BABYGRANDE RECORDS SIGNS LEGENDARY D.I.T.C. PRODUCER/EMCEE DIAMOND D–ANNOUNCES OCTOBER 14th NEW LP “THE HUGE HEFNER CHRONICLES”
Legendary Producer/MC/DJ Diamond D, constituent of the seminal collective D.I.T.C. (also included Fat Joe, Big L. & more), has signed a multi-album deal with renowned indie Babygrande Records. His inaugural release with the label will be October 14th’s “The Huge Hefner Chronicles,” Diamond’s third official release and first offering in 3+ years.
A classic and respected talent, Diamond D. got his start as a member of D.I.T.C., but soon parlayed this success into a thriving solo career, which included the release of the widely regarded classic “Stunts Blunts & Hip-Hop” in 1992. His second solo offering, 1997’s “Hatred, Passions & Infidelity,” featured appearances from such A-list luminaries as Busta Rhymes, Phife Dawg, Pete Rock & more.
Over the years, aside from independently releasing his subsequent two LP’s, Diamond has remained an active participant behind the boards, having contributed his trademark style to some of the most iconic records in hip-hop history including The Fugees’ “The Score,” A Tribe Called Quest’s “The Low End Theory,” as well as releases by Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch & many more.
With “The Huge Hefner Chronicles,” Diamond returns to form, with a record that recalls the nostalgic stylings of the “golden age,” while maintaining a contemporary sensibility accessible to the modern day hip-hop head.
This duality of form is on full display on the first single from the forthcoming LP, entitled “D-I-A-M-O-N-D.” A vicious head-nodder, the track instantly explodes into a “golden-age” inflected beat, produced by none other than the infamous beat maestro Nottz (Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Scarface, J Dilla, Snoop Dogg & more). Diamond answers with the lyrical fluidity that only a vet of his stature can offer. “D-I-A-M-O-N-D” is the feel-good back-to-school jam that hits the sweet spot for both purists and modern day heads alike.
PRAISE FOR DIAMOND D FROM THE ARTIST COMMUNITY:
“We’re trying to be like Pete Rock and Diamond D, cats who’ve got a passion equally for the rhymes and beats.”
– J. Dilla, Urb Magazine, February 2004
“Diamond D was doing soul samples since a long time ago. I just helped bring that style back.”
– Kanye West, Vibe Magazine, Jan. 2004
