who you are, Zoro he will make you dance. “Gugu News” is a fascinating and captivating album! More info on www.jujurecords.com and www.myspace.com/gugsnews Media