In recent months, Duck Down Records has added new members to its family artists, obtaining album deals with B-Real of Cypress Hill, set to release “SMOKE N MIRRORS” on January 27th; group projects such as KRS-ONE & Buckshot, Sean Price, Guilty Simpson & Black Milk “Random Axe,” all lined up for albums in 2009, and the latest, the official signing of Ruste Juxx who is preparing to release his first solo album “Indestructible,” on October 28th.
However, in their most-recent effort to expand the overall fan-base, Duck Down has just signed the Punk Rock Group, “SPECIAL EDUCATION,” and has announced its sub-label, “DUCK DOWN ROCKS!!!” The group is comprised of lead vocalist, Johny Rambo, Guitarist/Vocalist, MonstaMan, Bass Player, GUITARDED, the Drummer, Unnamed, and back-up Guitarist, ‘Death to Cabs In New Jersey.’
Special Education is slated to release their first album “I RIDE THE SHORT BUS” on February 17th through Arts And Crafts Records/DUCK DOWN ROCKS!!!
Co-owner and CEO of Duck Down Records, Dru Ha, had this to say about Special Education: “When Sean Price first told me about his cousin Johny Rambo’s group I was skeptical. I mean everyone has a family member that can rhyme or sing, now do Punk Rock? However, after seeing “Special Education” at the rehearsal studio a few weeks ago I was sold. These guys are AWESOME, they kick ass (pause) and their performance energy was heightened to levels I haven’t seen in recent memory. Equally as impressive is the band’s start up label, (Arts and Crafts Records) that has really set up some great initial grass roots marketing. Being that Buckshot and I don’t have much experience with Punk / Rock bands having Arts and Crafts on board made it a no brainer to sign the band and take a shot. We immediately called our good friend and director Rik Cordero to document a rehearsal session to soon share with the world.
The new video from “Special Education” for their song “So What I Wet The Bed” off I RIDE THE SHORT BUS will be available shortly. Stay tuned to WWW.DUCKDOWN.COM
Check out exclusive photos from the video shoot here:
I found this vid of AZ speaking on his relationship with Nas. I don’t know, thought ya’ll might want to take a look at it, since we haven’t seen them work in a while. I’m screaming double-album Nas and AZ.Give the people what they want!Keep it crook.
In an Industry where people do very little and expect big things, its no wonder why so many are put on a pedestal only to find themselves back in the mix searching for a quick hi-FIVE! Only the true hard workers make it and can last through the thick storms of industry chaos. Only the true can divide and conquer many things and still have time to do that something extra that will make their shine known. Yo world, I give you the down to earth exclusive interview with WU TANG’S, 3RD DIGALA!
KTHH: So can you tell the people how your first started doing music? 3rd Digala: I started back in 92 as a dancer for a white rap group called colorblind..they ran up on me and my dancing partner back in the day. They had a show that night, and happened to see us in the hood, doing our routines. last minute connect.. we did the show, and it was a success, at a club called Demararas in NYC. We continued to connect and do shows. Eventually I wanted to grab the Mic adding on to the dancing routines, So did my dancing partner. So we did.First song we did was kinda hot, so we continued to record hopping on every other song they (Colorblind ) did. KTHH: Thats cool, in middle school I loved my creative writing class and I eventually turned that into rhyming.So I know how the creative transaction works. How did the producing start? 3rd Digala: My last group I was involved with was called G Storm & The H-Mode Fam. We released a single on AV8 Records called Itty Gritty. I had the chance to work on the remix version of that song…with G Storm. which was who produced the original version. Once I touched that remix, and saw that I had Co production credit on that..it made me wanna get my own equipment and go hard at it cuz its hands on more in the game than just Rapping. More control. KTHH: Yeah most definitely. And other from your skills on the mic and producing I see that your acting as well, how did that come about? 3rd Digala: I was and still am a professional Barber. I would cut all the rappers and actors hair from Staten Island. I was cutting the Wu, Xclan, Trackmasters, and actors – Gano Grills (OZ)Hassan Johnson (The Wire) Etc.. It connected me with the people in the acting world who eventually put me in one of their movies Called BLOODY STREETZ. From that Co Starring role, I continued to land roles in the industry. KTHH: Damn homie! So i guess thats how the Wu Tang connection started? 3rd Digala: Yea…I was cutting Method Man, Inspectah Deck, and Cappadonna’s hair frequently. Those are my homies before the true success, and it just continued and connected more through the climb. KTHH: Thats whats up man. Are there any up and coming films we can expect to see you in? 3rd Digala: Yea…speaking of the Wu…BET picked up the Wutang Documentry that I am featured in called (Wu The Story Of The Wutang Clan). Thats coming out through BET by the end of this year or beginning of the next but soon. Look out for that KTHH: Yeah you can bet on that. I know a lot of people who are gonna check that out, especially out here in Europe, I know The WU has a large following out here. I did see a movie poster on your myspace page, with Sam jackson. Do you have a role in that? 3rd Digala: Yea I had a Principle role in Freedomland Starring Samuel Jackson and Julianne Moore…That is now playing on HBO Showtime, and Fx..dailey. Working with them was great, and I look forward to doing it again real soon KTHH: Your doing big things man. I know you did a track with Young Prophet, an artist from K-town, called Sucka Duck Season. How did that come to be, how did you guys meet? People out here are really feelin the track. 3rd Digala: Thanks to all of K-Town and Germany as a whole. Them dudes are hip hop, and are truly appreciated. Staten Island Ny got mad love for Germany. But yea….
I met Young Prophet through his sister Shay. Prophet and I clicked as soon as we got on the phone with one another, sharing the same hunger and motivation as one another….we continued to stay in touch after the first convo. Young Prophet sent me a track that one of his inhouse producers had sent him. This all took place like 2am one night. I heard it and started writing imediately!! I had the verse recorded and ready to email by the following day. He felt it…recorded his, contacted Verb Kent…the other portion of Muddy Trenches, and it was history from there (He felt it) KTHH: Yeah man the production was sick. Max Mostly did that one. As soon as the beat dropped people were goin nuts. So what can we expect musically from you in the near future? 3rd Digala: I did the Cappadonna album called Slang Prostitution. Produced, and spit on a few tracks. That album is slated to drop Sept 30 08. I did like 6 beats on that and spit on like 4 songs..but when you deal with labels, sometimne that can change I know Im on that but time will tell what made the cut.But the name of that again is SLANG PROSTITUTION KTHH: Word up man. Is there anything you can tell the up and coming artist trying to make it past the road blocks? 3rd Digala: Yea, get your hands dirty on different levels of the industry, try different ways to get in. Maybe rap aint your way in, it may be management. Or A&R…or producing.Dont put all your eggs in one approach, cuz then if it dont happen thats it. Its over, Get your hands very dirty
KTHH: Yo Digala thanx for your time, anything else you wanna say to the world? 3rd Digala: Yea… Keep ya eyes open for that kid straight from Gatten Island 3rd Digala…. I abide by the 3 D’s Im Destined, Determined, and Doing It !!!
Ktownhiphop's Weblog 