Jay-Z has dropped Def Jam, the label where he was once president, for a $150m deal with Live Nation. The Live Nation deal is a “360degree” deal that will give the concert promoter a financial position in virtually every aspect of the rapper’s career. Jay-Z is expected to get a $25m payment upfront, $10m in advances for each of three albums, $25m towards concert performances and $20m for the publishing rights that he owns. Live Nation is also expected to commit $50-million to finance Jay-Z’s investments and his entertainment venture, to be called Roc Nation, which is expected to include his own record label, music publishing, talent consulting and managing projects. He and Live Nation will split any profits 50/50. (From the Sunday Times)

In the wake of the release of Atlanta rapper Kardier’s independent debut album “PICTURES”, which will be available for purchase at CD Baby, iTunes and many other online digital retail stores on Tuesday April 15th, Kardier vehemently proclaims that he is shooting to grab the number one roster spot on Jay-Z’s new label Roc Nation. Kardier states, “Jay-Z’s new deal with Live Nation is a great opportunity for me to finally work alongside my idol and mentor. Once Jay retired I thought that the opportunity had faded, but now its flourishing more than ever”. Kardier, who is signed to his own independent label, Pittman & Hawkins Music Group, in which he runs with his longtime business partner Carlos Pittman, speaks of garnering distribution for the label via Roc Nation in an effort to reestablish reality and substance back into Hip Hop.

www.myspace.com/kardier

phmusicgroup.wordpress.com  

For Immediate Release

Pittman & Hawkins Music Group is pleased to announce their new release by recording artist Kardier titled Pictures.  Kardier’s line-up of songs are clever, thought provoking, and may be best described as “Kanye West meets Tupac and Nas with a hint of smooth R&B”.  Pictures goes against the mainstream grain and proves that Hip Hop music can be modernized without compromising its original aesthetics.

Kardier, hailing from Atlanta by way of Mississippi, has performed in concert with such music stars as Destinys Child and Sean Paul, and has worked with producer Devante Swing of the 90’s R&B group Jodeci.  Having been influenced by several Hip Hop greats that built their careers on impeccable story telling, Kardier produced Pictures as if it were an audio photo album. Kardier says, “I like to refer to my music as Reality Music, and since a picture is worth a thousand words I wanted every song on the album to tell a real story; explaining a picture in someone’s life.  Whether it’s a party or a heartfelt song, someone somewhere can take something positive from it.  The title of the album comes from the many pictures in our lives that tell a tale of what once was, or could be”. 

The album includes songs that reflect a variety of moods, stories and scenarios for a wide range of listeners. His primary goal is to create music that transcends all boundaries and that people worldwide can relate to. His hit single “Down Girl” and other songs like “Money”, “Spanish Fly” and “Beautiful Mind” exemplify his approach.  Kardier has shows planned throughout the 2008 summer and fall months, and is currently receiving radio airplay on WRFG 89.3FM in Atlanta, GA.  Pictures is currently available for purchase at CD Baby, iTunes and many other online digital retail sites.

Preview Songs From The Album By Clicking On Links

Kardier - Down Girl
Kardier – Talkin’ ish

*For More Info On Kardier Log Onto www.myspace.com/kardier or www.phmusicgroup.com

*To Purchase The Album Pictures Log Onto http://cdbaby.com/cd/kardiermusic