After most of the Grand Hustle family, including T.I., Young Dro, B.G. and DJ Drama have secured recording contracts through Atlantic Records, Capitol/EMI announced today that they have signed Alfamega to at least a one-album deal.
Alfamega rose to prominence through his appearance on T.I. vs. T.I.P. [click to read] on the Busta Rhymes-assisted song “Hurt.” The appearance was the only Grand Hustle guest on the album. The rapper, widely revered as an Atlanta prodigy, received an added push of perhaps unwanted publicity when he was involved in T.I.‘s arrest for weapons charges in October [click to read].
I Am Alfamega will be released September 16th. Alfamega is not only a good story
teller, he has a unique story to tell. Not many people have experienced or
have walked in the shoes that he has,” said T.I. of his protege since 2005.
In other news, ’90s emcee Lil Dap from Group Home has finally finished preparing his solo debut. I-A-Dap will be released August 5th on Babygrande Records.
After appearing on Hard To Earn as part of The Gang Starr Foundation, Group Home released the seminal Livin’ Proof in 1995, spawning the undergrounds hits “The Realness,” “Livin’ Proof,” and “Superstar.” Production was handled by DJ Premier, with executive production by Gang Starr. When the outfit returned four years later with 1999’s A Tear For The Ghetto, the relationship with Gang Starr had soured, and so had the audience. The album was critically and commercially panned, leaving the group divided. Lil Dap reportedly relocated to Poland, occasionally releasing twelve-inch singles back into the U.S.
Production on I-A-Dap, the debut 14 years after the artist appeared on “Speak Ya Clout,” includes Large Professor and The Alchemist, along with Dap. There is no word yet if Melachi The Nutcracker, the other half of Group Home will be appearing.
Lastly, Duck Down Records confirmed today that Heltah Skeltah‘s long awaited third album, D.I.R.T. will be released September 2. The release comes after two critically-acclaimed, commercially successful albums from Sean Price (formerly Ruck). Meanwhile, Rock released Shell Shock last month, as a retail mixtape.
Two weeks after that, the label that just released albums from Kidz In The Hall [click to read] and Buckshot & 9th Wonder [click to read], will be releasing DJ Revolution‘s on September 16.
