Coming off of a string of successful 2009 releases, including Diamond District's In The Ruff, Mello Music Group is proud to announce its lineup for 2010. The year promises to be productive as the label plans to release high profile projects from acclaimed artists Finale, Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime, Ken Starr, Oddisee, Trek Life, and others.Mello Music Group (MMG) has been making great strides since first dropping an album by Oddisee in 2008, and 2010 promises to be a breakout year for the young label. Founded in 2007 by former mixtape DJ Michael Tolle, MMG is looking to bring hip-hop back to its base elements in the new year by complementing their releases with the work of a roster of renowned graphic and graffiti artists including Mear One, Gene Pendon, Tokio, and Josh Beyer. The label plans on further advocating its hip-hop philosophy by teaming up with A-list online outlets and giving away an emcee-selected pair of Nike Dunks every month to one lucky fan. Each winner will also be entered into a final drawing at the end of year to win a pair of custom painted kicks courtesy of MMG graf artists.
Leading MMG's musical charge will be Georgia Anne Muldrow& Declaime who are looking to keep themselves busy in 2010 as they prep the release of SomeOthaShip, their first joint album since 2007's Message Uni Versa (Look Records) out digitally on February 16th and available physically on February 23rd. The full length will be preceded by the vinyl-only EP Heaven or Hell, on 1/11. Georgia will also be taking some time to stop and smell the soul as she readies instrumental funk (Jyoti) and jazz (Turiya's Smile) projects, while Dudley assures fans that a solo project is in the works.
MMG's unofficial consultant of all thingsmusical and Diamond District member, Oddisee, will release both an instrumental album entitled Traveling Man and a solo album for listeners this year. Kenn Starr will be keeping things fresh in 2010 by first putting out a House Shoes produced mixtape, and then by releasing an album featuring one disc of 8 cuts produced by Detroit producer of the moment Black Milk and another disc consisting of remixes of those tracks featuring work by Mr. Porter, Apollo Brown, and Skyzoo to name a few. Another lyricist not content to rest on his laurels is Finale, who emerges from a critically acclaimed 2009 ready to drop an Oddisee produced album and may also be gracing listeners with a collabo project with Apollo Brown.
MMG's 2010 musical offensive continues with Trek Life's plan for a free EP giveaway and projects with partners in rhyme J. Bizness, DJ Babu, and Bishop Lamont among others, while Apollo Brown gets ready to hit the Reset Button with his project consisting of 15 reworked and remixed MMG classics. yU will round out MMG's sonically productive year by offering up some remixes and the official release and remastering of his album, Before Taxes. 2010 looks to be an exciting time for the growing label whose motto is "Sound's beautiful like the truth," and with this extensive offering of releases planned this year, nothing will sound more beautiful than Mello Music Group in 2010.
