EMI MUSIC’S IMPERIAL RECORDS AND TERROR SQUAD ENTERTAINMENT RE-UP DISTRIBUTION DEAL TO RELEASE FAT JOE’S EIGHTH ALBUM, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
For Immediate Release:
New York, September 18th, 2007 — Imperial Records, a division of Capitol Music Group and Terror Squad Entertainment have signed a new deal to distribute Fat Joe’s next album entitled The Elephant in the Room, slated for release in early 2008. Fat Joe’s new release is a follow-up to his previous critically-acclaimed album, Me, Myself & I, featuring the double platinum single, “Make It Rain.”
Fat Joe’s The Elephant In The Room will feature production by the multi-platinum powerhouses that previously worked with Fat Joe on his earlier hits, including Scott Storch, Cool and Dre, DJ Khaled, Danjahandz and the Runners, as well as guest artists P. Diddy, Rick Ross, Fabolous and more.
This exciting news comes on the heels of Fat Joe’s hit single, “Make It Rain (featuring Lil’ Wayne)” which surpassed 1 million ring tone sales and was certified Platinum in RIAA’s Digital Ringtone program. Me, Myself & I, released on Imperial Records/EMI in 2006, continues to sell and make a strong statement for independent music. Some of the other impressive milestones Imperial has accomplished with Fat Joe and Terror Squad include Imperial’s first Top 10 single in more than 40 years, “Make It Rain (featuring Lil’ Wayne)” on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Chart, peaking at #6. The single also reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The album Me, Myself & I, peaking at #3 on the Billboard R&B/Hiphop Album Chart, debuting at #14 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. The album also received rave reviews in VIBE, the Source, Washington Post and the LA Times, among other publications.
Fat Joe said, “Working with Imperial is one of the greatest moves I ever made in my life! I never made as much money in my career as I have since I went independent. The Elephant in the Room is guaranteed to be a classic! Believe Dat!” Imperial Records will again spearhead the marketing and promotion efforts for the album.
The Elephant in the Room will be Fat Joe’s eighth album. Fat Joe’s previous albums as a solo artist and with Terror Squad have sold more than 4 million records worldwide. Some of Fat Joe’s successful albums and singles include, Don Cartagena, Jealous Ones Envy (J.O.S.E.), Loyalty and All Or Nothing. Some of his notable singles include “What’s Love (featuring Ashanti), “We Thuggin,” featuring R. Kelly and “Get It Poppin’ (featuring Nelly).” Another huge single was “Lean Back,” by the Terror
Squad which earned a Grammy nomination for best performance by a rap group or duo. Fat Joe is also a legendary member of the Diggin In The Crates Crew with Big L and Lord Finesse. He also launched the career of the his protégé, Big Pun, whose debut album Capitol Punishment sold in excess of 1.5 million copies, making Big Pun the first Latin rapper to sell over one million units.
Neil Levine, Imperial’s Senior VP/GM says, “Fat Joe is in a zone on this album which is now his 8th solo work and I think it’s his strongest to date. It’s truly amazing to be working with an artist that’s getting better and better over time. He’s never sounded more confident. I’m extremely pleased to be working with Joe once again and we’re getting ready to do big things!”
Lee Trink, President, Capitol Music Group comments, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to continue working with Fat Joe. Three things are certain: death, taxes, and Fat Joe delivering hit records. He is Hip Hop royalty and a jewel in the (Imperial) Capitol Music Group crown.”
Ronnie Johnson, Executive Vice President adds, “I’m excited to be working with Joe again! He’s a great ambassador for the label and a great partner.”
Imperial Records is a legendary imprint that grew to become the Rock n’ Roll and R&B powerhouse label home of Fats Domino, teen rock idol Ricky Nelson, the Temptations and Cher. The new Imperial, relaunched in June 2006 as an independent urban unit designed to be a breeding ground for new talent, is developing hit artists for a new generation. In addition to Fat Joe, recent Imperial projects include a re-launching of Levine’s own Penalty Recordings, Jin on Raptivism Records, previously unreleased material from the 6 time, Grammy-nominated Anthony Hamilton on Merovingian Music, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Independent Album Chart, the debut album from Evidence of Dilated Peoples, the second release from singer/songwriter Donnie on Soulthought and the fourth release from female rapper, Rasheeda on D-Lo Entertainment.