BY ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY
Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz and Street Execs Management unveiled their new recording studio downtown earlier this week, and also introduced their new record label, The Real University Records (also known as TRU Records).
The Atlanta-based facility opened Jan. 1 and houses artists including 2 Chainz, Travis Porter, Young Dolph, CAP 1, Bankroll Fresh, Grammy award-winning engineer Wonder Arillo, and DJ E Sudd. Among the artists on TRU Records are CAP 1, Skooly and Fresh aka Short Dawg. With 2 Chainz's leadership they released their debut mixtape "T.R.U. Jack City" in late January.
“I want to give upcoming artists from Atlanta an opportunity to be heard,” said Tauheed Epps also known as 2 Chainz, who intentionally arrived late to the showcase. “I have faith in the people I’m working with. These guys have outstanding personalities, we really support each other and we’re planting a lot of seeds and continuing the movement through the summer.”
While rap crews such as MMG, Young Money and G.O.O.D. Music have become popular on the mainstream circuit, 2 Chainz has complete confidence in what his up-and-coming crew brings to the industry.
“We are the underdog and we ain’t trippin’; we know we gonna win the game,” he said. “It’s fun being on this side.”
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
TRU Records has signed former Young Money artist Short Dawg, who is now known as Fresh; Chicago native and the first rapper signed to Motown Records, Cap 1; and Skooly, a former member of rap group Rich Kidz.
“I felt like I needed to stretch out for awhile,” Skooly said when asked about stepping out as a solo artist. “I’m blessed to be in this foundation. I’m still developing and I’ve came a long way.”
During the tour of the Street Execs Studio, media walked in on Skooly, who was in the midst of recording a track for his upcoming project,“The Blacc Jon Gotti.”
The message from 2 Chainz was clear: “We just working and that’s what we got, a team of workers.”
“We are a product of hard work,” CAP 1 added. “And we are calming this year.”
Decatur-based hip-hop group Travis Porter is currently working on a project titled “Three Live Crew” featuring songs “Faster” and “And Some.” Bankroll Fresh released his project “Life of a Hot Boy,” which features the hit single “Hot Boy,” and CAP 1 released his EP titled “Bird Bath” in January.
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