Tomorrow night (Friday, March 19), Duck Down Records will unveil their annual showcase at Austin, Texas’ South By Southwest. While the bill features various Duck Down acts ranging from the Boot Camp Clik to B-Real to Skyzoo, also included are Bahamadia and Pharoahe Monch. This morning it was confirmed that Monch is officially part of Dru Ha and Buckshot’s label.

“I’m incredibly excited about my upcoming release W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) and my new partnership between my company W.A.R. Media, LLC, and Duck Down Music. This album deals with conflicts and resolutions of the spirit, the soul, the government, and the industry among other things. Thus far it features Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, Jean Grae, Styles P, Phonte, Black Thought, with more to come. It also features production from M-Phazes, Marco Polo, Mike Low, Fatin, Lee Stone, Exile and others to be announced. I am working diligently to finish the work for a summer release and I am honored to join forces with the Duck Down family during their 15 year anniversary,” Monch said in a statement.

The Queens emcee entered the Hip Hop scene in the late ’80s and released three albums with Prince Po in the group Organized Konfusion, along with a recent Greatest Hits compilation. Monch would later release his acclaimed solo album, Internal Affairs with Rawkus Records at the top of this last decade. Backed by massive single “Simon Says,” Monch elevated the profile of the Manhattan label that included Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Company Flow and Kool G Rap on their roster. The victory was bittersweet however, as a Godzilla movie sample halted the album and song, also forfeiting many of the emcee’s monetary profits from the success.

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In 2007, the emcee’s sophomore album Desirewas released on Steve Rifkind’s SRC Records. Despite critical praise, the major label debut translated into mediocre sales, ultimately making Monch leave the label that boasts Akon, Wu-Tang Clan and Asher Roth as artists.

In related news, here are Monch’s Canadian tour dates with Slaughterhouse:

April 3 Saint John, NB Evolution Nightclub
April 4 St. John’s, NF Club One
April 5 Halifax, NS Paragone Theatre
April 7 Ottawa, ON Ritual Nightclub
Aprill 8 Toronto, ON Venue TBC
April 9 Cornwall, ON Rangatangs Nightclub
April 10 Montreal, QC Telus Theatre
April 12 Thunder Bay, ON Roxys Nightclub
April 13 Winnipeg, MB Pyramid Cabaret
April 14 Saskatoon, SK Odeon Events Centre
April 15 Calgary, AB The Whiskey Nightclub
April 16 Edmonton, AB Starlite Room
April 17 Lethbridge, AB Venue TBC
Aprl 18 Nelson, BC Spirit Bar
April 21 Victoria, BC Element
April 22 Vancouver, BC Venue TBC

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For those in or nearby Austin, here is the Duck Down showcase information:

Venue: The Scoot Inn (1308 East 4th Street)

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8PM to 8:40PM – Music by DJ EVIL DEE

8:40PM to 8:55PM – Promise

9:05PM to 9:20 – Team Facelift

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9:30PM to 9:45PM – Marco Polo & Torae

9:55PM to 10:10PM – Skyzoo

10:20PM to 10:35: Blue Scholars

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10:45PM to 11:15PM: Kidz In The Hall + Special Guests

11:25PM to 11:45PM: Pharoahe Monch

12AM to 12:10: Ruste Juxx

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12:10 to 12:25: Smif N Wessun

12:25 to 12:40: Sean Price with Black Milk

12:40 to 1AM: Buckshot with special guests 

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1:10AM to 1:40AM: B-Real of Cypress Hill