The Blue Scholars [click here]will be releasing material through Duck Down Records in a partnership with Seatle’s Caffe Vita Coffee Company. The first release in this partnership, Oof! will be dropping on August 25, 2009. September will see the re-issue of the group’s Bayani [click to read] release with Bayani Redux, which will feature one brand new song and two previously released tracks that were once available through digital download only. A press release from the label promises more full length projects to follow.
This move allows The Blue Scholars to maintain creative control as well as power over how the music is marketed and distributed.
Dru-Ha, the CEO of Duck Down, spoke on what this deal means to his label.
“I believe Blue Scholars is positioned to be one of the next important groups, not just in Hip Hop, but in music worldwide, and I want Duck Down to be a part of that. They bring their progressive ideas not just to their music and lyrics, but also in the way they think about and do their business.”
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Distriubition of actual CD’s will be handled by E1, which currently acts as Duck Down’s distribution partner. Digital distribution will be handled by Tunecore and other marketing options will be worked out by the Blue Scholars and Topspin web marketing tools.
For Geo, of the Blue Scholars, the move was one that needed to be made.
“After weighing all the options, remaining independent is without question, the best look. Duck Down shares that vision and their track record speaks for itself. With them, we get that national and international push while still owning and controlling our music.”
Why the partnership with coffee makers? Caffe Vita founder Mike McConnell says this shouldn’t be too surprising.
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“Coffee is both international and local, it effects the lives of millions, and it has tremendous ability to generate culture. We believe strongly in the work of the Blue Scholars and their power to look beyond the basic commodity that music has become. We are honored that Sabzi and Geo see that Vita is striving for the same goals.”
